Transcript Document
Christ for Me
Hymn 331
Whom have I Lord, to help, but thee?
None but thee! None but thee!
And this my song through life shall be.
Christ for me! Christ for me!
He hath for me the winepress trod; He hath redeemed me by his blood; He reconciled my soul to God; Christ for me! Christ for me!
I envy not the rich their joys; Christ for me! Christ for me!
I covet not earth’s glitt’ring toys!
Christ for me! Christ for me!
Earth can no lasting bliss bestow; “Fading” is stamped on all below; Mine is a joy no end can know; Christ for me! Christ for me!
Though poor and humble be my lot.
Christ for me! Christ for me!
He knoweth best; I murmur not; Christ for me! Christ for me!
Though vine and fig tree blight prevail, The labor of the olive fail, And death o’er flocks and herds prevail, Christ for me! Christ for me!
Though I am now on hostile ground, Christ for me! Christ for me!
And foes beset me all around, Christ for me! Christ for me!
Let earth her fiercest battles wage, And foes against my soul engage.
Strong in his strength, I’ll stand their rage; Christ for me! Christ for me!
Taste Before Serving
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove ye your own selves.” What do we examine?
How do we do this examining?
What is “the faith”
How do we “prove our own selves”?
Psalm 26:2
(ASV) “Examine me, and prove me; try my heart and my mind.”
My Memorial Experience
Two Nights Before Memorial I was in the Hospital Having Insomnia, I Reviewed the Passover Mentally
I Reviewed the Pros and Cons of Controversial Questions
This Was Not What the Passover Was About
It was About Jesus’ Death for the Sins of All in Adam
The Disciples Quibbled on the Way to the Last Supper
Every Year We Seem to Quibble Also Then I Examined my Spiritual Life
Here is What I Found
Too Little Judgment Too Much Knowledge
Romans 14:1
(NKJ) “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.”
1 Timothy 1:4
(20 th Century) “Nor to devote their attention to legends and interminable genealogies, which tend to give rise to argument rather than further that divine plan which is revealed in the Faith.”
1 Corinthians 2:2
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
I Also Found
Too Little Application Too Much Understanding
1 Corinthians 13:2
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [agape love], I am nothing.”
James 1:23-25
“But if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer; he is like a man beholding his natural [lit., face of birth] face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whosoever looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
Two Mirrors Contrasted
The Law was perfect, man was not. Therefore, frustrated, they forgot the obligations or kept them in form only.
Law – Led to Forgetfulness The Gospel judges by heart intent, therefore encourages believers to transformation of character.
Gospel – Led to a New Life
2 Corinthians 3:18
“But we all, beholding with open face as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.” “From one stage of heart development to another making the necessary progress to be ready for the final stage when we shall share his glory.” – R5717
Romans 12:1,2
“I beseech ye, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed unto this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Outline of Romans 12
Verse 1 – Consecration
Verse 2 – Transformation (Sanctification)
Verses 3-8 – Evaluation of Our Role
Verses 9-21 – Application
Especially Good in Phillips Translation
I Also Found
Too Little Spirituality Too Much Formality
Matthew 23:23-26
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the others undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
Hypocrites
Strongs 5273, “An actor under an assumed character.”
“It was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice; hence the word is used metaphorically of “a dissembler, a hypocrite.” - Vine’s Expository Dictionary
Matthew 15:7-9
“Ye hypocrites, well did Esais prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
The Pharisee In Us
Guardians of Divine Law and Ancestral Customs
Kept Separate from Those of Questionable Integrity
Prided Themselves in Denouncing Impurity
Set Up Man-Made Rules to Prevent Breaking of Law
Gave Equal Weight to These Laws and Scripture
Were Rigid and Unyielding
Took Pride in Their Righteousness Being Recognized
Looked Down on Those They Regarded as Inferior
The Herald, September-October 1988
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:23,24
I Also Found
Too Little Compassion Too Much Service
Luke 10:40-42
“But Martha was cumbered with much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Mark 6:31-34
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2 Timothy 4:2
Reprint 3189
“It was in season for the multitude, because they were gathered there, and their attention was riveted upon him. Had [Paul] consulted his own convenience he would have said that it was very much ‘out of season’ for himself; — that he was in no condition to speak, his nerves were excited and his body was bruised.”
I Also Found
Too Little Love for Man Too Much Witnessing
Matthew 23:15
(Emphatic Diaglott) “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go about the sea and the dry [land], to make one proselyte, and when he becomes, you make him a son of Gehenna, double of you.” Double ; Greek diploo, from which we get our English word “duplicate.” Do we seek to make a Christian or a “Bible Student”?
Romans 9:1-3
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the holy spirit, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Paul’s Compassion
Romans 9:31, 10:2
“But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. . . . Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Paul’s Compassion
Jeremiah 20:9
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
Ezekiel 3:17-19
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest them not warning; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, not from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”
I Also Found
Too Little Listening Too Much Disputation
Proverbs 18:13
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Proverbs 26:17
“He that passeth by, and meddleth with a struggle belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”
Paul’s Advice to Timothy
“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith; so do.” – 1 Timothy 1:4 “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.” – 1 Timothy 6:4 “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes,” – 2 Timothy 2:23 TO TITUS: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain.” – Titus 3:9
Wise Words from a Wise Man
“Only by pride cometh contention; but with the well advised is wisdom.” – Proverbs 13:10 “The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam. Therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.” – Proverbs 17:14 (Web Translation) “A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.” -- Proverbs 18:26 (RSV)
Jude 3
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.”
We can contend without being contentious.
I Also Found
Too Little Substance Too Much Trivia
Get to the Point
“And further, my son, by these be admonished: of making of many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12,13 “Ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:7
“The Devil is in the Details”
Questions on Details Can Divert from the Main Point Time Spent on Details is Time Not Spent on Main Point
All Scripture is Important
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
Frank Lloyd Wright
Style Follows Substance
And the Substance Is:
Man, created perfect, fell into sin in Eden
Therefore all were born into a sinful state
Christ died to redeem Adam and his entire race
God has called out of man a bride for his Son In the simplicity of the plan and Christ has returned for his church and to set up his kingdom
The Church is to receive a heavenly reward
All men will be resurrected on earth
All the Rest are Details
We are preparing a “feast of fat things” for the entire world; let us taste it first to make sure we serve it just right!
Brethren . . .
Only Thee
Hymn 213
Only Thee, my soul’s Redeemer!
Whom have I in heaven beside?
Who on earth, with love so tender, All my wand’ring steps will guide?
Only thee, only thee, Loving Savior, only thee.
Only thee! No joy I covet, But the joy to call thee mine – Joy that gives the blest assurance, Thou hast owned and sealed me thine.
Only thee, only thee, Loving Savior, only thee.
Only thee! I ask no other; Thou art more than all to me; Present life, or present comfort – I resign them all to thee.
Only thee, only thee, Loving Savior, only thee.
Only thee! Whose blood has cleansed me, Would my raptured vision see, While my faith is spreading upward, Ever upward, Lord, to thee.
Only thee, only thee, Loving Savior, only thee.