Eze 36:23–on God vindicating His character through His dealings w/ His people.

Rev 14:7–His judgment, not our judgment

Psa 51:4–David's repentance leads to God's name being cleared when He judges, but Paul says, "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED." –the Hebrew could be taken this way–Septuagint is middle/ passive–When you judge yourself or when you are judged–Paul chose the latter and put it in the infinitive so it's clear "In the judgment of you."–Whenever a judge makes a decision, He is put under scrutiny. I was reading in Liberty Magazine how a judge's decision to force a woman to undergo medical care to protect the life of her unborn child has led to all sorts of conflict and questions re: whether the judge has the authority to do that, and whether the judge should have the authority to do that, and whether the judge was right to exercise that authority. (See Liberty Article John W. Whitehead, "When Rights Clash," Liberty, Mar/Apr 2001, pp. 7-11)

If you wanted to be in the business of revealing a God like this what would you do in a practical way? Psalm 89:15 Righteous use of authority. I would use power and authority rightly. To abuse it just start setting yourself up as superior and exclusive in the name of God. Just treat some others as insignificant.

New Guinea visit: we don't have right to look down on another's spiritual growth unless we've walked in their shoes. Appendix a- 10,11,12 even women? What principle? Priesthood of all

believers. 1Peter 2:5-9 Priesthood of laity. Video story.

Find four things in Gen 1 and 2 that are lasting memorials of creation. These are not the creation itself–not the 'construction' part, these are additional icing on the cake –not separate from the material world, but not contained in (limited to?) the material creation.

Sabbath

Image of God--defaced

M+F are "echad" Hebrew for One meaning unity and procreation--the closest we get to creating

Wholism versus dualism Greek physical and spiritual.

How would a person get from Hebrew understanding to Greek dualism. Poor woman at affluent church. One student into adventist church school. Didn't even notice.

World Bank "This is my work!" Sammia

Methodist woman in ag dept.

What do these have in common?

Focus on image of God. You've all been focusing on the human body, not haphazardly put together.

Two minutes to identify the counterfeit unity, uniformity or conformity. or chaos through diversity

let me test the waters and see how well you're taking hold of this principle. What could you say to me that would convince me that you are committed to unity through diversity. "I need you" It's easier to say I love you. What are you saying about your own giftedness when you say I need you. Gifts are complementary. It's not from God if you get called to give up your

individuality. You aren't called to compare and contrast w/ other parts of the body. Appreciate your own gifts. It's okay to be an ear. "The most precious thing that God has given you is your individuality." Some have never been affirmed in their individuality. some have individuality, but no commitment to unity to build up group. --on committee "we can't do that."

We used to tell people that you got to be able to go out door to door, but some shouldn't be turned loose, they're dangerous.

Ruth story

Turn to do affirmation and point out something unique about someone next to you.

Romans 12

1. prayer?

2. hospitality?

3. prophesying

4. serving

5. teaching

6. encouraging

7. generosity

8. leadership

9. mercy

1cor 12:8-10

1. word of wisdom

2. word of knowledge

3. faith

4. gift of healing

5. effecting of miracles

6. distinguishing of spirits

7. prophecy

8. different kinds of tongues

9. interpretation of tongues

1 cor 12:28

1. apostles

2. prophets

3. teachers

4. miracles

5. healing

6. helps

7. administration

8. varieties of gifts

Ephesians 4:11

1. apostles

2. prophets

3. evangelists

4. pastors/teachers

additional

1. music

2. craftsmanship

3. ability to write

gifts are for ministry

fruit are for character

--what if you didn't have the gift of love?

This is vitally important, let's focus

Why would the devil be so interested in distorting our picture of God as Redeemer? If you're confused about that you'll be unsure of salvation. Really the root of understanding is seeing God as righteous in His use of authority. God has done all to save us, all we can do is say thank you. Some never do that. Demon possessed Russian woman. Gave herself to God in 1/2 hour of prayer. God said she's not in faith, entering belief means receiving from God, not offering anything to Him.

Two basic distortions

Legalism and Cheap grace

not legal Eph2:8,9 Rom3:28

Paul is clear on one thing. Human beings cannot generate

righteousness.

Gal 5:4 seeking to be justified by law, fallen from grace, severed from Christ

What are the great benefits of the death of Jesus. At least seven. Give scriptures alluding to his death. They will contain atonement, cross, crucifixion, sacrifice, blood. Why is this so important? The only people I know who are walking in the

resurrection life of Christ are those who are taking holding of the benefits of His death.

One word never associated with death of Jesus--salvation

rom 6:6,7 old self crucified, no longer slaves to sin

1Pet 3:18 suffered once to bring us to God

Eph 1:7 Redemption, forgiveness

Heb 2:9,14 rendered powerless the devil

Rom 5:9, 10 justified by His blood, reconciliation

Rom 5:8 a demonstration of God's love

Heb 10:14 Made perfect forever

Heb 9:14, 15 cleanse conscience from dead works,

Heb 10:19 confidence to enter Holy place, priest, enter in full assurance

Rom 5:1 peace w/ God

Eph 2:13 those far off brought near

Gal 3:13 redeemed from curse of law

1pet2:24 die to sins so that we might live for Righteousness Phil 2:8,9 exalted Christ

Rom8:1-3 No condemnation

Gal 2:20 crucified w/ Christ

2cor 5:14, 21 all died, He became sin

1jn 1:7 cleansing from sin

Heb 9:20-22, forgiveness

28 died once to take away sins of many

Phil 2:8-10, 3:21 Christ exalted and enabled to bring sanct

All of these are yours by faith

1.justification -- root meaning: declared righteous. How? Jesus was willing to become sin. Become Bruce. Wow!

2. became sin for us--

3. no condemnation

4. redemption

3. reconciliation

4. cleansing from sin

5. forgiveness of sins

6. perfection

7. old self crucified, so no longer slaves

8. conscience cleansed (from guilt)

9. Enter holiest, participate in vindication of God's character. 10. rendered powerless the devil

11. sanctification made possible

Francis Schaeffer, How Then Shall We Live?

John 5:24 "has" eternal life, does not come into judgment, Why? Jesus was judged, verdict? guilty, penalty? death. Have already passed from death to life. Which death? 2nd. When someone says to me, "Why aren't you worried about death and hellfire?" Been there, done that.

When you accept Christ, you start living in God's time. This is Eternal Life. You might sleep, but that's nothing. You can never die. You have God's life in you.

Are you praising God for what You have in Christ?

Why even look at them separately? Many are not appreciating what they have in His death. Many pray, "Make me stronger." And never appreciate these benefits. We want His life, but aren't seeing these benefits.

Why do we still sin? Habits, must be replaced with new ones. Christ gives motivation, new desires, but we make choices on faith to make new habits. Dance hall story. We need not punish ourselves while making new patterns. God has warned me not to let this come out w/out asking for a response. You're in belief when you take hold of what God is offering you in Christ.

What sort of love is this? Unconditional love; love of

righteousness and hatred of sin

What is at issue, God's unconditional love, and an attitude of hating sin.

offer this picture to greatest sinners, Jesus died as homosexual then offered him Jesus' life. Full restoration.

What Biblical teachings would you have to understand?

Eternal self existence. top line: state of dead, origin of sin, nature of man, free-will, judgment, sanctuary, trinity, law of God, hell and heaven, justice and mercy, glorification read Jn 17:4,23 What is it going to take for the world to know that God was in Christ? For us to become one like Godhead. Instead we do mail-outs and when we get no responses and we say we're living in a tough community. (mailout story.) One person can never reveal God, it's like saying you know me after only meeting my little finger.

What's common to all counterfeits? Self is center

Much bigger issue going on than my salvation. The safety of whole universe at stake here, and something about God is at stake.

Creation line 2: body of Christ, sp.gifts. priesthood of

believers, sabbath, creation in7days, man in image of God, sanctification, health reform, Christian stds of behavior, baptism by immersion, stewardship

Redemption: plan of redemption, atonement (cross), Righteousness by Faith, justification, 2nd coming, law and grace, faith and works

What do all these teachings have in common?

Why would God go to all the trouble of impressing a little baptist farmer named william miller to start preaching 2nd advent and all over the world studying daniel. led up to oct22 1844 and great disappointment. vision in cornfield, right time wrong event. They checked it out in the Bible, seriously. Lot's of other movements mormons, bahai, jw's, etc. Only one with sanct. Why would God go to all the trouble to restore this entire body of truth to a people, simple country people of all backgrounds?

god wanted to teach people to be safe with Him, grow in him, and answer the questions about his use of authority, glorifying him.

What did God actually institute in a biblical nutshell in 1844? The Day of Atonement? investigate judgment?

cleansing of the sanctuary

Maybe someone has heard for the first time the application of the cleansing of the sanctuary. cleansing of His people. Eph5:25-27

Take Rev 14 3 angels' messages? Rev14:6,7 eternal gospel, to everyone--also creation, glorify Him--hour of His judgment has come. first angel is message and then two angels deliver

warnings. What if we made warnings the focus of our preaching?

Where is challenge for church today? not to get better

teachings, but to be committed to righteous use of authority, be unified in diversity, start giving unconditional love while hating sin.

Take a couple minutes

EW p56. speaking to those who rejected the light given in 1844. "I saw them look up to the throne and pray, Father, give us Thy Spirit." Satan would then breathe on them an unholy influence in which there was much light and power, but no joy, no love, no peace. His object was to keep them deceived.

GC 464 before outpouring of spirit Satan tries to precede it w/ counterfeit. False manifestations of spirit.

3T 72 in the face of the most positive commands of God, men and women will follow their own inclinations and then pray over the matter asking permission from God to go against his counsel. Satan draws close to such people and can give great good feelings about such decisions.--Catholic dating situation

To seek for Holy Spirit can be dangerous

2sm14 every kind of fanaticism will be brought into remnant church

Acts19 One of the most powerful experiences in the NT.

Paul going to Ephesus. Church seems to have been established 3-7 years earlier. Ephesus a major cosmopolitan city, center of Diana worship. Prominent, huge temples, center of pagan worship.

How many believers found in Ephesus.

12

2years

all

asia

heard

Would you say they were experiencing incredible church growth? Paul cuts right to the heart. Did you receive the HS when you believed? They said no. some churches would give the same answer, they're so dead.

Is there any indication of what he had in mind when he said, "When you believed"? Baptism. He says, "Into what were you baptized." In Paul's mind, and biblically baptism was always by water and the spirit. Even at Jesus' baptism we see this.

How did God intend believers to enter into ministry? At baptism to receive anointing for ministry. We might call it an ordination. That's what happened with Jesus, what happened here in Ephesus.

Baptized into baptism of John. John pointed to Jesus, but ended up with some following him.

What was the first thing they did when they heard about this?

1. baptized into name of Jesus

What do we know about this baptism? Water, representing death and resurrection, also a rebaptism of sorts

2. Paul placed his hands on them

nothing efficacious about hand, symbolic of inclusion

3. spirit came on them

4. gifts were manifested--speaking in tongues, prophesying

Is there any indication that some action is taking place? Yes, began speaking in tongues and prophesying--what do we call it? Ministry. Gifts are not separable from ministry!!

5. discipling

Why tongues and prophecy? Balanced evangelism and edification

Tongues if for personal edification is an abuse, because 1cor 12 says gifts are for edification of others.

Tongues is an evangelistic gift, for unbelievers, so if you're getting tongues spoken to you, you are an unbeliever. (This makes sense of acts 2)

What about prophecy? 1cor 14:1,5 all prophesy

23,24 what happens? who are these unbelievers? ungifted ones. You can't have ungifted people in the world it doesn't mean anything. Only professing believers can be called ungifted.

Amazing we have such a focus on tongues--maybe people who had the true gift of tongues we're highlighting.

Go and make disciples commanding them to do all that I commanded you. Matt10 cast out demons, heal sick, raise the dead, no bag, dust of feet, etc. Not a list of doctrines or the 10c's. We should be appreciating what Jesus commanded us to do. Why fear those rejecting--better for them to be part of Sodom and Gomorrah, I should pray for them!

Review acts 19. When people identify with Jesus in His death, admitting publicly that they caused His death, and identify with Jesus in His life, God has promised to dwell with them. We can hold him to that.

Outpouring of Spirit in NT and again in early Adventist--mortgage support. How far we've fallen. Spirit is calling many again to interdependence, to needing one another. We are called to love one another so the world may know. If we can't even love each other, what can we give the world? Sometimes we love the world more than the believers.

How often should we seek this? daily!

How sad when we let people get baptized and dry up on the pew. I hope you'll get biblical about this. Each new person is God's gift to the body. We should be looking to them to see what ministry and gifts God is giving us in them. God does this. new teacher story. God sends who you need.

God does awesome things through the group--muslim girl 6mo. rent Thanksgiving hotel. Christmas w/ salvation army.

quotes, how big is your vision? John Knox, give me Scotland. What do I need to ask for?

60% of time in word

20% prayer

20% fellowship and sharing

How long to meet? 7-9 and 6 if you want to eat. on a Wednesday night

vote each year to sustain?

a. faith 14-15 is Job-like faith

b. knowledge

c. mercy--greatest evangelistic gift

d. missionary

e. teaching

f. wisdom

g. leadership/administration?

h. intercession--2years took 20 names in LV Nevada. They came in one after another, also visited and loved

i. hospitality--glue, not to be underestimated

j. helps

k. exhortation

l. giving--some give 'til it hurts, some hurt the whole time they give--in TX one couple annointed into giving ministry and asked to instruct the whole church

m. discernment

n. evangelist--personal calls to decision, those who can go door to door. only 10% seem to have it

Eph 4

focus for ministry

If these are the four areas of building up, what would they be training people into? Evangelists, evangelism, prophets,

prophecy, etc.

4:16 See if you can hear verses 11,12 and relate it to 16. something in 11,12 being expanded on/explained in 16.

these four gifted areas are the joints which hold the body together. What two things does a joint do? Part of equipping is to teach people to be connected, and to help each to be working properly.

What is the result? Building up of body.

Why did God choose these four areas? They apparently encompass the totality of what the body should do?

What would be the different roles for each gift?

apostle, plant

prophet, water

pastor/teacher-feeding

evangelist, harvester?

apostle, till soil,

prophet, weeding

pastor/teacher, water/feeding

evangelist, planting

Different Focuses--will be overlapping

Outreach Nurture in body

apostle prophet

start preparing soil pruning--weeding?

those who try new bring God's principles to bear on specific needs

approaches don't get

shipwrecked by opposition

above are introverted gifts or task oriented

below are extroverted? or people oriented

evangelist pastor-teacher

plant seed watering, cultivation, nurture

parable of sower vine and branches

Literary order of parables is same as events in Revelation.

Let's fit gifts in. One or two gifts are the strength of each.

Ap

faith

missionary

leadership

hospitality

giving

evangelism

proph

exhortation

discernment

intercession

Evang

evangelism

teaching

giving

pastor/teacher

mercy/teaching

leadership

intercession

hospitality

helps

giving

all

knowledge, wisdom, discernment

pray praise and affirm gifts of person on left.