Hello, and welcome to Behold the Lamb presents. 00:00:42.10\00:00:44.74 I'm Chris Shelton, your host 00:00:44.77\00:00:46.51 and what a blessing to have this hour to spend with you 00:00:46.54\00:00:50.25 and study today. 00:00:50.28\00:00:51.85 Today's message is entitled 00:00:51.88\00:00:53.98 "Why Some Will Never Come to Christ." 00:00:54.02\00:00:57.52 The title alone is intriguing to a Christian believer. 00:00:57.55\00:01:01.06 We have such an overwhelming burden for others to see 00:01:01.09\00:01:05.09 and feel and experience the love for Christ 00:01:05.13\00:01:08.23 and for the truth of His word just as we do. 00:01:08.26\00:01:11.43 Christ addressed this very issue 00:01:11.47\00:01:13.94 and it is recorded in the Book of Luke Chapter 16 00:01:13.97\00:01:17.71 and concluding with verse 21, where it reads, 00:01:17.74\00:01:21.11 "And He said unto him, 00:01:21.14\00:01:23.14 if they hear not Moses and the prophets, 00:01:23.18\00:01:26.75 neither will they be persuaded the One rose from the dead." 00:01:26.78\00:01:31.39 The One rose from the dead. 00:01:31.42\00:01:33.66 Christ is making a clear point here 00:01:33.69\00:01:36.93 that there are people in this world 00:01:36.96\00:01:39.39 that even though they were to witness 00:01:39.43\00:01:41.46 such a fantastic miracle 00:01:41.50\00:01:43.67 as someone to see is being brought back to life 00:01:43.70\00:01:47.27 before their very eyes, 00:01:47.30\00:01:48.64 they would still not believe in Him, 00:01:48.67\00:01:51.07 nor submit their hearts and their lives 00:01:51.11\00:01:53.38 in service to Him. 00:01:53.41\00:01:55.34 As impossible as this may seem, 00:01:55.38\00:01:58.11 they are so deceived by the enemy's delusions 00:01:58.15\00:02:01.88 that such an unexplainable event 00:02:01.92\00:02:04.55 as this will not induce a repentive spirit within them. 00:02:04.59\00:02:09.09 How sad, how very sad this must make our Savior, 00:02:09.12\00:02:13.40 how heart breaking it is to those of us 00:02:13.43\00:02:16.03 who are praying for the salvation of others. 00:02:16.06\00:02:19.83 But perhaps today, 00:02:19.87\00:02:21.94 today in our study together with Pastor Kenny Shelton, 00:02:21.97\00:02:25.37 we will gain a better idea 00:02:25.41\00:02:27.44 as to why their hearts are so hardened to the truth. 00:02:27.48\00:02:31.81 But first, as always, 00:02:31.85\00:02:33.18 we are blessed to listen to a song 00:02:33.21\00:02:35.05 that is entitled, "Were It Not For Grace." 00:02:35.08\00:02:38.62 Has sung by Sandra Enterman 00:02:38.65\00:02:40.72 and brought to us from the 3ABN Worship Center. 00:02:40.76\00:02:44.49 Time measured out my days 00:03:03.68\00:03:10.69 Life carried me along 00:03:10.72\00:03:15.86 In my soul I yearned 00:03:18.23\00:03:21.90 To follow God 00:03:21.93\00:03:25.67 But knew I'd never be so strong 00:03:25.70\00:03:31.84 I looked hard at this world 00:03:31.87\00:03:36.14 To learn how Heaven 00:03:36.18\00:03:39.55 Could be gained 00:03:39.58\00:03:44.09 Just to end where I began 00:03:44.12\00:03:48.49 Where human effort 00:03:48.52\00:03:51.99 Is all in vain 00:03:52.03\00:03:56.70 Were it not for grace 00:03:58.23\00:04:03.77 I can tell you 00:04:05.47\00:04:07.68 Where I'd be 00:04:07.71\00:04:11.88 Wandering down 00:04:11.91\00:04:13.68 Some pointless road to nowhere 00:04:13.72\00:04:18.72 With my salvation up to me 00:04:18.75\00:04:24.59 I know how that would go 00:04:24.63\00:04:30.47 The battles I would face 00:04:30.50\00:04:37.24 Forever running 00:04:37.27\00:04:40.21 But losing the race 00:04:40.24\00:04:44.41 Were it not 00:04:44.45\00:04:46.48 For grace 00:04:46.51\00:04:52.25 So here is all my praise 00:04:54.42\00:05:01.33 Expressed with all my heart 00:05:01.36\00:05:08.54 Offered to the Friend 00:05:08.57\00:05:11.94 Who took my place 00:05:11.97\00:05:15.08 And ran a course 00:05:15.11\00:05:17.81 I could not start 00:05:17.85\00:05:21.08 And when He saw in full 00:05:21.12\00:05:25.59 Just how much 00:05:25.62\00:05:27.82 His love would cost 00:05:27.86\00:05:33.13 He still went the final mile 00:05:33.16\00:05:37.03 Between me and Heaven 00:05:37.07\00:05:40.14 So I would not be lost 00:05:40.17\00:05:47.61 Were it not for grace 00:05:47.64\00:05:54.78 I can tell you 00:05:54.82\00:05:56.92 Where I'd be wandering down 00:05:56.95\00:06:02.52 Some pointless road to nowhere 00:06:02.56\00:06:07.46 With my salvation up to me 00:06:07.50\00:06:12.93 I know how that would go 00:06:12.97\00:06:18.91 The battles I would face 00:06:18.94\00:06:25.15 Forever running but losing the race 00:06:25.18\00:06:31.62 Were it not for grace 00:06:31.65\00:06:37.99 Were it not for grace 00:06:38.03\00:06:44.33 I can tell you where I'd be 00:06:44.37\00:06:50.31 Wandering down 00:06:50.34\00:06:52.11 That pointless road to nowhere 00:06:52.14\00:06:56.85 With my salvation up to me 00:06:56.88\00:07:02.35 I know how that would go 00:07:02.38\00:07:08.29 The battles I would face 00:07:08.32\00:07:14.43 Forever running 00:07:14.46\00:07:17.33 But losing the race 00:07:17.37\00:07:21.30 Were it not for grace 00:07:21.34\00:07:28.41 Forever running 00:07:28.44\00:07:32.08 But losing the race 00:07:32.11\00:07:37.69 Were it not 00:07:37.72\00:07:41.26 For grace 00:07:41.29\00:07:49.26 Thanks for joining us 00:07:58.07\00:07:59.41 once again here at Behold the Lamb. 00:07:59.44\00:08:00.94 We're very grateful and thankful 00:08:00.98\00:08:02.54 that you choose to have some Bible study with us 00:08:02.58\00:08:05.68 each and everyday. 00:08:05.71\00:08:07.05 We're thankful for those of you who have been writing in, 00:08:07.08\00:08:09.82 you're sending cards and letters 00:08:09.85\00:08:11.42 and questions and prayer requests, 00:08:11.45\00:08:13.89 for we appreciate each and everyone 00:08:13.92\00:08:15.72 and certainly your support of this ministry. 00:08:15.76\00:08:18.13 We love to hear the truth, don't we? 00:08:18.16\00:08:20.00 We believe in the truth. 00:08:20.03\00:08:21.36 And so I know many of you have such a belief 00:08:21.40\00:08:23.83 that you're willing to support that truth 00:08:23.87\00:08:25.70 and we thank you for that. 00:08:25.73\00:08:27.24 Now today, we want you to make sure 00:08:27.27\00:08:29.44 you get that pencil and paper. 00:08:29.47\00:08:30.87 We'll move rather quickly because of our time. 00:08:30.91\00:08:33.21 And as I always say, 00:08:33.24\00:08:34.58 I want you to check the pre-show. 00:08:34.61\00:08:35.94 I want to make sure what you're hearing 00:08:35.98\00:08:37.31 is the truth, 00:08:37.35\00:08:38.68 realizing we would just touch on little areas of this subject 00:08:38.71\00:08:42.65 and you can study a whole lot deeper 00:08:42.68\00:08:44.39 when you sat down between you and the Lord, 00:08:44.42\00:08:46.19 the Holy Spirit 00:08:46.22\00:08:47.56 and you can come to a real finalization 00:08:47.59\00:08:49.46 of this message. 00:08:49.49\00:08:50.83 The message for today, 00:08:50.86\00:08:52.63 "Why Some Will Never Come to Christ." 00:08:52.66\00:08:56.23 Oh, that's just such a sad thought. 00:08:56.26\00:08:58.37 I don't want you to be sad today, 00:08:58.40\00:08:59.73 I want you to be happy in Jesus. 00:08:59.77\00:09:01.10 But I want us to look at this study, 00:09:01.14\00:09:03.14 you know, from the eyes of heaven. 00:09:03.17\00:09:05.11 I want us to see why there are many 00:09:05.14\00:09:06.78 that will never come to Christ. 00:09:06.81\00:09:08.14 But before we do, we always want to pray. 00:09:08.18\00:09:10.68 So I'm gonna invite you to pray with me 00:09:10.71\00:09:13.35 and again, I always say, where you can at home, 00:09:13.38\00:09:15.78 and I've had people that write letters and say 00:09:15.82\00:09:17.89 "When you kneel, we kneel with you. 00:09:17.92\00:09:19.49 When you pray, we pray." 00:09:19.52\00:09:21.02 There'll be many who maybe, 00:09:21.06\00:09:22.39 would be listening going down the road, 00:09:22.42\00:09:23.76 be in the attitude of prayer 00:09:23.79\00:09:25.33 because we need the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:25.36\00:09:27.10 Shall we pray together. 00:09:27.13\00:09:28.46 Merciful, oh, God in heaven, 00:09:30.67\00:09:32.00 we thank You again for Your love today. 00:09:32.03\00:09:33.87 We thank You for the promise 00:09:33.90\00:09:35.54 that You would send the Holy Spirit. 00:09:35.57\00:09:37.41 Oh, how desperately we need the spirit of the Living God. 00:09:37.44\00:09:40.34 How our hearts and our minds 00:09:40.38\00:09:41.84 need to be put in the heavenward channel 00:09:41.88\00:09:44.11 that we may hear Your sweet voice today. 00:09:44.15\00:09:46.82 Forgive us of any sin, 00:09:46.85\00:09:48.32 cleanse us we pray from all unrighteousness. 00:09:48.35\00:09:50.62 May we hear and then may we respond 00:09:50.65\00:09:53.19 to Your voice to day 00:09:53.22\00:09:54.56 and for every person, every person who hears, 00:09:54.59\00:09:57.36 every person who's listening, every person who is watching, 00:09:57.39\00:10:00.40 may they to respond to Your voice. 00:10:00.43\00:10:02.60 May this be a joyous day in Jesus 00:10:02.63\00:10:04.63 and I thank You and praise You in Jesus' name. 00:10:04.67\00:10:06.70 Amen. 00:10:06.74\00:10:09.00 Ain't that wonderful that we can pray? 00:10:09.04\00:10:11.24 Ain't that wonderful that we can ask Holy Spirit 00:10:11.27\00:10:13.61 to come in our midst 00:10:13.64\00:10:14.98 and illuminate these beautiful truths 00:10:15.01\00:10:16.81 that God has given us in His Word. 00:10:16.85\00:10:18.65 Remember to prepare us for heaven. 00:10:18.68\00:10:20.78 I think this subject will be of interest to many 00:10:20.82\00:10:23.05 because I do believe there are many people 00:10:23.08\00:10:25.39 who are fooled. 00:10:25.42\00:10:26.76 Many people repent. 00:10:26.79\00:10:28.12 Many people say "Well, I've asked for it 00:10:28.16\00:10:29.69 for forgiveness." 00:10:29.72\00:10:31.06 But you know there's a lot of things 00:10:31.09\00:10:32.49 that are involved in this 00:10:32.53\00:10:33.86 and I pray that we'll be able to cover them 00:10:33.90\00:10:35.86 for true repentance and how what God will accept. 00:10:35.90\00:10:39.47 So I pray that your stand with me today on this subject. 00:10:39.50\00:10:42.67 The passage of Scripture 00:10:42.70\00:10:44.04 that I've read it many times in my life and it always, 00:10:44.07\00:10:48.18 once again I say, it makes me sad in this sense. 00:10:48.21\00:10:51.18 And you look in the book of Isaiah. 00:10:51.21\00:10:53.18 Isaiah 8:20. 00:10:53.21\00:10:55.98 I'm going to read or hear from Scripture. 00:10:56.02\00:10:57.75 It's very short but notice. 00:10:57.79\00:11:00.62 Notice these words. 00:11:00.66\00:11:02.12 Bible says, "The harvest is past, 00:11:02.16\00:11:06.06 the summer is ended and we are not saved." 00:11:06.09\00:11:10.83 Notice those words. 00:11:10.87\00:11:13.74 "The harvest is past." 00:11:13.77\00:11:15.27 So that means there is a time of the harvest. 00:11:15.30\00:11:17.81 "The summer," time for the crop to gathering in. 00:11:17.84\00:11:20.68 "It's ended. 00:11:20.71\00:11:22.04 And we are not saved." 00:11:22.08\00:11:24.11 I'm not sure about you but I know in my heart, 00:11:24.15\00:11:27.78 this is a very sad thought. 00:11:27.82\00:11:29.55 A very sad thought 'cause I think in my own life, 00:11:29.58\00:11:32.15 I know you're thinking about yours, 00:11:32.19\00:11:33.52 I think of family and friends and children and relatives, 00:11:33.56\00:11:35.92 people we've labored, we work for that we love. 00:11:35.96\00:11:38.73 And many will realize what we're talking 00:11:38.76\00:11:41.60 about this passage of Scripture. 00:11:41.63\00:11:43.16 They had the opportunity. 00:11:43.20\00:11:45.17 That's why some will never come to Christ. 00:11:45.20\00:11:47.34 Because they must accept that opportunity 00:11:47.37\00:11:49.10 that Jesus gives them. 00:11:49.14\00:11:50.84 Many will simply not be saved 00:11:50.87\00:11:53.07 because they will not come to Christ. 00:11:53.11\00:11:56.75 I thought that kind of interesting 00:11:56.78\00:11:58.11 when you think about Jeremiah when he was writing this 00:11:58.15\00:12:02.28 that he was actually crushed in his spirit. 00:12:02.32\00:12:05.55 Because this was coming upon, 00:12:05.59\00:12:06.99 he was relating to himself to his people. 00:12:07.02\00:12:09.42 And it crushed his heart 00:12:09.46\00:12:10.79 to think that there'll be many 00:12:10.83\00:12:12.16 that would not be saved and come to him. 00:12:12.19\00:12:15.73 How sad. 00:12:15.76\00:12:17.43 But you must put yourself in that position today 00:12:17.47\00:12:19.60 and I must put myself. 00:12:19.63\00:12:20.97 There's too many who are careless 00:12:21.00\00:12:22.87 in the cause of Christ. 00:12:22.90\00:12:24.24 We don't think about anything or anybody else but ourselves. 00:12:24.27\00:12:27.88 We have to do, you know, is what the Bible tells us to do 00:12:27.91\00:12:30.28 we need to put what? 00:12:30.31\00:12:31.65 God first, others second, and ourself last. 00:12:31.68\00:12:34.88 You know, the thing that 00:12:34.92\00:12:36.35 we probably should think about today 00:12:36.38\00:12:37.72 is there's a judgment. 00:12:37.75\00:12:39.09 We know that. 00:12:39.12\00:12:40.46 And in that judgment we're talking about 00:12:40.49\00:12:42.42 the-- the lost will have a full realization 00:12:42.46\00:12:46.06 to the meaning of Calvary. 00:12:46.09\00:12:48.20 And what salvation has cost. 00:12:48.23\00:12:50.93 They will see that they have been lost. 00:12:50.97\00:12:54.67 They will see but it will be what? 00:12:54.70\00:12:56.81 Then it will be too late. 00:12:56.84\00:12:58.84 The last call has been made. 00:12:58.87\00:13:02.54 We emphasize that here at Behold the Lamb. 00:13:02.58\00:13:04.71 I want you to emphasize wherever you're at, 00:13:04.75\00:13:06.45 talking to people who are in the church. 00:13:06.48\00:13:08.55 That some time when we're having a meeting 00:13:08.58\00:13:10.42 it could be the very last call that the heaven is making 00:13:10.45\00:13:14.19 to get you into the fold, the very last call. 00:13:14.22\00:13:19.43 I found this over and over in Scripture as I read. 00:13:19.46\00:13:22.83 Jesus, these words to me are so sweet, 00:13:22.86\00:13:26.17 they touch my heart each time when Jesus says to me. 00:13:26.20\00:13:29.00 He says, you know, "Come and to me." 00:13:29.04\00:13:30.91 Matthew Chapter 11, if you're jotting them down, 00:13:30.94\00:13:32.97 verse 28. 00:13:33.01\00:13:34.34 "Come on to me, all ye that labor 00:13:34.38\00:13:36.81 and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 00:13:36.85\00:13:41.35 What a promise. 00:13:41.38\00:13:43.59 What a promise that God makes to us through His Spirit. 00:13:43.62\00:13:46.82 Notice, it says come. 00:13:46.86\00:13:48.22 Is anybody heavy today? 00:13:48.26\00:13:50.06 Do you feel the weight of the world, 00:13:50.09\00:13:51.63 the weight of sin? 00:13:51.66\00:13:52.99 Is there something that maybe is crushing you today? 00:13:53.03\00:13:55.73 I wonder 00:13:55.76\00:13:57.67 if you having that weight, if you're uneasy, 00:13:57.70\00:14:00.37 if you are, you know, you're just you're feeling 00:14:00.40\00:14:02.10 a heavy weight on you all the time, 00:14:02.14\00:14:04.11 Jesus says come unto me 00:14:04.14\00:14:05.47 and I'm going to lighten that load. 00:14:05.51\00:14:07.28 I thought how interesting when you look up the word heavy 00:14:07.31\00:14:10.61 in the original language. 00:14:10.65\00:14:12.51 It talks about a person. 00:14:12.55\00:14:13.95 When you're heavy under a load 00:14:13.98\00:14:16.79 that this means you're going down. 00:14:16.82\00:14:19.45 When it says, heavy, 00:14:19.49\00:14:20.82 Jesus says, I'm looking at you you're carrying this load. 00:14:20.86\00:14:22.92 If I don't help you, you are going down 00:14:22.96\00:14:25.49 that's what the word means. 00:14:25.53\00:14:27.53 That means you've come to a point 00:14:27.56\00:14:29.33 that you cannot continue to carry the load anymore. 00:14:29.36\00:14:32.90 I don't know if any of you ever picked up 00:14:32.93\00:14:34.30 or do a little weights or whatever 00:14:34.34\00:14:35.67 but you put one hundred pounds on your shoulder, 00:14:35.70\00:14:37.41 you'll find out in just a little bit, 00:14:37.44\00:14:38.77 you're walking around, you won't be able to go. 00:14:38.81\00:14:40.68 You're going to go down. 00:14:40.71\00:14:42.11 You need some help to lighten the load. 00:14:42.14\00:14:43.61 Jesus says, "York up with me," how beautiful that is. 00:14:43.65\00:14:46.45 But when He says, 00:14:46.48\00:14:47.82 "You're heavy and you're laden." 00:14:47.85\00:14:49.98 Laden means, you're loaded. 00:14:50.02\00:14:52.49 Your load is so full 00:14:52.52\00:14:53.86 you can't put anything else on it. 00:14:53.89\00:14:55.22 You think you're going to fall apart, 00:14:55.26\00:14:56.59 you think you're going to just bust. 00:14:56.62\00:14:58.39 And then you're carrying a load. 00:14:58.43\00:15:00.33 He said, "Those of you are laden, 00:15:00.36\00:15:01.70 I will give you rest." 00:15:01.73\00:15:03.16 And a beautiful part about He said I'll give you a wrist. 00:15:03.20\00:15:05.43 He said I'm going to refresh you. 00:15:05.47\00:15:07.07 There's nothing like a refreshing drink of water 00:15:07.10\00:15:09.14 when your heart, you know, you're thirsty. 00:15:09.17\00:15:10.81 Jesus said I'm going to refresh you, 00:15:10.84\00:15:12.41 I'm going to lighten that burden. 00:15:12.44\00:15:13.88 But you have to come unto to me. 00:15:13.91\00:15:15.24 Why? 00:15:15.28\00:15:16.61 Some people will never come to Christ 00:15:16.64\00:15:17.98 because they will not accept the invitation, 00:15:18.01\00:15:21.35 "Come unto me." 00:15:21.38\00:15:22.98 Are you heavy laden today? 00:15:23.02\00:15:24.82 Why not lay those burdens? 00:15:24.85\00:15:26.19 You're going to go down 00:15:26.22\00:15:27.56 if you continue try to care them yourself. 00:15:27.59\00:15:28.92 Why not give them to Him? 00:15:28.96\00:15:30.29 That'd be a good time today. 00:15:30.33\00:15:31.66 Today is going to be the day, don't you think. 00:15:31.69\00:15:33.29 You know, Jesus said, "My burden," 00:15:33.33\00:15:35.30 in that next verse there. 00:15:35.33\00:15:37.07 And verse 29. 00:15:37.10\00:15:38.43 Matthew 11. 00:15:38.47\00:15:39.83 He said, "My burden is light." I love that. 00:15:39.87\00:15:42.54 "My burden," He said is, "is light." 00:15:42.57\00:15:45.37 Now how can a person, think with me more, 00:15:45.41\00:15:47.81 how can a person 00:15:47.84\00:15:49.18 who has wandered away from God ever come back? 00:15:49.21\00:15:53.52 It's a sad thing to think about wandering away from God. 00:15:53.55\00:15:57.69 And remember when you're wandering away, 00:15:57.72\00:15:59.25 it's kind of like you're not in a rush 00:15:59.29\00:16:00.79 and you're not trying to speedily go away. 00:16:00.82\00:16:02.69 But you're just kind of wandering, 00:16:02.72\00:16:04.26 your meandering around, you're in your sleepy state. 00:16:04.29\00:16:06.49 And before you know, 00:16:06.53\00:16:07.86 you wondered so far away from Him. 00:16:07.90\00:16:10.87 You've made a lot of choices, you made a lot of decisions. 00:16:10.90\00:16:13.84 And your heart has become hardened 00:16:13.87\00:16:15.20 and you don't even realize. 00:16:15.24\00:16:16.57 You think you're just kind of wandering, 00:16:16.60\00:16:17.94 you're taking a little break 00:16:17.97\00:16:19.31 and you're going to take it easy for a while. 00:16:19.34\00:16:21.91 Think about it. How do we ever come back? 00:16:21.94\00:16:24.28 Let's put it simple today. 00:16:24.31\00:16:25.91 I'm simple minded 00:16:25.95\00:16:27.28 and maybe you like to hear things 00:16:27.32\00:16:28.65 that are simple and to the point. 00:16:28.68\00:16:30.15 If you've wandered far away from God, 00:16:30.19\00:16:32.19 there is only one way that you can come back to Him. 00:16:32.22\00:16:35.92 And we know who that is, don't we? 00:16:35.96\00:16:37.46 The Bible tells us there in Acts 4:12 00:16:37.49\00:16:40.13 that Jesus said, 00:16:40.16\00:16:41.50 and there is no other name, right, given. 00:16:41.53\00:16:43.13 It's a name of Jesus. 00:16:43.16\00:16:44.73 So somehow, someway 00:16:44.77\00:16:46.17 we're going to by the grace of God 00:16:46.20\00:16:48.00 call on the name of Jesus. 00:16:48.04\00:16:50.74 And you say, yeah, but what do I-- I call on his name. 00:16:50.77\00:16:53.07 First thing is what? 00:16:53.11\00:16:54.44 We call on the name of Jesus. 00:16:54.48\00:16:55.94 And we do what? 00:16:55.98\00:16:57.41 We are convicted as the Spirit speaks to us. 00:16:57.45\00:17:00.32 And there's this word called repentance. 00:17:00.35\00:17:03.45 Do you member on the day of Pentecost? 00:17:03.49\00:17:05.05 Oh, I tell you, when the Holy Spirit 00:17:05.09\00:17:06.89 was just ascending upon people 00:17:06.92\00:17:08.36 and bringing conviction upon them 00:17:08.39\00:17:10.36 and they felt the need to change their life 00:17:10.39\00:17:13.66 Acts 3:37, jot that down and look 00:17:13.70\00:17:17.10 because it's interesting, 00:17:17.13\00:17:18.47 because when the conviction came, 00:17:18.50\00:17:20.84 people did know what to do. 00:17:20.87\00:17:22.20 They didn't know which way to turn. 00:17:22.24\00:17:23.77 And they said. "What shall we do?" 00:17:23.81\00:17:26.07 Do you remember that? "What shall we do?" 00:17:26.11\00:17:27.84 You know, what I think about this, 00:17:27.88\00:17:29.21 my Brothers and Sisters, 00:17:29.24\00:17:30.58 how long has it been since you said what, 00:17:30.61\00:17:32.41 what shall we do? 00:17:32.45\00:17:34.12 How long has it been since you, 00:17:34.15\00:17:35.48 oh, since you cared enough to say, "What shall we do?' 00:17:35.52\00:17:40.86 Our problem many a time, 00:17:40.89\00:17:42.22 we think we have all the answers. 00:17:42.26\00:17:44.93 And we don't really need any help. 00:17:44.96\00:17:46.83 But when conviction comes 00:17:46.86\00:17:48.26 that change needs to take place, 00:17:48.30\00:17:50.23 the first words that came out at Pentecost, 00:17:50.27\00:17:52.33 the people were began to say, "What shall we do? 00:17:52.37\00:17:55.20 What shall we do?" 00:17:55.24\00:17:56.57 And you know what, Peter was there. 00:17:56.60\00:17:58.14 You know, what his first word 00:17:58.17\00:17:59.54 that came out of his mouth quickly, 00:17:59.57\00:18:01.01 He didn't have to say, let's see now 00:18:01.04\00:18:02.38 what should we do. 00:18:02.41\00:18:03.75 First words out of his mouth was, "Repent." 00:18:04.38\00:18:07.98 Read that in Acts 2:38 "Repent." 00:18:08.02\00:18:11.15 And he says, "For the remission of your sins." 00:18:11.19\00:18:13.79 This is the only thing that separates us from God. 00:18:13.82\00:18:16.22 This is what separates you from being happy in Jesus. 00:18:16.26\00:18:19.43 This is thing that separate. 00:18:19.46\00:18:20.80 There's so much misery and problems 00:18:20.83\00:18:22.16 in the world today. 00:18:22.20\00:18:23.53 Because sin has separated us and God is calling us back. 00:18:23.57\00:18:27.17 Remember he calls. 00:18:27.20\00:18:28.54 "Come unto me, Come unto to me." 00:18:28.57\00:18:30.54 He sends the Holy Spirit. 00:18:30.57\00:18:31.91 Holy Spirit is always working on us, 00:18:31.94\00:18:33.48 bringing conviction, right, 00:18:33.51\00:18:34.94 challenging in us to come to Him. 00:18:34.98\00:18:37.55 He wants to take those sins away. 00:18:37.58\00:18:40.28 And what must I do, 00:18:40.32\00:18:41.65 it's is what must I do to be saved. 00:18:41.68\00:18:43.02 It starts at "Repent for the remission of sin." 00:18:43.05\00:18:47.39 And of course, you remember. 00:18:47.42\00:18:48.76 Let's give an illustration. 00:18:48.79\00:18:50.13 John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1 and 2. 00:18:50.16\00:18:53.96 Let me just read that if you will, 00:18:54.00\00:18:55.36 and jot it down, Matthew 3:1 and 2. 00:18:55.40\00:18:58.63 The Bible said. 00:18:58.67\00:19:00.00 "In those days came John the Baptist." 00:19:00.04\00:19:01.70 Do you remember? 00:19:01.74\00:19:03.07 "Came John the Baptist, 00:19:03.10\00:19:04.44 preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 00:19:04.47\00:19:06.47 and saying," verse 2, 00:19:06.51\00:19:07.94 he says "Repent," notice, 00:19:07.98\00:19:09.58 "ye, for the kingdom of," what? 00:19:09.61\00:19:11.88 "Of heaven is at hand." 00:19:11.91\00:19:13.62 He wasn't talking about the second coming of Jesus. 00:19:13.65\00:19:16.12 He was talking about the first coming of Jesus. 00:19:16.15\00:19:19.29 Jesus was going to establish something here 00:19:19.32\00:19:21.56 that those who believed in Him 00:19:21.59\00:19:23.73 could become by the grace of God, 00:19:23.76\00:19:25.76 sons and daughters of God. 00:19:25.79\00:19:28.00 That applies to you today. 00:19:28.03\00:19:29.66 That applies to me. 00:19:29.70\00:19:31.17 By the grace of God 00:19:31.20\00:19:32.53 we can become sons and daughters of God. 00:19:32.57\00:19:36.91 How wonderful. 00:19:36.94\00:19:38.44 You say your life is miserable. 00:19:38.47\00:19:40.04 Then you're in misery, 00:19:40.08\00:19:41.41 you're doing all the wrong things. 00:19:41.44\00:19:43.24 That's why Jesus says, "Come on to me," 00:19:43.28\00:19:45.01 and what" "you can be my son, you can be my daughter." 00:19:45.05\00:19:48.58 He treats you like royalty. 00:19:48.62\00:19:50.19 Your life will be easier. 00:19:50.22\00:19:52.09 You won't be getting in all the messes 00:19:52.12\00:19:53.62 that we seem to sometime get into, 00:19:53.66\00:19:55.29 when we think we're big enough 00:19:55.32\00:19:56.79 to make our own choices and our own decisions. 00:19:56.83\00:20:00.06 Interesting, I love the-- I love the Prophet Isaiah. 00:20:00.10\00:20:03.33 Oh, I'm telling you, he just really lays it down 00:20:03.37\00:20:05.90 and I, some of you who, we spent some time together, 00:20:05.93\00:20:08.97 I like to just lay it down 00:20:09.00\00:20:10.47 and then let the Holy Spirit help you 00:20:10.51\00:20:12.34 me to decide what we need to do. 00:20:12.37\00:20:14.54 Isaiah, have your Bible, jot down Isaiah 55:6-9. 00:20:14.58\00:20:19.25 Here's is so exciting to me 00:20:19.28\00:20:21.72 that regardless of who we are, what we've done, 00:20:21.75\00:20:23.99 God still extends an invitation. 00:20:24.02\00:20:26.89 Remember while the door is still open. 00:20:26.92\00:20:29.39 The day the doors open, invitation is extended. 00:20:29.42\00:20:33.23 Isaiah talks about it and he extends two things 00:20:33.26\00:20:36.63 that I want you to grasp today 00:20:36.67\00:20:38.40 that we desperately have to have 00:20:38.43\00:20:40.24 is grace and mercy. 00:20:40.27\00:20:43.24 He extends these to you and to me today. 00:20:43.27\00:20:46.88 I want to think about that just-- just for a second. 00:20:46.91\00:20:49.51 You know, 2 Corinthians 6:2 00:20:49.54\00:20:52.35 simply says, you know, today is the day. 00:20:52.38\00:20:55.05 So we don't put it off 00:20:55.08\00:20:56.42 and worry about tomorrow, the next week. 00:20:56.45\00:20:57.95 Today is the day that we seek him. 00:20:57.99\00:21:01.06 Now notice how Isaiah said it. 00:21:01.09\00:21:02.89 That's the first word that he uses. 00:21:02.92\00:21:04.46 He says. 00:21:04.49\00:21:05.83 "Seek ye," what? Good. 00:21:05.86\00:21:08.23 "Seek ye the Lord while He may be," what? 00:21:08.26\00:21:11.03 Found. 00:21:11.07\00:21:12.40 So notice the word, we seek, while He can still be found 00:21:12.43\00:21:15.54 because the time is coming 00:21:15.57\00:21:16.91 when your not be able to find Him any more. 00:21:16.94\00:21:18.27 It's gonna be too late. 00:21:18.31\00:21:19.81 The harvest is past, do you remember? 00:21:19.84\00:21:22.51 And the second, notice what he says, 00:21:22.54\00:21:24.38 he says, "Call ye upon him, while, while He is near." 00:21:24.41\00:21:30.02 So while he's near, while he is close, 00:21:30.05\00:21:31.99 while he's working upon you, call upon him. 00:21:32.02\00:21:34.62 Don't get far away from Jesus. 00:21:34.66\00:21:36.83 Stay close to Him. 00:21:36.86\00:21:38.46 Seek Him while He may be found. 00:21:38.49\00:21:40.50 This is right here, 00:21:40.53\00:21:41.86 "Call upon Him while he is near." 00:21:41.90\00:21:45.53 My Bible tells me, 00:21:45.57\00:21:46.90 you can read this in the Book of Psalms 46:1. 00:21:46.94\00:21:50.27 It says that we are, "He is a very present help." 00:21:50.31\00:21:55.38 So you notice in the seeking and the calling, 00:21:55.41\00:21:58.35 He's a very present help. 00:21:58.38\00:22:00.25 That means He's right there. 00:22:00.28\00:22:01.62 When you need in the most, He's right there for you. 00:22:01.65\00:22:03.55 He's right there for me. 00:22:03.59\00:22:06.86 Verse 7 says this. 00:22:06.89\00:22:08.69 Isaiah 55, we read 6. now 7. 00:22:08.72\00:22:10.66 Notice this. 00:22:10.69\00:22:12.03 "Let the wicked forsake," What? "His way. 00:22:12.06\00:22:15.60 And the unrighteous now his, what? 00:22:15.63\00:22:17.73 His thought. 00:22:17.77\00:22:19.10 "Let the wicked." 00:22:19.13\00:22:20.47 Did you notice the call is given to the unrighteous 00:22:20.50\00:22:22.47 and to the wicked to come? 00:22:22.50\00:22:24.47 And when I read the book of Acts 3:19, 00:22:24.51\00:22:27.51 the Bible is very, very clear. 00:22:27.54\00:22:30.28 Because it simply starts out once again, 00:22:30.31\00:22:32.31 "Repent and be converted." 00:22:32.35\00:22:35.02 Jesus ask you and me every day of our life 00:22:35.05\00:22:37.65 to repent and be converted or be changed. 00:22:37.69\00:22:40.26 We're going to talk more about that conversion. 00:22:40.29\00:22:42.09 Many people do not, they do not know 00:22:42.12\00:22:44.23 whether they've been converted or not. 00:22:44.26\00:22:45.76 They don't know. They can't. 00:22:45.79\00:22:47.40 They say, well, there's no, there really not a gauge, 00:22:47.43\00:22:49.36 I really don't know. 00:22:49.40\00:22:50.73 Oh, the Bible is clear. 00:22:50.77\00:22:52.10 Spirit of Prophecy is clear 00:22:52.13\00:22:53.47 about whether you've been converted or not. 00:22:53.50\00:22:55.94 And I pray we have time 00:22:55.97\00:22:57.31 to get into some of those saying 00:22:57.34\00:22:58.67 because it's so, so, so important. 00:22:58.71\00:23:00.54 Bible says he's talking to you, what? 00:23:00.58\00:23:02.24 The unrighteous and he's talking to return. 00:23:02.28\00:23:05.28 Notice what He says here, the unrighteous 00:23:05.31\00:23:07.62 and He's talked about the man and his thoughts. 00:23:07.65\00:23:09.48 We need to give our mind of Christ 00:23:09.52\00:23:10.99 because they need to be His thoughts and not ours. 00:23:11.02\00:23:13.29 "Let him return unto the Lord," the Bible says, 00:23:13.32\00:23:16.42 and He will have mercy upon him. 00:23:16.46\00:23:19.33 You think God's not going to give you mercy. 00:23:19.36\00:23:21.00 Oh, my Brothers and my Sisters, 00:23:21.03\00:23:23.03 the Bible says, the Bible says 00:23:23.06\00:23:24.90 "You return to Him and God's gonna show you mercy. 00:23:24.93\00:23:27.77 Notice this. 00:23:27.80\00:23:29.14 For He will abundantly pardon." 00:23:29.17\00:23:31.94 Notice that word, He will abundantly pardon. 00:23:31.97\00:23:35.08 It helps us to understand 00:23:35.11\00:23:36.58 when you say, well, abundantly. 00:23:36.61\00:23:37.95 It's a full pardon that He gives you, 00:23:37.98\00:23:40.68 completely full. 00:23:40.72\00:23:42.05 It's a continued pardon. 00:23:42.08\00:23:44.32 It's an exceedingly helpful, 00:23:44.35\00:23:47.36 when we talk about in our relationship with Christ, 00:23:47.39\00:23:49.52 it goes above and beyond abundantly. 00:23:49.56\00:23:51.99 It's heaped over. 00:23:52.03\00:23:53.70 Did you notice that? 00:23:53.73\00:23:55.06 It's plenteous. 00:23:55.10\00:23:56.43 It's everything we need when God says, 00:23:56.46\00:23:58.03 "I will abundantly pardon 00:23:58.07\00:23:59.90 or I will abundantly forgive you. 00:23:59.93\00:24:01.74 I will," notice the word, "I will abundantly spare you." 00:24:01.77\00:24:05.97 Are we really worthy to be spared or we're not. 00:24:06.01\00:24:08.84 But because Jesus had died for us 00:24:08.88\00:24:10.78 we've become worthy because of Jesus Christ. 00:24:10.81\00:24:13.18 He said you are worthy. Praise God for that. 00:24:13.21\00:24:14.78 Verse 8. 00:24:14.82\00:24:16.15 He said, Jesus said, no, God said, 00:24:16.18\00:24:17.52 "My thoughts are not your thoughts. 00:24:17.55\00:24:20.32 Neither are your ways my ways. 00:24:20.36\00:24:24.03 Is it interesting 00:24:24.06\00:24:25.39 when a statement like this is made 00:24:25.43\00:24:27.03 that, what do you mean? 00:24:27.06\00:24:28.40 God's not thinking the way that we think? 00:24:28.43\00:24:30.80 Praise God that He's not. 00:24:30.83\00:24:32.73 Somebody needs to listen up to me. 00:24:32.77\00:24:34.44 Because man, man thinks about me, my eye, my time. 00:24:34.47\00:24:39.37 And it's interesting. 00:24:39.41\00:24:40.74 My time, I've got to do what I got to do down here. 00:24:40.78\00:24:42.94 God is thinking about time, 00:24:42.98\00:24:44.55 But he's thinking about eternity. 00:24:44.58\00:24:46.11 Aren't you glad? 00:24:46.15\00:24:47.48 Man's thinking about time right now. 00:24:47.52\00:24:48.98 God's thinking about where you're going to spend eternity. 00:24:49.02\00:24:51.49 I am thankful. 00:24:51.52\00:24:54.16 Man is selfish. 00:24:54.19\00:24:56.09 See I'm glad that God doesn't think the way we are 00:24:56.12\00:24:58.23 cause we are selfish and self-centered 00:24:58.26\00:25:00.63 and what does God do? 00:25:00.66\00:25:02.00 God is always thoughtful and mindful 00:25:02.03\00:25:04.07 of His creation and His creatures. 00:25:04.10\00:25:06.17 How different in our thoughts, think about that. 00:25:06.20\00:25:10.17 We think about mankind here. 00:25:10.21\00:25:11.77 You know, we get-- we talk about 00:25:11.81\00:25:13.21 he's-- everything we can get this world. 00:25:13.24\00:25:16.04 You have no people, 00:25:16.08\00:25:17.41 I'm just gonna get all I can in this, in this life. 00:25:17.45\00:25:19.71 Think about the difference in the way man thinks. 00:25:19.75\00:25:21.78 I'm going to get what I can out of this. 00:25:21.82\00:25:23.39 And what does God say? 00:25:23.42\00:25:24.75 I'm going to give everything that I can for mankind. 00:25:24.79\00:25:28.79 Totally the opposite. 00:25:28.82\00:25:30.53 Praise God that we serve the one 00:25:30.56\00:25:31.96 who thinks differently than we do. 00:25:31.99\00:25:34.20 But we need to be thinking like Him, don't we? 00:25:34.23\00:25:37.37 You see, what assurance. 00:25:37.40\00:25:38.73 When I read this scripture, I get an assurance. 00:25:38.77\00:25:41.74 I get-- I read them and I say, "Oh, praise God. 00:25:41.77\00:25:44.41 This helps me to understand 00:25:44.44\00:25:45.97 God's willingness to receive me. 00:25:46.01\00:25:48.54 Think about it or to receive the repenting sinner. 00:25:48.58\00:25:52.38 So yes, there's a work for it, we need to repent. 00:25:52.41\00:25:54.35 We come to Him. 00:25:54.38\00:25:55.72 The Holy Spirit is working upon us. 00:25:55.75\00:25:57.62 Now remember, regardless of how far away that we have 00:25:57.65\00:26:01.72 made, some of us have run away, some have walked away, 00:26:01.76\00:26:04.13 some has meandered away, 00:26:04.16\00:26:05.49 some are just kind of died away, 00:26:05.53\00:26:06.86 some of wandered. 00:26:06.90\00:26:08.23 But regardless, God says, "I want you back." 00:26:08.26\00:26:10.77 That's beautiful. 00:26:10.80\00:26:12.77 Interesting note. 00:26:12.80\00:26:15.84 While a person, 00:26:15.87\00:26:17.71 you may found this to be true in your own life. 00:26:17.74\00:26:19.97 I can relate somewhat and I've talked to many people 00:26:20.01\00:26:22.28 who is at-- when they first begin to wander away from God, 00:26:22.31\00:26:26.45 it seems like, uh, things are better. 00:26:26.48\00:26:29.48 Things are better. 00:26:29.52\00:26:30.85 Things are going a little bit better for me now. 00:26:30.89\00:26:33.72 It seems like now because there are no restrictions 00:26:33.76\00:26:37.23 as it were, that I've got the world by the tail. 00:26:37.26\00:26:40.66 But the-- what? 00:26:40.70\00:26:42.30 You have the world by the tail 00:26:42.33\00:26:43.67 or tail around the world have you. 00:26:43.70\00:26:45.03 And so we begin to think differently 00:26:47.27\00:26:49.07 as we separate from God. 00:26:49.10\00:26:51.77 And the reason the person feels this way is 00:26:51.81\00:26:53.58 because I'm doing what I want to do. 00:26:53.61\00:26:57.58 Ain't that interesting. 00:26:57.61\00:26:58.95 Once again it goes back to the original, 00:26:58.98\00:27:00.85 goes back to the beginning. 00:27:00.88\00:27:02.22 I'm doing what I want to do. 00:27:02.25\00:27:03.72 So we think that we've got the world 00:27:03.75\00:27:05.32 and everything is going our way. 00:27:05.35\00:27:06.69 But I tell you this, my Brothers and Sisters 00:27:06.72\00:27:08.26 and many of you will find it out, 00:27:08.29\00:27:09.79 all of us will find out, but in time. 00:27:09.82\00:27:12.16 All of this, I think, I like, 00:27:12.19\00:27:14.13 I wanted to do begins to unravel. 00:27:14.16\00:27:17.47 It begins to fall apart. 00:27:17.50\00:27:19.87 God give us time. 00:27:19.90\00:27:21.90 He gives time for things to work out 00:27:21.94\00:27:23.67 as He's calling and calling. 00:27:23.71\00:27:25.07 His judgment doesn't fall immediately. 00:27:25.11\00:27:26.98 And you think because you've escaped for a year 00:27:27.01\00:27:29.14 or two years or five years, that it's not going to happen. 00:27:29.18\00:27:32.38 Listen God doesn't work on a timetable like we do. 00:27:32.41\00:27:35.38 God is still seeking 00:27:35.42\00:27:36.75 and He works until there is no opportunity 00:27:36.79\00:27:38.62 for you to ever come back till your heart is so hardened. 00:27:38.65\00:27:41.76 But although certain, maybe years later 00:27:41.79\00:27:43.32 things begin to unravel, things are exposed. 00:27:43.36\00:27:46.29 You find out that your life has completely fallen apart. 00:27:46.33\00:27:50.27 Now you don't know what to do. 00:27:50.30\00:27:52.37 Things have changed. 00:27:52.40\00:27:54.47 You've wandered away from Him. 00:27:54.50\00:27:56.60 And now things have changed, your hopes and your dreams, 00:27:56.64\00:27:59.04 they've all, they say turned to ashes. 00:27:59.07\00:28:01.51 There's no one to turn to. 00:28:01.54\00:28:02.88 All of friends that you thought you have 00:28:02.91\00:28:04.68 in the wrong places they're all gone. 00:28:04.71\00:28:06.45 Maybe cause your money's gone. 00:28:06.48\00:28:09.18 But all of a sudden you're thinking, 00:28:09.22\00:28:10.55 "What do I need to do? 00:28:10.59\00:28:11.92 I'm all alone now. 00:28:11.95\00:28:14.06 Now what?" 00:28:14.09\00:28:15.92 Listen, I tell you, my Brothers and Sisters, 00:28:15.96\00:28:17.53 if you'd just listen carefully, 00:28:17.56\00:28:20.60 you will still hear that same voice 00:28:20.63\00:28:25.20 that was calling you many months, years 00:28:25.23\00:28:27.24 or whatever might be ago. 00:28:27.27\00:28:28.97 That's same still sweet small voice, 00:28:29.00\00:28:32.11 trying to woo you back into a relationship with Him. 00:28:32.14\00:28:35.64 It's the voice that you rejected. 00:28:35.68\00:28:38.38 But now you realize that there's no other way. 00:28:38.41\00:28:41.18 We need to come back to Him. 00:28:41.22\00:28:42.82 He's still calling loud and clear. 00:28:42.85\00:28:47.06 Jot down this passage of Scripture 00:28:47.09\00:28:48.86 because I really believe that it pertains to us. 00:28:48.89\00:28:51.63 It's in the book of Micah. 00:28:51.66\00:28:52.99 Not the one, the book that's used, 00:28:53.03\00:28:54.36 you know, a lot, about a lot of people but oh, 00:28:54.40\00:28:56.36 there's some powerful things in a book of Micah. 00:28:56.40\00:28:58.33 Micah 2:10, let me read what the word of God says. 00:28:58.37\00:29:01.97 It tells us, it says talking about this wicked one. 00:29:02.00\00:29:04.87 We departed we ran here, we're there. 00:29:04.91\00:29:06.94 He says, "Arise," notice, "ye, and depart 00:29:06.98\00:29:10.78 for this is not your rest, 00:29:10.81\00:29:13.68 because it's polluted," noticed that, 00:29:13.72\00:29:15.98 "and it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. 00:29:16.02\00:29:21.86 That means a grievous destruction. 00:29:21.89\00:29:24.09 God is saying, please don't let this happen. 00:29:24.13\00:29:26.70 Please come back to me. 00:29:26.73\00:29:28.56 Depart, this is not what he wants for you. 00:29:28.60\00:29:31.00 This is not your rest. 00:29:31.03\00:29:33.00 He says He's gonna give us that rest. 00:29:33.03\00:29:34.47 He's gonna give that, you know what, refreshment. 00:29:34.50\00:29:36.50 But the enemy says, "Well, I'll give you that. 00:29:36.54\00:29:38.47 God said don't that. 00:29:38.51\00:29:39.94 It's grievous, it's sore. 00:29:39.97\00:29:42.84 There's a story told of a man one time. 00:29:42.88\00:29:44.85 He wanted to accept Jesus Christ. 00:29:44.88\00:29:47.15 He want to be a Christian. 00:29:47.18\00:29:48.82 There's a lot of people like that in the world. 00:29:48.85\00:29:50.42 And you may be one of those, 00:29:50.45\00:29:51.79 you just, you've talked and you've talked 00:29:51.82\00:29:53.76 and you've talked and you squirmed 00:29:53.79\00:29:55.49 and you attend church and you're in and you're out, 00:29:55.52\00:29:58.03 you're hot, you're cold as it were. 00:29:58.06\00:30:00.03 But you know this guy here just said you know what, 00:30:00.06\00:30:02.20 I need to make a change in my life. 00:30:02.23\00:30:04.07 He thought he came up with that. 00:30:04.10\00:30:05.43 But I tell you he did not. 00:30:05.47\00:30:06.80 The Holy Spirit was working inside of him and drawing. 00:30:06.84\00:30:08.67 But he began to think that works was kind of part of it 00:30:08.70\00:30:12.51 and he'd always heard this church members say, 00:30:12.54\00:30:14.38 "Well, if you're going to follow Jesus 00:30:14.41\00:30:15.74 you've got to give up everything." 00:30:15.78\00:30:17.55 Well, that's true, isn't it? 00:30:17.58\00:30:18.91 But notice how this man took it. 00:30:18.95\00:30:21.38 He said, "Well what I need to do 00:30:21.42\00:30:22.75 then have relationship with Christ 00:30:22.78\00:30:24.35 is I must give up everything that I have. 00:30:24.39\00:30:28.56 I must deny myself." 00:30:28.59\00:30:30.19 Well, he will seem to be on the right road 00:30:30.23\00:30:32.23 but something happened. 00:30:32.26\00:30:34.10 What did he do? Well, he gave up his houses. 00:30:34.13\00:30:37.07 He gave up his land. He gave up his business. 00:30:37.10\00:30:40.77 And yet, there was still no peace. 00:30:40.80\00:30:43.17 He could not find peace. He wanted peace. 00:30:43.20\00:30:46.54 He had had enough of the world. I need some peace. 00:30:46.57\00:30:49.38 And he gave all of these things up 00:30:49.41\00:30:51.08 and he said but up but I find no peace. 00:30:51.11\00:30:54.68 So finally, he decided I need to talk, 00:30:54.72\00:30:57.75 I to need talk to Lord about it. 00:30:57.79\00:31:00.16 Well, he gets on his knees and he said, "Lord, I've given, 00:31:00.19\00:31:02.22 I've read this, you deny yourself. 00:31:02.26\00:31:04.29 I've given all these things up but I don't have any peace. 00:31:04.33\00:31:07.03 And God said, "Yes, you have my friend. 00:31:07.06\00:31:08.86 But you haven't given me your sins." 00:31:08.90\00:31:12.20 Isn't that interesting? 00:31:12.23\00:31:13.67 God doesn't need your houses, doesn't need your land. 00:31:13.70\00:31:16.54 Really it all boils down to what? 00:31:16.57\00:31:17.91 He-- well, always say, He wants your heart. 00:31:17.94\00:31:19.91 But He wants your sins 00:31:19.94\00:31:21.34 because that's what separates you from Him. 00:31:21.38\00:31:23.31 Give Him your sins. Your life would change. 00:31:23.35\00:31:26.01 You'll be so much better off, you'll be happy, 00:31:26.05\00:31:27.65 you'll find that peace, you'll find contentment. 00:31:27.68\00:31:30.02 Praise God. 00:31:30.05\00:31:32.05 So you will have to be asking why, what do I need to do. 00:31:32.09\00:31:37.13 Salvation can return to your house 00:31:37.16\00:31:40.03 if salvation has left. 00:31:40.06\00:31:41.86 If that blood on the doorpost somehow has been sanded down, 00:31:41.90\00:31:45.47 it's gone, it doesn't exist anymore, 00:31:45.50\00:31:47.20 you can reapply afresh. 00:31:47.24\00:31:50.27 Salvation can return. 00:31:50.31\00:31:51.67 And you know why I know it can return 00:31:51.71\00:31:53.88 to someone who has completely turned their back on God. 00:31:53.91\00:31:56.54 They try to use God, they'd use their fellowman, 00:31:56.58\00:31:58.61 they try to use the church. 00:31:58.65\00:31:59.98 But God says. You can come back. 00:32:00.02\00:32:02.52 Beautiful book of Isaiah once again, 44:22. 00:32:02.55\00:32:06.32 Notice what he said, just a couple of words. 00:32:06.35\00:32:08.09 Oh, how powerful. 00:32:08.12\00:32:09.52 "Return unto me, for I have redeemed thee." 00:32:09.56\00:32:14.03 Wow. 00:32:14.06\00:32:15.73 Once again, the arms of love of Jesus are what? 00:32:15.76\00:32:18.73 They are begging to you, come. 00:32:18.77\00:32:21.04 He says right here, "Return to me, 00:32:21.07\00:32:23.37 for I have redeemed thee. 00:32:23.41\00:32:24.74 I paid a price for you. You are valuable. 00:32:24.77\00:32:26.78 I want to share eternity with you. 00:32:26.81\00:32:28.68 I know what you said. I don't know what you've done. 00:32:28.71\00:32:30.48 I know are horrible it is. 00:32:30.51\00:32:31.85 But I forgive you, come return." 00:32:31.88\00:32:35.22 Salvation, wonderful. 00:32:35.25\00:32:37.49 But let me tell you this, my Brothers and Sisters, 00:32:37.52\00:32:39.25 here's exactly what the enemy is gonna tell you. 00:32:39.29\00:32:42.49 The enemy's gonna say something like suggested you. 00:32:42.52\00:32:45.39 Well, that sounds like a pretty good move 00:32:45.43\00:32:47.60 but let's wait. 00:32:47.63\00:32:49.60 Let's wait until you know, let's not, 00:32:49.63\00:32:52.10 let's not really give our life to Christ just right now. 00:32:52.13\00:32:54.80 And let's not start going to church just yet. 00:32:54.84\00:32:57.71 Oh, yeah, later on we'll do that. 00:32:57.74\00:32:59.21 See the devil, he screwed, you know he's rough around- 00:32:59.24\00:33:03.31 But he still knows what he's saying. 00:33:03.35\00:33:05.15 He still knows what-- he's a liar 00:33:05.18\00:33:06.51 there's no doubt about it. 00:33:06.55\00:33:07.88 But he will tell you, don't be going to church, 00:33:07.92\00:33:09.88 don't really give your life to Christ, yet. 00:33:09.92\00:33:11.75 That will come in time 00:33:11.79\00:33:13.12 but let's try to get everything worked out first. 00:33:13.15\00:33:16.02 You've heard this before. 00:33:16.06\00:33:17.89 Let's make yourself better, let's make yourself right, 00:33:17.93\00:33:21.50 let's make sure that you're good enough 00:33:21.53\00:33:25.30 to come to Christ. 00:33:25.33\00:33:26.77 Make sure that you're good enough to come to God. 00:33:27.90\00:33:29.84 What does that mean? 00:33:29.87\00:33:31.21 Is there something that we-- have we missed here? 00:33:33.58\00:33:37.25 Is it really consistent with the Bible to-- 00:33:37.28\00:33:39.65 let's wait just a little while 00:33:39.68\00:33:41.15 till get all this stuff worked out or not. 00:33:41.18\00:33:44.89 So question, so, what if you wait? 00:33:44.92\00:33:47.12 So you say, "Okay, I've come to that point, 00:33:47.16\00:33:48.72 I know I need to change and I need to do this 00:33:48.76\00:33:50.66 but, but I'm going to wait just a little while 00:33:50.69\00:33:52.49 because I've got this, I've got that. 00:33:52.53\00:33:55.36 But I'm going to wait till I'm good enough 00:33:55.40\00:33:56.80 and then I will come. 00:33:56.83\00:33:58.17 The answer is simple to that question. 00:33:58.20\00:33:59.77 You will never, never come to Christ. 00:33:59.80\00:34:03.57 You will never come to Him. 00:34:03.61\00:34:04.94 If that's your thinking, 00:34:04.97\00:34:06.31 the devil will keep you in that line 00:34:06.34\00:34:08.71 for years down the road. 00:34:08.74\00:34:10.25 Well, I'm not quite yet. I'm not quite yet. 00:34:10.28\00:34:13.35 He said, "Come as you are." 00:34:13.38\00:34:15.18 Come as you are give your life to him. 00:34:15.22\00:34:17.89 You know what Satan is going to do. 00:34:17.92\00:34:19.25 When you say I want to make a change 00:34:19.29\00:34:20.76 I want to do something for Jesus. 00:34:20.79\00:34:23.26 I want to get right, I want to be used, 00:34:23.29\00:34:24.96 I want to help finish His work, I want to get my life right. 00:34:25.03\00:34:27.70 The devil points and look at you 00:34:27.73\00:34:29.06 and he said, "Joe, I tell you what, 00:34:29.10\00:34:30.80 you look at your filthy garments. 00:34:30.83\00:34:33.23 And let me tell you the garments that you have on 00:34:33.27\00:34:35.00 until you give them to Christ, they are filthy. 00:34:35.04\00:34:36.91 And they are rotten because everybody, the Bible said 00:34:36.94\00:34:39.04 "All have sinned and come short." 00:34:39.07\00:34:41.08 But you read that, haven't you, 00:34:41.11\00:34:42.44 in the Book of Zachariah Chapter 3 about Joshua? 00:34:42.48\00:34:46.01 Do you remember? 00:34:46.05\00:34:47.38 The old devil coming against Joshua. 00:34:47.42\00:34:49.28 And he said look at his-- how can you use him, 00:34:49.32\00:34:51.55 look at is filthy garments, talking about his life, 00:34:51.59\00:34:53.96 how filthy, how dirty, how sinful. 00:34:53.99\00:34:56.93 You are defiled by a sin. You're worthy of death. 00:34:56.96\00:35:00.56 That's exactly what the enemy is saying. 00:35:00.60\00:35:02.73 He's worthy of death. He's done worse than I've done. 00:35:02.76\00:35:06.00 Look what you did to me, you cast me out. 00:35:06.03\00:35:09.07 Listen, my Brothers and Sisters, 00:35:09.10\00:35:10.44 don't just try to stand toe to toe with the enemy. 00:35:10.47\00:35:13.07 You let Jesus do that. 00:35:13.11\00:35:15.14 Don't, don't try to get it on your-- 00:35:15.18\00:35:16.51 and all you need to do is by what Jesus' example 00:35:16.54\00:35:19.15 that He gave to us, is what? 00:35:19.18\00:35:21.32 The word, just simply begin to quote Scripture. 00:35:21.35\00:35:23.79 Let me just give you a couple simple ones 00:35:23.82\00:35:25.49 if it's all right. 00:35:25.52\00:35:26.86 Jot this down because, remember, 00:35:26.89\00:35:28.22 when you come to him, 00:35:28.26\00:35:29.59 the devil is going to meekly say what? 00:35:29.62\00:35:31.09 "You're not good enough. 00:35:31.13\00:35:32.76 You're gonna have to wait a while. 00:35:32.79\00:35:34.33 And you're filthy, your rotten, 00:35:34.36\00:35:35.70 you've done so many rotten things 00:35:35.73\00:35:37.07 that God will never accept you into the family." 00:35:37.10\00:35:39.30 He is a liar. Because of Bible says so. 00:35:39.33\00:35:42.04 And I'm so thankful. 00:35:42.07\00:35:43.71 The devil is a liar but God is not. 00:35:43.74\00:35:45.37 He says, "Come unto me. Call, I will answer." 00:35:45.41\00:35:50.81 So what do-- what is going on here? 00:35:50.85\00:35:53.35 What must your response be? 00:35:53.38\00:35:55.05 In the Book of New Testament John 6:37, 00:35:55.08\00:35:59.52 Just such a beautiful, beautiful statement. 00:35:59.55\00:36:02.59 I've had to draw on this many times 00:36:02.62\00:36:04.43 and I'm sure you've had to draw on it. 00:36:04.46\00:36:06.59 If you haven't, why don't you do it today. 00:36:06.63\00:36:08.53 The Bible simply says, "Him that cometh to me." 00:36:08.56\00:36:13.34 Now remember he didn't point who that-- 00:36:13.37\00:36:14.80 all the things you've done, good, bad, ugly, He didn't say. 00:36:14.84\00:36:17.47 He said, "Him that cometh to me, 00:36:17.51\00:36:19.87 I will in no wise cast out. 00:36:19.91\00:36:23.81 Why are you looking for excuses, 00:36:23.85\00:36:25.51 my Brothers and Sisters? 00:36:25.55\00:36:27.12 Why are you trying to read? 00:36:27.15\00:36:28.48 And I know that you are trying to read something 00:36:28.52\00:36:30.85 into these passages of scripture that's not there. 00:36:30.89\00:36:33.99 You're trying to say yeah, but he, 00:36:34.02\00:36:35.36 no there's no yeah, but, 00:36:35.39\00:36:37.29 if you believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God 00:36:37.33\00:36:39.56 then we have to say the Bible said, 00:36:39.59\00:36:41.23 He that cometh unto me I will in no wise," 00:36:41.26\00:36:43.93 what" "Cast out." 00:36:43.97\00:36:46.77 And certainly, if you look at Psalms 51:7. 00:36:46.80\00:36:50.17 It's beautiful. It says "purge me with hyssop." 00:36:50.21\00:36:53.54 Purge me means purify me, oh, God. 00:36:53.58\00:36:56.34 Cleanse me. "Purge me with hyssop." 00:36:56.38\00:36:59.38 You know what, hyssop out there, 00:36:59.41\00:37:00.75 what he could do with his hyssop. 00:37:00.78\00:37:02.12 Well, here the Psalmist 00:37:02.15\00:37:03.49 is symbolically using hyssop as what? 00:37:03.52\00:37:05.52 A clinching agent. 00:37:05.55\00:37:07.19 And it is kind of 00:37:07.22\00:37:08.56 I think a greenish grey little, little plant 00:37:08.59\00:37:10.53 and at the end, there's little white flowers 00:37:10.56\00:37:12.19 and its fragrance smelling and, I tell you, you smell it. 00:37:12.23\00:37:16.06 "Oh, man, that smells so good, 00:37:16.10\00:37:19.10 smell something like I think this peppermint. 00:37:19.13\00:37:21.74 And so we look, he said you know, "Come on to me." 00:37:21.77\00:37:24.01 "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean." 00:37:24.04\00:37:26.94 The Bible said, "Wash me. 00:37:26.98\00:37:28.41 And I shall be whiter than snow." 00:37:28.44\00:37:32.21 I don't know what else Jesus would need to say 00:37:32.25\00:37:34.28 or what to do than he's already said and done 00:37:34.32\00:37:37.12 to say, just, just come on. 00:37:37.15\00:37:39.22 Come on, let me take responsibility for you. 00:37:39.25\00:37:42.09 You've wandered the street, you've laid in the gutter, 00:37:42.12\00:37:44.06 you played the prostitute, you played the harlot, 00:37:44.09\00:37:46.56 you've done everything you possibly can, 00:37:46.59\00:37:47.96 you're on drug. 00:37:48.00\00:37:49.33 But He says, "Come on. 00:37:49.36\00:37:50.70 I love you just like I love anybody else. 00:37:50.73\00:37:52.63 Come on in. I'm a clean you up." 00:37:52.67\00:37:55.54 He said here, "I'm gonna cleanse you, 00:37:55.57\00:37:57.37 I'm going to purify, I will make you white as snow. 00:37:57.41\00:37:59.51 I love that. 00:37:59.54\00:38:00.88 So what is it here? Let's look at, I think. 00:38:02.71\00:38:04.65 What you-- once again, our first step, then what? 00:38:04.68\00:38:07.25 Is we wandered from God is simply come to Jesus 00:38:07.28\00:38:09.95 is a stair step of repentance it says. 00:38:09.98\00:38:12.69 Immediately when you repent of your sins, 00:38:12.72\00:38:15.19 they arms of Jesus just wraps around you. 00:38:15.22\00:38:17.93 And think what the Bible talks about it here. 00:38:20.00\00:38:22.36 The Bible said "He hears the cry of a contrite it heart. 00:38:22.40\00:38:27.20 Have you read that, Psalms 34:18? 00:38:27.24\00:38:29.57 "The contrite soul." 00:38:29.60\00:38:32.51 I want you listen very carefully 00:38:32.54\00:38:33.88 what that really means. 00:38:33.91\00:38:37.51 I wonder if my soul is contrite. 00:38:37.55\00:38:40.92 I wonder when I repent 00:38:40.95\00:38:44.35 and I know He put His arms around me 00:38:44.39\00:38:46.35 and says he will accept me. 00:38:46.39\00:38:49.16 But he hears the cry of the contrite 00:38:49.19\00:38:52.36 When I read these words, that means in the, 00:38:52.39\00:38:55.13 in this passage of Scripture in the Old Testament, 00:38:55.16\00:38:58.20 I thought, "Wow.' 00:38:58.23\00:39:00.24 Contrite here it means, 00:39:00.27\00:39:02.90 "He hears the cry of the one," listen. 00:39:02.94\00:39:05.91 "Who has been crushed to powder." 00:39:05.94\00:39:09.58 Wow. 00:39:09.61\00:39:12.08 Have we come that far in our life 00:39:12.11\00:39:15.25 in close connection with Jesus 00:39:15.28\00:39:18.62 that we love Him that much, that what? 00:39:18.65\00:39:21.26 And we're so sorry that we've done the wrong thing, 00:39:21.29\00:39:23.59 we've been crushed. 00:39:23.63\00:39:25.69 It hurts, 'cause its sin is crushing it. 00:39:25.73\00:39:28.03 We want it out. We want to cleanse from what? 00:39:28.06\00:39:30.47 I have to be, notice this, crush to powder. 00:39:30.50\00:39:34.57 Contrite means crumbled. 00:39:34.60\00:39:38.47 You see, no longer I but Christ, 00:39:38.51\00:39:40.11 my relationship's gonna be humble. 00:39:40.14\00:39:41.78 This is the cry He said that He that he will hear. 00:39:41.81\00:39:45.35 I'm crumbled. 00:39:45.38\00:39:46.72 It means, I've been bruised, humbled. 00:39:46.75\00:39:50.05 In other words, I thought they we're just beat to pieces. 00:39:50.09\00:39:55.22 That's how our heart must feel 00:39:55.26\00:39:57.39 when we do things that we shouldn't do. 00:39:57.43\00:39:59.86 When we're really repenting and God will hear it, 00:39:59.89\00:40:02.03 and God will accept it. 00:40:02.06\00:40:03.47 We have to come to that point that is, oh, it hurts us. 00:40:03.50\00:40:06.63 We're so sorry that we did it. That we won't go back to it. 00:40:06.67\00:40:10.61 Oh, friend, is that been your response to the Savior 00:40:10.64\00:40:14.88 who's saying come unto me? 00:40:14.91\00:40:17.91 Is that the one that says come on, 00:40:17.95\00:40:19.28 our watch you make you wider than snow? 00:40:19.31\00:40:21.75 Is that really how you feel about your life 00:40:21.78\00:40:23.45 and your past sins? 00:40:23.49\00:40:25.09 See repentance, we've talked about repentance. 00:40:26.65\00:40:29.56 Repentance leads to confession. 00:40:29.59\00:40:34.00 Please think that. 00:40:34.03\00:40:35.56 And then confession to forsaking of sin, 00:40:35.60\00:40:40.20 ain't that interesting? 00:40:40.24\00:40:41.60 Shall we do that again? 00:40:41.64\00:40:42.97 What is that, when we talk about repentance leads to what? 00:40:43.00\00:40:45.74 Confession and confession leads to what? 00:40:45.77\00:40:48.51 Forsaking of sin. 00:40:48.54\00:40:50.45 Let me read just a little article, few lines, 00:40:50.48\00:40:53.05 found in the Acts the Apostle, page 324. 00:40:53.08\00:40:57.25 It starts this way. Says repentance. 00:40:57.29\00:40:59.39 "Repentance which is provided," notice 00:40:59.42\00:41:02.42 "repentance is provided by the influence of grace." 00:41:02.46\00:41:06.66 Wow, we couldn't even do it on our own. 00:41:06.70\00:41:09.16 But the grace, right, 00:41:09.20\00:41:10.53 grace of Christ power of Spirit working in 00:41:10.57\00:41:12.53 and through us when we didn't even want it. 00:41:12.57\00:41:14.60 Notice, "it's produced by the influence of grace 00:41:14.64\00:41:17.41 upon the heart." 00:41:17.44\00:41:19.54 Notice, unmerited favor, isn't that right? 00:41:19.57\00:41:21.78 Notice what it will do. 00:41:21.81\00:41:23.14 It will lead to confession and forsaking of sin. 00:41:23.18\00:41:27.35 Paul talked about this himself 00:41:27.38\00:41:29.58 when he said godly sorrow worketh what? 00:41:29.62\00:41:32.62 Repentance to salvation. 00:41:32.65\00:41:34.12 Do you remember reading that? 2 Corinthians 7:10. 00:41:34.16\00:41:37.86 Did you get that? 00:41:37.89\00:41:39.53 Godly sorrow, really being sorry 00:41:39.56\00:41:42.36 for when you say, "Oh, I'm sorry. 00:41:42.40\00:41:43.73 I repented." That means you will not return. 00:41:43.77\00:41:46.77 You will not do it again by the grace of God. 00:41:46.80\00:41:49.50 That's how you're hurt. 00:41:49.54\00:41:50.87 You've seen what it has done, you've seen what it's cost. 00:41:50.91\00:41:53.31 You don't want it anymore. 00:41:53.34\00:41:54.68 You've see what it's done to Jesus 00:41:54.71\00:41:56.78 and you don't want to do it anymore. 00:41:56.81\00:41:58.55 It's not worth it. You want to give it to Him. 00:41:58.58\00:42:00.62 So when Paul's talking about this godly sorrow, 00:42:01.98\00:42:05.59 you know what it'd do? 00:42:05.62\00:42:06.96 Godly sorrow breaks down human pride. 00:42:06.99\00:42:10.46 You see our pride sometime prevents us from saying, 00:42:10.49\00:42:13.36 I'm a sinner, I need Jesus. I'm a failure. 00:42:13.40\00:42:17.43 But he wants to make me more than that 00:42:17.47\00:42:18.87 he was made me a victor." 00:42:18.90\00:42:21.40 Why is that we can't see what He wants to do. 00:42:21.44\00:42:23.57 But when we're really sorry, well, our break, 00:42:23.61\00:42:26.24 godly sorrow breaks down the human pride. 00:42:26.27\00:42:29.51 It softens me. 00:42:29.54\00:42:31.08 When I was too hard before I say why is harder than nails. 00:42:31.11\00:42:34.88 Only the love of Jesus 00:42:34.92\00:42:36.25 and the power of the Holy Spirit 00:42:36.28\00:42:37.62 can soften us, it subdues us, it refines us 00:42:37.65\00:42:42.69 and it molds our characters. 00:42:42.72\00:42:45.83 But they can't be until there's a godly sorrow 00:42:45.86\00:42:48.53 for the life that we used to live. 00:42:48.56\00:42:52.83 Testimonies to Ministers, Page 441, 00:42:52.87\00:42:55.17 please notice this. 00:42:55.20\00:42:56.54 And I'm a believer in this. I'm a believer in this. 00:42:58.21\00:43:01.34 It says there must be a thorough conversion. 00:43:01.38\00:43:04.35 There must be what? 00:43:04.38\00:43:05.71 We're talking about a thorough conversion. 00:43:05.75\00:43:07.08 "Oh, well, I'm converted I'm converted 00:43:07.12\00:43:08.58 but I still haven't, I'm done still doing it." 00:43:08.62\00:43:10.39 There must be a thorough conversion 00:43:10.42\00:43:12.39 among those who claim to believe present truth. 00:43:12.42\00:43:16.39 If I said who believes present truth, 00:43:17.36\00:43:18.93 all the little hands would be going up and say, 00:43:18.96\00:43:20.40 "Ooh, praise God, Man. 00:43:20.43\00:43:21.76 I'm a present truth believer." 00:43:21.80\00:43:24.03 It's interesting among those who say 00:43:24.07\00:43:25.53 I believe in present truth and we should believe in 00:43:25.57\00:43:27.70 and there's a time and this is the time. 00:43:27.74\00:43:30.07 There need to be a thorough conversion among us. 00:43:30.11\00:43:33.71 Wow. And of course, everyone. 00:43:33.74\00:43:37.11 If not, notice, we'll go on, 00:43:37.15\00:43:39.21 "They will fall in the day of trial." 00:43:39.25\00:43:42.18 If there is not a thorough conversion and repentance, 00:43:42.22\00:43:45.72 forsaking of sin in the day of trial 00:43:45.75\00:43:48.09 and I tell you, my Brothers and Sisters, it will come. 00:43:48.12\00:43:50.93 You'll say it's not going to come. 00:43:50.96\00:43:52.49 You'll say you don't want to get involved. 00:43:52.53\00:43:54.10 The day of trial and test will come. 00:43:54.13\00:43:56.43 And if we're not thoroughly converted, 00:43:56.46\00:43:59.13 we will fail, we will fall in that day of trial. 00:43:59.17\00:44:03.00 God's people must reach a higher standard 00:44:03.04\00:44:06.68 than we've ever seen or heard ever before. 00:44:06.71\00:44:09.04 We must ask God to elevate us. We must take that standard. 00:44:09.08\00:44:12.45 It has been thrown down and dirty covered 00:44:12.48\00:44:14.25 and raise high for the world to see. 00:44:14.28\00:44:17.79 How do we do that? 00:44:17.82\00:44:20.32 We're encouraged to reach a higher standard. 00:44:20.36\00:44:23.89 I believe by faith we can reach that higher standard 00:44:23.93\00:44:26.53 that God has for us. 00:44:26.56\00:44:28.56 He wants us to be elevated. 00:44:28.60\00:44:30.17 He wants is a big climbing to work toward heaven. 00:44:30.20\00:44:32.90 He wants to give us that victory. 00:44:32.93\00:44:34.57 He's there for us. He's listening for our cry. 00:44:34.60\00:44:38.04 And you have a contrite heart? 00:44:38.07\00:44:40.08 Is there really crushing you because you've done something 00:44:40.11\00:44:42.14 you know you shouldn't. 00:44:42.18\00:44:43.51 And when you repent, you know you repented. 00:44:43.55\00:44:45.28 And by the grace of God You will not return. 00:44:45.31\00:44:47.72 So remember, if you've returned, 00:44:47.75\00:44:49.15 you have never had a contrite heart. 00:44:49.18\00:44:52.32 Think about it. 00:44:52.35\00:44:53.76 The enemy wants to fool you all. 00:44:53.79\00:44:55.12 Don't let him fool you. So what do we do? 00:44:55.16\00:44:57.59 We talk about-- what does the Bible say? 00:44:57.63\00:44:59.43 This is where we go back, raise a standard. 00:44:59.46\00:45:02.43 The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9. 00:45:02.46\00:45:05.40 I've always like this passage of Scripture. 00:45:05.43\00:45:07.54 The Bible says, "Ye are a chosen," what? 00:45:07.57\00:45:09.77 Good. "Generation." You're a royal priesthood. 00:45:09.80\00:45:13.78 God looks at us and I'll be nice about it. 00:45:13.84\00:45:16.14 He looks at the scum of the earth. 00:45:16.18\00:45:17.51 That's me. 00:45:17.55\00:45:19.18 And he looks at me and said, 00:45:19.21\00:45:20.55 "Well, because of Jesus Christ, you've accepted Him, 00:45:20.58\00:45:22.48 you are a royal priesthood. 00:45:22.52\00:45:25.09 Royal means kingly. 00:45:25.12\00:45:27.26 So what the Bible said we'll be? 00:45:27.29\00:45:29.06 Ooh, "kingly priesthood." 00:45:29.09\00:45:32.09 That means you're of a sacred order. 00:45:32.13\00:45:34.73 It's no longer you, but it's Christ. 00:45:34.76\00:45:36.36 Things have changed. You're elevated, right. 00:45:36.40\00:45:39.73 Breathing air of heaven. 00:45:39.77\00:45:41.10 How wonderful that is, a royal priesthood. 00:45:41.14\00:45:43.91 Notice, he says a holy nation. Did you get that? 00:45:43.94\00:45:46.94 Holy nation means exactly what it says 00:45:46.98\00:45:49.28 and for those of you just keep trying to sidestep all this, 00:45:49.31\00:45:52.18 you need to stop it. 00:45:52.21\00:45:53.55 Bless your heart. 00:45:53.58\00:45:54.92 I know you don't really mean to. 00:45:54.95\00:45:56.28 And I'm not try to be difficult with you. 00:45:56.32\00:45:57.79 But when this Bible talks about holy or blameless 00:45:57.82\00:46:00.02 or undefiled, well, it means a little something. 00:46:00.06\00:46:03.06 The Bible says just exactly what it means. 00:46:03.09\00:46:05.39 When it says here, Holy nation, it does mean pure nation. 00:46:05.43\00:46:09.06 It does mean a blameless nation. 00:46:09.10\00:46:11.13 It means a clean, it means, means innocent. 00:46:11.17\00:46:14.07 It means modest. 00:46:14.10\00:46:15.44 It means perfect in Jesus Christ. 00:46:15.47\00:46:18.04 Notice this, a peculiar people. 00:46:18.07\00:46:20.68 You are a purchased possession is what my Bible tells me. 00:46:20.71\00:46:24.01 You know what that means, purchased possession? 00:46:24.05\00:46:26.45 That means you are in a saving relationship 00:46:26.48\00:46:29.38 with Jesus Christ because of Him. 00:46:29.42\00:46:31.89 To be in a saving relationship, there is joy, there is peace, 00:46:31.92\00:46:34.69 there is contentment in the midst of the storm 00:46:34.72\00:46:36.99 that we are living in. 00:46:37.03\00:46:39.66 Oh, my Brother and Sister, I think about true repentance. 00:46:39.69\00:46:42.96 Let me just say this because I hear this a lot. 00:46:43.00\00:46:46.23 I hear this a lot. 00:46:46.27\00:46:47.60 Because remember, we've been talking about true repentance 00:46:47.64\00:46:50.71 makes no attempt to justify self. 00:46:50.74\00:46:55.81 Did somebody hear me? 00:46:55.84\00:46:57.61 True repentance never tries to justify yourself 00:46:57.65\00:47:02.75 for what decision or choice that you made. 00:47:02.78\00:47:06.15 You'll never do that. 00:47:06.19\00:47:07.52 True repentances will not do that, justify self. 00:47:07.56\00:47:09.92 If a person does you can be sure that sin-- 00:47:09.96\00:47:14.33 because they won't give it up as dead in their morally. 00:47:14.36\00:47:17.67 They can't really hear the voice of God anymore. 00:47:17.70\00:47:21.07 The person has done wrong. 00:47:21.10\00:47:23.34 But he doesn't even discern it anymore 00:47:23.37\00:47:25.14 because his heart has become hardened. 00:47:25.17\00:47:27.64 He doesn't even realize the evil 00:47:27.68\00:47:29.01 that he has committed. 00:47:29.04\00:47:30.38 He's turned the Holy Spirit off. 00:47:30.41\00:47:32.75 And I'll say this and yes, 00:47:32.78\00:47:34.12 unless the Holy Spirit of the living God 00:47:34.15\00:47:35.78 begins to come in and you will open your mind 00:47:35.82\00:47:37.85 and your heart, 00:47:37.89\00:47:40.16 so that you're not blinded to that sin, 00:47:40.19\00:47:43.26 your confession that you make is not sincere 00:47:43.29\00:47:46.33 and it is not in earnest and God will not accept that. 00:47:46.36\00:47:50.33 Notice with me, every time, 00:47:50.87\00:47:54.10 every time, that's anybody, 00:47:54.14\00:47:57.01 that's any of us who does this 00:47:57.04\00:47:59.04 that we begin to confess our guilt. 00:47:59.07\00:48:01.78 And then we make an excuse for our choice or our action. 00:48:01.81\00:48:07.12 And here's how we do. We might say. 00:48:07.15\00:48:09.65 Well I wouldn't have done it but, 00:48:09.68\00:48:12.55 well, the circumstances and-- 00:48:12.59\00:48:15.62 the circumstances were thee, so that's why did it. 00:48:15.66\00:48:18.89 You realize it's a matter of right and wrong 00:48:18.93\00:48:21.00 not circumstances. 00:48:21.03\00:48:22.60 Circumstances are not to control a child of God. 00:48:22.63\00:48:26.20 You are controlled by the grace of God circumstances. 00:48:26.23\00:48:29.54 That's why we're, we're children of the King. 00:48:29.57\00:48:32.17 We'd have to worry about what's happening in the world 00:48:32.21\00:48:33.91 and we have to make our-- It's right and wrong. 00:48:33.94\00:48:35.91 Do the right thing. 00:48:35.94\00:48:38.01 God said I'm going to help you to do the right thing. 00:48:38.05\00:48:40.58 So we bring on somebody needs to listen. 00:48:40.62\00:48:43.28 We bring on problems in our own life 00:48:43.32\00:48:45.72 and then we want to blame everything and everybody else. 00:48:45.75\00:48:48.32 You're been around somebody like that maybe you've done, 00:48:48.36\00:48:50.73 I think maybe I might have done it. 00:48:50.76\00:48:53.43 I'll give you just a little short 00:48:53.46\00:48:54.80 quick illustration of this. 00:48:54.83\00:48:56.16 We bring things on ourself 00:48:56.20\00:48:57.53 and then we can't really figure out 00:48:57.57\00:48:58.90 why we're miserable why things are not going good. 00:48:58.93\00:49:00.44 There were two men. 00:49:00.47\00:49:01.80 These two men work in construction together. 00:49:01.84\00:49:04.41 Are you still with me? All right, good. 00:49:04.44\00:49:07.28 Two men work in construction. 00:49:07.31\00:49:08.64 Every day they got their little box of lunch, 00:49:08.68\00:49:10.35 you know, they sat down, they open their lunch 00:49:10.38\00:49:11.98 and they began to eat. 00:49:12.01\00:49:14.75 And this man opened it up and he-- 00:49:14.78\00:49:17.15 notice with me what he said I don't want somebody 00:49:17.19\00:49:19.02 writing a letter and say, yeah, but why can't you. 00:49:19.05\00:49:21.76 He opened his lunch box there was a cheese sandwich. 00:49:21.79\00:49:24.79 And he looked at the cheese sandwich, 00:49:27.60\00:49:28.93 he told his but buddy he said, "Oh, brother, 00:49:28.96\00:49:31.20 not another cheese sandwich." 00:49:31.23\00:49:33.77 Man didn't say anything 00:49:33.80\00:49:35.14 didn't want to get in, involved 00:49:35.17\00:49:36.50 you know, blah, blah. 00:49:36.54\00:49:37.87 Next day come back open a box. 00:49:37.91\00:49:39.57 "Oh, man, a cheese sandwich. 00:49:39.61\00:49:41.74 I'm getting so sick of cheese sandwiches, 00:49:41.78\00:49:43.61 I can't hardly stand it." 00:49:43.65\00:49:46.35 Man thought maybe I should say something, 00:49:46.38\00:49:47.98 his buddy, he thought well, maybe. 00:49:48.02\00:49:49.35 Maybe I won't. 00:49:49.38\00:49:51.02 Another day goes by the man opens his box. 00:49:51.05\00:49:53.56 I cannot believe another cheese sandwich. 00:49:53.59\00:49:56.12 I tell you I hope I don't ever want to see 00:49:56.16\00:49:58.26 another cheese sandwich. 00:49:58.29\00:50:00.20 His buddy thought you know what, I'm just. 00:50:00.23\00:50:02.86 I need to say something here because this-- went too far. 00:50:02.90\00:50:04.90 He said, "Oh, friend, why don't you tell your wife 00:50:04.93\00:50:10.17 to make you something different?" 00:50:10.21\00:50:13.91 Man looked over him he said or number one, 00:50:13.94\00:50:16.61 I'm not married. 00:50:16.64\00:50:17.98 And number two, I make my own sandwiches. 00:50:18.01\00:50:21.32 Now somebody not with me you missed the whole thing. 00:50:21.35\00:50:25.52 Did you get what we're talking? Did you get the point? 00:50:25.55\00:50:29.76 Lot of time we create our own problems. 00:50:29.79\00:50:34.40 We made it, we made a choice, we did something over here 00:50:34.43\00:50:37.60 and we're really the ones to blame. 00:50:37.63\00:50:40.94 We want to blame the church, we want to blame the pastor, 00:50:40.97\00:50:42.77 we want to blame everybody else in the world 00:50:42.80\00:50:44.34 but maybe we've made that cheese sandwich. 00:50:44.37\00:50:49.31 God calls for His people here in the last days too. 00:50:49.34\00:50:51.55 I'm telling you right now. He's calling us home. 00:50:51.58\00:50:54.62 Beautiful book if you don't have it, "Desire of Ages." 00:50:54.65\00:50:57.25 We're not gonna get too much farther because of our time 00:50:57.29\00:50:59.22 but I want you to listen this. 00:50:59.25\00:51:00.76 Page 456. Desire of Ages. 00:51:00.79\00:51:03.63 It says, "And like Israel, the Jews, Pharisees, 00:51:03.66\00:51:07.66 notice had not put their will, 00:51:07.70\00:51:10.17 the power of choice," this is important. 00:51:10.20\00:51:11.80 Remember you get up in the morning. 00:51:11.83\00:51:13.17 Put your will, right, give it to Christ. 00:51:13.20\00:51:15.44 Give it to the Holy Spirit. Think about that. 00:51:15.47\00:51:18.97 That's the power of choice 00:51:19.01\00:51:20.34 where I can't make a good choice on my own. 00:51:20.38\00:51:23.24 Commit our wills to Jesus Christ 00:51:23.28\00:51:24.75 the first thing. 00:51:24.78\00:51:26.11 The Jews didn't do that, Pharisees didn't do that. 00:51:26.15\00:51:28.32 "They didn't put it on the side of God's will, 00:51:28.35\00:51:30.39 they were," listen, "they were not seeking to know the truth. 00:51:30.42\00:51:35.16 But, they're trying to find some excuse for evading it." 00:51:35.19\00:51:41.43 You have a fine neighbors and friends and people 00:51:41.46\00:51:42.96 you try to give them the truth and they keep making 00:51:43.00\00:51:44.93 all kinds of excuses, why they can't, 00:51:44.97\00:51:46.70 they can't come, they can't, they can't study, 00:51:46.74\00:51:48.67 they can't do, they're always busy, blah, blah. 00:51:48.70\00:51:51.07 Those things will come back in the judgment. 00:51:51.11\00:51:53.41 They'll be wishing and you will too 00:51:53.44\00:51:54.78 those of you who are listening 00:51:54.81\00:51:56.14 and maybe you're guilty of this. 00:51:56.18\00:51:57.51 A million times over if I might say that 00:51:57.55\00:51:59.55 that you finally said you know, I need to listen. 00:51:59.58\00:52:02.28 I need to give it a shot, 00:52:02.32\00:52:03.65 I need to learn more about Jesus, 00:52:03.69\00:52:05.25 I need to give my life to him. 00:52:05.29\00:52:07.36 Notice what they're doing. 00:52:07.39\00:52:08.72 "They were just trying to evade the truth. 00:52:08.76\00:52:11.16 Christ showed that there was 00:52:11.19\00:52:12.93 this was why they did not understand His teaching." 00:52:12.96\00:52:15.76 Why is it that many people don't understand the teachings 00:52:15.80\00:52:18.13 which is so clear in the Word of God. 00:52:18.17\00:52:19.93 Because we don't want to understand it, 00:52:19.97\00:52:21.80 because we don't want to study. 00:52:21.84\00:52:23.77 We're looking for excuses right quick not to do 00:52:23.81\00:52:26.07 what it that thus sayeth the Lord 00:52:26.11\00:52:27.44 tells us that we should do. 00:52:27.48\00:52:29.88 They didn't understand the teaching of Jesus. 00:52:29.91\00:52:31.88 So notice this. Here's our point. 00:52:31.91\00:52:33.58 So with genuine repentance and humiliation. 00:52:33.62\00:52:37.42 And even searching out for truth, 00:52:37.45\00:52:39.45 those of we are looking no excuse can be made. 00:52:39.49\00:52:43.26 We cannot make excuses. 00:52:43.29\00:52:45.53 No self justification for our actions. 00:52:45.56\00:52:50.90 So we need to learn something from this. 00:52:50.93\00:52:53.50 Not, don't be blaming somebody else. 00:52:53.54\00:52:55.70 Because you made a choice and because of your actions. 00:52:55.74\00:52:59.81 I want to be, don't you? 00:52:59.84\00:53:01.18 I want to be looking for what, I want to know what truth is. 00:53:01.21\00:53:03.68 I want to love the truth. I want to proclaim the truth. 00:53:03.71\00:53:05.68 I want to live the truth. 00:53:05.71\00:53:07.42 Truth is certainly Jesus Christ, isn't it? 00:53:07.45\00:53:10.79 One quick example here, 00:53:10.82\00:53:12.15 we're gonna have to have prayer, times is gone 00:53:12.19\00:53:13.52 but you know, Paul gave such a beautiful illustration 00:53:13.56\00:53:17.16 in his life. 00:53:17.19\00:53:18.86 He didn't blame anything or anybody. 00:53:18.89\00:53:20.90 You read it when you have the chance. 00:53:20.93\00:53:22.26 Acts Chapter 26:10. 00:53:22.30\00:53:25.37 He said exactly what he was 00:53:25.40\00:53:27.60 till he gave his life to Jesus Christ. 00:53:27.64\00:53:29.67 You know what he said? He said I persecuted people. 00:53:29.70\00:53:32.77 I hunted them down, right. He helped destroy them. 00:53:32.81\00:53:36.51 He owned up to what he did 00:53:36.54\00:53:38.05 but he said I did it in ignorance. 00:53:38.08\00:53:40.12 Many of you doing things is not in ignorance today. 00:53:40.15\00:53:42.22 You know better. You know better. 00:53:42.25\00:53:45.69 And God holds you accountable 00:53:45.72\00:53:47.06 and he owes me accountable today for my sins. 00:53:47.09\00:53:50.79 But we need to own up to it and come to Him 00:53:50.83\00:53:54.20 and of course, Paul was quick to say and 1 Timothy 1:15. 00:53:54.23\00:53:58.13 He talks about "Christ Jesus came into the world," 00:53:58.17\00:54:01.10 notice this, "to save sinners of whom I am chief." 00:54:01.14\00:54:05.17 How many times have you read that? 00:54:05.21\00:54:08.28 He said, Jesus came into the world 00:54:08.31\00:54:10.15 to save sinners and I'm the chief. 00:54:10.18\00:54:11.71 Oh, so easy to say 00:54:11.75\00:54:13.08 well, I'm the worst sinner in the world, I'm over-- 00:54:13.11\00:54:14.48 and somebody points out something wrong in your life, 00:54:14.52\00:54:16.25 oh, you just blow up. 00:54:16.28\00:54:18.29 Well I'm not really rude that. Well, you are you know it. 00:54:18.32\00:54:20.69 Are you telling the truth? 00:54:20.72\00:54:23.02 He said on the chief of sinners that means the foremost, 00:54:23.06\00:54:25.59 that means the worst, that means in time 00:54:25.63\00:54:27.50 and place and order. 00:54:27.53\00:54:29.46 Friend, I need to pray. Our time is gone. 00:54:29.50\00:54:30.83 I want to pray for you because I know somebody 00:54:30.87\00:54:32.43 has made a change in their heart 00:54:32.47\00:54:33.80 and in their life. 00:54:33.84\00:54:35.17 Would you just pray with me right now 00:54:35.20\00:54:36.54 as you rededicate your life to Jesus? 00:54:36.57\00:54:38.11 Let's pray, shall we? 00:54:38.14\00:54:40.34 Loving Father in Heaven, 00:54:40.38\00:54:41.71 again, we thank You for your precious word. 00:54:41.74\00:54:43.55 We thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit, 00:54:43.58\00:54:45.15 You've been convicting hearts, lives and minds 00:54:45.18\00:54:48.18 and we realized along with conviction, 00:54:48.22\00:54:49.75 forsaking of sin, 00:54:49.78\00:54:51.52 we realize there needs to be a reformation. 00:54:51.55\00:54:53.15 There needs to be a change that takes place. 00:54:53.19\00:54:54.66 We're no longer the same ever again 00:54:54.69\00:54:56.73 because we've got to have Jesus living in our hearts 00:54:56.76\00:54:58.73 and in our minds. 00:54:58.76\00:55:00.10 Thank you, Lord, for those who made that decision that choice. 00:55:00.13\00:55:02.30 In Jesus' name we pray and we thank You. Amen. 00:55:02.33\00:55:05.97 Ain't that really wonderful to know that 00:55:06.00\00:55:07.34 as we make that decision 00:55:07.37\00:55:09.07 and that we can turn our lives over to Christ 00:55:09.10\00:55:10.81 and He will receive us just as we are? 00:55:10.84\00:55:13.78 Be willing to walk with Him each and every day. 00:55:13.81\00:55:16.44 Friend, we thoroughly thank you 00:55:16.48\00:55:19.08 for what you do for this ministry 00:55:19.11\00:55:20.45 and helping us to get the message to the world. 00:55:20.48\00:55:22.78 We believe in not doing less we believe in doing more 00:55:22.82\00:55:25.35 and Jesus has given us that, 00:55:25.39\00:55:26.72 His Spirit has given us that opportunity. 00:55:26.76\00:55:28.26 Help us shoulder up with us. 00:55:28.29\00:55:29.76 Let's finish this work so that we can go home together. 00:55:29.79\00:55:32.59 Don't you want to go home? 00:55:32.63\00:55:33.96 Let's finish this work let's get together. 00:55:34.00\00:55:35.80 We love you and God loves you 00:55:35.83\00:55:37.47 and thanks for those decisions today 00:55:37.50\00:55:39.00 and we'll see you next time. 00:55:39.03\00:55:41.90 Hello, Friends and welcome back. 00:55:43.41\00:55:45.47 It is our prayer that none of us 00:55:45.51\00:55:47.61 will find ourselves amongst this group 00:55:47.64\00:55:50.51 that will never in this life fall on their knees 00:55:50.55\00:55:53.65 and proclaim Christ to be their Lord and their Savior. 00:55:53.68\00:55:58.09 Oh, we realize that a day is coming 00:55:58.12\00:56:00.76 after the second resurrection that indeed every knee will bow 00:56:00.79\00:56:05.33 and every tongue will confess that Jesus is LORD. 00:56:05.36\00:56:09.46 But at that time, it's too late to receive the just reward 00:56:09.50\00:56:13.90 that He so wanted to give us. 00:56:13.94\00:56:16.10 Pray and never cease praying for the conviction. 00:56:16.14\00:56:19.57 And the conversion of yourself and for your loved ones. 00:56:19.61\00:56:23.35 Well, the door of probation is yet open. 00:56:23.38\00:56:26.15 Listen to the Holy Spirit as He speak into your heart 00:56:26.18\00:56:29.95 to come in and then join the family of God. 00:56:29.98\00:56:33.56 This is a decision that you will never ever regret making. 00:56:33.59\00:56:38.76 And I hope that you'll allow us to help. 00:56:38.79\00:56:41.03 This message has been made available to send to you 00:56:41.06\00:56:43.93 for a love gift of just $8 or more. 00:56:43.97\00:56:47.17 And should you desire several copies, 00:56:47.20\00:56:49.80 we have what we call a sharing price. 00:56:49.84\00:56:52.51 When you ordered ten copies of any single message, 00:56:52.54\00:56:56.31 we will be happy to mail those to you 00:56:56.34\00:56:58.81 in paper sleeves 00:56:58.85\00:57:00.18 for a love gift of just $35 or more. 00:57:00.22\00:57:04.12 This is a great, and it isn't inexpensive way to share 00:57:04.15\00:57:08.09 the love of Jesus with your friends 00:57:08.12\00:57:10.53 and your family, 00:57:10.56\00:57:11.89 not to mention that your orders will help support are working, 00:57:11.93\00:57:15.86 getting these messages out over the airways 00:57:15.90\00:57:19.07 as a witness for our Lord. 00:57:19.10\00:57:21.14 Simply contact us here at Behold the Lamb Ministries 00:57:21.17\00:57:24.31 by calling area code 618-942-5044, 00:57:24.34\00:57:30.31 that's Central Standard Time. 00:57:30.35\00:57:32.08 Or you may write, Behold the Lamb Ministries, 00:57:32.11\00:57:34.98 PO BOX 2030, Herrin, Illinois, 62948. 00:57:35.02\00:57:40.36 Email your order 00:57:40.39\00:57:41.72 to BeholdtheLambMinistries @yahoo.com 00:57:41.76\00:57:45.03 or you may also order these messages 00:57:45.06\00:57:47.90 along with other messages on our website 00:57:47.93\00:57:50.50 at www.Behold theLambMinistries.com 00:57:50.53\00:57:56.07 Friends, until next time, may our precious Lord 00:57:56.10\00:57:59.34 continue to bless you and yours. 00:57:59.37\00:58:02.48