Palace Beautiful
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Romans 7:15-25; 8:3-5
This morning is going to be taken just about entirely from the passages that we read earlier, but we're not going through that passage, because we're going to be using story to illustrate a completely. I hope anyway the message that you see in Romans 7 and in that part of Romans 8. It's called Palace Beautiful.
Let's bow and ask God to bless.
Gracious heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful season of the year. We just passed through a wonderful Christmas Day and are ready to step into a New Year. We've gathered here to worship You and to hear Your Word. We pray that You will bless this time in a very special way. To each one of us as well as the boys and girls that are listening this morning.
These things we pray in Jesus Name, Amen
The Building of the Palace-Psalm 139:14; 145:18-20; Isaiah 65:24
A long time ago, there lived a King. This King was the wisest, the richest, most powerful king the world has ever known. And He was all good. That says a lot. His dominion reached further than any of us could possibly imagine.
The King determined to build himself a palace, a place where He could safely place his treasure. So he called the best architects, the engineers, the builders together. When they were assembled, He laid his plans out before them. They examined them carefully and at length.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
When they were done looking over the plans, they all realized that what he was going to build was going to be absolutely incredible. Such a palace had never been dreamed of, and they cried one to another in exceeding joy. “It is fearfully and wonderfully made.” Once complete, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
The palace was to be constructed in three distinct sections.
In the center of the palace was to be a Citadel, made glorious with all sorts of beautiful needlework, embroidery, artwork & tapestry.
Second there was to be a Middle Court enclosing the Citadel, and running the whole circumference;
Third there was to be an Outer Court, with a wall which was ordered to be built immensely strong so that no foe should ever be able to break in.
The builders, the architects, & the engineers went to work. The months passed, and finally the palace was complete.
The king came and examined the palace very carefully. Every part of the structure was minutely inspected by him, and He graciously announced the palace to be very good. And in truth there was so much about it to delight the eye and gladden the heart that it was named Palace Beautiful. Soon a plaque was placed above the entryway with the title; Palace Beautiful.
Not long afterward the King made known His desire to find a suitable keeper and His choice fell upon a certain young man of great promise, a fine handsome looking young man who was intelligent in mind and well-mannered and brave. The King quickly engaged him to be the keeper of the palace. The king not only paid him a good wage for taking care of the palace, He also promised him a royal bounty for faithful service.
The king called the young man to the throne room to go over some instructions with him. At that time, he let the young man know that he was to pay a long visit to another part of his dominion.
He gave him a Book containing certain instructions on how he could faithfully serve the king during his absence. Then, before he left, he gave the keeper a command of what his wishes were;
“Guard my palace with all diligence”.
His instructions continued,
“You need not fear foes from the outside, as they cannot get in. The only way they can get in is if you completely renounce Me and open the gate, otherwise you are safe from all foes from the outside.”
Then, looking deep into the eyes of this young man, the King spoke;
“But keep careful watch from within, because somewhere in this palace is one called the Black Dwarf. He is cruel and bloodthirsty. He is a traitor, opposed to everything I stand for, and has an incredible ability to disguise himself, so that he is able to deceive anyone, save Myself. Should he make an appearance, and he will, instantly, without hesitation, bid him begone in My Name, for he will seek to make you captive.”
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.
If at any point in time, the black dwarf is able to get a foothold, or you find yourself faced with anything that appears to be more than you can handle, and you find that you need assistance, climb the steps of the citadel, going to the very top and earnestly cry; ‘Help, help!’ And immediately there will come to your aid a Mighty One, Who is the chief Lord of this part of my Kingdom.
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
He is swifter and stronger than the wind and finds His greatest joy in fighting for the weak, cheering the down hearted, and comforting those who mourn. No one can withstand His power; therefore, do not fail to call for Him should you find yourself in need.”
The young man listened enthusiastically and carefully to all of the instructions that he was given by the King. And cheerfully promised to observe everything that the King had asked of him. Then he made a request to the King;
“Is there anything else that I can do in order that I might fully accomplish all that You have given me to do & to prove my diligence and faithfulness?”
“Yes, while you are here, I want you to plant gardens with flowers of all kinds, but predominantly I want roses of every variety and beautiful lilies. Then, I want you to guard them well and maintain them. Please know, I do not ask anything of you that’s beyond your capability, however, should you need assistance of any kind, guarding, maintaining of beautifying the garden or anything else, climb the tower and call on the Mighty One and immediately He will come to your aid.”
The 2 of them then walked out of the middle court to the outer court, and as He left the gate of the outer court, put His Hand on the shoulder of the young keeper and said,
“Occupy till I come”.
As He left, He locked the gate of the outer court.
The moment the gates were closed, away went the keeper, filled with excitement, he went to work immediately. He guarded that treasure with great care and then began the planting of the gardens and the cultivating and doing all the things the King had requested. He ordered roses and lilies from all over the world, then planted them.
For months and months the keeper remained faithful. As time passed, the roses began to grow and bloom, as did the beautiful lilies as well as all of the other flowers he had planted. Before long the gardens abounded with immeasurable beauty.
Each day began with the keeper reading through the Book that was given to him by the King, reading and memorizing so as to know all that needed to be done to maintain the unparalleled beauty and majesty. All the paths were kept trimmed and neat, and not a single weed or thistle could be found.
The Invasion of the Palace-James 1:14-15; Galatians 3:1
One day he looked over the garden, and it seemed to be one unbroken vision of grace and the loveliness. One morning, shortly after he woke from a goods night’s rest, he thought to himself;
“I have worked very hard, surely just one day of innocent pleasure, and the relaxing of my vigilance will not be too much. I don’t think the King will mind.”
So he carefully fastened and locked the doors to the Citadel. Then he began to wonder, aimlessly and carelessly throughout the garden, not even noticing the beauty that surrounded him on all sides, nor hearing the singing of the birds that filled the gardens. It did not take long before his mood began to change into a dark mood discontented with his lot in life. He worked so hard and no one was there to appreciate it! The discontent then grew into open complaining. He was openly complaining about the fact that no one was around to appreciate all of his efforts. Finally, he was loudly grumbling and walking back-and-forth.
When will He be back? Why is He taking so long? Why must I stay inside all the time?
He didn’t realize that as he was walking back-and-forth he had gotten completely off the path for hours. He looked down at where he had been walking and realized he had been walking over the beautiful flowers he had labored to plant. Many were completely destroyed. All sudden, he thought to himself;
“Suppose the King returns now. What will I do?”
But the sun had almost set, and it was getting dark. While there was still enough daylight that he could have gotten several things done before the sun set, he choked down the thought and soothed his conscience with a vow that he would rise early in the morning to take steps to repair all of the damage that he had done that day. Meanwhile, as the day was far spent, he would get back to the citadel and enjoy his evening meal, and after that retire for the night.
Once back inside the citadel, he went into the kitchen and made a big meal and sat down and begin to eat to his full. He was just about to finish the fine meal that he had prepared, when he was startled by a sigh, or a groan, that seemed to come from beneath the table. Instantly there flashed into his mind the thought of the Black Dwarf, and his heart throbbed violently!
He lifted the tablecloth and looked under the table. All he saw was a little old man, his face was white. He was so feeble looking that the keeper began feel sorry for the little old man, but he had to follow his orders. He looked at that helpless little creature and he spoke;
“Come out from under there and identify yourself immediately. Who are you? Why are you here?”
The weak old man was obviously frightened said to the keeper;
“Please turn down the light, it’s so bright.”
The keeper walked over and turned the light down. Again the little old man cried;
“A little lower please, turn the lights a little lower, my eyes are very old, and the light really hurts them.”
The eyes of the keeper studied the old man from under the table; his legs were so thin he wasn’t sure he could even stand.
“Pity, kind sir!” he pleaded. It is a long while since I have tasted solid food, and I am starving. Homeless, friendless, hungry, I come to cast myself upon your kind of charity.
The heart of the keeper was moved with compassion.
“You sit right down there, and I’ll prepare you a meal fit for a king.”
Then the keeper began to make a fabulous meal to feed this weak old man. Once the meal was set before him, he ate every bit of it lustily.
The keeper then spoke;
“I’ll let you stay the night, but you must be gone by dawn, but for now, you just eat up and enjoy.”
When he was done eating, the keeper said to him;
“What is your name.”
“My name is Amalek.”
Then Amalek reached into the folds of his garment and pulled out a flute.
“Please sir, allow me to repay some of your kindness by playing some music for you. I am renowned all over the world as a charmer with the ability to play sweet music and I promise, my skill upon the flute will bring you great pleasure.”
“It is rather late”,objected the keeper, “and I am in the habit of retiring early. Some other day perhaps.”
“Oh kind sir, I may never pass this way again, do let me give you some small pleasure this evening.”
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
The keeper weakly hesitated for a moment and then yielded.
“Very well, he said but only for this one song, so go ahead and play away.”
The old man began to play. The music was so beautiful that when he finished playing the first song, the keeper asked him, “Just one more song, one more song and then we can retire for the night.”
…Who has bewitched you?…
One song turned into another, which turned into another, and on and on he played. The keeper lost all of his senses and lost all track of time. He didn’t know how, but at some point, in time, somehow, he ended up in bed.
When he woke the next day to get to work, the sun was already high in the sky. Before he got out of bed, he sensed he was not alone. He looked over, and there in his bed was the Black Dwarf fast asleep and snoring loudly. He knew enough not to jump on him right then and there. He began to get out of bed slowly and carefully. He was not sure what to do as he was filled with fear.
The Usurpation of the Palace. 1 Cor. 15:33
Then a thought came to him; he would grab a pillow, put it over the face of the Black Dwarf and smother him. So, he quietly took hold of a pillow, climbed on top of the Black Dwarf and placed it forcefully over his face.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Suddenly, a struggle broke out. Though the Black Dwarf was very, very small, as they struggled, he grew in size and power. And before long, the Black Dwarf towered above him. And soon, the keeper was defeated. Looking down at his defeated foe, the Black Dwarf said,
“I am the master, and don’t you ever forget it!”
The Keeper shouted,
“Be gone, in the name of the King.”
“It’s too late for that now.”
They once again began to struggle, and once again, the more they struggled, the more the Black Dwarf grew in size and power. Soon, the Black Dwarf soundly defeated the Keeper. as the Keeper pleaded for mercy.
“Oh you want mercy do you? Then mercy you shall have.” Said the Black Dwarf with a mocking laugh, “But only on the condition that you recognize me as master.”
As the dwarf uttered this word his eyes gleamed dangerously and his features became inky black; Indeed, his whole appearance became fiendish and frightening.
“You see,” he resumed,” you and I need each other. Left to myself I should starve to death; left to yourself you would pine away for lack of pleasure. You see,” he went on, “our interests are mutual; Our care must be reciprocal. You look after the feeding, and I will provide the music. See? I will gratify every desire of your heart, what more could a man want?. And since I have been blessed with a good appetite. You keep me fed. My appetite is my strength.
I'll tell you what, said the black dwarf, let's do a trial, I will be a king for just one day. The king is far away, better a doubtful friend than an open enemy.
With great hesitation, the Keeper relented.
“OK but for one day and one day only! Then you must leave.”
Suddenly in a moment, no, it was less than a moment. The Black Dwarf towered over the Keeper as if he were a giant.
“Down on your knees,” shouted the Black Dwarf.
Filled with fear, the Keeper hesitated.
“I said down on your knees!” Shouted Black Dwarf in a threatening voice
The keeper knelt on his face before the black dwarf, broken and in submission.
“And now for breakfast!” Laughed the black dwarf. “Nothing like a substantial meal to begin the day. What do you have-- something nice, I hope!” Rubbing his hands briskly.
They sat down to breakfast, and it seemed to the keeper that the dwarf would never stop eating. However, the meal came to an end at last; and then, the dwarfs heart being joyful, he produced his flute and made sweet music. For a considerable time, he played but the keeper never tired of listening to him.
The Plunder of the Palace.
Then, jumping to his feet the Black Dwarf spoke, “It’s time to go to work. I gotta make a few improvements on Palace Beautiful.” Then he took a heavy stick and began to break out every pane in every window in the entire room. The keeper begged him not to do it, but he just pushed him aside.
As the Keeper watched Black Dwarf closely. He noticed that much of the time Black Dwarf wasn’t watching him closely at all. After a short period of time, all of a sudden, he broke from the room, making his way to the Citadel, bursting through the doors, he ran to the stairs to the tower. He had to climb several flights of stairs; he ran for all his heart and as fast as he could, Amalek was close on his heels. Finally, he reached the top and just as he was about to shout, the hands of Amalek reached around him and covered his mouth. Once again, a struggle broke out, but before long Amalek defeated the Keeper, soon the Keeper was completely out cold.
By the time he woke up, all the doors were locked. He no longer had the keys, instead Black Dwarf had the keys. There was thick dark paper covering all of the windows. The Keeper felt like he was a prisoner in the now dark brown palace. It no longer appeared that you could call it Palace Beautiful, it was as dark the night.
That morning, the Black Dwarf roughly ordered the keeper to follow him, and he destroy everything in his path as they made their way to the garden, pictures, tapestry, paintings, everything was destroyed. All of the sudden, the Keeper remembered, the Black Dwarf said he would only rule for 1 day. He mustered all of his courage and shouted;
“Today is a new day, your rule has ended. You must leave now!
Ha, shouted Amalek, Did you think it would be that easy?
But you promised! Said the Keeper.
I make a lot of promises that I have no intentions of keeping. Dethrone me if you think you can!
As the made their way through the garden, the Black Dwarf began planting thorns, thistles and ugly weeds everywhere they went. At the end of that long gloomy day, the Keeper fed Amalek, and after he had eaten his full, he pulled out his flute and began to play. It seemed that every time he played his flute, the countenance of the keeper moved from gloomy to happiness. Not like the happiness he had in the presence of the King, which was a great joy that welled up from deep inside. Though there was happiness, there was always a deep sense of foreboding even in the happiness, a spirit of guilt was always present.
For many, many months Amalek reigned as king of the palace. Each day things grew worse. The tapestries and paintings were replaced with ugly pictures that literally turned the stomach. The flowers in the once beautiful garden, disappeared beneath ugly thorns weeds and thistles.
The Recovery of the Palace. 1 Cor. 10:12; Galatians 6:7; Luke 17:6; James 1:4
Then one morning when they awoke, the sky was dark with rain clouds. The heavy wind blew and it turned terribly cold. The rain turned ice, then snow, all the while the wind kept blowing. Though it was cold, the keeper did fairly well. But not the Black Dwarf. He was shaking, shivering, his teeth chattered loudly. He huddled by a wood fire, continuing to shake and shiver. He became drowsy, very drowsy and soon fell into a deep sleep.
The keeper slowly crept over to the Black Dwarf, hoping he could sneak the key to the Citadel from his pocket. Finally, after what seemed like hours, he was able to get the key out of the pocket. He made his way to the door, quietly slipped out and hurriedly ran to the citadel. Just as he was turning the key, he heard footsteps behind him and turned to see the black dwarf running his way. Breathlessly, as quickly as his legs would take him, he rushed up the steps to the top of the citadel. He could hear that the black dwarf was getting closer and closer to catching him. Once he got to the top, and as the black dwarf was hurling himself through the air at him, he loudly shouted
Help, help!
No sooner did the words come out of his mouth, did the Mighty One appear! His height and stature was so great that he could not even stand in the tower without bending slightly.
“Who needs my help?” Came the thundering voice of the Mighty One.
The Black Dwarf took one look at him and didn’t run down the stairs. He threw himself over the side and fell from the top of the tower to the bottom. The Keeper both laughed and cried hysterically at the same time.
Then, the Keeper began to explain all that happened, describing things in great detail. Once he was finished, he looked around puzzled. He asked the Mighty One,
Where is the Black Dwarf?
The Mighty One spoke reassuringly,
He is down in the dungeon.
They began to look over the palace. It looked beyond repair. Disheartened, the Keeper said,
This is impossible, there is no way we will ever be able to repair this, to restore it to the beauty that it once had.
The Mighty One spoke in a comforting tone,
Do not despair, nothing is ever beyond my power to mend!
Once again the two of them began to look over all of the damage that had been done in the gardens, in both the inner and outer courts, as well as what had been done in the living quarters. The keeper was overcome with grief as they looked over the damage. Soon he cast himself down in deep agony.
Tenderly the mighty one raised him and spoke to him in loving tones.
Well now, spoke the mighty one, dry your tears, and let us together work at bringing about the needed repairs. I'll gladly remain and between us we will soon have this place restored to the beauty that it once displayed.
The keeper asked, but what about the black dwarf? I could never defeat him.
You need not be the afraid, spoke the Mighty One, the dwarf fears me; there is a long standing feud between us. And I defeat him every time we face off, every time he crosses my path. He'll dare not show his face while I remain, yet it is best to be on your guard. My advice to you is starve him!
Oh I will never feed him again, said the keeper, I've suffered too much at his hands ever to have the slightest pity on him again!
…let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
It is unwise to become overconfident, the Mighty One said, let anyone that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
Early the next morning the Mighty One and the Keeper begin to work together bringing about repairs all over palace beautiful. To start with, they tore down all of the dark thick brown paper that covered all of the windows. Then they scraped and removed all of the ugly pictures that had been hung. Once they finished with the interior, they made their way out to the palace gardens. A regretful sigh came from the mouth of the Keeper as he looked out over all of the thorns and thistles and weeds that had completely destroyed all of the beautiful flowers.
…whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Listening to the sigh of the Keeper, the Mighty One spoke, “whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Looking over all of the ugliness that had taken over the garden, the keeper questioned, “Would it not be a good plan to mow down all of those weeds and thistles and thorns? I think it would save a good deal of time and labor and the place would quickly have a beautiful appearance.”
OH that would never do, said the Mighty One, the weeds the thorns and the thistles would still be there! The only way to have total victory is if they are pulled up by the roots and tossed into the fire. Otherwise you will be battling all of these things for your lifetime.
… ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Kneel over each of the weed’s, thorns and thistles and say to each one be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The labor was very difficult and time consuming and before long the knees and the back of the keeper ached. The Mighty One spoke encouraging words to the Keeper, Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The Renewal of the Palace. Romans 8:13; 6:6; 1 Cor. 15:31; Rev. 22:12
Gradually, the beauty around the palace began to reign once again.
Sometime later, the Keeper realized that they had not seen anything of the Black Dwarf for a long period of time.
He spoke to the Mighty One and said,
Perhaps he is gone!
Oh he never willingly leaves once he gains a footing. Spoke the Mighty One.
The Keeper looked at the Mighty One, and then he spoke,
Would it not be a good thing if you hunted him down from his hiding place and slew him once and for all?
The Mighty One stooped and whispered something in the keeper's ears.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
With a look of surprise upon his face, the Keeper said, really? I am to be the one who vanquishes the black dwarf? How will I ever be able to do it? Every time I have faced him he has grown in power and strength and size.
That was true in the past, but don’t forget, you are the one who fed him, which gave him great strength. That is no longer the case. That is not to say that the task will not be difficult, or that you should rush into it without spending time in prayer and fasting. Spend this day in fasting and prayer, and tomorrow you will go down to the dungeon and deal with the black dwarf.
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Early the next morning the keeper rose from his sleep and walked into the kitchen where the mighty one sat. The Mighty One led the keeper by his hand over to the door of the dungeon. Leaning up against the wall was an old rugged cross.
Carry this cross down into the dungeon to where you see the black dwarf. Take no notice of him until you have the cross positioned upright. Then subdue the black dwarf and do not stop until his hands and feet are nailed to the cross and he dies.
Obediently, The Keeper did exactly as he was told. But just as had happened in the past, the more he battled the black dwarf, the stronger he became. Until it seemed as if the black dwarf would overpower the Keeper. Loudly the keeper shouted, Help, help!
No sooner did the words come out of his mouth than the Mighty One appeared, grabbed the black dwarf around his waist and squeezed him tightly until he could no longer breathe. Then he held him to the cross and looked to the keeper and said, Nail his hands and feet to that cross, and do not stop until his very last breath leaves his body. Not much time had passed until the task was complete. And soon the black dwarf was dead, nailed to that old rugged cross.
As they ascended the stairs, The mighty ones countenance wore a grave smile, but he did not say a word.
The rest of that day was a very happy one for the keeper; even at his work in the garden he sang songs of joyful praise.
Just as he was about to go to bed for the night, he turned and spoke to the mighty one.
I suppose that tomorrow in the morning we shall bury the black dwarf?
We shall see, replied to the Mighty One. Let the morning come first.
The following morning the keeper rose from his sleep very early, after all he had suffered at the hands of the Black Dwarf, he longed for the moment when the dwarf should finally put out of site for good.
Not waiting for the mighty one, the keeper made his way softly down to the dungeon, wanting to see the condition of the black dwarf.
Very carefully he pushed open the door and glanced in. One look was enough: he started back in horror, and shrieked aloud. There was the black dwarf, still upon the cross, but fully alive and struggling frantically to come down from the cross. His eyes seemed to gleam with such malicious hatred that it filled the keeper with fear.
The mighty one heard the cries of the keeper and quickly descended the stairs.
What is the matter? He asked quietly.
The dwarf is still alive! The dwarf is still alive! Exclaimed the keeper
Mighty one smiled meaningly.
Does that surprise you? Did I not encourage you to wait and see what the morning would bring?
Yes, but why is he not dead?
… you put to death the deeds of the body….
This is not a battle that can be won in a day. But something you will have to do day after day after day.
Though it was a battle that had to be fought every day, as time went on, and the more time the keeper spent time in the Book he had been given by the king, the more strength he had each day to win the battle. He also realized that he was never alone in the battle, that the mighty one would come in a moments notice, anytime he called upon him.
After some time, the keeper asked the mighty one,
How will I know when the King is going to come? Will there be a trumpet blast announcing his return?
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
Possibly said the Mighty One or perhaps he will come suddenly without a moment's warning.
The keeper's eyes lit up with joy.
I shall be ready for his return. Though I feel as though I have been a terrible keeper. Will the king forgive my sinful mistakes, and find pleasure in palace beautiful?
Ohh he is quick to forgive said the mighty one and his eyes have the ability to see things we cannot see. He is able to see beauty not even visible to the human eye.
The keeper spoke joyfully
Come quickly, O my king!
At that exact moment there came a gentle knock upon the outer gate of the palace; but faint as it was, it was heard by the keepers sharp ear.
The king! The king!, he cried joyfully.
Yes, it is he,
said the mighty one great joy flowing from him.
With great excitement the keeper opened the gate and let him in. He eagerly ran towards him and falling on his knees, he welcomed the king.
The king looked all around palace beautiful. As he looked he used words like delightful! Beautiful! Perfect!
Tell me all that has happened while I was gone. They sat down together in the garden and the keeper told all, holding nothing back. When it was all done, the king looked down to him and said
Well done!
What would he say to you when you see him face to face?
