Participants: Adam Ramdin
Series Code: 14GYC
Program Code: 14GYC000012A
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00:14 All right, now let's join our voices together
00:16 in singing our theme song, "At the cross." 00:18 I have been so blessed as we've sung this song 00:20 throughout the week because truly, 00:22 it is all about the cross 00:24 that is the gospel in it essence. 00:25 Amen. Amen. 00:26 So let's raise our voices this morning and sing. 00:35 Alas, and did my Savior bleed? 00:40 And did my Sovereign die? 00:45 Would He devote that sacred head 00:50 For someone such as I? 00:55 At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light 01:00 And the burden of my heart rolled away 01:05 It was there by faith I received my sight 01:10 And now I am happy all the day! 01:15 Was it for crimes that I have done 01:20 He suffered on the tree? 01:25 Amazing pity! Grace unknown! 01:30 And love beyond degree! 01:34 At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light 01:40 And the burden of my heart rolled away 01:44 It was there by faith I received my sight 01:50 And now I am happy all the day! 01:55 But drops of grief can ne'er repay 02:00 The debt of love I owe 02:05 Here, Lord, I give myself away 02:10 'Tis all that I can do! 02:15 At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light 02:20 And the burden of my heart rolled away 02:25 It was there by faith I received my sight 02:30 And now I am happy all the day! 02:35 At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light 02:40 And the burden of my heart rolled away 02:45 It was there by faith I received my sight 02:50 And now I am happy all the day! 02:56 Amen. Amen. 03:00 Amen. 03:01 At the cross, at the cross, we first received our sights. 03:06 It is only through Christ that we can be made to see, 03:09 amen. 03:11 GYC, here we are January 4, 2015. 03:16 Has it been a blessing 03:17 to spend time at the foot of the cross? 03:19 Amen. Amen, amen. 03:21 Morning by morning, 03:23 God has awakened our ears to hear as the learned 03:28 that we may be able to speak a word 03:31 in due season to those that are weary. 03:34 So our first night, we learned nevertheless. 03:38 We learned that in surrendering to God, 03:40 we take hold of the promises 03:43 and we believe more in the promises 03:45 than in our present circumstances. 03:48 Our second night, we learned of three wise men. 03:51 Three men who testified of God, 03:55 one who was nailed to the cross or died on the cross. 04:00 One who nailed Jesus to the cross. 04:03 And one who bore the cross. 04:06 Three steps in our experience. 04:08 And our third night, yesterday. 04:11 We learned how Christ died outside the gate 04:14 in order to sanctify us, that so that when we sin, 04:20 we may realize that He is there to cleanse us. 04:22 Amen. Amen. 04:24 So we look forward to hearing 04:26 what the Lord has to speak to us today. 04:29 Why don't we pray? 04:34 Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You so much 04:37 for the gift and the privilege You give us 04:39 to come before You this morning. 04:41 We thank You for the gift of life. 04:43 We thank You for Jesus 04:46 and for calling us Your children 04:47 and, Father, we come in our weakness 04:51 before the cross of Jesus 04:54 asking that you would cleanse us. 04:56 Dear Father, you promise that You're faithful 04:59 and just to forgive us our sins 05:02 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 05:05 and Father we thank You 05:06 that You do not leave us orphans. 05:08 But You have given us the Holy Spirit 05:10 and, Father, we long for a fresh outpouring 05:13 of the Holy Spirit this morning, 05:15 that the seed of truth would fall on good ground. 05:19 And we thank You for hearing our prayers 05:21 in Jesus' name we pray, amen. 05:56 One day soon, there will be no more crying 06:04 No more pain 06:07 Aching and loss 06:13 All of our anxieties 06:21 Will be 06:23 Forever gone 06:29 But now 06:32 To dying for the sovereign tonight 06:38 Remember to deep latch him 06:45 Leaning fully upon the cross 06:53 And one day you believe 06:56 Jesus say 07:01 Well done, good and faithful servant 07:08 I'm proud of you 07:12 My child 07:16 Enter into my kingdom 07:23 He is your heart, He is your breath 07:30 Here are the many mansions 07:37 That I promised you is 07:41 A home 07:45 Finally free from earthly care 07:52 Finally free from earthly world 08:12 One day soon There will be joy and peace 08:19 When old trials ever come 08:26 Heaven, earth free heaven 08:33 A place to find Lord 08:40 But now during in these times 08:47 Don't let earthly things Feel Lord mine 08:53 A little longer we will wait 08:59 To hear him sing 09:01 Here's the patience Of the saints 09:06 Well done, Good and faithful servant 09:12 I'm proud of you my child 09:19 Enter into my kingdom 09:24 He is your heart 09:27 He is your breath 09:32 Here are the many mansions 09:37 That I promised you 09:40 A home 09:45 Finally free from earthly care 09:52 Finally free from earthly world 10:11 No more night 10:15 No more pain 10:19 No more tears 10:23 Never crying again 10:27 Praises To the great, "I AM" 10:34 We will live in the light 10:38 Of the risen 10:42 Lamb 11:05 Amen. 11:15 Good morning, everyone. Good morning. 11:18 Was it not a blessing? 11:19 Amen. Amen. 11:22 It's a privilege to be here with you this morning 11:24 one last time 11:26 before we are soon to head home. 11:31 I've been thoroughly blessed being here at GYC this year. 11:37 And I'd like to thank those who have been responsible 11:39 for giving me the privilege to be able to be here with you 11:43 and to share from God's word with you. 11:48 Before we start we bow our heads 11:49 for a word of prayer. 11:56 Father in Heaven, Lord we, 12:00 pause in Your presence this morning. 12:04 Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of life, 12:08 health, strength. 12:11 And, Lord, as we open Your word today 12:13 as we meditate upon grand and glorious themes 12:17 from the Bible. 12:19 We pray, Lord, You may illuminate our minds, 12:24 that You want to apply these things to our hearts 12:30 that we may feel the moving of your Holy Spirit upon us 12:35 in a supernatural way. 12:38 I pray Lord that You would speak through me, 12:41 take hold of my thoughts 12:44 and express them in Your way 12:48 at this time we pray in Jesus' name, amen. 13:00 Now I'm the type of person in case you don't know me, 13:04 as many of you do not. 13:07 But I will have a go at most things in life. 13:12 I like to think I'm quite adventurous, 13:16 maybe even prone to taking a risk or two. 13:20 And I would try most things 13:22 even if I'm not properly prepared for it. 13:24 Now a year or so ago, 13:25 I joined the surge of interest going through, 13:29 it seems the world at the moment in triathlons, 13:34 and so I bought a bike, 13:35 a road bike and signed up to do a triathlon. 13:41 I didn't have a wetsuit so I found a website in England 13:44 where I could rent a wetsuit especially for triathlons, 13:48 and I rented a wetsuit 13:50 and then I prepared for my triathlon... 13:55 by watching videos on YouTube. 14:03 It was a 750 meter open water swim. 14:07 The last time I swam 750 meters 14:10 was probably when I was 11 or 12 years old. 14:13 It was a 20 kilometer or 12 mile bike ride 14:15 and the last time I did that, 14:17 I think I did it once in the last 15 years 14:19 and it was a 5 kilometer run 14:21 of which I had never done in my whole life. 14:26 So I prepared by getting some tips 14:27 from a good friend of mine. 14:29 And I prepared by watching 14:31 inspiring motivating videos on YouTube. 14:37 The day came, it was the Blenheim Palace triathlon. 14:41 The day came, packed the car, put the bike in the car, 14:44 tires pumped, backpacked everything 14:46 and went down there to Blenheim Palace 14:49 in Oxfordshire, England, absolutely beautiful place. 14:53 It is the birthplace of Winston Churchill. 14:57 A magnificent venue 15:00 and backdrop to almost kill myself. 15:05 So we gathered at a line, they do the... 15:08 they did the big like hurrah thing of all, 15:10 these guys getting ready to go, in our way, 15:12 you know we're getting ready to get in the water, 15:14 jump in the water. 15:15 It's the first time I've been in the water 15:17 to swim in a wetsuit. 15:19 Not really advisable, 15:20 I should have practiced beforehand 15:22 so I jumped in the water. 15:23 And we get sort of swim at the line there 15:24 getting ready to swim and the gun goes off, 15:26 and when the gun goes off, 15:27 I don't know what happened, but something overcame me 15:29 and I just started trying to be like a professional head down 15:33 and I was like doing like that my freestyle 15:35 as smooth and fast as I could. 15:38 It was a mad rush, keep feet kicking everywhere, 15:40 arms going everywhere, mad rush 15:42 and I go off with the with the main surge 15:46 for about 25 meters. 15:50 Then I was out of breath and I look up 15:52 and way in the distance 725 meters away 15:55 is the finish line and then, 15:57 I went from freestyle to breaststroke, 16:01 I went from breaststroke to doggy paddle, 16:04 away from doggy paddle to lying on my back 16:06 and kicking my legs and swimming like that. 16:09 And eventually I got out of the water 16:14 and I think there was one person behind me. 16:19 Maybe it was just an angel there 16:21 to encourage me, 16:23 so I get out of the water 16:25 and had 400 meters to walk at the transition area. 16:27 Now I had complete my run. 16:30 Sorry, my swim was complete, 16:32 but my triathlon was not completed. 16:37 I got to the transition area and at this point, 16:40 I was almost dead. 16:43 Now yesterday, I said, that I sometimes, 16:45 my wife tells me I'm prone to exaggeration 16:47 and I did say yesterday, 16:48 that my wife says that I'm always exaggerating 16:50 which itself was an exaggeration 16:52 because she told me afterwards I don't always say that 16:54 I only sometimes say that. 16:58 So you can... 17:00 I don't know take, take what you want. 17:02 So anyway I'm feeling like almost finished, 17:04 I get to the transition area, 17:05 and all the other athletes get there 17:07 and they take off everything quickly 17:08 and try to get out there as quick as they can, 17:10 for me it was like a break. 17:11 Let me just take it easy for a little bit, 17:12 then I got on my bike 17:14 and did the bike and that was okay, 17:15 it wasn't so bad the bike, though my legs felt like jelly, 17:18 finished the bike, completed the bike 17:22 but I hadn't finished the triathlon. 17:24 And then I get to do the run, the run five kilometers. 17:30 Set out start off looking quite cool 17:32 and looking quite good for about 4, 500 meters 17:36 and then it was a long walk. 17:41 Ran a little bit, walked a lot, ran a little bit, 17:43 walked a lot, ran a little bit, walked a lot, 17:46 and the last two kilometers 17:47 I think I walked the whole last two kilometers 17:49 because I just wanted to say enough energy. 17:52 So that when I got to the last 300 meters, 17:53 I could jog across the line. 17:56 So at least the spectators there 17:57 thought that I might have ran. 18:01 By then when I crossed the line, 18:04 I had completed, I had finished the swim, 18:07 finished the bike, finished the run 18:10 and only then had I completed the triathlon. 18:16 The sermon this morning is entitled complete 18:19 but not completed. 18:24 Complete but not completed. 18:29 In 1863, the Seventh-day Adventist Church 18:33 began just a small group of believers 18:38 here in North America. 18:41 But in the space of 160 years, it would grow 18:44 to be over 18 million people strong today. 18:48 The fastest growing Protestant Church 18:51 in more countries in the world than any other denomination 18:56 would have the second largest educational system 18:59 in the world. 19:01 How would it grow so fast 19:03 in a relatively short space of time? 19:06 What was special? 19:08 Was it because we had famous celebrity members early on 19:12 that attracted other people to our church? 19:16 Was it because we rediscovered a new method of church growth? 19:22 Was it because we had an easy to accept message 19:27 that people could just flock to know? 19:31 There were no celebrity members early on in Adventism. 19:37 We did though rediscover so to speak, 19:39 this fancy new method of church growth, 19:42 and our message was not an easy to accept message. 19:45 It was very hard, it was very unique, 19:47 it was very different, it was very peculiar. 19:52 When we surveyed the span of Christian history 19:55 and we see the growth of Christianity, 19:58 when we look at the Dark Ages, 20:00 and we see the progression of Christianity 20:01 from the Dark Ages, 20:03 we can see that different truths 20:05 that had been lost or hidden gradually were rediscovered. 20:11 The truth on the scriptures 20:13 being the inspired word of God rediscovered. 20:16 The truth on baptism by immersion rediscovered. 20:20 The truth on the second coming. 20:22 The truth on the Sabbath, all of these rediscovered. 20:25 It was almost like once every 50 or 100 years, 20:28 a new truth not really a new truth, 20:31 an old truth in new clothes came back, 20:36 then we see the birth of the Adventist Church 20:39 around the 1840s to the 1860s. 20:45 And all of the above teachings 20:47 and many, many more had been discovered by other people. 20:50 What else remains the final piece of the puzzle 20:56 in the restoration of the picture 20:57 of the character of God 20:59 for the Adventist Church to study and give to the world. 21:06 It was the message of the sanctuary. 21:11 The message of the sanctuary was unique to Adventism, 21:14 the complete package of the plan of salvation. 21:17 I like to say, you know a picture says a thousand words 21:20 and God in order to give to ancient Israel 21:22 and then to us a picture of salvation, 21:25 these themes like justification, sanctification, 21:28 you know what did they all mean. 21:29 God took a picture of salvation and gave it to us 21:32 in the form of the sanctuary service 21:34 so that we can visualize 21:36 how we might experience salvation. 21:41 So we see Christ's ministry in three phases, 21:43 in the courtyard, in the holy place, 21:46 and in the most holy place. 21:48 And as Pastor David Shinn said so succinctly yesterday 21:54 the problem, I mean in the sanctuary, 21:56 we're freed from the penalty of sin in the courtyard, 22:00 the power of sin in the holy place 22:02 and the presence of sin in the most holy place. 22:07 You see the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ 22:11 dying on the cross had been spoken of partially 22:15 for about 1800 years, 22:17 prior to the rise of the Adventist Church. 22:20 The Adventist Church did not rise 22:22 to speak about this truth only, 22:25 it is not our work today to speak only about the cross. 22:29 I love the theme for GYC this year. 22:32 In fact, I think has been one of the best themes 22:34 that they have ever had, absolutely beautiful, 22:39 at the cross. 22:43 Not some romanticized picture of Jesus. 22:48 But seeing the cross in its true place 22:51 in the grand scheme of the plan of salvation. 22:55 Now a vital part of Jesus Christ ministry 22:59 on the cross, 23:01 His work on the cross when He died was complete. 23:07 But His work was not completed. 23:14 His work on the cross was complete, 23:16 but His work was not completed. 23:21 Now I believe as an Adventist Church, 23:24 we have seen through the pages of scripture 23:26 and we see in the writings of Ellen White. 23:28 If you ever get a chance 23:29 to read the book Desire of Ages, 23:31 if you have not read it 23:32 and you read the closing chapters of the book 23:34 as it focuses on the cross, you will gain insight and depth 23:38 into what Jesus went through on the cross 23:40 that you've never seen before. 23:43 And I believe within the Adventist message 23:45 we can see the teaching 23:46 of the sacrificial atonement of Christ 23:48 in a clearer way than it's ever been seen before. 23:52 But part of the message of Adventism 23:54 is to connect what Christ did on the cross 23:58 with the full atonement of Jesus Christ, 24:01 to see the cross 24:03 and the judgment together as one whole. 24:06 It is not the case, it is not the case 24:08 that when the Adventist Church came along, 24:10 they just tacked on one more teaching 24:12 to all the others that had previously been discovered. 24:16 It's not like we just put the last one 24:19 like a spare wheel on the back of the car. 24:21 No! 24:24 But as we heard yesterday in the divine service, 24:27 the key to understand the gospel 24:29 is seen through the sanctuary. 24:34 More than adding one truth, it was adding the truth 24:37 that enables us to see all the others 24:39 in their clarity. 24:41 You know, recently I bought a camera. 24:47 Had little basic one 24:50 and I thought I like to get a nice big camera 24:53 with a big lens, 24:56 though I got a camera with a big lens 24:59 and kind of like when I did my triathlon 25:01 I really don't know what I'm doing with it 25:04 yet, yet. 25:09 And I've taken some pictures on my camera, 25:11 I only got about three weeks ago. 25:15 And I was playing around with all the dials 25:18 and I really didn't know what I was playing around with 25:20 maybe some of you can relate to this experience. 25:23 So I'm playing around these different dials 25:25 and I touched something and I didn't know I touched it, 25:27 and didn't even know what it was that I touched, 25:29 even I did know that I touched it. 25:33 So what happened was as I was looking through the camera, 25:35 everything was blurry. 25:37 And I take a picture it was actually clear 25:39 when it came out but it was blurry through the lens 25:42 and I didn't know what this was, 25:43 and I thought maybe it's not clean 25:44 so I'm polishing the lens, and I'm polishing the front, 25:46 I'm polishing the back. 25:48 Maybe there's something on the lens and it's not clear 25:50 so I'm trying to polish it, take more pictures. 25:52 It's looking through, it's still blurry. 25:56 I was in Malaysia recently 25:58 with a good friend of mine Jason Sliger. 25:59 He took one look he said, "Oh, yeah 26:01 that thing right there." 26:03 I was like, "Uh, that's simple." 26:05 "Yeah, you just have to adjust that 26:06 and that's why people wear glasses 26:07 adjusted for them 26:09 and so that's why you can't see through being clearly 26:11 it's blurry at the moment." 26:13 I was like, "Uh, okay, adjust it clear." 26:17 To me it's almost somewhat like that 26:19 the sanctuary is the lens 26:22 that gives clarity to everything else, 26:29 gives clarity. 26:31 In the book Great Controversy, page 423 26:32 if you're taking notes. 26:34 In the book Great Controversy page 423, 26:35 the first sentence in this chapter says this, 26:39 "The subject of the sanctuary was the key 26:43 that unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. 26:46 And again then goes on and says, 26:48 "It opened to view a complete system of truth, 26:53 connected and harmonious." 26:58 The subject of the sanctuary opened 27:00 to view a complete system of truth connected 27:04 and harmonious. 27:06 You see while the Christian church 27:07 had taught about the cross for 1800 years, 27:10 prior to the rise of the Adventist Church. 27:12 If not until the cross is seen 27:14 in the light of the full atonement 27:16 of Jesus Christ that is completely understood. 27:22 As Adventists it's not like, 27:23 all of the people you guys talk about the cross 27:25 that's okay, but we'll talk about this. 27:26 No, no, no. 27:30 They don't have the full picture of it 27:31 because you can only have the full picture of the cross 27:33 when you see in the light 27:34 and the lens of the sanctuary message 27:36 that Christ has given to us. 27:40 It's part of the whole atonement process 27:43 Jesus Christ Ministry 27:44 in three phases of the sanctuary. 27:46 In Patriarchs and Prophets page 357 to 358. 27:50 It talks about the different phases of ministry 27:53 and it says this, "The blood of Christ 27:56 while it was to release the repentant sinner 27:59 from the condemnation of the law 28:01 was not to cancel the sin. 28:02 It would stand on record in the sanctuary 28:04 until the final atonement." 28:08 So there was a sacrificial atonement of Christ 28:09 on the cross but there was also another atonement, 28:11 the final atonement that would come in the heavenly sanctuary. 28:15 You see the commonly held view in Christianity 28:17 is that your sin is canceled out 28:19 the minute you ask for forgiveness. 28:22 But the sanctuary teaches 28:24 that while we're free from guilt and condemnation 28:26 straightaway 28:29 the record is transferred to heaven with this thing, 28:32 until this thing called the final atonement. 28:36 In essence Jesus has taken responsibility for our sin, 28:38 He died to pay the penalty of our sin 28:40 but our sin still is dealt with 28:44 the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was complete. 28:48 But his work in the atonement of man 28:52 was not completed. 28:57 The cross is not the end of the atonement process. 29:02 The atonement was not yet completed. 29:09 You see in the light of the sanctuary 29:10 the cross is not a standalone event. 29:14 The ministry in the courtyard is connected to the holy place, 29:17 which is connected to the most holy place, 29:19 the three phases of Jesus' ministry. 29:24 Some say as I said today, 29:26 or some don't even say directly they might allude to, 29:29 they might infer in Christianity 29:33 and even in Adventism that the work of atonement 29:35 was completed at the cross. 29:38 I did not believe this is accurate 29:40 and true to the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy. 29:43 The atonement of Christ will not be completed 29:48 until Christ leaves the most holy place. 29:52 The sacrifice was complete. 29:56 The provision to forgive man of sin was made, 30:00 but it is not completed. 30:03 Listen carefully, until we apply it, live it, 30:08 experience it in our lives from day-to-day. 30:14 There was something to be done 30:16 that the Bible calls the Day of Atonement. 30:18 Ellen White refers to it as the final atonement 30:20 and we need to understand both concepts 30:22 and to understand why we are a Seventh-day Adventist. 30:25 The Adventist Church came into existence 30:27 at the same time Christ was from the holy 30:30 to the most holy place, 30:31 and the primary purpose of our church rising up 30:34 was to declare the full message of the atonement of Christ. 30:38 Not to focus just on one phase, 30:40 but to focus on all phases of Christ's ministry, 30:44 on his ministry as our Savior, 30:46 his ministry as our judge, the two go hand in hand, 30:49 they cannot be separated. 30:51 It's kind of like the futile argument 30:53 you would have with someone else. 30:54 If you were arguing, 30:56 which one had greater importance 30:58 in your procreation your mother or your father? 31:04 Both, both 31:08 you see when we look at this subject, 31:09 the genius of Adventism, the genius of Adventism 31:15 is it brings together these great truths together 31:18 and joins them perfectly together. 31:20 The genius of Adventism is that it brings together 31:23 grace and works together harmoniously. 31:27 The genius of Adventism is it brings together 31:30 justification and sanctification together 31:34 complete and whole. 31:35 The genius of Adventism is it brings together 31:38 love and justice. 31:39 It brings together the cross and judgment. 31:42 The genius of Adventism is it brings together 31:45 AD 31 and AD 1834, 31:49 no contradiction between the two, 31:51 harmonious and together. 31:54 Adventism brings together Christ as our Savior 31:57 and Christ as our judge not as separate terms 32:00 but as ones that compliment each other. 32:03 The cross forgives us and cleanses us. 32:07 The cross justifies us and sanctifies us. 32:12 You see in ancient Israel. 32:14 I think sometimes we have a misconception of the judgment 32:16 because we all too often apply earthly judgment concepts 32:20 to the heavenly judgment 32:21 and it's not the way that it should go. 32:25 In ancient Israel, they did not have any lawyers 32:29 or attorneys, 32:32 the judge was at the same time the attorney or the lawyer. 32:39 One person had both functions. 32:42 Therefore, when you went to the judge in your mind 32:46 you were also going to your savior. 32:52 You see all too often we liken the heavenly judgment 32:54 where there's a lawyer against you, 32:56 there's a lawyer for you and then there's the judge, 32:58 that's not how it is. 33:00 In ancient Israel, the judge was the one 33:04 who defended you as well, 33:06 therefore the judge was your savior. 33:11 The judge that you went to 33:14 would deliver you from injustice 33:16 and would vindicate you. 33:17 In the Book of Genesis the first picture 33:18 we have of Jesus Christ is one of our Creator. 33:21 The second picture we have of Jesus 33:23 is as our judge in Genesis Chapter 3. 33:26 But in the context of Genesis 3 as our judge 33:29 He is also our Savior for in Genesis 3:15. 33:32 He gives the promise 33:33 that, "I will release you and save you." 33:39 You see because Jesus lived on this earth, 33:43 the judgment and salvation they go together 33:45 because Jesus lived on this earth, 33:46 died as a man suffering in our flesh. 33:49 Because he was tempted in all points 33:50 like as we are yet without sin, 33:52 he can therefore judge and intercede for us 33:55 with compassion and work 33:56 to complete the sanctification process in us. 34:01 Christ forever shares an affinity with mankind, 34:05 forever he shares a bond with us 34:07 and therefore he is able to judge us compassionately 34:11 because he is our savior that died in our place. 34:15 See the plan of salvation 34:19 takes into account Christ work on the cross 34:21 and His work in the heavenly sanctuary. 34:23 The sacrifice was complete. 34:25 Don't miss me, it was a complete sacrifice. 34:28 He paid the penalty for sin in full, 34:32 holding back nothing giving everything, 34:35 willing to go eternally separated from His Father 34:39 for your sins and mine, it was a complete sacrifice. 34:44 But the atonement was not completed. 34:48 The merits of the cross need to be applied, 34:51 realized, lived, and experience in our lives today. 34:55 And the question this morning as we're beginning to close 34:58 so to speak of GYC 34:59 is how is it with your heart today? 35:02 How is it with your heart today? 35:08 Are you living that experience today? 35:10 Are you applying the victory of Christ on your behalf? 35:14 So matter when we accept Jesus into our hearts, 35:16 we have to go through the process of justification 35:19 and sanctification. 35:21 You know sometimes, we think 35:22 that in the process of sanctification, 35:27 the cleansing of the heart, 35:29 the moment by moment coming to Jesus. 35:38 What Christ did for us at the cross was complete, 35:42 it must be completed in our lives. 35:44 Amen. Amen. 35:46 There're few people when you look at 35:47 who were standing 35:49 in the shadows of the cross so to speak. 35:50 You had the thief on the cross there, 35:51 you know sometimes some people use the thief on the cross 35:53 as a reason to argue 35:55 why sanctification is not needed. 35:59 Well, he was justified but he didn't have time 36:00 to be sanctified. 36:08 He had sanctification too... 36:09 Amen. 36:11 You try being nailed to a cross 36:14 with metal spikes in your hands and feet 36:18 and have no anger, frustration, bitterness 36:23 in your heart. 36:27 You know when he died on the cross, 36:28 we're not even sure he did die on the cross. 36:32 They broke their legs before Sabbath to speed up their death 36:35 but it does not say guarantee that it would made them die. 36:38 It's possible and I'm just speculating here 36:41 using imagination, writer's imagination 36:45 that has the youngest and strongest one on the cross 36:48 after they broke his legs. 36:49 They put the cross down 36:50 and they take him off the cross. 36:52 It's possible he did not die right then and there. 36:57 And as a criminal, he would have been taken to Gehenna, 37:00 which was the place, the valley of Hinnom, 37:02 the garbage dump of Jerusalem, he would have been taken there 37:05 and I'm sure they didn't pick him up on a nice trolley. 37:08 I can just picture in my mind the thief on the cross 37:10 taking of nails pulled out of his hand, 37:12 he is still gasping for breath. 37:14 He's still dying slowly 37:17 and there is on the ground a donkey comes up, 37:20 they tie a rope around his legs, 37:22 put it to the donkey 37:23 and drag him on his back to his cemetery. 37:30 When they get there, they throw him 37:31 on the garbage dump. 37:34 He's still alive, still got breath in his lungs 37:38 and just imagine in his mind the words going round 37:41 today you'll be with me in paradise. 37:44 Paradise as wild animals might be around in 37:46 paradise at the smoke of the burning rubbish ascends 37:49 paradise. 37:50 If God forbid he made it through Friday night 37:53 and Saturday morning Sabbath morning 37:55 the sun beats down on his wounds. 38:00 If he did not die on Calvary which is a strong possibility, 38:05 he would have died a slow agonizing 38:08 and painful death. 38:11 You try being sanctified in that condition 38:14 and say the thief on the cross had it easy. 38:20 No way, thief on the cross did not have it easy. 38:26 Maybe the thief represents 38:28 those who accept Christ late in life may be, 38:30 but he also represents those who accepted Christ 38:32 under the most trying circumstances. 38:38 The sacrifice of Christ for the thief was complete 38:40 when he died on the cross. 38:42 But there still was a work to be completed in his life 38:45 until he died one hour, two hour 38:47 or one or two days later. 38:49 When you think about the disciples, 38:51 Peter the most powerful of disciples 38:53 that many of us see ourselves in. 38:55 When Jesus died on the cross, 38:56 the sacrifice of Jesus for Peter was complete. 38:59 But it had not yet been applied to Peter's life. 39:01 Peter still had serious issues 39:05 with anger and his temper 39:09 and he had to be cleansed and made whole of that. 39:13 John the beloved, yeah, he saw Jesus died 39:18 but he had some serious issues 39:20 he had to deal with in his heart 39:21 of pride, arrogance 39:26 and Christ had to deal with him in those 39:28 and, and he had to apply the sacrifice of Christ 39:30 to his heart. 39:31 Thomas that disciple to be honest 39:34 that represents more of us 39:36 than we would be willing to admit. 39:39 Thomas, the one who has a lack of faith, 39:42 Thomas the one who doubts the power of God. 39:44 This Thomas who doesn't really believe fully 39:47 in the power of God. 39:52 He had issues with his faith 39:54 and Christ had to help him there. 39:58 Nicodemus, he believed in Jesus 40:02 but something in his life 40:03 and character prevented him early on 40:05 from testifying openly to Jesus Christ 40:07 and he represents many of us too. 40:10 Represents many of us too. 40:12 You see when we apply the sacrificial atonement 40:14 of Christ in our lives on a day-to-day place... 40:16 day-to-day basis, 40:18 then the final atonement can be completed 40:20 and Christ can pour out his latter rain power 40:22 on his church 40:25 to give a loud cry message at the end. 40:28 Today we need to experience the early rain 40:30 in our day-by-day decisions. 40:33 Applying the victory Christ has given to us 40:36 in our day-to-day decisions 40:38 and the challenges that we face. 40:40 See I believe God desperately wants to pour out His Spirit 40:42 on us in full measure but he can only do it 40:47 when we allow the merits of the sacrifice 40:50 of Christ on Calvary to be completed in our hearts, 40:53 when the work of sanctification is completed in us 40:57 then as Christ draws his work 40:59 in the heavenly sanctuary to a close. 41:02 When the sins on record are blotted out, 41:04 then God will give latter rain power to his church. 41:11 Philippians 1:6 says, 41:12 "Be in confident of this very thing 41:14 that he who has begun a work in you 41:16 can complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." 41:23 How many of you want to say as GYC 2014 draws to a close 41:27 that you want to allow Christ's work 41:29 to be completed in your hearts. 41:32 The work that Christ did on the cross may be realized, 41:35 applied, live and experience in your life today 41:39 and tomorrow and the day after and the day after that, 41:42 that you can be prepared to receive 41:43 the latter rain power from God. 41:47 How many of you is that your desire? 41:48 Let me see your hands that you desire. 41:50 Amen, amen. 41:53 I want to make another appeal. As we come towards a close. 41:59 It's more specific. It's more specific. 42:05 The work of Christ needs to be completed in our hearts. 42:08 Christ Object Lessons says, 42:11 that God is waiting with longing desire 42:14 for the character to be reproduced, 42:16 the character of Christ to be reproduced in his people 42:19 and you want to reproduce in your hearts 42:22 that when you lay aside your fancy GYC clothes 42:25 that you're wearing today. 42:27 Then you take off your nametag when you get home. 42:30 Then you unpack your program booklet 42:32 when you get home, 42:33 that you want to have a heart that's consecrated, 42:36 dedicated and transform to serve Christ. 42:40 Now my second appeal is more specific 42:41 and I am alluding to the characters 42:43 in the Bible I've just mentioned just previously. 42:54 You see God wants every single one of us 42:56 to be saved, amen. 42:57 Amen. 42:58 He knows every single one of us, individually. 43:03 I have an uncle in Iceland, I'm half Icelandic 43:04 and half Mauritian though I was born in England. 43:06 I have an uncle in Iceland, he's a farmer, 43:07 he's a sheep farmer and we were talking to him once 43:10 how he collects his sheep, how he round them up. 43:12 He says, "One year they take, one week 43:14 all the farmers in the county they get together 43:16 they go riding on the mountains. 43:17 And there as they ride on the mountain, 43:19 they collect the sheep who have from far, 43:20 along away and they collect all the sheep 43:22 from all the different farmers together 43:24 and as they round them up into a pen. 43:25 They then divide the sheep whose is who." 43:27 And one of my sisters said one time, 43:29 but when you get the sheep together, 43:30 why don't you just say 200 for you, 50 for you, 43:34 70 just count the numbers of how many you have, 43:37 and he laughed at her as if she was crazy. 43:39 He said, "No, no, no, you don't just take 200 sheep. 43:44 You don't just take 100 sheep. 43:45 You don't take 25, you take your sheep." 43:50 My uncle my mum says had this unique ability 43:52 growing up on a farm in Iceland, 43:54 had this unique ability 43:56 that he could look into the face of a sheep 43:57 and just like you or I 43:58 look across to see our faces today, 44:00 and see all the different faces. 44:01 He can look into herd of sheep and see all different faces. 44:04 That was that, that was named that, 44:05 that was named that, he knew them all individually. 44:07 And so when he goes to the herd of sheep, 44:10 they do have these clever things 44:12 that they mock the ears and so on, 44:13 but he has this ability to collect that one's mine, 44:15 that one's mine, that one's mine 44:17 and that one's mine. 44:18 He knows them individually. Christ knows us individually. 44:23 He knows what we're struggling, 44:25 he knows the challenges that we face and this morning, 44:27 He knows your heart better than you know yourself. 44:31 He knows you individually. 44:35 My first appeal is not a glamorous appeal. 44:38 The book Christ Object Lessons, page 154 says this, 44:42 "There is nothing so offensive to God, 44:48 or so dangerous to the human soul, 44:50 as pride and self-sufficiency 44:55 of all sins it is the most helpless, 44:59 the most incurable." 45:04 Pride, self-sufficiency is the most incurable sin 45:10 and dangerous. 45:12 See, maybe you are a successful person, 45:14 maybe you're prominent in your church, 45:17 your youth group, GYC and while other see 45:21 you are someone to emulate after, 45:23 you are like the Apostle John and you only serve God. 45:27 It seems because of what good things 45:29 he can give you or where he can place you. 45:31 And it's like, as you serve God, 45:32 Lord, I've done good for you take note. 45:34 Lord, I've just done this for you, take note. 45:36 Lord, I'm giving my life to you, 45:38 take note, keep it on record. 45:41 And we suffer from pride. 45:44 It's a deadly sin because no one sees it in church. 45:46 No one sees it. 45:48 It's hidden behind the suit and the dress, 45:51 it's hidden but it's deadly because it's hidden 45:55 and because no one sees it, 45:56 all too often we forget even there ourselves. 46:00 We forget as there ourselves. 46:03 Today, first appeal if you know you struggle, 46:10 you battle, you wrestle with pride... 46:19 as the piano plays, 46:21 I just want to invite you to come forward say to God, 46:26 that's my struggle. 46:35 While they're coming forward, my second appeal is this, 46:39 come forward, come on close, come close, come close. 46:41 My second appeal some of you are like pizza, 46:47 you follow your master you do anything for him. 46:50 You go on outreach, check, 46:51 you go on GYC knocking on doors, check. 46:54 You sacrifice a year of your life to Jesus, check. 46:57 Go for mission training school, check. 47:00 You take some blows for Jesus. 47:01 No problem, 47:03 I'll do that for you Jesus no problem 47:05 but you struggle, you struggle, you struggle with anger 47:10 and you have a temper like a drunken sailor. 47:17 It's amazing in church sometimes, 47:18 you observe some people so holy, so righteous, 47:20 but yet they have serious anger issues 47:24 that someone in your home could testify off. 47:27 Your wife, your husband, your children, 47:29 may be your children know what it's like 47:30 to get beaten by a loose hand on the way to church 47:33 and then see you say Happy Sabbath 47:34 when you get there. 47:38 If today, you recognize that you have an anger issue 47:43 that you want to surrender to God like Peter. 47:45 This is not a glamorous appeal. 47:48 You want to say Lord, that's me. 47:50 I want to invite you to come forward. 47:55 Amen. 48:04 My next appeal is for those who can relate 48:06 to the experience of Thomas 48:07 that you are a skeptic in your group, 48:10 always telling others that something 48:11 that cannot be done. 48:13 You are the skeptic in your group. 48:15 You guides it with pragmatism and realism 48:18 but you're a skeptic. 48:20 You know Ellen White says 48:21 that when the thieves came back there was 12, 48:24 two said yes, 10 said no. 48:26 She said if 10 said no, and two said yes. 48:29 The people would have believed the 10 who said no, 48:31 the two who said no, not the 10 who said yes. 48:35 And some of you here have no faith like Thomas 48:37 and you're holding the work back 48:39 because every time your voice doubt the people 48:44 go along with you. 48:45 And you justify yourself saying, listen. 48:48 What I predicted took place not realizing 48:51 that your attitude is actually causing to take place, 48:57 not predicting it. 49:00 And if you struggle like Thomas without skepticism 49:04 and a lack of faith, 49:06 I'd like to invite you to come forward. 49:16 Amen, come forward. 49:21 My next appeal is for those like Nicodemus, 49:26 you're scared to come out in the open 49:29 and testify of Jesus. 49:32 Scared, 49:35 in your school, no one knows you're Seventh-day Adventist. 49:39 Every time Friday comes 49:41 and something else is taking place 49:45 you're busy, busy 49:49 in your workplace you've been there 49:50 for one, two, three years. 49:51 No one knows you're Seventh-day Adventist, 49:53 and you keep saying well, you know, I let my light shine. 49:56 If I'm good enough, if I'm righteous, 49:58 if I'm Christian enough, then surely one day 50:00 they'll come to me and say, "Why are you a Christian 50:02 or who are you?" 50:04 May be but may be not. 50:09 The loud cry message is not going to be given 50:11 just by being kind to people. 50:15 The Three Angels message are spoken verbally 50:18 and may be you realize that you need to be intentional 50:21 in your witness to those around you 50:28 and not be ashamed of Jesus. 50:32 If like Nicodemus, you want to say, 50:34 "Lord give me courage to be bold and intentional for you." 50:39 I'd like to invite you to come forward. 50:46 Give me courage to be bold, 50:48 it's easy to be bold here at GYC. 50:53 It's easy to be bold with those that are bold, 50:55 it's hard to be bold when the champions are few, 51:01 when the champions are few. 51:04 Let's come forward, or stand where you are 51:06 if the aisles are full. 51:07 The last group that I want to appeal to 51:09 before we close today, 51:11 applies to a smaller group in here 51:13 though I know you're here for I have seen you. 51:16 I know this is a youth conference 51:17 but the last group I want to appeal to 51:19 is the parents for standing in the shadow of the cross, 51:22 there was a woman called, Mary. 51:25 I believe Mary was a great woman, amen. 51:29 But one of Mary's problems so to speak was 51:32 she never really understood the mission of her son. 51:36 When he was 12 years old, 51:38 she didn't know what he was doing in the temple. 51:40 Why have you done this against us 51:42 and even when he died on the cross 51:44 her heart was broken not just that he died 51:46 but that the hopes she had for him were not fulfilled, 51:51 and my last appeal is for parents 51:52 and here maybe you're already forward. 51:54 Maybe you're still sitting there, 51:58 it's a terrible thing when an Adventist parent 52:00 blocks their child 52:04 for following God's calling on their life. 52:06 It's a terrible thing 52:08 when an Adventist parent wants to see 52:12 their forsaken dreams realized in their child. 52:17 When the child says, "I feel God calling me 52:19 to go for a mission here, God calling me for this, 52:21 God calling me for that. 52:22 It's a terrible thing when an Adventist parent says, 52:28 "don't do that." 52:30 I have contemporaries of mine that I went to school with 52:32 and I can tell you 52:34 when you see them now in their 30's. 52:37 Maybe they're in church but maybe they're not. 52:40 And there's a hollow look in their eyes. 52:41 There's a gap in their heart, 52:44 had a friend of mine once looked to me a few GYCs back 52:47 and he just had this 52:48 they sought sad, sorrowful look on his face. 52:54 He was gifted in ministry 52:56 but to please his parents he never went forward. 53:01 Adventist parents 53:04 and he looked at me in Baltimore GYC and he said, 53:08 "You are doing what I should be doing." 53:14 If there's any parents in here and you know 53:17 that you're holding your children back 53:20 from the exact course God has for their life 53:27 and you want to say, "Lord, I surrender my parental," 53:32 whatever it might be control. 53:38 I surrender the hold I'm putting on my children 53:41 to you. 53:44 If that's you, I'd like to invite you 53:48 to come forward or stand where you are. 53:54 I like to invite you to come forward and stand 53:58 or come forward where you are. 54:00 Amaris is going to sing the song, 54:02 Turn your eyes upon Jesus, 54:05 as she sings that if any of these appeal 54:06 still apply to you then please come forward as a song sings. 54:13 But as she sings a song let's bow our heads. 54:16 Let's meditate 54:19 and let's ask Christ to turn our eyes toward him. 54:25 From death 54:27 Into thy everlasting 54:35 He passed, and we follow Him there 54:42 Over us sin no more hath dominion 54:50 For more than conquerors 54:55 We are! 55:00 Turn your eyes upon Jesus 55:08 Look full 55:10 In His wonderful face 55:16 And the things of earth 55:20 Will grow strangely dim 55:25 In the light of His glory 55:31 And grace. 55:38 Father in Heaven Lord, we thank you 55:42 as we sing the words of the song, 55:43 Turn our eyes to you. 55:47 Lord I pray that you may reveal yourself to us, 55:52 in a beautiful whole and complete way 55:55 that we've never seen before 55:58 and we behold the face of you dying on the cross. 56:04 That we may behold your love for us, 56:08 that we may behold you, 56:15 is our sacrifice as a priest, and as our king. 56:22 Lord, we thank you, 56:25 that you've paid the price for our sins that is complete 56:31 but Lord I pray that you would be with each person 56:33 who has stood come forward raise their hand 56:37 you know the struggle of their hearts 56:39 and what it is they may go through. 56:42 Lord, I pray that for whatever reason they may have responded 56:45 to this appeal that the work of sanctification 56:50 in their heart Lord, may be completed. 56:58 Maybe completed 57:01 that we may have total salvation. 57:05 Bless each person in here we pray, 57:11 in the name of Jesus, amen, amen. |
Revised 2016-08-22