This Quarter on 3ABN
Sabbath School Panel,
00:00:01.36\00:00:04.00
we are doing a verse-by-verse
study of Ephesians.
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Today is Lesson 7: The
Unified Body of Christ.
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Grab your
Bible... a pen and paper
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and if you do not yet have
an Adult Bible Study Guide,
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just go to
3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com
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and download one
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or better yet, go to your local
Seventh-day Adventist Church
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get a copy and study
together with the group.
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Come on and join us.
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Music...
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Shelley: Hello, I'm Shelly Quinn
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and we're so glad you're
joining us for Lesson Number 7:
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The Unified Body of Christ.
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Actually, that's what the whole
book of Ephesians is about...
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is the unity we
find in Christ Jesus.
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Let me introduce you to the
rest of the 3ABN family here.
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They're not only my
family, they're yours.
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My Pastor, John Lomacang.
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Lomacang: Good
to be here, Shelley,
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I am covering:
Together as One in the One.
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Shelley: Amen... Ryan Day.
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Ryan: All right, I have
Tuesday's Lesson which is
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entitled: The Exalted
Christ, Giver of Gifts.
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Shelley: Oh... that's a great
one and my sister in Christ,
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Dr. Yvonne Shelton.
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Yvonne: I have
Wednesday's Lesson and it is:
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Gifts of the Exalted Christ.
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Shelley: Oh...
Yvonne: Similar to yours.
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Shelley: Glad you're joining us.
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And then, we have
Pastor James Rafferty.
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Rafferty: Good
to be here, Shelley,
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I have Thursday's Lesson
which is: Growing Up In Christ.
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Shelley: It's going
to be a beautiful Study.
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James, would you like
to have our opening prayer?
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James: Sure.
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"Father, we just
want to thank You
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for Your Word.
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We want to thank You for Jesus.
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We want to thank
You for this opportunity
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to open Your Word and
to grow up in Christ...
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to find in Him the unity
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of a spirit of
heart with each other,
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with Your world-wide church,
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we pray for each of the Viewers,
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we ask that You'll guide and
direct their hearts to Jesus.
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May Your Holy
Spirit be present with us.
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We pray these
things in His name, amen. "
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Panel: Amen.
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Shelley: We are so appreciative
of this verse-by-verse study,
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there's actually 70 Lessons
from six chapters of Ephesians
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and Dr. John McVay did such
a lovely job in writing this.
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Our Memory Text for
today is Ephesians 4:11 and 12,
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I'll read it to
you from the ESV.
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It says, "And He gave the
apostles, the prophets... "
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the evangelists, the
shepherds and teachers,
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for what purpose?
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"To equip the saints
for the work of ministry,
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for building up
the body of Christ. "
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Ephesians is a book
that is just evenly divided
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into two sections of teaching.
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Chapters 1 through 3
is a theological feast
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about the inexpressible riches
of our blessings in Christ.
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It gives you your
identity in Christ...
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you understand the
fullness of God's plan.
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Then chapters 4 through 6,
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Paul gets really practical...
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it is practical
Christianity 101.
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So, this week's Study
covers only the first half
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of Ephesians chapter 4.
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Sixteen verses
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that are going to
stir us to unity forever.
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This is 1 through 6 is an
impassioned call to unity.
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Verses 7 through 16,
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Paul identifies the
victorious and exalted Christ
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as the source of
grace who is equipping us
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to share the gospel
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and he describes how
the Leaders of the church
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work together with
all the church members
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to contribute to the
health and the growth
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of the body of Christ.
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You know, Paul frequently used
the human body as an analogy
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for the body of Christ
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saying that there were
many members of the body
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but only one Head
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and even though we had
unique functions in the church,
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we have only one Head.
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In Romans 12 verses
4 through 5, he says,
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"We have many
members in one body,
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but all the members do
not have the same function,
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so we, being many,
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are one body in Christ,
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and individually
members of one another. "
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You're a member of the body...
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the same body
that I'm a member of.
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Panel: That's right.
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Shelley: In 1st
Corinthians 12:12 through 31,
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he gives this long list of
the various parts of the body:
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the ear... the
foot... the hand...
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the eye... the senses
of hearing and smelling...
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just to show how necessary
each part of the body is
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to the healthy
functioning of the body.
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But he says in
1st Corinthians 12:25,
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"There should be
no schism in the body,
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but that the members should have
the same care for one another.
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And if one member suffers,
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all the members
suffer with it... "
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It's just like a little paper
cut makes your body suffer,
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right? "And if
one member is honored,
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all the members
rejoice with it. "
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Panel: That's right.
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Shelley: Now you
are the body of Christ,
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and members individually. "
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So, he goes on to talk
about in 1st Corinthians
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how all the
different functions...
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the various
orifices of the body...
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how they all work together
to unite the people of God
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so that his idea
of a healthy body
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is one that helps us understand
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the goal of God's
work in the church.
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So, Sunday is: The
Unity of the Spirit.
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We are going to begin with
Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 1.
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This is an urgent call to unity
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and then, what Paul
does is he lists the virtues
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that lead us to unity...
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qualities that actually
focus on the benefit of others
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rather than being
overly impressed with self.
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Let's look at Ephesians 4:1,
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he's just finished
these three chapters
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of beautiful
theological teaching
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and then he says,
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"I, therefore... "
that is a transition word,
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Therefore, based on
what we've just covered
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in chapters 1 through 3,
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all the things that
God has done for us,
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in Christ Jesus,
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this is a call to duty-based
on the previous explanation.
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He says, "I, therefore,
the prisoner of the Lord,
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beseech you to walk
worthy of the calling
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with which you were called... "
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You see, when we're in Christ,
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we are in covenant
relationship with the Lord,
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we're in covenant
relationship with one another.
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To walk is
referring to our actions.
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It is how we
daily conduct our life
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it's an attitude...
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it's actions of the
high and holy calling
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of being a child of God.
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So, our daily actions
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as we are step by step,
God is sanctifying us...
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separating us from sin...
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bring us into greater unity.
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We have to look
at the Lord Jesus
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as our source and substance
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so that we can walk
in His righteousness
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and I love Psalm 85:13,
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it says, "Righteousness
will go before Him,
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and make His
footsteps a pathway for us. "
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1st John 2:6 says,
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"Anyone who says
that he abides in Christ,
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must also walk as He walked. "
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So, Ephesians 4:2, now
Paul's going to start listing
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the virtues that
lead us to unity.
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So, he says, "Walk worthy... "
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How do you walk worthy of
the calling that you have?
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"with all
lowliness... with gentleness...
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with long-suffering...
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bearing with one
another in love. "
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So, let's look at those.
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What is lowliness?
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Lowliness is humility.
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I'm going to give you
two definitions for humility
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but let's begin with this.
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Being humble
means to be appreciative
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of the value of others.
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To serve others...
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Jesus came as the servant of God
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and by His example
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He showed us that a
life of self-sacrificing love
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is the root of all humility
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and it is the one characteristic
we need to develop
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more than any other one because
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it is the root of
His righteousness.
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In Philippians 2:5 through 8,
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Paul says, "Hey,
let this mind be in you
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that was in Christ Jesus,
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who humbled Himself
and became obedient. "
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You know, Jesus didn't obey
God to become the Son of God,
00:10:07.87\00:10:12.54
He obeyed God because
He was the Son of God.
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Panel: Hmmm...
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Shelley; So, the Bible also...
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if we look at
Ephesians 2:5 through 8,
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describes humility.
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To me the definition
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is that we learn to
depend 100 percent on God.
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Did you know there's nothing
you can do to merit salvation?
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I don't care what
your diet is like,
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I don't care how you dress,
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I don't care how much you
give in tithes and offerings,
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I don't care what you
do as far as obedience...
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the Pharisees were the strict...
it strictly adhered to that.
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None of that saves us.
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Only by the blood of Christ...
by the sacrifice of Christ...
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we... we've got
to be as Jesus said,
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"Unless you be converted
and become like little children,
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you will not enter
the kingdom of God. "
00:11:06.70\00:11:08.46
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:11:08.50\00:11:09.83
Shelley: So, God
wants us to put aside pride.
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You know, it was self-exaltation
and not depending on the Lord
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that got Lucifer.
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It swelled up in
his heart this pride
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that was the root of all sin.
00:11:24.41\00:11:27.42
Okay, so that is the lowliness.
00:11:27.45\00:11:30.39
Let's look at
gentleness or meekness.
00:11:30.42\00:11:33.19
Actually, meekness is
a product of humility.
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It means to be mild in spirit
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and self-controlled.
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It means you're not
going off in temper tantrums
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and fits of rage.
00:11:45.37\00:11:46.70
Longsuffering is the third one.
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That's to be patient
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and do you
realize, we've got humility
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which grows into gentleness...
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gentleness
actually develops patience
00:11:58.41\00:12:02.02
because we become slow to anger.
00:12:02.05\00:12:05.55
So then he
says... let me repeat it,
00:12:05.59\00:12:08.79
Ephesians 4:2,
00:12:08.82\00:12:10.16
"with all
lowliness... " or humility,
00:12:10.19\00:12:12.36
"gentleness... " or meekness,
00:12:12.39\00:12:13.76
"longsuffering...
" that's patience,
00:12:13.80\00:12:16.46
bearing with one
another in love. "
00:12:16.50\00:12:19.13
Now, read it backwards,
00:12:19.17\00:12:21.87
and you'll see how
it all comes together.
00:12:21.90\00:12:26.11
It is love that is
the root of patience
00:12:26.14\00:12:30.35
which produces gentleness
00:12:30.38\00:12:33.58
which results in humility.
00:12:33.62\00:12:35.45
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:12:35.48\00:12:37.32
Shelley: The root
of all these virtues
00:12:37.35\00:12:38.95
is Romans 5:5 says
that God pours His love...
00:12:38.99\00:12:44.73
His self-sacrificing agape love
00:12:44.76\00:12:48.60
into our hearts by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
00:12:48.66\00:12:52.10
And that's the bottom line,
00:12:52.13\00:12:53.87
believers need
to receive this love
00:12:53.94\00:12:58.11
and be cognizant
00:12:58.14\00:13:01.04
of developing these
unifying virtues in our behavior
00:13:01.08\00:13:06.05
so that we become reflectors
of His love... His light
00:13:06.08\00:13:11.59
and His life in this world.
00:13:11.62\00:13:13.52
That's God's ultimate plan.
00:13:13.56\00:13:15.42
If we mirrored Jesus,
00:13:15.46\00:13:19.13
if we reflected His love,
00:13:19.16\00:13:22.73
if we understand His
everlasting covenant,
00:13:22.76\00:13:27.30
people from all nations
00:13:27.34\00:13:30.61
will flock to the light
of His eternal humility.
00:13:30.64\00:13:35.18
Panel: Hmmm...
00:13:35.21\00:13:36.54
Shelley: So, then
he goes on in verse 3,
00:13:36.58\00:13:40.68
Ephesians 4:3,
00:13:40.72\00:13:42.08
"endeavoring... "
00:13:42.12\00:13:43.45
now, that's "effort" isn't it?
00:13:43.49\00:13:45.59
When you
endeavor to do something,
00:13:45.62\00:13:47.76
that takes effort...
00:13:47.79\00:13:49.16
"to keep the unity of the Spirit
00:13:49.19\00:13:52.06
in the bond of peace. "
00:13:52.09\00:13:54.30
And I see that my
time is nearly done
00:13:54.33\00:13:57.63
but I have to read this,
Colossians 3:14 through 16,
00:13:57.67\00:14:01.30
he says, "above all
these things put on love,
00:14:01.34\00:14:04.57
which is the bond of perfection.
00:14:04.61\00:14:06.74
And let the peace of
God rule in your hearts,
00:14:06.78\00:14:08.81
to which you were
called in one body;
00:14:08.84\00:14:11.81
and be thankful.
00:14:11.85\00:14:13.18
Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly with all wisdom,
00:14:13.21\00:14:17.99
teaching and
admonishing one another. "
00:14:18.02\00:14:19.95
Lomacang: Amen,
thank you, Shelley.
00:14:19.99\00:14:21.82
Lot to cover when you talk
about unity and being in one.
00:14:21.86\00:14:25.13
You know, when we go to
Ephesians chapter 4 verses 4 to
00:14:25.16\00:14:28.36
6, let's read these passages,
00:14:28.43\00:14:30.17
if you could follow them
with me if you have your Bibles,
00:14:30.20\00:14:32.43
it says, "There is
one body and one Spirit,
00:14:32.47\00:14:35.00
just as you were called
in one hope of your calling;
00:14:35.04\00:14:37.44
one Lord, one
faith, one baptism;
00:14:37.51\00:14:41.14
one God and Father of all,
00:14:41.18\00:14:42.68
who is above
all, and through all,
00:14:42.71\00:14:46.31
and in you all. "
00:14:46.38\00:14:47.72
Notice it says,
there is one body.
00:14:47.75\00:14:49.48
Think about this for a moment,
00:14:49.55\00:14:50.95
do you have to be the
same to be in one body?
00:14:50.99\00:14:53.66
When you study... when
you study the human body,
00:14:53.69\00:14:57.13
there are about 1300
enzymes in one human cell
00:14:57.16\00:15:00.20
and each of the cells
contain different enzymes
00:15:00.23\00:15:03.20
meaning... thousands of types
of enzymes in the human body
00:15:03.23\00:15:06.87
but each cell contained
about 1300 different enzymes.
00:15:06.90\00:15:10.71
Now, what's the point?
00:15:10.74\00:15:12.71
Each of these
enzymes are different
00:15:12.74\00:15:14.34
but they're all in one cell.
00:15:14.41\00:15:16.28
Each of us is different
but we are all in one body.
00:15:16.34\00:15:19.38
The Lord doesn't call us because
we're just like each other.
00:15:19.41\00:15:21.62
As a matter of fact,
the world will be very bored
00:15:21.68\00:15:23.18
if it was all of me...
00:15:23.22\00:15:24.55
Panel: Laughter.
00:15:24.59\00:15:25.92
Lomacang: You know, as one
person that got married said,
00:15:25.95\00:15:27.29
"If we both thought exactly the
same, one of us is unnecessary.
00:15:27.32\00:15:29.32
" Panel: Laughter.
00:15:29.36\00:15:30.69
Lomacang: And so,
God is not calling us
00:15:30.73\00:15:32.26
because we're all alike,
00:15:32.29\00:15:33.63
He's calling us
because of our diversity...
00:15:33.66\00:15:36.33
unity in diversity.
00:15:36.36\00:15:37.70
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:15:37.73\00:15:39.07
Lomacang: So, let's start
out by talking about the ones...
00:15:39.10\00:15:40.44
there are seven
"ones" in the New Testament
00:15:40.47\00:15:42.17
that I'd like to highlight.
00:15:42.20\00:15:43.54
Let's start with
1st Corinthians 12:12,
00:15:43.57\00:15:44.91
talk about one body.
00:15:44.94\00:15:46.27
1st Corinthians 12:12,
00:15:46.31\00:15:48.24
"For as the body is
one and has many members,
00:15:48.28\00:15:50.91
but all the members of
that one body, being many,
00:15:50.95\00:15:53.55
are one body, so
also is Christ. "
00:15:53.62\00:15:55.58
One body but many members.
00:15:55.65\00:15:57.52
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:15:57.59\00:15:58.92
Lomacang: We
also have one Spirit
00:15:58.95\00:16:00.29
that is the Holy
Spirit holding us together.
00:16:00.32\00:16:02.29
But 1st Corinthians 12:11,
00:16:02.32\00:16:04.99
"But one of the same
Spirit works all these things,
00:16:05.06\00:16:08.96
distributing to each one
individually as He wills. "
00:16:09.00\00:16:12.53
The body distributes to
the cells whatever it needs
00:16:12.57\00:16:16.07
in order for the
entire body to stay together.
00:16:16.10\00:16:18.41
We also have one hope.
00:16:18.44\00:16:19.91
Titus 2 and verse 13,
00:16:19.94\00:16:21.34
"looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing
00:16:21.38\00:16:24.55
of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ. "
00:16:24.58\00:16:27.42
What is that hope?
00:16:27.45\00:16:29.08
Isaiah 25 verse 9,
00:16:29.12\00:16:30.69
"We have waited for
Him, and He will save us.
00:16:30.72\00:16:32.85
This is the LORD;
we have waited for Him;
00:16:32.89\00:16:34.96
we will rejoice and be
glad in His salvation. "
00:16:34.99\00:16:37.63
So, the hope we have is
in the coming of the Lord.
00:16:37.66\00:16:40.16
The body... every one
of the members in the body
00:16:40.20\00:16:42.66
share the same hope.
00:16:42.70\00:16:44.03
Then we have one faith...
00:16:44.07\00:16:45.47
we contend for that faith.
00:16:45.50\00:16:47.14
But Revelation 12...
00:16:47.20\00:16:48.54
Revelation chapter
14:12 describes it this way,
00:16:48.57\00:16:51.21
"Here is the
patience of the saints;
00:16:51.24\00:16:53.81
here are those who
keep the commandments of God
00:16:53.84\00:16:56.48
and the faith of Jesus. "
00:16:56.51\00:16:57.85
I'm so thankful that I don't
have to make it on my own faith,
00:16:57.88\00:17:00.28
I make it on the
faith of Jesus...
00:17:00.32\00:17:01.82
I tried faith...
a genuine faith...
00:17:01.85\00:17:04.45
a purified faith.
00:17:04.49\00:17:05.82
Then we have one baptism,
not sprinkling... not immersion,
00:17:05.85\00:17:09.22
I mean, not... not sprinkling...
00:17:09.26\00:17:10.69
not dry
cleaning... not with petals...
00:17:10.73\00:17:13.06
not with a hose...
00:17:13.09\00:17:14.90
but with immersion
following the example of Christ.
00:17:14.93\00:17:17.73
Galatians 3:27,
00:17:17.77\00:17:19.40
"For as many of us as
were baptized into Christ
00:17:19.43\00:17:23.71
have put on Christ. "
00:17:23.74\00:17:25.24
What is that one baptism?
00:17:25.27\00:17:26.71
If you're not
baptized into Christ,
00:17:26.74\00:17:28.51
you cannot be saved.
00:17:28.54\00:17:29.88
You know, John's
baptism only went but so far.
00:17:29.91\00:17:32.95
They said, "So far,
John baptized us with water,
00:17:32.98\00:17:35.98
but there's One coming after
00:17:36.02\00:17:37.42
that's going to baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire.
00:17:37.45\00:17:40.02
But what's the difference?
00:17:40.06\00:17:41.49
One is to repentance
00:17:41.52\00:17:42.86
but the other one is the
transformation of a life.
00:17:42.89\00:17:45.33
Panel: Yes.
00:17:45.36\00:17:46.70
Lomacang: Jesus
sees us as we are.
00:17:46.73\00:17:48.06
There are many people
that are baptized by water
00:17:48.10\00:17:49.66
that are not transformed.
00:17:49.73\00:17:51.07
Panel: Hmmm...
00:17:51.10\00:17:52.43
Lomacang: They
go in wet Chris...
00:17:52.47\00:17:53.80
they go in wet
sinners, come out...
00:17:53.84\00:17:55.17
they go in dry
sinners come out wet sinners.
00:17:55.20\00:17:56.54
Panel: Hmmm...
00:17:56.57\00:17:57.91
Lomacang: So, when we talk
about the resurrected life,
00:17:57.94\00:17:59.27
or the brand-new life in Christ,
00:17:59.31\00:18:00.64
we have to unite
with Him in His death...
00:18:00.68\00:18:03.45
in His burial
and His resurrection
00:18:03.48\00:18:05.95
to come forth to walk
in the newness of life.
00:18:06.01\00:18:08.78
That's the one baptism.
00:18:08.85\00:18:10.22
Then we have one God and Father.
00:18:10.25\00:18:12.39
We find the Godhead on
which our faith is built.
00:18:12.42\00:18:14.76
John 14 and verse 1,
00:18:14.82\00:18:16.49
"Let not your heart be troubled;
00:18:16.52\00:18:18.19
you believe in God,
believe also in Me. "
00:18:18.23\00:18:21.43
Why? Up until that point,
00:18:21.46\00:18:23.53
the Jews had an unmovable faith
00:18:23.57\00:18:26.27
that was anchored on God alone.
00:18:26.30\00:18:28.94
But there was no
salvation in God alone
00:18:29.00\00:18:31.77
because Jesus was
to be the sacrifice...
00:18:31.81\00:18:34.51
He was to be the Lamb slain by
which they would be redeemed...
00:18:34.54\00:18:37.78
slain from the
foundation of the world...
00:18:37.81\00:18:39.78
the plan of salvation
established long before Jesus
00:18:39.81\00:18:43.35
came. Think about
this for a moment,
00:18:43.39\00:18:44.92
all those sacrifices
performed in the Old Testament
00:18:44.95\00:18:47.82
would have been to no value
00:18:47.86\00:18:49.79
if Jesus was not
victorious on the cross.
00:18:49.82\00:18:52.73
It would have been just
a bunch of dead animals...
00:18:52.76\00:18:54.60
dead lambs... dead
pigeons... dead goats...
00:18:54.66\00:18:57.00
all that would have
availed absolutely nothing
00:18:57.03\00:18:59.37
but when Jesus shed His blood,
00:18:59.40\00:19:01.20
we were not redeemed
00:19:01.24\00:19:02.57
with corruptible
things like silver and gold...
00:19:02.60\00:19:04.57
but with the precious
blood as of a spotless Lamb.
00:19:04.61\00:19:07.94
Panel: Yes.
00:19:07.98\00:19:09.31
How do we overcome?
00:19:09.34\00:19:10.68
They overcome by
the blood of the Lamb.
00:19:10.71\00:19:12.05
and by the word
of their testimony.
00:19:12.08\00:19:13.42
And so, you see this oneness
brings us to the Father...
00:19:13.45\00:19:16.92
to the Son...
00:19:16.95\00:19:18.29
and keeps us
united in the Holy Spirit.
00:19:18.32\00:19:20.76
It is so sad that now a
days even in our church,
00:19:20.82\00:19:23.46
there's a contention as to what
place the Holy Spirit plays.
00:19:23.49\00:19:26.23
Panel: Hmmm...
00:19:26.29\00:19:27.63
Lomacang: Well, think about the
necessity of the Holy Spirit.
00:19:27.66\00:19:29.13
When the Lord
talked about blasphemy,
00:19:29.16\00:19:31.33
he says, the sin against
the Father will be forgiven,
00:19:31.40\00:19:34.27
the sin against
Christ will be forgiven,
00:19:34.30\00:19:36.10
but the sin against he Holy
Spirit will not be forgiven,
00:19:36.14\00:19:38.77
not in this life or
in the life to come.
00:19:38.81\00:19:40.58
Is that necessary?
00:19:40.61\00:19:42.28
Of course, the
devil wants us to...
00:19:42.31\00:19:44.28
to grieve the very One
by which we are saved...
00:19:44.31\00:19:47.35
to grieve the very One
by which we are sealed.
00:19:47.38\00:19:50.39
Sealed by the Holy
Spirit and by promise.
00:19:50.42\00:19:53.52
but that sealing cannot be done
00:19:53.56\00:19:56.09
without the
Lamb... Christ Jesus.
00:19:56.12\00:19:58.59
So, when Paul is communicating
here in the book of Ephesians
00:19:58.63\00:20:01.46
chapter 4, he's
reading verses 4 and 5...
00:20:01.50\00:20:03.60
"We are one in the
body... one in the Spirit,
00:20:03.63\00:20:05.67
one hope... one calling...
00:20:05.70\00:20:07.30
one Lord... one
faith... one baptism...
00:20:07.34\00:20:08.87
one God and Father of all,
00:20:08.90\00:20:10.24
who is above
all, and through all,
00:20:10.27\00:20:12.67
and in all. "
00:20:12.71\00:20:14.14
So, the question is,
what is Paul communicating
00:20:14.18\00:20:16.01
through this poetic description
of God and the Father?
00:20:16.04\00:20:18.95
The Lesson points out
as Dr. McVay brings out,
00:20:18.98\00:20:22.45
he said, "By virtue of
His being 'Father of all,'
00:20:22.48\00:20:25.92
God is the Creator.
00:20:25.95\00:20:27.92
The rest of the
sentence describes how,
00:20:27.96\00:20:30.69
once the world is created,
00:20:30.73\00:20:32.59
God relates to 'all things,'
to everything that He made. "
00:20:32.66\00:20:36.06
And how does He do that?
00:20:36.10\00:20:37.70
He relates to them all
through His Son Christ Jesus.
00:20:37.73\00:20:40.97
So, Paul is revealing the
spiritual architecture of the
00:20:41.00\00:20:44.84
church. We find in
1st Corinthians chapter 12
00:20:44.87\00:20:46.61
which Shelley alluded to,
00:20:46.64\00:20:48.14
1st Corinthians chapter
12 verses 4, 8, 9 and 11,
00:20:48.18\00:20:51.65
he says, "There are diversities
of gifts, but the same Spirit.
00:20:51.68\00:20:54.82
For to one is
given the word of wisdom
00:20:54.85\00:20:56.55
through the same Spirit,
00:20:56.58\00:20:57.92
another the word of knowledge
through the same Spirit,
00:20:57.95\00:21:00.12
another... the
faith by the same Spirit,
00:21:00.16\00:21:02.26
to another gifts of
healing by the same Spirit,
00:21:02.29\00:21:04.46
to one... and the same
Spirit works all these things
00:21:04.49\00:21:07.70
but one and the same
Spirit works all these things,
00:21:07.73\00:21:12.07
distributing to each one
individually as He wills. "
00:21:12.10\00:21:16.14
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:21:16.17\00:21:17.51
Lomacang: That Holy Spirit...
00:21:17.54\00:21:18.87
so, when somebody says,
I need the gift of tongues,
00:21:18.91\00:21:21.04
you don't decide that...
00:21:21.08\00:21:22.41
the Holy Spirit decides that.
00:21:22.44\00:21:24.15
He gives to whomever He needs.
00:21:24.18\00:21:25.98
Why would I need
to speak in Spanish
00:21:26.01\00:21:27.78
when everybody around
me understands English?
00:21:27.82\00:21:29.32
Panel: That's
right. Hmmm... hmmm...
00:21:29.35\00:21:30.69
Lomacang: It's not necessary
00:21:30.72\00:21:32.05
so, when somebody says,
00:21:32.09\00:21:33.42
"You need to have the
gift of the Holy Spirit...
00:21:33.46\00:21:34.79
you need to speak in tongues
as evidence of salvation. "
00:21:34.82\00:21:36.36
No... the evidence of
your salvation is not a gift
00:21:36.39\00:21:39.19
it's fruit... by their
fruit you'll know them.
00:21:39.23\00:21:41.90
Panel: That's true.
00:21:41.93\00:21:43.26
Lomacang: Not by their gifts.
00:21:43.30\00:21:44.63
So, consider the
last seven takeaways...
00:21:44.67\00:21:46.47
I think I can get it in here.
00:21:46.50\00:21:47.84
Unity is the evidence of
the Holy Spirit's presence.
00:21:47.87\00:21:51.44
Acts 2 and verse 46,
00:21:51.47\00:21:52.81
unity in the church.
00:21:52.84\00:21:54.18
"So continuing daily
with one accord in the temple,
00:21:54.21\00:21:57.41
and breaking bread
from house to house,
00:21:57.45\00:22:00.08
they ate their food with
gladness and simplicity of
00:22:00.12\00:22:03.85
heart... " continuing daily.
00:22:03.89\00:22:05.22
That was the
unity of the church.
00:22:05.25\00:22:06.59
That was like "cell"
groups that we talk about today.
00:22:06.62\00:22:08.12
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:22:08.19\00:22:09.52
Lomacang: They had that oneness
house to house... day by day.
00:22:09.56\00:22:11.56
Then unity of the mind...
00:22:11.59\00:22:13.33
Romans 12 verse 16,
00:22:13.36\00:22:14.70
"Be of the same
mind toward one another.
00:22:14.73\00:22:17.47
Do not set your
minds on high things,
00:22:17.50\00:22:20.37
but associate with the humble.
00:22:20.40\00:22:21.97
Do not be wise in
your own opinion. "
00:22:22.00\00:22:24.84
What does that mean?
00:22:24.87\00:22:26.21
Does it mean that
we all think the same?
00:22:26.24\00:22:27.64
No, it doesn't mean
we all think the same.
00:22:27.71\00:22:30.21
But like all the
passengers in the same plane,
00:22:30.25\00:22:32.75
none of us are alike
00:22:32.78\00:22:35.18
but we all have the
same destination in mind.
00:22:35.22\00:22:37.72
We are all under the
same pilot's direction.
00:22:37.75\00:22:40.16
We all are being attended to
by the same Flight Attendants.
00:22:40.19\00:22:42.52
We all are in the same aircraft.
00:22:42.56\00:22:44.59
God's church is very diverse
00:22:44.63\00:22:46.59
but each of us has
a goal to exalt Jesus.
00:22:46.63\00:22:49.33
That's what our goal should be.
00:22:49.36\00:22:50.70
Panel: That's right.
00:22:50.73\00:22:52.07
Lomacang: Each of us
moving in the same direction
00:22:52.10\00:22:53.44
under the propulsion
of the Holy Spirit...
00:22:53.47\00:22:55.40
that's the one mind
00:22:55.44\00:22:56.77
and we all have that
love one towards another.
00:22:56.81\00:22:59.21
Also, the unity of peace...
Ephesians 4 and verse 3,
00:22:59.27\00:23:03.11
"endeavoring to keep
the unity of the Spirit
00:23:03.14\00:23:06.55
in the bond of peace. "
00:23:06.58\00:23:07.92
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:23:07.95\00:23:09.28
Lomacang: How does that happen?
00:23:09.32\00:23:10.65
As far as it is
possible with you...
00:23:10.69\00:23:13.25
be at peace with all men.
00:23:13.29\00:23:14.62
Don't wait for Shelley
to be at peace with me.
00:23:14.66\00:23:16.49
I must be at peace with Shelley.
00:23:16.52\00:23:18.16
If I want peace, I
have to pursue that peace.
00:23:18.19\00:23:21.26
Like a good friend of
mine, Donna Gantz says,
00:23:21.30\00:23:23.93
Donna Berg now, she
says, "Pursue peace... "
00:23:23.97\00:23:26.50
that means, run after peace
like your life depends on it,
00:23:26.53\00:23:29.57
grab its ankle and
refuse to let it go. "
00:23:29.60\00:23:31.24
Panel: Smiling.
Lomacang: Pursue peace.
00:23:31.27\00:23:33.38
Then unity of the
faith... Ephesians 4:13,
00:23:33.41\00:23:35.44
"till we all come to
the unity of the faith
00:23:35.48\00:23:37.81
and of the
knowledge of the Son of God,
00:23:37.85\00:23:40.12
to a perfect...
that's a mature man,
00:23:40.15\00:23:42.32
to the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ. "
00:23:42.35\00:23:45.69
That's the unity of the faith.
00:23:45.72\00:23:47.39
But what about
unity in diversity?
00:23:47.42\00:23:49.52
1st Corinthians 12 and verse 5,
00:23:49.56\00:23:51.56
"There are
differences of ministries,
00:23:51.59\00:23:54.16
but the same Lord. "
00:23:54.20\00:23:55.56
Not everybody sings like Ryan,
00:23:55.60\00:23:57.37
it would be boring if
everybody sings like Ryan,
00:23:57.40\00:23:59.53
we won't be able
to appreciate Ryan.
00:23:59.57\00:24:01.10
But God gives
everyone of us what He knows
00:24:01.14\00:24:04.01
would be the gift that
He can be exalted through.
00:24:04.07\00:24:06.81
So, don't desire Ryan's gift.
00:24:06.84\00:24:08.54
Pray for God to use the
gift that you already have.
00:24:08.61\00:24:11.51
Panel: Amen. Hmmm... hmmm.
00:24:11.55\00:24:12.88
Lomacang: And finally,
what holds us together...
00:24:12.91\00:24:14.65
unity and service to
God, Zephaniah 3 verse 9,
00:24:14.68\00:24:16.75
"For then I will restore
to the people a pure language,
00:24:16.79\00:24:20.86
that they all may call
on the name of the LORD,
00:24:20.89\00:24:24.79
and serve Him with one accord. "
00:24:24.83\00:24:27.93
That's what unity in
the Spirit is all about.
00:24:27.96\00:24:30.77
Shelley: Amen,
thank you, Pastor John,
00:24:30.80\00:24:33.60
that was wonderful.
00:24:33.64\00:24:34.97
We're going to make
a brief announcement
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about powerful
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We'll be right back.
00:24:40.08\00:24:41.41
Music...
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Shelley: And now we
continue in our Study,
00:25:16.24\00:25:19.01
Tuesday's Lesson, Ryan Day.
00:25:19.08\00:25:20.68
Ryan: All right, I'm Ryan Day,
00:25:20.72\00:25:22.38
I have Tuesday's
Lesson and it's entitled:
00:25:22.42\00:25:24.29
The Exalted
Christ, Giver of Gifts
00:25:24.32\00:25:27.39
and I really enjoyed
this because it's focusing on
00:25:27.42\00:25:30.83
verses 7 through 10,
00:25:30.86\00:25:32.33
and it brings
out an aspect of this
00:25:32.36\00:25:34.33
that a lot of people question
00:25:34.36\00:25:36.13
because this is
one of those texts...
00:25:36.16\00:25:37.50
just a small portion
of one of these texts
00:25:37.53\00:25:39.77
that we're about to read that
I have noticed over the years,
00:25:39.80\00:25:43.07
even before I was a
Seventh-day Adventist,
00:25:43.10\00:25:44.81
there's many people
in the Christian world
00:25:44.84\00:25:46.64
that kind of
twist one of these texts
00:25:46.68\00:25:48.31
to mean
something that it doesn't.
00:25:48.34\00:25:49.91
We're going to
bring clarification today
00:25:49.94\00:25:51.88
as to what this
text is actually saying.
00:25:51.91\00:25:53.82
So, I'm actually going to
go to Ephesians chapter 4,
00:25:53.85\00:25:56.12
we're going to read
verses 7 through 10,
00:25:56.15\00:25:57.85
and then we're going to make
some comments along the way.
00:25:57.89\00:26:00.82
Starting with verse 7,
00:26:00.86\00:26:02.22
it says, "But to each
one of us grace was given
00:26:02.26\00:26:05.63
according to the
measure of Christ's gift.
00:26:05.66\00:26:08.50
Therefore, He says... "
00:26:08.56\00:26:10.30
and of course this
quotes Psalm 68 verse 18
00:26:10.33\00:26:13.23
or at least a portion of it,
00:26:13.27\00:26:14.60
it says, "When
He ascended on high,
00:26:14.64\00:26:15.97
He led captivity captive,
00:26:16.00\00:26:18.01
and gave gifts to men. "
00:26:18.04\00:26:20.18
And then, verse 9
says, "Now this 'He ascended'
00:26:20.21\00:26:23.68
what does it mean but
that He also first descended
00:26:23.71\00:26:27.15
into the lower
parts of the earth?
00:26:27.18\00:26:29.28
He who ascended is
also the One who ascended
00:26:29.32\00:26:32.29
far above all the heavens,
00:26:32.32\00:26:33.66
that He might fill all things. "
00:26:33.69\00:26:36.42
And, of course, we're
going to make some comments
00:26:36.46\00:26:38.69
as to what this means
00:26:38.73\00:26:40.06
but this particular
verse I was speaking of,
00:26:40.10\00:26:41.73
verse 9 here
where it says there,
00:26:41.76\00:26:43.63
and I'm reading from
the New King James Version,
00:26:43.67\00:26:45.93
it says, "First descended into
the lower parts of the earth. "
00:26:45.97\00:26:49.44
Of course, many
people try to tie that
00:26:49.47\00:26:51.51
or pair that with
1st Peter chapter 3,
00:26:51.54\00:26:53.27
and they try to
say, "Well... " you know,
00:26:53.31\00:26:54.94
this is where they get the idea
where Jesus you know, upon...
00:26:54.98\00:26:57.68
upon, you know,
His resurrection,
00:26:57.71\00:26:59.65
He... or during the time He
was actually dead in the grave,
00:26:59.68\00:27:02.58
He went into the
lower parts of the earth...
00:27:02.62\00:27:05.39
He went into the deep
dark dungeons of hellfire,
00:27:05.45\00:27:07.99
where He preached to dead souls
00:27:08.02\00:27:09.62
and to demons
and... and all this...
00:27:09.69\00:27:11.33
I mean, there's so many
different theories out there,
00:27:11.36\00:27:13.16
but this is not actually what
this particular text is meaning.
00:27:13.19\00:27:16.20
It doesn't mean
that Jesus took a trip
00:27:16.23\00:27:18.03
you know, several miles into
the, you know, deep hot core of
00:27:18.07\00:27:21.34
the... of the
earth but rather it's...
00:27:21.37\00:27:23.30
it's actually talking about
the earth and its lower regions
00:27:23.34\00:27:26.51
in comparison to
the higher heavens.
00:27:26.57\00:27:28.44
And, of course, the
author actually uses
00:27:28.48\00:27:31.85
the New Living Translation
to make this a little clearer,
00:27:31.88\00:27:34.82
so, I'm reading verse 9 there
in the New Living Translation.
00:27:34.85\00:27:37.75
It actually says...
00:27:37.79\00:27:39.12
notice that it
says, "He ascended... "
00:27:39.15\00:27:40.72
this clearly means
that Christ also descended
00:27:40.76\00:27:43.16
to our lowly world.
00:27:43.19\00:27:44.86
I like that...
to our lowly world
00:27:44.89\00:27:46.83
and the same who...
the same One who descended
00:27:46.86\00:27:49.66
is One who is sitting
higher than all the heavens
00:27:49.70\00:27:52.43
that He might fill
the entire universe
00:27:52.47\00:27:54.47
with Himself.
00:27:54.50\00:27:55.84
I love that!
00:27:55.87\00:27:57.21
I love that...
00:27:57.24\00:27:58.57
and so, Christ
didn't go into hell...
00:27:58.61\00:27:59.94
He didn't go and preach into...
00:27:59.97\00:28:01.31
to dead people or
demons while He was dead.
00:28:01.34\00:28:03.45
Obviously, this is talking
about Christ... He did ascend...
00:28:03.48\00:28:06.01
and He... like a war
hero and I love that...
00:28:06.05\00:28:08.12
I can just see
that in my mind...
00:28:08.15\00:28:09.85
I love a good, you
know, war-hero story, right.
00:28:09.88\00:28:12.85
You know, conquering
evil... conquering the bad guys
00:28:12.92\00:28:16.42
but yet, you know, entering
into this victorious celebration
00:28:16.46\00:28:19.43
as the war hero
is coming home...
00:28:19.46\00:28:21.50
it's just a powerful
story to... to imagine
00:28:21.53\00:28:24.83
and that's exactly...
essentially what Christ had
00:28:24.87\00:28:26.84
done, He had won the
victory at the cross...
00:28:26.87\00:28:28.77
He had cast Satan down
once and for all at the cross.
00:28:28.80\00:28:32.01
He had defeated death...
00:28:32.04\00:28:33.38
He had defeated sin...
00:28:33.41\00:28:34.74
He had defeated evil...
00:28:34.78\00:28:36.11
He had overcome
all of these things,
00:28:36.14\00:28:37.48
and there was a moment
upon His resurrection...
00:28:37.51\00:28:39.15
He ascended to
the Father, of course,
00:28:39.18\00:28:41.08
we know it had to
have happened some point
00:28:41.12\00:28:42.58
after He had the
encounter with Mary
00:28:42.62\00:28:44.19
because He said,
"Don't touch Me...
00:28:44.22\00:28:45.75
I haven't yet
ascended to My Father... "
00:28:45.79\00:28:47.29
but then that same evening,
00:28:47.32\00:28:48.66
He comes back and He was able
to be touched by the disciples.
00:28:48.69\00:28:51.19
Christ entered... He
ascended as a war hero
00:28:51.23\00:28:54.36
and you can
imagine the celebration
00:28:54.40\00:28:56.67
as the Lamb of
God was returning,
00:28:56.70\00:28:58.87
you know with... with
that blood that had been shed
00:28:58.90\00:29:01.07
having paid the
price for humanity
00:29:01.10\00:29:03.14
and He received... you know...
00:29:03.17\00:29:05.14
you know, His
kingdom essentially
00:29:05.17\00:29:07.11
for what He had paid for.
00:29:07.14\00:29:08.48
But I just want to
bring this out here,
00:29:08.51\00:29:10.01
just a note on Psalm
68 here, the Lesson says,
00:29:10.05\00:29:13.18
Paul here quoted
Psalm 68 which reads,
00:29:13.21\00:29:15.75
"When You ascend to the heights,
00:29:15.78\00:29:17.22
You led a crowd of captives.
00:29:17.25\00:29:18.59
You received
gifts from the people,
00:29:18.65\00:29:19.99
even from those who
rebelled against You. "
00:29:20.02\00:29:22.39
Psalm 68:18
portrays the Lord, Yahweh,
00:29:22.42\00:29:25.59
as a conquering general...
00:29:25.63\00:29:26.96
this is a point
that He brings out,
00:29:27.00\00:29:28.33
"a conquering general who,
having conquered His enemies,
00:29:28.36\00:29:30.73
ascended the hill on which He...
00:29:30.77\00:29:32.83
His capital city is built,
00:29:32.87\00:29:35.24
with the captives of
battle in His train. "
00:29:35.27\00:29:37.77
I love that visual...
00:29:37.81\00:29:39.14
It says, "He then
receives tribute...
00:29:39.17\00:29:40.94
He receives the gifts
from His conquered foes
00:29:40.98\00:29:43.85
noting that Paul adjusts...
00:29:43.88\00:29:45.21
noting that Paul
adjusts the imagery
00:29:45.25\00:29:47.52
to the exalted
Christ 'giving gifts,'
00:29:47.55\00:29:50.19
based on the wider
context of Psalms... "
00:29:50.22\00:29:52.62
and, of course, he
quotes here Psalm 68:35.
00:29:52.65\00:29:54.52
But then he goes
on to bring this out
00:29:54.59\00:29:56.46
which I thought was powerful.
00:29:56.49\00:29:57.83
"If we follow the
order of Psalm 68:18... "
00:29:57.86\00:30:00.10
which was quoted
here in this verse,
00:30:00.13\00:30:01.53
the ascent...
"Christ's ascension into heaven"
00:30:01.56\00:30:04.53
which we, of course, see there
also in Ephesians 1:21 to 23,
00:30:04.60\00:30:09.24
"it occurs first... " so
His ascension occurs first.
00:30:09.27\00:30:11.81
"followed by the descent in
which the risen, exalted Jesus
00:30:11.87\00:30:15.54
gives gifts and
fills all things.
00:30:15.58\00:30:18.45
This is Paul's
way of depicting... "
00:30:18.48\00:30:21.32
what is he depicting?
00:30:21.35\00:30:22.85
"He's depicting Pentecost
00:30:22.88\00:30:24.29
the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost... "
00:30:24.35\00:30:26.86
and we see that
there in Acts chapter 2.
00:30:26.89\00:30:28.86
"This view is confirmed by
Ephesians 4 verses 11 and 12,
00:30:28.92\00:30:32.99
which identify the gifts
00:30:33.03\00:30:34.36
provided by the exalted
Jesus as gifts of the Spirit. "
00:30:34.40\00:30:37.23
And, of course, you know, if
you read the book of Revelation,
00:30:37.27\00:30:39.57
we see this beautiful image...
00:30:39.60\00:30:41.04
in which, again,
there's this... there's this...
00:30:41.07\00:30:43.00
this huge problem...
00:30:43.04\00:30:45.71
of course, the scroll
is in the Father's hand
00:30:45.74\00:30:47.34
and no one can open it.
00:30:47.38\00:30:48.71
But the Lamb of God shows up,
00:30:48.74\00:30:50.08
He's the only One who is
worthy to receive the scroll.
00:30:50.11\00:30:52.18
In fact, we read that
in Revelation chapter 5,
00:30:52.21\00:30:54.48
verses 4 through 6,
00:30:54.52\00:30:56.05
but it's interesting
that in verse 6 it says,
00:30:56.08\00:30:57.89
"I looked, and behold,
in the midst of the throne
00:30:57.92\00:30:59.65
and of the four
living creatures,
00:30:59.69\00:31:01.02
and in the midst of
the elders stood a Lamb
00:31:01.06\00:31:02.76
as though it had been slain,
00:31:02.79\00:31:04.13
having seven horns
and seven eyes... "
00:31:04.16\00:31:06.09
and here's the hint here,
00:31:06.13\00:31:07.46
"which are the
seven Spirits God sent out
00:31:07.50\00:31:09.46
into all the earth. "
00:31:09.50\00:31:10.83
Of course, we know
the chronology of that...
00:31:10.87\00:31:12.20
the... the Son
of God did ascend...
00:31:12.23\00:31:14.70
He did receive the gifts...
00:31:14.77\00:31:16.14
He gives... He
returns the gifts... the gifts
00:31:16.17\00:31:18.27
by the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
00:31:18.31\00:31:21.31
Even... Even Mrs. White confirms
this in Ye Shall Receive Power,
00:31:21.34\00:31:25.08
page 158.
00:31:25.11\00:31:26.45
And it says this, it
says, "Christ ascended on high,
00:31:26.48\00:31:28.95
leading captivity captive,
00:31:28.98\00:31:30.69
and gave gifts unto men.
00:31:30.72\00:31:32.32
When, after Christ's ascension,
00:31:32.35\00:31:34.82
the Spirit came
down as promised,
00:31:34.86\00:31:37.29
like a rushing, mighty wind,
00:31:37.33\00:31:38.66
filled the whole place where
the disciples were assembled,
00:31:38.69\00:31:41.43
what was the effect?
00:31:41.46\00:31:43.10
Thousands were
converted in a day. "
00:31:43.13\00:31:45.50
Powerful, powerful view there,
00:31:45.53\00:31:47.07
and, of course, you see that
00:31:47.10\00:31:48.54
and I just want
to confirm this also
00:31:48.57\00:31:49.90
just because I know there's
a lot of people who watch
00:31:49.94\00:31:54.08
Sabbath School Panel
00:31:54.11\00:31:55.44
and there's a lot of
people who may be not
00:31:55.48\00:31:57.31
perhaps Seventh-day
Adventist Christians
00:31:57.35\00:31:59.41
but other denominations
who watch and view this Network
00:31:59.45\00:32:02.22
and we're so proud and so
thankful to have all Viewers
00:32:02.25\00:32:04.99
from all different
Christian backgrounds
00:32:05.02\00:32:07.46
or non-Christian backgrounds,
00:32:07.49\00:32:08.82
but, you know, I just
want to confirm something here
00:32:08.86\00:32:11.29
because one of the
texts that was often quoted
00:32:11.33\00:32:13.56
when I was growing up
in the Pentecostal church,
00:32:13.60\00:32:16.03
that was kind of the
foundational core text
00:32:16.06\00:32:18.37
in all of the
Pentecostal churches I attended
00:32:18.43\00:32:20.64
was Acts chapter 2 verse
38 which is a powerful verse,
00:32:20.70\00:32:23.97
it's one that we should share,
00:32:24.01\00:32:25.34
it's one that we should live by,
00:32:25.37\00:32:26.71
but Acts 2:38 says,
00:32:26.74\00:32:28.24
"Then Peter said to them... "
00:32:28.31\00:32:29.64
this all happened
on the day of Pentecost
00:32:29.68\00:32:31.58
and, of course, the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit has happened,
00:32:31.61\00:32:34.48
Peter preaches
this powerful sermon
00:32:34.52\00:32:36.45
telling the
children of Israel...
00:32:36.48\00:32:38.35
all of those that
were present, "Look,
00:32:38.39\00:32:39.75
you murdered the Son of God
00:32:39.79\00:32:41.49
and the Bible says,
it pricked their hearts
00:32:41.52\00:32:44.03
and they responded,
00:32:44.06\00:32:45.39
they said, "Well,
what do we do about this?"
00:32:45.43\00:32:46.76
Peter's response, Acts 2:38,
00:32:46.80\00:32:48.50
notice what he says,
00:32:48.53\00:32:49.86
"Repent, and let
every one of you be baptized
00:32:49.90\00:32:51.53
in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of your sins"
00:32:51.57\00:32:55.30
and then
notice... once you do that
00:32:55.34\00:32:56.87
"and you shall receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit. "
00:32:56.91\00:32:59.87
Now, a lot of people take
that and they automatically...
00:32:59.91\00:33:02.81
Pastor touched on this briefly,
00:33:02.84\00:33:04.18
they take that
gift of the Holy Spirit
00:33:04.21\00:33:05.55
and they
automatically think... oh yes,
00:33:05.58\00:33:06.92
all Christians...
when you receive Christ
00:33:06.95\00:33:09.18
and it's genuine and it's pure,
00:33:09.25\00:33:10.65
many Charismatic
Pentecostal Christians
00:33:10.69\00:33:12.55
turn that and twist
that into meaning that
00:33:12.59\00:33:14.42
the gift of the Holy
Spirit that you will receive
00:33:14.46\00:33:16.93
and must receive in
order to have salvation
00:33:16.96\00:33:19.56
is the gift of
speaking in tongues.
00:33:19.59\00:33:20.93
That's not what this
text is talking about.
00:33:20.96\00:33:22.56
This text is referring
to the Holy Spirit as a gift
00:33:22.63\00:33:26.13
that God will bestow
upon you the Holy Spirit.
00:33:26.17\00:33:29.20
Why? Because
you have obeyed Him.
00:33:29.24\00:33:30.61
Acts chapter 5 verse
32, I believe it is...
00:33:30.64\00:33:32.91
it tells us that the Holy Spirit
is given to those who obey Him.
00:33:32.94\00:33:37.31
And so, this is what
this is meaning here.
00:33:37.35\00:33:39.08
I don't have enough time
to go through all of these,
00:33:39.11\00:33:41.92
but if you read 1st
Corinthians chapter 12,
00:33:41.95\00:33:44.75
and Pastor read verse
11, He quoted verse 11,
00:33:44.79\00:33:47.56
but you see
there that when we...
00:33:47.59\00:33:49.12
that the gifts that Christ
gives us through the Holy Spirit
00:33:49.19\00:33:52.43
is powerful... it's again
to unite the body of Christ,
00:33:52.46\00:33:55.43
it's for the functionality in
the carrying on of the gospel.
00:33:55.46\00:33:58.97
And, of course,
more than anything,
00:33:59.00\00:34:00.47
we receive these gifts
and we exercise these gifts
00:34:00.54\00:34:03.47
that God gives us
through the Holy Spirit,
00:34:03.51\00:34:05.61
for His glory.
00:34:05.64\00:34:06.98
It's not for our
glory, it's not for us.
00:34:07.01\00:34:08.84
Many times, God gives us
a gift and you know what?
00:34:08.88\00:34:11.68
Pastor referenced
my... my singing gift
00:34:11.71\00:34:13.82
and I praise God for
the gift that I have.
00:34:13.88\00:34:15.95
Sometimes, you know,
00:34:15.98\00:34:17.32
my human aspect comes...
you know, gets the best of me
00:34:17.35\00:34:19.82
and I see someone else's
gift, like, Pastor Lomacang
00:34:19.85\00:34:22.79
and Pastor Rafferty... and they
have such sharp Biblical minds
00:34:22.82\00:34:25.66
and I think, "Lord, I wish my
mind was just a little sharper,"
00:34:25.69\00:34:28.46
you know, I wish I had
that gift of comprehension.
00:34:28.50\00:34:30.93
But sometimes, we often do that,
00:34:30.97\00:34:32.57
we see other people's
gifts and we kind of like,
00:34:32.60\00:34:34.57
"I wish I had that. "
00:34:34.60\00:34:35.94
But yet, we have to
be happy and content
00:34:35.97\00:34:37.31
with the gifts
that God has given us
00:34:37.34\00:34:39.01
because God has specifically
given you those gifts
00:34:39.04\00:34:42.11
because He trusts
you with that gift
00:34:42.14\00:34:43.61
and it's not that He trusts you
to use it for your own glory,
00:34:43.65\00:34:46.95
but you used it for His glory.
00:34:46.98\00:34:49.58
It's His gifts...
He's bestowing it upon you,
00:34:49.62\00:34:51.89
He's giving it to you freely
00:34:51.95\00:34:53.29
because He wants you
to share it with others
00:34:53.32\00:34:55.06
so others can be blessed...
can be drawn to Jesus Christ
00:34:55.09\00:34:57.99
and through the light
that people see through you
00:34:58.03\00:35:01.16
by using those gifts
responsibly and appropriately
00:35:01.20\00:35:04.30
because He has
gifted you with them,
00:35:04.33\00:35:06.20
through the power of His Spirit
because you have been faithful,
00:35:06.23\00:35:09.07
you have been genuine,
00:35:09.10\00:35:10.44
you are humble
00:35:10.47\00:35:11.81
and you're following Him
with all your heart and mind and
00:35:11.84\00:35:13.58
soul, He will
bestow these gifts upon you
00:35:13.61\00:35:15.34
and you will be free
to use them for His glory
00:35:15.38\00:35:18.01
and I promise you,
00:35:18.05\00:35:19.38
in service for Him, you
will never, never, ever be
00:35:19.41\00:35:22.68
disappointed because when you
use those gifts appropriately,
00:35:22.72\00:35:24.72
it's the most
amazing thing to see
00:35:24.75\00:35:26.96
how God can
transform not just your life
00:35:26.99\00:35:28.86
but other people's lives through
the gifts that He gives you.
00:35:28.89\00:35:31.53
Panel: Amen.
00:35:31.59\00:35:32.93
Yvonne: Amen... what a blessing!
00:35:32.96\00:35:35.20
Well, I have Wednesday's Lesson
00:35:35.23\00:35:37.40
and it is: Gifts
of the Exalted Jesus.
00:35:37.43\00:35:41.04
Here in Ephesians 4:8,
00:35:41.07\00:35:45.57
Paul says, "When
He ascended on high,
00:35:45.61\00:35:48.34
He led captivity captive,
00:35:48.38\00:35:50.05
and gave gifts to men. "
00:35:50.08\00:35:51.68
This is actually a
reference to Psalm 68:18
00:35:51.71\00:35:56.92
where David alludes to a
common picture in his time,
00:35:56.99\00:36:00.36
you see, whenever a
king conquered a country
00:36:00.39\00:36:03.76
or a nation or a city,
00:36:03.79\00:36:05.86
he would come back with a
host of captives and spoils...
00:36:05.89\00:36:09.43
ascend on to his throne
00:36:09.46\00:36:10.83
and distribute the spoils
to the people in his kingdom
00:36:10.87\00:36:14.14
just as you were
talking about Brother Ryan.
00:36:14.17\00:36:16.04
Jesus, the exalted King
00:36:16.07\00:36:18.44
who conquered
death, hell and the grave,
00:36:18.47\00:36:20.58
ascended back into heaven
00:36:20.61\00:36:22.24
sent the Holy Spirit
and through the Holy Spirit,
00:36:22.28\00:36:25.68
all the gifts to the church
to bring the church together.
00:36:25.71\00:36:29.55
Notice that these are
not just the individual gifts
00:36:29.58\00:36:33.05
that's set forth
in 1st Corinthians 12,
00:36:33.09\00:36:35.39
for example, healings and
faith as you were alluding to,
00:36:35.42\00:36:38.79
on the word of knowledge,
00:36:38.83\00:36:40.16
these are gifted leaders that
Christ has given to the church.
00:36:40.20\00:36:45.00
In Ephesians 4:11, it says,
00:36:45.03\00:36:47.30
"He gave some to be apostles,
00:36:47.34\00:36:49.57
some prophets,
00:36:49.60\00:36:50.94
some evangelists,
00:36:50.97\00:36:52.31
and some pastors and teachers. "
00:36:52.34\00:36:53.68
In other words, He gave
the gift of Servant-Leadership.
00:36:53.71\00:36:57.55
Panel: That's right.
00:36:57.58\00:36:58.91
Yvonne: The purpose of these
gifts was to build up the church
00:36:58.95\00:37:00.88
and for the
perfecting of the saints
00:37:00.92\00:37:02.78
for the work of service
00:37:02.82\00:37:04.39
to the building up
of the body of Christ
00:37:04.42\00:37:06.79
and the word for "perfecting"
00:37:06.82\00:37:08.16
comes from the Greek
verb, "Katartizo... "
00:37:08.19\00:37:11.66
it basically
means: to be restored...
00:37:11.69\00:37:13.83
to be complete...
to be full... mature.
00:37:13.86\00:37:16.20
This is a kind of
spiritual maturity...
00:37:16.23\00:37:18.60
a kind of grown-up
spiritual character.
00:37:18.63\00:37:20.94
So, let's take a look
at each of these groups
00:37:20.97\00:37:24.77
of spiritual leaders.
00:37:24.81\00:37:26.24
First, there are the apostles.
00:37:26.27\00:37:28.58
And an "apostle" is a person
sent out by God and the church
00:37:28.61\00:37:32.05
to proclaim the Word of God...
00:37:32.08\00:37:33.55
make disciples and establish
disciples into a church
00:37:33.62\00:37:37.29
with Christ as the center.
00:37:37.32\00:37:39.05
This signifies one who
is sent forth from another.
00:37:39.12\00:37:43.49
In fact, if we
break the word down,
00:37:43.53\00:37:45.59
"apo" means from
00:37:45.63\00:37:48.26
and "stello"
sent... or sent forth.
00:37:48.33\00:37:51.63
So, this word is:
one who is sent forth.
00:37:51.67\00:37:54.60
An "apostle" is
"one who is sent forth"
00:37:54.64\00:37:57.57
from another
00:37:57.61\00:37:58.94
often with a special
commission to represent another
00:37:58.97\00:38:01.81
and accomplish his work.
00:38:01.84\00:38:03.18
And then the term "Apostellos"
really actually refers to the
00:38:03.21\00:38:07.18
twelve original apostles...
00:38:07.22\00:38:09.75
the disciples who were
chosen directly by Jesus
00:38:09.78\00:38:13.96
and who actually were
witnesses of His resurrection.
00:38:14.02\00:38:17.23
Paul was an apostle who
was taught by Jesus personally
00:38:17.26\00:38:21.93
later, he wasn't a part of
the original twelve disciples.
00:38:21.96\00:38:24.93
But he is
certainly the Apostle Paul.
00:38:24.97\00:38:27.77
The apostles were
given authority from Christ
00:38:27.80\00:38:30.74
to proclaim the gospel
00:38:30.77\00:38:32.11
and thus the
Apostolic teachings and writings
00:38:32.14\00:38:35.24
became the
foundation of the church
00:38:35.28\00:38:37.75
with Jesus as the
Chief Cornerstone.
00:38:37.81\00:38:40.25
Panel: That's right.
00:38:40.28\00:38:41.62
Yvonne: Some of the
apostles... Biblical apostles
00:38:41.65\00:38:44.35
examples were
Peter, James, and John
00:38:44.39\00:38:47.26
and then, also later, Paul,
Silas, Barnabas, and Timothy.
00:38:47.32\00:38:51.63
The apostles are able to
adapt to different cultures...
00:38:51.66\00:38:55.93
different life conditions.
00:38:55.96\00:38:57.43
They're able to fit in
with different groups of people.
00:38:57.47\00:39:01.60
Then the second group of
servant leaders are prophets
00:39:01.64\00:39:05.71
and a prophet is a person
who shares what God has revealed
00:39:05.74\00:39:09.08
to him or her.
00:39:09.11\00:39:10.45
The new Unger's Bible Dictionary
00:39:10.48\00:39:12.68
defines "Prophet" as
"one who is divinely inspired
00:39:12.71\00:39:16.89
to communicate
God's will to His people
00:39:16.92\00:39:19.22
and to disclose
the future to them. "
00:39:19.25\00:39:21.52
In the Bible, prophets
generally are those who proclaim
00:39:21.56\00:39:25.23
inspired
utterances on behalf of God.
00:39:25.29\00:39:27.76
Some prophets are foretellers
meaning that they are predictive
00:39:27.80\00:39:32.03
and they are also forth tellers
00:39:32.07\00:39:35.17
meaning that they declare
00:39:35.20\00:39:37.91
divinely revealed truth
00:39:37.94\00:39:40.58
for the purpose of
sound doctrinal instruction.
00:39:40.61\00:39:44.05
A prophet is
one raised up by God
00:39:44.11\00:39:46.78
and his or her
charge is to proclaim
00:39:46.82\00:39:49.48
only the word of the Lord.
00:39:49.52\00:39:51.52
It is not for them to
give their own opinions
00:39:51.55\00:39:56.29
and say it's from the Lord.
00:39:56.32\00:39:57.66
There are different tests
of true prophets in the Word
00:39:57.69\00:40:00.30
and one of them is found
in Deuteronomy chapter 18:22
00:40:00.33\00:40:03.40
and it says that if a
prophet makes a prediction...
00:40:03.43\00:40:06.47
pronouncement and it
doesn't come to pass,
00:40:06.53\00:40:08.87
that's a false prophet.
00:40:08.90\00:40:10.41
Panel: Hmmm...
00:40:10.47\00:40:11.81
Yvonne: So, the
Bible lets us know
00:40:11.84\00:40:13.17
who the true prophets are
00:40:13.21\00:40:14.54
and who the false ones are.
00:40:14.58\00:40:15.91
Prophets... Biblical prophets
are Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
00:40:15.94\00:40:19.78
Amos, Moses, and even
post-Biblical... Ellen White.
00:40:19.81\00:40:24.92
So, let's compare
apostles and prophets.
00:40:24.95\00:40:28.52
Both apostles and prophets
were foundational to the church.
00:40:28.56\00:40:32.16
Ephesians 2:20 says, "God's
household... the church...
00:40:32.19\00:40:35.83
was built on the foundation
of the apostles and prophets,
00:40:35.86\00:40:39.23
Christ Jesus Himself
being the cornerstone. "
00:40:39.27\00:40:43.34
The apostle gives an
authoritative declaration
00:40:43.37\00:40:47.34
of the whole body of
truth concerning Jesus Christ
00:40:47.38\00:40:51.18
but the prophet interprets
that authoritative word
00:40:51.21\00:40:54.98
and explains the truth so
that it becomes very clear.
00:40:55.02\00:40:57.09
Panel: That's right.
00:40:57.12\00:40:58.45
Yvonne: In 1st
Corinthians 14:3, Paul says,
00:40:58.49\00:41:00.89
"he who prophesies speaks
to men for their up building
00:41:00.92\00:41:04.36
or edification...
00:41:04.39\00:41:05.73
and encouragement
and consolation. "
00:41:05.76\00:41:07.80
Prophets make the truth
clear, shining and gripping.
00:41:07.86\00:41:12.13
Now, what's the difference
between prophets and teachers?
00:41:12.17\00:41:15.67
The prophet tends to deal more
with great sweeping principles
00:41:15.70\00:41:20.68
of Biblical truth and reality
00:41:20.71\00:41:23.04
but the more specific
areas are left to the teacher.
00:41:23.08\00:41:26.88
So, the prophets deal
more with the larger areas.
00:41:26.92\00:41:30.65
Our next group of servant
leaders are the evangelists.
00:41:30.69\00:41:34.46
An evangelist is someone
who proclaims good news...
00:41:34.52\00:41:38.26
is a preacher of the
gospel or a missionary.
00:41:38.29\00:41:41.53
We have with us the...
00:41:41.56\00:41:43.30
the Director of
World Evangelism for 3ABN
00:41:43.33\00:41:47.94
but all of you are
really evangelists and teachers
00:41:47.97\00:41:53.17
and preachers and
on... it's a blessing.
00:41:53.21\00:41:55.71
But the evangelist not
only preaches the gospel
00:41:55.74\00:41:59.61
but they travel
from place to place
00:41:59.65\00:42:01.58
sharing the gospel and
calling for repentance.
00:42:01.62\00:42:04.75
The purpose of evangelism
00:42:04.79\00:42:06.59
is to carefully but
simply help unbelievers
00:42:06.62\00:42:09.19
become aware of their
sinfulness and lostness...
00:42:09.22\00:42:14.86
if there's such a word...
00:42:14.90\00:42:16.26
and through
proclamation of the gospel,
00:42:16.30\00:42:18.53
to declare Jesus Christ as
the only Savior of the world.
00:42:18.57\00:42:22.34
The only three
places in Scripture
00:42:22.37\00:42:25.04
where the word
"Evangelist" is used
00:42:25.07\00:42:27.71
that's Ephesians 4:11,
00:42:27.74\00:42:29.78
Acts 21:8 where Philip
is called an Evangelist,
00:42:29.84\00:42:34.45
and 2nd Timothy 4:5
00:42:34.48\00:42:36.48
where Paul
exhorts his young protégé
00:42:36.52\00:42:38.85
to do the work of an evangelist.
00:42:38.89\00:42:41.16
The evangelist has a
real burden to win souls.
00:42:41.22\00:42:44.56
They may sometimes get impatient
00:42:44.59\00:42:46.43
if you look like
you're dragging your feet
00:42:46.46\00:42:48.26
about trying to win souls
00:42:48.30\00:42:49.66
and their theme verse
may be Proverbs 11:30,
00:42:49.70\00:42:54.50
which is, the fruit of the
righteous is a tree of life,
00:42:54.54\00:42:57.94
and he who wins souls is wise.
00:42:57.97\00:43:00.68
The evangelist deals with
the beginning of Christian life.
00:43:00.71\00:43:04.41
In fact, one
online commentator said,
00:43:04.45\00:43:07.52
"The Evangelist is
like an obstetrician
00:43:07.58\00:43:10.59
and the prophet and
the teachers and pastors
00:43:10.65\00:43:14.36
are more like pediatricians. "
00:43:14.39\00:43:16.22
The evangelist helps to bring
new Christians into the world
00:43:16.26\00:43:20.20
and the... and the
preachers and teachers
00:43:20.26\00:43:22.96
help to develop them.
00:43:23.00\00:43:24.97
They give them
the spiritual exercise
00:43:25.00\00:43:27.04
and spiritual diet
and that kind of thing.
00:43:27.07\00:43:30.71
Pause.
00:43:30.74\00:43:32.07
Our final group of
Servant-Leaders are pastors
00:43:32.11\00:43:33.68
and teachers.
00:43:33.71\00:43:35.04
Pastors and teachers are
actually joined by a conjunction
00:43:35.08\00:43:40.28
in the word, a Greek word: Kai
00:43:40.32\00:43:42.32
which means: that
is... or in particular
00:43:42.38\00:43:46.29
and some people have thought
that that's just one unit...
00:43:46.35\00:43:48.86
pastors and teachers
00:43:48.89\00:43:50.23
but not all teachers are pastors
00:43:50.26\00:43:54.56
but pastors are teachers.
00:43:54.60\00:43:56.43
And so... so we tend
to think really that...
00:43:56.46\00:43:59.60
that it is two separate groups.
00:43:59.63\00:44:02.80
The pastor is
related to shepherd.
00:44:02.84\00:44:05.94
There's a Greek word: Poimné
00:44:05.97\00:44:07.94
which refers to
a flock of sheep.
00:44:08.01\00:44:10.58
The pastor is the
shepherd or leader of the flock.
00:44:10.65\00:44:14.32
He takes care of His sheep.
00:44:14.35\00:44:16.02
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm.
00:44:16.05\00:44:17.39
Pastors can do the
work of evangelist...
00:44:17.42\00:44:19.42
they are to coordinate,
counsel and disciple believers.
00:44:19.45\00:44:24.33
And then, the teacher
is one who is able to teach
00:44:24.36\00:44:27.56
the basic truths of Scripture
with clarity and creativity.
00:44:27.60\00:44:31.63
They enjoy giving Bible studies,
00:44:31.67\00:44:34.00
and sharing God's Word in
ways that are life-changing.
00:44:34.04\00:44:37.14
Luke is an example
of a great teacher.
00:44:37.17\00:44:39.87
So, finally,
they are six reasons
00:44:39.91\00:44:42.84
that the exalted Christ
left us these Servant-Leaders.
00:44:42.88\00:44:45.81
1. To equip the saints
for the work of ministry...
00:44:45.85\00:44:48.62
in other words, to serve
one another and the church.
00:44:48.65\00:44:51.42
2. To edify or
build-up the body of Christ.
00:44:51.45\00:44:54.22
3. To bring us all to a
place of unity of the faith
00:44:54.26\00:44:58.39
and of the
knowledge of the Son of God.
00:44:58.43\00:45:00.53
4. To keep us from deception...
00:45:00.56\00:45:03.06
we'll no longer be
children tossed to and fro
00:45:03.10\00:45:06.03
and carried about with every
wind and sleight of doctrine.
00:45:06.07\00:45:08.74
5. To help us grow
and mature in the truth.
00:45:08.80\00:45:11.47
We will grow up in
all things into Him
00:45:11.51\00:45:14.14
who is the Head Christ Jesus
00:45:14.18\00:45:16.64
and 6: To work together in
unity as the body of Christ.
00:45:16.68\00:45:21.12
Every part doing its
share and growing and maturing
00:45:21.15\00:45:25.52
into the image of God.
00:45:25.55\00:45:27.06
So, I ask you, are
you a Servant-Leader?
00:45:27.09\00:45:30.06
What gifts has God given you?
00:45:30.09\00:45:32.29
He's given gifts to all of us.
00:45:32.33\00:45:34.43
What gifts do you have
00:45:34.46\00:45:36.63
and how are you
using them for His glory
00:45:36.67\00:45:39.90
to bring us all together
00:45:39.93\00:45:42.10
unto the unity of Christ Jesus.
00:45:42.17\00:45:46.51
Panel: Thank you.
00:45:46.57\00:45:47.91
Rafferty: I love that.
00:45:47.94\00:45:49.28
I'd never seen
that before, Yvonne,
00:45:49.31\00:45:50.65
that emphasis on the gifts here
being: prophets and evangelists
00:45:50.68\00:45:54.48
and pastors and teachers
00:45:54.52\00:45:55.85
and it makes sense
00:45:55.88\00:45:57.22
because the whole
focus of this chapter so far
00:45:57.25\00:46:00.52
has been to
bring us into unity...
00:46:00.56\00:46:01.89
to have that... as
Shelley said, that attitude,
00:46:01.92\00:46:03.96
that lowliness and meekness
00:46:03.99\00:46:05.43
and as... as John
as you were saying
00:46:05.49\00:46:08.36
that... that we need
to be connected to Christ,
00:46:08.40\00:46:11.00
you know, we need to
be on the plane of Jesus,
00:46:11.03\00:46:13.60
right, in order for us to
be having the same destination
00:46:13.64\00:46:16.24
and being
connected together in one
00:46:16.27\00:46:18.97
and then we need the gifts.
00:46:19.01\00:46:20.38
We need those gifts because
00:46:20.41\00:46:21.74
the Holy Spirit specifically
is the One who unites us.
00:46:21.78\00:46:24.55
Panel: Yes.
00:46:24.58\00:46:25.91
Rafferty: And He
works through prophets
00:46:25.95\00:46:27.28
and He works through teachers
00:46:27.32\00:46:28.65
and He works through pastors
00:46:28.68\00:46:30.02
and I was just thinking about
this... this is really powerful
00:46:30.05\00:46:32.05
because it specifically excludes
and specifically includes
00:46:32.09\00:46:36.06
certain aspects of the
gifts that God has given in...
00:46:36.09\00:46:40.03
in these verses here,
00:46:40.06\00:46:41.40
so, my name is James Rafferty
and I have Thursday's Lesson:
00:46:41.43\00:46:44.80
Growing Up Into Christ
00:46:44.83\00:46:46.20
and everyone that's come before
me has made this very, very easy
00:46:46.23\00:46:49.40
basically, how you
grow up into Christ
00:46:49.44\00:46:52.01
is by following
everything you've just heard
00:46:52.04\00:46:54.48
and I'll little
bit of extra here
00:46:54.51\00:46:56.34
because the
Quarterly here goes into
00:46:56.41\00:46:58.61
Ephesians
chapter 4 and verse 14,
00:46:58.65\00:47:00.82
so we're going another
step here in Ephesians chapter 4
00:47:00.85\00:47:03.49
and this is what it says,
00:47:03.52\00:47:04.85
"that we henceforth
be no more children,
00:47:04.89\00:47:08.36
tossed to and fro,
00:47:08.39\00:47:10.03
and carried about with
every wind of doctrine,
00:47:10.06\00:47:12.56
and sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness,
00:47:12.59\00:47:15.03
whereby they lie
in wait to deceive. "
00:47:15.06\00:47:17.63
Did you catch all of that?
00:47:17.67\00:47:19.00
Winds of doctrine...
00:47:19.03\00:47:20.37
sleight and fraud of men...
00:47:20.40\00:47:22.00
cunning craftiness and trickery
00:47:22.04\00:47:24.24
and that... that's the
same type of phrase that's used
00:47:24.27\00:47:26.57
in 2nd Corinthians chapter 11
00:47:26.61\00:47:28.84
where Paul warns about
the church receiving another
00:47:28.88\00:47:33.52
gospel... another
Jesus... another Spirit
00:47:33.55\00:47:35.28
and being deceived
like Satan deceived Eve
00:47:35.32\00:47:38.29
in the Garden of Eden.
00:47:38.32\00:47:39.89
And then, another gospel...
another Jesus... another Spirit
00:47:39.92\00:47:43.66
is going to be something that's
going to be very difficult for
00:47:43.69\00:47:47.00
us unless we have
good apostles and pastors
00:47:47.03\00:47:49.30
and prophets and teachers,
00:47:49.33\00:47:50.67
because it's coming
in a Christian guise.
00:47:50.70\00:47:52.53
Panel: That's right... hmmm...
00:47:52.57\00:47:53.90
Rafferty: And so, what
Ephesians 4 is preparing us for
00:47:53.94\00:47:55.84
is the... the
worst kind of deception,
00:47:55.87\00:47:58.24
the deception that can
come in Christian guise.
00:47:58.27\00:48:00.08
Panel: Hmmm...
00:48:00.11\00:48:01.44
Rafferty: In order
for us to withstand that,
00:48:01.48\00:48:02.81
we got to follow the...
00:48:02.84\00:48:04.18
the... the principles
that have been outlined for us
00:48:04.21\00:48:05.88
have that meekness of mind...
00:48:05.91\00:48:07.25
be connected to Jesus...
00:48:07.28\00:48:08.62
have the gift of
the Holy Spirit...
00:48:08.65\00:48:09.98
the gifts of the Spirit
00:48:10.02\00:48:11.35
and specially appreciate
the pastors and the teachers
00:48:11.39\00:48:12.99
and the prophets and the
words that God has given us
00:48:13.05\00:48:15.82
to keep us in the
unity of the faith.
00:48:15.86\00:48:18.26
The Quarterly says,
"Paul perceives an environment
00:48:18.29\00:48:20.50
not unlike our own
00:48:20.53\00:48:22.00
in which various ideas,
such as 'winds of doctrine'
00:48:22.03\00:48:24.50
and 'deceitful schemes',
00:48:24.53\00:48:25.87
are thrust upon believers. "
00:48:25.90\00:48:27.24
Thrust upon believers...
00:48:27.27\00:48:28.60
"He uses these
three sets of images
00:48:28.64\00:48:31.77
to describe the
dangers of a way with theology:
00:48:31.81\00:48:34.08
the immaturity of childhood,
00:48:34.11\00:48:35.91
'so that we may no
longer be children...
00:48:35.94\00:48:37.61
the danger of a high seas,
'tossed to and fro by the waves
00:48:37.65\00:48:40.98
and carried by
every wind of doctrine'
00:48:41.02\00:48:42.52
and being swindled by
clever people like gamblers,
00:48:42.55\00:48:45.92
practice sleight of hand. "
00:48:45.95\00:48:47.79
Right. Panel: Hmmm...
00:48:47.82\00:48:49.16
"Paul uses figuratively
the Greek word kubeia...
00:48:49.19\00:48:51.69
'dice playing' to mean
'cunning' or 'trickery'.
00:48:51.73\00:48:54.63
So. Paul
believes the divisiveness
00:48:54.66\00:48:57.07
to be an
important mark of error. "
00:48:57.13\00:48:59.47
So, he's connecting
divisiveness with error.
00:48:59.50\00:49:02.10
"That which
nourishes and grows the body
00:49:02.14\00:49:04.67
helps it to
hold together is good
00:49:04.71\00:49:06.04
while that which depletes...
divides it is evil. "
00:49:06.07\00:49:08.24
Panel: Hmmm...
00:49:08.28\00:49:09.61
Rafferty: So, "by
turning from division,
00:49:09.64\00:49:10.98
or divisive teaching
00:49:11.01\00:49:12.35
and doing that...
00:49:12.38\00:49:13.72
and to that of
tested trusted teachers,
00:49:13.75\00:49:16.69
we will advance to a
true Christian maturity
00:49:16.75\00:49:19.75
and play effective
roles in the body of Christ. "
00:49:19.79\00:49:22.76
And the most true
and trusted teacher
00:49:22.79\00:49:25.69
in all of the Bible is Jesus.
00:49:25.73\00:49:28.16
Panel: Right.
Rafferty: And Jesus is the Word
00:49:28.20\00:49:30.33
and it's really
interesting because
00:49:30.37\00:49:31.90
we've got to be
careful here a little bit
00:49:31.93\00:49:33.67
because when we talk
about divisive teachers,
00:49:33.70\00:49:35.40
we have to remember what it says
00:49:35.44\00:49:36.84
in Matthew
chapter 10 and verse 34,
00:49:36.87\00:49:38.77
Jesus says, "I
didn't come in peace
00:49:38.81\00:49:40.71
but I came to send a sword. "
00:49:40.74\00:49:42.08
I came to divide.
00:49:42.11\00:49:43.45
Panel: Laughter.
00:49:43.48\00:49:44.81
Rafferty: And we have to
ask the question, you know,
00:49:44.85\00:49:46.18
because Christ is
the Head of the body
00:49:46.21\00:49:47.75
and, you know, yet,
there is some division
00:49:47.78\00:49:50.65
that is caused by Christ
or at least by His words.
00:49:50.69\00:49:53.62
When we confess Christ,
00:49:53.66\00:49:55.82
we confess a truth that
not everyone wants to receive.
00:49:55.86\00:49:59.13
And so in the context of
division, Christ says, You know,
00:49:59.16\00:50:02.43
I'm going to be
confessing the truth
00:50:02.46\00:50:04.67
and when I confess the truth,
00:50:04.70\00:50:06.23
those who accept that
truth are going to be united
00:50:06.27\00:50:09.24
and those who reject that
truth are going to be divided.
00:50:09.27\00:50:12.47
So, when we see people
coming in the guise of...
00:50:12.51\00:50:17.95
of Christianity,
00:50:17.98\00:50:19.31
and we see
division taking place,
00:50:19.35\00:50:21.55
we can almost be sure
00:50:21.58\00:50:22.92
that the reason that division
is taking place is because
00:50:22.95\00:50:25.79
those people who are
necessarily preaching the gospel
00:50:25.82\00:50:28.52
or... or perhaps, you know,
coming in the name of Jesus,
00:50:28.56\00:50:31.19
or even in the
name of the Holy Spirit,
00:50:31.23\00:50:32.59
aren't actually
teaching the words of Christ...
00:50:32.63\00:50:35.10
not actually
following the Word of God
00:50:35.16\00:50:37.60
and that's where we
can find a distinction.
00:50:37.63\00:50:40.14
So, Paul is explaining to us
00:50:40.17\00:50:42.00
how we can navigate
these kinds of circumstances
00:50:42.04\00:50:44.47
that even Christ
found Himself facing.
00:50:44.51\00:50:46.98
"So, in what ways...
" the Quarterly asks,
00:50:47.01\00:50:49.44
"does a healthy church
function like a healthy body?"
00:50:49.48\00:50:52.31
And then it quotes
Ephesians chapter 4
00:50:52.35\00:50:54.48
verses 15 and 16,
00:50:54.52\00:50:55.98
listen to those
verses, Ephesians chapter 4
00:50:56.05\00:50:58.05
verses 15 and 16.
00:50:58.09\00:50:59.42
"but speaking the truth in love,
00:50:59.45\00:51:01.26
may grow up into
Him in all things,
00:51:01.29\00:51:03.16
which is the head, even Christ:
00:51:03.19\00:51:04.99
from whom the whole
body fitly joined together
00:51:05.03\00:51:08.06
and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth,
00:51:08.10\00:51:11.10
according to the
effectual working
00:51:11.13\00:51:12.47
in the measure of every part,
00:51:12.50\00:51:13.84
makes increase of the body unto
the edifying of itself in love.
00:51:13.87\00:51:17.81
" Just got to love that
King James language which is so
00:51:17.84\00:51:19.87
important but you
can't really comprehend
00:51:19.91\00:51:21.24
everything
that's being said there,
00:51:21.28\00:51:22.61
so let me break it down.
00:51:22.64\00:51:23.98
Panel: Laughter.
00:51:24.01\00:51:25.35
Rafferty: Paul is
basically saying...
00:51:25.38\00:51:26.72
the first thing we want to do
00:51:26.75\00:51:28.08
is speak the
truth in love, right?
00:51:28.12\00:51:29.45
And we want to grow up in
Christ... we want to be mature.
00:51:29.48\00:51:30.82
about our
relationship with Christ
00:51:30.85\00:51:32.19
and then, our
relationship with others.
00:51:32.22\00:51:33.56
And then he says,
00:51:33.59\00:51:34.96
we want to join closely
together in our teaching.
00:51:34.99\00:51:38.89
What do you think
about this thought?
00:51:38.93\00:51:40.43
You know, we were
on the Panel earlier,
00:51:40.46\00:51:42.10
I heard Shelley
say to Pastor John,
00:51:42.13\00:51:43.70
"I'm going to be sharing this
in coming-up Sabbath School,
00:51:43.73\00:51:45.97
what do you think about this?
00:51:46.00\00:51:47.34
Tell me if I'm wrong
on this... " you know.
00:51:47.37\00:51:48.70
We want to do
that often, you know,
00:51:48.74\00:51:50.07
throw things out at each other
00:51:50.11\00:51:51.44
and get
feedback from one another
00:51:51.47\00:51:52.81
and then, there's going to
be efficiency in every part
00:51:52.84\00:51:56.14
because God is the One that's
supplying of the lax, right,
00:51:56.18\00:51:59.11
and we're going to be
doing this to increase the body.
00:51:59.15\00:52:02.05
This isn't
about increasing us...
00:52:02.08\00:52:03.42
this isn't about our glory...
00:52:03.45\00:52:04.79
this isn't about
edifying ourselves.
00:52:04.82\00:52:06.42
When we think that a
gift of the Holy Spirit
00:52:06.45\00:52:08.72
is speaking in tongues,
00:52:08.76\00:52:10.09
Paul says... that's
because you're all about
00:52:10.13\00:52:11.59
edifying yourself.
00:52:11.63\00:52:12.96
But when you speak in tongues
00:52:12.99\00:52:14.33
and no one understands
what it... what it means,
00:52:14.36\00:52:15.86
you're just... you're
not edifying anybody else,
00:52:15.90\00:52:17.83
right,
00:52:17.87\00:52:19.20
we need to edify the body.
00:52:19.23\00:52:20.57
God wants to... to
build and strengthen the body
00:52:20.60\00:52:23.14
and a lot of what God gives
to us is not for ourselves,
00:52:23.17\00:52:25.67
it's for other people.
00:52:25.71\00:52:27.04
We want to edify the body
but we want to do it in love.
00:52:27.08\00:52:30.45
Panel: Yes... hmmm...
00:52:30.48\00:52:31.91
Rafferty: So, the
Quarterly goes on to say
00:52:31.95\00:52:33.28
in Ephesians 4:1 through 16,
00:52:33.31\00:52:34.65
Paul advocates for
the unity of the church
00:52:34.68\00:52:36.02
and recruits the addressees
to foster it actively.
00:52:36.05\00:52:39.35
While unity is a
theological certainty,
00:52:39.39\00:52:42.12
it does require our hard work.
00:52:42.16\00:52:45.39
It's going to happen,
00:52:45.43\00:52:46.76
there is one law...
there is one faith...
00:52:46.80\00:52:48.13
there is one baptism.
00:52:48.16\00:52:49.50
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:52:49.53\00:52:50.87
But we've got to be part of that
00:52:50.90\00:52:52.23
because it's going to require
a little bit of self-denial,
00:52:52.27\00:52:53.60
a little bit of
lowliness of mind,
00:52:53.64\00:52:54.97
connectivity with Christ,
00:52:55.00\00:52:56.64
receiving the Holy Spirit,
00:52:56.67\00:52:58.14
being taught by apostles
and being taught by pastors
00:52:58.17\00:53:01.24
and... and
listening to the evangelists
00:53:01.31\00:53:03.11
and, you know, getting going...
00:53:03.14\00:53:04.48
it's going to require
that if we want that unity.
00:53:04.51\00:53:06.25
We... we can't
just sit back and say,
00:53:06.28\00:53:07.62
"Oh, yeah, we're
going to be unified...
00:53:07.65\00:53:09.08
whatever they
say, I'll agree with. "
00:53:09.12\00:53:10.72
No... a lot of
people go to church
00:53:10.75\00:53:12.09
and you ask them,
what do they believe?
00:53:12.12\00:53:13.46
"Oh, I believe what
our church teaches. "
00:53:13.49\00:53:14.82
"What does your church teach?"
00:53:14.86\00:53:16.19
"Well, our church
teaches what I believe. "
00:53:16.22\00:53:17.56
They don't even know what it is.
00:53:17.59\00:53:18.93
Right. Panel: Laughter.
00:53:18.96\00:53:20.30
Rafferty: We
need to pursue truth
00:53:20.33\00:53:21.83
because only the truth
can unify us in Jesus Christ.
00:53:21.86\00:53:25.10
Panel: Amen.
00:53:25.13\00:53:26.47
Rafferty: Each of
us is part of the body
00:53:26.50\00:53:27.84
and should contribute
to its health and growth.
00:53:27.87\00:53:29.67
We all should also benefit
from the work of the apostles
00:53:29.70\00:53:32.77
and the prophets
and the evangelists
00:53:32.81\00:53:34.51
and the pastor-teachers.
00:53:34.54\00:53:35.88
These like ligaments and tendons
join every joint together
00:53:35.91\00:53:39.65
and they have
this unifying function
00:53:39.68\00:53:41.58
helping us to grow
up together in Christ
00:53:41.62\00:53:43.49
who is the Head of the body.
00:53:43.52\00:53:45.59
So, there are times though
00:53:45.65\00:53:47.66
we read about in... for example,
00:53:47.69\00:53:49.76
1st Corinthians
chapter 11:18 and 19,
00:53:49.82\00:53:52.63
when disunity
comes and God uses it.
00:53:52.66\00:53:55.46
He uses heresies and the...
00:53:55.50\00:53:59.30
the separation...
divisions that come.
00:53:59.33\00:54:01.20
Paul says, "I... I hear
there's heresies among you... "
00:54:01.24\00:54:03.41
in 1st Corinthians 11:18,
00:54:03.47\00:54:04.81
"and I partly believe it
that they which are approved
00:54:04.84\00:54:07.48
may be made
manifest among you. "
00:54:07.51\00:54:09.14
And then he says
in 2nd Timothy 2:15,
00:54:09.18\00:54:10.75
"Study to show
yourselves approved unto God,
00:54:10.78\00:54:12.71
a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed,
00:54:12.75\00:54:14.22
rightly dividing
the word of truth. "
00:54:14.25\00:54:16.32
In other words, if
everything else fails,
00:54:16.35\00:54:17.69
God will allow
heresies to come in
00:54:17.72\00:54:19.25
to wake us up.
00:54:19.29\00:54:20.62
Have you ever been
woken up by a heresy like,
00:54:20.66\00:54:22.16
"Wait a minute, I
don't think that's true. "
00:54:22.19\00:54:23.79
And then you go study it up.
00:54:23.83\00:54:25.16
"Oh, I'm going
to study that up. "
00:54:25.19\00:54:26.53
And then you find yourself
really getting solidified
00:54:26.56\00:54:28.96
in a certain
truth or whatever it is
00:54:29.00\00:54:30.73
that was brought up that
you studied out thoroughly.
00:54:30.77\00:54:33.03
Panel: That's right.
00:54:33.07\00:54:34.40
Rafferty: First heresy
that I ever studied out
00:54:34.44\00:54:35.77
was the idea that everyone
should go to church on Saturday,
00:54:35.80\00:54:37.87
that's right... Saturday...
00:54:37.94\00:54:39.27
I thought, "Saturday?
00:54:39.31\00:54:40.64
That's not the day
you should go to church,
00:54:40.68\00:54:42.01
everyone knows you
go to church on Sunday,
00:54:42.04\00:54:43.38
that's in the Bible. "
00:54:43.41\00:54:44.75
And I went in the
Bible... I studied it out
00:54:44.78\00:54:46.11
and lo and behold...
it was Saturday after all.
00:54:46.15\00:54:47.48
And I got
solidified in that truth
00:54:47.52\00:54:49.68
through that
so-called heresy, right?
00:54:49.75\00:54:52.12
So, Paul is saying, there are...
00:54:52.15\00:54:53.49
there are times when
these winds of doctrine
00:54:53.52\00:54:55.49
are going to be blowing
00:54:55.52\00:54:56.86
and they're actually
going to be good for the church
00:54:56.89\00:54:58.23
because it will cause
us to go back and study
00:54:58.26\00:55:00.50
and... and get
strong in the church.
00:55:00.53\00:55:03.67
The Author John
McVay asks the question,
00:55:03.70\00:55:07.27
"What kinds of
'winds of doctrine'
00:55:07.30\00:55:09.04
are blowing in
our church today?"
00:55:09.07\00:55:10.74
And I thought about
that and I thought, you know,
00:55:10.77\00:55:12.81
date setting for sure
00:55:12.87\00:55:14.21
and mean that... as
Adventists that's in our blood.
00:55:14.24\00:55:15.58
Ever since I've
been an Adventist,
00:55:15.61\00:55:16.98
"Oh, you know,
the jubilee cycle... "
00:55:17.01\00:55:18.48
"Oh, it's Y2K... "
00:55:18.51\00:55:19.85
"Oh, it's the
Mayan calendar... "
00:55:19.88\00:55:21.22
"Oh, it's the eight Popes...
seven Popes... eight Popes... "
00:55:21.25\00:55:22.58
"Oh, you know,
it's going to be... "
00:55:22.62\00:55:23.95
it's just one
thing after another.
00:55:23.99\00:55:25.32
And, you know, we think about
the most serious ones that...
00:55:25.35\00:55:28.92
that are recently developing
like the LGBTQ plus compromise
00:55:28.96\00:55:33.36
that's taking place right now
00:55:33.40\00:55:34.90
and the idea that loving sinners
means that we shouldn't...
00:55:34.93\00:55:37.57
that we should just condone sin
00:55:37.60\00:55:38.93
and we have other issues that
are violations of God's law...
00:55:38.97\00:55:43.87
the principles and
then anti-Trinity emphasis
00:55:43.91\00:55:46.94
and the idea that
God doesn't, you know,
00:55:46.98\00:55:49.98
punish and that...
00:55:50.05\00:55:51.38
you know, it's just...
it's God's... the cross...
00:55:51.41\00:55:52.75
that just a
moral influence and...
00:55:52.78\00:55:54.12
The only way we
can meet these heresies
00:55:54.15\00:55:58.09
is to go to the Word of God.
00:55:58.12\00:55:59.85
You can't go to
your favorite Pastor...
00:55:59.92\00:56:01.49
you can't go to
your favorite preacher...
00:56:01.52\00:56:03.53
only... now...
hopefully, they are there...
00:56:03.56\00:56:05.56
as it says right
here, they are there
00:56:05.59\00:56:06.96
to guide us in the Word of God
00:56:07.00\00:56:08.73
and help us
understand the Word of God
00:56:08.76\00:56:10.10
but we need Jesus... the Word
00:56:10.13\00:56:12.30
personally...
individually for ourselves.
00:56:12.33\00:56:14.50
Panel: Amen... amen.
00:56:14.54\00:56:16.20
Shelley: Thank you James and
Yvonne, Ryan, and Pastor John.
00:56:16.24\00:56:20.44
What a beautiful study!
00:56:20.48\00:56:21.81
We have just a
moment for closing thoughts.
00:56:21.84\00:56:24.38
Lomacang: Well, Paul
in Philippians 2 verse 2,
00:56:24.41\00:56:27.05
encourages us, he says,
00:56:27.08\00:56:29.18
"fulfill my joy
by being like-minded,
00:56:29.22\00:56:33.52
having the same love,
00:56:33.56\00:56:35.42
being of one
accord, and of one mind. "
00:56:35.46\00:56:38.73
May you seek
that unity by Christ
00:56:38.76\00:56:41.00
as the Holy
Spirit leads your life.
00:56:41.03\00:56:42.96
Ryan: Amen, if this experience
has not been your own,
00:56:43.03\00:56:46.13
I want to read again, Acts 2:38,
00:56:46.17\00:56:47.80
it brings a beautiful promise.
00:56:47.84\00:56:49.37
"Repent, and let
everyone of you be baptized
00:56:49.40\00:56:51.81
in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ
00:56:51.84\00:56:53.64
for the remission of your sins;
00:56:53.68\00:56:55.08
and you shall receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. "
00:56:55.14\00:56:58.38
Panel: Amen.
00:56:58.41\00:56:59.81
Yvonne: The Lord would
have us to come together
00:56:59.85\00:57:03.25
and He gave us
gifts of Servant-Leaders
00:57:03.28\00:57:06.39
and He wants us to
lead and to help others
00:57:06.42\00:57:09.49
to bring others together
00:57:09.52\00:57:10.99
and that's... He's given
us the Holy Spirit to do that.
00:57:11.03\00:57:14.20
We just need to tap into it...
00:57:14.23\00:57:16.06
take advantage of
it and be blessed.
00:57:16.10\00:57:18.17
Rafferty: Amen, I love this
verse in Ephesians chapter 4,
00:57:18.20\00:57:20.94
"but speaking the truth in love,
00:57:20.97\00:57:23.37
may grow up in
Him in all things,
00:57:23.41\00:57:25.37
which is the head even Christ. "
00:57:25.44\00:57:27.34
Shelley: Amen and amen,
thank you each and every one.
00:57:27.38\00:57:30.51
My closing thought would be
00:57:30.55\00:57:32.85
that love is the
root of patience...
00:57:32.88\00:57:36.18
patience produces gentleness...
00:57:36.22\00:57:38.55
gentleness produces...
is... is the result of humility
00:57:38.62\00:57:44.06
and it's all based on love.
00:57:44.09\00:57:46.26
So what the Bible tells us
00:57:46.29\00:57:48.40
is that believers should
practice these unifying virtues
00:57:48.43\00:57:54.37
so that God in
Christ can fill all...
00:57:54.40\00:57:58.87
that we all grow up together.
00:57:58.91\00:58:01.24
Join us next time for Lesson 8:
00:58:01.28\00:58:03.55
Christ-Shaped Lives
and Spirit-Inspired Speech.
00:58:03.58\00:58:08.38
Bye-bye.
00:58:08.42\00:58:09.75