I writing to the Ephesians church, Paul wrote extensively about the differences between believers and unbelievers. This statement comes from the middle of his discussion.
We frequently need reminded of how the Gospel really changes us from the world around us. I would add that we often need to distinguish between the traditions we learned at home and in church and the direct teachings of Scripture.
The story is frequently told of a lady who was cooking a ham and cut the bone off before putting it in her large cooker. Her husband asked her why she was cutting it off. She answered, I learned that from my mother. He then asked her mother the same question. Mother answered, “I learned it from my mother”. Grandma was still available, so he asked her. Grandma’s answer was, “My cooking pot was too small for the entire ham”. Many of our traditions are good and useful, but that one wasn’t useful, even if it once was useful.
Other traditions can be very evil. Pagan practices are of the devil and should be carefully evaluated. If they in any way disagree with the Bible they must be abandoned. Paul already had addressed many of those practices before this statement in verse 27.
Let’s look at this verse carefully, to learn how to apply it.
“do not” is an absolute form of expression. It gives no opportunity for an alternate or compromise meaning. When God’s word says “do not”, we cannot compromise. Some have thought that they could confess a murder to their priest and be forgiven. Then they thought they could go out and murder someone else and be forgiven again and again. The Scripture says “do not murder” just as it says “do not steal”.
“give”, but some may say, that’s not generous. Until we recognize that the Scripture is stating that we have authority and must not exercise it in any way contrary to God’s will. How does this authority really work?
If God chooses to speak through people and do everything through people does He ever do anything without doing it through people?
In order to understand how God works we need to start at the beginning, to look at how God set up things on this earth at creation.
In Genesis 1:26— God’s plan was for man to be the ruler of everything on this earth. In Genesis 1:28 — God made man the absolute ruler of everything on this earth. Imagine what it would be like if God told you that you have absolute rule over everything on this earth? You could command animals and they would obey. You could even command insects and they would obey your command.
In chapter three Adam submitted to his wife and the serpent (Gen 3:17). Revelation 12:9 identifies the serpent as Satan. In Job (Job 1:6,7) we find Satan’s claim to authority over the earth is not even questioned.
Luke 4:6 “the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”
Thus, Adam’s authority had been delivered to the devil.
Romans 6:16: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
Witness Abraham and Abimelek (Gen. 20:1-17) — God spoke directly to a heathen king that he needed to ask Abraham to pray for his healing. Abimelech had acted in integrity and God spoke to him. Why didn’t God just heal Abimelek directly? I will assert that Job was God’s man and when the story ends the other “comforters” are told to have Job pray for them (Job 42:7,8).
Even when God was going to destroy this wicked earth with a flood, He used a man (NOAH) to preserve the human race by following God’s instructions.
This story is for our benefit to understand how God works. God promised Abraham that He would bless those who blessed Abraham and curse those who cursed Abraham. Proverbs tells us that the curse causeless will not come to rest. Not only that, but God promised to send the curses back on those who cursed Abraham.
Because Divine Healing has such a controversial past, we will focus on what the Bible teaches directly. We will not attack any others who have differing opinions. Our study is not about opinions, it is about what God has already said and promised all believers.
We firmly hold to the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice. “The goal of our teaching is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”. –1 Tim. 1:5.
Our purpose is to help train believers in experiencing and using the authority and power given them in Jesus for the healing and saving of people.
Our first question to solve is: Does Jesus want everyone healed?
KJV Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
KJV Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto [upon] you. [two requirements for healing: 1) enter the city, and 2)”they receive you”.] 10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luk 10:10-11 KJV)
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. (Gen 20:17 KJV)
20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. (2Ch 30:20 KJV)
KJV Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isa 6:10 KJV)
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:4-5 KJV)
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1John 2:17 KJV)
That’s s how to survive in this trying time.
The question is: “What is the Will of God?” If we want to know the will of God, we need to turn to John 7:17: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17 KJV)
We need to connect closely to God’s word. It has an amazing effect on other people, when we do what is right and our life is coherent, consistent, has integrity. There is a purpose behind this.”For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1Peter 2:15 KJV)
Much of opposition to God’s Word comes not from truth or fact, but from ignorance and tradition. It becomes silenced when we do what God says and they see the results.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12 KJV)
He does want us to do His will that others will recognize, that God is at work in me and in others who walk with Jesus. How to do it?
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice… And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:1-2 KJV).
People say, “How can you know God’s Will?” Or “maybe it is God’s will for you to be sick”. If you visit somebody in a hospital and they say, “It is God’s will for me to be sick” Then why are you here in the hospital trying to violate God’s will?
If God is all-powerful, why does he need us to pray? If we pray and nothing happens, does this mean that God isn’t listening? If you have ever felt that your prayers don’t count, Intercessory Prayer will show you just how vital your prayers are.
Most Christians don’t know how to use 2 Corintians 10:4-5. But these verses contain immense power.
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We know that colds are caused by viruses. What has humidity to do with those diseases?
Colder air is not able to hold as much water vapor as warm air. If we heat cold air the relative humidity will drop. When the outside air is near freezing it holds almost no moisture so we need to add water to the warmed air to keep our breathing system from becoming uncomfortable or even injured. Under extreme dry conditions most people experience a sense of dryness. This is a warning to us that we need more moisture in our body.
“1 Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
3 A bruised reed He will not break, And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not be disheartened or crushed, Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”
6 I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations.” (NAS Isaiah 42:1, 3, 4, 6)
This introduction to the discussion in Isaiah 42 raised questions in my mind. I have read the earlier parts of Isaiah and they repeatedly discuss the corruption of the Israelites who had just been put into Assyrian captivity and dispersion. Suddenly the tone changes (no wonder commentators treat Isaiah as two separate books) and Isaiah speaks of the “Servant who will bring justice to the nations. I originally thought that any Jew reading this would say that the cruelty of the oppressing nations will be rectified by restoring the Jews to their homeland. I’m sure that some have read it that way, but I believe they never understood the word “justice”.
While my pastor was preaching on this section of chapter 42, it struck me that the key was in the phrase “justice to the nations”. If the Jews were seeking restitution from oppression by other countries, they were forgetting the message of why they were going into captivity. They had a twisted idea of justice to assume they were innocent and all others were guilty. God has explicitly stated the reason for trouble coming on all of Israel and Judah. It was their injustice toward each other.
It may seem obvious, but I must ask, “What is justice?”
At first I thought it was the removal of injustice (crime, sin, etc.)? This led me to understand that all evil in this world is a form of injustice. Logically, then it appeared to me that Justice would be removal of all of my sin and its effects(sickness, death, etc.). Then God could use me as an example to draw others to seek this good result.
When the criminal justice system has difficulty convicting an individual of a specific crime, they may turn to the criminal conspiracy code. The rules for conviction of conspiracy to commit a crime are less stringent than to convict a person of the actual crime. These rules were devised to discourage people from encouraging criminal behavior and planning crimes with others.
Most conspiracies in the Old Testament were against local rulers. I find it significant that God has also accused people of conspiracy against Himself and against His people.
I was stunned when God told me to confront a church leader with the message that he was a leader of a conspiracy against the Holy Spirit. This was a difficult and most unpleasant message to give and it was not well received. Jeremiah and Ezekiel both had to deliver such messages from God. Their messages were not well received either.
Have those teens ever asked permission to do something and you said no?
Did they then try to justify their desires by saying, “But, everybody is doing it”? Or, maybe they said, “our friend’s parents say it is OK.”
Why did you as a parent still refuse the request?
Did you believe your decision was based on facts and within your authority as parents?
What should we do when we want to do something God has said is wrong? Should we argue with God? What basis do we have for disagreeing with God?
Will it work for us to say, “My family has always done it.” -or- “that’s just not fair” -or- I believe that I am right and you are wrong” ?
There are many religious teachings which are not found in the Bible. I believe most of you could name several of these false teachings which are now broadly accepted. One which comes to my mind is the idea that a wicked person is immortal. Did any of you believe this idea at some time? This teaching is concealed in the idea that the wicked live eternally while being eternally tortured.
How did you come to change your mind? As you contemplate this question I will point out what Jesus, Paul and Peter said about an evil use of tradition.
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. (Mat 15:6 KJV)
I grew up in a church where they talked about “truth” all the time. They even said, “we have the truth”. Then they would say we have “the testing truth for the world”. We professed to base all our practices and beliefs on the Bible. It was only after years of teaching what I had been taught that I discovered that we have much to learn and much to unlearn before we will really measure up to the standards of God and His word.
I find it still is emotionally difficult to examine everything I believe according to the Bible. This is a continuous and present need for all true Christians. Jesus warned us that deceptions would increase until the end of all things as we know them. Why is this warning so prominent? Jesus began is answer to the disciples with, ” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you”. (Mat 24:4 NAS)
Loma Linda’s Hill Church on Sabbath, September 6, 2008, hosted Dr. Desmond Ford, the most significant theologian produced by the Adventist church. The hot topic of the afternoon was his presentation on the Forensic Atonement Theory In Light Of the Christian Gospel.This was probably the first time D. Ford was given an opportunity to speak at an Adventist Church in North America since Glacier View.
Desmond Ford was introduced by the executive director of the Adventist Today Foundation, Dr. Ervin Taylor:
“On behalf of the Adventist Today Foundation who is the publisher of the journal “Adventist Today” I would like to welcome you to this 2008 Richard Hammill Memorial lecture. This lecture series honors the late Richard Hammill, the scholar, who had a long and distinguished carrier as a Seventh-day Adventist educator, University administrator and a senior churchman. In the early and mid 1990-s in active retirement at Loma Linda Dr. Hammill became involved in discussions, which contributed greatly to the advancement of progressive approaches to various traditional Adventist theological understandings. Today, we honor the memory of Dr. Hammill by seeking through open dialog a better understanding and appreciation of the range of views on important theological and other issues that are currently being discussed by scholars both within the Adventist faith and within a larger Christian community.
This was no minor firefight between the Blue and Red armies. It was all out war. On the first day the Blue army took heavy casualties. Its generals saw how badly they were losing and decided it was time for the nuclear option. They had to win big the next day. Another day of heavy casualties could demoralize their troops.
There was no way the Blue army could lose with this weapon in their arsenal. When it arrived in camp, they cheered loudly. The noise they made got the attention of the Red army, and Red scouts soon discovered the presence of the weapon of mass destruction.
As we progress in this study I hope you will see how much attention and detail God has focused in His desire to be very close and friendly with you. You may be timid in developing your closeness to God, but stay with us in this journey.
Moses didn’t think he’d be able to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. At the burning bush God persuaded him to try. For years while reading this story, I used to miss a very significant item. But Moses said to God,
“Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”
(Exodus 3:11).
Most Christian and Jewish readers may think I am asking a crazy question. After all, for centuries they have understood that the “sanctuary” is either the tabernacle or a room in the tabernacle. As we progress you will see that this question is relevant to a correct understanding of the entire plan of Salvation.
Why would I bother to suggest that the popular, well-know answer might be wrong? As I was reading in the Torah/Books of Moses, I came on a most interesting verse. It is found in Numbers chapter 10. This chapter is describing the orderly way the camp of Israel was to move from one place to another. It spends most of the chapter listing the various tribes and where they were to be during the travel. Hidden in this story are some important verses.
NAU Numbers 10:17 Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who were carrying the tabernacle, set out.
The text continues with more tribes setting out on the trip and then this astounding note.
KJV Numbers 10:21 And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
In chapter three, we reviewed the general identification of the sanctuary from accessible translations and minimal Hebrew to demonstrate God’s viewpoint of the tabernacle was from His throne inside the tabernacle. Thus all descriptions are from God, not a bystander. In addition, this chapter is for the enthusiastic Hebrew and Greek students. If you are not in this category feel free to skip forward to chapter 5.
The problem is us. Since the fall of Adam, humans have demonstrated that they are prone to violate God’s design for themselves. The Bible is filled with the stories of God pursuing a relationship with humans like He had with Adam and Eve before sin entered this world.
The most elaborate explanation and demonstration of how God wants to keep us in an acceptable relation with Him is found in the Tabernacle services. If we are so prone to rebel, how can God tolerate staying anywhere near us?
In the 1860’s the early “Adventists” chose a special name as the religious institution I belong to was being organized. They chose this name because it directly pointed to the two most important doctrines they had learned from Scripture.
Those two doctrines were and are the Seventh day Sabbath and the soon return [Advent] of Jesus to complete His redeeming of our bodies. All other doctrines were considered secondary to those two doctrines. While the church may have shifted focus in many areas, but these are still the two key identifiers of believers.
Until the death of Ellen White in 1915 Seventh Day Adventists were clearly known as the people of the Book, referring to our teaching doctrines from Scripture. Gradually, laziness and ignorance crept in as we began to use the writings of Ellen G. White to explain the meaning of Scriptures. (more…)
At our church our brother Tim Conley, told us about Bible discussions he was having at work with his coworker Kevin Campbell. They were discussing the Sabbath. Tim later told of Kevin discussing keeping the Sabbath. Another member of our church, Frankie Cox, told of visiting a church nearby which had just started keeping the Sabbath. We later got directions to that church from Frankie. In December of 2003 we visited the congregation that had begun keeping the Sabbath.
As it turned out, the new congregation of Sabbath-keepers meets in Penn Laird. The church is a simple building in a country location.
It has always amazed me how important non-wage benefits are to many people. They complain that they can’t take care of themselves because they don’t have Dental Insurance or Health Insurance.
The insurance companies have perpetrated a great fraud on the American people. They teach you to think you can’t get their benefits if you don’t wait for them to tell you how much they will pay for. This causes many people not to have treatment they would be benefited by because by the time they find out how much the Insurance company will pay, they no longer see the importance of the treatment and often don’t get the treatment. This is a demonstration of how people have been brainwashed into thinking that they are not responsible for themselves. (more…)
As a young pastor I came face-to-face with an enigma that was most frustrating. Why did the denominational leaders exert so much emotional energy to push the workers to promote certain programs? Sometimes it was fund raising. Other times they were comparing the workers based on the number of baptisms they experienced in the previous year. I sensed that something was out of God’s order. What is God’s order?
Did the early church keep membership records? Did they report the amount of funds raised for the assistance of the poor? (more…)
“Do Not Give A Place to the Devil”
Dutch Sheets. Intercessory prayer
