The withered hand
Notes
Transcript
6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.
7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood.
9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”
10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
They have not recognized it in its relation to the work of the message as the right arm of the body. While very little respect has been shown to this department by many of the people, and by some of the ministers, the Lord has shown His regard for it by giving it abundant prosperity. When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to reach the heart. When the third angel's message is received in its fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body. . 6T 327.2
Hardness of our heart
Hardness of our heart
Mark 3:5 ( 1900)
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
The health message is like a withered hand due to the hardness of our heart to let go of cherished things that hinder our health and as a witness for Jesus to be glorified.
1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.
2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.”
4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
The Lord calls upon you to show your colors. Stand as eternal health reformers, and do not be in such a condition that when they ask you if you are a health reformer, you will blush for shame. No; you want to say, Certainly, I am; certainly I am a health reformer in every respect; and I want to help others to be health reformers. This work is the right hand of the gospel. It is this health reform, and this healthful living, that is cleaving the way for us right to the hearts of thousands who have nearly killed themselves with their improper diet. Now let us begin to save them. . RH January 7, 1902, par. 12
Do you, my brethren and sisters, realize that you are the light of the world? Do you, in your words and deportment at home, leave a bright track heavenward? What is it to be the light of the world? It is to have God for your guide, to have the companionship of holy angels, and to reflect to others the light that shines upon you from above. But if you fail to exercise Christian courtesy, forbearance, and love in your families, God and holy angels are grieved away; and instead of being the light of the world, you are bodies of darkness. . ST October 6, 1887, par. 2
Opening Doors for Evangelism—Nothing will open doors for the truth like evangelistic medical missionary work. This will find access to hearts and minds, and will be a means of converting many to the truth.
The evangelist who is prepared to minister to a diseased body is given the grandest opportunity of ministering to the sinsick soul. Such an evangelist should be empowered to administer baptism to those who are converted and desire baptism.... Medical missionary work is the right, helping hand of the gospel, to open doors for the proclamation of the message....
Doors that have been closed to him who merely preaches the gospel will be opened to the intelligent medical missionary. God reaches hearts through the relief of physical suffering.—Manuscript 58, 1901.
The Great Entering Wedge—I can see in the Lord's providence that the medical missionary work is to be a great entering wedge, whereby the diseased soul may be reached.—Counsels on Health, 535 (1893).
It Removes Prejudice—Medical missionary work is the pioneer work of the gospel, the door through which the truth for this time is to find entrance to many homes.... A demonstration of the principles of health reform will do much toward removing prejudice against our evangelical work. The Great Physician, the originator of medical missionary work, will bless all who thus seek to impart the truth for this time.—Counsels on Health, 497 (1902).
It Gives Access to Hearts—Do medical missionary work. Thus you will gain access to the hearts of the people. The way will be prepared for more decided proclamation of the truth. You will find that relieving their physical suffering gives an opportunity to minister to their spiritual needs....
The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel.—An Appeal for the Medical Missionary College, pp. 14, 15. (1902).
Reformative Discourses—I have been informed by my guide that not only should those who believe the truth practice health reform but they should also teach it diligently to others; for it will be an agency through which the truth can be presented to the attention of unbelievers. They will reason that if we have such sound ideas in regard to health and temperance, there must be something in our religious belief that is worth investigation. If we backslide in health reform we shall lose much of our influence with the outside world.
The discourses preached at our large gatherings should be of a reformative nature. All the talent possible should be employed to set it before the people.
Many are disgusted with the dry formalism which exists in the Christian world. Many are becoming infidels because they see the lack of true piety in those who profess to be Christians. A good work could be done to prepare the way for the introduction of the truth if decided testimonies were borne upon the health and temperance branch of the work....
The matter of presenting true principles of health and temperance must not be passed over as unessential; for nearly every family needs to be instructed on this point. Nearly every person needs to have his conscience aroused to become a doer of the Word of God, practicing self-denial, and abstaining from the unlawful indulgence of appetite. When you make the people intelligent concerning the principles of health reform you do much to prepare the way for the introduction of present truth. Said my Guide, “Educate, educate, educate.” The mind must be enlightened, for the understanding of the people is darkened. Satan can find access to the soul through perverted appetite, to debase and destroy it.—Letter 1, 1875.
Firmly Linked With Ministry of the Word—The principles of health reform are found in the Word of God. The gospel of health is to be firmly linked with the ministry of the Word. It is the Lord's design that the restoring influence of health reform shall be a part of the last great effort to proclaim the gospel message.—Medical Ministry, 259 (1899).
In Many Places—As a means of overcoming prejudice and gaining access to minds, medical missionary work must be done, not in one or two places only, but in many places where the truth has not yet been proclaimed. We are to work as gospel medical missionaries, to heal the sin-sick souls by giving them the message of salvation. This work will break down prejudice as nothing else can.—Testimonies For The Church 9:211 (1909).
Necessary to the Advancement of the Cause—Medical missionary work is the right hand of the gospel. It is necessary to the advancement of the cause of God. As through it men and women are led to see the importance of right habits of living, the saving power of the truth will be made known. Every city is to be entered by workers trained to do medical missionary work. As the right hand of the third angel's message, God's methods of treating disease will open doors for the entrance of present truth.—Testimonies For The Church 7:59 (1902).
It Opens Doors—In every place the sick may be found, and those who go forth as workers for Christ should be true health reformers, prepared to give those who are sick the simple treatments that will relieve them, and then pray with them. Thus they will open the door for the entrance of the truth. The doing of this work will be followed by good results.—Medical Ministry, 320 (1911). . Ev 513.1-Ev 516.1
Again and again I have been instructed that the medical missionary work is to bear the same relation to the work of the third angel's message that the arm and hand bear to the body. Under the direction of the divine Head they are to work unitedly in preparing the way for the coming of Christ. The right arm of the body of truth is to be constantly active, constantly at work, and God will strengthen it. But it is not to be made the body. At the same time the body is not to say to the arm: “I have no need of thee.” The body has need of the arm in order to do active, aggressive work. Both have their appointed work, and each will suffer great loss if worked independently of the other. . 6T 288.1
The glory of God, the perfection of Christian character, is to be the aim, the purpose, of our life. Christ's followers must imitate Christ in disposition.... Like Christ is the watchword, not like your father or your mother, but like Jesus Christ—hid in Christ, clothed with Christ's righteousness, imbued with the Spirit of Christ. All the peculiarities given us as an inheritance or acquired by indulgence or through erroneous education must be thoroughly overcome, decidedly resisted. Love of esteem and pride of opinion, all must be brought to the sacrifice....
Jesus is our helper; in Him and through Him we must conquer.... The grace of Christ is waiting your demand upon it. He will give you grace and strength as you need it if you ask Him.... The religion of Christ will bind and restrain every unholy passion, will stimulate to energy, to self-discipline, and industry, even in the matters of homely, everyday life, leading us to learn economy, tact, and self-denial, and to endure even privation without a murmur. The Spirit of Christ in the heart will be revealed in the character, will develop noble qualities and powers. “My grace is sufficient” (2 Corinthians 12:9) says Christ. 43
God has done so much to make it possible for us to be free in Christ, free from the slavery of wrong habits and evil inclinations. Dear young friends, will you not strive to be free in Christ? You point to this and that professed Christian, saying, We have no confidence in them. If their lives are examples of Christianity, we want none of it. Look not at those around you. Look instead at the only perfect pattern, the man Christ Jesus. Beholding Him, you will be changed into the same image. 44 . OHC 29.2-OHC 29.4
Mrs. Smith was so happy. “I’ve cured my husband of biting his nails.” I said, “After all these years? Tell me how.” “I hide his teeth,” was her reply.
Bad habits can bring personal embarrassment and physical limitations. American educator, Horace Mann, once described the predicament this way: “Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it every day, and at last we cannot break it.”
—Charles R. Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life
Chuck Swindoll
Who is strong? He that can conquer his bad habits.
Benjamin Franklin
Just as iron, even without willing it, is drawn by a magnet, so is a slave to bad habits dragged about by them.
John Climacus
The unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones.
W. Somerset Maugham
18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
I want to say to those who have been desponding, When Satan comes in to tempt you, and you have no evidence that the Lord accepts you, do not look to see how dark you are, but look up to the light. Begin to praise God for the plan of salvation, and hold every victory gained through Christ. As you repeat the confidence you have in Jesus, Satan will flee; for he cannot bear the name of Jesus. Thus, step by step, you can fight the good fight of faith. Remember that Jesus has borne long with you, and he does not want you to be lost. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” By this he shows that he wants to take possession of your hearts.
Satan may tell you that you cannot be blessed; but Jesus says that he will come in, if you will open the door of your hearts. Which will you believe? Here is another precious promise that all may claim. It is not addressed to those who are perfect, but to sinners; to those who have wandered away from Christ. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Is there one who dares not claim this promise? Is there one who will say, “I am so sinful that this does not mean me”? Put away such thoughts. Christ will accept you, polluted by sin though you may be, if you will come to him with contrition of soul. He invites all to come into the light of his presence. Then why should you remain away?
The word of God says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” It will require an effort on your part to walk with God. Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, “Stretch forth thine hand.” The afflicted man might have said, “Lord, I have not used it for years; heal it first, and then I will stretch it forth.” But instead of this, when Jesus commanded him to stretch it forth, he exercised the power of his will, and moved it just as if it were well. The very exercise of the will power was evidence to Jesus that the man believed; and his hand was healed in the act of stretching it forth. God would have you put away your darkness, and show that there is a power in the Christian religion that there is not in the world. He wants to make you all light in him; he wants to fill your hearts with love, and peace, and hope. If, then, you continue to cling to your darkness, you dishonor him; for you do not correctly represent to the world a sin-pardoning Saviour. If you are gloomy, desponding, hopeless, you are a poor representative of the Christian religion. Christ died for all. The sacrifice was complete. It is your privilege and duty to show to the world that you have an entire, all- powerful Saviour. It was the Son of the infinite God who died to purchase a full and free salvation for all that would accept it. Then why not take him as your Saviour? He rebukes your unbelief; he honors your faith.
(To be Continued.). ST October 6, 1887, par. 7-ST
Man is what he eats.
Anonymous
In the realm of the mind and the spirit, “you are what you eat” is more penetrating. If you feed on violence, excitement, erotica, and materialism, you will eventually personify them. You will become what you eat.
R. Kent Hughes
We ought to eat in order to live, not live in order to eat.
M. Tullius Cicero
The people who say: “You are what you eat” have always seemed addled to me. In my opinion, you are what you think, and if you don’t think, you can eat all the meat in Kansas City and still be nothing but a vegetable. —Russell Baker, The Rescue of Miss Yaskell
Russell Baker
Think of all the squabbles Adam and Eve must have had in the course of their nine hundred years. Eve would say, “You ate the apple,” and Adam would retort, “You gave it to me!”
Martin Luther
You cannot say that Jesus Christ ever troubled His head about what He should eat, or what He should drink—His meat and His drink consisted in doing His Father’s will!
Thought Condemned, Yet Commanded, Volume 52, Sermon #2973 - Matthew 6:31-33
Charles Spurgeon
Most people, including many Christians, are instead slaves to their bodies. Their bodies tell their minds what to do. Their bodies decide when to eat, what to eat, how much to eat, when to sleep and get up, and so on. An athlete cannot allow that. He follows the training rules, not his body.
John F. MacArthur
Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.
—Samuel Butler
Samuel Butler