Participants: Dwight K. Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP012112
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00:06 From the campus of Andrews University,
00:08 this is New Perception, 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 give You my heart 01:49 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 02:53 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 03:44 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 04:22 He knows my name 04:29 He knows my every thought 04:35 He sees each tear that falls 04:40 And hears me when I call 04:47 And hears me when I call 04:56 In a couple of the gospels there's a story, 04:59 Jesus on the mountain, He has a crowd all around Him 05:02 and He asked the disciples, 05:04 we should probably feed these people. 05:07 And so they go and they're trying to figure out 05:09 how to do this, 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, that'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 and-- 05:24 and I remember the questions 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 Maybe you can eat, Jesus, maybe we could 05:33 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 05:40 it's more, 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, when we give it to Him, 05:55 it all of a sudden becomes more than enough. 05:59 Whatever it is that Jesus has in His creative power, 06:03 He can take the simple, sincerest things 06:07 that perhaps in our measurements, 06:08 in our value aren't quite good enough. 06:10 Don't quite measure up. 06:11 But when He receives them because He is worthy, 06:16 they then become worthy. 06:18 That's what it means to have Jesus' blessing. 06:21 Let's stand as we sing this hymn together, 06:23 "Worthy is the lamb." 07:00 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 07:58 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 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 in peace 09:28 We shall walk through the valley 09:36 We shall walk in peace. 09:41 We shall walk through the valley 09:48 In peace 09:55 For Jesus Himself 10:00 Will be our leader 10:10 We shall walk 10:15 Through the valley 10:20 In peace 10:35 We shall walk in peace 10:49 We will meet 10:52 Our loved ones there 11:01 We will meet 11:04 Our loved ones there 11:15 For Jesus Himself 11:20 Will be our leader 11:30 We shall walk 11:35 Through the valley 11:39 In peace 11:46 There will be 11:48 No more trials there 11:57 There will be 12:01 No more trials there 12:14 For Jesus Himself 12:19 Will be our leader 12:32 We shall walk 12:38 Through the valley 12:44 In peace 13:04 We shall walk 13:09 In peace 13:28 Let's pray together. 13:31 Oh, God, we shall walk through the valley in peace, 13:33 Jesus will lead us. 13:37 We live in a world languishing 13:41 for that value 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, 13:59 let these moments in 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. 14:11 Amen. 14:13 Stephen Hawking, you've heard of 14:15 the eminent British theoretical physicist. 14:20 Stephen Hawking turn 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. 14:32 You've read that book. Brilliant scientist. 14:37 They interviewed him 14:39 and as a result of that interview 14:41 we now know the mystery before which 14:44 even the great Stephen Hawking bows. 14:49 When the journalist asked him, "What do you think about 14:53 most during the day?" 14:56 Hawking replied and I put his words on the screen for you, 15:00 "Women. They are a complete mystery." 15:06 There you have ladies and gentlemen, 15:07 the pronouncement of 15:08 one of the brightest minds on earth. 15:10 We now know that mystery, women. 15:14 But women were no mystery to Jesus. 15:18 They will remain one half of His strategic plan 15:22 for the human race. 15:24 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 slide up please, The Last Days. 15:40 Not the last days of earth, 15:42 the last seven days of Jesus' life. 15:44 One-third of all four gospels devoted to the last seven days, 15:49 that's what counts, the last seven days. 15:53 Title of today's teaching, 15:54 "Of Perfume, Tears and Grumpy Old Men. 15:58 So grab your Bible. 15:59 You want to-- If you didn't bring your Bible, 16:01 oh, this is a narrative, it's a short 16:02 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 16:10 on television or live streaming, 16:12 we're delighted to have you. 16:13 Glad you're here. 16:14 You can go to that website, you see that website there, 16:16 www.pmchurch.tv. 16:19 Go to the website, click on to-- 16:21 this is the second teaching in this new series. 16:23 You just heard the title, and it will say study guide, 16:26 get that study guide. 16:27 Ushers would you make sure 16:29 that everybody here get a study guide. 16:30 Bless you. 16:31 This is an unusual study guide, it's for taking notes. 16:34 You'll see why in a moment. 16:35 There are no fill in the blanks 16:36 but you're going to need this. 16:37 There's one quotation I want you to have for sure. 16:39 So hold your hand up, I hope the choir 16:41 has the study guide, did you? 16:42 Good. Let's go. 16:44 All right, John 12. 16:47 So I am in the New King James Version. 16:48 Let's go to John 12:1, 16:53 "Then, six days before the Passover--" 16:55 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, Calvary. 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 raised from the dead." 17:11 That's where we were last week. 17:13 This is the same Lazarus. 17:14 This is last week's story now, 17:15 just providing the linkage here. 17:18 "There in that little village of Bethany, 17:19 they made him a supper." 17:21 Jesus is the-- He is the guest of honor. 17:24 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 17:36 and everybody wants to see Lazarus. 17:38 So Lazarus is also a guest of honor. 17:42 So they made him a supper in verse 2. 17:44 "And Martha served." That would be Lazarus' sister. 17:47 "But Lazarus was one of those 17:48 who sat at the table with Jesus." 17:50 Then verse 3, Mary, 17:53 that would be Lazarus' other sister. 17:56 "Mary took a pound of very costly oil 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." 18:10 Now by the Greek language here in John 18:13 and the other three synoptics. 18:15 This nard plant, here's what we know about it. 18:17 This nard plant was a tiny but fragrant blossoms 18:20 that only grew on the hills 18:23 at the feet of the mighty Himalayas 18:26 in northern India. 18:27 So you can understand it was a rare 18:30 and exclusive perfume oil. 18:34 Easily it can command an entire year of wages 18:39 for a commoner. 18:42 Scholars wonder, did Mary somehow liquidate 18:44 her part of the family inheritance. 18:46 We don't know. 18:47 All we know is that a great, at great expense 18:50 she purchased a pound of this spikenard 18:53 in a narrow alabaster flask 18:55 and quietly, surreptitiously slipping into 18:58 the banqueting room full of men, 19:01 she broke open her precious alabaster flask. 19:05 Read verse 3 again, "Then Mary took a pound--" 19:08 Now these are Roman pounds, about 12 ounces. 19:11 "Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, 19:14 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 or 19:30 Valentines or Christmas or whatever 19:33 because I love to shop for perfume. 19:38 And so I go to that department store counter, 19:41 and I am never content. 19:42 I don't know how you are guys but I'm never content with 19:44 just getting one little sample. 19:46 Look I know they have these little white paper sticks 19:48 you're supposed to... and then smell the stick. 19:50 Forget it. For me it has to be on flesh. 19:52 I have to smell it. 19:53 So I took that one finger out... 19:56 Oh, it's good. 19:57 Then I take another one 19:58 because I love to get a lot of them. 19:59 Take the other one. 20:03 I get the third one. I go through all the fingers. 20:05 And I see Karen do this, so I drew on my wrist. 20:07 Oh, and it's good. 20:10 So I got to check it all out then I make the purchase. 20:13 And every time when I come walking through the door, 20:15 she always guesses what I bought her for a gift. 20:18 What's up with that? 20:20 Because a perfume worth its salt cannot be hidden. 20:24 That's what's up. 20:25 And that's what's happening here. 20:27 Mary has desperately tried to be discreet 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 lossness. 20:40 He knew all about her past. 20:43 She can hardly restrain her tears, 20:46 such deep gratitude for that forgiveness. 20:50 By the way she has heard this man 20:52 seven times in tears himself, pleading with His father, 20:57 deliver this woman from what is holding her in the clutches. 21:01 Seven times He's begging for her deliverance. 21:05 And I am telling you, it's just the heart bursting 21:08 with gratitude. 21:09 And by the way, the rumor is 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 21:23 a lovely department store perfume counter. 21:29 Verse 4, 21:33 "But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son 21:41 who would betray him, said, 21:45 'Why was this fragrant oil not sold three hundred denarii 21:50 and given to the poor?''' 21:52 This, verse 6, "This he said, 21:56 not that he care 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 synoptics, John intentionally IDs 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 checkered past 22:24 is no longer relevant. 22:26 So he IDs the protagonist and he IDs the antagonist 22:30 because by identifying Judas as the instigator of this cruel 22:35 and heartless public shaming, 22:38 John deftly creates a powerful contrast 22:42 between Judas' greed and avarice 22:45 and Mary's utterly sacrificial devotion to the Savior. 22:50 I mean, like an awful sour thumb beside her, 22:54 Judas sticks out. 22:56 But like a fragrant blossom 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 23:19 reclining 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. 23:27 It's made of pure nard. 23:28 She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus' head. 23:31 Some of those present were saying 23:34 indignantly to one another, 'Why this waste of perfume? 23:37 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." 23:46 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, 24:02 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 I just love Jesus for that. 24:23 Now, you think about it, come on. 24:26 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 for that congenial hospitality 24:39 in that little Bethany home, nobody speaks up. 24:43 But 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 hutspâ 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 moral backbone 24:59 to speak up in defense of the minority, 25:02 the marginalized when no one else dare say a word, 25:05 it does take courage, doesn't it? 25:08 How can you not help 25:09 but love Jesus in a moment like this? 25:12 I mean, look here. 25:13 He not only converses with the Samaritan woman, 25:16 He makes a Samaritan the hero of one of his greatest parable 25:19 so that we end up calling that hero 25:21 the Good Samaritan, and the Jews hated Samaritans. 25:26 Jesus not only forgives prostitutes and tax-collectors, 25:29 another sinners, he dines with them, 25:32 that social hutspâ in spades. 25:37 And when nobody else has time for the children 25:39 who is this who gathers 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, 25:53 pagan Roman centurion. 25:56 He's going to die for them all. 25:59 And women, when the strictest Rabbis 26:05 and the most orthodox Pharisees 26:07 would never be caught talking in public 26:09 to another woman other than their own wife, 26:12 Jesus gratefully publicly 26:14 received the ministry of many women, many. 26:18 Look at this, this is Calvary. 26:20 This is Mark 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 26:30 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 and ministered to Him 26:52 which means this "leave her alone" 26:55 is not some isolated little moment 26:57 in defense of a woman. 27:00 Obviously, Jesus gladly publicly 27:04 received the ministry of all these women. 27:09 Leave her alone. 27:12 When you think what just happened. 27:13 Come on, think. 27:14 What has just happened when he, in stern voice commands. 27:22 I mean, here's this woman. 27:25 She's just quietly entered into a man's world, 27:28 has humbly brought to Christ 27:30 her own expression of love and devotion 27:33 when suddenly noticed, for her outer bounds expression 27:36 a certain man leaps upon that act 27:38 and loudly declared, 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 men to prove their male credentials 27:52 jump on the bandwagon until all of them 27:56 would drive this woman from their circle, 28:00 until another man interrupts, leave her alone, 28:05 leave her alone. 28:09 And 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 month earlier, you remember the story 28:18 when Martha comes in the living room, 28:19 just all huffing puffing, 28:20 hey, come on, Jesus, what is up with this, 28:22 you just let my sister sitting here with all you men 28:25 when I got work to do in the kitchen, 28:26 would you command her to come back 28:27 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, 28:41 it's not here with all the men and me, 28:44 it's in the kitchen where you belong. 28:45 Now, go, go, go, girl. 28:47 How did He respond? 28:48 Look at this, Luke 10, Luke 10, 28:53 "And Jesus answered and said to her--" 28:56 When He repeats your name 28:57 it's because He really-- He loves you. 28:59 "Martha, Martha, 29:02 you are worried 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, it's okay 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 as that Saturday night banquet, 29:31 she's doing it out of love for Me. 29:36 Makes you wonder, doesn't it? 29:38 It makes you wonder, where would Jesus stand today? 29:43 In a church that has opened its doors of ministry to all 29:48 except women? 29:52 Oh, sure, there are designated ministries in the church 29:55 that women are applauded for 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. 30:08 Namely, the sacred, an ecclesiastical recognition 30:13 that God has already called and gifted the individual, 30:18 a calling with spiritual authority 30:20 and leadership recognize universally 30:22 in the church 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. 30:43 For that, you need to leave this circle, 30:46 for God's word declares that this responsibility 30:49 of spiritual authority belongs only to men, I'm sorry. 30:54 It does. 31:00 I just read an article, in defense of that men only 31:03 position about ordination, bless the writers heart. 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, the writer suggested 31:16 that when the Bible declares that the elder 31:18 or that would be the pastor is to be the husband of one wife 31:22 that clearly means that only men can hold 31:25 that position of ordain spiritual leadership. 31:29 But that's not how I read the text. 31:31 Let's look at the text. Let's put it on the screen. 31:33 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul writing, "A bishop-- " 31:37 That could be an elder, 31:39 "A bishop then must be blameless, 31:43 the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, 31:46 of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach." 31:50 But listen, I know we'll require that text to be read 31:53 as meaning exclusively male then I require 31:56 Jesus instructions to His disciple ministers 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 to see this, Matthew 10, we'll pick it up in verse 9, 32:11 He's getting ready to send them out on their first pastorate, 32:13 "Provide-- " He said, "Hey, provide neither gold 32:16 nor silver nor copper in your money belts." 32:19 No, I am not thinking, man, I got to get that wallet going 32:21 and got to find the money bill, I am 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 you have on are all you need, 32:34 nor staff for a worker is worthy of his food. 32:39 Now, ladies and gentlemen, surely, 32:41 Jesus detailed instructions to His disciples, 32:44 do not mean that today we're not allowed to take suitcases 32:48 when we pastors travel and we're not allowed to take 32:50 an extra change of clothes, or an extra pair of sandals. 32:53 We should only wear sandals. 32:56 He's not saying, you got to have a staff 32:58 or no staff, is He? 33:01 Oh, come on, Dwight, please. 33:03 Jesus is speaking to specific man in a specific country 33:07 and culture at a specific time, you're stretching the scripture 33:10 and making require sandals and staffs and no suitcases 33:14 of his ministers 2000 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 33:29 behind those words for our living 33:30 and ministering today, we make the application. 33:32 You know what Jesus is saying? 33:33 I believe He's saying we have to travel, 33:35 we have to travel light, we have to travel simply. 33:40 Which being interpreted simply and clearly means 33:43 that the church is to-- how did Paul put it? 33:47 He gave his counsel 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 to ordain 34:01 those who are maritally faithful to their spouses. 34:06 Hey, look, no, no. 34:07 You say, no, no, Dwight, you can't do that, 34:08 that has to stay literal. 34:10 Jesus is figurative, this is literal. 34:12 Okay, let's say it stays literal. 34:15 Think about the implications if it remains literal. 34:17 If these words are to be a literal command for all time, 34:20 the husband of one wife, then there can be 34:23 no single ministers, no single ministers. 34:27 Well, how can you be single? You have to have a wife. 34:29 There can be no remarried ministers, no divorce ministers 34:34 because now you have two wives. 34:38 And number three, there can be no childless ministers 34:41 because the very next line says, 34:42 he must be very good at raising his children. 34:46 So you can't be a childless pastor. No, come on. 34:50 Dwight, nobody wishes to push that 34:51 single phrase that literally. 34:53 Everybody reinterprets to fit our society today 34:56 as we do what Jesus command to His disciples, 34:59 but for some reason, and I'm trying to figure this out. 35:02 For some reason, those who do not believe 35:05 that women should be granted the same spiritual authority 35:08 for their calling to gospel ministry, 35:10 they allow a free interpretation 35:11 of the phrase for singles. 35:13 Oh, yeah, you can have single. 35:14 Remarried, oh, yeah. Childless, no problem. 35:16 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 can interpret it away, 35:27 but this one you can't. 35:32 Almost humbly, personally disagree with them. 35:40 For I believe, I believe that they are 35:44 inconsistently interpreting scripture to fit their beliefs 35:50 and not allowing Holy Scripture to dictate their beliefs. 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 Let's reread what God very plainly declared to the-- 36:15 to our first parents, Adam and Eve. 36:17 After their moral melt down 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, 36:31 'I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your 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 to mean 36:45 that all women are to be subordinated to all men. 36:49 But that is simply not what God is saying. 36:53 In fact, the Creator very-- very clearly the Creator 36:56 literally in the Hebrew, here's what he is saying. 36:58 And your desire shall be for your man. 37:02 Another word for husband there is Iysh. 37:05 Your desire is for your man, which means this was never, 37:10 carte blanche decoration that all women 37:12 would be subordinated to all men in or out of the church. 37:17 It's not there. You know what this says. 37:20 This is a post fall, chain of command divine spiritual 37:24 leadership prescription dealing with husbands and wives. 37:30 That's what it is, which by the way 37:33 hardly diminishes the wife's 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. 37:40 Oh, mercy. Look at her financial leadership. 37:43 Look at her familial leadership. 37:44 Look at her managerial skills. 37:46 She buys and sells property 37:47 without consultation with anybody. 37:50 You can read Proverbs 31 37:52 and say, well, there is subjugation. 37:54 It's not about subjugation at all. 37:56 In fact with Proverbs 31, go ahead 37:58 and add Ephesians 6 where Paul takes 38:00 that Genesis 3 principle and applies and he says, 38:03 listen, this is really how it work, guys. 38:06 Both husband and wife are to submit to each other. 38:10 He describes mutual submission. But the husband has to-- 38:15 Somebody's got to take the first step, 38:16 so it is the husband's responsibility 38:19 in the example of Christ self sacrificing love at Calvary, 38:23 it's the husband's example to initiate repentance. 38:26 I was wrong. 38:27 To offer forgiveness, to break the log jam. 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's 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 they say, 38:59 whoa, what is that? 39:01 It's Paul writing, St. 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, but to be in silence." 39:14 Does that mean all women are 39:16 to be subjugated to all men for all time? 39:19 Hardly, in the church? Not at all. 39:22 Let me show you something. That word for man, aner. 39:26 That word for women, gune. 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 authority over her husband." 39:47 Which being interpreted means Paul is carefully protecting 39:49 God's protective wall around marriage and home. 39:51 He is no way declaring all women 39:53 are subordinated to all men in the church 39:55 and only men are allowed spiritual authority. 39:57 He is not saying that at all. 39:59 He is talking what the Creator was talking about, 40:01 husband and wife relationship. 40:04 Post fall, somebody has to take the initiative. 40:11 Moreover, Moreover. 40:16 The position that men, only men are to be ordained 40:21 to the gospel ministry and thus be granted spiritual authority 40:24 in the church which I believe the Bible does not support. 40:28 That position is not supported biblically. 40:31 But isn't that position particularly incongruous 40:36 in the denomination that was founded by a woman 40:43 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 41:00 in the history of the earth. 41:03 A wife, a mother, a visionary, a leader, raised up 41:11 the most expansive Protestant educational system on earth. 41:15 She raised up the most expansive 41:17 Protestant health system on earth. 41:18 She raised up the most expansive 41:20 Christian missionary movement on earth. 41:23 Isn't a bit incongruous that some within this community 41:30 of faith which recognizes spiritual authority of 41:33 that little 5 foot 2 inch woman named Ellen White. 41:36 Isn't it incongruous that some who revered her authority 41:41 would continue to insist that women should not 41:44 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, women who exercise the prophetic gift 42:04 has spiritual authority that rest of the women don't. 42:06 That's just playing war games. Isn't it something? 42:13 Especially when, listen to this, especially when 42:16 not a single word from her ever prohibiting the church 42:21 from coming to a prayerful careful biblical understanding 42:25 that is utterly consistent with the Bible witness to conclude 42:29 that women who are called by God today share with men 42:33 the same spiritual authority and accountability 42:35 of gospel ministry as recognized by ordination. 42:38 Not a single word saying. Oh, no, no, no. 42:41 You can't go down that path. No 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 42:53 that such a prayerful, careful biblical decision 42:56 would be out of harmony with God's will 42:58 for His people at this time in history. 43:02 In fact to the contrary, I got to share this with you. 43:05 I came across these words in Acts of the Apostle. 43:08 While preparing my GYC sermon on Acts 10 and 11. 43:12 You remember Acts, the story behind Acts 10 and 11. 43:14 You remember Cornelius, the Roman centurion. 43:17 And you remember Peter who has never, 43:20 he has never put a sandal in a Gentile's home. 43:22 He would never on the pain of death he would never do it. 43:25 And you remember an angel shows up to Cornelius 43:27 and says, hey, get a guy name Peter, he is over in Joppa 43:29 and the Holy Spirit chose out Peter by the way 43:32 go with these people who have come. 43:33 You remember that story. 43:34 So Peter finds himself doing 43:35 what he has never done in all his life, 43:37 he has put his sandals in a Gentile's, a pagan home. 43:42 And then he begins to preach Jesus in. 43:44 God doesn't even wait for Peter to finish his sermon, 43:46 suddenly in the middle of the sermon, boom, 43:48 the Holy Sprit is poured out on these Gentle 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 is in hot water and they call him on the red carpet 44:06 and they say, what were you thinking 44:09 taking to Gentile's home. 44:12 And so in chapter 11, Peter is-- 44:14 listen and he tell to some guys, oh, 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 away. 44:29 "And as I begin to speak the Holy Spirit fell on them, 44:33 as upon us at the beginning. 44:37 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us 44:42 when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, 44:45 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 had the same gift. 44:54 How can I say, no, only me with that gift counts, not you. 44:59 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 in that incident. 45:15 Amazing. 45:17 I mean, that's what Peter 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 who are ministering 45:25 just as Mary did to the Lord Jesus. 45:27 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 He gave us, 45:36 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 this planet 45:54 these days begging the church of God 45:56 to plea for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 45:59 and I joined them and I believe we need that outpouring 46:02 but how can we stand before God and beg for that infilling 46:07 when there is a wall that's separating us. 46:11 The wall will have to come down 46:13 before the spirit can come down. 46:17 You can't come down with the 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 will 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 get 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 47:02 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 to open up the gospel 47:35 to be proclaimed more widely, more effectively, 47:38 more powerfully than ever before. 47:42 But did you guessed that line. 47:44 The exclusiveness established 47:46 by the custom of ages was abandoned. 47:51 And ladies and gentlemen, isn't it time for the wall 47:57 to come down in the gospel ministry? 48:04 For how can God possibly bless the exclusiveness 48:09 established 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 women are one half 48:25 of His strategic plan for the human race 48:28 and women are one half of His will for the gospel ministry. 48:35 Amen. 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 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're watching, who're listening. 49:21 Three appeals. 49:24 Number one, ladies, would you be willing 49:27 to offer your life to Jesus like Mary 49:31 in gratitude for His loving sacrifice on your behalf? 49:37 Would you? 49:38 I don't really know the answer to that question. 49:40 Question two. His appeal number two. 49:44 Would you be willing to offer your career 49:48 as a ministry for Him? 49:52 A young woman come in to my office after first church, 49:56 said I've taken science here. 50:00 We talked. 50:03 It doesn't matter your career, 50:04 it doesn't matter your major here, 50:06 God has led you to choose that, I believe. 50:10 But would you be willing to offer that major, 50:13 that career to come or the career you're already in, 50:16 as a lawyer, physician, a homemaker, a wife. 50:22 Would you be willing to offer your career to Jesus, 50:28 so that it might be a daily ministry for Him. 50:34 And then appeal number three. I hesitate with this one. 50:41 I hesitate to ask you to offer your life for gospel ministry 50:46 because the truth is not many young women are being placed. 50:54 And in some places the door is not opened at all. 51:00 But I cannot not invite you to respond to Christ's 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 who are here, 51:18 if you are willing to respond to one of these three appeals 51:21 to stand to your feet 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 am available to You. 51:49 I am 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, 52:12 they stand up for You now. 52:15 Jesus seal her devotion, seal her passion, 52:19 seal her calling, seal her commitment, 52:25 and take her as you did with Mary, 52:29 turn the world upside down through her ministry. 52:36 Oh, Jesus, we all would stand before You. 52:41 we all would offer our lives to You. 52:45 And so, I wish to stand with these women 52:47 and I invite my brothers here if they wish 52:50 to stand with them, to stand with me now. 52:55 So we're all standing, 52:56 the whole family of God is standing. 52:58 We're saying whatever You want Jesus, 53:02 use us any way You wish, 53:04 the hour has come for the spirit to be outpoured 53:10 and we wish to be a part 53:15 of that mighty final gift. 53:21 Seal all of us Jesus. 53:23 Seal us for the journey ahead 53:26 and may You be glorified please, 53:29 may be You glorified, in Your name we pray. 53:33 Amen. 53:35 I want to sing one stanza. 53:36 I pulled the hymn a lot from you, 53:37 just one stanza of this beautiful I will follow 53:40 Thee, my Savior, Wheresoe'er Christ shall lead, it's 623. 53:45 Take the hymn aloud, 623 just one stanza. 53:52 And then we'll leave worship to the world that await us. 53:56 Stay Stanley. 54:09 I will follow Thee, my Savior 54:15 Wheresoe'er my lot may be 54:21 Where Thou goest I will follow 54:27 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 54:53 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 all men will forsake you, 55:13 although all people will forsake You, 55:16 oh, Jesus, I will follow You. 55:18 Let's sing it, we'll sing it quiet now 55:20 as our prayer, it's a beautiful prayer. 55:23 We 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 abide with us 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 at the Pioneer Memorial Church 56:43 on the campus of Andrews University. 56:45 Do you know that around the world 56:46 people join us every week for this hour of worship? 56:48 We're always looking as a consequence for new ways 56:51 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 56:58 for us is our website. 57:00 We had more than a hundred and forty thousand visitors 57:03 last year. 57:04 It's an incredible opportunity 57:06 that God has given us to expand His kingdom. 57:09 If you would like to help partner with us 57:11 as we seek to spread the everlasting gospel, 57:13 I'd love to have you call our toll free numbers. 57:16 We've got very friendly operator standing 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 would 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 can do it all online. 57:32 Go to our website please, www.pmchurch.tv. 57:36 I'd be honored to have the privilege of partnering 57:38 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 here's that toll free number, 877-HIS-WILL. 57:55 Thank you in advance for your generosity. 57:58 That blesses me and you grow this ministry. 58:01 I pray that the spirit of Christ will abide 58:03 with you every step of the way 58:05 and I hope you'll come back again next time right here 58:08 as we continue our worship journey together. |
Revised 2014-12-17