Participants: Christian Reeves
Series Code: 16GYC
Program Code: 16GYC000013A
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00:33 Good afternoon, GYC.
00:35 Welcome to the Sabbath afternoon program, 00:37 glad that you can be here, hope you had a good lunch. 00:41 Have you ever had one of those nights 00:43 where you cannot sleep, 00:45 and you can't sleep, you see no way forward, 00:49 and I'm not just talking about because of financial trouble 00:52 or because of car problems or bad grades, 00:56 but something that's spiritual. 00:59 You've ever had one of those nights 01:01 where you're just not sure where God is at. 01:04 Well, those of us on the GYC Music Committee, 01:07 we've had some of those nights too, 01:09 and we know that God's children 01:10 who have gone before us have too. 01:13 And we hope that as you listen to the music 01:16 and the stories this afternoon 01:18 that you will gain a fresh confidence 01:20 in the Heavenly Father's love for us 01:22 even in the darkest of times. 01:53 Times I've to wonder 01:57 How You still love me Lord? 02:00 After all the times 02:02 I've turned my back on you 02:07 Your love is such a mystery 02:11 It's hard to comprehend 02:15 But You would give Your life 02:18 For fallen man 02:22 And even when we stumble 02:25 Yes, even if we fall 02:29 There is a path to victory 02:33 Went on Your name 02:36 We call it's all true 02:43 Your love is true 02:58 God so loved the world below 03:02 He gave his only son 03:06 Who so Lord believe 03:08 They would not perish 03:12 And Jesus came into the world 03:16 To save and not condemn 03:20 And those who will receive Him 03:22 Find new life again 03:27 And even when we stumble 03:30 Yes, even if we fall 03:34 There is a path to victory 03:37 Went on Your name 03:40 We call it's all true 03:47 Your love is true 03:53 His love is everlasting 03:57 His mercy knows no avenge 04:00 But we must take His hand in faith 04:03 Keep our eyes always focused 04:07 On Him 04:12 Join me. 04:13 So turn Your eyes 04:17 Upon Jesus 04:22 Look full in His wonderful things 04:30 And the things of earth 04:34 Will grow strangely dim 04:40 In the light of His glory 04:45 And grace 05:04 Let's pray. 05:06 Father in Heaven, as we're here this afternoon, 05:10 I pray that these stories that we look at of a few people 05:14 who've gone before us will encourage us in our way. 05:19 And we thank You for this day in Jesus' name, amen. 05:22 It was March 1840, 05:26 a traveling preacher came to town, 05:30 he rode in, came up on Casco Street of Portland, Maine 05:34 and he entered a little church. 05:38 And as the preacher named William Miller 05:40 stood up to preach, 05:41 he saw that every pew was packed with people, 05:45 every aisle, people were standing shoulder to shoulder, 05:48 the foyer was packed with people 05:50 and even though the stage was lined with people, 05:54 it seemed as if all of Casco or sorry Portland, Maine 05:58 had come to hear William Miller preach. 06:04 And William Miller stood before the congregation that day 06:08 and he opened his Bible, 06:10 and he very carefully, methodically, 06:15 and persuasively 06:18 went through the Books of Daniel and Revelation. 06:23 And then he made a most profound statement. 06:31 He said based on the things we've seen here, 06:34 Jesus will be coming back to this earth 06:37 in just three years time. 06:43 There was no loud commotion or shouting 06:46 or falling over that attended his meetings. 06:49 No, the message like that it was a great sense of awe. 06:55 And in the audience that day 06:58 was a girl only 12.5 years old. 07:03 And as she listened, 07:06 this girl by the name of Ellen Harmon, 07:09 of course, later became Ellen White 07:12 began to have a heart filled with fear. 07:18 "Jesus coming in just three years time? 07:23 Oh, I could never be ready. 07:27 I'm such a great sinner. 07:31 Oh, I've made so many mistakes." 07:37 She went home and began a cycle of sleepless nights, 07:43 she would go to bed, 07:44 and after the rest of the house 07:46 all were asleep even her twin sister 07:48 that shared a room with her, 07:51 Ellen would fall on her knees and begin to pray, 07:54 "Lord, I know You're coming soon, 07:59 and I'm gonna be lost, I could never be ready." 08:04 And finally in the wee hours of the morning, 08:06 she would cry herself to sleep. 08:12 She attended a meeting with her brother Robert, 08:14 just the two of them, they were good farm kids, 08:16 they knew how to get the horse out, 08:18 hook on the buggy, and what they did, 08:20 they headed into town. 08:22 And this preacher 08:23 preached the same thing as William Miller, 08:25 he said, "Jesus is coming soon, and if you aren't ready, 08:30 you're gonna meet the judge 08:32 and your eternal destiny won't be good." 08:38 He stood up before them all that preacher and he said, 08:41 "The day of the Lord is at hand, 08:44 and who shall be able to stand when He appeareth? 08:50 And little Ellen, her heart filled with fear 08:53 to such an extent that 08:55 when she got back in the buggy that night, 08:57 and her and her brother Robert headed home, 09:01 she didn't say a word. 09:04 Went after a little while all that had been heard 09:06 was the continual rumble 09:07 and clippety-clop of the horses' hooves 09:09 on the dry dirt road. 09:12 Ellen finally looked at her brother, "Robert?" 09:17 "Yes, Ellen?" 09:22 "Do you think God will spare me to live till I get home? 09:26 Or because I'm such a sinner, 09:28 do you think He'll take me in my great sins now?" 09:34 And for the first time 09:37 she realized with Robert's delay, 09:39 he too was feeling the fear. 09:43 "Well, Ellen, I'm sure if you ask Him and faith, 09:51 He'll save you." 09:54 And the two rode home in silence, 09:57 and that night Ellen cried herself to sleep 10:01 with a tear running down her cheek 10:03 in the early hours of the morning. 10:07 And just a few nights later, 10:10 one of these troubled nights 10:11 when Ellen finally drifted off into a horrible fitful sleep 10:16 she had a dream. 10:19 And as she dreamed, she looked out 10:21 and there was all these people going back and forth 10:26 with their buggies, with their wagons 10:28 pulling loads, all were busy. 10:31 And as she looked past those people, 10:32 she saw a temple a little ways out. 10:36 And then she learned that all who must be saved 10:38 must enter that temple. 10:42 Well, Ellen thought, "I'll just watch for a minute." 10:44 And as she watched she saw a few try to enter the temple, 10:47 but as they did somebody would come along and grab him 10:50 by the arm, "Oh, don't go in the temple, 10:53 don't so waste your time, 10:56 you're an embarrassment to your family, come on, man." 11:00 And Ellen thought, "Oh, my..." 11:02 A timid little girl as she was, she thought, 11:04 "You know, I'll just wait 11:05 for some of these mean people to leave, 11:07 and then I'll try to go and see 11:08 if I can enter the temple unharmed." 11:11 But as she waited 11:12 more and more people came into that area 11:16 and it got so congested, 11:17 she realized she must leave at once to enter the temple 11:21 or it would be too late. 11:22 And so little Ellen got to her feet 11:25 and started along 11:27 and she reached the door of that temple, 11:29 and as she walked in so beautiful 11:33 and she looked up there was this pillar 11:36 right in the center of the temple 11:37 held up all the roof, 11:39 and as she looked at this pillar eyed it down, 11:44 her eyes caught something terrible. 11:49 Right at the base of that pillar was this little lamb, 11:51 it just looked like it been beat, 11:53 and bruised, and battered, 11:55 and it was chained to the pillar. 11:59 Oh, that's the lamb she thought. 12:01 Oh, she thought that must represent Jesus' sacrifice 12:04 for my sins. 12:07 And if I repent, I'm sure I'll be saved, 12:12 and then as she looked a little higher, 12:13 she noticed on the other side of the pillar 12:15 where all these elevated seats, 12:18 and there was people on the seats 12:20 with great big smiles, they just looked so happy. 12:25 Ellen thought, "Boy, if I repent on my sins, 12:29 then I'm sure I'll be happy like those people, 12:31 and I'll get to sit with those people." 12:35 But just then, phew, 12:40 all things vanished 12:42 and there was Ellen left standing alone. 12:48 It was too late. 12:54 And as she awoke from that dreadful dream, 12:57 didn't come from Jesus by the way, 13:00 that was a devil's dream. 13:03 She awoke from that dream. 13:06 You know, how dreams are especially when you're a child, 13:09 they're so vivid, so real. 13:13 She despaired of life itself. 13:15 She wished that it would for ever end. 13:23 She began to lose weight. 13:25 She was so exhausted and worn out all the time, 13:27 she would faint. 13:30 But just a few nights later, 13:33 she once again fell off into a fitful sleep. 13:38 And as she did, she dreamed another dream. 13:42 And in this dream she was looking out a window 13:45 and it was so peaceful outside, 13:46 everything was so green and the birds were singing, 13:50 it just looked like such a happy world. 13:54 And Ellen thought, "Oh, why can't I be happy?" 13:59 And her face just fell into her hands 14:02 and she began to cry, 14:04 "Oh, Jesus, if you were on this earth, 14:07 I would go to You 14:11 'cause I know You wouldn't turn me away, 14:14 and You would make me happy. 14:17 I could tell You all my troubles, 14:18 and You would fix it." 14:21 But just then her thoughts were interrupted, 14:26 a door behind her opened. 14:31 She turned around. 14:33 And there stood a gentleman at the door. 14:36 He looked down at her and said, 14:38 "Ellen, would you like to see Jesus?" 14:44 "Oh, yes. 14:45 Yes, I would like to see Jesus," said Ellen. 14:47 "Okay," he said, "Gather your little things 14:48 and come with me." 14:51 And she followed the gentleman, he went out, 14:53 and went to a steep long, long, long, long staircase. 14:57 And as he started up, he halted a minute, 14:58 and he turned to look at Ellen, he said, 15:00 "Now, Ellen, keep your eyes up, 15:01 many have tried this way and they've fallen off." 15:03 He climbed the staircase 15:04 and Ellen followed the gentleman. 15:07 And as she got to the top, 15:09 there was a door and he looked at her again, 15:10 said, "Ellen, are you sure, you want to see Jesus?" 15:15 "Oh, yes," said Ellen, "I do want to see Jesus." 15:19 "Okay." 15:21 And he opened that door and Ellen looked in that room 15:28 and she saw Jesus. 15:30 And she almost fell from fear, she thought, "Oh, I a sinner, 15:34 how could I ever stand before Jesus?" 15:36 But before she could, 15:39 she saw these tender eyes and a smile, 15:44 and Ellen saw a friend, and she fell at Jesus' feet. 15:53 And Jesus as He always does for His children, 15:58 He reached out and He put His hand 16:00 on Ellen's shoulder and He said, 16:02 "Oh, Ellen, you have no need to fear." 16:23 No need to fear 16:26 Though doubt may wage its war 16:31 Oppression's storm beats at your door 16:38 No need to fear 16:46 No need to fear 16:48 Though evil seems so strong 16:53 The power of sin is not for long 17:00 Be still my soul and trust in God 17:08 And place your life into His hands 17:16 For He will never 17:21 Fail you 17:24 And in the morning 17:28 You'll see His face 17:31 No need to fear 17:36 Don't fear 17:38 Don't fear Don't fear 17:45 No need to fear the evil and the scorn 17:52 Of those who boast in what they own 18:00 No need to fear 18:05 For what remains when life's brief day is done 18:13 Their glories are a setting sun 18:20 But as for me of this I'm sure 18:28 God has redeemed my soul from death 18:36 And He will never fail me 18:43 And in the morning 18:47 I'll see His face 19:01 And He will never fail you 19:09 No one can tear you from His love 19:16 And He will never forsake you 19:24 And in the morning 19:27 You'll see His face 19:31 No need to fear 19:36 Don't fear 19:38 Don't fear Don't fear 19:45 Don't fear Don't fear 19:55 Amen. 19:58 As Ellen got up from that dream, 20:00 oh, she was much encouraged. 20:03 She finally had the strength to go talk to her mother. 20:06 And, you know, how mothers are, 20:08 they can always make you feel so much better. 20:10 She said, "Mother, I've been struggling so long, 20:16 I've wondered how Jesus could save me." 20:21 And her mother said, "Oh, Ellen, I could tell 20:24 you're losing weight, you look so stressed. 20:28 Ellen, I'll tell you what you should do. 20:32 Why don't you go talk to Elder Stockman? 20:35 He is such a kind gentleman and a man of God. 20:39 I just know he'll make you feel so much better, Ellen. 20:42 Why don't you go talk to Elder Stockman?" 20:45 So Ellen did. 20:47 Twelve year old Ellen went and found Elder Stockman, 20:51 and she told Elder Stockman all her troubles. 20:57 And Elder Stockman looked at her, 21:01 and he put his hand on her head, and he said, 21:03 "Oh, Ellen, 21:07 yours is a most singular experience 21:11 for one your age. 21:14 God must be preparing you for something special." 21:19 Amen. 21:21 "Ellen, just the fact 21:24 that you feel this way means 21:25 that God is still striving with you. 21:28 Many people have excused their sins for so long, 21:31 they feel just quite okay the way they are. 21:35 But, Ellen, I want to tell you 21:38 what will make all the difference." 21:42 And for just a few minutes 21:43 Elder Stockman told Ellen of the love of Jesus. 21:53 She later wrote 21:55 in the Testimonies for the Church, 21:58 Volume One, good book to read by the way. 22:01 That those few minutes with Elder Stockman, 22:03 she learned more about the love of God 22:06 than she had learned from all the sermons 22:08 and exhortations from her whole life. 22:13 And then Elder Stockman finished by saying this, 22:18 he said, "Go free, Ellen. 22:20 Return to your home trusting in Jesus, 22:24 for He will not withhold His love 22:26 from any true seeker." 22:33 And that night there was a prayer meeting 22:35 and so Ellen attended still under this heavy weight 22:40 that had been nearly crushing her. 22:43 And she went to the prayer meeting 22:45 first one person prayed and then another prayed, 22:49 and Ellen says before he even realized, 22:51 she realized to herself, 22:52 she had lifted her own voice in prayer. 22:56 And she began to claim these promises 22:58 that Elder Stockman had given her. 23:00 She said, "It seemed like the promises 23:02 were just gems for the taking for those who wanted them." 23:06 And as she prayed that weight 23:09 that had discouraged her for so long fell away. 23:15 And Ellen learned a life long lesson 23:19 that as long as you call on the name of Jesus, 23:22 you can ever fall any further than your knees. 23:37 As you step into the unknown 23:44 I know you're frightened 23:47 And you feel alone 23:51 But there's something you should understand 23:59 You are my child 24:02 You're in my hand 24:07 And I will 24:09 Never let you fall 24:15 This is a promise to believe 24:22 And I will 24:24 Never let you fall 24:31 Any further than your knees 24:43 Now I hear you praying for a brother 24:51 And you're so afraid 24:54 He'll choose to blunder 24:58 But don't forget my love is true 25:06 And I will guide Him 25:09 As I've guided you 25:13 And I will 25:16 Never let him fall 25:22 This is a promise to believe 25:29 And I will never 25:31 Let him fall 25:38 Any further than his knees 26:00 And I will never let you fall 26:08 This is a promise to believe 26:16 I will never 26:18 Let you fall 26:25 Any further than 26:30 Any further than 26:34 Never further than your knees 26:49 Of course, Jesus didn't come in 1843, 26:52 so people got together 26:55 and they started to study again. 26:58 Realized they messed up their math 26:59 and they hadn't fully understood prophecy. 27:03 So they narrowed it down to October 22, 1844 27:10 that was the date Jesus would come. 27:14 And many people gave all, they were ready, 27:18 they wanted Jesus to come. 27:21 One individual turned farmer to preacher 27:24 by the name of Hiram Edson, 27:28 he sold all he had, he printed tracks, 27:31 and he began to preach Jesus is coming. 27:34 He went around to his neighbors 27:36 and he preached to his neighbors. 27:42 It's actually reported that on October 22, 1844 27:45 when Hiram Edson was waiting for Jesus 27:47 to come between 300 to 400 of his friends and neighbors 27:50 were right there waiting with him. 27:52 Now that's an evangelist. 27:55 Well, they preached 28:00 and they prepared, 28:02 and then the day came October 22, 1844. 28:08 Hiram Edson went outside and he found the perfect place, 28:12 he could watch the sky, and he would see Jesus come, 28:15 his friends and neighbors surrounded him 28:19 and they waited, 28:22 but the day kept taken along. 28:27 And that continual tick of the clock 28:31 became the worst sound they had ever heard. 28:35 And every hour it would bong out the hour 28:42 until with hearts that sink 28:48 the clock called out midnight. 28:52 October 22 had come and gone, 28:56 and Jesus did not come. 29:01 And Hiram Edson was so disappointed, 29:06 he didn't have the courage to get to his feet, 29:09 and he stayed in that field 29:10 and wept all night long until the sun rose. 29:16 And James White heard it said by a brother, 29:22 "Well, I guess we should get ready for winter now 29:26 and when it dawned on him, 29:27 we'd have to spend another winter on this earth." 29:29 He fled the building and went outside 29:31 and he wrote himself that he wept like a child. 29:37 One preacher had been preaching that Jesus was coming. 29:44 And just a few weeks before 29:46 the date this preacher was walking down the road. 29:52 Elder Fitch was his name and as he did, 29:54 he saw a whole group of people coming 29:55 and they said, "Oh, Elder Fitch, 29:57 we want to be baptized, 29:58 we just so want to be baptized before Jesus come, 30:01 will you baptize us? 30:02 Please, Elder Fitch." 30:04 Of course, it was October and it's a cold October. 30:06 Well said Elder Fitch, "I wouldn't turn anyone away." 30:09 And he went away and he turned around 30:11 and he walked off to the river, 30:13 and there he baptized that whole group of people 30:16 in that freezing cold water. 30:20 And then shivering Elder Fitch got out 30:22 and he began to walk home, 30:25 there it came another group of people, 30:27 "Oh, Elder Fitch, 30:28 please we want to be baptized before Jesus comes, 30:32 will you baptize us, Elder Fitch." 30:35 "Okay, let's go back to the water." 30:38 And poor Elder Fitch walked back 30:40 and he got in that cold river, 30:42 and he baptized the whole crowd of people, 30:47 and he came out chilled to the bone, 30:51 hardly could feel his toes. 30:55 And he caught a sight, 30:57 here came a third group of people, 30:58 "Oh, Elder Fitch, 31:00 we want to be baptized before Jesus comes, 31:02 will you baptize us?" 31:06 "Okay." 31:07 They went back to that water, 31:09 and Elder Fitch baptized 31:11 every one that day who wanted to be baptized. 31:16 He made his way back home he caught pneumonia and died, 31:21 eight days before Jesus would come. 31:26 And his little children were sad 31:28 as they watched their daddy be buried, 31:33 but mommy said, "Oh, children, it's okay. 31:36 Daddy is coming in just eight days, 31:40 in just eight days you'll see daddy." 31:44 And so when October 22 came around, 31:46 they excitedly came up to mommy, 31:48 "Mommy, when is daddy coming?" 31:51 They knew the answer, but they want to hear it again. 31:52 "Oh, children, today you'll see daddy." 32:00 But on October 23, 32:04 they came in sobbing, 32:05 "Mommy, 32:09 when are we gonna see daddy?" 32:13 All there hopes, 32:17 all they had was tied up 32:21 in the desire to go to heaven and to be with Jesus. 32:44 I wanna go to heaven and pick a never fading flower 32:50 From the mountain overlooking 32:54 The temple of my God 32:59 I wanna go to heaven 33:01 Where all is light and glory 33:05 How I long to be with Jesus! 33:08 How I long to be with God! 33:13 Some times I think I can stay here no longer 33:20 I feel very lonely here 33:23 For I've seen a better land 33:27 Oh! that I had wings like a dove 33:33 Then would I fly away 33:37 And be at rest 33:45 I wanna go to heaven I wanna hear the voice of Jesus 33:51 I've washed your robes in my blood 33:55 You stood stiffly for my truth. 34:00 And when I get to heaven 34:02 I'll cast my crown at Jesus feet! 34:06 I wanna praise His name forever! 34:09 For He has done so much for me! 34:14 Some times I think 34:17 I can stay here no longer 34:22 I feel very lonely here 34:24 For I've seen a better land 34:28 Oh! that I had wings like a dove 34:34 Then would I fly away 34:38 And be at rest 35:08 I wanna go to heaven 35:11 I wanna hear the voice of Jesus 35:14 I will gird myself and serve You 35:18 For You suffered much for me. 35:23 And when I get to heaven I wanna sit at Jesus' table! 35:28 Oh! to eat the fruit of that land 35:32 To go back to earth no more! 35:37 Some times I think I can stay here no longer 35:44 I feel very lonely here 35:47 For I've seen a better land 35:51 Oh! that I had wings like a dove 35:57 Then would I fly away, 36:01 And be at rest 36:06 Oh! that I had wings like a dove 36:12 Then would I fly away 36:15 Then would I fly away 36:23 And be at rest 36:42 Amen! Amen! 36:45 Elder Edson out there, 36:50 wept the night away until the sun came up. 36:56 And then he called out to his few friends still there. 36:59 You know, how these things are, 37:00 disappointments weeds the crowd out real fast. 37:03 But a few remained and he said, 37:06 "Well, friends, 37:09 let's go off to the barn and pray." 37:13 So they went off to Elder Edson's 37:14 little granary there and they knelt down 37:16 and they prayed. 37:18 "Lord, why? 37:22 What did we miss? 37:24 Why disappoint us? 37:27 We studied, we thought we knew, 37:30 what do we make of this? 37:32 What do we do now? 37:34 Lord, please show us the next step." 37:38 And they didn't get the answer. 37:41 And they began to keep praying, "Lord, please, why, help us." 37:47 And they still didn't get the answer, 37:49 but they got the assurance 37:51 that Jesus knew what He was doing, 37:53 and He would make sense of the whole thing, 37:56 and that was good enough for them. 37:59 And they got up off their knees 38:01 and they walked off into the house, 38:03 they did one of those impromptu breakfasts, 38:05 you know, nothing planned open the cupboards, 38:07 get what you can, get a little to eat. 38:11 And then Elder Edson 38:12 turned to his good friend Elder Crosier, 38:14 he said, "Well, Elder Crosier, 38:16 why don't we cross the cornfield, 38:18 there are some believers over on the other side, 38:21 they were looking for Jesus to come. 38:23 I'm sure they're discouraged. 38:25 Let's go, try to encourage them and pray with them." 38:28 "Okay," said Elder Crosier, "Sure, let's go." 38:31 So the two men started out and as they crossed the field 38:35 Brother Crosier was so deep in thoughts, 38:38 he hadn't noticed 38:39 that Brother Hiram Edson had stopped walking, 38:43 and there he stood, Elder Crosier kept going, 38:47 and after some time he realized, 38:48 "Hey, where is Brother Edson?" 38:49 He turned around, he was way back there 38:51 in the field. 38:52 "Hey, Brother Edson, are you coming? 38:54 What's up?" 38:55 And he looked 38:56 and there was Brother Edson deep in thought 38:59 and as he came back Brother Edson said, 39:01 "Oh, I now know, 39:05 I now understand, 39:08 Jesus wasn't coming to this earth 39:10 to cleanse this earth like we thought 39:12 to take us home, 39:14 there's a heavenly sanctuary, 39:16 He's gone in there, 39:19 He's doing a work there." 39:22 And that began a long study, 39:25 the believers would open their Bibles, 39:27 they'd sit around the table, 39:28 and they would look for a verse that would explain. 39:30 And if they couldn't find it 39:32 they would go down on their knees. 39:34 And once they were impressed where to look in their Bibles, 39:37 they'd get up and they'd find the answer, 39:39 and then they would be confused, 39:41 and they would go on their knees 39:42 and they would pray, and they would get up, 39:46 and they realized 39:48 that what happened was on that day 39:49 that they were also disappointed, 39:51 Jesus didn't come here to take us home, 39:54 it wasn't judgment day in that sense, 39:56 it was a different kind of judgment day. 39:58 Jesus has gone into the most holy place 40:00 of the sanctuary 40:03 there to intercede for you and me. 40:07 There He's dedicated His work, 40:09 He's doing all He can 40:10 to see that you and I make it up there. 40:16 In the sanctuary, Jesus is interceding for us. 40:34 We have a High Priest 40:38 Up in heaven 40:41 Hallelujah 40:45 Oh, hallelujah 40:48 He's our Defender before the Father 40:56 In the temple made by God not man 41:02 Behind the veil in a placemost holy 41:10 Hallelujah, 41:13 Oh, hallelujah 41:16 Investigating, 41:20 He clears the record 41:24 Of those redeemed by His own blood 41:30 He's blotting out my sin 41:37 In the sanctuary 41:45 He seals my bond with Him 41:51 In the sanctuary 41:56 Up in heaven 42:01 He makes provision for me 42:06 In the sanctuary 42:13 He's purifying heaven's temple 42:21 Hallelujah 42:24 Oh, hallelujah 42:27 In preparation for His returning 42:35 For those who love and follow Him 42:42 He's blotting out my sin 42:48 In the sanctuary 42:56 He seals my bond with Him 43:03 In the sanctuary 43:08 up in heaven 43:12 He makes provision for me 43:17 In the sanctuary 43:22 At the mercy seat 43:25 In the holy of holies 43:32 In the holy of holies 43:39 We meet 43:47 He's blotting out my sin 43:53 In the sanctuary 44:01 He seals my bond with Him 44:08 In the sanctuary 44:12 Up in heaven 44:17 He makes provision for me 44:22 In the sanctuary 44:29 In the sanctuary 44:37 In the sanctuary 44:54 Amen. 44:56 Oh, they were so encouraged when they learned that. 45:01 But the courage didn't come so easy to all of them, no. 45:05 One brother by the name of Samuel Rhodes, 45:08 year before the expected date of Jesus' return 45:11 he had sold his farm, he'd use the money, 45:14 he printed tracks and he went around to preach. 45:19 He was a man described having a lot of dash and verve. 45:23 People referred to him as the Peter, 45:25 the one who could preach, 45:27 and he preached that Jesus was coming, 45:29 and when Jesus didn't come he didn't take it too well. 45:35 And as he go to town people, 45:37 "Hey, Brother Rhodes, 45:41 still here I see, are you going the next time, 45:45 we're good enough, ah, oh, well have a nice day." 45:48 And the taunts and the jeers got to be too much. 45:53 And finally, one day Brother Samuel Rhodes 45:56 he got his pony, 45:58 grabbed a few hand tools, he hopped up on his pony, 46:01 and with a bit lip, he said, 46:03 "Goodbye, world, I'm leaving you." 46:05 And he rode off. 46:06 By the way if you're gonna try to leave the world, 46:08 don't do it on a pony, it doesn't work very well. 46:10 But he tried and off he rode. 46:14 He left Oswego, New York State he lived 46:16 and he rode 70 miles east to Boonville. 46:21 And then not named after Daniel Boone by the way, 46:23 it was named after Garrett Boone, 46:25 he was an agent for a land company. 46:29 Anyway Elder Rhodes rode his pony 46:31 down in Indian trail few miles past Boonville, 46:34 crossed the Black River 46:36 which is kind of the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, 46:41 cleared a little plot of land and he built a little cabin 46:44 and he just lived like a hermit, 46:46 and every day he felt more rejected of God 46:48 and despised of men. 46:52 Well, Brother Edson tried and he would go to visit 46:57 Samuel Rhodes and said, 46:59 "Samuel, come on back, Jesus loves you, 47:03 you don't have to be discouraged, 47:05 Jesus loves you, come back." 47:07 Samuel Rhodes had none of it. 47:11 Brother Edson talked to Ellen White by this time, 47:15 she was now married, and she said, 47:17 "Well, I'd tell you that Brother Rhodes, 47:19 he's so far gone, I wouldn't even mess with him." 47:22 He doesn't deserve the sympathy we're giving him. 47:25 But then she was impressed by Jesus 47:27 that was a mistake, 47:28 and the people could be brought back. 47:31 So she went back to Brother Edson, 47:33 and she said, "I tell you what, 47:34 why don't you go try to get Samuel Rhodes 47:36 and bring him back." 47:37 So he rode 70 miles to Boonville, 47:40 cross the Black River, 47:42 and there he saw 47:44 Brother Samuel Rhodes out working in his field. 47:49 And as he walked up a friend that was with Edson 47:51 by the name of Richard Ralph called out, 47:54 "Brother Rhodes, greetings." 47:57 And Brother Rhodes looked up 47:59 and saw Richard Ralph and Hiram Edson. 48:01 And I'll tell you, he was none too welcoming. 48:04 "Well, hello, what do you want?" 48:08 "Oh, Brother, said Edson, Jesus loves you. 48:13 We're here to bring you back." 48:17 He said, "Why don't you come with us, 48:19 Brother Rhodes? 48:20 We're having meetings." 48:22 "Well, I can't go today. 48:24 I've got really way too much to deal, 48:26 maybe tomorrow." 48:27 He really didn't have anything to do that day, 48:29 but Hiram Edson wasn't about to be outdone, 48:31 he said, "Okay, no problem." 48:33 And Hiram Edson stayed there all night. 48:35 And then the next day, he said, "Well, Brother Rhodes, 48:38 I'm sure now you're ready to go." 48:41 Well, "Okay," said Brother Rhodes, "I guess." 48:45 And so they started walking across the Black River 48:50 and started down that Indian trail 48:52 when all of a sudden Brother Rhodes 48:54 who was in the back of the line, 48:56 split, and broke, 48:58 and he took off running 48:59 full speed as fast as he could through the woods, 49:01 and as he ran, 49:03 Elder Edson wasn't about to be outdone, 49:05 he turned around, and he chased him. 49:07 It was like two squirrels going mad 49:09 through the forest. 49:10 Brother Samuel Rhodes is running 49:12 and he had an advantage, 49:13 this was his terrain, he knew it. 49:15 And as he ran, he was trying to lose 49:17 Brother Hiram Edson, 49:19 and he was running around the trees 49:20 and over the hills. 49:21 But Brother Edson 49:23 had an advantage and that was determination, 49:24 he wasn't about to let this Samuel Rhodes 49:26 get away from him, 49:27 and he continued after Samuel Rhodes. 49:29 And as Brother Edson came running around 49:31 this large clump of bushes, 49:36 he saw Brother Rhodes, 49:40 he was at the edge of a clearing down on his knees 49:45 with his face in his hands crying, 49:51 "Oh, Jesus, 49:54 why do my brethren love me so? 49:58 Why do they seek me like this? 50:02 Jesus, 50:04 is it possible You love me like this?" 50:10 And Brother Hiram Edson 50:13 had the great privilege walking up, 50:17 putting his hand 50:19 on the shoulder of Brother Rhodes 50:22 and telling Brother Rhodes that, 50:23 "Yes, Jesus loves you like this." 50:29 And Jesus grace, 50:32 it's so amazing, it will cover you. 50:53 My faithful Father 51:00 Enduring friend 51:04 Your tender mercy is like a river 51:10 With no end 51:13 It overwhelms me 51:19 And covers my sin 51:24 Each time I come into Your presence 51:30 I stand in wonder once again 51:38 Your grace still amazes me 51:45 Your love is still a mystery 51:52 Each day 51:55 I fall on my knees 52:00 And ask Your blood to cover me 52:07 Your grace still amazes me 52:27 Oh, patient Savior 52:34 You make me whole 52:38 You are the author and the finisher 52:45 Of my faith 52:48 What can I give You 52:54 Lord, what can I say 52:58 I know there's no way to repay You 53:05 Only to offer You 53:10 My heart 53:13 Your grace still amazes me 53:20 Your love is still a mystery 53:27 Each day I fall on my knees 53:35 And ask Your blood to cover me 53:42 Your grace still amazes me 53:47 I'll walk with and see my sin 53:54 How can your love extend to me 54:00 The price You paid 54:03 The gift You gave 54:07 Your majesty 54:10 It's so much more than anything 54:16 My eyes have seen 54:18 Your grace still amazes me 54:25 Your love is still a mystery 54:32 Each day I fall on my knees 54:40 And ask Your love to cover me 54:48 Your grace still amazes 54:55 Me 55:17 Well, after that experience, 55:20 Samuel Rhodes was happy to follow Brother Edson, 55:23 and they went back together. 55:26 And Samuel Rhodes began 55:28 to study the Bible with these brothers 55:30 and see all he had missed, 55:32 he heard of the three angels' message, 55:34 understood what judgment was happening up in heaven. 55:41 It was later written down by James White, 55:48 he said, "No man has ever 55:51 more freely given all for a treasure in heaven 55:54 than Brother Rhodes. 55:56 His commendable zeal in the cause 55:58 and success in convincing people of truth 56:02 has caused our enemies to wickedly reproach him." 56:10 You know, I don't know each of you here tonight 56:12 or this afternoon, 56:14 but even if I knew all of you by name, 56:17 I could never know 56:19 all the secrets of your heart. 56:25 But maybe one of you, 56:27 maybe you are like young Ellen, 56:30 you're fearful, "How could I ever be ready? 56:35 How could I stand before the judge a sinner?" 56:40 And if that's you, 56:42 I come to you in the place of Elder Stockman 56:47 to tell you of the love of Jesus, 56:51 a Savior wanting to save you. 56:59 Now maybe the reason 57:01 you feel uneasy about Jesus coming, 57:05 is because you know there is something 57:07 you've been keeping between Him and you. 57:10 And if that's the deal, friends, 57:12 you need to deal with it. 57:16 You know that job that you've been working 57:18 a little too late on Friday, 57:19 it's time to get that dealt with. 57:23 You can have the peace that passes understanding, 57:25 but you need to get these barriers 57:26 between you and Jesus out. 57:30 And I want to tell you something, 57:32 if you think you have something that's so little, 57:34 that there's no way 57:35 could ever really get between you and Jesus 57:37 and after all even if it did, you get rid of it later. 57:41 You're already confused. 57:43 There is nothing 57:44 that can go between you and Jesus that is little. 57:48 If it's been between the two of you, 57:50 it's a big deal. 57:54 You know, growing up through my teen years, 57:55 and then into my 20s, 57:57 I've had many, many wonderful friends, 58:01 mission minded friends, 58:04 the friends that would get together with me 58:06 in the evening and pray, would go to give Bible studies. 58:10 And did you know now, 58:13 I can count on one hand the number of friends 58:18 who have kept their faith. 58:21 And it all started 58:22 with something between them and Jesus 58:23 that was just very little. 58:30 So I'm going to ask you, 58:32 if you want to experience 58:35 that peace that passes understanding, 58:38 if you want to hear sermons on the judgment 58:43 without losing your sleep, 58:46 then give all to Jesus. 58:51 If there's something you want to give up to get the Jesus, 58:54 I'm just gonna ask you to stand. |
Revised 2017-08-28