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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 32 – LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 5)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 16, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 32

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 5)

That PLATONIC LOVE, the philosophical brainchild of the Greek philosopher Plato—is not from and of the eternal God who is “love, light, and life”—-is part of Paul’s bold declaration of the foolishness of men’s wisdom compared to God’s wisdom as quoted hereunder. (All emphasis and bracketed words mine):

“For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made FOOLISH THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD? For after that IN THE WISDOM OF GOD the world by wisdom [its own] KNEW NOT GOD, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching [as considered by the wisdom of man] to SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE. For the Jews require a SIGN [miraculous physical evidence], and the GREEKS seek after WISDOM [of the world]. But we [Paul and the apostles] preach CHRIST crucified, unto the JEWS A STUMBLING BLOCK, and unto the GREEKS FOOLISHNESS. But unto them which are called [and respond], BOTH JEWS AND GREEKS, Christ is the power of God, and the Wisdom of God. Because THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD IS WISER THAN MEN [‘both Jew and Greek’]; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Cor. 19-25, A.V.

Two of Paul’s truth-dense epistles were written to and named after two Greeks, namely, Timotheus or Timothy, and Titus. Notice (emphasis mine):

Of Timothy: “Then came he [Paul] to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a  CERTAIN DISCIPLE was there, NAMED TIMOTHEUS, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed [in Christ]; but his father was a GREEK: which was well reported of by the brethren. . . .and circumcised him BECAUSE OF THE JEWS for they knew all that his [Timothy’a] father was a Greek.” Acts. 16: 1-3. 

 Of Titus: “Then 14 years after I [Paul] went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took TITUS with me also. . . . But neither Titus, who was with me, being a GREEK, was compelled to be circumcised [by the troublesome Judaizing Jews].” Gal. 2: 1, 3.

Paul makes it crystal clear to both believers and unbelievers through all time, dispensations, and eras that where the gospel of salvation is concerned “God “is no respecter of persons:”

 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond [slave] or free, neither male nor female: for ye are all ONE in Christ.” Gal. 3:28. 

“For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is NO DIFFERENCE between the Jews and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is RICH unto all that call upon Him. For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be [not already or automatically] saved.” Rom. 10: 11-13.

In fact it was the unbelieving Judaizing Jews, not the GREEKS and Gentiles, who fomented hatred and persecution toward Paul and Barnabas as they proclaimed the crucified, risen, and ascended Savior.

“And it came to pass in Iconium, that they both went up together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a GREAT MULTITUDE both of the Jews and the GREEKS BELIEVED. But the unbelieving Jews STIRRED UP the Gentiles, and made their MINDS EVIL affected against the brethren.” Acts. 14: 1, 2 (read chapters 13, 14 for broader context).

These sample verses are cited to prevent any hasty conclusions that this ministry is prejudiced against Plato, atheists, Holy Spirit deniers, antinomians, hedonists, or any fellow finite mortals. Indeed, “All we like sheep have gone astray,” and that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Rather, it is the anti-scriptural, counterfeit, erroneous doctrines and philosophies of any and all that we are addressing here—-and all in the LOVE of God and in defense of the gospel “truth as it is in Jesus.”

The love that manifests in the life of the truly converted and spiritually-growing followers of Christ, defined as the “fruit” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, is one and the same as that of God the Father and Jesus Christ the only-begotten Son, for “They Three are One.”

We will focus in the following editions on the “agape” SELF-LESS “love divine and excelling” that alone is of the Godhead, emanates from the Father IN Christ the only-begotten Son (both “of God” and “of Man”), imparted through the Holy Spirit, empowers all, packaged the “more abounding saving grace that is greater than the power of temptations of “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” and thus, “greater than faith and hope.”

To be continued next week, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 31: LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 4)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 9, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 31

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 4)

After identifying last week the three different root words translated into the common word love, namely, “eros,” “philos,” and “agape,” thus clearly revealing the stark differences between them, but not till thus carefully analyzed. We now consider the fourth kind (not cited in any order of importance), “platonic love,” a brainchild of the Greek philosopher, Plato.

Knowing more about the man reveals even more of this kind of love, more specifically, if it is based on God and His divine love. The following is quoted from the authoritative secular source of Webster’s Unified Dictionary and Encyclopedia, published by H. S. Stuttman Co. Inc., NY, 1960, p. 3304 (all emphasis mine):

“Plato. 428-438 B.C., Greek philosopher was born at Athens, of one of the most distinguished families of the city. In early life a pupil of SOCRATES, he set up his own PHILOSOPHICAL SCHOOL, the Academy, c 387, having spent the interval between his master’s death and that date in travel in Italy and elsewhere. All Plato’s authentic writings, and some others on which both ancient and modern critics have cast more or less doubt, have come down to posterity. Practically all of them are in the ‘dialogue form,’ which he particularly affected. Plato’s PHILOSOPHY, briefly, was IDEALISM: THE BELIEF THAT IDEAS, RATHER THAN MATTER, ARE THE TRUE REALITY, ETERNAL AND UNCHANGING, FROM WHICH ALL LIFE AND CREATION STEM. 

“Plato GLORIFIED the RATIONAL SOUL as ORIGINAL, IMMORTAL, SUPERIOR TO THE BODY. He was one of the MOST INFLUENTIAL of all philosophers  in Western civilization.” (end quote).

How did Paul, ‘the apostle to the Gentiles’ of the Christian era of the New Testament describe in his Holy Spirit-inspired epistles the vaunted “wisdom” of the Greek philosophers of who still wield such a powerful influence in these last days, not only upon Western civilization but in the beliefs and doctrines of its different religions, sects, and denominations but all united in two fundamental doctrines: the immortality of the soul and the sacredness of the first day of the week!

Thus it is of the greatest urgency that all professed Christians humbly “examine themselves and prove themselves” strictly by God’s word as to how they understand “love” as given in “God so LOVED the world. . . “, “If you LOVE Me, keep My commandments.” John 3:16; 14: 15, etc., or the so-called “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13.

We will summon the testimony of New Testament regarding the philosophy and wisdom of the Greeks compared to the principles, knowledge, and wisdom of the omniscient, and omnipotent LIVING God of love, light, and life, God wiling. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 30: LOVE: The FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 3)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 2, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 30

LOVE: ThE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 3)

A solemn, constant reminder for all time and occasions: the Spirit, Christ’s only appointed Successor, Vicar, or Vicegerent on earth since His ascension never was and never will be any finite mortal man, verily the third Person of the Godhead, but unlike Christ the Creator who, in the “great mystery of godliness” and “love divine and love excelling”
incarnated into “the likeness of sinful human nature” (Rom.8: 3, 1-14) is “devoid of the personality of humanity and independent thereof.”

“God is love, light, and life,” and this truth remains fresh “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Absolutely “nothing whatsoever and whoever can separate us from this love.” Rom. 8:35-39.

Let’s talk about love. There are four kinds of love known to man. The first three are brilliantly dissected for us by Leslie Harding, PhD.. in his book With Jesus in His Sanctuary, p. 228, published by the Book Publishing Division of American Cassette Ministries, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.. (all emphasis and bracketed words mine):

“Three Greek Words for Love. The Greeks had 3 words to describe love. EROS was the name of the god of sexual love, and so Eros came to mean love which was an outgrowth of his nature. Eros is driven by sexual drives and emotions [and passions, too], and is a longing, and yearning desire for the UNPOSSESSED. Eros thinks only of SELF and SELF-PRESERVATION. Our English words ‘erotic,’ ‘erogenous.’ and ‘erotica’ are derived from this Greek root. Eros or its derivatives are NEVER found in the New Testament. R. C. Trench sagely observed: ‘The absence is significant’ (Synonyms of the New Testament, 43). In the Septuagint two of the forms occur, but rarely (Est. 2:17; Prov. 4:6; Eze. 16:33; Hos. 2:5).

“The common Greek word for LOVE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE, —friends, children and companions, and often based on a blood-relationship, — was PHILOS. Several English words have sprung from this root combined with its objects. PHIL-ADELPHIA means love of a brother. PHIL-ANTHROPY means love of mankind. PHIL-OSOPHY, love of wisdom, etc. While this love is actuated by EMOTIONS, these exist in a different level from those which
drive EROS. Philos occurs in the Scriptures. [However] Respect and reverence are NOT involved in Philos.

“The third Greek term is AGAPE, ‘a word born within the bosom of religion; it occurs in the Septuagint (2 Sam. 13:15; Cant. 2:4; Jer 2:2), and in the Apocrypha (Wisdom 3:9); but there is no trace of it in ANY HEATHEN WRITER ever’ (Trench, op.cit.33). A peculiarly CHRISTIAN term, AGAPE, it describes God’s RELATIONSHIP with man. As a consequence of ‘God’s LOVE shed abroad in our hearts’ [Rom. 5:5] we are ABLE to build ideal relationships with each other on a richer plain (1 John 4:7-11).

“AGAPE IS NOT DRIVEN BY EMOTION OR FEELING BUT SOLELY BY PRINCIPLE. It describes the forming of relationships on a carefully considered intellectual level with a view to bringing about EVERY GOOD RESULT TO ALL CONCERNED. It ‘expresses a more reasoning attachment, of choice and selection. . . . respect and reverence. . . . While men are continually hidden ‘agapan ton Theon’ (Matt. 22:37; Luke 10:27; 1 Cor. 8:3), and good men are declared to do so (Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 1:8; 1 John 4:21), the ‘philein ton Theon’ is COMMANDED THEM NEVER. The Father, indeed, both ‘agapan ton Huron’ (John 3:35), and also ‘philei ton Huion’ (John 5:20)’ (Trench, op.cit. 41,41). GOD REQUIRES MANKIND TO SHOW HIM ‘AGAPE’-LOVE.

“God’s love, Agape, CREATED the universe [not only ‘the earth and its heaven’] ‘in the beginning,’ and everything was VERY GOOD.’ Goodness contains the idea of UNIVERSAL well-being. There is NOTHING OF SELF in ‘agape.’ God’s LOVE-CREATION required the setting up of all the RELATIONSHIPS necessary for the maintenance of every form of existence in a STATE OF PERFECTION.” (end quote from Harding).

The fourth is “platonic love,” conceptualizes by the influential Greek philosopher, Plato, which we will pick up on next week’s MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead series – Part 29: LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
September 25, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead series – Part 29

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

Before considering more Scriptures that amplify the sublime meaning of the sacred nature this “love” fruit borne only by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the true believer, take a closer look at how, by inspiration of the selfsame Holy Spirit, apostle Paul contrasts by comparing two detailed lists of the 17 “manifestations of the works of the flesh” on one hand, and the the 9 (actually 10) manifestations of the “fruits of the Spirit” on the other. See Galatians 5: 19-21, then 22, 23; cf. 14-26, K.J. V.

Notice that heading the list of the “works of the flesh,” ADULTERY comes first, followed by fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. . . .” While heading the list of the “fruits of the Spirit” is LOVE. This by no means is coincidental or happenstance but by divine design. Here’s why:

Beginning in the fall in Eden, where Adam “was not deceived like Eve was” (1 Tim. 2: 13, 14) but knowingly chose to join his wife in disobeying the Creator because “he could not bear the thought of losing her.” He loved his wife more than his Creator!

The original, pristinely pure principle of “love” that emanates from “the God of love, life, and light” steadily degraded into the carnal, corrupted, perverted, earthly, sensual, self-pleasing, self-indulging, emotionalism, sentimentalism, and romanticism, idolatrous worship of man for his fellow mortals and his achievements and works, bringing in its train the curses that brought the long-suffering wrath of God upon the wicked antediluvian world with the flood. Gen. 6: 1-22.

Jesus plainly warned our final generation: “As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of man.” Matt. 24:37-51.
John made it plain and simple: “LOVE not the WORLD neither the THINGS that are in the world. If any man love the world, the LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. For all that is in the world, the LUST OF THE FLESH, and the LUST OF THE EYE, the PRIDE OF LIFE, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the WORLD PASSETH AWAY AND THE LUSTS THEREOF; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever [never passes away!].” 1 John 2: 15-17.

Find time to see for yourself the expanded list of the “works of the flesh” and their certain consequences and final rewards in the following: Rom. 1: 16-32; 1 Cor. 1: 19, 20; Eph. 5: 1–17, etc.

Unless our hearts and mind are transformed by God’s amazing, empowering grace, and the “old man” with a carnal
mind is replaced with “the new creature in Christ Jesus” possessing “the mind of Christ,” the “love fruit” of the Holy Spirit cannot be manifest in us! What will appear are its many counterfeits that “will have the form of godliness but will deny its power thereof.”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 28:LOVE: THE ‘FIRST FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
September 18, 2024

Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 28

LOVE: THE ‘FIRST FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8-16.

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is ONE LORD. And thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with ALL thine heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy might [or strength].” Deut. 6: 4, 5. (Compare to Mark 12: 28-34; Luke 10: 25-28).

To be sure, there is only one God—the Creator and the Redeemer. All others who claim and pretend to be (or are made to be so by idolaters of all stripes, such as the sun, moon, stars, and animals, etc.) beginning with Satan “the enemy of God and man,” their master, are false gods.

The fulness of God Almighty the Eternal One, is beyond ken of His intelligent creatures; much less of fallen, sinful, finite mortals. But according to His own Word, omniscience, love, and “enduring mercy,” He chose to reveal His fulness in and through the GODHEAD made of three Persons. “For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit): and these Three are ONE.” 1 John 5:7, A.V.

The Word is first and foremost, Christ, Jehovah the Creator (John 1:1-3, 14) and then, Redeemer through His mysterious incarnation, atoning sacrifice in His death by crucifixion, victorious resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father in His glorious, white throne in heaven. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. . .” John 1: 1-3. Then the Word is both “the written and the spoken word by and through the power of the Holy Spirit: “It is written”; “Thus saith the Lord.” “To the law and the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is NO light [of truth] in them.” (Isa. 8:20).

The God of love is the “Lord our righteousness” Jeremiah 23:6. Thus, God’s “Righteousness is LOVE, and love is the LIGHT and LIFE of God.” (E. G. White, Sons and Daughters, p. 304).

John was the youngest of the first Twelve when they were “called from their nets” by Jesus. He was drawn to and personally stayed closer to Christ than the eleven. Thus he was called even to this day as “John the beloved,” i. e.. of Jesus. Among the four synoptic gospels, John presents the most sublime aspect of the same gospel recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

It is in John’s gospel where we read a concentration of Christ’s pre and post crucifixion promises of the coming of, person, presence, office work, and efficiency of the Holy Spirit, His appointed Successor and vicegerent on earth after His ascension—the third Person of the Godhead “but devoid of the personality of humanity and independent thereof.”

In solemn biblical fact and spiritual truth, the Holy Sprit is “the fulness Godhead”—not “bodily” as Christ alone, “the “only begotten Son of God,”
incarnated into “the likeness of sinful flesh” in “the great mystery of godliness which is beyond any controversy” and thus gain the new identity and unique relationship to the Father. In both Sonships, Jesus repeatedly declared to the Pharisees and the Jewish nation in His time, “I and My Father are one.”

John wrote in language that even a child and the unlearned can understand regarding the love of the Father in Christ for Christ, His only-begotten Son and their undeserved love for fallen men.

John 3:16 is a keystone verse of this glorious truth of God, and the Godhead’s love underwriting the “counsel of peace” entered into by the Godhead “before the foundations of the earth were laid,” where and when the plan of redemption was contemplated and devised in the event man would fall, and did fall.

For beginners, we’ll just quote “what is written” from the “little John’s.”

 “Behold, what manner of LOVE the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the WORLD knoweth us not, because it knew Him NOT.” 1 John 3:1. 
“My little children, let us NOT LOVE in word, neither in tongue but in DEED and in TRUTH.” 1 John 3:18.
 “The Lord our Righteousness.” Jer. 23:6.
 “Fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9, 10; 1: 19, 16-18. 
 “In the likeness of sinful flesh.” Rom. 8:3.
 “Beloved, let us LOVE ONE ANOTHER: for LOVE IS OF GOD and everyone the loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the LOVE OF GOD TOWARD US, because that God sent His only-begotten Son INTO the world, that WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM. Herein is love, NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atoning sacrifice in His substitutionary death] for our sins.” 1 John 4: 7-10, KJV.

Likewise, beloved brethren in Christ, as you pray daily, “ask, seek, and knock” for the Holy Spirit” for it is only by and through Him that we can “bear the fruit of the LOVE OF CHRIST for undeserving sinners like us, and His perfect ENMITY (righteous indignation and hatred) towards SIN (transgression of His law) for it SEPARATES (Isa. 59: 2) the omnipotent Creator from His creatures, the loving Redeemer from all who are deceived, mesmerized, enamored, and enslaved to sin and Satan “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning.”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 27: RECEIVER BEARS TEN KINDS OF FRUITS AND ‘BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM’

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
September 11, 2011

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 27

RECEIVER BEARS TEN KINDS OF FRUITS AND ‘BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM’

In Luke 11:9-13 (KJV) Christ repeated His promise of the Holy Spirit ten times, including it when He taught His disciples the definitive “Lord’s Prayer,” which He first revealed as part of His comprehensive Sermon on the Mount declared at the outset of His public earthly ministry when and where He introduced to the multitudes gathered there the spiritual nature of the kingdom He was to establish on earth. It was and is definitely unlike any kingdom, nation, empire of man and the earth, past, present, and future. So that He compared and illustrated its inception, growth, and progress “like a mustard seed.” See Matt. 17:20.

He likewise armed His disciples, then and now, by equipping them with a spiritual detector to discern and expose the true and truth from shiny “deep fakes,” look-alike counterfeits; His true messengers and servants from the fanatical, zealous yet spiritually immature, naïve, and unlearned, as well as hard-core charlatans, deceivers, and impostors—-verily “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

In one fell swoop as it were, He laid down this second fool-proof principle and test: “By THEIR FRUITS ye shall know them.” See Matthew 7:15-20.

The first one was enunciated by the prophet in the Old Testament, “To the law and testimony [‘It is written’ and ‘Thus saith the Lord’]; if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them.’ Isa. 8:20.

And where the Holy Spirit, His office work, Person, and Presence is specifically and especially concerned, apostle Paul instructs God’s faithful followers and co-workers how to test, try, and “prove all things” by referencing thoughts, words, and deeds by a definitive list of the “fruits of the Spirit.”

NOTE: The “fruits of the Spirit” are not the same as the “gifts of the Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12: 1-31, then, 13:1-13. The former results from a faithful and wise use of the spiritual “gifts” of God-given talents, particularly time, exclusively for God’s glory, gospel work, and kingdom of righteousness.

There are nine “fruits of the Spirit” that Paul identifies in Galatian 5:22, 23. We don’t do any violence to this glorious truth when we add, as adjuncts, the following: “righteousness and truth” (Eph. 5:9; cf. James 3:18), and “the Spirit of “wisdom and revelation, and knowledge of Him” (Eph. 1:17, 18).

Humbly aware that “spiritual things can only be spiritually discerned,” i.e., by the Holy Spirit; that “the carnal mind is at enmity with God’s law;” that “the wisdom of man is foolishness with God” and vice versa; that God’s thoughts and ways are not like that of fallen, finite, sinful mortals, then we are better prepared to accept and understand the spiritually-magnified meaning of each of the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22, 23.

Their unforced, unfeigned, and unconscious manifestation in the words, actions, and lifestyle are the “fruit” and “fruit-bearing” evidences and living testimony of an indwelling Holy Spirit and the infilling of divine grace with its enabling power in the believer’s life.

We will take up the Spirit’s fruits of Love, Joy, Peace, Long suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance, Righteousness, and Truth “against such there is no law” for they are simply also the unmistakable evidences of loving—not coerced, enforced, legalistic, performative and mercenary obedience—to God’s immutable law of righteousness, the transcript of His character, and foundation of His everlasting throne.

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person and the Godhead Series – Part 26: RECEIVING HIM AN ESSENTIAL AND PRECIOUS EXPERIENCE

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NA’S DESK:
September 4, 2024

The Third Person and the Godhead Series – Part 26

RECEIVING HIM AN ESSENTIAL AND PRECIOUS EXPERIENCE

See David’s “last words” with the Holy Spirit in him and speaking through him in 2 Samuel 23: 2-4. And was true of David centuries prior was also experienced by the first disciples and apostles of Jesus when they received the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and then in the final loud cry of the “fourth Angel” of Revelation 18.

Now this from the inspired pen (all emphasis mine):
“All things that the Father hath are Mine.’ “When He, the SPIRIT OF TRUTH is come, He will guide you into all truth. . . He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.’ John 16: 15, 13, 14, KJV.

 “The disciples had seen Christ ASCEND from among them on the Mount of Olives. And as the heavens received Him, there had come back to them His PARTING PROMISE, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ Matt 28:20. 

“They knew that His SYMPATHIES were with still. They knew that they had a Representative, an Advocate, at the throne of God. In the NAME OF JESUS they presented their petitions, repeating His promise, ‘Whatsoever ye ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.’ John 16:23.

 “Higher and higher they extended the HAND OF FAITH, with the mighty argument, ‘It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is RISEN again, who is even at the RIGHT HAND of God [the Father], who also maketh INTERCESSION for us.” Rom. 8:34.

NOTE: ‘There is only one Intercessor and Mediator/Advocate/High Priest between God and man, Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 2:5, etc.].

“Faithful to His promise, the Divine One, EXALTED IN THE HEAVENLY COURTS, IMPARTED HIS FULNESS to his followers on earth. [How and by what means?]. His enthronement in God’s right hand was SIGNALIZED BY THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT upon His disciples.

 “By the work of Christ these disciples had been led to FEEL THEIR NEED OF THE SPIRIT; under the SPIRIT’S TEACHING they received their FINAL PREPARATION and went forth to their lifework.

“NO LONGER were they ignorant and uncultured. No longer were they a collection of independent units of a discordant and conflicting elements. No longer were their hopes set on worldly greatness [the great sin as part of covetousness, plaguing the world and corrupting the churches and religions in these last days of earth’s history]. 

“They were of ‘ONE ACCORD,’ of ONE MIND and ONE SOUL. CHRIST FILLED THEIR THOUGHTS. The advancement of His kingdom [of righteousness] was their aim. In MIND AND CHARACTER [the true ‘spirit’ of humans] they had become LIKE THEIR MASTER, and men ‘took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.’ Acts 4:13. 

“Then there was such a REVELATION OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST as had never been witnessed by mortal man! Multitudes who had REVILED HiS NAME [as is happening today in the commingling of politics and religion; church and state, sacred and common] and despised His power, confesses themselves DISCIPLES of the Crucified.

“Through the co-operation of the DIVINE SPIRIT the labors of the HUMBLE men whom Christ had CHOSEN stirred the world. To every nation under heaven was the GOSPEL carried in a SINGLE GENERATION [after Pentecost]. 

“The SAME [Holy] SPIRIT that in HIS STEAD was sent to be the  INSTRUCTOR of His first co-workers, Christ has commissioned to the Instructor of His co-workers TODAY. ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the END of the world’ (Matt. 28:20) is His promise.” E. G. White, Education, p. 95.

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 25: PRAY FOR, NOT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT!

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
August 28, 2024

Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 25

PRAY FOR, NOT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT!

“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord will make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Zech. 10: 1, NKJV. Compare to Luke 11: 1-13 again. The five symbols employed in the Bible to describe the Holy Spirit in His various specified roles and works in the plan of redemption/salvation are: the dove, fire, rain (water), and the wind.

Although done in sincerity, not a few Christians seriously err when they pray TO, in addition to praying FOR the Holy Spirit! Such an act is not based on “It is written,” or “Thus saith the Lord.”

Jesus, in His adopted human nature with all its frailties and liabilities, was fully dependent on divine power. As mankind’s Example and as He taught by precept practice, He prayed constantly to the Father, never to the Holy Spirit.

What He did and is recorded in the Holy Scriptures, was to pray to the Father in heaven to send the Holy Spirit, in His name, to the prepared and waiting 120 disciples, including certain women, specifically “Mary the mother of Jesus.” See Acts chapters 1 and 2. Now this from the inspired pen (all emphasis and bracketed words mine):

 “It is true that in the time of the end [rapidly approaching its stupendous climax], when God’s work on earth is closing, the EARNEST EFFORTS put forth by, CONSECRATED BELIEVERS under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are to be accompanied by SPECIAL TOKENS of divine [not human] favor. 

“Under the figure of the EARLY and LATTER RAIN, that falls in the Eastern lands at seed time and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in EXTRAORDINARY MEASURE upon God’s church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the BEGINNING of the early, or former rain [of the Holy Spirit’s power], and GLORIOUS was the result. . . . 

 “But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to PREPARE the church for the coming of the Son of man [The Word made flesh, John 1-3, 14]. This OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT is likened to the FALLING OF THE LATTER RAIN; and it is for this ADDED POWER THAT CHRISTIANS ARE TO SEND THEIR PETITIONS (by importunate prayer] TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST [Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath] ‘in the time of the latter rain.’ [We, today, are living at this time!]. IN RESPONSE [Zech. 10:1; Joel 2: 23 quoted. Read them]. 

 “But unless the members of God’s church to-day have a LIVING CONNECTION with the SOURCE OF ALL SPIRITUAL GROWTH [the Holy Sprit!], they will NOT BE READY FOR THE TIME OF REAPING. Unless they ‘keep their lamps trimmed and burning’ [constantly studying the Word of truth and being sanctified by it, [John 17:17], they will FAIL OF RECEIVING added grace in times of SPECIAL NEED.” -E.G. White, Acts of the Apostles, pp. 54, 55. Pacific Press Publishing Asso., 1911.

Do you claim and profess to be a member of “God’s church” spoken of here, and believe that earth’s harvest of souls is at hand, then this soberingly solemn message is for you, as well as for me!

Remember:
“Character is the harvest of life.” So that “Christ in you is the hope of glory.” (Col. 1: 26, 27). This glorious hope, the greatest of them all, is the reproduction of Christ’s perfected human nature character (Heb. 5: 8, 9) in “a peculiar people,” those who “overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony”—His purified bride, “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but is holy and without blemish,” clad in fine “white linen, which is the righteousness of the saints,” the righteousness of Christ the Bridegroom!

And thus: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed in the day of redemption!”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.