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To glorify God, our Father and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
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Tuesday Jan 22, 2019
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Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Pioneer Health and Missions presented a series of six videos on the subject of sin and salvation to help inform and encourage others to study this very import topic.
This is part 4 of 6 with Thomas Akens entitled, “The Simple on the Sinful.”
Notes:
I. Born or Bred?
1. Stating the problem
a. Romans 8:5-8 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [mind] the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
2. What is man composed of?
a. Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” 3. What does the word ‘soul’ mean?
a. 1 Corinthians 2:14 “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.”
b. James 3:15 “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” 4. What did the Lord provide give man, in order to keep his soul in balance?
a. Genesis 2:8a, 15 “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; . . . And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” i. Ed, p. 21.2 “Useful occupation was appointed them as a blessing, to strengthen the
body, to expand the mind, and to develop the character.”
◦ Lt22c-1890.9 “No single action makes a man’s character; it is through the repetition of actions that the character is formed; for repeated action form habits, and habits become character.”
◦ COL, 356.2 “Thus actions repeated form habits, habits form character, and by the character our destiny for time and for eternity is decided.”
II. Whom mindest thou?
1. What was man’s estate in Eden?
a. PP, p. 53.1 “Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation; their happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the Creator’s law. They could obey and live, or disobey and perish.”
b. James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried [Grk. approved], he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
2. What caused man’s fall?
a. Genesis 3:6 “. . . the woman . . . she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
b. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
c. James 1:14 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
3. How is the word ‘mind’ (Rom 8:5-8) defined by Scripture?
a. Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
b. Matthew 16:23 “. . . thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
c. Philippians 3:19 “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”
4. What does it mean to ‘mind’ carnal or earthly things?
a. 2 Timothy 3:2, 4 “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”
b. John 8:23, 38, 41, 44 “And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.” “I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.” “Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.” “Ye are of your father the devil, . . .”
5. How are we to form righteous characters?
a. PrT Nov. 3, 1885, par. 8 “It is your own efforts, through Christ, which will bring you perfection of Christian character. When a path of duty is opened before you, you are not to consult your own convenience, but by living faith you are to walk in the path of humble obedience. All who enter heaven will do so as conquerors. You will have a battle to fight; you will have to overcome difficulties by strong, determined effort. But eternal life is worth a life-long, persevering effort.”
b. YI Dec. 15, 1886, par. 4 “Let the youth ever remember that there is something to es- cape, evils to shun. God has given his children faculties, the right employment of which would make them happy. The Lord never designed that they should be employed for our destruction. The structure of a strong, well-balanced character is made by a faithful performance of individual acts of duty in little things. . . . Your deportment, the spirit and feel- ings that you cherish, care and thoughtfulness in the things which are least in every-day life, form the true test of character.”
6. How is ‘duty’ defined by James?
a. James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
III. “Temptation is not sin”
1. How does James describe temptation?
a. James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
2. Is temptation sin?
a. ST, Dec. 10, 1902 par. 8 “Temptation is not sin; the sin lies in yielding. To the soul that
trusts in Jesus, temptation means victory and greater strength.”
b. Ms70-1894.4 “Remember that however trying the circumstances in which a man may be placed, nothing can really weaken his soul so long as he does not yield to temptation, but maintains his own integrity. The interests most vital to you individually are in your own keeping. No one can damage them without your consent. All the satanic legions cannot injure you unless you open your soul to the arrows of Satan. As long as you are firm to do right, your ruin can never take place. If there is not pollution of mind in your- self, all the surrounding pollution cannot taint and defile you.”
3. Does the flesh tempt us?
a. Romans 7:21-23 “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
4. Wherein lies our strength against temptation & sin?
a. SC.47.1 “What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise.”
b. AA.482.1-2 “Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.”
IV. The Way of escape
1. Is there a way of escape?
a. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
b. 2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, . . .” 2. How is this ‘way of escape’ described to us?
a. Romans 7:24-25 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
b. Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
c. 4SP.324-325 “God declares, ‘I will put enmity.’ This enmity is not naturally entertained. When man transgressed the divine law, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan. There exists naturally no enmity between sinful man and the originator of sin.
“Had not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God.
“But when Satan heard the declaration that enmity should exist between himself and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that his efforts to deprave human nature would be interrupted; that by some means man was to be enabled to resist his power.
“The grace that Christ implants in the soul creates the enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding.
“But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts, enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above.”
3. Where do we see this enmity perfectly displayed?
a. ST, May 10, 1899, par. 9 “Amid impurity, Christ maintained His purity. Satan could not stain or corrupt it. His character revealed a perfect hatred for sin.”
b. Psalm 40:7-8 “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” 4. How is this enmity implanted into human hearts?
a. Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” 5. What does this new heart create in man?
a. Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: . . .”
b. Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: . . .”
V. The origin of original sin
1. How was sin brought into our world?
a. Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
2. What is meant by ‘sin’?
a. RH, Apr. 5, 1898, par. 9 “. . . when they [Adam & Eve] accepted the assertions of Satan, which were false, disobedience and transgression were introduced into our world. This disobedience to God’s express command, this belief of Satan’s lie, opened the floodgates of woe upon the world. Satan has continued the work begun in the Garden of Eden.”
3. How was Adam’s sin perpetuated?
a. Genesis 4:8 “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” 4. What do Cain & Abel represent?
a. ST, Sep. 11, 1884, par. 4 “Cain and Abel represent two classes of men that have existed from generation to generation, and will continue to exist to the close of time.”
5. How are the ways of these two sons of Adam contrasted?
a. PP.72.2 “So far as birth and religious instruction were concerned, these brothers were
equal. Both were sinners, and both acknowledged the claims of God to reverence and worship. To outward appearance their religion was the same up to a certain point, but beyond this the difference between the two was great.”
b. Jude 1:11, 19 “. . . the way of Cain, . . . separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”
c. Genesis 4:16 “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, . . .”
d. Matthew 23:35 “. . . righteous Abel . . .”
e. Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”
f. PP.71.1 “Abel had a spirit of loyalty to God; he saw justice and mercy in the Creator’s dealings with the fallen race, and gratefully accepted the hope of redemption.”
6. Where did original sin originate?
a. Ms8-1888.6 “Well, you say, it was Adam’s sin. You say, I am not guilty of that, and I am not responsible for his guilt and fall. Here all these natural tendencies are in me, and I am not to blame if I act out these natural tendencies. Who is to blame? Is God? Why did God let Satan have this power over human nature? These are accusations against the God of Heaven, and He will give you an opportunity, if you want it, of finally bringing your accusations against Him; then He will bring His accusations against you, when you are brought into His court of judgment.”
b. ST August 29, 1892, par. 2 “There are many who in their hearts murmur against God. They say, ‘We inherit the fallen nature of Adam, and are not responsible for our natural imperfections.’ They find fault with God’s requirements, and complain that he demands what they have no power to give. Satan made the same complaint in heaven, but such thoughts dishonor God.”
7. Did God predestine men to failure & death?
a. PP. 72.4 “Cain had the same opportunity of learning and accepting these truths as had
Abel. He was not the victim of an arbitrary purpose. One brother was not elected to be accepted of God, and the other to be rejected. Abel chose faith and obedience; Cain, unbelief and rebellion. Here the whole matter rested.”
b. SW April 28, 1908, par. 5 “There is no nature so rebellious that Christ cannot subdue it, no temper so stormy that he cannot quell it, if the heart is surrendered to his keeping. Those who are overcome have only themselves to blame.”
VI. What shall we say?
1. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” – US National Archives.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
3. 2 Timothy 2:14-15 “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the
Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
4. Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Notes: https://phm.org/the-simple-on-the-sinful-thomas-akens/
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Pioneer Health and Missions presented a series of six videos on the subject of sin and salvation to help inform and encourage others to study this very import topic.
This is part 3 of 6 with Dustin Butler entitled, “Sinful Flesh.”
Notes:
Romans 8:3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Likeness:
g3667. ὁμοίωμα homoiōma; from 3666; a form; abstractly, resemblance: — made like to, likeness, shape, similitude.
AV (6) – likeness 3, made like to 1, similitude 1, shape 1;
Philippians 2:7
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what are their wants, and where lies the strength of their temptations. The weakness of our human nature will not bar our access to the heavenly Father; for Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, “yet without sin.” {ST October 7, 1897, par. 10} (Heb. 4:15)
Think of Christ’s humiliation. He took upon himself fallen, suffering human nature, degraded and defiled by sin. {YI December 20, 1900, par. 7}
The divine nature, combined with the human, made Him capable of yielding to Satan’s temptations. Here the test to Christ was far greater than that of Adam and Eve, for Christ took our nature, fallen but not corrupted, and would not be corrupted unless He received the words of Satan in the place of the words of God. {Ms57-1890.11}
1 John 3:5
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father’s commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble. {GC 623.1}
James 1:14-15
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
“The prince of this world cometh,” said Jesus, “and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ’s humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character. {DA 123.3}
A plain, simple but liberal diet of fruits, vegetables and grains is the best for those who are preparing for the work of God. The lower nature, with all its inclinations, must be subdued and crucified, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. It is absolutely necessary for Christians to keep the body under, bringing it into subjection, and uprooting every affection and impulse which is contrary to the will of God. The food which we eat will help or hinder us in doing this. {Ms47-1896.26}
The lower passions have their seat in the body and work through it. The words “flesh” or “fleshly” or “carnal lusts” [1 Peter 2:11] embrace the lower, corrupt nature; the flesh of itself cannot act contrary to the will of God. We are commanded to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the body? No; but put to death the temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be expelled. Every thought is to be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. All animal propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul. The love of God must reign supreme; Christ must occupy an undivided throne. Our bodies are to be regarded as His purchased possession. The members of the body are to become the instruments of righteousness. {Ms1-1888.10}
I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” That he might not run uncertainly or at random in the Christian race, Paul subjected himself to severe training. The words, “I keep under my body,” literally mean to beat back by severe discipline the desires, impulses, and passions. {AA 314.1}
The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a foothold. Every point in which we fail of meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us. And every failure or defeat on our part gives occasion for him to reproach Christ. {DA 125.2}
When Satan quoted the promise, “He shall give His angels charge over Thee,” he omitted the words, “to keep Thee in all Thy ways;” that is, in all the ways of God’s choosing. Jesus refused to go outside the path of obedience. {DA 125.3}
Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. {PH117 28.2}
How little we appreciate this fact. Actions make habits, and habits, character, and if we do not guard our habits, we shall not be qualified to unite with heavenly agencies in the work of salvation, nor be prepared to enter the heavenly mansions that Jesus has gone to prepare; for no one will be there except those who have surrendered their will and way to God’s will and way. He whose character is proved, who has stood the test of trial, who is a partaker of the divine nature, will be among those whom Christ pronounces blessed. {RH December 8, 1891, par. 10}
Pure religion has to do with the will. The will is the governing power in the nature of man. If the will is set right, all the rest of the man will come under its sway. The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the choice, the deciding power; the kingly power which works in the children of men unto obedience to God or to disobedience. {Lt49-1887.12}
Every human being possessed of reason has power to choose the right. In every experience of life God’s word to us is, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15. Everyone may place his will on the side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus linking himself with divine agencies, he may stand where nothing can force him to do evil. {CG 209.3}
The tempted one needs to understand the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man—the power of decision, of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. Desires for goodness and purity are right, so far as they go; but if we stop here, they avail nothing. Many will go down to ruin while hoping and desiring to overcome their evil propensities. They do not yield the will to God. They do not choose to serve Him. {MH 176.1}
In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. {DA 466.4}
The heavenly intelligences will work with the human agent who seeks with determined faith that perfection of character which will reach out to perfection in action. To everyone engaged in this work Christ says, I am at your right hand to help you. {COL 332.4}
As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings. {COL 333.1}
Let every one who desires to be a partaker of the divine nature, appreciate the fact that he must escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. There must be a constant, earnest struggling of the soul against the evil imaginings of the mind. There must be a steadfast resistance of temptation to sin in thought or act. The soul must be kept from every stain, through faith in Him who is able to keep you from falling. We should meditate upon the Scriptures, thinking soberly and candidly upon the things that pertain to our eternal salvation. {RH June 12, 1888, par. 4}
But Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected. {COL 331.1}
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Pioneer Health and Missions would like to welcome Health Contributor Sean Worix. He is currently studying Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University.
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Sunday Jan 20, 2019