Participants: Kyle Allen
Series Code: 15ASIC
Program Code: 15ASIC000001A
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00:20 Good evening, everyone.
00:23 I hope you're as happy as I am. 00:26 I think this is probably the happiest event. 00:29 The one I enjoy the most every year. 00:32 And I'm here to welcome you all to ASI Convention. 00:35 This is our national convention 00:37 and we're accepting an amazing blessing 00:40 this weekend. 00:41 Thank you for coming. 00:42 Now as far as lineup is concern, you know, 00:45 we have a wonderful lineup of speakers for us. 00:48 I hope you know that on Sabbath morning, 00:50 it will be Ted Wilson speaking to us 00:53 and for our devotion every morning 00:54 and I'd like to invite you to get up in the morning 00:56 because... 00:58 What time is that, Frank? 01:00 I don't know, is it 6:30? 01:02 It's early. It's early. 01:03 Check your program guide, I forgot too. 01:05 You gonna have to-- you gonna have to check it. 01:07 Yeah, this is John Bradshaw, he's going to be speaking to us 01:09 every morning, and I don't know we heard him last night 01:12 and he did an amazing job, just an amazing job. 01:15 I also, as you know we have exhibits 01:18 and we want you to take advantage of that 01:20 because there is a lot to learn, 01:22 there is a lot to receive from there 01:24 because I know 01:25 that you want to share Christ in your market place 01:28 and this is what, this is all about. 01:30 I'm going to pass this over to Kyle. 01:31 He can say what I forgot. 01:33 That's okay, Frank. 01:34 Now thank you so much for-- 01:36 Praise God for ASI, amen. 01:37 And the theme this year is that, 01:39 we're on the theme for the second year now, 01:42 Lift Him Up and our theme is lifting up Jesus, 01:45 so that He may come soon. 01:46 And all of our sermons and seminars 01:49 will be focusing on that theme. 01:51 And I want to encourage you guys 01:52 to take, get the most out of this ASI. 01:54 Attend the sermons, come to the seminars 01:56 and you will be blessed. 01:58 Just a quick show of hands. 01:59 How many of you, is this your first time to ASI? 02:03 What do you say? Amen. 02:05 Welcome. 02:06 Welcome to those of you 02:08 for whom this is your first time. 02:09 We're glad you're here. 02:11 I want to say a special welcome to our pathway 02:13 to help volunteers 02:15 that had been here already, Frank, 02:16 for a couple days serving the community of Spokane. 02:19 We're glad that you're here as well. 02:20 God has really blessed us so far. 02:22 And I know, we have a very powerful week ahead. 02:25 Amen. 02:27 So, Frank, we're looking forward 02:28 to what God is gonna do here in Spokane. 02:30 He is already started, I'm feeling, 02:32 I'm feeling the spirit and I believe with all my heart 02:35 that by the time this is over, 02:37 we will all go home stronger than what we came. 02:39 Amen. 07:25 I'm pleased to bring to you 07:27 the first of our Offering in Action segments 07:29 that we will have over the course of the convention. 07:33 This is the time when we want to share with you 07:34 and highlight just a few of the projects 07:37 that are going to be supported by the offering 07:39 that will be taking this weekend. 07:41 And how appropriate is it for us 07:43 to begin by talking with Danny Shelton of 3ABN. 07:48 Now just a couple of weeks ago, Danny, 07:50 I understand with Jim Gilley's retirement, 07:53 the board has asked you to return as president 07:56 and to continue shepherding this great organization. 07:59 That's true. 08:01 I got about a seven year layoff, 08:02 I think that's biblical. 08:04 So now I am back, and you know what, 08:06 I never thought I want to set back there at my age. 08:09 When first ASI was 30 years ago, 08:12 I was 34 years old 08:13 and now here we are that was 1985 Big Sky, Montana. 08:17 Some of you are old enough 08:18 to remember that with me, right? 08:20 Okay, some of you're honest, thank you. 08:22 Henry Martin, you were vice president back then. 08:24 I just saw a brochure, someone sent me 08:27 Ellsworth McKee, president of Southern Union, 08:29 Phil Winsted, president of ASI. 08:31 I thought how unique it is a lay organization, 08:35 at 3ABN we feel so blessed to live in a time 08:39 that we're able to have the tools 08:40 to literally we can reach around the world. 08:42 But ASI actually respond 3ABN 08:45 and the fact that we went there with basically nothing, 08:48 but a prayer and a dream and a vision 08:51 and ASI members, the McKees, May Chung, 08:54 many others began to support us, 08:56 Henry Martin here, 08:57 others of you began to support 3ABN 09:00 and helped it to grow and to be a lay organization. 09:03 And now by God's blessings literally, Debbie, 09:05 it's reaching around the world, 09:07 on any continent on planet earth, 09:09 even your cellphones, you can download apps, 09:12 watch 3ABN anywhere in the world all six networks. 09:15 So I'm excited to be back, 09:17 I wasn't sure I wanted to go back in the seat 09:19 but today that I knew the board asked me back. 09:22 I said, Lord I'm ready, 09:23 if this is what You want me to do. 09:25 And now all I can think about evangelism, 09:27 so plans are coming at night, I can hardly sleep, 09:30 because Jesus is coming soon. 09:32 This recent five, four, 09:34 Supreme Court redefinition of marriage 09:37 tells me planet earth is not going to last very much longer. 09:40 And what are we going to do about it? 09:42 God has given us tools as a church, 09:44 as a people through all of our media outlets, 09:47 we need to be letting the world know the truth and Jesus. 09:51 And I believe right now 09:52 we have opportunities we never had before 09:54 so, we're thinking about evangelism 09:56 literally around the world and I love to come to ASI 10:00 because all of you have the same vision, 10:04 Debbie, they have that we do. 10:05 Let's take the gospel commission into all the world. 10:08 And I want to let you know, 10:09 anyone who is willing to work with 3ABN, 10:11 we want to work with the church, 10:13 we want to work with laity to see what we can do 10:15 to give God's final warning message 10:18 to the lost and dying world. 10:19 So you listen, that's why we feel 10:21 that these kinds of segments in Offering in Action 10:23 are really important to share with you, 10:25 because there really is more than about 10:28 just providing funding 10:29 to support a lot of the ministries 10:31 that we have. 10:33 But it really is about taking advantage 10:35 and supporting all the tools that are available 10:37 that can advance the work. 10:39 I want to ask you, Danny, so you mentioned 10:40 that 3ABN actually had its beginning here at ASI. 10:44 And we're so grateful that we are happy 10:46 to continue supporting 3ABN. 10:48 What has ASI meant to 3ABN? 10:51 Well, it's been incredible over the years 10:53 to have this working relationship. 10:55 Only a few years after we went on the air, 10:58 we started showing the ASI live 11:03 and first it was just in North America, 11:05 then as it went out to the world. 11:07 And I remember 1985, 11:09 Henry, I think there was about 300 people 11:12 in the international convention was about all the membership. 11:15 And so 3ABN, again it's been able to help each other 11:19 because there also many, many the offerings 11:22 over the years people have given to that's helped 3ABN. 11:25 We've built studios, we've bought trucks. 11:28 I mean, evangelism is what this is all about 11:32 and I'm just amazed at what ASI has done, 11:34 I'm thankful. 11:36 But also on the other hand it's what you call win-win, 11:38 because we've been able to promote ASI 11:41 and members from around the world has told us, 11:43 "Hey, we joined ASI because we watched it on ABN." 11:46 So I love ASI for what it stands for, 11:50 Sharing Jesus in the Market Place. 11:52 Time is short and I want to encourage 11:54 each and everyone of you, all of us. 11:56 Jesus says, "Go ye into all the world." 11:58 I just wrote a new little book 12:00 and it's called 'The Blessing is on the Go'. 12:02 And that's what to me today, 12:04 the blessing of God is on the go. 12:06 When we step forward in faith, 12:08 God will open the windows of heaven 12:10 and pours out blessings 12:11 for there is not room enough to receive them. 12:13 Danny, I know I can speak for a many myriad ministries 12:18 that have been blessed as a result of your support 12:21 and as sharing with their ministries, 12:24 and their stories, and their testimonies. 12:26 And so on behalf of all the ministries 12:28 that 3ABN has supported, thank you so much. 12:31 Because without all of us working together, 12:33 we're so much more effective together than we are apart. 12:37 And as soon as we embraced that, 12:39 then the gospel really will go forward in more power 12:42 and Jesus will come. 12:44 Amen. 12:45 Well, 3ABN is a channel of blessing 12:46 and that has been one of the greatest things 12:49 in my life is to be able to. 12:51 Over the years, you know, we think about the Ty Gibsons, 12:54 James Raffertys, the Doug Batchelors 12:57 and all these folks, a lot of, 12:59 very few people really knew them 13:00 till they started. 13:02 David Asscherick is on 3ABN. I was talking to Ty while ago. 13:05 He was not much more than teenager 13:08 when he first came on 3ABN, 13:09 and to see these ministries now reaching out 13:12 into all world is just the tremendous blessing, 13:15 and I feel humbled, and I thank all of you 13:18 for your love and your prayers and support of 3ABN 13:21 as we continue to take this gospel to all the world. 13:24 But we're not gonna do it haphazardly, 13:26 we're going forward, 13:28 I believe with great power is the Holy Spirit 13:31 and each of you in your ministries, 13:32 we need to be praying, 13:33 God fill us with Your Holy Spirit, 13:35 so we can go forward with great power and glory 13:38 and help hasten the soon coming 13:40 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 13:42 Danny, I just want to tell you, I spoke with a woman 13:44 just a couple of days ago 13:46 that attended the Pathway to Health event 13:48 and she came up to me and she says, you know, I know, 13:50 I didn't know who she was and she says but I know you, 13:53 you see, I don't really go to church because I'm not able, 13:57 but I watch 3ABN 13:58 and I feel like you are my family. 14:00 So, you and Danny and Jim Gilley and James Raff 14:04 all of those, she says you are my family. 14:06 There are people out there that through 3ABN are connected 14:10 and are family with us because of 3ABN, 14:14 and we're grateful for that. 14:15 Absolutely, and we couldn't do without all of you 14:17 and without ASI. 14:18 Thank you, Debbie, so much from all us at 3ABN. 14:22 Thanking all of you ASI members for your support 14:25 of Three Angles Broadcasting Network. 14:27 Thank you, Danny. Amen. 14:59 Every heart 15:03 Is filled with longing 15:07 To be free 15:10 From all life's pain 15:15 Yet the search 15:18 Through earthly pleasures 15:23 Always ends in vain 15:30 Only God 15:33 Can be our reason 15:38 To satisfy our souls 15:45 Apart from Him 15:48 And all His meaning 15:52 All things fail 15:55 As they begin 15:59 And hearts deceived 16:03 Can only know 16:08 A chasing of the wind 16:20 All achievements 16:24 All possessions 16:28 All with time 16:31 Return to dust 16:35 Only God 16:38 Can be our reason 16:43 For deep 16:46 And quiet trust 16:50 He will guard us 16:54 From the dangers 16:58 That gladly make men fools 17:05 Apart from Him 17:09 And all His meaning 17:13 All things fail 17:16 As they begin 17:20 And hearts deceived 17:23 Can only know 17:28 A chasing of the wind 17:37 A chasing of the wind 17:48 Why do we live 17:51 Without Jesus? 17:56 Why do we waste another day? 18:03 He is the life 18:06 That sustains us 18:11 The only hope for us today 18:16 So tell me, why do we live? 18:23 Why do we live without Him? 18:35 Why without Him? 18:48 Amen. 18:51 Well, it's time this evening 18:52 that we explore the Word of God. 18:55 And our young speaker is Pastor Kyle Allen. 19:01 Well, I don't want say we robbed him 19:03 but we got him from the Mentone Church 19:06 in California. 19:07 And we've been happy ever since at ASI. 19:10 I'm so grateful to introduce your ASI secretary treasurer. 19:15 Now what I appreciate with Kyle 19:16 is that he is passionate. 19:19 He is passionate 19:20 when he is talking about young people. 19:22 By the way if you notice, he is not very old. 19:24 And he is our link to the young people out there. 19:27 We really would like to draw young people to ASI 19:30 as much as we can, however we can. 19:32 And Kyle is helping us with that. 19:35 And he has real passion for them, 19:37 but the thing that he is really passionate about 19:40 is the Lord. 19:42 And you're going to find this out tonight. 19:43 And so, Pastor Kyle Allen, ASI secretary treasurer, 19:50 he is going to be a blessing to us 19:52 through Christ. 19:53 Thank you, Frank. 19:55 Good evening, everyone. Good evening. 19:58 It's a blessing to be here with you tonight, 19:59 and I just want to say thank you to Alessandra 20:02 for that beautiful song. 20:04 You know, she was a Youth for Jesus student this year 20:05 and-- 20:07 Actually I was a Youth for Jesus student too 20:09 but it was 14 years ago, 20:11 that was my first experience with ASI. 20:14 And I could never have imagined that you know 20:18 someday I would be up here speaking to you 20:20 and be a part of the ASI organization. 20:23 It's amazing how God works, 20:25 but I praise God for what He is doing. 20:27 I praise God that you're all here tonight 20:29 and also for those of you watching on 3ABN, 20:32 welcome to you as well. 20:34 And we believe that God will pour out His spirit 20:37 during this weekend, amen. 20:39 I want to also praise God for Pathway to Health 20:41 and what He's done in Spokane over the last two days. 20:45 Just got the numbers, 3111 patients 20:49 seen over the last two days, amen. 20:50 Amen. God is good. 20:52 God is good. 20:55 And we'll be hearing more stories 20:56 as we go along this week 20:57 but we praise God for what He's done. 21:00 Let us pray together as we begin. 21:03 Father in heaven tonight, 21:07 we humbly bow before You seeking Your Holy Spirit. 21:12 Father, I pray that You would hide me behind the cross 21:14 that Jesus would be lifted up, that all of us here tonight 21:21 would receive a fresh blessing from Your word. 21:25 And then we would be inspired to live as Your people 21:29 who are called to take this message to the world. 21:33 Bless us tonight Father, send Your spirit I pray. 21:37 Forgive me Father for my sins 21:38 and cover me in the blood of Jesus, 21:41 in His name I ask, amen. 21:46 The date was April 11, 1970. 21:49 Forty five years ago, the crew of Apollo 13 21:55 blasted of in their Saturn V rocket 21:57 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida 22:00 on their way to the moon. 22:02 Was less than a year 22:03 after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin 22:04 had first set foot on that lunar soil 22:07 and Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert 22:10 were on their way to the moon. 22:13 But 56 hours after successful launch 22:16 with the Apollo 13 spacecraft and its three man crew 22:19 now two hundred and five thousand miles 22:21 away from earth 22:23 on their way to the moon came the ominous words, 22:27 Houston, we've had a problem. 22:32 An oxygen tank in the service module 22:33 had exploded, 22:35 setting off a chain reaction of failures that crippled 22:38 the basic life support systems of the spaceship. 22:42 Realizing that the situation was critical 22:44 and one of life or death, 22:46 mission control and the crew were no longer focused 22:49 on getting to the moon. 22:50 Now they had one purpose and that one purpose 22:53 was saving the lives of those men 22:55 and bringing them back to earth. 22:59 They created a lifeboat 23:00 out of the, out of the lunar module 23:02 and actually they decided that the only way to save them 23:06 would be to slingshot them around the moon 23:08 using the moon's gravity 23:10 to propel them back to the earth. 23:12 And so they did this 23:15 and the power was out pretty much, 23:17 they had a loss of heat, there was a shortage of water 23:20 and they had crippled air purification system. 23:23 At one point they famously had to figure out 23:26 with tape and spare parts 23:27 how to make a square filter go into a round hole 23:30 so that the crew could breathe clean air. 23:34 The crew and the mission control staff work together 23:37 to create what was nothing short of a miracle. 23:40 The flight director Gene Kranz 23:42 who was the man at the helm of mission control in Houston. 23:45 He was approached by the NASA director 23:47 at the height of the crisis and the director said, 23:50 Gene, you know, this could be the worst disaster 23:53 NASA has ever experienced. 23:57 And Gene looked at him and said, 23:59 with all due respect, sir, 24:02 I believe this is going to be our finest hour. 24:06 And he told his team those famous words, 24:09 failure, you remember what it is, 24:11 "Failure is not an option." 24:14 Failure is not an option. 24:18 They came together and had one purpose 24:20 to get those three astronauts home. 24:23 They gave all their best effort, 24:24 all their energy to that one single goal, 24:26 it was life or death. 24:28 Failure was not an option. 24:31 You know, the NASA team that worked on Apollo 13 24:33 was determined to follow their goal. 24:37 There is a story in the Bible, 24:40 that was about a group that also had a mission, 24:42 they had a goal to accomplish something, 24:45 and nothing was gonna stand in their way to get it done. 24:47 Now it might not be the story you're thinking of 24:49 because we're gonna go to Genesis Chapter 11. 24:51 So turn it with me in your Bibles 24:53 to Genesis Chapter 11 24:54 or open up your iPhones, whatever you've got, 24:58 let's go to the Word of God, Genesis Chapter 11 25:02 beginning with verse 1. 25:04 The Bible says, "Now the whole earth 25:06 had one language and one speech. 25:08 And it came to pass, 25:09 as they journeyed from the east, 25:12 that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, 25:15 and they dwelt there. 25:16 Then they said to one another, 25:18 "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly. 25:21 They had brick for stone and they had asphalt for motor. 25:24 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, 25:26 and a tower whose top is in the heavens, 25:29 let us make a name for ourselves, 25:31 lest we be scattered abroad 25:33 over the face of the whole earth." 25:36 See, the builders of the tower of Babel, 25:40 they didn't trust God and His promises. 25:43 The Bible says, they wanted to make a name for themselves 25:46 that was their main purpose. 25:48 God had told them to disperse throughout the whole earth, 25:51 but they wanted to create a city. 25:53 They wanted to find security in man's works not in God's. 25:57 And in selfishness and pride, they directed their own course 26:00 and charted their own destiny. 26:03 They also wanted to secure their lives 26:04 in case there was another flood. 26:06 They didn't believe God's promise in Genesis 9 26:08 that He would not flood the earth again. 26:11 The tower was a way of saving themselves. 26:14 And the Bible continues in verse 5 Genesis 11, 26:18 "But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower 26:21 which the sons of men had built. 26:22 And the Lord said, "Indeed, the people are one 26:26 and they all have, what? 26:29 One language and this is what they began to do, 26:32 now nothing, notice what it says, 26:34 nothing that they purpose to do will be withheld from them." 26:38 Interesting, the Bible says, that if God didn't step in, 26:42 these evil men would stop at nothing 26:45 and they will they would fulfill their goal. 26:49 What did God do? We know the story. 26:51 Verse 7, the Lord said, "Come, let us go down 26:56 and confuse their language 26:58 that they may not understand one another's speech." 27:02 So the Lord scattered them abroad 27:04 over from there, over the face of all the earth 27:07 and they ceased building the city. 27:11 The Bible says, it confused their language. 27:15 You can imagine, they're trying to build this tower 27:17 and they're calling up for more materials, 27:19 and they're calling down and they can't understand 27:21 and they're getting frustrated and angry. 27:22 Have any of you ever been in a place 27:24 where you didn't know the language 27:25 and you were little frustrated? 27:27 You know, I'll be honest, 27:29 I started my ministry at a Filipino Church. 27:32 I love Filipinos by the way, my fiance is one. 27:34 But at the church, it was funny 27:37 because, you know, they could talk about me 27:39 and I could never know what they were saying, 27:41 but I love them and I praise God for them. 27:44 But anyway, 27:46 they could not understand each other 27:48 and so God's purpose was accomplished. 27:51 Slowly they dispersed 27:53 over various parts of the earth. 27:55 Now this is a sad story in the Bible. 27:56 I mean, these people experienced such a loss 27:59 in setting themselves against God. 28:01 Instead of gratefully remembering 28:03 God's mercy and His covenant, 28:04 they murmured against God and tried to save themselves. 28:07 How many today are in that same boat 28:09 building towers for themselves, 28:11 whether it'd be towers of human or scientific theory 28:13 turning away from the clear teaching of scripture. 28:17 Ellen White says in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 124, 28:21 "If the professed followers of Christ 28:24 would accept God's standard, it would bring them into unity, 28:28 but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, 28:32 there will be," what? 28:33 "Divisions and dissension." 28:36 Well, let me ask you a question. 28:38 If evil men with an evil purpose, 28:40 a self seeking purpose 28:41 could unite together for a common goal 28:44 even to the point where God said 28:45 unless He stepped in, they would fulfill their goal. 28:50 How much more can God's people when they're united 28:54 under the power of the Holy Spirit 28:55 accomplish their goal? 28:56 Amen. 28:59 Is there a place in the Bible 29:01 where God's people came together 29:02 for a common purpose to do something? 29:05 Sure we could look at many stories, 29:07 but the one that stands out in my mind 29:09 is Acts Chapter 2, Acts Chapter 2, 29:12 the story of the New Testament church. 29:15 And you remember, 29:16 our scripture reading for tonight Acts 18. 29:18 "Just before Jesus returned to heaven, 29:21 He told His disciples that promise. 29:24 He said, you shall receive power 29:27 when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, 29:30 and shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem 29:34 and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 29:39 And so Jesus is then taken up from them, out of their sight. 29:42 He is no longer with them. 29:44 The angels tell them 29:45 that He's gonna come back in the same way He left 29:47 and they have a job to do. 29:49 So now what do they need to do? 29:51 It's time to device plans. 29:52 It's time to lay down the strategy, 29:55 to meet together and come up with the committee. 29:58 Is that what they did first? 30:00 They go to have a prayer meeting, 30:02 that's the first thing they did. 30:04 Acts 1:14, "These all continued 30:07 with one accord in prayer and supplication, 30:12 with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, 30:14 and with his brothers." 30:15 They understood the source of their power 30:18 was not in themselves, it was in God. 30:23 My friends, when God's church prays together, 30:26 powerful things happen and just the same. 30:29 The key to success in our local churches 30:33 in our conferences, in our unions, in our divisions, 30:36 in ASI is that we humbly come together 30:39 seeking the Holy Spirit. 30:42 Acts 2:1 says, 30:44 "When the day of Pentecost had fully come they were all, 30:48 what, with one accord in one place." 30:52 Pentecost comes, the Holy Spirit falls, 30:55 Peter preaches a powerful sermon 30:57 and the Bible says in Acts 2:41, 31:00 "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, 31:04 and that day about 3, 000 souls were added to them, praise God. 31:10 Now question for you. 31:11 What were the reasons 31:13 for the success of the early church? 31:17 Let's take a look at a couple of statements 31:18 from Acts of the Apostles to see if we can find this out. 31:22 The first one here from page 36, 31:25 "Like a procession, scene after scene 31:27 of His wonderful life passed before them. 31:30 As they meditated upon His pure, 31:32 holy life they felt that no toil would be too hard, 31:36 no sacrifice too great, 31:38 if only they could bear witness in their lives 31:41 to the loveliness of Christ's character." 31:44 You see they understood the source of their power 31:47 was first in lifting up Jesus, in remembering His sacrifice 31:52 and His love for them. 31:54 The second thing that she notes, she says, 31:58 "The disciples prayed with intense earnestness 32:02 for a fitness to meet men 32:04 and in their daily intercourse to speak words 32:07 that would lead sinners to Christ. 32:10 Putting away..." 32:11 What does it say? 32:12 "All differences, all desire for supremacy, 32:14 they came close together in Christian fellowship." 32:20 They realized that in order to do God's work, 32:23 they had to put away their differences. 32:25 They had to unite humbly confessing their sins 32:27 to one another and uniting together. 32:30 Thirdly, she says this, 32:33 "These days of preparation were days 32:35 of deep heart searching. 32:39 The disciples felt their spiritual need 32:41 and cried to the Lord for the holy unction 32:44 that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. 32:47 They did not ask for a blessing 32:49 for themselves merely. 32:51 They were..." 32:52 What does it say? 32:54 "Weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls." 32:59 They had one purpose, the salvation of souls. 33:05 And just as in Genesis, God used language 33:09 as a tool to separate. 33:11 In Acts 2 when the disciples came together 33:13 humbly depending upon His power, 33:15 He now uses language as a tool to unite them 33:19 for the preaching of the gospel. 33:23 And so my, friends, 33:24 when we understand the source 33:25 of our power is not in ourselves, 33:27 it is in looking to Jesus and lifting Him up. 33:30 When we understand that we must humbly unite together 33:33 and put away all differences. 33:34 When we understand that we have one purpose, 33:36 a burden for souls, 33:38 God will give us power to finish the work. 33:41 But you might say, well, Kyle, that's very interesting 33:43 but it's not like that in my church. 33:45 I mean, my church is having all kinds of problems. 33:48 I mean, look we bicker, we fight, we have issues, 33:51 we have arguments, opinions offshoot theologies 33:54 and evangelism doesn't work most of the time. 33:57 Well, you know, there is a... 34:01 I'll just throw this quote up there. 34:03 There is a quote that always comes to my mind 34:05 when problems arise in the church. 34:07 Think about this. 34:08 "If pride and selfishness were laid aside, 34:11 five minutes would remove most difficulties." 34:16 I know we've all heard that before but just chew on that 34:18 little bit more tonight. 34:21 When was the last time you sat in your church, 34:24 hey let's do evangelism. 34:25 What happened? 34:26 I'm just curious. 34:28 I know, you cannot tell me, 34:29 but I can guess what you might say. 34:30 You had lots of problems, right? 34:32 You know why? 34:33 Because the enemy knows that if he can distract us 34:35 and bombard us with all these other issues, 34:37 it will take us away 34:39 from the one purpose that can unite us, 34:40 away from the power that God longs to give us. 34:44 I had the privilege of pastoring the Mentone 34:47 Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern California, 34:50 and I heard an amen. 34:54 One of my church members out there, but you know, 34:57 it was a blessing to be there. 34:59 When I arrived at the church, 35:01 the church was in a good deal of turmoil 35:03 over some various issues that have been brewing. 35:06 And of course as the pastor coming in, 35:07 I was 27 years old and they hoped, 35:09 I would solve the problem. 35:12 I said I have no experience, 35:13 I cannot solve your problem but I will pray. 35:16 And so, we began to pray and, you know, 35:18 the church had already began taking steps toward evangelism, 35:21 they had held their first evangelistic meeting 35:23 in a number of years, the year before I got there. 35:27 And so the Lord continue to lead us, 35:29 to focus on evangelism. 35:31 Now did that solve all of our problems? 35:33 What do you think? No, it didn't. 35:35 In fact, we got more problems 35:38 because, you know, problems come-- 35:40 the enemy will throw those things at you 35:41 to try to distract you and don't get me wrong, 35:43 you have to deal with your issues. 35:45 You have to stand up for what's right 35:46 and I learned some hard lessons and made plenty of mistakes. 35:50 But I believe that we must stay focused on our goal, 35:54 on our one purpose of reaching the world for Jesus. 35:57 We cannot be distracted or divided. 36:01 By God's grace, the Lord grew our church. 36:05 It wasn't perfect, I made a lot of mistakes 36:08 but I believe that God blessed us. 36:10 And I believe the reason He blessed us 36:12 is because we focused on 36:14 what God wanted us to focus on. 36:18 So my, friends, 36:19 as ASI when we understand the source of our power 36:22 is in lifting up Christ Jesus, 36:25 is in uniting and putting away all of our differences, 36:29 is in having a burden for souls that is our one purpose, 36:32 our church can see again 36:34 what happened in Acts Chapter 2. 36:38 This statement from the Spirit of Prophecy 36:40 always stirs me deeply, 36:42 speaking to our one purpose in this world 36:44 and not being distracted. 36:46 She says this, 36:48 "In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists 36:52 have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. 36:55 They have been given a work of the most solemn import, 36:58 the proclamation of the first, 37:00 second and third angels' messages. 37:03 There is no other work of so great importance. 37:07 They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention." 37:12 Nothing else should absorb our attention. 37:15 Now, friends, I have struggled with this one. 37:17 I'm being real with you, I have struggled 37:19 but I believe that this is where we need to be. 37:23 Nothing else can absorb our attention. 37:27 We must focus where God wants us to focus. 37:31 Now in a larger sense, the church at all levels, 37:34 not just the local church but the conference, union, 37:37 division, general conference 37:38 goes through what a local church does, doesn't it? 37:41 I mean, Satan has the same strategies 37:43 to divide us and take us off for one purpose. 37:47 Issues and problems can distract and divide us 37:49 from that purpose, 37:51 just as in the local church 37:53 issues are important to discuss, 37:54 you have to make biblical decisions 37:57 and stand on truth. 37:58 Unity cannot be had at the expense of what's right. 38:03 Our only true unity is as we follow Christ in His word. 38:07 But you know what? 38:09 A wise church member once told me something 38:11 in the midst of a difficulty at my church. 38:14 Said, pastor, you know, you can often do the most sinning 38:17 when you're right. 38:19 Did you catch that? 38:22 You may be right but not righteous, friends. 38:27 It's not just what we believe that's important, 38:29 but it's also how you live, it's how you treat each other. 38:35 And there are people that will be in heaven 38:36 that may not have had it all right 38:38 but they knew Jesus and they knew 38:39 how to treat others as he would have treated them. 38:42 The enemy will use any issue to take us off track. 38:45 We cannot debate issues at the expense of focusing on 38:48 our one purpose and doing 38:50 what Christ has called us to do. 38:54 The other way that the enemy seeks to take us off 38:56 our purpose is to create a divide 38:59 between church and layman, between people 39:01 who are really supposed to be on the same team. 39:05 Sometimes as we've tried to reach out to the world, 39:08 different branches of the church, 39:09 different ministries, church ministries, 39:10 supporting ministries, laymen, 39:13 they think their branch of ministry 39:14 may be the most important. 39:16 I remember last year at ASI, the sermon on Sabbath morning, 39:20 Pastor Finley preached a powerful message 39:21 and in that message, 39:23 the one thing I remember him saying is we are a team, 39:27 because we are united 39:28 in our purpose of reaching this world. 39:31 In our own Seventh-day Adventist movement, 39:33 this was a challenge from the beginning, 39:34 the brethren and the church leadership 39:36 often didn't understand 39:37 those in supporting ministries and vice versa, 39:40 there has been tension. 39:42 And Ellen White was right in the middle of it. 39:44 She was a strong supporter of supporting ministries, 39:46 but strongly encouraged and exhorted both the church 39:49 and the laity to come together to finish God's work. 39:52 Remember these two quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy here, 39:55 speaking of pressing together. 39:57 "Again and again the angel has said to me, 40:00 "Press together, 40:02 press together, be of one mind, of one judgment, 40:05 " Christ is the leader, 40:06 and you are brethren follow him.' 40:10 " And then she says, 40:11 Review and Herald, December 2, 1890. 40:15 "The secret of our success in the work of God 40:18 will be found in the harmonious working of our people. 40:22 There must be concentrated action. 40:24 Every member of the body of Christ must act 40:26 his part in the cause of God, 40:28 according to the ability that God has given him. 40:31 We must press together against obstructions and difficulties, 40:35 shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart." 40:40 And, my friends, 40:42 this is where the story of ASI comes in, 40:45 because the story of ASI 40:46 is the story of God bringing laypeople together 40:49 to support the church for the work of ministry. 40:53 Where does the story of ASI begin? 40:58 Ultimately it begins at the beginning of the story. 41:01 Wow, let's think about that one, 41:03 but the beginning of the story of redemption. 41:06 From the call of Abraham who himself was a businessman 41:10 down to the patriarchs 41:11 and the prophets through the ages, 41:13 even to the New Testament times, 41:15 when God called men and women to proclaim His grace 41:17 by their life and witness in their market places. 41:20 People like the Apostle Paul come to mind, 41:22 who supported His work and ministry by his own labors, 41:25 who had one purpose, 41:27 sharing Christ in the market place, 41:30 the burden for souls. 41:32 And down through the ages 41:34 until the dawn of the advent movement 41:35 when people of various backgrounds farmers, 41:38 businessmen, doctors, lawyers, and yes, preachers 41:41 join together to proclaim the advent message 41:43 that Jesus was coming. 41:44 William Miller was a farmer, wasn't a preacher. 41:49 He was a layman called to preach 41:50 the message of the soon return of Jesus. 41:52 And the founding 41:54 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 41:55 a small band of young people, faithful believers 41:58 who loved God's word and were driven 41:59 by the power to take of God, 42:01 to take the three angels' message to the world. 42:05 Different backgrounds, 42:07 but their unity was in their common faith and mission. 42:10 As the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 42:12 expanded around the world, the church became organized, 42:15 institutions were developed 42:16 but it began to become a parent. 42:18 The church alone could not meet the demand. 42:22 For new schools, for missionary training centers, 42:24 for outpost, and it was from this need 42:27 that self supporting ministries were born. 42:30 In 1904, you remember the story, 42:32 some of you hardcore ASI, friends, but those of you 42:35 who may not know 1904, E. A. Sutherland 42:38 and Percy Magan left Berrien Springs, Michigan 42:41 where they had founded Emmanuel Missionary College, 42:43 today Andrews University. 42:46 For Madison Tennessee 42:47 were under the prophetic guidance of Ellen White, 42:49 they established Madison College 42:51 just outside of Nashville. 42:53 As a self supporting school, 42:54 Madison pioneered 42:56 the development of an educational program 42:58 following the counsels 42:59 of the Spirit of Prophecy closely. 43:01 Helping students graduate without debt 43:03 and with life skills that would help earn a living 43:05 for their lives as missionaries. 43:07 And Madison's success sparked the foundation 43:10 for other missionaries worldwide 43:12 and these church members were committed 43:14 with an intense desire 43:16 to take the three angels' messages to the world. 43:19 And in 1947, the church and lay people realized 43:22 that they needed to band these ministries together, 43:24 and so they created what was called the association 43:27 of self supporting institutions or ASI. 43:34 And this network was for the purpose of uniting 43:37 the church with laity formation. 43:40 And as it grew over the years, business leaders, 43:43 professionals were needed on team 43:44 and they formed the dynamic network of members 43:47 who utilized their God given talents 43:49 and energy for God's work. 43:52 And today, ASI members around the world 43:54 continue to follow the example of Apostle Paul, 43:58 sharing Christ in their market places. 44:03 Now some of you know a lot of what ASI, 44:05 how ASI has done this? 44:08 How has ASI partnered with the church? 44:10 How has ASI helped to fulfill 44:12 that one purpose of saving souls? 44:16 You know, some of these friends, 44:17 you're gonna hear more about this week 44:19 but just to name afew. 44:20 First of all, equipping laypeople for evangelism. 44:23 The New Beginnings Project allowing laypeople 44:25 to preach millions and baptizing thousands. 44:27 I got to go to Zimbabwe in December 44:29 and see 3, 000 laypeople in Zimbabwe trained 44:32 to give Bible studies using New Beginnings, amen. 44:35 And now over 50,000 laymen and women have been trained 44:41 and countless numbers of new believers 44:42 are worshiping every Sabbath because of New Beginnings. 44:47 In Africa and all across the world one-day churches, 44:52 Maranatha, OCI other supporting ministries 44:55 have erected over 6,000 one-day churches around the world, 44:58 1500 classrooms in the fastest growth areas for our church, 45:01 providing a place to worship for over a million souls 45:04 each Sabbath and a classroom for over 50,000 students. 45:09 I saw one of these go up in Zimbabwe, 45:11 in Zambia this last December as well. 45:14 It's amazing to see the response 45:15 of our community to getting a church. 45:18 They're so thankful for a place to worship. 45:20 This is ASI. 45:22 The Happiness Book Project providing over six million 45:25 full message books into the hands of church members 45:27 that end up in waiting rooms and prison cells 45:30 and in the hands of pathway to help patients 45:32 with an outcome that heaven alone knows, 45:34 an ASI youth for Jesus. 45:36 For 15 years training over 500 ASI youths 45:40 in the actual experience of public evangelism, 45:42 bringing over a thousand baptisms 45:44 to the Adventist Church. 45:46 Praise God for ASI Youth for Jesus. 45:50 ASI has supported over 700 supporting ministry 45:53 and Adventist church projects over the last 20 years. 45:56 Supplying $30 million to enable and encourage 45:59 promising projects both large and small 46:02 for the spread of the gospel in North America 46:04 and around the world. 46:05 You'll be hearing more about the 41 projects 46:07 selected for this year's offering as the week goes on. 46:11 One of those projects I'll just say 46:13 was a great impact to me and that is GYC. 46:16 You'll hear a little bit more about this ministry 46:18 but I can say that on a personal level, 46:20 this ministry impacted me greatly 46:22 when I was a college student at Colombia Union College. 46:26 I found a group of young adults who were committed 46:28 and passionate about the message 46:30 and mission of the SDA church 46:32 and were willing to put their lives on the line 46:34 to make it happen. 46:35 It moved my heart and it changed my life 46:39 and I'm in ministry today 46:40 because of what GYC did in my life 46:43 and I praise God for that, friends. 46:46 That's the ministry of ASI. 46:49 And last but not least, 46:50 your best pathway to health 46:52 came on the scene just over a year and half ago. 46:54 I was there in the Bay Area 46:55 and saw the first patients coming. 46:57 No questions asked, 46:58 free healthcare to the most needy. 47:00 Through volunteer staff wanting to do the work 47:03 that Jesus did providing $40 million 47:05 in healthcare services to more than 10,000 patients 47:08 by about 4,000 volunteer, wait a minute, 13,000 patients 47:12 and 6, 000 volunteers because we got to add Spokane. 47:16 Amen. God is good. 47:20 Thousands of laypeople mobilized for evangelism, 47:23 committing their lives to the message of hope 47:25 and healing that will change their communities. 47:28 This is how the work is finished 47:30 when laypeople in church come together united, 47:33 humbly seeking God's spirit to finish the work, amen. 47:37 This is how it will happen, united for one purpose. 47:42 There are major events coming down the road, 47:44 much bigger than any 47:45 that we faced in our church thus far. 47:48 The enemy will try to distract us 47:50 and divide us because he knows the power of this message. 47:53 But, my friends, by faith I know 47:55 that's not how the story will end, 47:57 we will not be divided 47:58 because God's church will triumph. 48:01 Press together, God is calling us 48:04 to remember the humble unity 48:05 and clarity of purpose that church 48:07 experienced in Acts Chapter 2. 48:08 This will only be achieved as we press together 48:11 united for one purpose, recognizing that our power 48:14 is not of our own but only as we lift up Jesus, 48:18 reading His holy word the Bible, 48:20 the Spirit of Prophecy, 48:21 making it relevant in our lives. 48:24 Press together united for one purpose, 48:26 putting away all differences and strive between us. 48:29 Let us remember that we have one mission laity 48:32 and church together, ASI and the church, 48:35 we are united in our mission to reach the world. 48:39 Let us not be divided thinking our ministry is better. 48:42 Let us support each other as a team, 48:45 the church needs ASI and ASI needs the church. 48:48 Amen. Amen. 48:51 "The work of God in this earth 48:56 can never be finished until the men and women 48:59 comprising our church membership rally to the work, 49:03 and unite their efforts with those of ministers 49:07 and church officers." 49:08 Gospel Workers, page 51. 49:10 It cannot be finished until we unite together. 49:14 Press together, united for one purpose, 49:17 focusing on evangelism, 49:19 taking the three angels' messages to the world 49:21 in this generation. 49:23 Let us not be distracted from our focus on mission. 49:26 My friends, we don't have time to be divided. 49:28 Jesus is coming soon. 49:30 Souls are perishing all around us. 49:33 Our world is waiting. 49:34 Multitudes are perishing in the night with no hope. 49:37 The world needs this message and it needs it now. 49:42 We need a 100 missionaries where they're now one. 49:44 We need a thousand new ASI members faithfully living 49:47 Christ in the market place. 49:49 We need new supporting ministries, schools, churches, 49:52 orphanages, lay training centers, hospitals, 49:55 lifestyle centers, media and literature ministries. 49:58 We need scores of pathways to help happening 50:00 across this country and across the world. 50:03 We need a church where every member is ignited for mission. 50:07 We are a team. 50:11 Testimonies for the Church, volume 9, page 221. 50:16 "If Christians were to act in concert, 50:20 moving toward as one, 50:22 under the direction of one Power, 50:24 for the accomplishment of one purpose, 50:28 they would move the world." 50:30 Amen. 50:33 As the astronauts of Apollo 13... 50:37 Sorry, guys, lost my voice, approach the earth, 50:43 their problems were not over. 50:46 They had first to correct their course 50:48 because if they were too shallow, 50:49 they would skip off the atmosphere 50:51 but if they were too steep they would burn up on reentry. 50:55 And their parachutes 50:57 that were supposed to protect them on splashdown. 50:59 Their heaters had not been working. 51:01 So they worried that they might be blocks of ice 51:04 and they would plummet to their death. 51:06 And the heat shield was it damaged 51:08 in the deadly explosion, they didn't know. 51:11 They did their best as a team. 51:12 Mission control crew work together to save those men, 51:15 but at one point all they could do was pray. 51:19 As the command module plummeted to the earth in a fireball, 51:23 there was a standard blackout of radio communications, 51:26 tensely they waited, would this end in failure, 51:31 would their work be in vain? 51:34 At 1:07 PM Eastern Time, 51:36 they heard the sound of Jim Lovell over the radio 51:39 as the bright orange parachutes unfurled in the Pacific sky, 51:44 and the astronauts of Apollo 13 had made it safely home. 51:49 My friends, we have a much greater mission than 51:52 that of mission control in Apollo 13. 51:55 Our mission is to bring the life saving news 51:57 of Jesus Christ to the world, 51:59 the three angels' messages to the world. 52:01 Some don't see how this church in feeble 52:04 and defective as it may be will prevail, 52:06 but God has told us 52:08 that He will bring these ships safely home. 52:11 We have a choice though, friends, 52:13 will we work together, 52:15 surrendering to God's will for us. 52:17 My friends, Jesus is coming soon. 52:19 It is only as we are united recognizing the source 52:22 of our power and looking to Jesus, 52:24 putting away our differences, 52:26 focusing on our one purpose of saving souls 52:29 that we can have the power 52:31 of the Holy Spirit to finish the work. 52:36 Maybe tonight 52:39 and this appeal is just as much for me as for you. 52:43 You recognize that you've not had the right spirit 52:45 in your heart. 52:47 Maybe you haven't relied fully on the power of God. 52:50 Maybe you've been looking at yourself 52:51 or someone else more than Jesus. 52:55 Perhaps you focus on distractions. 52:57 They've pulled you away 52:58 from the one purpose God has called us too. 53:00 Maybe as a layperson, 53:02 you haven't been focused on evangelism 53:03 as you realize you should be or as a church pastor 53:06 you haven't united together 53:09 with your laypeople as you should have. 53:11 But tonight God calls all of us each 53:13 and every one of us to recommit our hearts 53:17 to pressing together. 53:18 Humbly uniting with our brothers and sisters 53:21 so that God may use us to lift up Jesus 53:24 before the world. 53:26 My friends, I invite you tonight before we close, 53:30 if God has touched your heart tonight, 53:33 that there is something He is calling you to do, 53:35 there is some apology you need to make, there is some, 53:38 something that He is asking you to do to, 53:40 to press together with your brothers and sisters, 53:42 to unite humbly together to finish this work. 53:45 Some ministry He's calling you to start. 53:47 I don't know what it is. 53:48 But if God has touched your heart tonight, 53:52 I invite you to simply bow your heads with me 53:54 for a prayer. 53:56 And if God has spoken to you tonight, 53:59 just please raise your hand and say Lord Jesus, 54:02 I accept the message 54:05 that I've heard tonight and I pray, 54:09 I pray, Father, for all these 54:13 precious Seventh-day Adventist members 54:15 that are here tonight, 54:17 that You would fill them with Your spirit, 54:20 that You would unite them together 54:21 for the one purpose of reaching this world for Christ. 54:27 Empower them and fill them, Father, is my prayer. 54:31 Forgive us, Father, where we have been distracted 54:33 and divided. 54:34 Give us the unity that only You can give us. 54:39 And we pray with all of our hearts 54:42 that Jesus will come soon, in His name we ask, amen. |
Revised 2016-05-23