Brunstad Summer Conference, July 2005

Brunstad Summer Conference, July 2005

This year there were two summer conferences at Brunstad, one in July and one in August. Approximately 9,000 friends were registered for the first conference, of which 6,000 were from Norway and approximately 3,000 from many other countries from around the world. All parts of the world were represented. As usual, the majority of those who were registered were children and young people. About 3,500 of those attending the conference were between 14 and 35 years old.

Our conferences have always been of great importance to the church. Their significance for all of us in these days is even greater than before. It is good that we have technical aids at our disposal that make it possible for friends in many countries around the world to follow the meetings via satellite transmissions. The following is an excerpt of the first conference.

The Faith of Abraham

The king of Sodom wanted to give Abraham goods and honor after he had defeated the enemy, but Abraham lifted his hand to the Lord and solemnly declared that he would not receive any gift from the king, because he believed God who had said to him, “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Gen. 15:1. “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” V. 6. It is the same for us today. Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” Matt. 6:31. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” V. 33. People live in anxiety and fear of the future. But Jesus’ disciples have God as their shield and defender. We need to have confidence in God that His promises are true. If we doubt Matthew 6:33, we make God a liar, and we neither have a share in Abraham’s faith nor in Abraham’s righteousness. Abraham’s righteousness was that he believed God. In Romans 4:20 we read that Abraham was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. He believed in hope against hope.

It can take time until we come to the end of our own strength after we have come to faith in a life of victory over sin. We will only get the victory if God receives all the glory. Jesus will be Lord in our life once we have forsaken everything.

Abraham did not believe in an imputed righteousness, which is the usual, religious understanding. He believed in God’s promise that he would receive a son even though it was against all human hope. This was the faith that was accounted to him for righteousness. And he did receive the son of promise. Abraham and Sarah came to the end of their own strength. We also must come to the end of our own strength and imagined capabilities. Then we will also experience that the promises will be fulfilled in our lives. The promise of partaking of divine nature will be fulfilled. The promise that Christ will be made manifest in and by us will be fulfilled. Many people do not see this glory. It has to be revealed to us, because Christ manifest in flesh is a mystery of godliness. This “such a great salvation” is a salvation from sin and self-life. It is our own “I” that is a hindrance to making progress on this way.

In Genesis 13 we read about how Abraham and Lot parted company. Abraham understood very well that Lot had other interests and wanted something else than what he wanted. Lot looked out over the land and made his choice based on “how he could make some money,” as we would say today. Abraham, on the other hand, lifted up his eyes in faith and confidence toward God. Thus the “religious” Lot parted company with the believing Abraham.

Lot pitched his tents outside of Sodom. However, after a while he and his family moved right into Sodom. He constantly wanted to have more earthly goods and honor. This incident teaches us that there is an enormous difference between someone who seeks earthly riches and someone whom God blesses and makes rich.

Abraham built an altar to the Lord, and we read further about him that he was also willing to offer up Isaac; yes, he offered up all the land and everything with which God had blessed him. We can see the tremendous promises he received because he was willing to offer up his blessings, even Isaac.

We are Abraham’s children and are called to be living examples of Abraham’s faith in God’s goodness, truthfulness, and faithfulness. When we live for Him and forsake all greatness and glory in this world, we will not have any reason to be anxious.

“Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’” 2 Cor. 6:17. Yes, let us serve the Lord and Him only, and be free from all. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Ch. 7:1. It is filthiness of the flesh when a person is unequally yoked together with an unbeliever.

Your spirit becomes filthy when you have fellowship with religious Lot and everything that this false religiosity stands for. When we are free from all these bonds, we can perfect our sanctification in the fear of the Lord.

Moses pitched his tent outside the camp. He called it the tabernacle of meeting. Ex. 33:7. There he, as well as Joshua, had the necessary quietness they needed to hear the voice of the Lord. We also need to have this quietness in our days if we want to be servants of the Lord. Outside the camp we will meet the cross. There we will meet God on the ways of His judgments; there rules the spirit of judgment and burning. Isa. 4:3-4. We are not to be amazed at the fiery trial that comes over us to test us. There is nothing that has such a good effect on our spirit as the chastening of the Lord.

Jesus said, “I will come to you,” and then He spoke about the Spirit of truth. Let us be humble and thankful when Jesus wants to come to us in this way, when He comes as the Spirit of truth who reveals something to us from which we need to cleanse ourselves. Let us do as Rebekah did who veiled herself when she saw her bridegroom. When we are finished with the world, we can go and meet our soul’s Bridegroom.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 the apostle writes about increasing in brotherly love more and more. It is vital for us that we never stop in our development, but that we grow and constantly expand our borders. It is sad to see when a person stops growing and when it always takes so little for his soul to come into great difficulties. The promises shall lead to being “filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:19.

Let us learn from Abraham to make the right choices in life—in faith and confidence toward God and not according to our human reasoning. And when we, as Abraham did, bring the offerings that God points out in our lives, we will experience that God comes to us with life and peace. For the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.

God said to Abraham to “walk before Me and be blameless.” It is a miserable life to live before the face of man. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men . . . .” Col. 3:23. That is what it means to walk in the faith of Abraham.

Fine Linen, Clean and Bright

In Revelation 19:8 we read that it was granted to the bride of Christ to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright. “For the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” We also read about the bride in Chapter 14:4-5: “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes . . . . And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault . . . .” A thorough cleansing had taken place in their lives—a cleansing from egotism and guile. For our egotism is our guile. It is impossible to follow the Lamb wherever He goes with an attitude that is guided by egotism.

In 1 Peter 2:21 flg., we also read about what it means to follow the Lamb wherever He goes, He who left us an example, who did not commit sin, who suffered unjustly and committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. We can see that on this way we need to be in a state of personal cleansing so that we can be “useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” Read 2 Timothy 2:20-21. Here we read about vessels that are made of different materials. These various kinds of materials are not significant in themselves. The only important thing is what the vessels are used for. They are clean vessels that are sanctified, and are useful for God for the ministry in the church.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works . . . .” Eph. 2:10. These works that were prepared beforehand have been granted to us; they are God’s gift to us. “The gift of the grace of God . . . .” Eph. 3:7. Here Paul testifies about the ministry he had received. While he performed this ministry, Paul came into innumerable situations where he had to array himself in fine linen that was clean and bright by paying heed to himself and to the doctrine. This is what we read about in Colossians 3:12: “Put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering . . . .” This is meant to be the result and content of our lives. It has nothing to do with what ministry we are performing in the body. All of us can be engaged in weaving this bridal garment regardless of what we have been given to do or what ministry we have, whether it be a hidden or a more open ministry.

Many people lead a life that does not produce such glorious results. If they had understood the gospel, they would have attained to a life that gives off an aroma of heaven. Let us therefore humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand in the situations we are in—such as they are—and let heaven enter into our earthly situations.

In Colossians 3, we read further about this abundant life: about love, which is the bond of perfection; about the peace of God in our hearts and in the church; about thankfulness; about doing everything heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men. What a redemption that is! This is the pure and shining, white linen. The angel of the church in Sardis had defiled his garments. Rev. 3. He was zealous and fervent before, but now he received the testimony that he was dead. This is sufficient reason to believe that he had begun to seek his own. In Matthew 6:1-8 Jesus warns powerfully against living before the face of man, against living in such a way that we will not receive a reward in eternity. For many people the lust for honor is a tremendous motivation. However, love is an even greater motivation. Then even the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing, as we read in verse 3. The intention is that we shall become mature persons in Christ. The bride of Christ is a mature bride.

Memorial Meeting for Sigurd Bratlie

On the occasion of Sigurd Bratlie’s 100th birthday (he was born on July 27th, 1905), we had a blessed memorial meeting during the conference. By way of introduction, brother Kåre J. Smith mentioned that brother Sigurd Bratlie has for many years left an impression on the church by his godly fear. Brother Bratlie was so zealous for the gospel that he once said that if this liberating message about victory and sanctification were to vanish, then the entire work might just as well cease to exist.

At the memorial meeting we were shown a film in which brother Bratlie himself spoke. Among other things we heard an excerpt from his zealous and awakening message with the theme, “Stoke it up!” He had a unique ability to encourage, even though he was aware of his own poverty in this very area. He lived the life he proclaimed; therefore his messages were so compelling.

Brother Kåre J. Smith mentioned Deuteronomy 6:4 where it says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” He viewed this outcry as a guiding principle throughout brother Bratlie’s preaching. Sigurd Bratlie gave his life unreservedly to God when he was nine years old. When he was fifteen years old he came to the church and was apprehended by the word of the cross. In his youth he prayed fervently to God for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. When he was 25 years old he travelled to Copenhagen and became the responsible brother for the church there; he gained everyone’s confidence because of his godly fear and wisdom. He did not bind the friends to his own person, but he worked so that they should melt together with all the saints to be one body. We have all good reason to remember such a leader and guide, even as we are exhorted to do in Hebrews 13:7: to consider the outcome of their conduct and follow their faith.

The poverty of spirit that characterized brother Bratlie was a blessed brook from which blessings could flow out to the others. He did not wish for his own person to be prominent in any way. He spoke about this heart’s attitude and exhorted to it by reading (among other verses) Hebrews 13:11, “For the bodies of those beasts . . . are burned outside the camp.” Brother Bratlie’s “body” was not at all prominent through his preaching and ministry, but he radiated a “drawing” to follow Christ.

Yes, there was a mighty, warm radiance that emanated from his life—an undertow of goodness. Whenever we left his presence, we received something to think about. He had the same attitude of heart as Jesus Christ when it concerned the friends (Phil. 1:8-10), and he labored so that we might partake of spiritual wisdom and understanding. We never experienced a “tutor­ministry” from him. He spoke the Word of life in such a way that a new life could be born in hearts. He had the Spirit of revelation, and he put a solid foundation and understanding in our hearts and minds.

Sigurd Johan Bratlie, his son, quoted 1 Corinthians 9:23: “Now this I do for the gospel’s sake . . . .” This testimony was an apt description of his father. He described his father, as well as his mother, as people who lived simply; nevertheless, they had a sense for creating a pleasant and friendly atmosphere in the home, both during his own childhood and later on as grandparents of eight grandchildren. What his father said to him on a given occasion was quite significant: “You will not inherit money from us, but you will have another inheritance, namely many good friends from around the world!” Sigurd Johan testified to the fact that he and his family had experienced this in abundance.

Brother J. Littooij related something out of his own life—the longing he had had for a genuine disciple-life, and that he received a word from God, namely, 2 Kings 6:19: “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” When he met brother Bratlie and heard his preaching some years later, he was convinced that the above-mentioned word of the Bible was now fulfilled in his life.

The memorial meeting was a great occasion for the friends. We have many good and blessed memories of this great man of God, Sigurd Bratlie.

Christ Manifested in the Flesh

“Great is the mystery of godliness, He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit . . . .” 1 Tim. 3:16. I need to be God-fearing to have this mystery revealed to me, the mystery concerning Him who suffered death in the flesh but was made alive by the Spirit. 1 Pet. 3:18. Paul describes the flesh quite simply with the following words: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.” Rom. 7:18. Jesus partook of this flesh for our sake in order to come to the aid of those who are tempted. There is an enormous difference between being tempted and doing what we are tempted to do.

In Isaiah 63 1, flg., we read prophetic words about the battle Jesus fought in the days of His flesh. Here we can plainly see His Spirit of zeal, which should also fill us who have a flesh in which nothing good dwells. We read about the hate He had for sin, and that He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His companions. Heb. 1:9. Jesus gained a perfect victory in this Spirit of zeal. His spirit was not defiled by what dwelt in the flesh. In Romans 8:3 we read that God condemned sin in the flesh. Jesus was willing to acquiesce in that judgment, and the judgment was executed. He was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. Rom. 1:4. This was the evidence that His spirit was not defiled by sin in the flesh. The entire fullness of the Father came to dwell in His spirit. On the cross He gained the victory over all the forces of darkness, thus opening the way of the cross, and making it possible for us to be transformed into His image in His death, and thereby manifest His life.

On this way, which means sufferings for the flesh and liberty for our spirit, the virtues of Christ will be manifested in our life and will fill our spirit. God puts His wisdom into our hearts and we become eternal beings, for the result of suffering in the flesh is that we cease from sin. 1 Pet. 4:1.

Paul writes in Romans 8:12-13 that we are not indebted to the flesh. It is not the intention that we shall live according to the flesh once we have become children of God. During our sojourn we get to see more and more of our sinful nature, and then this Word applies: “But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8:13. When we get to see greater depths of our desire for honor and pride, for example, we do not seek to explain it away, but we purify ourselves in obedience to the truth. A person who wants to explain away his mistakes and lacks cannot say that he serves the law of God with his mind. The strength of the hate we should have against sin and self-life is clearly described in a scripture such as this: “Hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Jude 23. Sin must not have a beachhead in our mind. Then the Spirit will freely work with us. Let us therefore do what brother Sigurd Bratlie exhorted us to do: Stoke it up! Stoke it up! Let us be a complete sacrifice. If we want the fire to burn, and that it should continue to burn, it has to be fueled by offerings.

We can see in Philippians 3:7 and the following verses how radically Paul rejected everything that was gain to him before: “That I may gain Christ.” Then we can ask ourselves: Do we also need to be as radical as Paul was in order to gain Christ? Yes, Jesus asks us to forsake everything! And if we really get to see who Jesus is, we will follow Paul’s example. We need to consider everything as rubbish that we may gain Christ. It is impossible to follow Paul’s example if we have not seen the glory in Him. What is this glory? It is that we can overcome sin so that we can become partakers of the resurrection life!

In Matthew 10:37-39 Jesus Himself tells us the condition for being worthy of Him. That means, of course, that we are worthy of Him as His bride! One of the conditions is that neither father nor mother, relatives nor friends are allowed to influence us, with the result that we are hindered from doing what the Spirit is working in us. Freed from everything and everyone, wholly surrendered to God and doing His will—this is the only way in which we can be worthy of Him as His bride.

In Ephesians 1:15, and the following verses, Paul expresses his thankfulness to the Ephesians for their faith and love. Yet he prayed to God for them that He might give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, because they still did not fully understand who Jesus was. Their eyes had to be opened to what he describes in verses 18-23 so that they could be molded as the bride of Christ. Then (when our eyes have been opened) we will begin to understand what it means to gain Christ. Then we will have fellowship with Him in the same life that He lived. When we get to see how exceedingly great His power is toward us who believe, we will also understand that it can succeed for us to be transformed from being an egotist, which we all are by nature, to being molded into the image of the Bridegroom of our soul, Christ. However, we need to be in a zealous spirit, baptized with the Spirit of truth, free from everything and everyone. This is what it takes to meet the Bridegroom of our soul, who is “the image of the invisible God” and who is “before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Col. 1:15-20. He is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” This is the Bridegroom we are going to meet. Therefore let us not be superficial, being motivated by outward things. Let us pray for enlightened eyes, for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Everyone who goes to meet his soul’s Bridegroom can live a thoroughly happy life regardless of his position in life.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit . . . .” Eph. 4:30. When we understand our calling to be in the bride, we do not want to conduct ourselves in such a way that we grieve the Holy Spirit. We can grieve the Holy Spirit in many different ways. When we, for example, think of what it says in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that “all things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify,” we understand that this is a deep and wide area where we can either live to God’s pleasure or grieve the Holy Spirit. If we are not attentive to the Spirit’s voice in our inner man, we can easily say and do things that grieve the Holy Spirit; for example, words that are not good, are not for necessary edification, and are not profitable for those who hear them. Eph. 4:29.

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is He who loves Me.” John 14:21. Such souls love God’s commandments and learn to be sensitive to the workings of the Spirit.

Brunstad “Garden Town” Feast Meeting

When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome, it almost appears as if he concludes the letter with Chapter 15 by writing, “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” But then he also wanted to honor several people by mentioning them by name and by greeting them heartily. Thus we received the sixteenth chapter.

This is also how it was with the first summer conference this year. On the last conference day we had a feast meeting. The occasion was the completion of the Brunstad Garden Town. This was an opportunity to greet and thank, as in Romans 16, those who had worked especially hard and sacrificed themselves for this work. What has been done at Brunstad during these last few years is, in fact, a victory for the entire brotherhood, the entire church. The goal of this endeavor has been, and still is, to further the mission work— both the mission work with our very large flock of children and young people and the mission work that is carried out in foreign countries and other parts of the world. Brother Kåre J. Smith read from 1 John 3:14: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.” None of us must be uncertain when it comes to this particular point. We read, “We know.” We also read in 1 John 5:13, “That you may know that you have eternal life . . . .” It is easy to test ourselves on this point. If we really love each individual brother and sister, we will have peace and joy when we meet them. Then the life is in us.

It is appropriate for us to thank God for His workings in our days, and to thank all those who have contributed to making the Brunstad Conference Centrer into what it is today. We thank those whom God has raised up to lead the church in our time and those who are in the front with prophetic enthusiasm, and we thank all those who have sacrificed time, money, and their strength—and not the least a “Thank You” to our dear young friends on the A-team who have worked around the clock to make it as good as possible for all the friends.