30/03/2017Elder Willan Superville

Quote: “The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought.

The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, and being clothed

with humility, possessing that love that is pure, peaceable, and easy to be

entreated, full of gentleness and good fruits, is not an easy attainment.... The

soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in knowledge and true

holiness. The holy life and character of Christ is a faithful example. His

confidence in his heavenly Father was unlimited. His obedience and

submission were unreserved and perfect. He came not to be ministered unto,

but to minister to others. He came not to do his own will, but the will of

Him that sent him. In all things he submitted himself to Him that judgeth

righteously. From the lips of the Saviour of the world were heard these

words, “I can of mine own self do nothing.” Gospel Workers, Pg. 376.2

Today our discussion is centered around our personal

reflection in questioning ourselves, “Are we

changed?” As we come together to partake of the

Lord’s Supper, we are urged to listen to the Holy

Spirit speak to us individually of our sanctification

towards YHWH and our fellow men both in the

church family and humanity in general.

What is the meaning of the word “Change”:

1. “make or become different.”

2. “take or use another instead of.” Thus if this be

the meaning of change, then if no change dwell

in us and through us, we are thus the opposite of

change.

Jesus counseled the church on many occasions urging

them to develop character change:

Matthew 13:25, 26

[25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye

make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but

within they are full of extortion and excess.

[26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within

the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean

also.

Quote: “This should be a lesson to us. It should open our eyes to the

power of Satan to deceive the mind that turns from the light of truth.

Many follow in the track of the Pharisees. They revere those who have

died for their faith. They wonder at the blindness of the Jews in

rejecting Christ. Had we lived in His day, they declare, we would gladly

have received His teaching; we would never have been partakers in the

guilt of those who rejected the Saviour. But when obedience to God

requires self-denial and humiliation, these very persons stifle their

convictions, and refuse obedience. Thus they manifest the same spirit

as did the Pharisees whom Christ condemned.”

Desire of the Ages, Pg. 618.2

Matthew7:1-5

[1] Judge not, that ye be not judged.[2] For with what judgment ye

judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall

be measured to you again.[3] And why beholdest thou the mote

that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in

thine own eye?

[4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote

out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

[5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;

and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy

brother's eye.

Quote: “Do not think yourself better than other men, and set

yourself up as their judge. Since you cannot discern motive, you

are incapable of judging another. In criticizing him, you are passing

sentence upon yourself; for you show that you are a participant

with Satan, the accuser of the brethren. The Lord says, “Examine

yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” This

is our work. “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be

judged.Desire of the Ages, Pg. 614.1

John 8:4-11

[4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in

the very act.

[5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be

stoned: but what sayest thou?

[6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse

him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the

ground, as though he heard them not.

[7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and

said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast

a stone at her.

Jn.8:4-11

[8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

[9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own

conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even

unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in

the midst.

[10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the

woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers?

hath no man condemned thee?

[11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I

condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

These counsels came right down to just before

his death:

John 13:1-7

[1] Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his

hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the

Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved

them unto the end.

[2] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the

heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

These counsels came right down to just before his

death:

John 13:1-7

[3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his

hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

[4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a

towel, and girded himself.

[5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the

disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was

girded.

These counsels came right down to just before his

death:

John 13:1-7

[6] Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him,

Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

[7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not

now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Quote: “When the disciples entered the supper room, their hearts

were full of resentful feelings. Judas pressed next to Christ on the

left side; John was on the right. If there was a highest place, Judas

was determined to have it, and that place was thought to be next to

Christ. And Judas was a traitor.Another cause of dissension had

arisen. At a feast it was customary for a servant to wash the feet of

the guests, and on this occasion preparation had been made for the

service. The pitcher, the basin, and the towel were there, in

readiness for the feet washing; but no servant was present, and it

was the disciples’ part to perform it. But each of the disciples, ….

“yielding to wounded pride, determined not to act the part of a

servant. All manifested a stoical unconcern, seeming unconscious

that there was anything for them to do. By their silence they

refused to humble themselves…..Jesus waited for a time to see

what they would do. Then He, the divine Teacher, rose from the

table. Laying aside the outer garment that would have impeded His

movements, He took a towel, and girded Himself. With surprised

interest the disciples looked on, and in silence waited to see what

was to follow. “After that He poureth water into a basin, and began

to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them …

“with the towel wherewith He was girded.” This action opened the

eyes of the disciples. Bitter shame and humiliation filled their

hearts. They understood the unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves

in altogether a new light.So Christ expressed His love for His

disciples. Their selfish spirit filled Him with sorrow, but He entered

into no controversy with them regarding their difficulty. Instead

He gave them an example they would never forget.”

Desire of the Ages, Pg. 644.3,4,5

As we conclude our discussion on this very important topic, let’s

continue to reflect on the purpose of our presence here today as

we ask ourselves “Am I Changed.” And pray and ask almighty God

to continue to change us and make us as he is. As we proceed to

the next stage of today’s proceedings, let’s hear what the pen of

inspiration says:

Quote: “The ordinance of feet-washing has been especially

enjoined by Christ; and on these occasions the Holy Spirit is

present to witness and put a seal to this ordinance. He is there to ...

convict and soften the heart. He draws the believers together, and

makes them one in heart. They are made to feel that Christ is

indeed present to clear away the rubbish that has accumulated to

separate the hearts of the children of God.”

Review and Herald, May 31, 1898, par. 11

Quote: “These ordinances were established that all might have the

privilege of acknowledging their wrongs, and confessing their sins

at this time. And as the heart is softened and melted under the

movings of the Holy Spirit, the heavenly anointing gives them

spiritual eyesight to discern their errors. Jesus has pledged himself

to be present in the fulness of his grace to change the current of

the minds that are running in selfish channels. This service can not

be repeated without one thought’s linking itself with another. Thus

a chain of thought calls up remembrances of blessings, of

kindnesses, and of favors received from friends and brethren, …

that have passed out of mind. The Holy Spirit, with its quickening,

vivifying power, presents the ingratitude and lack of love that have

sprung from the hateful root of bitterness. Link after link of

memory’s chain is strengthened. The Spirit of God is at work upon

human minds. The defects of character, the neglect of duties, the

ingratitude to God, are brought to the remembrance, and the

thoughts are brought into captivity to Christ.”

Review and Herald, June 7, 1898, par. 2

THE END

30/03/2017Elder Willan Superville