Amen. Have you been
blessed so far this weekend GYC?
00:04:05.11\00:04:11.88
I know I have
been richly blessed.
00:04:11.91\00:04:15.15
And it's such an incredible
thing to realize that the
00:04:15.18\00:04:18.39
weekend is
almost over, isn't it?
00:04:18.42\00:04:20.22
But as we come this morning it's
my privilege also to introduce
00:04:20.26\00:04:25.59
to you our
speaker again, Taj Pacleb.
00:04:25.63\00:04:28.43
I don't know, how many have been
blessed by his messages? Amen.
00:04:28.46\00:04:32.23
And as I was talking to
him backstage here before
00:04:32.27\00:04:35.50
the meeting, I was asking
him, You know, is there anything
00:04:35.54\00:04:40.08
you'd like me to say?
00:04:40.11\00:04:41.44
And he said, You know,
I just want to be known
00:04:41.48\00:04:44.08
as a beggar
trying to share bread.
00:04:44.11\00:04:46.25
And I think that's a beautiful
testimony of this man of God,
00:04:46.28\00:04:50.99
and what he has to share with us
as he talks more about the life
00:04:51.02\00:04:54.12
of John the Baptist.
00:04:54.16\00:04:55.49
And so I just want to have a
prayer for him as he prepares
00:04:55.52\00:04:59.96
to share with us this morning.
00:05:00.00\00:05:01.33
Please kneel with
me where possible.
00:05:01.36\00:05:03.37
Father in Heaven, I thank You
so much for all Your blessings,
00:05:07.14\00:05:11.97
that You have poured out.
00:05:12.01\00:05:13.34
I thank You for the
privilege that we have had to
00:05:13.38\00:05:16.54
gather here this weekend.
00:05:16.58\00:05:17.91
And as it is drawing to a close,
I pray that You will help us not
00:05:17.95\00:05:20.58
to lose our attention, but to
have ears open, and hearts soft
00:05:20.62\00:05:27.06
to hear the messages
that You have to speak
00:05:27.09\00:05:28.92
through Taj this morning.
00:05:28.96\00:05:30.29
I pray that You would help
us to be convicted of the things
00:05:30.33\00:05:33.43
that You have placed on
his heart to share with us.
00:05:33.46\00:05:36.77
And I pray that You will
touch his lips with Your words,
00:05:36.80\00:05:40.77
that he may not speak
his own, but he may speak
00:05:40.80\00:05:44.07
what You have given him, Father.
00:05:44.11\00:05:45.51
And I thank You so much
for the privilege that we have
00:05:45.54\00:05:48.51
to commune with You.
00:05:48.54\00:05:49.88
In Jesus' name, Amen.
00:05:49.91\00:05:51.35
He called me long ago, but
I didn't want to answer Him.
00:06:13.77\00:06:22.11
I told Him, Lord,
I'm not the perfect soul.
00:06:22.14\00:06:28.45
I said, My Lord, do You see me?
00:06:28.48\00:06:33.66
You can choose from other men.
00:06:33.69\00:06:37.39
But He took my hand,
and this is what He said.
00:06:37.43\00:06:43.97
You will be My fishers of men.
00:06:44.00\00:06:48.07
You will be My healer of souls.
00:06:48.10\00:06:52.94
And you will take the word to
all the corners of this world.
00:06:52.97\00:07:00.02
You will be My
cloak unto the poor.
00:07:00.05\00:07:04.12
You will be My
peace amidst the storm.
00:07:04.15\00:07:10.19
Don't worry, I am
with you till the end.
00:07:10.23\00:07:18.33
I traveled all the
world, and I shared
00:07:30.21\00:07:35.02
the word of love with them.
00:07:35.05\00:07:37.82
I told them grace
is offered to them now.
00:07:37.85\00:07:45.49
I told them Jesus came to
love us, and He died to save
00:07:45.53\00:07:51.43
the world from sin.
00:07:51.47\00:07:53.74
And as we prayed the
Lord came down and said,
00:07:53.77\00:08:00.18
You will be My fishers of men.
00:08:00.21\00:08:04.05
You will be My healer of souls.
00:08:04.08\00:08:08.48
And you will take the Word to
all the corners of this world.
00:08:08.52\00:08:15.79
You will be My
cloak unto the poor.
00:08:15.82\00:08:19.53
You will be My
peace amidst the storm.
00:08:19.56\00:08:25.43
And don't worry, I am
with you till the end.
00:08:25.47\00:08:30.97
Everyday they reached for home.
00:08:31.01\00:08:33.48
They're striving
for the fruits of love.
00:08:33.51\00:08:37.01
So won't you open up your heart?
00:08:37.05\00:08:40.78
And be the fire from the storm.
00:08:40.82\00:08:49.39
And you will be
My fishers of men.
00:08:49.42\00:08:52.99
And you will be
My healer of souls.
00:08:53.03\00:08:57.30
And you will take the Word to
all the corners of this world.
00:08:57.33\00:09:04.57
You will be my
cloak to the poor.
00:09:04.61\00:09:08.38
You will be My
peace amidst the storm.
00:09:08.41\00:09:14.22
And don't worry, I am
with you till the end.
00:09:14.25\00:09:22.46
So go and be My fishers of men.
00:09:26.43\00:09:41.14
Amen, Amen. Thank
you so much brothers
00:09:51.49\00:09:54.26
for that wonderful song.
00:09:54.29\00:09:55.62
Good morning
family. Good morning.
00:09:55.66\00:09:58.16
I want to welcome you to
our early morning devotion.
00:09:58.19\00:10:01.96
And that was a beautiful
song that we just listened to,
00:10:02.00\00:10:05.07
how God is calling
us to be fishers of men.
00:10:05.10\00:10:08.04
That's what I want
to be. How about you?
00:10:08.07\00:10:10.04
You know what the difference
is between a fisherman
00:10:10.07\00:10:13.14
and a fisher of men?
00:10:13.17\00:10:14.71
A fisherman catches fish
that are alive and puts them
00:10:14.74\00:10:18.61
to death, but a fisher of
men catches fish that are dead
00:10:18.65\00:10:22.75
and brings them
back to life, Amen?
00:10:22.78\00:10:24.62
God has called us to
share life with the world
00:10:24.65\00:10:28.86
that is dying in sin.
00:10:28.89\00:10:30.56
What a great privilege.
00:10:30.59\00:10:32.09
Before we pray and get
into our message this morning,
00:10:32.13\00:10:35.06
I just want to say
it's been a wonderful joy,
00:10:35.10\00:10:36.87
and a great privilege sharing
this time with you each morning,
00:10:36.90\00:10:40.90
and for all the people that
I got the chance to meet with,
00:10:40.94\00:10:44.27
and fellowship with.
00:10:44.31\00:10:45.77
It's been a wonderful blessing.
00:10:45.81\00:10:47.18
And I pray that as we get
ready to part ways this morning,
00:10:47.21\00:10:50.58
that by God's grace, if we
never see each other again,
00:10:50.61\00:10:53.42
we'll meet each other in
God's eternal kingdom, Amen?
00:10:53.45\00:10:56.62
That we might be with the
Lamb on that sea of glass,
00:10:56.65\00:10:59.69
singing that song of victory,
of our deliverance from this
00:10:59.72\00:11:04.19
world into
God's eternal kingdom.
00:11:04.23\00:11:06.39
We're almost there, friends.
00:11:06.43\00:11:07.83
And so lets move
forward by God's grace,
00:11:07.86\00:11:10.53
and lets finish
with a bang, Amen?
00:11:10.57\00:11:12.87
I invite you to bow your
heads as we pray this morning.
00:11:12.90\00:11:16.84
Father in Heaven, thank
You, Lord, so much for the rich
00:11:16.87\00:11:20.98
experience we've
had this weekend.
00:11:21.01\00:11:23.24
And how You've given us this
opportunity to press together
00:11:23.28\00:11:27.18
with each other, to get to know
You better, to learn how we can
00:11:27.22\00:11:33.89
be faithful in these
last days, as You have always
00:11:33.92\00:11:38.79
been faithful to us.
00:11:38.83\00:11:40.16
And now, Lord, as we turn
to Your Word, we pray that our
00:11:40.20\00:11:43.13
hearts and minds will
be open, and receptive.
00:11:43.16\00:11:46.67
Give us ears to hear Your voice,
and a heart to know Your heart,
00:11:46.70\00:11:52.17
and a resolute determination to
do not our will, but Your will.
00:11:52.21\00:11:59.21
Please speak to us
now is our humble prayer.
00:11:59.25\00:12:02.38
In Christ's name
we ask, Amen. Amen.
00:12:02.42\00:12:06.39
This morning we're going
to continue our study from
00:12:06.42\00:12:09.46
yesterday, as we've
been discussing the final
00:12:09.49\00:12:13.86
forerunners of the last day.
00:12:13.90\00:12:15.73
As I want to begin by sharing,
and beginning with the verse
00:12:15.76\00:12:19.80
that we actually read yesterday,
and so I invite you to take your
00:12:19.83\00:12:21.90
Bible and turn to
the book of Mark 1.
00:12:21.94\00:12:24.31
Mark 1, beginning with
verse 1, the Bible says this:
00:12:24.34\00:12:31.08
Mark 1:1, it says: The beginning
of the gospel of Jesus Christ,
00:12:31.11\00:12:36.69
the Son of God; As it
is written in the prophets,
00:12:36.72\00:12:40.32
Behold I send my
messenger before your face,
00:12:40.36\00:12:44.43
who will prepare
your way before you.
00:12:44.46\00:12:47.86
The voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Prepare the way of
00:12:47.90\00:12:53.50
the Lord, and make
His paths straight.
00:12:53.54\00:12:57.97
Yesterday we talked
about what it means to be great
00:12:58.01\00:13:01.78
in the sight of the Lord.
00:13:01.81\00:13:03.41
And we saw that spiritual
greatness was illustrated and
00:13:03.45\00:13:07.52
seen in the life of the
first forerunner of the Lord,
00:13:07.55\00:13:11.95
John the Baptist. And we learned
yesterday that he was great
00:13:11.99\00:13:17.79
1. Because of what he
said and thought about himself.
00:13:17.83\00:13:21.63
Now he didn't say much about
himself, but what he did say
00:13:21.66\00:13:25.73
about himself shows
us three specific things
00:13:25.77\00:13:28.97
that makes us great.
00:13:29.00\00:13:30.34
And do you remember that?
00:13:30.37\00:13:31.71
Let's review. 1.
John the Baptist was
00:13:31.74\00:13:34.88
confident in his identity.
00:13:34.91\00:13:38.31
2. He was secure
in his simplicity, and
00:13:38.35\00:13:43.85
3. He was
genuine in his humility.
00:13:43.89\00:13:47.89
That's what John said
and thought about himself.
00:13:47.92\00:13:51.56
This was the content
of the character of John.
00:13:51.59\00:13:55.63
Now his mission, as we
read here, was to simply prepare
00:13:55.66\00:13:59.90
the way of the Lord,
and make His paths straight.
00:13:59.93\00:14:03.30
You see friends, in ancient
times, when a king prepared
00:14:03.34\00:14:07.94
for a journey to a
specific destination,
00:14:07.98\00:14:10.11
he would send four runners
ahead of his royal chariot,
00:14:10.15\00:14:13.45
and their
mission was very simple.
00:14:13.48\00:14:15.65
Their mission was to
clear the king's highway,
00:14:15.68\00:14:18.12
to prepare the way for
the coming of the king.
00:14:18.15\00:14:21.16
And these forerunners were
commissioned to level the steep
00:14:21.19\00:14:25.09
places of the highway,
to fill in the potholes,
00:14:25.13\00:14:27.93
and remove all the stones, and
the obstacles so that the king
00:14:27.96\00:14:31.27
could have an easy, and
smooth travel to the specific
00:14:31.30\00:14:35.14
destination that he was
heading without any hindrances.
00:14:35.17\00:14:38.77
And this is what the forerunner
would do to prepare the way
00:14:38.81\00:14:43.24
of the Lord, to make His paths
straight, to prepare people
00:14:43.28\00:14:46.75
for the coming of the king.
00:14:46.78\00:14:48.18
That was the purpose, and
the mission of John the Baptist,
00:14:48.22\00:14:51.22
and so it is ours today.
00:14:51.25\00:14:53.76
Because that same King
Jesus that came the first time,
00:14:53.79\00:14:57.06
is coming back the second time.
00:14:57.09\00:14:59.16
And in these last days
He's looking not only for one,
00:14:59.19\00:15:02.16
but a whole generation of
forerunners to prepare the world
00:15:02.20\00:15:06.33
for the return of King Jesus.
00:15:06.37\00:15:08.84
And it's simply by
giving the message.
00:15:08.87\00:15:11.87
It's not us that prepares
anyone, but it's the message
00:15:11.91\00:15:14.24
that God is wanting to speak in
and through us that will prepare
00:15:14.28\00:15:17.78
a people for the
coming of Christ.
00:15:17.81\00:15:19.95
This is what John was
called and chosen to do.
00:15:19.98\00:15:23.12
He was not an alarmist.
00:15:23.15\00:15:24.82
He was not a
sensationalist, or an extremist.
00:15:24.85\00:15:27.42
He was a revivalist.
00:15:27.46\00:15:29.39
This high and holy
purpose is what he lived for.
00:15:29.42\00:15:32.59
You see, John the Baptist
understood that it wasn't about
00:15:32.63\00:15:35.63
himself, but it was about the
One that was coming after him,
00:15:35.66\00:15:38.73
and he knew his role.
00:15:38.77\00:15:40.54
His role was that he was not
the king, he was simply the one
00:15:40.57\00:15:44.61
that was called, and chosen,
to prepare the way for the king.
00:15:44.64\00:15:48.24
John simply looked upon
himself as a voice of one
00:15:48.28\00:15:53.15
crying in the wilderness.
00:15:53.18\00:15:54.52
And he was great in the sight
of the Lord because he was small
00:15:54.55\00:15:58.95
in the sight of himself.
00:15:58.99\00:16:01.49
But friends, it really
doesn't matter what we think,
00:16:01.52\00:16:05.59
or say about ourselves,
but rather what we think,
00:16:05.63\00:16:09.06
and say about Jesus. Amen?
00:16:09.10\00:16:11.83
And more so what Jesus
thinks, and says about us.
00:16:11.87\00:16:16.81
And so this morning I want to
highlight the second and third
00:16:16.84\00:16:20.98
reason why John the
Baptist was so great
00:16:21.01\00:16:23.01
in the sight of the Lord.
00:16:23.04\00:16:24.38
Yesterday we talked about the
first reason, and that was what
00:16:24.41\00:16:26.61
he thought about himself.
00:16:26.65\00:16:27.98
Today we'll discuss the
second and third reason,
00:16:28.02\00:16:30.25
which are what John
said about Jesus, and
00:16:30.29\00:16:33.52
3. What Jesus said about John.
00:16:33.56\00:16:36.59
The Bible tells us in the book
of John 10:41 that, John did no
00:16:36.62\00:16:41.40
miracle: but all things that
John spoke of Jesus were true.
00:16:41.43\00:16:46.47
You see, John
was not miraculous,
00:16:46.50\00:16:49.54
but rather the beautiful words
he spoke about Christ were true.
00:16:49.57\00:16:52.97
And so the
question I want to ask is,
00:16:53.01\00:16:54.71
What did John say about Jesus?
00:16:54.74\00:16:57.55
What was the message
that he gave to the world
00:16:57.58\00:16:59.98
concerning the Messiah?
00:17:00.02\00:17:01.65
Take your Bible and turn
with me to the book of John,
00:17:01.68\00:17:03.92
and we're going to
go to the first chapter,
00:17:03.95\00:17:06.22
and we're going to see friends
that John said many things
00:17:06.25\00:17:08.59
about Jesus, many wonderful
things, but there are two that I
00:17:08.62\00:17:11.89
want to share
with you this morning.
00:17:11.93\00:17:13.76
So we're going to John.
00:17:13.80\00:17:15.73
What chapter did I say? John 1.
00:17:15.76\00:17:18.73
And notice what it says in
verse 29; a very familiar verse.
00:17:18.77\00:17:22.90
John 1:29. The Bible
says, The next day John what?
00:17:22.94\00:17:31.68
saw Jesus coming
toward him, and said,
00:17:31.71\00:17:36.58
Behold the Lamb of God, which
takes away the sin of the world.
00:17:36.62\00:17:42.79
One of the first things
that John said about Jesus when
00:17:42.82\00:17:47.33
he saw Jesus, He
said, Behold the Lamb.
00:17:47.36\00:17:50.63
He has come to take
away the sin of the world.
00:17:50.67\00:17:53.84
Now, friends, in this
passage there's a lot of deep,
00:17:53.87\00:17:56.27
beautiful theology.
00:17:56.30\00:17:57.64
But one beautiful, practical
point we can gain from this is
00:17:57.67\00:18:02.08
that John saw Jesus
first, and then he called others
00:18:02.11\00:18:06.95
to look for themselves.
00:18:06.98\00:18:08.42
You see, friends, in
order for us to point out Jesus,
00:18:08.45\00:18:11.99
and speak accurately concerning
Him, we have to see Him first.
00:18:12.02\00:18:17.73
We have to see Jesus with
our eyes first before we can
00:18:17.76\00:18:20.33
proclaim Him
with our lips second.
00:18:22.63\00:18:25.13
We must see Him with the eye of
faith before we can proclaim Him
00:18:25.17\00:18:29.50
with the words of faith.
00:18:29.54\00:18:31.37
And that's what
John did in this passage.
00:18:31.41\00:18:34.08
And one thing clear that John
said about Jesus is that He is
00:18:34.14\00:18:37.28
the Lamb coming to
remove sin; to take away
00:18:37.31\00:18:40.45
the sin of the world.
00:18:40.48\00:18:41.82
And, friends, this salvific
statement is founded upon the
00:18:41.85\00:18:45.52
theology of the sanctuary.
00:18:45.55\00:18:47.62
You see, we cannot fully
understand the complete holistic
00:18:47.66\00:18:51.46
salvation of Christ without
understanding Christ's work
00:18:51.49\00:18:55.20
in the sanctuary, in the
outer court, the holy place,
00:18:55.23\00:18:58.93
and the most holy place.
00:18:58.97\00:19:00.44
You see, Jesus is not just
the Lamb that died for us in the
00:19:00.47\00:19:04.31
outer court, but He's also
our great high priest that ever
00:19:04.37\00:19:08.28
lives to intercede for us in
the holy, and most holy place.
00:19:08.31\00:19:12.21
You see, the Lamb had
to die in the outer court,
00:19:12.25\00:19:14.78
but it's blood had to be applied
in the holy and most holy place.
00:19:14.82\00:19:20.49
And that understanding helps
us to see what it means when it
00:19:20.52\00:19:25.06
talks about the
Lamb taking away the sin.
00:19:25.09\00:19:28.33
It's because He
died in the outer court,
00:19:28.36\00:19:29.93
and He blots it out.
00:19:29.96\00:19:32.10
He removes it. He takes it
away in the most holy place
00:19:32.13\00:19:35.87
in the investigative judgment.
00:19:35.90\00:19:37.51
And John saw
Jesus as the fulfillment
00:19:37.54\00:19:40.28
of that sanctuary message.
00:19:40.31\00:19:41.84
Jesus was the reality of which
that shadowy type would point
00:19:41.88\00:19:46.55
to, and so that's one of
the first things I want to share
00:19:46.58\00:19:49.45
with you of what
John said about Jesus.
00:19:49.48\00:19:51.99
He is the Lamb that removes sin;
a statement that is founded upon
00:19:52.02\00:19:56.83
the theology of the sanctuary.
00:19:56.86\00:19:59.09
Now notice something
else John said about Jesus,
00:19:59.13\00:20:01.86
as we go to chapter 3, and
verse 29. Notice John 3:29.
00:20:01.90\00:20:08.50
Here's what John
says, and it's interesting.
00:20:08.54\00:20:12.04
He describes the Messiah
in the context of marriage.
00:20:12.07\00:20:16.71
John 3:29, John said, But he who
has the bride is the bridegroom:
00:20:16.75\00:20:23.49
but the friend of the
bridegroom, who stands and
00:20:23.52\00:20:27.02
hears him, rejoices
greatly because of the
00:20:27.06\00:20:29.99
bridegroom's what? voice.
00:20:30.03\00:20:32.66
Therefore my joy is fulfilled.
00:20:32.69\00:20:36.50
Very interesting statement.
00:20:36.53\00:20:38.43
Here John describes the Messiah
in the context of marriage.
00:20:38.47\00:20:42.90
Who's the bride in this passage?
00:20:42.94\00:20:46.01
It's none other
than the church, right?
00:20:46.04\00:20:48.31
The Bible, the bride
of Christ, is a symbol of
00:20:48.34\00:20:51.01
His people of the church.
00:20:51.05\00:20:52.38
You can write down Ephesians
5: 25, 2 Corinthians 11:2,
00:20:52.41\00:20:56.55
Jeremiah 6:2, and
many other passages.
00:20:56.58\00:20:59.55
The bride, or the
woman, represents the church.
00:20:59.59\00:21:01.79
If the church is the
bride, who is the bridegroom?
00:21:01.82\00:21:04.29
It's Christ. He is
our heavenly husband.
00:21:04.33\00:21:07.46
We are His earthly bride.
00:21:07.50\00:21:09.10
And then, who is the third
character that John mentioned
00:21:09.13\00:21:13.23
here? the friend of
the bridegroom that John
00:21:13.27\00:21:15.70
himself claimed to be.
00:21:15.74\00:21:17.07
The friend of the bridegroom was
basically the best man in the
00:21:17.11\00:21:20.78
wedding; the one that was
the closest to the bridegroom.
00:21:20.81\00:21:23.98
And the responsibility of
the best man, the friend of the
00:21:24.01\00:21:27.82
bridegroom, was that he
was responsible of making
00:21:27.85\00:21:30.79
arrangements for the wedding.
00:21:30.82\00:21:32.72
His goal was to do all that
he could to relieve the stress
00:21:32.75\00:21:37.03
and anxiety of the bridegroom.
00:21:37.06\00:21:39.59
His role, he was to be the
middle man of communication
00:21:39.63\00:21:43.26
between the groom and the bride.
00:21:43.30\00:21:45.63
He was the messenger
between the betrothed parties
00:21:45.67\00:21:48.34
preparing for the wedding.
00:21:48.37\00:21:50.04
And when the bridegroom
finally received the bride,
00:21:50.07\00:21:53.24
face to face, the
mission of the friend of the
00:21:53.27\00:21:56.34
bridegroom was fulfilled.
00:21:56.38\00:21:58.11
And so that best man, when
he sees the groom and the bride
00:21:58.15\00:22:02.75
coming together, face-to-face,
00:22:02.78\00:22:04.55
his mission is accomplished,
and now he rejoices in the
00:22:04.59\00:22:08.52
happiness of the
union that he had promoted.
00:22:08.56\00:22:11.36
And that was the
role of John the Baptist.
00:22:11.39\00:22:13.53
He wasn't just a part of
the bride of Christ, the church,
00:22:13.56\00:22:15.73
but he was also the
friend of the bridegroom,
00:22:15.76\00:22:18.20
the best man in the wedding,
and thus he said that his
00:22:18.23\00:22:21.54
joy was fulfilled.
00:22:21.57\00:22:22.90
And that's how our
joy is fulfilled as well.
00:22:22.94\00:22:24.91
Just by hearing the bridegroom's
voice, and the joy He has
00:22:24.94\00:22:29.71
once He's
reunited with his church.
00:22:29.74\00:22:32.18
Our joy, friends, our joy is
fulfilled not in the recognition
00:22:32.21\00:22:37.89
of the rulers, nor in
the praises of the people,
00:22:37.92\00:22:41.42
but only that we can play
a part in preparing the union
00:22:41.46\00:22:45.76
of the bride and the bridegroom.
00:22:45.79\00:22:48.03
Friends, how many of
you want to be a part
00:22:48.06\00:22:49.40
of the bride of Christ?
00:22:49.43\00:22:50.77
And even more than that, how
many of you want to be a friend
00:22:50.80\00:22:53.80
of the bridegroom? Amen?
00:22:53.84\00:22:56.47
And that's a wonderful,
and beautiful picture that John
00:22:56.50\00:22:59.17
painted concerning Jesus.
00:22:59.21\00:23:01.51
Now I want us to notice, in
the two passages we just read,
00:23:01.54\00:23:05.38
we see that John called Jesus
the Lamb, and he also called
00:23:05.41\00:23:10.42
Jesus the bridegroom.
00:23:10.45\00:23:12.35
There are two
pictures that John painted
00:23:12.39\00:23:14.92
concerning the Messiah.
00:23:14.96\00:23:16.29
One is more theological,
and the other is more practical.
00:23:16.32\00:23:20.70
One is more doctrinal,
the other is more relational.
00:23:20.73\00:23:24.73
The more theological and
doctrinal picture that John
00:23:24.77\00:23:28.10
painted was that of the Lamb.
00:23:28.14\00:23:30.01
The relational,
and the practical
00:23:30.04\00:23:34.34
is that of the bridegroom.
00:23:34.38\00:23:36.54
And so we see that John
the Baptist gave a complete,
00:23:36.58\00:23:40.25
and balanced
picture of the Messiah.
00:23:40.28\00:23:43.08
He's not just the theological
Lamb, but he's also the
00:23:43.12\00:23:46.72
relational bridegroom
that is married to us.
00:23:46.76\00:23:49.79
That was the message of the
first forerunner, so it will be
00:23:49.82\00:23:53.16
the message of
the final forerunners.
00:23:53.19\00:23:55.26
This is what
John said about Jesus.
00:23:55.30\00:23:57.27
And friends what we say
about Jesus to the world must be
00:23:57.30\00:24:00.64
clear, it must be complete,
and it must be balanced. Amen!
00:24:00.67\00:24:05.07
And here's the reason.
00:24:05.11\00:24:06.71
Today, friends, we are living
during a crisis of theology.
00:24:06.74\00:24:13.28
Bad theology abounds in
the Christian world today.
00:24:13.31\00:24:17.35
Because just like the
Jews of old misinterpreted the
00:24:17.39\00:24:21.59
Scriptures, and thus
misrepresented the character
00:24:21.62\00:24:24.73
of the Messiah to the world, so
too, Christianity today has done
00:24:24.76\00:24:29.16
the exact same thing.
00:24:29.20\00:24:30.60
Heresies and half-truths
are being spread far and wide
00:24:30.63\00:24:35.40
concerning the character of God.
00:24:35.44\00:24:36.91
The character of God is being
miss-represented and maligned;
00:24:36.94\00:24:40.41
not just by the world,
but even by the church.
00:24:40.44\00:24:42.88
And as a result, atheism,
and unbelief have been the
00:24:42.91\00:24:46.08
reaction of the world.
00:24:46.11\00:24:47.75
As the Christian community
is painting a tainted picture of
00:24:47.78\00:24:52.15
who God is, many people
are reacting in unbelief.
00:24:52.19\00:24:56.49
Because of bad
theology, an over-correction,
00:24:56.52\00:25:02.36
and an over-reaction has
actually taken place in the
00:25:02.40\00:25:04.97
church to the point that
we have emphasized orthodoxy
00:25:05.00\00:25:08.77
to the point that we have
become Pharisees, to the point
00:25:08.80\00:25:12.21
that we would rather win
an argument than win a soul.
00:25:12.24\00:25:15.34
We come across as critical,
and judgmental, and harsh,
00:25:15.38\00:25:18.55
and mean, and lacking grace.
00:25:18.58\00:25:20.68
Remember friends, it's
not just about what we say,
00:25:20.72\00:25:23.89
but how we say it,
and when we say it.
00:25:23.92\00:25:26.59
What we're doing is this: we're
emphasizing the rightness of
00:25:28.82\00:25:33.23
truth while missing
the person of truth.
00:25:33.26\00:25:37.00
We are proclaiming the Word
of God, but not painting a true
00:25:37.03\00:25:42.34
picture of the God of the
Word, with one-sided preaching.
00:25:42.37\00:25:47.94
What we're doing is
we're pointing to the theology
00:25:47.98\00:25:50.75
of the Lamb while
we're not pointing to the
00:25:50.78\00:25:52.98
character of the bridegroom.
00:25:53.01\00:25:54.35
And this imbalanced emphasis
has caused many people to
00:25:54.38\00:25:58.12
crash into the ditch of
legalism, which is on the right
00:25:58.15\00:26:02.12
side of the
narrow way of the Lord.
00:26:02.16\00:26:05.26
And as a result of
this imbalanced emphasis,
00:26:05.29\00:26:10.43
people crashing into
the ditch of legalism,
00:26:10.47\00:26:12.93
preaching the theology of
the Lamb without pointing to the
00:26:12.97\00:26:15.90
character of the
bridegroom, another reaction,
00:26:15.94\00:26:19.31
and over-correction has
taken place on the other side.
00:26:19.34\00:26:22.11
People are crashing
into the ditch of liberalism.
00:26:22.14\00:26:26.18
Legalism on the right,
liberalism on the left.
00:26:26.21\00:26:29.35
Because, see, there's not
only a crisis of theology in the
00:26:29.38\00:26:32.55
world, but there's
also a crisis of relevancy.
00:26:32.59\00:26:36.19
We're trying to be
relevant to the world
00:26:36.22\00:26:39.66
by trying to
become like the world.
00:26:39.69\00:26:42.56
But in seeking to become
like the world we are actually
00:26:42.60\00:26:46.20
becoming
irrelevant to the world.
00:26:46.23\00:26:48.17
And here's the reason: If
the church becomes post-modern
00:26:48.20\00:26:51.61
progressives like the
world, she looses her relevance.
00:26:51.64\00:26:54.51
Because if you look like me,
think like me, speak like me,
00:26:54.54\00:26:57.91
and live like me,
than what's the difference?
00:26:57.95\00:27:00.28
You see,
friends, we are relevant.
00:27:00.32\00:27:03.02
That which makes us relevant,
I should say, is because we have
00:27:03.05\00:27:07.09
something different,
and not only different,
00:27:07.12\00:27:09.32
but we have something
better to offer to the world.
00:27:09.36\00:27:12.69
Can you say Amen? Amen!
00:27:12.73\00:27:14.06
So we can't try to be like
the world to win the world.
00:27:14.10\00:27:18.63
We lose our
relevance if we do that.
00:27:18.67\00:27:20.57
We are relevant because
we have something different.
00:27:20.60\00:27:23.17
We have something better.
00:27:23.20\00:27:24.54
And the watchword of all true
education is something better.
00:27:24.57\00:27:30.01
We have something better
to offer than the world views
00:27:30.05\00:27:33.28
of the world today.
00:27:33.31\00:27:34.75
Well, friends this, what
is being called progressive
00:27:34.78\00:27:38.49
Christianity is causing many
people to downplay objective
00:27:38.52\00:27:43.96
doctrine, and to
exalt and elevate a
00:27:43.99\00:27:47.66
subjective personal experience.
00:27:47.70\00:27:50.60
Many people in Christianity
today are becoming more and more
00:27:50.63\00:27:54.00
focused on questions rather
than the clear-cut answers
00:27:54.04\00:27:58.77
that God has
given us in the world.
00:27:58.81\00:28:00.58
That's what the
daughters of Babylon are doing.
00:28:00.61\00:28:03.65
They're saying
it's not about doctrine.
00:28:03.68\00:28:05.71
Let's put aside
all of those things.
00:28:05.75\00:28:08.15
It's an overreaction.
00:28:08.18\00:28:11.19
The same thing
has been happening,
00:28:11.22\00:28:13.72
perhaps even among us.
00:28:13.76\00:28:15.12
It seems like ecumenism
is emerging even among us.
00:28:15.16\00:28:21.53
It's an overreaction friends.
00:28:21.56\00:28:23.57
There are two ditches on either
side of the narrow road of God's
00:28:23.60\00:28:26.74
way: legalism, and liberalism.
00:28:26.77\00:28:30.11
And that's why it's been said
in the book, Last Day Events,
00:28:30.14\00:28:33.04
on page 179.
Notice what it says:
00:28:33.07\00:28:35.64
Wow! Lord have mercy!
00:28:47.56\00:28:50.56
And that's the reason why I
want to challenge, and encourage
00:28:50.59\00:28:53.06
all of us young
people, that we must study
00:28:53.09\00:28:55.86
the Bible for ourselves.
00:28:55.90\00:28:57.23
Can you say Amen?
00:28:57.27\00:28:58.60
We can't take a
man's word for it.
00:28:58.63\00:29:00.84
Just because it comes
from an approved pulpit,
00:29:00.87\00:29:05.01
doesn't mean that it is true.
00:29:05.04\00:29:07.21
We must study to show
ourselves approved unto God.
00:29:07.24\00:29:11.31
And in order to avoid the two
ditches on either side of the
00:29:11.35\00:29:14.72
way of the Lord: the ditch
of legalism, and the ditch of
00:29:14.75\00:29:17.55
liberalism, we must study
for ourselves, and we must give
00:29:17.59\00:29:20.96
the complete, balanced,
whole picture of Jesus;
00:29:20.99\00:29:24.56
not just a picture of Christ
based upon a few Scriptures,
00:29:24.59\00:29:28.36
but of all the Word of
God, because Jesus says that the
00:29:28.40\00:29:31.27
Scriptures testify of Him.
00:29:31.30\00:29:34.20
The revelation of Jesus
Christ, the testimony of Jesus
00:29:34.24\00:29:37.91
is the spirit of prophecy,
and that's not just one prophet
00:29:37.94\00:29:40.51
in the last days, it's
God speaking through all the
00:29:40.54\00:29:43.35
prophets, from the
beginning to the end.
00:29:43.38\00:29:45.41
And friends, that's
what John came to do.
00:29:45.45\00:29:49.92
Based upon what he understood,
he sought to give a complete
00:29:49.95\00:29:54.52
picture of who the Messiah was.
00:29:54.56\00:29:57.03
And in order to avoid
the ditches, we must prepare
00:29:57.06\00:30:00.90
the way of the Lord.
00:30:00.93\00:30:02.26
You see, as we do this, true
progressivism will be restored.
00:30:02.30\00:30:06.13
You see, friends, I
want to share this with you.
00:30:06.17\00:30:08.60
What is called
progressive Christianity today,
00:30:08.64\00:30:11.11
is not really taking us forward,
but it's taking us backward.
00:30:11.14\00:30:14.74
It's actually taking us all
the way back to the tree of the
00:30:14.78\00:30:18.48
knowledge of good and evil,
when the serpent said to the
00:30:18.51\00:30:21.38
woman, Has God said?
00:30:21.42\00:30:23.69
He was causing her to doubt
that which God had clearly said.
00:30:25.05\00:30:29.99
This is higher criticism.
00:30:30.03\00:30:32.29
This is the origin
of higher criticism.
00:30:32.33\00:30:34.30
When the serpent said,
You will not surely die.
00:30:34.33\00:30:37.83
In other words, God does
not mean exactly what He says.
00:30:37.87\00:30:41.40
That's progressivism.
00:30:43.34\00:30:44.67
That's what is labeled as
progressivism, but it's taken us
00:30:44.71\00:30:48.54
back to the Garden
of Eden, and the tree of
00:30:48.58\00:30:50.61
knowledge of good and evil.
00:30:50.65\00:30:51.98
You see, what the
serpent said there is, you know,
00:30:52.01\00:30:54.82
God is not telling the truth.
00:30:54.85\00:30:56.18
He doesn't mean
exactly what He says.
00:30:56.22\00:30:57.72
If you eat of this
fruit, you won't die,
00:30:57.75\00:31:00.12
but you will be like
God, knowing good and evil.
00:31:00.16\00:31:02.82
Your eyes are
going to be opened.
00:31:02.86\00:31:04.19
You're going to be enlightened.
00:31:04.23\00:31:05.56
In other words,
it's all relative.
00:31:05.59\00:31:07.10
That's what the Devil will say.
00:31:07.13\00:31:08.46
It's all relative.
You can be your own God.
00:31:08.50\00:31:12.10
You can make your own decisions.
00:31:12.13\00:31:13.70
You can make your own
law, because truth is relative.
00:31:13.74\00:31:17.37
And you can continue to
sin and still be like God,
00:31:17.41\00:31:20.91
and still be saved.
00:31:20.94\00:31:22.38
And this postmodern
progressivism is saying
00:31:22.41\00:31:25.61
the exact same thing.
00:31:25.65\00:31:26.98
It's not really
taking us forward,
00:31:27.02\00:31:28.68
it's taking us backward.
00:31:28.72\00:31:30.05
You see, my friends,
to be truly progressive
00:31:30.09\00:31:32.39
we've got to move forward.
00:31:32.42\00:31:33.76
And in order to move
forward, we have to have a
00:31:33.79\00:31:36.02
clear way in front of us.
00:31:36.06\00:31:38.66
And in order to have a clear
way we, like John the Baptist,
00:31:38.69\00:31:42.46
have to prepare
the way of the Lord.
00:31:42.50\00:31:46.63
Are you with me, yes or no?
00:31:46.67\00:31:49.47
And so what does it mean then
to prepare the way of the Lord?
00:31:49.50\00:31:53.04
What does that mean?
00:31:53.07\00:31:54.41
Well, some of you already know
the verse I'm going to next.
00:31:54.44\00:31:57.85
Where is God's way
illustrated for us?
00:31:57.88\00:32:02.78
The way of
salvation is found in Jesus.
00:32:02.82\00:32:06.65
Jesus said, I am the
way, the truth, and the life.
00:32:06.69\00:32:08.92
But before Jesus
came into the world,
00:32:08.96\00:32:10.56
where was that way illustrated?
00:32:10.59\00:32:12.53
Psalm 77 says, Thy way, O
God, is where? in the sanctuary.
00:32:12.56\00:32:19.53
You see, when you look
at the sanctuary, friends,
00:32:19.57\00:32:21.04
you actually see a path that
leads from darkness into light.
00:32:21.07\00:32:26.88
A path that leads from the outer
court, where the Lamb was slain,
00:32:26.91\00:32:32.35
all the way into the holy place,
and into the most holy place,
00:32:32.38\00:32:36.45
where the bridegroom awaits us.
00:32:36.48\00:32:39.52
You see, the way of the
Lord that needs to be prepared,
00:32:39.55\00:32:42.96
before Jesus can come, is that
way that's illustrated in the
00:32:42.99\00:32:46.39
sanctuary; the true way of
salvation; a straight path that
00:32:46.43\00:32:49.70
leads from the Lamb
slain in the outer court,
00:32:49.73\00:32:51.90
to the groom that's waiting
for us in the most holy place.
00:32:51.93\00:32:54.60
You see, that most
holy place, if you study it,
00:32:54.64\00:32:56.37
it's the bedroom chamber of God.
00:32:56.40\00:32:59.17
It's the secret
place of the Most High.
00:32:59.21\00:33:01.04
It's the place of
ultimate intimacy.
00:33:01.08\00:33:03.65
It's the place where the
bride and the groom become one
00:33:03.68\00:33:07.32
in atonement; at-one-ment.
00:33:07.35\00:33:10.99
You know the
book, Song of Solomon?
00:33:11.02\00:33:13.42
That book describes the
union of a husband and wife.
00:33:13.46\00:33:18.59
And did you know that the Jews,
they called the Bible Holy?
00:33:18.63\00:33:23.13
But when it comes to the
book, the Song of Solomon,
00:33:23.16\00:33:25.83
they called that book of
the Bible the Holy of Holies.
00:33:25.87\00:33:30.24
The Song of Solomon, they
say, is the most holy place.
00:33:30.27\00:33:32.97
It's when the bride
and groom become one;
00:33:33.01\00:33:35.28
atonement, at-one-ment.
00:33:35.31\00:33:37.85
Here is where the
marriage is consummated,
00:33:37.88\00:33:40.65
where the bride is
sealed for all eternity.
00:33:40.68\00:33:43.69
This is where the sin
of the world is taken away.
00:33:43.72\00:33:47.12
You see, friends, the ransom in
the outer court, where the Lamb
00:33:47.16\00:33:50.49
was slain, is what prepares
for the reunion of the bride,
00:33:50.53\00:33:55.36
and the bridegroom
in the most holy place.
00:33:55.40\00:33:57.57
So to prepare the way of
the Lord, is to restore the path
00:33:57.60\00:34:01.90
that leads all the way back
to seeing our heavenly husband
00:34:01.94\00:34:05.27
face to face. Can you say Amen?
00:34:05.31\00:34:07.81
That's the path that the first
forerunner came to prepare,
00:34:07.84\00:34:10.61
or to begin to make straight.
00:34:10.65\00:34:12.61
But it's that same path that the
final forerunners will actually
00:34:12.65\00:34:16.62
finish in making straight.
00:34:16.65\00:34:18.19
And so remember, friends,
it doesn't matter so much
00:34:18.22\00:34:20.56
what you say about yourself,
but what you say about Jesus.
00:34:20.59\00:34:22.96
And what we say about
Christ must be complete.
00:34:22.99\00:34:25.59
He's not just a
lamb, He's also the groom.
00:34:25.63\00:34:28.23
In order to be
God's faithful voice,
00:34:28.26\00:34:31.00
let's give that
complete message.
00:34:31.03\00:34:33.40
You see, we need to be
relational in our theology
00:34:33.44\00:34:36.81
in order to have relevancy.
00:34:36.84\00:34:39.01
But our relationships need
to be based on sound theology
00:34:39.04\00:34:42.74
in order to have
eternal permanency.
00:34:42.78\00:34:45.75
Because, friends, when the storm
hits, all the heresies and half
00:34:45.78\00:34:49.75
truths, and creeping compromise
are going to be washed away,
00:34:49.78\00:34:52.95
and only the truth as it is
in Jesus is going to remain.
00:34:52.99\00:34:58.59
And so let us go and make
straight the way of the Lord.
00:34:58.63\00:35:04.13
Let's avoid the two
ditches on either side.
00:35:04.17\00:35:06.50
Let's point people to Jesus,
the Lamb in the outer court,
00:35:06.53\00:35:11.04
and the groom in
the most holy place.
00:35:11.07\00:35:13.11
John was great in
the sight of the Lord
00:35:13.14\00:35:15.04
because he gave that message.
00:35:15.08\00:35:16.61
Let us do the same.
00:35:16.64\00:35:17.98
Well friends, it's not so much
what we even say about Jesus,
00:35:18.01\00:35:24.22
that makes us great, but rather
it's what Jesus says about us.
00:35:24.25\00:35:30.63
Amen? So now I'd like you
to turn with me to our next
00:35:30.66\00:35:34.46
point as we go to
the book of Matthew 11.
00:35:34.50\00:35:38.30
And I want us to
notice what Jesus said
00:35:38.33\00:35:40.70
concerning John the Baptist.
00:35:40.74\00:35:42.30
Matthew 11:7. The Bible
says this: Matthew 11:7.
00:35:42.34\00:35:51.11
As they departed, Jesus
began to say to the multitudes
00:35:51.15\00:35:54.78
concerning John, What did you go
out into the wilderness to see?
00:35:54.82\00:35:59.19
A reed shaken by the wind?
00:35:59.22\00:36:01.79
Here Christ is making a contrast
to the life and character of
00:36:01.82\00:36:05.69
John the Baptist to that of
a reed that's shaken and moved
00:36:05.73\00:36:08.36
by the wind of circumstance.
00:36:08.40\00:36:10.27
And the obvious answer to the
question that Jesus is asking,
00:36:10.30\00:36:13.80
is that John was
not like a shaken reed.
00:36:13.84\00:36:16.34
He was not one that was easily
moved by the opinions of the
00:36:16.37\00:36:20.51
day, and the
circumstances of his life.
00:36:20.54\00:36:22.64
Instead of being
like a shaking reed,
00:36:22.68\00:36:24.95
John was like an unmovable rock.
00:36:24.98\00:36:27.42
That's what
Jesus said about John.
00:36:27.45\00:36:29.15
He was unmovable, he was
firm, he had spiritual backbone,
00:36:29.18\00:36:33.39
he stood up for the truth.
00:36:33.42\00:36:35.99
And so, number one, two things
that Jesus says about John
00:36:36.02\00:36:39.63
that I want to highlight.
00:36:39.66\00:36:41.00
1. John the
Baptist was unmovable
00:36:41.03\00:36:43.13
for the cause of Christ.
00:36:43.16\00:36:44.50
And then notice the
next verse, verse 8.
00:36:44.53\00:36:48.00
But what did you go out to see?
00:36:48.04\00:36:49.47
A man clothed in... What kind
of garments?... soft garments?
00:36:49.50\00:36:53.81
Indeed, those who
wear soft clothing
00:36:53.84\00:36:56.54
are in the king's houses.
00:36:56.58\00:36:57.98
So in contrast to the kings that
like to wear soft, comfortable
00:36:58.01\00:37:01.78
clothes, John the
Baptist was not like that.
00:37:01.82\00:37:04.52
The point that Jesus is making
is that John the Baptist was not
00:37:04.55\00:37:07.72
only unmovable for the cause
of the Messiah, but he was also
00:37:07.76\00:37:11.39
willing to be
uncomfortable; uncomfortable
00:37:11.43\00:37:15.20
for the cause of Christ.
00:37:15.23\00:37:16.93
My friends, many people are
failing of reaching their full
00:37:16.97\00:37:21.84
potential, because
they are afraid of leaving
00:37:21.87\00:37:25.17
their comfort zone.
00:37:25.21\00:37:26.54
But friends there is no
growth in the comfort zone.
00:37:26.57\00:37:29.91
And many times there's no
comfort in the growth zone.
00:37:29.94\00:37:34.02
If we want to grow we have
to get out of the comfort zone.
00:37:34.05\00:37:38.32
We have to be willing
to stand up, and stand out,
00:37:38.35\00:37:42.06
and not be ashamed, or afraid
to speak up, and speak out
00:37:42.09\00:37:46.19
for the cause of Christ. Amen.
00:37:46.23\00:37:48.16
We need to speak the truth.
00:37:48.20\00:37:49.53
We need to do it in love.
00:37:49.56\00:37:50.90
And as we go,
that's how we grow.
00:37:50.93\00:37:54.90
Can you say Amen? Amen.
00:37:54.94\00:37:56.27
There is no growth
in the comfort zone,
00:37:56.30\00:37:58.21
and there is no
comfort in the growth zone,
00:37:58.24\00:38:01.08
only the fact that the comfort
of the Holy Spirit is with us,
00:38:01.11\00:38:03.88
and He is growing us, and
preparing us for the kingdom.
00:38:03.91\00:38:07.02
And so what enables us
to leave the comfort zone
00:38:07.05\00:38:10.12
for the cause of Christ?
00:38:10.15\00:38:11.59
It's when we remember
that Jesus, our heavenly King,
00:38:11.62\00:38:17.93
left the comfort
zone for you and me.
00:38:17.96\00:38:21.53
He left the throne of glory,
the beautiful mansions above;
00:38:21.56\00:38:25.43
born in a barn in a manger,
a very uncomfortable manger;
00:38:25.47\00:38:30.11
grew up in poverty,
misunderstood by His peers,
00:38:30.14\00:38:33.88
and even His parents,
and then He hung naked
00:38:33.91\00:38:36.78
on a cruel Roman cross.
00:38:36.81\00:38:39.25
Oh friends, that
was so uncomfortable.
00:38:39.28\00:38:42.22
But Jesus did it for us.
00:38:42.25\00:38:44.45
And that love demonstrated
therein, is the power
00:38:44.49\00:38:49.62
that enables us to
leave the comfort zones;
00:38:49.66\00:38:51.79
our comfort zones for Him.
00:38:51.83\00:38:53.19
Can you say Amen? Amen!
00:38:53.23\00:38:54.56
Friends, in these last days God
is looking for an Army that is
00:38:54.60\00:38:58.23
not moved by comfort, but
moved by Holy Spirit conviction;
00:38:58.27\00:39:02.50
an Army that is more
concerned with God's glory
00:39:02.54\00:39:06.17
than their own reputation.
00:39:06.21\00:39:08.14
You see, friends, we have to
be willing to be uncomfortable,
00:39:08.18\00:39:10.25
and unmovable, because
the stage is set for the final
00:39:10.28\00:39:13.31
crisis to break upon us, and
it's going to be uncomfortable,
00:39:13.35\00:39:16.48
but in that moment God
wants us to be unmovable.
00:39:16.52\00:39:20.02
I'll never forget
going door to door.
00:39:20.06\00:39:24.19
A few years back we were
Colporteuring doing big books,
00:39:24.23\00:39:29.26
in a real bad city in
California; very dangerous city.
00:39:29.30\00:39:33.23
It was on a Sunday afternoon
that we were going door to door.
00:39:33.27\00:39:36.07
But it wasn't
an ordinary Sunday.
00:39:36.10\00:39:37.91
It was a very special
Sunday here in America.
00:39:37.94\00:39:40.11
It was Super Bowl Sunday.
00:39:40.14\00:39:42.74
During the game we're going
door to door because we knew
00:39:42.78\00:39:46.11
that everyone
would be home, right?
00:39:46.15\00:39:47.48
And we were facing
rejection, after rejection,
00:39:47.52\00:39:50.55
after rejection, but it didn't
matter because the sooner they
00:39:50.59\00:39:52.85
rejected us the quicker we
could go to the next house,
00:39:52.89\00:39:55.29
and find the person
that was interested.
00:39:55.32\00:39:57.26
And so we're heading down this
street, and on the other side
00:39:57.29\00:39:59.79
of the street we saw a group of
brothers in the garage watching
00:39:59.83\00:40:03.93
the football game; drinking
and partying, and what not.
00:40:03.97\00:40:06.47
And we knew that we're going
to head to that house soon.
00:40:06.50\00:40:09.27
And so as we're knocking on
the doors on one side of the
00:40:09.30\00:40:11.14
street, we're praying for those
brothers on the other side.
00:40:11.17\00:40:13.51
We crossed the street and now
their house is the next house.
00:40:13.54\00:40:17.18
They saw us
coming from the distance.
00:40:17.21\00:40:19.88
They knew what we were doing,
because they saw us walking
00:40:19.91\00:40:22.15
on the other side of the street.
00:40:22.18\00:40:23.59
So they knew that their
house was the next house.
00:40:23.62\00:40:26.45
So from a distance
they started shouting at us,
00:40:26.49\00:40:28.72
and yelling at us saying,
You don't want to come here.
00:40:28.76\00:40:30.99
We're not interested
in what you have to say.
00:40:31.03\00:40:32.79
Keep right on going!
00:40:32.83\00:40:34.16
You see the Devil did not
want me to go to that house,
00:40:34.20\00:40:36.23
because he knew that something
powerful was going to happen.
00:40:36.26\00:40:39.03
So I just made like I didn't
hear what they were saying,
00:40:39.07\00:40:41.40
and I just walked
right up to the garage;
00:40:41.44\00:40:43.07
right into their house.
00:40:43.10\00:40:44.44
And they couldn't believe that
I had the audacity to do that.
00:40:44.47\00:40:47.28
And so these 5 or 6 Hispanic
brothers started surrounding my
00:40:47.31\00:40:53.05
partner and I, and
they tried to intimidate us.
00:40:53.08\00:40:56.05
I mean they were drinking, they
were partying, and what not,
00:40:56.08\00:40:58.19
and one guy got in my face,
and started shouting at me.
00:40:58.22\00:41:01.72
And he was saying,
What are you doing?
00:41:01.76\00:41:03.59
You're wasting
your time out here.
00:41:03.63\00:41:04.99
When was the
last time you saw God?
00:41:05.03\00:41:07.33
How can you believe in this
that you've never seen before?
00:41:07.36\00:41:09.83
You know, it wasn't a
comfortable situation.
00:41:09.86\00:41:13.50
Alcoholic breath, spit flying
on me; it wasn't a pretty sight.
00:41:13.54\00:41:16.91
But, thank the Lord, I had good
devotions that morning, Amen?
00:41:16.94\00:41:19.54
And thank the Lord I
was prayed up that morning.
00:41:19.91\00:41:22.31
I had the armor of God.
00:41:22.34\00:41:23.81
And so, by God's grace, even
though it was uncomfortable,
00:41:23.85\00:41:26.58
I would not be moved.
00:41:26.61\00:41:27.95
I stood right there, because
this individual was asking
00:41:27.98\00:41:30.59
a very good question.
00:41:30.62\00:41:31.95
His question, When was
the last time you saw God?
00:41:31.99\00:41:34.89
How can you believe in
something that you cannot see?
00:41:34.92\00:41:36.89
Is that a good
question? Yes! Absolutely!
00:41:36.93\00:41:39.49
So I tried to answer,
but he wouldn't let me talk.
00:41:39.53\00:41:41.70
And so finally I
said, Hey, I have an answer.
00:41:41.73\00:41:43.57
Are you ready to hear it?
00:41:43.60\00:41:45.03
So he stopped talking.
00:41:45.07\00:41:46.77
And, by the way, my other
partner, I don't think he had
00:41:46.80\00:41:49.04
good devotions that morning,
because he started backing up.
00:41:49.07\00:41:52.91
Hey, you guys are
drunk! And he left me!
00:41:52.94\00:41:55.24
I was all by
myself, but I wasn't alone,
00:41:57.01\00:41:59.28
because God was with me, Amen?
00:41:59.31\00:42:00.98
The Bible says that God has
not given us the spirit of fear,
00:42:01.02\00:42:03.28
but power, love,
and a sound mind.
00:42:03.32\00:42:06.42
And so it was uncomfortable,
but I stood my ground.
00:42:06.45\00:42:09.52
And I tried to
answer the question.
00:42:09.56\00:42:11.16
And I finally said,
Hey, I have the answer.
00:42:11.19\00:42:12.79
He stopped talking long enough
for me to give the answer.
00:42:12.83\00:42:15.53
And I said, Let me answer
your question with a question.
00:42:15.56\00:42:18.57
That's a method of Christ.
00:42:18.60\00:42:19.93
Let me answer your
question with a question.
00:42:19.97\00:42:22.47
Have you ever seen
your brain before, I asked?
00:42:22.50\00:42:26.27
He was half drunk,
so he didn't know where
00:42:27.68\00:42:29.21
I was going with
this, so he said, No!
00:42:29.24\00:42:31.91
And I said, Oh, well how
do you know you have one then?
00:42:31.95\00:42:35.25
I got him thinking.
00:42:37.95\00:42:39.29
And I said, Have you
ever seen the wind before?
00:42:39.32\00:42:41.22
No, you can't see the wind, but
if you notice this tree right
00:42:41.26\00:42:43.29
here, it's moving
because the wind is blowing.
00:42:43.32\00:42:45.53
And I told him, I don't
believe in God because I've
00:42:45.56\00:42:47.50
seen Him with my eyes.
00:42:47.53\00:42:48.86
I believe in Him because He has
moved so beautifully in my life.
00:42:48.90\00:42:52.33
And I started sharing
my personal testimony;
00:42:53.00\00:42:55.24
how I used to be a
druggie, a pot head.
00:42:55.27\00:42:58.61
I was chasing the world,
and burning up my brain cells;
00:42:58.64\00:43:01.48
not caring about
anyone but myself.
00:43:01.51\00:43:03.24
And I shared with him
how the Lord had rescued me,
00:43:03.28\00:43:06.51
and made me free,
and that's the reason why
00:43:06.55\00:43:08.58
I was going door to door.
00:43:08.62\00:43:09.95
And as I was sharing
my testimony with him,
00:43:09.98\00:43:11.79
all of a sudden he said,
You know, I wish God would send
00:43:11.82\00:43:14.72
someone in my life to help
me stop doing what I'm doing.
00:43:14.76\00:43:17.73
I'm sick of my life!
00:43:17.76\00:43:19.09
When he said that,
tears filled his eyes.
00:43:20.50\00:43:24.63
He was a tough guy, but the Holy
Spirit was breaking him down.
00:43:24.67\00:43:29.10
He started to cry. Then he
ran away, because he didn't want
00:43:29.14\00:43:31.67
his friends to see
him crying, so he left.
00:43:31.71\00:43:33.94
And so I went after him.
00:43:33.98\00:43:36.34
And when I got to
where he was he said,
00:43:36.85\00:43:38.45
Why are you doing this man?
00:43:38.48\00:43:39.81
You're making me cry.
00:43:39.85\00:43:41.18
You're making me think.
00:43:41.22\00:43:42.55
Why are you doing this?
00:43:42.58\00:43:43.92
I said, I'm not doing anything.
00:43:43.95\00:43:45.29
Right now God is moving
on your heart, my friend.
00:43:45.32\00:43:46.65
And I started telling
him about the love of Jesus.
00:43:46.69\00:43:49.32
How Christ would
accept him just as he was,
00:43:49.36\00:43:53.63
but wouldn't
leave him as he was.
00:43:53.66\00:43:56.30
How Christ would win
the victory in his life.
00:43:56.33\00:43:58.57
He was listening,
and he received the book,
00:43:58.60\00:44:01.04
Steps to Christ. Amen?
00:44:01.07\00:44:03.37
Friends, in these last
days God is calling us to go out
00:44:04.31\00:44:06.57
of the comfort
zone for His cause.
00:44:06.61\00:44:08.24
There are souls all around
us that need to see the things
00:44:08.28\00:44:11.35
that we have seen, to
hear the things we have heard,
00:44:11.38\00:44:14.15
and to know the
great God that we know.
00:44:14.18\00:44:15.92
So let us go and make
Him known to others, Amen?
00:44:15.95\00:44:20.32
We must be
uncomfortable, and unmovable.
00:44:20.36\00:44:23.09
Because, friends, in these
last days, in this crisis hour,
00:44:23.12\00:44:27.00
our faith is going
to be severely tested
00:44:27.03\00:44:29.50
just like John the Baptist.
00:44:29.53\00:44:31.20
And if we have been
wearied with the footmen,
00:44:31.23\00:44:33.44
what are we going to
do when the horses come?
00:44:33.47\00:44:35.34
What are we going to do when the
time of trouble hits, friends?
00:44:35.37\00:44:37.71
We need to pray, Lord make
me uncomfortable in this world,
00:44:37.74\00:44:41.51
and unmovable in this walk.
00:44:41.54\00:44:44.08
Uncomfortable in the
world, unmovable in the walk.
00:44:44.11\00:44:48.68
And so that's what
Jesus said about John.
00:44:48.72\00:44:51.05
Then notice what
He said in verse 9.
00:44:51.09\00:44:52.59
Matthew 11:9. But what
went you out to see? A prophet?
00:44:52.62\00:44:59.23
yes, I say to you, and
what? more than a prophet.
00:44:59.26\00:45:02.56
Then jump down to verse 11.
00:45:02.60\00:45:04.63
Assuredly I say to you, Among
those born of women there is not
00:45:04.67\00:45:08.20
risen a greater than John the
Baptist: but he that is least
00:45:08.24\00:45:11.74
in the kingdom of
heaven is greater than he.
00:45:11.77\00:45:14.14
Friends, it's beautiful.
00:45:14.18\00:45:15.94
Here we find Jesus, God in the
flesh, giving a great stamp of
00:45:15.98\00:45:21.02
approval on the life of John.
00:45:21.05\00:45:22.48
He said that John is more than
a prophet, and there hasn't been
00:45:22.52\00:45:26.86
one greater than him.
00:45:26.89\00:45:28.82
Friends, as we contemplate
these words, this confirmation
00:45:28.86\00:45:34.23
of Christ, there's a strange
and disturbing dichotomy between
00:45:34.26\00:45:39.60
the life that Jesus
affirmed, and the death
00:45:39.63\00:45:43.47
that John experienced.
00:45:43.51\00:45:45.94
Because John the Baptist, we
know that the end of the story
00:45:45.97\00:45:49.51
was that he was in
a cold, dark dungeon,
00:45:49.54\00:45:52.95
in prison for
preaching the truth.
00:45:52.98\00:45:56.58
And I can imagine that as
John was in that dungeon cell,
00:45:56.62\00:46:00.26
he had to have been thinking
to himself, If Jesus came to
00:46:00.29\00:46:03.93
preach
deliverance to the captives,
00:46:03.96\00:46:05.96
why does He not set me free?
00:46:05.99\00:46:07.93
You see, John the Baptist
himself did not have a complete
00:46:07.96\00:46:13.27
understanding of
the Messiah's character.
00:46:13.30\00:46:16.04
And I could imagine
that his faith in that
00:46:16.07\00:46:18.77
dungeon cell was tested.
00:46:18.81\00:46:20.94
His faith faltered,
but it did not fail.
00:46:20.98\00:46:24.25
And what he experienced
is what we will experience
00:46:24.28\00:46:27.52
in these last days.
00:46:27.55\00:46:28.88
We're going to go through a
similar test; a time of shaking,
00:46:28.92\00:46:33.76
a time called the
time of Jacob's trouble.
00:46:33.79\00:46:36.83
It's our own personal Gethsemane
experience, where our will must
00:46:36.86\00:46:41.76
die so that God's
will can be accomplished.
00:46:41.80\00:46:44.33
It is the cross that
comes before the crown.
00:46:44.40\00:46:46.87
It is the crucifixion that
comes before the resurrection.
00:46:46.90\00:46:50.14
It's the rain that
precedes the rainbow.
00:46:50.17\00:46:52.37
It's the pit and the prison
before the heavenly palace.
00:46:52.41\00:46:55.74
It is the time that would
try our souls to the uttermost.
00:46:55.78\00:46:59.05
A time that we
will be forsaken of men,
00:46:59.08\00:47:01.75
and seemingly forgotten by God.
00:47:01.78\00:47:04.39
And perhaps you're
there right now today.
00:47:04.45\00:47:07.52
Perhaps you've
already been in that shaking,
00:47:07.56\00:47:10.59
testing experience.
00:47:10.63\00:47:12.66
Maybe you're experiencing,
this morning, a major health
00:47:12.69\00:47:15.63
issue that is
draining the hope out of you.
00:47:15.66\00:47:18.90
Perhaps you feel
crushed by an overwhelming debt.
00:47:18.93\00:47:21.94
You have school loans to repay.
00:47:21.97\00:47:23.91
Your house has
gone into foreclosure.
00:47:23.97\00:47:26.04
You don't know how you're going
to provide for your family.
00:47:26.07\00:47:28.74
Or maybe you're a young person,
and your parents have gone
00:47:28.81\00:47:31.48
through, or are going
through, a devastating divorce.
00:47:31.51\00:47:34.32
And you're
confused, and you're angry.
00:47:34.35\00:47:36.69
Maybe your
friends have betrayed you,
00:47:36.72\00:47:38.72
and your fiancé
has walked out on you.
00:47:38.75\00:47:40.69
Maybe your spouse has
left you for somebody else,
00:47:40.72\00:47:43.32
your children disrespecting you.
00:47:43.36\00:47:45.13
Your parents have forsaken you,
or maybe there's a loved one
00:47:45.16\00:47:48.70
that's abusing you, and you're
in that cold, dark dungeon
00:47:48.73\00:47:52.23
like John the Baptist was.
00:47:52.27\00:47:53.64
And you're asking
the question, Why?
00:47:53.67\00:47:55.27
And as you pray it seems like
heaven is deaf to your cries.
00:47:55.30\00:47:59.57
Such was the
situation of John the Baptist.
00:47:59.61\00:48:03.78
How can one called so great be
left to perish in a cold, dark
00:48:03.81\00:48:09.72
dungeon all by himself?
00:48:09.75\00:48:11.09
How can one that was
so affirmed by Christ
00:48:11.12\00:48:13.66
be left to lose his head?
00:48:13.69\00:48:15.42
Well friends, the key is
this: even though John was by
00:48:15.46\00:48:20.83
himself, he wasn't alone.
00:48:20.86\00:48:22.20
It only seemed that way.
00:48:22.23\00:48:25.20
The book, The
Desire of Ages, 224 says,
00:48:25.23\00:48:27.77
And so, my brothers, and my
sisters, if you find yourself
00:48:46.25\00:48:49.72
all by yourself,
remember that you are not alone;
00:48:49.76\00:48:52.16
That God is with
us to the very end.
00:48:52.19\00:48:55.50
God is with us in the prison,
and in the pit, the same way
00:48:55.53\00:48:59.80
He's with us in the
pew, and in the pulpit.
00:48:59.83\00:49:02.44
God is always there, even though
we don't feel like He's there.
00:49:02.47\00:49:06.14
He is our shining light when
we're surrounded by darkness.
00:49:06.17\00:49:09.31
Our God is our
faithful friend when all
00:49:09.34\00:49:11.55
others have forsaken us.
00:49:11.58\00:49:12.91
He is our saving
shield when we're being
00:49:12.95\00:49:14.92
attacked from all sides.
00:49:14.95\00:49:16.32
He's our compassionate
comforter when we've
00:49:16.35\00:49:18.32
got no one to turn to.
00:49:18.35\00:49:19.69
He is our living bread
when we have nothing to eat,
00:49:19.72\00:49:21.72
our living water when
we're dying of thirst.
00:49:21.76\00:49:23.73
He is our healing balm
when we've been wounded by sin.
00:49:23.76\00:49:26.90
He is our lifeguard when we're
being pulled down by the strong
00:49:26.93\00:49:30.07
currents of our
own sinful flesh.
00:49:30.10\00:49:32.13
He is our guiding
compass when we've lost our way,
00:49:32.17\00:49:35.07
and have no one to turn to.
00:49:35.10\00:49:36.50
He is our stable voice
when we've lost all words,
00:49:36.54\00:49:40.01
and when we
don't know what to say.
00:49:40.04\00:49:41.84
He is our solidifying
purpose when we have no
00:49:41.88\00:49:45.28
other reason to live.
00:49:45.31\00:49:46.65
He is our solid rock
when all the foundations
00:49:46.68\00:49:49.02
have been washed away.
00:49:49.05\00:49:50.39
He is our breath of
life when we're drowning
00:49:50.42\00:49:52.32
in discouragement and despair.
00:49:52.35\00:49:54.16
He is, friends, the great I Am,
not the I was, or the I will be.
00:49:54.19\00:49:58.86
The great I Am,
that's present tense.
00:49:58.89\00:50:01.93
The one that is with us
in every single situation,
00:50:01.96\00:50:04.77
in every single difficulty,
the present tense God,
00:50:04.80\00:50:07.60
our ever present
help in time of need.
00:50:07.64\00:50:10.37
And friends, if there was ever
a time that we needed the Lord,
00:50:10.41\00:50:12.91
we sure do need Him now.
00:50:12.94\00:50:15.54
How many of you need Jesus?
00:50:15.58\00:50:18.11
He is the I Am.
You fill in the blank.
00:50:18.15\00:50:22.38
Whatever you
need Him to be; I Am.
00:50:22.42\00:50:26.59
He is our friend when we
don't have any more friends,
00:50:26.62\00:50:30.13
our shelter when
we're homeless, our bread
00:50:30.19\00:50:33.70
when we have nothing to eat.
00:50:33.73\00:50:35.06
How many of you are
thankful for Jesus, Amen?
00:50:35.10\00:50:36.43
I want you to notice, trials
will come, so let it come.
00:50:36.46\00:50:41.67
But here's what God says:
in the book The Desire of Ages,
00:50:41.70\00:50:44.64
page 24. We're almost finished.
00:50:44.67\00:50:46.34
It says this: Oh,
I love this passage.
00:50:46.37\00:50:48.71
It's in the context of
death of John the Baptist.
00:50:48.74\00:50:51.21
It says: God never leads
His children otherwise than they
00:50:51.25\00:50:58.45
would choose to be led...
00:50:58.52\00:50:59.85
We're in The
Desire of Ages, page 224.
00:50:59.89\00:51:01.92
...if they could see
the end from the beginning,
00:51:01.96\00:51:04.93
and discern the glory of
the purpose which they are
00:51:04.96\00:51:09.00
fulfilling as
co-workers with Him.
00:51:09.03\00:51:11.00
Did you catch that?
00:51:11.03\00:51:12.37
God never leads us otherwise
than we would choose to be led,
00:51:12.40\00:51:17.14
if we could see the end
from the beginning like He does.
00:51:17.17\00:51:19.91
In other words, if you're going
through something this morning,
00:51:19.94\00:51:22.84
and you'd rather not go through
it, well friends, if you knew
00:51:22.88\00:51:25.61
what God is going to bring out
of that situation, you would be,
00:51:25.65\00:51:28.38
Yes, I want to go
through this situation.
00:51:28.42\00:51:30.29
And then it says, Not Enoch,
who was translated to heaven,
00:51:32.99\00:51:37.43
not Elijah, who ascended in the
chariot of fire, was greater or
00:51:37.46\00:51:42.50
more honored
than John the Baptist,
00:51:42.53\00:51:45.50
who perished
alone in the dungeon.
00:51:45.53\00:51:48.44
You have Enoch,
Elijah, and John the Baptist.
00:51:48.47\00:51:51.71
Which one do you want to be?
00:51:51.74\00:51:53.88
We want to be like
Enoch, isn't that right?
00:51:53.91\00:51:56.95
Translated without seeing death.
00:51:56.98\00:51:59.45
Oh we don't mind
being like Elijah,
00:51:59.48\00:52:01.18
caught up in
that chariot of fire.
00:52:01.22\00:52:03.95
But to be like John
the Baptist in the dungeon,
00:52:03.99\00:52:07.62
normally that's not our
first choice, isn't that right?
00:52:07.66\00:52:10.59
But it says here that Elijah
and Enoch were not more honored
00:52:10.63\00:52:14.76
than John the Baptist,
even though he lost his
00:52:14.80\00:52:17.50
head in the
dungeon. And then it says:
00:52:17.53\00:52:20.04
My friends, come
what may, God is with us.
00:52:40.69\00:52:46.49
He is always faithful.
00:52:46.53\00:52:48.46
His presence will go with us.
00:52:48.50\00:52:50.67
His love will embrace us.
00:52:50.70\00:52:52.87
His grace will sustain us.
00:52:52.90\00:52:55.00
His mighty arm will protect us.
00:52:55.07\00:52:57.57
And if we perish
alone in the dungeon,
00:52:57.61\00:53:01.11
His voice will resurrect us.
00:53:01.14\00:53:05.01
And so don't worry,
friends, about being great
00:53:05.05\00:53:08.18
in the sight of the world, but
great in the sight of the Lord.
00:53:08.22\00:53:14.19
And now as we
conclude, What makes us great?
00:53:14.22\00:53:19.33
Three things: 1. What
we say about ourselves.
00:53:19.36\00:53:24.43
He must
increase, we must decrease.
00:53:24.47\00:53:28.74
2. What we say about Jesus.
00:53:28.77\00:53:32.24
He's not only the Lamb,
He's also the bridegroom.
00:53:32.27\00:53:36.14
And 3. What Jesus says about
us: unmovable, and uncomfortable
00:53:36.18\00:53:42.85
for the sake of Christ.
00:53:42.88\00:53:44.69
How many of you want to be that
voice crying in the wilderness
00:53:44.72\00:53:48.16
to prepare the way of the Lord?
00:53:48.22\00:53:51.29
My last verse, John 1:37, is I
believe the greatest compliment
00:53:51.33\00:53:59.27
that can be said
concerning God's people.
00:53:59.30\00:54:02.97
It was said of John,
may it be said of us.
00:54:03.00\00:54:06.57
John 1:37, the Bible says:
And the two disciples heard him
00:54:06.61\00:54:15.08
speak... Referring
to John the Baptist.
00:54:15.12\00:54:18.32
They heard John speak.
00:54:18.35\00:54:20.32
They heard that voice
crying in the wilderness.
00:54:20.36\00:54:22.86
And what did they do
when they heard the voice?
00:54:22.92\00:54:25.39
It says,...and
they followed Jesus.
00:54:25.43\00:54:30.27
They did not follow the
man, they followed the Lamb.
00:54:30.30\00:54:35.94
That's the greatest thing,
compliment that can be said,
00:54:35.97\00:54:39.34
concerning God's voices.
00:54:39.37\00:54:40.71
They heard us speak,
and they followed Jesus.
00:54:40.74\00:54:44.88
May that be said of us.
00:54:44.91\00:54:46.75
May that be said of you.
00:54:46.78\00:54:49.08
How many of you want to have
that experience that when people
00:54:49.12\00:54:52.12
hear us speak they follow Jesus?
00:54:52.15\00:54:56.12
Friends, it's been a pleasure
sharing this time with you
00:54:56.16\00:54:59.89
in these past few days.
00:54:59.93\00:55:01.26
As we face a brand new
year, with brand new challenges,
00:55:01.30\00:55:04.30
and brand new victories, let
us never forget that we've been
00:55:04.33\00:55:08.80
called, we've been chosen.
00:55:08.84\00:55:11.14
By God's grace
let us be faithful.
00:55:11.17\00:55:14.58
And if I never see you again,
if we never meet each other
00:55:14.61\00:55:19.18
again in this world, by God's
grace let us commit this morning
00:55:19.21\00:55:24.69
that we will meet again
in God's eternal kingdom.
00:55:24.72\00:55:28.32
Because they that
are with Him are called,
00:55:28.36\00:55:31.53
and chosen, and are faithful.
00:55:31.56\00:55:32.89
Are you going to be there?
00:55:32.93\00:55:34.26
Let's pray that
we will all be there.
00:55:34.30\00:55:37.93
And let us close this morning.
00:55:37.97\00:55:40.34
Father in Heaven, thank You so
much dear God, for Your amazing
00:55:40.37\00:55:48.58
grace, Your marvelous mercy,
for calling us, for choosing us
00:55:48.61\00:55:56.79
even when we did not choose You.
00:55:56.82\00:56:00.32
Lord forgive us for using
our voices for our own gain,
00:56:00.36\00:56:06.06
for our own glory.
00:56:06.09\00:56:07.93
Lord make us
like John the Baptist,
00:56:07.96\00:56:12.17
more so make us like Jesus.
00:56:12.23\00:56:15.40
Make us Your voice
that proclaims Your Word,
00:56:15.44\00:56:19.67
that points people to
the Lamb that died for us,
00:56:19.71\00:56:23.91
and the bridegroom
that's returning for us.
00:56:23.95\00:56:27.42
We thank You so much for the
experience we've had together.
00:56:27.48\00:56:31.29
Bless us as we get
ready to depart today.
00:56:31.32\00:56:34.59
As we descend from this mountain
top experience, as we go to the
00:56:34.62\00:56:39.13
valley's below where people are
dying, Lord may we be the light,
00:56:39.19\00:56:43.67
make us the light of the world.
00:56:43.70\00:56:46.17
And Father, as we are about
to experience a great time of
00:56:46.20\00:56:51.87
trouble, give us Your
faithfulness, and help us to
00:56:51.91\00:56:57.55
trust in Your faithfulness.
00:56:57.58\00:57:00.25
Thank You for
hearing this prayer.
00:57:00.28\00:57:02.38
In Jesus' name we pray.
00:57:02.42\00:57:04.52
Let all of God's
children say Amen, Amen.
00:57:04.55\00:57:10.66