Hello, friends, and welcome to
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another edition
of A Sharper Focus.
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This is Wednesday night here in
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Thompsonville,
Central Standard Time.
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And we thank you for
tuning in to join our audience
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that's waiting right
here at the Thompsonville
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Seventh-day Adventist Church,
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also the 3ABN Worship Center.
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Let's welcome our
audience with a hearty amen.
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Amen.
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And we thank you for
choosing to tune in tonight.
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We know that, you have
a lot of other choices.
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But this is not just a program.
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This is about studying
your walk as a Christian,
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the walk that you've
committed yourself to.
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How does it happen?
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How is it going to
happen in your life?
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In your daily life when
the challenges come your way.
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How are you
going to be victorious
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over the temptations?
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That's what this
program is about.
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How to live a spiritual
life? In what kind of a body?
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Natural.
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What kind of a body? Natural.
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In a natural body. And
so invite your friends.
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If you want to hit the
record button to record
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the program and
share with others, you can.
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But if you've missed any
of our previous broadcasts,
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you can catch
those broadcasts at
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this website asf.3abn.org.
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That's where all the broadcasts
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have been uploaded,
you can also go to that
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very same website and download
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the lesson for tonight, 003.
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It's also entitled,
How to be justified?
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Now we talked
about justification
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what it actually means?
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But how do you become justified?
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What exactly do you
have to do even though
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salvation is not
by any of your works?
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What must you do
in order to accept
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the justification
and the mercy of God?
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So tonight, invite your friends
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and families to
join you, and we're --
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we're gonna also
sing some songs tonight.
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But before we do anything more,
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we're gonna go ahead and
begin with a word of prayer.
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Let's bow our heads together.
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Our Father in
heaven, we thank You so much
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that tonight, Lord,
we're opening Your word.
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We're opening it to study this
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great transcript
of righteousness.
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We pray, Father, and
invite your Holy Spirit
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not only to be with
those who are tuning in,
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but also those who are
here in the local audience,
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whether joining us from church,
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or if there is someone
sitting by him or herself
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in the privacy, in the
quite of their own home.
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We pray that You'll send
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Your Holy Spirit there, Father.
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To sharpen their
ears and eyes to hear
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what the Spirit is
saying to each of us tonight.
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So guide us, Father,
and develop the study
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that will help us to understand
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what it really means to
receive the mercy of God.
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This we pray in
Jesus precious name, amen.
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Amen.
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Uh, now tonight
we're gonna sing a song
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that every one of us knows.
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I want you to join
us this song called,
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"Blessed Assurance."
The words won't appear
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on your screen,
it'll be in our audience,
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but I think you know the song
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so let's sing that song tonight.
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That's the theme of our
study, "Blessed Assurance."
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And when you sing
it raise your voices
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tonight so they can hear you.
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All right, here we go together.
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Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
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O what a
foretaste of glory divine
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Heir of
salvation, purchase of God
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Born of His
Spirit, washed in His blood
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This is my
story, this is my song
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(What are we doing?)
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Praising my
Savior all the day long
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This is my
story, this is my song
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Praising my
Savior all the day long
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Perfect
submission, all is at rest
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I in my Savior
am happy and blessed
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Watching and
waiting, looking above
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Filled with His
goodness, lost in His love
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(Together)
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This is my
story, this is my song
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Praising my
Savior all the day long
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This is my
story, this is my song
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Praising my Savior all
the day long (Key change)
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This is my
story, this is my song
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Praising my
Savior all the day long
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This is my
story, this is my song
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Praising my
Savior all the day long
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Praising my Savior
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all the day long.
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Amen.
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Now because this
is a live program,
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I want to say
hello to someone that
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if you are here
locally, you know there's
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somebody missing
tonight, my wife is.
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And she's in Orlando,
Florida with her mother there.
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Her mother is
celebrating 85 years of life.
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And Happy Birthday, Aunt
B. And honey, I miss you.
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Hope to see you next
week when you comeback.
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So I hope you're
watching the program
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so I didn't waste my
gratitudes and my platitudes
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on just people
that are not connected
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to this very special occasion.
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Tonight I want to
begin by just reviewing
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what we went over in the
last time we got together.
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Now the reason
why this lesson is
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vitally important is
this, every one of us commits
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ourselves to be Christians
but the great question is,
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"How do we live
that Christian life?"
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I mean what
actually do we do after that?
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I'll give an example,
a number of years ago,
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about 5 years ago, my wife
surprised me on my birthday.
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She knows I like flying.
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I mean not --
not flying on my own.
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But she knows I like
things that have to do
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with airplanes and, you know,
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I had
simulators on my computers.
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So one day, she -- she purchased
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for me an RC
airplane, and there in our
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living room on
one of the couches,
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was this big long box with
a P51 aircraft inside of it.
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Now if you know
anything about aircraft,
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a P51 is, I think, World War II,
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a beautiful
plane, matter of fact,
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it's called a Red
Tail and I saw that plane.
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I was so excited about
it because I love flying.
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And so my wife
decided to go ahead
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and contribute to that.
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I'm sure that now she
probably wishes she didn't.
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Because I've three
planes and two helicopters now.
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But I've learned a whole lot.
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And she would tell you
that when I finally put
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that plane
together, took it out to the
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church parking
lot -- the parking lot
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right outside of this building,
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we have a nice big parking
lot and a number of people
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were out there, some
of our church family,
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including one young
man by name of Jason,
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and when I put that
plane on the ground and began
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to rev up the engine
remote control, he said,
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Pastor, that
thing is going to crash.
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And I said no, it's not.
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I have flown many
times on the computer.
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But it's altogether different
when it's in real life.
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Here's my application.
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What we read in
the Bible is one thing.
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But it's altogether,
what's the word I use?
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Different, when it
comes to carrying out
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and living out on your life.
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Just to finish this
story, I did crash that night.
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I didn't destroy the
plane. I took off and began
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to circle the parking
lot, but the plane decided
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to go in a different direction,
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behind the school building--
tried to run as fast as
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I could to make line of sight,
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but I heard the buzzing
sound of the engine stop
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and I went around
the back of the building.
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There it was on
about a 45-degree angle,
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right there in the
dirt behind the school.
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And the good news is, I
only broke the landing gear.
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It wasn't very
bad, but I learned then
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what I'm going to
teach you tonight.
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In order to know
what it means to live out
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an experiential
life, you've got to live
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an experiential life,
now get what I'm saying.
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Until you
experience the Christian life,
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you don't really understand what
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the Christian life is all about.
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Until you have crashed
and burned a number of times,
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anybody in here
want to confess tonight,
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have you crashed
and burned before?
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Have you gone
45-degree angle into the dirt?
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It's very frequent
that people that don't know
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what it means to be
a Christian, will --
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will drive their
Christian experience right
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into the ground
because they don't know.
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They haven't
practiced righteousness.
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And so therefore
it is not natural
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to the natural,
the mortal person.
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Each of us has a
spiritual commitment.
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But each one of
those commitments
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are lived out in a natural body.
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What kind of body did I say?
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Natural.
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Another word for
natural mean mortal.
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Every one of us is mortal.
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But we have all made
a spiritual commitment
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to live a spiritual life
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in the worst
location, a natural body.
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Because, you know what,
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I've been a Christian
for a number of years now
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but in the back of my mind
and I know many of you know
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where I'm headed with
this, in the back of my mind
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I remember many of the things
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I did when I was in the world.
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Sometimes you hear
those songs that you put down
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many years ago and
all of a sudden you start
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tapping your foot and
remembering where you are,
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when you heard that song.
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You know what I'm talking about.
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Those things remain with us
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for as long as we are
alive, the memory of them.
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But the reason why we
don't do those things is
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because after being
justified by Christ,
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we are also
sanctified, let me just,
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I'm trying to build
back up the framework.
00:10:14.10\00:10:16.98
To be justified
means the Lord delivers us
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from the penalty of sin.
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The wages of sin is what? Death.
00:10:23.26\00:10:25.97
So when we give
our lives to the Lord,
00:10:25.98\00:10:27.59
He instantly delivers us
from that death row experience.
00:10:27.60\00:10:31.21
What that means
is, death no longer
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hangs over our
heads. We've been set free.
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The penalty has been paid
by the shed blood of Christ.
00:10:36.26\00:10:39.34
And that's a huge price.
00:10:39.35\00:10:41.59
One man paying
for the salvation of
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everyone who accepts Him.
00:10:44.74\00:10:46.43
So although salvation is free,
00:10:46.44\00:10:49.22
it comes at a
huge cost to Christ.
00:10:49.23\00:10:52.25
That's
justification, but secondly,
00:10:52.26\00:10:56.30
the sanctifying
process is a day-by-day,
00:10:56.31\00:10:59.63
moment-by-moment
experience that every one of us
00:10:59.64\00:11:03.84
will know if we
practice righteousness.
00:11:03.85\00:11:07.65
What I'm talking
about tonight is,
00:11:07.66\00:11:08.99
how do you get to
that sanctifying walk?
00:11:09.00\00:11:12.09
What actually happens
for you to be able to live
00:11:12.10\00:11:15.01
in that sanctifying
walk and know that you are
00:11:15.02\00:11:17.51
where God wants you to be?
00:11:17.52\00:11:18.69
That's why tonight's
title is, How to be Justified?
00:11:18.70\00:11:21.69
Now what I'm going to do
tonight briefly is review
00:11:21.70\00:11:23.89
some of the
things that we went over,
00:11:23.90\00:11:25.70
just to bring us
up-to-date to where we are.
00:11:25.71\00:11:28.44
We covered six
questions in our last broadcast.
00:11:28.45\00:11:31.97
Tonight, we're gonna
hope to cover 10 more.
00:11:31.98\00:11:35.12
But I want to do a quick review.
00:11:35.13\00:11:36.82
What we learned in question
number one, and don't --
00:11:36.83\00:11:39.30
don't bring
question one on the screen.
00:11:39.31\00:11:40.74
But we learned in our last
time together is to receive
00:11:40.75\00:11:45.82
God's mercy, we have to
confess and forsake sin.
00:11:45.83\00:11:50.90
We have to do two
things. What are they, again?
00:11:50.91\00:11:52.53
Say with me, confess
and what else? Forsake.
00:11:52.54\00:11:55.71
You cannot receive
the mercy of a judge,
00:11:55.72\00:11:59.30
if you say to the judge
in court after you've gotten
00:11:59.31\00:12:01.44
pulled over for your
fifth speeding ticket.
00:12:01.45\00:12:03.39
Your honor, as
soon as I leave here,
00:12:03.40\00:12:06.28
I'm peeling out
the parking lot at
00:12:06.29\00:12:07.58
a 125 miles an
hour on my motorcycle.
00:12:07.59\00:12:10.55
There's no way he's
going to give you mercy.
00:12:10.56\00:12:12.55
Am I right? What's he
gonna do if you say that?
00:12:12.56\00:12:15.08
He's gonna throw
the, what at you?
00:12:15.09\00:12:16.75
The book. Okay.
00:12:16.76\00:12:17.88
He's gonna throw the,
what at you? The book.
00:12:17.89\00:12:19.59
The book. The book.
00:12:19.60\00:12:22.43
We live by every
word that proceeds
00:12:22.44\00:12:24.71
from the mouth of
God, we live by the book.
00:12:24.72\00:12:26.55
So, in order for us
to receive God's mercy,
00:12:26.56\00:12:29.58
we have to
confess, and do what else?
00:12:29.59\00:12:31.93
Forsake. Forsake.
00:12:31.94\00:12:32.99
That's one of the
first things we learned.
00:12:33.00\00:12:34.80
The second thing we learned
is all sin is against God
00:12:34.81\00:12:38.90
because all sin is a
violation of the law of God,
00:12:38.91\00:12:43.37
which represents
the government of God.
00:12:43.38\00:12:45.88
Even though we sin
against other people,
00:12:45.89\00:12:47.68
all sin is a
violation against God.
00:12:47.69\00:12:50.42
Matter of fact,
when David confessed,
00:12:50.43\00:12:52.09
he said "Lord, I've
sinned against you,"
00:12:52.10\00:12:54.58
even though He really sinned in
00:12:54.59\00:12:57.08
the Bathsheba
and Uriah situation.
00:12:57.09\00:12:59.08
He sinned against Bathsheba.
00:12:59.09\00:13:00.39
He sinned against his own body.
00:13:00.40\00:13:02.19
He sinned against
Uriah, killed the man,
00:13:02.20\00:13:04.92
but he looked at Lord and said,
00:13:04.93\00:13:06.47
"Lord, I have
sinned against you."
00:13:06.48\00:13:08.02
All sin is against God
because all sin violates
00:13:08.03\00:13:13.18
God's law, which
represents His government.
00:13:13.19\00:13:15.46
Which simply says to
me, when we get to heaven,
00:13:15.47\00:13:17.63
is God's law still going
to be enforced, yes or no?
00:13:17.64\00:13:20.83
Yes. Why? Somebody tell me why?
00:13:20.84\00:13:23.81
I just gave you
the answer a moment.
00:13:23.82\00:13:24.93
Somebody tell me why?
00:13:24.94\00:13:26.77
Because God's
government is still
00:13:26.78\00:13:29.61
going to be enforced. Amen.
00:13:29.62\00:13:32.50
We learned that.
Third thing we learned,
00:13:32.51\00:13:35.33
when we repent, God relents.
00:13:35.34\00:13:38.80
I want you to say that with me.
00:13:38.81\00:13:40.29
When we repent, God relents.
00:13:40.30\00:13:44.48
In the case of
Nineveh, the Lord planned
00:13:44.49\00:13:48.11
to destroy Nineveh,
bring it down to the ground.
00:13:48.12\00:13:51.17
But because they
repented, God relented.
00:13:51.18\00:13:54.29
That mean God changed His mind.
00:13:54.30\00:13:56.23
God does not
change His mind because
00:13:56.24\00:13:58.12
He comes up with a better idea.
00:13:58.13\00:14:01.02
He changes His mind
when we realize that
00:14:01.03\00:14:03.62
if we continue in that course,
00:14:03.63\00:14:05.10
God is going to
stay on course also.
00:14:05.11\00:14:07.15
So when we
change, God says okay.
00:14:07.16\00:14:10.15
The punishment that
you would've gotten,
00:14:10.16\00:14:12.02
I now relent. So
when the Bible says,
00:14:12.03\00:14:14.77
God repented, it
really means God relented.
00:14:14.78\00:14:17.30
God does not
have to repent because
00:14:17.31\00:14:18.86
God does not sin. Amen. Amen.
00:14:18.87\00:14:21.66
When we repent, God relents.
00:14:21.67\00:14:23.93
The next thing we
learned is we must acknowledge
00:14:23.94\00:14:26.97
our sin in order to
receive God's mercy.
00:14:26.98\00:14:30.19
David said, I acknowledge
my sin and my iniquity.
00:14:30.20\00:14:33.87
It's ever before
me. He acknowledged
00:14:33.88\00:14:36.48
He did wrong so
therefore he was able to
00:14:36.49\00:14:38.51
receive God's mercy.
So when a person said,
00:14:38.52\00:14:40.69
I haven't done anything
wrong they can't receive.
00:14:40.70\00:14:45.54
They cannot receive any mercy.
00:14:45.55\00:14:48.53
Let me ask you the question
00:14:48.54\00:14:50.38
and I'm going
to get a yes or no.
00:14:50.39\00:14:51.71
Is mercy applied to those
who are innocent? Yes or no.
00:14:56.48\00:15:00.40
No.
00:15:00.41\00:15:03.81
Uh, mercy is applied to
those who are what? Guilty.
00:15:03.82\00:15:07.16
Those who are guilty need mercy.
00:15:07.17\00:15:09.67
Matter of fact those who
are innocent, get justice.
00:15:09.68\00:15:12.11
Your honor, I didn't do it.
00:15:12.12\00:15:13.09
Okay, well the law
says, you got to go.
00:15:13.10\00:15:14.71
You're free to leave my court.
00:15:14.72\00:15:16.51
But when you are
guilty, and you confess,
00:15:16.52\00:15:19.72
and forsake, then you
qualify for God's mercy.
00:15:19.73\00:15:24.77
So mercy is not extended
to those who are innocent.
00:15:24.78\00:15:28.34
Mercy is for those
who say, Lord, I did it.
00:15:28.35\00:15:30.37
So let me ask you the question.
00:15:30.38\00:15:31.76
Are we guilty or
innocent? Which one?
00:15:31.77\00:15:33.89
Guilty. All men
are guilty before God.
00:15:33.90\00:15:37.50
Every one of us needs
the mercy of God. Amen. Yes.
00:15:37.51\00:15:41.76
We learned that, the
other thing we learned
00:15:41.77\00:15:43.79
is that mercy does not set aside
00:15:43.80\00:15:46.23
the requirements of God's law.
00:15:46.24\00:15:49.37
The sacrifices of Jesus satisfy
00:15:49.38\00:15:52.93
the requirements of God's law.
00:15:52.94\00:15:54.09
Let me give you an example.
00:15:54.10\00:15:55.21
This is the
funniest story. I was --
00:15:57.56\00:16:00.80
we were down in
Belize, my wife and I.
00:16:00.81\00:16:02.53
I think about a
year and a half ago
00:16:02.54\00:16:03.86
or maybe a
little more than that.
00:16:03.87\00:16:05.77
And we went to one
of the natural parks
00:16:05.78\00:16:10.07
where they had the Mayan ruins.
00:16:10.08\00:16:12.89
And with all this
2012, you know, predictions,
00:16:12.90\00:16:16.06
I want to see a Mayan ruin.
00:16:16.07\00:16:17.59
I wanted to climb the
steps of a Mayan, look like
00:16:17.60\00:16:19.94
a Mayan pyramid because
it was just way up there.
00:16:19.95\00:16:23.88
Anyway to get into the
park, I'm talking about,
00:16:23.89\00:16:28.01
it's free to you but somebody
had to pay the big price.
00:16:28.02\00:16:30.74
We were standing at
the entrance of a park
00:16:32.08\00:16:33.67
and the guy
that worked at the --
00:16:33.68\00:16:35.12
at the desk where you pay,
he obviously looked native.
00:16:35.13\00:16:41.56
Very strong
native Mayan features,
00:16:41.57\00:16:46.14
strong chiseled
face, just very olive skin,
00:16:46.15\00:16:49.56
shiny long black hair.
00:16:49.57\00:16:51.37
And he said, as the
people set to a standby,
00:16:51.38\00:16:54.97
we got this taken
care of, so we stood back
00:16:54.98\00:16:57.07
and we heard them in a
conversation and he said,
00:16:57.08\00:17:00.14
you live here?
And they said, yes.
00:17:00.15\00:17:02.98
Which meant if you live
there, you get in for free.
00:17:04.57\00:17:07.79
So they were trying to
get us into the park for free.
00:17:07.80\00:17:10.87
But the guy said,
he doesn't live here.
00:17:12.54\00:17:15.31
I see him on 3ABN.
00:17:15.32\00:17:17.79
Well guess, what happened?
00:17:20.96\00:17:22.84
By them not telling the truth,
00:17:22.85\00:17:24.02
we all had to pay
the penalty to get in.
00:17:24.03\00:17:26.51
They made them
pay $10 for each of us
00:17:28.16\00:17:29.79
to get in for not being honest.
00:17:29.80\00:17:31.40
My point is this,
if they were being --
00:17:31.41\00:17:33.87
if they were honest, the
price would've been on them.
00:17:33.88\00:17:37.80
But by not being
honest, the price was on us.
00:17:37.81\00:17:41.83
The key is somebody
has to pay the price.
00:17:41.84\00:17:44.85
So salvation
while it's free to us,
00:17:44.86\00:17:47.58
the price is huge
when it comes to what
00:17:47.59\00:17:50.18
Jesus paid for
us. Ain't that right?
00:17:50.19\00:17:52.00
Yes. So salvation
is not free, but --
00:17:52.01\00:17:54.16
but here is where I wanna
head with this topic tonight.
00:17:54.17\00:17:57.54
Because when we see
ourselves, as God sees us,
00:17:57.55\00:18:01.29
we realize that we
need to be delivered.
00:18:01.30\00:18:04.92
You know, we get rid of
all your spiritual mirage,
00:18:04.93\00:18:06.78
you say, well, I'm pretty good.
00:18:06.79\00:18:08.13
I met a person once who
said, I haven't sinned all week.
00:18:08.14\00:18:11.42
And I said you just did.
00:18:11.43\00:18:15.79
We live and breathe
the atmosphere of sin.
00:18:15.80\00:18:19.11
It is only by God's
grace that we go from
00:18:19.12\00:18:21.22
victory to victory. Amen.
00:18:21.23\00:18:23.12
We go from one
victory to the other.
00:18:23.13\00:18:25.05
But to say, as the
Bible says in First John,
00:18:25.06\00:18:27.50
If we say we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves.
00:18:27.51\00:18:30.40
But what I'm
talking about tonight is
00:18:30.41\00:18:33.93
how do you live a sinless life?
00:18:33.94\00:18:36.28
You can't do it on
your own and you cannot
00:18:36.29\00:18:38.65
do it under your own merits.
00:18:38.66\00:18:40.26
But here's what I
want to point out tonight.
00:18:40.27\00:18:41.95
And these are some texts
that I want to share with you.
00:18:41.96\00:18:44.26
What I'd like you to
do is turn with me to
00:18:44.27\00:18:45.68
Galatians 2:20.
Galatians Chapter 2, verse 20,
00:18:45.69\00:18:49.32
because we are called
to accomplish something.
00:18:49.33\00:18:53.31
The question is what
are we called to accomplish
00:18:53.32\00:18:55.68
and how are we
called to accomplish it?
00:18:55.69\00:18:58.64
This is not in the slides.
00:18:58.65\00:18:59.87
We're not at
question number seven yet.
00:18:59.88\00:19:02.30
But as you turn
there, I want to just share
00:19:02.31\00:19:04.24
seven very quick
scriptures with you.
00:19:04.25\00:19:06.06
When I say quick, I
mean, short portions
00:19:06.07\00:19:08.68
of scriptures,
seven very quick ones.
00:19:08.69\00:19:12.15
Okay, now you all
turn to Galatians.
00:19:12.16\00:19:13.96
You can write that
down as an extra passage.
00:19:13.97\00:19:16.29
It's not in our
study for tonight.
00:19:16.30\00:19:19.07
But here are seven quick points
00:19:19.08\00:19:22.35
that are so
important to remember.
00:19:22.36\00:19:24.23
As Christians,
God does not intend.
00:19:26.77\00:19:29.69
I want you to listen up now.
00:19:29.70\00:19:30.97
You read in the
Bible as Christians,
00:19:30.98\00:19:33.34
is it God's
intention for us to stumble
00:19:33.35\00:19:36.69
our way to heaven? Yes or no?
00:19:36.70\00:19:37.91
No. So what is
God's intention for us?
00:19:37.92\00:19:41.28
Is it God's intention
for us to be victorious
00:19:41.29\00:19:43.96
on our way to heaven? Yes or no?
00:19:43.97\00:19:45.94
Yes. But the way that
I've seen it so often,
00:19:45.95\00:19:48.59
let me just put
this together tonight.
00:19:48.60\00:19:50.09
The way I have seen it
lot of times is people,
00:19:50.10\00:19:52.02
I even heard churches, I
heard one pastor once say,
00:19:52.03\00:19:54.49
"You're gonna be
sinning up until the day
00:19:54.50\00:19:56.51
that Jesus comes." And
I'm thinking boy, there is --
00:19:56.52\00:19:58.92
there is no reason for a sinner
to want to become a Christian.
00:19:58.93\00:20:01.91
If the Christian is
sinning until Jesus comes,
00:20:01.92\00:20:03.71
and the sinner is
sinning, there is no difference.
00:20:03.72\00:20:05.54
But here are
some of the scriptures
00:20:08.48\00:20:09.48
that tells me that God
has a high ideal for us.
00:20:09.49\00:20:13.03
I can do all things
through how? Christ.
00:20:13.04\00:20:15.71
Do you think that also includes
overcoming sin in your life?
00:20:15.72\00:20:20.24
Yes. I can do all
things. Here's another one.
00:20:20.25\00:20:22.33
We're more than
conquerors, conquerors of what?
00:20:22.34\00:20:26.77
Our habits, our traits,
00:20:26.78\00:20:28.31
the things that
bound us, I hope so.
00:20:28.32\00:20:30.55
Here's another one.
00:20:30.56\00:20:32.27
With every temptation,
he'll make a way of escape.
00:20:32.28\00:20:36.65
So is there any temptation
00:20:36.66\00:20:38.62
that we're going to
definitely fall into?
00:20:38.63\00:20:40.77
Yes or no?
00:20:40.78\00:20:42.18
No. With every temptation,
00:20:42.19\00:20:43.77
First Corinthians
10:13 with every temptation-
00:20:43.78\00:20:46.02
with every temptation,
there is a way to escape.
00:20:46.03\00:20:48.80
Can you say, amen? Amen.
00:20:48.81\00:20:50.15
With--no matter how
strong it is, here's the good--
00:20:50.16\00:20:53.15
God never lets a
temptation come your way
00:20:53.16\00:20:54.87
that you cannot
handle by His strength.
00:20:54.88\00:20:57.46
God doesn't
throw a 15-pound weight
00:20:57.47\00:20:59.36
in the hand of
a 2-month-old baby
00:20:59.37\00:21:03.45
In the same way, God
measures the temptations.
00:21:03.46\00:21:06.22
He makes sure
that He does not allow
00:21:06.23\00:21:07.76
the devil to cross the boundary.
00:21:07.77\00:21:10.26
The God's mercy is unmeasured
00:21:10.27\00:21:11.69
because He loves
us unconditionally.
00:21:11.70\00:21:14.32
Here's another scripture.
00:21:14.33\00:21:15.95
He's able to
keep us from falling.
00:21:15.96\00:21:17.40
Do you believe that? Yes. Amen.
00:21:17.41\00:21:19.35
It's what I'm talking about.
00:21:19.36\00:21:20.62
How does God
keep you from falling?
00:21:20.63\00:21:23.60
How many of you
don't want to fall anymore?
00:21:23.61\00:21:27.07
Now let me make it clear.
00:21:27.08\00:21:28.35
There are certain
things that you don't fall
00:21:28.36\00:21:30.47
into anymore. Am I right? Yes.
00:21:30.48\00:21:32.51
Certain things you
don't even fall for anymore
00:21:32.52\00:21:34.77
because God has
given you the victory.
00:21:34.78\00:21:36.41
But what we're talking
about is complete victory.
00:21:36.42\00:21:38.12
Here's another
scripture very quickly.
00:21:38.13\00:21:40.96
If we put on the
whole armor of God,
00:21:40.97\00:21:42.43
we're able to quench
00:21:42.44\00:21:43.95
how many of the
darts of the wicked one?
00:21:43.96\00:21:45.83
How many of? All.
00:21:45.84\00:21:46.84
All the fiery
darts of the wicked one.
00:21:46.85\00:21:49.62
So no matter what
Satan throws at you, Jason,
00:21:49.63\00:21:51.67
if you got on the armor,
00:21:51.68\00:21:52.67
you're able to
quench every dart he throws.
00:21:52.68\00:21:54.20
Ain't that good news? Amen.
00:21:54.21\00:21:56.04
So how does that
fit into the question?
00:21:56.05\00:21:58.75
Are -- are we -
are the fiery darts
00:21:58.76\00:22:01.42
getting through or
are they being quenched?
00:22:01.43\00:22:04.85
That's what I'm talking
about. Here's another one.
00:22:04.86\00:22:08.36
If you do these
things, you'll never stumble.
00:22:08.37\00:22:13.06
That's First Peter.
00:22:13.07\00:22:14.66
If you had virtue, the patience,
00:22:14.67\00:22:16.47
and patience, the perseverance,
00:22:16.48\00:22:18.00
if you do all those
things, you will never stumble.
00:22:18.01\00:22:20.24
So tonight I'll
lead with a question.
00:22:20.25\00:22:23.40
We're called to
accomplish something,
00:22:23.41\00:22:26.68
but how are we
going to accomplish that?
00:22:26.69\00:22:29.19
Galatians 2:20, here we go.
00:22:29.20\00:22:31.81
I am reading.
00:22:31.82\00:22:35.01
Matter of fact if
you have your Bible,
00:22:35.02\00:22:36.27
you can actually
quote this with me.
00:22:36.28\00:22:38.24
All right, are you ready?
00:22:38.25\00:22:39.29
Here we go,
00:22:39.30\00:22:40.88
I am, what?
00:22:40.89\00:22:43.25
Crucified with
Christ nevertheless I live,
00:22:43.26\00:22:48.03
yet not I, but
Christ lives where?
00:22:48.04\00:22:50.61
In me, in the
life which I now live
00:22:50.62\00:22:53.79
in the flesh I live by, what?
00:22:53.80\00:22:56.54
Faith in the Son
of God who did what?
00:22:56.55\00:22:59.01
Loved me and
gave himself for me.
00:22:59.02\00:23:02.80
I want you to catch this now.
00:23:02.81\00:23:04.27
We're called to do what?
00:23:04.28\00:23:08.62
That's the question.
00:23:08.63\00:23:10.11
We're called to do what?
00:23:10.12\00:23:14.60
Okay, we're now that
we're crucified with Christ.
00:23:14.61\00:23:18.47
That--that happens
when we accept Christ.
00:23:18.48\00:23:20.02
But this verse tells us
00:23:20.03\00:23:21.69
there's something
that we're called to do.
00:23:21.70\00:23:25.50
Okay, live by faith.
00:23:25.51\00:23:30.48
By faith in Christ. Okay.
00:23:30.49\00:23:31.91
That is the how part.
00:23:31.92\00:23:33.43
But what are we called to do?
00:23:33.44\00:23:35.97
Okay, we are called the
life which I now live in the,
00:23:35.98\00:23:40.38
what's the next word, flesh.
00:23:40.39\00:23:42.03
We are called this
- this is not a trick.
00:23:42.04\00:23:46.59
This is just a bad situation.
00:23:46.60\00:23:48.69
And let me tell you
what I mean by that.
00:23:48.70\00:23:51.21
Mortal man will be mortal
man until we put on immortality.
00:23:51.22\00:23:55.80
That's the bad news.
00:23:55.81\00:23:57.68
The good news is all
those text I just gave you.
00:23:57.69\00:23:59.90
I can do all things.
00:23:59.91\00:24:00.90
We are more than conquerors
00:24:00.91\00:24:01.92
with every temptation
makes a way of escape.
00:24:01.93\00:24:03.46
Able to keep us from falling.
00:24:03.47\00:24:04.61
Quench all the fiery darts.
00:24:04.62\00:24:06.50
And I can do all things,
00:24:06.51\00:24:07.84
if you do these
things you're not.
00:24:07.85\00:24:09.01
That's the good news.
00:24:09.02\00:24:10.27
So the Lord is saying, Yanick,
00:24:10.28\00:24:12.59
until mortal
puts on immortality,
00:24:12.60\00:24:15.78
you're gonna have to
live a spiritual life
00:24:15.79\00:24:17.49
in a mortal body.
00:24:17.50\00:24:18.49
So let's put it together.
00:24:22.74\00:24:24.12
We're called to
live in the flesh,
00:24:24.13\00:24:27.78
but we are called
not to satisfy the flesh.
00:24:27.79\00:24:32.67
Let me ask you the question.
00:24:32.68\00:24:33.67
I wanna this to be very clear
00:24:33.68\00:24:34.73
because this is
more in the study.
00:24:34.74\00:24:35.75
This is about how you're
gonna be victorious tomorrow
00:24:35.76\00:24:37.97
and even after
the meeting is over.
00:24:37.98\00:24:40.42
Do you ever
have sinful cravings?
00:24:40.43\00:24:43.21
Does anybody wanna say yes?
00:24:43.22\00:24:44.64
Yes. Okay.
00:24:44.65\00:24:47.40
What you do next determines
00:24:47.41\00:24:51.89
whether or not
you qualify for mercy
00:24:51.90\00:24:55.96
or just stand in
line for God's justice.
00:24:55.97\00:24:59.48
If at that moment, you say,
00:24:59.49\00:25:01.01
you know, the
Lord said I could -
00:25:01.02\00:25:02.69
I could escape this
thing if I simply trust in Him,
00:25:02.70\00:25:05.43
then you'll never
succumb to the temptation.
00:25:05.44\00:25:08.58
But the reason I
ask you the question
00:25:08.59\00:25:09.99
is not to
determine whether or not
00:25:10.00\00:25:11.27
you fall and you don't fall.
00:25:11.28\00:25:12.41
That's not my--that's not
where I'm headed with this.
00:25:12.42\00:25:14.84
But because
there's this constant
00:25:14.85\00:25:16.62
craving in the
flesh, this mortal body,
00:25:16.63\00:25:19.51
it remembers that the old man
00:25:19.52\00:25:21.38
as Paul talks about
Roman 6, He's there.
00:25:21.39\00:25:23.81
He's there until He's
put to death through baptism.
00:25:23.82\00:25:26.84
We'll talk about that later on.
00:25:26.85\00:25:28.34
He's put to death.
00:25:28.35\00:25:29.52
Matter of fact our next
study is delivered by death.
00:25:29.53\00:25:32.66
But then we come
out of the watery grave,
00:25:32.67\00:25:35.55
this baptism, we come out to
walk in the newness of, what?
00:25:35.56\00:25:39.61
The newness of life
but now the newness of life
00:25:39.62\00:25:42.20
is lived in the
oldness of this body.
00:25:42.21\00:25:45.66
That's the catch
that God knows we're in
00:25:45.67\00:25:49.71
that's why He provides something
00:25:49.72\00:25:51.44
that we do not naturally have.
00:25:51.45\00:25:53.76
He provides us
his righteousness.
00:25:53.77\00:25:58.71
Man, there should have
been a hallelujah right there.
00:25:58.72\00:26:01.61
Maybe I said
something. Let me try it again.
00:26:01.62\00:26:03.26
He provides us His,
what? His righteousness
00:26:03.27\00:26:06.74
because He's
know - He knows that,
00:26:06.75\00:26:08.99
although you've
committed yourself to me,
00:26:09.00\00:26:10.70
you still have this mortal flesh
00:26:10.71\00:26:12.98
and if my Father looks at you,
00:26:12.99\00:26:14.01
he sees you jus like you are.
00:26:14.02\00:26:15.98
But if I cover you
with my righteousness,
00:26:15.99\00:26:18.68
he sees me when he sees you.
00:26:18.69\00:26:24.72
But Paul had
difficulties and struggles
00:26:24.73\00:26:27.47
and the reason why this topic
is so vitally important is this.
00:26:27.48\00:26:31.52
We are called to
live in the flesh
00:26:31.53\00:26:33.36
but we are called, as
Marlena said a moment ago,
00:26:33.37\00:26:35.38
we are called to live by faith.
00:26:35.39\00:26:39.19
But in many Christian churches,
00:26:39.20\00:26:42.70
many walks of Christian life,
00:26:42.71\00:26:44.89
faith has become the
enemy against the law of God.
00:26:44.90\00:26:51.36
Christians have said,
00:26:51.37\00:26:52.58
you're saved by
grace through faith.
00:26:52.59\00:26:54.40
Forget the commandments.
00:26:54.41\00:26:56.28
But what we don't
know is the problem is,
00:26:56.29\00:26:58.73
it is impossible to
receive the mercy of God
00:26:58.74\00:27:01.61
if there is no law pointing out
00:27:01.62\00:27:03.54
that we need the mercy of God.
00:27:03.55\00:27:06.37
So tonight let's
go to question 7.
00:27:06.38\00:27:08.79
We're gonna
begin with question 7
00:27:08.80\00:27:10.72
and dive into why we
need the mercy of God?
00:27:10.73\00:27:16.67
Why do we need the mercy of God?
00:27:16.68\00:27:19.40
That was quite an
introduction, wasn't it?
00:27:19.41\00:27:20.86
Amen. Amen.
Laying the foundation.
00:27:20.87\00:27:23.40
Here's question
number 7. Here it is.
00:27:23.41\00:27:27.70
What did the apostle Paul
express when he faced the law?
00:27:27.71\00:27:33.34
What did the Paul, he apostle,
express when he faced the law?
00:27:33.35\00:27:37.96
We're looking
together at Romans 7:14
00:27:37.97\00:27:41.49
and here's what he said.
00:27:41.50\00:27:42.80
It's on the screen, if
you want to read it with me.
00:27:42.81\00:27:44.15
He said, For we know
that the law is, what?
00:27:44.16\00:27:48.18
Spiritual, but
I am what? Carnal.
00:27:48.19\00:27:51.60
And what's the next word?
00:27:51.61\00:27:52.73
Sold under sin.
00:27:52.74\00:27:54.69
You know that word
old means, slavery.
00:27:54.70\00:27:58.51
Paul puts this in
the context of slavery.
00:27:58.52\00:28:01.02
When you are a slave, you
don't really have a choice.
00:28:01.03\00:28:05.30
He says, I'm carnal.
00:28:05.31\00:28:06.86
What He is saying there is
because I am a slave to sin,
00:28:06.87\00:28:10.29
I can't really do
anything other than sin.
00:28:10.30\00:28:14.09
But I am facing this
law that is spiritual
00:28:14.10\00:28:17.42
and I don't know
how to live in harmony
00:28:17.43\00:28:19.17
with that thing
because I'm a slave.
00:28:19.18\00:28:21.53
I'm sold to sin.
00:28:21.54\00:28:23.85
And I'm carnal,
carnal man in slavery to sin.
00:28:23.86\00:28:28.72
That's a terrible situation.
But He didn't stop there.
00:28:28.73\00:28:31.49
That's the
beautiful thing about that.
00:28:31.50\00:28:34.51
He didn't stop there. He
said this is my condition.
00:28:34.52\00:28:37.50
But the next question
takes us to the next level.
00:28:37.51\00:28:40.17
Look at this.
00:28:40.18\00:28:41.76
Question number
8 and by the way,
00:28:41.77\00:28:46.08
the reason why it has
4 parts to question 8 is
00:28:46.09\00:28:48.44
because it breaks down,
00:28:48.45\00:28:49.82
what Paul was
actually confronted with.
00:28:49.83\00:28:52.36
He saw God's
requirements in the law of God
00:28:52.37\00:28:55.28
as each of us knows.
00:28:55.29\00:28:56.66
You know one of
the challenges of being
00:28:56.67\00:28:57.88
a Seventh-day
Adventist Christian is this,
00:28:57.89\00:28:59.73
we accept the Ten
Commandments of God.
00:28:59.74\00:29:01.10
Do we not? Yes.
00:29:01.11\00:29:02.73
We say the -- the law of God,
00:29:02.74\00:29:04.32
the law of the Lord is perfect.
00:29:04.33\00:29:05.91
Psalms 19, verse 7
00:29:05.92\00:29:07.34
The law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the soul.
00:29:07.35\00:29:10.60
Have you ever
sung that song before?
00:29:10.61\00:29:12.58
Converting the soul.
00:29:12.59\00:29:13.64
Why, why do we say the
law of the Lord is perfect,
00:29:13.65\00:29:16.34
converting the soul?
00:29:16.35\00:29:18.24
The law doesn't
really convert us.
00:29:18.25\00:29:19.78
But when you
look at the law of God
00:29:19.79\00:29:21.36
and you accept it,
00:29:21.37\00:29:22.43
the power that is
available through Christ
00:29:22.44\00:29:24.64
you realize wait a minute,
00:29:24.65\00:29:26.22
that law really is
00:29:26.23\00:29:28.41
the law that is for
those who are converted.
00:29:28.42\00:29:31.41
That's how we live.
00:29:31.42\00:29:32.41
It reflects
everything that we agree with.
00:29:32.42\00:29:35.02
The converted man in other words
00:29:35.03\00:29:36.54
has no problem
with the law of God.
00:29:36.55\00:29:39.25
And so one of
the major reasons why
00:29:39.26\00:29:40.42
there's a difficulty
with the law of God so much is
00:29:40.43\00:29:42.16
because people that are not
converted look at it and say,
00:29:42.17\00:29:45.54
if you get rid of
that I'll be just fine.
00:29:45.55\00:29:48.26
But look at question 8
00:29:48.27\00:29:49.43
and we'll break this
down into four parts.
00:29:49.44\00:29:51.13
Question number 8,
00:29:51.14\00:29:52.76
Why is it
impossible to extend mercy
00:29:52.77\00:29:56.47
without the
existence of the law?
00:29:56.48\00:29:59.39
We'll begin with Proverbs 16:6.
00:29:59.40\00:30:02.18
If you've your syllabus,
00:30:02.19\00:30:03.58
I should have told
you go to that website
00:30:03.59\00:30:05.29
and download lesson
number 3, 003 at asf.3abn.org.
00:30:05.30\00:30:12.88
I think I told you
that but I'm not sure.
00:30:12.89\00:30:15.26
But question number 8
00:30:15.27\00:30:16.69
and we're going to
first go to Proverbs 16:6.
00:30:16.70\00:30:19.86
Okay. Answer the
question. Here is the first one.
00:30:19.87\00:30:22.28
Why is it impossible
to extend God's mercy
00:30:22.29\00:30:24.64
without the
existence of the law?
00:30:24.65\00:30:26.08
Here's what the Bible
says in Proverbs 16:6.
00:30:26.09\00:30:27.96
Let's read this together.
00:30:27.97\00:30:29.26
He says, In mercy and
truth atonement is, what?
00:30:29.27\00:30:33.27
Provided for iniquity,
00:30:33.28\00:30:35.64
and by the fear of
the Lord one does, what?
00:30:35.65\00:30:39.00
Departs from evil.
00:30:39.01\00:30:41.65
Now get this.
00:30:41.66\00:30:43.91
Should we fear God?
00:30:43.92\00:30:45.30
Yes or no. Huh?
00:30:45.31\00:30:49.08
You guys seem split on that.
00:30:49.09\00:30:51.43
Let's try it
again. Should we fear God?
00:30:51.44\00:30:52.86
Yes or no? Yes.
00:30:52.87\00:30:54.44
I would fear anybody
00:30:54.45\00:30:55.72
who could blink
me out of existence.
00:30:55.73\00:30:58.25
I mean, he could
say, John, history.
00:30:58.26\00:31:00.97
Lake of fire, proof.
00:31:00.98\00:31:02.84
I mean, I would fear
anybody with that kind of power.
00:31:02.85\00:31:05.14
Have you seen what God can do?
00:31:05.15\00:31:07.45
There's nobody
else that we should fear
00:31:07.46\00:31:10.34
that is with a godly
fear not with a terror fear.
00:31:10.35\00:31:13.72
The lonely time
we have terror is
00:31:13.73\00:31:15.10
when we'r not converted.
00:31:15.11\00:31:16.77
For when we come into
a relationship with God,
00:31:16.78\00:31:18.23
perfect love casts out fear.
00:31:18.24\00:31:20.90
But it is good to
have a healthy fear
00:31:20.91\00:31:24.12
as a child does
for a godly parent.
00:31:24.13\00:31:27.44
And I used the word godly parent
00:31:27.45\00:31:28.90
because some
parents are abusive.
00:31:28.91\00:31:30.86
But I had a
healthy fear for my mother.
00:31:30.87\00:31:32.88
I had a healthy
fear for my father.
00:31:32.89\00:31:34.22
Anybody know what
I'm talking about?
00:31:34.23\00:31:36.32
You come home with good grades,
00:31:36.33\00:31:37.88
Nothing to worry about.
00:31:37.89\00:31:39.82
You go to school and do
what you're supposed to do,
00:31:39.83\00:31:41.61
Nothing to worry about.
00:31:41.62\00:31:43.16
You live the way
that they tell you,
00:31:43.17\00:31:44.33
that you should make up your bed
00:31:44.34\00:31:45.55
and keep the house in together,
00:31:45.56\00:31:46.96
and don't talk back,
nothing to worry about.
00:31:46.97\00:31:49.96
There were
rules and regulations.
00:31:49.97\00:31:51.79
And it says here,
in mercy and truth
00:31:51.80\00:31:54.01
atonement is
provided for iniquity.
00:31:54.02\00:31:57.59
Mercy is not left out,
neither is truth left out.
00:31:57.60\00:32:01.67
When the truth of
my condition is there,
00:32:01.68\00:32:04.33
then God will atone
in mercy for my iniquity.
00:32:04.34\00:32:09.28
Well, let's go to the next one.
00:32:09.29\00:32:10.38
So the answer
you wanna put there.
00:32:10.39\00:32:11.39
Why is it
impossible to extend mercy
00:32:11.40\00:32:12.97
without the
existence of the law?
00:32:12.98\00:32:15.50
Why is it impossible?
00:32:15.51\00:32:17.05
Because you cannot get
rid of mercy and truth.
00:32:17.06\00:32:20.14
You cannot get rid of that.
00:32:20.15\00:32:21.68
Mercy and truth are
included in God's atonement.
00:32:21.69\00:32:26.43
The second one, Psalms 119:151.
00:32:26.44\00:32:30.50
Here it is.
00:32:30.51\00:32:32.89
It's impossible
to extend the mercy
00:32:32.90\00:32:34.19
without the
existence of the law.
00:32:34.20\00:32:36.08
Here's what the Lord said,
00:32:36.09\00:32:37.59
You are near, O Lord,
and, the next word is?
00:32:37.60\00:32:42.11
All your commandments are, what?
00:32:42.12\00:32:45.02
Are truth.
00:32:45.03\00:32:46.19
In other words,
there's no problem there,
00:32:46.20\00:32:48.02
that's why Paul says,
00:32:48.03\00:32:49.04
the law is spiritual,
there is no issue there.
00:32:49.05\00:32:52.24
There is no issue there.
00:32:52.25\00:32:54.63
The commandments are
truth cannot get rid of that.
00:32:54.64\00:32:57.67
In other words, when
you go to the doctor,
00:32:57.68\00:32:59.44
lot of us have
gone to doctors before.
00:32:59.45\00:33:01.77
I would ask the question
how many of you never went.
00:33:01.78\00:33:03.80
But I don't want
to see your hand.
00:33:03.81\00:33:05.54
If you've never
gone to a physician
00:33:05.55\00:33:07.04
and you're above 10
years old, you need help.
00:33:07.05\00:33:10.02
Every one of us
needs a check up sometimes
00:33:10.03\00:33:12.07
just from the neck
up, you never know.
00:33:12.08\00:33:14.39
But the reason why we
go to physicians is that
00:33:14.40\00:33:17.07
he tells us our
condition, am I right?
00:33:17.08\00:33:19.36
We've got all
kinds of things now.
00:33:19.37\00:33:20.49
We have PET scans.
00:33:20.50\00:33:21.64
Matter of fact
last night my niece
00:33:21.65\00:33:23.00
was talking to me about
a new cat that they got.
00:33:23.01\00:33:25.79
Terrible story.
00:33:25.80\00:33:28.44
My sister lives
on the 13th floor.
00:33:28.45\00:33:31.18
I know if you know
where I'm going with this.
00:33:31.19\00:33:33.93
And the cat decided to walkout
on the ledge on the balcony.
00:33:33.94\00:33:39.75
Cats could walk on anything.
00:33:39.76\00:33:42.49
But this cat didn't like
birds and the birds knew it.
00:33:42.50\00:33:46.62
And I think that cat
in the past had gotten
00:33:46.63\00:33:48.70
one of the bird's relatives
00:33:48.71\00:33:49.91
and the bird's
relatives didn't forget.
00:33:49.92\00:33:52.19
So a bird kept this in his head
00:33:52.20\00:33:55.44
and the next time
that, that cat stepped out
00:33:55.45\00:33:57.25
on that balcony, the ledge,
00:33:57.26\00:33:59.47
this big old pigeon came
down and swooped at the bird
00:33:59.48\00:34:03.33
and the natural
instincts of the cat was
00:34:03.34\00:34:07.46
to swipe at the bird.
00:34:07.47\00:34:09.98
And he swiped at
him from 13 floors up
00:34:09.99\00:34:13.34
and his parachute didn't work.
00:34:13.35\00:34:16.61
So that hurt my heart
when I got the phone call.
00:34:16.62\00:34:21.47
But they got a new cat.
00:34:21.48\00:34:23.51
And--and my niece was talking
about getting a PET scan.
00:34:23.52\00:34:27.39
And I said if you put
your cat on your scanner,
00:34:27.40\00:34:29.17
you can get a pet scan.
00:34:29.18\00:34:31.27
Now she was
talking about for her -
00:34:31.28\00:34:32.58
for her lymphoma
00:34:32.59\00:34:34.00
and the reason we
could downplay it some is
00:34:34.01\00:34:35.74
because we found out
that her lymphoma is the kind
00:34:35.75\00:34:37.65
she could live with
for the rest of her life.
00:34:37.66\00:34:39.33
Praise the God for that. Amen.
00:34:39.34\00:34:40.75
But I said - she
said her cat is crazy.
00:34:40.76\00:34:43.01
Her cat is out of his mind.
00:34:43.02\00:34:44.60
It's a kitten by the way.
00:34:44.61\00:34:45.98
And so I said just put him
on the scanner and slide it
00:34:45.99\00:34:48.43
and that's a pet scan.
00:34:48.44\00:34:50.19
But here what my point here
00:34:50.20\00:34:52.37
is whenever God scans our lives,
00:34:52.38\00:34:54.67
the truth is revealed
00:34:54.68\00:34:56.80
and when we look at
the commandments of God,
00:34:56.81\00:34:58.22
the truth about every one
of our conditions is revealed.
00:34:58.23\00:35:00.68
That's why it's
impossible to extend God's mercy
00:35:00.69\00:35:02.99
without getting the truth about
00:35:03.00\00:35:04.39
whether or not
we need God's mercy.
00:35:04.40\00:35:06.60
Look at the third one.
Romans 7:7. Romans 7:7.
00:35:06.61\00:35:12.55
Paul responds in this manner.
00:35:12.56\00:35:15.07
What shall we say
then? Is the law sin?
00:35:15.08\00:35:19.28
What is the
answer? Certainly not!
00:35:19.29\00:35:21.94
On the contrary,
00:35:21.95\00:35:23.28
I would not have known
sin except through the law.
00:35:23.29\00:35:28.38
For I would not
have known covetousness
00:35:28.39\00:35:31.51
unless the law had
said, "You shall not covet."
00:35:31.52\00:35:37.07
So here's the point again.
00:35:37.08\00:35:39.99
Why is it impossible to extend
God's mercy without the law?
00:35:40.00\00:35:42.99
Because we never
know we need mercy.
00:35:43.00\00:35:45.38
Until we know
we have a condition
00:35:45.39\00:35:47.78
that needs a remedy.
00:35:47.79\00:35:51.80
I could talk
about a more delightful
00:35:51.81\00:35:52.99
kind of a scan called an x-ray.
00:35:53.00\00:35:56.14
You've had an x-ray before.
00:35:56.15\00:35:57.99
The best x-rays to get
are in the dentist office
00:35:58.00\00:36:01.57
because you
never feel them. Amen.
00:36:01.58\00:36:03.96
They step out the
room and all you hear
00:36:03.97\00:36:05.31
is beep and it's done.
00:36:05.32\00:36:07.26
You know what I'm talking about.
00:36:07.27\00:36:08.57
And they got you
this plastic thing.
00:36:08.58\00:36:10.01
They said bite down.
00:36:10.02\00:36:11.63
And they step out the room
00:36:11.64\00:36:12.78
they put this
bulletproof vest on you
00:36:12.79\00:36:15.26
about 50 pounds of
lead and they go beep.
00:36:15.27\00:36:18.78
It's done. You say that's it.
00:36:18.79\00:36:20.24
You don't feel
any. That's the best.
00:36:20.25\00:36:21.77
That's the best
kind, am I right?
00:36:21.78\00:36:23.38
You don't feel anything.
00:36:23.39\00:36:24.42
But the worst kind is
when you have to get an MRI.
00:36:24.43\00:36:27.98
Anybody had an MRI before?
00:36:27.99\00:36:29.81
You got to go in that tube
00:36:29.82\00:36:31.35
and they said now if
you don't like closed places
00:36:31.36\00:36:34.13
you're not gonna like this.
00:36:34.14\00:36:35.51
So they put my wife in
one of those tubes and said,
00:36:35.52\00:36:37.27
what kind of
music would you like?
00:36:37.28\00:36:39.85
She said, I'm claustrophobic.
00:36:39.86\00:36:40.91
They said, what kind
of music would you like.
00:36:40.92\00:36:45.15
So they gave her Christian music
00:36:45.16\00:36:46.57
while they had that
thing this close to her face.
00:36:46.58\00:36:49.62
And all she
heard was the baah...
00:36:49.63\00:36:51.97
You know the drilling sounds.
00:36:51.98\00:36:53.20
That's the worst kind of scan.
00:36:53.21\00:36:55.63
But all of
those coupled together
00:36:55.64\00:36:58.82
if you get an
x-ray of your tooth,
00:36:58.83\00:37:00.16
a scan of your head,
a PET scan of your body,
00:37:00.17\00:37:02.14
an MRI, and a CT scan,
all those other things,
00:37:02.15\00:37:05.00
the truth about you is revealed.
00:37:05.01\00:37:06.62
The law of God is
like scanning your mind,
00:37:06.63\00:37:09.05
your heart, your life,
00:37:09.06\00:37:10.69
revealing everything about you.
00:37:10.70\00:37:12.48
And Paul says,
00:37:12.49\00:37:13.52
I would not have
known my condition except
00:37:13.53\00:37:16.11
there was a law telling
me what my condition is.
00:37:16.12\00:37:18.83
Once again, unless
you know your condition,
00:37:18.84\00:37:21.47
you cannot say,
I need God's mercy.
00:37:21.48\00:37:24.41
Why would you need God's mercy,
00:37:24.42\00:37:25.97
if the law does not exist?
00:37:25.98\00:37:28.48
Matter of fact, you
don't even need justice
00:37:28.49\00:37:29.88
because there's no law to
say you're one or the other.
00:37:29.89\00:37:32.43
But here's is the last part.
00:37:32.44\00:37:34.02
And this is very
widely revealing.
00:37:34.03\00:37:36.15
Acts 3:19, Acts 3:19,
00:37:36.16\00:37:40.67
beautiful, and this
is what we all want.
00:37:40.68\00:37:43.68
Acts 3:19, which
reads as follows,
00:37:43.69\00:37:46.48
what's the first word?
00:37:46.49\00:37:48.74
Repent. Repent
therefore and be converted,
00:37:48.75\00:37:52.13
that your sins may be, what?
00:37:52.14\00:37:54.98
Blotted out.
00:37:54.99\00:37:56.11
Blotted out so that
times of refreshing may come
00:37:56.12\00:37:59.93
from the presence of the Lord.
00:37:59.94\00:38:02.95
Now for you to understand,
what refreshing means,
00:38:02.96\00:38:04.98
have you ever needed
something cold to drink?
00:38:04.99\00:38:08.30
How many of you could use
00:38:08.31\00:38:09.30
a nice cold cup
of water right now.
00:38:09.31\00:38:12.54
Right about now, I tell
you, I wish I had a big old--
00:38:12.55\00:38:16.12
you know some of our
members come to church
00:38:16.13\00:38:17.38
every Sabbath with water.
00:38:17.39\00:38:19.78
It's like--it's like,
I know Brother Dick does,
00:38:19.79\00:38:22.93
they always have water.
00:38:22.94\00:38:24.17
Some other
people always have water
00:38:24.18\00:38:25.19
when they come to church.
00:38:25.20\00:38:27.53
I don't know if my sermon
make them thirsty or what?
00:38:27.54\00:38:31.27
But, unless you've been
00:38:31.28\00:38:33.81
where you did not
have access to water,
00:38:33.82\00:38:37.53
that's why now when my
wife and I drive to Saint Louis,
00:38:37.54\00:38:40.86
at 130 mile, 120 whatever,
00:38:40.87\00:38:43.87
we always carry
four bottles of water,
00:38:43.88\00:38:47.10
two bottles going
two bottles coming back.
00:38:47.11\00:38:51.14
Because when you get
about 50 miles into the journey,
00:38:51.15\00:38:53.49
all of a sudden
you start thinking.
00:38:53.50\00:38:54.77
Anybody know what
I'm talking about?
00:38:54.78\00:38:56.02
Man, I'm thirsty. And
there's nothing out there.
00:38:56.03\00:38:58.34
Nothing but flat
fields and signs.
00:38:58.35\00:39:01.39
Man, I'm thirsty.
00:39:01.40\00:39:04.30
But when you
finally get to an area
00:39:04.31\00:39:06.11
where you can buy
you something cold,
00:39:06.12\00:39:08.36
even if it's a machine,
you walk up to that thing,
00:39:08.37\00:39:10.58
and you put your
dollar 25 in and press it,
00:39:10.59\00:39:12.57
you can't wait for
that bottle to drop down,
00:39:12.58\00:39:15.32
and you open that thing
and you peel that cork off
00:39:15.33\00:39:18.02
as quickly as
you can to top off,
00:39:18.03\00:39:19.54
and you lean that back,
00:39:19.55\00:39:20.76
and what do you say
right after your first sip?
00:39:20.77\00:39:22.60
Aaahhh.
00:39:22.61\00:39:25.43
The times of refreshing.
00:39:25.44\00:39:28.19
You know what's so
beautiful about this text.
00:39:28.20\00:39:30.18
We read this text,
but we fail to understand
00:39:30.19\00:39:31.81
what it means.
00:39:31.82\00:39:32.88
It says, when you are forgiven,
00:39:32.89\00:39:35.40
when God blots out your sin,
00:39:35.41\00:39:38.04
it's refreshing to know
00:39:38.05\00:39:39.85
that you don't have to
give account for that anymore.
00:39:39.86\00:39:45.54
I got all energetic for nothing.
00:39:45.55\00:39:48.31
When God forgives you,
it's so good to know that
00:39:48.32\00:39:50.91
that sin will not come
up against you again. Amen.
00:39:50.92\00:39:53.73
Amen. It's refreshing to know
00:39:53.74\00:39:56.64
I could stand before God
and I'm not even worried.
00:39:56.65\00:39:59.95
Because my sin
has been blotted out
00:39:59.96\00:40:01.82
and it's refreshing
00:40:01.83\00:40:03.54
to stand in the
presence of God knowing that,
00:40:03.55\00:40:07.99
that sin will not
come up against me.
00:40:08.00\00:40:10.60
Repent and be converted
that your sins maybe, what?
00:40:10.61\00:40:15.35
Blotted out.
00:40:15.36\00:40:17.24
Your sins maybe,
what? Blotted out.
00:40:17.25\00:40:19.74
So what's the
coupling of this whole thing?
00:40:19.75\00:40:22.84
When we realize that
our sins are ever before us
00:40:22.85\00:40:28.03
and that there's no
problem with God's law,
00:40:28.04\00:40:29.82
we only have two choices.
00:40:29.83\00:40:31.45
That's why I chose these.
00:40:31.46\00:40:33.02
We can either choose to blot out
00:40:33.03\00:40:34.76
the commandments of
God or leave them intact
00:40:34.77\00:40:38.36
and have God blot out our sins.
00:40:38.37\00:40:42.03
But here's the real one choice,
00:40:42.04\00:40:43.78
the law of God is not
going to get blotted out.
00:40:43.79\00:40:46.35
So what's the
only option we have?
00:40:46.36\00:40:48.43
Is have our,
what? Sins blotted out.
00:40:48.44\00:40:53.98
When our sins are blotted out,
00:40:53.99\00:40:55.15
it's so refreshing to know
00:40:55.16\00:40:56.43
that they'll never
come up against us again.
00:40:56.44\00:40:58.69
Look at question number 9.
00:40:58.70\00:41:00.17
And by the way I put this there.
00:41:00.18\00:41:01.87
But I've -- I've
given you the answer.
00:41:01.88\00:41:03.67
I think do you have
the answer on your page?
00:41:03.68\00:41:06.63
Do you have the
answer on your page?
00:41:06.64\00:41:08.97
I didn't mean to do that.
00:41:08.98\00:41:10.65
That's one question
00:41:10.66\00:41:11.67
you don't have to
work hard on tonight. Okay.
00:41:11.68\00:41:13.46
We'll spend a
little time on that.
00:41:13.47\00:41:15.59
What are the only two claims
00:41:15.60\00:41:18.15
that the
accused can choose from?
00:41:18.16\00:41:21.26
The only two claims that
the accused can choose from.
00:41:21.27\00:41:26.29
When you stand before the judge,
00:41:26.30\00:41:27.44
he said, how do you plead,
00:41:27.45\00:41:29.94
guilty or what, innocent? Okay.
00:41:29.95\00:41:33.92
Guilty or what, not guilty?
00:41:33.93\00:41:38.36
So since I did
the homework for you,
00:41:38.37\00:41:40.72
I'll go ahead and
give you the answer.
00:41:40.73\00:41:42.73
Don't have to
turn to a scripture,
00:41:42.74\00:41:44.68
here's the first
option that they choose from.
00:41:44.69\00:41:48.18
Your honor, I'm
innocent and I demand, what?
00:41:48.19\00:41:51.39
Justice.
00:41:51.40\00:41:53.05
I have seen so
many guilty criminals
00:41:53.06\00:41:56.57
say I didn't do it.
00:41:56.58\00:41:59.83
Now, I don't know
if you were like me.
00:41:59.84\00:42:01.30
But sometimes you
see the videotape,
00:42:01.31\00:42:04.64
a guy running into the store,
00:42:04.65\00:42:05.81
maybe he drives his wind car
through the convenience store,
00:42:05.82\00:42:09.88
jumps over the counter,
00:42:09.89\00:42:10.95
having a battle with the
clerk and the clerk has a bat
00:42:10.96\00:42:14.03
and he's hitting,
and they're fighting
00:42:14.04\00:42:16.35
and the clerk
rips off of his mask
00:42:16.36\00:42:17.69
and he looks up at
the camera real quickly
00:42:17.70\00:42:19.34
and he gets
caught right on the view.
00:42:19.35\00:42:21.07
It's his face, and he
stands before the judge
00:42:21.08\00:42:23.69
and says, I am innocent.
00:42:23.70\00:42:28.97
You know, what I
always yell back to the TV?
00:42:28.98\00:42:31.07
You are lying.
You ever think that?
00:42:31.08\00:42:35.48
That's why this word
is always amazing to me.
00:42:35.49\00:42:41.75
The alleged crime!
00:42:41.76\00:42:44.09
Don't that bother you sometimes?
00:42:44.10\00:42:46.10
You know, blew away 16 children
00:42:46.11\00:42:47.89
in front of the school.
00:42:47.90\00:42:48.98
The guy is
arrested and handcuffed.
00:42:48.99\00:42:50.62
The alleged crime,
it's all caught on video.
00:42:50.63\00:42:53.24
And nowadays
everything is caught on video.
00:42:53.25\00:42:57.28
And he stands in
the court and said,
00:42:57.29\00:42:58.53
how do you plead
guilty or innocent?
00:42:58.54\00:43:00.97
Innocent.
00:43:00.98\00:43:02.14
And then, the
defense team comes up
00:43:02.15\00:43:03.40
with what kind of plea, come on?
00:43:03.41\00:43:07.50
Insanity, you know,
00:43:07.51\00:43:08.76
that's the only thing
I've heard that's true.
00:43:08.77\00:43:13.07
You got to be insane
00:43:13.08\00:43:15.31
to do some of the
things you do nowadays.
00:43:15.32\00:43:16.70
Am I -- am I
telling the truth? Yes.
00:43:16.71\00:43:18.59
You've got to be insane?
00:43:18.60\00:43:20.65
To get up in the morning,
00:43:20.66\00:43:22.26
to methodically plan
to take someone's life.
00:43:22.27\00:43:26.31
You've got to be insane.
00:43:26.32\00:43:27.42
That shows what sin really does.
00:43:27.43\00:43:29.53
Sin deceives you.
00:43:29.54\00:43:30.76
That's why that person
even after committing that crime
00:43:30.77\00:43:33.00
stands in front of a court judge
00:43:33.01\00:43:35.99
and knowing that he's
been caught red handed
00:43:36.00\00:43:38.81
continues to deceive himself.
00:43:38.82\00:43:40.65
You see that text
now in First John 1:8,
00:43:40.66\00:43:42.76
if you say you have no
sin you deceive yourself.
00:43:42.77\00:43:45.57
You think the judge is deceived?
00:43:45.58\00:43:47.39
He knows that okay, the trial
00:43:47.40\00:43:48.69
because when you
plead one or the other.
00:43:48.70\00:43:50.91
If you plead guilty,
there's gonna be no trial,
00:43:50.92\00:43:53.28
you just go to
the sentencing stage.
00:43:53.29\00:43:55.55
But if you plead
not -- not guilty?
00:43:55.56\00:43:57.46
You're gonna have a trial.
00:43:57.47\00:43:58.65
The reason why
they plead not guilty,
00:43:58.66\00:44:00.27
they hope somehow to
twist some jury somewhere
00:44:00.28\00:44:02.94
to convince them
that this guy is innocent.
00:44:02.95\00:44:04.96
Or he was insane.
00:44:04.97\00:44:07.01
Or he had a split personality
and that day he did this
00:44:07.02\00:44:09.35
and he wants to be set
free to go do it again.
00:44:09.36\00:44:12.37
But you can only say I'm
innocent and demand justice.
00:44:12.38\00:44:15.43
And here's a
second one you can say.
00:44:15.44\00:44:18.98
I'm guilty and I plead
for, what? I plead for mercy.
00:44:18.99\00:44:22.81
We would spend
billions of dollars less,
00:44:22.82\00:44:27.21
but you know the
reason why criminals don't say
00:44:27.22\00:44:30.06
that they're guilty
and plead for mercy.
00:44:30.07\00:44:31.48
You know why they don't?
00:44:31.49\00:44:35.24
Come on, somebody tell me.
00:44:35.25\00:44:37.92
Chance that they can get off.
00:44:37.93\00:44:39.31
Okay, what else?
They're so use to lying.
00:44:39.32\00:44:41.51
They're so used.
Closer. That's right.
00:44:41.52\00:44:43.75
You know why they don't.
00:44:43.76\00:44:44.85
Because the heart is
deceitful above all things
00:44:44.86\00:44:47.72
and how desperately wicked.
00:44:47.73\00:44:51.71
Even in the moment where
they're caught red handed,
00:44:51.72\00:44:53.82
they say, I didn't do it.
00:44:53.83\00:44:57.55
I'm not guilty.
00:44:57.56\00:44:59.87
That's how deceiving sin is.
00:44:59.88\00:45:01.58
So the reason why
I brought that out
00:45:01.59\00:45:02.84
is because you
cannot play with sin.
00:45:02.85\00:45:05.55
Sin comes wrapped
in roses and petals
00:45:05.56\00:45:09.81
but on the
inside is a time bomb.
00:45:09.82\00:45:11.60
Sin is a -- is a cup of Kool-aid
00:45:11.61\00:45:14.72
mixed with arson and all
that, what is that stuff?
00:45:14.73\00:45:18.54
Am I telling, arsenic.
00:45:18.55\00:45:21.02
It tastes good, but
the end is the same result.
00:45:21.03\00:45:24.58
It's death.
00:45:24.59\00:45:25.66
Sin has caused the death
of billions of individuals
00:45:25.67\00:45:28.68
throughout the
course of human history.
00:45:28.69\00:45:29.96
Sin takes the lives
of innocent children.
00:45:29.97\00:45:32.30
Drives their car into
crowded--crowds of people.
00:45:32.31\00:45:35.19
Purposely blow up schools
00:45:35.20\00:45:36.95
and people that
strap themselves with bomb
00:45:36.96\00:45:39.28
and run into crowds.
That's the nature of sin.
00:45:39.29\00:45:41.49
And I'm just touching
the tip of the iceberg.
00:45:41.50\00:45:43.14
I can't even explain how
-- how terrible sin really is.
00:45:43.15\00:45:47.83
So in order for us
00:45:47.84\00:45:49.35
and you'll see
this in the next study
00:45:49.36\00:45:50.64
why it's so
important to understand
00:45:50.65\00:45:51.99
how we're delivered.
00:45:52.00\00:45:53.01
So in order for us
00:45:53.02\00:45:54.89
to be able to know
how much we need the Lord,
00:45:54.90\00:45:57.68
we've got to really
understand our condition.
00:45:57.69\00:46:01.79
So if sin is living in our homes
00:46:01.80\00:46:04.48
and our minds and our hearts,
00:46:04.49\00:46:06.21
let me boil it down to
kind of where some of us live.
00:46:06.22\00:46:09.05
Some of us say, you know,
00:46:09.06\00:46:10.64
I don't want to really
be a Christian everyday.
00:46:10.65\00:46:12.72
I mean, can I just be
a Christian on Sabbath.
00:46:12.73\00:46:16.81
Am I telling the truth?
00:46:16.82\00:46:18.68
I've seen some
people in the mall.
00:46:18.69\00:46:26.94
Hi, pastor. Hi.
00:46:26.95\00:46:34.87
I had not one of my elders,
00:46:34.88\00:46:36.64
I caught an elder
with a whole shopping cart
00:46:36.65\00:46:39.66
full of beer.
00:46:39.67\00:46:41.26
I never told him
what was in there.
00:46:41.27\00:46:44.43
I looked at that
cart. I looked up at him.
00:46:44.44\00:46:47.30
I just said,
hi, good to see you.
00:46:47.31\00:46:49.55
I hadn't seen him
for five more months
00:46:49.56\00:46:52.37
because he was
caught red handed.
00:46:52.38\00:46:54.71
I didn't mention a
thing about his beer
00:46:54.72\00:46:56.27
because just a look on his face.
00:46:56.28\00:46:57.54
If I mentioned something,
we would had a funeral
00:46:57.55\00:46:59.22
right there in isle three.
00:46:59.23\00:47:02.81
But what I'm saying
is, sin is so deceptive
00:47:02.82\00:47:04.80
it says live this way,
live this way up until sunset.
00:47:04.81\00:47:09.58
Get ultra, ultra righteous.
00:47:09.59\00:47:12.11
And then, and how
much Sun do have we left
00:47:12.12\00:47:14.85
before the Sabbath
is done because I got
00:47:14.86\00:47:16.40
some sinning that
I'm planning to do.
00:47:16.41\00:47:21.31
Am I telling the truth?
00:47:21.32\00:47:22.99
So everybody that
say they're Christians
00:47:23.00\00:47:24.60
are not really Christians
00:47:24.61\00:47:25.66
because this thing
about justification
00:47:25.67\00:47:27.14
is something that I'm
a Seventh-day Adventist.
00:47:27.15\00:47:30.42
No, you got to be a seven day.
00:47:30.43\00:47:32.43
You got to be looking
00:47:32.44\00:47:33.43
for the coming of the
Lord all week long. Right?
00:47:33.44\00:47:37.06
So for those of us
who dally, and dibble,
00:47:37.07\00:47:39.27
and dabble and taste sin
and like sin we sample it now.
00:47:39.28\00:47:43.50
What -- what sin is that?
00:47:43.51\00:47:45.01
I don't know if I like that one.
00:47:45.02\00:47:46.81
We go through the
smorgasbord of sin all week long
00:47:46.82\00:47:48.77
and come to church on Sabbath,
00:47:48.78\00:47:49.77
holy, holy, holy, ain't holy.
00:47:49.78\00:47:54.23
You just sing a holy song.
00:47:54.24\00:47:56.96
That's why this is a
vitally important topic.
00:47:56.97\00:48:01.48
That's why
question 10 is so important.
00:48:01.49\00:48:02.82
Look at it. Look
at it, very important.
00:48:02.83\00:48:05.93
What provision has the Lord made
00:48:05.94\00:48:07.58
for the one who
admits his guilt?
00:48:07.59\00:48:11.09
What has -- what
provision has the Lord
00:48:11.10\00:48:13.35
made for the one
who admits his guilt?
00:48:13.36\00:48:15.88
This is beautiful.
00:48:15.89\00:48:16.88
You know what, we
are not fooling God.
00:48:16.89\00:48:18.67
We can't fool God.
00:48:18.68\00:48:20.59
God sees us before we do it.
00:48:20.60\00:48:22.64
He sees us while we're
doing it and He sees us
00:48:22.65\00:48:25.18
with that caught look
on our face after we do.
00:48:25.19\00:48:27.83
Have you ever caught your
children or caught anybody?
00:48:27.84\00:48:31.19
Or caught
somebody who's, you know,
00:48:31.20\00:48:32.82
you sneak upon somebody on --
00:48:32.83\00:48:34.14
in the wrong isle
at the supermarket
00:48:34.15\00:48:35.65
and you tap on the shoulder,
00:48:35.66\00:48:36.76
and they turn around as
like their dictionary is closed.
00:48:36.77\00:48:39.13
They can't find a word.
00:48:39.14\00:48:44.99
God sees all that before
He even sees as it unfolds,
00:48:45.00\00:48:48.62
but here's what
that loving patient God
00:48:48.63\00:48:50.59
who understands
that we are dust,
00:48:50.60\00:48:51.93
understands our frailty.
00:48:51.94\00:48:53.17
This is what He says
when we say, Lord, I did it.
00:48:53.18\00:48:57.19
Here's what he says.
Isaiah 1:18, together.
00:48:57.20\00:49:02.33
Are you ready? Here we go.
00:49:02.34\00:49:04.05
"Come now, let us reason
together, says the Lord."
00:49:04.06\00:49:09.00
Look at how beautiful He is.
00:49:09.01\00:49:10.16
"Though your
sins are like scarlet,
00:49:10.17\00:49:13.37
they shall be as white as snow,
00:49:13.38\00:49:16.30
though they are
red like crimson,
00:49:16.31\00:49:18.61
they shall be as
wool." Ain't that beautiful?
00:49:18.62\00:49:21.89
He says you may
have stained your carpet
00:49:21.90\00:49:25.62
with a gallon of grape juice.
00:49:25.63\00:49:28.17
But if you
simply bring it to me,
00:49:28.18\00:49:30.79
when I'm done with that,
00:49:30.80\00:49:31.87
you'll never even know
there was a stain there.
00:49:31.88\00:49:34.80
My wife and I had our
carpets cleaned not so long ago.
00:49:34.81\00:49:38.32
For the life of me, I
don't know, I tell you,
00:49:38.33\00:49:41.02
I would never put
carpet in the kitchen.
00:49:41.03\00:49:44.99
I would not put
carpet in the dining room.
00:49:45.00\00:49:46.60
That's high traffic areas.
00:49:46.61\00:49:48.32
Matter of fact, I don't think,
00:49:48.33\00:49:49.32
there's much
functions for carpet nowadays
00:49:49.33\00:49:51.02
except for places that you
don't want to hear anything.
00:49:51.03\00:49:53.60
That depends on what kind.
00:49:53.61\00:49:54.88
But we got this
carpet in our houses
00:49:54.89\00:49:57.33
in the high
traffic area and we --
00:49:57.34\00:49:58.59
we did all our cleaning up
00:49:58.60\00:49:59.75
until we couldn't do it anymore.
00:49:59.76\00:50:00.75
We got professionals to come in.
00:50:00.76\00:50:02.43
It's amazing how good.
00:50:02.44\00:50:03.87
This is not a commercial.
I won't mention the company.
00:50:03.88\00:50:05.79
It's amazing how good
steam cleaning really works.
00:50:05.80\00:50:09.77
It works really
well. Doesn't it?
00:50:09.78\00:50:12.34
It gets the stuff that you
didn't even know was there.
00:50:12.35\00:50:14.62
And you see it
going through the holes
00:50:14.63\00:50:15.98
follow me now, you see this --
00:50:15.99\00:50:18.24
you see the dirt
going through the holes.
00:50:18.25\00:50:21.44
And you think was
it really that filthy?
00:50:21.45\00:50:25.70
Now think of how
God cleans up your life.
00:50:25.71\00:50:28.63
You see your sins,
after, when God's working on,
00:50:28.64\00:50:31.73
you see it going
through the holes,
00:50:31.74\00:50:32.98
and you think, was
I really that filthy?
00:50:32.99\00:50:36.51
And what does He say?
00:50:36.52\00:50:37.91
Yes. You didn't know
it until you called me
00:50:37.92\00:50:40.48
because you couldn't get
all the stains out. Amen.
00:50:40.49\00:50:43.67
And so, so often we
try to cover our stains.
00:50:43.68\00:50:46.92
And Lord says,
where is the carpet?
00:50:46.93\00:50:50.68
Let me see your life.
00:50:50.69\00:50:52.08
When I see the stains,
00:50:52.09\00:50:54.05
though your sins
are like scarlet,
00:50:54.06\00:50:55.85
they should be as white as snow,
00:50:55.86\00:50:56.86
though they're red like crimson.
00:50:56.87\00:50:58.16
When I'm done with
you, they shall be as--
00:50:58.17\00:50:59.73
as wool. Amen.
00:50:59.74\00:51:01.33
So here you are
when the Lord finds you
00:51:01.34\00:51:03.67
and here you are
when the Lord covers you
00:51:03.68\00:51:05.60
with his righteousness.
00:51:05.61\00:51:08.29
Why does snow look
like wool, pure as wool.
00:51:08.30\00:51:14.77
And that's by the
way, not our wool,
00:51:14.78\00:51:18.10
but the wool of a beautiful,
spotless little, little lamb.
00:51:18.11\00:51:25.44
Look at number 11, number 11.
00:51:25.45\00:51:29.17
I'm liken to study.
00:51:29.18\00:51:30.17
I don't know about
you guys, not by be,
00:51:30.18\00:51:32.78
ain't this wonderful? Yes.
00:51:32.79\00:51:34.93
Here's question number 11.
00:51:34.94\00:51:38.57
Here it is.
00:51:38.58\00:51:40.46
When one declares his guilt,
00:51:40.47\00:51:43.29
what promise has the Lord made?
00:51:43.30\00:51:45.92
And by the way
the title of this is
00:51:45.93\00:51:47.66
How To Be Justified
when one declares his guilt
00:51:47.67\00:51:50.42
what promise has the Lord made?
00:51:50.43\00:51:53.23
What promise has He made?
00:51:53.24\00:51:55.94
You got to see
God standing there.
00:51:55.95\00:51:57.33
You can't see God.
00:51:57.34\00:51:58.33
You know,
friends, you cannot see God
00:51:58.34\00:52:00.34
as this guy walking
around with a mallet.
00:52:00.35\00:52:03.32
You can't see God as a God
00:52:03.33\00:52:04.67
with a big old rubber hammer
00:52:04.68\00:52:06.11
just waiting to
hit you on the head.
00:52:06.12\00:52:08.29
You got to see God
with eyes of compassion.
00:52:08.30\00:52:11.27
You got to see God
with eyes of mercy.
00:52:11.28\00:52:13.80
You have to see
God looking at us
00:52:13.81\00:52:15.87
knowing that we are but dust
00:52:15.88\00:52:18.08
and that even
though we live 100 years,
00:52:18.09\00:52:20.16
our lives are but
a vapor that appears
00:52:20.17\00:52:22.17
for a little while
and then it vanishes away.
00:52:22.18\00:52:24.33
Without his, without
the hope of eternal life
00:52:24.34\00:52:26.65
you could live
to be 150 years old
00:52:26.66\00:52:28.44
and you still live a short life.
00:52:28.45\00:52:30.29
I want eternal
life. How about you?
00:52:30.30\00:52:33.84
So what -- what's --
what's God promised to those
00:52:33.85\00:52:36.42
who have declared their guilt?
00:52:36.43\00:52:38.70
Here's what he said,
Hebrews 8:12. Hebrews 8:12.
00:52:38.71\00:52:44.27
He says this,
00:52:44.28\00:52:46.53
For I will be
merciful to the, who?
00:52:46.54\00:52:49.88
Unrighteous and their
sins and their lawless deeds
00:52:49.89\00:52:55.00
I will remember,
how much, friends?
00:52:55.01\00:52:57.97
No more. Ain't
that wonderful? No more.
00:52:57.98\00:53:01.44
How many people, you know,
00:53:01.45\00:53:02.44
could give you
that kind of slack? Huh?
00:53:02.45\00:53:06.03
You ever hear that
phrase, you always, you never.
00:53:06.04\00:53:10.90
When people come
up with you always,
00:53:10.91\00:53:12.40
you know, you want to say,
00:53:12.41\00:53:13.40
I thought you
forgot that. Right?
00:53:13.41\00:53:15.98
Am I right, I thought
you-- you--you forgave me
00:53:15.99\00:53:19.62
of that and now
you're bringing that back up.
00:53:19.63\00:53:21.63
Let me tell you
something, friends.
00:53:21.64\00:53:22.65
When God forgives you,
00:53:22.66\00:53:24.16
He says, I'm not
gonna bring it backup. Amen.
00:53:24.17\00:53:27.48
But I want you to
catch what He says.
00:53:27.49\00:53:30.15
He says I will be
merciful to the who?
00:53:30.16\00:53:33.86
Unrighteous.
00:53:33.87\00:53:35.66
Because the
righteous don't need mercy.
00:53:35.67\00:53:38.38
They're already righteous.
00:53:38.39\00:53:40.71
In other words,
the person who declares
00:53:40.72\00:53:41.92
himself or
herself to be righteous,
00:53:41.93\00:53:43.51
they don't need God's mercy.
00:53:43.52\00:53:44.70
But once you
realize you are unrighteous,
00:53:44.71\00:53:46.47
He said, I'll be
merciful to the unrighteousness,
00:53:46.48\00:53:49.20
and their sins, and
their lawless deeds,
00:53:49.21\00:53:51.35
I will remember no more.
00:53:51.36\00:53:52.78
It's hard, you know,
some people have things
00:53:52.79\00:53:54.59
that they hold on
for years too and --
00:53:54.60\00:54:00.06
and it's so --
it's so difficult,
00:54:00.07\00:54:01.60
when we have to try to
put the past behind us.
00:54:01.61\00:54:04.38
And somebody always
keeps reminding us that.
00:54:04.39\00:54:08.45
But the Lord
promises not to do that.
00:54:08.46\00:54:10.32
Now this next text,
00:54:10.33\00:54:11.67
we will get a few more in
before the program is done.
00:54:11.68\00:54:13.79
This next text deals with
the way that God approaches
00:54:13.80\00:54:19.77
and handles the
person who is repentant.
00:54:19.78\00:54:22.67
Let's look at
question number 12,
00:54:22.68\00:54:24.03
I think we'll
cover this one today.
00:54:24.04\00:54:26.02
Question number 12.
00:54:26.03\00:54:27.40
How does the Bible describe God
00:54:27.41\00:54:31.41
in dealing with the repentant?
00:54:31.42\00:54:33.51
We're going to Ezekiel.
00:54:33.52\00:54:34.96
This is a very powerful passage.
00:54:34.97\00:54:36.58
Ezekiel 18.
00:54:36.59\00:54:38.12
This book shows you the
contrast and by the way,
00:54:38.13\00:54:40.26
there's no such thing
as once saved always saved.
00:54:40.27\00:54:42.89
You need God's saving
grace how often friends?
00:54:42.90\00:54:45.46
Everyday -- I die daily.
00:54:45.47\00:54:47.68
If you get that
one-time dry cleaning salvation,
00:54:47.69\00:54:50.01
it's not gonna work
because you live in a world
00:54:50.02\00:54:51.89
that's dirty filled with sin.
00:54:51.90\00:54:53.16
It's all around you.
00:54:53.17\00:54:54.39
You got to know that
you need Christ everyday.
00:54:54.40\00:54:55.90
But notice what the Lord says.
00:54:55.91\00:54:57.22
This is beautiful,
00:54:57.23\00:54:58.23
the contrast between who you are
00:54:58.24\00:54:59.69
and who you can
become in Christ.
00:54:59.70\00:55:01.91
Here it is.
00:55:01.92\00:55:03.62
But if a wicked man
turns from all his sins,
00:55:03.63\00:55:07.86
which he has committed,
let's look at the process,
00:55:07.87\00:55:11.24
keeps all my statutes,
00:55:11.25\00:55:13.02
and do what is lawful
and right, he shall, what?
00:55:13.03\00:55:16.99
Surely live. He shall not die.
00:55:17.00\00:55:20.57
None of the transgressions
which he has committed
00:55:20.58\00:55:23.88
shall be remembered against him,
00:55:23.89\00:55:27.58
because of the
righteousness-- righteousness,
00:55:27.59\00:55:31.16
which he has done
he shall, what? Live.
00:55:31.17\00:55:34.18
Now lot of you ask yourself why?
00:55:34.19\00:55:35.85
What about us?
00:55:35.86\00:55:36.85
How could he do
righteousness to live? No.
00:55:36.86\00:55:39.00
What that simply
means is as First John says,
00:55:39.01\00:55:41.03
he's practicing.
00:55:41.04\00:55:42.03
The Lord has
justified him because he --
00:55:42.04\00:55:43.88
he's declared
himself that he's a sinner.
00:55:43.89\00:55:45.82
God has justified
him, has set him free.
00:55:45.83\00:55:48.27
But now he lives in that.
00:55:48.28\00:55:50.23
He lives in that
saving relationship.
00:55:50.24\00:55:53.40
And because he now has
00:55:53.41\00:55:55.39
have a life that's turned around
00:55:55.40\00:55:56.85
because he's no longer
living the way he did before.
00:55:56.86\00:56:00.89
Three words that are so sweet.
00:56:00.90\00:56:03.43
What are the last three words?
00:56:03.44\00:56:04.45
Say it with me. "He shall live."
00:56:04.46\00:56:08.07
He shall live.
00:56:09.77\00:56:11.84
Beautiful. He shall live.
00:56:11.85\00:56:15.82
When you think about
what it means to be justified.
00:56:15.83\00:56:18.89
You got to think so clearly
00:56:18.90\00:56:21.57
that when we're
dealing with the sin issue,
00:56:21.58\00:56:23.31
there is only one way
to deal with the sin issue,
00:56:23.32\00:56:25.49
that's dealing
with it head on it,
00:56:25.50\00:56:26.75
admitting that
we've got the problem,
00:56:26.76\00:56:28.82
admitting that
we can't do a thing
00:56:28.83\00:56:30.20
about the problem
outside of Christ,
00:56:30.21\00:56:32.71
admitting that there's no hope
00:56:32.72\00:56:34.82
if we try to remedy
the situation ourselves,
00:56:34.83\00:56:38.14
admitting that the
cause is not just for those
00:56:38.15\00:56:41.60
who can't do better
as one person once said,
00:56:41.61\00:56:44.51
Oh, Christianity is for people
that just can't do any better.
00:56:44.52\00:56:48.32
Some people get degrees.
00:56:48.33\00:56:49.55
They got a lot of
money in the bank.
00:56:49.56\00:56:51.33
They get a well-established job,
00:56:51.34\00:56:52.95
a brand new car.
00:56:52.96\00:56:54.33
They're doing
really well for themselves.
00:56:54.34\00:56:56.17
And they said,
Christianity is for those people
00:56:56.18\00:56:58.29
who just really
can't make it in life.
00:56:58.30\00:56:59.85
They need a crutch.
00:56:59.86\00:57:01.29
Well, friends, let
me you tell you some,
00:57:01.30\00:57:02.29
I do need a crutch.
I'm gonna lean on Jesus.
00:57:02.30\00:57:04.35
What about you? Amen.
00:57:04.36\00:57:05.88
He's not my
crutch. He's my Savior.
00:57:05.89\00:57:09.44
He's my Lord. He's my Redeemer.
00:57:09.45\00:57:11.28
He's not the one
that I'm just hoping
00:57:11.29\00:57:12.81
will get me through.
00:57:12.82\00:57:13.84
He's the one
that's gotten me through
00:57:13.85\00:57:15.30
time and time and time again.
00:57:15.31\00:57:17.62
And so when you think about
what the Lord has done for us.
00:57:17.63\00:57:19.68
That's why we entitled
this How To Be Justified.
00:57:19.69\00:57:22.44
When you put
these texts together
00:57:22.45\00:57:24.79
and you come before the Lord
in honesty and in sincerity,
00:57:24.80\00:57:28.33
you begin to realize that
00:57:28.34\00:57:29.83
though my sins where like that,
00:57:29.84\00:57:31.65
they can be like that,
00:57:31.66\00:57:33.01
if I just simply turn
my life over to Jesus.
00:57:33.02\00:57:35.51
How many of you
tonight are praising God
00:57:35.52\00:57:38.92
that He still
saves from the uttermost,
00:57:38.93\00:57:41.47
from guttermost
to the uttermost.
00:57:41.48\00:57:43.19
Amen. Tonight right?
00:57:43.20\00:57:45.48
So friends we're
saying simply here
00:57:45.49\00:57:47.32
God will change your life.
00:57:47.33\00:57:48.49
He will turn your
life around completely.
00:57:48.50\00:57:51.38
Bring you into a relationship
00:57:51.39\00:57:52.77
that will even
cause you to be amazed
00:57:52.78\00:57:55.34
and turn you over to Christ.
00:57:55.35\00:57:56.51
Tonight, friends,
give your life to Christ
00:57:56.52\00:57:58.52
and then and only
then will it come into,
00:57:58.53\00:58:01.85
A Sharper Focus. God bless you.
00:58:01.86\00:58:04.29