Good evening. Good evening.
00:00:11.63\00:00:15.02
That was bordering on pathetic.
00:00:15.03\00:00:18.59
So I trust you're
awake. Good evening.
00:00:18.60\00:00:22.21
Good evening. Much better.
00:00:22.22\00:00:24.84
There is a lot of you out there.
00:00:24.85\00:00:26.26
Praise the Lord for that.
00:00:26.27\00:00:27.55
It's been I
think just about a year
00:00:27.56\00:00:29.64
since you and I met
00:00:29.65\00:00:30.62
in a convention
center much like this.
00:00:30.63\00:00:33.40
For some of you
probably your first time to GYC,
00:00:33.41\00:00:35.63
for others maybe four
or five or even ten times.
00:00:35.64\00:00:40.63
But it's been about 365 days
00:00:40.64\00:00:43.94
since you and I met
in a convention center.
00:00:43.95\00:00:45.58
Now I submit you a lot
has happened across our nation
00:00:45.59\00:00:49.60
and across this world.
00:00:49.61\00:00:51.20
For instance, did
you know this year?
00:00:51.21\00:00:53.39
Since we last met
there have been seven--rather
00:00:53.40\00:00:56.87
the seventh billion person
alive on this planet was born.
00:00:56.88\00:01:01.65
Some of you knew
that some of you didn't.
00:01:01.66\00:01:02.88
You knew that yes or no?
00:01:02.89\00:01:04.65
Yes. Seven billion
people, can you believe that!
00:01:04.66\00:01:08.11
Seven billion
people on this planet.
00:01:08.12\00:01:11.59
A person was born
in the Philippines.
00:01:11.60\00:01:13.10
The name is escaping me,
00:01:13.45\00:01:14.86
but it's because of
this exponential growth
00:01:14.87\00:01:19.02
in the world
population that people
00:01:19.03\00:01:20.84
are beginning
to doubt the Bible.
00:01:20.85\00:01:22.40
They get all
their collective wisdom
00:01:22.41\00:01:24.22
together and they say you
know, seven billion people
00:01:24.23\00:01:26.77
it is impossible for the
Gospel to go to the world.
00:01:26.78\00:01:31.69
And even
Christians are saying this.
00:01:31.70\00:01:35.28
And I would submit you this.
00:01:35.29\00:01:37.37
The edges of this foolishness
this-this doubt in God
00:01:37.38\00:01:42.48
is creeping into the--
Seventh-day Adventist church.
00:01:42.49\00:01:46.04
That this gospel
will not go to the world.
00:01:46.05\00:01:49.48
But there is an army.
00:01:49.49\00:01:51.64
There is an army of
young people who believe,
00:01:51.65\00:01:53.87
who know,
without a shadow of doubt
00:01:53.88\00:01:55.57
this gospel
will go to the world.
00:01:55.58\00:01:57.90
Take for instance, Australia.
00:01:57.91\00:01:59.41
The young people in
Australia are alive and well
00:01:59.42\00:02:02.08
in the secular
territory of Australia.
00:02:02.09\00:02:04.63
Young people
are getting together
00:02:04.64\00:02:05.91
even as soon as next month.
00:02:05.92\00:02:07.41
We've met with them here.
00:02:07.42\00:02:08.60
They are putting
forth evangelistic series
00:02:08.61\00:02:10.95
to witness to the
country of Australia.
00:02:10.96\00:02:13.58
The young people
are alive and well.
00:02:13.59\00:02:15.13
And well in Australia.
00:02:15.14\00:02:16.91
The young people in Australia
00:02:16.92\00:02:18.26
refused to believe in
collective human wisdom
00:02:18.27\00:02:20.57
and side with Matthew
00:02:20.58\00:02:21.80
that this gospel
will go to the world.
00:02:21.81\00:02:23.64
You head up to
Australia and the young people
00:02:23.65\00:02:25.53
are alive and well in Australia.
00:02:25.54\00:02:27.64
If they go to
Philippines the young people
00:02:27.65\00:02:29.28
are preaching their hearts out.
00:02:29.29\00:02:30.72
By the thousands
they have been baptizing
00:02:30.73\00:02:32.80
the Adventists church
00:02:32.81\00:02:33.78
because of what
young people are doing.
00:02:33.79\00:02:35.62
You think of the
mountains in Mongolia,
00:02:35.63\00:02:37.33
they are preaching there.
00:02:37.34\00:02:38.49
You think of the
young ladies in China,
00:02:38.50\00:02:41.32
they are
preaching their hearts out.
00:02:41.33\00:02:42.73
Our church's
experiencing growth in China.
00:02:42.74\00:02:46.05
Somebody is about to say amen.
00:02:46.06\00:02:47.94
Amen! In China the
young people are preaching
00:02:47.95\00:02:49.86
their hearts out
despite the cause.
00:02:49.87\00:02:52.38
The young people in
Australia they refuse to believe
00:02:52.39\00:02:55.09
in collective human wisdom.
00:02:55.10\00:02:56.87
They side with
Matthew that this gospel
00:02:56.88\00:02:59.12
will go to the world.
00:02:59.13\00:03:00.50
You think of Africa,
there in Africa the young people
00:03:00.51\00:03:03.63
are putting us
to shame in America.
00:03:03.64\00:03:05.98
A lot of times we
think to ourselves,
00:03:05.99\00:03:07.27
oh, we seen send
missionaries to Africa.
00:03:07.28\00:03:09.65
Let me assure you
that is not the case.
00:03:09.66\00:03:11.98
In most places in
Africa they should be sending
00:03:11.99\00:03:14.07
their missionaries here.
00:03:14.08\00:03:15.31
The young people in
Africa are alive and well.
00:03:15.32\00:03:18.36
You think of Zambia,
impact, inspired missionaries
00:03:18.37\00:03:22.23
proclaiming the
advent of Christ today.
00:03:22.24\00:03:24.51
Since its
inception two years ago,
00:03:24.52\00:03:26.68
3500 people have been baptized
in the church in Zambia.
00:03:26.69\00:03:31.33
Amen. You think of
Gabon, Ghana, Liberia...
00:03:31.34\00:03:36.18
what am I trying to say?
00:03:36.19\00:03:38.19
Yes. The young people
are alive and well in there.
00:03:38.20\00:03:40.64
You think of Ethiopia,
the capital city Addis Ababa,
00:03:40.65\00:03:44.04
it is against the
law to do evangelism.
00:03:44.05\00:03:46.88
In august 1200 young
people went out into the streets
00:03:46.89\00:03:49.82
in the capital city of Ethiopia.
00:03:49.83\00:03:52.02
The young people in Australia
00:03:52.03\00:03:53.63
refused to believe in
collective human wisdom
00:03:53.64\00:03:55.91
inside with Matthew that this
gospel will go to the world.
00:03:55.92\00:04:00.01
You had north into Europe,
00:04:00.02\00:04:01.93
some of the most
secular territory in the world.
00:04:01.94\00:04:05.08
Did you know the young
people are alive and well there.
00:04:05.09\00:04:08.06
You think of Germany,
I was with young people
00:04:08.07\00:04:09.84
there in April, 12, no,
00:04:09.85\00:04:12.97
1800 young people in Sabbath
00:04:12.98\00:04:16.74
afternoon they rented
a train and they went out
00:04:16.75\00:04:19.51
into the streets
in Mannheim, Germany.
00:04:19.52\00:04:22.42
The young people
are alive and well.
00:04:22.43\00:04:23.77
You think of Norway
and Sweden, check this out.
00:04:23.78\00:04:27.12
The youth
department there, every summer
00:04:27.13\00:04:29.43
they send up a group
of young people in a bus.
00:04:29.44\00:04:31.65
They go to Northern Norway.
00:04:31.66\00:04:33.37
Guess how many
Adventists are there?
00:04:33.38\00:04:36.06
Not one. They go they
spend their whole summer
00:04:36.07\00:04:39.06
and they're
preaching their heart out
00:04:39.07\00:04:40.79
and they are baptizing
people in Northern Norway.
00:04:40.80\00:04:44.46
Check this out in Lafia.
00:04:44.47\00:04:46.40
Did you even know
that was a country?
00:04:46.41\00:04:49.01
Lafia, they get together.
00:04:49.02\00:04:51.41
Almost every young
person in, Seventh-day Adventist
00:04:51.42\00:04:54.69
young person, in that
country gets together,
00:04:54.70\00:04:57.09
has the evangelistic outreach.
00:04:57.10\00:04:58.89
And at their
conference guess, what they do?
00:04:58.90\00:05:02.24
They listen to
the GYC recordings.
00:05:02.25\00:05:05.93
In Lafia, doing evangelism.
00:05:05.94\00:05:10.69
You know, we should
do something in Europe.
00:05:10.70\00:05:16.19
GYC and Europe!
00:05:16.20\00:05:18.16
You probably wouldn't
come, so it's irrelevant.
00:05:18.17\00:05:21.37
The young people are
alive and well in Europe.
00:05:21.38\00:05:23.99
With or without GYC
the young people in Europe
00:05:24.00\00:05:26.43
refuse to put any
stock or credibility
00:05:26.44\00:05:28.88
in collective human
wisdom and side with Matthew
00:05:28.89\00:05:31.66
that this gospel
will go to the world.
00:05:31.67\00:05:34.11
You think of South America
00:05:34.12\00:05:35.25
you could find the
same enlightening stories
00:05:35.26\00:05:37.78
that young people
are alive and well there.
00:05:37.79\00:05:40.04
But a thousands
they come to Brazil
00:05:40.05\00:05:41.66
they preach in the
mountains of Chile.
00:05:41.67\00:05:43.86
The Peru and Ecuador
cities, the young people
00:05:43.87\00:05:46.10
are going out and reaching out.
00:05:46.11\00:05:47.40
The young people are
alive and well in South America.
00:05:47.41\00:05:51.23
They refuse to
believe in collective wisdom.
00:05:51.24\00:05:53.61
Seven billion, eight billion,
20 billion it does not matter.
00:05:53.62\00:05:56.92
This gospel will
go to the world. Amen.
00:05:56.93\00:06:00.69
And then the end shall come.
00:06:00.70\00:06:04.33
And it's no reason
00:06:04.34\00:06:05.53
that they should not put
any stock in human credibility
00:06:05.54\00:06:08.40
or human enlarger
with the seven billion,
00:06:08.41\00:06:12.17
because it's been done before.
00:06:12.18\00:06:14.60
Did you know that?
00:06:14.61\00:06:16.36
This gospel has
gone to the world before.
00:06:16.37\00:06:20.24
Did you realize
that? Check this out.
00:06:20.25\00:06:23.18
You get to the book of
Acts, there in the upper room
00:06:23.19\00:06:26.14
just before the Holy
Spirit falls on them,
00:06:26.15\00:06:29.14
just before they're praying out
00:06:29.15\00:06:30.52
and how many Bible students
00:06:30.53\00:06:32.01
were in the upper room.
00:06:32.02\00:06:33.97
How many? One
hundred and twenty.
00:06:33.98\00:06:37.22
A 120 people. Now at that time
00:06:37.23\00:06:40.52
when they were in the upper room
00:06:40.53\00:06:41.50
there was about a 180 million
people live in the world.
00:06:41.51\00:06:45.11
How many people?
00:06:45.12\00:06:47.37
Come on stay with me.
00:06:47.38\00:06:49.21
How many people?
00:06:49.22\00:06:51.05
Hundred and twenty.
00:06:51.06\00:06:52.03
Much better. So we have
a 120 in the upper room.
00:06:52.04\00:06:54.72
We have a 180
million on the world.
00:06:54.73\00:06:58.40
The Holy Spirit descends on
them and they begin to preach.
00:06:58.41\00:07:02.01
You get into the next chapter
of Acts and Peter preaches
00:07:02.02\00:07:04.42
this bold enlightening sermon
00:07:04.43\00:07:07.10
and 3000 are
baptized into the church.
00:07:07.11\00:07:09.31
You get to the next chapter,
00:07:09.32\00:07:10.45
another thousand are
baptized in the church.
00:07:10.46\00:07:12.44
You read all
through the book of Acts
00:07:12.45\00:07:14.06
and there are
hundreds, thousands
00:07:14.07\00:07:15.61
and tens of thousands
baptized into the church.
00:07:15.62\00:07:18.38
You get to the end
of the book of Acts
00:07:18.39\00:07:20.37
and there is just about
00:07:20.38\00:07:22.22
one million Christians
00:07:22.23\00:07:26.48
in the church
that have been reached.
00:07:26.49\00:07:29.08
One million, some on
should say, amen. Amen.
00:07:29.09\00:07:32.29
So check this out. You
have a 120 and a 180 million.
00:07:32.30\00:07:37.45
For every person
that is 1.4 million
00:07:37.46\00:07:40.61
people they have to reach.
00:07:40.62\00:07:42.66
You're tracking
with me, 1.4 million.
00:07:42.67\00:07:45.85
You get to the end
of book of the Acts,
00:07:45.86\00:07:47.66
a book of Acts 60 years
later there is a million
00:07:47.67\00:07:50.82
Christians that's
one in every 180 people.
00:07:50.83\00:07:56.64
Say amen. Amen.
00:07:56.65\00:07:58.69
A 180 people from
1.4 million to 180.
00:07:58.70\00:08:03.76
Now check this out.
00:08:03.77\00:08:04.81
How many Seventh-day Adventists
00:08:04.82\00:08:05.79
are there in the world?
00:08:05.80\00:08:08.74
Come on, you're
Seventh-day Adventists.
00:08:08.75\00:08:10.52
You're supposed be sharp.
00:08:10.53\00:08:11.93
Seventh-day
Adventist, excitement, how many?
00:08:11.94\00:08:17.11
It's about 70 million.
00:08:17.12\00:08:19.20
I heard all kinds
of different numbers,
00:08:19.21\00:08:20.83
but let's take 70 million.
00:08:20.84\00:08:23.11
Some skeptic who's
sitting out there saying yes
00:08:23.12\00:08:24.92
there are 70 million,
but those aren't active.
00:08:24.93\00:08:27.42
Fine. How many active?
00:08:27.43\00:08:30.47
How many are active
in the Adventist church?
00:08:30.48\00:08:32.95
What percent?
00:08:32.96\00:08:37.11
Are you anywhere from 10 to 50?
00:08:37.12\00:08:39.43
So let's take the
worse case scenario.
00:08:39.44\00:08:42.17
Let's just say
there are 50 percent
00:08:42.18\00:08:43.76
of them that are active, okay.
00:08:43.77\00:08:46.12
So we have--what
do we have 8.5 million
00:08:46.13\00:08:50.30
active Seventh-day Adventists.
00:08:50.31\00:08:51.85
You're tracking with me so far?
00:08:51.86\00:08:53.55
Okay, we have seven
billion people in the world,
00:08:53.56\00:08:57.77
7.5, no 8.5, thank you,
00:08:57.78\00:09:02.61
8.5 divided by the
seven billion is one to
00:09:02.62\00:09:06.97
823 people.
00:09:06.98\00:09:11.84
It's easy. Amen.
00:09:11.85\00:09:17.33
The disciples had 1.4
million people to reach,
00:09:17.34\00:09:20.59
you only have 823. Amen.
00:09:20.60\00:09:22.97
It actually ends up being 822.5,
00:09:22.98\00:09:25.98
but some of you are
gonna have to be more
00:09:25.99\00:09:27.05
aggressive and get to 824.
00:09:27.06\00:09:29.56
But it's easy.
It's been done before
00:09:29.57\00:09:31.96
in the book of Acts already.
00:09:31.97\00:09:33.50
It's no wonder that
an army of young people
00:09:33.51\00:09:35.77
can raise up around the world
00:09:35.78\00:09:36.98
and say we can do this. Amen.
00:09:36.99\00:09:39.15
We can take the
gospel to the world.
00:09:39.16\00:09:42.28
We can take the
gospel to the world.
00:09:42.29\00:09:45.11
Let us pray.
00:09:45.12\00:09:48.20
Blessed Father,
00:09:48.21\00:09:51.26
here we are.
00:09:51.27\00:09:54.25
We are in a convention center.
00:09:54.26\00:09:57.61
We are in Houston, Texas.
00:09:57.62\00:10:00.96
Nothing special about the room,
00:10:00.97\00:10:03.96
nothing special about
the stage or the presenter,
00:10:03.97\00:10:08.54
but it is special
because You are here with us.
00:10:08.55\00:10:11.95
It would be a mistake for
us to invite you into this room
00:10:11.96\00:10:14.53
because You are here before us.
00:10:14.54\00:10:17.80
So we pause to
invite You into our hearts.
00:10:17.81\00:10:21.91
We've come tonight for
many different reasons.
00:10:21.92\00:10:25.56
We've come tonight with
many different backgrounds,
00:10:25.57\00:10:29.39
coming from many different
geographical occasions.
00:10:29.40\00:10:33.23
But we come united
under the banner of the cross.
00:10:33.24\00:10:37.47
Fill us, earnest plea,
00:10:37.48\00:10:42.23
fill us the individual plea
00:10:42.24\00:10:44.01
for the Holy Spirit
to come into our lives.
00:10:44.10\00:10:48.09
Our earnest plea
coming together corporately
00:10:48.10\00:10:51.46
as a movement here.
00:10:51.47\00:10:54.18
Plea for the Holy
Spirit on our--our behalf.
00:10:54.19\00:10:59.31
Lord, tonight as
you speak through me,
00:10:59.32\00:11:04.40
I pray that the
messenger would be minimize
00:11:04.41\00:11:06.69
and the message
would be maximize.
00:11:06.70\00:11:10.29
The people wouldn't leave
00:11:10.30\00:11:11.27
here saying just
didn't preach a good sermon,
00:11:11.28\00:11:15.80
but they leave here
saying that they were touched
00:11:15.81\00:11:20.39
by the throne of God.
00:11:20.40\00:11:23.56
It's our humble
prayer in Jesus' name, amen.
00:11:23.57\00:11:28.98
We're heading to
the book of Acts.
00:11:28.99\00:11:30.42
I'll invite you to
turn there with me.
00:11:30.43\00:11:33.06
Acts is in the New Testament.
00:11:33.07\00:11:34.32
You have Matthew, you
have Mark, you have Luke,
00:11:34.33\00:11:35.75
you have John and then
you get to the book of Acts.
00:11:35.76\00:11:38.89
Acts and we're gonna
be in the first chapter.
00:11:38.90\00:11:41.79
Some of you are waiting
for a cute a little story
00:11:41.80\00:11:45.21
or a funny analogy for
the sermon to start with,
00:11:45.22\00:11:49.29
you're not gonna get one.
00:11:49.30\00:11:51.51
Welcome to GYC.
00:11:51.52\00:11:53.74
We go straight
to the word of God.
00:11:53.75\00:11:56.46
Acts Chapter 1, I
typically start my presentations
00:11:56.47\00:11:59.84
with a little bit of a warning.
00:11:59.85\00:12:01.76
I am a layperson.
00:12:01.77\00:12:03.03
What am I? A layperson.
00:12:03.04\00:12:04.98
A layperson,
much like most of you.
00:12:04.99\00:12:07.11
Now because I am a
layperson my formal education
00:12:07.12\00:12:10.61
was not in the art
of oral communication.
00:12:10.62\00:12:14.39
You're tracking with me?
00:12:14.40\00:12:16.04
So sometimes in my presentations
00:12:16.05\00:12:17.60
you get sermons
that aren't--typical?
00:12:17.61\00:12:22.37
Tonight might be
one of those times.
00:12:22.38\00:12:24.48
Tonight we're gonna do this.
00:12:24.49\00:12:25.53
We are gonna look
at a effect to cause.
00:12:25.57\00:12:29.60
What are we gonna look
at? The effect to cause.
00:12:29.61\00:12:31.90
Come on young people,
what are we gonna look at?
00:12:31.91\00:12:34.91
Effect to
cause. Effect to cause.
00:12:34.92\00:12:36.02
So I would submit to you this.
00:12:36.03\00:12:37.55
The effect is the
gospel will go to the world.
00:12:37.56\00:12:41.72
We looked in the introduction
that it has been done before.
00:12:41.73\00:12:45.37
You get to the book of Acts,
00:12:45.38\00:12:46.50
thousands,
hundreds are being baptized.
00:12:46.51\00:12:48.04
I would submit to you this.
00:12:48.05\00:12:49.02
The disciples
started a revolution
00:12:49.03\00:12:52.65
in the book of Acts. Amen.
00:12:52.66\00:12:54.90
I would submit to you that
this revolution must continue.
00:12:54.91\00:12:58.07
It's not a
revolution against our church,
00:12:58.08\00:13:00.11
it's not a revolution
against a political state,
00:13:00.12\00:13:02.49
it is a
revolution against the enemy,
00:13:02.50\00:13:04.71
the adversary, Satan and
everything that he stands for.
00:13:04.72\00:13:07.98
They started a
revolution and it must continue.
00:13:07.99\00:13:10.70
Seven billion, eight
billion, twenty billion,
00:13:10.71\00:13:12.84
I don't care what
the number is the gospel
00:13:12.85\00:13:14.98
will go the world
before Jesus comes again.
00:13:14.99\00:13:17.44
It will happen before Jesus
00:13:17.45\00:13:19.32
comes again the
Seventh-day Adventist church
00:13:19.33\00:13:20.66
will deliver the Three
Angeles message to the world.
00:13:20.67\00:13:23.36
It will happen.
00:13:23.37\00:13:24.49
The effect is the
gospel going to the world.
00:13:24.50\00:13:28.83
It will happen.
00:13:28.84\00:13:30.56
But what I want to explore
with you tonight is the cause.
00:13:30.57\00:13:33.93
How does that happen?
00:13:33.94\00:13:35.58
The effect is,
we've laid the foundation.
00:13:35.59\00:13:37.90
You're tracking with me?
00:13:37.91\00:13:39.30
The foundation
for our presentation
00:13:39.31\00:13:41.44
is that the gospel
You're with me, yes or no?
00:13:41.45\00:13:47.43
Yes. Yes or no?
00:13:47.44\00:13:48.93
Yes. The gospel
will go to the world
00:13:48.94\00:13:50.39
that is our foundation.
00:13:50.40\00:13:51.37
We can now leave that because
we want to understand why.
00:13:51.38\00:13:54.73
How does that happen?
00:13:54.74\00:13:56.49
So we are in the book of Acts.
00:13:56.50\00:13:58.28
The disciples
are in the little bit
00:13:58.29\00:13:59.82
of a discombobulated state.
00:13:59.83\00:14:04.47
They've just lost
or they're just about
00:14:04.48\00:14:06.42
to lose their
master who they have spent
00:14:06.43\00:14:08.48
following around for
three and half years.
00:14:08.49\00:14:11.26
They relied on
him for everything.
00:14:11.27\00:14:13.77
Luke is just about to
tell us how the Holy Spirit
00:14:13.78\00:14:16.27
just gonna descend on them.
00:14:16.28\00:14:17.72
So we find the disciples
who are bit on crossroads
00:14:17.73\00:14:20.16
in their Christian experience.
00:14:20.20\00:14:22.39
They aren't sure of the future.
00:14:22.40\00:14:25.14
They aren't sure of the next
step but they're on the cusp
00:14:25.15\00:14:29.11
of some of the most
exciting times of their life.
00:14:29.12\00:14:32.85
And perhaps you
might be able to sympathize
00:14:32.86\00:14:36.10
or empathize with the disciples.
00:14:36.11\00:14:39.36
You come into this
convention center tonight
00:14:39.37\00:14:41.07
a little unsure of the future.
00:14:41.08\00:14:44.18
Maybe it is a career path.
00:14:44.19\00:14:45.36
You are at cross roads
and you don't know exactly
00:14:45.37\00:14:47.70
where Jesus has
you intended to go.
00:14:47.71\00:14:51.38
You might be in a relationship,
00:14:51.39\00:14:52.49
a little confused,
should I be in it should I not?
00:14:52.50\00:14:56.05
You might have a family
member who has just diagnosed
00:14:56.06\00:14:58.89
with a disease or
worse yet a family member
00:14:58.90\00:15:01.95
that continues to ignore
the plea of their savior.
00:15:01.96\00:15:06.15
Perhaps tonight
you can empathize.
00:15:06.16\00:15:07.78
You can sympathize
with the disciples.
00:15:07.79\00:15:11.08
But let me submit you this.
00:15:11.09\00:15:13.57
Exciting things are gonna
happen at this conference.
00:15:13.58\00:15:17.13
Amen. Exciting things
00:15:17.14\00:15:18.69
are gonna happen
at this conference.
00:15:18.72\00:15:20.96
I have been working with
GYC for the last seven years
00:15:20.97\00:15:23.53
of my life, seven
conferences, never,
00:15:23.54\00:15:28.26
never had we had such problems
leading up to a conference.
00:15:28.27\00:15:31.91
You look at every department
00:15:31.92\00:15:33.82
we have and there
are some colossal,
00:15:33.83\00:15:37.42
not failure
because that's a wrong word
00:15:37.43\00:15:39.12
that will lead you to believe
00:15:39.13\00:15:40.50
it is some human type of thing.
00:15:40.51\00:15:42.04
But there is
some sort of objection
00:15:42.05\00:15:44.76
that the devil has placed there.
00:15:44.77\00:15:47.29
Every
department, take for instance
00:15:47.30\00:15:49.15
the--the logistics
department, registration,
00:15:49.16\00:15:54.27
for many of you
it was a nightmare.
00:15:54.28\00:15:57.29
Don't say yes or no.
00:15:57.30\00:16:00.21
It was a nightmare.
00:16:00.22\00:16:02.06
All I can do is
apologize and promise
00:16:02.07\00:16:04.20
you we will do
everything in our power
00:16:04.21\00:16:05.61
so it doesn't
happen to you again.
00:16:05.62\00:16:07.70
But here is the appeal.
00:16:07.71\00:16:09.77
God wants to do exciting
00:16:09.78\00:16:11.22
things through
this conference. Amen.
00:16:11.23\00:16:12.88
God wants to do exciting
things through this conference
00:16:12.89\00:16:15.81
and there is an enemy
who is trying to distract us.
00:16:15.82\00:16:19.81
But we're not gonna let him.
00:16:19.82\00:16:21.12
We are not gonna
focus on the registration
00:16:21.13\00:16:22.89
or the food or whatever else
00:16:22.90\00:16:24.10
it is that is
standing in the way.
00:16:24.11\00:16:25.54
We're gonna focus on the Creator
00:16:25.55\00:16:26.81
who is bigger than those.
00:16:26.82\00:16:28.12
Amen. We are gonna
focus on the Savior
00:16:28.13\00:16:29.73
who is bigger than any
of those problems. Amen.
00:16:29.74\00:16:31.97
God is gonna do incredible
00:16:31.98\00:16:33.47
things through this conference.
00:16:33.48\00:16:35.04
Your life may be on the cusp
00:16:35.05\00:16:36.76
of greatness just
like the disciples.
00:16:36.77\00:16:39.31
You may be in this room
with some sort of problem,
00:16:39.32\00:16:41.80
some sort of confusion,
some sort of lack of direction
00:16:41.81\00:16:44.44
just like the disciples,
but they are on the cusp
00:16:44.45\00:16:46.16
of greatness it could
be that you are too. Amen.
00:16:46.17\00:16:48.68
It could be that Jesus
has something impressive
00:16:48.69\00:16:53.72
that's about to
happen in your life.
00:16:53.73\00:16:55.82
God will do incredible
things through this conference.
00:16:55.83\00:16:59.71
We're in the book of
Acts, Acts Chapter 1 verse 3.
00:16:59.72\00:17:02.08
You are there,
yes or no? Amen. Yes.
00:17:02.09\00:17:04.30
Acts Chapter 1 verse 3,
"He presented Himself alive."
00:17:04.31\00:17:09.08
Bible students who is
that that's presenting
00:17:09.09\00:17:10.67
himself alive?
00:17:10.68\00:17:12.79
Who is it? Jesus!
00:17:12.80\00:17:14.42
Jesus He presented himself alive
00:17:14.43\00:17:17.94
to them after his
suffering for many proofs,
00:17:17.95\00:17:20.67
appearing to them
during forty days and speaking
00:17:20.68\00:17:23.58
about the kingdom of" who? God.
00:17:23.59\00:17:26.55
Come on. The kingdom of who?
00:17:26.56\00:17:28.23
God. You're at GYC.
00:17:28.24\00:17:30.19
Stick with me.
"The kingdom of God."
00:17:30.20\00:17:32.96
Now I love the foundation
00:17:32.97\00:17:34.60
that act--that Luke
builds in his letter.
00:17:34.61\00:17:37.20
He is writing to his
letter to Theophilus.
00:17:37.21\00:17:40.24
I might be saying that
incorrectly so I apologize.
00:17:40.25\00:17:42.54
But he is writing a letter
and here is the foundation.
00:17:42.55\00:17:45.20
Listen he says,
listen up readers
00:17:45.21\00:17:47.70
what's about to
happen in the book of Acts
00:17:47.71\00:17:49.92
is all from the
foundation because Jesus
00:17:49.93\00:17:52.34
suffered on the
cross and Jesus rose again.
00:17:52.35\00:17:55.25
Amen. Everything
you gonna find from Acts
00:17:55.26\00:17:56.77
going forward
from this foundation
00:17:56.78\00:17:58.41
is because of what
Jesus did on the cross. Amen.
00:17:58.42\00:18:02.91
You know, we
have a very passionate
00:18:02.92\00:18:04.23
executive
committee. We're all youth.
00:18:04.24\00:18:07.66
We're all volunteers and
because of that we get some
00:18:07.67\00:18:11.17
real passionate debate.
00:18:11.18\00:18:13.85
Did you know that?
00:18:13.86\00:18:15.16
It takes about 14 months to
plan a conference like this?
00:18:15.17\00:18:18.56
We've already started planning
00:18:18.57\00:18:19.64
our next conference in Seattle.
00:18:19.65\00:18:21.35
We've some
exciting things to unveil
00:18:21.36\00:18:23.13
on Saturday
night to you about it.
00:18:23.14\00:18:24.66
But I am not gonna tell you yet.
00:18:24.67\00:18:27.06
We have some passionate debate
00:18:27.07\00:18:29.46
and especially
when it comes to theme.
00:18:29.47\00:18:32.11
Now undoubtedly, let
me let you little peak
00:18:32.12\00:18:34.77
into the
executive committee table.
00:18:34.78\00:18:37.53
We'll be seated
around the table.
00:18:37.54\00:18:38.85
It will be time for
the theme discussion
00:18:38.86\00:18:40.75
and one man who'll go unnamed
always comes up with this.
00:18:40.76\00:18:44.84
All the elocution in the world,
00:18:44.85\00:18:46.45
all the logic he can possible
pour into a theme thought,
00:18:46.46\00:18:50.15
he says "guys
00:18:50.16\00:18:52.64
I think we need a
theme on Jesus only."
00:18:52.65\00:18:58.12
And inevitably,
Sebastian's idea--
00:18:58.13\00:19:00.98
Sorry, the man
was gonna go unnamed.
00:19:03.79\00:19:08.00
Sorry, Sebastian.
00:19:08.01\00:19:09.58
Inevitably Sebastian's
idea gets short down.
00:19:09.59\00:19:13.37
Not because it's
not a fantastic idea.
00:19:13.38\00:19:16.01
Not because it's not something
that we should focus on,
00:19:16.02\00:19:18.71
but the logic is
this, and don't miss
00:19:18.72\00:19:21.39
this young people, Jesus
said better be at the center
00:19:21.40\00:19:24.31
of every one of our themes.
00:19:24.32\00:19:26.57
Amen. Jesus said,
better be at the foundation
00:19:26.58\00:19:28.26
of everything that we do.
00:19:28.27\00:19:29.83
We as a movement
as GYC, the cross,
00:19:29.84\00:19:32.90
Christ suffering,
Christ resurrected
00:19:32.91\00:19:35.07
should be at the foundation
of everything that we do.
00:19:35.08\00:19:38.47
And the theme is no different.
00:19:38.48\00:19:40.35
Fill me: our earnest
plea at the heart of it,
00:19:40.36\00:19:42.74
at the center of it, at
the foundation of it as Jesus
00:19:42.75\00:19:45.65
is suffering on the cross
and Jesus is resurrection.
00:19:45.66\00:19:48.99
Luke says listen up reader,
the reason that this happens,
00:19:49.00\00:19:51.75
the reason that Jesus
has the authority to speak
00:19:51.76\00:19:54.04
to us because He
suffered on the cross.
00:19:54.05\00:19:56.36
Listen up young
people the reason
00:19:56.37\00:19:57.72
that you and I can cry
out fill me our earnest plea
00:19:57.73\00:20:01.32
is because what Jesus
Christ did for you on the cross.
00:20:01.33\00:20:04.87
Amen. Make no mistake about it.
00:20:04.88\00:20:07.37
There will be a
group of individuals
00:20:07.38\00:20:08.98
call the Adventist
church who near the end of time
00:20:08.99\00:20:11.71
will be crying out, fill
me, because of what Jesus
00:20:11.72\00:20:15.37
did for them at the cross. Amen.
00:20:15.38\00:20:17.40
There will be an army
of young people assembled
00:20:17.41\00:20:20.28
known as the
Generation Youth Christ,
00:20:20.29\00:20:23.92
GYC who will pray
out earnestly fill me
00:20:23.93\00:20:28.32
because of what Jesus
did for them at the cross.
00:20:28.33\00:20:31.59
The only question
that remains unanswered,
00:20:31.60\00:20:34.67
will you as a child, as
son or as a daughter of Christ,
00:20:34.68\00:20:40.12
cry out individually "fill me"
00:20:40.13\00:20:43.31
because of what He
did for you at the cross?
00:20:43.32\00:20:46.96
Paul employs some fascinating
00:20:46.97\00:20:48.69
language to
communicate the same idea.
00:20:48.70\00:20:51.70
Galatians Chapter 6
I think its verse 14.
00:20:51.71\00:20:54.20
He says, listen, listen up
He just allured us to the fact
00:20:54.21\00:20:57.76
that he is
writing in bigger letters.
00:20:57.77\00:21:00.23
Probably because of
his eyesight but probably
00:21:00.24\00:21:02.12
because I think he
doesn't want us to miss it.
00:21:02.13\00:21:04.77
He says listen up
"far be it from me to boast
00:21:04.78\00:21:07.13
in anything but the cross."
00:21:07.14\00:21:09.85
Translation is
because of the cross
00:21:09.86\00:21:12.25
that I had my conversion
on the road to Damascus.
00:21:12.26\00:21:15.16
It's because of the cross
00:21:15.17\00:21:16.14
that I could preach to
the Jews and the gentiles.
00:21:16.15\00:21:18.44
It's because of the cross
that even from a damn mildew
00:21:18.45\00:21:21.56
forsaken prison that
I could write to you.
00:21:21.57\00:21:24.68
"Far be it from me to boast
in anything but the cross."
00:21:24.69\00:21:29.17
Jesus only it
better be at the heart,
00:21:29.18\00:21:31.02
it better be at the center,
00:21:31.03\00:21:32.36
and it better be
at the foundation
00:21:32.37\00:21:33.90
of everything that we do.
00:21:33.91\00:21:35.77
Jesus only. Head
to the book of Peter,
00:21:35.78\00:21:40.22
first Peter, it is a
letter written by Peter.
00:21:40.23\00:21:43.49
It is typically used
for those who are suffering.
00:21:43.50\00:21:46.47
But I just love how Peter
00:21:46.48\00:21:48.01
takes this
concept of the Holy Spirit
00:21:48.02\00:21:50.33
and the foundation
of Jesus on the cross
00:21:50.34\00:21:52.14
and brings it forth circle.
00:21:52.15\00:21:54.37
First Peter, turn there quickly.
00:21:54.38\00:21:56.41
First Peter. We are
in chapter 1, verse 10.
00:21:56.42\00:21:58.29
You're there, yes or no?
00:21:58.30\00:21:59.83
Amen. We'll wait so
that everyone can catch up.
00:21:59.84\00:22:03.89
First Peter
Chapter 1 and verse 10.
00:22:03.90\00:22:08.78
First Peter 1
and verse 10. Amen.
00:22:08.79\00:22:12.27
"Concerning this
salvation, the prophets,
00:22:12.28\00:22:14.04
who prophesied about the grace."
00:22:14.05\00:22:16.73
Now Bible students what
prophets is he talking to?
00:22:16.74\00:22:20.57
What prophets wrote about Jesus
00:22:20.58\00:22:22.84
is coming and Jesus is grace?
00:22:22.85\00:22:26.79
Who is it?
00:22:26.80\00:22:29.13
Isaiah. Isaiah might be
one I would say the old,
00:22:29.14\00:22:30.91
Old Testament prophets. Amen.
00:22:30.92\00:22:33.39
So he is alerting us
to the fact, listen up,
00:22:33.40\00:22:35.48
the Old Testament
prophets wrote about grace,
00:22:35.49\00:22:38.97
wrote about Jesus' work here.
00:22:38.98\00:22:41.44
We are reading on that
was "To be yours searched
00:22:41.45\00:22:44.27
and inquired carefully.
00:22:44.28\00:22:45.73
Inquiring what person or
time the Spirit of Christ
00:22:45.74\00:22:47.88
in them was indicating
00:22:47.89\00:22:49.00
when he predicted" the what?
00:22:49.01\00:22:54.42
Come on young people, that what?
00:22:54.43\00:22:57.29
My translation renders at
00:22:57.30\00:23:00.05
"sufferings of Christ
and the subsequent glories."
00:23:00.06\00:23:04.86
The Old Testament prophets
00:23:04.87\00:23:06.82
prophesied about Jesus to come.
00:23:06.83\00:23:09.03
Jesus' work on the
cross, Jesus' suffering,
00:23:09.04\00:23:12.03
Jesus' resurrection,
and all that goes with it.
00:23:12.04\00:23:15.34
Then you get to
Jesus, He comes here.
00:23:15.35\00:23:17.23
He walks with us and
Jesus alerts us to the fact
00:23:17.24\00:23:19.53
in John 10 in verse 10
that He cancels that we are,
00:23:19.54\00:23:21.83
you and I might have life
but not just life like more--
00:23:21.84\00:23:25.71
Abundantly. Abundantly.
00:23:25.72\00:23:27.66
And then he goes on to
say some very remarkable,
00:23:27.67\00:23:29.85
a very though provoking
things to the disciples.
00:23:29.86\00:23:32.48
He says listen guys,
00:23:32.49\00:23:33.57
"it's to your
advantage that I leave you."
00:23:33.58\00:23:36.96
You remember
this, yes or no? Yes.
00:23:36.97\00:23:38.71
Let's go look at it.
00:23:38.72\00:23:39.69
Hold your finger in
1st Peter, but go to John.
00:23:39.70\00:23:42.18
John Chapter 14,
00:23:42.19\00:23:47.66
John Chapter 14.
00:23:47.67\00:23:49.04
No that's not right, 16.
00:23:49.05\00:23:52.52
You get to John Chapter 14.
00:23:52.53\00:23:53.62
You go to John Chapter 16.
00:23:53.63\00:23:57.03
We'll read seven
for some context.
00:23:57.04\00:23:59.06
"Nevertheless, I
tell you the truth,
00:23:59.07\00:24:00.33
it is to your advantage."
00:24:00.34\00:24:02.26
It is for your, what? Advantage!
00:24:02.27\00:24:04.09
"Advantage that I go away,
00:24:04.10\00:24:05.67
for if I do not go
away, the Helper--"
00:24:05.68\00:24:08.81
who do you and I
know to be the helper?
00:24:08.82\00:24:10.98
Holy Spirit. "The Holy
Spirit will not come to you.
00:24:10.99\00:24:14.30
But if I go, I
will send him to you."
00:24:14.31\00:24:17.26
Now Jesus come to his disciples
00:24:17.27\00:24:18.88
and says listen guys,
00:24:18.89\00:24:19.87
I know you are
right on me for so long.
00:24:19.88\00:24:21.92
I know that you
relied on me for everything
00:24:21.93\00:24:23.74
that you do whether it be food,
00:24:23.75\00:24:24.92
whether it be
direction, you followed me.
00:24:24.93\00:24:26.89
I am your master but listen
00:24:26.90\00:24:28.55
it's to your
advantage that I go away.
00:24:28.56\00:24:32.45
Now you and I have the privilege
00:24:32.46\00:24:35.47
I would say to know
the end of the story.
00:24:35.48\00:24:37.74
Yes. We know exactly what Jesus
00:24:37.75\00:24:40.33
is referring to, but
think of the disciples.
00:24:40.34\00:24:42.57
Here they are relying on Jesus
00:24:42.58\00:24:43.88
for everything and Jesus
is saying, listen, listen.
00:24:43.89\00:24:46.65
"I have got to go away
and it's to your advantage."
00:24:46.66\00:24:50.00
But the understanding is this.
00:24:50.01\00:24:52.55
What if Jesus had left
immediately at that instant,
00:24:52.56\00:24:56.12
would it event to
their advantage? Yes or no.
00:24:56.13\00:25:00.17
No It's a trick question
because we really don't know.
00:25:00.18\00:25:02.78
The answer is we cannot answer
00:25:02.79\00:25:04.14
that because we do not know,
00:25:04.15\00:25:05.51
but we can answer is this.
00:25:05.52\00:25:07.44
Jesus is referring to the
fact that soon he would die
00:25:07.45\00:25:10.39
on the cross for all their sins.
00:25:10.40\00:25:11.97
Soon he would be resurrected
00:25:11.98\00:25:13.76
and go to the throne of God
00:25:13.77\00:25:14.85
and then be able to
send the Holy Spirit.
00:25:14.86\00:25:17.25
Check this out.
00:25:17.26\00:25:18.70
He gives us the
answer, verse 14.
00:25:18.71\00:25:21.92
He, speaking of who,
00:25:21.93\00:25:23.39
who we are just talking about?
00:25:23.40\00:25:25.71
Who is it?
00:25:25.72\00:25:26.69
Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
00:25:26.70\00:25:27.96
"He will glorify me, for
he will take what is mine
00:25:27.97\00:25:31.45
and declare to you.
00:25:31.46\00:25:32.43
Verse 15. "All that
the Father has is mine,
00:25:32.44\00:25:34.58
therefore I said that
he will take what is mine
00:25:34.59\00:25:36.93
and declare it to you." Amen.
00:25:36.96\00:25:40.54
Jesus says its He advantage.
00:25:40.55\00:25:43.97
I'll die on the
cross for your sins.
00:25:43.98\00:25:47.29
I'll be
resurrected after three days.
00:25:47.30\00:25:50.24
I'll go to the throne of God
00:25:50.25\00:25:51.63
for you and I'll send my help
with the Holy Spirit for you.
00:25:51.64\00:25:56.27
Why is the Holy
Spirit gonna come?
00:25:56.28\00:25:57.96
To remind you of what I did.
00:25:57.97\00:26:02.75
Back in First Peter verse 12.
00:26:02.76\00:26:07.67
"It was revealed to them"
00:26:07.68\00:26:10.17
then we are talking about
the Old Testament prophets
00:26:10.18\00:26:12.19
"that they were serving
not themselves but" who?
00:26:12.20\00:26:17.97
Who is it? Us. Us. You.
00:26:17.98\00:26:23.94
It's beautiful, isn't it?
00:26:23.95\00:26:28.99
The grace of Christ
00:26:29.03\00:26:30.10
was revealed to
the Old Testament
00:26:30.11\00:26:31.58
prophets not just for
them, but for you and I.
00:26:31.59\00:26:34.70
Jesus came so that
we might have a life
00:26:34.71\00:26:36.33
and more life more abundantly.
00:26:36.34\00:26:37.99
The Holy Spirit who
came down to remind us
00:26:38.00\00:26:41.18
of what he did and it
says all done not primarily
00:26:41.19\00:26:44.28
for the Old Testament prophets,
00:26:44.29\00:26:45.64
not primarily for the disciples,
00:26:45.65\00:26:47.51
not primarily for the apostles
00:26:47.52\00:26:49.17
in the book of
Acts, but for you and it.
00:26:49.18\00:26:52.63
"It was revealed to
them that they were serving
00:26:52.64\00:26:55.65
not themselves but you."
00:26:55.66\00:26:59.95
Christ, the foundation of
our lives and the foundation
00:26:59.96\00:27:04.89
of our earnest plea.
00:27:04.90\00:27:06.95
Remember with me tonight
00:27:06.96\00:27:07.93
we're looking at a
effect to cause, yes. Yes.
00:27:07.94\00:27:11.86
Effect to cause. Is anyone
looking at that with me? Amen.
00:27:11.87\00:27:15.29
Come on, young people.
00:27:15.30\00:27:16.99
We are at GYC.
00:27:17.00\00:27:18.85
The effect is the
gospel will go to the world
00:27:18.86\00:27:20.99
and I'll submit to you one
of the causes of that is Jesus
00:27:21.00\00:27:23.81
being at the foundation,
Jesus being at the center,
00:27:23.82\00:27:26.84
Jesus being at the
absolute foundation and center
00:27:26.85\00:27:30.10
of everything
that we possibly do.
00:27:30.11\00:27:33.92
We're back in Acts,
Acts Chapter 1 and verse 4.
00:27:33.93\00:27:39.81
This is about to get exciting.
00:27:39.82\00:27:42.19
"And while staying
with them he ordered them"
00:27:42.20\00:27:44.64
You may be reading
from the King James Version
00:27:44.65\00:27:46.22
or the New King James
Version in that renders
00:27:46.23\00:27:48.30
that "He commanded them."
00:27:48.31\00:27:50.13
Now I don't know
about you but when the Bible
00:27:50.14\00:27:51.70
says that Jesus
ordered them or Jesus
00:27:51.71\00:27:53.81
commanded up I
tend to listen up.
00:27:53.82\00:27:56.21
You do the same, yes or no? Yes.
00:27:56.22\00:27:58.10
He commanded them to do what
00:27:58.11\00:28:01.40
"not to depart from Jerusalem,
00:28:01.41\00:28:02.92
but to wait for the
promise of the Father,
00:28:02.93\00:28:04.73
which he said,
'you heard from me.'"
00:28:04.74\00:28:08.48
Now before we unpack it,
00:28:08.49\00:28:11.19
what I think is a
significant command,
00:28:11.20\00:28:13.36
a significant order from Christ.
00:28:13.37\00:28:15.34
It's time for
little look in the mirror.
00:28:15.35\00:28:17.55
You ready for that?
00:28:17.56\00:28:19.34
A little look in the mirror
of the millennial generation.
00:28:19.35\00:28:22.56
A few months ago Sebastian
00:28:22.57\00:28:23.95
put me on to
this fantastic book.
00:28:23.96\00:28:25.89
It's called the "M Factor."
00:28:25.90\00:28:27.41
What is it called? "M Factor."
00:28:27.42\00:28:28.98
"The M Factor."
00:28:28.99\00:28:30.14
And what it does is it
describes some of the things
00:28:30.15\00:28:32.32
that the millennial
generation look for.
00:28:32.33\00:28:35.44
Now I am part of the
millennial generation
00:28:35.45\00:28:37.04
and the majority of
you out there are part
00:28:37.05\00:28:39.02
of the millennial generation.
00:28:39.03\00:28:40.76
You may be put
on some of the edges
00:28:40.77\00:28:43.43
of it but indeed the
majority of us are part
00:28:43.44\00:28:46.02
of the millennial generation.
00:28:46.03\00:28:47.47
Now this brought the "M Factor"
00:28:47.48\00:28:48.91
the subtitle is
something to the effect
00:28:48.92\00:28:50.92
how the millennial generation
is rocking the work place.
00:28:50.93\00:28:54.71
Basically what it does, it looks
00:28:54.72\00:28:56.24
at the millennial generation
as a whole in it at signs,
00:28:56.25\00:28:59.08
some attributes
that would be something
00:28:59.09\00:29:02.24
that all the generation
would primarily look at,
00:29:02.25\00:29:05.30
or be a part of rather.
00:29:05.31\00:29:07.46
So the first one is this,
00:29:07.47\00:29:09.03
we as the millennial
generation we like access.
00:29:09.04\00:29:12.78
What do we like? Access.
00:29:12.79\00:29:14.88
Access. And that is to say this,
00:29:14.89\00:29:15.98
our parents may have started
00:29:15.99\00:29:17.26
with a very
small modest poor home,
00:29:17.27\00:29:20.90
if you will, and eventually
00:29:20.91\00:29:22.34
they worked up
into a nicer home.
00:29:22.35\00:29:24.89
Well the millennial
generation you and I come along
00:29:24.90\00:29:26.90
we say we don't wanna start
down there where they were.
00:29:26.91\00:29:29.21
We wanna start
where they ended up
00:29:29.22\00:29:31.48
and rise from there.
00:29:31.49\00:29:33.33
If you tracking with me? Amen.
00:29:33.34\00:29:35.13
So we typically demand access.
00:29:35.14\00:29:38.12
The other thing that we like
00:29:38.13\00:29:39.10
to do is we like to rally.
00:29:39.11\00:29:40.96
What do we like to do? Rally.
00:29:40.97\00:29:42.33
Rally. Especially if
there is some element
00:29:42.34\00:29:45.21
where we can change the world.
00:29:45.22\00:29:47.78
So you and I as a
generation we demand access,
00:29:47.79\00:29:50.96
we like to rally, and we
like to change the world.
00:29:50.97\00:29:55.44
Is that kind of
sound like some of us?
00:29:55.45\00:29:57.97
Yes, no? It's not necessary
to say that every person
00:29:57.98\00:30:02.43
in the millennial generation
is like this by any stretch
00:30:02.44\00:30:04.64
of the imagination,
but as a broad stroke
00:30:04.65\00:30:07.53
that's kind of what we are like.
00:30:07.54\00:30:09.43
Now with those things
in mind that we look again
00:30:09.44\00:30:12.85
at the command of Jesus,
Acts Chapter 1and verse 4,
00:30:12.86\00:30:16.12
"while He staying
with them He ordered them."
00:30:16.13\00:30:19.30
He commanded them do
not depart from Jerusalem.
00:30:19.31\00:30:25.10
Wasn't that fascinating?
00:30:25.11\00:30:27.38
Jesus has just delivered
the great gospel commission,
00:30:27.39\00:30:31.39
listen guys, disciples, go
and preach everywhere but wait.
00:30:31.40\00:30:36.38
Go and make sure that everyone
00:30:36.39\00:30:37.74
in the inhabitable globe
00:30:37.75\00:30:38.85
knows who I am and what
I've done on the cross but wait.
00:30:38.86\00:30:42.47
Before you can take the next
step you must reach Jerusalem.
00:30:42.48\00:30:46.22
You must reach the very people
00:30:46.23\00:30:47.79
you're already in
contact with. Amen.
00:30:47.80\00:30:51.83
And you and I as a
church have been commissioned
00:30:51.84\00:30:53.68
by Christ to take the Three
Angeles message to the world,
00:30:53.69\00:30:57.85
but could it be that
you and I as a church
00:30:57.86\00:31:00.21
or like we are
like the disciples were.
00:31:00.22\00:31:05.79
Could it be that the disciples
00:31:05.80\00:31:07.20
were there on the
cause for greatness
00:31:07.21\00:31:08.96
just about the Holy Spirit
poured on them and go through
00:31:08.97\00:31:12.27
some of the most
exciting times of their life?
00:31:12.28\00:31:15.00
Could it be that our
church emulates that today?
00:31:15.01\00:31:18.35
You know, as a church we
believe that the Holy Spirit
00:31:18.36\00:31:20.80
will come again in
this Latter Rain form.
00:31:20.81\00:31:24.15
You'll learn more
about it tomorrow,
00:31:24.16\00:31:25.29
so I don't want to dive
too much into it and spoil
00:31:25.30\00:31:27.95
the rest of the conference,
but it's gonna happen.
00:31:27.96\00:31:30.25
We as a church believe
that it's gonna happen.
00:31:30.26\00:31:31.97
So check this out.
00:31:31.98\00:31:33.11
The disciples are there.
00:31:33.12\00:31:34.30
They are in
this--this state of awareness.
00:31:34.31\00:31:36.87
They have just been
delivered the gospel message,
00:31:36.88\00:31:39.15
but Jesus commands the wait.
00:31:39.16\00:31:42.36
Reach Jerusalem.
00:31:42.37\00:31:43.79
So could it be that
you and I as a church
00:31:43.80\00:31:45.70
as we wait for the Holy
Spirit to be--to descend again
00:31:45.71\00:31:48.69
as we wait for the Latter
Rain power to come out again?
00:31:48.70\00:31:51.60
Could it be that Jesus
is commanding us to wait?
00:31:51.61\00:31:56.93
Let's keep looking at this.
00:31:56.94\00:32:02.31
Here is the beef.
00:32:02.32\00:32:04.69
The Loma Linda
veggie beef, of course.
00:32:04.70\00:32:09.45
Most of us in the
millennial generation
00:32:09.46\00:32:12.74
are not prepared to wait.
00:32:12.75\00:32:16.42
Most of us quite
possibly even in this room
00:32:16.43\00:32:19.72
are not prepared to wait.
00:32:19.73\00:32:24.47
He said not--just
that's not the case.
00:32:24.48\00:32:27.56
Jesus commands me to
do something I am there.
00:32:27.57\00:32:29.73
I am all there.
00:32:29.74\00:32:30.98
He tells me to
wait. I am gonna wait.
00:32:30.99\00:32:33.10
Check this out, what
if I told you tonight
00:32:33.11\00:32:36.01
we start rallying for the world.
00:32:36.02\00:32:38.72
Tonight we rally and in 10 days
00:32:38.73\00:32:40.76
we can change the world.
00:32:40.77\00:32:42.48
I can see it in
my minds are occupied
00:32:42.49\00:32:45.02
Houston Convention Center.
00:32:45.03\00:32:46.65
Right here in this room.
00:32:46.66\00:32:48.29
Ten days we rally.
00:32:48.30\00:32:50.02
Ten days we stay.
00:32:50.03\00:32:51.50
And ten days we
can change the world.
00:32:51.51\00:32:54.10
In ten days we'll
have a lawn to prepare
00:32:54.11\00:32:56.31
these nice meticulous meals.
00:32:56.32\00:32:57.84
So we will go through the
line and we will eat together.
00:32:57.85\00:33:00.12
Shawn will have programming
running around the clock
00:33:00.13\00:33:02.76
and every afternoon
Chelsea will organize outreach
00:33:02.77\00:33:05.65
with the west side of the room,
00:33:05.66\00:33:06.63
we will go and reach
the east side of the room.
00:33:06.64\00:33:08.73
Ten days we rally, ten
days we change the world.
00:33:08.74\00:33:11.53
Are you with me, yes or no? Yes.
00:33:11.54\00:33:13.26
Come on show your hands.
00:33:13.27\00:33:14.42
Will you rally with me? Yes.
00:33:14.43\00:33:16.01
We will change the world.
00:33:16.02\00:33:17.29
Yes or no raise your
hands. Show them high.
00:33:17.30\00:33:20.72
The majority of
you would do that.
00:33:20.73\00:33:23.24
So check this out same scenario.
00:33:23.25\00:33:26.10
We rally. We're gonna
make a big difference.
00:33:26.11\00:33:28.84
We're gonna change something.
00:33:28.85\00:33:30.81
We're gonna
rally, and then in lawn
00:33:30.82\00:33:32.30
we will have the meals.
00:33:32.31\00:33:33.28
Shawn will have the
program around the clock.
00:33:33.29\00:33:35.24
Chelsea, maybe this
time should do the outreach
00:33:35.25\00:33:37.00
from the west to the east
side of the room each afternoon.
00:33:37.01\00:33:39.57
Ten days we rally and
at the end of ten days
00:33:39.58\00:33:42.34
you double the attendance
at your prayer meeting.
00:33:42.35\00:33:46.90
Who is with me? Amen.
00:33:46.91\00:33:50.18
A significantly amount less.
00:33:50.19\00:33:53.37
Now let me ask this question.
00:33:53.38\00:33:56.14
You can't raise your hand unless
00:33:56.15\00:33:57.20
you've been to 12 prayer
meetings at your local church.
00:33:57.21\00:34:00.23
That's one a
month. Who is with me?
00:34:00.24\00:34:05.01
Still some, but
could you picture
00:34:05.02\00:34:08.00
if we ask that question to
all the Seventh-day Adventists?
00:34:08.01\00:34:13.81
Jesus commands them
to wait, to hold on,
00:34:13.82\00:34:18.86
to reach locally,
stay in Jerusalem.
00:34:18.87\00:34:24.68
Translation, you have
no business making plans
00:34:24.69\00:34:28.12
to reach the world
when your prayer meeting
00:34:28.13\00:34:30.72
near your church is suffering.
00:34:30.73\00:34:32.49
You have to revitalize it.Amen.
00:34:32.50\00:34:34.78
As young people this is for you.
00:34:34.79\00:34:37.39
I whole heartedly
believe in the missionaries
00:34:37.40\00:34:39.59
the mission for us
as Seventh-day Adventist
00:34:39.60\00:34:41.57
young people living
right now is to revitalize
00:34:41.58\00:34:44.47
our local church to
bring about reformation
00:34:44.48\00:34:47.42
in our local church. Amen.
00:34:47.43\00:34:48.71
To bring out our
revival in our local church.
00:34:48.72\00:34:51.58
We must bring about
revival in our local church.
00:34:51.59\00:34:54.86
Amen. Jesus commands
them to stay in Jerusalem.
00:34:54.87\00:34:58.80
Translation, reach
your local church. Amen.
00:34:58.81\00:35:02.70
Some of you
say, well I've called
00:35:02.71\00:35:04.04
to be in foreign missionary.
00:35:04.05\00:35:05.52
That's fine. I am
not talking about you.
00:35:05.53\00:35:07.96
Your Jerusalem is
temporarily on the move.
00:35:07.97\00:35:10.80
Somebody say listen,
00:35:10.81\00:35:11.78
I gotta to go on
short term mission trips.
00:35:11.79\00:35:13.07
That's fine with me.
00:35:13.08\00:35:14.34
Go on Maranatha, go on ShareHim,
00:35:14.35\00:35:15.87
we even have
some at GYC do that.
00:35:15.88\00:35:19.31
What I am talking
about those of you who sit
00:35:19.35\00:35:21.45
in the Adventist
church each Sabbath
00:35:21.46\00:35:24.69
and are doing nothing to
revitalize your local church.
00:35:24.70\00:35:28.88
You fill a pew each Sabbath,
00:35:28.89\00:35:32.11
but you do nothing
to bring about revival
00:35:32.12\00:35:34.80
in your local church.
00:35:34.83\00:35:36.95
We have great aspirations
of preaching to the thousands,
00:35:36.96\00:35:40.33
but we won't preach to the one.
00:35:40.34\00:35:42.55
We have great aspirations
in reaching the world.
00:35:42.56\00:35:44.71
but our prayer meeting is dead.
00:35:44.72\00:35:46.76
We have great
aspirations of preaching
00:35:46.77\00:35:48.46
to the thousands but our church
00:35:48.47\00:35:50.09
does not have a
path line of program.
00:35:50.10\00:35:52.57
We have great aspirations
to preach to the thousands
00:35:52.58\00:35:55.00
but our Sabbath school is dull.
00:35:55.01\00:35:58.74
Jesus commands
them stay in Jerusalem
00:35:58.77\00:36:01.97
and it's a winning concept.
00:36:02.00\00:36:04.49
We get Acts towards
1 and verse 8 with me.
00:36:04.50\00:36:06.26
Excuse me chapter
one and verse eight.
00:36:06.27\00:36:09.28
"But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit
00:36:09.29\00:36:11.19
has come up on you;
00:36:11.20\00:36:12.80
and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem,
00:36:12.81\00:36:15.43
and in all Judea and Samaria,
00:36:15.44\00:36:18.04
and till the end of the earth."
00:36:18.05\00:36:20.56
Did you catch it?
00:36:20.57\00:36:22.74
For the disciples
to reach the world,
00:36:22.75\00:36:24.45
they had to reach around them.
00:36:24.46\00:36:27.01
The disciples
according to the book of Acts
00:36:27.02\00:36:28.95
were waiting for the Holy Spirit
00:36:28.96\00:36:30.21
to be poured out
much like as is a church.
00:36:30.22\00:36:33.92
They had to reach to
Jerusalem their local church
00:36:33.93\00:36:37.10
then to Judea their local state,
00:36:37.11\00:36:40.09
then to Samaria their
country which eventually led
00:36:40.10\00:36:43.11
them to reach the world.
00:36:43.12\00:36:45.90
So wouldn't it be
a logical conclusion.
00:36:45.91\00:36:48.65
That as you and I
as a congregation,
00:36:48.66\00:36:50.58
as a movement are
waiting for the Holy Spirit
00:36:50.59\00:36:52.92
to be poured out again
00:36:52.93\00:36:54.87
that we would be
reaching out locally.
00:36:54.88\00:36:57.26
That before we had any
aspirations of reaching
00:36:57.27\00:36:59.34
the world our
workplace has been touched.
00:36:59.35\00:37:02.34
Before we start even thinking
00:37:02.35\00:37:03.64
about our neighboring country
our neighborhood was reached.
00:37:03.65\00:37:07.20
That before we had
aspirations of reaching
00:37:07.21\00:37:09.00
the world our family
members were reached. Amen.
00:37:09.01\00:37:13.06
Listen this
appearing is true to my heart.
00:37:13.07\00:37:16.00
I am not doing
enough for my local church.
00:37:16.01\00:37:19.37
My wife and I had
an evangelistic series
00:37:19.38\00:37:21.32
in the fall, had a church,
little town of 3000 people,
00:37:21.33\00:37:25.60
30 visitors. Amen.
00:37:25.61\00:37:28.59
Some of them were family members
00:37:28.60\00:37:30.14
that aren't Adventists.
00:37:30.15\00:37:32.36
Not doing enough to
reach my local church.
00:37:32.37\00:37:37.17
Remember we are
looking at an effect to cause.
00:37:37.18\00:37:39.51
The effect is the
gospel going to the world.
00:37:39.52\00:37:42.63
The cause is
Christ being at the center
00:37:42.64\00:37:44.72
of everything that we do.
00:37:44.73\00:37:47.07
And the cause is to
reach out to our local church.
00:37:47.08\00:37:50.95
Revitalize it.
00:37:50.96\00:37:52.36
For the disciples it was world
00:37:52.37\00:37:54.66
Samaria, Judea, Jerusalem.
00:37:54.67\00:37:58.71
For you and I
world, country, state,
00:37:58.72\00:38:01.29
city, local church.
00:38:01.30\00:38:05.17
You wanna reach the world,
00:38:05.18\00:38:07.13
you have to reach
your local church.
00:38:07.14\00:38:09.13
You wanna rally for the world
00:38:09.14\00:38:11.46
you have to
rally for your church.
00:38:11.47\00:38:15.07
You want to change the world
00:38:15.08\00:38:17.65
you have to
change your local church.
00:38:17.66\00:38:22.53
World, country, state,
00:38:22.54\00:38:25.47
city, local church.
00:38:25.48\00:38:29.84
It was a 11 or
12 or 13 months ago
00:38:29.85\00:38:34.74
something like that and
I was in the city of Rome
00:38:34.75\00:38:38.52
on a reformation trip.
00:38:38.53\00:38:40.98
Now for whatever
reason I am not a person
00:38:40.99\00:38:43.32
that just enjoy sitting
ideally in my hotel room.
00:38:43.33\00:38:46.81
And so this particular
night jet lag was set in there.
00:38:46.82\00:38:50.46
It was the middle
of the day for me.
00:38:50.47\00:38:51.77
It was the middle
of the night in Rome.
00:38:51.78\00:38:54.05
But you are there in a
city and what you gonna do,
00:38:54.06\00:38:55.96
you are not gonna
just sit in your room.
00:38:55.97\00:38:58.11
So I laced up my walking shoes
00:38:58.12\00:38:59.78
and I began to
walk around the city.
00:38:59.79\00:39:02.63
Three or four hours
that night I walked around
00:39:02.64\00:39:04.81
the entire city and
when you are in a city
00:39:04.82\00:39:07.67
like that with so much history,
00:39:07.68\00:39:09.65
so many exposed relics you
tend to get very reflective.
00:39:09.66\00:39:13.69
What was it that they had?
00:39:13.70\00:39:16.58
What did the early
apostles, the early martyrs,
00:39:16.59\00:39:20.19
the early
Christians, what did they have?
00:39:20.20\00:39:24.24
You know, walking
around the Colosseum
00:39:24.25\00:39:25.96
in that particular night
there were this big screensx
00:39:25.97\00:39:28.50
much like the ones we
have here which were fire
00:39:28.51\00:39:30.79
those beam
projected on them to stimulate
00:39:30.80\00:39:32.85
what you and I know
as Nero burning the city.
00:39:32.86\00:39:36.65
Walked around the Colosseum
00:39:36.66\00:39:38.06
and thinking to
myself they were Christians.
00:39:38.07\00:39:41.14
They were Christians
who were dressed up as lambs
00:39:41.15\00:39:43.87
as lions were
released in a Colosseum.
00:39:43.88\00:39:48.74
How would I respond to that?
00:39:48.75\00:39:51.66
Now I'm walking to the garden,
00:39:51.67\00:39:53.04
the very garden where
Christians were dipped in tar
00:39:53.05\00:39:56.86
and used as torches, thank you,
00:39:56.87\00:40:00.49
as torches to
light up the garden.
00:40:00.50\00:40:05.52
How would I respond to that?
00:40:05.53\00:40:07.70
I remember walking to the
courtyard where Christians
00:40:07.71\00:40:10.26
were tied and chariots
were raced opposite directions,
00:40:10.27\00:40:13.87
literally
tearing Christians apart.
00:40:13.88\00:40:18.52
How would I respond to that?
00:40:18.53\00:40:21.27
What was it that
these Christians have?
00:40:21.28\00:40:25.55
How could it that they could
continue to reach even though
00:40:25.56\00:40:28.23
this was happening to them.
00:40:28.24\00:40:30.58
How could they continue to reach
00:40:30.59\00:40:32.08
as they were being
dressed up as lambs?
00:40:32.09\00:40:35.29
How could they be continued
to preach as they were dressed,
00:40:35.30\00:40:37.77
as they were dipped in tar?
00:40:37.78\00:40:41.55
And by extension
how could they do it
00:40:41.56\00:40:43.24
in the book of Acts?
00:40:43.25\00:40:46.66
How could they
preach when they eventually
00:40:46.67\00:40:48.27
they were martyred?
00:40:48.28\00:40:49.52
How could they reach out
00:40:49.53\00:40:50.53
when they critically
trying to silence them?
00:40:50.54\00:40:52.95
How could they
reach out when Christians
00:40:52.96\00:40:54.72
were trying to silence them?
00:40:54.73\00:40:57.18
What did they have?
00:40:57.19\00:40:59.96
Was it the Holy Spirit because
that always seems to be sort
00:40:59.97\00:41:03.29
of a byproduct
of the Acts church?
00:41:03.30\00:41:07.30
What did they have,
00:41:07.31\00:41:08.47
how could they
continued to reach?
00:41:08.48\00:41:12.90
And it finally hit me.
00:41:12.91\00:41:15.68
I was there at the
church where it's built over
00:41:15.69\00:41:17.74
where they believe
Paul was in prison.
00:41:17.75\00:41:21.40
Just earlier that day I
had gone down into that prison.
00:41:21.41\00:41:25.83
I could still taste the
dampness of that prison.
00:41:25.84\00:41:28.95
I could feel,
still feel the slime
00:41:28.96\00:41:31.01
on the walls of the
rocks of that prison.
00:41:31.02\00:41:33.82
You can't even stand up.
00:41:33.83\00:41:35.28
It's this
condensed hole in the ground.
00:41:35.29\00:41:38.97
What did Paul have?
00:41:38.98\00:41:40.69
How could he write
such thought provoking
00:41:40.70\00:41:43.06
and convicting messages?
00:41:43.07\00:41:44.88
How could he glorify Christ
00:41:44.89\00:41:46.73
from the just so hole
00:41:46.74\00:41:50.06
in the ground?
00:41:50.07\00:41:52.79
And I stood up
looking at that church.
00:41:52.80\00:41:55.68
And I remember the
realization of what they had.
00:41:55.69\00:41:58.92
It was so simple, so beautiful
00:41:58.93\00:42:01.24
the truth was undeniable.
00:42:01.25\00:42:06.08
The disciples, the apostles,
00:42:06.09\00:42:09.64
they could continue to reach
00:42:09.65\00:42:13.35
because they were reached.
00:42:13.36\00:42:16.73
They could continue to reach
00:42:16.74\00:42:20.58
because they were reached.
00:42:20.59\00:42:23.98
They were a 100
percent committed to Christ.
00:42:23.99\00:42:26.79
They lived for
Him and Him alone.
00:42:26.80\00:42:29.95
But inadvertently
commitments or priorities
00:42:29.96\00:42:32.66
tying them down,
they were reached.
00:42:32.67\00:42:37.55
Here is a fascinating thing.
00:42:37.56\00:42:39.88
It's the logical
next step to the equation
00:42:39.89\00:42:42.22
in the book of Acts.
00:42:42.23\00:42:45.03
It's a logical equation to
the gospel going to the world.
00:42:45.04\00:42:49.41
World, country, state,
00:42:49.42\00:42:52.88
city, local church...
00:42:52.89\00:42:58.00
You. You.
00:42:58.01\00:43:03.83
You. Young people
00:43:03.84\00:43:07.97
you want to reach the world,
00:43:07.98\00:43:10.85
you have to be reached.
00:43:10.86\00:43:13.83
Older people you want to take
00:43:13.84\00:43:14.94
the Three Angels
message to the world,
00:43:14.95\00:43:18.48
you have to be reached. You.
00:43:18.49\00:43:23.37
You are eluded towards
it in the introduction.
00:43:23.38\00:43:27.62
Peter preaches a
mighty, earth shattering sermon
00:43:27.63\00:43:31.51
in the book of Acts.
00:43:31.52\00:43:33.48
Three thousand were
baptized into the church.
00:43:33.49\00:43:36.96
But I would submit to you
this Peter wasn't so bold.
00:43:36.97\00:43:42.21
Peter wasn't always
sowed out to God's will.
00:43:42.22\00:43:45.99
Peter wasn't always so reached.
00:43:46.00\00:43:49.23
We're heading in conclusion
to the night's presentation
00:43:49.24\00:43:51.63
to the book of Luke.
00:43:51.64\00:43:55.60
Luke Chapter 22.
00:43:55.61\00:43:57.75
Luke Chapter 22, we will
set the scene just a little bit.
00:44:06.31\00:44:12.11
Again the critics of Jesus
in an attempt to silence him,
00:44:12.12\00:44:15.62
in attempt to limit his
access here on this earth,
00:44:15.63\00:44:19.46
they've arrested him.
00:44:19.47\00:44:21.16
They brought into the
home of the high priest
00:44:21.17\00:44:23.29
and then there in front
of the high priest home.
00:44:23.30\00:44:26.92
And in those days
they didn't have TV's
00:44:26.93\00:44:29.42
they didn't have
well insulated home
00:44:29.43\00:44:31.56
so when there is a reckless
going outside like this people
00:44:31.57\00:44:34.68
wanna know what's going on.
00:44:34.69\00:44:36.75
It says Jesus is being dragged
00:44:36.76\00:44:38.32
to this--this high priest home.
00:44:38.33\00:44:40.07
There is quite a multitude,
00:44:40.08\00:44:41.62
if you will,
that's following Him.
00:44:41.63\00:44:43.78
Probably a lot of
them out of curiosity
00:44:43.79\00:44:45.82
but--but we picture in
this multitude of people Peter.
00:44:45.83\00:44:50.42
Peter thought of
slinking along chain
00:44:50.43\00:44:52.85
to just blend in with the crowd.
00:44:52.86\00:44:55.55
Peter try to slink
along not been noticed
00:44:55.56\00:44:58.58
just--just
wanting to observe Christ.
00:44:58.59\00:45:02.76
They get up to
the high priest home
00:45:02.77\00:45:04.48
and there is a fire that's
kind of kindle to the side.
00:45:04.49\00:45:07.86
So Peter ducks in behind the
fireplace and in our minds eye
00:45:07.87\00:45:11.69
we can picture a fire.
00:45:11.70\00:45:13.45
We can picture many
people gathering around it
00:45:13.46\00:45:16.03
and we can picture
Peter in the midst of them.
00:45:16.04\00:45:19.04
Peter just kind of
ignoring there will be one else
00:45:19.05\00:45:21.47
minding his own business.
00:45:21.48\00:45:23.77
We can picture everyone's breast
00:45:23.78\00:45:25.18
being projected
because its cold outside
00:45:25.19\00:45:27.71
and they just trying
to warm up from the fire.
00:45:27.72\00:45:30.42
Peter is there
just--just warming up
00:45:30.43\00:45:32.45
and soon Peter feels it--
00:45:32.46\00:45:36.51
that, that glare of
eyes penetrating him.
00:45:36.52\00:45:42.12
It must you have
been in that situation
00:45:42.13\00:45:43.99
in a public setting where,
where maybe it was on a bus
00:45:44.00\00:45:47.05
or an airplane
or some sort of park
00:45:47.06\00:45:49.38
where there is a lost of people.
00:45:49.39\00:45:50.41
Soon you can sense it
when people are staring at you.
00:45:50.42\00:45:53.42
Can't you? You've already been
in that situation, yes or no?
00:45:53.43\00:45:57.00
Yes. Yeah, you can
kind of picture it.
00:45:57.01\00:45:59.15
You can feel it.
00:45:59.16\00:46:01.47
And then Peter, he is
putting this awkward situation
00:46:01.48\00:46:04.17
where he doesn't
wanna look at them.
00:46:04.18\00:46:06.46
He wants to avoid
the awkward eye contact.
00:46:06.47\00:46:10.02
So in my minds I picture Peter
00:46:10.03\00:46:11.71
sort of overshooting the glance.
00:46:11.72\00:46:14.10
You done that before too.
00:46:14.11\00:46:15.50
You overshoot the glance,
00:46:15.51\00:46:17.21
you look at
something off in the distance.
00:46:17.22\00:46:18.64
Peter is glaring
out into darkness
00:46:18.65\00:46:20.44
and then--then he brings
his eyes down to the person
00:46:20.45\00:46:22.94
where he feels like
they are looking at him
00:46:22.95\00:46:24.18
and sure enough
awkward eye contact.
00:46:24.19\00:46:29.71
Glaring penetration eyes.
00:46:29.72\00:46:33.72
And you remember
something, actually just read
00:46:33.73\00:46:36.66
the verse for the
context Luke 22 and verse 56.
00:46:36.67\00:46:40.18
Says this "Then a servant
girl seen him, they lock eyes.
00:46:40.19\00:46:43.99
A servant girl seen
him sat in the light
00:46:44.00\00:46:46.84
and looking
closely at him, said this,
00:46:46.85\00:46:49.76
'This man also was with him.'"
00:46:49.77\00:46:54.10
This man right here that I
am looking at he was with Jesus.
00:46:54.11\00:46:57.83
Listen sir, you were with Jesus.
00:46:57.84\00:47:01.46
And remember
Peter's first response,
00:47:01.47\00:47:03.28
turn to Matthew very quickly.
00:47:03.29\00:47:04.83
Hold you finger in Luke.
00:47:04.84\00:47:06.81
But look at Matthew 26,
just moments, just hours,
00:47:06.82\00:47:10.15
maybe even just minutes before.
00:47:10.16\00:47:13.38
Matthew 26 and verse 34,
Jesus says to him to Peter
00:47:13.39\00:47:17.07
"Truly, I tell you, this very
night, before the cock crows,
00:47:17.08\00:47:21.18
you will deny
me" how many times?
00:47:21.19\00:47:23.32
Three times. "Three times."
00:47:23.33\00:47:24.30
But Peter says to Him,
"Even if I must die with you,
00:47:24.31\00:47:27.77
I will not deny you!"
00:47:27.78\00:47:29.16
Lord, listen
there maybe other people
00:47:29.17\00:47:31.18
out there who are
they gonna deny you
00:47:31.19\00:47:32.27
but its not going to be me.
00:47:32.28\00:47:34.22
Listen Jesus, I have spent
three and half years with you,
00:47:34.23\00:47:36.81
I am committed to you, I
am committed to your will.
00:47:36.82\00:47:39.00
I will not deny you.
00:47:39.01\00:47:41.93
Its not gonna happen.
00:47:41.94\00:47:44.04
Each of the disciples
00:47:44.05\00:47:45.02
said the same so
with that in our context
00:47:45.03\00:47:47.00
we head back to the
awkward glace at the fireplace.
00:47:47.01\00:47:50.71
Luke 22 and verse 57
now, "but he denied it."
00:47:50.72\00:47:54.92
He what? Denied it.
00:47:54.93\00:47:56.92
"He denied it saying
00:47:56.93\00:47:58.47
'Woman, I don't know him.'"
00:47:58.48\00:48:02.32
If that's wasn't enough,
you find a second incidence.
00:48:04.33\00:48:08.45
Someone looks at him and says
listen, you must be the one.
00:48:08.46\00:48:12.60
I do not know him Peter says.
00:48:12.61\00:48:15.33
Finally a third time,
it is you, it must be you.
00:48:15.34\00:48:18.29
We know it is you.
00:48:18.30\00:48:20.61
I do not know him.
00:48:20.62\00:48:22.39
Three times Peter
explains I do not know Christ,
00:48:22.40\00:48:24.87
I do not know
Christ, I do not know Christ.
00:48:24.88\00:48:29.58
Just after saying
I would never do it.
00:48:29.59\00:48:33.41
And I don't know about
you but I look at this story
00:48:33.42\00:48:35.48
and I am frustrated.
00:48:35.49\00:48:37.62
I am irritated.
00:48:37.63\00:48:38.60
Peter, how could you do it?
00:48:38.61\00:48:40.21
Three and half years
you spent with Jesus Christ.
00:48:40.22\00:48:43.40
He is just about to die on
the cross for all your sins,
00:48:43.41\00:48:46.14
all of my sins,
how could you deny Him.
00:48:46.15\00:48:48.76
Three and half years, Peter.
00:48:48.77\00:48:50.03
Couldn't you be converted?
00:48:50.04\00:48:51.19
Couldn't you been reached?
00:48:51.20\00:48:52.42
How is that you can deny him?
00:48:52.43\00:48:56.68
Peter, you fool.
00:48:56.69\00:48:58.77
Why would you do it?
00:48:58.78\00:49:02.89
And I am gently reminded.
00:49:02.90\00:49:06.08
It's a little bit of
Peter's personality in me.
00:49:06.09\00:49:09.09
You been in those
situations I have.
00:49:14.08\00:49:17.37
Listen to a sermon,
maybe it's even at a GYC.
00:49:17.38\00:49:22.67
The appeal comes and I commit.
00:49:22.68\00:49:26.02
I am gonna do more of that.
00:49:26.03\00:49:28.58
Could be more time
in the word of God,
00:49:28.59\00:49:30.51
could be more time in prayer.
00:49:30.52\00:49:32.90
But I commit.
00:49:32.91\00:49:34.29
I am gonna do it.
00:49:34.30\00:49:36.85
As soon as the sermon is over,
00:49:36.86\00:49:38.12
the conference is
over I'm backswept
00:49:38.13\00:49:40.18
into the crowd avoiding
the awkward eye contact.
00:49:40.19\00:49:45.69
May be you can relate to Peter.
00:49:45.70\00:49:48.82
Maybe he was even at
last GYC the Sunday charge.
00:49:48.83\00:49:53.21
You committed to
give something up.
00:49:53.22\00:49:55.92
Christ came he convicted you.
00:49:55.93\00:49:58.11
The Holy Spirit
convicted you of something
00:49:58.12\00:50:00.44
that was in your life that was
misdirecting your priorities.
00:50:00.45\00:50:04.74
You say I'd rather die than
do that again to get back home.
00:50:04.75\00:50:10.02
Get swept into the crowd to
avoid the awkward eye contact
00:50:10.03\00:50:14.73
as you don't want to
remember your commitment.
00:50:14.74\00:50:16.38
May be it's a sermon in church.
00:50:16.39\00:50:19.91
Your pastor has
just preached a sermon
00:50:19.92\00:50:22.54
that you know is
tailor-made to you.
00:50:22.55\00:50:25.52
You commit in your life
00:50:25.53\00:50:26.55
to do something more
or give something up.
00:50:26.56\00:50:30.88
You are not
committing to a preacher.
00:50:30.89\00:50:33.26
You are not
committing to a prophet.
00:50:33.27\00:50:35.31
You are not
committing to a well-executed,
00:50:35.32\00:50:38.02
logical thought
progressing sermon.
00:50:38.03\00:50:41.86
You are
committing to your Savior,
00:50:41.87\00:50:44.53
committing to your Creator.
00:50:44.54\00:50:46.97
Some of you have been with Him
00:50:46.98\00:50:47.95
for more than
three and half years.
00:50:47.96\00:50:50.78
Come forward on the
appeal of, do it Lord.
00:50:50.79\00:50:53.22
I give it up, Lord.
00:50:53.23\00:50:56.60
Soon as Sunday comes
around you are swept back
00:50:56.61\00:50:59.15
into the multitude that just
wants to see what's going on.
00:50:59.16\00:51:03.35
You avoid the
awkward eye contact.
00:51:03.36\00:51:06.85
You see the Peter, the
story of Peter angers us
00:51:06.86\00:51:11.36
because we can relate.
00:51:11.37\00:51:14.08
Story of Peter irritates
00:51:14.09\00:51:15.98
us because it
reminds us of ourselves.
00:51:15.99\00:51:20.30
Peter, you fool
because we act like a fool.
00:51:20.31\00:51:24.92
But check this out, this hope,
00:51:24.93\00:51:29.19
there was hope for Peter
00:51:29.20\00:51:31.36
and there is hope for you and I.
00:51:31.37\00:51:32.97
Peter comes to the upper room.
00:51:32.98\00:51:35.40
He is at a significant
crossroads in his life.
00:51:35.41\00:51:39.19
His life about after
this point in his junction,
00:51:39.20\00:51:42.52
after this
point in his Christian
00:51:42.53\00:51:44.11
experience was
not fully reached.
00:51:44.12\00:51:47.18
He gets to the upper
room and he cries out
00:51:47.19\00:51:49.52
in how own words,
fill me, fill me, fill me.
00:51:49.53\00:51:55.35
Lord, I am full of
self, my ego is boastful.
00:51:55.36\00:51:59.35
Lord, take it from me.
00:51:59.36\00:52:01.04
Lord, I rely on myself.
00:52:01.05\00:52:02.79
I want to rely on.
00:52:02.80\00:52:03.77
You take it from me.
00:52:03.78\00:52:05.47
Cries out in the
upper room, fill me.
00:52:05.48\00:52:08.66
His disciples
pressing close to him.
00:52:08.67\00:52:11.52
Fill him Lord, fill him.
00:52:11.53\00:52:13.60
He wants to give up
his self indignation.
00:52:13.61\00:52:16.44
Fill him. It was
one of the most humble
00:52:16.45\00:52:19.07
and earnest prayers
00:52:19.08\00:52:20.26
ever recorded in the
Bible. Fill him. Fill me.
00:52:20.27\00:52:25.81
And from the pen of
Ellen White, she says this,
00:52:25.82\00:52:29.03
"Now his
self-confidence was gone.
00:52:29.04\00:52:32.16
Never again were the old
boastful assertions repeated."
00:52:32.17\00:52:36.71
There was hope for Peter and
there is hope for you and I..
00:52:36.72\00:52:39.64
Amen. I am reading from our
00:52:39.65\00:52:41.55
"10 Days in the Upper Room".
00:52:41.56\00:52:43.59
"Peter was a different
man after Pentecost. Amen.
00:52:43.60\00:52:47.03
He no longer trembled and feared
00:52:47.04\00:52:48.79
at the accusations of
the officers of the temple.
00:52:48.80\00:52:51.61
When he was confronted
by the religious leaders
00:52:51.62\00:52:53.86
and they demanded that
he stop preaching in Jesus'
00:52:53.87\00:52:56.61
name the apostle responded
00:52:56.62\00:52:58.57
"we are to obey
God rather than man.
00:52:58.58\00:53:01.84
Like his master Peter
single minded ambition
00:53:01.85\00:53:05.67
was to do the will
of his heavenly Father.
00:53:05.68\00:53:09.50
The disciples were passionate
about doing Jesus' will."
00:53:09.51\00:53:15.12
The disciples were passionate
00:53:15.13\00:53:17.91
about doing Jesus' will.
00:53:17.92\00:53:23.15
The gospel will go to the world.
00:53:23.16\00:53:25.72
It's the end game.
00:53:25.73\00:53:27.65
The final conclusion, if you
will, to this earth's history.
00:53:27.66\00:53:31.24
The gospel will go to the world.
00:53:31.25\00:53:33.08
Make no mistake about it.
00:53:33.09\00:53:35.74
It's gonna take a centered
00:53:35.75\00:53:39.25
belief in Christ on the cross,
00:53:39.26\00:53:44.15
remembering his suffering,
00:53:44.16\00:53:46.70
remembering his resurrection.
00:53:46.71\00:53:50.29
Christ, Jesus only,
the heart and center
00:53:50.30\00:53:55.02
of everything that we do.
00:53:55.03\00:53:59.12
It's gonna take a
passion, a devotion,
00:53:59.13\00:54:02.14
and a sacrifice
to your local church.
00:54:02.15\00:54:04.98
Jesus commanded them to stay.
00:54:04.99\00:54:07.25
Stay in Jerusalem.
00:54:07.26\00:54:09.86
Jesus commanded
them to stay in Jerusalem
00:54:09.87\00:54:12.07
then you reach the world.
00:54:12.08\00:54:13.80
Reach your local church.
00:54:13.81\00:54:15.53
Reach your local workplace.
00:54:15.54\00:54:17.21
Reach your local neighborhood
00:54:17.22\00:54:18.66
then you reach the world.
00:54:18.67\00:54:21.50
World, country, state,
00:54:21.51\00:54:24.47
city, local church, you!
00:54:24.48\00:54:29.10
You wanna reach the
world you have to be reached.
00:54:29.11\00:54:31.71
Listen the disciples are
ready to lay it all on the line.
00:54:31.72\00:54:34.97
They are willing
to face persecution.
00:54:34.98\00:54:37.18
They are willing
to face imprisonment.
00:54:37.19\00:54:38.83
They are willing
to face even death.
00:54:38.84\00:54:41.51
All these things,
00:54:41.52\00:54:42.59
they were living for
were worth dying for.
00:54:42.60\00:54:47.67
What about you?
00:54:47.68\00:54:50.22
The things that you are
living for worth dying for?
00:54:50.23\00:54:55.23
Are the priorities in your life
00:54:55.24\00:54:58.15
worth dying for?
00:54:58.16\00:55:01.96
I am gonna invite the
Nebblett's to come out
00:55:01.97\00:55:03.61
and sing a song to us.
00:55:03.62\00:55:06.58
They gonna come up and I
want you to think about this.
00:55:06.59\00:55:09.85
Peter came to the upper room
00:55:09.86\00:55:11.48
full of this--this
ego and gave it up.
00:55:11.49\00:55:17.35
Never again she says,
never again did it happen.
00:55:17.36\00:55:21.65
For many of us there
is something in our life,
00:55:21.66\00:55:24.90
some priority that
we need to give up.
00:55:24.91\00:55:28.23
I don't know what it is for you,
00:55:28.24\00:55:29.24
but certainly
the Holy Spirit does.
00:55:29.25\00:55:32.78
As they sing our song
you gonna think about this,
00:55:32.79\00:55:35.86
throughout this conference
00:55:35.87\00:55:37.07
what is it that
you should give up.
00:55:37.08\00:55:40.08
What priority in
your life is misaligned?
00:55:40.09\00:55:44.13
What priority in your
life needs to be pushed out?
00:55:44.14\00:55:50.11
We can't do it ourselves.
00:55:50.12\00:55:52.05
But as we are crying out
fill me out earnest plea,
00:55:52.06\00:55:56.69
it can free from us
never to come again.
00:55:56.70\00:56:00.41
You see the disciples
the things they were living
00:56:00.42\00:56:03.10
for were worth them dying for.
00:56:03.11\00:56:07.06
And the things you are
living for worth dying for.
00:56:07.07\00:56:11.21
The priorities in
your life worth dying for.
00:56:11.22\00:56:15.11
And I leave you this
thought-provoking question,
00:56:15.12\00:56:17.81
think about as they sing.
00:56:17.82\00:56:21.01
There is an author, there
is an evangelist and etched
00:56:21.02\00:56:24.27
on his tombstone is this
thought-provoking question.
00:56:24.28\00:56:28.38
Leonard Ravenhill, He says this.
00:56:28.39\00:56:31.29
"Are the things
in your life worth,
00:56:31.30\00:56:33.76
Christ dying for?"
00:56:33.77\00:56:38.41
Are the things you live
for worth Christ dying for?
00:56:38.42\00:56:43.48
Are the priorities in your
life worth Christ dying for?
00:56:43.49\00:56:48.92
Are the things in your
life worth Christ dying for?
00:56:48.93\00:56:54.41
Breathe on me, breath of God
00:56:59.30\00:57:05.42
Fill me with life anew
00:57:06.06\00:57:12.83
That I may love
what Thou dost love
00:57:12.84\00:57:20.87
And do what Thou wouldst do
00:57:20.88\00:57:28.44
Breathe on me, breath of God
00:57:28.45\00:57:34.62
Till I am wholly Thine
00:57:34.63\00:57:41.11
Until this earthly part of me
00:57:41.12\00:57:49.56
Glows with Thy fire divine
00:57:49.57\00:57:57.45
Breathe on me, breath of God
00:58:03.13\00:58:09.38
So shall I constant be
00:58:09.39\00:58:15.79
And live with Thee the
perfect life of Thine eternity
00:58:15.80\00:58:36.01
Of Thine eternity Amen.
00:58:36.02\00:58:54.70