Participants: Moise Ratsara
Series Code: 16GYC
Program Code: 16GYC000001A
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00:51 Before the throne of God above
00:56 I have a strong and perfect plea. 01:00 A great high Priest whose Name is Love 01:05 whoever lives and pleads for me. 01:10 My name is graven on His hands, 01:15 my name is written on His heart. 01:19 I know that while in Heaven He stands 01:24 no tongue can bid me thence depart, 01:29 no tongue can bid me thence depart. 01:36 When Satan tempts me to despair 01:41 and tells me of the guilt within, 01:46 upward I look and see Him there 01:50 who made an end to all my sin. 01:55 Because the sinless Savior died 02:00 my sinful soul is counted free. 02:05 For God the just is satisfied 02:09 to look on Him and pardon me, to look on Him and pardon me. 02:21 Behold Him there the risen Lamb; 02:26 my perfect spotless righteousness, 02:30 the great unchangeable I AM, 02:35 the King of glory and of grace. 02:40 One with Himself I cannot die, 02:44 my soul is purchased with His blood. 02:49 My life is hid with Christ on high, 02:54 with Christ my Savior and my God, 02:59 with Christ my Savior and my God. 03:12 You see this group walking up behind me, right? 03:16 This lovely group of people. 03:17 Now for many of us here today, GYC just started, right? 03:22 But let me tell you that this group of people, 03:25 last Friday GYC began for them. 03:28 And what they decided to do was, not only miss Christmas, 03:32 but sleep on the hard floor inside of a school gym 03:35 and pass out one million GLOW tracts 03:38 in four full days of work. 03:40 Can you believe this? 03:41 So this group here has been working very hard. 03:45 One thing to note... 03:47 Praise the Lord. 03:48 One thing to note is, we had 86 missionaries 03:52 and they would walk anywhere from up to 18 miles a day 03:57 passing out pieces of GLOW. 03:59 So they were, of course, getting their exercise in. 04:01 But more than just reaching the goal one million GLOW going out 04:06 were some of the incredible testimonies that we had. 04:09 So I have here to my left, Carsten. 04:12 Carsten was one of the leaders on our GLOW mission trip 04:15 here with GYC. 04:16 And he had an experience where he was trying to find 04:19 a mass amount of cars of Houston residents 04:22 so that he could blitz a bunch of GLOWs. 04:24 So Carsten, tell us where you went. 04:25 Yes, I was actually thinking about how and where to 04:29 find cars or doors, and how we could pass out GLOW. 04:33 And I thought about it at night, and I was... 04:36 The airport. 04:37 The airport is the place where there's thousands 04:39 and thousands of cars. 04:41 And so I was thinking about it, and the next day we decided 04:44 to go to the airport. 04:45 And we got to the airport, there was some confusion 04:48 because we were going up in these parking garages, 04:52 and it was super hard to go up and down, and come in and out, 04:54 and pay the price to get in and out. 04:57 And so it was really confusing. 04:58 Because there were so many cars that each missionary, 05:02 their bag got emptied in 20 to 30 minutes. 05:05 And so these GLOW's were going out 05:07 left and right in these cars. 05:08 And I wasn't sure what to do because sometimes 05:10 the missionaries, they didn't have GLOWs 05:14 for 15 to 20 minutes. 05:15 They didn't have it because I couldn't 05:17 get to them fast enough. 05:18 And so the second day we went to the airport, 05:21 because there were so many cars that we could go there two days, 05:24 and I was there, and so what I thought was that 05:27 why don't I bring a suitcase along with me. 05:30 Because it's kind of awkward to walk around in an airport 05:33 with a box of GLOW and go from car door to car door 05:38 with a box of GLOW delivering GLOW. 05:39 And so I brought a suitcase full of GLOW. 05:42 And what I would do, I would just go up the elevator 05:45 to whatever level they were on and deliver 05:47 GLOW through my suitcase. 05:50 And it was a huge blessing. 05:52 In just two days in the Houston George Bush Airport 05:56 we passed out 55,000 to 60,000 GLOWs. 06:02 What a blessing, amen, to see all of the GLOW that 06:04 was able to go out inside of an airport. 06:06 And now Erica had an interesting experience with someone 06:09 who she handed a piece of literature to. 06:11 Tell us about that experience, Erica. 06:14 So it was the last 15 minutes and I'm just running it hard 06:17 through the parking lot, and I come up on this man 06:19 and I handed him a GLOW tract. 06:22 And we started talking and I actually ended up 06:24 praying with him. 06:26 Well after prayer he shared with me how his son had 06:30 had a dream that he would be getting little pieces 06:34 of literature with messages of hope on them 06:38 and passing them out. 06:39 My jaw nearly dropped to the ground and I handed him 06:43 a hundred GLOW tracts. 06:45 I said, "God go with you, my brother." 06:46 So walking the streets of Houston today is a 06:50 non-Adventist, non-Christian person distributing out 06:55 the message of God. 06:57 Young people, we so need to be active in our communities, 07:02 at home, and abroad. 07:05 Thank you for sharing. 07:06 It's interesting how the Lord calls people to really 07:09 receive these messages right at the exact time. 07:11 People are having dreams that they are getting GLOW. 07:13 Now Isaac, you had an interesting experience 07:15 where you were passing out GLOW, 07:17 but you got help from an unexpected place. 07:19 Tell us about that. 07:21 So I was actually passing out tracts here in a parking garage 07:24 in downtown Houston. 07:25 And the thing with parking garages is that most of them 07:28 are heavily guarded by security. 07:30 So it's hard to get in. 07:31 I was in one of them and sure enough this one had lots of 07:34 security everywhere; I was caught. 07:36 He called me to himself. 07:37 I shared with him the tracts and he was immediately closed to it. 07:40 He said, "You need to get out of here. 07:42 You can't pass these out. 07:43 I don't want this stuff." 07:44 As he was speaking, though, I noticed on his name tag 07:47 his name had an Ethiopian origin, 07:50 which is where I had served previously 07:53 a couple of years ago. 07:54 I started talking to him in Ethiopian, 07:57 the little Ethiopian that I knew. 07:59 And come to find out as we were talking, 08:01 one of the cities that I had served in was his home town. 08:06 He said, "Thank you so much for reaching my family." 08:08 He took the tracts and his whole demeanor changed. 08:12 He said, "I'll take these tracts." 08:14 He took a couple of them to pass out himself. 08:16 He said, "You can pass them out amongst the whole garage." 08:18 He then led me to five more gates where he unlocked 08:21 the garages to five more garages, and said, 08:23 "Pass them out everywhere. 08:25 These people need to hear of the love of Jesus." 08:28 Isn't that exciting to hear, friends? 08:30 Well let me tell you, if you missed pre-conference, 08:33 you have a chance this Friday to join us for our Friday outreach. 08:36 Don't miss the opportunity to spread the 08:39 love of Jesus with someone. 08:40 So this Friday all you need to do is bring a pen 08:43 and join us at 10:30 in the morning right in here 08:46 for a short outreach training, and we will spend 08:48 the rest of the day reaching people who are looking 08:51 and searching so desperately for the 08:53 beautiful Jesus that you have. 08:54 Amen? God bless you all. 08:56 And please join us for our Friday outreach. 09:03 We have the privilege of worshiping together 09:04 for the next several days. 09:07 And my prayer is that the Lord will revive our hearts. 09:09 Amen. Is that your prayer? 09:12 The scripture reading and the scripture passage 09:15 for the theme of this year is found in Ecclesiastes 12 09:19 beginning in verse 1. 09:22 And Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 12:1, 09:25 "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, 09:29 before the difficult days come, and the years draw near 09:33 when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them.'" 09:36 And skipping down to verse 13. 09:39 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 09:41 Fear God and keep His commandments 09:44 for this is man's all. 09:46 For God will bring every work into judgment, 09:49 including every secret thing, whether good or evil." 09:54 I pray that as we explore this passage of scripture 09:56 over the next several days that the Lord will give us wisdom 09:59 and revive us through His Spirit. 10:02 But how many of you think it would be good that we pray 10:04 and ask for His Spirit? 10:06 Why don't we pray together as we begin. 10:09 Father in heaven, we're gathered here and we're coming 10:13 before Your throne pleading that, Father, this would not 10:17 just be another convention, but, Lord, that You would 10:19 truly revive our hearts, that You would pour out 10:22 Your Spirit upon us. 10:23 That, Father, there would be revival, reformation, 10:27 and renewal that takes place this weekend. 10:30 Lord, we need You. 10:32 We need Your power to finish this work in this generation, 10:35 and to finish the work that You have started in our own hearts. 10:38 I just pray that as we spend this time, that we wouldn't 10:40 waste time, but Lord, that we'd spend it in Your Word 10:44 and in prayer seeking Your face. 10:46 In Christ's name we pray, amen. 10:53 I have the honor and privilege to introduce to you 10:56 tonight's speaker, Moise Ratsara. 11:00 He is currently the president of GYC, 11:04 and we affectionately call him, Mo. 11:08 Last night I got a text message from Jonathan and he said, 11:10 "Would you be willing to introduce Moise?" 11:12 And I said, "Of course I would. 11:14 It would be an honor." 11:15 And so immediately I started rehearsing, what would I say 11:19 about Moise in an introduction? 11:22 And it became abundantly clear to me that I didn't know 11:25 anything about Moise's worldly accomplishments. 11:30 And that may not be indifferent from your opinion 11:33 and where you sit, but for me it's a little bit unique 11:35 because I actually sit on the nominating committee of GYC 11:39 and the board that votes in the leadership of GYC. 11:44 So you should be saying, "Amen." 11:47 I know nothing about his worldly accomplishments, and yet 11:50 he is our president. 11:53 When you have an encounter and an experience with Moise, 11:56 you recognize that his passion and his love for his 12:00 Friend and his Savior Jesus Christ is contagious. 12:04 Moise is sort of like an onion as you begin to unpeel him. 12:07 He grew up as a missionary. 12:09 GYC has changed his life. 12:12 When you ask him, "What is the highlight of GYC," 12:15 it is being a bus leader. 12:17 Going out on outreach. 12:19 He's going to share a little bit this evening as to 12:22 how GYC has changed him, how it has shaped 12:26 his Christian experience. 12:28 And I trust that you, like me, as you encounter Moise, 12:34 will experience this contagiousness that he has 12:37 for his Friend and Savior Jesus Christ. 12:40 It is Moise who will give us our message tonight. 12:43 And he is our president. 12:45 And we will welcome him to the stage. 12:50 Well praise the Lord. 12:54 You know, it's a real privilege to be here with you. 12:58 I want to thank certain people that make this happen. 13:03 The first person I want to thank is God Almighty. 13:07 I also want to thank my family, my beautiful wife Amy. 13:12 Amy, if you can wave. 13:14 Where are you? You're on the fifth row. 13:15 There she is. 13:17 My beautiful wife, Amy. 13:19 I want to also thank the churches that have 13:24 been so kind to me. 13:25 I serve as a local church pastor. 13:28 Two beautiful churches, Jackson and Bunker Hill, 13:30 I want to greet you. 13:32 And I know you're following us online. 13:34 And I just want to say, hi. 13:36 I also want to say hi to my friends who are 13:40 in the Cotton Prison facility, with whom we have fellowship 13:44 every Tuesday praising the Lord together. 13:48 I want to say hello, and I'm glad you're watching. 13:52 I also want to thank especially, you can see I'm very grateful, 13:58 the Southwestern Union. 14:00 Especially the youth department led by Elder Moody 14:04 who is here with us. 14:05 I also want to thank the Texas Conference. 14:09 Especially Elder Carlos Craig and his team, 14:15 and Elder Dan Searns, who have been so accommodating 14:18 to us, and they have blessed us tremendously. 14:23 I also want to thank all the local church pastors in Texas. 14:27 If you're a local church pastor here in Texas, 14:29 if you will please stand. 14:33 If there are any of them here, thank you, thank you so much 14:39 for all you do. 14:45 I also would like to introduce today a special friend of mine, 14:51 the president of my church, the president of our church, 14:57 a friend of the young people, a very humble man, 15:02 Elder Ted Wilson, who will share some few words with us 15:06 from his heart to encourage us. 15:09 After he's done sharing some words with us, 15:12 I will come back after special music to share with you 15:16 some words from my heart. 15:17 So I would like to introduce to you Elder Wilson. 15:21 I'd like to have a prayer with him 15:24 to ask that the Holy Spirit may fill him and give him strength 15:29 as he goes all over the world to proclaim the truth. 15:32 Let's pray. 15:34 Dear heavenly Father, here is your anointed servant 15:38 that you have called for such a time as this. 15:41 I pray for him, I pray for his family. 15:44 I pray for our worldwide church that we are so excited 15:48 we can be a part of. 15:50 Bless him and his ministry. 15:52 And Father, may You guide him, may You give him great wisdom, 15:57 and may You give him great health as well 16:00 as he carries out his duties all over the world. 16:02 Please be with him and his entire family. 16:05 And thank You so much for him and for his ministry. 16:09 Amen. 16:12 Thank you, Moise. God bless you. 16:17 I want to thank Pastor Ratsara for that wonderful prayer 16:25 and the opportunity to be here at GYC. 16:30 I'm looking forward to Pastor Ratsara's message tonight. 16:34 I know the Holy Spirit is going to use him 16:36 in a very dramatic way. 16:39 He told me a little bit about what he's going to speak about, 16:42 and I know that these are essential truths 16:45 for this time. 16:48 I want to tell you as a message this evening here at GYC 16:54 something important. 16:57 When all has been heard, GYC, young people around the world, 17:06 those who are watching, I urge you, don't give up on the ship. 17:13 For the ship is going through, by God's grace. 17:18 Now I've been very impressed, as I have arrived here at GYC; 17:22 the infrastructure, the organization, 17:27 you know, and you just meet so many people, 17:30 so many people who are on fire for the Lord. 17:32 Praise God for GYC. 17:36 There are all kinds of reasons that you ought to be happy. 17:40 But I want to tell you, I met all kinds of people. 17:42 I've got some people who are helping me. 17:45 Bailey, and Alex, and Christian, and R.D. 17:49 I met a fellow at the airport. 17:50 He said, "Are you Elder Wilson?" I said, "Yes." 17:52 His name is Diego from Philadelphia. 17:55 Diego, I'm not sure if you're here tonight yet, 17:57 but the Lord is going to bless you; this is your first time. 18:01 You know, I parked my car next to a lovely van 18:07 up here in the Hilton parking lot. 18:09 And it was from the Canton Seventh-day Adventist Church. 18:13 I hope, Canton, you're here tonight. 18:15 And God is going to bless you in a marvelous, marvelous way. 18:18 We met a young greeter. His name is Jericho. 18:21 What an exciting name to have; Jericho. 18:24 He's going to shake the place, let me tell you. 18:27 Jonathan Walter, vice-president for programming, has been 18:31 instrumental in helping us to focus on the right things. 18:35 And Juliana is helping us with photography 18:38 and all kinds of things. 18:40 Everybody working together to do something for Jesus. 18:44 I want to tell you, we were so impressed at Annual Council 18:48 back in the month of October when so many young people 18:51 came from SOULS West and many other organizations 18:55 to help church leaders distribute Christian literature. 19:01 What a privilege it is to have many of you who were there 19:04 with us here tonight. 19:06 In fact, I want to urge you this coming year, 2017, 19:11 re-read, or read if you haven't read it, 19:14 I think everyone here has, that beautiful book, 19:17 Steps to Christ. 19:20 125 years ago, as of 2017, this book was first put out. 19:30 Distribute this book. 19:31 Distribute The Great Controversy. 19:33 We're going to see God's blessing in a marvelous way 19:37 as you become involved in every activity of the church. 19:42 And remember, it is all based on our relationship with Jesus. 19:46 Revival and reformation which must continue 19:49 until the Lord comes. 19:53 Focus upon Christ and His righteousness, 19:57 upon His beautiful justifying and sanctifying power 20:02 that He will provide for each of us. 20:05 His Sanctuary message; what a beautiful message 20:09 God has given to us in the Sanctuary. 20:12 Use it, preach it, share it. 20:15 Be faithful to God and to His holy Word, 20:19 and to the spirit of prophecy, 20:22 and to what God intends for us to do as a people; 20:26 proclaiming the three angels' messages 20:29 of Revelation 14 and the fourth angel's message 20:32 of Revelation 18. 20:34 We are living in unusual times. 20:38 I want to tell you, when all has been heard 20:43 stay with the ship. 20:46 It's going through to the kingdom. 20:50 You see, total member involvement, 20:52 total youth involvement, total everything involvement, 20:56 is what the church is to be all about as we come to the 20:59 very end of time. 21:01 And that is what GYC helps all of you to do. 21:05 To be so involved. 21:08 In the month of May of this year, still 2016, 21:12 we had the wonderful privilege of holding evangelistic meetings 21:15 in Rwanda. 21:18 What a marvelous experience it was. 21:21 My wife even had her own meetings. 21:24 I don't have time to tell you all the details. 21:27 But we saw God's Spirit moving in a marvelous way 21:30 because the membership of the church became 21:33 so totally involved in everything that was done. 21:38 If you have a chance, come to the seminar that we're going to 21:40 be holding tomorrow to help understand what it means 21:43 to have pastors and church members working in a united way. 21:49 Total member involvement. 21:51 By God's grace, at the end of that massive evangelistic 21:54 meeting all across Rwanda with over 2000 sites 22:00 God blessed ultimately with over 100,000 baptisms. 22:06 And we praise God for it. 22:08 In February, in about one month, we will be in Ukraine 22:11 and also in Romania. 22:13 Romania is preparing for over or about 2000 sites. 22:19 About three quarters of those sites will be 22:23 operated and presented by laypeople. 22:25 As were the ones in Rwanda. 22:28 I want to tell you, God is doing something extraordinary 22:32 in getting everybody involved. 22:35 Total member involvement. 22:39 Now for the last few moments, because we want to hear 22:43 Pastor Ratsara, I want to talk to you about a ship. 22:49 Matthew 14, we don't have time to really get into the 22:53 full story, but you know that story. 22:56 The feeding of the five thousand. 22:58 Really there were probably about 20,000 people there 23:01 including women and children, and all that were there. 23:05 That beautiful experience where twelve baskets 23:08 were filled at the very end. 23:10 The people were so excited they were about to crown Jesus king. 23:14 It's a marvelous story, but I don't have time 23:16 to get into all of it. 23:17 I want to focus on some lessons from the sea. 23:22 Jesus sent the disciples away. 23:25 They were angry, they were bitter. 23:27 They thought that they were going to become 23:28 the high generals in an army that was going to 23:32 take care of the Romans. 23:33 But Jesus had other plans. 23:35 He sent them away. 23:37 And you can see in your minds eye those disciples 23:39 walking down to the ship, because Jesus said, 23:42 "Go into the ship out into the sea." 23:46 You can see them kicking the dirt, 23:49 muttering under their breath, "Who is this Person? 23:52 Maybe He's not even the Son of God. 23:55 He frustrated our plans." 23:58 I want to tell you, my dear young friends, 24:00 and all of us, because I speak to myself, 24:03 be careful that your plans that you focus on so intently, 24:09 and that you think are great plans, be careful, 24:13 else they be something other than God's plans. 24:18 Stay close to God's Word and to the spirit of prophecy. 24:21 Work together as a family unit. 24:25 I urge you to be involved with your local church 24:28 in every way possible. 24:30 Support your church. 24:32 Don't diverge from your church. 24:36 Listen to your church. 24:38 Work with your church. 24:41 Well, those disciples got into the boat. 24:43 Jesus went up into a mountain side and He was praying. 24:46 Read about it in, Desire of Ages. 24:48 It's an incredible story. 24:49 Jesus could see them out in the sea. 24:51 And He prepared a special storm just for them. 24:57 Sometimes when you run into problems, 25:00 maybe the Lord is testing you with your own 25:04 stylized unique storm. 25:09 As those disciples were struggling with the sails, 25:13 in Matthew 14 it tells us how they became so afraid. 25:20 "And when the boat was now in the middle of the sea," 25:24 verse 24, "tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary, 25:28 now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, 25:32 walking on the sea." 25:33 Why could He get to them at that point is because 25:36 they had given up on themselves. 25:39 In fact, when they saw Jesus, they said, "It's a ghost." 25:43 Now I grew up in Cairo, Egypt. 25:45 In the Middle East there are omens that 25:48 people kind of believe in. 25:49 If something happens, they say, "Oh, that's a sign. 25:53 Something terrible is going to happen." 25:55 These disciples saw this apparition on the water 25:58 and they thought, "For sure we're going to die." 26:00 They had set the sails as much as they could. 26:02 They threw out everything they could from the boats. 26:05 They tried to keep the boat balanced, 26:08 but it was going to sink. 26:12 When you give up on your own plans, then is when God 26:18 can help you with His plans for your life. 26:23 And as that boat was rocking in the midst of that storm, 26:33 and Jesus appeared, He said, "Be of good cheer. 26:40 It is I. Do not be afraid." 26:43 I want to tell you, GYC, those are the words that people 26:46 in this world are longing to hear through your 26:49 lips and your actions. 26:51 Let God use you in total member involvement 26:54 so that people will understand that you're connected 26:58 with the heavenly source of power, 27:00 that you're preparing people for Jesus' soon return. 27:04 Don't be afraid to be a Seventh-day Adventist. 27:12 Well, when Jesus spoke, Peter answered, "Lord, if it's You, 27:16 tell me to come out." 27:18 Well you know what happened. 27:19 Peter went out, went over the edge, started walking 27:23 on the water, got a little self-confident, 27:25 turned around to see if the rest of the gang was looking at him, 27:28 and he began to sink. 27:30 Never take your eyes off Jesus. 27:35 The one who will take the ship through is the one 27:39 who controls the storm. 27:42 Jesus Himself will take this ship through. 27:48 Peter learned his lesson, grabbed hold of Jesus, 27:51 walked back to that ship. 27:53 And when they got into the ship, the sea became like glass. 28:01 And finally, those disbelieving, angry, frustrated disciples 28:07 who were thinking that they had a better way, 28:11 that their way was the better approach, 28:16 bowed down and said, "Truly You are the Son of God." 28:24 As we go into 2017, I'm going to take a little license 28:29 and I'm going to say that 2017 is going to be one of the most 28:34 unusual years that you will have ever experienced. 28:40 We are coming to the very end of time. 28:44 I believe with all my heart that Jesus is coming soon. 28:49 He is asking for all of us to focus our attention upon Him. 28:57 "Desire of Ages" tells us in page 382, 29:02 "Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God 29:06 will be overcome by temptation. 29:09 We may now suppose that our feet stand secure 29:12 and that we shall never be moved. 29:13 We may say with confidence, 'I know in whom I have believed. 29:16 Nothing can shake my faith in God and in His Word.' 29:19 But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary 29:25 and cultivated traits of character, 29:27 and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects." 29:33 And he'll try and do that even right here at GYC. 29:38 Even in this wonderful environment. 29:41 "Only through realizing our own weakness 29:44 and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely." 29:51 My appeal to you in 2017 is to walk securely with Jesus. 29:59 Jesus is in the boat. 30:02 And Jesus will see the boat through. 30:07 Through the Holy Spirit He is present with His church. 30:10 And soon, by His grace, He will be coming to take us all home. 30:17 I want to do something just before I walk off. 30:22 I want to do something a little different 30:23 than I've ever done before. 30:26 Most of you will recognize this. 30:28 Because I want people to know who you are as a wonderful 30:34 group of young people. 30:37 I want to take a group selfie. 30:40 Is that okay? 30:43 I want to take this and I want to put it on my Facebook page, 30:50 because I want people to see young people who are 30:53 totally involved with God's church. 30:57 And if you are involved with God's church, 30:59 raise your hand and let's get a good picture here. 31:07 God bless you all. 31:08 We believe in GYC, we love you. 31:11 Stay with the ship. 31:13 The ship is going through. 31:40 One pair of hands formed the mountains, 31:48 one pair of hands formed the sea, 31:55 one pair of hands made the sun and the moon, 32:01 every bird, every flower, every tree. 32:09 One pair of hands formed the valleys, 32:15 the oceans, the rivers, and the sand. 32:23 Those hands are so strong, so when life goes wrong 32:31 put your faith into one pair of hands. 32:40 One pair of hands healed the sick, 32:47 one pair of hands raised the dead, 32:55 one pair of hands calmed the ragging storm, 33:01 and thousands of people were fed. 33:10 One pair of hands said, "I love you;" 33:16 and those hands were nailed to a tree. 33:24 Oh, those hands are so strong, so when life goes wrong 33:33 put your faith into one pair of hands. 33:41 Those hands are so strong, so when life goes wrong 33:51 put your faith into one pair of hands. 34:13 Amen, amen. 34:23 Would you have a word of prayer with me one more time. 34:27 Let's pray. 34:29 Dear heavenly Father, we are Your children. 34:35 You know me, Father, and I need You. 34:40 I ask that You will fill this place with Your presence. 34:44 And that at the end of this time together 34:48 we will never be the same again, because we have met Christ. 34:53 Please be with us, Father, is our prayer. 34:55 Amen. 34:58 I want to alert you that I am going to make 35:01 an appeal for baptism at the end of my address to you. 35:09 The reason why I tell you beforehand is because 35:12 I want you to make an intelligent decision. 35:15 I know some of you have been in the valley of decision, 35:19 and I am going to give you an opportunity 35:21 at the end of my address to make a commitment to Jesus today. 35:29 You know, GYC has one vision. 35:35 In the book, Education, page 262, it says 35:41 this one thing we do, "Success in any line 35:45 demands a definite aim. 35:48 He who would achieve true success in life 35:51 must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. 35:56 Such an aim is set before the youth of today. 35:59 The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel 36:03 to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal 36:08 to any human being. 36:12 It opens a field of effort to everyone whose heart 36:15 Christ has touched." 36:20 I'm going to give you a rundown of what God has done 36:24 through GYC, a brief one. 36:27 Through God's grace, mercy, and help, this year alone 36:31 GYC has sent a couple of missionaries to the Middle East. 36:37 We are present in six different continents, except Antarctica. 36:43 We have eighteen different affiliates who have planned 36:48 more than twenty major events this year alone. 36:53 Countless GYCers were sent to preach full evangelistic series 36:58 all over the world, including Rwanda, 37:01 to support our beloved church. 37:04 We have more than 500 volunteers; 37:07 more than 100 of them serving here alone 37:10 spending countless hours waving flags, welcoming you, 37:16 giving you water, all the way to the person who had to 37:19 sign to get this convention center. 37:23 All are precious in God's sight. 37:27 GYC has reached the lives of thousands, including myself. 37:31 And some people who are here present have been won over 37:36 to the gospel because of our outreach in Louisville in 2015. 37:41 And they are here because of what you have done, 37:44 through God's grace. 37:46 GYC attendees have knocked on more than half a million doors, 37:52 passed more than a million pieces of literature 37:57 in the last five days. 38:01 But GYC has one mission. 38:04 To finish the work in this generation. 38:10 And in order to fulfill this mission, we must be all in 38:14 for Christ. 38:17 You see, the executive committee is not GYC, 38:20 though they are excellent people. 38:22 The Board of GYC is not GYC, though they're excellent people. 38:27 Moise is not GYC. 38:29 GYC is you. 38:32 You are GYC. 38:34 And this is your movement. 38:36 And this is your time to finish the work in your generation. 38:42 But we have a lot of work to do. 38:46 And the work lays closest through us. 38:49 There's a story of a young boy in the 1800's 38:52 by the name of William. 38:55 And when William was really young his father told him, 38:58 "William, I'm so sorry, but I have no money 39:02 to take care of you." 39:04 William now was a homeless boy at the age of sixteen. 39:07 And he decided to go to New York City 39:11 to make a life for himself. 39:14 There, he went on a canal boat, and he would have an encounter 39:18 that would change his life forever. 39:22 The sea captain, with a deep voice probably, told William, 39:26 he said, "William, young boy, what are you doing here? 39:32 And where are you going?" 39:39 William told him his story. 39:41 And the only thing that William could say that he had done 39:46 that was useful was make soap. 39:50 The captain looked at him and said, 39:52 "I will give you one advice. 39:54 One day there will be the best soap maker in New York City. 39:58 It might be you, it might not be you. 40:01 But whatever you do, whatever you make, 40:04 dedicate it to the Lord." 40:07 William eventually, at the end of his life, 40:10 was giving all of his money to mission work 40:14 all over the world. 40:15 Today we know him as William Colgate. 40:18 And some of you probably use his product in the morning. 40:23 But beyond that product, William Colgate gave all of his money 40:28 at the end of his life for missions. 40:32 But business people are not the only people 40:34 that need to be asked that question. 40:37 Where are you going? 40:39 What are you doing here? 40:41 But prophets as well need that question. 40:46 Turn your Bibles with me to 1 Kings 19:13. 40:52 1 Kings 19:13 41:04 1 Kings 19:13 41:08 And in there it reads, "So it was, when Elijah heard it, 41:15 that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out 41:20 and stood in the entrance of the cave. 41:23 Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, 41:27 'What are you doing...'" 41:32 Oh GYC, are you following me? 41:35 I know the day has been long, 41:36 but you've got to connect with me. 41:38 He said, Jesus said, "What are you doing..." What? 41:43 "...here, Elijah?" 41:47 And I want to ask the same question to you, GYC. 41:50 What are you doing here? 41:54 Where are you going? 42:01 I hope we are not here to be entertained. 42:05 We're not here to dance with the devil, 42:07 but we are here to walk with God. 42:09 To be men and women of God. 42:12 We are here to press together. 42:14 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, 42:17 as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; 42:21 so much more as we see the Day approaching." 42:26 For we have a work to do. 42:31 We must press together like never before, friend. 42:34 For we, today, face tremendous challenges, 42:37 especially as young people, young professionals. 42:43 We are fighting ever the rising tide of secularism 42:47 and spiritual decay characterized by our 42:50 generation's religious disengagement. 42:55 We are facing the storms of division, even among 43:00 our ranks in God's family. 43:03 We have become polarized as a people, 43:05 to the point that we are spiritually naked 43:09 and we don't know it. 43:11 We are blind, and we don't know it. 43:13 We lack power, and we don't seek it. 43:15 We are drowning in the ocean of lukewarmness, 43:18 and some don't even care. 43:22 GYC, what are we doing here? 43:29 For if we know more how to argue than to pray like Christ, 43:33 we are in trouble. 43:35 If we are spending more time being consumed by the cares of 43:38 the world than understanding the heart of God, 43:43 there is a problem. 43:45 If we, as young people, are pursuing a career 43:48 more than a calling, we are in trouble. 43:52 If we, as young people, know more about the issues that 43:56 divide us more than the righteousness of Christ 43:59 portrayed in the three angels' messages 44:01 whose proclamation unites us as a people of God, 44:05 we are in trouble. 44:08 For we are suffocating ourselves spiritually. 44:14 And there is ever that constant danger of the undercurrent 44:17 of selfishness that sways even the best of us. 44:21 And through the obese of self, of eternal distraction 44:25 and impending destruction, we are in trouble. 44:31 But I pray. 44:33 Oh, I pray. 44:35 And I have a dream. 44:36 And I long that we have gathered here together to face the storms 44:41 in Christ's name. 44:43 That is why we are here. 44:45 We are here because we have gathered from all over 44:48 the states, all over the world, those of you watching on online, 44:53 we have gathered here because we seek to meet Jesus Christ. 45:04 A young boy and his family were traveling on a boat. 45:11 I praise the Lord, Elder Wilson talked about a boat. 45:13 I'm glad. 45:16 A young boy was traveling on a boat. 45:18 Unfortunately a mighty storm came 45:21 and the boat was not able to be stabled. 45:23 And it lost its balance and capsized at sea. 45:28 The next day the search party came, and all they could find 45:33 was a little boy. 45:39 They asked the little boy, they said, "Boy, are you okay?" 45:44 The little boy looked at them and he said, 45:46 "Yes, sir. The rock never moved." 45:50 And I tell you, friends, the Word of God has never moved. 45:55 And as we face these storms together, we shall stand 45:59 on the mighty rock of God. 46:02 That is why we are here. 46:04 Every year we come together looking for something profound, 46:09 something radical, something significant, 46:12 a purpose, a vision, a challenge. 46:16 We come to be motivated and energized. 46:20 We come because we want to be the changes our homes, 46:24 our schools, our churches, our countries desperately need. 46:29 We come to be filled more so that we can give more. 46:32 We come because we are GYC. 46:38 We are here to bury our idols of self, worldliness, 46:46 divisiveness, and pride; 46:50 and by God's grace raise an altar of loving sacrifice, 46:54 of humility, of surrender, of total devotion to our God 47:01 for a remembrance throughout eternity 47:05 and to raise it up here. 47:09 We are here to be with Christ, to lift our mortal face 47:14 and look into the face of the Eternal 47:17 who gave everything for you and me, 47:21 who was pierced on a tree, falsely accused, persecuted, 47:25 rejected, and alone. 47:28 But it was worth it all for you and me. 47:33 We're simply here to seek to be His disciples 47:37 in mind, and in heart, in action, to understand, 47:42 surrender, and be consumed by the greatest subject of all 47:46 that is found in all of Scripture and summarized 47:49 in three simple words: Christ our righteousness. 47:54 It is our only hope. 47:56 And we have gathered here because 47:58 we thirst after righteousness and the promises given 48:03 by a covenant God. 48:08 Go with me to Matthew 5:6. 48:14 We are here because we hunger. 48:16 We are here because we thirst. 48:19 We are here because we need more. 48:22 We are here because we, we, in Matthew 5:6... 48:28 You can read it with me if you have the King James version. 48:31 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst 48:34 after righteousness: for they shall be..." What? 48:38 "...filled." 48:40 Take it to the bank, my friend. 48:45 And I long that this promise will be fulfilled here. 48:53 That young people will be in their Bibles, 48:56 open up their hearts to God, where they will engage 49:00 in relentless evangelism and prayer, 49:02 where they will be active in their communities, 49:05 winning souls, visiting the orphans and the widows, 49:12 the poor and the mighty men of the world, 49:15 and reaching those who are in most need of the gospel, 49:20 and be active in their beloved church. 49:25 This is God's church, friend. 49:28 And this is the apple of His eye. 49:33 I long that this will be the generation 49:36 that will finish the work in our generation. 49:42 You know, I want to share with you my heart. 49:46 I grew up in a beautiful Adventist home. 49:49 I was a missionary kid. 49:51 I'm glad I have no worldly attainments. 49:54 Only Jesus, that is all that I have. 49:59 But my freshman year of college I started to 50:01 struggle with my faith. 50:04 Not because my parents had done something, 50:06 but some of you might understand what I was going through. 50:10 I was asking questions, and I came to a point where I started 50:13 to question my identity and my faith. 50:23 I realized that my faith could not depend any more upon 50:29 my parents or my friends. 50:33 I had to either choose the world or the Word. 50:42 And I, by God's grace, said, "Lord, I am going to 50:47 give You a chance." 50:49 I thought I knew God, but I didn't know God. 50:53 I told God that I would read His Word; 50:55 not only just to read, but to obey the Word. 50:58 There's a big difference, friends. 51:01 So I started to read. 51:03 And the first verse in the Word of God says what? 51:07 "In the beginning..." What? 51:09 "...God created..." 51:16 I hope you understand those words. 51:19 "In the beginning God created..." 51:23 And I said, "Lord, if I put You first in my life, 51:28 You could recreate in me a new heart, a new mind, 51:32 a new purpose, a new life." 51:36 I started to read the Bible through and through, 51:42 to the point that some pages were about to fall off. 51:46 You could ask my wife someday about my Bible. 51:51 But I don't say that to boast, but I say that to say to you 51:54 how precious those words are in the Word. 51:59 I started to pour myself into reading the spirit of prophecy 52:02 like nothing else. 52:04 I know there's a lot of people that have questions 52:06 about the spirit of prophecy, but friend, look at this: 52:10 You need all the light you need to finish 52:13 this journey in victory. 52:17 God spoke. The Bible is clear. 52:21 Don't be afraid to read the spirit of prophecy. 52:25 For even she herself, she said if we understood our Bibles 52:29 as we should, we would have no need for her writings. 52:33 But friend, it is a blessing. 52:35 And I poured my life into reading her writings. 52:39 And I can tell you that I love the Word 52:42 even more than ever before. 52:46 For we are a spectacle before men and angels. 52:50 At the cross is where we must be found. 52:52 We are now called and chosen, and ought to be faithful. 52:56 For when all has been heard, may the Word have seen 53:01 a reflection of the true character of God, 53:04 a spirit-filled life, through you and I in this generation. 53:11 For truly judgment has come, friends. 53:15 "For God will bring every work into judgment, 53:18 including every secret thing, whether good or evil." 53:23 Therefore, my friends, seek Him while He may be found. 53:29 You know, I feel your pain. 53:31 I know some of you don't want to be here. 53:35 I know some of you are here because of your parents. 53:40 I know some of you probably are questioning your faith, 53:43 and maybe some of you have even plans to leave the church 53:46 after GYC. 53:49 But I tell you, friend, we are great sinners, 53:55 but God is a great Savior. 53:59 Do not resist the wooing of the Holy Spirit in your heart, 54:05 but be wooed by God. 54:08 For God is truly coming. 54:13 And God loves you to the uttermost. 54:16 GYC, I ask you the question again: 54:21 What are you doing here? 54:24 And where are you going? |
Revised 2017-06-06