You're on the narrow road
00:00:37.60\00:00:41.45
And I've been with you all along
00:00:41.48\00:00:45.68
This race that you're running
00:00:45.71\00:00:49.35
Is not given to the strong
00:00:49.38\00:00:53.55
I know sometimes you're weary
00:00:53.58\00:00:57.47
And faith is hard to find
00:00:57.50\00:01:01.43
You feel you'll
never reach the finish line
00:01:01.46\00:01:07.55
But, that's when I carry you
00:01:07.58\00:01:11.68
That's when I carry you
00:01:11.71\00:01:16.58
I have kept you
through the storms
00:01:16.61\00:01:20.96
You have never been alone
00:01:20.99\00:01:23.94
I'll carry you
00:01:23.97\00:01:27.23
Yes, I will carry you
00:01:27.26\00:01:32.18
When the road is much
too hard to make it through
00:01:32.21\00:01:38.09
I will carry you
00:01:38.12\00:01:45.04
I'm with you when you're hurting
00:01:48.78\00:01:52.67
I know how hard you try
00:01:52.70\00:01:56.62
To bare your heavy burdens
00:01:56.65\00:02:00.71
I hear you when you cry
00:02:00.74\00:02:04.38
I know sometimes it's easy
00:02:04.41\00:02:08.46
To believe all hope is gone
00:02:08.49\00:02:12.48
When there is no
more strength to carry on
00:02:12.51\00:02:18.55
But, that's when I carry you
00:02:18.58\00:02:22.63
That's when I
carry you, my child
00:02:22.66\00:02:28.13
I have kept you
through the storms
00:02:28.16\00:02:31.94
You have never been alone
00:02:31.97\00:02:34.89
I'll carry you
00:02:34.92\00:02:38.21
Yes, I will carry you
00:02:38.24\00:02:43.09
When the road is much
too hard to make it through
00:02:43.12\00:02:49.01
I will carry you
00:02:49.04\00:02:53.40
You may not
understand what's going on
00:02:53.43\00:03:00.77
And you may not have
00:03:00.80\00:03:03.36
the strength to be strong
00:03:03.39\00:03:10.64
But, that's when I carry you
00:03:14.07\00:03:18.57
That's when I carry you
00:03:18.60\00:03:23.43
I have kept you
through the storms
00:03:23.46\00:03:27.87
You have never been alone
00:03:27.90\00:03:30.90
I'll carry you
00:03:30.93\00:03:34.16
Yes, I will carry you, my child
00:03:34.19\00:03:39.69
When the road is much
too hard to make it through
00:03:39.72\00:03:45.14
I will carry you
00:03:45.17\00:03:49.48
Yes,
00:03:49.51\00:03:52.90
I will carry you
00:03:52.93\00:03:55.69
I have kept you
through the storms
00:03:55.72\00:03:59.48
You have never been alone
00:03:59.51\00:04:02.54
I'll carry you
00:04:02.57\00:04:05.84
Yes, I will carry you, my child
00:04:05.87\00:04:11.31
When the road is much
too hard to make it through
00:04:11.34\00:04:17.23
I will carry you
00:04:17.26\00:04:24.19
Yes, I will I promise you
00:04:29.81\00:04:35.42
Yes, I will
00:04:35.45\00:04:38.22
I'll carry you
00:04:38.25\00:04:44.18
Amen. Amen.
00:04:52.88\00:04:58.86
Good afternoon.
00:04:58.89\00:05:00.32
I want to welcome you all
to a special town hall program
00:05:00.35\00:05:04.78
that is coming to you live
from Grand Rapids, Michigan
00:05:04.81\00:05:07.75
where we are having
our annual ASI Convention.
00:05:07.78\00:05:11.14
And our special guest
today are Pastor Dan Jackson,
00:05:11.17\00:05:14.49
the president of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:05:14.52\00:05:16.21
in North American known also
as the North American Division
00:05:16.24\00:05:19.63
and Pastor Ted
Wilson, who is the President
00:05:19.66\00:05:22.11
of the World
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:05:22.14\00:05:23.66
also known as the
General Conference.
00:05:23.69\00:05:25.98
And we are very
pleased to have you
00:05:26.01\00:05:27.96
as special guests, gentlemen
00:05:27.99\00:05:30.08
and I want you on
behalf of the ASI officer group
00:05:30.11\00:05:34.29
welcome you to our convention
and glad that you are here.
00:05:34.32\00:05:37.61
And would like have
to you give a greeting
00:05:37.64\00:05:39.89
if you would like
to to our both audience
00:05:39.92\00:05:42.14
that is watching by television
and the live studio audience
00:05:42.17\00:05:44.71
we have here in this hotel.
00:05:44.74\00:05:48.94
Well, its great,
great privilege to be here
00:05:48.97\00:05:51.70
at the ASI Convention
and to see so many friends
00:05:51.73\00:05:55.06
and those who are
very strong supporters
00:05:55.09\00:05:58.45
of God's precious word
and the last day message
00:05:58.48\00:06:02.00
for this troubled world of
ours and it will be a privilege
00:06:02.03\00:06:05.67
to chat with you today
about some of those things.
00:06:05.70\00:06:07.97
We are looking forward to that,
Pastor Wilson. Pastor Jackson?
00:06:08.00\00:06:10.91
Its all is good.
00:06:10.94\00:06:12.01
One of the best parts of my
job is to meet God's people.
00:06:12.04\00:06:17.59
And so its good to be here
00:06:17.62\00:06:19.80
and I'm thankful for
the opportunity to sit
00:06:19.83\00:06:23.68
and talk and discuss issues
that are very near and dear
00:06:23.71\00:06:27.65
to the hearts of
Seventh-day Adventists.
00:06:27.68\00:06:30.37
And of course, those who
are in our studio audience
00:06:30.40\00:06:33.27
today don't need to be
told who ASI members are
00:06:33.30\00:06:36.72
but those who are
watching on television
00:06:36.75\00:06:38.55
you may need to be
reminded, just let you know,
00:06:38.58\00:06:41.44
ASI members are
Seventh-day Adventist lay people
00:06:41.47\00:06:45.01
who are business people
or who operate ministries.
00:06:45.04\00:06:48.29
And these individuals are
here gathered in a convention,
00:06:48.32\00:06:52.02
a series of
conferences and meetings
00:06:52.05\00:06:54.48
that are designed to help them
00:06:54.51\00:06:55.97
know how to join
together more effectively
00:06:56.00\00:06:59.19
with the
leadership of our church.
00:06:59.22\00:07:01.40
And one of the
things that in case someone
00:07:01.43\00:07:04.28
who is watching
may not even know,
00:07:04.31\00:07:05.75
you may not be a member
00:07:05.78\00:07:06.81
of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church,
00:07:06.84\00:07:08.28
I would like to
ask you over Jackson
00:07:08.31\00:07:09.97
what is a Seventh-day Adventist?
00:07:10.00\00:07:12.90
Seventh-day
Adventist is a Bible believing,
00:07:12.93\00:07:16.19
God fearing individual
who has accepted Jesus
00:07:16.22\00:07:21.19
as their Lord and Savior
00:07:21.22\00:07:22.39
and who is
committed to the proclamation
00:07:22.42\00:07:25.31
of the grace of
God in the context
00:07:25.34\00:07:27.57
of three very special
messages found in Revelation 14
00:07:27.60\00:07:31.98
that we call the
Three Angels Messages.
00:07:32.01\00:07:34.02
Okay, and that's individually
00:07:34.05\00:07:35.78
now from a world
perspective Pastor Wilson,
00:07:35.81\00:07:38.93
what is the
Seventh-day Adventist movement?
00:07:38.96\00:07:42.70
Well Dan, it involves over
18 million baptized members
00:07:42.73\00:07:50.34
and many, many more children
00:07:50.37\00:07:52.47
and those who feel
some what connected
00:07:52.50\00:07:54.88
to the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:07:54.91\00:07:57.24
The world church
has 13 world divisions
00:07:57.27\00:08:00.66
which are
different regional areas
00:08:00.69\00:08:03.21
one of which is the
North American Division.
00:08:03.24\00:08:06.48
And we operate in about 208
countries of the world or so.
00:08:06.51\00:08:13.52
Multiple languages,
00:08:13.55\00:08:16.18
helping in the
area of better health,
00:08:16.21\00:08:20.08
social activities,
helping with young people
00:08:20.11\00:08:23.29
and the challenges they face,
00:08:23.32\00:08:25.65
helping in education
and most of all spiritually.
00:08:25.68\00:08:29.82
And of course, that emphasis
00:08:29.85\00:08:33.13
is following in Christ footsteps
00:08:33.16\00:08:35.59
where He ministered to people
00:08:35.62\00:08:37.09
and help people
where they were hurting.
00:08:37.12\00:08:40.36
And so we emphasis
00:08:40.39\00:08:42.53
the physical, social,
mental and spiritual realm
00:08:42.56\00:08:47.74
and the Seventh-day Adventist
00:08:47.77\00:08:48.88
is one who simply
follows God's leading
00:08:48.91\00:08:52.39
and realizes here on this earth
its time to share with people
00:08:52.42\00:08:56.41
the good news
that Jesus is coming.
00:08:56.44\00:08:58.19
Amen, and one of the things that
00:08:58.22\00:09:00.84
we have been known for
is-- I've heard the phrase
00:09:00.87\00:09:03.56
and of course, we
are all familiar with it,
00:09:03.59\00:09:05.52
that Seventh-day Adventists
are people of the book.
00:09:05.55\00:09:09.18
And when we say the book,
we are talking about Scripture.
00:09:09.21\00:09:11.50
And for a Seventh-day
Adventist how important
00:09:11.53\00:09:15.40
is the
Scriptures, Pastor Jackson?
00:09:15.43\00:09:17.51
You know, Seventh-day
Adventism in reality comes
00:09:17.54\00:09:20.85
out of a long
heritage of Protestantism.
00:09:20.88\00:09:24.62
And when the reformers
back in the 16th century
00:09:24.65\00:09:28.34
talked about the
Bible, they talked about it
00:09:28.37\00:09:31.64
as the soul rule of
life and faith and practice.
00:09:31.67\00:09:37.16
And for the
Seventh-day Adventist
00:09:37.19\00:09:38.99
how important
is this book to us?
00:09:39.02\00:09:41.22
We find the grace of God
00:09:41.25\00:09:42.90
and the goodness
of God in this book
00:09:42.93\00:09:44.48
and we find those messages
that are unique and specific
00:09:44.51\00:09:48.79
that God has asked
us to give to the world.
00:09:48.82\00:09:51.11
So, it still is the soul
rule of faith and practice.
00:09:51.14\00:09:55.94
If I can just ask-- Oh, yes.
00:09:55.97\00:09:58.81
Probably one of
the biggest objectives
00:09:58.84\00:10:00.51
that the devil
has is to neutralize
00:10:00.54\00:10:03.86
the effectiveness
of the Word of God
00:10:03.89\00:10:06.45
and he can do
that in different ways
00:10:06.48\00:10:08.52
helping people to pick apart
00:10:08.55\00:10:11.54
the Bible using
their own educated status
00:10:11.57\00:10:15.88
and believing that they know
00:10:15.91\00:10:17.29
how to somehow
rearrange things or decide
00:10:17.32\00:10:20.71
for what is
truth and what is not.
00:10:20.74\00:10:23.56
Another way is
simply to get people
00:10:23.59\00:10:25.63
to ignore the Word of God.
00:10:25.66\00:10:27.77
So you can do it
in different ways,
00:10:27.80\00:10:29.62
attacking it or helping even
00:10:29.65\00:10:32.87
Seventh-day
Adventist Christians to ignore
00:10:32.90\00:10:35.50
the need to study
God's word everyday.
00:10:35.53\00:10:40.32
You know, Dan, I believe that
00:10:40.35\00:10:41.70
the time is
coming when all people
00:10:41.73\00:10:45.78
will not be able
to trust their senses.
00:10:45.81\00:10:49.18
The devil is very
clever, he is very cunning.
00:10:49.21\00:10:52.69
He knows how to fool us,
to trick us and if our lives
00:10:52.72\00:10:57.73
and our understanding of
God is not based upon this book
00:10:57.76\00:11:02.10
we can so easily be deceived.
00:11:02.13\00:11:03.88
So we can't trust our
sense, we have to rely
00:11:03.91\00:11:06.76
on what the Word of
God says to us everyday.
00:11:06.79\00:11:10.64
And of course, in the world
00:11:10.67\00:11:12.08
that we are living in
there is a cultural shift,
00:11:12.11\00:11:14.87
it's almost like a runaway train
00:11:14.90\00:11:17.41
in some
descriptions that I have heard
00:11:17.44\00:11:20.38
and where people are looking
at experience in their lives
00:11:20.41\00:11:25.22
and they are
actually starting new courses
00:11:25.25\00:11:27.83
without the Word of God.
00:11:27.86\00:11:28.90
It's around us in the culture
00:11:28.93\00:11:30.43
but its' also in
Christianity in churches.
00:11:30.46\00:11:33.84
And one of the things
that we are gonna do here
00:11:33.87\00:11:35.36
there are elephants in the room
00:11:35.39\00:11:37.93
and we are gonna be
talking about the elephants
00:11:37.96\00:11:39.88
that are in the room
because these are real issues.
00:11:39.91\00:11:43.31
One of the things that
we have all seen this summer
00:11:43.34\00:11:46.80
is the announcement
church after church,
00:11:46.83\00:11:50.33
now I'm not talking about
Seventh-day Adventist churches
00:11:50.36\00:11:51.95
I'm talking about other
Protestant denominations.
00:11:51.98\00:11:54.66
There have been news
releases after news release
00:11:54.69\00:11:57.35
of different
groups that are now saying
00:11:57.38\00:11:59.89
we are going to embrace
what is commonly talked about
00:11:59.92\00:12:03.26
as the gay marriage
issue or LGBT issues.
00:12:03.29\00:12:07.12
And that popular thing--
00:12:07.15\00:12:09.58
in fact, there's
only one denomination
00:12:09.61\00:12:11.35
that did not go that way
from all the announcements
00:12:11.38\00:12:13.34
that have been made this summer.
00:12:13.37\00:12:15.08
But where do
Seventh-day Adventist stand
00:12:15.11\00:12:17.12
with regard to
issues-- well, I guess,
00:12:17.15\00:12:21.14
I would talk about it
in terms even in larger,
00:12:21.17\00:12:23.59
the whole arena
of human sexuality.
00:12:23.62\00:12:26.47
We have people
that are talking about
00:12:26.50\00:12:28.15
pornography and
pornography addictions
00:12:28.18\00:12:30.18
especially among
certain age groups of people,
00:12:30.21\00:12:34.37
also the gay lifestyle,
the gay marriage et cetera.
00:12:34.40\00:12:36.75
How does that relate
00:12:36.78\00:12:38.56
in Seventh-day Adventist
thinking and leadership?
00:12:38.59\00:12:41.23
How you look at that?
00:12:41.26\00:12:42.83
And I would ask you
at first, Elder Wilson.
00:12:42.86\00:12:45.20
Well, interestingly
00:12:45.23\00:12:46.63
the Seventh-day
Adventist world church
00:12:46.66\00:12:50.00
had a conference in
Cape Town, South Africa
00:12:50.03\00:12:54.51
in a month of March of this year
00:12:54.54\00:12:57.37
where we focused upon
00:12:57.40\00:13:00.04
this particular
aspect of human sexuality
00:13:00.07\00:13:04.58
and in particular homosexuality
and some of those aspects.
00:13:04.61\00:13:10.64
And the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:13:10.67\00:13:12.55
is very clear on its
position regarding homosexuality
00:13:12.58\00:13:19.17
and areas related to that.
00:13:19.20\00:13:22.75
We stand firmly
upon the Word of God.
00:13:22.78\00:13:26.24
We stand firmly
upon what Scripture says
00:13:26.27\00:13:29.40
that variants of what God's idea
00:13:29.43\00:13:34.26
is they are not what God wants.
00:13:34.29\00:13:37.83
We are opposed to
that type of lifestyle.
00:13:37.86\00:13:41.60
Now, that doesn't
mean that we come at it
00:13:41.63\00:13:43.56
from a very self
righteous position
00:13:43.59\00:13:45.88
because there are
people who are involved
00:13:45.91\00:13:48.99
in heterosexual activity
00:13:49.02\00:13:51.75
that is very much out
of line with Scripture.
00:13:51.78\00:13:54.53
And so we have to be
very clear that we support
00:13:54.56\00:13:58.29
what God
intended for human beings
00:13:58.32\00:14:01.55
and that was a man and
a woman would be married
00:14:01.58\00:14:05.95
and form a family
00:14:05.98\00:14:08.31
and God will bless that
family and that relationship.
00:14:08.34\00:14:11.75
Now regardless of what situation
00:14:11.78\00:14:15.18
people may face,
God has a solution
00:14:15.21\00:14:19.14
and an answer to bring
them back into a wholeness.
00:14:19.17\00:14:23.15
And so another
aspect of the conference
00:14:23.18\00:14:25.77
that we had in Cape Town
00:14:25.80\00:14:28.12
was to help our
church understand that
00:14:28.15\00:14:30.90
we need to reach
out to people everywhere
00:14:30.93\00:14:34.97
who are facing
challenges and difficulties
00:14:35.00\00:14:37.98
and to remind them and ourselves
00:14:38.01\00:14:40.85
that Jesus, has
the power to help us
00:14:40.88\00:14:45.05
to live a victorious
Christian life in Him.
00:14:45.08\00:14:49.22
And so I think
00:14:49.25\00:14:50.67
the Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:14:50.70\00:14:51.85
is quite clear on
our biblical stand
00:14:51.88\00:14:54.99
and also on how we
want to reach out to people,
00:14:55.02\00:14:58.25
not in a self-righteous way
but pointing people to the one
00:14:58.28\00:15:01.91
who can give us victory
and that's Jesus Christ.
00:15:01.94\00:15:06.31
You know, I think
one of the teachings
00:15:06.34\00:15:07.85
of the Scriptures is
that, God does give free choice.
00:15:07.88\00:15:14.35
If you read Roman's Chapter 1
00:15:14.38\00:15:15.91
it's a very serious
discussion of what happens
00:15:15.94\00:15:19.40
when men take their choice
00:15:19.43\00:15:21.66
and run contrary
to the will of God.
00:15:21.69\00:15:24.79
I don't believe
the time will ever come
00:15:24.82\00:15:28.17
when the Seventh-day
Adventist Church would
00:15:28.20\00:15:30.44
or should move
away from this book.
00:15:30.47\00:15:33.64
But I thank to every human being
00:15:33.67\00:15:36.52
we have another
mandate that expresses to them
00:15:36.55\00:15:41.83
that when Jesus
died upon the cross
00:15:41.86\00:15:43.87
He did two things--
more than two things
00:15:43.90\00:15:46.55
but two things
that I want to mention.
00:15:46.58\00:15:49.15
He overcame the
power of the grave.
00:15:49.18\00:15:53.58
So no matter what
happens in my life
00:15:53.61\00:15:55.98
if I die in the faith of Jesus,
I know He will raise me again.
00:15:56.01\00:16:00.40
But the second
thing that Jesus did
00:16:00.43\00:16:02.04
at Calvary was to overcome sin.
00:16:02.07\00:16:07.18
So that for every person,
00:16:07.21\00:16:08.71
no matter how
pained they are right now,
00:16:08.74\00:16:11.64
how challenged
they are right now,
00:16:11.67\00:16:14.35
the reality is that
Jesus offers freedom
00:16:14.38\00:16:16.81
to every human being.
00:16:16.84\00:16:18.65
And I think our
approach to this whole question
00:16:18.68\00:16:21.04
we need to, we
need to acknowledge
00:16:21.07\00:16:23.08
that if there is
any hierarchy of sin
00:16:23.11\00:16:26.69
the number one on
the list is pride.
00:16:26.72\00:16:30.98
However we reach out to
every person acknowledging that
00:16:31.01\00:16:35.53
the Word of God
sets a standard for us
00:16:35.56\00:16:38.34
and we are never to
compromise on this standard.
00:16:38.37\00:16:41.96
So we pray for those individuals
00:16:41.99\00:16:44.93
who maybe caught in
certain sexual problems,
00:16:44.96\00:16:48.70
whether
heterosexual, homosexual,
00:16:48.73\00:16:51.19
whether its a
problem with pornography
00:16:51.22\00:16:53.63
we need to pray
and reach out to them
00:16:53.66\00:16:55.29
with the love of
God assuring them
00:16:55.32\00:16:57.39
that they can have victory.
00:16:57.42\00:16:59.53
Go ahead, please.
00:16:59.56\00:17:00.95
Jackson made a very
important point there that
00:17:00.98\00:17:03.29
we need to reach out
with the love of God.
00:17:03.32\00:17:05.54
So compassion and
love is very important
00:17:05.57\00:17:08.48
but then again
God's word says something.
00:17:08.51\00:17:11.98
and so God has to help
balance that in a beautiful way,
00:17:12.01\00:17:16.72
but never should we be
a mean spirited or angry,
00:17:16.75\00:17:21.76
we should reach out in true
Christian love pointing people
00:17:21.79\00:17:25.43
to the source of
all victory, Jesus.
00:17:25.46\00:17:28.19
And of course,
one of the things that
00:17:28.22\00:17:29.86
the devil has done in his
entire great controversy plan
00:17:29.89\00:17:34.81
is to try to
normalize sin anyway that he can
00:17:34.84\00:17:38.53
and I'm thinking right now
Pastor Jackson, you mentioned,
00:17:38.56\00:17:41.73
you know, someone
who might be struggling
00:17:41.76\00:17:43.30
with the pornography addiction
00:17:43.33\00:17:44.41
and incidentally that's
just a male only issues.
00:17:44.44\00:17:48.53
The statistics show that
there are a number of females
00:17:48.56\00:17:50.80
that are caught in that as well.
00:17:50.83\00:17:52.27
And if there is
someone here in this audience
00:17:52.30\00:17:53.98
or someone who is
watching us right now
00:17:54.01\00:17:56.55
that maybe struggling with that
and feeling ashamed or sorry
00:17:56.58\00:17:59.59
and not knowing what to do,
00:17:59.62\00:18:01.05
what would you say to
that person, Pastor Wilson?
00:18:01.08\00:18:04.15
Well, first of all I
think one has to recognize
00:18:04.18\00:18:08.52
that there is a being
and that is God himself
00:18:08.55\00:18:14.14
who wants to
create a restoration
00:18:14.17\00:18:17.77
of wholeness in
all of our lives.
00:18:17.80\00:18:20.45
And so God first of all
needs to be looked at is someone
00:18:20.48\00:18:24.80
who can really help
in a situation like this.
00:18:24.83\00:18:27.98
And anyone who is suffering
00:18:28.01\00:18:29.70
from that kind of an
addiction or that challenge,
00:18:29.73\00:18:32.82
they need to
recognize that the first thing
00:18:32.85\00:18:35.11
they need to do
is to come to God
00:18:35.14\00:18:38.06
and accept that
God will help them
00:18:38.09\00:18:40.81
and give them
assistance and encouragement.
00:18:40.84\00:18:43.54
But I would like
to encourage anyone
00:18:43.57\00:18:45.15
who is facing some of those
challenges to be able to go
00:18:45.18\00:18:49.37
to Seventh-day
Adventist websites,
00:18:49.40\00:18:51.72
to be able to also contact
the Seventh-day Adventist
00:18:51.75\00:18:54.59
pastor or church
leader, a local church leader
00:18:54.62\00:18:58.26
who can then put them in touch
with very competent individuals
00:18:58.29\00:19:03.85
who can help them work through
00:19:03.88\00:19:06.23
some of those
challenging situations.
00:19:06.26\00:19:08.83
Because one of the worst things
00:19:08.86\00:19:10.50
that a person face,
faces in a situation like that
00:19:10.53\00:19:14.43
is that they feel
rejected, cut off,
00:19:14.46\00:19:16.98
or that there is no hope
and there is a lot of hope.
00:19:17.01\00:19:20.09
Yes, there is hope.
00:19:20.12\00:19:21.17
Pastor Jackson, would
you like to add to that?
00:19:21.20\00:19:22.69
Well sure, You know, years ago
00:19:22.72\00:19:25.25
Del Delker sang a
song and the words,
00:19:25.28\00:19:28.15
first words or the chorus was
00:19:28.18\00:19:30.43
"Never give up, Jesus is coming.
00:19:30.46\00:19:32.30
It's the darkest
just before dawn."
00:19:32.33\00:19:34.32
And it is true.
00:19:34.35\00:19:35.42
We live in the context of
the eminent return of Jesus
00:19:35.45\00:19:39.23
but for the
person who is struggling,
00:19:39.26\00:19:42.30
who feels as Elder
Wilson had said on their own
00:19:42.33\00:19:44.93
and isolated, you are not alone.
00:19:44.96\00:19:47.73
You are not alone,
because Jesus has promised
00:19:47.76\00:19:51.16
to be with you in that situation
00:19:51.19\00:19:54.35
and He will give healing
00:19:54.38\00:19:56.89
if you surrender
your life to Him.
00:19:56.92\00:19:58.96
You know, the Scripture
say, you will search Me
00:19:58.99\00:20:01.85
or seek for Me
and you will find Me,
00:20:01.88\00:20:04.12
when you search for
Me with all your heart
00:20:04.15\00:20:06.24
and I will be found
of you, says the Lord.
00:20:06.27\00:20:09.07
So, no matter
how deep the problem
00:20:09.10\00:20:11.48
or how in mesh the habit
God can give deliverance.
00:20:11.51\00:20:17.11
Amen, I want to
move on to another topic
00:20:17.14\00:20:20.05
because our time
will get away from us.
00:20:20.08\00:20:21.74
One of the areas
we got many questions
00:20:21.77\00:20:26.16
had to do with the
women's ordination issues
00:20:26.19\00:20:29.18
that is before
the church right now
00:20:29.21\00:20:31.46
and I have a question
00:20:31.49\00:20:32.69
I would like to ask in this way.
00:20:32.72\00:20:35.22
You know, many of our lay people
00:20:35.25\00:20:37.12
may not be fully
understanding the process
00:20:37.15\00:20:41.25
that the church uses to wrestle
00:20:41.28\00:20:43.01
with these kind of issues,
00:20:43.04\00:20:44.71
we know that there are
commissions that have met,
00:20:44.74\00:20:47.37
we know that this coming fall
there will be Annual Council
00:20:47.40\00:20:50.28
where I'm certain that
this will be discussed.
00:20:50.31\00:20:53.08
And of course,
next year at this time
00:20:53.11\00:20:55.13
we will have
already been through
00:20:55.16\00:20:56.19
the General Conference
session of 2015 in San Antonio.
00:20:56.22\00:21:00.18
My question and I would like
00:21:00.21\00:21:01.24
for both of you to be
able to respond to this is,
00:21:01.27\00:21:04.96
what will be the
impact upon the church?
00:21:04.99\00:21:08.87
And I'm gonna start
with your Pastor Jackson,
00:21:08.90\00:21:10.43
what will be the impact
00:21:10.46\00:21:12.23
upon the church
in North America, A,
00:21:12.26\00:21:15.31
if the church
votes to ordain women
00:21:15.34\00:21:18.94
and B, if the church
votes not to ordain women?
00:21:18.97\00:21:22.32
What would be the impact
00:21:22.35\00:21:24.37
of the decision of
upon North America?
00:21:24.40\00:21:26.86
But Dan, I want to
profess my comment by saying
00:21:26.89\00:21:29.39
that I believe
there are God fearing,
00:21:29.42\00:21:33.37
God honoring, Bible
believing Seventh-day Adventists
00:21:33.40\00:21:38.84
who find themselves on
both sides of the equation
00:21:38.87\00:21:42.07
and I think we need to look
at it from that perspective.
00:21:42.10\00:21:45.23
Okay.
00:21:45.26\00:21:47.94
No matter what the outcome
00:21:47.97\00:21:49.71
of the Annual Council
and the General Conference
00:21:49.74\00:21:52.30
there will be
individuals in North America
00:21:52.33\00:21:55.94
and I'm speaking
only for North America
00:21:55.97\00:21:57.90
but I'm assuming in
other parts of the world too.
00:21:57.93\00:22:00.76
Now that will be
highly disappointed
00:22:00.79\00:22:02.64
regardless of the outcome.
00:22:02.67\00:22:05.51
There is not
just one point of view
00:22:05.54\00:22:09.18
I don't think in most divisions,
00:22:09.21\00:22:11.29
I don't-- well,
let's not get into that.
00:22:11.32\00:22:13.31
But in North America
00:22:13.34\00:22:14.84
there is not just
one point of view.
00:22:14.87\00:22:18.11
So no matter which
way the discussion ends
00:22:18.14\00:22:21.12
there will be some
great disappointment.
00:22:21.15\00:22:24.03
I will tell you
plainly two things.
00:22:24.06\00:22:27.75
Number one, I believe that
00:22:27.78\00:22:30.22
God has given us
the inalienable right
00:22:30.25\00:22:33.60
to make choices,
to look into His word,
00:22:33.63\00:22:36.29
to study it and understand it.
00:22:36.32\00:22:38.68
And as we do that
00:22:38.71\00:22:42.22
we need to
surrender our lives to God
00:22:42.25\00:22:44.70
and give our lives to Him.
00:22:44.73\00:22:46.92
But when it comes this matter
of what will be the impact,
00:22:46.95\00:22:50.42
I think that there will
be some fundamental decisions
00:22:50.45\00:22:54.92
that all of us
will have to make.
00:22:54.95\00:22:56.40
Everyone of us no matter
00:22:56.43\00:22:57.86
which side of the
equation one might sit
00:22:57.89\00:23:00.95
and that is we will
have to make a decision,
00:23:00.98\00:23:04.26
is this God's
church or isn't it?
00:23:04.29\00:23:06.67
Did God call me
into this movement?
00:23:06.70\00:23:09.81
So the impact I believe
or at least the impact maybe
00:23:09.84\00:23:16.54
that there is a
lot of disappointment,
00:23:16.57\00:23:18.76
there maybe some
anger, there maybe alienation
00:23:18.79\00:23:22.23
and so on and yet
what do we do about that?
00:23:22.26\00:23:25.81
That is my issues at this point
00:23:25.84\00:23:28.64
in response to your question.
00:23:28.67\00:23:30.75
What do we do about that?
00:23:30.78\00:23:32.82
We anchor in Jesus Christ.
00:23:32.85\00:23:36.92
We acknowledge
that this is His church,
00:23:36.95\00:23:40.63
this is His movement
00:23:40.66\00:23:42.72
and we come to the
place where we say,
00:23:42.75\00:23:45.93
I want to be a
part of the movement
00:23:45.96\00:23:49.51
that heralds the
messages of the three angels
00:23:49.54\00:23:52.51
and no matter what
happened at a General Conference
00:23:52.54\00:23:56.22
or an Annual Council
00:23:56.25\00:23:57.98
let me focus on
the driving mission
00:23:58.01\00:24:01.48
of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:24:01.51\00:24:04.22
Pastor Wilson,
from a world perspective
00:24:04.25\00:24:07.35
what is the implication?
00:24:07.38\00:24:09.25
Whether we vote
yes, to ordain women
00:24:09.28\00:24:11.96
or no, not to ordain?
00:24:11.99\00:24:14.05
Well, let me
paraphrase that by saying
00:24:14.08\00:24:15.92
that we are carrying
out a very careful process
00:24:15.95\00:24:18.81
to make sure that what is done
00:24:18.84\00:24:20.84
is being fair to
all parties concerned
00:24:20.87\00:24:24.46
and those who hold
differing opinions.
00:24:24.49\00:24:27.87
We have groups
that have of course,
00:24:27.90\00:24:31.14
especially one group recently
00:24:31.17\00:24:32.66
that is very
carefully studied from Scripture
00:24:32.69\00:24:36.13
and from the
writings of Ellen White
00:24:36.16\00:24:39.25
and in much prayer to decipher
exactly what the positions are?
00:24:39.28\00:24:44.10
Well, people end up
holding different positions.
00:24:44.13\00:24:46.89
So how do you move
that process along?
00:24:46.92\00:24:49.32
And we will be
providing materials
00:24:49.35\00:24:53.72
of different perspectives
00:24:53.75\00:24:54.87
to all of the delegates
coming to the Annual Council.
00:24:54.90\00:24:57.77
Those who are
official representatives
00:24:57.80\00:25:01.95
at the Annual Council,
00:25:01.98\00:25:04.58
members of the
General Conference Committee
00:25:04.61\00:25:06.73
and we will be engaging
00:25:06.76\00:25:08.48
in some very
careful prayer approaches
00:25:08.51\00:25:12.13
and a listening to each other.
00:25:12.16\00:25:14.56
Now one of the main things
00:25:14.59\00:25:15.67
that we want to
do is to make sure
00:25:15.70\00:25:17.11
that people don't become
too over anxious and emotive
00:25:17.14\00:25:22.04
because this is a
very challenging subject
00:25:22.07\00:25:25.73
and people can become
extremely almost angry
00:25:25.76\00:25:31.20
on either side of the question.
00:25:31.23\00:25:34.13
And we want the
Holy Spirit's presence
00:25:34.16\00:25:36.11
in a very careful
way as I think all do.
00:25:36.14\00:25:40.76
So the process will
be very carefully done,
00:25:40.79\00:25:43.93
we will be
listening, we will be praying,
00:25:43.96\00:25:46.64
we will be talking
and no one by God's grace
00:25:46.67\00:25:50.56
will be shown any
kind of depreciation
00:25:50.59\00:25:54.60
for their own self
worth and their own positions.
00:25:54.63\00:25:59.67
We are looking
towards a situation
00:25:59.70\00:26:04.21
where we will probably have
to take some kind of a vote.
00:26:04.24\00:26:07.69
We don't have the luxury
of having the high priest
00:26:07.72\00:26:11.32
with the Urim and
Thummim and asking a question.
00:26:11.35\00:26:14.31
We don't have a living
prophet with us to ask.
00:26:14.34\00:26:17.73
We do have the Holy Spirit
00:26:17.76\00:26:19.41
and the Holy Spirit
will lead us into all truth.
00:26:19.44\00:26:23.22
What I think is the
most important thing
00:26:23.25\00:26:25.48
even beyond what will be decided
00:26:25.51\00:26:28.89
is as Pastor Jackson has
said, how will you react?
00:26:28.92\00:26:33.13
One way or the other
00:26:33.16\00:26:34.21
regardless of
what decision is taken,
00:26:34.24\00:26:37.32
will you understand
00:26:37.35\00:26:39.07
that you are part
of the body of Christ.
00:26:39.10\00:26:41.87
And that there is
a bigger challenge
00:26:41.90\00:26:44.95
and opportunity for the church
00:26:44.98\00:26:46.46
and that is the proclamation
of the Three Angels' Messages.
00:26:46.49\00:26:50.63
Are you willing
to be part of that
00:26:50.66\00:26:52.40
even though you may
not agree whether decision
00:26:52.43\00:26:55.47
that's been taken
one side or the other?
00:26:55.50\00:26:59.11
And I think as we move into this
00:26:59.14\00:27:00.94
we are going to be
emphasizing more and more
00:27:00.97\00:27:03.54
the need for unity in the church
00:27:03.57\00:27:06.06
and not for
disgruntle groups to run off
00:27:06.09\00:27:09.10
into one corner or off
into their own directions.
00:27:09.13\00:27:12.64
And you know,
one wonderful thing
00:27:12.67\00:27:15.67
recently Pastor
Jackson and I got together
00:27:15.70\00:27:18.96
and we had a real time
00:27:18.99\00:27:20.64
when we just talk
to each others hearts.
00:27:20.67\00:27:24.70
And we may not agree
00:27:24.73\00:27:26.22
on every single
little thing in live
00:27:26.25\00:27:28.09
but we are agreed on
the very important fact
00:27:28.12\00:27:31.84
that we must be united
in the mission of the church
00:27:31.87\00:27:35.35
and the prophetic mission
God has given to this church.
00:27:35.38\00:27:39.81
And so we are
excited about that aspect.
00:27:39.84\00:27:42.55
So I ask for your prayers
00:27:42.58\00:27:43.78
as we move into
this whole process
00:27:43.81\00:27:46.07
and ask that the Holy Spirit
will give us true compassion
00:27:46.10\00:27:50.93
and understanding for each other
00:27:50.96\00:27:53.11
but then to live with
the vote that's taken.
00:27:53.14\00:27:56.92
And I guess I would
ask our audience today.
00:27:56.95\00:27:58.95
How many of you will be
praying with Pastor Jackson
00:27:58.98\00:28:02.10
and Pastor Will on this process.
00:28:02.13\00:28:03.96
Thank you. all
of these people here
00:28:03.99\00:28:05.16
and I'm sure those who
are watching from home,
00:28:05.19\00:28:07.98
you will be praying as well.
00:28:08.01\00:28:10.04
I want to move to another
question that's coming in.
00:28:10.07\00:28:12.10
By the way so you know,
00:28:12.13\00:28:13.29
we've had I think
of 60 or 70 questions
00:28:13.32\00:28:15.63
that have been submitted to us.
00:28:15.66\00:28:17.16
We are not able
to get to everyone,
00:28:17.19\00:28:18.43
we grouped them
in different ones
00:28:18.46\00:28:20.03
but that came up is interesting.
00:28:20.06\00:28:22.77
And the question is
what about this rumors
00:28:22.80\00:28:25.06
that we hear that the NAD,
the North American Division
00:28:25.09\00:28:28.39
maybe moving or planning to
move out of the GC building.
00:28:28.42\00:28:32.98
Elder Jackson?
00:28:33.01\00:28:34.28
Well, that's a fair question
00:28:34.31\00:28:35.96
and I don't think it
needs any speculation.
00:28:35.99\00:28:41.52
You know, every
organization needs to grow
00:28:41.55\00:28:47.85
and needs to do what I
call self differentiate.
00:28:47.88\00:28:51.82
The General Conference and
the North American Division
00:28:51.85\00:28:55.52
and I think Elder Wilson
00:28:55.55\00:28:56.96
is the one who uses
the word have enjoyed
00:28:56.99\00:29:00.10
for many years a
symbiotic relationship.
00:29:00.13\00:29:03.58
I don't see the
need for that to end.
00:29:03.61\00:29:07.09
I don't believe
that a desire to move
00:29:07.12\00:29:10.29
to another
location is a reaction
00:29:10.32\00:29:12.90
to the General Conference
or a wild child saying
00:29:12.93\00:29:17.82
we are gonna go
and do what we want.
00:29:17.85\00:29:19.82
But every organization
has need for its own structure
00:29:19.85\00:29:23.93
and its own delivery of mission.
00:29:23.96\00:29:26.42
The North American Division,
you know, just as it says--
00:29:26.45\00:29:31.01
when you look at the
formal title of the NAD
00:29:31.04\00:29:34.16
it is the North
American Division
00:29:34.19\00:29:36.05
of the General Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists.
00:29:36.08\00:29:39.71
And so there is a
natural symbiotic relationship
00:29:39.74\00:29:42.77
and that not to end.
00:29:42.80\00:29:44.35
But yes, to be
frank we are contemplating
00:29:44.38\00:29:48.73
a move to another
part of either the area
00:29:48.76\00:29:52.59
that we are in right now
00:29:52.62\00:29:53.66
or somewhere in
the United States
00:29:53.69\00:29:56.72
where we feel we
can deliver the mission
00:29:56.75\00:30:01.69
of God's church
to North America.
00:30:01.72\00:30:03.56
This about mission,
its not about rebellion,
00:30:03.59\00:30:06.38
it's not about pushing away.
00:30:06.41\00:30:08.32
It is about mission
and mission delivery
00:30:08.35\00:30:11.89
and that is a key thing
that we are working hard toward
00:30:11.92\00:30:15.24
because we
believe Jesus is coming
00:30:15.27\00:30:18.32
and we need to do
what is most effective
00:30:18.35\00:30:20.95
and most efficient for His work.
00:30:20.98\00:30:22.96
Okay. Thank you.
00:30:22.99\00:30:24.17
We are not, we are
not pushing them out,
00:30:24.20\00:30:25.94
we would like for them to
stay but they are looking at it
00:30:25.97\00:30:28.68
and we want the
best for the mission--
00:30:28.71\00:30:31.63
the prophetic mission
00:30:31.66\00:30:32.90
here in the North
American Division.
00:30:32.93\00:30:35.45
And we will just
leave it in God's hands.
00:30:35.48\00:30:38.09
We'll see what happens.
Here's another question--
00:30:38.12\00:30:40.59
I didn't want to say that
the brethren have said to us,
00:30:40.62\00:30:44.46
we don't want you to go
00:30:44.49\00:30:45.97
but we will
support you in your move.
00:30:46.00\00:30:49.02
So we are not leaving
in any kind of animosity
00:30:49.05\00:30:53.32
or and we are not leaving.
00:30:53.35\00:30:55.46
We are studying it carefully
and-- but that's the story.
00:30:55.49\00:31:00.29
Okay, well, now we
know, we heard it straight,
00:31:00.32\00:31:02.77
the straight
testimony as we say.
00:31:02.80\00:31:04.45
You almost said
from the horse's mouth.
00:31:04.48\00:31:06.08
I almost did but I
did. I caught myself.
00:31:06.11\00:31:10.15
Another question,
do we still believe
00:31:10.18\00:31:12.64
in the Spirit of
Prophecy in this church?
00:31:12.67\00:31:14.88
Pastor Jackson, then
let's Pastor Wilson to respond.
00:31:14.91\00:31:17.44
You know, I have
believed for so many years
00:31:17.47\00:31:21.33
that the greatest unifying force
00:31:21.36\00:31:24.29
in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:31:24.32\00:31:26.87
has been the
writings of Ellen White
00:31:26.90\00:31:29.43
and I believe that
at this very minute.
00:31:29.46\00:31:32.63
We need, we need the
counsel that we can give.
00:31:32.66\00:31:36.90
We do believe in Sola Scriptura
00:31:36.93\00:31:39.98
but everything
that God gifted us
00:31:40.01\00:31:42.90
was through the
writings of Ellen White,
00:31:42.93\00:31:45.24
shines a light on this book.
00:31:45.27\00:31:47.80
And so for us to say in anyway
00:31:47.83\00:31:51.43
well, we can just
lay those writings aside
00:31:51.46\00:31:55.11
would be very
wrong and inappropriate
00:31:55.14\00:31:58.43
and that would be in my
opinion a trick of the devil.
00:31:58.46\00:32:02.85
That gift was
given for us till the day
00:32:02.88\00:32:07.06
that Jesus comes,
it is a blessing to us
00:32:07.09\00:32:10.88
and it is enlightenment
00:32:10.91\00:32:13.42
as I've said on the Word of God.
00:32:13.45\00:32:15.98
Pastor Wilson?
00:32:16.01\00:32:17.04
One of the very
specific characteristics
00:32:17.07\00:32:19.33
of God's last day church
00:32:19.36\00:32:20.69
as outlined in Revelation 12:17,
00:32:20.72\00:32:24.17
there are two of them.
00:32:24.20\00:32:25.39
Keep the commandments of God
00:32:25.42\00:32:27.07
and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ.
00:32:27.10\00:32:29.64
And from Revelation 19 verse 10
00:32:29.67\00:32:31.99
we understand the
testimony of Jesus Christ
00:32:32.02\00:32:34.34
to be the Spirit of Prophecy
00:32:34.37\00:32:36.31
and we believe that
the writings of Ellen White
00:32:36.34\00:32:38.72
were inspired fully by God
00:32:38.75\00:32:41.45
and that they are just
as relevant today in 2014
00:32:41.48\00:32:46.03
as they were
hundred years ago or more.
00:32:46.06\00:32:49.77
The Lord I think is using today
00:32:49.80\00:32:52.92
even more those
precious writings
00:32:52.95\00:32:55.34
to point us back to the Bible
00:32:55.37\00:32:56.98
and to give us practical counsel
00:32:57.01\00:32:59.50
in almost every area of life
including Mission to the Cities
00:32:59.53\00:33:04.52
which we may talk
about in a few moments.
00:33:04.55\00:33:06.90
How to reach the
millions of people
00:33:06.93\00:33:09.70
in these huge
metropolitan areas?
00:33:09.73\00:33:12.32
So, yes, the Spirit of Prophecy
00:33:12.35\00:33:14.32
as I like to say is
one of God's greatest gifts
00:33:14.35\00:33:17.23
to the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:33:17.26\00:33:18.87
It is just as fresh
today as when it was written.
00:33:18.90\00:33:22.38
Amen. Amen.
00:33:22.41\00:33:24.81
The single area that
had the most questions
00:33:24.84\00:33:28.57
that came in during the time
00:33:28.60\00:33:31.56
when people were able
to put their questions in
00:33:31.59\00:33:33.54
with this town hall gathering
had to do with the whole arena
00:33:33.57\00:33:37.35
and I'm gonna use
several different words,
00:33:37.38\00:33:39.52
contemplative spirituality,
spiritual formation, et cetera.
00:33:39.55\00:33:43.10
This whole idea of
the blending of different,
00:33:43.13\00:33:47.24
different elements together
00:33:47.27\00:33:49.29
in kind of a new
age kind of a thing
00:33:49.32\00:33:52.16
and I guess what I
want to ask is this.
00:33:52.19\00:33:54.49
What about movements?
00:33:54.52\00:33:56.70
How should, how
should Adventists,
00:33:56.73\00:33:58.33
how should we are
hear other Adventist relate
00:33:58.36\00:34:01.39
to movements that draw us away
00:34:01.42\00:34:04.78
from the distinctive
beliefs in the prophetic vision
00:34:04.81\00:34:08.31
that God has entrusted to us?
00:34:08.34\00:34:10.40
And I'm gonna start
with your, Pastor Jackson.
00:34:10.43\00:34:14.05
Can I tell you a
story? We love stories.
00:34:14.08\00:34:16.20
It's a funny little story. Okay.
00:34:16.23\00:34:18.30
Years ago I was a baker.
00:34:18.33\00:34:20.44
I used to go into the bakery
first thing in the morning
00:34:20.47\00:34:22.84
and I would make mint tarts.
00:34:22.87\00:34:26.22
And the mince tarts,
00:34:26.25\00:34:27.87
you know, were sent
from the bakery to the--
00:34:27.90\00:34:30.68
a restaurant in Downtown
Victoria, British Columbia
00:34:30.71\00:34:34.22
where British
ladies would sip tea
00:34:34.25\00:34:36.17
and eat mince tarts.
00:34:36.20\00:34:38.93
One day I went into mix
00:34:38.96\00:34:40.58
the mince prior
to taking them out,
00:34:40.61\00:34:44.28
they felt a little stringy.
00:34:44.31\00:34:46.31
But I none the less
took the materials away,
00:34:46.34\00:34:49.14
then the second
day I did the same
00:34:49.17\00:34:51.03
and it was little more stringy.
00:34:51.06\00:34:52.60
By the third day I said,
00:34:52.63\00:34:53.73
something's
wrong with the mince.
00:34:53.76\00:34:56.14
You know, I took
the whole bucket out
00:34:56.17\00:34:59.17
and I've got a big tray
00:34:59.20\00:35:00.46
and I scooped it
out on to the tray
00:35:00.49\00:35:03.03
and discovered there were
seven dead mice in the mince.
00:35:03.06\00:35:09.76
Now those ladies
in that-- That tea.
00:35:09.79\00:35:13.01
Tea in the downtown Victoria
they were sipping their tea
00:35:13.04\00:35:16.85
and they thought they were
eating regular mince tarts.
00:35:16.88\00:35:20.01
They looked like mince tarts,
they smelled like mince tarts,
00:35:20.04\00:35:23.40
they tasted like mince
tarts but they had the addition
00:35:23.43\00:35:27.48
of the entrails of
seven mice in them.
00:35:27.51\00:35:31.54
This is true confession time.
00:35:31.57\00:35:32.97
I want you all to hear,
this is true confession time.
00:35:33.00\00:35:35.67
You know, you may see things
that look like they are truth,
00:35:35.70\00:35:41.90
they may smell like
truth, they may feel like truth
00:35:41.93\00:35:45.80
but if they do not
sit based on this word
00:35:45.83\00:35:49.74
they are not truth.
00:35:49.77\00:35:52.32
So when there are calls
or enticements to embrace
00:35:52.35\00:35:56.99
some other teaching
or some other word--
00:35:57.02\00:36:02.65
we tested on this
book and we don't--
00:36:02.68\00:36:05.87
we never to move away
00:36:05.90\00:36:08.19
from the plain
teachings of scripture.
00:36:08.22\00:36:10.68
No matter
whether somebody tells us
00:36:10.71\00:36:12.25
they have got a
unique way to pray
00:36:12.28\00:36:14.50
or there is a
church that is building
00:36:14.53\00:36:18.42
kind of a
syncretistic way of embracing
00:36:18.45\00:36:21.89
Islam and Buddhism and
Hinduism and Christianity.
00:36:21.92\00:36:26.51
No, no, no, no, rely on
00:36:26.54\00:36:29.22
what is the
reliable, God's word.
00:36:29.25\00:36:31.93
So that would be my answer.
00:36:31.96\00:36:33.04
Okay, Pastor Wilson.
00:36:33.07\00:36:35.15
We need to be prepared
00:36:35.18\00:36:37.21
that in the very last
days of earth's history
00:36:37.24\00:36:40.80
which I believe we
are living in right now
00:36:40.83\00:36:43.04
I believe fully that
Jesus is coming soon.
00:36:43.07\00:36:46.79
In these days the
devil will try to throw
00:36:46.82\00:36:49.76
every possible curve at anyone
who is interested in truth
00:36:49.79\00:36:55.32
and especially at
Seventh-day Adventist.
00:36:55.35\00:36:58.46
So there are gonna
be all kinds of winds
00:36:58.49\00:37:00.81
or strange
aberrant understanding
00:37:00.84\00:37:05.57
of what people think is truth.
00:37:05.60\00:37:08.65
Also there will
be renewed efforts
00:37:08.68\00:37:12.61
on the part of the
devil to deceive people
00:37:12.64\00:37:15.75
into thinking
that there is revival,
00:37:15.78\00:37:19.46
when in reality the revival
00:37:19.49\00:37:21.20
is not based on the Word of God
as Pastor Jackson has mentioned
00:37:21.23\00:37:25.22
but it is based upon emotion.
00:37:25.25\00:37:28.15
It is based upon an
existential kind of approach.
00:37:28.18\00:37:32.34
We need to be very careful about
00:37:32.37\00:37:34.05
anything that cannot
be proven from scripture
00:37:34.08\00:37:37.18
that is not based on a
cognitive understanding
00:37:37.21\00:37:41.50
of the Word of God
because from day to day
00:37:41.53\00:37:43.58
you can feel all
kinds of different ways.
00:37:43.61\00:37:46.63
So there is this tendency today,
00:37:46.66\00:37:49.52
especially with
certain charismatic
00:37:49.55\00:37:51.47
and Pentecostal influences
as well as new age influences
00:37:51.50\00:37:56.21
that you need to
experience something.
00:37:56.24\00:37:59.83
Yes, Christianity
and an understanding
00:37:59.86\00:38:03.02
of Christ is an experience
but it must be based upon
00:38:03.05\00:38:06.45
a firm understanding
of the Word of God.
00:38:06.48\00:38:10.01
Now I want to caution anyone
00:38:10.04\00:38:13.26
who is dabbling
in aspects of belief
00:38:13.29\00:38:17.82
or understanding
that could take them
00:38:17.85\00:38:21.16
away from solid
pillars of God's truth
00:38:21.19\00:38:24.89
that will focus on only
one particular area of truth
00:38:24.92\00:38:29.54
and not see it in a
big picture that will say
00:38:29.57\00:38:33.11
well, if you just repeat
these words over and over gain
00:38:33.14\00:38:37.30
or just fix your
mind on something
00:38:37.33\00:38:39.88
or allow your
mind to become vacant
00:38:39.91\00:38:42.74
and allow God to fill you.
00:38:42.77\00:38:45.51
You got to be very
careful about that.
00:38:45.54\00:38:47.63
The Prayer is a
directed kind of understanding.
00:38:47.66\00:38:51.12
It is not just a
vacating of your mind.
00:38:51.15\00:38:54.22
Because If you take
everything out of you minds
00:38:54.25\00:38:56.46
some things gonna go in it.
00:38:56.49\00:38:57.58
and I don't think
its gonna go be the Lord.
00:38:57.61\00:38:59.73
So you got to be
focusing on those things
00:38:59.76\00:39:01.83
which are honest
and true and pure
00:39:01.86\00:39:04.39
as Paul tells us in
the Book of Philippians.
00:39:04.42\00:39:07.69
And I think we need to
be very careful about areas
00:39:07.72\00:39:10.69
and movements that
are gonna take us away
00:39:10.72\00:39:14.65
from a very basic fundament
understanding of what is truth.
00:39:14.68\00:39:21.09
Jesus said, if you love
Me keep My commandments.
00:39:21.12\00:39:25.30
He didn't say you
are going to be saved
00:39:25.33\00:39:27.11
by keeping My commandments
00:39:27.14\00:39:28.85
but if you love
Jesus and you understand
00:39:28.88\00:39:31.76
who He is then
through His righteousness
00:39:31.79\00:39:34.52
which another
subject we need to touch on,
00:39:34.55\00:39:37.37
He will then through
the Holy Spirit help us
00:39:37.40\00:39:39.84
to live the Christian life,
00:39:39.87\00:39:42.53
justification
and sanctification.
00:39:42.56\00:39:45.35
And movements are a foot
00:39:45.38\00:39:47.42
which will take people
away from this precious word
00:39:47.45\00:39:50.85
and a literal
understanding of God's word.
00:39:50.88\00:39:54.23
You know, we are told we ought
to read the Bible as it is,
00:39:54.26\00:39:58.10
not try to impute all
kinds of different ideas to it.
00:39:58.13\00:40:02.88
If there is a mixing of truth
00:40:02.91\00:40:05.62
and a mixing of
human understanding
00:40:05.65\00:40:08.10
with the Bible
stay away from it.
00:40:08.13\00:40:10.30
If there is
something that overly emotional
00:40:10.33\00:40:13.31
and taking you away from
a cognitive understanding
00:40:13.34\00:40:16.04
of God stay away from it.
00:40:16.07\00:40:18.12
Stay with God's word
and the Spirit of Prophecy,
00:40:18.15\00:40:22.92
you will not be disappointed.
00:40:22.95\00:40:24.74
Okay, now I would
assume based upon the answers
00:40:24.77\00:40:27.49
both of you just have just given
00:40:27.52\00:40:29.48
that if someone
hears someone say
00:40:29.51\00:40:32.36
well, listen let's
go for a whole year,
00:40:32.39\00:40:34.99
no Spirit of Prophecy
00:40:35.02\00:40:36.28
and only talk about
the stories of Jesus,
00:40:36.31\00:40:38.71
not the teachings of
Jesus but the stories of Jesus.
00:40:38.74\00:40:41.60
What should-- should
there be red flags going off
00:40:41.63\00:40:43.80
for that individual
00:40:43.83\00:40:44.86
when they hear
something like that?
00:40:44.89\00:40:46.53
Why would you ever
want to limit yourself
00:40:46.56\00:40:49.06
to the amount of truth
that God has made available?
00:40:49.09\00:40:53.01
I think we need
to be individuals
00:40:53.04\00:40:55.69
who will draw on everything
possible that is fully truth
00:40:55.72\00:41:00.15
in order to have a
full experience in Christ.
00:41:00.18\00:41:03.10
Okay.
00:41:03.13\00:41:04.52
You know, I tell
people all the time
00:41:04.55\00:41:06.10
and it is my belief
there is only one true north
00:41:06.13\00:41:09.52
in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:41:09.55\00:41:11.09
and His name is Jesus.
00:41:11.12\00:41:12.89
However having said that
00:41:12.92\00:41:14.93
I think its
important to know that
00:41:14.96\00:41:17.33
Jesus said He
would give us the spirit
00:41:17.36\00:41:19.62
and when he the
spirit of truth is coming
00:41:19.65\00:41:21.75
will guide you into all truth.
00:41:21.78\00:41:24.06
So to limit
ourselves to just one aspect
00:41:24.09\00:41:28.14
to talk about
the stories of Jesus
00:41:28.17\00:41:30.50
and not the teachings of Jesus,
to say I accept You as Lord
00:41:30.53\00:41:34.26
but I won't let You
leave me-- wait a minute.
00:41:34.29\00:41:37.32
You are limiting not only
your own exposure to truth
00:41:37.35\00:41:42.07
but you are
limiting the access that
00:41:42.10\00:41:44.03
God can have to your mind.
00:41:44.06\00:41:46.61
So for us to say in any sense,
00:41:46.64\00:41:50.17
I'll only read
the stories of Jesus
00:41:50.20\00:41:52.66
but I wouldn't then go ahead
and take the application that
00:41:52.69\00:41:56.87
the Word of God
makes of those stories
00:41:56.90\00:41:59.18
and then implement
those things into my own life,
00:41:59.21\00:42:01.87
certainly is I think limiting
00:42:01.90\00:42:05.62
of God's ability
to work in my life.
00:42:05.65\00:42:08.70
So and the same is true
of the Spirit of Prophecy
00:42:08.73\00:42:11.67
to say, no, I'm gonna exclude,
00:42:11.70\00:42:13.71
I'm only gonna do this one thing
00:42:13.74\00:42:14.89
and I'm gonna
exclude this, this and this.
00:42:14.92\00:42:19.42
I would like to be
able to give an illustration
00:42:19.45\00:42:21.96
it's just not coming to my mind
but it would be unfortunate.
00:42:21.99\00:42:24.56
Anyway I can't think
of it right now but...
00:42:24.59\00:42:26.18
Okay.
00:42:26.21\00:42:28.37
Let me also try
and encourage people
00:42:28.40\00:42:30.74
to stay away from the fallacy
00:42:30.77\00:42:33.22
that somehow the
doctrines of the church,
00:42:33.25\00:42:37.21
in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:42:37.24\00:42:38.51
we have 28 fundamental beliefs
but somehow those are dry
00:42:38.54\00:42:42.88
and legalistic and really
have no relationship to Christ.
00:42:42.91\00:42:47.04
And that all you need to
do is just talk about Jesus
00:42:47.07\00:42:50.20
and that's
really about the extent
00:42:50.23\00:42:52.29
of what your
experience should be.
00:42:52.32\00:42:54.62
I want to tell you that
every single one of those
00:42:54.65\00:42:58.12
28 fundamental
beliefs has at the center,
00:42:58.15\00:43:01.77
at the core of that belief
Jesus Christ who is the word.
00:43:01.80\00:43:06.42
Amen. Amen.
00:43:06.45\00:43:07.66
And if we teach them
or we understand them
00:43:07.69\00:43:11.92
in a way where
Jesus isn't in the center
00:43:11.95\00:43:14.47
then we need to
restudy them again.
00:43:14.50\00:43:16.45
That's right, I think
there is lot of people
00:43:16.48\00:43:19.09
that would agree
with that just now.
00:43:19.12\00:43:21.39
Now, going back
to the talking about
00:43:21.42\00:43:24.35
the contemplative
spiritual formation,
00:43:24.38\00:43:26.92
Pastor Wilson, I want
to specifically ask you,
00:43:26.95\00:43:28.67
this question has
come in that back in 2001
00:43:28.70\00:43:32.24
there was some
kind of a committee.
00:43:32.27\00:43:33.65
I think the initials were IBMTE,
00:43:33.68\00:43:36.00
maybe you can
tell us what that is.
00:43:36.03\00:43:37.99
But this committee met
00:43:38.02\00:43:39.44
and supposedly passed resolution
00:43:39.47\00:43:41.00
to promote the
teaching of spiritual formation
00:43:41.03\00:43:42.99
throughout all of
Seventh-day Adventist.
00:43:43.02\00:43:44.92
Would you please
address that situation?
00:43:44.95\00:43:47.98
Well, that is
absolutely positively incorrect.
00:43:48.01\00:43:52.74
The IBMTE stands for
the International Board
00:43:52.77\00:43:55.85
of Ministerial and
Theological Education.
00:43:55.88\00:44:00.32
It is a board which
was essentially set up
00:44:00.35\00:44:03.73
to help to bring all seminaries
and theological schools
00:44:03.76\00:44:08.72
in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:44:08.75\00:44:10.60
back to a very firm foundation
00:44:10.63\00:44:14.41
of what
Seventh-day Adventist believe
00:44:14.44\00:44:16.51
and to make sure that teachers
00:44:16.54\00:44:18.10
who are involved in
that seminary professors
00:44:18.13\00:44:22.12
are very loyal to the teachings
00:44:22.15\00:44:24.33
of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:44:24.36\00:44:26.95
Back in 2001 and
I was part of that
00:44:26.98\00:44:31.56
as were many, many others
00:44:31.59\00:44:33.21
and I'm still a
part of that board.
00:44:33.24\00:44:35.91
They deal with exactly
what I was explaining to you,
00:44:35.94\00:44:38.99
trying to help keep seminaries
00:44:39.02\00:44:41.59
and teachers very
focused upon the Word of God.
00:44:41.62\00:44:45.47
But back in some of those days
00:44:45.50\00:44:48.03
that the early
part of the 21st century
00:44:48.06\00:44:52.14
which is the
century we are in right now,
00:44:52.17\00:44:55.67
most people didn't know
what spiritual formation meant
00:44:55.70\00:45:01.28
and the words spiritual
and formation were simply words
00:45:01.31\00:45:05.86
which sounded good like,
00:45:05.89\00:45:08.31
this is a way to develop
your Christian character.
00:45:08.34\00:45:11.71
Only a number
of-- a few years ago
00:45:11.74\00:45:15.12
were these words
meaning a particular thing.
00:45:15.15\00:45:18.25
I can categorically,
absolutely tell you
00:45:18.28\00:45:21.99
that if that language
were found in any document
00:45:22.02\00:45:25.86
coming from the
General Conference
00:45:25.89\00:45:27.41
and the world
field that it absolutely
00:45:27.44\00:45:30.64
had no relevance whatsoever
to what people interpret
00:45:30.67\00:45:34.68
to be spiritual formation today.
00:45:34.71\00:45:37.02
Unfortunately somebody
who reported information
00:45:37.05\00:45:40.67
coming out of
this particular meeting
00:45:40.70\00:45:44.07
use those words
in a press release
00:45:44.10\00:45:47.36
and people have pounced on
that to indicate that somehow
00:45:47.39\00:45:50.89
the General
Conference was promoting that.
00:45:50.92\00:45:53.14
That is absolutely
categorically wrong.
00:45:53.17\00:45:56.72
I've already stated
00:45:56.75\00:45:58.07
how it is that we
ought to relate to God's word
00:45:58.10\00:46:01.04
and stay away
from those influences
00:46:01.07\00:46:04.06
which are going to compromise
00:46:04.09\00:46:05.93
or neutralize
God's precious word.
00:46:05.96\00:46:09.46
And I can tell you absolutely
that's where I stand personally
00:46:09.49\00:46:13.96
and I know that
00:46:13.99\00:46:15.04
the General
Conference does as well.
00:46:15.07\00:46:17.25
Okay, thank you
for that clarification.
00:46:17.28\00:46:20.52
We mentioned just a moment ago
00:46:20.55\00:46:21.98
the idea of righteousness
by faith and the idea
00:46:22.01\00:46:27.34
and I want to phrase
the question this way
00:46:27.37\00:46:29.01
and I'm gonna give it to
you first Pastor Jackson,
00:46:29.04\00:46:31.09
and then Pastor
Wilson can jump in.
00:46:31.12\00:46:33.96
We obviously understand grace.
00:46:33.99\00:46:36.58
The word grace
00:46:36.61\00:46:37.87
we are all the
beneficiaries of God's grace.
00:46:37.90\00:46:41.62
How do we relate
00:46:41.65\00:46:43.88
to the concept of
grace in our lives
00:46:43.91\00:46:47.10
together with the concept,
00:46:47.13\00:46:49.12
biblical concept of
victorious Christian living?
00:46:49.15\00:46:56.33
God's grace or God
in His graciousness
00:46:56.36\00:47:01.57
reaches out to each one of us.
00:47:01.60\00:47:04.13
You know, our natural
state we are deters to law
00:47:04.16\00:47:09.47
and we can't live that law.
00:47:09.50\00:47:12.79
So what was weak in the flesh,
what the flesh could not do
00:47:12.82\00:47:18.65
God did by sending
His son Jesus Christ.
00:47:18.68\00:47:21.60
And He made us
deters in another way.
00:47:21.63\00:47:26.94
We were deters to
law but through Jesus
00:47:26.97\00:47:30.25
we become deters to grace.
00:47:30.28\00:47:33.47
God never gives us anything
00:47:33.50\00:47:36.54
that He does not
intend us to share
00:47:36.57\00:47:40.33
or to utilize in
our personal growth.
00:47:40.36\00:47:43.66
So as God's grace
comes into my life
00:47:43.69\00:47:46.66
there must be a response.
00:47:46.69\00:47:48.58
You know, Paul--
Ephesians Chapter 2,
00:47:48.61\00:47:51.46
"For by grace are
you saved through faith,
00:47:51.49\00:47:54.43
not of works, it
is the gift of God,
00:47:54.46\00:47:57.03
lest any man shall boast."
00:47:57.06\00:47:58.64
Now some folks stop
right there but Paul goes on.
00:47:58.67\00:48:02.36
Doesn't he?
00:48:02.39\00:48:03.43
He says "For we
are His workmanship,
00:48:03.46\00:48:06.97
created by God unto good works
00:48:07.00\00:48:11.24
that we might
fulfill His purposes."
00:48:11.27\00:48:14.37
So as we accept
00:48:14.40\00:48:16.74
the
righteousness of Jesus Christ
00:48:16.77\00:48:19.70
it becomes a
motivator for us to grow up
00:48:19.73\00:48:23.81
into what the apostle Paul
says in Ephesians Chapter 3,
00:48:23.84\00:48:27.75
into the fullness of the stature
00:48:27.78\00:48:30.12
of a man in Christ Jesus.
00:48:30.15\00:48:33.29
So grace not only
cleanses us and makes us whole,
00:48:33.32\00:48:40.80
it becomes the basis upon
which we grow up into Jesus.
00:48:40.83\00:48:45.95
And that's not legalistic
because you and I know
00:48:45.98\00:48:49.68
and that's why
it started that way,
00:48:49.71\00:48:51.11
you and I know
that naturally speaking
00:48:51.14\00:48:54.19
anytime we take our
lives out of God's hands
00:48:54.22\00:48:58.32
we could turn anything
upside down and backwards
00:48:58.35\00:49:00.88
and become
outright legalists, right.
00:49:00.91\00:49:02.59
That's correct.
00:49:02.62\00:49:03.65
We can't live without the
presence of the Holy Spirit
00:49:03.68\00:49:08.32
and the authority of
the Holy Spirit leading us
00:49:08.35\00:49:11.30
into the good works
that God has created
00:49:11.33\00:49:16.01
in advance for us
that we should do them.
00:49:16.04\00:49:18.05
So that would be at
least one part of an answer.
00:49:18.08\00:49:20.45
Okay. Pastor Wilson.
00:49:20.48\00:49:22.10
Many times
Seventh-day Adventists
00:49:22.13\00:49:23.55
have been accused
of being legalist.
00:49:23.58\00:49:25.58
Perhaps because we focus upon
00:49:25.61\00:49:28.38
keeping the
Sabbath, the Ten Commandments
00:49:28.41\00:49:32.14
but in reality we can
never achieve eternal life
00:49:32.17\00:49:36.80
through a legalistic approach
to keeping the commandments.
00:49:36.83\00:49:42.22
This is a magnificent subject
of Christ our righteousness
00:49:42.25\00:49:45.34
and I'm so glad
that the ASI Convention
00:49:45.37\00:49:47.59
is featuring that
here at this convention
00:49:47.62\00:49:52.29
right here in Grand Rapids.
00:49:52.32\00:49:54.75
You know, in Ephesians
Chapter 2, it tells us,
00:49:54.78\00:49:58.67
"By grace you have
been saved through faith"
00:49:58.70\00:50:01.89
and that not of yourselves.
00:50:01.92\00:50:03.99
The all
encompassing righteousness
00:50:04.02\00:50:06.76
of Jesus Christ is the only way
00:50:06.79\00:50:10.40
that any of us will
achieve eternal life.
00:50:10.43\00:50:14.21
It is based upon
what Christ did for us
00:50:14.24\00:50:17.94
and what He is doing for us.
00:50:17.97\00:50:21.16
It is based upon
His justification
00:50:21.19\00:50:24.27
placing a robe of
righteousness over us
00:50:24.30\00:50:27.14
which we have
nothing to do about
00:50:27.17\00:50:29.99
and then at the
same time sanctification
00:50:30.02\00:50:33.84
where the Holy
Spirit begins to work in us
00:50:33.87\00:50:37.00
so that we become
more and more like Christ.
00:50:37.03\00:50:41.52
It has to do with what
Christ did on the cross
00:50:41.55\00:50:44.96
and what He is doing
in the most holy place
00:50:44.99\00:50:48.12
in the heavenly sanctuary.
00:50:48.15\00:50:49.93
It says in Hebrews 7:25,
00:50:49.96\00:50:54.41
"He always lives to
make intercession for them."
00:50:54.44\00:50:58.75
What a privilege to know
that we have a High Priest
00:50:58.78\00:51:00.87
we can come to,
we can come boldly
00:51:00.90\00:51:02.72
to the throne of
grace because a High Priest,
00:51:02.75\00:51:06.85
Jesus Christ has
gone through the process
00:51:06.88\00:51:09.87
of being the sacrifice
and now He is the High Priest.
00:51:09.90\00:51:13.55
This is a subject
I love to preach on,
00:51:13.58\00:51:16.00
the all encompassing
righteousness of Christ,
00:51:16.03\00:51:18.89
our dependence totally upon Him.
00:51:18.92\00:51:21.43
There's one little
quotation I want to read,
00:51:21.46\00:51:23.90
it's a one sentence quotation
00:51:23.93\00:51:26.05
from the book
written by Ellen White,
00:51:26.08\00:51:29.29
compilation Last Day
Events and its page 283.
00:51:29.32\00:51:34.58
Its a marvelous quotation.
00:51:34.61\00:51:37.50
"Christ, only Christ
and His righteousness,
00:51:37.53\00:51:42.83
will obtain for us a
passport into heaven."
00:51:42.86\00:51:48.13
That's awesome. That's awesome.
00:51:48.16\00:51:51.83
That's not to
minimize our daily lives
00:51:51.86\00:51:56.14
in sanctifying process
00:51:56.17\00:51:58.56
that the Holy Spirit
works in us in order for us
00:51:58.59\00:52:02.04
to become more
and more like Christ.
00:52:02.07\00:52:04.00
It is not
diminished that in the least
00:52:04.03\00:52:06.68
but it is all
Christ's righteousness.
00:52:06.71\00:52:09.62
And you know that,
I think about myself
00:52:09.65\00:52:12.24
and I'm sure that many of
the people in our audience
00:52:12.27\00:52:14.30
and many of those of
you who are watching from--
00:52:14.33\00:52:16.23
on television at
home or on YouTube,
00:52:16.26\00:52:18.12
on the internet, we
wrestle with things.
00:52:18.15\00:52:22.48
Well, this is real life
but because the grace of God
00:52:22.51\00:52:27.05
and He is all sufficient for us
00:52:27.08\00:52:29.80
can we expect
to live victorious?
00:52:29.83\00:52:32.51
See, the words
justification and sanctification
00:52:32.54\00:52:34.85
are great words
and they mean things
00:52:34.88\00:52:36.36
but, to me what is it
mean to live victorious?
00:52:36.39\00:52:40.63
And I believe I heard you
say it normal those words.
00:52:40.66\00:52:43.00
Amen.
00:52:43.03\00:52:45.78
You know, Paul
makes the statement
00:52:45.81\00:52:48.20
in Philippians Chapter 1.
00:52:48.23\00:52:50.66
"Be confident
of this very thing,
00:52:50.69\00:52:52.61
that He who began a good work
and you will also complete it
00:52:52.64\00:52:56.46
until the coming
of the Son of Man."
00:52:56.49\00:52:58.61
So can we grow up into Jesus?
00:52:58.64\00:53:02.42
That's His plan
00:53:02.45\00:53:04.09
and we just
open our lives to Him
00:53:04.12\00:53:06.36
and say You take
me and You use me.
00:53:06.39\00:53:08.75
One little
quotation Steps to Christ,
00:53:08.78\00:53:10.90
page 118 she says,
00:53:10.93\00:53:13.10
Christ will
never abandon the soul
00:53:13.13\00:53:16.22
for whom He gave His life.
00:53:16.25\00:53:19.35
So that, no matter where we are,
00:53:19.38\00:53:20.87
no matter how we feel,
whether we are stumbling
00:53:20.90\00:53:23.00
or we falling God
doesn't give up on us.
00:53:23.03\00:53:25.76
We can grow up into Jesus.
He will finish what He bean.
00:53:25.79\00:53:30.11
And using that
book, Steps to Christ,
00:53:30.14\00:53:33.45
if you look and read carefully
00:53:33.48\00:53:35.40
chapters 7 and 8
carefully read it
00:53:35.43\00:53:39.66
chapter 7 and 8
you will find answers
00:53:39.69\00:53:43.59
to almost every question about
00:53:43.62\00:53:45.98
this beautiful all encompassing
righteousness of Christ.
00:53:46.01\00:53:49.42
Amen, you know, one other things
00:53:49.45\00:53:51.00
I want to do is
hold up this little book,
00:53:51.03\00:53:53.23
this is the Desire
of Ages which if you--
00:53:53.26\00:53:57.38
if the camera
can pull in on this,
00:53:57.41\00:53:58.59
this is a special ASI edition
of the book Desire of Ages
00:53:58.62\00:54:02.16
which we focus on as a give away
00:54:02.19\00:54:05.35
and in fact,
everyone who is attended
00:54:05.38\00:54:07.21
the ASI Convention here
00:54:07.24\00:54:08.64
this year in Grand Rapids
received one copy of this.
00:54:08.67\00:54:11.58
I just want to say
that these are available
00:54:11.61\00:54:13.67
by the case to give away
00:54:13.70\00:54:15.55
because the
righteousness of Christ
00:54:15.58\00:54:17.04
is beautifully
portrayed in this little book
00:54:17.07\00:54:19.52
as well as book Steps to Christ.
00:54:19.55\00:54:23.06
I want to talk about health
because we are gonna segue
00:54:23.09\00:54:24.95
into global
mission and the mission
00:54:24.98\00:54:27.45
of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:54:27.48\00:54:28.84
And Pastor
Wilson, what is the role
00:54:28.87\00:54:32.29
of our Adventist health message
00:54:32.32\00:54:35.39
in the whole
arena of global mission?
00:54:35.42\00:54:37.32
Then we will talk
about get more definitive
00:54:37.35\00:54:39.16
of gone into the nitty-gritty
of what global mission means
00:54:39.19\00:54:41.14
but how important is health,
00:54:41.17\00:54:42.83
the health
components of our mission?
00:54:42.86\00:54:45.47
Well, 3 John, verse 2
tells us that God wants us
00:54:45.50\00:54:49.21
to be in physical health
00:54:49.24\00:54:50.67
just as we are
in spiritual health.
00:54:50.70\00:54:53.83
Christ spent more time
healing than He did preaching.
00:54:53.86\00:54:59.22
In other words,
the physical body
00:54:59.25\00:55:02.14
which God made is an absolutely
important vessel for which God,
00:55:02.17\00:55:08.76
which God wants to use in
order to reach other people.
00:55:08.79\00:55:12.65
Our minds are part of the body,
00:55:12.68\00:55:14.40
that's why God has asked
us to live healthy lives.
00:55:14.43\00:55:18.98
We do not earn our way to heaven
00:55:19.01\00:55:21.25
by being a vegetarian or a vegan
00:55:21.28\00:55:23.55
or whatever you--
a plant based diet
00:55:23.58\00:55:26.62
that helps us to
be in better health
00:55:26.65\00:55:29.43
so that our minds
will be in better condition
00:55:29.46\00:55:32.93
to receive the
delicate inspiration
00:55:32.96\00:55:37.08
on the nerve
endings in the frontal lobes
00:55:37.11\00:55:39.79
of the brain
from the Holy Spirit.
00:55:39.82\00:55:42.94
Its so vital that we understand
that for us personally
00:55:42.97\00:55:46.77
and that our lives
need to be healthfully lived
00:55:46.80\00:55:50.93
so that we can benefit
but also to share with others
00:55:50.96\00:55:54.61
that God is in the
business of complete restoration
00:55:54.64\00:55:58.55
and physically is one
of those distinct points.
00:55:58.58\00:56:03.16
Also everyone seems to
be interested in health.
00:56:03.19\00:56:06.66
So God has
asked that we use that
00:56:06.69\00:56:09.28
especially in reaching those
00:56:09.31\00:56:12.02
who maybe
resistant in other ways
00:56:12.05\00:56:14.75
and that's why its one
of the most important ways
00:56:14.78\00:56:18.28
of reaching out
as we term it today
00:56:18.31\00:56:21.05
comprehensive health ministry,
00:56:21.08\00:56:23.47
reaching out to
people in the community
00:56:23.50\00:56:26.06
in what is also termed
medical missionary work,
00:56:26.09\00:56:28.89
something that
everyone can be involved with.
00:56:28.92\00:56:32.10
Health professionals and pastors
00:56:32.13\00:56:34.03
need to be working
together in a blended ministry
00:56:34.06\00:56:36.88
but everyone in the church
00:56:36.91\00:56:39.07
can be part of a
comprehensive approach
00:56:39.10\00:56:42.51
simply sharing with
neighbors simple health tips
00:56:42.54\00:56:46.45
as to how something
is made them feel better.
00:56:46.48\00:56:49.32
Walking, exercise,
diet, sleep, water,
00:56:49.35\00:56:53.63
whatever it
happens to be, health is--
00:56:53.66\00:56:57.54
the health message is
the right arm to the gospel.
00:56:57.57\00:57:01.00
And recently we had an
incredible meeting in Geneva
00:57:01.03\00:57:04.55
where representatives
00:57:04.58\00:57:05.61
from all the
world divisions met.
00:57:05.64\00:57:07.69
We had about 1,200 people
00:57:07.72\00:57:10.20
so much excitement
now about using this
00:57:10.23\00:57:13.44
as the right arm to the
gospel entering the cities
00:57:13.47\00:57:17.46
and helping people
to better nderstand
00:57:17.49\00:57:19.89
they can have a
fuller life physically,
00:57:19.92\00:57:22.59
mentally,
socially and spiritually.
00:57:22.62\00:57:26.82
Well, I do want to
refer to a firm that
00:57:26.85\00:57:29.25
the health
message is the right arm.
00:57:29.28\00:57:32.17
When you look
at, when you look at
00:57:32.20\00:57:34.39
the ministry of
Jesus and the compassion
00:57:34.42\00:57:36.64
with which He
reached out to touch broken
00:57:36.67\00:57:39.85
and bruise people
where He healed them
00:57:39.88\00:57:42.41
and He restored them.
00:57:42.44\00:57:43.82
We find a model
for ministry, don't we?
00:57:43.85\00:57:46.24
Yes, we do.
00:57:46.27\00:57:47.61
And in north of-- In
the North American Division
00:57:47.64\00:57:49.52
recently we've seen
some amazing events,
00:57:49.55\00:57:53.79
sponsored one of
them by ASI and--
00:57:53.82\00:57:56.03
Yes, Pathways to
Health. Pathways to Health.
00:57:56.06\00:57:58.39
you're gonna hear a
lot more about that.
00:57:58.42\00:57:59.75
In San Francisco and Oakland
00:57:59.78\00:58:01.64
where almost
four million dollars
00:58:01.67\00:58:04.19
of free medical care
was given to that community
00:58:04.22\00:58:07.60
and people lined
up, they lined up
00:58:07.63\00:58:09.66
in the streets of that city
to receive free medical care,
00:58:09.69\00:58:15.01
people who couldn't afford it.
00:58:15.04\00:58:16.80
You know, I think
that's the process
00:58:16.83\00:58:19.57
whereby we reach into
people's minds to say,
00:58:19.60\00:58:23.62
in a disinterested benevolence
where we say to them,
00:58:23.65\00:58:27.46
God loves you and so do we.
00:58:27.49\00:58:30.04
And so the health message
not only in a personal way
00:58:30.07\00:58:34.19
where we take care of our bodies
00:58:34.22\00:58:36.32
and we do our best.
00:58:36.35\00:58:38.79
And health is a
continuum isn't it?
00:58:38.82\00:58:41.89
Not everybody is
sitting on the same mile marker.
00:58:41.92\00:58:46.72
We all grow at different rates
00:58:46.75\00:58:48.79
but, but not
only is it vital to us
00:58:48.82\00:58:51.34
for the reasons
Elder Wilson has given
00:58:51.37\00:58:53.51
but it is vital that
we share that great news
00:58:53.54\00:58:55.99
that we can have, we
can have a better life,
00:58:56.02\00:58:58.47
we can have
wholeness in our lives
00:58:58.50\00:58:59.94
spiritually and
physically as well.
00:58:59.97\00:59:02.09
And I want to
just thank ASI for--
00:59:02.12\00:59:05.26
There's so many organizations
within the ASI family
00:59:05.29\00:59:08.50
that promote the
right arm of the gospel.
00:59:08.53\00:59:11.52
They are valued and appreciated
and the church wants to work
00:59:11.55\00:59:15.23
much more closely
with those entities.
00:59:15.26\00:59:18.08
Amen. We all say amen to that.
00:59:18.11\00:59:19.79
Amen.
00:59:19.82\00:59:21.19
Also you
mentioned Bridges to Health?
00:59:21.22\00:59:24.05
Right.
00:59:24.08\00:59:25.13
That is actually going
to be taking place again.
00:59:25.16\00:59:27.70
It had happened
in San Francisco once
00:59:27.73\00:59:29.55
but in San
Antonio in April of 2015,
00:59:29.58\00:59:34.27
ASI members
together with everyone else
00:59:34.30\00:59:36.79
who will join will be
doing that same health outreach
00:59:36.82\00:59:40.27
in the great
city of San Antonio.
00:59:40.30\00:59:42.51
Leading up to a large
00:59:42.54\00:59:43.99
evangelistic
meeting in San Antonio
00:59:44.02\00:59:46.15
just prior to the
General Conference session
00:59:46.18\00:59:48.97
and we are just delighted
that this is being partnered
00:59:49.00\00:59:52.27
with North American Division,
00:59:52.30\00:59:53.80
Southwestern Union of
Seventh-day Adventist.
00:59:53.83\00:59:56.44
Its gonna be a phenomenal
success in the name of Jesus.
00:59:56.47\00:59:59.98
Amen.
01:00:00.01\01:00:01.06
And Dan, this is a good
time for an ad that says,
01:00:01.09\01:00:04.05
we need doctors,
dentists, nurses,
01:00:04.08\01:00:07.89
physiotherapist to
participate in that event.
01:00:07.92\01:00:11.56
Because it can only be
successful on that basis
01:00:11.59\01:00:14.42
but we are making a
broad appeal to people to come,
01:00:14.45\01:00:17.88
need as many volunteers
as medical professionals.
01:00:17.91\01:00:21.11
But we are hoping by God's grace
01:00:21.14\01:00:23.00
to see a wonderful outpouring
01:00:23.03\01:00:25.55
of disinterested benevolence
in the city of San Antonio.
01:00:25.58\01:00:29.30
And for those
dates, for those of you
01:00:29.33\01:00:30.65
who might be watching
and here in our audience
01:00:30.68\01:00:32.38
that would like to be a
part of that great event,
01:00:32.41\01:00:35.90
if you are a professional
01:00:35.93\01:00:37.06
that could add some
value to that event,
01:00:37.09\01:00:39.80
I want toencourage you
to contact our ASI office
01:00:39.83\01:00:43.46
and we will have
to get a super up
01:00:43.49\01:00:45.07
because I wasn't
prepared for that ad.
01:00:45.10\01:00:47.08
But we want you to contact
01:00:47.11\01:00:48.72
our ASI office in
Silver Spring, Maryland
01:00:48.75\01:00:51.67
if you want to
participate in that event.
01:00:51.70\01:00:55.05
Now that brings you
one last question here.
01:00:55.08\01:00:58.68
Well, in fact, I'm
gonna skip that question
01:00:58.71\01:01:00.10
because of our time,
our time is getting away.
01:01:00.13\01:01:02.74
Pastor Wilson, I want
you to talk first about
01:01:02.77\01:01:06.35
the whole idea of global mission
01:01:06.38\01:01:08.46
and especially
Mission to the Cities
01:01:08.49\01:01:10.76
and give the
broad global perspective
01:01:10.79\01:01:13.04
and Pastor Jackson to bring
that home to North American
01:01:13.07\01:01:15.59
and this will be
probably the last question
01:01:15.62\01:01:17.78
we are able to do today.
01:01:17.81\01:01:20.05
About four years
ago, five years ago
01:01:20.08\01:01:23.15
the world pass the
mark of more people living
01:01:23.18\01:01:26.37
in the metropolitan areas
than living in rural districts.
01:01:26.40\01:01:29.95
That's the first
time it's ever happened.
01:01:29.98\01:01:32.69
It will only grow greater.
01:01:32.72\01:01:35.43
By the year 2050 or so
if the Lord has not returned
01:01:35.46\01:01:40.66
I believe He
will come very soon.
01:01:40.69\01:01:42.13
Yes.
01:01:42.16\01:01:43.19
But by that time
it will have increased
01:01:43.22\01:01:46.11
to at least 70 percent
01:01:46.14\01:01:50.15
of the world's population living
01:01:50.18\01:01:51.88
in these large
metropolitan areas.
01:01:51.91\01:01:54.07
The church has initiated
01:01:54.10\01:01:55.78
and has very
wonderfully accepted
01:01:55.81\01:02:00.02
the challenge of
Mission to the Cities
01:02:00.05\01:02:02.38
of reaching these
large metropolitan areas.
01:02:02.41\01:02:05.50
Here in North
America, all over the world
01:02:05.53\01:02:08.21
we are seeing
divisions and unions
01:02:08.24\01:02:11.05
and local fields
take the responsibility
01:02:11.08\01:02:14.41
of trying to
organize in a creative way
01:02:14.44\01:02:17.22
following
principles from the Bible
01:02:17.25\01:02:19.34
and specific council
from the Spirit of Prophecy
01:02:19.37\01:02:22.86
as to how we can be able
01:02:22.89\01:02:24.10
to penetrate these great cities.
01:02:24.13\01:02:27.37
It's just so gratifying to me
01:02:27.40\01:02:29.13
to see that church
members are taking hold
01:02:29.16\01:02:31.87
of this in a very dynamic way.
01:02:31.90\01:02:35.39
We do have areas of the world
which are heavily influenced
01:02:35.42\01:02:41.80
by the
Seventh-day Adventist message
01:02:41.83\01:02:43.71
and other areas where
there is hardly anything.
01:02:43.74\01:02:47.96
Just to contrast
it, in some places
01:02:47.99\01:02:51.07
we may have
Seventh-day Adventist
01:02:51.10\01:02:53.15
for every 15 or 20 people.
01:02:53.18\01:02:56.95
In other places it
is an incredible ratio.
01:02:56.98\01:03:00.73
In the Middle East
there are 500 million people
01:03:00.76\01:03:04.60
with perhaps only
2,500 Seventh-day Adventists.
01:03:04.63\01:03:08.71
So you see the challenges
not only in the 10/40 Window
01:03:08.74\01:03:12.58
but also in the developed world.
01:03:12.61\01:03:15.77
In fact, Europe itself is
now becoming a great challenge
01:03:15.80\01:03:19.68
because of its
materialistic secular approach.
01:03:19.71\01:03:23.54
North America,
Australia, New Zealand, places
01:03:23.57\01:03:27.62
where
development has taken place
01:03:27.65\01:03:30.62
and where people
have lost perhaps
01:03:30.65\01:03:33.15
their first love of the Lord,
01:03:33.18\01:03:35.46
we are seeing
great challenges as well.
01:03:35.49\01:03:38.63
So the Lord is using
01:03:38.66\01:03:41.42
so many people
to be able to reach
01:03:41.45\01:03:43.43
into some of these
very challenging areas.
01:03:43.46\01:03:46.59
So the mission field is
not just over there anymore,
01:03:46.62\01:03:50.00
it is everywhere.
01:03:50.03\01:03:52.23
Pastor Jackson, specifically
01:03:52.26\01:03:53.65
well, whatever
else you are gonna say,
01:03:53.68\01:03:55.23
how can individuals be
involved in global mission
01:03:55.26\01:04:00.04
to the cities in North America?
01:04:00.07\01:04:01.71
Well, let me
begin by saying that
01:04:01.74\01:04:03.45
this summer has
been an amazing for me.
01:04:03.48\01:04:08.35
I've been able to be at
10 camp meetings this summer
01:04:08.38\01:04:11.50
and in those camp
meetings, you know, what I find
01:04:11.53\01:04:13.86
when I travel
across our division?
01:04:13.89\01:04:16.74
I find that God's
people want to be involved.
01:04:16.77\01:04:21.13
They want to be a part of
the ministry of the church.
01:04:21.16\01:04:25.07
So, in every
union and conference
01:04:25.10\01:04:29.99
in North America-- by the way,
01:04:30.02\01:04:31.47
we discovered in the
North American Division
01:04:31.50\01:04:33.92
not like it was
a great discovery,
01:04:33.95\01:04:35.90
all we had to do was to
go to the people who knew
01:04:35.93\01:04:39.40
but we discovered
there are 50 cities
01:04:39.43\01:04:42.19
in the North American Division
01:04:42.22\01:04:43.72
that have one
million plus people.
01:04:43.75\01:04:46.85
That's an amazing statistic.
01:04:46.88\01:04:49.02
Yet, one of the other
things we know that is that
01:04:49.05\01:04:51.51
in the North American Division
01:04:51.54\01:04:53.87
whether it is
Caucasian or African American,
01:04:53.90\01:04:57.98
we are not
attracting individuals
01:04:58.01\01:05:00.81
who were born in this
country to the church.
01:05:00.84\01:05:05.14
We have a huge issue here.
01:05:05.17\01:05:07.47
So what can people do?
01:05:07.50\01:05:09.68
Well, first of all, we need
to have an outpouring of prayer
01:05:09.71\01:05:12.91
for the Holy
Spirit of God to give us
01:05:12.94\01:05:15.66
the level of
understanding that we need.
01:05:15.69\01:05:17.84
Then we need to have
willing hearts that say,
01:05:17.87\01:05:20.66
man, we are seeing a great focus
01:05:20.69\01:05:23.39
coming to our
city or our community
01:05:23.42\01:05:25.90
how can we participate?
01:05:25.93\01:05:30.20
We have recently been
reshaping our media ministries.
01:05:30.23\01:05:35.29
We did that not to save money
01:05:35.32\01:05:37.70
but to focus media
01:05:37.73\01:05:39.62
on the large
cities in our territory
01:05:39.65\01:05:43.00
along with the
comprehensive health approach
01:05:43.03\01:05:45.80
that Elder
Wilson is talking about.
01:05:45.83\01:05:47.72
We want to combine
in a grand collaboration
01:05:47.75\01:05:51.86
everything that we can
utilize to zero in on the cities
01:05:51.89\01:05:56.57
to reach out to
the men and women
01:05:56.60\01:05:58.24
of North
America for Jesus Christ
01:05:58.27\01:06:00.84
and with the
message of the Three Angels.
01:06:00.87\01:06:02.66
So we've been very
intentional about it,
01:06:02.69\01:06:05.98
we have started a process called
01:06:06.01\01:06:07.86
Transformational Evangelism
which looks at two things.
01:06:07.89\01:06:12.71
How may we transform the church
01:06:12.74\01:06:16.25
into an evangelist
agency not just a place
01:06:16.28\01:06:19.98
where once every five years
we hold 28 nights in whole,
01:06:20.01\01:06:24.25
how do we transform the church
01:06:24.28\01:06:26.49
and there-- and by doing that
01:06:26.52\01:06:28.42
how may we
transform our communities
01:06:28.45\01:06:31.81
by the grace of God?
01:06:31.84\01:06:33.99
And that really is a
kind of patchwork felt
01:06:34.02\01:06:38.31
of where we are
headed in North America.
01:06:38.34\01:06:40.44
We are very, very
earnest and very desirous
01:06:40.47\01:06:44.74
to complete the mission
task that God has given us.
01:06:44.77\01:06:47.68
Amen, now I'm--
01:06:47.71\01:06:48.94
we have just a few more minutes
01:06:48.97\01:06:50.04
so I'm gonna slip one
more question in here.
01:06:50.07\01:06:52.41
There's been a lot of
discussion about publishing
01:06:52.44\01:06:55.19
Pastor Jackson, and
specially in North America
01:06:55.22\01:06:57.07
we know that that one of our
publishing houses is closing,
01:06:57.10\01:07:01.47
at least that's the report
01:07:01.50\01:07:02.73
that we all read
and things are changing.
01:07:02.76\01:07:05.49
You mentioned media,
you mentioned health,
01:07:05.52\01:07:08.12
but where does
publishing for North America
01:07:08.15\01:07:10.72
fit into this global
mission for the cities?
01:07:10.75\01:07:13.42
Well, first of
all let me say that
01:07:13.45\01:07:16.14
Ellen White makes the comment
01:07:16.17\01:07:18.19
and we believe it
that the publishing work
01:07:18.22\01:07:20.72
will go on right to the
time when Jesus returns.
01:07:20.75\01:07:23.76
Amen.
01:07:23.79\01:07:24.82
Now she doesn't say the
printing work will go on
01:07:24.85\01:07:26.70
but she says
publishing will go on.
01:07:26.73\01:07:29.10
So we have under our
wings, we have a publisher
01:07:29.13\01:07:31.84
in the North American Division
01:07:31.87\01:07:33.12
known as Pacific
Press Publishing.
01:07:33.15\01:07:35.75
Our dream and we
are just in the process,
01:07:35.78\01:07:38.61
we headed down
the road and then we--
01:07:38.64\01:07:41.22
because we are
trying to understand
01:07:41.25\01:07:42.83
how may we
reintegrate into the minds
01:07:42.86\01:07:46.40
of Seventh-day Adventists
in the North American division
01:07:46.43\01:07:49.45
that its
important for you and for me
01:07:49.48\01:07:52.28
to be involved in
literature ministry.
01:07:52.31\01:07:55.53
How can I pick up that track?
01:07:55.56\01:07:57.27
How can I get
involved with that social media
01:07:57.30\01:08:01.45
where I can send things?
01:08:01.48\01:08:03.07
You know, it's fascinating
that ASI did what they did
01:08:03.10\01:08:05.81
by slipping one of
these in every packet.
01:08:05.84\01:08:08.76
They didn't do it as it gift,
they did it as a give away.
01:08:08.79\01:08:13.68
So you can give
it to someone else,
01:08:13.71\01:08:16.08
but the goal in the
North American Division is,
01:08:16.11\01:08:20.12
how may we utilize
the great movements
01:08:20.15\01:08:25.07
that have begun with our
young people in particular
01:08:25.10\01:08:27.83
who in the last few
years have given our
01:08:27.86\01:08:29.66
68 to 70 million
pieces of literature.
01:08:29.69\01:08:33.12
How can we bring that together
01:08:33.15\01:08:36.11
with, you know,
broad perspective
01:08:36.14\01:08:38.20
but involve our people
even in the local church,
01:08:38.23\01:08:43.76
with giving out literature,
01:08:43.79\01:08:45.29
truth filled literature to
their neighbors and friends.
01:08:45.32\01:08:48.16
Jesus is coming
soon, we can't afford
01:08:48.19\01:08:50.52
to leave anything
out of the picture
01:08:50.55\01:08:53.84
when we talk about reaching
our community for Christ.
01:08:53.87\01:08:56.61
Amen, in about 45
seconds Pastor Wilson,
01:08:56.64\01:09:00.81
give us a word of encouragement.
01:09:00.84\01:09:03.56
Well, one of the
most hopeful signs
01:09:03.59\01:09:08.21
that Jesus is coming is to see
what He is doing in the lives
01:09:08.24\01:09:13.82
of thousands of
people all over this world.
01:09:13.85\01:09:17.98
And Nancy and I
have the great privilege
01:09:18.01\01:09:19.99
of visiting many countries.
01:09:20.02\01:09:22.78
We just come from a
fairly long trip recently
01:09:22.81\01:09:26.81
and it is marvelous to
see what the Lord is doing
01:09:26.84\01:09:30.47
to reenergize His people
and people in other churches
01:09:30.50\01:09:35.59
as they focus
upon last day troops.
01:09:35.62\01:09:39.61
So the hope that
we have in Christ
01:09:39.64\01:09:42.64
is truly a remarkable
encouragement for all of us
01:09:42.67\01:09:47.83
and as Seventh-day Adventist
01:09:47.86\01:09:49.62
I think we can
absolutely have great assurance
01:09:49.65\01:09:53.98
that the best days
are ahead even though
01:09:54.01\01:09:56.12
they are gonna be the
most troubling and challenging
01:09:56.15\01:09:59.20
but it means, we
can lean on the Lord
01:09:59.23\01:10:01.78
in a more powerful way
01:10:01.81\01:10:03.74
and that's what He is
longing to see it happen.
01:10:03.77\01:10:07.00
By God's grace I'm
excited and I hope others are
01:10:07.03\01:10:10.64
because soon we are
gonna see that glorious return.
01:10:10.67\01:10:14.48
Amen. Amen.
01:10:14.51\01:10:15.78
Now I just want to
make a small statement
01:10:15.81\01:10:17.99
before we go to the prayers.
01:10:18.02\01:10:19.16
We are gonna
have a special prayer.
01:10:19.19\01:10:20.69
I just want to say that,
01:10:20.72\01:10:22.28
you know, new things
happen at ASI Conventions.
01:10:22.31\01:10:25.66
The DVD project was born
here that has gone all over
01:10:25.69\01:10:28.25
and many other things
you can point to here.
01:10:28.28\01:10:30.45
I don't-- I didn't get through
of third of the questions
01:10:30.48\01:10:32.63
that we had put in here.
01:10:32.66\01:10:33.71
So maybe this is the beginning
01:10:33.74\01:10:34.99
of something that
we will do more often.
01:10:35.02\01:10:37.40
How of you like to hear
some more questions sometime?
01:10:37.43\01:10:39.96
This has been
extremely valuable,
01:10:39.99\01:10:41.44
and thank you both
for participating in this.
01:10:41.47\01:10:44.81
And I would like to
invite Pastor Jackson,
01:10:44.84\01:10:47.49
if you will pray
and then if you will do
01:10:47.52\01:10:49.45
a short prayer after that.
01:10:49.48\01:10:50.51
Just pray for each
other, for our ministry,
01:10:50.54\01:10:52.96
for the ASI
members, for those people
01:10:52.99\01:10:54.43
who will be
watching this by television.
01:10:54.46\01:10:56.69
Would you please?
01:10:56.72\01:10:59.06
Oh, God, our Heavenly Father,
we thank You and we praise You
01:10:59.09\01:11:03.97
cfor the magnificent
gift of Jesus Christ,
01:11:04.00\01:11:07.36
Your son our Savior.
01:11:07.39\01:11:09.96
Heavenly Father, You
have called this church
01:11:09.99\01:11:12.76
into existence to
carry out Your great
01:11:12.79\01:11:16.41
evangelistic
enterprise on planet earth.
01:11:16.44\01:11:20.44
I pray for our
colleagues in ministry,
01:11:20.47\01:11:22.93
I pray for Elder
Wilson for his leadership,
01:11:22.96\01:11:26.20
I pray for our colleagues
01:11:26.23\01:11:27.94
all around the
world in North America.
01:11:27.97\01:11:31.03
And Heavenly Father,
please take us into Your hand
01:11:31.06\01:11:35.48
and bless us with Your presence
01:11:35.51\01:11:37.30
and with the outpouring
of your Holy Spirit, amen.
01:11:37.33\01:11:41.00
Thank you Lord,
for the opportunity
01:11:41.03\01:11:43.22
of coming to You in a
direct connection to heaven.
01:11:43.25\01:11:47.33
Help us to remember that
prayer is always available to us
01:11:47.36\01:11:50.81
and that we need to
lean upon You more and more
01:11:50.84\01:11:54.04
as we come to
the very end of time.
01:11:54.07\01:11:57.17
We earnestly ask
that You will bless
01:11:57.20\01:11:59.69
the ASI organization
and all of its various parts
01:11:59.72\01:12:04.26
as they seek to share
01:12:04.29\01:12:06.44
the precious love
of God with others.
01:12:06.47\01:12:09.32
We thank You,
01:12:09.35\01:12:10.73
for the righteousness of Christ,
01:12:10.76\01:12:12.88
the all encompassing
nature of God's righteousness
01:12:12.91\01:12:17.09
which can bring us
into a right relationship
01:12:17.12\01:12:19.96
with the Lord
now and for eternity.
01:12:19.99\01:12:23.60
Lord, I ask that You will bless
every viewer today on 3ABN.
01:12:23.63\01:12:30.42
Bless each one who
is hearing these words
01:12:30.45\01:12:34.23
and we ask that
You will bring them
01:12:34.26\01:12:36.23
to the foot of the cross
and a complete understanding
01:12:36.26\01:12:39.77
of what truth is
01:12:39.80\01:12:41.05
as the Holy
Spirit leads their lives.
01:12:41.08\01:12:44.14
So Lord, we look
to the future now,
01:12:44.17\01:12:46.48
we place it in Your hands
01:12:46.51\01:12:48.25
and we rest
comfortably there even though
01:12:48.28\01:12:51.17
we don't know how to
precede, we know that You do
01:12:51.20\01:12:55.94
and we rest
comfortably in Your care.
01:12:55.97\01:12:59.10
Thank you, for hearing us.
01:12:59.13\01:13:00.98