Participants: Pr. Ted Wilson
Series Code: 10GYC
Program Code: 10GYC000010
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00:11 May GYC serve as an example both to
00:16 other supporting organizations and 00:18 denominationally organized 00:20 church structures in showing cooperative 00:24 involvement in the mission of the church, 00:27 an example to Seventh day Adventists 00:30 of all ages? Now, as we reflect on 00:34 cooperative mission involvement, 00:37 we can ask the rhetorical question 00:39 posed or found in Amos chapter 3, verse 3, 00:44 "Can two walk together, 00:46 unless they are agreed?" 00:48 Now, let me tell you, 00:50 the special relationship that the 00:51 Seventh-day Adventist Church share 00:53 with supporting ministries like GYC 00:56 is possible only by the commitment of each 01:00 to Christ and the prophetic work 01:02 with which He has entrusted us 01:04 in these last days. There has never been 01:08 a more important time to walk together 01:11 and to work together as God's remnant 01:16 people then in these last closing days 01:18 of earth's history. 01:19 We must take seriously the instruction 01:22 in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 24 and 25, 01:26 "to consider one another in order to 01:29 stir up love and good works, 01:31 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves 01:34 together, as is the manner of some, 01:37 but exhorting one another, 01:39 and so much the more as you see 01:41 the Day approaching." 01:43 I wanna tell you the day is approaching, amen, 01:46 Jesus is coming. 01:47 Now, just a few months ago at the 01:50 59th General Conference session, 01:52 in Atlanta, I shared with the world church 01:55 my firm conviction that the Lord 01:57 has established the Seventh-day Adventist 01:59 Church in these last days to "Go Forward" 02:03 in faith and, by the power of 02:06 the Holy Spirit, finish the work of proclaiming 02:10 the Three Angels' Messages 02:11 to the entire world. 02:13 Now, I believe it is providential that 02:17 I'm speaking to you under GYC's 02:20 corresponding theme of "No Turning Back." 02:25 There is no doubt in my mind 02:27 that the Lord is bidding us as a people, 02:30 a remnant people to "go forward" with 02:34 "no turning back." Amen. 02:37 In your walk with Christ, 02:39 turning even the slightest bit from 02:44 absolute faithfulness to God 02:47 and His Word can have disastrous consequences. 02:50 When Eve turned just slightly 02:53 from God's Word, she left herself open 02:56 to the serpent's deceptions. 02:59 When Lot's wife turned her head 03:01 just one time for a forbidden glance 03:04 at her former home, she lost her life. 03:07 When the children of Israel 03:09 wanted to turn away from the Promised Land 03:12 and turn back to Egypt, 03:13 their bodies were left lying in the desert. 03:17 We must all live out the counsel of Paul 03:20 who wrote in our scripture reading 03:22 as it was read to us Philippians 3:13 and 14: 03:26 "Brethren, I do not count myself to have 03:28 apprehended; but one thing I do, 03:31 forgetting those things which are behind 03:34 and reaching forward to those things 03:37 which are ahead, I press toward the goal 03:40 for the prize of the upward call of God 03:44 in Christ Jesus. " No turning back. 03:48 This was the walk of faith experience 03:51 by Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah. 03:56 In fact Hebrews chapter 11:13 declares: 04:01 "These all died in faith, 04:04 not having received the promises, 04:06 but having seen them afar off were assured 04:10 were assured of them, embraced them 04:11 and confessed that they were strangers 04:13 and pilgrims on the earth." 04:15 Now, notice carefully that though 04:19 they may have died never seeing the fulfillment 04:23 of God's promises, they nonetheless lived 04:26 with their eyes of faith fastened to the promises 04:30 of God's Word. It goes on to tell us 04:33 how they were able to maintain 04:35 this level of commitment in verse 15. " 04:37 And truly if they had called to mind 04:42 that that country from which they had come, 04:44 they would have had opportunity to return." 04:49 These great men and women were heroes 04:52 of faith because they never allowed the place 04:55 from which they came out to occupy their minds. 04:59 Once they left, they left with no turning back. 05:05 This single-minded commitment to God 05:07 and a straightforward understanding 05:10 of His Word was the Lord's intent 05:13 for His chosen people, Israel. 05:15 Deuteronomy 5 verses 32 to 33, tell us: 05:21 "Therefore you shall be careful to do 05:24 as the Lord your God has commanded you; 05:26 you shall not turn aside to the right hand 05:28 or to the left. You shall walk in 05:31 all the ways which the Lord your God 05:33 has commanded you, 05:34 that you may live and that it may be well 05:37 with you, and that you may prolong your days 05:40 in the land which you shall possess." 05:43 As long as they were unwavering in their 05:47 devotion to the Lord and His Word, 05:51 success was guaranteed. Yet instead, 05:56 repeatedly the Lord's people exchanged 05:58 moving ahead in faith with turning back 06:02 in fear. In Numbers chapter 14 verses 3 and 4 06:07 we hear them exclaim: 06:08 "Why has the Lord brought us to this land 06:13 to fall by the sword, 06:14 that our wives and children should become 06:16 victims? Would it not be better for us 06:18 to return to Egypt? I've nothing against Egypt, 06:22 I think some of you know I grew up in Egypt 06:24 and it's a wonderful country, 06:26 but unfortunately they had been slaves there 06:29 and had a very difficult experience. 06:31 But they wanted to return there. 06:32 So they said to one another, 06:34 'Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.' 06:36 Many years later in Second Timothy 06:39 chapter 4 verses 3 to 4, 06:42 the Apostle Paul instructed 06:44 his young protege, Timothy, 06:46 to preach the Word: 06:47 "For the time will come when they will not 06:51 endure sound doctrine, 06:53 but according to their own desires, 06:55 because they have itching ears, 06:57 they will heap up for themselves teachers; 07:01 and they will turn their ears 07:03 away from the truth, 07:04 and be turned aside to fables." 07:07 Now, it's important to note that in both 07:10 ancient Israel and the Christian church, 07:13 God's people had no problem submitting 07:17 to leadership just as long as the leaders 07:21 capitulated to their desire to be led away 07:25 from the Lord's commandments 07:27 and be turned back to the world 07:30 from which the Lord had delivered them. 07:31 But this cannot be for God's people now. 07:39 We must never deviate from the direction 07:44 the Lord leads us according to His Word. 07:49 Amen. The closer we come to the 07:52 second coming it becomes more evident 07:55 why Jesus declared Satan the ruler of this world. 07:59 As the stream of modern culture rushes 08:03 headlong toward destruction, 08:05 standing firm on the solid rock of Scripture 08:10 will make it appear as though you are 08:12 removing yourself from society. 08:15 Yet seeking the approval of God 08:18 must always be the single objective 08:22 of our lives with no turning back. 08:27 In our entertainment there must be no 08:33 turning back. Ever increasing technological 08:37 advances are becoming commonplace 08:39 in our society. For example, 08:41 how many of you have sent or received 08:44 a text message in the last 24 hours? 08:47 I would be so bold as to say that a number 08:50 of you had even texted while I've been 08:53 preaching here, amen. 08:54 My point is that through modern technology 08:58 we have unlimited access to literally 09:01 an entire world of communication 09:03 and media that, for all its evangelistic 09:06 potential, is often more detrimental 09:10 than beneficial to our Christian walk. Amen. 09:13 Though we live in the Internet age 09:15 and are almost continually subjected 09:17 to the most powerful temptations 09:19 through television, movies, music, 09:21 and literature, we must always guard the 09:23 avenues of the soul. 09:25 Even in the 21st century, 09:27 Philippians 4 verse 8 is God's formula 09:33 for right thinking, charging us to think 09:37 on only those things that are true, 09:39 and noble, just, pure, lovely, 09:42 of good report, and virtuous. 09:44 Young people let these Biblical principles 09:50 and the counsels of inspiration in the Spirit 09:52 of Prophecy guide you in your entertainment 09:56 choices. Amen. 09:58 In our personal relationships 10:00 there must be no turning back. 10:03 While we should always be outgoing 10:06 and friendly to everyone, 10:07 I hope this afternoon people 10:09 are known throughout Baltimore 10:11 the Seventh-day Adventist church 10:13 is known as the friendliest church 10:15 as you go door to door, amen. 10:17 However we must be discerning 10:19 and judicious about those in whom we place 10:21 our personal confidence. Our closest relationships 10:26 and are most trusted relationships 10:27 and companionships should be built 10:30 on the solid foundation of a common faith 10:33 in God and the truths of His Word. 10:36 After the instruction of Second Corinthians 10:39 chapter 6, verse 14: 10:41 "Do not be unequally yoked together 10:44 with unbelievers," the passage continues 10:47 with the salient rhetorical questions, 10:50 "For what fellowship has righteousness 10:53 with lawlessness? And what communion 10:57 has light with darkness?" 10:59 Young people, choose godly associates 11:04 who will encourage your walk with Christ. 11:06 If you have any relationships, 11:09 platonic or romantic, 11:13 that are displeasing to the Lord. 11:15 I implore you to muster the holy boldness 11:20 to separate yourself for their salvation 11:24 and for your own. Amen. 11:26 In our behavior there must be no turning back. 11:29 Today much encouragement is given 11:31 to behaviors that society deems 11:34 acceptable and I say "acceptable," 11:37 even laudable. 11:40 But these are things that the 11:42 Lord abhors. Promiscuity, 11:46 homosexuality, violence, vulgarity, 11:52 overindulgence, greed, and pride 11:56 and all of these are seen as normal 12:00 in current society while a godly lifestyle 12:03 marked by purity and temperance 12:06 is ridiculed and mocked. 12:08 But young people do not let 12:11 that discourage you! For those 12:14 who would face the struggles of a godly 12:16 life in an evil world, 12:18 the words of Jesus are recorded 12:20 in John chapter 15 verses 18 and 19: 12:23 "If the world hates you, 12:25 you know that it hated Me 12:27 before it hated you. 12:28 If you were of the world, 12:29 the world would love its own. 12:32 Yet because you are not of the world, 12:34 but I chose you out of the world, 12:37 therefore the world hates you." 12:39 What a blessing to know that the Lord 12:44 never asks you to walk a path 12:46 He has not trod before. 12:48 What an encouragement is ours 12:52 when you read beautiful passages 12:53 like in Hebrews chapter 4 verses 15 12:56 and 16 that: "we do not have a High Priest 12:59 who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, 13:02 but was in all points tempted as we are, 13:05 yet without sin. Let us therefore come 13:10 boldly to the throne of grace 13:14 that we may obtain mercy and find grace 13:17 to help in time of need." Brothers and sisters, 13:21 the same Jesus who has been where you are 13:25 and faced what you faced has promised to give you 13:30 the strength you need to walk with Him 13:33 victoriously. In our diligence at work 13:38 and at school there must be no turning back. 13:42 The Bible repeatedly declares that our God 13:47 is a God of excellence. As His representatives 13:50 who were originally made in 13:52 and are being restored to His image, 13:55 we should strive for the excellence 13:58 in all our undertakings as a witness 14:01 for the glory of God. Complacency, apathy, 14:06 and mediocrity at home or in the school 14:11 should never be seen in the life of a Christian. 14:15 I am reminded of the prophet Daniel 14:18 whose excellence in all things won the favor of 14:22 the King and the envy of his peers. 14:25 In Daniel chapter 6 verse 4 we read 14:28 the following: "So the governors 14:31 and satraps sought to find some charge 14:34 against Daniel concerning the kingdom; 14:36 but they could find no charge or fault, 14:38 because he was faithful; 14:40 nor was there any error or fault found in him." 14:45 I like the way the words are 14:49 indicated in the New America Standard Bible, 14:53 that "no negligence or corruption 14:57 was to be found in him." 15:00 Not only was Daniel's life free 15:03 from corruption, it was also free of negligence. 15:08 This combination of integrity and diligence 15:12 was a witness for the glory of God. 15:14 And I pray that Daniel's legacy of excellence 15:18 is seen in the lives of each young person 15:22 in the Seventh-day Adventist Church 15:23 as we finish the work of God 15:25 and hasten the coming of Christ. 15:27 In our pursuit of science 15:31 there must be no turning back. 15:33 In recent years great concern has developed 15:38 about the relationship of science to Scripture. 15:41 The Lord desires us to consider 15:43 all aspects of His creation from biology 15:47 and geology to psychology 15:49 and sociology. However, 15:51 we must always keep in mind 15:55 that for every truth God has established, 15:58 Satan conjures a counterfeit 16:01 in an effort to turn minds away 16:04 from understanding the will and works of God. 16:09 Nothing could improve on what has already been 16:15 written by heavenly inspiration 16:17 in the little book called 16:19 "The Faith I Live By," 16:21 which is incredibly pertinent 16:24 information for us today. 16:25 "To many, scientific research has become 16:30 a curse. God has permitted a flood of 16:32 light to be poured upon the world 16:34 in discoveries of science and art. 16:36 But even the greatest minds, 16:39 if not guided by the Word of God 16:41 in their research, become bewildered 16:45 in their attempts to investigate 16:47 the relations of science and revelation. 16:50 God is the foundation of everything. 16:55 All true science is in harmony with His works; 17:01 let me repeat that, all true science 17:05 is in harmony with His works, 17:07 all true education leads to obedience 17:09 to His government. Science opens new 17:12 wonders to our view; she soars high, 17:15 and explores new depths; 17:17 but she brings nothing from her 17:19 research that conflicts with divine revelation." 17:24 Amen. Believe it young people, 17:26 I urge all those who are engaged 17:29 in scientific pursuits either as students, 17:31 educators, researchers, or practitioners 17:35 to heed this counsel as you seek to explore 17:39 the wonders of God's creation. 17:41 And the way we dress there must be 17:45 no turning back: Jesus was highly-respected 17:48 and deeply-loved while having 17:50 what Isaiah chapter 53 verse 2 says: 17:54 "There was no beauty that we should 17:56 desire Him." In all matters of life, 18:00 Christ is to be our ultimate example 18:03 of Christian appearance. Of course, 18:07 you know we're aware that there are those 18:10 who go to extremes on either end 18:12 of this issue. Some conform entirely 18:15 to the world, while others seem 18:19 to go out of their way to be so unnecessarily 18:23 peculiar as to be purposefully 18:26 unattractive! Neither one of these extremes 18:31 is right. Amen. Listen carefully 18:33 to the inspired balance on this issue 18:36 found in Selected Messages, 18:37 book 3, page 245: 18:39 "We do not discourage taste 18:43 and neatness in dress. 18:45 Correct taste in dress is not to be 18:47 despised or condemned." 18:50 Now, it goes on to say in the same page, 18:52 "Self-denial in dress is a part of our 18:56 Christian duty. To dress plainly, 18:59 abstaining from display of jewelry 19:03 and ornaments of every kind 19:04 is in keeping with our faith." Amen. 19:09 Young people please use these principles 19:13 from Scripture, and the counsel from the Spirit 19:15 of Prophecy, and the example of Jesus 19:18 as you choose what to wear 19:21 that will best witness for the Creator 19:23 God you serve. Amen. In our stewardship 19:27 there must be no turning back: 19:30 I hope that all of you've been taught 19:32 somewhere along the line at home 19:34 or in church how to manage your God-given 19:37 resources correctly. 19:39 Be good stewards of your money. 19:42 Faithfully return the Lord's tithe 19:45 and give of your freewill offerings. 19:48 Be good stewards of your body. 19:51 Consistently care for yourself according 19:54 to God's practical and healthy eight 19:56 natural remedies: healthy vegetarian diet, 20:00 consistent exercise, drinking enough water, 20:04 adequate sunlight, abstaining from alcohol, 20:07 tobacco, and illicit drugs, 20:09 enjoying fresh air, 20:10 getting appropriate rest, 20:12 and trust in divine power. 20:14 Amen, let me tell you as someone 20:17 who is busy traveling around the world 20:20 and doing all kinds of things that seem good, 20:22 I need to pay attention to that myself. 20:25 Amen, all of us do to be good stewards 20:28 of God's beautiful creation. 20:31 Be good stewards of your time: 20:33 Make sure that you set aside special time 20:36 each day for prayer and for study. 20:40 Again I commend the young people 20:43 for what they did last night 20:44 and what they have been doing for the prayer 20:46 time that you have been engaged in. 20:49 Furthermore, keep in mind that while you 20:53 have been given six days to labor 20:55 and do all your work, 20:56 the seventh-day is the Sabbath 20:58 of the Lord your God. 21:00 Too often we see Seventh-day Adventists, 21:04 I'm not condemning people, 21:06 I'm just saying this is reality 21:07 we see them remembering that the Sabbath 21:11 exists but forgetting to keep it holy. Amen. 21:16 I have to admit sometimes 21:19 I'm part of that, how do we guard 21:22 the edges of the Sabbath. 21:25 The Sabbath is the seal of God's 21:28 authority, the memorial of God's recent 21:30 creative power capping six literal, consecutive, 21:34 contiguous days of creating this earth 21:37 with the marvelous seventh-day Sabbath, 21:39 the beautiful crowning act. 21:43 It demonstrates His redemptive power, 21:45 a weekly invitation to draw near to Him. Amen. 21:50 And it is and will be the end-time sign 21:55 of God's faithful people. Amen. 21:58 Resist the temptation to abuse the 22:02 Sabbath as merely free time to do whatever 22:05 you like. Keep it holy through 22:08 God's power by ceasing your normal activities, 22:11 by making necessary preparations beforehand, 22:15 worshiping the Lord and fellow shipping 22:17 with believers in church, 22:19 ministering to the spiritual needs 22:21 of others, and enjoying God's marvelous 22:24 handiwork in nature. 22:26 By these simple stewardship practices, 22:30 you will continually find in the mercies 22:33 of the Lord enough time, 22:35 enough money, and enough strength, 22:39 not only for your daily needs 22:41 but also for use in the cause of the Lord. 22:46 In our spiritual revivals there 22:50 must be no turning back: On March 22, 22:53 1887 Ellen White wrote the following 22:57 words in an article for the Review 22:59 and Herald entitled "The Church's Great Need:" 23:03 "A revival of true godliness among us is 23:08 the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. 23:12 To seek this should be our first work." 23:16 Now, today I praise the Lord that so many 23:20 Seventh-day Adventists are earnestly seeking 23:22 the Lord's blessing and praying for a genuine 23:25 revival and reformation in the lives individually 23:29 and in the church collectively. 23:31 But we must remain alert, 23:35 because as we have already mentioned, 23:37 the devil has a counterfeit 23:39 for every truth of God. 23:41 We have been cautioned both in the Bible 23:44 and in the Spirit of Prophecy, 23:45 that in these last days Satan 23:48 will unleash false revivals, 23:51 revivals of his own kind in an effort to deceive, 23:57 if possible, even the very elect. 24:00 Ellen White wrote pointedly to these 24:03 very things that we actually 24:05 see in our world today moving within our ranks. 24:09 In Selected Messages, volume 2, page 23 24:13 we read: "We are in continual 24:16 danger of getting above the simplicity 24:19 of the gospel. Can I underscore 24:22 that to you my dear friends of GYC 24:24 the simplicity of the gospel. Amen. 24:27 Adventist, Seventh day Adventist 24:31 are simple people, not simplistic, 24:34 simple people in their lifestyle 24:36 and in their worship to the Lord, 24:39 but we are in danger of getting above 24:43 the simplicity of the Gospel. 24:44 There is an intense desire 24:45 on the part of many to startle the world 24:47 and I'm quoting here 24:49 "startle the world with some, 24:50 something original, that shall lift 24:53 the people into a state of spiritual ecstasy, 24:56 and change the present order of experience." 24:58 There is certainly great need and I'm quoting: 25:01 "There is certainly great need of a change 25:02 in the present order of experience, 25:05 for the sacredness of present truth 25:08 is not realized as it should be, 25:10 but the change we need is a change of heart, 25:15 amen. And can only be obtained by seeking 25:19 God individually for His blessing, 25:23 by pleading with Him for His power, 25:25 by fervently praying that His grace 25:27 may come upon us, 25:28 and that our characters may be transformed. 25:32 This is the change we need today, 25:36 and for the attainment of this experience 25:39 we should exercise persevering energy 25:43 and manifest heartfelt earnestness." 25:47 What an appeal from God's servant? 25:50 And why is it that the General Conference 25:53 another church organization 25:55 and hopefully your local church are lifting up 25:59 the theme of "Revival and Reformation." 26:02 Why do we have materials and seminars 26:04 on revival and reformation? 26:06 Why do we have websites like 26:08 revivalandreformation.org that offer 26:11 vital information? Why do we have a 26:14 General Conference Revival 26:15 and Reformation Committee? 26:16 Is it just a lot of bureaucratic propaganda 26:20 and promotion? 26:21 No, it is for one purpose and one purpose 26:26 alone to focus our attention on our 26:31 greatest need which is a need for Jesus. 26:35 Amen. His grace and His power 26:37 in our lives through the word of God 26:39 and the Holy Spirit so that we can 26:42 be reformed and remade, amen, 26:45 individually and corporately and become 26:48 more and more like Jesus. Amen. 26:52 As the Laodicean Church described 26:57 in Revelation chapter 3: 26:59 We desperately need God's "gold tried 27:04 in the fire." The white raiment of Christ 27:07 pure robe of righteousness 27:08 and the eyes have of God's power 27:12 so that we can see clearly. 27:15 God wants to do something very special 27:18 in His church as we come to the very end 27:21 of time. We realize that he wants to revive 27:24 and reform and renew His people, 27:28 He wants His people to proclaim 27:30 the three angels messages 27:31 with latter rain power. 27:33 He wants His people to fully know 27:35 the word of God, young people, 27:38 you are to be a vital part of this 27:42 great movement, we want to go home, 27:46 no turning back. Amen. 27:49 I am so glad that your GYC leaders, 27:52 I just commend them, 27:53 I'm just excited that they have placed 27:55 on each of your seats and I hope you have your 27:58 copy of this exciting book 28:00 "True Revival The Church's Greatest Need," 28:04 it's a compilation of the writings of Ellen White. 28:07 And I highly encourage each of you to read it, 28:10 underline it, and follow the counsel of this 28:13 wonderful Spirit of Prophecy book. 28:16 I'm personally doing that myself. 28:20 And those of you who are watching on television 28:23 or hearing this or seeing it on Internet 28:25 and don't have a copy of this marvelous book, 28:28 be sure to get a copy from the 28:30 Adventist Book Center, or your conference, 28:32 or the Review and Herald Publishing Association. 28:35 Over 150,000 copies of this important book 28:40 have already been sold. 28:41 Let's blanket the world with multiple thousands 28:45 more in various languages. 28:48 Let us also distribute by the millions 28:51 other Spirit of Prophecy books including 28:54 Steps to Christ, The Desire of Ages, 28:57 Christ's Object Lessons, 28:58 and the one book that Ellen White 29:02 wished distributed more than any other, 29:06 The Great Controversy, amen, 29:09 no turning back. Amen. 29:12 In our confidence, in the Spirit of Prophecy 29:16 there must be no turning back: Amen. 29:20 Among some of our church members 29:21 there is a tendency to downplay 29:23 or even dismiss the counsels of the Spirit 29:26 of Prophecy. We hear today that while 29:29 the writings of Ellen White may have some 29:31 devotional value we should not let her 29:35 "limited 19th-century perspective" 29:39 shape our 21st century understanding 29:44 of Bible truth. But I believe, 29:49 and the Seventh day Adventist Church 29:52 firmly and unashamedly upholds that the 29:57 Spirit of Prophecy is one of God's 30:00 greatest gifts to His end-time 30:03 remnant people. Amen. 30:05 Trust the Word of the God, 30:08 trust the Word of the Lord and follow 30:12 the counsel of His humble messenger, 30:15 Ellen White. Amen. Listen to me carefully, 30:20 let no one, local church leader, pastor, 30:28 teacher, administrator, magazine or 30:33 literature or anyone turn you away from 30:39 that complete absolute trust and confidence 30:44 in the Spirit of Prophecy. Amen. Because 30:47 the Spirit of Prophecy points to the 30:50 Bible as God's authoritative Word! Amen. 30:57 Today I echo Paul's challenge in First 30:59 Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 19 and 20: 31:06 "Do not quench the Spirit. 31:07 Do not despise prophecies." 31:12 And in Selected Messages, Book 1, 31:14 P. 48 we read the following, now this is, 31:20 this is so pertinent for today it is, 31:22 it is unbelievably realistic. 31:24 "There will be a hatred kindled against 31:27 the testimonies, now those are the 31:29 testimonies to the church written through 31:33 inspiration by God, against the testimony 31:37 which is satanic. The workings of Satan 31:40 will be to unsettle the faith of the 31:42 churches in them, for this reason, 31:46 here it is: Satan cannot have 31:49 so clear a track to bring in his deceptions 31:52 and bind up souls in his delusions if the 31:55 warnings and reproofs and counsels of the 31:57 Spirit of God are heeded." Amen. 32:02 My friends, though some around 32:04 you may fall away, for the safety of your 32:10 own soul I plead with you to stay faithful. 32:14 Amen. Let neither the subtle doubts nor 32:18 the open ridicule of friends and family or 32:21 anyone else turn you away from the truth 32:25 of God and what he has shared with us 32:29 through his chosen servant, Ellen G. White. 32:33 Just read the Spirit of Prophecy and you will 32:37 see God's guidance in what is written. Amen. 32:40 Such consistent faithfulness to Christ 32:43 and His Word is only possible through the 32:45 power of the Holy Spirit. The level of spiritual 32:49 vitality to which we are called is not 32:52 something that can be achieve by human effort. 32:56 We must, in all that we do, 32:58 rely on the Spirit of God to work in our 33:00 hearts so that among God's faithful 33:02 remnant there will be no turning back, 33:06 no turning aside, no turning left, 33:09 no turning right, no turning away, 33:11 no returning to the world whatsoever. 33:15 Friends, God is calling you to go forward in 33:19 faith until we reach what Ephesians 33:21 chapter 4 verse 13 calls: "The measure of the 33:26 stature of the fullness of Christ." Amen. 33:29 While society bombards you with the 33:30 idea that youth is a time for reckless 33:34 self- indulgence, God's Word declares otherwise. 33:38 Paul's counsel to young Timothy in First 33:41 Timothy 4:12 is my counsel for all 33:44 Seventh-day Adventist young people 33:46 whether here in Baltimore or 33:49 around the world. "Let no one despise 33:54 your youth, but be an example 33:56 to the believers in word, in conduct, 33:59 in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 34:02 It is my prayer that the greatest examples 34:04 of our faith and lifestyle shown to the 34:07 world will be the youth of the 34:10 Seventh-day Adventist Church. Amen. 34:13 The same God that is calling you to go 34:15 forward in faith with no turning back is 34:17 the God who established the 34:19 Seventh-day Adventist Church as His 34:21 remnant people with a mandate to 34:23 proclaim the Three Angels' Messages 34:26 to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. 34:29 This far-reaching and seemingly 34:32 insurmountable goal cannot be attained 34:37 haphazardly but must be accomplished 34:39 in an organized manner and with 34:42 the full cooperation of both full-time 34:45 church workers and dedicated lay members. 34:49 We are told clearly in Gospel Workers, 34:51 page 352: "The work of God in this 34:54 earth can never be finished until the men 34:57 and women comprising our church 35:00 membership rally to the work, 35:03 and unite their efforts with those 35:05 of ministers and church officers." 35:10 This method of work is not unique to 35:13 our time as we can see that same expectation 35:17 of cooperative effort in the history 35:19 of both ancient Israel and the early 35:21 Christian church. For instance, 35:24 although there were clearly prescribed 35:26 roles for the leaders of Israel's 35:29 spiritual economy, each citizen of that 35:33 chosen nation was still expected to 35:37 be individually faithful to the Lord. 35:43 In the book Exodus chapter 19 verses 5 to 7 35:47 we read the Lord's instructions to the 35:49 children of Israel just prior to His giving 35:52 of the Ten Commandments: "Now therefore, 35:56 if you will indeed obey My voice and keep 36:00 My covenant, then you shall be a 36:02 special treasure to Me above all people; 36:05 for all the earth is Mine. 36:07 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of 36:10 priests and a holy nation." 36:13 Similarly in the Christian church, 36:16 the same requirements for every member 36:18 to work individually for the cause of the 36:21 movement remained. In his instruction 36:25 to the New Testament body of believers, 36:28 the Apostle Peter echoed that which is 36:31 found in the book of Exodus when he 36:33 declared in First Peter 2 verse 9 , 36:37 " You are a chosen generation, 36:40 a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 36:44 His own special people, that you may proclaim 36:47 the praises of Him who called you 36:48 out of darkness into His marvelous light." 36:53 This counsel wasn't addressed merely 36:56 to his fellow apostles or other church 36:59 leaders but was given to the entire 37:02 body of Christ, every member 37:05 included young and old. Every member of the 37:09 church was entrusted with the sacred 37:11 responsibility to "proclaim the praises 37:14 of Him who called you out of darkness 37:17 into His marvelous light." 37:21 I'm so glad that in addition to many 37:23 young people here, we also have 37:25 a number of older people. Amen. 37:28 I guess like myself. But for this next part, 37:35 I want to speak primarily to those who 37:38 are 35 years or younger. Now let's just take 37:44 a little, a little example of your response, 37:51 by a show of hands, 37:53 respond to these questions. 37:56 How many of you long to see Jesus 37:59 come again? Amen. Amen. How many 38:04 of you believe that the Seventh-day Adventist 38:05 Church is God's end-time movement raised 38:08 up to proclaim the Three Angels' Messages 38:11 to the world and hasten the soon coming? 38:13 Amen, amen. Now, let's try a different question, 38:21 how many of you attended your last local 38:24 church business meeting, 38:28 far fewer hands, but thank you to 38:31 those who did, amen. Okay let's try 38:34 another series of exciting questions 38:37 how many of you believe that we're living in 38:39 the very final days of earth's history 38:42 and by the grace of God you want to be 38:44 part of the 144,000 who will stand for the 38:47 right though the heavens fall? Amen. Amen. 38:52 How many of you want to be part 38:53 of that army of youth who are rightly 38:55 trained and willing to finish the work in 38:57 this generation? Amen. Amen. 39:02 Now, you don't have to raise your hands 39:03 on the following although some of you 39:05 could but I'm not asking you to raise 39:08 your hands because we may get a 39:09 similar response as we did to the question 39:12 about the church business meeting. 39:14 How many of you regularly attend 39:17 prayer meeting at your local church? 39:20 How many of you volunteer at your local 39:23 community services centers? 39:25 How many of you regularly seek out 39:27 non-believers to lead Jesus through 39:28 personal Bible study? How many of you 39:31 teach in your church's cradle roll or 39:33 beginner's division, maybe kindergarten 39:35 or primary or juniors or early teens or 39:38 even the youth group. You've spent money 39:41 to come to a very serious Bible conference 39:45 here at GYC. But if we were to take 39:48 an accurate poll of some of these questions, 39:52 we may find the responses 39:53 are far too low. In fact what would we 39:57 discovered if we surveyed the general 40:00 membership of the Seventh-day Adventist 40:01 Church? Probably a serious gap between 40:05 intentions and actual participation. 40:10 My young friends, through the Holy 40:12 Spirit's power we must bridge the gap 40:16 between the grand ideals we long for 40:20 and the practical duties we are faced 40:23 with if we are to finish the work in this 40:26 generation. Amen. We must come to the 40:29 realization that the first step in finishing 40:32 the work is actually going to work. 40:37 As was God's plan for Israel and the 40:39 apostolic church, the lifeblood of the 40:41 Seventh-day Adventist movement is the 40:43 participation of each member in the 40:47 mission of the local church. 40:50 Today I am particularly appealing 40:54 to the young people of this church 40:57 worldwide in every setting of the church. 41:03 In Christian Service page 10 we read: 41:07 "We should all be workers together with God. 41:10 No idlers are acknowledged 41:12 as His servants. The members of the 41:14 church should individually feel that 41:17 the life and prosperity of the church 41:19 are affected by their course of action." 41:24 Who is the church? You are the church, 41:27 I am the church. Young people, 41:30 roll up your sleeves and work for Christ. 41:34 Breathe life into your local Sabbath School 41:37 program by showing up on time, 41:39 having studied your Bible and your 41:41 Sabbath school lesson and being prepared 41:44 to enthusiastically discuss what 41:46 you've learned. Amen. Now, let me just 41:49 say something about Sabbath school, 41:50 we are seeing in some parts of the 41:52 world a decline in Sabbath school 41:55 attendance by God's grace we must reverse that. 41:59 Amen. Let's Sabbath school be an important 42:01 part of your spiritual life, 42:04 a time when you discover new truths 42:06 as you go through the Bible, 42:07 don't just discuss any old topic, 42:10 discuss the Bible. Amen. I wanna encourage 42:16 each of you to help older members to see 42:21 young people in prayer meeting, 42:24 interceding for others before God's 42:26 throne of grace. Give the 85-year-olds a 42:29 hand and meet some of the truly needy 42:31 people in your area by volunteering at 42:34 your community services center. 42:36 Carry and distribute evangelistic literature 42:39 wherever you go. Request that for 42:42 one year your local academy or college 42:47 apply the time, energy, and money that 42:50 would have been spent on varsity sports 42:52 to instead be spent on evangelism training, 42:55 programming, and direct outreach 42:58 to the community. Amen. Have a voice in 43:00 the direction of your church by attending 43:03 church business meetings and accepting, 43:05 when the nominating committee calls, 43:07 positions of responsibility, 43:10 no matter how large or small those 43:12 responsibilities maybe. And for that matter, 43:16 be willing to serve on the 43:18 nominating committee if asked. 43:21 I'm so glad that GYC has emphasized 43:25 the total church seminars yesterday. 43:31 Amen. Many of my colleagues were 43:32 participating in that and I praise 43:34 the Lord for help you to understand 43:36 the need for total involvement on 43:39 the part of young people. 43:41 If the Seventh-day Adventist Church 43:43 is ever going to meet the Lord's ideal 43:46 of being His end-time remnant people, 43:50 not just "we" as a denomination, 43:54 not just "GYC" as a supporting organization, 43:59 not just "the youth" or other denominationally 44:02 organized events as a particular demographic, 44:08 but it is you as an individual 44:15 who must get to work for Christ in service 44:20 for others. Again on page 10 44:23 of that wonderful little book, 44:25 Christian Service, we're cautioned that, 44:28 "Everywhere there is a tendency to 44:30 substitute the work of organizations 44:32 for individual effort. Don't let the church 44:36 do it, you are the church. 44:39 Human wisdom tends to consolidation, 44:41 to centralization, to the building up 44:42 of great churches and institutions. 44:45 "Multitudes leave to institutions and 44:48 organizations the work of benevolence; 44:50 they exercise themselves, 44:53 they excuse themselves from contact with 44:55 the world, and their hearts grow cold. 45:00 They become self- absorbed and 45:03 unimpressible. Love for God and man 45:08 dies out of the soul. Christ commits to His 45:12 followers an individual work, 45:16 "a work that cannot be done by proxy." 45:22 There is no such thing as a Christian drone 45:26 that is gonna do the work for God where 45:29 He wants you to be, you must be a part 45:34 of that continuing the quote. 45:37 "Ministry to the sick and the poor, 45:39 the giving of the gospel to the lost, 45:41 is not to be left to committees or 45:45 organized charities. Individual 45:47 responsibility, individual effort, 45:49 personal sacrifice, is the 45:52 requirement of the gospel." 45:56 For far too long in the Seventh-day 45:59 Adventist Church and perhaps even 46:01 within the GYC movement, could it be that we have 46:06 responded to God's call for workers with 46:08 a safe "here we are, send us" instead of 46:13 the more daring "here am I, 46:18 send me" as Isaiah proclaimed. 46:24 The grand ideal of a Generation of 46:26 Youth for Christ that will finish the work 46:28 in this generation will become a reality 46:31 only when we see manifested in the 46:34 practical duties of our local churches, 46:37 a Generation of you for Christ that is 46:42 willing to individually go to work wherever 46:46 the need exists. I recently heard 46:50 a term coined for people who claim to be 46:53 activists for a cause, I don't know about 46:56 you but many of us like to be involved 46:58 in something we get, we get active, 47:01 we get really excited about something. 47:04 But some of these people and this 47:05 is a term, who get excited but don't 47:08 actually do anything they're called 47:11 "slacktivists." Now, where an activist will 47:16 make a serious, even painful sacrifice 47:19 of their time, energy, reputation, money, 47:22 relationships, or anything else that 47:24 the cause requires that's in activist, 47:28 a "slacktivist" may wear some special 47:32 symbol of support, without actually 47:35 helping in any tangible way. 47:38 Slacktivists think they're supporting 47:40 a cause because they post a link or 47:43 comment on it in their social network site, 47:46 or they wear a t-shirt, or something else. 47:51 Young people, let me challenge you to go 47:57 beyond the typical expectations of youth. 48:02 Don't leave here just excited enough 48:04 about the Advent movement that you 48:07 merely wear your GYC t-shirt or post a 48:11 bold but fleeting comment about your 48:14 faith somewhere online. Do better than that. 48:18 Amen. Be better than that! Amen. 48:22 In your walk with Christ, genuinely focus on 48:27 the singular goal of the glory of God. 48:31 Don't turn away from God's Word and turn 48:34 back to the allurements of the world. 48:37 Spend serious time in daily prayer 48:40 and Bible study, asking the Lord for 48:43 a special outpouring of His Holy Spirit. 48:45 Humbly ask the Lord for a revival of 48:49 spiritual fervor and a reformation of 48:53 anything in your life that is not in harmony 48:57 with the commands of Scripture and 49:00 the counsels of the Spirit of Prophecy. 49:04 Sabbath, January 1 2011, what an appropriate 49:13 time for revival and reformation. Amen. 49:19 We want to go home, no turning back. 49:27 Beyond just personal renewal, 49:28 determine to play an active role in a genuine 49:33 revival and reformation among God's remnant 49:37 church leading to the latter rain of 49:39 the Holy Spirit. As our consecrated 49:42 General Conference Revival and Reformation 49:44 Committee has recommended, 49:46 take January 5 to 15 for ten days of prayer 49:51 as a special emphasis to prepare us for 49:53 what is ahead. Reserve the first 49:56 Sabbath of every quarter for fasting 50:00 and prayer. Unite with millions of 50:02 Seventh-day Adventist believers around the 50:04 world, at 7 in the morning or 7 in 50:07 the evening or anytime for that matter 50:10 to pray for the Holy Spirit and reformed 50:13 lives through focusing on the word of God 50:16 and the instructions of the Spirit of Prophecy. 50:20 As young people of the worldwide 50:22 Seventh-day Adventist movement through 50:24 God's leading and the power of the 50:26 Holy Spirit fulfill Malachi chapter 4 50:30 verses 5 to 6 by the becoming part of 50:32 the Elijah message turning the hearts of 50:35 the fathers to the children and the 50:36 children to the fathers. Uniting as one under 50:39 the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim 50:42 the final cry to a dying world. 50:45 Commit yourself to a personal effort, 50:50 individual involvement that will help your 50:54 church family finish the work that God has 50:57 entrusted to it. As members of GYC, 51:01 which is a member of that wonderful 51:03 organization, ASI, a group of strongly 51:07 supporting ministries of the Seventh-day 51:10 Adventist Church, continued to work 51:13 closely with your local church. Now, 51:17 I want to underscore this, 51:18 I want you to really get this point, 51:19 work with your local church, 51:21 your local pastor, your local youth 51:24 organization, church administrators, 51:26 your conference, union, and division youth 51:29 departments and their directors. 51:34 Listen my friends, never allow anyone 51:40 to accuse GYC of not working with the 51:44 established church organization. Amen. 51:49 Become so much a part of the outreach 51:51 of this Advent movement that you are 51:53 understood to be part and parcel of your 51:57 local church and conference. 51:59 Support and nurture other youth initiatives 52:02 of your local church and conference 52:04 that are Bible and Spirit of Prophecy-based. 52:08 Amen. As you work together, 52:10 your local church and conference will see 52:11 you and your spiritual commitment 52:16 to growing in Christ, your commitment 52:19 to practical service, your evangelistic 52:21 outreach and by God's grace your 52:23 local church will embrace you. 52:27 The challenge I leave with you today, 52:29 the point of this message is that the 52:32 Lord is calling for more than merely a 52:34 Generation of Youth for Christ. 52:37 God wants to see a generation of 52:40 you for Christ. Amen. As great as it is that 52:44 GYC exists and continues to hold these 52:47 wonderful annual conferences, 52:50 what God really wants is an army of 52:53 individuals who daily commit themselves 52:55 to His working in their lives and their 52:58 working in His body, the Seventh-day Adventist 53:01 Church. When we each allow 53:05 the Holy Spirit to change us into the 53:10 likeness of Jesus Christ we will automatically 53:14 begin doing the work that Jesus has 53:17 commanded us to do. In this way the 53:20 character of Christ will be seen in 53:23 what we do, not merely in what we 53:25 don't do. Ellen White describes 53:29 the results of such a revival in Christ's 53:31 Object Lessons page 69, a familiar quote to 53:34 many of you, "When the character 53:37 of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced 53:39 in His people, now I tell you that's 53:41 only by His grace and only through 53:42 connection with Him you can't work your 53:45 way to heaven, only through connection 53:48 and reliance on Christ. When this character 53:51 will be perfectly reproduced in His 53:52 people then He will come to claim them 53:54 as His own. It is the privilege 53:56 of every Christian not only to look for 53:58 but to hasten the coming of our 54:01 Lord Jesus Christ. We're all who profess 54:04 His name bearing fruit to His glory, 54:08 how quickly the whole world would be 54:10 sown with the seed of the gospel. 54:14 Quickly the last great harvest would be 54:16 ripened, and Christ would come to gather 54:19 the precious grain." Amen. I wanna tell 54:22 you I believe that time is soon. Amen. 54:24 Brothers and sisters, young and old, 54:26 go forward in faith with no turning back. 54:29 Amen. Be part of the generation that 54:31 will allow the Holy Spirit to fully develop 54:34 within us the character of Jesus. Amen. 54:38 Lean completely on Him. Turn your back on self 54:44 and look to Christ. As that wonderful 54:49 book by Ellen White, "Faith and Works," 54:51 indicates on page 24, I recommend to all of 54:55 you the two books, there are so many 54:57 wonderful books in the Spirit of Prophecy, 54:59 "Steps to Christ" and "Faith and Works," 55:02 those beautiful volumes go together read them, 55:04 study them, understand them. Amen. 55:07 On that page 24 it says: "Christ for our sakes 55:11 became poor that we through His poverty 55:15 might be made rich. And any works that 55:17 man can render to God will be far less 55:20 than nothingness, nothingness. 55:23 How can you everything less than nothingness, 55:25 but that's what it is. "My requests are 55:28 made acceptable only because they 55:30 are laid upon Christ's righteousness. 55:32 The idea of doing anything to merit 55:34 the grace of pardon is fallacy from 55:36 beginning to end. 'Lord, 55:38 in my hand no price I bring, 55:40 simply to Thy cross I cling." Amen. 55:44 But when we place ourselves at the 55:46 complete disposal of the Holy Spirit, 55:50 He will do wonders and miracles through us. 55:56 So, I challenge you today to do more 55:58 than attend the Generation of Youth for 56:00 Christ conference. Determine, 56:02 by God's grace, to be the Generation 56:06 of you for Christ that will hasten His soon 56:09 coming by finishing of the work 56:12 in this generation. Amen. 56:15 The Holy Spirit is working in so many 56:17 incredible ways to attract young people 56:19 into complete service for Christ. 56:22 Recently, I was in Brazil and 56:25 heard about Alex. By the age of 13, 56:28 Alex was a very accomplished small 56:31 bike trickster, a real expert and a 56:34 real show off. He developed 56:36 tremendous skill and, of course, 56:38 if you're not careful, popularity will go 56:42 to your head and turn you away from God. 56:47 Unfortunately over time, Alex got into drugs 56:51 and the crime scene and eventually 56:54 he ended up in prison. His sister, 56:57 Daniella had a real burden for Alex 57:01 and one day a faithful literature evangelist 57:04 came to her door. Amen. Young people, 57:08 use the heaven-ordained power of the 57:11 printed word and the electronic word. 57:13 Amen. In sharing the three angels' messages. 57:16 Many of you have had the opportunity to 57:18 share the precious truth as door-to-door 57:22 Gospel workers or student literature 57:24 evangelists. Amen. Praise God for the 57:26 megabook program, for the student 57:28 literature program, and for full time 57:31 literature evangelists. Well, in this situation 57:35 a literature evangelist came to Daniella's 57:37 door and sold her a copy of The Great 57:41 Controversy. Amen. I love that book! Amen. 57:47 Heaven only knows the times the Holy Spirit 57:49 has used that book to convict people of truth. 57:54 Daniella bought the book and realized 57:56 it was exactly what Alex needed in 57:58 prison so she sent it to him. 58:01 He began to read it along with his Bible 58:03 and soon was taking Bible studies. 58:06 As a result of his study he gave his 58:09 heart to God, was baptized, and 58:13 joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 58:15 Amen. Today, I'm happy to report 58:17 that Alex is out of prison and is working 58:20 his way through an Adventist college as 58:23 a literature evangelist sharing with others 58:27 the precious three angels' messages that 58:30 rescued him! Amen. For Alex there is no 58:36 turning back. He is part of that generation 58:40 of youth for Christ. Amen. 58:43 Are you willing to be part of it? |
Revised 2014-12-17