0950, Leadership

1082, Golden Pipes

Episode Title: Golden Pipes—Receiving the Oil Through God’s Appointed Channels Episode Summary W. D. Frazee studies the golden candlestick, the olive trees, and the golden pipes of Zechariah 4, showing that the Holy Spirit’s oil comes at infinite cost through Christ’s suffering and is communicated through God’s appointed channels in the church and the home. Show Notes / Description “Connection with Christ, then, involves a connection with His church.” In this 1979 study, Pastor W. D. Frazee returns to the sanctuary symbol of the golden candlestick. From Revelation 1:20, he identifies the candlestick as the church; from Matthew 5:14–16, he reminds listeners that the purpose of the candlestick is to give light; and from Zechariah 4, he shows that the light depends upon the golden oil—the Holy Spirit, the grace of God, and the love of God shed abroad in the heart. But before studying the channels through which the oil flows, Pastor Frazee pauses at its cost. Gethsemane, he notes, means “oil press.” There, beneath the olive trees, the soul of Christ was pressed under the weight of the sins of the world. His agony, His submission—“Thy will be done”—and His blood-like sweat reveal the infinite price by which the oil of grace is supplied to the lamps of believers. From there, the sermon unfolds several searching lessons: The candlestick and the oil — the church can give light only as it receives the Holy Spirit, whose fruit is love. Gethsemane as the oil press — the grace that fills God’s people was made available through the crushing agony of Christ. The two olive trees and golden pipes — God communicates His Spirit and grace through channels He has appointed, both angelic and human. The church as a channel of light — Frazee warns against individual independence that separates from the counsel, authority, and experience of the body of Christ. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers — the gifts of Ephesians 4 are presented as “golden pipes” through which Christ builds up His church toward unity and perfection. The danger of disconnection — like a broken oil line, a believer or worker separated from God’s appointed channels cannot shine. The home as a little church — the same principle applies in the household: order, submission, loving leadership, respect, and reverence are part of God’s structure for transmitting grace. The message closes with an appeal to give up selfish, stubborn, independent ways and to connect fully with God’s appointed structures in the church and in the home. The oil was purchased at infinite cost. God now calls His people to receive it, stay connected, and shine. Key Scriptures Revelation 1:20 Matthew 5:14–16 Zechariah 4:2–14 Galatians 5:22 Romans 5:5 Matthew 26:36–42 Isaiah 53:6 Hebrews 2:9 Luke 22:44 Ephesians 4:8, 11–13 Ephesians 5:21–28 Isaiah 60:1 Key Themes The golden candlestick as the church The oil as the Holy Spirit, grace, and love Gethsemane as the oil press The infinite cost of grace The church as God’s channel of light The danger of individual independence Connection with Christ and connection with His church The home as a little church and candlestick Submission in the church and in the home Receiving the oil and shining for God Companion References Ellen G. White, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4 (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1955), 1179. Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1900), 408. Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911), 163–64. Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home (Nashville: Southern Publishing Association, 1952), 198–99, 323. Hymn: “Go to Dark Gethsemane,” by James Montgomery. Memorable Line “The oil was purchased at infinite cost.” About To My Dear Friends brings the timeless messages of Pastor W. D. Frazee to a new generation of listeners. Visit WDFsermons.org for the full sermon library.

0950, Leadership

Episode Title: Leadership—Joshua’s Recipe for Good Success Episode Summary W. D. Frazee studies leadership through the life of Joshua, showing that every person has influence and that true Christian leadership begins by seeking God’s direction, meditating in His Word day and night, and obeying His instructions exactly. Show Notes / Description “Now, if I should ask this evening how many of you folks are leaders, not all your hands would go up, but you all are, whether you know it or not.” With that opening reminder, Pastor W. D. Frazee begins this 1980 study on Christian leadership. Leadership is not limited to generals, governors, presidents, or public officials. Every person has influence with somebody: parents with children, teachers with students, older students with younger students, and every believer with those around them. The central biblical example is Joshua. As Joshua led ancient Israel into the earthly Canaan, so Christ will lead the remnant church into the heavenly Canaan. Frazee traces Joshua’s preparation for leadership—from waiting forty days as Moses’ attendant near Sinai, to leading Israel against Amalek while Moses’ hands were lifted in prayer, to finally receiving God’s charge after Moses’ death. The sermon develops several practical lessons: God appoints leadership — Moses did not campaign for a successor. He prayed, and God appointed Joshua, a man in whom was the Spirit. Leaders are trained through service and waiting — Joshua learned both action and patience: he fought Amalek, but he also waited quietly for Moses near Sinai. Success comes from doing what God says — the lesson impressed on Joshua was that success is not self-made strategy but obedience to divine instruction. The Word is the leader’s chart and compass — Joshua was commanded to meditate in the book of the law day and night, that he might observe to do all that was written therein. Christian leadership is not self-sufficiency — the true leader is the “humble wrestler” who dares not make a move without first seeking counsel from God. Jericho reveals God’s method — the point was not that cities are conquered by marching around them, but that problems are solved by finding God’s instruction and carrying it out exactly. Inspired instruction must be studied for every field of work — Frazee applies Joshua 1:8 to physicians, nurses, parents, teachers, colporteurs, Sabbath School workers, and every branch of Christian service. Leadership includes helping others solve problems — the closing practical assignment is to find someone with a problem and help solve it through prayer and the study of God’s Word. Key Scriptures 2 Timothy 1:6 Numbers 27:15–21 Isaiah 65:24 Joshua 1:1–8 Hebrews 11:30 Numbers 12:6–8 Key Themes Every person as a leader through influence Joshua as a type of Christ God’s appointment of leaders Preparation for leadership through service, waiting, and obedience Prevailing prayer and the battle with Amalek Meditating in God’s law day and night Good success through obedience to the Word Christian leadership versus worldly ambition The humble leader who seeks counsel from God Jericho and the lesson of exact obedience Inspired instruction as chart and compass Helping others solve problems through prayer and Scripture Health, sleep, and disciplined study habits Companion References Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1890). Ellen G. White, “The Worker with God,” Review and Herald, July 4, 1893. Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 (Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990), 224. Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 8 (Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990), 330–31. Ellen G. White, Letter 85, 1888. Memorable Line “Christian leadership is in getting our orders from Christ, carrying them out the very best we can in our own lives, and involving other people with us, getting them to see the joy of following God’s beautiful way.” About To My Dear Friends brings the timeless messages of Pastor W. D. Frazee to a new generation of listeners. Visit WDFsermons.org for the full sermon library.

0939, Acceptance of Authority

Episode Title: Acceptance of Authority—Faith That Bows to God’s Law Episode Summary W. D. Frazee studies the science of faith, showing that true faith does not bypass God’s law or delegated authority, but comes to Calvary by way of Sinai and receives Christ’s forgiveness and power for obedience. Show Notes / Description “I will teach you the good and the right way.” With Samuel’s words in 1 Samuel 12:23, Pastor W. D. Frazee opens this 1963 study on faith, obedience, and the acceptance of authority. The “good way,” he explains, is the path walked by those described in Revelation 14:12—those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Frazee begins by calling faith a divine science. Quoting Education, he stresses that everyone who wants to make his lifework a success must understand the prayer of faith. But this faith is not mere religious language or the simple claim, “I believe.” True faith believes God fully—including the conditions attached to His promises. To claim the promise while ignoring the conditions is not faith but presumption. From Galatians 3:24, the sermon moves to the law as the schoolmaster that brings the sinner to Christ. Frazee warns against the idea that one can skip the schoolmaster, run to Calvary, and use the cross as a substitute for obedience. The law reveals sin, condemns the sinner, and points the soul to the only Saviour. At the cross, Christ does not abolish the authority of the law; He vindicates it by dying under its penalty and then brings believers back into harmony with it. The message develops several major lessons: The science of faith — faith is believing God in a way that meets the conditions of His promises. The danger of presumption — saying “I believe” while refusing obedience is not faith. The law as schoolmaster — the sinner comes to Christ through the convicting work of God’s law. The cross and the law — Calvary does not release the believer from obedience; it reveals the authority of the law and provides both pardon and power. The First Commandment and divine authority — “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” settles the basic question of God’s right to rule. The Fifth Commandment and human authority — “Honor thy father and thy mother” is the foundation of delegated human authority, including parents, ministers, rulers, teachers, and supervisors. Two kinds of disobedience — open defiance and quiet evasion, illustrated by Christ’s parable of the two sons. Faith as acceptance of authority — the repentant soul comes to Calvary not to be excused in rebellion, but to be changed into a loyal, obedient child of God. The sermon closes with a direct appeal: will we accept Christ’s authority in heaven and earth? Will we look to Calvary, not as permission for disobedience, but as the great power that brings us back to prompt, true obedience? Key Scriptures 1 Samuel 12:23 Revelation 14:12 Hebrews 11:6 John 3:16 Acts 16:31 Galatians 3:24 Matthew 1:21 1 John 3:4 Exodus 20:3 Exodus 20:12 Romans 13:1 Psalm 40:8 Matthew 21:28–32 Key Themes The good and right way The faith of Jesus in the final generation The prayer of faith as a divine science Faith versus presumption God’s promises and their conditions The law as schoolmaster to bring us to Christ Justification by faith and the convicting work of the law The atonement and the binding claims of the moral law Calvary as the vindication, not abolition, of God’s law The acceptance of divine and delegated authority The First Commandment as the basis of divine authority The Fifth Commandment as the basis of human authority Open rebellion and evasive disobedience The cross as the way back to loyal obedience Companion References Ellen G. White, Education (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1903), 253, 257. Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911), 209. Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1 (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1958), 229. Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1890), 308. Memorable Line “Faith means coming to Calvary by way of Sinai.” About To My Dear Friends brings the timeless messages of Pastor W. D. Frazee to a new generation of listeners. Visit WDFsermons.org for the full sermon library.

0181, Happy Managers 1 of 2

Episode Title: Happy Managers 1 of 2—God Owns, We Manage Episode Summary W. D. Frazee presents Christian life as stewardship under God’s ownership, showing that happiness comes when we manage ourselves, our money, our time, and our love according to the Creator’s law and purpose. Show Notes / Description “Everybody here is a manager.” With that simple but searching premise, Pastor W. D. Frazee opens this 1978 study on Christian stewardship and happiness. From Proverbs 29:18—“he that keeps the law, happy is he”—he argues that life works best when it works the way God designed it to work. The same Creator who wrote the Ten Commandments also wrote the laws of nature, physiology, mind, and moral life. Happiness is not found in escaping law, but in harmonizing with the Lawgiver. Working from Revelation 4:11, Pastor Frazee shows that human beings were created for God’s pleasure. Yet God’s pleasure is not selfish; His delight is our highest good. He is happiest when His creatures freely choose His plan because they trust His wisdom and love. That choice makes every person a manager: God remains the Owner, but He entrusts precious gifts to us to administer. The sermon develops four major areas of management: Self — God has turned each person over to himself or herself to manage. We can ruin what He has entrusted, but we can also consult the Owner, follow His directions, and receive His power. Money — Haggai 2:8 declares that the silver and gold belong to God. Tithes and offerings are signs that we recognize His ownership, but even after tithe and offerings, the remaining money is still God’s. Time — the Sabbath is the sign of God’s ownership of time. The Fourth Commandment does not merely claim one seventh of our time; it teaches that all our time belongs to God, including the six days of labor and the seventh day of rest and worship. Love — the most precious stewardship of all. “Love is of God,” and therefore love must be bestowed according to His plan, His timing, and His will. Mismanaged love brings sorrow; consecrated love brings the true joy of life. The message closes at the mercy seat, where Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, brings us back into harmony with God and His law. Jesus did not come to excuse self-ownership; He came to restore us to the joy of living as happy managers under the direction of the true Owner. Key Scriptures Proverbs 29:18 Revelation 4:11 Haggai 2:8 Malachi 3:10 Philippians 4:19 Exodus 20:8–11 1 John 4:7 Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 Matthew 22:37 / Mark 12:30 Revelation 13:8 Key Themes Happiness through harmony with God’s law God as Creator, Owner, Lawgiver, and Redeemer Human beings as managers rather than owners The stewardship of self and personal choice Tithes and offerings as signs of God’s ownership All money as God’s property, not merely the tithe The Sabbath as the sign of God’s ownership of time The stewardship of love and the danger of misdirected affection Christ’s redemption as restoration to harmony with God’s law Fidelity in commonplace duties rather than craving spectacular experiences Memorable Line “Things work best when they work the way they were made to work.” About To My Dear Friends brings the timeless messages of Pastor W. D. Frazee to a new generation of listeners. Visit WDFsermons.org for the full sermon library.

1046, Restore the Home

Episode Title: Restore the Home—Authority, Affection, and the Elijah Message Episode Summary W. D. Frazee calls parents, children, and the whole church back to the Christian home as the starting point of the last great reformatory movement, showing that God prepares a people for Christ’s coming by restoring family authority, affection, obedience, and home religion. Show Notes / Description “Are you ready for Jesus to come?” With that searching question, Pastor W. D. Frazee opens this 1956 study on the Elijah message and the restoration of the home. Beginning with Luke 1:17, he shows that the work of making ready “a people prepared for the Lord” begins where inspiration says it must begin: with the turning of the hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers. Drawing from Testimonies for the Church, Fundamentals of Christian Education, The Ministry of Healing, Genesis 18, Ephesians 5, and the Ten Commandments, Pastor Frazee argues that the Christian home is not a secondary matter in last-day preparation. It is the beginning point of the great reformatory movement. If God’s people are to be ready for Jesus to come, fathers, mothers, and children must be brought back into harmony with the principles of God’s law. The message develops several urgent lessons: The Elijah message begins in the home — the preparation for Christ’s coming starts with restored relationships between parents and children, and especially with parents fitted to stand in their families in the place God has appointed. The Christian home as the greatest sermon — a true home, built on God’s principles, has more influence on hearts and lives than any sermon that can be preached. Abraham as the model father — Genesis 18 shows that the promises to Abraham were connected with his faithfulness in commanding his children and household after him. The father as center, lawmaker, and priest — Frazee emphasizes the father’s sacred responsibility to lead the home spiritually, not with pride or harshness, but as an empty cup filled by God. Authority and affection blended — true family government must reflect God’s own character, where love includes justice as well as mercy, firmness as well as kindness. The danger of sentimentalism — Frazee warns against a counterfeit love that abandons discipline and weakens the foundation of parental authority. The mother’s delegated work when the father is absent — when the father cannot or does not lead, the mother must carry forward both affection and authority, claiming a double portion of the Spirit. The Fifth Commandment as the foundation of human relationships — children are called not merely to obey but to honor father and mother, bringing joy, dignity, and blessing to the home. The sermon closes with the example of Jesus, who was subject to His earthly parents until the age of thirty, bearing the burdens of home life. Such a program, Frazee insists, develops the character that reflects Jesus fully and prepares God’s people for the finishing of His work. Key Scriptures Luke 1:17 Psalm 19:7 Revelation 12:9 Genesis 18:17–19 Ephesians 5:25–28 Exodus 20:3 Exodus 20:12 Revelation 14:12 Luke 2:51 Key Themes The Elijah message and the restoration of the home Making ready a people prepared for the Lord Home religion as the beginning of the last great reformatory movement Parents standing in the place God has appointed The Christian home as a powerful object lesson Abraham’s household government The father as center, lawmaker, and priest of the household Authority and affection blended in family life Love with law, mercy with justice, kindness with firmness The danger of sentimentalism and discipline without love The mother’s responsibility when the father is absent Children honoring father and mother Jesus’ subjection in the home as the model for children and youth Companion References Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1948), 547. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1948), 119. Ellen G. White, Fundamentals of Christian Education (Nashville: Southern Publishing Association, 1923), 467. Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1905), 352. Ellen G. White, Evangelism (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1946), 582. Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home (Nashville: Southern Publishing Association, 1952), 212. Hymn: “The Theme of the Bible Is Jesus.” Memorable Line “God is not dispensing love without discipline. God is not interested in love without law.” About To My Dear Friends brings the timeless messages of Pastor W. D. Frazee to a new generation of listeners. Visit WDFsermons.org for the full sermon library.