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==CHAPTER 11==  

==CHAPTER 11==  

====Preaching at Archelais====

====Preaching at Archelais====

The first half of the month of August the apostolic party made its headquarters at the Greek cities of Archelais and Phasaelis. In contacting with these Roman citizens, the apostles encountered new difficulties in the proclamation of the message of the coming kingdom.  

The first half of the month of August the apostolic party made its headquarters at the Greek cities of Archelais and Phasaelis.  

A question asked by Philip was typical of their difficulties. Said Philip:

In contacting with these Roman citizens, the apostles encountered new difficulties in the proclamation of the message of the coming kingdom. A question asked by Philip was typical of their difficulties.  

*"Master, these Greeks and Romans make light of our message, saying that such teachings are fit for only weaklings and slaves. They assert that the religion of the heathen is superior to our teaching because it inspires to the acquirement of a strong, robust, and aggressive character. They affirm that we would convert all men into enfeebled specimens of passive non-resisters who would soon perish from the face of the earth. They like you, Master, and freely admit that your teaching is heavenly and ideal, but they will not take us seriously. They assert that your religion is not for this world, that men cannot live as you teach. And now, Master, '''what shall we say to these gentiles'''?"

 

*"Master, these Greeks and Romans make light of our message, saying that such teachings are fit for only weaklings and slaves. They assert that the religion of the heathen is superior to our teaching because it inspires to the acquirement of a strong, robust, and aggressive character. They affirm that we would convert all men into enfeebled specimens of passive non-resisters who would soon perish from the face of the earth. They like you, Master, and freely admit that your teaching is heavenly and ideal, but they will not take us seriously. <u>They assert that your religion is not for this world, that men cannot live as you teach. And now, Master, what shall we say to these gentiles?"</u>

After Jesus had heard similar objections to the gospel of the kingdom presented by Thomas, Nathaniel, Simon Zelotes, and Matthew, he said to the twelve:

After Jesus had heard similar objections to the gospel of the kingdom presented by Thomas, Nathaniel, Simon Zelotes, and Matthew, he said to the twelve:

*"Because my Father is a God of love and delights in the practice of mercy, do not imbibe the idea that the service of the kingdom is to be one of monotonous ease. The Paradise ascent is the supreme adventure of all time, the rugged achievement of eternity. The service of the kingdom on earth will call for all the courageous manhood that you and your coworkers can muster. Many of you will be put to death for your loyalty to the gospel of this kingdom. It is easy to die in the line of physical battle when your courage is strengthened by the presence of your fighting comrades, but it requires a higher and more profound form of human courage and devotion calmly and all alone to lay down your life for the love of a truth enshrined in your mortal heart.

*"Because my Father is a God of love and delights in the practice of mercy, do not imbibe the idea that the service of the kingdom is to be one of monotonous ease. The Paradise ascent is the supreme adventure of all time, the rugged achievement of eternity. The service of the kingdom on earth will call for all the courageous manhood that you and your coworkers can muster. Many of you will be put to death for your loyalty to the gospel of this kingdom. It is easy to die in the line of physical battle when your courage is strengthened by the presence of your fighting comrades, but it requires a higher and more profound form of human courage and devotion calmly and all alone to lay down your life for the love of a truth enshrined in your mortal heart.

*"Today, the unbelievers may taunt you with preaching a gospel of nonresistance and with living lives of '''nonviolence''', but you are the first volunteers of a long line of sincere believers in the gospel of this kingdom who will astonish all mankind by their heroic devotion to these teachings. No armies of the world have ever displayed more courage and bravery than will be portrayed by you and your loyal successors who shall go forth to all the world proclaiming the good news -- the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men. The courage of the flesh is the lowest form of bravery. Mind bravery is a higher type of human courage, but the highest and supreme is uncompromising loyalty to the enlightened convictions of profound spiritual realities. And such courage constitutes the heroism of the God-knowing man. And you are all God-knowing men. You are in very truth the personal associates of the Son of Man."

*<u>"Today, the unbelievers may taunt you with preaching a gospel of '''nonresistance''' and with living lives of '''nonviolence''', but you are the first volunteers of a long line of sincere believers in the gospel of this kingdom who will astonish all mankind by their heroic devotion to these teachings.</u> No armies of the world have ever displayed more courage and bravery than will be portrayed by you and your loyal successors who shall go forth to all the world proclaiming the good news -- the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men. The courage of the flesh is the lowest form of bravery. Mind bravery is a higher type of human courage, but the highest and supreme is uncompromising loyalty to the enlightened convictions of profound spiritual realities. And such courage constitutes the heroism of the God-knowing man. And you are all God-knowing men. You are in very truth the personal associates of the Son of Man."

 

====Lesson on Self-Mastery====

====Lesson on Self-Mastery====

At one of the evening conferences, Andrew asked Jesus:  

At one of the evening conferences, Andrew asked Jesus:  

*"'''Master, are we to practice self-denial as John taught us, or are we to strive for the self-control of your teaching? Wherein does your teaching differ from that of John'''?"  

*<u>"Master, are we to practice self-denial as John taught us, or are we to strive for the '''self-control''' of your teaching? Wherein does your teaching differ from that of John?"</u>

Jesus answered:

Jesus answered:

About this time a state of great nervous and emotional '''tension''' developed among the apostles and their immediate disciple associates. Andrew was almost beside himself. He did not know what next to do, and so he went to the Master with his problems and perplexities.  

<u>About this time a state of great nervous and emotional '''tension''' developed among the apostles and their immediate disciple associates.</u> Andrew was almost beside himself. He did not know what next to do, and so he went to the Master with his problems and perplexities.  

When Jesus had listened to the apostolic chief relate his troubles, he said:

When Jesus had listened to the apostolic chief relate his troubles, he said:

*"Andrew, you cannot talk men out of their perplexities when they reach such a stage of involvement, and when so many persons with strong feelings are concerned. I cannot do what you ask of me -- I will not participate in these personal social difficulties -- but I will join you in the enjoyment of a three-day period of '''rest''' and '''relaxation'''. Go to your brethren and announce that all of you are to go with me up on Mount Sartaba, where I desire to '''rest''' for a day or two.

*"Andrew, you cannot talk men out of their perplexities when they reach such a stage of involvement, and when so many persons with strong feelings are concerned. I cannot do what you ask of me -- I will not participate in these personal social difficulties -- but I will join you in the enjoyment of a three-day period of rest and relaxation. Go to your brethren and announce that all of you are to go with me up on Mount Sartaba, where I desire to rest for a day or two.

*"Now you should go to each of your eleven brethren and talk with him privately, saying: `The Master desires that we go apart with him for a season to '''rest''' and '''relax'''. Since we all have recently experienced much vexation of spirit and stress of mind, I suggest that no mention be made of our trials and troubles while on this holiday. Can I depend upon you to co-operate with me in this matter?' In this way privately and personally approach each of your brethren."   

*"Now you should go to each of your eleven brethren and talk with him privately, saying: `The Master desires that we go apart with him for a season to rest and relax. Since we all have recently experienced much vexation of spirit and stress of mind, I suggest that no mention be made of our trials and troubles while on this holiday. Can I depend upon you to co-operate with me in this matter?' In this way privately and personally approach each of your brethren."   

Upon reaching the top of the mountain, Jesus seated them about him while he said:

Upon reaching the top of the mountain, Jesus seated them about him while he said:

*"'''My brethren, you must all learn the value of rest and the efficacy of relaxation'''. You must realize that the best method of solving some entangled '''problems''' is to forsake them for a time. Then when you go back fresh from your rest or worship, you are able to attack your troubles with a clearer head and a steadier hand, not to mention a more resolute heart. Again, many times your problem is found to have shrunk in size and proportions while you have been resting your mind and body."

*<u>"My brethren, you must all learn the value of '''rest''' and the efficacy of '''relaxation'''. You must realize that the best '''method''' of solving some entangled problems is to forsake them for a time.</u> Then when you go back fresh from your rest or worship, you are able to attack your troubles with a clearer head and a steadier hand, not to mention a more resolute heart. Again, many times your problem is found to have shrunk in size and proportions while you have been resting your mind and body."

*"Give me a drink."  

*"Give me a drink."  

This woman of Samaria knew Jesus was a Jew by his appearance and dress, and she surmised that he was a Galilean Jew from his accent. Her name was '''Nalda''' and she was a comely creature. She was much surprised to have a Jewish man thus speak to her at the well and ask for water, for it was not deemed proper in those days for a self-respecting man to speak to a woman in public, much less for a Jew to converse with a Samaritan.  

This woman of Samaria knew Jesus was a Jew by his appearance and dress, and she surmised that he was a Galilean Jew from his accent. Her name was Nalda and she was a comely creature. She was much surprised to have a Jewish man thus speak to her at the well and ask for water, for it was not deemed proper in those days for a self-respecting man to speak to a woman in public, much less for a Jew to converse with a Samaritan.  

Therefore '''Nalda''' asked Jesus:  

Therefore Nalda asked Jesus:  

*"'''How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink of me, a Samaritan woman'''?"  

*How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink of me, a Samaritan woman?"  

Jesus answered:  

Jesus answered:  

*"You have spoken the truth, for, while you may have once had a husband, he with whom you are now living is not your husband. Better it would be if you would cease to trifle with my words and seek for the living water which I have this day offered you."

*"You have spoken the truth, for, while you may have once had a husband, he with whom you are now living is not your husband. Better it would be if you would cease to trifle with my words and seek for the living water which I have this day offered you."

By this time '''Nalda''' was sobered, and her better self was awakened. She was not an immoral woman wholly by choice. She had been ruthlessly and unjustly cast aside by her husband and in dire straits had consented to live with a certain Greek as his wife, but without marriage. '''Nalda''' now felt greatly ashamed that she had so unthinkingly spoken to Jesus, and she most penitently addressed the Master, saying:  

By this time Nalda was sobered, and her better self was awakened. She was not an immoral woman wholly by choice. She had been ruthlessly and unjustly cast aside by her husband and in dire straits had consented to live with a certain Greek as his wife, but without marriage. Nalda now felt greatly ashamed that she had so unthinkingly spoken to Jesus, and she most penitently addressed the Master, saying:  

*"My Lord, I repent of my manner of speaking to you, for I perceive that you are a holy man or maybe a prophet."  

*"My Lord, I repent of my manner of speaking to you, for I perceive that you are a holy man or maybe a prophet."  

*"Woman, let me say to you that the day is soon coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. But now you worship that which you know not, a mixture of the religion of many pagan gods and gentile philosophies. The Jews at least know whom they worship; they have removed all confusion by concentrating their worship upon one God, Yahweh. But you should believe me when I say that the hour will soon come -- even now is -- when all sincere worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for it is just such worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Your salvation comes not from knowing how others should worship or where but by receiving into your own heart this living water which I am offering you even now."

*"Woman, let me say to you that the day is soon coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. But now you worship that which you know not, a mixture of the religion of many pagan gods and gentile philosophies. The Jews at least know whom they worship; they have removed all confusion by concentrating their worship upon one God, Yahweh. But you should believe me when I say that the hour will soon come -- even now is -- when all sincere worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for it is just such worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Your salvation comes not from knowing how others should worship or where but by receiving into your own heart this living water which I am offering you even now."

But '''Nalda''' would make one more effort to avoid the discussion of the embarrassing question of her personal life on earth and the status of her soul before God. Once more she resorted to questions of general religion, saying:  

But Nalda would make one more effort to avoid the discussion of the embarrassing question of her personal life on earth and the status of her soul before God. Once more she resorted to questions of general religion, saying:  

*"Yes, I know, Sir, that John has preached about the coming of the Converter, he who will be called the Deliverer, and that, when he shall come, he will declare to us all things"  

*"Yes, I know, Sir, that John has preached about the coming of the Converter, he who will be called the Deliverer, and that, when he shall come, he will declare to us all things"  

-- and Jesus, interrupting '''Nalda''', said with startling assurance:  

-- and Jesus, interrupting Nalda, said with startling assurance:  

"I who speak to you am he."

"I who speak to you am he."

*“Worship -- contemplation of the spiritual -- must alternate with service, contact with material reality. Work should alternate with play. Religion should be balanced by humor. Profound philosophy should be relieved by rhythmic poetry. The strain of living -- the time tension of personality -- should be relaxed by the restfulness of worship. The feelings of insecurity arising from the fear of personality isolation in the universe should be antidoted by the faith contemplation of the Father and by the attempted realization of the Supreme.

*“Worship -- contemplation of the spiritual -- must alternate with service, contact with material reality. Work should alternate with play. Religion should be balanced by humor. Profound philosophy should be relieved by rhythmic poetry. The strain of living -- the time tension of personality -- should be relaxed by the restfulness of worship. The feelings of insecurity arising from the fear of personality isolation in the universe should be antidoted by the faith contemplation of the Father and by the attempted realization of the Supreme.

*“Prayer is designed to make man less thinking but more realizing; it is not designed to increase knowledge but rather to expand insight.

*<u>“'''Prayer''' is designed to make man less thinking but more realizing; it is not designed to increase knowledge but rather to expand insight.</u>

*“Worship is intended to anticipate the better life ahead and then to reflect these new spiritual significances back onto the life that now is. Prayer is spiritually sustaining, but worship is divinely creative.

*“Worship is intended to anticipate the better life ahead and then to reflect these new spiritual significances back onto the life that now is. Prayer is spiritually sustaining, but worship is divinely creative.

*“Worship is the technique of looking to the One for the inspiration of service to the many. Worship is the yardstick which measures the extent of the soul's detachment from the material universe and its simultaneous and secure attachment to the spiritual realities of all creation.

*<u>“'''Worship''' is the technique of looking to the One for the inspiration of service to the many.</u> Worship is the yardstick which measures the extent of the soul's detachment from the material universe and its simultaneous and secure attachment to the spiritual realities of all creation.

*“'''Prayer''' is self-reminding -- sublime thinking. '''Worship''' is self-forgetting – super-thinking. Worship is effortless attention, true and ideal soul rest, and a form of restful spiritual exertion.  

*“Prayer is self-reminding -- sublime thinking. Worship is self-forgetting – super-thinking. Worship is effortless attention, true and ideal soul rest, and a form of restful spiritual exertion.  

*“Worship is the act of a part identifying itself with the Whole; the finite with the Infinite; the son with the Father; time in the act of striking step with eternity. Worship is the act of the son's personal communion with the divine Father, the assumption of refreshing, creative, fraternal, and romantic attitudes by the human soul-spirit.”

*“Worship is the act of a part identifying itself with the Whole; the finite with the Infinite; the son with the Father; time in the act of striking step with eternity. Worship is the act of the son's personal communion with the divine Father, the assumption of refreshing, creative, fraternal, and romantic attitudes by the human soul-spirit.”