Music... 00:00:01.36\00:00:19.65 Hello and welcome to Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 00:00:19.68\00:00:21.95 coming to you live from Three Angels Broadcasting Network 00:00:21.98\00:00:24.49 and the members of the 00:00:24.52\00:00:26.79 Thompsonville Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:00:26.82\00:00:28.32 are here with us and we praise the Lord for that 00:00:28.36\00:00:30.03 and we like to say just as we say that 00:00:30.06\00:00:32.09 if you're in the Thompsonville, Illinois area, 00:00:32.16\00:00:35.06 you're welcome to join us here on Wednesday nights, 00:00:35.10\00:00:37.07 we start at 7 p. m. Central time 00:00:37.10\00:00:39.17 and you're welcome to be part of the group 00:00:39.20\00:00:41.07 that studies the Bible together and prays together. 00:00:41.10\00:00:43.81 We welcome you to Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 00:00:43.84\00:00:46.54 "A Sharper Focus" is the name of the Program, 00:00:46.57\00:00:50.35 and we'd like to encourage you to follow along. 00:00:50.38\00:00:52.11 We have a website that we'd like to encourage you to go to 00:00:52.18\00:00:57.32 and it is: ASF.3abn. org 00:00:57.35\00:01:02.39 that's: ASF.3abn. org 00:01:02.42\00:01:07.40 that's where you can go to download Study Guides 00:01:07.43\00:01:10.20 that are provided for this particular Program. 00:01:10.23\00:01:12.93 During this particular night, we do not have a Study Guide 00:01:12.97\00:01:16.24 however, there are other Study Guides available 00:01:16.27\00:01:18.77 and there you'll find this material 00:01:18.81\00:01:21.21 that will help you continue studying the Bible 00:01:21.24\00:01:24.05 and now, we'd like to invite everyone present, 00:01:24.08\00:01:26.82 those joining us by radio, we welcome you 00:01:26.85\00:01:29.55 and we'd like to ask you as well 00:01:29.58\00:01:31.29 and those on television, internet, wherever... 00:01:31.35\00:01:33.36 however you may be receiving this Program, 00:01:33.39\00:01:35.19 we want to ask you to join us in prayer 00:01:35.22\00:01:37.03 because we want the Lord's blessing 00:01:37.06\00:01:38.86 so, please join us in prayer. 00:01:38.89\00:01:41.16 "Our loving heavenly Father, 00:01:41.20\00:01:43.37 we thank you so much for your goodness 00:01:43.40\00:01:46.23 and your mercy to us. 00:01:46.27\00:01:48.04 We come to you in Jesus' name 00:01:48.07\00:01:51.01 knowing that He is the way, 00:01:51.07\00:01:53.74 the truth and the life. 00:01:53.78\00:01:56.38 We pray Lord for your Holy Spirit to be poured out. 00:01:56.41\00:01:59.51 I place myself in your hands, Lord, 00:01:59.55\00:02:01.22 and I pray that every word would come 00:02:01.25\00:02:03.82 from your throne of grace 00:02:03.85\00:02:05.65 and we pray for a blessing upon everyone 00:02:05.72\00:02:08.16 and we ask it in the holy and blessed name of Jesus, amen, 00:02:08.19\00:02:12.59 amen. " 00:02:12.63\00:02:13.96 Well, you may have noticed that today... 00:02:14.00\00:02:16.36 the title for today's study is called, 00:02:16.40\00:02:19.00 "How to Avoid Heart Trouble" 00:02:19.03\00:02:21.77 "How to Avoid Heart Trouble. " 00:02:21.80\00:02:24.47 I had difficulties coming up with the name... I must confess 00:02:24.51\00:02:27.08 Pastor Lomacang helped me with this title 00:02:27.14\00:02:28.78 this actual study is coming from the book of John. 00:02:28.84\00:02:32.41 We're going to focus on John chapter 14 verses 1, 2 and 3. 00:02:32.45\00:02:35.65 However, to get a context, 00:02:35.68\00:02:37.19 we're going to go a few verses before, 00:02:37.22\00:02:39.15 and for a few verses before, 00:02:39.22\00:02:41.52 we have to go to John chapter 13. 00:02:41.56\00:02:43.19 I'm going to lay my Bible here a moment 00:02:43.22\00:02:45.53 because we have some material already printed 00:02:45.56\00:02:49.23 that we'd like to go to 00:02:49.26\00:02:50.67 and we'll have it there ready for some references. 00:02:50.73\00:02:52.97 We have a passage that's very, very interesting, 00:02:53.03\00:02:55.17 one of the problems in the world, of course, 00:02:55.20\00:02:57.34 is heart attacks. 00:02:57.37\00:02:58.71 Heart Attacks and one of the major killers 00:02:58.74\00:03:02.74 in the US and in the world 00:03:02.78\00:03:04.75 and, of course, when you say, 00:03:04.78\00:03:07.12 "How to avoid a heart attack?" people want to know how. 00:03:07.18\00:03:08.98 There are health tips you can follow 00:03:09.02\00:03:12.75 to avoid heart attacks. 00:03:12.79\00:03:14.12 However, we're talking about a particular heart problem. 00:03:14.16\00:03:17.49 In John chapter 14, Jesus says to His disciples, 00:03:17.53\00:03:20.63 "Let not your heart be troubled. " 00:03:20.66\00:03:22.63 We're talking about the trouble that people experience 00:03:22.66\00:03:25.77 in the last time 00:03:25.80\00:03:27.34 when people are aware that Jesus Christ is coming soon 00:03:27.37\00:03:31.04 and so for us to be prepared for His coming, 00:03:31.07\00:03:33.78 this is why we have to go to the Scriptures. 00:03:33.81\00:03:36.34 So, we hope you're ready to join along with us 00:03:36.38\00:03:38.85 and so, today, we're going to go directly to John chapter 13 00:03:38.88\00:03:42.78 beginning in verse 33. 00:03:42.82\00:03:44.82 John chapter 13 verse 33. 00:03:44.85\00:03:46.79 And thus it is written, 00:03:46.82\00:03:50.43 Little children, yet a little while, I am with you 00:04:05.07\00:04:07.44 yet, ye shall seek me... and as I said unto you, 00:04:07.48\00:04:09.84 the Jews... Whither I go, ye cannot come; 00:04:09.88\00:04:11.85 so now I say unto you. " 00:04:11.88\00:04:13.55 You must remember that as you look at John chapter 13, 00:04:13.58\00:04:17.12 the disciples had just had the opportunity 00:04:17.19\00:04:21.16 to be with Jesus in what some people call, 00:04:21.22\00:04:25.26 "The Last Passover" or the Last Supper 00:04:25.29\00:04:28.83 and they had their meal... they had... 00:04:28.86\00:04:31.77 Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of me" 00:04:31.80\00:04:34.57 and now Jesus begins to talk to the disciples 00:04:34.60\00:04:37.37 about things that are about to happen. 00:04:37.41\00:04:39.84 Just ahead of Jesus, was a great test... a trial... 00:04:39.87\00:04:46.75 the biggest in His life. 00:04:46.78\00:04:48.58 He was going to go to the garden of Gethsemane 00:04:48.62\00:04:50.99 and there face a... the greatest decision of His life 00:04:51.02\00:04:55.29 and this is why when you look at the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:04:55.32\00:04:58.43 you see Jesus saying, "Father, if it be possible 00:04:58.46\00:05:02.10 let this cup pass from me. " 00:05:02.13\00:05:04.27 So, Jesus is telling them that He's about to leave them 00:05:04.30\00:05:07.24 so, naturally the disciples... they had spent 00:05:07.27\00:05:10.37 about 3 and 1/2 years with Jesus... 00:05:10.41\00:05:13.71 when they hear this... "Wait... wait... wait a minute, 00:05:13.74\00:05:15.14 where you are going, we cannot come?" 00:05:15.18\00:05:17.91 They had been with Him everywhere. 00:05:17.98\00:05:20.68 Wherever Jesus went, that's where the disciples went 00:05:20.72\00:05:24.39 and now, Jesus is telling them, 00:05:24.42\00:05:26.96 "Where I go, you cannot come. " 00:05:26.99\00:05:29.46 So, naturally, the disciples were filled with sorrow 00:05:29.49\00:05:33.36 and you have to picture this a moment 00:05:33.40\00:05:35.56 because they had the greatest privilege 00:05:35.60\00:05:38.43 that walking human beings could ever have 00:05:38.47\00:05:41.24 to be with Jesus the very Son of God. 00:05:41.27\00:05:44.04 The Bible calls... 00:05:44.07\00:05:45.41 says that from Him is the source of all wisdom 00:05:45.44\00:05:48.78 and so, imagine, being able even today... 00:05:48.81\00:05:52.41 being able to say, "Man, I have this problem, 00:05:52.45\00:05:55.88 where can I go?" 00:05:55.92\00:05:57.25 You can go to Jesus... the disciples had Jesus with them. 00:05:57.29\00:06:00.06 "I'm perplexed about something... " 00:06:00.12\00:06:01.69 and they had the confidence to go and speak to Jesus. 00:06:01.72\00:06:05.43 The Bible doesn't give us details such as these 00:06:05.46\00:06:08.76 that perhaps John could say, "I'm having a little trouble, 00:06:08.80\00:06:12.13 can we have a talk for a little moment?" 00:06:12.17\00:06:13.64 And I can imagine Jesus saying, "Sure John, just talk" 00:06:13.67\00:06:17.01 going off to a place by themselves 00:06:17.04\00:06:19.04 and having a heart-to-heart talk. 00:06:19.07\00:06:21.01 Anyone of the disciples... Peter... James... 00:06:21.04\00:06:24.15 any one of them. 00:06:24.21\00:06:25.61 "I really need to talk to you a moment, 00:06:25.68\00:06:27.78 can we spend just a little... 00:06:27.82\00:06:29.35 I know you've been busy with the multitude of people, 00:06:29.38\00:06:32.45 healing people... even giving sight to the blind, 00:06:32.49\00:06:35.49 but please, can we have just a moment? 00:06:35.52\00:06:37.56 I'm... I'm concerned about something. " 00:06:37.59\00:06:39.56 "Sure, let's talk" 00:06:39.59\00:06:40.93 and that's the way God is 00:06:40.96\00:06:43.10 and so, when you consider that now Jesus is saying to them, 00:06:43.13\00:06:47.20 "Where I am going, you cannot come. " 00:06:47.24\00:06:50.67 That's bad news... 00:06:50.71\00:06:52.64 bad news... the way they looked at it 00:06:52.67\00:06:54.74 but notice, what happens next. 00:06:54.78\00:06:56.38 In John chapter 13 verse 34, Jesus says to the disciples, 00:06:56.44\00:07:00.88 "A new commandment I give unto you, 00:07:00.92\00:07:04.62 That ye love one another; as I have loved you, 00:07:04.65\00:07:09.36 and that ye also love one another. " 00:07:09.42\00:07:12.86 John chapter 13 verse 34. 00:07:12.89\00:07:15.06 As we look at this passage, 00:07:15.10\00:07:17.23 you may remember that on several occasions, 00:07:17.27\00:07:20.24 the disciples had these little discussions 00:07:20.27\00:07:23.24 about who should be greatest. 00:07:23.27\00:07:24.94 Who's going to be next to Jesus in the kingdom? 00:07:24.97\00:07:28.34 Because they... they accepted the common thought of those days 00:07:28.38\00:07:32.88 that the Messiah was going to occupy the throne, 00:07:32.91\00:07:36.92 a temporal reign 00:07:36.95\00:07:38.45 however, that was not Jesus' mission, 00:07:38.49\00:07:42.42 so, now Jesus is telling, 00:07:42.46\00:07:44.69 "I'm leaving and you have to live by this commandment. " 00:07:44.73\00:07:47.53 Is this... is this a good commandment... yes or no, 00:07:47.56\00:07:49.83 how many would say, "This is a good commandment 00:07:49.86\00:07:52.13 that you love one another... " 00:07:52.17\00:07:53.57 how many of you would like for your fellowman to love you? 00:07:53.60\00:07:56.84 Would you? Would you just... 00:07:56.87\00:07:58.21 "Yes... I would like for people to love me. 00:07:58.24\00:08:00.41 If people love me, 00:08:00.44\00:08:01.78 I know they're not going to take my things. 00:08:01.81\00:08:04.01 I don't have very much, but what I have, 00:08:04.05\00:08:06.21 it would be nice to keep it. " 00:08:06.28\00:08:08.25 So, I'm sure that you would like 00:08:08.28\00:08:09.82 to be able to come out of your house 00:08:09.85\00:08:11.39 and your car is still there, our bicycle is still there. 00:08:11.42\00:08:14.12 I'm sure you would like to return home 00:08:14.16\00:08:16.46 and be able to open the door of your house 00:08:16.49\00:08:18.96 and your sofa... your chair is still there, 00:08:18.99\00:08:21.00 your tables are there 00:08:21.03\00:08:23.26 and so, this is... 00:08:23.30\00:08:25.23 is something that if everyone loved one another, 00:08:25.30\00:08:28.60 there would be less trouble in the world. 00:08:28.64\00:08:30.91 We see all kinds of chaos in the world, 00:08:30.94\00:08:33.14 all kinds of problems in this world, 00:08:33.17\00:08:35.08 if we loved one another, that would be ideal. 00:08:35.11\00:08:40.22 Now, this is the way God's universe lives, 00:08:40.25\00:08:45.25 they love one another, before sin came upon the world, 00:08:45.29\00:08:49.49 before sin entered into the universe... 00:08:49.52\00:08:52.13 that's the way everyone lived, 00:08:52.16\00:08:54.76 everyone loved one another 00:08:54.80\00:08:57.27 and that's what we're going to return to. 00:08:57.30\00:08:59.30 Audience: Amen. 00:08:59.33\00:09:00.67 Praise the Lord for that, 00:09:00.70\00:09:02.04 we're going to return where everyone loves one another 00:09:02.07\00:09:04.67 and so, that is something to look forward to. 00:09:04.74\00:09:06.78 However, Jesus says, 00:09:06.81\00:09:08.14 "A new commandment I give unto you 00:09:08.18\00:09:09.61 that you love one another. " 00:09:09.64\00:09:12.25 This was a message that was to be ringing in their ears 00:09:12.28\00:09:15.32 and this is the way Jesus taught them. 00:09:15.35\00:09:18.19 Let's go to the next verse in this passage 00:09:18.22\00:09:20.99 and that's John chapter 13 verse 35. 00:09:21.02\00:09:23.56 Notice, the words of Jesus, 00:09:23.59\00:09:26.16 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 00:09:26.19\00:09:30.53 if you have love one for another. " 00:09:30.57\00:09:35.47 Praise the Lord. 00:09:35.50\00:09:36.84 Now, why would Jesus say, 00:09:36.87\00:09:38.51 "This is the way people are going to know 00:09:38.54\00:09:40.71 that you are my disciples if you love one another. " 00:09:40.74\00:09:43.78 Because that's the way Jesus lived 00:09:43.81\00:09:46.48 and if Jesus lived that way, 00:09:46.51\00:09:48.45 they're going to say, "Wait a minute, 00:09:48.48\00:09:49.82 you people love one another, 00:09:49.85\00:09:51.19 you must be disciples of Jesus. " 00:09:51.22\00:09:54.19 Wouldn't you like to be known by that? 00:09:54.22\00:09:56.02 "Hey, you people love one another, 00:09:56.06\00:09:57.79 you seem to love your neighbor. " 00:09:57.83\00:10:00.00 They say, "You must be a Christian. " 00:10:00.03\00:10:02.13 And that's good to be known by to be known by 00:10:02.16\00:10:05.17 I must say that I had car trouble. 00:10:05.23\00:10:08.40 I know just about everyone sitting here has had car trouble 00:10:08.44\00:10:10.77 at one point or another, 00:10:10.81\00:10:12.14 and... so I had some car trouble and I took the car to a mechanic 00:10:12.17\00:10:17.45 for you to understand what was happening, 00:10:17.51\00:10:19.51 my wife and I were planning a trip to Wisconsin 00:10:19.55\00:10:23.02 to visit family in the Chicago area 00:10:23.05\00:10:24.75 and it's about a six-hour trip. 00:10:24.79\00:10:26.76 So, naturally, you check your vehicle. 00:10:26.79\00:10:28.72 However, these machines can be working fine one moment 00:10:28.76\00:10:33.53 and next moment they're not... 00:10:33.56\00:10:35.70 and so, that was the case at that particular time 00:10:35.76\00:10:38.73 I called my wife... I was leaving work 00:10:38.77\00:10:42.20 we were working till about 12... 00:10:42.24\00:10:44.17 I called her and said, "Are you ready to go?" 00:10:44.21\00:10:46.51 "No, I still have some things to... to get ready... " 00:10:46.54\00:10:50.65 so I said, "You know what? 00:10:50.68\00:10:52.01 I think I'll go get some gas and then, I'll go by the house, 00:10:52.05\00:10:55.82 would that give you time to be ready?" 00:10:55.88\00:10:57.49 "Oh yeah, that would be great. " 00:10:57.52\00:10:59.55 So, I drove to West Frankfort 00:10:59.59\00:11:01.56 that's about 10 minutes from here 00:11:01.62\00:11:03.32 and when I went to West Frankfort, 00:11:03.36\00:11:04.99 everything was fine, 00:11:05.06\00:11:06.39 everything was working just right. 00:11:06.43\00:11:07.76 I put the gas in... 00:11:07.80\00:11:09.70 I don't know if it was the gas or what happened 00:11:09.73\00:11:12.07 but after I put that gas in, 00:11:12.10\00:11:13.87 I'm driving back to Thompsonville. 00:11:13.94\00:11:16.10 and so, the speed limit is 55 00:11:16.14\00:11:18.11 coming from West Frankfort once you get to Route I-49 00:11:18.14\00:11:22.14 and as... as I get to the... the area where you have to... 00:11:22.18\00:11:26.82 where you can go 55... 00:11:26.88\00:11:28.48 the vehicle said, "Oh no, you're not... " 00:11:28.52\00:11:30.62 laughter... 00:11:30.65\00:11:32.19 because I was pressing the gas 00:11:32.22\00:11:34.79 and it was a struggle to get past 35 miles 00:11:34.82\00:11:37.46 and I would say, "What's... what's going on?" 00:11:37.53\00:11:40.53 And I would press the gas harder... the gas pedal 00:11:40.60\00:11:43.57 and it would go 35... 36... 37, instead of going 35, 36, 37... 00:11:43.60\00:11:50.27 35... what's next? 37... no... 36... 00:11:50.31\00:11:54.84 and it was taking a long time 00:11:54.88\00:11:56.75 and I could tell you that I literally pressed the gas 00:11:56.78\00:11:59.61 all the way as far as I could go 00:11:59.65\00:12:02.12 and it slowly went up to 45... 00:12:02.15\00:12:04.52 I said, "Isn't this car going to go to 55?" 00:12:04.55\00:12:06.65 It was not doing it, 00:12:06.69\00:12:08.56 so I said, "There's something wrong with this vehicle" 00:12:08.59\00:12:10.43 and I could smell gas. 00:12:10.49\00:12:11.93 So I drove to the gas station in Thompsonville 00:12:11.99\00:12:14.20 and there the mechanic, Phil... most of you know him... 00:12:14.23\00:12:17.30 I asked him, "Hey, I'm having some trouble with this car" 00:12:17.33\00:12:20.34 and I explained to him what had happened 00:12:20.37\00:12:21.94 and he said, 00:12:21.97\00:12:23.51 "Oh John, I smell some gas here... " 00:12:23.54\00:12:26.44 and he looked at it, he said, "You know what? 00:12:26.47\00:12:28.78 In this shop... we don't... I don't really get into 00:12:28.81\00:12:32.51 anything harder than a... or.. 00:12:32.55\00:12:36.32 or as difficult as a water pump 00:12:36.35\00:12:39.19 I think it's what he said, 00:12:39.22\00:12:40.56 "that's stuff for another shop, 00:12:40.59\00:12:42.29 we don't have enough tools for that here 00:12:42.32\00:12:43.79 so, I'll tell you where you go. " 00:12:43.83\00:12:45.36 and he told me about this shop in Benton 00:12:45.39\00:12:48.03 and he said, "And you'll know them 00:12:48.06\00:12:50.00 because there are a lot of vehicles 00:12:50.03\00:12:51.90 waiting to be serviced there" 00:12:51.93\00:12:54.30 and so, I think some of you know who they are 00:12:54.34\00:12:57.94 and I said... and... 00:12:57.97\00:12:59.77 "Oh really, I think I've seen that place" 00:12:59.84\00:13:02.48 and he said this, "You can go there and... 00:13:02.51\00:13:05.08 and they will not cheat you because they are Christians. " 00:13:05.11\00:13:07.42 I said, "Wow, that is good to know 00:13:07.45\00:13:10.09 that somebody can be characterized by knowing, 00:13:10.12\00:13:13.05 'Hey, you can trust in these people... 00:13:13.09\00:13:14.76 they're not going to treat you... 00:13:14.82\00:13:16.16 they're not going to cheat you... 00:13:16.19\00:13:17.53 they're not going to lie to you, they're going to tell you, 00:13:17.56\00:13:18.89 this is what's wrong with your vehicle... 00:13:18.93\00:13:20.26 this is how much it's going to cost. '" 00:13:20.30\00:13:21.63 Because there are stories out there about mechanics... 00:13:21.66\00:13:25.30 I'm sorry Mechanics... but that's... 00:13:25.33\00:13:27.60 those are the stories and it's happened... 00:13:27.64\00:13:29.84 you go there for something 00:13:29.87\00:13:31.71 and they apparently find something else wrong 00:13:31.74\00:13:33.98 or they even fix things that are not "wrong" 00:13:34.01\00:13:36.71 unfortunately, some had that bad reputation 00:13:36.75\00:13:39.35 so, if you're a mechanic, 00:13:39.38\00:13:40.72 please make sure that you're an honest one 00:13:40.75\00:13:43.39 and you will get the same type of promotion 00:13:43.42\00:13:46.02 that this person gave about the other person. 00:13:46.05\00:13:48.42 So that's a... that's... a praise the Lord... 00:13:48.46\00:13:50.73 "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples 00:13:50.76\00:13:53.63 if you have love one for another. " 00:13:53.66\00:13:56.36 That's the way God's people should be characterized, 00:13:56.40\00:13:58.50 that's the way they should be known 00:13:58.53\00:14:00.57 that they can come to a Christian 00:14:00.60\00:14:02.60 knowing that they're not going to be turned away 00:14:02.64\00:14:04.21 or chastised or rejected... 00:14:04.24\00:14:06.78 that the Christian will take time 00:14:06.81\00:14:08.54 to help them if they need help. 00:14:08.58\00:14:10.08 Let's go to the next verse in John chapter 13 verse 36. 00:14:10.11\00:14:13.98 Now here's the point... 00:14:14.02\00:14:15.75 Peter listening to what Jesus said, 00:14:15.78\00:14:18.22 verse 36... 00:14:18.25\00:14:20.66 So, Peter was concerned... Peter loved Jesus... 00:14:32.23\00:14:36.44 you can see in the various narrations in the Bible, 00:14:36.47\00:14:39.87 that Peter loved Jesus 00:14:39.91\00:14:41.84 and so now he wants to know, 00:14:41.91\00:14:43.71 "Wait a minute... where are you going? 00:14:43.75\00:14:45.08 I want to go there. 00:14:45.11\00:14:46.45 Why can't I follow you?" 00:14:46.48\00:14:47.82 Peter did not understand what was going to happen, 00:14:47.85\00:14:51.12 Jesus had told him that He will be crucified 00:14:51.15\00:14:53.49 on several occasions. 00:14:53.52\00:14:54.86 So, it is somewhat puzzling for us 00:14:54.89\00:14:57.26 living in this part of history to say, 00:14:57.29\00:14:59.63 "Wait a minute, He told him... 00:14:59.66\00:15:01.00 why didn't they get it... why didn't they understand?" 00:15:01.03\00:15:03.83 However, this was what's happening in their lives. 00:15:03.87\00:15:06.60 Let's continue to verse 37 00:15:06.63\00:15:09.10 because we must get into John chapter 14 very soon. 00:15:09.14\00:15:11.61 "Peter said unto Him... " ah... verse 37... 00:15:11.64\00:15:14.58 Praise the Lord for Peter's declaration. 00:15:22.92\00:15:26.09 He loved Jesus so much that he said, 00:15:26.12\00:15:29.19 "Hey, wait a minute, why can't I follow you now? 00:15:29.22\00:15:31.89 I am willing to lay down my life for you" 00:15:31.93\00:15:35.56 what's he saying? "I'm willing to die for you" 00:15:35.60\00:15:38.03 that's how much he loved Jesus 00:15:38.07\00:15:40.50 and that's something to commend Peter by 00:15:40.54\00:15:44.01 that he was willing to risk his life for Jesus Christ 00:15:44.07\00:15:48.28 and so, as Christians, 00:15:48.31\00:15:50.85 we have to make some tough choices in life, 00:15:50.88\00:15:53.68 sometimes, we must be separated from friends 00:15:53.72\00:15:56.48 that may separate us from the Lord 00:15:56.52\00:15:58.55 and unfortunately, sometimes even from families 00:15:58.59\00:16:01.79 that may seek to separate us from the Lord. 00:16:01.82\00:16:05.06 Jesus said if any man will come after me, 00:16:05.09\00:16:08.26 let him take up his cross daily and follow me. 00:16:08.30\00:16:11.90 We must make some tough decisions. 00:16:11.93\00:16:13.94 That does not mean that we turn our back 00:16:13.97\00:16:16.10 on our friends and family, 00:16:16.14\00:16:17.47 it's just that in the things that they want to... 00:16:17.51\00:16:20.91 the road they want to lead us down 00:16:20.94\00:16:22.64 may lead us away from Christ, 00:16:22.68\00:16:25.38 so we must make decisions to separate ourselves from people 00:16:25.41\00:16:28.98 that will lead us astray. 00:16:29.02\00:16:30.89 So, let's go to John chapter 13 verse 38 00:16:30.92\00:16:34.46 where Jesus answers Peter, 00:16:34.49\00:16:36.49 Wow! This is, I think, what you would call 00:16:50.01\00:16:54.51 "alarming news" for Peter. 00:16:54.54\00:16:57.11 Now, Peter himself didn't even know that he would do that. 00:16:57.15\00:17:01.32 He was sure... "I love Jesus... 00:17:01.35\00:17:03.85 I'm willing to die for you" 00:17:03.89\00:17:05.39 and to hear this... I imagine that Peter said, 00:17:05.42\00:17:09.12 "Impossible... no way... I love you too much Lord" 00:17:09.16\00:17:12.66 we don't have a record of what Peter said, 00:17:12.69\00:17:15.03 but Peter said, "I am willing to lay down my life for you. " 00:17:15.06\00:17:19.10 We must say... 00:17:19.13\00:17:20.47 the Bible says that the heart is desperately wicked 00:17:20.50\00:17:23.54 who can know it? 00:17:23.57\00:17:25.57 And so, we don't really know ourselves... 00:17:25.61\00:17:28.54 we must come to Jesus and say, I will follow you... 00:17:28.58\00:17:34.45 but we must submit and follow Him. 00:17:34.48\00:17:38.89 As we submit and follow Him, 00:17:38.92\00:17:41.36 we will be on safe ground 00:17:41.39\00:17:43.79 and so, Peter did not know what would happen. 00:17:43.83\00:17:46.80 We don't have time to go into the aspect of what happened 00:17:46.83\00:17:49.80 and how Peter denied Christ, that's another study... 00:17:49.83\00:17:53.13 but let us move to John chapter 14 verse 1. 00:17:53.17\00:17:56.04 This is the background, we talked about the background 00:17:56.07\00:17:58.47 of the words that we're about to read, 00:17:58.51\00:18:01.04 let's go to John chapter 14, verse 1, 00:18:01.08\00:18:03.85 here's Jesus talking not only to Peter, 00:18:03.88\00:18:06.58 but to all the disciples and to us today as well. 00:18:06.61\00:18:09.72 John chapter 14 verse 1, 00:18:09.75\00:18:15.19 Praise the Lord, look at the words. 00:18:20.10\00:18:21.86 Let not your heart be troubled. 00:18:21.90\00:18:26.03 Question, does that imply 00:18:26.07\00:18:29.44 that you have a choice in this matter? 00:18:29.50\00:18:31.87 It does... it does... it is a little like that passage... 00:18:31.91\00:18:35.88 passage that says, 00:18:35.91\00:18:37.25 "Let your light so shine before men" 00:18:37.28\00:18:40.22 as if you had a choice... 00:18:40.25\00:18:41.68 and you do have a choice 00:18:41.72\00:18:43.08 so, they had a choice whether or not 00:18:43.15\00:18:46.12 to let their heart be troubled 00:18:46.15\00:18:48.09 and Jesus didn't just say, "Let not your heart be troubled" 00:18:48.12\00:18:51.59 and just leave it there, 00:18:51.63\00:18:53.29 He continued talking to them to encourage them 00:18:53.33\00:18:56.63 so that they can understand 00:18:56.67\00:18:58.70 that they don't need to be troubled, 00:18:58.73\00:19:00.10 they don't need to be worried 00:19:00.14\00:19:02.10 about what was going to happen... about the future 00:19:02.14\00:19:05.07 and if you continue reading, Jesus says, 00:19:05.11\00:19:08.84 "I am going to give you another comforter. " 00:19:08.88\00:19:12.58 Isn't that wonderful? 00:19:12.61\00:19:13.95 The Bible is so beautiful... 00:19:13.98\00:19:15.68 I encourage daily reading of the Bible, 00:19:15.72\00:19:18.39 and so, consider the words of Jesus, 00:19:18.42\00:19:20.66 He's telling us today, 00:19:20.69\00:19:22.09 "Don't let your heart be troubled. " 00:19:22.12\00:19:23.46 Smiling... 00:19:23.49\00:19:25.23 Have any of you allowed your heart to be troubled? 00:19:25.26\00:19:27.73 Audience: Yes... 00:19:27.76\00:19:29.10 Pastor: I have... it's not a good place to be 00:19:29.13\00:19:32.10 and Jesus is letting us know 00:19:32.13\00:19:36.57 that we don't need to let our heart be troubled. 00:19:36.60\00:19:38.44 He is in control. 00:19:38.47\00:19:39.81 There are passages in the Bible 00:19:39.84\00:19:42.51 that even tell us, 00:19:42.54\00:19:43.88 "Don't worry about what you're going to eat... 00:19:43.91\00:19:45.25 and what you're going to drink, 00:19:45.28\00:19:46.61 your Father feeds the birds of the field... 00:19:46.65\00:19:48.52 enclosed the fields with flowers. " 00:19:48.55\00:19:51.75 "I can give you food, I can give you clothing" 00:19:51.79\00:19:55.26 God is in control 00:19:55.29\00:19:56.62 and so, we don't need to concern ourselves 00:19:56.66\00:20:00.16 with what's happening tomorrow. 00:20:00.20\00:20:02.36 We place ourselves in the hands of the Lord... 00:20:02.40\00:20:04.40 the Lord will take care of us. 00:20:04.43\00:20:05.80 Now notice the words that Jesus said unto them. 00:20:05.83\00:20:07.90 "You believe in God, believe also in me. " 00:20:07.94\00:20:13.04 Jesus is saying, "You trust God, trust Me also. " 00:20:13.07\00:20:17.25 That's really what belief is, trust in God. 00:20:17.28\00:20:20.95 However, this is not just a... 00:20:20.98\00:20:23.95 a belief that is commonly known today. 00:20:23.99\00:20:28.96 Unfortunately, this word has taken on a new meaning. 00:20:29.02\00:20:32.99 Sometimes you ask somebody a question 00:20:33.03\00:20:36.33 and they are somewhat unsure and they go into... 00:20:36.36\00:20:39.53 and they say, "I believe so... " unsure... 00:20:39.57\00:20:44.11 "I believe so... " 00:20:44.14\00:20:46.47 like, "I think so... I'm not quite sure... 00:20:46.51\00:20:49.41 it could be this way or could be that way... 00:20:49.44\00:20:51.61 I believe so... " 00:20:51.65\00:20:52.98 but in this particular word, Jesus is talking about trust 00:20:53.01\00:20:56.89 but it is a belief that is unto salvation, 00:20:56.92\00:21:01.32 the Bible says that the devils believe and tremble 00:21:01.36\00:21:04.89 but their type of belief is not a believe unto salvation, 00:21:04.93\00:21:08.86 it is a belief that is based on fear... 00:21:08.90\00:21:13.64 they know, they have seen God, 00:21:13.67\00:21:16.57 they have heard God, 00:21:16.60\00:21:17.94 they know His glory... His majesty 00:21:17.97\00:21:19.67 and they know that God is love. 00:21:19.71\00:21:22.74 They have betrayed God's love, 00:21:22.78\00:21:25.71 so, God is inviting us to believe in Him... 00:21:25.75\00:21:28.72 Jesus is saying to His disciples, 00:21:28.75\00:21:30.39 "You believe in God, believe also in me. " 00:21:30.45\00:21:34.32 Now, notice the next verse, let's move on to John chapter 14 00:21:34.36\00:21:37.89 I'm sorry, let's go to John chapter 14 verse 12. 00:21:37.93\00:21:41.33 In John chapter 14 verse 12, if you open your Bibles, 00:21:41.36\00:21:44.40 that's not going to be on the screen, 00:21:44.43\00:21:45.93 John chapter 14 verse 12, 00:21:45.97\00:21:50.17 it's a passage that helps us understand 00:21:50.21\00:21:55.51 what type of belief it is, what type of belief. 00:21:55.54\00:21:58.48 John 14 verse 12 tells us, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, 00:21:58.51\00:22:04.02 he that believeth on me, 00:22:04.05\00:22:06.42 the works that I do shall he do also; 00:22:06.45\00:22:09.92 and greater works than these shall he do; 00:22:09.96\00:22:13.40 because I go unto my Father. " 00:22:13.43\00:22:16.26 So, notice this passage clearly as we stop and look at it, 00:22:16.33\00:22:21.97 we can see that this passage is saying, 00:22:22.00\00:22:25.51 "If you believe in me and you follow me, 00:22:25.54\00:22:28.51 you're going to do the same works that I do. 00:22:28.54\00:22:31.48 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples 00:22:31.51\00:22:35.55 if you have love one for another 00:22:35.58\00:22:38.15 and if you do the works that I do. " 00:22:38.19\00:22:40.69 Jesus did works of love, what was He doing? 00:22:40.72\00:22:43.66 He was teaching the people, He was healing people, 00:22:43.69\00:22:47.26 He was presenting people a message of hope 00:22:47.30\00:22:50.37 but also a message of warning. 00:22:50.40\00:22:52.23 Isn't a message of love... 00:22:52.27\00:22:54.07 a message of warning also a message of love? 00:22:54.10\00:22:56.91 Yes, it is... if you... 00:22:56.97\00:23:00.44 if you see your child about to put their hand... 00:23:00.48\00:23:03.04 or your loved one... whoever it may be, 00:23:03.11\00:23:04.75 about to put their hand in a fire... 00:23:04.78\00:23:06.48 about to drive off a cliff... about to walk off a building... 00:23:06.51\00:23:10.45 you would alert them and warn them. 00:23:10.49\00:23:13.69 "Don't do that... " 00:23:13.72\00:23:15.46 so, a warning can also be accompanied with love 00:23:15.52\00:23:21.16 and this is part of God's message as well 00:23:21.20\00:23:24.10 because Satan is as a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour 00:23:24.13\00:23:28.97 and so, God's message is, 00:23:29.00\00:23:31.84 "If you love me, keep my commandments. 00:23:31.87\00:23:35.34 The works that I do... if you believe in Me, 00:23:35.38\00:23:38.45 the works that I do shall ye do also. " 00:23:38.51\00:23:41.45 Why? Jesus gives us the reason why. 00:23:41.48\00:23:45.25 He says, "Because I go unto My Father" 00:23:45.29\00:23:49.39 and that has a whole lot of meaning. 00:23:49.42\00:23:52.99 That has a whole lot of meaning. 00:23:53.03\00:23:56.50 As we look at this verse, John chapter 14 verse 12, 00:23:56.53\00:24:02.47 Jesus says, "And greater works than these shall he do 00:24:02.50\00:24:08.38 because I go unto my Father" John 14:12. 00:24:08.41\00:24:11.01 What do you mean that you're going to do 00:24:11.05\00:24:13.58 greater works than Jesus. 00:24:13.62\00:24:14.95 It is really a magnitude if we follow Jesus. 00:24:14.98\00:24:20.06 If we put ourselves in His hands, 00:24:20.09\00:24:22.46 God can continue a work that you cannot do 00:24:22.49\00:24:26.83 because as we place ourselves in the Lord's hands 00:24:26.86\00:24:30.60 and we listen to His voice, and we do His bidding, 00:24:30.67\00:24:34.37 great things are going to happen... 00:24:34.40\00:24:36.44 good things are going to happen. 00:24:36.47\00:24:38.34 An interesting thing happened to us today 00:24:38.37\00:24:41.64 and I share this with some caution. 00:24:41.68\00:24:45.55 We went to the house... to our home today 00:24:45.58\00:24:49.65 and I said, "You know what, 00:24:49.68\00:24:51.85 I think I'm going to leave the keys inside the car. " 00:24:51.89\00:24:53.82 Audience: Laughter. 00:24:53.86\00:24:55.82 So I left the keys inside the car 00:24:55.86\00:24:58.13 and the keys were turned in such a way 00:24:58.16\00:25:02.60 that the button that would open the doors was facing up 00:25:02.63\00:25:07.94 and I went to look at something about five feet away 00:25:07.97\00:25:12.84 and as I looked at something five feet away, 00:25:12.87\00:25:15.74 I heard a terrible sound, 00:25:15.78\00:25:18.01 I heard the vehicle go, woo... woo... 00:25:18.05\00:25:22.78 a horn sound... and I said, "Wait a minute, 00:25:22.82\00:25:25.49 isn't that the sound the vehicle makes 00:25:25.52\00:25:27.36 when the door is locked?" 00:25:27.39\00:25:29.26 And I said, "Oh, oh... " 00:25:29.32\00:25:31.13 So, I ran to the car and I tried to open the door 00:25:31.16\00:25:36.77 and it was locked. 00:25:36.80\00:25:38.20 All the doors were locked 00:25:38.23\00:25:40.77 and I said, "I hope my wife has spare keys. " 00:25:40.80\00:25:45.64 And I can tell you that as I looked at the keys later, 00:25:45.67\00:25:50.91 I looked at them... 00:25:50.95\00:25:52.68 there was no way that something pressed the button. 00:25:52.71\00:25:56.05 I don't know what happened, 00:25:56.08\00:25:57.42 I really don't know what happened there. 00:25:57.45\00:25:59.65 So, I went to my wife and she did something interesting. 00:25:59.69\00:26:05.43 I said, "Do you have spare keys?" 00:26:05.46\00:26:07.10 "I might... " 00:26:07.13\00:26:09.20 Laughter. 00:26:09.23\00:26:11.23 So anyway, that was somewhat encouraging. 00:26:11.27\00:26:15.04 It turns out that she did. 00:26:15.10\00:26:17.67 As we drove away later, she said, 00:26:17.71\00:26:20.41 "You know what? 00:26:20.48\00:26:21.81 I think the Lord led me to take my purse 00:26:21.84\00:26:25.88 because I was going to leave my purse in the car. " 00:26:25.91\00:26:27.65 The keys were inside the purse. 00:26:27.68\00:26:30.95 If I had left the keys in the car 00:26:30.99\00:26:33.02 and she had left her purse in the car, 00:26:33.05\00:26:34.46 we would have been locked out of the vehicle 00:26:34.49\00:26:37.03 and would have to come up with some maneuver 00:26:37.06\00:26:39.59 to get the keys out 00:26:39.63\00:26:41.36 but she says, "I think, you know, 00:26:41.40\00:26:42.73 I really thought about leaving the purse here, 00:26:42.76\00:26:44.50 but... " she said, 00:26:44.53\00:26:46.23 "I think the Lord led me to take the purse in the house. " 00:26:46.27\00:26:48.44 So, praise the Lord, 00:26:48.47\00:26:49.80 so I'm saying to you that sometimes 00:26:49.84\00:26:53.21 you didn't even pray for it 00:26:53.27\00:26:55.31 but God does you these little favors 00:26:55.34\00:26:57.35 because I didn't know the doors were going to be locked, 00:26:57.38\00:27:01.05 you don't know what's going to happen to you 00:27:01.08\00:27:02.72 from one moment to the next 00:27:02.75\00:27:04.09 and you may not be aware that God is doing things for you 00:27:04.12\00:27:07.02 until they happen 00:27:07.06\00:27:08.82 and sometimes it takes hours 00:27:08.86\00:27:12.36 or even days later that you realize, 00:27:12.39\00:27:14.26 "Wait a minute, 00:27:14.30\00:27:15.63 that back there was God and so praise be to His name" 00:27:15.66\00:27:19.07 and so, I'm sure that today some things have happened 00:27:19.13\00:27:22.67 perhaps some things have happened 00:27:22.70\00:27:24.31 that God has done for you 00:27:24.34\00:27:25.81 you didn't even ask for them but He did them anyway 00:27:25.84\00:27:28.88 so we praise His name and continue to trust in the Lord. 00:27:28.91\00:27:32.51 I would like to invite you to a passage in the Bible, 00:27:32.55\00:27:35.92 that was not going to be on the screen as well 00:27:35.95\00:27:38.72 we're looking at 1st Kings chapter 4... 00:27:38.75\00:27:42.12 1st Kings chapter 8... 00:27:42.16\00:27:43.76 1st Kings chapter 8 verse 56... 00:27:43.79\00:27:46.66 it's a... I'm sorry, before we go there, 00:27:46.70\00:27:51.87 we need to go to John 14:2 00:27:51.90\00:27:53.84 you can put a finger there 00:27:53.87\00:27:55.70 in 1st King chapter 8 verse 56 if you already found it, 00:27:55.74\00:27:58.97 but first let us go to John chapter 14 verse 2. 00:27:59.01\00:28:02.58 Here is a promise and that God's people have rejoiced 00:28:02.61\00:28:06.15 ever since they were echoed and written. 00:28:06.21\00:28:11.19 John 14 verse 2, the Bible says, 00:28:11.22\00:28:13.22 Wonderful words... wonderful words. 00:28:27.20\00:28:30.04 We can spend a long time talking just about this verse. 00:28:30.07\00:28:33.84 Jesus says to them, 00:28:33.88\00:28:35.44 "In my Father's house are many mansions. " 00:28:35.48\00:28:39.38 I'm so glad He didn't say, "In my Father's house 00:28:39.41\00:28:43.35 are a limited amount of mansions or space 00:28:43.39\00:28:46.76 and I'm sorry, there are 12 of you... 00:28:46.79\00:28:50.06 ahh... I'm not sure that we have room for all of you. " 00:28:50.09\00:28:52.36 Pause... 00:28:52.39\00:28:54.66 But He said, "There are many mansions. " 00:28:54.70\00:28:56.87 There's a passage of Scripture that many of us know 00:28:56.90\00:29:00.97 and as I start quoting it, 00:29:01.00\00:29:03.71 everyone listening can say, "I know that verse" 00:29:03.74\00:29:06.27 John chapter 3 verse 16 which tells us, 00:29:06.31\00:29:09.41 "For God so loved the world 00:29:09.44\00:29:11.05 that He gave His only begotten Son 00:29:11.08\00:29:13.95 that whosoever believeth in Him 00:29:13.98\00:29:16.75 should not perish, but have everlasting life. " 00:29:16.79\00:29:19.82 And that verse gives us the understanding 00:29:19.85\00:29:23.83 that there's room for everybody... 00:29:23.86\00:29:25.49 everyone can be saved but not all will. 00:29:25.53\00:29:28.10 There's a choice involved in the process, 00:29:28.13\00:29:30.67 so it says, "Whosoever believes" 00:29:30.73\00:29:34.67 so what happens to those that do not believe? 00:29:34.70\00:29:37.17 They do not get the blessing. 00:29:37.21\00:29:38.84 The blessing for those that believe is, 00:29:38.87\00:29:41.08 "Whoever believes shall not perish. " 00:29:41.11\00:29:43.28 What are they going to get? 00:29:43.31\00:29:45.45 Everlasting life... 00:29:45.48\00:29:46.82 it makes a contrast between those that believe 00:29:46.85\00:29:49.68 and those that believe not. 00:29:49.72\00:29:51.05 If you believe, you're not going to perish. 00:29:51.09\00:29:53.66 If you do not believe, what's going to happen? 00:29:53.69\00:29:56.29 You're going to perish. 00:29:56.32\00:29:57.86 But if you believe, you're going to have everlasting life 00:29:57.89\00:30:02.50 and it doesn't say, 00:30:02.53\00:30:04.13 "There's a limit to the amount of room" 00:30:04.17\00:30:06.23 for who...? those who believe" no... 00:30:06.27\00:30:08.30 whoever believes... 00:30:08.34\00:30:09.70 in this place as well... 00:30:09.74\00:30:11.11 "In my Father's house are many mansions" 00:30:11.14\00:30:12.87 and Jesus... prior to telling them this, He told them, 00:30:12.91\00:30:17.31 "You believe in God, believe also in me, 00:30:17.35\00:30:20.58 In my Father's house are many mansions, 00:30:20.62\00:30:23.92 if it was not so, I would have told you. " 00:30:23.95\00:30:27.19 So, He's telling you, "It is so... 00:30:27.22\00:30:29.92 there's room for everybody, 00:30:29.96\00:30:31.33 don't worry about it, 00:30:31.36\00:30:32.69 let not your heart be troubled, 00:30:32.73\00:30:34.30 believe in God... believe also in Me. " 00:30:34.33\00:30:36.90 And I am telling those that are watching or listening on radio 00:30:36.93\00:30:41.30 "There's room for you. " 00:30:41.34\00:30:43.24 Audience: Amen. 00:30:43.27\00:30:44.64 "God will not turn you away. " 00:30:44.67\00:30:46.01 Jesus says, "He that cometh unto me, 00:30:46.04\00:30:48.31 I will in no wise cast out. 00:30:48.34\00:30:50.08 It doesn't matter what you've done, 00:30:50.11\00:30:51.95 if you're willing to accept God's free gift of salvation, 00:30:51.98\00:30:57.09 you can receive it. " 00:30:57.12\00:30:58.45 And it is the gift of God that leads you to repentance. 00:30:58.49\00:31:02.46 No one will be turned away that is willing to be saved. 00:31:02.52\00:31:06.43 Praise the Lord. 00:31:06.46\00:31:07.80 If it were not so, I would have told you. 00:31:07.83\00:31:09.66 Notice the next words, I go to prepare a place for you. 00:31:09.73\00:31:18.41 Marvelous words. 00:31:18.44\00:31:19.91 It was not... 00:31:19.94\00:31:21.34 this was not just a message only for the disciples 00:31:21.38\00:31:23.35 that heard the words, it's a message for us as well. 00:31:23.41\00:31:25.35 Jesus is preparing a place for you... 00:31:25.38\00:31:29.78 a place for me... 00:31:29.82\00:31:31.89 isn't that marvelous... is that good news? 00:31:31.95\00:31:34.12 If it's good news, would you say, "Amen. " 00:31:34.16\00:31:36.29 Audience: Amen. Pastor: Amen. 00:31:36.32\00:31:37.66 That's good news. 00:31:37.69\00:31:39.03 I go to prepare a place for you. 00:31:39.06\00:31:41.63 Now, as you look at this passage, 00:31:41.66\00:31:44.53 you can see that as you examine it, 00:31:44.57\00:31:47.37 you say, "Okay, He's talking about mansions... 00:31:47.40\00:31:50.17 'I go to prepare a place for you... ' 00:31:50.21\00:31:51.94 He's talking about a place to live. " 00:31:51.97\00:31:53.64 You can say that, you can come to that conclusion, 00:31:53.68\00:31:56.85 that is safe 00:31:56.88\00:31:58.21 but Jesus... the work of preparation 00:31:58.25\00:32:01.98 also involves His Ministry as our High Priest. 00:32:02.02\00:32:06.42 Pause. 00:32:06.45\00:32:08.72 Because prior to the fulfillment of the next verse 00:32:08.76\00:32:12.33 that we are going to read, 00:32:12.36\00:32:14.00 He must accomplish His ministry as our High Priest. 00:32:14.03\00:32:17.60 So, in the preparation it involves... 00:32:17.63\00:32:20.10 yes, the place for you, 00:32:20.14\00:32:22.50 but also, securing your salvation through His blood. 00:32:22.54\00:32:28.38 Audience: Amen. 00:32:28.41\00:32:30.08 And if you have come to Christ, 00:32:30.15\00:32:31.71 asked for forgiveness of your sins, 00:32:31.75\00:32:35.52 He, as our advocate, will do His job 00:32:35.55\00:32:39.09 and cleanse you from all sin... cleanse me from all sin. 00:32:39.12\00:32:43.22 Let's look at a passage in the Bible 00:32:43.26\00:32:45.66 that will not be on the screen, 00:32:45.69\00:32:47.60 this... I'm sorry... I did say, 1st Kings... 1st Kings right? 00:32:47.63\00:32:52.80 Okay, 1st Kings chapter 8 verse 56. 00:32:52.83\00:32:54.70 Let's go there now, 1st Kings chapter 8 verse 56, 00:32:54.74\00:32:58.24 so, if you have that, let us read it. 00:32:58.27\00:33:01.24 "Blessed be the Lord 00:33:01.28\00:33:03.61 that hath given rest unto His people Israel, 00:33:03.65\00:33:06.55 according to all that He promised: 00:33:06.58\00:33:09.38 there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, 00:33:09.42\00:33:14.29 which he promised by the hand of Moses His servant. " 00:33:14.32\00:33:19.16 Wow, praise the Lord, 00:33:19.19\00:33:21.06 there's another passage very similar to this. 00:33:21.13\00:33:23.10 "All that the Lord has done... 00:33:23.13\00:33:26.33 has said He would do, He has done. " 00:33:26.40\00:33:28.30 And here it tells us that not one word failed. 00:33:28.34\00:33:33.98 The people experiencing the blessing of the promise 00:33:34.01\00:33:37.88 could say, "All that He spoke by Moses, has happened. " 00:33:37.91\00:33:41.52 And we can take assurance, 00:33:41.65\00:33:44.55 "You believe in God, believe also in Jesus. " 00:33:44.59\00:33:47.39 He says, "I am going to prepare a place for you. " 00:33:47.42\00:33:49.69 And you know, 00:33:49.72\00:33:52.13 it is wonderful the way it is written in English 00:33:52.16\00:33:55.10 smiling... 00:33:55.13\00:33:56.90 because in Spanish, 00:33:56.97\00:34:00.77 it... it's... it's... it's... it's... 00:34:00.80\00:34:04.21 it's talking in plural. 00:34:04.27\00:34:05.61 In English, when you say, "You" 00:34:05.64\00:34:07.71 it could be one or it could be many 00:34:07.74\00:34:10.05 but I like to make this personal because it is personal. 00:34:10.08\00:34:14.12 Jesus is saying: I go to prepare a place for you 00:34:14.15\00:34:16.92 and He knows us by name, 00:34:16.95\00:34:19.39 I go to prepare a place for you 00:34:19.45\00:34:22.89 so even though your mind can't grasp... 00:34:22.92\00:34:25.59 Jesus went to prepare a place for all the believers 00:34:25.63\00:34:28.90 please consider that you as an individual 00:34:28.93\00:34:32.77 He's preparing a place for you. 00:34:32.80\00:34:34.80 Your name will be mentioned by His lips 00:34:34.84\00:34:38.77 and saying, "I gave my blood for Greg... 00:34:38.81\00:34:42.61 I gave my blood for you... for you... for you... for you" 00:34:42.64\00:34:48.42 and that is something awesome to think about. 00:34:48.45\00:34:51.62 We have an advocate with the Father, 00:34:51.65\00:34:54.06 Jesus Christ the righteous. 00:34:54.09\00:34:56.52 Audience: Amen. 00:34:56.56\00:34:57.89 Now, we are ready to go to the passage in Hebrews chapter 4. 00:34:57.93\00:35:02.60 In Hebrews chapter 4, 00:35:02.63\00:35:05.53 we have a passage that talks about Jesus Christ 00:35:05.60\00:35:11.21 as our High Priest, 00:35:11.24\00:35:12.64 There are many passages... really the book of Hebrews... 00:35:12.67\00:35:18.71 is a rich... full of instruction... 00:35:18.75\00:35:23.12 information for us 00:35:23.15\00:35:24.49 concerning how Jesus becomes our High Priest 00:35:24.52\00:35:27.56 or how He has the right to be our High Priest. 00:35:27.59\00:35:30.76 This is not going to be on the screen 00:35:30.79\00:35:32.83 but I invite you to join us in Hebrews chapter 4 verse 14 00:35:32.86\00:35:37.20 and we're going to read until verse 16. 00:35:37.23\00:35:39.97 Hebrews chapter 4 verse 14. 00:35:40.00\00:35:43.37 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, 00:35:43.41\00:35:48.84 that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, 00:35:48.88\00:35:54.12 let us hold fast our profession. 00:35:54.15\00:35:58.09 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched 00:35:58.12\00:36:02.22 with the feeling of our infirmities; 00:36:02.26\00:36:04.46 but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 00:36:04.49\00:36:11.47 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, 00:36:11.50\00:36:17.24 that we may obtain mercy, 00:36:17.27\00:36:19.27 and find grace to help in time of need. " 00:36:19.31\00:36:23.35 Praise the Lord. 00:36:23.38\00:36:24.78 Let's look at this passage a little closer, 00:36:24.81\00:36:29.68 it's marvelous, as you consider it, 00:36:29.72\00:36:34.79 Hebrews chapter 4 starts by telling us... 00:36:34.82\00:36:40.23 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, 00:36:40.26\00:36:42.50 that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, 00:36:42.53\00:36:45.37 let us hold fast our profession. " 00:36:45.43\00:36:47.77 Jesus says, "You believe in God, believe also in Me. " 00:36:47.80\00:36:52.41 Those that believe and walk with Jesus, 00:36:52.44\00:36:58.11 Jesus says, "Take up your cross daily and follow me. " 00:36:58.15\00:37:00.42 What happens if you stop 00:37:00.45\00:37:01.98 taking your cross daily and following Jesus? 00:37:02.02\00:37:04.35 What happens if you turn away? 00:37:04.39\00:37:06.05 Is it possible that you will perish? 00:37:06.09\00:37:09.09 If you turn away and stay away and never come back 00:37:09.12\00:37:15.16 what's going to happen to you? 00:37:15.20\00:37:16.73 Pause... 00:37:16.77\00:37:19.43 The Bible... we... we just read before 00:37:19.47\00:37:21.80 that he that believeth on me, 00:37:21.84\00:37:24.51 the works that I do shall he do... 00:37:24.54\00:37:27.28 what happens if we stop doing the works of Jesus? 00:37:27.31\00:37:29.64 The Bible says that He... 00:37:29.68\00:37:32.91 Jesus Christ is coming to give to every man 00:37:32.95\00:37:35.88 according as his works shall be. 00:37:35.92\00:37:38.85 So, he who is... who chooses to be a Christian 00:37:38.89\00:37:42.92 must live his life differently. 00:37:42.99\00:37:45.79 It is not a life of sin that does harm to others 00:37:45.86\00:37:49.90 or to himself... 00:37:49.93\00:37:51.27 it is a life patterned after the life of Jesus Christ. 00:37:51.30\00:37:55.44 So, if we start walking with Jesus and decide, 00:37:55.47\00:37:59.74 "Well, I think I'm going to stop walking with Jesus 00:37:59.77\00:38:03.48 and I'm going to do my own thing 00:38:03.55\00:38:05.45 I'm going to do my own thing, 00:38:05.48\00:38:07.35 really when you stop walking with Jesus... 00:38:07.38\00:38:11.25 Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life: 00:38:11.29\00:38:15.06 no man cometh unto the Father, but by Him. " 00:38:15.12\00:38:18.83 So, if we stop walking with Jesus, 00:38:18.89\00:38:21.66 we stop doing the works of Jesus, 00:38:21.70\00:38:24.43 we're going to suffer the penalties of sin. 00:38:24.47\00:38:28.44 What is the... the reward of sin? 00:38:28.47\00:38:30.57 The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death, 00:38:30.61\00:38:35.18 but the gift of God is eternal life 00:38:35.21\00:38:38.15 through His Son, Jesus Christ. " 00:38:38.18\00:38:41.05 It is a gift... 00:38:41.08\00:38:42.65 so the good works that we do are not for our salvation 00:38:42.68\00:38:48.19 but the works that we do speak of whom we follow. 00:38:48.22\00:38:52.19 Pause. 00:38:52.23\00:38:54.23 So, if you're following Jesus, 00:38:54.26\00:38:55.90 you're going to do the works of Jesus. 00:38:55.96\00:38:57.40 If you're not following Jesus, 00:38:57.47\00:38:59.60 you're going to do your own works or the devil's works. 00:38:59.63\00:39:02.97 The works that you do speak of whom you are following 00:39:03.00\00:39:06.31 and if your works speak of following Jesus, 00:39:06.34\00:39:10.71 Jesus says, you're going to be His... 00:39:10.75\00:39:14.78 it is marvelous when you consider the... the Scriptures 00:39:14.82\00:39:18.79 that in John chapter 1 He said... 00:39:18.82\00:39:22.66 the Bible says, "He came unto His own 00:39:22.69\00:39:26.49 and His own received Him not. " 00:39:26.53\00:39:28.36 But it also says, "As many as received Him, 00:39:28.40\00:39:32.70 to them gave He power to become the sons of God, 00:39:32.73\00:39:38.51 even to them that believe on His name. " 00:39:38.54\00:39:41.68 So, if we believe on His name, we will do His works 00:39:41.71\00:39:45.85 and it is marvelous to consider God's love for us. 00:39:45.88\00:39:49.98 I would like to look up another passage, 00:39:50.02\00:39:52.99 it's here in John... actually 1st John... 00:39:53.05\00:39:56.02 1st John chapter 3 and verse 1... 00:39:56.09\00:40:01.33 1st John chapter 3 and verse 1, 00:40:01.36\00:40:06.60 I am looking for it, 00:40:06.63\00:40:09.30 I will have someone else read 00:40:09.34\00:40:11.07 but we don't have a microphone to... to give to you, 00:40:11.11\00:40:14.04 notice the words of... of... of John here, 00:40:14.08\00:40:16.75 1st John chapter 3 beginning in verse 1, 00:40:16.78\00:40:19.45 "Behold, what manner of love 00:40:19.48\00:40:23.79 the Father hath bestowed upon us, 00:40:23.85\00:40:27.16 that we should be called the sons of God.. " 00:40:27.19\00:40:31.89 so that's... that's God's great love for us, 00:40:31.93\00:40:36.43 notice how it continues, 00:40:36.46\00:40:37.80 "therefore the world knoweth us not, 00:40:37.83\00:40:39.33 because it knew him not. 00:40:39.37\00:40:41.37 Beloved... " verse 2... 00:40:41.40\00:40:43.30 "now are we the sons of God, 00:40:43.34\00:40:45.17 and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: 00:40:45.21\00:40:48.74 but we know that, when He shall appear, 00:40:48.78\00:40:53.15 we shall be like Him; 00:40:53.18\00:40:55.12 for we shall see Him as He is. " 00:40:55.15\00:40:58.59 Notice verse 3, 00:40:58.62\00:40:59.99 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, 00:41:00.02\00:41:07.06 even as he is pure. " 00:41:07.10\00:41:10.17 Verse 4, "Whosoever committeth sin 00:41:10.20\00:41:13.87 transgresseth also the law: 00:41:13.94\00:41:16.84 for sin is the transgression of the law. " 00:41:16.91\00:41:21.31 Verse 5, "And you know that He was manifested 00:41:21.34\00:41:25.88 to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. " 00:41:25.91\00:41:30.39 "Whosoever abides in Him sinneth not: 00:41:30.45\00:41:34.72 whosoever sinneth... 00:41:34.76\00:41:36.39 whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, 00:41:36.42\00:41:38.96 neither hath known Him. " 00:41:38.99\00:41:40.33 And so, we can see clearly in the Bible 00:41:40.36\00:41:46.07 many passages that tell us 00:41:46.10\00:41:47.47 that if you choose to walk a life of sin, 00:41:47.50\00:41:51.67 the Bible says, "The wages of sin is death 00:41:51.71\00:41:55.84 but the gift of God is eternal life 00:41:55.88\00:41:58.95 through His Son Jesus Christ. 00:41:58.98\00:42:00.32 We'll lay the Bible down over here, 00:42:00.35\00:42:02.98 let us go back to Hebrews chapter 4 00:42:03.02\00:42:05.65 and read now, verse 15 again, 00:42:05.69\00:42:07.46 "For we have not an high priest" 00:42:07.49\00:42:10.06 oh sorry, I'll give you a moment to find it, 00:42:10.09\00:42:12.59 Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15, 00:42:12.63\00:42:15.16 we read it already 00:42:15.20\00:42:16.53 but let's stop and look at it a little closer, 00:42:16.56\00:42:18.27 Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15, 00:42:18.30\00:42:21.80 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched 00:42:21.84\00:42:24.91 with the feeling of our infirmities; 00:42:24.97\00:42:26.88 but was in all points tempted like as we are, 00:42:26.91\00:42:31.41 yet without sin. " 00:42:31.45\00:42:33.45 Praise the Lord. 00:42:33.52\00:42:35.48 All we can look in the Bible and we can see Jesus 00:42:35.52\00:42:40.06 that John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God 00:42:40.09\00:42:44.56 that taketh away the sin of the world. " 00:42:44.59\00:42:46.16 We can see Him doing acts of love 00:42:46.19\00:42:48.96 going from one place to another doing good works 00:42:49.00\00:42:50.97 eventually, we see Him making the decision 00:42:51.03\00:42:54.97 to take the cup of suffering that we were supposed to take, 00:42:55.00\00:42:57.97 to take our place and die for us on the cross 00:42:58.01\00:43:01.98 and as we consider His sacrifice 00:43:02.01\00:43:04.75 and understand that He faced the severest temptations 00:43:04.78\00:43:09.48 that any individual has ever been called upon to face 00:43:09.52\00:43:13.96 in the world. 00:43:14.02\00:43:15.92 Jesus was tempted... much more difficult than anyone 00:43:15.96\00:43:21.23 has ever been tempted in the world. 00:43:21.26\00:43:23.10 How do we know that? 00:43:23.13\00:43:24.47 Well, if you were the devil, 00:43:24.50\00:43:27.27 smiling... 00:43:27.30\00:43:28.64 if you were the devil and you knew 00:43:28.67\00:43:31.24 that your future depended on Jesus being defeated, 00:43:31.27\00:43:35.41 wouldn't you make it as difficult as possible for Him? 00:43:35.44\00:43:39.55 Wouldn't you bring Him the hardest temptations 00:43:39.58\00:43:43.39 so that if he sins, you have secured... 00:43:43.42\00:43:46.39 if you're the devil... 00:43:46.42\00:43:47.96 you have secured your future to reign as the devil, 00:43:47.99\00:43:51.19 but you know... if you were the devil... 00:43:51.23\00:43:54.00 that if Jesus is victorious, you are defeated 00:43:54.03\00:43:57.07 and your future is going to come to an end. 00:43:57.10\00:44:00.60 So you will make it as hard as possible 00:44:00.64\00:44:04.07 for the one that could take away the sins of the world. 00:44:04.11\00:44:07.34 So the devil made it as hard as possible for Jesus Christ. 00:44:07.38\00:44:10.61 It's true that the Bible apparently points out 00:44:10.85\00:44:14.25 only three major temptations, 00:44:14.28\00:44:16.62 but if you look at the words of Jesus 00:44:16.69\00:44:19.42 when He says to His disciples, 00:44:19.45\00:44:20.79 you have been with me through all my temptations. 00:44:20.82\00:44:23.53 the devil made it as hard as anybody has ever faced 00:44:23.56\00:44:26.09 upon this world 00:44:26.13\00:44:27.70 and when we read this passage in Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 00:44:27.73\00:44:31.13 He was tempted in all points just like we are 00:44:31.17\00:44:35.04 yet without sin. 00:44:35.07\00:44:37.64 We need to embrace that and take hold of that 00:44:37.67\00:44:40.94 and know that He did it for me, 00:44:40.98\00:44:43.11 that He did it for us 00:44:43.14\00:44:44.48 and having this High Priest that is passed into the heavens 00:44:44.51\00:44:49.68 let us consider verse 16 again, 00:44:49.72\00:44:51.89 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, 00:44:51.92\00:44:58.09 that we may obtain... " what? 00:44:58.13\00:45:01.06 "mercy, and find grace to help 00:45:01.13\00:45:04.03 in time of need. " 00:45:04.07\00:45:05.40 I would like to take a moment 00:45:05.43\00:45:07.00 to consider this word there "bold" 00:45:07.04\00:45:09.40 sometimes people look at that word and think it means 00:45:09.44\00:45:13.24 what we commonly look today as "Be Bold... " 00:45:13.27\00:45:16.14 and come like stomping in there demanding... 00:45:16.18\00:45:18.98 but the word in the Greek is more of, 00:45:19.01\00:45:21.95 "Let us come with confidence 00:45:21.98\00:45:23.35 knowing that we're not going to be turned away. " 00:45:23.39\00:45:27.42 See, we're coming for mercy and grace to help 00:45:27.46\00:45:31.46 in time of need, 00:45:31.49\00:45:32.83 so, you see, well we can come with confidence to Jesus 00:45:32.86\00:45:37.53 because... why? 00:45:37.57\00:45:38.90 the love that was portrayed, presented 00:45:38.93\00:45:44.34 and portrayed on the cross for us 00:45:44.37\00:45:48.34 and throughout His life, 00:45:48.38\00:45:49.74 let's us know that we will be accepted 00:45:49.78\00:45:53.52 and that we will not be turned away 00:45:53.55\00:45:56.58 if we come to Him just as we are 00:45:56.62\00:45:59.55 and so, we can take confidence in knowing 00:45:59.59\00:46:02.39 that God so loved the world... God so loved me 00:46:02.42\00:46:06.49 that He gave His only begotten Son 00:46:06.53\00:46:08.93 that if I believe in Him, I will not perish 00:46:08.96\00:46:11.33 but I will have everlasting life. 00:46:11.37\00:46:14.50 Praise be to His name. 00:46:14.54\00:46:16.34 So, this High Priest... when... when Jesus says, 00:46:16.37\00:46:20.84 "I go to prepare a place for you... 00:46:20.88\00:46:23.98 I will submit to you that this includes His ministry 00:46:24.01\00:46:29.25 as our High Priest in heaven, 00:46:29.28\00:46:31.52 yes, the mansions are involved 00:46:31.55\00:46:33.72 but also the ministry of Christ as our High Priest 00:46:33.76\00:46:37.36 in the Holy of Holies in what the Bible calls, 00:46:37.39\00:46:40.96 "The Most Holy Place" 00:46:41.00\00:46:42.53 and, of course, we have studied this subject before 00:46:42.56\00:46:45.47 most of us... most of you here... 00:46:45.50\00:46:48.77 and perhaps those who are listening by radio 00:46:48.80\00:46:51.01 or watching on television or internet 00:46:51.04\00:46:53.24 or whatever way you are watching 3ABN, 00:46:53.27\00:46:55.44 you may... you will understand 00:46:55.48\00:46:57.75 that there is a Holy Place and a Most Holy Place 00:46:57.78\00:47:03.79 and that the sanctuary on earth 00:47:03.82\00:47:05.82 was but a shadow or a copy of the temple in heaven 00:47:05.85\00:47:11.66 and that when this Scripture says 00:47:11.69\00:47:15.03 that in Hebrews chapter 4 verse 14, 00:47:15.06\00:47:18.30 that we have a High Priest that has passed into the heaven 00:47:18.33\00:47:21.20 Jesus Christ the righteous... our High Priest, 00:47:21.24\00:47:24.14 He is there in the Most Holy Place in heaven 00:47:24.17\00:47:27.01 pleading His blood in our behalf 00:47:27.04\00:47:30.41 and we should ever be thankful for that 00:47:30.45\00:47:33.08 and you see one of the aspects of the sacrifice of Christ 00:47:33.11\00:47:37.89 is... that demands another study... 00:47:37.92\00:47:42.86 is that the sacrifice on the cross 00:47:42.89\00:47:47.80 as great as it was 00:47:47.83\00:47:51.43 demands a continuing of ministering the blood. 00:47:51.47\00:47:57.37 If you consider the earthly sanctuary 00:47:57.41\00:48:00.51 and how everything took place... 00:48:00.54\00:48:03.35 once the lamb was offered and the blood was shed 00:48:03.41\00:48:08.28 it didn't stop there, the... the sinner understood 00:48:08.32\00:48:13.25 that the priest was to continue using the blood 00:48:13.29\00:48:18.19 to complete the atonement. 00:48:18.23\00:48:20.43 So, Jesus Christ upon dying on the cross 00:48:20.46\00:48:22.93 if you look at Romans... the book of Romans... 00:48:22.96\00:48:25.67 you will say that we will be saved by His life... 00:48:25.70\00:48:28.40 we have to understand by that 00:48:28.44\00:48:31.01 and the other passages in the book of Hebrews, 00:48:31.04\00:48:33.21 that we needed a High Priest... 00:48:33.27\00:48:35.81 that we need a High Priest 00:48:35.84\00:48:37.18 to go and minister the blood of Christ 00:48:37.21\00:48:39.65 in the heavenly Sanctuary for us... 00:48:39.68\00:48:42.38 Jesus Christ the righteous 00:48:42.45\00:48:45.05 and he is the way the truth and the life 00:48:45.09\00:48:48.62 and no man comes to the Father but by Him. 00:48:48.66\00:48:52.16 Audience: Amen. 00:48:52.19\00:48:53.53 Let us now move to John chapter 14 verse 3. 00:48:53.56\00:49:02.14 John chapter 14 and verse 3. 00:49:02.17\00:49:04.64 Pause. 00:49:04.67\00:49:06.94 Now, please remember that Jesus is talking to His disciples 00:49:06.98\00:49:11.31 and He's letting them know, "Don't be troubled... 00:49:11.35\00:49:13.75 I'm going to prepare a place for you... 00:49:13.78\00:49:16.28 I'm going... but I'm going to prepare a place for you" 00:49:16.32\00:49:18.59 now listen to the words of Jesus, 00:49:18.62\00:49:21.39 in John chapter 14 verse 3 00:49:21.42\00:49:24.56 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, 00:49:24.59\00:49:29.63 I will come again, and receive you unto myself; 00:49:29.66\00:49:36.24 that where I am, there ye may be also. " 00:49:36.27\00:49:42.58 Marvelous words and wonderful message for us. 00:49:42.61\00:49:47.58 Jesus says... Jesus said, 00:49:47.62\00:49:49.78 "And if go and prepare a place for you, 00:49:49.82\00:49:51.79 I'm not going to stay there, the time will come 00:49:51.85\00:49:56.12 when the next part of the verse will be fulfilled 00:49:56.16\00:50:00.40 and it will be just... we will be... 00:50:00.43\00:50:03.93 we will be able to say 00:50:03.97\00:50:05.30 just like the people of Israel said before, 00:50:05.33\00:50:08.40 "Not one word has failed 00:50:08.44\00:50:11.17 all that God said He would do, He has done, 00:50:11.21\00:50:14.61 praise, honor and glory be to His name. 00:50:14.64\00:50:17.81 Audience: Amen. 00:50:17.85\00:50:19.18 Jesus says, "I will come again" 00:50:19.21\00:50:20.55 and the next part of the verse says, 00:50:20.58\00:50:22.78 "and receive you unto Myself... " 00:50:22.82\00:50:25.05 how many of you want to be received by Jesus? 00:50:25.09\00:50:30.49 Praise the Lord, Amen, I hope that those listening... 00:50:30.53\00:50:34.53 also... that are not with us here... 00:50:34.56\00:50:36.67 will be able to say the same thing 00:50:36.70\00:50:38.73 and the verse continues to say that where I am 00:50:38.77\00:50:44.11 there you may be also. 00:50:44.14\00:50:48.41 Praise the Lord. 00:50:48.44\00:50:49.84 I would like to talk to you for a moment 00:50:49.88\00:50:52.58 about what Jesus said He was going to do, 00:50:52.61\00:50:55.28 you see, when He says, 00:50:55.32\00:50:57.49 "I'm going to prepare a place for you" 00:50:57.52\00:50:58.85 and we... as we look at all the Scriptures 00:50:58.89\00:51:02.82 we can see a wonderful, complete passage... 00:51:02.86\00:51:06.76 a complete package let's say, 00:51:06.80\00:51:09.10 of what God intends to do. 00:51:09.13\00:51:11.37 We see that Jesus Christ died on the cross, 00:51:11.40\00:51:16.20 we see that He's ministering in the heavenly Sanctuary for us 00:51:16.24\00:51:20.14 we see His promise that He says, 00:51:20.18\00:51:22.41 "I will come again to receive you unto myself" 00:51:22.44\00:51:24.58 and also, as we read in the Bible, 00:51:24.61\00:51:26.51 we understand that this eternal life is... 00:51:26.55\00:51:31.99 is one that is not like the one we live on earth right now 00:51:32.02\00:51:36.22 and I'm not sure 00:51:36.26\00:51:38.86 that many people would be really happy to know 00:51:38.89\00:51:41.43 you're going to have eternal life 00:51:41.46\00:51:43.00 just like you're living it right now. 00:51:43.03\00:51:44.53 Audience: Laughter. 00:51:44.57\00:51:45.90 Would you like eternal life just like you're living right now? 00:51:45.93\00:51:48.20 No, the one we're living now is not very good. 00:51:48.24\00:51:51.07 The life we are living now is not very good. 00:51:51.14\00:51:56.01 We are all... right now... subject to sickness, 00:51:56.04\00:51:58.45 subject to pain... 00:51:58.48\00:52:00.88 as mentioned before, there's uncertainty in the world, 00:52:00.92\00:52:04.99 you know, we are going to be done with this meeting very soon 00:52:05.02\00:52:09.09 and walk out the doors 00:52:09.12\00:52:11.03 but we don't know if, God forbid, as they say, 00:52:11.06\00:52:14.20 somebody will put a gun to our head and say, 00:52:14.23\00:52:17.37 "Give me all you have" or even pull the trigger 00:52:17.40\00:52:20.30 or we may drive down the road and somebody will hit us, 00:52:20.34\00:52:23.00 we do not know what's going to happen 00:52:23.04\00:52:25.14 this world is a world of uncertainty 00:52:25.17\00:52:27.21 I'm sure you've heard news of earthquakes and tornados 00:52:27.24\00:52:32.08 and calamities in the world. 00:52:32.11\00:52:34.65 We've heard of even... even 00:52:34.68\00:52:37.19 you know and I had not heard of this 00:52:37.22\00:52:38.75 until, I think, this year, 00:52:38.82\00:52:40.26 I heard of a house in Florida that the people went to bed 00:52:40.32\00:52:45.09 everything was fine 00:52:45.13\00:52:46.46 but apparently it's something called a sink hole 00:52:46.49\00:52:49.76 and the house sank, 00:52:49.80\00:52:52.33 I don't know how many people... does anybody remember? 00:52:52.37\00:52:53.84 Apparently, somebody in the home 00:52:53.87\00:52:55.97 was swallowed up or something by... by the sink hole 00:52:56.00\00:52:59.44 and now, this family... 00:52:59.47\00:53:01.48 they had worked hard to purchase their home, 00:53:01.51\00:53:04.81 now their home had to be torn down, 00:53:04.85\00:53:07.62 and so, earthquakes and calamities 00:53:07.65\00:53:09.55 and all these types of things... 00:53:09.58\00:53:11.42 the present condition in the world is not one 00:53:11.45\00:53:15.26 where one would want to life forever in, 00:53:15.29\00:53:17.86 what God is promising is eternal life 00:53:17.89\00:53:22.16 that is without pain, sickness nor death. 00:53:22.20\00:53:26.43 I would like to point to you another passage in the Bible, 00:53:26.47\00:53:29.50 this one is found in Revelation 21, 00:53:29.54\00:53:31.67 Revelation chapter 21 00:53:31.74\00:53:34.54 and we're going to read verses 1, 2 and 3 00:53:34.58\00:53:38.38 that highlight what we're talking about 00:53:38.41\00:53:42.18 and this is precious, precious promises of the Lord. 00:53:42.22\00:53:46.96 In Revelation chapter 21, 00:53:46.99\00:53:50.16 a beautiful picture is given to us 00:53:50.19\00:53:52.89 and let us begin reading in verse 1, 00:53:52.93\00:53:55.60 Revelation 21 chapter 21 verse 1 and onward... 00:53:55.63\00:53:59.77 John says, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: 00:53:59.83\00:54:05.87 for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; 00:54:05.91\00:54:10.65 and there was no more sea. 00:54:10.68\00:54:12.61 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, 00:54:12.65\00:54:17.12 coming down from God out of heaven, 00:54:17.15\00:54:20.02 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. " 00:54:20.06\00:54:24.06 Ah... verse 3, this is wonderful 00:54:24.09\00:54:26.43 "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 00:54:26.49\00:54:30.47 Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 00:54:30.53\00:54:34.60 and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, 00:54:34.64\00:54:39.14 and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. " 00:54:39.17\00:54:43.61 Verse 4, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 00:54:43.65\00:54:49.92 and there shall be no more death... " 00:54:49.98\00:54:51.75 how many will be happy about that? 00:54:51.79\00:54:53.52 "no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, 00:54:53.56\00:54:58.19 neither shall there be any more pain: 00:54:58.23\00:55:01.93 for the former things are passed away. " 00:55:01.96\00:55:06.10 Verse 5, "And He that sat upon the throne 00:55:06.13\00:55:10.24 said, Behold, I make all things new. 00:55:10.27\00:55:15.44 And He said unto me, 00:55:15.48\00:55:16.98 Write: for these words are true and faithful. " 00:55:17.01\00:55:21.68 Praise the Lord. 00:55:21.72\00:55:23.15 So that's the kind of... 00:55:23.18\00:55:24.55 that's the kind of future that is promised to us. 00:55:24.59\00:55:28.19 New heaven and a new earth. 00:55:28.22\00:55:30.56 So I'm glad it's not eternal life... such as we have today 00:55:30.59\00:55:34.96 as wonderful as your life may be, 00:55:35.00\00:55:36.87 as great as it may be... all the things that you have 00:55:37.13\00:55:40.84 or as little that you may have and be happy with, 00:55:40.90\00:55:45.31 God is promising to us eternal life, mansions, 00:55:45.34\00:55:49.74 such as you have never experienced 00:55:49.78\00:55:51.58 but besides all of what you would call 00:55:51.61\00:55:55.85 "material possessions" that are going to be available 00:55:55.88\00:55:59.29 to the people that follow Jesus, 00:55:59.32\00:56:02.22 it's going to be the love that is there 00:56:02.26\00:56:08.00 for we will love one another 00:56:08.03\00:56:10.20 such as you have never experienced before, 00:56:10.23\00:56:13.17 and I'm sure you've experienced love, 00:56:13.20\00:56:15.24 I'm sure you've been grateful for something 00:56:15.27\00:56:16.81 someone has done for you, 00:56:16.84\00:56:18.17 but... ah... 00:56:18.21\00:56:20.74 sometimes it is rare that people see this happening 00:56:20.78\00:56:24.41 on a continual basis, 00:56:24.45\00:56:25.78 but in heaven, it will be a continuation 00:56:25.81\00:56:27.65 throughout eternity that you'll be treated well, 00:56:27.68\00:56:30.09 that you won't be mistreated, 00:56:30.12\00:56:31.45 that nobody's going to yell at you, 00:56:31.49\00:56:32.82 that you won't suffer pain 00:56:32.85\00:56:34.19 and nobody's going to steal from you, 00:56:34.22\00:56:35.56 you're going to live in peace forever and ever and ever 00:56:35.59\00:56:39.29 without end 00:56:39.33\00:56:40.66 and so such is the privilege of those that follow the Lord. 00:56:40.70\00:56:45.20 Audience: Amen. 00:56:45.23\00:56:46.57 And so, I would like to encourage you 00:56:46.60\00:56:47.97 that as you consider John chapter 14, verses 1, 2 and 3, 00:56:48.00\00:56:54.64 Jesus is going to prepare a place for us 00:56:54.68\00:56:58.31 and Jesus says that believe in Him... 00:56:58.35\00:57:01.92 remember that Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, 00:57:01.95\00:57:05.15 the works that I do, shall he do also. " 00:57:05.19\00:57:07.82 How is it that we can do the works that Jesus did? 00:57:07.86\00:57:11.19 Remember that Jesus said in John chapter 15... 00:57:11.23\00:57:14.46 at the end of verse 5, "Without Me you can do nothing" 00:57:14.50\00:57:18.83 but with Jesus, all things are possible. 00:57:18.87\00:57:22.37 So, as we end this Program, 00:57:22.40\00:57:24.74 we'd like to invite you to the next Sharper Focus Program 00:57:24.77\00:57:29.54 that you can watch here on 3ABN or listen to on 3ABN... 00:57:29.58\00:57:34.32 every Wednesday night at 7 p. m. 00:57:34.35\00:57:36.32 you can see this Bible Study, 00:57:36.35\00:57:38.25 we encourage you to join us for a Sharper Focus 00:57:38.29\00:57:40.92 where we focus on the message of the Bible... 00:57:40.96\00:57:43.56 where we focus on Jesus 00:57:43.59\00:57:44.96 and we want to encourage you to continue following Jesus. 00:57:44.99\00:57:47.96 He says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" 00:57:48.00\00:57:51.60 and that's a promise that we can live throughout eternity with 00:57:51.63\00:57:56.17 because we know that He will never leave us 00:57:56.20\00:57:58.21 nor forsake us and He promises His peace, 00:57:58.24\00:58:00.01 Jesus said, "Peace I leave unto you... 00:58:00.04\00:58:01.78 My peace give I unto you. " 00:58:01.81\00:58:03.61 God bless you. 00:58:03.65\00:58:04.98