Post by Admin on Aug 3, 2024 9:56:22 GMT
Recently a SDA Pastor preached an interesting sermon on the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Words are very special foundational laws of God, written by the finger of God and were placed in the Ark of the Covenant.
The first four of the Ten Words refer to relationships to God
Story” Once a man had his P license and didn’t look at his speeding in a School Zone, so the Policeman put on his light and caught the man on his motorbike doing 60 in a 40 zone. I am terribly sorry officer said the bikie, so the officer let the bikie on his motorbike off with a warning only. Did the bikie fish tail his back wheel out of there knowing he was under grace instead of the law, and thus did not have to keep the law? No, the motor bike man went away grateful for no ticket and fought hard to obey the traffic rules as before.
The law is a mirror, it only shows you are dirty with a dirty face, so you need a cleansing. The law cannot save you. For all have fallen short of the glory of God.
In Psalm 119: 44 and 45 you can keep forever the Ten Words of Liberty. There is freedom under the law, as long as you don’t push into the boundaries that are designed to keep you safe.
1John 2:3,4 says if we know Jesus we will keep His commandments.
The truly converted God will change their heart. You will grow in His grace.
1 John 5:3 says the love of God empowers us, keeping His commandments is not burdensome
Story: Once a man and wife were married and honeymoon, and things go back to normal, so the man made a big to do list for his new wife on all the things he wanted her to do every day of every week. She did this list for 2 years but found it a burden so divorced the husband.
Than overcome by a different man of love, she remarried and when the honeymoon was over she woke up expecting something, but found the husband sleeping. After a few years she stumbled in the attic to find the old previous husband’s long to do list of wife duties and read them, saying to herself, I have been doing the same on this old list and never knew I was doing them.
Finally the Pastor presents Rev 12:17 here are the saints, those that keep the commandments of God .... when God truly converts the heart, we can keep these laws? Amen.
Rob's replies:
Answer: Not presented by the Pastor’s sermon, so this sermon is about going around the Old Covenant of Mount Sinai again.
Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid.
Ro 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Consider our Hebrew English translator, Ellen White. This helps us to know our understanding of Scripture is correct.
Ellen White: "God has set forth in His Word the conditions upon which every soul will be elected to eternal life—obedience to His commandments through faith in Christ. God has elected a character in harmony with His law, and anyone who shall reach the standard of His requirement will have an entrance into the kingdom of glory. As regards man’s final salvation, this is the only election brought to view in the Word of God. {EP 135.5}
The Ten Words are very special foundational laws of God, written by the finger of God and were placed in the Ark of the Covenant.
The first four of the Ten Words refer to relationships to God
The last six of the Ten Words refer to relationships to other humans.
Story” Once a man had his P license and didn’t look at his speeding in a School Zone, so the Policeman put on his light and caught the man on his motorbike doing 60 in a 40 zone. I am terribly sorry officer said the bikie, so the officer let the bikie on his motorbike off with a warning only. Did the bikie fish tail his back wheel out of there knowing he was under grace instead of the law, and thus did not have to keep the law? No, the motor bike man went away grateful for no ticket and fought hard to obey the traffic rules as before.
The law is a mirror, it only shows you are dirty with a dirty face, so you need a cleansing. The law cannot save you. For all have fallen short of the glory of God.
In Psalm 119: 44 and 45 you can keep forever the Ten Words of Liberty. There is freedom under the law, as long as you don’t push into the boundaries that are designed to keep you safe.
1John 2:3,4 says if we know Jesus we will keep His commandments.
The truly converted God will change their heart. You will grow in His grace.
1 John 5:3 says the love of God empowers us, keeping His commandments is not burdensome
Story: Once a man and wife were married and honeymoon, and things go back to normal, so the man made a big to do list for his new wife on all the things he wanted her to do every day of every week. She did this list for 2 years but found it a burden so divorced the husband.
Than overcome by a different man of love, she remarried and when the honeymoon was over she woke up expecting something, but found the husband sleeping. After a few years she stumbled in the attic to find the old previous husband’s long to do list of wife duties and read them, saying to herself, I have been doing the same on this old list and never knew I was doing them.
Finally the Pastor presents Rev 12:17 here are the saints, those that keep the commandments of God .... when God truly converts the heart, we can keep these laws? Amen.
Rob's replies:
Our Pastor did not notice one important verse in the Scriptures, mentioned only once, but very, very important:
Ps 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful:
This verse, is highly profound, as these others are also:
La 3:23 ... great is Gods faithfulness.
Ps 119:96 ... thy commandment is exceeding broad.
Ps 119:151 ....all thy commandments are truth.
Ps 119:152 ... thou hast founded them for ever.
Question: Where is faith in this sermon with the keeping of the Ten Words?
Answer: Not presented by the Pastor’s sermon, so this sermon is about going around the Old Covenant of Mount Sinai again.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (KJV)
Our Pastor did not mention faith, as the Psalm says "Thy commandments are faithful".
This verse is not saying the ten commandments are trustworthy or faithful or dependable. Hebrew rarely uses adjective. The Ps 119:86 verse is saying the ten commandments are faith principles. This idea of the ten commandments as faith principles was a seed planted by a Pastor preaching this idea was back in Hillview SDA church near Avondale NSW in Morisset, Australia, I think in 1976, when I was 17 years old, and this idea is also expressed in Bible Readings for the Home Circle 1914 edition.
Principles Underlying the Ten Commandments From Bible Readings for the Home Circle 1914 edition page 933:
1. Faith and loyalty. Heb. 11:6; Matt. 4:8- 10.
2. Worship. Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 115:3-8; Rev. 14:6,7.
3. Reverence. Ps. 111:9; 89:7; Heb. 12:28; 2 Tim. 2:19.
4. Holiness, or sanctification, and consecration. 1 Peter 1:15,16; Heb. 12:14;
Ex. 31:13; Eze. 20:12; 1 Cor. 1:30; Prob.3:6.
5. Obedience, or respect for authority. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 2 Kings 2:23,24.
6. Love. Lev. 19:17; 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-26, 43-48.
7. Purity. Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:3,4; Col. 3:5,6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11.
8. Honesty. Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12.9. Truthfulness. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:19; Rev. 21:27; 22:15.
10. Contentment and unselfishness. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:6-11; Heb. 13:5.
2. Worship. Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 115:3-8; Rev. 14:6,7.
3. Reverence. Ps. 111:9; 89:7; Heb. 12:28; 2 Tim. 2:19.
4. Holiness, or sanctification, and consecration. 1 Peter 1:15,16; Heb. 12:14;
Ex. 31:13; Eze. 20:12; 1 Cor. 1:30; Prob.3:6.
5. Obedience, or respect for authority. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 2 Kings 2:23,24.
6. Love. Lev. 19:17; 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-26, 43-48.
7. Purity. Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:3,4; Col. 3:5,6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11.
8. Honesty. Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12.9. Truthfulness. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:19; Rev. 21:27; 22:15.
10. Contentment and unselfishness. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:6-11; Heb. 13:5.
There are few details how these faith principles were obtained but mention is made of Mr Moody, in the book.
Our Pastor is a fantastic light and a wonderful example for us all. I asked him about how we become truly converted, and he said by faith. So it seems in any sermon, we leave out some words and experiences by mistake, and it is impossible to cover all experiences in a single session of words, like a sermon speaking.
Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid.
Ro 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Consider our Hebrew English translator, Ellen White. This helps us to know our understanding of Scripture is correct.
Ellen White: "God has set forth in His Word the conditions upon which every soul will be elected to eternal life—obedience to His commandments through faith in Christ. God has elected a character in harmony with His law, and anyone who shall reach the standard of His requirement will have an entrance into the kingdom of glory. As regards man’s final salvation, this is the only election brought to view in the Word of God. {EP 135.5}
Very clear message? One gets the impression from reading Ellen White message here that our obedience to His commandments comes through faith. This means as we process the commandments, we are empowered to live through that power of Jesus, because we asked for this power. We are appropriating the power of Jesus as our doings. Faith works, as A. T. Jones says.
Ellen White: "But God’s Word tells us that faith without works is dead, being alone. Many refuse to obey God’s commandments, yet they make a great deal of faith. But faith must have a foundation. {FW 47.1}
Ellen White: "If we choose to disobey His commandments, we may cry, “Faith, faith, only have faith,” and the response will come back from the sure Word of God, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). Such faith will only be as sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal. In order to have the benefits of God’s grace we must do our part; we must faithfully work and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. {FW 47.2}
Now readers will need to understand the Hebrew word "shamar" often translated as "keep" or "obey" : such as like this typical verse
De 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey "shama" the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
The word "shama" is also paralleled to "asah" meaning to do:
De 30:8 And thou shalt return and obey "shama" the voice of the LORD, and do "Asah" all his commandments which I command thee this day. (KJV)
Shama " Strong's 8085 Ancient Hebrew "The pressed flow sees" comes in two actions meaning "hear/heard"
Now our Pastor quoted this verse, but notice a Ancient Hebrew meaning:
Ps 119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty: (KJV)
45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty: (KJV)
Ps 119:44 So shall I "process" thy law continually for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty: (Ancient Hebrew)
45 And I will walk at liberty: (Ancient Hebrew)
Processing the writings forever, refers to speaking the precious promises and appropriating the divine flow to thyself, is a function of faith.
Shamar "Strong's 8104 Ancient Hebrew "The Pressed flowing Head" comes in two actions meaning "process/processed" - The processed action is the completed action in which the fluid is totally processed, leaving lees in it, or residue or sludge.
Notice how Ellen White handles the Authors word meaning of "shamar" comes in two actions, the verb and the noun.
verb meaning process/processing
noun meaning processed /also termed lees, the sludge left over when processed.
Ps 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to "process" thy commandments.
Notice the word meaning is broad, so we have not changed the meaning of the verse at all, however "process thy commandments" has a different meaning than obeying thy commandments. The former refers to a faith process to do, the latter refers to human obedience using pious powers from a human to do.
How does the human process the commandments? He or she takes the precious promise in the Ten Words and appropriates the power flow from Jesus promised in that faith food to thyself. Thus faith works with divine doing because we asked for this.
The end result is obedience, but this Ancient Hebrew word meaning defines the action much better.
Notice how Ellen White speaks on this theme:
Ellen White: "Bind these souls who need all the help it is possible for you to give them close to a loving, sympathizing, pitying heart, overflowing with Christ-like love, and you will save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. Had we not better try the love process? {SpM 144.2}
ROB: Strange term "love process"?
Ellen White: "God desires human beings to be more closely associated with Him. Therefore He takes them away from their friends and acquaintances. When God was preparing Elijah for translation, He moved him from place to place, that he might leave behind the methods and customs he had previously followed, that he might not settle down on his lees, and thus fail of obtaining moral greatness and spiritual soundness. It was God’s design that Elijah’s influence should be a power to help many souls to a more perfect experience. {PCL 161.1}
Let those who are not permitted to rest in quietude, who must be constantly on the move, pitching their tent tonight in one place and tomorrow night in another place, remember that the Lord is leading them, and that this is His way of helping them to form perfect characters. In all the changes we are required to make, God is to be recognized as our Companion, our Guide, our Stronghold, and our Dependence. . . . {PCL 161.2}
Let those who are not permitted to rest in quietude, who must be constantly on the move, pitching their tent tonight in one place and tomorrow night in another place, remember that the Lord is leading them, and that this is His way of helping them to form perfect characters. In all the changes we are required to make, God is to be recognized as our Companion, our Guide, our Stronghold, and our Dependence. . . . {PCL 161.2}
Ellen White: "There must be a decided change in the church which will inconvenience those who are reclining on their lees, before laborers who are fitted for their solemn work can be sent into the field. There must be an awakening, a spiritual renovation. The temperature of Christian piety must be raised. Plans must be devised and executed for the spread of truth to all nations of the earth. Satan is lulling Christ’s professed followers to sleep while souls are perishing all around them, and what excuse can they give to the Master for their negligence? {5T 203.2
Ellen White: "All his life long, Moab has lain undisturbed like wine settled on its lees, not emptied from vessel to vessel; he has not gone into exile. Therefore the taste of him is unaltered, and the flavour stays unchanged. Jeremiah 48:11, N.E.B. {UL 170.1}
Moab did not know anything of the process of unsettling, and the people made but little moral and spiritual progress. “His taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed” (Jeremiah 48:11). {UL 170.2}
A life of monotony is not the most conducive to spiritual growth. Some can reach the highest standard of spirituality only through the breaking up of the regular order of things.... {UL 170.3}
Moab did not know anything of the process of unsettling, and the people made but little moral and spiritual progress. “His taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed” (Jeremiah 48:11). {UL 170.2}
A life of monotony is not the most conducive to spiritual growth. Some can reach the highest standard of spirituality only through the breaking up of the regular order of things.... {UL 170.3}
ROB: "Do readers catch what this noun form "a completed action" of processing love is about in Ellen White's messages, the "lees" refers to those who have processed all things in their living, and they are nothing but sludge to the Lord, or "lees". Instead of "lees" we must be always processing things, growing and being active with our faith in the Lord.
Ellen White: "This instruction is vital, and may be considered with profit. We are to rely upon the word of God, and not upon the assertion or speculation of human philosophy. The soul is to be nourished by the pure, unadulterated word of God; and by persevering search the Bible student will find a “feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.” Then the language of the heart will be, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” {ST July 31, 1893, par. 7}
ROB: When you eat words, you are processing, not remaining fully done on your lees.
Ellen White: "This church will never prosper until the members commence the work of reform in their own hearts. Many who profess the faith are easily satisfied; if they come up to a few points of self-denial and reform, they do not see the necessity of going further. Why is there such a resting on the lees? There is no halting-place for us this side of Heaven. None of us should be content with our present spiritual attainments. No one is living up to his opportunities, unless he can show continual progress. He must be climbing, still climbing. It is the privilege of every Christian to grow up until he shall reach the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus. {T32 64.3}
ROB: How uncanny that Ellen White writes of this word meaning? Have any person ever seen this before? Such a word meaning relates to faith.
Thus "keeping" the Ten Commandments is so easy to achieve if you process them using faith, and thus the power is Jesus power doing His doings in you, because you asked for this. Faith that works as A. T Jones says.
Ellen White: "Time is short, and what is done must be done quickly. This is a worldwide message and we have no time to rest upon our lees. We must awake to action and duty. Is the world to be tested upon this message? It is then a worldwide message, and is not to be confined to a corner. It must be agitated, agitated. The work does not depend alone upon the ministers. The church—the lay members—must feel their individual responsibility and be working members. {Lt 25, 1874, par. 14
ROB: The messages of salvation must be agitated, processed, agitated, not left to be fully processed, so we are rich and in need of nothing, resting on our lees.
Ellen White: "{AA 562.3} John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love.
Rob: Amen to that, "the faith process" is more important than we think, what ever that phrase means, but all to do with faith and a "love process" theme. Shalom