Participants:
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP011212
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00:06 From the campus of Andrews University,
00:08 this is "New Perceptions" with Dr. Dwight K. Nelson. 00:29 This is my desire, 00:35 To honor You 00:42 Lord, with all my heart 00:46 I worship You 00:54 All I have within me 01:00 I give You praise 01:07 All that I adore is in You 01:20 Lord, I give You my heart 01:24 I give You my soul 01:28 I live for You alone 01:32 Ev'ry breath that I take 01:36 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 01:41 Lord, have Your way in me 01:45 Lord, I gave You my heart 01:48 I give You my soul 01:53 I live for You alone 01:57 Ev'ry breath that I take 02:01 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 02:06 Lord, have Your way in me 02:41 I have a Maker, 02:47 He formed my heart 02:54 Before even time began, 02:59 My life was in His hand 03:06 He knows my name, 03:13 He knows my every thought 03:19 He sees each tear that falls 03:24 And hears me when I call 03:32 I have a Father, 03:38 He calls me His own 03:45 He'll never leave me, 03:50 No matter where I go 03:57 He knows my name 04:04 He knows my every thought 04:10 He sees each tear that falls 04:15 And hears me when I call 04:23 He knows my name 04:29 He knows my every thought 04:35 He sees each tear that falls 04:41 And hears me when I call 04:47 And hears me when I call 04:57 In a couple of the Gospels, there is a story. 04:59 Jesus is on the mountain, He has a crowd all around Him. 05:02 And He asked His disciples, 05:04 "we should probably feed these people." 05:07 And so they go and they're trying 05:08 to figure out how to do this. 05:10 You know, they respond, 05:11 well, how could we feed all these people 05:13 just send them home? 05:15 But they find a lad. It's the word that's used. 05:18 They find a lad and he has five loaves and two fish, 05:22 five loaves and two fish 05:24 and I remember the questions they asked. 05:25 But, what is that in the midst of this crowd. 05:29 What is that for these people, just five loaves and two fish? 05:32 May be you could even Jesus, maybe we can have a few scraps. 05:35 But Jesus takes those five loaves and two fish, 05:38 He blesses them and all of a sudden its more, 05:42 more than enough for everybody there. 05:45 There's baskets that are leftover. 05:49 What's the beautiful thing is that, 05:51 however unworthy we may feel 05:54 when we give it to Him it all of a sudden 05:55 becomes more than enough. 05:59 Whatever is it that Jesus has in His creative power 06:03 He can take the simple and serious things 06:07 that perhaps in our measurements 06:09 in our value aren't quite good enough, 06:10 don't quite measure up but when He receives them 06:14 because He is worthy they then become worthy. 06:19 That's what it means to have Jesus blessing. 06:21 Let's stand as we sing this to hymn together 06:23 "Worthy is the Lamb." 07:01 Worthy, worthy is the Lamb 07:05 Worthy, worthy is the Lamb 07:10 Worthy, worthy is the Lamb 07:15 That was slain 07:19 Glory, hallelujah! 07:24 Praise Him, hallelujah! 07:28 Glory, hallelujah 07:33 To the Lamb! 07:39 Savior, let Thy kingdom come! 07:43 Now the power of sin consume 07:48 Bring Thy blest millennium, 07:53 Holy Lamb 07:57 Glory, hallelujah! 08:02 Praise Him, hallelujah! 08:06 Glory, hallelujah 08:11 To the Lamb! 08:17 Thus may we each moment feel 08:22 Love Him, serve Him, 08:24 Praise Him still 08:27 Till we all on Zion's hill 08:31 See the Lamb 08:36 Glory, hallelujah! 08:40 Praise Him, hallelujah! 08:45 Glory, hallelujah 08:50 To the Lamb! 09:16 We shall walk 09:19 Through peace 09:28 We shall walk 09:32 Through the valley 09:36 We shall walk in walk in peace 09:41 We shall walk 09:44 Through the valley in peace 09:55 For Jesus Himself 10:00 Will be our leader 10:10 We shall walk 10:15 Through the valley in peace 10:35 We shall walk 10:38 Through peace 10:49 We will meet 10:52 Our loved ones 10:56 They'll return there 11:00 We will meet 11:04 Our loved ones there 11:15 For Jesus Himself 11:20 Will be our leader 11:29 We shall walk 11:35 Through the valley in peace 11:47 There we'll be 11:48 Above trials there 11:57 There we'll be 12:01 Above trials there 12:14 For Jesus Himself 12:19 Will be our leader 12:32 We shall walk 12:38 Through the valley in peace 13:04 We shall walk in peace 13:28 Let's pray together. 13:31 Oh, God, we shall walk through the valley in peace, 13:34 Jesus will lead us. 13:38 We live in a world languishing 13:41 for that valley of eternal peace 13:44 when shall it come. 13:51 It's business to do until You do come. 13:55 And so Holy Father, please, 14:00 let these moments in a Holy Scripture 14:04 open not only our minds 14:05 but open our hearts to Your teaching. 14:09 We pray in Jesus name, amen. 14:13 Stephen Hawking, you've heard of the, 14:15 the eminent British theoretical physicist. 14:20 Stephen Hawking turned 70 two weeks ago. 14:23 So to celebrate that milestone, 14:25 the magazine New Scientist 14:27 interviewed this brilliant author. 14:30 He wrote the book "A Brief History of Time" 14:33 you've read that book. 14:35 A brilliant scientist, they interviewed him. 14:39 And as a result of that interview 14:41 we now know the mystery 14:43 before which even the great Stephen Hawking bows 14:49 when the journalist asked him, 14:52 "What do you think about most during the day?" 14:56 Hawking replied and I put his words 14:58 on the screen for you. 15:00 "Women. 15:02 They are a complete mystery." 15:06 There you have ladies and gentlemen, 15:07 the pronouncement of one of the brightest minds on earth. 15:10 We now know that mystery, women. 15:14 But women were no mystery to Jesus. 15:19 They will remain one-half of His strategic plan 15:22 for the human race. 15:25 Case in point, our story today, Jesus and one woman. 15:30 Open your Bible with me please to the Gospel of John, 15:34 our new semester series entitled, "The Last Days." 15:37 Let's put the title slider please, 15:39 "The Last Days" not the last days of earth, 15:42 the last seven days of Jesus life. 15:45 One-third of all four Gospels devoted to the last seven days 15:49 and that's what counts. 15:51 The last seven days, titled today's teaching 15:54 "Of perfume, Tears and Grumpy Old Man." 15:58 So grab your Bible, you didn't bring your Bible? 16:01 Oh, this is a narrative. 16:02 It's a short but punching narrative, 16:03 grab the pew Bible in front of you. 16:05 Leave that, leave that up on the screen please, 16:08 because I want to say to those of you 16:09 who are joining us right now on television or live streaming, 16:12 we are delighted to have you, glad you are here. 16:14 You can even go to that website, 16:15 you see that website there www.pmchurch.tv. 16:19 Go to the website 16:21 click on to this is the second teaching in this new series. 16:23 You just heard the title 16:25 and it will say study guide get that study guide. 16:27 Ushers, would you make sure 16:29 that everybody here gets the study guide, bless you. 16:31 This is an unusual study guide, 16:32 it's for taking notes, you'll see one in a moment. 16:35 There are no fill in the blanks but you are gonna need this. 16:37 There is one quotation I want you to have for sure. 16:39 So hold your hand up 16:41 I hope the choir has study guide to do, good. 16:43 Let's go. 16:44 All right, John Chapter 12, 16:47 so I'm in the New King James version. 16:48 Let's go to John 12:1. 16:53 "Then, six days before the Passover" 16:56 at the end of this week, He's dead. 16:58 This is Saturday night. 17:00 Six days from now He'll be dead, Cavalry. 17:03 "Then, six days before the Passover, 17:05 Jesus came to Bethany, 17:07 where Lazarus was who had been dead, 17:09 whom He had raised from the dead." 17:11 And so we were in the last week. 17:13 This is the same Lazarus, 17:14 this is last weeks story now just providing the linkage here. 17:18 There in that little village of Bethany 17:19 "They made Him a supper." 17:22 Jesus is the, He is the guest of honor. 17:25 But I need to tell you, that the-- 17:27 all the uninvited are crowded around 17:29 that banqueting hall that night 17:31 because for four days His body was decomposing 17:35 and now He's alive and everybody wants to see Lazarus. 17:38 So Lazarus is also a guest of honor. 17:42 So they made Him a supper. 17:43 In verse 2 "And Martha served" that would be Lazarus's sister. 17:47 "But Lazarus was one of those 17:48 who sat at the table with Jesus." 17:50 Then verse 3, Mary that would be Lazarus's other sister. 17:56 "Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, 18:01 anointed the feet of Jesus, 18:03 and wiped His feet with her hair. 18:05 And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." 18:11 Now by the Greek language 18:12 here in John and the other three synoptic's 18:15 this nard plant, here's what we know about it. 18:17 This nard plant was a tiny 18:19 but fragrant blossom that only grew on the hills 18:23 at the feet of the mighty Himalayas in Northern India. 18:27 So you can understand it was rare 18:30 and exquisite perfume oil. 18:34 Easily it could command 18:36 an entire year of wages for commoner. 18:42 Scholars wondered did Mary somehow liquidate 18:44 her part of the family inheritance, we don't know. 18:47 All we know is that a great and great expense, 18:50 she purchase the pound of this spikenard 18:53 in a narrow alabaster flask 18:55 and quietly surreptitiously 18:57 slipping into the banqueting room full of men 19:02 she broke open her precious alabaster flask. 19:05 Read verse 3 again, "Then Mary took a pound" 19:08 now this is a Roman pounds about twelve ounces. 19:11 "Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, 19:15 anointed the feet of Jesus, 19:16 and wiped His feet with her hair. 19:18 And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." 19:24 You know I can never fool, Karen. 19:25 When I come back shopping for a gift for her 19:27 I never fool her, whether it's for her birthday 19:29 or valentines or a Christmas or whatever 19:34 because I love to shop for perfume. 19:38 And so I go to that department store counter 19:41 and I am never contempt. 19:42 I don't know how you are guys but I'm never contempt 19:44 with just getting one little sample. 19:46 Look, I know they have these little white papers sticks 19:48 that you're supposed to 19:49 and then smell the stick, forget it. 19:51 For me it has to be on flesh. 19:52 I have to smell. 19:53 So up to they want to figure out oh, that's good. 19:57 And I take another one because I love to get a lot of them. 19:59 Take the other one, and get a third one. 20:04 I go with all the fingers and I see Karen do this Dwight, 20:06 drew on my wrists. 20:08 That is good. 20:10 Yeah, so, I got to check it all out. 20:12 Then I make the purchase and every time 20:14 when I come walking to the door she always guesses 20:17 what I bought her for a gift. 20:18 What's up with that? 20:20 Because a perfume worth its so cannot be hidden. 20:24 That's what's up. 20:25 And that's what happening here. 20:27 Mary has desperately tried to be discrete 20:30 and unnoticed as possible. 20:31 She timidly slips into that room of men. 20:33 She anoints the head and the feet of this Man, 20:35 who forgave her, her past of utter lostness. 20:40 He knew all about her past 20:43 and she can hardly restrain her tears, 20:46 such deep gratitude for that forgiveness. 20:50 By the way she just heard this man 20:53 seven times in tears himself, 20:55 pleading with His father deliver this woman 20:58 from what is holding her in the clutches. 21:01 Seven times He's begged for her deliverance. 21:05 And I'm telling you 21:06 it's just the heart bursting with gratitude. 21:09 And by the way the rumors out, 21:10 He's going to become the anointed Messiah King 21:14 and she wants to have her anointing 21:16 ahead of the public one. 21:19 And so she comes and breaks that flask 21:22 and the room becomes 21:24 a lovely department store perfume counter. 21:30 Verse 4, 21:31 "But one of His disciples, 21:38 Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, 21:41 who would betray Him, said, 21:46 'Why was this fragrant oil 21:48 not sold for three hundred denarii 21:50 and given to the poor?'" 21:53 This, verse 6, "This he said, not that he cared for the poor, 21:58 but because he was a thief, and had the money box 22:02 and he used to take what was put in it." 22:06 Unlike the synoptic, John intentionally ID's 22:13 two of the key players in Jesus story. 22:16 The protagonist, John reveals her name, 22:20 perhaps because Mary is now dead 22:22 and any embarrassment about her 22:23 checkered past is no longer relevant. 22:26 So he ID's the protagonist and he ID's the antagonist 22:30 because by identifying Judas as a instigator of this cruel 22:35 and heartless public shaming 22:38 John deftly creates a powerful contrast 22:42 between Judas's greed in Everest 22:45 and Mary's utterly sacrificial devotion to the Savior. 22:50 I mean like an awful, sour, 22:52 thumb beside her Judas sticks out. 22:56 But like a fragrant blossom 22:58 beside rancid waters is Mary. 23:05 Judas by the way was the chief instigator 23:07 but all the disciples, all the men piled on. 23:13 Watch this we'll go to the Gospel of Mark now 23:15 and just get to his reading. 23:16 Mark 14:3, "While Jesus was in Bethany reclining 23:19 at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, 23:21 a woman came with an alabaster jar 23:23 of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. 23:28 She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus head. 23:32 Some of those present were saying 23:34 indignantly to one another, 23:36 'Why this waste of perfume?'" Can you believe it? 23:39 "'It could have been sold for more than a year's wages 23:41 and the money given to the poor.' 23:43 And they rebuked her harshly." 23:47 All of them rebuked her harshly. 23:52 So how does Jesus respond? 23:53 Back to your own Bible, verse 7, "But Jesus said, 23:58 'Let her alone she has kept this for the day of My burial. 24:05 For the poor you have with you always, 24:09 but Me you do not have always.'" 24:16 Leave her alone. 24:21 Won't you just love Jesus for that 24:23 when you think about it? 24:25 Come on, nobody speaks up in her defense, 24:28 not her brother Lazarus, not her sister Martha, 24:32 not one of the disciples that has tasted 24:35 and enjoyed the warmth of that congenial hospitality 24:39 in that little Bethany home. 24:40 Nobody speaks up, one Man, leave her alone. 24:48 How could we not help, but love Jesus for this? 24:52 I tell you what, it takes chutzpah 24:54 to speak in defense of the defenseless, doesn't it? 24:57 I mean, come on, you think about it, 24:58 it takes more a backbone to speak up 25:00 in defense of the minority, the marginalized 25:03 when no one else dare say a word, 25:05 it does take courage, doesn't it? 25:08 How can you not help but love Jesus 25:11 at a moment like this? 25:12 I mean, look at, He not only converses 25:14 his wit of Samaritan woman, 25:16 He makes a Samaritan the hero of one of His greatest parables 25:19 so that we end up calling that hero, 25:21 the Good Samaritan and the Jews hated Samaritans. 25:27 Jesus not only forgives prostitutes 25:28 and tax collectors and other sinners 25:30 He dines with them. 25:32 That's social chutzpah in spates. 25:37 And when nobody else has time for the children 25:39 who is this who gathers the little ones in His arms 25:42 and He hugs them and He blesses them. 25:46 Pagan Gentiles? 25:49 Now Jesus, Syrophoenician mother pagan Roman centurion 25:56 He is gonna die for them all. 25:59 And women, when the strictest Rabbi's 26:05 and the most orthodox Pharisees 26:07 would never be caught talking in public 26:09 to another women other than their own wife Jesus gratefully, 26:13 publicly receives the ministry of many women, many. 26:18 Look at this, this is Cavalry. 26:20 This is Mark Chapter 15 at the cross, 26:22 "There were also" there at the cross, 26:24 "women looking on from afar, 26:26 among whom were Mary Magdalene" 26:28 and by the way you just met Mary Magdalene in John 12. 26:31 "Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, 26:34 and Salome, who also followed Him 26:37 and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, 26:39 and many other women 26:42 who came up with Jesus to Jerusalem." 26:45 Isn't that amazing? 26:46 Many other women followed Him 26:49 and ministered to Him. 26:52 Which means this, leave her alone, 26:55 is not some isolated little moment in defense of a woman. 27:00 Obviously, Jesus gladly, 27:03 publicly received the ministry of all these women. 27:09 Leave her alone. 27:12 I mean you think what's just happened, 27:13 come on think, what has just happened, 27:15 when He in stern voice commands. 27:22 I mean, here is this woman, 27:25 she's just quietly entered into a man's world 27:28 has humbly brought it Christ her own expression 27:31 of love and devotion 27:33 when suddenly noticed, for her outer bounds expression, 27:36 a certain man leaps up on that act 27:38 and loudly declares this is a misguided waste of effort 27:41 and a misappropriation of devotion. 27:45 And all-- have you noticed 27:46 all it takes is for one man to protest 27:49 and soon other man to prove their male credentials 27:52 jump on the band wagon until all of them 27:56 would drive this woman from their circle 28:00 until another man interrupts, 28:02 leave her alone, leave her alone. 28:09 Now remember, this is the same Jesus, 28:11 this is the same Mary 28:13 and from the same little village of Bethany. 28:16 Some months earlier you remember the story 28:18 when Martha comes into her living room 28:19 she's all huff and buff. 28:20 Hey come on Jesus what is up with this, 28:22 you just led my sister sitting here with the all are you men 28:25 when I got work to do in the kitchen. 28:26 Would You command her to come back to the kitchen with me? 28:30 Remember that story? 28:34 How did Jesus respond? 28:37 Mary, Martha is right. 28:39 You need to remember your place in this world, 28:42 standing here with all the men and Me. 28:44 It's in the kitchen where you belong, 28:45 go, go, go, girl. 28:48 How do you respond, look at this, 28:49 Luke 10, Luke Chapter 10, 28:53 "And Jesus answered and said to her," 28:56 when He repeats her name its 'cause He really loves you. 29:00 "Martha, Martha, you are worried 29:03 and troubled about many things. 29:05 But one thing is needed," girl 29:08 "and Mary has chosen that good part, 29:10 which will not be taken away from her." 29:14 Martha, Martha, its okay, 29:16 for Mary to be here 29:18 because she's chosen the better part. 29:21 She's doing it out of love for Me. 29:24 The very same observance 29:30 as that Saturday night banquet. 29:31 She's doing it out of love for me. 29:36 May she want it, doesn't it? 29:38 I makes me wonder, 29:39 where would Jesus stand today 29:43 in a church that is opened its doors of ministry 29:46 to all except women? 29:52 Oh, it's true, there are designated ministries 29:55 in the church that women are applauded to doing. 29:58 But no pastoral ministry is she allowed to perform 30:02 with the same recognition of spiritual authority 30:04 as her male counterparts enjoy. 30:09 Namely, the sacred and ecclesiastical recognition 30:13 that God has already called and gifted the individual. 30:18 A calling with spiritual authority 30:20 and leadership recognized universally in the church 30:23 by something called ordination. 30:29 Ordination does not confer giftedness. 30:33 Ordination recognizes it's already there 30:37 and we see the fruit. 30:41 No Mary, no, no for that you need to leave this circle. 30:46 For God's word declares that this responsibility, 30:49 a spiritual authority belongs only to man, I'm sorry. 30:54 It does. 31:00 I just read an article 31:01 in defense of that men only position about ordination 31:06 and bless the writers are. 31:07 I have to wonder, 31:09 why, what is so clear to me in scripture 31:11 is not clear to the writer. 31:14 For example, the writer, listen, 31:15 the writer suggested that when the Bible declares 31:17 that the elder or that would be the pastor 31:19 is to be the husband of one wife 31:22 that clearly means that only men can hold 31:25 that position of ordained spiritual leadership. 31:29 But that's not how I read the text. 31:31 Let's look at the text put it on the screen, 31:33 1 Timothy 3:2 Paul writing, 31:36 "A bishop" and that could be an elder. 31:39 "A bishop then must be blameless, 31:43 the husband of one wife, 31:45 temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, 31:47 hospitable, able to teach." 31:50 But listen, I know we're required 31:52 that text to be read as meaning exclusively male. 31:56 Then I required Jesus instructions 31:57 to His disciple ministries to be read 31:59 as meaning exclusively the way He phrases it. 32:02 Here's what He says to a group of men 32:04 who have just been ordained to the gospel ministry. 32:07 I want you to see this, 32:09 Matthew Chapter 10 we'll pick it up in verse 9. 32:11 He's getting right to send them out on their first pastorate. 32:13 "Provide" He says hey "Provide neither gold nor silver 32:16 nor copper in your money belts" 32:19 now I am not thinking man I got to get that wallet, 32:21 go on and got to find the money belt, 32:23 I'm not thinking that. 32:24 Verse 10, "nor" don't get a bag, 32:27 don't get a suitcase for your journey, 32:29 you don't need "two tunics nor sandals" 32:32 just the one's you have on all you need 32:34 "nor staffs for a worker is worthy of his food." 32:39 Now ladies and gentlemen, 32:40 surely Jesus detailed instructions to His disciples, 32:45 do not mean that today 32:46 we're not allowed to take suitcases 32:48 when we pastors travel. 32:49 And we are not allowed to take an extra change of clothes 32:52 or an extra pair of sandals, we should only wear sandals. 32:56 He's not saying you got to have a staff or no staff, you see? 33:01 Oh, come on Dwight, please. 33:03 Jesus is speaking to specific man 33:06 in a specific country and culture at a specific time, 33:09 you're stretching the scripture 33:10 to make Him require sandals and staffs 33:12 and no suitcases of His ministers 2,000 years later. 33:18 Which my friend, is precisely the point. 33:23 We listen to Ancient Scripture, 33:25 even the red letter words of Jesus 33:27 and we interpret the principles behind those words 33:30 for our living and ministering today. 33:31 We make the application, you know, what Jesus is saying. 33:33 I believe He's saying, we have to travel, 33:35 we had a travel light, we have to travel simply. 33:40 Who is being interpreted simply and clearly 33:42 means that the church has to-- 33:45 how did Paul put it? 33:47 He gave His council about ordaining 33:49 those who are the husband of one wife. 33:55 But what is He saying 33:57 if He's not admonishing the church 34:00 to ordain those knows 34:02 who are martially faithful to their spouses? 34:06 Hey, look no, no, He say, no, no, Dwight, you can't do that. 34:09 That has to stay a little. 34:10 Jesus He's figurative this is literal. 34:13 Okay, let's say its stays literal, 34:15 think about the implications if it remains literal. 34:17 If these words are to be literal command 34:19 for all time the husband of one wife 34:22 then there can be no single ministers. 34:26 No single ministers. 34:27 Well, how can you be a single, you have to have a wife. 34:30 There can be no remarried ministers, 34:33 no divorced ministers because now you have two wives. 34:38 And number three, 34:39 they could be no childless ministers 34:41 because the very next line says he-- 34:42 he must be very good at raising his children. 34:46 So you can't be a childless pastor. 34:50 Oh, come on, Dwight, nobody wishes to push 34:51 that single phrase that literally. 34:53 Everybody reinterprets it to fit our society today 34:56 as we do what Jesus command to His disciples 34:59 but for some reason 35:01 and I'm trying to figure this out for some reason 35:03 those who do not believe 35:05 that women should be granted the same spiritual authority 35:08 for their calling the gospel ministry 35:10 they're allowed a free interpretation 35:12 of phrase for singles. 35:13 Oh yeah, you can have single, 35:14 remarriage, oh yeah, childless, no problem. 35:17 But inexplicably they suddenly demand 35:19 a strict literal interpretation for gender. 35:22 Oh no, you have to be a man. 35:25 Three times you said we could interpret it away 35:27 but this one you can't. 35:32 Almost humbly, personally, 35:37 disagree with them 35:40 for I believe, I believe that 35:43 they are inconsistently interpreting scripture 35:47 to fit their beliefs, 35:50 and not allowing Holy Scripture 35:52 to dictate their beliefs. 35:54 Amen. 35:57 Yeah, but come on Dwight, please, 35:59 doesn't the Bible command women to keep silent in church 36:02 and do not exercise spiritual authority over men 36:04 because Eve was created second and sin first. 36:09 That's a good question. 36:11 Lets' reread what God very plainly declared to the, 36:15 to our first parents Adam and Eve 36:17 after their moral meltdown in the Garden of Eden. 36:20 Let's put Genesis 3 on the screen here, 36:22 "To the woman" this is the Creator, 36:24 this is the pre-incarnate Christ by the way, 36:26 the same one that was there with Mary. 36:29 "To the woman He said 36:32 'I will greatly multiply your sorrow and you conception. 36:35 In pain you shall bring forth children. 36:37 Your desire shall be for your husband, 36:39 and he shall rule over you.'" 36:42 Now sadly, many have read God's words 36:45 that mean that all women 36:46 are to be subordinated to all men. 36:49 But that is simply not what God is saying. 36:53 In fact, the Creator, a very clearly 36:56 the Creator literally in the Hebrew, 36:57 here's what He saying. 36:58 And your desire shall be for your men. 37:02 You know we're for husband there its 'is.' 37:05 Your desire is for your man 37:08 which means this was never a Carte Blanche decoration 37:11 that all women would be subordinated to all men 37:15 in or out of the church, that's not there. 37:19 You know, what this is? 37:21 This is a post fall chain of command, 37:23 divine spiritual leadership prescription 37:26 dealing with husbands and wives. 37:30 That's what it is which by the way 37:33 hardly diminishes the wives role in marriage. 37:35 I mean, let me give you two reasons why. 37:37 If you've ever read Proverbs 31 the ideal wife oh mercy, 37:41 look at her financial leadership, 37:43 look at her familiar leadership, 37:44 look at her managerial skill, 37:46 she buys and sells property 37:47 without consultation with anybody. 37:51 You can read Proverb 31 and say well, 37:53 there is subjugations, it's not about subjugation at all. 37:56 In fact with Proverbs 31 37:58 go ahead and have Ephesians 6 37:59 where Paul takes that Genesis 3 38:02 principle and it applies and He says, 38:03 listen this is really how it works, guys. 38:07 Both husband and wife are to submit to each other. 38:10 He describes mutual submission. 38:14 But the husband is to-- 38:15 somebody's got to take the first step 38:16 so it is the husbands responsibility 38:19 in the example of Christ self sacrificing 38:22 love at the Cavalry it's the husband's example 38:24 to initiate repentance. 38:26 I was wrong, to offer forgiveness, 38:29 to break the logjam. 38:32 Paul is carefully, carefully protecting, 38:38 this wall that God has placed around 38:41 husband and wife in the human home. 38:46 But he is not making a statement, 38:48 just as God was not about women and men on this planet. 38:52 Now here's that line, 38:55 you need to see the line that's in question. 38:58 Some people read this line for the first time, 38:59 they'll say, whoa, what is that? 39:01 Its Paul writing saying Paul, 39:03 "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission." 39:06 1 Timothy 2:11, here comes verse 12 39:08 "And I do not permit a woman to teach 39:10 or to have authority over a man, 39:12 but to be in silence." 39:14 Does that all women are subjugated 39:16 to all men for all time, 39:19 hardly in the church? Not at all. 39:22 Let me show you something 39:23 that word for man aner that word for women goo-nay. 39:28 Those words can be translated 39:29 either man, husband or woman, wife. 39:34 Which means Paul's admonition can accurately read 39:39 let a wife in church learn in silence. 39:42 For I do not permit a wife to teach 39:44 or to have her authority over her husband, 39:47 which being interpreting means Paul is carefully protecting, 39:49 Gods protecting wall around marriage and home, 39:51 He's no where declaring 39:52 all women are subordinated to all men in the church 39:55 and only men are allowed spiritual authority. 39:57 He's not saying that at all. 39:59 He's talking what the Creator was talking about. 40:01 Husband and wife relationship, 40:05 post fall somebody has to take the initiative. 40:11 Moreover, moreover the position 40:18 that men only men are to be ordained to the Gospel ministry 40:22 and thus be granted spiritual authority in the church, 40:26 which I believe the Bible does not support, 40:28 that position does not supported biblically. 40:32 But isn't that position particularly 40:34 incongruous in a denomination 40:38 that was founded by a woman 40:44 and some male colleagues. 40:47 What's up with that? 40:54 The most prolific American author of either gender, 40:58 the third most translated human being 41:01 in the history of the earth, a wife, 41:05 a mother, a visionary, a leader, 41:09 raised up the most expansive protested 41:13 educational system on earth. 41:15 She raised up the most 41:16 expansive protestant health system on earth, 41:19 she raised up the most expansive 41:20 Christian missionary movement on earth, 41:23 isn't it a bit incongruous 41:28 that some within this community of faith 41:31 which recognizes the spiritual authority that 41:33 little five foot, two inch woman named Ellen White. 41:36 Isn't it incongruous that some 41:38 who revere her authority would continue to insist 41:42 that women should not exercise spiritual authority over men? 41:47 To me that is just one astounding anomaly. 41:51 How do you explain it? 41:56 And by the way any little comment about well, 42:01 women prophets or women 42:02 who exercise the prophetic gift has spiritual authority 42:05 that rest of the women don't, that's just plain war games. 42:10 Isn't it something, 42:13 especially when, listen to this, especially 42:15 when not a single word form her 42:19 ever prohibiting the church from coming to a prayerful, 42:22 careful, biblical, understanding 42:25 that is utterly consistent 42:26 with the Bible witness to conclude 42:29 that women who are called by God today, 42:31 share with man the same spiritual authority 42:34 and accountability of Gospel ministry 42:37 as recognized by ordination. 42:38 Not a single word saying, 42:40 oh, no, no, no, you can't go down that path. 42:43 Not a word. 42:45 There is not a single word and I read widely trust me. 42:50 There is not a single word ever suggesting 42:54 that such a prayerful, careful, 42:55 biblical decision would be out of harmony with God's will 42:59 for His people at this time in history. 43:02 In fact to the contrary, 43:04 I got to share this with you. 43:05 I came across these words in Acts of the Apostles 43:08 while preparing my GYC sermon on Acts 10 and 11. 43:12 You remember Acts, you remember the story behind Acts 10 and 11. 43:14 You remember Cornelius the Roman Centurion 43:18 and remember Peter, 43:19 who's never, he's never put a scandal in a Gentile home. 43:22 He would never on the pain of death 43:24 he would never do it. 43:25 And you remember an angel shows up to Cornelius' 43:27 and says hey, go get a guy name Peter, he's over in Joppa 43:29 and always spiritual at appearances by the way 43:32 go with these people who have come. 43:34 You remember that story so Peter finds himself doing 43:35 what he's never done at all in his life. 43:37 He's put his sandals in a Gentile, 43:40 a Pagan home and then he begins to preach. 43:43 Jesus and God doesn't even wait for Peter to finish his sermon. 43:46 Something in the middle of sermon, boom, 43:48 the Holy Spirit is poured out on these Gentile Pagan seekers. 43:54 Wow, so Peter says, baptize them all. 44:00 But oh boy, when he gets back to Jerusalem, 44:03 he's in hot water and they call him in on the red carpet 44:06 and they said what were you thinking 44:09 teaching in a Gentile's home. 44:12 And so in chapter 11, Peter is-- 44:14 listen, let me tell you something guys, whoa, 44:16 here's what happened and he goes to the whole story. 44:18 He gets down to the end of the story 44:20 and I want you to listen very carefully now, 44:22 to what he says to the hierarchy in Jerusalem. 44:26 And as he says, I'm there preaching it away 44:29 "And as I began to speak the Holy Spirit fell on them, 44:33 as up on us at the beginning." 44:36 Verse, "If therefore God gave them 44:40 the same gift as He gave us 44:42 what we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, 44:44 who was I that I could withstand God?" 44:48 I mean they have the same gift. 44:51 I didn't realize that but they have the same gift, 44:54 how can I say, no, only me with that gift counts not you. 45:00 I couldn't do it. Brethren, I could not do it. 45:05 The wall separating Jews and Gentiles 45:08 began its last crumble 45:13 in that incident, amazing. 45:17 I mean, that's what Peter has just said 45:19 that's the question for the church today. 45:21 If God has poured out His spirit on young women 45:23 and not so young women 45:25 who are ministering just as Mary did to the Lord Jesus 45:28 and the fruits of their ministry are dramatically clear 45:30 to all who observed their ministry 45:33 if therefore God gave them the same gift 45:35 He gave us then who are we as men to stand in the way. 45:47 How in the name of Christ can we defend this wall 45:51 when our leaders are circumnavigating 45:53 this plan of these days begging the church of God 45:56 to plea for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 45:59 and I join them and I believe we need that outpouring 46:02 but how can we stand before God 46:05 and beg for that infilling 46:07 when there's wall that's separating us? 46:11 The wall will have to comedown 46:14 before the Spirit can comedown. 46:17 You can't come down with a wall blocking your way. 46:20 It's not my fault God says, you have to help Me. 46:24 Get this wall down then I'll come. 46:30 So we'll keep praying, we'll keep praying. 46:36 But we have the answer to our prayers in our own hands. 46:45 Now here's that line from Ellen White, 46:47 I want you to catch this. 46:49 This is her inspired commentary, 46:51 at the moment chapter 11 comes to an end. 46:54 Put it on the screen for you, Acts of the Apostles. 46:57 "Thus without controversy, prejudice was broken down, 47:01 the exclusiveness established 47:03 by the custom of ages was abandoned." 47:06 By the way those italics are mine. 47:09 "The exclusiveness established 47:11 by the custom of ages was abandoned." 47:15 We've always done it this way. 47:17 We've always through the ages done it this way, 47:20 but when the Holy Spirit came down 47:22 the exclusiveness established 47:24 by the custom of ages was abandoned 47:26 and the way was opened for the gospel 47:28 to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. 47:30 Isn't that amazing? 47:32 It took that wall to come down 47:34 to open up the gospel to be proclaimed more widely, 47:37 more effectively, more powerfully, than ever before. 47:42 But did you catch that line? 47:44 The exclusiveness established 47:46 by the custom of ages was abandoned. 47:51 And ladies and gentlemen, 47:52 isn't it time for the wall 47:57 to come down in the gospel ministry. 48:04 For how can God possibly bless 48:07 the exclusiveness established 48:10 by the custom of ages? 48:15 Look, women might be a mystery to Stephen Hawking 48:19 but they are no mystery to God. 48:22 For a women our one half 48:25 of His strategic plan for the human race 48:28 and women are one half of His will 48:33 for the gospel ministry. 48:35 Amen. Amen. 48:40 Let's pray. 48:45 Oh, Jesus, defender of the defenseless, 48:51 remover of the wall, 48:55 isn't it time for the church 48:59 to become just like You? 49:06 And my head is still bowed in prayer. 49:09 I need to make an appeal here. 49:12 And this appeal is only for the women who are here, 49:17 who are watching, who are listening. 49:22 Three appeals, number one, ladies, 49:26 would you be willing to offer your life to Jesus 49:30 like Mary in gratitude for His loving sacrifice on your behalf? 49:37 Would you? 49:38 Already I know the answer to that question. 49:40 Of course you do. 49:42 Here's appeal number two, 49:44 would you be willing to offer your career 49:48 as a ministry for Him? 49:52 I had a young woman come in to my office after first church. 49:56 She said "I am taking science here." 50:00 We talked, it doesn't matter your career, 50:05 it doesn't matter you are major here 50:06 God has led you to chose that, I believe. 50:10 But would you be willing offer that major, 50:13 that career to come or career you are already in 50:16 as a lawyer, physician, a homemaker, a wife. 50:22 Would you be willing to offer 50:25 you're career to Jesus 50:28 so that it might be a daily ministry for Him? 50:34 And then appeal number three. 50:38 I hesitate with this one. 50:41 I hesitate to ask you to offer your life for gospel ministry 50:47 because the truth is 50:49 not many young women are being placed. 50:54 And in some places the door is not open at all. 51:00 But I cannot-- not invite you to respond to Christ call 51:05 whatever the spirit means for you. 51:11 And so with these three appeals in your heart, 51:15 I'd like to ask the women 51:17 who are here if you are willing to respond 51:19 to one of those three appeals 51:21 to stand to your feet, 51:24 just as Mary stepped into that room 51:27 in front of all those men 51:31 to demonstrate her devotion to Jesus. 51:34 I'd like to invite you to stand to your feet 51:39 and by standing, you say to Jesus, 51:43 I'm available to You, 51:49 I'm available to You. 52:01 God bless you. 52:04 Oh, Jesus, they stand before You, 52:08 You who stood up for them long ago 52:13 they stand up for You now. 52:14 Jesus, see You her devotion, 52:18 see You her passion, see You her calling, 52:21 see You her commitment, and take her. 52:27 Once you did with Mary turn the world 52:30 upside down for her ministry. 52:37 Oh, Jesus, we all would stand before You, 52:41 we all offer our lives to You. 52:45 And so I wish to stand with these women 52:47 and I invite my brothers here 52:50 if they wish to stand with them 52:52 to stand with me now. 52:55 So we are all standing, the whole family 52:56 of God is standing. 52:59 We are saying whatever You want Jesus, 53:02 use us anyway you wish, the hour has come 53:07 for the Spirit to be outpoured 53:10 and we wish to be a part 53:16 of that mighty final gift. 53:21 Seal all of us Jesus, seal us for the journey ahead 53:26 and may You be glorified please. 53:29 May You be glorified in Your name we pray, amen. 53:35 I want to sing one stanza, 53:36 pull the hymn in the lot in front of you. 53:37 Just one stanza of this beautiful, 53:39 "I will follow Thee, my Savior, 53:41 Wheresoe'er my lot may be." 53:44 Its 6:23. 53:45 Take the hymn aloud 6:23 just one stanza 53:52 and then we leave worship to the world that awaits us. 53:56 Stay standing. 54:10 I will follow Thee, my Savior 54:15 Wheresoe'er my lot may be 54:21 Where Thou goest I will follow 54:28 Yes, my Lord, I'll follow Thee 54:34 I will follow Thee, my Savior 54:40 Thou didst shed Thy blood for me 54:47 And though all men should forsake Thee 54:54 By Thy grace I'll follow Thee 55:03 I want to sing that. 55:04 I want to sing that chorus one more time. 55:07 It's such a beautiful confession. 55:09 And it says although are men will forsake you. 55:13 Although all people forsake you, 55:16 Lord Jesus, I'll follow You. 55:18 Let's sing it. 55:20 We're singing quiet enough as our prayer, 55:22 it's a beautiful prayer. 55:24 We'll pray this in commitment. 55:27 I will follow Thee, my Savior 55:34 Thou didst shed Thy blood for me 55:41 And though all men should forsake Thee 55:48 By Thy grace I'll follow Thee 55:59 And now may the love of the Father 56:07 and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 56:13 and the communion of the Holy Spirit 56:17 of Bible that's all. 56:21 Amen. 56:35 It's been a pleasure to be able to worship with you today. 56:38 I hope the Spirit of Jesus has blessed your time 56:41 with us right here in the Pioneer Memorial Church 56:43 on the campus of Andrews University. 56:45 Do you know that around the world people 56:46 join us every week for this hour of worship? 56:48 We're always looking as a consequence 56:50 for new ways to bridge somehow to connect with these people 56:54 who come here to worship via the telecast. 56:57 One of the areas that is quickly growing for us is our website. 57:00 We had more than a 140,000 visitors last year. 57:04 It's an incredible opportunity 57:06 that God has given us to expand His kingdom. 57:09 If you'd like to help partner with us, 57:11 as we seek to spread the ever lasting gospel 57:13 I would love to have your call on toll free number. 57:16 We got very friendly operator stranding by, 57:18 here's the number 877-HIS-WILL, 57:22 877 and then the two words HIS WILL, 57:24 one of the operators will be happy to give you the details 57:27 of how you can partner with this global ministry. 57:30 If you prefer listen, you could do it all online. 57:32 Go to our website please www.pmchurch.tv. 57:37 I would be honored to have the privilege 57:38 of partnering with you as we seek to spread the truth 57:40 about God for this generation. 57:42 We are living in urgent times, 57:46 now more than ever we've got to go to the world 57:49 with the good news entrusted to us. 57:51 So once again here's that 57:52 toll free number 877-HIS-WILL. 57:55 Thank you in advance for your generosity. 57:58 It blesses me and you'll grow this ministry 58:01 and pray that Spirit of Christ will abide with you 58:03 every step of the way 58:05 and I hope you comeback again next time right here 58:08 as we continue our worship journey together. |
Revised 2014-12-17