Why hello and welcome
to 3ABN's Worship Center
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here in downtown... yeah
almost, Thompsonville, Illinois.
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If there was a beautiful
downtown Thompsonville...
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that's right, yeah.
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I hope that all of
you have enjoyed today.
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I want to welcome you
here in the Worship Center
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but I also want to speak
to you that are watching from
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around the world. Now these that
are here in the Worship Center,
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they know that for
the next three hours
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where are you
going to be? Right here.
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And I want to let you know
that for the next three hours
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we have got three of
the most powerful speakers.
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Amen! And we want
you to sit down, relax,
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kick your feet up
and don't go anywhere
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for the next three
hours. And let me tell you who
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our speakers are. The
first one is Jay Rosario.
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And I'll tell you more
about him in just a moment.
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But in the next hour
we have John Bradshaw,
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and he's going to be speaking on
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries.
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And then, Danny, the
next hour is C.D. Brooks.
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And his ministry... subject is
going to be Growing in Christ.
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So that's what's going to
happen in the next three hours.
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Wow. I'm looking
forward to that, aren't you?
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Well, all of them
really. I mean, honestly,
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a lot of prayer
went into the speakers
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and getting the
speakers and the singers
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and musicians
for this Camp Meeting
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because we want this to be
the most spiritual Camp Meeting
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that we've ever had and
that you've ever attended.
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Because Jesus... every
day Jesus' coming is closer
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and we need to be ready
more than ever before, right?
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Right. So that's why
we're here. We want to uplift,
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glorify, and magnify the Lord.
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We get up and we have a
little fun from time to time
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and I think it's all right
for Christians to be happy.
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We should be the happiest, most
excited people on planet earth,
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shouldn't we?
Amen. We should be!
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But we also can get
serious because there's a world
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around us that
doesn't know Jesus.
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And God has given us an
opportunity and given us
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a channel of
blessing through 3ABN.
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And I say "us" because
that's all of you here,
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all of you watching and
listening around the world
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by radio... whether
it's satellite, television,
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however... the Internet.
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That it's all of us working
together that makes this happen.
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Without you
there would be no 3ABN.
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3ABN reaching, literally,
as I mentioned last night
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to virtually every continent
- inhabited continent -
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on planet earth.
And what a privilege
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to be a Seventh-day Adventist
Christian in these closing
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moments of earth's
history and know that God has
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literally given us the
tool to get the undiluted
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three angels' messages,
one that would counteract
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the counterfeit,
into all the world
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before Jesus
comes back very soon.
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Amen! And He is
coming back very soon.
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The signs all foretell
that Christ is coming soon!
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We've got to preach this
message around the world.
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It... you know, folks, it's
not a time for us to pull back.
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The economy may not be the best.
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The financial circumstances
may not be the best
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but God says that we are to go.
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"Go ye into all the
world and preach the gospel. "
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And He doesn't tell us to slow
down when the finances get slow.
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And I've got a good... I
don't even know the man's name
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but he writes me
every once in a while.
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He doesn't sign his name,
and he's so upset that we're not
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just cutting back and he thinks
we ought to just cut way back
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and lay everybody
off and things like that.
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No! This is the end
of time, folks. Amen!
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We can't cut back now.
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We've got to move
forward as never before
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with the gospel of
Jesus Christ to a dying world.
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There are people out
there that are counting on this
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message that have never
heard this message before.
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They don't even
know that it exists.
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But it is our place to tell
them the wonderful good news
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that Jesus Christ is coming
again and that He loves them,
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He dies on the cross for
them, and that through His blood
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they can receive life eternal.
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And what kind of bride
is the Lord returning for?
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Purified. A church
that's purified and perfected.
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A glorious bride without
spot or wrinkle or blemish
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or any such thing. A
bride that's in unity.
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And that's the subject matter
that Jay Rosario is going to be
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presenting this
evening is Unity in the Body.
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Uh, I asked Jay a
little about himself
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and he told me that he
was born in Miami, Florida,
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came into the Adventist
faith in, of all places, Alaska,
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and he is now living
in San Jose, Arizona...
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not Arizona... California.
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And I asked him: "What
was your inspiration to become
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a teacher... such
a strong preacher? "
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How many of you have
seen him here on 3ABN?
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Uh, we got to
know him through GYC
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and he is just a
powerful preacher!
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And he told me that
while he was in Alaska
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he started taking Bible studies.
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And he said the
most amazing thing.
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Something that inspired him
so much was that when he would
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have questions - and he was full
of questions as young people
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usually are - that
every time he had a question
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the gentleman that was
giving him the Bible studies
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would take him to the Word and
give him nothing but scripture.
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This so impressed him,
and he asked the gentleman
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one time: "How on
earth do you do this?
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How do you know the scripture
so well that you can answer
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all of my questions
with the scripture? "
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And the gentlemen
said to him: "Jay, someday
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you will be teaching
and you will be preaching
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just the same way. " And he
said: "That so inspired me. "
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You know what the man did?
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He cast a vision and he
cast it right inside of Jay.
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And Jay caught that,
and now we are just honored
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to have him come and
speak for us tonight.
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But before Jay comes, we
have got a marvelous young lady
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that we have come to
appreciate so much here at 3ABN.
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Through the years
she's been faithful
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and we just admire her so much.
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Danny, I think you
know this young lady.
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I know this little girl.
This is my daughter Melody...
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Melody Dawn. And when
she was born, we named her
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Melody in faith that God would
give her musical abilities.
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And God has done that.
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And Melody, I love
you and appreciate you.
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Someone said tonight: "You've
got to quit losing weight! "
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They said: "She's too little.
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Tell her don't
lose any more weight. "
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But you know what, when they're
almost... I won't say what
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her birthday is, but
when she's almost that age
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they pretty well do
what they want, right?
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But I love Melody
and Greg and all the kids
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and what a blessing they are.
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I'm so thankful that you
love Jesus and you're willing to
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use your talent for Him.
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What are you going to
sing tonight? He Knows My Name.
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He counts the stars one and all.
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He knows how much
sand is on the shore.
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He sees every
sparrow that falls.
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He made the
mountains and the sea.
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He's in control of everything...
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of all
creatures great and small.
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And He knows my name.
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Every step that I take.
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Every move that I make.
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Every tear that I cry.
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And He knows my name.
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When I'm overwhelmed by the pain
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and can't see the light of day,
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I know I'll be just fine
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'cause He knows my name.
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I don't know what
tomorrow will bring.
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I can't tell
you what's in store.
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I don't know a lot of things.
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I don't have all the answers
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to the questions of life,
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but I know in
whom I have believed.
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And He knows my name.
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Every step that I take.
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Every move that I make.
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Every tear that I cry.
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And He knows my name.
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When I'm overwhelmed by the pain
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and can't see the light of day
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I know I'll be just fine
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'cause He knows my name.
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He knew who I was
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when He carried my cross.
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He knew that I would fail Him
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but He took the loss.
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And He knows my name.
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Every step that I take.
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Every move that I make.
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Every tear that I cry.
00:10:15.65\00:10:19.39
He knows my name
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when I'm overwhelmed by the pain
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and can't see the light of day
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I know I'll be just fine
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'cause He knows my name.
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When I'm overwhelmed by the pain
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and can't see the light of day
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I know I'll be just fine
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'cause He knows my name.
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Hello again.
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Aren't you excited that you
serve a God who knows your name?
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Amen!
00:11:13.68\00:11:14.65
Aren't you excited that He's
going to give you a new name?
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Amen? Amen. I like the name
Jay but it'd be kind of cool
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to have a more...
more powerful name.
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I always felt like
my name was kind of...
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it wasn't strong
enough. Jay... just short
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and kind of to the
point. A little too concise.
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So I wants something a little
bit like, you know, Maximus.
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You know? In high school I think
people would have left me alone
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if they knew that
my name was Maximus.
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Sounds exciting. I don't know
what my new name is going to be
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in the kingdom, but I'm
excited to have a new name.
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So... have you been
enjoying yourselves?
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Amen! I've been
really, really excited
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listening to all... so
many different perspectives
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to scripture and
it's very... so exciting
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to see how different
minds are able to glean
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different
perspectives to the same texts.
00:11:58.16\00:12:02.08
So I think that's
really the whole point.
00:12:02.18\00:12:03.25
That's why we
come together in unity
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to seek the Lord's presence.
00:12:06.75\00:12:08.75
And as we speak about
unity in the body of Christ
00:12:08.86\00:12:13.12
I want to invite you to bow
your heads with me as we pray
00:12:13.36\00:12:15.53
and invite the Spirit with us.
00:12:15.74\00:12:17.13
Father, We come
before You excited
00:12:17.33\00:12:19.69
because you know our names
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and because you're
going to give us a new one.
00:12:21.31\00:12:23.35
And Father, in the name of
Jesus, we ask that You bless
00:12:23.55\00:12:25.95
us now as we open Your
Word and at the same time
00:12:26.15\00:12:31.26
open our hearts. May You
speak to us in a powerful way.
00:12:31.46\00:12:34.99
May we leave this presentation,
Father, with a deeper
00:12:35.19\00:12:38.90
appreciation of
Your... of Your character
00:12:39.10\00:12:41.61
and may You help us, Father,
to be more and more like Jesus.
00:12:41.81\00:12:44.36
It's our prayer in His
name. Let everyone say... Amen.
00:12:44.56\00:12:48.43
So our message: Unity
in the Body of Christ.
00:12:48.73\00:12:52.97
Unity in the Body of Christ.
00:12:53.27\00:12:56.09
This is going to
be interesting. Amen?
00:12:56.29\00:12:58.06
Unity. Is it
possible to have unity
00:12:58.99\00:13:01.61
in the body of Christ?
Do you think it's possible?
00:13:01.82\00:13:03.86
Amen. I think with God
all things are possible.
00:13:04.06\00:13:06.93
And once again, we've
talked a little bit, you know,
00:13:07.13\00:13:10.21
the reality of church.
The challenges that we've had
00:13:10.42\00:13:13.68
in the past experience. But,
you know, the Bible promises
00:13:13.88\00:13:17.90
that God's promises will
be fulfilled in His people
00:13:18.10\00:13:22.92
in the last days. So
maybe you're a person who
00:13:23.12\00:13:26.42
looks at your
local church situation
00:13:26.62\00:13:30.03
and you wonder to
yourself: "How in the world
00:13:30.23\00:13:32.57
are we going to be united? "
00:13:32.77\00:13:33.85
And I think... I think
that's the cry of many of us.
00:13:34.06\00:13:38.25
But I think it's only
possible with the Spirit of God.
00:13:38.45\00:13:40.41
And as the Spirit is
moving upon the hearts of people
00:13:40.61\00:13:44.48
I believe that slowly but surely
He's uniting us more and more
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and more. And I believe
that the Bible has been given us
00:13:48.32\00:13:50.50
to unite us into the
same foundation. Amen?
00:13:50.54\00:13:53.88
And so may the Lord help us
as we endeavor to study this
00:13:54.16\00:13:58.52
a bit further. Unity
in the Body of Christ.
00:13:58.67\00:14:00.43
It's interesting
because when you consider
00:14:00.53\00:14:03.16
all of the things in scripture -
00:14:03.36\00:14:07.27
particularly
the concept of God -
00:14:07.47\00:14:11.30
which is such a sublime,
such a profound concept,
00:14:11.61\00:14:17.20
obviously our
minds are too limited
00:14:17.40\00:14:19.58
to be able to fully
fathom and comprehend
00:14:19.79\00:14:22.06
all of the
intricate mysteries of God.
00:14:22.27\00:14:24.50
But the Bible tells us that God
00:14:24.80\00:14:28.36
has three different,
distinct personalities.
00:14:28.56\00:14:33.59
Yes? The phrase, of course,
we refer to it as the trinity
00:14:33.89\00:14:38.17
although trinity
doesn't appear in the Bible.
00:14:38.30\00:14:40.11
The term that appears
in the Bible is the term
00:14:40.41\00:14:44.21
Godhead... Godhead. And I think
if we really want to understand
00:14:44.41\00:14:48.41
this concept of unity we really
have to go to the essence.
00:14:48.61\00:14:52.59
And I believe that when you
look at the Godhead you find
00:14:52.89\00:14:56.41
the perfect picture of
unity in the entire universe.
00:14:56.51\00:15:01.80
What we will
discover is that God Himself
00:15:02.10\00:15:06.60
in His very being is a unity.
00:15:06.80\00:15:10.30
God Himself in His
very essence is harmony.
00:15:10.60\00:15:15.19
And when you take a look
at... when Jesus is referring to
00:15:15.39\00:15:19.77
the Holy Spirit... If you
have your Bibles, run with me
00:15:19.87\00:15:22.15
to John chapter 16.
And I have to warn you:
00:15:22.35\00:15:25.69
we're going to be
going over scripture. Amen?
00:15:25.89\00:15:27.69
So make sure you
have your fingers ready.
00:15:28.19\00:15:30.72
Remember we're going
to do finger exercises.
00:15:30.92\00:15:32.42
John chapter 16.
00:15:32.62\00:15:34.67
John chapter
16... Jesus is speaking
00:15:36.03\00:15:38.85
in the future of the
coming of the Holy Spirit
00:15:39.05\00:15:44.18
and He's unfolding to
His disciples the mission
00:15:44.39\00:15:47.58
of the Holy Spirit
and how the Holy Spirit is
00:15:47.78\00:15:49.92
going to manifest Himself.
00:15:50.12\00:15:52.09
And when you're
there, please say Amen.
00:15:52.12\00:15:53.89
Amen. And notice what the
Bible says in John 16 verse 13.
00:15:54.09\00:15:56.91
Jesus says:
"However, when He... "
00:15:57.11\00:15:59.01
Notice He doesn't
refer to the Spirit as an it.
00:15:59.21\00:16:01.66
Amen? Because the
Spirit is not an it.
00:16:01.87\00:16:05.31
The Spirit is a person.
00:16:05.52\00:16:07.11
"When He the Spirit of Truth
has come, He will guide you
00:16:07.31\00:16:11.76
into all truth. "
00:16:11.96\00:16:14.38
Now, Pastor David Shin talked
a little bit about this concept
00:16:14.69\00:16:18.32
of truth. Powerful
presentation on that.
00:16:18.42\00:16:20.59
So we know that the
truth is found where?
00:16:20.79\00:16:23.19
"Sanctify them
through Thy truth... Thy... "
00:16:23.39\00:16:25.75
"Word is truth. "
So the Spirit of God
00:16:25.95\00:16:28.27
will ultimately
lead you to where?
00:16:28.48\00:16:30.73
To the Word of God.
00:16:31.13\00:16:32.54
If there is
something that is leading you
00:16:32.84\00:16:38.39
contrary to the Word of God,
00:16:38.59\00:16:40.45
then you can rest assured
that it's not the Holy Spirit.
00:16:40.65\00:16:43.32
And there are many claims of
the movings and the promptings
00:16:43.62\00:16:46.81
of the Spirit that I
believe that they are
00:16:47.01\00:16:49.75
the movings and
promptings of A spirit...
00:16:49.95\00:16:54.01
but not
necessarily the Holy Spirit.
00:16:54.21\00:16:57.90
Amen? So may the Lord
help us to be able to be wise
00:16:58.20\00:17:01.12
and able to discern the
movings of the Holy Spirit
00:17:01.15\00:17:04.34
and the movings of other
spirits that are not of God.
00:17:04.54\00:17:07.45
So the Spirit of God
will guide us into all truth,
00:17:07.75\00:17:10.11
into all of the Word,
"for He will not speak
00:17:10.31\00:17:13.46
on His own authority. "
00:17:13.57\00:17:15.56
So as the Holy Spirit
comes... and by the way,
00:17:15.86\00:17:17.52
the Holy Spirit is
part of the Godhead.
00:17:17.73\00:17:20.26
Uh, they are...
they are similar.
00:17:20.56\00:17:22.87
They are... all
three of them are powerful.
00:17:23.18\00:17:25.40
And as the Spirit of
God is here on planet earth
00:17:25.60\00:17:28.08
He will not speak
on His own authority.
00:17:29.38\00:17:31.19
Isn't that interesting?
00:17:31.39\00:17:32.55
And notice what it
says: "But whatever He hears
00:17:32.75\00:17:35.21
He will speak, and He
will tell you things to come. "
00:17:35.52\00:17:40.69
So as the Holy Spirit...
There was a switcheroo.
00:17:40.99\00:17:44.20
Right? Jesus
ascended; the Spirit descended.
00:17:44.41\00:17:46.86
And as the Spirit descended,
the Spirit speaks nothing
00:17:47.16\00:17:51.19
on His own behalf.
00:17:51.39\00:17:52.63
The Spirit is simply
bringing back to mind
00:17:52.84\00:17:58.04
bringing back to our remembrance
00:17:58.24\00:18:00.58
the very things
that Jesus said of old.
00:18:00.78\00:18:02.79
So if there is
something that you're claiming
00:18:04.17\00:18:08.24
to be the leading and
promptings of the Spirit,
00:18:08.34\00:18:10.25
you have to ask
yourself the question:
00:18:10.45\00:18:12.04
Is the leadings and
promptings of that spirit
00:18:12.34\00:18:15.17
does it coincide, does it
harmonize with the leadings
00:18:15.37\00:18:18.31
and the promptings and
the teachings of Jesus?
00:18:18.41\00:18:20.47
And if it contradicts
the teachings of Jesus,
00:18:20.77\00:18:22.96
well then you have to
ask yourself the question:
00:18:23.07\00:18:24.87
is this really the Holy
Spirit or is it A spirit?
00:18:25.07\00:18:28.78
So the Holy Spirit
simply... The Holy Spirit's task
00:18:29.08\00:18:33.14
is simply to exalt
and bring back to mind
00:18:33.34\00:18:38.19
the sacrifice and
the words of Jesus.
00:18:38.39\00:18:41.88
When you look in
chapter 14 of the same book,
00:18:42.18\00:18:45.14
chapter 14 and verse 26,
00:18:45.34\00:18:47.68
the Bible says: "But the Helper,
the Holy Spirit whom the Father
00:18:47.88\00:18:51.29
will send in My
name, " Jesus says,
00:18:51.49\00:18:52.98
"He will teach you all things
and bring to your remembrance
00:18:53.18\00:18:56.34
all things that I said to you. "
00:18:56.54\00:18:57.99
And when you do a
careful study of the Holy Spirit
00:18:58.19\00:19:00.29
you'll discover that the job
of the Holy Spirit is to exalt
00:19:00.49\00:19:04.68
and to magnify what
Jesus has already done.
00:19:04.88\00:19:07.94
I don't know about
you, but that's kind of...
00:19:08.74\00:19:11.20
that's kind of selfless.
00:19:11.50\00:19:14.94
That's kind of humble on
the Holy Spirit's behalf.
00:19:15.24\00:19:17.49
You guys follow that?
00:19:17.89\00:19:19.75
Here you have a powerful being
that was present in the creation
00:19:19.95\00:19:23.23
account by the way. The
Spirit was actively involved
00:19:23.33\00:19:25.52
in the creation of the world.
00:19:25.62\00:19:27.05
Here He is
thousands of years later
00:19:27.25\00:19:29.34
and He's heavily involved
in the experiences of humanity
00:19:29.45\00:19:32.70
and He doesn't say
anything about Himself.
00:19:32.90\00:19:35.25
He just says what
Jesus had already said.
00:19:35.55\00:19:40.34
He just quotes; He
just brings back to memory.
00:19:40.64\00:19:43.28
He is humble and He
exalts the ministry of Jesus.
00:19:43.48\00:19:48.28
The Holy Spirit
exalts the ministry of Jesus.
00:19:48.58\00:19:52.67
But what I find interesting
is when you look at Jesus.
00:19:52.97\00:19:56.38
Jesus kind of had a
motto; He had a certain outline.
00:19:57.73\00:20:01.44
He kind of had a
certain rhythm to His life
00:20:01.64\00:20:04.59
which I think is an
example for all of us.
00:20:04.89\00:20:06.96
For example, if you
read in John chapter 5...
00:20:07.26\00:20:10.01
We're in John; just
go a few pages back.
00:20:10.21\00:20:12.37
John chapter 5 and you will find
00:20:12.67\00:20:16.28
something very
interesting that Jesus says
00:20:17.52\00:20:19.75
in John chapter 5 and verse 30.
00:20:19.95\00:20:21.62
Jesus says: "I can
of Myself do... " What?
00:20:21.92\00:20:25.50
"do absolutely nothing. "
00:20:25.70\00:20:27.30
"As I hear I judge, and
My judgment is righteous
00:20:27.40\00:20:32.37
because I do not seek My own
will but the will of the Father
00:20:32.57\00:20:37.28
who sent Me. " So
here you have Jesus Christ
00:20:37.38\00:20:40.18
who was actively
involved in the creation account
00:20:40.39\00:20:43.57
in Genesis chapter 1
along with the Holy Spirit -
00:20:43.67\00:20:46.28
all powerful; almighty -
and He is here on planet earth.
00:20:46.48\00:20:50.34
He has all the power
to do whatever He wants
00:20:50.54\00:20:54.34
and yet He says: "I
can of Myself do nothing. "
00:20:54.54\00:20:57.38
What does He say: "I
do not seek My own will
00:20:57.58\00:21:00.84
but the will of My
Father who sent Me. "
00:21:01.04\00:21:04.43
You're in John. Go
back to Matthew chapter 26.
00:21:04.63\00:21:07.24
I warned you: we're going to
go through a lot of Bible texts.
00:21:07.44\00:21:09.62
Matthew chapter 26.
00:21:09.82\00:21:12.49
And this is the melancholy
chapter where you find
00:21:12.69\00:21:16.23
Christ weeping and
sweating and trembling
00:21:16.43\00:21:21.67
in the cool evening in
the Garden of Gethsemane.
00:21:21.87\00:21:25.91
And in Matthew
chapter 26 and in verse 42
00:21:26.21\00:21:29.64
and really in that whole
passage you find Christ coming
00:21:29.87\00:21:34.43
to the Father and He's
praying and He's praying
00:21:34.63\00:21:37.39
and He's praying. And
He's praying the same thing.
00:21:37.59\00:21:40.80
You ever find yourself
praying the same thing?
00:21:41.10\00:21:43.03
Well, we definitely have a
good model of an example here
00:21:43.33\00:21:47.45
that persistence in
prayer is important. Amen?
00:21:47.65\00:21:50.39
Don't give up; keep praying.
We see that in Jesus' example.
00:21:50.69\00:21:53.39
And in verse 42 of
Matthew chapter 26 we see
00:21:53.69\00:21:57.78
Jesus praying a second time.
00:21:57.98\00:22:00.82
"And He went away and
prayed saying: 'Oh my Father, if
00:22:01.02\00:22:03.81
this cup cannot pass
away from Me unless I drink it
00:22:03.91\00:22:06.46
Your will be done. " And
if you read the third time
00:22:06.66\00:22:10.95
He says... He
basically surrenders and He says
00:22:11.16\00:22:13.96
finally: "Your will be done. "
00:22:14.16\00:22:16.82
So, what do we have so
far? We have the Holy Spirit
00:22:17.12\00:22:19.30
who is an all-powerful being who
decides to come to planet earth,
00:22:19.50\00:22:23.59
fully humbles
Himself, lives a selfless life,
00:22:23.79\00:22:28.97
and all He does is
exalt the ministry of Jesus,
00:22:29.17\00:22:32.47
brings back to humanity
the words that Jesus had said
00:22:32.67\00:22:35.86
previously, and
that's all He does.
00:22:36.07\00:22:38.13
But when you look at Jesus'
ministry, Jesus really was also
00:22:38.43\00:22:42.42
kind of humble and selfless.
00:22:42.62\00:22:45.90
What does He do?
What is His motto?
00:22:46.10\00:22:48.25
His motto in life
is not to do His will
00:22:48.45\00:22:51.01
but to do the
will of His Father.
00:22:51.21\00:22:53.86
Do you... are you
guys seeing a pattern?
00:22:54.06\00:22:55.27
Here you have the Holy Spirit
submitting and exalting Jesus.
00:22:55.47\00:23:01.31
Here you have Jesus submitting
and exalting the Father.
00:23:01.61\00:23:05.29
Ladies and gentlemen,
the essence of the Godhead
00:23:05.49\00:23:08.20
is constant
submission to each other.
00:23:08.50\00:23:12.94
Is constant
exaltation of each other.
00:23:13.14\00:23:16.09
Selflessness.
00:23:16.69\00:23:18.72
And I believe that the reason
why the Godhead is united...
00:23:19.02\00:23:22.27
Amen? You're not going to
find a more intricate unity
00:23:22.47\00:23:25.71
than the Godhead... is
because there is infinite love
00:23:25.92\00:23:29.03
constantly being
lavished upon the three members
00:23:29.23\00:23:33.54
of the Godhead. And I
believe if that same Godhead
00:23:33.74\00:23:38.30
is dwelling in the
hearts of His people - Amen? -
00:23:38.51\00:23:40.95
it should manifest
itself in what manner?
00:23:41.15\00:23:44.81
In a way where we also
are humble and selfless.
00:23:45.01\00:23:50.65
Does that make sense? Run
with me to the book of Psalms.
00:23:50.95\00:23:53.19
Psalms chapter 133. I warned you
00:23:53.22\00:23:57.40
we're going to go through a lot
of scripture this presentation.
00:23:57.60\00:24:01.23
Psalm 133; Psalm 133.
And this is really kind of...
00:24:01.53\00:24:06.91
this could be the bedrock, the
foundation of this presentation.
00:24:07.11\00:24:10.17
Psalm 133. And when
you're there, please say Amen.
00:24:10.47\00:24:15.69
Amen.
00:24:15.99\00:24:17.06
Psalm 133 verse 1:
00:24:17.36\00:24:19.54
A song of ascents.
Of David. He writes:
00:24:19.74\00:24:23.06
"Behold how
good and how pleasant
00:24:23.16\00:24:26.23
it is for brethren
to dwell together" how?
00:24:26.43\00:24:31.81
"in unity. " Isn't that
a beautiful text to read.
00:24:32.01\00:24:34.73
Next board meeting I want to
encourage you to read that text.
00:24:34.93\00:24:37.29
Amen? Amen!
00:24:37.49\00:24:39.24
Don't let them know
where you got this idea from.
00:24:39.64\00:24:41.84
Psalm 133 tells us clearly
that when God's people are
00:24:42.14\00:24:46.19
united it is good. That's such
an understatement, isn't it?
00:24:46.39\00:24:50.21
It is good; it
is a pleasant thing.
00:24:50.51\00:24:52.63
I think in the King
James it says "blessed. "
00:24:52.83\00:24:55.06
It is a "blessed" thing.
00:24:55.26\00:24:56.67
I'm not sure if it's in the
King James that's what it says.
00:24:56.77\00:24:58.43
Pleasant. "It is good for
the brethren to dwell together
00:24:58.63\00:25:02.47
in unity. Now if this is true
00:25:02.67\00:25:04.19
then obviously the
opposite must be true.
00:25:04.39\00:25:06.11
Yes? So if it's pleasant and
if it's good for God's people
00:25:06.41\00:25:10.84
to be in unity,
then what must it be like
00:25:11.04\00:25:13.28
when God's
people are in disunity?
00:25:13.49\00:25:15.80
It could read this
way: "Behold, how bad" -
00:25:18.35\00:25:20.99
all right - "and how unpleasant
00:25:21.19\00:25:25.50
it is for the brethren to
dwell together in disunity. "
00:25:25.70\00:25:30.18
Can we say that?
I think that's safe.
00:25:30.48\00:25:32.44
I think that's Biblically
sound. Ladies and gentlemen,
00:25:32.55\00:25:34.02
the reason why sometimes
the world is not attracted
00:25:34.12\00:25:38.28
to us or to our
message is because they look
00:25:38.48\00:25:43.38
at a congregation - they
look at a group of people -
00:25:43.58\00:25:46.32
that many a time
manifest themselves in a very
00:25:46.52\00:25:50.35
disunited fashion.
00:25:50.55\00:25:53.74
And they're thinking:
"If you don't even get along
00:25:54.04\00:25:56.46
in there, how in the
world... why should I even
00:25:56.66\00:26:01.66
bother coming and spending
my time and investing my energy
00:26:01.76\00:26:06.00
in worshiping this God
that you say is a God of love
00:26:06.20\00:26:09.90
and yet there is no love being
manifested to these people? "
00:26:10.20\00:26:15.03
So when you look at
the Holy Spirit who exalts,
00:26:15.33\00:26:18.53
when you look at
Jesus who exalts the Father,
00:26:18.74\00:26:21.06
ladies and gentlemen it
is very, very clear that
00:26:21.26\00:26:23.52
anyone who is walking and
anyone who truly knows God
00:26:23.62\00:26:27.25
is going to walk
in a humble fashion.
00:26:27.28\00:26:30.22
Is going to walk in a way that
is going to uplift and exalt
00:26:30.42\00:26:33.49
those around them. Amen?
00:26:33.70\00:26:35.27
And we have the
contrary example of this
00:26:35.47\00:26:38.46
when you look at
that fallen angel.
00:26:38.66\00:26:41.77
Anybody know his name?
00:26:41.97\00:26:43.05
Lucifer! Let's
take a look at Isaiah.
00:26:43.45\00:26:45.75
Isaiah chapter 14.
00:26:45.95\00:26:48.00
Told you we're going to
go through a lot of texts.
00:26:48.20\00:26:50.74
Isaiah chapter 14.
00:26:51.04\00:26:53.89
The essence of God is unity.
00:26:54.09\00:26:56.23
That is His very
essence in His being.
00:26:56.53\00:26:59.31
The Godhead - the three
members of the Godhead - are
00:26:59.51\00:27:03.38
lavishing respect and love
00:27:03.58\00:27:06.22
and they are esteeming each
other better than themselves.
00:27:06.42\00:27:09.53
And yet in Isaiah
14 something happened.
00:27:09.73\00:27:14.00
Something created,
something that was united,
00:27:14.30\00:27:17.34
was divided.
Something that was in harmony
00:27:17.54\00:27:23.08
became out of
harmony. What happened?
00:27:23.29\00:27:26.21
Isaiah chapter 14.
When you're there, say Amen.
00:27:26.51\00:27:28.41
Amen. The Bible says in verse 12
"How you are fallen from heaven
00:27:28.61\00:27:31.94
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
00:27:32.14\00:27:34.11
How you are cut
down to the ground
00:27:34.31\00:27:35.86
for you who weaken the nations!
00:27:35.96\00:27:37.95
For you have said" where?
00:27:38.15\00:27:39.51
"in your heart. "
Isn't that interesting?
00:27:39.71\00:27:41.94
He said in his
heart. So that means that
00:27:42.14\00:27:46.28
this disunity first began where?
00:27:46.48\00:27:51.26
On the inside.
00:27:51.56\00:27:54.65
And then it was
manifested on the outside.
00:27:54.85\00:27:57.95
It was just a
thought; it was just a feeling
00:27:58.25\00:28:02.20
that Lucifer had. "He
said in his heart... "
00:28:02.40\00:28:05.96
Well what did he
say in his heart?
00:28:06.06\00:28:07.16
"I will ascend into heaven;
00:28:07.26\00:28:09.27
I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God;
00:28:09.47\00:28:12.84
I will also sit on the
mount of the congregation
00:28:13.04\00:28:15.28
on the fartherest
sides of the north;
00:28:15.39\00:28:17.15
I will ascend above
the heights of the clouds;
00:28:17.36\00:28:19.11
I will be like the Most High. "
00:28:19.21\00:28:20.57
Now does that sound like
the Holy Spirit exalting Jesus?
00:28:20.77\00:28:25.67
Does that sound like
Jesus exalting the Father?
00:28:25.97\00:28:28.67
Here you have an angel
that's exalting himself.
00:28:28.87\00:28:32.69
And ladies and gentlemen,
this is... this was a foreign
00:28:32.99\00:28:36.41
behavior. This
was a foreign attitude
00:28:36.61\00:28:39.62
to the culture of heaven. Amen?
00:28:39.83\00:28:41.74
And this created a
disunity and this is what began
00:28:41.94\00:28:45.47
the cosmic conflict
between good and evil.
00:28:45.67\00:28:47.65
It was simply an
attitude problem.
00:28:47.68\00:28:50.98
Many many
problems and issues begin
00:28:52.51\00:28:57.02
simply with a bad attitude.
00:28:57.22\00:28:58.94
And we're talking about
unity in the body of Christ.
00:28:59.14\00:29:01.95
And of course, this manifests
itself in many different
00:29:02.15\00:29:04.44
contexts, right?
In the workplace, yes?
00:29:04.64\00:29:07.83
In the home; at the university;
00:29:08.03\00:29:10.19
and definitely
at church as well.
00:29:10.39\00:29:12.02
So here we have kind
of like this attitude
00:29:12.32\00:29:15.06
that Lucifer was developing.
And he was marinating
00:29:15.26\00:29:18.10
inside of him until
eventually it killed him.
00:29:18.20\00:29:20.54
Until eventually it
led him to exalt himself
00:29:20.74\00:29:24.42
at the expense of others.
00:29:24.62\00:29:28.21
But when you look at the
Bible you find that Jesus
00:29:28.51\00:29:32.53
did exactly the opposite.
00:29:32.73\00:29:34.98
Run with me to
Philippians chapter 2.
00:29:35.08\00:29:36.87
Philippians chapter 2.
00:29:36.88\00:29:39.88
Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians.
00:29:41.37\00:29:44.63
Philippians chapter 2.
00:29:44.83\00:29:46.98
We saw that
Lucifer exalted himself.
00:29:47.18\00:29:49.87
Lucifer wanted to
establish his throne.
00:29:50.07\00:29:52.68
Let's see what Jesus
does in Philippians chapter 2
00:29:54.24\00:29:56.78
and when you're there
please say "Amen. " Amen.
00:29:56.98\00:29:59.08
Philippians chapter 2
and verse 1. The Bible says:
00:29:59.28\00:30:00.70
"Therefore if there is
any consolation in Christ,
00:30:00.90\00:30:03.27
if any comfort of love, if
any fellowship of the Spirit,
00:30:03.37\00:30:06.29
if any affection and mercy,
00:30:06.39\00:30:07.98
fulfill my joy... " How?
00:30:08.18\00:30:10.78
"by being like-minded. "
00:30:10.98\00:30:13.30
Having the same
love; being of one accord.
00:30:13.50\00:30:15.79
And this is not
talking about a vehicle, Amen?
00:30:15.99\00:30:18.43
Being of one
accord... uh, of one mind.
00:30:18.63\00:30:22.23
"Let nothing be done through
selfish ambition or conceit. "
00:30:22.54\00:30:26.75
Well that was Lucifer's problem.
00:30:26.95\00:30:28.15
He did what he did through
selfish ambition or conceit.
00:30:28.45\00:30:32.34
"But do it rather... "
how? "in lowliness of mind
00:30:32.55\00:30:36.03
let each other esteem
others better than himself. "
00:30:36.23\00:30:39.76
And that's exactly
what the Godhead does.
00:30:39.96\00:30:42.51
They esteem each other
better than themselves.
00:30:42.71\00:30:46.74
And that's why that's
the most purest form of love.
00:30:47.04\00:30:50.95
Amen? Agape.
00:30:51.25\00:30:52.79
And by the way, that love
is available to you and I.
00:30:53.09\00:30:55.34
Did you know that?
And the prayer of Jesus
00:30:55.54\00:30:57.66
in John chapter 17 is
that you and I may what?
00:30:57.76\00:31:00.77
Be one as He is
one with the Father.
00:31:00.97\00:31:04.44
The same unity
that the Godhead has
00:31:04.74\00:31:07.23
is what Christ
is inviting us to.
00:31:07.43\00:31:10.41
In fact, if you do a
careful study of this in I John,
00:31:10.62\00:31:12.17
you'll discover that
really when we do evangelism
00:31:12.38\00:31:15.69
when we proclaim the good news
00:31:15.90\00:31:17.61
you know what
we're really doing?
00:31:17.81\00:31:18.87
We're simply inviting people
to experience the communion
00:31:18.98\00:31:23.02
that dwells within the Godhead
00:31:23.22\00:31:24.74
which is infinite love
lavished upon each of them.
00:31:25.04\00:31:29.19
Ladies and gentlemen, when you
look at Philippians chapter 2
00:31:29.49\00:31:32.15
we see exactly the solution
to the problem of disunity.
00:31:32.36\00:31:37.02
"Let each of you look
out not for his own interest
00:31:37.22\00:31:40.53
but also for the
interest of others. "
00:31:40.73\00:31:42.75
Verse 5: "Let this... " what?
00:31:42.95\00:31:44.84
"mind be in you which
was also in Christ Jesus. "
00:31:45.14\00:31:48.42
And you can read
the rest later on.
00:31:48.62\00:31:50.00
I think you guys are familiar
with Philippians chapter 2.
00:31:50.20\00:31:52.31
Talks about the
sacrifice of Christ.
00:31:52.51\00:31:53.98
It talks about the incarnation.
00:31:54.18\00:31:55.97
But notice
before the incarnation,
00:31:56.17\00:31:57.75
before the sacrifice
of Christ in verse 5,
00:31:57.85\00:32:00.97
what was the original way
00:32:02.09\00:32:06.89
that the sacrifice was born?
00:32:07.09\00:32:11.27
Paul says "let this
mind. " It was a mindset.
00:32:12.97\00:32:17.71
Right? It was an attitude.
00:32:18.01\00:32:20.88
Jesus looked at fallen humanity
00:32:21.08\00:32:23.24
and His heart
broke. He felt compassion.
00:32:23.44\00:32:26.26
And He had a particular mindset;
He had a particular attitude.
00:32:26.46\00:32:31.74
And that was what?
Complete submission,
00:32:31.77\00:32:36.44
complete
selflessness, complete humility.
00:32:36.64\00:32:40.60
Are you beginning
to see the contrast?
00:32:40.90\00:32:42.66
Isaiah chapter 14 you have
Satan who is exalting himself.
00:32:42.86\00:32:46.94
In Philippians
chapter 2 you have Jesus
00:32:47.25\00:32:50.89
who is humbling Himself.
00:32:51.09\00:32:53.59
Jesus came into this
world to bring unity.
00:32:53.90\00:32:56.78
In fact, you're
right there in Philippians.
00:32:56.98\00:32:58.55
Go to the book of Ephesians.
00:32:58.65\00:32:59.66
If you're there, in
Ephesians chapter 1:
00:32:59.86\00:33:02.10
why is it that Jesus
came into the world? Simple.
00:33:02.30\00:33:05.28
If you look in verse 9 of
Ephesians chapter 1 it says:
00:33:05.59\00:33:09.30
"Having made known to
us the mystery of His will
00:33:09.51\00:33:11.95
according to His good pleasure
which He purposed in Himself
00:33:12.16\00:33:15.11
that in the dispensation
of the fullness of time
00:33:15.31\00:33:17.74
He might" - listen -
"gather together in" what?
00:33:17.94\00:33:21.52
"one all things in
Christ both which are in heaven
00:33:21.72\00:33:26.76
and which are on
earth" how? "in Him. "
00:33:26.96\00:33:31.56
Jesus came into the world
why? Because the world was
00:33:31.77\00:33:34.38
divided. The harmony
and the bliss and the unity
00:33:34.58\00:33:40.35
that existed in the
Garden of Eden was lost.
00:33:40.55\00:33:42.67
It was interrupted.
There was a different note
00:33:42.77\00:33:45.15
that was
introduced into the song.
00:33:45.35\00:33:48.28
How many of you love
when somebody... when there's
00:33:48.48\00:33:51.92
a harmony until
somebody adds their voice
00:33:52.02\00:33:54.56
and it's completely out of tune.
You guys love when that happens?
00:33:54.76\00:33:56.83
You're like... oh, no. Right?
00:33:57.03\00:33:59.73
And that's kind of what
happened in the Garden of Eden.
00:33:59.93\00:34:02.06
There was a beautiful
rhythm. There was a beautiful
00:34:02.26\00:34:05.46
environment and then
there was a different tune.
00:34:05.66\00:34:10.36
There was a different
note that was introduced
00:34:10.56\00:34:12.28
that was opposite
to God's original plan.
00:34:12.48\00:34:15.13
And in Ephesians the Bible
tells us that Jesus came because
00:34:15.33\00:34:18.01
He wants to
gather everything in one.
00:34:18.11\00:34:20.03
He wants to unite it.
Under what foundation?
00:34:20.33\00:34:23.11
Under the foundation of love.
00:34:23.31\00:34:25.66
God is love, and God expresses
that love in the Godhead.
00:34:25.96\00:34:30.01
Job chapter 10 verse 8
says something interesting
00:34:30.31\00:34:32.67
You don't have to go
there. It says: "Your hands
00:34:32.88\00:34:34.83
have made me and fashioned me
00:34:35.04\00:34:37.47
in intricate unity. "
Isn't that interesting?
00:34:37.67\00:34:42.81
Job talks about
the origins of man
00:34:43.01\00:34:46.06
and he says that
"God's hands have made us
00:34:46.26\00:34:49.51
and have fashioned
us in intricate unity. "
00:34:49.72\00:34:53.39
Well that communicates
that even in science,
00:34:53.69\00:34:57.12
even in
physiology, even in biology
00:34:57.32\00:34:59.94
you have this
element of unity present.
00:35:00.14\00:35:03.65
You find unity in
the organs of the body.
00:35:03.75\00:35:08.86
You find how the body
is such an amazing machine.
00:35:09.06\00:35:12.80
Amen? It's such an incredible...
everything is constantly
00:35:13.00\00:35:16.77
being
simultaneously working together
00:35:16.97\00:35:20.66
for the proper
function. And you cannot look
00:35:20.86\00:35:24.29
at the human body and
say that God doesn't exist.
00:35:24.49\00:35:28.38
That is the most
intricate machine
00:35:28.68\00:35:31.73
that you... that any person
could ever fathom of creating.
00:35:31.93\00:35:35.77
So when you look at
the creation of the world
00:35:35.97\00:35:39.54
you find that even in
the creation of the world
00:35:39.74\00:35:42.26
there's unity.
00:35:42.47\00:35:45.24
Even when you look at
science. Now I have to warn you,
00:35:45.45\00:35:47.39
I hope my science
teacher is not watching this
00:35:47.59\00:35:49.29
'cause I barely passed biology.
00:35:49.49\00:35:51.57
I think he was just merciful
because he was tired of me.
00:35:51.77\00:35:54.47
But when you look at science
and when you study science
00:35:55.51\00:35:57.65
carefully you will
discover that you will find...
00:35:57.75\00:35:59.40
By the way, you find the
gospel all over science. Amen?
00:35:59.60\00:36:01.72
The gospel is found in
every scientific discipline:
00:36:02.13\00:36:06.53
chemistry, physics, biology.
00:36:06.73\00:36:08.08
When you look at the
atom - not ADAM, ATOM -
00:36:08.28\00:36:13.80
when you look at the atom, you
have a very interesting reality.
00:36:14.00\00:36:19.08
Even within an atom
there are certain components
00:36:19.28\00:36:21.66
inside the atom. Does
anybody want to take a guess?
00:36:21.76\00:36:23.86
You have... help me out...
00:36:24.06\00:36:29.03
You have protons - I
heard somebody say it here.
00:36:29.33\00:36:31.55
Neutrons. This is science class.
00:36:31.75\00:36:34.71
I'm taking you
back to the classroom.
00:36:34.91\00:36:36.44
So in an atom
you have electrons.
00:36:36.74\00:36:40.23
You have protons,
right? And neutrons.
00:36:40.43\00:36:44.94
What are the differences
between protons and electrons?
00:36:46.45\00:36:49.40
The positive and
negative charge, yeah?
00:36:52.47\00:36:55.60
Or we could just say
"they're different. "
00:36:55.80\00:36:58.25
Right? That's what I liked
to tell my science teacher.
00:36:58.55\00:37:02.37
When they would ask me
what is the difference:
00:37:02.57\00:37:03.99
"well, they're just different. "
00:37:04.19\00:37:05.70
But this is my
point: even though protons
00:37:05.90\00:37:09.58
and electrons are different...
00:37:09.78\00:37:12.46
Somebody said it;
somebody beat me to it...
00:37:13.78\00:37:16.15
they're hanging
out in the same place.
00:37:18.16\00:37:19.76
Does that make sense?
00:37:20.06\00:37:21.72
I mean, at the atomic level
00:37:22.02\00:37:23.95
I mean, that's the
most... that's the...
00:37:24.15\00:37:25.34
In fact, the word
atom... I looked this up;
00:37:25.54\00:37:26.79
I thought it was interesting.
00:37:26.99\00:37:28.00
Atom comes from the Greek.
00:37:28.20\00:37:29.46
Atomos is really kind
of where it comes from.
00:37:30.56\00:37:32.95
And a is basically the
prefix of un - the negative -
00:37:33.26\00:37:37.71
and tomos is to cut.
00:37:37.85\00:37:40.22
So an atom
literally means un-cutable,
00:37:40.42\00:37:44.34
indivisible, something
that cannot be divided further
00:37:44.64\00:37:48.25
because it's so small.
00:37:48.38\00:37:50.83
So in the atom, even
the atom, there's different
00:37:52.84\00:37:56.07
charges. And yet even
within the different charges
00:37:56.27\00:38:00.49
they're kind of
hanging out together.
00:38:00.59\00:38:02.18
Ladies and
gentlemen, in your church
00:38:02.28\00:38:05.32
there are
different charges. Amen?
00:38:05.53\00:38:08.99
You guys following me?
00:38:09.22\00:38:10.85
At board meeting
there are different charges.
00:38:11.05\00:38:15.29
When you're dealing
with issues in the church
00:38:16.47\00:38:20.19
there are different
charges. We need to remember
00:38:20.39\00:38:23.35
that just because somebody
else is a different charge
00:38:23.55\00:38:26.70
it doesn't mean that we have
the right to destroy them. Amen?
00:38:28.06\00:38:32.02
Amen. They're just
a different charge.
00:38:32.32\00:38:34.88
We're all a little different
and we have to respect that.
00:38:35.08\00:38:38.52
When you look at the atom
you find this concept of unity.
00:38:38.72\00:38:42.29
And when atoms form in a group,
anybody know what that is?
00:38:42.53\00:38:45.20
You find a molecule.
00:38:45.40\00:38:47.66
And even when you
consider the cell...
00:38:47.86\00:38:51.36
What is a cell? What
do cells have inside?
00:38:51.56\00:38:54.16
A lot of weird stuff, right?
00:38:54.47\00:38:57.43
Have you seen the science books?
00:38:57.73\00:38:59.13
Like wow, that's
inside my body? That's weird.
00:38:59.33\00:39:01.82
You have all kinds of
stuff. Anybody remember?
00:39:02.02\00:39:04.39
You have the nucleus. What else?
00:39:05.23\00:39:06.97
The ribosomes.
What else have you got?
00:39:07.18\00:39:09.19
The apparatus
thing... what's that called?
00:39:09.49\00:39:11.78
The Golgi apparatus I
think is what it's called.
00:39:11.99\00:39:14.94
A lot of different things.
I mean, the cell is so small.
00:39:15.24\00:39:18.64
The cell is so tiny and
yet it's literally a little...
00:39:18.84\00:39:23.18
it's like a little city.
00:39:23.38\00:39:24.78
And there's different
things going on inside the cell
00:39:25.08\00:39:27.44
and yet it somehow maintains...
here's a key word...
00:39:27.54\00:39:31.68
unity.
00:39:31.89\00:39:33.05
In fact, another word for cell
or the popular phrase for cell
00:39:33.16\00:39:38.54
is "the
building block of life. "
00:39:38.74\00:39:42.36
So if a cell is the
building block of life
00:39:42.66\00:39:45.65
and the cell is full of unity
00:39:45.85\00:39:48.15
even though there's a diverse...
different things in there,
00:39:48.35\00:39:52.38
then that would mean that every-
thing that extends from the cell
00:39:52.58\00:39:55.91
into a bigger
level - meaning you -
00:39:56.11\00:39:59.83
you should also reflect the
unity that exists in your cells.
00:40:00.03\00:40:03.98
Does that make sense? Yes.
00:40:04.18\00:40:05.40
So even in
biology, even in physio...
00:40:05.60\00:40:08.62
that's why Job
said what he said.
00:40:08.72\00:40:10.66
"Your hands have
made me and fashioned me
00:40:10.86\00:40:13.07
in intricate unity. "
00:40:13.17\00:40:15.66
And there are
different things in the cells.
00:40:15.86\00:40:17.82
But just because
they're different does not mean
00:40:18.02\00:40:20.12
that they have to be at odds.
00:40:20.33\00:40:22.56
Take another
example: Genesis chapter 1.
00:40:22.76\00:40:25.41
We have the creation account.
00:40:25.71\00:40:28.43
And we already spoke
a little bit about how
00:40:28.63\00:40:30.31
God spoke and
things came into existence.
00:40:30.51\00:40:33.16
And usually after God finished
creating what He was creating
00:40:33.36\00:40:38.93
on that particular day
Genesis always concludes
00:40:39.13\00:40:42.88
each day with a
phrase. What does it say?
00:40:43.08\00:40:45.23
"It was good. " That's true.
00:40:45.53\00:40:48.02
But right before "it was good, "
00:40:48.22\00:40:49.93
"and the evening and the
morning were the first day. "
00:40:52.90\00:40:58.16
Evening and the
morning... second day.
00:40:58.36\00:41:01.18
Third day, fourth day, etc.
00:41:01.38\00:41:02.95
Isn't it interesting that here
you have in Genesis chapter 1
00:41:03.25\00:41:07.62
God is introducing a unit
00:41:07.82\00:41:11.15
of time, and it's called a day.
00:41:11.35\00:41:14.49
And it's composed
of what? Two things.
00:41:14.79\00:41:17.77
And by the way, they're
two completely opposite things.
00:41:17.97\00:41:21.90
Daylight and darkness.
00:41:23.60\00:41:26.35
I mean can you get any
more opposite than that?
00:41:26.45\00:41:28.15
And even though
you have the daytime
00:41:29.39\00:41:32.11
and even though
you have the nighttime
00:41:32.31\00:41:34.15
God puts it under the
same package and He says:
00:41:34.36\00:41:37.72
"This is the day. "
00:41:37.92\00:41:40.16
What is that trying to tell us?
00:41:40.36\00:41:42.25
That there could
be unity in diversity.
00:41:42.45\00:41:45.86
In your church - Amen? -
00:41:46.06\00:41:48.71
there are people that
are sunshining the daylight.
00:41:48.91\00:41:52.40
And there are others...
I'd better not go there.
00:41:52.70\00:41:56.56
I will refrain
from that temptation.
00:41:57.45\00:41:59.39
So the point is that
when you look at biology,
00:41:59.60\00:42:02.20
you look at the atom,
you look at the molecule,
00:42:02.40\00:42:04.02
you look at the cell,
you'll find that the cell is the
00:42:04.12\00:42:07.55
smallest unit of
life. It's complex.
00:42:07.65\00:42:10.28
Has a lot of activity
and yet is 100% in harmony.
00:42:10.49\00:42:15.50
That's what the body
of Christ should be like.
00:42:15.70\00:42:17.73
By the way, go to I
Corinthians chapter 12.
00:42:17.93\00:42:20.65
This is really where Paul
unpacks this whole concept of
00:42:20.75\00:42:25.24
the body and unity
in the body of Christ.
00:42:25.34\00:42:28.15
And it makes sense why
it's unity in the BODY of Christ
00:42:28.35\00:42:31.01
because we know that in
our bodies there is unity.
00:42:31.11\00:42:34.19
So if there's unity inside
of my body, there should also be
00:42:34.39\00:42:37.72
unity outside of my body. Amen?
00:42:37.82\00:42:39.56
There SHOULD be.
00:42:40.59\00:42:41.99
I Corinthians chapter
12 and when you're there,
00:42:42.19\00:42:44.18
please say "Amen. " Amen.
00:42:44.29\00:42:46.07
Beginning with verse 12
00:42:46.27\00:42:47.31
the Bible tells us
the following words:
00:42:47.51\00:42:49.04
"For as the body is
one and has many members
00:42:49.24\00:42:52.46
but all the members of
that one body being many
00:42:52.66\00:42:55.62
are one body, so also is Christ.
00:42:55.65\00:42:59.10
For by one Spirit we were
all baptized into one body
00:42:59.20\00:43:02.48
whether Jews or Greeks. " Amen?
00:43:02.68\00:43:04.61
Doesn't matter how diverse
of cultures you have in a church
00:43:04.91\00:43:09.98
you're all brothers and
sisters in Christ. Amen?
00:43:10.18\00:43:12.26
Doesn't matter the
complexion of your sin.
00:43:12.57\00:43:14.57
We all are red underneath. Amen?
00:43:14.77\00:43:17.34
Keep that in mind. "Jews or
Greeks, whether slave or free. "
00:43:17.54\00:43:20.48
Social status,
yeah? Financial status.
00:43:20.88\00:43:24.21
Just because there's
somebody in the church who makes
00:43:24.41\00:43:27.07
a little bit more money
than the person next to them
00:43:27.17\00:43:29.67
gives that individual no
right to use that individual
00:43:29.87\00:43:34.37
as a floormat. Amen?
00:43:34.57\00:43:37.57
Amen. Because behind all of
those things we are all one.
00:43:37.77\00:43:42.30
"And have all been made
to drink into one Spirit.
00:43:42.54\00:43:46.38
For in fact the body is
not one member but many.
00:43:46.48\00:43:50.01
If the foot should say
'because I am not the hand
00:43:50.21\00:43:54.02
I am not of the body, '
00:43:54.22\00:43:55.89
is it therefore
not of the body? "
00:43:56.09\00:43:57.66
No! "And if the ear should
say 'because I am not an eye
00:43:57.86\00:44:01.77
I am not of the body' is
it therefore not of the body?
00:44:01.97\00:44:05.09
If the whole
body were an eye... "
00:44:05.39\00:44:07.37
That would be really weird,
wouldn't it? Walking eyes.
00:44:07.47\00:44:09.92
"If the whole body were an
eye, where would be the hearing?
00:44:10.15\00:44:13.41
If the whole were hearing,
where would be the smelling?
00:44:13.61\00:44:17.24
But now God hath set the members
each one of them in the body
00:44:17.44\00:44:20.68
just as He pleased. And
if they were all one member
00:44:20.88\00:44:24.83
where would the body
be? But now indeed there are
00:44:25.03\00:44:28.44
many members yet one body.
00:44:28.64\00:44:31.21
And the eye cannot
say to the hand... "
00:44:31.42\00:44:32.92
Aren't you happy that your eyes
and hands don't have mouths?
00:44:33.12\00:44:35.78
That would be
very, very interesting.
00:44:36.18\00:44:38.99
Arguments between your
body parts: that'd be weird.
00:44:39.20\00:44:41.31
"And they eye cannot say to the
hand 'I have no need of you. '
00:44:41.51\00:44:44.17
Nor again, the head to the
feet 'I have no need of you. '
00:44:44.37\00:44:47.28
No. Much rather
those members of the body
00:44:47.48\00:44:50.11
which seem to be
weaker are necessary. "
00:44:50.31\00:44:55.01
I'm going to read
that one more time.
00:44:55.31\00:44:56.57
"No. Much rather
those members of the body
00:44:56.77\00:45:00.22
which seem to be
weaker are necessary. "
00:45:00.32\00:45:05.14
Ladies and gentlemen, there are
certain people in your church
00:45:05.34\00:45:08.71
that seem to be weaker.
00:45:08.95\00:45:11.28
But ladies and gentlemen,
they are necessary. Amen?
00:45:11.78\00:45:16.05
You have no right to marginalize
anybody in the church.
00:45:16.08\00:45:20.36
"Those members of the body which
we think to be less honorable
00:45:20.56\00:45:23.98
on these we bestow greater
honor, and our unpresentable
00:45:24.18\00:45:27.95
parts have greater modesty.
00:45:28.05\00:45:29.98
But our
presentable parts have no need.
00:45:30.19\00:45:31.88
For God composed the body
having given greater honor
00:45:32.08\00:45:34.71
to that part which lacks it
that there should be no schism
00:45:34.81\00:45:37.72
or division in the body
but that the member should have
00:45:37.92\00:45:40.72
the same care for one another.
And if one member suffers
00:45:40.92\00:45:43.63
all the members
suffer with them. "
00:45:43.83\00:45:46.65
By the way, that's what you
see in the book of Acts. Amen?
00:45:46.75\00:45:48.50
If somebody has a financial
crisis, the whole church
00:45:48.71\00:45:51.89
has a financial crisis and
everybody aids that individual.
00:45:51.99\00:45:56.08
If somebody has health problems,
the entire church recognizes
00:45:56.29\00:45:59.91
this need and
they fulfill that need.
00:46:00.01\00:46:02.51
"And if one member suffers
all the members suffer with it
00:46:02.71\00:46:05.50
or if one member is honored, all
the members rejoice with it. "
00:46:05.60\00:46:09.02
You can read the
rest of the chapter later.
00:46:09.22\00:46:10.98
In I Corinthians chapter 12
what the apostle Paul is saying
00:46:11.29\00:46:13.66
is that the human body is
composed of different parts
00:46:13.86\00:46:16.61
that look different and
have different functions.
00:46:16.81\00:46:20.46
Just because the eye
is smaller than the ear
00:46:20.76\00:46:24.41
doesn't mean that
the eye is useless.
00:46:24.61\00:46:27.12
Right? Amen. And the
point is that just because
00:46:27.32\00:46:31.35
in the church there
are different people...
00:46:31.55\00:46:34.41
there are
different types of people...
00:46:34.62\00:46:35.93
some people are taller,
some people are shorter...
00:46:36.03\00:46:37.83
some people have
more talent than others...
00:46:38.03\00:46:39.68
some people have
more experience...
00:46:39.88\00:46:41.47
doesn't mean that those
other individuals are useless.
00:46:41.67\00:46:45.27
Some people in the
church are the eyes.
00:46:45.57\00:46:47.82
There are those
that have vision.
00:46:48.02\00:46:49.81
There are those that can
see beyond the horizon of the...
00:46:50.11\00:46:52.78
of the struggles and the
difficulties in the church
00:46:52.98\00:46:55.34
and they can cast vision.
00:46:55.64\00:46:57.21
There are those
that are the feet.
00:46:57.51\00:47:00.64
They're those that
have a lot of energy
00:47:00.84\00:47:02.86
and can do the groundwork. Yes?
00:47:03.09\00:47:04.90
There are those
that are the hands.
00:47:05.10\00:47:07.34
There are those
that are the ears.
00:47:07.54\00:47:08.72
There are those... and I
think you guys get the point.
00:47:08.93\00:47:10.09
So in every church, just
because there are differences
00:47:10.29\00:47:14.01
doesn't meant that
there has to be disagreements.
00:47:14.21\00:47:19.22
In fact, in business
00:47:19.52\00:47:23.70
there is this new
idea of innovation.
00:47:23.90\00:47:27.26
Being innovative. How do
you get something innovated?
00:47:27.46\00:47:31.03
And what they're basically
saying is when you get two
00:47:31.23\00:47:34.09
completely opposite ideas
00:47:34.29\00:47:36.68
and you merge them together,
that is the most cutting-edge
00:47:36.71\00:47:41.72
innovation. Now I don't
have time to explain this, but
00:47:41.92\00:47:45.98
the idea is that
when you have something
00:47:46.18\00:47:48.94
that has... when you have a
group of people that has so many
00:47:49.14\00:47:52.47
different upbringings
and different cultures
00:47:52.58\00:47:55.34
and different traditions,
that is the most innovative
00:47:55.44\00:47:59.32
group of people
that you can deal with.
00:47:59.52\00:48:01.59
And if you go to the book
of Acts, if this is true...
00:48:03.28\00:48:05.96
which I believe it is...
if you go to the book of Acts
00:48:06.16\00:48:08.33
it makes sense why
Pentecost was so powerful.
00:48:08.53\00:48:11.33
Because Pentecost was
the most innovative thing,
00:48:11.63\00:48:16.18
innovative trade, that God
was able to bring to humanity.
00:48:16.39\00:48:20.10
Now why? Because in Acts
chapter 2 not only do you have
00:48:20.30\00:48:23.38
by the way the
apostles that are also in what?
00:48:23.58\00:48:26.91
"One accord. "
They are in unity.
00:48:27.11\00:48:29.70
And in Acts chapter
2 beginning in verse 9
00:48:29.90\00:48:32.48
we find the
apostle Peter proclaiming
00:48:32.68\00:48:36.38
a very powerful truth to a
very diverse group of people.
00:48:38.23\00:48:42.71
Notice what verse 9
says when you're there:
00:48:42.92\00:48:44.37
"Parthians, and
Medes and Elamites;
00:48:44.57\00:48:48.90
those dwelling in Mesopotamia,
00:48:49.10\00:48:51.38
Judea,
Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
00:48:51.58\00:48:54.56
Phrygia, Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya
00:48:54.76\00:48:57.98
adjoining Cyrene;
visitors from Rome
00:48:58.18\00:49:01.42
both Jews and
proselytes, Cretans and... "
00:49:01.62\00:49:03.98
I think you guys
get the point, right?
00:49:04.08\00:49:05.27
"and Arabs. " What happened
during the Day of Pentecost?
00:49:05.47\00:49:08.24
Who was present?
00:49:08.45\00:49:09.62
Everyone.
00:49:09.82\00:49:11.59
And that's why the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit
00:49:11.79\00:49:13.73
was such an
innovative and powerful thing.
00:49:13.94\00:49:16.01
Because you had every culture
you had different perspectives.
00:49:16.31\00:49:19.18
You had different mindsets.
00:49:19.38\00:49:21.27
You had different
cultures, different upbringings.
00:49:21.47\00:49:23.68
Different styles of food, Amen?
00:49:23.88\00:49:25.55
And diversity is a wonderful
thing, especially when it comes
00:49:25.85\00:49:28.24
to food. Amen? And if
you disagree with that
00:49:28.34\00:49:31.03
I invite you to come
to my church on potlucks
00:49:31.13\00:49:33.52
and you will be amazed at
the innovation that you find
00:49:33.72\00:49:36.41
when you have the burritos
and then right next door
00:49:36.71\00:49:38.71
you have the Filipino food
00:49:38.81\00:49:39.91
and right next door you
have the Jamaican food. Amen?
00:49:40.01\00:49:41.95
I love... That's
innovative, that's exciting.
00:49:42.35\00:49:45.66
The Bible tells us that unity
does not have to be uniformity,
00:49:46.98\00:49:52.06
Amen? Unity can express
itself in a diverse form.
00:49:52.16\00:49:56.29
Just because there are
differences in the church
00:49:56.59\00:49:58.49
doesn't mean that that
church can't be united.
00:49:58.59\00:50:01.59
In fact, the unity in
that church will be more strong
00:50:01.89\00:50:06.37
because it will
be more balanced.
00:50:06.58\00:50:08.03
Because you have so
many different perspectives.
00:50:08.23\00:50:09.88
You have different ages, etc.
00:50:10.08\00:50:12.09
God is preparing a
group of people that come from
00:50:12.19\00:50:15.55
different parts
of the world. Amen?
00:50:15.75\00:50:17.32
That come from
different perspectives.
00:50:17.52\00:50:19.65
And yet God is bringing them
and trying to create a united
00:50:19.95\00:50:24.08
group of people who
in the end will stand
00:50:24.29\00:50:26.51
among those who keep
the commandments of God
00:50:26.71\00:50:28.62
and have the faith of Jesus.
00:50:28.82\00:50:30.33
Run with me to the book of Ezra
00:50:30.53\00:50:32.01
as our time is
coming to a close.
00:50:32.12\00:50:34.27
Ezra. Ezra. Ever read
the book of Ezra before?
00:50:34.57\00:50:38.21
It's a powerful little book.
00:50:38.51\00:50:40.26
Ezra chapter 3. I wish
we had time to unpack Ezra
00:50:40.56\00:50:43.88
and all the situations,
the historical setting.
00:50:44.08\00:50:46.00
Ezra. There was a
crisis in the book of Ezra.
00:50:46.21\00:50:48.58
God's people just
came out of Babylon.
00:50:48.88\00:50:53.27
Cyrus the Mede gave permission
00:50:53.57\00:50:57.52
to the Jews to
go back to Jerusalem
00:50:57.72\00:51:00.13
and to build the
sanctuary that was destroyed.
00:51:00.33\00:51:03.86
And they kept
restoring little by little
00:51:05.55\00:51:07.91
different aspects of
truth and different aspects of
00:51:08.12\00:51:12.88
the message
that they were given.
00:51:13.08\00:51:14.63
And in Ezra chapter 3 how
were they going to do this?
00:51:14.83\00:51:18.10
How were they going to
accomplish the restoration
00:51:18.40\00:51:20.83
of the temple after spending 70
years in Babylonian captivity?
00:51:21.03\00:51:24.92
And by the way,
many of the Hebrews
00:51:25.12\00:51:27.74
who spent 70 years
in Babylonian captivity
00:51:27.94\00:51:31.48
did not leave Babylon...
they stayed there. You know why?
00:51:31.68\00:51:33.96
Because after 70 years
things get kind of what?
00:51:34.26\00:51:37.20
It gets kind of comfortable.
00:51:37.50\00:51:39.99
By the way, there's a parallel
in the book of Revelation
00:51:40.19\00:51:42.40
to come out of Babylon. Amen?
00:51:42.50\00:51:43.82
We don't have time to go there.
00:51:43.92\00:51:45.02
Here you have a call
to come out of Babylon.
00:51:45.22\00:51:48.09
There's a group - a remnant
- that comes out of Babylon
00:51:48.29\00:51:50.80
and they go back to
Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
00:51:51.00\00:51:53.37
And ladies and
gentlemen, there were arguments.
00:51:53.67\00:51:55.74
There were disagreements
about what the temple should...
00:51:55.94\00:51:59.12
should have been like,
etc. Some people wanted it
00:51:59.43\00:52:01.44
this way; other
people wanted it that way.
00:52:01.64\00:52:03.01
But notice what
Ezra chapter 3 tells us.
00:52:03.21\00:52:05.25
God was trying to
develop something powerful
00:52:05.45\00:52:07.41
in Israel in those times.
00:52:07.61\00:52:08.90
Ezra chapter 3
beginning in verse 1.
00:52:09.09\00:52:10.61
When you're there, please say
"Amen. " Amen. The Bible says:
00:52:10.80\00:52:13.23
"And when the seventh
month had come and the children
00:52:13.33\00:52:15.82
of Israel were in the
cities, the people gathered
00:52:15.96\00:52:19.97
together... " How? As one man.
00:52:20.17\00:52:23.31
"as one man
00:52:23.45\00:52:25.58
all the way to Jerusalem. "
00:52:25.88\00:52:28.58
How was it that God
was going to accomplish
00:52:28.71\00:52:31.69
the restoration of worship?
00:52:31.89\00:52:33.30
The restoration
of the Hebrew temple?
00:52:33.33\00:52:35.76
How was He going to do it?
00:52:36.71\00:52:37.84
He was going to
only be able to do this
00:52:38.83\00:52:41.67
by uniting all of His
people and uniting them as...
00:52:41.87\00:52:47.33
"one man. "
00:52:47.73\00:52:49.90
We just read about I
Corinthians chapter 12. Amen?
00:52:50.20\00:52:52.68
The eye. We read about the ears.
00:52:52.88\00:52:55.78
Read about the
hands; read about the feet.
00:52:55.99\00:52:57.85
God was organizing His people.
00:52:58.25\00:53:00.54
They just came out of Babylon;
00:53:00.64\00:53:01.82
they just came
out of inactivity.
00:53:02.03\00:53:04.24
And now God was
wanting to put them to work.
00:53:04.54\00:53:07.53
But the only way He was going
to be able to accomplish this
00:53:07.83\00:53:10.10
if they were as "one
man. " Ladies and gentlemen,
00:53:10.20\00:53:12.85
if we are going to
accomplish the work that God has
00:53:13.05\00:53:15.44
called us to accomplish,
our churches need to become?
00:53:15.54\00:53:19.87
As one man.
00:53:20.17\00:53:21.88
We need to march
to the same beat.
00:53:22.18\00:53:25.48
Amen? Amen. We need to be
under the blood-stained banner
00:53:25.68\00:53:28.94
of Emmanuel. We need to be
in exceedingly great harmony.
00:53:29.04\00:53:31.90
Army, in harmony, ready for war
00:53:32.10\00:53:34.44
and ready to march when
General Jesus tells us to do so.
00:53:34.64\00:53:38.23
Maybe today you represent
a church that is divided.
00:53:38.53\00:53:40.94
There's all manner of bickering.
00:53:41.35\00:53:43.43
There's all manner of
gossip; there's negativity.
00:53:43.63\00:53:45.88
There's bad
attitudes in the church.
00:53:46.09\00:53:47.68
This is not an
easy thing to deal with.
00:53:49.92\00:53:51.52
Well there's hope and there's
good news for you this morning
00:53:51.72\00:53:54.17
because the same disunity
that exists in your church
00:53:54.67\00:53:58.46
is the same disunity that
existed among the disciples
00:53:58.56\00:54:02.17
in the upper room. But
somebody... somebody...
00:54:02.47\00:54:05.95
decided to take initiative.
00:54:06.15\00:54:09.01
Somebody decided to say:
"You know what? I'm not going to
00:54:09.21\00:54:11.56
bicker and fight
like the rest of them are.
00:54:11.66\00:54:13.65
I'm not going to point fingers
like the rest of them are.
00:54:13.85\00:54:17.07
I'm not going to try
to defend my position like
00:54:17.27\00:54:20.27
the rest of them are. I
am simply going to serve. "
00:54:20.37\00:54:24.82
Jesus got up from the table
00:54:25.12\00:54:27.13
and He began to
wash the disciples' feet.
00:54:27.33\00:54:29.74
And that is the glue that
kept the 12 disciples together.
00:54:29.94\00:54:34.50
And because of that
example they were able to go
00:54:34.70\00:54:37.79
into the far places of
the world bringing the gospel.
00:54:37.99\00:54:40.71
And even though there
were differences amongst the
00:54:41.01\00:54:42.79
12 disciples, ladies and
gentlemen, they were united
00:54:42.89\00:54:45.09
under the love of God. Amen!
00:54:45.29\00:54:47.36
Because the Godhead is
united in humility and love
00:54:47.56\00:54:52.65
they began to exemplify
that same unity as well.
00:54:52.68\00:54:56.08
And in the Day of
Pentecost in Acts chapter 1
00:54:56.39\00:54:58.70
we see the paramount
picture of God's people
00:54:58.90\00:55:02.64
united in one accord,
esteeming each other better than
00:55:02.84\00:55:05.92
themselves. And I
believe that this is a type
00:55:06.02\00:55:09.45
of the end time.
And God is wanting you
00:55:09.65\00:55:13.94
maybe to take the
initiative in your church.
00:55:14.14\00:55:16.94
Maybe you are the
one that God is calling
00:55:17.14\00:55:20.28
to not point fingers
like the rest of them. Amen?
00:55:20.48\00:55:23.99
Not be negative
like the rest of them.
00:55:24.29\00:55:26.66
Maybe God is
asking you to serve.
00:55:26.96\00:55:30.48
Maybe God is asking
you to take initiative
00:55:31.54\00:55:35.72
and to bring unity
where there is disunity.
00:55:35.92\00:55:38.45
And ladies and
gentlemen, the greatest remedy
00:55:38.76\00:55:41.56
for a divided church
is what I like to call
00:55:41.76\00:55:45.33
vitamin E... evangelism.
00:55:46.54\00:55:51.72
Amen? Amen. If you have
a church that is divided,
00:55:52.02\00:55:55.33
evangelism is the medicine...
evangelism is the remedy.
00:55:55.53\00:56:00.65
Why? Because the
essence of evangelism...
00:56:00.85\00:56:03.56
When you're
involved in evangelism
00:56:03.77\00:56:05.16
whom are you not
thinking about? Yourself.
00:56:05.37\00:56:08.03
You're not
thinking about yourself.
00:56:08.17\00:56:09.18
Who are you thinking about?
Somebody else. Somebody else.
00:56:09.38\00:56:12.01
And when the church develops
the culture of evangelism
00:56:12.31\00:56:15.13
you know what
they're going to develop?
00:56:15.33\00:56:16.42
They're going to develop
the culture of not thinking
00:56:16.62\00:56:18.35
about themselves. And
when you have a church
00:56:18.45\00:56:20.79
that doesn't
think about themselves
00:56:20.89\00:56:22.46
they're constantly
thinking about others.
00:56:22.56\00:56:24.11
How can we help this brother?
How can we help this sister?
00:56:24.31\00:56:26.41
Board meetings are going
to become so much sweeter.
00:56:26.71\00:56:28.45
Amen? Issues in the church
are going to be so much easier
00:56:28.65\00:56:32.71
to resolve. And I
believe when the love of Jesus
00:56:32.91\00:56:36.40
permeates each
and every one of us
00:56:36.61\00:56:38.16
that's when we come
together we're going to
00:56:38.36\00:56:41.11
experience the greatest
and the most wonderful taste
00:56:41.21\00:56:45.12
of heaven. Jesus said:
"By this shall all men know
00:56:45.42\00:56:50.15
that you are My disciples:
00:56:50.25\00:56:52.02
if you have love
for one another. "
00:56:52.23\00:56:55.41
And that type of love
is which kind of love?
00:56:55.71\00:56:58.14
The same love that exists
in the core, in the nucleus
00:56:58.34\00:57:02.99
of that beautiful
triangle of God the Father,
00:57:03.10\00:57:06.48
God the Son,
God the Holy Spirit.
00:57:06.68\00:57:08.88
God the Father, God the
Son, God the Holy Spirit.
00:57:08.98\00:57:10.85
The essence of that kind
of love is a selfless love.
00:57:10.88\00:57:13.45
It's a love that esteems
others better than themselves.
00:57:13.65\00:57:16.95
How many of you today would
like to say: "Jesus, forgive me
00:57:17.15\00:57:19.13
for not being a
positive influence in my church?
00:57:19.34\00:57:22.15
And help me to bring unity,
00:57:22.35\00:57:24.40
and to bring love
and to bring peace. "
00:57:24.66\00:57:26.30
How many of you
want to say that?
00:57:26.40\00:57:27.46
Amen. Let us pray together.
00:57:27.57\00:57:29.04