I have the privilege of
this evening of introducing
00:00:20.32\00:00:23.39
our ASI speaker at
this opening meeting.
00:00:23.42\00:00:27.86
Pastor Ted
Wilson is the President
00:00:27.89\00:00:29.89
of the General Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists.
00:00:29.92\00:00:33.63
He is the pastor of
over 21 million people
00:00:33.66\00:00:39.30
in 215 countries.
00:00:39.33\00:00:41.80
I wanna share
with you five things
00:00:41.84\00:00:43.61
you may not know
about Elder Wilson.
00:00:43.64\00:00:46.88
Number one, he grew up in Egypt.
00:00:46.91\00:00:50.18
He's lived in the United States,
00:00:50.21\00:00:51.95
the Middle East,
Africa, and Russia.
00:00:51.98\00:00:54.45
He speaks English, French,
00:00:54.48\00:00:58.12
Russian some, and some Arabic.
00:00:58.15\00:01:01.29
He has a PhD degree
from New York University
00:01:01.32\00:01:06.06
specialized in city evangelism.
00:01:06.09\00:01:09.26
Elder Wilson is well,
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you may not know this
00:01:11.07\00:01:12.53
is a certified
Health Education Specialist.
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And he has a
degree in Public Health.
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You may not know as well,
that his wife's name is Nancy,
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many of you know that, he
has three married daughters,
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and he has 10 grandchildren.
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Now you might wanna know,
what does Pastor Wilson do
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when he's not at the
General Conference office?
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He loves hiking
and mountain climbing,
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but did you know he
was an expert carpenter?
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You may not know as well,
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that in addition to
being an administrator,
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he's a pastor, a writer,
and that he loves evangelism.
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He just came back
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from an
evangelistic meeting in India.
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Now at the core of his
being, he loves the church,
00:01:53.61\00:01:57.05
he loves this
message, he loves God's people.
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And especially he loves ASI
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and lay people are
witnessing for Christ.
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After the music you'll
hear a message from God
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given through Pastor Wilson
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that will be
indicted by the Holy Spirit.
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Come
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Thou Fount of every blessing
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Tune my heart to sing thy grace
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Streams of mercy never ceasing
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Call for songs
of sweetest praise
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Teach me some melodious sonnet
00:03:04.18\00:03:10.45
Sung by flaming tongues above
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Praise the mount
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I'm fixed upon it
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Mount of Thy redeeming love
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Here I raise my Ebenezer
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Here there by Thy help I've come
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And I hope by Thy good pleasure
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Safely to arrive at home
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Jesus sought me when a stranger
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Wandering from the fold of God
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He, to rescue me from danger
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Interposed His precious blood
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Oh, to grace how great a debtor
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Daily I'm constrained to be
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Let Thy goodness like a fetter
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Bind my wandering heart to Thee
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Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
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Prone to leave the God I love
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Here's my heart
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Oh take and seal it
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Seal it for Thy courts above
00:05:16.14\00:05:22.22
Here's my heart,
oh, take and seal it,
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seal it for the courts above.
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What a beautiful way
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in which to begin our
ASI Convention this evening,
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to give ourselves to the Lord
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in a very
peculiar and specific way.
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What a privilege it is
to be here with you tonight
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to support this
magnificent organization
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that has sharing
Christ in the marketplace
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as your greatest theme.
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But the theme for this ASI
here in Louisville, Kentucky,
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is written in some letters
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that may be a little bit
difficult for you to see.
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But it is Business Unusual
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for God's Unusual Business.
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You'll see a
little clock up there
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that shows that
it's almost 12 o'clock.
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It is almost the time
for the Lord's appearing.
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It is a time in which all of us
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must be actively
involved as a group.
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The
denominational paid individuals,
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lay people working together
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in a powerful way
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for business
unusual, unusual business.
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This is the time
in which we live.
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An opportunity
for us to be involved
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in God's last day proclamation.
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The three angels' messages
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flowing across the skies
from one continent to another,
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bringing about
the last proclamation.
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Tonight,
00:07:37.05\00:07:38.75
we're gonna spend a few minutes
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in a kind of an
informal study of God's Word
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and the Spirit of
Prophecy to understand
00:07:45.43\00:07:48.86
what it really means
to be Business Unusual
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for ASI.
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ASI was established about 1947,
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a marvelous organization
00:08:02.88\00:08:04.35
that started out
as the association
00:08:04.38\00:08:06.95
of self-supporting institutions.
00:08:06.98\00:08:10.72
A wonderful way in which God saw
00:08:10.75\00:08:13.12
that lay people working in
order to support themselves
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would be able to help the church
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in a powerful
manner in its outreach.
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As ASI developed
further and further,
00:08:26.70\00:08:29.70
more and more people
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became part of
this amazing outreach.
00:08:31.64\00:08:36.58
And it is now developed
00:08:36.61\00:08:37.95
into Adventist
Laymen's Services & Industries.
00:08:37.98\00:08:44.19
I want to thank all
of you here tonight,
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and all those
who will be coming.
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On behalf of the world church,
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I wanna give a
ringing endorsement
00:08:53.23\00:08:56.10
and a huge vote of
thanks for what you are doing
00:08:56.13\00:09:01.20
as members of ASI.
00:09:01.24\00:09:03.97
Thank you for being part of
God's last day proclamation.
00:09:04.01\00:09:09.84
Never fear and never feel
00:09:09.88\00:09:13.85
that somehow you
are being marginalized.
00:09:13.88\00:09:17.52
Somehow you are not a part
00:09:17.55\00:09:20.62
of God's last day proclamation.
00:09:20.66\00:09:24.63
Business Unusual,
00:09:24.66\00:09:27.56
the time and the
clock is ticking.
00:09:27.60\00:09:30.97
My own personal family
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has deep roots in ASI.
00:09:35.80\00:09:41.74
My grandfather and
grandmother on the Wilson side
00:09:41.78\00:09:45.71
began essentially their ministry
00:09:45.75\00:09:49.22
at Madison College.
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They along with
brothers of my grandfather,
00:09:51.82\00:09:57.49
my great uncles,
00:09:57.53\00:09:59.03
and their
families have deep roots
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in that beautiful
experience of Madison College.
00:10:02.60\00:10:07.60
From that experience,
00:10:07.64\00:10:10.84
my own personal family
00:10:10.87\00:10:12.31
has grown to
love this organization
00:10:12.34\00:10:15.68
because it is full of people
that have absolutely one goal
00:10:15.71\00:10:21.02
and that is to
allow Jesus to use them
00:10:21.05\00:10:24.75
to proclaim the soon
coming of Jesus Christ.
00:10:24.79\00:10:29.22
And that's what
Business Unusual is all about.
00:10:29.26\00:10:34.20
Tonight, as we focus
upon what you can do,
00:10:34.23\00:10:38.50
and what scripture tells us,
00:10:38.53\00:10:40.77
this amazing and
unbelievable setting
00:10:40.80\00:10:45.04
in which we are in now
00:10:45.07\00:10:48.24
will only give us
greater opportunity
00:10:48.28\00:10:51.48
to allow the
Holy Spirit to use us.
00:10:51.51\00:10:54.15
I want you to understand fully
00:10:54.18\00:10:56.45
you are part
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of God's great proclamation.
00:10:58.69\00:11:02.92
Business Unusual,
00:11:02.96\00:11:06.46
the theme itself
gives you an understanding
00:11:06.49\00:11:09.13
that there is
something that is peculiar.
00:11:09.16\00:11:12.93
There's something unique.
00:11:12.97\00:11:14.30
There's something exciting
00:11:14.34\00:11:15.67
about what's
going to be happening.
00:11:15.70\00:11:17.54
Now I don't know if
you been able to look at
00:11:17.57\00:11:20.61
the most recent Inside ASI.
00:11:20.64\00:11:25.45
As I was looking
through this the other day,
00:11:25.48\00:11:29.08
I looked at the editor's note
00:11:29.12\00:11:30.99
written by the
editor, Kristi Jensen.
00:11:31.02\00:11:34.06
And Kristi brought out
some absolutely amazing things
00:11:34.09\00:11:37.86
about Business Unusual.
00:11:37.89\00:11:40.60
I'm not gonna read the
entire short editorial,
00:11:40.63\00:11:43.67
but let me pick
out just a few points.
00:11:43.70\00:11:47.10
"The end is near
00:11:47.14\00:11:49.14
yet what are we doing to prepare
00:11:49.17\00:11:52.27
unusual times call
for unusual business."
00:11:52.31\00:11:57.45
That's why you're here tonight.
00:11:57.48\00:11:59.88
That's why you're a part of ASI.
00:11:59.91\00:12:02.35
That's why I'm here tonight.
00:12:02.38\00:12:06.72
She goes on to say,
few more lines down.
00:12:06.76\00:12:10.19
"While dwelling on our mortality
00:12:10.23\00:12:12.33
is counterproductive
00:12:12.36\00:12:13.93
focusing on our
mission is imperative.
00:12:13.96\00:12:17.03
Are our lives
reflecting the time
00:12:17.07\00:12:19.93
in which we live?"
00:12:19.97\00:12:22.57
Don't forget that clock up there
00:12:22.60\00:12:24.87
minutes before midnight.
00:12:24.91\00:12:29.28
Are we living lives
of unusual dedication,
00:12:29.31\00:12:33.45
unusual love,
and unusual business?
00:12:33.48\00:12:39.32
A little further
on, she points out,
00:12:39.35\00:12:42.09
"As we consider our mission
00:12:42.12\00:12:43.93
in this unusual
time in earth's history
00:12:43.96\00:12:47.76
take time to pray,
00:12:47.80\00:12:50.53
to meditate on
scripture and to witness,
00:12:50.57\00:12:54.74
listen to the voice of the Lord,
00:12:54.77\00:12:57.27
live a godly Christian life."
00:12:57.31\00:12:59.87
And then she
concludes with this.
00:12:59.91\00:13:01.88
"We are living in the end times.
00:13:01.91\00:13:05.11
How are you
living an unusual life?"
00:13:05.15\00:13:11.92
The objectives
of ASI are amazing,
00:13:11.95\00:13:16.46
for it is really
a practical approach
00:13:16.49\00:13:20.20
that ASI engenders in its work.
00:13:20.23\00:13:24.90
Christ in the marketplace.
00:13:24.93\00:13:27.14
Represented here tonight
00:13:27.17\00:13:28.50
are many different
kinds of businesses,
00:13:28.54\00:13:31.17
many different
kinds of services,
00:13:31.21\00:13:33.38
self-supporting institutions,
00:13:33.41\00:13:35.51
special mission
outreach activities.
00:13:35.54\00:13:40.52
You are vital to the
mission of the church.
00:13:40.55\00:13:44.79
And the objectives that ASI has
00:13:44.82\00:13:47.62
is to make this
outreach practical
00:13:47.66\00:13:51.43
as we come up
to the end of time.
00:13:51.46\00:13:57.43
What are the ASI purposes?
00:13:57.47\00:14:01.64
Well, I went on to the website,
00:14:01.67\00:14:03.44
you know, you can find
almost anything online.
00:14:03.47\00:14:07.28
You can't believe
everything online,
00:14:07.31\00:14:09.51
but you can find a
lot of things online.
00:14:09.54\00:14:12.51
In fact, I don't even worry
about a concordance anymore.
00:14:12.55\00:14:17.45
I don't worry about trying
to find specific information
00:14:17.49\00:14:21.06
in some
encyclopedia, I just Google it.
00:14:21.09\00:14:25.93
And then, of
course, I have to decide
00:14:25.96\00:14:27.43
whether I want to
accept that particular result.
00:14:27.46\00:14:31.43
But the ASI website tells us
00:14:31.47\00:14:35.30
ASI is a
membership based organization
00:14:35.34\00:14:38.87
of Seventh-day
Adventist lay people
00:14:38.91\00:14:42.48
who are enthusiastic.
00:14:42.51\00:14:44.48
Now I like that word.
00:14:44.51\00:14:46.61
If you came here tonight to ASI,
00:14:46.65\00:14:51.05
tired after a long trip,
00:14:51.09\00:14:54.52
troubled about some experience,
00:14:54.56\00:14:57.36
challenged about perhaps
some business opportunity,
00:14:57.39\00:15:02.03
maybe a little distracted.
00:15:02.06\00:15:03.80
I want you to
become enthusiastic tonight
00:15:03.83\00:15:07.77
because that's
what it says you are.
00:15:07.80\00:15:11.47
Lay people who are enthusiastic
00:15:11.51\00:15:13.71
about actively participating
00:15:13.74\00:15:16.04
in the churches'
world-wide mission.
00:15:16.08\00:15:21.22
That's what ASI is all about.
00:15:21.25\00:15:23.69
To spread the Gospel
of Christ to the world,
00:15:23.72\00:15:26.15
this unique and
diverse group of members
00:15:26.19\00:15:30.83
and that's all of you,
00:15:30.86\00:15:34.70
ranges from business owners,
to individual professionals,
00:15:34.73\00:15:39.57
to supporting ministries,
00:15:39.60\00:15:43.04
enthusiastically
spreading God's Word
00:15:43.07\00:15:47.94
and His mission.
00:15:47.98\00:15:51.38
You see Business
Unusual requires you to become
00:15:51.41\00:15:57.39
part of God's great
last day proclamation,
00:15:57.42\00:16:02.92
total member involvement,
00:16:02.96\00:16:05.66
everyone doing something
for Jesus as we anticipate
00:16:05.69\00:16:11.63
the time reaching 12 o'clock.
00:16:11.67\00:16:17.54
Recently, I was
looking at a magazine,
00:16:17.57\00:16:22.48
was actually directed
to this particular article.
00:16:22.51\00:16:27.85
It is in the latest
version of Adventist Journey,
00:16:27.88\00:16:33.89
which is the
North American Division
00:16:33.92\00:16:37.16
edition of Adventist World.
00:16:37.19\00:16:40.06
It has Adventist
World included in it.
00:16:40.10\00:16:43.06
There was an
article, a commentary
00:16:43.10\00:16:45.50
by a gentleman
named Adam Fenner.
00:16:45.53\00:16:48.50
Adam Fenner is the Director
00:16:48.54\00:16:51.04
of the Adventist
Learning Community
00:16:51.07\00:16:54.04
sponsored by the
North American Division.
00:16:54.08\00:16:57.85
In this particular article,
and you may have seen it.
00:16:57.88\00:17:02.92
The title of it is,
00:17:02.95\00:17:04.75
"Is Adventism Relevant Anymore?"
00:17:04.79\00:17:09.99
And Adam goes on to explain.
00:17:10.03\00:17:12.33
And Adam is a very
single-minded focused person.
00:17:12.36\00:17:16.16
He's a bright individual.
00:17:16.20\00:17:18.83
He has friends like
you do in the church.
00:17:18.87\00:17:22.10
And he went on to explain
that, "Two of his best friends
00:17:22.14\00:17:25.57
left the church
during the past year.
00:17:25.61\00:17:28.98
Both went through
Adventist education
00:17:29.01\00:17:31.25
from kindergarten
through graduate school."
00:17:31.28\00:17:34.12
And then he goes on to say that,
00:17:34.15\00:17:35.48
"They're financially
successful, respected,
00:17:35.52\00:17:38.62
well-liked by
their peers, etcetera."
00:17:38.65\00:17:43.02
He says, "That they were
active in their local churches.
00:17:43.06\00:17:46.70
They never let
meat touch their lips,
00:17:46.73\00:17:49.40
never consumed alcohol,
00:17:49.43\00:17:51.43
and generally
were shining examples
00:17:51.47\00:17:53.60
of traditional Adventism.
00:17:53.64\00:17:56.00
But recently,
quite independently..."
00:17:56.04\00:17:59.97
Now these are two
of his best friends.
00:18:00.01\00:18:02.48
"They stopped going to church
00:18:02.51\00:18:04.68
and informed their communities
00:18:04.71\00:18:06.65
they no longer
considered themselves
00:18:06.68\00:18:09.48
Seventh-day Adventists."
00:18:09.52\00:18:13.89
Then he goes on to
say, "My friends told me,
00:18:13.92\00:18:16.93
'The church is no
longer relevant to my life.'
00:18:16.96\00:18:21.13
For them,
00:18:21.16\00:18:22.50
Adventism became spiritually
and mentally draining
00:18:22.53\00:18:26.87
rather than sustaining."
00:18:26.90\00:18:29.40
And then I close with
what he continued to say,
00:18:32.47\00:18:36.58
"For the most part
they continue to believe
00:18:36.61\00:18:38.55
the 28 Fundamental
Beliefs in some capacity,
00:18:38.58\00:18:41.95
but have been so dismayed
by the church's execution
00:18:41.98\00:18:47.26
of the Gospel Commission
00:18:47.29\00:18:49.59
that they simply have
lost faith in the church."
00:18:49.62\00:18:54.80
Now I don't know who
these individuals are
00:18:54.83\00:18:57.27
and what their
background has been.
00:18:57.30\00:18:59.40
I don't know what drove
them to give up something
00:18:59.43\00:19:02.97
which had been such
a part of their lives.
00:19:03.00\00:19:06.11
But I want to tell
you, my dear friends at ASI,
00:19:06.14\00:19:09.28
one of the greatest solutions
for those two individuals,
00:19:09.31\00:19:13.31
not knowing who they are,
00:19:13.35\00:19:14.98
but I would venture
to say there would be
00:19:15.02\00:19:20.69
a much greater
enthusiasm on their part
00:19:20.72\00:19:24.69
if those people had joined ASI.
00:19:24.73\00:19:30.03
ASI gives you an
enthusiastic view
00:19:30.07\00:19:34.04
of World Mission.
00:19:34.07\00:19:35.80
ASI gives you that understanding
00:19:35.84\00:19:38.64
that it is Business Unusual.
00:19:38.67\00:19:41.38
It is unusual business
that God wants us to be about.
00:19:41.41\00:19:46.82
I want you to pray along with me
00:19:46.85\00:19:48.55
for those two
young professionals,
00:19:48.58\00:19:51.95
that God somehow will bring them
00:19:51.99\00:19:54.19
back into an understanding
00:19:54.22\00:19:58.16
of what service is all about
00:19:58.19\00:20:02.40
when it comes
down to understanding
00:20:02.43\00:20:05.00
God's great plan for each of us.
00:20:05.03\00:20:08.60
Business Unusual means
being part of God's proclamation
00:20:08.64\00:20:13.84
and service to others.
00:20:13.88\00:20:15.74
And that is what
ASI is all about.
00:20:15.78\00:20:20.95
Get involved with God's work,
00:20:20.98\00:20:25.22
for the time is ticking
00:20:25.25\00:20:27.86
close to midnight.
00:20:27.89\00:20:32.53
In Scripture,
00:20:32.56\00:20:35.16
we understand and
read something fascinating
00:20:35.20\00:20:39.23
in the 1 Book of Peter.
00:20:39.27\00:20:42.84
And for a few
moments I wanna focus
00:20:42.87\00:20:44.54
on 1 Peter Chapter 4.
00:20:44.57\00:20:48.21
If you have
your Bibles with you,
00:20:48.24\00:20:50.15
if you have your
Bible on your iPhone,
00:20:50.18\00:20:53.58
whatever it is, go
to 1 Peter Chapter 4
00:20:53.62\00:20:56.95
and beginning with verse 7.
00:20:56.99\00:21:01.22
In this particular chapter,
00:21:01.26\00:21:03.02
there are unusual guidelines
and principles for all of us
00:21:03.06\00:21:07.86
as we are facing
the very end of time.
00:21:07.90\00:21:10.90
Let me tell you,
my wife and I, Nancy,
00:21:10.93\00:21:13.80
travel all over the world.
00:21:13.84\00:21:15.67
We visit so many
places we understand and see
00:21:15.70\00:21:19.07
what is happening in
the world just as you do.
00:21:19.11\00:21:24.45
I want to tell you,
00:21:24.48\00:21:25.81
we are living in the
very last tips of the toes
00:21:25.85\00:21:30.49
of the statue of
Daniel Chapter 2.
00:21:30.52\00:21:34.09
The next great
event that will take place
00:21:34.12\00:21:36.49
is the coming of that rock,
00:21:36.52\00:21:38.83
not cut out with man's hands,
00:21:38.86\00:21:41.90
representing the
Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
00:21:41.93\00:21:45.17
We are living in
unusual times, business unusual,
00:21:45.20\00:21:51.87
the clock is ticking.
00:21:51.91\00:21:55.88
1 Peter 4:7,
00:21:55.91\00:21:57.98
"But the end of
all things is at hand."
00:21:58.01\00:22:01.98
I believe we are there.
00:22:02.02\00:22:05.15
"Therefore be serious and
watchful in your prayers."
00:22:05.19\00:22:09.22
If ever there was a time to
be a joyous happy Christian,
00:22:09.26\00:22:13.60
but to focus on
things in a serious manner,
00:22:13.63\00:22:17.27
it is right now.
00:22:17.30\00:22:19.50
Seventh-day
Adventist should not be moping,
00:22:19.53\00:22:22.00
should not be so frustrated
00:22:22.04\00:22:24.01
with all of their
experiences that they become
00:22:24.04\00:22:29.64
as Elder Ralph Thompson
00:22:29.68\00:22:32.35
used to say sadventists.
00:22:32.38\00:22:38.05
Elder Ralph Thompson,
00:22:38.09\00:22:39.42
former secretary of
the General Conference,
00:22:39.45\00:22:41.46
a wonderful mentor
of mine, used to say,
00:22:41.49\00:22:44.59
"We should not be as
Adventists, sadventists,
00:22:44.63\00:22:49.46
we should be gladventists."
00:22:49.50\00:22:52.77
I want to tell you as we
look to the future and realize
00:22:52.80\00:22:56.04
that there are amazing things
that God wants to do with us.
00:22:56.07\00:23:00.18
We should be glad but
serious at the same time.
00:23:00.21\00:23:03.71
"And above all things have
fervent love for one another,
00:23:03.75\00:23:07.88
for love will cover
a multitude of sins."
00:23:07.92\00:23:11.45
I just wanna stop for a moment.
00:23:11.49\00:23:14.32
I don't care where
you go in what country
00:23:14.36\00:23:16.96
and certainly
within our own environment
00:23:16.99\00:23:21.50
in this country,
00:23:21.53\00:23:23.26
there is such a
lack of love for others,
00:23:23.30\00:23:27.57
that it is driving
people into opposite corners.
00:23:27.60\00:23:33.11
And God is calling for
us as Seventh-day Adventist
00:23:33.14\00:23:36.31
to bring true love
into desperate situations.
00:23:36.34\00:23:42.38
There is nothing more powerful
00:23:42.42\00:23:44.22
than a loving and
lovable Christian.
00:23:44.25\00:23:50.03
Now as scripture
goes on, it says,
00:23:50.06\00:23:52.43
"Be hospitable to one
another without grumbling."
00:23:52.46\00:23:57.93
Be open to helping others.
00:23:57.97\00:24:00.54
Your influence will
make such a difference
00:24:00.57\00:24:03.94
in Business Unusual.
00:24:03.97\00:24:07.11
"As each one has
received the gift,
00:24:07.14\00:24:09.11
minister to one another,
00:24:09.14\00:24:10.95
as good stewards of
the manifold grace of God."
00:24:10.98\00:24:14.62
Let me tell you,
00:24:14.65\00:24:15.98
Seventh-day Adventist ought
to be the greatest proponents
00:24:16.02\00:24:19.09
of the grace of Jesus
Christ anywhere on this earth.
00:24:19.12\00:24:24.99
We are only saved by
the grace of Jesus Christ,
00:24:25.03\00:24:28.70
by the righteousness of Christ.
00:24:28.73\00:24:31.27
Now I will have to tell
you and I'm gonna be preaching
00:24:31.30\00:24:33.44
on this Daniel Counsel.
00:24:33.47\00:24:35.24
The
righteousness of Jesus Christ
00:24:35.27\00:24:38.07
involves marvelous
aspects of justification.
00:24:38.11\00:24:44.58
And the righteousness of Christ
00:24:44.61\00:24:46.68
is also involved
in sanctification.
00:24:46.72\00:24:50.72
It is His complete
and wonderful plan,
00:24:50.75\00:24:54.62
all through His righteousness,
00:24:54.66\00:24:56.96
but the grace that
has been provided to us
00:24:56.99\00:24:59.86
is to be the core
00:24:59.89\00:25:01.30
of why we are
propelled in Business Unusual.
00:25:01.33\00:25:07.04
"If anyone speaks,
00:25:07.07\00:25:08.40
let him speak as
the oracles of God.
00:25:08.44\00:25:10.54
If anyone
ministers, let him do it
00:25:10.57\00:25:13.98
as with the
ability which God supplies,
00:25:14.01\00:25:16.75
that in all things
God may be glorified
00:25:16.78\00:25:19.18
through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong the glory
00:25:19.21\00:25:22.42
and the dominion
forever and ever."
00:25:22.45\00:25:26.05
I wanna tell you
in Business Unusual
00:25:26.09\00:25:28.06
as ASI continues
its powerful message
00:25:28.09\00:25:31.56
to the world,
00:25:31.59\00:25:33.46
as it participates
in the church outreach
00:25:33.50\00:25:37.37
in revival and reformation,
00:25:37.40\00:25:40.24
in mission to the cities
00:25:40.27\00:25:42.10
in comprehensive health ministry
00:25:42.14\00:25:44.84
or medical missionary work,
in total member involvement.
00:25:44.87\00:25:48.98
All of that is to point people
00:25:49.01\00:25:52.11
not to self but to Jesus Christ.
00:25:52.15\00:25:56.08
One of the greatest challenges
00:25:56.12\00:25:57.52
the Seventh-day
Adventist Church faces
00:25:57.55\00:26:00.46
is not some nuclear holocaust,
00:26:00.49\00:26:03.79
not some
persecution that may come,
00:26:03.83\00:26:06.90
not some disastrous situation.
00:26:06.93\00:26:10.73
The greatest
challenge we face is self.
00:26:10.77\00:26:16.71
God is calling for us
to give God the glory,
00:26:16.74\00:26:21.38
to have selflessness
and selfless service.
00:26:21.41\00:26:26.18
That is what
Business Unusual is all about.
00:26:26.21\00:26:31.75
Peter goes on saying,
00:26:31.79\00:26:33.86
"Don't think it strange
concerning the fiery trial
00:26:33.89\00:26:37.16
which is to try you,
00:26:37.19\00:26:38.73
as though some strange
thing happened to you."
00:26:38.76\00:26:41.66
When you become a wonderful
follower of Jesus Christ
00:26:41.70\00:26:47.04
expect people are
going to be against you.
00:26:47.07\00:26:53.14
It's just part of the criteria.
00:26:53.17\00:26:59.61
It goes on to say,
00:26:59.65\00:27:00.98
"But rejoice to the
extent that you partake
00:27:01.02\00:27:03.92
of Christ's sufferings,
00:27:03.95\00:27:07.16
that when His glory is revealed,
00:27:07.19\00:27:08.66
you may also be
glad with exceeding joy."
00:27:08.69\00:27:13.13
Some of you have
experienced great suffering.
00:27:13.16\00:27:16.87
There are those
perhaps in the audience tonight
00:27:16.90\00:27:19.53
who have been in
unfortunate situations
00:27:19.57\00:27:23.04
where you have been persecuted.
00:27:23.07\00:27:25.77
And you have
left that situation.
00:27:25.81\00:27:28.98
There are people here
who have suffered physically
00:27:29.01\00:27:32.01
with many difficulties,
00:27:32.05\00:27:33.75
you have suffered spiritually
with people against you.
00:27:33.78\00:27:37.19
But let me tell you,
00:27:37.22\00:27:38.55
none of us have ever
suffered as Jesus suffered.
00:27:38.59\00:27:42.92
So be glad to suffer
in the name of the Lord.
00:27:42.96\00:27:48.26
Now here's an interesting verse
00:27:48.30\00:27:49.76
as we come to the end
of this particular chapter,
00:27:49.80\00:27:54.24
"If you are reproached
for the name of Christ,
00:27:54.27\00:27:58.67
blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory
00:27:58.71\00:28:01.94
and of God rests upon you."
00:28:01.98\00:28:06.15
If I were to ask you to
raise your hands tonight
00:28:06.18\00:28:08.72
as to how many
have been reproached
00:28:08.75\00:28:12.95
because of your
connection with Jesus.
00:28:12.99\00:28:16.69
My estimation would
be that most of you have.
00:28:16.73\00:28:21.96
Don't worry
about what people say
00:28:22.00\00:28:24.43
in the corners about you.
00:28:24.47\00:28:26.53
Don't worry about being slighted
00:28:26.57\00:28:29.24
for some position
in your local church.
00:28:29.27\00:28:32.14
Don't worry about
what people are saying
00:28:32.17\00:28:35.18
on social media about you.
00:28:35.21\00:28:39.71
Let me tell you if
I worried about that,
00:28:39.75\00:28:42.85
I wouldn't be here tonight.
00:28:42.88\00:28:47.06
You just lean on the Lord.
00:28:47.09\00:28:49.62
You just say,
Lord, take care of us.
00:28:49.66\00:28:51.99
And thank You for
letting me be reproached
00:28:52.03\00:28:55.86
for Your name.
00:28:55.90\00:28:59.27
"On their part He is blasphemed,
00:28:59.30\00:29:02.44
but on your part
He is glorified."
00:29:02.47\00:29:08.78
By God's grace,
00:29:08.81\00:29:10.31
and our connection with
Him in Business Unusual,
00:29:10.35\00:29:14.22
may everything we
do bring glory to God.
00:29:14.25\00:29:19.75
"But let none of you
suffer as a murderer,
00:29:19.79\00:29:22.59
a thief, an evildoer,
00:29:22.62\00:29:24.19
or as a busybody in
other people's matters."
00:29:24.23\00:29:27.33
Now it's
interesting in that sequence
00:29:27.36\00:29:29.50
of descriptions,
00:29:29.53\00:29:31.23
most of you would
say, "I'm not a murderer.
00:29:31.27\00:29:34.87
I'm not a thief.
I'm not an evil doer."
00:29:34.90\00:29:39.11
However, I wanna tell
you and I include myself,
00:29:39.14\00:29:42.28
are we tempted to
become busy buddies
00:29:42.31\00:29:45.35
in other people's business?
00:29:45.38\00:29:48.48
Tempted to criticize,
00:29:48.52\00:29:50.92
tempted to somehow move
people away from a focus
00:29:50.95\00:29:56.89
on Business Unusual.
00:29:56.93\00:30:00.00
"Yet if anyone
suffers as a Christian,
00:30:00.03\00:30:01.76
let him not be ashamed,
00:30:01.80\00:30:03.13
but let him
glorify God in this matter.
00:30:03.16\00:30:06.03
For the time has come
00:30:06.07\00:30:08.10
for judgment to
begin at the house of God,
00:30:08.14\00:30:11.07
and if it begins with us first,
00:30:11.11\00:30:13.78
what will be the end of those
00:30:13.81\00:30:15.51
who do not obey
the gospel of God?"
00:30:15.54\00:30:19.55
Peter begins to
worry about those
00:30:19.58\00:30:22.15
to whom you are ministering to
00:30:22.18\00:30:26.15
in the marketplace.
00:30:26.19\00:30:29.36
And then he quotes
from the Book of Proverbs.
00:30:29.39\00:30:32.59
"Now 'If the
righteous one is scarcely saved,
00:30:32.63\00:30:35.60
where will the ungodly
and the sinner appear?'
00:30:35.63\00:30:40.77
"In other words,
00:30:40.80\00:30:42.64
it seems to me Peter is
saying it's a challenge for us
00:30:42.67\00:30:45.87
who are even connected with God
00:30:45.91\00:30:48.68
to somehow be able
to be judged worthy.
00:30:48.71\00:30:52.01
What about all
these other people
00:30:52.05\00:30:53.95
who don't know about Him?
00:30:53.98\00:30:57.09
Thank God that
00:30:57.12\00:30:58.65
when you claim
the name of Jesus.
00:30:58.69\00:31:01.59
And when you call
upon the power of God
00:31:01.62\00:31:04.16
to change your life,
00:31:04.19\00:31:06.49
He will do just that.
00:31:06.53\00:31:10.17
And God will give you the power
00:31:10.20\00:31:11.83
as you proclaim
in Business Unusual,
00:31:11.87\00:31:16.24
so that the ungodly and
the sinner will be found
00:31:16.27\00:31:20.51
not only at the
foot of the cross,
00:31:20.54\00:31:23.21
but in heaven
itself, when Jesus returns.
00:31:23.24\00:31:27.72
"Therefore let those who suffer
according to the will of God
00:31:27.75\00:31:32.62
commit their souls
to Him in doing good,
00:31:32.65\00:31:37.06
as to a faithful Creator."
00:31:37.09\00:31:40.93
Business Unusual,
00:31:40.96\00:31:43.13
committing
yourself to doing good
00:31:43.16\00:31:47.37
in the name of Jesus,
00:31:47.40\00:31:50.47
our faithful Creator.
00:31:50.51\00:31:52.77
Last month,
00:31:56.14\00:31:57.88
Nancy and I had the privilege
00:31:57.91\00:32:01.28
of holding
religious outreach meetings
00:32:01.32\00:32:05.25
in the city of Kolkata.
00:32:05.29\00:32:08.72
Kolkata is a city of
about 15 million people
00:32:08.76\00:32:13.36
with only about 350
Seventh-day Adventists.
00:32:13.40\00:32:20.24
We have a wonderful program
that has been implemented
00:32:20.27\00:32:23.51
and is unfolding to reach
that enormous metropolitan area
00:32:23.54\00:32:28.94
by God's grace.
00:32:28.98\00:32:31.75
So that we can establish
00:32:31.78\00:32:34.72
not just three
congregations or so,
00:32:34.75\00:32:38.52
but about 50 congregations
in that huge metropolitan area.
00:32:38.55\00:32:44.66
It was a privilege to be
able to speak God's Word.
00:32:44.69\00:32:49.16
I used Mark
Finley's wonderful series
00:32:49.20\00:32:51.47
called Revelation of Hope.
00:32:51.50\00:32:52.87
I've done that,
00:32:52.90\00:32:54.24
used it about 10 or more times
and will continue to do so.
00:32:54.27\00:32:59.51
As I was
preaching the Word of God
00:32:59.54\00:33:02.14
as the Word of
God was on the screen
00:33:02.18\00:33:04.71
in the Bengali language,
00:33:04.75\00:33:06.92
our audience, which was 80%,
00:33:06.95\00:33:10.12
the majority of the
indigenous religious people
00:33:10.15\00:33:13.42
of that particular area,
00:33:13.46\00:33:15.66
I saw what the Word of
God did to their hearts
00:33:15.69\00:33:19.39
because it was proclaimed
with Holy Spirit power.
00:33:19.43\00:33:25.17
And in that
Business Unusual setting,
00:33:25.20\00:33:28.44
I saw the Holy
Spirit touch people's lives,
00:33:28.47\00:33:32.24
they would raise their hands,
00:33:32.27\00:33:34.11
they would stand,
00:33:34.14\00:33:37.01
they would come forward.
00:33:37.05\00:33:41.12
It was an unusual
situation for them
00:33:41.15\00:33:43.49
because the Word of
God was something so new,
00:33:43.52\00:33:46.35
and yet it was so striking.
00:33:46.39\00:33:49.19
This is the work
00:33:49.22\00:33:51.53
that God is calling you to do.
00:33:51.56\00:33:56.33
I wanna go over
for just a few moments,
00:33:56.36\00:33:58.73
some magnificent quotations
00:33:58.77\00:34:01.50
from the book Christian Service.
00:34:01.54\00:34:04.67
And I'm gonna ask
those who have been assigned
00:34:04.71\00:34:06.94
to distribute
these papers to you.
00:34:06.98\00:34:10.78
We could have put
them on the screen,
00:34:10.81\00:34:12.31
but I want you to have
something in your hand.
00:34:12.35\00:34:15.28
I want you to go home
tonight and understand
00:34:15.32\00:34:17.39
what Business
Unusual is all about.
00:34:17.42\00:34:20.39
We may not have enough
copies so you may have to share.
00:34:20.42\00:34:23.93
Perhaps we can make some copies.
00:34:23.96\00:34:25.69
You've got it on your iPhone
00:34:25.73\00:34:28.00
if you have the Ellen
White writings online.
00:34:28.03\00:34:33.47
But this comes
from Christian Service.
00:34:33.50\00:34:37.07
Those of you who
will receive the paper
00:34:37.11\00:34:39.34
and we hope that
they're being passed out now,
00:34:39.37\00:34:42.11
a number have them.
00:34:42.14\00:34:44.61
We're gonna be looking
at just a few quotations
00:34:44.65\00:34:47.12
that will help us to understand
00:34:47.15\00:34:49.08
why Business Unusual is so
key for this ASI Convention,
00:34:49.12\00:34:54.86
and for what God is
intending to happen this year.
00:34:54.89\00:35:01.40
On page 74 of Christian Service,
00:35:01.43\00:35:04.37
now the copies that
you're going to receive
00:35:04.40\00:35:06.74
will have citations
from many different sources.
00:35:06.77\00:35:10.47
Unfortunately, we
did not put the page
00:35:10.51\00:35:13.81
where it comes from
in Christian Service.
00:35:13.84\00:35:16.78
But I will give you
that page as we read it.
00:35:16.81\00:35:19.48
Page 74 in Christian Service,
00:35:19.51\00:35:21.78
and it comes from
Testimonies volume 9,
00:35:21.82\00:35:24.25
"The strength of an
army is measured largely
00:35:24.29\00:35:26.92
by the efficiency of
the men in the ranks.
00:35:26.96\00:35:29.99
A wise general
instructs his officers
00:35:30.03\00:35:33.63
to train every
soldier for active service.
00:35:33.66\00:35:36.80
He seeks to develop
00:35:36.83\00:35:38.20
the highest
efficiency on the part of all.
00:35:38.23\00:35:42.27
If he were to depend
on his officers alone."
00:35:42.30\00:35:46.74
Now let's remember,
00:35:46.78\00:35:48.68
the work on this
earth will never be finished
00:35:48.71\00:35:52.31
until the men
and women comprising
00:35:52.35\00:35:54.62
our church membership.
00:35:54.65\00:35:56.92
That's you and me,
00:35:56.95\00:35:58.79
join ranks and hands
00:35:58.82\00:36:01.59
with pastors,
ministers, and church officers,
00:36:01.62\00:36:06.33
all of us working together.
00:36:06.36\00:36:08.53
That's volume 9, page 117.
00:36:08.56\00:36:12.40
And so here
Ellen White is saying,
00:36:12.43\00:36:16.04
"You can't just
depend on officers alone,
00:36:16.07\00:36:18.11
he could never expect to conduct
00:36:18.14\00:36:19.61
a successful campaign.
00:36:19.64\00:36:21.34
He counts on the
loyal untiring service
00:36:21.38\00:36:23.65
from every man in his army."
00:36:23.68\00:36:25.38
Every man and woman.
00:36:25.41\00:36:27.15
"The responsibility rests
00:36:27.18\00:36:28.55
largely upon the
men in the ranks."
00:36:28.58\00:36:32.12
Going on, on that page,
00:36:32.15\00:36:34.46
"While there are
but few officers,
00:36:34.49\00:36:36.59
it requires many
soldiers to form the rank
00:36:36.62\00:36:39.36
and file of the army,
00:36:39.39\00:36:40.86
yet its success
depends upon the fidelity
00:36:40.90\00:36:43.50
of every soldier."
00:36:43.53\00:36:44.90
Every one of you here
in ASI is vitally important
00:36:44.93\00:36:49.40
to God's last day proclamation.
00:36:49.44\00:36:52.27
None of you is left out.
00:36:52.31\00:36:55.28
"One man's
cowardice or treachery
00:36:55.31\00:36:57.45
may bring disaster
upon the entire Army."
00:36:57.48\00:37:01.05
Now on page 75.
00:37:01.08\00:37:04.22
"The secret of
success in the work of God
00:37:04.25\00:37:07.42
will be found in the harmonious
working of our people."
00:37:07.46\00:37:11.96
Now this is an amazing quotation
00:37:11.99\00:37:14.60
given the setting in
which we find ourselves
00:37:14.63\00:37:17.83
in the country here
and international discord.
00:37:17.87\00:37:23.00
"There must be
concentrated action.
00:37:23.04\00:37:27.21
Every member of
the body of Christ
00:37:27.24\00:37:29.14
must act his part
in the cause of God,
00:37:29.18\00:37:32.75
according to the
ability that God has given him.
00:37:32.78\00:37:35.45
We must press together against
obstructions and difficulties,
00:37:35.48\00:37:39.89
shoulder to
shoulder, heart to heart."
00:37:39.92\00:37:44.19
It goes on to say,
"Angels work harmoniously.
00:37:44.23\00:37:48.70
Perfect order characterizes
all their movements.
00:37:48.73\00:37:52.40
The more closely
we imitate the harmony
00:37:52.43\00:37:55.54
and order of the angelic host,
00:37:55.57\00:37:59.47
the more
successful will be the efforts
00:37:59.51\00:38:02.18
of these heavenly
agents in our behalf."
00:38:02.21\00:38:06.95
As you go forward with
ASI in Business Unusual,
00:38:06.98\00:38:10.39
there are angels
that are accompanying you
00:38:10.42\00:38:13.56
and opening the way ahead of you
00:38:13.59\00:38:16.46
if you are
harmonious in your actions
00:38:16.49\00:38:21.43
and your objectives.
00:38:21.46\00:38:25.87
I wanna go on and look
at another particular area
00:38:25.90\00:38:30.47
on page 86.
00:38:30.51\00:38:31.94
It comes from
Testimonies volume 9,
00:38:31.97\00:38:34.98
it's on the second page of those
00:38:35.01\00:38:36.58
who have received the handout.
00:38:36.61\00:38:38.98
"If every soldier of
Christ had done his duty,
00:38:39.01\00:38:41.85
if every watchman
on the walls of Zion
00:38:41.88\00:38:43.92
had given the
trumpet a certain sound,
00:38:43.95\00:38:47.22
the world might ere this
00:38:47.26\00:38:50.23
have heard the
message of warning.
00:38:50.26\00:38:53.19
But the work is years behind.
00:38:53.23\00:38:55.56
While men have slept,
00:38:55.60\00:38:57.27
Satan has stolen a march on us."
00:38:57.30\00:39:03.00
Business Unusual,
00:39:03.04\00:39:06.84
had the purpose of God
been carried out by His people
00:39:06.88\00:39:09.34
and giving to the
world the message of mercy,
00:39:09.38\00:39:11.85
Christ would ere this
have come to the earth,
00:39:11.88\00:39:15.55
and the saints
would have received
00:39:15.58\00:39:17.09
their welcome
into the City of God.
00:39:17.12\00:39:20.86
My brothers and sisters in ASI,
00:39:20.89\00:39:22.62
I'm looking forward to
going to the City of God.
00:39:22.66\00:39:26.06
And I believe it
will be very soon.
00:39:26.09\00:39:29.30
A little further on pages 86
and 87 under Heaven's Register.
00:39:29.33\00:39:34.20
It says, "The
world needs missionaries,
00:39:34.24\00:39:36.37
consecrated home missionaries,
00:39:36.40\00:39:38.97
and no one will be registered
00:39:39.01\00:39:40.51
in the books of
heaven as a Christian
00:39:40.54\00:39:42.64
who has not a
missionary spirit."
00:39:42.68\00:39:46.65
That's what ASI is all
about, a mission spirit,
00:39:46.68\00:39:51.35
enthusiastic
people sharing Jesus
00:39:51.39\00:39:54.16
in the marketplace.
00:39:54.19\00:39:58.53
Here's an interesting quotation,
00:39:58.56\00:40:01.93
"Every neglected opportunity
00:40:01.96\00:40:04.03
to do service
for God is recorded,
00:40:04.07\00:40:08.27
and there to every
deed of faith and love
00:40:08.30\00:40:11.74
is held in
everlasting remembrance."
00:40:11.77\00:40:15.28
Here's an interesting quote,
00:40:19.41\00:40:21.58
"Under the general
heading of selfishness
00:40:21.62\00:40:24.99
came every other sin."
00:40:25.02\00:40:28.89
The work of Business
Unusual in ASI is selflessness.
00:40:28.92\00:40:34.80
And the only way
to have selflessness
00:40:34.83\00:40:37.90
is to be in
connection with the one
00:40:37.93\00:40:40.84
who is truly selfless
and that is Jesus Christ.
00:40:40.87\00:40:45.94
May ASI
00:40:45.97\00:40:48.11
always lift up Jesus.
00:40:48.14\00:40:54.02
Then on page four of
the handout at the very top,
00:40:54.05\00:40:58.19
it is a mystery.
00:40:58.22\00:41:00.46
This is from
Testimonies volume 9, page 42
00:41:00.49\00:41:04.66
or pages 88 and 89
in Christian Service.
00:41:04.69\00:41:10.40
"It is a mystery that
there are not hundreds at work
00:41:10.43\00:41:13.60
where now there is but one.
00:41:13.64\00:41:15.54
The heavenly
universe is astonished
00:41:15.57\00:41:18.91
at the apathy, the coldness,
00:41:18.94\00:41:22.24
the listlessness of those
00:41:22.28\00:41:25.01
who profess to be
sons and daughters of God.
00:41:25.05\00:41:27.85
In the truth
there is living power."
00:41:27.88\00:41:33.42
You know, you have to stop
for a moment then just wonder,
00:41:33.46\00:41:37.33
what is heaven
thinking right now?
00:41:37.36\00:41:41.40
When it looks down at the church
00:41:41.43\00:41:43.43
and realizes that so
many times we are cold,
00:41:43.47\00:41:47.04
we are
apathetic, we are listless,
00:41:47.07\00:41:50.67
but if we are in
connection with God,
00:41:50.71\00:41:52.91
we will have living power
00:41:52.94\00:41:56.95
for Business Unusual.
00:41:56.98\00:42:00.62
"We can never be saved
in indolence and inactivity.
00:42:00.65\00:42:04.35
There is no such thing
as a truly converted person
00:42:04.39\00:42:08.86
living a
helpless, useless life."
00:42:08.89\00:42:13.06
By God's grace,
00:42:13.09\00:42:14.43
no member of ASI is a person
00:42:14.46\00:42:20.80
who is helpless and useless.
00:42:20.84\00:42:23.71
"It is not possible for us
00:42:23.74\00:42:25.64
to drift into heaven.
00:42:25.67\00:42:30.75
No sluggard can enter there.
00:42:30.78\00:42:32.61
Those who refuse to
cooperate with God on earth,
00:42:32.65\00:42:35.48
would not
cooperate with Him in heaven.
00:42:35.52\00:42:37.82
It would not be safe
00:42:37.85\00:42:39.35
to take them to heaven."
00:42:39.39\00:42:43.93
Business Unusual.
00:42:43.96\00:42:47.10
And closing on
the last page that
00:42:47.13\00:42:49.26
those of you who have
this particular handout,
00:42:49.30\00:42:54.37
there are three watch words.
00:42:54.40\00:42:55.84
This is from page
106 in Christian Service.
00:42:55.87\00:42:59.67
"Three watchwords
in the Christian life,
00:42:59.71\00:43:01.98
which must be heeded
00:43:02.01\00:43:03.35
if we would not have
Satan steal a march upon us,
00:43:03.38\00:43:06.88
namely, Watch, Pray, Work."
00:43:06.92\00:43:13.46
Watch, Pray, Work.
00:43:13.49\00:43:16.86
Can you repeat
those three with me?
00:43:16.89\00:43:19.09
Watch, Pray, Work.
00:43:19.13\00:43:22.66
One more time.
00:43:22.70\00:43:24.03
Watch, Pray, Work.
00:43:24.07\00:43:27.80
Business Unusual,
00:43:27.84\00:43:30.34
the time is
drawing close to midnight.
00:43:30.37\00:43:36.75
Then this final
quotation that I'd like to read,
00:43:36.78\00:43:39.48
which comes from
Prophets and Kings,
00:43:39.51\00:43:41.55
page 164 in
Christian Service is page 107.
00:43:41.58\00:43:48.32
"For the disheartened
there is a sure remedy,
00:43:48.36\00:43:50.99
faith, prayer, work.
00:43:51.03\00:43:52.59
Faith and activity
will impart assurance
00:43:52.63\00:43:55.36
and satisfaction that
will increase day by day.
00:43:55.40\00:43:58.53
Are you tempted to
give way to feelings
00:43:58.57\00:44:01.00
of anxious
foreboding or utter despondency?
00:44:01.04\00:44:04.74
In the darkest days,
00:44:04.77\00:44:07.28
when appearances
seem most forbidding,
00:44:07.31\00:44:10.25
fear not, have faith in God.
00:44:10.28\00:44:12.71
He knows your
need. He has all power.
00:44:12.75\00:44:15.15
His infinite love and
compassion never weary.
00:44:15.18\00:44:18.02
Fear not that He will
fail of fulfilling His promise.
00:44:18.05\00:44:22.96
He is eternal truth.
00:44:22.99\00:44:24.63
Never will He
change the covenant
00:44:24.66\00:44:26.80
He has made with
those who love Him.
00:44:26.83\00:44:28.96
And He will bestow
upon His faithful servants
00:44:29.00\00:44:32.53
the measure of efficiency
that their need demands."
00:44:32.57\00:44:37.77
Business Unusual,
00:44:37.81\00:44:40.88
tonight, as you
launch into this convention
00:44:40.91\00:44:45.21
for 2019 and
understand that it is time
00:44:45.25\00:44:50.15
to understand fully
that it is Business Unusual.
00:44:50.19\00:44:54.86
May the Holy
Spirit come especially
00:44:54.89\00:44:57.89
into your heart.
00:44:57.93\00:44:59.43
And may you be animated,
and be an enthusiastic member,
00:44:59.46\00:45:03.90
not only of ASI,
00:45:03.93\00:45:05.57
but of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:45:05.60\00:45:07.74
which God has called
for the last proclamation
00:45:07.77\00:45:11.61
of the three angels' messages.
00:45:11.64\00:45:14.88
In a book that my
wonderful colleague
00:45:14.91\00:45:17.65
who introduced me,
00:45:17.68\00:45:19.08
Mark Finley has
written a new book
00:45:19.11\00:45:21.62
called "The Church Triumphant."
00:45:21.65\00:45:26.65
He remarks on page 112.
00:45:26.69\00:45:29.49
Those...
00:45:29.52\00:45:30.86
And he's meaning,
00:45:30.89\00:45:32.23
"Those who are part of God's
great outreach to the world.
00:45:32.26\00:45:35.80
They count all
things but loss for Christ.
00:45:35.83\00:45:39.63
He is there all in all,
00:45:39.67\00:45:41.37
they care not for
earthly fame or human accolades,
00:45:41.40\00:45:44.84
position,
prestige, and earthly praise
00:45:44.87\00:45:47.54
mean little to them
00:45:47.58\00:45:49.01
with the Apostle Paul, they say,
00:45:49.04\00:45:51.58
for me to live is Christ.
00:45:51.61\00:45:55.82
Empowered by His Spirit,
00:45:55.85\00:45:57.19
they proclaim His
love and share His grace.
00:45:57.22\00:45:59.85
The earth is lightened
00:45:59.89\00:46:01.22
with the glory
the character of God,
00:46:01.26\00:46:03.19
the Holy Spirit is
poured out in latter rain power,
00:46:03.22\00:46:06.19
hearts are
touched, lives are changed,
00:46:06.23\00:46:09.06
the world is reached,
and Jesus comes again."
00:46:09.10\00:46:16.04
Business Unusual.
00:46:16.07\00:46:19.47
One of these days very soon
wherever you are in this world,
00:46:19.51\00:46:24.41
whether it is in Louisville,
whether it is in Hong Kong,
00:46:24.45\00:46:29.68
whether it is in Rio de Janeiro,
00:46:29.72\00:46:32.05
whether it is in
Kinshasa, if it is in Cairo,
00:46:32.09\00:46:36.49
everyone will look up,
00:46:36.52\00:46:38.49
and they will see a
small dark cloud approaching
00:46:38.53\00:46:41.93
and getting larger and larger
and brighter and brighter,
00:46:41.96\00:46:45.07
and filling the
sky with all the glory
00:46:45.10\00:46:48.34
that heaven can pour out.
00:46:48.37\00:46:50.77
A rainbow over that cloud
00:46:50.81\00:46:52.71
and lightning like
activity underneath the cloud,
00:46:52.74\00:46:56.61
all of heaven,
00:46:56.64\00:46:57.98
all of the angels
poured out for this climax
00:46:58.01\00:47:00.68
of earth's history
because it is Business Unusual.
00:47:00.72\00:47:06.39
And that clock will have come
00:47:06.42\00:47:08.42
to its full
compliment at midnight.
00:47:08.46\00:47:14.00
And we will look up into the sky
00:47:14.03\00:47:15.36
and we'll look into that
cloud, and we will see Jesus.
00:47:15.40\00:47:22.30
And we will say this is the
God that we have waited for,
00:47:22.34\00:47:24.77
He will save us.
00:47:24.81\00:47:26.41
And Jesus will look down.
00:47:26.44\00:47:29.24
And I like to think, He'll say,
00:47:29.28\00:47:31.68
"Well done good and
faithful members of ASI,
00:47:31.71\00:47:36.89
enter into the
joy of your Lord."
00:47:36.92\00:47:40.89
And we will ascend
into heaven following those
00:47:40.92\00:47:45.29
who have died in Christ
00:47:45.33\00:47:46.66
but have heard
that trumpet sound
00:47:46.70\00:47:49.96
and we will live
with Jesus forever.
00:47:50.00\00:47:55.14
Business Unusual.
00:47:55.17\00:47:58.97
Tonight, how many of
you would like to say,
00:47:59.01\00:48:04.45
Lord, I wanna
take that challenge,
00:48:04.48\00:48:08.78
I wanna be part of an outreach
00:48:08.82\00:48:11.39
that relies completely on You,
00:48:11.42\00:48:14.82
that leans upon Your
grace and Your righteousness
00:48:14.86\00:48:17.89
that animates me with the power
00:48:17.93\00:48:19.96
that is only from heaven itself.
00:48:20.00\00:48:23.70
And, Lord, I wanna be
part of Business Unusual,
00:48:23.73\00:48:28.80
as we come to the end of time.
00:48:28.84\00:48:30.41
And, Lord, I wanna be there
00:48:30.44\00:48:32.14
when You appear in
the clouds of glory.
00:48:32.17\00:48:35.14
But, Lord, help me to
also enlist many others
00:48:35.18\00:48:40.15
and point them to the one
who is all together lovely,
00:48:40.18\00:48:44.15
and can bring them
into heaven itself.
00:48:44.19\00:48:49.99
As ASI members tonight,
00:48:50.03\00:48:52.86
how many of you would
like to make that commitment
00:48:52.89\00:48:57.37
to Jesus as you
begin this convention?
00:48:57.40\00:49:01.20
Would you stand to your feet?
00:49:01.24\00:49:02.87
As you stand and as
you make this commitment,
00:49:08.84\00:49:14.18
Yvonne
Lewis-Shelton is going to sing
00:49:14.22\00:49:17.59
a magnificent
song of commitment.
00:49:17.62\00:49:20.39
And I asked that as she sings,
00:49:20.42\00:49:22.69
your mind will be
focused upon Business Unusual.
00:49:22.72\00:49:28.43
God's business and your part
00:49:28.46\00:49:32.43
in this magnificent
last day proclamation.
00:49:32.47\00:49:36.54
How can I say thanks
00:49:43.75\00:49:48.48
For the things
You have done for me?
00:49:52.22\00:49:58.69
Things so undeserved
00:49:58.73\00:50:05.03
Yet You gave to
prove Your love for me
00:50:05.07\00:50:11.84
The voices of a million angels
00:50:11.87\00:50:18.71
Cannot express
00:50:18.75\00:50:22.32
My gratitude
00:50:22.35\00:50:26.55
All that I am
00:50:26.59\00:50:30.06
And ever hope to be
00:50:30.09\00:50:34.66
I owe it all
00:50:37.67\00:50:41.50
To Thee
00:50:41.54\00:50:45.51
To God
00:50:45.54\00:50:48.74
Be the glory
00:50:48.78\00:50:53.21
To God
00:50:53.25\00:50:56.12
Be the glory
00:50:56.15\00:51:00.59
To God
00:51:00.62\00:51:03.39
Be the glory
00:51:03.43\00:51:08.10
For the things
00:51:08.13\00:51:10.50
He has done
00:51:10.53\00:51:15.74
With His blood He has saved me
00:51:15.77\00:51:22.71
With His power He has raised me
00:51:22.74\00:51:29.72
To God be the glory
00:51:29.75\00:51:36.73
For the things He has done
00:51:36.76\00:51:44.07
With His blood Jesus saved me
00:51:44.10\00:51:50.97
With His power He has raised me
00:51:51.01\00:51:57.58
To God be all the glory
00:51:57.61\00:52:04.19
For the things
00:52:04.22\00:52:06.65
He has done
00:52:06.69\00:52:11.73
Oh, great
00:52:11.76\00:52:13.93
Is thy faithfulness!
00:52:13.96\00:52:19.17
Great is thy faithfulness!
00:52:19.20\00:52:25.47
Morning by morning
00:52:25.51\00:52:29.28
New mercies I see
00:52:29.31\00:52:37.09
All I have needed your hand
00:52:37.12\00:52:43.63
Hath provided
00:52:43.66\00:52:47.46
Great is thy faithfulness!
00:52:47.50\00:52:51.93
Great is thy faithfulness
00:52:56.67\00:53:04.58
Lord, unto me!
00:53:04.61\00:53:11.55
Father in heaven we thank You
00:53:24.07\00:53:27.47
for the great faithfulness
00:53:27.50\00:53:30.31
that You have towards us
00:53:30.34\00:53:33.17
with the plan of
salvation was established
00:53:33.21\00:53:36.14
before even the
foundation of this earth,
00:53:36.18\00:53:39.15
that You have had it
in mind that each of us
00:53:39.18\00:53:41.25
should be part of
this last day proclamation,
00:53:41.28\00:53:44.52
and that You have
made every provision
00:53:44.55\00:53:46.39
for us to be saved,
00:53:46.42\00:53:48.02
and all who are
willing to call upon Your name
00:53:48.06\00:53:52.13
and believe in You.
00:53:52.16\00:53:55.83
Now, Lord,
00:53:55.86\00:53:57.83
we ask that You will
bless this magnificent
00:53:57.87\00:54:00.30
and wonderful
group of ASI members
00:54:00.34\00:54:04.57
who understand that
it is Business Unusual
00:54:04.61\00:54:07.44
at this time in earth's history.
00:54:07.48\00:54:10.91
Lord, use us, use everyone,
00:54:10.95\00:54:15.35
and use this
wonderful organization
00:54:15.38\00:54:17.65
that is so devoted
00:54:17.69\00:54:20.26
to helping the church
accomplish its mission.
00:54:20.29\00:54:24.56
Use everyone to the
greatest amount of good,
00:54:24.59\00:54:27.93
all to Your glory.
00:54:27.96\00:54:31.50
Thank You now for the commitment
00:54:31.53\00:54:33.17
on the part of
each one standing.
00:54:33.20\00:54:35.80
Give each one a wonderful
convention here in Louisville,
00:54:35.84\00:54:42.14
and those watching on television
00:54:42.18\00:54:44.85
and through internet.
00:54:44.88\00:54:46.21
Help them to feel the
vibrancy of the presence
00:54:46.25\00:54:49.65
of the Holy Spirit.
00:54:49.68\00:54:51.15
Bring us
00:54:51.19\00:54:52.52
into a right
relationship with You, Lord,
00:54:52.55\00:54:55.02
so that soon we
may see Your coming
00:54:55.06\00:54:58.49
in the clouds of heaven
00:54:58.53\00:55:00.30
all through the
power of the Holy Spirit
00:55:00.33\00:55:02.90
working in and through
us to accomplish Your will.
00:55:02.93\00:55:08.17
Thank You for hearing us.
00:55:08.20\00:55:09.97
Give each one a
good rest tonight.
00:55:10.01\00:55:12.67
And help us to remember
00:55:12.71\00:55:15.08
that in Your work on this earth,
00:55:15.11\00:55:18.71
it is now Business Unusual.
00:55:18.75\00:55:22.15
We commit
ourselves into Your hands.
00:55:22.18\00:55:25.35
In Jesus' name, we ask it.
00:55:25.39\00:55:28.09
Amen.
00:55:28.12\00:55:29.46