Good Sabbath day to you all dear family and Happy Sabbath and Sabbath blessings. Let’s go ahead and get right into the sermon and learn of our Saviour where we have a wonderful lesson of treasures in one of the ways that Christ was prophesied to reach out to the lost.
Psalms 78:2 -I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Christ spoke in parables so that souls might become acquainted with His divine character and life so that we may become partakers of His rich treasures. The Book of Nature is the fingerprint of God. When we look into the things of nature, we can see every day our own daily life and toil. Speaking in parables would open the way for wisdom and knowledge to be a treasure to us all that is found in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:3 -In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Within Christ we find such wonderful treasures, which the world cannot comprehend because of Satan.
2 Corinthians 4:4 -In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The Son of God was the greatest teacher this world has ever come to know. Jesus came to this earth because He loves us all so much and that we would have life eternal. He had shed the bright beams of truth so that we may not be in darkness but be fit for the Kingdom to come. "For this cause came I into the world," Christ declared, "that I should bear witness unto the truth." John 18:37.
John 18:37 -Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
The Messiah came to reveal the character of our Father, that we might be led to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23-24 -But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.
Worshipping Him in truth as Christ did and in spirit, which if we are after the Spirit, we will not walk in the flesh (Galatians 5:16) with those who love to transgress the law of God and feel that His commandments are grievous (1 John 5:3).
Galatians 5:16 -[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
1 John 5:3 -For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Christ knew that the world would need the Divine Teacher in order to have hope, due to all the wolves that have entered into the world that would not spare the flock. We needed our goodly Shepherd because without Christ, we can do nothing.
John 15:5 -I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Christ did all that He could do in hopes that we could see Him and His Father and recognize the Holy Divine Spirit of truth, which they all clearly had pity and sympathy on us, which we can see through their ministration. They had been aroused by mankind's fall, how humanity had come in bondage to the great rebel AKA Satan. And at the appointed time, The One appointed in the councils of heaven came to this earth as man's Teacher. The Divine nature of God was revealed in humanity; Christ’s divinity was now made flesh, just as it was prophesied to come to pass.
Isaiah 7:14 -Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
And Immanuel means God with us.
Matthew 1:23 -Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
So, without the appearing of our great Teacher who would speak in parables, many more would have lost sight of Him. So, it was necessary for Him to meet the necessities of human nature where He took humanity upon Himself. AMEN and Praise God that Christ did. It is amazing how the SON of GOD came to this world to save us. Looking into all this, we can see how Christ came fully prepared to be that Instructor of the heavenly things, and in order to do this, He had to take on human flesh and dwell among us.
John 1:14 -And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
It is amazing to see how we can now learn of the unknown, who made Himself known to us; the things of heaven were revealed through the earthly because God was made manifest in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:5-9 -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. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Christ is such an amazing treasure that our human mind cannot even see the depths of who He is as we will forever be learning of Him. And it was just so brilliant to see how the unknown was illustrated by the known in parables; the divine truths by the things on earth, which the people were most acquainted with.
The Word of God says…
Matthew 13:34-35 -All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
When looking into the purpose of speaking in parables, looking into the book of nature, Christ was speaking of the things which His own hands had made, which have qualities and powers that He Himself had made known through relating the two; the heavenly and the earthly, which is perfectly connected; hence, the Creator and His creation. The book of nature is the expressed image of God.
When we look at the book of nature, we can see how God has surrounded us with all the beauties of nature, which is to attract and interest the mind. For instance, you come go to work one day and all of a sudden you see a beautiful flower arrangement on your desk. Well, what is going on in your mind? Obviously, the flowers have struck a note and immediately you understand that someone cares for you. Look at all the flowers that the Lord has placed on this planet for us all to see His love.
The things that the Creator had created are to bring us to the knowledge of God and His holiness. It is a lesson book of love. It teaches us of the heavenly, which man has a hard time seeing because of Satan destroying it. It is His design that we should associate the beauty of nature with His beautiful character. It is by the works and hands of the Creator where we see His love. It is by our works that we are known.
Christ connected His teachings with daily toil. Through plowing and sowing, through tilling and reaping, it is through these illustrations where we may understand things better. So, in every association of life, in everything that is going on around us in our daily life, there is a lesson book associated with the divine truths. And it is by associating like this that we are never led away from God by forgetting Him in our daily work. It is God’s purpose that we fix our minds on Him and never let go as we are in a continual battle with Satan.
If you look into the life of Adam and Eve and how they came about, imagine what Adam must have been thinking when seeing the PERFECTION of the Garden of Eden; all that was given to him and then a wife. I can’t imagine what was streaming through Adam’s mind, but realizing and comprehending what manner of Love the Creator has for His creation. Nature speaks to the eye and it is received into the heart. You can see the specialness of the Sabbath where we commune with God and remember His works of old.
Psalms 77:11 -I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
And as we see how our first parents transgressed against God, the full glory of God had departed from nature, which we can see today how death has entered therein. Satan who is the god of death has tainted what God gave to us. We see a lesson in nature even about this. It tells us a story of what happened. There is beauty and there is ugliness. There is life and there is death. There is a war between the two and whichever one we yield to will reflect that very image in our own daily lives. The Creator is love and life, while Satan is hate and death; yet even in this condition, much of God’s fingerprint of love remains. The Creator’s object lesson that is found in the book of nature is not lost, but it still speaks of the Creator.
Just before the days of Christ walking in the flesh, man was losing sight of His lessons through nature; this is all due to the constant toiling of Satan and his host defacing truth found in nature. The sinful world had cast a veil over the fair face to the truth found in nature; and instead of it manifesting God; His works became a barrier that concealed Him. The world had learned to love the creation and not the Creator. The world turned nature into a lie even unto this day where we see how humans are doing things with each other that are not seemly, holy and right.
Romans 1:20-25 -For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
But because the Creator is a God of love, He sought to remove the veil of darkness on mankind through His works in speaking in parables, which would enlighten souls who were in darkness.
John 3:19 -And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
And even though their deeds where evil, Christ sought to destroy the darkness, by employing everything nature had to offer in giving it a lesson book to those who can see or hear. So wide was Christ's view of truth, so extended His teaching, that every phase of nature was employed in illustrating truth. The eyes for some cannot see the unseen, but through nature, it can and is why Christ clothed His ministry in parables where Christ connects the heavenly with the earthly. Take a look at the lily flower parables that the Word of God speak of.
Song of Solomon 2:1-2 -I [am] the rose of Sharon, [and] the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so [is] my love among the daughters.
Just as the lily is among the thorns so is Christ among sinners. Thorns are not beautiful. It is the result of sin, yet Christ still resides and loves us and desires to wash away the thorns in our lives.
Romans 5:8 -But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Continuing to look at the lily we find in Matthew 6:28-29…
Matthew 6:28-29 -And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
A lily is a sweet, beautiful and flagrant flower that has a wonderful scent. Jesus has a sweetness and beauty in His ministry especially when you see how the Saviour gave "himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2).
Ephesians 5:2 -And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
A lily is a white flower, and it is very beautiful which Christ would love to clothe us in white raiment. This flower is exceedingly whiter than all other flowers, and within it are seven grains or seeds that are the color of gold.
White represents purity.
Revelation 3:4; 19:8 -Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy…And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And what better way is there in nature to a lily representing the purity of Christ, the One "who knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21), who "did no sin" (1 Peter 2:22), and who was tempted more than we were "yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15), and then who "in him is no sin" (1 John 3:5), than a beautiful white lily? Christ selected the lily for a reason to be a parable unto Himself. This makes me want to plant lilies everywhere around my place. It makes me happy. Amen. And another verse that comes to mind that coincides to the lily and how harmless it is is found in Hebrews 7:26…
Hebrews 7:26 -For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.
A lily is also very fruitful. One root may put forth fifty bulbs at a time. If you take a look at the death of our Saviour and His resurrection, He brings forth so much fruit as He compares Himself to this process the lily brings.
John 12:24 -Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
It is by this work that Christ has done in His life, death and resurrection where He has brought forth much fruit that glorifies the Father.
John 15:8 -Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Another thing that you can notice when studying the lily flower is how it hangs it’s head down. We can see through this illustration the humility of our Saviour.
Philippians 2:6-8 -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.
Furthermore, for those of us who study natural healings, we can see the healing power that is found in this flower. The Lord Jesus Christ is the great Physician. Most certainly, brethren, the lily of the valleys is a beautiful picture of our Heavenly King who is also full of simplicity as the creation of this flower. This is why brethren I love to be outside and not cooped up in doors looking at walls. The nature is a fingerprint to the character of God. If you study nature as such a flower like the lily, you can see CHRIST. We are to spend time doing this on Sabbath especially. When we get into the sermons on Genesis to Revelation, oh, we are going to go through the book of nature and find some wonderful hidden treasures that are there for us to see the expressed image of God. People have always wondered why I have so many gardens around my house and why I have spent so much time in them, you have your answer this day. I love to see Christ. I love having my place surround with His love and to read new parables through His nature. God speaks to us till this day through His nature. You just have to want to desire to see and hear Him because He is there. Even when you’re down and out on a bad day, the simple visit of a bird, the simple butterfly that flies by, to the bananas hanging on the tree, or the grass in the field flowing like the sound of music to our ears, and the beautiful night sky that gives us the pictures of His handy work.
I remember one time that I got grieved at the preaching of others who had said once that there will be no more night when this world is over with. I was sad because I love looking at the night sky and seeing all His works in the heavens. But when I found out that it is not true, I was so happy. The Word of God simply says this in Revelation 21:23.
Revelation 21:23; 22:5 -And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof...And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
For those of us that understand that the city of God is within a cube. So, the Scriptures reveal that we are in no need of these things in the CITY because God is dwelling within and is providing it in the city. BUT outside the city, what is, it remains and so does the beautiful night sky that will continue to speak of His wonders.
Brethren, we can discern his perfect love for us in giving us all these things in nature as a lesson. The knowledge of God will forever be growing. We can find a parable in everything the Creator has made. We can see it in the lovely flowers in the valleys and hills and even in the reflection of love from the smooth surface of the lakes with the trees dancing with their swaying.
Focus on this brethren for food of thought this Sabbath day, As God has given us these beautiful parables as lessons of the heavenly, the things of beauty and purity that He has given to us to enjoy in His nature, how much more will our Redeemer delight to give all of us an eternal inheritance? Oh, how He longs for each of us to make it to His kingdom. Can you see the love that God is to us? Don’t allow Satan to destroy the image of God in your life as I am striving to fulfill that too.
It is our privilege to have a clearer and more distinct view of the goodness and mercy of Elohim. Let us offer to our Saviour continually the sacrifices of praise. Satan is always ready to discourage us all. He will help those whom he has discouraged in order to instill more doubt and unbelief. We need to be more on guard. Satan will try and make us believe that we are having a very hard time in the service of King, when it is far from the truth. I know brethren what I am saying. I have spent many years searching this out and going through experience. I know how Satan is trying so hard to encourage feelings and fancies that work for negative thinking towards God. Satan will try and make us feel like God is a difficult Master. Satan will stop at nothing to misrepresent the love and care Christ has for us. If we yield to this false representation that Satan offers to our thoughts, we are going to manifest it in our daily life, and we, ourselves are going to misrepresent the image of our God and the nature of His service towards us.
We should fix our eye upon Jesus our Saviour, which I pray these future parables will do. We should be continually growing up into Christ our living example. We should every day want more knowledge and more grace. All these new affections that we learn of our Master, it should erase the old affections and negative feelings and emotions that Satan has tried for so many year to plant in our lives.
We strive to daily follow onward to know our Saviour. We should educate the mind to dwell on heavenly things, which is the purpose of these sermons of the parables that will do for all who are truly wanting that perfect relationship with Christ. We should accustom the heart to dwell in a frame of gratitude and praise. The more we praise God, the more Satan will be pushed out of our lives and the more we shall have to praise him for, and our hearts will become attuned to praises. Satan cannot stand a church who praises God. He cannot stand a home who praises God. Satan cannot stand an individual who praises God.
We cannot allow Satan to have intercourse with our mind, but simply learn through Christ’s simple teachings in parables His matchless love for us, which in return will destroy Satan’s ability to infiltrate the temple of God. We should not even give room for Satan to enter into conversation with us. We should not treat Satan as a guest, especially coming into agreement with him that works against our Saviour.
It is in this way that he presents the faults of our brethren to us as well and magnifies them until we can see nothing good in their characters. Some imagine that they have a wonderful zeal for God, that they are inspired to set things in order, that they have a spirit of discernment, when it is really an inspiration that Satan has imparted to them in calling out their brethren. They are possessed of a cold, unsympathetic, unforgiving, critical spirit that is not of God at all, but resides from the spirit of negativity.
Just as we see how Christ has worked for the sick lost in revealing His divine love through parables, we should do the same thing towards those Christ came to save. We should look tenderly upon our brethren, who are encompassed with human infirmities as we are all. When any of our church family does wrong, we have directions from your Jesus how we should handle things. Go to them alone with meekness and love and make whoever may be in the wrong see your love towards him as Christ did.
God holds us all responsible for the treatment of others. If we are going to be unkind, unforgiving, God cannot forgive any of us. We need to all be more pitiful and tender toward the erring who are sick. Christ never turned away from those who were defiled with sin, who came to him for pardon?
Hear a quick parable from a situation that attended Jesus from Luke 7:36-50.
Luke 7:36-50 -And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that [Jesus] sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped [them] with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Those who have lived in rebellion against God, when they do repent and turn to the Lord, are most fervent in their love. They give better service to God than those who have grown cold in his service, who have for years professed to be his children and loyal to his law. A wonderful change takes place in a truly converted soul. The old imperfections that made them uncourteous and forbidding are not manifested. They love Jesus, and those for whom he died. How do you know when you turn away from those who do not seem desirable, but that you are turning away from those for whom Christ is seeking? Perhaps, at the very moment that you turn from them, they are in the greatest need of your tenderness and compassion. There is too much of this critical spirit going on, of standing back in indifference to the welfare of others. We need Christian love as we see it demonstrated in this parable and how He worked for the repentant sinner and the one who was critical of the sinner. We need to learn meekness and lowliness of heart in the school of Christ, which will happen through these multiple sermon series on the parables.
In closing, the Spirit of God invites us all to take hold of heaven's blessings, which then you can have a right hold upon the earth. The Spirit of GOD invites us to look upon nature to see God and hear Him. Let us allow these things teach us the love of God, and the love that our Saviour has for those that are being transformed into his image.
Today He invites you: "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God. . . . I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely. . . . I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. . . . They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine. . . . From Me is thy fruit found." Hosea 14:1-8.
Hosea 14:1-8 -O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive [as] the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof [shall be] as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard [him], and observed him: I [am] like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Amen and good Sabbath day to all. God bless to all who are continuing to strive and obey the Lord...Peace.