Is that your
prayer that you catch
00:00:09.90\00:00:12.07
clear glimpses of
Jesus tonight at GYC?
00:00:12.11\00:00:15.41
I hope that's all of our prayers
00:00:15.44\00:00:16.78
that our eyes would be
open to see Jesus more and more,
00:00:16.81\00:00:20.38
more clearly
for who He is, amen.
00:00:20.42\00:00:23.08
Our next hymn is hymn number 326
00:00:23.12\00:00:24.69
"Open my eyes, that I may see."
00:00:24.72\00:00:26.22
Open my eyes, that I may see
00:00:31.49\00:00:36.50
Glimpses of
truth Thou hast for me
00:00:36.53\00:00:41.74
Place in my
hands the wonderful key
00:00:41.77\00:00:46.41
That shall
unclasp and set me free
00:00:46.44\00:00:52.28
Silently now I wait for Thee
00:00:52.31\00:00:57.55
Ready my God, Thy will to see
00:00:57.59\00:01:02.46
Open my eyes, illumine me
00:01:02.49\00:01:07.80
Spirit divine--
00:01:07.83\00:01:09.76
Only the ladies,
00:01:09.80\00:01:11.43
on this next
verse only the ladies.
00:01:11.47\00:01:13.87
Open my ears, that I may hear
00:01:13.90\00:01:18.91
Voices of truth
Thou sendest clear
00:01:18.94\00:01:24.05
And while the
wavenotes fall on my ear
00:01:24.08\00:01:28.72
Everything
false will disappear--
00:01:28.75\00:01:33.59
Everyone now.
00:01:33.62\00:01:34.96
Silently now I wait for Thee
00:01:34.99\00:01:40.03
Ready, my God Thy will to see
00:01:40.06\00:01:45.17
Open my eyes, illumine me
00:01:45.20\00:01:50.61
Spirit divine!
00:01:50.64\00:01:56.38
Open my mouth, and let me bear
00:01:56.41\00:02:01.38
Gladly the warm truth ev'rywhere
00:02:01.42\00:02:06.52
Open my heart and let me prepare
00:02:06.55\00:02:11.39
Love with Thy
children thus to share
00:02:11.43\00:02:17.03
Silently now I wait for Thee
00:02:17.07\00:02:22.27
Ready, my God Thy will to see
00:02:22.30\00:02:27.44
Open my eyes, illumine me
00:02:27.48\00:02:32.78
Spirit divine!
00:02:32.81\00:02:38.69
Our theme song this
year is, "At the Cross."
00:02:41.96\00:02:45.73
Our theme is, "At the
Cross" and for many of us
00:02:45.76\00:02:48.76
that's, that is where
our hearts were broken
00:02:48.80\00:02:52.50
and to be
reminded of that this year
00:02:52.53\00:02:55.04
is such a, it's such a
hope, a hopeful thought
00:02:55.07\00:02:58.61
that we'll start our salvation,
00:02:58.64\00:03:01.34
we'll kick off
that, that redemption plan
00:03:01.38\00:03:04.65
is going to soon be realize
with His second coming, amen.
00:03:04.68\00:03:09.68
Why don't we stand
together and sing our hymn
00:03:09.72\00:03:12.12
or opening hymn "At the Cross."
00:03:12.15\00:03:14.52
Alas, and did my Savior bleed?
00:03:34.01\00:03:40.52
And did my Sovereign die?
00:03:40.55\00:03:47.32
Would we devote that sacred head
00:03:47.36\00:03:53.96
For someone such as I?
00:03:54.00\00:04:00.74
At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light
00:04:00.77\00:04:06.17
And the burden of
my heart rolled away
00:04:06.21\00:04:12.25
It was there by
faith I received my sight
00:04:12.28\00:04:18.52
And now I am happy all the day!
00:04:18.55\00:04:25.16
Was it for
crimes that I have done
00:04:25.19\00:04:31.83
He suffered on the tree?
00:04:31.87\00:04:38.41
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
00:04:38.44\00:04:44.85
And love beyond degree!
00:04:44.88\00:04:51.42
At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light
00:04:51.45\00:04:57.39
And the burden of
my heart rolled away
00:04:57.43\00:05:03.47
It was there by
faith I received my sight
00:05:03.50\00:05:10.04
And now I am happy all the day!
00:05:10.07\00:05:16.85
But drops of
grief can ne'er repay
00:05:16.88\00:05:23.72
The debt of love I owe
00:05:23.75\00:05:30.49
Here, Lord, I give myself away
00:05:30.53\00:05:37.03
'Tis all that I can do!
00:05:37.07\00:05:41.67
Sing it out GYC.
00:05:41.70\00:05:43.77
At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light
00:05:43.81\00:05:49.98
And the burden of
my heart rolled away
00:05:50.01\00:05:56.55
It was there by
faith I received my sight
00:05:56.58\00:06:03.06
And now I am happy all the day!
00:06:03.09\00:06:09.63
At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light
00:06:09.66\00:06:16.44
And the burden of
my heart rolled away
00:06:16.47\00:06:22.78
It was there by
faith I received my sight
00:06:22.81\00:06:29.58
And now I am happy all the day!
00:06:29.62\00:06:35.22
Amen. You may be seated.
00:06:37.43\00:06:39.63
Happy New Year.
00:06:44.20\00:06:45.53
As we continue to hear
this wonderful messages
00:06:45.57\00:06:48.70
that come from
the throne of grace.
00:06:48.74\00:06:51.01
We would love to invite you
to continue to say hearty amens
00:06:51.04\00:06:55.38
and praise God and hallelujah
00:06:55.41\00:06:57.85
as the angels do
before the throne of grace.
00:06:57.88\00:07:00.92
Tonight,
00:07:00.95\00:07:02.28
I'd love to welcome all
those who are watching online,
00:07:02.32\00:07:05.85
or on the TV's as
well as our audience here
00:07:05.89\00:07:09.72
and before we pray, I
would love to just recap
00:07:09.76\00:07:15.16
the wonderful message
that we had this morning
00:07:15.20\00:07:18.53
from the pastor about
surrendering at Gethsemane.
00:07:18.57\00:07:23.17
I really was touched
00:07:23.20\00:07:24.81
by the concept that we
can surrender like Christ,
00:07:24.84\00:07:27.68
in his humanity
combined with divinity
00:07:27.71\00:07:30.75
he learned how to
surrender to the will of God,
00:07:30.78\00:07:33.45
and then later on we
heard about a testimony,
00:07:33.48\00:07:36.45
a life of a man who
surrendered to God as well,
00:07:36.48\00:07:40.82
and as a result of
that how God was able
00:07:40.86\00:07:43.26
and he is continuing to use
our brother Christian Berdahl.
00:07:43.29\00:07:47.40
And so I would invite
you to join me tonight,
00:07:47.43\00:07:49.86
as we go to the throne of grace
00:07:49.90\00:07:52.27
and talk to our heavenly Father.
00:07:52.30\00:07:54.57
Please kneel with me.
00:07:54.60\00:07:55.94
Our loving Father, we
bow before Your presence,
00:08:03.55\00:08:07.42
January 1, 2015
00:08:07.45\00:08:11.05
to thank you for
another year of life.
00:08:11.09\00:08:14.16
We rejoice in the work that
Christ is doing on our behalf
00:08:14.19\00:08:17.79
in the most holy place.
00:08:17.83\00:08:20.30
We thank You that the
work of the Holy Spirit
00:08:20.33\00:08:22.56
has been unceasing in our lives.
00:08:22.60\00:08:26.13
And as we've gathered
here together at GYC 2015,
00:08:26.17\00:08:30.97
we desire dear Father
00:08:31.01\00:08:32.34
to surrender
our lives like Jesus
00:08:32.37\00:08:34.98
who gave us such
a beautiful example
00:08:35.01\00:08:38.01
in Gethsemane, at the wilderness
00:08:38.05\00:08:40.72
and then at the cross.
00:08:40.75\00:08:42.75
Father, teach us how
to live a life like Christ
00:08:42.78\00:08:46.59
and we thank You that
it is not of our own doing,
00:08:46.62\00:08:49.26
but it is in
uniting our wills with His,
00:08:49.29\00:08:53.43
that He is able to work
out His perfect will in us.
00:08:53.46\00:08:58.00
Tonight, dear Father,
00:08:58.03\00:08:59.37
we thank You, that we
will hear testimonies,
00:08:59.40\00:09:02.20
we will hear a message
from the throne of grace.
00:09:02.24\00:09:05.94
We humbly ask dear Father
that You may prepare our hearts
00:09:05.97\00:09:09.81
to receive the
word of the living God
00:09:09.84\00:09:12.85
and that it may do
that transformation,
00:09:12.88\00:09:15.08
for Your word says that
it is able to sanctify us.
00:09:15.12\00:09:19.22
Thank you, Father,
that you can do this,
00:09:19.25\00:09:21.22
be with a speaker,
00:09:21.26\00:09:22.82
give him the words to
say, give him a mind of Christ
00:09:22.86\00:09:27.56
and as he bears the message,
00:09:27.60\00:09:29.53
I pray that You may
also minister to his heart,
00:09:29.56\00:09:33.03
this is our humble
prayer in Jesus' precious
00:09:33.07\00:09:36.20
and loving name we pray, amen.
00:09:36.24\00:09:38.67
Speaking of His
death on the cross
00:09:43.18\00:09:45.95
as the apex
manifestation of God's love.
00:09:45.98\00:09:51.52
Jesus said, "And I,
00:09:51.55\00:09:52.95
when I am lifted
up from the Earth,
00:09:52.99\00:09:55.36
will draw all people to myself."
00:09:55.39\00:09:58.93
The Apostle Paul himself,
00:09:58.96\00:10:01.33
experiencing the
power of God's love
00:10:01.36\00:10:05.63
said emphatically,
00:10:05.67\00:10:07.44
"I have determined to
know nothing among you
00:10:07.47\00:10:11.07
except Jesus
Christ, and Him crucified."
00:10:11.11\00:10:15.21
Ellen White comprehend
in the power of the cross
00:10:15.24\00:10:19.41
for the message that we
have to give to the world
00:10:19.45\00:10:22.32
stated clearly there
is one great central truth
00:10:22.35\00:10:26.89
ever to be kept before the mind
00:10:26.92\00:10:28.99
in the searching
of the scriptures.
00:10:29.02\00:10:31.29
Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
00:10:31.33\00:10:34.46
I want you to imagine
seeing all Bible truth
00:10:34.50\00:10:39.20
through the
illuminating lens of God's love.
00:10:39.23\00:10:43.24
Imagine the cross
central to the Sabbath truth,
00:10:43.27\00:10:47.31
to the judgment,
00:10:47.34\00:10:48.68
to the first, second
and third angel's messages.
00:10:48.71\00:10:52.35
What I hold in my
hands this evening
00:10:52.38\00:10:55.02
is a brand new groundbreaking
series of Bible studies
00:10:55.05\00:10:59.32
called Truth Link.
00:10:59.35\00:11:00.86
Twenty seven
topics of Bible truth
00:11:00.89\00:11:05.09
configured
specifically, deliberately
00:11:05.13\00:11:08.40
in the light of God's love
00:11:08.43\00:11:10.90
and Christ death on
Calvary as the central theme.
00:11:10.93\00:11:14.77
These Bible studies,
00:11:14.80\00:11:16.91
we can't even keep
them on the shelves.
00:11:16.94\00:11:20.14
They've only been
out for four months
00:11:20.18\00:11:22.34
and we're in
the fourth printing.
00:11:22.38\00:11:24.35
Conference presidents
00:11:24.38\00:11:25.71
are giving them to every
pastor in their conference
00:11:25.75\00:11:29.28
in the hope that they will
be utilized for soul winning.
00:11:29.32\00:11:32.79
Churches are
ordering them by the case,
00:11:32.82\00:11:36.49
in the coming year
Light Bearers Ministry,
00:11:36.52\00:11:38.96
the ministry I represent
00:11:38.99\00:11:40.73
will put into
circulation over 10 million
00:11:40.76\00:11:44.93
Truth Link Bible study
guides in the mission field
00:11:44.97\00:11:48.44
in developing
countries around the world.
00:11:48.47\00:11:51.67
Not only are
these Bible study guides
00:11:51.71\00:11:54.58
available in print form,
00:11:54.61\00:11:56.88
but we also have brought
forth in the Truth Link package
00:11:56.91\00:12:03.05
of evangelistic witness
a website, truthlink.org.
00:12:03.08\00:12:08.39
It's amazing people will be
able to click on number one,
00:12:08.42\00:12:12.23
and once they complete it.
00:12:12.26\00:12:14.23
A doorway will
open to number two,
00:12:14.26\00:12:16.46
and so on through all 27.
00:12:16.50\00:12:18.87
When they come
to strategic points
00:12:18.90\00:12:21.37
where truths need to
be made even more clear,
00:12:21.40\00:12:24.21
free offers will
be made of key books
00:12:24.24\00:12:27.48
that we hold dear as a people,
00:12:27.51\00:12:29.51
that will be sent
to the Bible student
00:12:29.54\00:12:31.58
in the mail.
00:12:31.61\00:12:32.95
When they complete the series,
00:12:32.98\00:12:34.62
they'll receive a
certificate of completion
00:12:34.65\00:12:37.55
and an email inviting
them to receive a visit
00:12:37.59\00:12:40.79
from a Truth
Link representative,
00:12:40.82\00:12:43.39
which we will then
send to the local church
00:12:43.43\00:12:45.96
and they will follow up,
and go and visit the people
00:12:45.99\00:12:49.96
right in their homes.
00:12:50.00\00:12:51.97
The exciting thing this evening
is that through the generosity
00:12:52.00\00:12:55.74
of some of our
fellow church members
00:12:55.77\00:12:58.61
4,000 sets of the Truth Link
Bible study guides are here,
00:12:58.64\00:13:03.75
for all who are attending GYC.
00:13:03.78\00:13:07.48
This evening
they are a gift to you
00:13:07.52\00:13:10.19
and as you exit the
meeting, they will be available,
00:13:10.22\00:13:14.49
handed to you at
all of the exits.
00:13:14.52\00:13:19.09
Happy New Year, and
have a good evening.
00:13:19.13\00:13:22.20
Amen.
00:13:22.23\00:13:23.57
Purpose of literature evangelism
00:13:35.14\00:13:36.48
is really to get a
preacher inside the home
00:13:36.51\00:13:39.55
that people don't
know is a preacher.
00:13:39.58\00:13:42.82
We're hoping to reach
about a 100,000 people
00:13:42.85\00:13:45.99
in about three and half
days for the canvassing.
00:13:46.02\00:13:49.49
What an opportunity,
00:13:49.52\00:13:50.86
it's a gift to have young people
00:13:50.89\00:13:52.66
that are excited and
on fire knocking on doors
00:13:52.69\00:13:55.13
and getting people
ready for Bible studies.
00:13:55.16\00:13:57.53
I found that by
sharing I grow the most,
00:13:57.57\00:13:59.87
and I learned the most,
00:13:59.90\00:14:01.94
and that's
experience that I want
00:14:01.97\00:14:04.14
my fellow Christians to have
00:14:04.17\00:14:05.81
is to go out
and to be challenged
00:14:05.84\00:14:08.44
to defend your faith
and win some in loving ways
00:14:08.48\00:14:10.81
and in doing that to,
to grow as a Christian
00:14:10.85\00:14:14.28
and pass it to share
with others the love of God.
00:14:14.32\00:14:17.65
And it's just the most
amazing addicting thing
00:14:17.69\00:14:19.89
when you get to
tell someone about Jesus,
00:14:19.92\00:14:22.39
and you get to
share who He really is
00:14:22.42\00:14:25.13
with the world.
00:14:25.16\00:14:26.49
Father, I know that
there are people today
00:14:26.53\00:14:28.63
who are hurting are
searching for some light
00:14:28.66\00:14:31.60
and I just pray like
this send us the doors
00:14:31.63\00:14:33.70
at the right time
with the right spirit
00:14:33.74\00:14:36.07
and with the right words to say.
00:14:36.10\00:14:38.11
If we're not
winning souls for Christ,
00:14:38.14\00:14:40.18
we're not really soul winners.
00:14:40.21\00:14:41.54
And so this is the
opportunity to put into practice
00:14:41.58\00:14:43.85
what He's been telling us to do.
00:14:43.88\00:14:45.38
It's just so amazing
00:14:53.05\00:14:54.86
on how these young
people are so determined
00:14:54.89\00:14:57.49
on wanting to go door to door
00:14:57.53\00:14:59.66
and just seen over
the past couple of days,
00:14:59.69\00:15:01.46
they've been
memorizing the canvas which is,
00:15:01.50\00:15:04.07
you know, on what they
want to see at the doors.
00:15:04.10\00:15:06.74
And it's been just such
an inspiration in my heart
00:15:06.77\00:15:09.44
'cause, I mean,
I've been doing this for,
00:15:09.47\00:15:10.81
you know, two plus
years, but seeing people
00:15:10.84\00:15:14.18
wanting to do
more for God as well,
00:15:14.21\00:15:16.34
has kind of almost unleash
this inside warming heart
00:15:16.38\00:15:20.75
happiness in my life
00:15:20.78\00:15:22.12
knowing that it's not
just me that's doing it,
00:15:22.15\00:15:23.65
but now this whole
army of young people
00:15:23.69\00:15:26.35
are doing
something for the Lord.
00:15:26.39\00:15:29.39
The work we do had
eternal effects, amen.
00:15:29.42\00:15:31.76
Amen. Got to yell it.
00:15:31.79\00:15:36.90
This really inspired me
to give up all for Christ,
00:15:36.93\00:15:40.50
and to really go out there
and not care about numbers,
00:15:40.54\00:15:43.10
not care about rejection,
but to really go out there
00:15:43.14\00:15:46.31
because we only
have a short time
00:15:46.34\00:15:48.71
and that's what GYC
Pre-Conference is all about
00:15:48.74\00:15:51.75
is equipping young people,
00:15:51.78\00:15:53.11
because, if we don't do it
who is gonna finish this work.
00:15:53.15\00:15:58.15
Each one of us, no
matter what our faults may be
00:15:58.19\00:16:00.29
or our social
awkwardness or whatever it is,
00:16:00.32\00:16:03.96
God can use each of
us to share the gospel
00:16:03.99\00:16:06.56
and it, it lowers
your view of yourself
00:16:06.59\00:16:09.50
and helps you to
rely more on God.
00:16:09.53\00:16:12.67
The reason I'm
here canvassing today,
00:16:12.70\00:16:16.71
is because I really
felt a call on my heart
00:16:16.74\00:16:20.01
to come out here and do this.
00:16:20.04\00:16:21.38
Like I feel like,
00:16:21.41\00:16:22.74
I haven't done enough
to reach souls for Christ.
00:16:22.78\00:16:28.22
Just people dying everyday
that don't know our savior.
00:16:28.25\00:16:31.85
And we need to
reach those people
00:16:31.89\00:16:33.22
so that's why I'm here.
00:16:33.25\00:16:35.86
Hello. Hello.
00:16:35.89\00:16:37.83
Well, someone
knocked on my door,
00:16:37.86\00:16:39.69
and so, I want to be a
light for someone else,
00:16:39.73\00:16:42.33
and so that's really
my, I guess inspiration
00:16:42.36\00:16:45.13
and what pushes
me to keep going.
00:16:45.17\00:16:46.53
Well, if you're okay with it,
00:16:46.57\00:16:47.90
I would love to
pray for you right now.
00:16:47.94\00:16:49.27
Oh, that is good.
00:16:49.30\00:16:50.64
Are you okay? Okay.
00:16:50.67\00:16:52.01
You know, and experiencing
the rejection it's hard,
00:16:52.04\00:16:55.28
but someone did it for me
00:16:55.31\00:16:56.64
and I want to be even
if it's just one person
00:16:56.68\00:16:59.28
that's it, you know,
00:16:59.31\00:17:00.65
that's one person I was
able to make an influence
00:17:00.68\00:17:02.98
on their life for God.
00:17:03.02\00:17:04.35
We can't really
communicate to somebody else
00:17:04.39\00:17:05.99
what we've not
personally experienced,
00:17:06.02\00:17:07.96
so it's important that we are
in touch with a power of God.
00:17:07.99\00:17:09.92
And because of that,
00:17:09.96\00:17:11.29
that he is able to
use us as a channel
00:17:11.33\00:17:12.93
through which is love
can communicate to everybody.
00:17:12.96\00:17:15.16
Clip from GYC Pre-Conference,
00:17:20.97\00:17:23.97
we have a 180 people
who are standing behind me,
00:17:24.01\00:17:26.54
who showed up in
Phoenix on Friday.
00:17:26.57\00:17:29.34
Canvassed for three
days and by God's grace
00:17:29.38\00:17:31.61
we knocked on
about 80,000 doors,
00:17:31.65\00:17:33.82
got thousands of pieces
of literature in the homes.
00:17:33.85\00:17:37.02
And this evening, I
want to share with you
00:17:37.05\00:17:38.59
some of the
experiences that we've had.
00:17:38.62\00:17:40.22
I have Nathan with
me, and he wants to share
00:17:40.26\00:17:42.46
what God did in
Phoenix this week.
00:17:42.49\00:17:45.59
Well, our leader
dropped us off on Alasta street,
00:17:45.63\00:17:49.73
and when as we're going, I
was getting a lot of rejections
00:17:49.76\00:17:53.97
and when we were getting trained
00:17:54.00\00:17:57.17
we were instructed to,
00:17:57.21\00:17:59.04
when we get those rejections
to run and to pray and to sing.
00:17:59.07\00:18:03.14
So what I did, I
started running in between doors
00:18:03.18\00:18:06.41
and I started singing the
song, "Heaven is cheap enough."
00:18:06.45\00:18:09.28
And at my, our last door,
my last door I met this man,
00:18:09.32\00:18:13.56
and he was interested
in the Great Controversy.
00:18:13.59\00:18:16.22
And he asked me
quite a few times
00:18:16.26\00:18:18.09
about the Great Controversy
00:18:18.13\00:18:19.79
and so, I was telling
him and then my leader came
00:18:19.83\00:18:22.06
and helped me out to
finish explaining him
00:18:22.10\00:18:24.00
about the Great Controversy.
00:18:24.03\00:18:25.83
And so, after that
00:18:25.87\00:18:28.00
he was able to get four
books and we prayed with him
00:18:28.04\00:18:30.21
and that really
touched his heart.
00:18:30.24\00:18:32.61
And I just want
to praise the Lord
00:18:32.64\00:18:33.98
that He helped me push through,
00:18:34.01\00:18:35.34
to be able to give
these books out to people.
00:18:35.38\00:18:37.58
Now, I want to ask
what would have happen
00:18:37.61\00:18:39.48
if Nathan would have
given up at rejection
00:18:39.51\00:18:42.02
but by God's grace a
15 year old young man
00:18:42.05\00:18:44.35
was faithful and
there is a Great Controversy
00:18:44.39\00:18:46.72
in a home tonight
as a result of that.
00:18:46.76\00:18:48.49
Now, Rachel clearly understands
00:18:48.52\00:18:50.69
the impact of literature
ministries in her life.
00:18:50.73\00:18:53.36
Rachel, what role
has it played for you?
00:18:53.40\00:18:56.20
Literature evangelism
00:18:56.23\00:18:57.57
has played a crucial
role in my testimony,
00:18:57.60\00:19:00.27
not only less
than two years ago,
00:19:00.30\00:19:02.10
but as a current part.
00:19:02.14\00:19:04.51
On a day I
shouldn't have even been home
00:19:04.54\00:19:06.81
someone knocked on my door.
00:19:06.84\00:19:08.78
I was able to
receive Bible studies,
00:19:08.81\00:19:10.48
attend an evangelistic
series by Souls West,
00:19:10.51\00:19:13.55
and be baptized into
the Adventist Church.
00:19:13.58\00:19:16.32
Amen.
00:19:16.35\00:19:17.69
And even after being baptized,
00:19:17.72\00:19:19.59
I continued my job
00:19:19.62\00:19:20.96
as an air traffic
control specialist.
00:19:20.99\00:19:22.82
But I had a
burning desire in my heart
00:19:22.86\00:19:25.23
to minister to people,
00:19:25.26\00:19:26.70
the way someone
reached out to me.
00:19:26.73\00:19:29.06
And so--
00:19:29.10\00:19:32.47
Praise the Lord.
00:19:32.50\00:19:33.84
So less than a
week ago, I left my job
00:19:33.87\00:19:38.51
and the day after,
I was here in Phoenix,
00:19:38.54\00:19:41.24
at the Pre-Outreach Conference.
00:19:41.28\00:19:43.18
Being trained to knock on
doors and reach souls for Jesus.
00:19:43.21\00:19:46.48
Amen. Praise the Lord, amen.
00:19:46.51\00:19:48.95
She was reached
through canvassers
00:19:48.98\00:19:51.22
and by God's grace,
comes to GYC Pre-Conference,
00:19:51.25\00:19:53.76
and is now being
trained as a canvasser
00:19:53.79\00:19:55.86
to continue in
literature ministries.
00:19:55.89\00:19:57.69
If any of you want
to hear more stories
00:19:57.73\00:19:59.29
of how canvassing
can change the lives
00:19:59.33\00:20:01.33
of people around the world,
is this book at the GYC booth,
00:20:01.36\00:20:05.27
published called
''The Open Door''
00:20:05.30\00:20:07.60
and it shares
canvassing experiences
00:20:07.64\00:20:09.40
about how God is
working in powerful ways
00:20:09.44\00:20:11.27
to the literature ministries.
00:20:11.31\00:20:12.67
Now, Mike, I have
a question for you,
00:20:12.71\00:20:14.04
for the person
watching and they're inspired.
00:20:14.08\00:20:16.08
What would you say?
00:20:16.11\00:20:17.45
How is it
possible to be involved
00:20:17.48\00:20:18.98
in literature evangelism?
00:20:19.01\00:20:20.85
There are several
ways to be involved
00:20:20.88\00:20:22.32
in literature evangelism.
00:20:22.35\00:20:23.75
The first is you can
join a canvassing school.
00:20:23.79\00:20:26.76
Souls West, Souls North West;
we canvass throughout the year.
00:20:26.79\00:20:30.66
Trains you how to
be a canvassing leader
00:20:30.69\00:20:32.29
that maybe you're sitting there
00:20:32.33\00:20:33.66
and saying it's not my calling
to be a canvassing leader.
00:20:33.70\00:20:36.63
Can you dedicate 10 weeks
of your life during Youth Rush,
00:20:36.67\00:20:40.67
ten weeks knocking doors,
getting out Steps to Christ,
00:20:40.70\00:20:44.07
Desire of Ages,
Great Controversies,
00:20:44.11\00:20:45.97
getting them for
minimal donations?
00:20:46.01\00:20:48.51
Maybe some of you are saying,
''I'm not a sales person.
00:20:48.54\00:20:51.25
I can't ask someone for money."
00:20:51.28\00:20:53.72
Can you knock on someone's door
and give them a glow track?'
00:20:53.75\00:20:57.09
Maybe you're terrified
to knock on someone's door?
00:20:57.12\00:20:59.82
Can you go to a Starbucks
00:20:59.85\00:21:01.52
and can you just
hand them out to people.
00:21:01.56\00:21:04.49
Whatever way you go out,
whatever way you're doing it,
00:21:04.53\00:21:07.56
we're just pleading with you
00:21:07.60\00:21:08.93
and making the appeal
to get literature out.
00:21:08.96\00:21:11.30
It changed my life,
it changed Rachel's life,
00:21:11.33\00:21:14.14
it changed countless
number of many people's lives
00:21:14.17\00:21:16.97
and it will change your life.
00:21:17.01\00:21:18.47
You know, by God's
grace Ellen White says that,
00:21:18.51\00:21:20.34
"If there's one work
important than another
00:21:20.38\00:21:22.24
is that of getting our
publications before the people,
00:21:22.28\00:21:25.11
thus leading them to
search the Scriptures."
00:21:25.15\00:21:27.45
Colporteur Ministry, page 7.
00:21:27.48\00:21:29.15
I pray by God's grace,
00:21:29.18\00:21:30.52
that each one of
us will be engaged
00:21:30.55\00:21:32.15
in this important
work for this time.
00:21:32.19\00:21:33.82
Amen.
00:21:33.86\00:21:35.32
Good evening, GYC. Good evening.
00:21:55.78\00:21:58.58
Do you have a
wonderful day? Amen, so have I.
00:21:58.61\00:22:02.48
Tonight, we have a
very special guest with us,
00:22:02.52\00:22:05.09
and I just have to say,
00:22:05.12\00:22:09.76
this is a pretty
exciting time for us
00:22:09.79\00:22:11.73
to have Elder
Wilson with us here at GYC.
00:22:11.76\00:22:14.70
And there is something
00:22:14.73\00:22:16.70
that I so tremendously
appreciate about Elder Wilson,
00:22:16.73\00:22:19.50
earlier this
year, I emailed him.
00:22:19.53\00:22:22.67
Now he spoke actually
00:22:22.70\00:22:24.41
for the Divine
Service last year at GYC,
00:22:24.44\00:22:26.81
and I knew he is extremely busy
and you know the quinquennium
00:22:26.84\00:22:29.91
the five years
between General Conferences
00:22:29.94\00:22:32.11
is coming to an end.
00:22:32.15\00:22:34.05
He is super busy especially now.
00:22:34.08\00:22:35.42
And so, I thought you
know, it's real long shot
00:22:35.45\00:22:37.42
that we could get
Elder Wilson to come to GYC,
00:22:37.45\00:22:40.06
when he has the whole
world church on his plate.
00:22:40.09\00:22:42.76
Through the strength of
God obviously, but I thought,
00:22:42.79\00:22:46.56
I want to try, you
know, it never hurts to try,
00:22:46.59\00:22:49.86
but that's it's
a real long shot.
00:22:49.90\00:22:51.23
So I emailed him and
said, ''Elder Wilson, you know,
00:22:51.27\00:22:53.44
I know, this is a long
shot, but just so you know,
00:22:53.47\00:22:56.20
we would really love to have
you at GYC if you can come.'
00:22:56.24\00:22:59.27
' And a couple of days
later, he said, ''You know,
00:22:59.31\00:23:01.74
I thought about it
and I prayed about it
00:23:01.78\00:23:03.98
and I'm gonna come to GYC.'
00:23:04.01\00:23:05.61
Amen.
00:23:05.65\00:23:07.88
And it's a real gift to us.
00:23:07.92\00:23:09.62
Now he's just
coming for this evening,
00:23:09.65\00:23:11.99
he flew in today,
00:23:12.02\00:23:14.09
and he is having to fly
back out tomorrow morning
00:23:14.12\00:23:16.49
because of other
things that he has to do,
00:23:16.52\00:23:18.66
but he took a
part this afternoon
00:23:18.69\00:23:20.80
and this evening to be with us.
00:23:20.83\00:23:23.06
And over the past five,
00:23:23.10\00:23:28.10
almost five years
about four and half years
00:23:28.14\00:23:30.17
since he became GC President.
00:23:30.21\00:23:33.48
He has come to GYC several times
00:23:33.51\00:23:36.08
and even though and actually
his investment in young people
00:23:36.11\00:23:41.45
has meant the
world to me personally
00:23:41.48\00:23:45.02
and also to us as
GYC, Elder Wilson.
00:23:45.05\00:23:48.06
I remember one of my
other favorite memories
00:23:48.09\00:23:51.26
of Elder Wilson in GYC
00:23:51.29\00:23:53.19
is that when we had our
first conference in Europe
00:23:53.23\00:23:56.13
in 2012.
00:23:56.16\00:23:58.27
He couldn't come to GYC, Europe.
00:23:58.30\00:24:00.50
But he Skpyed in
on Friday afternoon,
00:24:00.54\00:24:04.24
I think or Friday
evening or something like that,
00:24:04.27\00:24:06.81
and spoke to the
congregation via Skype,
00:24:06.84\00:24:09.38
spoke to the young
people and encouraged them
00:24:09.41\00:24:11.95
and invested in them via Skype
00:24:11.98\00:24:15.12
and we got to communicate
with him back and forth,
00:24:15.15\00:24:17.09
we standing on the stage,
00:24:17.12\00:24:18.89
he being
projected on our screens
00:24:18.92\00:24:20.32
from his living
room, I think it was.
00:24:20.36\00:24:22.42
And spent time
with us as young people,
00:24:22.46\00:24:24.49
even though he could
not be there in person.
00:24:24.53\00:24:26.86
And, Elder Wilson, your
investment in young people
00:24:26.90\00:24:29.43
has made all the
difference in the world for us,
00:24:29.46\00:24:32.03
and really drawn us to feel
plugged into the world church.
00:24:32.07\00:24:35.10
And so tonight, he is
going to address us, for a time
00:24:35.14\00:24:40.04
and treasure it,
00:24:40.08\00:24:41.78
because we're only gonna
have his presence with us
00:24:41.81\00:24:44.05
this evening and he's
flying out tomorrow morning.
00:24:44.08\00:24:46.51
Yet it is such a
tremendous gift to us,
00:24:46.55\00:24:49.55
and from all of us here at
GYC, Elder Wilson thank you.
00:24:49.58\00:24:52.55
And I want to have a
word of prayer with you
00:24:52.59\00:24:53.92
and then we're gonna hear
what the word of the Lord,
00:24:53.96\00:24:57.19
that He has
given to Elder Wilson
00:24:57.23\00:24:58.73
for us tonight.
00:24:58.76\00:25:01.06
Heavenly Father,
we thank You so much
00:25:01.10\00:25:05.03
for godly role
models, for godly mentors.
00:25:05.07\00:25:09.34
We thank You so much
00:25:09.37\00:25:10.71
for those that are
willing to take the time
00:25:10.74\00:25:12.77
and sacrifice their time
00:25:12.81\00:25:14.54
to come and be a
part of this movement
00:25:14.58\00:25:16.98
to young
people, to invest in us.
00:25:17.01\00:25:19.38
Lord, I thank You
00:25:19.41\00:25:20.75
for the
ministry of Elder Wilson,
00:25:20.78\00:25:22.58
the way that he has
been a blessing to all of us,
00:25:22.62\00:25:25.19
the way he's
been so down to Earth,
00:25:25.22\00:25:26.59
the way he's
gotten an outreach buses
00:25:26.62\00:25:29.06
with young people
he's never met before
00:25:29.09\00:25:30.63
and gone door to door with us.
00:25:30.66\00:25:32.13
And I pray that
you would just put
00:25:32.16\00:25:33.66
a special blessing back upon him
00:25:33.70\00:25:36.67
for the investment
that he has made in us
00:25:36.70\00:25:38.97
as young people,
00:25:39.00\00:25:40.34
I mean the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:25:40.37\00:25:42.44
Lord, I pray that You
would bless this congregation
00:25:42.47\00:25:44.94
as we hear though the
word that You have given
00:25:44.97\00:25:47.34
to Elder Wilson to
share with us this evening.
00:25:47.38\00:25:49.11
I pray that we
would treasure it,
00:25:49.14\00:25:50.85
and then none of Your
words will fall to the ground
00:25:50.88\00:25:53.18
that you would
speak through him.
00:25:53.21\00:25:54.82
Let your Holy
Spirit would be upon him.
00:25:54.85\00:25:56.82
We thank You for him
00:25:56.85\00:25:58.19
and we pray that You
would continue to sustain him
00:25:58.22\00:25:59.95
from now until the end of
the quinquennium and beyond
00:25:59.99\00:26:03.36
in Jesus' name, amen.
00:26:03.39\00:26:05.03
Amen.
00:26:05.06\00:26:06.39
Thank you so
much. God bless you.
00:26:06.43\00:26:07.76
Thank you so much,
Natasha, and good evening GYC.
00:26:11.40\00:26:15.10
Good evening.
00:26:15.14\00:26:16.74
What a great privilege it is
to be here in Phoenix with you
00:26:16.77\00:26:21.64
on this very first day of 2015.
00:26:21.68\00:26:28.12
And I want to thank
00:26:28.15\00:26:29.48
the entire
leadership team of GYC
00:26:29.52\00:26:32.02
for the tremendous
preparation and activities
00:26:32.05\00:26:35.19
they have put in to this
very important convention.
00:26:35.22\00:26:40.00
And I'm thrilled to see
so many young people up here,
00:26:40.03\00:26:43.47
who were part of a literature
evangelistic outreach.
00:26:43.50\00:26:47.77
Praise God for that.
00:26:47.80\00:26:49.14
Amen.
00:26:49.17\00:26:50.51
What a blessing it is
00:26:50.54\00:26:51.87
to be part of this
great GYC movement.
00:26:51.91\00:26:56.21
A movement that
consistently supports
00:26:56.24\00:27:01.45
the Seventh-day Adventist
Church in its outreach program.
00:27:01.48\00:27:05.65
We praise God
for the faithfulness
00:27:05.69\00:27:10.53
of young people,
the faithfulness of GYC.
00:27:10.56\00:27:16.20
And I just want to testify that
GYC has been a great blessing.
00:27:16.23\00:27:20.34
I remember that GYC in
Europe that Natasha mentioned
00:27:20.37\00:27:25.94
and somehow in that process
00:27:25.97\00:27:27.84
of trying to
connect through Skype.
00:27:27.88\00:27:30.88
There was some technical problem
00:27:30.91\00:27:32.71
and they weren't
hearing me and everything,
00:27:32.75\00:27:34.88
so I just stopped
and I just waved at them.
00:27:34.92\00:27:38.39
And it was one of
those precious moments
00:27:38.42\00:27:40.59
that you could
never duplicate again.
00:27:40.62\00:27:42.42
Everybody is waving back.
00:27:42.46\00:27:44.29
You know, when you're
in the spirit of the Lord,
00:27:44.33\00:27:48.36
in God's word,
00:27:48.40\00:27:49.96
you really don't even
have to say anything sometimes.
00:27:50.00\00:27:53.17
The Holy Spirit says it for you.
00:27:53.20\00:27:56.77
January 1 is usually
filled with a lot of promise
00:27:56.81\00:28:02.08
for the New Year.
00:28:02.11\00:28:04.61
People making all
kinds of resolutions,
00:28:04.65\00:28:08.08
understanding what it
is to improve their lives
00:28:08.12\00:28:11.02
and their opportunities,
00:28:11.05\00:28:12.39
the slate is usually
clean for the New Year.
00:28:12.42\00:28:17.33
And much of that continues
right here in Phoenix today
00:28:17.36\00:28:21.36
on the very first day of 2015.
00:28:21.40\00:28:26.10
But I want to tell you
00:28:26.13\00:28:27.47
the immediate future
is not necessarily rosy.
00:28:27.50\00:28:33.07
From a prophetic perspective
00:28:33.11\00:28:36.04
it will get worse
before it gets better.
00:28:36.08\00:28:42.28
But, when it does get
better, it will be the best.
00:28:42.32\00:28:48.79
Amen.
00:28:48.82\00:28:50.16
Having just passed through
00:28:50.19\00:28:51.53
the world's
celebration of the first Advent,
00:28:51.56\00:28:57.53
it is imperative as
Seventh-day Adventist,
00:28:57.57\00:29:00.17
young people and older ones
00:29:00.20\00:29:03.14
with a clear
prophetic perspective
00:29:03.17\00:29:06.41
to thrill with a realization
00:29:06.44\00:29:09.61
that the Second Advent
of Christ is approaching.
00:29:09.64\00:29:13.98
Jesus is coming soon. Amen.
00:29:14.02\00:29:17.59
Now, observing
world events around us,
00:29:17.62\00:29:20.26
we immediately
recognize that Matthew 24,
00:29:20.29\00:29:23.36
Revelation 13
are being fulfilled
00:29:23.39\00:29:25.53
even as we sit here tonight.
00:29:25.56\00:29:30.17
So many things are pointing
00:29:30.20\00:29:32.63
to a rapid fulfillment
of prophetic understanding
00:29:32.67\00:29:37.04
about Earth's history.
00:29:37.07\00:29:40.14
The minutes of the clock
00:29:40.18\00:29:42.81
counting down to midnight
at Times Square, last night
00:29:42.84\00:29:48.78
with a traditional Waterford
crystal ball descending
00:29:48.82\00:29:55.42
as it does every year
to usher in the New Year
00:29:55.46\00:29:59.13
is nothing compare to
the final symbolic minutes
00:29:59.16\00:30:04.27
of this Earth's prophetic clock,
00:30:04.30\00:30:07.17
ticking down to
the midnight hour
00:30:07.20\00:30:10.37
of earth's history.
00:30:10.41\00:30:12.67
The end of time is upon us.
00:30:12.71\00:30:17.05
The world is in disarray.
00:30:17.08\00:30:20.78
No one can solve the
insurmountable problems
00:30:20.82\00:30:25.79
facing countries
and people groups.
00:30:25.82\00:30:29.69
Unrest, butchery,
treachery is all around us.
00:30:29.72\00:30:36.33
We better understand
Luke 21:26 when it recounts,
00:30:36.36\00:30:41.34
"Men's heart failing them
from fear and the expectation
00:30:41.37\00:30:48.01
of those things which
are coming on the Earth."
00:30:48.04\00:30:52.41
Even though our very
recent poll in the United States
00:30:52.45\00:30:55.85
indicated more
optimism for 2015 than for 2014.
00:30:55.88\00:31:02.46
There are signs of
uncertainty all around us.
00:31:02.49\00:31:08.10
Social trends
continue to defy biblical truth
00:31:08.13\00:31:13.13
and heavenly principles.
00:31:13.17\00:31:15.30
For those who are
carefully observant
00:31:15.34\00:31:18.47
and I hope all
of you here at GYC
00:31:18.51\00:31:20.58
are in that understanding.
00:31:20.61\00:31:24.08
Even the very
recent ecumenical trends
00:31:24.11\00:31:27.48
are astounding
00:31:27.52\00:31:29.35
and point to the
fulfillment of Revelation 13:3.
00:31:29.38\00:31:35.19
The King James
Version eloquently puts it,
00:31:35.22\00:31:38.36
"All the world
wondered after the beast."
00:31:38.39\00:31:44.23
So although our
report last week indicated
00:31:44.27\00:31:47.14
that the economy is improving,
00:31:47.17\00:31:49.24
that there is a hiring
boom, that stocks our surging,
00:31:49.27\00:31:53.58
that oil prices are
plunging, that auto sales are up
00:31:53.61\00:31:58.25
and that interest
rates are dropping even more,
00:31:58.28\00:32:01.88
one has to ask the question
00:32:01.92\00:32:04.32
on what solid
economic foundation
00:32:04.35\00:32:09.26
is any of this built?
00:32:09.29\00:32:11.26
And how long will it last?
00:32:11.29\00:32:14.76
Now I'm generally
an eternal optimist.
00:32:14.80\00:32:18.63
But I have concluded,
00:32:18.67\00:32:20.87
we are entering the final
scenario of Earth's history
00:32:20.90\00:32:27.24
with unusual events
occurring on every hand
00:32:27.28\00:32:32.65
and developments
that will take place
00:32:32.68\00:32:35.08
that will defy human logic.
00:32:35.12\00:32:39.29
So on this first day of 2015,
00:32:39.32\00:32:44.46
God is calling
each of us here at GYC
00:32:44.49\00:32:48.83
and all God's remnant
people around this globe
00:32:48.86\00:32:52.90
to be faithful
to Him in every way,
00:32:52.93\00:32:57.37
through our connection
00:32:57.41\00:32:58.74
and our communion
with Christ every moment.
00:32:58.77\00:33:03.68
Being revived and
reformed in Him at the cross.
00:33:03.71\00:33:10.15
It's only through
connecting to the vibe,
00:33:10.19\00:33:13.76
that we can be fruitful
00:33:13.79\00:33:16.12
and faithful in this
age of faithlessness.
00:33:16.16\00:33:22.90
We're called to be faithful,
00:33:22.93\00:33:25.13
faithful to Christ, to His word,
00:33:25.17\00:33:28.67
to the church and
prophetic movement
00:33:28.70\00:33:32.87
as the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:33:32.91\00:33:35.24
Faithful to the
biblical plan for the family,
00:33:35.28\00:33:38.81
to His sanctuary message,
00:33:38.85\00:33:40.58
to public and
personal witnessing for Him,
00:33:40.62\00:33:44.25
to belief in and use
of the Spirit of Prophecy,
00:33:44.29\00:33:48.66
to proclaim the
Three Angels' messages
00:33:48.69\00:33:52.43
to the wonderful subject
of Christian stewardship.
00:33:52.46\00:33:56.33
Faithful to living
the Christian life,
00:33:56.36\00:33:59.23
faithful to
Christian humanitarian service
00:33:59.27\00:34:02.67
and to sharing the
promise of Christ's soon return.
00:34:02.70\00:34:09.08
God is looking for
faithfulness in us.
00:34:09.11\00:34:13.98
At the cross and
in our daily lives,
00:34:14.02\00:34:18.52
for He is faithful to us.
00:34:18.55\00:34:22.92
He is our role
model and our Savior.
00:34:22.96\00:34:25.89
Through Christ's
righteousness and grace,
00:34:25.93\00:34:29.26
we can be faithful
because He is faithful.
00:34:29.30\00:34:35.44
David declared in Psalm 40:10,
00:34:35.47\00:34:40.14
"I have not
hidden your righteousness
00:34:40.18\00:34:42.88
within my heart.
00:34:42.91\00:34:44.28
I have declared
Your faithfulness
00:34:44.31\00:34:46.85
and Your salvation."
00:34:46.88\00:34:48.92
David also
verified in Psalm 119:86,
00:34:48.95\00:34:55.32
"That all of God's
commandments are faithful."
00:34:55.36\00:35:00.43
Jeremiah testified in
Lamentations 3:22 to 23.
00:35:00.46\00:35:06.13
One of the most
marvelous passages in scripture.
00:35:06.17\00:35:09.60
"Through the Lord's
mercies we are not consumed,
00:35:09.64\00:35:12.74
because His
compassions fail not.
00:35:12.77\00:35:16.64
They are new every morning,
great is Your faithfulness."
00:35:16.68\00:35:23.49
Paul proclaimed
in Hebrews 10:23,
00:35:23.52\00:35:27.49
"Let us hold fast the
confession of our hope
00:35:27.52\00:35:30.49
without wavering,
00:35:30.53\00:35:31.86
for He who
promised is faithful."
00:35:31.89\00:35:37.53
John declared the
Word of God to be faithful
00:35:37.57\00:35:42.00
in Revelation 21:5 saying,
00:35:42.04\00:35:44.87
"Then He who sat
on the throne said,
00:35:44.91\00:35:47.11
'Behold I make all things new.'
00:35:47.14\00:35:50.11
And He said to me,
00:35:50.15\00:35:51.48
'Write, for these
words are true and faithful."
00:35:51.51\00:35:57.02
What a privilege,
00:35:57.05\00:35:59.59
the first day of 2015
00:35:59.62\00:36:03.26
to place ourselves in the
hands of One who is faithful
00:36:03.29\00:36:08.83
knowing that
whatever may happen to us
00:36:08.86\00:36:11.43
that God is faithful and
just to forgive us of our sins
00:36:11.47\00:36:16.50
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness
00:36:16.54\00:36:19.34
as 1 John 1:9 declares.
00:36:19.37\00:36:22.61
Whatever we face in 2015,
whatever you as a young person,
00:36:22.64\00:36:28.15
or as a young adult
face in this coming year,
00:36:28.18\00:36:31.45
we can rely on
God's faithfulness
00:36:31.49\00:36:35.69
to ultimately bring us
home to His eternal kingdom
00:36:35.72\00:36:40.20
when Christ returns.
00:36:40.23\00:36:43.26
By God's grace,
00:36:43.30\00:36:45.33
I hope that many of us
through the grace of Jesus
00:36:45.37\00:36:49.47
and the faithfulness
of each of us to Him
00:36:49.50\00:36:53.64
will see Him coming
in the clouds of glory
00:36:53.68\00:36:57.61
without seeing death.
00:36:57.65\00:37:00.08
Be faithful
because He is faithful.
00:37:00.12\00:37:05.92
Your faithfulness is essential
00:37:05.95\00:37:08.22
to God's
proclamation to the universe.
00:37:08.26\00:37:11.06
Because of His faithfulness,
00:37:11.09\00:37:13.50
He has followers
who are faithful,
00:37:13.53\00:37:16.97
His ambassadors to the world.
00:37:17.00\00:37:20.30
Solomon declared
00:37:20.34\00:37:25.07
that "A faithful
ambassador brings health."
00:37:25.11\00:37:30.85
Be an ambassador for Christ
in 2015 as you bring physical,
00:37:30.88\00:37:36.82
mental, social,
spiritual health.
00:37:36.85\00:37:41.02
Share Christ's righteousness
00:37:41.06\00:37:42.59
and His
comprehensive health ministry
00:37:42.62\00:37:45.76
as you engage in His
plans for mission to the cities
00:37:45.79\00:37:50.23
and every place on
this Earth in 2015.
00:37:50.27\00:37:55.77
God promises in Proverbs 28:20
00:37:55.80\00:37:59.81
that "A faithful man
shall abound with blessings."
00:37:59.84\00:38:05.48
Luke 16:10 declares that
00:38:05.51\00:38:08.02
"He that is faithful
in that which is least
00:38:08.05\00:38:11.85
is faithful also in much."
00:38:11.89\00:38:16.29
Paul explains in
1 Corinthians 4:2,
00:38:16.32\00:38:20.70
"Moreover it is required
00:38:20.73\00:38:23.26
that a man be found faithful.
00:38:23.30\00:38:27.84
Men and women who
are faithful to God."
00:38:27.87\00:38:33.01
One of the most poignant
examples of faithfulness
00:38:33.04\00:38:36.51
in the line of duty
is that of Nehemiah,
00:38:36.54\00:38:41.65
a faithful man of
God serving in the palace
00:38:41.68\00:38:45.09
of a Persian king.
00:38:45.12\00:38:46.89
In fact, Nehemiah
is one of those listed
00:38:46.92\00:38:51.86
in the GYC mission statement.
00:38:51.89\00:38:55.73
As it goes through
there, Nehemiah leadership,
00:38:55.76\00:38:58.00
Daniel's
integrity, Mary's humility,
00:38:58.03\00:38:59.97
Paul's passion for evangelism
00:39:00.00\00:39:02.40
and Christ love
for God and humanity.
00:39:02.44\00:39:05.71
Let me share just a
little bit about Nehemiah.
00:39:05.74\00:39:10.81
Nehemiah 1:4,
this marvelous story
00:39:10.85\00:39:15.08
in this beautiful
rendition of scripture.
00:39:15.12\00:39:18.75
It records that
when Nehemiah heard
00:39:18.79\00:39:20.69
about the
broken-down wall of Jerusalem
00:39:20.72\00:39:22.49
he sat down and wept.
00:39:22.52\00:39:24.69
That's what the Bible says.
00:39:24.73\00:39:26.06
He then turned
his pleading heart
00:39:26.09\00:39:29.03
to the Lord in prayer.
00:39:29.06\00:39:31.57
As you face the challenges
of 2015, young people.
00:39:31.60\00:39:36.20
Be fervent in prayer,
pleading with the Lord
00:39:36.24\00:39:39.94
for the latter
rain of the Holy Spirit
00:39:39.97\00:39:42.51
so that we can figuratively
repair God's wall today
00:39:42.54\00:39:48.62
with Holy Spirit power.
00:39:48.65\00:39:50.92
Verse 11 of that chapter
records Nehemiah as saying,
00:39:50.95\00:39:57.13
"O Lord, I pray,
please let Your ear
00:39:57.16\00:40:01.46
be attentive to the
prayer of Your servant."
00:40:01.50\00:40:05.97
Nehemiah received permission
to return to Jerusalem
00:40:06.00\00:40:09.47
and to build the wall.
00:40:09.50\00:40:11.27
Three days after
arriving in Jerusalem,
00:40:11.31\00:40:14.08
Nehemiah finally challenge
00:40:14.11\00:40:15.94
those who are there in Jerusalem
00:40:15.98\00:40:18.01
and the Jewish
nation saying in 2:17,
00:40:18.05\00:40:22.78
"Come, and let us
rebuild the wall of Jerusalem
00:40:22.82\00:40:26.45
that we may no
longer be a reproach.
00:40:26.49\00:40:31.36
Their response was,
00:40:31.39\00:40:33.03
and let that be the
response of all of us here,
00:40:33.06\00:40:36.13
"Let us rise up and build."
00:40:36.16\00:40:40.30
But I want to tell you,
00:40:40.34\00:40:42.50
beware of the downers in life.
00:40:42.54\00:40:47.74
Represented by
Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem,
00:40:47.78\00:40:51.45
who laughed and
despised Nehemiah.
00:40:51.48\00:40:55.02
Take courage from
God GYC attendees,
00:40:55.05\00:40:58.75
and join with
Nehemiah in saying,
00:40:58.79\00:41:02.92
"The Lord or the
God of heaven himself
00:41:02.96\00:41:06.06
will prosper us,
00:41:06.09\00:41:07.76
therefore we his
servants will arise and build.
00:41:07.80\00:41:14.10
The construction began
00:41:14.14\00:41:16.40
and came up to half the
height of the intended wall
00:41:16.44\00:41:20.11
because as 4:6 says,
00:41:20.14\00:41:24.41
"The Lord had a mind
00:41:24.45\00:41:26.61
or the people
had a mind to work.
00:41:26.65\00:41:30.45
However, when Sanballat, Tobiah
00:41:30.49\00:41:34.29
and the enemies of
God heard of the progress,
00:41:34.32\00:41:37.59
they made plans to attack.
00:41:37.63\00:41:40.63
Nehemiah pled with
the Lord through prayer
00:41:40.66\00:41:43.50
and then
positioned the people saying,
00:41:43.53\00:41:47.27
"Remember the
Lord, great and awesome,
00:41:47.30\00:41:52.24
and fight for your brethren,
your sons, your daughters,
00:41:52.27\00:41:56.54
your wives and your houses."
00:41:56.58\00:42:00.12
They divided the task
of defense and construction
00:42:00.15\00:42:03.82
so that all participated.
00:42:03.85\00:42:05.52
In fact, 4:17 indicates
00:42:05.55\00:42:11.09
that "Those who
built on the wall
00:42:11.13\00:42:14.00
and those who carried
burdens loaded themselves
00:42:14.03\00:42:17.67
so that with one hand
they worked at construction
00:42:17.70\00:42:21.77
and with the
other held a weapon."
00:42:21.80\00:42:26.68
In your
faithfulness to God in 2015
00:42:26.71\00:42:33.11
with one hand do the work of God
00:42:33.15\00:42:36.45
and in the other
hand hold the Word of God
00:42:36.48\00:42:39.85
your weaponry of
heavenly authority.
00:42:39.89\00:42:43.29
Amen.
00:42:43.32\00:42:44.76
Lean completely on the
Lord in your faithful service,
00:42:44.79\00:42:50.07
saying along with those
00:42:50.10\00:42:51.73
who worked on the
wall in Jerusalem.
00:42:51.77\00:42:54.87
Our God will fight for us,
00:42:54.90\00:43:00.24
so persistent, undeterred
00:43:00.28\00:43:04.05
and faithful were Nehemiah
00:43:04.08\00:43:06.58
and his colleagues
in pursuing God's work
00:43:06.61\00:43:10.09
that they did not
even take off their clothes
00:43:10.12\00:43:13.46
except to wash them.
00:43:13.49\00:43:16.46
Well, I'm not quite
suggesting that for you,
00:43:16.49\00:43:20.10
but work in the same spirit
00:43:20.13\00:43:22.13
with one mind of
faithfulness to God's request
00:43:22.16\00:43:25.67
that we proclaim the
Three Angels' messages
00:43:25.70\00:43:28.67
with Holy Spirit power.
00:43:28.70\00:43:30.21
Amen.
00:43:30.24\00:43:31.57
Testimonies for the Church
volume 9, page 19 tells us,
00:43:31.61\00:43:36.95
"In a special sense
Seventh-day Adventists
00:43:36.98\00:43:40.12
have been set in the world
as watchman and light bearers.
00:43:40.15\00:43:44.32
They have been given a
work of the most solemn import,
00:43:44.35\00:43:47.99
the proclamation of the first,
00:43:48.02\00:43:49.76
second and third
angels' messages.
00:43:49.79\00:43:53.13
There is no other work
of so great importance.
00:43:53.16\00:43:58.43
They are to allow nothing else
00:43:58.47\00:44:02.34
to absorb their attention.
00:44:02.37\00:44:08.04
But Sanballat, Tobiah,
and Geshem did not give up.
00:44:08.08\00:44:14.08
Because of those who
will try to dissuade you
00:44:14.12\00:44:17.69
of your great tasks
00:44:17.72\00:44:19.75
as Seventh-day Adventist
young people on the wall
00:44:19.79\00:44:23.29
in 2015 just
before Christ's coming,
00:44:23.32\00:44:28.76
do not succumb
to their influence.
00:44:28.80\00:44:33.10
The enemy sent a
message to Nehemiah asking them,
00:44:33.13\00:44:37.37
him and others to meet
them in the place called, "Ono"
00:44:37.41\00:44:44.11
the plain of Ono.
00:44:44.15\00:44:47.78
Now if Nehemiah,
had spoken English
00:44:47.82\00:44:50.05
I can just hear him saying,
00:44:50.09\00:44:52.35
"Oh no, I'm not going to
meet on the plain of Ono.
00:44:52.39\00:44:56.86
I know what you're trying to do,
00:44:56.89\00:44:58.23
you're just
trying to distract me
00:44:58.26\00:44:59.69
from my heaven born work.
00:44:59.73\00:45:03.06
Nehemiah sent back a
powerful message in 6:3
00:45:03.10\00:45:09.64
a message that I hope
you will take to heart
00:45:09.67\00:45:12.14
as you leave
this great convention
00:45:12.17\00:45:16.38
here in Phoenix.
00:45:16.41\00:45:19.51
It says, "I am
doing a great work,
00:45:19.55\00:45:24.55
so that I cannot come down."
00:45:24.59\00:45:28.92
When the Sanballats,
00:45:28.96\00:45:30.29
the Tobiahs and the
Geshems of this world
00:45:30.33\00:45:32.79
tempt you to distraction,
00:45:32.83\00:45:34.80
tell them, "We
are doing God's work,
00:45:34.83\00:45:38.90
a great work, we
will not come down."
00:45:38.93\00:45:44.34
Nehemiah prayed in verse 9.
00:45:44.37\00:45:46.94
"Oh God, strengthen my hands."
00:45:46.98\00:45:50.55
Young people of GYC, ask
God to strengthen your hands
00:45:50.58\00:45:54.75
and do His great work
in faithfulness to Him.
00:45:54.78\00:46:00.72
God will reward
your faithfulness
00:46:00.76\00:46:02.72
as he did Nehemiah.
00:46:02.76\00:46:07.00
Chapter 6:15 and 16
of Chapter 6 record,
00:46:07.03\00:46:13.70
"So the wall was
finished and it happened
00:46:13.74\00:46:18.67
when all our
enemies heard of it,
00:46:18.71\00:46:22.54
and all the nations
around us saw these things,
00:46:22.58\00:46:27.78
that they were very disheartened
00:46:27.82\00:46:30.62
in their own
eyes, for they perceived
00:46:30.65\00:46:35.06
that this work
was done by our God."
00:46:35.09\00:46:41.93
When God shows His mighty hand
in your work of faithfulness,
00:46:41.96\00:46:46.20
give Him all the
glory and people will see
00:46:46.23\00:46:49.74
that He is working
through you as young people
00:46:49.77\00:46:53.68
of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:46:53.71\00:46:57.38
Prophets and Kings,
00:46:57.41\00:47:00.12
page 645 records, Like Nehemiah,
00:47:00.15\00:47:06.12
God's people are neither to fear
00:47:06.15\00:47:09.82
nor to despise their enemies.
00:47:09.86\00:47:13.86
Putting their trust in God,
they are to go steadily forward
00:47:13.90\00:47:20.80
doing His work
with unselfishness,
00:47:20.84\00:47:23.51
and committing to His providence
00:47:23.54\00:47:26.41
the cause for which they stand."
00:47:26.44\00:47:31.48
So GYC tonight,
00:47:31.51\00:47:35.65
I challenge you as
we march into 2015,
00:47:35.68\00:47:41.49
and face the last
days of Earth's history
00:47:41.52\00:47:45.36
to stand faithfully for God.
00:47:45.39\00:47:50.03
Accept God's plea in
Revelation Chapter 2:10,
00:47:50.07\00:47:54.87
"Be faithful unto death
00:47:54.90\00:47:57.11
and I will give
you the crown of life."
00:47:57.14\00:48:02.38
Take Christ's words
seriously in Revelation 3:11,
00:48:02.41\00:48:08.08
"Behold, I am coming
quickly, hold fast what you have
00:48:08.12\00:48:13.39
that no one may
take your crown."
00:48:13.42\00:48:18.26
Realize that you
are the inheritors
00:48:18.29\00:48:21.56
of God's great commission
00:48:21.60\00:48:24.33
to proclaim the truth
to the final generation
00:48:24.37\00:48:28.07
and that as
Revelation 17:14 says,
00:48:28.10\00:48:32.87
"The Lamb will overcome them,
00:48:32.91\00:48:36.01
for He is the Lord of
lords and the King of kings,
00:48:36.04\00:48:41.02
and those who are with Him
00:48:41.05\00:48:43.22
are called chosen and faithful."
00:48:43.25\00:48:49.06
Young people of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church,
00:48:49.09\00:48:52.43
you are chosen.
00:48:52.46\00:48:56.20
By God's grace,
you will be faithful.
00:48:56.23\00:49:02.47
Stand at the cross
00:49:02.50\00:49:05.71
and then
testify to His goodness.
00:49:05.74\00:49:09.51
Stand firm for God's truth
and proclaim His precious word.
00:49:09.54\00:49:15.48
Young people,
00:49:15.52\00:49:17.29
as Nehemiah and a
host of others were,
00:49:17.32\00:49:22.49
God is calling
you to be faithful.
00:49:22.52\00:49:27.93
You are personally
important and critical
00:49:27.96\00:49:31.90
to the last proclamation
of the Three Angels' messages.
00:49:31.93\00:49:36.77
I am counting on you,
your church is counting on you,
00:49:36.81\00:49:41.84
and most of all,
God is counting on you.
00:49:41.88\00:49:47.82
Recently I read
a marvelous portion
00:49:47.85\00:49:51.72
from Testimonies for
the Church, Volume 9,
00:49:51.75\00:49:55.69
pages 101 to 103.
00:49:55.72\00:49:59.09
Relative to our
faithfulness to God
00:49:59.13\00:50:00.90
and the task entrusted to us.
00:50:00.93\00:50:04.63
Read that entire section,
page 101 to 103 in Volume 9.
00:50:04.67\00:50:10.61
However let me share with
you just short portions of it
00:50:10.64\00:50:14.11
before we close tonight.
00:50:14.14\00:50:16.64
Ellen White indicated in
that very poignant section,
00:50:16.68\00:50:21.65
"Recently in the night season,
00:50:21.68\00:50:25.35
I was awakened from
sleep and given a view
00:50:25.39\00:50:30.16
of the sufferings
of Christ for men.
00:50:30.19\00:50:33.03
His sacrifice, the
mockery and derision He received
00:50:33.06\00:50:36.53
at the hands of wicked men,
00:50:36.56\00:50:38.43
His agony in the
Garden of Gethsemane,
00:50:38.47\00:50:41.84
His betrayal and crucifixion,
00:50:41.87\00:50:45.14
all were vividly
portrayed before me."
00:50:45.17\00:50:50.28
Can you imagine the scene?
00:50:50.31\00:50:53.92
She goes on to say,
00:50:53.95\00:50:55.28
"I saw Christ in the midst
of a large company of people,
00:50:55.32\00:50:58.05
He was seeking to impress
their minds with His teachings,
00:50:58.09\00:51:01.62
but He was despised
and rejected by them.
00:51:01.66\00:51:05.66
Men were heaping
upon Him abuse and shame.
00:51:05.69\00:51:09.90
My distress was very great
as I looked upon the scene.
00:51:09.93\00:51:13.13
I pleaded with God,
00:51:13.17\00:51:15.27
"What is to be done
with this congregation?
00:51:15.30\00:51:18.24
Will non give up their
exalted opinions of self
00:51:18.27\00:51:21.94
and seek the Lord
as little children?
00:51:21.98\00:51:24.78
Will none break their
hearts before God in repentance
00:51:24.81\00:51:28.65
and confession?"
00:51:28.68\00:51:32.39
She goes on to say,
"Three times the Savior prayed,
00:51:32.42\00:51:35.19
'Father, if it be possible,
let this cup pass from Me."
00:51:35.22\00:51:39.59
' It was here that the
destiny of the lost world
00:51:39.63\00:51:43.06
trembled in the balance
00:51:43.10\00:51:44.53
should he
refused to drink the cup,
00:51:44.57\00:51:46.53
the result would be
eternal ruin to the human race.
00:51:46.57\00:51:51.71
But an angel from heaven
00:51:51.74\00:51:54.38
strengthened the Son
of God to accept the cup
00:51:54.41\00:51:58.88
and drink its bitter woe."
00:51:58.91\00:52:04.09
She goes on to say, "How
few there are who realize
00:52:04.12\00:52:07.49
that all this was
born for them individually,
00:52:07.52\00:52:10.59
as I have thought of that cup
00:52:10.63\00:52:12.73
trembling in the hands of Christ
00:52:12.76\00:52:14.36
as I have realized
00:52:14.40\00:52:15.73
that He might
have refused to drink
00:52:15.76\00:52:17.70
and left the world
to perish in its sin.
00:52:17.73\00:52:21.04
I have pledged that
every energy of my life
00:52:21.07\00:52:24.04
should be devoted to the
work of winning souls to Him."
00:52:24.07\00:52:30.58
What a powerful
impact it had on Ellen White.
00:52:30.61\00:52:33.95
Is your
relationship at the cross
00:52:33.98\00:52:37.69
impelling you to win souls?
00:52:37.72\00:52:41.62
I had the
opportunity of attending
00:52:41.66\00:52:44.26
four different
seminars this afternoon.
00:52:44.29\00:52:47.03
Bible study, Soul
winning, Evangelism,
00:52:47.06\00:52:50.63
I praise God
00:52:50.67\00:52:52.00
that that such a key
element and a heart to GYC.
00:52:52.03\00:52:57.64
But then
finishing, finishing up here,
00:52:57.67\00:53:01.84
this incredible
scene that Ellen White saw,
00:53:01.88\00:53:04.81
"Christ came to the
Earth to suffer and die
00:53:04.85\00:53:06.88
that through the
exercise of faith in Him
00:53:06.92\00:53:09.22
and the
appropriation of His merits,
00:53:09.25\00:53:11.35
we might become
laborers together with God.
00:53:11.39\00:53:14.62
It was the Savior's purpose
00:53:14.66\00:53:16.62
that after He ascended to heaven
00:53:16.66\00:53:18.19
to become man's intercessor,
00:53:18.23\00:53:20.10
His followers
should carry on the work
00:53:20.13\00:53:22.46
that He had begun.
00:53:22.50\00:53:24.27
There are some who are willing
to go to the ends of the Earth
00:53:24.30\00:53:26.90
in order to carry the
light of truth to men.
00:53:26.94\00:53:30.04
But God demands that
every soul who knows the truth
00:53:30.07\00:53:34.31
shall seek to win others
to the love of the truth.
00:53:34.34\00:53:39.31
If we are not willing
to make special sacrifices
00:53:39.35\00:53:42.85
in order to save souls
that are ready to perish.
00:53:42.88\00:53:47.36
How can we be counted worthy
to enter into the City of God?
00:53:47.39\00:53:51.73
There is an individual work
to be done for each one of us.
00:53:51.76\00:53:55.36
I know there are many
00:53:55.40\00:53:57.53
who are placing themselves
in right relation to Christ,
00:53:57.57\00:54:01.00
who's one thought is to bring
the message of present truth
00:54:01.04\00:54:04.17
before the people of the world,
00:54:04.21\00:54:06.04
they stand continually
ready to offer their services."
00:54:06.07\00:54:10.45
This is Ellen White speaking,
00:54:10.48\00:54:11.81
"But my heart
aches, when I see so many
00:54:11.85\00:54:17.42
who are satisfied
with a cheap experience.
00:54:17.45\00:54:23.53
An experience that
costs them but little,
00:54:23.56\00:54:29.36
their lives say that for them
00:54:29.40\00:54:32.83
Christ has died in vain."
00:54:32.87\00:54:36.81
Tonight, my dear
friends, my young friends,
00:54:42.14\00:54:48.12
Seventh-day
Adventists young people
00:54:48.15\00:54:51.42
on this first
day of this New Year,
00:54:51.45\00:54:56.12
don't let Christ
have died in vain.
00:54:56.16\00:55:00.56
Amen.
00:55:00.60\00:55:02.96
Are you willing
to come to the cross
00:55:03.00\00:55:07.84
and be faithful to Him,
00:55:07.87\00:55:11.54
His word and
His advent movement?
00:55:11.57\00:55:18.41
If you are willing
to be a faithful steward
00:55:18.45\00:55:24.72
and warrior for the Lord,
00:55:24.75\00:55:28.52
would you stand
with me at this moment?
00:55:28.56\00:55:31.53
Our Father in heaven,
00:55:41.40\00:55:45.14
we come to you
00:55:45.17\00:55:48.44
on the very
first day of this year,
00:55:48.48\00:55:54.15
asking that You
will make us faithful,
00:55:54.18\00:55:58.29
that You will use our
talents in an incredible manner
00:55:58.32\00:56:04.89
to warn the world
of what is coming,
00:56:04.93\00:56:08.10
to share with the
world the love of Christ
00:56:08.13\00:56:11.27
through acts of love
and compassion and mercy.
00:56:11.30\00:56:15.97
And also by our daily lives
00:56:16.00\00:56:19.14
to point people to the cross
00:56:19.17\00:56:23.24
where they might
find mercy and grace,
00:56:23.28\00:56:28.12
but Lord, you
know that people need
00:56:28.15\00:56:30.29
more than just a
cheap experience.
00:56:30.32\00:56:35.19
They need to fully understand
00:56:35.22\00:56:36.76
what it means
to be at the cross.
00:56:36.79\00:56:40.73
To fully accept the commission
that You give to each of us,
00:56:40.76\00:56:46.17
to share with the world,
00:56:46.20\00:56:48.94
the great and wonderful
news of those three angels
00:56:48.97\00:56:55.04
who proclaim the
righteousness of Christ,
00:56:55.08\00:56:58.81
His power at creation,
00:56:58.85\00:57:02.08
His right to be
00:57:02.12\00:57:06.59
the great
Sovereign of the universe.
00:57:06.62\00:57:09.99
And that the churches of today,
00:57:10.03\00:57:12.23
and the religions of
today are in confusion
00:57:12.26\00:57:14.86
and they are Babylon,
00:57:14.90\00:57:17.57
and that if we follow
00:57:17.60\00:57:22.24
that which is not
according to Your word,
00:57:22.27\00:57:26.44
we will receive
the mark of the beast.
00:57:26.47\00:57:32.05
But, Lord, You want to
give us the seal of God.
00:57:32.08\00:57:37.19
And so, Lord, we
humbly bow before You,
00:57:37.22\00:57:42.39
and I entrust this
beautiful group from GYC
00:57:42.42\00:57:47.93
into Your hands
as we move forward
00:57:47.96\00:57:51.37
into the last
days of Earth's history
00:57:51.40\00:57:54.67
and as we see the
climactic events taking place,
00:57:54.70\00:57:59.77
in all of this, Lord,
help us to be faithful.
00:57:59.81\00:58:06.41
Thank you for hearing us
00:58:06.45\00:58:08.72
in this plea and
accept our commitment to You,
00:58:08.75\00:58:13.66
in the precious
and wonderful name
00:58:13.69\00:58:16.36
our Lord and
Savior, our coming King
00:58:16.39\00:58:21.03
and our best
friend Jesus Christ, amen.
00:58:21.06\00:58:27.07
Please be seated.
00:58:27.10\00:58:28.44