Participants: Pr. Ted Wilson
Series Code: 13GYC
Program Code: 13GYC000012
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00:13 Good morning GYC.
00:15 Good morning. 00:16 This is a wonderful conference 00:18 and I know that God has blessed the seminar speakers, 00:22 the plenary speaker and He's blessed you. 00:27 And what a privilege it was yesterday 00:29 to go out on the GYC outreach, Justin mentioned that. 00:36 And let me tell you, it was a great privilege 00:39 and I think our experience was the same 00:42 as just about everybody's experience. 00:45 I am gonna be anxious to hear the numbers 00:47 that are gonna be coming back in 00:49 as to how many contacts, how many Great Controversies 00:53 were-- they weren't sold, they were kind of donated-sold. 00:58 And how much money was raised for the SALT, 01:03 the Service and Love Together project. 01:07 Praise God that people 01:09 in the Seventh-day Adventist church 01:10 are helping homeless people get back on to their feet, 01:15 helping young children and young people 01:19 in low income areas, learn how to navigate in life 01:24 and bringing people the precious Word of God. 01:28 It was a great privilege for me 01:31 to go door to door with Serani. 01:33 And let me tell you, she is a great colporteur, 01:36 I could tell. 01:38 We had a great time visiting, in so many places, 01:41 we probably visited at least 20 to 25 homes, 01:44 we got an additional two Great Controversies 01:48 because we ran out, we were praying with people, 01:51 what a great privilege it was. 01:53 Amen. 01:55 I want to thank Justin for his leadership in GYC. 02:00 I want to thank the Lord for leadership team 02:03 and for the opportunity of having GYC 02:07 so closely aligned with the world church. 02:10 Amen. 02:11 And I want to wish Natasha and her team. 02:14 God's very special blessing 02:16 as we continue to work closely together. 02:21 You know what's important for youth ministries for GYC 02:26 for all organizations to work together 02:28 for the finishing of God's work. 02:30 Amen. 02:33 You know, the GYC administrative group 02:36 has taken very good care of me 02:37 and I want to thank them personally for that. 02:41 There is a special group of people 02:43 who have helped me while I've been here, 02:46 Iko and Eko, so many others, 02:52 Kurtz and James and Joel and others. 02:57 You know it's a privilege to be surrounded by young people. 02:59 I was very amazed at the title that Justin gave me, 03:03 President of young people. 03:06 I want to tell you that's a better title 03:08 than even president of the General Conference. 03:10 And I just praise the Lord for the opportunity 03:13 of serving in anyway possible. 03:17 You know it was just 03:18 a great privilege to be with you 03:19 and to see the humble, zealous, enthusiast, 03:25 fervor for Christ and His word. 03:30 In fact let's look at the Word of God. 03:33 We're gonna be doing quite a bit of that 03:35 this morning as we progress through this sermon. 03:38 1 Corinthians 4:7-10. 03:45 I invite you to take your Bibles, 03:47 iPads, iPhones whatever it is. 03:50 "For who makes you differ from another? 03:54 And what do you have that you did not receive? 03:57 Now if you did indeed receive it, 04:00 why do you boast as if you had not received it? 04:05 You are already full! 04:06 You are already rich! 04:08 You have reigned as king without us 04:10 and indeed I could wish you did reign 04:13 that we also might reign with you! 04:17 For I think that God has displayed us, 04:19 the apostles, last, as men condemned to death. 04:24 For we have been made a spectacle to the world, 04:28 both to angels and to men. 04:31 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! 04:38 We are weak, but you are strong! 04:40 You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!" 04:45 Now, Paul was concerned with the Corinthians 04:49 many internal church challenges 04:53 that were influenced by pagan society. 04:57 Let's review those as we look 04:59 at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 1 05:02 and I invite you to look at it verse 10, 05:05 as we begin this journey as to why it was 05:10 that they were witnessing before men and angels. 05:14 In verse 10 of Chapter 1 of 1 Corinthians, 05:19 "Paul pleads with them to speak the same thing 05:23 and that there be no divisions among you, 05:27 but that you be perfectly joined together 05:30 in the same mind and in the same judgment." 05:34 Now skipping to verse 18, 05:36 he rallied them to the cross by saying, 05:39 "The message of the cross is foolishness 05:43 to those who are perishing, 05:45 but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 05:50 Then verse 27 of the same chapter, 05:53 he reminded them that 05:54 "God has chosen the foolish things of the world 05:59 to put to shame the wise." 06:03 Verse 31 of the same chapter, 06:06 he tried to bring them back to Christ Jesus 06:09 by repeating the words of Jeremiah 9:23, 24 06:16 "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 06:23 Now moving to chapter 2, verse 2. 06:25 He powerfully declares 06:27 in these wonderful words the following, 06:30 "For I determined not to know anything among you 06:35 except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 06:40 As you move to verse 5, of chapter 2, 06:43 he admonished them, 06:44 "Not to put their faith in the wisdom of men 06:50 but rather in the power of God." 06:55 You see, Paul yarned in his heart 06:59 for the internal fighting and the self-centeredness 07:04 to stop in Corinthians. 07:07 In chapter 3 he shared that although he planted the seed 07:13 and the Apollos has watered it, 07:16 it was God who gave the growth. 07:19 I want to tell you, young people here at GYC 07:22 and others who are watching, 07:24 everything is dependent upon God. 07:28 In verse 18, Paul says, of chapter 3, 07:32 "Let no man deceive himself. 07:36 If any man among you seems to be wise in this age, 07:41 let him become a fool, that he may become wise." 07:49 Now this leads to Paul's pleading in chapter 4 07:54 that we began just a few moments ago. 07:58 To be fools for Christ's sake, understanding 08:01 that we are a spectacle before angels and men, 08:06 before the world to be understood by all 08:10 that we stand for Christ and for His truth 08:15 regardless of the circumstances. 08:18 You know what, powerful instruction from heaven 08:21 for the Corinthians and for us today. 08:27 We face a lot of situations where there is disputing, 08:32 an internal bicker. 08:35 It takes away from our true mission. 08:39 Now I have no ultimate fear for the unity of the church 08:45 as we proclaim the Three Angels messages. 08:48 The Bible and the Spirit of the Prophesy 08:52 show a united church 08:54 in its mission at the end of the time. 08:58 We are nearing that end. 09:01 God is calling for us to submit to His will 09:06 for His church in becoming humble fools for God 09:13 as we engage with service for Christ 09:17 before men and angels. 09:20 I want to personally thank GYC. 09:24 Each one of you who is part of this great organization, 09:28 for your faithful adherence to the Word of God, 09:33 to the Spirit of Prophecy, 09:35 your strong belief in the power of prayer 09:39 and your total commitment to personal 09:42 and to public witness in the service of God 09:46 and before men and angels just as Paul did. 09:52 What a privilege to walk in the footsteps of Paul 09:57 figuratively as well as literally. 10:01 A few years ago I had the great privilege 10:03 of participating in a wonderful international Bible conference 10:08 organized by the General Conference's 10:10 biblical research institute. 10:13 It took place in the country of Turkey. 10:17 What an exciting opportunity to visit various places 10:21 where Paul himself had proclaimed the message. 10:26 As Paul walked the hills and valleys of Asia Minor 10:30 he visited, he inspired, 10:33 he preached in many challenging settings. 10:37 He ministered to an evangelized people 10:40 who were even harassing him. 10:44 You know, it's great to be a part of GYC 10:46 to be here amongst all these wonderful people. 10:49 But what are you going to take home with you 10:52 when you leave Orlando? 10:55 What challenges and harassment will you meet 11:00 and what are you going to do about it? 11:03 We're living in very unusual times. 11:07 The convergence of just about everything, 11:11 political, economic, financial, ecumenical, social 11:16 is shaking people to the core. 11:19 People realize something is happening in the world. 11:24 It's pointing to a great prophetic event to come. 11:30 We're standing, I believe on the edge of eternity 11:35 in service to God before men and angels. 11:41 I believe with all of my heart as you do also, 11:46 Jesus is coming soon. 11:49 And after this conversion on the way to Damascus, 11:52 Paul knew nothing except Christ crucified, 11:56 risen, interceding for each of us 11:59 and coming again. 12:02 It animated everything he did, 12:05 he couldn't stop pointing people to Jesus, 12:08 His righteousness, His justification, 12:10 His sanctification 12:12 and eventually His glorifying power. 12:16 You know, I'll never forget a sermon 12:17 by Elder George Brown, 12:18 one of this church's great statesmen, 12:21 a mentor and a wonderful friend of mine. 12:25 He will be 90 years old next month. 12:28 He lives not too far from here in Avon Park. 12:32 He made a statement in a sermon 12:35 which has stuck with me. 12:37 He said, when we get to heaven 12:41 we will gratefully look to Jesus 12:45 and we will proclaim that we are justified, 12:49 sanctified, glorified and satisfied. 12:54 Amen. 12:56 As you leave this GYC convention, 12:58 proclaim this same precious advent message of Paul, 13:05 the message of the advent hope in service to God 13:08 before men and angels. 13:12 There's nothing that unifies this church worldwide 13:16 as much as the power of the Holy Spirit 13:20 working through you, 13:22 the consecrated polls of today, 13:26 the great truth that we hold dear 13:28 as Seventh-day Adventist. 13:30 This great advent message 13:33 is the truth that unifies us in Jesus Christ 13:37 through the power of the Holy Spirit. 13:41 Yes, of course, 13:43 we need to share the truth in love, 13:46 in an appropriate and compatible way 13:48 with various cultures around the world. 13:51 But remember, there is only one name 13:55 given among men whereby we might be saved 13:58 and that is the name of Jesus Christ. 14:00 Amen. 14:01 Proclaim it in your local church 14:03 through your service to God and before men and angels. 14:09 Take your example from Paul 14:12 who left the shores of Asia Minor 14:16 from Troas and traveled towards Greece. 14:20 As we look at Acts Chapter 17, 14:23 and I invite you to turn to that chapter 14:26 where we're gonna focus quite a bit of attention. 14:28 We can see how God used Paul on this journey. 14:33 In verse 14, Paul is preaching in service to God 14:38 before men and angels in Thessalonica, 14:41 and because of unrest he then had to go to Berea. 14:45 Now some of the Thessalonians followed him 14:48 and because of additional difficulty 14:51 certain church members sent Paul to Athens. 14:57 When he arrived in Athens he sent those 15:00 who had accompanied him back to Berea 15:03 to invite Timothy and Silas to join him. 15:07 He found himself in Athens alone. 15:13 Acts of the Apostles tells us in page 233, 15:19 that he was oppressed 15:22 by the feeling of solitude. 15:27 Will you feel alone and abandoned in a few days? 15:34 Will you feel without the resources in service to God 15:39 before men and angels 15:40 that you've enjoyed here at the GYC convention? 15:45 Just like Paul, 15:47 if you have Jesus Christ as your anchor 15:50 and you are grounded in this precious advent message 15:54 you will not be alone. 15:59 All of heaven's resources are at your fingertips. 16:03 In verse 16 and 17 16:07 we see that Paul while waiting had his heart 16:11 stirred by the Athenians. 16:14 They were absorbed in idolatry. 16:17 I want to tell you, nothing as much-- 16:19 nothing much has changed even today. 16:21 Everywhere we see idolatry in full bloom and full swing. 16:28 Self- centered secular and post-modern attitudes 16:33 that are in opposition to God's word. 16:36 Independent, self-serving attitudes 16:40 that needed-- that need to be softened 16:43 by the submission to Christ. 16:47 The three Angels message, those precious messages 16:52 will bring people to the realization 16:54 that we all, you and I included, 17:01 we all need this submissive spirit of Christ 17:06 and we need to turn back to the true worship of God. 17:11 Don't be afraid of what you are going to face 17:13 in your local setting or wherever God may lead you. 17:18 It has been faced before 17:20 and the Holy Spirit will go with you 17:22 just as he did with the apostle Paul. 17:27 When Paul saw the Athenians 17:29 he was compelled to share with them 17:32 the beautiful message of the one true God. 17:37 As the Paul talked to the Jews and with gentiles 17:40 he understood the challenge 17:42 of multiple God's surrounding them. 17:45 Leading Athenian philosophers and thinkers 17:49 heard about Paul's presence and presentations. 17:52 They intended to come and make fun of him. 17:56 But in his presence, in his manner of delivery 18:03 and his logical thinking they held back. 18:09 Don't ever be afraid to share 18:13 the precious Word of God in love, in simplicity 18:18 and with diplomacy for the Holy Spirit 18:22 will help you to convict people 18:24 who otherwise are trying to harass you. 18:29 You see, God is calling you to fall in-- 18:31 follow in the footsteps of Paul in service to God 18:38 before men and angels. 18:41 The intellectual capacity, the talent and skills 18:47 represented by those in this room, 18:51 this auditorium this morning is absolutely astounding. 18:58 I want to thank God for what He does with the minds 19:01 and the talents of Seventh-day Adventist young people 19:05 who commit themselves in service to God 19:08 before men and angels. 19:10 Listen to what the Acts of Apostles, page 235 says, 19:16 "They, the philosophers 19:18 and all others who came in contact with him, 19:21 soon saw that he had a store of knowledge 19:25 even greater than their own. 19:28 His intellectual power commanded 19:30 the respect of the learned while his earnest, 19:33 logical reasoning and the power of his oratory 19:37 held the attention of all in the audience." 19:43 Then they took him to Mars' Hill, 19:46 the seat of polytheism and paganism. 19:50 Perhaps the equivalent of today's secularism, 19:54 relativism, pluralism and postmodernism. 19:59 It was in that environment 20:01 that Paul shared the message of the advent hope 20:05 with the Athenian elite, 20:09 the artist, the poets, the philosophers, the scholars. 20:14 God is calling you today, young people in GYC 20:19 and throughout this denomination, 20:21 He is calling you today to meet not only the general population 20:27 but the elite of this world. 20:30 Interact with the intellectual young people 20:34 and the faculties of the campuses 20:38 on which you reside and on which you study. 20:44 You see, the General Conference is also recognized recently 20:47 that this is so important, 20:49 we are in the process 20:51 of assigning a fulltime associate 20:54 in the youth ministries department 20:56 who will care for nothing else 20:59 than public ministry to young people, 21:03 public campus ministry. 21:06 Young people at GYC, I want to tell you, 21:08 shake the Mars' Hills of today. 21:12 God will empower you 21:14 to share the full love of Christ 21:17 in service to God before men and angels. 21:20 In verse 22, Paul pointed out 21:23 the great missing truth of firm belief 21:25 and the one true unknown God 21:27 whom Paul knew, Jesus Christ. 21:31 Mars' Hill represents today all the false theories 21:35 and twisted truths that Satan has fabricated 21:40 in contrast to the ennobling truths 21:43 of the ruler of the universe. 21:46 Mars' Hill represents the efforts of Satan 21:51 to bring confusion into society, 21:55 culture and especially into 21:58 the Seventh-day Adventist church. 22:00 The challenge of today's world is represented by Mars' Hill, 22:04 a great controversy, a great battle. 22:08 Nothing has changed since the beginning of sin. 22:12 The Mars' hill mentality has invaded society 22:16 and our own lives and our church. 22:21 If not constantly leaning on Christ and His word 22:25 we can be affected by it. 22:29 The lifestyle, music, outreach approaches, 22:35 views of the future, 22:37 distorted views of the Great Controversy theme 22:40 and improper interpretations of the Bible 22:44 and of the Spirit of the Prophesy. 22:46 It has affected the purity and simplicity of God's church 22:52 and a personal religious experience. 22:58 Young people, leave this congregation, 23:03 this convocation knowing that God has called 23:06 the Seventh-day Adventist church 23:09 as a prophetic people to be a prophetic movement 23:13 with a prophetic message and a prophetic mission. 23:17 Let me identify four strong concerns 23:20 for the church today, 23:22 that we need to approach with biblical understanding 23:25 and with the grace of the Lord. 23:28 The first concern is the loss 23:30 of Seventh-day Adventist identity 23:33 among certain leaders and members of the church. 23:36 The Seventh-day Adventist church 23:38 is much more than just another denomination or church, 23:43 it was born of God 23:45 out of the disappointment of 1844, 23:48 according to Revelation Chapter 10. 23:51 He providentially raised up a divine moment 23:55 of destiny to impact the world. 23:59 According to Revelation 12:17, God's last day 24:04 people would be characterized by keeping God's commandments 24:07 and having the testimony of Jesus 24:10 which the angel identifies in Revelation 19:10 24:16 as the gift of prophecy or the Spirit of Prophecy. 24:21 According to Revelation 14:6-12, 24:24 God's end time church would proclaim 24:27 the message of the everlasting gospel 24:31 in the context of the Three Angels 24:34 and the second coming of Christ 24:36 calling every nation, kindred, tongue 24:39 and people to worship their creator 24:42 by keeping His Sabbath. 24:46 There is no other religious moment on this planet 24:51 that fits this pattern. 24:55 Too many have either failed to recognize 24:59 or have forgotten the divine prophetic calling 25:04 that God has given to this precious church. 25:08 There's a growing tendency to minimize our differences 25:13 with other denominations. 25:15 Now I am not saying you ought to magnify those differences 25:19 but don't minimize the differences. 25:24 Much of this comes from a neutralization of the Bible 25:27 as God's word. 25:29 We must base of our believes on the Word of God 25:32 using the historical biblical 25:34 or historical grammatical method of studying the Bible 25:40 and approaching our prophetic understanding 25:43 from a historicists perspective. 25:47 God's world must be foundational 25:50 to our belief, our faith 25:52 and our practical living that strongly establishes 25:57 our identity as Seventh-day Adventist. 26:00 The lack of identity has even lead some to doubt 26:04 the literal seven day creation week, 26:08 to deny a worldwide flood 26:10 and to reduce the Sabbath to merely a rest from stress 26:16 rather than a last day sign of God's people. 26:20 There are some who would like to reinterpret 26:23 the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation 26:25 to fit a more contemporary mold. 26:29 They see the historic interpretation of prophecy 26:33 as a relic of 19th century thinking. 26:37 But I want to tell you my young friends and others, 26:40 it is as current as today's news 26:44 because it is from God Himself. 26:45 Amen. 26:46 We have a life and death message 26:49 to present to the world. 26:51 Seventh-day Adventists had been raised like Noah 26:54 to prepare the world for its final hours. 26:57 I am absolutely confident that guided by Jesus 27:02 and faithful to our prophetic heritage, 27:05 this moment will triumph. 27:09 I appeal to you, young people, 27:13 I appeal to you with all my heart, 27:17 be faithful to the call God has given you 27:21 as Seventh-day Adventist young people, 27:24 embrace this message in it's fullness, 27:28 be filled with the Holy Spirit as you share it with the world. 27:33 The second concern is growing worldliness in many churches 27:40 and in our own lives. 27:42 Jesus stated that well, when He prayed in John 17:17, 27:47 "I do not pray that you should take them out of the world 27:51 but that you should keep them from the evil." 27:55 In 1 John 2:15-17, John added, 28:00 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. 28:04 If anyone loves the world, 28:06 the love of the Father is not in Him. 28:08 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, 28:11 the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life 28:14 is not of the Father but is of the world. 28:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it 28:20 but he who does the will of God abides forever." 28:23 Amen. 28:25 The church has always faced the danger of compromising 28:31 it's loyalty to Christ through a growing tendency 28:35 to allow the world to shape its thinking. 28:41 The closer we get to the end of time 28:44 the more the devil will redouble his efforts 28:48 in this area. 28:49 Standards that are once cherished 28:52 by Seventh-day Adventist 28:54 in the areas of diet, dress, recreation, 28:57 amusement and Sabbath keeping 28:59 are fast becoming things of the past. 29:02 Now let me underscore the absolute fact, 29:05 we are not saved by what we wear, 29:08 we are not saved by eating correctly, 29:11 we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. 29:14 But when the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit 29:17 enters into the life 29:19 we will do the things that God wants us to do. 29:22 You see when members are adorned like the world, 29:27 when they dress like the world, 29:29 when they love the world's entertainment 29:31 and don't just point your finger 29:32 at somebody else, 29:33 think about your own life and my own. 29:36 When we listen to the world's music 29:37 and are captivated by everything 29:39 that comes out of Hollywood in its glitziest way, 29:43 genuine spirituality is eroded 29:46 and the devil makes inroads into our very souls. 29:50 And the Adventist health message 29:52 which is accepted 29:55 by so many honest hearted people in the world 29:58 is considered by many within the church 30:01 to be legalistic or fanatical 30:04 rather than a glorious gift from a loving creator, 30:08 something's wrong. 30:10 We are to be ambassadors for Christ. 30:13 We are to be the light and the salt of the world. 30:16 In Matthew 5:16 it says, 30:21 " Let your light so shine before men, 30:23 that they may see your good works, 30:24 and glorify your Father in heaven." 30:29 You see millions of people all over the world 30:30 are aching for something different 30:33 they long for genuine authentic Christianity. 30:37 We will never reach them by compromising God's standards 30:43 and our standards to come down to their level. 30:46 We must lift up the standard 30:50 through the grace of Jesus Christ. 30:53 This is no time to just flirt with the devils 30:57 dress and diet and amusement and worldly influences. 31:00 This is the time to hold the standard high 31:04 for the world to see. 31:06 This is not legalism this is Christ centered 31:10 justified and sanctified living 31:12 through the power of the Holy Spirit 31:15 as a witness before men and angels 31:17 as to how God can change a life. 31:20 Amen. 31:21 Now, third concern is the challenging 31:23 danger of disunity. 31:26 In John 17 that powerful chapter 31:28 that Christ prayed for you and for me 31:31 as well as for His disciples, 31:33 He prayed for unity in the church. 31:36 One of the devil's strategies is to attack this unity. 31:41 He knows if the church is not unified 31:43 it will not effectively accomplish its mission. 31:48 In Selected Messages book 2 page 159, we read, 31:52 "Unity is the strength of the church. 31:54 Satan knows this, and he employs his whole force 31:57 to bring in dissension. 31:59 He desires to see a lack of harmony 32:01 among the members of the church of God. 32:04 Greater attention should be given 32:05 to the subject of unity." 32:08 Now, the devil uses all his forces 32:10 to bring in dissention and conflict 32:12 to neutralize the soul-winning efforts 32:15 of God's people. 32:17 Now is the time for administrators, pastors, 32:19 teachers, young people and all members to unite 32:23 under the banner of Christ's truth, 32:26 in preaching the message to the world. 32:29 God has given to Seventh-day Adventist 32:31 a divinely inspired church organization, 32:34 and mutual agreements called Church Policies, 32:38 which under the guidance of the Holy Spirit 32:41 are part of what hold us together 32:43 as a world family. 32:46 To discard or ignore these mutual agreements 32:50 violates a sacred trust 32:52 and creates unnecessary discord. 32:56 After Bible, study, study of the Spirit of Prophecy 32:59 prayerful and careful sprit 33:02 led discussion in appropriate church settings 33:06 let us lay aside our personal opinions 33:09 for the good of the body of Christ, 33:12 and march forward together towards the kingdom of God. 33:16 Our fourth concern is 33:18 the spiritual complacency and apathy 33:21 that leads to a lack of church mission involvement. 33:25 You heard us talking about it in the panel this morning. 33:28 There seems to be a spiritual paralysis 33:30 in many members' lives. 33:32 Recent interviews or surveys I should say, indicate 33:36 that the overwhelming majority of church believe 33:40 the 28 fundamental beliefs, 33:42 but they have a hard time sharing them. 33:46 They believe that they are not really perhaps 33:50 that which they would want to become involved 33:53 with in terms of the mission of the church. 33:55 There is no fire or passion in their bones. 33:58 Young people without active involvement in service to God 34:04 before men and angels we will not grow spiritually. 34:10 Desire of Ages, page 825 says, "The very life of the church 34:14 depends upon her faithfulness 34:17 in fulfilling the Lord's commission. 34:20 To neglect this work is surely to invite 34:23 spiritual feebleness and decay. 34:26 Where there is no active labor for others, 34:28 love wanes, and faith grows dim." 34:32 I wan to tell you that Holy Spirit 34:34 led involvement in your local church 34:38 and in your outreach to the community 34:40 is the answer to apathy. 34:43 If you want to be spiritually alive, 34:45 get involved. 34:46 If you want a vibrant prayer life, get involved. 34:49 If you want to appreciate the Word of God more, 34:51 get involved. 34:53 If you want to have a deeper love for others, 34:55 get involved. 34:56 If you want to see souls won to Jesus, get involved. 35:00 If you want to see Jesus come soon, 35:03 brothers and sisters let's all get involved. 35:06 Amen. 35:07 As Paul did, we are to get involved. 35:10 Stand firm and proclaim the truth with clarity 35:14 and simplicity denouncing the Mars' Hill mentality 35:19 by pointing to the solid rock Jesus Christ. 35:23 As young people, youth leaders, pastors, 35:26 faithful members we are called to live and proclaim 35:29 this heaven initiated prophetic advent message 35:35 that's exactly what Paul did on Mars' Hill 35:38 in his aliquant and masterful defense 35:42 of the only true God in service to Him 35:46 before men and angels. 35:49 In Acts 17:24-26 Paul told them about the unknown God. 35:56 We heard that Marvelous passage 35:59 read by Amy this morning for scripture, 36:02 telling them that the world was created 36:04 in six literal consecutive days recently. 36:07 Paul explained that this God created all humans 36:12 equal smashing elitism 36:14 and allows for the rise and fall of people groups. 36:18 In verse 27 Paul begins his appeal to the great thinkers 36:22 telling them that this great true God has made it 36:25 completely possible to seek Him, to feel after Him 36:30 and to find Him because He is not far from us. 36:35 In verse 28, he gives the real punch line. 36:39 He says, "For in him we live and move and have our being." 36:45 He even contextualized his presentation by quoting 36:48 from one of their prophets and then in verses 29 to 31 36:52 he speaks against polytheism and paganism. 36:56 As Seventh-day Adventist young people in service to God 36:59 before men and angels, 37:02 you are called to proclaim the Advent hope 37:06 with the need for revival, for repentance, 37:09 and reformation all through the power of the Holy Spirit. 37:13 We need a strong influence of simplicity 37:16 regarding heaven guided theology 37:20 outreach methods and church growth practices. 37:25 Unfortunately we become smug in our sophistication 37:30 in our self evaluation. 37:32 We become fascinated with our own understanding 37:36 of how we think things should happen, 37:39 whether or not we like it we are Laodicea. 37:45 We are the embodiment of Revelation Chapter 3 37:50 through God's grace righteousness 37:52 and the power of the Holy Spirit 37:54 we need to humble ourselves in submission to God 37:58 for clarity of purpose and mission 38:01 a fuller understanding of who we are 38:04 as Seventh-day Adventist God's end time movement. 38:08 His remnant people, 38:11 we don't say that in a self-centered proud manner 38:16 but in complete humility as a unique prophetic people 38:22 for a prophetic message and a prophetic mission. 38:28 Listen to this beautiful quotation 38:30 from Testimonies volume 7, page 138. 38:34 "Seventh-day Adventist have been chosen by God 38:36 as a peculiar people, separate from the world. 38:40 He has made them His representatives, 38:41 and has called them to be ambassadors for Him 38:44 in the last work of salvation. 38:46 The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, 38:49 the most solemn and fearful warnings 38:51 ever sent by God to man, 38:53 have been committed to them to be given to the world." 38:57 As a church we need to return 38:59 to a setting of humble primitive godliness 39:04 through submission to Christ 39:06 realizing it is He who provides the power 39:10 for this great advent movement. 39:13 There is to be no pluralism or loss of mission focused 39:17 in God's ranks. 39:19 We will be united in theology and mission 39:22 as we personally and corporately connect 39:25 to Jesus Christ. 39:27 The great sin of Israel was its disconnection from God 39:30 allowing the pagan God's around them 39:33 to observe their attention. 39:36 Testimonies volume 9, Page 19 is admonition for us today 39:41 to not let anything absorb our attention except one thing. 39:44 "In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists 39:47 have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. 39:51 They have been given a work of the most solemn import, 39:54 the proclamation of the first, second, 39:56 and third angels' messages. 39:58 There is no other work of so great importance. 40:03 They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention." 40:08 From Bible prophecy we know that the future 40:11 will be difficult and challenging. 40:13 Tough times are ahead 40:16 and it's only as we look to Christ 40:18 and His word that we can stand united 40:20 and receive the latter rain giving us the power 40:24 to proclaim those Three Angels messages of Revelation 14 40:28 and the fourth angel of Revelation 18. 40:33 Young people of GYC, take this prophetic message, 40:38 preach it, share it, live it. 40:41 In verse 31 of Acts 17 40:43 Paul preach this message to the Athenians telling them 40:47 that the Day of Judgment was coming when those on Mars' Hill 40:54 heard about the resurrection they mocked him. 40:57 In fact, scripture records that Paul's evangelistic series 41:02 in Athens produced only a few converts. 41:06 When you go to your own Mars' Hill in just a few hours, 41:12 proclaiming this precious last day message 41:15 don't worry about the harvest 41:18 because that is the work of the Holy Spirit. 41:21 Our job is to proclaim the advent message. 41:26 As you return to your home churches to your schools 41:30 or where ever you are going we double your efforts 41:34 in reaching out in practical, personal witnessing 41:38 and public evangelistic activity. 41:41 Lift up Christ and His righteousness 41:43 and His distinctive truth. 41:46 Lift Christ up with passion. 41:49 As we leave this place, renew your commitment to Christ 41:53 to His word and the Spirit of Prophecy. 41:55 Walk in Paul's footsteps. 41:59 Stand for truth and combat the Mars' Hill mentality. 42:03 Preach the word in season and out of season. 42:06 In fact, Education page 57 takes on new significance 42:10 when we understand this, "The greatest want of the world 42:13 is the want of men and of women, 42:15 men who will not be bought or sold, 42:17 men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, 42:20 men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, 42:24 men whose conscience is as true to duty 42:27 as the needle to the pole, 42:29 men who will stand for the right 42:31 though the heavens fall." 42:33 I want to tell you God is moving 42:35 on the hearts of people all over this world, 42:38 young people and older people 42:40 I think about Tatiana, an educated attorney 42:45 and the vice mayor of a capital city 42:48 in a central Asian country, a predominantly Muslim country. 42:54 Part of her responsibilities were to care 42:56 for the acquisition of certain items 43:00 that people needed in construction. 43:03 One day, a pastor came to her office 43:07 asking for permission to buy some bricks. 43:12 As he came to that office, he humbly made his request 43:17 and Tatiana knowing nothing about 43:19 what this individual was doing said come back in three days. 43:24 The pastor came back in three days, 43:26 recognizing that he needed in every way 43:28 to be courteous and kind and respectful. 43:32 And Tatiana said, well, 43:33 I haven't had time come back again. 43:36 I want to tell you when God sends you on a mission 43:39 never give up, keep coming back. 43:42 The pastor came back he was actually 43:44 a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. 43:46 He came back asking 43:47 for a certain amount of bricks. 43:54 Tatiana was frustrated said, I know you can get some bricks 43:57 let me sign the papers move out of this office get on your way. 44:02 The pastor went and obtained the bricks. 44:07 Quite sometime later 44:10 Tatiana's 17-year-old son-- 44:15 never minimize the power of a young person. 44:21 There are probably some here who are 17 years old. 44:24 Her 17-year-old son came to her 44:26 and said mother, my birthday is coming up, 44:28 I want you to go with me somewhere 44:31 I want you to spend the day with me. 44:32 Tatiana thinking she could simple give him some money 44:36 and be able to just have with him have a good time 44:40 thought she would get rid of him in that way. 44:42 I want to tell you parents don't just provide good things 44:47 for your children spend time with them. 44:52 Seventeen-year-old son said, no mother, 44:53 I want you to spend the day with me. 44:55 Finally, Tatiana agreed the day came 44:58 she put her scarf over her head 45:01 not wanting anyone to recognize who she was 45:04 and they proceeded into the middle of the city. 45:08 They came of all places to a church, 45:12 they entered the church sat down 45:15 and the pastor began to preach 45:17 an incredible sermon on submitting to Christ. 45:22 Tatiana was absolutely astounded 45:25 when her 17-year-old son stood up in response 45:29 to the pastor's appeal and went forward. 45:34 She recognized this was a Seventh-day Adventist church. 45:39 Her son had been attending this church for sometime. 45:43 In fact, it was the very church for which she had assigned 45:47 the pastor to be able to buy the bricks. 45:53 After the service was over a baptism was planned. 46:01 Tatiana saw her 17-year-old son, 46:04 animatedly talking with the pastor 46:06 and her son came back to her and he said, please mother, 46:10 you can go with us to the baptism. 46:12 You can ride in the special mini van 46:14 that has been assigned for me. 46:17 She said, no, no, I'm not interested in going 46:19 why would I want to go? 46:20 No, please, mother. 46:21 So because it was his birthday she agreed to go. 46:26 They arrived at the site for the baptism 46:29 all the arrangements had been made 46:31 Tatiana noticed her son speaking again 46:33 animatedly with the pastor and running back to his mother 46:41 he said mother, I just talked to the pastor 46:44 he said you can be baptized too. 46:48 Tatiana said, that ridiculous. 46:51 You have to know something about 46:52 an organization that you join. 46:54 I know nothing about this church. 46:57 I'm not even a Christian. 47:00 But mother, the pastor said you could be baptized. 47:03 Now I don't know what the 17-year-old son 47:05 said to the pastor because you know, 47:08 that we want people's lives 47:10 to demonstrate their walk with Jesus every day 47:13 before they make a commitment for baptism. 47:16 But some how he persuaded the pastor 47:21 and because it was his birthday Tatiana was baptized. 47:28 They went home they took with them 47:31 the baptismal certificate and her son 47:33 hid those certificates in a safe place. 47:39 They didn't want the father to find out 47:41 and that culture if you did anything in a major way 47:44 without consulting with the husband 47:46 and the father of the household you would be in big trouble. 47:52 Tatiana, finally came to the point 47:56 where she said, you know, 47:59 I think I better find out what I was baptized into. 48:03 And so she opened the Word of God 48:06 and she began to read of God's love 48:09 and let me tell you Tatiana was converted after her baptism. 48:14 She fell in love with Jesus. 48:18 She remembered interestingly and this is how God guides, 48:22 when she was a small girl about three years old 48:26 her father sent her back to Ukraine 48:30 from where her mother had come because her mother had died. 48:35 And she was sent back to her grandmother. 48:38 Her grandmother raised her from age three to about age 12. 48:43 She remembers her grandmother 48:46 taking her to church on Saturday 48:49 because her grandmother was a Seventh-day Adventist. 48:53 When she was 12-years-old 48:54 she was sent back to that central Asian country 48:57 and forgot all about that experience 48:59 but God brought it back to her memory. 49:03 About five months later, 49:06 her son came rushing into the house. 49:09 He said, mother, something terrible has happened. 49:15 Father has found the baptismal certificates 49:20 and he is angry. 49:24 Tatiana knew that the evening would be a very tough one, 49:27 that she would have to face some unbearable questioning 49:32 and so she prayed to the Lord give me the right thing to say. 49:35 I want to tell you as you go back 49:36 to battle the Mars' Hills around you 49:39 ask God for guidance He will give it to you. 49:43 And so that evening after the meal 49:46 Tatiana and her husband began to talk and her husband said, 49:50 how could you dare defy me and become a Christian? 49:57 How could you do this terrible thing with out consulting me? 50:01 God gave Tatiana a beautiful response. 50:08 She said, my dear husband, 50:11 you have the baptismal certificate before you, 50:15 you have the date on which I was baptized. 50:20 Yeah from the last five months I have become a worse wife, 50:28 if I have cared for my son and even worse way than before, 50:35 if I have become a sad degenerated individual 50:41 I will give up this religion but my dear husband, 50:45 if you have seen in the last five months 50:47 that I become a sweeter person, 50:50 a nicer person, a more helpful person 50:53 that something has changed my life 50:55 then please take that into consideration. 50:59 There was silence, 51:02 and her husband finally spoke and said, no Tatiana, 51:09 you have become a sweeter, nicer person. 51:15 It was not long after that Tatiana's husband 51:18 began to study the Bible for himself. 51:22 He was given interestingly the book 51:25 the Great Controversy to read. 51:28 He understood God's plan for his life 51:32 and he gave his heart to Jesus and was baptized 51:36 into the Seventh-day Adventist church. 51:39 Today, Tatiana and her husband are powerful pillars of that 51:46 central Asian capital city church. 51:50 I want to tell you brothers and sisters, 51:51 as we face the soon coming of Jesus Christ, 51:55 and He is coming soon, 51:57 as you leave Orlando preach the message of Paul, 52:02 Christ crucified, risen, interceding and coming again 52:07 in what ever Mars' Hills setting you find yourself 52:11 God will encourage and stand by you 52:14 as you face the greatest test ahead 52:17 in the Seventh-day Adventist church 52:19 within the Great Controversy theme will you submit today 52:25 to the king of the universe and our coming Lord. 52:30 Are you ready for God's great mission? 52:34 Are you ready to do whatever it takes 52:36 to proclaim God's last day message 52:39 as you focus on mission to the cities 52:42 and rural areas as well? 52:44 Are you ready to participate in medical missionary work, 52:47 comprehensive health ministry? 52:49 Are you willing to help people to live life to the fullest 52:53 both now and for eternity? 52:57 Will you plead with the Lord for revival and reformation 53:01 and for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit 53:04 as we proclaim Bible truth? 53:07 Are you willing to march forward in service to God 53:13 before men and angels? 53:18 If you accept this challenge, would you quietly join me 53:26 in standing to your feet? 53:36 As you personally submit right now, 53:40 to Jesus Christ your Lord and your Savior 53:46 He is calling you to serve Him 53:51 before men and angels. 53:54 We are gonna pray in just a few moments 53:58 but there may be some of you 54:00 who are facing a very unusual circumstance when you go home. 54:05 May be you have an unusual burden on your heart, 54:10 may be you want to place it before the Lord. 54:15 I just ask that if you do would you just join me 54:19 right here in the front for a special prayer? 54:24 Any of you who have a special circumstance 54:26 that may be coming to you 54:28 when you come back to your place, 54:31 to your campus to wherever it is, 54:33 that you find God calling you may be there is someone here 54:40 who hasn't fully given their heart to the Lord 54:43 and you are wanting to say Lord, 54:44 use me in every possible way would you come forward? 54:49 Maybe there are someone who has a burden 54:51 for a mother or a father for a brother or a sister, 54:57 will you come forward? 55:00 May be the Lord is putting you in such a situation 55:02 where you are gonna be called upon to be like Paul 55:06 and to proclaim Christ in every unusual circumstance 55:11 even though you may be harassed. 55:15 If you want personal guidance and blessing from the Lord 55:19 as you leave this place, would you come forward? 55:24 God is gonna bless you as you go out to these places 55:28 all over this country and beyond. 55:31 God is gonna use you as a witness 55:35 before men and angels. 55:40 Let's bow our heads as we pray. 55:44 Our loving Father in heaven, we come to You quietly 55:51 in this wonderful GYC convocation. 55:55 We recognize all of the support services, 55:58 all of the encouragement, all of the affirmation 56:01 that exists in these wonderful conferences 56:07 but when we leave here, and go to our own Mars' Hill 56:13 please go with us, please bless 56:15 every young person who has come forward, 56:17 every individual who has a special burden, 56:20 some on who perhaps wrestling with a convection 56:25 about what he or she should do 56:27 either for a life partner or for their profession. 56:34 May be there is personal conflict temptation 56:38 that has come into our life and destroyed the full picture 56:42 of what God wants to see happen. 56:47 Maybe someone has abused someone else. 56:53 May be an individual standing here 56:56 has been a victim of difficulty. 56:59 Lord, help that individual to feel 57:03 and to know that You love them unconditionally 57:06 that You want to give them 57:07 the power to become the mightiest voice for You. 57:12 Lord, bless these young people as You send them out. 57:17 We are living in the very end of time 57:21 we are just on the edge of eternity, 57:24 the second coming of Christ is so near. 57:29 Lord, use us in service to You before men and angels. 57:36 Lord, we consecrate and commit ourselves completely to You. 57:41 Thank You for hearing us in this prayer 57:44 and thank You for sending us from this place 57:48 filled with the power that You invested in Paul 57:52 and in others to proclaim the one true God 57:57 the one in whom we live and move Jesus Christ our Lord. 58:05 Thank You hearing us and bless this GYC convention 58:10 and each one here in the powerful 58:13 and wonderful name of our Lord and Savior, 58:17 our coming King, our high priest 58:21 and our best friend Jesus Christ, amen. |
Revised 2014-12-17