Conference
Table of Contents
Noah, Daniel & Job
Address—C.H. Brown
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Ezekiel.
Being part of the 14th chapter.
Of Ezekiel.
14 verse 12.
Word of the Lord.
When the Lamb sinneth against me by transgressing Jesus Lee, then will I stretch out my hand upon it, and will break the staff of bread thereof.
And those family, the family upon it.
And the cut off man in deep stomachs.
No, do three men.
Noah, Daniel and Gold.
You're in it.
Delivered but their own souls by their righteousness.
Beth Menard.
If I cause noise and go to pass through the land.
And they spoil it so that we decimate that no man can pass through because of being.
Though these three men were in it as I lived, that the Lord God, they could deliver neither sons nor daughters.
They all need to be delivered, but the lands will be better.
Or if I bring sword upon that land and say sword go through the land so that I cut off man in these summit.
All these two men.
Then I left out the Lord God. They shall deliver him with his sons and daughters.
But they only can be delivered themselves.
Or if I send a pestilence into that land.
And pour out my fury upon it, and blood to cut off from it man, and beat.
Go, Noah.
And good well, as I live past the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son or daughter. They shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
For thus best the Lord God, how much more, when I spend my 4 sword, judgments upon evolution, The sword, the salmon, the noise can be the testament to cut off on its man in deep yes, behold, therein shall be left a remnant.
This starting place for our little medication this afternoon.
I think we're just a bit ambitious.
In trying to summarize.
Of the lives of these three men.
But when the word of God, late.
Names together in this way.
I think we're not going to go amiss by linking them together in our meditation.
Ezekiel.
Led toward the end of the history of the Jews before their captivity, in fact.
Southwest carried into captivity and didn't care of these prophecies. Was written while he was in captivity.
He was a faithful man.
He wasn't afraid.
Made him unpopular.
But he was willing to suffer from the Lord.
And he's bringing before the continues of the guilty people who were so careless.
The fact that though three of the most remarkable men.
That we have recorded in biblical history.
Although they were there at the present time Speaking of his birth.
And the judgment came.
Their righteousness would only deliver their own soul.
Think of singling out three men that way.
They're separated in history by a matter of 2000 years.
Laurel, Daniels and Joe.
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All the more remarkable the ordering which they're given.
It is North Golden Daniel.
Lord Daniel was the contemporary of Ugly.
We must have known ourselves. We must have loved each other.
And I think it's the soul 9, the thing in Jesus Speaking of a contemporary laborer and profit.
In such remarkable terms.
Always down through history, there has been the tendency of those who that God become jealous one of another.
That's the summer days of our natural heart.
Let me define where grace rises above it, and it's so sweet to see it when it's so.
Remember that.
We did hitters in state.
Because it was to be blaming.
We have what marvelous grace on Peter Park later on to speak of our beloved brother Paul.
All there's nothing like the working of the Spirit of Christ in our hearts, beloved.
Giving us to have the reaction with our Blessed Lord would have had under similar circumstances.
Now I have it before, and it does to give the bare outline of the distinguishing features.
Of these three books, these three men rather.
This man, Noah.
Was a man who believed that the world was willing to judge me.
And he acted accordingly, both for himself and his family.
I suppose we better turn back to 6th of Genesis.
5th verse Genesis 6.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth.
And with every imagination of the thoughts that his heart was only evil continuous.
Eight months, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Please appall rapidly the earth had deteriorated from the time that.
God, the certain man on this fairer with everything in his favor.
When God looked upon that finished creation and pronounced it very good.
And yet now we're only 1500 years down the corridor of time.
And God has to write in his words.
Saw that the wickedness of man was drinking earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continuous.
I do not see how you could go any further.
Than that verse.
If it's every imagination, no accepted.
And the thoughts of his heart were only.
Oh, Narendra.
But.
That is, that is enough. One more word.
Continually.
Think of getting up in the morning.
Starting the day was thinking.
And all your thoughts were corrupt.
With him even not one good thing ever passed through your mind.
You belong to the day after that matter. You lie down at night.
The last thought at night is the thought of looking.
That is concrete of the mind of God.
That's the condition to which the world has fallen the days of North.
But God always has someone.
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The rule we can look who can acknowledge all the.
So we'll be fine in that eighth verse, that God, that Noah found grace in the eyes of Jehovah.
The main know I mean rest.
Your son will in the eyes of Jehovah.
I believe that we all sense that we're living in a day.
When we're rapidly approximating.
The conditions that prevailed in most times.
I've lived quite a few years in this world myself.
And I can testify personally that I have seen a district degeneration.
All along the lines in the standards of humanity around.
Everything is on the downwind.
And we're told in the Gospel of Matthew.
That in the enzyme is just going to be like it was in the days of Merle.
Things aren't getting one bit better, in fact.
The emphasis is all in the opposite direction.
Things are getting worse. Evil Manning could be through. Still lack worse and worse. Receiving, being defeated.
So yes, the time comes from.
Even not endure sound doctrine, but after their own luck shall they hit themselves, teachers having it in years, and so turn away that it is in the truth, and return on the table.
Let's not expect things to get better.
No, things are not going to get better.
We're getting ready.
For the judgment of God to overwhelm this scene, the judgment of God.
On mankind in an alienation and everything to God, and the judgment of God upon an apostate Christendom that denies their only Lord and Savior. Word of God is full of testimony.
To bear off his treatment.
Noah lived in a day like that, but Noah found good in the eyes of the Lord.
All beloved faith in God.
The older identities, the more I see and am convinced that all is of growth.
Things American savings, or how grateful we ought to be.
Every day how we can drop on our knees and bless God for goodness.
That they're not out in the current of wickedness in the vortex of iniquities. It's roaming around us today. What a mercy, the exception, the sense of God's goodness. You think you live in fellowship by the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ?
To recognize our loop so that man in heaven.
The coming moment to take us out of this thing of the firemen to user it into his lawyers presence forever.
Your found rules in the eyes of the Lord. Are you a Christian?
Are you all right? You found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
World, get down every day on your knees and bless God.
But the Founders in his eyes.
Now they move this.
These are the generations.
Have more?
Nor was a just man.
Perfecting generation.
Noah, walk with God.
Remarkable man wasn't no wonder who gets into the into the 14th chapter of Ezekiel.
Was a just man perfect in his generation.
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How wonderful, in a day of big sanction and a day of wickedness, to have the mind of Christ and thread our way through this world apart from.
Dear brother AH, whom some of us knew personally.
Used to say it's the path of the Christians.
The slip through this world is quietly possible.
And I believe it is right.
No, we're not to be.
Making ourselves as high, Anderson.
No or not.
Go through this world.
Unsung, unheralded, unnoticed that you'd be go through it quietly with a rejected Christ.
Will I walk with John?
You know, there's another man walks with draw. That was Enoch.
In Hotmail.
Not too long before this.
He lost his dog, 300 and.
300 News.
He walked with God.
And then God took it.
You went to heaven without dying.
Wouldn't it be 9?
For you, for me to be walking with God.
And suddenly hear the call lighting up, and be taken to be with our Blessed Lord.
He'll walk with jaws.
You know how sad it would be, would it not, beloved?
If that call came.
And found within a path of disability.
Of world conformity, of seeking after the poor parenting things of time.
If we sing our every nerve and energy to make good in this world, how sad it would be to be interrupted with a call to meet our Lord.
But if we were walking with God.
As in it did.
And as Noah did.
How welcome how glad would be for that fall.
Nor walk with God next chapter.
And the first verse.
And Jehovah said unto more.
Come down all the house into the earth to you. Have I seen righteous before me in this generation?
Come thou all thy house into the arts.
We don't want to leave our loved ones outside duty.
God addresses the call to us. Come down.
And all thy house and we are.
Well, beloved, that Arctic, right?
The artist Christ and oh how good, if we can see our loved ones safely, howls with us in that state, that pure, unadulterated, unadulterated things in our Lord Jesus Christ.
It's not an empty form.
It isn't just getting someone to put the name on the dotted line.
It isn't just signed the Indian people to join with and join that.
It isn't even just trying to get the souls to bring bread. That isn't the answer.
But all to have them attracted to the blessed person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Come down. All I hope into the eyes, are your burden for your dearly.
Pray for them.
Millions will speak to them about the Lord.
Moral Noah was concerned about his family.
And he invited the mall to go into the arts with him. And thank God they all went in.
I would go down to 16th place.
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And they went in.
Male and female of all flights exotic commanded him.
And the Lord struck him in all as a sense of explorator. The Lord shut him.
Well, if the Lord did it, it was well done.
No danger of any loose thing and the boat going to the bottom of the water.
The Lord shutting him.
The mom, once you get into the hands of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
Well following heaven, war and earth.
It never takes you up. You have his own words book I give unto my eternal life.
And they shall never bury them out of my hands.
And my father was given to me beautiful.
And none conflict them out of my father's hands. I, my father, are one.
All the wonderful things.
And that means one soul in hell.
Doesn't be able to look up and say once, I'll be shaping your hands, not one.
That blessed tears of the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ has never lost a man, never, never will, never can.
The lawns shutting in.
McDonald's Good work and you will finish up until the day of Jesus Christ.
That's emphatic.
But it's not over emphasis. It's a simple plain moving dog.
Chapter, the first verse.
And God remembered Noah.
Is not going to get through.
You remember no. And beloved, don't ever think.
Forgotten regardless of the circumstances.
Supposing you are passing through something comparable to a great flood. Adverse circumstances are sometimes.
God's going to remember you. You're not going to forget this.
Plenty of work.
And more building than altar under the law.
And took of every two weeks into every clean power.
Offered burnt offerings on the altar.
And the Lord smelled a sweet server.
What's that?
All in that offering that Noah made of the clean animals after he came out of the ark.
God smelled the silver of Christ and his sacrifice.
Well that was what was simplified in that offering more and on the ground of that often God is no more going to destroy the earth by a flood. God smell the sweet savage nor.
That dear man Nor is now a worshiper.
On a new Earth, a new age. He's a worthy person.
You know, there's a difference between worship and search.
Service isn't worth it.
And work it doesn't. Prove it.
And you know, get your work at some first.
We go in as holy prove into His presence.
Worth it?
Then we go out as royalty to save.
But the two things are not confounded in Scripture.
And so by him let us off of the sacrifice of praise to God continually. That is the fruit of our list, giving thanks to me.
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That's worth it. What to do good. And to communicate? To get knocked on the sub? Sacrifices. God is well, please.
That service.
So world we find them here on the new day a workable.
No wonder that you think there was led of the spirit of God who summoned north as an example of a righteous man.
All time slipping by.
So they go to Daniel next. We'll take these men in the order.
That they're given.
In our chapter.
Laying down on the.
God is my judge.
Daniel lived round numbers about 2000 years after North.
My name is Third Bird.
The things taken to Actinas, the masqueraded unit that he should bring certain of the children of Israel.
And of the king stings.
Joe decided spicing the king themed and of the Princess.
Still running home with no blemish.
But well favored killed for an all wisdom and coming with knowledge.
Understanding science, such as had ability and understanding the change.
And whom they might keep the learning and tongue.
As a child in.
Now Daniel was the man who absolutely refused the path of compromise.
He saw the truth of God and he went right down the line. No compromise with Daniel.
6:30.
Mongolians were the children of Juba.
Download. I don't know. I'm Mitchell and Azariah.
I know that see this is a King's seed.
Through the computer Jesus of the royal line.
And here he is a captive.
But captains in Babylon?
Seventh verse.
Unto whom the Prince of the unit laid means for he gave unto Daniel the name of Delta Jazzers Hananiah, Stadra.
Anthony Field Weekend and Azerbaijan.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not be file himself with the portion of the King's roots, nor by the wine which he drink. Therefore he requested of the Prince of the unit that he might not be file himself.
Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the Prince of the universe.
If we're willing to take the path of separation as Daniel did.
Rob is going to work for.
Here was Daniel in Strangeland.
In the captors.
It is under the absolute power, the model which could have beheaded in that world, that is, will attack some God.
And yet that man knew nothing.
Of bowing to the will of that king of the transgressed, the will of God.
If he had stayed back home and lived up to his privileges.
As of the Team Royal, you might eventually have had a place in this world.
It had all passed by as a thing not to be thought by Daniel.
He purposed in his heart that he had not defiled himself to the portions of the King's monks.
If you will honor God in your life.
We'll honor you. Them that honor me I will honor. And they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
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Or how often you see.
This man who dare defy the king.
Was named the highest will in the Kingdom under that king.
Them that honor me.
I will honor.
All you dear young people here.
I wish that you might get something from that eight verse this afternoon. Daniel, Purpose and his party, but not least file himself.
With the Kings Music.
The king was a man of this world.
All he knew was defeats on what this world had to do.
Daniel wanted none of it. He wanted to be in communion with his daughter and all. How richly God blessed us.
17.
As to these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill and all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding and all brittons and dreams.
20 And when all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired of them, he found them 10 times better than all the magicians and astrologers, and all realms.
Daniel continued even under the first year of seeing silence.
God has not given us the spirit of seal.
Lot of power and of love and of a sound mind.
So it was here, McDaniels.
He wasn't living in constant fear when the time came to say his prayers.
He opened the window and he prayed toward his beloved Jerusalem.
She wasn't the team to do it.
No, God hasn't given us the fear to fear, but of power.
You have in you by the facts of your being a Christian. You have the potential to overcome any and every temptation that may come your way while you're here. That's the truth of God.
Not giving us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.
Isn't it wonderful to have a sound judgment? That's what that verse means.
God gives the Christians the ability to analyze the various drivers and schemes and plans and hopes and ambitions and movements of this world and the solar them and through the power of them. And He's the only one that does.
You've given us the power and he's given us a sound mind. That means a sound government.
You remember when the First World War was on.
That President, Wilson.
Created that little slogan.
That this is a war to end war. Remember that some of the at least.
This war is a word and one.
Now do you think any simple hearted believer that means Bible?
Was the least bit impressed that that slogan, President Wilson?
Why, no, it wasn't impressive. Wonderful.
He knew that according to the word of God.
Wars are continuing conflict and violence and corruption as long as man is left here on this earth.
Apart from the delivering power of the returning Son of God.
And so were the various movements that are on foot to do.
Man is the children.
It is going to breakthrough and sail out into outer space.
And there's no stopping place.
They'll all have jobs that he's going to move.
Now the Christian the Moses Bible.
No, it's expired.
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God is going to keep man right here on this earth.
They put him here and he's going to stay here.
Just being able to.
Get out into two or 300 miles of the Earth is a simple matter compared to his ambition.
The heaven and the heaven of heavens are the Lord, but the earth has been given to the children of the moon.
Our line.
And here he is a captive.
Captive in Babylon.
Seven birds under whom the Prince of the eunuch gave names, for he gave unto Daniel the name of Delta Jazzer, Hananiah, Stadra.
And to make you meet them and Azariah, Benny goes.
But Daniel purpose in his heart, that he would not defile himself with the person of the King's needs, nor but the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the Prince of the unit that he might not defile himself.
Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the Prince of the Eunice.
If we're willing to take the path of separation as Daniel did.
God is going to work for us.
Here was annually strained glance.
Is the captive.
He was under the absolute power, the monarch. He could have been headed in at Willow, that is apart from God.
And yet that man knew nothing.
Of bowing to the will of that king, if it transgressed the will of God.
If he had stayed back home and lived up to his privileges as of the seed royal, he might eventually have had a place in this world.
But it all passed by as a thing not to be sought by Daniel.
He purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the King's meat.
If you will honor God in your life.
He'll honor you. Them that honor me I will honor. And they that despise me shall be lightly accused.
Oh, how often we see.
This man who dared defies the king.
Was made the highest ruler in the Kingdom under that king.
Them that honor me.
I will honor.
All you dear young people here.
I wish that you might get something from that eighth verse this afternoon, Daniel purposed in his heart. He would not be file himself.
Where the kings need.
The king was a man of this world.
All he knew was succeeds on what this world had to give.
Daniel wanted none of it. He wanted to be in communion with his God and all. How Leslie God blessed it.
Verse 17.
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding and all victims and dreams.
Funny and in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the King inquired of them, he found them 10 times better than all the magicians and astrologers have been all. Who else?
Daniel continued even under the first year of King Silence.
God has not given us the spirit of fear.
Lot of power and of love and of a sound mind.
So it was here with Daniel.
He wasn't living in constant fear when the time came to say his prayers.
He opened the window and he prayed toward his beloved Jerusalem.
He wasn't the same to do it.
No, God hasn't given us the spirit of fear, but of power.
You have in you by the fact of your being a Christian. You have this potential to overcome any and every temptation that may come your way while you're here. That's the truth of God.
00:40:13
Not giving us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.
Isn't it wonderful to have a sound judgment? That's what that verse means.
Gives the Christians the ability to analyze the various figurines and scenes and plans and hopes and ambitions and movements of this world, and to save them and see the followers. And he's the only one that does.
He's given us the power and he's given us a sound mind. That means a sound judgment.
Remember when the First World War was on?
That President, Wilson.
Created that little slogan.
That this is a war to end war. Remember that some of you at least do. This war is a war and war.
Now do you think any simple hearted believer that means Bible?
Was the least bit impressed by that slogan, President.
I know it wasn't impressive 1 bit. He knew that according to the word of God.
Wars are to continue in conflict and violence and corruption as long as man is left here on this earth.
Apart from the delivering power of the returning Son of God.
And so were the various movements that are on foot today.
Man is convinced.
It is going to breakthrough and sail out into outer space.
And there's no stopping place.
That all mapped out what he's going to do.
Now the Christian that knows his Bible.
No, it's falling.
God is going to keep man right here on this earth.
He put him here and he's going to stay here.
Is being able to get out into two or 300 miles of the Earth is a simple matter compared to his ambition?
The heaven and the heaven of heavens are the Lord, but the earth has been given to the children of men.
Here is where he's going to keep him.
And when I see all these plans that are being made.
The various achievements I think of adverse in the 2nd Psalm 2 The sitteth in the heaven shall last. He shall have them in strong regions.
Oh, how cool this man is. And it's because he's given us God. God is not in all his thoughts.
So he cast the knowledge of God behind his back, and he starts out on his path of insane folly.
Well, let Daniel.
Gave him wisdom and understanding, and he found him 10 times better than all the magicians and the scholars that were all as well.
Now look at the third chapter.
The thing is bringing forth now his.
Threatening.
And he.
Going to be cast into the burning fiery furnace.
16 Verse stage rack Musek and Abednego answered and said to the king.
Or Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer you on this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O King.
But if not get known unto you, then we will not serve thy God, nor worship the golden image with solace set up.
Verse 25.
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He answered and said, Lo, I see four men lose walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt.
And the form of the force is likened to the Son of God.
I'll go down to 28th birth.
Then Nebuchadnezzar has his stake and said, blessed be the God of Sajak, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his Angel and liberty servants that trusted him and obtained the King's word and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve or worship any God except their own God.
Now these are the associates of Daniel. They've been in his companions.
They've been under his influence, under his totally.
And see what man of God they were.
There's a verse that says makes grace has for your feet left that which is lame be turned out of the way.
Tell me, dear young sister.
Is it easier for the other young Christians?
In the meeting where you are.
Is it easier for them to walk with God because they're watching your life?
Are you making straight paths for your peace?
So that others discern in you and acceptable example and they're seeking to imitate your faith.
Oh, what a tremendous influence is known. Daniel must have had on these three companions of his.
They yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any God that their own God.
Are you healing your body?
To him, What are you doing with your body?
All we read where they thought that we present our bodies a living sacrifice wholly acceptable under God, which is our intelligence savings.
Give only this one opportunity. Give only this one body to you.
Are you using adjusted gratify the loss of the flight?
Are you just living some day-to-day inflation, thinking up the next good time you can have apart from the will of God?
Or how different it was with these three men. They yielded their bodies, that they might not serve your worship any God, but their own them.
Now the 6th chapter.
And the third was.
Then this Daniel was preferred above the president and Princess, because of excellent spirit was in it, and the king taught him to settle over his whole realm.
An excellent spirit within you.
You know, dear fellow Christians, it's no credit to us.
To be of an unhappy critical fault finding spirit.
No, the Word of God would have the Spirit of Christ to be with us.
He would have us go in and out among our brethren as those that radiate.
Encouragement and fear not as expensive truth. Never.
But all that we might have something of that spirit that was found here in Daniel, and excellent spirit is found in him. But the 23rd verse?
00:50:06
Then the king exceeding blood for him, and commanded that they could take Daniel out of the damage. So Daniel was taken up out of the dam, in no manner of purchase found upon him, because it believed in his God.
Well, that's when they put the poor man on the lions den.
But nothing frightened him. Nothing turned him back.
He was determined that he might be faithful even unto death.
Now going on down toward the end of Daniel.
And the 9th chapter.
23rd verse.
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show these, for thou art greatly beloved.
Greatly beloved.
Now the 10th chapter.
And the 11TH verse.
And he said unto me, old Daniel, a man greatly beloved.
Understand the words that I speak under these.
19th verse.
And said old man, greatly beloved, fear not.
Teeth be underneath this strong may be strong, sweet crisis, comforting words, but he was worthy of it. Now the 12TH chapter.
And the ninth verse.
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel, for the words that closed up and sealed at the time of the end.
Now the last verse.
Go thou thy way till the end be thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the day. No wonder Daniel was summoned by Ezekiel to encourage the hearts of the remnants in those terrible days of the Clinton.
But what about poor jokes? Well, we go back to Job now. Now Joe lived about 600 years after Noah.
And you have just stayed a few of the salient points.
As a joke.
The word job probably means persecuted.
There was a man on the land of Oz whose name was Job.
That man was perfect and upright.
One that feared God and issued evil.
Job was an upright thing.
And he learned in God's presence they worthlessness.
Of human goodness.
And thus he came into the humble knowledge of Jehovah's love course.
He started out as we read here in the eighth verse.
The Lord said unto Satan, Has thou considered my servant Job as none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, and one that fears God and his pure people?
A model. A model man.
Would be a good neighbor.
It was a kind man.
But to read on in the book, he rehearses many of his own virtues farther on.
Now God is going to test it.
The point in job is this job was good.
Seem to think that God.
But he never really learned himself in God's presence.
And perhaps it takes a lifetime to do that.
But the point is this.
Just because a child of God is living.
A correct blameless just in life.
There's no sign in itself that he is in the good, in his soul, of what God has thought.
00:55:01
There must be that discovery in God's presence of the absolute utter worthlessness.
Of all of themselves.
Finding out that all of the grace and all is of God.
I suppose that George experience is somewhat like the sevens of Rome.
Paul depicts what supposedly he had passed through.
The struggle of their immune man who is born again.
To find several.
When he makes the discovery that he has so much on the inside.
That's contrary to the mind and will absorb.
Job hadn't found that out.
God turns Job over to Satan.
To sit to prove he's going to let Satan be his agent.
To help that man discover what he is.
Now God says to Satan, just so far no further.
She says that in a mighty ways of the old.
And he says it to all the circumstances in your life.
Don't ever think for a moment that everything is out of control and you're just being overwhelmed and there's no one looking after you. Don't ever think that you think of God. Nothing is overlooked by God.
But here was Satan, ready enough to take up the past, showing the emptiness of Job, so-called uprightness and faithfulness.
Is allowed to rob him of his property.
And on the 21St verse.
Here's your reaction. Naked came out of my mother's womb.
Make it till I return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord in all this Job, sin, knock, nurse foolishly.
Well, that was noble. We can't find any fault with that.
Then in the second chapter.
His wife.
Sad thing to have a wife that acts like this.
Dan said his wife on him. The dust out still retained on integrity. First Garden died.
But he said unto her, Thou speakest is one of the foolish women. What shall we receive good at the hand of God, until they're not also received evil?
And all this did not go thin with his lips.
Going to take more than that to bring this mound to see where he is on the inside.
Now the next chapter, 25th verse.
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come upon me.
Down beneath all his self complacences.
There was a lingering uncertainty.
Underneath it all, you didn't have the right foundation.
And you know, beloved.
If you're just resting on your correct life.
On the Christian testimony that we've been able to render.
And you're imagining that?
You're a pretty fine individual.
Wrapped down underneath it all.
There's a restlessness and an uncertainty.
You're afraid of what's going to happen.
But your needed was to come to the end of himself.
Folded You send me the Romans?
And when he came to the end of himself, he said thanks beyond the God that giveth us the victory.
To our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God.
Yes, by faith.
Now the 33rd chapter.
The ninth verse.
One is almost the same to the business.
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Job seeking.
At least.
It thought it was the thought of his heart.
I am clean without translation. I'm innocent. Neither is there iniquity in me.
Oh, how sad.
How sad, Eli, who's giving him the truth of what was going on in his heart.
God was saying I'm pleased. Without transgression, I'm innocent. Neither is there any iniquity in this.
I'll turn to the 40th chapter. Keep that in mind.
And turn to the 40th chapter.
And the fourth verse.
Now we're getting on more solid ground.
Then Job answered the Lord and said, Behold, I am vile.
Shall I answer these, I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Once have I spoken.
But I will not answer yet twice, but I will proceed no further.
Now he's making progress.
Well, thank God for that discovery. You're not boasting about there being no iniquity, and he's not boasting in his blameless life.
All dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
You and I really get into God's presence.
All the books and of what we are, of what we've done for him, is just going to wither in the dust.
Any little thing in your life and mine, that God is all of grace.
Zona learned his lesson in the belly of the whale in the bottom of the sea. Thou, Jason, is of the Lord.
42nd time.
And the sisters?
This is the climax.
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ears, but now mine I fear. Please, wherefore I am for myself, and they can't induction acres.
Can't get lower than that, I abhor myself.
In me, that is in my life dwelleth no good thing.
Oh, how good, if we can learn that lesson.
Learned it. He got right down in the duck. He threw away all pretense itself righteousness, and he told out the truth.
Now in the next verse and it was so.
After the Lord had spoken these words under Job, the Lord said to Elophiles the demonized. My wrath is kindled against He and against. By two frames we have not spoken of me. The thing that is right as my servants yields half ninth verse.
So Evil files the Gemini and Bildad the Two Eight, and Zulfi the name of like, once.
And this is pardon is the Lord commanded them. The law accepted gold, the new gold. The Lord accepted it. He didn't accept the old ones, that he kept the new ones.
Temple and the Lord turned the captivity of Joel when he prayed for his friends. Also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Or you're not going to be the loser spiritually because you give your life over to his friends. You're not going to be the loser. Or how richly he blesses any little measure of surrender that we make to him.
And as a result of that experience of joy.
Who got his name linked along with that marvelous sermon of God Daniel?
And that marvelous man of God knows Job got his name linked with him.
And that wonderful chapter there in his weekly.
Why did Ezekiel bring those names together?
Because he wanted to encourage a little feeble remnants in the Day of Ruins.
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He wanted to tell them don't forget.
God has had men like that.
Had a N He's had a Daniel, He's had a gold or beloved. Can you learn lessons from these things? Remnant days to be cures to God's standards don't change with all the truth to your needs. But there was for the disciples in those early days, those blessed days that we read about in the early chapters of the act. Oh, may the Lord cheers up.
Set our faces of Christ.
Son of Glory.
Let's buy the truth and sell it not is coming is so near someone have a hand they might think.
Christ - Purpose, Pattern, Prize, Power
Address—P.R. Gladding
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Our Lord, our life, our hope, our all, for we have nowhere else to please. No sanctuary, Lord will be.
309.
For Libya?
With that he therefore any consolation in Christ.
If any comfort of love.
If any fellowship of the suburb.
If any bowels and verses.
For building my joy that ye be like minded.
Having the same love, being of 1 Core of one mind, let nothing be done through strife, obey the glory.
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Body, loneliness of mind that each esteem are much better than themselves.
Look, not every man on his own thing.
Of every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in this.
Which was also in Christ Jesus.
Who being the foolish God fought against God is not the operating to me over God.
Made himself of no reputation.
And took upon him the form to serve is made in the likeness of men.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.
Of the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven, things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every town should confess that Jesus Christ is law, that the glory of God the Father.
Wherefore, my father and she have always obeyed my best in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.
Workout your own salvation with fear and tramping.
For his thought, which worketh in you both will, and to do of his good pleasure.
To all things without murmurings and disputing.
And he may be blameless and harmless, and harmless, the sons of God without regroup, in the midst of a crooked and reversed nation.
Amongst whom he shot his life in the world.
Holding forth a word of life, the binary choice, in the day of Christ. But I have not run in vain either, laden in vain.
And if I be offered among the sacrifices and service of your faith, I enjoy and rejoice with you all.
For the same call also do ye joy and rejoice with me.
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send to Mobius shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state.
For I am of no man, like minded, who will naturally care for your state.
The whole sea, Pharaoh, not the things which are Jesus Christ.
But you know the proof of him that is the Son of the Father. He has served with me in the gospel.
Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
But I trust in the law that I also myself shall come shortly.
Yet I suppose, if necessary to send you a cathodicist, my brother.
Companion in labor and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and neither minister to my wants.
For the long love you all.
And it was full of happiness. It.
'Cause that she had heard that he had been sick.
For indeed he was sick, and I am to death, and God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I did as sorrow upon sorrow.
I sent him there for the more carefully. That's when he seen him again. He married choice.
And the lion may be a less horrible.
Christine and therefore in long ball gladness.
I'm told such a reputation because for the work of Christ he was lying to death, Mumford.
Not regarding his life to supply your lack of service toward me.
Have been the main theme of this epistle is Christ himself, for he is mentioned nearly 40 times in this one pistol.
So we can see very plainly that the Spirit of God will bring the person of Christ before us yet.
I'm not an artist for our hearts.
And we find that Christ is presented in each chapter.
In various aspects and in beautiful ways.
In the first chapter.
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In verse 21.
The apostle can say, for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gay.
Here we have, I believe, Christ, the purpose.
The Apostle Paul had a purpose.
He says.
For to me, to live is Christ.
It's a wonderful statement, isn't it?
It shows the desire of his heart to live for the glory of Christ.
And to manifest in a practical way with graces of Christ.
And so I believe we can say in this verse we have Christ the purpose.
What is your purpose? What is my purpose? Is my purpose Christ alone or do I have other purposes in life?
Do you have a purpose to get on in the world?
What can you say and can I say with truth?
Christ is my purpose. Where is the lesson? Things we can and it should be So the Apostle Paul could say that the truth. And sure none of us here would ever doubt the truth of what he said He designed to live for Christ and to manifest Christ in his walking ways as he went through the scene. And in the second chapter that we read together in verse five, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Here I believe we have Christ the pattern.
You and I leave the pattern.
As we travel through this wild of the sea, we come out and find a suitable pattern in men.
Know that we have a perfect pattern in the Lord Jesus Christ.
That blessed man who now adorns the throne of God, the one who will glorify his Father here on earth.
The one who finished that grace, that mighty work of redemption, is the one whom his father has delighted one and exalted with Earl right-handed glory.
These are fathom or he should be. The apostle Paul should say, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. We get much in the scripture about this mind, a letters being one mind and so on. And perhaps the question might be raised well, whose mind? There are many members of the body of Christ. Whose mind are we to follow? Well, the apostle Paul tells, yeah, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ. Teeth. This is the mind we need to.
Manifest and exhibit the mind of Christ.
The same by His Grace to manifest something, at least of him and his love. His grace.
Of his beauty. And we walked through the scene, and so in his first we have Christ the pattern that this mind being you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
In the next chapter.
And verse 14.
The Apostles say I fresh of the high falling of God in Christ Jesus.
He says in verse 13.
From getting those things which are behind him.
And reaching forth under those things which are before.
I pressed toward the mouth to the prize of a high forming of God in Christ. Peace.
Here absolutely we can save. Christ is the price. What a price for love.
Is the evil Christ and see my Christ, or do we seek other Christ?
Are our mass affections divided?
Or is Christ.
Are all you see my price? Do I consider him as the only prize worthwhile?
Well, I believe we should. The Apostle Paul could die pressed toward the mark of the price of a high volume of God in Christ. Jesus Christ surprised. What a prize. The eternal Son of God, the Lord of glory, the Lamb of God. Blessed, loving, Redeemer, the one who went to Calvary because he loved one who gained his life a ransom.
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Beyond me, he is the pride of what a prize and her thing that we are soon going to see this blessed prize, if I may put it that way. The storm going to look right into his blessed face, soon going to be forever with him to spend the nameless eternity in the glory with this wonderful prize before you know, when we run a race at school and get a prize.
Why we show the prize to all the other boys and say, look, I won this prize.
We exhibit the pride with prior knowledge. Well, to think that we are soon going to see that pride, the Lord Jesus Christ.
But one who is worthy of eternal praise, the one whom God has delighted to honor, is the one we are soon going to see and be forever with.
Moments to anticipate and we do not love. How soon, perhaps sooner than we realized that we may hear a shout and see this blessed one, the Lord Jesus Christ, face to face in the 4th chapter.
And the 13th verse.
The apostle says I can do all things.
He doesn't stop there mercifully.
He says I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Here we have Christ the power. I can do all things through Christ, not in any other way.
About a remarked in his prayer that we will ask him, we can do nothing, have a true good to realize it isn't good to realize our utter weakness and account upon him, where all the apostle Paul says I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens thee.
Christ, the power of service for life.
And a little further down in verse 19.
But my God, he said, shall supply all your needs according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus.
Here I believe we can say in this 4th chapter we have the Philippians program and Christ the past.
And Christ the provision to carry it out. Christ the power.
I can know all things through Christ, and my God shall supply all of your needs. Here is the provision.
To carry it out, found one of the impressions, Christ the power, Christ the provision. So everything we need is found in that blessed one to now go on to the throne of God.
And I think it's very beautiful.
Through the note the setting of this epistle we get in Ephesians. The main theme I believe there is the body of Christ the Church.
And perhaps you'll notice in the very dead center of the epistle to a very verse, we get the body mentioned.
And in Colossians we get the main theme. There is the head of the body, the church, and in the very dead center of that official you get the head mansion. In between we get the Philippians and it brings sex fall, the ideal life of the leader as.
Filled by the Spirit of God.
The spirit of God and dwells of Elena. And that's why I believe in this epistle we do not get sin mentioned once.
Maybe not random at all in this epistle and politics.
And so I believe we can save them, that Christ is the main theme of the attraction, and we find through that this official sets forth the ideal life of the believer as in dwelled by spirit.
And then there's official tells us how we should live. We might expect to find, either express or inclined the lion properties comprising the fruit of the Spirit Mansion. And that's just what we do get, not only in Galatians, but we get them here too. And they're worth noticing. If you turn to the first chapter, we got the first thing mentioned.
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And.
The list given us the fruits of the Spirit and Galatians. Now in the ninth verse of the first chapter, Philippines, we get love mentioned.
Personality and this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. That's the first thing mentioned. I leave in the list in Galatians after the 18th verse, the first chapter.
What then, Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretend or in truth, Christ is preached, Am I there in? Do rejoice, ye will rejoice.
You will have joy, which is the next one mentioned in Galatians, now the 4th charter and verse 7.
And the peace of God.
Lovejoy, Peace.
The peace of God which passes all understanding.
Chapter 4, Verse seven shall eat your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
And back to the first chapter in verse 29.
For unto you it is given in the far right, not only to believe on him, but to suffer for his sake.
Just a connection that we might read with this in the third chapter.
With this 29th verse, the third chapter in verse 10.
That I may know of him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.
Being made compulsible under his death, the next thing is long-suffering mentioned I believe in Galatians system.
Now if you turn the 4th chapter and verse 5.
Metro moderation be known unto all men, or gentleness, which has the same immediately. And that's another one mentioned in Galatians, that your moderation or gentleness be made known, be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand.
And the 18th verse.
Our Wolf Charter.
I have all and found I am full having received of his Aphrodite is the things which were sent from you, and out of a sweet smell that sacrifice acceptable well, pleading to God, here we have goodness mansion.
And in 125.
And having this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your fathers and joy of faith.
Transmission from the 2nd chapters in verse 15.
That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without reboot, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom he shines his lights in the world.
Here we have the sons of Bath displaying their relationship by their conduct in such a way as to leave no room or a beautiful after shine that lights in the world, lights in a dark place where light is needed, holding forth the word of light and this word blameless. And these two words blameless and poundless, I think we interpret them as meanness.
Very similar and I do have the same meaning.
And then the audience chapter, the 14th verse and the second chapter.
Do all things without murmurings and disputants.
Here we have the word temperance. All the meaning of it all self-control.
There, I mean, we have a lion.
Properties of the fruit of the Spirit in this epistle. And this epistle does set forth the ideal life of the believer and grown by the Spirit.
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Who is evil by the Spirit of God to produce these fruits?
Which will glorify God.
Now, as this second chapter of this epistle was raised to the Philippians for the first time.
Impression produced upon their minds, on that they would be found narrow the path their feet had entered.
How hard the task and how difficult the client?
And something of this perhaps might have been on the apostle's mind as he defeated this matter. He favored his letter.
For this.
Difficulty is met.
With a six fold whatsoever in the 4th chapter.
And the Earth's faith. The parking hall here and give brings before the Bolivian Saints a list of legitimate occupations for the mind.
Instead of them being occupied with a narrow path that feet had entered and all the difficulties of the pathway, if Marcel seeks to bring before them this list on legitimate occupations for their mind that they might have something good to be occupied with and not to be occupied with, the difficulties of the way and faith would have asked, you know, occupying the difficulties of the pathway.
And all our weaknesses and failures of the Spirit of God will bring before us a novelty.
The officer is Christ, and that's the object we have in this epistle. And so the apostle he brings before them here in the 4th chapter.
And verse 8. And you notice preceding these lists of legitimate occupations for the lion, we get the word peace.
In the first seven And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I believe that if we speak by God's grace to have these things enumerated in verse 8.
Constantly before us we would know more the peace of God, which passeth all understands. We wouldn't be occupying with all the difficulties and trials of the way and the disappointments and face, whether of others or ourselves.
And you'll notice in the following verse, verse 9 And he says, and the God of peace shall be with you the peace of God from Garrison Rohan.
And the God of peace shall be with you how precious that is. And in between him he presents a mounted pause, and he says, finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true.
Well, truth is a representation of things as they are.
Yes it is. And we read in Psalm 100 and 31160 verse 160. Thine word is true from the beginning. Now what better object would we have than the word of God? Because the word of God points us to Christ.
And now he says once other things are true, he wants them to be occupied with true things.
Real things.
And true things are the reverse of falsehood.
And where we find true things in God's precious work, here we get the truth, and the Lord Jesus himself is the truth.
I will say what is truth?
There stood truth before him and the person of Christ and all his precious points. The Lord Jesus could say I am the way, the truth, and the life. The apostle says he occupies his true things, true things. How often we are occupied with false things. Perhaps we hear a false report with terribly disturbed by it.
And doing the other truth well, how blessed it is to the occupied with true things were not disturbed by true things, or we shouldn't be.
Especially when they come from God's Word, because His Word is for our encouragement, for our comfort, for our guidance, for our instruction and for our correction. And we read that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.
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And so he points them down to true things, He says what sort of things are true? Whatsoever things are true, be occupied with them, he said.
And the previous version, the peace of God responsible understanding, shall keep your nuts.
And the following verse. And the God of peace shall be refused, we.
Read those two verses in connection with everything mentioned in the 8th and how beautiful the connection.
And he says whatsoever things are honest.
Whatever things are honest.
The Philippine Saints were to manifest uninterrupted.
Integrity in all their dealings if they were to attract others to their faith.
There to maintain honest things and it tells us in the.
Crystals and the corresponding Chapter 8.
In verse 21, providing for honest things, the apostles said to the Corinthian Saints not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. How important is it? Not only in the sight of the Lord, he says, but also in the sight of men.
That's very important, isn't it? And so the apartment will bring them back before them. And to attract others for their faith, they must be honest in all their dealings. How important that is. I'm not only toward God, but toward men, and he speaks of just things.
Well, the blessed Lord Jesus was the just one who dying across the unjust that takes us to Christ and just things. Where do we find just things in Him?
In the Lord Jesus Christ this world is unjust in all its demons.
We find that the message one is the just one, Yes, the one who died for you and me, the unjust to bring us to God. Well, He is a Gnostic force and the just one and just things.
Two and be bringing this according then speaks of what's on the things are pure.
Pure awareness.
Reminds me of a horse and Psalm 119 again.
I believe the 1St 140.
Yes, 100 verse 104 is Psalm 119. Thy word is very few up.
Very sure.
And to another verse I can get him alone is in the farm is in the words of the Lord are pure words as still the tribe in the furnace of earth Fury hide 7 diners, perhaps one. The brothers may know that he's not forgotten alone and from the early sounds the words of the Lord are pure words.
Still, the pride in the furnace of earth purifies 7 times. That's how pure. The word of God is. Absolutely pure. Everything around us is impure. But here's something pure.
And it says in Psalm 119, verse four is, I worry very few of therefore thy servant love of it. And the apostle brings before them then these pure things. He wants them to be occupied with pure things.
Not using first two that we might look at in proverbs chapter 30 I think.
Yes. Proverbs 13, verse five. Every word of God is pure. He's a shield of the member. Put that trust in him. Every word of God is pure. How precious. This is good to realize a business, and it's the very thing that man wants to destroy.
And always seek to discredit the word of God. And yet every word is pure oil, precious that he comes from a pure sauce comes from God himself. That's why it's pure. Many things come from impure sources, and we cannot expect them to be pure.
But here is something which is very pure. Then he says. Whatsoever things are lovely.
The Apostle Paul, one of the Philippian Saints, to be occupied with lovely things, Lovely things. Where are we to find it again? In the word of God?
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I'm not only in the world by then the person of Christ He did the altogether lovely one. You see that to you. And being he should be the cheapest among 10,000 altogether lovely. 1 The apostles said, think about lovely things. Not think about the pathway with all this trials, but think about these things. And he says, the peace of God will Harrison your heart, and the God of peace will be with you.
How precious is it, and how simple, yet how important. So then you and I had to be taken up of the lovely things, and that blessed one, the Lord Jesus Christ, is altogether lovely.
And we soon to realize the truth of that in all its perfection and fullness, when we see him face to face.
All the love at one moment to anticipate didn't to see the Lord Jesus face to face.
The one that we have read about so often and have expressed these words. He is the altogether loving one, soon to see him and all his loveless and beauty. The man of Calvary, the rejected Son of God, and yet highly exalted by his power, and still rejected by so many. But all of them object. He is for our mouth now.
I'm He'll be the only opposite for all eternity. So I feel the love of Saints of God that if he's not sufficient as an object now.
Do you think you'll be sufficient out there? Well, he will. But he should be now. He should be now. He will be there, but he should be now.
And I think it's not the so logic of our house. Our house is divided.
Where turn some other out here?
And to me, you know, it's a backhanded blow in the face of the blessed Savior if we turn from that satisfying object of Christ to this whole world. What a wound in the House of His friends, the one who went on the desk and walked us with His blood, to turn from him and turn to the things of the world as much as the same. Lord, if you do not sacrifice fully, I must have another object. I want a little bit of the world.
How Stalin has Santa Fe is, and yet we see it all around us today is going on.
Many women openly say that.
But their actions would convey the thought that they're not fully satisfied with the Christmas. He's altogether lovely, you see that to you and me. Well, he should be, and he will be in eternal. But I say again that lovely should be now, to me and to you.
And so he brings with all of these lovely things and then the 6th one he says things of good report.
Upon they were to think upon them and to give them their attention, and they are to practice them because of the influence they would have to others. They are to think about them and practice them. And so he says here, what sort of things are good report where we have things of good reform?
From the word of God, can we have a better report on this one? The Blessed Lord says, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there he may be altered. Is that a good report?
I don't know a better one. I'm sure you do. Not either. That's the best report I've ever heard of in my life.
Report from the midst of my blessed, loving Savior that he's gone to prepare a place for me and he's soon coming for me to take me there to enjoy it. If pastor says think about things of good report.
How willing we are often to turn a listening ear to evil reports and to and to circulate and repeat them. It's sad that we have to admit it's true often.
But the Apostle said, if you think about things of good recall, and I am sure not only should the Philippians Saints think about these things, but God wants us to think about them too, and will have the same lesson, experience that they would enjoy The peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through thy Jesus, and in God a feature shall be with you. I feel sure that's the only way to enjoy the peace of God and all its fullness.
00:40:13
To be occupied with Christ and all these good things. And you're right in here.
And these are the things that the Apostle brought before the Philippians.
He said. You think about the evil.
Good report all their lots of glory thoughts in the word of God. Mountain. The good recall to was when God sent his beloved Son down into this world to seek and to save the last. What a report, John through 16 and many others Are they good reports? Indeed they are. And there are many reports in connection with the Lord's coming for us to take us home. They're all good reports and these reports would lift us for love at about the circumstances of the pathway.
And they would encourage our hearts to press on toward thee goal. Yes, towards the goal. How precious to know that there is a goal before it. Yes, one time, everyone of us here.
Were hillbound worthy. But now thank God we have home without home with thou, and whilst we are homeward bound, we need an object to lift on humps about the circumstances and the trying hard way. And so God in his infinite love has given us an argument.
And I love to think of it. And I've said it so many times, and I say again, I trust you, bear with me.
God gives us the same object as the one who satisfies his heart.
His obvious Christ is Beloved Son.
Yes, a blessed one, whoever dwelt in the bosom of power.
He is God's office. The Father's outlook is Christ, and God the Father has given you and me the same argument for our house as we journey through this wilderness, and not only as we journey through here, but He will be our object for all eternity.
What an artist. The love Christian.
That less of loving precious savings who loves us even unto death. We can never, never know what we can do to Calvary on our behalf. We can never know he stumbled on a kind of our sin and sinners.
We can never know any suffered of the hands of wicked men. We can never know he suffered at the hands of a holy God.
When God made him Jesus to be sin for us, who knew no Sinner that we might be, made the righteousness of God in him.
Or have one of the faith. I love the fingers. I know. Usual too. But we're so enjoy the scene as of being with him, not to hear those awful solemn words with us from thee. I never knew you. No, the whole line of children which thou hast given me is soon going both and more to be with the one who loved us so much, and the one who will satisfy us then.
Throughout eternity.
And I sang again, He should be the soul of it now.
And so then I believe from much more in the chapter we could look at but might spread one of the larger to speak much more time is good.
Just like we dwell from our numbers through aspects of Christ again, they're so good.
In the first chapter of Christ the 1St.
Verse 21.
We all have a progress in life.
Bobby's My car was in life. Christ.
Prevents the challenge to my own heart.
And the second chapter, Christ the pattern, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ's Jesus. This is the mind of falsest, the mind that within Christ Jesus, let it be in your truth manifest that yourselves. Did the apostle Paul do that? Yes, he did.
He manifested many of the graces of Christ.
And then the third chapter.
41St Christ, the prize.
Pride. I pressed toward the mark of the cries of the high form entirely. Christ Jesus.
00:45:00
Lesson 11 Whose our Fridays now and we'll be all eternity, will be on display there in the glory. Think of it, our prides and the glory of Christ and Siri. How wonderful.
And then to the 4th chapter, verse 13, Christ of Power.
And in the 19th verse, Christ of revision, the power of the provision, how wonderful. And they're all found in Christ Jesus, our blessed Lord, well beloved. May the Lord oblige His word to our house that we too not only the Bolivian Saints, but that we too might be occupied with these lovely things.
What sort of things are true? What sort of things are honest? Whatsoever things are just whatsoever. Things are pure. Whatsoever things are lovely. Whatsoever things are good. Report if there be any virtue, if there be any praise. Think on these things.
And undoubtedly there are other things, too. With the apostle Paul hadn't exhausted the list by any means, but he gives them enough to think upon, and he has plenty for you and me to think upon, too. And you enjoy as we journey on toward our.
From the from what we've had before us.
24 in the appendix.
Nothing but Christ as on which friend they get done. Christ, John's living.
Hands and feet well shone nothing but Christ, the Christ of God.
Ever getting lost for him below. Taking the operator, we go.
Showing to all her once, and crawling nothing but Christ, the Christ of God.
Nothing saved him in all my ways, giving the dream where she shall praise.
Our whole resource along the road Nothing but Christ with Christ with God #24 Independence.
Lonely Lord.
The Wonderful Lord Jesus
Address—G.W. Jones
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Moments can't afford he rich the feet of souls blessing above Jesus here in the world and.
First of all, I would like to say that it's very encouraging the night like we have the night with this so many of you here.
Sometimes remark but.
I feel the Lord's coming is so near that we don't have time to talk about anything else about, about, about the person of the Lord Jesus.
Eternity will never exhaust.
What there are portion that we have in him?
And sometimes speaking about the Father's house.
As we get in John 14.
I remarked that.
Our heart now as we are enjoying our portion in the person of Christ, that our hearts now can soar off into the Father's house as we think of that blessed moment.
And which is our privilege to enjoy now in a major.
And.
I thought tonight that several thoughts were before me. I was thinking.
Of the Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but.
At last we have the Lord's mind and speaking.
Hello tonight Ivan, the Lord Jesus as the I am.
You know, in Moses.
He asked For Who shall I tell, Speaking of Israel?
Sent me.
And the Lord Jesus says, you tell him that I am has sent thee.
You tell them that they I am that I am has simply and to me, I think you know that it it gives it a very definite.
Force by saying that I am, that I am.
Simply.
I saw that as we looked at a few of those thoughts. First of all, we might look at the 7th chapter of John's Gospel just for a verse. The 46th verse.
We might read the 45th verse. Then came the officers.
To the chief priests and Pharisees. And they said unto them, Why had he not brought him?
And the officer's answer Never man speak like this man. And the thought before one is, isn't it too that? Who else could I tell you about?
It would be so wonderful.
As the person of the Lord Jesus, never man spoke like him. They never looked a man in the world that spoke in the world came into existence. Never was a man that spoken could say latches come forth, and the many wonderful things that the Lord Jesus did, and the blind man that he, he could speak and he received his sight.
00:05:13
They left her and he could say, Lord, if thou wilt you can heal me. The Lord says I will, and he was healed. Every man spoke like this man never.
Well, you could just think of any person so wonderful as the person of the Lord Jesus. I believe that where we.
Fail is to enter more fully and to.
Our portion in Christ.
And.
To know that it's not only our portion now, as we've taught this scene, but it's our portion for that eternal day.
Now we look through glass thinly, but then face to face. And so in each chapter in the 12TH verse.
Camp 46 verse that says Neverland speak like this man.
Then Jesus again. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world.
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of light.
I was telling a brother last night, Brother Grass that that my wife's funeral service.
Down in South Carolina recently.
The man that spoke.
He didn't take up any scripture.
He just read poems.
There were nice poems.
But you know, I felt that. I just felt so let down.
And he gave him really nothing for their souls.
And I I could remark myself like never before.
When the Lord Jesus he could say, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often Wil I have gathered ears of him to gather her through? You would not.
And I thought to myself, Oh my God, it's dear souls. What are they getting? Well, on the way home that night, his daughter.
Who had been brought up under the ministry of this same man with whom I've known for a good many years.
She sat up in church. Wasn't that her drive, you know?
Oh, I said, Edith. I was thinking along the same line, but I wasn't going to say anything.
But she said my husband.
She said, he said to me, either this is the driver that drives funeral service. I ever heard, you know, to leave Christ.
Out. It's dry, isn't it?
You know, if you don't have Christ to feed upon.
You really have nothing. The points were lovely. Nothing wrong with the points.
But there was nothing there to comfort his dear wife, who knew the Lord as our Savior. And also did they know Him?
And it seemed to me that it was just so dry, and I felt like I never felt before, you know, that oh, it was a time to give them something to comfort their hearts. And there's nothing to comfort our hearts but Christ.
If you could only have given them something you know the word says that not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me or in my Father's House of many mansions that were not so I would have told you.
But I go to prepare place volume. If I go and repair a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself. And where I am, where you may be also. And also many lovely comforting portions that we could have made.
But as I said, you know, it's only Christ that can satisfy the longs of your soul and mine. And he said I'm the light of the world, You know, He said the light came into the world. A man loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. While it's natural, as we sometimes use the illustration, if a thief were in your home and you turn the light on, he'd be very uncomfortable, wouldn't he?
00:10:03
He'd be very uncomfortable.
So when Christ came into the world, he naturally, his very life was that which made men uncomfortable because their hearts were evil.
Now he says, here I am the light of the world. I would like to ring before you a few thoughts of the I am. And because that is one of his names in which he could say to Moses, you tell them that they I am, that I am.
Has simply so here he says I am the light of the world. He that follow me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of your life. How wonderful to know that if we follow and the path of which he has marked out in his precious word, we have polite. We're not walking in darkness. You know on the 13th of John's Gospel, when he gave Judas to stop in it, he went out and immediately and it was night.
This poor world has been lying in darkness from that time on. The world lies in darkness. If you don't think so, just walk down the street and start talking about the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of sinners and see how quickly the response comes making you realize that we are living in a Dark World. Well the Lord Jesus says I am the light of the world. If man wants to see the truth, as I sometimes say, if you want the truth, you must be where the truth is.
And the Lord Jesus, you know, Pilate said to him what is true.
And.
He stood beside Truth itself and walked away.
And I trust that that will not be true of my higher yours.
That we have classed and he is the light of the world, He is the truth.
And so he says, he that followed me shall not walk in darkness. If I seek to follow with Christ as an object of my soul, I would walk in darkness. I wouldn't be stumbling around, because Christ is my life.
Now he says here we might turn to the 10th chapter in the seventh verse, I believe.
Then said Jesus unto them 10/7.
Again, verily, verily, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
Now you know here in this chapter.
He has.
Israel.
Before him as we go back a little bit, he says.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door until the sheep fall, but climbeth up some other way.
The same as a thief in Aurora, But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep to hand the portal, and the sheep that hear his voice, The sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he puteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them.
And the sheep falling, for they know His voice, and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from Him, for they know Him, for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them, But they understood not with things they were, which is speak unto them.
It tells in our previous chapter.
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. And here he taught us. A stranger will they not far.
But while fleeing from him for they know not the voice of strangers. Now the Lord Jesus tells us that if we seek to go on in accordance with the word of God being led by the by the Holy Spirit, and I want to say the liberty of the Spirit, we need to give the Spirit liberty to take Christ and make him pressure to our soul. Now he says here I'm the door of the sheep Israel. Naturally this was strange language to them.
But he was seeking to, as we go on in the 14th chapter, reveal to them. He wanted to reveal to Israel. He's seeking to bring before them what was about to take place, the work of Calgary when he was going to the cross. And while they knew the Lord as Jehovah, the eternal One, he wanted to reveal the Lord Jesus to him as the Savior of sinners and God as their Father.
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Now they knew him as Jehovah God, the Eternal One, but they did not know God.
As a father, and I sometimes think as a child of God, is it not Christmas that you and I all know? We know He is the Almighty God.
And the eternal God, but as I sometimes say, we don't approach him now like Daniel after and Hosea and God says you're not my people. He had they had turned away from him and he said you're not my people. So Daniel and praying, he prayed to the God of heaven. Well, we know that God is in heaven, but you and I as a child of God, we recognize that he's by outside him. So we approach him as God and father.
As I said to a young doctor one time, I said.
Well, you tell you just tell the Lord what you told me, I said. He's right beside us and more interested in your salvation than I could ever be. A wonderful that we don't have to approach him as the God of heaven, but we approach him as one who is ever near.
How precious to know Him as our Father. Our price is to know Him.
Sometimes likened it to a judge. You know how different?
They go up and stand before the judge as a judge and for our boy to stand up to him as his father, the relationship there is Father and not a judge. What a difference, what a difference it is and so to know God is our Father, what a relationship and what blessing. Now I am seeking to reveal the Israel as you are. He wanted to really prepare them for what was coming.
To reveal to them God as a father. Now he says, But the only door I'm the door. And there is no other way to enter in either entereth in not by the door of the sheep is is the door is the shepherd of the sheep. He that entered in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the Porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name, and he leadeth them out. Oh.
How wonderful to know that He leads us by the skillfulness of his hands and guides us with the integrity of His Father, all the Savior. We failed. Well, he says, if you're trying to get in any other way, you just can't. He says, because I'm the door, I'm the door and there just is no other entrance.
Well, he was seeking to put that over to the people of whom he came to reveal himself to, to the Jews and.
Here, he says, I am the door of the sheep.
So it's just as true with you and I as a child of God. There is no first of all is an unsafe soul. There is no other way of salvation other than Christ as the door. It says on the door and God tells you that the door is open and no man can shut it. Today is another day when the door of grace is open, and that you and I.
Can not only know Him as our savior.
But learn more about the person of himself.
No, I feel that there is a great life among Christians today and seeking to know more about the Lord Jesus.
One thing to know him as a savior.
Quite another thing to know him.
In a personal way.
Denomin.
The Apostle Paul could say, I know whom I have believed. I know whom I believe he knew him personally to know the Lord Jesus in her personal life. How different, isn't it, you know, is someone in order to come and say, well, you know, Mr. Shuey, I said, Oh yes, I've done this so many times. What a difference, isn't it, to know him personally, say, and to say, I know of him, I know of him.
So Paul says, I know whom I believe I know I know it personally. So here it says in our 10th, 11TH verse of our 10th chapter, he says I'm the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep now in our in our previous.
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Verses he said no man ever spoke like this man and then he says the Lord Jesus says I'm related to the world. He then fall with me.
In darkness.
And then he tells to the Jews here, he says, I am the door. How wonderful, isn't it? He just leans up step by step. No man I respect like this man trying to exercise.
The conscience of the souls. And now he says I'm the Good Shepherd. And he says the Good Shepherd. It's always been very striking to me. He gives you the answer. I am the good childhood, the Good Shepherd given his life.
He giveth his life of his sheep. You know I'm speaking to souls as we speak to them. We tell them, you know, that the Lord Jesus is the Savior of sinners.
And.
When they are brought to realize that they are sinners and that they have to do with God, then you know first of all.
As most of you know, I have cataracts and.
When when you go to a doctor? Well, the doctor told me, he said.
Doctor Cross went with me to Doctor Freil and he told me this. He said, you know, he said if you have to have something wrong with your eyes, well, what you have is the best.
If you have to have something wrong, you could have history, you could have that and you could have the other, but if you have to have something wrong with them, well, you you got the vest that there that there is. Well, when I say to a Sinner or a stall that hasn't accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior, I said, well, you know what all sin is.
Well, Infosol says I said the doctor, well, what are you going to do about it? Well, he said it would not break down. Well, you know, you go, you like the answer to these problems, don't we? We like the answer. So he he gave me an answer.
That's all when when we seek to bring before Saul that he's a lost Sinner and he has to admit that he is a Sinner.
And he says the fool is there in the heart and his heart there is no God. As we read the Scripture and see that because of the evil that was in the world, God brought a flood upon the earth. He brought judgment. And we know that if he brought it in the days of noise, he certainly was going to, he'd certainly bring it again, because certainly the world and all of this wickedness today, we we certainly aren't here. We all wonder how much longer we can go on, just how much longer. So if we know that that he's going to have to come into judgment before God.
Regarding his sins, well then, then you can tell him the answer, can't you? And Christ is the answer.
And he says I am a good child, I am the good child. The Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Well, he couldn't give it. He couldn't do more for me. He could never do any more than what he has done and going to Calvary's cross and dying so.
He says that I am the Good Shepherd.
And he says I gave my life for you.
Well, we certainly couldn't ask for more, couldn't we? He certainly couldn't do any more.
Than to give his life now the 11TH chapter on the 25th verse.
Jesus said unto her, I am, If you notice these I am's. It's been very frightening to me because he could say to Moses, you tell him that they and that I am asked Cynthia and all, If you notice, he says, I am, I am a Good Shepherd, I am the door, I am the light, and so on.
And here he says, Now in our 25th verse, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life he that believeth in me do. We were dead, yet shall he do.
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, believers. So when we are speaking to souls, well.
I often remark, you know, I say that the Lord may come at any time, and may come tonight, and you may.
00:25:02
But I have to ask my question. Do you believe that? Do you really believe it? Preach it? But do you believe it? Do you believe it might come tonight? But do I really believe? He said to Martha, Do you believe this? I am the resurrection and the life. You that believeth in me though it within, yet shall indeed you believe it. You believe it. And you notice they said to you as they do, I am the resurrection and the light. So here we find this wonderful portion of the world.
I am.
The resurrection and the life and so that.
And he says, Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believe us about this. What a one of proportionate in his word. You know, to know that you and I, we know that we have a soul that lives on. Man would like to get away from that thought, wouldn't he, That he has to do with God. He has to do with God.
And he has a living soul, and he has to answer to God.
After what he what he did with Christ? What empty of Christ?
So he presents himself here as the same one that he introduces him to to Moses and speaking to Israel. And then if you were to turn on over to the 14th chapter of John's Gospel.
We find here that Jesus in the sixth verse, Jesus says unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
No man cometh unto the Father, but by me I've already.
Quoted the early part of this chapter and.
Para And now Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life and he's not only the boy who salvation we know there is no other way. He tells us, but he says I I'm the way the truth, I'm the way the truth and the life man would like to get away like Kyle. I says I'm going to wash my hand with the whole thing. Now you can't wash any of this.
Of the As to the death of Christ.
You can't wash your hands and wash your sins away and say I have dust going on, call it quits. No, God doesn't do business that way.
He has given us a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He sent him down with a tremendous cost of his life at Calvary's Cross.
And those three hours of darkness when the Lord Jesus hung there on that cross.
Your sins and mine were laid upon Him, that is those that believe. If you reject Him as your Savior, then you will have to answer to God for those sins and the unending age of eternity. You could never know the wrath of a holy God that was poured out upon the head of the blessed Savior for your sins and mine. You could never know it now. On the other hand, eternity could never exhaust.
The love of God in sending the Lord Jesus down to Calvary to die for me. So that's why I say He is the truth. And when you read His word and permit the Spirit to take the precious things of Christ and make them known to our skulls, well, it's the truth. We have the truth in the Word of God.
While it's been proven, you say, well, how do you know it's the truth? This is the only book that has ever stood the test.
That has been put to this book and all of the efforts in trying to do away with it and it has we we. Well, if you were to say, well, how do you notice two of the jewel himself proves this to be true.
The Jew himself, we see our prophecy has been fulfilled. I never thought I'd ever live to see the day of the word of God fulfilled to the extent that it is in the day which I live. I never thought I'd ever see it.
The very fact that what we see today proves the word to be two if we need it to. But we as a child of God, we don't need such proof to it. We don't need to look at the world to prove whether the Bible is true or not because the Spirit of God makes it real and processed ourselves so that we know that it's true. And God has made it very precise to those of us through search this picture to see these things are true.
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The promises of which he has promised.
Well, he says I'm the truth, and then he said I'm alive. He said the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. So he says I'm not only the truth, He told us that he came down in the world as the Savior sent us. And he says that's true. That's true. Pilate says, what is truth?
Turn walked away. He had truth. He stood beside him, He rejected it. Men are doing the same thing today. The word is going out in the world, the truth is going out in the world, and man is turning his back on why life came into the world. The Word of God chose man to be a Sinner. He doesn't like that. He doesn't like that. No, you know we don't.
We don't, we don't like those things, you know, we don't like to be.
Called a Sinner, but we know we are going.
We know we are well here. It says on the line if you want life, he says. I've given to them eternal life.
And this done never, parents, I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish. And.
It tells us here, and no man cometh unto the Father, but by me I am the way. If I want to know the way to joy and peace and happiness, the answers Christ.
If I want to know the way as I was tearing a brother about a man down in Florida.
And from time to time I told him what he needed was Christ.
What he needed with Christ as time went on, he said one day he said, well, Mr. Jones, it took us a long time to realize that what we need needed was Christ. Well, the answer to all these things, if you want a happy life here, I don't mean that you won't have trials.
But I remember that I guess was the last time I saw dear Mrs. Furstenfeld. She'd been in in bed for many years. Mr. Mary Smith and I, Burrows went out to Disneyland and she was in much pain, but she was repeating portions of the Word of God, rejoicing in our soul. Occasionally she dropped with pain, but she was happy in her soul. Mr. Smith and I, we went back and stood by the car and we looked at each other.
We marvel. Both of us was in tears.
Think of 1 going through such great suffering that we're trusting in our soul. So the Lord is the one, He says He hasn't said that he would deliver us from the trials, but he says, I'll go with you through them. And so I have Christ.
What more do I want? He is the all sufficient 1 and so here he says I'm I'm the way. If you want happiness, it's to be found in Christ and He alone.
And.
Up in God, Ontario just recently after the meeting, a young man walked up to me and just broke down tears.
And he wanted happiness. So I said to him, I said, well, let's get out on the armies right here and tell the Lord.
He went out of the room, I trust.
And a different state of soul.
Seemed happy and so we asked for our prayers that he might be able to hold the the enjoyment that he had that he wouldn't, that he wouldn't get cold in his soul. You know well, we know that the Lord doesn't want us to get cold. He wants us to be rejoicing always on the game. He says. I say rejoice because we have everything to rejoice in. He is the way to joy and peace and happiness.
We say that to the unsaved, but we say that to the child of God. If you want to hang up, the light here is to walk with Christ.
And it's the only happy power Anonymous, most of you know from the travel. And I have proven year by year that he is the all sufficient one. He's the one I had a letter sometime back from.
00:35:08
A man in New York.
And he said, I've been telling my family that what we need is the Lord all if we could all realize that in a deeper sense.
And not only as I said about do I believe this, well not only say it, but have a real desire in my heart as Daniel purpose in my heart.
Well, he says I'm the truth and the life, and he says no man come in front of the father.
But by me and let us turn back to the 8th chapter 24 verse.
Now tells us here.
And they're trying to.
23rd 1St.
And he said unto the end of the year From beneath I am from above. Ye are this world. I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you.
That he shall die in your sins. For if you believe not that I am, he shall die in your sins.
So if you turn to the.
To the third chapter of excellence.
3rd tactic of Exodus.
And the 13th verse.
And Moses said unto God, The whole When I come unto the children of Israel.
And so say unto them, The God of your fathers has sent me unto you, and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say? Anything.
And God said unto Moses, I am that I am. And he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the tour of Israel, I am has sent thee. Now he says here in the Sikh chapter, If you don't believe that I am.
I told Moses I gave him my name. I am that I am. As I said, when he says I am that I am. Is it the double force to me?
And now it says if you don't believe that, if you don't believe that, I am.
In other words, if you don't believe that I'm the way, the truth and the life, if you don't believe that, well, there's more the way for you. You shall surely die in your sins.
And.
If he believed not.
He that I am, ye shall die in your sins.
Our our Mars.
Here, he says, if you don't believe that, I'm the one that spoke to Moses, the one that led you through.
The Red Sea and so forth. If you don't believe that I am me, if you don't believe that I am, then there's nothing else for you.
And if you don't believe that Christ can satisfy her heart in this world, I mentioned when I was here before, I so often do because we have a brother in Columbus that so often says this is good for the young people.
Well, I like to remark that what's good for the young people is good for me.
It's good for all of us and these things are being reminded.
That while he could say to Israel, he could say that if you don't believe that, I am.
Wall is going back to a getting away from the truth of the Word of God. If you don't believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, if you don't believe that that is true, then God says you'll surely die in your sins and it's a terrible thing, the thought of dying in your sins.
The impossible could say, therefore, knowing that terror of the Lord will persuade men. And then he also says, I call heaven and earth to wreck it against you this day, that I set before you life and death.
00:40:01
Blessing in cursing, but he says choose life, choose life he always it's not God's purposes that any soul would be lost. He's not willing let any shoulders. He's long stuffing, he's patient, he's waited this another day of his grace when the gospel is going on throughout the world.
And thank God for this, another day when souls have had the opportunity of turning to Christ.
And knowing him as their Savior. But then what about the question? What about you and I? Oh, I feel the great danger is that I have salvation and that's enough. I'm not willing. I'm not interested in going beyond just knowing him as my Savior. Well, you know, the Lord Jesus says you belong to me. And the 42nd of Isaiah, believe it is. He says, I have redeemed thee.
Thou art mine, so I'm not my own anymore. I belong to Christ and I often think about going through the Red Sea. They took even said they didn't leave even a hoof pine nor everything I have and belongs to Christ. Everything I have, I myself and all that I have, my family, everything I have, I belong. It belongs to Christ. If that's so, I would be very careful.
How I would use it?
These things.
I would be very careful. I would bring up my family. I would be very careful how I used what is lonely to use.
And.
His my son-in-law spoke in elaborate of a of a home. I have we have a home and yet we don't have a home. We have a home and this down here is not our home, I said. It's just a place. Now as we sojourn, as we go through the wilderness journey, we go through what should recognize the fact that we are strange and we are on our pilgrimage journey home and every day.
We are one day near our home and you know, I thought of the Song of Solomon way speaks of being hidden in the secret place of the stairs. I've enjoyed that because and the secret place of the stairs, every one of us has a child of God has has a special little place in the heart of God and a special little work to do, don't we? I don't have to work for salvation in this area. I wouldn't have to work for that.
And you know.
The part of the Sun, he said he made-up a little spiel and he was going to tell his father to make me wild if I hired Germans. His father didn't need. He didn't need servants, Mephibosheth. That's what he wanted to do. He wanted to just just the very fact that he had seen David and he wanted just to be one of these servants. David said no, I am spared you for our servant. David didn't need servants. He had servants. I guess he didn't know what to do with him.
In these terms. But, he said to Memphisia, you're going to sit at my table.
Gave me why he it was because of Jonathan, his love for Jonathan. And so the Lord has gone and spared your life and mind for Jesus sake.
And you and I are going to be his companions throughout that ending ages of eternity. Now am I just willing to be saved and let it go without?
He doesn't need me for a servant, but let us take it into everyday life.
When our little child sometimes usually illustrates it, many times our little fellows are more in the way than they are good.
But how nice to see those dear little ones wanting to help mother and dad. We couldn't, we couldn't push them off, couldn't we? No, those are the hearts that won't help. And the Lord, it must be processed in his soul to know that we want to tell others about himself, that we want to tell others that he's wonderful and that he's precious. And these that he satisfy the longing so that he's the answer to our problems and.
Why we just off to Taliban? We should.
We should enjoy telling others about the person that the one whom we're going to spend that eternal day with. Well, I was just thinking of these several Iams and I want to think of it. And put it this way, he can say I am the answer.
To the world in his trial and struggle today, you know he said and the government of this world upon his shoulder. But when he comes to save us all, as you find in the 15th loop, he says he took that little sheep and he put it upon his daughters. When he comes to saving your soul and mine, it was more than just the government of this world. The world is annoying.
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A finger was reading it today. It goes turns to and fro. It doesn't know which way to turn, but it's a small answer for the Lord. The earth is the Lord, the fullest thereof. It's all in His hands. The answer to your problems and mine is, you know when I'm really enjoying the Lord Jesus and my soul.
You know when I'm working for someone? Well, I want to please the one I'm working for.
And if he wants it this way or that way.
Well, I'm happy to do it as he wants it done.
And that should be the desire of my heart and the things of the Lord. I should be content and anxious to do what He wants me to do. And if, if he sees fit for a trial to come in my life, then I should recognize the fact that He has a purpose in it. He does. He doesn't willingly afflict his people, but He has. He has a purpose in the trials in which we pass through. And we may not know the answer until we get McGuire.
But we will know the answer. As I told you before, I think the doctor in Pasadena who questioned me.
And I said no, doctor, I don't know.
But I will know someday. So the trials that we passed through here is the answer in the very fact that if we don't get them, we don't understand them. Now we will understand them and rejoice in the very fact that it was for His glory and it was for the best for each of us. So I'm just speaking to you about the I am.
He is the answer and that's Christ. And so as I said, I could talk to you about a lot of things in the Scripture here. So many things I said in the room and I'm just thinking.
But there's so many things you know that you could talk about and the word, because eternity will never exhaust it, and this word will be in the bar.
And he said my word and abided forever.
So that there are so many things we could talk about.
But.
When we speak of Christ, there's nothing more promises to the heart of God than to speak one to another about the person of the Lord Jesus. And God could speak of as the darling of his bosom, the one that he find almost in life all his delight in him. Now He presents it to you and I as the Savior of sinners, and then as a child of God, the answer to every, every Henry hire and every soul, if we want happiness.
Christ so that.
I believe today that Satan is making a tremendous headway.
And getting us occupied with other things.
And he doesn't care.
He didn't care where we are, but we have just so long we are not occupied with Christ.
That your affections on things above where Christ sit at the right hand of God, That I might have my thoughts by affections on the person of the Lord Jesus.
Well, this all's just these few thoughts tonight about the first one of the Lord Jesus.
As the I am, I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the light of the world, I am the door, I am the way, the truth and the light and so on. And if you don't believe, he says that I am used to die in your sins. I thought maybe no.
Lamb of God, our souls adore you. Remember 27.
Assurance
YP Address—C. Mizen
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M #84.
We hear the words of love. We gaze upon the blood.
See the mighty sacrifice, and we have peace with God. His everlasting peace sure is Jehovah's name. This table as a steadfast throne for evermore the same.
Love is OFT times low, our joy still ebbs and flow, but peace with him remains the same. No change. Jehovah knows we change, He changes not. Our Christ can never die, His love not ours, the resting place we on his truth rely.
The cross still stands unchanged, though heaven is now his home. The mighty stone is rolled away.
But Yonder is his tomb, and Yonder is our peace, the grave of all our wolves. We know the Son of God has come. We know he died and rose. We know he liveth now it God's right hand above. We know the stone on which he sits. We know his truth and love. Someone started please.
We train.
One has before him.
Four different expressions.
That are found in the word.
And they are related, and one believes that we can find encouragement for ourselves in looking at them.
The subject is large, we can't go into much detail, but I trust that you're God's help will be able to find something for our souls. And especially one thinks of the young people, those who have not been on the path possibly as long as some of the rest of us.
And who need that assurance that God gives us in His own precious word of our place in Christ?
And will you turn with me first?
To the first chapter of First Thessalonians.
And we'll read the whole chapter.
All so vainous, antimorthious under the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God always for you all, making invention of you and our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father. Knowing brethren, beloved, your election of God for our gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost.
And in much assurance, as you know what manner of men, we were among you for your sake.
And he became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost, so that you were in samples to all that believe in Macedonia and IKEA.
From you shouted out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith had gonnered is spread abroad, so that we need not to speak anything, for they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how you turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
The expression which I wish to bring to our attention this afternoon is a word assurance.
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Now the Apostle Paul has spent a very short time in Thessalonians.
Just a very short time he was there.
But while he was there.
Bitter persecution against him and against the believers was raised by the enemies of the Lord, so that the apostle was forced to flee for his life.
But he left behind him a little company of believers.
And now the apostle is writing to them to encourage them to go on in the faith.
And apparently they were going on in a nice way.
Because we find the apostle can make mention of them to God in his prayers.
And gives thanks to God for them.
Now you know what's nice, dear young people?
When we see one here and one there, we contemplate the young people in our own little meetings.
And we can thank God for the faith that is in them.
Oh, how precious it is to see young people, those who are newly saved, those who were young in years, going on well so that we can thank God on their behalf.
Well, that was a case where the Thessalonians.
The apostle could thank God for them.
And he remembered without ceasing.
Their work of faith, their labor of love.
And patients of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Oh, what a commendation that is.
And our attention has often been called to the contrast between what we have here and what we have in the second chapter of the Revelation.
Where the church at Ephesus had left its first love. And we find there that in writing to that church the apostle by inspiration.
He speaks of their work and their labor.
And their patience.
Oh, there's a difference.
Yes, there are works, there's labor, and there was patience, but the spring behind it was gone.
These in Thessalonica.
All they were in the freshness of the first love and there was the energy behind these things.
But when it came to writing to Ephesus, the spring was gone and the thing had become pretty much a dead work.
Not so with these young Christians.
And may it be so with us that that which we do, we do it for the Lord, and with a desire to please Him.
With His glory before us.
So now he tells him, he said our gospel came to you.
Not in Word only.
Came to them in power.
The apostle could speak to them the gospel.
And the power of God through the Holy Spirit was behind it. The Word was given to them in power. The apostle who had seen the Lord from glory, the one who has spoken to him on the way to Damascus.
The one whom Paul known in his dog is a Lord. What wilt thou have me to do?
Oh, we find him now coming and preaching the gospel, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him.
Yes, and in much assurance. The apostle Paul had been face to face with the Lord Jesus. He knew him as a man in the glory. He knew him who has spoken to him, saying, I am Jesus of Nazareth. But now he was a Lord in the glory.
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Oh, Paul knew wherever he spoke.
And the word which he gave out had no uncertain sound. It came to the Thessalonians.
With much assurance.
How nice it is when we hear the word of God spoken that way.
Spoken as that which comes from God himself, the Word of God proclaimed.
And we know it's true. The Word of God is true. It's inspired.
And that which we find in it is that which comes God breathes to us.
Oh, we can rest our whole eternity upon the Scriptures.
And you and I who have believed have rested the salvation of our souls upon the authority of the Word of God.
Oh, how precious it is when the gospel goes out in much.
Assurance.
Well, that's the way it came to the Thessalonians. Thessalonians.
And they saw in the apostle that it was real with him.
Or is it real with you and me?
And when we speak to our friends, when we speak to those in school with us or in the office, or to our neighbors, do we speak the gospel in much assurance to them?
Or do they see that as something with us, that it doesn't have much reality?
The Apostle Paul had been at Thessalonica.
In persecution.
Oh, the gospel was real to him.
He valued it, and he proclaimed it as that which was of value to him.
And they saw that.
So he says he became.
Followers of us and of the Lord, all they saw in the apostle how real it was, and they said this man has something that we want.
Do your companions find that you have something that they desire, something that's real to you, and they want the same thing for themselves?
Though they received the word from the apostle in like manner, in much assurance that came to them, they were assured that that was the apostle spoke was the truth that it was a word of God.
They found themselves in affliction. They found themselves persecuted.
But something along with it.
You know, persecution isn't easy to take.
But Oh well, there is the persecution, the affliction for the sake of Christ.
Oh, what joy there is with it.
To think.
That we can suffer for the name of Christ.
In the early days of the Church's history, there were those who rejoiced that they were counted or worthy to suffer for his name.
Yes, they rejoiced.
Do we shun persecution?
Oh, if we do, think of the joy we're going to lose.
Joy that comes with a suffering for the name of Christ.
But it was real with them, and they handed joy in the Holy Ghost.
You know this world has its joys.
And they don't last.
But the joy in the Holy Ghost that these Thessalonians enjoyed and.
Was that which lasts and lasts for all eternity.
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And there are those who when the Lord comes, he's going to say to them.
Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Well, the Thessalonians.
Were joining in the midst of their persecution.
And now the apostle says, why your examples to all those?
In Macedonia and IKEA. Why? He says it isn't even necessary for me to preach the gospel anymore. The testimony that comes out from you.
Is a real testimony to the gospel of the grace of God.
In every place your faith at Godward is Fred abroad, so that we need not to speak anything.
But here were these two once were poor heathen.
Idol worshippers.
And now they found something better.
They had turned a garden from idols to serve the living and true God. Oh, what a change that was.
To God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven. What a prospect they had. Now will you turn with me to Hebrews 10?
Verse 12.
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till His enemies have made us footstool. For by one offering yet perfected forever them that are sanctified, whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us. For after that He had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord.
I will put my laws into their hearts.
And in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now we're remission of these is there is no more offering for sin, having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which gets consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, and having an high priest over the House of God. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.
For he is faithful that promised.
Notice I changed the wording in the last verse that we read, and that's the way it should read.
Well, now here we have a little progress from what we had before.
We find here the Lord Jesus spoken of in contrast with the.
Services that went on amongst the people of Israel in time fast.
They had had their sacrifices.
Their offerings, they had their priests which offered the sacrifices, and these sacrifices were being offered continually.
And once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The blood of the sacrifice was carried into the holiest of all and sprinkled on the mercy seat, then on the ground before the mercy seat.
But as this same epistle tells us, these sacrifices could never and never take away sins.
Those sins were brought up before their consciences. Continually, year by year, remembrance was made of their sins.
But all the one who was a subject of the gospel there, which has come to us in much assurance.
The Lord Jesus Christ.
Has offered a sacrifice himself.
He ordered a sacrifice.
You know.
In the days of the Tabernacle.
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There were no seats there. There were no chairs in the Tabernacle.
The work of the priest was never done.
But the Lord Jesus, when he came, the one whom he remembered this morning in his death.
If not, sacrifice what you offered, and there was one sacrifice.
And now he is seated forever.
At the right hand of God and.
The sacrifice completed, the work of redemption done. Nothing more that needs to be done for your salvation or mine.
How precious that is.
But there's nothing more that needs to be done.
As far as our salvation is concerned, the work is complete and we rest upon it.
The Lord Jesus, the One yourself, fully glorified God after the question of sin has taken His seat.
At the right hand of God. He took that seat as an act of his own divine right to sit down at the right hand of God. Think of it.
Thus your Savior and mine, He is seated at the right hand of God.
Because they had the right to sit down there.
But to know the work.
That he accomplished a Calvary has yet to have its completion as far as this world is concerned.
And thank God for everyone who was bowed to the word of the gospel has bowed the knee to the Lord Jesus, but the time is coming when every knee is going to bow to Him.
They are seated at the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till his enemies those who rejected Him, till they be made as footstool.
Garden is going to cleanse this whole scene of sin by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. It's on that basis.
And the Lord Jesus, the one whom this world rejected, is going to have universal dominion.
But oh, for you and me, how precious that we enter into the good of it now.
We enter into the enjoyment of it.
For by one offering yet perfected forever them that are sanctified, God has a people set apart in this world for himself.
And the perfect and standing before God, not a sin, not a stain remaining.
And why all the writer of this epistle refers to the Old Testament?
To show that it was nothing new as far as God was concerned.
It was not new. God has spoken. Time passed that He was going to create in the people of Israel a clean heart.
Yes, he was going to get Take away the heart of stone from them, give them a heart of flesh.
And he was going to write.
Word not in tables of stone.
But in the fleshy tables of the heart.
And that is what the Lord and Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus in the third chapter of John's Gospel. He must be born again.
And so God has given us in that new life. He has given us a nature suited to Himself, suited to his presence.
How precious that we can lay hold of that.
And he says there sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Oh, what a contrast were the days of old when their sins came up continually before them.
Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. You and I, dear fellow believers, have that assurance that not one sin will ever be brought up against us in the presence of God.
No there won't. There's God that justifies. Who is he that condemned? Oh God, is there were issues a challenge? Who can condemn when I justify?
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Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now then, in the days of old, the children of Israel were shut out from the holiest of all. They were shut out by that thick veil.
But dear fellow believer, you and I have the privilege.
To enter into the holiest of all.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest of all, How?
By the blood of Jesus.
How precious it is that we have the blood of Jesus as the ground upon which we can enter into the presence of God. Because it's the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, that cleanses you and me and has cleansed us from all sin.
By a new and living way.
Which he has consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh.
The veil, that type of the flash of the Lord Jesus.
When the Lord Jesus died upon Calvary's cross, that veil was rent from the top to the bottom.
So that the way into the holiest of all was opened up.
So that you and I could go into the very presence of God, and so that God.
By grace now, in all, the love of His heart can come out in blessing to you and me.
And we have an high priest over the House of God.
Yeah, that same one who claims us from our sins is our high priest.
So in the 22nd verse it says, let us draw near with a true heart.
In full assurance of faith.
Do you and I lay hold of what we've been speaking, that our sins and iniquities will be remembered no more? That the way into the presence of God had been opened up?
Through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ have you laid whoever by faith.
Oh, now the apostle says, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
What more do we want to bring us into the presence of God?
Into the presence that God looked for. Oh, for worship, for Thanksgiving, for what he has done for us.
Yes, that's what we go there for and we had a blessed time here this morning.
Yeah, to give worship, Thanksgiving and praise to the one who has robbed that perfect work.
Or a heartthrob sprinkled from an evil conscience, our bodies washed with pure water.
Nothing to disturb our being in the presence of God.
Not a thing. We have the assurance, the full assurance that there is nothing.
That can come up against us.
So then, he says, let us hold fast the confession of our hope.
Without wavering.
Oh, let's hold fast. We know that we're going to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. We're going to be in the glory with Him. We have a hope before us. Oh, let's hold fast the confession of the hope without wavering. Why should we waver when the work was all His and the work completed to the glory of God?
He is faithful that promise. The one who has made the promises upon which we rest is faithful, and he will perform those promises.
Now turn with me to the to Colossians.
2nd chapter.
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For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love. And of all the all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, in which I hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the Spirit, joining and beholding your order in the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walky in him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith as he had been taught, abounding therein with Thanksgiving. Beware that any man spoiled you through philosophy and vain deceit after the traditions of men.
After the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ, for in Him.
Dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in him which is ahead of all principality and power.
We've been speaking in our meetings in the last two days.
Something seeking to learn things in this world. Understanding.
Well, you know, the word of God is wisdom.
We find the wisdom of God revealed in the Scriptures.
Oh, how precious it is to be filled with the wisdom of God. And how can we know it?
Except.
Through acquaintance with the scripture. Through reading and meditation upon the scriptures.
These at colossi.
For those.
Who were well grounded in the truth.
And yet there was a danger.
Of getting off into what today we might call higher learning.
But the apostle wanted to go on.
That they might enjoy there, which God himself has for them.
And so he has he has them in his prayers.
As he says, he had great conflict for them. He was striving with God in prayer for these dear people at Colossians that laid us in.
That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love.
All is not the first thing.
How is it that you and I as Christians?
Get along in this world always enough when we are in fellowship one with another.
And the bonds of love between the people of God are in evidence.
Hearts being knit together in love.
Oh, when you see a Christian going on, well, you see the love of God flowing out of his heart.
To those who are likewise children of God.
But all when you see one who is cold or indifferent to the people of God.
You begin to wonder about the state of his soul.
And how is it with you and me?
Does the love of God so fill her heart that it overflows?
To children of God and we find the affections flowing out for one another because.
Because, you know, we're all members of that one body. If one member suffers, all suffer with it.
There is that bond of affection implanted in the heart by God Himself.
And how precious it is when we see that love and exercise, we see the evidence of it. We don't see the coldness, the indifference to one another.
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Well, the apostle wanted these a colossi to have their hearts knit together in love. Oh, they're going to be knit together. They have to get close together and fellowship one with another.
Oh, may we not be found walking in a park from our fellow Christians, you know, they say that when a chicken is sick, it will go off by itself. And you can tell pretty quick if a chicken is sick, if it's going on by itself. Christians are like that. You see a Christian going off by himself, there's something wrong.
So the apostle wants these at Colossians to have their hearts knit together in love.
And unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding.
Oh, he wanted them.
So they could understand the intelligent in the things of God.
In all the riches.
Of the full assurance.
Oh, think of the superlative that the apostle uses there, and he means it.
All the full assurance of understanding.
We have to own how little we understand of the things of God. We have to admit it and owner was shame, but oh the riches of it are precious. To think that God is not limited.
By what you and I are. But God, according to His own infinite being, pours out upon us all the wisdom, the understanding.
That is in his heart.
In this he said to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God. And what is that?
All that God and his love for you and me.
Sent his own beloved son down here in this world.
To gather out a people that they might be united to Christ.
As his body.
Yes, that was in the plan of God.
It was in his counsels before the world began, that the Lord Jesus would come down here.
And die in order that he might have a people down here, but united him above.
The people for himself.
That which could not be spoken of in the Old Testament.
Because Christ had not died, that God and his love could not manifest.
His heart of love.
To those who are under the law. But now that the Lord Jesus has come revealing the Father in all his grace and love, now the mystery cut is revealed.
And the apostle wants you and me to enter into all the riches of the full assurance of understanding concerning this to a thing that the Christ, the Son of God.
Would pick up 4 sinners.
Blends them, bring them to himself and make them his body.
Do we enter into it? Do we value it?
That what the apostle wants for these at Colossians, and through them you and me.
Well, in this mystery of God are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Do we seek knowledge down here in this world?
Oh, in this?
Great work of God, I get all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
What more do we want?
Are we occupied with learning down here?
Were the things of this scene.
All these things don't minister Christ to the heart.
No, they don't.
They but turn us away.
And so the apostle is warning these here. Yes, I'm telling you this because there's danger that higher education is going to draw you away.
This I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
There was that danger. They hadn't gone away yet. But there's a danger and there's a danger today. If there was never any danger before, there is now a being drawn away by what this world calls its wisdom. And all it does is to glorify man, not the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:45:25
They were going on in an orderly fashion there and he commended them for it.
He says I'm with you in the spirit.
He beheld their order and the steadfastness of their faith in Christ always that don't give it up, don't give that up.
They need to hold that fast.
Now he says, as you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. That's a word for you and me, for our conscience. How have we received Christ Jesus the Lord?
Ordered by simple faith in Him, we laid hold upon the Word of God, and we received their truth as to the Lord Jesus by faith.
By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves is a gift of God. They receive Christ Jesus the Lord by faith. Now he says so walkie in him.
Walk by faith.
Oh, how many times we have to own that? We don't walk by faith. We make our own plans. We have our own schemes. We use our own wisdom.
But all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found in the Lord Jesus, in him.
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walkie in him, rooted and built up in him.
How can we be rooted and built up in him?
This precious word.
Is that which gives us everything we need to establish us, to guide us in our pathway down here.
We have been Speaking of how the Apostle Peter wanted those to whom he was writing.
To be established in the present faith.
Now the Apostle Paul is saying the same thing, to be rooted.
And built up in him.
Established in the faith as he had been taught, abounding therein with Thanksgiving.
Or how precious it is when we can enjoy the Word of God with Thanksgiving, that He has been so pleased to reveal His mind to us through the Scriptures.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit.
Or if you're going to add anything to Christ, if you're going to seek to lay hold of the things of God through higher education.
Through man's wisdom.
It's going to spoil it. It will spoil it.
Bear wireless and immense foiled you through philosophy and vain deceit. Oh, don't be carried away by those things which men say. The traditions of men, the rudiments of the world, all these things are not after Christ.
These things which the world has, the rudiment of the world, those things which are only half formed down here.
Men have their theories and their hypothesis.
All these things are not God's wisdom. They're not the truth of God.
All beware.
These are not after Christ.
Now he says, For in him that is, in Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete and human.
Which is ahead of all principality and power. Oh, dear young lady, dear young man, you who are Christians, you are complete in him in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.
What a word that is.
What can you add to it? What can poor puny man add to it?
00:50:05
You're complete in him, don't add anything to it.
Oil only spoil it, you'll only take away from it and Rob Price of his glory.
Oh, may you be found satisfied with that which God in His grace has given to you, the blessed truth that you and I are complete in Him.
Can you fathom the depth of it?
Then you add anything to the wisdom of God, and so providing for you and me for that day when we're going to be in the glory with Him, to be to the reflection of His glory.
All beware list any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit. Now in Hebrews 6.
Verse 10.
God is not unrighteous.
Forget your work and labor of love which you have showed toward His name. Isn't that you have ministered to the Saints and due minister. And we desire that everyone of you do show the same diligence of the full assurance of hope unto the end, that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Now the 19th verse, which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil.
Whether the Forerunners forest entered, Even Jesus made a high priest forever.
After the order of Melchizedek.
Here we find full assurance again. We've seen much assurance in the gospel. We've seen full assurance of faith and full assurance of understanding. And now we have full assurance of hope.
These that the apostles writing primarily to.
We're in danger. They're about to lose that earthly place where the Jews had been, their hopes on the city of Jerusalem.
And he is turning their hearts away from that which is earthly to that which is heavenly. You and I are heavenly people. We're not earthly.
That which was earthly has been done away, but we are a heavenly people.
And they too were going through persecution. They were going through trial.
But it tells them God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward His name.
And it's just a true of you and me today, as it was then. God will not forget.
There which go, which you go through for the name of Christ. God is not unrighteous to forget it. And he's going to reward in that day even a cup of cold water given in his name, even a cup of cold water given the name of the disciple that you want to have a disciples reward. Oh, think of the detail to which God goes to remember your work.
And labor of love.
So these were found ministering to the Saints. They were continuing in it. They weren't giving it up because they were persecuted. They were. They had their hearts knit together in love for one another. They were ministering to the Saints.
Now, he says, we desire that everyone of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end. Oh dear young men, and dear your own dear young woman, this is not the time to settle down in this world. It isn't the time to give up.
Is the time to use diligence. Let us therefore labor to enter into that rest which lies ahead of us.
Oh, he said. We desired everyone of you to show the same diligence.
We have a hope before us.
And he wants us to use that diligence that we may be fully assured.
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Of that in our own souls.
Is that hope that you and I have been enjoying?
Is that real to your soul?
Do you go on with all diligence that there may be that abundant entrance that you may enjoy even today?
The hope of the Lord's coming.
Oh, don't be slothful. Don't settle down.
The followers of them who through faith and patience, inherit the promises.
In the 11TH chapter of this epistle we read of those who died in faith.
They kept their faith to the very day of their death. They counted that God was faithful.
And that he would perform his promises.
God will perform His promises.
Oh, let's go on in their example and have our faith anchored upon Him who is our hope.
And so the 19th verse says, which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.
Our hope is in the glory. The Lord Jesus has gone there. He is within the veil and the glory.
And that's where our anchor has been taken.
And it's firm in the glory.
Oh, what a precious hope we have. The Forerunner has gone through Jesus. The Forerunner is now in the glory as He assures that you and I are going to be there with Him.
He's going to have us in his presence.
Yeah, he's there for you and me and all. What a hope we have. And it gives us a full assurance to know that he is there now. And the one who said if I go away I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.
So he is there now, and not only is he there to take us on high, but is there for the present as our high priest, the one to undertake for his people on the way to take us to the wilderness pathway in order to preserve us along the way. The one who has been down here, he knows all the pitfalls, all the dangers of the pathway.
And he's going to sustain us in that pathway. And as we saw in the.
Epistle of Peter.
How that He has made every provision for us so that if we do these things, we need never fall.
How precious that is.
Or maybe go on with the assurance. All along our pathway, we have the assurance that the Lord Jesus died for us. We have the assurance through faith that we can enter into the presence of God without a sin upon us, perfect, without fear. He has given us the assurance of that understanding so that we may enter into the mind of God and have a wisdom for our pathway. And He's given us the assurance of hope.
So that we may look on to that coming day when he'll have us with him.
Maybe sing #202?
What will it be to dwell upon and with the Lord of glory reign? Sense of blessed knowledge of His love so brightens all this dreary plain. No heart can think, no tongue can tell What joy it will be with Christ to dwell #202.
Shiloh
Address—C. Mizen
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Look at Jenna. There's Capital 49 and one verse.
And that is the $10.
The sector shall not depart from Judah.
Nor a law given from between his feet.
Until Shiloh comes.
And unto him shall the Cabinet and people plead.
Unto him shall the gathering of the people thieves. Can we turn over to the first chapter, because of the Ephesians.
1St chapter between first candidate.
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one.
All things in Christ.
Both which are in heaven and which are on earth.
Even in him.
It was the Scripture and Genesis beloved that I had particularly.
My heart tonight, speaking there as Jacob does, when he gathered his sons around him in the last hours which he spent here on earth, he was given some remarkable words to like that.
And some remarkable prophecies.
And here, in the verse that we've read, he speaks of Julia.
And he prophesied about someone.
Who here is laying Shiloh should come. It's a person that is referred to there as we see, because it goes on to say enough to him. Shall the gathering of the people be?
There was, as we know in the Old Testament, a place called Shiloh, but here in the birth that we have read together.
It brings before us a person who should come at some distant future times.
And concerning that person.
Jacob is given to our prophecy, that unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
And it was particularly that frightful sentence that I trust my being practiced in our hearts as a result of our being together this evening.
Some versions, I believe, would render it that under whom shall the obedience of the people be? But whether whichever word we use, I think the sense is the same, because if you think of the obedience.
If there is a failure and to His word which speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, the gathering of the people is in a code and in obedience to the Word of God, and it's to a person, not to a place here, but to a person. And that I think is most important.
And I read the 1St in the essential to the Ephesians, the 10th person, that first chapter and those.
That should help us.
Remember these scriptures being the 10th verse in each case.
It speaks of the same person, but all how many years have gone by since these two utterances were made from the day when Jacob gathered his son's round on his deathbed.
To that time when the poor, the Father of Jesus Christ, was enabled by the Spirit to write this wonderful epistle from the prisoner railroad, and he speaks of the Lord Jesus.
The one who in whom we have been blessed, and we have no blessings apart from Christ, as is impressed upon us in this first chapter, that all the oneness blessings that are ours are ours in Christ alone and without him, apart from Him there is no blessing. And in that verse that we read together, it looks on to a still future.
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Day that is yet to come up.
When God says within these dispensation of the fullness of times, He is going to gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. In the latter verses of the same chapter, we just read them, but we read of how God reigns to that blessed One from the dead in verse 27, in His own right hand in the heavenly places.
Part of our whole principality and power and life and dominion and every 909 not only in this world, but also in attitudes of town, and have put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church which is his body. The fullness of him that Philip All in all, and I think the Spirit of God may press on our hearts and both these Scriptures. The fact that.
God has before him the person of his own beloved Son.
And God is as far as that that blessed one who, who came into this world to do the will of God, the one who's now been raised in the dead, has seen his.
Glory is the one who is the very center of all God's purposes and councils.
All things are going to be made subject to him.
He is being head over all things, of all things that have been headed up, as it were, and again, and whether it is Jacob speaking by the Spirit or Paul speaking by the Spirit.
Both to bring before us that the person of the Lord Jesus, the One as Jacob in Jacob's prophecy, was yet to come. And concerning that one, it was timely said.
That I sent him a shallow gathering of the people. They and I thought it might be profitable for us to turn to a few scriptures this evening, looking at it from the point of view.
That when the Lord came here into this world.
His desire was to gather the people together, to gather them to himself, to bless them. And yet, as we know from the gospel.
How they refuse him?
We might also think of it as prophecy of Jacob with in respect of ourselves in the present day.
Unto him shall gather, until the people be. We might also look at one or two scriptures that speak at that time that when he will come again, and we know that that is our immediate blessing hope, for we are waiting for the Lord to tell.
We might also think of it in respect to the people of the the the US the people those for whom he came as it were primarily when we first came to us and he actually refused him. He came under his own and his overseas is not but the fact that they refused him will not alter God's husband councils. God has created under him. So the gathering of the people please and in a in a coming day.
That will be fulfilled because God will gather the earthly people.
But together we know in blessing in the promised land, but that is limited from the point of view of the Scripture that we've read together. It's going to be unto a person and they're going to acknowledge him. And then in that day when God works that wonderful work in the hearts of his earthly people.
The remarkable.
Work that we have in the 53rd Isaiah.
They will look upon that lesson 1 and realize that when He came here into this world, it was for them that He was wounded for their transgression, and that He was bruised for their iniquity, and so on. As we know that one of the passage of Scripture, they will take those words up when they realize that He indeed came for them, and then.
00:10:27
We can think about.
In respect of the nations, because they will leave all the places come to Jerusalem, the center of God's of of the earth at that time of sanctuary is back. Their person coming to Jerusalem will be to acknowledge that one who was once despised in rejection of me when he was here another. But God has decreed that every need to whom you'll find.
And the Scripture Scriptures are full of that coming day when all the dwellers on the earth, on the earth, shall render homics with him. The King shall bow down the forehead and go an incense frame, as a new tells us. But first of all, I thought we might consider that Scripture under him should get put. Shall the gathering of the people's be in respect of the time and energy force came into this world?
There's a bus in the 9th chapter of Matthew.
I feel it's been more profitable to turn to these many scriptures together.
More profitable than what I consider baptism, and I'm sure you won't find turning to the scriptures that I've made note of that we might meditate upon. But now and after we don't have anything in the 9th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.
Expensive. How the Lord Jesus came down from glory. Faith here as a man. And it tells us in verse 35 in the 9th chapter of Matthew that Jesus went about all these cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and hearing every sickness and every disease among people.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
Because I claim it and was scattered abroad as sheep, having no shepherd.
All this tells us how the better for you.
Of the people here when he came abandoned.
We know that there's sickness and disease that for a bunch of people, the fact that they were under the domination of the foreign power was because of their inconvenience. God has paid and told them what the consequences would be if they facilitate His law and if they would intervene it through His word. We know how sadly all that came through and when the Lord came.
To bless his people.
Kind of the one handed statement of their sins, who alone could learn and belong them.
This is how he saw them, he said. He said he's solemn latitude and was vivid with compassion on him because they claimed it and was scattered abroad.
As sheep having no shadow.
All how to follow that was.
I would less involve this weekend. Thank you. In that same 49th chapter of Genesis, we read in one who is accounted in verse lower than the one that we read together. It seats of this wireless account of the Shepherd. And here he was about his people. But the enemy had been at work. And as we know from the 10th chapter of John's Gospel, the worker of the enemy is the scattered God's people.
And we know how sad, sad reliance occurred in our day. It's been the work of the enemy and the Lord, as he looked upon us, his perfect people, He saw a sheep that was scattered, a sheep that find him, and sheep that had no shepherd. And it says that it worries the compassion on him.
And would be not blessing. Yes we know as we read in the 35th verse in 25 in all those citizens villages he called them around and he will come back among his people. He healed them of their sicknesses and the freedoms. He even raised the dead alive. And blessing was suspense on every hand and we might other most of the people would have been glad to have accepted him as their Savior.
00:15:26
As they deliver us that they might well have been gathered as sheep to that shell and good coming love to them. But alas, we know that they rejected him. There was there is a scripture in the 23rd chapter of this same book that we might turn through.
That tells us how it was that this one good conference for the shepherd we speak how it was that the sheep were not gathered to him. In verse 37 of chapter 23, Matthew, we read, Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that tears the prophets, and stone us so much to send unto thee.
Notice what it says. How often would I have gathered our children together? How often would I have gathered thy children together? Even as a hidden government of chickens under her wings? And this beloved is believing he would not. He would not think about, let it say that as he goes upon the people in all that have saved the position.
His heart, you don't know them. His life went out to him as we read his life chatting and he was moved with compassionate waters.
As he says here, as he weeps over Jerusalem, how often would I have guaranteed a Barney has to say he would not all they refused him, they saw no him being him that they should desire, and hearing was among them for their blessings.
So there's truth and that salvation and yet we know that there's a nation. They rejected him and they said we will not have this man to reign over us. Yes, how often he would have gathered him and yes they would not. But there were those who were gathered through him when he was here or not. Thank God that there were others who heard His loving invitation.
Accommodate all these advice and a heavy life, and I will give you rest. We see from him on that great child police standing off from all that religious concourse and pride. If any man does, let him come unto me and drink. There was no heart or blessing to be found in his office, and that is religious cemetery, is there?
Here was the one that flew ahead of life and blessings, and he stands and he invites them to come to him. Yes, he appealed to many and over the respect of God who were gathered to him when he was here on earth. If you turn to the 19th chapter now with John's Gospel.
We have the crucifixion brought the Boris and it's just one verse, verse 18 of chapter 19.
I want to. We need to.
Says whenever come to the place scar which is called in the Hebrew gold doctor where they crucified him and two are with him on either sideline and Jesus.
In the event all we have here, beloved as we know.
What marriage is in his hatred and energized by Satan? The answer the man gave to the love of God in sending his beloved Son.
They certainly modified the Jerusalem and when they'll come to that place.
Of a scarlet they know him to a cross, and in company with two manufacturers.
They directed those crosses on their hill, and man no doubt thought that they were shown to the world what they thought was that life by putting him in the midst of those two thieves, as it were, so that the attention of all the past by might be directed to him.
00:20:10
Not in order, I'm sure. I know that they might look to him and live that that they might show that were not they anointed him by crucifying him in the midst of two thieves that God has recorded this fact for us. And here in the 19th chapter of John, God tells us that Jesus was in it. And all beloved, believe sorrow that listens to the gospel.
We look back as well and calibrate, and our attention is not directed to the thieves on either side, but to that one who was crucified in the midst of those two thieves. And therefore a will in the gospel give the message to the Sinner to look to Christ for that one who was crucified in the midst of those two thieves. I'm going to read now the 32nd and 33rd verse of chapter 12 of John.
The more geniuses speaking.
And in the third chapter, verse 32, he says these words.
Before that scene took place in the 19th chapter. Remember, he said, and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men underneath. This, he said, signifies what death he should die. Think of that prophecy that we ran against his 49 ounces of him.
People be and then with that, that's why they permit crucified on calendar to help the one by whom life alone could be given. And the Lord Jesus says that if I, if I've been lifted up from the earth, withdraw all unto me this expense, simplifying what damages should die. And isn't that true, Vladimir?
In that very time of helping draw one to his blessed Son who was crucified there with it through the truth. Things you all know.
But the story is less dependency to my face could jump to that one who was dying there in all that ignominy and shame. And he confessed him, Lord, and we know that he was saved. Yes, he was drawn to that blessed One. And how many from that day to this up until this very evening are being drawn to that One who was crucified at Calgary? The message of the Gospel is look and lyrical.
And God is growing man's attention, the sin of attention to that one who is crucified in the midst. We see Jesus in the midst, and whosoever looking from him by faith, he's given that one was gift of eternal life. The Lord himself says, and I have been lifted after the earth will draw all men unto me, unto him shall gather the people's knees. This may not only apply in this state of grace, it may even take in the day of judging, but.
Be that as it may, the fact remains that the Lord Jesus satisfied and lifted up from the earth.
I withdraw all the information to a person. God is drawing us to a person. And are you not thankful that you have been drawn that blessed One, that one could die of your sins and countless cross? You've been drawn to a person, not to a creed, not to belong to a church or to believe in some doctrine. It's a person with God has brought before your heart and mind and we've been attracted to Him.
The one that made this fires and rejected and we've seen that that one who died on Calorie died around sins that there he bore out of sins in his own body on the tree. And that is still true. May it still being drawn tonight.
To that one who was crucified, Innovate but now.
Let us think of it from the point of view of the present day, of ourselves, those who by grace have believed on the Lord Jesus, and let us remind ourselves again of that a lovely verse in Matthew 1820, if we could circle it.
00:25:05
Matthew may be 20 and I want to link that verse with the few verses in the plaintiff of John.
We know this versus beloved and how good it is to be reminded of them, even if there are only two or three. It's not the numbers of God all the better, but it's the person who knows two or three of gallery as it should enjoy our hearts away there many a time in London, we're just securing a mix of civil millions and this verse often is quoted and rejoiced it the thing that the Lord promised his presence in two or three gathered to his name.
And that says his presence to a season in this hour day, even though we may be reduced to the two or three. He says he lost 20 where two or three are gathered together in my name.
There remarked in the midst of them. Let us connect that, beloved, with the few verses in John 20.
The Fundamental 1St 19.
Then the same day, that evening being the first day of the week.
When the doors were shut with a disaster were assembled for fear of the Jews kind of Jesus, and stood in the midst, and set out of them peace unto you. And when he had so said, he shut down to them, his hands sighed. There were the disciples glared when they saw the Lord.
Or in this account live we have Jesus in the midst, not now in the midst of two thieves, as once he was on Cowboys Hill, but now resident of the dead and his own gathered as they were on that front day of the week and evening.
And it says the blessed Lord came, came Jesus. It's lovely, isn't it? The same way that we read on the 19th chapter Jesus in the minutes, but now he's in the midst of his own. We'll gather together there on the first day of the week, and he comes into the midst of his Taliban. Yes, beloved, that prophecy of Jacob.
As true in this holiday.
That I'm still hearing Sheldon Kerr, they of the people they and they realize that this was the one who died for him. He shows on his own his hands and his thighs. He showed the wounds that were his, the marks of his sufferings on Calvary. And they realized that this was the very one who had gone into bed but was now written and alive and in their hits.
They realized that he who was dead was now alive, and we know that he alive, forever old. And what privilege we have, beloved, in this day kisses. I have witnesses of small things when there is The enemy has been so built and scattered, the sheep so much. The enemy has been at work.
John 10,000 That is the work at the end of the scabbard machine for that blessed life that is gathering to himself, and he promises us there in the 80s chapter of Matthew.
That where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of it man, it's not by let's two or three hundred or just as two or three. It's not the number that matters to life. It's for personal whose innovates and that makes all the difference. It makes all the difference because we have gathered so personally and not to a place or to a creed or a sense of God life. Now people say, well, I go to Sodo church.
And I like to go to that place for beloved the Lord, this gathering the gatherings So in separation as a result, as we read the Hebrews that exportation. Let us go forth and to resume without the cancer bearing his reproach. It's true a person said the Academy and that prophecy of Jacob is true in this our day that under him shall be gathering of the people things. What a privilege it does love it.
00:30:05
To revive it, there's the one here who's not yet gathered to that precious name.
Oh, that's the only standard where the world is in a bit. It says we're true or free or gathering together to minority. There are my fingerprints that's called center under someone. That is all the patterns and that is the most important thing that we gather to that one who now is please devout saying his presence.
To be in the midst of even two or three gathered to his life, but one of the future there's as well as day coming for us when the Lord should come again. Let's turn over to the second impression for class of elements. I'm sure you wouldn't mind turning to these scriptures to love it because they lift themselves up so periodically. The Second of Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse one.
We read these words.
2nd Assessor Lenders chapter 2, verse one. Now we proceed to brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him. You and I, by the way, discuss the Lord Jesus has been left in this world to serve him, to represent him here, he, he who would cast out of this world and rejected by land.
His letters here for a little while to live for him, but He promised before he went to his glory, as you know in according to John. For this I go away, and then I will come again and receive you unto myself, as if you know very well that beautiful, well known passage in the form of the First Thessalonians, where the fact is brought before us with the Lord Himself.
Shall descend from heaven with a shark. Then we which I rely on remains, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to please the Lord on the air. And so shall we ever be fitted with the Lord. And here in the second chapter, it speaks of our gathering together under here. Yes, that prophecy of Jacob is going to be fulfilled in that moment, maybe tonight, when the Lord Himself comes again to take all those of trusted in Hitler's savings.
To be with him because of meet the Lord and the heir and so on. To be forever with the Lord and then we still hear on your skin and it will be you a person. It won't be so much your place. We know we should go to glory, but what the Lord brings before us in the 14th of John is where I am then he may be also or heaven without heaven would not be like.
It's a person that we're waiting for, as we're told in the first chapter of this same book, the first book of Thessalonians. We wait for God, some prepared, even Jesus, the ones who delivered us from the coming wrong. We're waiting for that to always gather when we should be gathered to that blessed One who loved us and gave himself for us.
And then you love it. That is scripture I wasn't under transfer shorts well enough you that scripture in the 5th of Revelation will be fulfilled where they probable John looks has been from one decision to prove that open door into heaven and what does he behold he tells us from the sixth verse of chapter 5 of Revelation.
I beheld and love in the midst of the prime and of the 40s, and in the midst of the elders, through the land that had been slain, having 7 Hawks and seven eyes between 7 spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. Here's the slave lesson 1 Beloved in the mix. Not now, old Calvary, there in shame and suffering. Not now, it's in the midst.
My lover's grace of even the foods of trees gathered through his name and the world where all this country of children and that's a wonderful privilege. We're living in a wonderful day that the Lord gives us his presence where even two of their damage together with himself in the mix.
00:35:01
But this is a scene of glory, and John is expected to behold the lion of the target junior.
The one who had all power and who alone in all heaven was worthy to open that book to set forward in motion all the events that are there are portrayed in this Book of Revelation. He is told to hold the line of the tribe of Judah prudent savior has devised quote the book and Duluth second seals are all.
And as it days is there as well as the vision is up into his eyes and gates and trance there he sees parts those living creatures and pass those elders right into the midst of the throne of God and there aligned to see the land.
I think the original speaks of a little ladder as it had been. Strike the same blessed person now in the midst of the glory of God's center of effort to see your land that has its life, and in that dying beloved of which we read in this 5th chapter, when there will be people from every kindred and town and member of the nation.
When Everyone will have will take part in that new song.
Voice will be raised in his praise. My love is that scripture of the 49th of Genesis will be fulfilled for that of him shall regarding of the people being and we await that moment, do we not and we look forward to that time not because so magical potatoes through this scene that standard death and sorrow and suffering. We should be satisfied. We should be blessed indeed, but he will be the opposite of our praise. He is going to serve the fruit of the tribalism soul that one who's in the midst of patrol of God.
And he's going to joy over his own the thing that he's garnered us all there to himself and be with him forever. And then that song will stand throughout all eternity. That new song, I trust that everyone in this room is going to demand is going to take part in this one receive to see the land and have been slave and the same with all their dreams thou.
For thy worst life and has received us the godfather and blood out of every table and kind of peace relations. Yes uncle him shall gather of the people baby let beloved we have other scriptures that time is going but can we just sort of the second song. That's one short verse there. Let's think of it in respect of these earthly people people who inspired and rejected him.
I thought we had to say when it came, we would have gathered them. You would not. They said We would not have this man away over us. They wouldn't accept him as their king. Appear in the second Psalm. We have false decree.
2nd Solemnly 6 verse God speaks and he says, remember this is the one who wept over Jerusalem. Now God says, yet I have set my Kingdom and who is that?
At that one who carrying low interest the Osama Bharat, Jesus was savior.
Yet have I set my Kingdom upon my holy hillside, and here in this script of belonging heart.
Sent his keen and he points on to the coming day and this will be fulfilled.
And the lower volcanoes and the intelligent to Jerusalem and he turned away in there. And God says I have set my king upon the holy hill of Zion. Just turn a few minutes to the 72nd solve.
Thank you for this one. Who will be liking that in Jerusalem?
When he comes to writing, when he comes to the back of getting to this Earth now to someone. But the light has been.
And we read that.
In the second box you should charge by painting with righteousness. And I fall with churches for 7:00 and his day shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace, so long as moon ending during it he shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river under the ends of the earth. They that well will the national bar before him his enemies shall Mr. dust the kings of Tarshish on the Isles of being present the kings of Sheila shall offer gifts, yeh.
00:40:30
All things shall fall down to all hands. All nations should serve him. The 15th official name of the head should be able to go to Shiva. Prayer shall also be made for him. Continually and daily shall he be favored. 71St His nation endure forever. His name should be continued as long as the sun and men should be blessing him and all nations.
Should call him blessed.
Yeah, Mr. King in Jerusalem and all Shiva's all here and our behavior. So the government of the people day and he who once was despised, the rejected of men, it's now the object of their worship. They breathe their triggers on their heads and they come to Jerusalem that they might worship here.
Fact that it was in the 54th device higher there are many scriptures we couldn't touch it, but our task I turned one or two.
Fought, as this guy is concerned, with earthly people.
Caused by rejected therapy instead of white men there I refuse to press the police and see those peace in this world sinners in the world often until he comes to my universe house the concern of his earthly people in the 5th and 4th chapter of eyes Ireland verse seven a lovely language there he's the Lord is speaking. He says for a small man have I frustrated me.
By his greatness will I guarantee, and a little while I hit my face on thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on me.
Set alarm.
Why they do who belong? Is there many other scriptures that space at this time when he says to them, Arabic people are gathering for a small land, Have I forsaken thee? But one lovely language he uses to those people who once was so rebellious and disobedient, and who have rejected him.
Those over whom he went to remember and said, how often will I have geography that she would not.
Now it says, with great and merciful will I get the light neck. He's going to gather any people, and he's going to gather to himself that he might bless them, that he might watch over them, that he might reign over them in righteousness, that they might be given an error of peace such as those people have never known.
And gather back to their own land and for holy Savior Jerusalem the king in their next. He said it's a frightened mercy. I will gather these concerns other people without appearing so gathering of the people being just turned her to the last chapter of his evening verse 35. It was a lovely word there that speaks.
Of the Lord.
That is the guy in the city.
Verse 35 it says in the last chapter Ezekiel it was round about 18,000 measures.
And as I said, from that day shall be.
The Lord is left both for a wondrous time is coming for the social freedom Service who rejected Him.
Is now in the mix. He's now there as king upon the holy hill of Ireland, and the city is no longer called forsaken and quantified.
It is now called by that name, that wondrous name. The law is there, and that should be the mark and the sign of that city, no doubt going on throughout all the earth, through all the nations.
As they are, thoughts and minds and steps are all directed towards that center, God center. That's not things that's imagined to say, but as a person who is there, the Lord is there, and they're going to bring their tribute and knowledge.
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Now let me just ask you people. But all the nations of the world does just let it burn through the last chapter of Zechariah.
The last chapter of Zechariah, Chapter 14.
And verse 16.
Speaking with that guy delete when the peel will be set upon the holy hills on it when it returns Jerusalem, it shall be said the Lord is there. God says his concerning that guy in last 16 and you come to pass that everyone with his left. All the nations which came against Jerusalem. They came against it in empathy to fight against it, to destroy it. But now the Lord has come in the earlier parliamentary chapter on behalf of his people with his feet stairs from the Mount of Olives in the fourth verse.
And we bring salvation to his people and deliverance. Now God says concerning the nations, and that they shall even go up from year to year to worship. 13 the Lord has.
Accounts and to keep the peace of cabinet, which shall be the new servant, will not have our whole family to the earth and to Jerusalem to worship the king of all of us, even from them shall be no one.
And we can picture legislation coming up year by year, the keyness about another reporting, and all to bring tribute to that one. Regardless, sex and creed shall be amazed in the midst of His gathered earthly people again in that city that is caught by His name, and they should go out to worship Him, to worship the King, the Lord. We know who that is from others. The Lord came of peace and Lord of Lords.
And during the proper side of the scrotum set, if you look on this coming day, it's going to be injury and we don't haunted this yet for you today that's coming from the earth. Not that we should be here, but we delight to see how God is going to have everything concerning his beloved Son.
Wholesale.
Washington attained the Lord host and I'm hearing shall we gather from the people, please? And that's why I've been everything that they had coming in Christ by which is in heaven and which is all right. There are two other scriptures. I'm not going to turn to them, but I refer to them because they have a bearing on this same subject. On the 25th of May we have the gatherings of the license before it came, and it says I've gathered before him for jobs.
As he he who wants to sparse and rejected the name, old judgment is committed into his his hand, and on the 25th of Matthew degree of when he should sit there and hold the throne, and all the nations should be gathered before him, and he will be the judge.
Are all resolutions? And then in that day how true it will be, that unto Him shall gathering the people be not in grace, not for blessing about the judgment. And one last Scripture is performing in the Book of Revelation, where at that same apostle will be read about in the 5th chapter, sees another vision, and also vision so different from that, and he looks upon that grown of God, and sworn in the midst of the land of the healthiest place.
Now I'm on the tournament with the chart that you see in the great white throne, and him that sat on him, from whose price the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found her place for them, he said. I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.
To see you guys on the day which we're in, it's definitely held windows at the desk that we're in today.
Small and bright are gathered before him. And I also would like to apologize. And those who died in their sins who rejected him will stand there before that right? And.
Solemnly true would be that obviously of doing a danger and of him shall gather with the people being. But I'll solve it to be protected about these scriptures, bringing it for us the love of the fact.
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That he is a blessed person in the central God's purposes and counsels, whether it be in the past day in the future or not. And man found his own blessing apart from him then, or whether it be in our present day by grace, whether for salvation or if he gathered through his precious name and himself in the next or even coming day when we with him in that morning, all the future days that he gets a full not only his healthy people, the Jews, but in the whole world.
And the feeling is set up on the toilet he'll desire and all when a punished again all in the family charge of the day. I've thought some hearts that directly to a person, the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the one whom the God had all men on, as he told us when he was here on earth.
The ball mentioned on the sun, people were staying on the father. He grew here.
A life in the place. But this is true. Do you know how much will say that? Are you doubts of him in one disgrace to no one there to be gathered to his name and himself in there? Are you waiting in the driveway, anticipation that moment when He will go here and always being into His place? Or let's not believe that. That seems to be great, like throne must be wrong.
And I go on this highly sold to him and given him a name which is above every name and the name of Jesus every nation by and they can turn to the best of Jesus Christ and Lord for the glory of God of life. And if you forget everything else that we've heard before us tonight, the loving May God just impress those words from your heart. I've enjoyed them so often so much that I think of the Lord Jesus.
That I've met him.
Shall carry other people being.
So.
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Luke 9:26-36
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Chapter 9 and verse 26.
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's and other holy angels.
But I tell you the truth, there should be some standing. There should be some standing here which will not taste of death till they see the Kingdom of God.
And it came to pass about an 8 days after these things he took Peter and John and James and went up into a mountain to pray.
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and blistering.
Behold, it taught with him two men, which were Moses and Elias, who appeared in glory, and speak of his deceased, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they were awake they saw his glory and the two men that stood with him.
And it came to pass as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master.
It is good for us to be here, and let us make 3 tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias, not knowing what he said.
While he thus faked, there came a cloud and overshadowed them and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
There came a voice out of the clouds, saying, This is my beloved son. Hear him.
And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone, and they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
And it came to pass that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, most people met him.
Behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son, for he is my only child.
Spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out, and he tears him that he formeth again, and bruising him, hardly departed from him.
And I besought that his job was to cast him out, and they could not.
And Jesus answering, said all faithless and perverse generation, How long shall I be with you and suffer you bring thy son? Hit her.
And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down and tore him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
And they were all amazed at the mighty power of John.
While they wondered every man that all those things which Jesus did, who said unto his disciples.
Let these things sink down into your ears.
For the son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them that they perceived it not, and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Then there are rows of reasoning among them. Which of them should be greatest?
And Jesus, perceiving the thoughts of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, and said unto them.
Whosoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me in whomsoever.
Shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me.
For he that is least among you all the same shall be great.
John answered and said, Master, We saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him, because he followed not with us.
And Jesus said unto him, Forbidden not for he that is not against us.
Is four of them, and it came to pass when the time has come that he should be received up.
He stood fastly, set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Sent messengers before his faith, and they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him because his face was as though he should go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and conceal them even as Elias did?
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But he turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit you're of.
Where but a man has not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them?
And they went to another village.
And it came to pass it as they went in the way. A certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee Withers, whoever thou goeth.
And Jesus said unto him.
Boxes have holes and birds of the Arab nest.
For the son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said to another Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus suddenly him, Let the dead bury their dead, But go thou and preach the Kingdom of God.
Another also said, Lord, I will follow thee, but let me first go and bid them farewell, which are at home in my house.
When Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the flower and looking back his fit for the Kingdom of God.
These first two, the first we have read, I believe we can say they are.
Timely truth, we might say. Present truth. We barely believe that right here now. There are many that won't taste of death till they see the Kingdom, the glory. This was going to happen to three here on this occasion.
But oh, how wonderful it is to apply it as a present truth to us.
That the glory is just so near the the seeing, the glory of God. It really carries us into a glimpse of the Father's house here in this preview of the coming Kingdom.
But we have had discipleship here, and in this first verse we have read it's negative. Notice the 26th verse. Whosoever shall be ashamed of me in my word of the end, shall the Son of man be ashamed when he shall come in his glory, and in his Father's and of the Holy Angel.
Now if we go to John chapter 12, there's one verse that is like it, but different.
John 12 and verse 26.
IT service follow the Lord and we are here as servants to serve him.
And there is reward, connection with service. The 26th verse of John 12. If any man serve me, let him follow me. Now this is the disciple too. The one that follows the Lord is to be a servant of the Lord, and will be, will be if he follows the Lord. Then it says, And where I am, there shall also my servant be. We like to link that. But Matthew 1820.
Where we know where the Lord is.
And the servant that is serving and following the Lord, I believe will arrive at that place too, to be there for prayer and worship and praise as we had yesterday. Then it goes on and says, if any man serve me him will my father honor. It's not a question of being ashamed now, but it's a honor and reward and a return for what has been done.
Or the Lord. And then we have the 27th verse. I tell you a prude. There be some standing here which shall not be of death till we see the Kingdom of God. Now the Lord Jesus was going to give that preview, and did to the three.
And.
We have something of that.
Think of the Lord himself.
He has been announcing his death and rejection. Then he tells and shows to the three his coming Kingdom and glory.
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I believe it's always that way, in order to pass through the wilderness and the testings of discipleship and service, that God himself would put the end before us, the glory.
In Hebrews 12 we had a part of it read this morning, but in the second verse.
It says, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who were the joy that was set before him, endured the cross. Now there the Lord is put before us in his course, and here he was in Luke as the man going up to the cross, in this very chapter from the 51St verse on proceeding to the cross, what did he have before him?
Oh, he had the glory. He had the return to the Father's house. So that's what he would point us to as well, that Father's house to the which we are going. And so the glory he would announce and tell us about. But really the way of understanding and entering into it is to learn grace.
We referred to the 84th Psalm yesterday, and you have that order there He will give grace and glory, and in Luke's gospel that man, that perfect man.
For the grace of him all the way through. And he had labored and ministered and showed to his disciples that grace, and they were slow in entering into it.
As we had yesterday, because of lack of dependence in prayer and the seeking of a place, they lost their power and they went to sleep as to the glory. So what a lesson it is to ask to learn great the grace of God that bringeth salvation. Grace brings grace give it does grab and seek like self does. So we've had self denial in our portion.
And following the Lord and oh, we ought not to be ashamed of Him. Often one would confess for himself we are ashamed. But then if we go on and look to Him and see the grace and the glory that's coming, I believe it'll give us courage to take up the.
Opportunity that we have now as servants.
And as disciples to follow him in the path of his rejection with the glory before us too.
There is 2 aspects as you mentioned of this in our 26th verse. This is passive in a sense. It's just not letting it be known or letting it be proclaimed that you belong to Jesus. It's sort of silence. It's sort of not making much of it. When you're in the world, you're ashamed in a sense. How sad to think of it, but it's a passive thing.
But there's also the active and I and I think both go together, and that's in Matthews Gospel and Chapter 10.
And verse 32 and three. Well before these two verses, he lets us know that we're more value than many sparrows and he's got his eye on the Sparrow. And so he wants us to know to whom we belong and he says.
The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Then he says, Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, this is active. Now him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. You think this is a a more challenging thing?
It's one thing just to quietly go through this world and and enjoy Christ at the meetings and enjoy fellowship with the Saints, but let it be sort of a quiet thing that's being ashamed, the sad thing, isn't it? But oh, how wonderful if you can confess how the thief on the cross.
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Confessed, he looked at that one in the center and said Lord in front of that whole hateful mob.
Who had just done the worst they could to that blessed one and would have done just as much to any that identified himself with him. He confessed him as Lord John 10 nine and he believed in his heart. God would raise him from the dead. John 10-9 saying, But I have never confessed Jesus as Lord in front of a hateful Bob. I've felt the reproach of confessing him but of course he does not like that thief must have taken.
Not like that thief must have taken.
But I was just thinking, brethren, let's not only not be ashamed of him to get the banner up, well, let's confess him, let's confess him. He's all to us, He's our Lord. And just one thought on that in Acts chapter 5. You know, this is about the third time they were apprehended, Peter and John and beaten and told not to preach in the name of Jesus. But you notice at the end of that chapter.
Verse.
31St 40 And to him they agreed, and when they had called the apostles, beaten them again, commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. They let them go, and they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Jesus Christ. They confessed him everywhere.
Even though it meant beating, it meant beatings, not just reproach beatings.
Well, brethren, there's more to confessing his name than there is just to being ashamed. Confessing his name really brings you the blessings of a true disciple suffering for Christ sake. May we read those verses?
In Matthew 10.
Matthew 10.
32 and 33.
Matthew 1032.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father, who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, which is in heaven.
And Hebrews?
11.
We ought not be ashamed, brethren. The Apostle Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
For the power of God and salvation. But here we have another verse, Hebrews 11, verse 16.
But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly. Wherefore, God is not ashamed. God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city.
May the Lord deliver us from shame.
From that kind of shame.
There were notice saying yesterday at the beginning, 18 first.
The order here that prayer.
Comes first and then.
The rejection and sufferings of Christ.
And then the question of discipleship.
We noticed too that the Lord was teaching his disciples here.
In grace.
Our brother spoke of grace this morning. It was in the Lord Jesus.
But when we speak of grace.
In regard to the Lord Jesus.
That's the altar of incense that floods the Tabernacle.
But when it comes to grace for ourselves, it's imparted to us.
The whole life of the Lord Jesus down here was a sweet savior to God.
But we received grace from him.
And if there's to be any discipleship at all, with us, I mean practically.
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It has to be on the ground of grace.
It doesn't come from the flesh, and that's what's important to see in this chapter.
Because the disciples using their own minds.
Missed his mind in these various illustrations we see.
And have read of this morning, and this will be true of us.
In our pathway here.
If we don't seek the Lord's face.
We'll never walk as true disciples because we notice that we are dead.
In ourselves, that which belonged to Adam, gone in God's sight, the So if there's to be any real service for Christ, it has to be on the ground of dependence.
We noticed that the Lord was praying and they were not praying so.
There they did not understand rejection.
And now we have prayer again. The Lord is praying again on the mount.
And notice the change that takes place.
When he prayed. And there's a little picture to us and to those disciples at that time.
That there will be a change in our lives when we pray we don't see it.
But the Spirit of God tells us there will be, and faith believes it.
And there won't be that change unless we pray. That's important to see.
Even with the Lord Jesus of man, it's seen here that when he prayed.
That which manifest itself outwardly countenance was changed, and so it will be with a believer. And so if we want.
To the discipleship, the testimony to be effective, it will have to be on the ground of a dependence on the Lord.
Can't be on the ground of something that I invent, some method I invent, or anything else. It has to be just pure dependence on the Lord, because there's nothing in ourselves.
And so we have here the prayer and in connection with the glory.
That has already been mentioned.
But before that, in this verse we first read.
For whosoever shall be ashamed of Maine, and of my words.
Of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory.
And in His Father's and of the Holy Angel now these glories were mentioned yesterday.
But I just want to say this.
That one who has rejected him and his words.
He will be ashamed of them on that day.
That's an unbeliever.
But in that day.
Something will take place that has never taken place before.
And that is the full display of all God's glory and power.
That's what the name First Born really means.
When the Lord Jesus spoken of as the first born, Hebrews 1.
When he brings the first born into the world again.
Then the full power and the manifestation of glory with it will be seen for the first time in this universe.
Now, isn't it precious that you and I who believe his words and trust in him, will be there with him at that time?
The full manifestation of all the power and glory of God. He's the first born. He's the one to manifest them.
And you and I will know Jesus.
In that day and.
As is said in the Gospel of Matthew, he that has seen me.
Has seen the father.
We have that privilege now by faith.
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To see the Father, I say by faith.
How much that brings home to our hearts as we see the prodigal embrace by the Father.
The place of nearness and love. Now this is what gives us power for testimony.
It isn't a question of being able to read up, and that's important, but that's not the point.
Why was the testimony lost in Ephesus? Because.
They didn't have discernment. No, they had discernment. They noticed that there were false apostles.
Wasn't there the outward manifestations of the testimony? Yes.
But they had left their first love, that's why.
That's everything. You can have the shell with nothing in it.
And that's Christian profession. And even a believer can go on in this way without any joy, any soul, and there's no testimony.
And so it's lovely to see one who has that communion and goes forth from the presence of Jesus, because before he sent his disciples, he called them to himself, and they go forth from there. But now as we go on with this picture before us of the glory.
We're going to see the disciples still not laying hold.
What he would like to have them lay hold up because, brethren, they weren't praying. That's why you and I will not have proper understanding of the Scripture, the truth of God unless we go on independence.
Pray. Unless we read His word. And so it's important to learn the lesson of this chapter course today. And I believe that's the reason that there are so many trials among us, because we're at a distance from the Lord in our hearts, we're not walking close to Him. And so we find here that the disciples were in just that position.
And we notice here too, the word a in Matthew is 6. That's man's number. But eight brings us into a new thing. It's on the eighth day, Resurrection Day, that this is connected with. And so as we go along in the chapter, we'll see the importance of that as well. That is something entirely new and Luke's gospel.
Does not give us the ministry of Ephesians.
But Luke's ministry is the springboard for Paul's ministry, especially his prison physical Luke gives us.
Brother was Speaking of grace.
Luke gives us in Jesus.
Heavenly Grace.
Heavenly grace. It's that kind of grace that we'll experience through all eternity up there.
We get the little glimpses of it as we read about Jesus here.
We have a line of a hymn that says full the glory of the grace shining in the Savior's faith. That's the wonderful line there that Him. It's in the in that way, in grace, in the Savior, that we see glory today. And it's so important to to get a hold of grace and what it what it is and what it does.
And that there is nothing of self in it you're mentioning about love, one of the statements we've heard for years and enjoyed about that and it tips for self denial that we had yesterday.
After Who's this?
Likes to be served and thinks itself great. Love serves and is great. Now if we can learn that and we have the examples of that in the world around us, we're in a nice room in a nice building and buildings like this in the large cities are.
The favorite places?
Those who are wealthy.
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And they like to.
Be served. And they think themselves great. Well, that's more like Herod's world.
That we learn of in the Scripture.
That's the courts of this land and the world. That's where stealth would.
Put itself up on that pinnacle, and be served. But the Son of Man came not to be served, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. He is the supreme and perfect example for us in this. And there he came into the world a meek and lowly man, serving and going on, misunderstood and not appreciated. And here in our chapter.
And here, even with those around him who had seen him and his works, they weren't apprehending this great. It's so important for us to get a hold of grace and what it is and what it does. I'd like to tell you a story that happened in Bolivia when I was with Bob about seven or eight years ago, who illustrated because it was such a great lesson to me.
And it fits with the gospel we've had a bit about. We were traveling.
Over to the eastern the western border of Bolivia, where you have to cross a Salt Lake. And it's the poorest part of the world I've ever been in.
And many dear brethren over there.
Where we came to a town, perhaps the best town in the region of all places. They had a university there. And so there were college people around, but still a very poor town. And we had with us Olino Bueno, 93 years old, now still serving the Lord, and along with us with a man named Enrique Garcia, who had been born over there in this place called.
Yeager, but we were carrying the gospel and ministry for the same. We came to this.
Which are done of them in secret.
But all things that are reproved or made manifest by the light, for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he says, Awake thou that sleepest, and rise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Or we can thank the Lord if he is waking us up. We are Speaking of all these things, trials, different things that the Lord is allowing among us. I believe it's His voice to us. Awake thou that sleep us rise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
How wonderful to have that light.
Is Christ giving us light? But if we want to walk in darkness, how can He shine upon us?
If we're not exercised, how can he give us light?
But the Lord knows how to wake us up. We thank God for His faithfulness. We thank the Lord for dealing with us in grace, dealing with us gently, tenderly.
All how He loves us, and He does want to manifest His light doors, He wants to give us light, and the light of the Lord will result result in joy and the power of the Spirit of God working in US, and the fruit of the Spirit being manifested.
And we need that fruit of the Spirit, and only God, by his grace, by spirit, can produce that fruit in us that's pleasing to him. Perhaps the Lord is preparing us for the rapture.
The supremacy of the Lord Jesus was touched on. It is such an important thing God here is putting his finger on that we should never equate the Lord Jesus with.
Any other, any being, I should say he is the Creator. He is preeminent in everything and God will have it always to be stole. The book of Colossians developed that very importantly and here on this occasion when the glory was revealed and the fact that there were men associated with the Lord seen there.
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Is such a comfort and encouragement to us, for we have the.
The heavenly side of the Kingdom as well as the earthly in this picture.
We have one man who was carried into heaven without passing through death.
Let's be lighter. And then we have Moses who it says God buried him. And this is a comfort to us today, who know the Lord Jesus and know the power that belongs to him, whereby he is able to substitute all things unto himself and bring forth in resurrection the bodies of sleeping Saints going clear back to Abel and perhaps Adam. And we'll do that and present.
Them with us changed we who won't pass through death. And this is our blessed hope. And we'll have that heavenly side of the Kingdom. And then there will be the earthly side which is typified by the three disciples. So the coming Kingdom in its heavenly and earthly side is portrayed here. But the preeminence of the Lord Jesus is maintained here fully and we ought to remember. Let's turn to Tom 100 and.
11.
And read the last two verses.
Because it's something that we should stand for the preeminence of the Lord Jesus that you stand alone when Peter later on.
Was used of God in the book of the act.
To open the door for the gentiles. We've just enjoyed this recently found home and it was pointed out that when Peter arrived at the House of Cornelius, Cornelius fell down to worship. Peter and Peter says arise stand up where I myself also am a man. They were Co equal Hornetus and Peter later on John in the Book of Revelation and this was pointed out.
That twice, perhaps in the last two chapters, at least toward the end of the buck, 19 and 21, I guess it is.
A John makes the mistake of falling down and worshipping an Angel.
Well, the Angel says.
I'm a servant too. That's what angels are. They're servants of God a little.
Higher than the creation of man. But that's all it said. Man is just a little lower than the Angel. They are servants of God who do his pity. So in those two occasions we are pointed to the fact that worship belongs to God and God alone. Now in the 111TH Psalm, the last two verses, he sent redemption unto his people. Who's the Redeemer?
He has commanded his covenant forever. Then what does it say? Holy?
And Reverend is his name.
Holy and Reverend is his name. Has that been corrupted and Christendom?
Do men take those names? They are reserved for the Redeemer.
Then it says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, all that put Christ preeminent and always above any preacher. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, a good understanding of all day that do his commandments. His praise endureth forever. We are the creatures that can praise him, but we must always maintain the absolute preeminence, supremacy of the Lord Jesus.
Now we see Peter is not praying. The Lord is praying. Again, Peter is not praying and so he doesn't know what he's saying.
He's saying all right, but he doesn't know what he's saying.
Says here.
Not knowing.
What? He said. Now that's solemn.
So it's possible one to.
To be in a position of an apostle, that is in the sense of testimony, means no apostles today.
But one who has been used even of God, and is in a place where he is being used of God and beyond communion, because he isn't praying, and he may say things unadvisedly with his lips.
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Because the blessing comes on the ground of dependence. No other way. He's not praying. When the Lord's praying again, second time in this chapter, and they're not praying.
And so we read. Also, when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. That's a good ending to this, isn't it? This portion of the chapter, because the Father now has spoken.
And the result is most and Elias disappear. Everything disappears from the eyes of the disciples but Jesus. And that's a good ending.
Now they kept these things close.
Until the 2nd Epistle of Peter. Then he speaks out, as we said, of the excellent glory.
And now when we leave these meetings.
We'll be back in our regular work, whatever it may be. We've been taken up with our jobs, school, whatever.
And we'll say, well, I've been at the conference. I certainly have a lot of power to, to live for Christ now because I've been at a conference. No, that isn't the case.
Because the disciples here were in the in this wonderful place of the glory.
And immediately in verse 37 on the next day, what happened?
When they were come down from the hill. We've been on the hill now for a few moments.
In our considerations much people met him, and behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master Ivy Seats. He looked upon my son for his, my only child.
And Lord Spirit take of him, and he suddenly crieth out, and it tear at him that he formeth again, and bruising him, hardly departed from him. And I besought by disciples to cast him out, and they could not.
Why couldn't they turn to the first verse of the chapter?
Then he called his 12 disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.
Why couldn't they do it?
Prayer, all brethren.
No power in ourselves at all.
When we get away from the mercy seat, we're in trouble.
You'll see that with Abraham, when he went down in Egypt, there was number altar.
And he got in trouble.
Speaking of being on the hilltop.
I think we need to guard against this idea or feeling or thought or trend, whatever you might call it.
That we go to conferences.
And we live, as it were, from one conference to another.
And we just live on conferences.
But in between, what do we do? What are we living on?
We we go way down to the low level between conferences. What happened?
We are in touch with the Lord, perhaps a little more at a conference.
We're hearing the word of God. The Spirit of God is giving us what we need for our souls.
For being fed when touched with the Lord, and perhaps for a while we're in communion with the Lord. But what happens afterward?
The only way we can be sustained all through the week in the everyday, humdrum day of life.
Is to be in touch with the Lord.
To be expressing to him our dependence upon him. Because that's what praying is, expressing to him confidentially. Just like we're talking to someone here, face to face. He's so real to us, we're talking to him.
00:45:02
And we're telling him about things. We're praising him for what he's done for. We're asking him for grace, for help. We're just simply having a little talk with him.
And then the day will go all right.
We used to sing a little chorus, a little talk with Jesus. Makes it right, all right.
Don't things go all right? Because we're missing that. Not just saying something to the Lord, not just repeating something out of habit, not just reading a little scripture out of habit, but being in touch with the Lord and really talking to Him face to face in tune with Him. That's what we need every day.
And every day can be just like a conference day if we're in that dependence on the Lord. I'm glad other brothers emphasizing that because it's so important, so important because look how it comes out in the scripture. I'm And again and there's failure when there's not dependence on the law with the last two first, the first Timothy four hit in with what you were saying.
Read it for us.
A little while to find the jewelry.
I Timothy 4.
The last two verses.
Meditate upon these things.
Give thyself.
Wholly to them.
That thy property may appear to all, take heed unto thyself unto the doctrine or teaching.
Continue in them for doing this. Thou shalt both save thyself and them that dearly. All that's good advice from Paul to Timothy, and to everyone of us.
What? These give us a rundown on that stubborn track of the Windstar on the farm.
I've enjoyed that a lot. We'll all enjoy it.
Well, after we'd come back from Africa in 1940, then I took up carpentry because.
I didn't want that title, Reverend, that he tacked on to me.
It reminded me of that when my brother read that first in Psalm 111.
So I went to work with my hand. The Lord took care of us, worked as a Carpenter for a while, and then we went to a farm. Well, I didn't have a lot of money to start farming, and I didn't even buy a tractor the first thing. I just bought four horses, and they were.
What are used? Bought some old farm machinery. Later on I got a small tractor.
Well, I've been doing work with that one day and it had been running fine.
And the next day I want to start the track well every morning.
The family would be together to read the word and to just express our dependence upon the law.
Well, this morning I had too much work to do.
I went out there to start the tractor. I had really shorted the Lord on the time I should spend with Him and really expressing our dependence upon him. But I went out in a hurry to start the track and it wouldn't start.
We usually spent about 30 minutes, half an hour, even in busy time, but this morning I thought I was too busy.
Then 1/2 an hour with the Lord.
I started.
Turn that cracker they never started on, just had to crank it.
But it wouldn't start. Took the magnetoire, cleaned that up, put it back on again till it wouldn't start.
And I tried again.
And after the 30 minutes had passed that should have been spent in the Lord's presence expressing dependence upon him and feasting upon his word.
After that, 30 minutes was gone. The track was started immediately. The Lord used that to speak to me.
00:50:03
You didn't give me that 30 minutes and you couldn't have it either.
Well, what a lesson we have in our verse here that he sought disciples that cast him out and they could not Verse 40.
The reason was the disciples, although in the first verse we see they were given the power, they were not bringing in the the source of the power, and that's Christ. That's what's being emphasized here. And we have that brought out pretty clear in the in another.
Reference to this same same incident in Mark 9. And we have that man in Mark 9 bringing the sun with the dumb spirit.
And Jesus said the same thing in verse 19. Bring him unto me. That's why they couldn't cast out. They weren't bringing Christ into it. Bring him unto me. And when that man said in verse 22, If thou canst do anything.
Help. That's not faith. You see. He needed to have faith in Christ, and so the Lord gave him the faith. That's the grace we're talking about. And he said all things are possible to him that believe and that he said, Lord, I believe.
And of course the sun was healed because his faith was in that person. And Peter later learned that lesson. And I just mentioned in Acts 12 in Acts chapter 3 when Peter and John were at the temple and the beautiful gate and that that cripple there the beggar asked for alms and and Peter said silver and gold. Verse six, chapter 3 of Acts have I none?
But such as I have, I give thee now he's learned in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Rise up and walk.
It was healed in Mark 929. Two, brother. Amen. 929 Amen. That's a wonderful one. And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.
That's what we're, you see, the source of all power is that one we can be connected with. And we can receive the power by prayer. But fasting brings in the heart, doesn't it? Reality.
Thank you, 151.
Keep Faith and a Good Conscience
Address—G.H. Hayhoe
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Testimony you can hinder the usefulness that you could have and the things of God you could really help you could be a blessing among the young people. You could be a blessing in the assembly where you are. But if those two things creep in holding faith.
Good conscience. If you let them go, you let those doubts come in and you don't continually look up. And you have to do it often you know and say I will trust in the 10 times wasn't too often to sing. Then we need to sing it, sing it, and say it over and over again. And then when that questionable thing comes look up and say, oh Lord, keep me, preserve me, oh God, For in thee do I put my trust.
Now the reason I read the other one, I just want to speak briefly about it.
In Second Kings chapter 13.
It's a very interesting other location to me. Here was Elijah. He was fallen sick, He was dying and durash and hadn't paid very much attention to him during his life. But now he realized this old man of God was being taken away, and he comes with tears and he weeps over him and says the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof. In other words, he said that I should have come to you before because.
You could have helped me. The chariot and the horsemen represent, Deliverance said. I could account here before, but he comes to him right on his deathbed, right at the end, and that's often true. Someone who could help us, we put it off and we put it off and we don't come. Well, we came right at the very end, and it's nice that Elijah didn't turn him away. He was glad he came, and so he wanted to help him. And you know, I'm a little older, perhaps, than some here.
And I want to help you. And so I think it's nice here what Elijah did. He said take bow and arrows, and he took the bow and arrows and then it says, put thine hand upon the ball. And isn't it nice here, Elijah put his hand on top of this young man's hand, this young king. He put his hand in other words, it said, if I can help you, I will. And I'll show you what to do so that you can have deliverance over your enemies.
And that's all I can do. Dear young people, I'm not the deliverer. The Lord is the deliverer. He's the only one who can give you the strength. But perhaps I can help you. Perhaps I can put my hand on yours and in that way give you a little bit of encouragement here tonight. And that's just what Elijah did. He put his hand right on top of the King's hand. And then he told him to open his window eastward. Well, we know that the Lord Jesus is coming in the future day for Israel's deliverance.
As the sun of righteousness which rises in the east. And so I believe what he was pointing him to was the one who will come in a future day as Israel's deliverer. And he said to him like this. He said, now just put your you get to the bow and arrow, and you point out the window and you point eastward. And so have you, and I have you and I opened our windows eastward. Are we looking on to that time when the Lord will come for us?
When he'll come for us, of course, it's as the bright and morning star, but we can open our windows eastward, as it were, and say the only one who can give me deliverance in all these things that come, all these enemies that are opposed to me, is the Lord.
And that's what he did. He opened his window and he got there and he drew back on the arrow. And and I can see the old prophet helping him, drew it back as far as he given his shot. And he said, that's the arrow of the Lord. Deliverance, are you looking in the right direction, dear young people? Are you looking to the Lord?
Are you looking to the one and the only one who can deliver you?
But then it tells us here that.
In the 18th verse. And he said, Take ours. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, smite upon the ground. And he smoothed thrice, and stayed.
Well, Elijah was going to be taken away. Elijah died. But what he was really saying to him is, and now Joash, I'm not always going to be here to help you.
I'm not always going to be here to put my hand on yours about you taking off barrels so that every time the difficulty comes, you know that there's one who can deliver you, you say? I tried. I tried once. I tried twice. I tried three times, and I give up.
00:05:11
Oh, he didn't try often enough, did he? He didn't try often enough. And the Prophet said to him, oh, he said, you should have done it more. And you know, dear young people, it's not once or twice or three times. I don't need to tell you this. You know it as well as I do. It's a continual thing.
Over and over again. The devil is never going to give up. He's going to come again and again. And you're not always going to have somebody to rely on. Maybe your father's a helper. Maybe your mother's a helper. Maybe there's some brother in the assembly that puts his hand on yours and says I'll help you if I possibly can, but there's things you're going to have to make all alone. You're not going to have somebody put their hand on yours, but you're going to have the Lord. He's never going to fail or forsake his own.
And so don't give up because you tried once or twice, or three times. Remember, God is faithful, and He's one who will be with you and will, He said, I'll never leave thee nor forsake thee. He's always ready to help you. And perhaps the thought of five Britons before us, human weakness. And six the very best that a man can do.
It's always dependence upon the Lord.
That we need constant dependence upon him. And he will help us and he will give us grace and so do young people. I don't know what the future holds. I'm sure it's not going to get easier. I'm sure it's going to get more difficult. But tonight, if this little occasion helps you.
Open your window eastward and look on to that time when the Lord will come and will everything will be manifested in His presence. And you. And put your hands on the arrow. Perhaps tonight I can give you a little word that will help you, but they're going back home in a few days. You're going to have to meet those enemies. The Syrians are going to invade the land, just like if you read on the chapter they did. They came in and he actually defeated the them three times.
But that was the limit because that was all the hours it took. And so it is if you if you say, well, I asked the Lord and it seems it's just coming all the time. But didn't he help you last time you asked him? And didn't he help you the the time before and the time before? Well, he's still the same Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever. So I just want to encourage you tonight to look up to the Lord. He has something for each one of you dear young people to do.
He had something for Paul to do when he was saved. He has something for Timothy to do, And Paul encouraged Timothy, and this young king too. There was deliverance for him, and there is for you. The Lord wants to bless you. The Lord wants to use you. And when finally, in another day, we look into the face of our Savior, won't we be glad if in any measure we sought to live to please him, and we think of His abundant grace?
His wondrous love to us, because it's more than we can ever measure eternity, is going to be too short to tell out all His praise. And we do have the privilege now of seeking to live a little while for that Savior who loved us and gave himself for us. Well, may the Lord grant that we will not destroy Thee Ground three times, but we'll do it more times. In other words, He'll say, Lord, I know that Thy grace is sufficient for every circumstance.
Beyond what I think, because he only thought. 3 But he said, you could have gone beyond that, and the Lord will always do, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think any grant that we might draw upon those infinite resources we have in Himself.
Ask the Lords Blessing.
I knew my heart of God.
All right.
Give me thy.
Soul.
Oh my God.
I curse in me. I'm in. Let me know.
Again, leave me in life. Leave me in life. I'm delicious.
Jesus God stars Manchester.
Where's my song?
I've seen all the way.
I mean.
Picnic
Children—E. Munck, G. Cook
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
What do you usually do in Sunday school here? Seeing some hints together first.
Well, maybe some boy or girl or even some older ones might have something, some song we'd like to sing, and you could sing it together. I'm sure these folks here, I'll help us, won't they?
Now there's something in the back.
Maybe some older ones you might have in him. They might suggest there's some more bigger boys and girls.
#40 #40.
Jesus loves me, Bible tells me.
Song land on one to him being lost. May I be strong.
Yes, please, I smiled. Me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yeah, she loves me.
The Bible tells me so.
Chase, God slugs me. Neither shine Valentine's old and white. He will wash away my sins.
No child come in.
Yes, please come close me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Here and sleep and smiles. Me and you are white. You won't tell me how.
Change my mind. Me. Go to. I'm back.
Yeah, she's not as smart as me.
Yeah, she's on the swamp. Really. Caribbean tells me so.
Jake, not as long as me, loves me still when I'm very weak and down from the shining plain sunlight.
Come to watch me where I lie.
Yes, please, I'm slowly.
Yes, dreams are as long as me.
Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, he will say.
I'll be inviting me all the way.
And my transcription. I die. He will Take Me Home on time.
That means I'm slammed me.
Yes, she's not slumped me.
Yes, please, let's love me.
Bible bounce me so.
I'm going to ask the question, why does Jesus love us? Is it because we love Him first that he loved us?
He loved us when we were.
Not something that's that's good news and that suits us exactly. Somebody one time. Instead the word Jesus spells.
Just exactly.
Suit us sinners.
Isn't that lovely?
He just exactly suits us sinners. That's what the name Jesus stands for.
00:05:03
OK, he's got another one.
How about #45?
Number of 25.
To let my life.
Go to all to let it go. There's still good air against water.
Then it's always been a while after this way. No, I don't work for him all night again.
Oh it is so big implemented to kill me.
That's quite a song, isn't it? We have two little eyes to look to God, and God gave us those eyes to look to him. And boys and girls, you know what we've done last night? We heard a verse that says all we like sheep, have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way.
And the Lord hath laid on him the inequity of us all. You know, boys and girls, some of you might want to do this thing, and some of you say, well, that's terrible to do that, but I want to do my own thing and that's different. That's okay. Is that right? You know, boys and girls, we've gone all the way. Those ways might be different from one another.
But the fact that you don't always want to go God's way.
Shows that we're sinners. That's what sin is. Doing my own thing and in opposition to God's will.
You know, it's a wonderful thing that we have the opportunity of hearing about the Lord Jesus Christ because He alone has put our sins away. Now who's got another one?
Well, you know.
I've got a lot more reason to be nervous than you do.
How about #41?
Rounds up.
Killers kill them and things are all working well now. The atoms rain sinking Lord.
Wise and Joy have never made singing for me.
Glory.
Character online, What brings them to that world of mouth and handsome Rise and 3rd.
We are always rich and joy and love around the shell when they're ever singing glory.
Glory.
Glory.
To God.
'S thy savior Shakti's one's super nowhere near sins. Now why should that most precious one be wrong? The white and queen?
Changing watering glory.
00:10:12
Boys and girls, I'm going to ask you a question. How many learn the Bible verse for this week?
Nobody that what happens at conference time. Nobody learns a Bible verse.
Who knows where the Bible verse is?
I don't like to know. I'll have to say the Bible verse this morning by myself.
Maybe somebody will say that.
It's found in fair.
First, Peter.
3-18 Maybe somebody, some boy or girl, could read it for me.
Birds Heater 318.
I have to forget me. I don't know your name. Sometimes I can't even think of the names of people I know real well. Can you read it for me, please?
Stand up and read the verse.
First figure 18 so Christ also has almost suffered sins for the investor who might bring us to death. You can put to death in the test like drinking that speaker. Thank you.
Before we start to speak about these things, let's move to the Lord and ask His house.
Blessed God and Father, we look to Thee this morning. We ask thy help to thy word might be sold out, that thy heart might be showed out, that the Lord Jesus might be magnified, and that sinners might find their way into that place of blessing, that place of shelter.
In the Lord Jesus Christ, we look to thee and ask thy help and undertake.
For us, in the worthy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Boys and girls, the older ones. I'd like to read just a few verses here, in fact.
We'll just read a couple of verses here. For Christ also hath 1 suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit, by the witch also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
Which sometime were disobedient.
When once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing wherein few, that is 8 souls were saved by water.
What was it? What was it that characterized the souls?
Of that time.
What was it that caused all those people to drown in the floods of water?
They were disobedient. Disobedient. Do you know the Scripture speaks over and over again about obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?
You know, we have to know what that gospel is so that we can obey the gospel. And maybe with the Lords help, we'll look a little bit at some of these scriptures that show us the gospel that God is prepared for us so that we can obey the gospel.
Let us look 1St at First Corinthians. I'm going to have somebody read it for me.
First Corinthians, chapter 15.
From verse one.
Through verse four, maybe a boy or a girl could read that for me.
00:15:06
OK, you read it.
You it's also we have.
Also in memory which are increased to do unless you the first from all that which I also received however that price right.
According to the Scriptures and that he might because he was very and that he was again starting according to the Scriptures. Thank you. You know, here we have a declaration of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and you know people know.
That the Lord Jesus Christ is necessary.
To our salvation.
But, you know, some people don't know that He is enough for our salvation. And I'd like to have you look with me back to Genesis chapter 6 and we'll find and see if we can't see in that which was prepared for Noah and his wife and his sons if we can't find.
In that arc, the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus figured for us in it. Let's look at that.
Verse three of Genesis 6 tells us and the Lord said, my spirit shall not always strive with man for that he also has flesh, yet his days shall be in 120 years. Now let's look at verse.
12.
And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
You know, if we understand a little bit.
About justice in this world, we see that justice is gone.
In many ways, and it's going faster and faster.
And we see the need of justice and people are crying out for justice.
Do you know here God looks down upon the earth and what does he see? He sees violence and corruption. That's what characterized the world then. That's what characterizes the world today.
Do you know it says here God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me, dear people who Polish themselves up.
You know, you can take a bar of steel and you can hammer it out into a railroad track and it's stiff and it's unyielding. Or you can take a piece of steel and you can make it real thin so it's flexible. You can coil it up, You can make a watch spring out of it, but it's made of the same stuff.
Still, and you know people, they try to fix themselves up.
They try to restrain themselves up, but there's something in their hearts.
Something in their hearts that God looks at, God weighs and he says it's all bad, it's all corrupt. It might Polish itself up, but yet there's sin there, boys and girls, sin manifests itself in different ways. And one person, he might look at that person. He says, oh, look at him, he's a thief.
And that person might look at him and say, oh, he's a drunkard.
You know, boys and girls, one of the first verses I learned when I was a little boy was.
00:20:01
Looking to lip and sending hound EIN coil. What does that mean? What does that mean? That's one of the first verses I learned when I was a little boy, and the reason I learned it was because I needed to learn it.
Lying lips are an abomination unto the Lord.
Boys and girls, why did I have to learn that verse? Because I told lies. Do you think I needed to have somebody to teach me how to tell lies?
No, my mom never taught me how to tell lies. I learned that all by myself. Why? Because there was sin in my heart. Now, do you know God can forgive sins?
But what can he do with a heart that's at enmity with him? All he can do is condemn it, condemn it, condemnation. You know, one time my son went to a place where they had a bunch of sheep. They slaughtered the sheep and they took their livers out. And some people, they like to eat liver. But you know what the meat inspector did with that meat?
The liver, so those sheep, he took a stem and he said U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Condemned. Condemned. Condemned.
Oh, that's solemn, isn't it? Boys and girls as we are, we stand condemned before God.
That song do you know someone as well said that the blood of Jesus Christ.
Cleanses us from our sins, but the death of Christ separates us from our old selves.
And that's what we need. That heart of ours we need to know.
Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. And here we find.
In this portion here.
A way made for those who were condemned.
Condemned.
Verse 14 it says make the anarch of Gopher Wood.
Rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shall pitch it within and without with pitch, and this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of. The length of the ark shall be 300 cubits, the breadth of it 50 cubits, and the height of it 30 cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above.
And the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof with the lower.
The second and third stories shalt thou make it. Ah, here's the answer that we were looking for.
That ark was made with three stories and I believe in a picture. We can say that the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ made him the ark suitable for boys and girls and men and women today. Have you come into that ark? Here we find.
And behold, I even I do bring a flood of water.
Upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life from under heaven. And every living thing and everything that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant. Then thou shalt come into the ark, thou thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons wise with thee.
And of every living thing, of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark.
To keep them alive with thee. And they shall be male and female, a flower fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind. Two of every sort shall come unto thee to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all the food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee, and it shall be for food for thee and for them.
Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him.
So did he, do you know there was not only the ark prepared with a three stories in the ark, but there was something that was on the side of the ark and I want to ask you what was on the side of the Ark that we read about?
Let's see if I can find it.
00:25:05
Verse 16 What is it there that was there on the side of the ark?
What boy or girl can tell me when you see a figure of Noah's ark? What do you see in the side of the ark?
What a window. Well, you see that too, but I'm thinking of something else. What do you see in the side of the art?
But a door, That's right. There was a door. You know, we might know our need of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In coming to God. But there was a verse quoted yesterday and I love that verse.
First, John 417, I think it is. It says we have seen, known, and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. It's a more wonderful thing to know that God gave the Lord Jesus Christ, that I might be saved through him. Oh, if he gave him.
And I couldn't be saved by him. What use would it be for me?
If I couldn't have him as my savior. But that's the purpose that God gave the Son. That was the purpose that the ark was made for so that souls could be saved. And so he had a door built there. And if somebody says, you know, there was probably a gangplank that went up into that ark. And Brother Blount one time, he said.
And all the animals went up the gangplank under their own steam.
Boys and girls, the ark is there, the ark is the Lord Jesus Christ, and through his work he furnished a place for all who would enter in, or he entered in. Well, it says the next verse, Chapter 7. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou in all thy house into the ark.
For thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
You know, the invitation was given and every other translation of the Bible that I have looked at, Spanish translation, the German translation, Mr. Darby's translation, it puts it a little differently and that's the reason I said that that verse, those that obey the God, not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It's not only an invitation, but it's a command. Go, thou and all thy house into the ark.
Ah, why are you sitting there in your sins? Why when God commands you to go into the ark, go into the ark, You know there's another verse here, it says.
I'm looking down the chapter and I'm looking for a verse.
It says that God shut him in. The Lord shut him in.
Verse 16 And they that went in went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him.
And the Lord shut him in.
Oh thank God, the Lord takes care of every contingency for us. We may say, we may look at ourselves and say, well, I've sinned after I believe and I'm so careless. But all it says the Lord shut him in all what blessedness that is. What blessedness it is that the Lord takes care.
Of everything in that ark, safe in Christ, we sometimes sing. The weakest child stands in all God's favor. Oh my friend, the question for boys and girls to day is, are you in the ark or are you outside of the ark? Are you sheltered from the blast of judgment that you righteously deserve?
A judgment that God cannot change in any way. Or are you sheltered, safe in the ark? Now, boys and girls, I'd like to tell a little story, and I've never told it before, and I don't know exactly how the story is going to come out, if it'll come out just right.
00:30:13
But bear with me, this is a story about some missionaries.
That went to New Guinea to live among the headhunters.
Do you know those headhunters were a depraved people? If you please, They were to the limits of depravity in all its manifestation.
This missionary went there and.
He built a house in the wilderness there. Do you know those natives? They.
They like that because he traded them axes and machetes and matches for their work.
But do you know these tribes? They were always warring with one another.
And their treachery knew no bounds. They had a saying amongst themselves that says.
What you do is you befriend your enemy, you make friends with your enemy, and then you fatten him up and then you kill him and eat him.
Can you think of something that is more awful than that?
Oh, how sick that was to the missionary. But these natives, they just wanted to be friends. They didn't want the missionaries to leave. They didn't know what to do. And the missionaries thought, how can we preach the gospel to these people? There's no way that we can tell them of the love of God so that they would believe it.
They sought to tell about the Lord Jesus and His love.
They told about how Judas betrayed the Lord Jesus and sold him for 30 pieces of silver and they thought, oh, Judas, he's a hero. He betrayed the Lord and then he got his death. Oh, how to praise those people were they were enemies, Enemies both of God and one another.
Missionary. He was almost in despair, he said. I'm going to leave.
Because you know what was happening, the tribes moved closer to this man and they wanted to trade with him day after day. But sometimes when they saw each other, what would they do? They would shoot arrows at each other and they would run at each other and throw Spears at each other. And sometimes they would be wounded and they tried to kill each other because in times past they hated each other and they would take revenge on each.
And they would butcher and eat each other. That's how sad, how sick Satan had taken and turned them against each other.
So this missed this missionary, he says I'm going to leave because I don't want to be the cause of you killing one another. He said. Oh, don't leave, don't leave. We need you. The missionary had been giving them pills and had fixed up a lot of diseases among them and they were prospering physically.
But he says it's no use. They were getting ready and they were taking revenge on each other.
And So what did he do? He got ready to leave and one of the natives says.
We're going to make peace. We're going to make peace. And he says, how can you make peace?
One with another you might make peace for 5 minutes and then you break the peace and you are at each other again quarreling with one another, and there hardly seems to be a way that you can make peace.
Says, well, we have to do it in only one way. We have to give a peace child. We have to give a peace child. And the missionary said how? What do you mean by giving a beast child? He thought, well, maybe they might have to, they make a sacrifice or something.
He says no, you watch and see what happens.
Saw these two warring tribes, they came together on opposite sides of a big hill.
And pretty soon they became very quiet.
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And then one man, he took one of his children, his little ones, and he brought it. He was going to the other tribe, and he was going to give that child to the other tribe.
So that there would be a relative there at that tribe. And as he was going his, he started running and his brother and his wife, they ran after him and they stopped him and they said no, you can't give that child. You can't give that child.
So they pulled that child back. There was one man. He had an only son.
And his wife? She wasn't worried because he wouldn't give his only son.
To be make peace between these two tribes.
But do you know, all of a sudden her husband was gone from her side. She thought, where's my boy? Where's my boy? And she saw him running with that boy. And he ran to the other tribe, and he brought his boy to the other tribe. And there was a cry of exultation from the other tribe, do you know?
Pretty soon there was a somebody came from the other tribe with one of their children.
And he brought it to this tribe. They brought it to this tribe. And the missionary saw that there was peace made between these two tribes. They both had to give up a son.
For their tribe, you know, the missionary thought that was something clicked there.
You know, one day he was preaching the gospel.
Of how that God sent his Son the Lord Jesus Christ to make peace. Let us look at a verse in Colossians chapter one.
Verse 20. I'll read it.
And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto Himself, whereby I by him I say, Whether they be things on earth.
Are things in heaven?
One day, as a missionary was preaching the gospel to these tribes, he saw one of the natives weeping. You know, when peace was made between these two tribes, the mothers, they cried, they wept because they lost their children to the other tribe.
But he saw one of the heads of one of the tribes, the man who had only one eye, who had lost it in a battle with another tribe. This man, he was weeping.
He was weeping.
And he asked afterward why he was weeping, because when the missionary was preaching how that God gave his son into this world to make peace, what did they do with his Son?
They crucified the Lord Jesus.
All man's hatred.
Toward the Lord Jesus Christ was fully showed out there at the cross.
When man.
Crucified the Lord Jesus.
He could see that that man was weeping and he said, why were you weeping so? He says a few years ago.
We wanted to make priests with the jungle tribe. That was a very powerful tribe, he says. And I gave my son to make peace.
And they ate him.
They ate him, he says. There's no peace.
No.
Boys and girls, what did they do with the Lord Jesus Christ?
They crucified the Lord of glory.
But where is he now? He's in the glory there.
And he's saying, no matter what's in your heart of hatred toward me, what's in my heart is love toward you. And now from the glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, he says to sinners, he says, come on to me.
Are you that labor and are heavy laden?
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And I will give you rest, Ah, the Lord Jesus.
He's made peace by the blood of his cross and he's in the glory. And nothing of man's hatred toward the Lord Jesus has changed God's mind about it. It's the time. The door, there's a door on the side of that ark. The Lord Jesus Christ could say, I am the door by me. If any man enter in, he shall be saved.
Go in and out and find pasture all. What was it that opened the door?
It was the work that the Lord Jesus did in reconciling men and women, boys and girls to himself. And that work is so satisfied God that he is able. He's able and he's willing to receive boys and girls and men and women. Thank God for that. Shall we pray?
Blessed God and Father.
We thank thee that the Council of Peace.
Between them both.
That there was nothing that we could do to add to that work, Nothing that we could do to turn thy heart toward us.
But that thy heart was toward us even when we were at enmity with thee.
And we bless thee for the Lord Jesus, and we pray our God and Father, that if there be one here.
Who still in their sins, that they might enter through the open door?
That open door that was opened through the work of our Lord Jesus.
We ask thy blessing, we give thee thanks in Jesus name, Amen.
1 Peter 1:8
Address—W. Blennerhassett
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
I am sure that each.
Redeemed heart in this room.
As we have sat under the ministry of the word of God.
Through these three days.
Have received.
A rich blessing in our souls.
And now we're.
Approaching the end of these meetings.
And as we wind our journey each one.
Towards our home.
Oh, how wonderful it is to go.
Four in his strength, in his health, in his grace, Or it was grace that saved us, and it was that patient grace, each step of the pathway that is going to keep us till we hear the shepherd.
I'd like to read first of all a verse in first Peter.
One Peter.
The first chapter.
And the eighth verse.
Whom having not seen.
Ye love.
In whom though ye see him not?
Yet believing ye rejoice with joy.
Unspeakable and full of glory.
The new translation puts this verse a little differently.
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Ye exalt exalt with joy unspeakable.
And full of glory.
Oh well, May.
The child of God in this room.
Exult.
In all our portion in Christ.
Yet believing.
Ye rejoice.
Ye exalt with joy unspeakable and full.
Of glory.
Oh, how blessed it is.
Day by day in our Christian pathway to have this.
Exaltation.
This joy in this one who never changes.
Who never fails? Whoever lives on our behalf.
All Is this my portion? Is it yours?
What a difference in our little meetings.
It makes when we see those.
That are daily finding this.
Their portion in Christ.
Yet believing ye exult with joy.
Unspeakable and full uploring.
Oh, I was thinking as we went through.
That chapter, that blessed chapter to which the Lord directed our hearts in Romans 8.
Of the ******* from which we have been delivered, the liberty into which we have been brought.
What portion is ours?
What rejoicing?
Adoring hearts we should have.
But all this is only possible.
As through grace.
We keep our eye on that one.
Who is the source?
Of all our joy.
Our strength and our help in time of peace.
Well, we have heard how he is able to sustain.
How he is able to keep?
But all sad to say with the speaker, and I'm sure with each one of us.
We find that joy in believing that joy.
That filled our hearts to overflowing when Christ made himself known to us.
As our Savior and Lord.
How that has?
At times ebbed and faded.
And he has come in in restoring grace.
Oh, I wonder if there are any in this room who have in their souls lost a sense.
Of all that grace has wrought.
I was struck by the remarks of our brother, Paul Wilson.
As to Satan and his power.
And today in the world around us, Around us, as our brother pointed out.
It's the effort of the enemy to give us to be off our guard.
Not to be found.
Watching.
Watching, Watch and pray. Watching and praying.
And so he comes in with his subtle Wiles and his great power.
Seek to.
Ruin our lives.
All one feels that with the young people in particular.
There is a great effort of the enemy.
To lead astray, to lead aside from the precious truths.
Over which we've been pondering and rejoicing and to lead in the paths.
00:10:06
Of the Destroyer. I was thinking of a verse in the 4th chapter of Deuteronomy in this connection. Let us look at it just for a moment, Deuteronomy 4.
And verse 9.
And here we have a solemn warning.
Only.
Take heed to thyself.
And keep thy soul diligently.
Lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen.
And lest they depart from thee, depart from thy heart.
All the days of thy life.
Our gathering in Montreal is a fair sized gathering.
And as one looks back over the years.
We can recall a number that started out with such happy promise.
And there seemed to be this joy in believing, this exalting in that blessed One.
Then the enemy came in with his Wiles and removed the eye of Christ.
And you seldom saw these dear ones at the prayer meeting.
And the reading meeting?
And then they started to neglect the remembrance of the Lord.
And always we have met some of these dear ones.
On occasion.
They are like Peter, but what we find in Peter.
Where some they've even forgotten that they were purged from their old spin.
Their families are in the world.
Oh, how great is their loss?
Oh, dear child of God, let us keep this before us.
Walking by faith, it was faith here whom having not seen ye loved.
All is a special blessing connected with that.
As we have in John 20 and 29.
Whom having not seen me love.
Yet believing ye rejoice, ye exult with joy unspeakable.
And full of glory, oh how much there has been for our hearts.
In the meetings.
That we have been privileged to attend. Or may we?
Feel.
And realize our responsibility.
To walk in the truth.
And one was thinking.
As.
We read this verse.
Perhaps there are some in this room.
Whether they be young or old.
Who have never had this? What joy of believing.
Joy in believing.
That are still in their sins.
Still on their way to a lost eternity.
They have heard the faithful solemn warnings.
In the Gospel meetings, and perhaps there is still someone here.
Who was yet in their sins.
On their road to a lost eternity.
Under God's judgment.
O we would solemnly warn you.
Not to delay.
And counsel you that you too would have.
This joy in believing.
00:15:04
Down at the gospel tent, sometimes in the summer when you have a large number of children, as many as 200 in our little gospel addresses to them, we like to use illustrations because in the summer weather it's not easy to keep a large number of children gain their attention and keep it unless you make it simple and interesting.
And this summer, they were told the story of this Indian.
This Indian live in the wild and near where he.
Where he lived, there was a Big Lake, a beautiful lake, very shallow.
And it was filled with these grasses and rices, rice that the ducks loved to eat.
And this morning.
The Indian came down to the edge of this lake.
And he looked over it.
And on this lake were hundreds of ducks. A great number of ducks.
The winter was approaching, and as he looked over.
Those ducks.
He thought, my I'd like to get all of them. I'd like to get all of them. And he looked at his rifle in his hand and he thought, now, if I fire this gun, I may get 123, perhaps, but the rest will be gone.
And he stood there silently, overlooking that lake.
Trying to figure some way to get most of those ducks.
Well, the next morning he came back.
Quite early in the morning.
And he had in his hands a large pumpkin.
And justice, like they do at Halloween, He has the eyes and the nose hollowed out.
And he took that pumpkin.
To the edge of the lake.
And you've got put it in the law where? In Jesus foot.
Out into the lake.
Well, the ducks, They looked at it and they stayed as far away from it as they could.
Far away from it as they could.
The next morning.
Early again. There he was, Another pumpkin hollowed out.
Again.
He went to the water's edge and the game. He pushed it out in the water.
The 3rd morning, the 4th morning, the 5th morning, the 6th morning he did the same thing.
And here were these pumpkins floating on this lake. And by this time.
The ducks were swimming in and around them, not paying any attention to them.
Oh, Sinner, that speaks to your heart and mind, doesn't it?
Of how use we become to sin.
How little we understand what sin is in God's sight and what our sins are in his sight. Well, the next morning he came down.
And he had an even larger pumpkin.
But this one was a little different in the bottom of it.
It had a hole.
And he started out towards the water.
And as he waded out into that lake.
Trailed behind him an enormous sack. A tremendous sized sack.
And when he got out into the water.
Up to his shoulders.
He took that pumpkin and put it over his head.
There he stood silently.
With the sack in one hand and justice weak just waiting, it wasn't long before the ducks started to swim by.
Went the hand down into the sack.
00:20:01
Before there was even a chance of an outcry.
And the part of that poor duck?
Another few moments or minutes went by.
Another duck went by. Oak went the hand down into the water. It gained into the sack.
And in that way, that clever Indian was able to.
Get nearly all the ducks in that lake.
And though dear friend, dear unsafe friend.
Do you realize your danger?
Do you realize the cleverness, the strength, the power of your enemy? Whose eye follows you?
Oh, don't delay.
Don't wait a minute longer, but we trust that you too with us.
Will be able to say this afternoon, whom having not seen ye love.
Though now you see him not yet believing, he rejoice with joy, unspeakable and full of glory.
But all between the cross where that blessed savior died.
And that glory seen above for the child of God.
Are the desert sands.
And the only way that you and I can tread these sands.
The difficulties, the trials.
The subtlety and power of the enemy is by walking.
In the joy that we find here.
Or as we think of that one, and as we keep our eyes through, seek to keep our eye on him.
Will be sustained, but always like poor Peter, if we take the eye off Christ immediately, we're in danger.
One has in these meetings before quoted that verse in Job 15.
I'm going to quote it again. It won't take time to turn to a job 15 and 11.
Are the consolations of God.
With thee? Is there any secret thing with thee?
Oh, how we should ask ourselves.
These two questions are.
Are the consolations? Are the joys the four hours?
When we were first saved. Have those things become insignificant to us now?
Are they small to us?
Or is that precious savior and that joy?
Growing daily in him that joy unspeakable.
And full of glory.
Oh, if those things have become dim in your eyes.
Ask yourself that second question. Is there any secret thing with thee?
What is the hindrance?
What is it that hasn't been judged? What is it that is keeping you or hindering me from walking in the fullness and the completeness?
Of this wonderful joy.
Well, stronger is he? That is for us.
Than he that is against us and he is able to deliver.
All David could say at the end of his pathway, hold thou me up, and I will be safe, and I will attend unto thy precept. When David slew the line and the bear, and met that great giant, he did so in the power and strength of the Lord.
But oh, later, as he went on his pathway, the subtlety of the enemy came in.
And turned his heart aside and brought great sorrow into his life. Oh dear child of God, may we be on our guard. May we remember we're in a holy warfare and seek.
00:25:07
To maintain.
All the truth that has been delivered to us.
Through his grace.
Let us look now in John the 15th chapter.
John, the 15th chapter.
And the ten verse.
If.
Keep my commandments.
Ye shall abide in my love.
Even as I have kept my father's commandments.
And abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you.
And that your joy.
Before.
Oh, here we have another example of Christian joy.
Joy in abiding in him. But is it our joy? No.
But my joy might remain in you.
And that your joy.
Might be full.
Well, this joy is only possible.
As we abide in him.
Oh, sometimes we meet Christians and they tell us.
And we've experienced it ourselves.
The lack of that joy.
The lack of that fullness of joy.
And we know full well that there has been a departure.
From that blessed wife.
I was given the definition. I wrote it down in my Bible.
Some time ago.
Of what abiding in him?
This is a definition of what abiding in him means. I'll read it to you abiding in him.
Continuity of heart and mind in communion in the pathway of obedience and dependence.
While I enjoyed that, I'll read it again. Continuity.
Of heart and mind.
In 2 million.
In the pathway of obedience and dependence.
All this?
Is what we need to learn the pathway of obedience.
And dependence.
Abiding in him.
Some years ago, several years ago, our brother Dan Anderson was in Montreal.
And he told us a story.
About the natives in the Congo, I think it was.
And these natives used to catch the wild monkeys there for their stewpot.
But catching monkeys? Any of us who have been in the zoo, see the way they jump around. You'd often wonder how they catch them.
Well, the natives there had a very clever way.
Sometimes there'd be a knothole.
In a tree.
Big enough to put your hand in.
And in this knothole.
They would fill the bottom of it with peanuts.
Well, it wasn't long before the monkeys discovered those peanuts were there.
And innate reach for those peanuts the natives would be hiding nearby.
Out would spring the natives to capture the monkey.
They usually got them.
00:30:01
You might say why?
How could those natives surprise those monkeys? Oh, that monkey had his hand in there.
And it was full of peanuts, and he wouldn't let those peanuts go.
He was determined he was going to have those peanuts.
If he had his hand like this, he could have easily have pulled it out of that hole in the tree, but with it full of peanuts, he couldn't get loose and the natives caught.
Well, isn't that the way the enemy catches we who belong to the Lord?
We know he cannot take away from us that eternal salvation.
But he can ruin our testimony down here.
And, oh, with myself and I'm sure others.
Have had the same experience. It's been an unwillingness, an unwillingness to let go of something we know as Henry.
Are walked in our communion with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is that so with you? Is there something a definite hindrance in your pathway? You know what the word of God teaches and yet you won't let it go.
Oh, Satan.
Will take the captive.
You'll ruin your testimony here.
Fill your life with sorrow and unhappiness.
Oh, don't be like those foolish monkeys.
Hung on. They weren't going to give up those peanuts.
And they were captured.
Oh, if there's anything hindering you and your Christian pathway, judge it. Give it up.
Get down in your knees and tell the Lord about it and have done with it.
And then you will be given the grace to go on for his praise and his glory.
That your joy might be full.
His joy that fills our hearts.
His love and his joy can only be known.
By abiding in him.
Oh, sometimes we feel impoverished. We meet a soul. We don't seem to have the right word.
Why is it?
There doesn't seem to be the power to meet the situation. There hasn't been that abiding in him.
Well, he is faithful.
May we seek grace to be found.
With his love and his joy filling our hearts.
By occupation with him.
And as taught by his precious word, by the Spirit of God.
And will be found abiding in him. Oh, what a precious thing it is to abide in him. What a place of safety, of happiness.
Of joy.
That your joy might be full.
Let us look now at the next chapter, the 16th chapter.
And the 23rd verse.
In that day he shall ask me nothing.
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name.
He will give it to you.
Hitherto ye have asked.
Nothing in my name.
Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
O to these dear ones, this was something new.
Asking the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And your prayers and mine.
If walking in obedience. If walking in communion.
00:35:05
The whole Godhead is exercised praying in the Spirit.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Through the fall. Oh, to think that in our prayers.
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
Are interested and are exercised on our behalf.
And when we realize the relationship into which we've been brought as children and sons.
This is what gives our joy. Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name.
Ask, and he shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Oh, when you and I get down on our knees.
And.
Pray to God our Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is there that joy and confidence in addressing him?
In coming before him, in laying everything before him, there should be, there should be, and you and I have that privilege.
Joy in asking, joy in asking, And oh, how this honors.
That precious one who died for us.
Well, how are we failing this today?
How we fail to be a praying people.
It saddens my heart.
When I go to an assembly and sometimes on a Sunday morning, I have to look for a seat.
Nearly all the seats are filled in many assemblies on Sunday morning.
Prayer meeting night. You don't have to look for a seat, I'm sad to say.
Prayer meeting night.
Where am I? Where are you? Where are you? Are you there?
Oh, we're gathered around that precious one, and he is there for one purpose.
To meet our need, to hear our petitions, to give help and time of need.
Oh, if there was the sense in our souls of the one to whom we're going to address our petitions by the Spirit and through Him to God the Father, that prayer meeting would be full. That prayer meeting would be full. Little things that hinder us would be set aside. Oh, how often I've noticed in our meeting and other meetings.
That when there is something of a social character, something to which many are invited, if not all, how we seem to be able to set aside things that ordinarily might hinder and there's a big turn out.
But oh, it shows our feeble comprehension when at the assembly meetings gathered around the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are so few. Oh, but he giveth more grace and he is able to.
Help us.
To go on to forsake not the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but so much the more as ye see the day approaching.
For now, I would like to look at the 13th chapter of John.
13th chapter of John.
There's so much in connection with these verses that one would like to.
Speak of better, but we'll just have to take.
The verses in part our time is limited 17 verse.
If ye know these things.
Happy.
Are ye if you do them?
Mr. Hale used to say how often we've heard it and say it that every exhortation in Scripture is founded on something that we possess.
00:40:13
Every exhortation in the Word of God is founded on something that we possess.
Oh, how thankful we should be that we have not been left to our own resources.
And as has been mentioned in the reading meeting, the very worst thing that could happen to us would be if God just left us alone. And so we have here.
The path of happiness.
The path of joy, the path of blessing. The path where we receive the needed guidance for these dark days.
If you know these things.
Happy are ye if you do them.
All but this calls for purpose of heart.
And daily self judgment abiding in him.
Walking in dependence and communion.
And each one of us as we leave these meetings.
What are we going to do?
Through with his help, are we going to go back And if there have been things that have been a hindrance, are we going to say, well, it was nice being at the Detroit meetings and then just go on to suit ourselves?
With many dear Christians.
It's not perhaps, evil in their lives, but it's living to suit ourselves.
Just going on day by day.
To suit ourselves.
Oh.
How different is the pathway of an exercise heart?
Our redeemed heart that realizes that he is he or she.
Is not their own. They have been bought with a price.
And here we have the remedy.
If you know these things.
Knowledge never will keep us.
But dependence and communion?
An occupation with Christ and.
Prayer and being taught by the Word through the Spirit of God.
Happy are ye?
If he do them, oh, how blessed would be if the result of these meetings would be?
That you and I in our meetings.
In the little gathering with which were associated gathered to the name of a rejected Christ.
We're a real help, a real blessing and.
These things are the answer to our assembly problems.
My state of Soul Your state of soul has a deep and lasting effect upon the Assembly in which we're part of Amaya Health. Or am I hindrance?
Well, if he knows these things.
Happy are ye if you do them now. Acts the 5th chapter.
And verse 41.
And they departed from the presence of the council rejoicing.
What was the cause of their rejoicing?
That they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his namesake. Oh, how blessed this is.
These dear ones departed from the Council rejoicing, rejoicing.
Because they were counted worthy.
To suffer for his name's sake.
Will, dear child of God, if there is no suffering.
00:45:00
In my life, in yours.
Can I say that I am walking to please the Lord?
I was struck by that verse in the chapter we were reading. Let us look at it Romans 8.
Romans 8 chapter and.
The 17th verse.
The middle part of the verse.
If so be that we suffer with him.
If so be that we suffer with him.
Oh, what a challenge there is in these words.
All they that will live godly in Christ Jesus.
Will suffer persecution.
Are you and I suffering with him?
Well, if we are walking to please the Lord, we will.
If we are seeking to day by day in our home.
In the office, in school, wherever it may be, if we're confessing his name and suffering with him.
Will have that joy that these dear ones have.
But are we if he suffer with him?
Oh, each one of us can answer that question for ourselves. What measure of faithfulness is there in your walking ways, In my walking ways, to this one who has called us by his name?
If ye suffer with him.
Oh, if there is no suffering in your life.
I'm not speaking now necessarily of physical suffering. Many dear Christians are.
Passing through that when our brother Jimmy Smith was in Montreal.
He told us that during the visit of Mr. John Harrisman, senior and himself to Bolivia, that there was a dear brother with whom they stayed in his home.
And they have received news, I think it was early this year, that that brother has been murdered, Murdered because he was a child of God.
Oh, that one knew what suffering was for his name. But what about you and me? We may not be called upon.
To go through that kind of suffering. But we can suffer for his name, in being identified with a rejected Christ, in being faithful, in our walk, in abiding in Him. If ye suffer with him, oh, what a privilege it brought joy to their hearts.
And you and I will experience that joy.
If we seek to walk faithful faithful in the past that he has pointed out.
I'd like to read now the closing verse in Acts, the 20th chapter.
Acts, the 20th chapter.
And the middle of the verse.
So that I might finish my course with joy.
So that I might finish my course with joy. All we have had joy brought before us in all of these verses. And here we have the child of God finishing his course with joy, with joy.
Oh.
I was much touched by a brother's Matawa, who was down to help us in the tent work.
And he told us.
Of being with our brother Hale.
In Ottawa, just before he was taken.
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And with tears in his eyes, he said Walter, he said that dear brother.
Finish this course with joy. With joy. How are you and I going to finish our course?
When I was the age of some of these boys in the front seat, my father was in charge of the.
Steamships.
CPR steamships in the city Of Montreal, but in the winter.
When the port was closed there by ice, why we used to move down to Saint John?
And during that winter, those winters, there were a lot of vessels then that were under sail, this hotel where we stayed. Why, you could see them coming in that stormy Bay of Fundy with its tides of 30 to 40 feet tides and it's treacherous winds and waves and oh, some of those vessels.
Would come sailing into the harbor there with full sail a beautiful sight.
Oh, it just thrilled you to see it. Others came in just limping into harbor with their pumps going.
Their sails and tatters.
Just barely making the pork. Oh, doesn't this?
Speak to our hearts. Are we just going to get home?
Or is it going to be finishing our course with joy?
Finishing our course with joy.
Oh, to finish, to have the privilege of finishing our course, the joy to walking to his praise and glory, and at the end of the journey to receive the reward of faithfulness and that commendation. Well done, now good and faithful servant.
Oh, may we, dear child of God, may we realize that our sufficiency is in Him.
Like without that blessed One, we can do nothing and may we?
Depart from these meetings with a deep sense that we have hearts.
Hearts that can't be trusted and it is only as we are found abiding in Him, walking in Him, walking in obedience and communion that will be kept.
And we'll finish our course with joy.
Praise the Savior, ye who know Him, who can tell how much we owe Him.
Gladly. Let us render to him all we have in our 256.
Sing for forever.
It is like all right.
Therefore.
Lord Heaven.
Keep us lower.
They'll be lazy.
Till they are all.
Receiving.
Praise Joyce will sing.
Proverbs 22:17-21
YP Address—G.H. Hayhoe
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Chapter 22 Proverbs, Chapter 22.
And verse 17.
Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise.
And apply thine heart unto my knowledge, for it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee.
They shall withal be fitted in thy lips, that thy trust may be in the Lord.
I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in Councils and Knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of Truth, that thou mightest answer the words of Truth to them that send unto thee.
And now shall we turn also to Second Timothy?
Second Timothy Chapter 3.
And verse 15.
And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures.
Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and in Second Peter, Second Peter, Chapter One.
Cool.
Verse 21 For the prophecy came not in old time, by the will of man.
But holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
And now in two Corinthians chapter one, First Corinthians, pardon me.
First Corinthians chapter.
First Corinthians chapter 2, I should say and.
Verse 9.
But as it is written, I have not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yeah, the deep things of God.
For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
Even saw the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God, which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.
For they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Well, by these scriptures that I have read have here young people, you probably realize that I'd like to speak to you about the importance of the word of God.
I believe it's a very necessary thing for us in days like this. The very first temptation that Adam brought, that Satan brought to Eve was to raise the question how God said that is, he put a doubt into her mind as to the truth of what God had spoken. The very first recorded words of Satan in the New Testament are if thou be the Son of God. So you can see that in both instances it was an attack upon the word of God.
In the first instance upon the written word or spoken word, and the second one upon the living word.
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Because the Lord Jesus is the living word. And it's a remarkable thing in the days in which we live that men are following this same course. It's called modernism, but it began away back in the Garden of Eden. Now that is questioning God's word. It isn't modern to be thinking that what God says is not true, or that this is not the word of God. It's the oldest attack that Satan ever made upon the human race.
And dear young people, he's still making the very same attack today, and perhaps more than ever. And to me it's quite a remarkable thing that men have made tremendous advances in science and knowledge in these last days. In fact, they have made such tremendous advances that they look upon everything that they have learned in the past as being almost unimportant. They say they've come to the point of breakthrough, and so that they have.
In the last perhaps five years, learned so much that the past doesn't seem important. Well, the effect of all this has LED men to question everything that they thought they knew. And I know that you young people who are going to school are being taught this very thing that it was once considered, that we know certain things, even that two and two make 4. But we must question all those things today.
It's only modern that we should question everything that we have thought that we know.
Now this is a very striking thing. It's quite a reflection on man that after almost 6000 years on the earth, he comes to the point where he says I don't know anything. I hope I'm going to know something in the future, but just now I can't say that I know anything. And this has led him to do it. Most foolish thing to think that God is in the same position as himself and that because he doesn't know anything after 6000 years, that perhaps God's word isn't the truth either.
Now what I want to bring before you, dear young people, is this. I'm very searching in a very solemn thing that it is true that God has allowed men to make these advancements. When man was placed on the earth, God said be fruitful and replenish the earth and subdue it. And God has allowed man to make some wonderful advancements in subduing the earth. But he never, never gave him any permission to question.
The the source of supreme knowledge.
God himself is the source of all. He is the one who gives us life and breath and all things. And I want to impress upon you this very serious thing that just because men have come to this point and they're beginning to question everything and I don't save it. What? It's rightly so, because a lot of things they thought they knew, perhaps even 10 years ago, they have found or not facts today. But should this lead us to question the word of God?
Now, this one who is infinite in knowledge, as the Bible says, does he have to make some advancements after 6000 years of human history? Does he have to tell us that he made a mistake and didn't know? Oh no, dear young people, Never. Never. And what I want to bring before you is the blessed fact that in this book, in a precious living word of God, you have a source of information on which you can rely. You have a source of information that is going to be.
Just as reliable through the eternal ages as it is at this moment. Because it's truth. It's the word of God. It's something that we can receive from our Creator, from the one who gave us life and breath and who talks to us. And this book is a revelation from God. And so again, I say Satan's attempt is to get you to question. It's nothing new. It's just the same old story.
But isn't it blessed that those who have clung to this precious book, of those who have relied upon it find it just as much up to date and perhaps more suited to the times than it ever was? Because the Bible is not only a statement of facts of things that have taken place, The Bible is also prophetic. The Bible tells us the future. The Bible tells us what is coming, not only what has taken place.
When Paul talked to those the philosophers on Mars Hill, he didn't enter into a discussion about their philosophies. What did he do? Why? He told them two things that their philosophies and their wisdom would never discover, two things that were the subject of divine revelation. He told them that God was the creator and he told them about the truth of resurrection, two things that man by his wisdom could never discover because the wisest man could never discover.
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God as the Creator, they may discover what they think is the source of life, and if they can't discover it, then they'll just speak of the eternity of matter. But they'll never discover the true source because they reject the knowledge that God gives them. But Paul in addressing these philosophers he said, God in whom we live and move and have our being, and then he sat about Christ, that he has given assurance unto all men.
In that he has raised him from the dead. Yes, those were two things that are subjects of revelation. And this book, I tell you, dear young people, is a revelation from God, and you can rely upon it, and there'll never be any true science that will in any way contravene this wonderful book. It may be that there are things that God has not been pleased to tell us, and He hasn't been pleased to tell us how old this earth is in which we live.
He's been pleased to tell us when the first man was placed on it, but not how old the earth is or what took place before the 1St man was placed on it. There's many things about which God is silent.
But he has told us what we need to know, and I'd just like to speak a little bit about some of these verses that we have read and perhaps some others. Notice where we began here in Proverbs 22 and verse 17.
Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. That is, there's someone wiser than ourselves who is speaking. You know, if someone talks to you who doesn't know as much as yourself, you don't feel you're going to learn very much from them. But when someone talks who knows more than yourself, then you bow down your ear and God is speaking through this book.
God is speaking through this book, and He calls upon us as creatures to bow down our ears.
Those haughty ears, those ears that are listening to all different things that are coming out about man's advancement, he says bow down mine ear, because he has something to say to us. And the wonderful part of it is dear young people that he hasn't just told us these things merely for information, but he has told us what he has told us because he loves us and because he seeks our blessings.
Now, your school teacher may tell you some very interesting things. Many of them may be facts, because, as I remark, God has said that He was placed man in the position to be fruitful and replenish the earth and subdue it. We can expect that He is going to discover some things, and that God hasn't necessarily taken the time to tell us in His word. These things may be very interesting, very necessary for your work and for your position in life.
But what God is seeking to tell you are things that are for your good.
And for your happiness. He has spoken to us because he loves us. Because the very first words that God spoke, we spoke about the very first words that Satan spoke to man to bring in sin. The very first words that God spoke after sin had come in. What were they?
Adam, Where art thou? Adam, where art thou? God became a seeking God.
He was seeking man. He was seeking his good. He was seeking his blessing. It has been said that man's wisdom treats man as a race to be educated. The Bible treats man as a Sinner, to be either reconciled to God or to be judged. And this is where the Bible stands out, in absolute contrast with all the works of men. I don't care what kind of books they are, whether they're religious or otherwise, if they're written by men apart from the wisdom of God's Word.
They'll treat man as a race to be educated, to tell him certain things and recognizing that perhaps he can act upon these things but denying really the fact that he's fallen. Because the Bible treats man as a Sinner and he doesn't like that. But it's a different thing in the Bible than any other book I say, because it treats him as such and tells him that he must be reconciled to God, that he must get a new life, and then.
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If he rejects this offer that God makes that then he must be judged because God speaks to man as a responsible person.
But again, I say to your young people, God addresses you because he loves you.
Satan's lie was that God was holding back from Adam and Eve, that which was for their happiness, he really was saying to them. In effect, God has given you many things for your happiness in this garden, but he's held back the best. The very thing that would complete your happiness, he has held from you. And if you'll just listen to me, I'll tell you what can complete your happiness. I'll be a better friend to you than God has been. Oh, what a lie that was.
But Adam and Eve listened to it, and so they fell. They received the knowledge of good and evil.
But they lost the power to do what's good and the power to refrain from evil.
What a sad plight to be in a world where you know good and evil, and to be unable to refrain from evil and not to have the power to do good. What a sad flight. And that's the world in which we live. But all how wonderful it is that God, after sin had come in, he begins. Then addressing himself to man, he brings before man his guilt, but he doesn't close the story without making the promise.
That there was going to be a Redeemer. That there was going to be one who would come and undo the works of the devil. Yes, that precious Savior who has come and who has accomplished redemption. And so I say again before I go on, that the reason God speaks to you is not merely to give you information, although there's much information in the Bible. But He speaks to you because he loves you, because He seeks your blessing.
Because he desires it more than anyone else on the face of the earth. More than your father, your mother, your best friend.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him, also freely give us all things? Yes, God is not going to be satisfied until he has a redeemed people from around himself in a place where sin can never enter. And then he is going to share with those redeemed people all that's in his heart. And as we had this morning in our Bible reading, He has called us friends.
Because he has brought us into these councils and purposes. He's told us what He has for us, and he is waiting the day when he is going to share it with us forever, unhinderedly, and he wants to share it with us now, as we had in our chapter. The Lord Jesus said that he spoke those things to his disciples, that their joy might be full. Yes, the devil is telling you that it's going to hinder your joy to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
To accept the Bible and to just take such a place before God is listening to his wisdom.
He's going to tell you that that is foolishness, but it is happiness. It is truth.
And it's not foolishness, it's the wisdom of God. It's foolishness to man, because man would rather be considered a race to be educated. He'd rather be an exalted ape than a fallen atom. Because if he's an exalted ape, why, this is something he can take credit to himself. He's climbed up. Oh, he says. Look how low I was. See those pictures? That's what I looked like in my ancient ancestry. Look how I've climbed. So he Pats himself on the back.
But to be told that he was created in the image and likeness of God and that he fell from it, This is humiliating. This is something that the natural heart doesn't like. But young people, it's the truth. It's the truth. But all we have something better. Even alone, we have fun.
God says I am going to lift you to a higher place than that from which you fell. You were in a state of innocence in the Garden of Eden.
But I'm going to lift you to a place in association with my beloved son, and you can't do this yourself. Also, man keeps on the climb as he thinks, and this climb in knowledge is only making him more confused and more miserable. But the truth of God shows that we're fun. By accepting Christ, we're lifted as beggars from the dunghill and placed among Princess. What a difference. Well, let us just notice this a little again and bow down.
Thine ear and hear the words of the wise and apply thine heart.
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Unto my knowledge, For it is a pleasant thing if thou will keep them within thee.
And they should. They shall with all be feted in thy lips. Isn't this nice? It says it's a pleasant thing if thou keep them within the Oh, it says thy word. Have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee? I know when you go to school, some of you perhaps are studying for examinations, and you're studying ever so hard. You'll be glad when you can put the books on the shelf and say I'm so glad it's over.
But in spiritual things, it's not this way.
Because as you and I read the word of God and lay hold of it in our souls, that precious word.
Dwells in us as it says that the let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, as dear Mr. Darby said, he said, Read the Bible until you learn to think in terms of scripture. All dear young people, let it get right into your heart.
Word of God dwells within you. Oh, it's wisdom. This is something that's not going to require further advancement or something. You know, it's a very strange thing with man that even when he does recognize the Bible is something wonderful, he says. But at least we have to change it a little bit to bring it up to modern times. And in this sense, I would warn you of so-called new translations, you know.
The so-called new translations are not all translations. Some of them are interpretations.
That is, they're not making an attempt to actually translate the scriptures. They're actually trying to tell you in their own words what they think the Bible means. I warn you about some of these so-called new translations. I say again, they are not translations, they're interpretations.
And the attempt to try and make them suited to this day and age is very dangerous.
Because it says in the verse that we read in Corinthians which things also we speak not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. Remember, God didn't just give the thoughts in the Bible, He gave the very words, and he didn't give them in the words that man's wisdom teaches. He gave them in the words that the Holy Ghost teaches. And we can only be sure that we have the truth.
When we have it in the very words of God. So I warn you again to be careful about the so-called new translations. Thank God there may be some that are reliable. We praise the Lord for the translation by Mr. JN Darby, which he sought to stick as closely as he possibly could to the very words in which the Holy Ghost spoke. And this, I think, is excellent.
And it's a it's a translation that we can be very thankful for. We have to be careful about some, though. But let us notice this now. It's a pleasant thing. If thou keep them within thee, they shall with all be fitted in thy lips. Isn't this all so nice? Fitted in my lips so that when some subject comes up just almost unconsciously, Why, aversive scripture comes to you, and it comes out of you, It's in you.
And the circumstance causes it to come out in its application to the situation.
That has come before you? Well, this is the way that the voice of wisdom speaks to the young man in the book of Proverbs, telling him that these are excellent things fitted to his lips. Verse 19, That thy trust may be in the Lord.
Yes, there's too much self-confidence in this day. Our natural hearts are full of it. self-confidence. I know that this is another thing that is greatly pressed in school today.
Self-confidence, self-expression to get the feeling that you can do this and that you have this possibility within you. Well, isn't this blessed here that thy trust may be in the Lord? Someone asked. A great servant of God, he said.
Can you tell me how I can study the word of God so I can get a good knowledge of it? He said study, study well. 5 words, the flesh, the four words I should say The flash. Prophetess. Nothing. Yes, we need to have confidence in the Lord, not in ourselves. Peter had confidence in himself, but Peter fell. Many another has had confidence in himself. It's natural to us.
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That thy trust may be in the Lord all. Do you believe in him?
1.
Servant of the Lord said, Why is a man an infidel? Because he believes in himself. Why is he a Christian? Why is a man a Christian? Because he believes in Christ and not in himself. I thought that was a very good answer. And then for those and then for those, because he believes in himself, he has confidence in his own mind. He says that I am able to take up God's word and I am able to say whether it's true or not. That's a great deal of confidence that man has in himself, isn't it? He thoroughly believes in himself.
But the Christian doesn't believe in himself. He believes in God. He believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, that's why I'm a Christian, because I don't believe in myself. But I do believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. I don't even believe in my feelings. They change, but I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you? Is that where your confidence is? Well, if so, you have one upon whom you can truly lay confidence with absolute certainty.
I have made known unto thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in Councils and Knowledge. Now this is another thing I'd like to just mention to you. Excellent things in Councils and Knowledge. I'm amazed how many people think of the Bible as though it were only concerned with telling us the way of salvation, telling us that we're sinners, that Christ died for us.
Telling us that we have a home in heaven when we receive him warning us of judgment. And I seems to me that that's about as far as they seem to look to the Bible, other things in their life. They seem to consider their matters, that they must decide for themselves. But what I want to show you is that God is interested in everything in your life. There isn't a thing from the time that you are born until you die.
That is not the subject of his interest. He careth for you.
He is concerned about you and I don't believe that there is a single matter that can come up in your life.
Whether it's in childhood, whether it's in your teenage or whether it's in your 20s, or whether it's through your whole life that you won't find instruction in the word of God. Is it in connection with your job? Well, there's ever so much instruction in the word of God about preparing for Our Calling in life. Let every man abide in the same calling where he is called with God, and I believe even the verse that speaks about training a child according to the tenor of his ways.
Is not only the thought of the way we train them for the Lord, but rather than I believe it's a responsibility of the parent to see that the child has a certain bent and to help the child prepare in life for that which is the occupation God intended him to fulfill. God has a niche for you to fill in life.
And he can help the past, his parents, to help our children in this we don't have to defend just upon the guidance teacher at school. God gives us as parents this wisdom to observe our children and to be a help to them in making these decisions, even as to their calling in life. Doesn't He tell you a great deal too about the kind of partner you should have ever so many instructions about the things that are suitable and not suitable and those things that we'll make for your happiness?
In your marriage life, doesn't he tell you as children how to act? And doesn't he also tell us so much about how to get along with our brethren, with our neighbors, and not to be overly bothersome and all kinds of instruction in the word of God. It's all found in this blessed book. And even as our brother brought before us yesterday, even we can find instruction about clothes because God is concerned about these things.
You know, and I want to buy a new suit of claws. I like to have my wife with me. I like to please her about the clothes I buy. And I'm sure that if the Lord has said as much as He has about it, that he's concerned about it too. And that surely we can take the Lord with us, even about the clothes we buy, because he is concerned about everything in our lives. Dear young people, there's not a single thing. And then your whole life that the Lord is not concerned about. And perhaps you say, well, my friends like my hair a certain way.
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Well, the Lord likes your hair a certain way too. And He tells you in His word, there isn't a thing about your whole life that the Lord doesn't give some instruction about. And if you just listen to his instruction, how much we have in His precious word, then we meet other Christians and they stand by the word of God about the way of salvation. They're so sure they know they're saved and thank God for it. But then you start to say to them, well, with what company do you fellowship?
Oh, well, I think we can choose our own church. And we found a nice active little group. And so on. Well, there's the word of God. Just leave us in this matter too. Does it say, Well, I've saved you now and you can choose the Church of your own choice? Well, men might say that, but God doesn't. God tells us about those things, too. He gives us instruction in his precious word about how we should gather.
For two or three or gathered together in my name.
There am I in the midst of them all. Dear young people, isn't this great, excellent things in Council and knowledge?
Excellent things in counsel and knowledge. I've told the little incident before about a a girl and she was having some problem in life and so there was a column in the newspaper which I guess some of the young people have seen where you can write in your problems and.
You'll get some answers from the wise people of this world. And I saw this girl, saw that there she'd read this column often and so on. This problem confronted her. She decided that she would write her problem in two, and she started to write her problem out and she didn't get it finished. At least she wasn't quite satisfied with the way she'd worded it. So she went to bed and left it lying on her desk. And her older sister came in after she'd gone to bed and asleep and.
She saw this lying there on the desk and she just rolled across it. His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Well, I don't think that went in. I think the request went to the Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. All dear young people, God has given you such a wonderful source of information.
Unless we should find any problem in how to apply these things to our lives.
He has actually filled the Old Testament with stories of young and old.
Of men and women, of boys and girls who were placed in similar circumstances to ourselves. And I must say to your young people, I enjoy reading those stories in the Old Testament and just spinning myself right into the very circumstances I often see myself. Just like Joshua or just like Caleb or just like.
Jehoshaphat, with the temptation to go along with Ahab. And I fit myself right into those circumstances and I just see how that's just like the things I meet in life.
And not only does God tell us the wise choices, but He lets us see the mistakes that these men have made.
He doesn't just write down Thou shalt and thou shalt not. He opens his picture book and he shows us the lives of these men and these women, I say, and these boys and girls, and let's us see how they acted. He opens a chapter on college life in the first chapter of Daniel and there we find 4 Hebrew boys that were going to the College in Babylon and they were faced with a situation and we're told how they acted and how God.
Honored their faith? Yes, dear young people, there isn't a thing. You can just see the pictures in the Old Testament.
You can see how they acted. You can see the mistakes they made, You can see the results of the mistakes they made. And you can see that when they acted, how God blessed them because it says He that honoreth me I will honor, but he the despiseth me shall be lightly esteemed. It's a bad thing. When God has to lightly esteem us, we have a great esteem for ourselves.
But sometimes when we set aside his wisdom, he has to lightly esteem us, and it's because we don't listen to this wonderful instruction that he gives us all suited to our everyday life, all written down for us. I don't believe that there's a single circumstance in life that you won't find either a direct scripture or some principle, some story to give you the kind of light and the wisdom that you need.
00:35:22
And those various decisions of life and I would encourage you, dear young people.
Read the Bible. Read it until, as it says, it's within you, it's fitted to your lips and you realize that God, who knows all about you, has written these things down to help prepare you for those problems of life that you are going to have to face.
Your predecessors, before you face them, they lived in similar days, and lived under similar circumstances, not, perhaps exactly the same, but very similar. And God gives us this kind of instruction. Have not I written to the excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth?
That thou mightest answer the words of Truth to them that stand unto thee.
Yes, God has written these things. Well you say what is the remedy when you don't seem to have the faith you should? Well, I like that verse in Romans 10/17. It says faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. I believe that if you read the Bible carefully and prayerfully, why, you'll find that faith comes with the reading of it because God grants a blessing for reading His word and He gives us faith. Because I've often said the Bible carries its own credentials. Frankly, I'm not very interested in books that try to prove the Bible through science.
I believe that the Bible proves itself. I believe that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. And especially in these days when the ideas of science are changing so rapidly, isn't it better just to rest upon God's word? As a matter of fact, you young people, it's not faith. If you require some other proof, I might illustrate it like this, Supposing that you told me something and I hung my head when you told me and said well.
I'm going to ask a few other people. If they say it's true, I'll believe it. Would you feel very happy about that?
Or you'd say you wouldn't believe it because I said today. So I go and I ask a few people.
I'm not very careful whether the people I ask are reliable or not, you know, and I wouldn't like to say that man's science is altogether too reliable. He doesn't think so himself and the present state of change, but.
The people that I ask, it's not too important whether they're reliable or not. And so I come back after a while and I say, well, I believe it now, I believe it now. Well, you said you believe me or do you believe the other people?
Well, dear friends, dear young people, you can safely believe God.
The Bible, I say, carries its own credentials. There is no book like it in the whole world.
As I said, and I say it again, it's the only book. It's the only book that treats man as a Sinner needing to be reconciled to God. All the other books carry a different character. They treat man in a way that pleases him. And that's why people don't like the Bible. They like to be flattered. They like to be told that they have possibilities. You like your teacher to say you've got the possibilities of your work. That sounds good, doesn't it? You've got the possibilities if you work, but God says you haven't got the possibilities.
But I'll give you a new life. I'll give you a new life. And that's what God does. He imparts a new life. And as we have been having in our meetings, a life that runs the way of his commandments, a life that delights in obedience, a life that is able and finds its joy in pleasing God. I know that his commandment, his life everlasting. And so I say I I believe that if you read the Bible.
You will find your faith will be far more strengthened by reading the Bible carefully and prayerfully.
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Than by these other books, because these other books are, shall I say, they're leading you to place your faith in some other source than God who has spoken through his word. And so you find some people who believe the Bible because science proves it.
And I say that's not faith in God, That's faith in science. That's faith in science. But I believe the Bible because God spoke it all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. And more than this, we don't need the, shall I say, the authority of the church to make it the word of God. When Paul stood up to preach in Thessalonica, did he come with the authority of the church? Oh, he had great authority when he was killing the Christians.
He had authority from the high priest and he was killing the Christians, but he didn't have any human authority.
When he stood up in Thessalonica and preached the gospel to those people, how did they know it was the word of God?
While the Spirit of God applied it to their hearts and consciences, and it says they received it not as the word of man, but as it is in truth the word of God, which effectually worketh in you the belief. And so I say to your young people, this book that we have has stood the test of the ages. Think of a book, the last page of it, written almost 1900 years ago, and it's thoroughly up to date. It's more up to date than the daily newspaper.
Because it tells you things that are going to happen, and it's suited to the times in which we live. The stories in it are not so land equated that they don't fit into the very affairs of everyday life right now. The instructions about what I said, clothes and hair and all kinds of things, they're all just suited to our day. Why? If man had been writing a book about such subjects, they'd be far out of date. But here God writes a book and is perfectly suited to the year that it was written, and it's suited to our day.
It's God's book. It tells us things as I say that no scientist could ever discover, Tells us how God created the earth, tells us how it fell into the present state of ruin. Explains to us the reason for all the misery that's in the world, even telling us why animals suffer, and tells us about how God is going to set things right and how things are going to move toward that event when the Lord Jesus takes his rightful place. And here we find ourselves just at the time.
When everything is moving for that wonderful event, when the second man, the Lord from heaven, the one who came to undo the works of the devil, is about to take his rightful place. And God looks around the whole panorama of the world's activities and says, as this time comes, you'll see this happen here and this happened there and that happened there, and we just watch these things that God has unfolded. I asked you, the young people.
Is this a better proof than scientific proofs? Is it better than all that man can give to contribute to prove to your mind that this is the word of God? Read it. Read it prayerfully. Read it until you think in terms of Scripture. Read it until your very thoughts are occupied with a blessed One of whom it speaks. For this book, this precious book is not just a revelation of truth, it's a revelation of a person who is the truth.
A person I say, who is the truth, and so I've sometimes told a little story which perhaps some others have heard me tell about this man who was very busy in his study and his little child came in constantly and was interrupting him and trying to talk to him while he was trying to concentrate a little bit and.
So the child kept talking to him. At last he opened the drawer of his desk and he pulled out an old map that he had.
And he took Paracissors and cut the map all up. And he gave it to the child and said, here now, dear, put this together. Well, the child got down on the floor beside her daddy and started at work. And he thought he'd given her something to keep her occupied for quite a while because he didn't think she knew too much about geography. But it wasn't very long till she jumped up and she said, Daddy, it's all done.
Well, of course he was expecting to see a mass or something. He didn't see how it could be, and quickly he glanced down. A child had worked it from the other side. The child didn't look at the map on the other side was a great hand, and the child had worked it from that side, and there was that hand, and if it could have been turned over, every place would have been correct. Everyone would have been in this right place. All the different places on the map would have been perfect.
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Because the child understood geography, no, but it knew the hand. And all dear young people. The Lord Jesus. As he walked with the two on the road to Emmaus, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. And God has given in His word the history of two men. The first man fallen and ruined, the first man, bringing in nothing but confusion and sorrow and misery. The 2nd man, the Lord from heaven, come down into this world.
Promised a way back in the Garden of Eden.
Come down here. What for? Come down here, that you and I might know his heart, and I say again be lifted to a more wonderful place than if sin had never entered a more wonderful place, because he is going to have us in association with himself in glory. And when we see these things, all man's progress looks awfully dim.
Looks awfully dim. I've often said. They talk about great medical progress and all that medical science has done. But did you ever stop to think, dear young people, we would have never needed medical science if sin hadn't come in? Oh man doesn't like that.
This is a tremendous admission. All we've advanced so much in what we've done. But why did we need it? Why did we need it? Because sin came in, that's why. Because sin came in. Why all the ways of saving labor? Because sin came in. I'm sure all you sisters have so many helpful things in your house. And you say, isn't this a grand thing? Look how it helps me do the work. But why is all this work here?
Why is it all here?
Wonderful devices. But why is the work here Sin came in all there's a scene where the second man is going to bring in blessing with none of the effects of sin or its results. Isn't that worth looking for? Isn't that worth waiting for to your young people? And how shall we turn, just for a few moments, to that passage that we read in First Corinthians chapter one?
Verse 9.
I'd just like to call attention to a few points here in this passage which I think are important about inspiration.
Tonight first, but as it is written, I have not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them, that love him. Now this verse is a quotation from the prophet Isaiah. Joy say it was the Old Testament state, that is in the Old Testament, that God was partially revealed. He had purposes of blessing for man, but those things could not fully be brought out until redemption was accomplished.
And saw, and I had not seen your ear heard, neither had entered into the heart of man, the things that God prepared for them, that loved him. There were perhaps little glimpses, But the next verse is the New Testament condition, the 10th verse. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. For the Spirit search of all things, yeah, the deep things of God. Now this tenth verse is the New Testament.
God took a man up to the 3rd heaven. He showed him those wonderful things.
Told him some of those wonderful councils and purposes, and then he sent down his Holy Spirit, so that we might know these things, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The Spirit of God came down, saw that we might know these things. So in the Old Testament was what was not revealed has now been revealed. Now the 11TH verse. For what man knoweth the things of a man, say the Spirit of man which is in him?
Even saw the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, That we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Well, here we find a book. It wasn't written by men, it was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Holy men of God speak as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
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It says here that what man, or the things of a man say, the spirit of a man which is in him every time an unsaved person says to you nobody can understand the Bible, you say, Well, that just proves to me again that it's true.
Because if a book is written by man, a man who has the spirit of a man can understand it. And the proof that this book is divine is that men who have the spirit of man can't understand it. What man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him? There's never been a book written by man that other natural men of equal intelligence could not understand. They could always understand that if they had the intelligence of the writer.
But now here's a book, and God says it's been given by his spirit, and so he tells us now you'll never understand it either, unless I give you the same spirit that brought the book. And this is what happens when you get saved, When you accept the Lord Jesus as your personal savior, the spirit of God comes to indwell your body. And from that moment on, the Bible becomes a new book to you because God has given you the Spirit.
By which this book was indicted. And so it says, Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God. Isn't this a wonderful thing? Isn't this a proof of the divine origin of this book? Inspired by the Spirit, the Spirit of God comes to indwell us and saw that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
And then to guard this very carefully in the 13th verse which I quoted before.
It says which things also we speak not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth.
Which the Holy Ghost teaches. Don't be surprised that the language of Scripture is a very precise and perhaps at times a little different, because it is the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth. These are words which are suited for man over his time upon the earth and saw God has written it in such a way that it could be received by those who were indwelled by the Spirit of God.
And so it tells us here it's not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth. And that's another thing. When you read the Bible, read it carefully. So you get the very words of Scripture. You want the very words of Scripture because they're the very words which the Holy Ghost teacheth. Now the 14th verse tells us plainly. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him.
Now, I'm sure that many of your friends have said why the Bible's foolishness?
Well, this only should prove to you the Bible is true. It would be to be expected if they said that it was. If they said that they could understand it by then that would be very strange, wouldn't it? Because God says the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God neither, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them. He doesn't have the Spirit, He doesn't have the Spirit, so he can't know them.
But now this 15th verse I think is important. But he that is spiritual Judgeth, or if you have a margin it says discerneth all things, yet he himself is discerned in the margin of no man. Now perhaps you say, well I believe I'm saved. I believe I know the Lord is my savior. But I I don't seem to get very much out of the Bible when I read it. I don't seem to get very much.
Well, you get a great deal more than the unsaved people because the unsaved can't understand it. I'm sure that you get many precious thoughts, but it says he that is spiritual discerneth all things, and this is a matter of growth in the things of God as we go on in our Christian life.
And allow the Spirit of God to have His place in leading our lives. Then the word of God will be continually opening up to us with new and precious thoughts of Christ. Don't be discouraged, dear young people. God has given you the Spirit. But this book is infinite. It's God's book, and a lawyer has given you the Spirit. It's a thing we'll be all through our lifetimes still learning more of this infinite book, but as we allow the Spirit of God His place in our lives.
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By then the book becomes more and more precious to us. It opens itself up to us. And it was very interesting to me to see in such a dear man as Mr. Darby that as he approached the end of his life he was still talking about new things that he saw in this wonderful book.
Dear young people, again, as I close, I command it to you. I command it to you. You have the most wonderful treasure in your Bible. Don't allow the foolishness of man. Don't allow the advancement of science and knowledge today to lead you to put the science books in the same class as your Bible. They're not in the same class we expect. And I'm sure if you live a few years longer, if the Lord doesn't come, that you're going to find a lot more of men's books discarded.
And set aside because it's going to be tremendous changes if the Lord doesn't come. Men are learning more and more.
But this is God's book. This is God's book. You can rely upon it just as safely in 1968 as you could rely on it in 1900 and 1850 years ago. And if the Lord leaves us here 10 years more, it will be just as reliable, just as up to date, just so suited to your need. Read it, pray over it, Ask God by His Spirit to make it more precious to you and all. Value it. You'll never, never have such a wonderful treasure.
In your whole life, as you've got in the possession of the precious living Word of God in your hands, God's revelation to you, there's a famine coming. A famine, not for bread or for water, but for hearing of the word of the Lord. The famine hasn't come yet. Prize it, Read it. May God make it a rich blessing to your souls, and may it reveal Christ and all his loveliness and all his glory more and more to your heart and mind, that we may see in it more of the things.
Concerning himself, let's look to him for his blessing.
Our blessed God and our Father, we look up to Thee.
Four Rivers of Eden
Abigail's Children's Selection
Face to Face
Medley
Mens Choir
Vibraharp Medley
Genesis 1 & 2
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
God had built the mountains.
Or raise the fruitful hills.
Before he filled the fountains that feed the running wheels.
In thee from overlasting the wonderful I am.
Found pleasures never wasting, and wisdom is thy name.
#4.
I feel constrained to.
Repeat a message that recently gave.
A lot of young people here.
Think it's very.
Important turn to Genesis chapter 1.
First chapter.
In the Bible.
Genesis chapter 1.
In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.
The earth was without form and void.
And darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, let there be light, and there was light.
And God saw the light that it was good.
And God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light day.
And the darkness he called night.
In the evening, in the morning were the first day.
And God said, let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters.
Divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament, and it was sold.
And God called the firmament heaven, and the evening and the morning were the second day.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together into one place.
And let the dry land appear. And it was so.
And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering together of the waters called He sees.
And God saw that it was good.
And God said that the earth bring forth grass.
The old building seed and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself upon the earth. And it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass and urbane seed after his kind.
And the true yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself after his kind.
And God saw that it was good.
In the evening and the morning were the third day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven, to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth.
And it was sold.
And God made 2 great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.
And to rule over the day and over the night.
And to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
In the evening and the morning were the 4th day.
And God said that the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and foul, that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly after their kind.
And every ring fall after his kind, and God saw that it was good.
And God bless them, saying, be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters and the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. In the evening. In the morning were the 5th day.
And God said, let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth after his kind. And it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, And God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let us make man in our image after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
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So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he, Him male and female created he them.
And God bless them.
God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it.
And have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that creepeth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth.
And every children of which is the fruit of the tree, yielding seed to you. It should be for meat.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat. And it was so.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
And the evening and the morning were the 6th day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the hosts of them.
And I'm the 7th day God ended his work which he had made, and he rested on the 7th day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the 7th day and sanctified it, because that in it He had rested, when all his work, which God created and made.
Now I want to read a few verses from the 2nd chapter. Just a few verses.
Verse 7.
And the Lord God formed man.
Of the dust of the ground and waved into his nostrils the breath of life. And man became a living soul.
And the lay God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Verse 15.
And the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
The Lord God commanded the man, saying it would be true of the garden only is free to eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it.
For in the day that the shall surely die.
And the Lord God said it is not good that the man should be alone.
I will make him in help meet for him.
And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field.
Follow the air, and brought them unto Adam, to see what he would call them.
Whatsoever Adam called over living creature, that was the name thereof.
Adam gave names to all cattle, to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field, But for Adam there was not found in hell made for him.
And the Lord God caused the deep sleep to fall upon Adam. He slept.
And he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man made he a woman, and he brought her into the man.
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be 1 flesh.
They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Now Matthew 19.
Matthew 19.
Verse 3.
The Pharisees also came unto him, Jesus, tempting him and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
And he answered and said unto them, Have you not read that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female?
And said for this, 'cause now he's referring back the Lord Jesus. The truth is referring back to these first two chapters in Genesis.
He authenticates them.
By his word.
Have you not read? He says that he which made them in the beginning made them male and female, and said for this cause shall the man leave his father and mother shall prove to his wife, and between shall be 1 flesh.
Therefore they are no more trained but one flesh. But therefore God is joined together, let not man put asunder.
And then a verse in First Corinthians 11.
1St Corinthians 11.
This man reading these New Testament verses.
Is to show that these two chapters which we read in Genesis, which are the most attacked chapters in the whole Bible, by the higher critics, and by those that have no respect for and no belief in the Word of God, the infallible, unerring Word of God, That to throw those chapters out which formed the very basis and foundation for New Testament truth.
00:10:03
The words of the Lord Himself verifying them.
And the Apostle Paul here in the 11TH chapter of First Corinthians, I'm just going to he's talking about the relative order in creation.
And he says in verse 3, the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is the man, the head of Christ is God. That's the order, God, Christ, man, woman.
Verse 7 he says, for man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is the image and glory of God. Where did he get that? We got it from Genesis 1 and 2.
Verse 8.
For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. Where did he get back? He got that from the 2nd chapter where God builded a woman out of the wood of Adam.
She was taken out of him. She was not taken from the ground as Adam was and as the animals were, but she was a unique creation. She was created from his writ.
So when he saw her, he said, bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.
How did we get here? The only book in the universe, the only book in this whole world that tells us how it happened. This Genesis 1 and 2 is the Bible.
All authenticated in the New Testament.
So if you touch Genesis and you modify that, and Satan, our enemy, who knows this, he knows it very well. And so he attacks the very foundation. And in the sounds it says, if the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?
So he has attacked.
He's leveled his guns.
At Genesis verse 11 Chapters, especially the first 3 chapters, and they tell us how we get here, how we got here.
1St Corinthians 11 again verse 9.
Meaning, was the man created for the woman?
But the woman for the man, that's the reason she used to have her head covered when she prays or prophecies.
It has nothing to do with the condition of things that can't. It goes back to the beginning. It goes back to the original creation, God's order in creation again.
2nd Corinthians 11.
2nd Corinthians 11.
3.
But I feel less by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve. That's the third chapter. I didn't read that this afternoon, but it's referring back there.
Through the subtlety. So your mind should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. How did Paul know that the first woman's name was Eve?
From Genesis, the only way he could know, look at First Timothy 2. I want to just quickly touch on these verses and then go to the exposition of Genesis 1.
In one Timothy 2, where he says, let the woman verse 11 in be silent and learn in silence without subjection. I suffer not a woman to teach in order to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Why? What is the basis for this teaching for Adam was first formed.
Then Eve again. He names her.
And Adam is not perceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Again, we have the authentication in the New Testament of these beginning chapters in our Bible. Now turn back to Genesis. Genesis 1 and 2. Genesis 1.
The only reference in Genesis 1 to the male and the female is in verse 27.
God created man in his own image and the image of God created him. Male and female created he them. But he doesn't tell us in the 1St chapter how he did it. He tells us that in the 2nd chapter how he did it.
How he created the man and the woman.
And the New Testament teaching is based on this.
Now there are those that would teach that do teach that day one begins with verse one. This is clearly and I will demonstrate it from the Scriptures. I hope prove it to every one of us here this afternoon that that is wrong.
Day one begins with verse 3 when God says let there be light and there was light.
This is this one is the original creation of the universe.
In the beginning, one of the most profound and sublime verses in all of scripture. In the beginning, God, Elohim, God and Trinity, the three persons of the Godhead involved in that creation of the universe. God created the heavens. I think it should be in the plural. And the earth. The earth is singled out from all the rest of the heaven.
00:15:19
19th Psalm says The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
I never forget when I was a young man in my 20s and I was in Jamaica, British W Indies, away from the city lights and everything, and I looked up and I saw them looking away.
You could not pick out individual stars. It was a band of light across the sky. Most awesome sight I've ever seen. The heavens declare the glory of God. I've never seen that in the farther northern part of this hemisphere, but I saw it down there closer to the equator.
The heavens declare the glory of God that we throw. The heavens is all the constellations, all the galaxies, all the stars.
And God created them. We don't know when that was.
We don't know how far back that was, but in the beginning, in the beginning, there was a beginning.
There was a beginning. The only thing that makes that is that is remotely correct in the evolutionary hypothesis is The Big Bang theory.
The Big Bang is nonsense. You don't get an ordered cosmos out of an explosion, but it does say that there was a beginning.
That's the only correct part of it. It does say that this created universe had a beginning. That is, matter is not eternal.
Even the scientists admit that matter is not eternal.
But there was a time, if I can use the word time to describe it, because it's really before time, when there was nothing but God.
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, God in Trinity.
And that's all that existed.
We're told in the 38th chapter of Job that when the foundations of the earth were made, the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. So evidently from that I would conclude that before God created the material universe described here in Genesis 1, He created the angelic hosts.
And I don't believe it was long before Satan fell and dragged the rebellious angels with him. So this one was the original creation. Everything perfect, the heavens and then the earth is singled out.
Earth, of all the heavens is the scene in which He is going to display His eternal counsels and purposes and plans. It's the scene where the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, came.
Where he suffered, where he died.
So the old timers that said the Earth is the center of the universe, we're not too far off.
Certainly morally, spiritually, it is the center.
Because it's where God has accomplished that wonderful work of redemption.
In the gift of his beloved.
So the earth is singled out from all the heavens in verse one.
One is the original creation of everything.
And then the second verse describes only the earth, not a word about the heavens. It says the earth was without form and void.
And darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And that's not the way the Earth was originally created.
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
He did not create a waste desolate.
Dark scene covered with water This planet Earth has been covered with water two times in its history that we know of, here in Genesis 1-2 and at the Flood.
And we know that when the flood waters covered the earth, that was a result of judgment.
And by influence this is a result of judgment.
But I had much stronger evidence from the Bible that than just inference from the flood to say this was a result of judgment.
There are two Hebrew words that are used in this verse. The earth was without form. That's one word. Tell who Mr. Darby renders it. The earth was waste.
And without form and void. And Mr. Darby renders that empty.
Tobu and bohu are the two Hebrew words.
It's about all I know about Hebrew.
So I don't think I know Hebrew.
And in all those words.
Those two words, and they're only found together three times in the Bible, three times here and in Isaiah and in Jeremiah.
00:20:10
And I believe that the.
The way to interpret scripture is by scripture.
Certainly not by pseudo science.
I don't trust science. If it's true science, I trust it. But there's so much that's called science that is not true science, falsely so-called, the apostle tells us to be on our guard against.
In the last century it was mentioned in the in the readings.
The truth was recovered to the church in a way that it had never been a wonderful recovery of truth. The enemy immediately countered with the Jehovah's witness.
The Millennial. Dawn Russell ISM.
Doctrine denying the deity of Christ, attacking his person, and then the Mormons.
The Joseph Smith and all the evil that has come out of that system.
But there's something else for these years that even is even more devastating than those two false religions, and that is evolution.
Charles Darwin came out with his Origin of Species, and it has a scientific flair to it. And who can challenge science? After all, if it's scientific, that's the God of the 20th century, isn't it now?
Science, if it's scientific, if it can be proven, the only thing is that they call that scientific that evolution cannot be proven, can't be put in a laboratory and tested and repeated and repeated and repeated so as to find out the results.
You, if you're in the biology lab, you could take a frog and you could dissect it and you could learn certain things about the frog, and the next student could do the same, and the next one could do the same, and they could repeat their experiments. But there's no way to repeat history.
There's no way to repeat what happened back when no man existed.
Only God.
And he's the only one that knows what he did and how he did it. And he's been pleased to tell us in these wonderful verses. You probably noticed as we read Genesis 1, the expression after its kind, after his kind, after his kind, after his kind repeated over and over again. I said to one of my former brethren at home before I left on this trip. I said, what did you sow in your fear this spring? And he said, corn.
And I said, well, what are you going to harvest? You're going to have to wait till the fall to find out what comes up.
Of course, she said. Of course I know I'm going to get caught. I said corn. I'm going to get corn. If I sold beans, I'm going to get beans after his kind, after his kind. Wouldn't it be an utter confused mess if you sold in the spring something, you know what you're going to get until the fall?
Utter nonsense. Everyone comes up after its kind you made 2 cats and that you're going to get. You're going to get kittens. You're not going to get dogs, you're not going to get cows.
Everyone knows this makes us laugh because it's so utterly ridiculous.
The theory that we evolved out of something altogether different than we were.
There are there are modifications within a species. That's not evolution.
What I'm talking about?
Talking about the changes that came by? No chance.
Think of the miracle that would happen to have two things evolve up out of non organic material and one is male and one is female and they come and they finally reach a state of completeness. What happened before they reached the state of completeness? They never tell us.
And then they can mate and reproduce the race. What's the probability of that happening by No chance. It's so low that it's impossible.
And if they were only honest, these men, they would earn it.
But in our school systems and over our television broadcasting networks, they're promoting it over and over again. National Geographic, many of you have it. I wouldn't have it in the house because I used to take it. But it just teaches evolution over and over again. Beautiful pictures. The photography is magnificent. But the lie is only enhanced by that.
Lie of the Devil.
I remember when I was a young Christian, I was afraid to look into evolution because it was presented to me as it's presented to all the students here, as an established scientific fact.
It's nothing but a blatant lie of the devil, and those who read it know they know it's a lie.
You wonder if the teachers in our school system know it's a lie or are they deceived?
They're either deceived or they know it's a lie in promoting what is known as to be a lie.
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But that was Satan's crowning victory. Because if he can get you, the student, to distrust the Genesis record of creation.
And to look upon it as a fairy tale. And that's what they've done. That's the way they present it. And if you can't believe Genesis 1, then you can't believe the Lord Jesus.
Because he referred back to Genesis 1 and 2 The moment female and how they got here. You can't believe the Apostle Paul either.
And you can't believe Peter. And so on.
We have destroyed faith in the Bible.
It's like a child. They build a, they build a block house, and if someone takes the lower block, the very first one pulls it out, the whole thing collapses.
This book is the truth. How we got here.
And don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise.
In the beginning.
God created the heavens and the earth.
It had to have a beginning, and it had to be created by an infinite God.
Who could speak?
Who could command?
And it happened.
33rd Psalm. Let's just look at that very quickly.
I must discipline myself not to.
Spend too long on some of these side points, but they're so important.
Verse 6. Psalm 33 by the word of the Lord.
Where the heavens made.
And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Hebrews 11 Says by faith we understand that the world's were framed by the word of God.
So that the things which are seen are not made of things which do appear.
The things that we see, this platform, this gym, the chairs, the persons, the people, everything that we see. You didn't come out of something to the scene or that appears.
God created the world.
Sometimes it's said it's not quite right out of nothing.
There was never nothing.
There was always God.
And so it says, by the word of the Lord, where the heavens made.
Verse 9 For he spake and it was done.
He commanded, and it stood fat. He said, Let there be in the rouse.
Such as our God, the infinite God who brought the universe into existence.
In a moment. He doesn't need millions of years to do it, by the way. He just does it in a moment.
Time. He's a timeless being.
Wells in eternity.
Now the second verse and the earth.
Was without form and void, waste and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. The whole Rd. was covered with water.
Enveloped in darkness.
And it was a chaotic.
Situation waste and empty without form and void.
And the Spirit of God, it's interesting, of the three persons in the Trinity, the Spirit of God is the first one singled out in the first part of our Bible, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Now let's turn to quickly Isaiah 34.
Isaiah 34 We want to see how these two Hebrew words waste and empty or without form and void, tobu and bohu how they are used in scripture.
I start with verse 8. This this chapter tells about the destruction that comes upon the land of Idunia. That's the end of verse 6, a great slaughter in the land of Idemia. That's that's Eden.
Verse 8. For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.
And the streams they have shall be turned into pitch in the dust 11 to brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
It shall not be quenched night nor day. The smoke field shall go up forever from generation to generation. It shall I waste. None shall pass through it forever and ever. Now this is the verse where those two Hebrew words are used together.
They're not translated the same way in our King James. That's unfortunate if you have the new translation.
He tried. Darby translates it waste and empty as it is in the gym Genesis. But I'll point it out when we come to the words. But the corner ends, verse 11. And the bittering shall possess it, the owl also, and the Raven shall dwell in it. You see, this is a desolate scene resulting from the job. See, this is a desolate scene resulting from the job on this land. And he shall stretch out upon it. Here it is the line of confusion that's.
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That's.
And the stones of emptiness, that's Bohu, Empty or vain.
As we have it. But here you can see how you can see the force of that Hebrew word is translated by form. In one instance it's translated waste that described the earth and then empty, vain.
Without point and void King James.
Now that's the result. That state into which this land of Edom will be reduced in a future day is the result of the judgment of God falling upon it.
All right, now let's look at let's look at the other passage in Jeremiah 4.
Jeremiah 4, where we have these two Hebrew words used again and again. It's a result of judgment, this time upon Jerusalem.
The land of the Jews. What we looked at in Isaiah 34 was upon.
Edom.
I'll start just to save time. I'll start with verse 20 of Jeremiah 4. Destruction upon destruction is cried. Well, the whole land is spoiled. Suddenly all my tents spoiled and my curtains in a moment referring to the the the temple.
How long shall I see that standard and hear the sound of the trumpet? Hears this invading army that is coming against Jerusalem to to raise it, to level it, to destroy it. And the reason is for my people is foolish. They have not known me. They are Satish children, and they have none understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Now we have those two Hebrew words.
In verse 23, it sounds just like Genesis 1/2. I beheld the earth and lo, it was without form.
Who and Void Bohu?
And the heavens and they had no light. Darkness was on the face of the deep. Now this isn't describing Genesis 1-2. It's describing Jerusalem as a result of the judgment of the armies that God sends against it to punish them for their sins.
I beheld the mountains, and where they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and where there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. Obviously I beheld, and low the fruitful place was a wilderness. Obviously this is not the earth as it was in Genesis 1-2, but it's a similar.
Desolate condition that's described and the reason these two passages are cited is because if the only two passages other than Genesis 1/2 That uses those two Hebrew words together.
So that shows very clearly. Does it matter that the condition described in Genesis 1/2 as a result of judgment? That's not the way God created this earth. You didn't create it. A formless mass in darkness covered with water.
No, he did not.
Created it perfect.
The Cosmos.
An ordered universe, an ordered earth. That's the way it was created. There's one more passage which uses one of those two Hebrew words in its Isaiah 35.
Isaiah 35 and verse 18.
For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens, God Himself that formed the earth and made it. He hath established it. He created it not in vain. Now the King James translators translate that word tohu in vain here, or as waste. He did not create it without form.
He formed it to be inhabited. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
So where the 2 words are used together, it's a result of judgment, and here it tells us he didn't create it in the condition described in the second verse of Genesis 1. Now turn to 2nd Corinthians 4.
Here's a proof from the New Testament.
That the Earth was not created that way.
2nd Corinthians, chapter 4.
And verse 6.
For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, that's Genesis 1/3 when God said let there be light and there was light, So God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. The physical world was in darkness, was under water, it was formless.
It was waste and empty, and God commanded the light to shine out of darkness that shined in our hearts.
To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
When did he shine into your heart? When did he say, let there be light to your soul?
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Was your soul in darkness? It certainly was. Everyone of us was in darkness. Every one of us was in a ruined state, such as the earth was in verse 2. Was man created that way? No, he was not.
Man was created perfect.
Man was created sinless and he was placed in the garden of delights. There was no fault in man. God pronounced upon that earthly creation It was very good.
The first man was very good. That was his crowning achievement when he created Man.
But he fell. He fell into sin. That's described in the 3rd chapter of Genesis. The serpent gave me a hath, God said, and so on.
And Eve saw that fruit, and she took of it and handed it to her husband Adam, and the the earthly family fell.
And we've inherited that fallen condition, darkness. Just as the Earth was not created in darkness, neither was man.
It's a result of judgment.
The judgment that fell on the Earth. The judgment that fell on man. My firm belief is that this planet Earth was Satan's home before he fell.
And as a result of his fall?
The condition described in Genesis 1-2 resulted.
Remember in the book of Job God asked Satan where have you been? And he said from walking up and down to and throwing the earth.
Is very interested in this planet.
Very interested in the earth.
And so right after the earthly parents were placed in the Garden of Delights, he comes Slytherin along. Well, I shouldn't say that I don't think he came Slytherin along. I think he came walking along.
Because he wasn't confined to eat the dust until after he had caused the.
The earthly parents to sin dust shalt thou eat. All the days of my life was the curse placed upon the serpent.
That he tempted them and they fell. Evidently quite a beautiful creature, as he came from God, and then he fell because he wanted to be like God.
And he attempted our earthly parents with the same temptation. Ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. Just eat that fruit, you'll be like God. That's what he wanted to be. And when he saw that, God placed this whole earthly scene under Adam.
He was intentionally jealous and says I must destroy that.
And he has done his job.
Well.
But the destruction of.
The first parents has resulted in his fall as well.
Let's go back to Genesis 1 now.
Verse 2 is not the original creation of the earth, but the result of.
Judgment The earth was.
Without form and void. One more thing I want to point out. Turn to Genesis Chapter 9.
Genesis Chapter 9.
Excuse me 19. Excuse me.
Genesis 19.
Verse 26.
And he and his wife, that is Lot's wife, looked back from behind him and she became a pillar of salt that he believed translated became is exactly the same Hebrew word that is translated was in Genesis 1/2. The earth was without form and void could have been translated, became without form and void.
And that's exactly what happened. The earth became that way. It was not created that way. Now God is going to reform the earth for man.
We created if I will can use that word for man and that starts in verse 3.
God said, let there be light.
And there was light.
Some have said God created life on the first day. No he didn't. He doesn't say that. It says he said let there be light.
Does it say light was created in Scripture says he forms the light creates darkness in Isaiah 45?
But he does not create light. He is light.
And he said, let there be light came from him. I envision in this first day that this planet that was surrounded with darkness now is bathed in light.
God said, let there be light, there was light.
And God saw the light that it was good.
And now the second thing he does on that first day, God divided the light from the darkness. So how he did that, I could tell you how I think He did it, but that's not important.
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God divided the light from the darkness, so part of part of the time it was in light, part of the time it was in day.
Today we would interpret it from our knowledge. Today set the world spinning. But this doesn't say this. It just says God divided the light from the darkness, and God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. The evening in the morning were the first day.
And God said, let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. The earth is still completely covered with water, but it's there's light now, and now he makes the atmosphere.
God said that there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament than the waters which were above the firmament, and it was so.
The fundamental, the expanse and God called the firmament heaven. Now that's a secondary use of the word heaven in verse one. God created the heaven and the earth. That was the whole universe. But here now it's that part that's just between the two waters, the one below and the ones above. He called the firmament heaven in the evening, in the morning with the second day.
Still no dry land, still covered with water, but now Earth has a has a an atmosphere.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together into one place.
And let the dry land appear. And it was so. And God called the dry land earth. Now that's the second use of the word, a secondary use of the word earth. The 1St 2 verses speaks of God created the heavens and the earth. And then it describes the earth, that this whole planet was waste and empty. But here now he calls the dry land earth. And the gathering together of the waters he calls seas. God saw that it was good.
And then he says, I'm this third day, let the earth bring forth grass.
The herb yielding seed and the fruit tree yielding fruit. And here we have that formula that's repeated so often after his kind.
I want to make this very strong statement. You cannot believe the Bible and believe evolution. The 2 are mutually exclusive of one of the other. You cannot believe that everything comes after its kind, reproduces after its kind, after its kind.
That itself totally refutes evolution. You don't have to understand everything about this chapter, but if you believe that one thing that God has repeated repeatedly in this chapter after its kind, that eliminates the nonsense, the why of evolution.
If evolution were true, this scene would be nothing but utter chaos.
It has to be after its kind.
The fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself. Who put that there?
Evolution by chance, that happened. God put it there, and it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit whose seed was in itself after his kind. Apertures always produce apples, and ever produce oranges or pears, or grapefruit, or anything else. They always produce apples, and so on.
After his pain.
And God saw that it was good.
In the evening. In the morning will be third day.
Now we come through a very interesting day, the 4th day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven, to divide the day from the night.
Who did that for the first three days?
God did.
God did.
It says in verse.
For and God divided the light from the darkness.
God said, let the delight and then he divides the light from the darkness. He did that. By the way, these are 24 hour days you say. How do you know that? Well, from the 4th day we know that.
Because now, in the first day, he assigns the function that he had been performing to the sun, the moon and the stars.
He said. I'm going to let you do those things.
You're going to divide the day from the night.
And more than that. Now notice in verse 1 he says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. There's a difference between the word created and the word made on the first day. The word created doesn't occur, it's only made. This platform was made, this podium was made. This microphone was made out of previously existing material that man cannot create.
When there's nothing he cannot bring forth into being something. Only God can do that.
00:45:05
In the strict sense of the word. But man can make things, and God too.
We'll see later as we come to man, the creation of man. But both words are used. He was made and he was created, and we'll see why.
God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years. That is, He assigned a specific function to these heavenly bodies.
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth. And it was so.
The mistake that we often make with our puny minds and thinking is that the way we see the universe and the way it exists today, it's always been that way. That's not true.
That is not true.
There's been big changes right here on planet Earth.
Big changes and big changes in the universe too.
No problem for God.
All he has to do is speak. Remember in Joshua's day, he used a man and he said, son, stand still.
Son stood still.
For almost 24 hours.
While Israel defeated their enemies.
Our knowledge of how the universe works, what happened? I'm not even going to try to say.
As Caius day, he said, let the sundial go back 10°.
And it happened.
How did that happen?
You read the prophets, it says in a future day the sun's going to be blackened.
Or you can apply that spiritually, but some of that is literal.
And we're talking about some very profound things here. Let them be for lights. Verse 15 in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And God made, he made 2 great lights, the sun, the moon, to perform a function which prior to this time He had been performing. Now He assigns that function to these heavenly bodies.
Think that's a problem for God?
That's because you're limiting God by your own thinking.
God knows how he did it. He knows what he did.
God made 2 great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night and the stars also.
With respect to Earth.
You see, earth is really the center of all his feelings and He set them in place. In fact, he says that verse 17 God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.
And to rule over the day and over the night and to divide the light from the darkness. Well, that's what God did in verse 4. That's the first day God provided the light from the darkness. Now He assigns that function to the sun and the moon and the stars.
And God saw that it was good in the evening, and the morning were the 4th day.
And God said, let the writers bring forth abundantly.
After their kind.
And every living wing fall after his kind.
And God saw that it was good.
And God blessed him saying, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters and the seas, and that foul multiply in the earth. And the evening in the morning were the 5th day.
So you have the sea creatures and the air creatures.
Treated on that fifth day.
Now we come to the 6th day.
And God said, let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind.
We read in the 2nd chapter that out of the dust of the ground he made the animals.
He made them of previously existing material, whereas the sea creatures were created.
He didn't use the dust of the world to bring them into existence.
God said.
Let the earth be faithful living creature after his kind, cattle and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind, And it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, And God saw that it was good.
Now we come to the second part of the 6th day. His crowning achievement, Man.
Man, what a creature he was, how beautiful he must have been first man, right from the hand of God.
Fully equipped with a language and knowledge such that he could name all the animals very short time.
Immense mental, physical capacity. The same can be said of the women. Beautiful.
00:50:05
Before they fell.
And God said, now God has a conference, the persons of the Godhead speak together. God said, let us make man in our image after our likeness.
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And when Satan saw that God set that man to have that authority and that power, he was intensely jealous.
Now we have the word created used.
It says in verse 26 let us make man because he made man out of the dust of the ground, but now it says so God created man verse 27 in his own image.
In the image of God created he had male and female created he them. That's the only reference to the distinction of male and female in the 1St chapter. We get the details of Eve's creation beautifully in the 2nd chapter. The most beautiful type of Christ in the church that we have in all of scripture.
And God bless them.
God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every error bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed to you it should be for meat, and to every beast of the earth, and to every file of the earth, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth will know his life. I have given every green herb for me.
And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made.
And behold, it was.
Very good.
Not a flaw, not an imperfection.
It was very good.
In the evening. In the morning were the 6th day.
Now you don't get an evening in the morning for the 7th day. I think it speaks of eternity.
The heavens and the earth were finished, and all the hosts of them.
And on the 7th day, God ended his work which he had made. He rested.
And he rested on the 7th day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the 7th day.
And sanctified it because that in it.
He had rested from all his work.
That God created and made. Both words are used. Those two words created and made, they mean different things.
Only God can create. Only God can create. Man can make.
And he also makes.
The God, he created man. Why does it say created? Well, we read that seventh verse of chapter 2. The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground. That's why he it's used. Made. It's used.
Because he was made out of existing material, and he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, the spirit of life.
And man became a living soul, a never dying soul. The animals have souls.
Every time you read the creature, when it speaks of the animal, bring forth a living creature that's a living soul.
Animals have souls. They are souls.
But they don't have a spirit, and when they when they die, when their body dies, the soul dies.
The man's body dies. His soul does not die.
It's a living soul.
Sustained with God.
We will not die.
The only part of man that dies is his body.
But he has a spirit.
And a soul, a soul dish him. He's going to say his body gives him world consciousness, his soul gives him self consciousness, and his spirit gives him God consciousness.
The trees have life, the plants have life, but they don't have souls.
The animals have life and they have souls. You can speak to your dog and your cat. You can. You can train them. You can talk to them. Some people talk to their plants. That's worthless. It's useless. They don't have souls.
Just life. Man has a spirit.
He is the crown of God's creation.
He knows.
There's a God.
An atheist is a contradiction of terms. How can a man who has been created with a spirit who is conscious that there is a God above him, with whom he has to do and to whom he has to answer, how can he say there's no God? He's a fool, and that's what the Word calls him.
The fool has said in his heart.
00:55:00
There is no God.
The solemn thing.
About this creation of man is when his body dies.
He does not die.
He's going to spend eternity either with the Lord in heaven or.
In the dungeons of the Damned in Hell.
Where are you going to spend eternity?
You know this God of creation.
Ecclesiastes says, Remember now thy create heart.
And that's interesting. It's like the word Elohim. In the beginning, God Elohim created the heavens and the earth. That's the word in plural. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Remember now thy Creator. That's the word in plural.
In the days of value, your Creator is who's your Creator. It's the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all three persons involved in the creation of man.
You remember him.
You acknowledge him.
You realize you have to do with him.
He came down the person of the sun to die for you and for me to give his life, that you might know this great God that we've been considering here and how he did it, and he's the only one that knows how he did it.
Man has his theories, his nonsense, and it's really ridiculous some of the things he's come up with.
You don't have to be a scientist to see it's ridiculous.
All you have to be is in your sound mind.
To see the ridiculousness of it.
It's Satan's lie.
And he has succeeded in that.
Telling it is either, Hitler said. Tell a lie over and over and over again. It will soon be believed.
That's the way they operate.
So when you go to school.
Test everything they tell you by this book.
This book is the standard of truth. If they speak not according to this word, it's because there's no light in them.
The children of Darkness.
We will thence darkness thou will light in the Lord God has said to your soul and mine, let me be light. He said that to planet earth. He said that to us.
And there's light.
I wonders to be brought out of the darkness in which we were as a result of the fall.
The earth was brought out of the darkness in which it once was as a result of a fall.
And then God reformed it for man.
Good to know the God that made us.
And that has redeemed us. Let's close by singing 293.
Let the creators praise arise. 293. Someone raise the tube, please.
I.
The Christian Home
Malachi 3
Written for Our Learning
Incidents in Abraham's Life
Choices
Ground of Gathering 1
Temporal Blessings
For Ourselves and Our Children
How to Know the Will of the Father JND Volume 16
I Will Guide Thee with Mine Eye JND Vol 16
JG Bellett The Son of God ch. 1
JG Bellett The Son of God ch. 3
JG Bellett The Son of God ch. 6
Lectures Song of Solomon
Paul's Doctrine 1 of 3 narrated
Paul's Doctrine 2 of 3 narrated
Paul's Doctrine 3 of 3 narrated
God's Dwelling with Men JND Vol 16
The Spirit not of Fear but of Power JND Vol 16
Baptism
Ouweneel
Caleb
Caleb and Timothy
Chosen in Christ
Christ Our Object
A. Barry
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.
To write the same things to you, to me, indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Beware of dogs. Beware of evil workers, beware of the circumcision.
For we are.
The circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. So I might also have confidence in the flesh if any other man thinketh that he hath, or else he might custom the place I mourn.
Circumcised the.
The staff of the Israel.
The charge of Benjamin.
And Hebrew of the Hebrews as touching the law of Pharisees concerning zeal persecuting the Church.
Touching the righteousness which is in the law of plainness.
About things were gained in me.
Well, I promised love Christ.
Leave out this and I count all things of loss.
For the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.
My Lord.
For whom I have suffered the loss of all things.
And we tell them.
And I may win press.
And we found in him not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ.
The righteousness which is of God by faith.
I may know him.
And the power of his resurrection.
And the fellowship of his suffer.
He may conform to more unto his death, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained.
Either we're already person but our power curious that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended.
We are Christ Jesus, but in our not myself who have apprehended.
But that's one thing I do.
Forgetting those things which are behind.
And reaching forth under those things which are before.
I pressed towards.
For the prize.
Are the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore as many as the perfect.
He was reminded.
And if in any venue, the otherwise minded.
God shall reveal even this unto you nevertheless.
Well, until we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule.
Let us mind the same thing, Let them be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example where many walk of whom I fool you often.
And I'll tell you even we can.
They are the enemies of the cross of Christ.
Was under destruction.
With God in their belly.
Whose glory is in their shame behind earthly things.
For our conversation of citizenship is in heaven.
For once also, we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who shall change of our body, that it may be fashioned like that? His glorious body?
According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
In our after last night, the 2nd chapter of Philippians.
We found their Christ.
Are examples.
Of Christ, of pattern.
In the chapter we have just read the 3rd chapter of Philippians.
We have priced our object.
Now that I would, we need both.
Christ for our patterns, and we also need Christ.
Or up.
When the children of Israel were in the wilderness.
00:05:03
God said them with manna.
He rained bread from hell.
That they had to gather every morning.
And the Lord tells us that.
What manner was just a picture of himself?
For he said, I am the bread come down from heaven.
That a man made thorough and not dark.
Well then, after they had crossed the Jordan.
They on the other side of Georgia.
The old corner of the land.
Garden of the Titan of the Death of Christ.
And on the other side of death and judgment.
Now play.
Governs hopefully had not in the wilderness, and that was the old corn of the land.
And that whole corner of the land pictures what we have in the third of Philippians.
It's not object that God has provided.
In other words, Christ and glory. It opted for our souls.
So it was the old corner of the landfall. God's brightest flock from all eternity has been to have a glorified man, his own Son, at his right hand.
Well, we saw last night how needful it is.
To have a perfect pattern.
The ways of our blessed Lord, who humbled Himself.
Word 7 steps downward until he came to the cross.
Where he laid down his life.
One of the law was as it was possible to go.
Well, we need that instruction. We need to have his life and all. How wonderfully the Spirit of God has brought that light.
Why do our souls?
And the four gospels especially.
But we also need the love of an object for our souls.
And now everyone has some kind of an object.
Maybe a bum on the railroad you have the best object he has is counting the tires as he walks down the track, but still he has some kind of an object.
Variable and.
And the distressing as it is.
Well, what is our opportunity?
Not a question.
As we were singing.
Have I often Lord the Lord?
That would come between my soul.
And my blessed Lord.
God has given us friends a perfect object.
For the very object that satisfies his own heart.
Whenever on the mount of Transfiguration.
As a father's voice comes from the excellent glory, saying, This is my beloved son.
In whom I have found all my delight.
And then he says to the disciples, Hear him.
And much else to say that Blessed One has satisfied every desire and longing of my heart.
And surely that's enough to satisfy the desires of your heart. Then, my wonderful friends, not only to have a pure and poorly obvious, but to have an object.
That never disappoints us.
And all together that satisfies these hearts of ours supremely.
For our blessed Lord.
Are there Saints of God will never disappoint us?
We will never follow some needless gear and all have.
The Greenway. He loves us.
He loves us with a love that was stronger than death, that many waters could not drown.
I've asked the object.
The Spirit of God is gained before us.
In this third chapter of.
And it opens in this way. Finally, brethren, rejoice in the Lord.
00:10:00
Now he has spoken in the 1St chapter of rejoicing that the Gospel was preached.
And he has mentioned that they could rejoice at the fall of his being released from prison and being among them again.
And then in the 2nd chapter we find rejoicing, because his labor was not in vain in the Lord, and he did them rejoice, and he would rejoice with him.
But now he goes a little farther here, and he says, Rejoice in the Lord.
Finally, brothers, my brother, rejoice in the Lord, and when you get to the 4th chapter, he says again, rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice.
There are times when we can't rejoice in our circumstances.
For times when we can't rejoice because we're well and healthy.
There are times when we can't even rejoice in some of our brethren.
They can disappoint us.
But I can assure you this.
As you can always with Jocelyn Lawson.
What a wonderful thing to have in times of sickness and times of trial and greed.
Are it's wonderful our minds?
With that peace, that satisfaction, God, deep repose.
So let's ever rejoice in the Lord.
He says to write the same thing to you, to me indeed, is not grievous.
But the urine is safe.
I heard Brother Hill tell one time about being in a place and rather be staying with Gallup another day. He was going to speak tonight. I'm not to hear him.
Man sat over the forest.
Has he not heard something new?
He turned to Reverend Hale. He said, telling no, that it will be the old, old story.
Says I'm not coming.
That's hard to say and not to be expected. That man was thrown away from the large table out in the world.
We don't want to be like those that are.
Where? At Athens, who spent their time with nothing but to hear or to tell some new things.
Oh, that's a Jesus world and.
And you could pay last this front age in which we're living.
Hanging out with something new, getting to the moon or doing some spectacular thing or telling your mind maybe someday we'll get to Mars some, you think.
Well, fans.
That which shall we learn of our blessed Lord and the hopes we have in Him.
There's not something that we haven't heard before. There isn't one in this company here that hasn't heard.
Over and over again about the personal returns of our blessed Lord through our hearts. Get tired of hearing of that wonderful event. You will get weary of hearing repeated. The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout.
I can say this in nature, never lose.
Of that wonderful event that is approaching so rapidly. And old thinker appears infinite love to us.
That wasn't letting him to a sufferer the awful judgment of a righteous God.
When he was forsaken there on Calvin.
Either tells us whom, having not seen He loved and won't allow, we see Him not yet believing He rejoiced with joy unspeakable.
And pull it below in.
So it didn't really be impossible to tell over and over again.
Things so well known among God's children, and he said that for you is saved, for the Lord of God does keep us.
That deserves us. It keeps us from here. It keeps us from turning aside and allowing our own thoughts and wisdom to carry us a straight those precious troops.
00:15:01
As often as God allows those truths to come before us.
Very far. Beware of dogs.
The Goddess has the dogs.
Are rulers who stand around and bark at the inconsistencies of Christians.
Well, we'll always find just such dogs everywhere we go.
As the poor method will thing, isn't it? And all who have nothing better before them than to enlarge and magnify their failures and the inconsistencies of Christians.
With us all that.
All they have, we just as well act as the Apostle says here to avoid.
Beware of them.
Where of evil workers beware of a concealed and they said we are the circumcision.
Sorry, contrast between the conversation and the circumcision is this.
The conversation is turning up and tuning the old trees.
That is the old nature.
7 Assuring walk down, the Baptist said that now also the axes laid under the root of the tree. Every tree that bringeth not false good fruit is hewn down, cast into the fire.
Now, friends, where the trial of man of the old man is all over.
The the verdict is in and the sentences pronounced.
That that which is born of the flesh is place.
If God changes, you can't improve it.
All man will never learn every his lesson that it has been fully manifested and found wanting.
And was condemned the man everywhere and sad to see in many religious circles are trying to improve man in the place trying to get something out of the old nature that it doesn't hopelessly bad, but if you just give it the proper environment.
Yeah, give us the right education, the right culture, Well, sure, it'll come out and it'll be something worthwhile.
But friends, God has condemned the whole thing.
When man puts the Son of God on the cross of Calvary.
Land's moral history.
Was over.
And man is now condemned.
As absolutely faithlessly to poem.
And in irreparable condition.
So that all that God can accept.
As for the work of the Spirit and producing a new life and nature, that's why the Lord said so solemnly to Nicodemus, You must be born again.
So that circumcision here is brought before us in this wave.
For we are the circumcision which worship God. Now read that by the Spirit.
Alas, drawing the contrast to trying to produce her.
Or find something in Fallen Man.
He says we are the circumstances now. It is those who have no confidence in the faces don't trust the old nature at all.
Earlier March men used to tell about a man that had a well we call them dollar watches. In those days, English all watch.
But he said he never trusted that watch. It wasn't reliable.
He got me sure of leading a train if he depended on that watch. And so it's just that way with that old sinful nature. We can never, never trust him. And we've all got that old nature still, although the wondrous way Bob has imparted a new life and a new nature.
00:20:04
And those who are looked at here as a circumcision.
There was that.
That worship God.
I'll read that by the Spirit.
In the Old Testament times they worship God with high sounding symbols.
And in one place you find that they had a.
Says that as David said sang with 4000.
Instruments that I have made. No. We never saw band that size, did we? 4000 men playing on instruments and all their voices uniting together. Well, that belonged to that dispensation of Lord.
But it doesn't wrong to our dispensation friends. And why?
Because God the Holy Spirit has come down to dwell in this season.
And we have the Holy Spirit not only dwelling in us individually, but we have in dwelling in the assembly to lead and to guide the worship of God's people.
Which worship God by the Spirit and all the Lord inform the woman at the wealth.
That neither in Jerusalem nor at this mountain shall be worshiped the province. God is the Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him.
In spirit and in truth, he said, the hour had come and now is.
When all that display of musical instruments and all that appeal to the place of man.
Well, the thing that is to be set aside.
And now a new order.
All well so.
Severe broken when God the Holy Spirit came down to lead unto God.
When the worship of his people.
You know, even in the Old Testament time you could say they worshipped, according to Pruitt, because they were given directions as to their sacrifices, as to offering incense for every detail was provided for.
Have given directions so they did worship according to coup. But since we now only can worship.
According to the truth of the Word, but the questions of the guidance of aggressive Holy Spirit of God.
And will come down from a glorified Christ.
And the Mercedes Lord is head of the body and as we sit in his presence.
He directs by the Spirit, so that perhaps one of these beautiful hymns of the Little Flower Kingdom.
Never stopped it since 11:00. What a work of God the collection of last little symbols actually was. Think about how devoted men selected those hymns and how it's been preserved for our assembly meetings. Thank God for that, I said one time to hold by the part of you think we'll have a little block in there in heaven? He said. Why not?
I don't doubt that we will have the little flock in heaven.
Or we have enjoyed is what?
How? How He has filled our hearts with praise. Isn't it wonderful to do that? We have the spirit that guides when we're together and brings to mind a hymn and loveth heaven.
It's the Lord definitely leaves a game of praise on your heart. Don't hesitate too long giving at Him.
To be sung together. And the same thing about prayer, offering praise sometimes, brother.
I never have it strongly laid on his heart to write and say a few words.
Thanksgiving and he hesitates and hesitates.
Well, the meeting suffers. There's a loss there because the Spirit of God is.
Encouraging him, exercising him to take part. And so if we meet together occupied with Christ, then he by the Spirit directs in connection with the praise and worship that is so good, who are blessed, Lord?
00:25:20
Where you go around here go.
I might have confidence in the place. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof that well, he might custom the place. I.
And then he goes over all his credentials.
As a religious man.
And there was never anyone that.
Excels so far in human religion.
As follow Tarsus.
Before you met Christ.
He tells all the things here.
Weather, Kaiser is telling me recently, is something.
I thought was very interesting.
More than here in.
The city of Columbus.
And literally, they had some talks with this. Jewel knew he had. He had trusted the Lord.
And he moved down somewhere around.
Things are wrong. So when he was there one time, he looked him up.
Anybody in conversation and found out how this you got saved?
One time, for some reason, he went to hear the gospel, to hear a gospel preacher.
And he said there is this gospel preacher was preaching.
Around the subject or the conversion of solar tars.
Well, it said that.
Greatly interested me.
He said we had in our records about a wonderful young man that we expected will do great things for our nation and outstanding wonderful character in the great religious leaders, and he said he just suddenly dropped out of notice.
And I said I never knew what became of it until I heard that man tell about his conversion, and then I found out what changed his whole life.
Well, he found out that what changed the life of Soul Toxic.
Was the same savior.
That he could trust him and have to change his whole life's history.
Well, having obtained to such a.
Such a high religious importance.
He says that what things were given to me.
Though as I counted, lost for Christ.
Now there are those that gladly dismiss their lives connected with their faders.
They are shortcomings, they are mistakes that they have made.
That when?
Other words says that he powered these things lost.
It was things that were gained to him.
When he was on his way to be in the very leader of the whole Jewish nation. I suppose they never lived a man with a more remarkable mind.
Of an Saul of Tarsus.
He was a man of a dynamic personality, a tremendous leader.
And yet all that leadership over our importance, all that He has power to thee for a man in this world.
He counted it all lost because he met Christ.
On the road to Damascus.
And when he saw the face of that glorified one, when he heard his voice calling his very name, and inquiring, Why persecutest thou me?
That changed his whole course.
That what there's her connection with things down here completely from that day on.
He was.
As is known now as a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, so he says when I yell Davis and I count all things that lost.
Was there what he experienced then? Wasn't just uh.
00:30:04
Passing excitement.
Some people go through a lot of excitement and emotion. I wasn't nearly some emotion that he experienced.
Like with all life.
Was carried onwards from that time off.
Are not yet seen in seeing Christ.
And the things of this world look strange within.
That man on that day on.
And so whereas his life history continued.
He not only counted all things, but lost, but he says, for which I have suffered the loss of all things.
And you count them but down.
That I may win Christ.
All see what he had considered James in this life.
Not only dismiss it as something worthless, but absolutely something that was affected so that he uses a very strong word to express.
And then it goes on to be found in him.
Not having my own righteousness.
Which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ.
The righteousness which is of God by faith.
Now I said if the solid parses had been.
People who have accomplished a righteousness.
That by his own works.
Which God could accept. Of course, that's impossible.
The man is the center.
And.
It's impossible for him, as a fallen creature, to live a life.
That God can accept as a way of salvation as impossible.
I suppose he thought, Suppose that he had lived such a righteous, such an upright life that it would have been accepted.
When he saw the righteousness of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Why? He said, if I could have made myself righteous enough for God, when I see what God is offering me in Christ?
Why, he is just like buying Barnumius. You remember when he heard the tramp of peace, the Loreals that were passing.
And he inquired what it meant, and they said Jesus of Nazareth passes by.
And it says the large stood steel.
And they said, rise, equality. And he, casting aside his garment, went to Jesus.
All the old Dharma that belongs to the.
More than life has a bigger he just threw that readily aside to go to Jesus, and I think the apostle was like that.
Have that righteousness that he bolted in as a Jew, he just passed it aside is something that was so unworthy of even considering that he had nothing further to do with it.
Well, this is that righteousness, a wonderful thing about it.
Well, let's look at a verse in Romans 3.
After telling us that by the deeds of the law there shall no place be justified.
In his side, that's the 20th verse for by the laws and knowledge of sin.
That is there, but now the righteousness of God without the law.
Is manifested being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.
You live under righteousness of God, which is by the faith of Jesus Christ.
Under all and a tongue all, I believe for there's no difference.
Now that righteousness he speaks of, you have received by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:35:01
As a personal savior.
Father man have like so far was driving at this.
When he put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then he possessed that perfect righteousness.
That gave him a perfect standing before God.
And that's why we are in Christ.
For in the.
From the first.
Now First Corinthians and the.
1St chapter of First Corinthians and the 30th verse. For of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us, wisdom.
And righteousness.
Sanctification and redemption.
Of them are ye in Christ Jesus Often think of that, the loving friends.
In Christ.
Before God. And that's the way God sees the believer. That's the way we're righteous. But the party is to say that.
That.
God's righteousness was not anything that Christ did in life or death, He said. Christ is our righteousness. That is when you have accepted the Lord Jesus, He is your righteousness.
That's what you are, as you.
Stand before love now.
We're completing.
Who is the head of all principality and authority?
Something like the The Prodigal?
The prodigal returns from the far country over a bad wretched condition. He was in completing the spine in your dreads, and his poverty his wretchedness.
But the father says to his servants, bringing forth and put it on him, and put a ring on his hands, and shoes on his feet.
Until the patterns have and let us, we can be married for this. My son was dead in his alive again. He was lost in his family. Our loving friends, the prodigal didn't go into the father's house as a baby. He went into the father's house with the very best rope that the father could provide. And beloved Saints of God, when we go home to the glory, we will not go there.
As a miserable Sinner.
Addresses this world, but we'll go to glory and all the perfection.
Of the Lord Jesus Christ, and rather than that we are in Christ here and now, before we reach the glory. That's our spending. Now I know that we have to sit and make our state.
Wager up to our standing if that's my high and holy standing.
Is my walk on my ways, is my conversation as I go among men and sitting in agreement with such a high standing as long as in Christ, where all us were real, so exercise comes in.
Note here says.
That the count of the loss of the east verse of all things, and to count them but done that I may win Christ. What do you mean by winning Christ?
Well, he is lightening himself here.
A man in a race.
Northeast, forgetting the 13th verse, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth under those things which are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
How do I hear? He likened himself to one in a race, and the goal at the end of that race is Christ and glory.
That's what he means by winning Christ.
Was to win that prize that he has before it.
00:40:02
Nor he also says.
In the 10th verse that I may know him.
And you know that he was his savior.
He is a lot of friends. We should not be satisfied with just knowing that Christ died for our sins, wonderful and important as that too surely is.
But we should desire supremely to know more and more of our blessed Lord, that I might know him here after many years. He's been a prisoner for four years.
And all the hardships that he had passed through, yet we find he was just as anxious at that time and no more.
Of Christ.
Where they know him.
And he says, and the power of his resurrection.
Well loved resurrection of Christ He had looked at in Ephesians one near the end of the chapter.
As a powerless soul from the conditions and.
Present things down here.
Into a fire and more blessed.
Where we canmore fully enter into the thoughts of His love.
The power of His resurrection even now, before the resurrection of the dead takes place, His glorious resurrection when he woe triumphant from the dead, when it becomes a power in the soul through occupation without risen man, brings us up into the enjoyment of those dead.
Cross of His love in this coming glory that separates our hearts.
From the from things down here.
So you see, the Lord, while I said at the beginning of the meeting, is surely the subject.
Of this chapter before us, that is Christ.
Are objects and we see one who.
For whom Christ?
Was here, published down here, and he got down there as I went on there in person. I didn't interfere in any way. With all his hardships. He had been hungry. When Epaphroditus came with provisions for him, he'd been neglected.
Northern Asia had forsaken him all of ourselves apart, he felt.
And still she was pressing.
Whereas I go Christ in glory before the soul.
That I might know him.
And the power of his resurrection.
And the fellowship of his sufferings.
There, and here's a Petrol speaks of being a witness.
Of the sufferings of Christ.
And a partaker of the glories that should be revealed.
The apostle Paul didn't see Christ in his sufferings. He didn't see him scourge.
And during a shameful cross to Calvary. But he's seen him and glory.
And so we get a little different.
A result for him.
That is, he was a witness of the glory of Christ and Israel in his succance down here.
For how much he had suffered in his pathway, stoned and given with rods.
3 * 40 strikes A1 in shipwrecks.
All the silence around the air, persecutions that he had experienced.
Separate that willingly.
Or his blessed Lord, in fact he he says here.
And the fellowship?
And his second?
Being flourishes with one who has suffered everything, the loss of everything.
Once again thought that God, as he saw humbling such as man, He brought him into sweet fellowship.
00:45:08
With that one with one.
The absence of his heart now, the lot of fans we're living in times of years and times when we're not facing the persecution.
But I hear that there are many of gods, dear children, in communist countries.
That are already persecuted.
And some of these men are experiencing in a way that we are not here experiencing fellowship.
Of his sufferance.
But tomorrow is faithful for him.
And their testimony for him, the war will face the content and score of this world. But I believe that everyone that has.
Falsified for Christ in the face of the.
Early contempt of the world has proven a precious and blessed fellowship with his Lord and Master.
That fellowship of his sufferings being made comfortable, not of his death.
The Halo is hardly impossible while they can keep on like you're going where I they'll the Jesus will tell you what are they possible if they do, I'll just do that much more like my blessed Lord when he went into death for me and you know all those who have departed this life through the article of death have had a special experience.
Of being like Christ.
Special way.
That we are living for death. I should desire our our hope is His coming and taking us without time home to the Father's house.
Now he says in the 15th verse, Let us therefore as many as the perfect.
In last night, and if in anything we'd be otherwise reminded, God shall reveal even this.
Before that he has said not that we are already perfect, or have already obtained through Christ.
Provided the one verse tells us that were not perfect and in another verse he says as many of you as are deeper.
Well, it's literally the apostle is viewing the subject, the power of perfection in the body. Down here. We'll never attain that until we're in our glorified bodies.
But when I asked the subject of having what we're considering.
The true object before our souls.
Paul was one, as we have seen.
For our own Christ.
What is up?
Now those who have Christ.
As the obvious before them are in the state of soul that our hospital's in.
Any size of anything anyone be otherwise reminded. You know, brethren, the more we have Christ is our object, the more we'll be a one mind and go on happily together. Let's remember that all how we need to have Christ.
As we are just putting in there as we saw last night.
To have him in that blessed lowest pathway as our party.
But we equally need to.
As the options, but I don't know how many things will be settled in that shall we may be granted that true and supreme desire.
And crops.
The optics of our schools.
Christ A Sweet Savor
Christianity John and The Acts
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Last night we we had we looked at the characteristics of Christianity versus those of Judaism, which is called in Hebrews the camp. And we were told in Hebrews 1313 to go forth unto him without the camp bearing his reproach in order to know how to answer to that.
We have to know what the camp is. Well, in Hebrews, the camp is Judaism.
But as we were noticing last night, and we will continue the subject tonight, Lord Willie, there are many things that look like the camp, not like Christian truth in Christendom today.
There are many wonderful truths that are held by most Christians, certainly the incarnation, that coming into the world of the Son of God. You get that in John's Gospel chapter 1 and verse 14. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glorious of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Brings before us find glory as the eternal Son, the Word and also as come become flesh coming into this world and then we have his perfect life that is mentioned. You get that characterized it in the 6th chapter of John verse 57 as the living Father hath sent me.
And I live by, by reason of, on account of the father.
So he that eateth me, even He shall live by me. It is a wonderful statement defining, expressing that He lived down here for the Father's glory. He lived on account of the Father, by reason of the Father. And again he says it in the 8th chapter and verse 29. And he that sent me is with me.
The Father hath not left me alone, for I do always.
Those things that please him.
Well, most Christians speak much of these two wonderful truths. The Incarnation, the great celebration in December 25th of his birth coming into the world. And then most Christians know a good deal about his life. The Gospels are read in their services quite often.
And then if you go to the 12TH chapter, we have his prediction of his death.
Verse 23 Jesus answered them, saying, The hour has come that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
So it's the fruit that was produced from his death is the great subject of the epistles.
And the fact that he went into death and rose again the third day.
In the 13th chapter.
Verse 31.
Therefore, when Judas was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified?
Clarified in a path of perfect obedience to his Father, leading all the way to the cross.
And God is glorified in him at the cross. He was there is our Cinderella. And God was glorified as to the whole sin question.
And then he goes on to say.
God shall also if God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
And so we have the path of the Lord Jesus, his coming into the world Incarnate, his perfect life lived for the Father's glory, and always pleasing the Father and everything he did, and then going into death in order that there there might be much fruit, souls might be saved and and brought him to blessing. And one day he will, as we saw in Hebrews.
Chapter 1. He will present us to the Father. Behold I and the children which thou hast given me.
00:05:07
Here he speaks of glorifying God as to the whole question of sin, and then God answering that work by glorifying Him immediately.
The 13th chapter, we pretty much came up to that in what we had before us last night.
Brings before us the Lord Jesus. He lays aside his garments in verse 4.
Of chapter 13 and takes the towel and girds himself, that is, he assumes the posture of a servant.
Once again He is serving us now in a different way. He was a perfect servant here below. He lived His perfect life for the glory of God, for the glory of the Father, and He accomplished it at the cross. He paid the supreme penalty for our sins and glorified God as to the whole question of sin.
But his work is still going on. It's in a different character when he ascended up on high.
He led captivity captive. He gave gifts to men. All the power of Satan was vanquished. He went into the stronghold of Satan's power in death, came out victorious in resurrection, and then God raised and exalted him to his own right hand. And there he is tonight. Now, most Christians know a lot about his birth.
A lot about his life and his death, but not so much.
About the resurrection, some of it of course, but his ascension, his present session at the right hand of God and and that the result of his entering the glory. We read that verse to start with last night.
That the Spirit of God was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified. It required a man in the glory before he could send down the Holy Spirit.
And in this 13th chapter we have the Lord going through this washing ceremony with the disciples. It says he took a towel, he girds himself and he pours water, verse 5 into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet.
And to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Peter objects to this and he says, dust, I'll wash my feet. Jesus said, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter. The significance of the feet washing is as we go through this scene, we are his now, his people. As we go through this scene, we pick up.
The defilement of this scene gets on our feet and our feet need to be washed.
We go through this scene in those days they just had these sandals and their feet got dirty and so on. And so the Lord, he washes their feet. And Peter felt that that was improper for him to be at his feet and wash his feet. And the Lord says, if I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Then Peter goes to the other extreme. He says, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Well, what is the significance of this? This is what he's doing right now at the right hand of God. It says in.
Verse 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he was come from God, that's the incarnation, and went to God. He rises from supper and lays aside his garments. So the significance of the feet washing.
Is what he's doing now. I know he carried it out literally on earth, but it was significant of what would happen after he had ascended to heaven. He's washing our feet. He washes our feet every time we're under the sound of the word of God. Every time we read it in our private reading or in a reading with others or with the family, He washes the disciples feet.
He wants you, me, us to have part with him.
Where he is in that heavenly scene above. Now this is what characterizes.
Christianity, Christ, a man in the glory of God, something that never existed before, man in the glory of God, Man in the very presence of God himself ascending up there. He, he wears that is a beautiful expression in one of our hymns that says he wears our nature on the throne. He's carried our nature. He's a human nature, humanity into the very presence of God.
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Hebrews one and two says that.
He was made a little lower than the angels that was in his incarnation, and then when he ascended up, he went above the angels.
And that's where he is now made higher than the angels, it says, exalted above all things, a man in that highest place of glory. And from that heavenly vantage point, he is washing our feet spiritually. He says, What I do thou knowest not now that thou shalt know hereafter. So that's what he's been doing.
And most Christians are very, very ignorant of this line of truth.
That.
Just washing our feet. He's using the word of God to cleanse us so that we might have part with him. We pick up habits, ways.
Attitudes of this world as we pass through it, and we need to have these things removed by the Lord Himself as He washes our feet with the Word of God. The washing of water by the Word in the 14th chapter.
We're not going to go into all this in great detail.
Sort of give an outline here.
In the 14th chapter, At the end of the 13th chapter, he told them that.
He was going away.
And Peter in verse 36, Simon Peter said to him, Lord, whither goest thou?
Jesus answered him, Whither I go, Thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. And then the Lord tells him that he would deny him thrice. Then in the 14th chapter he continues this, and he says, Let not your heart be troubled. Our hearts were troubled because he had said, I'm going to the Father, I'm going back to.
Father, I am going to leave you, but I am not going to leave you.
Comfortless. And so he unfolds the wonderful truth of sending down the Holy Spirit.
During his absence here, but before that, he tells about what he's.
Going to do when he enters the glory. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.
We have never seen God, you and I, and we have never seen him either. His disciples saw him as a man down here, you and I haven't. You know we love him whom having not seen, Peter says we love.
And so he says, I'm going away and you won't see me anymore, but you can believe in me as you believe in God. In my father's house are many mansions. Now in the 2nd chapter of John, the Father's house was that temple that the Lord cast those money changers out of and said, make not my father's house a House of merchandise.
Here the Father's house is on high. It's in heaven. It's the place into which he has gone.
And as soon as that man entered that scene in in in heaven, the house was prepared for us. He could have come back immediately and taken his own home. Spend nearly 2000 years now and he's still carrying. In my father's house are many mansions, many abodes, many abiding places. If it were not so, I would have told you I'd go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for, you know, this is a heavenly place.
He's gone into a heavenly position. The church is a heavenly people and we have a heavenly calling. And it's this truth, our association with the man and the glory, the man in heaven, the man who has gone there. This is what characterizes Christianity, and the sad failure of the Christian world has been that it has made of Christianity and earthly religion.
And improvement upon an advance upon Judaism.
And you hear it said commonly the judeo-christian tradition, as though Christianity is an extension of Judaism and improvement of Judaism and advance upon it. Not nothing of the kind. It is altogether new and distinct and different. If you read through the Epistle to the Hebrews, which you are reading through now, you will find comparisons, but most of those comparisons are contrasts.
Contrasts, not similarities.
But contrasts, for instance, the Lord died and there were many animals that died in the Old Testament. All of them, none of them are, all of them put together couldn't put away our sins, but his one death did. And you can go on and on. They had priests in the Old Testament. They stood daily ministering off in the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this man, having offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting.
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Enemies be made the footstool of his feet, for by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. That's the truth of Christianity. It's a comparison, and yet it's a contrast. It's a contrast. The priests of the ironic line died. They had to be replaced by another because they died. But this man, because he continued whatever happened, unchangeable priesthood, and he's risen in the power.
Endless life. So we have comparisons but contrasts and that whole epistle and what we have in this wonderful gospel of John, the, I like to call it the Christian Gospel, is the wonderful truth, truth of Christianity in contrast with Judaism. They had an earthly house, they had an earthly temple, his body which went into death and which he said I would raise up again.
Has replaced that.
And now he has prepared on high a house in the Father's presence. In my father's house are many mansions. For were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And then this wonderful promise, if I go and prepare a place for you on high in heaven, I will come again.
And receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
When the early brethren used to greet one another, they would greet one another with perhaps today, perhaps today they had the the coming of the Lord much before them. Now all Christians believe the Lord is going to come again, but many do not understand nor believe in the the heavenly hope of the believer, the rapture where he will come before He establishes the Kingdom in power and glory to take us, a heavenly people out of.
World of be with himself, so then when he comes back from heaven, he will bring us with him and we will share in that victory.
In the mean time, he's gone on high to prepare a place with the promise that he will come again.
And receive us to himself, that where I am, where you may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know, Thomas says, We don't know, we know not where thou goest. How can we know the way? And then in that sixth verse, which we know so well, one of the most stupendous statements ever made.
In the in the history of this world.
The Lord says I am the way, the truth and the life.
If he was not all that he said he was, he was a blasphemer. He would be a false prophet and misrepresentation of truth. No, but he was everything that he said.
The way and one of the reasons that the world cannot tolerate Christianity.
And the reason, as we mentioned last night, how Christians are being persecuted so, so awfully right now in many parts of this world.
And this country, the whole attitude of this country, which has been known for years as a Christian nation.
Is turning against Christians?
There is no such thing in this present dispensation as a Christian nation. There are Christians in every nation of the world, but there's no such thing as a Christian nation where everyone is a Christian. Far from it.
Christianity is exclusive to the final degree.
I am the way.
The truth and the life.
Here's that statement. No man, no man, woman, child, boy, girl cometh to the father, but by me.
That excludes everyone else, all the other religious leaders of these.
False religions. They could make no such statements.
This man the Lord Jesus those that would when I I was raised in Wilmette and they had a a by high temple in will met. It's a nine sided structure, each one of those of pillars that formed the temple supposed to represent one of the 9 religions in the world.
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And of course, Christianity was one of them. Judaism was another. Islam was another.
Hinduism another and Buddhism another and I don't remember all of them but there were 9.
And they were all put pretty much side by side. Know what makes Christianity so unpalatable to the world?
To someone that has not been born again, that has not experienced the new birth, that has not passed from death to life.
Is that you Christians think you're the only ones that are right?
The truth is, we know where the only ones that are right.
And that is not an acceptable statement nowadays, but it's the truth.
We know him who is the truth?
And it was all these claims that the Lord Jesus made that stirred up the enmity of the religious leaders of the Jews.
What he says is blasphemy, they said. And had he not been?
All that he claimed to be, it would have been, and they would have been absolutely right in crucifying him if he was not.
All that he said he was.
We don't know the way.
He says I am the way. I don't know French but I understand when I drive in Quebec.
That the French word for Rd. is the same word used for here for the way he's the road, he's the way the road, and you're not on that road, you're not going to make it.
I am the way, the truth in this gospel. A little bit farther down he says to Pilate, for this cause came I into the world to bear witness to the truth. And then Pilate says, what is truth?
What is truth? He was not used to dealing in truth. He was a politician. I don't believe in absolute truth. Everything to them is negotiable. Everything can be compromised about. And here he was speaking to the one who was the truth, the absolute expression of who God is.
And what is right and what is wrong? He is the moral governor of the universe. He tells us what's wrong. He tells us what's right, what is not acceptable, and what is acceptable. He sets the standards.
And no one else.
And he is the life. And if you don't have him and you don't know him, you can have all the religion in the world that can, you can go to church every day in the week. And if you don't know him, if you haven't experienced the new birth.
And haven't received the Spirit of God and Christ is your savior. Your lost. You're just a religious lost person, but there's a lot of them today.
The life we need life. I am come that they might have life and that they might have it abundantly, he said in John 10.
So Thomas says we don't know where you're going, and he gives this wonderful statement.
Now a little farther down.
He says in verse 15, If you love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another comforter. He was their comforter. He was the one that the word means one who stands alongside to help your advocate.
I will give you another comforter. I'm going away and you're going to be left here alone. But you're not going to be alone because I'm going to send this other comforter that he may abide with you forever. He was only there with them publicly for 3 1/2 years, 33 years in his total life here as a man that he says this other comforter, the Spirit of God will never leave you.
Miah, he may abide with you forever. Now these two truths, these two truths.
A man in the glory and a divine person on earth characterized this present day in which we're living. And it's the. It's the.
Unintelligence as to these truths and what they really mean that has caused the false expression of Christianity on the part of most Christians. They do not understand that Christianity is not a worldly religion.
Christianity is.
Began after the world had cast out and murdered the Son of God and cried, We will not have this man to reign over us. And they sent him to heaven with that message. God accepted him. God received him. Their sin put him on the cross. God's righteousness exalted him to the highest place in heaven.
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You get that in the 16th chapter. I'll just turn to it as I think of it now.
He speaks about in verse 7. He says, nevertheless, I tell you the truth.
It is expedient for you that I go away. It's absolutely necessary that I go away, or if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he has come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment. Mr. Darby's translation reads that when he has come, he will bring demonstration to the world of sin, and of righteousness and judgment.
Of sin because they believe not on me. The sin of the world was to reject Christ, not believe in Him.
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more. Man's sin put him on a cross. God's righteousness raised him from the dead and exalted him to heaven.
Christ in glory is the expression of God's righteousness. God's righteousness set him there. And then he goes on to say of judgment, because the Prince of this world is judged. The Prince of this world LED those, those men to crucify Christ and he is going to be judged. The whole world is judged. We are going through a judged world.
When someone is under law.
This was this was Judaism. He was given a perfect moral code of what to do, how to live towards God and towards man. The Lord summed it up in two things. He said Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength.
And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
That's the summation of the 10 commandments by the Lord Himself.
Well, man does not love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, nor does he love his neighbor as himself. So on that ground he is condemned. He has broken the law.
And he comes under the condemnation of and the curse of a broken law.
This world is judged. It's a judged seen. It has failed to live up to the perfect moral code that was given to it, given to the Jews at any rate, and they ended up by crucifying the Lord of glory.
He says, I have many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now, but when he, the spirit of truth has come.
He will guide you into all truth. Where should we find truth in this world? Well, among Christians, in the assembly, where the Lord is, where the Spirit of God dwells, the Spirit of truth, He's come.
When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, he will guide you into all the truth. For He shall not speak of himself or from himself as a source, but whatsoever he shall hear, he shall speak.
And he will show you things to come.
He shall glorify me now. God the Father has glorified His Son by exalting Him to the highest place in heaven.
And that's where he is in this present day of grace. He's been there for nearly 2000 years now.
And the Spirit of God has been sent down to glorify the Son down here in this world, and he's been given to you and to me, given to us to dwell in us, never to be taken from us.
And to lead us into all the truth and to glorify that Blessed One.
He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath in mind, therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. Now think of that stake. I just pause. We just meditate upon it for a moment. All things that the Father hath are mine.
Is there any question what he's claiming here? He's claiming to be equal with the father.
All things that the Father hath are mine.
Therefore, said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. So here we have the Blessed Trinity in view, here the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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In the 17th chapter we have the Lord's Prayer to the Father.
And.
You remember in the 10th chapter he said I'm come. That they might have life and that they might have it abundantly. The Old Testament Saints had life, but they did not have the abundant life. We were talking about this a little after the meeting last night. What is the difference between the life that the Old Testament Saints had and what we have? Essentially, it's the same life, but we have it in the conditions of resurrection.
All sins gone through his death and shed blooding on the cross and association with him now is the glorified one in heaven. It's a heavenly light and he says in verse 3 this is life eternal that they might know be he's addressing the Father. He says that they might know thee the Father the only true God and Jesus Christ did not sin. Now the Old Testament Saints did not know the Father.
Nor the Son in the sense in which we do.
When they were born again, they had new life, the same life that we get when we were born again, but we have it now in the full knowledge of God's revelation of Himself in the person of His Son. Someone might ask, what's the difference between new birth and eternal life? I think the best way to understand it is it would be wrong to say that the Lord Jesus had to be born again.
Blasphemy.
And yet He is that eternal life that was with the Father and was manifested unto us. He was always that. He never had to be born again, because that life that was always His was from eternity past. But you and I need to be born again because we need that life imputed, imparted to us.
And what constitutes it is the knowledge of the Father and the Son.
That's truth that wasn't known in the Old Testament the abundant life. The Old Testament Saints didn't know their sins were forgiven.
John says these things. Write unto you little children, that ye may know that your sins are forgiving you for his namesake. That's our starting point, Forgiveness of sins and justification from all things from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses.
What in advance, what an advance upon what they had in the Old Testament, and this is what is called eternal life. Verse four. He says, I have glorified thee.
On the earth. Tremendous statement.
I have finished the work which thou gave us me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify Thou me with thy own self.
With the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
He was in that glory with the Father as the eternal Son. And now he has become a man. And as a man he addresses him as Father. And he asked that he be glorified in the in that same glory that he had with the Father before he became Incarnate. Now he be glorified there as a man and he's he's a man in the glory.
And that's what he's that's where he is.
And from that vantage point, he is bringing us through this wilderness scene.
2 Grand truths that characterize Christianity A man in the glory and a divine person on earth. Now let's turn to the book of Acts.
And chapter 1.
We have the first of those two in Chapter 1.
Verse 9.
Now let me read verse 8. But ye shall receive power.
After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem.
And in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things while they beheld, he was taken up.
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And a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they look steadfastly toward heaven as he went up.
Behold, 2 men stood by them in white apparel, evidently angels.
Which also said, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Well, when he returns in that way, he will, well, let's read the next verse, then return they to Jerusalem from the Mount Vollebs called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. He is going to come back. And it says in the prophet Zechariah, his two feet are going to stand on the Mount of Olives. He's going to return to this world from which he here left.
Coming back. This is not the Rapture, this is his return to Earth.
And the Rapture will come before that.
But He's in the glory now. I saw him go up, and this is the first condition that had to be met before the Spirit of God could be sent down. Now in the 2nd chapter of Acts, when the day of Pentecost verse one was fully come, they were all with 1 accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven.
As of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
The first evidence of the coming of the Holy Spirit, and that's what we have here, was to fill the house, I think the house being a picture of the assembly, the House of God, where the Spirit of God dwells. And He filled the house where they were sitting, and there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as a fire, and it sat upon each of them. I think the the cloven tongues are symbolical to the fact that this new order of.
That was coming in now based upon Christ's death and resurrection and ascension to heaven.
And the coming of the Holy Spirit was not to be limited to 1 nation, like the law was given just to Israel. It wasn't given to the Gentiles, but it's for every tongue and people and nation upon the face of the earth. And so these tongues were given to show that it's for all peoples, all languages.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.
And began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now I'm going to Passover what comes in between here and read towards the end.
Verse 29 Men and brethren, Peter says, Let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchers with us under this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of the loins of his loins.
According to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne. He's seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell or Hades. It should read neither. His flesh did see corruption, that is, his soul was not left in the disembodied state.
He was going to be raised. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Not only do we have the resurrection in verse 32, but we have His ascension in verse 33. Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.
This is one of the most important days in the history of the entire world is when the Spirit of God, when Christ ascended and sat down at the right hand of God and received the Spirit a second time. The first time was when He was here on earth at the Water River Jordan.
And the Spirit of God came upon him as a dove. Now he's glorified man, and he receives the Spirit of God a second time, not for himself, but to send him down here to baptize those 120 believers into one body, to indwell each one, and to fill the house where they were sitting.
Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted there, we have Him an exalted, glorified man now.
He receives of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost. He has shed forth this which he now see in here.
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For David is not ascended into the heavens, but he saith himself. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit down on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.
What a message, therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus.
Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, What shall we do? Is there any hope?
For us, we have crucified our Messiah. God has raised him, He has exalted him, and now the Spirit of God has been sent down.
What shall we do?
The door of repentance is open to them.
Peter said unto them, Repent.
And be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift.
Of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children you remember.
When Pilate took the water in the basin and he washed his hands before the multitude in Matthew, and he said, I am innocent of the blood of this just person, and they all cried out his blood beyond us and on our children.
Now here's God's answer to that. They had put themselves as guilty under the blood of Christ. They killed him, and they put their children under that same guilt. The promise is unto you and to your children.
God will lift that curse, as it were, and bring in blessing based upon the work that that blessed One did. The promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day they were added.
Unto them about 3000 souls.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles, doctrine and fellowship.
And in breaking of bread, and in prayers, and fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, imparted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continue in daily with 1 accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. I noticed this last, and the Lord added daily.
To the church daily, such as should be saved.
3000 brought in 120th at the beginning, 3000 added later. In the 5th chapter it says the number had swelled to 5000.
And.
Then I want to turn now to the 7th chapter. 7th chapter, we have the first Christian martyr. We have the last offer of pardon to Jerusalem, that guilty city.
They had received many messages of pardon, offering of pardon through Peter and the other apostles. And now we have Stephen.
And it begins then, said the high priest. Are these things so?
Says in verse 14 of chapter 6 these false witnesses, verse 13, they set up false witnesses which said this man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against his holy place and the law.
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
And all that sat in the Council.
Looks looking steadfastly on him, This was Stephen.
Saw his face as it had been.
The face of an Angel.
Then said the high priest, Are these things so? And he said, men, brethren, and fathers, hearken the God of glory.
Appeared unto our father Abraham.
This, this recounting of the history of his people he knew it quite well, goes through the whole history, starts out with the God of glory appearing to father Abraham, the man of faith. Now let's go to the end of his message.
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Verse 51 and.
This is when he was a man full of the Holy Spirit and he's boldly proclaiming this message to these unbelieving Jews. It was their last opportunity to receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Verse 51, he says to them, ye stiff necked.
And uncircumcised in heart and ears.
Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost, as your Father's did, So do ye. Which of the Prophets hath not your Father's persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the just One.
Whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he being full of the Holy Ghost, he is a model Christian for this present day of grace.
This chapter begins with the God of glory appearing to Abraham, and now he is filled with the Holy Ghost, and he looks up. It's a picture of the true Christian posture. What ought to characterize us as we go through this scene?
In keeping with the heavenly calling and position that we've been brought into, associated, linked with, united to that man in the glory so that our portion is on high with him.
He being full of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost was sent down to fill us with Christ.
And he was full of the Holy Spirit, and he was bringing before them and reaching their consciences and seeking to bring them to repentance.
They wouldn't have it. He looked up steadfastly into heaven as the proper posture.
In Acts 1 The the voice to these men of Galilee was the men of Galilee. Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner.
But this is the posture that is the proper posture for the Christian not to be looking around, not to be looking down, not to be looking within, but to be looking up to the man in the glory. Oh, how many a problem that we wrestle with and that causes us consternation of heart and fears oftentimes and distress and.
Robs us of communion and fellowship. Would be dispelled in a moment.
If we would do what Stephen did here. Looked up.
He looked up steadfastly into heaven.
I think in the new translation it says he fixed his eyes upon heaven.
That's what we ought to do.
Fix our eyes upon heaven. The Jews did not have a heavenly hope or a heavenly portion. Theirs was an earthly religion. To talk about the judeo-christian tradition is to just muddy the water.
Christianity is altogether different. It's a system of faith all the way through.
We see Jesus as crowned with glory and honor. How do you see him? By faith.
He looked steadfastly into heaven and saw. What did he see there? He saw the glory of God.
The glory of God.
When we can see the glory of God and see what God is doing and how He is over everything and, and He is, His purposes will ripen fast and He will bring to pass what He determines will happen. Down here all is in control.
And that scene of glory above, nothing disturbs it. No events of earth disturb that scene of glory.
He saw the glory of God.
What else did he see? And Jesus.
He doesn't see him seated yet or now.
But standing on where? On the right hand of God. Standing on the right hand of God, the place of authority and power. When he ascended, Matthew 28. He says, All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth.
And all these events that the the shootings in Oklahoma, in the, not Oklahoma, but in the.
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Colorado in that school was God asleep though.
He used it for the salvation of many souls.
Some had to give their lives, but many have been saved because of it.
He maketh the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder thereof he restraints.
He looked up and he saw the glory of God. He fixed his eyes steadfastly on heaven.
And saw the glory of God and Jesus standing.
On the right hand of God.
I have two thoughts on his standing. In the later chapters of Hebrews it says he sat down on the right hand of God.
His session seated in the right hand of God is in contrast with the ironic priests in the Old Testament, never sitting down. There was no chair in the temple, there was no chair in the Tabernacle. They were standing always offering of the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when he sat down, it was the token that the work of redemption, the work of atonement, was finished.
And God was glorified. But here the thought is different.
First of all, he's standing the last offer to Jerusalem, where he was crucified outside the gate.
Is being given to them by the Holy Spirit. Stephen being full of the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit of God. The Father had witnessed to them. The Son had witnessed to them. Now they're getting the witness of the Holy Spirit.
All three persons of the Trinity giving them their opportunity to repent.
Jesus is standing.
To see what their response would be.
The other thought, it's a secondary thought that I've had, is he stood to welcome the first Christian martyr into his presence.
And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened.
That's characteristic of Christianity.
The heavens are open now. There's a man there, He's entered there, and he's there on our behalf, and we're associated with him. And the Spirit of God here below links us, unites us to that man in the glory.
And if we're filled with the Holy Spirit, we'll be so taken up with those things if you then be risen with Christ, Paul says in Colossians 3. Seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your mind, your affections on things above.
Not on things on the earth, for you're dead and your life is hidden, Christ in God.
I see the heavens opened.
And the Son of man, standing on the right hand of God.
What a testimony. What a witness.
And they wouldn't have it. They cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and ran upon him with 1 accord.
And cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet. His name was Saul.
There you have Saul. Saul.
One who became the apostle Paul.
He received.
The clothes of those that were Stoney, Stephen.
And they stoned Stephen while he was calling upon God.
And saying Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Notice the word God is in italics. It's not really in the Greek. It's literally the stone Stephen calling upon. You need to say who he was calling upon. You could either say God or the Lord. And he says Lord Jesus. He's talking to the Lord Jesus.
Mr. Darby renders that praying as it's the word calling upon.
He was praying, doesn't say whether he was praying to God or to the Lord Jesus, but he calls Lord Jesus.
And he says, receive my spirit.
And he kneeled down, cried with a loud voice. Lord, lay not this into their charge.
How like his master?
Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Lordly not the sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Receive my spirit.
And everyone of those that died in that school disaster, who were the Lords?
Her spirit was received.
Into his presence.
All joy for them.
Hard for those left back here.
What a story.
Christianity.
Is an out of the world condition of things. Eternal life and fellowship with the Son and with the Father. Knowing the Father, knowing the Son, knowing our sins are all gone, knowing that we have eternal life, knowing that we have the certainty of heaven, knowing that we are a heavenly people and to have our gaze steadfastly fixed in heaven and opened heavens now. And what's up? There is a man.
00:55:26
In the glory of God.
This chapter that begins with the God of glory ends with the man in the glory of God, and we too linked to that man by the Spirit of God. 295 In closing 295 Holy Savior, we adore these. Seated on the throne of God, soon in glory, all before thee shall proclaim thy praise abroad.
Thou art worthy. We were ransomed by that blood.
Circles of Life Work, Family, Assembly
Cornelius
Death and Resurrection of Christ Part 4
Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Part 3
Enoch
Events before and after the Rapture Part 1
Events before and after the Rapture Part 2
Failure in the Wilderness
Faith furnished for the evil day JND Vol 16
Faithfulness in Day of Ruin
Feast of Unleavened Bread
For Me to Live Is Christ
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Let's begin the meeting by singing #283.
When we survey the wondrous cross.
On which the Lord of glory died.
Our richest gain. We counted loss.
And poor contempt on all our pride.
283.
When we.
Survey.
Spray.
Our God and our Father.
Or how we praise and thank Thee this afternoon for the Lord Jesus.
We have sung there from his head, his hands and feet.
Sorrow and love flowed, mingled down.
Did ere such love or sorrow need, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Oh, we praise thee for him.
And we feel a sense in our souls.
Being so unworthy.
The presence of a hymn like this.
We ask thy help.
As we open thy word together.
We ask it in the precious name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
Those first two stanzas.
I want to talk this afternoon about a man that.
These words were true of.
00:05:01
They're not true of the speaker.
When we survey the wondrous cross.
On which the Lord of glory died.
Our richest gain we count, but loss?
And poor contempt on all.
Our pride.
Think of those words.
So easy to sing them.
But to feel the weight of them.
For contempt.
On all our pride.
Do we do that?
Our richest gain?
We count that loss.
Do we do that?
2nd stanza. All the vain things.
That charm us most.
We'd sacrifice them.
To his blood.
Would we?
Do we?
Well.
I'm going to talk about.
A man.
That did that.
His name was Saul of Tarsus.
We know him better.
As the Apostle Paul.
In my experience, and I didn't know Paul personally, nor did I know the second man.
That I might mention, but I knew them both by testimony.
By witness from his friends. From their friends and enemies both.
There was another man that I think I could cite.
That this hymn would be true of.
His name was John Nelson Darby.
His greatest enemy said of him once, he said.
He bows like a fool to the word of God.
Another said that.
He's the only one that he'd ever seen live.
Christianity really live it.
I can't say that.
Being conscious of my own shortcomings.
All the vain things that charm me most.
Sacrificed them to his blood. True of Paul though.
Let's look a little at the history of this man before we get into the chapter I want to talk about.
Turn to the book of Acts in Chapter 7.
Acts Chapter 7.
In this chapter we have Stephen.
A wonderful testimony, a man full of the Holy Ghost, verse 55.
But he Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.
Then they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and ran upon him with 1 accord. This was Jerusalem's last chance.
They had rejected the Father's witness, they had rejected the Son's witness, and now they are rejecting the witness of the Holy Spirit in Stephen.
They cast him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet whose name was Saul. I think that's the first mention of Saul.
In the New Testament here there's a song in the Old Testament. Don't confound him with this Saul. This Saul turned out to be the apostle Paul. The song in the Old Testament was the first king of Israel.
And he was not a godly man.
And they stoned Stephen.
Calling upon God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Now Saul was there. Whether he heard him say these words were not told.
But he was there, and he refers to the incident when he's speaking later.
And we can look that up in a moment. Refers to the incident. And he was there and he was in agreement with what they were doing to Steven.
And he heard him, Lord Jesus. Possibly he did.
Receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice. Lord, lay not this into their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
00:10:05
And Saul was consenting unto his death.
One thing you could say of this man Saul who became Paul, that whether he was a Saul or whether he was a Paul, whatever he did, he did it with all his might.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. He did it when he persecuted the Christians, and he did it when he defended the faith.
And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church, which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
As for Saul?
He made havoc.
Of the church.
Entering into every house.
And hailing men and women committed them to prison.
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere.
Preaching the word.
And then you have.
A break in the action we have Philip mentioned.
And the end of chapter 8.
It says Philip was founded as Otis and then Chapter 9.
We have Saul again, and Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went under the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way.
Any of the way, Remember the Lord said I am the way, the truth and the life. And and so those Christians were called men of the way.
If he found any of the way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.
This is the first recording. This is when it happened. And then the 22nd chapter he recites it, and in the 26th chapter again, and when he recites it, he says a great light from heaven, Acts 22. And then in Acts 26 he says a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun.
It's as though the light gets brighter as he goes on in his pathway.
As a Christian.
Here it's a light from heaven.
And this is what characterized Paul, Paul's ministry. Heavenly light.
A light from heaven.
And he's the one that brought that ministry to us. And this is what characterizes Paul's ministry. And those who tend to be earthly minded and gravitate down here in this scene, they don't like Pauls ministry.
Because it's a light from heaven. It's a great light from heaven. It's a light from heaven brighter than the noonday sun.
As we heard in the open meeting yesterday.
Christ in glory.
It was that meeting Christ in glory.
Is the.
Characteristic feature of Christianity.
We're united to the man and the glory. We're not united to him as he was here in the in the flesh. He had to die first, as we heard, except the corn of weed fall into the ground and die to bite it alone. But if it died bringeth forth much fruit. We're associated with that Blessed One in resurrection life. And when he entered the door, he sent down the Holy Spirit to unite us to himself.
In the glory.
So it's a light from heaven, and all the ministry of Paul has that character to it.
Suddenly their shine drowned about to him a light from heaven.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul.
Saul, why persecute his?
Thou me now if you read Matthew 25.
There were those that were favorable to his brethren.
In as much as you have done it unto me, you have done it unto unto them. You have done it unto me.
And there were those that persecuted his brethren.
But that's not the same expression that's used here. He doesn't say why do you persecute my brethren? No, he doesn't say that. He says why do you persecute me?
00:15:06
And that little sentence, that little statement contains the truth.
Of the assembly.
That we are part of him. We are himself.
We are called the Christ. First Corinthians 12 Even so is the Christ. As the body is 1 and half many members, and all the members of that one body, being many are one body, so also is the Christ.
It's talking about the members on earth, you and me, but given the name of the head in heaven.
United to that man in the glory. So to persecute Christians is to persecute Christ.
Why persecutest thou me? That very first statement that the Lord Jesus spoke to Saul of Tarsus embodied in it the truth that Paul was going to bring out at such a cost to himself.
There was number truth that was more heated by the earthly minded Jewish oriented people who had a Jewish religion and a earthly religion.
The heavenly truth of the assembly which brings in Jew and Gentile on the same level and unites them to Christ in the glory where there's no advantage to the Jew anymore, was not palatable to the Jewish year.
And so.
They persecuted Paul.
Peter even says in his second epistle Paul had in his writings things hard to be understood. It was hard for a Jewish mind to lay hold of that.
He had been taught, drummed into him from child on, that the Jews were superior to the Gentiles.
They had a distinct advantage. What advantage then hath the Jew? Paul says much every way, and then he lists their advantages.
But in Christianity he doesn't have any.
Has no advantage at all.
One body.
Composed of Jew and Gentiles.
United to the head in heaven.
Why persecutest thou me?
And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
He knew it. He knew he was the Lord, but he didn't. He didn't have him identified it would seem. And the Lord said I am Jesus.
Whom thou persecutest?
He hated that name up to this point.
I barely thought with myself to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus.
The Lord Jesus says in John 16, the time cometh when he that killeth you will think that he doeth God's service.
And such was Saul of Tarsus. He thought he was doing God's service.
He could say to the Jewish leaders, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
When he was persecuting the church, he thought he was doing the will of God. He thought Jesus was not the Messiah.
That he was of an imposter.
That he was a false Christ.
He thought that the people of Israel, the leaders that crucified him, did the right thing.
Had he been a false Christ, they would have done the right thing.
Because anyone that blasphemed as would have been what the Lord Jesus said blasphemy. They accused him of that. You know, we've heard the blasphemy. We don't need anymore witnesses. They they asked him, art thou then the Son of God? And he says thou sayest yes, I am.
Well, we've heard the blasphemy. That was blasphemy.
In John 19.
Pilate tries to release him. I find no fault in this man.
We have a law.
And according to our law, he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
Well, he never made himself the Son of God, He always was. But they meant he claimed to be, and that's what he claimed to be.
And that's why they crucified him.
And that's why Saul of Tarsus persecuted him.
In the person of his.
Members.
His members.
There are those that teach ultra dispensationalists that the church as the body of Christ. According to Pauls teaching didn't begin until Paul was converted.
When the Lord says why persecutest thou me, that proves that's a false. That's a false theory.
00:20:06
Every believer was one with Christ from the Day of Pentecost onward.
Why persecutest thou me?
Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the ******. He had witnessed Stevens testimony. He had heard it.
He had.
Kept the clothes of those that stoned him to death.
And he made havoc of the church.
The men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man. He was blind.
But they led him by their hand and brought him to Damascus.
And he was three days without sight. Neither did eat nor drink.
Three days.
Shut in, in darkness to God.
All his religious energies.
Had been spent.
Persecuting.
Christ.
And his followers.
Those who are members of his body.
Three days when a revolution took place in that man's soul.
During that time.
He was three days without sight and neither did eat nor drink.
There was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, and Ananias and he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
The Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street, which is called straight.
And that's something.
Saul of Tarsus was now on Straight St.
And that's where he was sent.
Inquire in the House of Judas for one call Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he prayeth. I don't think he ever prayed like that before.
He was in the presence of God.
He was in the presence of Jesus.
This is the most remarkable.
Stupendous conversion. Ever.
Completely changed him every conversion.
Should have the same effect.
With all of us. But it doesn't.
Sad to say.
Completely change this matter.
The Lord said to him, Arise and go into the street which is called straight. Inquire in the House of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. Behold, he prayeth. And yet seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done unto thy Saints at Jerusalem, and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way.
For He is a chosen vessel unto me.
To bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
For I will show him.
How great things he must suffer.
For my namesake.
I don't think there was any of the apostles that suffered like Paul did.
Catalog of his sufferings is.
You might say beyond human endurance to bear.
And Ananias went his way and entered into the house and putting his hands on him, said brother Saul.
Brother.
All how that must have sent a thrill through his soul.
He who had been so wrong.
In his religious convictions.
There's nothing more.
Awful than religious persecution.
Many of our brethren are suffering that kind of persecution in other lands today.
00:25:00
Religious persecution. Bigoted. Intolerant.
And this is what Paul was doing.
He was going to now experience it first hand.
He put his hands on him and he said, Brother Saul.
The Lord Jesus.
Even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest that sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it had been scales. And he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized, and many had received meat. He was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus, And notice verse 20. And straightway he preached Christ, or I think it should be rendered.
He preached Jesus in the synagogues that he is the Son of God. That's the first time.
In the book of Acts that anyone preached Jesus as the son of God, Peter an Acts 2 That he preached him as God, made that same Jesus whom he have crucified Lord in Christ.
But it was Paul that preached him as the Son of God. Turn to Galatians 1.
For his account of his conversion.
Galatians one.
Verse 13.
Says to these Saints that.
Galatia, For you have heard of my conversion in time past, in my conversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God and wasted it.
And profited in the Jews religion above many my equals in my own nation.
Being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my father's.
But when it pleased God.
Who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by His grace to reveal His son in me?
That I might preach him among the heathen immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood neither when I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me. But I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus, when he pleased God to reveal His Son in me.
Tremendous statement. And so he preached Jesus that he is the Son of God, the very the very truth that was the basis for them crucifying him.
Very truth that Saul of Tarsus would not have.
Would not have.
Well, the Lord said, I will show him how great things he must suffer for my sake.
Catalog of his sufferings is overwhelming as you read it.
I don't know though, we have time for that.
Turn to Philippians 3.
In order to appreciate some of the things that Paul says in this chapter.
We have to get a little bit of his history as we've looked at it briefly.
To see where he came from.
Philippians 3 Finding my brethren. We've had this chapter so many times, but.
I make no apologies for going over it again because it's.
Christianity.
That's what we get here.
Rejoice in the Lord.
To write the same things to you, to me is not grievous. For you it is safe.
We don't have to apologize for repeating these truths over and over again. We need that.
And then he warns them, beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. I think all of those three things describe the Jews in their persecution of fall.
Persecution of the Christian testimony.
The Gentiles, too, did it.
But the Jews were like a snarling dog that tears its opponent apart.
Evil workers, those that.
Said they were apostles and were not false apostles, deceitful workers transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ, and so on.
And then the concision clearly in contrast with the circumcision.
00:30:04
We are the circumcision.
The concision. You see a picture of the concision at the time of Lent every year when people will give up a certain vice that they have. They'll give up smoking, they'll give up swearing, they'll give up drinking, they'll go on a diet or whatever it might be to lose weight. They'll give up something that they like.
And that's like the concision just cutting off parts of the flesh here and there, but not really addressing the flesh as such.
And that's what the circumcision is, a complete cutting off of all that we are in atom and in the flesh circumcision of Christ. We are the circumcision. Verse 3.
Which worship God in the spirit contrast.
Musical instruments and choirs and all kinds of things that characterize the Old Testament worship.
Ritual.
Ritualistic system.
Was the Jewish system we worship God by the Spirit or in the Spirit, or we worship by the Spirit of God?
And Christendom has picked up Judaistic tendencies and practices, and their worship is.
With musical instruments.
You don't have to be saved to play a musical instrument and make it sound beautiful. In fact, many of those that are not saved can play it better than some of those that are. But it has no heart, it has no soul, it has no spirit, this instrument of wood.
And strings.
Whatever it might be.
Christian worship is by the Spirit of God.
Playing on the hearts of Christians, producing worship from renewed souls like we had this morning.
When we were gathered around the blessed Lord at his table.
We worship by the Spirit of God.
We rejoice in Christ Jesus.
We have no confidence in the flesh, no confidence in the flesh. That's Christianity. That's a clear statement of what it what it is in the in, in its basic principles.
No confidence in the flesh.
And then he goes on to say, though I might also have confidence in the flesh.
He had so many things that naturally, speaking as Saul of Tarsus, he could boast in.
And he lists them. He says, If any man, any other man, think that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh I more.
I've got more going for me than others do, and now he lists them.
Circumcised the 8th day.
Of the stock of Israel.
Of the tribe of Benjamin and Hebrew of the Hebrews as touching the law of Pharisee. Notice everything that he mentioned here is Jewish oriented. He's bringing out those things which in the Jewish religion were to his credit and gave him a stature and a status that others didn't have, certain that the Gentiles didn't have it. They couldn't claim any of these things.
00:35:14
And then he says concerning Zeal, he's listing those things which were in his favor as a Jew.
The things that as a Jew he could boast in, and one of his crowning, one of his crowning glories as a Jew was concerning Zeal persecuting the Church.
He was their champion.
He was the one that they put forward to get rid of that new religion.
The religion of the despised Nazarene.
So he's not listing his sins here, he's listing his excellent qualities as a man, a religious man in the flesh.
What he could boast in?
In the flesh.
All the vain things that charm me most, I had sacrificed them to His blood. Well, these were the things that he wants gloried in as a man in the flesh.
He is a touching the law. He was a Pharisee.
Concerning zeal persecuting the Church.
Touching the righteousness which is in the law, He was blameless. He kept the ceremony of law. He kept the precepts of the law as well as any man ever kept them. Outside of the Lord Jesus, of course.
He kept all of them. He never ate unclean food. He never ate that which was prohibited.
The garments that he wore didn't have woolen and linen mixed.
And so his seed, with his field, with diverse seeds and all the things of the law that were prescribed and prohibited and so on, he kept those things.
Touching the righteousness of the law, he was blameless.
He could glory in it.
I know some of you are thinking of Romans 7 where he brings out the 10th commandment and says that thou shalt not lust.
Slew him? Yes, that addressed the inner man.
That addressed the inner man. All the other commandments you can judge of outwardly if the person is guilty of them or not. You can't look at a person and see whether he's lusting.
Only God can do that.
But outwardly, he kept the law perfectly blameless, he says.
And then he says, what things were gained to me? These were all gained to him, these were all to his credit.
This solves all of these things. Gave him a position in the eyes of men. He was way up there.
And they eulogize the man.
He's the one they chose to stamp out the new religion.
He was educated at the feet of Gamaliel.
He knew Greek, he knew Hebrew, he knew different languages.
Very educated man. All the other apostles were just Galilean fishermen and so on. Tax gatherers. They didn't have the stature that Saul of Tarsus had.
He was as equipped from the world's standpoint as any man could be. And.
These were the things he gloried in as a man in the flesh.
I'm going back to verse 4 now, having made these comments, and read it again. Therefore I might also have, though I might also have confidence in the flesh, if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh. I more circumcised the 8th day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the law of Pharisee concerning zeal, persecuting the church, touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless.
Now. Now he speaks as Paul the Christian.
But what things were gained to me?
Those I counted loss for Christ.
We sang all the vain things that charm thee, most sacrificed them to his blood.
He did that, he did it, he carried it out. There was a man that lived Christianity.
What things were gained to me? These I counted loss for Christ. That's a past decision. I counted them loss.
Yeah, doubtless, and I count all things but loss.
00:40:00
It's not enough to have done it in the past. He counted them right now, present tense. I count them, but lost. I have not changed my perspective with respect to those things because of all the persecution that's come upon me.
You know persecution can make us change our stand for Christ.
And many have done that and compromised.
The Lord's testimony because of persecution.
Paul didn't.
Yeah, doubtless I count all things, but loss for what? For the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
He had found.
Not a system of rules and regulations and do's and don'ts and ordinances and all these things. He had found a person.
That captivated his soul.
And made all the rest worthless to him.
You see a little picture of that in those early Christians in the book of Acts, I think it's 19, where they took their, their relics and their superstitions and all their, the things that connected them with their idol worship and that and they burned it off.
They wouldn't have any of that hanging over into their life.
How many of us have burned at all?
How many of us?
Did it in the past and then we brought it in again.
In the present.
We didn't continue.
We said I counted it wrong, but somehow it's back.
That wasn't Paul, was it?
I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things.
I don't think any of us can say that.
I certainly can't.
Suffered the loss of all things family.
Intimate friends.
The loss of all things.
When one apostatized from Judaism and embraced another religion like Saul of Tarsus did.
They wrote the, they read the. The death sentence over them had nothing more to do with them.
He experienced that for whom I have suffered the loss of all things.
And I'm so grieved about it. No he doesn't say that and I do count them, but dumb.
That I may win Christ or that I like Mr. Darby's marginal rendering here, that I may have Christ for my gain. That's in, that's in. That's the opposite to verse 7. What things were gained to me? Now he says that I might have Christ as my gain.
Everything that was gained to me is worthless, and I counted but dross and loss in order that I might have Christ for my gain.
He had found.
Something, someone that was infinitely better.
Than all that he had lost.
And I may win Christ, have Christ for my gain, and be found in Him.
Not having my own righteousness which is of the law, he had just said that touching the righteousness which is in the law, he was blameless.
But now he says.
To be found in Him not having my own righteousness, which is of the law.
Which once, as a man in the flesh, he could glory in.
But now he was no longer a man in the flesh, he was a man in Christ.
A man in the spirit.
That which is through the faith of Christ.
The righteousness which is of God by faith.
That which God confers upon us, not something that we earn, not something that we can glory in, not something that we have won by our own efforts, but what He has made us in Christ.
His righteousness.
By faith. We get it by faith.
And then he says that I may know him.
Oh, he knew him very well.
00:45:02
But he yearned to become more and more and more acquainted.
With his blessed Lord.
That I may know him.
And the power of his resurrection, the power of his resurrection, is that which lifts us from earthly things to heavenly things.
Brings us into a new world, a different world, a world of which Christ is the head.
In heaven.
But I may know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. He certainly knew the fellowship of his sufferings.
I will show him how great things he must suffer for my sake.
Being made conformable unto his death.
He wanted to be so like his master as to even.
Being conformed to him in death.
If by any means, no matter what God chose, I might attain unto the IT should read the out resurrection from among the dead. It's not the resurrection of the dead, but it's the it's the Christian resurrection. It's the resurrection of believers out from among the dead. The rest of the dead stay in the grave. That's our resurrection.
If by any means I might attain unto that.
Not as though I had already attained. He wasn't claiming perfection. He wasn't claiming spiritual.
Sinlessness, as some so foolishly have done.
No, he hadn't attained yet. He was still pressing forward, pressing on to the mark. He hasn't arrived yet, he says.
Either we're already perfect. He hadn't reached that state of perfection. That was moral perfection, sinless perfection.
He was still in the body. As long as we're in the body, we haven't arrived at that point yet.
But I follow after, I pursue, I press toward the market that I may apprehend, lay hold upon that for which I have been laid hold of apprehended of Christ Jesus. He's laid hold of me, He said. He said He's laid of hold of me for the glory, and I want to lay hold of that.
I want to lay hold of that for which he's laid hold of me.
To bring me there.
We were living in the good of it.
All our toys down here that we speak so highly of are expensive toys. I noticed the kids, they have a lot of toys. They're cheap ones, inexpensive. We've got expensive one, but they're still toys down here that we glory in.
And.
I've got a bigger car now, but it doesn't get me to where I have to go any faster than the other one. A little more comfortable.
Just a camel to get through the wilderness.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended I haven't arrived at.
Spiritual perfection yet?
But this one thing I do.
He was pressing on, constantly pressing on.
He would not allow any setbacks and he had them. We all have them. He had them too. He was not perfect.
There's only one perfect man that's ever been in this scene, and that's our blessed Lord Jesus.
The best example we can come up with of a man, which is Paul himself still failed.
I think it was chapter Browns comment it it's it's gone through my mind so many times. His comment was many of you have heard it. Thank God he gave the failures of the Saints.
And not just their successes, he said. If he hadn't done that, I would have given up a long time ago.
Because this choicest servants faith.
So don't become discouraged if you fail. Just press on. Press on. Keep Christ before you.
Press on.
Satan would try to get us to give up and and stop trying. Stop pressing on because we failed.
I count on myself to have apprehended but this one thing I do. Forgetting those things which are behind forgetting you, forgetting your successes as well as your failures, whatever they are, press on. Keep Christ before you.
00:50:10
And reaching forth unto those things which are before that's.
What He's laid hold of us for the things that are before us.
I confess I cannot even begin to imagine what the glory is going to be like.
I just can't.
I just can't do it.
I know it's going to be supreme happiness and joy, unspeakable, full of glory, but just what it's going to be like?
I don't know. Well Paul was caught up to the 3rd heaven and when he came back he said I can't tell you.
There are words that I can tell you. I can't tell you What I saw there and heard there. I can't tell you.
And.
One thing I can say, it's going to be wonderful beyond anything we've ever dreamed of.
That always brings something to my mind.
Got a letter from my son David once after he'd lost his family.
And he said.
I'll not ever have them again, as my wife and sons and daughters will I.
He was reading that passage of scripture that says in heaven there is the angels.
They neither marry nor are given in marriage, and so on.
And.
He said. I've come to the.
Conclusion that I'll never have them back as I had them here. And that's right, you won't.
So he said, closing the letter, he said I have said my final.
Goodbye.
To Susie.
Becky Gracie and Benji.
You'll see them again.
But not as he saw them down here.
Well, no. It brought a flood of tears to my eyes.
But God has something infinitely better.
For all of us, then, the best thing we've ever experienced on Earth.
Oh, if we could just get a hold of that.
Anything we lose down here, no matter how precious it is to us, is nothing compared with the glory.
That lies ahead.
And that's what Paul is Speaking of here, isn't it?
Wanting to get a hold of that.
I pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of the calling on high.
Of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore.
As many as be perfect, as many as have come to that maturity in the Christian life to.
Hold upon these things in some measure. Be thus mighty.
And if in anything ye be otherwise minded, that is. We haven't really matured to that point.
We see that with our families. We there's some things you can't talk to your children about because they're just not mature enough.
I remember this story and I think it's worth repeating.
Father was walking through an airport with his little daughter. He was carrying this heavy suitcase.
And she asked him a question and it had to do with something she had heard with other children in that, and it was a sexually oriented question. And the father stopped and he set the suitcase down and he said, darling, would you pick it up and carry it for me?
And she tried and she said, daddy, it's too heavy for me.
And he said yes, darling.
The question you've asked is too heavy for you right now.
You'll understand it later.
The guy thought that was a good illustration.
Some things are too heavy for the little ones.
Don't burden them with these things.
Well, that just came to mind, that in some ways we haven't all arrived at this maturity. So if you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal these things to you. In the measure in which we have apprehended His mind, we can walk together in happy fellowship.
And then count upon God to reveal these other things to those that haven't.
Taken that, haven't grown that to that point yet.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk I be followers of me. That's really I don't like that translation, he says. Be my imitators.
00:55:12
The only one we're ready to follow is the Lord Jesus Christ. We're not to follow any man, but he says you imitate me as I follow Christ.
The followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have us, for an example, the imitators of me.
And then he talks about those that were walking in a way which is, sad to say, not Christian at all. Many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you, even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. You remember the light that Paul saw was a heavenly light.
A great light.
Above the brightness of the sun.
That's where Christ is.
And that's where our blessings are, that's where our portion is, and to mind earthly things is.
The opposite of that.
For our conversation now, that word there doesn't mean manner of life like it does in many places here. It means it's literally our politics, our associations of life. Like you say, I am born an Englishman and so all the things that pertain to Englishmen were pertaining to the one that was so born our.
Some would say our citizenship.
So it's similar to that thought is in heaven.
Is in heaven.
Our associations of life are there.
From whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. That's where he's coming from, going to come and fetch us there. Who shall change our body of humiliation? So that's a bad translation. This is not a vile body. The Spirit of God dwells in this body. It's a lowly body. It's a frail body. It's a body of humiliation. And what are we going to have? We're going to have a body of glory.
This body is subject to suffering, to pain, to sorrow.
To disease, even to death, it's a body of humiliation. It's not a vile body. Sorry that they translated it that way, but that's really not a correct thought.
I've changed it in my Bible to a frail body. That's what it is.
He's going to change this body of humiliation, that it may be fashion night like unto his glorious body or his body of glory.
According to the working whereby he is able, the working of the power of new translation, whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself, how is he going to do it? Sometimes we get asked the question.
How's he going to do it?
He spake and it was done. He commanded, and it stood fast. He said let there be, and it was.
By faith, we understand that the world's were framed by the Word of God and someone is going to wonder how he's going to resurrect us. That's no problem for him.
That's no problem for God.
We limit God by our penny. Thoughts.
Thinking that you can't do that.
There's a person that's went overboard and the fish ate him up, and where's his body? That's no problem for God.
No problem whatsoever.
According to the working of the power which he has even to subdue all things.
Unto himself.
And when he says come forth, we will come forth.
And meet Him in the glory.
Let's pray.
Four Suppers
Four Virgins
Gates
Gideon and Service
Glory of Christ
By Five Prophets
Zechariah 3
Gospel—A. Barry
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
And chapter Zechariah. And he showed me Joshua the high priest, standing before the Angel of the Lord.
As Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuked thee, O Satan, given the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuked thee.
Is not this a brand plus out of the fire now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the Angel and he answered and stake on the rolls that stood before him, saying.
Take away the filthy garments from him.
And unto him he said, Behold, behold, I have caused.
Wine Iniquity.
Prepared from thee, and I will close thee. Where change of raiment.
And I said let him set a fair miter.
Upon his head.
They set a fair miter.
Upon his head.
And clothed him with garments.
And the Angel of the Lord stood by.
And the Angel of the Lord.
Forecasted unto Joshua saying.
What that the Lord of?
What Father walk in my ways?
And if thou will keep my charge?
Then thou shalt judge mine house.
And shall also keep my court.
And I will give thee places to walk among them that stand by.
Hear now old Joshua the high priest.
Thou and thy fellows.
That sit before.
They are men wonder that or the margins pass. Men are fine or tight.
Men wondered for behold our.
My parents, the bank.
For a writing picture.
We have the Lord of friends.
Of the Sinner.
In his raw condition.
Where is a man that clothes with filthy garments?
But he's standing in the presence of the Lord.
Standing before the one.
Who is able to save him?
For us, the salvation is there waiting for Him.
Uphold forgiveness and pardon is right there for him to receive.
But we're also told.
For patients.
Standing at his right hand to resist it.
Well, often marvel.
When they hear the gospel preach time after time.
And pay terror setting under the sound of the glorious message of God.
Raise salvation.
Let him go on and reject that message.
What all its wonders and blessedness?
Are presented to them.
When set on tourists.
Are offered for them to receive.
And then one wonders Hill.
I think that one club a lesson, two such warnings ever found in God's holy Word, upcoming judgment.
And when you stop to think of that judgment, it's eternal.
We read all of it for judgment.
We leave the other hell of which God blessed One says.
If I RIP by hand the pen to cut it off, it is better for thee to enter into life having one hand.
00:05:04
And having two hands to be cast into hell fire, into the fire that never shall be quenched.
All think of eternity, friends in outer darkness, set out from all the redeemed.
Where the memory of lost opportunity.
Again, I say 1 wonders how anyone could ever leave.
Or reading while a warrant so solemnly of judgment to come and go on in their sins.
Born as Christ rejecters. How can it be explained?
They seem so out of reason.
Painful to think that for a few years of pleasure here that men will risk on eternity.
In a lost eternity from which they can never.
They can never escape or leave.
Is there any explanation for thoughts here? Quality as we see men going on and on and rejecting the offer and getting nearer and nearer to that eternal destruction and perdition that await those what to reject the offer of God's mercy?
There is an explanation and we get it here. And what is it?
2nd is standing at your right hand to resist you.
And this audience?
I can tell you that Satan is right at your right hand.
And he's going to do all in his power tonight.
Take you from accepting the gospel and getting the salvation of your soul.
When Satan has no inferior being.
If you turn with me to the 28th chapter of Ezekiel, you'll get a little description there of Satan there incorporated in the history of the teen of pirates.
Have we lived in?
Password Son of Man take up a Lamentation upon the King of Pirates.
And fair to him thus praeth the Lord God. Thou thou sealest that the sun pour wisdom.
As perfect in duty there has been in Eden the Garden of God.
Every precious stone of thy covering are not.
About those different codes. But in the 14th verse Tharp the anointed cherub that covereth, and hath set thee soul.
Upon the whole and mountain of God, thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
That is perfect in all our ways from the day that thou was created.
Hell iniquity was found in the 17th verse. Thine heart was lifted up because of our beauty. Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.
We learn, dear friends, from that scripture that Satan was once the most.
6000 Of all the creatures of God.
That he fell.
He lifted up with pride. He wanted you set the place of God.
And Paul? He had abysmal and awful fall, but remember it.
That when that creature wants so beautiful all marvelous fell. He followed it forward.
And he's hearing that power, that wisdom to ruin your soul.
And to drag you down.
Enter sin away from Christ.
Down the road, that's going to end him.
In that awful place.
Where that was prepared long ago for the devil and his angels.
Satan, standing at his right hand to resist it all things will, ought to tell you something more.
00:10:12
Drawing strength to resist whatever they.
That holds the world in his grip.
For he paid in law, and John if personal, that there the whole life in the wicked one.
We see on every side the result of Satan's all his power over for the rooted tall man.
And they they were called, that the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believed not, lest the life of the Gospel of the glory of Christ through the image of God, to shine unto them.
Or awful, terrible.
The OR the enemy of your precious soul. But again I say thank God.
There is one who has defeated that enemy.
Oh God, there's one that's stronger.
When Satan himself, mighty as he is.
What glory creature that fell?
And such power and such worsen that is using soul.
So fallenly in this world.
As one, what has defeated him and now can defeat all thoughts.
Can the warrior crisis fall forever from his dominion?
We want to learn friends, before we close this meeting.
Something of that glorious one who has defeated Satan.
And by grace.
All precious wonderful for can hold it straight. Here's efforts to ruin your soul that you can leave this call tonight if you have never known forgiveness and salvation.
Child of God.
The level from the power of Satan brought to know Christ.
Fasting in Him as your Lord and your Savior.
I will learn something more about Joshua here.
It says now, Joshua.
Close with filthy garments.
Very last, just the picture.
And a Sinner in his sins.
You know, friends, we need to get a view.
Of what we are in God's Christ.
We can appear very.
Warriors have before men.
Right, let's just see how God sees us.
In our last condition.
Often think about your life.
Would you like to have all that you have ever done put up on a screen on this wall here for everybody to look at?
I wouldn't.
I think I want to get out of this hall as fast as ever I could.
Some of that would turn pale, Friends. All our sins were.
Put on a screen to be left at.
That you think those sins are hid from the eyes of a Christ telling God?
That cannot behold iniquity.
It fall under his eyes.
He sees every sin that was ever committed.
All things that no one knows about are all known to him.
Often when God paints a picture.
He doesn't hate the prospector. God doesn't deceive.
Sinners like Satan is deceiving man. Satan would make you think that you are a very respectable man, respectable enough to escape hell and get some way to heaven.
And the word of God exposes God and his lost condition.
He saw him just exactly what that condition is.
It tells us in the air.
00:15:01
17th chapter of Jeremiah. That the heart is deceitful above all things.
And desperately wicked poking north.
Maybe all those things have never come out, but they're there.
And then the next verse of I, the Lord search the heart. I try the rain.
Our friends, if we get into God's presence and see ourselves.
And pardon.
They're going to realize that the only place that God could have.
Send us in that condition is all of His holy Presence into a lost eternity upon which we could never return.
You know, friends were not only lost sinners, their hands against God, we sinned against Christ.
All these years.
That were closed in filthy garments.
That some people say, well, I think I'll improve my ways.
I'll turn over a new leaf.
Oh, there's a lot of money to the poor.
I'll do a lot of.
Good deeds and for us to serve Lord.
So what does God think of all such works when?
We are offered as a means of our salvation.
Do they better our conditions for who did start in because they were like their kids? Who said that the whole Lord I give the half of my books to feed the poor. That's a lot of illness.
Half of this is to feed the poor.
But will that change our conditions? Will that make us any cleaner? Will that make us any more fit for heaven?
Let me turn you 2 of the 64th chapter of Isaiah for a moment.
The 6th pop chapter of Isaiah and the sixth verse.
For we are all an unclean thing.
Hello carefully and all our righteousness.
Are AS50 rank.
With filthy garments.
We're explaining the pair of the picture of a Sinner in his fins.
In the 64th chapter of Isaiah.
We did. A picture of the fair flowed in his selflessness, his righteousness. Felt that for his good work.
All his arms.
All money that is given to this Church of our church.
All he has paid the preacher.
And the.
Paid out two different orphanages.
Everything.
That a Sinner could do.
For help on humanity.
For what is God say about the whole thing?
How is the man clawed that flowed in his self righteousness?
It falls on his clothes, in filthy garments, in filthy legs.
If there is any advantage whatever, why it would be in the man that slowed the filthy garments because they would at least cover his nakedness. But filthy Reds are even worse.
Forestry Plain.
Let all the good work that the Sinner could can he ever do.
Over and leave him exposed to his wretchedness and as it were, in an absolutely worse condition than that poor drunkard that's lying there in *** **** because the man who is cursing to his self righteousness.
He's harder to reach.
Like the Pharisees.
That rejected the Lord.
The downright.
Corrupt Sinner like Republicans and the harlots.
00:20:03
You know, scripture is very plain, friends.
About.
Better good works will save the soul.
We read in Ephesians 2 That by grace ye are saved.
Through faith.
And that not of yourself.
It is the gift of God.
Not of work left any man to vote.
Why should anyone think that his good work would save him?
When there is a scripture that pauses as plain as Word can express it.
That it's not a work.
Lest any man should vote.
Open. I thought there's none here that are crossing to their good works.
For their salvation.
But thank God there is a remedy, no matter how healthy the garments may be.
No matter how many filthy rags.
Poor self-righteous man.
May be wearing God has a remedy.
For the condemned, they defiled the Jetty serum.
We read in our chapter here.
The Lord's pattern for Satan.
No, they.
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him.
And unto him he said, Behold, I have called thine iniquity to pass from thee.
And I will flow thee with change of raiment.
Isn't that beautiful in that lovely dear friend?
They hear the blessed Lord say, take away.
Filthy garments from.
So as we were saying that if you had all your sins put on a screen there for this audience to look at.
We couldn't stand to have such an experience as there.
But how wonderful when one says take away.
All those sins out of my fight.
Our beloved friends.
That blessed One, who shall take away the filthy garments from him.
Can take away out of your life.
Every sin.
That you have ever committed.
Oh, what a wonderful.
That is forgiveness.
40,000 he says to Joshua and I have called thine iniquities to pass from us.
Open the one who are seeking here, the one who is saying take away the filthy garment.
As a one who has a perfect right.
He'll forgive.
And pardon the guilty.
In May, when the Lord Jesus Christ was here among men.
As a man let down through the roof one time.
A poor pauses man.
And then Jesus saw their faith. He said, Son.
Thy sins are forgiven thee, that they were those there that said, Who is this?
That forgiven sins often.
And then here thy blessed one, to show them that he had the power to forgive sins, He said to that helpless man, Why pick up thy bed and walk?
Hoping who he was.
And that he had thought to forgive us, and to deal a poor sin.
Then there was a woman that came into the house with Simon the Pharisees.
And let the defeat of Jesus was.
His blessed peace.
With her tears.
And Jesus said to that poor woman, Thy sin.
Which there many are forgiven. And Simon the Pharisee, he says like those others we're Speaking of, who is this that forgive us?
00:25:04
And Jesus said to that poor woman.
Why faith has praised.
Gall in peace.
Although it didn't diminish her sins.
He said there are many. I thank God, he says they're all forgiven.
They didn't say that you are cares of repentance for the reason your sins are forgiven. What did he say?
Thy faith has saved me.
War and Peace.
Hello friends as I look on your faces tonight.
Am I looking in the faces of Ellie?
Or not yet trusting in Christ.
As a personal failure.
All may you live very nice.
Accept that Blessed One.
Who is able to forgive and to cleanse you from every stain of sin?
May you put your?
End him this very night.
And then you 2 will go away in peace.
It won't be because of any good works that you've ever done but it simply will be simply because you came to him as a poor lost and ruined Sinner.
And accepted him as your Savior by faith. That will be the reason.
As it ever sends that blessed.
Wonderful failure was the one who has the right to forgive.
And it's cleanse the guilty sinners.
And a reason, friends, he can forgive and cleanse the guilty.
Is because he was the one that went to the cross.
And took the heavy load of our sin.
And as the Scripture tells us that he was wounded for our transgressions, his rules for our iniquities.
The testament of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. Let me invite you to the cross of Calvin.
And there learn why.
He has a right.
To forgive your sins.
Film in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Therein struck deep agony of soul pleading with his Father that was.
Was dropping down as great drops of blood to the ground.
There is entreaty fallen if it be possible.
This cup passed from me.
And I have friends. You think that if there's been any other way than the cross to have faith?
Lost man, that God the Father, after those pleadings there would have let his Son suffer as he suffered on that cross of shame.
Well, the question is to answer the question, no.
You know, my friends, with God himself.
God, who loved his beloved Son with an infinite love, that one that had done all His will and it was His perfect delight, could find any way in this universe.
To save lost and perishing man, but to let his Son go on and suffer there for you and me. You think that any man is wise enough to find another way than the cross of Christ?
To save his soul from hell.
Oh, how absolutely foolish.
What quality to consider that if God couldn't find another way, their parents, any creature of man, any creature here could find the way that he could be saved apart from that cross.
All our friends, they must go to that cross.
And it did go to that cross.
All think of him when they took those blessed hands.
That walked what wonder here below that had beckoned the bread to feed the multitude, and heal the sticks, and cuts the deer to raise the little.
And the cruel hand of man.
Male God's blessed hand to that cross.
And their feet that had trouble that land from Dan to Beersheba and further throughout fallen creatures.
00:30:11
To bless them.
All cedar nailed to that cross and there he's lifted up.
And the surging crowd joins in mockery.
For three long hours.
At last they sit down and watch him there in his agony.
When God is at work, that's in.
He survived.
Let man show what he would do. A man showed to the full limit.
His patriot toward God. Now God says, I'll show my love to your poor guilty sins.
And friends, the heavens will die.
And alone in that God.
That awful transaction of our sins was settled between a fallen God.
And his beloved son.
It was when it was there that he was wounded for our transgressions.
It was heard that he was good for our iniquity.
But our friends though, they could see that pace once more and more than any mind.
After the scourging and the crowning, the thorns and the mockery and the suffering as He hung there, But when he became a sin, there no more life be held His anguish.
Old friends that he endured.
No one can. Ever.
Describe or enter into.
But we can never bless his marvelous results of what was accomplished there be that redeemed company singing his praises.
That new song have God worthy.
Because I was slain, and have redeemed us of God by thy blood.
Because I have immense cost me of the redeemed there.
Singing the praises of the Lamb. And you know, friends, a little of what he must have suffered there, as he bore the sins of all that untold multitude that are there, singing his praises and glory.
Yes, thank God.
He can say take away.
Left healthy garments from.
Has he taken away all?
God will suspend.
If he has, he's done something more for you, beloved friends and Hot Press.
Esau and I will clothe thee with angels of raiment.
That's a lovely.
Was therefore and it suggests the line of things that run the awful scriptures.
You know when Adam and Eve had sinned in the Garden of Eden.
At present the Lord God makes hope of skin.
And clothed Adam and his wife.
That is, God clothe them with that which necessitated the death of an innocent victim. Fight for the Lord Jesus. Indeed, here we have a change of raiment.
And in the.
2nd of Matthew where we have the king making a marriage for his son. We find that the king provides wedding garments for his yes.
As the same subject, the guests that came to that marriage didn't have to bring there the clothes that they were to wear for such.
Grand occasions was all provided by the King himself and each went into that festive hall flows in in the wedding garment.
And then another place we find it, when the prodigal returns from the far country, and the father has received him and welcomed him with a kiss of reconciliation, He says to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
So when that particle went into the father's house that was filled with music and songs, he didn't enter that house.
00:35:07
Where there is red.
Or where he had been feeding the swine in the far country, and all he entered the father's house was the very best led the father himself could provide.
And what do you think a lot of friends that are those coats of skin, the change of Raymond, the wedding garment and the best role breast event.
I'll tell you what they represent.
They represent the Lord Jesus Christ himself. I know from God's word, for I read in First Corinthians 1 and 30 it it fell there, and of him are ye in Christ Jesus.
For God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
Of him are ye in Christ Jesus.
Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is in that blessed one before God, and Romans 8 and one tells us there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
Oh, what wonderful grace, beloved friends.
He takes away all sins that go filthy garments from you.
And then he closed you, as it were, with the very best lobe of heaven.
It's so marvelous for us.
To to.
Take in, although we can't believe it.
That a poor, vile finish.
Oh, that's only fit for the the blackness of darkness.
Can be changed in a moment.
And the just as fit for heaven as the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
That someone says that's a lot to say.
But it's true.
And where is it true? Belonged to friends?
See the one who has accepted you, the Lord has done any more in his lost rule and conditions. He doesn't see him that way at all. God feels the one who has accepted Christ as Savior.
I have said have clothes.
In that best world, in other words, he sees injustice. Exactly.
As he sees his son, in whom he is found all his delight.
And then he says, and I said, let him set a fair miter upon his head.
All that means that he is brought into a priestly service, into priestly dignity.
For we're made after we're saved the Kingdom of.
Faith unto our God and Christ, all the dignity that the believer, when he has faith, is brought into.
Then we have this.
And the Angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts.
If I was walking my ways, as you say, if you were walking my ways, I'll take the filthy garments away. Why? They were already taken away.
And if thou will keep my charge by then I will reduce Satan for you. Why? Satan was already rebuked, and he was delivered from him from other subjects.
When thou shalt also judge my house.
And thou shall keep my court, and I will give thee a place to walk among them that stand by.
Others.
Helpful instructions to every child of God.
Often we were seeking to make it as plain as possible.
That salvation is not, of course.
But you'll find in the words and one thing for that very chapter from which I quoted.
That by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, not of work with any man, should boast. We find that in the very next verse it tells us.
And that ye are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
00:40:06
It's just like this. We don't work in order to be saved. We work because we are faith.
And what wonderful privileges are presented?
What rewards are offered?
For a little service for our Blessed One.
Who has delivered us from our sins?
And the.
His presence.
Or it's described here.
As I will give thee a place to walk among them to stand by.
Oh dear. While their ancestor in Christ.
A little suffering for Christ.
During his reproach for a little while down here brings eternal gain up there.
Oh, they all.
It has been estimated.
Don't think of what the Lord is offering.
Little faithfulness to him in this poor world where he was cast out and rejected here below.
And then he goes on to say.
And here now, old Joshua the high priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before me, For they are men wondered at.
Although I mentioned that in the margin it's.
If the signs are tight.
Well, if one is.
If one is walking with God.
Following the one who saved him.
Speaking to your follow, that blessed One who suffered on the cross to save him, he becomes a testimony to others in this world.
Over a lot of friends here desire to.
To serve.
Pressure Savior who died perfectly free.
Well, you just go on, just like we're instructed here. Here's the air, the voice telling.
That one who had these Celtic garments removed?
That if he would fall on in their ways of the Lord.
That he would be a testimony for him.
All this Consider that carefully and prayerfully, beloved friends.
That what God has the asking of you and me.
Isn't all a lot of work?
You get the boasting about that.
But there's that within the reach of every child of God.
That will make him a blessing.
And the youthful for His blessed Lord and Master, and is simply quiet crystal obedience to His precious words. We can all do that, can't we? Or that a child can be obedient to the Word of God.
And the lot of transactions are the greatest testimony that was ever offered in this way of sinners. The world takes notice of one that's obedient to the Word of God.
They can't explain it. They find the same God of power and the joy and something the world knows nothing about, and it becomes a testimony to others.
Although his Closings beloved friends.
Find all that faith in.
As resisting this gospel that has been presented to you.
He is begging to keep you from clothing in.
For this wonderful offer.
That has given you of salvation.
Oh, let me just ask the question.
Who are you going to listen to?
As this meeting closes.
Satan is telling you right now as you sit there. Not tonight.
What is the Lord Jesus tell you?
He tells you, behold, now is the accepted time. He says behold, now is the day of salvation.
Taken care of all you can be far greater success in the world as you go on. Like the world. Don't listen to that kind of talk.
00:45:05
It is your opportunities you wouldn't have the advantage of.
That you have if you went on like Men of the world.
Are you going to listen to that friend? Are you going to take the advice? All that enemy that's going down to that place that was prepared for him?
Or are you going to listen to the voice of Jesus?
And what is he saying to your soul tonight? Oh, he says, Come unto me all. Is it label?
Under heavy Laden.
And I will give you rest.
Well, let me just entreat you in my Savior's name.
Listen to the voice of Jesus.
Expect the invitation as he says.
Or that, doesn't it, Precious belotted friends, Doesn't it wonderful to think that God's beloved Son is just entreating you this very moment?
On his word and now in the glory, we hear his voice again saying, Come.
Hold on to me and you can come to that Blessed One this very moment. You could have the whole thing settled for time and eternity between your soul and Him.
Right in your heart, without leaving this room, without leaving that seat, you can just talk it all over with the blessed Lord. You can just tell him, yes, I know I'm a poor Sinner, but you can say, Lord Jesus, I do expect Thee as my precious patient.
Three Trembling Men
Government of God
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Let's begin by singing 142.
142 Glory to God on high.
Peace upon earth enjoy goodwill to man, we who God's blessing prove.
His name All names above sing now. The Saviors love too vast to scan 142.
Holy to God.
Enjoy.
Please note some that him is, so that we might as we consider this very solemn subject.
Remember, He loves you.
And everything that he does in your life and mine flows from love.
I want to read 2 scriptures in the New Testament.
One from Hebrews 12 That brings this before us.
Hebrews 12.
Verse 6.
For whom the the Lord loveth?
He chased us.
And Sturgis every son whom he receive it.
And Revelation 3.
Revelation 3.
Verse 19.
As many as I love.
I rebuke and hasten.
Let's keep that before us.
As we consider the subject.
Of God's government.
Over those whom he loves.
I think the best example.
That I can think of is that of David.
We'll turn back to Second Samuel 11.
Second Samuel, Chapter 11.
If you read the chapter just before.
To find out that David.
Had gained many victories.
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The last verse of chapter 10 says And when they and when all the kings that were servants, they had it either.
Had a razor, saw that they were smitten before Israel. They made peace with Israel and served them.
So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon anymore. David, mighty warrior with many contracts, the enemy being subdued.
And I suppose we can say we're never so in danger of a fall as after we have gained some great victory.
And so we read.
And now we're not. We're reading about a man of God.
We're reading about one who is beloved of the Lord, the sweet Psalmist of Israel.
The one that always set the Lord before him.
You might say he couldn't have failed, but he did.
It came to pass after the year was expired at the time when kings go forth to battle. Notice it was the time when kings, and he was the king go forth to battle. That's where he should have been. He should have been on the battlefield fighting the Lorde battles.
That David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel.
And they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David.
Carried still at Jerusalem.
So it was the time when kings go forth to battle, but he stayed back.
And allowed his general.
Joab.
To go forth to battle.
And it came to passing and even Tide while he was taking his ease.
I think one of the greatest evils of this day that we live in is that we we only work 8 hours.
And we have.
16.
That we can do what we want to do.
And there's too much leisure given today used to be when the work day was 12 hours, or even longer, 16.
And they come home at night and go to bed and wake up in the morning, go back to work. There was no time for play. There was no time for self indulgence as there is today.
Came to pass in an even time that David arose from off his bed place of ease.
And he walked upon the roof of the King's house.
And from the rest he saw a woman watching herself, and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
And David said and inquired after the woman.
And one said, is not this Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
And David sent messengers and took her. Now he was told that she belonged to another man, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.
He was the last one mentioned in the list of David's mighty men. To faithful man, you write a hit take.
I didn't stop him. He saw this beautiful woman.
And.
He sent messengers and took her, and she came in unto him, and he lay with her, for she was purified for her uncleanness, and she returned to her house.
And the woman conceived and sent and told David and said I am with child.
Things don't work out oftentimes when we indulge in a little leisure and pleasure. Pleasure for the flesh.
Things don't workout often as we thought they would.
She was with child and she said and told David this.
But he hadn't counted on this. He had just thought of the of just fulfilling his own desires for a few moments.
And now there are consequences.
And this is part of the government of God. We get it in Galatians 6. Whatsoever man soweth that shall he also read?
The farmer knows what that is. He sews his seed in the springtime and reaps his crop in the in the fall.
And we reap what we sow It's an inflexible principle of God.
First, Peter 117 says if you call him the Father, who, without respect of persons, judge it according to the work of each, that's the time of your sojourning here in fear.
00:10:09
That's the government of the Father over His family. And let's remember that it's because He loves us, because we're His own, that He chastens and disciplines us as we read those verses.
So all that we're going to read about dear David and the consequences of his folly, and I say this to young people, this is young people's meeting that.
Don't take the myopic view, the short view, don't take the view of just fulfilling the desires of your flesh. For the moment, thinkably think of the long range consequences. And that's what we're going to see as we look at the history of David.
What it cost him those few moments of pleasure.
But it cost him.
I'm with child and immediately David, the gears start to turn. How can I get out of this?
And he said to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittites. And Joab sent Uriah to David, and when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did and how the people did and how the war prospered. He made out as though he was concerned about that. If he had been so concerned, he would have been out there with Joab heading the battle, but he stayed home.
And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and watch thy feet in. Uriah departed out of the King's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
And Uriah slept at the door of the King's house with all the servants of his Lord, and went not down to his house.
When they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Comest thou not from thy journey? Why then didst thou not go down into thine house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark, What a rebuke from this Hittite, mind you.
What a rebuke to the man of God, David.
The ark in Israel and Judah abide in tents, and my Lord Joab and the servants of my Lord are in camp in the open fields. Shall I then go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife as thou liveth and as thy soul liveth? I will not do this thing.
But a faithful man.
Putting the Lord's interests first. The opposite of what David had done, the opposite of what sometimes I have done and possibly you've done.
And David said to Uriah, tear you here today.
And tomorrow I will let you do part. So Uriah boat in Jerusalem that day and tomorrow. And then David had called him. He did eat and drink before him, and he made him drunk.
So that he wasn't able to.
To think clearly.
And that even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his Lord, and went not down to his house.
David's plans failed.
He was trying to cover up. He that covers his sin shall not prosper. The word God tells us.
But he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy.
Verse 14 came to pass in the morning.
That David wrote a letter to Joab.
And send it by the hand of Uriah. You see young people, one sin leads to another.
He stole, he took another man's life, he stole that woman didn't belong to him. He took what was not his and he committed adultery and now he is going to commit murder.
Can the Saints of God do such a thing? Yes.
It's possible.
He wrote in a letter saying set to Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle.
And retire you from him, that he may be smitten and die.
And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah onto a place where he knew that the valiant men were. And the men of the city went out and fought with Joab, and there fell some of the people of the servants of David and Uriah the Hittite died also.
Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war in charge of the messenger, saying, When thou hast made at an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, and so be that the King's wrath arise. And he said to thee, Wherefore approached ye so lie unto the city? When he did fight, Knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall? Who smote of them elect the son of Jerubesh? Did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in thebas? Why won't she nigh the wall? Then say thou?
00:15:26
Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. That's all David wanted to hear.
There's nothing so dreadful as when a Saint of God sins.
We expect it from the world.
But when 1 of this tank this caliper.
This man of God.
Shall how grievous it was.
Don't ever think you couldn't do this.
Don't ever think you're above it. None of us is above any of these things.
None of us.
For we all are made of the same stuff.
So the messenger went and came, and showed David all that Joab had sent him for. And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. And the shooter shot from off the wall upon my servants. And some of the King's servants are dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, But not this thing just please thee, for the sword of Irish one as well as the other.
Make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it, and encourage thou him.
David is false here. He is covering up his sin.
And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband, was dead, she mourned for her husband.
And when the morning was passed, David sent and fetched her to his house.
He had time to repent up to this. He had time to repent having killed your eye.
With the sword of the enemy.
Still could have repented, but no, he carried it through to completion.
He sat and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife and bear him a son.
And the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
And the Lord sent Nathan unto David, and he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.
The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing save one little you lamb, which he had bought and nourished up. And he grew up together with him and with his children, if he needed his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock, and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him.
But took the poor man's lamb and rested for the man that was come to him. Davide anger was greatly kindled against the man. Isn't it amazing how we can show such righteous anger?
Against this kind of thing when we are guilty of far worse.
And he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, a man that hath done this thing shall surely die. He's pronouncing judgment against himself without knowing it.
He said he will die, and then he says, and he shall restore the Lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.
Thus saith the Lord God of Israel.
There were. I want to say this about David, though he had so grievously sinned and failed.
He was a true child of God.
And he loved the Lord deeply.
Even though he had so failed and so sin.
Had he not been a child of God for Nathan to have come and said that message, he may have had his head cut off.
That's the way some of the kings would react to a prophet that dared to charge that king with such a sin. But David knew it was true.
And he?
00:20:00
Doesn't react violently.
Thus saith the Lord God of Israel. Nathan says, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul, and I gave thee thy master's house, and thy masters wives, and into thy bosom, and gave thee the House of Israel and of Judah. And if that had been too little, I would have moreover have given unto these such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight?
Thou was killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and has taken his wife to be thy wife, and explained him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
Now notice the consequences. David had said he shall slowly die, and then he would say he shall restore fourfold. Notice what the Lord says in His grace. David did not die.
But the government of God. Verse 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house.
Because thou hast despised me, and has taken the life of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thy own house.
And I will take thy wives before thine eyes.
And give them unto thy neighbor. You know who that neighbor was.
His own son.
Perhaps we'll read of that later. And he shall. Why was thy wives in the sight of this son? For thou didst it secretly. But I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned.
Against the Lord.
And if you want, we don't have time for it this afternoon. If you want to read the sincerity of Davis''s repentance and his confession, read the 51St sign.
There you will see David.
Deep ploughing of his soul in his deep repentance over what he had done.
I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin. Thou shalt not die. That's grace. He deserves to die.
But that's grace.
But now we have the government of God. He has said he shall restore fourfold. When he was going to do that, he would pay with four his sons.
Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord, to blasphemy, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
And he did die.
Nathan departed unto his house, and the Lord struck the child at Uriah's wife there unto David, and it was very sick. And David therefore besought the God for the child, And David fasted and went in, and lay all night upon the earth, and so on, deeply grieving and mourning.
Hoping that maybe the Lord would change his mind and spare the child.
Well, the servants were talking together and David saw that and he said in verse 19 at the end is the child dead? And they say he's dead.
And then he gets up, comes to his house and.
Inquires and said they set bread before him and he ate and his servants wondered why he did that. He'd mourn so and fasted when the child was alive, but now the child is dead. And he said well I can't go to him, he can't come to me, I will go to him.
Verse 23 He says now he is dead. Wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
Now the next verse is something which I think.
Might be quite startling to many of us, brethren.
We wouldn't think that God would ever bless that union in any way between David and Bathsheba, because it began in sin. But it says David comforted Backsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her, and she bare a son.
And he called his name solemn.
And the Lord loved him.
Now that's grace upon grace.
Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
00:25:00
The way most of us think, we would say that the the Solomon that would come couldn't come from that union would have to come from another. But we would, we would be wrong, wouldn't we?
And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he called his name Jebediah.
Because of the Lord, and Jedediah means the love of the Lord.
Solomon was beloved of the Lord.
And yet he got here through that union of David and Bathsheba. The first son died. That was number 1. He should restore fourfold. That was #1.
Verse chapter 13. Now it came to pass after this that Absalom the son of David, had a fair sister.
Whose name was Tamar Absalom had three sons and one daughter, and this was the daughter.
And Ammon, the son of David, loved her.
And Amlen was so vexed that he fell sick for his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin and Adam, and fought it hard for him to do anything to her. But Ammon had a friend whose name was Johnadab, the son of Shamia Davidde brother. And Jonadab was a very subtle man. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the King's son, lean from day-to-day? Wilt thou not tell me? And Ammon sit unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom sister.
And Jonah dad said unto him, Lady, down on my bed, and make thyself sick. And when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, and that I may see it and eat it her hand. So Ammon laid down and made himself sick. And when the king was come to see him, and then said unto the king, I prayed he let Tamar my sister, come and make me a couple of cakes.
In my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
All these events that we're talking about took place within his family.
His family.
Sword shall not depart.
Is what Nathan has said.
And sword shall never depart from thine house.
That was despised me.
David sent him home to Team R verse 7 saying go now to thy brother Amnesty House and dress in me.
It's amazing how little discernment David shows here.
But he allows this.
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, and he was laid down, And she took the flower and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. And she took a pan and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Hammond said, Have out all men from me, And they went out every man from him, and and then said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to end, and her brother.
And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come, lie with me, my sister.
And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing ought to be done, so done in Israel. Do not thou this folly? And I whether shall I cause my shame to go? And As for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore I pray thee speak unto the King, for he will not withhold me from thee, albeit he would not hearken unto her voice, but being stronger than she, forced her and lay with her.
That was lust. It wasn't lust. It wasn't love.
And once he godifies it, the next statement is then Amnet hated her exceedingly so that he the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he loved her.
And and then said unto her, Arise begun.
And she said unto him, There's no cause. This evil in sending me away is greater than the other, that thou didst come to me. But he would not hearken unto her. Notice Tamaras Absalom, sister.
Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put out this woman from me, and both the door after her, and she had a garment of diverse colors upon her, or with such robes were the King's daughters, that were virgins of peril. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
And Tamar put ashes on her head and wrench her garments of diverse colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went on crying.
And Absalom her brother said unto her, Have Ammon thy brother been with thee?
Behold, but hold now thy peace, my sister. He is thy brother. Regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom house. Well.
00:30:12
Came to pass after 2-4 years that Absalom had sheep cures in bail Hazar which is society Ephraim. And Absalom invited all the King's sons. And Absalom came to the king and said, Behold now thy servant hath shepherds, let the king I beseech thee and his servants go with thy servant. And the king said to Absalom, Name my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him, however he would not go, but blessed him.
David again shows extreme.
Lack of discernment here.
He should have had some idea.
That Absalom was.
Determined to.
To render judgment against.
What his brother had done.
Eminent then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother, and then go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
But Absent pressed him that he let Amnon and all the King's sons go with him.
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now, when Amman's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, smite, and then kill him, Fear not, have not had commanded you, Be courageous and be valued. And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the King's sons arose, and every man got him up upon his mule and fled.
Came to pass while they were in the way that think tidings came to David saying Absalom has slain all the King's sons.
There's not one of them left. It wasn't true. It only killed.
Amen. Verse 33 Now therefore, let not thy my Lord the King take the things of his his heart, to think that all the King's sons are dead, for and then only is dead.
But Absalom fled please for his life. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there came much people by the way of the hillside behind him. And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the King's sons come, as thy servant said, so it is. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that behold, the King's sons came and lifted up their voices, and wept. And the king also, and all his servants wept very sore.
He shall restore fourfold the second son, Ammon is dead.
At the hand of his brother.
Absalom. But Absalom fled and went to Talmay, the son of Amihood, king of Gishur, and David mourn for his son every day.
He grieves.
Yes, Sir.
I think of the verse Thou art just in all that has come upon us. But I was done rightly, we have done wickedly.
The government of God over us, beloved, whether it be in our family or in the assembly.
Or on an individual lives, however it might be.
It's because He loves us. Don't ever forget that. Don't ever look at the things that are coming into your life or into my life and say he doesn't love you, He doesn't love me. Don't ever entertain that thought. He's proven His love at infinite cost to himself in the gift of His son. We had that before us this morning.
Loves us, and because He loves us, He chastens us and disciplines us.
Verse 38 So So Absalom fled and went to Geisha and was there three years. So he lost Absalom for three years.
More, more than this, but right now says that, and the soul of King David longed to go forth unto Absalom.
For he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. He grieved over Amnon's death. He grieved over his first son's death with Backsheba conceived in sin.
Now he grieves over Amnon's death. Now he's longing for his son, Absalom.
I believe Absalom was David's favorite.
And the reason I say that, we'll come to that shortly.
And joy of the son is Elua perceived that the King's heart was toward Absalom.
And now he devises a plan. He was quite a schemer, Joab, and we won't go through the story, but he devises a plan. And this woman comes and presents her case and David issues an order that the destroyer of blood would not be allowed to to kill anyone that had killed another.
00:35:14
The Avenger of blood, I should say. And so when she's accomplished this.
Verse 19 David says, And the king said to her, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this?
And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my Lord the king, none can turn from the right-hander to the left.
That my Lord the king has spoken for thy servant Joab, ye bad me. And he put all these words in my mouth, in the mouth of thine handmaid, to fetch about this form of speech. Hath thy servant Joab done this thing? And my Lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an Angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. And the king said unto Joab, Behold, now I have done this thing, Go forth.
Go therefore bring the young man Absalom again. Bring him back to Jerusalem.
And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king. And Joab said, Today thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my Lord, O king, and that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
So Joab arose and went to Geisha, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
And the king said let him turn to his own house.
And let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house and saw not the King's face.
David conceded to allowing Absalom to return to Jerusalem, but he wouldn't see him.
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom.
For his beauty, from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head, there was number blemish in him.
And when he pulled his head for it was at every year's end that he pulled it because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he pulled it. He weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels after the King's weight.
And unto Absalom there were born three sons and one daughter, and that was Tamar.
His name was Tamar. She was a woman of a fair countenance.
So Absalom dwelt 2 full years in Jerusalem, three years away, two years in Jerusalem. Still haven't seen David's face.
And he saw not the King's face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab to have sent him to the king, but he would not come. And then Absalom tells his servants to set Joad steeled on fire. And then Joab comes. And.
Verse 31 Joab arose and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
An Absolute answered and said, Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hit her, that I may send thee to the king to say, Wherefore am I come from? Ye sure it had been good for me to have been there still.
Now, therefore, let me see the King's face, and if it be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
So Joab came to the king and told him, and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed.
Absolutely.
Can't you pass after this that Absalom prepared him Chariots and horses and 50 men to run before him?
Now Absalom gets back to Jerusalem and immediately he starts to prepare for a rebellion.
Against his father, David.
And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. And it was so that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, Instead Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right, but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said, moreover, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that every man which had any suitor cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice.
It was so that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him, and on this manner did absent to all Israel that came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
And it came to pass after 40 years. Now I looked that up in Mr. Darby's translation and he has.
He has 40 years and then he has a note, possibly four years.
I prefer the four.
It's a. It's an indeterminate. It's a questionable reading.
Came to pass after this period of time, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord in Hebrew.
00:40:10
If it was four years.
At any rate, he goes there, and he says, thy servant vowed a vow, while I abode at Geisha in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, that I will serve the Lord.
And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron.
But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. And with Absalom went 200 men out of Jerusalem that were called, and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything.
An Absolute sent for a hit. The fell to Gylonite, David's counselor from his city, even from Gilo, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom. And there came a messenger to David saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom, and so David has to flee Jerusalem. David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, arise and let us flee, for we shall not else escape from Absalom. Make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly.
And bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. And the King's servant said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatever, my Lord, the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women that were concubines to keep the house.
Remember what?
Nathan had said.
He said, I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of the son.
Here, these 10 concubines are left back at Jerusalem. And let's read on. We can't cover all the details.
Chapter 16.
When David was a little past the top of the hill, cyber comes. I don't want to read that portion. Verse 5. And when King David came to Bahram, behold, there came out a man of the family of the House of Saul, whose name was Shimia.
The son of Gira, he came forth and cursed still as he came, and he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. And thus said Shimmy I, when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Delio. The Lord has returned upon me all the blood of the House of Saul, and whose head and whose stead thou hast reigned. And the Lord hath delivered the Kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son. And behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
And then said of Ishii the son of Zeruiah under the king, why should this dead dog curse? My Lord the king? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. And I think David response is beautiful.
He bowed under the governmental hand of God. He was fleeing Jerusalem because the rebellion of his own son Absalom, who had killed Ammon, his second one that he had taken with.
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has done unto him curse, David.
Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? He didn't take it from Shimmy, I took it from the Lord. And when these evils come upon us under the governmental hand of God, take it from the Lord. That's the word of peace in our lives. Realize that we're just reaping what we sow.
Curse David.
Who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to a vicia, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowel, seeketh my life.
How much more now may this Benjamite do this? Let him alone, and let him curse for the Lord, if didn't him.
Oh, how beautiful to see that he bowed under the hand of God in government, where Solomon was told. Because of your departure, because you've gone a ******* after other gods and allowed the wives that you've taken to turn away your hearts, I'm going to take 10 kingdoms, 10 tribes from you and give it to Jeroboam.
And your son Rehoboam will be left with just two. And did Solomon bow under that? Did he submit to the government of God? No. He tried to kill Jeroboam. He tried to stop God's government. And we can't stop it. We can't stop it.
Don't try to stop it. Submit to it, bow to it, and you can live for your Lord, for the Lord, as David continued to do.
00:45:02
He says it may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, verse 12, and that the Lord will require me good for his cursing this day. And as David and his men went by the way, shimmy, I went along on the hillside over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. And the king and all the people that were with him came weary and refreshed.
Themselves they are Absalom and all the people. The men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and a HIPAA fell with him. Now a HIPAA fell was Davidde counselor, and now he becomes Absalom counsel counselor. And in verse 20 then said absent to Ahithotel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Going unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house, and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father. Then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
So they spread absolute attempt upon the top of the house, and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
And the counsel of a HIPAA fellow which he counseled in those days with as if a man had inquired of the Oracle of God.
So with all the counsel of the hip still, both with David and with Absalom, then the next chapter, Hitsville gives his counsel.
To go out immediately and conquer David, which was good counsel. And then Pushy who had come back, really was a friend of David. And he said I'll be your counselor. And he gave his counsel and that appealed to the pride of Absalom. He would go out in his own person and.
He would defeat.
David and his host.
That was Absalom's downfall.
That was Absalom's downfall.
Let's turn over to the 18th chapter. Can't possibly read all these details.
Absalom.
Verse nine met the servants of David. They're engaged in battle now on Absalom wrote upon a mule, and he knew, and under the thick boughs of a great oak, And his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth. And the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it and told Joab and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hangs in an oak.
And Joe had sent unto the man, and told him, And behold, thou sawest him, and why did thou not spite smite him? David had charged Joab and his men Don't kill absent.
Stare, this is my son.
And Joab completely disregards that.
The man says to Joab said, I would have given thee 10 shekels of silver and a girdle. And the man said, Though I should verse 12 receive 1000 shekels and silver in my hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the King's sons. For in our hearing the king charged thee and vici and the I saying, Beware that thou touch the young man absolutely, that none touch him, otherwise I should have brought falsehood against mine own life.
And then said Joe at verse 14, I may not tell you thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom. Body was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
And 10 young men that bear Joab's army compassed about and smote Absalom and slew him, and Joab blew the trumpet. And then the messengers come back. Kushai.
And.
Hi Verse Verse 32 of chapter 18 Verse 30. And the king said unto him, Turn aside and stand here. And he turned aside and stood still. The whole Kushai came. And Kushai said, Tidings, my Lord, the king, For the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
And the king said unto Tushai as the young man Absalom safe and Kushai answered the enemies of my Lord the king.
Rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gates, and wept. And as he went thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, O my son Absalom, would God I had died for thee, O Absalom my son, my son.
That's why I think he was his favorite.
And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people. For the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people got them by stealth that day into the city. And the people being ashamed, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. And the king covered his face. And the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son.
00:50:00
My son.
#3.
The son that was born of Bathsheba, Amnon.
Now that's a rebel.
The murderer of Amnon.
And now, caught in his treachery of trying to overturn the Kingdom with the intent of killing his own father. Think of it.
Sword shall never depart from thy house.
There's one more.
First Things, Chapter 1.
David was very old at this time.
And they they brought Abhishek the Shunammite to keep David warm.
Because he was cold, couldn't get heat.
And she did what she could to to warm him, but he knew or not, it says.
And says in verse 5, Then Adonijah the son of Hagath exalted himself, saying, I will be king.
And he prepared him Chariots and horsemen, and 50 men to run before him. And his father noticed this had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done this, Done so?
And he also was a very goodly man, and his mother bare him after Absalom. Pampered, spoiled rotten. Not a lot. I never rebuked, never chastened, never corrected, never did his father say, why has I done so?
And he now tries to usurp the Kingdom.
David had promised Bathsheba that her son Solomon would be king in his stead. Adonijah now the older brother, older than Solomon. He tries to get them. He gets Joab and.
The other priest, the priest to follow him.
Verse 7 He conferred with Joab the son of Jeremiah, and with the Biothor the priest, and they followed Adonijah.
They helped him.
Well.
David dies in this chapter.
And.
The next chapter.
Nathan comes and he's.
Reminds David that when he goes to actually to the mother of Solomon Bathsheba, and she comes to David and says didn't you promise that Solomon would be king? And he said yes. So then he decrees that Solomon is king. And when Adonijah heard that verse 41 of chapter 1 and Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard yet as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said moreover.
Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?
And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathor the priest came, and Adonijah came unto him.
Said unto him, Come, for thou art a valiant man, and bring us good tidings.
And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily, our Lord King David have made Solomon king, and now had an idea, afraid for his life. Verse 50 Adonijah feared before because of Solomon. And he arose and went and caught hold of the horns of the altar. And it was told Solomon saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth King Solomon the lo ye have caught hold of the horns of the altar, saying, Let King Solomon swear unto me today that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
And Solomon said, if you will show himself a worthy man, there shall not inherit his of him faulty.
And if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
So Solomon rain it says in verse 53 King Solomon sent and they brought him down from the altar and he came and bowed himself to king Solomon. And Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house. But Adonijah made a serious mistake in the next chapter he asked he goes to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. This is after David has died and he requests that.
**** the Shunammite be made his life, that he has her for wife.
And so she goes to David, she goes to Solomon, and presents this petition. Verse 20, chapter 2. Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee, Bathsheba, speaking to Solomon her son, I pray these they may not know. And the king said unto her, Ask God my mother, for I will not say thee may. And she said, Let abashe Bashunamite be given to Adonijah, thy brother to wife.
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And King Solomon answered and said unto his mother, When? Why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunamite for Adonijah? Ask for him the Kingdom also. He's the one that had nurtured David in his last years.
And comforted him.
As for him the Kingdom also if he is mine elder brother, even for him and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah, then King Solomon square by the Lord saying God do so to me. And more also if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.
Now therefore does the Lord liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who have made me in house as he promised. Adonijah should be put to death this day. And King Solomon sent by the hand of Beniah the son of Jahida, and he fell upon him. That he died he shall restore fourfold.
David's own pronouncement, and here it was.
David Lynn lived to see this.
But it happened nonetheless, according to his own utterance.
Dear ones, God loves us with such a love.
For a few moments of pleasure, fleshly indulgence.
All this came upon.
Just a few moments of folly.
Oh, how he read.
The wheels of God's government grind exceedingly slowly. Many years. It took place before this all came to pass. It didn't happen overnight.
We're learning in the now generation. I want it now.
But think of the future. Think of the consequences of what you do now. They will go on and on and on and on.
In the government of God, but they grind exceedingly fine. They grind very slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.
Remember when we're under the government of God and we all are.
But when we begin to feel it.
The thing for us to do is what David did, but in curse the Lord has been in the curse. I didn't read the passage. I I'll just refer to it as he leaves Jerusalem. The priest Zada can buy a fair. They carried the ark and David said and I'll send the ark back to Jerusalem if it please the Lord to bring it, if it pleased the Lord to bring me back again. He realized he was under the governmental hand of God. He said I may never come back.
I may lose my Kingdom for good. He didn't know that he would be restored.
When he went out, he said if the Lord has pity on me and he pleases to bring me back, so be it. But he submitted. But he didn't. He said I don't want the ark with me. I said it back to Jerusalem, that's where it belongs.
That's where he's placed his name, and if he takes me away from that position and puts another in my stead, so be it. He bowed to it.
And that's the beauty of David Submission.
When he submitted to the hand of God and government and that's all we can do if we're going to go on with the Lord, if we get bitter and say why has he done this to me?
Why is he treating me this way? And that's the way some of us react. David didn't do that.
Because he knew that he deserved what he got. He had pronounced his own judgment, had he not?
We all deserve far worse than we get, everyone of us.
He said he shall surely die, and the Lord said to Nathan, you will not die.
He doesn't take us up fully at what we deserve. He has grace, mercy.
Well, I've done a fumbling job.
But may the Lord stir us up, young people.
Think of what you're going to do when you're tempted to gratify your own desires. For now, just for now, think of the consequences. Think of the consequences through the years of what you might do today that's not pleasing to the Lord.
May that stop you cold and say, like Joseph said, how shall I do this great evil and sin against the Lord?
When he was tempted, he said no.
May God give us grace the same.
Ground of Gathering 2
Ground of Gathering 3
Ground of Gathering 4
Holding the Truth Practically
Kingdom of Heaven
Law of Liberty
Lecture on of 8
Lecture on of 8
Lecture on of 8
Lecture on of 8
Lecture on of 8
Lecture on of 8
Lecture on of 8
Lecture on of 8
Lot and Abraham
Malachi and Haggai
Meditation on Christ our Hope and Present Object
Mephibosheth B Warr Graveside
Obedience and Submission Pamphlet
Our Possessions in Christ
Outline of Things to Come
Overcomers
Paul and Barnabas
Peace of God and Peace with God
Philadelphia Character
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Let's read tonight from Revelation 3, Revelation chapter 3 and verse 7, Revelation 3, seven. And to the Angel of the church in Philadelphia, right these things sayeth He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth. And no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth. I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.
Thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, and has not denied my name. Hold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee, because thou hast kept the word of my patience. I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God. He shall go no more out, and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and I will write upon him.
My new name, he that hath an ear.
Let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
We were noticing on Friday night. The character of the Lord is presented in the vision in chapter 1.
That each one of the previous five churches addressed Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis.
Were addressed by the Lord in one of the characters in which he is presented in the first chapter.
And each presentation of the Lord to each one of those five churches was suitable to the state of that church.
That is, there was something taken from that description of the blessed Lord in the 1St chapter, and appropriately by the Spirit of God, applied to each one of those first five churches, the first three Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamus.
Represent the the entire church I believe and they were successive.
Stages of the prophetic history of the church. Ephesus gave way to Smyrna, which gave way to Pergamos.
But the last four, beginning at Thyatira, and then Sardis, and then Philadelphia and Laodicea, represent not the entire church. None of them do. Thyatira representing the Romish church, Sardis the Protestant bodies, Philadelphia, that mighty work of the Spirit of God in the last century, calling souls out of the confusion.
Of Thyatira and Sardis into a scriptural position.
Gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, there is no other center. There never has been another center. In this 2000 years of the church's history on earth. There never will be another center. The center is Christ. There will never be a different gathering power. There never has been and there never will be. And that gathering power is the Spirit of God.
There will never be another set of divine instructions to go by for Christians.
Then the book that we have before us this afternoon, the word of God. And so we have.
All that is needed to present a testimony that answers to the mind of God and this is what you have in Philadelphia have often said that there are two epistles that are for the last days. The one is Second Timothy written by the apostle Paul and the other is this address to Philadelphia.
It gives the moral and the spiritual features that answer to the mind of God. The Lord Jesus has nothing of reproach to say to Philadelphia. Everything is suitable to him, everything there is according to his mind. In contrast, he has nothing of commendation to say to Laodicea all.
There is contrary to his mind, in fact.
00:05:02
In a word, Philadelphia over Philadelphia is written. Christ is everything that in all things He might have the preeminence. This is what characterizes Philadelphia. It is a movement. And the spiritual features of Philadelphia are those which exalt and magnify Christ. And we will see, as we trace out these moral and spiritual features, whether or not.
You and I.
As individuals can claim to be Philadelphia in character.
I find that in these last two, Philadelphia and Laodicea, I find tendencies in my own heart, and I'm sure you will too, that our Philadelphian and some Laodicean. So what we want to do as we look at these spiritual features is to seek to emulate what is Philadelphian in character and to judge.
And reject everything that is Laodicean in character.
Now the address to Philadelphia, the character in which the Lord presents himself to Philadelphia, is not taken from the the 1St chapter. We saw that the first chapter presents the Lord Jesus in a judicial character in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks.
He doesn't present himself in a judicial character to Philadelphia, He presents himself in his moral features. Notice to the Angel of the church in Philadelphia. Right these things saith he that is holy, he that is true. Now let's stop there. Holiness is delight in what is good.
And abhorrence of evil, according to God, is revealed in Christ.
The Lord Jesus was the Holy One when He was down here, and He was the true One. Holiness is the antithesis, the direct opposite of Thyatira, The corruption and the wickedness of that system, that is Thyatira.
Holiness is the exact opposite of it. Philadelphia takes her character from the character of the Lord Jesus as presented to this assembly. He was the Holy. He was the true.
Now himself as the true one is, they asked him, Remember, Who art thou? And he said altogether that which I say to thee, He was the truth, He lived the truth. He was the living embodiment and expression of the truth that He taught.
It wasn't with him as it is often with us. Do as I say, don't do as I do. But he walked the very truth that he presented. There was nothing spurious about him. There was nothing that was not genuine about him. And he himself, as the true one is the.
Antithesis the opposite of the dead lifeless non reality and formalism of Sardis. They had a name to live and they were dead. That's what he says of them in verse one of our chapter 3 Sardis a picture of a dead lifeless formalism into which the Protestant bodies have gotten.
It was a mighty work of the Spirit of God initially, but what is presented here in Sardis is not the initial work of the Spirit.
But rather the subtle state of dead, lifeless formalism into which the Protestant bodies have gotten and the Lord Jesus to Philadelphia. Well, it was a mighty work of the Spirit of God. We can go back 100 and 5000 and 70 years about that time and the Spirit of God worked in in souls. They they were not being fed. They were in the established bodies, whether it was Romanism.
Or whether it was the Protestant bodies, they were being starved and they started to search the word of God and meet in little Bible groups and studies with the Word of God before them. It was this book that meant everything to them then, and it ought to today. And in fact, it will. It does to a Philadelphia. And this is what we will see as we go through this. But before I proceed on that, I'd like to make a few comments on the word Philadelphia.
To the Angel of the church in Philadelphia, right, Philadelphia means brotherly love, or put another way, love of the brethren. It does not mean love of the Philadelphians.
00:10:06
Philadelphia means love of the brethren.
Having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love to all the Saints.
It embraces all the Saints. The Philadelphian has a heart as large as Christ's.
In a word, Philadelphia is not sectarian.
Philadelphia embraces in spiritual affections all the Church, all the church. Philadelphia. Love of the brethren, not love of certain ones who are brethren, not love of a spiritual elite.
Among the Saints of God, but love of the brethren, it is not sectarian. That's the first spiritual feature that we encounter when we look at the spiritual features of Philadelphia. Now we can ask ourselves, do we have hearts?
As we think of the Saints of God as large as Christ's Philadelphia has, he takes his character from Christ himself. Now that doesn't mean that we walk with all the brethren. No, because He's the holy and the true. He's the one who was absolutely separate from evil, though the most accessible of all men when here, and yet he was the holiest of all men.
He was the holy one in contrast with the corruption of Thyatira. He was the true one in contrast with the dead, lifeless formalism of Sardis. And then it says of him.
He that openeth, He that hath the key of David, he that openness, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth. Let's turn back to Isaiah 22, where that expression is drawn from.
In Isaiah 22.
I'll read a few verses in the chapter verse 15. Thus sayeth the Lord God of hosts, Go get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shedna, which is over the house, and say, now Shebna here I'm not going into the prophetic teaching of the chapter. Shebna is a type of the Antichrist.
Verse 20 Eliakim is the type of the Christ. It shall come to pass. Verse 20 In that day that I will call my servant Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah. Now what was to happen here?
Is Eliakim was to be set up over the house and Shebna was to be set aside.
Eliakim was chief of the household of Hezekiah, Shepner was to be set aside, and Liacham was to be clothed and raised up as governor. And he here prefigures in a beautiful way the Messiah.
Let's read verse 20. It shall come to pass in that day that I will call my servant Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with thy robe and strengthen him with thy girdle. Shebna was to be set aside, and Lia can put in his place. Notice now, and I will commit thy government into his hand, and he should be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the House of Judah. And the key of the House of David will I lay upon his children.
So he shall open, and none shall shut, and he shall shut and none.
Shall open now that's the Scripture that is quoted here in Revelation 3 let's turn back to it verse 7. These things say that he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth. I believe it's just here that the Reformation failed because they sought protection. The reformers did from the tyranny and the persecution and the.
Of Rome by a terror, by going to the governments of the world, by going to an arm of flesh, they sought protection, and they didn't go and rely entirely upon the Lord. The Lord presents himself to Philadelphia as He that has the key of David. Now we saw that that was connected in Isaiah 22 with the government being upon his shoulder. When the Lord Jesus left this scene, He said, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
And the Philadelphian is one that realizes that if he who has the key of David, if he who has the key of authoritative power in this scene uses that key to open a door, not all the power of Satan can shut that door. And the Philadelphian is one that relies not upon earthly potentates.
To suppress the enemy of the truth, but looks to the Lord Jesus alone.
00:15:04
As the one who has that key, there are two figures in scripture of earthly government. The one is the sword and there the sword. It says in Romans 13 of the powers that be, he beareth not the sword in vain. He's he has the sword. That is the earthly government has the sword to punish evil doers and for the praise of them that do well. That's the purpose of government. But the key is the other figure used in scripture connected with government, and it has to do with with opening a.
For access and for blessing, and also foreclosing a door and locking it to suppress the enemy. So the Lord Jesus has that authority and power committed to him. And if he opens the door, then the Philadelphian is one that realizes that an open door that he has opened, no one can shut it. He says So he that openeth and no man shutteth and shut it and no man open it. So the Philadelphia is 1.
Takes his character from the Lord Jesus as the holy and the true, abhorring evil, walking in truth, walking in holiness down here in separation from evil. We saw in Pergamus the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Bala to cast a snare before the children of Israel and to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. There was the breakdown of separation that Israel was set amongst all the nations to be a testimony to the true and.
God and through the Council of Balaam, the enemy succeeded in drawing them into idolatry and also into illicit relations with the world roundabout. That's exactly what's happened to the Church in the Progamos Pergamus period, when Constantine ostensibly was converted to Christianity.
The world and the church were united in marriage. It was an unholy union. It was the fall of the church.
And rather than the the fable that is still being taught in some Christian circles today, that the church is going to be here until it converts the world. The truth is the world converted the church in the days of Pergamus, and the church from this time on has been worldly and the world has been churchy. But in the Philadelphia movement, for the first time, not in the Sardis movement, certainly not Thyatira, because Thyatira is just a.
Development of Pergamus, It was the teaching of Jezebel and the same 2 elements, fornication and idolatry are found in her teaching. The settled state of the Romish system. She's always aspired after power here. She's always aspired to rule the world. And we see that woman Jezebel in the 17th chapter, riding the beast. And she will then have attained for a very short space, just a short space, what she has always sought.
Attained to rule the world, but the political power will turn upon her and destroy her and overthrow her well.
The Philadelphia is one that does not resort to an arm of the flesh.
To protect them and to keep an opened door open. The Philadelphia is one that realizes that that authority, that power is committed to the Lord Jesus and there came a time in the history of the church when the Lord Jesus who has the key of David, he used that key to open the door and to bring out of the treasure house that he has all the blessings that.
Were for the Christian, for the Church, for the assembly.
And it wasn't until Philadelphia that the full truth was recovered that was recovered at sardis wonderful work of the Spirit of God 2 cardinal truths that were recovered in the Protestant Reformation. The first is the all sufficiency of the word of God as the guide for the Christian We don't need this word authenticated by the councils or the.
Ecclesiastical power of a Church. That's the error of Rome.
But you can't believe this book until it is authenticated by the Romish system. And that, of course, is to deny the authority of the Word of God. And the other great truth that was recovered by the Reformers is justification of faith altogether apart from works. But beyond that, very little was recovered.
In the Philadelphia movement, the truth of the gospel was fully recovered. You read the Reformers, for instance, about the righteousness of God, and they're very, very cloudy, very foggy, very hazy, very much in error. They think that the righteousness in which the Christian stands before God is the legal righteousness of Christ. He kept the law for us, and that law keeping, that righteousness of the law keeping of Christ is imputed to us.
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While one verse of Scripture shows how erroneous that is if righteousness come by the law.
Christ is dead in vain. No, righteousness doesn't come by the law. We don't keep it, nor did Christ keep it for us. He did keep it, but he didn't keep it for us. That righteousness of his law keeping is not the righteousness in which we stand before God. What is it? It's Christ risen from the dead. Become a.
Our life and our righteousness before God, Christ himself is our righteousness in a new position as risen from the dead. Well, that's developed in the Epistle to the Romans very beautifully. That was recovered. Dispensational truth was recovered. You read the King James translation and the translators thought that the church existed in the Old Testament. They didn't understand that the church began on the day of Pentecost. That truth wasn't recovered until some 100.
Years ago by this mighty work of the Spirit of God.
The church didn't begin until after Christ died and rose again. Set the Spirit of God from a glorified position on high.
They didn't understand that prophetic truth that wasn't clear at all and that was brought out.
A dispensational truth. Church truth. What is the church?
It's calling, its destiny, its character, all revealed and brought out. What is the true character, nature and calling of the Christian? Is he earthly? Does he have earthly hopes and prospects? Or is he heavenly and does he have heavenly hopes and prospects?
Well, he's heavenly and this has all been brought out and recovered. And with that godly separation from the world came and the great downfall of what we have today. We are living in days following. Over 100 years now have passed since this tremendous amount of truth has been recovered, since he who has the key of David use that key to open the treasure house.
And to bring out all these wonderful truths that were always here in the blessed Book that had been lost amid the ecclesiastical rubble of Christendom. And the day came when that truth was recovered. The hope of the Lords coming, the rapture we have that unfolded here in the address to Philadelphia, that we will not go through the tribulation. We will not go through the wrath that's going to fall upon this godless world, this apostate Christendom.
That we're going through, that we're a part of as we are left down here until the Lord comes, the heavenly character, the heavenly calling, the heavenly hope of the Christian, not of the world.
Our hopes are pathway heavenly suffering now the glory to come. Israel was promised just the opposite. Israel was promised that if they walked in godliness and holiness.
And now they would be blessed to prove the womb their crops.
Their herds would all produce abundantly. There wouldn't be sickness, there wouldn't be problems of an earthly sort. This was all held out as the reward of blessing and the reward of obedience in blessing from God. That's not held out to the Christian. The Christian, the Lord says in the world you shall have tribulation that be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
A strange mixture we find, and it's caused some to go very much astray. They read of all the spiritual blessings that are unfolded in the New Testament, all the spiritual blessings of the church, blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies, in Christ Jesus. And there were children of God. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. We're reconciled to God by the death of His Son. We have eternal life.
We have the present possession of the Spirit of God. We have we are children of God, we're sons of God, we cry ABBA father. And if sons and children were heirs, heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, all of those blessings and yet suffering now.
Not raining, not prospering in this world, but suffering and persecution and trial and difficulty.
That's what the New Testament holds out to the Christian, a strange To some it seems strange because I've heard men that have reasoned and said it's not God's will that a Christian should suffer. It's not God's will that a Christian should not be prosperous in business. It's not God's will that a Christian shouldn't prosper in this world and he that false conclusion is drawn from.
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The fact that he's blessed with all these spiritual blessings.
But the error comes in not seeing that the blessings of the Christian are spiritual and heavenly. They are not earthly and they are not temporal. They are for another day, and they are for our spiritual enjoyment.
The most spiritual Saints may be the poorest in this world. The most spiritual Saints may be the sickliest in this world. The most spiritual Saints may have the most trials in this world. Going through trial, being in poverty, being in sickness is not a sign today of the Lords disfavor. On the contrary, those that are the Word of God says all the will of godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
You live godly.
And you will suffer persecution. You will know what it is.
To be persecuted by a world that does not want Christ. And this is what we have in Philadelphia. Let's look at it in detail now. Verse 8. I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee and opened it. Ought to read opened door, one which he himself has opened. And no man can shut it. All the power. Satan can't shut that door.
Let's stop for a moment at I know thy works.
The Philadelphian is content with that.
The Philadelphian.
Is identified with a state of soul which is just like Christ when he was here.
Lord Jesus never did anything for the eye of men. He never did anything to please men. He was never under an obligation to conform to social regulations and pressures.
In fact, he didn't do that. He only had one to please, and that was the Father, and he lived in this scene to please the Father. The Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 6 says as the living father had sent me, and I live on account of the father, Even so he that eateth me, even he shall live on economy.
Paul puts it this way. For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain. To live is Christ. And he has to lament that.
I have no man like minded with Timothy who will care with genuine feeling how you get on, for all seek their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ.
But the Philadelphian is one who is not seeking his own things. He's not here for self. He's not here for self advancement. He's not here for self acclaim. He's here for Christ as the Lord Jesus was here for the Father. He was here to represent and to present the Father.
In this scene, that was what sustained him as a man. As he went through this scene, the will of God, the very meat that he that he had to eat was to do the will of him that sent him.
And so the Philadelphian is one that can say, that can rejoice in the fact that he says, I know thy works. And the Lord Jesus, the Lord Jesus walked before the eye of God. He always did everything to please his Father. The Philadelphian does everything to please Christ and he's satisfied that he knows.
He knows man may not understand man made a malign and slander.
And speak against a one who seeks to go on as a Philadelphian in Philadelphia. Character that the Lord Jesus says I know, that works. I know. And the Philadelphian is satisfied that he knows and that he evaluates and that he appraises everything according to the balances of the sanctuary. I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an opened door.
And no man can shut it.
All one has to do is to read the collected writings and the letters of Mr. Darby, and you will see the tremendous opposition of the enemy to the recovered truth in the last century, over and over and over again, from the pulpit, from the religious world especially.
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Though those who were prominent, those whose position.
For he doest thou these things, who gave thee this authority.
And then the Lord said, I'll ask you a question, and if you answer it, I'll answer yours. The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men? Tell me. And they said, if we shall say of heaven, just say, Why then did you not believe him We should say of men? They were afraid of the people, because they all held John as a prophet. So they said, We cannot tell, and neither tell. Are you by what authority I do these things?
He was despised.
He was here.
And the Philadelphian is despised.
If we have the desire to be something.
If we have the desire to have the applause of the world or even the applause of our bread.
The applause of the church world or some ecclesiastical body. We're not Philadelphians.
Because the Philadelphian lives above that.
The Philadelphian walks as Christ walked, and he never did anything for the eye of man. He wouldn't receive testimony from man.
You wouldn't even receive testimony from John the Baptist. But he said, I'm going to allow it, that she might believe that She might believe. I have set before thee an open door. No man can shut it.
And now we have the spiritual features of Philadelphia that has a little strength. Nothing, nothing that would impress the natural man, especially the ecclesiastical world, the bodies, religious bodies represented by Sardis and Thyatira, where you have great massive buildings costing millions of dollars to put up, stained glass windows.
Choirs, vestments, priests, and all the trappings that go with Judaism.
And much that comes from paganism, especially in Thyatira. Idolatry too. But Philadelphia? Just a picture of weakness. What is strength? Nothing that the natural man can take note of. Nothing that would impress the world. Nothing that is a part of the world. Nothing that the world can.
Respect and estate, just weakness. That was here, that was the Lord Jesus. When he was here, he was despised.
Isaiah tells us, and we esteemed him not precisely what is true of the Philadelphia. We don't like that. Naturally. We want to be thought well of. I don't know how many of you young people have ever been asked what church do you go to when you sort of rise and squirm and, well, I just need a few.
Few Christians down the street. Well, what do you call yourself? Well, we don't take a name. Well, who are you? Well, we're just gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, so to say it apologetically sometimes, and we ought to say I'm gathered to the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Wonderful. But you see, that name carries reproach with it. If I say I am a Methodist or I'm a Baptist, or I'm a Roman Catholic or I'm a.
That there's no reproach to that. The world accepts that. But you're just a what? Just a Christian? No name gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I never heard of that despised little stranger. Something the world cannot relate to. Something the world.
That is so above the world, so above the thinking of the natural man, that when we take a firm stand on that ground, there is reproach connected with it. We're made to feel that what a blessed privilege to be here, to bear his reproach. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, the camp of established religion that you see in Thyatira and Sardis outside of all that.
That Judaistic formalistic religion with a one man ministry and a choir and all the beautiful organ music and the stained glass windows and everything that appeals to the emotions of the natural man. Just just a few feeble nobodies.
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But he's there. He is there. That's why I'm there. Because he is there. Not because brother so and so is there, not because there's some great preacher there that we all go to here. But he is there and he can't be seen with the natural eye. He's only seen by the eye of faith and counted on and.
Promised to be there if we really believe that you would never miss a meeting, if we really believe that we would always be present if we believed he was there. Thomas missed the meeting, didn't he? Thomas missed the meeting, but he when he learned about what he had missed, he was there the next week well.
He is there, thou hast a little strength, weakness. He was born in a stable, laid in a Manger. He could say the foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man is not where to lay his head witness. He was crucified in weakness, but he lives by the power of God. Little strain. Philadelphia. That's the first moral feature of Philadelphia.
And then the next is to me so exceedingly precious, and has kept my word.
Kept my worth.
We read it this morning at the table, Luke 15 The enemies of the Lord said this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. They weren't commending him for that, they were reproaching him for that. Simon said if this man were a prophet, he would have known what manner of woman it is that toucheth him, for she's a Sinner in that she's a harlot. This man the holiest man that ever walked this scene.
I was checked by word. I was checked my word. What a commendation, as they said of him.
In derision this man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. We rejoice in that. So another an enemy of the truth said about Mr. Darby, vows to this book like a fool.
I think that's the most wonderful commendation that can be given to a man. Vows to this book like a fool.
And in that day there are going to be some that the Lord will be able to say, Thou hast kept my word. Now in that day it's going to mean everything. It means everything to him today, everything to him. Boss kept my word. The Philadelphia men of the book, they bowed to the word of God. They are not satisfied with allowing any part of it to be with which they're not acquainted.
They're men of the book. They read it all. They read it all.
A ponder it sacred pages. They don't have special portions that they just read in, but they read the book, they read the word. You know we say all Scripture, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction and righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
We say that we believe it, but do we make it all ours?
Is there still much land to be possessed? Only what we put our foot on, only what we walk in, will be ours. It's not what we learn in the intellect, it's what we put our foot on that is ours. That's what that's the way it was with the Israelites when they took possession of the land and put their foot on it, and it was there. They had to walk in it in order to make it theirs.
We're living in a day when the generation the the modern generation.
Spiritual areas of all this recovered truth receive the truth very easily. We receive it very easily. But do we walk in it?
Is it true that we have kept His word? He says Thou has kept my word. One could speak for a whole hour just on that one expression, but I'm not going to do it. You have to develop it in your own thoughts. What is it to keep His word? It isn't simply to memorize it, that's to walk in it. It isn't simply to know certain parts of it, but to make it all ours, to search it all to be, to be in the Scriptures, in the word. How much time do you spend reading?
Book every day. How many times have you gone through the Bible in your life? How many years have you been saved? How many times have you read it through and through and through and through and through, to congratulate yourself that you've read it once? I think that's lamentably bad if you've been saved a number of years. We should make it more than our necessary food.
If you were asked the question of all your earthly possessions, which would you give up last? What would you say? It should be this book, the word of God. I've kept my word, and then he says, And thou has not denied my name. The name represents all that He is in a certain character, in a certain aspect.
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Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus means Jehovah the Savior. He is the Jehovah God of the Old Testament who's come to save us. Jesus, His name shall be called the Word of God. He's the expression of God on his vesture and on his thigh, a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, or the Father of Eternity.
The Prince of Peace, you could go on and on and on naming his names. If we take another name, if we're content with any other name than Jesus, the precious name, God has exalted him, giving him a name which is above every name. But at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow. Gather to the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we take another name, as so many Christians are content to do, can we receive this commendation? Thou is not denied my name.
Can I receive that if I take another name or if I accept?
A doctrine which sullies the glory of his person is that not to deny his name, who he is. He is the eternal Son of God. If I look upon him and consider him only his sonship was only in time. He wasn't the eternal Son of God. He was only Son in time. Could I receive the commendation if I hold back that thou has not denied my name, but if I if I accept the pernicious teaching that so many leaders today in Christendom.
Accepting and even teaching that though He didn't sin, he could have sinned, they deny the impeccability of His holy nature. Can that be said of such that has not denied my name?
I think.
Are we Philadelphia?
Do we hold to the integrity of the Person of Christ and the infallibility of the Word of God? Brother was.
I was, I was asking him about the place where they're going to have the conference this year.
In it's a new place, they can't get the old one and we went out to look at it and he said he was walking down one of the halls where they were teaching there.
And he just overheard one of the instructors say the infallible word of God. Well, that rejoiced his heart. And it rejoices my heart when we hear Christians that hold and up and magnify the word of God, the infallible word of God.
The house kept my word and not denied My name was not. Behold, I will make them now we have the enemy. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, do homage before thy feet the thought, and to know that I have loved thee. Oh, that's so precious, the synagogue of Satan. You notice in verse 9 of chapter 2 That same group is mentioned to Smyrna.
Smyrna and Philadelphia are the two assemblies the Lord finds no fault with. He doesn't call upon either one of them to repent.
And the Smyrna, he says, I know thy works to 9 and tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich. And I know the blasphemy or the slander of them which say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan, the same group opposing the Saints, who are going through all that persecution and trust.
And tribulation in the time of Smyrna, many of them martyred for Christ. And now Philadelphia, the recovery of the truth, marvelous recovery of the truth. I have no doubt that the brethren movement answered, answered to this in the early days. I can't say that it does today.
Did then at least many amongst them, And we have to be searching our hearts to find out in how far we fall, how far we've fallen from the recovered truth. I will make them of a synagogue of Satan. 39 which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Who are these? Who are these? Well, such hold an official religious position before the world, but recognized by the world the established religious bodies of Thyatira and Sardis.
And what does it say of them? They profess to be the people of God. They say they're Jews.
The Jews could say we have Abraham for our father. They could point back to the call of Abraham.
And they were his descendants. They can trace their their lineage back to the establishment of their church body. They profess to be the people of God on the ground of an hereditary religion based upon tradition. And the natural man understands that. The natural man can appreciate that and he values it. But there the synagogue of Satan, in contrast to the assembly of Christ, they are only the people of God based upon.
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A formalistic.
Kind of thing, not spiritual. And they're the opponents of this despised weak.
Movement that goes exclusively by the Word of God, teach the Word of God, and holds with all its energy to maintaining the integrity of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not denied my name.
These are the moral features of Philadelphia and those that would reason upon Scripture. Is it really so that in these last days, you know, it's no one with intelligence today in these in this enlightened 20th century of ours, no one with intelligence really believes this book anymore, do they? Is it true? Yes, there are some. Thank God there still are those.
That bow to the scriptures that when God speaks from his word they submit to, they say yes, Lord not yes, but.
I have my thoughts, but yes, Lord. And they bow to the word of God, and they maintain the integrity of His name. The enemy, those that are called here of the synagogue of Satan, those who are of the formalistic established church bodies around, they're the greatest persecutors and opponents.
To the recovered truth of Philadelphia.
What's going to happen? You hold. I will make them to come and not worship, but to do homage before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. The enemy is going to do homage before the feet of the Philadelphia. And the one that has stood for the truth of the church, the one that has stood for the truth of the Word of God, has rightly divided it and maintained it, kept it.
AT denied his name.
Just a little strength, just a feeble few, but something the world can only despise, But still those that cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart you're going to make the enemy come, and to do homage before the feet of the Philadelphian, and to know the Lord says that I've loved thee. This is the blessed assurance that he gives to the Philadelphia. Now verse 10. Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which will come upon all the world.
Try them to dwell upon the earth, because thou has kept the word of my patience. What is that we saw in the 1St chapter, verse 9. Let's turn back to it. 19 I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Isle that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The new translation reads that in the tribulation.
Kingdom and patience in Jesus.
One article describing 3 things. It's the time of tribulation for the testimony, the Kingdom, and the patience in Jesus. It's just the opposite of the way the Corinthians were going on. They were reigning as kings.
And let's turn to that First Corinthians 4, keeping the word of his patience. First Corinthians 4, verse 8. Now you are full, Now you are rich.
Right now, full now, rich now, just like Laodicea, we have reigned as kings without us. When I went to God, you did reign. He wasn't deprecating the reigning as kings. But he says it's too soon. You're doing it too soon. This isn't the reigning time. This is the suffering time. He says you've reigned as kings without us. You don't have us with you. Not the apostles. No. The apostles were suffering. The apostles were suffering.
So he says your brain is kings without us, and I would to God you did reign that we also might reign with you. There is a reigning time coming.
But it hasn't come yet. It's the time of his patience. It's the time of not raining, but suffering. But I think that God hath set forth us, the apostles last, as it were appointed to death. But we have made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye arise in Christ. We are weak, but ye are strong.
We are honorable that we are despised, but that's the position of the Philadelphia the despised one, the weak one.
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The Fool, even under this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked in our buffeted and have no certain dwelling place.
And labor, working with our own hands being reviled, we bless, being persecuted, we suffer it, being defamed, we entreat, we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things under this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons, I warn you. Well, the Corinthians were going on as though.
This was the day of reigning, that this scene was the scene in which we are to have our portion. And that is the denial of Christianity. That's what's around us everywhere. And the Saints reigning as kings instead of suffering as the apostles did. Let's turn back.
Just bear with me for another few minutes. Let's turn back to Second Kings 5.
Just on this thought of keeping the word of my patients in Second Kings 5 May a man was healed of leprosy by Elisha the prophet of grace and Gehazi wanted some of what Naman had blocked with him and we'll take up starting with verse 22. He said all is well my master had sent me. This is speaking to Naman saying behold even now there be come to me for Mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of.
Prophets give them, I pray, the a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. And Naman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound 2 talents of silver, and two bags with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants, and they bear them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house. And he let the men go, and they departed. And he went in and stood before his master. And Elijah said unto him, Whence Comestoga he's I. And he said, Thy servant went no wither.
Said unto him, What not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time? Here's the question now that Elisha puts to Gehesa, Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments and olive yards and vineyards and sheep and oxen and men, servants and maidservants? It's a day of grace that we're living in, and we can ask the question, Is it a time to embellish ourselves with these things?
The leprosy, therefore, of Naomin shall cleave unto thee.
And unto thy seed forever. And he went out from his presence A leper as white as snow. There's another beautiful illustration in Second Samuel 19. I just want to read it quickly about a true Philadelphian. Jays. I was the opposite. Second Samuel 19. David returns after he fled.
Absalom usurped the Kingdom. Absalom is dead now and David returns and it says in verse 24, Mephibosheth, the son of Saul came down to meet the king. Now Mephibosheth had been slandered before the king by Ziba his servant. He, Zaiba had said Mephibosheth didn't come because he said now the Lord was going to return the Kingdom to him. He was the son of Solomon, the son of Jonathan. He was in Saul's line. That was a lie. Don't let some Mephibosheth attitude.
King David was absent from Jerusalem. Verse 24 The Mephibosheth, the son of Saul, came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes from the day the king departed until the day came again in peace. Well, what? What a beautiful, wonderful, lovely attitude.
The fibership hadn't done anything for his own comfort. He was in mourning the king, David who who was everything to Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth sat at David's table.
David had showed the kindness of God to Mephibosheth, who's lame on both his feet, and he sat at the King's table. And now the king had been deposed and fled for his life, and Mephibosheth was in mourning. He had neither trimmed his dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes ever since David had left.
Been slandered and it's that's the true character of a Philadelphian, one who knows what it is to to be in mourning in the absence of our king, of our David, I should say the true king that was kept the word of my patience.
Place of Apostles and Elders in Early Church
Prophecy - 5th Address
Prophecy of Balaam
Satan's Devices
Seven Churches Part 1
Address—C. Hendricks
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Want to take up in my a few meetings we'll have together?
The two addresses to Philadelphia and Laodicea. But tonight we will be looking at sort of an introductory session and we'll read from the first chapter of Revelation.
I think we're all familiar with the fact that.
The last book in the Bible, The Apocalypse. The Revelation.
Is just that. It's the revelation of.
Future events. The last.
Prophetic.
Utterance that we have, and even the view of the Church given to us in chapters 2 and 3 is a prophetic history. Now we're at the end.
We're in the days of Laodicea, and when these words were written, it was prophecy, it was prophetic, It was written before the accomplishment in time of what was spoken out in those seven churches. Now we're at the end, the fulfillment has taken place and we can look back and read.
This prophetic account of the Church's history on earth, the only divine account we have.
And we can see it as history.
We can see it as fulfilled.
Prophecy and.
Strictly speaking, prophecy applies to to earth doesn't apply to heaven. The church is a heavenly company. But here in this book we have before the heavenly scene of chapters four and five when the Lord is in heaven, and then the judgments starting with chapter 6 through 19 fall to prepare the earth for the reign of the Messiah.
The Lord Jesus, and in 19 he comes back to reign and establishes the Kingdom.
But before that we have the present period of time, and it's looked at, as I say, especially in a prophetic sense, Ephesus, Smyrna, Paramus, Bayatara, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea.
The first four of the seven.
Up to Thyatira.
But I should say the first three of the seven give the general character of the testimony of the Church. The last four give a remnant character. Thyatira was representative of the Romi system.
Which is not the entire church. Sardis, the Protestant Reformation, Philadelphia, which I want to look at in detail.
The recovery of truth, especially of the last century, and then Laodicea, the final Luke warm latitudinarian state of things existing at the end time, which is going to be spewed out of the Lords mouth, disowned totally as a testimony for him and the earth.
The.
The first three are of a general character and the address to the overcomer.
In the first 3.
Is given. Let's look at it in the address to Ephesus, for instance, chapter 2.
In verse 7, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, and then to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God, the Word. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Occurs before the address to the overcomer.
And that's because I believe that the the the testimony represented by Ephesus, by Smyrna, by Pergamos was recoverable as a testimony. So the address to the overcomer follows the he that happened here. Let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
But if you if you go down to fire Tyra, which begins at verse 18, you'll notice the address to the overcomer.
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Is in the.
Very last verse it says, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That follows the address to the overcomer, which is in verse 26, He that overcometh, and then he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
Now the last four is in that order, and that's because the general state of things has come to such a point that the general state is not recoverable, I believe, but rather the address he that happened here, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches is addressed to the overcomer, because it's only the overcomer in those last four of that wood that would hear.
But that's coming as presented in the last four.
Call Tyra Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea. The last four goes down to the end.
The first three have come and gone. They do not exist today as as a state of the church as such they did exist. Ephesus, the post Apostolic Church learn of the time of persecution that broke out a little while after that when the Lord was seeking to recover the Christians who were.
Who had fallen from their first love left their first love.
That was the root of all the departure that followed. And then Pergamos that time when the Roman Emperor Constantine outwardly embraced Christianity. Now whether he was really converted to Christian or not, we cannot say. We do not know.
At any rate, he compelled all his subjects, his citizens and so on to embrace Christianity. That became the national religion. But we'll see that as we look into it. Let's read.
They're just these few preliminary comments. Let's read from the first chapter, beginning at verse 9.
I, John, who also, and your brother and companion in tribulation and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the aisle that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
John is in banishment in the Isle of Patmos, and he characterizes the present testimony as the Tribulation and the Kingdom and the patience of Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom is in in a state where the king is rejected, and what is characteristic of this present time is tribulation.
To the to those that bear the testimony of the Lord and patience on their part required to wait His time until He sets things right. We are not called upon to do that. That isn't the calling of the Church to set things right. He has not left us here to correct the world, or to reform the world, or to convert the world, or to set it straight.
Rather, we are here.
To witness for Christ, He has left us here to be a testimony for Him.
In a world that has rejected him, what a privilege is ours. And in the vision that we're going to see in a moment that follows, the Lord Jesus stands in the midst of that which represents the testimony of the present day. And he stands there as a judge. He doesn't stand there as a compassionate high priest, not the viewpoint given here in the Book of Revelation, but he stands there.
Judge in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks. Let's read on. John is in rejection. He's vanished to the Isle of Patmos. He says he was your. I am your brother and companion in the way it reads in the new translation, The Tribulation and Kingdom and patience, the article combining those three things. Tribulation.
Kingdom and patience in Jesus was in the Isle that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I was in the spirit on the Lord's Day and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet. It was an arresting voice. It was a great voice. It wasn't the still small voice that we read of.
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That was heard in the Old Testament. It wasn't a voice similar to what John was used to when he accompanied with the Lord here below in the flesh, but it was a great voice as of a trumpet.
Saying, I am now come and Omega the 1St and the last, What thou seest writing a book? And send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and under Pergamus, and unto Thyatira, and under Sardis, and under Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
When I turned to see the voice that spake with me and being turned, I saw 7 golden candlesticks.
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like under the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and gird about the patch with the golden girdle, He's standing in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks which represents the church. I'll read verse 20, the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.
The seven stars of the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are.
The seven Churches. So here he looks back at this voice that spoke with him as of a trumpet, this mighty voice, and he he sees 7 golden candlesticks, and in the midst one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with the garment down to the foot, he has the long flowing priestly garment of discernment.
That he's wearing and he's gird about the paps with a golden girdle. He's not gird about the loins.
He's not in the attitude of service here, but he's good about the paps with a golden girdle. That is, his affections are righteously restrained, restrained by divine righteousness, and they're not flowing out to his own. In this viewpoint. He's there as a judge. He's standing in the midst of that which represents the Christian testimony in this world.
In these last 2000 years.
The church's history here below, represented by the perfect number 77 churches, 7 different stages of development, prophetic history of the church. And he is there in the midst of this testimony and let's read it of the description.
He has on the garments the long flowing priestly garment.
Of discernment and gird about the paps with a golden girdle.
His affections held in by divine righteousness, which is what gold signifies. His head in His hairs were quite like wool, as white as snow. Now that identifies him with the Ancient of Days of Daniel 7. Let's look back at Daniel 7, where we will see a vision.
We were singing in the hymn about at length the final Kingdom.
And here we have a vision in Daniel Chapter 7. Reading from verse nine, I beheld till the Thrones were cast down, or more correctly set up, and the ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool.
Throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery string issued and came forth from before him. Thousands, thousands ministered unto him, and 10,000 * 10,000 stood before him. The judgment was set, and the books were opened.
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horns fate that's referring to the little horn that came from that 4th beast, the head of the revived Roman Empire. I believe I beheld even till the beast was slain and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away.
That their lives were prolonged for a season in time. Now notice this.
I saw in the night visions and behold one like the Son of man come with the clouds of heaven, and he came to the Ancient of days and they brought him near before him. The Ancient of Days in this vision in verse 9 represents God. He sits upon the throne and it's he's described as his garment white, his snow, the hair of his head like the pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame and his wheels was burning.
And so on. And now comes this Son of man, verse 13. With the clouds of heaven, He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion and glory, and a Kingdom that all people, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
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Now in the.
21St Verse of Daniel 7 Now there you saw in that vision, the ancient of days is God, and the Son of man comes to him and receives the Kingdom. He receives a Kingdom which shall never pass away. It will never give way to another. It is eternal in that sense.
But in verse 21 we read I beheld, and the same horn made war with the Saints and prevailed against them. That's that little horn that represents the last head of the Roman Empire, and until it says, the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High.
And the time came that the Saints possessed the Kingdom.
Now here you have the Ancient of Days coming and that's the Lord Jesus. In verse 14, he comes to the Ancient of Days, but in verse 22 he is the Ancient of Days and that's exactly what you get. Let's go back to Revelation One. That's exactly the the truth that is brought before us by the Spirit of God writing through John about the Lord Jesus.
One like the son of Man standing in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks.
Word about the patch with a golden girdle, long flowing priestly garment, and his head and his hairs were white like wool as white as snow. That is his description is the same as that given in Daniel 7 describing God who's sitting on the throne. And the Son of Man comes to the ancient of receive the Kingdom. And then when he comes later, he is the Ancient of Days. Is that confusion? No, it's intentional because the Son of Man is very.
God and very man. And so as as in Daniel, John's writings are written that way. You get it especially in John's Gospel and the especially in the epistles. Take for instance first John 520. We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding that we may know Him that is true. Now who's he talking about? The Father? Or is he talking about the Son there that we may know Him that is true.
And we are in him, that is true. Who is that? Even in his Son, Jesus Christ, He the Son is the true God and eternal life. John intentionally confounds in his writing, in his writings, the persons of the Father and the Son, because he wants to convey but the Spirit of God conveying by that means that He the Son, the one who became man, the one who came.
To the ancient of Days. He is the ancient of days. He is God overall blessed forever. So you get that enforced, reinforced in Daniel 7. You get it also here in Revelation One, the very description given in Daniel 7 of God the Father sitting on the throne and then the Son of man coming to him.
Is the very one given here in Revelation One to the Son of Man himself?
His head and his hairs were white like Wilbur's 14 as white his snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire. He has the all searching, penetrating eyes that sees everything according to the standards of divine holiness. His eyes as a flame of fire, the all searching penetrating character of those eyes which sees all.
In, in, in that which calls itself Christian. When we talk about the seven golden candlesticks, we're not talking about the Mohammedan world. We're not talking about Hinduism.
Or any of the other false religions. We're talking about that which calls itself Christian. We're talking about the Christian world. We're talking about that which professes the name of Christ, whether it be real or false, whether it be real or false. The seven golden candlesticks, why are they golden? Because the church has been set up here in divine righteousness. It's been set up according to God. It doesn't mean that everything that is found here answers to that. On the contrary, it does not.
Answer to it, but it's been set up in that way in this world, the church is a divine institution established of God in this scene to be a life bearer. There are basically 4-5. A brother corrected me and he added a fifth and he was right. I used to say 4-5 figures that the church is presented in in the in the New Testament.
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Presented as a body, the body of Christ, it's presented as a bride.
The bride of Christ is presented as a house or temple. His dwelling place is presented here as a Candlestick, a light there that which is set here to be a testimony before the Lord to to render a testimony to bear light. And then later in this, this book, it's it's presented as a city, the holy Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven.
The administrative center, the place from which God will administer the government of the millennial earth, the heavenly city, and then it flows out through the earthly city and then to the rest of the world. Well, so we have the Church presented here as a light bearer, as a testimony set in this world, and the Lord is in the midst of that testimony.
Searching with those all penetrating eyes as a fire flame of fire.
And viewing everything that is going on in the name of Christ and as we look around this today.
And we see all that is happening in that which calls itself Christian.
It is most solemn indeed, and everyone that ourselves included, of course, that is set here. We are going to be held accountable to the one who is in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks for how we have borne that testimony, whether it's been true or not true to Him, He has set us here.
To be a testimony to render light and to the world around about us.
The light, the Candlestick is to shed light to those outside, and the church is set here for that purpose. We're not set here to to to improve the world. We're not set here to convert the world. We're set here to be a testimony to the world of the one that it would not have and will not have that we're set here. What a privilege to be a true testimony to him.
Now we will see as we get to it, as we get to the address to Philadelphia, we will see the moral features.
That answer to the mind of Christ that please him. There are only two of the seven. That he has nothing to reproach them with. He doesn't reproach Smyrna, that's the second from the beginning. And he doesn't reproach Philadelphia, the second from the end. All is commendation in Laodicea, the last final phase of that which calls itself Christian. In this world there isn't 1.
Of condom, of commendation, it is all a condemnation. It is all unsuitable to him and he's threatens to spew it out of his mouth, disown it totally as a Christian witness. He's outside of that church, knocking outside, not there. He cannot identify with that state of things. Well, we'll see that as we get into it, but what we're what my.
Heart is to look at these last two.
Philadelphia representing what is true.
Is a true testimony to the name of the Lord Jesus. The moral features, the spiritual features that you find in Philadelphia are those which answer to the mind of God, which give a true representation. The only one of the seven which represents what the church is according to God's thoughts is Philadelphia, the only one.
There are some features in all of them except Laodicea.
That are approved of God, but Philadelphia is that which represents a true testimony to the mind of God as to the assembly.
Laodicea is the exact opposite.
And so the desire of our hearts ought to be. I'll make one more statement. Philadelphia does not represent an ecclesiastical position.
There is no company of Christians today on the face of the earth that as a company, answers to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia represents a spiritual, moral state of things. We ought to desire to answer to the Philadelphia state. It's that which the Lord approves of as we look. Get into it and see what those moral and spiritual features are.
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What they really are, we will see that to claim to be Philadelphia is a claim that would only be made by one who is ignorant of the true state that exists amongst any known body of Christians today in the world. But we ought to desire it. We ought to have the earnest desire and the benefit that we can gain by looking into it in this way.
Is to see what the Lord approves, the spiritual features that He approves that are found in Philadelphia, and what He rejects and must do so.
In Laodicea, to avoid that, to avoid all those things which are Laodicean in character and to emulate everything which is Philadelphian in character. But I will get to that. Let's go on with this vision. The Lord is in the midst as the Son of Man.
As the Son of man, all judgment is committed to him.
And God has appointed a day.
In which he will judge this world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, and that he hath raised him from the dead. The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, that all should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. And he judges as Son of Man. So here he is judging that which is the Christian testimony in this world.
According to the standards of holiness, his eyes is a flame of fire.
His feet like unto fine brass. Brass speaks of divine righteousness and the execution of divine righteousness against evil and against sin, the judgment of God against sin. And so his feet are like fine brass is burning in a furnace. The uncompromising firmness of the Lord's judgment in dealing with everything that he sees that proposedly is Christian.
That is being advanced in the Christian world.
And as we think of what is going on in Christendom, it is the IT is the the sphere where the name of Christ is acknowledged, where it is recognized, where it is professedly owned, and just about every kind of evil that the world has ever seen.
Exists in the bosom of Christendom.
His man who is in that profession going to have to give an account. Absolutely, absolutely. And here's what we, what we have in this vision.
This voice says the sound of many waters.
Turn back to Psalm 29.
Psalm 29.
The voice of irresistible majesty. The voice as the sound of many waters. This whole Psalm 29 speaks of the voice of the Lord. It's a very wonderful song. Let's just read it.
Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty. Give unto the Lord, glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.
The God of glory, thunderous. The Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful.
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the Cedars. Yeah, the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf. Lebanon and Syrian like a young Unicorn. The voice of the Lord divided the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness. The Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord maketh the Hinds to calve and discovereth the forest. In His temple doth everyone speak of His glory.
The Lord said it upon the flood. Yeah, the Lord sitteth King forever.
The Lord will give strength unto His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace. Well, the voice of the Lord over and over again spoken of as a voice of irresistible majesty. And to think how man dares to refuse to hearken to that voice. What we read in verse 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice.
As of a trumpet, and here his voice is described as the sound.
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Of many waters irresistible majesty, I've never seen a picture painted. I've seen many pictures portraying the Lord Jesus as a shepherd with his sheep, or the Lord Jesus taking children in his arms, and so on, but I've never seen a picture portrayed which is described so vividly in this chapter.
As it is described here.
He had in his right hand seven stars. We're told in verse 20 that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. In the early chapters of Revelation, the stars were to they had two functions. They were to rule by night and they were to give light on the earth. They were to be light bearers, and so the stars.
Are held in the right hand of the Lord's power.
They have all the power of the Lord to sustain them and to uphold them.
To discharge their function, what do they represent? Well, if you've noticed, there's one of chapter 2 under the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, right unto the Angel of the Church of Smyrna, right? Under the Angel of the church in Pergamus, right? He addresses the Angel. And the Angel is likened to a star, a ruler and a teacher, one who gives light and one who rules. And so the Lord Jesus holds in his right hand of power.
Authority, these seven stars, and they are the the seven angels. They are the figurative representation of the responsibility of the assembly. And the Lord is addressing that responsible element in the assembly and holding those in that position accountable for the state of the assembly. It's a very solemn thought that God holds those who are the rumors and the teachers in the assembly.
Responsible for the state of the assembly. He addresses the Angel, not the assembly directly, but then at the end he says he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit sayeth, not to the angels, but to the churches. So what he's saying is to the whole assembly, but especially addressing that which is the figurative representation of the responsible element in the assembly.
Now, in one sense, we're all responsible. That's true. Everyone is responsible.
But certainly the brothers are far more responsible than the sisters, because they have a place of public witness and testimony in teaching. The sisters do not teach, they do not rule. Neither one of the functions which is characteristic of the Angel, the stars, is not theirs. They are to be subject and to.
Be instructed in quietness. So I believe that the Angel would represent.
Those brothers in the assembly, who whom the Lord holds accountable as teachers and as ruling in the assembly, leading the assembly for the state of the assembly.
He holds them in his right hand of power and out of his mouth. Verse 16. What a sharp 2 edged sword. Of course that's the word of God and everything is judged according to the word of God. There are movements today in Christendom that purportedly are Christian where the Word of God has a very very secondary place.
I remember a brother coming into the home of a Christian that was in that kind of a movement.
We opened the first page and he read these words. I don't care what this book says. I've had an experience.
That will not stand.
That will not stand.
The Lord Jesus has the sharp sword with the two edges. Our experiences don't count as straw when it comes to measuring up to the Word of God. Everything is going to be judged according to the Word of God.
That is the standard. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness.
Man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Correction, I forgot that the word of God is all that we need, and it will judge each one in the last day. The word that I have spoken that shall judge him in the last day. So he comes, and his appearance, he's in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks.
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He has his hair is identifies him with the ancient of days, full of wisdom.
Full of wisdom, He is the one who is called wisdom in Scripture. His eyes search and penetrate every phase and aspect of the Christian testimony. Nothing escapes his notice. Everything is judged according to the holiness of God's standards in God's throne. His feet, what he stands on, are as fine grass burning in the furnace.
The judgment will be executed according to divine righteousness and the uncompromising firmness.
Of that judgment His voice is the sound of many waters, irresistible majesty, the voice of the Lord speaking. Do we hear that voice? Is that voice being heard today in Christian circles? Is it being quite that? Is it being bowed to? Is the voice of the Lord that which causes men to tremble as He speaks that it's God Himself speaking in His irresistible majesty and glory and might and splendor, the voice of the Lord? Do we tremble at that?
And then?
Out of his mouth was sharp 2 edged sword the word of God, and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength, supreme authority is his. And that's the picture. That's the that's the portrait that the writer of this Book of Revelation paints by the spirit of God of the Lord Jesus in his judicial character standing in the midst.
Of that which represents the Christian testimony in these days, in the days of the churches history on earth.
And when I saw him, what was the effect of this vision on John? John who lay on Jesus bosom. John who was the disciple whom Jesus loved, John who had an intimacy and a nearness to the Lord Jesus that was available to all. But he took it. He occupied that place, He enjoyed it. But oh, when he saw this vision, when I saw him, I fell at his feet is dead.
Have any of us?
Ever seen the Lord as portrayed here?
I ask you to answer this before the Lord. Have you ever seen the Lord as portrayed here? And it has had the same effect on you that it had on John. I fell at his feet, as dead as we realized the glory, the majesty, the greatness, the infiniteness of the one who stands there.
And he's there in the capacity of a judge.
To judge all that is.
Being done purportedly as Christian witness, very serious and very solid, everything will be tested by the fire. Everything, nothing will escape the notice of those all searching, penetrating eyes, and the judgment will not be mitigated. It is as fine grass, absolutely firm and sure and certain and unyielding against all that is not according to the standards of divine holiness.
I fell at his feet is dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the 1St and the last. I am he that liveth, and I was dead. I became dead literally. And behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen. And have the keys of hell and of death. And then notice how he divides the whole Book of Revelation into 3 sections. Write the things which thou has seen. That's the vision.
Just looked at what a vision portraying the Son of Man in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks and judging according to the balances of the sanctuary. He is saying to those that that are Christians, those that have the responsibility of rendering that testimony, he's saying give account of that stewardship.
But Omni is no longer be Steward. He's calling us to give account for how we have.
Handled his affairs how we have correctly or incorrectly represented him in the sea and what you see in Philadelphia as we look at it later another meeting is that which is a true, a correct, a proper representation of the testimony of the Lord in these days.
The testimony that should always have been rendered in the church era.
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And Laodicea is the exact opposite.
Exact opposite. Well, let's go on. Like the things which thou hast seen. Verse 19, That's the vision just discussed. And the things which are, that's what we have in chapters 2 and three, and the things which shall be after these things. And then I read verse 20, the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks, the seven stars of the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou.
Of the seven churches now, I want to take the rest of the time tonight, tonight by looking at the addresses to the first five and see how that the character of the Lord as He presents Himself to each one of these assemblies is taken from what we've just seen in the 1St chapter. That's not true of Philadelphia.
We'll see that, but let's let's look at these very carefully. Now the revelation is in verse 19, divided into the things they the vision he'd seen the things that are, which is the present day church period and the things that are to follow after the church is taken to heaven.
Chapter 2, verse one unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, right Ephesus represents the post Apostolic Church. It represents the church after the apostles passed off the scene and it you might say if you read that you'd said it was a perfect church model assembly. They had tried those that said there were apostles and were not had found them liars. They had born and had patience and for my sake.
They had labored.
He says, I have against thee that has left my first love. Only his eye could see that that all searching penetrating eye as a fire, flames of fire. He could see, he could see that leading of first flow. That was true of Ephesus. That is the source of all the decline that follows in the remaining churches. But notice how he presents himself these things, sayeth he that.
Hold of the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks.
It's a very general character, goes back to the vision in chapter 1, and it's simply referring to him as holding the seven stars in his right hand and walking in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks, surveying everything that is professively Christian and evaluating it according to the balances of the sanctuary.
According to the opinions of men, they don't count for a straw. They mean nothing. Don't you think your thoughts and my thoughts when it comes to the things of God don't matter, is what God says. It's what God has given to us. And if we don't have a scripture, if we don't have a thus saith the Lord for what we're doing, then we are on very dangerous ground.
Well, so this first assembly.
Which is the introduction to the seven churches, you might say Ephesus representing the state of things after the apostles passed off the scene. The character of the Lord is very general, is taken from the first chapter. He's portrayed as holding, as having the seven stars in his right hand and walking in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks. And I believe that as you read the account of Ephesus, you will see that that character.
Called from the first chapter is very appropriate.
To that assembly which was the first. Now let's look at the address to Smyrna, verse 8. Under the Angel of the church in Smyrna, write these things, saith the 1St and the last. Again, that's taken from the first chapter, which was dead and is alive, presents the Lord Jesus as knowing the end from the beginning. He's the first, he's the last, He's the first 'cause he's the last cause in everything.
He's in complete control of all circumstances.
He was dead and he's alive again. He went into death and he came out in resurrection. Now these Saints at Smyrna, that was the time of persecution that broke out on the early church.
There was there was something that the Lord discerned at Ephesus. They had left. Verse 4. Nevertheless, I have against thee take somewhat out. It's not to be lessened. It's not to be mitigated by a somewhat that's been added in italics by the translators. He says I have against thee that thou hast left thy first love.
Left thy first love, that is, Christ was not everything to them.
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The apostle Paul had to lament. All seek their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ. I have no man.
Who is like minded outside of Timothy? Who will care with genuine feeling how you get up? They left their first love. He saw that. So he allows persecution to break out on the early church in order to bring them back.
Trials, persecutions, difficulties, things not going our way drive us back to the Lord. When everything goes fine, everything goes smoothly, we have no problems in our lives, everything is going well at home, marriage and at the job and with the world.
We get very careless and.
We leave.
The danger is to leave first love and then other evils come in. Christ is not everything to us as He once was. And so he presents himself to Smyrna as the first and the last, which was dead and is alive. And he commenced them. He says, I know thy works and tribulation and poverty. They were poor in this world, but aren't rich.
Rich in faith, and I know the blasphemy, the slander is what that means of them which say they are Jews and are not.
But out of the synagogue of Satan pure amount of those things which thou shalt suffer, behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you shall have tribulation 10 days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. So he promises to the overcomer in verse 11. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. And the Lord presents Himself as the one who is the 1St and the last. He knows the end from the beginning, and he went into death and is alive forevermore.
They shouldn't fear death. He encourages them. He says you're going to be persecuted, you're going to be cast into prison. Some of you will be martyred, but I will give you a crown of life. So he presents himself in that character. Notice how he presents himself to Pertimus verse 12 into the Angel of the church in Pergamus write these things. Say that he which hath the sharp sword with two edges. Why presented? Why in that character? That's the word of God. Now the mistake that the Christians made.
When Constantine embraced Christianity, the word gamos in Greek means marriage, and pergamus was that time after the great persecution that broke out on the early church represented by Smyrna. When the Roman power started to smile upon Christians and Constantine embraced Christianity as the world religion and there was a marriage, very unholy marriage, the marriage of church and state and from that point on.
The church has been dwelling in the world. Notice what he says in verse 13. I know thy works and without dwellest even were Satans seat is or throne is, and thou holdest past my name, and is not denied my faith. They were true in a measure. And he commands that even in those days where an antibus was my faithful martyr who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. They were dwelling where Satan dwelleth, and that was the world. It was the church and the world.
Unholy matrimony. And they're going out. They've been going on hand in hand ever since. Most Christians are as thoroughly worldly as the world itself. You can't hardly tell any difference now, Philadelphia, and not until Philadelphia do do you get a testimony to true godly separation from evil and from the world. You don't get it, certainly, in fire tyrants worse than Pergamos, and you certainly don't get it in Sardis either.
That is what he says. What characterize Pertimas verse 14?
I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught they lacked to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to read things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Now if you read Numbers 2324, Numbers 2223 and 24, you'll see that Balaam was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. He wasn't allowed to do it. God prevented him. He pronounced blessing upon Israel.
And in Numbers 25, it says the children of Israel began to commit ******** with the daughters of Moab.
Where did they learn that? I mean who was it that started that? It was Balaam and it says here in verse 14. Balaam taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. 2 Things characterized the breakdown of the testimony. Israel was to be a testimony to the living and true God in the midst of all the idolatrous nations roundabout and.
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Valence Council was I can't curse them, but I know how you can get God's judgment to fall upon them and that is intermingled with them.
And and lead them into idolatry. So that's the first thing that's mentioned. Eat things, sacrifice to idols and to commit fornication. The breakdown of godly separation. That's what you have in Pergamos. It was an unholy marriage. Now why is the Lord presented as having the sharp sword with two edges? Because if the Saints of God in that day had been judging according to the Word of God, they would not have mistaken.
That.
A smile from the world as being utopia and the Kingdom has come. That's what some thought instead they would have realized it's really the downfall of the Christian testimony. The Christian testimony no longer was one of separation from evil, separation from the world, but Christians, the church now dwelling in the world, dwelling where Satan's throne is eating things, sacrificed to idols and.
Committing fornication. Now here it was, the doctrine.
And it was the doctrine of Balaam. Whenever the man is mentioned in Scripture, it's the introduction, the energy of the man to introduce evil. That's what you get in Pergamus. But notice in Thyatira, which is the next development. Notice how the Lord presents Himself, verse 18, under the Angel of the church in Thyatira, right?
Things say at the Son of God.
Now here's that system that is making so much of Mary and Mary Olitri. And here the Lord presents himself to Thyatira as the Son of God, the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine breaths. Again taken from the vision in the 1St chapter. And here he is. He is judging according to the holiness of the Son of God.
And.
What does it say? He says in verse 20, I have against thee again, few things should be left out, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, most wicked woman in the Old Testament, the queen Jezebel, who was the wife of Ahab, the most wicked king in Israel. And what did she do? Thou sufferers that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess to teach.
And to seduce my servants to two things, commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
What was introduced by the energy of the man, and was the doctrine of Balaam in Pergamus, now is taught by the woman in Thyatira, that wicked woman. And the word of God says, I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in subjection, to be in quietness. And here you have the woman teaching and seducing Christ's servants, to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. So what was in.
Us a doctrine taught, and some had imbibed. It now becomes the settled state of things in Thyatira, representing the Romish corruption of the of the Dark ages.
And the Lord presents himself to Thyatira as the Son of God, he that has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass. It is that system which claims to be the true church, which is really the harlot church that we have represented here. Absolutely false to Christ. No separation from evil at all.
A subtle state of things to commit fornication have illicit intercourse with the world and the kings of the earth.
And.
To worship idols, all you have to do is to enter one of those.
Places, those churches and you will see idols everywhere, everywhere.
Now one more and then we're close chapter 3, verse one under the Angel of the church in Sardis. Now this represents the Protestant Reformation, a recovery, partial recovery from the corruption and the evil of Thyatira, the Roman system. These things sayeth he that hath the seven spirits of God.
And the seven stars, I know thy works and so on. The Lord presents himself as having the platitude of the power of the Spirit of God. He has the full power of the Spirit of God. And the seven stars, He has them and they are responsible to him to discharge everything in responsibility to the Lord Jesus. Seven stars representing the responsible figurative representation of the responsibility of the assembly and he's.
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This having the seven spirits of God, the fullness of the power of the Holy Ghost. And that's just where the Protestant Reformation broke down. It failed to rely entirely upon the Spirit of God. Instead, it sought protection from the world against the tyranny and oppression and persecution of Rome.
And this was the downfall of the Protestant Reformation. So it's beautiful to see, I believe, how that the character that the Lord takes as He presents Himself to each one of these assemblies is taken from the visionary first chapter. Now when we read the address to Philadelphia, which begins with verse 7 of chapter 3.
The character of the Lord takes is not taken from the vision in chapter 1, and there's a reason for that to discuss that.
Meeting.
Seven Churches Part 2
Address—C. Hendricks
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Revelation 3.
Revelation chapter 3.
This afternoon, I should say, and verse 7.
Revelation 37. And to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia, right these things say it. He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shut it, and shut it, and no man open it. I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. For thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, and has not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee, because thou has kept the word of my patience. I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar?
In the temple of my God. And he shall go no more out, and I will write upon him the name of my God.
And the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven.
From my God, and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit sayeth unto the churches.
We were noticing on Friday night the character of the Lord as presented in the vision in chapter 1.
That each one of the previous five churches addressed Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis.
Were addressed by the Lord in one of the characters.
In which he is presented in the first chapter.
And each presentation of the Lord, each one of those five churches, was suitable to the state of that church. That is, there was something taken from that description of the blessed Lord in the 1St chapter, and appropriately by the Spirit of God, applied to each one.
Of those first five churches, the first three, Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamus represent the the entire church, I believe, and they were successive.
Stages of the prophetic history of the church. Ephesus gave way to Smyrna, which gave way to Pergamos, but the last four beginning at Thyatira and then Sardis.
And then Philadelphia and Laodicea represent not the entire church. None of them do. Thyatira representing the Romish church, Sardis the Protestant bodies, Philadelphia, that mighty work of the Spirit of God in the last century, calling souls out of the confusion of Thyatira and Sardis into a scriptural position.
As gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, there is no other center.
There never has been another center in this 2000 years of the church's history on earth. There never will be another center. The center is Christ. There will never be a different gathering power. There never has been and there never will be. And that gathering power is the Spirit of God.
There will never be another set of divine instructions to go by for Christians than the book that we have before us this afternoon, the Word of God. And so we have.
All that is needed to present a testimony that answers to the mind of God. And this is what you have in Philadelphia. I've often said that there are two epistles that are for the last days. The one is 2 Timothy, written by the apostle Paul.
And the other is this address.
To Philadelphia it gives the moral and the spiritual features that answer to the mind of God. The Lord Jesus has nothing of reproach to say to Philadelphia. Everything is suitable to him, everything there is according to his mind. In contrast, he has nothing of commendation to say to Laodicea all.
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There is.
Contrary to his mind, in fact, In a word, Philadelphia over Philadelphia is.
Written Christ is everything that in all things He might have the preeminence. This is what characterizes Philadelphia. It is a movement, and the spiritual features of Philadelphia are those which exalt and magnify Christ. And we will see, as we trace out these moral and spiritual features, whether or not.
You and I as individuals can.
Claim to be Philadelphian in character. I find that in these last two.
Philadelphia and Laodicea, I find tendencies in my own heart, and I'm sure you will too, that our Philadelphian and some Laodicean. So what we want to do as we look at these spiritual features is to seek to emulate what is Philadelphian in character and to judge and reject everything that is Laodicean in character.
Now the address to Philadelphia, the character in which the Lord presents himself to Philadelphia, is not taken from the the 1St chapter. We saw that the first chapter presents the Lord Jesus in a judicial character in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks.
He doesn't present himself in a judicial character to Philadelphia. He presents himself.
In his moral features.
Notice to the Angel of the church in Philadelphia, right these things, saith He that is holy, he that is true. Now let's stop there. Holiness is delight in what is good, and abhorrence of evil according to God is revealed in Christ. The Lord Jesus was the holy one when he was down here.
And he was the true one.
Holiness is the antithesis, the direct opposite of Thyatira. The corruption and the wickedness of that system, that is Thyatira. Holiness is the exact opposite of it. Philadelphia takes her character from the character of the Lord Jesus as presented to this assembly. He was the holy. He was the true.
Now himself as the true one.
Is they asked him, Remember, who art thou? And he said altogether that which I say to thee, He was the truth, He lived the truth. He was the living embodiment and expression of the truth that he taught.
It wasn't with him as it is often with us. Do as I say, don't do as I do. But he walked very truth that he presented. There was nothing spurious about him. There was nothing that was not genuine about him and he himself as the true one.
Is the antithesis, the opposite of the dead, lifeless non reality and formalism of Sardis. They had a name to live and they were dead. That's what he says of them in verse one of our chapter 3 Sardis a picture of a dead lifeless formalism into which the Protestant bodies have gotten.
It was a mighty work of the Spirit of God initially, but what is presented here in Sardis is not the initial work of the Spirit.
But rather the settled state of dead, lifeless formalism into which the Protestant bodies have gotten and the Lord Jesus to Philadelphia. Oh, it was a mighty work of the Spirit of God. We can go back 100 and 5000 and 70 years about that time and the Spirit of God worked in in souls. They they were not being fed. They were in the established bodies, whether it was Romanism.
Or whether it was the Protestant bodies, they were being starved and they started to search the Word of God and meet in little Bible groups and studies with the Word of God before them. It was this book that meant everything to them then, and it ought to today. And in fact, it will. It does to a Philadelphian. And this is what we will see as we go through this. But before I proceed on that, I'd like to make a few comments on the word Philadelphia.
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To the Angel of the church in Philadelphia, right, Philadelphia means brotherly love, or put another way, love of the brethren. It does not mean love of the Philadelphians.
Philadelphia means love of the bread.
Having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love to all the Saints, it embraces all the Saints. The Philadelphian has a heart as large as Christs. In a word, Philadelphia is not sectarian.
Philadelphia embraces in spiritual affections all the Church, all the church. Philadelphia. Love of the brethren, not love of certain ones who are brethren, not love of a spiritual elite.
Among the Saints of God, but love of the brethren, it is not sectarian. That's the first spiritual feature that we encounter when we look at the spiritual features of Philadelphia. Now we can ask ourselves, do we have hearts?
As we think of the Saints of God as large as Christ's Philadelphian has, he takes his character from Christ himself. Now that doesn't mean that we walk with all the brethren. No, because He's the holy and the true. He's the one who was absolutely.
Are separate from evil, though the most accessible of all men when here. And yet he was the holiest of all men. He was the holy one in contrast with the corruption of Thyatira. He was the true one in contrast with the dead, lifeless formalism of Sardis. And then it says of him, he that openeth, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth. And no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth. Let's turn back.
Isaiah 22 where that expression is drawn from.
In Isaiah 22.
I'll read a few verses in the chapter. Verse 15 Thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Go get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shedna, which is over the house, and say, now shebna here I'm not going into the prophetic teaching of the chapter. Shedna is a type of the Antichrist, and in verse 20, Eliakim is the type of the Christ.
It shall come to pass, verse 20 in that day that I will call my servant Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah. Now what was to happen here?
Is Eliakim was to be set up over the house and Shebna was to be set aside. Eliakim was chief of the household of Hezekiah. Shedner was to be set aside, and Liacham was to be clothed and raised up as governor. And he here prefigures in a beautiful way the Messiah. Let's read verse 20.
It shall come to pass in that day that I will call my servant Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle. Shevna was to be set aside and like, and put in his place. Notice now, and I will commit thy government into his hand, and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the House of Judah. And the key of the House of David will I lay upon his shoulder. So he shall open, and none shall.
And he shall shut, and none shall open. Now that's the Scripture that is quoted here in Revelation 3. Let's turn back to it. Verse 7. These things say it. He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth. And no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth. I believe it's just here that the Reformation failed because.
They sought protection. The reformers did.
From the tyranny and the persecution and the oppression of Rome by a Tyra, by going to the governments of the world.
By going to an arm of flesh, they sought protection, and they didn't go and rely entirely upon the Lord.
The Lord presents himself to Philadelphia as he that has the key of David.
Now we saw that that was connected in Isaiah 22 with the government being upon his shoulder, but the Lord Jesus left this scene. He said all power.
Is given unto me in heaven and in earth. And the Philadelphian is one that realizes that if he who has the key of David, if he who has the key of authoritative power in this scene uses that key to open a door, not all the power of Satan can shut that door. And the Philadelphian is one that relies not upon earthly potentates.
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To suppress the enemy of the truth.
But looks to the Lord Jesus alone as the one who has that key. There are two figures in scripture of earthly government. The one is the sword there the sword, it says in Romans 13 of the powers that be beareth not the sword in vain. He's he has the sword. That is the earthly government has the sword to punish evil doers and for the praise of them that do well. That's the purpose of government. But the key is the other figure used in scripture connected with government.
And it has to do with opening a door for access and for blessing, and also for closing a door and locking it to suppress the enemy. So the Lord Jesus has that authority and power committed to him. And if he opens the door, then the Philadelphian is one that realizes that an open door that he has opened, no one can shut it. He says. So he that openeth and no man shut it and shut it.
And no man open it. So the Philadelphian is one who takes his character from the Lord Jesus as the Holy.
And the truth abhorring evil, walking in truth, walking in holiness down here in separation from evil. We saw in Pergamus the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Bala to cast a snare before the children of Israel and to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. There was the breakdown of separation, that Israel was set amongst all the nations to be a testimony to the true and living God.
And through the counsel of Balaam.
The enemy succeeded in drawing them into idolatry, and also into.
Elicits relations with the world roundabout. That's exactly what's happened to the Church in the Pergamos period, when Constantine ostensibly was converted to Christianity.
The world and the church were united in marriage. It was an unholy union. It was the fall of the church and rather than the the fable that is still being taught in some Christian circles today, that the church is going to be here until it converts the world.
The truth is, the world converted the church in the days of Pergamus, and the church from this time on has been worldly and the world has been churchy. But in the Philadelphian movement for the first time, not in the Sardis movement, certainly not Thyatira, because Thyatira is just a development of Pergamus. It was the teaching of Jezebel and the same 2 elements.
Fornication.
And idolatry are found in her teaching the settled state of the Romish system. She's always aspired after power here. She's always aspired to rule the world. And we see that woman Jezebel in the 17th chapter, riding the beast. And she will then have attained for a very short space, just a short space, what she has always sought to attain, to rule the world. But.
The political power will turn upon her and destroy her and overthrow her.
The Philadelphia is one that does not resort to an arm of the flesh to protect them and to keep an opened door open. The Philadelphia is one that realizes that that authority, that power is committed to the Lord Jesus. And there came a time in the history of the church when the Lord Jesus, who has the key of David, he used that key to open the door and to bring out of the treasure house.
That he has all the blessings that were for the Christian, for the church, for the assembly and it wasn't until Philadelphia that the full truth was recovered. What was recovered at sardis wonderful work of the spirit of God 2 cardinal truths that were recovered in the Protestant Reformation The first is the all sufficiency of the word of God as the guide for the Christian we don't need this word authenticated by the.
Or the ecclesiastical power of a church. That's the error of Rome. But you, you can't believe this book until it is authenticated by the Romish system. And that, of course, is to deny the authority of the Word of God. And the other great truth that was recovered by the Reformers is justification of faith altogether apart from works. But beyond that, very little was recovered in the Philadelphia.
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The truth of the gospel was fully recovered. You read the Reformers, for instance, about the righteousness of God.
And they're very, very cloudy, very foggy, very hazy, very much in error. They think that the righteousness in which the Christian stands before God is the legal righteousness of Christ. He kept the law for us, and that law keeping, that righteousness of the law keeping of Christ is imputed to us.
Well, one verse of Scripture shows how erroneous that is. If righteousness come by the law, Christ is dead in vain. No, righteousness doesn't come by the law. We don't keep it, nor did Christ keep it for us. He did keep it, but He didn't keep it for us. That righteousness of His law keeping is not the righteousness in which we stand before God. What is it? It's Christ risen from the dead.
Become a our life and our righteousness before God, Christ Himself.
Is our righteousness in a new position as risen from the dead? Well, that's developed in the Epistle to the Romans very beautifully. That was recovered. Dispensational truth was recovered. You read the King James translation, and the translators thought that the church existed in the Old Testament. They didn't understand that the church began on the Day of Pentecost. That truth wasn't recovered until some 170 years ago.
By this mighty work of the Spirit of God.
The church didn't begin until after Christ died and rose again sent the Spirit of God from a glorified position on high.
They didn't understand that prophetic truth that wasn't clear at all and that was brought out.
A dispensational truth, Church truth. What is the church it's calling, its destiny, its character, all revealed and brought out? What is the true character, nature, and calling of the Christian? Is he earthly? Does he have earthly hopes and prospects?
Or is he heavenly and does he have heavenly hopes and prospects? Well, he's heavenly and this has all been brought out and recovered. And with that godly separation from the world king and the great downfall of what we have today, we are living in days following. Over 100 years now have passed.
Since this tremendous amount of truth has been recovered.
He who has the key of David use that key to open the treasure house and to bring out all these wonderful truths that were always here in the blessed book that had been lost amid the ecclesiastical rubble of Christendom. And the day came when that truth was recovered. The hope of the Lord's coming, the rapture we have that unfolded here in the address to Philadelphia, that we will not go through the tribulation. We will not go through the.
That's going to fall upon this godless world, this apostate Christendom that we're going through, but we're a part of as we are left down here until the Lord comes. The heavenly character, the heavenly calling, the heavenly hope of the Christian, not of the world.
Our hopes, our pathway, heavenly suffering. Now the glory to come. Israel was promised just the opposite.
Israel was promised that if they walked in godliness and holiness now, they would be blessed. The food, the womb, their crops.
Their herds would all produce abundantly. There wouldn't be sickness, there wouldn't be problems of an earthly sort. This was all held out as the reward of blessing, the reward of obedience in blessing from God. That's not held out to the Christian. For the Christian, the Lord says in the world you shall have tribulation.
But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. A strange mixture we find, and it's caused some to go very much astray. The read of all the spiritual blessings that are unfolded in the New Testament, all the spiritual blessings of the church, blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies, in Christ Jesus. And there were children of God. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. We're reconciled to God by the death of His.
We have eternal life. We have the present possession of the Spirit of God. We have we are children of God, we're sons of God, we cry ABBA father. And if sons and children were heirs, heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, all of those blessings and yet.
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Suffering now.
Not raining, not prospering in this world, but suffering and persecution and trial and difficulty. That's what the New Testament holds out to the Christian. A strange to some it seems strange because I've heard men that have reasoned and said it's not God's will that a Christian should suffer. It's not God's will that a Christian should not be prosperous in business. It's not God's will that a Christian shouldn't.
Prosper in this world and he That false conclusion is drawn from the fact that he's blessed with all these spiritual blessings. But the error comes in not seeing that the blessings of the Christian are spiritual and heavenly. They are not earthly and they are not temporal. They are for another day, and they are for our spiritual enjoyment. The most spiritual Saints may be the poorest in this world.
The most spiritual Saints may be the sickliest in this world.
The most spiritual Saints may have the most trials in this world going to trial being in poverty, being in sickness is not a sign today of the Lords disfavor. On the contrary, those that are the word of God says all that will of godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. You live godly and you will suffer persecution. You will know what it is.
To be persecuted by a world that does not want Christ.
Now this is what we have in Philadelphia. Let's look at it in detail now.
Verse 8. I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee, and opened it. Ought to read opened door one which he himself has opened, and no man can shut it.
All the power Satan can't shut that door.
Let's stop for a moment at I know thy works.
The Philadelphian is content with that.
The Philadelphian.
Is identified with a state of soul which is just like Christ when he was here.
Lord Jesus never did anything for the eye of men. He never did anything to please men. He was never under an obligation to conform to social regulations and pressures.
In fact, he didn't do that. He only had one to please, and that was the father.
And he lived in this scene to please the Father. The Father hath not left me alone, for I do always.
Those things that please say my need is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work. John 6 says as the living father had sent me, and I live on account of the father, Even so he that eateth me, even he shall live on account of me.
Paul puts it this way. For me, to live is Christ, to die his gain to live is Christ. And he has to lament that.
I have no man like minded with Timothy.
Who will care with genuine feeling how you get on? For all seek their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ. But the Philadelphian is one who is not seeking his own things. He's not here for self. He's not here for self advancement. He's not here for self acclaim. He's here for Christ as the Lord Jesus was here for the Father. He was here to represent and to present the Father.
In this scene, that was what sustained him as a man as he went through this scene.
The will of God, the very meat that he that he had to eat, was to do the will of him that sent him.
And so the Philadelphian is one that can say, that can rejoice in the fact that he says, I know thy words. And the Lord Jesus, the Lord Jesus walked before the eye of God. He always did everything to please his Father. The Philadelphian does everything to please Christ, and he's satisfied that he knows.
He knows man may not understand, man may on the line and slander.
And speak against.
A1, who seeks to go on as a Philadelphian in Philadelphia character. But the Lord Jesus says I know that works. I know, and the Philadelphia is satisfied that he knows and that he evaluates.
And that he appraises everything according to the balances of the sanctuary. I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an opened door, and no man can shut it.
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All one has to do is to read the collected writings and the letters of Mr. Darby, and you will see the tremendous opposition of the enemy to the recovered truth in the last century, over and over and over again, from the pulpit, from the religious world especially.
Though those who were prominent those whose position for he do a Saudi these states who gave the this authority.
And then the Lord said, I'll ask you a question, and if you answer it, I'll answer yours. The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men? Tell me.
And they said, If we shall say of heaven, you'll say, Why then did you not believe him we should say of men? They were afraid of the people, because they all held John as a prophet. So they said, we cannot tell, and neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
He was despised.
He was here.
And the Philadelphia is despised.
If we have the desire to be something.
If we have the desire to have the applause of the world, or even the applause of our breath, the applause of the church world or some ecclesiastical body.
We're not Philadelphia's.
Because the Philadelphia lives above that.
The Philadelphian walks as Christ walked, and he never did anything for the eye of men. He wouldn't receive testimony from men. He wouldn't even receive testimony from John the Baptist. But he said, I'm going to allow it, that you might believe.
But she might believe.
I have set before thee an opened door. No man can shut it.
Now we have the spiritual features of Philadelphia that has the little strength.
Nothing. Nothing that would impress the natural man, especially the ecclesiastical world, the body's religious bodies, represented by Sardis and Thyatira, where you have great massive buildings costing millions of dollars to put up, stained glass windows, choirs, vestments, priests.
And all the trappings that go with Judaism and much that comes from paganism, especially in Thyatira. Idolatry too.
But Philadelphia? Just a picture of weakness.
Full strength.
Nothing that the natural man can take note of. Nothing that would impress the world.
Nothing that is a part of the world, nothing that the world can.
Respect.
And escape just weakness. That was him. That was the Lord Jesus. When he was here. He was despised, Isaiah tells us, and we esteemed him not.
Precisely what is true of the Philadelphia? They don't like that. Naturally, we want to be thought well of.
I don't know how many of you young people have ever been asked what church do you go to when you sort of rise and squirm and well, I just need a few few Christians down the street. Well, what do you call yourself? Well, we don't take a name. Well, who are you? Well, we're just gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus.
So to say it apologetically sometimes, and we ought to say, I'm gathered to the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wonderful. But you see, that name carries reproach with it. If I say I am a Methodist, or I am a Baptist, or I am a Roman Catholic, or I am a this or that, then an approach to that. The world accepts that. But you're just a what?
Just a Christian, no name gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I never heard of that.
Despised little strength, Something the world cannot relate to, something the world.
That is is so above the world, so above the thinking of the natural man, that when we take a firm stand on that ground, there is reproach connected with it. We're made to feel that.
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What a blessed privilege to be here, to bear his reproach. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, the camp of the established religion that you see in Bayatira and Sardis, outside of all that, that Judaistic formalistic religion with a one man ministry and a choir and.
All the beautiful organ music and the stained glass windows and everything that appeals to the emotions.
Of the natural man.
Just just a few feeble nobodies.
But he's there. He is there. That's why I'm there. Because he is there. Not because brother so and so is there. Not because there's some great preacher there that we all go to here. But he is there and he can't be seen with the natural eye. He's only seen by the eye of faith and counted on.
And his promise to be there?
If we really believe that, we would never miss a meeting.
If we really believe that, we would always be present if we believed he was there.
Thomas missed a meeting, didn't he? Thomas missed a meeting.
But he when he learned about what he had missed, he was there the next week.
Well.
He is there.
Thou hast a little strength.
Weakness. He was born in a stable late in a Manger. He could say. The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man is not where to lay his head.
Weakness. He was crucified in weakness, but he lives by the power of God.
Little strength.
Philadelphia. That's the first moral feature of Philadelphia.
And then the next is to me so exceedingly precious. And has kept my word. Kept my word.
We read it this morning at the table, Luke 15. The enemies of the Lord said this man received sinners and eateth with them. They weren't commending him for that, they were reproaching him for that. Simon said if this man were a prophet, he would have known what manner of woman it is that toucheth him, for she's a Sinner. He meant she's a harlot.
This man.
The holiest man that ever walked this scene.
I was checked by word.
I must check my word. What a commendation.
As they said of him in derision, this man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. We rejoice in that. So another, an enemy of the truth said about Mr. Darby, vows to this book like a fool.
I think that's the most wonderful commendation that can be given to a man. He vows to this book like a fool. And in that day they're going to be some that the Lord will be able to say, thou hast kept.
My word now, on that day, it's going to mean everything. It means everything to him today. Everything to him has kept my word.
The Philadelphia men of the book, they bow to the word of God. They are not satisfied with allowing any part of it to be with which they're not acquainted. They're men of the book. They read it all. They read it all. They ponder it. Sacred pages. They don't have special portions that they just read in, but they read the book, they read the Word.
You know we say all scripture, all scripture.
Is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction.
Or instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, fully furnished unto all good works. We say that we believe it, but do we make it all ours? Is there still much land to be possessed? Only what we put our foot on, only what we walk in, will be ours. It's not what we learn in the intellect, it's what we put our foot on that is ours. That's what That's the way.
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With the Israelites, when they took possession of the land, they put their foot on it and it was theirs. They had to walk in it in order to make it theirs. We're living in a day when the generation, they, the modern generation, the spiritual areas of all this recovered truth, receive the truth very, very easily. We receive it very easily, but do we walk in it?
Is it true that we have kept his word? He says Thou hast kept my word.
One could speak for a whole hour just on that one expression, but I'm not going to do it. You have to develop in your own thoughts.
What is it to keep His word? It isn't simply to memorize it, but to walk in it. It isn't simply to know certain parts of it, but to make, to make it all ours, to search it all to be, to be in the scriptures, in the world. How much time do you spend reading this book every day? How many times have you gone through the Bible in your life? How many years have you been saved? How many times have you read it through and through and through and through and through?
You congratulate yourself that you've read it once.
I think that's lamentably bad if you've been saved a number of years.
We should make it more than our necessary food.
If you were asked the question of all your earthly possessions, which would you give up last? What would you say?
It should be this book.
The word of God.
As kept my word, and then he says, And thou hast not denied my name. The name represents all that he is.
In a certain character, in a certain aspect.
Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for He shall save his people from their sins.
Jesus means Jehovah the Savior.
He is the Jehovah God of the Old Testament who's come to save us, Jesus.
His name should be called the Word of God. He's the expression of God.
On his vesture and on his thigh and name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His name should be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, or the Father of Eternity, the Prince of Peace.
You could go on and on and on naming.
His names.
If we take another name, if we're content with any other name than Jesus, the precious name, God has exalted him, giving him a name which is above every name. But at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, gather to the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we take another name, as so many Christians are content to do, can we receive this commendation? Thou has not denied my name.
Can I receive that if I take another name or if I accept?
A doctrine which solves the glory of His person is that not to deny His name, who He is. He is the eternal Son of God. If I look upon him and consider Him only, His sonship was only in time. He wasn't the eternal Son of God, He was only Son in time.
Can I receive the commendation if I hold that that is not denied my name, or if I if I accept the pernicious teaching that so many leaders today and Christendom are accepting, and even teaching that though he didn't sin, he could have sinned? They deny the impeccability of his holy nature.
Can that be said? Of such thou hast not denied my name.
I think not.
Are we Philadelphia's?
Do we hold to the integrity of the person of Christ and the infallibility of the word of God? A brother was.
I was, I was asking him about the place where they're going to have the conference this year.
In it's a new place, they can't get the old one and we went out to look at it and he said he was walking down.
One of the halls where they were teaching there.
And he just overheard one of the instructors say.
The infallible word of God, well, that rejoiced his heart, and it rejoices my heart when we hear Christians that hold up and magnify the word of God, the infallible word of God.
00:45:02
Now has kept my word.
Not denied my name.
Verse 9.
Behold, I will make them. Now we have the enemy.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet.
Do homage before thy feet the thought. And to know that I have loved thee, oh, that's so precious.
The synagogue of Satan. You notice in verse 9 of chapter 2 That same group is mentioned to Smyrna. Smyrna and Philadelphia are the two assemblies the Lord finds no fault with. He doesn't call upon either one of them to repent. And to Smyrna he says I know thy works to 9 and tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich. And I know the blasphemy or the slander of them which say they are Jews and are not. But are the synagogue of Satan the same group opposing?
The Saints who are going through all that persecution and trust and tribulation.
In the time of Smyrna, many of them martyred for Christ.
And now, Philadelphia, the recovery of the truth.
Marvelous recovery of the truth. I have no doubt that the Brethren movement answered answered to this in the early days.
I can't say that it does today.
But it did then, at least many amongst them, and we have to be searching our hearts to find out in how far we fall, how far we've fallen from the recovered truth.
I will make them of a synagogue of Satan. 39 which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Who are these? Who are these while such hold an official religious position before the world?
They're recognized by the world, the established religious bodies of Thyatira and Sardis and.
What does it say of them? They profess to be the people of God. They say they're Jews. The Jews could say we have Abraham for our father. They could point back to the call of Abraham and they were his descendants. They can trace their their lineage back to the.
Establishment of their church body.
They profess to be the people of God on the ground of an hereditary religion based upon tradition, and the natural man understands that. The natural man can appreciate that, and he values it. But there the synagogue of Satan, in contrast to the assembly of Christ, they are only the people of God based upon.
A formalistic kind of thing, not spiritual.
And they're the opponents of this despised weak.
Movement that goes exclusively by the Word of God, teach the Word of God, and holds with all its energy to maintaining the integrity of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
That denied my name. These are the moral features of Philadelphia and those that would reason upon scripture. Is it really so that in these last days, you know it's no one with intelligence today and these in this enlightened 20th century of ours, no one with intelligence really believes this book anymore, do they? Is it true? Yes, there are some, thank God.
There still are those.
Bow to the scriptures, but when God speaks from his word, they submit to they say yes, Lord, not yes, but I have my thoughts, but yes Lord, and they bow to the word of God, and they maintain the integrity of his name. The enemy, those that are called here of the synagogue of Satan, those who are of the formalistic established church bodies around.
They're the greatest persecutors and opponents.
To the recovered truth of Philadelphia.
What's going to happen? Behold, I will make them to come and not worship, but to do homage before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. The enemy is going to do homage before the feet of the Philadelphia. The one that is stood for the truth of the church, the one that has stood for the truth of the Word of God, has rightly divided it.
And maintained it.
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Hectic that denied his name. Just a little strength, just a feeble few, but something the world can only despise. But still those that cleave to the Lord with the purpose of harm. You're going to make the enemy come, and to do homage before the feet of the Philadelphian. And to know the Lord says that I've loved thee. This is the blessed assurance that he gives to the Philadelphia.
Now verse 10, because thou has kept the word of my patience.
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them to dwell upon the earth, because thou has kept the word of my patience. What is that we saw in the 1St chapter, verse 9? Let's turn back to it. 19 I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Isle that is called Patmos.
For the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. The new translation reads that in the tribulation and Kingdom and patience in Jesus.
One article describing 3 things. It's the time of tribulation for the testimony, the Kingdom, and the patience of Jesus. It's just the opposite of the way the Corinthians were going on. They were reigning as kings.
And let's turn to that First Corinthians 4.
Keeping the word of his patience.
1St Corinthians 4 verse 8 Now you are full.
Now ye are rich right now full now rich now, just like Laodicea, you have reigned as kings without us. When I went to God, you did reign. He wasn't deprecating while reigning his kings, but he says it's too soon.
You're doing it too soon. This isn't the reigning time, this is the suffering time, he says. You've reigned as kings without us. You don't have us with you. Not the apostles. No, the apostles were suffering.
The apostles were suffering, so he says your brain is kings without us, and I would to God you did reign that we also might reign with you. There is a reigning time coming, but it hasn't come yet. It's the time of his patience. It's the time of not.
Raining but suffering.
So I think that God hath set forth us, the apostles last, as it were appointed to death. But we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ sake, but ye are wise in Christ. We are weak, but ye are strong. Ye are honorable that we are despised.
But that's the position of the Philadelphia.
The despised one, the weak one, the fool, Even under this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place and labor working with our own hands, being reviled with glass, being persecuted with suffered, being defamed, we entreat, we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things under this day.
I like not these things to shame you.
It is my beloved sons, I warn you.
While the Corinthians were going on as though this was the day of reigning, that this scene was the scene in which we are to have our portion, and that is the denial of Christianity.
That's that's around us everywhere and.
The Saints reigning as kings instead of suffering.
As the Apostles did. Let's turn back. Just bear with me for another few minutes. Let's turn back to second Teams 5. Just on this thought of.
Keeping the word of my patience in Second Kings 5.
Merriman was healed of leprosy by Elijah the prophet of grace, and Gehazi wanted some of the what Naomin had brought with him and we'll take up starting with verse 22. He said all is well. My master had sent me. This is the haze. I speaking to Naaman saying, Behold, even now there be come to me for Mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver and two changes of garments.
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Said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound 2 talents of silver and two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants, and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand and bestowed them in the house, And he let the men go, and they departed.
And he went in and stood before his master. And Elijah said unto him, Whence Comestoga his eye? And he said, Thy servant went no wither. And he said unto him, What not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee?
Is it a time, here's the question now that Elijah puts to Gehazi, Is it a time to receive money and to receive garments and olive yards and vineyards and sheep and oxen and men servants and maid servants?
It's a day of grace that we're living in, and we can ask the question, is it a time to embellish ourselves with these things? The leprosy, therefore, of Naomin shall cleave unto thee.
And unto thy seed forever. And he went out from his presence A lepros white as snow.
There's another beautiful illustration in Second Samuel 19. I just want to read it quickly about a true Philadelphia.
Days I was the opposite.
Second Samuel 19.
David returns after he fled when Absalom usurped the Kingdom. Absalom is dead now and David returns and it says in verse 24 Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king.
Now Mephibosheth had been slandered before the king by Zaiba, his servant. He, Ziba had said the finisheth didn't come because he said now the Lord was going to return the Kingdom to him. He was the son of Solomon, the son of Jonathan. He was in Sauls line. That was a lie. Don't let Mephibosheth's attitude while King David was absent from Jerusalem.
Verse 24 The Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet.
Thou trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. Well, what? What a beautiful, wonderful, lovely attitude.
The finishing hadn't done anything for his own comfort.
He was in mourning.
The King David who who was everything to Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth sat at Davidde table. David had showed the kindness of God to Mephibosheth. He was lame on both his feet, and he sat at the King's tables. And now the king had been deposed and fled for his life, and Mephibosheth was in mourning. He had neither trimmed his dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes.
Ever since David had left and he'd been slandered. And it's that's the true character of a Philadelphian, one who knows what it is to to be in mourning in the absence of our king, of our David. I should say the true king. Thou has kept the word of my patience. Well, we'll stop there.
Seven Men
Seven Mysteries
Snippets
Submission
Address—C. Hendricks
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Let's start with tonight with Isaiah 6. We are noticing on Monday night many times the expression that He sent me. He was the second one of the Father, the Father which hath sent me, as thinking of these verses in connection with that.
Isaiah 6.
Verse 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Then said I here am I.
Send me. Send me. Now turn to.
John 6 again had that before us.
Verse 38.
The Lord Jesus says, For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. Here we have two truths. He was sent, but he came, and we get that thought of His coming in Hebrews 10.
I'd like to read.
Hebrews 10. It's a quote from the 40th Psalm, verse 5. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he sayeth sacrifice and offering. Thou wouldest not, but a body has thou prepared me in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, Thou has had no pleasure.
Then said I roll, I come in the volume of the book. It is written of me to do thy will.
Oh God above, when he said sacrifice and offering and burnt offering is an offering for sin, thou wouldest not neither have pleasure therein which are offered by the law. Then said he low, I come to do thy will, oh God.
So there's two truths. The one is that the Father sent him, and he came.
He came, and how did he come?
How did he come?
Well, he came in the way of weakness.
He came in loneliness.
In the Genesis chapter 3.
We have the pronouncement after sin had come in.
Of God's remedy.
In verse 16, this is a beautiful 3/16.
Unto the woman who said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. But I wanted to read verse 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman.
And between thy seed and her seed, it shall bruise thy head, and I shall bruise his heel. The seed of the woman was the way the Lord Jesus came.
And in first Peter 3.
I want to read it to bring these thoughts together.
In first Peter 3 verse 7 it says likewise ye husbands.
Dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. So the woman here speaks of a weakness. And the Lord Jesus came into this world by via that, that gate, you might say He came into this world through the woman, the seed of the woman.
The man had nothing to do with it. He was begotten in the womb of the Virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit, and she can see, Mary can see. The Lord Jesus derived his humanity through the woman, and he's called the seed of the woman.
A true man in every respect to the part, but he entered the world through the the vessel that speaks of weakness, and the vessel that speaks of subjection, the woman. And he came into the place of subjection to elevate it and to exalt it, so to speak. The place that he took was the place of weakness.
And the place of subjection in the Second Corinthians, chapter 13.
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We read again this thought of weakness in connection with the Blessed Lord. The first time He came. The second time He comes, it will be in great power and glory, and He will smite the nations with a rod of His mouth. But the first time?
It says in 2nd Corinthians 13 verse 4, though he was crucified through weakness, that he liveth by the power of God, but we also are weak in him, that we shall live with him by the power of God towards you.
The very testimony of Philadelphia that we have spoken of in Revelation 3 is Thou hast little strength. It's a picture of weakness. Not a picture of great power, something that would impress the eye of man, but rather weakness. It's what Christ was when He was here in this scene, and He came in lowly grace and in lowly subjection to accomplish the will of the Father.
Now let's pursue that a little bit more in Philippians Chapter 2.
We have these wonderful verses that we so often read, especially large day morning.
Let's start with verse 5. The apostle says, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Now this.
Descent beginning with the Lord Jesus in the very form of God, and then he goes down, down, down, down. We can trace the sevenfold descent downwards, but it begins with the mind that is in Christ Jesus. It begins with his mind. What was his mind?
The apostle says to these Saints, that, Philip I let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, there he was in the outward form of God, in of deity, without any other form. He was God, and He was nothing less than God, being in the form of God, which he could not be ever said of a creature. This settled the question once and for all as to his deity. He was in the form of God, no creature can be.
Form of God. He had to be God to be in the form of God. It says he thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Now there comes the thought the mind was in Christ Jesus. Mr. Darby renders that he esteemed it not wrapped in, or he esteemed it not an object of rap in the thought is.
A plunderer army comes into a town and the soldiers go into a house.
And that's what the King James translators translated robbery. And the soldier comes into a house, and he sees something that he's always wanted, and he's.
Wondering the house, he can take anything he wants. So he lays hold upon this particular object that he's always wanted, and he grasps it firmly and he says this is his mind, an object of rapping. That is, there's that object before him, and the object of rapping is something which the beholder wants and holds on to.
Lord Jesus did not esteem his being in the form of God, something to be tenaciously held onto.
His mind was I am willing. I am willing in order to save those who have fallen into spin, my creatures, man, I am willing to lay aside this glory that I have to lay aside this outward form of deity and.
Something less.
He did not say I will. I am God and I will never consider the thought I will never entertain that I will ever become anything less than God. No, that's not that was not the Lord's thought. His mind was to take a place that was a place which would require subjection, obedience.
Dependence, prayer, humility, meekness.
And all of those things that.
He became, when he came into this world, he he.
Reversed in Matthew that says that he.
Can't come up? Come up with it right now.
Let me look it up.
Know why my memory is failing me at that moment?
Matthew.
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The Sutherland came not to be miserable. The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.
As God he was ministered unto, the angels were at his bidding.
He didn't come to be ministered unto, but to minister. And when there was this consultation in the Trinity.
Who will vote for us?
A voice said here am I send me and the emphasis is on scent. And though that would apply to the prophet there, I think that it has an application to the lawyer yourself. He is the sent one and he decided that he would be the one.
In the Trinity, who would come ascent of the Father into this world? So the Father sent him, but he came, He came to do the will of God, and his mind was such that being God, and being in that outward form of God, he thought it not something to be grasped and held unto. Christine is not an object of rapid to beyond equality with God which he was.
To hold fast to it, and to refuse the thought that he would become anything less than that.
He emptied himself. He made himself with no reputation or literally. He emptied himself. But what did he empty himself of? He didn't empty himself of his love. He didn't empty himself of His Holiness. He didn't empty himself with his righteousness. He didn't empty himself with any of his moral qualities.
He emptied himself of that outward form of God.
By taking the form of a servant, he could not ever cease to be God. He always was and always is, and always shall be God over all, blessed forever. But he emptied himself of that outward form which was.
Natural to him in his essential being as God, and he became.
Man.
He took upon him the form of a servant.
His mind this descent starts with his thoughts. You know, we get thinking of high thoughts of ourselves, and we don't like the thought of taking the low place. The mind that was in Christ is the mind which did not refuse to consider and to.
To want to take the low place, that's the very mind that was in Christ.
And so he, as our hymn writer said, he laid aside his glory. He took the form of a servant.
And he was made in the likeness of men. Well, I didn't particularly think of going through all these sevenfold things, but I'll just read them. And being found in fashion as a man who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, his obedience was even to the point of death.
Carrying him all the way to the fulfillment.
Of the will of God, which He came to do. So here there's self, total self, abnegation, total laying aside of Himself, His own will, so to speak. In fact, His will was to do the will of the Father, whom he delights to speak of as sending Him. But on the other hand, he speaks of coming, Himself coming.
It had to originate in the Godhead.
The the Council. A conference between the persons of the Godhead.
Which the 40th Psalm speaks of, in which Hebrews 10 is a quote house is God deciding himself, the persons of the Trinity deciding how this how the creatured man would be, would be redeemed and the Lord Jesus said I will go.
I will go. Send me, send me. And so from that point on He comes and he's born in weakness, born of the weaker vessel and all that characterized and down here was that lowly grace. Now we were looking at this.
00:15:03
In on Monday night, the lowly path that he took, his perfect subjection to the Father carrying it out.
I would like to look at a number of passages now in scripture that.
Are addressed especially to the weaker vessel.
The the, the woman, she who has the privilege of being in the subject place. And it's not something, I put it especially that way because it's a privilege. It's not something to to be looked upon as undesirable like the product, the the present.
Feminist, feminist movement has it. No, it's a it's a privilege because it's the place the Lord Jesus himself took in holy grace. He took the place of subjection. And the woman is in Scripture a picture of the assembly. And the man in Scripture is a picture of Christ as head of the church. And so the relationship between the man and the woman is a picture of the relationship of Christ.
And so the church being subject to Christ, the woman is in that place and the vessel, the weaker vessel, the subject vessel, the dependent vessel. And I think there are many, many wonderful lessons that we can learn as we as we study this a little. Let's turn to first Timothy 3, first Peter 3 again, excuse me, first Peter 3.
And we'll read those first verses. I read the the one verse addressed to the husband in verse 7, but I want to read the first six. Likewise, you wives be in subjection to your own husbands.
That if any obey not the word, they also may without the Word be 1 By the conversation of the wise, that seems to imply that the husband there is not the Lord's, and the subject wife would by her subjection be used of God to win the the husband, while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear whose adorning.
Let it not be that outward adorning of fighting the hair and of wearing of gold or putting out of apparel.
But let it be the hidden man of the heart. What he's saying is for the for the woman that is to exemplify what the church is down here in this scene is the woman is to be for her husband. She's not to adorn herself to be attractive to other men, but rather to be attractive to her husband. There isn't anything more attractive than a wife than.
A lowly spirit of subjection. And this is what the blessed Lord.
Exemplified so beautifully when he became a man.
Whose adorning? Let it not be that outward adorning of plighting the hair and of wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible. All of these outward things that the worldly women put on and wear to make themselves beautiful, they're corruptible. But here's something that is incorruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
Reminds us of the Lord Jesus, doesn't it? He says, come unto me.
Apology that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your soul. So here the the woman, this the wives are to display that character of Christ.
Which is in the sight of God.
Of great Christ as he looks on and as he looks on to the church. Everything we're going to say of the woman, let's carry that in our thoughts to the church. It's for she represents what the church is. When you look at the the false church in Revelation 17 and 18, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlot. She is a brazen, impudent, wicked, self seeking, self exalting.
Woman, she is just the opposite of to what the true Church is in the thought of God.
Paul wanted to present the Saints as a chief virgin to Christ, but one who has kept herself altogether for him, and has not given herself to any other lovers, as the false church has done. For all the kings of the earth, and the great men and the merchants, and all, they've all committed fornication with her, and entered into intercourse with her in commerce, and all that that speaks of the false church.
Church which will meet this judgment, and it's not until Babylon is judged that the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place in heaven. The true bribe, the pure and undefiled bride will be presented to him and be united to for all eternity. Well, when we think of the woman, the woman's place, the most wonderful place to have.
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The place of subjection because it's the place that he took.
That which is in the sight of God, of great price, a meek and quiet spirit. But after this. For after this manner, in the old time, the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord. We were remarking in the reading meeting, that it doesn't say wives are just to obey their husbands in Ephesians 5, but to be subject to them.
But here it speaks of the term obedience as his children obey your parents. But there it's it's the children are to obey the parents, the mother and the father who are in the place of leadership in the home. But here the word will be obeyed is used even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters they are as long as you do well and are not afraid with any amazement. And then I'll read that next verse again and like.
Husbands dwell with them according to knowledge.
The husband knows.
He's, he's aware of the difference that exists between the male and the female, between the man and the woman. So he dwells with her according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers do not hinder bears together.
Of the grace of life, so that the prayers can go up unhindered to God in sweet fellowship.
Now I'd like to turn to First Timothy 2.
In verse 8.
Paul says I will therefore that man, or it should be thee man, in contrast with the women.
Pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. Now I know that there's some groups of Christians that literally lift up their hands like this, and I don't think that is essential to the in order to fulfill what Paul is saying here.
I think the hands speak of what we do, our actions and the the hands when we address God, we're lifting up our hands figuratively. We're lifting up our hands to God. And in so lifting them up, they are open. And God looks down and he looks at upon those hands, and he ought to see holiness. He ought to see that which answers to his thought. And there should not be any wrath. There should not be any energy of the flesh.
And there should not be doubting or reasoning the activity of man's mind working. So the hand should be holy. I think the thought is figurative that someone wants to carry about literally. But there are other postures in scripture. There's kneeling, there's standing Solomon, he raised his hands like this. I don't think the point is to get hung up on the on the literalness as to the posture, but the the thought behind it. When the man prays, he prays.
Where he's not limited, he prays everywhere. It's his place to take the, it's his position to take the public place. And so he says, I will therefore that the men pray everywhere. The woman doesn't pray everywhere. There are public meetings and so on. The assembly, for one, she doesn't speak out in the assembly meetings. We have clear instruction as to that. But the man does. But when he does, his hand should be.
Up as one who's living a holy life and the wrath that which speaks with anger and the energy of nature and reasoning are to be excluded without wrath and doubting or reasoning. And then the verses for the woman in like manner also that women be women again. It should be in contrast with the men now adorned themselves in modest apparel which shamefacedness and sobriety.
Not with broided hair or golden pearls or costly array, That is, that which draws attention to her outwardly. That's not what characterizes the godly woman, but rather that which is moral but which becometh women professing godliness with good works with good works. Let the woman learn.
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In silence with all subjection. So the attitude of the woman in learning.
Is first of all silence, as she learns and with all subjection. We'll say more about this subjection a little bit later, but I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Now, the reason given in verse 13 goes back to the original creation has nothing to do with local conditions that existed at the time that Paul was writing. It goes back to the original.
For Adam was first formed, then you. Now that's the first spot. And the woman was brought into existence, not as a separate creation. God made Adam of the dust of the ground. He could have done that with the woman. He did that with the animals. But with the woman, she was brought into existence by causing Adam to fall into a deep sleep. And while he slept, he took one of his ribs and builded a woman so she was made from his.
She was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. So the first reason why the woman is in the subject place is Adam was first formed and then he goes back to the original creation. The second goes back to the fall and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. It's been said that the man is more the head, the woman is the heart.
And the woman being the heart, she's often.
Led and guided more by her feelings and by her emotions. Which is fine, that's the way God has made her. But that makes her more apt to be deceived. And so it was in the first pair of a woman was deceived. Adam was not deceived.
He should have been in the subject place because Adam was formed 1St and then Eve. She should have referred the entire conversation with the serpent to Adam.
She shouldn't have engaged in conversation with the serpent, and Adam should have taken his place, and he failed in that. So the responsibility of the fall is placed upon Adam, not upon Eve. It doesn't say by one woman Eve sin entered into the Williston, by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, because he was the head. So the reason given for the instruction here, the woman learning in silence with all subjection.
It's a picture of the church.
You see, the false church teaches. What does the church teach? Well, the scripture. If we submit the scripture, that church doesn't teach, it's not the churches place to teach. The church is taught, the woman is taught. She learns in silence. The church learns in silence. Christ teaches the church via the gifts that he has raised up and ministers to them.
Is Christ doing the teaching, the man doing the teaching and the woman the assembly learning?
And then she becomes the pillar and ground of the truth. You see a picture of that in second John where the apostle John writes to the elect lady and her children. And he says to her, there is the sister again, a picture of the assembly. You might say just a lonely sister with her children. But it's to her that John says, if anyone come to you and bring not the doctrine of Christ, receive him not.
Don't greet him, don't receive him, don't bid him Godspeed, for he that greets him is a partaker of his evil deeds. Now upon whom does he lay that responsibility? Upon this lowly sister, this elect lady and her children. So it's the responsibility of the Church who is taught.
And instructed of God through the gifts that the Lord gives. He's the head and He's given these gifts. It's the responsibility of the sisters to not take the position while I'm just a lowly sister. I'm not responsible for discerning truth or error, but to reject what is untrue to Christ. And so that's the responsibility of the assembler. And the assembly is called in First Timothy 3.
Pillar and ground of the truth. The church is not the truth, but the church is taught the truth by the word of God and by the Spirit of God, who is the spirit of truth, and by word is truth. Christ is the truth, the Spirit is the truth, the Word is the truth, not the church, but the church is the pillar and grounded in she's to maintain it.
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As thought of God, and that's proper, but not to teach.
Not to teach, so I suffered had a woman to teach. Nor do you serve authority over the man, but to be in silence.
That's the place that the church occupies. Here. The false church is just the opposite. She is a teacher.
Let's just look at that quickly. Revelation 3.
Very quickly.
And address the firefighter. Revelation 2. Excuse me. Revelation 2, verse 20. This is the address to Thyatira, verse 18, under the Angel of the church in Thyatira, right?
These things say, If the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire in his feet are like fine grass. Verse 20 he says, I, I, I have a density, I have a two things against me, because thou suffers that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. So here you have the Church.
The woman Jezebel, which ends up to become this mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.
Doing the teaching here, and she's tolerated and she seduces his servants to commit fornication, to eat things sacrificed to idols. That is, there's a complete breakdown of godly separations from the world. It's the woman teaching, and that is a wicked woman at that. Well, back to first Timothy chapter 2.
I suffer not a woman to teach verse 12, nor do you serve authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Who are Adam was first formed than eat. Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing. If they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety, she shall be saved, preserved, kept in her place by having children.
Because having children puts her in the home where she belongs to care for the children.
This is God's order. This is God's order. Now you've just gone through Ephesians 5. I don't think I'll go through that again, but let's turn to 1St Corinthians 11.
1St Corinthians 11 Very important passage, almost never spoken on.
Passages I'm speaking on tonight are pretty much not spoken on because they are so controversial, but I believe they need to be spoken on and there's no reason to be controversial about them. They're beautiful when they're seen as God intended. The the man and the woman, the place that they have before him. Verse three First Corinthians 11 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ.
With the man and tells us who the man's head is with Christ. And the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. So you have the order. Christ, of course, is always viewed here as a man. And so you have God, Christ, man and woman. Woman, said, is the man whose head is Christ, who said is God.
Every man praying or prophesying. I believe the fact that the praying is coupled with prophesying.
Indicates that this is public prayer. I remember I used to go to the County Hospital in Chicago and once a week and we would pass out tracks and go to the wards and that and I would go downstairs when I first started to go and then a group of Christians were gathered downstairs and we'd all be in a circle. This was recently saved and was learning truth every day.
And we would gather together, brothers and sisters.
And the sisters with uncovered heads would pray and that bothered me at the time because he was a public prayer meeting with brothers and sisters together. And this verse clearly covers that. Every woman, verse 5, that prayer the prophesied with her head uncovered his honor of her head. So that is even all one as if she was shaved. So they were doing that.
And I was uncomfortable with that.
So I ended up just not going downstairs, but rather just going right up to the wards and passing out tracks and visiting with the patients because I didn't feel that the order that was observed down below was God's order. Now let's go back now verse 4. Every man praying or prophesying having his head covered dishonored with his head. Now his head is Christ and Christ should not be covered, should not be hidden. The importance here is since.
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Said is Christ is that is what should be seen. And since the woman's head is the man, that's why the woman's head is to be covered because man's glory and man's prominence is to be covered in, especially when addressing God or when speaking the word of God. That's what prophesying is speaking forth the word of God. So whether we are addressing God in a public meeting or whether we are representing God as speaking his word.
Others, the man should do it with uncovered head, so that Christ, who is his head is in view. And the woman, if she does do that, should do it with her head covered, which means the man is not in the view, he is her head.
Every woman verse 5 that prayeth her prophesied with her head, uncovered dishonor with her head. Now I have read a number of commentaries.
By men that are quite prominent in the church world today. I picked up one by a very prominent man who has a Church of 05678000 strong. I don't know the number, it's quite large and it's the only book I have of his and I have one other two books, but I specifically got the one on 1St Corinthians. I wanted to know what he would say in this passage just like.
So many others that I have read.
Ends it up by spoiling the whole interpretation of this passage by saying that the woman's hair is recovering. Now let's look at the passage carefully. Let's look at it with a good translation, which is what we have here, and we'll see if that's possible in this context. First of all, every man praying or prophesying heading his head covered dishonors his head.
What this is talking about? This covering is clearly something external to.
What we grow on the top of our hips, not a hair, but something else, it forms the covering, and we'll see how it must be that as we look at it. But every woman that prayeth or prophesied with her head uncovered, dishonored her head. But that is even all one as if she were shaved. That is, if the woman doesn't have a covering on her head when she prays or prophecies. Philip had four virgin daughters that prophesied.
Not in the assembly because that was not allowed.
But in some family gathering or whatever, when others were present, she was to have her head covered. Otherwise she would dishonor her head, which is the man. She would not be showing the respect and the attitude of submission and subjection to him. He was her head that is becoming to her.
It says at the end of verse five that is even all is 1 as if she were shaved so she doesn't wear a covering. She is as before God just like a woman that was shaved and that's shameful. This refers a shaved woman refers to one who was losing morals and living a life of sin. That's what it refers to and so he goes on to say for if the woman be not covered.
Let her also be shorn. But if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn, her kids. And the force of that is, is since it is.
Let her be covered. It was a shame in that day. In fact, to Corinthianize meant to fornicate, because that was a city that was just.
Life with that kind of wicked living. Now let's look at verse 6 very carefully. If the woman be not covered.
Now if her hair is recovering, that would mean if the woman does not have hair, let her also be shorn. Well how can you shear the hair off of a woman that doesn't have any? So it shows that self contradictory. The verse 6 clearly proves that the covering is something external to the hair that the woman has. If the woman be not covered, let her also.
Be shorn, but if it be ashamed for a woman to be shorn or shaving, which it was in that day and today too.
Let her be covered.
Now he gives another reason. The first reason is the headship the man is to be. The man is not to be covered because his head is Christ. The woman is to be covered because her head is the man. And what ought to be seen when addressing God or speaking for God is Christ, and not the first man. Now we have another reason, verse 7. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head for as much as he is the image.
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And glory of God, the image and glory of God ought to be in display. But since the woman is the glory of the man, that ought to be covered. And so when you see a woman praying uncovered, it's a picture since she's a picture of the church, it's a picture of an in subject church. It's a picture of a church that is not recognizing her head, which is Christ and.
Designer done to her head.
And that, of course, is the man. And when the church does, it acts in that way, it's a picture of dishonored unto Christ, who is her head.
Woman is the glory of the man, and that ought to be covered. Man's glory ought to be hidden when we address God or speak for God, and then he gives another reason, for the man is not of the woman.
But the woman of the man, and that goes back to the original creation. That goes back to the fact that woman was created out of Adam side.
The woman was of the man, not the man of the woman. God created the man 1St and then He created her for him, so it has nothing to do. The teaching here has nothing to do with a local condition at current. It has to do with the original order in God's creation.
And we have this this subject of subjection that we were looking at lived out so beautifully in the Lord Jesus brought before us here in the man woman relationship. The man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. She came from him, she was made out of his rib, and she was here for him. Verse 9 says that neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman.
For the man she was to be his.
Help me his life. And when he saw her, oh, his heart was delighted to find one that was his true counterpart, equal to Him, not inferior. But a subjection is not the thought of inferiority. The thought of subjection is the thought of the lowly place that the blessed Lord took when He came into this scene in order to reach.
Us and to save us. And the woman is privileged above the man.
To display that place of subjection in this simple matter of a head covering.
But the reasons given are man is not of the woman, but woman is of the man. Secondly, neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man. And then the third reason for this cause, ought the woman to have a have power on her head because of the angels? Now again I have read a number of expositions.
And what that means and said to say modern day writers because they are under the tremendous pressure from the church, which has adopted a a practice of the women not covering their heads anymore. Very rare to find a Christian congregation where the sisters have their heads covered.
The teachers have had to.
Adapt their their interpretation of this passage.
To go along with that practice, sad, sad, sad. That's exactly what has happened.
But this caused off the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. I'm not going to go over the wrong interpretation that I have read of that verse, but the correct 1 is in my margin and it's beautiful and it goes way back. I don't know if this note was put in there by the King James translators but it says that is the woman is to have a covering.
Been signed that she is under the power of her husband, under the authority of her husband.
And so the angels are to behold that then Ephesians 3, the angels learn the manifold wisdom of God in the assembly, and there's only the only place that they're going to see the creatorial order that God has assigned to the sexes, lived out and in display, is in the assembly.
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And if it's not there, as the angels looked down and looked into the church world today, look into Christendom today. There is hardly a place that they can find them this order.
The death.
The saddest part of it is there are translations today that have come out that give marginal readings that are absolutely false.
And say that the woman's hair is her covenant.
Now we saw from verse 5 that.
That's verse 6. If a woman be not covered, let her also be shorn. And if the hair is the woman's covering, then the hair is the man's covering. That means that the only man that could pray uncovered for men not to pray uncovered is to dishonor his head is to hide Christ. And that's a dishonor to Christ would be to have to have all this hair cut off. So if you're not bald as a brother according to that miserable interpretation rendering.
You're not qualified to pray to prophecy. I wouldn't be qualified because I've got a covering on my head, which is nonsense. I don't. My hair is not my covering and the woman's hair is not her covering. And yet this is what they have done.
In I guess you don't have to turn to it, but in Second Corinthians chapter 2 The apostle Paul says.
Last verse for we are not as the many.
With corrupt the Word of God, my margin reads deal deceitfully with now, Now I that's the worst kind of evil that you can have is for someone to put out a translation that corrupts and deals deceitfully with the word of God and gives a rendering which is absolutely the opposite to what it really means.
And they do it in order to accommodate a practice which is thoroughly unscriptural.
The Angel put down. What do they see for this cause out the woman to have authority power or authority on her head because of the angels they looked down. They ought to see that when her sister praised the prophesied she to have that sign that she's under the authority of her husband. I think the thought is that whenever the woman performs a function in the church.
Or in the sphere of the House of God, not in assembly meetings as such. He's not allowed to speak there.
But whenever she performs a function which is normally the function of a man, I will therefore that we men pray everywhere. When she performs that function, she's to have her head covered because.
She is performing the function which is normally the one that the man performs and keeps to show that she recognizes in performing that function that she's in subjection to me. And when she doesn't do that, she's portraying an in subject church, a church that is not subject to Christ.
She's she's acting like the harlot Church of Revelation. It is going to come under the judgment of God. Seriously.
It's not a question of opinion. It's not this is either not my opinion. I'm not here to express opinions. I'm here to expound the word of God.
Teach it accurately and through it and that and I'm getting the force of the passage and some of these other translations that give the alternate reading, giving the hairs the covering when they do it, when they come for instance, to verse 6 if the woman be not covered.
If the woman have no hair, let her also be shorn is meaningless. It's nonsense. You can't cut off hair that isn't there. They don't translate it that way. They say it's a woman being in a covers. They translate it covered there. The only place they translated covered because the other rendering is self-destructive, it's self contradictory and they saw that. Now that's tambling the word of God.
Deceitfully. Let's be aware of those translations that do that.
Verse 11. Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman.
Neither the woman without the man and the Lord, the woman is just as important as the man by question of the importance, the question of the role that God is assigned to me. Lead the man to you, the woman, and you have the privilege. The woman has the privilege of being in the subject place and living that out as the blessed Lord did the weaker vessel. He was born in weakness. He was crucified in weakness, but he lives by the.
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So it's a wonderful place. Don't ever let anyone tell you. Don't ever let anyone tell you that the subject plays. The place of obedience is not the most wonderful place because that's the place he took.
Verse 12 for as the woman is of the man.
She came from Adam's side. Even so is the man also by the woman. He's born of the woman. But all things have gone now that ends the teaching.
Part of this.
Portion.
Now he appeals to nature.
And in verse 13 it says judging yourselves. Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered he's appealing to what is comely to nature? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
A man had long hair. It's a shame unto him that just nature teaches you that. But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her for her hair. And here's the verse that when they get to this, they make this verse contradict everything that's gone before and they don't understand it. If a woman had long hair, it is a glory to her for her hair, just given her for a covering. Now that's an entirely different word that is rendered.
Covering from In the Greek it's a different word that's rendered covering for the head covering, but here the thought is the long hair of the woman covers her or bails her so that she is kept.
Inconspicuous, that is, it's it's in, it's in harmony with those passages that we read in First Timothy and in First Peter that the woman's adornment ought not to be that outward adorning, plating the hair, and that all those things that bring attraction to the woman outwardly, that appeal to the natural man.
But that which is that which appeals to the Newman and to God, well, that which is in the sight of God, of great press, Well, this long hair that the woman has, it has nothing to do with covering her head here. It has to do with it's given her. Instead of a veil, Mr. Darby renders it in lieu of a veil. And that's the thought. It hides her, and that's her beauty.
That's her glory, not to be out in the public place.
Where is Sarah thy wife? The Lord said to Abraham said. Behold, she's in the tent, she's in the right place. She was in the tent. And when?
Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land. When she got out into the into the world, she got into trouble, didn't she? And some great sin was committed, and she was abused. Well, the scriptures are very clear.
Where the place of the man is, This place is in the public. A man should pray everywhere he pictures Christ and he's the one that is to be out there doing the the public ministry and praying. And the woman's place is in the domestic circle and raising children for the Lord. A wonderful place and her long hair.
Is a witness to this is another testimony to the truth that he's been setting before us that the the loan here.
Bales or covers the woman and keeps her in the place that she ought to be in and that 16th verse has been misunderstood very often if any man seem to be contentious and there's more contention on this issue probably than anywhere on any other issue in the church. And so he anticipates that he realized that that would produce his teaching would produce attention.
Discord arguing, he says we, we apostles have no such custom. The custom that he was meeting that existed at Corinth, that was going on with women praying and prophesying uncovered and that's why he addresses this issue. He says we don't have that custom, neither do the churches of God have that custom. That is the churches of God followed 1 custom. It wasn't up to 1 Church to decide the custom, another church have another custom and so on.
But the custom that they didn't have was praying and prophesying with uncovered heads, as the women did at Corinth.
00:55:06
If any man seemed to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
Surely I come Quickly
Tabernacle Part 1
Tabernacle Part 2
Tabernacle Part 3
Tabernacle Part 4
Ten Lessons from Life of David
Testimony of God His Sovereignty Man's Responsibility
The Ark of God
The Call of Elisha
The Courts of the Lord
The Sovereignty of God
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
The subject that I have spoken of several Times Now, the sovereignty of God, 1% sovereignty of God.
Some time ago in this country, there was a rabbi who wrote a book.
And it went over very well with the people. He seems to have solved the problem that troubles a lot of people. Why do Bad Things happen to good people? Was the title of the book.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
And as he wrestled with that.
Question.
He had to consider either God is not all good.
Or he's not all powerful.
Because if he was all good and all powerful, he couldn't seem to come up with an answer to that question.
Why do bad things happen to good people? So he concluded that God was all good.
But not all powerful.
There was a historian of recent years.
You may have heard of MHG Wells.
He was.
He was a famous fiction writer and historian, and he had the same kind of a view that this rabbi had. He said the world is like a great drama.
God is the.
He's the manager.
And everything goes well. Everything begins beautifully. Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve placed in the garden of delights. Everything perfect according to God. No sin, no suffering, no sorrow, no death, no pain.
Everything was perfect.
And so, in this great drama, everything is perfect until the leading man steps on the hem of the garment of the leading lady, who falls over a chair, who knocks down a lamp, who which knocks down a table, which knocks down the side scenery, which brings down the back scenery and the manager.
Is shouting orders and pulling strings and trying to get some kind of order out of this chaos that has resulted, but he can't seem to do it.
And that was this man's idea of God, the the state of things, the the room that has come in, and the sin that has come in, that has produced all the the havoc and the disaster and the disorder and the sin and the sorrow and the suffering and the weeping, and all that the follows mankind befalls the Saints as well as sinners.
God is just not able to stop it.
He doesn't have the control over this scene. That was his conclusion. Well, he had the same kind of a conclusion as this rabbi, and neither one is correct. According to Scripture, the Word of God portrays to us a God who is not only the creator of the universe, but He is the sovereign ruler of all things, and everything is under his control.
And nothing happens by chance. There are no fortuitous events.
All is under his control.
That has to be established before we can even consider the question.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
There is an answer to that question. It's not the one that these men came up with.
God in His sovereignty, which is not exactly an attribute of God, but it's His prerogative in the use of His attributes to rule over all that He has created. He is the absolute sovereign ruler, and as we sometimes say, nothing happens by chance. Nothing is too large for God, nothing is too hard for God, and nothing is too small for God.
Too insignificant so that he won't notice it, or he won't.
Undertake to help us, no matter how small our problem may be.
I am sure that there are some children in the room that might feel that way, and maybe some adults that, well, my little world is so insignificant and trivial compared with all the problems that there are out there and the whole world system, that God doesn't notice me.
Well, God is so huge.
That there's no problem. Everyone in the world could be praying to him at the same time and he'd hear each one.
And He had answered each one according to his own sovereign, perfect, blessed will.
Wonderful God we have, we can't conceive in our limited human way of judging things. Martin Luther said to Erasmus, who was a Roman Catholic theologian, probably the greatest theologian of the day. He said to him he had a view, he had a view. Evidently Erasmus had a view, something like these men, this rabbi and HG Wells, and that God just couldn't control things.
00:05:18
And he said to Erasmus, Martin Luther did. He says, your God is altogether too human.
Altogether too human. And what did he mean by that? Well, too limited. And don't we find as we look into our lives and as we look into the problems that come to us and so on, sometimes we'll, we'll come up, come up to a mountain that is so huge that to us it is absolutely even beyond God to solve.
And so your God is limited. If that's your view of God, you have a limited God, just like these men had.
That he wasn't able to do anything, anything that would please him. That he is. And we will be looking shortly at a number of scriptures that tell us how great this God is that we've come to know.
Let me ask you, how big is your universe?
How big is my universe?
You think it's too big for God to handle, or maybe you think that God is a disinterested God and he's not going to concern himself with us. Like the watchman that wound up his watch, the old, old watches that had the springs in it and wound it up and then let it go and just turned away from it and said it'll run itself now. And that's the view that some have of God about this universe, that God got everything spinning and got all the world's turning, and then he.
Tired and just let it go? Well, that's not the God of the Bible.
The God of the Bible is vitally interested, especially in his children.
In every detail of our lives. And he takes note. And nothing happens by chance, even the bad things as we were singing.
In that hymn, that beautiful hymn, our times are in Thy hands, whatever they may be, pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as best may seem to Thee. Do you believe that? Do you really want everything, everything, all our times, everything to be in His hands? Or do you resent the idea that there is another? That is an absolute control.
Of everything.
And you're not. You can't control your life. You, you are in his hand.
We sing these hymns and we express these truths, but when we get into dire straits, we seem to forget. So often, Speaking of myself, so often we seem to forget that it is all in His hands.
Is omnipotent all powerful? We can't fathom that really. A being that is all powerful and do anything as far as power is concerned, a mission T knows everything.
All knowing.
His understanding is infinite, 147th Psalm tells us, and he's omnipresent. He's everywhere. You cannot get away from Him. There is no place you can go. Whether it's the darkness or the light makes no difference to him, it says in the 139th Psalm. The darkness and the light are both alike to Him.
So he sees you, thou God seest me, and.
Peter tells us, casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. He really does. Each one of his own. And I'm addressing the Saints this afternoon. He cares for each one of us.
There was a sister that lost her husband once.
Brother went to visit her, comfort her and she was saying things that she didn't mean.
He was saying things about God or how could he have done this to me? I needed him so I cannot live without him. Why did he do this to me? And she was saying some very nasty things about God. And he said I rejoiced.
And that arrested my attention immediately when I heard him say that. And he said I rejoiced because I knew that God wasn't listening.
He knew what she was going through.
And she didn't mean what she was saying.
The next day, she called his brother up.
And she said I'm so sorry.
What I said, I didn't mean it.
And he said.
I know you didn't.
I heard a brother say once.
I'm sorry that he said it.
But he said.
When you hear people say bad things, that's really what they really like.
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That's not true.
Not true the same.
We can say things as a St. that we that's not really us, that's not the Newman.
That's the flesh. We all have it and we can say pretty nasty things.
When we don't really mean it, we can even say to the one that we love the most. I hate you.
That's been done.
And they don't mean that.
They don't mean that at all.
They might mean I hate myself and I'm taking it out on you.
But God, he knows all about us, and he deals with us according to his infinite wisdom and his infinite love. Our God cares for us. Our God is love.
Wouldn't that be a horrible thing to have? The God of the Muslims who doesn't know what love is, they don't even have it in their Bible.
Their Koran, they don't have it in there. They don't even have the concept of love in their religion. It's a religion of fear.
Religion of ultra legality.
And the false religions are characterized by that.
The truth is that our God is love.
Is every act pure blessing? Is His path unsullied? Light, light and love, perfect holiness and love. And so all that he does and all that he allows for, He never is the author of evil. These evil things that come upon us, He's not the author of it. He allows it sometimes. In fact, he always allows it. Nothing can happen without his permission.
Sometimes we hear Christians talk about Satan's plans and what he's going to do, and by the time you get through listening to them, you feel pretty low.
As though he can carry out his plans. He can't. He may have his plans of evil towards us, but he can't do one thing. He can't take one step beyond what God allows him to.
He is not the sovereign of the universe. God is, our God is, and our God is for us.
And if God be for us, who can be against us? Someone has said, trying to make the all powerful God to be look rather ridiculous. Someone who said, can he? Can he make a stone large enough so that he himself can't move it? Well, obviously if he can make it that large, he can move it.
If it was as big as a mountain, he could move it.
It was as big as the planet Earth. He could move it. If it was big as the solar system, he could move it. It was as big as the Milky Way Galaxy. He couldn't do but if it was as big as the universe.
You can move it with his little finger.
Imagine that atom placed in the palm of the hand of a man. I have an atom sitting there in my palm.
And I am God, and that Adam is the universe. That's an illustration someone has used to illustrate how great God is.
Just an atom compared with this huge being. Well, all that illustration does is to diminish God. He's infinitely greater than that.
He's infinitely greater than that, he just spake.
The universe into existence. He commanded, and it was done. He spake and it stood fast. He said let there be, and there was.
I can't fathom a being that great. That's our God. By faith, we understand that the world's were framed by the word of God.
We understand it by faith, we can't grasp it by our reasoning.
But this is our God, and he is for us. And if God be for us, who can be against us?
Well, there was another man, his name was JB Phillips, and he said, he said of God. He said to another, he said your God is too small, too small.
Well, how big is your God? How big is your universe?
They hear unto God, know everything.
Is he inescapable? Is he everywhere? And does he?
Is eternal.
Our God is.
So God's sovereignty is His.
Controlling everything is prerogative to use all his attributes for his own glory.
Rules all that He created. He is sovereign. Now let's look at Revelation 19. We'll look at a number of Scriptures. We'll have to move on quickly. You'll be turning your Bibles quite a bit now.
To look at these scriptures, these wonderful scriptures, I don't have to say much about them because they speak for themselves.
Revelation 19. The sovereignty of God.
Verse 6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thundering, saying Hallelujah for the Lord God omnipotent.
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Reynith.
There is the statement of God's sovereignty. The Lord God, omnipotent, reigneth. He is the sovereign ruler over all things.
Look at the 29th Psalm. 29th Psalm.
Verse 10 The Lord sitteth.
Upon the flood, yeah. The Lord sitteth king forever. He sitteth as the sovereign ruler forever.
Nothing too hard for him.
He rules over all things that he has made. You remember one came to him once and said, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And he said.
I will.
Be thou clean, that's one of the three I will, the Lord uttered. I said the other night it was once, but it was 3 times.
Three times, that's the one. The other time was in the garden, not my will, but thine be done. And the third time was in John 17. Father, I will let those whom Thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which Thou hast given me. For thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.
Is that a precious I will to have us in his presence forever?
And to behold his glory.
Now turn to Daniel 4.
Where we have these beautiful scriptures.
Setting before us.
The sovereignty of God. Daniel.
Chapter 4.
Ezekiel, Daniel.
Verse 30.
5.
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing.
And he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.
And none can stay his hand.
Or say unto him.
What doest thou?
This was that mighty monarch Nebuchadnezzar that uttered these words. He learned of the greatness.
Of God.
The greatness of God.
None can stay his hand, or say unto him.
What doest thou?
Job Chapter 9.
And verse 12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him?
Who will say unto him?
What do a star?
It will say unto him, what?
Doest thou?
Jeremiah 32.
Verse 17.
Our Lord God.
Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power, and stretched out arm.
And there is nothing.
Too hard for thee? Nothing.
Too hard.
For thee.
Matthew 28.
Last chapter in Matthew.
This is stated by the Risen Lord Himself.
And he said in verse 18.
Jesus.
Came and spake unto them, saying, all power.
Is given unto me in heaven.
And in Earth?
Do we, Do you, Do I really believe these wonderful statements of God's Word?
It may not seem this way in many cases.
It may seem as though he is unable to change the events, but we will see as we go on in these wonderful scriptures, we're going to be looking at how that is not so.
And here he says, All power is given unto me in heaven.
And on earth. And he's speaking here as the risen man. Ephesians 1.
Ephesians One.
And verse.
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22 God hath put all things under his feet.
And gave him to be the head.
Over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of him that filleth All in all. God hath put all things under his feet, gave Him to be the head over all things. Again in verse 11.
In whom in Christ also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the council of His own will.
He works all things after the counsel of his own will. Sometimes you hear Christians talking about Satan's plans and what he's going to do and and he's not going to do anything.
That is contrary to the God who's working all things after the council of his own will.
There is a restraining power in this scene because we're still here, and the Spirit of God inhabits the house, and he's still here as a restraining power. And the enemy may have his plans, but he can do nothing but that God allows it.
Wonderful to know that. Wonderful to know that whatever happens in our life is under His absolute sovereign control, none can stay His hand or say unto Him.
What doest thou?
Now Isaiah 14. Very wonderful passage.
Isaiah 14.
Verse 24 The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought.
So shall it come to pass, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand. Verse 27.
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall dis annul it, and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? There is no power in the universe satanic. All his demons, all his hosts, could not change what God has purposed, and what He is bringing about.
He is the absolute sovereign, and what God purposes will indeed take place, and none can change it. Isaiah 46.
Isaiah 46.
Verse 9.
Remember the former things of old, for I am God.
And there is none else. I am God, and there is none like me declaring the end from the beginning.
And from ancient times, the things that are not yet done saying my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure calling a ravenous bird from the east, a man that executeth my counsel from afar country. Yeah, I have spoken it. I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it.
I will also do it.
Thy counsel shall stand.
I will do all my pleasure.
Declaring the end from the beginning. How can he do that?
Well, there's a verse in Isaiah 57, I believe.
Isaiah 57 and verse 615 and I'll read it. For thou sayeth the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity.
Whose name is holy. I dwell in the high unholy place.
With him, that is of a contrite and humble spirit.
To revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. What a range of thought in that one verse.
The high and Lofty 1.
That inhabiteth eternity.
Doesn't say inhabits heaven. There are other scriptures that say that that speaks of a place. Eternity is sitting in the midst of a shoreless sea. A shoreless sea, No shores, no beginning, no end. That's eternity.
Someone's coming along in the boat. He steps out of eternity into time. That little island is time. He walks through time. That's where we are. We're in time. We're in that little island in the middle of this shoreless ocean. Eternity. And then he steps out of the boat and he steps back into eternity. Well, that's just a little illustration of what eternity is like. We're in time. Just a little speck.
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In this huge ocean that is eternity.
He inhabits eternity. He knows the end from the beginning, that which is still future. He declares it because he knows it. There is nothing to there is nothing hidden from him. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. We don't know what's going to happen if we step out of our front door or get in the car and get on the road and someone will hit us and we'll be in eternity. We don't know, but he knows. He knows.
The end from the beginning. Such a being.
This is our God. Nothing takes him by surprise.
The treachery of Judas didn't take him by surprise. He knew it was from the beginning. He knew that he was a devil from the beginning when he chose him.
Nothing takes God by surprise.
Wonderful being.
Isaiah.
46 I read it.
I just want to read it again. My Council verse 10.
My counsel shall stand.
And I will do all.
My pleasure. Now let's get to a very practical case. Let's turn to Genesis 18. Something that come brings it right down to things that we might experience down here.
Genesis 18.
And verse 11.
Verse 9 And they said unto him, The angels are speaking.
To Abraham, where Sarah thy wife. And he said, Behold in the tent.
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee, according to the time of life. This is the Lord speaking.
And lo, Sarah, thy wife shall have a son.
And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age, and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Therefore, Sarah laughed.
Within herself saying, After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure thy Lord, being old also?
She was going to have a son at 90. Abraham would be 100.
Impossible was her reaction. And then the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh?
Saying, Shall I have a surety bear a child which am old? Is anything too hard for the Lord?
At the time appointed, I will return unto thee according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Then Sarah denied saying I laughed not for she was afraid. And he said nay without its laugh. Now that's the last we hear of Sarah in this incident.
But in Hebrews 11, I just turned to that Hebrews 11. Very precious.
And Speaking of this, in the past I mistakenly referred to Romans 4. Well, that was Abraham who was strengthened in faith about this. But here in Hebrews 11 we have Sarah, and it says in verse 11 of Hebrews 11 Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed.
And was delivered of a child when she was past age because she judged him faithful. Who had promised. Not at the beginning she didn't, but she received the rebuke from the Lord and she profited by it.
And she believed. And this is a beautiful commentary, not a word mentioned in Hebrews 11 about Sarah's failure.
It's given to us in Genesis, but here we read of her faith. She believed God, and when you lay hold upon God and believe God, you lay holding, you're laying hold upon the greatest power in the universe.
Power of God.
And she did that.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Job 42. Job said a lot of things. He went through tremendous trials, lost his, lost his family, all but his wife, his sons, his daughters, lost his possessions, lost his health. And in the process of dealing with these three friends, he said, oh, if I only had an audience with the Lord, he would listen to me. He would hear my 'cause I would plead my cause.
Now he has that audience.
And in chapter 42 of Job, Job answered the Lord and said, I know that thou canst do.
Everything.
And that no thought can be withholden from thee in the new translation it reads, And no, thou canst do everything, And that thou canst be hindered in no thought of mine.
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And he had learned that if God wills to do something, it happens.
Because no purpose of his can be restrained.
115th Psalm. We have that statement again.
115th Psalm, and verse 3. But our God is in the heavens. He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
135th Psalm.
Psalm 135.
Verse 6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places, because of the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth, He maketh lightnings for the rain, He bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
A lightning strikes, a man is killed, another is hurt but not killed. And we say, well, that was just a chance thing. That's just a fortuitous event and.
Never does man think that God controlled that lightning strike, but He did.
Everything is under his control.
He never relinquishes his control at a moment. For a moment, absolute sovereign God.
Who allows all that happens? He allows it for His ultimate glory and for the blessing of His Saints. For.
Whether we believe it or not, all things do work together for good.
To them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. And what is his purpose?
That you and I might be conformed to the image of his son.
That's His purpose, that's what He's working towards. And these things that happen to us that are so painful as we have some pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as best may seem to thee, we would only realize that He is for us.
And all these things that we can't explain. And there are so many. We had a neighbor just to the South of us. And one day a car pulled up in front of Nancy's house. She has two children, a husband. She had a husband and two children. And they came in and said your husband was driving the truck.
And a semi was coming the other way and just at the right moment, the tire blew in the semi. The driver lost control. There was a head on and.
Her husband was taken into eternity. In a moment, I believe the family was the Lord's.
But now the mother.
Has to raise her two children without a husband and without a father for them.
I met her at the back of the yard the other day when I was home and I said to her, how are you doing?
And she said it's hard.
I said I know.
And she said, yes, I know, you know.
Because my son lost his whole family in a moment.
And she said, I don't know how you stood it.
I don't know how David stood it.
Well, there are things that we cannot explain.
But he knows what he's doing.
And he is perfect wisdom and perfect love.
And doing all for His ultimate glory and our ultimate.
Blessing. There's a beautiful verse in Isaiah 55. I love it.
And this ought to encourage us to use the Word of God when we deal with souls, not reasoning.
Not our human reasoning, not trying to outwit the opponent, but the word of God.
For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any 2 edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, both of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And so Isaiah 55 says.
My thoughts verse 8 are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down in the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth. It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.
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And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. The power. Never underestimate the power of the word of God.
Power. God's Word.
When we sound that forth.
God will use it for blessing. That's how a soul is born again, being born again, not of corruptible seed, nor of incorruptible by the word of God.
Which liveth and abideth forever.
Romans 9.
Romans 9. Another very precious passage.
God is sovereign, He is the Potter, we are the clay. Verse 19. I will say then unto me, why does he yet find fault for who hath resisted his will? Nay, but, old man, who art thou that replies against God, when we think of how many men have the audacity, the impudence, the arrogance to reply against God?
Nay, O man, who art thou that replies against God? Shall the thing form say to him that formed it? Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the Potter power over the clay of the same lump, to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? That's his prerogative to do as he sees fit.
I'm not going to go into the exposition of that passage, but I'm just citing these scriptures to show how God is over everything. He is over the heart of the King. There's two lovely passages. Turn to Ezra.
Chapter 6. Ezra Chapter 6.
Things that we cannot do, he can do.
Ezra chapter 6 and at the end of the chapter.
Verse 22 and kept the Feast of unleavened bread 7 days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful.
And turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the House of God, the God of Israel.
Who? Who did that? God turned the heart of the king of Assyria to be favorable. Some Proverbs 21. Proverbs 21.
Think one of the children this morning said this first verse one.
The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord.
As the rivers of water, he turneth it whithersoever.
He will.
We ought to pray for our rulers, no matter how wicked we might think they are.
We should pray for them, for the King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water. He turneth it with us, whoever he will. If someone had suggested to those early Christians, pray for Saul of Tarsus, pray that he might be saved.
I wonder how many would do it?
How many would do it?
You know you can't. There's no, there's no sense in praying for him.
Is the greatest antagonist to the Christian caused there is?
And in a moment.
He was arrested and changed.
And became the greatest champion of the faith.
A beautiful passage in Ezra 34.
I'm sorry, Exodus 34, Exodus 34.
And 23.
Thrice in the year. Well, let me read 22 and thou shalt observe the Feast of Weeks.
And of the first fruits of wheat harvest.
Feast of weeks, I think that's Pentecost.
The first fruits of wheat harvest.
And.
No, that's Pentecost.
And then the Feast of Ingathering, that's the Feast of Tabernacles. But there were three times I may have gotten these mixed, but there were three feasts where the males of Israel had to go down to Jerusalem.
And up here before the Lord, so at verse 23 says thrice in the year shall all your men, children, appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel.
Well, that would lay them very vulnerable. There would that all the cities would be devoid of males, and only the women and the children would be left, and the enemy could easily come in and take them over.
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Verse 24 For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
When thou shalt go up to appear before the Lord thy God thrice in the year.
Neither shall any.
Nation, desire thy land.
Wouldn't desire their gold, Wouldn't desire their women, wouldn't desire them at all. Now who could do that? Only God, only the sovereign God of the universe, could keep.
Those cities safe while all the males went down to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.
Now we have a beautiful passage in Exodus Chapter 11.
God moved the hearts of the Egyptians as Israel was about to leave the land of Egypt.
Not only did he move the hearts of the Egyptians, but.
He also is in control of the beasts as well. And the Lord said unto Moses, Yet will I bring 1 plague more upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterwards He will let you go. Hence when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hands altogether. Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.
And the Lord gave the people. The Lord gave the people favor.
In the sight of the Egyptians.
Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt.
Now there had been plague after plague after plague after plague that had come down on the land of Egypt, But God gave the people of Israel favor in the minds of the Egyptians, and they gave to them, says Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants.
And in the sight of the people, and Moses said, thus saith the Lord, about midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt, and all the first born in the land of Egypt shall die.
From the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first born of the maiden servant that is behind the mill, and all the first born of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it anymore.
Let's pause there.
Israel is about to leave Egypt. God disposes the hearts of the Egyptians to give them plenty.
Of their riches.
They spoil the Egyptians.
And now they're about to leave 3000 men and women and cattle, animals and mules. Just think of that huge number that we're leaving all the cities of Egypt, leaving the cities, going out.
Following Moses.
I just live in a little small town of Allendale. 306 hundred people, 600 people.
Very small town.
You might think out here in California, is there such a place? Yes, there is. I live in one.
They do have towns that small.
And I like to take a walk at night and.
There's dogs in our town.
And as I start walking, one dog starts barking, and the next one, and the next one, and by the time I get home, they're all barking and the whole town of Allendale is filled with the sound of barking dogs. But look at that.
Seventh Verse. Against any of the children of Israel, shall not a dog move his tongue?
Against man or beast.
That ye may know how that the Lord.
Thoth put a difference.
Between the Egyptians and Israel, beloved, the Lord puts a difference.
Between the world and us, and don't ever forget it, he puts a difference.
We belong to him.
He loves us, just as you might say that's impossible. No one, No one could prevent a dog from barking. Oh yes, God could.
I was lying in bed this morning and we talked about the perfect humanity of Christ on Friday night and how that Mary, being a Sinner, bore a child that was sinless.
You know, there's a verse in Scripture came before me. Can anyone bring a clean thing out of an unclean? And the answer is no, we can't, but God can't.
The Holy Spirit can. He did. He brought a clean thing out of an unclean vessel.
And only God can do that.
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Praise his name.
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
No, no.
Second Chronicles 20 is a beautiful passage.
I'm not hitting all the passages. You could enumerate many others, the Red Sea, the Jordan.
All instances of his mighty power.
His mighty power. But these are very interesting passages.
Second Chronicles.
Chapter 20.
And verse 14.
Then upon.
Jehazio, the son of Zechariah the son of Maniah the son of Gil the son of Mataniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph.
Came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation, and he said, Hearken you all, ye all Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou, King Jehoshaphat, thus sayeth the Lord unto you. Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude.
They were being attacked by an army that was overwhelmingly superior to theirs.
For the battle is not yours, but God's.
Tomorrow go ye down against them, Behold, they come up by the Cliff of Ziz, and ye shall find them at the end of the brook before the wilderness of Jerul. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle. Set yourselves, stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord with you. Well, the the previous time that the Lord said that was when Israel was leaving Egypt, The Egyptians army was coming behind them, walls on either side, the sea in front of them, and Moses said, stand still and see.
Of the Lord and the sea parted and they walked through on dry ground. The Egyptians are saying to do were all destroyed as the waters closed in upon them and they all drowned that's the mighty power of God that's our sovereign God well.
It says in verse 22 and when they began to sing and to praise the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and Mount Sierra, which were come against Judah, and they were smitten. That's a beautiful chapter to read. They defeated the enemy by singing praises.
They didn't have to fire a shot.
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Sierra utterly to slay and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of sea air, everyone helped to destroy another.
And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves more than they could carry away. And they were three days in gathering of the spoil. It was so much who did that.
The sovereign, all powerful God. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. It was an insurmountable, overwhelming force that was coming against them. Sure defeat, sure annihilation. So it seemed They didn't even have to fire. One shot and the enemy was vanquished. You can think of other instances.
And I'll give you the one more second Chronicles 18.
Chronicles 18.
And this is the case of Ahab and Jehoshaphat. He and he Jehoshaphat foolishly allies himself with the wicked king Ahab.
And Ahab, he had figured out that they're going to go after him. They're trying to get him. So he.
Disguised himself, and he said to Jehoshaphat, you dress up in your kingly robes. And when they saw the king, they said, this is Ahab, this is the king of Israel, get him. And Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord, And the Lord heard him, and they realized this is not the one we're after.
And in verse chapter 18 and verse 33, verse 32, it came to pass that when the captains of the Chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, it was not Ahab.
It was Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. They turned back again from pursuing him, and a certain man. Now God had said to Ahab through the prophet Micaiah that you're going to die in this battle.
And so he's going to defeat God's purpose. So he disguises himself as an ordinary warrior. He's all protected by his armor. And it says a certain man drew a bow at a venture by chance.
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Not intentionally trying to kill the king of Israel. He didn't know who the king of Israel was in that crowd. He just drew a bow and shot into this, into the Israelites.
The host the Army of Israel.
And he smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness. Therefore he said to his chariot, man turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host, for I am wounded. If you follow, if you follow the I've looked up and we don't have time for it. I've looked up lightning. I remember when I was going to Regina last year, I came, I was going north and there was a huge lightning storm and all these lightning strikes were coming down. I said, I'm going to drive right into that. And then I took comfort and in the in the.
Not one of them can can touch me but that God sends it to. And if so, then I'll be in his presence. Well, it's often in scripture that's the strikes of lightning are likened to God's arrows.
And here this enemy draws the boat adventure and shoots an arrow, and it hits Ahab and he dies just as God said.
We cannot frustrate God's will and God's purpose. He is an absolute sovereign control of everything. And I just want to say in closing, aren't you glad?
That he is. Aren't you glad that we're not in control?
That he is.
He who loves us with an everlasting love, He whose every act is blessing for us, even though we cannot always interpret it.
We will see one day, we will see the other side of the tapestry and what He was doing for His glory and for the ultimate blessing of millions of others.
Our little world is so limited. We are so myopic in the way we view things. Everything is how it effects me. But God uses it all with our end in view, absolutely, but also with other end in view.
I couldn't possibly, I couldn't possibly have arranged it so that everyone that's sitting in the chair you're sitting in right now would be here. I couldn't do that. I don't have that power.
But God did. God did. You're here because.
It's his will for you to be here.
And don't think that the little insignificant trifles in your life are not under His control. Some of us make the mistake of saying I can handle the little things, but I'll turn over the big ones to Him.
And that's where we make bad mistakes, is it not?
Because we can't handle the little things he said without me you can do. Let's close by singing. 264 Thou sittest on high, eternal word, as Son of man, as sovereign Lord. And now by faith on thee we rest, till all thy title have confessed.
The Father's House
The Glories to Follow Bro.
The Ground on which Christians are to Gather Part 1
The Ground on which Christians are to Gather Part 2
The Holy One and True Discipline in Assembly
The Lord's Coming Part 1
The Lord's Coming Part 2
The Lord's Coming Part 3
The Lord's Coming, Practical Effects
The Lord's Day, Supper and Table
The Lowly Subject One
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
And verse one.
Behold.
My servant.
Whom I uphold mine elect, in whom my soul delighted.
That's what I want to do this afternoon is to behold God's perfect servant.
What a subject.
Turn with me to Philippians Chapter 2.
Philippians, Chapter 2.
And verse 5.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God?
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.
And was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.
But at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. I don't intend on going through this whole passage, but it's important to read it all and we know it so well.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. We often talk about the seven steps down that He took and then the seven steps up that God exalted him, but I want to dwell a bit on this verse. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. What is the mind that he's talking about that was in Christ Jesus?
Well, you have to read a little bit into the passage who being in the form of God. Now we think of that past eternity when when he who is God over all blessed forever existed. This person that he's talking about here, we know him as our Lord Jesus Christ. He existed from all eternity past in the form of God and in nothing else, nothing.
No other form. He was in the form of God.
No creature can be in the form of God, only one who is God.
Can exist in that form. So just that verse all by itself proves but beyond shadow of a doubt, the deity and the glory of this wonderful person.
Thought it not robbery to be equal with God?
Is.
Is a little bit hard to grasp the thought there.
It's been rendered in the new translation it's it's deemed it not an object of rapping to be on equality with God. The thought is whether it's rapping, which we get the word rape from seizing another or another thing. He did not consider the the being in the form of God something to be seized and to.
Tenaciously.
Be tenaciously held on to. He didn't think I am God, and I will never consider being anything less than God. Well, that wasn't his mind. His mind was the willingness to exchange the form of God for the form of the servant.
That's such a tremendous thought. We must not pass it by quickly. He did not think as man thinks, how great he is. And this one was great. He was the greatest in the universe.
Co equal with the Father and the Spirit, all three persons of the Trinity dwelling in unapproachable light.
And there he was in the form of God and nothing less. But he did not think I'm going to hold on to that form and never exchange it for anything else. And I had he had that kind of a mind, we wouldn't be saved.
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Had he not left that form of God as we sing in the I think it's the 27th him He laid his glory by and for us. It's come from heaven as the Lamb of God to die. If his mind was.
Filled with himself and his own self importance like man gets so often.
He wouldn't have done this. This descent begins with an attitude of mind that he had, that he would take a place.
Much, much, much lower than was His. In uncreated essential glory. That was his. He exchanged the form of God for the form of a servant.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery, thought it not something to be grasped, seized on, and held tenaciously to, but he relinquished that outward form.
And made himself of no reputation. That's a paraphrase. Literally, it's the emptied himself. He emptied himself. What did he empty himself of? The form of God?
Not deity, He could never cease to be God. He was always God, very God and very man. But he, he, He assumes now another form, form of a servant.
Emptied himself.
Made himself of no reputation is certainly a paraphrase that expresses truth, but it doesn't get to the real depth of it. We have two statements in this descent downwards. The first one is the tremendous step when he went from the form of God to the form of a servant. He emptied himself of that outward form and became a servant.
And then the next step was it says he humbled himself. Being found in fashion as a man. He humbled himself. He didn't walk through this world as some princely monarch, great king. No, he was born in poor circumstances.
And he took the low place even after he had assumed the form of the servant.
But exchanging the form of God or the form of a servant was the tremendous step. Tremendous step.
Since the children Hebrews 2 partake of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.
He came to where we were.
Yes, he made himself no reputation.
Empty himself could have become. He could have become an Angel, their servants.
Now he went lower than the angels. We read that in Hebrews 2 made a little lower than the angels. And so it says.
He made himself, made in his, made in the likeness of man.
Likeness of men.
Think of it, He who had never obeyed anyone.
All the angels obeyed him. He gave the orders. He was the supreme commander.
And they did his bidding.
Ministers are a flame of fire and they do whatever he tells them to do.
But he learned obedience.
By the things which he suffered.
He learned what it was to obey.
To do the will of another, his father.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. He, the greatest of the great, took this place.
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And we are followers.
Think of it.
We are his disciples.
We are to follow him. That means if it means anything, it means to be totally, completely, altogether empty of self.
There was number self in him.
Not in the bad sense that we know it.
He was here.
To do Father's will.
I came down from heaven, he said not to do my own will.
How many times do you and I do our own will? How many times?
But he came down from heaven, not to do his own will, but the will of him.
That central think of the delight that the Father had as he looked down and there was an object on earth.
That lived all together for him.
Everything he did.
Everything, he said.
All of his actions, his work, His works were for the glorious Father.
And at the end of this path, he said, Father, I have glorified thee.
On the Earth.
I had finished.
The work that thou gavest me to do.
And then he asks, he said, And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory that I had with Thee when He was in the form of God and nothing else. Now he asks to be reinstated into that glory scene as a man.
As a man.
The gospel of the grace of God is that God became a man.
God came down to the lowest place.
Because the children partake of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the scene.
He came to where we were. He couldn't have saved us had he not done this.
That he remained in the form of God. There wouldn't be a salvation. He had to come to where we were.
Had become.
To where?
Those, he was to say were animal sacrifices, couldn't have saved this.
An animal's life given up cannot save a human life. It has to be another human.
Has to be another man. It has to be one that's just like we are at all points.
To the party, it had to be the simplest 1.
The one who was qualified to die for our sins.
In order to take that place, he emptied himself.
Of his.
Form of Deity, and took upon himself the form of a servant.
His mind was not to hold on to and to remain in the form of God, but to relinquish that and become a servant.
Tremendous thought, and because he was the perfect servant.
He never, ever did his own will.
Duty of looking at the life of the Lord Jesus in the four gospels, as there you see a man who never did anything for himself.
He lives for the glory of God and for the blessing of man.
Even Christ please, not himself. How often we please ourselves.
How often we promote ourselves. How often we brag on ourselves. Now he had the right to do that, but he didn't say.
When he came here.
He came here as that perfect servant.
Let this mind be anew, which was also in Christ Jesus. I don't know of a verse in all of Scripture that speaks more deeply, more convictingly.
To my heart.
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That mind that was willing to give up everything to become nothing.
Take the lowest place. I am a worm, he said. In no matter the despised of men. How low could you go?
He went lower still.
That he might lift us up. Paul also preached, besides preaching the gospel of the grace of God, God becoming a man, God coming down. He preached the gospel of the glory, a man going up. First Timothy 316 has both of those views of the gospel. God was manifest in the flesh. That's the gospel of His grace coming down.
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich and for your sakes he became poor, that he took his poverty might be made rich.
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit scene of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory a man, now a man, now the glory of God. God come down, man gone up, the same person, the God man.
Is he your savior? Do you know him?
The most glorious person in the universe.
The only one that really knows him is the Father. No man knows the son but the Father.
But we know a little of it.
And every fresh glimpse we get of him only fills the heart with.
Adoration.
And praise and worship.
What a person.
Let's turn to John's Gospel and look at some very beautiful verses.
In Isaiah 6.
God speaks and he says, who will go for us?
And then said I sent me.
One of the persons says, Send me, and so the gospel of John is the gospel of the sent one.
The one who was sent here, The perfect servant.
To do the Father's will.
John, Chapter 4.
Verse 34 Jesus saith unto them, My needs is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Back up to the third chapter, I don't want to miss that.
Verse 17.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.
And then we turn to the 5th chapter.
In the 5th chapter.
Verse 22.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.
He that honoreth, not the Son on earth, not the Father which hath sent him.
At the honor of his Son is not to honor the Father who hath sent him. Verse 24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me.
Everlasting life shall not come into condemnation, but his past from death unto life.
Verse 36 No. Verse 30 I can of my own self do nothing.
The enemies of the Lord will use verses like this to say he's not God. He can't be God if he speaks like this. I don't understand. He became a servant. He empty himself of the form of God.
He added a new.
A new mode of being.
I don't know how to put it. He became a servant. He'd never been a servant before. He never obeyed before.
He always, everyone obeyed him.
But now he enters that place.
And comes here.
Verse 30 I can of my own self do nothing, as I hear I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
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Verse 36 I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do bear witness of me that the Father has sent me.
Verse 37 And the Father himself which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Verse 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you for whom he hath sent? He believed that.
He was the perfect representative of the Father, the son sent of the Father.
He couldn't send one that was dearer to him, that was nearer to him, that was more precious to him than his beloved son. And he's the one that he sent. That's how much the Father loves us.
He couldn't have done more. Chapter 6 and verse 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he has sent.
Verse 38 For I came down from heaven, not only was he sent, but he willingly came.
I came down from heaven not to do my own will.
But the will of Him that sent me. And this is the Father's will, which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me. That everyone we seeth the Son, and believeth on Him may have everlasting life, I will raise him up at the last day. Verse 44. No man can come to me.
Except the Father which hath sent me Draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
Verse 57 One of my favorites in all of scripture, as the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, by reason of the Father, and account of the Father, so he that he did me, even he shall live by me.
This is the bread which came down from heaven.
He came.
The Father sent him Chapter 7 verse 16. Jesus answered them and said my doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory, but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Verse 28 Then cried Jesus in the temple, as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am, and I am not come of myself, but He that sent me is true, whom ye know not, but I know Him, for I am from Him, and He had sent me.
Perfect servant verse verse 33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you? And then I go unto him, and sent me.
Chapter 8, Verse 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true. For I know whence I came, and whither I go. But ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. You judge after the flesh. I judge no man, and yet if I judge, my judgment is true, For I'm not alone, but I am the Father that sent me.
Verse 18 I am one that bear witness of myself.
And the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
Verse 26 I have many things to say and to judge of you, but he that sent me is true, and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him. When you hear his words, when you hear what He said, it's the Father that He is representing. It's the Father's words that He gave him to speak.
And He given Him perfection. There was no fault in Him. Perfect servant. Verse 26. I have many things to say and to judge of you, but he that sent me is true, and I speak to the world those things I have heard of Him. Verse 29. And he that sent me is with me. The Father hath not left me alone, for I do always.
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Those things that please him.
Tremendous statement, isn't it? Just think of it. There was one down here, a perfect servant, one who had emptied himself of his form of God and assumed the form of a servant. And he said I do always.
Ostain respect peace.
What a delight it was to the Father He opened the heavens twice to declare that delighted his heart in that blessed One. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased that the river Jordan and then on the Mount of Transfiguration.
None has ever delighted the heart of God as this one.
As a servant.
And once he got into that servant's form, then men could get at him.
Men can shake their fists at God, men can blasphemy God, and they can swear at God, but they can't get at Him because he's a spirit, but now he's become flesh and blood.
A man they could get at him. What did they do to him and failed him to a cross?
They hit his face. He struck him with the palms of their hand, with the fists.
Did everything that a human being could do that given the worst form of death possible for a creature, crucifixion.
That's what they thought.
Number one, whom the father says.
Verse 42.
Of chapter 8 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me.
For I proceeded forth, and came from God. Neither came I of myself, but he said to me.
To hate him is to hate God.
You can't say I love God and hate Him. The Son. Impossible is the living expression of the Father.
His words were the father's words. His works were the father's works.
Verse 4 of Chapter 9 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day. The night cometh when no man can work. Verse 7 And he said unto him, Go wash in the pool of Siloam, which is by interpretation set. Isn't that striking?
The pool of salon means.
You wash this blind man.
You wash in the pool. That means sex and you see.
Have you seen? Have you seen Jesus?
The sent wife.
Then your eyes are open.
Then you see what is real in this universe, so much that is honoring.
Go watching the fools alone, which by interpretation means scent. He went his way, therefore washed and came seeing.
What you see, Jesus is the sentiment of the Father, very expression of the Father. Then you have Satan.
That you'll never.
Chapter 10.
Verse 36.
Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified?
And send into the world, thou blasphemous, because I said I am the Son of God.
Chapter 11.
Verse 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always. He is addressing the Father. I knew that thou hearest me always. But because of the people which stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Now chapter 12 Come when they come to such precious, precious verses. In chapter 12 and verse 44, Jesus cried and said he that believeth on me believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me. How many times I've been asked, will we ever see the Father?
Philip asked him that question.
Yes, we will see the Father in the person of that beloved Son of His that became a servant and became a man who will be in the presence of that blessed man for all eternity and looking upon him. Yes, we will see the Father. He is the living expression of the Father.
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He said to Philip, Philip, had he been so long a time with me? And you have not seen me?
Even had seen me, had seen the father.
The invisible God we will not see.
But he became visible when he became a man.
When he became a servant.
Now we can look upon him.
The Reproach of Christ
The Spirit of Gathering
The Two Silver Trumpets
The Watchman
The Word of His Grace
Types of the Bride
Waters
What We Believe
Word of God
Work of the Spirit of God
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Let's read a verse in Second Thessalonians chapter 2. I think it's important to clarify this point.
He made it last night, but not as clearly as I'd like to.
In 2nd Thessalonians 2.
Verse 6 And now ye know what withholdeth.
That he that the Antichrist might be revealed in his time.
For the mystery of iniquity that already work, only he who now letteth, or hindereth, or withholdeth, will hinder until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked 1 be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, Him whose coming is after the working of Satan.
With all power and signs and lying wonders, now this will take place.
After the rapture of the church it says there is a withholding power in verse 6 what withhold it and in verse 7 he who withholds lets or withholds and that would be the Spirit of God until he be taken out of the way.
So it's a rapture. When the Lord comes for us, the Spirit will be taken with us. He'll go with us out of the way as the characterizing power of Christianity. It doesn't mean that he will cease to to work down here in connection with the establishment of the coming Kingdom.
But he will be sent in a different way.
Back after he's taken out of the way, he's been sent down. We saw that in John 1415 and 16. The father sent him, the son sent him. He came himself to form the assembly to indwell individual believers.
And John tells us in his epistle, greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. And that, of course, is the Spirit of God.
I'll turn back to Isaiah 11.
Isaiah 11.
These first verses of this chapter refer to the coming Kingdom of our Lord Jesus. Notice how it reads.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. That's referring to the to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.
Now notice the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord, 7 times he's referred to in that verse as in connection with the establishment of the Kingdom. And I shall make him a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reigns. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the whole of the ASP. And the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice. Den they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Well, it's a beautiful prophecy looking on to.
Day when the Lord Jesus will reign in the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit. Now in connection with that, turn to Revelation One. I referred to this, but I didn't.
Read it, and I'd like it to be right before us. We see the Spirit of God in the connection with a new dispensation altogether in Revelation One, verse 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia now the churches are mentioned, and the Son of Man standing in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks and chapters 2 and three we have the.
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History of the church, but it's prophetic. It's it's a, it's of a different character than what you get in the epistles where we have the presence of the Spirit of God indwelling us and guiding and directing us. He dwells in the house, he forms the body and he is the one who is gathering out today a bribe for the sun. You see a beautiful picture of that in Genesis 24 where the servant is sent a picture of.
Spirit to get a bride for Isaac.
For his beloved son.
And this says John to the seven churches which are in Asia, grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was and which is to come. Notice that's that's very much in accordance with the way Jehovah is presented in the Old Testament. In fact, this is the equivalent, this expression, he who is and who was and who is to come. That's the equivalent of Jehovah.
Jehovah means the I am the eternally existent, 1 He who is, who was, and who is to come.
That's the New Testament equivalent of Jehovah.
And from the seven spirits, which are, where are they before His throne? And then the Lord is mentioned from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, first begotten of the dead Prince of the kings of the earth. So the Spirit of God is referred to as the seven spirits. That's why seven. Well, we saw that in Isaiah 11, there were 7 attributes in connection with the Spirit of God working in the establishment of the Kingdom.
It don't think that.
Because in 2nd Thessalonians 2 it says he'll be taken out of the way, that he won't still function here. He certainly will, but in an entirely different character. Today he is functioning as gathering out the bride for the Son, indwelling the believer, and uniting the believer to Christ in heaven. That's an entirely different line of truth. We're in a different dispensation than the Kingdom.
Now again in the 5th chapter. In the 5th chapter.
Verse 6 And I beheld, and low in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders stood a lamb as it had been slain, having 7 horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God. Now notice this sent forth into all the earth, what we saw in John 14 the Father sent him, and 15 the Son sent him, but here He's again sent.
But in entirely different character he sent here.
In to work in the earth towards the establishment of the Kingdom, and we read that in the 11TH chapter. Let's just turn to that for a moment.
15 And the 7th Angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven saying, the Kingdom, it should read, the Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. Now the Spirit of God will be working after we're gone, and he's gone in that character that he's working today, but he will work again, but in entirely different character of things.
I want to make that clear that.
Sense today to gather out a bride for the Son and to indwell the church and to indwell the Christian and to be their comforter, their guide, their teacher and sustainer. As we're going through this scene, a divine person, the Spirit of God. I want to trace the the action of the Spirit of God in the Acts of the Apostles. It's called the Acts of the Apostles.
It's really more correctly called the Acts of the Holy Spirit.
Because it's the Spirit of God that is acting in the book of Acts.
Now let's go back to the 4th chapter of the book of Acts.
We have two fillings in this chapter, the one of an individual Peter, and the other of the whole company of Saints.
Verse 8 of Acts chapter 4. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he's made whole? Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you have crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him.
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That this man stand here before you hold.
Here, this is the stone which was set it not of you builders, which has become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. But there's none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. The boldness of Peter astounded these Jewish leaders, and they couldn't contradict the fact that a great miracle had taken place, but they tried to shut them up.
And commanded them not to.
Preach anymore? Says in verse.
Verse 19 But Peter and John answered, and said unto the umbrella, Let me read verse Verse 17 But that is spread no further among the people that are straightly threatened them, that they speak henceforth to no man in his name. And they called them, that is, these Jewish leaders, and commanded them not to speak at all, or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered.
And said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, Judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen in and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them because of the people. For all men glorified God. For that which was done. Peter was a man full of the Holy Spirit, and.
He was bold in the way he preached the word, as he did in the second chapter.
And in the 3rd chapter, and in the 4th chapter as well.
So when they had further threatened them, Verse 21, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them because of the people. For all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above 40 years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with 1 accord.
That was the the uniting power of the Spirit of God.
In these early days he was ungrieved and he was free to work in the midst of a of a group of believers that were totally committed to the Lord Jesus.
Being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
In verse 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with 1 accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which has made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them ears. Who by the mouth of thy servant David has said, Why did the heathen rage in the people? Imagine vain things. The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
For other truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel.
Were gathered together. We love to think of being gathered together to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here was another company made-up of enemies among themselves, but they were agreed on one thing. Get rid of Jesus against thy holy child, or thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou hast anointed. Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
It was the evil heart of man that was doing this, but it was predetermined by God that it would be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.
By stretching forth thine hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done by the name.
Of thy holy child Jesus, and when they had prayed.
The place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Here you have a company, not just individuals like Peter and others that were filled with the Spirit, but a whole company completely under the control and power of the Spirit of God. The flesh was suppressed so that it for all practical purpose that did not operate.
They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake. The first evidence of that is they spake the Word of God with boldness. One who's filled with the Holy Spirit speaks the Word of God with boldness. We saw that with Peter, but this is the whole company now.
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An amazing thing. This is the very height of blessing or height of the Christians in that early day, in those early days that they reached, and then after that it's been downhill.
I speak the word of God with boldness, And the multitude of them that believed were of 1 heart and of one soul. Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own.
There was no cell operative here, but they had all things common and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace.
Upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked. Further, as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet. And distribution was made unto every man, according as he had me.
For the day that was.
Now I'm going to I'm going to read verse 32 as it is in the new translation. The heart and soul of the multitude that believed was one. Now the Lord prayed in John 17. He prayed that they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee, but they also may be one in US that the world may believe.
That thou hast sent me, that's here we have the the literal fulfillment of that prayer.
It was fulfilled in those early days of the church, even before the Apostle Paul was saved, even before the full truth of the church came out. But they were so under the control and power of the Spirit that their heart and soul was one, just as the Lord prayed. That again will be fulfilled in a coming day when we're home in glory.
There will only be 1 heart and soul of the redeemed.
And not anymore divisions.
They speak the word of God with boldness. Now the end of the chapter. And Joseph, who by these apostles was surnamed Barnabas, which is being interpreted the son of Consolation, A Levite, and of the country of Cyprus having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet.
I might just make this comment if you happen to have the book of Acts by William Kelly, read his comments.
On this passage, this verses 31 and 32 in the 4th chapter. Very very beautiful.
As he points out, the beauty of a company, not just individuals, but a whole company under a complete control, power of the filling of the Holy Spirit, what power there was with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. And when that's the case, there is no jealousy, there's no self, there's no there's no movements of the flesh.
But that doesn't last very long.
In the 5th chapter there was a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira his wife. They sold the possession and kept back part of the price, his wife also being Privy to it and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles feet.
But Peter said Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie, not to us, not to the apostles, but to lie to the Holy Ghost?
Because that's where he was dwelling. He was dwelling among the Saints. He was dwelling in the house which he inhabits now. And the Saints come, constitute and compose that house, the House of God, the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And so when Ananias lied about how much he sold the land for, what was motivating his heart was covetousness. He wanted to keep that part of the price.
Pocketed and his wife Sapphira was with him in it.
Exposes it. The Spirit of God was ungrieved in those early days and He could work in great power. I remember the story was told me by Brother Earsman years back when I was much younger, and he told about back in the early days of the brethren, before all the dreadful divisions that have divided us had come about. Robert Grant, that was Frederick Grant's brother.
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He was in a brother, he was in a meeting reading a little little assembly and someone had come in.
And he was exerting a lot of influence and he had a gift and the Saints were quite enamored with him.
And this Robert Grant had the gift of discernment, and he discerned that this man was not real.
And he said to them in the presence of them all, You can't say, Lord Jesus.
And he said you, you, you, you, you say you, You say that I can't. I said yes, that's right, you can't say Lord Jesus. And he tried, and he tried, but he couldn't say it.
He wasn't real.
And the power of the Spirit of God and I'm I'm drawing an analogy between those early days of Acts and the early days of.
The Brethren movement.
Or the Spirit of God was not grieved by our selfishness and our self seeking and all the things that came in.
But here we have this Ananias and Sapphira.
They kept back part of the price, his wife also being pretty to it. And Peter said verse 3 Ananias, why have Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?
We keep back part of the price of the land.
Whilst it remained, was it not thine home? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Holy Spirit is God, third person of the Trinity, and he was dulling in the house. I have to remember that. The Spirit of God dwells among us. He's there and it's a serious thing. You don't just lie to men.
But to God.
And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost, and great fear came on all them which heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter, answering, answered unto her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yay for so much.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that she have agreed together?
To tempt, to test the Spirit of the Lord. Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, so carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost. And the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.
They were all with 1 accord in Solomon's porch, and of the rest there's no man joined himself to them. But the people magnified them, and believers were more added to the Lord. Multitudes both of men and women, and so much that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of theater passing by might over shadow some of them.
And there was great blessing in that day. A little farther down now.
Verse 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said.
They had, they had rebuked Peter, they had said in verse 28, Did we not straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. And Peter said unto the and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than then the God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom he slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior.
For to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins, and we are his witnesses of these things. And soul is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him solemn thing to resist the Holy Spirit.
Now in the 6th chapter, another problem arises.
In those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews. The Hebrews were those at Jerusalem, the Hebrews at Jerusalem, the Jews at Jerusalem, and the Grecians were Jews elsewhere out in the Gentile world.
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They seem to be favoring the Hebrews over the Grecians because their widows were neglected in the daily administration.
Then the 12 called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you, 7 men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word, and the same please the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen. Notice what it says of Stephen a man.
Faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nikener, and Tymon, and Parmenus, and Nicholas, a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The word of God increased, the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Then Stephen, this is the one that says he was a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. Here again it says full of faith and power did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Then there arose certain of the synagogue which is called, of the synagogue of the Libertarian Times and Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen, and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake should be capital's, I believe there.
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceased not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face.
As it had been the face of an Angel then, said the high priest, are these things so?
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers hearken, and he goes back. The God of glory appeared unto our Father Abraham, when he was a message of Damia, before he dwelt in Sharon, and so on. He gives the the whole history of the nation, and they heard him. We go to the end of the chapter.
And verse 51, this is his conclusion to his message. Now he was a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. This was Jerusalem's last chance to repent their Messiah when they crucified him and cried out crucified and crucified and will not have this Mandarin over us. This was their last chance to repent.
It was the Spirit of God speaking through Stephen. One more chance. They had rejected the Father's testimony. Father testified to his son at the at the baptism and also on the Mount of Transfiguration. They'd rejected the son's testimony. Now they have the Spirit's testimony. What would they do?
If they reject that, there's no more persons in the Godhead. They rejected all that. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Verse 51 Now ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost as your Father did, So do ye. Which of the prophets have not your Father's persecuted? And they have slain them, which showed before of the coming of the just one of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers who have received.
The disposition of angels that have not kept it.
And I heard these things. They were cut to the heart and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven. Now what did he see? There's a man who's a picture, a beautiful picture. We're given the first Christian martyr, a picture of a true Christian with a picture of true Christianity. He's full of the Holy Spirit. He looks up to heaven. He set his eyes, he fixed his eyes on heaven.
And he saw the glory of God.
The glory of God.
That's where our blessings are, that's where our Savior is, and that's what he saw. And Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
All the other passages that we read of him as he sat down on the right hand of God. Here Steven sees him standing. It was the last chance that those Jews in Jerusalem had to repent of what they had done to the Lord Jesus and to receive Him.
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Like in Acts 2 They said what shall we do? And Peter says repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Promises unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off. And 3000 souls were sick, and that swells over 5000 shortly after.
How are they going to respond?
He says, Behold, I see the heavens opened.
And the Son of Man.
Standing on the right hand of God.
I believe he was standing. I believe he stood up to see.
The response of his people, their last chance at Jerusalem. I don't believe in the book of Acts. Wherever the apostles went, they preached and went into the synagogues and preached to the Jews wherever they were. And I don't believe you read of the gospel being preached at Jerusalem after this.
This was their final answer.
Opened Heavens.
It's open to us. That's Christian position, Christian blessing.
And the Son of Man, he's there, standing on the right hand of God.
They cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and ran upon him with 1 accord. They wouldn't hear anymore. They had set their wills against the troops, against Him who is the truth and the Spirit who is the truth. They would not hear him and their.
Going to pronounce their own final guilt.
They cast him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, his nameless Saul.
Saul of Tarsus.
First mention of this man, the greatest enemy and opponent and to Christianity at this point in time, the Lord had said in John 16, the time cometh when he that killeth, you will think that he doeth God's service, and that was Saul of Tarsus. He he said later I barely thought with myself to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus.
He thought he was right. He thought Jesus was an imposter, a false Christ, a false Messiah.
He was wrong.
He was.
And they stoned Stephen.
While he was calling upon God, I added those words to make it very clear what is meant, and saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. How like his Master, who on the cross said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul was consenting unto his death.
And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church, which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
That striking, isn't it? The leaders of this new movement remained back, and the others were scattered, and they went everywhere preaching the word. Devout man carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house and healing men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere.
Preaching the word.
And now we have.
He was one that was selected as a Deacon, one of those that were named to take care of the tables.
And.
He went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. And the people with 1 accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them, and many taken with palsies, and that were lame were healed, and that was great joy in that city.
But there was a certain man called Simon, which before time in the same city, used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great work.
And to whom they all gave heed from release to the greatest saying, This man is the great power of God, and to him they had the guard, because of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
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Then Simon himself.
Believed also.
And when he was baptized, he continued with Philip and wondered beholding the miracles and signs which were done. I think it's significant, it says. He continued with Philip. He had seen the he had seen the miracles and signs which were done. And he was saying to himself.
I want that power that's stronger than the power that I had in sorcery. Could make me a lot more money, certainly could. Let's read on, it says he believed.
And he was baptized. Surely he was a saved man. No, he wasn't. No, he wasn't.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. They could not receive the Holy Ghost at Samaria without the laying on of the hands of fellowship of the apostles that came down from Jerusalem.
God very carefully avoided a Jewish church in Jerusalem and a Samaritan church at Samaria.
He avoided that. So they the Samaritans did not get the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came down. And it says for a Jeb he was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.
Now the Samaritan Samaritans could not say we have nothing to do with you Jews at Jerusalem and have their Samaritan church. There was a Jerusalem Church of Jews Nokodosa Jerusalem disowned the Samaritans. God made sure that the unity of the church formed by the by the baptism of the Holy Spirit church is 1.
Church was brought into that one body in Acts 2, the Jews. And now the Acts, Acts 8, the Samaritans. Samaritans were kind of an in between people, between the Jews and the Gentiles. And we'll see in a moment. Acts 10, we have the Gentiles brought in.
They laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. When Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that at whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Again, Peter comes forward.
Discerning the evil of this man, And he said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because I was thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou was neither part nor lot in this matter, but I heart is not right in the sight of God.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God it. Perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. That answered Simon, and said, Pray to the Lord for me, that none of these things which he has spoken come upon me.
Believing signs and wonders does not necessarily mean that a soul is converted to God.
What the evidence is if when one believes the word of God, then he's born of the Word. He's born of water and of the Word.
He's born again by faith in the Word of God, and He receives the Holy Spirit when the Word is brought to bear. Not miracles. Those who even today would make so much of miracles. We have something infinitely more important and precious and valuable than all the miracles put together. And after the Word of God, nothing like it. God gave miracles at the beginning of the dispensation to authenticate.
Christianity.
But once that had been done, now the Spirit of God is here, He's dwelling here, and He leads and guides according to the Word in everything that means more than anything else.
Now let's go a little farther in the 8th chapter.
We have.
Verse 26 And the Angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the South, unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
And he arose and went, and behold, a man of Ethiopia and eunuch of great authority, under candidacy, queen of The Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot he read Isaias, Isaiah the prophet.
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And the Spirit said unto Philip, The Spirit is a person, he speaks and gives instruction, and guides his servants. The spirit said to Philip, Go near joy thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thithered to him, and heard him read the prophet science, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I accept? So man should guide me. And he desired Philip, that he would come up and sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this.
He was read as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a dead lamb dumb before her shear so open be not his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. And who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh, speaketh the prophet this of himself, or some other man. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
You know, today in the synagogues of the Jews, they don't read the 53rd chapter of Isaiah. They, they, they read from 52 and then they skip the 53rd and they go to the 54th. Why you ask them, they'll say, well, the Christians believe that that's about Jesus the Messiah.
We don't believe that, so we just don't read it.
Well, they can't get away from it by not reading. It's there, and they'll have to give an account of it someday.
Verse 36 And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water, and the eunuch said, Here is water, but doth hinder me to be baptized.
So I'm going to Passover verse 37 and go to verse 38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing. The eunuch did, but Philip was founded as Otis.
And passing through, he preached in all the cities.
So he came to Caesarea.
The soul, the Spirit of God.
Carried Philip to another place. He used him for the purpose why he had sent him there.
Now here's the passage I didn't read. It's not in the new translation. It's not really in the best manuscripts. I don't know if it's even. It's got to be in some if it's here, but it's it contains something that is an error. And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Well the error is that the first person that spoke, that preached that Jesus was the Son of God in the book of Acts is Paul.
Paul, we'll come to that now as we come to the next chapter.
It's not that it's not true.
But it's not.
It's not. At this point in time in the in the book of Acts, it's not appropriate.
Peter preached that God has made that same Jesus whom you have crucified, both Lord in Christ.
And the one that preached that he was the Son of God.
That's very appropriate, especially for Saul to preach that because he was part of that group of unbelieving Jews.
That crucified him because he said he was the Son of God.
And it's given him the great privilege when he's converted to preach that Jesus is the Son of God. You get that in Chapter 9, verse 20. And straightway he, Paul preached Christ in the synagogues that he is the Son of God.
I know that Peter did say in Matthew 16, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. I'm talking about the book of Acts. It was Paul that was given that privilege to preach that wonderful truth.
After he got converted.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest.
Desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly they shined round about him alike from heaven.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecuted? Sound me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
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The Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecuted, it is hard for thee to kick against the ****** and each Christian he said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
And then which journey? William stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth.
When his eyes were opened, he saw no man.
Let him by the hand, and brought him.
Into Damascus. He was three days without sight and neither did eat nor drink. He was blind.
And he was all alone in his blameless in the darkness.
With God.
And he realized.
All his religious energies and all his.
Religious efforts to snuff out the hated despise Neymar, Jesus and his followers.
He was wrong. He was wrong.
There was a certain disciple of Damascus named Ananias.
And to him said the Lord in a vision. And and I asked, he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
The Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street, which is called straight.
Choir in the House of Cutis.
Or one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he prayed.
I have seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man how much evil he had done to thy Saints in Jerusalem.
And here he hath authority for the from the chief priests to bind all the call on my name. The Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is the chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles, and the kings, and the children of Israel.
I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And when you read the catalog of sufferings, the rich Paul went.
He could say.
Yes, if there's only hope in Christ in this life.
I am the most miserable of all men.
Because he had nothing pleasant in this life after he receives Christ except among his Christian brother but the world hated him especially both that he loved so keenly the Jews.
I will show him how great things he must suffer from my namesake.
And this next verse is very precious to me, when Ananias went his way and entered into the house and putting his hands on him, said brother Saul.
Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, have sent me, that thou mightest receive the thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell for His eyes that had been scales, And He received sight forthwith and arose and was baptized. And when He had received me, he was strengthened. Then was solved certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus, and straightway He preached. I think it should read Jesus in the synagogue that He is the Son of God, was given to Him that wonderful privilege, that He is the Son of God, that one truth that He had.
With the other Jews thought with blasphemy when Jesus.
Confessed that he was the Son of God.
I want to give you.
Something in my own life can actually reverse 17.
I wasn't saved until my freshman year in college, 19.
Years old.
I had to go to my optometrist to get glasses. All the study in school, my eyes were getting myopic and I needed glasses. And he was a Christian and he witnessed to me.
I remember one time I went in on a Saturday and was just loaded with people and I realized that I can't see them and talked to him. I was interested in getting some more from him and he passed through a waiting room and he went into his office and he saw me there. He said Mr. Hendricks, just wait a minute. And he got a pamphlet from Moody Press.
Heaven or hell which?
He gave it to me and he said read this and come back sometime in the week when I'm not so busy, I want to talk to you.
And so I did. I read this pamphlet.
And in the pamphlet the author said to the reader, it was myself.
You're going either to heaven or to hell. Where are you going?
And I said I'm going to hell.
I'm going to help. I was lost.
I realized that, but every time I would go in to see Doctor Wood.
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And with my questions, we sit down and he get his Bible out go in the middle of the week he'd turn off all the grinding equipment and everything, and he'd sit down with me to read the word with me.
They always call me Mr. Hendricks.
And one time he saw all the notes I was taking and the questions I was asking and how sincere and earnest I was. And one time he said to me, Brother Hendrix.
Think of what it meant to Saul of Tarsus when Ananias came in and said brother Saul.
The board, even Jesus had appeared unto thee in the way of alchemist had sent me.
That thou mightest receive thy sights and be filled with the holy God. Brother Saul. I'll never forget the thrill that went through my soul when he said Brother Hendrickson. I said I'm no longer outside. I'm inside now. I'm a brother precious. Every time I read that, I think of that case in my own life.
How precious that was to me.
Verse 31 of Chapter 9.
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied.
He's our comforter and they were walking in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.
I do want to get this much covered before we.
Before We quit Chapter 10.
We know the story. I'm not going to read it all.
There's this Cornelius the Centurion.
And he was a quickened man. He he feared God, but he wasn't saved yet. He hadn't heard the gospel yet.
And.
He is told to go and find Peter, who dwelt with a certain man, Simon, and he will tell thee words whereby thou will be saved.
And Peter had to be prepared for this because he had never eaten with a Gentile or gone in amongst Gentiles. He was a strict Jew at this point. He really didn't fully understand what Christianity was in its in its blessed wholeness. These things came gradually. He had to have this vision sheet let down from heaven filled with all kinds of animals. And that fries Peter, slay and eat. Not so Lord, I've never eaten anything common or unclean. But God has claimed call that not common.
And so Peter was being prepared. And then in verse 19, while Peter thought on the vision, the spirit.
Said unto him, Behold, three men seek for thee.
Cornelius, These two others that came with Cornelius arise therefore and get thee down. Go with them. Doubting nothing, Christ sent them.
And then Peter went down to the men which were sent from him unto him from Cornelius, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek. What is the cause? Wherefore a year come.
And they said, Cornelius, the centurion adjustment, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nations of the Jews, was warned from God by holy Angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
And then Peter gets there.
And.
As you talked with him verse 27.
Cornelius falls down before him, and the Lord Peter says get up, I'm just a man. And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that were come together.
And he said to them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come under one of another nation. But God has showed me that I should not call any man unclean or common. Therefore came I unto you, without being saying, As soon as I was sent for. I asked therefore for what intent he has sent for me? And Carmelia said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the 9th hour I prayed in my house. And behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius.
Thy prayers heard in thine arms or head, in remembrance in the sight of God. Sender.
To Joppa, and call thither Simon, whose surname is Peter. He is lodged in the House of 1 Simon, a Tanner by the seaside, who when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately, therefore I sent to thee, and thou hast well done that thou art come now. Therefore we're all here present before God, to hear all the things that are commanded be of God. And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceived, that God has no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feared him, and work of righteousness is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel.
By Jesus Christ is Lord of all that word I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judea, began from gallery after the baptism which John preached. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. For God was with him, and we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly, not to all the people, but unto.
00:55:24
This is chosen before of God even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify. That is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead. Notice this now to him give all the prophets witness that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. And right there God interrupted him. The Spirit of God interrupted him, and and he he was, he couldn't say anymore, while Peter yet spake.
Words, the Holy Ghost, hell and all them which heard the word. As soon as he testified to the forgiveness of sins, which is the effect of believing on Christ and His work, he received the Holy Spirit.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished as many as came with Peter, because around the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God, and answered Peter. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we choose?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord, then prayed they him to carry certain days when he went back to Jerusalem. And they called him to task, that he'd gone into men uncircumcised and had eaten with them, and so on. And he he goes and rehearses it, and we'll pick it up in verse 12 of Chapter 11. The Spirit bad me go with them nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me and re entered into the man's house. And he showed us how he had seen an Angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon.
Peter who shall tell me words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. That's Christian truth saved. And as I began to speak, he was going to say more, but God interrupted him. The Holy Ghost fell on them is on us at the beginning, then remembered I the word of the Lord. He goes back to Acts chapter 1 where the Lord says after not many days you should be baptized with the Holy Spirit. How that John indeed baptized.
That he said, John indeed baptized with water, but he shall be that you shall be baptized.
With the Holy Ghost.
For as much then as God gave them the light gifts, as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, Saying, Then, hath God also to the Gentiles, advances repentance to life. Now this completes the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts two, it was to the Jews. Acts 8, it was to the Samaritans. Acts 10, it was to the Gentiles, and that's the baptism of the Spirit.
Jews and Gentiles and now today, every time a soul is saved, he's brought by the Spirit of God into that already baptized body. It's not a fresh baptism again and again and again that took place in the 1St century with Jews and Gentiles and that completes the baptism of the Spirit and that everyone that is saved and receives the seal of the Spirit and the gift of the Spirit is brought into.
This position that the baptism created, the one body becomes a member.
Of that box.
Deliverance from Egypt Part 1
What Mean Ye
The First and Last Gospel
Gospel—A. Barry
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
53rd of Isaiah, who hath believed our report?
And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Or he shall grow up before him.
As a tender plant.
And as a root out of a dry ground, he hath no form nor comeliness.
And when we shall see him, there is no beauty.
That we should desire him. Here's the spy.
And rejected of men.
A man of sorrows acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were.
Our faces from him.
He was despised.
And we esteemed him not.
Siri have borne our grief.
And carried our sorrows.
Yet we let us see him.
Reckon nothing of God.
And afflicted, but he was wounded for our translations.
He was bruised for our iniquities.
The testament of our peace.
Was upon him.
And with his Christ.
Were healed.
Only like sheep have gone astray.
We have turned everyone.
To his own way.
And the Lord of Jehovah.
Have laid on him.
They are Nicolas of us all.
He was oppressed.
And he was reflected.
Yet he opened not his mouth.
Is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.
And as the sheep before her shears is done, so he opened not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment. And who shall declare his generation?
Or he was cut off out of the land of the living, or the transgression of my people.
While he's pregnant.
I read this as it isn't a better translation.
And they made his grave with the wicked.
But he was with the rich in his death.
Because he had done no violence.
Neither was deceit.
Any deceit in his mouth.
It had pleased Jehovah to bruise him. He had put him to grief.
When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.
He shall see his seed.
He shall prolong his days.
And the flavor of the Lord shall prosper in his hands.
He shall see of the travel of his soul.
And shall be satisfied.
By his knowledge of my righteous service.
Justify many.
Or he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion of the Greek?
And he shall divide the spoil over the strong.
Because he poured out his soul.
Unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bear the sin of many, and made intercession.
Or the transgressors.
Now let's read in the 8th chapter of the book of Acts.
8th chapter of the book of Acts.
The 26th verse.
And the Angel of the Lord spake unto Philip.
Arrive and go toward the South, under the way that goeth down.
From Jerusalem, out of Gaza.
Which is better?
And he arose and grant.
And behold, a man of Ethiopia, and eunuch of great authority under Kansas, Queen of The Ethiopians.
Led the charge of all her treasure, and it comes to Jerusalem for to worship.
Was returning and sitting in his chariot, ready. There's the Prophet.
Then the spirits are under Philip. Go near.
Enjoy myself of this cherry.
And Philip ran thither to him.
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And heard him read the prophet Isaiah.
And said to Understandest thou what thou readeth? And he said, How can I accept some man should guide me? And he desired Philip.
And he would come up and sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this.
He was led.
As a sheep to the slaughter.
And like a lamb before her shears so open he not his mouth.
In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
And who shall declare his generation?
Or his life is taken from the earth.
And they look, answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet?
Of himself.
Or some other man.
And Philip opened his mouth.
And began at the same scripture.
And preached unto him Jesus.
And as we went on their way, they came unto a certain water in the unit at sea. Here is water. What have hindered me to be baptized? 38% He commanded the chariot to stand still.
And they went down both into the water.
The Philippine eunuch be baptized him.
And when they were coming up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away. Philip.
At the uniform, no more.
He went on his way rejoicing, but Philip was founded as.
Passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
I've just read.
About the first sermon on record that was ever preached on the 53rd of Isaiah.
And we have it on our hearts tonight.
The speak again.
From that wonderful 53rd of Isaiah.
And other transistors the last meeting.
Are these meetings in Des Moines?
And it may be the last gospel.
That you will ever hear in this world.
I may rightly say that this is the last gospel.
That will ever be preached in this world.
From the 53rd of Ivale.
Or if that was the first, this may be the last.
But I can say this.
That if they are unsigned.
A poor hell bound Sinner like this.
They open, you know.
God's mercy is still extended to you.
And you can be made just as happy.
You can go back to your home in the very same way.
This black man went back to his home.
For long ago.
You can go home rejoicing.
And I can tell you this too.
At the same blessed Holy Spirit that said to Philip, Bold joy thyself to this chariot.
Is there present at this meeting?
And we are seeking to bring this message.
Delivered after nearly 2000 years.
To your heart.
Underneath your.
In the same way that the Spirit of God was bringing that gospel from the 53rd of Isaiah.
This unit.
Who heard and believed and was saved?
And my great desire, beloved friends, is that I might present.
In simplicity.
The same person.
The force presented to that man in the chariot.
My way to clean desire tonight is this.
That I might present to you Jesus.
Hello, how little difference it makes?
The God who loves your soul.
Whether it be just one black man.
Or whether it be a company like this?
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Whether it be some little boy or some little girl.
Hello Sinner and who all rejected for offer of mercy.
It makes no difference whatever.
The Spirit of God is seeking in every way to exercise your soul.
Bring you to the place.
Where you will receive the Savior.
In the quiet simplicity.
In which this man received the message.
And remember, dear friends.
That it was the first time he heard the gospel.
They didn't wait to hear it the second time. They were saying that the first time he ever heard the message he received.
All May God grant that no one here.
Or wait for a second time to hear the message, because as I've already told you, this may be the last gospel.
That will never be placed from the 53rd of Isaiah, indeed from any other portion of God's Word. We know it is the last message in this hall for the year 1961.
All I pray our great desire is.
That you may think seriously.
Of what we have read here.
Over a furnace we have.
Presented to us.
In this beautiful, wonderful chapter in God's precious Word.
And.
What is necessary?
Or your soul salvation, where this man, this black man had this portion of the Word of God. And here we're presenting to you a message from God's blessed Word. We've read from the very same chapter that he was reading from so long ago.
The Angel of the Lord directed the tour.
O thou is of the dead, The spoil of the Lord told him to join that chariot.
And all that divine operation.
Is working.
Just as much for your salvation, beloved friend, tonight.
As the Spirit of God.
And the blessed word of God.
That's working to bring you.
Toyota, except that same voice of Jesus.
All that other friends, I can't still. I can't go higher, nor do I deserve to go higher, nor do I desire to go beyond.
The message of their fellow.
That this will all go down there in that wild effort.
Where this chariot is the passing on its way back to a distant country.
Or have that same blessed, wonderful, precious Lord Jesus Christ.
To prevent your needy soul.
Let us look at the 53rd of Isaiah briefly.
I think we will find a statement like this.
In Mr. Darby's writings here.
There were This is the prayer.
Of the godly raiment.
In that coming day, after the church has been translated to heaven, and the Lord returns, and they see in his hands the printers and nails.
And they realize that that.
Is a long rejected Messiah.
And that they crucified.
Their own king.
Who came in love and mercy?
To save them at such a cost.
But it says something like this. I'm not undertaking to give word for word.
Is what is this he says if the subject.
That is, that is on the.
Of everyone who loves the Lord.
Oh, what a precious subject it is.
We know it's going to be unspeakably precious.
Care of those of another dispensation.
Another mighty work of the Spirit of God.
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When he found the hearts of everyone who loves the Lord Jesus.
I want to ask my dear brethren in Christ, my dear sisters in Christ.
If the very reading of this chapter.
Didn't just affect you in a special, peculiar way, although you'd heard it so many times before. I can say that as I read it, it just thrilled my very heart.
And gave me such a delight to think.
Of what wonders are contained?
In this blessed portion of God's precious Word.
Are there other friends? If we didn't have anything else to prove to us that the Bible was the word of God, this is indeed a sufficient proof.
Or here we get the full description of the death and the sufferings of Christ.
Written hundreds of years before our Blessed One was born into this world.
You know what time they're going to die or where they're going to die here.
I was sure we're going to be buried in the cemetery, maybe where our fathers and mothers, why, we don't know.
My dear, smashed to pieces on the car wreck, they might be in a plane and land in the sea. No, no squad is there before us but hundreds of years before Jesus came into the world.
We have a description.
All the way where his body was to be laid.
Oh yes, friends, it is the Word of God.
And it's learning and operating and powerful.
And if anyone is bought to know the Savior tonight?
I can tell you this, it will not be my eloquence.
But it will be the fact that you have been brought under the power.
Of the Word of God.
Only God used this gospel message.
This message that converted that Ethiopian unit may use it for your soul salvation. It's very nice and I want to say again how the Spirit of God is just working.
In just as deep an interest in your soul as it is working in the interest of this black man that Philip found out there in the desert.
Well, we get a description.
A brief description.
Of the life of our blessed Lord here in this world.
It says that he shall go up before him.
As a tender plant.
Who looked out of a dry ground?
He hath no form nor comeliness.
I was on the farm sometimes and they.
Very dry weather. I've done the post holes and come across roots way down in the ground where there was no water to.
Raised those roots and I thought as I picked them up and looked at them about this scripture a root.
Out of a dry ground.
Oh, it means.
What means the Lord?
Was entirely in spirit, separated from all the corruption and evil that's in this.
In this sad world.
You know, it's been only three types of men, or three men, we might say that Was Adam Innocent.
Innocent because he didn't know right from wrong. But when he sinned we have Adam Paul.
And we've all partaken of the same fallen nature.
Of that man who listened to the person. And then there's the third, A holy man.
Think of the Lord Jesus and His absolute abhorrence of sin. And yet in a world of sin, you know our beloved, you were the Lord, our word. When you have been enjoying the Lord and communion such as we have been experiencing here during these three days, maybe you go back to your office and you hear for fantasy the Lord's name taken.
00:20:10
You hear the ungodly conversation. Doesn't it hurt?
I would grieve your heart all and beat it does.
But think of a man who didn't have a fallen nature such as we have.
And yet.
In all evil.
All this world of sin.
Or indeed, he was a route out of a dry ground.
And when it says that he had no form of comeliness.
A way out where it could be rendered lordliness.
He didn't ride a prancing speed. He didn't come in a gilded chariot.
He walked from Galilee to Judah.
A humble, lowly man in this world.
And it says that when we saw him, there was no beauty that we should design. They didn't want that kind of.
Savior. They wanted one that would come in at the head of an army and deliver them from the Roman yoke and set them free. They wanted They wanted a hero or a conqueror.
Until this dust is true today as it was.
But the Lord is here. Man doesn't want that kind of a Christ. That is the natural man.
Little nothing to attract the natural man.
In connection with the person of Christ.
The hero.
On their cell attracts their their natural.
Interests and and they can and they can worship from leader and the important character. There was nothing of that.
About our blessed Lord.
So it was.
And rejected of men.
An old man. They're trying today to paint a picture of Christ that will, Sir, that will please the public. I picked up a book one day and the title of it was The Man That Nobody Knows.
And will I be on this book was that the old writers and expositors of the Bible had missed the idea, and that now this man at this late date was able to give us a true picture of Christ, and he made out that Christ was a very popular man, that he made jokes and and.
He could mingle with any class of people.
Of what conceived.
To think a man of this present generation would think that he was the first that could tell us what kind of a man Christ.
Was down here.
Right here on all that is leading up to is preparing the world for the 4th Christ. And he will be the kind of a man the world wants, or else he'll worship him, He'll sit in the temple, they'll all receive him. But when our blessed Lord was here.
He was despised.
And rejected of men.
A man of souls. I believe that words in the plural, isn't it?
He was a man of sorrow, Yes, Oh, how many sorrows.
The experience.
Here below in this world.
Think of how they were forced it they said, Thou art a Samaritan hath the devil.
Think of the Creator, the one who should have had all the.
Support of dignity and honor and respect being treated with such third disrespect.
And then at last, as his mock trial, to spit in his face.
Oh friends, you can't think of some of the worst criminals that are being tried today being insulted?
Can't think of anything more insulting than for.
00:25:00
A man who stood in the face.
Of another man. But that's the way they treated our blessed Lord.
Then they took the curse of the earth and made a crown and mockery.
Put it on his head and put a Reed in his hand.
Or what suffering and what dishonor?
The head went through Beloved and why?
Oh, he wanted to prove his love to the very creatures.
That insulted him.
And you know, it's a marvelous thing, beloved friends, that when he rose from the dead, after all they had heaped upon him.
He told his disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Where did he tell him to begin? As you begin at Jerusalem, just as all he said, you go through all soldiers that planted the crown of thorns and tell them that I forgive him.
You're going to tell those men that drove the nails through my hands?
But I can pardon their sin. You're told that man that trusts the spirit of my side.
That there's a full salvation for him.
All things will be ever a story of love, like the story that we find in the love that's in the heart.
Of the blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, it says, surely we have borne our grief.
And carried.
Our sorrows. I want to know the meaning of that verse. Turn to the 8th of Matthew for a moment.
Matthew 8.
If code is there, I'll find it in a minute.
The 16th verse. And when the evil was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed, the devil.
And he cast out the Spirit with his word, and healed all that were sick.
That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by Everest. The prophet saying himself took all infirmities and bare our sicknesses.
Know what we have when we're sick? We fend for the doctor.
And most of those men are kind hearted men. They come in and look over their patients.
They feel his pulse, they listen at his heart, prescribe for him, and then they get in their car and away they go.
They don't spend their time weaving over their sick patients. They couldn't.
But friends, when that blessed great position.
Fill the sit here below.
He entered into their souls. He didn't just heal them with his power. And then?
What was the limit of his work? But no, it says he bore our Greece.
And carry our souls.
Sometime if you have the opportunity.
It was my apparent look at Capernaum and then look at the city of Name.
I have a map over my writing desk in my room where I do my correspondence.
A fulfilled map of Palestine.
And if I looked and lived at that journey through those mountains the Lord took from Capernaum to the city of Nain, about 20 miles or more, and through a most rugged mountainous temple motor would have fine roads.
The Lord didn't jump in the car and go off at 60 miles an hour to the city of Maine. He walked those miles.
And you'll find that one day the Lord was in Capernaum, and the next day is in the city of Nain, just when this funeral procession was wending its way to the cemetery carrying the only son of a widow. And it says that Jesus was moved with confession.
Or as he took our sicknesses and bare ourselves.
I was impressed and reading not long ago about the Lord healing the daughter of the Canaanite woman. And yet there was only the border of Tyre and Sidon I believe. What if I could find that was the longest journey the Lord ever took?
00:30:15
Way up in the North Palestine, outside of the land of Israel. What forth?
Or there was a poor Canaanite woman that had a daughter that was possessed with the devil. He went up there and that's all I read of us to what the Lord accomplished there was to heal the daughter of that poor woman that was in such deep distress. Sometimes we talk, and very well we may speak about the Lord.
You must need go through Samaria and the way journey he took to find that woman.
Factors will but there were other journeys the Lord took in his compassion and love.
For poor.
Souls in deep distress and need.
Or I love to view his life. Beloved friends down here, entering into our sorrows and worlds.
And I love to think they in that connection.
That he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities now that he's in glory. We have not an high priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities and a lot of Saints of God. When you're passing through Saul, remember that his heart is just as tender towards you in your sorrow as he was towards those of old. That he came in such a loving grace.
And.
Tenderness.
To heal and to bless.
If ever. Yet we did esteem him.
Beckon written of God hand afflicted turn to the.
18th Chapter. Zechariah.
We'll read there another prophecy about the smiting.
The seventh verse.
Awakeful sword against my shepherd.
Against the man that is my fellow Seth, the Lord of Hope, Smite the shepherd.
The sheep shall be scattered.
And I will turn my hands upon the little one.
I believe that I was friends. I don't want to go into deep doctrinal subjects, but I believe that the smiting was especially in connection with Gethsemane.
You know the Lord went into guest family.
And there he tasted the bitter cup.
Oh, think of the agony of soul that he passed through in anticipation of the cross was deported.
Think of the sweat becoming great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
There was the agony of soul that he was passing through.
All beloved, when the Lord went to the cross, he didn't go there.
Not knowing.
Gotta wait.
He and he went through in company with the father all the way all the forest.
Of what lay before him.
The bearing away.
Of the sins.
That he was going to atone for.
I love to think too, that even when we get the scattering of the sheep that he was going, he doesn't forget the little ones.
Oh, what a bad thing it was. You know, when they all forsook him.
Mayor the leader was taken and LED off.
To be tried and to be.
Betrayed and to be condemned.
But be crucified yet during that time.
When the son of God who had LED them.
In his ministry, he wouldn't forget them. Even then he was going to put his hands from those 4 little ones.
And it fled away, because now he must bear their sins.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for all iniquities. The chastisement of all peace was upon him with his stripes, which he will now.
00:35:06
We're at the cross, beloved friend.
We're considering those last three hours of darkness.
We have seen the anticipation in Gethsemane.
And you know, in Gethsemane there was an Angel came and supported him.
They were angels at his birth. They were angels in the wilderness.
When he was tempted, after the temptation that came and ministered to him, angels, as we said in.
A beloved friend. There was no Angel.
And those dark and so much.
When he who knew no sin was made sin for us.
It went through the stripes of Pilate.
When it says with his stripes we are healed, we know that Pilate took Jesus and skirted him.
Barry McMillan was telling me about some of these wretched men that they can't control any other way. They've given so many strikes on their bare backs and they're laid up in the hospital as a result.
Awful experience, as he said.
The pilot took Jesus and scourged him with a Roman skirt.
Oh, why was that?
What is necessary? This shows that.
Holy of the human heart.
That couldn't conceive of enough.
To bring suffering.
To that man for whom even Pilate says I find no fault in him.
The thing that says nothing.
Compared to this wounding that it speaks of here wounded.
For our transgressions.
I read for her down in the chapter.
Well, it says.
In the ninth verse.
It was with the rich in his and I noticed in the margins his death.
In the plural.
And then further down it says.
When thou shalt make his soul.
And offering for sin.
Notice the 12TH verse 2.
The middle of the verse because he has poured out his soul.
Unto death.
Oh, what descriptive words. Those are beloved friends.
That is, you could take all the best the tortures, those that have been burned at the stake, roasted alive.
And all the other deaths that have ever taken place. Death.
And bring them all together, and then you get just a faint conception.
Of what the Lord was enduring.
There when he was wounded. For our transgressions.
And grooves for our enhancements.
All the other folks tonight, can you reject such a savior as that?
Can you turn the deck here to one who has suffered?
All that suffering in order to save your guilty soul and to fit you for eternal glory with His Son.
People may talk about.
That God isn't just.
The sin, the Sinner to hell.
So therefore you have heard such a love story as this.
And been told about how he suffered in order to save you from that place.
And you spurn the offer.
Despise the invitation.
He preferred to go on in your.
Your own way.
What can you expect?
Than the eternal judgment of God.
All things God doesn't want you to go to that place of punishment.
And God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Oh, he loves your precious soul.
00:40:04
And that's the proof of how much he loved.
You're never dying. So he didn't spare his son, but everyone spoke that he withheld. That you deserve.
The judgment he took upon.
Laid upon His beloved Son. And now for those who accept him, we have the next verse.
They are more or less they brought before us.
All we like she.
I've gone straight. Who turned everyone to his own way.
And Jehovah hath laid on him.
The iniquity of us all.
I was told of a man that was in distress about his.
And he had listened to a servant of Christ.
And after the meeting was over this.
Preacher of the Gospel.
Had only a few minutes before he was to take the train out of the town.
This man came to him in distress.
Wanted him to talk to him.
Well, because of the brief time he had to speak to him.
He said this.
He says you turn to the 53rd of Isaiah.
Read the sixth verse.
And he says go in by the 1St all.
And go out by the last all.
You see?
What he meant. Now let's look at it and get those tools. Here's the first oil he was to go in by.
All we like sheep.
Have gone straight.
In other words, was he willing to put himself among?
Where all are born astray.
And turn to their own way. In other words, was he willing to take the place?
Our poor loss.
Here.
Well if so then you could go out by the 2nd or best free thirst.
And Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
If he took his place as a lost Sinner, then.
He could accept this one.
On whom Jehovah laid.
Those many sins.
And he could say I am among that all.
And then Jehovah lay those sins when his Son was a sin bear.
On the faucet, Calvin.
They could go in and find himself a Lawson and go out.
Northern whole thin question was settled forever.
And how beautifully it is settled forever.
Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquities of us all. When did we lay our sins on his beloved Son?
It was my 2000 years of old beloved friends.
The cross of Calvin. That's why it gives me perfect peace.
That's why I know that I'm going to be in heaven and have no fears whatever as to the destiny before.
Now some people say that our sins were laid on Christ up to the time where converted if ever so well I'm in an awful position because I was saved when I was a little boy about 3 or 4 years old. So here I've got.
But six to seven years of sin that are not yet atone for wouldn't it be terrible? Most of my sins have been committed after I was converted, so I'd be far worse off than some poor old reprobate that comes to Christ tonight and accepts him as his Savior. Because according to that doctrine where he gets old his sins.
For the war, Caesar has more and more, so he'd go home reversing. But what about me?
Oh, how miserable I'd be.
All beloved friends, you can see that that isn't true. Thank God that transaction took place nearly 2000 years ago. Where was I when when the cross of Christ?
For the service there on God.
00:45:01
The long before I was born, yet God who knew all my sins.
They forever permitted neither to leave out for one hour of and he took them all, and he laid them on his beloved son.
And now I know that I have first said that I have failed many times for quarter wages.
By grace I seek to run to God my Father when I sin, and confess it all not to a judge, but to a follower who has given his Son to die to save me.
Bless our beloved friends.
Gives real peace to the soul.
For no the finished work of Christ, and that is the finished work because.
He bowed his head. In death, he said it has finished. Yes, he's born all that load of sin, all that suffering he had gone through for you and me. The work was done. Yeah, he goes down into death. But to be raised triumphant beyond the power of death.
And Satan in all his dominions.
Well, we'll just consider once more that dear black man that God saved there in the desert.
As we were saying, this man was reading God's word.
He was interested in it. He'd been up to the one for the feast, for he was returning a sad and a disappointed man.
But for some way, he got.
All this precious portion of God's blessed Word.
And God was so interested in that.
Their views, they took pull up away from his preaching there in that city of Samaria, and set him down there into that desert.
To preach, to have one man.
All friends think of the worth of a human soul.
Think about the worth of that soul was to.
A black man made no difference.
God loves that man's soul. He knows for a couple about his sins.
You know all about his getting that that question of the word.
He sent his servant down there.
Just at the right time.
For preaching to him Jesus from this very passage of his friends.
That we've had before. And then when he had, he delivered his message.
In the NFL, for all the enemy to be baptized.
What did he want to be baptized for? Or if he wanted to be buried for that one?
His death had flown from all sin. He wanted to be separated from everything. Judaism or hedonism, whatever it might be. He wanted to be buried in the grave of Jesus.
God, the Spirit of God who has sat in there to take hold of that carrier, catches away Philip and he's found in other places.
The year this man goes on back to his own country.
Rejoicing a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Well, I was friends tonight. Oh, I wonder if there are any here that are halting between two opinions.
I'm sure this man never had another opportunity like that in the desert to give.
And you may never have an opportunity like this, they said at the beginning of the meeting. This may be the last gospel sermon that preached from any subject.
From Isaiah 53 or any other person of God's word.
Let me and preach you and my Savior's name not to miss the opportunity.
Often suppose.
You're boring without being saved tonight and the Lord were to come before morning. What about your precious soul?
We're going to spend eternity.
Then the Holy Spirit that moved Philip to.
To join himself to that charity is working with your heart and conscience tonight.
They appeared with it.
Accept that savior.
00:50:01
Don't reject him another moment.
The city mind your own personal savior.
As we speak at this moment, don't leave this room, beloved friends.
Without.
Knowing for certain.
That Christ is your Savior.
And that you're on your way to heaven, God granted.
Advocacy and Priesthood of Christ
The Ten Commandments
Garments of Glory and Beauty
Our Great High Priest
Consecration
The failure of the Sons of Aaron JND Vol 16
Law of the Nazarite
Nazariteship
The Cloud
Red Heifer
Three Aspects of Stars in Scripture
1 John 1
Gathered To The Lord
The Ancient Landmark
Deuteronomy 26
Gibeonites
Judges 7:13
Feint Yet Pursuing
Samson God's Servant
Judges Lessons from Gideon
Ruth
Ruth 3:8
Naomi's Faith
Ruth 1-2
Ruth 3-4
Ruth Part 1
Ruth Part 2
Truths For The End Times
Jonathan's Faith, God's Faithfulness
Lessons From the Life of Jonathan
Mephibosheth
David's Mighty Men
God's Beloved Son
One Pearl Precious Stones
Testimony of the Church
Storms of Life
Keys to the Kingdom
The Church
Coming Unto and Following After Christ
Matthew 18:15-20
Gathered Unto His Name
Saved by Grace Walking in His Grace
Seven Things
Living for Christ
Continue in the Goodness of God
Crowns
The Blood, Death and Cross of Christ
The Perfect Servant
The Perfect Servant
Character of New Life in Practice
The Asses Colt
Mark 13
Chronology of Prophecy Part 2
Sufferings and Glory Part 2
Luke 9
Luke 10
Faith in Prayer
Teach Us to Pray
Consider the Ravens
Adversaries
Luke 12-15
The Elder Son
The Two Sons
Family and Assembly Prayer
Prayer
The Heart Drawn to Christ
Fear Not Little Flock
The Heart of God Revealed in His Son
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
John chapter.
1.
And verse one.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was with God.
And the Word was God, verse 14.
And the Word was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.
7th chapter.
No, we'll read the 8th chapter first, one verse.
Chapter 8 and verse 25.
They said.
Then said they unto him.
Who art thou?
And Jesus saith unto them even the same.
Said unto you from the beginning.
Another translation I think.
More correctly seizes the thought.
And it says when they asked him, Who art thou, he said.
Altogether.
And absolutely what I say to you.
He was what he said.
Now in the 7th chapter.
Verse 32.
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured each such things concerning him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests and officers to take him.
Verse 45.
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees, and.
They said unto them, Why have he not brought him?
The officers answered.
Never.
Man spake like this man.
Never man spake.
Like this man, he who is the word.
The living expression of the mind of God, the Word. I'm using words to convey to you what comes from my mind, and you hear those words, and by the miraculous process that only God could create, you understand what I'm saying.
Think of it.
God the Son.
Hebrews One starts out the same way. God, having spoken in many parts, and in many ways formerly to the fathers in the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.
The Son speaking God speaking in the person of his Son.
Young people especially have you on my mind in these few thoughts.
You will hear possibly at some time in your life, but I have heard and read.
That, and these are by the modernists and the liberals of the day.
That.
Jesus never existed.
He was just the product of the mind of some men that lived in the 2nd century and it's all an invention now. Peter anticipates that when he says we have not followed cunningly devised fables.
But have proclaimed unto you what we have seen and heard.
No, these are not cunningly devised fables. So what I want to do for just a few minutes is to just look at that, that argument that this life.
That we see depicted here, especially in the Gospel of John and I could go to.
The other gospels as well, but especially here where he's presented to us as the Word, the one who expresses the very mind and thoughts of God.
Could such a person have ever been created by the mind of sinful men?
That would be a miracle of a vast proportion, would it not? We're going to look for just a few moments at what he said.
We had at Walla Walla, we had Matthew 5-6 and seven and.
Oftentimes we come across his expression. You have heard that it hath been said, but I say unto you.
I say unto you, who was this that could add to, or even give different instructions from what they had from Moses?
00:05:08
And from the prophets of old, who was this who had the authority to change it? You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you that you was just not evil. He that compels thee to go a mile, go with him twain. He that smites thee on the 1 Cheek, turn the other cheek, and so on. He was introducing an altogether new dispensation, was he not?
A whole new line of truth. But who could do that?
Only.
God himself.
God himself come in the person of the Son, who is the Word.
The living expression. Let's just look at a few things that he said. And as we look at them, I want you to just Mull over in your mind, could this, could this ever have entered the mind of man to create such a personality as we see in the Lord Jesus? That's impossible.
And the best answer to that? That infidel argument, that modernist argument.
Made by the liberal theologians, and the worst attacks on the Bible and the worst attacks on the person of Christ come from within the Christian testimony.
Not from without, but from within. Let's just see some of the things that he said. Turn to John 3.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews.
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi.
We know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
So here he comes as a teacher to a teacher.
Jesus answered and said unto him.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. He asked for some teaching. He came to a teacher and he got teaching here.
Tremendous teaching, he was saying to Abraham.
You need a new life.
A new beginning, What you have and what you're so proud of that you can say we have Abraham for our father, he said. That will not do.
You need to be born again and accept a man be born again. He cannot see the Kingdom of God, much less.
And her into it. He can't even see it.
Nicodemus did not understand his words. How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?
And Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Think of a.
Think of a liberal who was filled with himself, filled with his own self importance that promotes the idea that we have a little of the of the of God within us.
Inventing a man that says you have to have a new birth, you have to be born again, you have to start all over with a new life. Think of someone who is a liberal inventing that.
And everything that we hear that the blessed Lord said would be utterly unthinkable coming from the mind of a natural man.
Think of the 11TH verse. That's the most profound verse in the entire Gospel of John. He changes from the singular in that verse to the plural, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, He's still speaking to Nicodemus, who couldn't understand the new birth, what the Lord was talking about.
He says we speak.
That we do know.
And testify that we have seen.
And you receive not our witness. And then he goes back to the singular If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall ye believe? If I tell you of heavenly things? Who's the We on the 11TH verse? Well, he speaks as one of the persons of the Trinity. The We is divine Persons, Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.
We speak that we do know. Now only God can say He knows.
Only God in the absolute sense. He's the only one that knows.
And the only way we can say we know is by the word of God. For instance, first John 520 We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
00:10:15
He is the true God in eternal life. How can we say we know?
Because the word of God. But here he identifies himself with the the divine persons of the Trinity, and he was one of them, the Son. And he says we speak.
That we do know.
And testify that we have seen and you receive, not our witness. Now imagine a man inventing that.
That he spoke that.
Utterly impossible. All you have to do is read what he said.
And you'll know that never, never, man.
Spake like this man.
Never man spake like this man the first thing he tells us.
The first thing he tells us, all of us you must be born again. You need a new life.
You cannot get to heaven, you can't even see it. The Kingdom of God, you can't even see it without the new birth. You must be born again. Notice how he says in verse 7, Marvel not that I said unto thee, that's the singular thee. He's talking to Nicodemus, and then he goes to the plural he.
Must be born again. Who's the ye?
Of the nation of Israel, all the Jews. Expand it more. All of us.
But they were the ones that were boasting in their first birth.
They were the ones that boasted in having Abraham for their father and the the worthies of the Old Testament, they were cut above the Gentiles. And the Lord says ye, he's not talking just to Nicodemus, but he was a representative of the nation. And he says, ye, you Jews must be born again. Now He doesn't say that to the Gentiles, He says to the Gentiles.
When I say he, I'm talking about the the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, that you must be quickened.
That's the same truth, given life, as what takes place when you're born again.
But he doesn't use the expression born again for the Gentiles because they had no first birth that they gloried in, but the Jews did. They gloried in their first birth. And so he says that will not do. You must be born again.
And then he goes. He refers back in verse 14 to the Old Testament. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. That, of course, was the cross, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Now here's the verse that that that unfolds to us.
The very heart of God, for God so loved the world.
The world now, not just the Jews, but the whole world, it includes everyone, red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight. Jews, Gentiles, whatever. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Think of that expression. Think of those words coming from the invention of the mind of man.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish.
But have everlasting life, for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world.
But that the world through him, might be saved.
Think of someone that is.
Has very strong feelings against certain races.
Would he?
What he read, what he put that down.
God so loved the world.
You mean he loves the Muslims, the Hindus, the Buddhists?
And on and on, Yes.
He loves the world.
And he gave his only begotten Son.
To prove it.
Now just look. Look at the 4th chapter.
4th chapter He sits a man wearied with his journey.
He sat on the well. Verse 6 was about the 6th hour. There cometh the woman of Samaria to draw water.
Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
His disciples had gone away into the city to buy meat, and the woman says to him.
Woman of Samaria, how is it that thou being a Jew, ask a streak of me which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Now that would take someone special in the next century to invent this, that this Jew sat down, wearied and conversed with the Samaritans. That was something that was forbidden.
00:15:16
An invention of man.
No, not for a moment.
Jesus answered and said unto her, Now listen to this tremendous statement.
If thou newest the gift of God.
And who it is?
That saith to thee, Give me to drink.
Thou wouldst have asked of him.
And he would have given thee living water.
The invention of man? No.
Now he was here, a real man.
He spoke words that they had never heard the likes of before.
Never met.
Speak like this, man.
The 6th chapter.
Verse 32. They asked him in verse 31.
Let's now back up to verse 30. Then said they therefore unto him, What signs show us thou?
Then that we may see and believe thee, what dost thou work? He just fed.
20,005 thousand men, probably 20,000 with the women and children. He just fed them with five loaves and two fishes, and they asked him, what sign do you show?
How blind?
Can you be?
And they were blind.
Spiritually, what signs showest thou that we may see and believe thee? What dost thou work? Verse 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written. He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them.
I am the bread of life.
He that cometh to me shall never hunger.
And he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Never man spake like this man.
But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not all that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out, for I came down from heaven.
Not to do mine own will.
But the will of him that sent me, and this is the Father's will which hath sent me that.
Of all which He hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him may have everlasting life.
And I will raise him up.
At the last day.
The invention of man.
Utterly unthinkable when someone asked me how do you know this is the word of God?
I always say read it.
Wreathed there is no book like it.
There's no one that ever spoke like this man, There's no one that spoke like the apostles as they were inspired of God and communicated truth that is so above the mind of man to even conceive of.
Just read it.
It carries its own credentials.
How wonderful to know this one.
I am the bread of God, the bread of life.
He that cometh to me shall never hunger. He that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Verse 47 He says, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life.
Notice what he says in verses 53 and 54.
Then said Jesus unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
The invention of man? Never.
Never, never.
00:20:00
Never man spake like this man.
I'm going to sit down in the hour, so I'm just going to read you a few more. Give room for others.
8th chapter.
The 8th chapter, verse 12. Then spake Jesus again. Oftentimes when he spake, he said thoroughly, thoroughly, I say unto you, truly, truly.
This is important.
This Sinner.
Then spake Jesus unto them again, saying, I am the light.
Of the world.
He that followeth me.
Shall not walk in darkness, but shall have.
The light of life.
This in the 9th chapter he says verse 5. As long as I'm in the world, I am the light.
Of the world.
The 10th chapter he says in verse 9, I am the door.
By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.
Verse 11 he says I'm the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
He says in verse 27, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My father, which gave them me, is greater than all.
And no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand.
Aren't you glad that he said these things?
That he has assured us of our safety, our security.
Our eternal life given to us.
The 11TH chapter, verse 25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection.
And the life.
He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never.
Die.
I want to get over to the.
14th chapter.
The 14th chapter, he tells them of the future and this is the only book. By the way, of all the religious books written by all the false religions in the world, none of them have any prophetic pronouncements as to the future. The only one that knows the future is God.
The only one that knows the future is God. He dwells in an eternal present, and to him the future is as known as the past or the present.
And he often speaks that way whom he has.
Justified them. He has glorified as though it's already accomplished because it's as good as accomplished. When he says it, let not your heart be troubled. He had just told him he was going away. He says don't let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions that we're not. So I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again. He said it. I will come again. He's coming again.
We know that we don't know when, and all the predictions for when make Christians look foolish because they haven't come to pass.
Mr. Bellott said it beautifully. He said I wouldn't spend a moment arguing when the Lord would come, but I'd give my life arguing that he will come.
Because he said he would. I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
And whither I go, you know, on the way ye know. Thomas says, Lord, we know not whither thou goest. How can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Oh, they don't like that.
Christianity is so exclusive.
So narrow.
No man cometh to the Father but by me in many ways. I was talking to a man having pumped gas into his tank. I gave him a gospel tract and he was telling me, well, there's many ways to heaven.
Many ways to heaven and I told no, there's just one and that's the Lord Jesus. He's the way, the truth and the life. And as he was about to leave, he said, by the way, I want to go to Evanston. How do I get to Evanston? And I said, he had said, you see, all you have to do is be sincere. And I said, well, if you're just sincere, you can take any road and you'll get there.
He said no, that won't work.
No, it won't work.
How can one be so sound in reasoning over natural things and so utterly stupid when it comes to heavenly things?
00:25:05
Though there's only one way, I like to see it this way. Though some people don't like me to say it this way. But you Christians think you're the only ones who are right.
I say no correction. We know we're the only ones that are right.
The Gospel of Our Salvation
Hitherto My Father Worketh
Known of My Sheep
Worship
Changed into His likeness
Christ in Submission
Fruit Bearing
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Send 231.
The pilgrims in the wilderness.
Our growing is a camp.
231.
John 15. Here we have the subject of fruit bearing.
The first part of it, that is. You might say The first part is bearing fruit and Father, the husband, man, Christ, the true vine.
And we the branches to to reproduce in US.
The life of Christ in a very practical way.
And the last part of the the section is in verse 17 where the Lord says these things. I commend you that she loved one another, certainly.
The chief characteristic of his life was was love, self sacrificing, giving love.
And it will manifest itself that that blessed life given to us will manifest itself in us the same way. These things I command you, that you love one another. And then the last part of the chapter.
Changes very abruptly between verses 17 and 18. Verses 17 up to 17 describing the the Saints and.
The attitude of the world is next described towards us in verses 18 to the end and going on into the 16th chapter. Well, let's not linger here. Let's just look at a few of the wonderful features in connection with fruit bearing. I am the true vine, and my father is the husband man. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit and taketh away and.
Every branch that beareth fruit, he purchased it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except to divide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in Me. I am the vineyard of the branches, either divided in me, and I in Him. The same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered.
And men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abiding you, we shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified that you bear much fruit, so shall he be My disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love.
If you keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, but a man lay down his life for his friends near my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you, henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But I have called you friends.
For all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. But whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, we may give it to you. These things I command you that you love one another.
We were mentioning this afternoon that.
Israel had been set here as a testimony in the earth to bear fruit for God, and they they failed in that. And the Lord Jesus now says I am the true vine.
And my father is the husband man. The fruit is going to be produced for God in this world. It will only be through the 2nd man and not the first man. There's no food for God from the first man.
So he I'm not going to go into all of these verses because I'd like to continue into chapter 16, but just to pick out some of the central features.
00:05:06
In verse 4, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except to divide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me. This abiding in Christ is, in a word, living near the Lord.
Going on in dependency upon him, in communion with him. And that's the way of fruit bearing, that's the way that the life of Christ in US will be reproduced in the power of the Spirit of God.
While we're talking of the subject of fruit, let's turn to Galatians 5.
And Galatians 5 we have.
Verse 22.
Had very well known verse, those two verses, but the fruit of the Spirit after he's described the works of the flesh. Notice the difference.
Lips in contrast with fruit and flesh in contrast with spirit. Works of the flesh, verse 19.
So these are manifest and then he describes them what they are.
And then he describes the fruit of the Spirit, verse 22. It doesn't say, as we often quote, that the fruits of the Spirit. It says the fruit of the Spirit in contrast with the works of the flesh when the Spirit is operating in the new life.
He produces this fruit that is described here. And what is the fruit of the Spirit?
In His love, joy, peace, broad suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law.
The the soul that is under the control of the Spirit of God does not have to be put under law. I like to think of the fruit of the Spirit as a nine flavored fruit.
We oftentimes in quoting it, the fruits of the Spirit, we might look at our lives and say, well, I, I see that this particular characteristic and this one.
I seem to to have that and then there are others that I might be lacking in my life, but I don't believe that's the thought here. When the Spirit of God is in control of our lives, there will be all of these 9 characteristics produced and it's called the fruit of the Spirit. It is love.
Joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness or kindness.
Goodness, faith, or faithfulness?
Weakness and self-control or temperance?
Lovejoy, Peace.
Everyone of these characteristics that are mentioned here.
Are what he was when he was down here. Let's just look at them in connection with himself.
There was never another that loved as he loved.
His whole pathway was a pathway of love, a pathway of self renunciation.
The pathway in which he served others. The Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life for ransom. For for many His was a path of love. The Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
He he loved the church and he gave himself for it, and he loved us and gave himself for us, whether it's viewed individually or us collectively or the church itself.
In its entirety, his was a path of love, a path in which he was given giving of himself.
Serving, ministering to the needs of those round about him and that's the way of love. The way of love is not looking to be served. It's not looking to to be ministered to, but to minister. This was his pathway. He read that verse in John 15.
00:10:07
He talks about His joy. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might be made in you, and that your joy might be full. And what was His joy? That's the next fruit mentioned, the next part of that fruit. It was His joy. He had a joy that was outside of this world. He was the true Nazarene. He was the one who was truly separated unto God. Remember, the Nazarite was not to partake of the fruit of the vine. He was to.
Abstain from it, even all the way down to the skin of the grape.
Line or strong drink or anything else in connection with that. It speaks of all that this world affords in the way of joy. He found his joy outside of the scene altogether. When he came he said, I delight to do thy will. Oh God, it thy laws within my heart. It was his joy to to please the Father. His pathway was.
A path of of love to the Father, that the world may know that I love the Father. Even as he has given the commandment, so I do. He loved the Father. I love my Master, my wife and my children. I will not feel free.
His joy was to fulfill, to accomplish the will of God. Whatever we live for, shall we find our joys, our joy goes up, goes down. It's dependent upon our circumstances. It's dependent upon many things which change down here. But His joy was constant. It was.
A joy that wasn't dependent on circumstances.
It was a joy that came from his communion and fellowship with the Father. Now in the measure in which this fruit of the Spirit is reproduced in us, we'll know what that joy is. The true joy of the Nazarite got the joy that the world has not anything that the world can afford us, but that which comes from walking with Him and having the consciousness in our souls that we are.
Accusing him.
And then there's peace. We were looking at those verses in the 14th chapter piece. I leave with you my peace, and give unto you what was His peace.
That was the peace of one who.
Was not.
Ruffled by circumstances, it was the peace of one who was in entire dependence and obedience on the Father, His peace.
The peace of the dependent man, the obedient man, the lowly man. When we look at Christ, we see manhood, imperfection. We see manhood in every aspect of of what manhood is in its perfection before God.
Long-suffering.
Now that's the first mention.
In the fruit of the Spirit which requires.
Something that is adverse.
In our lives, some friction, some trial is something that that tests our patients.
Our long-suffering the Lord met with that on every hand, says the Pharisees watched Him, that they might catch something out of his mouth, that they might have to accuse him. He was constantly under surveillance by those round about him, just seeking to catch something out of his mouth. long-suffering, he says, all faithless and perverse generation. How long shall I suffer you? How long shall I bear with you?
He felt, he felt the the hardness of man's heart, he felt the affront to his love, he felt all that sin had brought in. And he felt their lack of faith and their lack of entering in to his mind, to his thoughts. What was it that she disputed among yourselves along the way? And they were talking among themselves. Who should be the greatest?
Think of this person, think of this one who was here.
The Lord of Glory, the infinitely Holy One.
How patient, how long-suffering to bear with the likes of us, the likes of you and me, to bear with them, to bear with us to, to do with us to, to think of Peter when the Lord talked about his having to go to the cross, and Peterson picking themselves. Lord, this shall not be unto thee.
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Peter rebuking him just think of it and how he though he rebuked Peter that be behind me Satan quite severely there for thou savers not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. But think of how that blessed one born with those that so little understood him, so little understood that blessing one the most misunderstood man that was ever here.
Was the Lord Himself?
And yet he was long-suffering with them. And so that's one of the characteristics of the work of God in our souls. We are in a scene where things do not always go well. We are we are with people who do not always understand us and misinterpret some of our actions.
And maybe may even appropriate and acute to us things that we did not mean and how much long-suffering is called for in our pathway here. If you ever called and I speak to my own heart in this and in all these things, of course, if we're ever called into a situation where we just say, well, I just can't take that person any longer.
Think of what the Lord Jesus headed his pathway, children. His Holiness headed his perfection.
And think of who he is and how he born with his own.
That that both those disciples.
Will you also go away?
And Peter says, Lord, to whom shall we go balance the words of eternal life?
Till shall we go?
Let's just think of this pathway, how much he bore with as he was down here, a man amongst men.
Or kindness.
All the deadliness and the kindness of the Lord Jesus. Remember when the disciples would have, would have sent the children away.
From the Lord Jesus he said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for such as the Kingdom of heaven.
Kindness. A bruised Reed, would he not break? And smoking flax, would he not quench? Or if he saw ever so little faith, It's not the quantity of faith, it's the object that the faith rests upon that matters. And he would not quench, he would not break.
The blue street, nor Christ, the smoking plaques, kindness, gentleness. My gentleness hath made thee great. The Apostle Paul says, I beseech you by the the weakness and the gentleness of Christ.
Gentleness does not give offense, and weakness doesn't take offense.
It's always difficult when we have to deal with the person where you you have to constantly watch just how you say it.
And what you say for fear that they will take offense, well, that isn't weakness. We're going on to that. After gentleness, he says goodness, goodness. The Lord Jesus was goodness personified down here in this world. Remember that verse in Romans 5?
For a good man, some would even dare to die. For a righteous man they would not die, one would not die. But for a good man, some would even dare to die. A good man. Goodness, remember the one that said to him, Good master, what good thing shall I do that I might inherit eternal life? And the Lord said, Michael, my call is telling me good is not good, but one that is God.
Are you only my my deity?
Are you acknowledging who I am? Are you nearly imputing goodness to me in my humanity?
Goodness.
That quality produced by the Spirit of God which we see in all its blessedness. Goodness is, is love come down in the midst of of sin and departure from God in the midst of enmity, in the midst of hatred, in the midst of evil.
Who was goodness, absolute goodness, down here in this world to meet the needs of men for a good man, a benevolent man, one who went out in acts of kindness and benevolence and grace to meet the needs of others? Goodness.
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Pay for fidelity, faithfulness. He is, He is called in Scripture the faithful and true witness. How often we have been unfaithful. Never, never was he unfaithful. He was always the faithful one, faithful to God his Father.
And in perfect obedience to Him I spoke to his disciples in rebuking them where needed, and rebuking the Pharisees, and speaking to them in in faithful love, faithful of the wounds of a friend. But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Fidelity.
And then that word Meekness, come unto me. All you that labor that are heavy laden, keep my yoke upon you, and learn from me way it ought to read Brian meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your soul. My yoke is easy, and my burden is life.
The woke of dependence.
Unique one, I beseech you, by the meekness of Christ.
Lucas does not take offense, and gentleness does not give offense. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, He threatened not, but committed himself into the hands of him, and judges righteously the meekness that we see in Jesus. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.
And as she, as the sheep is done before her cheers, so he open it, not his mouth. Meekness. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. No retaliation, no no vengeance against those that were abusing him and mistreating him.
But lowly submission, Lowly submission, What a path.
Per person, and this is the fruit of the Spirit, it's the life of Christ produced in the power of the Spirit of God in the believer. Now we see an imperfection in him. And then the last one is temperance or self-control. How often?
They did things to the Lord Jesus, They said things against Him. They imputed evil to Him.
Which with many of us, with most of us, maybe we can say with all of us, would have been met with a retaliatory remark at the least.
Self-control.
He never.
He never displayed.
Anything that was out of control. One time we read in Marks gospel that he looked round about him with anger, a righteous anger against the hardness of their hearts, but never.
An anger which is labeled as it says in.
Verse 19 The works of the flesh are manifest, which are adultery, fornication and beingness, lasciviousness, idolatry, whichcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath.
Strike, sedition, heresies, and so on. Wrath or angers now there was nothing like uncontrolled anger, with him always in perfect control.
How many times we have said something and we wish we hadn't said it can't be taken back, but there was one that never had to retract a word that never had to withdraw.
Anything that he said or did, all was imperfection. All was under the power of the Spirit of God. It's not just because He was God, but He was perfect man. We're looking at his humanity here. We're looking at him as man down here.
The fruit of the Spirit lived out in perfection in a man on earth. We've traced it in Christ when we relate it all to Him, when we have the the true model before us, the one who lived it out in perfection. Now that's what the Father is looking for. Let's go back to John 15.
Verse five I am the blind near the branches either divided in me that's communion, and I and him the same bringeth forth much food, for without me you can do nothing.
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How many times a severe trial comes into a person's life and they they go through it?
Without a rumor.
They go through it in independence.
And in communion and in fellowship.
They realize they cannot handle this themselves. They're cast upon him. They realize that they need need him to sustain them. As the Lord says here, without me, we can do nothing.
But how many times there has been failure in our lives over little things?
The dropping of the fish or the spilling of something at the table. Things that really don't amount to much. And we will.
Become angry or lose our temper. We need Him in every detail of our lives. Without me, he says we can do nothing and the opposite to that is found in Philippians 4 where the apostle Paul says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
So we have divine power operating for us when we are in the place of confessed weakness and dependence. That is our strength.
Our weakness, our conscious weakness, our fancy strength is.
Is altogether amiss, and we are we often are allowed to prove that because we're relying upon an arm of the flesh. If a man abide not in me. Well, I don't want to come in on that verse verse 7 if he abide in me and my words abiding you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Here we have the secret.
Of answered prayer. If you abide in me, that's communion.
And my words abide in you. That's intelligence. That is the soul that's going on in communion with the Lord, asks according to His will first, John 5 If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that he hears, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. So he says, if He abiding me, that's going on with the Lord, walking in fellowship with himself, and my words abiding you.
Then we ask in accordance with his mind. His words abide in us. We don't ask him this. As James says, you ask and receive, not because you ask him this, that you may consume it upon your lust, but here it's just the opposite. Here it's the soul going on in communion. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
Hearing as my father glorified that she bear much fruit.
So shall you be or become my disciples. So discipleship is in the way of fruit bearing. Discipleship is the path of obedience and.
Submission to him.
Much fruit, and the Father is glorified. And I like the thought that I read once. Never is the Father nearer to the mind than when he is pruning it, and never is the Father nearer to us than when he is putting us through some severe trial. Because the pruning process speaks of discipline. It speaks of cutting off those tender little shoots that spring out of the vine that would rob it.
Life said to produce abundant food and the Father, the husband, man, he, he sees that in our lives and knows how often our hearts would go out after all kinds of things that are presented to it in this world, which would rob us of real food bearing, of really producing, reproducing in us the life of Christ.
By the Spirit of God. So he cuts those little things off.
That's painful.
Very painful.
That he's never closer to the vine than when he's doing that. That's a very precious thought to my soul.
Which name? As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.
Continue ye in my life.
Continue in the sense of it, Father's love for the Son. Can we measure that? Can we fathom that? Can we grasp that? Father's love for the Son, as the Father has loved me.
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Because Even so, have I loved you.
Now Abraham loved Isaac.
And take now thy son, whom thou lovest.
I have made known unto you.
The friend is 1 to whom he divulges the very secrets of his heart. All things that I have heard of my father I have made known unto you. He's taken us into his confidence. How precious. We have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you.
That you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.
Now that's the only fruit that will remain. The only fruit that will remain. Sometimes we say it this way. Only what's only one life will soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last. Whose ordained us that we go and bring forth fruit? What is that fruit? It's Christ. It's Christ. Christ produced in our life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ in weakness and gentleness and patience and long-suffering and kindness and goodness.
In faithfulness, in love.
All those qualities, the fruit of the Spirit as we were looking at them, all of these now reproduce. And that fruit, that fruit, that fruit will remain. It will remain for all eternity because it speaks of Christ. And it's only that which speaks of Christ in your life and in my life that will remain. It will never pass away. It's that which is for the glory of God. It's that which sends forth that sweet fragrance to God.
In our lives that remains, we have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, and you should go and bring forth fruit. What a privilege, What a privilege to be a branch in the vine, to bring forth fruit, to manifest the character and the life of Christ. That's why he's left us here.
That's why he's left us here in a scene which is antagonistic to him, which is an enmity with with him, which is away from him, which is cast him out, which is spitting his face and hitting him and crucified him and said we will not have this man to reign over us. You and I have the inestimable privilege of bearing this fruit and showing the world what Christ is.
Can't say that.
Without hanging their heads in shame as we realize how we have failed to manifest the character of Christ, the Christian testimony. What is Christianity? Remember that was the question as we took up this series. What is a Christian? What is Christianity? It's Christ. Christ in the life of the individual, Christ produced in the power of the Spirit, operating in that new life that lives in life that we have because he lives.
We live also, and the Spirit working in that new life to produce Christ. That's the fruit that remains, and that your food should remain. And then again it says, whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
How the the the answer to our prayers, to our requests flows from communion and fruit bearing and walking down here as he walked.
And then that section is ended. These things I command you that you love one another.
Over and over he directs that new nature I command you that you love one another, and that command imparts the very energy needed for that nature to to act.
According to its very nature, that which is born of the flesh is flesh. You can sublimated, you can educate it, you can train it, you can put it through all kinds of processes. It's still flesh. That which is born of the spirit is spirit and it it, it partakes of the of the of the nature of its source and the new nature, the divine nature, if you will.
Is formed in US.
Produced in us by the power of the Spirit of God, that new life that we have, which is Christ.
Now in verse 18 we have the world, we have the enemy that the world hates you. The thing that Arctic characterized the Christian community is verse 17 that you love one another.
Actually love one another.
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But when we have to do with the world, we think of its hatred, its opposition. If the world hate you, we know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hated you. Do not love it.
We're not here to set it right.
System which is an opposition to God. We're not here to fix it. We're not here to mend it. We're here to manifest the life of Christ in a world that will not have Him and the measure in which we are faithful in reproducing that fruit.
By the power of the Spirit of God will be the measure in which we feel the world's hatred. Someone might say, well, this was written with a view to the early days of Christianity, when the world was a roaring lion in opposition to the testimony of Christianity. But now the world has changed. The world has become Christianized. We talk about this country being a Christian nation.
That's totally false.
Concept This nation is not a Christian nation. There is no such thing as a Christian nation in the world today. The world, the nations of the world and maybe nations which have been favorable to the propagation of the gospel. For that we do thanks. And we're grateful that we live in a in a nation that we enjoy such liberties.
But that doesn't make the nation in which we live Christian.
But the world is in opposition to God. The world is in opposition to God. It always does and it always will be. Then Paul's last epistle, Second Timothy, he says, and this, this has a view to the last days, the early days in which we're living. Has the world changed in its attitude towards Christ? He says all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Evil men, producers show wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. No, the Word of God doesn't hold out any such false idea that the world is being improved by the influence of Christianity. It cannot improve the natural man. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.
Their foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned.
But he did spiritual.
Concern of all things, that He himself is discerned of no man, and we have the mind of Christ. The world knows nothing of this. We saw that in the 14th chapter where when the Spirit was talked about in verse 17. Whom the world cannot receive, because you see, if you're not, neither knoweth Him, but you know Him, for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you. The complete contrast all through the Word of God. We're looking at what is true Christianity.
We've been living with a false sense of what the world is. There are many Christians today.
That are all upset over some of the things that are happening in Washington and the laws that are being passed and the legislation that is being.
Formulated that seems to all be in the direction of being anti Christian, and it is. This is the direction in which the world is moving.
And but we're not of it and we're not called to to right these wrongs and these injustices and these ills of society and politics and whatever the world is opposed to Christ.
So he says, Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My saying or my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my namesake, because they know not him that said Me.
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin. But now they have no quote for their sin.
He that teaches me hated my father also. So he says in verse 19 that if the world hate you, know that it heated me before you. And now he says that he that hated me hated my father also. If I had not been among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin. But now have they both seen and hated both me and my father.
But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled, and is written in their law. They hated me without a cause.
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But when the comforters come, who know descend of you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me, and He also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Well, you notice the Spirit of God is referred to as the Spirit of Truth in chapter 1417.
And here in chapter 1526.
But again in chapter 16.
Verse 13 Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth has come, we will guide you into all truth. So in all of those 3 chapters we have the Spirit of God, the Comforter mentioned as the spirit of truth. The world will have him, doesn't receive him, will not have the truth, have rejected him who is the truth.
Lord Jesus and its attitude towards those who are His is the same as its attitude towards Him who goes on with the subject in chapter 16. These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogue. May the time cometh. But whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth. God service.
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father.
Nor me, but these things have I told you that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. Remember He's addressing his Jewish disciples. He's not addressing Gentiles here, though the truth of what he's saying to them would certainly apply to us today. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you, but now I go my way to him that's threatening the Father, and none of you asketh me.
Goest thou but because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. And now in verse 7 we have one of the most important verses he says. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is expedient. It is absolutely necessary for you that I go away. They wanted to maintain Him.
The thought of him leaving them filled them with sorrow. They did not know of the day that was coming, the day of Christianity, the day of the Spirit, if you will. The Spirit of God being down here characterizing the present testimony, the Spirit of God, a divine person on earth. You think of how evil.
Those Jews were that required the lifeblood of the Son of God. They cried out, crucified and crucified Him.
Away with him.
What evil happy gun. And the more he said that, the more they cried out crucified him when he was only amongst them for 3 1/2 years publicly.
Publicly.
Doing his works of grace and power.
Manifesting the Father. Telling them of the Father.
A life well when they sent those.
To take him, they came back and besides he said why have you not brought him? And he said never met. He said never man spake like this man. They realized there was a difference, tremendous difference.
He teaches as one that has a port and not as described.
Well, we rejected him, then they cast him out. But we're living. We say how evil that was.
The lady with great sin. And it was.
Cannot we cannot overstate how how we can rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ loved by the world, but we've been living for nearly 2000 years. Spirit of God, the divine person on earth.
Bearing witness to his servants through the years, through the ages, 2000 years of gospel witness, the church on earth through his people. And what have they done? They have rejected the testimony of the whole ghost. So the guilt of Christendom.
Far exceeds the guilt of Israel in rejecting their Messiah. That was terrible. That was awful. The greatest crime committed in the annals of time.
Think of the guilt of Christendom and rejecting.
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And finally, doing away with the testimony of the Holy Spirit.
Well, the judgment of Christendom is indeed horrible when we read of it in the Book of Revelation.
Let's just go on just a little. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. Verse 7. It is expedient for you that I go away, or if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Now we have new truth. You remember in the 14th chapter He said He will be with you forever, He will dwell with you, He shall be in you, He will be your teacher, He will bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. But now He unfolds further truth.
About the coming of the Holy Spirit, he says it's absolutely essential that I go away. He couldn't come until there was a man in the glory, until he had gone on high. Then he would send the Holy Spirit. But if I depart, I will send him unto you. Verse 8. And when he has come, he will reprove the world of sin and righteousness and of judgment. Another translation gives that.
Wings come, He will bring demonstration to the world.
Of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment. That is, the presence in this world of the Spirit of God is a demonstration of these three things, sin and righteousness and judgment of sin, because they believe not on me. But presence in this world of the Spirit of God is a demonstration of the sin of man.
In rejecting Christ and not believing in Him.
It's a demonstration of righteousness, he says in verse 10. Because I go to my father and he see me no more.
The righteousness of God was put forth and displayed in raising his Son from the dead, and setting them in the glory, a man in the glory, the sin of man in rejecting him in in not believing in him, and then the righteousness of God in exalting him to his own right hand in heaven of righteousness, he says.
Because I go to my Father. So as we look on high, we see that man in the glory. It's God's answer to the work of Christ. Man's answer to Christ was to nail into a cross and to reject him. That was his sin. They wouldn't believe. They wouldn't receive him. God's righteousness is shown in taking that blessed man and setting him in the highest place in heaven of righteousness. Because I go to my Father, and you see me no more.
And then he says of judgment.
Because the Prince of this world is judged, we're going to a judged scene. The Prince of this world, the Prince that has led the world onto that awful crime of crucifying the Lord of glory, he was judged there at the cross. Now is the judgment of this world. Now show the Prince of this world be cast out. So here we have these three things.
And the presence in this world of the Holy Spirit, He's been here for nearly 2000 years.
Is a demonstration of the sin of the world in rejecting Christ, of the righteousness of God and exalting Him, and of the judgment which has been pronounced upon the Prince of this world, and will soon be carried out. We're going to a judge soon. We're going through a world which is under the judgment of God, and it's not our business to try to improve it or to right its wrongs, but to manifest.
The character of Christ, as we've been seeing.
He says in verse 12, I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. Now here he talks about future things, things that he would unfold to them after he had departed the scene and gone on high in the glory. Because you're not able to understand these things, the things connected with the new order, the things connected with the assembly and Christ as the head of the church and the church being the body of Christ and the House of.
And the Bride of Christ, and all the truths that are brought out in the Epistles, I have many things yet to say unto you. We mustn't think that we have all the truth brought out in this Gospel or in any other of the Gospels. Much of the truth is unfolded to us and the Epistles, but you cannot bear the more. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you into.
All truth, for he shall not speak of himself.
But whatsoever he shall hear, that shall He speak, and He will show you things to come. He should glorify me, for He should receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All that the Father has in mind, Therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. There you have the whole Trinity, the Father, the Son speaking, the Spirit of God, who would take of what was His, and show it to us.
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A little wild, and you shall not see me. And again a little while Angie shall see me, because I go to the Father. And then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he say unto us? A little while, and you shall not see me. And again a little while, and you shall see me.
And because I go to the Father, he's going on high, and the time that he's away is characterized by the Lord here as just a little while, a little while the Lord will come and we shall wander here no more. It's just a short time, just a little while that he's in the Father's presence.
And they didn't understand what he said. Doesn't verse 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do you inquire among yourselves of that? I said, a little while, and you shall not see me. And again a little while, and you shall see me. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that you shall reap and lament.
But the world shall rejoice, and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail, have sorrow because her hour has come. But as soon as she is delivered to the child, she remembers no more the anguish For joy that a man is born into the world, and he now therefore have sorrow living in that time when our Lord is rejected.
The Bible. He's been cast out and sent away.
It's the time of the church's sorrow in that sense. But he says, But I will see you again, and your heart shall shall rejoice. They had a little picture of it then when the Lord was taken from them before his resurrection, they were sorrowful. They barely thought that it was He that would have redeemed Israel. The disciples said to the risen Christ in Luke 24.
They were filled with sorrow, and then he revealed himself to them.
Well, in another sense, we're going through a time when he's away, just a little while, when he's departed. And the one who is the source of all our joy, the one who is our heavenly Bridegroom, he's not with us. And so in that sense, we are sorrowing now while we wait for his return for us. And now you therefore have sorrow. But I will see you again.
And your heart shall rejoice, and your joy.
No, man, take it from you. And in that day you shall ask me nothing again, I believe referring to the day of Christianity. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Give it to if you ask nothing in my name. The name of the departed one, the name of the rejected one. Ask and you shall receive.
That your joy may be full answer, prayer flowing out of communion with himself, asking in His name.
Asking in accordance with his name, in accordance with his will, intelligently according to the word of God, and having the answer, that the joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in Proverbs. But the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in Proverbs. But I shall show you plainly of the Father at that day, and that's the day of Christianity.
Ye shall ask in my name, and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father himself loveth you.
Because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God. There was a thought that no one could approach the Father directly. They all had to go through the Son. And so he says the Father himself loveth you. The thought was that the the Son had to intercede for us with the Father. But he says no. He says the Father himself loveth you. You can go directly to the Father.
You don't have to think that his that he's unapproachable. The father himself loveth you.
Because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God. I noticed this. I came forth from the Father and I'm coming to the world again. I leave the world and go to the Father. He was introducing them to the Father. He says in John 17 verse 6, I have manifested thy name, the name of Father, unto the men which thou beavest me out of the world.
Grind they were, and Thou gave us them me, and they have kept thy word. But He had manifested the name of the Father to them.
00:55:04
He was seeking to bring them into into the the being at home with the Father, being comfortable with the Father. So he says the Father himself loveth you because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God. Now you have to remember he was talking to these Jewish disciples. They had they didn't know God as their father. They were now being brought into this knowledge by the Lord himself when we know it came about.
In John 20 when he gave that wonderful message to Mary Magdalene.
Go to my brethren and tell them, I ascend unto my Father, and to your Father, to my God and to your God. So he puts it in his place, the fruit of redemption accomplished. And he says, My Father is your Father, my God is your God. But he can't be brought into anything more intimate and blessed than that. And so he's leading them in his teaching here into this. He says, I came forth from the Father. Notice how he puts it. And then come into the world again. I lead the world and go to.
Father, sometimes I hear those addressing God as as God, God, God all the time. That's that's all right. But we have something more more intimate, something more precious than that. He came forth from the Father and we have we by the Spirit of God, we cry and the Father and we have the, the, the consciousness that we've been brought into that intimate relationship.
His Father is our Father, his God is our God. Notice having missed it, they didn't get it. He says again, I leave the world and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, thou speakest thou plainly, and speaketh no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest for all things, and neatest map, that any man should ask thee? By this we believe that document forth from God.
They missed it. They they didn't enter into it.
He had come forth from the Father, and they still say by this we believe that thou came as forth from God. That was certainly true, a blessed truth, but they were to be brought into, and the Lord sought to bring them into that which was even notice He doesn't rebuke them for this. He says He answered them. Do ye now believe?
Behold, the hour cometh. Ye is now cometh. It took them a long while. They were very slow in appropriating.
The blessed truth of being able to address God as Father, that's Christian ground, that Christian knowledge, that's Christian into the sea. When somebody says now we hold the hour cometh, there is now come when you shall be scattered every man to his own and shall leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace in the world you shall have tribulation.
Be a good cheer, I have overcome the world. So he he ends this section, this whole portion here, he says in me you might have peace. Not in the world. We don't look for peace in the world. In the world we have tribulation. That's what the Christian can expect. But he says be a good cheer, I have overcome the world. These brought us into another world.
Another world where he is everything and he's going to bring us there.
In a moment.
John 17. He doesn't address the disciples.
Now he addresses the Father concerning the disciples.
We're the subject of his prayer. We're the ones that he's talking to the Father about now. He's loved us and he's going to bring us into all that is in his heart of love for us. Wonderful to to read John 17. It's the son.
Speaking to the Father about you and me, and telling the Father his thoughts, his desires for us. Father, I will for those whom God has given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which Thou hast given me. For Thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.
Oneness Salvation in this world
The Unity of the Body
The Lord's Brethren
The Key of David and His House
Fellowship
Continue
Lessons for Us from Paul's Life
Paul's Life for Christ
The Glorious Gospel of God
Fall of Eutychus
Paul's Spirit and God's Grace
Acts 27
Paul's Training in the School of God
Conformed to Image of His Son
Confess Jesus as Lord
Christ Our Object
Romans 11:36
A Living Sacrifice
By the Mercies of God
Grace and Legality
Address—C. Hendricks
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Please turn with me to Romans 14 and verse 1. Romans 14 and verse one him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputation. For one believeth that he may eat all things, another who is weak.
Edith urge, Let not him that Edith despise him that eateth not, and let not him which Edith not judge him that eateth. For God hath received him. Who art thou that judges another man's servant to his own master? He standeth or falleth, yeah, he shall beholden up.
For God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another. Another esteemeth every day alike.
Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord, and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks, and he that eateth not to the Lord, he eateth not and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die.
Unto the Lord, whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
But why does thou judge thy brother? Or why does thou said it not thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written as I live, saith the Lord. Every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Let us not therefore, judge one another anymore.
But judge this rather that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know and am persuaded.
By the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself, but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably?
Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died.
Let not then your good, the evil spoken of, For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense.
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth, and he that doubteth is damned or judged if he eats, because he eateth not of faith.
For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. We then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.
Cannot to please ourselves. Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself, but as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproach thee.
Fell on me.
For whatsoever things were written before time were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another.
According to Christ Jesus, that she may with one mind and one mouth, glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
I read the seven verses in the 15th chapter because they properly belong with the 14th chapter. It's that whole subject. You notice in verse 1 of chapter 14 it says him that is weak in the faith receive ye, and verse 7 of 15 says Wherefore receive ye one another.
As Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Turn back for a moment as background for this chapter so we can understand it.
To Acts 15.
Where the subject came up of men from Judea going.
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Down to.
To the Gentiles and teaching them that except they be circumcised.
And after the manner of Moses, he cannot be saved.
Verse 5 it says there rose up certain and have the sect of the Pharisees which believe, saying that it was necessary needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
And they made a decision and they decided that.
They were not to be put under the law, the Gentiles verse 19 of chapter 15 says, Wherefore my sentence is that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.
But that we write unto them, that they abstained from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled.
And from blood.
So the Gentiles were not to be placed under law.
And then if you go to the 21St chapter of Acts.
When Paul was at Jerusalem.
I'll just read a few verses there in verse 17 of Acts 21. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James, and all the elders were present. James was the one that made the final pronouncement in Acts 15 not to put the Gentiles under law.
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had brought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Now notice verse 20. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe, and they are all zealous of the law.
And in verse 25 he says as touching the Gentiles, which believe we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing as the law, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Now the reason I read those passages.
Has background for Romans 14.
Is because they bring before us that after the decision in Acts 15 that the Gentiles were not to be placed under law.
We saw from Acts 21 That the Jews there at Jerusalem were still under the law. They were all zealous of the law.
And.
So what? What did we have? We had a very anomalous state of things in the early church. The early church began with the Jews.
And then the Gentiles were brought in.
And.
We had a Jewish.
The Jewish part of the church which was under law Gentile part of the church which was not.
Now that state of things could not continue. God bore with the Jews for a long while.
But what we have in Romans 14 is.
Instruction on how to handle that kind of a situation. Now we know what it is. Every assembly knows what it is. The the problem that we have of getting along together in peace and unity. And we're all Gentiles. I don't know of any Jews that are here. We're all Gentiles. But think of the problem that they would have in those early days when part of the church would be Jewish.
Under law.
Part of the church, Gentiles not under law. How were they possibly going to get on together?
That's background for this chapter. Now verse one, him that is weak in the faith. Now who is that? Well that was probably the Jew who came to faith in Christ still under the ******* of the law, still under the ceremonial observances of the law still.
One that would not eat certain meats because they were unclean and other meats were, according to the law, acceptable and in the in the Sea World the only.
Fish that the Jew was allowed to eat was one that had fins and scales.
They couldn't eat. They couldn't eat many of the other things that we eat, like shrimp and lobster and crabs and things like that. Those were unclean to the Jew. And then there were many of the fowls that were unclean, others that were clean.
So they had their clean animals and unclean. According to the Jewish system, a clean animal had to divide the hoof and it had to chew the cut those two things, and if it didn't do either one of those, it was unclean.
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So the.
The Jew wouldn't eat pork, wouldn't eat ham.
And other foods that to them were unclean. He is here designated as being weak in the faith. That is, he hasn't come to the full understanding of the liberty of grace. He hasn't come to the full understanding of the liberty that we have now in Christ. Now the apostle Paul was one who was just like that. He says in Philippians 3 touching the righteousness in the law. He was blameless. That is he he kept perfectly.
As far as a human being can keep it, the ceremonial observances of the Law, He kept those things. You remember Peter had to be taught in a vision three times. He saw the sheet and he was up on the housetop praying. In Acts 10, he saw this sheet. God was about to bring the Gentiles in. He was going to use Peter to do it. He had used Peter to bring the Jews in in Acts 2. This is Acts 10, and the Gentiles were going to be brought in. He used him, Peter and John.
8 With the Samaritans to be brought in, which were a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, but now an accident, it's all Gentiles. And Cornelius is communicated with by God, and he's instructed to send for Peter. And while these men were going from Cornelius house to Peter, where Peter was staying, Peter is up on the housetop and he sees this vision, this sheet filled with all kinds of animals. Some were clean and some were unclean to the Jew. And the word was.
Rise, Peter, slay and eat. And he said, not so, Lord, I've never eaten anything common or unclean. And then God says, what God hath cleansed that call not thou common. And this happened three times. He used that to teach Peter that he was going to bring in the unclean Gentile dogs into a place of blessing. And after Acts 10, we don't have time to go through it, but after Acts 10 in Chapter 11 when he went back to Jerusalem.
Peter did, they took him to task and said, Thou wentest into men who were uncircumcised, and it's eat with them. That was forbidden to the Jew, But Peter did that, and he preached the gospel to them in the household, Cornelius. And when he said to him, Give all the prophets, witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
As soon as he testified to the forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon these Gentiles and they spoke with tongues.
And the Jews that accompanied with Peter were amazed that on the Gentiles without support out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
So in Acts 21 we have Gentiles in the church sealed with the Holy Spirit, Jews in the church sealed with the Holy Spirit, Gentiles not under law, Jews under law.
Now Paul was one who was a Jew who was under law Saul of Tarsus, but now he's gotten fully delivered from that and he was the chief exponent of the grace of God in the New Testament. He says in verse 14, for instance, of our chapter, Paul says I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself. Now he couldn't have said that as Saul of Tarsus because as Saul of Tarsus he regarded certain.
And foods unclean. But now he says in Christianity, I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, there's nothing unclean of itself. While we're on that point, turn to First Timothy chapter 4.
First Timothy, chapter 4.
And I'll read from verse one. Now the spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils or demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry and notice, and commanding to abstain from meats.
Which God hath created, to be received with Thanksgiving. Now those that were commanding.
To abstain from meats were the Judaizers. Those were still under the ******* of the Law and the ceremonial law.
And it says God has created these animals to be received with Thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. This is Christian truth here. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with Thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God in prayer. Again, this is the teaching of Paul to Timothy. He's showing that there are no unclean animals in Christianity.
00:15:08
Different from Judaism.
Very different.
There's the liberty of grace in Galatians 5, he says, Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again in the yoke of *******. But it took these Jewish believers quite a long time before they got delivered from that yoke of ******* of the law.
How were they going to go on together?
When there was that anomalous state of things, Jewish believers under law, still with scruples, still with.
A conscience against eating certain foods and the the gentile who had never been under law at full liberty to eat at all.
And then a liberated Jew like the Apostle Paul at full liberty to eat it all. All things are lawful.
But then he adds, this is in Corinthians, but all things are not profitable that is. And he explains that in this chapter it might be lawful to eat a certain food, but it may not be profitable on a certain occasion because you might be stumbling your weaker brother. So he starts out this chapter, him that is weak in the faith, that is one who has these Jewish inbred scruples against.
Eating certain foods he's called weak in the faith.
And the instruction is receive him, receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. That is not to getting into arguments over what is a clean food and what is an unclean food, and arguments over what is profitable to eat. There's one verse that I want to read before we get back here and then I'll think we'll stay in this chapter. It's in Hebrews 13. Hebrews was written to the Jewish believers, that is those who professed faith in Christ to deliver.
Them totally, completely from Judaism and from the law, and from the ******* of the law in Romans, in Hebrews 13.
And verse 8, he says Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. Have you ever noticed there's no verb in that sentence? You have to say Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. That makes it complete sentence, but the the verb is left out. It's as though that Paul was going to say something more than that. And having said that, he stopped and as it were says there's nothing more to say Jesus Christ.
The same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the sum total of Christian truth.
Everything is found in him. He is the truth himself.
And then he goes on to say verse 9, Be not carried about with diverse and strange doctrines, for it is a good thing.
That the heart be established with grace.
Not with meats.
Which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Now going back to Romans 14, he tells these Jewish Christians in Rome in Hebrews 13 there it's a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not meats.
Now what Romans 14 is taking up are what we would call non essential.
Non.
Vital and fundamental issues.
If you took two, if you look to second John, for instance, where the apostle tells this elect lady and her children, if there come anyone unto you, and does not bring the doctrine of Christ, that is the truth of his person. Don't receive him into your house. Don't bid him Godspeed.
For he that did him, Godspeed is a partaker of his evil deeds. Now that's what we call fundamental truth. And there's not to be given any leeway to anyone that doesn't bring the full doctrine of Christ. He's not to be considered given the cordiality of a Christian.
But that's not what this is. This chapter is not about that. This is about things which are non vital and non essential matters. Ceremonial matters.
He says in verse 17 of our chapter, the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink. It does not consist in getting occupied with what we should eat or what we should drink.
But it is moral things, righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. We'll come to that.
So he starts out him that is weak in the faith that is a a legal.
Christian. Maybe he's not even a Jew, maybe he's a Gentile, but he's legal.
And he has his do's and don'ts.
You can't do this and you can't do that. And this is this is Judaism.
00:20:04
And Christianity is liberty. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Liberty, not *******.
Verse 2 Says for one believeth that he may eat all things. That would be the liberated Christian. He realizes that in grace and under grace we're not under law, we're under grace. All things are pure, all things are clean, and God has given us all things richly to enjoy.
So it says 1 believeth that he may eat all things another who is weak. That's the legalist, that's probably the Jew that still has these Jewish.
Scruples.
He eats herbs because you remember Daniel was a faithful Jew and he would not eat Nebuchadnezzar fair. He would not eat his food because he was serving him meat that was unclean as a Jew. So he agreed with the one that was caring for them, these Hebrew youths, and they ate pulse or vegetables.
And.
That was what they were allowed to eat and not the King's dainties because they were Jews and it would be defiling for a Jew to eat the meat that Nebuchadnezzar was serving. It is not defiling for a Christian to eat the meat that never caneser was serving.
There is nothing unclean in Christianity as far as foods go.
Now, this is not a course in health. I'm not saying that there aren't some foods you can put in your mouth that are not healthy for you. There's nothing to do with health. This has to do with ceremonial defilement.
There is nothing that is not clean. The doctrine in verse 20 is all things indeed are pure. Now that's Christian truth. All things are pure. And as he says in verse 14, there is nothing unclean of itself. That's not what he would have said as a Jew, but he speaks as a Christian, as one whom grace has set free. Well, how are we to conduct ourselves?
When an assembly is composed of Jews and Christians, some that have these Jewish scruples that won't eat certain foods, and we had a fellowship meal together, the food that was present, but probably some of it to the Jew would have been unclean. Maybe not, I'm not sure. I don't know if there was any pork there. If there was pork there, it's unclean, unclean. There was any shrimp there would have been unclean, and so on.
But.
So if you invited someone in these early days and you were a gentile, you were saved and you invited your Jewish brother over brother and sister.
What were you going to serve them? Well, you could force their conscience and say, I'm going to see if they're if they're really liberated by grace and understand what Christianity is. I'll serve, import and see if they'll eat it.
Or you could not do that, you could not force their conscience. And that's the purpose of the teaching of this chapter, not to do that. So it says him that is weak in the faith receive. You just receive them as they are. Every one of us is in a certain stage of growth in the spiritual family of God and we all have different measures of understanding of grace.
And we all have some biases and prejudices that we came along with whatever group we came out of if we were in another Christian group.
We might have been influenced adversely and wrongly and wrongly taught even. Every one of us has a background and we're all different. Amazing that we can walk together in peace. How do we do that? By grace. By grace. It's the only way that we can go on together.
When there are differences and legitimate differences.
And this is what he's taking up. He's taking up in this chapter legitimate differences. And the point is, if you see your liberty in Christ.
Don't despise your legal brother that won't eat this food.
You know you're free to do it, but he's under, He has scruples against it and he won't do it. Don't, don't despise him. And then he says to the legalist, don't you judge your Gentile brother that it's free? How can he, How can he eat that food that's unclean?
That would be your thought if you were a Jew.
And this is the instruction we get.
Verse three. Let not him that eateth that's the liberated Christian, despise him that eateth not, that would be the one that's under the ******* of the law still. And let not him which eateth not the Jew.
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Judge him that eateth, for God hath received him. And there is the principle that is so wonderful.
God has received him, so we are to receive one another on the principle that God has used in receiving us, whether we had a Jewish background or a Gentile background, under law or not under law. God received me. God received me.
Jew, Gentile. And so we are to receive one another on that same principle. That's the way we get along in the things of God. God hath received him. Verse four. And then it says, anticipating that there would be judgments formed. Who art thou that judges another man's servant? To his own master He standeth or folleth.
Yeah, he shall be holding up, for God is able to make him stand.
That verse always reminds me of an incident in my life as a young Christian. I was extremely legal.
Do we have any legalists in the room here this afternoon? I think we might. I was very legal. Now I remember an article I read. I was with the KLC at the time and I read this article put out by the the magazine, their monthly magazine. And I thought that a particular article in the magazine was not a good one. And I wrote to the editor and I told him so.
I told him so in no uncertain terms, but I thought it was how can you do that? How can you put such an article in your paper? I have no idea what the article was about today. I don't remember that. The only thing I remember his his answer to me, and he gave me a scripture. I don't remember anything else he wrote, but I remember his answer. Who art thou that judges another man's servant?
To his own master he standeth or falleth, yeah, he shall beholden up, for God is able to make him stand. I can't ever read that verse without thinking of that incident, because that verse came home to me in such dynamic power that I was thoroughly rebuked.
Now I may have been right in what I was presenting to him, I don't know, but my spirit was not Christ.
I did not deal with that in a Christian spirit at all. It was a very legal, hard kind of thing. And that's the verse he sent me back. He was certainly led of the Lord to send it because it was very powerful.
Now he goes on to say one man esteemeth one day above another. Now he's talking about days and and not just meats and that he's talking about days. Well, just imagine the Jew getting getting along with the Gentile in in Judaism, they had every Sabbath was a holy day. They weren't to work on the Sabbath day. You're a Jewish Christian and you've just gotten saved and come into Christianity and right next door to you is a Gentile Christian.
The same fellowship and so on. And you lookout your window on Saturday, Sabbath day, and he's mowing his lawn.
How can he do that?
This is a holy day. He's not observing the Sabbath.
One man esteemeth one day above another. That's the Jew. They had all the kinds of days, holy days that they observed in Christendom. We also have the observance of days starting at the Roman Catholic Church that has many, many days and going down to the very.
Smallest, you might say, Protestant body. They might just have two days. And he deplored the commercialism of the day and the way it was used in a commercial way and the drunkenness and debauchery and all that. He deplored that, but he really felt that that day was special.
And he observed it as such, and he did it with a good conscience, had learned this, the origin of Christmas, and it was a Pagan holiday and so on. It really isn't the day when Christ was born at all and how that had been taken. This Pagan holiday had been taken over and the Christian veneer had been put over it. And so I didn't observe it.
And I didn't care for the one that did. Well, my spirit was wrong too towards my father-in-law in that case.
Well what he's saying here is be tolerant towards those that may have a different view on some of these non essential things.
You know, most of the problems that we have in our getting along together are over non essential things.
We generally agree with the essential things. We agree on the truth of the person and work of Christ. We agree on all that. We don't give to to to someone that's in the error on that, but it's the nonessential things.
That we have our problems with, and that's what he's dealing with. One man esteemeth one day above another.
00:30:07
That would be the legalist, the weak brother another esteemeth everyday alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. That's what he's saying. Give your weak brother room to grow in grace, Peter says. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The more we learn of him who was full of grace and truth, the more we'll grow in grace.
He's the one that as we're occupied with him, we grow in grace because he's the man of grace.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich, the grace that was in him. They marveled at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth.
The more we learn of Him and the more we become like Him, we will grow in grace and then these legal things that we once put so much importance to will assume their proper character to us and will realize, well, I was wrong. Verse 6 He that regardeth the day that would be like my father-in-law. He regarded it unto the Lord and he did he did it with a good conscience. He wanted to honor the Lord Jesus and the Lord looks.
Into the heart and sees what the the motive is for why I'm doing what I'm doing.
And he had a good motive and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord, he does not regard it. And when he looked into my heart and I didn't regard it, he saw I had a good motive. I was doing it out of conviction. He was doing it out of conviction. We didn't agree, but you don't have to on these non essential things that is there. There's room for growth and understanding.
And we have to leave that to the Lord to workout in each of our hearts. Middle of verse 6 he that Edith, Edith to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks, and he that eateth not the one that refuses to eat a certain food.
To the Lord, he eateth not and giveth God thanks. See, it's supposing that the one who does what he's doing, whether he's eating or an observing days and or not observing days, and the one who's not eating and observing holy days, he's doing it to the Lord. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. That is, we're not here just to please ourselves, we're here to please him.
He's the one we're seeking to please. I always think of a chapter Brown used to tell us of a division that came about among a group of Mennonites. I think it was there was the the hook and I Brethren and there were the buttonhole brethren. And for this is real, they had a division. Some used hook and eyes to fasten their clothes together and others used button holes and and they divided over that. That's what Romans 14 is about. It's that kind of thing, something that is not essential at all.
I know a story of two young brothers. I know both of them. They're both with us still. They were back in their 20s. And this one young brother, he wore a bright red tie to the breaking of bread. And they were walking down the street And the one brother said to him, he said that that red tie you are wearing offends me. And the other brother didn't say a word. They were walking along and they came to A to a light pole.
And he took his tie off and he wrapped it around the light pole and went on his way.
In other words, if that offends you, brother, I'll get rid of it. It doesn't matter to me, he could have said.
I don't like those shoes you're wearing either. In other words, he could have responded in kind, but he didn't do that.
He acted in grace, and that's what Paul is teaching us here. None of us live it to himself. No man dieth to himself. You live to the Lord. You do what you do because of a conviction in your own soul that you want to please the Lord.
I remember when Ethel ruled, she told me this personally. Her father was Harry Hayhoe. Some of you know of him.
Gordon's father.
And Ethel is Gordon's sister Shasta daddy.
When she was a young girl, she said, Daddy, how long is long hair?
She didn't want it any longer than she could get away with.
I guess. And she wanted him to say, well, if it's as long as your shoulders, that's OK. That's that's long here.
But he didn't say that, he said. He said that, my dear, is a matter of spiritual discernment. And she said that made me so angry. She wanted to hear something specific.
But Christianity isn't written that way when you talk about women's dress. Now, I don't know of any scriptures too much in the New Testament to speak of how men dress, but the lot speaks of how women dress. It doesn't get into the specific. It doesn't say, for instance.
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Women should not wear pants, but it says, doesn't say that men should not wear skirts either. And there are countries, you know, where men wear skirts. And there are countries where women, well, I let them live in farm country and.
When the sisters workout in the fields, they have.
Loose fitting slacks on it doesn't say doesn't give you the specifics, the Old Testament does.
It gives the specifics, but we're not under law, we're under grace. It says that a woman of deportment should be modest, it should be becoming. It should not be provocative. That is, you should a woman should not. A Christian woman should not dress so as to stir up fleshly lusts in the man.
And in the world, women dressed that way all the time. They dress to.
To entice the man to lust after them. That is not a Christian. Who does that shouldn't be. But it doesn't get into the specifics. It just says modesty.
Modesty and a sister should ask herself, She stands before a mirror and she's dressed and go out. Am I dressed in such a way as not to draw attention to myself?
And not to provoke lust in the opposite sex. That would be a good exercise to have when we shop.
When we buy our clothes.
Whatever we do when we buy the food that we eat.
We have to answer to the Lord for what we do and how we do it. So he says in verse 8, whether we live, we live unto the Lord.
And whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lords.
For to this end Christ both died, and rose and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Then he says in verse 10, Why dost thou judge thy brother?
Or why does thou set it not thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written as I live, sayeth the Lord, Every knee shall bow to me.
And every tongue shall confess to God, so then everyone of us shall give account of himself.
To God.
That would be a good exercise for each one of us when we go shopping.
Sightseeing it might be. Are we doing it to please ourselves? Are we buying things for ourselves? Or are we doing it as before? The Lord? We're going to give account, each of us, to the Lord. He won't give an account to me. I won't give an account to you, but to the Lord for what we do, for what we allow in our life, what we don't allow in our life. And there might be something that I didn't allow when I was.
Legal that I allow today.
Take for instance, while we come. We'll come to that in a moment. He says in verse 21, It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. He comes to the grand principle of.
Not insisting on our rights. We can even use the liberty of grace in a legal way. We can even use I have a right to do this. I have a right to eat this food. I'm going to do it. And in so doing it, I stumble my weak brother.
That's not Christ.
That self.
Well, let's go on.
Everyone of us should give account of himself to God. Verse 13. Let us not therefore judge one another anymore. Now he says, I know you're so prone to judge and we all are. So he says, I'll give you something to judge, but judge this rather that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. If you want to judge, judge that. Don't stumble your brother, don't stumble your weak brother. Don't flaunt your liberty in Christ, your freedom to eat this food when you know that.
It's going to cause him a problem.
You invite someone over, you're a gentile. You invite a Jew over and you serve and you eat pork in front of him. You don't insist that he eat it. You say you can eat something else, you can eat vegetables or whatever, but.
You are you're causing him a problem and especially if you offer him some and he might feel well I I don't want to say no to my host so I'll eat it. And in so doing he has a bad conscience about it.
So by your your liberty that you have, which is perfectly proper in itself, but to use that in that situation stumbles your weak brother.
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And that's what he says here.
He says I know.
Verse 14 and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself. That is Christian doctrine.
But to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. So I know it's clean. He doesn't. He still has a scruple against it because of the way he was brought up and taught. And I force his conscience and I can damage him. Notice what it says in verse 15. It's unclean to him. But if thy brother be grieved with thy mate, now walk us, thou not charitably, you're not walking as Christ.
Christ didn't please himself. He didn't seek to make a non essential item such as meat or drink a test for fellowship.
Do we ever do that? Yes, we do.
Sometimes we do by we, I'm thinking of the whole family of God, react that way sometimes. But I'd rather be grieved with thy meat. You have liberty to do it. You do it. And he's grieved as he sees you doing that. He has a conscience against it, a sincere conscience. He hasn't grown enough to see that he's freed from that, but you have. And yet you do it in front of him. And that might be damaging. In fact, it says.
The end of verse 15. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died. That's strong language.
Can you destroy him? I remember when I was a young brother.
I said before I was very legal when it was.
I used to witness to this man at work, this young engineer that worked with me.
And one Monday morning came to work and he sought me out right away and he said I got saved last night. You did wonderful.
You're saved now.
That I made a terrible mistake. Now that you're saved, you can't go to the movies anymore. You can't do this, you can't do that. And he backed off. And every time he saw me after that, he went the other way. I put him under law.
When he hadn't learned anything, he was just a newborn babe and I was telling him what he could do and what he couldn't do way ahead of the time.
Well, thankfully the good part of that story is we did get together after a while and I ministered Christ to Him and not legality.
And then we had good fellowship together. Verse 15 If thy brother be grieved with thy meat now, walkest thou not charitably destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died? Let not then your good, that is your liberty, your freedom, the evil spoken of. For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink. It does not consist in these ceremonial observances, whether you do them or don't do them, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, they're moral things.
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God.
And approved of men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.
And things wherewith one may edify another.
For meat destroy not the work of God for non essential things.
Which would be the category of meat.
Whether I'm wearing a red tie or a brown tie or a blue tie or a black tie, don't destroy.
The work of God, he says, all things are pure, indeed are pure, That's Christian truth. But it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. He eateth and he has a bad conscience. He's stumbling over it and it's evil. And so he says, here's the grand principle of grace. It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbles or is offended, or is made weak. I know Christians, many of them that.
Teetotalers. That means they absolutely regard tasting any liquor, any intoxicating beverage, as absolutely evil. And I'm a as a liberated Christian, all things are pure. I may have perfect liberty to drink a glass of wine the privacy of my home, but then when I'm out in a restaurant in public, I refrain from doing it because I don't want to.
Someone may be observing me and I don't want to give the wrong impression.
So I refrain from it.
But I absolutely refuse the teetotaler's doctrine that it's evil because scripture says it's not evil. Scripture says all things are lawful. And Paul would have been guilty of evil when he said to Timothy, take a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. And even worse than that, the Lord Jesus would have been guilty of evil in John 2 when he turned the water into wine at the feast of Canaan. And this, this was the best wine that they'd had in the whole feast. And if it was evil to to drink wine, it was evil to make it.
00:45:09
I know that there are those that try to deny that that was intoxicating, that it was just grape juice. But to take a little grape juice for my stomach's sake and then often infirmities, that's not what Paul was saying. No, he wasn't saying that. And you don't get drunk on grape juice. We can be extremists in many things, but he says it is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother Stumbleth are as offended.
Or is made weak. It's not to become an issue.
Not something that will divide the brethren, divide the Saints of God. I know one meeting was divided because there was one brother that that objected to passing the the basket or the plate or the box. So you have a box and he wanted it put at the at the door of the meeting room so that when the Saints passed out, they could put their collection in.
And they had problems over that.
Problems over that kind of a thing. These are non essential.
Matters that should never cause be allowed to cause.
A rift among the Saints again. I'll read it. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offends me past thou faith. You have faith to do it. You have liberty to do it. Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth as a grand principal what you do and allow. Did you have a good conscience about it? Are you doing it before the Lord? Are you doing it in faith? Go ahead.
Are you?
Doing it with a bad conscience and don't do it. And he that doubted is damned or judged if he eat that is, he has a bad conscience about it, and his own conscience condemns him. He eats this and he feels I shouldn't. And he goes ahead and does it anyway, because he eateth not of faith. That would be the one who's still under the ******* of law. For whatsoever is not a faith is sin. Things that you allow, things that you don't allow.
Is it because you have a conviction before God?
For allowing it or not allowing it.
And that's the important thing. And then he goes on with another principle in chapter 15, he says we then that are strong. That is that no, the the place that grace has sent us, the liberty of grace these that has put us into and we ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.
And not to please ourselves, not to insist on our right to do this or that, but to.
Bear the infirmities of the week to help them grow and to lead them on, and to lead them into maturity in the full understanding of Christian grace and liberty.
Let everyone of us please His neighbor for his good to edification. Instead of pleasing ourselves and doing what gratifies us, we are to be thinking of others. That was the path of Christ, wasn't it? For even Christ please not himself, but as it is written, the reproaches of them, that reproach thee fell on me. He took all the reproaches that went against God, and they fell on him.
And he willingly took those for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.
That we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. That is, we're to have the mind of grace in our dealings with one another. That's how we get on together. I bear with you and what I don't agree with and the way you're going on and you bear with me and what you don't agree with and the way I'm going on, because these are non essential things. Notice in verse 6 that she made with one mind.
And one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now we have families here with children and different age groups and that so on. Well, certainly the parents know far more than the youngest child or middle-aged child. Even the youths, they don't know as much as the adults. And yet we this morning when we were around the Lord Jesus, we were praising him and worshiping him with one mouth and one mind. We glorified him. We we had different measures of it, measures of understanding and that.
Yes, that's perfectly proper in the family of God as well as in a human family.
Grace enables us to bear with one another and to seek to lead them on and to encourage them to grow in grace. A meeting that is characterized by the atmosphere of grace.
Is characterized by an atmosphere in which all the flowers in that meeting can grow. If it's characterized by an atmosphere of legality, that atmosphere Wilts the flowers, stifles them, hinders their growth in grace, and it's a very unhealthy atmosphere. And what he's promoting here in these two chapters is grace. Verse 7 grand conclusion. Wherefore receive ye one another. How as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
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He received me with all my prejudices and biases and wrong thoughts and errors. He received me, and he'd done the same with you and with you and each one of us. As Christ has received us for the glory of God, so we can receive one another in grace. It doesn't mean we.
Agree to disagree. No, we should all be growing towards the the perfect man, the one that has the full understanding of the mind of Christ. Before I close, I must turn you to Galatians 4. I must cover this because it's a very important point and it shows how differently the apostle views two different aspects of the same thing.
In Galatians 4 he says in verse 8 he says, howbeit then he's writing to these gentile believers when ye knew not God, that would be a Gentile Christian.
He did service unto them, which by nature are no gods, that is, they were idolaters. They worship false gods. But now after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, where until ye again desire, you desire again to be in *******. You observe days and months and times and years. Now here he's fighting.
These Judaizers that were seeking to Judaize these gentile believers and put them under law.
They were trying to introduce an entire system which would subvert Christian truth.
And Christian doctrine, and he opposes it with all the energy of his Apostolic being. He says in the 1St chapter, If there come any unto you, and preach not this gospel, let him be accursed. Accursed. He says in another place I would they would cut themselves off, which throw you into confusion. That is these Judaizers. So here in Galatians, where he is uncompromisingly firm against the observance of days and months and times and years, which is.
And bringing that into the Christian company as though that is Christianity. You know, you hear on the radio, if you listen to any Christian ministry, you hear the constant error. It's it's almost.
Repeated by all the groups the judeo-christian tradition.
Are the judeo-christian religion? Well, Judaism and Christianity are not the same. Christianity is very different from Judaism and you can believe Judaistic principles. Those are not Christian principles. Judaism was ******* to the law. Christianity is the liberty of grace.
We are not Jews, we are Christians and we should walk in the liberty of Christianity. And the observance of days and months and times and years is not Christianity. That's Judaism, Paul says, I'm afraid of you. They were seeking to subvert the enemy was seeking to subvert Christian truth here in Galatians, but then in Romans. He is, he's he's saying on an individual basis.
Bear with your brother that doesn't see the truth.
Of grace correctly yet.
Bear with him, lead him on, don't force his conscience by your superior knowledge of grace. There's a difference between how we deal with one another on an individual basis and allowing a whole system to come in which would overturn and subvert Christianity. That's what he was fighting against in the Epistle to the Galatians. So no matter. So the same, the same line of things is dealt with very differently depending upon.
The situation.
That had to be dealt with.
Romans Foundation Truths
Ephesians 1
The Church God's Building
1 Corinthians 3
A Father's Compassion
1 Corinthians 10-11
Not Our Own
Show Forth the Lord's Death
One Body
The Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 15
Divine Love
Bodies of Glory
1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15
2 Corinthians 4
Judgment Seat of Christ
Unequal Yoke
God's Mercy and Comfort
The Assembly Christ's Glory
Law and Grace
Address—C. Hendricks
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Galatians chapter 4 Now I say that the air as long as he is a child.
Difference nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time.
Appointed of the Father. Even so we, when we were children, were in ******* under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying.
ABBA Father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Howbeit then when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them, which by nature are no gods. But now after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in *******?
You observe days and months and times and years. I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.
Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am, for I am as ye are. Ye have not injured me at all. You know how through infirmity of the flesh, I preach the gospel unto you at the 1St. And my temptation, which was in my flesh, he despised not nor rejected, but received me as an Angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? For I bear you record that if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes.
And have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? They zealously affect you, but not well. Yay, they would exclude you that you might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you.
I desire to be present with you now.
And to change my voice, for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me ye that desire to be under the law.
Do ye not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond made the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bond woman was born after the flesh, but he of the free woman was by promise. Which things are an allegory? For these are the two covenants, the one from the Mount Sinai, which gendereth to ******* which is Agar. For this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth.
Jerusalem, which now is and is in ******* with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice thou barren that bearest not break forth and cry thou that travellest not. For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
But as then he that was born after the flesh.
Persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, Even so it is now.
Nevertheless, what sayeth the Scripture cast out the bondwoman and her son? For the son of the bondwoman shall not be here with the son of the free woman.
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of *******.
I would stop there and we would get past that point. But enough reading just now.
We are noticing last night that Paul was He wrote this epistle to combat the error that came in early in the church trying to put the Gentiles under the ******* of law, a ******* which the Jews could not bear themselves. They didn't keep it.
The Lord said to them in John 7, Did not Moses give you the law? And none of you keepeth the law, why go you about to kill me? And then Steven said in Acts 7, speaking by the Holy Spirit, he said of these Jews who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. So here we have the 2. The testimony of two divine persons, the Lord Himself and the Holy Spirit.
00:05:00
Speaking through Stephen that they had the law, they boasted in it. The Gentiles didn't have it, the Jews had it, but the Jews had not kept it. And so the verse that would apply to them is the one we looked at yesterday. It's in chapter 3 and verse 10. As many as are of the works of the law.
Are under the curse, for it is written.
Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them, but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God. It is evident for the just shall live by faith. Wonderful principle that's taken from the Old Testament. The just shall live by faith found three times in the New Testament, once in this this epistle. Faith in contrast with.
Sad to say that so much of Christendom today is under the delusion that we have to work our way to heaven. We have to do our part in order to contribute to our salvation. Well, as we were singing at the beginning of the meeting, Christ has done it all. All the work necessary to bring your soul all the way to the glory of God's presence was done on the cross. You don't have to do anything.
Nothing either great or small, nothing Sinner, No.
Jesus did it, did it all long, long ago. Wonderful to know this, that it's by grace that we're saved.
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Well, he ends that 3rd chapter by saying, if you be Christs, then are ye Abraham seed and heirs according to the promise. So the Gentile who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and is Christ is an heir and also is considered Abraham's seed in a spiritual sense.
Then he goes on to say in chapter 4. Now I say that the air as long as he is a child.
Differs nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all he might be the Prince in the Kingdom, but he's just a young boy. And so he doesn't differ from the servants. He's not able to to enter into all that is his by by rights because he's the heir, he's the son of the king. And that was that's the state that Israel was in in their ******* state when they were under law. They were just like this, this boy that was unable to really.
Realize the the importance of his position.
Though he was Lord of all, he was just like a servant, but he's under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father, until he reaches maturity and can assume that full responsibility of a grown son.
Well, what you have in the Old Testament, those that were under the ******* of laws just like this, this young boy who is just like a servant, he hasn't matured into the full state of grown manhood.
And so he uses that little illustration to develop the truth. Verse 3 Now Even so, we, we Jews, when we were children, when we're in that children's state of things, were in ******* under the elements of the world. They were under the law, they were under the first principles of this world, and that was *******. But.
When the fullness of the time was come.
God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law. That's the Jews that we might receive the adoption of sons now to be placed as a grown son before the Father. That's the place that we have now in Christ. Notice going back to the third chapter for a moment in verse 23 he says, but before.
Faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. He's talking about the Jews and the Old Testament. They looked forward to a coming Redeemer. But when it says before faith came, it means before the faith that rests upon this new object. Christ himself before he came and and we had an object to rest upon.
We were kept under the law.
He says shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed. That verse doesn't mean that there was number faith in the Old Testament. Why? Hebrews 11 tells us about the worthies of faith all the way through the Old Testament. But he's talking about the object of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ before He came, the one upon whom faith would rest as an object. You see, the law didn't give an object for faith to rest upon. The law was a set of rules and principles of conduct, but it didn't put.
00:10:15
Present an object before us, and when the Lord Jesus Christ came, he was that object. Verse 24 of chapter 3 says, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster. It was our tutor unto Christ not to bring us to Christ, as our version reads. Notice those words are in italics. They've been added by the translators. The thought is, He was our schoolmaster unto Christ until he came, that we might be justified.
By faith. But after that faith has come, faith in Christ. Now faith in the one who is the Redeemer from law. After he has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster, no longer under the law, for ye are all the children of God. By faith in Christ Jesus. And it says in verse.
28 It says there's neither Jew nor Greek, there's neither bond nor free, there's neither male nor female.
For ye are all one in Christ Jesus. So in Christ, whether you're a Jew or a Gentile, God sees you just the same in Christ. Very precious. Now going back to the 4th chapter, he says when the fullness, verse 4, when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption, the placing of sons, that we might receive sonship.
A known mature relationship into which we're brought now and then he goes on. And because you are sons, the Gentiles too are sons. Not only the Jews that have that were in *******. And just like a child under tutors in in the Old Testament, they've now been brought into a place of mature sonship. And so have the Gentiles who believe brought into the same place of blessing. Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his.
Into your hearts, crying ABBA Father.
ABBA means in the Aramaic language it means father, and they didn't translate that word. They just transliterated it over into English, ABBA. If they had transliterated the word the Greek word Potter, which means father, it would say ABBA pater. But they didn't do that. They translated Pater into father. Had they translated ABBA into Father, it would read Father.
Father.
I like to think of the word.
Being able to be cried by a baby, by a young child after it learns to speak. Not quite a baby couple years old. You don't need teeth to say ABBA like you don't need teeth to say daddy or Papa. And so ABBA might be the the cry of one very young in the faith and father more the cry of one who has grown and matured into adulthood.
But it embraces both a beautiful expression ABBA father. Two ways of saying father in two different languages.
Because ye are sons now that we are in that place of sonship, something the law couldn't bring us into.
God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying ABBA Father, it says in Romans 8, He has given us the spirit of adoption, the placing of sons, and here it says literally the Spirit of His Son. If you read in Marks Gospel chapter 14, I think it is the Lord Jesus in the garden. He looked up to his Father and he cried, ABBA Father, all things are possible unto thee.
Take away this cup for me, nevertheless, not my will.
But thine be done. Just think of it. We are brought so near to God the Father that we can utter the same, the very same words which the Lord Jesus Christ, God's beloved Son, uttered when he was in that garden of Gethsemane. ABBA Father, He cried, and now we can cry, ABBA Father the other time, and we might just look at it. Keep your place here and we'll come right back here.
Romans 8. You might just read the verse where the other time it occurs is in Romans 8 and verse 15.
I'll read verse 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. What characterized the Son of God was that he was always led by the Spirit of God. What characterizes us as sons of God is that we're led by the Spirit of God. Then he goes on to say, For ye have not received the spirit of ******* again to fear.
00:15:06
The spirit of ******* is what the Jews had under law.
And it brought fear to them because they didn't keep it, and so it cursed them. It was a ministry of death.
It was a ministry of condemnation, it was *******. You have not received the spirit of ******* again to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ABBA Father. So these are the three times in Scripture, one in mark, where the Lord Himself used that wonderful expression, ABBA Father. And then Romans 8.
We have the spirit of adoption, the placing of sons, and we cry ABBA Father.
And here in Galatians 4, he has God has sent forth his Son.
Made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them, that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons, he says.
And then he reverts to a reference to the Gentiles, because ye are sons. The we would be the Jews, the ye would be the Gentiles, because ye are sons. For when we believe the gospel, we too are brought into that same relationship, that same place of sonship that the Jews are brought into now in Christ. Because ye are sons. God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying ABBA Father.
What He's establishing in these passages is when they were under law, they could not cry ABBA, father, they did not know God as their father. They were like servants, though they were heirs of all. They were just like children. And now that we have believed the gospel, now that the sun has come, now that the one who is the object of faith has come, that's what He means when He says before faith came, before He upon whom our faith rests, before he came.
They were kept under law and ******* under the schoolmaster, but now this tutor, But now we are in the full place of sonship, the full place of nearness to God, so that we can cry. ABBA Father, how precious, how wonderful that is, verse 7, Wherefore thou art no more a servant. That's what Israel was when they were in ******* under law.
But a son contrast between Judaism which was put them in the place of servitude.
Now they are in the place of sonship now that they the sun has come, but you are now a son. And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ, an heir of God, all that he has won, he has, He's not going to take it just for himself, but he's going to share it all with us. And so in Romans 8, the wonderful expression is given. We are joint heirs with Christ and here we have, we are an heir of God through Christ.
Verse 8 Now howbeit then when ye knew not God, that S the Gentiles. That expression, whenever you read that expression in the New Testaments referring to Gentiles, it can cannot refer to the Jews because the Jews knew God in the Old Testament. They were his people and he when he refers to them, it's those who are in a known relationship with God. The Gentiles were not, they didn't know God.
When he knew not God, ye did service unto them, which by nature are no gods.
They were idolaters, they worshipped idols, they worshiped stocks and stones and images. But now, after that you have known God, now that you have believed the gospel, now that you have received the Son and have become sons of God by faith in Christ, now after the ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements?
Whereunto ye desire again to be in *******.
That might puzzle us because of the word again used twice there. They were never under the law of Moses, no, but they were under law because all false religions, regardless of what form and shape they it takes, is in ******* under law. There's only one true, and that's Christianity, which is grace. All the rest put man under law and there are groups under the umbrella of Christendom that are under law as well.
Roman Catholic group and so on. They are under law and they don't really understand grace as many that are like that.
So he says to them.
They were in danger. They were listening to this voice of the Judaizers, the legalists, trying to put them under law like the Jews were. And so he asked the question, how? After that you have known God, or rather unknown of God.
Turn ye again to the weakened beggarly elements. You are going back in principle to the same thing that you were saved from.
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When you were brought out of the darkness of paganism, heathenism unto Christ.
You're going back to the same thing in principle, principle of law. I'll turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements.
That's how he characterizes the bond, whereunto you desire again to be in *******.
Again, to be in ******* they were in ******* to that principle and they were saved and redeemed from it. And now by listening to the voice of these Judaizers, they were in danger of going back to it in principle and to become in *******. Verse 10, you observe days and months and times and years, and all you have to do is look at that verse quite carefully and look at Christendom, and we'll see that that's true of Christendom today.
They observed days and months and times and years. What are the days that Christendoms Christendom observed well?
We don't have, we have but one day that the Christian is to observe, and that's the first day of the week when the Lord rose from the dead. And it's on that day we come together to break bread. But I remember when I was a young boy, I was not a Christian. My mother was an Episcopalian. My father had been a Roman Catholic. He was not practicing. And mom used to take us on 2 days of the year, religious holidays, Christian religious holidays. The one, of course, was Christmas.
And the other was Easter, and the one was the birth of Christ, seemingly supposedly, and the other, of course, was the resurrection of Christ. Well, we're not told in Scripture that those are to be the days that we are to observe in Christianity. We're to remember the Lord every first day of the week in his death. And this is observing of days and months and times and years.
That's what they had under Judaism. They had their religious holidays.
And there are many groups that have more than just those two I've mentioned. There are some that have 7 or even more than that.
But it's the principle of observing religious holidays which make people feel they are contributing in some way to their standing before God and to their salvation. He observed days and months and times and years. And what does he say about that? Does he approve that? Not a bit of it, He says. I'm afraid of you.
I'm afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain. Are you really Christians?
Are you going back to the religious observances that you did when you were pagans because they had many religious holidays in their Pagan religion, but religious beliefs too?
I'm afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain. Brethren, he says, I beseech you, be as I am, for I am as ye are. Paul was saved out of a life. He was Saul of Tarsus. He was a staunch Jew, a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He persecuted the church, he wasted it. He hailed men and women and carried them off into prison. And.
He was a great persecutor of the early Christians and he got saved.
How do you get saved? By grace, pure grace. So he says, be as I am, for I am as ye are. How did you get saved? You got saved by grace too. I'm just like you. I don't have any advantage over you. You got saved the same way I got saved. That's the only way you can be saved is by believing the gospel, not by doing anything, not by observing some religious holiday or anything of that nature, but by faith in Christ.
And then he goes on in verse 13, he says.
You know how through infirmity of the flesh I preach the gospel unto you. At the first he received a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet him, and I don't know what his affliction was. There's an indication in this chapter that it might have had something to do with poor eyesight. We'll come to it in a moment. But whatever it was, he asked the Lord three times in 2nd Corinthians 12 to take it away.
And the Lord said three times no.
I've given you that you're going to have to go through life with this affliction. He probably felt, Oh Lord, if you'd only take that away, I could be far more effectual in thy work and thy service than I am with it. But the Lord gave it to him, and that's how he preached to them at the first, he says.
You know how through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel unto you at the 1St, and my temptation my my trial, which was in my flesh, he despised not.
Nor rejected.
But received me as an Angel of God.
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Even as Christ himself, Christ Jesus, where is then the blessedness He spake of? For I bear your record that if it had been possible, here's the illusion to his eyes. If it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me. You remember after he was converted, He was, he was blind for three days, and then it says scales fell from his eyes and he could see again. We don't know how well he saw.
And here there seems to be something.
In connection with his eyes with respect to that, that affliction that he had.
We don't know what it is, and I think the Lord has not made it abundantly clear what it is so that we don't think it's that particular thing which is the thorn in the flesh that you might have. You might have something else, or I might have something else.
God knows what to give us, to keep us humble.
And then he goes on to say, am I therefore become your enemy? Because I tell you the truth, when I was in that, that pitiful condition, what I as I preached the gospel unto you, you didn't despise me, you didn't despise the message I brought to you. You received it. I brought you the gospel of the grace of God, and you received it as he mentioned in the 1St chapter. And he says, anyone that preaches any other gospel than what we preach, than what you received, let him be accursed. Let him be accursed.
So he's very strongly opposing and fighting the effort of the enemy to get these early Christians, these Gentile believers off the ground of grace back onto the ground of law.
So he asked them, Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
They, that is these Judaizers, these Legalists, these Jews that were trying to put the Gentiles under law, they zealously affect you, but not well. That is, they showed a zeal towards you and what they were up to as they were trying to get you out from under the influence of Paul's teachings, Paul's ministry, and listen to them. They were trying to win these Gentile converts over to their side of things.
And so they say, he says.
They zealously affect you, but not well, That is they they did not have a good motive about what they were doing. Yay. They would exclude you. They would try to exclude you from us, Paul says. From following us and from enjoying the truth as we presented it to you.
To them that you might affect them, that you might follow them, That's what they were up to. But he says it is a good, it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing. With these Judaizers were not doing a good thing at all. They were doing a very evil thing. It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing. And not only when I am present with you, you can feel the, you can feel the, the deep.
Feeling in the apostles voice here, my little children, he says.
Of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you.
It's just as though he's going through a second travel. He had labored with them in the gospel and they had received it, and they got delivered from their idols and from their idolatry and from their ******* that they were in as Gentiles to their Pagan religion. And now he says, I've got to go through this all over again with you because you have gone back in spirit, in your understanding to the.
It was formed in their souls. They saw that Christ was everything.
Christ was all and in all, and now they have listened to another voice where they are going to make their own contribution by their own works, by their own religious activities to further their salvation. So he was travailing in birth again until Christ be formed in them, until they realized that it was Christ and nothing else, just Christ that was the Savior of their soul.
I desire to be present with you now, verse 20, and to change my voice, for I stand in doubt of you. Are you really Christians? Are you really Christians? What would he say today if the Apostle Paul came back in this 20th century to the United States of America and saw the the confusion that exists in Christian circles and some under law, some trying to get to heaven by works and all that.
He'd have to say as he looked around, he'd say, I have this. I stand in doubt of you. Are you really Christians?
What are you? If you say you are Christians, then you are followers of Christ. Then Christ is everything, and He did all the work necessary to bring your soul to heaven, all the work. You don't have to do anything. Just receive Him, believe in Him, and then you live for Him. You work for Him, not to get saved or to keep saved, but to please Him who has done everything for you. You don't get it with the thought that it's going to.
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Enhance your acceptance with God.
That's the law principle. I stand in doubt of you, he says. I desire to be present with you and to change my voice, for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, verse 21 ye that desire to be under the law. Do you not hear the law?
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond made that speaks Hagar, the bond maid speaks of the law.
The other by a free woman, that Sarah that speaks of grace. She speaks of grace. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh. But he of the free woman was by promise. God promised Sarah that she would have a son. And she laughed. You remember?
And the Angel said, why did she laugh? And she said, I didn't laugh. And he said, Oh yes, you did.
She didn't believe, she laughed in unbelief, but it's beautiful to read of Sarah in Hebrews 11. It says by faith Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, though she didn't believe it the first. She repented of that and then did believe, and she did have Isaac, who was the son of the free woman, and he speaks of grace. Now verse 24 says which things are an allegory, That is Hagar the Bond woman, Sarah the free woman.
They picture something, they picture law, ******* and grace, liberty, which things are an allegory for these are the two covenants, the one from Mount Sinai. That's the covenant of law, which gendereth to ******* which is Hagar. For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem, which now is and is in ******* with her children. The Jerusalem which existed then when Paul was preaching was.
A Jerusalem that was in ******* didn't know the liberating.
Uh, son of God didn't know the son of God is the one that would set them free. They could not call him ABBA Father call God their father, but he says the the Jerusalem which is above, that's the one we're associated with is free, which is our mother Jerusalem above. For it is written rejoice thou barren that bearest not break forth and cry thou that travail is not for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath.
Spent Jerusalem today is desolate. She's been set aside and during this time there's the Jerusalem above which is free, that has many, many, many children. Just think of all the souls that have been saved in these last 2000 years who have believed the grace of God. Then he goes on verse 28. Now we brethren as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Isaac was a child of promise. He was a child of grace. That's what promise is. It's measured grace.
But as then he that was born after the flesh Ishmael persecuted him that was born after the spirit Isaac, Even so it is now nevertheless what sayeth the Scripture?
Now it's interesting this says, let's say at the scripture, the one who uttered these words was Sarah.
And she said to Abraham, Cast out the bond woman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not inherit, inherit with my son, the son of the free. So here it is, cast out the bondwoman and her son. The law is to be cast out. Ishmael speaks of the law principle, and Isaac speaks of grace.
Cast out the bondwoman, cast out the law and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir.
With Isaac, my son, the son of the free woman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. So he's using the Old Testament Scriptures to show how that even the allegory that he presents to them teaches that same principle. The law is gone for us. We're not under it, but we're under grace. We're under grace.
Chapter 5.
Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of *******. Don't put yourself under law again. You are set free by His grace, and that's liberty and freedom.
Behold, I Paul, say unto you, that if you be circumcised. And that's all that these Judaizers were trying to get the Gentiles to yield to.
They were trying to get them circumcised, trying to get them on the same ground as the Jew. The Jew was under law and they wanted to put the Gentiles under law.
He says if he be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing, because then you are saying.
That it's up to you to get to heaven on your own works and you don't need Christ and his work isn't going to profit you.
00:35:06
You can't have Christ in the law. You can't have grace in the law. As we saw last night, the 2 are.
They do not mix. If it is of grace, it is not of works. If it is of works, it is not of grace.
The two principles are mutually exclusive. You cannot be under both. So he says if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. You have abandoned Christianity for the ******* of Judaism. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law. They were just saying, well, that's just a small thing, just get yourself circumcised. It's not going to take very long and you'll be healed and all that.
But what it did it it shifted them from the ground of grace to the ground of law and they were a debtor to do the whole law. They were in the same if they got circumcised and yielded to this, they'd be in the same ground that the Jews were at Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai, which could only condemn them. Verse 4 it's he's he concludes this serious step. This was so serious and he speaks so firmly because it was.
The the whole truth of Christianity here was at stake.
And he says in verse 4, if you're circumcised, Christ has become of no effect unto you. Whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace. Now that expression fallen from grace does not mean that they've committed some great heinous act of sin, of immorality, or of murder, or of stealing something or of lying. They've just abandoned.
The the position that Christ has brought us into.
In grace for legalism, for law, which is ******* you've fallen from grace. You've departed from the only ground that you can be secure on, and that is the grace of God. But is grace, It's God's unmerited, unearned favor. God blessing us just out of His own heart of goodness, without any works on our part whatsoever. The works follow our salvation. The works do not contribute to it, or do not.
Retain it, but they follow it as the expression of our hearts in in love and gratitude to him who has saved us by grace alone. Then we want to serve him. We want to do good works. Not that it's going to contribute to our salvation in any way. And this is the the common thought in Christendom. There's a common thought that if I go to church every week that will make me a better candidate for heaven. Wrong.
Absolutely wrong. You could go to church every day in the week and you're no more a candidate for heaven than the day you accepted Christ as your Savior. And the one who has just believed in him as a young believer is just as sure of heaven as the one that's been on the road for 50 years. Now. Verse 5 For we through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Now we're not waiting for righteousness. It isn't righteousness which is our hope. We have the righteousness.
Christ is our righteousness. We're waiting for the glory. The hope of righteousness is Christ in glory. That's what we're waiting for. And soon we're going to be there and be like him. I I say that because the NIV translation, for instance, gives this verse. We wait for, we wait for the, the, it's for the righteousness for which we hope. We're not hoping for righteousness. We already have that.
We're waiting and hoping for the glory with Christ on high. That's the hope of righteousness.
We already have the righteousness verse 6 for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision. It makes no difference whether you're circumcised Jew or whether you're an uncircumcised Gentile. It makes no difference. What does count? It's faith which worketh by love. That's what sets us in relationship with Him is faith in Him and his finished work. Then he says to them, He did run well. Oh, you started the race well, I've often said.
It's not how you start the race, it's how you finish it. Do you get sidetracked along the way and never make it to the end of the race? So he says. You did run well, you had a good beginning.
He says in the 1St chapter, I marvel that ye are so soon removed, turned out of the way from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto a different gospel.
He was amazed. So here he says he did run. Well, who did hinder you, that ye should not obey the truth? They had listened to this voice of the enemy, and were turned aside now to a principle which, if they had imbibed it and accepted it, would have meant the ruin of Christianity. This persuasion, that is what the voice you're listening to now cometh not of him that calleth you. You were called by the gospel, the voice of God called you. The voice of the Spirit of God called you.
00:40:12
To receive Christ as the only Savior. And now you're being persuaded by another voice. And he says this persuasion comes not from him that calleth, it comes from the enemy. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. It's interesting that that verse is in two passages. It's in First Corinthians 5, and here it's in Galatians 5, And in First Corinthians 5 it applies to moral evil, and in Galatians 5 it applies to doctrinal evil.
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
You imbibe the the the principle of circumcision and law, and the whole lump is leavened. You're on you've you've abandoned grace. You've fallen from grace.
Well, he's presented all this truth to them, and now in verse 10 he says, I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded, that is, that they would continue on in the mind that they received when they receive the gospel from Paul. But he that troubles you, this legalist are these Judaizers shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Then he used a very strong expression. He says, And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I suffer persecution? Then is the offense of the cross ceased? Man doesn't like the principle of grace because it gives him nothing to do, and God does it all.
Man wants to do his part. He wants to feel good about his getting to heaven and say, well, I did this and I did that.
And if you don't, if you don't accept that legal principle, then you're going to suffer persecution by those that are espousing it. They persecute you. They don't like grace. They don't like it a bit because it gives nothing to man.
And then he says I would. They were even cut off.
Which trouble you? These that are promoting circumstances, That's an illusion. That's an illusion to what circumcision is. Circumcision is a cutting off of the flesh. And so he says these, these, these cutting offers, I would they were cut off. I would they were cut off. These that are promoting circumcision, I would they were cut off. Which trouble you? For brethren, verse 13, Ye have been called unto liberty.
Liberty only use, not liberty, for an occasion to the flesh.
But by serve one another, he brings that in. Because you know those legalists, they always charge us to promote grace. They say, well, if you're saved by grace, they think you can do anything you want, then you're free to sin all you want. It'll just magnify the grace of God all the more.
And that's why he says this. You've been called to liberty only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. We don't understand grace at all if we think that because we're saved by grace, we can sin all we want. No, grace is the power that enables us to live above sin. The law isn't. The law is the strength of sin, it says in first Corinthians 15. But grace is the power of holiness for all. The law is fulfilled in one word.
Even in this.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, and the one that is under grace fulfills that. He loves his neighbor as himself. But if he bite and devour one another, which will be the case when you get under law, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
The law principle always has that effect on one notice 16.
This I say, then walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and these are contrary, the one to the other.
So that ye cannot or should not do the things that ye would. These two opposing forces, the flesh in which nothing good dwells, and the spirit who is the power of holiness, they're in conflict with each other. So he says, walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Verse 18, he says, but if you be LED of the Spirit, you're not under the law. So if you see, if you see a Christian that is under the law, he is not a spirit LED Christian.
I read it again, verse 18. That's what verse 18 says. If you be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
You could say it this way. If you're under the law, you are not LED of the Spirit. That's what it says.
A soul that is LED of the Spirit is under grace, under grace and not law.
Now the works of the flesh are and he lists them so that we can know what what they are. This is not a complete list, but it's it's a it's a pretty long list. Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions.
00:45:09
Envying murders, drunkenness, revelings and such like, although which I tell you before is I have told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. So those that say that if you're under grace, you can do all these things and it will only magnify the grace of God. If you do all these things, you don't understand grace at all and you will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But now notice this is in contrast with the works of the flesh. It doesn't say the works of the Spirit, but it says the fruit of the Spirit. And it doesn't say the fruits of the Spirit as is so often quoted, but it says the fruit of the Spirit. I like to think of this fruit. It's one fruit, but it has 9 flavors. I've never tasted a fruit with 9 flavors, but it has 9 flavors to it. Beautiful. The fruit of the Spirit is Lovejoy.
Peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
Or self-control against such. There's no law. You don't need a law against the fruit of the Spirit, one that is LED of the Holy Spirit and producing that beautiful fruit, all of which speaks of Christ. You don't have to have a law to keep him in line. He's led by the Spirit of God and he produces these beautiful moral traits that were all true of Christ himself when he was here below. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lust.
That's the answer to the one that says, well, if you're under grace, you can do as you please. No, you can't. You've crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts because you're Christ's. If we live in the Spirit, if we have life in the Spirit, he says, let us also walk in the Spirit. And when you walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit is produced by the Spirit. It's not you that's producing it, it's the Spirit of God that is producing it in you. Let us not be desirous of Vainglory.
Provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, we have just a minute. Can I get a chapter in in one minute? I don't think I'll make it, brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault.
Which are spiritual. Restore such in one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Now why does he put it that way? He says he's speaking to these who fancy to be the spiritual ones they are under law. You'll always find that a legalist thinks that he is better than someone else. He thinks highly of himself and lowly of his brother.
And so these these legalists, these Judaizers that were trying to get these Gentiles under law.
He says to them, Ye which are spiritual, you who fancy yourselves to be in that class, show it by restoring a fallen brother. Now legalism can never restore one that has fallen, but grace can, grace can. And so he says, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, now you can take it. Those who are truly spiritual, they will restore such in one, in the spirit of meekness, those who fancy themselves to be spiritual.
Because they're under law will not be able to do that restoration work, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. A legalist would not have to do that. He would say, I would never do that. Remember the Pharisee that said, I thank thee, Lord, that I am not like other men are like this public in here. I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I possess, and this and that and the other thing, and the publican would not so much as lift his eyes to heaven, but said God be merciful to me, a Sinner, which man went down to his house.
Justified. It was the publican, not the Pharisee. If you want to see how how strong the Lord dealt with these Pharisees, these self-righteous hypocrites, read Matthew 23YE. Hypocrites, ye generation of Vipers, how ye shall ye escape the damnation of hell? That's what the Lord said to these self-righteous proud Pharisees. Who would not?
Acknowledge that they were lost and needed a savior.
A man who's under law thinks that he can make it on his own. He's on that principle before God. Man is out swimming. He's he's having some trouble swimming. You come by in a, in a, in a lifeboat and you say, here's a life preserver. I don't need that. I don't need that. I'll make it. I'll make it to shore on my own. And then he starts to have trouble and more trouble. And then he starts to sink and he realizes he can't make it on his own.
And they'll say, throw me the life preserver. Well, we have to get to that point.
Where we realize that on the law principle we can't get to heaven. It's only by the grace of God.
I Will Set in Order
Events in Elisha's Life
Wisdom of Solomons Prayer
Elijah
Elijah and Obadiah
God's Grace for Our Path
Accepted in the Beloved
Ephesians 5
The Gospel of God for Believers
God's Point of View
Administration of the Mystery
Life the Gift of God by the Spirit
There is One Body
Blessings of God in The Assembly
Three Circles
Unity of the Spirit
Mystery of the Gospel
Heavenly Truths
Address—C. Hendricks
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Turn with me tonight to Ephesians chapter 6, verse 10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the Wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand, therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for All Saints. And for me that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
For which I am an ambassador in bonds.
That therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.
And of the mystery dispensation of the grace of God this present day.
Before we look into the verses we've read tonight.
We should just have a.
A little survey of this epistle.
In the first 3 chapters we have the doctrinal part of the epistle.
In the last three chapters we have the the walk of the Christian flowing from the position that we have in Christ.
In chapter 1 of Ephesians, the apostle unfolds in most of the chapter.
Our blessings on an individual basis. Our individual blessings.
What we have in Christ, we'll look at some of them as we're going through this, this consideration.
And it ends with a corporate thought. It's a prayer. There's two prayers in Ephesians, one in chapter 1 and one in chapter 3.
The one in chapter 1 is addressed to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the one in chapter 3 is addressed to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He's presented in chapter 1 in both of those characters as the God and as the Father of the Lord Jesus.
The end of chapter 1 we have the prayer, the apostle praying three things, praying for three things that they might know what is the hope of their calling, and what the riches of the glory of their inheritance in the Saints. And then he says, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us word who believe.
According to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him in the heavenly places far above all principality and power, and might and dominion. And then it says, And He gave him to be the head over all things, to the assembly, to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him, that Philip All in all. And that's the way that prayer ends.
It ends with Christ in glory and being presented as the head not of the church. That's that's elsewhere in the epistle that he's the head of the church, but there he's head over all things to the church and he's presented as such to her. So it starts out with individual blessing and then it ends with this collective thought of being.
The body of Christ, the fullness, the.
The compliment of him that filleth All in all. And then it goes on in the 2nd chapter to develop more of our blessings.
We are seen seated in the heavenlies in Christ in the very highest position, and then He takes up at the end of the second chapter that which is collective and corporate.
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And two grand truths come out.
And the first is that we are members of His body. We are one body in Christ. And the second is that we are the habitation of God in the Spirit God the Holy Spirit dwelling on earth in the assembly, making the assembly the very dwelling place of God the Holy Ghost.
2 Marvelous Truths.
Being made members of the body of Christ, united by the Spirit to the head in heaven and to one another, each member on earth.
Wonderful truths and then the habitation of God by the Spirit. In the 3rd chapter he unfolds the truth of the mystery, that hidden secret which was never divulged even in the Old Testament Scriptures. It was hidden from ages and from generations.
But now has been made manifest to his Saints that the Gentiles, verse 6 of chapter 3, he might just turn back and look at it because that is the mystery that he's talking about. It's not, it's not all that's connected with the mystery. But he says in verse 6 of chapter 3 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, joint heirs with the Jew.
That's the first part of it, and the second part and of the same body.
Joint a joint body with Jews, you and Gentile forming a body united to the head in heaven. And the third part is and partakers or joint partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. Now you don't get any one of those three things in the Old Testament. This is the mystery. He talks about it in verse 3. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery.
Verse 5, Which in other ages was not made known under the sons of men.
As it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. And in verse 7, after unfolding the three elements of the mystery, that the Gentile should be fellow heirs, and a joint body and joint partakers of his promise in Christ, by the Gospel, he says, whereof I was made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God.
Given unto me by the effectual working of his power unto me. So the apostle Paul.
Was the depositary of this mystery. He was the one that was to make it known. Notice he says in verse 9, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery that should read by a better manuscripts. The more correct reading seems to be the administration of the mystery or the dispensation of the mystery.
Well, we could speak the whole evening just on that, but.
Just to bring out that in chapter 1 we have our individual blessings in Christ, chosen Him before the foundation of the world and predestinated to be conformed to to be to be placed before himself as sons and an inheritance in him, and all the blessings sealed by the Holy Spirit. All this is true of us individually and then the collective truth being made members of the body of Christ and being made.
The habitation of God by the Spirit.
This is all involved in the mystery, the truth of the mystery, and he explains how he received that revelation. It was a revelation. It wasn't something that was even found in the Old Testament. So to look in the Old Testament for the mystery is to look in vain. Now there are types in the Old Testament which now that we understand the mystery, now that it is no longer a hidden secret, but revealed to us, we can go back to the Old Testament and we can see it hidden.
Rights and shadows which we can now rightly read now that the truth of the mystery has been revealed to us. When we come to the 4th chapter where we get the practical walk falling from the doctrines of the preceding 3 chapters. The last part of the 3rd chapter is a prayer to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And it's it's to the effect that the Saints might subjectively.
Enter in to all that is theirs in Christ. Now notice chapter 4 starts with I Therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called now the first.
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16 verses of chapter 4 gives the the walk of the Christian in connection with his corporate and collective responsibilities.
When the doctrinal part is given to us, chapter 1 is individual, chapter 2 is collective, and then the truth of the mystery in chapter 3, God's eternal purpose of grace in Christ to bring us into that hidden secret of Christ in the assembly. That's the mystery. But now the first part having brought out the mystery, the first exhortation is to walk.
Worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called.
With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering for bearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace, there is one body. And so on these verses. This 1St 16 verses. Notice the 16th verse ends with from whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part.
Make an increase of the body under the edifying of itself and love. This is all collective. This is the members working together in the body.
For the mutual building up of the entire body of Christ. So the first 16 verses in connection with the walk that we walk worthy of the calling. The vocation means the calling wherewith we are called. What is Our Calling? Well, we're called to be members of the one body and we're called to be the habitation of God by the Spirit. That I believe is what he's referring to in the calling. It's it's the collective line that he's bringing out.
And he mentions gifts he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God. So here we have the the collective sphere, the sphere of the assembly, and all the members working together for the edifying of the body.
So it's interesting that that when he gives the doctrinal side, he starts out with individuals.
Through then collected and then when he gives the practical walk, he starts out with the collective responsibility in our walk first, and then from chapter 417 we have the walk mentioned again. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord that she henceforth walk.
Not as the other gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds and so on. So again, he's talking about the walk.
The 1St 16 verses of chapter 4 is our collective walk. Now we have the walk of the individual in the world.
And that goes on from chapter 417 through chapter 521. There you have the walk of the Christian in this second sphere, our individual responsibility to walk not as the other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind, but to walk according to God in all of the various relationships at school, at home.
At our job and then the third sphere.
Starts with verse 22 of chapter 5 and runs down through 69 and it's the family sphere. It's our walk in the family. Notice verse 22, wives, verse 25, husbands chapter 6 verse one, children again verse one.
Your parents, verse 2. Thy father and mother.
Verse 4 and he fathers. Verse 5, servants. Verse 9, Angie Masters. So here you have the domestic circle. You have three circles in which we are found walking. It's either the sphere of the circle of the assembly or the circle of the world or the circle of the family. But we're always in one of those circles.
At some point in time in our lives.
And now we've come to the 10th verse of chapter 6, where we began reading tonight.
Notice he starts with finally.
My brethren, He had given all the truth, that is the highest truth individually and collectively for the Christian, for this present dispensation of the grace of God, and it's also called the dispensation of the mystery.
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The highest truth that God has ever revealed to man. You remember in John 16 the Lord Jesus said to his disciples, He said, I have many things to say unto you, but she cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth.
And there were many things that he could not unfold to them. For instance, he couldn't unfold this, the secret of the mystery at that time, because the mystery is Christ in the assembly. And you couldn't even have an assembly until there was a man in the glory. It says in John 7, the Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.
In Acts One, Christ ascends to heaven, and they watched him.
Disappeared from their sight. On the other side of the cloud is where Christianity begins. It begins with a man in the glory and the Spirit of God, a divine person sent down from that glorified head in heaven to unite all believers into one body, one new man, and to unite them to the head in heaven.
Now that's the mystery. The mystery is Christ and the Church.
Notice in his discussion, since I'm on this point of the husband and the wife, I want to read those verses, Chapter 5, verse 22.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church, and he is the Savior of the body. Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands and everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ.
Also loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself. A glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. Notice how his whole discussion here of the marriage relationship, the wife and the husband, the wife's place of subjection. The husband's place is to love as Christ loved the church.
And it's all connected with Christ and the church.
The mystery and he even mentions that verse 28. He says so ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Well, that's an illusion back to the very first woman that was created. You remember when God created man, he took of the dust of the ground and he formed him into a man and then he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. Now he brought all the animals to Adam and he gave names to them, but he found none.
That satisfied his heart none. And so God caused a deep sleep to pass on Adam and out of his side he took a rib and he builded a woman. And when Adam awoke, he saw that woman. And he said, this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman because she was taken out of man. She met his needs, she satisfied his heart.
And.
That's what he's alluding to here in this chapter.
Sought men to love their own wives as their own bodies. Eve was part of himself, and so he's alluding to that. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as.
The Lord or Christ, more correctly, the Church. Christ the Church, For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Now that truth.
Could not be brought out.
Until there was a head in heaven, until there was a man in the glory to be the head of this body on earth. For this car shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they too shall be 1 flesh. Now here he's talking about the union, the marriage union, which he calls one flesh. But he says this is a great mystery. It's a picture.
Of Christ and the assembly I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
And so that the mystery that he's talking about the the marriage relationship has been elevated in Christianity into an altogether new position. It is a picture of Christ and his church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife, even as himself and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
All through the writings of Ephesians we have allusions to the mystery.
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The truth of Christ and the Church, all earthly relationships, the the marriage one in particular is a picture of that. And so our conduct flows from these lofty, wonderful truths that we have been given.
Finding My Brethren, verse 10. This is his final word. Now he's going to talk about the conflict.
That the Christian has All these truths have been brought to us. We've been informed, taught, brought into a knowledge of the wonderful elevated position of the Christian in Christ.
And now he says, finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the Wilds of the devil, the Wilds of the devil, the stratagems, the trickery, the cunning craftiness of Satan. There are those that feel that.
Satan is out to cause us to fall into some gross immorality.
And that, that's what he's really about. Well, that will suit his purpose, true, But far less than that will suit his purpose. And all we have to do is look around us into the sphere of professing Christianity and see how successful Satan has been to rob the Church of what is her true portion, her heavenly portion.
That she is blessed in a sphere where Christ is in the glory.
Altogether outside of this world. And what is Satan succeeded in doing? He succeeded in getting Christians to thinking that Christianity is just another worldly religion and we're here to to correct the ills of society, to set the world right and to to make it a better place to live in without Christ.
Terrible thought, because the only one that's ever going to set this world right is the Lord Jesus himself.
We're not here for that purpose. We're here to represent the man that the world has turned out of this world. That they rejected him and sent him back to heaven with a message. We will not have this man terrain over us. We're here to represent that man. We're here to walk as he walked.
We're here to manifest his character and all his interests. They that's why we're here. We're not here to serve our own selfish self interests. We're not here to make a name for ourselves in this world. We're not here to to make some great impact on this world, but to pass through it as strangers and pilgrims who belong to another scene altogether.
Well, Satan has succeeded.
To to get Christians to lower their sights.
From heavenly things, I was talking to a brother once and he made one of the most, the saddest comment that I, I have heard in a long time. We had some ministry. It was, it was on heavenly truth in the assembly. And this was at a conference. And this brother made the comment, well, well, it was just more heavenly truth as though that is of very little value. That is the, that is the truth that truly separates us from this world. The realization in my soul that.
Belong to another scene altogether, not of this world, that this world has the immense guilt of rejecting the one that God in grace has sent into the world and sending him back to to heaven. Now we belong to that man in the glory, and we are here for his glory and for his interests.
In order to stand for the truths that have been unfolded to us in this epistle in Christianity.
We need the whole armor of God.
Now we need it in the assembly circle, We need it in our individual responsibility as we walk through this world. We need it in our families. I don't I believe that of of all the three spheres, we probably failed the most in the family circle.
The enemy is attacking our families of Christians today as never before because he knows what he's doing. He knows what he's about.
He can cause dissension and disharmony and even divorce. And, and I know I've come from two assemblies where brothers are facing that very, very issue right now. Their wives are not saved, but they of course, are trying to save the marriage as God would have them to do.
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The enemy is is busy to divide.
The Saints of God and to cause to cause such trouble in.
In these two spheres of our individual responsibility and also our family sphere that our assembly life is very much affected by it. The assembly life cannot be any higher than our individual path as we walk it with the Lord.
So he ends this epistle with the armor.
And talks about the conflict that we are engaged in. There are very few Christians that even understand that we're in a conflict. Things are so nice down here. We're living in a land of affluence and plenty and everything is going so well that we hardly even realize that we are in a battle unless we are really walking with the Lord in the enjoyment of these heavenly truths.
Put on the whole armor of God, he says. Now God has provided us with the armor, it is our responsibility to put it on.
He doesn't put it on for us. He gives it to us, but we have to put it on. That's our responsibility. Notice verse 11, put on the whole armor of God. Verse 13, take the whole armor of God. Verse 14, stand therefore verse 16 taking the shield of faith. Verse 17, take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit and soul.
The active responsibility of the Christian to take and to put on this armor that God has provided us.
If we should neglect anyone of the pieces of the armor, the enemy will immediately perceive that and he will attack us in that point of weakness and defeat us, whether it's in the assembly sphere or in the of the sphere of the world or in the sphere of the family. He will, he will attack. So we need the whole armor of God. We need it on all the time, in every sphere. I spoke on this in one place.
And my brother came to me and he said afterward, he said I hadn't quite figured out whether.
And to wear the armor when I'm sleeping at night. And I thought about that and of course the answer is yes, because.
When we when we awake, where do our thoughts go? Do we have the helmet of salvation on it? Does the does the salvation of God and all that it means and what we've been delivered from and brought into? Does it control our thoughts or do our thoughts when we awaken at night?
Go to profitless and sometimes even sinful things. Yes, we need the armor on. Even then, we need the armor on all the way through our wilderness journey.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the Wiles of the devil. He's not presented here as a roaring lion walking about, seeking whom he may devour, but rather one who in cunning, craftiness and trickery, with subtle Wiles, would would lead us to compromise our heavenly calling and walk as mere men of the world.
Block is near worldlings, Lock is near men. This is what he says to the Corinthians. They were walking as men, and this is one of his.
Centering statements to them. They were walking his men. Someone will say, well, how else can we walk? We can walk as a Christian. That's how else we can walk. We don't walk as men, we walk as Christians. We walk as those who are united to the man in the glory. And that's the way the Christian is to walk. The strength is in him and in the power of his might.
He has given us all the strength and power that we need. We have all the resources that are available to us. We have them all in the Lord, and there's no excuse for failure. We know we do fail, but He's given us this armor that we might be able to stand in the evil day. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the Wiles of the devil.
Many, many talks about the enemy, but we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We're not in a an A wrestling ring and pitting our physical strength against an opponent. That's not the character of our conflict.
We wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. I believe the translators here failed to rise to the height of what was written in the original. This is the fifth time in the epistle that Heavenly Places is referred to.
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But unfortunately, they didn't render it here heavenly. They rendered it high places, just as though it could be an authority in a position of.
A high place in this world. But he's not talking about that. He's talking about heavenly places. I think it would be profitable to look at the five places where these heavenly places are referred to in Ephesians because they give the character of the epistle. Please turn back to chapter 1.
In chapter 1.
So there's three blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Notice there we have him referred to in that twofold way, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Abraham, Isaac. Jacob.
Moses, David, Solomon, to name any of the worthies of the Old Testament. None of them knew him as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Jews could boast of him as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
He was their God. They had a claim upon Him As the God of Abraham, they came from Abraham. As the God of Isaac, they came from Isaac. As the God of Jacob, they came from Jacob.
That was their lineage, that was their heritage, and they knew him in that way. What he was to Abraham, they could claim that what he was to Isaac, what he was to Jacob, God of Jacob, the God of Isaac, the God of Abraham. Wonderful. The Gentile didn't know him in that way. The Gentile had no claim upon him as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but the Jew didn't know him as the God of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He didn't know him in that way. He doesn't know him that way today.
We know it. This is Christian truth. We know him as the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know him as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You remember to marry in John 20.
To this devoted.
Soul that felt.
She went to the empty tomb and she said they've taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. This world without her blessed Lord was nothing but a graveyard. She had lost everything, Everything.
Because she had lost him and he revealed himself to her, he said. Mary.
And she says, Ribbon I. And he says, touch me, not Mary. I have not yet ascended to the Father. Now that's where Christianity begins. Christianity begins with that blessed man ascending to the Father, a man in the glory. Then the Spirit is sent down, and then the church is formed. That's the beginning of Christianity. You don't touch me, Mary, don't. You can't have me in the old relationship any longer as Messiah.
Some have puzzled over that because in John 20 the Lord says to Mary, touch me not.
But in Matthew 28, the women held him by the feet and worshiped him, because Matthew 28 is a Jewish scene.
It's a Jewish scene, but here in John 20, he is leading her out of Judaism into Christianity. He says, Mary, you can't have me in the old relationship of Messiah any longer. I'm going to bring you into something infinitely better than that. Go to my brethren. That's the fruit of an accomplished redemption. He puts us in his place before God.
And tell them, Mary, you tell them I ascend to my father.
And to your father, he puts this in that place. He is father to us as he was father to him as a man down here. Marvelous truth, stupendous truth.
Tell them I offend to my Father, and to your father, to my God and to your God. He is to us as God what He was to that dependent man as God. The 22nd Psalm He says, Thou art my God. Even from my mother's belly. I was cast upon thee from the womb.
And on the cross, in his hour of utmost extremity and suffering, he cries, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? I believe it's the only instance in the in the account in the Gospels up to that point in time when he addresses him as God. Before that, even on the cross it was Father, Father, Father, always Father, the term of relationship and nearness.
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But that term would not have been appropriate to describe.
During the three hours of darkness, what was transpiring then? It had to be my God, my God. It was God in his judicial character of judge judging sin. And so that blessed man, the Lord of glory, the eternal Son of God, become a man, cries out to him as My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me? And then he returns to the term of Father.
Father, into thy hands. After the darkness had subsided, the judgment was passed. God was glorified again his Father. Into thy hands. I commend my spirit. Now Christianity is bringing you and me as individuals into that place of nearness and intimacy and blessedness, so that his God is our God and his Father.
Is our Father blessed be the God.
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now that being so calling him in in in that very relationship. There is no truth in the New Testament that is higher than this that we've been brought to into that same position that the sun become a man was in when he was down here.
Towards God and towards the Father. Now, since the blessing is to Him as God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you would expect a very highest blessing to follow, and it does.
Notice the rest of the verse, Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ?
There's nothing higher than that. He has blessed us with all, not material, not physical blessings, not earthly blessings, but spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.
According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.
You see, the Church was chosen. The believers of the present day were chosen.
Before the world was ever in existence. Before the foundation of the world was ever laid.
That expression only occurs 3 times in the New Testament before the foundation of the world. From the foundation of the world occurs. Let me count them 123-4567 times. From the foundation of the world occurs 7 times. I've written them here at the bottom of my Bible. But before the foundation of the world occurs 3 times. First times in John 17 where he in addressing.
Father says, Thou lovest me before the foundation of the world. The second time is Ephesians one verse 4 chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and the third time is first Peter 124 ordained or foreknown. Christ is the Lamb without blemish, foreknown, foreordained or foreknown before the foundation of the world. So the first and last reference is to Christ himself and the middle.
Reference is to the assembly, to those that make up the assembly. In this present day of grace, we are connected with Him who was loved before the foundation of the world, who was ordained to be the Lamb of sacrifice before the foundation of the world. We of all peoples, of all, all dispensations, we are connected with Him in that way.
If you could have chosen a time to live.
You couldn't have chosen a better one.
Than the present day of grace. The blessings of the believer today far exceed any blessings of believers in previous dispensations or in subsequent dispensations. We are living in the most privileged time. We're living in the day of the mystery, the dispensation of the mystery. That's when we're living, when these eternal purposes of grace in Christ are being brought out and we're brought into such.
So the first mention of the heavenly places is verse 3 of Ephesians one. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Second mentioned is at the end of chapter 1 and it's in the prayer of the apostle.
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And He's praying that they might know. Verse 19. What is the exceeding greatness of His power to us Word who believe according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And let's put all things under his feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church.
Which is His body, the fullness of him, that Philip All in all. So in that prayer the Lord is exalted far above all principality and power, and might and dominion, the very terms that are used in the 6th chapter about our warfare. We are in conflict with principalities and powers in the heavenly places, and here now the Lord has, as man has been, exalted far above that.
He has set him down at his right hand in the heavenly places. So we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. Christ is seated in the heavenlies and in chapter 2 verse six, he hath raised us up together with Christ and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So our blessings are heavenly. Christ is in heaven and we are seated in.
Two in the heavenly places.
That's the third mention of the heavenlies. The 4th is in chapter 3.
Verse 9, he's talking about the mystery, and he says Paul was especially selected to make all men see what is the fellowship, or more correctly, what is the administration or the dispensation of the mystery which from the beginning of the world has been hidden. God who created all things by Jesus Christ. Notice verse 10.
The intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known, might be made known as the thought by the Church, the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Again, he's going back to an eternal purpose, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. This purpose is an eternal purpose.
That goes back before the world was ever even formed. It's eternal. And now the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, it doesn't say whether they are good ones or evil ones.
The The mystery having been revealed now to those powers in heavenly places, is made known the manifold wisdom of God.
God's hidden wisdom to have a bribe for his son. You see in the Old Testament it talks about a king. Shoranian righteousness and true Princess show rule in judgment. The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. There would be a king who would reign the Messiah. He'd be a priest on his throne. These are all scriptures that are revealed in the Old Testament. But that he would have seated next to him his bride.
Who would be joint heirs and a joint body and joint partakers of the promises of God in Christ? That wasn't revealed in the Old Testament. That was the mystery. That was the secret. And so we have when he's talking about the marriage relationship of the husband and the wife, he says this is a great mystery. I speak concerning Christ in the church.
And that is so true. Let's just in connection with those thoughts, let's turn to 1St Corinthians 12.
Verse 12.
For as the body is 1 and half many members, and all the members of that one body being many are one body, so also is now he's talking about the church and we would think it would say so also is the church, but it doesn't say that it says so also is Christ or the Christ. It's talking about Christ and the church, the church, the members on earth.
Composed of each one of us who believe.
Are given his name, so also is the Christ, for by 1 Spirit are or were we all baptized into one body? That body was formed on the day of Pentecost by the coming of the Holy Ghost. The baptism of the Holy Spirit never to be repeated and act by which this the body of Christ was formed when the Spirit of God came here by 1 Spirit where we all baptized into one body, whether we.
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Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one spirit. So the body exists as a result of the baptism of the Spirit sent down from the glorified head in heaven.
All right, the 4th mention of the heavenly places is in 310.
And it is to the intent that now unto the principality and powers in heavenly places.
Might be made known by the church to manifold wisdom of God. And the last mention is our chapter 6.
Where we are reading verse 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness.
In heavenly places, the way that ought to read is the margin reads it exactly the same expression as the previous four. So we have a we have the power of Satan and all his hosts in heavenly places to withstand.
Our progress, if you can get us to act as near worldlings and earthly minded Christians. And he succeeded in doing that in the in the large majority of cases, then he has gained his hand because the church is heavenly. The church belongs to heaven, it says in First Corinthians 15, as is the heavenly one. That's Christ. Such are they also that are heavenly.
That's us. We are heavenly whether you like it or not. You're heavenly if you're a Christian.
Earthly.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Most wonderful truth, that is what separates us from this world and Satan's. Satan's warfare with us is to get us to act as mere worldlings, as those who belong to this scene. We don't. We're just passing through to represent the one that this world will not have.
And so the conflict.
It's not enough to be.
Just a good, law abiding, moral, decent, upright citizen. You can be all that and not be heavenly at all. So I've known a lot of people. They're not even Christians and they meet all those descriptions. They're just good people, as the saying goes, and they don't do anyone any harm and so on. But they know nothing of heavenly truth. They know nothing of Christianity. And sad to say, that's true of.
Who bear the name Christian?
So having said this, now he says in verse 13, Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day.
And having done all to stand.
We need the whole armor of God in this conflict.
The enemy would seek to cause us to have so many earthly oriented problems that we do not enter into our true portion and we're robbed of it and we fail to represent the heavenly man to wear the blue.
To wear the blue.
That we belong to another scene. There is anything that is so.
Repulsive to the world.
As one who's passing through it and the world dangles before our eyes, seeks to attract us. Like Christian walking through Vanity Fair, all the display of the wares of this world. It's like today, a Christian walking through one of our modern laws, all the display of things everywhere, and just walking through with his eye fixed upon an object ahead. And that's a heavenly 1.
That's a heavenly 1.
All the attractions and the dainties of this scene no longer having much appeal.
We know how far we've fallen.
Because the world is quite an appealing place to us.
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We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. They are there to withstand our progress. You know, the book of Joshua is what answers in the Old Testament to Ephesians, and it says every bit of the land, the whole land was theirs, but you had to put your foot on it. You had to walk on it.
You had to stand on it, then it was yours.
And so these truths are all ours. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly. They are all ours that we have to put our foot on these things, make them our own, and walk in the good of them, the measure in which we are.
Enjoying earthly things is the measure in which we get robbed of our heavenly heritage and portion.
Then we start in verse 14 and I've arranged it just right. So we wait for tomorrow night to get into the actual armor.
This meeting is introductory to the actual armor where it starts in verse 14. I'll just mention this. The armor consists of.
Drawing skirt about with truth. The best plate of righteousness. The shield of faith. Excuse me, Each child in the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helm of the salvation, the sword of the Spirit and prayer. You've got 7 things. The armor. Every one of them speaks of Christ. It's also manifestation of his character.
All speaks of him. He was the one when he walked through this scene.
That more the armor perfectly and.
Earths attractions have no power over his soul. He was a heavenly man, the heavenly stranger on earth on his way to the glory. He had but one to please, and that was the Father, and he did it.
Imperfection. If the Lord leaves us here, We'll look into the rest of that tomorrow night, Lord willing.
Let's see in closing.
139 This world is a wilderness wide, with nothing to seek or to choose. We have no thought in the waste to abide. We've not to regret, not to lose. Notice. The beauty of the hymn is it's it's, it's his path. The Lord is himself gone before we're walking the same path that he walked. He has marked out the path that we treads. It is as sure as the love we adore.
There's nothing to fear nor to dread. There's only that one path in the Waste.
Which his footsteps have marked as his own. And we follow in diligent haste to the seats where he's put on his crown. For the path where our Savior is gone is led up to his Father and God, and that's where it's leading us. We're actually seated there already, and so he's trod the path ahead of us.
And we're going to be there soon.
The Journey
Practical Righteousness
Nehemiah 13
2 Timothy 3-4
Put Off, Put On
Salvation
Conduct in God's House
1 Timothy 3
1 Timothy
Hold Fast the Form of Sound Words
Onesiphorus
2 Timothy 2
Continue Thou
Titus 2:6-15
Philemon
Hebrews 11
Finished Work of Christ
Address—C. Hendricks
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You will remember it's found in Matthew 27 and elsewhere in the Gospels that when the Lord died on the cross.
He said it is finished, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.
And then he died.
And it says the veil of the temple was renting Twain from the top to the bottom.
And we're going to read about that veil a little bit here in this chapter in the next to get the significance of what that was when that veil was rent.
Hebrews 9 and verse one. Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service and a worldly sanctuary, for that was a Tabernacle made the first, wherein was the Candlestick, and the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary.
Now the Tabernacle that we often think of, that Moses erected in the wilderness, and that's what the Hebrews speaks of, doesn't speak of the temple, but it speaks of the Tabernacle. It had two compartments, and this is the first compartment of the Tabernacle. And there was the Candlestick and the table of showbread and.
The all for Vincents, it's not mentioned here, but.
The incense sensor is mentioned.
There was that first compartment.
And the.
The priest went into that compartment, always accomplishing the service of God, but there was a veil in the midst of the Tabernacle, which is the the one that separated the first compartment from the second. The second compartment had the arc. Speaking of the person of Christ that we've been considering. It was made of ******** wood overlaid with gold. ******** wood speaks of his.
Incorruptible humanity, His impeccable humanity.
And the gold, his deity.
Well, after the second veil, they had to enter one veil to get into the first compartment of the Tabernacle, and then there was the second veil that that behind it was the ark.
The Tabernacle, which is called the holiest of all. We call it the Holy of Holies. It's where God dwelt.
Which had the Golden Censer and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid round about with gold.
Wherein was the golden pot that had the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant, that is, the ark contained these three things. The golden pot that had the manna. That was the remembrance of the how the Lord fed them when they went through the wilderness, He reigned manna from heaven. And they took some of that and and put it up, and put it in the ark.
And then there was Aaron's rod that budded. You remember the game thing of Cora as they challenged Aaron's priesthood. We're all holy. And there was 250 that offered incense and they were all destroyed. The earth opened his mouth, Jason and Abiram and Moses. Authority was challenged. There was judgment that came upon them. And in the next chapter, right after that.
God said to bring leaders of every tribe with a rod, and they laid it up before the Lord, and the next day they looked, and Aaron's rod budded.
It speaks of his resurrection lifeout of death. A rod doesn't have life in it, but Aaron's rod budded and so God showed by that means they had complained, they had questions. Aaron's Aaron's priesthood just as some challenge of the Lord Jesus as as who he is, the assembling of God, the apostle and also the high priest, the one who's gone back to God to represent us.
And the the against thing of Kara was the most serious.
Of the three evils that you'd mentioned.
Well, Aaron's rod that budded God showed that Aaron was his high priest, and it of course speaks of Christ and then the tables of the covenant, which were the 10 commandments, the law, and that was God's perfect measure for man and responsibility, and these were all kept in the ark.
And then on top of the ark, the ark was a box.
And in the ark were these three things. And on top of the box was a gold print.
And hammered out of that one piece of gold were two carabins, and they looked down upon the mercy seat.
And what did they see? They saw the blood that was sprinkled there once a year by the high priest that came into that holy of holies, and he came with blood and sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat. And that's what he's talking about here. The Jewish system was a vast ritualistic system that God had given to Israel.
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To remind them and to instruct them in a typical way of things that they.
These figures, these were just figures of things that had reality to it before the Lord. And there's two ways that today there are two ways that the truth can be denied. The one is rationalism, which is is the deification of the intellect, and that's rationalism, man trying to reason upon the things of God.
And preferring his own thoughts to God's rationalism. That's a direct attack upon Scripture, the rationalists.
They don't believe fundamental truth, and then there are the richer less, and they seem to hold to the form anyway of the truth. But today ritualism is really in a very effective way of setting aside the truth of God. They seem to be so opposed rationalism, rejecting it by 1's intellect and the other is.
One's emotions and feelings.
Seeming to support it.
But both really deny it and they seem to be very far apart, but they they come together in the one thing and that is they deny the word of God. And we'll see as we go through this how that's done. Well, what this chapter is starting with is the ritualism that existed in Judaism.
Verse 5. Now over it the cherubims of glory, shadowing the mercy seat, of which we cannot now speak particularly or in detail. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests, that is, when this Jewish system was established of God, the priest went always into the first Tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
No one dared enter the second compartment.
Which was behind that veil in the middle where God dwelt. The Shekinah glory came down upon that.
A cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. And no one had access to that part of the Tabernacle except the high priest once a year, not without blood. And when he entered in, he entered in in a cloud of incense, Speaking of the glories of the person of Christ. And he entered in with blood, Speaking of the efficacy of his work, the work of Christ beautiful.
Types that we have in that, but their value only lay in the typical significance.
That they had. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first Tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God, but into the second, into the second compartment went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people, the Holy Ghost. This signifying that the way into the holiest of all.
That is the immediate presence of God.
Was not yet made manifest while as the first Tabernacle.
Was yet standing. So while the first Tabernacle was standing, and while that ritualistic system of Judaism was in force, the God was not accessible.
They could not enter into his presence, only the high priest, and only alone and only once a year in a cloud of incense and with blood.
And so the Holy Ghost, this signifying that the way into the presence of God was not yet made manifest. It wasn't open. God was at a distance man could not approach. We don't realize that, you know, they talk in Christmas about the judeo-christian tradition. That's a misnomer if I've ever heard one. Judaism is not Christianity. Christianity is not an improved Judaism or a better Judaism.
They mix the two. Judaism leaves man outside.
Not able to approach God, not able to enter into His presence. Even if the high priest had dared to go in without blood, he would have been stricken dead instantly. Or if he dared to go in without having that cloud of incense, We read that in Leviticus 16.
Man was no longer and he was not able to enter the presence of God as long as that veil was unwrapped. That's the veil between the 1St and 2nd compartment. Now what happened when the Lord died after he had met all the claims of God's holiness with respect to sin and He had borne the judgment of God and He had shed His blood, What happened was the veil of the temple was rent and trained from the top to the bottom.
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That if God rented it was a very thick veil. Very thick.
Man couldn't care it, but God did, and He showed by that that the way into His presence now was open. Notice what it says.
Verse 9 still building on what existed in Judaism while which was a figure, that is, that veil on rent was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience.
And verse 8 says the Holy Ghost is signifying that the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest while the first Tabernacle was yet standing. And these things, the value of these things in Judaism was just in their figurative values. They were just figures. They had no intrinsic value whatsoever.
It's important to see that.
And it says which stood only in verse 10 in meats. That is the Judaistic system of vast ritualistic system that God had given to Israel.
And it was proper to be a ritualist when you were a Jew. A Jew is a ritualist with these following the scriptures properly, if he did follow the scriptures properly back then. But the Christian is not a ritualist. The work is all finished. We don't need ritualism. In fact, every bit of ritualism that a Christian practices. And there's thousands of Christians in Christendom that practice ritualism. Everyone that does so denies the efficacy.
Eternal value of the work of Christ.
Ritualism is a denial that the work is done. It is a real it is a reinstating the old order of things and saying that the work of Christ is not sufficient has not brought us into the presence of God, has not put our sins away, and we still have to resort to some ritualistic observances, much of which in Christendom is still being practiced.
Which is really a denial of the eternal efficacy of the work of Christ.
So he's still describing this ritualism in verse 10, and he says which stood only in meats and drinks and diverse washings and carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation. That's not referring to the Protestant Reformation, by the way. It's referring to the time when things would be set right and when the ritualistic system would be done away with and the reality to which it printed would be enforced.
You're not Christianity now, having said all that, he says, but Christ.
The income and high priest of good things to come, we are in the good of those good things which have come now.
He came of good things to come. He came in to bring in a better thing. The whole Epistle to the Hebrews shows the the better things of Christianity.
Christ being come and high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands. It's not the one that was builded by Moses in the wilderness, but this is the one that that was a type of, that is to say, not of this building or this creation that is this Tabernacle here he's talking about that Christ is the high priest of is in heaven.
Neither by the blood of goats and calves. That's what characterized the ritualistic system of Judaism, but by his own blood. He came in the power of and characterized not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood.
This is who verse John 5. This is he that came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and blood. And so here he's spoken of as having come by His own blood, in contrast with the blood of goats and calves. And now He has entered in once into the holy place, having obtained the eternal redemption before us. Should not be in that verse. It properly belongs at the end of verse 24. But he's not talking.
About so much of what he's done for us, but what he has done, period. He has obtained an eternal redemption. He is contrasting the benefits of Christianity and contrasting them with the deficiencies of Judaism.
He has entered in once into the holy place once for all, never to be repeated. The high priest enter in every year afresh, afresh a new work, a new work. Every year it had to be repeated. But what characterizes Christ entrance in is that He was accomplished once.
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And you'll never have to do it again. He's entered in to the Holy of Holies.
Having obtained eternal redemption, now they never obtained eternal redemption in the Old Testament. All those repeated sacrifices of bulls and goats and lambs and Rams, they had to be repeated and repeated and repeated. They could never take away sins. They could never accomplish an eternal redemption. Christ offered one work, Himself, His precious blood, and eternal redemption was the result He obtained.
And eternal redemption, verse 13 For yet the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean.
Sanctify us to the purifying of the flesh. That's the only value that lay in those ritualistic observances of the Old Testament, he says. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God?
Purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. I used to wonder what our dead works.
Dead works today are all ritualism, all ritualistic works, dead works.
Anything that we are given to do of a religious nature to make ourselves acceptable to God, no matter what it is, is a ritualistic kind of thing. It's a dead work. It's a dead work. So everyone that practices ritualism today is practicing a system of works which the scriptures label as dead works. No value in them.
In fact, they have a negative value in that they deny.
The efficacy of the once for all, never to be repeated sacrifice of Christ that He accomplished on the cross.
If the blood of virgin of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of their flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. I don't have to bring a sacrifice, I don't have to.
Do anything go through any kind of ritualistic observance? Because.
The work of Christ has set me, each one of us, in his presence, acceptable by virtue of what Christ did, once for all, once for all.
For this 'cause he's the mediator of the New Testament and so on. Let's pass down. We don't have time to go through all these things and.
It says in verse 23, It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be terrified with these, that is, these animal sacrifices and so on. But the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands. He didn't enter into the earthly Tabernacle or the earthly temple, but He has answered what?
Into which are the figures of the true. But he's entered into heaven.
Itself now to appear in the presence of God for us. And neither for us should be there. He now is in the presence of God. That's where he has entered and He's there for us.
His place of acceptance there defines our place of acceptance there, and he's there by virtue of who he is and his by virtue of his precious blood, and he has opened the way now for us to be there too.
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others, which had to be repeated fastly every year, every year, every year. He doesn't have to do that. He did it once. The sacrifice of the Mass, by the way, is a total denial. That's a ritualistic observance that is practiced in the Roman Catholic Church, and it denies the value, the eternal efficacy of the work of Christ. I can't think of anything that more effectually.
It because they say that in that sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord Jesus is being sacrificed over and over and over and over and over and over again. That means that his once for all work done on the cross never to be repeated is not not enough. He has to die again and again and again. Well, that's the old Jewish system that's putting the the work of Christ on the same level as the sacrifice of bulls and goats.
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And it's blasphemous, a total denial of the work of Christ. That's why I said before whether you are a rationalist and just out now deny the Bible because you intellectually reject it, or whether you are a ritualist and go through all that ritualism you are denying.
The sacrifice of Christ and its eternal value just as effectively as the rationalist. So those two things seem at the opposite ends of the pole, but they come together in both denying the work of Christ and the Word of God.
Both are wrong.
Very, very seriously wrong.
Christ verse 24 Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands that old order of things came to an end at the death of Christ and the veil of the temple was rent in train from the top to the bottom. And God said by that to weigh into my presence is now open by virtue of the death of Christ. And now you can enter in and that that barrier that existed as long as Judaism existed.
Is broken down.
The old thing has passed away. If any man be in Christ, there is a new creation. All things have passed away. Judaism has passed away and all things have become new.
And all things with God. And that's what we have here.
He is entered into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us, we can enter into heaven itself. Where did we worship this morning? Here in this room? Well, yes, we were here physically, but we entered the very presence of God. The holiest. We entered and we entered into His presence and have access to Him now because of the work of Christ.
Now in verse 25, he takes up another very vital subject, he says.
Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the High Priest entereth into the Holy Place every year with blood of others. For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world. You see, the Sacrifice of Christ offering Himself on the cross, being disassociated from His sufferings, is worthless. He suffered for sin that could only happen once.
So this repeated sacrifice of the mass is a total denial.
That ritualistic thing is a total denial, and not only that, not just picking on them, but all the way down the line, right through the Protestant circles. Anything that gives man a place, that something he has to do in order to make himself acceptable with God, is a denial of the work of Christ, which presents us perfect before God with nothing else needed. And that's the teaching of these verses here.
And so then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world, but now?
Once in the end of the world, the end of this world of trial, when man was on trial and the originalistic system was enforced. Now that is ended, the consummation of the ages. Man is no longer on trial. He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Sin has been put away now. To bring in anything that we have to do in order to make us acceptable to God is to deny that truth.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die after this judgment, so Christ was once offered.
To bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Altogether apart from the sin question, He settled the sin question the first time that He came.
And he's offered to bear the sins of many. Are you one of the many? Doesn't say bear the sins of all? Are you one of the many? You can be sure that you're one of the many that he came to bear the sins of if you have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior.
That's the only way you'll know you're one of the many is to receive Him by faith as your sin bearer, and then you will be sure that you are one of the many.
And unto them that looked for him shall he appear the second time, without sin unto salvation.
The next time he comes, it won't be to determine whether we're saved or not, but it will be to take those who are saved, who have trusted him, whose sins he has borne home to glory. Then the next chapter for the Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things to see. The Law didn't have the very image of the things, just a shadow.
You're sitting on a park bench and the sun is shining and you see a shadow cast before you.
And all it shows it's just a silhouette. If it's coming from the back of the person, you see one silhouette, it comes from the side, you'll see another, but you don't really know what the person looks like from the shadow. It's just an indication that there's a body there casting that shadow. What would you think of the man that was sitting on the bench and saw the silhouettes on the ground and then he looked up at the person that was casting the shadow and said, I prefer the shadow.
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That would be an insult to the one that cast that shadow.
Now that's what the Jew is guilty of. It went back to the system of shadows and figures and types and ceremonies instead of remaining in curtain Christian, Christian truth.
The law having a shadow of good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never, with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. If I could, as a Jew bring a sacrifice that it would have given me a perfect standing before God, I'd never have to bring another. But I had to bring every time I failed, I had to bring another, had to bring another.
And that's what he's saying, He says for them. Would they not have ceased to be offered? If you could bring a sacrifice that would give you a perfect standing before God, you'd never have to offer another. You'd cease offering.
Because at once the worshippers, once the worshippers once purged should have. Because that the worshippers once purged should have no more conscience of sins, he would know that the sin question was eternally settled.
And he could say my sins so great, so many.
When his blood are washed away, no more. Conscience of sins doesn't mean that he's not conscious of failure in his part, but he's not conscious he's he has a clean conscience, A purged conscience. He knows that the sin question has been settled. The work of Christ has settled it. Christ has borne the judgment and opened up the way into the presence of God.
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
The repetition of the sacrifices is a constant reminder that the same question was not settled. So those that would make Christianity an extension of Judaism, and that's something altogether new, calling it the judeo-christian tradition or whatever they say, are using an expression that falsifies the vast difference between Christianity where we have a finished work.
Giving us a perfect conscience and a perfect standing before God.
And what they had in Judaism.
Where God was not known, he could not be approached directly. He had to be. They had to bring a sacrifice. And then there was a priesthood in between and man was kept at a distance. And there are some systems today that call themselves Christian that just do that very thing.
Total denial of what we have here in those sacrifices. There is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible of, let's get this clear, it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. They could not take away a single sin.
They had no intrinsic value whatsoever. The value of the blood of bulls and coats lay only in their typical value, pointing forward to the work that Christ would accomplish, which would take away our sins and give us a perfect acceptance before God. It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
Not one of them are all together the thousands that Solomon offered and the dedication of the temple could not take away one single sin.
Their value lay in that they pointed forward to a sacrifice that Christ offered. How could an animal sacrifice take away your sins? You're not an animal.
The only one that could take away your sins is a man, one that became just like you are sent apart. He is the only one that would qualify to take away your sins. He had to be a man.
We are saying that this afternoon. And he was infinitely more than a man. God too, but he had to become a man. An animal couldn't do it.
It had to be.
God the Son become a man. An animal was just a figure of it. It wasn't a very image at all, just a figure, just a shadow. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, sacrifice and offering. Thou wouldest not, but a body itself prepared me in burnt offerings. He says you're not interested in these sacrifices.
What really counts is is my coming. My coming.
Prepared me in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. Thou has had no pleasure.
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Then said I low in the volume of the book, it is written of me. I come to do thy will, O God.
Above, when he said sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin, thou wouldest not, neither has pleasure therein which are offered by the law. He took no delight in those sacrifices. They had no intrinsic value whatsoever.
The value lay in that they pointed forward to the work of Christ. Then he said, Lo, I come.
To do Thy will, O God, He taketh away the 1St, that he may establish the second, by the which will the will of God, which He had come to do. We are sanctified to the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Set apart, He offered himself God, and every priest. This is the old ritualistic system. Now every priest standeth daily, ministering and offering oftentimes.
The same sacrifices which can never take away sins. That's ritualism.
Those sacrifices couldn't remove a single Sinner, but this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins comma.
Forever sat down. Commas in the wrong place in our translation should be after for sins he forever sat down or he sat down perpetually, continually.
On the right hand of God in token that the work that he accomplished is finished.
The priests of the Old Testament stood daily. There was number chair in the Tabernacle. Their work was never done. They could never sit down.
Because their work was never finished.
They could never say, as we read this morning from John 19, what the Lord said on the cross, it is finished. He said they could never say that, never because their work was never done. And so they were standing and the Lord sat down. That's the the significance of his sitting, sitting down is that the work was done and accomplished.
This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.
From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering, in contrast to the thousands of offerings of the Old Testament, by one offering He have perfected forever them that are sanctified. So we have the will of God, which He came to do. We have the Son carrying out that will in the sacrifice of Himself on the cross, giving us a perfect standing before God. And now we have the testimony of the Holy Spirit to the value.
Of it we have the whole Trinity here verse 15. Wherefore the Holy Ghost also is the witness to us. For after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord. I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Where remission of sins is there's no more offering for sin. My sins are gone. He's boring them away.
I'm so glad it doesn't say their sins and iniquities will I forget. God doesn't forget anything. He has a perfect memory forgetting as a human infirmity.
But he says I will not remember.
That's an act of his will, he says. I will not remember your sins. I will never bring them up against you again.
Because my Son has done the work which has glorified me so perfectly that I'll never bring your sins up again. They've been perfectly dealt with and judged in the death of Christ. So God himself says the testimony of the Holy Ghost with their sins and iniquities. Will I remember no more.
But that gives peace, doesn't it?
And where there is remission of these, there is no more offering for sin.
Every fresh offering for sin that is done today by well meaning Christians is a denial. It's a ritualistic observance, and it's a denial of this truth. Very serious.
Now what is the effect of this verse 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. That's what we did this morning. We entered into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way.
Which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, when he died.
In the flesh the veil was rent, and now we enter in to the holiest.
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A new and living way has been opened up.
Which he had consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. And having a high priest over the House of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed.
With pure water, our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, the blood of Christ and the body washed with pure water would be symbolical of the new birth. We have a new life. We have the work of Christ which has put all that stood against us away, and now we have access to the very presence of God. How wonderful.
That is Christian truth, and he is writing this in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
To shell these Jews the infinite value of the work of Christ, of the person of Christ. We saw that in the 1St chapter, and now the work of Christ in this chapter. The value that enhanced before God, giving us a perfect standing before God. The same question settled once and for all to God's glory.
And our eternal blessing.
By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Let's see in closing the holiest, 114 the holiest. We enter in perfect peace with God, through whom we found our center in Jesus and His blood, though great may be our dulness in thought and word, indeed with glory and the fullness of Him that meets.
Our knee.
The Walk of Faith in This World
Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness
Hebrews 13
Provision for the Assembly
True Christianity
Redeemed
Fear, Trust, Believe God
A Risen Saviour's Love
The Path of Faith
1 Chronicles 28:9
Examples
1 John 1:1-2:11
1 John 2:12-29
We Know
Christianity in the Last Day
Mercy Peace Love in the Day of Apostasy
Revelation 1
The Seven Churches
The Testimony of God - An Opened Door
Revelation 3:10
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Oh, what a day of glory awaits us. Who are His? Let's turn to Revelation 3 again.
And we'll begin reading at verse 10.
The blessed promise.
To those who have received the Lord Jesus as their Savior, because thou has kept the word of my patience. Revelation 310. Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also.
Will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. I don't know whether you know it tonight, but there's a time of unprecedented temptation, of unprecedented trial which is coming upon this world.
And the promise here to the one that knows the Lord Jesus, that keeps the word of his patience, is that He will keep them from that hour. The Book of Revelation at the end of the 3rd chapter we have the addresses, the seven addresses to the seven churches ended. And in Revelation chapter 4 and five, we have a heavenly scene.
Thrown in heaven chapter 4 and in chapter 5 the Lamb comes and takes the book out of him that sits upon the throne.
And that book contains the future judgments which are going to fall upon Christendom, the Christian world, especially that which calls itself Christian. You know, there are multitudes that are Christians in quotes, but they're not saved. They're only Christians in name. They're only professors, but they're not possessors of eternal life. And to be a mere professor and not.
Is not enough. And so the Lord Jesus says to those who are real, those who are genuine, those who are Philadelphians, because the Philadelphian really represents the genuine, the one who's real, the one who has eternal life, the one who's walking in the truth. And he says, because I kept the word of my patience, the Lord is patiently waiting. He's going to come back and take the Kingdom.
He's going to set up his rights in this world, he who has been rejected here.
And cast out and nailed to a cross of ignominy and shame. The last time the world saw the Savior was hanging dead upon a cross The last time. The next time the world will see Him was when He is, when He comes in clouds, in power and great glory. And He will come to judge the world in righteousness.
God hath appointed a day in which he will judge this world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.
Whereof he has given assurance unto all men, and that he hath raised him from the dead.
The death of Christ. The last time the world saw Christ was dead upon a cross, they had cried out, Crucify Him, crucify him, and they had nailed him to that awful cross. And they sat down and watched him as he suffered.
They heard His blessed words. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. They heard those words, and they taunted Him, and they said, If thou be the Christ, come down from the cross, and we will believe on thee. Would they? No, they wouldn't have. They had seen miracle upon miracle upon miracle which He had wrought.
He had raised the dead. He had given sight to the blind. He had cleansed the lepers. He had unstopped the deaf ears. He had loosed the stammering tones. He had wrought every miracle. And yet they did not believe. They did not believe. If he had come down from that cross, they said they would believe. But they wouldn't have. They had rejected him. They had rejected the light which came into this world. And as we heard this morning in the Sunday School, the children.
Learn that beautiful verse I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not.
Abide in darkness. A light came into this world, a great light.
And man rejected that light. Man rejected him.
And nailed into a cross. And so Christendom, the guiltiest place on the earth, that which has been so privileged to have the gospel preached in 2000 years of gospel testimony. Christian world. We're not talking about Mohammedanism. We're not talking about Hinduism. We're not talking about shidduism. We're not talking about Buddhism. We're talking about the Christian world. We're talking about that place that has been so privileged as to have an open Bible like we have tonight.
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That place which is so privileged is to the people of the Christian world can obtain the Word of God. They can read it, they can learn God's thoughts, They can learn that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already because he has not believed in the name.
Of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation that light has come into the world and then loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For everyone that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are rotten God. And the reason that man hated Christ is because he was the light, and the light shone in such a brightness, in such a luster, penetrating the darkness of man's evil heart. He couldn't stand the light. And so he said, let me put that light out. I cannot stand the light of his holy presence.
And they crucified him. The last time they saw Christ was hanging dead on a cross. It was His own that took him down. It was His own that laid him in the tomb, wherein never a man had been lame. And it was His own that cared for him. It was His own that saw Him risen from the dead. Yet He appeared at one time to about 500 bread, and at once. The resurrection of Christ is the most attested to fact in all of history.
In all of history.
You read your history books in school children, and they'll tell you about certain facts that happened in the past, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, whatever it might be, you believe it. But the resurrection of Christ is the most attested fact in all of history is risen. He's not fear. He's not that death couldn't hold him. He's risen and he's at the right hand of God tonight, and he's coming again.
And that's what we have here, verse 11. Behold, I come quickly.
The blessed promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. He's coming and He's going to come quickly. He's going to take the world by surprise. He's going to come in an hour when they think not and when they're not expecting him. What are we here today? Where is the promise of His coming? For since the Father's fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning. Is that true? No, it is no. God intervened by a flood.
He destroyed this world by water.
And every time it rains, we see a rainbow in the sky. And that rainbow, I remember talking to a man who was at a parking lot once and it was raining and I said, you see that rainbow over there and said, I see it. Sure. He said, I see it. And I said, you know what that means? He says, no, I don't know what it means. I said it means that God pledged himself. He has promised he would never destroy this world again with a flood. That's what that rainbow means in the sky. That's the sign of his covenant with the earth. He will never destroy the world again.
But he said I never heard that before.
And you know.
The Lord is in the glory and he says I come quickly. He's coming back, coming back to the world that has rejected him and crucified him. And during the time of his absence, he's gathering out of the seething multitudes of men and women everywhere of people for his name, people for his name. And that people are.
That people is looking for Him and we're waiting for him. We were just singing about the glorious coming back to the Lord of the Lord Jesus Christ, to this world. He's going to come for his own 1St and then he's going to come with his own back to set things right here, to set things right here. Things are not right now. They'll never be right until he who's right with his reigns. Until the King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns and sets things right.
Here, until the king reigns in righteousness, things will never be right in this world. And that's why men's hearts today are failing them, for fear, for looking for the things that are coming on the earth. What kinds of things are they? Well, if you read chapter 6 through 19 of this last book in the Bible, the Book of Revelation, you'll find out the things that are coming on this world. Terrible things, awful things. A time of unprecedented wrath and tribulation and anguish upon men.
And upon Christendom, upon those that call themselves Christians but are not real. And when the Lord comes for his own, he'll take the real and the genuine and the true ones home to be with himself. And the ones that are left behind are merely professors, but they don't possess eternal life. They're lost, and they will undergo the awful judgment.
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And so here he promises to those who are real. He says, Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also.
Will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world. There is a time of trial where temptation can be rendered. Trial.
Judgment. There's a time of judgment coming upon all the world, but what's its purpose? To try them that dwell upon the earth. Now let's just look at the 6th chapter of Revelation for a minute.
Verse 12.
And I beheld when he had opened the 6th seal. This is future. This is coming after the churches taken to heaven. And lo, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree cast at her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
And they haven't departed as a scroll when it is rolled together in every mountain, in every island removed out of their places.
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.
For the great day of his wrath.
Is come and who is able to stand?
I want to back up and read verse 10.
I'll read verse 9 and when he had opened the 5th seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
That will be those who are martyred in the day that's coming after the churches brought up to heaven.
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
And white robes were given unto everyone of them, and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little while, little season, until their fellow servants also, and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. And then the 6th seal is open. And I read that first. And it describes those that are those earthquake dwellers, and those that were martyred, the Saints of God in the coming day, the true believers. They ask, How long, O Lord, holy and true, does that judge and avenge our blood?
On them that dwell on the earth.
There's that same moral class. He's going to send a time of unprecedented trial to this whole world to try them that dwell on the earth. Who's that?
It's those who, in the present day of grace, have been offered heaven.
Those who have been offered in the gospel eternal life and the forgiveness of all their sins and a heavenly home on high in heaven. And they said, I don't we don't want it. We want birth. We want birth. We, we are earth dwellers and we want earth. And they've rejected heaven. They've rejected the gospel of the grace of God. They rejected what God is holding out to souls today, the offer of heaven, the offer of eternal life, the offer of eternal bliss on high with Christ and glory.
And they said, no, we don't want that. We want Earth.
Their mere earthlings, those who dwell upon the earth, how are they going to end up? Now turn over with me to the 13th chapter of Revelation.
They're they're talked about over and over again in this book and I'm just going to pick out a few of the passages where they're mentioned.
In the 13th chapter we have two beasts mentioned. The beast of verse one is the beast out of the sea and the beast of verse 11 is the beast out of the earth.
The first beast refers to the head of the revived Roman Empire. The second beast refers to the Antichrist.
Notice what it says.
In verse 5 describing the end of verse 4, there's a question asked, does they worship the beast, saying, who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And I was given unto him. That's the in this personage called the beast out of the sea. He rules the Roman Empire in that coming day. And it was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given unto him to continue 42 months.
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3 1/2 years and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God.
To blasphemy his name and his Tabernacle, and then that dwell in heaven. Well, there's another class that's the true Church, and that's those who are truly the Lords that have been raptured to heaven and their dwelling there. And he's blaspheming God, and he's blaspheming those that dwell in heaven.
And it says in verse 8, it says all that dwell upon the earth, there's that same moral class shall worship him. They worship the beast whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. And then in verse 11, I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth. And there's the Antichrist. She had two horns like a lamb. He, he's.
The false Christ. He impersonates Christ, but he speaks like a dragon.
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth. Notice again, and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that.
Well on the earth again that same moral class earth dwellers, that they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword and did live, and he had power to give life or breath under the image of the beast. That the image of the beast should both speak and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Now in connection with this passage, please turn with me to 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2.
2nd Thessalonians.
Chapter 2.
Verse 8.
And then this is again looking on to a future day.
Shall that wicked, that wicked one, notice it's in capital W? It's referring to the Antichrist be revealed.
That was that second beast in Revelation 13 that we were read about. And he deceives those that dwell on the earth. He deceives them. He causes them to worship the image that he is made of the first beast. Then shall that wicked 1 be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume.
That the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. When the Lord Jesus comes back, he's going to destroy.
All the enemies of the Lord, he's going to destroy that second beast. He's going to destroy that wicked one.
And then it describes him, even him, which is the Antichrist, whose coming is after the working of Satan.
He's on the scene today, I believe we don't know who he is. I believe he's living today and as soon as we're caught home, if the Lord should come tonight.
And he raptured us to heaven. We'd be gone, Became this moment, this room. I hope this room would be empty and we all be gone. If you're not saved. And the Lord should give that assembly shout right now and we'd all leave. You'd be left here in your chair. You'd be lost.
Forever notice what it says. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.
Because they receive not the love of the truth, they might be saved, and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie. Apostate Christian Christendom is going to believe the lie of the death because they would not receive the love of the truth.
That they might be saved.
Tell you tonight.
This is nothing to dabble with. This is nothing to play around with. We are talking about eternal issues. We're talking about the most solemn thing, the most important decision that you will ever make.
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The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was in this world. He died on the cross, shed his precious blood. God offers you pardon, forgiveness.
Remission of all your sins and eternal life if you'll just turn to Christ and accept Him as your Savior. To as many as received Him to them gave you power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name. You can become a child of God tonight by receiving the truth.
The love of the truth. And here it says, because they receive not the love of the truth, that there might be saved. What's the love of the truth? It's not just true, but the love of the truth. God's so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God loves the Sinner God gave his Son for the Sinner God commended.
You're blind in verse 17. You're blind. You need, I said, to anoint your eyes that you can see. You don't see your true condition.
You don't see that you're lost. You don't see that you need.
The Savior. And so he says, I sat to anoint thine eyes that thou mayest see. The anointing of the eyes is the Spirit of God.
Who is given to all of those who believe?
Divine righteousness, the gold.
True riches, practical righteousness which flows from the life that we have in Christ.
Practical righteousness.
The eyes have to anoint the eye the spirit of God-given to indwell us, and to give U.S. intelligence in the things of God. These are the things he says I constantly to buy of me these three things, the gold.
The white raiment.
The ISAF.
Divine righteousness.
Practical righteousness flowing from a new life that we receive when we're born of God.
The Spirit of God as our teacher.
Anointing our eyes that we might see. Have your eyes been opened? You remember the blind man in John 9?
These self-righteous religious Pharisees, they said to him, finally give God the praise. We know that this man is a Sinner.
And he said that whether he be a Sinner or not, I know not. But one thing, I know that whereas I was flying when I see, can you say that tonight? Can you say that? Whereas I was once blind, I see, I see that I was lost. I see that I was on the broad, wide road to destruction.
And I see that God and love has provided A Savior for me. And now I see.
In the book of Numbers.
The children of Israel disobey, they complain, they murmured, They did it many times, but on one of the occasions God set fiery serpents amongst them, and they fit them, and they die.
And Moses erected a pole in the center of the camp, and he put a brazen serpent on that pole, serpent of brass. And he told the Israelites who had been bitten by the serpents, the fiery serpents, the poisonous snakes.
He said look at the serpent of Brass and the Pope and you will live.
Look and look. And as they looked with the eye of faith, they saw that servant lifted up, and they were healed. They didn't die. As Moses lifted up in the the serpent in the wilderness, Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The serpent lifted up, just look and live. Just look at Christ lifted up on that cross, dying for your sins, bearing the judgment of God against sin. And you let look of faith will give you life. I said to anoint your eyes that you may see.
Verse 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten the zealous, therefore, and repent.
Oh, if you're a professing Christian here tonight, but without reality, without divine righteousness, without Christ as your righteousness.
Remember when the prodigal in Luke 15 returned, the father said, Bring forth the best role, and put it on him. There's a picture of clothing him in the righteousness of Christ himself, Christ being his own righteousness. And put a ring in his hand, the symbol of eternal love, and shoes on his feet, and bring forth the fatted calf, and let us eat and be merry.
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So this my son was lost and is found. He was dead and is alive and they began to be married.
And that divine merriment shall never end, shall never end the return of a prodigal, a lost son back to God.
Be zealous, therefore repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and will suck with him and he with me. He's knocking, knocking. He's outside of this church in Laodicea. And if you're unsaved, he's outside of your heart and he's knocking. And he wants entrance. He wants you to hear, He wants you to respond.
If any man hear my voice and open the door, it's up to you. That's an individual personal transaction. You must open the door to him. I will come into him and will suck with him. Personal fellowship and he with me. Think of it. He enters into all your circumstances. He sucks with you and you enter into his thoughts. You suck with him.
What a precious portion for the one that opens the door.
To Christ you might be you might be in a modernistic church where they they deny the the fundamentals of the Christian faith and the Lord is outside of that church. He's knocking. He's not there, he's outside and he says he's zealous therefore and repent as many as I love.
The seller. I rebuke and chasten the zealous, therefore, and repent. It's not the love of complacency here. It's the love of pity. The love of pity. But he still has the door open. He hasn't shut it yet. He hasn't closed off all hope. The day of grace is still here, so he's still knocking.
Still knocking, outside knocking. And now he wants us to respond. He wants you to respond. If you're in that state of soul, if you've been indifferent to his claims, if you've been wishy washy in your beliefs, take a firm stand for Christ. Be out and out for Christ. Open the door and come in and Sup with him, and he will Sup with you. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame.
Down with my Father in his throne. The Lord Jesus overcame when Judaism was apostate.
Now he looks to the overcomer when Christendom is apostate, and if we're a part of an apostate church, to overcome is to leave it and to and to respond to the Lord's knock, and to open your door to him and enter into personal fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
Either half an year, but in here you have an ear tonight.
Let it hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. The Spirit is speaking.
But a solemn voice, but a solemn word, This last final state.
Of the Christian profession, Laodicea, the people's rights, Christ outside knocking, knocking. Is there anyone that's in that state of soul or in that kind of a church?
He wants you to open the door. He says if he opened the door, he hear my voice. You have to hear his voice. He that have an ear to hear, let him hear. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him. Not to the church, he's outside of that, but he comes into that individual who opens the door and will suck with him, he with me.
You can you can enter into Blessing tonight.
He says in John 10, I am the door by me. If any man enter in, he shall be saved. You can come in tonight through Christ the open door and be saved.
Hold That Fast Which Thou Hast
Nazarite Separation
Address—C. Hendricks
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Start by reading a verse from Revelation 3. One verse.
Revelation 311.
Behold, I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast.
That no man take thy crown.
2nd Corinthians 12 verse 7. And lest I should be exalted above, measure through the abundance of the revelations.
There was given to me a thorn in the flesh or a thorn for the flesh.
The messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in your in weakness.
Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches.
In necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak.
Then Am I Strong? John's Gospel, chapter 15.
Verse 11.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Chapter 17. Verse 13.
And now come I to thee, and these things I speak in the world.
That they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
I want to read one more verse in Hebrew 7.
Hebrews 7 verse 25 Wherefore he is able.
Also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth, to make intercession for them for such an high priest.
Became us who is holy, harmless, undefiled.
Separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.
Now let's turn back in our Bibles to Numbers chapter 6. Numbers chapter 6 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, when either man or woman.
Shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite to separate themselves unto the Lord.
I want to emphasize before reading the rest of this portion, the word separate. It's found over and over again.
Verse three. He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink.
And shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, or eat moist grapes, or dry.
All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree from the kernels even to the husk.
All the days of the vow of his separation, there shall no razor come upon his head.
Until the days be fulfilled in the which he separated himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy.
And shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
All the days that he separated himself unto the Lord, he shall come at no dead body. He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother or for his sister when they die, because the consecration of his God is upon his head. All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.
And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration.
Then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing. On the 7th day shall he shave it. And on the 8th day she'll bring 2 turtles or two young pigeons to the priest, to the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation. And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.
And he shall consecrate unto the Lord the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering. But the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled. And this is the law of the Nazarite. When the days of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought of the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and he shall offer his offering unto the Lord. 1 He lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one you lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering.
Ram without blemish for peace offerings and a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offerings and their drink offerings. And the priest shall bring them before the Lord, and shall offer his sin offering in his burnt offering. And he shall offer the ram of a sack for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord with the basket of unleavened bread. The priest shall offer also his meat offering and his drink offering.
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And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation.
At the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation.
And put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and she'll put them upon the hands of the Nazarite after the hair of his separation is shaved.
And the priest shall waive them for a wave offering before the Lord. This is holy for the priest with a wave breast and his shoulder.
And after that, the Nazarite may drink wine.
This is the law of the Nazarite, who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the Lord for his separation.
Besides that that his hand shall get according to the vow which he voweth, so he must do after the law.
Of his separation, you've probably discerned that the word Nazarite is connected with. In fact, it comes from the same root as the word that's translated separation, and some of the times, like in verse 7, it's translated consecration.
And again in verse 9, the head of his consecration, that's the same Hebrew word.
That's rendered separation and consecration and the same route, in fact, in verse 12, the end of the verse, because his separation was defiled. That's the very word for Nazarite.
What you have in the Nazarite is true separation to God, and that's why I read that verse in Hebrew seven. He was wholly harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. He was the true Nazarite, the Lord Jesus.
He was the one who was not separate in the sense of the pharisaical type of separation, because the word Pharisee means a separated 1.
The word Pharisee carries with it the same meaning as the word Nazarite, but what a difference.
The difference the pharisaical type of separation is stand by thyself, for I am holier than thou. It's looking down upon others, it's praying. I thank thee, God, that I'm not like this other man. I fast twice in the week and and he recites all his religious virtues that he was proud of. And the publican would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast and said, God be merciful to me, a Sinner.
And it was that man, the one who owned his.
Being a Sinner that went to down to his house justified, not the Pharisee. So the Pharisaical type of separation is not of God, it's not approved of God. And this is the company, this is the group that the Lord Jesus spoke so severely to.
When He was here, below in this world, He was the true Nazarite. He was the one who was separated morally to God. The Pharisees were separated outwardly.
And the danger, of course, is to mistake that outward separation which many practice today as being synonymous with an inward separation to God, a real consecration to God, a devotedness to God, a separation in heart and will to God. This is what we find in the Nazarite.
Now there's three things especially mentioned in verses.
At 3:00 and 4:00.
We have the Nazarite was to abstain from everything that came from the vine.
And in verses in verse 5.
He was not to shave his hair. He was number razor was to come upon his head. His hair was to let be let grow. It was to grow and in verse.
Six and seven, he was not to have to come in contact with a dead body and the claims in verse 7, his father, mother, brother, sister. He wasn't to make himself unclean for them.
Now this word Nazarite is very intimately associated with the word St.
The Apostle Paul addressed the Saints at Ephesus, the Saints at Coliseum, the Saints at Philippi, and so on. The separated ones, those who were sanctified in Christ Jesus, call Saints.
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They were Nazarites. There's two kinds of Nazarites mentioned in the scripture that though there's those.
Who become Nazarites by a vow of a Nazarite, verse 2. When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite to separate themselves unto the Lord, evidently in those days.
When one took the vow of the Nazarite, it lasted for a period of time and they were totally separated and dedicated to the Lord. It's something like you get.
It's something like you get in that verse and I'll read it in First Corinthians 7.
In First Corinthians 7 verse 5 talking about the marriage relationship, he says defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer and come together again. So there was this period of time that he even in the New Testament that he speaks of where a husband and wife may decide to be.
To to keep themselves from one another, that they might be just totally devoted.
To the Lord in fasting and prayer. That's even, it's even mentioned in the New Testament. It's it's something like the vow of the Nazarite where he would just set aside a period of time in his life to be separated unto the Lord. Now when we accept Christ.
We, as it were, take the vow, the Nazarite. We say that we are going to be separated and consecrated and devoted to the Lord Jesus that He is, He is our everything and we commit ourselves without reservation to Him. He has absolute claim upon us and the claims of nature, especially the claims of the world and the claims that are on the level of the the natural man.
Are superseded and.
Are overcome by this claim that we have in our commitment to the Lord Jesus.
There's another kind of Nazarite mentioned. You see it for instance, in Samson. He was born in Nazarite, John the Baptist, He was a Nazarite by birth. These were separated unto God even from their mother's womb. Well, that's another sense which is true of the Christian. When we're born again, we receive that new nature which is holy, and we're sanctified by the Holy Spirit, by the impartation of a life which is, which is holy and sinless.
And incapable of sin, the holy new nature that is imparted to us when we receive the Lord Jesus. So there's I say in both of these aspects, whether it's viewed as taking the vowel of Nazarite or whether being born into that position, both are true of the Christian. We are Nazarites by birth. We are Nazarites by accepting him, owning his claims upon us and by commitment.
Verse 3 of #6 Now let's look at some of these details that characterize the Nazarite separation. He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink.
And shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes.
Nor eat moist grapes or dried.
That goes all the way from strong drink wine and strong drink, which is intoxicating, to the liquor of grapes, which is grape juice or just.
Grapes themselves, or dried grapes which are raisins, goes all the way.
From that which is very strong and powerful and can render 1 senses inoperative so that he doesn't know what he's doing. And he's so intoxicated and filled with this intoxicating beverage that he's not really responsible in a sense for what he's doing. He's he's drunk.
But then you can't get drunk on drinking grape juice or eating grapes. What does this speak of? It speaks of it speaks of the the joys that this world have to offer and to give us.
Now, there are many legitimate joys that the Christian can partake of.
The the Nazarite lives.
You know, you might say he lives in a sphere which is above the mere natural joys of natural relationships. We are in natural relationships, but even being in them. And we will look at some more New Testament Scriptures to substantiate this, even being in these natural relationships. And in a very passage I'm thinking of, which is First Corinthians 7 again, where the apostle Paul regulates.
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The relationship between the husband and the wife in the natural relationship of marriage.
He brings in a principle there, which is the principle of the Nazarite. Having made that comment, let's look at it in First Corinthians 7. The whole chapter is establishing the lawfulness of marriage, and he makes that very, very clear.
He says he also makes it very clear that there is a path which is to be preferred to marriage and that is the path that the apostle Paul was in. And he says in the end of verse 1 he says it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband, and all through this chapter he is establishing the propriety of marriage.
In chat in verse 25.
Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord, yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful. I suppose, therefore, that this is good for the present distress. I say that it is good for a man so to be.
That is to remain as as he is. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife but, and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned. He makes that very clear, That marriage, contrary to some of the teachings that are extant in Christendom, is of God.
He does also bring out in this very passage that there is a path that some are called to, to serve with the Lord without distraction, and he goes into that.
Let's read that verse, those verses in verse 32 he says, I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord, but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There's a difference also between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. For. And this I say for your own prophet, not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that he ye wait, ye tend upon the Lord without distraction. But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself uncommonly toward his, and that ought to read virginity.
If he passed the flower of his age, and need so require, let him do what he will. He sinneth not let him.
Mary. And he establishes that again and again. But let's go to the verses that speak of in the marriage relationship, the path of the Nazarite, verse 29.
This I say, brethren, the time is short. It remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none, and they that weep as though they wept not, and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not. If if tremendous sorrow comes into your life, and the tears flow. He says the path of the Nazarite was something like Remember, when Aaron lost his two sons, They were destroyed by the fire from.
Because they offered strange fire. The word to Aaron was you're not to weep, you're not to mourn. He was. God had dealt there, and he was to be above that. In the position that he was in, he was to be above that.
That's being above nature, isn't it? That's, that's being lifted by a power that is a power from God himself to enable us to walk above nature. The nature demands that we have a partner in life. That's the normal process. And the and the apostle thoroughly establishes that as being lawful and legitimate for the Christian. But he also establishes in this passage that to remain single is is better.
Because there won't be the many, many things that come in in married life, children and all that, that require our being having to do with the things of this world.
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So he says, does that mean then that a married person can't be a Nazarite? No, it doesn't mean that. But in this marriage relationship, they that have wives be as though they had none. That is, don't allow the the natural claims to to have such a priority over us that the Lord's claims come secondary to us. His claims are always primary.
And that is what true Nazarite ship is.
He also says they that weep as though they wept not, they that rejoice as though they rejoice not. The true Nazarite goes through this scene with a joy and that's why I read those verses in John 15 and John 17. The Lord says He gives us his joy. Now His joy was a joy that he had in communion with the Father, the consciousness of walking in in the will of the Father and fulfilling the will of the Father and pleasing the.
Father in all his path down here, it it didn't depend upon his circumstances, it it wasn't up one day and down another, but it was the joy that flowed from the conscious sense in communion with his Father that he was doing always those things that please him. He says in John 829, the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him. And in John 17, Father, I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the.
Which thou gave us me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was now. That's the path of the Nazarite. It was his path. And as we study the Nazarite, we must always remember there was only one true Nazarite that was down here, and that was the Lord Jesus in every other instance of those that that were Nazarites. And we're all position.
Nazareth practically is another matter, but positionally we're all Nazarites. We're All Saints by calling. We're all separated ones by the call of God. He has set us apart. We are different from the world. We are those whom God has elected and chosen and blessed and brought into nearness to Himself and relationship to Himself. To be all together for Him, to be all together committed to Him. That's the path of the Nazarite.
Nazarite finds his joy not in the wine and strong drink of this world, not even in the grape juice of this world, not even in the grapes of this world, not even in the skin of the grape or in the kernel of the the the seed of the grape. No part of it, no part of that kind of joy, that kind of.
Happiness that the world gives, and we all enter into that. And I think we have to be very careful in presenting the subject of the Nazarite that we don't misrepresent things. We are down here in this world and he's given us all things richly to enjoy. But if that's our object, if that is our life, the enjoyment of earthly joys and earthly relationships and all that he's given to us, if that's what we're living.
Before we are not in the path of the Nazareth, the Nazareth has something higher, something deeper, something fuller, something richer, something far more blessed. And it's the joy that comes into the soul when he knows he's doing the will of God. It was his joy. It was the joy of the Lord Jesus. And he had it even in the midst of tremendous persecution and opposition and misunderstanding and and slander that was leveled against him. All the evil things that were said of.
He had that joy and nothing disturbed it. That was the joy of the Nazarite. He was the one that fully abstained from.
From.
The fruit of the vine, in that sense of the word.
Now let's go on to the next one, which is verse 5, all the days of the vow, number six, verse 5, all the days of the vow of his separation. There shall no razor come upon his head.
Please be fulfilled in the which he separated himself unto the Lord. He shall be.
Holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
The long hair.
Which the Nazarite had was a sign of weakness.
It was, for the male, a sign of shame.
It was a sign of the weaker vessel whose glory it is to have long hair. The woman's glory is her hair, long hair. But the man was not to have long hair and.
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It the razor that which would expose the bare flesh was never to come upon his head, that's which would.
Make him prominent because that long hair was his covering.
It hid him, It was that which hid him, and it was that which was the secret of his strength. And so I read 2nd Corinthians 12 when Paul learned that secret. It's the secret of the Nazarite. It's the secret of all true testimony for God in this world. And that's the the path of separation, the path of devotedness and consecration to the Lord.
It's something that looks to the world like weakness, that long hair, that which hides the man and keeps him in his proper place of nothingness. Paul could say when he learned that secret. Most gladly, therefore do I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. I take pleasure in reproaches.
In distresses, in infirmities, in, in all of these things that we try to avoid.
And seek to escape from, he says. I take pleasure in them because when I am weak, then am I strong. That is the opportunity for the power of God to be manifested in the life. It's not the strength of nature, It's just the opposite of that. It's the it's the outward sign of weakness.
And as we'll see a little bit later with Samson and the Philistines, this this secret that Samson had, the secret of his strength, the Philistines couldn't discover it. They, the, the man, the natural man intruding into the things of God.
Which is what the Philistine represents. It's it's the natural man bringing his energies and thoughts and way of doing things into the things of God. This is what?
This can never discover the secret, the true secret of Nazarite strength. It lies in our weakness. It lies in our being hidden. It lies in our nothingness.
In our dependence, in our conscious felt.
Weakness before the Lord, and this is the secret of true strength.
This is what you find in the Philadelphia movement, in the seven churches. That was truly a Nazarite movement, a movement separated to God. Certainly Thyatira, there's no separation there. And Sardis, there's no separation there. The Protestant bodies never, never learned the secret of what true separation to God means.
And and so they were weak.
We can in not having God's strength.
And the Philadelphians who had little strength, a picture of weakness, they're the ones that had the power of Christ resting upon them.
No razor was to come upon his head.
No exposing of the flesh.
And then the Third Point.
The first is the Nazarite was to abstain from the fruit of the vine in every aspect, from the wine and the strong drink, right down to the grapes themselves and even to raisins, dried grapes.
Then we have the Nazarite was to let his hair grow.
He was to bear the sign of femininity. She is the woman is called the weaker vessel, and she is the one that whose glory is her long hair.
And here in the Nazarite, he had to wear that sign as a symbol of his consecration, his separation to God.
Is his weakness was symbolized by his long hair. That was his weakness. That was his separation. The very word carries with it the thought of his separation, and we'll see that as we trace this through the Scriptures. The third one is verse 6. All the days that he separated himself unto the Lord, he should come at no dead body.
He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother or for his sister when they die, because the consecration of his God, that word consecration, is the same word translated separation, the consecration of his God, is upon his head.
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What was upon his head? His long hair. That was the sign of his separation. It's something like you get in First Corinthians 11 where the woman is to have a head covering. That head covering is is the sign of her.
Being in the position of dependence and acknowledging the headship of the man.
And so it's the same thought here. Well, he wasn't to make himself unclean for his father, for his mother, for his brother, for his sister.
You get this thought and let's just look at one passage. There are so many. We could look at Luke 9. We'll just look at a passage.
Verse 57. It came to pass that as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Now, his father hadn't died, but what he's saying here is I won't follow you.
Until my father is gone and then the claims of nature, I am responsible to care for my father while he is living, and when he is gone then I will follow thee. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the Kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee, but let me first go and bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.
The principle of the Nazarite is found all through the New Testament.
These passages of Scripture, and we could cite many more, the principle of the Nazarite, the claims of Christ are preeminent. They are above all other earthly claims, even the claims of nature, even the claims of near of kin. You remember Abraham, he failed to answer the call of God. God had said, get thee out from thy father's house, and from thy country, and from thy land and from thy relatives unto a land that I will show thee, and I will.
Thee a great nation. And we read that Terah, his father took him, he took Abraham and they went to Haran and dwelt there. And not until Terah died did Abraham move on from Haran and enter into the the promised land in answer to the call of God. God hadn't called Tara to that land. He called Abram there, but Abraham took Tara. No, it doesn't say it that way. It says that Terah took Abram. And so he was led by nature's claims and.
Failed to answer the call of God when he allowed that claim to have such a place in his life. How many times you might find in the assembly there's a brother and a sister and a husband and a wife and one is adverse to coming to the to meeting and the other wants to come. But the one that wants to come doesn't out of deference to the to the other one. Well, that's putting the claims of nature.
Above the claims of Christ.
I know there are certain circumstances that might modify that, but I think in general that principle would apply. In that case. Christ's claims are prominent and preeminent, and this is what we have with the Nazarite.
He shall come at no dead body. He wasn't even to make himself unclean. This was allowed even in the case of the priest, not for the high priest, but in the case of the priest in Leviticus 21. They could make themselves unclean for their father or mother and so on. But the Nazarite wasn't allowed that. And this is very interesting and instructive. And what it's bringing before us in all of these instances is that the Nazarite strength lies in his weakness.
His acknowledged weakness, it's that which hides his long hair is that which hides him.
And conceals him so that he's not prominent. When that hair is cut off, then the man becomes prominent, the flesh is exposed and the strength is gone. We see that so sadly in Sampsons case.
But let's now let's trace a little bit more at the end, towards the end of what we were reading in #6 verse 18. The Nazarites shall shave the head of his separation. He shaves the head of his separation. So what's he doing? He's shaving his hair off. His hair is his separation at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings, and the priest shall take the sodden.
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Of the ram and one unleavened cake out of the basket and one unleavened wafer and she'll put them upon the hands of the Nazarite after Now notice the hair of is in italics. It's been added by the translators to give the sense and correctly added. There's nothing wrong with that addition. It gives the sense after the hair of his separation is shaved. But if you take that the hair of out and let's just read it without that what it really says in the Hebrew is.
Shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite after his separation.
Is shaved and clearly his separation is represented there by the hair that was on his head.
Now you might say, why did I read that verse in Revelation 3?
Hold fast what thou hast spoken to the Philadelphian, that no man take thy crown. Why did I read that verse? In Second Samuel, chapter one, verse 10, we have this same Hebrew word translated, consecration and separation.
And here it's talking about Saul after he was slain, and the Amalekite is describing it, verse 10, he says, So I stood upon him and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen, and I took the crown. Now that's that same Hebrew word that was translated separation in number six or consecration. I took the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and had brought them hit her unto my Lord.
Now in number six, the hair is his separation. The hair is his crown, his long hair. But here it was. It was a literal crown that marked Saul out as the king of Israel.
So it's a distinguishing feature that marked him out as being in a special place of prominence. He was the king. Second Kings 11, first 12. There's a number of scriptures I want to read.
That bring this truth up again. We have another king.
And this was Joash.
And he brought forth the King's son.
And put the crown upon him. Now the crown again is.
The same Hebrew word, Identical Hebrew word rendered separation in #6.
I put the crown upon him and gave him the testimony and made him king and anointed him. So again here we have two scriptures that refer to the the kingly crown that was placed upon a king, a monarch as being that word meaning separation. He was separated to that office by that crown placed upon his head. You can see the the force of the word.
Exodus 29. Six.
And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. Now this has to do with the consecration of the priests in Exodus 29. And this holy crown which is placed upon the mitre, that's that same word again. And it, it, it distinguished the priest. Now it's not the king here, it's the priest being consecrated to the Lord. And this holy crown is placed upon the mitre to mark him out as.
Being in this special office of priests.
He was separated to that office by that crown, so to speak.
Exodus 3930 is another one. And they made the plate of the Holy Crown, same word again of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing like to the engravings of a signet, Holiness to the Lord.
There we have the same thought.
So I want to read two more and they're very important. Leviticus 21 verse 12 here.
It's not a kingly crown, it's not the Holy Crown that was placed upon the mitre, but it's the anointing oil.
Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am the Lord. Now that's talking about the the high priest, verse 10. He that is the high priest among his brethren upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, he has this anointing oil poured upon his head. He's anointed of God to be high priest and it's called the crown.
Of the anointing oil.
It's that distinguishing feature that marks him out, as in that special office.
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As High Priest.
And the last one is Jeremiah 7 verse 29.
There are more, but I've picked these out.
Now this is interesting. This is about Jerusalem.
Jerusalem had been unfaithful, and he outlines her unfaithfulness. Verse 26 Yet they hearken not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them, but they will not hearken to thee. Thou shalt also call unto them, but they will not answer thee.
But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction. Truth is perished, and is cut off from the their mouth. Now verse 29, cut off thine hair.
Now there that same Hebrew word translated consecration, separation, crown, Nazarite is here translated hair. And we saw number six, that the hair of his separation when he was cleansed and that was cut off, that was removed, that is his separation, his consecration to God represented by that which is the symbol of weakness.
Weakness.
Was was removed and so the Lord says to Jerusalem, cut off thine hair.
Now, I've looked that up in other translations. I think Mr. Darby has it the same way, but I've looked it up in some other translations and some render it Cut off thy crown. And that's a proper translation as we've been seeing. The hair was her crown. She had no right to wear the symbol of in in her long hair. Jerusalem had no right to wear the symbol of holy consecration and separation to God when she was an unfaithful.
As unfaithful as she was, and so God says to her, cut off thine hair, you have no right to have that long hair. That's a denial. Your life, your path, your course is a denial of what that long hair symbolizes. So he says, cut off thine hair, oh Jerusalem, and cast it away. He takes away her crown, her distinguishing feature. Our distinguishing feature as Saints of God in this present day is our separation.
And when we lose our separation to God?
We lose our crown, and when the Lord said to Philadelphia, Hold fast what thou hast, that no man take thy crown, what was that crown? It was this crown of the Nazareth. It was, it was Philadelphia's holy separation to God.
Let no man take thy crown while Jerusalem lost her crown. Cut off thine hair, cut off thy crown, O Jerusalem, cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places. For the Lord hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. For the children of Israel have done evil in my sight, sayeth the Lord. They have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name to pollute it. So Jerusalem lost her crown.
As the church lost its crown.
Have we lost our crowd?
Are we truly separated?
God, according to.
What we've looked at.
As to the Nazarite.
Now let's turn to judges quickly. Chapter 13. Well, I'm not going to read 13. I don't have time for it. We're going to look at 16.
Chapter 16.
Verse 4.
It came to pass afterward that Samson, he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, resting. Sorek means choicest vine, choicest vine. The very thing that the Nazarite was to abstain from anything that came from the vine. That's where Delilah was in the valley of Soret, and her name was Delilah, meaning exhausted, languid, exhausted.
The Philistine. She was a philistine. The Philistines represent the intrusion.
Of man in the flesh, into the things of God.
Man in the flesh into the things of God, the Philistine, and the only way to combat it is by Nazarite separation. The only way to combat the intrusion of the Philistine element into the church, which is the bringing in the principles of the world, bringing in the principles of the first man, bringing in the principles and the claims of nature. These are all things we saw that the Nazarite was to abstain from.
And he was, he was to go forward in the conscious acknowledged witness, with his long hair, that crown upon his head, of his separation to God, true, devoted separation to God. That was his crown. And.
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He seemed to be able to resist and defeat the Philistine men.
But the Philistine women were his downfall. The Philistine women, the very first woman, her name isn't mentioned, but the place where she lived is mentioned, and that's in the, I think, 14. But the first thing that he says, get her for me, he says to his parents, get her for me, for she pleases me much. She pleaseth me well.
And there's something about the things in the camp.
That.
Please, please. An element in US that that likes those things. And what what element is it in us? It's the flesh, of course. It's the old nature that that wants to have a standing, that wants to be acknowledged, that wants to be respected. You might say, I can put it that way. And this is this is the intrusion of the Philistine influence into the things of God.
True separation to God.
Which is what you see in the Philadelphia movement.
Was not to not to borrow from or to draw from any of the world's resources any of those things that come from the Philistines.
True separation to God.
And Samson could combat the Philistine men when the enemy came against him with with the force and power of the male. He he defeated them with no power, no no problem. But when the enemy came against him as the wily.
Subtle. Enticing.
Amorous female he felt he felt when the world.
Raged as a lion against the Christians. They became stronger and more firm and strong in their faith. But when the world smiled upon them, when the world treated them with a friendly air, we don't we're not against you. We really are for you. Come and join with us and help us to in our endeavors to to make things better down here. Join with us. We're not against you. We've we've received the Christian message. We're different.
We're not like the world was back in those first days when the Christians were thrown to the lions and put on the stake. We've changed, don't you see? We've changed. That's the that's the the wildliness of a Delilah.
Verse 5 And the Lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him. And we will give thee, every one of us. 1100 pieces of silver. That was quite a bit of quite a bit of money. There were 5 Lords of the Philistines coming from the five major Philistine cities. 1100 each 5500 pieces of silver. Quite a handsome sum for Delilah, in order to entice him and to find out.
Where his strength was. When you see pictures of Samson, you see one that had bulging muscles and it looked powerful physically. If that was the secret of his strength, they would have seen that. If that's the way he appeared, they would have seen that. They would have known where his strength lay. Now his strength lay in something they would never have dreamed of. His hair. His hair. Strengthen your hair. Why? We know. We know that naturally you can cut your hair off completely and doesn't change your physical strength at all. But it did. It did.
Because that's where his strength lay. His strength lay in his separation. That was his crown. And they could never find it out. In a million years, the Philistines will never find out the secret of the Christian strength.
The only way she could find it out is if he told her.
And so she wasn't. She was hired to entice him to tell her the secret of his strength. Delilah said to Samson, verse 6, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. And Samson said unto her, Now in every one of these clues he gives her three false clues. And then he tells her, But in every one of these he's giving a clue to where his strength lay. He says, in the first one, If they bind me with 7 green widths that were never dried, then shall I be?
Can be as another man.
These 7 green widths would be something like hair, but they were different, and the number 7 significant here because he had those seven blocks of hair in which his strength lays. So there's a clue here, 7 green widths. And she then she says, the Lords of the Philistines brought her up to her 7 green widths which had not been dried. She bound him with them. Now there were men lying in way, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.
00:50:09
Break the widths as a threat of toes broken when it touches the fire. So his strength was not known, and delighted said unto Samson, Behold, I was mocked me.
And told me lies. Now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. You know we read this story and we shake our heads. And how could Samson?
Be so foolish. It was obvious what she was up to.
She was up to, she was up to ruin him. She was hired. She was out to ruin him.
And yet Christians are so foolish.
When they accept the false overtures of the philistine world, they're not our friends.
The world will never be our friends.
They're our enemies and all they want to do is find out where our strength lies and take it from us.
That we might be reduced to the level of a mere natural man.
That's what they're up to, and how well Satan has succeeded in using the world to accomplish that.
Evil objective to render us weak just like any other man.
So he said unto her, verse 11 If they bind me fast with new ropes.
That were never occupied, they were never used, they were never worked with. Then shall I be weak, and be as another man Now Delilah therefore took new ropes and bound them, bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.
You can see how that just the rope was made-up of fibers and strands, just like you might say, human hair. So everything that he's bringing before her is close and it's getting closer and here now we have unused, unworked on ropes. There were layers in weight. She says The Philistines be upon thee, Samson, and he break them from off his arms like a thread.
Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me and told me lies. Tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound.
And he said unto her, Now notice how close he gets.
If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.
And she fastened it with the pin. What does he do here?
A Samson permits Delilah to interweave his Nazarite crown with her works.
Samson permits Delilah to interweave this Philistine woman, his Nazarite crown, with her works. And that's what Christians have done. They have They have clasped hands with the world, and in their religious endeavor to reach the lost, they have adopted worldly principles, worldly methods. The works of the Philistines have been incorporated into evangelistic efforts to reach the lost.
Dangerous. Very close, very near to losing.
His strength.
And again.
The word is given, the Philistines be upon me. He waked out of his sleep and went away with the pin of the beam and with the web. And notice what he says she says in verse 15. She said unto him, How canst thou say I love thee? Now if you look at that first woman back earlier in Samson's history, that's exactly what she said when he wouldn't tell her the Riddle.
And the Philistines were about to kill her and her father, because they had not learned Samson's Riddle. And she comes to him. And how can you say you love me? And so Delilah says, How can thou say I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? Thou has mocked me these three times, and has not told me wherewith thy great strength.
If you really love this, you'd help us. This is the This is what Delilah was saying here to Samson. How can thou say I love thee when thine heart is not with me? Thou hast mocked me these three times. In other words, give up your separation, Samson, and come and reveal your secret. Came to pass when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him so that his soul was vexed unto death, that he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come.
A razor upon mine head, for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb.
If I be shaved, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the Lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he has showed me all his heart. And the Lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.
And she made him sleep upon her knees.
Has Delilah done that to the church? Yes, the Philistines have made the church to sleep upon her niece. Sleep Samson.
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Sleep, my beloved.
I love you.
Just sleep, sleep.
And during that sleep.
He lost his separation. He lost his crown.
He lost his hair, he lost his strength, he lost his testimony.
Just because he revealed that his strength lay in his weakness.
She caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head. She began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wished not that the Lord was departed from him. A picture of Laodicea.
But the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass, and he ground in the prison house, and it says of Laodicea.
Thou knowest not the dark, miserable and wretched and poor and blind and naked. Every one of those, every one of those terms applied to Samson after he lost his hair, after he lost his eyes, after he lost his discernment, after he lost his strength.
After he lost that which covered him, the man was then exposed.
The flesh was exposed and there was number strength left for God.
But it does say in verse 22, and this is such an encouraging verse, even if we failed in our Nazarite ship, and who of us hasn't?
Howbeit, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.
It's not all over if we fail. It's not all over if we've been untrue to our Nazarite separation to God. The hair of his head began to grow again.
And so it did grow and they made sport of Samson and they had this great feast. We know all about it. I won't read it. I've gone too long and.
The last act of Samson.
As he's there, the support of the Philistines, he grabs, puts his hand on the two pillars that was holding up that massive building. And he said, Lord, give me, strengthen me just once for my two eyes, that I may be avenged on the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might, and he pulled the building down and he died. Let me die with the Philistines. He died. But so it shows the very end, shows that there is even for the one who has.
That untrue to his Nazarite separation. There is there's recovery possible and still to be useful. He destroyed more in his death than he did in his entire life. And so there was a work that was done for that restored Nazarite that was used of God. It was the end of him, but it was also a great defeat upon the enemy.
Well, may, May God encourage us and not not cause us to be discouraged if we failed in our Nazarite ship. And who hasn't?
Who hasn't failed in it? There was only one that never failed, never failed. Think of it. If he had faltered just once, if he had failed just once in his entire complete commitment and devotedness to the will of the Father, all would have been lost. We wouldn't be here tonight. There would be no salvation for us. It would have all been lost. But there was one that was perfect in his commitment to God, his Father.
Praised his blessed name.
Character of Laodicea
Prophecy
Bible Prophecy 1 of 4
Part 5 Christ's Coming Glory Manifested
Serve the Lord Gladly
Jehoshaphat
Practical Lessons from Hezekiah
Threefold Cord
Ezra Part 1
Ezra Part 2
Nehemiah 3:1-32
NEH 3:11-20
Nehemiah 5-6
Nehemiah 9-10
Eternal Issues
Heaven Looking Upon Earth
God is Greater than Man
If God Considered Only Himself
Gospel
Authority in the Hands of Men
Address—C. Hendricks
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Verse three if the foundations be destroyed.
What can the righteous do?
Verse 7.
For the righteous Lord.
Loveth Righteousness.
Psalm 45.
Verse 6.
Thy throne, O God.
Is forever and ever.
The scepter of thy Kingdom is a right scepter.
Thou lovest righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
And then the 9th and 3rd Psalm.
Verse 5.
Thy testimonies are very sure.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord forever.
And in the 94th Psalm, verse 20.
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee?
Which famous mischief by law?
One of the most common questions that has been put to me.
In my travels is based on a statement that is often made.
Amongst that, an assembly decision, right or wrong, is to be vowed to.
And that has to be explained.
And sometimes the answer is.
Well, hard to answer.
I read these verses that speak of what is essential to God's nature. He is holy. He is righteous.
And the reason that he has delegated authority to man in the various spheres is to maintain order.
Order and righteousness.
Take for instance.
Romans 13.
Just cites this as one instance.
Romans 13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God.
Is this Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive judgment.
Or rulers are not as terrorists good works, but to the evil. That's why they've been set up to judge the evil.
Not to punish good works.
Will thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same, for he is the minister of God to thee for good.
If I do that which is evil, be afraid beareth not restored in vain. Every government has been established to judge the evil and to reward the good.
Every delegated authority.
Is set up by God, who is righteous.
Return to second Timothy move.
Very well known Scripture, Second Timothy 2.
Verse 19.
The firm foundation nevertheless the foundation of God and is sure the firm foundation of God standards having this deal. The Lord knows them that are his and that everyone that name is the name of Christ or Lord be heart from iniquity. That word iniquity means unrighteousness.
So the whole basis for the assemblage is established on the footing of righteousness.
God was righteous, the righteous Lord loveth righteousness.
And he wants that maintained his assembly, and if that wasn't so, if he had not delegated authority to those who were devoted to the name of the Lord Jesus.
00:05:05
And given them power to deal with evil, the assembly would be the greatest iniquity on the face of the earth, because it would be the place where the Lord was and the place where it would be impossible to judge evil.
So he committed this authority into the hands of men.
And they are responsible, a father is responsible to administer the authority that has been committed to him righteously.
A husband has authority over his wife to exercise that righteously.
Every delegated authority is to be done in righteousness.
Assembly is to come down with righteous decisions. Now that's God's thought and that's God's purpose and desire. But all delegated authorities are fallible. They're all made-up of sinners made by grace or sinners.
Like you and me and so their failure.
In the exercise of authority.
And sometimes an assembly will take an action. We have discussed this a little in the reading meeting, but I think it needs more clarification, an action which you may judge is wrong.
What are you to do?
Well, you're to submit to the action. You should submit to the authority of the Lord in the midst of His Father Saints, whether you think it's right or wrong.
And that's really what that statement means.
But it doesn't mean that the assembly has the authority to commit wickedness.
Doesn't mean that I as a father have the authority to punish my child unjustly, knowingly, willfully to do such. And I know as a father I've made mistakes in the punishment of my children. I've made mistakes, but I've never done it to my knowledge, To my conscious knowledge, I've never done it unrighteously, that is, with evil intent to punish one that I knew was.
There's the difference between unrighteousness and a mistake because we're fallible.
The only authority there is in the universe that is infallible is that of God.
He never makes a mistake. He knows the thoughts, the motives, the purposes of the heart that you and I don't. So we can make mistakes. And when the authority under which we live makes a mistake, in our opinion, we may be wrong, you know.
And we may find out that they were right after all. But even if I think I'm right in their wrong, or even if I know I'm right and they're wrong, I will submit.
Through the authority under which I live.
That's the way of peace.
But we're never called upon to submit to known wickedness.
I'm talking about now in the assembly spirit.
In fact, is, as an assembly permits itself to, a course of wickedness.
Than it would forfeited right to be considered an Assembly of God, but that would only be arrived at after much.
Earnest prayer and looking into the matter. Because we're fallible. There is a guard against the setting up.
Of any independent local authority, and that's in the truth that there's one body.
Now it's not ever right for another assembly to come in.
To an assembly that has rendered the judgment to overturn that judgment, that's never right.
Because the authority of the Lord in assembly be can never be used to overturn the same authority in assembly A at the same authority.
The truth of the one body is to be seen and acted upon by all other assemblies, bowing to what an assembly has done.
Primus issues.
If the Lord makes manifest that there is more than just maybe a mistake, and that we can bear with because we are all fallible and prone to that, but there is absolute wickedness, that's another matter.
00:10:14
The problem that consensus is not bad at all. It's not a question of wickedness. It's not a question of unrighteousness. It's the question of opinion as to.
Whether a mistake was made or not, in that case I set my own opinion aside and submit and vow to the authority of the Lord in the midst of the assemblies.
If we follow any other chart, there are hopeless confusion and division and.
Great distress.
The way of peace is submission on the part of the one who's under the authority.
But I think it's important to see.
The question is put, is an unrighteous action on the part of an assembly bound in heaven? Well, if it's an act of wickedness, no it's not.
It is not found in heaven, that is wickedness.
Because God is venture and He is given that authority to be carried out for His glory.
That, some said, shall be.
After reading again, it's in the 94th Psalm.
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee? But we're not talking about that and the problem that consensus today.
We're talking about judgment having been executed with regards to one who is local in an assembly, and that assembly made a decision. And in the unity of the body of Christ, we accept it, we bow to it, the authority of the Lord.
Elsewhere is the same authority. That is, in that assembly there's only one authority.
I have the authority of Christ in the midst. We are not talking about the committed wickedness, but I think that it is a question that troubles so many.
Now in the world, he's given authority to the government, and oftentimes they use their authority in a very evil way. What are we to do or to submit to it?
We can't expect the world to act upon Christian principles.
We have the right to expect better things in the Church of God.
And so the Church of God is to exercise.
The authority committed to it righteousness, it may fail in a mistaken judgment that that can be born with and labored with questions so on because we're all members one of another Church of God is 1. God is 1.
And we're not a group of independent churches that have no responsibility one to another. And what's done here has waste and force and is accepted everywhere.
It's a complete denial. That's complete refusal of the system of independency and independent local churches that exist throughout Christendom.
There's a precious principle.
To see that we're gathered.
On the principle of separation from evil, let everyone, the name of the name of the Lord, be part from iniquity, unrighteousness. The very position that we occupy is founded upon that fundamental principle of separation from evil, that God's principle of unity.
And if it be not that? If it be not that.
You don't have.
Anything.
Our coming together must be on a righteous footing. That's why given authority so that evil could be dealt with and put away, because it's not compatible with the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in midst.
Depression, this holiness is incompatible with known and allowed evil, and that's why Cuban authorities and in the exercise of it, there could be a mistake.
00:15:04
But let's not call a mistake iniquity.
There have been, there's been that mistake made.
Serious charges against the assembly that has acted with all good intentions for the glory of the Lord, and there have been those that have labeled it iniquity, and that's very sharp. Most serious charge. So let us be very careful.
And how we speak upon about an accident which has been taken in the fear of the Lord may not be perfect. I don't know if an assembly action has ever been perfect because it's composed of imperfect people like you and me.
It's still done in the fear of the Lord. Courtney Glory speaking his mind according to the words. We can bow to it and if mistakes have been made, look to the head.
Step right? Any mistakes that have been made?
Well, may the Lord exercises and keep us in the path of righteousness. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness, or his name says, wonderful path to being. May the Lord keep us in that path.
God's Way with Us
Fret Not Thyself
Psalm 39:4
Psalm 45
The Fool
Psalm 107
Grace and Glory
Psalm 115:16
Living to Please God
Proverbs 1 (1 of 8)
Fear
Proverbs 3:1-12
Proverbs Part 1
Proverbs 6:16-27
Proverbs Part 2
Proverbs Part 3
Proverbs Part 4
Proverbs Part 5
Ecclesiastes Vanity
Song of Songs 2
Song of Songs 3
Song of Songs 4
Outline of Isaiah 1
Isaiah 8-9:7
Isaiah 9:8-10:19
Isaiah 10:20-11:9
A Gathering of Sticks
Ezekiel 47
The Indignation
Daniel's 70 Weeks
Daniel: The Man of Prayer
Jonah
Habakkuk
Where Is My Honor? Where Is My Fear?
Perilous Times
Change
Prove Me