Happy Sabbath! For me
has been and for my family
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a wonderful blessing
to be at ASi since 2005
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and we look forward
to the next convention.
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Well, I have good
news and bad news.
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The bad news is
it's almost ending.
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Isn't that sad?
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How many of you have been at
ASi the first time this year?
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Can I see your hands?
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Wow! That's a big group.
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OK... I'm not going to
ask the rest, but of these
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who have raised their hands
how many of you are going to be
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planning, at least have a
chance to be here next year?
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Not here but in
Orlando. Let me see your hands.
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Wow! That's
amazing! Praise the Lord!
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We are so blessed to
come together once a year
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to really unite in
prayer on a message
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on the mission to
really be prepared
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for the next year to
continue on God's work.
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It's such a blessing to
be part of ASi, isn't it?
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Well, this vespers we're going
to continue to have a very rich
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program. We're going
to have Philip Baptiste
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giving us a message.
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But before anything
we're going to ask the presence
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of God in our midst.
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Shall we bow our
heads for prayer.
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Dear heavenly Father, thank
you so much for this convention.
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It has been a
collective blessing;
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it has been a personal
blessing for each one of us.
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We had these days
together to really be inspired
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and be focused on mission.
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Now help especially
to go beyond this event
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that Your Holy
Spirit will touch our hearts
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so that we will
continue to be on fire for You
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because we want to see You
very soon coming to this earth
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and take us home. We ask
You that Your Holy Spirit
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will be with our speaker tonight
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and that You will continue
to be such a great blessing
00:02:11.83\00:02:16.80
for the ASi family. In
Jesus' name we ask, Amen.
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I have the privilege of
introducing tonight's speaker
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Philip Baptiste. You
just voted him in to be
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our secretary/treasurer
representing ASi
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at the North American Division.
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I've worked with
Philip for over a year now.
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He is brand new to ASi.
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He has been on the job,
he said, one year and 3 days.
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And during that time what I've
really appreciated about him
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is his passion not
just for lay people
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getting involved in ministry
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and ministering, but his passion
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to make sure that the lay people
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join hands
together with the church.
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You heard Elder
Denslow talk about uniting
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with the church...
that we are the church.
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And that is true, and
that is Philip's passion.
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And so I want to
welcome him to the pulpit
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after our special
music and for a challenge
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to join hands
together and press together...
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press together with the
church to finish the work.
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Thank you.
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Praise Father, Son
- praise Father, Son -
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praise Father, Son,
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and Holy
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Ghost. All people that
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on earth do dwell
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sing to the Lord with
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cheerful voice.
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Him serve with mirth,
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His praise foretell...
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come ye before Him
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and rejoice.
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O, enter then
His gates with joy!
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Within His courts
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His praise proclaim.
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Let thankful songs
your tongues employ.
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O bless and magnify
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His name.
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Because of all
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our God is good;
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His mercy is
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forever sure.
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His truth at all times
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firmly stood
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and shall from age to age
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endure...
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endure.
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Praise God from
whom all blessings
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flow,
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praise Him all creatures
00:05:25.52\00:05:28.12
here below.
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Praise Him above
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ye heavenly host:
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praise Father, Son,
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and Holy Ghost.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Praise God from whom all
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blessings flow.
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Praise Him all creatures
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here below.
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Praise Him above
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ye heavenly host:
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praise Father, Son,
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and Holy
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Ghost.
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Praise God from whom
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all blessings
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flow.
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Praise Him
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all creatures
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here below.
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Praise Him above
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ye heavenly
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host:
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praise Father, Son,
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and Holy
00:07:32.11\00:07:36.48
Ghost.
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Amen!
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The year was AD 31.
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The place is a grassy
hill by the Sea of Galilee.
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The people are hungry.
00:08:02.71\00:08:04.75
Jesus turns to His disciples
00:08:05.15\00:08:07.28
and says: "Give
ye them to eat. "
00:08:07.48\00:08:11.69
"But Lord, " they cry,
00:08:12.29\00:08:14.42
"how can we feed the multitude
with such limited resources? "
00:08:14.82\00:08:18.63
"I mean, all we
have is two small fish
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and five loaves of bread. "
00:08:22.26\00:08:24.20
"How can we feed the
enormous number of people
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with so little? "
00:08:27.30\00:08:28.94
"I mean, are we supposed to
divide up the loaves and fish
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and give each person a crumb? "
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But Jesus'
instructions are clear.
00:08:36.44\00:08:40.08
He says: "Give ye them to eat. "
00:08:40.28\00:08:45.39
"But Lord, " they cry, "we
don't have the financial ability
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to feed so many. This
is all we have" they cry
00:08:51.16\00:08:57.17
holding up their two small fish
and their five loaves of bread.
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But Jesus says: "If you just
give Me the little that you have
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I'll multiply it
and I'll make it more. "
00:09:05.37\00:09:08.88
And so they did and it did,
00:09:09.38\00:09:13.78
and He did. And as
a result over 5,000
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were fed and they were filled.
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The year is 2019.
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The place is here
and the time is now.
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All around us people are hungry
and thirsty for righteousness.
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All around us people are
hungering to hear the good news
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of the Adventist message.
00:09:40.28\00:09:41.84
All around us people are
hungry to hear the gospel
00:09:42.04\00:09:45.58
of Jesus Christ. All around
us people are hungry to hear
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the three angels'
messages of Revelation 14.
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And Jesus says to you and me
00:09:53.42\00:09:55.62
as His disciples:
"Give ye them to eat. "
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But we say: "But Lord,
00:10:03.10\00:10:06.20
we don't have the resources to
effectively spread the gospel. "
00:10:06.40\00:10:09.70
"Give ye them to
eat" Jesus commands.
00:10:10.87\00:10:14.91
But we say: "But Lord,
we don't have the time.
00:10:15.41\00:10:17.95
I mean, we can barely make
it to Sabbath School on time.
00:10:18.45\00:10:21.62
How are we supposed
to carve out the time
00:10:21.82\00:10:24.79
to engage in sharing
Christ and serving people? "
00:10:24.99\00:10:28.76
"Give ye them to
eat" Jesus cries.
00:10:29.49\00:10:34.56
But the disciples
are full of excuses.
00:10:35.06\00:10:39.47
Somehow they don't
fully understand the mission.
00:10:39.87\00:10:42.90
But Jesus says: "If you just
give Me the little that you have
00:10:43.41\00:10:48.01
I'll take it and I'll multiply
it and I'll make it more. "
00:10:49.14\00:10:53.31
"If you just give Me
your talents and your gifts
00:10:53.72\00:10:55.98
and your abilities,
just place it in My hands,
00:10:56.18\00:10:59.22
I'll do more than you can
ask, think of, or imagine. "
00:10:59.42\00:11:03.89
Good evening. My
name is Philip Baptiste.
00:11:05.83\00:11:10.30
And this evening I'm
so humbled and honored
00:11:10.70\00:11:13.23
to have the opportunity to
give you the closing challenge.
00:11:13.44\00:11:17.57
Come with me in your
Bibles to the book of Matthew.
00:11:18.07\00:11:20.94
Matthew chapter
9 verses 35 to 38.
00:11:21.44\00:11:25.25
Matthew chapter
9 verses 35 to 38.
00:11:26.25\00:11:30.42
If you found
it, say "I got it! "
00:11:31.52\00:11:33.46
If you need more
time, say "Have mercy. "
00:11:34.36\00:11:36.66
Matthew chapter 9
verses 35-38. The Bible says:
00:11:37.89\00:11:43.50
"Jesus went throughout
all the cities and villages
00:11:43.80\00:11:46.77
teaching in their synagogues
00:11:47.27\00:11:49.30
and proclaiming the
gospel of the kingdom
00:11:49.50\00:11:51.67
and healing every
disease and every affliction.
00:11:51.87\00:11:54.98
And when He saw the
crowds He had compassion on them
00:11:55.48\00:11:58.28
for they were
harassed and helpless
00:11:58.78\00:12:01.72
like sheep without a shepherd.
00:12:01.92\00:12:03.89
And then He said
to His disciples:
00:12:04.29\00:12:06.15
'The harvest is plentiful
but the laborers are few.
00:12:06.55\00:12:10.66
Therefore pray earnestly
to the Lord of the harvest
00:12:11.26\00:12:14.26
to send out laborers
into His harvest. ' "
00:12:14.66\00:12:18.63
With your prayers and God's help
00:12:19.03\00:12:21.00
for this next few minutes
I'm going to challenge you
00:12:21.40\00:12:24.67
from the topic Mission Priority:
00:12:24.87\00:12:28.51
It's Harvest Time.
00:12:28.71\00:12:30.25
So I want to do a
little exercise as we begin.
00:12:30.75\00:12:33.42
When I say Mission Priority
00:12:33.62\00:12:35.85
you say It's Harvest
Time. Let's practice.
00:12:36.05\00:12:39.02
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:12:39.22\00:12:41.99
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:12:42.19\00:12:44.79
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:12:44.99\00:12:47.33
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:12:47.53\00:12:50.00
Amen! Amen!
00:12:50.20\00:12:52.63
That's our topic
for this evening.
00:12:52.83\00:12:54.17
Turn to your neighbor
and say those words. Say:
00:12:54.50\00:12:56.47
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time. Go!
00:12:56.67\00:12:59.54
Mission Priority: It's
Harvest Time. Amen, Amen, Amen!
00:12:59.74\00:13:04.61
That's our topic for today.
00:13:04.81\00:13:06.41
Mission Priority: It's
Harvest Time. Let us pray.
00:13:06.82\00:13:10.65
Father, I ask one more time
00:13:12.29\00:13:14.56
that You will make me
just a nail upon the wall
00:13:14.96\00:13:17.79
holding Your picture into place.
00:13:17.99\00:13:20.20
Let people not see me
but let them be reminded
00:13:20.60\00:13:23.16
of Your
redeeming grace. Oh Jesus,
00:13:23.37\00:13:25.73
make me just a
nail upon the wall
00:13:25.93\00:13:28.40
holding Your picture into place.
00:13:28.60\00:13:30.54
In Jesus' name, we
pray - let everyone say -
00:13:31.04\00:13:33.84
Amen.
00:13:34.24\00:13:36.11
Matthew 9 describes the
missional priority of Jesus.
00:13:37.71\00:13:42.12
While the disciples were
busy fighting and bickering
00:13:42.78\00:13:45.79
about "Who's going to
sit on the left side? "
00:13:45.99\00:13:48.16
and "Who's going to
sit on the right side? "
00:13:48.36\00:13:50.49
and "Who's going to be great-
est in the kingdom of heaven? "
00:13:50.69\00:13:53.26
Jesus was totally and
completely focused on mission.
00:13:53.66\00:13:58.53
Matthew 9:35 declares that
"Jesus went throughout all the
00:13:58.93\00:14:02.84
cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues
00:14:03.04\00:14:05.94
and proclaiming the
gospel of the kingdom
00:14:06.14\00:14:08.64
and healing every
disease and every affliction. "
00:14:08.84\00:14:11.51
His focus was not on
church or governmental politics.
00:14:11.91\00:14:15.88
His focus was on mission.
00:14:16.28\00:14:18.95
And while the disciples
were more focused on changing
00:14:19.35\00:14:22.46
the political
landscape of the Roman Empire
00:14:22.66\00:14:25.36
Jesus was focused on mission.
00:14:25.56\00:14:27.53
While the disciples were more
focused on climbing the church's
00:14:27.93\00:14:31.20
corporate ladder Jesus
was focused on mission.
00:14:31.40\00:14:34.24
While the disciples
were trying to figure out
00:14:34.64\00:14:36.91
who was going to be the
next head elder or conference
00:14:37.11\00:14:39.91
president Jesus
was focused on mission.
00:14:40.11\00:14:43.45
And how did He
accomplish His mission?
00:14:44.41\00:14:48.05
I just love your
kind of questions.
00:14:48.55\00:14:50.75
By seeking the lost
and serving the least.
00:14:51.59\00:14:55.32
By proclaiming the
gospel and healing the sick.
00:14:55.72\00:14:59.69
You see, you didn't realize
this, but over 2,000 years ago
00:14:59.89\00:15:04.47
Jesus was a part
of the very first ASi
00:15:04.87\00:15:09.70
in Galilee. You see,
Jesus was an ASi member!
00:15:09.90\00:15:13.98
You see, He was a lay person.
00:15:14.34\00:15:16.08
He was not a pastor
or a priest or a Levite.
00:15:16.28\00:15:19.98
He was a
carpenter by profession.
00:15:20.18\00:15:22.95
A business professional who had
mastered the art of carpentry
00:15:23.15\00:15:27.42
from His earthly father while
simultaneously mastering the art
00:15:27.62\00:15:31.89
of total dependence
on His heavenly Father.
00:15:32.09\00:15:35.06
And with the
unprecedented determination
00:15:35.83\00:15:38.87
to preach the gospel
00:15:39.07\00:15:40.70
He went out to recruit
twelve other lay people
00:15:40.90\00:15:44.21
to be His disciples to
establish the very first ASi
00:15:44.41\00:15:49.38
chapter in Jerusalem.
00:15:49.58\00:15:51.21
And He modeled for
them how ASi members
00:15:51.61\00:15:55.82
are to live and
how they are to lead.
00:15:56.02\00:15:59.32
His life's focus
and His leadership focus
00:15:59.52\00:16:03.39
is all about mission.
00:16:03.59\00:16:05.69
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:16:06.19\00:16:10.50
Say it with me:
Mission Priority:
00:16:10.70\00:16:13.60
Mission Priority:
00:16:13.80\00:16:15.70
Mission Priority:
00:16:16.10\00:16:17.87
Jesus combined the ministry
of healing with the ministry
00:16:20.08\00:16:23.68
of preaching. And as
SDA's we are compelled
00:16:23.88\00:16:28.45
to do the same.
Listen to the SDA church's
00:16:28.65\00:16:32.19
official mission
statement found on our website
00:16:32.39\00:16:36.42
and written in our policies.
00:16:36.62\00:16:38.09
Our mission is to make
disciples of Jesus Christ
00:16:38.29\00:16:41.63
who live as His loving witness
00:16:41.83\00:16:44.50
and proclaim to all people
00:16:44.70\00:16:47.17
the everlasting gospel of
the three angels' messages
00:16:47.37\00:16:50.37
in preparation
for His soon return.
00:16:50.57\00:16:53.11
Now listen to our method:
00:16:53.51\00:16:55.38
"Our method, guided by
the Bible and the Holy Spirit,
00:16:55.58\00:16:58.75
Seventh-day
Adventists pursue this mission
00:16:59.15\00:17:02.68
through Christ-like
living, communicating,
00:17:02.88\00:17:05.79
discipling, teaching,
healing, and serving. "
00:17:05.99\00:17:10.99
THIS is what ASi is all about
00:17:11.19\00:17:15.60
and this is what
WE must be about.
00:17:16.46\00:17:19.80
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:17:20.00\00:17:23.14
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:17:23.34\00:17:25.87
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:17:26.07\00:17:28.21
You see, our mission
is about saving lives.
00:17:28.61\00:17:32.25
Our mission is about sharing
Christ and serving people.
00:17:32.65\00:17:36.52
Our mission is designed to
ensure that no one is lost!
00:17:36.92\00:17:42.32
Let me illustrate.
00:17:43.43\00:17:45.03
On a dangerous seacoast
where shipwrecks often occur
00:17:45.43\00:17:49.90
there was once a crude
little life-saving station.
00:17:50.10\00:17:53.50
The building was
just a little hut
00:17:53.90\00:17:56.44
and there was only one boat,
00:17:56.64\00:17:58.54
but the few devoted
members kept constant watch
00:17:58.74\00:18:01.98
over the sea with no
thought for themselves.
00:18:02.18\00:18:05.91
Day and night they went
out tirelessly searching
00:18:06.31\00:18:10.69
for the lost.
00:18:10.89\00:18:12.22
Many lives were saved
00:18:12.29\00:18:14.39
by this wonderful
little life-saving station.
00:18:14.59\00:18:17.93
Soon it became famous.
00:18:18.33\00:18:21.36
Some of those who were saved
00:18:21.56\00:18:23.26
and various others
in the surrounding areas
00:18:23.47\00:18:25.77
wanted to become
associated with the station
00:18:25.97\00:18:28.97
and give of their
time and money and effort
00:18:29.37\00:18:32.01
for the support of its work.
00:18:32.21\00:18:33.81
New boats were brought
and new crews were trained
00:18:34.01\00:18:37.85
and the little
life-saving station grew.
00:18:38.05\00:18:41.28
Soon some of the new members
of the life-saving station
00:18:41.68\00:18:45.45
were unhappy that the
building was crude and so poorly
00:18:45.65\00:18:49.62
equipped. They felt
that a more comfortable place
00:18:49.82\00:18:54.10
should be provided as
a first refuge for those
00:18:54.30\00:18:58.97
who had been saved from the sea.
00:18:59.17\00:19:01.84
So they replaced the
emergency cots with beds
00:19:02.04\00:19:05.57
and put better, nicer furniture
00:19:05.97\00:19:09.08
in an enlarged building.
00:19:09.28\00:19:10.91
And now the life-saving station
became a gathering place...
00:19:11.31\00:19:16.69
popular gathering
place for its members.
00:19:16.89\00:19:20.09
They began to
redecorate it beautifully
00:19:20.29\00:19:23.43
and they furnished
it as some sort of club.
00:19:23.63\00:19:26.86
Less of the members were
now interested in going to sea
00:19:27.96\00:19:32.40
on life-saving missions
00:19:32.60\00:19:34.37
so they hired lifeboats and
life crews to do the work...
00:19:34.57\00:19:38.61
boat crews to do the work.
00:19:39.01\00:19:41.04
The mission of life saving
was still given lip service
00:19:41.24\00:19:45.68
but most people were too busy or
lacked the necessary commitment
00:19:45.88\00:19:50.52
to take part in the life
saving activities personally.
00:19:50.92\00:19:55.52
About this time a large
ship was wrecked off the coast
00:19:56.46\00:20:00.73
and the hired crews brought
in boatloads of cold, wet,
00:20:01.13\00:20:05.17
half-drowned people. They
were dirty; they were sick.
00:20:05.37\00:20:09.24
Some of them had
black skin or brown skin
00:20:09.64\00:20:14.04
and some of them
spoke a strange language.
00:20:14.24\00:20:16.64
And the beautiful new club
was now considerably messed up.
00:20:17.05\00:20:20.68
So the property committee
had a shower house built
00:20:21.18\00:20:24.65
outside of the club
where victims of the shipwreck
00:20:24.85\00:20:28.22
could be cleaned up
before coming inside.
00:20:28.42\00:20:31.56
At the next meeting
00:20:31.96\00:20:33.90
there was a split
in the club membership.
00:20:34.10\00:20:37.07
Most of the members wanted
to stop the club's life-saving
00:20:37.47\00:20:41.97
activities as being
unpleasant and a hindrance
00:20:42.17\00:20:46.41
to the normal
pattern of the club.
00:20:46.61\00:20:48.61
But some of the members
insisted that life saving
00:20:48.91\00:20:51.85
was their primary
purpose and pointed out
00:20:52.05\00:20:55.08
that they were still
called a life-saving station.
00:20:55.28\00:20:59.45
But they were finally voted down
00:20:59.85\00:21:02.12
and told that if they
wanted to save the lives
00:21:02.52\00:21:05.86
of all kinds of
various dirty, dingy people
00:21:06.06\00:21:08.56
who were
shipwrecked in these waters
00:21:08.76\00:21:10.53
they could go and begin
their own life-saving station
00:21:10.73\00:21:13.23
further down the
coast. And so they did.
00:21:13.44\00:21:16.44
And as the years went by
00:21:16.84\00:21:19.44
the new station
experienced the same changes
00:21:19.64\00:21:23.18
that had occurred
in the old station.
00:21:23.38\00:21:25.58
They also evolved into a club,
00:21:25.98\00:21:28.42
and yet another
life-saving station was formed.
00:21:28.62\00:21:32.95
If you visit the seacoast today,
00:21:33.15\00:21:35.89
you will find a
number of exclusive clubs
00:21:36.09\00:21:39.19
there along the shore.
00:21:39.39\00:21:41.56
Shipwrecks are
frequent in those waters
00:21:41.96\00:21:45.43
but now almost everybody drowns.
00:21:45.63\00:21:49.37
Hmmm.
00:21:50.57\00:21:52.01
The Seventh-day Adventist church
00:21:52.77\00:21:54.98
is called to
engage in seeking the lost
00:21:55.18\00:21:58.21
and serving the least.
00:21:58.61\00:22:00.12
WE are called to be
a life-saving station.
00:22:00.52\00:22:03.95
We are called to rescue the per-
ishing and pray for the dying.
00:22:04.15\00:22:08.82
We are called to save lives
and to be a life-saving station.
00:22:09.02\00:22:13.09
We are called to engage in
selfless service for the Savior.
00:22:13.29\00:22:17.30
We are called to be
mission-focused because
00:22:17.70\00:22:20.97
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:22:21.17\00:22:24.47
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:22:24.67\00:22:27.18
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:22:27.38\00:22:29.94
We are called to be
a life-saving station.
00:22:30.15\00:22:34.18
I hear you,
pastor... I hear you...
00:22:35.92\00:22:38.49
but I've got a question for you.
00:22:39.22\00:22:42.29
How do we make
mission our priority?
00:22:42.49\00:22:46.26
Oh, I just love
your kind of questions!
00:22:46.66\00:22:49.30
I've got three practical ways
00:22:50.33\00:22:53.27
that I want to share
with you this evening.
00:22:53.47\00:22:55.77
How many ways?
00:22:55.97\00:22:57.34
Three! Three practical ways
that I want to share with you
00:22:57.54\00:23:00.71
that you can
intentionally live out the model
00:23:00.91\00:23:04.58
of Mission
Priority: It's Harvest Time.
00:23:04.78\00:23:08.68
The first way that we, I
believe, can live out this model
00:23:10.02\00:23:15.99
of missional living
and Mission Priority
00:23:16.19\00:23:19.03
It's Harvest Time is
to number one: refresh
00:23:19.23\00:23:24.43
your prayer and devotional life.
00:23:24.63\00:23:27.47
Refresh your prayer
and devotional life.
00:23:28.40\00:23:33.41
If there ever was a time
we needed to be in prayer,
00:23:33.61\00:23:37.58
that time is now.
00:23:37.78\00:23:39.65
Sr. White says prayer is not
the way to accomplish the work;
00:23:39.85\00:23:43.39
prayer IS the work.
00:23:43.59\00:23:45.35
And we need to be
praying like never before.
00:23:45.85\00:23:49.69
And we need to be
studying and in The Word
00:23:49.89\00:23:52.69
like never before.
00:23:52.89\00:23:54.96
So you need to
refresh your devotional life
00:23:55.53\00:23:59.90
and your prayer life.
00:24:00.30\00:24:01.94
If you have a family, rekindle
the altar of family worship.
00:24:02.14\00:24:06.44
Make sure that every day
00:24:06.94\00:24:08.74
you are praying together,
you are worshiping together.
00:24:08.94\00:24:12.05
And make sure you're not only
praying together as a family
00:24:12.25\00:24:15.28
and studying the
Word together as a family
00:24:15.48\00:24:17.85
but make sure you're
doing it together as a couple
00:24:18.05\00:24:21.86
and make sure you're
doing it individually
00:24:22.06\00:24:24.23
as a person, as an
individual... because
00:24:24.43\00:24:28.13
the secret to our success
lies when we move forward
00:24:28.33\00:24:32.83
on our knees.
00:24:33.03\00:24:34.94
THAT is our highest calling.
00:24:35.34\00:24:38.04
We don't need more
planning and more strategies.
00:24:39.07\00:24:44.21
Our chief strategy is prayer.
00:24:44.41\00:24:47.22
Our chief
strategy is Bible study.
00:24:47.72\00:24:50.69
THAT is our number one goal.
00:24:51.19\00:24:54.76
I remember when the two
disciples were on the road
00:24:54.96\00:24:58.36
to Emmaus. And you
remember they were discouraged.
00:24:58.56\00:25:01.46
They were down, and they
were asking the question:
00:25:01.66\00:25:05.03
"Jesus, why have
You left us like this? "
00:25:05.23\00:25:08.37
"Jesus, how is it
that we thought that You
00:25:08.77\00:25:11.87
had come to redeem Israel but
yet You were suddenly gone? "
00:25:12.07\00:25:15.78
And just when they
thought Jesus had left them
00:25:16.48\00:25:19.21
was just when He was
walking right beside them.
00:25:19.61\00:25:22.28
Don't you love that about Jesus?
00:25:22.68\00:25:24.35
Just when I need Him most
00:25:24.85\00:25:26.65
Jesus is there
to comfort and share
00:25:26.86\00:25:29.26
just when I need Him most.
00:25:29.46\00:25:31.16
And as they're
discouraged and they're down
00:25:31.56\00:25:33.96
Jesus walks beside them.
00:25:34.16\00:25:35.96
And Jesus takes
them through three steps
00:25:36.16\00:25:39.43
to be able to see His face,
00:25:39.83\00:25:41.87
to be able to
recognize who He is.
00:25:42.07\00:25:44.17
'Cause the Bible says
their eyes "were hidden from Him
00:25:44.37\00:25:47.91
that they could not see
or recognize who He was. "
00:25:48.11\00:25:51.38
And so the first thing is
He has a Bible study with them
00:25:51.78\00:25:55.35
on the road to
Emmaus. You remember?
00:25:55.75\00:25:58.05
And then after the Bible
study when they get to the house
00:25:58.45\00:26:01.82
He prays and He
breaks the bread.
00:26:02.02\00:26:05.56
Let me tell you:
Bible study, prayer,
00:26:05.96\00:26:10.27
and brokenness are
the keys to success
00:26:10.47\00:26:14.17
in whatever you want
to do for Jesus Christ.
00:26:14.37\00:26:16.81
Bible study,
prayer, and brokenness.
00:26:17.54\00:26:21.34
He had a Bible study
with them on the way.
00:26:21.74\00:26:24.28
Then they prayed
and He broke the bread.
00:26:24.48\00:26:27.55
And after Jesus prayed and
broke the bread, then their eyes
00:26:27.75\00:26:31.82
were opened and they
said: "Oh! It is Jesus! "
00:26:32.02\00:26:35.46
"Oh! It is Jesus! "
00:26:35.86\00:26:37.89
"Oh! It is Jesus! "
00:26:38.29\00:26:40.26
And I want you to know
00:26:40.76\00:26:42.33
that if we engage in
Bible study and prayer
00:26:42.53\00:26:46.60
and in brokenness...
"What do you mean by brokenness,
00:26:46.80\00:26:49.94
pastor? " Say: "God,
break up the pride in me. "
00:26:50.14\00:26:53.11
"Break up the
selfishness in me. "
00:26:53.31\00:26:55.41
"Break up the anger in
me. Break up EVERYTHING in me
00:26:55.61\00:26:59.01
that is unlike You. "
Spirit of the Living God
00:26:59.21\00:27:01.95
fall afresh on
me. Break me; mold me;
00:27:02.15\00:27:05.49
melt me; make me over again.
00:27:05.69\00:27:08.39
Amen! If we
engage in Bible study,
00:27:08.59\00:27:10.83
prayer, and brokenness,
00:27:11.03\00:27:12.59
THAT is when we will see Jesus.
00:27:12.99\00:27:16.23
And we need to see Him
because: Mission Priority:
00:27:17.30\00:27:21.07
It's Harvest
Time. Mission Priority:
00:27:21.27\00:27:23.71
It's Harvest Time.
00:27:23.91\00:27:25.24
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:27:25.34\00:27:27.74
I'm so glad that
even as I drink this water
00:27:34.12\00:27:37.69
I'm reminded that Jesus is
the source of living water.
00:27:38.09\00:27:41.22
So the first step to be
able to live out the model
00:27:43.16\00:27:47.66
Mission
Priority: It's Harvest Time
00:27:47.86\00:27:49.53
is to refresh your
prayer and devotional life.
00:27:49.73\00:27:54.04
Say it with me: Refresh
your prayer and devotional life.
00:27:54.24\00:27:58.27
Come on... say it
like you actually mean it.
00:27:58.47\00:28:00.24
Refresh your prayer
and devotional life.
00:28:00.44\00:28:03.65
All together now... go:
00:28:04.05\00:28:05.61
Refresh your prayer
and devotional life.
00:28:05.81\00:28:09.22
The second step is
to renew your commitment
00:28:09.62\00:28:12.79
to being a loving disciple.
00:28:12.99\00:28:16.02
Ellen White in the book
Mind, Character, and Personality
00:28:16.22\00:28:19.49
she says this.
She says: "Be lovable.
00:28:19.69\00:28:22.16
Let Christ be seen
in all that you do.
00:28:22.36\00:28:24.87
Let all see that you are
living epistles of Jesus Christ.
00:28:25.07\00:28:28.14
Be lovable. Let your
life win the hearts of all
00:28:28.54\00:28:32.04
who are brought in
contact with you. "
00:28:32.24\00:28:34.31
There's a little book that
you have in your delegate bag.
00:28:34.81\00:28:38.45
It's called Leading Like Jesus:
00:28:38.65\00:28:42.22
Sharing Hope at Church, at Home,
00:28:42.72\00:28:45.72
and in the Marketplace.
00:28:45.92\00:28:47.39
I want to just ask you
to turn with me for a minute
00:28:47.99\00:28:50.76
if you have it to
page 49 of that book.
00:28:51.16\00:28:53.53
And I want to
thank Stanborough Press
00:28:54.46\00:28:58.37
which is our SDA press in the UK
00:28:58.57\00:29:01.70
for helping me put
this little book together.
00:29:01.90\00:29:04.21
You know, when I was asked
to deliver the closing challenge
00:29:04.71\00:29:07.91
I had so much I wanted to share
00:29:08.11\00:29:10.51
that I realized I
wouldn't have enough time
00:29:10.71\00:29:12.95
so I said: "Let me put it
all together in a little booklet
00:29:13.15\00:29:16.18
that I can give you
and it can challenge you
00:29:16.38\00:29:18.95
throughout the year until
our next ASi in Orlando. "
00:29:19.15\00:29:22.42
Is that all right? Amen!
00:29:22.62\00:29:24.16
And so it's here for
you, and I want to ask you
00:29:24.36\00:29:27.33
that you would
just look at page 49.
00:29:27.53\00:29:30.67
And I'm going to read
from page 48 actually.
00:29:31.47\00:29:36.27
When all is said and done
what is great leadership about?
00:29:36.47\00:29:41.71
We hear the word disciple a lot.
00:29:42.11\00:29:44.58
But what does it really mean
to be a disciple of Jesus...
00:29:44.98\00:29:47.52
especially for us as Bible-
believing, Sabbath-keeping,
00:29:47.92\00:29:51.52
commandment-obeying
SDA Christians?
00:29:51.72\00:29:54.46
What does it
mean to be a disciple?
00:29:54.86\00:29:56.83
And how do we know that
we are actively engaged in
00:29:57.03\00:29:59.39
discipleship in our
home, in our church,
00:29:59.59\00:30:02.26
and in our community?
Scholars believe that a disciple
00:30:02.46\00:30:05.63
is simply a follower of Jesus.
00:30:05.83\00:30:08.34
But what does it look
like to be a follower of Jesus?
00:30:08.74\00:30:11.17
And how can we tell the
world that we are His disciples?
00:30:11.57\00:30:15.08
Jesus shared something
deeply profound to His disciples
00:30:15.48\00:30:18.35
about this in John 13:34-35.
00:30:18.55\00:30:21.95
He said: "A new commandment
00:30:22.15\00:30:23.65
that I give you that
you love one another.
00:30:23.85\00:30:26.55
As I have loved you, so
you must love one another.
00:30:26.76\00:30:30.26
By this will everyone
know that you are My disciples
00:30:30.46\00:30:33.83
so that you love one another. "
00:30:34.03\00:30:36.70
Here Jesus explains what
it means to be a disciple.
00:30:37.10\00:30:40.54
He says: "Being a
disciple involves more than
00:30:40.94\00:30:43.67
uttering pretty-turned
phrases and namby-pamby
00:30:43.87\00:30:46.71
soliloquies. "
Disciples are followers of Jesus
00:30:46.91\00:30:50.21
who model the radical love
of Jesus by loving one another.
00:30:50.41\00:30:54.75
In fact, He declares
that this is a new commandment
00:30:54.95\00:30:58.02
that He is giving, and it's
interesting that Jesus gives
00:30:58.22\00:31:01.59
this commandment
to His disciples.
00:31:01.79\00:31:03.73
These are the very disciples
who are supposed to be modeling
00:31:03.93\00:31:07.16
love one for another.
00:31:07.36\00:31:09.10
However instead,
they're fighting and competing
00:31:09.30\00:31:11.40
with each other.
They allow greed and pride
00:31:11.60\00:31:14.60
to get in the way of
selfless service for the Savior.
00:31:14.80\00:31:17.81
So instead of
loving unconditionally
00:31:18.01\00:31:20.44
they were always
fighting, always bickering.
00:31:20.64\00:31:23.35
"Who's going to
sit on the left side? "
00:31:23.55\00:31:24.95
and "Who's going to
sit on the right side? "
00:31:25.15\00:31:26.58
and "Who's going
to be the greatest
00:31:26.98\00:31:28.32
in the kingdom of heaven? "
00:31:28.45\00:31:30.12
Ellen White in her
book The Desire of Ages
00:31:30.32\00:31:32.55
reflecting on
Jesus' words says this:
00:31:32.75\00:31:35.12
"In His last
meeting with His disciples
00:31:35.32\00:31:37.79
the great desire which
Christ expressed for them
00:31:37.99\00:31:40.60
was that they might love one
another as He had loved them.
00:31:40.80\00:31:44.70
To the disciples this
commandment was not new
00:31:45.40\00:31:47.87
for they had not loved one an-
other as Christ had loved them.
00:31:48.27\00:31:51.14
But He saw that new ideas
and impulses must control them.
00:31:51.54\00:31:55.61
That new principles
must be practiced by them
00:31:56.01\00:31:58.48
and through His life and
death they were to receive a new
00:31:58.68\00:32:02.22
concept of love. The
command to love one another
00:32:02.42\00:32:05.45
had a new meaning in
light of His self-sacrifice.
00:32:05.65\00:32:09.32
The whole work of grace
is one continual service
00:32:09.82\00:32:12.76
of love, of self-denying,
00:32:12.96\00:32:15.13
of self-sacrificing effort.
00:32:15.33\00:32:17.17
During every hour of
Christ's sojourn on the earth
00:32:17.37\00:32:20.94
the love of God was
overflowing from Him
00:32:21.10\00:32:23.30
in irrepressible streams.
00:32:23.51\00:32:26.01
All who are
imbued with His Spirit
00:32:26.21\00:32:28.68
will love as He loved. The
very principle that actuated
00:32:28.88\00:32:33.62
Christ will actuate them in all
their dealing with one another.
00:32:33.82\00:32:37.65
This love is the
evidence of their discipleship.
00:32:38.05\00:32:41.12
'By this will all men know
that you are My disciples... '
00:32:41.52\00:32:44.86
Jesus said... 'if
you love one another. '
00:32:45.06\00:32:47.53
When men are bound together
not by force or self-interest
00:32:47.73\00:32:50.97
but by love they show
the working of the influence
00:32:51.17\00:32:53.84
that is above
every human influence. "
00:32:54.04\00:32:57.51
Desire of Ages, p. 677 and 678.
00:32:57.71\00:33:01.84
So in light of all this
00:33:02.71\00:33:04.61
here are some
questions for us to contemplate.
00:33:04.81\00:33:08.98
Are you truly a disciple?
00:33:09.58\00:33:12.35
If so, are you
modeling discipleship
00:33:12.75\00:33:15.52
and letting people
know you're a disciple
00:33:15.72\00:33:18.26
by having
genuine love for others?
00:33:18.66\00:33:21.50
Will your spouse or
your children or your parents
00:33:22.00\00:33:24.50
or your
siblings call you loving?
00:33:24.70\00:33:27.07
Do you relate to your
family in a loving way
00:33:27.47\00:33:30.01
or harsh and indifferently?
00:33:30.41\00:33:32.77
How loving are you to those you
feel threatened by in church?
00:33:33.17\00:33:37.55
Do you model love and
service to the person you think
00:33:37.75\00:33:40.35
could potentially take your
place when nominating committee
00:33:40.55\00:33:43.45
meets next year?
00:33:43.65\00:33:44.99
How loving are you
when you're not chosen
00:33:45.09\00:33:46.79
for a church office or
the position that you feel
00:33:46.99\00:33:49.26
you've worked
for or you deserve?
00:33:49.46\00:33:51.29
Do you model the unselfish,
humble servanthood of Christ?
00:33:51.69\00:33:55.56
Or do you model
self-centeredness, rudeness,
00:33:55.76\00:33:58.63
and unforgiveness?
00:33:58.83\00:34:00.17
Are you loving, kind,
caring, and compassionate?
00:34:00.60\00:34:04.57
Are you obedient to Jesus'
command to love one another?
00:34:04.77\00:34:08.64
If we're going to
call ourselves disciples,
00:34:09.04\00:34:11.05
then we have to be loving.
00:34:11.25\00:34:13.11
And my prayer for each one of us
00:34:13.31\00:34:15.45
is the next time someone
asks "Who is a disciple? "
00:34:15.65\00:34:18.62
that they will be able
to look at each one of us
00:34:18.82\00:34:21.32
and declare: "He's a disciple,
00:34:21.52\00:34:23.93
she's a disciple,
00:34:24.13\00:34:25.46
because they love one another. "
00:34:25.53\00:34:28.26
So number one is refresh
your prayer and devotional life.
00:34:30.37\00:34:35.44
Number two is
renew your commitment
00:34:36.04\00:34:39.94
to be a loving disciple.
00:34:40.14\00:34:42.84
Look at your
neighbor and say: "Be nice. "
00:34:43.04\00:34:44.95
Yeah. Look to your other
neighbor and say: "Be nice. "
00:34:46.51\00:34:48.98
Maybe they're the
ones that's no so nice.
00:34:49.18\00:34:50.75
That's right... be loving.
00:34:55.99\00:34:57.89
And number three is rekindle
your passion to get involved
00:34:58.99\00:35:03.26
in active ministry.
00:35:03.67\00:35:05.90
If you go to page
20 of the same book,
00:35:07.94\00:35:12.24
page 20, Leading Like Jesus,
00:35:14.21\00:35:17.91
there's a little
thing here on page 20.
00:35:20.02\00:35:23.12
It's called TMI part
1 and there's a part 2.
00:35:23.52\00:35:26.79
Says: "As Jesus was approaching
the close of His ministry
00:35:27.36\00:35:30.43
on earth He gave His
disciples some very interesting
00:35:30.63\00:35:33.50
instructions. He told them
to go to a particular village
00:35:33.70\00:35:36.90
and when they
saw a donkey tied up
00:35:37.10\00:35:40.54
to untie it, take
it, and bring it to Him.
00:35:40.74\00:35:43.27
If anyone asked them
what they were doing,
00:35:43.87\00:35:45.97
they were just to say that
"the Master had need of it. "
00:35:46.17\00:35:48.68
So the disciples took the donkey
00:35:48.88\00:35:50.75
and that donkey
became involved in ministry.
00:35:50.95\00:35:53.35
Can you imagine a donkey
being involved in ministry?
00:35:53.85\00:35:57.52
A donkey was
awarded the humble privilege
00:35:57.72\00:36:00.19
of carrying on his
back Jesus, the Son of God,
00:36:00.39\00:36:03.26
the Savior of the world!
00:36:03.46\00:36:04.79
The interesting
thing about this donkey
00:36:04.93\00:36:07.06
is that it was all tied up.
00:36:07.26\00:36:09.56
You see, donkeys
are meant to be working
00:36:09.96\00:36:11.93
to help ease the
burden of those nearby.
00:36:12.13\00:36:14.24
But this donkey was tied up
00:36:14.64\00:36:16.91
meaning that it was
just standing idly by
00:36:17.11\00:36:20.21
not reaching its full
potential for ministry.
00:36:20.41\00:36:23.21
Jesus saw from afar off
00:36:23.61\00:36:25.81
that this donkey needed to
be used in Christian service.
00:36:26.01\00:36:29.38
And so He told the
disciples to untie the donkey,
00:36:29.78\00:36:33.02
release it, and let it do
what it was created to do.
00:36:33.22\00:36:36.59
I've got a question
for you this evening:
00:36:37.33\00:36:39.89
how many times have we
perhaps acted like that donkey?
00:36:40.30\00:36:44.43
How often have we been
standing by with our gifts
00:36:44.83\00:36:48.40
and talents tied up instead
of using them for ministry?
00:36:48.60\00:36:52.24
How often have we
listened to appeals in church
00:36:52.64\00:36:55.11
to get involved, to give more,
00:36:55.31\00:36:56.91
while we stand idly
by with our hands folded
00:36:57.11\00:36:59.58
and our talents
and resources tied up?
00:36:59.78\00:37:01.82
How much more
could we accomplish
00:37:02.22\00:37:04.22
if we untie our
donkeys and release them
00:37:04.42\00:37:07.99
to be used by the Master?
00:37:08.19\00:37:09.86
We have no idea how much
God is wanting to bless us
00:37:10.93\00:37:14.33
because many of us
have missed our blessings
00:37:14.73\00:37:17.50
because we prefer to be
benchwarmers rather than
00:37:17.70\00:37:20.67
involved in ministry.
00:37:20.87\00:37:22.44
I want you to do me a
favor. Turn to your neighbor.
00:37:22.64\00:37:24.54
Give them a tap on the shoulder
00:37:24.94\00:37:26.27
and say: "Untie your donkey! "
00:37:26.41\00:37:28.24
"Untie your donkey. "
Turn to your other neighbor
00:37:28.44\00:37:31.71
and say: "You...
untie your donkey! "
00:37:31.91\00:37:33.95
I want you to know the
Seventh-day Adventist church
00:37:42.99\00:37:44.69
has launched a global initiative
called Total Member Involvement
00:37:44.89\00:37:48.26
and I'm excited about
this incredible concept.
00:37:48.46\00:37:50.90
Total Member
Involvement is an invitation
00:37:51.10\00:37:53.44
for every single
Seventh-day Adventist Christian
00:37:53.64\00:37:55.94
to untie their donkeys,
release their full potential,
00:37:56.14\00:37:59.41
and get involved in
ministry and service for Jesus.
00:37:59.61\00:38:03.28
AMEN!
00:38:03.48\00:38:04.88
Jesus extended this
invitation over 2,000 years ago.
00:38:05.85\00:38:08.85
He told His disciples:
"Look, the harvest is plentiful
00:38:09.05\00:38:11.59
but the laborers are few.
00:38:11.79\00:38:13.12
Ask the Lord of the harvest
therefore to send out workers
00:38:13.25\00:38:15.96
in the harvest
field. " Jesus reminds us
00:38:16.16\00:38:19.06
that we have a great harvest
but we are desperately in need
00:38:19.26\00:38:22.73
of more workers.
This is a call for TMI.
00:38:22.93\00:38:27.67
Can you imagine what
could happen if every single SDA
00:38:27.87\00:38:31.57
member was willing to
move from being a spectator
00:38:31.77\00:38:34.38
and a benchwarmer to
being an incredible worker
00:38:34.58\00:38:37.68
for God. Think of the incredible
difference we could make
00:38:37.88\00:38:40.98
for God's kingdom!
We can wrap up the work
00:38:41.18\00:38:43.99
and we can go home! Amen!
00:38:44.19\00:38:47.52
THIS is our calling.
00:38:47.92\00:38:49.69
And so I'm
leaving you with 3 things
00:38:49.89\00:38:53.16
'cause the clock just hit zero
00:38:53.36\00:38:54.86
so now I'm on overtime... grace.
00:38:55.06\00:38:59.13
Thank God for grace!
00:39:00.24\00:39:01.90
I ask for just
three minutes of grace.
00:39:02.94\00:39:05.14
I don't believe in speaking
long but let me wrap up.
00:39:05.44\00:39:08.74
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:39:09.74\00:39:13.18
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:39:13.38\00:39:15.68
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:39:15.88\00:39:18.15
How do we make
mission our priority?
00:39:18.35\00:39:20.92
Number one: refresh your
prayer and devotional life.
00:39:21.12\00:39:24.73
Say it: Refresh your
prayer and devotional life.
00:39:24.93\00:39:28.03
Number two: renew your commit-
ment to be a loving disciple.
00:39:28.23\00:39:32.00
You say it:
Renew your commitment
00:39:32.20\00:39:34.54
to be a loving
disciple. And number three:
00:39:34.74\00:39:36.77
rekindle your
passion to get involved
00:39:36.97\00:39:40.24
in active ministry.
Rekindle your passion
00:39:40.44\00:39:44.35
to get involved
in active ministry.
00:39:44.55\00:39:46.41
Let's say it one more time:
Rekindle your passion to get
00:39:46.61\00:39:49.15
involved in active ministry.
00:39:49.35\00:39:51.09
Rekindle your
passion to get involved
00:39:51.49\00:39:53.86
in active ministry.
00:39:54.06\00:39:55.52
So three things as I close.
00:39:55.72\00:39:57.76
Some preachers say "lastly"
and they last, but I say
00:39:58.16\00:40:01.10
in conclusion - I actually
conclude, praise the Lord -
00:40:01.30\00:40:03.90
I want to challenge
each of you. Number one:
00:40:05.97\00:40:08.57
to get involved
in active ministry.
00:40:08.77\00:40:11.81
Next year June 25 to July 3
00:40:12.21\00:40:17.28
is our General Conference
session in Indianapolis, IN.
00:40:17.48\00:40:20.15
The theme of our 2020 GC session
00:40:20.35\00:40:22.95
is Jesus is
Coming! Let's Get Involved!
00:40:23.15\00:40:26.45
In preparation for that theme
00:40:26.86\00:40:29.22
I want to challenge you
between now and GC session
00:40:29.42\00:40:32.83
to preach or conduct at
least 1 evangelistic series
00:40:33.03\00:40:37.70
either here at home or overseas.
00:40:37.90\00:40:40.80
I'm going to say it again:
between now and GC session
00:40:41.70\00:40:45.34
or even now and
the next ASi in Orlando
00:40:45.54\00:40:49.61
I want to challenge
you to preach and conduct
00:40:49.81\00:40:52.38
at least one evangelistic series
either here in North America
00:40:52.58\00:40:58.19
or overseas. Can
we say Amen? Amen!
00:40:58.39\00:41:01.69
Will you rise to the challenge?
00:41:01.89\00:41:03.99
Oh... that was quiet.
00:41:04.96\00:41:07.00
Will you rise to
the challenge? Amen!
00:41:07.20\00:41:09.66
Amen. Now you
actually have to do it.
00:41:09.86\00:41:12.40
Number two: ASi has
created some resources
00:41:13.97\00:41:17.04
to help you do this.
We have picture rolls
00:41:17.24\00:41:20.24
if you desire to go overseas.
00:41:20.44\00:41:22.54
You can go to
www.picturerolls.org
00:41:22.94\00:41:26.35
or you can go to
asiministries.org
00:41:26.55\00:41:29.12
and click under media and
then click on picture rolls.
00:41:29.52\00:41:32.79
We have picture rolls, and
they're beautiful picture rolls
00:41:33.19\00:41:37.29
designed for places
overseas where there's no power,
00:41:37.49\00:41:41.23
where there's no PowerPoint
00:41:41.43\00:41:43.26
and you would just have
to preach under a mango tree.
00:41:43.47\00:41:46.33
But they're beautiful!
00:41:46.53\00:41:47.87
And you can get them and go
overseas and make a difference.
00:41:47.90\00:41:51.07
My wife and I were
missionaries in Kenya,
00:41:51.27\00:41:53.48
and we used it among
the Maasai people in Kenya
00:41:53.68\00:41:56.95
and it is such a blessing.
00:41:57.15\00:41:58.81
We also have the New
Beginnings evangelistic series.
00:41:59.21\00:42:03.08
The New Beginnings evangelistic
series is an awesome series
00:42:04.49\00:42:09.46
written by Mark Finley.
00:42:09.66\00:42:11.06
And this year we
refreshed the series.
00:42:11.26\00:42:13.80
We were asked
for Global Youth Day
00:42:14.20\00:42:16.10
to do 7 sermons. We did not
remove one jot or one tittle
00:42:16.30\00:42:21.10
from the text of the sermon
BUT we completely refreshed
00:42:21.30\00:42:25.77
the graphics in HD and in a
youth-friendly oriented way.
00:42:25.97\00:42:30.95
And so you can use
those sermons to preach.
00:42:31.15\00:42:34.55
And because of the
success with Global Youth Day
00:42:34.75\00:42:37.75
we actually have
all 26 sermons now done
00:42:37.95\00:42:41.16
in the New
Beginnings GC Youth Edition.
00:42:41.36\00:42:44.53
You can just go
newbeginnings.org/media
00:42:44.73\00:42:49.06
No... asiministries.org/
media/newbeginnings
00:42:49.26\00:42:54.14
and click on gcyouthedition
00:42:54.34\00:42:56.91
These are resources
that we have for you
00:42:57.31\00:42:59.77
to keep your commitment of
preaching one series either here
00:43:00.18\00:43:05.15
or overseas. And here
it can even be in your home
00:43:05.35\00:43:09.65
as a small group Bible study
00:43:09.85\00:43:11.32
but I want to
challenge you to do it.
00:43:11.72\00:43:13.42
And lastly, next year
00:43:13.82\00:43:16.12
we're planning an overseas
mission trip to Madagascar.
00:43:16.32\00:43:19.69
We want to invite you to go
with us on that mission trip.
00:43:19.89\00:43:24.00
More information
will be available to you.
00:43:24.20\00:43:27.40
As I conclude I want
to share a final story.
00:43:28.44\00:43:32.07
The teacher tells
a story. She says...
00:43:36.41\00:43:41.12
She's a grade three teacher
00:43:42.38\00:43:45.09
and she tells her kids a story.
00:43:45.29\00:43:47.39
She says: "The ant and
the grasshopper were friends.
00:43:48.26\00:43:51.23
And all summer long the
ant saved up and worked hard
00:43:51.43\00:43:56.26
to store up food for the winter.
00:43:56.46\00:43:57.80
But the grasshopper
played and frolicked in the mud
00:43:58.17\00:44:01.04
and when the winter came
the grasshopper ran out of food.
00:44:01.24\00:44:05.64
So the grasshopper
ran to the ant and said:
00:44:06.04\00:44:08.44
'Can I please have
some of your food? '
00:44:08.64\00:44:10.85
And she says to her
grade three students: 'Now you
00:44:11.25\00:44:13.68
finish the story. So they
wrote their ending to the story.
00:44:13.88\00:44:18.19
Later that night
she's grading the papers.
00:44:18.39\00:44:21.32
So one little boy wrote:
"The ant said to the grasshopper
00:44:21.52\00:44:27.20
"No, no, never, never, uh-uh-uh.
00:44:27.40\00:44:29.66
You'll never have any
of my food, hallelujah! "
00:44:29.86\00:44:32.47
And then another
little kid wrote:
00:44:34.24\00:44:36.91
"The ant shared his
food with the grasshopper
00:44:37.11\00:44:41.14
but halfway through the winter
00:44:41.34\00:44:43.91
the food ran out and they
both died. Ha, ha, ha, ha! "
00:44:44.11\00:44:48.18
So those were the
types of stories she got.
00:44:50.52\00:44:53.99
But little Timmy
wrote something special.
00:44:54.19\00:44:56.16
Little Timmy said: "The ant gave
ALL his food to the grasshopper.
00:44:56.36\00:45:00.83
The grasshopper
lived and the ant died. "
00:45:01.03\00:45:05.77
And at the bottom
in child's crayons
00:45:05.97\00:45:08.34
was a picture of
Jesus and the cross.
00:45:08.54\00:45:11.31
Don't you know that that's
what Jesus has done for you?
00:45:11.51\00:45:14.54
He gave ALL so you can live
00:45:14.74\00:45:17.05
and now you've gotta
tell somebody about it.
00:45:17.25\00:45:19.78
Tell somebody about
the goodness of Jesus.
00:45:19.98\00:45:22.25
Tell somebody
that He's coming soon.
00:45:22.45\00:45:24.35
Tell somebody that the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:45:24.55\00:45:27.22
has a message of
hope and healing.
00:45:27.42\00:45:29.22
Tell somebody that Mission
Priority: It's Harvest Time.
00:45:29.42\00:45:33.43
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:45:33.63\00:45:35.93
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:45:36.13\00:45:38.47
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time.
00:45:38.67\00:45:41.24
If it's your desire
to accept this challenge
00:45:42.04\00:45:46.14
of Mission Priority
and live a missional life,
00:45:46.34\00:45:50.55
just stand with me
right now as we pray.
00:45:50.75\00:45:52.81
Lord, we accept this challenge.
00:45:57.19\00:45:59.25
We pray that You will help us
to truly live missional lives.
00:45:59.45\00:46:05.39
And when You come
may You say to each one:
00:46:05.79\00:46:09.10
"Well done, thou good
and faithful servant. "
00:46:09.30\00:46:12.60
May we leave here with
a focus renewed on mission
00:46:12.80\00:46:16.97
remembering that
Jesus is coming soon.
00:46:17.37\00:46:20.51
May we do all we can to
tell our friends and neighbors
00:46:20.91\00:46:24.01
about Jesus. We pray and
thank you in Jesus' name,
00:46:24.21\00:46:28.75
Amen.
00:46:29.15\00:46:30.75
There is a fountain
00:46:42.46\00:46:46.80
filled with blood
00:46:47.20\00:46:49.77
drawn from Immanuel's veins.
00:46:50.07\00:46:56.04
And sinners plunged
00:46:57.08\00:47:00.78
beneath that flood
00:47:01.18\00:47:04.29
lose all
00:47:04.49\00:47:06.86
their guilty stains.
00:47:07.06\00:47:11.56
Lose all their guilty
00:47:11.96\00:47:16.97
stains...
00:47:17.17\00:47:19.83
lose all
00:47:20.04\00:47:22.07
their guilty stains.
00:47:22.27\00:47:26.54
And sinners plunged
00:47:27.24\00:47:30.81
beneath that flood
00:47:31.01\00:47:34.32
lose all
00:47:34.52\00:47:36.92
their guilty stains.
00:47:37.12\00:47:41.72
The dying thief
00:47:42.12\00:47:46.29
rejoiced to see
00:47:46.49\00:47:49.76
that fountain in his day.
00:47:50.17\00:47:56.10
And there may I
00:47:57.21\00:48:00.48
though vile as he
00:48:00.88\00:48:03.95
wash all
00:48:04.25\00:48:06.48
my sins away.
00:48:06.68\00:48:10.92
Wash all my sins
00:48:11.32\00:48:15.36
away...
00:48:15.56\00:48:18.66
wash all my sins
00:48:18.86\00:48:22.43
away.
00:48:22.63\00:48:25.97
And there may I
00:48:26.17\00:48:29.74
though vile as he
00:48:30.14\00:48:32.97
wash all my sins
00:48:33.17\00:48:36.95
away.
00:48:37.15\00:48:41.18
Ever since by faith
00:48:42.95\00:48:47.29
I saw the stream
00:48:47.49\00:48:51.19
Thy flowing wounds
00:48:51.59\00:48:55.06
supply
00:48:55.26\00:48:58.63
Redeeming love
00:48:58.83\00:49:01.90
has been my theme
00:49:02.10\00:49:05.67
and shall be till
00:49:05.87\00:49:09.51
I die.
00:49:09.91\00:49:12.55
And shall be
00:49:12.75\00:49:16.25
till I die...
00:49:16.45\00:49:20.56
yes, it shall be
00:49:20.96\00:49:23.22
till I die.
00:49:23.43\00:49:27.90
Your redeeming love
00:49:28.40\00:49:31.27
has been my theme
00:49:31.47\00:49:35.00
and shall be
00:49:35.20\00:49:38.11
till I die...
00:49:38.31\00:49:44.28
and it shall
00:49:45.35\00:49:48.58
be till I
00:49:48.78\00:49:52.55
die.
00:49:52.75\00:49:58.73
Amen! Thank you so much
for that wonderful music.
00:50:01.46\00:50:05.03
It's a blessing to
be at ASi this year.
00:50:05.23\00:50:07.77
I've been personally blessed
00:50:07.97\00:50:09.64
and I hope that
you have as well.
00:50:10.04\00:50:12.74
We're just going to wrap
up this evening with a couple
00:50:12.94\00:50:14.48
of announcements. For
probably the first time ever
00:50:14.68\00:50:18.35
there's something
unique going on here.
00:50:18.55\00:50:20.42
And Ruben, why don't you
tell us what's going to happen
00:50:20.82\00:50:23.55
in fact in just a few minutes.
00:50:23.75\00:50:25.79
That's right. So how many have
really enjoyed ASi this year?
00:50:25.99\00:50:29.92
Amen! How many of
you are planning to come
00:50:30.13\00:50:33.60
next year in Orlando?
00:50:33.80\00:50:35.30
Raise your hands. Amen. All
right, we have wonderful news.
00:50:35.50\00:50:38.47
First time ever, at midnight...
00:50:38.87\00:50:41.90
Or not midnight...
sorry. At sunset today
00:50:42.10\00:50:44.87
we're going to be
opening registration.
00:50:45.27\00:50:48.54
What about that? OK? All right!
00:50:48.74\00:50:50.38
So if you're enthusiastic,
motivated to go to Orlando
00:50:50.58\00:50:53.68
don't lose time because
we're going to keep the rates
00:50:53.88\00:50:57.85
as they are, we promise, for the
ones that are going to register
00:50:58.05\00:51:01.72
as quickly as
possible. So take action:
00:51:01.92\00:51:05.09
at sunset do your registration.
00:51:05.29\00:51:08.40
All right! So that's one
thing we're doing this year
00:51:08.60\00:51:11.63
to encourage our
attendees to be proactive
00:51:11.83\00:51:15.30
about next year and get
your registration in early.
00:51:15.50\00:51:17.54
Sundown this
evening registration opens.
00:51:17.84\00:51:20.01
You can go online
to asiministries.org
00:51:20.21\00:51:23.35
and you can register
there for Orlando next year.
00:51:23.55\00:51:26.41
Praise God for that.
And if you're an exhibitor,
00:51:26.61\00:51:28.75
your registration
will open at midnight.
00:51:28.95\00:51:31.62
We want your focus on the booths
00:51:31.82\00:51:33.49
for our last time
at the exhibit booths.
00:51:33.69\00:51:36.29
All right. So exhibitors:
you can register at midnight.
00:51:36.69\00:51:39.83
And now we want to
thank you again for being here
00:51:40.23\00:51:44.80
at ASi this year.
00:51:45.20\00:51:46.53
I said it's been a personal
blessing to me. I hope it has
00:51:46.70\00:51:49.07
to you as well. Philip,
are there any remarks you have
00:51:49.27\00:51:51.44
as we close out
this convention together?
00:51:51.64\00:51:53.44
Mission Priority:
It's Harvest Time!
00:51:53.84\00:51:57.91
God bless you. Now Philip,
you've challenged us tonight
00:51:58.11\00:52:02.85
to get involved in
doing some evangelism
00:52:03.05\00:52:05.19
personally either
here in the United States
00:52:05.59\00:52:08.59
or somewhere around the world.
00:52:08.79\00:52:10.43
So, you know, I'm
committed to this personally
00:52:10.83\00:52:13.43
and I hope that you are as well.
00:52:13.83\00:52:15.40
And we can make a
difference for the SDA church
00:52:15.80\00:52:19.50
in helping to get this
good news to the entire world.
00:52:19.70\00:52:22.07
We'll look for some
reports about this next year.
00:52:22.47\00:52:24.54
We hope to engage you
in telling us what you did
00:52:24.74\00:52:27.38
even during the year. So
thank you; may God bless you
00:52:27.58\00:52:31.01
and good night.
00:52:31.21\00:52:32.55