At this time I want to make sure
that everyone has your offering
00:00:20.32\00:00:23.65
envelope. If you have that,
you can begin to complete that.
00:00:23.85\00:00:28.66
For those of you who
might have your phone,
00:00:29.59\00:00:32.46
a mobile device, you can
actually go to the website
00:00:32.66\00:00:36.67
asiministries.org
00:00:36.87\00:00:39.03
and click on the
red button DONATE NOW.
00:00:39.23\00:00:42.00
So two very easy ways
to register your donation
00:00:42.20\00:00:47.24
or your pledge, and to
respond to the Holy Spirit
00:00:47.44\00:00:51.35
as He has led you.
00:00:51.55\00:00:53.62
I am hopeful that the questions
that we've given to you
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to ponder throughout this week:
00:00:58.55\00:01:01.26
what can we do to
enlarge one's territory?
00:01:02.29\00:01:05.16
What can we do to
enhance their capacity?
00:01:05.36\00:01:07.40
And what can we do to encourage
their faithful continuance
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and effort to
reach others for Jesus?
00:01:11.80\00:01:13.87
That those questions will
be answered in such a powerful
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and affirmative way
that it will be recognized
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by the offering that
will be taken up today.
00:01:22.34\00:01:25.51
So as you complete your envelope
00:01:26.61\00:01:29.05
or do your donation
on your mobile device
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I would like to pray
before the offering is lifted.
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Father in heaven, it is
our privilege to work with You
00:01:38.29\00:01:43.06
for the saving of souls.
00:01:43.26\00:01:45.30
We have been inspired by
the stories that we've heard.
00:01:46.43\00:01:51.21
We have been in awe of
the passion and the sacrifice
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made by so many that
are in ministry for You.
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Lord, You've given us blessings.
00:02:00.92\00:02:03.95
You've given us comfort.
00:02:04.35\00:02:06.29
You've given us the knowledge of
Your love and Your soon coming.
00:02:06.49\00:02:09.89
We want to make sure that
the millions that are out there
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that don't know about You
that they have the opportunity
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to learn about Your love
and that You're coming soon
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to take us all home.
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Lord, help us that we
might be able to set aside
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any sense of selfishness...
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feeling like we might
need to hold on to anything.
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Help us to remember
that You take care of us.
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You provide for us.
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And give us the courage
to respond to the leading
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of Your Holy Spirit and to
provide the means necessary
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for these projects
to accomplish their call
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because they've been chosen and
they have committed themselves
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to Your service.
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We thank you in
Jesus' name, Amen.
00:03:01.41\00:03:04.35
Fairest
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Lord Jesus!
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Ruler of all
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nature!
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O, Thou of God
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and man
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the Son!
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OK, let's try this one.
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glory, joy
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and crown!
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Fair are the meadows,
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fairer still the woodlands,
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Greetings to all
of the 3ABN viewers
00:04:47.22\00:04:48.88
who are joining us here at the
ASI Convention in Phoenix, AZ.
00:04:49.08\00:04:52.85
I know there are many
of you from South Dakota
00:04:53.25\00:04:55.89
to Florida to Tennessee
to Michigan to California
00:04:56.29\00:05:00.16
and even Colorado who
are not able to be with us
00:05:00.36\00:05:02.53
this year that
are regular attendees.
00:05:02.73\00:05:04.13
I want to give
special greetings to you
00:05:04.33\00:05:05.87
and all the rest of you who may
be watching and have just tuned
00:05:06.07\00:05:08.44
in today. It's been an in-
credible spiritual blessing here
00:05:08.64\00:05:12.17
at our convention.
And just now you've heard
00:05:12.37\00:05:14.84
the presentations
about our ASI offering.
00:05:15.04\00:05:17.71
And we know that many of you
out there may want to join us
00:05:18.28\00:05:21.42
here that are assembled in
the Phoenix Convention Center
00:05:21.62\00:05:24.25
and participate in this offering
that's coming in right now.
00:05:24.45\00:05:28.72
If you look behind me,
you'll see the people taking
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that offering up. If you would
like to participate in this
00:05:30.59\00:05:33.29
offering, we want to tell
you how to do that. There's an
00:05:33.50\00:05:36.30
address that's coming
up on the screen just now
00:05:36.50\00:05:38.77
for our ASI office
00:05:38.97\00:05:40.30
in Silver Spring, MD. Also
00:05:40.34\00:05:42.30
our website: the website
00:05:42.50\00:05:44.61
asiministries.org/donate
00:05:44.81\00:05:47.34
If you go on our website
00:05:47.78\00:05:49.11
to that address right now
there's a big red button there
00:05:49.14\00:05:51.01
that says DONATE.
You can click on that
00:05:51.21\00:05:53.38
and you can be a part
of this great offering
00:05:53.58\00:05:55.78
that's going to be reaching
thousands of people around the
00:05:55.98\00:05:58.45
world with various
resources and various services.
00:05:58.65\00:06:01.19
I want to thank you all
for joining in the ASI spirit
00:06:01.59\00:06:04.33
that we are sensing here.
00:06:04.49\00:06:05.99
Continue to enjoy the beauty
of the Glendale Church choir
00:06:06.19\00:06:09.76
that's singing right now as
we continue our worship service.
00:06:09.96\00:06:12.17
God bless you and Happy Sabbath!
00:06:12.37\00:06:14.27
Jesus shines brighter,
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Jesus shines purer
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than all the angels
00:06:28.45\00:06:32.35
heav'n can
00:06:32.55\00:06:38.53
boast.
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Ah, ah, ah, ah,
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ah, ah, ah, ah, ah,
00:06:50.94\00:06:56.38
ah...
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Beautiful Savior,
00:07:00.08\00:07:06.02
Lord of all nature,
00:07:06.42\00:07:11.86
O, Thou of God
00:07:12.26\00:07:16.56
and Son
00:07:17.07\00:07:19.97
of man,
00:07:20.17\00:07:24.04
Glory and honor,
00:07:24.34\00:07:30.31
praise, adoration
00:07:30.71\00:07:35.85
now and forevermore
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be Thine.
00:07:41.82\00:07:47.76
Fairest
00:08:10.25\00:08:12.75
Lord Jesus!
00:08:12.95\00:08:18.29
beautiful
00:08:18.69\00:08:22.16
Savior.
00:08:22.36\00:08:27.37
Fairest Lord
00:08:27.57\00:08:31.04
Je-
00:08:31.24\00:08:37.21
sus!
00:08:38.15\00:08:44.05
Amen!
00:08:55.96\00:08:57.90
Happy Sabbath
ASI. Happy Sabbath!
00:08:59.03\00:09:02.90
It is my privilege to be able to
00:09:03.10\00:09:06.04
on behalf of ASI,
ASI Missions Inc.,
00:09:06.24\00:09:09.11
and the ASI family
to give a small token
00:09:09.31\00:09:11.85
of our appreciation for the
work of Joan and Harold Lance.
00:09:12.05\00:09:15.98
Your know, I went
back and asked Harold
00:09:16.38\00:09:18.72
and Joan when
they first joined ASI.
00:09:18.92\00:09:21.69
Now I remember when
I was in high school
00:09:22.09\00:09:24.03
singing in the choir and
he was in the audience of ASI.
00:09:24.23\00:09:27.90
And it's been over -
what'd you say - 41 years.
00:09:28.30\00:09:31.27
You know, there are few people
00:09:32.10\00:09:35.50
that have has as
large an impact on ASI
00:09:35.70\00:09:39.31
and what you see today
as Harold and Joan Lance.
00:09:39.51\00:09:42.71
I remember the first time
I went to an ASI convention
00:09:42.91\00:09:45.21
which is a long time ago in 1983
00:09:45.41\00:09:47.35
Harold was the president of ASI.
00:09:47.55\00:09:49.35
I want you to know that Harold
has served two different terms.
00:09:49.55\00:09:52.82
Not consecutive
but two different terms
00:09:53.02\00:09:54.89
as president of
the full organization.
00:09:55.09\00:09:57.36
The last 18 years he has served
00:09:57.66\00:09:59.66
as the president and
chairman of ASI Missions Inc.
00:09:59.86\00:10:03.30
which is a very critically-
important part of ASI
00:10:03.50\00:10:06.13
that is a separate organization
under the board of ASI.
00:10:06.33\00:10:09.40
But you know, way
beyond those titles,
00:10:10.01\00:10:12.77
Harold and Joan,
00:10:12.97\00:10:14.38
I think if you were to
look back at a picture...
00:10:14.78\00:10:18.01
if we were able to put pictures
up on the screen of all the
00:10:18.21\00:10:21.22
things that have been going on
00:10:21.42\00:10:22.82
you would see Harold trekking
through one of the central
00:10:23.02\00:10:26.39
African countries with a big
pack on his back going to one
00:10:26.59\00:10:29.22
of the outpost centers
to help make things happen.
00:10:29.42\00:10:31.89
You would have seen him on an
airplane that large frame of his
00:10:32.39\00:10:35.46
crunched in with
Denzil in a little time
00:10:35.66\00:10:37.37
and almost crashing one time
on a remote airstrip someplace.
00:10:37.57\00:10:41.50
Yes. You would have seen
him sitting in board meetings
00:10:41.70\00:10:43.91
in India and Europe and Central
Europe and in South America
00:10:44.11\00:10:47.41
and Asia. Very involved
in the supporting ministries
00:10:47.61\00:10:50.75
here of North America but
someone who has passionately
00:10:50.95\00:10:54.42
given what he has
been given from God
00:10:54.62\00:10:57.35
to the service of his fellow man
through the ASI organization.
00:10:57.55\00:11:01.09
And Harold, you and Joan
are a special treasure to us.
00:11:01.29\00:11:05.69
Now I just want to let you
all know that even though he is
00:11:05.89\00:11:07.90
retiring as the president and
chairman of ASI Missions Inc.
00:11:08.10\00:11:12.00
we are not letting him
off the hook. No we are not!
00:11:12.20\00:11:15.00
Harold is still going
to be a member of the board
00:11:15.60\00:11:17.81
and executive
committee of ASI Missions Inc.
00:11:18.01\00:11:20.64
so we will continue
to have his expertise,
00:11:20.84\00:11:23.35
his insight, and
his heaven-born wisdom.
00:11:23.55\00:11:25.95
Now one of the things that's
going to happen, one of the
00:11:26.45\00:11:28.45
things that is going through
my mind as I was thinking about
00:11:28.65\00:11:31.05
this moment:
Harold is an attorney
00:11:31.25\00:11:34.69
as you may know if
you've seen him up here before.
00:11:34.89\00:11:37.93
Harold spent - what was it?
32 years, Harold, in practice?
00:11:38.13\00:11:40.50
Right. Thirty-two years...
thirty-two years in practice
00:11:40.70\00:11:43.20
but how many years have you
been full time as a volunteer
00:11:43.40\00:11:46.10
in ASI? Twenty-seven.
Twenty-seven... so it's almost
00:11:46.30\00:11:49.17
like a second career complete.
00:11:49.37\00:11:51.27
But which one of those two
would be more rewarding to you?
00:11:51.47\00:11:53.31
Hey, it's been a blessing of God
to be... to have the privilege
00:11:53.51\00:11:57.61
to be involved in ASI
and the supporting ministry
00:11:57.81\00:12:00.35
work that we've had.
00:12:00.55\00:12:02.25
Well, one of the
things that I know for sure
00:12:02.65\00:12:05.05
is that if you were able to
look at all of the successful,
00:12:05.89\00:12:09.56
incredibly successful projects
00:12:09.76\00:12:12.06
that have Harold's fingerprints
on them, those are things
00:12:12.46\00:12:16.56
that will go on all the
way until the Lord comes.
00:12:16.77\00:12:19.40
I know that for a fact.
00:12:19.60\00:12:21.27
He has had his hands and
has guided and carefully crafted
00:12:21.47\00:12:24.14
things for us and kept
all of us kind of on track
00:12:24.34\00:12:27.84
many many times.
00:12:28.04\00:12:29.38
And Harold and Joan,
we just don't know how
00:12:29.51\00:12:32.38
to thank you. But we know the
angels of heaven are watching
00:12:32.58\00:12:35.68
and God is smiling
right now as we are attempting
00:12:35.88\00:12:38.45
in our best way to give
you the honor that we believe
00:12:38.65\00:12:40.96
you deserve. I
think that our desire
00:12:41.12\00:12:45.26
is like Paul when his retirement
party was taking place
00:12:46.09\00:12:51.00
in the jail he said:
00:12:51.20\00:12:53.84
"I have fought the fight;
00:12:54.04\00:12:58.14
I have finished the race;
00:12:58.54\00:13:00.01
I have kept the faith. "
00:13:00.41\00:13:02.08
And then he used a lawyer word:
00:13:02.28\00:13:04.15
"Henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness
00:13:04.35\00:13:08.38
but not for me only
00:13:08.58\00:13:10.05
but for all who
believe in His coming. "
00:13:10.35\00:13:12.52
And that's what we think.
00:13:12.72\00:13:14.72
And that all who believe in
His coming are all of us who are
00:13:19.79\00:13:22.46
here today and all of those who
are watching by 3ABN right now
00:13:22.66\00:13:25.43
around the world. We
thank you Harold for what you
00:13:25.63\00:13:28.60
do and continue to do and
I know will continue to do.
00:13:28.80\00:13:31.21
But thank you so much.
00:13:31.41\00:13:32.74
Harold, just as a small
token of our appreciation
00:13:33.14\00:13:36.71
we wanted to give you a globe.
00:13:36.91\00:13:39.01
And this globe is to represent
00:13:39.41\00:13:41.75
just a small portion of
what you have had an impact
00:13:42.15\00:13:45.12
around the world with the
ministries and the ministry
00:13:45.32\00:13:48.39
that you all have done.
And we just want you to know
00:13:48.59\00:13:51.26
from the deep of our hearts
how much we appreciate you.
00:13:51.46\00:13:54.63
And only until eternity
00:13:54.83\00:13:56.73
will we know the full
impact of what you have done
00:13:56.93\00:13:59.83
for the Lord's work. Thank you.
00:14:00.04\00:14:02.24
Now Denzil, there's something
I've just gotta point out.
00:14:02.64\00:14:04.84
There's a little thing
here. I want you to know
00:14:05.04\00:14:06.57
for those of you who are watch-
ing, this globe is upside down.
00:14:06.78\00:14:09.34
And you know, wasn't it
talking about the world being
00:14:09.74\00:14:12.15
turned upside down? Yes.
So I think that was symbolic.
00:14:12.35\00:14:15.28
I think the world was in process
of being turned upside down,
00:14:15.48\00:14:18.05
Harold. So we know
you've been a big part of that.
00:14:18.25\00:14:20.12
Amen. Thank you.
Oh, that's lovely.
00:14:20.32\00:14:22.86
Happy Sabbath ASI
00:14:29.40\00:14:31.33
and to everyone who
is watching or listening.
00:14:32.70\00:14:35.54
This is a beautiful Sabbath Day
00:14:35.74\00:14:37.64
and we serve a covenant-
keeping God, do we not?
00:14:37.84\00:14:41.41
And you know what?
Every time God made a covenant
00:14:42.01\00:14:45.38
He had a sign. For example,
00:14:45.58\00:14:47.15
with Noah He had
the sign of the rainbow.
00:14:47.35\00:14:50.02
You know what the sign
of the covenant of grace is?
00:14:50.42\00:14:53.39
The Sabbath. Exodus
31:13 God said: "This is a sign
00:14:53.79\00:14:58.19
that He's the One
who's going to sanctify us. "
00:14:58.39\00:15:00.83
Well it is my privilege
today to introduce our speaker
00:15:01.23\00:15:05.43
for divine
worship: John Bradshaw.
00:15:05.63\00:15:07.94
And John began his
professional career
00:15:08.34\00:15:10.94
in broadcasting as a disc jockey
00:15:11.14\00:15:13.51
in his home
country of New Zealand.
00:15:13.71\00:15:16.38
There he worked for some
of the top radio stations.
00:15:16.78\00:15:19.61
But God called him out of that
00:15:20.02\00:15:22.88
and into full-time evangelism.
00:15:23.08\00:15:25.75
And this gentleman in
two decades of ministry
00:15:25.95\00:15:29.06
has conducted 100
evangelistic series.
00:15:29.26\00:15:32.89
Then he became a
pastor at Lexington, Kentucky,
00:15:33.40\00:15:37.10
and also at
College Park, Washington.
00:15:37.50\00:15:40.57
But in 2011
00:15:40.97\00:15:43.34
God chose him to be
the fourth speaker/director
00:15:43.54\00:15:47.58
for It Is Written. And one
thing that I really appreciate
00:15:47.78\00:15:51.35
that John has
instituted since he's been there
00:15:51.55\00:15:54.08
is his little one-minute
devotional for busy people.
00:15:54.28\00:15:58.02
And if you go to the
website every day there's a new
00:15:58.22\00:16:01.16
devotional called Every Word.
00:16:01.36\00:16:03.46
John is an author.
00:16:03.96\00:16:07.66
He's a husband; he's a father.
00:16:07.86\00:16:10.33
But most of all he's
a committed child of God
00:16:10.73\00:16:15.37
and a manservant of God.
00:16:15.77\00:16:17.54
And today his
message is going to be
00:16:17.74\00:16:21.48
Committed is the title.
00:16:21.68\00:16:23.38
And the scripture
reading is I Thessalonians 5:24
00:16:23.58\00:16:27.72
that says: "He who calls you
00:16:28.12\00:16:30.65
is faithful who
also will do it. "
00:16:31.05\00:16:35.36
The next voice you
hear after our special song
00:16:35.56\00:16:37.89
will be John
Bradshaw, speaker and director
00:16:38.09\00:16:40.83
of It Is Written.
00:16:41.03\00:16:42.36
When I turn to you
you are welcome to join us
00:16:45.90\00:16:48.17
in singing this
beautiful hymn arrangement
00:16:48.37\00:16:49.90
of Crown Him With Many Crowns.
00:16:50.11\00:16:51.97
King of kings
00:18:30.64\00:18:34.84
and Lord of lords.
00:18:35.04\00:18:40.28
Crown Him with many crowns
00:18:48.22\00:18:52.73
the Lamb upon His throne.
00:18:52.93\00:18:58.03
Hark! How the
heav'nly anthem drowns
00:18:58.23\00:19:03.71
all music but its own.
00:19:04.01\00:19:08.94
Who died and rose on high,
00:20:10.81\00:20:15.01
Who died, eternal life to bring
00:20:15.21\00:20:20.52
and lives that death may die.
00:20:20.72\00:20:26.76
King of kings
00:20:30.56\00:20:33.90
and Lord of lords...
00:20:34.10\00:20:39.03
Crown Him the Lord of life
00:20:53.05\00:20:57.69
Who triumphed o'er the grave,
00:20:57.89\00:21:02.82
Who rose
victorious to the strife
00:21:03.02\00:21:08.33
for those He came to save.
00:21:08.53\00:21:13.84
To Thee be endless praise
00:21:14.04\00:21:19.11
For Thou for us hast died;
00:21:19.31\00:21:24.55
Be Thou, O Lord,
thru endless days
00:21:24.75\00:21:30.12
adored and magnified.
00:21:30.32\00:21:36.29
King of kings
00:21:37.66\00:21:41.46
and Lord of lords...
00:21:41.66\00:21:46.87
Amen!
00:21:48.24\00:21:54.14
Amen!
00:22:01.48\00:22:03.52
Well that was beautiful!
00:22:08.72\00:22:12.16
Thank you! Praise the
Lord! Good morning everyone!
00:22:12.36\00:22:14.06
Good morning. I
know it's not morning
00:22:14.26\00:22:16.53
but I've learned long
ago never begin by saying
00:22:16.93\00:22:21.40
good afternoon 'cause
you lost them already.
00:22:21.60\00:22:23.67
So... good morning everyone!
00:22:24.07\00:22:27.04
Good morning! It's a blessing
to be here at ASI, isn't it?
00:22:27.24\00:22:30.51
Amen!
00:22:30.71\00:22:32.05
That was tepid...
that was kind of tepid.
00:22:32.91\00:22:35.55
It's a blessing to be
here at ASI, isn't it?
00:22:35.75\00:22:37.82
Amen! Amen... it is!
00:22:38.02\00:22:39.99
And I trust you
have been inspired
00:22:40.49\00:22:42.52
and motivated and
encouraged and moved
00:22:42.72\00:22:45.93
and blessed even beyond
that which you were expecting.
00:22:46.43\00:22:50.53
God is good. What do you say?
00:22:50.73\00:22:53.17
Amen! God is good... we
are privileged to be here.
00:22:53.37\00:22:56.47
I just want to
point out something.
00:22:56.97\00:22:58.77
Somebody contacted me
and was concerned that
00:22:58.97\00:23:02.64
I was embracing polygamy
00:23:03.04\00:23:04.65
because the biography in the
bio in the little program said
00:23:07.05\00:23:09.95
that John is married to Melissa
and the father of two children.
00:23:10.15\00:23:14.82
You know I
hardly know what to say.
00:23:20.53\00:23:22.40
I'm just grateful that
God's people are open minded.
00:23:24.53\00:23:27.44
I'm also a little bothered
that evidently many other people
00:23:30.67\00:23:35.88
read that and
simply thought "OK! "
00:23:36.08\00:23:38.31
I'm a little
worried about you today.
00:23:41.05\00:23:43.02
Anyway, we are here to
pray and open up God's Word.
00:23:44.25\00:23:46.45
Let's do that in that order.
Would you bow your head with me
00:23:46.65\00:23:48.79
as we pray? Our
Father and our God,
00:23:48.99\00:23:52.39
we come to You in
the name of Jesus.
00:23:52.59\00:23:54.36
We are grateful.
00:23:55.73\00:23:57.83
We are blessed far
beyond our "deservingness. "
00:23:58.23\00:24:03.87
We are thankful today
that You have carved out
00:24:05.61\00:24:09.14
a little time for us
to gather here together
00:24:09.34\00:24:12.65
and look towards Your face
00:24:13.75\00:24:16.35
and look into Your Word.
00:24:16.55\00:24:18.59
And we pray that we
would encounter Your Spirit
00:24:19.09\00:24:21.96
and be moved.
00:24:23.46\00:24:25.16
Lord, we gather
together "warts and all"
00:24:26.53\00:24:30.40
as Your people.
00:24:30.80\00:24:32.80
Thank you for visiting us
00:24:34.24\00:24:36.54
and tabernacling
with us this day.
00:24:36.74\00:24:40.51
I ask that the
limitations of fallen humanity
00:24:40.91\00:24:43.85
would not prevent Your
Spirit from doing a great work
00:24:44.98\00:24:48.22
over these next few minutes.
00:24:48.62\00:24:50.72
Speak and be heard.
00:24:51.75\00:24:54.66
We pray in Jesus'
name - please say with me -
00:24:55.92\00:25:00.13
Amen.
00:25:00.33\00:25:02.36
They had come many years before
00:25:07.17\00:25:12.17
from eastern Polynesia.
00:25:13.31\00:25:16.98
Peace had become the
cornerstone of their culture.
00:25:19.28\00:25:24.25
In the 16th century
a tribal leader named
00:25:24.75\00:25:30.43
Nunuku heard the
sound of young men fighting.
00:25:30.63\00:25:36.53
He went to that place
and urged them to stop.
00:25:38.33\00:25:42.54
He appealed to the
young men and the old men,
00:25:43.71\00:25:46.47
the young women and
the not-so-young women
00:25:46.68\00:25:49.91
to fight no more. He said:
00:25:50.11\00:25:52.85
"We must not be
a warring people. "
00:25:53.25\00:25:56.35
From then on, if there
was conflict between the men,
00:25:56.75\00:26:01.06
that conflict could
only be settled at harshest
00:26:01.26\00:26:05.29
by using what was
known as a "tupuari, "
00:26:05.49\00:26:08.93
a long stick no
thicker than a man's thumb.
00:26:09.33\00:26:11.53
They could use that as a weapon.
00:26:11.73\00:26:13.20
At the first sight of
blood the conflict ended.
00:26:13.60\00:26:16.54
He who drew the blood
was declared the victor
00:26:16.94\00:26:19.14
and they went right on.
00:26:19.34\00:26:20.68
That was as bad as it got.
00:26:21.68\00:26:23.24
In an era of war and inter-
tribal conflict, these people
00:26:23.45\00:26:27.28
would not fight.
00:26:27.48\00:26:28.88
They were
committed to Nunuku's law.
00:26:30.32\00:26:33.79
But in 1835 everything
changed for the peaceful
00:26:35.36\00:26:39.33
Moriori of
Rekohu, Chatham Island.
00:26:39.53\00:26:42.40
900 Maori from the Ngati
Tama and Ngati Mutunga tribes
00:26:44.27\00:26:49.24
arrived aboard a
British sailing ship.
00:26:49.44\00:26:52.47
They came from the
mainland 500 miles away.
00:26:53.38\00:26:56.18
They arrived seasick, tired.
They arrived hungry, worn out.
00:26:56.38\00:26:59.68
And so the
kind-hearted locals fed them
00:26:59.88\00:27:04.55
and nursed them and
invited them to stay
00:27:04.75\00:27:07.56
and share their
provisions if they would like.
00:27:07.72\00:27:09.99
But their courtesy was
not to be kindly repaid.
00:27:12.06\00:27:15.30
These were not visitors...
00:27:15.80\00:27:18.33
they were invaders.
00:27:19.63\00:27:21.87
The peaceful Moriori
had a decision to make.
00:27:23.24\00:27:26.37
What would they do?
00:27:27.24\00:27:29.01
To not fight back would be
to sign their own death warrant.
00:27:29.41\00:27:32.18
They would be killed
or they would be enslaved.
00:27:32.38\00:27:34.92
And the practice of the
invaders was to cannibalize
00:27:35.12\00:27:38.72
their victims.
00:27:38.92\00:27:40.42
This was a crisis
and there was no way
00:27:41.36\00:27:46.63
it could end well.
00:27:46.83\00:27:48.46
The young men
urged that they fight.
00:27:49.03\00:27:50.90
Two thousand locals
against 900 invaders:
00:27:51.10\00:27:54.04
this could be done.
00:27:54.24\00:27:55.70
But the older men looked at
it from a different perspective.
00:27:57.57\00:28:00.61
They advised the people should
stay true to who they were.
00:28:01.48\00:28:05.48
These were a
people who at their core -
00:28:05.98\00:28:08.58
you might say "in their DNA" -
00:28:08.78\00:28:11.35
were committed to non-violence.
00:28:11.75\00:28:14.09
They decided they
would not fight back because
00:28:15.26\00:28:19.26
of who they were.
00:28:19.66\00:28:21.86
It's one thing to
jeopardize your existence
00:28:22.86\00:28:25.40
to save the life
of another person,
00:28:25.60\00:28:27.14
to advance your people,
to achieve independence,
00:28:28.07\00:28:30.47
to throw off
tyranny. But were the Moriori
00:28:30.67\00:28:34.28
really prepared
to die for an ideal?
00:28:34.68\00:28:40.52
But wait... this
was more than an ideal.
00:28:41.08\00:28:44.22
Non-violence was bound
up with their identity...
00:28:44.62\00:28:47.52
inextricably bound up.
00:28:47.72\00:28:49.32
They had to be true to
their core values, true to their
00:28:50.09\00:28:53.06
principles, true
to who they were.
00:28:53.26\00:28:56.10
Why? Because
they were committed!
00:28:56.30\00:29:00.80
So much so that
within about two decades
00:29:01.00\00:29:05.87
that entire people
group had been wiped out.
00:29:06.98\00:29:12.08
They were massacred.
00:29:13.52\00:29:15.55
The question
that guided them was
00:29:16.72\00:29:19.15
quite simply: "Who are we?
00:29:19.35\00:29:22.02
What do we stand
for as a people? "
00:29:22.22\00:29:26.80
To answer that question
00:29:28.56\00:29:30.87
would lead them to
both greatness and oblivion.
00:29:31.03\00:29:35.94
And hindsight suggests
00:29:36.71\00:29:39.17
that the two
cannot be separated.
00:29:40.21\00:29:43.51
That question... "Who are we? "
00:29:43.91\00:29:46.65
"What are we made of?
" "What do we stand for
00:29:46.85\00:29:50.45
as a people? "Answer that
question and it will define you.
00:29:50.65\00:29:53.86
Answer that question and
you have found your cynosure,
00:29:54.26\00:29:57.46
you have found your polaris.
00:29:57.66\00:29:59.63
The theme of this
year's gathering at ASI
00:29:59.83\00:30:02.16
speaks to that question.
00:30:02.36\00:30:04.00
"Who are we? "
"What are we made of? "
00:30:04.20\00:30:06.23
"What do we stand
for as a people? "
00:30:06.43\00:30:08.54
Called, chosen, committed.
00:30:09.14\00:30:13.48
We have been called.
The Bible tells us that.
00:30:13.68\00:30:16.78
I Corinthians 1:9
00:30:17.41\00:30:19.41
"God is faithful,
by whom you are called
00:30:19.61\00:30:22.85
into the fellowship of
His Son Jesus Christ. "
00:30:23.05\00:30:25.85
Every person alive
has been called by God.
00:30:26.35\00:30:29.12
Jesus died for "whosoever. "
00:30:29.42\00:30:32.03
Paul told Timothy: "God
has saved us and called us
00:30:32.23\00:30:35.66
with a holy calling. "
00:30:35.86\00:30:37.20
There is no denying
that you have been called...
00:30:37.27\00:30:39.90
called by God.
00:30:40.10\00:30:41.44
When you are not so sure
of your place in this world,
00:30:41.57\00:30:43.91
not sure of your
worth in the big picture,
00:30:44.11\00:30:47.51
not sure the direction of
your life... where it should go,
00:30:47.91\00:30:51.45
where it might lead you,
remember you have been called
00:30:51.65\00:30:57.62
by God. God has a plan for you.
00:30:57.82\00:31:00.79
God has a work for you.
00:31:00.99\00:31:03.02
God has a purpose for
you... YOU have been called.
00:31:03.22\00:31:08.03
Would you say amen today? Amen!
00:31:08.23\00:31:10.67
We have been chosen.
00:31:11.07\00:31:12.57
According to Peter we
are a "chosen generation. "
00:31:12.77\00:31:17.11
Jesus said in John
15: "I have chosen you. "
00:31:17.31\00:31:22.51
So that is settled.
00:31:23.58\00:31:25.41
Not chosen to represent
your country at the Olympics.
00:31:26.01\00:31:28.45
Not chosen for elected office.
00:31:29.68\00:31:31.55
Chosen:
hand-picked by God to be His
00:31:33.15\00:31:35.72
and everything that entails.
00:31:35.92\00:31:38.06
It is no accident
that you are here today.
00:31:38.26\00:31:40.36
God wants you to be confident
that He has chosen you.
00:31:41.30\00:31:46.74
There's nothing more certain.
00:31:46.94\00:31:48.40
Called you... selected you.
00:31:48.60\00:31:51.87
Called... for sure.
00:31:52.37\00:31:54.94
Chosen... undoubtedly.
00:31:55.88\00:31:59.15
Committed? Now
there's a question.
00:32:01.62\00:32:07.06
Are we committed? We
could answer that by saying:
00:32:07.46\00:32:09.19
"Of course we are! "
00:32:09.39\00:32:10.73
We are all
committed to something...
00:32:10.76\00:32:12.09
there's no doubt. But
to what are we committed?
00:32:12.26\00:32:15.06
God calls us to commitment.
00:32:15.26\00:32:17.67
Jesus told one man that
the greatest commandment was to
00:32:18.07\00:32:20.64
love God with your whole
heart, soul, mind, and strength.
00:32:20.84\00:32:24.97
Cultural Christianity
is not Christianity at all.
00:32:25.37\00:32:30.45
It is too late in
the history of this world
00:32:30.85\00:32:34.72
for God's people
to be playing games.
00:32:35.12\00:32:38.25
There are myriad places in
the Bible where we could see
00:32:39.35\00:32:42.19
commitment demonstrated,
but I would like to lead you
00:32:42.39\00:32:44.36
down a road less traveled
today. Please turn with me
00:32:44.56\00:32:46.66
in your Bible to
Jeremiah chapter 35.
00:32:46.86\00:32:49.30
We will gallop through
00:32:49.50\00:32:55.44
a short passage in
Jeremiah chapter 35.
00:32:55.74\00:32:58.27
We'll start in
verse 1. Turn there.
00:32:58.47\00:32:59.91
Jeremiah 35:1, the Bible says:
00:33:00.11\00:33:03.01
"The word which came
to Jeremiah from the Lord
00:33:03.41\00:33:05.55
in the days of
Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah,
00:33:05.75\00:33:07.62
king of Judah,
saying... " Listen...
00:33:07.78\00:33:09.28
"Go to the house
of the Recabites.
00:33:09.48\00:33:12.12
Speak to them and bring
them into the house of the Lord
00:33:12.32\00:33:15.06
into one of the chambers
and give them wine to drink. "
00:33:15.26\00:33:19.43
Now this was God
speaking through His prophet.
00:33:20.60\00:33:23.13
"Bring them into
a room in the temple
00:33:23.33\00:33:25.73
and have them drink wine. "
00:33:25.93\00:33:28.64
So Jeremiah says
later in the passage:
00:33:29.64\00:33:32.07
"I brought them into
the house of the Lord
00:33:32.27\00:33:33.94
into the chamber of the sons
of Hanan, the sons of Igdaliah,
00:33:34.14\00:33:38.25
Then I sat before the
sons of the house of Recabites
00:33:38.45\00:33:42.05
bowls full of wine and cups
00:33:42.25\00:33:43.95
and I said to
them: 'Drink wine. ' "
00:33:44.25\00:33:46.82
Now it's true he did
not say: "God commands you
00:33:47.02\00:33:49.86
to drink wine. " But
still, this was the prophet
00:33:50.06\00:33:52.56
and they knew that that was so.
00:33:52.76\00:33:54.86
Now let me just take a time
out here and speak to something.
00:33:55.26\00:33:57.23
We know full well that
there are voices, loud voices
00:33:58.87\00:34:01.04
some of them, and
not all on the periphery,
00:34:01.24\00:34:02.97
who love to denigrate the
prophetic message given by God
00:34:04.77\00:34:07.54
to His people. Friend
of God, we are closing in
00:34:07.74\00:34:11.78
on the return of
Christ. We cannot afford
00:34:11.98\00:34:16.05
to be soft on the gift of
prophecy. What do you say?
00:34:16.25\00:34:19.15
Amen! We cannot! This is no time
00:34:19.35\00:34:22.72
to be undermining even passively
00:34:22.92\00:34:25.66
something that was
only God's idea anyway.
00:34:25.86\00:34:30.27
Caviling and
cynicism about what we believe
00:34:30.77\00:34:34.74
should be entertained like
you would entertain cancer.
00:34:34.94\00:34:39.24
The truth is too precious
00:34:39.44\00:34:42.01
for us to surrender it now.
00:34:42.21\00:34:44.35
Amen! And so the
Recabites answered.
00:34:44.68\00:34:47.25
They said: "We
will drink no wine!
00:34:47.45\00:34:49.58
No wine! For Jonadab the son
of Recab our father commanded us
00:34:49.78\00:34:53.92
saying: 'You shall drink no
wine nor your sons forever. ' "
00:34:54.12\00:34:58.99
They went on to say:
00:34:59.19\00:35:00.53
"Thus we have obeyed the voice
of Jonadab the son of Recab
00:35:00.63\00:35:04.50
our father in all
that he charged us
00:35:04.70\00:35:07.10
to drink no wine
in all of our days. "
00:35:07.30\00:35:09.24
"Jeremiah: we hear
you; we understand ya.
00:35:09.64\00:35:12.61
We get ya... but we are
NOT going to do what you say! "
00:35:12.81\00:35:16.08
"We might seem contrary; we
might come off as uncooperative
00:35:16.28\00:35:19.81
but what we want
you to know, Jeremiah,
00:35:20.02\00:35:22.65
is that we are committed.
" And committed they were!
00:35:22.85\00:35:27.49
Jeremiah spoke up again and
he said: "Thus says the Lord
00:35:28.49\00:35:30.96
of Hosts, the God of Israel:
00:35:31.16\00:35:32.53
go and tell the men of Judah
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
00:35:32.93\00:35:35.70
'Will you not receive
instruction to obey My word? ' "
00:35:36.10\00:35:39.20
If you read on, you find
out that God had a problem.
00:35:39.40\00:35:41.50
Here was His people.
He had labored with them.
00:35:41.70\00:35:43.81
He had pleaded with them.
00:35:44.01\00:35:45.34
He had chastised
them; He had turned them.
00:35:45.47\00:35:47.68
He had demonstrated
His longsuffering to them
00:35:48.08\00:35:50.61
again and again and again.
00:35:50.81\00:35:52.31
And still they couldn't
find it within themselves
00:35:52.51\00:35:55.98
to be faithful
to the Creator God.
00:35:56.18\00:35:58.22
And here come the Recabites!
00:35:58.62\00:36:00.46
Jeremiah says: "I
am the prophet of God
00:36:01.39\00:36:04.33
and I am telling
you to drink wine! "
00:36:04.53\00:36:06.13
And they look him in the
face and they say: "We are just
00:36:06.33\00:36:09.53
not going to do it. " God
wanted Israel to understand
00:36:09.73\00:36:13.03
what commitment looked like.
00:36:13.23\00:36:14.57
I wonder if He wants
us to know the same thing?
00:36:15.24\00:36:18.57
They were dedicated... they
were committed. Interestingly
00:36:18.97\00:36:22.78
they didn't show up in
the Bible until that time
00:36:22.98\00:36:25.41
and they don't show up again
explicitly after that time.
00:36:25.61\00:36:28.08
That's the only
place in the Bible
00:36:28.58\00:36:30.42
you read about these folks.
00:36:30.62\00:36:32.19
And they showed up on
time to give us a demonstration
00:36:32.89\00:36:37.36
of commitment.
00:36:37.76\00:36:40.16
What is it we really
stand for today as God's people?
00:36:41.66\00:36:44.83
Well we stand for the gospel...
00:36:46.07\00:36:48.24
especially as it is
expressed in the three angels
00:36:48.70\00:36:52.31
in Revelation chapter 14.
00:36:52.51\00:36:53.84
We stand for Christ
and what He stands for.
00:36:55.11\00:36:58.85
We are on this earth so
that God's work can be done.
00:36:59.05\00:37:02.38
We stand for reflecting Christ,
00:37:02.58\00:37:05.35
for letting God have His way.
00:37:05.55\00:37:08.22
They tried to trap
Jesus in His words.
00:37:09.02\00:37:12.03
He pointed them to God always.
00:37:12.23\00:37:14.36
His life spoke of commitment
and He said: "If you've seen Me
00:37:14.76\00:37:18.80
you've seen the Father. "
00:37:19.00\00:37:20.34
Now God has given
us a mandate, friend.
00:37:21.24\00:37:23.77
A mandate: "Go therefore
00:37:23.97\00:37:26.98
and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the
00:37:27.18\00:37:31.55
name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit. "
00:37:31.75\00:37:34.18
We have a
transformational message:
00:37:34.38\00:37:38.39
one that offers to the
world hope and wholeness.
00:37:38.59\00:37:42.42
There is a world to
win. All around us are people
00:37:42.62\00:37:45.79
going down to Christless graves.
00:37:45.99\00:37:48.16
And as they do so
- listen carefully -
00:37:48.36\00:37:51.10
the clock still
ticks. We cannot go on
00:37:51.30\00:37:56.74
inventing ways of
distracting ourselves
00:37:56.94\00:38:00.88
from the
mission of God's church.
00:38:01.08\00:38:03.61
If ever there was a
time for a full-court press
00:38:04.01\00:38:08.98
that time is now!
00:38:09.18\00:38:11.69
We are not
unaware of the challenges.
00:38:11.89\00:38:14.02
And we understand that when the
Bible spoke of the ten virgins
00:38:15.16\00:38:18.56
it said they were all asleep.
00:38:19.06\00:38:21.30
We read the message
to the church of Laodicea
00:38:21.70\00:38:24.10
and you cannot say: "That
applies to the faction of the
00:38:24.30\00:38:27.54
church that I'm not a part of. "
00:38:27.70\00:38:29.10
It applies to you, me,
the liberals on the left,
00:38:29.50\00:38:32.57
the cranky conservatives
way out on the right.
00:38:32.77\00:38:34.88
We are ALL
involved in this thing.
00:38:35.28\00:38:39.15
But it's not possible
to be committed to Christ
00:38:39.91\00:38:43.65
and not be committed
to the church He loves.
00:38:43.85\00:38:46.42
It is not possible to
be committed to Christ
00:38:46.82\00:38:50.09
and not be committed to
the souls for which He died.
00:38:50.29\00:38:54.80
And hasn't God
encouraged us again and again
00:38:55.00\00:38:58.97
that it pays off to
be about His business?
00:38:59.17\00:39:01.47
How many were baptized
in Rwanda recently? Tell me.
00:39:01.87\00:39:04.37
The better part of 100,000.
00:39:04.77\00:39:06.74
There's only
one question to ask:
00:39:06.94\00:39:08.68
when are we doing it again?
00:39:08.88\00:39:11.25
How many were baptized
the last time your church
00:39:11.65\00:39:13.88
got involved in soul winning?
00:39:14.08\00:39:15.42
What are you waiting for?
00:39:15.55\00:39:18.19
How many lives were touched
during the last outreach effort
00:39:18.39\00:39:21.36
either by a gospel tract
or a hand on the shoulder,
00:39:21.56\00:39:24.66
either by a
smile or a kind deed?
00:39:24.86\00:39:27.00
Lives were touched and they
are waiting to be touched again!
00:39:27.30\00:39:30.83
Who knew evangelism
was so truly effective?
00:39:31.03\00:39:33.60
The work of God - evangelism
- in all of its forms.
00:39:34.00\00:39:36.44
Can we not
agree once and for all
00:39:36.84\00:39:42.34
that we as God's people
are committed to evangelism?
00:39:42.54\00:39:46.45
We believe in evangelism!
00:39:46.65\00:39:48.32
We'll stop whispering
beside the water cooler
00:39:48.52\00:39:51.15
about how
evangelism doesn't work.
00:39:51.45\00:39:53.56
We believe in this
because God believes in this!
00:39:53.76\00:39:56.73
And we'll not only believe
in it... we'll be involved
00:39:57.63\00:40:00.26
in sharing Christ
with as many as we can.
00:40:00.46\00:40:03.63
The critics may carp and bicker
00:40:04.17\00:40:07.27
but still we
hear Nehemiah saying:
00:40:07.67\00:40:10.47
"I am doing a great work
so that I cannot come down.
00:40:10.67\00:40:15.18
Why should the work cease
00:40:15.38\00:40:16.88
while I leave it
and come down to you? "
00:40:17.08\00:40:18.88
There has never been a better
time to be committed to the work
00:40:19.28\00:40:21.12
of the church than now.
00:40:21.32\00:40:23.25
Jesus said 2,000 years
ago: "The fields are white
00:40:23.45\00:40:27.39
and they are ready to harvest. "
00:40:27.59\00:40:29.29
We stand on the verge of the
greatest ingathering of souls
00:40:29.49\00:40:33.66
this universe
has ever witnessed.
00:40:33.86\00:40:36.46
If you look at
the glass half empty,
00:40:36.87\00:40:39.47
you might say: "What
about those big cities
00:40:39.67\00:40:42.30
where we barely
have a presence? "
00:40:42.50\00:40:43.94
But if you have a
look at the glass half full
00:40:44.34\00:40:47.31
you will say: "Wait!
There is a great work
00:40:47.51\00:40:50.55
just waiting to be done. "
And we have it on the authority
00:40:50.75\00:40:53.58
of the Bible God will get it
done before Jesus comes back.
00:40:53.78\00:40:57.65
The question is: will you
be part of getting it done?
00:40:58.05\00:41:02.66
God votes for
"ya" not against "ya. "
00:41:03.06\00:41:06.86
Now you will remember
00:41:07.26\00:41:08.70
from high school the
periodic table of elements.
00:41:09.00\00:41:12.73
And being the good
science student that you were
00:41:13.13\00:41:15.80
you remember that the first
element of the table was what?
00:41:16.00\00:41:18.07
Hydrogen. All right! I
found me a science student.
00:41:18.47\00:41:22.14
Then? Then?
00:41:23.41\00:41:26.88
Hydrogen, helium... then what?
00:41:31.15\00:41:33.72
Lithium. Then? Then?
00:41:33.92\00:41:37.39
Berylium. No Google now!
00:41:38.53\00:41:40.46
Hydrogen, helium, lithium,
00:41:45.33\00:41:47.80
berylium, boron, carbon,
00:41:48.00\00:41:49.67
nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine,
00:41:49.87\00:41:51.81
neon... Uzbekistan,
00:41:52.01\00:41:55.91
Afghanistan, Kurdistan...
00:41:56.11\00:41:58.45
If you look down to
about number 50 something,
00:42:04.82\00:42:09.26
you'll find something on
that table called cesium.
00:42:10.26\00:42:14.00
And cesium is a
fascinating little beast
00:42:14.93\00:42:16.87
for a number of
reasons. One of the reasons is
00:42:17.07\00:42:19.13
because it has one atom on its
valence shell, it's outer shell.
00:42:19.33\00:42:22.97
And that atom spends
its time... it is vigilant.
00:42:23.94\00:42:27.48
It spends its time looking for
00:42:28.21\00:42:31.25
what would you call
it? Molecules? Molecules?
00:42:32.41\00:42:34.52
Oh, I don't know.
00:42:34.92\00:42:36.58
You know, I don't
trust atoms anyway.
00:42:36.79\00:42:40.19
They make up everything!
00:42:40.39\00:42:42.02
Someone will explain it to you.
00:42:49.50\00:42:51.37
But it gets around - this cesium
molecule with an extra atom
00:42:56.47\00:43:02.08
on its valence shell
- it looks for molecules
00:43:02.28\00:43:05.15
and I hope I'm using
the right terminology
00:43:05.35\00:43:08.08
that lack their complete
complement of electrons.
00:43:08.48\00:43:13.56
And so if you put
cesium near oxygen
00:43:13.76\00:43:16.76
and oxygen is
looking for another electron
00:43:16.96\00:43:18.96
that extra cesium atom... or
that one on the valence shell...
00:43:19.16\00:43:23.33
will leap and "BOOM! "
00:43:23.53\00:43:26.17
If you put it near
iodine or bromide or fluorine,
00:43:26.37\00:43:29.70
you're going to
get the same reaction.
00:43:29.90\00:43:31.37
Now it's not that
cesium is a troublemaker,
00:43:31.57\00:43:34.01
but wherever it goes
excitement is going to follow
00:43:34.88\00:43:37.01
because "BOOM! " you're
going to have this reaction.
00:43:37.21\00:43:39.38
Why? Again, it's
not looking for trouble.
00:43:39.58\00:43:41.98
Cesium just does
what cesium does!
00:43:42.18\00:43:45.19
It does what it does
because it is what it is.
00:43:46.19\00:43:49.92
That's all!
00:43:50.13\00:43:52.29
When God calls you to be His
00:43:52.89\00:43:55.43
you'll be a lot like
that cesium molecule.
00:43:56.03\00:43:58.63
You will do what you do
because you are what you are.
00:43:59.03\00:44:02.44
God calls us to ministry...
00:44:02.64\00:44:04.51
it must be our focus in
whatever form God brings to you.
00:44:04.71\00:44:09.64
We cannot let the devil draw
us away from what God wants us
00:44:09.84\00:44:13.25
to do. We've been commissioned;
we've got a mandate.
00:44:13.45\00:44:15.78
"Go therefore...
GO! Make disciples. "
00:44:16.18\00:44:18.45
Where? "Of all
nations. " Do what?
00:44:18.65\00:44:20.59
"Baptize them! Teach them all
things I have commanded you. "
00:44:20.99\00:44:23.93
When we become Christ's we are
looking for that opportunity.
00:44:24.13\00:44:27.63
You don't see a lost
person and turn and walk away.
00:44:27.83\00:44:30.27
Something stirs in your
heart; you cry out to God
00:44:30.47\00:44:33.84
"Lord, can You use me here? "
00:44:34.04\00:44:36.10
And when God says: "Yes I can! "
00:44:36.50\00:44:38.21
then you are used by God.
00:44:38.41\00:44:40.51
You are familiar with the
quote. It's the opening stanza
00:44:40.71\00:44:43.81
of the book Acts of the
Apostles. Listen! I believe
00:44:44.01\00:44:45.71
these words and
I know you do too.
00:44:45.91\00:44:47.38
"The church is God's appointed
agency for the salvation of men.
00:44:47.58\00:44:50.79
It was organized for
service and its mission
00:44:51.19\00:44:54.09
is to carry the
gospel to the world.
00:44:55.66\00:44:59.23
From the beginning it has
been God's plan that through
00:44:59.43\00:45:01.56
His church shall be reflected
to the world His fullness
00:45:01.76\00:45:05.10
and His sufficiency.
00:45:05.40\00:45:07.47
The members of the church -
those whom He has called out of
00:45:07.67\00:45:09.97
darkness into His
marvelous light... "
00:45:10.17\00:45:11.51
Those He has called.
00:45:11.64\00:45:13.84
"are to show forth His glory.
00:45:14.04\00:45:15.71
The church is the repository
of the riches of the grace
00:45:16.11\00:45:18.28
of Christ, and through the
church will eventually be made
00:45:18.48\00:45:22.15
manifest even to the
principalities and powers
00:45:22.35\00:45:25.25
in heavenly places
the final and full display
00:45:25.45\00:45:28.99
of the love of God. "
00:45:29.19\00:45:31.53
We have been CALLED!
God calls us to commitment.
00:45:31.73\00:45:36.30
What does it look like?
00:45:36.50\00:45:38.17
It looks like the
Moriori on Rekohu...
00:45:38.57\00:45:41.54
Chatham Island 500 miles from
the south island of New Zealand.
00:45:41.94\00:45:44.67
It looks like a woman breaking
an alabaster box of ointment.
00:45:45.37\00:45:48.38
She gave Jesus the best she had.
00:45:48.58\00:45:50.45
It looks like a widow putting
two mites in the offering plate.
00:45:50.65\00:45:53.72
She gave everything she had.
00:45:54.12\00:45:55.98
It looks like that little widow
lady giving the last measure
00:45:56.18\00:46:00.09
of oil she had to the prophet.
00:46:00.29\00:46:01.82
It looks like Isaiah
saying: "Here am I... send me. "
00:46:02.02\00:46:05.63
It sounds like Jacob
saying: "I will not let You go
00:46:05.83\00:46:10.00
except You bless me. "
00:46:10.20\00:46:11.53
It looks like Samson saying:
"Lord... give me strength
00:46:11.90\00:46:14.90
just one more time. "
00:46:15.10\00:46:16.44
It looks like David
running toward Goliath.
00:46:16.74\00:46:20.08
It looks like people
letting God work in them
00:46:20.48\00:46:25.28
that God's work is done and
His mission is accomplished!
00:46:25.48\00:46:30.22
Noah built an ark;
Elijah built an altar;
00:46:30.42\00:46:32.69
Moses built a sanctuary;
Nehemiah built a wall.
00:46:32.89\00:46:35.66
They were committed to
God and so they stood up,
00:46:35.96\00:46:38.83
they stepped up, and they lit
up their corner of the universe
00:46:39.03\00:46:42.20
with a manifestation
of God's character...
00:46:42.40\00:46:44.80
a demonstration of what
commitment to God looks like.
00:46:45.20\00:46:48.77
We are called; we have
been chosen. The question is
00:46:48.97\00:46:52.64
are we committed?
We MUST be committed!
00:46:53.04\00:46:55.31
A young missionary from
New Zealand - his name was Len
00:46:56.08\00:46:58.35
Barnard - went to
Papua, New Guinea.
00:46:58.55\00:47:00.42
They said: "Len, don't
go down into those valleys.
00:47:00.62\00:47:03.02
The cannibals will eat you. "
00:47:03.22\00:47:04.55
He went anyway.
00:47:04.79\00:47:06.12
He carried his Bible in
one hand and a bag of medicine
00:47:06.52\00:47:08.42
in the other. The
Spirit of God filled his heart.
00:47:08.62\00:47:10.79
50, 60 years later you can
go back to those same villages:
00:47:11.19\00:47:14.83
beautiful villages
filled with God's people.
00:47:15.03\00:47:18.63
Go to church on Sunday. It'd
be empty, but up front will be
00:47:18.83\00:47:22.34
the offering plate still with
the offering from yesterday.
00:47:22.54\00:47:25.27
The church has no
windows and no doors.
00:47:25.67\00:47:27.48
No one's going to steal that
00:47:27.68\00:47:29.14
because God has
got into those hearts,
00:47:29.54\00:47:32.18
changed those lives.
00:47:32.38\00:47:34.12
These are people who are
committed because one man's
00:47:34.32\00:47:37.65
commitment drove him to
jeopardize his own safety
00:47:37.85\00:47:40.32
and his own life.
00:47:40.52\00:47:41.86
A Scots Protestant
minister named John Patton
00:47:41.89\00:47:44.53
determined to share Christ in
what was then the New Hebrides
00:47:44.73\00:47:47.46
in the South Pacific.
00:47:47.66\00:47:49.00
A Mr. Dixon said:
"The cannibals! You will be
00:47:49.13\00:47:51.83
eaten by the cannibals!
" Patton said: "Mr. Dixon,
00:47:52.03\00:47:56.00
you are now advanced in years.
00:47:56.40\00:47:58.51
You will soon be laid in
the grave and eaten by worms! "
00:47:58.91\00:48:02.44
"If I can live and die
serving and honoring Jesus,
00:48:04.95\00:48:07.52
it will make no difference to me
whether I'm eaten by cannibals
00:48:07.72\00:48:10.32
or by worms! "
00:48:10.52\00:48:12.02
"In the resurrection my
body will rise as fair as yours
00:48:12.52\00:48:18.19
in the likeness
of our Redeemer! "
00:48:18.39\00:48:20.50
We were filming for It Is
Written recently in Scotland
00:48:20.90\00:48:24.57
and I stood at the place
where the martyr George Wishart
00:48:24.77\00:48:27.70
was hanged and burned
by the scoundrel archbishop
00:48:27.90\00:48:31.51
Cardinal Beaton.
Here's what's interesting.
00:48:31.71\00:48:34.28
Eighteen years before
Patrick Hamilton had been burned
00:48:34.48\00:48:36.98
250 yards away.
00:48:37.18\00:48:39.11
Wishart knew that.
00:48:39.31\00:48:40.72
He knew that going back to Scot-
land and preaching Protestantism
00:48:41.08\00:48:43.89
would have him
reduced to a pile of ashes.
00:48:44.09\00:48:46.52
What did he do? He went ANYWAY!
00:48:46.72\00:48:50.13
He could do no
other... Christ had him!
00:48:50.33\00:48:54.73
What drives a person to do that?
00:48:54.93\00:48:56.77
Dr. Martin Luther King
was standing on the platform
00:48:56.97\00:48:58.73
at Mason Temple. He knew
about the threats on his life.
00:48:58.93\00:49:02.27
He knew that his plane - the one
in which he flew to Memphis -
00:49:02.47\00:49:04.71
had been guarded
that night before.
00:49:04.91\00:49:06.88
Otherwise somebody might
have taken occasion to kill him.
00:49:07.28\00:49:10.01
And yet... yet he
stood. And yet he spoke.
00:49:10.21\00:49:13.65
He said: "I just
want to do God's will.
00:49:13.85\00:49:15.85
He's allowed me to
go up to the mountain
00:49:16.25\00:49:18.15
and I've looked over, and
I've seen the Promised Land.
00:49:18.35\00:49:20.86
I'm not fearing any man.
00:49:21.06\00:49:23.53
Mine eyes have been the glory
of the coming of the Lord! "
00:49:23.93\00:49:28.53
The next day the
unthinkable happened.
00:49:28.93\00:49:31.33
Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel
00:49:31.53\00:49:35.10
became part of the
legend of this nation's history.
00:49:35.30\00:49:39.77
What drives a person
to make such a sacrifice?
00:49:39.97\00:49:42.74
No wait... wrong question.
00:49:42.94\00:49:44.68
It's not a sacrifice.
00:49:44.88\00:49:46.72
It's what you do when you
believe with all of your heart.
00:49:47.12\00:49:51.09
God says: "Go! " You go!
00:49:51.49\00:49:53.79
God says: "Share! " You share!
00:49:53.99\00:49:55.79
God says: "Be there. "
You say: "Lord, I am there
00:49:55.99\00:49:58.76
because I am
committed to Christ. " But wait!
00:49:58.96\00:50:02.03
"We are faulty people here.
00:50:04.27\00:50:06.10
Flawed... we are
flawed. " Yes you are.
00:50:06.30\00:50:08.40
I'll tell ya:
inadequate... broken.
00:50:08.60\00:50:12.81
How is it then that
God can get His work done?
00:50:13.11\00:50:16.04
And the minute actually
if you're listening carefully
00:50:16.24\00:50:17.98
you might be saying: "All
of this call to commitment
00:50:18.38\00:50:21.25
sounds like a call to
righteousness by works. "
00:50:21.45\00:50:23.59
It is the opposite! A
call to commitment can only be
00:50:23.79\00:50:26.45
a call to righteousness by faith
00:50:26.65\00:50:28.92
because understood correctly
commitment is not something
00:50:29.12\00:50:32.13
we can give to God.
Commitment is something
00:50:32.33\00:50:34.90
Christ performs in us
when Jesus has our heart.
00:50:35.10\00:50:39.53
You know as well as I
do from bitter experience
00:50:39.93\00:50:42.77
that our promises
are like ropes of sand.
00:50:42.97\00:50:46.81
How can we be
committed to this God?
00:50:47.01\00:50:49.38
You are weak. God says:
"My strength is made perfect
00:50:49.58\00:50:53.31
in weakness. " You
are battling temptation
00:50:53.52\00:50:56.02
and God says: "I will
make a way of escape. "
00:50:56.22\00:50:59.69
You are corrupt and God
says: "A new heart will I put
00:50:59.89\00:51:04.79
within you. " God will
do what needs to be done!
00:51:05.19\00:51:08.56
We read in the Bible:
"Faithful is He that calls you
00:51:08.76\00:51:12.67
who also will do it. "
00:51:12.87\00:51:17.07
God had a plan... Jonah
ran. God went after him.
00:51:17.61\00:51:20.98
The Prodigal Son left home and
the Spirit of God followed him
00:51:21.38\00:51:23.88
to a pigsty. Three men were
out there on the plain of Dura
00:51:24.08\00:51:27.65
and because they prayed
the Holy Spirit locked their
00:51:27.85\00:51:31.05
knee joints, and they were un-
able and unwilling to bow down.
00:51:31.25\00:51:36.12
Daniel - knowing that
his life was on the line -
00:51:36.62\00:51:39.49
prayed to God anyway!
00:51:39.69\00:51:42.00
They threw him in the lion's
den and God was there with him.
00:51:42.20\00:51:46.70
Daniel understood "He who
has begun a good work in you
00:51:47.20\00:51:50.07
is faithful to perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ. "
00:51:50.47\00:51:53.38
There is no need
for discouragement here.
00:51:53.58\00:51:55.51
God takes responsibility
for the work in you
00:51:55.71\00:51:59.31
and in the church! How do
we reach the 10/40 window?
00:51:59.51\00:52:02.98
How do you reach your
patients or your clients?
00:52:03.39\00:52:05.42
How can a small church minister
effectively in its community?
00:52:05.62\00:52:08.59
How do we share Jesus
with a massive population
00:52:08.79\00:52:11.29
who barely have
ever heard His name?
00:52:11.49\00:52:13.70
Let me tell you something.
The Bible says "This gospel
00:52:14.60\00:52:17.93
of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world. "
00:52:18.13\00:52:21.34
God is committed to His church.
00:52:21.74\00:52:25.47
He stands at the
head of the work.
00:52:25.67\00:52:28.04
Somebody spoke to Jesus one day
and said: "If you are willing
00:52:29.84\00:52:31.98
you can make me clean. "
Jesus said: "I am willing. "
00:52:32.18\00:52:34.62
Jesus says to the church today
00:52:35.28\00:52:37.09
"I am willing. " Jesus
says to the church today
00:52:37.29\00:52:40.09
"I want to. " Jesus
says to the church today
00:52:40.29\00:52:42.99
"I will get it done in
your life if you'll let Me
00:52:43.19\00:52:47.03
and in the mission and in
the ministry of the church. "
00:52:47.43\00:52:49.53
Friend, I
believe in this church.
00:52:49.93\00:52:51.33
I believe that weak
and enfeebled though it is
00:52:51.73\00:52:53.97
it is still the one
object upon this earth
00:52:54.17\00:52:56.20
upon which Christ
bestows in a special sense
00:52:56.40\00:52:59.07
His supreme regard.
This is no time for division.
00:52:59.27\00:53:02.44
This is a time for unity.
00:53:02.64\00:53:03.98
We may still disagree
about this, that, or the other
00:53:04.18\00:53:06.61
but we must agree on
that on which we must agree.
00:53:06.82\00:53:11.29
Christ is the
head of this church
00:53:11.69\00:53:13.36
and there is nothing more impor-
tant than reaching the lost,
00:53:13.76\00:53:18.69
doing our Father's business,
and occupying until He comes.
00:53:18.89\00:53:23.16
And let me tell you something:
00:53:25.50\00:53:26.94
if you think your little
commit- ment might not make much
00:53:28.00\00:53:30.21
difference, I want you to think
back to my Moriori friends.
00:53:30.41\00:53:32.74
They were massacred,
wiped out, but somebody named
00:53:34.01\00:53:36.71
Te Whiti o Rongomai
00:53:36.91\00:53:38.81
learned of their commitment
00:53:39.01\00:53:41.15
and led the village of Parihaka
00:53:41.55\00:53:44.09
in non-violent resistance
00:53:44.49\00:53:47.26
against the white Colonialists.
00:53:47.66\00:53:50.26
Now, here's what you
might find interesting.
00:53:50.66\00:53:52.76
A man named
Mohandas Gandhi knew about
00:53:53.16\00:53:57.03
Te Whiti o Rongomai and
his stand, his non-violent
00:53:57.23\00:54:00.30
resistance. Take
that one step further.
00:54:00.50\00:54:03.64
Dr. Martin Luther King
00:54:03.97\00:54:05.84
was inspired by
the example of Gandhi.
00:54:06.24\00:54:09.21
Now you will excuse me if
you feel like I'm stretching
00:54:09.91\00:54:12.18
a little bit. But I can stretch
all I want 'cause I have the
00:54:12.38\00:54:14.48
microphone. And listen:
00:54:14.68\00:54:17.09
the Moriori are a
people you've never heard of
00:54:17.99\00:54:20.49
and yet it may well be
that their example in standing
00:54:20.89\00:54:25.39
for who they were and
doing what they knew to be right
00:54:25.59\00:54:28.53
profoundly influenced the
Civil Rights movement in this
00:54:28.73\00:54:31.57
country. To that I
say: "Praise the Lord! "
00:54:31.77\00:54:35.77
The producers of Hacksaw
Ridge, the Desmond Doss movie,
00:54:38.01\00:54:40.44
they were asked: "Why did
you not do it accurately? "
00:54:40.64\00:54:42.64
"What? " "You have
Desmond Doss dragging people
00:54:42.84\00:54:46.25
to safety when he dragged the
first 2 and carried the rest! "
00:54:46.45\00:54:49.68
They said: "Well, that's right,
but if we did it like that
00:54:50.45\00:54:52.95
no one would believe we
were telling the truth. "
00:54:53.15\00:54:54.72
Desmond Doss dragged the
first 2; carried the next 73.
00:54:57.49\00:55:00.66
And every time he
lowered one down that cliff
00:55:01.46\00:55:03.47
his prayer was:
"Lord, give me one more. "
00:55:03.87\00:55:06.20
"Lord, give me one more. "
00:55:06.60\00:55:08.74
"Lord, give me one
more" seventy-four times.
00:55:08.94\00:55:11.37
The government
actually believes 99 times.
00:55:11.84\00:55:14.44
Doss said 50; the
government said 100...
00:55:14.64\00:55:16.58
so they split the difference.
00:55:16.78\00:55:18.11
That's why you
hear the number 75.
00:55:18.38\00:55:20.25
Seventy-four times
he prayed that prayer.
00:55:22.48\00:55:24.19
"Lord, give me one more.
" Friends, we are out here
00:55:24.59\00:55:27.36
in the heat of
battle. There are the wounded
00:55:27.56\00:55:29.12
out on the battlefield.
Our prayer has to be:
00:55:29.32\00:55:30.86
"Lord, give me one more. "
00:55:31.06\00:55:32.39
"Lord, give us one more. "
00:55:32.53\00:55:33.90
"Lord, raise us
up to preach again!
00:55:34.10\00:55:36.16
To prophesy again; to proclaim
again; to witness again;
00:55:36.36\00:55:39.17
to testify again.
Lord, give me one more. "
00:55:39.37\00:55:42.10
Even though commitment to
mission might be unfashionable
00:55:42.90\00:55:45.81
to back off is unthinkable.
00:55:46.01\00:55:47.61
Distraction is unacceptable.
00:55:47.81\00:55:49.38
Misplacing our
priorities is unconscionable.
00:55:49.58\00:55:52.35
To see more people
lost would be unbearable.
00:55:52.85\00:55:55.15
Arguments against
mission are untenable;
00:55:55.55\00:55:58.15
ignoring the world's
great need... unacceptable.
00:55:58.35\00:56:00.86
Now you might be uncomfortable,
00:56:01.36\00:56:02.72
led to places
that are undesirable,
00:56:02.92\00:56:04.76
immersed in cultures
that are unpalatable,
00:56:04.96\00:56:07.10
challenged by the unforeseeable,
prodded by the unpredictable.
00:56:07.30\00:56:10.33
But your experience with
Christ will be unforgettable.
00:56:10.97\00:56:13.74
God's leading
will be unmistakable.
00:56:13.94\00:56:15.90
We must be undividable,
our faith unshakable,
00:56:16.10\00:56:19.07
our resolve unbendable...
00:56:19.27\00:56:20.88
believing that not one
of God's people is unusable.
00:56:21.28\00:56:24.75
Amen!
00:56:24.95\00:56:26.28
The church will
be unrecognizable!
00:56:26.48\00:56:28.85
God's people will be unstoppable
00:56:29.65\00:56:31.92
because His
Spirit is uncontainable.
00:56:32.12\00:56:34.72
His power do this
this work is unarguable.
00:56:35.12\00:56:38.79
We will see God work in us,
00:56:38.99\00:56:41.86
through us, around us
00:56:42.26\00:56:43.63
and we will
say: "Unbelievable! "
00:56:43.83\00:56:46.84
Amen!
00:56:47.04\00:56:48.80
Jesus is coming back soon.
00:56:49.00\00:56:50.71
There's time to win one more.
00:56:51.41\00:56:53.68
"This gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached
00:56:54.08\00:56:57.11
in all the world for a
witness to all nations. "
00:56:57.31\00:56:59.11
The end will come. Why?
00:56:59.31\00:57:02.15
Because God is
committed. Let's pray.
00:57:02.35\00:57:07.66
Our Father and our God,
00:57:07.82\00:57:09.22
we cannot tell You
how much we love You.
00:57:09.92\00:57:11.59
We want to love You more.
00:57:11.79\00:57:13.26
And You must use us.
We cannot go from here
00:57:14.13\00:57:17.97
less effective than when
we arrived at this convention.
00:57:18.17\00:57:20.44
We cannot go from here
less committed than when we
00:57:21.20\00:57:23.94
drove into town.
00:57:24.14\00:57:25.47
We cannot be the same.
00:57:26.34\00:57:27.71
Lord, it's time to
raise up Your people,
00:57:28.51\00:57:32.48
Your church... it's time.
00:57:32.68\00:57:35.38
We want to see Jesus come soon.
00:57:36.52\00:57:38.75
Here we are. Help us,
Lord, to reach one more
00:57:39.25\00:57:42.79
is our prayer in
Jesus' name. Please say
00:57:42.99\00:57:46.53
Amen and amen.
00:57:46.73\00:57:49.73
Oh, safe to the Rock
00:58:04.91\00:58:10.65
that is higher
00:58:10.85\00:58:14.76
than I.
00:58:14.96\00:58:17.96
My soul in its conflict
00:58:18.56\00:58:24.53
and sorrow
00:58:24.73\00:58:28.17
would fly.
00:58:28.37\00:58:31.91
So sinful, so weary...
00:58:32.41\00:58:38.31
Thine, Thine would I be.
00:58:38.51\00:58:44.45
Thou blessed
00:58:44.85\00:58:47.39
Rock of Ages
00:58:47.59\00:58:51.69
I'm hiding
00:58:51.89\00:58:56.26
in Thee.
00:58:56.46\00:58:59.97