I just feel like
when I come to ASI,
00:00:20.88\00:00:22.78
I get some wind under my wings.
00:00:22.82\00:00:25.25
How about you,
Mark? Amen. All the way.
00:00:25.29\00:00:27.42
I'm just very, very
thankful to be here.
00:00:27.46\00:00:30.39
We've been coming to
ASI actually as a family
00:00:30.43\00:00:32.89
for a long time.
00:00:32.93\00:00:34.23
Probably 20 years plus.
00:00:34.30\00:00:36.46
And it's been such a
blessing for our children.
00:00:36.50\00:00:39.13
They just kind of
grew up as ASI kids.
00:00:39.17\00:00:41.97
So we're glad that you're
here and we just pray that
00:00:42.00\00:00:47.04
you will receive a
blessing at this last meeting.
00:00:47.11\00:00:50.58
Yes.
00:00:50.61\00:00:51.95
I was in the
exhibit hall earlier
00:00:51.98\00:00:53.75
and there are many
aspects to the convention
00:00:53.78\00:00:56.52
that are not just in this room.
00:00:56.55\00:00:58.45
So the exhibit
hall, the dining room
00:00:58.49\00:01:00.59
and the visiting that goes
on and the children's divisions
00:01:00.66\00:01:03.43
are just awesome.
00:01:03.46\00:01:04.79
Well, I mentioned to our
neighbor in the next booth,
00:01:04.83\00:01:08.10
"It's so nice to be
around so many nice people."
00:01:08.13\00:01:11.97
Amen.
00:01:12.00\00:01:13.34
And the enthusiasm
really comes from God
00:01:13.40\00:01:16.07
because that's
the root of that word
00:01:16.10\00:01:17.57
and it's just inspiring.
00:01:17.61\00:01:19.17
And that's a
root of that word too,
00:01:19.21\00:01:20.94
the Holy Spirit is here
and we want the Holy Spirit
00:01:20.98\00:01:23.91
to go with us as we go home.
00:01:23.95\00:01:26.61
Amen.
00:01:26.68\00:01:28.02
You know, when I come to ASI,
00:01:28.05\00:01:29.68
it's such a blessing
to be around God's people
00:01:29.72\00:01:32.05
and to see the Holy
Spirit working in your lives
00:01:32.09\00:01:35.79
and to hear what
God is doing through you
00:01:35.82\00:01:39.56
and in you, it just,
00:01:39.59\00:01:41.33
it kind of sets my
course for the whole year,
00:01:41.36\00:01:43.50
so I just want to
thank you for being here.
00:01:43.53\00:01:46.97
Okay.
00:01:47.00\00:01:48.34
So as you can bow
your heads with me,
00:01:48.37\00:01:50.44
we'd like to open again
and ask God's special blessing
00:01:50.47\00:01:54.21
on our meeting tonight.
00:01:54.24\00:01:56.41
Father in heaven, we
thank You for being the source
00:01:56.44\00:01:59.65
of the blessings this weekend.
00:01:59.68\00:02:01.78
We thank You for as Patti said
being the wind under our wings
00:02:01.82\00:02:06.15
to lift us up and encourage
us and I know the efforts put in
00:02:06.19\00:02:09.96
to making this
convention what it has been
00:02:10.03\00:02:13.80
had been to that end
00:02:13.83\00:02:15.40
so that we can not
only enjoy this time,
00:02:15.43\00:02:18.63
but be inspired to go
home and do more for you
00:02:18.67\00:02:22.04
with full commitment
and the blessing of you
00:02:22.07\00:02:25.64
going before us
by Your Holy Spirit
00:02:25.67\00:02:28.24
not only here but the rest
of our lives until You come.
00:02:28.28\00:02:31.78
And so we thank
You and we know that
00:02:31.81\00:02:34.18
prayer is not just a form
00:02:34.22\00:02:36.15
but it is a real
life infusing event
00:02:36.18\00:02:41.96
that we need to take
part of every single day,
00:02:41.99\00:02:45.49
every moment.
00:02:45.53\00:02:46.86
And so please bless this evening
00:02:46.90\00:02:49.56
as we pray in Jesus' name, amen.
00:02:49.60\00:02:51.97
Amen.
00:02:52.00\00:02:53.67
Before you go...
00:02:53.70\00:02:55.80
Good evening ASI family.
00:02:55.84\00:02:59.17
We would just want
to say a special word
00:02:59.21\00:03:01.31
of thank you to Patti.
00:03:01.34\00:03:03.38
For those of you who don't know,
00:03:03.45\00:03:04.78
she's been
backstage the whole convention
00:03:04.81\00:03:07.52
running the
program from back there.
00:03:07.55\00:03:09.78
And for the previous 10 months,
00:03:09.82\00:03:12.72
we have been
spending on the telephone
00:03:12.75\00:03:15.89
doing hour and two
hour phone conferences
00:03:15.92\00:03:19.23
selecting
speakers, arranging seminars
00:03:19.26\00:03:21.73
and doing all of those things.
00:03:21.76\00:03:23.43
And we just wanted to
take this opportunity,
00:03:23.47\00:03:25.67
Patti and Mark, both, I
know Mark has sacrificed
00:03:25.70\00:03:29.70
that you can do this,
so thank you guys so much
00:03:29.74\00:03:32.44
for what you've done.
00:03:32.47\00:03:33.84
And just we're praying
for God's blessing upon you
00:03:33.88\00:03:36.44
and appreciate your
work on behalf of ASI.
00:03:36.48\00:03:40.28
Thank you so much.
It's been a pleasure.
00:03:40.32\00:03:42.88
It really has.
Thank you so much.
00:03:42.92\00:03:45.25
I have the
privilege this evening
00:03:50.33\00:03:53.90
of introducing a
very special person
00:03:53.96\00:03:57.30
in this world and in my life,
00:03:57.33\00:04:00.84
the Secretary Treasurer
of ASI, Pastor Kyle Allen.
00:04:00.87\00:04:05.51
Born and raised in Tennessee,
00:04:05.54\00:04:08.38
Kyle is what he
is frequently called,
00:04:08.41\00:04:12.35
his family was introduced
to Adventism when he was five.
00:04:12.38\00:04:16.62
And since a young age,
he has had a heart for God.
00:04:16.69\00:04:21.29
As a young boy he
remembered attending
00:04:21.32\00:04:24.23
an evangelistic
series by Mark Finley
00:04:24.26\00:04:27.00
and feeling so
excited to receive
00:04:27.03\00:04:29.46
a Bible signed by him.
00:04:29.50\00:04:32.00
Little did he know that one day
00:04:32.03\00:04:33.64
he would be
sharing a stage with him
00:04:33.70\00:04:35.74
and many other dedicated leaders
00:04:35.77\00:04:37.41
in the church.
00:04:37.47\00:04:39.81
As Kyle grew older, he wrestled
with his calling in life,
00:04:39.84\00:04:44.35
taking political
science in the hopes of one day
00:04:44.38\00:04:47.08
becoming a lawyer
and simultaneously
00:04:47.12\00:04:50.45
completing a degree
in religion just in case
00:04:50.49\00:04:53.46
God was really calling
him into pastoral ministry.
00:04:53.52\00:04:57.59
He finally gave in to
God's calling in his life
00:04:57.63\00:05:00.86
and he went to
seminary at Andrews
00:05:00.93\00:05:04.47
and accepted a call after that
as a youth pastor in California
00:05:04.50\00:05:08.74
and then senior
pastor of the Mentone Church.
00:05:08.77\00:05:12.47
Three and a half years
ago, he was called to serve
00:05:12.51\00:05:15.18
as a Secretary Treasurer
of the North American division
00:05:15.21\00:05:18.61
of ASI at the
North American division
00:05:18.65\00:05:21.38
and has felt humbled to
serve such a powerful ministry.
00:05:21.42\00:05:25.69
Kyle is a lover of God
and as exemplified in his life
00:05:25.72\00:05:31.16
genuine commitment to
the service of Christ.
00:05:31.19\00:05:34.56
For all the talents he possesses
00:05:34.56\00:05:36.40
and the
opportunities given to him,
00:05:36.43\00:05:38.67
he is extremely
humble praising God
00:05:38.70\00:05:41.74
for using a
broken vessel like him.
00:05:41.77\00:05:45.14
As he shares from
his heart tonight,
00:05:45.17\00:05:47.34
my prayer is that our
ears will be opened to hear
00:05:47.38\00:05:50.81
what the Spirit has to say
to each and every one of us
00:05:50.85\00:05:54.55
through the servant of
Christ, Pastor Kyle Allen.
00:05:54.58\00:05:57.69
I walked today
where Jesus walked
00:06:15.74\00:06:22.41
In days of long ago
00:06:22.44\00:06:29.12
I travel down each path He knew
00:06:29.15\00:06:35.19
With reverent step and slow
00:06:35.22\00:06:42.56
Those little lanes,
they have not changed
00:06:42.60\00:06:49.40
A sweet peace fills the air
00:06:49.44\00:06:56.11
I walked today
where Jesus walked
00:06:56.14\00:07:02.85
And felt His presence there
00:07:02.88\00:07:09.72
My pathway led through Bethlehem
00:07:17.77\00:07:23.71
A memory's ever sweet
00:07:23.74\00:07:30.75
The little town of Galilee
00:07:30.78\00:07:36.48
That knew those childish
00:07:36.52\00:07:41.56
Feet
00:07:41.59\00:07:45.86
The Mount of
Olives, hallowed scenes
00:07:45.89\00:07:51.37
That Jesus knew before
00:07:51.40\00:07:58.61
I saw
00:07:58.64\00:08:01.54
The mighty Jordan row
00:08:01.58\00:08:07.58
As in the days
00:08:07.65\00:08:11.72
Of old
00:08:11.75\00:08:16.19
I knelt today where Jesus knelt
00:08:25.23\00:08:31.74
Where all alone He prayed
00:08:31.77\00:08:37.65
The Garden of Gethsemane
00:08:37.68\00:08:43.59
My heart was unafraid
00:08:43.62\00:08:49.36
I picked my heavy burden up
00:08:49.39\00:08:55.43
And with Him by my side
00:08:55.46\00:09:02.24
I climbed the Hill of Calvary
00:09:02.27\00:09:08.98
I climbed the Hill of Calvary
00:09:09.01\00:09:15.48
I climbed the Hill of Calvary
00:09:15.52\00:09:21.22
Where on the Cross
00:09:21.26\00:09:24.89
He died!
00:09:24.93\00:09:29.53
I walked today
where Jesus walked
00:09:35.24\00:09:42.48
And felt Him close
00:09:42.51\00:09:49.38
To me
00:09:49.42\00:09:54.72
Thank you so much, Juan Carlos.
00:10:01.10\00:10:04.17
Good evening everyone.
00:10:04.23\00:10:06.70
Have you had a blessed Sabbath?
00:10:06.74\00:10:09.80
God has been good
to us here at ASI.
00:10:09.84\00:10:12.17
I just have to say that
00:10:12.21\00:10:14.98
I couldn't start my sermon
after Ranela introduced me
00:10:15.01\00:10:17.61
without saying she's the most
beautiful woman in the world.
00:10:17.65\00:10:20.68
And I love her and I am
so privileged and blessed
00:10:20.72\00:10:23.95
to have her as my girlfriend so.
00:10:23.99\00:10:25.39
I'm glad you guys can't
make any comments right now
00:10:28.76\00:10:30.59
because I'm all the way up here.
00:10:30.63\00:10:33.70
God is good.
00:10:33.76\00:10:36.43
And I believe with all my
heart that Jesus is coming soon.
00:10:36.46\00:10:40.30
We are here at ASI 2017,
00:10:40.37\00:10:43.20
the 70th
anniversary celebrating our...
00:10:43.24\00:10:47.81
Well, not celebrating
but looking at our 70 years
00:10:47.84\00:10:51.01
and hoping that
we're not here another 70
00:10:51.05\00:10:54.25
because Jesus needs to come.
00:10:54.28\00:10:56.45
Amen?
00:10:56.48\00:10:57.85
Tonight, I have a
burden on my heart
00:10:57.89\00:11:01.99
that I want to share with
you as we close this convention.
00:11:02.02\00:11:05.43
But before I do
that, I'd invite you
00:11:05.46\00:11:07.23
to bow your hands
with me as we pray.
00:11:07.30\00:11:08.90
Father in heaven, tonight,
00:11:12.20\00:11:16.44
Lord, we come before
You, pleading with You
00:11:16.47\00:11:18.24
that You would send Your
Spirit into this auditorium.
00:11:18.27\00:11:22.11
Father, I pray that You
would hide me behind the cross
00:11:22.14\00:11:25.75
that Jesus would be lifted up
00:11:25.78\00:11:29.02
and that You would
speak to our hearts
00:11:29.05\00:11:32.19
what You would have us to do
00:11:32.22\00:11:33.66
as we close this ASI Convention.
00:11:33.72\00:11:37.89
Lord Jesus, please come
to be with us here right now.
00:11:37.93\00:11:43.43
We ask this in Your name, amen.
00:11:43.50\00:11:49.30
I don't know about you
but I loved hearing stories
00:11:49.34\00:11:52.07
from my grandpa.
00:11:52.11\00:11:53.74
And I especially
loved hearing stories
00:11:53.81\00:11:55.94
when he was talking about
his experiences in the war.
00:11:55.98\00:11:59.05
And I remember as a
kid, I would listen to him
00:11:59.08\00:12:01.52
talking about what it was
like when he was in the Marines
00:12:01.55\00:12:05.22
and going to battle.
00:12:05.25\00:12:06.89
My one grandpa, my
mom's dad, had a harder time
00:12:06.96\00:12:10.06
talking about it
though because he went through
00:12:10.13\00:12:12.33
some very hard times in war.
00:12:12.36\00:12:15.20
And when he did talk about it,
00:12:15.23\00:12:17.27
it was hard for
the words to come out
00:12:17.33\00:12:18.80
and often tears
would come into his eyes
00:12:18.83\00:12:21.37
and he would just
clam up and stop talking.
00:12:21.40\00:12:24.17
But there were a few times
when I remember him talking
00:12:24.21\00:12:27.74
about his experience
in the battle of Iwo Jima,
00:12:27.78\00:12:31.11
one of the bloodiest
battles of World War II.
00:12:31.15\00:12:34.08
Twenty five thousand men died
in a nearly month long struggle
00:12:34.12\00:12:37.69
for that small Pacific Island.
00:12:37.72\00:12:40.56
And I remember my grandpa
telling me what it was like
00:12:40.62\00:12:43.16
when they stormed the
beach, when that ramp opened,
00:12:43.19\00:12:46.86
there was no, there was no...
00:12:46.90\00:12:49.06
You didn't have a
decision at that point,
00:12:49.10\00:12:51.17
you had major commitment
00:12:51.20\00:12:52.53
you were going through the water
00:12:52.57\00:12:54.30
and going on that beach.
00:12:54.34\00:12:56.74
And I remember him telling me
that the bullets were flying by
00:12:56.77\00:12:59.14
and the guys around him,
guys he knew were falling
00:12:59.17\00:13:03.01
and they had just one mission
00:13:03.04\00:13:04.88
and that was to
take that island.
00:13:04.91\00:13:07.45
They were
committed to their mission
00:13:07.52\00:13:09.68
even if it meant
paying the ultimate price.
00:13:09.72\00:13:14.16
You know, a number of years ago
00:13:14.19\00:13:16.09
the Marine Corps
actually had a slogan,
00:13:16.12\00:13:18.46
a slogan to
recruit new young people
00:13:18.49\00:13:21.36
into the Marine
Corps and that slogan said,
00:13:21.40\00:13:24.03
"No applications,
only commitments."
00:13:24.07\00:13:28.57
No applications here,
00:13:28.60\00:13:30.27
if you want to be a
part of the Marine Corps,
00:13:30.31\00:13:31.91
you are gonna be committed.
00:13:31.94\00:13:33.94
Committed totally
00:13:33.98\00:13:37.55
even to possibly
paying the ultimate price.
00:13:37.61\00:13:41.75
You know, some have
called that generation
00:13:41.78\00:13:43.65
of my grandfather,
00:13:43.69\00:13:45.02
the generation
of my grandparents,
00:13:45.05\00:13:46.59
'the greatest generation'.
00:13:46.62\00:13:49.22
But today, we often
look around the world
00:13:49.26\00:13:51.63
and when we see the
society that we live in,
00:13:51.66\00:13:55.40
it's hard to find
commitment, is it not?
00:13:55.43\00:13:58.23
In our families,
in our communities
00:13:58.27\00:14:01.27
and yes, even in the church
00:14:01.30\00:14:04.04
it can be hard
to find commitment.
00:14:04.11\00:14:07.78
George Barna in a study
a few years ago said that,
00:14:07.81\00:14:11.18
"Less than one
half of the people
00:14:11.21\00:14:12.78
who call
themselves Christians say
00:14:12.81\00:14:14.75
they are absolutely
committed to their faith."
00:14:14.78\00:14:19.25
Tonight, as we close
this 2017 ASI Convention,
00:14:19.29\00:14:22.49
I want to ask you this question.
00:14:22.52\00:14:26.16
Are you and I fully
and totally committed
00:14:26.19\00:14:29.16
to this message?
00:14:29.20\00:14:31.17
Are you and I fully
committed to the mission
00:14:31.20\00:14:34.24
that Jesus has given us
as soldiers of the cross?
00:14:34.27\00:14:38.81
So tonight, turn
with me in Scripture,
00:14:38.84\00:14:40.64
we're gonna look at
a couple of passages
00:14:40.68\00:14:42.01
that talk about commitment
00:14:42.04\00:14:43.81
and we're gonna see what
the Lord wants us to know
00:14:43.85\00:14:46.98
as we leave this ASI Convention.
00:14:47.02\00:14:49.65
Turn with me to Luke 5,
Luke 5, starting with verse 1,
00:14:49.68\00:14:53.72
we're going to
just look at the story,
00:14:53.76\00:14:56.56
the calling of the disciples.
00:14:56.59\00:14:57.96
Now you remember Jesus
is at the Sea of Galilee
00:14:57.99\00:15:00.63
and He's teaching to people
and there are so many people
00:15:00.66\00:15:03.67
that He has to get
into Simon Peter's boat
00:15:03.70\00:15:05.97
and He pushes out a little
bit from land and He's teaching
00:15:06.00\00:15:08.17
and then as soon
as He's finished,
00:15:08.20\00:15:10.74
He tells Peter,
"Put out the boats
00:15:10.81\00:15:13.07
and put down your nets."
00:15:13.11\00:15:15.21
And they go and
they put down their nets
00:15:15.24\00:15:16.75
and they catch more fish
they can even hold in that boat
00:15:16.78\00:15:19.45
so they pull the next boat over.
00:15:19.48\00:15:21.38
And Peter is so
overcome by the fact that
00:15:21.42\00:15:24.35
Jesus knew where the fish were,
00:15:24.39\00:15:26.52
I mean, he had
been fishing all night
00:15:26.55\00:15:27.89
and hadn't caught anything
but Jesus tells him where to go
00:15:27.92\00:15:30.93
and his boat is overflowing
that he's convicted that
00:15:30.96\00:15:33.63
Jesus is the Son of God.
00:15:33.70\00:15:36.06
And at that moment
Jesus comes to him,
00:15:36.10\00:15:38.67
and in verse 10 of Luke
5, "Jesus says to Simon,
00:15:38.70\00:15:42.30
'Do not be afraid.
00:15:42.34\00:15:44.84
From now on you
will catch men.'"
00:15:44.87\00:15:49.74
And the Bible says in verse 11,
00:15:49.78\00:15:51.21
"So when they had
brought their boats to land,
00:15:51.25\00:15:54.18
they forsook all
and followed Him."
00:15:54.22\00:15:59.09
The call of Christ.
00:15:59.12\00:16:02.36
This is a call
not from human beings,
00:16:02.39\00:16:05.66
this call to
Peter, James and John
00:16:05.69\00:16:07.66
came from the Son of God.
00:16:07.73\00:16:10.77
Now why would they simply
leave their fishermen's nets?
00:16:10.80\00:16:13.54
I mean, Jesus just comes
along and they leave, why?
00:16:13.57\00:16:18.84
Because they sensed in Jesus
one whose vision was so great,
00:16:18.87\00:16:23.55
one whose mission was so broad,
00:16:23.58\00:16:25.75
so much bigger than
anything in their lives.
00:16:25.78\00:16:28.85
There was more to God's plan
00:16:28.88\00:16:30.22
for their lives
than catching fish,
00:16:30.29\00:16:31.79
nothing wrong with catching fish
00:16:31.82\00:16:33.79
but they had a higher calling.
00:16:33.86\00:16:36.59
Similarly tonight, Jesus comes
to you and to me here at ASI
00:16:36.62\00:16:40.53
and He says, "I have called you.
00:16:40.60\00:16:43.33
I know you.
00:16:43.37\00:16:45.07
I've seen you're working hard.
00:16:45.10\00:16:47.04
I know you know
how to make money,
00:16:47.10\00:16:49.20
you know how to be a banker,
you know how to be a doctor,
00:16:49.24\00:16:51.91
or a lawyer, or a
nurse, or an entrepreneur,
00:16:51.94\00:16:54.88
you know how to catch fish,"
00:16:54.91\00:16:57.45
but He comes to you
and He says tonight,
00:16:57.51\00:17:00.25
"I have called you
and I have chosen you.
00:17:00.28\00:17:04.32
I have chosen you to
take My message to the world.
00:17:04.35\00:17:08.42
I have chosen
you to fish for men."
00:17:08.46\00:17:13.06
You may know how
to have a career,
00:17:13.09\00:17:16.30
but our lives mean so
much more than a career,
00:17:16.33\00:17:19.00
that is the mission of
ASI because as laypeople
00:17:19.03\00:17:21.84
we are called and we are
chosen to have a higher purpose.
00:17:21.87\00:17:25.64
Jesus says to you tonight,
00:17:25.67\00:17:27.28
"I have called you
to take the gospel,
00:17:27.31\00:17:29.91
the three angels'
messages to the world
00:17:29.94\00:17:31.98
in this generation."
00:17:32.01\00:17:35.58
And there is always a
call, when Jesus gives a call,
00:17:35.62\00:17:37.82
there's always a
call to something
00:17:37.85\00:17:39.89
and a call from something.
00:17:39.92\00:17:42.32
In this case Jesus
is calling all of us,
00:17:42.36\00:17:44.53
Jesus is calling us to witness.
00:17:44.56\00:17:46.56
Jesus is calling us to a
vision greater than ourselves.
00:17:46.59\00:17:50.93
And He's calling us
away from something as well.
00:17:50.97\00:17:53.60
He's calling us
away from our nets,
00:17:53.64\00:17:55.54
away from our
boats, away from...
00:17:55.57\00:17:57.97
Nothing wrong with
the nets and the boats
00:17:58.01\00:17:59.54
but away from a preoccupation
with secular employment.
00:17:59.57\00:18:04.78
He's calling us to live a
life of complete commitment
00:18:04.81\00:18:09.15
to the things of eternity.
00:18:09.18\00:18:11.22
But you say, "Well,
Kyle, I know God has called."
00:18:11.25\00:18:13.99
We always talk as
pastors about how God called us,
00:18:14.02\00:18:16.16
I mean, Ranela shared a
little bit of my testimony
00:18:16.19\00:18:18.49
and I wish I could
share it here tonight
00:18:18.53\00:18:20.63
and it's been a
struggle for me to know
00:18:20.66\00:18:22.83
what God called
me to do in my life.
00:18:22.86\00:18:25.13
But one thing I've
been convicted of is
00:18:25.17\00:18:27.04
as time is going on is that
the reality is I may be called
00:18:27.07\00:18:30.11
to have been a
pastor but each one of you
00:18:30.14\00:18:32.41
is just as called.
00:18:32.44\00:18:34.34
Do you believe
that tonight? Yes.
00:18:34.38\00:18:37.28
The call comes to each one.
00:18:37.35\00:18:39.31
I want you to
look at this statement
00:18:39.35\00:18:40.98
from Prophets and Kings
page 22, powerful statement.
00:18:41.02\00:18:45.02
"To everyone who
becomes a partaker of His grace,
00:18:45.05\00:18:48.09
the Lord appoints
a work for others.
00:18:48.12\00:18:50.56
Individually we are
to stand our lot, saying,
00:18:50.63\00:18:54.50
"Here I am, send me."
00:18:54.56\00:18:57.23
Whether a man be a minister
of the Word or a physician,
00:18:57.27\00:19:00.57
whether he be a
merchant or a farmer,
00:19:00.60\00:19:02.60
professional man or mechanic,
00:19:02.64\00:19:04.34
the
responsibility rests upon him.
00:19:04.37\00:19:07.14
It is his work
to reveal to others
00:19:07.21\00:19:09.94
the gospel of their salvation.
00:19:09.98\00:19:12.51
Every enterprise
in which he engages
00:19:12.55\00:19:15.65
should be a means to this end."
00:19:15.68\00:19:18.92
Every enterprise
in which we engage
00:19:18.95\00:19:20.82
should be a means to spreading
the three angels' messages,
00:19:20.89\00:19:23.56
what do you say tonight?
00:19:23.59\00:19:24.93
Amen.
00:19:24.96\00:19:26.29
But you say,
"Lord, that's scary.
00:19:26.33\00:19:28.03
I mean, I know
how to make money,
00:19:28.06\00:19:29.50
I know how to run my business
00:19:29.53\00:19:31.03
but I don't
know how to witness."
00:19:31.07\00:19:33.54
Jesus says to you
just like He said to Peter,
00:19:33.57\00:19:35.94
what did He say?
00:19:35.97\00:19:37.64
He said, "Don't be afraid.
00:19:37.67\00:19:39.74
Do not fear
because I am with you."
00:19:39.77\00:19:43.45
Jesus understands He
is the one who called you
00:19:43.48\00:19:47.05
and He is the one
who will empower you
00:19:47.12\00:19:49.15
to fulfill the
mission He has given you.
00:19:49.18\00:19:52.22
Remember, James
was the first disciple
00:19:52.25\00:19:54.76
who was martyred.
00:19:54.79\00:19:56.12
John who was on
that boat that day,
00:19:56.16\00:19:58.03
the longest living
disciple wrote Revelation
00:19:58.06\00:20:01.13
but suffered a
life of persecution.
00:20:01.16\00:20:03.03
And Peter,
crucified upside down.
00:20:03.06\00:20:07.14
But none of them ever
lost sight of the fact
00:20:07.20\00:20:09.80
that Jesus was always with them.
00:20:09.84\00:20:13.11
There is a story of a
self-supporting missionary
00:20:13.14\00:20:16.91
that I wanted to
share with you tonight.
00:20:16.95\00:20:18.75
It's just a,
such a powerful story
00:20:18.78\00:20:21.15
that I had to share it.
00:20:21.18\00:20:23.35
A guy named Abram La Rue,
00:20:23.39\00:20:25.32
How many of you have
heard of Abram La Rue?
00:20:25.35\00:20:26.82
Okay, I see few
hands, some of you have.
00:20:26.86\00:20:28.42
I got to tell the story.
00:20:28.46\00:20:30.69
He was a seaman, he had
traveled around the world
00:20:30.73\00:20:34.13
but in his 50s he
settled in San Francisco.
00:20:34.20\00:20:37.33
And he invested all his
life savings into his property.
00:20:37.40\00:20:40.10
He bought some
property there only to have it
00:20:40.17\00:20:42.20
destroyed by fire
a short time later.
00:20:42.24\00:20:44.77
He lost all of his savings.
00:20:44.81\00:20:47.21
So discouraged and penniless
he moves out of the city,
00:20:47.24\00:20:50.78
but God had a plan for this man
because just a few months later
00:20:50.81\00:20:54.88
someone gives him a Bible track,
00:20:54.92\00:20:56.62
the signs of the times.
00:20:56.65\00:20:57.99
And he reads the
track and he gets so excited
00:20:58.02\00:20:59.92
about what he's reading,
he starts reading his Bible
00:21:00.06\00:21:01.99
and he's converted.
00:21:02.02\00:21:03.53
And not only is he
converted, he gets so on fire,
00:21:03.56\00:21:06.16
now he wants to go
to the mission field.
00:21:06.19\00:21:08.16
There's only one problem,
he's in his 60s and he feels,
00:21:08.20\00:21:11.73
well, other people
think he's too old.
00:21:11.77\00:21:14.04
He writes to the
General Conference
00:21:14.10\00:21:15.54
and he says, "Please,
I really have a burden.
00:21:15.57\00:21:18.37
I have a burden to go to China
00:21:18.41\00:21:20.04
to share with the Chinese people
00:21:20.08\00:21:21.68
the three angels'
messages of the gospel."
00:21:21.71\00:21:24.01
And you know
what the brethren say?
00:21:24.05\00:21:26.45
They said, "Thank
you for your commitment,
00:21:26.48\00:21:29.75
thank you for your interest.
00:21:29.78\00:21:31.12
Why don't you..."
00:21:31.15\00:21:32.75
I forgot to say
that he had been serving
00:21:32.79\00:21:34.26
a little bit of time
in Hawaii as a colporteur.
00:21:34.29\00:21:36.69
"Why don't you just stay in
the islands of the Pacific,"
00:21:36.73\00:21:39.26
thinking he'd
just `stay in Hawaii.
00:21:39.29\00:21:41.93
Well, he said,
"Okay, I'll tell you what,"
00:21:41.96\00:21:45.40
he looked in a map,
islands of the Pacific.
00:21:45.43\00:21:47.40
He saw that Hong Kong
was an island in the Pacific.
00:21:47.47\00:21:50.44
It was a little bit on the edge
but it was right next to China.
00:21:50.47\00:21:52.81
So he said, "Let
me go to Hong Kong."
00:21:52.84\00:21:54.31
So he goes to Hong
Kong, he opens up a mission
00:21:54.34\00:21:57.58
by himself by the way, he
begins passing out tracks,
00:21:57.61\00:22:01.05
studying the Bible with people,
00:22:01.08\00:22:02.52
he converts the soldiers
and sailors there in Hong Kong.
00:22:02.55\00:22:05.75
Some of these sailors by
the way go back to England,
00:22:05.79\00:22:08.82
take the gospel and
start working in places
00:22:08.86\00:22:10.63
where the work in
places where it hadn't started
00:22:10.66\00:22:12.56
in England.
00:22:12.59\00:22:13.93
All over the world
people carry the tracks
00:22:14.00\00:22:16.13
that Abram La Rue had
given them in Hong Kong.
00:22:16.16\00:22:19.60
Fourteen years he
labors from 1888 until 1902
00:22:19.63\00:22:24.37
when the next missionaries come.
00:22:24.41\00:22:27.14
And shortly after
those next missionaries come,
00:22:27.18\00:22:28.91
nine people were baptized.
00:22:28.94\00:22:31.75
And just a year later in 1903,
00:22:31.78\00:22:33.48
Abram La Rue passed to his rest.
00:22:33.52\00:22:35.78
A committed
Christian, he stood alone.
00:22:35.82\00:22:38.45
Fourteen years in a distant land
00:22:38.49\00:22:40.22
carrying on a
self-supporting work,
00:22:40.26\00:22:41.96
this was a true ASI missionary.
00:22:41.99\00:22:44.96
The power that urged him
onward was his firm belief
00:22:44.99\00:22:47.46
in the soon coming of Jesus.
00:22:47.50\00:22:49.26
A few days before he died,
00:22:49.30\00:22:51.83
he gave the little money
he had to the work in China.
00:22:51.87\00:22:55.54
Totally committed to following
the call of his savior.
00:22:55.57\00:22:58.47
Friend, it doesn't
matter how old you are,
00:22:58.51\00:23:00.88
you can be
young, you can be old,
00:23:00.91\00:23:02.58
Jesus is calling you tonight.
00:23:02.61\00:23:04.85
Jesus is calling you,
Jesus is calling each one of us
00:23:04.88\00:23:07.52
to a life of commitment.
00:23:07.55\00:23:10.62
So Jesus calls
us, Christ calls us
00:23:10.69\00:23:14.19
and also Christ
calls us to commitment.
00:23:14.26\00:23:16.93
And I want us to turn
to our next passage, Luke 9
00:23:16.96\00:23:19.79
and we're gonna look
quickly here at Luke 9
00:23:19.83\00:23:21.90
because the problem is
that when we get the call
00:23:21.93\00:23:26.60
sometimes we make
excuses, don't we?
00:23:26.63\00:23:29.70
Sometimes we make excuses
00:23:29.74\00:23:31.77
and Jesus speaks
about this in Luke 9.
00:23:31.81\00:23:34.41
In this story Jesus
meets three men on the road
00:23:34.44\00:23:37.68
and He gives three responses
that shed light on the excuses
00:23:37.71\00:23:40.32
we often give that keep us
from living a committed life.
00:23:40.38\00:23:44.29
Verse 57 and 58
say, "Now it happened
00:23:44.32\00:23:47.26
as they journeyed on the
road that someone said to Him,
00:23:47.32\00:23:49.36
'Lord, I will follow
You wherever you go.'"
00:23:49.39\00:23:53.80
And what does Jesus say?
00:23:53.86\00:23:55.33
He says to him,
"Foxes have holes
00:23:55.36\00:23:57.40
and birds of the air have nests
00:23:57.43\00:23:59.40
but the Son of Man has
nowhere to lay His head."
00:23:59.43\00:24:04.67
He calls this man to a
commitment of sacrifice.
00:24:04.71\00:24:08.51
The call of
Christ to the human heart
00:24:08.54\00:24:10.25
is the call to
make the sacrifice.
00:24:10.28\00:24:12.41
Jesus is saying,
"The things of eternity
00:24:12.45\00:24:14.88
far outweigh the
things here on earth."
00:24:14.92\00:24:17.89
There's something you give up,
00:24:17.92\00:24:19.25
there's a
surrender that you make.
00:24:19.29\00:24:21.36
Martin Luther, we're
celebrating 500 years
00:24:21.39\00:24:24.83
since the
Reformation, Martin Luther said,
00:24:24.86\00:24:27.00
"A religion that
gives nothing costs nothing
00:24:27.03\00:24:29.73
and suffers
nothing is worth nothing."
00:24:29.76\00:24:31.73
One of the
former vice presidents
00:24:38.14\00:24:39.47
of the General Conference
00:24:39.51\00:24:41.01
was traveling far back in
a mountain region of Asia.
00:24:41.04\00:24:43.45
As he's there, he's talking
to two pioneer missionaries
00:24:43.51\00:24:45.85
traveling from
village to village,
00:24:45.88\00:24:47.32
they're preaching the gospel.
00:24:47.38\00:24:48.72
And as he's talking to
them he asked them a question,
00:24:48.75\00:24:50.79
he says, "Is there
anything you need?"
00:24:50.85\00:24:52.79
They look at each other,
they put their heads down,
00:24:52.82\00:24:55.22
they say, "Well
there's one thing
00:24:55.26\00:24:58.03
very important to us."
00:24:58.06\00:24:59.39
He says, "Well,
how can I help you?"
00:24:59.43\00:25:01.56
He says, "We only
have one pair of shoes.
00:25:01.60\00:25:04.67
So whoever walks to
the furthest village
00:25:04.70\00:25:06.84
gets the shoes for that day.
00:25:06.87\00:25:09.77
Oh, Pastor, if we
only had one pair of shoes,
00:25:09.80\00:25:11.97
one more pair of shoes
00:25:12.01\00:25:14.18
so both of us could have shoes."
00:25:14.21\00:25:16.85
And yet that didn't stop
them from sharing the gospel.
00:25:16.88\00:25:20.32
This is the commitment
of those who follows Christ,
00:25:20.35\00:25:22.72
no excuses,
willing to make sacrifices.
00:25:22.75\00:25:26.79
The Bible
continues in Luke 9:59.
00:25:26.86\00:25:31.16
"Jesus said to another
man, 'follow me' but he said,
00:25:31.19\00:25:33.60
'Lord, first let me
go and bury my father."
00:25:33.63\00:25:36.67
And Jesus said, "Let
the dead bury their own dead
00:25:36.73\00:25:38.93
but you go and
preach the kingdom of God."
00:25:38.97\00:25:41.44
Now some of you might
say, "Well, that's strange.
00:25:41.47\00:25:43.00
Why would Jesus
respond like that?"
00:25:43.04\00:25:45.54
Well, think about
this for a minute.
00:25:45.57\00:25:47.34
If the man's father was
dead, he would have been there
00:25:47.38\00:25:50.11
because in Jewish
culture when a person died
00:25:50.15\00:25:52.31
they were buried that same day.
00:25:52.35\00:25:54.48
You see what Jesus was saying...
00:25:54.52\00:25:56.42
What the man
was saying was that,
00:25:56.45\00:25:57.79
"Let me wait until my
father is dead and buried
00:25:57.82\00:25:59.82
and then I will come
and follow you, Jesus.
00:25:59.85\00:26:02.49
Just let me go back and care
for the affairs of my father
00:26:02.52\00:26:04.89
whether it would be six
months or a year or however long
00:26:04.93\00:26:07.60
and then I will follow You."
00:26:07.66\00:26:09.63
In other words,
he was putting off
00:26:09.66\00:26:11.10
what Christ wanted him to do.
00:26:11.13\00:26:13.64
And oftentimes
we make that excuse,
00:26:13.67\00:26:15.70
we won't commit
because there are other things
00:26:15.74\00:26:17.91
that come first.
00:26:17.94\00:26:19.34
First let me do
this, first let me do that.
00:26:19.37\00:26:21.44
Friends, Jesus needs us
to commit to being available
00:26:21.48\00:26:23.85
when He calls us.
00:26:23.88\00:26:25.61
So commitment not
only requires sacrifice,
00:26:25.65\00:26:27.88
it requires availability.
00:26:27.92\00:26:29.35
Number three in
this passage in Luke 9.
00:26:29.38\00:26:32.29
"Another man said
to Jesus," verse 61,
00:26:32.32\00:26:34.29
"Lord, I will follow
You but first let me go
00:26:34.32\00:26:36.96
and bid them
farewell who are in my house."
00:26:37.03\00:26:40.00
But Jesus said to him,
00:26:40.03\00:26:42.53
"No one having put
his hand to the plough
00:26:42.56\00:26:45.80
and looking back is fit
for the Kingdom of God."
00:26:45.83\00:26:50.17
For this excuse
the man is saying that
00:26:50.21\00:26:52.74
he's occupied
primarily with other things.
00:26:52.77\00:26:55.34
Nothing wrong with taking
care of your family, right?
00:26:55.38\00:26:58.35
Right?
00:26:58.38\00:26:59.71
But the problem is
when the things in your life
00:26:59.75\00:27:01.92
begin to
overshadow the greater purpose
00:27:01.95\00:27:04.35
to which we are called,
even if they are good things,
00:27:04.39\00:27:07.29
they can become
problems in and of themselves.
00:27:07.32\00:27:10.59
Jesus called him to
have an undivided heart.
00:27:10.66\00:27:14.00
So commitment
requires sacrifice,
00:27:14.03\00:27:15.66
it requires
availability and it requires
00:27:15.70\00:27:18.20
an undivided heart.
00:27:18.23\00:27:22.17
When I think of a
story that talks about people
00:27:22.20\00:27:24.74
that had no excuses,
00:27:24.77\00:27:27.18
nothing could be
better than the story
00:27:27.21\00:27:29.31
that we heard this afternoon.
00:27:29.34\00:27:31.38
I don't know if you were
here, but we talked about
00:27:31.41\00:27:33.18
the history of
ASI and the history of
00:27:33.21\00:27:34.88
self-supporting work.
00:27:34.92\00:27:36.62
And when I think of
the story in particular of
00:27:36.69\00:27:38.52
Sutherland and Magan,
00:27:38.55\00:27:40.09
the men who
founded Madison College
00:27:40.16\00:27:41.82
and who were
the founders of ASI.
00:27:41.86\00:27:44.23
They were so
committed to God's work,
00:27:44.26\00:27:46.93
they were so committed
to leaving the comforts
00:27:47.00\00:27:48.96
of normal life.
00:27:49.00\00:27:50.43
They knew God's
plan for education,
00:27:50.47\00:27:52.23
they were committed to
following it wherever it led.
00:27:52.27\00:27:55.44
They were committed to
whatever sacrifice it took.
00:27:55.47\00:27:58.51
You know, it's interesting
and I read that book,
00:27:58.54\00:28:00.44
'God's Beautiful Farm'.
00:28:00.51\00:28:01.84
Have you guys read it?
00:28:01.88\00:28:03.21
I encourage you to
pick it up before you leave,
00:28:03.24\00:28:04.58
we have it still at the booth.
00:28:04.61\00:28:06.21
But in that book
there are a few stories
00:28:06.25\00:28:07.98
that stand out, and
one of that stands out
00:28:08.02\00:28:09.78
is when they first
moved the college to Andrews
00:28:09.82\00:28:12.52
what is now
Andrews in Berrien Springs,
00:28:12.55\00:28:15.29
that first winter, you know,
00:28:15.32\00:28:16.99
they were trying to
be out in the country
00:28:17.06\00:28:18.76
and have a more rural
setting for the college.
00:28:18.79\00:28:21.46
They endured a winter in
those cabins without heat.
00:28:21.50\00:28:24.77
Can you imagine
Berrien Springs without heat?
00:28:24.80\00:28:27.77
I've been there with
heat and it's still freezing.
00:28:27.80\00:28:31.91
They were willing to
follow wherever God led them
00:28:31.94\00:28:34.88
because they were so committed.
00:28:34.91\00:28:36.85
But once they got the
work established at Andrews,
00:28:36.88\00:28:39.55
they felt a call to
Madison and they went there
00:28:39.58\00:28:41.95
even though they
were severe trials,
00:28:41.98\00:28:43.82
even Percy's wife
got sick and passed away.
00:28:43.89\00:28:48.66
And yet Percy
could still say in 1903,
00:28:48.69\00:28:51.89
"I know that these
trials are sent to us
00:28:51.93\00:28:54.36
not to bring
bitterness out of our characters
00:28:54.40\00:28:56.83
but to bring all the fragrance
that God can possibly bring
00:28:56.87\00:28:59.80
into our lives."
00:28:59.83\00:29:03.47
That didn't stop
these two men of faith.
00:29:03.54\00:29:05.41
They were
committed to following God
00:29:05.44\00:29:06.91
no matter what the sacrifice.
00:29:06.94\00:29:08.98
And they heard the call of Jesus
00:29:09.01\00:29:10.58
to leave Emmanuel
Missionary College
00:29:10.61\00:29:12.65
and to found Madison College.
00:29:12.68\00:29:14.15
And you know, it's
such an incredible story
00:29:14.18\00:29:17.15
but the particular scene
that stands out in my mind
00:29:17.22\00:29:20.19
is that, is that
moment when they...
00:29:20.22\00:29:22.26
the boat breaks down, remember,
00:29:22.29\00:29:23.66
and they have to go off the boat
00:29:23.69\00:29:25.79
and it happens to
be at the property
00:29:25.83\00:29:27.40
where Ellen White
had seen in vision that
00:29:27.46\00:29:28.86
this is where the
school needed to be.
00:29:28.90\00:29:30.37
But Sutherland
and Magan did not want
00:29:30.40\00:29:32.27
to have the
school at this place.
00:29:32.30\00:29:34.47
It looked too
foreboding, too hard.
00:29:34.50\00:29:36.44
There was rocks, and
there were old buildings
00:29:36.47\00:29:38.51
and they struggled with it.
00:29:38.54\00:29:40.01
And yet Ellen
White was telling them,
00:29:40.08\00:29:41.68
"Boys, this is the place."
00:29:41.71\00:29:44.51
And they didn't...
00:29:44.55\00:29:45.88
Oh, they
struggled in their hearts.
00:29:45.91\00:29:48.22
But as the story
goes they knelt down
00:29:48.25\00:29:49.88
and they agonized
with God in prayer
00:29:49.92\00:29:52.25
and they both knew
that they needed to follow
00:29:52.29\00:29:55.09
the counsel of the
servant of the Lord.
00:29:55.12\00:29:57.46
And in the end, after
prayer, they were convicted
00:29:57.53\00:29:59.89
that they must
commit to following it
00:29:59.93\00:30:02.46
and to accepting the
sacrifice that would come.
00:30:02.50\00:30:05.57
And so they said yes,
00:30:05.60\00:30:07.84
and we know the
rest of the story,
00:30:07.87\00:30:09.87
God blessed them beyond measure.
00:30:09.90\00:30:12.04
It was the hard road,
it was the difficult road
00:30:12.07\00:30:14.24
but it was worth it
because it was the road
00:30:14.28\00:30:16.04
Jesus had called them to take.
00:30:16.08\00:30:20.78
Jesus said, "If anyone
wishes to come after me,
00:30:20.82\00:30:23.45
let him deny himself
and take up his cross
00:30:23.49\00:30:25.19
and follow me", Luke 8.
00:30:25.22\00:30:29.22
And in Help in
Daily Living, page 477,
00:30:29.26\00:30:32.83
this quote speaks to my heart.
00:30:32.86\00:30:35.80
The servant of God
says, "The Lord has no place
00:30:35.83\00:30:38.43
in His work for those
who have a greater desire
00:30:38.47\00:30:40.67
to win the crown
than to bear the cross.
00:30:40.70\00:30:43.34
He wants men who are more intent
00:30:43.37\00:30:45.54
upon doing their duty than
upon receiving their reward,
00:30:45.57\00:30:48.64
men who are more solicitous
for principle than promotion."
00:30:48.68\00:30:54.48
So, my friends, tonight
we've seen the call of Christ.
00:30:54.52\00:30:57.52
Each of us is called to a vision
00:30:57.55\00:30:58.89
greater than ourselves,
00:30:58.92\00:31:01.36
taking the gospel to the
world in this generation.
00:31:01.39\00:31:04.33
We've seen the
commitment to Christ.
00:31:04.36\00:31:05.83
Christ calls us to commitment.
00:31:05.86\00:31:07.86
It requires
sacrifice, being available,
00:31:07.93\00:31:10.13
and having an undivided heart.
00:31:10.17\00:31:11.53
But now, let's look at
the motivation for all of it
00:31:11.57\00:31:13.74
which is the cross of Christ.
00:31:13.80\00:31:16.04
Ultimately, what
motivated Sutherland and Magan,
00:31:16.07\00:31:18.97
what motivated Abram La Rue,
00:31:19.01\00:31:21.28
and what motivated
Peter, James, and John
00:31:21.31\00:31:23.71
to take the gospel
in their generation
00:31:23.75\00:31:25.65
was the cross of
Christ, the one who gave us
00:31:25.68\00:31:29.02
the greatest
example of commitment,
00:31:29.05\00:31:30.95
the only one who can enable
us to live a life of commitment,
00:31:30.99\00:31:35.42
the preeminent ASI member,
00:31:35.46\00:31:38.56
Jesus, a
self-supporting missionary.
00:31:38.59\00:31:42.13
He worked in a
carpenter shop in Nazareth
00:31:42.16\00:31:44.83
supported by donations.
00:31:44.87\00:31:46.40
His life reveals
the ultimate example
00:31:46.43\00:31:49.80
of commitment.
00:31:49.84\00:31:51.71
And because He was
committed to you and to me,
00:31:51.74\00:31:55.71
as Philippians 2
says, "He humbled Himself
00:31:55.74\00:31:58.78
and became obedient
to the point of death,
00:31:58.81\00:32:01.28
even the death of the cross."
00:32:01.32\00:32:05.92
In Luke 23, we read the
story of the crucifixion
00:32:05.95\00:32:08.96
and just to draw our minds
00:32:08.99\00:32:12.09
to the sacrifice
of Christ tonight,
00:32:12.13\00:32:13.53
I'll just look at
verse 33 and verses 44 to 46.
00:32:13.60\00:32:18.33
The Bible says, "When
they came to the place
00:32:18.37\00:32:20.00
called the Skull,
00:32:20.04\00:32:22.00
they crucified him
along with criminals,
00:32:22.04\00:32:24.84
one on his right and
the other on his left."
00:32:24.87\00:32:28.18
In verse 44 to
46, the Bible says,
00:32:28.21\00:32:31.05
"Now it was about the sixth hour
00:32:31.08\00:32:32.41
and there was
darkness over all the earth
00:32:32.45\00:32:33.92
until the ninth
hour, the sun was dark,
00:32:33.98\00:32:35.82
and the veil of the
temple was torn in two,
00:32:35.85\00:32:37.89
and when Jesus had cried
out with a loud voice, He said,
00:32:37.92\00:32:40.62
"Father, into Your
hands I commit My Spirit."
00:32:40.66\00:32:44.23
Having said this,
He breathed His last.
00:32:44.29\00:32:49.43
The cross reveals more clearly
00:32:49.46\00:32:51.10
than any other
place in scripture,
00:32:51.13\00:32:53.37
the self
sacrificing ministry of Jesus.
00:32:53.40\00:32:57.44
It shows the depths
that heaven would go
00:32:57.47\00:32:59.31
to redeem you and me.
00:32:59.34\00:33:02.61
What is it about the cross
that leads us to commitment?
00:33:02.64\00:33:05.48
Jesus was committed not
only to death in this life,
00:33:05.51\00:33:08.48
He was committed
to giving up His life
00:33:08.52\00:33:10.42
for eternity for you, for me.
00:33:10.49\00:33:16.29
I can't fathom that.
00:33:16.32\00:33:18.99
He believed it was worth
it to cease from existing
00:33:19.03\00:33:21.50
so we could have a
chance of eternal life.
00:33:21.53\00:33:24.03
The sacrifice of
Christ on the cross
00:33:24.07\00:33:25.93
reveals the true value
of each one of us to God.
00:33:25.97\00:33:30.11
In the light of this sacrifice,
can we do anything less?
00:33:30.17\00:33:36.24
The commitment of
Christ should stir us
00:33:36.28\00:33:38.38
to a deep desire to
be committed to Him.
00:33:38.41\00:33:42.85
Jesus said in John 17:4,
00:33:42.88\00:33:46.49
"I have glorified You on earth,"
00:33:46.52\00:33:48.29
speaking of the Father,
00:33:48.32\00:33:50.19
"I have finished the work
which You have given Me to do."
00:33:50.23\00:33:55.10
Jesus was committed to the work
that the Father had given Him
00:33:55.13\00:33:57.97
to do to the very end.
00:33:58.00\00:34:01.34
When we come to
the end of our life,
00:34:01.37\00:34:04.21
will we be able to
say, "God, I was faithful
00:34:04.24\00:34:06.81
to finish the work
You have given me to do."
00:34:06.88\00:34:12.58
This weekend some
of you may have heard
00:34:12.61\00:34:14.02
little snapshots of a life
of someone named Vera Onkoba.
00:34:14.05\00:34:18.32
Vera was a
personal friend of mine,
00:34:18.35\00:34:20.99
a close friend of
my girlfriend Ranela.
00:34:21.02\00:34:24.36
She was a modern
day, 21st century Enoch,
00:34:24.39\00:34:28.16
committed to the
calling of God in her life,
00:34:28.20\00:34:31.13
a nurse by
trade and by ministry.
00:34:31.17\00:34:34.97
She grew up in a
loving home, spiritual home.
00:34:35.00\00:34:38.07
And yet in her
senior year in college,
00:34:38.11\00:34:39.71
she wrestled with questions
about the true nature of God.
00:34:39.74\00:34:42.94
But she began to study the Bible
00:34:42.98\00:34:44.91
and she began
devouring the Bible.
00:34:44.95\00:34:47.52
And it's
particularly, "She loved
00:34:47.58\00:34:49.02
the book Revelation,"
speaks by Mark Finley.
00:34:49.05\00:34:51.65
Every day, she would read it.
00:34:51.69\00:34:54.02
God captivated her life.
00:34:54.06\00:34:55.92
Every day, she would pray
and pour over the scriptures
00:34:55.96\00:34:58.93
and God began to
change her heart.
00:34:58.96\00:35:01.73
And from there,
the Lord continued
00:35:01.76\00:35:03.37
to grow this young woman
00:35:03.40\00:35:05.23
and gave her many
missionary opportunities.
00:35:05.27\00:35:07.84
She began to do travel nursing
00:35:07.87\00:35:09.80
so that she
could have more money
00:35:09.84\00:35:12.01
so she could work less
and work more for Jesus.
00:35:12.04\00:35:15.71
At one point in her
life, she was so convicted
00:35:15.74\00:35:18.38
by the words of Ellen White
to do literature evangelism.
00:35:18.41\00:35:20.82
She would work three
days a week as a nurse
00:35:20.85\00:35:22.95
and the remaining
four days, every day,
00:35:22.98\00:35:24.59
she would take 12
people with her door to door
00:35:24.62\00:35:26.89
to do literature evangelism.
00:35:26.96\00:35:30.86
And then on Sabbath, she
would train church members.
00:35:30.93\00:35:33.90
She continued this
for over seven years.
00:35:33.93\00:35:36.77
Through the faithful
efforts of this woman,
00:35:36.83\00:35:38.87
churches grew and
church members were revived
00:35:38.90\00:35:41.84
to a life of witnessing.
00:35:41.87\00:35:43.37
The church never paid her
but she was committed to Christ
00:35:43.41\00:35:48.84
and the calling
that He had given her.
00:35:48.88\00:35:51.71
Most recently, she was
a volunteer Bible worker
00:35:51.75\00:35:53.78
at a church in Michigan,
00:35:53.82\00:35:55.15
she lived in the
basement of some friend's house
00:35:55.18\00:35:56.99
so she could pay off
the last year of her debt
00:35:57.05\00:35:59.12
and she wanted
more than anything to go
00:35:59.15\00:36:00.99
be a missionary
in the Middle East.
00:36:01.02\00:36:03.86
She commuted an hour
and a half to work every day
00:36:03.89\00:36:06.09
to the hospital she worked
at, working the night shift.
00:36:06.13\00:36:09.53
The family that
live with her said,
00:36:09.56\00:36:11.50
sometimes they
wouldn't see her until 2 PM,
00:36:11.53\00:36:14.17
and she would come
to sleep for a few hours
00:36:14.24\00:36:15.97
and then drive right back
to the hospital that evening.
00:36:16.00\00:36:19.61
When asked where she
was the whole morning,
00:36:19.64\00:36:21.48
she would say that she had
developed Bible study contacts
00:36:21.51\00:36:23.98
in that area and
she couldn't come back
00:36:24.05\00:36:25.78
until she gave Bible studies.
00:36:25.81\00:36:29.02
She was totally sold out
00:36:29.05\00:36:30.99
and committed to living
God's calling in her life.
00:36:31.02\00:36:35.32
Vera touched the lives
of people she had known
00:36:35.36\00:36:37.26
for years,
months, or even minutes.
00:36:37.33\00:36:39.69
I know, she touched my life.
00:36:39.73\00:36:42.56
Many people knew that
when she looked at you,
00:36:42.60\00:36:44.03
she didn't see
what you looked like,
00:36:44.07\00:36:45.40
what your social status was,
or your educational background,
00:36:45.43\00:36:48.54
all she saw was a
soul for whom Jesus died.
00:36:48.57\00:36:53.34
Less than two weeks
ago, my girlfriend Ranela
00:36:53.38\00:36:55.18
was on a brief phone
call with her asking her
00:36:55.21\00:36:58.35
to co-speak at a seminar at ASI,
00:36:58.38\00:37:00.85
total member involvement.
00:37:00.88\00:37:02.42
She agreed, she
was very excited,
00:37:02.45\00:37:03.82
she wanted to be
here at this weekend.
00:37:03.85\00:37:06.65
Little did any of us know
that less than a week later,
00:37:06.69\00:37:09.09
she would be
lying on a hospital bed
00:37:09.12\00:37:11.39
fighting for her life.
00:37:11.43\00:37:13.53
The doctors tried all
day and into the night
00:37:13.56\00:37:15.36
to get her heart to beat
again but it suddenly stopped
00:37:15.40\00:37:17.30
that morning and it was over.
00:37:17.37\00:37:19.53
She was only 36 years old.
00:37:19.57\00:37:24.77
And now after her sudden
death, those of us that knew her
00:37:24.81\00:37:27.81
and interact with her knew
that this was a bright light
00:37:27.84\00:37:31.01
that the world had lost.
00:37:31.05\00:37:34.78
But perhaps the good
that God will bring out of it
00:37:34.82\00:37:36.99
here on earth is the fact that
00:37:37.02\00:37:38.35
her legacy of
commitment to Christ lives on.
00:37:38.39\00:37:41.22
The bright
light is still shining
00:37:41.26\00:37:43.06
and God is shining her
example into your hearts tonight
00:37:43.09\00:37:45.63
to tell you this one thing,
when it is all said and done,
00:37:45.66\00:37:49.80
at the end of the day,
if we take our last breath
00:37:49.83\00:37:52.87
here on earth
before Jesus comes,
00:37:52.90\00:37:54.60
the only thing that will
matter and that will live on
00:37:54.64\00:37:57.91
is a life of
sacrificial commitment
00:37:57.94\00:37:59.74
that we live for
others and the Savior we love.
00:37:59.77\00:38:02.61
The only thing that
will matter are the souls
00:38:02.64\00:38:04.61
that we win for Jesus.
00:38:04.65\00:38:08.38
There is life of
selfless service,
00:38:08.42\00:38:10.22
the love that she
exuded for others,
00:38:10.25\00:38:11.69
her devotion to Jesus
that let her to give away
00:38:11.72\00:38:13.49
almost all of her
salary before her death.
00:38:13.52\00:38:15.89
All of this is a
testimony to the power
00:38:15.92\00:38:17.99
that shakes the
world when God's people
00:38:18.03\00:38:19.59
pledge their lives to
him holding nothing back.
00:38:19.63\00:38:22.80
What would happen if
we all live like Vera?
00:38:22.83\00:38:25.80
What would happen if
we all lived like Jesus?
00:38:25.83\00:38:30.51
How soon would Jesus return?
00:38:30.54\00:38:33.48
How much of
Christ's love would penetrate
00:38:33.51\00:38:35.24
the darkest parts of the
earth until the earth is lighted
00:38:35.28\00:38:37.68
with the glory of God?
00:38:37.71\00:38:40.82
And we would see
Vera and our loved ones
00:38:40.85\00:38:42.58
who have passed away
in the sin and death,
00:38:42.62\00:38:44.09
and suffering and separation
from God would be no more.
00:38:44.12\00:38:46.62
Here is a woman
who was unselfishly
00:38:51.66\00:38:53.70
committed to
Christ and to His service.
00:38:53.73\00:38:56.83
My friends, tonight,
00:38:56.87\00:39:00.87
you and I don't know
what's around the corner.
00:39:00.90\00:39:05.11
We never know what's
going on in our bodies
00:39:05.14\00:39:07.24
from a health standpoint.
00:39:07.31\00:39:08.64
I mean, many a
person has felt well
00:39:08.68\00:39:10.88
and then the next
day, they go to the doctor
00:39:10.91\00:39:12.38
and they find
out they have cancer.
00:39:12.41\00:39:16.38
We don't know
what's around the corner.
00:39:16.42\00:39:18.35
Vera didn't know
what was around the bend.
00:39:18.39\00:39:21.56
God calls us to commitment now.
00:39:21.59\00:39:24.69
God calls us to
commitment tonight,
00:39:24.73\00:39:26.86
to faithfulness
tonight, to service tonight.
00:39:26.93\00:39:32.47
You may not have
another ASI Convention,
00:39:32.50\00:39:36.24
I cannot
guarantee you that tonight.
00:39:36.27\00:39:40.18
But today is the
day that you can say
00:39:40.21\00:39:41.94
with all of your
heart, "Lord Jesus,
00:39:41.98\00:39:43.55
I've been here at ASI,
I've heard these messages.
00:39:43.58\00:39:45.75
I've been
convicted by Your Spirit
00:39:45.78\00:39:47.22
to do something for You.
00:39:47.25\00:39:48.58
Please help me to live for You,
00:39:48.62\00:39:50.02
help me to lay aside the
sin that so easily ensnares me
00:39:50.09\00:39:53.76
and to run the race that
You have called me to run."
00:39:53.79\00:39:58.36
Thinking back to my
grandpa, and those marines
00:39:58.39\00:40:01.23
who fought to take
the beaches of Iwo Jima,
00:40:01.26\00:40:03.73
you know, they had a mission.
00:40:03.77\00:40:06.03
They were
committed to their mission,
00:40:06.07\00:40:07.40
no matter the cost.
00:40:07.44\00:40:11.11
But how much
greater is our mission,
00:40:11.14\00:40:14.88
our mission to take
the gospel to every nation,
00:40:14.91\00:40:17.61
and kindred, and
tongue, and people?
00:40:17.65\00:40:19.21
My friends, the greatest mission
00:40:19.25\00:40:20.92
ever entrusted to
human beings is given to you.
00:40:20.95\00:40:24.85
To take the
three angels' messages
00:40:24.89\00:40:27.16
to the ends of the
earth in this generation.
00:40:27.22\00:40:30.29
ASI, tonight
Jesus is calling you,
00:40:30.33\00:40:33.09
Jesus is calling me.
00:40:33.13\00:40:34.46
The work of God on this
earth will never be finished
00:40:34.46\00:40:36.60
until each and every
one of us does all we can
00:40:36.63\00:40:39.67
by the power of
God uniting together
00:40:39.70\00:40:42.64
to take the gospel to the world.
00:40:42.67\00:40:44.27
This was Vera's mission.
00:40:47.34\00:40:51.11
Her story reminds us of the need
00:40:51.15\00:40:52.58
for total commitment to Christ.
00:40:52.61\00:40:56.45
I just want to say is
as I ask you to pull out
00:40:56.48\00:41:00.16
this appeal card tonight,
00:41:00.19\00:41:02.59
you were handed
this as you came in.
00:41:02.62\00:41:04.03
Sometimes it's hard
to make a commitment.
00:41:08.73\00:41:12.03
I've struggled with
commitment in my own life.
00:41:12.07\00:41:14.87
I wrestled with the call.
00:41:14.90\00:41:17.97
But I can tell you
tonight that I am so grateful
00:41:18.01\00:41:23.91
because Jesus
promises, like He said to Peter
00:41:23.95\00:41:28.12
that He will be
with us, He is with you.
00:41:28.15\00:41:31.59
Jesus is calling you tonight
to give your heart to Him.
00:41:31.62\00:41:37.33
I want to
invite you as we close,
00:41:37.39\00:41:38.73
just take a look at this card.
00:41:38.76\00:41:40.66
And if you want to surrender
your plans, and your heart,
00:41:40.70\00:41:43.70
and your life to God
for the first time tonight,
00:41:43.73\00:41:45.53
just check that box.
00:41:45.57\00:41:49.14
If the second...
00:41:49.17\00:41:51.21
If you look at the
second box on the card, it says,
00:41:51.24\00:41:54.71
"I long to have a
renewed focus on heaven
00:41:54.74\00:41:56.68
and I desire to recommit my life
00:41:56.71\00:41:58.85
to Jesus again tonight."
00:41:58.88\00:42:00.32
Check that box, make
that decision tonight.
00:42:00.35\00:42:04.32
And the third box is for you.
00:42:04.35\00:42:06.02
I want you to take this
card and put it in your Bible
00:42:06.05\00:42:08.22
and pray over it as you go home.
00:42:08.26\00:42:10.86
As you have been
here at ASI, undoubtedly
00:42:10.93\00:42:13.13
the Holy Spirit has
been speaking to your heart.
00:42:13.16\00:42:15.36
He has said to you,
"John, or Mary, or Ranela,
00:42:15.40\00:42:20.80
you need to do something for me.
00:42:20.84\00:42:23.10
You need to
volunteer in that ministry.
00:42:23.14\00:42:25.27
You need to work
for me in this field.
00:42:25.31\00:42:27.61
You need to,"
maybe sell your business.
00:42:27.64\00:42:29.94
I don't know what it is
00:42:30.01\00:42:31.35
but Jesus is calling
you to something tonight
00:42:31.38\00:42:33.28
and I want you to
write that on this card
00:42:33.31\00:42:34.65
and pray over it as you go home.
00:42:34.68\00:42:36.52
And tonight, I want to
ask you this question because
00:42:40.52\00:42:44.09
I know there are
some of us here tonight
00:42:44.13\00:42:46.23
that need to make a
change in our priorities.
00:42:46.26\00:42:50.43
We recognize that
Jesus has called us.
00:42:50.50\00:42:55.04
And we recognize that
we need to make a change.
00:42:55.07\00:42:57.27
I want to make a
simple appeal tonight,
00:42:57.34\00:42:58.71
two appeals, actually, for us.
00:42:58.74\00:43:02.84
Firstly,
00:43:02.88\00:43:04.48
there may be some
here, you have served Christ,
00:43:04.51\00:43:06.95
you've been
committed to His work
00:43:07.02\00:43:08.95
but you realize tonight that
you need to make some changes
00:43:08.98\00:43:11.55
as you go home.
00:43:11.59\00:43:12.92
You need to
rearrange your priorities
00:43:12.95\00:43:14.72
to be totally committed.
00:43:14.76\00:43:16.09
You want to go home different.
00:43:16.12\00:43:20.00
Would you just raise your hand?
00:43:20.03\00:43:23.73
I want to pray for you.
00:43:23.77\00:43:28.04
Put them down.
00:43:28.07\00:43:30.71
Secondly, there also
may be someone here tonight,
00:43:30.77\00:43:33.27
you have not been
involved in service
00:43:33.34\00:43:34.88
but during this ASI Convention,
00:43:34.91\00:43:36.91
you have heard
Jesus saying to you,
00:43:36.95\00:43:38.65
"Follow Me and I will
make you a fisher of men."
00:43:38.68\00:43:43.75
And the Spirit is
speaking to you tonight.
00:43:43.79\00:43:45.99
For the first
time, you realize that
00:43:46.02\00:43:47.46
you need to give your life
and service to your Master.
00:43:47.52\00:43:51.03
You cannot go home
the same, you need to make
00:43:51.06\00:43:53.70
a radical turn in the
direction of your life.
00:43:53.76\00:43:57.33
Would you raise
your hand tonight
00:43:57.40\00:43:59.40
if that is you?
00:43:59.43\00:44:00.84
I want to invite you...
00:44:03.74\00:44:05.07
as we hear this song.
00:44:07.88\00:44:12.48
If you have heard God
speaking to your heart tonight
00:44:12.51\00:44:15.82
and during this ASI Convention,
00:44:15.85\00:44:18.22
if you want to
say to the Lord Jesus,
00:44:18.25\00:44:19.85
"Lord Jesus, I want to
commit my life to Your service.
00:44:19.89\00:44:23.63
Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee."
00:44:23.66\00:44:29.80
If that is your prayer tonight,
00:44:29.83\00:44:31.17
I want to invite you
forward during this song.
00:44:31.20\00:44:34.04
And we're going to
have a prayer of dedication
00:44:34.10\00:44:35.44
and commitment at the end.
00:44:35.47\00:44:36.81
Take my life
00:44:52.39\00:44:57.63
And let it be
00:44:57.66\00:45:03.23
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee
00:45:03.26\00:45:09.34
Take my hands and let them move
00:45:09.37\00:45:15.94
At the impulse
00:45:15.98\00:45:21.45
Of Thy love
00:45:21.48\00:45:26.96
Take my feet
00:45:30.83\00:45:36.10
And let them be
00:45:36.13\00:45:41.47
Swift and beautiful for Thee
00:45:41.50\00:45:48.21
Take my voice and let me sing
00:45:48.24\00:45:54.82
Always, only
00:45:54.85\00:46:01.02
For my King
00:46:01.06\00:46:07.40
Take my lips and let them be
00:46:10.97\00:46:17.31
Filled with messages from Thee
00:46:17.34\00:46:24.15
Take my silver and my gold
00:46:24.18\00:46:30.39
Not a mite would I withhold
00:46:30.42\00:46:37.33
Not a mite would I
00:46:37.36\00:46:43.23
Withhold
00:46:43.26\00:46:49.07
Take my will
00:46:52.77\00:46:58.08
And make it Thine
00:46:58.11\00:47:04.05
It shall be no longer mine
00:47:04.12\00:47:10.36
Take my heart, it is Thine own
00:47:10.39\00:47:17.00
It shall be
00:47:17.07\00:47:23.04
Thy royal throne
00:47:23.07\00:47:30.95
Father in heaven,
00:47:47.20\00:47:51.93
tonight we have seen
00:47:51.97\00:47:55.54
that the greatest example
of commitment than any of us
00:47:55.57\00:48:01.18
have ever known as you.
00:48:01.21\00:48:02.54
You gave the ultimate sacrifice.
00:48:05.75\00:48:10.15
You made the
ultimate commitment to us,
00:48:10.22\00:48:15.59
a commitment and a sacrifice
that we can never understand
00:48:15.62\00:48:18.16
but for which we will
be eternally grateful.
00:48:18.19\00:48:22.66
Lord Jesus, thank You for
giving Your life to save us.
00:48:22.70\00:48:26.57
Thank you for calling
us, and for choosing us,
00:48:26.60\00:48:29.84
and for enabling us
to be committed to you.
00:48:29.87\00:48:34.34
Oh, Father, forgive us for
we have often made excuses.
00:48:34.38\00:48:38.65
We have often been distracted,
00:48:38.68\00:48:40.52
we have often
had a divided heart
00:48:40.55\00:48:42.72
but tonight we
want to come to you.
00:48:42.75\00:48:44.72
And those who have come forward
00:48:44.75\00:48:46.09
and those who
are in their seats,
00:48:46.12\00:48:47.46
Lord, we recognize that
we're not guaranteed tomorrow.
00:48:47.49\00:48:52.53
And like Vera, we want to
live a life of total commitment.
00:48:52.56\00:48:58.77
We want others to know
that, Jesus, you are number one,
00:48:58.80\00:49:02.80
that Your mission is the
most important thing to us.
00:49:02.84\00:49:06.14
Lord, we lay it all
on the altar tonight.
00:49:06.17\00:49:08.54
There is someone here
tonight that is sensing
00:49:08.58\00:49:10.28
the call of God.
00:49:10.31\00:49:12.71
Empower them by Your Spirit
to go from this ASI Convention
00:49:12.75\00:49:17.42
to where You have
called them to go.
00:49:17.45\00:49:21.92
Help us to
rearrange our priorities
00:49:21.96\00:49:23.79
so that You are number one.
00:49:23.86\00:49:27.13
Oh, Lord, we
long to see You come.
00:49:27.13\00:49:31.60
We long to be
reunited with our loved ones
00:49:31.63\00:49:33.57
that we have lost.
00:49:33.64\00:49:34.97
We long to see
everyone on this earth know you.
00:49:35.00\00:49:37.61
We long to see this world
lighted with the glory of God.
00:49:37.64\00:49:40.28
Lord Jesus, please
empower Your church,
00:49:40.31\00:49:42.78
help us to take the
three angels' messages
00:49:42.81\00:49:45.38
to the world in this generation.
00:49:45.41\00:49:46.75
We can't do it on our
own, we don't have the strength
00:49:46.82\00:49:49.38
but by Your power
and by Your grace,
00:49:49.42\00:49:51.59
we know that You
can finish this work.
00:49:51.62\00:49:53.76
Help our church,
Lord, please, we pray.
00:49:53.79\00:49:58.26
Pour out Your
Spirit upon this generation
00:49:58.29\00:50:01.46
that this may be the generation
that finishes the work.
00:50:01.50\00:50:05.30
And we will give
You all the praise
00:50:05.33\00:50:07.80
when we see You coming
in the clouds of heaven.
00:50:07.84\00:50:11.77
Oh, Lord, keep us faithful,
00:50:11.81\00:50:14.41
keep us committed,
keep our eyes on You.
00:50:14.44\00:50:19.38
We pray this in the
name of Jesus Christ,
00:50:19.41\00:50:22.35
our Savior, our
Lord, and our coming King.
00:50:22.38\00:50:28.02
Amen.
00:50:28.06\00:50:29.46