The Gospel In 7 Words

7 Words

What seven things do you look at in a day?

First? Last? Throughout your Day?

The central theme of the message that I believe the Lord has given me for this time finds its focus in only 7 words.

Remember Live

Upward (and)

Look

Downward(and)

(Outward, Backward)

Forget Perish

I pray that if nothing else is remembered from the words that are spoken this afternoon and evening, that you may each remember these 7 words and the simple themes that surround them. If it is helpful I encourage you to write these words as I have on the board on the paper that has been handed out or perhaps in you Bible or somewhere else if you prefer. And I encourage each of you also to be attentive to these 7 words as you listen here for the duration of this meeting.

These things having been said, I will delay no longer in the opening of the scriptures. I invite you to join me in opening the Bible to the Book of Deuteronomy in the 8th chapter. We will start by looking at the first verse.

Deu 8:1

Deuteronomy 8:1–4 KJV 1900

All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness(let us make this personally applicable remember the Way the Lord has led you throughout the course of your life), to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3(Remember) he humbled thee, (Remember He)suffered thee to hunger, and (Remember He)fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; (Remember that He made) thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. 4 (Remember) Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, (Remember that)neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God,(forget not) keeping his commandments, and (forget not) his judgments, and (forget not) his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And (forget not) when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and(forget not) thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and(forget not) all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 (forget not)Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 (forget not)Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Notice brothers and sisters this last verse for it plainly communicates the sure result of forgetting.

19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

The Bible plainly here associates these two words Forget and Perish. But be encouraged brothers and sisters there are two other words that the Bible Plainly associates one with the other those words are Look and Live.

Look and Live

There are a variety of factors that influence what we remember and what we forget?

What are some ways that we can remember and

At this time we will focus on one particular concept associated with the memory. A concept that is communicated effectively in the well known expression, out of sight out of mind.

There is a well known expression, out of sight out of mind.

We understand that it is the state of our mind, the state of our heart, the very quality of our character that determines our destiny. That determines if we shall live or if we shall perish.

The Bible teaches this direct relationship between LOOKing AND LIVING

This lesson can be found in another portion of the Historical account of Israel in the wilderness.

KJV

8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

What was the

The people well knew that there was no power in the serpent of brass to cause such a change in those who looked upon it. The healing virtue was from God alone. In His wisdom He chose this way of displaying His power. By this simple means the people were made to realize that this affliction had been brought upon them by their sins. They were also assured that while obeying God they had no reason to fear, for He would preserve them. {PP 430}

Notice what God provides, He gives instruction, He offers the Healing Virtue

Let us recognize the role of the Israelites in this circumstance and in doing so we can recognize our own role in this time. What are they Israelites and in turn we told to do?

(To Obey) Which in this case is to heed the instruction to LOOK

We have this choice. Do you choose to LOOK UPWARD by faith and LIVE or to LOOK DOWNWARD and PERISH?

In the book of John Jesus makes it plain that this brass serpent is far more than a metal snake on a stick.

KJV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This passage that at least in part bears familiarity and recognition that extends beyond the Christian world into the secular world and general knowledge of society. This passage and the portion of the Torah to which Christ here refers to, so simply communicate the core themes of the Gospel. As Christ here refers to the events surrounding that serpent on a pole in the wilderness and makes it plain that HE is to be as that Serpent and be lifted up, to be that which we may behold and Live in contrast to looking downward and perishing find their focus on these familiar five familiar words. The UPWARD and DOWNWARD LOOK, and the relationship they have to LIFE and DEATH.

We can see that these words written here are plainly

Where we look has a direct influence on our mind and thoughts

The following quotation is one of my favorites it demonstrates the far reaching implications of out thoughts. It quote appropriatley can be found in a boook titeld The UPWARD LOOK on page 89.

The Upward Look God’s Grace Gives Power to Overcome, March 16

Never forget that thoughts work out actions. Repeated actions form habits, and habits form character. Then in giving attention to the little things, there is no fear that the larger things will become stained and corrupted.

Might some consider where we our eyes are physically looking “a little thing” or perhaps even more so where a thought that is entertained for a time “a litte thing”, some may consider such things of litte significance. But be warned my brothers and sisters! We are given this Solemn Warning. NEVER FORGET!

The Upward Look God’s Grace Gives Power to Overcome, March 16

Never forget that thoughts work out actions. Repeated actions form habits, and habits form character. Then in giving attention to the little things, there is no fear that the larger things will become stained and corrupted.

Let us recognize that before thoughts work out actions, that the action of choosing to look upon something changes us and influences our thoughts, what we choose to behold has the potential to change our very thoughts and in turn influence our actions, habits, our very Character!

Where our eyes and thoughts rest is of Great SIGNIFICANCE!

Constant war against the carnal mind must be maintained; and we must be aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will attract the mind upward and habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy things. - AH 330.2

There is a plain relationship between the eyes and the Mind. This is affirmed By scripture.

Job

31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes;

Why then should I think upon a maid?

Notice that it is not written why then should i look upon a maid? No, it is written why then should I think upon a maid?

For let us consider that the organ we call the eyes are not of themselves capable of lust without the corresponding thoughts of the mind. The lust of the eyes involves both the lust that proceedeth forth from the heart (or Mind) and the eyes that are used to carry out the intents of the heart.

Jesus makes plain such things in the words He spoke that we recorded in Mathew 5

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye ||offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

A lustful look is not limited to the looking upon the Outward appearance of a man or woman with lust in our heart.

Can we look with lust or covetousness upon a new piece of technology, clothing, a vehicle, house or food?

We may all do well to make a covenant with our eyes as did Job, we may purpose in our hearts as did Daniel not to defile ourselves.

Four Corners

Numbers 15

37 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

41 I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God

The people of God are not now required to have a special mark placed upon their garments. But in the New Testament we are often referred to ancient Israel for examples. If God gave such definite directions to His ancient people in regard to their dress, will not the dress of His people in this age come under His notice? Should there not be in their dress a distinction from that of the world? Should not the people of God, who are His peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God? And should they not be examples in point of dress, and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity, and extravagance of worldly, pleasure-loving professors? God requires this of His people. Pride is rebuked in His Word (HR Feb. 1872). {1BC 1114.1}

We may not now wear blue on the four corners of our garments but God in His infinite wisdom has filled the Four corners of the Heavens with Blue. We may as ancient Israel look upon the blue, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Psalm 123:1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes,

O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Much of what I have prepared to share today was assembled while I was studying in a traditional sense, praying, reading and collecting quotations. But This particular portion of this message Was brought to my mind not as I was not amidst the books, but in the midst of the book of Nature and I was able to observe creation.

I was able to literally look up and see what I saw and I saw two prominent colors I saw green on the leaves before me as I walked through a small wooded area And I saw the incredible blue of that Sapphire sky. As these colors are explored And their meanings sought-after I was able to really recognize how significant looking up is and if we simply Look up and see the green of the plants the leaves of the trees the blue of the sky We can be reminded Of God's law in our obedience to that law And we can be reminded to have faith And to let our faith grow As do the leaves in the trees and all every green thing.

Plants will grow upward and reach towards the sun of righteousness If you look at plants Plants are so incredible in the way that God designed them in that they will follow the Sun in the sky throughout the day And they'll even close up When the sun is gone And await that rising in the morning To continue their looking upward each day following the sun of righteousness as it makes its journey across the heavens to behold him and be changed. And look at what happens when the plants behold the Sun. They grow they develop they have a pleasant fragrance to those around them People are attracted to the beauty that resulted from the energy received from beholding the Sun. Where you are looking is of such great significance. I have also looked up and behold the clouds which brings me to another prominent color of creation.

The white of these clouds that reach across the four corners of the heavens and cover the sky can remind us of the righteousness of Christ and how we can be clothed in His righteousness by faith. How though our sins be as scarlet they can be as white as the snow, thought they be red like crimson we can be made as wool.

Hebrews

12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the ||author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and mis set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Look Up

Inspiration in various places give the instruction to look up

2 Looking unto Jesus the ||author and gfinisher of our faith; hwho for ithe joy that was fset before him endured kthe cross, despising lthe shame, and mis set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Luke 21

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

joy that was fset before him endured kthe cross, despising lthe shame, and mis set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Is this act of looking upward a habit that we all naturally have or is it something that is learned?

It is something that is learned. We have to develop and cultivate the habit of looking upward it is something we have to learn how to do. In contemplating this principle a certain text is brought to my remembrance that has become one of my most favorite and most meaningful scripture it is verse 11 where Paul wrote for I have learned in whatsoever State I am there with to be content. I find this verse is comforting in a variety of ways in that not only does it help me to follow his example and learn to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself in but it also point out to me that even a man such as Paul who was given the gospel directly from Christ and sent forth as an evangelist had to learn to be content and as in a similar fashion we ought to learn. This text demonstrates that in the Christian experience even in that of Paul learning was part of the process he had to learn to be content just as we have the opportunity to learn to look up word we need not be distracted by all the dark and dim things of this Earth but we can look up word Two things that are eternal. how to Look up word it is something we have to develop and Cultivate.

I ask you brothers and sisters another question. Is this looking upward simply a literal physical lifting up of our eyes?

No.

It may certainly include that but this learning to look upward exceeds far beyond learning to move our the physical eyes. There must be an education of the hearts and minds to look upward. We ought to learn even to bring the habits of our daily life into accordance with this principle of the Upward look.

The Spirit of Prophecy testifies of these very things saying:

The heart must be educated to become steadfast in God. Old and young are to form habits of thought that will enable them to resist temptation. They must learn to look upward. The principles of the Word of God—principles that are as high as heaven and that compass eternity—are to be understood in their bearing on the daily life. Every act, every word, every thought, is to be in accord with these principles.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 20 (1913).

Marvel

Brother Gene

I remember counting over 3 times where he mentioned the principle of by beholding we become changed.

Brother Chapman

Where are our eyes? Where are we looking?

Pastor Taylor

Spoke of how the dress of Israel was distinctive and even to look upon the dress would draw the mind upward towards God and His law.

Wesley

Power of choice

As a man thinketh

Vanity

The repeated appeal has been made in your hearing to look upward. An appeal that may receive the response "How can I look upward to the Light of Christ when the things of this world are so dark and full of wickedness?"

I call your attention the words of two different men named John, they both began with the same word "Behold" or Look.

In the following quotation from MS 7 1888 I encourage you to be attentive to the words of John the apostle as he gives instruction on what we are to behold, instruction on where we are to look.

There is a power here for us that will bring in the light of heaven to our dark world. Christ has been in heaven, and He will bring the light of heaven, drive back the darkness, and let the sunlight of His glory in. Then we shall see, amid the corruption and pollution and defilement, the light of heaven.

We must not give up at the defilement that is in the human race, and ever keep that before the mind’s eye. We must not look at that.… What then are we to do? What is our work? To “behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us” ().—Manuscript 7, 1888.

This is the appeal of John the Apostle, the appeal of John the Baptist to behold have since his speaking of those words become famous words that have echoed throughout the ages.

Brothers and sisters what were those words?

(KJV 1900)

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

These are our instrustions, this is where we are told to look. Behold the Lamb! Behold the Fathers love!

For it is written

(KJV 1900)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The father sent His only begotten Son, a spotless lamb into this dark and tainted world of sin because He so loved the world. Because He so loves you!

The Lamb of God and the Love af the Father are eteranal and that is where we are told to look. Let us not be distracted by the things of this world that fade away.

The apostle Paul is in harmony with this instruction in his counsel on where the Christian ought to be looking.

KJV

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Let us stop for a moment to define the word temporal. What does temporal mean?

Temporary

Fades away

(KJV 1900)

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

This theme of the things of this world fading away and failing in comparison to the things that are eternal is found elsewhere in scripture.

In many of the scriptures I am about to read you will find one of my favorite Hebrew words.

That word is Hevel.

Definition

Commonly translated as vanity.

Vanity is an accurate translation to English and the meaning of the word is preserved through translation but the Hebrew has a depth of literal meaning that is lost in translation for the word Hevel literally means vapor or smoke and is therefore used to describe vain things that fade away as does smoke.

This word is very commonly used by a particular Biblical author. Does anyone know to which author I refer?

Let us see what the Bible says?

KJV

The Preacher Speaks of Vanity

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Who is this preacher the Son of David?

2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

I understand it's literal meaning to be that of smoke.

The word vanity_________ is used times in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Solomon expresses this theme of vanity abundantly throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon in the concluding chapter expresses the same thought as he did in his opening statement.

8 zVanity of vanities, saith the apreacher; all is vanity.

When we examine ourselves and ask is this something I should be looking at. Is this of the quality that I ought to be focusing my time and energies? Is this vanity? Is this Hevel?

Solomon also in the conclusion of the Book of Ecclesiastes points out the significance of Eternal things.

For in it is written

(KJV 1900)

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

If I may a step back from this line of thought that I have been following throughout this Time I have had speaking and just make a few comments. I wanted to Point out that in my time preparing messages to share I have noticed that there is generally one Core theme, in this case these seven words. However I have also noticed that The Lord will also give me perhaps a few sentences that touch upon another subject and I have been perplexed as to why the Lord would lead me in that direction. From what I have observed the conclusion I have come to is that those few senticesthough I may percieve that they are not in alignment with the core theme of the rest of the message are among those things that the Lord desires to be spoken at this time. This has been made evident to me notably when I had the privilage to speak at this camp meeting last year and after I had spoke someone approahed me and said something to the effect of how I was the one who was speaking about technology. I was somewhat surprised for this to be what was taken away from what I had said for as I can recall the words that I spoke regaring techology scarcely ecceded a few sentences. However I percive it to have been thosefew sentences that the Spirit used to impress the heart of a particular hearer.

That being said I will proceed On the theme of vanity by referring to a portion in the book Pilgrim's Progress where Pilgrim and his companion travel through the town of Vanity and the fair that was there held year round called Vanity Fair. And if that name sounds familiar, it may be because many of you have seen the very famous magazine that bears the same name of Vanity Fair. This is because that magazine received its name and selected its name from this book written nearly 400 years ago around the time of the King James version, the Publishers of then filled the pages of the magazine with content that I am confident if Solomon were to observe he assuredly would declare that all its contents vanity.

This town of Vanity Fair is exactly what it sounds like we just learned that vanity is all about things that are as smoke things that fade away. The fair is fill with all mannr of vanity of appearance including the Lust of the eyes the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life.

This the following quotation is from someone commenting on the three attributes that made these pilgrims stand out in their Journey through Vanity Fair that caused them to Upset the inhabitants of this this this town of Vanity.

5630 Why Persecuted In “Vanity Fair?”

5630 Why Persecuted In “Vanity Fair?”

Here are the reasons, given by John Bunyan, why Christian and Faithful were persecuted in Vanity Fair.

First, the pilgrims were clothed with such kind of raiment as was diverse from the raiment of any that traded in that Fair. The people, therefore, made a great gazing: some said they were fools … bedlams … outlandish men.

Secondly, … few could understand what they said; they naturally spoke the language of Canaan, but they that kept the Fair were the men of this world; so that they seemed barbarian each to the other.

Thirdly, … these pilgrims set very light by all the wares sold in the Fair; they cared not so much as to look upon them, [but] looked upwards, signifying that their trade and traffick was in Heaven.

Three things are mentioned here That were noticed By the inhabitants of the Vanity Fair These were the dress reform The language reform The upward look

People have a tendency to notice Things that are not in alignment with their own Customs or culture. Dress reform Is not an alignment with Egyptian customs or culture. Nor is language reform well recieved by the world, the way and the very manner of the pilgrims speaking noticable by the inhabatants of Vanity Fair. What Bunyan calls the language of Canaan Is very different than the language of Egypt. And finally the things upon which we look are powerful indicators of the condition of our hearts. These inhabitants of Vanity fair observed that these Pilgrims had a different kind of look, an Upward look.

Brothers and sisters I appeal to you to search your own hearts at this moment and ask Am I speaking a language of Canaan Or the language of Egypt? Are the words that I speak Words that Christ might have spoken Or are they the same words that the world speaks? Take a moment and also consider Search your hearts now and ask Is the way that I dress in accordance With The Egyptian custom? When I look around the world at the non-Christian peoples Do I see them dressed in the same manner as myself Or do I notice something peculiar over distinct about my dress Do I notice that You have upon yourself the garments of a pilgrim Or Have you upon yourself the garments of a civilian who has settled in this land of Egypt? Do the clothes that you wear reveal that you are a pilgrim and a stranger in this world or are you dressed like one of the locals?

Marvel

Conclusion

I invite you all to be still for a moment, As you hear these words now examine your own hearts and your lives. Are you waking through life like this cast down, does your lifestyle consist of a consistent Downward look towards your phone, tablet or television? Do you walk around like this? Cast down and looking downward toward your feet as they creep slowly upon the ground. I beseech you now to speak unto your soul and ask " (KJV 1900)

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him,

Who is the health of my countenance, and my God. "

You have the tender love and compassion of your Saviour. Look to Him always. Trust in Him continually, and doubt not His love. He knows all our weakness and that which we need. He will give us grace sufficient for our day. Only look to Jesus continually, and be of good courage.

In genuine faith there is a buoyancy, a steadfast principle, which neither time nor toil can weaken.

SDG July 3

Brethren and sisters, look up; you who are tried, tempted, and discouraged, look up. Let no weary, halting, sin-oppressed soul become faint-hearted. The promises of God that come down along the lines to our times assure you that heaven can be reached if you will continue to climb. It is ever safe to look up; it is fatal to look down. If you look down, the earth reels and sways beneath you; nothing is sure. But heaven above you is calm and steady, and there is divine aid for every climber. The hand of the Infinite is reaching over the battlements of heaven to grasp yours in its strong embrace. The mighty Helper is nigh to bless, lift up, and encourage the most erring, the most sinful, if they will look to him by faith. But the sinner must look up; he must see the glory of God above the shining ladder, and the angels ascending and descending with messages of mercy.

Paul exhorts Timothy to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” And in the next sentence he adds: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.” A conflict is here brought to view in which every Christian must engage. There must be no flagging of the energies; day by day there must be a hand-to-hand fight with the powers of darkness, or victory will never be ours.

End 2/17/1885 Notes of Travel

Brothers and sisters I lay before you today a choice. This is a choice that some of you have already made while others may have yet to decide. Nevertheless this choice is to be made by each of us moment by moment for the remainder of our time on this old earth. Where do you choose to look? Will you cast down your eyes and look downward to the things of this earth? Or will you need the invitation to look upward and Turn your eyes upon Jesus?

As those who are joining me in our closing song come forward, I will read some of the words this hymn and I pray that all of us present and all those who hear these words may meditate upon their depth and significance.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace