Sermon at Petaluma, California, Campground
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He worked out the problem how to live in accordance with God’s
standard of right. Bearing our nature, He was true to God’s standard
of righteousness, gaining the victory over Satan. He was tempted in
all points like as we are, yet He was without sin.
To represent the Father
Before Christ came in person to reveal His Father’s character, Satan
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thought that he would have the whole world on his side. And today
the enemy is still playing the game of life with everyone. He seeks to
bring in dissension and division. But if we are partakers of the divine
nature, we must stand as a united whole. Let us not think that our
churches can enjoy God’s blessing while in a state of disunion. In this
world we are to be representatives of Christ. He has called us to glory
and virtue. As He represented the Father, so we are to represent Christ
to the world; for in representing Him we are representing the Father.
We have a great work to perform for the Master. After Jesus has
sacrificed so much in our behalf, giving His life for our salvation, shall
we by our course of action make Him ashamed of us?
It is to the glory of God for Him to give us of His virtue. He desires
to see us rise to the highest standard. When by living faith we lay
hold of the power of a living Christ; when we plead His unfailing
promises, and claim them as ours; when we seek for the power of the
Holy Spirit, we are eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son
of God. And “whosoever eateth my flesh,” said Christ, “and drinketh
my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.... The words that I speak unto
you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
A knowledge beyond expression
“And to virtue knowledge.” Oh, we can have a knowledge of God
and His truth—a knowledge that is beyond expression! Tell me, what
language can we find to express the knowledge that comes to us when
Christ reveals His presence to us, and our hearts are softened and
subdued by His power? Such knowledge is beyond expression. We
cannot explain it, nevertheless we know that we possess it.