Restoring the Broken Relationship We Shall be Like
Restoring the Broken Relationship
We Shall be Like Him • Scripture tells us that the sons of God will be like God. • 1 John 3: 2. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. "
Made Like Him in the Beginning • Gen 1: 26; 27. "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 that creepeth upon the earth. • "So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. "
God Glorified in Adam • When God made us in His image and likeness, we did not merely have His appearance but we functioned like God at the level of our minds. • Gen 2: 19. "And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof. "
Sin Caused A Fearful Separation • "The sin of Adam and Eve caused a fearful separation between God and man. And Christ steps in between fallen man and God, and says to man: "You may yet come to the Father; there is a plan devised through which God can be reconciled to man, and man to God; through a mediator you can approach God. . . " {AG 154. 2}
The Purpose for Restoring the Relationship • "From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. . . " [DA 161]
God Must Dwell in Humanity • "But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple. " DA [161]
What Glorifies God? • "Christ designs that heaven's order, heaven's plan of government, heaven's divine harmony, shall be represented in His church on earth. Thus in His people He is glorified. Through them the Sun of Righteousness will shine in undimmed luster to the world. . . " {DA 680. 1}
The Unity For Which Prayed • John 17: 21 -23. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. "
A Heaven Approved Unity • The unity which the disciples had on the day of Pentecost was endorsed by heaven. • What was the unity that existed among the followers of Christ on the day of Pentecost?
Pentecost • Acts 2: 1 -4. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one 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. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "
Christ Prayed for Us • 17: 20. "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; " • "When we bring our hearts into unity with Christ, and our lives into harmony with His work, the Spirit that fell on the disciples on the day of Pentecost will fall on us. " -Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 246. {Ch. S 252. 2}
They Felt the Burden of Souls • "Notice that it was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured out. They were of one accord. All differences had been put away. " {Ev 698. 3}
The Same Spirit Animated New Believers • "And the testimony borne of them after the Spirit had been given is the same. Mark the word: "The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. " The Spirit of Him who died that sinners might live, animated the entire congregation of believers. " {Ev 698. 3}
An Awakened Church • "When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God. " --Review and Herald, July 21, 1896. {Ev 699. 2}
Deficiencies Supplied as Men of Varied Abilities Work Together. • "The Lord has not qualified any one of us to bear the burden of the work alone. He has associated together men of different minds, that they may counsel with and assist one another. In this way the deficiency in the experience and the abilities of one is supplied by the experience and the abilities of another. " {5 MR 368. 2}
Instruction For Order and Unity • "We should all study carefully the instruction given in Corinthians and Ephesians regarding our relation to one another as members of the body of Christ. . " {5 MR 368. 2}
Unity in Diversity • 1 Cor 12: 4 -6. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. "And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. "And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. "
Unity in Diversity • 1 Cor 12: 8 -11. "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; "To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; "To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. "
One Body, Many Members. • 1 Cor 12: 12. "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. • 1 Cor 12: 15. "If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? • 1 Cor 12: 18. "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. "
Others to be Esteemed Better • 1 Cor 12: 21 -23. "And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. "Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: "And those [members] of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness. "
Same Care • 1 Cor 12: 25 -27. "That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another. • "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. • "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. "
The Perfecting of the Saints • Eph 4: 11 -13. "And 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: • "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: "
Confess Your Own Faults • "After Christ's ascension, His disciples--men of varied talents and capabilities--assembled in an upper chamber to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this room 'all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. ' They made thorough work of repentance by confessing their own sins. Upon them was laid no burden to confess one another's sins. ". . . ' {7 MR 94. 4}
AT Jones: In Point of Organization • "In point of organization, beyond the local individual church there is absolutely nothing but the church as Christ's body of which he is the Head. " {December 19, 1906 ATJ, MEDM 202. 7}
ATJ: In Point of Government • "In point of government, beyond the local individual church the is [sic. ] nothing but just Christ alone as the Head of the church and of each individual in the church. " {December 19, 1906 ATJ, MEDM 202. 8}
ATJ: In Point of Guidance and Administration • "In point of guidance and administration, beyond the local individual church there is nothing but the Holy Spirit to the church and to each individual in the church. " {December 19, 1906 ATJ, MEDM 202. 9} • "Thus beyond the local individual church as well as in it, the bond of unity of the church of Christ is the Holy Spirit, and her unity is only the unity of the Spirit. " {December 19, 1906 ATJ, MEDM 202. 10}
ATJ: No Federation Beyond Local Church • "Beyond the individual local church or congregation, there was no federation or formal association of any kind. Of the churches in Judea, there was no federation nor formal association, nor of the churches of Galatia, nor of Asia, nor of any other district, province, section or region to any extent nor in any way whatever. " {December 19, 1906 ATJ, MEDM 202. 11}
Christ is Head; Holy Spirit is Guide • "Beyond the individual local church or congregation there was only the church as the body of Christ and Christ as the Head of the church and of each particular member of the church, and the Holy Spirit as the guide of the church and of each particular member of the church. " {December 19, 1906 ATJ, MEDM 202. 11}
Simplicity of Order • "And with that simple order of things in the church and among His disciples, the gospel was actually preached to all then known world, "to every creature which is under heaven, " within the lifetime of men who were then already at the fulness of manhood. " {December 19, 1906 ATJ, MEDM 202. 12}
United; Though Widely Separated • "The order that was maintained in the early Christian church made it possible for them to move forward solidly as a well-disciplined army clad with the armor of God. The companies of believers, though scattered over a large territory, were all members of one body; all moved in concert and in harmony with one another. " {AA 95. 3}
Christ Prayed for Us • Will the prayer be answered again in our day as it was answered in the days of the apostles? • John 17: 20. "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; "
God; Not the Author of Confusion • "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. " 1 Corinthians 14: 33. He requires that order and system be observed in the conduct of church affairs today no less than in the days of old. He desires His work to be carried forward with thoroughness and exactness so that He may place upon it the seal of His approval. " {AA 96. 1}
The Holy Spirit is Divine Administrator • "Christian is to be united with Christian, church with church, the human instrumentality co-operating with the divine, every agency subordinate to the Holy Spirit, and all combined in giving to the world the good tidings of the grace of God. " {AA 96. 1}
Last Day Church Organization • "Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. " --GC 464 (1911). {LDE 186. 2}
Rest For Our Souls • "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. " Jeremiah 6: 16.
Family of God
Christ’s Kingdom • "Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles. He called men, not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak. Power, position, talent, education, placed their possessor under the greater obligation to serve his fellows. To even the lowliest of Christ's disciples it is said, "All things are for your sakes. " 2 Corinthians 4: 15. {DA 550. 3}
Christ’s Kingdom • "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. " Among His disciples Christ was in every sense a caretaker, a burden bearer. He shared their poverty, He practiced self-denial on their account, He went before them to smooth the more difficult places, and soon He would consummate His work on earth by laying down His life. " {DA 550. 4}
Christ Revealed Heaven’s Order • "The principle on which Christ acted is to actuate the members of the church which is His body. The plan and ground of salvation is love. In the kingdom of Christ those are greatest who follow the example He has given, and act as shepherds of His flock. " {DA 550. 4}
How Could Israel Have Been Governed Without A King? • "From the beginning, God has been working by His Holy Spirit through human instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race. To the church in the wilderness also, in the time of Moses, God gave His "good Spirit to instruct them. " Nehemiah 9: 20.
The Early Christian Church AD 31 -100 • "And in the days of the apostles He wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church effective, has upheld God's faithful children in every succeeding age. " {AA 53. 1}
A Model For the Church in Every Age • "The organization of the church at Jerusalem was to serve as a model for the organization of churches in every other place where messengers of truth should win converts to the gospel. Those to whom was given the responsibility of the general oversight of the church were not to lord it over God's heritage, but, as wise shepherds, were to "feed the flock of God, . . . being ensamples to the flock" (1 Peter 5: 2, 3); and the deacons were to be "men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. " {AA 91. 2}
A Uniting Influence • "These men were to take their position unitedly on the side of right and to maintain it with firmness and decision. Thus they would have a uniting influence upon the entire flock. • Later in the history of the early church, when in various parts of the world many groups of believers had been formed into churches, the organization of the church was further perfected, so that order and harmonious action might be maintained. {AA 91. 1}
The Simplicity of Organization • "The order that was maintained in the early Christian church made it possible for them to move forward solidly as a well-disciplined army clad with the armor of God. The • companies of believers, though scattered over a large territory, were all members of one body; all moved in concert and in harmony with one another. " {AA 95. 3}
Joseph and Daniel • From the beginning God has wrought through His people to bring blessing to the world. To the ancient Egyptian nation God made Joseph a fountain of life. Through the integrity of Joseph the life of that whole people was preserved. Through Daniel God saved the life of all the wise men of Babylon. {AA 13. 2}
The Tide of Spiritual Life • And these deliverances are as object lessons; they illustrate the spiritual blessings offered to the world through connection with the God whom Joseph and Daniel worshiped. Everyone in whose heart Christ abides, everyone who will show forth His love to the world, is a worker together with God for the blessing of humanity. As he receives from the Saviour grace to impart to others, from his whole being flows forth the tide of spiritual life. {AA 13. 2}
Establishing the Church Family • Gen 12: 1 -3. "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall families of the earth be blessed. "
Christ Linked Two Families • John 20: 17. "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God. "
What God Expected of Abraham • Gen 18: 19. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. "
Abraham’s Influence • Abraham Believed God and Received Christ the righteousness of God. Thus Abraham carried with him an influence and power that affected not only His Family, but was a powerful influence to so many other families that men were led to believe the God of Abraham and they and their families by their influence, received the righteousness of God which is Christ by the Holy Spirit.
What God Expects of Us • "One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached. Such a family gives evidence that the parents have been successful in following God's directions, and that their children will serve Him in the church. Their influence grows; for as they impart, they receive to impart again. The father and mother find helpers in their children, who give to others the instruction received in the home. " {AH 32. 2}
The Family Ministry • "The neighborhood in which they live is helped, for in it they have become enriched for time and for eternity. The whole family is engaged in the service of the Master; and by their godly example, others are inspired to be faithful and true to God in dealing with His flock, His beautiful flock. " {AH 32. 1}
A Living Witness • "The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family. This will recommend the truth as nothing else can, for it is a living witness of its practical power upon the heart. {AH 32. 2}
We Must be One With Him • "It is not a profession of faith, or a name registered in the church book, that constitutes us children of God. It is a vital connection with Christ. We must be one with him, imbued with his Spirit, partakers of the divine nature, crucified to the world with its affections and lusts, renewed in knowledge and true holiness. " {RH, November 12, 1914 par. 2}
The Peculiarity of God’s Family • "In both the Old and the New Testament the Lord has positively enjoined upon his people to be distinct from the world, in spirit, in pursuits, in practice, to be a holy nation, a peculiar people. The east is not farther from the west than are the children of light, in customs, practices, and spirit, from the children of darkness. And this distinction will be more marked, more decided, as we near the close of time. " {RH, November 12, 1914 par. 2}
Breaking the Power of the Evil One • "Draw nigh to God. " How? By secret, earnest examination of your own heart, by childlike, heartfelt, humble dependence upon God, making known all your weakness to Jesus, and by confessing your sins. " "The soul that loves God, loves to draw strength from Him by constant communion with Him. When it becomes the habit of the soul to converse with God, the power of the evil one is broken; for Satan cannot abide near the soul that draws nigh unto God. " {OHC 96}
A Kingdom For His Family • Dan 7: 13. the night saw in"I visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and 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. "
Blessings
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