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Upland Indonesian SDA Church

Randy Skeete: Week of Prayer 2005

Randy Skeete

A Marriage Made in Heaven

Our Father in heaven, we are in your presence for the single purpose of hearing your word and interacting with you through that word.

I ask in the name of Jesus to remember the promise you made to Moses in Exodus chapter 4 verse 12, When you said to him, Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Father, in the name of Jesus, teach me what I should say, and open the eyes of those who are listening, that they may behold wondrous things out of thy word.

I pray with confidence from my heart in Jesus' name, Amen.

When I was counseling at the University of Michigan, and I was there for 15 years, 1 of the things that the students always desired very earnestly was the privilege of entering into a mentoring relationship with someone far advanced in the field that they desired to enter.

Particularly when I moved to the medical school to counsel there, many students from the very first year of medical school wanted to do research with some leading light in that particular area of interest that the student had.

Because they reasoned that it would only be advantageous to the applications to some residency program 3 or 4 years down the road.

And so they made earnest efforts and asked me for letters of recommendation so that they could work with these experts in their fields on mentoring relationship.

In the social sciences, we have a lot of emphasis placed on having young boys have a relationship with with mature men, men who are about something in their lives, men who have accumulated some degree of success, men who live lives that are upright and so that these young boys can see that kind of life and perhaps be influenced by that life to live similarly.

The experience of mentoring is regarded to be a very high high value indeed and so it is.

God is the originator of the mentoring relationship And I'll try to demonstrate that from scriptures 5 minutes to 8.

I'll keep you abreast of the time so you don't have to be worried at any time whatsoever.

God is the originator of the mentoring relationship in his own unique way because from creation it has always been God's desire that He and we would have a relationship that is ongoing and unbroken.

That was His original desire and it remains his desire despite the introduction of this catastrophe called sin.

I say again it has always been God's desire to have a mentoring relationship with his creation.

Now let's take a look at creation and learn something about God.

Please share your Bible with someone next to you who does not have 1.

Romans chapter 1 reading from verse 16 and I read from the King James Version.

Reading from verse 16 the Bible says, this is the Apostle Paul speaking, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written the just shall live by faith For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shewed it unto them.

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 on Godhead so that they are without excuse.

Let us re-examine verse 20, for the invisible things of him, meaning the qualities of God, the traits of God, the personality of God, the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made.

The Bible tells us it is possible to learn something about God by observing what he has created.

In other words, let me put it this way, they are detectives, psychologists who work with the criminal society, the criminal society, by that I mean the FBI and all other agencies that work to solve crimes.

And they can learn about the mindset of a criminal by studying the details of that person's crime.

So that they on the basis of the crime committed can develop a profile of the criminal.

And what is amazing is that so often they are astonishingly correct.

Now God is no criminal, God is a creator of that which is good and he tells us examine what I have done and you will develop a profile of me of sufficient detail for you to make an intelligent decision regarding how you will relate to me.

And so the invisible things of him from the creation of the world, the Bible says, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead and the verse is so arrogant if I may say that it concludes by saying so that they are without excuse.

It is impossible to look around with an honest eye and a similarly honest heart and not conclude that there is a God so that who God is is somehow reflected in what God does let me repeat that Who God is may be detected in what God does because there is no line of demarcation between God who he is and God what he does.

Now keeping this principle in mind that God can be seen to some degree not completely no 1 can grasp God completely but God has made evidence of himself known in what he has created so that those who examine honestly may come in contact with this God.

This verse also bears out this proposition.

We have half an hour to go or 35 minutes.

The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork.

Now here we have evidence again that by examining the creation of God we see evidence of God the heavens you look up in the sky they declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork the detail that went into creation the sense of artistry the sense of beauty the predilection for symmetry and proportion All of this can be seen by an honest, and I must stress the word honest, examination of the heavens and of course the earth.

The title of this evening's message, by the way, is A Marriage Made in Heaven.

According to Adventist beliefs, who wrote the book of Job?

And the book of Job is supposed to express some of the oldest events next to creation in Scripture.

We know Job lost all his children, 10 in 1 day, all his possessions in 1 day, and yet he remained faithful to God.

Read Job sometime and see that in the life of Job we have an example of a man who clearly in his life lived by this principle, I don't care what I lose, I don't care who I lose, I will not lose God.

That's a principle by which we must live.

And so no matter what the devil did, Job remained faithful, and God was able to lift Job up to the universe and brag on Job.

Isn't it a beautiful thing when God can brag on you and me, instead of turn away in shame and tears?

Job 12 verses 6 and 7, But ask now the beasts, and they shall do what?

Teach thee, and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee, or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee, and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

You want to understand something about the omnipotence of God?

Now he doesn't expect you to talk to a cow, but study the lives of animals, study the fishes, look at a bird flying through the heavens, and if you look honestly, Job says, you will see something of the grandeur and the greatness of God.

God I say is expressed in his creation sufficient for us to know that there is a God.

As we continue, a marriage made in heaven.

Quickest book to find Genesis or Revelation.

Genesis 2 verse 7 read with me, and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

When we think of the heaven where do we point?

Now in other words in the beginning God created the heavens up there and the earth down here look at the creation of Adam again in Genesis chapter 2 verse 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground.

Man, a living being, as Genesis 2, 7 expresses it, to be a living being you need something from beneath and something from above.

And the combination is put together not by someone from beneath, but by someone from above.

Who Was That Man on the Cross?

All right, now 1 other point I need to bring to your attention of 5 minutes to 8.

There will not be a separate program for children.

I like children in the congregations when I preach.

I have learned over the years that children learn and absorb a lot more than we think.

Also it gives the parents an opportunity to model for the children how to behave in church.

So, when I say Joshua chapter 5, it ought to be the great pride of a parent to find or assist the child in finding Joshua chapter 5.

So, it's a great opportunity for parents to associate with their children in the worship experience.

Any visitors here tonight for the first time, raise your hands.

God bless you and I hope that the words that you hear will bless you tonight.

Last night our subject was a marriage made in heaven and tonight, our subject is who was that man on the cross?

Our Father in heaven, I come to you now in the name of Jesus to thank you for this high privilege to declare the words of life and the words of truth.

Lord, I ask you in the name of Jesus, my Savior and your Son, that you would put into my mouth the very words you desire that I speak.

You would put into my mind the very sequence of thoughts that you would have me express.

That everything I say may be the truth from the throne of God, that your listening people may be blessed, edified, and your name glorified, I pray from my heart in Jesus' name.

When the angel appeared to Mary in Luke chapter 1 and to Joseph in Matthew chapter 1.

He told both of them that this lady would have a son and that his name should be called Jesus.

And that he of course in verse 21 of Luke chapter 1 he would save his people from what?

It is very sad that many Christians today try to interpret the job description of Jesus Christ as saving his people in their sins.

But Jesus has no interest in saving you in your sins.

The job description of Jesus Christ as declared by the angel Gabriel under the command of God the Father Luke 121 and thou shall have a son she shall have a son and thou shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.

That man hanging on the cross, bleeding, suffering, groaning, crucified according to Roman tradition, naked, hanging on that cross, humiliated, disgraced, belittled.

1 night is not enough to say all that Jesus was.

I'll try to tell you a little about this man hanging on that cross.

In the book of Ephesians, well let's go to Colossians first, our scripture reading.

Our subject is, Who was that man on the cross?

Colossians chapter 1, and we're using the King James Version, who wrote Colossians?

LMI says that next to Jesus Christ, Paul was the greatest Bible teacher who ever lived.

Colossians chapter 1, reading from verse 16.

Really makes some connection to see that this is Jesus Christ about whom Paul is writing.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son in whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins Who is the image of the invisible god?

Now, verse 16, for by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth.

Whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

All things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist.

Now verse 18 helps us to see that Jesus is Jesus Christ and he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.

Now this clearly is Jesus Christ of whom Paul is writing And Paul says in verse 16, for by him.

Now creation was at the authority of the Father, but through Jesus Christ.

Because Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

He is the means by which God expresses his will.

That's why Jesus is called the alpha and the omega.

So, God the father always works through Jesus Christ.

And so, Colossians 01:16 says, for by him were all things created.

Now, let us see how often we find the expression all things.

That are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him, and He is before all things and by Him all things consist." This is a remarkable statement of the role of Jesus Christ as the creator of heaven and earth.

Focus for a while, a brief while, on the expression all things.

Then Paul gives us some insight into what all things might encompass which are in heaven which are on earth.

Every living being in heaven, all the angelic hosts, all the principalities and powers which he mentions in the verse were created by Jesus Christ.

The angel Gabriel who identified himself in Luke chapter 1 verse 19, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God.

When Zechariah said, how will my wife have a child?

Zechariah said, Gabriel said, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of god.

This highest of how all angels was created by Jesus Christ.

Everything in heaven and everything on earth.

Except sin created by Jesus Christ visible and invisible now it's easier to comprehend the visible what invisible things that Jesus Christ create you may say angels yes but angels are also can also make themselves visible.

Perhaps there are some invisible things that will always remain invisible if we don't know.

Whatever they were or whatever they are they were made by Jesus Christ whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers those 4 words refer to a variety of angelic beings created by Christ to assist in the administration of the universe and in carrying out the requirements and the rules and the orders of God from the throne.

Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers.

Let's see those used again elsewhere in Scripture.

As we continue, who was that man on the cross?

1st Peter chapter 3, we shall read verse 22.

Remember if I speak quickly, make that sign so that I can slow down.

First Peter 3, verse twenty-two, who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being subject unto him.

Here we have authorities introduced as a new term to go along with thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers.

I know you're all familiar with that verse.

Paul says, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against what?

Principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness, rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Clearly, some of the principalities and powers that Jesus made, they rebelled and we know of course the Bible speaks about that in Revelation 12.

He was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him.

All the angelic beings were made by Jesus Christ.

All of the earth was made by Jesus Christ.

All the heavenly bodies were made by Jesus Christ.

We shall read verses 1, 2, and 5 of Psalm 148 as we continue, Who was that man on the Lord.

Who Was That Man in My Flesh?

I am very pleased to see you and I hope the Lord blessed you today.

What was our subject on the first night of this week of prayer?

Who was that man on the cross and our title for this evening is who was that man in my flesh Who was that man in my flesh?

Our Father in heaven, we come into your presence as your children, privileged to be called the children of God.

Father it is a love we cannot fully understand that we can be called the children of God and in your presence dear Father we ask you now to look upon us with mercy and with favor forgive our sins we pray cleanse our hearts by the application of your spirit and the blood of Christ, and open our minds, our eyes, that we may understand your word tonight.

Remember the promise you made to Moses in Exodus chapter 4 when you said to him in verse 12, Now therefore go and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Father for the sake of Christ, for the sake of the truth, for the sake of the enlightenment of your people, Teach me what I should say.

I offer this prayer from my heart in Jesus name, Amen.

Reading from the King James Version, it is now 6 minutes to 8.

The Bible says, Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

And when he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, he was afterward and hungered.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

But he answered and said, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God then the devil taketh him up in the holy city and sent him on a pinnacle of the temple and saith unto him if thou be the Son of God cast thyself down.

For it is written he shall give his angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against the stone.

Jesus said unto him it is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and saith unto him, all these things will I give thee if thou will fall down and worship me then said Jesus unto him depart the hand Satan or get the hand Satan for it is written thou shall worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.

Let us examine in the time that we have this confrontation between Jesus Christ and Satan.

The Bible says in Matthew 3 verse 17 as Jesus came out of the water and lo a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

This was this last statement Jesus heard before the Spirit led him into the wilderness and from 17 of chapter 3 to 1 of chapter 4 of the book of Matthew we read, Then was Jesus led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Now when we read that we must not read that to mean that Jesus went looking for the devil.

Jesus had to go into the wilderness, spend some time by himself, even as Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness and John the Baptist spent some time in the wilderness, even the Apostle Paul spent some time in the Arabian wilderness.

Jesus went into the wilderness to be by himself and his father to contemplate, to reflect on the awesome task upon which he was entering the task of his public ministry of preaching and he was led there by the Holy Spirit.

If you have to go anywhere be sure you were led by the Holy Spirit.

If you're led by any other force, any other power, the end thereof will inevitably be trouble.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

And when he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights he was afterward and hungered.

Now the tempter came to Jesus after he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, approximately 7 weeks of fasting, no water, no food.

Satan could have come to Christ after Christ had fasted 1 day but Christ was too strong then He could have come while Christ was walking into the wilderness, not yet having begun the fast.

But Satan came when Christ was at his weakest.

What the devil does is never accidental, it is never casual, it is always deliberate and the outcome is unchangingly the destruction of someone's soul.

And so he waited until Jesus was at his physical weakest.

Then he came, 0.2 to consider, with a temptation that matched the condition in which Jesus Christ was.

After 40 days and 40 nights of fasting, no water, no food, you can understand how hungry Jesus Christ was.

Now you and I can identify with that to some degree.

You know how quickly you eat after fasting for 6 hours.

It is the hardest task I have sometimes when I do crusades, I always involve fasting, to ask people to fast for 2 days.

I could never get a whole church to do that.

I could never get a whole church to fast for 1 day.

Even though there are millions of people who, without any decision of their own, are compelled to fast for days because they're hungry, no food.

But it's hard to get God's people to fast even for a day.

He was human and the devil came to him and said, if thou be the Son of God, if thou be the Son of God.

The devil knew that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

The devil was at Jordan when Jesus's father said this is my beloved son the devil knew even before that declaration that Jesus was the Son of God he knew that but in a weakened condition sometimes the Christian does not always think clearly Now the Christian can think clearly in a weakened condition but too often we don't think clearly.

It is 1 thing to be physically weak, it is another thing to be spiritually weak while you're simultaneously physically weak that's double jeopardy Jesus was physically weak but not spiritually weak and so when the devil said if thou be the Son of God insinuating doubt placing doubt in the mind of Jesus you and I must not doubt that we are the children of God the Bible tells us in first John chapter 3 verse 1 behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God sons and daughters it's a declaration of Scripture 1 we must believe and not let go even when we slip.

If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

We observe 2 things, the devil came to Christ when he was weak.

The devil presented the temptation that suit the circumstances of Jesus Christ.

We ought to notice something else, notice the text says in verse 3 of Matthew chapter 4, and when the tempter came to him, remember what I said earlier, don't ever go to the tempter, let the tempter come to you.

Yes Jesus went into the wilderness but He did not go looking for the devil.

The record says, and when the tempter came to Him, too often we go looking for the tempter.

Let us remember the devil waits until we are at our weakest or most vulnerable.

Let us remember he is that enemy of the man's souls of whom the Bible says be sober be vigilant because your adversary or your enemy the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour the devil looks around and he identifies those in positions of weakness whom he may devour in Job chapter 1 when Satan presented himself before the Lord in verse 7 the Bible says the Lord said unto Satan whence comest thou Then Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and forth in the earth and from walking up and down in it.

Not just taking a stroll, not going on a hike, looking for people to destroy.

The tempter presented a temptation that matched Christ's conditions.

The devil does not tempt all people the same way.

The way the devil tempts a single man or woman he won't tempt a married man or woman.

The way the devil tempts someone who's financially broke he won't tempt someone who's financially overflowing.

The way he tempts a student who needs 1 more point just to pass that's not the way he will tempt or not the point on which he will tempt a student who has 99.9 out of a hundred.

He matches his temptation to our circumstances.

The devil did not issue a command to Jesus, I command you to sin.

With all the terrifying power that Lucifer has he cannot compel force any man or woman to sin, however weak that person may be, he can place the thought in the mind, we have to say okay or uh-uh.

And so he virtually asked Jesus, please sin by doing what I say.

Back then until now even further back then when he deceived the angels in heaven, Lucifer has always needed cooperation in order for his plans to work.

God needs our cooperation in order to save us.

So it's a life of cooperating with the powers of light or the powers of darkness.

Either way our lives are lives of cooperation.

When it comes to God we cooperate by choice, conscious choice.

When it comes to the devil all we need to do is not cooperate with God and we automatically cooperate with the enemy the devil asked Jesus to sin he cannot compel you and me to sin he cannot do it now let's observe point number 6 possibly if thou be the Son of God and our title is who was that man in my skin or in my flesh if thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made bread now in verse 4 Jesus responds this way it is written man shall not live by bread alone.

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Randy Skeete: Week of Prayer 2005

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