Hello and welcome once again
to the 3ABN Worship Center.
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The Thompsonville
Seventh-day Adventist church.
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We come now to our fifth
and final presentation in this
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wonderful series entitled
The Greater Controversy.
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And tonight's... this
evening's message will be -
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I've got to get this right
- Respectable Conventionality.
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You know it occurs to me
that this week we have gone
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as it were to a
spiritual health club
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and over and over we have
heard the word "fitness... "
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being fit for heaven.
So Pastor DeVasher has been
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as it were our personal
instructor to help us get fit
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for heaven. And
I was thinking...
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several years ago I
was working on a sermon
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called The Land of No Regrets
which was another name that I
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use for heaven. And we always
say, you know, "all good things
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must end. " But I'm so
glad that one day in glory
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all good things will never
end. There will be no parting;
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no saying good byes;
no saying of so longs.
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That's one of the things I
think I look for in the kingdom.
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That those good
things will never end.
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The preaching of
the Word will never end.
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The being with
Jesus will never end.
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The joy will never end;
the fellowship will never end;
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the friendship will never end.
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There won't be any end. It'll
just go on and on and on and on
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throughout the
ceaseless ages of eternity.
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And certainly we want to
be fit and ready for that day.
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And it is soon
and very soon to come.
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And so this afternoon
we have Pastor DeVasher
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with us again. We were just
talking with him back stage.
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He is a wonderful person.
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You know you like people
who are steeped in the Word;
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who are spiritual
people but who are real people
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if you know what I
mean. And he's a real guy.
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Just a
wonderful, wonderful person.
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It has been a
blessing to get to know him
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and to listen to him
preach these four sermons
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and again this afternoon.
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Our special music this
afternoon will come from our own
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Jill Morikone. She'll be
praying - playing rather -
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a piece from her project:
Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
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A standard hymn of the
church that we'll hear in just
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a moment. But before she
plays and Pastor DeVasher comes
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to speak to us, would you
now bow your heads with me
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in a word of prayer?
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Gracious Father,
again we sit before You
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as empty vessels
needing to be filled.
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As those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness
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we ask this day,
Lord, that once again
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You would be pleased to
feed us from Your table.
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That You would give us of
the good things of the Lord.
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That You would touch our
hearts and touch our ears
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and touch our minds
as we sit before You.
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We ask that You would use Your
servant in a marked and special
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way. That You would give
him so that he has to give us.
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So that we hear
not the words of man
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but indeed the thoughts,
the mind, the words of God.
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Be the honored guest
and the teacher this day,
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and we will listen and we
will do as You give us strength
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and the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit.
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Bless us now
once again dear Lord.
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Be with the technical
aspects of this program.
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And those who worldwide
listen now to the Word of God...
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may they eat
until they are full.
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And we thank you in
Jesus' name, Amen and Amen.
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Just now: Jill Morikone.
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And then after
she shall have played
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our pastor, our
friend: Kameron DeVasher.
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Amen.
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Amen and Amen.
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What a beautiful piece
of music. Thank you so much.
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Well welcome back to our
fifth and final installment
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in The Greater Controversy.
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I know that much of what
we've covered could be perceived
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as merely an
intellectual pursuit...
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just an interesting
academic study and exercise.
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And as much as I enjoy and
appreciate and hope that you
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also enjoy and
appreciate such messages
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I can't end this series
without closing with a message
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that is extremely practical.
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So far we've established
that God is casting the devil
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out of existence...
not in a single event
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but through a logical and
necessary four-step process
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which allows every intelligent
being in God's vast created
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universe to make a
decision for themselves
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for or against God
based on a clear demonstration
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of both the character of Christ
and the character of Satan.
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The time in
which we are now living
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is the third of
those four steps.
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The evidence the
universe needs to see
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before Christ redeems
fallen sinners from the earth
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is that they
will be safe to save.
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Will we accept, they wonder,
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Christ's sacrifice
as both pardon and power
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allowing Him to recreate
within us the image of God
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and thus not just get
us in but to fit us in
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to the society of heaven.
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Will we in this life
claim not only Christ's promise
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to prepare a place for us but
to prepare us for that place.
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The Christ-like character
is the goal to be attained.
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It's the great object of life.
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So it behooves us
to study, to examine,
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exactly what that entails.
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But before we being our
study today, let's bow our heads
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one more time
for a word of prayer.
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Dear heavenly
Father, thank you so much
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for all of Your
wonderful blessings.
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And now as we come into the
final message of our series,
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Lord, we ask one more time
that You send Your Holy Spirit
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to soften our hearts
and to sharpen our minds
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that we may see
the truth of Your Word.
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And not just in theory,
Lord, but help us to put it
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into practice through
Your power in our lives.
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We pray this in
Jesus' name, Amen.
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Again, it's this third
step that I want to focus on
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in this final message entitled
The Manifold Wisdom of God.
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And it's a phrase taken from
Ephesians chapter 3 verse 10.
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We looked at that this morning
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where we read of God's
plan that "now the manifold
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wisdom of God might be
made known by the church
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to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly realm. "
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And think about what
a radical idea that is.
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That there is some wisdom
of God that He wants to teach
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to other heavenly
beings through the vehicle
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of His people on earth.
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Through the church He will
teach other heavenly beings
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something about Himself.
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This is the
"manifold wisdom of God. "
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If you recall the
statement from Sermons and Talks
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volume 2 page 294:
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"Without perfection of
character no one can enter
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the pearly gates to the
City of God. For if... "
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And here's the reason why:
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"If with all our
imperfections we were permitted
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to enter that city,
there would soon be in heaven
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a second rebellion.
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We must first be tried
and chosen and found faithful
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and true. Upon the purification
of our character rests
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our only hope of eternal life. "
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And again, that's not to
say that the development of a
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Christ-like character
causes you to be saved.
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Only the blood of
Jesus saves sinners.
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But, a Christ-like
character is the only guarantee
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that we will never
choose to rebel again.
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I John chapter 3.
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We're going to be
doing another Bible study.
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I John chapter 3 verse 2.
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"Beloved, now we
are children of God.
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And it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be... "
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Again going back to
the original premise that
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the salvation Christ provides
is not simply a transaction
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that gets you in but a
transformation that fits you in.
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And notice this
process language:
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"Beloved, now we
are children of God. "
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Present tense.
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"And it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be,
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but we know that
when He is revealed
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we shall be... "
What? "like Him. "
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And the reason we
know we will be like Him
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is very simple: "for we
shall see Him as He is. "
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So if we expect to live
in the sight of a holy God
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it behooves us to
prepare for that event.
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And here's how
it's done... verse 3:
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"And everyone who
has this hope in him
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purifies himself
just as He is pure. "
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"Just as He is pure. "
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Notice that the hope of
seeing Jesus face to face -
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this is not the threat of
seeing Jesus face to face.
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This is the hope -
drives you to purification...
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"to purify
yourselves as He is pure. "
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Which begs to
question: how pure is Christ?
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How is He pure?
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Go to the book of Hebrews.
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Hebrews chapter 7.
In fact, the entire book
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of Hebrews... It starts at
chapter 7 but the entire book
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of Hebrews is a primer on the
relation of Christ to sinners
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and His power through the
sacrifice that has been made
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available to all who will
place their lives in His hands.
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Tells us who Christ is and
what we can be through Christ.
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Hebrews chapter 7
starting verse 25.
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Speaking of Christ: "But
He is also able to save to the
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uttermost those who
come to God through Him
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since He always lives to
make intercession for them.
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For such a High
Priest was fitting who is
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holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners
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and has become
higher than the heavens.
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Who does not need daily as
those high priests who offer up
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sacrifices for his own
sins and then for the people.
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For this He did once for all
when He offered up Himself. "
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Apparently Christ is our
High Priest in the heavenly
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sanctuary. He is
holy; He is undefiled;
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He is separate from sinners.
He's the sinless Savior that
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we need. Now, let's go back
a few chapters to chapter 2.
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The same book - the
book of Hebrews - chapter 2
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starting now with verse 16.
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Scripture reads of Jesus:
"For He indeed does not give aid
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to angels but He does give
aid to the seed of Abraham. "
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And it makes sense. Why does
He not give aid to the angels?
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Why is He not
interceding for them?
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They don't need it!
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They're already in the
society of heaven. They're good.
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"Therefore... " So because
He's giving aid to us here...
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"Therefore... " verse 17...
"in all things He had to be made
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like His brethren that He
might be a merciful and faithful
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High Priest in
things pertaining to God
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to make propitiation
for the sins of the people.
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For in that He
Himself has suffered,
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being tempted, He is able
to aid those who are tempted. "
00:14:52.65\00:14:57.32
So you notice the contrast here?
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He is separate from sinners
enough that He's holy and
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undefiled yet He's close enough
to know what it's like to suffer
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under temptation and He
can give aid when it's needed.
00:15:05.74\00:15:08.19
This is the type of
Savior that we have.
00:15:08.49\00:15:10.16
In fact we see this again
two chapters to the right.
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Hebrews chapter 4.
I love this passage
00:15:12.54\00:15:14.93
starting with verse 14.
00:15:15.13\00:15:16.52
"Seeing then that we have
a great High Priest who has
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passed through the heavens
- Jesus, the Son of God -
00:15:21.19\00:15:23.16
let us hold fast
our confession. "
00:15:23.36\00:15:25.88
Here's the
reason why in verse 15:
00:15:26.08\00:15:27.94
"For we do not have a High
Priest who cannot sympathize
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with our weaknesses but
was in all points tempted
00:15:31.91\00:15:34.50
as we are yet... "
Here's the big difference:
00:15:34.61\00:15:36.86
"without sin. "
00:15:37.06\00:15:39.26
"Let us therefore... "
OK? Notice that he's building
00:15:40.45\00:15:43.84
the argument. Christ has been
through everything we've done
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except for sin. And because
of that: "Let us therefore
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come boldly to
the throne of grace
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that we may obtain
mercy and find grace to help
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in time of need. "
00:15:59.08\00:16:00.96
So when you're struggling,
when you're suffering,
00:16:01.16\00:16:03.22
when you're tempted,
there is power available
00:16:03.43\00:16:06.67
through the blood of Jesus.
00:16:06.77\00:16:07.84
Friends, there is
power in the blood! Amen!
00:16:08.04\00:16:11.08
Hebrews chapter 12.
00:16:11.21\00:16:12.87
So the question remains:
If we have such a High Priest
00:16:13.07\00:16:15.31
which I believe that we do,
and if His offer is not just
00:16:15.51\00:16:18.66
pardon but also power...
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Let's take this back
out to the universal realm.
00:16:23.46\00:16:25.78
How does this affect
this manifold wisdom of God?
00:16:25.98\00:16:28.25
Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 1.
00:16:28.45\00:16:29.73
"Therefore also,
since we are surrounded
00:16:29.93\00:16:33.33
by so great a
cloud of witnesses... "
00:16:33.53\00:16:37.85
Again, this is the apostle Paul.
00:16:38.35\00:16:40.20
He always has this
idea that we're on display.
00:16:40.40\00:16:42.66
We're a spectacle
both to angels and to men.
00:16:42.96\00:16:46.04
We're surrounded by
a cloud of witnesses.
00:16:46.24\00:16:48.86
What should we do? "Let
us lay aside every weight
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and the sin which so
easily ensnares us. "
00:16:52.23\00:16:55.79
We're being watched!
00:16:57.20\00:16:58.75
They're looking for evidence
that we're safe to save,
00:16:58.95\00:17:01.51
and we've got a powerful Savior
who can make us safe to save.
00:17:01.71\00:17:05.09
So because of that - not
in our own strength but in the
00:17:05.29\00:17:07.64
power of Christ - let us put off
everything that weights us down.
00:17:07.74\00:17:11.42
Every besetting sin.
00:17:11.62\00:17:13.23
"and let us run with endurance
00:17:13.43\00:17:15.00
the race that
is set before us. "
00:17:15.20\00:17:16.89
Not in spurts but
that long, steady marathon
00:17:17.09\00:17:20.58
hand in hand with Jesus Christ.
00:17:20.78\00:17:22.57
"Looking unto
Jesus... " There's the key.
00:17:22.77\00:17:25.77
"Looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith,
00:17:25.98\00:17:30.10
who for the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross
00:17:30.40\00:17:33.56
despising the shame, and
has sat down at the right hand
00:17:33.76\00:17:37.53
of the throne of God.
00:17:37.73\00:17:39.26
For consider Him who endured
such hostility for sinners
00:17:39.47\00:17:44.88
against Himself lest you
become weary and discouraged
00:17:44.99\00:17:48.25
in your souls. " He said:
"I understand it's going to be
00:17:48.45\00:17:51.59
difficult but
through Christ you can do it.
00:17:51.69\00:17:54.35
Not on your own, but through
Christ there's victory. "
00:17:54.65\00:17:58.09
Which brings him to
his point in verse 4:
00:17:58.29\00:18:00.89
"You have not yet
resisted to bloodshed
00:18:02.10\00:18:04.95
striving against sin. "
00:18:05.15\00:18:07.08
He's like: "Basically the
problem in the Christian life
00:18:07.38\00:18:10.50
is you walk up to a temptation
and you just fall down and play
00:18:10.71\00:18:13.02
dead! You're done!
00:18:13.05\00:18:14.25
You don't exercise the
power that Christ offers you. "
00:18:14.55\00:18:18.04
He said: "He's got all the
power. You just step forward
00:18:18.24\00:18:20.82
in faith but you start to
step ba... You don't even try;
00:18:21.02\00:18:23.13
you don't resist. "
00:18:23.33\00:18:24.66
He's like: "Of course
you don't have the strength,
00:18:24.96\00:18:27.06
but why don't you
exercise some faith
00:18:27.26\00:18:29.41
and let Christ work through
you to conquer that which
00:18:29.61\00:18:32.95
in your own strength
would be defeat every time? "
00:18:33.05\00:18:35.17
This is the offer
that Christ has given us.
00:18:35.47\00:18:38.42
Again, in Desire
of Ages page 490,
00:18:38.62\00:18:40.37
speaking of
Christ's work on the cross:
00:18:40.57\00:18:41.98
"Henceforth Christ's followers
were to look upon Satan
00:18:42.38\00:18:45.72
as a conquered foe. Upon
the cross Jesus was to gain
00:18:45.82\00:18:48.73
the victory for
them. " And here's the key:
00:18:48.83\00:18:50.74
"That victory He desires
them to accept as their own. "
00:18:50.94\00:18:55.50
Why don't you take the
victory of Jesus and apply it
00:18:55.80\00:18:58.78
in your life? Purify
yourself even as He is pure...
00:18:58.98\00:19:02.45
Hmmm. I Corinthians 10:13.
00:19:02.66\00:19:05.27
"No temptation has seized you
except what is common to man.
00:19:05.67\00:19:09.90
And God is... "
What? "faithful. "
00:19:10.10\00:19:13.28
He doesn't say: "And
therefore you are faithful. "
00:19:13.48\00:19:15.25
No you're not!
But God is faithful.
00:19:15.45\00:19:17.98
God is faithful. "He
will not let you be tempted
00:19:18.18\00:19:21.24
beyond what you can bear.
00:19:21.44\00:19:22.85
But when you are
tempted He will also provide
00:19:23.05\00:19:25.36
a way out so that you
can stand up under it. "
00:19:25.56\00:19:28.25
The Christian life is
not free of temptation.
00:19:28.45\00:19:30.44
It just has a guarantee of vic-
tory in our Savior Jesus Christ.
00:19:30.64\00:19:33.21
James chapter 4 and verse 7.
00:19:33.61\00:19:35.40
"Submit
yourselves then to... " Whom?
00:19:35.60\00:19:37.85
"to God. " Remember, you
aren't fighting any more.
00:19:38.05\00:19:41.24
You submit yourself to God
00:19:41.44\00:19:42.91
and in that
context "resist the devil
00:19:43.11\00:19:45.08
and he will flee from you. "
00:19:45.28\00:19:47.50
That would be fleeing from
you? Or is he fleeing from you
00:19:47.70\00:19:50.33
in Christ? There's the key.
00:19:50.43\00:19:52.46
"Submit yourselves to
God... " Ephesians chapter 6
00:19:52.76\00:19:55.07
starting with verse 10:
00:19:55.28\00:19:56.87
"Finally be strong in the
Lord and in His mighty power.
00:19:57.07\00:20:01.56
Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take your stand
00:20:01.86\00:20:05.44
against the devil's schemes.
00:20:05.65\00:20:07.80
For our struggle is
not against flesh and blood
00:20:08.11\00:20:11.21
but against the rulers,
against the authorities,
00:20:11.42\00:20:14.10
against the powers
of this dark world,
00:20:14.21\00:20:15.78
and against the
spiritual forces of evil
00:20:15.98\00:20:18.31
in the heavenly realms. "
00:20:18.51\00:20:20.32
Notice that Paul repeatedly
comes back to this idea
00:20:20.35\00:20:23.21
of we're being watched
and there's a cosmic aspect
00:20:23.41\00:20:26.94
to the controversy in
which we find ourselves.
00:20:27.04\00:20:29.08
But through Christ we can stand
up under the devil's schemes,
00:20:29.38\00:20:33.60
refute the claims of Satan,
00:20:33.80\00:20:35.72
and demonstrate the character
of God before an onlooking
00:20:36.02\00:20:39.46
universe.
Perhaps one more point.
00:20:39.56\00:20:43.09
Go to John chapter 8 so we
see this practically lived out.
00:20:43.29\00:20:46.98
Jesus speaking to the
woman caught in adultery:
00:20:48.56\00:20:51.70
John chapter 8. You
know the story well.
00:20:51.90\00:20:55.09
And if you don't,
read John chapter 8.
00:20:55.49\00:20:58.11
But the woman is dragged out,
caught in adultery, and Jesus
00:20:59.49\00:21:02.57
before the stoning begins
sits down and begins to write
00:21:02.77\00:21:06.22
in the sand. And we pick
up the story in verse 10:
00:21:06.32\00:21:09.84
"And when Jesus had raised
Himself up and saw that no one
00:21:11.47\00:21:14.84
but the woman... saw no
one but the woman, He said
00:21:14.94\00:21:17.21
to her: 'Woman, where
are those accusers of yours?
00:21:17.41\00:21:20.94
Has no one condemned you? '
00:21:21.14\00:21:23.79
She said: 'No one, Lord. '
00:21:25.24\00:21:27.04
And Jesus said to her:
'Neither do I condemn you. ' "
00:21:28.79\00:21:31.54
Which isn't that beautiful?
00:21:31.84\00:21:33.63
But it doesn't end there.
00:21:33.93\00:21:35.68
"Go and sin no more. "
00:21:35.88\00:21:38.92
If there was a thesis statement
for what God wants to accomplish
00:21:39.13\00:21:41.72
through the great controversy,
00:21:41.82\00:21:44.50
it is that simple
phrase: "Go and sin no more. "
00:21:44.90\00:21:49.45
And of course He doesn't ask you
to do this in your own strength
00:21:50.70\00:21:52.63
because He understands
that you have no strength.
00:21:52.84\00:21:54.57
He just simply says:
"Not by might nor by power
00:21:54.87\00:21:57.47
but by My Spirit
saith the Lord. "
00:21:57.67\00:21:59.74
There is victory in Jesus.
00:21:59.95\00:22:02.46
Now that's a
fantastic - I believe - study of
00:22:04.17\00:22:07.37
Biblical foundation that
we can overcome besetting sins
00:22:07.47\00:22:10.51
through Jesus Christ and
therefore develop the character
00:22:10.71\00:22:14.53
of Christ. But I want to take
this to a deeper level again.
00:22:14.74\00:22:18.48
The other side of character.
00:22:20.04\00:22:22.61
Follow me along here.
00:22:25.52\00:22:26.81
When we come to believe
that the most decisive evidence
00:22:27.01\00:22:29.55
of genuine faith is
merely avoiding evil...
00:22:29.75\00:22:33.06
Right here... if we
stop right here in the sermon
00:22:33.26\00:22:35.46
you say: "Man, I understand
there's a cosmic conflict.
00:22:35.66\00:22:39.15
There's a greater
controversy than just saving me.
00:22:39.35\00:22:40.95
I need to help be part of the
solution for the entire universe
00:22:41.05\00:22:44.00
for eternity and I'm supposed to
develop the character of Christ
00:22:44.10\00:22:47.28
as a witness unto
the watching worlds and
00:22:47.48\00:22:48.94
therefore I will stop sinning
through the power of Christ.
00:22:49.14\00:22:51.52
I will avoid evil and therefore
I'm being like Jesus. "
00:22:51.72\00:22:57.23
That's good but
that's also incomplete.
00:22:58.58\00:23:01.30
All right? Follow me with this.
00:23:01.50\00:23:03.33
When we come to believe
that the most decisive or the
00:23:03.54\00:23:06.72
singular evidence of
genuine faith is avoiding evil
00:23:06.76\00:23:09.91
our commitment to
Christ tends to revolve around
00:23:10.21\00:23:14.30
what we want to stop doing.
00:23:14.50\00:23:16.17
All right?
00:23:16.47\00:23:18.52
We become the people who don't.
00:23:18.82\00:23:21.06
We don't use foul language.
00:23:22.95\00:23:24.58
Praise the Lord!
00:23:24.78\00:23:26.08
We don't eat
unclean or really any meat.
00:23:26.38\00:23:28.81
We don't wear
jewelry; don't work on Sabbath.
00:23:28.91\00:23:30.60
We don't participate
in ungodly entertainment.
00:23:30.80\00:23:33.09
You know: music,
movies, TV, Internet, etc.
00:23:33.29\00:23:35.85
We don't lie, cheat,
steal, kill, fornicate,
00:23:36.09\00:23:38.59
fight, drink, smoke, etc.
00:23:38.69\00:23:40.27
And of course we should
do none of those things!
00:23:41.52\00:23:43.60
But... is it possible
in our zeal to not sin
00:23:43.90\00:23:49.69
we actually commit a sin?
00:23:49.89\00:23:52.72
When we come to think of
Christian character as merely
00:23:54.93\00:23:57.53
the avoidance of evil we
leave ourselves vulnerable
00:23:57.73\00:24:01.26
to deeper and more
subtle temptations.
00:24:01.46\00:24:03.80
For instance, if I
were to ask... And this is,
00:24:04.10\00:24:07.19
this is I'm sure a Biblically-
literate congregation...
00:24:07.39\00:24:10.54
if I were to ask what is
the Biblical definition of sin,
00:24:11.98\00:24:15.93
I John chapter 3 verse 4,
00:24:16.13\00:24:18.58
everyone could help
me finish the sentence.
00:24:18.78\00:24:20.42
"Sin is the
transgression of the law. "
00:24:20.62\00:24:23.54
Of course. But how many of us
know James chapter 4 verse 17?
00:24:23.74\00:24:28.51
"Therefore to him
who knows to do good
00:24:28.71\00:24:32.15
and does not do it, to
him it is... " What? "sin. "
00:24:32.35\00:24:37.06
Do you see his intention here?
00:24:37.56\00:24:40.30
Sin is not merely the
avoidance of evil. It is also
00:24:42.19\00:24:44.87
the neglect to do good.
00:24:44.97\00:24:46.59
This is... now follow this now.
00:24:49.73\00:24:52.40
Education page 264:
00:24:52.51\00:24:53.90
"Those who reject the privilege
of fellowship with Christ
00:24:54.10\00:24:57.23
in service
reject THE ONLY training
00:24:57.43\00:25:01.92
that imparts a
fitness for participation
00:25:02.23\00:25:05.66
with Him in His glory.
00:25:05.86\00:25:07.14
They reject the training
that in this life gives strength
00:25:07.44\00:25:10.70
and nobility of character. "
00:25:10.80\00:25:12.81
Apparently, again, sin is
more than the doing of bad
00:25:13.01\00:25:16.93
but is also the
refusal or neglect to do good.
00:25:17.13\00:25:19.59
Matthew chapter 19. Let's study
this out just a little bit.
00:25:19.79\00:25:23.42
Matthew chapter 19
starting with verse 16.
00:25:23.72\00:25:26.80
Jesus has an
interaction with a young man.
00:25:27.00\00:25:28.56
Matthew chapter 19
starting with verse 16:
00:25:30.31\00:25:32.08
"Now behold one
came and said to Him:
00:25:35.80\00:25:38.26
'Good Teacher, what good
thing shall I do that I may have
00:25:38.36\00:25:40.92
eternal life? ' " Now
just from his question alone
00:25:41.12\00:25:43.78
is he saying: "Lord, how
can I fit into Your kingdom? "
00:25:43.98\00:25:48.51
or "Lord, how can I
get into Your kingdom? "
00:25:48.71\00:25:51.22
Obviously he's
looking just to get in.
00:25:51.32\00:25:53.47
"What can I do to have it? "
00:25:53.68\00:25:55.43
OK.
00:25:55.64\00:25:57.50
"So He said to
him... " verse 17:
00:25:57.81\00:25:59.63
" ' Why do you call Me good?
00:25:59.66\00:26:00.63
No one is good but
one... that is God.
00:26:00.70\00:26:02.34
But if you want
to enter into life,
00:26:02.54\00:26:04.35
keep the commandments. '
00:26:04.55\00:26:06.04
He said to Him: 'Which ones? ' "
00:26:06.24\00:26:07.34
Obviously trying
to make a list here.
00:26:07.55\00:26:09.93
"Jesus said: 'You shall
not murder; shall not commit
00:26:10.13\00:26:11.84
adultery; you shall not steal;
shall not bear false witness.
00:26:11.94\00:26:15.34
Honor your father and
your mother; and you shall
00:26:15.47\00:26:17.04
love your
neighbor as yourself. '
00:26:17.14\00:26:18.43
The young man said to Him:
'All these things I have kept
00:26:18.73\00:26:22.11
from my youth. What
do I still lack? ' "
00:26:22.32\00:26:24.54
Notice that most of the things
Jesus lists off are not doing.
00:26:25.94\00:26:28.82
I have not done this,
not done this, not done this.
00:26:28.92\00:26:30.32
He's like: "Great! Is
there anything else? "
00:26:30.42\00:26:32.91
"Jesus said to him:
'If you want to be... ' "
00:26:35.88\00:26:37.49
What's the next
word? " 'perfect... ' "
00:26:37.59\00:26:40.45
Jesus' words... not mine.
00:26:40.65\00:26:42.41
" 'If you want to be
perfect, go sell what you have
00:26:42.71\00:26:47.02
and give to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven
00:26:47.22\00:26:52.33
and come follow
Me. ' But when the man
00:26:52.53\00:26:54.53
heard what He was
saying he went away sorrowful
00:26:54.73\00:26:56.85
for he had great possessions. "
00:26:57.05\00:26:59.88
Not doing in order
to get into heaven?
00:27:00.08\00:27:04.14
No problem for this guy.
He'll avoid evil till the day
00:27:04.34\00:27:07.14
he dies because it's an
investment in self-preservation;
00:27:07.24\00:27:09.95
going to get
something at the end of it.
00:27:10.15\00:27:11.55
The Lord says: "Now do
some- thing. Sell all you have.
00:27:11.75\00:27:16.33
Give to the poor. "
00:27:16.53\00:27:18.11
And he went away sad.
That's a bridge too far.
00:27:18.41\00:27:22.35
He couldn't do it. It wasn't...
00:27:22.55\00:27:25.38
He says the same
thing in Luke chapter 10
00:27:25.68\00:27:27.49
in the story of
the Good Samaritan.
00:27:27.69\00:27:28.81
Jesus once again - in the same
spirit as the one we just saw
00:27:29.11\00:27:32.83
there - was asked a question:
00:27:32.93\00:27:34.80
Luke chapter 10
starting with verse 25:
00:27:34.90\00:27:36.87
"And behold a certain lawyer
stood up and tested Him... "
00:27:37.07\00:27:40.32
Jesus had to face theological
questions all the time.
00:27:40.52\00:27:42.79
"tested Him saying:
'Teacher, what shall I do
00:27:42.99\00:27:45.82
to inherit eternal life? ' "
00:27:46.02\00:27:48.18
The same premise. He's not
asking "Lord, how can I fit into
00:27:48.38\00:27:51.35
Your kingdom? " he's
saying "How can I get in?
00:27:51.45\00:27:53.44
What do I have to
do to obtain it? "
00:27:53.64\00:27:56.12
"And He said to him:
'What is written in the law?
00:27:57.44\00:27:59.14
What is your reading of it? '
00:27:59.35\00:28:00.55
So he answered and said:
'You shall love the Lord your
00:28:00.75\00:28:02.27
God with all your
heart, with all your soul,
00:28:02.37\00:28:03.78
with all your strength
and with all your mind AND
00:28:03.98\00:28:06.92
your neighbor as yourself. '
00:28:07.02\00:28:08.27
And He said to him:
'You have answered rightly.
00:28:09.85\00:28:11.61
Do this and you will live. '
00:28:11.81\00:28:12.86
But he... " notice the
reason why in verse 29...
00:28:13.27\00:28:16.55
"wanting to justify himself,
00:28:16.75\00:28:18.87
said to Jesus: 'And who is? '
00:28:23.14\00:28:25.58
He didn't say: "Who is the
Lord who I should love with all
00:28:25.78\00:28:29.46
of my heart? " No.
00:28:29.56\00:28:30.99
He said: "Who is my neighbor? "
00:28:31.39\00:28:33.76
"Lord I have no problem
with this stuff that's for You.
00:28:35.34\00:28:37.38
You know we have a
great rapport. But this
00:28:37.48\00:28:38.97
helping my neighbor? What
exactly do You mean by that?
00:28:39.27\00:28:43.86
Who... Who is that? "
00:28:43.96\00:28:45.49
And of course the answer
that Jesus gave was the parable
00:28:47.75\00:28:49.91
of the Good Samaritan.
00:28:50.12\00:28:51.44
And at the end, Jesus asked
a salient question in verse 36.
00:28:51.74\00:28:55.80
"So which of these
three do you think was
00:28:56.00\00:28:58.67
neighbor to him who
fell among the thieves? "
00:28:58.87\00:29:00.82
"And he said: 'he who
showed mercy on him. ' "
00:29:01.12\00:29:03.96
And notice what Jesus says:
00:29:04.16\00:29:05.53
"Then Jesus said:
'Go and do likewise. ' "
00:29:05.74\00:29:10.20
He doesn't say just:
"Go and don't do... "
00:29:10.40\00:29:14.05
He says: "Go and do like I've
just told you in this parable. "
00:29:14.35\00:29:18.66
In Matthew chapter 16 verse 27
00:29:21.79\00:29:23.60
when Jesus discusses
His own return He says that:
00:29:23.80\00:29:26.81
"The Son of Man will come
in the glory of His Father,
00:29:26.94\00:29:28.88
with His angels, and He will
reward each according to his"
00:29:29.08\00:29:32.11
Was it faith? No.
"according to his works. "
00:29:32.25\00:29:36.86
Revelation chapter 22:11-12.
00:29:37.16\00:29:39.53
"Behold I am coming
quickly and My reward is with Me
00:29:39.74\00:29:41.77
to give to everyone
according to his works. "
00:29:41.98\00:29:45.29
Apparently... for Seventh-day
Adventists this might
00:29:46.68\00:29:50.57
blow our minds
just a little bit...
00:29:50.60\00:29:52.21
apparently living a Christ-like
life entails more than
00:29:52.51\00:29:57.79
not doing bad but
actually, actively doing good.
00:29:57.99\00:30:02.40
Christian character is active.
00:30:03.61\00:30:06.78
Turn with me to the
book of Isaiah chapter 58.
00:30:07.08\00:30:11.62
I believe there's a
significance in Isaiah 58
00:30:14.36\00:30:16.50
that we have yet
to tap into completely
00:30:16.70\00:30:18.44
and the Lord intends
us to study this chapter.
00:30:19.44\00:30:21.68
Isaiah chapter 58.
00:30:21.88\00:30:23.71
We'll just read through it
so you understand what's here.
00:30:24.83\00:30:27.80
And there's some great things
in Isaiah 58, but I want you
00:30:28.00\00:30:29.89
to see the whole context.
00:30:30.09\00:30:31.11
Isaiah chapter 58
starting with verse 1.
00:30:31.31\00:30:33.77
"Cry aloud; spare not.
00:30:34.27\00:30:36.63
Lift up your
voice like a trumpet.
00:30:36.83\00:30:38.43
Tell My people their
trans- gression and the house of
00:30:38.63\00:30:41.11
Jacob their sins.
Yet they seek Me daily
00:30:41.22\00:30:44.52
and delight to know My
ways. As a nation they did
00:30:44.63\00:30:47.80
righteousness and did not
forsake the ordinance of their
00:30:47.90\00:30:49.95
God. They ask of Me
the ordinances of justice.
00:30:50.05\00:30:53.06
They take delight
in approaching God. "
00:30:53.26\00:30:55.27
So notice that the
people he's addressing:
00:30:55.57\00:30:57.70
these aren't
pagans... these aren't heathens.
00:30:57.80\00:31:00.26
But he's supposed to call
these people out for their sins.
00:31:00.66\00:31:03.50
But what is their sin? He
says: "They seek Me daily.
00:31:03.71\00:31:06.04
They delight to know My ways.
00:31:06.34\00:31:08.31
They did not forsake
the ordinance of God.
00:31:08.51\00:31:10.26
They take delight
in approaching God. "
00:31:10.56\00:31:13.22
They come to
church every Sabbath.
00:31:13.42\00:31:15.86
They even come to
special events in the afternoon.
00:31:16.06\00:31:18.59
But look at their
question. Verse 3:
00:31:21.01\00:31:22.63
" 'Why have we
fasted? ' they say
00:31:22.93\00:31:25.85
'and You have not seen?
00:31:26.05\00:31:28.15
And why have we
afflicted our souls
00:31:29.78\00:31:31.48
and You take no notice? ' "
00:31:31.58\00:31:33.71
These people are God's people.
00:31:33.84\00:31:35.36
Worshiping God but they're
not receiving the blessing
00:31:35.56\00:31:38.63
they feel that
they're supposed to be having.
00:31:38.83\00:31:40.44
They're not having the spiritual
experience they long for.
00:31:40.54\00:31:42.71
They're saying: "Lord, we
have been doing all of this
00:31:42.91\00:31:44.87
and yet You haven't
heard a word we said! "
00:31:45.07\00:31:46.85
"In fact in the day of your
fast you find pleasure in it
00:31:51.27\00:31:54.07
and exploit all your laborers.
00:31:54.17\00:31:55.26
"Indeed... " the Lord responds
"you fast for strife and debate
00:31:55.46\00:31:58.78
and you strike with
a fist of wickedness.
00:31:58.98\00:32:00.69
You will not fast
as you do this day
00:32:00.99\00:32:03.52
to make your voice heard
on high. " And look at God's
00:32:03.72\00:32:05.84
question in verse 5:
00:32:06.04\00:32:07.33
"Is it a fast
that I have chosen? "
00:32:07.53\00:32:10.01
What's it mean to fast?
00:32:10.21\00:32:11.98
Does it mean to withhold things?
You know, to limit yourself...
00:32:12.19\00:32:16.62
To really? Look
what He's saying here:
00:32:16.82\00:32:19.48
"Is it a fast
that I have chosen?
00:32:19.68\00:32:21.64
A day for a man
to afflict his soul?
00:32:21.94\00:32:24.79
Is it to bow down
his head like a bullrush
00:32:24.99\00:32:26.95
and spread out
sackcloth and ashes? "
00:32:27.15\00:32:28.99
These people were
coming before God:
00:32:29.20\00:32:30.27
"Oh Lord, we want to receive
Your Holy Spirit's power.
00:32:30.30\00:32:32.87
We want to... "
00:32:33.07\00:32:34.23
And nothing happened.
00:32:34.43\00:32:36.79
"Would you call this a fast,
an acceptable day to the Lord? "
00:32:39.99\00:32:44.31
And then the Lord says:
"Here's the fast that I've
00:32:44.61\00:32:46.66
chosen for you... " verse 6:
00:32:46.86\00:32:48.62
"Is this not the
fast that I have chosen:
00:32:48.82\00:32:51.92
to loose the
bonds of wickedness;
00:32:52.12\00:32:54.19
to undo the heavy burden;
00:32:54.39\00:32:56.67
to let the oppressed go free;
00:32:56.87\00:32:58.83
and to break every yoke? "
00:32:59.03\00:33:01.60
Verse 7 continues:
00:33:01.80\00:33:03.42
"Is it not to share
your bread with the hungry
00:33:03.62\00:33:06.34
and that you bring to your
house the poor who are cast out?
00:33:06.54\00:33:10.51
And when you see the
naked, that you cover him
00:33:11.99\00:33:15.28
and not hide
yourself from your own flesh?
00:33:15.48\00:33:19.12
Then... " verse 8...
"Then your light shall break
00:33:19.52\00:33:23.83
forth like the morning.
Your healing shall spring forth
00:33:24.03\00:33:26.91
speedily and your righteousness
shall go before you,
00:33:27.11\00:33:29.84
the glory of the Lord
shall be your rear guard.
00:33:30.04\00:33:32.40
Then you shall call
and the Lord will answer;
00:33:32.60\00:33:35.23
you shall cry and He
will say: 'Here I am. '
00:33:35.43\00:33:38.08
If you take away the
yoke from your midst -
00:33:38.28\00:33:40.97
the pointing of the finger,
the speaking wickedness -
00:33:41.18\00:33:43.34
if you extend
your soul to the hungry
00:33:43.54\00:33:46.16
and satisfy the afflicted souls
00:33:46.36\00:33:48.89
then your light
shall dawn in the darkness
00:33:49.10\00:33:51.23
and your darkness
shall be as the noonday.
00:33:51.43\00:33:53.64
The Lord will
guide you continually
00:33:54.04\00:33:56.34
and satisfy your soul in drought
00:33:56.54\00:33:58.12
and strengthen your bones.
00:33:58.32\00:33:59.81
You shall be like a watered
garden and like a spring of
00:34:00.01\00:34:02.21
water whose
waters do not fail. "
00:34:02.31\00:34:03.96
Do you understand
what it's saying here?
00:34:04.16\00:34:06.01
These people are
not pagans and heathens.
00:34:06.21\00:34:08.57
They are not godless infidels.
00:34:08.77\00:34:10.02
They are people who want
the blessing of the Lord.
00:34:10.12\00:34:12.40
They seek to know His will.
00:34:13.10\00:34:15.34
They seek to meet with
Him. They want that deeper
00:34:15.45\00:34:19.34
spiritual
experience. They come to church.
00:34:19.54\00:34:21.30
They go through
the sacrificial process
00:34:21.51\00:34:22.99
and yet at the end of the
day they feel unrefreshed.
00:34:23.19\00:34:25.38
And they say: "Lord, where's
the blessing You promised? "
00:34:26.64\00:34:28.64
And the Lord looks at them
and says: "Have I ever asked
00:34:28.84\00:34:30.82
you to simply not do? "
00:34:31.02\00:34:32.97
"Is this the fast that I want? "
00:34:34.79\00:34:36.58
"Why don't you get
up and do for others? "
00:34:36.78\00:34:39.93
He says: "Why aren't
you caring for the hungry? "
00:34:42.00\00:34:43.76
"Why aren't you
bringing in the homeless? "
00:34:43.79\00:34:45.11
"Why aren't you
clothing the naked? "
00:34:45.31\00:34:46.45
"Why aren't you
visiting the sick? "
00:34:46.65\00:34:48.10
One-dimensional righteousness
is incomplete righteousness.
00:34:51.43\00:34:55.47
Hmmm.
00:34:57.32\00:34:58.96
You know, Mrs. White
picked up on that chapter.
00:35:00.26\00:35:03.85
You know, it seems to me
that these people were so intent
00:35:08.35\00:35:11.22
on being good before God
00:35:11.42\00:35:13.17
that they neglected
to do good for others.
00:35:13.47\00:35:16.04
They were so focused
on receiving a blessing
00:35:16.45\00:35:19.48
that they forgot that the
entire purpose of Israel's
00:35:19.68\00:35:22.52
establishment was to
be a blessing to others.
00:35:22.72\00:35:24.75
And looking at
God's remnant people -
00:35:26.17\00:35:29.32
the Seventh-day Adventist
church in the last days -
00:35:29.53\00:35:31.21
Mrs. White interestingly
enough picks up on this.
00:35:31.51\00:35:36.26
Notice the strong
words she uses to recommend
00:35:37.11\00:35:40.08
a study and implementation
of the principles of Isaiah 58.
00:35:40.28\00:35:44.40
You know, sometimes we think
00:35:45.72\00:35:47.64
at the end of this
series I tell you I know
00:35:48.05\00:35:50.60
what the work to
be accomplished is.
00:35:50.80\00:35:52.02
Number 1: I'm going to...
I'm going to review my own soul.
00:35:52.22\00:35:56.27
I'm going to afflict my
soul. I'm going to purge every
00:35:56.47\00:35:58.12
besetting sin; I'm
going to be like Jesus.
00:35:58.23\00:36:00.96
And so you become
even more insular.
00:36:01.16\00:36:03.79
Be careful little
eyes... be careful little ears.
00:36:04.09\00:36:06.34
You shut yourself out from
the world in an effort to be
00:36:06.54\00:36:09.51
Christ like. Exactly what the
people in Isaiah 58 were doing.
00:36:09.61\00:36:13.94
Oh, but then we also have to
give the three angels' messages.
00:36:15.41\00:36:17.77
Which we should do!
So our Christianity takes
00:36:17.87\00:36:20.81
the form of reclusive piety
00:36:20.91\00:36:24.56
with a
proclamation of Bible truth.
00:36:24.76\00:36:27.06
Reclusive piety and a
proclamation of Bible truth
00:36:28.19\00:36:31.51
which seems to be an
incomplete righteousness.
00:36:34.16\00:36:39.06
Let me show you.
00:36:39.27\00:36:40.49
Again, the words of Mrs. White.
This is from Welfare Ministry
00:36:40.69\00:36:43.78
page 32. By the way, did you
even know there's a book called
00:36:43.88\00:36:46.12
Welfare Ministry? Good!
00:36:46.32\00:36:48.61
"The work
specified in these words... "
00:36:50.53\00:36:52.36
referring to Isaiah 58...
00:36:52.46\00:36:53.52
"The work specified in
these words is THE WORK
00:36:53.72\00:36:57.01
God requires His people to do.
00:36:57.21\00:36:58.79
It is a work of
God's own appointment.
00:36:59.09\00:37:01.82
With the work of advocating
the commandments of God
00:37:02.13\00:37:05.58
and repairing the breach
that has been made in the
00:37:05.78\00:37:07.39
law of God... " By the
way, I'm not saying we should
00:37:07.49\00:37:09.72
do this instead of
evangelistic campaigns.
00:37:09.93\00:37:11.93
Please hear me out.
00:37:12.13\00:37:13.59
But apparently with
that proclamation work
00:37:13.62\00:37:17.04
we are to mingle compassion
for suffering humanity.
00:37:17.34\00:37:22.35
"We are to show supreme
love to God and we are to exalt
00:37:22.75\00:37:26.01
His memorial. "
Speaking of the Sabbath.
00:37:26.22\00:37:27.71
"which has been
trodden down by unholy feet.
00:37:27.85\00:37:30.63
And with this we are to
manifest mercy, benevolence,
00:37:30.83\00:37:34.33
and the tenderest
pity for the fallen race. "
00:37:34.53\00:37:36.64
Apparently we're not
just supposed to proclaim
00:37:36.94\00:37:39.76
the truth of God.
We're supposed to demonstrate
00:37:39.96\00:37:42.74
the love of God. Amen.
And together that will have
00:37:42.94\00:37:46.46
significance and power.
00:37:46.56\00:37:47.88
Again the next
page. Welfare Ministry 33:
00:37:48.08\00:37:50.30
"I cannot too strongly
urge all our church members,
00:37:50.60\00:37:54.97
all who are true
missionaries... "
00:37:55.17\00:37:57.41
Parenthetically, I love
that she thought all church
00:37:57.62\00:38:00.61
members should be
true missionaries.
00:38:00.71\00:38:02.07
Amen. You don't hire
missionaries; we're supposed
00:38:02.27\00:38:04.59
to be missionaries.
But... another sermon.
00:38:04.69\00:38:07.03
"I cannot too strongly
urge all our church members,
00:38:07.33\00:38:10.51
all who are true missionaries,
00:38:10.71\00:38:11.98
all who believe the
third angel's message,
00:38:12.19\00:38:14.63
all who turn away
their feet from the Sabbath,
00:38:14.83\00:38:17.12
to consider the message of
the 58th chapter of Isaiah.
00:38:17.32\00:38:21.35
The work of beneficence
enjoined in this chapter
00:38:22.28\00:38:25.76
is THE WORK which God requires
His people to do at this time. "
00:38:25.96\00:38:30.40
I don't know about you, but
I've been in some areas before
00:38:31.85\00:38:34.46
where people try to do
some sort of outreach activity
00:38:34.57\00:38:36.82
and they say: "No, no, no, no.
That's for the Salvation Army
00:38:37.02\00:38:38.73
to do. We have a
message to give. "
00:38:38.83\00:38:43.01
And praise the Lord we
do have a message to give,
00:38:43.31\00:38:45.72
but it should be clothed in
the character of Christ. Amen.
00:38:45.92\00:38:48.63
If they don't hear the message
of Christ from a people who are
00:38:49.78\00:38:52.64
Christ-like, it seems
to undermine the message.
00:38:52.85\00:38:55.73
Christ Object Lessons 384:
00:38:58.15\00:39:00.46
"When self is merged in Christ
00:39:01.80\00:39:03.89
love springs
forth spontaneously. "
00:39:03.99\00:39:07.38
Ever met a Christian who doesn't
seem anything like Christ?
00:39:09.62\00:39:13.02
All right. The saddest, most
angry, bitter kind of thing.
00:39:13.22\00:39:17.06
Let me tell you something:
a real connection with Jesus
00:39:17.36\00:39:21.03
will turn you into a person
who's kind of like Jesus. Amen.
00:39:21.23\00:39:24.79
And you'll smile and you'll be
warm and you'll open your arms
00:39:24.93\00:39:29.48
and you'll soften your heart.
00:39:29.68\00:39:30.99
"When self is merged in Christ
00:39:31.29\00:39:33.47
love springs
forth spontaneously. "
00:39:33.67\00:39:35.31
You won't even have to fake it!
00:39:35.51\00:39:36.80
We smile now...
please don't fake it.
00:39:37.00\00:39:38.29
And watch this next phrase:
00:39:40.23\00:39:42.35
"The completeness of Christian
character is attained when... "
00:39:42.56\00:39:46.29
Don't you want to know
how that sentence ends?
00:39:46.50\00:39:48.44
'Cause if the whole great
object of our life is to attain
00:39:48.64\00:39:51.23
a character like Christ
it would be nice to know
00:39:51.43\00:39:54.88
when the completeness of
Christian character is attained.
00:39:55.08\00:39:57.97
"The completeness of Christian
character is attained when
00:39:58.17\00:40:00.77
the impulse to help and
bless others springs constantly
00:40:00.98\00:40:05.29
from within. When the sunshine
of heaven fills the heart
00:40:05.39\00:40:09.48
and is revealed
in the countenance. "
00:40:09.68\00:40:11.85
Sometimes I think as
Seventh- day Adventists we think
00:40:12.15\00:40:14.98
the completeness of Christian
character will be attained
00:40:15.18\00:40:16.82
when I stop completely...
when I eliminate all sugar
00:40:17.02\00:40:19.86
from my diet.
00:40:19.97\00:40:21.32
That's good...
good. It's healthy.
00:40:23.14\00:40:25.17
When we keep the Sabbath...
when all of us collectively
00:40:25.37\00:40:27.31
are keeping the Sabbath the
way we should be keeping it...
00:40:27.51\00:40:29.63
then the Lord will
pour out His blessing.
00:40:29.84\00:40:31.99
Or when we get a... no...
00:40:32.39\00:40:35.49
It's such a simple concept.
00:40:37.46\00:40:39.07
The completeness of
Christian character is attained
00:40:39.27\00:40:41.95
when the impulse to
help and bless others
00:40:41.98\00:40:43.86
springs forth
naturally from within.
00:40:44.06\00:40:45.64
It just comes out of
your pores... Christlikeness.
00:40:45.84\00:40:51.00
My Life Today page 241:
00:40:52.62\00:40:54.46
"In the 58th chapter of Isaiah
the work that the people of God
00:40:57.22\00:41:01.43
are to do in Christ's
lines is clearly set forth.
00:41:01.63\00:41:05.02
They are to break every yoke.
00:41:05.26\00:41:07.27
They are to feed the
hungry, to clothe the naked.
00:41:07.47\00:41:10.75
If... " I'm bringing it
back to the cosmic conflict,
00:41:10.99\00:41:14.66
the greater controversy...
"If they carry out
00:41:14.86\00:41:17.02
the principles of the
law of God in acts of mercy
00:41:17.12\00:41:20.46
and love, they will
represent the character of God
00:41:20.66\00:41:25.24
to the world AND receive the
richest blessings of heaven. "
00:41:25.44\00:41:31.30
Is it possible that
by our refusal or neglect
00:41:31.50\00:41:35.28
to do good for
others that we are not only
00:41:35.48\00:41:40.11
robbing
ourselves of an experience
00:41:40.31\00:41:42.96
that the Lord wants to give
us but we're also robbing others
00:41:43.06\00:41:45.80
of an opportunity to
see Jesus more clearly.
00:41:46.00\00:41:48.21
With the proclamation of truth
should be mingled compassion
00:41:48.51\00:41:53.46
like our Savior. Going back
to Ephesians chapter 3 verse 10.
00:41:53.66\00:41:59.53
With this framework in
mind we see more clearly
00:41:59.63\00:42:04.73
the mystery of what
Paul was speaking about.
00:42:04.84\00:42:06.32
Ephesians chapter 3...
00:42:06.52\00:42:08.16
well we'll start with verse 8.
00:42:15.35\00:42:17.03
Paul again giving
his job description.
00:42:17.23\00:42:18.87
"To me whom am less than
the least of all the saints
00:42:19.08\00:42:20.88
this grace is given
me that I should preach
00:42:21.09\00:42:23.28
among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ. "
00:42:23.48\00:42:25.61
So one aspect of his
ministry was simply preaching
00:42:25.81\00:42:28.12
to the Gentiles about Christ.
00:42:28.32\00:42:29.78
Verse 9: "And... "
In addition to that...
00:42:29.98\00:42:32.09
"to make all see what is
the fellowship of the mystery
00:42:32.29\00:42:35.61
which from the beginning of
the ages has been hidden in God
00:42:35.82\00:42:39.04
who created all
things through Jesus Christ
00:42:41.00\00:42:43.56
to the intent... " verse
10: "to the intent that now
00:42:43.76\00:42:47.45
the manifold wisdom of
God might be made known
00:42:47.65\00:42:51.67
by the church to the
principalities and powers
00:42:51.87\00:42:55.08
in the heavenly places. "
00:42:55.28\00:42:57.67
There is something
about the character of God,
00:42:57.98\00:43:01.00
the wisdom of God, that people
who are right there in heaven
00:43:01.20\00:43:04.18
with God cannot
see directly from God.
00:43:04.38\00:43:06.32
He can't just turn to
them and have a conversation
00:43:08.01\00:43:09.99
and explain it
to them in theory.
00:43:10.09\00:43:11.70
They need to see it
practiced out in a life.
00:43:11.90\00:43:14.22
You know when Jesus Christ
came He was undefiled by sin.
00:43:14.52\00:43:17.43
He was separate from sinners.
And He kept the law of the Lord
00:43:17.63\00:43:20.26
beautifully, perfectly...
and He lived out its principles.
00:43:20.46\00:43:22.87
And by the way, Christ did
not demonstrate His character
00:43:23.07\00:43:27.50
by living like a hermit.
00:43:27.70\00:43:29.34
Jesus you know... the
glory of God could have been
00:43:31.73\00:43:34.45
sent in a form like
that. It could have just been,
00:43:34.55\00:43:36.12
you know, Jesus like in
a museum on a display case.
00:43:36.22\00:43:38.93
You know... shaft
of light: Ahhhhhh.
00:43:39.23\00:43:42.58
People would come from far
and wide to line up and pass by
00:43:42.88\00:43:45.25
and see for themselves
the glory of God in a box.
00:43:45.45\00:43:49.36
But that's not how Jesus did it.
00:43:49.76\00:43:51.77
Jesus wanted
people to see the Father
00:43:51.97\00:43:55.10
in His character and
He wanted them to see
00:43:55.30\00:43:59.54
His character in His good works.
00:43:59.64\00:44:02.06
And He went
about doing ministry.
00:44:02.26\00:44:04.69
Sabbath was the
busiest day of His week.
00:44:04.89\00:44:07.34
Not because He was
trying to earn a living here
00:44:07.64\00:44:10.01
but He was trying to demonstrate
and work for the Father
00:44:10.11\00:44:12.13
who's always at work
blessing others. In fact,
00:44:12.23\00:44:15.61
the angels - if they
could envy - would envy us.
00:44:15.81\00:44:19.28
Hebrews says that they're
all "ministering spirits"
00:44:19.58\00:44:22.65
and they love to
minister to those in need.
00:44:24.28\00:44:26.37
And we're the only
place in all the universe
00:44:26.67\00:44:29.46
where there's people in need.
00:44:29.76\00:44:31.97
And they're like: "If I
could switch places with you,
00:44:32.17\00:44:35.02
I'd do it in a heartbeat
'cause I live to help others. "
00:44:35.23\00:44:38.67
And that's what the
society of heaven is all about.
00:44:40.36\00:44:42.62
We receive to give...
the cycle of benevolence.
00:44:42.82\00:44:46.88
And when Gabriel and the other
angels look down on this world
00:44:48.73\00:44:51.60
and they see those
who claim to be Christ's
00:44:51.80\00:44:53.92
they say: "OK, the claim
is good but we need to see
00:44:54.12\00:44:57.79
some evidence. Not only
will God get you here but
00:44:57.89\00:45:00.89
would you fit in if you came?
00:45:01.09\00:45:04.30
There's no selfishness here.
00:45:04.50\00:45:06.72
There's only love; there's only
mercy; there's only benevolence.
00:45:06.92\00:45:11.32
And if you don't appreciate
that... if that's not part of
00:45:11.53\00:45:14.00
who you are now... you would
not be happy in our association.
00:45:14.20\00:45:20.12
Therefore God wants to
make known... He can't just say
00:45:21.52\00:45:24.02
'Trust Me, guys, it'll happen.
' We need to see the evidence. "
00:45:24.22\00:45:27.14
So now the manifold wisdom
of God is being made known
00:45:28.23\00:45:32.43
by the church to the
principalities and powers
00:45:32.63\00:45:35.40
in the heavenly places. You know
I found this in manuscript...
00:45:35.60\00:45:39.81
It's the most obscure reference
00:45:40.01\00:45:42.42
I'm going to give
this whole series.
00:45:42.62\00:45:44.09
I saved it till the very
end so you can't say that I'm
00:45:44.29\00:45:45.62
always doing
obscure references. OK.
00:45:45.72\00:45:48.01
Manuscript 73A written in 1900.
00:45:48.15\00:45:52.70
Just a couple of sentences,
but listen how it ties
00:45:53.00\00:45:55.91
to Ephesians 3:10.
00:45:56.11\00:45:57.46
"God desires His
people to show by their lives
00:45:58.70\00:46:02.64
the advantage of
Christianity over worldliness. "
00:46:02.67\00:46:05.81
Let's just pause right there.
00:46:06.11\00:46:07.95
If we walk out in the world
will people look at us and say
00:46:08.15\00:46:10.71
"I don't know what you
have but I want some of that. "
00:46:10.91\00:46:12.84
"That is advantageous over what
the experience I'm having is. "
00:46:14.14\00:46:17.34
"Whatever you've
got... teach me. "
00:46:17.64\00:46:20.10
"God desires His people to show
by their lives the advantage
00:46:21.89\00:46:24.78
of Christianity
over worldliness.
00:46:24.88\00:46:26.38
Through us God desires to
reveal His manifold wisdom. "
00:46:26.58\00:46:32.52
And what does that look
like when it's revealed?
00:46:32.72\00:46:34.88
What's the practical application
of all of this theory we've been
00:46:35.08\00:46:38.00
discussing? "Therefore He
bids us let our light shine
00:46:38.10\00:46:42.89
forth in good works. "
00:46:43.09\00:46:45.80
Sounds very much
like Jesus, does it not?
00:46:47.05\00:46:49.01
Matthew chapter 5 and verse 16:
00:46:49.31\00:46:51.47
"Let your light so shine
before men that they might see
00:46:51.67\00:46:55.10
your profession of faith... "
00:46:55.20\00:46:56.64
That they might see what?
00:46:58.66\00:47:00.64
"your good works
and glorify your Father
00:47:00.67\00:47:04.16
which is in heaven. "
00:47:04.37\00:47:05.71
Apparently through your good
works they're going to learn
00:47:06.01\00:47:08.30
something about God
and they're going to say:
00:47:08.40\00:47:11.80
"I want some of that. "
00:47:12.04\00:47:14.20
In Matthew chapter 25
00:47:17.82\00:47:19.89
we see a picture
00:47:23.14\00:47:24.99
that Jesus describes
of His second coming.
00:47:26.54\00:47:29.69
And we're going to
start with verse 31.
00:47:35.35\00:47:37.27
Matthew chapter 25 verse 31.
00:47:37.57\00:47:40.10
"When the Son of Man comes
in His glory and all the angels
00:47:42.23\00:47:45.26
with Him then He will sit
on the throne of His glory.
00:47:45.46\00:47:48.58
All the nations will
be gathered before Him
00:47:48.88\00:47:51.59
and He will separate
them one from another
00:47:51.79\00:47:53.66
as a shepherd divides
the sheep from the goats.
00:47:53.86\00:47:56.23
And He will set the
sheep on His right hand
00:47:56.53\00:47:59.42
but the goats on the left.
00:47:59.62\00:48:01.08
Then the King will say
to those on His right hand:
00:48:01.28\00:48:04.01
'Come, you blessed of My Father,
00:48:04.21\00:48:05.46
inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation
00:48:05.66\00:48:08.97
of the world for
00:48:09.07\00:48:13.38
I was hungry and
you gave Me food.
00:48:13.78\00:48:18.49
I was thirsty and
you gave Me drink.
00:48:20.57\00:48:23.91
I was a stranger
and you took Me in.
00:48:25.64\00:48:27.94
I was naked and you clothed Me.
00:48:28.24\00:48:31.44
I was sick and you visited Me.
00:48:31.74\00:48:34.07
I was in prison
and you came to Me. '
00:48:34.27\00:48:37.90
Then the righteous
will answer and say:
00:48:39.98\00:48:41.48
'Lord, when did we see
You hungry and feed You?
00:48:41.58\00:48:43.57
Or thirsty and give You drink?
00:48:43.60\00:48:45.22
And when did we see You
a stranger and take You in?
00:48:45.42\00:48:47.79
Or naked and clothe You?
00:48:47.99\00:48:49.06
And when did we see You sick
or in prison and come to You? '
00:48:49.16\00:48:51.75
And the King will
answer and say to them:
00:48:52.15\00:48:54.51
'Assuredly I say to you
00:48:54.61\00:48:56.06
inasmuch as you did it
to one of the least of these
00:48:56.26\00:48:58.17
My brethren you did it to Me. '
00:48:58.27\00:49:00.88
Then He will also say
to those on the left hand:
00:49:02.66\00:49:05.58
'Depart from Me, you cursed...
00:49:05.78\00:49:08.03
into the everlasting
fire prepared for the devil
00:49:08.23\00:49:12.07
and his angels. ' "
00:49:12.27\00:49:14.32
I do not want to hear
that phrase when Jesus returns.
00:49:14.62\00:49:17.65
And notice that the
fire is not prepared for us.
00:49:19.57\00:49:22.11
It's for the
devil and his angels.
00:49:22.41\00:49:24.96
There's no reason any of
us needs to participate in it.
00:49:25.16\00:49:28.30
But here's the reason
why they do... verse 42:
00:49:30.29\00:49:32.72
" 'For I was hungry
and you gave Me no food.
00:49:32.92\00:49:36.51
I was thirsty;
you gave Me no drink.
00:49:36.71\00:49:39.19
I was a stranger and
you did not take Me in.
00:49:40.57\00:49:42.81
Naked... and you
did not clothe Me.
00:49:43.12\00:49:45.72
Sick and in prison...
and you did not visit Me. '
00:49:46.03\00:49:49.00
Then they will answer and say:
00:49:50.44\00:49:51.84
'Lord, when did we
see You hungry or thirsty
00:49:52.04\00:49:53.87
or a stranger or naked or
sick or in prison and did not
00:49:53.97\00:49:56.62
minister to You? '
00:49:56.72\00:49:58.05
And He will say to
them: 'Assuredly I say to you
00:49:58.55\00:50:01.22
inasmuch as you did not do
it to one of the least of these
00:50:01.32\00:50:03.53
you did not do it to Me. '
00:50:03.74\00:50:05.53
And these will go away
into everlasting punishment
00:50:05.73\00:50:09.08
but the righteous
into eternal life. "
00:50:09.28\00:50:11.65
The significance of this passage
00:50:12.05\00:50:15.09
cannot be mistaken.
00:50:15.29\00:50:17.34
He boils it down.
00:50:17.64\00:50:19.68
Jesus was a master at taking
these great, huge, significant
00:50:19.71\00:50:24.49
spiritual truths and making them
so applicable to the daily life.
00:50:24.69\00:50:28.87
That here's what
heaven looks like:
00:50:29.07\00:50:31.56
there's people who
are hungry... feed them.
00:50:31.86\00:50:35.43
There's people who are
thirsty... give them drink.
00:50:35.63\00:50:39.42
And He says when the Son of
Man comes there's going to be
00:50:39.82\00:50:42.47
two groups. And to those on
the left side who do not come in
00:50:42.57\00:50:48.52
what's fascinating about
that is they give the exact
00:50:48.66\00:50:51.43
same response to Jesus
Christ as do the righteous.
00:50:51.63\00:50:54.47
Word for word their
response is the same.
00:50:56.00\00:50:58.36
"Lord, when did we see You? "
00:50:58.56\00:51:01.05
The implication
being in their case
00:51:02.65\00:51:04.60
"Lord, when did we see YOU?
00:51:04.80\00:51:06.94
I mean, if we'd
have known it was YOU...
00:51:06.97\00:51:09.49
we'd have put on a potluck!
00:51:09.79\00:51:12.53
We'd have had a clothes drive.
00:51:12.94\00:51:15.11
We'd have had a
canned food drive.
00:51:15.21\00:51:16.28
We would have
done prison ministry.
00:51:16.48\00:51:17.53
We would have visited
people in the hospital.
00:51:17.63\00:51:18.89
We would have done
this kind of thing.
00:51:19.09\00:51:20.28
But Lord it wasn't
YOU... it was just people! "
00:51:20.48\00:51:23.02
My friends, these people
are fully expecting to get into
00:51:26.43\00:51:31.60
heaven, but in this life
00:51:31.70\00:51:35.23
they did not develop a character
that would fit into heaven.
00:51:35.63\00:51:40.39
And what I love is
that on the other side
00:51:43.96\00:51:45.93
the same exact words:
"Lord, when did we see You? "
00:51:46.13\00:51:50.08
And they're not
complaining. They're like
00:51:50.28\00:51:51.98
"Hey, whoa, whoa... I'm
taking You up on Your offer.
00:51:52.18\00:51:54.25
I'm coming in. " You know?
00:51:54.35\00:51:55.67
"But Lord, when did we see You
00:51:55.87\00:51:57.97
hungry or thirsty
or naked or in prison
00:51:58.17\00:52:02.57
and minister to You? "
It's like: "We didn't see You.
00:52:02.77\00:52:05.39
We just... we just saw people. "
00:52:05.59\00:52:07.07
And Christ is
like: "That's My point.
00:52:08.69\00:52:12.43
You didn't even know it
was Me and you did it anyway.
00:52:12.63\00:52:16.06
You fit in. " Amen!
00:52:17.46\00:52:21.63
"Come on in. "
00:52:21.93\00:52:24.24
I don't want to come to the
conclusion of these meetings
00:52:31.14\00:52:33.61
and just leave everything
30,000 feet up in the air.
00:52:33.81\00:52:36.23
What an interesting debate...
what a fascinating study...
00:52:36.43\00:52:39.89
what a trivial pursuit.
00:52:40.09\00:52:41.58
Theory is good but God
works in practical application.
00:52:41.98\00:52:47.44
And friends,
Jesus is soon to come.
00:52:49.04\00:52:51.04
What He's looking for
now is faith on the earth...
00:52:51.44\00:52:55.81
the faith of Jesus.
00:52:56.12\00:52:58.45
Not just the statement of
faith but the actual, real-life
00:52:58.75\00:53:03.51
faith of Jesus
lived out in daily duties.
00:53:03.71\00:53:07.54
Practical godliness
on the personal level.
00:53:07.84\00:53:10.77
Now praise God if your
church does evangelism.
00:53:11.07\00:53:13.73
Fantastic! But can we
please begin to see the world
00:53:13.93\00:53:19.02
through Jesus' eyes and begin
to see the Jesus in every need.
00:53:19.22\00:53:22.36
Take practical steps to
demonstrate the character
00:53:23.65\00:53:27.05
of God, not just to this world
but to the worlds around us
00:53:27.15\00:53:29.03
so that maybe as we
continue to walk with Christ
00:53:29.23\00:53:32.33
it will... it will just
become part of who we are.
00:53:32.43\00:53:36.41
Remember we talked about the
reason that we make decisions?
00:53:36.55\00:53:38.62
The choices? Isn't just to
prepare for the second coming.
00:53:38.82\00:53:41.56
It isn't just
because we might die any day.
00:53:41.76\00:53:43.25
It's because we are
forming a character day by day
00:53:43.28\00:53:46.06
that will determine our destiny.
00:53:46.27\00:53:48.64
And that's what the
character of heaven looks like:
00:53:50.18\00:53:52.51
the practical daily benevolence.
00:53:52.81\00:53:56.00
Yes! Give them the
three angels' messages.
00:53:56.30\00:53:58.90
But it seems to me
that giving the truth
00:53:59.21\00:54:02.10
in the character of Christ
00:54:02.31\00:54:04.26
will give a significance
and power to the truth
00:54:04.46\00:54:06.92
that would not be
available any other way.
00:54:07.22\00:54:10.80
This is Christ's method alone,
00:54:11.10\00:54:13.37
and this is what He
asks for His people to see.
00:54:13.57\00:54:16.70
So I love the theory;
I love the application;
00:54:17.20\00:54:19.91
I love the four
stages; I love the four steps;
00:54:20.01\00:54:22.53
I love to see what's out there.
00:54:22.73\00:54:23.99
But what they're
looking for up there
00:54:24.19\00:54:26.47
is what Christ is
doing in your life down here.
00:54:26.77\00:54:30.15
And so I don't know about you
00:54:30.55\00:54:32.59
but I want to live a
life of practical godliness.
00:54:32.89\00:54:36.06
I want that fitness for partici-
pation with Him in His glory.
00:54:36.27\00:54:40.66
I want to... I want to
live the faith of Jesus
00:54:40.96\00:54:44.22
in every aspect and I want
our churches to do the same.
00:54:44.42\00:54:46.79
Hmmm.
00:54:47.87\00:54:49.30
I would love to make an appeal.
00:54:51.44\00:54:53.41
I'm not going to have
you come down front, but
00:54:53.71\00:54:55.63
I want you to first
of all... Has this series
00:54:55.83\00:54:58.71
of thought... has it
strung together well?
00:54:58.91\00:55:00.43
Has it made sense?
Amen! Praise God for clarity.
00:55:00.63\00:55:03.85
But just understanding a
concept... there is too much
00:55:06.99\00:55:09.78
theory in the
Seventh-day Adventist church.
00:55:09.98\00:55:11.76
We need practical application.
00:55:12.06\00:55:14.52
Can you take these ideas -
00:55:15.86\00:55:17.77
these scriptural ideas, these
messages from inspiration -
00:55:17.87\00:55:21.00
and now say: "Lord, I
want to do something for You. "
00:55:21.20\00:55:26.53
"I've been inspired; I've
been filled. That's great.
00:55:26.73\00:55:29.42
But Lord take me
now. Here I am: send me! "
00:55:29.62\00:55:31.97
"Lord, if You want me
to do community services,
00:55:32.27\00:55:34.58
I'm going to do it. "
00:55:34.78\00:55:35.80
"If You want me to work
with children's ministries,
00:55:36.00\00:55:37.71
I'm going to do it. " "Do
You want me in the prisons?
00:55:37.81\00:55:39.05
I will do it. In fact,
Lord, maybe You want me to do
00:55:39.16\00:55:41.78
a thing that we
haven't even thought of yet! "
00:55:41.98\00:55:44.22
"So Lord, will you take
whatever this is that I am
00:55:46.26\00:55:49.17
and turn it into
the character of Jesus
00:55:49.37\00:55:52.64
and let people in this world
and the other worlds out there
00:55:52.94\00:55:56.39
see the life of
Jesus lived out in me. "
00:55:56.59\00:56:00.28
"Lord, let me decrease
and let You increase. "
00:56:01.72\00:56:04.04
Hmmm. That's my appeal.
00:56:05.79\00:56:08.25
We don't want theory, we
want practical application.
00:56:08.55\00:56:11.01
We want to see Jesus
in real life in real ways.
00:56:11.11\00:56:14.49
Is that a
commitment we can make tonight?
00:56:14.69\00:56:16.37
Praise God! Let's bow our
heads for a word of prayer.
00:56:16.67\00:56:18.86
Dear heavenly Father,
00:56:20.45\00:56:21.91
Lord I cannot thank you enough
00:56:23.17\00:56:24.88
for being a God of due process.
00:56:25.18\00:56:28.17
A God who had a plan for
the eventuality, the possibility
00:56:28.47\00:56:32.20
of sin's entrance
into the universe.
00:56:32.30\00:56:34.07
And as we've studied
the stages of how You are
00:56:34.27\00:56:36.99
step by step,
methodically, logically
00:56:37.19\00:56:39.34
of necessity casting out the
devil in the way that You are
00:56:39.54\00:56:44.09
Lord help us to not
only see the theory of it
00:56:44.29\00:56:46.63
but help us to see our
role in the greater controversy.
00:56:46.83\00:56:49.80
Lord, help us in our daily lives
00:56:50.10\00:56:53.73
to be more like Jesus.
00:56:53.93\00:56:55.76
Lord, help us to be a
witness not only to the worlds
00:56:56.06\00:56:58.30
above but to the world
right here in our midst,
00:56:58.50\00:57:00.43
in our presence.
Wherever it is You've placed us
00:57:00.53\00:57:02.71
let us shine forth in
good works that they may see
00:57:02.91\00:57:07.46
a glimpse of our
Father in heaven.
00:57:07.66\00:57:09.45
Lord, help us to be
more like Jesus every day.
00:57:10.98\00:57:13.57
Help us to win souls to
Your kingdom and help us
00:57:13.87\00:57:16.83
to be not ashamed
at Your soon coming.
00:57:17.03\00:57:19.61
And Lord I pray
that when that day comes
00:57:21.01\00:57:23.00
that not one will be missing.
00:57:23.20\00:57:24.75
We pray this in
Jesus' name, Amen.
00:57:25.05\00:57:29.07