Worship: For Heaven’s Sake “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many shall be called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16). What does this mean? Pastor Flemons explained the last half of the verse yesterday. The first part, he explained today. (Read more below.)
Wellness: For Health’s Sake “It is the spirit that quickeneth,” says Pastor Flemons, referring to John 6:63. A doctor of biblical wellness, Pastor Flemons explains what that really means. (Read more below.)
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Words of Encouragement
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
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For Heaven’s Sake…
It is all about the level of commitment to God and His work. It has nothing to do with how long truth has been known. God looks at the level of commitment, not at the length of time we’ve known the truth. Many have known the truth all of their lives, but they have failed in taking advantage of the many opportunities to really get to know Christ in an intimate way. Therefore, they are useless servants.
Others have known the truth for a long time and have advanced in the truth step by step, getting to know Christ intimately over the long years.
Still others have just come to know the truth. But they have fully surrendered to Christ and are fully committed to serving Him in Spirit and in truth. Christ sees them and knows them.
One servant of the LORD says it this way:
“Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again.” (Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 67.2)
Furthermore, she says this about the parable in Matthew 20:1-16:
“Those who have brought into their service the spirit of true sacrifice, of self-abasement, are the ones who will stand first at last. The laborers who were first hired, represented those who have an envious, self-righteous spirit, and claim that, for their services, preference should be given to them rather than to others. The householder said to the one who questioned his right to give more to others than to him, “Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?” I have kept my part of the agreement.” CS 339.2 (Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship, p. 339.2)
Many, like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-30, must face the hard truth about themselves and their relationship to God. They must face the hard lesson of truly detaching from worldly possessions. They think that their possessions are evident of God’s approval. They believe that their good deeds and good intentions qualify them for divine approbation. They do not. Only Christ is righteous. Only Christ is good. Only Christ qualifies.
Those who fully submit to Christ, who forsake all for Him, are His. These commend nothing of themselves to God for favor. They have nothing and know it. They are willing to wear Christ’s robe of righteousness and be fitted for the kingdom. Those who put on Christ are seen as Christ’s. Christ’s true followers are promised this:
Matthew 19:28-30 …Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
For Health’s Sake…
“Quickening is healing,” he says. “The Holy Spirit is the one who quickens.” Any healing that Jesus did was done through the power of the Holy Spirit. This, medical missionaries must keep in mind. “We must have the Spirit of God.”
Quoting from the book Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, Pastor Flemons read this:
“The view held by some that spirituality is a detriment to health, is the sophistry of Satan. The religion of the Bible is not detrimental to the health of either body or mind. The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine for disease. Heaven is all health; and the more deeply heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid. The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of inestimable happiness. Religion is a continual well-spring, from which the Christian can drink at will, and never exhaust the fountain.” CTBH 13.2 (Ellen G. White and James White, Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 13.2)
Remember this: “The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine for disease.”