2. Foundation of God’s Kingdom
“Liberty”
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that
Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is],
there [is] liberty.
3. God’s Position In Ministry
Isa 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the
LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king;
he will save us.
4. God’s Position In Ministry
For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
he will save us.
5. God’s Position In Ministry
In the correct model of Gospel Order, God is
the Judge, Lawgiver, King and Savior.
That is, in order to be Judge, Lawgiver or
King, you must also be Savior.
If you are not in a position to be Savior, then
such you cannot be judge, lawgiver or king.
6. God Is Judge
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true,
but every man a liar; as it is written, That
thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and
mightest overcome when thou art judged.
7. A Time For Judgment
1Co 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the
time, until the Lord come, who both will bring
to light the hidden things of darkness, and will
make manifest the counsels of the hearts:
and then shall every man have praise of God.
8. Righteous Judgment
Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the
appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
9. Leaders Sitting in Judgment
Act 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set
them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Act 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you
that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye
have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to
bring this man's blood upon us.
Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered
and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
10. Gamaliel
Act 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a
Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in
reputation among all the people, and commanded to put
the apostles forth a little space;
Act 5:35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take
heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching
these men.
11. Gamaliel
Act 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain
from these men, and let them alone: for if this
counsel or this work be of men, it will come to
nought:
Act 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot
overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to
fight against God.
12. Nicodemus
Joh 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that
came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
Joh 7:51 Doth our law judge any man,
before it hear him, and know what he
doeth?
13. Nicodemus
“Again the priests and rulers proceeded to lay plans for
arresting Jesus. It was urged that if He were longer left
at liberty, He would draw the people away from the
established leaders, and the only safe course was to
silence Him without delay. In the full tide of their
discussion, they were suddenly checked. Nicodemus
questioned, "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear
him, and know what he doeth?" Silence fell on the
assembly.
14. Nicodemus
“The words of Nicodemus came home to their
consciences. They could not condemn a man unheard.
But it was not for this reason alone that the haughty
rulers remained silent, gazing at him who had dared to
speak in favor of justice. They were startled and
chagrined that one of their own number had been so far
impressed by the character of Jesus as to speak a word
in His defense. Recovering from their astonishment, they
addressed Nicodemus with cutting sarcasm, "Art thou
also of Galilee? Search and look: for out of Galilee
ariseth no prophet." {DA 460.1}
15. Interposers
“God desires men to understand the claims
He has upon them. He will judge any man
who shall interpose between his fellow men
and their God, to lead them into paths not
cast up for the ransomed.” {TDG 193.4}
16. The Judge Gives Reward
“God, and not man, is the judge of man's
work, and He will apportion to each his just
reward. It is not given to any human being
to judge between the different servants of
God. The Lord alone is the judge and
rewarder of every good work.” {AA 276.2}
17. Christ Is Law-Giver
“In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only
outlined their work, but gave them their message.
Teach the people, He said, "to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you." The disciples were
to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had
spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets
and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included.
Human teaching is shut out. There is no place for
tradition, for man's theories and conclusions, or for
church legislation. No laws ordained by
ecclesiastical authority are included in the
commission.
18. Christ Is Law-Giver
“None of these are Christ's servants to teach. "The law
and the prophets," with the record of His own words and
deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be
given to the world. Christ's name is their watchword, their
badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority
for their course of action, and the source of their
success. Nothing that does not bear His superscription is
to be recognized in His kingdom. {DA 826.1}
19. Position As Law-Giver
“Sometimes a man who has been placed in responsibility
as a leader, gains the idea that he is in a position of
supreme authority, and that all of his brethren, before
making advance moves, must first come to him for
permission to do that which they feel should be done.
Such a man is in a dangerous position. He has lost
sight of the work of a true leader among God's people.
20. Position As Law-Giver
“Instead of acting as a wise counselor, he assumes the
prerogatives of an exacting ruler. God is dishonored by
every such display of authority and self-exaltation. No
man standing in his own strength is ever to be mind and
judgment for another man whom the Lord is using in His
work. No one is to lay down man-made rules and
regulations to govern arbitrarily his fellow laborers
who have a living experience in the truth.--Testimonies to
Ministers, p. 491. {ChL 33.1}
21. Position As Law-Giver
“The high-handed power that has been
developed, as though position has made
men gods, makes me afraid, and ought to
cause fear. It is a curse wherever and by
whomsoever it is exercised.--TM 359-361
22. Man-made Rules
“Much precious time has been lost because man-made
rules and restrictions have been sometimes placed
above the plans and purposes of God. In the name of
the Lord I appeal to our conference workers to
strengthen and support and labor in harmony with our
brethren at Madison, who are carrying forward a work
that God has appointed them.” {SpM 412.1}
23. No Authority to Hinder
“The Lord uses many gifts in the work of saving sinners.
In the future, common men will be impressed by the
Spirit of God to leave their ordinary employment to go
forth and proclaim the last message of mercy. They are
to be strengthened and encouraged, and as fast as
possible prepared for labor, that success may crown
their efforts. They cooperate with unseen, heavenly
agencies, for they are willing to spend and be spent in
the service of the Master.
24. No Authority to Hinder
“They are laborers together with God, and their brethren
should bid them Godspeed, praying for them as they go
forth to fulfill the great commission. No one is
authorized to hinder such workers. They are to be
treated with the greatest respect. No taunting word is to
be spoken of them as in the rough places of the earth
they sow the gospel seed.”--Review and Herald, July 4,
1907. {YRP 209.4}
25. No Fear When Obeying
“The promise of the Saviour's presence was given in
connection with the great commission. "All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth," the Saviour said;
"go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. These are the words of
inspiration. You need not fear that you are making a
mistake by believing fully in them.” {RH, March 4,
1909 par. 6}
26. God is King
God is our King, and we are His subjects. A
mere knowledge of His will does not set aside
the necessity of offering earnest supplications
to Him for help, and of diligently seeking, by
obeying His law, to co-operate with Him in
answering the prayers offered. Thus His
kingdom is established in our hearts. {ST,
November 18, 1903 par. 7}
27. No Kingly Power
“In the work of the Lord for these last days there should
be no Jerusalem centers, no kingly power. And the
work in the different countries is not to be bound by
contracts to the work centering in Battle Creek, for this is
not God's plan. Brethren are to counsel together, for
we are just as much under the control of God in one part
of His vineyard as in another. Brethren are to be one in
heart and soul, even as Christ and the Father are one.
Teach this, practice this, that we may be one with Christ
in God, all working to build up one another. {PM 130.1}
28. No Kingly Power
"By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.
"Christ declared. Let us follow the Saviour's
example. Let none take upon himself the
grave responsibility of ruling the
conscience of his fellow men. This God
forbids. We are all God's little children. No
kingly power is to be exercised.” SpM 282.1}
29. God Alone Is Savior
Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the
LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen:
that ye may know and believe me, and
understand that I am he: before me there was
no God formed, neither shall there be after
me.
Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside
me there is no saviour.
30. Instruction To Peter
Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus,
Lord, and what shall this man do?
Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that
he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
follow thou me.
31. To Every Man His Work
“Men of varied gifts are needed. In the building of the
tabernacle, different lines of work were assigned to
different ones; but all worked under the supervision of
God. The Lord gives men talents that will enable them to
carry forward special lines of work. Each one is to be
allowed to do the work for which he is fitted. It is the
Lord's purpose that there shall be unity in diversity.
He endows men with different degrees of capability, and
then places them where they can do the work for which
they are best adapted. The trust given to each worker is
proportioned to his ability. {RH, June 30, 1904 par. 2}
32. To Every Man His Work
“While traveling in Switzerland, we passed by a large
building in process of erection. Many men were at work.
Some were bringing stone from the quarry; others were
squaring, shaping, and measuring these stones; and still
others were placing them in the building. In charge of the
different departments were experienced workers, whose
part it was to see that the work was done with care and
thoroughness. Over all the men, superintending the work
on the entire structure, was the master builder. {RH,
June 30, 1904 . 3}
33. To Every Man His Work
“United action and perfect order prevailed among the
men, and the work moved forward rapidly. Every one
was doing something. I was told that in the mountains
other men were felling trees for the timber needed in the
building, and floating them down the stream. {RH, June
30, 1904 par. 4}
34. To Every Man His Work
“To me this was an object-lesson of the way in which the
Lord's work is to be carried forward. In his work there are
many different branches. Workers of different talents and
capabilities are needed. Every one is to do his best,
under the direction of the great Head of the church.
{RH, June 30, 1904 par. 5}
35. To Every Man His Work
“But there has been and still is great danger of one man
meddling with another man's work, not from a desire
to help him, but in order to confuse him. The Lord is not
in this. He has not given to the one who is neglecting his
own work the outlines of his brother's work. How can one
improve the methods of his fellow worker by making
suggestions and criticisms that only harass and
discourage? If he will attend to his own work, the Great
Teacher, though unseen, will take the oversight of the
work that in his wisdom he has entrusted to other hands.
{RH, June 30, 1904 par. 6}
36. To Every Man His Work
“What was Christ's answer when Peter asked him
concerning the work of John? "Lord, and what shall this
man do?" Peter inquired. And Jesus answered, "If I will
that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou
me." {RH, June 30, 1904 par. 7}
37. To Every Man His Work
“Today many are making the mistake that
Peter made. They are so busily engaged in
trying to arrange their brother's work
according to their ideas that they neglect the
work God has placed in their own hands.
They lose all sense of the responsibility
resting on them. {RH, June 30, 1904 par. 8}
38. To Every Man His Work
“He who attempts to unravel another man's work will find
in his hands a tangle that he can not straighten. Let
every man stand in his own place, doing faithfully the
work committed to him. It is the questioning, criticizing
spirit cherished that puts so many workers in hard
places. Let men humble themselves before God, feeling
that it is a sin to criticize and condemn. Satan has snares
prepared for the feet of the one who is eager to place
himself where God has not placed him. {RH, June 30,
1904 par. 9}
39. To Every Man His Work
“How rapidly God's work would go forward if
when a man received a work from God, he
would put his own attention on the faithful
performance of this work, and if the next man,
receiving his task, would also do with humility
and fidelity the work entrusted to him,
perfecting it in the simplicity of true faith and
earnest prayer. {RH, June 30, 1904 par. 10}
40. To Every Man His Work
“Let men cease to complain and criticize, and
let them do their appointed work. Let them be
guided by the Lord. Then the different parts of
the work of God, varied in kind, and brought
together by Christ, the master workman, will
be found to fit perfectly. {RH, June 30, 1904
par. 11}
41. Examples of Gospel Order in
Apostolic Times
We are now going to focus upon how Gospel
worked in the days of the apostles. In true
Gospel Order, the Holy Spirit always held His
rightful place in all decisions and actions of
individuals and the church.
42. The Spirit Took Philip to Samaria
Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and
preached Christ unto them.
Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those
things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles
which he did.
Act 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out
of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with
palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus
Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
43. Angels Give Directions in Gospel Order
Act 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip,
saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that
goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Act 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of
Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace
queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her
treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Act 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read
Esaias the prophet.
44. Peter’s Unprecedented Act
Act 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision,
the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men
seek thee.
Act 10:20 Arise therefore, and get thee down,
and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have
sent them.
45. Peter’s Unprecedented Act
Act 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him,
and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Act 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself
also am a man.
Act 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found
many that were come together.
Act 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an
unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or
come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me
that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Act 10:29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as
soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have
sent for me?
46. Peter’s Unprecedented Act
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy
Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because
that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and
magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should
not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as
well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in
the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry
certain days.
47. He Speaks His Mysteries
Personally
“Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ; we are
to draw constantly from Him, partaking of Him, the living
Bread that came down from heaven, drawing from a
fountain ever fresh, ever giving forth its abundant
treasures. If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing
our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him,
we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life.
Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God
as we would talk with a friend. He will speak His
mysteries to us personally.
48. He Speaks His Mysteries
Personally
“Often there will come to us a sweet joyful sense of the
presence of Jesus. Often our hearts will burn within us
as He draws nigh to commune with us as He did with
Enoch. When this is in truth the experience of the
Christian, there is seen in his life a simplicity, a humility,
meekness, and lowliness of heart, that show to all with
whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and
learned of Him.” {COL 129.3}
49. Our Own Impulses
“All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart
work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify
Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts
and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying
Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The
will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in
doing His service. When we know God as it is our
privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual
obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of
Christ, through communion with God, sin will become
hateful to us.” {DA 668.3}