Good afternoon ASi!
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I hope your lunch was excellent
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but I hope it was not too much
because you want to stay awake.
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We want to welcome you
and give you an invitation.
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We want to welcome you because
the program this afternoon
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is going to be
amazing. If you like stories,
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you're going to
love these stories.
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We also want to give you an
invitation. Lyndi, why do we
00:00:41.10\00:00:43.54
want to invite them? Well,
ASi is going to be coming up
00:00:43.74\00:00:47.71
July 29 to August 1 next year.
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If you're at ASi this year,
you know why you need to be here
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next year. ASi has
been a wonderful experience
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from the seminars we've attended
to the morning sessions.
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Even Sabbath School was a
blessing. Why would anybody
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want to miss ASi?
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If I could pick a favorite
spot, I think it would be
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Sabbath School. Amen! How often
have you gone to Sabbath School
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and cried? It was
really a blessing.
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Amen. Well, why don't
we bow our heads to pray.
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Father in heaven,
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Lord, I thank you so
much for this Sabbath Day that
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You've given us.
I thank you for ASi
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and for the
reminders that we've had
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ever since Wednesday
of our need not just to
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have knowledge of the Scriptures
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but to put those
Scriptures into action.
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In Your holy name I pray, Amen.
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We were trying to
get... We were going to have
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Ray and Madeline
Hamblin Skype with us right now.
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We're trying but
we're having a little bit of
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technical difficulties.
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But Ray and Madeline,
when I tried to call them
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to ask them to come and
get on the phone with us today
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they were busy because they
were out giving Bible studies.
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And then when I asked them if
they could Skype with us today
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at this time they said:
"Well, we'll have to re-arrange
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because of our
nursing home ministry
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that we're involved with. "
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Now those are what I call
true ASi friends and family.
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This is something
maybe to educate you
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and to inform you a little
bit about exactly how much
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they've meant to ASi and
how much they mean to us...
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particularly this
leadership team that you see
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up here on stage.
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They've worked with
us for many many years.
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And so we have bonded
significantly with the Hamblins.
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And I remember... I'm
looking at Harold over here
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at your far right.
Harold Lantz and Ray Hamblin
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are like schoolboys
when they get together.
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They're such buddies, and so
it's really exciting to see it
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when they get together.
And you really recognize that
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they are indeed family.
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So I guess I'll go ahead and
proceed with the presentation
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that we have crafted for them
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so that you'll understand a
little bit about what they mean
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to us. It is fitting
to recognize the efforts
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of God's workers
and more importantly
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to say thank you for
being invaluable mentors
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and positive
examples of leadership.
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Ray and Madeline
Hamblin fit in this category.
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They are not only the reason
behind my husband Ray and I
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joining ASi but why we became
active in the organization.
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They have not only
been "die-hard" supporters
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of ASi but great encouragers
of fledgling ministries,
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candid advisors,
and beloved friends.
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Ray was a past president of
both ASi and ASi Missions Inc.
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was one of the original
team... Oh, and there they are!
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Forgive me for interrupting
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but we see Ray and
Madeline Hamblin on screen.
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And we... Oh, you
can? Can you talk? So Hi!
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Hi. And can our
audience see them?
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No, our audience
cannot see them yet. Oh.
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OK... so the
audience can't see you yet
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but you can see us,
right Ray and Madeline?
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There they are! We
can, yes. OK! There we go!
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All right! ASi audience, would
you permit me to begin again?
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Amen. All right!
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So Ray and
Madeline, we love you dearly.
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We're so sorry
you're not here with us
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but we just have a few
words that we wanted to share
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with you. And in your fashion,
we had to go ahead and get
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started because you were
so busy workin' for the Lord.
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But since you're here with us
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we're going to go ahead
and start from the beginning.
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So this is for you:
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It is fitting to recognize
the efforts of God's workers
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and more
importantly to say thank you
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for being invaluable
mentors and positive examples
00:05:04.30\00:05:07.10
of leadership. Ray
and Madeline Hamblin
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fit in this category.
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They are not only the reason
behind my husband Ray and I
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joining ASi but why we became
active in the organization.
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They have not only been
"die-hard" supporters of ASi,
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but great encouragers
of fledgling ministries
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candid advisors, and
beloved friends. Amen!
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Ray was a past president of
both ASi and ASi Missions Inc.
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and was one of the original
team to pilot New Beginnings
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in the Philippines
almost 20 years ago.
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An initial board member of GYC
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and still a faithful
advocate of the YFJ Initiative
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first chairing and now
still serving on the life board
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which provides YFJ oversight.
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Madeline served on the ASi board
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and in ASi
program coordination roles
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bringing a standard of
excellence the ASi convention
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still possesses today.
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They are not only team members
running their own printing co.
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but also active in ministry
together at their home church.
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Ray and Madeline, we
remain indebted to you
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for your friendship and grateful
for your service and support.
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We just want to
take this opportunity
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and Ray and Madeline,
thank you for joining us today
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by Skype. We know
that's not the best way.
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We would love to
have you here in person!
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But some of you
may and may not know
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but it is seldom
that the ASi organization
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recognizes and
chooses to fill this category
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for membership. It's called
the honorary membership of ASi.
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And it is done for
people who have gone way above
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and beyond the call of
duty in service for ASi.
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And I want you to know,
Ray and Madeline, that today
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your names have been
voted into honorary membership
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for ASi by a full vote of
the ASi executive committee
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as well as the board, and
it's a unanimous decision.
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We love you guys and we
want you to continue to be
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a part of the family
of ASi as we move forward.
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Today we have... we're
going to give you something
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that we'll have
to ship it to you.
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I don't know if you can
see it here but I hope you can.
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It's a very beautiful
globe that represents to us
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a gift fitting for those
who have had world-wide impact
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in the ministry of ASi.
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And I don't
know all the stories.
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I've only heard a few of them.
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But I know Harold has shared
some stories about some of the
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travels that you guys
participated in some years ago.
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But it's been a blessing to
our ministries around the world.
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You've been a blessing
here. Madeline and I have served
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on program committee together
for I don't know how many years.
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But Madeline has been a huge
blessing to us on the program
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committee helping us to
stay anchored in what ASi
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is really all about. Amen!
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So again today, we
just want to say thank you
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Ray and Madeline for
all that you have done
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and for all that
you continue to do
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and for the service you
are providing right now even in
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your local community
being active and sharing Christ
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in the marketplace. We
know that you've been a mentor
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to many people. Many of
those people are here today
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that know you, and
we're just grateful
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for the opportunity to
recognize that leadership
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and mentorship you
and Madeline have provided
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to the younger generation
of ASi ministries and members.
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So thank you today. We love
you guys and appreciate you.
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Amen! Well thanks, Steve.
This is totally unexpected.
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It's an honor, but I want
to note that starting with
00:09:08.24\00:09:12.01
Elder Ken List going forward
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that we have been
blessed: ASi, the ASi family
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in the opportunity
that we were given.
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You know, for me ASi
has been a springboard
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to draw closer to Jesus
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and it's been a learning
curve on how better to serve
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my local church
and the marketplace.
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As you know, we have met
some of the dearest people
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on earth through ASi.
And it's been a privilege
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too, for us to watch ASi
grow into what it is today.
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Thank you so much.
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This is just
unbelievable. Thank you.
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Thank you again Ray
and Madeline Hamblin:
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honorary members of ASi!
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Have you ever
wondered where we began?
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The spark to
begin this movement?
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Remember:
00:10:29.56\00:10:30.96
Under her guidance this
college was established.
00:11:05.49\00:11:09.60
Self-supporting,
inspiring, educating.
00:11:10.10\00:11:13.57
The foundation was laid.
00:11:13.77\00:11:15.50
Ministries sprang
up all over the world.
00:11:15.90\00:11:18.07
Lay members and church leaders
burned to join ministry with
00:11:18.27\00:11:22.21
the church. ASi was born.
00:11:22.41\00:11:25.25
Today ASi continues with
the example of the apostle Paul
00:11:27.32\00:11:31.29
sharing Jesus
Christ in the marketplace.
00:11:31.69\00:11:34.42
Business professionals
were needed on the team.
00:11:36.42\00:11:38.99
And as ministry and
business united in their efforts
00:11:39.19\00:11:42.00
a dynamic network was formed.
00:11:42.20\00:11:44.67
Every day ASi
members and ministries
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carry the light to mission
fields across the North American
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Division and the whole world.
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It's important
to be a part of ASi
00:11:58.25\00:12:00.18
because I'm able to share
my gifts with a team of people
00:12:00.38\00:12:03.28
in so many ways worldwide.
00:12:03.49\00:12:05.45
It's not just a blessing
to the people I teach...
00:12:05.85\00:12:08.22
it's a blessing to me as well.
00:12:08.62\00:12:10.56
Building a One-Day Church
is a really special experience
00:12:12.19\00:12:16.77
because you get to come
in here and these people
00:12:16.97\00:12:19.67
sometimes don't even have a
church. They value the church
00:12:19.87\00:12:22.84
so much, and building
it... It's a good build!
00:12:23.04\00:12:27.41
It's not hard. I didn't have to
go through any special training
00:12:27.61\00:12:30.05
to do it, but the
rewards from it are incredible.
00:12:30.25\00:12:33.65
Such an experience!
00:12:34.15\00:12:35.48
It's a great opportunity to
be part of ASi as a business
00:12:36.22\00:12:40.69
because it's God who
gave us these businesses
00:12:40.89\00:12:43.12
in the first place. And now
being a part of the ASi family
00:12:43.32\00:12:47.90
I can work
together in a strategic way
00:12:48.10\00:12:50.27
to use my business to
multiply the kingdom of God
00:12:50.47\00:12:53.47
in a way that I never
could have done before.
00:12:53.67\00:12:55.74
Well, you know, I
think that this whole program
00:12:56.34\00:13:00.24
says 2 or 3
important things. Number one:
00:13:00.64\00:13:03.18
It says: "I can be
involved. No matter who I am -
00:13:04.35\00:13:07.88
no matter what my skill
level or what my talent -
00:13:08.08\00:13:10.45
I can be involved. "
And that really is a message
00:13:10.65\00:13:12.75
for the whole
church. The take-away is:
00:13:12.95\00:13:15.62
we can work together.
00:13:15.82\00:13:17.73
We can build
community that goes beyond
00:13:18.03\00:13:23.47
what differences we have.
00:13:23.67\00:13:25.13
This is who we are.
00:13:43.59\00:13:45.85
We are a team in business
and ministry together...
00:14:35.00\00:14:40.08
focused on Christ,
00:14:40.28\00:14:42.11
passionate about the
mission of the church
00:14:42.31\00:14:44.48
just like you. Join
us in spreading the light
00:14:44.68\00:14:48.82
of the Advent
message to the world.
00:14:49.02\00:14:51.42
What the world needs is Jesus.
00:14:51.92\00:14:55.09
Remember.
00:14:55.49\00:14:58.46
I would like you to take
note of a verse of Scripture
00:15:00.20\00:15:02.70
which we have referred
to several times during this
00:15:02.90\00:15:05.00
convention found in
Romans chapter 12 verse 1.
00:15:05.20\00:15:09.44
"I beseech you therefore
brethren, by the mercies of God
00:15:09.84\00:15:13.27
that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice
00:15:13.48\00:15:17.25
wholly acceptable unto God
00:15:17.45\00:15:19.01
which is your
reasonable service. "
00:15:19.41\00:15:21.95
Apparently
Catherine and Chris and Dudley
00:15:23.28\00:15:27.99
and Ava and Eric and Ida
00:15:28.19\00:15:31.09
and Ethel and other stories
that were mentioned here today
00:15:31.49\00:15:34.96
felt like this verse of Scrip-
ture meant something to them.
00:15:35.36\00:15:39.03
They did not walk away
from this reasonable request
00:15:39.80\00:15:44.24
that we present our
bodies as a living sacrifice
00:15:44.44\00:15:46.98
even though many of them
ended up pouring out their lives
00:15:47.61\00:15:50.98
for the cause of
Christ on the front lines.
00:15:51.58\00:15:54.85
This afternoon
as we talk together
00:15:55.78\00:15:59.95
for just a few more minutes
00:16:00.16\00:16:01.82
I'm wondering
what it really means
00:16:02.69\00:16:05.36
to be a living sacrifice.
00:16:05.76\00:16:07.80
I believe that in
today's world we would consider
00:16:10.77\00:16:13.57
what we have just
heard to be unusual.
00:16:13.77\00:16:15.97
We would consider this to
be almost insane to go out
00:16:18.71\00:16:21.88
into the mission field knowing
that you would probably live
00:16:22.08\00:16:24.48
only two years.
00:16:24.68\00:16:26.01
Paul speaks about this in
II Corinthians 4:2 when he says
00:16:28.18\00:16:32.39
this: "For our light... " Excuse
me, verse 17: "For our light
00:16:32.59\00:16:36.93
affliction which
is but for a moment
00:16:37.13\00:16:41.36
worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal
00:16:42.36\00:16:47.87
weight of glory.
" What God has done
00:16:48.07\00:16:50.31
in giving us the opportunity
to be involved in sacrificial
00:16:50.51\00:16:54.38
service is
actually for our benefit.
00:16:54.58\00:16:56.71
We look at it many
times and we say: "Oh,
00:16:57.45\00:17:00.25
what a sacrifice
they're making! "
00:17:00.45\00:17:02.22
When in reality what
God is doing is He is
00:17:02.62\00:17:05.19
showing us the benefit
that we can have personally
00:17:05.59\00:17:08.99
from this kind of sacrifice.
00:17:09.19\00:17:10.63
II Timothy Paul says
this, chapter 2 verse 12
00:17:11.59\00:17:14.50
he says: "If we suffer, we
shall also reign with Him. "
00:17:14.70\00:17:19.13
"If we deny Him, He
will also deny us. "
00:17:20.07\00:17:24.41
How many of us here
today want to be denied
00:17:24.61\00:17:27.01
by our Savior?
00:17:27.21\00:17:28.91
I really believe
I'd rather suffer
00:17:33.58\00:17:35.55
than to be denied by Jesus.
00:17:35.75\00:17:38.55
Paul calls us again. We
find in Ephesians chapter 5
00:17:42.42\00:17:47.60
and verse 2 this call.
00:17:47.96\00:17:52.40
And this is the way Paul
says it: "And walk in love
00:17:52.60\00:17:57.11
as Christ also has loved us
00:17:57.31\00:18:01.58
and hath given Himself for us
00:18:02.24\00:18:05.65
an offering and
a sacrifice to God
00:18:05.85\00:18:10.62
for a sweet-smelling savor. "
00:18:10.82\00:18:13.05
There's something
about this idea of sacrifice
00:18:13.66\00:18:17.26
as exhibited in
the life of our Savior
00:18:17.46\00:18:21.00
that we often
fail to take note of.
00:18:23.73\00:18:27.37
If Jesus is really our example,
00:18:31.81\00:18:35.54
should we be willing to
sacrifice as He sacrificed?
00:18:38.81\00:18:44.75
In Acts of the Apostles it
talks about the apostle John
00:18:45.15\00:18:48.72
and it makes this
interesting statement. Says:
00:18:49.42\00:18:51.79
"When John had been brought
into sympathy with Christ... "
00:18:51.99\00:18:55.96
Now we think about that.
How many here would like to be
00:18:57.90\00:19:01.60
brought into
sympathy with Christ?
00:19:01.80\00:19:03.77
Is that a thing that we
should crave? To understand
00:19:04.17\00:19:08.71
how to be brought in
sympathy with Christ?
00:19:08.91\00:19:10.98
Well unfortunately, the
statement doesn't stop there.
00:19:12.31\00:19:15.82
It says: "When John had
been brought into sympathy with
00:19:16.02\00:19:18.62
Christ through the
fellowship of His sufferings
00:19:18.82\00:19:23.06
the Lord revealed to him
00:19:23.46\00:19:26.36
what is the condition of
the nearness to His kingdom.
00:19:29.60\00:19:32.67
'To him that overcometh,
Christ said, I will grant to sit
00:19:33.87\00:19:36.40
with Me on My throne
00:19:36.60\00:19:37.97
even as I also overcame
00:19:38.17\00:19:40.28
and am sit down with My
Father in His throne. ' "
00:19:40.48\00:19:42.64
Revelation chapter 3 verse 21.
00:19:42.84\00:19:44.78
"No one who stands
nearest to Christ will be... "
00:19:45.18\00:19:50.12
"The one who stands nearest
to Christ will be one who
00:19:50.32\00:19:53.02
has drunk most
deeply of the spirit
00:19:53.22\00:19:56.96
of self-sacrificing love. "
00:19:57.56\00:20:01.76
You know, I started by
saying we've been talking about
00:20:02.36\00:20:06.60
business unusual, and
this afternoon we've kinda
00:20:06.80\00:20:09.97
focused on sacrifice unusual.
00:20:10.17\00:20:13.21
I believe this is the
essence of sacrifice unusual
00:20:13.61\00:20:17.28
is to model our lives
after the lives of our
00:20:17.48\00:20:21.85
self-sacrificing Savior.
00:20:22.05\00:20:24.75
It goes on to say: "This is the
kind of love that vaunteth not
00:20:26.35\00:20:29.49
itself up. It is not puffed
up; it seeketh not her own.
00:20:29.69\00:20:33.26
It's not easily
provoked; it thinketh no evil. "
00:20:33.46\00:20:36.13
It's the kind of love
that moves the disciples
00:20:38.40\00:20:41.20
as it moved our Lord
00:20:41.60\00:20:43.30
to give all. To
live and to labor
00:20:43.81\00:20:48.01
and even to sacrifice unto death
00:20:48.41\00:20:51.71
for the saving of humanity.
00:20:52.11\00:20:54.85
This is the kind of
sacrifice that Jesus showed us
00:20:55.05\00:20:59.19
through His life that
He lived on this earth.
00:20:59.39\00:21:01.66
Through the way that He walked;
00:21:02.06\00:21:03.76
through the way
that He ministered;
00:21:03.96\00:21:05.89
through the way that
He interacted with people.
00:21:06.09\00:21:08.46
This morning we were
pointed to the cross.
00:21:10.63\00:21:14.00
David Asscherick
talked about the cross and how
00:21:16.24\00:21:21.94
that kind of death
at that time in history
00:21:23.04\00:21:28.05
was really not something
that was looked on favorably.
00:21:29.92\00:21:33.89
But the cross is the
demonstration of the great love
00:21:36.19\00:21:40.10
that God had for us.
00:21:40.30\00:21:41.70
Acts of the
Apostles page 519 says this:
00:21:44.10\00:21:47.24
"The plan of salvation
was laid in sacrifice. "
00:21:47.44\00:21:52.87
The plan of
salvation was laid in what?
00:21:54.14\00:21:57.11
Sacrifice!
00:21:57.88\00:21:59.51
II Corinthians
chapter 8 and verse 9:
00:22:03.49\00:22:06.49
"Ye know the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ
00:22:06.89\00:22:11.99
that though He was
rich yet for your sakes
00:22:12.19\00:22:15.56
He became poor
00:22:15.76\00:22:18.07
that ye through His poverty
00:22:18.47\00:22:21.54
might be rich. "
00:22:21.74\00:22:24.31
Christ gave
Himself, sacrificed Himself
00:22:26.74\00:22:31.31
that we would
have the opportunity
00:22:32.55\00:22:36.08
to have eternal life.
00:22:36.48\00:22:38.12
I think we really don't
understand that. Honestly.
00:22:38.52\00:22:41.02
I don't think I
understand it personally.
00:22:41.22\00:22:43.63
We often say this,
we talk about this, but
00:22:44.39\00:22:47.06
the reality is that
without this sacrifice of Christ
00:22:47.26\00:22:51.10
we would have no hope.
00:22:51.30\00:22:52.63
What does that kind
of sacrifice mean to us?
00:22:58.14\00:23:03.18
What does that kind of
sacrifice say to our hearts?
00:23:07.62\00:23:10.82
Do we ponder this enough?
Do we think about the sacrifice
00:23:11.89\00:23:16.22
that Jesus made for us?
Do we ponder the sacrifice
00:23:16.42\00:23:19.63
enough to really even say
it's a part of our thinking?
00:23:20.23\00:23:24.93
Because when we think about
this, when we ponder this idea
00:23:27.27\00:23:30.21
of what God has done
for us through Jesus Christ
00:23:30.41\00:23:32.91
I believe it will change the
way that we look at the world
00:23:33.31\00:23:36.11
around us.
00:23:36.31\00:23:37.88
Acts of the Apostles page 370.
00:23:40.45\00:23:42.68
"For the
conversion of one sinner
00:23:43.39\00:23:46.12
the minister should tax
his resources to the utmost. "
00:23:47.36\00:23:52.79
Now let's just
take a little quiz here.
00:23:52.99\00:23:54.93
We could say the minister and
we could all... well, not all
00:23:55.13\00:23:58.67
but most of us could
comfortably walk away from this
00:23:58.87\00:24:02.14
conversation
because we could say: "Oh,
00:24:02.34\00:24:05.01
that means the preacher. "
00:24:05.21\00:24:07.01
Right? That means the
preacher should sacrifice.
00:24:08.54\00:24:12.28
So we could get by with that.
00:24:12.48\00:24:15.42
Are we not all called to
be ministers of the gospel?
00:24:15.82\00:24:19.85
Have we not all been
empowered by the Holy Spirit
00:24:20.49\00:24:23.26
to do something for God?
00:24:23.46\00:24:24.89
To share the good news
with those who are perishing
00:24:25.09\00:24:27.56
in this world?
00:24:27.76\00:24:29.10
Why would this be
true? Why would we do this?
00:24:32.60\00:24:34.97
Why would we consider
this? Why would we even think
00:24:35.17\00:24:38.24
that this is the kind of life
that God desires us to live?
00:24:38.44\00:24:41.54
And it's really
for our own good.
00:24:41.74\00:24:43.81
It's because of the
value of the human soul.
00:24:45.91\00:24:50.59
Goes on to say in Acts of
the Apostles: "The soul that God
00:24:53.66\00:24:56.42
has created and
Christ has redeemed
00:24:56.62\00:24:58.79
is of great value because
of the possibilities before it.
00:24:58.99\00:25:03.06
The spiritual advantages
that have been granted,
00:25:03.97\00:25:07.17
the capabilities
that it may possess,
00:25:07.37\00:25:09.70
and if vitalized
by the Word of God
00:25:09.90\00:25:14.98
and the immortality it
may gain through the hope
00:25:15.18\00:25:18.81
presented in the gospel.
00:25:19.01\00:25:21.42
And if Christ left the 90 and
9 that He might seek and save
00:25:22.68\00:25:28.29
one lost sheep, can we be
justified in doing less? "
00:25:28.49\00:25:34.63
She goes on to
say in this paragraph
00:25:37.23\00:25:40.04
"Is not a neglect to
work as Christ worked,
00:25:40.44\00:25:45.94
to sacrifice as He sacrificed,
00:25:46.34\00:25:50.21
a betrayal of sacred trust? "
00:25:50.41\00:25:53.01
Is not this an
insult to God Himself
00:25:54.48\00:25:58.22
if we do less than Jesus did?
00:25:58.42\00:26:00.86
It's just a
little bit challenging
00:26:07.30\00:26:09.96
to think this way. It's
a little bit challenging
00:26:11.13\00:26:13.94
to talk about the kind
of sacrifice that Jesus had
00:26:15.54\00:26:20.41
and to consider that
that is the kind of life
00:26:20.81\00:26:23.75
that He is calling us to.
00:26:23.95\00:26:25.41
We need a deeper sense
of the value of a soul.
00:26:27.08\00:26:30.35
We need a deeper sense of
the sacredness of the work
00:26:30.55\00:26:32.95
that God has called us to do.
00:26:33.15\00:26:34.66
We need to understand
that we should not be studying
00:26:35.06\00:26:38.63
our own ease and
our own convenience
00:26:38.83\00:26:41.43
and how we can
make self-comfortable.
00:26:42.70\00:26:45.30
But we need to be more
forgetful of who we are.
00:26:45.90\00:26:49.20
When we read the parable
of the lost sheep, we find
00:26:54.34\00:26:58.61
the shepherd going and
searching and searching
00:26:58.81\00:27:04.35
and searching
00:27:04.55\00:27:06.22
until that one lost
sheep is brought home.
00:27:06.42\00:27:10.23
We read the life of Paul
and we see that many times
00:27:16.67\00:27:19.73
we find him and he
talks about this being adrift
00:27:19.93\00:27:24.11
in the sea and being hungry and
being naked and being beaten.
00:27:24.61\00:27:29.64
And when we read that we think:
"Well that was the apostle Paul.
00:27:31.21\00:27:35.08
It makes a great story in
the Bible of a great apostle,
00:27:35.28\00:27:37.85
a great man who
worked for Christ
00:27:38.05\00:27:39.75
and sacrificed
his life for Christ. "
00:27:40.16\00:27:42.26
Should we not consider that
Christ has also called every
00:27:45.16\00:27:49.16
single one of us to reach
to the lost souls of our world?
00:27:49.36\00:27:54.50
When Jared spoke to
us on Friday evening
00:28:01.04\00:28:05.35
I was thinking: "How true it is
00:28:05.85\00:28:09.25
that we often pat
ourselves on the back
00:28:09.65\00:28:12.65
for the great progress that
we have made around the world. "
00:28:12.85\00:28:15.69
Ellen White speaks to this
in Historical Sketches page 290.
00:28:16.29\00:28:21.63
This is a very
interesting thing that she says.
00:28:22.13\00:28:24.53
"Seventh-day Adventists
are making progress. "
00:28:25.13\00:28:28.84
Amen? "Doubling
their numbers. " Amen?
00:28:29.04\00:28:33.34
"Establishing missions. " Amen!
00:28:33.74\00:28:36.91
"And unfurling the banners
of truth in the dark places
00:28:37.31\00:28:40.95
of the earth. " And
then she uses two words
00:28:41.15\00:28:46.86
similar to the word but.
00:28:47.06\00:28:48.39
She says: "And yet... and yet
00:28:48.46\00:28:52.53
the work moves far more
slowly than God would have it. "
00:28:52.73\00:28:58.10
And then in the little quotation
marks the question is: "Why? "
00:28:59.33\00:29:02.50
And the answer is disturbing,
and this is what the answer
00:29:03.81\00:29:07.58
says. And I believe
that if she were here today
00:29:07.78\00:29:09.91
the answer would be very
similar if not identical.
00:29:10.31\00:29:13.11
"The members of the church
are not individually aroused
00:29:13.52\00:29:18.85
to put forth the earnest efforts
that they are capable of. "
00:29:19.05\00:29:23.69
The members of the
church. Now I think
00:29:27.00\00:29:30.13
if I don't mistake it
that's talking about us.
00:29:30.33\00:29:33.47
We are the members of the
church. We are the essence
00:29:34.17\00:29:37.74
of the church... it's us!
00:29:37.94\00:29:39.64
"We are individually not aroused
00:29:41.58\00:29:44.21
to put forth the earnest effort
that we are capable of making. "
00:29:44.61\00:29:49.42
She goes on to say:
"And every branch of the work
00:29:49.62\00:29:51.52
is crippled by
lack of fervent piety
00:29:51.72\00:29:55.12
and devoted, humble
God-fearing laborers. "
00:29:55.32\00:29:58.29
And then she asks the question:
"Where are the soldiers
00:29:58.69\00:30:02.83
of the cross? " If we really
believe that Jesus went to that
00:30:03.03\00:30:06.67
cross for you and I, and we
have agreed that we should join
00:30:06.87\00:30:09.80
His army, she
asks this question:
00:30:10.01\00:30:12.27
"Then where are the
soldiers of the cross? "
00:30:12.47\00:30:14.64
Why are we so much asleep
00:30:14.84\00:30:18.55
at the switch when
there's so much to be done?
00:30:18.75\00:30:21.68
What will it take
00:30:30.13\00:30:32.16
for us to see
00:30:34.50\00:30:37.20
the joy of self-sacrificing
effort for Christ?
00:30:37.80\00:30:42.44
You know, Jesus lived a
life to give us an example
00:30:44.67\00:30:47.74
for a reason because He said:
"I have come that you might
00:30:47.94\00:30:50.45
have life and have it...
" What? "more abundantly. "
00:30:50.65\00:30:54.58
Well evidently the abundant
life comes through sacrifice.
00:30:54.78\00:30:58.25
I think we've
kinda lost sight of that.
00:30:59.35\00:31:01.79
The idea that the
abundant life... We think
00:31:02.19\00:31:04.89
"Well the abundant life
means I'm going to be healthy. "
00:31:05.09\00:31:07.16
Well what about these
missionaries we just talked
00:31:07.66\00:31:09.66
about who have died
on the field of battle?
00:31:09.86\00:31:12.20
Is that the abundant life
that Jesus is calling us to?
00:31:13.60\00:31:17.17
And the answer is yes,
that's the abundant life
00:31:17.57\00:31:20.04
that Christ is calling
us to because it's the life
00:31:20.24\00:31:22.24
of self-sacrifice that results
in souls for His kingdom.
00:31:22.44\00:31:27.08
Can we do any less than
Jesus did? He gave His life!
00:31:27.28\00:31:30.49
And yet we
appreciate sitting comfortably.
00:31:32.15\00:31:37.19
I really don't even like to
read this because it kind of
00:31:45.03\00:31:48.10
speaks to us. She says:
"There are too many faint,
00:31:48.30\00:31:51.14
cowardly hearts in this
hour of spiritual conflict. "
00:31:51.34\00:31:55.28
There are too many what?
00:31:55.78\00:31:57.25
"Faint and cowardly hearts
00:31:57.45\00:32:01.32
in this hour of
spiritual conflict. "
00:32:01.62\00:32:03.92
Our world today is in a battle
00:32:04.12\00:32:06.12
and the great
controversy rages all around us.
00:32:06.92\00:32:10.03
Without a doubt we
ARE in spiritual conflict.
00:32:10.43\00:32:13.90
In Review and Herald May 6,
1890, she wrote these words:
00:32:18.63\00:32:23.41
"The Lord is in need of workers
00:32:23.61\00:32:26.81
who will push the triumphs
of the cross of Christ. "
00:32:27.01\00:32:30.18
Well if that was true in 1890
I believe it is true in 2019
00:32:33.01\00:32:38.95
but even to a greater degree.
There are 7+ billion people
00:32:39.15\00:32:43.63
on this planet who many
of them have never even heard
00:32:43.83\00:32:47.83
the name of Jesus.
That's hard for us to imagine.
00:32:48.03\00:32:50.50
The cross of Christ...
It's true: the cross of Christ
00:32:56.54\00:32:58.94
is covered with
stigma and reproach
00:32:59.14\00:33:02.21
yet it is the hope of life.
00:33:04.61\00:33:08.18
It is the hope of life.
00:33:10.09\00:33:11.85
I believe God is calling
us to joyfully sacrifice.
00:33:14.76\00:33:17.79
You know, heaven is a
place where God lives.
00:33:24.43\00:33:29.27
But the spirit there
is not a miserly spirit.
00:33:30.31\00:33:33.27
It's a very generous
spirit. And God gave everything
00:33:33.48\00:33:36.95
through His Son. And
this is what it talks about:
00:33:37.35\00:33:42.08
the life of Christ.
Counsels to the Church
00:33:42.28\00:33:46.12
page 272 if you
want to look this up.
00:33:46.32\00:33:48.99
"The cross of Christ appeals
to the benevolence of every
00:33:49.69\00:33:52.73
follower of Christ. " I hope
today that it appeals to you.
00:33:52.93\00:33:58.83
She goes on to say in
Christian Service page 21:
00:34:01.47\00:34:05.11
"Let us give
while we have power.
00:34:06.34\00:34:09.51
Let us do while
we have strength.
00:34:10.01\00:34:12.41
Let us work while it is day.
00:34:12.91\00:34:15.42
Let us devote our time and
our means to the service of
00:34:15.92\00:34:18.89
God that we may have
His approbation and receive
00:34:19.09\00:34:22.66
the reward. " I
want to close today
00:34:22.86\00:34:27.50
with the story of Wm. Borden.
00:34:27.96\00:34:32.37
The Borden family,
if you know much about
00:34:34.64\00:34:38.31
brands today, is
actually still a brand.
00:34:38.51\00:34:41.51
It's in the dairy industry.
00:34:41.71\00:34:43.65
And you've seen the little
pictures of Elsie the Cow?
00:34:43.85\00:34:46.11
That's the Borden brand.
00:34:46.51\00:34:47.95
William was born in the early
1900's, living in the early
00:34:50.32\00:34:53.66
1900's. And their family
was a very prosperous family.
00:34:53.86\00:34:59.09
Yet one of their
members by the name of William
00:35:02.76\00:35:05.37
deviated from this path.
00:35:05.57\00:35:07.04
He... Under the
influence of Dwight Moody
00:35:09.97\00:35:12.67
he had come to know
Jesus Christ as his Savior.
00:35:13.78\00:35:17.01
As he graduated from
high school his parents said:
00:35:18.21\00:35:21.18
"What can we do for
William that will be a wonderful
00:35:21.38\00:35:24.42
high school graduation gift? "
00:35:24.62\00:35:26.49
And so they gave him
a trip around the world.
00:35:28.06\00:35:30.29
During this
trip around the world
00:35:32.89\00:35:34.66
William became convicted
00:35:37.47\00:35:39.57
that God was calling
him to be a missionary.
00:35:40.07\00:35:43.54
He went home to
his family and he said:
00:35:43.94\00:35:46.07
"God is calling me to
be a missionary. I know it!
00:35:46.27\00:35:48.91
I feel it! I've
been around the world.
00:35:49.11\00:35:51.21
I've seen these suffering
people and I know that God is
00:35:51.41\00:35:53.55
calling me to be a missionary. "
00:35:53.75\00:35:55.08
His family and his friends
disagreed with his decision.
00:35:58.22\00:36:01.12
In fact, they tried
desperately to discourage him
00:36:01.32\00:36:04.39
saying: "Why waste your
life on the mission field?
00:36:04.59\00:36:07.83
Anybody can do that.
00:36:08.03\00:36:09.36
You're rich. You have
a fortune ahead of you.
00:36:09.80\00:36:12.60
Why are you going to waste your
life on the mission field? "
00:36:12.80\00:36:15.04
But William would not be
dissuaded from his desire to be
00:36:17.67\00:36:21.58
a missionary. He
went to receive training.
00:36:21.78\00:36:25.28
He was pursuing a
career as a missionary.
00:36:27.68\00:36:32.42
He wanted to go to the Far East
00:36:36.22\00:36:38.06
and minister to the
Muslim community there.
00:36:38.26\00:36:40.80
It was so difficult for
his family and his peers
00:36:41.60\00:36:44.93
to actually believe
that he would do this.
00:36:45.13\00:36:46.94
But he was determined.
00:36:47.14\00:36:48.80
During this difficult time
00:36:51.37\00:36:53.38
he wrote two words in his Bible.
00:36:53.58\00:36:55.41
He wrote: "No reserves. "
00:36:57.11\00:36:59.35
He had decided he was going
to put everything that he had
00:37:01.92\00:37:04.45
on the line for
Jesus Christ come what may.
00:37:04.65\00:37:07.19
He also wrote this in his
Bible: "Say no to self and yes
00:37:08.76\00:37:13.16
to Jesus every time. "
00:37:13.36\00:37:14.73
I think those are some pretty
good words. How about you?
00:37:16.43\00:37:19.07
After preparing
himself for mission service
00:37:21.17\00:37:23.51
he was on his way
sailing for China.
00:37:24.67\00:37:28.48
He decided he would make a stop
00:37:28.68\00:37:30.61
in Cairo so he could
learn the Arabic language
00:37:30.81\00:37:34.98
because he wanted to minister
to the Muslim people in the
00:37:35.18\00:37:38.15
Far East. So he figured: "I
need to know this language. "
00:37:38.35\00:37:41.76
But before he had sailed on the
boat he made another decision
00:37:42.26\00:37:45.59
and he gave his
entire fortune to missions.
00:37:48.30\00:37:51.50
While he was in Cairo
00:38:00.58\00:38:02.71
he was stricken
with spinal meningitis
00:38:02.91\00:38:05.75
and he gave his life.
00:38:10.19\00:38:11.59
A young man just in
his 20's giving his life!
00:38:12.55\00:38:17.03
He had given away his fortune.
00:38:17.43\00:38:19.23
He had been trained
to go as a missionary
00:38:19.43\00:38:21.16
and he made the
sacrifice of his life.
00:38:29.60\00:38:32.14
So he had written
these words in his Bible,
00:38:35.34\00:38:38.28
and when they took his
Bible home to his parents
00:38:38.68\00:38:41.78
they found these words:
00:38:41.98\00:38:44.62
"No reserves.
00:38:45.12\00:38:46.89
No regrets.
00:38:48.29\00:38:49.62
No retreats. "
00:38:49.66\00:38:51.26
We've heard the
stories of other missionaries.
00:38:55.76\00:38:58.63
And I don't know if
you were listening today
00:38:58.83\00:39:00.50
but I was
listening to the presentation
00:39:00.70\00:39:02.74
and I noticed that Ina
also said that. She said:
00:39:02.94\00:39:06.24
"I have no regrets. "
00:39:06.44\00:39:07.78
And George said
that about his brother.
00:39:09.31\00:39:10.88
He said: "I have no regrets
00:39:11.08\00:39:12.41
that my brother has
died at the post of duty. "
00:39:12.51\00:39:15.12
I wonder if we could
live that kind of life today
00:39:17.69\00:39:20.32
and it would make
any sense to the world.
00:39:20.52\00:39:21.99
I doubt it.
00:39:23.49\00:39:25.03
I doubt if it would
make any sense to the world
00:39:25.63\00:39:28.03
but I believe it'd
make a lot of sense to Jesus
00:39:29.60\00:39:33.10
who gave His all. He gave His
all and then He gave His life!
00:39:34.20\00:39:36.84
He poured out everything for us.
00:39:38.57\00:39:41.41
I'm appealing to you today
00:39:42.74\00:39:44.38
to live a life
00:39:44.98\00:39:46.98
patterned after
the life of our Savior.
00:39:47.18\00:39:51.82
You know, I think Jesus could
have written these 3 statements.
00:39:54.82\00:39:57.69
"No reserves. " He
poured out everything.
00:39:58.19\00:40:01.70
"No retreats. " He
did battle with Satan
00:40:02.46\00:40:06.00
on his territory
00:40:06.20\00:40:08.10
and in the end "No regrets"
00:40:08.50\00:40:11.54
because it resulted in
the salvation of souls.
00:40:11.94\00:40:15.14
We're told that He
would have come for just one.
00:40:15.71\00:40:18.01
What will we do for just one?
00:40:19.75\00:40:22.88
I want you to
just think and pray
00:40:27.29\00:40:30.46
but I want you to make a de-
cision to leave this place today
00:40:32.06\00:40:36.97
and to change the
way... change your paradigm
00:40:39.50\00:40:43.10
about how you think about life.
00:40:43.30\00:40:45.14
So at the end of your
life it can be said about you
00:40:45.44\00:40:50.41
"They had no reserves; they
never retreated from the battle;
00:40:50.81\00:40:55.65
and no regrets. "
00:40:56.38\00:40:58.32
May God helps us that we
would live that kind of life
00:40:58.82\00:41:04.19
because Jesus did.
00:41:04.69\00:41:06.80
In shady green pastures
00:41:29.38\00:41:34.42
so rich and so sweet
00:41:35.46\00:41:39.16
God leads His dear children
00:41:39.93\00:41:44.80
along.
00:41:45.20\00:41:49.20
Where the water's cool flow
00:41:49.40\00:41:54.54
bathes the weary one's feet
00:41:54.84\00:41:59.91
God leads His dear children
00:42:00.55\00:42:05.92
along.
00:42:06.42\00:42:10.33
Some through the water,
00:42:11.46\00:42:16.53
some through the flood.
00:42:17.20\00:42:20.54
Some through the fire,
00:42:21.44\00:42:25.47
but all through the blood.
00:42:25.67\00:42:31.01
Some through great sorrow
00:42:31.68\00:42:36.38
but God gives a song
00:42:36.79\00:42:41.46
in the night season
00:42:41.96\00:42:46.46
and all the day long.
00:42:46.86\00:42:52.77
Sometimes on the mount
00:42:59.57\00:43:04.21
where the sun shines so bright
00:43:04.41\00:43:08.88
God leads His dear children
00:43:09.08\00:43:13.02
along.
00:43:13.22\00:43:16.42
Sometimes in the valley
00:43:17.13\00:43:21.20
in darkest of night
00:43:21.80\00:43:25.80
God leads His dear children
00:43:26.94\00:43:31.34
along.
00:43:32.01\00:43:36.18
Some through the water,
00:43:36.58\00:43:41.18
some through the flood.
00:43:41.58\00:43:44.85
Some through the fire,
00:43:45.42\00:43:49.39
but all through
00:43:49.59\00:43:53.60
the blood.
00:43:53.80\00:43:58.13
Some through great sorrow
00:43:58.53\00:44:02.84
but God gives a song
00:44:03.24\00:44:08.54
in the night
00:44:10.01\00:44:13.35
season...
00:44:13.55\00:44:18.42
in the night
00:44:21.02\00:44:24.49
season
00:44:24.89\00:44:29.43
God leads
00:44:29.63\00:44:32.20
His dear children
00:44:32.40\00:44:37.21
along.
00:44:37.87\00:44:43.88
Amen! Thank you, Jennifer,
for that beautiful music.
00:44:54.06\00:44:57.99
What a wonderful way to
have us pause and consider
00:44:59.03\00:45:02.56
how we will live our
lives from this day forward.
00:45:02.76\00:45:04.73
Let's bow our heads as we pray.
00:45:05.90\00:45:07.60
Father in heaven,
00:45:08.94\00:45:10.51
You have poured out
all of heaven for us.
00:45:11.64\00:45:14.21
Lord, we confess today
that we've been ungrateful.
00:45:15.71\00:45:18.15
We confess today that
we have been unfaithful
00:45:18.35\00:45:20.35
and we desire, O God,
to be back in Your graces.
00:45:20.55\00:45:24.69
We desire, O God,
to be used by You.
00:45:24.89\00:45:27.79
We know that You
lead us individually,
00:45:31.89\00:45:34.26
and I pray for every
person in this audience today
00:45:34.66\00:45:37.53
that as we leave this place
00:45:37.73\00:45:39.33
You will lead and guide
us. And that as You call us
00:45:40.17\00:45:43.97
we will step forward. That
if You call us to sacrifice
00:45:44.17\00:45:47.78
we will joyfully sacrifice
for You... whatever You may ask
00:45:47.98\00:45:51.08
because You gave all for us.
00:45:51.78\00:45:53.72
Heavenly Father, we are
incapable as human beings
00:45:54.62\00:46:00.06
of appreciating
this great sacrifice.
00:46:00.26\00:46:02.42
Please send us the Holy Spirit
00:46:03.32\00:46:05.49
to convict our hearts of
what You have done for us
00:46:05.89\00:46:09.30
and what we should be
willing to do for others.
00:46:09.50\00:46:11.77
Thank you that You hear and
that You answer our prayers.
00:46:12.77\00:46:18.01
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
00:46:18.41\00:46:21.64