self denial, lift him up,author :josiah sarpong boateng,od

Self-denial - Our greatest need.

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Foreword


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Introduction

The Remnant Church is actually the only church that keep the

commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.-

Revelatons 12:17.The testimony of Jesus Christ is undoubtedly

the Spirit of Prophecy-Revelation 19:10. This Church keeps the

true Sabbath of God and with the help of the Gift of prophecy

abundant light has been thrown upon them with respect to

biblical truths. Christ is actually the able head and royal groom

of the Church and He loves the Church with a love stronger

than death. Every prophetical reckoning and qualification makes

it so clear that it is the constituents of this church (including

those who will heed the command to come out of Babylon-

Revelation 18:4) that our Lord Jesus Christ will come to redeem

home.

To my uttermost surprise many biblical expatiations attributes

this particular church and its members to the seventh or last

church addressed in Revelations 3:14-17,the Laodicean church,

for according to the Amen or The Faithful and True Witness

who is Jesus Christ, the church is “lukewarm”, ”poor”,

“miserable”, “blind” and “naked”. With my quest to know why

this is so I ended up with this compilation in your hand. The

main objective of the book is to arouse in those of us on whom

the last days of the earth’s history has dawned, the spirit of self

denial, self abnegation and selflessness coupled with true revival

and reformation for without them Jesus will spew us from His

mouth and we will never have access to the marriage supper of


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the Lamb of God. It also aims at pointing the remnant people

to the ONLY begotten of the father who actually condescended

to show mortal man what it means to empty self and carry one’s

cross. Brethren I appeal that you consider every phrase and

clause personal and with a prayerful heart for the issue of self is

the most dangerous problem driving many Christians on the

roadway to eternal destruction. Self is the most nearly incurable

malady hidden in the veins and tissues of each and every

descendant of the first Adam and the only way to deracinate it is

to lift up the last Adam(Jesus)1 as the Son of God, the Creator,

the Son of Man, the Bread of Life, the Divine Lawgiver, the

Master Teacher, the Chief Shepherd, the Crucified One, the

Healer of Body and Soul, the Head of the Church, Our

Advocate and Infallible Judge, and the Coming King. Our one

and only pattern is JESUS for He Himself said, “Take my yoke

upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

The greatest havoc I would have caused to your life was to

compile everything out the inadequacy of my mind. It would

have been a similitude of the blind leading the blind. In line with

that most of the quotes found in this book are from the Bible

and The Spirit Of Prophecy ( set of Books authored by Ellen G.

White- the most translated author in both the Christian and

literary world).

About her is written “Anyone who reads even a few pages of

the writings of Sister White can see that they are in the line of

self-denial and cross-bearing, not of a nature to please a worldly,

carnal heart.”—Elder J. N. Loughborough in his book Heavenly

Visions, page 47.


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Shortly after her death in 1915 The Independent news paper

wrote of her "In all this, Ellen G. White has been the inspiration

and guide. Here is a noble record, and she deserves great honor.

Did she really receive divine visions? . . . Why should we

answer? One's doctrine of the Bible may affect the conclusion.

At any rate, she was absolutely honest in her belief in her

revelations. Her life was worthy of them. She showed no

spiritual pride and she sought no filthy lucre. She lived the life

and did the work of a worthy prophetess." - The Independent, New

York, Aug. 23, 1915.

According to Mrs. White “We are in this world to lift the cross of self-denial. As we lift this cross we shall find that it lifts us”. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 45. The compiler’s comments have the subscript-(cc) and all

italicized parts of quotes are for emphasis and not from the

original source. S. B. Josiah

1-1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a

living soul; the last Adam was made a life-giving spirit.


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Inside this Book

THE LAODICEAN CONDITION .................................... 1

SELF-DENIAL, OUR GREATEST NEED ...................... 2

SELF-DENIAL AND CHRISTIAN LIVING ................... 3

SELF-DENIAL AND MISSION ....................................... 4

OUR ONLY EXAMPLE, THE PATTERN- JESUS ......... 5

THE METHODOLOGY OF LIFTING ........................... 6


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Chapter One

The

Laodicean

Condition


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Revelation 3:14-21---- And to the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. Thus because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and am grown rich, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that *thou* art the wretched and the miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of me gold purified by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. I rebuke and discipline as many as I love; be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me. He that overcomes, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne; as *I* also have overcome, and have sat down with my Father in his throne. The warning for the last church also must be proclaimed to all who claim to be Christians. The Laodicean message, like a sharp, two-edged sword, must go to all the churches: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth….Are we putting forth every effort that the churches may be warned? Testimonies for the church Volume 6,page 77 The Laodicean message applies to the people of God who profess to believe present truth. The greater part are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal. God signified that He wanted men at the great heart of the work to correct the state of things existing there and to stand like faithful sentinels at their post of duty. He has given them light at every point, to instruct, encourage, and confirm them, as the case required. But


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notwithstanding all this, those who should be faithful and true, fervent in Christian zeal, of gracious temper, knowing and loving Jesus earnestly, are found aiding the enemy to weaken and discourage those whom God is using to build up the work. The term "lukewarm" is applicable to this class. They profess to love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion. They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the principles of their faith. Testimonies for the church Volume 4, Page 87.1 The message to Laodicea is a true picture of the spiritual condition of the Remnant church during the last days of earth’s history and it’s Christ’s final appeal to the Remnant before the close of probation.(cc)

The reason for Laodicea’s lukewarm and wretched state is that self reigns in the heart and Christ is kept outside the door. I saw that some hardly know as yet what self-denial or sacrifice is, or what it is to suffer for the truth's sake. But none will enter heaven without making a sacrifice. A spirit of self-denial and sacrifice should be cherished. Some have not sacrificed themselves, their own bodies, on the altar of God. They indulge in hasty, fitful temper, gratify their appetites, and attend to their own self-interest, regardless of the cause of God. Those who are willing to make any sacrifice for eternal life, will have it; and it will be worth suffering for, worth crucifying self for, and sacrificing every idol for. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory swallows up everything and eclipses every earthly pleasure. Counsel to the Church. Page 44 In our character we may deny Him by loving our ease, by shunning the duties and burdens of life which someone must bear if we do not, and by loving sinful pleasure. We may also deny Christ by pride of dress and conformity to the world, or by uncourteous behavior. We may deny Him by loving our own opinions and by seeking


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to maintain and justify self. We may also deny Him in allowing the mind to run in the channel of lovesick sentimentalism and to brood over our supposed hard lot and trials. Counsel to the Church, Page 81 There is in man a disposition to esteem himself more highly than his brother, to work for self, to seek the highest place; and often this results in evil surmising and bitterness of spirit. Counsel to the Church, Page 300 "A pleasant, self-satisfied feeling is not an evidence of sanctification. Testimonies for the church, Volume 8 Page 253 Man's great danger is in being self-deceived, indulging self-sufficiency, and thus separating from God, the source of his strength. Our natural tendencies, unless corrected by the Holy Spirit of God, have in them the seeds of moral death. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we cannot resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. In order to receive help from Christ, we must realize our need. We must have a true knowledge of ourselves. It is only he who knows himself to be a sinner that Christ can save. Only as we see our utter helplessness and renounce all self-trust, shall we lay hold on divine power. Testimonies for the church, Volume 8 Page 315-6 There is a deplorable lack of spirituality among our people. A great work must be done for them before they can become what Christ designed they should be--the light of the world. For years I have felt deep anguish of soul as the Lord has presented before me the want in our churches of Jesus and His love. There has been a spirit of self-sufficiency and a disposition to strive for position and supremacy. I have seen that self-glorification was becoming common among Seventh-day Adventists and that unless the pride of man should be abased and Christ exalted we should, as a people, be in no better condition to receive Christ at His second advent than were the Jewish people to


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receive Him at His first advent. Testimonies for the church, Volume 5 Page 727 God will test the fidelity of His people. Many of the mistakes that are made by the professed servants of God are in consequence of their self-love, their desire for approval, their thirst for popularity. Blinded in this manner, they do not realize that they are elements of darkness rather than of light. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." These are the conditions upon which we may be acknowledged as the sons of God-- separation from the world, and renunciation of those things which delude, and fascinate, and ensnare. Testimonies for the church, Volume My brethren and sisters, it is too late to devote your time and strength to self-serving. Let not the last day find you destitute of the heavenly treasure. Seek to push the triumphs of the cross, seek to enlighten souls, labor for the salvation of your fellow beings, and your work will abide the trying test of fire.--Testimonies for the church, volume. 9, Page. 56. Legal religion will not answer for this age. We may perform all the outward acts of service, and yet be as destitute of the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit as the hills of Gilboa were destitute of dew and rain. We all need spiritual moisture; and we need also the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to soften and subdue our hearts. We are always to be as firm as a rock to principle. Bible principles are to be taught, and then backed up by holy practice.--Testimonies for the church, volume. 6, Page. 417, 418.


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Do not allow yourselves to be carried away with whimsical notions of honesty or self-sacrifice. I will prepare the way before you. Thus multitudes are deceived. They consent to live for the service of self, and Satan is satisfied…Desire of Ages.Page131 But self-will is blind. Desire of Ages. Page 211 . In the estimation of Heaven, what is it that constitutes greatness? Not that which the world accounts greatness; not wealth, or rank, or noble descent, or intellectual gifts, in themselves considered. If intellectual greatness, apart from any higher consideration, is worthy of honor, then our homage is due to Satan, whose intellectual power no man has ever equaled. But when perverted to self-serving, the greater the gift, the greater curse it becomes. Desire of Ages. Page 221 A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. Fasting or prayer that is actuated by a self-justifying spirit is an abomination in the sight of God. The solemn assembly for worship, the round of religious ceremonies, the external humiliation, the imposing sacrifice, proclaims that the doer of these things regards himself as righteous, and as entitled to heaven; but it is all a deception. Our own works can never purchase salvation. Desire of Ages. Page 280 They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them. And "whosoever shall deny Me before men," He says, "him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." Desire of Ages. Page 357 Many who profess His name have lost sight of the fact that Christians are to represent Christ. Unless there is practical self-


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sacrifice for the good of others, in the family circle, in the neighborhood, in the church, and wherever we may be, then whatever our profession, we are not Christians. Desire of Ages. Page 504 "One thing thou lackest," Jesus said. "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me." Christ read the ruler's heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul. This lack, unless supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become corrupted. By indulgence, selfishness would strengthen. That he might receive the love of God, his supreme love of self must be surrendered. Desire of Ages. Page 519 The powers of Satan are at work to keep minds diverted from eternal realities. The enemy has arranged matters to suit his own purposes. Worldly business, sports, the fashions of the day—these things occupy the minds of men and women. Amusements and unprofitable reading spoil the judgment. In the broad road that leads to eternal ruin there walks a long procession. The world, filled with violence, reveling, and drunkenness, is converting the church. The law of God, the divine standard of righteousness, is declared to be of no effect. Counsel to the Church, Page 52 In the kingdoms of the world, position meant self-aggrandizement. The people were supposed to exist for the benefit of the ruling classes. Influence, wealth, education, were so many means of gaining control of the masses for the use of the leaders. The higher classes were to think, decide, enjoy, and rule; the lower were to obey and serve. Religion, like all things else, was a matter of authority. The people were expected to believe and practice as their superiors directed. The right of man as man, to think and act for himself, was wholly unrecognized. Desire of Ages. Page 550


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No one can live the law of God without ministering to others. But there are many who do not live out Christ's merciful, unselfish life. Some who think themselves excellent Christians do not understand what constitutes service for God. They plan and study to please themselves. They act only in reference to self. Time is of value to them only as they can gather for themselves. In all the affairs of life this is their object. Not for others but for themselves do they minister……But self is so large that they cannot see anything else. They are not in touch with humanity. Those who thus live for self are like the fig tree, which made every pretension but was fruitless. They observe the forms of worship, but without repentance or faith. In profession they honor the law of God, but obedience is lacking. …. In the sentence pronounced on the fig tree Christ demonstrates how hateful in His eyes this vain pretense is. Desire of Ages. Page 584 There is a great lack of Christian fortitude and serving God from principle. We should not seek to please and gratify self, but to honor and glorify God, and in all we do and say to have an eye single to His glory. If we would let our hearts be impressed with the following important words, and ever bear them in mind, we should not so easily fall into temptation and our words would be few and well chosen: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” “Thou God sees me.” Early Writings Page 50 Many who profess the name of Christ and claim to be looking for His speedy coming, know not what it is to suffer for Christ’s sake. Their hearts are not subdued by grace, and they are not dead to self, as is often shown in various ways. At the same time they are talking of having trials. But the principal cause of their trials is a heart that is not subdued, which makes self so sensitive that it is often crossed. If such could realize what it is to be a humble follower of Christ, a true Christian, they would begin to work in


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good earnest and begin right. They would first die to self, then be instant in prayer, and check every passion of the heart. Give up your self-confidence and self-sufficiency, brethren, and follow the meek Pattern. Ever keep Jesus in your mind that He is your example and you must tread in His footsteps. Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. He endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself. He for our sins was once the meek, slain lamb, wounded, bruised, smitten, and afflicted. Early Writings Page 50 OUR CONDITION PAINTED MORE CLEARER (in visions received by Ellen G. White, Mrs.) It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner. They are professedly serving God, but they are more earnestly serving mammon. This half-and-half work is a constant denying of Christ, rather than a confessing of Christ. So many have brought into the church their own unsubdued spirit, unrefined; their spiritual taste is perverted by their own immoral, debasing corruptions, symbolizing the world in spirit, in heart, in purpose, confirming themselves in lustful practices, and are full of deception through and through in their professed Christian life. Living as sinners, claiming to be Christians! Those who claim to be Christians and will confess Christ should come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing, and be separate. . . . I lay down my pen and lift up my soul in prayer that the Lord would breathe upon His backslidden people, who are as dry bones, that they may live. The end is near, stealing upon us so stealthily, so imperceptibly, so noiselessly, like the muffled tread of the thief in the night, to surprise the sleepers off guard and unready. May the Lord grant to bring His Holy Spirit upon hearts that are now at ease, that they may no longer


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sleep as do others, but watch and be sober.--General Conference Bulletin, 1893, Page. 132, fruit of holiness. Not one in a hundred among us is doing anything beyond engaging in common, worldly enterprises. We are not half awake to the worth of the souls for whom Christ died.-- Testimonies for the church, volume. 8, Page 148 Another reason which I offer as an apology for calling attention again to the subject of dress is that not one in twenty of the sisters who profess to believe the Testimonies for the church has taken the first step in the dress reform. It may be said that Sister White generally wears her dresses in public longer than the dress she recommends to others. To this I reply, When I visit a place to speak to the people where the subject is new and prejudice exists, I think it best to be careful and not close the ears of the people by wearing a dress which would be objectionable to them. But after bringing the subject before them and fully explaining my position, I then appear before them in the reform dress, illustrative of my teachings. Testimonies for the church Volume 1 Page 465,466 Young Sabbath keepers are given to pleasure seeking. I saw that there is not one in twenty who knows what experimental religion is. They are constantly grasping after something to satisfy their desire for change, for amusement; and unless they are undeceived and their sensibilities aroused so that they can say from the heart, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord," they are not worthy of Him and will come short of everlasting life. The young, generally, are in a terrible deception, and yet they profess godliness. Their unconsecrated lives are a reproach to the Christian name; their example is a snare to others. They hinder the sinner, for in nearly every respect they are no better than unbelievers. They have the word of God, but its warnings, admonitions, reproofs, and


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corrections are unheeded, as are also the encouragements and promises to the obedient and faithful. God's promises are all on condition of humble obedience. One pattern only is given to the young, but how do their lives compare with the life of Christ? I feel alarmed as I witness everywhere the frivolity of young men and young women who profess to believe the truth. God does not seem to be in their thoughts. Their minds are filled with nonsense. Their conversation is only empty, vain talk Testimonies for the church Volume 1 Page 498. Not one in twenty of those who have a good standing with Seventh-day Adventists is living out the self-sacrificing principles of the word of God. But let not their enemies, who are destitute of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, take advantage of the fact that they are reproved. This is evidence that they are the children of the Lord. Those who are without chastisement, says the apostle, are bastards and not sons. Then let not these illegitimate children boast over the lawful sons and daughters of the Almighty. Testimonies for the church Volume 1 Page 632 I saw that there is not one in twenty of the youth who knows what experimental religion is. They serve themselves and yet profess to be servants of Christ; but unless the spell which is upon them be broken, they will soon realize that the portion of the transgressor is theirs. As for self-denial or sacrifice for the truth's sake, they have found an easier way above it all. As for the earnest pleading with tears and strong cries to God for His pardoning grace and for strength from Him to resist the temptations of Satan, they have found it unnecessary to be so earnest and zealous; they can get along well without it. Christ, the King of glory, went often alone to the mountains and desert places to pour out His soul's request to His Father; but sinful man, in whom is no strength, thinks he can live without so much prayer. "Testimonies for the church for the Church," Volume. I, pages 503-505 / Messages to Young People Page 383


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By Nature We Are Self-centered.--Naturally we are self-

centered and opinionated. But when we learn the lessons that

Christ desires to teach us, we become partakers of His nature;

henceforth we live His life. The wonderful example of Christ,

the matchless tenderness with which He entered into the

feelings of others, weeping with those who wept, rejoicing with

those who rejoiced, must have a deep influence upon the

character of all who follow Him in sincerity. By kindly words

and acts they will try to make the path easy for weary feet.—

Ministry of Healing, Page 157, 158 (1905).

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,

and repent. Revelation 3:19.

The counsel of the true Witness does not represent those who

are lukewarm as in a hopeless case. There is yet a chance to

remedy their state, and the Laodicean message is full of

encouragement. . . . Purity of heart, purity of motive, may yet

characterize those who are halfhearted and who are striving to

serve God and mammon. They may yet wash their robes of

character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Our

High Calling, Page 351


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Chapter Two

Self-Denial

Our

Greatest

Need


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We all need to come into a self-sacrificing position before God if our work is to be accepted by Him. Let us remember that profession is nothing unless we have the truth in the heart. Testimonies for the church Volume 9,Page 106 Every church member should cherish a spirit of sacrifice. In every home there should be taught lessons of self-denial. Fathers and mothers, teach your children to economize. Encourage them to save their pennies for missionary work. Christ is our example. For our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He taught that all should come together in love and unity, to work as He worked, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, to love as the children of God. My brethren and sisters, you must be willing to be converted yourselves in order to practice the self-denial of Christ. Testimonies for the church, Volume 9, Page 131-2 Oh, how many lose the richest blessings that God has in store for them in health and spiritual endowments! There are many souls who wrestle for special victories and special blessings that they may do some great thing. To this end they are always feeling that they must make an agonizing struggle in prayer and tears. When these persons search the Scriptures with prayer to know the expressed will of God, and then do His will from the heart without one reservation or self-indulgence, they will find rest. All the agonizing, all the tears and struggles, will not bring them the blessing they long for. Self must be entirely surrendered. They must do the work that presents itself, appropriating the abundance of the grace of God which is promised to all who ask in faith. Testimonies for the church, Volume 9, Page 165 "If any man will come after Me," said Jesus, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23. Let us follow the Saviour in His simplicity and self-denial. Let us lift up the Man of Calvary by word and by holy living. The Saviour comes very near to those who consecrate themselves to God. If


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ever there was a time when we needed the working of the Spirit of God upon our hearts and lives, it is now. Let us lay hold of this divine power for strength to live a life of holiness and self-surrender Testimonies for the church, Volume 9,Page 165-166 Everyone who enters the pearly gates of the city of God will enter there as a conqueror, and his greatest conquest will have been the conquest of self. Testimonies for the church, Volume 9,Page 183 Never was there a time when it was more important that we should deny ourselves and take up the cross daily than now. How much self-denial are we willing to practice? Testimonies for the church, Volume 9,Page 186 I saw that some hardly know as yet what self-denial or sacrifice is, or what it is to suffer for the truth's sake. But none will enter heaven without making a sacrifice. A spirit of self-denial and sacrifice should be cherished. Some have not sacrificed themselves, their own bodies, on the altar of God. They indulge in hasty, fitful temper, gratify their appetites, and attend to their own self-interest, regardless of the cause of God. Those who are willing to make any sacrifice for eternal life, will have it; and it will be worth suffering for, worth crucifying self for, and sacrificing every idol for. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory swallows up everything and eclipses every earthly pleasure. Counsels To The Church Page 44 Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. Satan lives, and is active, and every day we need to cry earnestly to God for help and strength to resist him. As long as Satan reigns we shall have self to subdue, besetments to overcome, and there is no stopping place, there is no point to which we can come and say we have fully attained. The Christian life is constantly an onward march. Jesus sits as a refiner and purifier of His people; and when His image is perfectly reflected


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in them, they are perfect and holy, and prepared for translation. Counsels To The Church Page 51 . But were there the same diligence and self-sacrifice manifest at the present stage of the work as at its beginning, we should see a hundred times more than is now accomplished. Counsels To The Church Page 63 It is evident that all the sermons that have been preached have not developed a large class of self-denying workers. This subject is to be considered as involving the most serious results. Our future for eternity is at stake Counsels To The Church Page 68 Strive earnestly for unity. Pray for it, work for it. It will bring spiritual health, elevation of thought, nobility of character, heavenly-mindedness, enabling you to overcome selfishness and evil surmisings, and to be more than conquerors through Him that loved you and gave Himself for you. Crucify self; esteem others better than yourselves. Thus you will be brought into oneness with Christ. Before the heavenly universe, and before Counsels to the Church Page 290 There must be far greater humility, a much greater distinction from the world, among Seventh-day Adventists, else God will not accept us, whatever our position or the character of the work in which we are engaged. Economy and self-denial will furnish many in moderate circumstances with means for benevolence. It is the duty of all to learn of Christ, to walk humbly in the self-denying path in which the Majesty of heaven trod. The whole Christian life should be one of self-denial, that, when calls for help are made, we may be ready to respond. Counsels To The Church Page 296-7 It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power outside of ourselves;


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therefore there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a constant, earnest confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Perils surround us; and we are safe only as we feel our weakness and cling with the grasp of faith to our mighty Deliverer Testimonies for the church,Volume 8,Page 316 To all who are willing for self to be humbled are given God's promises: "I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee." Exodus 33:19, A. R. V. "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3. "Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," will be given unto us, "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him," that we "may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," that we may be "filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:20; 1:17; 3:18, 19. This is the knowledge which God is inviting us to receive, and beside which all else is vanity and nothingness Testimonies for the church, Volume 8, Page.335 Those who handle precious truth as they would sand know not how many times their heartless indifference to eternal things, their vanity, self-love, and pride, their laughing and senseless chatting, have driven the messengers of heaven away from the office. Testimonies for the church, Volume 1, Page 591 There is a deplorable lack of spirituality among our people. A great work must be done for them before they can become what Christ designed they should be--the light of the world. For years I have felt deep anguish of soul as the Lord has presented before me the want in our churches of Jesus and His love. There has been a spirit of self-sufficiency and a disposition to strive for position and


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supremacy. I have seen that self-glorification was becoming common among Seventh-day Adventists and that unless the pride of man should be abased and Christ exalted we should, as a people, be in no better condition to receive Christ at His second advent than were the Jewish people to receive Him at His first advent. Testimonies for the church, Volume 5, Page 727 God will test the fidelity of His people. Many of the mistakes that are made by the professed servants of God are in consequence of their self-love, their desire for approval, their thirst for popularity. Blinded in this manner, they do not realize that they are elements of darkness rather than of light. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." These are the conditions upon which we may be acknowledged as the sons of God-- separation from the world, and renunciation of those things which delude, and fascinate, and ensnare. Testimonies for the church, Volume 5, Page 12 The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. Desire of Ages 300 "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." The simplicity, the self-forgetfulness, and the confiding love of a little child are the attributes that Heaven values. These are the characteristics of real greatness. "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name," said Jesus, "receiveth Me: and whosoever shall


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receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me." "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: . . . but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." Isa. 66:1, 2. The Saviour's words awakened in the disciples a feeling of self-distrust. Desire Of Ages Page 437 Submission to Christ and faith in Him are here represented. To fall upon the Rock and be broken is to give up our self-righteousness and to go to Christ with the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions, and believing in His forgiving love. And so also it is by faith and obedience that we build on Christ as our foundation. Desire Of Ages Page 584 Defects of character, neglect of duties, ingratitude to God, coldness toward our brethren, are called to remembrance. Sin is seen in the light in which God views it. Our thoughts are not thoughts of self complacency, but of severe self-censure and humiliation. The mind is energized to break down every barrier that has caused alienation. Evil thinking and evil speaking are put away. Sins are confessed, they are forgiven. The subduing grace of Christ comes into the soul, and the love of Christ draws hearts together in a blessed unity. Desire of Ages Page 650-1 When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence that is above every human influence Desire Of Ages Page.678 It is time now for men to humble their hearts before God and to learn to work in His ways. Let those who have sought to rule their fellow workers study to know what manner of spirit they are of. They should seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, and in humility of soul. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 256


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Many who profess the name of Christ and claim to be looking for His speedy coming, know not what it is to suffer for Christ’s sake. Their hearts are not subdued by grace, and they are not dead to self, as is often shown in various ways. At the same time they are talking of having trials. But the principal cause of their trials is a heart that is not subdued, which makes self so sensitive that it is often crossed. If such could realize what it is to be a humble follower of Christ, a true Christian, they would begin to work in good earnest and begin right. They would first die to self, then be instant in prayer, and check every passion of the heart. Give up your self-confidence and self-sufficiency, brethren, and follow the meek Pattern. Early Writings Page 113


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Hover O’er Me, Holy Spirit 8.7.8.7. Ref. Hover o’er me, Holy Spirit, Bathe my trembling heart and brow; Fill me with Thy hallowed presence, Come, O come and fill me now. Refrain Fill me now, fill me now, Jesus, come and fill me now; Fill me with Thy hallowed presence, Come, O come, and fill me now. 2 Thou canst fill me, gracious Spirit, Though I cannot tell Thee how; But I need Thee, greatly need Thee, Come, O come and fill me now. 3 I am weakness, full of weakness, At Thy sacred feet I bow; Blest, divine, eternal Spirit, Fill with power and fill me now. 4 Cleanse and comfort, bless and save me, Bathe, O bathe my heart and brow; Thou art comforting and saving, Thou at sweetly filling now. Ellwood H. Stokes, 1879 (1815-1895)


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Chapter Three

Self-Denial

And

Christian

Living


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STEWARDSHIP In the following words the apostle Paul describes those who withhold from God His own: "They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:9, 10. It means much to sow beside all waters. It means a continual imparting of gifts and offerings. God will furnish facilities so that the faithful steward of His entrusted means shall be supplied with a sufficiency in all things, and be enabled to abound to every good work. "As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness." 2 Corinthians 9:9, 10. The seed sown with full, liberal hand is taken charge of by the Lord. He who ministers seed to the sower gives His worker that which enables him to co-operate with the Giver of the seed. The Lord now calls upon Seventh-day Adventists in every locality to consecrate themselves to Him and to do their very best, according to their circumstances, to assist in His work. By their liberality in making gifts and offerings, He desires them to reveal their appreciation of His blessings and their gratitude for His mercy. My dear brethren and sisters, all the money we have is the Lord's. I now appeal to you in the name of the Lord to unite in carrying to successful completion the enterprises that have been undertaken in the counsels of God. Let not the work of establishing memorials for God in many places be made difficult and burdensome because the necessary means is withheld. Let not those who are struggling to build up important enterprises, great and small, become disheartened because we are slow to unite in placing these enterprises in a position to do efficient service. Let all our people arise and see what they can do. Let them show that there


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is unity and strength among Seventh-day Adventists. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 131-133 My brethren and sisters, you must be willing to be converted yourselves in order to practice the self-denial of Christ. Dress plainly but neatly. Spend as little as possible upon yourselves. Keep in your homes a self-denial box into which you can put the money saved by little acts of self-denial. Day by day gain a clearer understanding of the word of God, and improve every opportunity to impart the knowledge you have gained. Do not become weary in well-doing, for God is constantly imparting to you the great blessing of His Gift to the world. Co-operate with the Lord Jesus, and He will teach you the priceless lessons of His love. Time is short; in due season when time shall be no longer, you will receive your reward. To those who love God sincerely and have means, I am bidden to say: Now is the time for you to invest your means in sustaining the work of the Lord. Now is the time to uphold the hands of the ministers in their self-denying efforts to save perishing souls. When you meet in the heavenly courts the souls you have helped to save, will you not have a glorious reward? Let none withhold their mites, and let those who have much rejoice that they can lay up in heaven a treasure that faileth not. The money that we refuse to invest in the work of the Lord, will perish. On it no interest will accumulate in the bank of heaven. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 132 In almsgiving, in prayer, in fasting, He said, let nothing be done to attract attention or win praise to self Give in sincerity, for the benefit of the suffering poor. In prayer, let the soul commune with God. In fasting, go not with the head bowed down, and heart filled with thoughts of self. The heart of the Pharisee is a barren and profitless soil, in which no seeds of divine life can flourish. It is he who yields himself most unreservedly to God that will render Him the most acceptable service. Desire of Ages 2


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Instead of gratifying selfish inclination, spending money for those things that destroy the reasoning faculties, study how to deny self, that you may have something to invest in lifting the standard of truth in new fields. The intellect is a talent; use it in studying how best to employ your means for the salvation of souls……Work for others will require effort, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. But what is the little sacrifice that we can make in comparison with the sacrifice which God has made for us in the gift of His only-begotten Son? … Counsel to the Church,Page..283 . There must be far greater humility, a much greater distinction from the world, among Seventh-day Adventists, else God will not accept us, whatever our position or the character of the work in which we are engaged. Economy and self-denial will furnish many in moderate circumstances with means for benevolence. It is the duty of all to learn of Christ, to walk humbly in the self-denying path in which the Majesty of heaven trod. The whole Christian life should be one of self-denial, that, when calls for help are made, we may be ready to respond. Counsel to the Church, Page 296-7 The love expressed on Calvary should be revived, strengthened, and diffused among our churches. Shall we not do all we can to give power to the principles which Christ brought to this world? Shall we not strive to establish and give efficiency to the benevolent enterprises which are now called for without delay? Christ's believing people are to perpetuate His love. This love is to draw them together round the cross. It is to divest them of all selfishness, and bind them to God and to one another. Meet around the cross of Calvary in self-sacrifice and self-denial. As you stand before the cross, and see the royal Prince of heaven dying for you, can you seal your heart, saying, "No; I have nothing to give"? God will bless you as you do your best. As you approach the throne of grace, as you find yourself bound to this throne by the golden chain let down from heaven to


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earth to draw men from the pit of sin, your heart will go out in love for your brethren and sisters who are without God and without hope in the world. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Pages. 253-256. . Self cannot be made a center; self can receive no honor. If we plan according to our own ideas, the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes. But when, after following His directions, we are brought into strait places, He will deliver us. Desire of Ages Page 369 . There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, by putting self aside makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. Desire of Ages Page 250-1 Index


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Have Thine Own Way, Lord 9.9.9.9.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Search me and try me, Master today! Whiter than snow, Lord, Wash me just now, As in thy presence humbly I bow. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray! Power, all power, surely is thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!

Adelaide Pollard SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION [1]Isa 64:8 [2]Ps 139:23, Isa 1:18 [3]Matt 6:13, Luke 22:51 [4]Eph 3:17


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DRESSING Do not occupy your time by endeavoring to follow all the foolish fashions in dress. Dress neatly and becomingly, but do not make yourself the subject of remarks either by being overdressed or by dressing in a lax, untidy manner. Act as though you knew that the eye of heaven is upon you, and that you are living under the approbation or disapprobation of God. Self-denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly, abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith. Counsel to the Church,Page181 Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. I have been shown that our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline. If there is a continuance, in face of warnings and appeals and entreaties, to still follow the perverse will, it may be regarded as proof that the heart is in no way assimilated to Christ. Self, and only self, is the object of adoration, and one such professed Christian will lead many away from God. There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with their faith. We must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion. Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized. Testimonies for the church for the Church, Page 647-648 The powers of Satan are at work to keep minds diverted from eternal realities. The enemy has arranged matters to suit his own purposes. Worldly business, sports, the fashions of the day,--these things occupy the minds of men and women. Amusements and unprofitable reading spoil the judgment. In the broad road that leads to eternal ruin there walks a long


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procession. The world, filled with violence, reveling, and drunkenness, is converting the church. The law of God, the divine standard of righteousness, is declared to be of no effect .Mrs. E. G. White, January 12, 1911. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE We must abstain from any practice which will blunt the conscience or encourage temptation. We must open no door that will give Satan access to the mind of one human being formed in the image of God. Counsel to the Church, Page 154 The only safe course is to touch not, taste not, and handle not, tea, coffee, wines, tobacco, opium, and alcoholic drinks. The necessity for the men of this generation to call to their aid the power of the will, strengthened by the grace of God, in order to withstand the temptations of Satan and resist the least indulgence of perverted appetite is twice as great as it was several generations ago. But the present generation has less power of self-control than had those who lived then. Counsel to the Church, Page 105 They may employ their precious time in educating the tastes and appetites of their children, in forming habits of temperance in all things, and in encouraging self-denial and benevolence for the good of others. Counsel to the Church, Page 107 I saw that there was danger of the saints making too great preparations for conferences; that some were cumbered with too much serving; that the appetite must be denied. There is danger of some attending the meetings for the loaves and fishes. I saw that all those who are indulging self by using the filthy weed tobacco, should lay it aside and put their means to a better use. Those make a sacrifice that deprive themselves of some gratification and take the means they formerly used to gratify the appetite and put it into the treasury of the Lord. Like the widow’s two mites, such gifts will be noticed of God... Many think that


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because God has given them the means, they may live almost above want, can have rich food, and clothe themselves abundantly, and that it is no virtue to deny themselves when they have enough. Such do not sacrifice. If they would live a little poorer and give to the cause of God to help forward the truth, it would be a sacrifice on their part, and when God rewards every man according to his works, it would be remembered by Him. Early Writings Page 122. Men and women who are otherwise sensible and conscientious close their ears to counsel; they are deaf to the appeals and entreaties of friends and kindred and of the servants of God. The expression of a caution or warning is regarded as impertinent meddling, and the friend who is faithful enough to utter a remonstrance is treated as an enemy. All this is as Satan would have it. He weaves his spell about the soul, and it becomes bewitched, infatuated. Reason lets fall the reins of self-control upon the neck of lust; unsanctified passion bears sway, until, too late, the victim awakens to a life of misery and bondage. This is not a picture drawn by the imagination, but a recital of facts. God's sanction is not given to unions which He has expressly forbidden. Counsel to the Church, Page 120 By the grace of Christ you can gain the victory over self and selfishness. As you live His life, showing self-sacrifice at every step, constantly revealing a stronger sympathy for those in need of help, you will gain victory after victory. Day by day you will learn better how to conquer self and how to strengthen your weak points of character. The Lord Jesus will be your light your strength, your crown of rejoicing, because you yield your will to His will. Counsel to the Church, Page 133 PARENTING AND THE ADVENTIST HOME Parents should first learn to control themselves, then they can more successfully control their children. Every time they lose


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self-control, and speak and act impatiently, they sin against God. They should first reason with their children, clearly point out their wrongs, show them their sin, and impress upon them that they have not only sinned against their parents, but against God. With your own heart subdued and full of pity and sorrow for your erring children, pray with them before correcting them. Then your correction will not cause your children to hate you. They will love you. They will see that you do not punish them because they have put you to inconvenience, or because you wish to vent your displeasure upon them; but from a sense of duty, for their good, that they may not be left to grow up in sin. Counsel to the Church, Page 192 Those students who profess to love God and obey the truth should possess that degree of self-control and strength of religious principle that will enable them to remain unmoved amid temptations and to stand up for Jesus in the college, at their boardinghouses, or wherever they may be. Religion is not to be worn merely as a cloak in the house of God, but religious principle must characterize the entire life. Counsel to the Church, Page 211-212 If you are striving for the immortal inheritance with an earnestness, energy, and zeal proportionate to its value, then can you be a fair candidate for everlasting life, and heir of glory. You need a fresh conversion every day. Die daily to self, keep your tongue as with a bridle, control your words, cease your murmurings and complaints, let not one word of censure escape your lips. If this requires a great effort, make it; you will be repaid in so doing. Testimonies for the church Volume 1 Page 699 He who loves Christ the most will do the greatest amount of good. There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, by putting self aside makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. If men will endure the necessary discipline, without complaining or fainting by the way, God will


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teach them hour by hour, and day by day. He longs to reveal His grace. Desire of Ages Page 250-1 The words of Paul reveal the true dignity and honor of the Christian life: "Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all," "not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." 1 Cor. 9:19; 10:33. Desire of Ages Page 551 Defects of character, neglect of duties, ingratitude to God, coldness toward our brethren, are called to remembrance. Sin is seen in the light in which God views it. Our thoughts are not thoughts of self complacency, but of severe self-censure and humiliation. The mind is energized to break down every barrier that has caused alienation. Evil thinking and evil speaking are put away. Sins are confessed, they are forgiven. The subduing grace of Christ comes into the soul, and the love of Christ draws hearts together in a blessed unity. Desire of Ages Page 650-1


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Chapter Four

Self-Denial

And

Mission.


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In order that the gospel may go to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, self-sacrifice must be maintained. Those in positions of trust are in all things to act as faithful stewards, conscientiously guarding the funds that have been created by the people. Testimonies for the church Volume 7 Page 215 God is grieved as He sees the lack of self-denial and perseverance in His servants. Angels are amazed at the spectacle. Let workers for Christ study His life of self-sacrifice. He is our example. Can the ministers of today expect to be called on to endure less hardship than did the early Christians, the Waldenses, and reformers in every age in their efforts to carry the gospel to every land? God has entrusted to His ministers the work of proclaiming His last message of mercy to the world. He is displeased with those who do not throw their whole energies into this all-important work. Testimonies for the church Volume 7 Page 257 Co-operate with the Lord Jesus, and He will teach you the priceless lessons of His love. Time is short; in due season when time shall be no longer, you will receive your reward. To those who love God sincerely and have means, I am bidden to say: Now is the time for you to invest your means in sustaining the work of the Lord. Now is the time to uphold the hands of the ministers in their self-denying efforts to save perishing souls. When you meet in the heavenly courts the souls you have helped to save, will you not have a glorious reward? Let none withhold their mites, and let those who have much rejoice that they can lay up in heaven a treasure that faileth not. The money that we refuse to invest in the work of the Lord, will perish. On it no interest will accumulate in the bank of heaven. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 132 Will you, my ministering brethren, grasp the rich promises of God? Will you put self out of sight and let Jesus appear? Self must die before God can work through you. I feel alarmed as I see self cropping out in one and another here and there. I tell you, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, your wills must die; they must become as God's


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will. He wants to melt you over and to cleanse you from every defilement. There is a great work to be done for you before you can be filled with the power of God. I beseech you to draw nigh to Him, that you may realize His rich blessing before this meeting closes. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 181-2 Brethren who could work together in harmony if they would learn of Christ, forgetting that they are Americans or Europeans, Germans or Frenchmen, Swedes, Danes, or Norwegians, seem to feel that if they should blend with those of other nationalities, something of that which is peculiar to their own country and nation would be lost and something else would take its place. My brethren, let us put all this aside. We have no right to keep our minds stayed on ourselves, our preferences, and our fancies. We are not to seek to maintain a peculiar identity of our own, a personality, an individuality, which will separate us from our fellow laborers. We have a character to maintain, but it is the character of Christ. Having the character of Christ, we can carry on the work of God together. The Christ in us will meet the Christ in our brethren, and the Holy Spirit will give that union of heart and action which testifies to the world that we are children of God. May the Lord help us to die to self and be born again, that Christ may live in us, a living, active principle, a power that will keep us holy. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 187-8 Meet around the cross of Calvary in self-sacrifice and self-denial. God will bless you as you do your best. As you approach the throne of grace, as you find yourself bound to this throne by the golden chain let down from heaven to earth to draw men from the pit of sin, your heart will go out in love for your brethren and sisters who are without God and without hope in the world. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 256 There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit


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upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. Counsel to the Church 100 I’LL GO WHERE YOU WANT ME TO GO It may not be on the mountain’s height, Or over the stormy sea; It may not be at the battle’s front My Lord will have need of me; But if by a still, small voice He calls to paths I do not know, I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine, I’ll go where You want me to go. Refrain I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord, O’er mountain, or plain, or sea; I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what You want me to be. Perhaps today there are loving words Which Jesus would have me speak; There may be now, in the paths of sin, Some wanderer whom I should seek. O Savior, if Thou will be my Guide, Tho’ dark and rugged way, My voice shall echo the message sweet, I’ll say what You want me to say. There’s surely somewhere a lowly place In earth’s harvest fields so wide, Where I may labor thro’ life’s short day For Jesus, the crucified. So, trusting my all unto Thy care, I know Thou lovest me! I’ll do Your will with a heart sincere,


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I’ll be what You want me to be. Those who deny self to do others good, and who devote themselves and all they have to Christ's service, will realize the happiness which the selfish man seeks for in vain. Said our Saviour: "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33. Charity "seeketh not her own." This is the fruit of that disinterested love and benevolence which characterized the life of Christ. The law of God in our hearts will bring our own interests in subordination to high and eternal considerations. Counsel to the Church 284 Self-denial and self-sacrifice are to be shown. We are to work as Christ worked, in simplicity and meekness, in lowliness and consecration. Thus we shall be enabled to do work distinct from all other missionary work in our world. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 183-184 Many are looking with self-complacency upon the long years during which they have advocated the truth. They now feel that they are entitled to a reward for their past trials and obedience. But this genuine experience in the things of God in the past makes them more guilty before Him for not preserving their integrity and going forward to perfection. The faithfulness for the past year will never atone for the neglect of the present year. A man's truthfulness yesterday will not atone for his falsehood today. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 63 So with all who bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ: self-love, self-interest, must perish; the life must be cast into the furrow of the world's need. But the law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away. So the life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man. Education. Page 49 When we work with all the sanctified ability that God has given us, when we put aside our will for the will of God, when self is


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crucified day by day, then good results are seen. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 185 THE GREAT MEN OF GOD LEARNT THE LESSONS OF SELF-ABNEGATION Moses, David, Elijah As the disciples had seen the success of their labors, they were in danger of taking credit to themselves, in danger of cherishing spiritual pride, and thus falling under Satan's temptations. A great work was before them, and first of all they must learn that their strength was not in self, but in God. Like Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, like David among the hills of Judea, or Elijah by the brook Cherith, the disciples needed to come apart from the scenes of their busy activity, to commune with Christ, with nature, and with their own hearts. Desire Of Ages,361 John ,The Baptist. John the Baptist in his desert life was taught of God. He studied the revelations of God in nature. Under the guiding of the Divine Spirit, he studied the scrolls of the prophets. By day and by night, Christ was his study, his meditation, until mind and heart and soul were filled with the glorious vision. He looked upon the King in His beauty, and self was lost sight of. He beheld the majesty of holiness and knew himself to be inefficient and unworthy. It was God's message that he was to declare. It was messenger, unawed by the human, because he had looked upon the Divine. He could stand fearless in the presence of earthly monarchs because with trembling he had bowed before the King of kings. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 331-2 In order to give such a message as John gave, we must have a spiritual experience like his. The same work must be wrought in us. We must behold God, and in beholding Him lose sight of self. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 333


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Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life. Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be lifted up. "Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 333-4 To all who are willing for self to be humbled are given God's promises: "I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee." Exodus 33:19, A. R. V. "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3. "Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," will be given unto us, "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him," that we "may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," that we may be "filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:20; 1:17; 3:18, 19. This is the knowledge which God is inviting us to receive, and beside which all else is vanity and nothingness. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 335 Some will get above the simplicity of the work and will feel that they are sufficient when their strength is perfect weakness. God


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will be glorified in this great work. And unless they cherish deep and constant humility and a firm trust in God, they will trust in self, indulge self-sufficiency, and one or more will drink the bitter cup of affliction. As the work increases, there is greater necessity for thorough trust in God and dependence upon Him and a thorough interest in, and devotion to, the work. Selfish interests should be laid aside. There should be much prayer, much meditation, for this is highly necessary for the success and prosperity of the work. Testimonies for the church Volume 1 Page 587 If you walk contrary to God, He will walk contrary to you. God wants to use you, but you must die to self and sacrifice your pride. The Lord designs to use you in His cause if you will follow His opening providence and heartily and fully sanctify yourself and cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Testimonies for the church Volume 1 Page.589 Those who handle precious truth as they would stand know not how many times their heartless indifference to eternal things, their vanity, self-love, and pride, their laughing and senseless chatting, have driven the messengers of heaven away from the office. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 591 He looked upon the King in His beauty, and self was forgotten. He beheld the majesty of holiness, and felt himself to be inefficient and unworthy. He was ready to go forth as Heaven's messenger, unawed by the human, because he had looked upon the Divine. He could stand erect and fearless in the presence of earthly monarchs, because he had bowed low before the King of kings…..JOHN THE BAPTIST…Desire Of Ages,Page 103 Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a


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cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life. Desire Of Ages, Page 179 Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, "He must increase, but I must decrease." Desire Of Ages, Page 182 The principle of the Baptist's own life of self-abnegation was the principle of the Messiah's kingdom. Desire Of Ages, Page 218 Before honor is humility. To fill a high place before men, Heaven chooses the worker who, like John the Baptist, takes a lowly place before God. The most childlike disciple is the most efficient in labor for God. The heavenly intelligences can co-operate with him who is seeking, not to exalt self, but to save souls. He who feels most deeply his need of divine aid will plead for it; and the Holy Spirit will give unto him glimpses of Jesus that will strengthen and uplift the soul. From communion with Christ he will go forth to work for those who are perishing in their sins. He is anointed for his mission; and he succeeds where many of the learned and intellectually wise would fail. Desire Of Ages, Page 436 Apostle Peter Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and fixing them upon Jesus, cries, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Desire Of Ages, Page 382


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Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,--to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ Desire Of Ages,.Page382 When Peter said he would follow his Lord to prison and to death, he meant it, every word of it; but he did not know himself. Hidden in his heart were elements of evil that circumstances would fan into life. Unless he was made conscious of his danger, these would prove his eternal ruin. The Saviour saw in him a self-love and assurance that would overbear even his love for Christ. Much of infirmity, of unmortified sin, carelessness of spirit, unsanctified temper, heedlessness in entering into temptation, had been revealed in his experience. Christ's solemn warning was a call to heart searching. Peter needed to distrust himself and to have a deeper faith in Christ. Had he in humility received the warning, he would have appealed to the Shepherd of the flock to keep His sheep. When on the Sea of Galilee he was about to sink, he cried, "Lord, save me." Matt. 14:30. Then the hand of Christ was Outstretched Desire Of Ages, Page 673 It was after Peter had been led to self-renunciation and dependence upon divine power that he received the call to his work for Christ. Desire Of Ages, Page 248 Apostle Paul Paul's sanctification was the result of a constant conflict with self. He said: "I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31. His will and his


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desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did God's will, however crucifying to his own nature. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 313 The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who on earth has drunk most deeply of the spirit of His self-sacrificing love,--love that "vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, . . . seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil" (1 Cor. 13:4, 5),--love that moves the disciple, as it moved our Lord, to give all, to live and labor and sacrifice, even unto death, for the saving of humanity. This spirit was made manifest in the life of Paul. He said, "For to me to live is Christ;" for his life revealed Christ to men; "and to die is gain,"--gain to Christ; death itself would make manifest the power of His grace, and gather souls to Him. "Christ shall be magnified in my body," he said, "whether it be by life or by death." Phil. 1:21, 20. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20. I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31 John,The Beloved (Formally “The Son Of Thunder”) John clung to Christ as the vine clings to the stately pillar. For his Master's sake he braved the dangers of the judgment hall and lingered about the cross, and at the tidings that Christ had risen, he hastened to the sepulcher, in his zeal out-stripping even the impetuous Peter. The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested in the life and character of John present lessons of


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untold value to the Christian church. John did not naturally possess the loveliness of character that his later experience revealed. By nature he had serious defects. He was not only proud, self-assertive, and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injury. He and his brother were called "sons of thunder." Evil temper, the desire for revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. But beneath all this the divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked this self-seeking, disappointed his ambitions, tested his faith. But He revealed to him that for which his soul longed--the beauty of holiness, the transforming power of love. Acts Of Apostles Page 539 The lessons of Christ, setting forth meekness and humility and love as essential to growth in grace and a fitness for His work, were of the highest value to John. He treasured every lesson and constantly sought to bring his life into harmony with the divine pattern. John had begun to discern the glory of Christ--not the worldly pomp and power for which he had been taught to hope, but "the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14. Acts Of Apostles Page 544 Jesus loves those who represent the Father, and John could talk of the Father's love as no other of the disciples could. He revealed to his fellow men that which he felt in his own soul, representing in his character the attributes of God. The glory of the Lord was expressed in his face. The beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christlike radiance from his countenance. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and in his character was reflected the character of his Master. Acts Of Apostles Page 545 SPECIALLY FOR ALL MINISTERS


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Excerpt From a Letter of reproof from Mrs. White to an unknown Minister: DANGER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE Brother F: December 25, 1865, I was shown that a good work had commenced in Maine. Especially was the field of labor shown me where a company have been raised up as fruits of the labors of Brother Andrews and yourself, where they have manifested their interest and love for the truth by erecting a house of worship. There is yet a great work to be done for this company. Quite a number have been converted to the theory of the truth; some have decided from the weight of evidence; they see a beauty in the connected chain of truth, all uniting in a harmonious, perfect whole; they love the principles of the truth, yet they have not realized its sanctifying influence. These souls are exposed to the perils of the last days. Satan has prepared his deceptions and snares for the inexperienced. He is working through his agents, even ministers who despise the truth and trample upon the law of God themselves and teach all who will listen to them to do the same. I was shown that Brother Andrews and yourself have labored hard and have not had the rest which you should have given yourselves in order to preserve health. You should labor with care and observe periods of rest. By so doing you will retain your physical and mental vigor, and render your labor much more efficient. Brother F, you are a nervous man and move much from impulse. Mental depression influences your labour very much. At times you feel a want of freedom and think it is because others are in darkness or wrong, or that something is the matter, you can hardly tell what, and you make a drive somewhere and upon somebody, which is liable to do great harm. If you would quiet yourself when in this restless, nervous condition, and rest and calmly wait on God and inquire if the trouble is not in yourself, you would save wounding your own soul and wounding the precious cause of God.


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I saw that Brother F was in danger of becoming lifted up if he was enabled in his discourses to strongly move the feelings of the congregation. He would often think himself the most effectual preacher on that account. Here he sometimes deceives himself. Although he may be for the time the most acceptable preacher, yet he may fail to accomplish the most good. The preacher who can affect the feelings to the greatest degree does not thereby give evidence that he is the most useful. When Brother F is humble and makes God his trust, he can do much good. Angels come to his help, and he is blessed with clearness and freedom. But after a time of special victory he has too often been lifted up and thought himself equal to anything, thought that he was something, when he was only an instrument in the hands of God. After such seasons angels of God have left him to his own weak strength, and then, though he himself was the one at fault, he would too frequently charge upon his brethren and the people the darkness and weakness he felt. While in this unhappy state of mind he frequently bears down upon this one and that one, and, even when his work is not half done, feels that he must remove and commence labor elsewhere. I saw that Brother F was in danger of going into battle in his own strength, but he will find that strength but weakness in the conflict. While he made God his trust, he has often been successful in combats with opposers of our faith. But he has sometimes felt elated with the victory which God has given truth over error, and has taken the glory to himself in these conflicts. Self has been magnified in his eyes. I was shown that in his last two discussions he did not have the right spirit. Previous to the first he became exalted by the flattery of men who love not the truth. As he listened to, and acted some part in, a discussion carried on between two who were not in the faith, he became lifted up and


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thought himself sufficient to enter the battle with anyone. And while he was so confident, he was, in the very act, shorn of his strength. God was displeased with his disregard of the counsel of Brother Andrews. His self sufficient spirit came near making that discussion an utter failure. Unless there is a decided gain in these combats, there is always a loss. They should never be rushed into heedlessly, but every move should be made cautiously, with the greatest wisdom, for far more is pending than in a national battle. Satan and his host are all astir at these conflicts between truth and error, and if the advocates of truth do not go into battle in the strength of God, Satan will manage to outgeneral them every time. In the second combat there was much, very much at stake. Yet here again Brother F failed. He did not engage in that conflict feeling his weakness and in humility and simplicity relying upon the strength of God. He again felt a sufficiency in himself. His past successes had lifted him up. He thought that the victories he had gained were very much due to his aptness in using the powerful arguments furnished in the word of God. I was shown that the advocates of truth should not seek discussions. And whenever it is necessary for the advancement of the cause of truth and the glory of God that an opponent be met, how carefully and with what humility should they go into the conflict. With heart-searching, confession of sin, and earnest prayer, and often fasting for a time, they should entreat that God would especially help them and give His saving, precious truth a glorious victory, that error might appear in its true deformity and its advocates be completely discomfited. Those who battle for the truth, against its opposes, should realize that they are not meeting merely men, but that they are contending with Satan and his angels, who are determined that error and darkness shall retain the field and the truth be covered up with error. As error is most in accordance with the natural heart, it is taken for granted to be clear. Men


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who are at ease love error and darkness, and are unwilling to be reformed by the truth. They do not love to come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. If those who stand in vindication of the truth, trust to the weight of argument, with but a feeble reliance upon God, and thus meet their opponents, nothing will be gained on the side of truth, but there will be a decided loss. Unless there is an evident victory in favor of truth, the matter is left worse than before the conflict. Those who might formerly have had convictions in regard to the truth set their minds at rest and decide in favor of error, because in their darkened state they cannot perceive that the truth had the advantage. These last two discussions did but little to advance the cause of God, and it would have been better had they not occurred. Brother F did not engage in them with a spirit of self-abasement and a firm reliance upon God. He was puffed up by the enemy and had a spirit of self-sufficiency and confidence not becoming a humble servant of Christ. He had on his own armor, not the armor of God. Brother F, God had provided you with a laborer of deep experience, the ablest in the field. He was one who had been acquainted in his own experience with the wiles of Satan, and who had passed through most intense mental anguish. He had been permitted in the all-wise providence of God to feel the heat of the refining furnace and had there learned that every refuge but God would fail and every prop upon which he could lean for support would prove but a broken reed. You should have realized that Brother Andrews had as deep an interest in the discussion as yourself, and you should have listened in the spirit of humility to his counsel and profited by his instructions. But Satan had an object to gain here, to defeat the purpose of God, and he stepped in to take possession of your mind and thereby thwart the work of God. You rushed into battle in your own strength, and angels left you to carry it on. But God in mercy to His cause would not suffer the enemies of His truth to obtain a decided victory, and in


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answer to the earnest, agonizing prayers of His servant, angels came to the rescue. Instead of an utter failure there was a partial victory, that the enemies of truth might not exult over the believers. But nothing was gained by that effort, when there might have been a glorious triumph of truth over error. There were two of the ablest advocates of truth by your side; three men, with the strength of truth, to stand against one man who was seeking to cover up truth with error. In God you could have been a host, had you entered the conflict right. Your self-sufficiency caused it to be almost an entire failure. Never should you enter a discussion where so much is at stake, relying upon your aptness to handle strong arguments. If it cannot be well avoided, enter the conflict, but enter upon it with firm trust in God and in the spirit of humility, in the spirit of Jesus, who has bidden you learn of Him, who is meek and lowly in heart. And then in order to glorify God and exemplify the character of Christ, you should never take unlawful advantage of your opponent. Lay aside sarcasm and playing upon words. Remember that you are in a combat with Satan and his angels, as well as with the man. He who overcame Satan in heaven and vanquished the fallen foe and expelled him from heaven, and who died to redeem fallen man from his power, when at the grave of Moses, disputing about his body, durst not bring against Satan a railing accusation, but said: "The Lord rebuke thee." In your last two discussions you despised counsel and would not listen to God's servant, whose whole soul was devoted to the work. God in His providence provided you an adviser whose talents and influence entitled him to your respect and confidence, and it could in no way have injured your dignity to be guided by his experienced judgment. God's angels marked your self-sufficiency and with grief turned from you. He could not safely display His power in your behalf, for you would have taken the glory to yourself, and your future labors would have been of but little value. I saw, Brother F, that you should not,


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in your labors, lean upon your own judgment, which has so often led you astray. You should yield to the judgment of those of experience. Do not stand upon your own dignity and feel so self-sufficient that you cannot take the advice and counsel of experienced fellow laborers. (-Your wife has been no special help to you, but rather a hindrance. Had she received and heeded the testimonies for the church given her more than two years ago she would now be a strong helper with you in the gospel. But she has not received and really acted upon that testimony. Had she done this, her course would have been entirely different. She has not been consecrated to God. She loves her ease, shuns burdens, and does not deny herself. She indulges in indolence, and her example is not worthy of imitation, but is an injury to the cause of God. At times she exerts a strong influence over you, especially if she feels homesick or discontented ……………………………………………………………………………………………… God will bless and sustain Brother F if he moves forward in humility, leaning upon the judgment of experienced fellow laborers), Testimonies for the church Volume 1 Page 621 Self-denial is required of the disciples of Christ, and sacrifices must be made; but care must also be exercised lest through their overzeal Satan take advantage of the weakness of humanity, and the work of God be marred. Desire Of Ages,Page 362 When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence that is above every human influence Desire Of Ages, Page.678 The Lord calls for strong, devoted, self-sacrificing young men and women, who will press to the front, and who, after a short time spent in school, will go forth prepared to give the message to the world.--Counsels to Teachers, Page 549


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The first thing to be learned by all who would become workers together with God is the lesson of self-distrust; then they are prepared to have imparted to them the character of Christ. This is not to be gained through education in the most scientific schools. It is the fruit of wisdom that is obtained from the divine Teacher alone. Desire Of Ages, Page 250 PROCLAIMING THE THIRD ANGELS MESSAGE-THE PRESENT TRUTH OUT OF SELF DENIAL I saw that the testimony to the Laodiceans applied to God's people at the present time, and the reason it has not accomplished a greater work, is because of the hardness of their hearts. But God has given the message time to do its work. The heart must be purified from sins which have so long shut Jesus out. This fearful message will do its work. When it was first presented, it led to close examination of heart. Sins were confessed, and the people of God were stirred everywhere. Nearly all believed that this message would end in the loud cry of the third angel. But as they failed to see the powerful work accomplished in a short time, many lost the effect of the message. I saw that this message would not accomplish its work in a few short months. It was designed to arouse the people of God, to discover to them their backslidings, and lead to zealous repentance, that they might be favored with the presence of Jesus, and be fitted for the loud cry of the third angel. As this message affected the heart it led to deep humility before God. Angels were sent in every direction to prepare unbelieving hearts for the truth. The cause of God began to rise, and his people were acquainted with their position. Spiritual Gifts Volume 2 Page 224-225 Someone has said that the church is now under fire when it should be on fire. In a personal letter dated Nov. 1, 1942 a vice President of General Conference (now sleeping) wrote:


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“I believe Brother Wagner that the only thing that hinders the finishing of the work now is the lack of deeper consecration and a deeper work of grace in the heart of our church members everywhere. If our workers and church members were what they ought to be, the fullness of the outpouring of the latter rain would come, and the message would go like wild fire.” -( from Preparation for the latter rain by Eld. B.E.Wagner. Page 9) The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the

whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. Testimonies for the church volume 6, page 401 Dear reader, CHRIST JESUS is coming soon and the message of the third angel must sound, the whole world must be warned against the image of the beast soon to be formed. Sealing also continues until probation closes. The only way by which missionaries can accomplish the proclamation of the present truth is to die to self and receive daily a baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will consume the sin in us, purify us, refine us and transform us until the countenance reflect the light of Heaven. (cc)


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Chapter Five

Our Only

Example of

Self-denial.

The Pattern-

Jesus Christ.


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“We are in this world to lift the cross of self-denial. As we lift this cross we shall find that it lifts us” . Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 45 Self-sacrifice is the keynote of the teachings of Christ. Often it is presented and enjoined in language that seems authoritative, because God sees that there is no other way to save man than to cut away from his life the selfishness which, if retained, would degrade the whole being. Christ became poor that we might be partakers of the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17. We are to practice the same self-sacrifice that led Him to give Himself up to the death of the cross, to make it possible for human beings to have eternal life. In all our expenditure of means we are to strive to fulfill the purpose of Him who is the alpha and omega of all Christian effort Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 49 The first advent of Christ and His life of ministry are not studied as they should be. His life was one of self-denial, in which truth in all its noble qualities was expressed. He lived to bless humanity by every good word and work Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 69 Christ is our example. For our sakes He became poor that we through His poverty might be made rich. He taught that all should come together in love and unity, to work as He worked, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, to love as the children of God. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 132 When men lose sight of Christ's example and do not pattern after His manner of teaching, they become self-sufficient and go forth to meet Satan with his own manner of weapons. The enemy knows well how to turn his weapons upon those who use them. Jesus spoke only words of pure truth and righteousness. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 243


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The religion of Christ never degrades the receiver; it never makes him coarse or rough, discourteous or self-important, passionate or hardhearted. On the contrary, it refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies and ennobles the thoughts, bringing them into captivity to Christ. God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. He has given in His holy law a transcript of His character. Testimonies for the church Volume 8 Page 63 What we learn of the Great Teacher of truth will be enduring; it will not savour of self-sufficiency, but will lead to humility and meekness; and the work that we do will be wholesome, pure, and ennobling, because wrought in God. Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 647 The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven. Christ's self-sacrificing love is revealed upon the cross.

That man might be saved, He gave all that He had and then gave Himself. The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every follower of the blessed Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to give, give. This, carried out in actual benevolence and good works, is the true fruit of the Christian life. The principle of worldlings is to get, get, and thus they expect to secure happiness; but carried out in all its bearings, the fruit is misery and death. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 254


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HEAVEN'S IRONY! BY: VOCAL UNION

On a hill outside Jerusalem Soldiers led Him there to die for them As they nailed the hands that created men He prayed that they would be forgiven A lowly carpenter from Galilee Loved the wealth that's found in poverty Heaven's power clothed in humility Let the cross become His destiny Chorus: Through His stripes, I am healed Through my hate, His love revealed Through my sin, shines His light Through His death He gives me life Heaven's irony The Father's love is full and free Heaven's irony Jesus loves me As the blood flowed from His wounded side Tears of love flowed as my Jesus cried And the people mocked Him as He died The innocent was crucified In a borrowed tomb they buried Him With a paupers shroud they covered Him In a grave of hardly any worth Lay the Maker of the universe Repeat Chorus (with echo in first half) Bridge And oh what a wonderful love I have known Like a river of life to my soul (river of life to my soul) And oh what love (oh what love) the Savior has shown Making my heart His home


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After three days as He prophesied The stone was rolled away, no one inside Jesus resurrected, glorified He's the way, the truth, the life. Repeat Chorus (He loves me) Heaven's irony (Heaven's irony) The Father's love is full and free Heaven's irony Jesus loves me Jesus loves me Jesus loves me Scriptural Reference: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Christ clothed His divinity with humanity and lived a life of prayer and self-denial, and of daily battle with temptation, that He might help those who today are assailed by temptation. He is our efficiency and power. He desires that, through the appropriation of His grace, humanity shall become partakers of the divine nature and thus escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. The word of God in the Old and New Testaments, if faithfully studied and received into the life, will give spiritual wisdom and life. This word is to be sacredly cherished. Faith in the word of God and in the power of Christ to transform the life will enable the believer to work His works and to live a life of rejoicing in the Lord. Testimonies for the church Volume 9 Page 279 Christ would have His disciples understand that although He had washed their feet, this did not in the least detract from His dignity. "Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." And being so infinitely superior, He imparted grace and significance to the service. No one was so exalted as Christ, and


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yet He stooped to the humblest duty. That His people might not be misled by the selfishness which dwells in the natural heart, and which strengthens by self-serving, Christ Himself set the example of humility. He would not leave this great subject in man's charge. Of so much consequence did He regard it, that He Himself, One equal with God, acted as servant to His disciples. While they were contending for the highest place, He to whom every knee shall bow, He whom the angels of glory count it honor to serve, bowed down to wash the feet of those who called Him Lord. He washed the feet of His betrayer. Counsel to the Church. Page 299,300 The Christian life is constantly an onward march. Jesus sits as a refiner and purifier of His people; and when His image is perfectly reflected in them, they are perfect and holy, and prepared for translation………. Our Saviour was the light of the world, but the world knew Him not. He was constantly employed in works of mercy, shedding light upon the pathway of all; yet He did not call upon those with whom He mingled to behold His unexampled virtue, His self-denial, self-sacrifice, and benevolence. The Jews did not admire such a life. They considered, because it did not accord with their standard of piety. Counsel to the Church. Page 51-52 God gave His Son to a life of humiliation, self-denial, poverty, toil, reproach, and to the agonizing death of crucifixion. But there was no angel to bear the joyful message: "It is enough; You need not die, My well-beloved Son." Legions of angels were sorrowfully waiting, hoping that, as in the case of Isaac, God would at the last moment prevent His shameful death. But angels were not permitted to bear any such message to God's dear Son. The humiliation in the judgment hall and on the way to Calvary went on. He was mocked, derided, and spit upon. He endured the jeers, taunts, and revilings of those who hated Him, until upon the cross He bowed His head and died. Counsel to the Church. Page 188


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Christ came to bring salvation within the reach of all. Upon the cross of Calvary He paid the infinite redemption price for a lost world. His self-denial and self-sacrifice, His unselfish labor, His humiliation, above all, the offering up of His life, testifies to the depth of His love for fallen man. Counsel to the Church. Page 254 Turn the eye away from self; look unto Jesus, talk of His matchless love. By beholding Him you will become changed into His likeness. When you pray, be brief, come right to the point. Do not preach the Lord a sermon in your long prayers. Ask for the bread of life as a hungry child asks bread of his earthly father. God will bestow upon us every needed blessing if we ask Him in simplicity and faith. Counsel to the Church. Page 295 Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven. The plan of salvation is glorified before us, and the thought of Calvary awakens living and sacred emotions in our hearts. Praise to God and the Lamb will be in our hearts and on our lips; for pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary. Counsel to the Church. Page 302 My brother, make Christ your daily, hourly companion, and you will not complain that you have no faith. Contemplate Christ. View His character. Talk of Him. The less you exalt self, the more you will see in Jesus to exalt. God has a work for you to do. Keep the Lord ever before you. Brother and Sister Q, reach up higher and still higher for clearer views of the character of Christ. When Moses prayed, "I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory," the Lord did not rebuke him, but He granted his prayer. God declared to His servant: "I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee." We keep apart from God, and this is why we do not see the revealing of His power. Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 652


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Let the proud spirit bow in humiliation. Let the hard heart be broken. No longer pet and pity and exalt self. Look, oh look upon Him whom our sins have pierced. See Him descending step by step the path of humiliation to lift us up; abasing Himself till He could go no lower, and all to save us who were fallen by sin! Why will we be so indifferent, so cold, so formal, so proud, so self-sufficient? Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 17 Would to God the lessons given us, as we view the cross of Christ and see the signs fulfilling which bring us near to the judgment, might be so impressed upon our hearts as to render us more humble, more self-denying, more kind to one another, less self-caring, less critical, and more willing to bear one another's burdens than we are today. Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 18 "Love one another, as I have loved you," is the command of Jesus. Look at His self-denial; behold the manner of love He has bestowed upon us; and then seek to imitate the Pattern. Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 34 But many choose to follow their own way instead of God's way. They are not reconciled to God, neither can be, until self is crucified and Christ lives in the heart by faith. Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 46 "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Among His disciples Christ was in every sense a caretaker, a burden bearer. He shared their poverty, He practiced self-denial on their account, He went before them to smooth the more difficult places, and soon He would consummate His work on earth by laying down His life. The principle on which Christ acted is to actuate the members of the church which is His body. The plan and ground of salvation is love. In the kingdom of Christ those


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are greatest who follow the example He has given, and act as shepherds of His flock. The words of Paul reveal the true dignity and honor of the Christian life: "Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all," "not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." 1 Cor. 9:19; 10:33. Desire of Ages Page 551 In the gift of Jesus, God gave all heaven. From a human point of view, such a sacrifice was a wanton waste. To human reasoning the whole plan of salvation is a waste of mercies and resources. Self-denial and wholehearted sacrifice meet us everywhere. Well may the heavenly host look with amazement upon the human family who refuse to be uplifted and enriched with the boundless love expressed in Christ. Well may they exclaim, Why this great waste? But the atonement for a lost world was to be full, abundant, and complete. Christ's offering was exceedingly abundant to reach every soul that God had created. It could not be restricted so as not to exceed the number who would accept the great Gift. All men are not saved; yet the plan of redemption is not a waste because it does not accomplish all that its liberality has provided for. There must be enough and to spare. Desire of Ages Page 565-6 If we move forward where Jesus leads the way we shall see His triumph, we shall share His joy. We must share the conflicts if we wear the crown of victory. Like Jesus, we must be made perfect through suffering. Had Christ's life been one of ease, then might we safely yield to sloth. Since His life was marked with continual self-denial, suffering, and self-sacrifice, we shall make no complaint if we are partakers with Him. We can walk safely in the darkest path if we have the Light of the world for our guide. Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 71 With pen and voice proclaim that Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Unite with the great Master Worker, follow the self-denying Redeemer


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through His pilgrimage of love on earth.--Review and Herald, Jan. 24, 1893 For our sake He (Jesus Christ) exercised a self-control stronger than hunger or death… Desire of Ages Page 117 So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. Desire of Ages Page 208 Renouncing all self-dependence, we may look to the cross of Calvary and say,-- "In my hand no price I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling." Desire of Ages Page 317 "Father, glorify Thy name" (John 12:28), was the keynote of Christ's life, and if we follow Him, this will be the keynote of our life. He commands us to "walk, even as He walked;" and "hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments."1 John 2:6, 3 Desire of Ages Page 409 He now gave a test by which the true teacher might be distinguished from the deceiver: "He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of Him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." John 7:18, R. V. He that seeketh his own glory is speaking only from himself. The spirit of self-seeking betrays its origin. But Christ was seeking the glory of God. He spoke the words of God. This was the evidence of His authority as a teacher of the truth. Desire of Ages Page 456 In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they remain away from Christ. Let these souls, in their helpless unworthiness, cast


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themselves upon the mercy of their compassionate Saviour. Look not to self, but to Christ. He who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men is the same mighty Redeemer today. Desire of Ages Page 429 A tide of love sweeps into the soul. Christ is in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. When we see Jesus, a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief, working to save the lost, slighted, scorned, derided, driven from city to city till His mission was accomplished; when we behold Him in Gethsemane, sweating great drops of blood, and on the cross dying in agony,--when we see this, self will no longer clamor to be recognized. Looking unto Jesus, we shall be ashamed of our coldness, our lethargy, our self-seeking Desire of Ages Page.439 Go to Dark Gethsemane 7.7.7.7.7.7.

Go to dark Gethsemane, Ye that feel the tempter's power; Your Redeemer's conflict see, Watch with him one bitter hour. Turn not from his griefs away; Learn of Jesus Christ to pray. See him at the judgment hall, Beaten, bound, reviled, arraigned; See Him meekly bearing all; Love to man His soul sustained! Shun not suffering, shame, or loss; Learn of Christ to bear the cross. Calvary's mournful mountain climb; There, adoring at his feet, Mark that miracle of time, God's own sacrifice complete.


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"It is finished!" hear him cry; Learn of Jesus Christ to die.

James Montgomery, 1820

SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION [1]Matt 26:36,40 [2]Matt 27:9,26 [3]John 19:30

That His people might not be misled by the selfishness which dwells in the natural heart, and which strengthens by self-serving, Christ Himself set the example of humility. He would not leave this great subject in man's charge. Of so much consequence did He regard it, that He Himself, One equal with God, acted as servant to His disciples. While they were contending for the highest place, He to whom every knee shall bow, He whom the angels of glory count it honor to serve, bowed down to wash the feet of those who called Him Lord. He washed the feet of His betrayer. Desire of Ages Page 649 Self-surrender is the substance of the teachings of Christ. Often it is presented and enjoined in language that seems authoritative, because there is no other way to save man than to cut away those things which, if entertained, will demoralize the whole being. Desire of Ages Page 524 Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven. The plan of salvation is glorified before us, and the thought of Calvary awakens living and sacred emotions in our hearts. Praise to God and the Lamb will be in our hearts and on our lips; for pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary.He who beholds the Saviour's matchless love will be elevated in thought, purified in heart, transformed in character. He will go forth to be a light to the world, to reflect in some degree this mysterious love. The


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more we contemplate the cross of Christ, the more fully shall we adopt the language of the apostle when he said, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Gal. 6:14. Desire of Ages Page 661Index When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died; My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ, my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown. Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION: [1]Phil 3:8 [2]Gal 6:14 [3]Mark 15:17 [4]Matt 22:37

Isaac Watts,1707 We could not think of these important words, and call to mind the sufferings of Jesus that we poor sinners might receive pardon and be redeemed unto God by His most precious blood, without feeling a holy restraint upon us and an earnest desire to suffer for Him who suffered and endured so much for us. If we dwell on these things, dear self, with its dignity, will be humbled,


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and its place will be occupied by a childlike simplicity which will bear reproof from others and will not be easily provoked. A self-willed spirit will not then come in to rule the soul Early Writings Page 112 Ever keep Jesus in your mind that He is your example and you must tread in His footsteps. Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. He endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself. He for our sins was once the meek, slain lamb, wounded, bruised, smitten, and afflicted. Early Writings Page 113 Let us, then, cheerfully suffer something for Jesus’ sake, crucify self daily, and be partakers of Christ’s sufferings here, that we may be made partakers with Him of His glory, and be crowned with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life. Early Writings Page 114 Says Christ: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." I testify to you, my dear brethren, ministers, and people, you have not yet learned this lesson. Christ endured shame and agony and death for us. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Bear reproach and abuse without retaliation, without a spirit of revenge. Jesus died, not only to make atonement for us, but to be our pattern. Oh, wondrous condescension! matchless love! As you look upon the Prince of Life upon the cross, can you cherish selfishness? Can you indulge hatred or revenge? ….Let the proud spirit bow in humiliation. Let the hard heart be broken. No longer pet and pity and exalt self. Look, oh look upon Him whom our sins have pierced. See Him descending step by step the path of humiliation to lift us up; abasing Himself till He could go no lower, and all to save us who were fallen by sin! Why will we be so indifferent, so cold, so formal, so


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proud, so self-sufficient? Testimonies for the church Volume 5 Page 17 "LIFT UP JESUS, THE MAN OF CALVARY. LIFT HIM UP IN PRAYER, LIFT HIM UP IN SONG." "LIFT HIM UP, THE MAN OF CALVARY, HIGHER AND STILL HIGHER, AND LET YOUR MESSAGE BE, `BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD' " (MANUSCRIPT 27, 1891; LETTER 174, 1896-ELLEN G. WHITE). "It is impossible for finite minds to make a just estimate of the love of God toward his fallen creatures. we are ever in danger of forgetting this great love, because we fail to meditate upon it, and allow ourselves to become absorbed in the things of this world. . . . Christ should be the theme of our thoughts, the object of our tenderest affection. we should let our minds dwell upon the precious characteristics of our Lord; we should contemplate the rich promises of His word; we should meditate upon the glories of heaven" Signs of the Times, Dec. 8, 1890. The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right. This was no robbery of God. "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way," He declares, "before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depths" (Prov. 8:22-27). {Lift Him Up 16}


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The existence of Christ before His incarnation is not measured by figures Signs of the Times, May 3, 1899 The King of glory stooped low to take humanity; and angels, who had witnessed His splendor in the heavenly courts, as He was worshiped by all the heavenly hosts, were disappointed to find their divine Commander in a position of so great humiliation. (Youth's Instructor, February 1873). And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself. Phil. 2:8. How great must be the humiliation of the Son of God, that He should live in the despised and wicked town of Nazareth. The most holy place upon earth would have been greatly honored by the presence of the world's Redeemer a single year. The palaces of kings would have been exalted to receive Christ as a guest. But the Redeemer of the world passed by the courts of royalty and made His home in a humble mountain village for 30 years, thus conferring distinction upon despised Nazareth. The groves and mountains were His places of retreat for prayer, and frequently whole nights were spent in communion with His Father... He was the Majesty of heaven. He had been the great commander in heaven. Angels loved to do His bidding. And now He was a willing servant, a cheerful, obedient son. He did not aim to do anything remarkable to distinguish Himself from other youth, or to proclaim His heavenly birth. Even His friends and relatives, in all the years that Christ's life was passed among them, saw no special marks of His divinity. Christ was sedate, self-denying, gentle, cheerful, kind, and ever obedient. He avoided display, but was firm as a rock to principle. . . . . His life in childhood and youth was remarkable. His silence in regard to His exalted character and mission contains an instructive lesson to all youth. His faithful obedience to His parents until He was 30 thirty years of age is a pattern for youth to imitate more than the Jesus in Gethsemane and upon Calvary.


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We shall never be required to endure the agony of the Son of God which He bore for a guilty world; but His life of submission and faithful obedience to His parents is the pattern for all children and youth. Although they may never experience, as did the Redeemer, the agony of Gethsemane or Calvary, they are required to imitate the life of Christ in humility, self-denial, self-sacrifice, and in filial, respectful obedience to their parents. . . Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of God worship him. Heb. 1:4-6. Should the angel Gabriel be sent to this world to take upon himself human nature, and to teach the knowledge of God, how eagerly men would listen to his instruction. Supposing that he were able to set us a perfect example of purity and holiness, sympathizing with us in all our sorrows, bereavements, and afflictions, and suffering the punishment of our sins, how eagerly we would follow him. What exaltation he would receive. Men would desire to place him on the throne of David, and to gather the nations of earth under his banner. If, when this heavenly being returned to his home, he should leave behind him a book containing the history of his mission, with revelations regarding the history of the world, how eagerly would its seal be broken! How anxiously men and women would seek to obtain a copy! Thinking people would store up the precious instruction for the benefit of future generations. Thousands from all parts of the world would copy the words of this book. With intense interest they would read and reread its pages. For a time all other interests would be subordinated to a study of its contents. But One surpassing all that imagination can present came from heaven to this world. Nearly 2000 years ago a voice of strange


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and mysterious import was heard from the throne of God, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me... Lo, I come . . . to do thy will, O God." A prophet said: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.". . . . . Everyone who believes the message of God should lift up Jesus, point men to Christ, and say, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." . . . The soul imbued with the love of Christ is one with Him; he communes with Christ, Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, and the Christian goes forth to represent the Father and the Son to the world (Signs of the Times, June 27, 1892). The mystery of the incarnation of Christ, the account of His sufferings, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension, open to all humanity the marvelous love of God. This imparts a power to the truth. The attributes of God were made known through the life and works of Christ. He was the representative of the divine character (Review and Herald, June 18, 1895). The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, "They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads" (Rev. 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme--man's uplifting--the power of God, "which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." He who grasps this thought has before him an infinite field for study. He has the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure house of God's


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Word. . . . The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the Word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature, and re-creates the soul in the image of God. The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. "By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" shall man live. The mind, the soul, is built up by that upon which it feeds; and it rests with us to determine upon what it shall be fed. It is within the power of everyone to choose the topics that shall occupy the thoughts and shape the character. . . . With the Word of God in his hands, every human being, wherever his lot in life may be cast, may have such companionship as he shall choose. In its pages he may hold converse with the noblest and best of the human race, and may listen to the voice of the Eternal as He speaks with men. As he studies and meditates upon the themes into which "the angels desire to look," he may have their companionship. He may follow the steps of the heavenly Teacher, and listen to His words as when He taught on mountain and plain and sea. He may dwell in this world in the atmosphere of heaven, imparting to earth's sorrowing and tempted ones thoughts of hope and longings for holiness; himself coming closer and still closer into fellowship with the Unseen; like him of old who walked with God, drawing nearer and nearer the threshold of the eternal world, until the portals shall open, and he shall enter there. He will find himself no stranger. The voices that will greet him are the voices of the holy ones, who, unseen, were on earth his companions--voices that here he learned to distinguish and to love. He who through the Word of God has lived in fellowship with heaven will find himself at home in heaven's companionship (Education, pp. 125-127). It is a blessed privilege to give up all for Christ. Look not at the lives of others and imitate them and rise no higher. You have


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only one true, unerring Pattern. It is safe to follow Jesus only. . . . {LHU 41.5} When men and women can more fully comprehend the magnitude of the great sacrifice which was made by the Majesty of heaven in dying in man's stead, then will the plan of salvation be magnified, and reflections of Calvary will awaken tender, sacred, and lively emotions in the Christian's heart. Praises to God and the Lamb will be in their hearts and upon their lips. Pride and self-esteem cannot flourish in the hearts that keep fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary. This world will appear of but little value to those who appreciate the great price of man's redemption, the precious blood of God's dear Son. All the riches of the world are not of sufficient value to redeem one perishing soul. Who can measure the love Christ felt for a lost world as He hung upon the cross, suffering for the sins of guilty men? This love was immeasurable, infinite. The length, the breadth, the height, the depth, of such amazing love we cannot fathom. The contemplation of the matchless depths of a Saviour's love should fill the mind, touch and melt the soul, refine and elevate the affections, and completely transform the whole character. . . . We should take broader and deeper views of the life, sufferings, and death of God's dear Son. When the atonement is viewed correctly, the salvation of souls will be felt to be of infinite value. In comparison with the enterprise of everlasting life, every other sinks into insignificance (Testimonies for the church, volume. 2, pp. 212-215).


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The Old Rugged Cross 12.8.12.8.Ref.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. Refrain So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above To bear it to dark Calvary. 3 To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, Its shame and reproach gladly bear; Then he'll call me some day to my home far away, Where his glory forever I'll share. George Bennard, 1913

SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION [1] Gal 6:14 [2] Luke 23:33 [3]1 Pet 3:18 [4] Heb 12:2

The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,--the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers. {Gospel Workers Page 315 , E. G. WHITE}


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"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." He died to make an atonement, and to become a pattern for every one who would be His disciple. Shall selfishness come into your hearts? And will those who set not before them the pattern, Jesus, extol your merits? You have none except as they come through Jesus Christ. Shall pride be harbored after you have seen Deity humbling Himself, and then as man debasing Himself, till there was no lower point to which He could descend? "Be astonished, O ye heavens," and be amazed, ye inhabitants of the earth, that such returns should be made to our Lord! What contempt! what wickedness! what formality! what pride! what efforts made to lift up man and glorify self, when the Lord of glory humbled Himself, agonized, and died the shameful death upon the cross in our behalf (RH Sept. 4, 1900)!. {SDA Bible Commentary, Volume 5 Page 1128.1) Christ could not have come to this earth with the glory that He had in the heavenly courts. Sinful human beings could not have borne the sight. He veiled His divinity with the garb of humanity, but He did not part with His divinity. A divine-human Saviour, He came to stand at the head of the fallen race, to share in their experience from childhood to manhood (Review &Herald. June 15, 1905).


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I present before you the life of self-denial, humility, and sacrifice of our divine Lord. The Majesty of heaven, The King of glory, left His riches, His splendor, His honor and glory, and, in order to save sinful man, condescended to a life of humility, poverty, and shame; "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame." Oh, why are we so sensitive to trial and reproach, to shame and suffering, when our Lord has given us such an example? Who would wish to enter into the joy of their Lord while they were unwilling to partake of His sufferings? What! The servant Unwilling to bear the humility and shame and reproach which the Master bore unselfishly for him! The servant shrinking from a life of humility and sacrifice which is for his own eternal happiness, by which he may finally obtain an exceedingly great, an eternal reward! The language of my Heart is: Let me be a partaker with Christ of His sufferings, that I may finally share with Him the glory.


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Chapter Six

The

Methodology

Of

Lifting


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The Lifting

Up Equations

Lifting Jesus Abnegating Self

The Methodology = The Methodology

Of Lifting Of Abnegating


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OUR STUDY OF THE WORD Friends of GOD, at this juncture we are on the pathway of considering one

very important way or method by which we can ever keep the Saviour,

Christ Jesus, before us and look to Him all the time as the Author and

Finisher of our faith. This actually is a very important way by which we

prepare to lift the slain Lamb of God up to a dying world. It surely should

occupy the basal step in the process of LIFTING HIM (JESUS) UP and

DIENG TO SELF, for it is the only medium by which we expose the

mind, soul and spirit to the direct rays reflecting from the self-emptying

lifestyle of the Majesty Of Heaven. Let us take a careful look at the

following with a meditative mindset from the pen of Mrs. Ellen G. White

and others who lifted up the Cross in generations past. (CC)

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was

with God, and The Word was God. The same was in the

beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without

him was not any thing made that was made.

Revelation 5:4-9 And I wept much, because no man was

found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look

thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not:

behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath

prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four

beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been

slain, …And he came and took the book out of the right hand of

him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book,

the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the

Lamb,… And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to

take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast


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redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and

people, and nation.

The Bible is to be our great lesson book. From Genesis to

Revelation it is full of instruction on practical goodness. We

need to search it diligently, that we may understand every word

of God. Thus we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ.

{The Signs Of The times, May 2, 1900 par. 1}

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto

me. John 12:32.

Never before was there such a general knowledge of Jesus as

when He hung upon the cross. He was lifted up from the earth,

to draw all to Him. Into the hearts of many who beheld that

crucifixion scene, and who heard Christ's words, was the light of

truth to shine. With John they would proclaim, "Behold the

Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." There

were those who never rested until, searching the Scriptures and

comparing passage with passage, they saw the meaning of

Christ's mission. They saw that free forgiveness was provided by

Him whose tender mercy embraced the whole world. They read

the prophecies regarding Christ, and the promises so free and

full, pointing to a fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem.

{Sons And Daughters of God, Page 221.2}

He says, "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of

me." If I preached from the passage in the Epistle to the

Hebrews, I might fairly declare that in the whole volume of

Holy Scripture much is written of our Lord and prescribed for

him as Messiah. The page of inspiration is fragrant with the

name of Jesus. He is the top line of the entire volume, and in the

Greek word I see a half allusion to this. He is the head-line of


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contents to every chapter of Scripture. He is of all Scripture the

sum. "In the beginning was the word." Everything speaks of

him. The Pentateuch, and the books of the prophets, and the

Psalms, and the gospels, and the epistles all speak of him. "In

the volume of the book it is written of me."---in a sermon by

Rev. C. H. Spurgeon. Delivered on Lord's-Day Morning,

April 26th, 1891, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle,

Newington.

The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great

truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly

understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God,

from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light which

streams from the cross of Calvary, and in connection with the

wondrous, central truth of the Saviour's atonement. Those who

study the Redeemer's wonderful sacrifice grow in grace and

knowledge. Sons And Daughters of God, Page 221

I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy

and regeneration, salvation and redemption,--the Son of God

uplifted on the cross of Calvary. This is to be the theme of every

discourse. Sons And Daughters of God, Page 221

OUR THINKING/MINDSET

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in

Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not

robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no

reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was

made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a

man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.


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Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse

your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double

minded. James 4:8. Angels of God are drawn toward all who in

their thoughts and devoted service draw nigh to God. . . . It is a

great misfortune to be double-minded. "A double minded man

is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8). In Heavenly Places

Page 165

If we keep our minds stayed upon Christ, He will come unto

us "as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."

Hosea 6:3. As the Sun of Righteousness, He will arise upon us

"with healing in his wings." Malachi 4:2. We shall "grow as the

lily." We shall "revive as the corn, and grow as the vine." Hosea

14:5, 7. By constantly relying upon Christ as our personal

Saviour, we shall grow up into Him in all things who is our

head.

We need to place a high value upon the right control of our

thoughts, for such control prepares the mind and soul to labor

harmoniously for the Master. It is necessary for our peace and

happiness in this life that our thoughts center in Christ. As a

man thinketh, so is he. Our improvement in moral purity

depends on right thinking and right acting. . . . Evil thoughts

destroy the soul. The converting power of God changes the

heart, refining and purifying the thoughts. Unless a determined

effort is made to keep the thoughts centered on Christ, grace

cannot reveal itself in the life. The mind must engage in the

spiritual warfare. Every thought must be brought into captivity

to the obedience of Christ. In Heavenly Places, chapter 158-

The security in right thinking.


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Our last thought at night and our first thought in the

morning should be of Him in whom are centered our hopes of

eternal life. He died for us. He saw us in peril, exposed to

destruction, and He poured out His life to save us. He is our

Advocate. He has placed a treasure-house of blessing at our

command. Men can not remove one stain of sin. Christ's merits

alone will avail, and they have been placed at our disposal in rich

fulness. Every moment we may draw upon Christ for help. As

we turn to Him, He answers, "Here am I." Christ is our

Intercessor. He places the incense of His righteousness in the

golden Signs Of The Times. February 28, 1906 Trusting

Christ

Even When TRAVELLING?

I am convinced that we lose much by forgetting Jesus when we

travel. We cannot, while upon the cars or boats, enter our

closets and there be alone with God; but we can gird up the

loins of the mind, and uplift our hearts to him in silent prayer

for grace to keep our thoughts stayed upon him; and he will

surely hear us. MRS ELLEN G. WHITE-NOTES ON

TRAVEL.

We must gather about the cross. Christ and Him crucified

should be the theme of contemplation, of conversation, and of

our most joyful emotion. We should keep in our thoughts every

blessing we receive from God, and when we realize His great

love we should be willing to trust everything to the hand that

was nailed to the cross for us. (Steps to Christ, pp. 103, 104).

Jesus Christ is everything to us--the first, the last, the best in

everything. Jesus Christ, His Spirit, His character, colors

everything; it is the warp and the woof, the very texture of our


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entire being. The words of Christ are spirit and life. We cannot,

then, center our thoughts upon self; it is no more we that live,

but Christ that liveth in us, and He is the hope of glory. Self is

dead, but Christ is a living Saviour. {Faith I Live By,Page

150.3}

OUR SERMONS AND TEACHINGS

The object of all ministry is to keep self out of sight, and to let

Christ appear. The exaltation of Christ is the great truths that all

who labor in word and doctrine are to reveal. Manuscript

Releases .By Mrs. Ellen G. White page 109, 1897

Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people. Lift Him up in

exhortations, in those who teach unpopular truth today must

have power from on high to combine with their doctrine, or

their efforts will be of little account. The precious grace of

humility is sadly wanting in the ministry and the church. Men

who preach the truth think too highly of their own abilities.

True humility will lead a man to exalt Christ and the truth, and

to realize his utter dependence upon the God of truth. It is

painful to learn lessons of humility, yet nothing is more

beneficial in the end. The pain attendant upon learning lessons

of humility is in consequence of our being elated by a false

estimate of ourselves, so that we are unable to see our great

need. Vanity and pride fill the hearts of men. God's grace alone

can work a reformation. {Lift Him Up Page 282.3}

Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people. Lift Him up in

exhortations, in sermons, in songs, in prayer. Let all your efforts

be directed to pointing souls, confused, bewildered, and lost, to

"the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Bid


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them look and live (Review and Herald, Apr. 12, 1892 By

Mrs. Ellen G. White )

A Welsh minister who was preaching last Sabbath at the chapel

of my dear brother, Jonathan George, was saying, that Christ

was the sum and substance of the gospel, and he broke out into

this story:—A young man had been preaching in the presence of

a venerable divine, and after he had done he went to the old

minister, and said, "What do you think of my sermon?" "A very

poor sermon indeed," said he. "A poor sermon?" said the young

man, "it took me a long time to study it." "Ay, no doubt of it."

"Why, did you not think my explanation of the text a very good

one?" "Oh, yes," said the old preacher, "very good indeed."

"Well, then, why do you say it is a poor sermon? Didn't you

think the metaphors were appropriate and the arguments

conclusive?" "Yes, they were very good as far as that goes, but

still it was a very poor sermon." "Will you tell me why you think

it a poor sermon?" "Because," said he, "there was no Christ in

it." "Well," said the young man, "Christ was not in the text; we

are not to be preaching Christ always, we must preach what is in

the text." So the old man said, "Don't you know young man that

from every town, and every village, and every little hamlet in

England, wherever it may be, there is a road to London?" "Yes,"

said the young man. "Ah!" said the old divine "and so form

every text in Scripture, there is a road to the metropolis of the

Scriptures, that is Christ. And my dear brother, your business in

when you get to a text, to say, 'Now what is the road to Christ?'

and then preach a sermon, running along the road towards the

great metropolis—Christ. And," said he, "I have never yet found

a text that had not got a road to Christ in it, and if I ever do find

one that has not a road to Christ in it, I will make one; I will go

over hedge and ditch but I would get at my Master, for the


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sermon cannot do any good unless there is a savour of Christ in

it." Now since you say amen to that, and declare that what you

want to hear is Jesus Christ, the text is proved—"Unto you

therefore which believe he is precious." Christ Precious to

Believers-----In A Sermon Delivered on Sabbath Morning,

March 13th, 1859, by the REV. C.H. SPURGEON at the

Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens.-London.

The superintendents and teachers in our Sabbath schools must

be converted, rescued from their habitual insensibility. The

precious lessons of truth must not be taught in a tame, lifeless

way; but, by daily communion with the Lord, by a reception of

the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, life-giving power

must be added to their efforts to win souls to Christ. They must

continually keep the mind stayed upon Christ, that the thoughts

and impulses may be of a spiritual character, and that their

manner and method of teaching may be subject to the dictation

of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in its highest manifestation to

men is to enable them to put forth their best energies, as God is

working in them to will and to do of His own good pleasure.}

-December 1, 1891 The Need of Genuine Religion in

Sabbath School.-By Mrs. E. G. White.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after

me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16:24.

The most difficult sermon to preach and the hardest to

practice is self-denial. The greedy sinner, self, closes the door to

the good which might be done but which is not done because

shillings and pounds [WRITTEN IN AUSTRALIA WHEN

THESE WERE STANDARD MONETARY UNITS] are


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invested in selfish purposes. We may never have opportunity to

do great things; we may never be required to make sublime

sacrifices. But the greatest victory we can gain is to follow Jesus.

. . . Every day that Christ lived in our world was for Him a day

of self-denial. If we would follow Him over the rugged path of

self-denial . . . this denial must be carried into the everyday

occurrences and actions of our life. . . . In Heavenly Places

Page 300.4}

Salvation through Christ is to be the burden of every sermon.--

The science of salvation is to be the burden of every sermon,

the theme of every song. Let it be poured forth in every

supplication. Let nothing be brought into the preaching of the

Word to supplement Christ, the Word and power of God. Let

His name, the only name given under heaven whereby we may

be saved, be exalted in every discourse, and from Sabbath to

Sabbath let the trumpet of the watchmen give a certain sound.

Christ is the science and eloquence of the gospel, and His

ministers are to hold forth the Word of life, presenting hope to

the penitent, peace to the troubled and desponding, and grace

and completeness and strength to the believing.--{Pastoral

Ministry Page 190.3}

Christ crucified, ascended, and coming again should so gladden

ministers that they will present these truths to the people.--Oh,

that I could command language of sufficient force to make the

impression I wish to make upon my fellow laborers in the

gospel! My brethren, you are handling the words of life; you are

dealing with minds that are capable of the highest development,

if directed in the right channel. But there is too much exhibition

of self in the discourses given. Christ crucified, Christ ascended

into the heavens, Christ coming again, should so soften,


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gladden, and fill the mind of the minister of the gospel that he

will present these truths to the people in love and deep

earnestness. The minister will then be lost sight of and Jesus

magnified. The people will be so impressed with these all-

absorbing subjects that they will talk of them and praise them,

instead of praising the minister, the mere instrument.--4T 399. {

Pastoral Ministry Page 191.3}

Christ-centered sermons come from Christ-centered

preachers.--Will my brethren take heed that no glory is given to

men? Will they acknowledge that Christ does the work upon the

human heart, and not they themselves? Will my ministering

brethren plead with God alone in secret prayer for his presence

and his power? Dare not to preach another discourse until you

know, by your own experience, what Christ is to you.—

Testimonies to ministers, Page 154, 155. { Pastoral Ministry

Page 192.1}

OUR CONVERSATIONS

Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often

one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of

remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and

that thought upon his name.

Psalms 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom,

and talk of thy power;

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh

the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I

may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind

striving together for the faith of the gospel;


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Philippians 3:20."For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also

we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ"

When we begin to discuss Christianity, our minds seem to concentrate on the

WHAT of Christianity, and we say very little about the WHO,-the Man

Christ Jesus .Christianity is not about what you know or believe but it is

about WHO through whom you believe, the what. (cc)

It is, however, much to be regretted that true children of the

Lord often talk too little of him. What is the conversation of

half the professors of the present day? Honesty compels us to

say that, in many cases, it is a mass of froth and falsehood, and,

in many more cases it is altogether objectionable; if it is not light

and frivolous, it is utterly apart from the gospel, and does not

minister grace unto the bearers. I consider that one of the great

lacks of the Church, nowadays, is not so much Christian

preaching as Christian talking,—not so much Christian prayer in

the prayer-meeting, as Christian conversation in the parlour.

How little do we hear concerning Christ! You might go in and

out of the houses of half the professors of religion, and you

would never hear of their Master at all. You might talk with

them from the first of January to the last of December; and if

they happened to mention their Master's name, it would be,

perhaps, merely as a compliment to him, or possibly by accident.

Beloved, such things ought not to be. You and I, I am sure, are

guilty in this matter; we all have need to reproach ourselves that

we do not sufficiently remember the words of Malachi, "Then

they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the

Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was

written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that

thought upon his name."


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Souls are often converted through godly conversation. Simple

words frequently do more good than long sermons. Disjointed,

unconnected sentences are often of more use than the most

finely polished periods or rounded sentences. If you would be

useful, let the praises of Christ be ever on your tongue; let him

live on your lips. Speak of him always; when thou walkest by the

way, when thou sittest in thy house, when thou risest up, and

even when thou liest down, it may be that thou hast someone to

whom it is possible that thou mayest yet whisper the gospel of

the grace of God. Many a sister has been brought to know the

Saviour by a sister's pleadings that were only heard in the silence

of the night. God give you, beloved, to fulfil our text! "They

shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power."

They shall do it, mark you; God will make you do it if you are

his people.

The best reason why the Christian should talk of his Master is

this, if he has Christ in his heart, the truth must come out; he

cannot help it. The best reason in all the world is the woman's

reason, who said she should do it because she would do it. So it

often happens that the Christian cannot give us much reason

why he must talk about his Saviour, except that he cannot help

it, and he will not try to help it. It is in him, and it must come

out. If God has put a fire inside a man's heart, do you think it

can be kept down? If we have grace in our souls, will it never

come out in conversation! God does not put his candles in

lanterns through which they cannot be seen, but he sets them on

candlesticks; he does not build his cities in valleys, but he puts

them on hills, so that they cannot be hid. So he will not allow

his grace to be concealed. A Christian man cannot help being

discovered….(Extracts from A Sermon Delivered by C. H.


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SPURGEON, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle,

Newington. 1858 )

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS 8.7.8.7.D.REF. Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word, Tell me the story most precious Sweetest that ever was heard; Tell how the angels, in chorus, Sang as they welcomed His birth, Glory to God in the highest, Peace and good tidings to earth. Refrain Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word, Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. Fasting, alone in the desert, Tell of the days that He passed, How for our sins He was tempted, Yet was triumphant at last; Tell of the years of His labor, Tell of the sorrow He bore, He was despised and afflicted, Homeless, rejected, and poor. Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, Writhing in anguish and pain; Tell of the grave where they laid Him, Tell how He liveth again; Love in that story so tender, Clearer than ever I see;


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Stay, let me weep while you whisper, Love paid the ransom for me. AUTHOR Fanny J. Crosby SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION [1] Luke 2:13,14 [2]Luke 4:1,2; Isa 53:3; Luke 9:58 [3]Luke 23:33,53; 24:6 SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION :Isa 51:11 Those who take no pleasure in thinking and talking of God

in this life, will not enjoy the life that is to come, where God is

ever present, dwelling among His people. But those who love to

think of God will be in their element, breathing in the

atmosphere of heaven. Those who on earth love the thought of

heaven will be happy in its holy associations and pleasures. . . .

"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and

of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and

they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads"

(Revelation 22:3, 4). { In Heavenly Places Page 370.5}

Frivolous Conversation--Cultivate the precious gift of speech

as an agency entrusted to you by God. Do not introduce

frivolous, nonsensical subjects of conversation. Talk so that

minds not of our faith will receive the impression that sound

speech and sound principles have been brought into your

education. "Ye are the light of the world." Who are thus

honored? All who have improved their opportunities to learn

how to serve the Lord in the gift of speech. -- {The Voice In

Speech Song, Page 66.1}

If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of

the love of God, and of the precious truths of redemption, their


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own hearts would be refreshed, and they would refresh one

another. We may be daily learning more of our heavenly Father,

gaining a fresh experience of His grace; then we shall desire to

speak of His love; and as we do this, our own hearts will be

warmed and encouraged. If we thought and talked more of

Jesus, and less of self, we should have far more of His presence.

If we would but think of God as often as we have evidence of

His care for us, we should keep Him ever in our thoughts, and

should delight to talk of Him and to praise Him. We talk of

temporal things because we have an interest in them. We talk of

our friends because we love them; our joys and our sorrows are

bound up with them. Yet we have infinitely greater reason to

love God than to love our earthly friends; it should be the most

natural thing in the world to make Him first in all our thoughts,

to talk of His goodness and tell of His power. {Amazing

Grace Page 274.3}

Jesting, joking, and worldly conversation belong to the world.

Christians who have the peace of God in their hearts, will be

cheerful and happy without indulging in lightness or frivolity.

While watching unto prayer, they will have a serenity and peace

which will elevate them above all superfluities. The mystery of

godliness, opened to the mind of the minister of Christ, will

raise him above earthly and sensual enjoyments. He will be a

partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that

is in the world through lust. -"Testimonies for the church"

Vol. III, page 241.


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OUR SINGING

This is undeniably one of the best ways by which Sons and

Daughters of God can LIFT their elder Brother Jesus up.

Singing if based on the theme of redemption and praise and

conveyed in a mode of humility and simplicity will produce the

best of effects on the singer and the listener. Christ should be

the theme, pitch, and harmony of all our renditions for by so

doing we undergo preliminary exercise for the the heavenly

gathering where the redeemed will lift up their voices in unison

to sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of

the Lamb. The sad fact is that those who do not keep the

Redeemer in their singing can never be redeemed for their

voices will be a discord in the harmony of Heaven.

Lift up Jesus, the Man of Calvary. Lift Him up in prayer, lift

Him up in song. We have something to do to let the light flash

into our own minds and hearts, and then to let it shine forth to

others. In the judgment, when brought face to face with souls

with whom you have come in contact, what can be your feelings

when you realize that you have not warned those who were

perishing in their sins? How will it appear to you in that great

day--the little effort you have made in self-denial, in self-

sacrifice, for the salvation of others? What is the matter?

Haven't we reason given us of God? Have we not hearts to feel,

minds to consider and to use to His glory? {Sermon And

Talks, Volume 2.Page 95.3}

Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant

of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous

are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways,

thou King of saints. I Will Sing of Jesus' Love


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I WILL SING OF JESUS' LOVE 7.7.7.7.REF Sing of Him, who first loved me; for He left bright worlds above, And died on Calvary. Refrain I will sing of Jesus love Endless praise my heart shall give; He has died that I might live I will sing His love to me. O the depths of love divine! Earth or heaven can never know How that sin as dark as mine Can be made as white as snow. Nothing good for Him I've done; How could He such love bestow? Lord, I own my heart is won, Help me now my love to show. . AUTHOR F. E. Belden, 1886 SCRIPTURAL ALLUSION [1]Ps 9:2, 1 John 4:19 [3]Eph 3:18,19, Isa 1:18 [r]Isa Ps 59:16

MRS WHITE, AFTER A VISION OF HEAVEN WROTE:


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Music in Heaven--I saw the beauty of heaven. I heard the

angels sing their rapturous songs, ascribing praise, honor, and

glory to Jesus. I could then realize something of the wondrous

love of the Son of God.-- Testimonies for the church

Volume 1,Page 123.

Angel Instrumentalists--I have been shown the order, the

perfect order, of heaven, and have been enraptured as I listened

to the perfect music there. After coming out of vision, the

singing here has sounded very harsh and discordant. I have seen

companies of angels, who stood in a hollow square, every one

having a harp of gold. At the end of the harp was an instrument

to turn to set the harp or change the tunes. Their fingers did not

sweep over the strings carelessly, but they touched different

strings to produce different sounds. There is one angel who

always leads, who first touches the harp and strikes the note,

then all join in the rich, perfect music of heaven. It cannot be

described. It is melody, heavenly, divine, while from every

countenance beams the image of Jesus, shining with glory

unspeakable.-Testimonies for the church Volume, Page 1

146.

Jesus is soon coming, and our position should be that of waiting

and watching for his appearing. We should not allow anything to

come in between us and Jesus. We must learn here to sing the

song of heaven, so that when our warfare is over we can join in

the song of the heavenly angels in the city of God. What is that

song? It is praise, and honor, and glory unto Him that sitteth

upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. We shall

meet opposition; we shall be hated of all men for Christ's sake,

and by Satan, because he knows that there is with the followers

of Christ a divine power, which will undermine his influence.


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We cannot escape reproach. It will come; but we should be very

careful that we are not reproached for our own sins and follies,

but for Christ's sake. {Historical Sketch Of the Foreign

Missions Of Seventh Day Adventists. Page 145.1}

Precious light has been permitted to shine upon our pathway,

and around us are the angels of heaven, who are interested in

our welfare. . . . The love of Christ manifested toward us in His

life of humiliation and self-denial, in His death on Calvary,

should call forth songs of gratitude from our lips. The hope of

His soon coming should fill us with sacred joy. (Signs of the

Times, Dec. 8, 1890). Index

MY SONG SHALL BE OF JESUS

My song shall be of Jesus; His mercy crowns my days, He fills my cup with blessings, And tunes my heart to praise; My song shall be of Jesus, The precious Lamb of God; Who gave Himself my ransom And bought me with His blood. My song shall be of Jesus; When, sitting at His feet, I call to mind His goodness, And know my joy’s complete; My song shall be of Jesus, Whatever ills befall; I’ll sing the grace that saves me, And triumphs over all.


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My song shall be of Jesus, While pressing on my way To where my home shines glorious In pure and perfect day. And when my soul shall enter The many mansions fair, A song of praise to Jesus I’ll sing forever there. (Fanny J. Crosby, 1875 (1820-1915)