Participants: Jelena Shipton
Series Code: 15WAC
Program Code: 15WAC000002
|
00:16 Would you like to bow your heads with me for prayer?
00:20 Dear Jesus, thank You so much, 00:22 that we have the privilege of having so much truth, 00:26 more than humanity has had at any time in history. 00:30 Please make the soil of our hearts good soil. 00:34 May this message be tailored to meet the needs 00:36 of every single person here this morning 00:40 that they may have the privilege 00:41 of hearing a word from You. 00:42 You promised in Deuteronomy 6:6 that, 00:46 these words, which are commanded this day, 00:48 shall be in your heart. 00:50 So You do have a word for us every single day 00:52 and may our hearts be ready to receive it. 00:55 I ask for the power of Your Holy Spirit. 00:59 And I thank You that I know You will answer this prayer, 01:01 for Your namesake, amen. 01:05 So the message that I'm sharing with you this morning 01:08 is titled, "If You Want to Grow, Then Go!" 01:13 So, If You Want to Grow, Then Go! 01:17 The great commission in Matthew 28:19, 01:21 you don't need to turn there for this verse, 01:24 but Jesus said, "Go therefore, and make disciples." 01:28 And so the premise of our devotion this morning 01:32 is that if we want to grow spiritually, 01:35 if we want to increase, then outreach service to others 01:41 is one of the best ways to grow spiritually. 01:43 So if you want to grow, then go. 01:47 It's the cure for spiritual stagnation. 01:49 It's the cure for wealthiness, for selfishness, 01:52 for whatever things we struggle within our life. 01:55 Jesus promised in Luke 6:38, 01:57 "Give and it shall be given unto you." 02:01 So as we put ourselves in the service of Jesus 02:04 and we go, as we start making sacrifices, 02:09 reaching out to others, serving, 02:11 emptying ourselves, then Jesus fills us again. 02:16 So give and it shall be given unto you. 02:19 And so we'll see that, 02:20 as we look at what the Bible has to say. 02:24 If you'd like to turn with me to James 5:7, 02:27 one of the theme verses for this conference as well. 02:31 So James 5:7. 02:40 And in James 5:7 it says, 02:44 "Therefore be patient, brethren, 02:46 until the coming of the Lord. 02:48 See how the farmer waits 02:50 for the precious fruit of the earth, 02:53 waiting patiently for it 02:54 until it receives the early and the latter rain." 02:59 Okay, so this is one of my favorite verses. 03:04 Who's the farmer? What do you think? 03:07 Feel free to answer, I'll say your answer as well 03:10 so everyone else can hear. 03:11 Who do you think the farmer is? 03:14 Who's the farmer who's waiting 03:16 for the precious fruit of the earth? 03:19 Jesus Christ, absolutely. 03:20 And there are many other verses to support this. 03:23 For the sake of time we won't look there now. 03:25 So Jesus is the farmer and we are His precious fruit. 03:29 And He is waiting for us 03:32 until we receive the early and the latter rain. 03:36 The early rain, and we'll hear more about this tonight, 03:38 the early rain was obviously 03:40 when the Christian church started with power, 03:42 when it spread through the whole known world 03:45 in just a few decades. 03:47 The latter rain, is what we believe 03:49 is yet to come and soon to come and that will be, 03:52 you know, the closing of the work. 03:55 Something that I found interesting is when, 03:58 not being from a farming background myself, 04:00 someone told me that the latter rain 04:03 is the rain that comes at the end of the harvest. 04:06 So the crops are almost ready but they're not quite ripe. 04:10 So the latter rain is primarily to help the crop to mature, 04:15 to reach maturity, to be ripe. 04:19 And so even though we know from Spirit of Prophesy 04:21 that there will be many new converts, 04:24 new believers at the time of the latter rain, 04:27 I believe its primary purpose will be to help 04:30 believers reach spiritual maturity. 04:33 To grow up into Jesus Christ, to grow up into perfection, 04:36 and when I say perfection, I mean spiritual maturity. 04:41 To be able to fulfill the promise 04:44 which Jesus said in John 14:12, "He who believes on me, 04:49 the works that I do shall he do also, 04:51 and greater works than these shall he do 04:54 because I go unto my Father." 04:56 If Jesus is saying this it means it's possible. 05:00 It means it's possible for us to do the same works 05:03 that Jesus did when He was on this earth. 05:05 And He said even greater. Why greater? 05:08 Well, because there's more of us, 05:10 we'll spread across the whole world. 05:13 Imagine being able to do what Jesus did, 05:14 to be teaching, preaching, healing, 05:18 to be so committed to serving others, 05:21 so selflessly serving. 05:24 I know I haven't reached that stage in my life yet. 05:26 When I look at the ministry of Jesus, of Paul, 05:28 I know there is so much further to go 05:31 when it comes to self sacrifice 05:33 and unselfish service to others. 05:36 So if we're talking about spiritual growth, 05:39 what are we trying to grow into? 05:41 Jesus is the goal, the very highest you can go, 05:44 that's the high ideal that we have. 05:47 I'd like to share one of my favorite quotes 05:51 and it's from Great Controversy page 611 and 612 05:56 and listen carefully to this, Ellen White said, 05:59 "The great work of the gospel is not to close with less power 06:04 than marked its opening. 06:07 The prophecies which were fulfilled 06:10 in the outpouring of the early rain, 06:12 at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled 06:16 at the time of the latter rain. 06:18 Servants of God, with their faces lighted up 06:21 and shining with holy consecration, 06:23 will hasten from place to place 06:25 proclaiming the message from heaven. 06:28 By thousands of voices, all over the earth, 06:31 the warning will be given." 06:33 What warning? 06:35 That it's the time of judgment and that Jesus is soon to come. 06:40 "Miracles will be wrought, the sick healed, 06:43 signs and wonders will follow the believers. 06:47 Satan will also work with lying wonders, 06:49 even bringing down fire from heaven 06:51 in the sight of men. 06:52 Revelation 13:13, references that. 06:56 Thus the inhabitants of the earth 06:58 will be brought to make a stand." 07:01 Okay. 07:03 Do you long for this? 07:05 When you hear this quote, 07:07 are you hungry for that to be fulfilled? 07:12 Do you know people in your life who need miracles and healings? 07:16 Do you need God's healing power in your life? 07:20 Do you know people with needs? 07:22 As you look at the wider world, you know, the news, 07:25 but also in our very lucky country 07:27 that we live in, Australia, 07:30 one of the best places in the world. 07:34 But even in this country, do you know people 07:36 who have problems and great needs? 07:40 Do you know people who need Jesus? 07:43 I do. 07:45 I know so many people and as I'll share today, 07:51 as I've given myself to Jesus, 07:53 I've had the privilege of being a channel of His truth 07:56 and mercy to others, 07:57 but I know that it's just been a few drops 08:00 compared to the ocean that is out there. 08:03 And I believe you're here today 08:04 because you are longing to, to a far greater degree, 08:08 be a channel of God's power, transforming power, 08:12 to help people who have such great needs, 08:14 maybe for physical healing, for character transformation. 08:19 There are so many, you know, 08:22 it's not just physical health, mental health 08:24 is such a big problem in our society today. 08:26 People are lacking peace and joy in their life. 08:31 They're struggling with addictions of all kinds. 08:35 People really need Jesus in our society, so much. 08:39 Okay, so I know you're here today 08:42 because you do want to grow, you want to increase. 08:44 I know that you share the same hunger 08:46 that I have in my heart for greater things 08:49 than we've ever seen before. 08:51 And so to see how we can have that process, 08:54 that growth in our life, 08:57 I'd like you to turn to 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1, 08:59 it will also be up on the screen. 09:01 Just because I've highlighted certain words, 09:03 this is our key text for today. 09:05 So 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, this passage is one, 09:12 when I first saw it I didn't think much of it, 09:15 I sort of just read Paul's greeting to the church 09:17 and kind of skimmed through this. 09:21 But I've come to see through, 09:22 mainly though doing fast discipleship, 09:26 which is organized by Dan Vis, 09:27 hands up if you've ever done fast discipleship. 09:31 Well, you must check out the website 09:33 www.fast.st, very simple, fast.st. 09:39 It's an excellent discipleship program 09:41 and through Dan Vis 09:43 I was able to see this passage in a new light 09:46 and for what it actually is saying. 09:48 So let's read together. 09:49 "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, 09:52 but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit 09:55 and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men 09:59 we were among you for your sake. 10:02 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, 10:04 having received the word in much affliction, 10:07 with joy of the Holy Spirit, 10:09 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia 10:14 who believe. 10:15 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, 10:19 not only in Macedonia and Achaia, 10:21 but also in every place. 10:23 Your faith toward God has gone out, 10:25 so that we do not need to say anything. 10:28 For they themselves declare concerning you 10:30 what manner of entry we had to you, 10:32 and how you turned to God from idols 10:37 to serve the living and true God, 10:41 and to wait for His Son from heaven, 10:43 whom He raised from the dead, 10:44 even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." 10:50 All right, so when we look at this passage, 10:54 I want to first have a look at what 10:55 Paul and his co-laborers did. 11:00 So what was their responsibility? 11:02 What were they doing? You can see the words in blue. 11:06 What is Paul giving them? 11:09 Feel free to call out. 11:11 So what is he giving them? 11:14 So his responsibility is preaching the gospel, 11:18 the words of the gospel, is that all? 11:23 What else? 11:25 So the power of the Holy Spirit, 11:27 it's not just words, 11:28 the power of the Holy Spirit is present in Paul's life, 11:31 in his preaching. 11:33 And then you have also one more thing, 11:35 "what kind of men we were among you for your sakes." 11:38 Which sort of gives a hint that 11:42 they were very positive examples. 11:43 So it's not just their preaching 11:45 when they were away from the pulpit, 11:48 if you like, they had a sermon, 11:52 they were preaching a sermon with their life. 11:54 That was their responsibility. 11:56 We are the living word to you, 11:58 Thessalonian people, Paul saying, you know, 12:01 we're the living word with what we're preaching, 12:04 with the presence of the Holy Spirit 12:05 which is with us and the example of that life 12:09 as we're spending time with you in your homes, in your city. 12:14 That's a pretty big responsibility, isn't it? 12:17 They're doing a lot, it doesn't sound like 12:18 they're just giving an hour a week, does it? 12:21 Sounds like a pretty big sacrifice, 12:23 I mean, time commitment. 12:26 And one of my favorite verses is in 1 Corinthians 11:1, 12:30 where Paul says, 12:32 "Be followers of me, as I am of Christ." 12:37 And that is such a powerful verse. 12:39 Imagine being able to say, 12:41 follow my example just like I'm following Jesus. 12:44 So I'm so closely walking behind Jesus 12:47 that if you walk in my footsteps, 12:50 you are following Jesus. 12:53 And obviously he's not talking about, 12:56 you know, putting man instead of God, 12:59 but just that mature Christians 13:02 should be such a powerful positive example, 13:04 that they can be doing the works of Christ, 13:07 and can be such an amazing example. 13:10 Now that was Paul's responsibility. 13:12 What about the Thessalonians? 13:14 What were they, if you look at the green writing, 13:16 what were they expected to do 13:18 at this first stage or first phase? 13:23 Yep, they're receiving, they're listening, 13:26 and they start to follow. 13:28 Okay. 13:29 And we know that it says in 1 Peter 2:2, 13:34 Peter talks about how, 13:36 when you first accept the gospel, 13:38 you receive it, you start following, 13:41 you're a new born baby. 13:44 It's his desire the pure milk of the Word 13:46 that you may grow by it. 13:50 I've got a six month old baby and I actually was thinking, 13:53 when she was born, I have a five year old as well, 13:57 she's five tomorrow, and basically I'd forgotten 14:00 what having a baby was like. 14:02 The sleep deprivation was incredible. 14:06 And if-- I've only got two kids 14:07 so anyone out there with you know, more than two, 14:10 yes in a few decades you'll be able to sleep again. 14:13 But anyhow, I was amazed how dependant this baby is. 14:18 I felt like saying can't you change your own nappy? 14:21 Can't you just get your own milk? 14:23 Oh, that's right, you can't. 14:24 You know, they literally can't do 14:25 anything for themselves, almost nothing. 14:29 Wouldn't it be ridiculous to expect 14:30 a new born baby to look after itself? 14:34 And yet, that is what we do 14:36 when someone starts to follow Christ. 14:39 They get baptized and we leave them, 14:41 as if their spiritual growth, their spiritual journey 14:44 has finished, rather than just begun. 14:48 Okay. 14:49 If we keep reading, the 7, it says that with that 14:54 continued investment in their spiritual growth, 14:57 it says they became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia. 15:02 So now just like Paul, who said, you know, 15:06 you know what kind of people 15:07 we were among you, for your sakes. 15:10 Just like Paul, they also are examples now. 15:13 So now they're becoming disciples, 15:15 they're living examples of God's principles. 15:18 Isn't that awesome? 15:20 And if we keep reading in verse 8, 15:23 the words that are in red, 15:25 what do we have them doing now? 15:28 Are they just-- so they're being examples, 15:31 they're obeying God, they're learning 15:35 to have God's principles as part of their life. 15:39 But when you look at the writing in red, 15:40 what have they progressed to now? 15:43 Sharing, absolutely. 15:45 So from you the Word of God has sounded forth, 15:48 everywhere, to the whole world. 15:51 And Paul says now, 15:52 I don't need to say anything, my work is done. 15:56 Isn't that amazing? 15:57 That was what made the gospel so powerful, 16:01 in the time of the early rain. 16:03 That it wasn't-- I know Paul was a superstar, 16:07 he was amazing, he was such, such a close picture of Jesus 16:13 and Jesus' selfless ministry. 16:15 But the point is, Paul didn't take the gospel 16:18 to the whole world single-handedly, 16:20 he helped disciple people 16:22 who could then do the same work he did. 16:25 And he didn't have to say anything anymore, 16:26 they were not dependant on him 16:27 to preach to them every Sabbath. 16:30 They could do it. 16:32 They were independent workers for Christ. 16:36 So that we do not need to say anything 16:38 because everyone can see 16:40 that the Thessalonians have turned from their idols 16:43 and now they serve the living God. 16:48 And so based on this verse, 16:54 if we could-- I'll actually ask you to look up one more verse, 16:57 sorry, 1 Thessalonians 3, 17:00 so just two chapters over, and verse 8-10. 17:04 So yes, they were now independent workers, 17:08 they were mature workers for God, 17:11 but did Paul leave them even then? 17:15 Let's have a look. 17:16 In 1 Thessalonians 3:8-10, it says, Paul says, 17:21 "For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 17:25 For what thanks can we render to God for you, 17:28 for all the joy with which we rejoice 17:30 for your sake before our God, 17:32 night and day praying exceedingly 17:35 that we may see your face 17:37 and perfect what is lacking in your faith?" 17:40 So Paul is saying, for now we live, 17:42 for now I live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 17:47 So Paul is saying, my reason for living, 17:50 for being on this planet is to make sure 17:55 that you stay on the path that you've started. 17:58 Yes, your mature worker is for Christ now, 17:59 but the journey is not over. 18:02 The Bible is full of sad cases of people 18:05 who were fully converted and fell away. 18:09 Think of the story of Saul. He was so humble. 18:13 He didn't even want to be king, 18:14 he was hiding behind, you know, some material, don't pick me. 18:18 Until later he was willing to, 18:20 you know, destroy God's own priests, 18:24 so he could keep his crown. 18:26 So just because you've started on a good path, 18:27 and I even a mature worker for God, 18:30 we've still got to make it to the end. 18:33 And you can see Paul didn't just say, 18:35 oh, my work is done. 18:36 His heart had been-- 18:37 and time had been invested in those people 18:39 and he could no more forget about them 18:42 than I can forget about my own children 18:45 night and day praying exceedingly for them, 18:48 longing to see them again. 18:50 Have we done that? 18:51 Have we invested spiritually in people to the point 18:53 where they are never far from our heart and thoughts? 18:59 And in another place in Thessalonians, 19:01 the reference escapes me, 19:02 Paul says what is our crown, what is our joy, 19:05 what is our hope to see you 19:07 in the presence of Jesus, at His coming. 19:09 That was why he was on this earth. 19:12 Everything else was secondary. 19:14 His tent making job, obviously and his leisure time 19:18 and everything else he did was just a, 19:21 you know, a very distant number two on the list. 19:26 So let's see what we can learn from the Thessalonians. 19:29 Would you like to follow the same path in your life? 19:34 And I, I've grown up in the church 19:36 and you know, when I see in the New Testament, 19:37 it didn't take that long for people 19:39 to become mature workers. 19:42 Jesus spent a few years with the disciples 19:44 and even while He was discipling them, 19:46 and they were not quite there yet, 19:48 He was still sending them out. 19:51 Paul was teaching at the school in Tyrannus 19:54 I think it is, forgive my pronunciation, 19:56 he was teaching for about two years, 19:58 so it shouldn't take that long 20:01 to go from a new born baby to a worker for Christ. 20:06 Especially because the biblical principle 20:08 is that as soon as you start to believe in Jesus, 20:11 you can start witnessing for Him, 20:13 even when you're a new born baby. 20:15 Just like the woman at the well, 20:16 you can share what Jesus has done for you 20:18 if you have allowed Him to do something for you. 20:21 If there's something He's saved you from, 20:23 helped you in-- helped you within your life, 20:26 you can share it. 20:27 And as you share, you'll grow. 20:30 As you give, more will be given, 20:32 and so you'll grow and the more you share, 20:35 the more you'll get and the faster you will grow. 20:38 And so we don't need to be for decades, 20:42 being new born babies and stagnating spiritually. 20:46 Basically, when we look at the Thessalonians, 20:49 we can see that they turn from idols to God. 20:53 And so today, I really want to make two, 20:56 just two main points and that is, 20:59 we need to turn from our idols, to let God be God. 21:03 God is either God of all or not at all. 21:07 And the second point is to serve, to give, 21:09 that we may continue growing. 21:11 And if we are already mature workers for Christ, 21:14 I'm sure that we can sacrifice and give more, 21:17 I'm sure that we can't say, 21:19 yes, I'm at the point where Paul was, 21:22 or I'm at the point where Jesus was today. 21:24 I mean, we're gonna keep growing more 21:25 to be like Jesus in eternity. 21:27 So I'm pretty sure we haven't arrived now, today. 21:30 So those are the two main points. 21:33 The Thessalonians grew 21:34 because they turned from idols to God 21:36 and everyone could see it. 21:38 Their families, their neighbors, 21:40 their workmates, they saw a change. 21:43 And secondly, they were sharing, 21:46 sharing and therefore growing. 21:49 Idols, we don't have idols of wood and stone and gold today. 21:54 What is an idol? 21:56 A common definition is something 21:58 that takes the place of God in our life, 22:00 the role that God is meant to have in your life. 22:03 So I'd like you to help me out, 22:05 what is the role of God in your life? 22:11 What has He done for you? 22:12 Tell me, and I'll repeat what you say, your answers. 22:15 What has God done in your life for you? 22:23 Okay, so He's the one who's in control. 22:26 You obey Him. He gives you peace. 22:32 He gives peace, He gives me happiness, 22:36 I feel so happy when I spend time with God. 22:40 He gives me a sense of purpose in life. 22:44 That's the reason why I'm on this earth. 22:45 He gives me direction. 22:46 I'm on this earth because of God. 22:48 Okay, comfort, life. 22:53 I like-- and I like that someone said comfort, 22:55 so in hard times we turn to Him. 22:58 And we could keep going. 23:00 And what is our role towards God? 23:01 What are we meant to give to God? 23:03 We did mention obedience, what else? 23:06 Our heart, our lives, and that includes our time, 23:12 our thoughts, our conversation, 23:14 our time, money, our love. 23:19 What was that? Our service, absolutely. 23:23 So that's, that's the list 23:25 and I know we could keep going as well. 23:27 So if you have an idol instead of God, 23:30 that means that you turn to that 23:34 when you're feeling low, as you escape. 23:39 You turn to that for purpose in life. 23:44 That's why I exist, that's what I'm planning for, 23:46 that's what I'm giving my time and money for, 23:48 that's what I talk about that's what I think about. 23:51 Okay. Idol can be anything. 23:54 You know, when you're feeling low 23:55 you can turn to alcohol 23:58 or entertainment or just something 24:00 that's like a band aid on an amputated limb. 24:04 That's what it is. 24:05 And it's in-- I think in my own life 24:07 it's an insult to God 24:09 that I turn towards things that can't help me. 24:13 And I'm sad to say I've done it so many times. 24:18 And God is merciful, that's why I'm here today. 24:21 But let's not waste any more time. 24:25 Those idols can't help us, they can't hear us, 24:29 they can't give us a sense of purpose 24:30 and direction in life. 24:32 And Jesus wants us to turn to Him. 24:37 And that should be our focus. 24:38 I spent many years trying to fight those idols 24:41 and they just keep creeping back. 24:43 Our focus should be looking at Jesus, okay. 24:48 In Romans 14:12 it says, 24:49 "Be not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." 24:54 So crowd out those idols in your life with the truth. 24:58 If there's some habits you struggle with, 25:01 don't focus on doing that less, 25:03 focus on reading the Bible more, 25:05 on praying more, just crowd out the idols 25:08 until God helps you to start seeing how, 25:12 how weak and petty and ridiculous 25:14 they are compared to the grand, 25:17 amazing plan He has for your life. 25:21 In Hebrews 12:2 it says, well, in Hebrews 12:1, 2 25:24 it says you know, we're surrounded by witnesses, 25:28 the people around us, the universe 25:30 and I know you know that and that like me 25:32 you probably are frustrated sometimes with yourself like, 25:35 oh, I want to represent Christ better, 25:37 because people really need Him, the need to know about Him. 25:42 But you won't ever find the strength inside yourself, 25:45 and that's why I love Hebrews 12:1, 2 where it says, 25:47 you know, there's witnesses around us, 25:49 we need to shake off those idols and sins. 25:52 How? 25:54 Verse 2 gives us the answer, by looking unto Jesus, 25:57 the author and finisher of our faith, 25:59 who for the joy that was set before Him, 26:01 endured the cross, despising the shame, 26:04 and is now sat down at the right hand 26:06 of the throne of the Father. 26:08 So how will we overcome those things in our life? 26:11 By looking at Jesus and specifically 26:14 how He on the cross endured it 26:16 because of the joy that was set before Him. 26:19 The joy, that He knew people 26:22 would be saved one day in heaven 26:23 because of what He was doing. 26:26 And so as we look at Jesus and His sacrifice, 26:29 our hearts will be warmed and we'll be motivated 26:31 to make more sacrifices to be cured from selfishness 26:34 and our wealthiness and whatever idols we have. 26:37 Because we know that if we make that sacrifice, 26:40 we'll have the joy too, that Jesus has, 26:43 of want to seeing people in heaven because of us. 26:47 And how can a few moments of sinful pleasure compare 26:52 to an eternity of joy that we will have. 26:56 And that's obviously overlooking the fact 26:58 that serving others gives us joy even in this life, 27:01 filled with uncertainties and temptations and problems. 27:06 Now I just wanted to quickly mention, briefly. 27:13 One of the things I have to mention this-- 27:15 one of the things which is I've struggled with in my life 27:19 and idol or an obstacle to spiritual growth. 27:24 Because I want to make it practical, I guess. 27:28 In quotes from "Historical Sketches 27:30 of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists" 27:33 page 212 and 213, 27:35 that's a long reference, Ellen White says, 27:38 "There is no more effectual hindrance 27:41 to growth in grace than a disposition to criticize 27:46 and condemn others." 27:50 So we're talking about, I want to put away my idols, 27:53 I want to grow. 27:54 We all want this. 27:55 I know you do, and that's why you're here today. 27:58 And Ellen White is saying, 27:59 okay, well on the flipside, the biggest hindrance, 28:04 so there's no more effective stumbling block to you growing 28:08 than a disposition to look at other people 28:11 with a critical eye, 28:13 to criticize and condemn others. 28:16 Why? 28:17 Why would this be the biggest obstacle? 28:20 And Ellen White mentions many other problems 28:23 that were big problems in her day 28:24 and are even bigger problems today. 28:26 With moral standards, there are many issues 28:29 and we know it, we just have to look around. 28:30 But why do, I wonder why she says this. 28:34 As I was thinking about it I thought well, 28:37 I think it's because when we look at other people 28:42 we forget about our own spiritual growth. 28:46 So I'm busy looking at the weaknesses 28:50 and faults of others, the problems in the church 28:53 and all those exist but I forget my need. 28:59 I forget about the extremely important work 29:01 I'm meant to be doing, 29:03 growing in grace, increasing in service to Jesus. 29:08 Ellen White says how must the continual fault 29:11 finding appear to the heavenly messengers 29:14 who are sent forth to minister to God's people. 29:18 If only we could see the holy angels 29:19 walking amongst us, 29:21 surely we would be more guarded. 29:23 And instead of talking about the weaknesses 29:25 of our brothers and sisters, 29:26 we would focus on seeking Gods with our whole heart. 29:32 And when I think about that, I think, 29:34 yes, how big is the gap between God and me? 29:39 How big is the gap between angels and me? 29:42 And yet they do not caste me off. 29:46 They-- God still sees fit to have mercy on me 29:49 and to trust me with ministry for Him. 29:53 How can I then judge 29:54 and criticize my brothers and sisters 29:56 when the gap between us is so miniscule? 29:59 And I think sometimes when I see people, 30:02 and you see their faults, their sins, their problems, 30:07 you think, well, I'm not saying to deny-- 30:11 you know, you can't-- you can deny reality 30:13 but when you see them, think well, 30:16 what if I had been born in their shoes? 30:19 What if their history was my history? 30:20 And Ellen White talks about people having sad histories 30:23 that are guarded from human eyes 30:24 that we know nothing about. 30:27 What if I had been born in their shoes, 30:28 and had their upbringing and the spiritual opportunities 30:32 they've had or haven't had? 30:34 Maybe I would be 10 times worse than they are. 30:39 To whom much is given, much is expected, 30:40 to whom little is given, little is expected. 30:44 And I love when Ellen White talks about when they-- 30:48 when in 1844, she said, 30:50 "How great was the anxiety to know 30:53 if each one's own heart was right before God. 30:57 We would meet together and say, 30:59 'Brother, sister, have you seen anything in me 31:01 that's not right, please tell me." 31:04 Because I want to be ready for Jesus to come. 31:07 What humility. 31:08 When I get criticized it's like, help me, Lord, 31:12 I can feel pride coming up 31:13 and I just want to like defend myself, you know. 31:16 Do you struggle with that? Anyone else? 31:18 You know, defending yourself, pride. 31:22 How humble they were. 31:24 That should be our attitude 31:25 and that's the last I'll say about that particular idol. 31:29 And it is an idol because we make human opinion 31:33 and standards greater than God's opinion and standards. 31:36 And if we're busy looking at other people 31:38 and criticizing, giving a bad report, 31:42 you know, even if it's true, but it's a bad report. 31:45 You know, if we're telling someone else. 31:47 If we're bothering to tell someone else, 31:49 but we haven't taken the time to pray for that person, 31:52 to actually be their friend, 31:54 to directly talk to them, encourage them, 31:57 reprove them, they'll accept your reprove 32:00 if they know that you love them and you're their friend. 32:02 So if we haven't done that 32:03 we shouldn't be talking about them to anyone else. 32:08 Our attitude should be, 32:11 I love this, in 2 Chronicles 20:12 King Jehoshaphat 32:17 had three big enemies come against Israel. 32:20 The people of Ammon, Moab and Amalekites I think, 32:25 they were overpowered. 32:28 And he said, we have no strength 32:32 against this enemy, and we don't know what to do. 32:36 But our eyes are up on you, Lord. 32:38 That needs to be our attitude. 32:41 I don't have strength, I don't have wisdom in myself, 32:44 my eyes are on you, Lord, not on other people. 32:48 Because if we focus on other people, 32:51 Ellen White says in another place that, 32:52 what we look at, we become. 32:57 We start to then care what people thing 32:59 and then we start to work to please others, 33:01 'cause we don't want to be criticized, 33:03 like we're criticizing others. 33:05 And we can become people pleasers, doing things, 33:09 you know, dressing in a way to please others. 33:13 Another idol in my life, dress. 33:15 You know, man looks at the outward appearance, 33:17 that's one of the easiest things to judge 33:18 but may God help us to be like Jesus. 33:22 In John 5:41 he said, 33:25 "I do not receive honor from men." 33:28 We need to stop looking at people 33:31 with a judging critical eye and instead our attitude to be, 33:37 how can I help you? 33:39 How can I help you in the long, hard journey to heaven? 33:43 That motive of love. 33:47 And our own attitude for ourselves to be, 33:48 I don't have strength or wisdom, Lord, 33:50 help me with my idols, 33:52 help me with my spiritual growth. 33:56 Satan is the accuser of the brethren 33:58 and that is not a title we should want for ourselves. 34:02 I have to share one more thing. 34:04 I'm sorry, it's so powerful. 34:07 "Ernest workers," in "Gospel Workers" 479, 34:11 "Earnest workers have no time 34:13 to dwell upon the faults of others. 34:15 We cannot afford to live on the husks 34:17 of other people's failings." 34:20 So instead of looking at others 34:21 and they ought to real problems that exist in the church, 34:25 we could have spent that time talking about Jesus, 34:28 and what He's done in our life. 34:30 Isn't that so much better? 34:33 Wouldn't that be so much better for our own spiritual growht 34:36 and for the people we're talking to as well? 34:39 One verse, I'll get you to look up 34:40 2 Corinthians 10:12, 34:47 so 2 Corinthians 10:12. 34:58 Oh, I better look it up too. 34:59 My apologies, I moved house yesterday 35:02 so I'm extra tired today, but the Lord is my strength. 35:09 2 Corinthians 10:12, all right. 35:17 "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves 35:20 with those who commend themselves. 35:23 But they, measuring themselves 35:25 by themselves, and comparing themselves 35:27 among themselves, are not wise." 35:32 So we dare not class ourselves 35:33 with those who commend themselves. 35:36 My opinion is the right one, 35:38 my standard is the right one, I am the judge. 35:42 That should not be our attitude. 35:43 We should not be comparing ourselves 35:45 or measuring ourselves with others. 35:48 Maybe you're a really awesome worker 35:49 for God compared to the average lukewarm person. 35:55 But we can't look at people. 35:58 You know, Jesus is our ideal, He is what we're aspiring to. 36:03 We want to love and selflessly serve the way He did 36:07 and the way Paul did with the Thessalonians, 36:10 night and day praying exceedingly for them. 36:13 That is our goal. 36:17 There's a beautiful quote in "Gospel Workers" as well 36:19 which says, "We are dependent upon one another, 36:21 closely bound together by the ties 36:24 of human brotherhood," and sisterhood. 36:26 I added the sisterhood bit, 36:27 but anyway and I'll say one more thing, 36:32 I mentioned that when we look at people, 36:34 when we-- and it's easy for us 36:37 to worship, to focus on what we see. 36:39 Just like the Israelites of old. 36:42 Why did they worship the idols? 36:45 Because they could see them, and they couldn't see God. 36:49 And so we tend to look at each other 36:50 and, I mentioned before, dress, 36:53 people can see your outward appearance 36:56 and I'm sorry, this might not apply so much to the boys, 37:00 although I think you can take the principle of you know, 37:03 how important image is in our society, 37:05 but because image and outward appearance 37:07 is so important in our society, as a woman, 37:11 the topic of dress is such an important one. 37:15 Okay, we live in a society where women are judged 37:17 by the way they look. 37:18 Doesn't matter if they're an athlete, a politician, 37:21 doesn't matter what they are, primarily people will discuss 37:24 what they're wearing, which is really sad. 37:27 And so it's not about standing here 37:28 and saying, ah, you're not allowed to dress like that, 37:31 or this or-- it's about hey, 37:33 God has something better for you, 37:35 for your worth to come 37:36 from being part of His eternal kingdom 37:39 and being a worker for Him. 37:42 It's not about, it should be 10 centimeters 37:44 below the knee, it should-- 37:46 it's about love is the motivation. 37:49 God has helped me to realize it's about love. 37:51 I love others so I don't want to outshine someone 37:55 by wearing a luxurious garment 37:57 and someone who can't afford it feels bad. 37:59 I love others, because we love others. 38:02 We should not want to steal attention 38:04 that is not ours to have. 38:08 Because I don't want people to look at me, 38:10 I want them to look at Jesus. 38:12 You know, do they remember what I was wearing 38:14 or do they remember that I was talking about Jesus. 38:19 And so love should be the motivation for these, 38:22 for this particular theme. 38:25 But as I said, the cure is not, okay, I need to fix that, 38:29 I need to stop criticizing people, 38:31 I need to stop spending too much time 38:33 and money on clothes, my car, technology, whatever it is. 38:37 Whatever the idol is, remember the cure is, looking at Jesus. 38:41 And then, you'll see these idols for what they are. 38:46 Weak and ineffective, cannot make you happy. 38:50 That is the cure. 38:51 And then service is the key to keep on growing. 38:55 Give, and the more you give, the more you will receive. 38:59 If you give a little bit, you'll receive a little bit. 39:03 If you give a lot, 39:04 you will receive a great measure of God's power. 39:09 I want to share one more verse, 1 Thessalonians 3, 39:13 appropriate to a verse in Thessalonians, 39:16 Thessalonians 3:12, 13. 39:19 One of my all time favorite verses, 39:21 I love this verse. 39:24 I get really excited about this verse, can you tell? 39:27 I love it, you're going to love it too. 39:29 1 Thessalonians 3: 12-13, and it says, 39:36 "And may the Lord make you to increase 39:39 and abound in love to one another 39:42 and toward all, just as we do to you, 39:47 that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness 39:51 before our God and Father at the coming 39:54 of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." 39:58 You know, there can be so much talking at churches 40:01 or maybe in our own walk with God, 40:03 we wonder about the whole perfection thing 40:06 and, you know, spiritual maturity. 40:10 What does this verse say? 40:11 In verse 13 it says, "Our heart will be established 40:14 blameless in holiness when Jesus comes." 40:18 How will that be achieved? 40:19 What is it saying, in verse 12? 40:27 So what does, not us, 40:29 what does God need to do in our lives 40:30 so that we will be blameless, wholly perfect, 40:35 spiritually mature in God's eyes? 40:40 To increase in abundant love. 40:43 Just like I have loved you, says Paul to them. 40:46 And we saw how Paul was working for the Thessalonian church. 40:51 I'm not talking about a weak wishy-washy love 40:54 that doesn't care about someone's life 40:57 enough to pray for them 40:58 or to call sin by its rightful name, 41:00 I'm not talking about that. 41:01 I'm taking about God's definition of love, 41:04 which is the only thing, 41:05 and He is the one that makes it happen. 41:08 That is what makes you increase in love, 41:11 abound in love, 41:13 to the point where you will turn from your idols 41:16 and you will make a change 41:19 and I want to be honest and practical. 41:21 When I went to witness, last time, 41:24 I didn't go last year 'cause it was a few days 41:27 before my baby was born, so I didn't go the last one 41:31 but I went for the first time in the 2013 one. 41:35 And that was a time 41:37 of real spiritual stagnation in my life. 41:39 I grew up at Salisbury church, 41:42 anyone knows Salisbury Yugoslav Adventist Church? 41:45 And I was active there, I was very involved, 41:48 but I hadn't really given up the idols in my life. 41:51 And I was sort of struggling between two masters. 41:55 I was really struggling, 41:56 because I really wanted real Christianity. 41:58 I didn't want to show weak powerless 42:00 Christianity to my friends 42:02 and people who really needed to know about God. 42:05 So I was kind of, you know, working for God 42:07 and you know, I could be this kind of person 42:10 but if I was people who weren't Christians, 42:12 you know, I could talk about the same things they were 42:14 because was watching the same shows, 42:16 I was wearing the same clothes, 42:17 I was doing everything they were. 42:19 Not everything but you know, some of it. 42:22 And so I was really struggling. 42:24 Then I came to Mt Gravatt 42:25 and because I was new, I didn't know anyone. 42:28 Suddenly I wasn't involved, 42:29 I wasn't being asked to help out 42:32 and so for like a good year I did nothing. 42:36 And I really stagnated. I really struggled. 42:39 My idols came up bigger than ever 42:41 and I was sort of trying to fight them 42:43 in my own strength and just feeling discouraged 42:46 and depressed with my lack of spiritual growth, 42:51 which is why God want's us to grow. 42:53 And then I came to the Witness Conference 42:54 and I was so blessed. 42:56 Was anyone at the 2013 one? 42:59 I was really blessed and I started praying every day 43:02 after the Witness Conference. 43:05 I realized I really need God's help. 43:07 I'm back at square one, sadly, you know, sad to say, 43:10 and I started praying, Lord, 43:11 give me a desire to spend time with You. 43:14 Give me that hunger, 43:15 so I started spending more time in Word and prayer 43:17 and I started praying every day, 43:18 Lord, help us to have family worship together. 43:21 Help us to have family worship together, 43:22 we've got, you know, our child, 43:24 later on another one on the way, 43:26 and I was praying, Lord, make me a witness for You, 43:28 give me opportunities to serve You. 43:32 Do you think there are prayers 43:33 that God will answer maybe or definitely? 43:37 Like He's longing for us to pray Lord, 43:39 make me a witness for You. 43:41 God is so good, even though I was this lukewarm Christian 43:45 who instead of becoming a mature worker 43:48 who's turned from the idols in like a year 43:50 or two or something, it's been decades. 43:54 You know, what a terrible example. 43:59 But I want to give hope that if there is anyone in my shoes, 44:01 you've grown up in the church and you've struggled 44:03 to make that full turning away from idols, 44:06 turning-- and to turn to God, 44:09 and to be an example and a witness, 44:11 there's hope for you. 44:12 If God had-- if God didn't give up on me, 44:15 He won't give up on you. 44:16 If He uses me, He will use you. 44:19 And He did use me, He answered all those prayers, 44:21 and I had to persevere, it took a few months, 44:23 but all those prayers were answered. 44:26 We now run a soul winning small group 44:28 from our house every Friday night. 44:31 And I still struggle with, you know, self, 44:33 you know, I'm like, oh, I'm so tired, Lord. 44:35 I just want to go to bed early tonight. 44:37 But every time small group finishes, 44:39 I'm like, yes, that was awesome! 44:41 I'm so glad we had small group tonight. 44:44 There's a young man that comes to our small group 44:46 and he's struggling with so many addictions, 44:50 such a painful past in his life. 44:53 We invited him to Witness last year, 44:55 and he along with others, made a decision for baptism. 44:59 And he's still struggling, he's not there yet. 45:02 But he started Bible studies 45:05 and he's already starting to share what he has 45:08 and 'cause of that, he will grow. 45:11 He went, he met a friend of his, 45:13 sorry, now it's a friend of his, 45:14 he met a guy at a pub one night, 45:18 and he saw he had a religious tattoo, 45:21 and he said to him, ah, 45:23 I see you have a religious tattoo, 45:24 I love the Bible. 45:26 Paul's my favorite person in the Bible. 45:28 You know, how he changed, he became Saul, Paul. 45:31 And the other guy was like, 45:32 oh, I don't really know the Bible, I believe in God, 45:35 but I don't know the Bible. 45:36 And so our friend said to him, 45:38 oh, come to our Bible study group on Friday nights. 45:42 Changed numbers, the next day, 45:46 this guy called our friend 45:47 and said, it wasn't just the drink talking, 45:49 I really want to come. 45:51 And so our friend said, all right, come. 45:54 And a few of you know who I'm talking about. 45:57 And-- but then the guy didn't come. 46:00 And so he invited him, he didn't come. 46:02 He said, all right, I don't want to be pushy. 46:04 Stopped inviting him. 46:06 Then he went to get a haircut, 46:07 our friend from small groups, went to get a haircut, 46:10 somewhere he's never gone before to get a haircut, 46:12 Trim Set shopping center. 46:15 And he randomly sees this friend walking a lone. 46:20 Bumps into him completely coincidentally, 46:23 providentially, and they have lunch together. 46:26 And he invites him to small group, and he comes. 46:31 He's an army guy, and has a little army Bible. 46:34 He came along and at that time small group 46:37 was at Anna's and Andrew's place. 46:39 And later he told us, you know when he came 46:42 he didn't even seem like he was that 46:43 interested in spiritual things. 46:45 With my human eyes, I was like, oh, 46:47 why is he here for, the vegetarian food? 46:51 We didn't have any girls at our small group, 46:53 it was just guys. 46:54 So I'm like, there's no ladies for them to meet, 46:56 why is he here? 46:58 Then, much later he told us, 47:00 you know, when I came to this small group, 47:02 at that time, at Anna's and Andrew's place, 47:04 he said, when I left, I had so much peace in my heart. 47:10 I can see you guys care for me, like, 47:13 and he said I love coming here. 47:16 And that just broke my heart, 47:18 because, I'm such a work in progress, 47:21 and just to think, I didn't give him peace, 47:23 I can't manufacture it, 47:25 I can't make a difference in his life with his problems, 47:28 he's had a loved one die, he's got struggles 47:31 and right now, he really needs prayer. 47:33 He is, Satan's really attacking him. 47:38 And I guess I can't make a difference in his life. 47:43 The fact that he felt peace shows me 47:44 Jesus was present there, just as much as He was present 47:49 when people would go to a house 47:50 and He was present there, healing, you know. 47:52 And so I'm so grateful to God for those things. 47:56 And I guess I want to appeal to you, 47:58 at the end, that if God can use me, 48:03 if He didn't give up on me, He can use you. 48:07 I promise you that, I didn't think this witness 48:09 I would have had the experiences 48:12 like last time I went, I didn't think 48:13 I would have had the experiences I've had. 48:16 Just because I prayed, I asked, reading my Bible, 48:20 and just service to others, you know, 48:22 just whatever point you're at, start serving the Lord. 48:25 And I'm just gonna say a prayer, to close 48:28 and I guess I want to appeal to you 48:32 to put yourself in the service of God, wherever you are. 48:34 If you're already a mature worker for God, 48:37 pray that God would help you 48:38 to give more, to sacrifice more. 48:40 What else can I give up, money, time, talents? 48:45 Wherever you are, you can grow further. 48:48 Let us not set limits 48:49 on what God want's to do in our life. 48:51 It's only just begun, but the time to work is now, 48:54 because the night is coming, when no man can work. 48:57 But it's time for the harvest to ripen 48:59 and we are His precious fruit. 49:03 Okay, let us bow our heads in prayer. 49:07 Dear Jesus, thank You so much 49:10 that we could be here together this morning. 49:12 And Lord, as we read about what Paul did to Thessalonians, 49:15 help us to remember they were not some superheroes, 49:18 in and of themselves, 49:20 Paul would have still been Saul, 49:22 criticizing and persecuting his brethren. 49:25 And the Thessalonians 49:27 would have been worshipping their useless idols. 49:30 And that's our faith too, Lord. 49:31 The difference is if we turn to You, 49:33 if we turn from our idols 49:36 and if we turn to You and give You our all. 49:38 Help us not to be afraid, Lord, but to trust that 49:42 You really do want what's best for us. 49:44 You really have our best interest at heart 49:46 and that excitement and joy and purpose will be found 49:50 as we start making a difference 49:51 in the lives of those around us, 49:53 many who desperately Lord, need You. 49:56 Please answer this prayer 49:57 and bless every single person here 49:59 and I ask that if there's someone here today 50:02 that wants to raise their hand, right now 50:05 and say, Lord, I want to turn from my idols fully. 50:08 Make a record in heaven that I want to turn from them 50:12 and I don't want to give up until they're gone. 50:15 But put me in Your service, and if there's someone else 50:18 who want's to raise their hands and say Lord, 50:20 put me in your service, help me to increase 50:23 and not to set limits on what You can do in my life. 50:25 Use me to help others 50:27 so they can be in heaven one day. 50:29 I pray in Your name, amen. |
Revised 2015-03-26