Participants: Pr. Ted Wilson
Series Code: 12ASIC
Program Code: 12ASIC000013
|
00:20 There are things that are heard all over as Connor just said,
00:23 but one place that we recently went to 00:27 was Las Vegas, Nevada. 00:29 And many of you know about 00:31 what we did in Las Vegas, 00:32 it was a combination of-- 00:34 It is Written ASI in the Nevada-Utah Conference 00:38 because if you can do lot, 00:39 if you could do evangelism in Las Vegas, 00:41 you can what? You could do it anywhere. 00:45 And so we had a wonderful time, 00:47 a ministry that actually was formed back in the fall-- 00:51 The project was formed back in the fall of 2008. 00:54 And, John, tell us what happened in May 00:56 of last year and January of this year. 00:58 May of last year, we started 00:59 a short series called Babylon Rising, 01:01 a four part series 01:03 that was a seed-sowing series to revelation today. 01:05 And then earlier this year we began Revelation Today, 01:08 the month long Bible prophecy series. 01:11 What was interesting about this is 01:12 it was a three way cooperative venture. 01:15 Elder Larry Unterseher from the Nevada-Utah Conference, 01:18 the president of the Nevada-Utah Conference 01:21 is present but only in text message form, 01:23 here's what he's sent me just a little bit earlier. 01:26 The Revelation Today meetings drew all our members 01:28 from all walks of life together with one common cause 01:32 sharing Jesus with hurting lost people in Las Vegas. 01:38 We still have over 200 active Bible studies 01:41 generated by It is Written, 01:43 and the activities leading up to the meetings 01:45 that's in spite of the fact that they've been 01:47 somewhere in the area of 175 baptisms so far. 01:50 We are so grateful that It is Written, 01:52 Steps to Christ, a project Steps to Christ 01:55 and ASI facilitated the distribution 01:58 of Steps to Christ to every household in Las Vegas. 02:02 We still receive over a 100 Bible study leads 02:04 per month from It is Written. 02:06 We could use more Bible workers! 02:10 We'll never know the total impact 02:12 of the Revelation Today meetings. 02:13 And what so interesting about this one 02:16 not only was It is Written there 02:17 and we were thrilled to be there, 02:19 we had wonderful cooperation 02:21 and support from the Nevada-Utah Conference 02:23 but, Terry, what was different about this 02:25 is that ASI was involved with a dozen or more ASI ministries 02:32 participating in this event which made it unique. 02:34 You know, John, it was unique 02:35 because this is the first time that I know of 02:38 and other people I have talked to that 02:39 so many ministries came together to work on one project. 02:44 And, Leasa, you were part of that. 02:46 I was, I actually represented ASI 02:49 and Eden Valley Institute. 02:51 And as an ASI representative, 02:53 you heard about the DVD training program this morning? 02:56 It's not just done overseas, 02:58 it's done right here in North America 03:00 and we took a team of ASI people 03:05 and we went to Las Vegas 03:06 and we did an ASI DVD training 03:08 where people, the church members 03:10 can take the material that they receive 03:12 and they could hold a whole evangelistic meetings 03:15 in their home as part of the pre work. 03:18 And then as Eden Valley Lifestyle Center Institute, 03:22 the Eden Valley Institute's Lifestyle Center, 03:26 we took a health team to Las Vegas 03:28 and we did a health outreach 03:30 training program for the church members. 03:32 And so it was really exciting actually to see 03:35 how ASI and It is Written and the conference church, 03:41 we can join together 03:42 and our Pastor Wilson read a statement 03:45 either this morning or yesterday that 03:47 when that happens, this church will-- 03:50 the work will be finished in the church 03:52 and we can all go home. 03:53 So it was exciting to see that happening. 03:56 Oh, we said it was, 03:57 and to see all the ministries working together was fabulous, 04:02 especially the health message that you brought 04:04 in the combination of the evangelistic work 04:07 and the gospel. 04:08 You know, when we did, we did a health expo there 04:11 and we didn't think that it was very well attended, 04:15 maybe it wasn't very successful 04:17 but about two months later, 04:19 we heard from a person that had come through, 04:22 it was actually a training session 04:23 for the church members, and they said that 04:25 they were so excited about that program 04:28 that they took it to their church. 04:30 And their church is going to do a form of a health outreach 04:33 like every single semester 04:35 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 04:40 Thank you, Leasa. 04:42 John, tell us what else has happened since that time? 04:46 Well, I'd like to tell you that 04:48 there is power in the word of God 04:50 and I need to hear, say amen. Amen. 04:52 See, ladies and gentlemen, when we share the Word of God, 04:55 the Spirit of God does something great. 04:58 God's Word won't come back to in void, 05:01 isn't that right? 05:02 I think that's what the Bible says 05:04 and so I want to, you know, 05:05 I'm gonna tell you about eight stories or seven stories 05:08 or six stories pretty quickly 05:09 and I wish I could show you a documentary on each one 05:12 because when you have a young mother 05:15 with a young son coming and talk with you 05:18 and weep, really cry and say, "I'm a Christian. 05:22 My husband is not, I'm praying 05:25 he'll give his life to Jesus in this meeting." 05:28 And then she comes back the next day weeping again, 05:32 now they're tears of joy. 05:33 She says, last night, 05:34 I've looked down on my husband's cot 05:35 and he checked to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior 05:38 and then she says but now, I wish that 05:40 he would be baptized 05:42 and by the time the meeting was over, 05:45 both the mother who'd been 05:46 attending a difference church altogether 05:48 and the husband were baptized, 05:49 their family was united 05:51 and united together with Jesus Christ. 05:53 It's powerful. 05:54 A lady came to me first day, 05:55 I must tell you, I was little nervous really. 05:57 She said, oh, I watch 05:59 It is Written every weekend I have for years. 06:01 What a thrill to meet you. Oh, I'm so glad. 06:03 I watch It is Written every weekend, 06:04 and I thought, you know, George Vandeman 06:05 began this ministry so that people who saw 06:08 It is Written on TV 06:09 would come to these meetings to be baptized. 06:11 Lord, we pray, this lady must be baptized, 06:14 halfway through the meeting, she said I don't know 06:16 what I'm gonna do about my husband, 06:17 his mother drilled it into him when he was young, 06:19 never to have anything to do with any other church. 06:21 Now I've learned so much, I'm on board 06:23 but what about my husband, 06:24 he won't even come to these meetings, 06:26 I'm so here attending with a man, 06:27 a man I've never seen about three days later, 06:29 I hope for the best, it was the best, 06:31 it was her husband. 06:34 And then I saw her and that man 06:35 walk together into a swimming pool 06:37 to be baptized at the end of Revelation Today. 06:40 God added to the church and God grew the church. 06:43 A couple came from Wisconsin, 06:45 he'd been offered a job in Las Vegas. 06:47 I said, oh, the good thing is 06:48 we can go and play, we like to gamble. 06:50 What they didn't gamble on was one of the new co-workers 06:53 giving them an invitation to Revelation Today. 06:56 And now they said just the other day 06:57 to new pastor they said, oh, he were on Las Vegas, 07:00 we thought we'd have plenty to do with all of the casinos 07:03 but we got nothing to do anymore 07:05 'cause we were baptized. 07:06 You understand what she was saying, 07:08 jokingly we came to play 07:10 and the Lord changed our lives entirely. 07:13 This was fun. 07:15 Eight or so years ago, there was an 07:19 It is Written evangelistic series 07:21 held in north of Seattle in Washington State, 07:23 Dan Bentzinger was an 07:24 It is Written evangelist at the time 07:25 and held that series of meetings 07:27 and a man was baptized. 07:28 He immediately started witnessing to his dad. 07:30 Dad, I want to share with you what I've learned. 07:33 Dad, I want to encourage you to go to church where you live. 07:36 Dad, this is the best thing since slice bread. 07:39 Dad never took the bait until 07:42 the son called his dad and said, dad, 07:45 It is Written is bringing Revelation Today 07:48 to your hometown in Las Vegas, 07:50 you got to go. This was interesting. 07:52 I found this out late that this man was coming 07:54 of course was twice a day, he was coming in the morning 07:57 and most of the time in the evening as well. 07:59 So 10 years apart, the son and the dad 08:03 were both baptized in 08:04 It is Written evangelistic series 08:05 and this wouldn't have happened 08:07 if it wasn't for the cooperation between 08:09 It is Written, ASI, the Nevada-Utah Conference 08:13 and then God's people doing what God's people can do. 08:15 I already shared this story on Thursday morning, 08:17 so I'll give you the real spit up version. 08:19 A couple have followed a lead, 08:22 they couldn't find the man at home, 08:23 they brought the lead back, and now the couple said, 08:26 well, we'll go and find this man. 08:28 They found a way into the gated community. 08:30 They knocked on his door, he wasn't home. 08:32 They tried it a second time, a third time, 08:34 a fourth time, the seventh time, 08:37 they went to the man's house. 08:39 Would you have gone back seven times? 08:42 Don't ask me that question later 08:43 because I know what I'd tell you. 08:45 They went back seven times and after the seventh visit, 08:49 they found him at home. 08:51 They dropped Bible studies off, 08:52 after the fourth Bible study visit, 08:55 he said would you come inside, 08:56 I got some questions to ask you. 08:59 You know, when I came to town, 09:00 he only had one question to ask me. 09:02 He said should I be re-baptized 09:05 or should I join this church on profession of faith. 09:08 All I could say was hallelujah. 09:10 He said the Lord kept me alive, 09:11 I know why God has spared my life. 09:14 He has kept me alive this long 09:15 so that I could learn His truth, 09:17 isn't that wonderful? 09:19 An additional 200 people in the area 09:21 in Las Vegas are studying right now. 09:24 I was so thrilled 09:26 to have someone approach me at a camp meeting 09:29 and they said, you know, we went and told our pastor, 09:31 little church in California, we told our pastor 09:33 we want to do Revelation Today in our church. 09:35 And the pastor said it will never work. 09:39 God loves to hear people say that. 09:42 It will never work. 09:43 They said well, if it won't work, let us try. 09:45 He said go through your life, 09:48 this little church is rejoicing, 09:49 they had somewhere between, 09:50 I forgot the number, it was somewhere between 09:52 6 and 12 baptisms at the end of the meeting 09:54 that the pastor said would never work 09:56 and they haven't baptized that many people 09:57 and they can't remember how long, 10:00 just because when you share the Word of God 10:03 something great happens. 10:04 And I was at the southern New England Conference 10:06 camp meeting and then someone came to me 10:08 and said, you must have lunch with us. 10:11 I mean the answer is always yes when somebody says that. 10:13 But they said you must have lunch with us 10:15 because we help Revelation Today, 10:16 we've got a whole lot of new church members 10:18 and they want to meet you and so on. 10:20 You know friends I just want to encourage you, 10:23 God is reaching people 10:24 and through ASI working together with the conference 10:26 and that It is Written, God did great things. 10:28 I do want to interrupt. 10:29 You got to tell the quick story about the lady 10:31 who came to Los Vegas on vacation, 10:32 who had the restaurant? 10:34 Oh man, she was in Las Vegas on vacation, 10:37 she had a restaurant. 10:42 Somewhere else, she saw the advertising. 10:45 She said, well, I'm not a Christian 10:47 but may be I ought to think about something like this. 10:50 She went home, she checked the website out. 10:52 She said, I'm going to show this 10:55 in my restaurant in the evenings. 10:58 Now that I was told that the lady was, 11:01 you know, she wasn't a member of the choir, 11:04 let's just put it that way 11:05 but somewhere she felt the need in her heart. 11:10 She started making changes to the restaurant menu. 11:13 She decided to close the restaurants, 11:15 the restaurant on Saturdays. 11:17 She was involved in... 11:19 how we say, an alternative lifestyle 11:22 and she took measures to clean up 11:24 the aspect of her life 11:25 because she felt like God had spoken to her. 11:27 We didn't talk about any of that and so-- 11:31 simply by miracle of all mighty God 11:33 this was shown night after night after night after night 11:36 in a restaurant not a Christian restaurant, 11:39 not the usual way and even via 11:42 that means in a unexpected way 11:44 God touched hearts and God materially changed lives 11:48 and we say, praise the Lord. 11:51 Thank you so much, John 11:52 for what It is Written did with ASI. 11:55 Thank you, Leasa. Thanks, God bless you. 11:57 Praise God, You know great things happen 12:02 and I want to just take a few seconds here to talk about 12:04 what went on yesterday afternoon. 12:07 A group of us, we put it in the program 12:11 a group of us about 20 to 30 went out 12:14 and handed out the Great Controversy 12:15 between about one and four in the afternoon 12:18 and in that period of time we handed out about 12:20 900 Great Controversies here in the Cincinnati area. 12:24 And I'll tell you there was already 12:26 stories that came from that. 12:27 Very quickly the first one 12:30 I talk to a couple, they were a little, 12:35 they have been doing some extracurricular activities 12:38 but they said they asked me what the book about? 12:40 And I said, well, it's about 12:42 where this earth is headed and the soon coming of Jesus. 12:44 And they said, oh! We will take and read that 12:47 and then the woman turned to the gentleman 12:51 and said, we got to get another one for our friend. 12:53 So they took another book for their friend. 12:56 So here they were, they weren't not quite 12:58 in the state to understand that book 12:59 but they took the book. 13:01 Another group, a construction workers 13:03 that was kind at the end of the day, 13:06 they came, they were working 13:07 and I walked up told them the same thing about the book. 13:10 They were drinking their beer, 13:12 two of them took the book. 13:13 They said we will read it, so you pray for those books 13:16 because the power of the Great Controversy 13:19 can change lives. 13:20 We've seen that over and over in our church. 13:22 And I encourage you and next year 13:25 make that part of your ministry, 13:27 giving the Great Controversy. 13:36 One of the largest evangelistic outreaches 13:40 in the history of North America 13:43 will take place in New York City 13:46 in the late summer and early fall of next year. 13:51 NY'13 is going to be an exciting event 13:55 that will reach into the burrows of New York 13:58 into Connecticut into the various states 14:01 around New York. 14:03 It is an exciting adventure 14:05 that is being under taken by the world church, 14:07 the North American division 14:09 by two unions and five conferences 14:12 in the North American division. 14:13 You have on your chair today 14:16 a little fast fax brochure 14:19 that identifies a number of exciting things. 14:21 Not only does it identify the reality of what is coming 14:26 but it says to you and gives you an invitation 14:29 that there are a number of things 14:31 that you can be involved in. 14:33 Number one you can be 14:35 one of the more than 5,000 individuals 14:39 who will become prayer warriors for NY'13. 14:43 You can give Bible studies. 14:45 You can distribute literature. 14:47 One of the things that we are encouraging 14:49 every one to do is this. 14:51 If you are interesting or interested, 14:54 I hope you are interesting, 14:55 but if you are interested in NY'13, 14:59 we want to encourage you to become involved, 15:02 but if you have a program or something you wish to offer, 15:05 we want to invite you to go to the website. 15:08 It's a simple website, it is www.ny13.org 15:15 and register your particular program 15:17 or what it is that you would like to do. 15:20 Other interesting facts are these. 15:23 On September 21 and 22 in the city of New York, 15:27 there is going to be a huge prayer rally in that city, 15:30 it's going to be uplink to the whole city of New York 15:34 and it will be broadcast live on Hope Channel. 15:39 Now, what I want to ask you all to do 15:41 and encourage you all to do is to begin even now 15:44 to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 15:47 that God will be able to work through men and woman 15:50 like you and me to reach into that city 15:54 and find those who are ready to meet Jesus 15:58 and to be members of his kingdom. 16:00 God bless you, let's all pray for NY'13. 16:04 Thank you very much. 16:32 The greatest 16:35 want of the world 16:41 is the want of men 16:49 The greatest want of the world 16:55 is the want of men 17:11 Men, 17:14 men who will not be bought or sold 17:21 Men, 17:24 men who in their inmost souls 17:31 are true and honest 17:40 Men, men who do not fear 17:47 Who do not fear to call sin 17:53 by its right name 18:01 Men whose conscience is as true to duty 18:08 As true to duty as the needle to the pole 18:14 As true as the needle to the pole 18:31 Men who will stand for right 18:36 Though the heavens fall 18:42 Men who will stand for right 18:47 Though the heavens fall 18:55 Men who will stand for right 19:01 Who stand for right 19:04 Though the heavens fall 19:10 Though the heavens fall 19:26 The greatest want 19:31 of the world 19:35 is the want of men 19:38 Is the want of men 20:00 I want to personally thank in the spirit 20:03 for that marvelous rendition 20:06 of what the Spirit of Prophecy has written 20:08 on page 57 of the book education. 20:12 What a wonderful challenge to each of us, 20:14 the greatest want of the world is the want of each of us, 20:19 who will stand for truth 20:22 and I'm going to talk about that tonight. 20:26 And praise God that the Lord has led in spirit 20:30 to speak and to actually sing 20:33 and to speak to our hearts about that. 20:36 I'm just delighted to have been 20:39 able to be present at the ASI Convention, 20:42 on behalf of the General Conference 20:44 and the world field, I want to thank ASI, 20:48 for all that it has done 20:50 for many years and is doing today. 20:53 The projects that have been funded 20:55 just today by your generosity are absolutely incredible. 21:01 Also I'm delighted that 21:04 people have been able to go to the booths 21:06 to be able to see what ministries 21:08 are being accomplished and it amazes me, 21:12 how the Holy Spirit speaks to people, 21:16 encourages them in their own ways 21:18 to use their own gifts 21:19 and then to be able to go out 21:21 and actually be sustained 21:24 by God's people in every way possible, 21:27 some very modestly and others in a grander way. 21:32 This is the moving 21:34 of the Holy Spirit upon God's people. 21:38 I'm also delighted that 21:40 we have seen such an emphasis 21:42 in this afternoon's program on the great cities. 21:48 As many of you know the General Conference 21:50 has called the attention to the world field 21:54 regarding the great cities. 21:57 Over 50% of the world's population 21:59 now lives in those urban areas. 22:03 It is our responsibility 22:05 to take this precious advent message, 22:08 the Three Angels' Messages to those metropolitan areas. 22:13 We need to follow this Spirit of Prophecy council. 22:17 We need to allow the biblical principles 22:20 of being able to reach people to be shown. 22:26 Luke 19:41 says that 22:32 "When he drew near he saw the city, 22:34 that was Jerusalem 22:35 and instead of being overjoyed 22:38 it says he wept." 22:41 My question to you at this point, 22:43 this evening as you have listened to these reports. 22:47 As you have seen what God is doing 22:49 in many places, not only in this country 22:51 but around the world in the large cities, 22:54 are you willing to weep with Jesus 22:56 for the people of the cities? 22:59 Are you willing to do something 23:03 for God's great last final cry to this world? 23:09 In the Spirit of Prophecy, 23:11 we read in that magnificent book 23:14 which is a favorite of mine "Medical Ministry" 23:18 page 304. 23:21 When the cities are worked as God would have them, 23:24 the result will be the setting in operation 23:27 of a mighty movement 23:29 such as we have not yet witnessed. 23:32 Brothers and sisters, we have not yet witnessed 23:35 that mighty movement. 23:36 There are many people and I even see one brother 23:40 seated over in this section over here 23:42 who had spent a lot of time in New York City. 23:45 A lot of people who have spent time in various cities 23:48 and God has blessed in a magnificent way 23:51 but we have not yet seen that mighty movement. 23:55 By God's grace we want to see it happen. 23:58 Thank you ASI for featuring the cities of the world 24:04 and thank you for the emphasis on NY'13. 24:10 Little less than a year from now 24:13 that program will kick into gear 24:16 in a dynamic way and last over many months, 24:20 for our comprehensive urban evangelism approach 24:23 is not simply to be an event oriented situation. 24:27 But it is a process it is defiantly a way of life, 24:32 a life style to bring the Adventist message 24:35 to the people of the cities 24:37 but it will have at times public activity. 24:44 Little less than a year from now in June, 24:47 I along with many others intend to spend three weeks 24:51 at least in New York City 24:53 and to preach from multiple sites. 24:57 In fact Don King, 24:59 the President of the Atlantic Union 25:01 and the chair of the coordinating committee 25:03 is hoping for at least 300 plus sites 25:07 in the metropolitan New York area. 25:10 I want you to pray for NY'13 25:13 and for some of you who are interested 25:15 more in trying to find out, you can certainly 25:18 get one of these fact cards in the exhibition area. 25:23 You can go on to www.ny13.org 25:29 and find out more. 25:31 As Elder Jackson has indicated, 25:33 we will be having a prayer rally 25:35 next month in New York City 25:38 and I plan to be there. 25:39 But, in June I plan to preach 25:42 the precious message of God 25:45 soon return to the people of New York 25:48 along with many others. 25:50 In fact I'm going to have the privilege of preaching it 25:52 in the very church on a 11th street 25:56 in Greenwich Village where God allowed me 25:59 to start my ministry in New York. 26:03 I want you to pray for me 26:04 and for so many others as we reach every soul 26:10 through the power of the Holy Spirit 26:13 in these great cities of the world. 26:20 Mission to the cities 26:23 goes along with revival and reformation. 26:27 And if we are not revived, 26:29 we cannot impart this precious message. 26:33 We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, all of us. 26:38 Regardless of what opinions we hold on various subjects, 26:42 we need to humble ourselves 26:45 before each other and the Lord. 26:50 In fact I want to share with you 26:53 an incredible quotation from Spirit of Prophecy, 27:00 Selected Messages book 2, page 397. 27:04 I am instructed to say to Seventh-day Adventists 27:07 the world over including Cincinnati and each of us here, 27:12 God has called us as a people to be 27:14 a peculiar treasure unto Himself. 27:16 He has appointed that His church on earth 27:18 shall stand perfectly united. 27:25 That's what God wants 27:27 and I want to tell you 27:29 that is what is going to happen. Amen. 27:32 Perfectly united in the spirit and counsel. 27:39 You see, you can't just have the spirit, 27:41 you got to have God's word. 27:44 You got to have the Spirit of Prophecy 27:47 in order to be united. 27:50 Perfectly united in the spirit 27:51 and counsel of the Lord of hosts to the end of time. 27:58 You are going to see a great emphasis 27:59 in the next few months from the General Conference 28:02 and throughout the world on medical missionary work. 28:05 The right arm that helps the gospel to move forward. 28:09 A blended ministry, 28:11 a reemphasis on the need to pull together 28:15 and to follow God's counsel. 28:20 I'm so delighted with the way 28:23 that the Great Controversy project 28:25 is evolving around the world. 28:27 And North America, those of you who live here, 28:30 you are now beginning to hear more information 28:34 and there are goals of trying to distribute 28:38 upwards of five million copies of the Great Hope 28:42 which is a condensed version, 28:46 excuse me, of the Great Controversy. 28:50 My great prayer goal 28:53 and I want to challenge you to night 28:55 here in North America, 28:57 those who are watching on television, 28:59 those who are here in this auditorium, 29:01 there is no reason why North America 29:04 and its strength and its members 29:06 cannot distribute 50 million copies of that book. 29:12 At 39 cents a copy, we could distribute five million 29:17 just out of this group here. 29:22 I want to tell you that as we listen to those 29:26 who are preaching God's word 29:28 and what a precious sermon 29:29 we heard from Pastor Boonstra today 29:32 about getting to our mission, 29:34 about trying to save the last soul. 29:38 I want to tell you my heart is thrilled. 29:41 I'm of good courage tonight, 29:43 God's church is moving ahead. 29:47 And as we participate in all things here at ASI 29:51 I just marvel, this morning 29:52 I had opportunity to touch base about 29:56 the exciting New Beginnings project. 29:59 Then I was able to talk with the early teens 30:02 and with the youth and then back here again to talk 30:05 on the one day church and all of those kinds of things. 30:09 All of the projects that are involved here help us to know 30:13 we are coming to the end of time. 30:16 Do you believe its time to do our father's business? 30:24 Believe versus unbelief. 30:29 Do you really believe it? 30:30 I want to tell you that this is God's advent movement, 30:34 this is His remnant church, this is His Three Angels' Messages, 30:40 the sanctuary message is His message. 30:43 His final warnings to the world 30:45 are the message we are to proclaim. 30:47 We are a people of promise to share the straight message 30:52 to the world of Christ's precious love 30:56 and His soon coming but to hold people to know the word of God 31:03 and what the message says, the straight message. 31:08 Do we believe it? 31:10 It's time to be about our father's business. 31:15 You know, when you reflect 31:16 on the children of Israel and how they had so many signs 31:21 that told them that they were being lead by God. 31:25 Repeatedly God gave them all kinds of physical signs, 31:29 everything from the cloud and the pillar of fire, 31:35 all the way to manna to demonstrations of water and food 31:40 and preserving them in the wilderness 31:42 and yet they doubted all along the way. 31:46 Is that not an indication for those of us in the last days 31:49 as spiritual Israel to understand that the devil 31:53 will try to bring in every possible deception, 31:56 every possible form of unbelief, so that you will not be able 32:01 to believe even your very eyes except that you know this word. 32:05 Amen. Do you believe? 32:12 You know, it is time. 32:17 It is time for the Elijah message. 32:22 It is time to stand up and speak the truth in love 32:27 but to speak the truth. 32:31 Jesus is coming soon. 32:36 You know that wonderful story that's familiar to all of you. 32:39 I want to touch on for the next 15 minutes or so. 32:43 And I want to make an appeal to you at the end, 32:48 to ask if you really do believe if its time. 32:54 That marvelous story about Elijah, 32:58 the very humble individual. 33:02 Elijah, the Tishbite, the reformer, 33:08 the simple man, the straightforward person, 33:12 who had a burden for Israel. 33:17 That man prayed to God to change the course of Israel. 33:24 I want to challenge every single one of you, prayer is powerful. 33:30 God can do incredible things as you pray to Him 33:34 to change the course of whatever is facing you or the church. 33:42 Never minimize the power of prayer. 33:46 I can't tell you how many people have come up 33:48 to me at this very meeting and have told me 33:53 I'm praying for you, I'm praying for you, 33:56 I'm praying for God's church. 33:59 No matter what we go through brothers and sisters, 34:01 no matter what we face, no matter what meetings 34:03 we have to go to, no matter where we have to stand 34:07 for truth, I want to tell you, 34:09 God will see this church through. 34:14 Prayer is a powerful enemy 34:18 to the devil's incredible plans. 34:23 Prayer is the victory that God can give to us. 34:27 Well, Elijah prayed that prayer, 34:30 Elijah was given a message for Ahab, 34:33 we read in 1 Kings 16, "That Ahab 34:40 did more to provoke the Lord, God of Israel to anger 34:43 than all the kings of Israel who were before him." 34:47 Well, Ahab was an extremely wcked person, 34:50 but the day Elijah walked to some area into the palace 34:54 he passed by the guards, he gave no apology 34:57 because he was on a mission. 34:58 It's about time brothers and sisters 35:01 to be on our father's business. 35:05 He made no apology, he came, he gave his message, 35:07 Chapter 17 "As the Lord God of Israel lives, 35:11 before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain 35:14 these years, except at my word." 35:17 And then he disappeared, the guards couldn't stop him. 35:20 Nothing could hold them because he was on God's mission. 35:25 Well, people heard about the prophecy, 35:29 the way they do today you know. 35:32 They make fun of God's church. 35:36 There are lot of skeptics. 35:38 There are lot of cynical people. 35:41 Ah, What's Elijah know, 35:44 so is rained, it's going to rain. 35:47 They ridiculed what Elijah had to say. 35:50 I want to tell you as you preach the Elijah message today, 35:54 you will be ridiculed. 35:58 Be prepared for it. 36:00 And thank God and claim Mathew 5 36:04 that if you suffer in the name of the Lord, 36:07 the Lord will bless you. 36:09 Don't be afraid. 36:12 Well, soon the vegetation began to wither. 36:16 Now the priests of Baal had insisted that Baal gave the rain 36:20 and so they continued to worship and offer their sacrifices. 36:24 One year no rain, the fields were like deserts. 36:28 The groves where the idols were leafless, 36:31 the forests were like skeletons. 36:33 Dust storms came, hunger and thrust everywhere 36:37 and Jezebel denounces Elijah as the source of the problem. 36:44 Now, here is an interesting point. 36:46 Many times when you are standing for truth, 36:49 those who receive the truth denounce you as the problem. 36:56 And so Elijah said, if we put him out of the way, 36:59 all our troubles will be over. 37:02 They searched for Elijah but he couldn't be found, 37:06 because God had protected Elijah at a brook, 37:10 He fed him by the raisin, the ravens 37:12 and when the brook dried up, He took him to a very special 37:15 place another family that was about to give up 37:19 and God performed an incredible miracle 37:22 there which we don't have time tonight to go into. 37:27 But Jezebel was so furious, she killed all of God's prophets. 37:33 The drought and famine continued throughout the lands. 37:37 Parents watch their children die, 37:41 Israel still held to its pagan ways. 37:46 Years of neglect of God 37:50 were seen in the land. 37:54 They needed To turn to God. 37:57 We need to turn to God as we prepare 38:00 for the last days of earth's history. 38:05 Well finally God told Elijah to go to Ahab 38:10 and in verse 8 verses 1 of chapter 18 it says 38:14 "And it came to pass after many days, 38:16 that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, 38:19 saying, go present yourself to Ahab 38:21 and I will send rain on the earth." 38:25 And so Elijah went to present himself to Ahab 38:27 and there was a severe famine in Samaria and Ahab 38:30 had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. 38:34 Now Obadiah feared the Lord, Elijah met Obadiah 38:41 and he says go tell your master, Elijah is here. 38:45 And Obadiah of course was terrified because 38:47 he knew that they have been searching for Elijah everywhere, 38:51 he was afraid for his life but Elijah said go you will not die. 38:57 It's time to be about our father's business. 39:02 Don't be afraid to obey the voice of God, 39:08 and so finally the meeting was set up. 39:11 Obadiah went to meet Ahab and finally 39:16 there they are face to face. 39:20 Ahab a proud king and Elijah 39:26 a humble servant. 39:30 And Ahab asks the most interesting question. 39:34 Verse 17. It's a question that 39:38 if you stand for God's truth, people will ask you. 39:45 Is that you, O troubler of Israel? 39:51 Are you the one who is troubling Israel Elijah? 39:57 Be prepared when you go forward 40:03 in doing God's business. 40:07 Its pretty strange question. 40:11 God had tried to turn Israel around. 40:13 Ahab knew he was doing wrong, 40:17 but Ahab tried to justify himself. 40:20 Listen to what Prophets and Kings, 40:24 page 139 says "It is natural 40:27 for the wrongdoer to hold the messengers of God 40:30 responsible for the calamities that come as the sure result 40:34 of a departure from the way of righteousness. 40:39 Those who place themselves in Satan's power 40:43 are unable to see things as God sees them. 40:46 When the mirror of truth is held before them, 40:50 they become indignant 40:53 of the thought of receiving reproof." 40:58 Well, what about you and what about me? 41:02 Are we ready to receive God reproof in our own lives, 41:08 as we go forward in God's business? It is time. 41:14 Another beautiful quotation from that same book page 140. 41:18 Today there is need of the voice of strong rebuke. 41:22 I want to say this with wonderful love and kindness 41:24 because every time we say something that is truth, 41:28 it ought to be couched in the love of Christ. 41:32 And yet it says, "Today there is need 41:34 of the voice of strong rebuke, 41:36 for grievous sins have separated the people from God. 41:39 Infidelity is fast becoming fashionable." 41:44 Now, can you imagine when those words 41:46 were written what she would say today? 41:49 Political correctness is the theme 41:52 of the day, fashionable. 41:55 I'm quoting now, "The smooth sermons 41:59 so often preached make no lasting impression, 42:04 the trumpet does not give a certain sound." 42:08 What we rebuke to each of us? 42:10 Are you ready? 42:12 Is it time to go about our father's business, quoting, 42:18 "Men are not cut to the heart 42:21 by the plain sharp truths of God's word." 42:26 Are you and I willing, are we willing to humble ourselves 42:32 and to accept God's changes for our lives. 42:36 Well, Elijah showed great courage 42:38 and we had to follow his example. 42:40 He was the person who said, "Thus saith the Lord." 42:44 He spoke truth bravely. 42:47 God needs strong men and women 42:51 today to speak His truth clearly and do it in love, 42:57 do it with the power of the Holy Spirit. 43:01 Well, Elijah gave his powerful answer in Verse 18, 43:05 "I have not troubled Israel, 43:06 but you and your father's house 43:07 have in that you have forsaken the commandments 43:10 of the Lord and it followed the Baals. 43:13 And then he launches his appeal. 43:16 "Now therefore send, and gather all Israel 43:18 to me on Mount Carmel, 43:19 the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal 43:22 and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, 43:24 who eat at Jezebel's table." 43:26 Ahab could do nothing else but to follow Elijah's command. 43:31 And so then all Israel was assembled at Mount Carmel. 43:37 I had the great privilege a few weeks ago 43:39 for the first time to be in Israel 43:42 and to see from a distance, 43:44 I didn't get close to it but to see Mount Carmel, 43:47 I wanted to go there but our time limit 43:49 was so limited that I could not, to see that incredible 43:54 place where this magnificent event took place. 44:01 Ahab at once obeyed he sent for all the people to come. 44:06 Mount Carmel had been a beautiful place. 44:09 The altars to Baal and Asherah were seen 44:12 in the leafless groves of that great mountain. 44:16 And on the summit of one of the highest ridges 44:22 was the broken down altar of God. 44:26 Elijah chose Mount Carmel, as a most conspicuous place 44:31 to display God's power. 44:34 It was early morning, every one gathered 44:36 near the top of the mountain. 44:37 Jezebel's prophets marched in all of their array, 44:39 the king in his regal robes arrived 44:44 and Elijah stands alone. 44:49 His countenance was lighted with solemnity. 44:53 The people waited for him to speak, 44:55 and in verse 21 it says, he challenged them, 44:59 "How long will you halt or falter 45:02 between two opinions?" 45:06 If the Lord is God, follow Him, if Baal, follow him. 45:09 But the word, the people answered 45:11 him not a word. 45:15 It's time to be about God's business. 45:19 Are you willing to stand firm for Him? 45:23 Well, people were afraid to reveal anything 45:27 and slowly Elijah began 45:31 to repair that altar. 45:35 You know, in Prophets and Kings, page 148, we read this. 45:41 "The Lord abhors indifference and disloyalty 45:44 in a time of crisis in His work. 45:48 The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest 45:53 in the closing scenes of the great controversy 45:56 between good and evil." 45:59 The whole universe is watching us right now to see 46:03 what we will be doing. 46:05 Let us stand loyally for God's truth. 46:10 Well, Elijah explains what he wanted to see happen, 46:15 You know the story, told those 46:18 who are followers of Baal, you prepare an alter, 46:20 I'll prepare an altar and then we will pray. 46:24 We don't have time to go into the entire story 46:27 but you know exactly what happened. 46:29 The whole day those priests of Baal 46:31 were flailing themselves self inflicting wounds, 46:35 trying to get their prophet, their God and their prophets 46:40 to be able to provide some kind of fire and Elijah 46:44 was been very careful to watch that they didn't slip 46:47 something in on the side. 46:51 And then of course, Elijah kind of began to tease them. 46:54 Cry it loud for he is a God, may be he is meditating 46:58 or busy or on a journey, may be he is sleeping. 47:01 I want to tell you brothers and sisters, 47:02 the God of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 47:05 does not sleep. Amen. 47:08 We have a God who will hear us and will see us 47:10 through to the very end. 47:12 And then at the end of the day, 47:16 Elijah build that, rebuild that altar. 47:20 And then he asked for something very unusual, 47:24 put a little trench around, 47:27 bring water and pour it on the sacrifice. 47:30 I wondered where they got the water but of course 47:31 the Mediterranean Sea was not far away. 47:34 He had probably planned in advance and told them 47:36 to bring water, because I want to show 47:38 something magnificent. 47:39 God is going to do something extraordinary. 47:42 Poured water on it, not only once, not only twice, 47:47 three times and the water filled the trenches, 47:52 then it came to pass at the time 47:53 of the evening sacrifice that Elijah prayed. 47:57 Verse 37, "Hear me, O Lord, hear me, 48:00 that the people may know that you are the Lord God, 48:03 that you have turned their hearts back to you. 48:06 Then the fire of the Lord fell, 48:09 and consumed the burnt sacrifice." 48:12 I tell you, I wish I could have been there that day, 48:16 as people were listening it was quite. 48:20 And as Elijah finished that prayer, 48:23 fire came down in such power that it not only burned up 48:29 the sacrifice, it burned up the wood, 48:33 it burned up the stones, it burned up the dust, 48:36 it burned up the water, it dazzled 48:38 the eyes of the multitude. 48:40 Those who were in the valleys could 48:42 clearly see it and like a pillar of fire which separated 48:45 the children of Israel from the Egyptian army, 48:47 God was demonstrating His power once again 48:50 that He truly was the God of the universe. 48:54 And that same God will go with you 48:59 as you go about your father's business. 49:03 And the people bowed in submission to God. 49:08 The Lord, he is God. 49:11 The Lord, he is God. 49:14 That was a great opportunity 49:16 for revival and reformation after that experience. 49:20 The prophets of Baal were killed. 49:24 And God had an opportunity, although we know the story 49:28 about it afterwards that Elijah became afraid 49:31 after seeing all those signs, he became afraid and God 49:35 had to remind him and that 7,000 were still loyal to him. 49:40 Brothers and sisters, don't ever feel 49:42 that you are alone, God is there. 49:45 And you have many faithful brothers and sisters around. 49:49 Tonight as we close, I want to ask you, 49:51 how long will you halt between two opinions? 49:55 How long will I halt between two opinions? 49:58 It's time to go about our father's business. 50:03 I want to challenge each of you to understand 50:05 and remember that we must not be distracted by anything. 50:10 We must not allow disunity to come into the church 50:14 to take our eyes off of the great Elijah message 50:18 that God has entrusted to each of us. 50:20 Romans 12:2 in the Phillips Translation 50:24 "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its mold." 50:30 Don't allow the devil to challenge 50:32 you on biblical authority, on the Sabbath, 50:35 on creation, on the sanctuary service, 50:40 on righteousness by faith, the uniting of justification 50:43 and sanctification, both which are so important 50:46 to the righteousness of Christ 50:48 and that which we receive from Him. 50:52 Don't allow people to dissuade you, 50:57 to give you a cloudy understanding 50:58 about lifestyle about how to dress, about what to eat. 51:03 You know, we are saved only by grace 51:06 but I want to tell you the same savior 51:08 that saves us by grace, also gave us 51:10 the original diet in Genesis 2. 51:13 And He asks that whatever we do, 51:15 we ought to give God the glory. 51:19 And so as we go about, don't be distracted 51:22 by what the world says about lifestyle 51:24 or music or your principles or your lifestyle, 51:28 but remember that God is leading His people. 51:33 A shaking is coming, we know that. 51:38 God is asking you to stand firm for Him. 51:41 It's time to be about our father's business. 51:46 It's time for revival and reformation. 51:49 It's time for mission to the cities. 51:51 It's time to be revived by His word. 51:53 It's time for medical missionary work. 51:55 It's time to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, 51:59 so that the world may know in the cities and the country 52:03 that the Lord, He is the God. 52:06 Are you willing tonight, 52:10 to go about your father's business? 52:13 Are you willing to go from this ASI Convention 52:16 renewed in the Spirit of the Lord, 52:19 to help you to know, this is God's hour. 52:22 We are part of the Elijah message and it is time 52:26 to be about God's business. 52:30 If you are willing to do that and you want 52:34 to be part of the dynamic activity 52:38 of this advent movement. 52:40 Would you just stand in commitment right now? 52:48 Loving Father, you see Your people 52:50 standing before You. 52:52 We again had made a commitment 52:54 to follow You in everything we do. 52:58 Lord, this is the time for the Elijah message. 53:02 This is the time to speak truth in love. 53:05 This is the time to open God's word 53:08 and to share it with people everywhere to keep in our minds 53:12 the vision and the mission of this church. 53:15 Help us not to be distracted in anyway 53:19 but help us to keep ourselves as true to duty 53:26 as the needle to the pole. 53:29 Lord, we submit to you now and ask that you will guide us. 53:34 We know, it's time to be about Your business. 53:40 Fill us now with the Holy Spirit as we do just that. 53:45 In Jesus' precious name we ask it, amen. 53:50 Please be seated. 54:22 Oh, Lord, I will lift 54:29 My eyes to the hills 54:39 Knowing my health 54:44 Is coming from You 54:56 Your peace 55:00 You give me in 55:05 Times of the storm 55:15 You are the source 55:19 Of my strength 55:24 You are the strength 55:28 Of my life 55:32 I lift my hands 55:37 In total praise to You 55:49 Lord, I will lift 55:56 Mine eyes 55:59 To the hills 56:05 Knowing my health 56:13 Is coming from You 56:22 Your peace You give 56:28 Me in times 56:33 Of the storm 56:40 You are the source 56:44 Of my strength 56:48 You are the strength 56:52 Of my life 56:57 I lift my hands 57:01 In total praise to You 57:13 You are the source 57:17 Of my strength 57:22 You are the strength 57:25 Of my life 57:30 I lift my hands in 57:35 Total praise to you 57:43 Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen 57:51 Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen |
Revised 2014-12-17