Hello, and welcome to
Behold the Lamb presents.
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I'm Chris Shelton, your host.
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And I'm so thankful that
you have chosen to join us
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for what I believe
will be a very informative
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hour of study today.
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You know when I was growing up,
I can recall hearing others say
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that if you wish to keep peace
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between your family and friends,
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never talk about
religion or politics.
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This saying
certainly does hold true,
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either of these
two subjects can become
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a real point of
contention in most circles,
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but hopefully not
for many Christians,
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and because of the
importance of these two topics,
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today we're
beginning a two part series
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that is entitled,
Religion and Politics.
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Now hold on, wait a minute,
please resist the temptation
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to turn off
your TV or your radio
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or to change that channel.
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Just ask yourself this question.
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If God does
have something to say
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about the coexistence
of religion and politics,
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shouldn't we want
to know His thoughts?
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Aren't His
thoughts to be our thoughts
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as a child of the King?
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And beside, if it
wasn't of importance
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for our relationship with Him,
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most likely He
wouldn't have bothered
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to mention anything about it
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or the combination
of the two in scripture
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or in a Spirit of Prophecy,
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so I hope that you would
be brave enough to stay tune
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as we begin part one
of Religion and Politics.
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But first, we're so blessed
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and so thankful to
visit the 3ABN Worship Center
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and have our hearts
lifted towards heaven
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as we listen to a
song that is entitled
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"Oh, Let Me Walk With The Thee"
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as sung by Christian Berdahl.
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O let me walk with Thee, my God
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As Enoch walked in days of old
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Place Thou my
trembling hand in Thine
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And sweet communion with me hold
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E'en though the
path I may not see
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Yet, Jesus, let
me walk with Thee
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I cannot, dare not, walk alone
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The tempest rages in the sky
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A thousand snares beset my feet
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A thousand foes are lurking nigh
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Still Thou the raging of the sea
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O Master! let me walk with Thee
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If I may rest my hand in Thine
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I'll count the joys of earth
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But loss And firmly
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bravely journey on
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I'll bear the
banner of the cross
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Till Zion's glorious gates I see
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Yet, Savior, let
me walk with Thee
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Till Zion's glorious gates
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I see Yet, Savior
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let me walk with Thee
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Thanks for joining us here
once again Behold the Lamb.
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As you heard in
the introduction,
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we're going to be talking
about religion and politics.
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Wow, how many times
this upsets a lot of people.
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And after all as a
Christian we've been taught
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and we realize
in Bible prophecy,
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that we need, there
needs to be a separation
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between church and state.
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So how does God look at?
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How does heaven
view when we get involved
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with the religion and politics?
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You know, I've often sat around
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and listen to
people talk about politics
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and most generally they
never really stay real calm,
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they get kind of excited.
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Their mom and
dad was a Republican,
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or their mom or
dad was a Democrat,
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whatever it might be.
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And somehow they feel that
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they are regardless
of what the party stands
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for or what it does.
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This is in our
blood, this is what we are.
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And we take a
real decided stand.
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You know is that really healthy
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as the Christian,
as a Bible believer?
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Is it really scriptural?
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Should we really
just really be involved in
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who is elected
office or who is not?
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Or offer some just
wonderful arguments
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as it were about
the Christian world,
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how we need to be
involved to make sure that
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we have the right
people in the right place,
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and so the
right laws are passed.
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Is that really
what scripture teaches?
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Is that really
what Jesus taught?
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I think this is very appropriate
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because somewhere,
somehow round the world,
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even in this
country, there is an election.
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Even in a presidential election,
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whatever it might be
that there are people who,
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they're adamant
about getting involved,
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they're adamant about
getting to the polling place
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and we have to
vote and offer to say,
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if you don't vote and
this country falls apart,
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you are to blame.
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And you know they just
can't really say it normal,
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they just have to
really all of the sudden,
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it's like the
blood pressure goes up
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and people just kind
of, want to be combat even.
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Is this really healthy?
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We're going to look to
see what the word of God says,
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but first we're
going to pray about.
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I want to give
you food for thought,
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I'm going to
kneel and have prayer,
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and I want you to pray too.
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You may think this is
not important, but it is.
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It plays a very,
very important part
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in Bible prophecy
about God's last day people,
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His church, and how
they're going to be involved,
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and what they're
going to be doing
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and can we be involved in
everything that's going on.
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Let's just see what
the word of God has to say,
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but let's pray first.
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Pray with me, will you?
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Loving Father in heaven,
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again we thank You for
the privilege of prayer,
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we thank You that we
may invite the Holy Spirit
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to consume our hearts,
our thoughts, our minds.
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May we view this
subject the way heaven views it.
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Not the way we were raised,
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not the way we were seeds
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that were planted in
our minds and our hearts
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and then we have to be
this side or that side,
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but which side
are we really are?
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So I pray that
through the instruction
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and the power of thy
spirit our minds will be emptied
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and just lay
things aside right now,
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just listen to what
you have to say to us
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that we may be on the right path
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because this too is the subject
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maybe you think
it's not important
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but there is a
truth and there is a lie
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from the enemy, a deception.
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So may we, as we
approach Your throne,
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as we invite Your Spirit,
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we pray that we will find out
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what truth is in
Jesus' name, amen.
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Again, it's important
that we have pencil and paper
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and so on and so forth
and write some things down.
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Had a tendency
sometime to go rather quickly.
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And I do want to
encourage, you know,
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we're so thankful for
the cards and the letters
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and support that you
send to Behold the Lamb.
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We're so grateful and thankful.
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We love to hear from you.
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You know, lot of
you view same things,
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that's good, that's wonderful,
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but you never
send your phone number,
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you can send your phone number
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if you want when
I have extra time.
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I love to call those
who want to get involved
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in this ministry and just
talk to you for a little bit,
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and sometime we get
busy, we neglect that,
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I want you to know
that we're thankful for you,
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praise God for you.
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You know, as we talk
about religion and politics.
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I want us to
think along the line
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and have your Bible, I
want you to turn with me.
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Again this first part,
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we're going to
be on a foundation.
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We're going to try dig it
deep based on the word of God,
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and sometime just
based on good common sense
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and principle of God's word,
that will help us to decide
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what we need to do,
and how we need to do
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when it comes to politics.
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In fact, this is
interesting how almost everybody
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wants to be
involved in politics.
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Listen carefully and
most generally here's
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what we come up with,
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"Well politics, man
it's, well that's crocked.
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Oh, they pull it, they tell you
one thing and they do another."
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I've heard all kind of things
that goes on during an election
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and name calling
and so on and so forth,
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but lot of times we
come to this conclusion
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that in politics
there's a lot of fabrication,
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there's a lot of, may
I say just lies go on.
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We try to say this is
what we're going to do
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when we get in office, we
hardly ever accomplish that
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so I think most
of us in agreement
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that in the political realm,
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there's not a whole
lot of truthful things
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and I know many
people get in there
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and they mean well.
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They have a right heart,
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they want to do the right thing,
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but all of you get in
this political machinery,
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it will cut you up
if you're not careful.
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Very interesting
thought, you have your Bible,
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I like you to turn with
me to the Book of Mark 12.
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Mark 12.
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This is a good principle,
this is a good foundation
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and we'll be able to
real spring from this,
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notice with me Mark 12,
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we're going to read two verses,
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I wished you would
read the whole chapter
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because it's so,
so very important
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but I think these
verses will help us
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to see the position
00:11:04.96\00:11:06.59
and we'll talk more
about this little bit later on.
00:11:06.63\00:11:08.83
The Jesus took
when He was confronted
00:11:08.86\00:11:11.93
to render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar's.
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Notice with me
verse 14, Mark 12.
00:11:16.14\00:11:19.34
Here's what the Bible says.
00:11:19.37\00:11:21.34
And when they
were come notice this,
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very Pharisees and action again.
00:11:23.98\00:11:26.31
Pharisees
always trailing around,
00:11:26.35\00:11:28.32
always following Jesus,
00:11:28.35\00:11:30.15
always trying to
get him to commit.
00:11:30.19\00:11:32.19
You know an air with
maybe just a word or a deed,
00:11:32.22\00:11:35.99
something that they
can hold him accountable,
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for something they
can get rid of him.
00:11:37.86\00:11:39.33
Put him out of existence.
00:11:39.36\00:11:41.06
So here they were again.
Here come these Pharisees.
00:11:41.10\00:11:44.87
In those verse 14 it says.
00:11:44.90\00:11:46.43
"And when they were come..."
00:11:46.47\00:11:47.80
Notice this,
"When they were come,
00:11:47.84\00:11:49.54
they say unto him..."
00:11:49.57\00:11:51.11
Notice how they do it,
00:11:51.14\00:11:52.51
they knew exactly
what they were up to.
00:11:52.54\00:11:54.58
You know what,
sometimes Christians,
00:11:54.61\00:11:56.71
so called conduct
themselves like this,
00:11:56.75\00:12:00.85
they try to set you up,
00:12:00.88\00:12:02.62
they try to
catch you in something,
00:12:02.65\00:12:04.52
they try to set the stage.
00:12:04.55\00:12:06.65
They knew what that were doing,
00:12:06.69\00:12:08.02
they were trying to get
all on the good side of Jesus
00:12:08.06\00:12:10.83
to catch him off guard
because they called him "Master,
00:12:10.86\00:12:14.50
we know that thou
art true, interesting,
00:12:14.53\00:12:17.80
if he were true and they
believe that they will be
00:12:17.83\00:12:19.40
following him, wouldn't they?
00:12:19.43\00:12:21.17
And this says
"Thou carest for no man."
00:12:21.20\00:12:23.77
If you isolate
that you say what,
00:12:23.81\00:12:25.51
Jesus, he
didn't care for anyone.
00:12:25.54\00:12:27.14
That means he didn't put, man,
00:12:27.18\00:12:28.51
he doesn't have, he doesn't say.
00:12:28.54\00:12:29.88
Well, this man
here is, you know,
00:12:29.91\00:12:31.25
we have him up here,
00:12:31.28\00:12:32.61
we have another man down here,
00:12:32.65\00:12:33.98
you know,
everybody is equal with God.
00:12:34.02\00:12:35.65
He cares for everyone the same.
00:12:35.68\00:12:37.69
"For thou regardest
not the person of men..."
00:12:37.72\00:12:40.52
His positioned or he
is thinks he might be.
00:12:40.56\00:12:43.49
But it said to Jesus,
00:12:43.53\00:12:44.86
he teaches the
way of God and truth.
00:12:44.89\00:12:47.43
Is it lawful to give
tribute to Caesar, or not?
00:12:47.46\00:12:51.60
What an interesting thing,
00:12:51.63\00:12:52.97
I kind of want to
challenge that sometime myself
00:12:53.00\00:12:55.40
because they're
talking about paying taxes.
00:12:55.44\00:12:58.17
Now that anybody in
the world is little more
00:12:58.21\00:12:59.91
aggravate about taxes than
me, I would like to know it.
00:12:59.94\00:13:03.11
No matter what
you do, you're taxed.
00:13:03.14\00:13:05.21
And we realize this is part of
what they approach Jesus with.
00:13:05.25\00:13:09.05
We have our own personal
thoughts on that, I'm sure.
00:13:09.08\00:13:11.75
But they were going to
try to catch him on this.
00:13:11.79\00:13:14.16
Now if we just get down
to verse 17 quickly, notice.
00:13:14.19\00:13:18.66
"Jesus answered and
he said unto them..."
00:13:18.69\00:13:22.46
Now what did he ask to do first?
00:13:22.50\00:13:24.27
He asked them to give, what?
00:13:24.30\00:13:26.37
Give me a penny, give me a coin.
00:13:26.40\00:13:28.47
How brilliant, how brilliant?
00:13:28.50\00:13:32.77
Should we pay to, here,
look, do you have a coin,
00:13:32.81\00:13:34.81
let me see, you had a penny.
00:13:34.84\00:13:37.68
Whose picture is on there?
00:13:37.71\00:13:39.31
The super
inscription is on there?
00:13:39.35\00:13:41.18
And notice what he said,
00:13:41.22\00:13:42.55
Jesus answered in
verse 17, said unto them.
00:13:42.58\00:13:46.22
Render to Caesar,
you know this well,
00:13:46.25\00:13:48.26
the things that are Caesar's,
00:13:48.29\00:13:49.79
and to God the
things that are God's
00:13:49.82\00:13:52.53
and they marvel to him.
00:13:52.56\00:13:54.33
They were shocked
because they thought
00:13:54.36\00:13:55.90
they had him cornered,
00:13:55.93\00:13:57.43
one way they
were going to get him,
00:13:57.47\00:13:58.80
if he went the other way,
00:13:58.83\00:14:00.17
they were going to get
him too. But he didn't.
00:14:00.20\00:14:02.87
And so we come to
the conclusion here
00:14:02.90\00:14:05.24
as Jesus answered this.
00:14:05.27\00:14:07.38
He rebuked number
one the hypocrisy,
00:14:07.41\00:14:10.81
and we could say the presumption
00:14:10.85\00:14:15.05
of these Pharisees
and he stated a principle.
00:14:15.08\00:14:18.72
I want you to notice
this, keep this as we study.
00:14:18.75\00:14:20.82
He stated a principle,
00:14:20.86\00:14:22.19
a principle that
clearly defines the limits,
00:14:22.22\00:14:27.16
notice the word, underline,
00:14:27.20\00:14:28.53
the limits of man's
duty to the civil government
00:14:28.56\00:14:32.30
and his duty to God.
00:14:32.33\00:14:34.00
Right here,
Jesus defines my duty
00:14:34.04\00:14:38.41
to the civil
government, and my duty to him.
00:14:38.44\00:14:43.04
This will be a foundation,
00:14:43.08\00:14:44.41
this will be a good
place to springboard,
00:14:44.45\00:14:45.78
wouldn't you think?
00:14:45.81\00:14:47.62
And then he goes on to let them
know the Pharisees, the Jews,
00:14:47.65\00:14:51.89
since they were living
under the protection of what?
00:14:51.92\00:14:57.03
Of the Roman government.
00:14:57.06\00:14:58.89
In other words, they
were eating from the table
00:14:58.93\00:15:00.26
of the government
there, they should render,
00:15:00.30\00:15:03.13
notice the Bible, it comes out,
00:15:03.16\00:15:04.50
the render, the power
00:15:04.53\00:15:08.07
that was in
being which was Rome,
00:15:08.10\00:15:09.67
and so if Rome said
that we are going to tax you,
00:15:09.70\00:15:11.91
then you're living there,
you have to pay those taxes.
00:15:11.94\00:15:14.78
Jesus said, render to him.
00:15:14.81\00:15:16.75
This is support they claimed.
00:15:16.78\00:15:18.41
Now notice if it stop
there, we may be in trouble,
00:15:18.45\00:15:21.28
but it did not stop there.
00:15:21.32\00:15:23.55
He went on and
notice the principle here
00:15:23.59\00:15:25.92
that as long as
that, you render to Caesar,
00:15:25.95\00:15:28.66
to the government as
long as it does not conflict
00:15:28.69\00:15:31.89
with our higher
duty is our duty to God.
00:15:31.93\00:15:35.53
So the
principle is always there,
00:15:35.56\00:15:37.60
we obey the laws of the land
00:15:37.63\00:15:39.47
as long as they don't
conflict with the laws of God,
00:15:39.50\00:15:42.57
when they do, we
have to take God's side.
00:15:42.60\00:15:45.27
Hope that makes sense to you.
00:15:45.31\00:15:48.38
What powerful
passage of scripture,
00:15:48.41\00:15:51.71
what we can draw
from these things.
00:15:51.75\00:15:54.58
I do believe this,
if we read Isaac 9:6.
00:15:54.62\00:15:59.25
It talks about, we're talking
about Jesus, the King of kings.
00:15:59.29\00:16:02.49
It talks about here,
00:16:02.52\00:16:03.86
the government would
be upon his shoulders.
00:16:03.89\00:16:06.43
We're talking a
heavenly government.
00:16:06.46\00:16:09.23
We're talking
about a savior here.
00:16:09.26\00:16:11.03
We're talking about
00:16:11.07\00:16:12.40
and really that word
is translated an empire,
00:16:12.43\00:16:15.60
that he would have power over,
00:16:15.64\00:16:17.14
he would have,
00:16:17.17\00:16:18.51
he would prevail over the enemy.
00:16:18.54\00:16:20.68
So it's a
different kind of government
00:16:20.71\00:16:22.94
that Christ was talking about
00:16:22.98\00:16:24.48
than what we talk
about in this world.
00:16:24.51\00:16:27.72
If you take Webster's
dictionary for instance,
00:16:27.75\00:16:30.39
and you just look up government,
00:16:30.42\00:16:32.12
interesting thought.
00:16:32.15\00:16:34.36
It is pretty
simple, it just says,
00:16:34.39\00:16:36.32
it's an authoritative
direction of the affairs of men.
00:16:36.36\00:16:40.36
So when you say
government, you have somebody
00:16:40.40\00:16:42.60
that's authoritative,
somebody's in authority here.
00:16:42.63\00:16:45.23
And they are giving direction
over the affairs of men
00:16:45.27\00:16:49.20
in a community, so they rule,
they have administration over.
00:16:49.24\00:16:54.51
Interesting, that's
government, politics.
00:16:54.54\00:16:58.68
You know what
should we do with politics?
00:16:58.71\00:17:00.72
Do we really just get
involved with politics?
00:17:00.75\00:17:04.09
How can we combine them together
00:17:04.12\00:17:05.85
or does a Bible say that
00:17:05.89\00:17:07.22
we should not
combine it together,
00:17:07.26\00:17:08.86
when may I just use this here
00:17:08.89\00:17:10.23
when the evangelical world
is really standing straight
00:17:10.26\00:17:14.26
and say we've got to get
Christians into office, wow.
00:17:14.30\00:17:20.44
It sounds good on
the surface, doesn't it?
00:17:20.47\00:17:23.24
But you realized,
there is a responsibility,
00:17:23.27\00:17:26.91
we going to point
out that responsibility
00:17:26.94\00:17:28.68
that you have and
I have when we vote.
00:17:28.71\00:17:33.31
Should a Christian really vote?
00:17:33.35\00:17:35.78
Oh, I know you talk politics,
00:17:35.82\00:17:37.29
you get the mild meekest person,
00:17:37.32\00:17:39.02
they get hot around the
collar, they can't stand it.
00:17:39.05\00:17:42.52
But this we
need to pay attention
00:17:42.56\00:17:43.89
because there's a
truth in God's word.
00:17:43.93\00:17:46.90
See, many people
I believe has tried
00:17:46.93\00:17:48.36
to gain a correct
view about being involved
00:17:48.40\00:17:52.53
in the political
world, think about it.
00:17:52.57\00:17:54.90
And as
followers of Jesus Christ,
00:17:54.94\00:17:57.47
should we understand or
do we need to understand
00:17:57.51\00:17:59.84
the importance of our position.
00:17:59.87\00:18:03.11
Should we maintain a position,
especially in the world,
00:18:03.14\00:18:07.42
where most people
think that it's all right.
00:18:07.45\00:18:10.02
They say its' my
duty, it's my duty to vote.
00:18:10.05\00:18:14.89
Still we look at as
there are other people
00:18:14.92\00:18:18.33
that say admirably we
should not be involved at all.
00:18:18.36\00:18:23.00
Who is right?
00:18:23.03\00:18:24.37
Surely there is a right
and surely there is a wrong,
00:18:24.40\00:18:27.00
especially when
we go to God's word.
00:18:27.04\00:18:29.14
To me there is
not any such thing,
00:18:29.17\00:18:31.17
not any such thing we
are looking in here and say,
00:18:31.21\00:18:32.67
these are great, we
can't figure it out.
00:18:32.71\00:18:34.54
Why would God give us
something in the word of God,
00:18:34.58\00:18:36.51
it say we can't
figure out right and wrong.
00:18:36.54\00:18:38.41
That's a lie of the devil.
00:18:38.45\00:18:41.08
Not that we don't
want to figure it out,
00:18:41.12\00:18:42.45
because we don't
want to change our life.
00:18:42.48\00:18:44.79
So will you have
those who says it's my duty,
00:18:44.82\00:18:47.02
on the other hand you say,
that don't be involved at all.
00:18:47.06\00:18:50.99
In fact I've seen this.
00:18:51.03\00:18:52.46
Some church members,
people go to church to same,
00:18:52.49\00:18:56.06
you know, playing place
they've been together for years.
00:18:56.10\00:18:59.10
And they just cannot
discuss political matters.
00:18:59.13\00:19:02.74
They just can't do it.
00:19:02.77\00:19:05.44
When they start
talking about politics,
00:19:05.47\00:19:07.04
all of the sudden
there is division,
00:19:07.08\00:19:08.78
there are people get,
00:19:08.81\00:19:10.15
may be lose their
patience a little bit
00:19:10.18\00:19:11.51
and they feel like
when you say politics,
00:19:11.55\00:19:13.68
I'm demanded to take a side.
00:19:13.72\00:19:16.15
I want to go one side
or the other I have to.
00:19:16.18\00:19:19.69
Not so much as what is right,
00:19:19.72\00:19:23.32
not so much as
this is the right.
00:19:23.36\00:19:25.49
I'm looking at
the whole total thing
00:19:25.53\00:19:26.90
and what is right
based on the word of God,
00:19:26.93\00:19:29.03
this is what I must do.
00:19:29.06\00:19:30.57
But based on maybe a party.
00:19:30.60\00:19:34.27
What is...
00:19:34.30\00:19:35.64
not for people
say, well I don't know
00:19:35.67\00:19:37.01
if it's really
right or wrong or not,
00:19:37.04\00:19:38.37
but that's my political party,
00:19:38.41\00:19:39.74
that's where I'm going to stand,
00:19:39.77\00:19:41.11
I'm going to
live, I'm going to die
00:19:41.14\00:19:42.48
by my political party.
00:19:42.51\00:19:44.18
Sometime issues
become so strained,
00:19:44.21\00:19:47.65
even among brothers and
sisters and church people,
00:19:47.68\00:19:50.69
that some people get
hot around the collar
00:19:50.72\00:19:53.92
you can almost see
the smoke coming out
00:19:53.96\00:19:56.39
when they're
talking about politics.
00:19:56.42\00:19:58.29
And you know what?
00:19:58.33\00:19:59.66
Some people
have left the church.
00:19:59.69\00:20:02.50
They've left the cause of Christ
00:20:02.53\00:20:04.13
because they couldn't get along
00:20:04.17\00:20:05.50
because they fussed and
fought over political questions.
00:20:05.53\00:20:09.17
Wow.
00:20:09.20\00:20:11.41
Many often
discuss worldly issues
00:20:11.44\00:20:15.64
and they even
debate these worldly issues
00:20:15.68\00:20:17.95
rather where they will.
00:20:17.98\00:20:20.82
But when it
comes to the knowledge
00:20:20.85\00:20:22.18
of the Word of God,
00:20:22.22\00:20:24.05
sometimes it's
just simply lacking,
00:20:24.09\00:20:26.15
they just don't
have that knowledge.
00:20:26.19\00:20:28.92
Think about how sad that we can
talk about the political scene
00:20:28.96\00:20:32.99
all around the
world what's going on,
00:20:33.03\00:20:34.36
we can talk about,
00:20:34.40\00:20:35.73
we know what's
going on in every area.
00:20:35.76\00:20:39.03
But we don't know, you know,
00:20:39.07\00:20:41.44
where to find the Book
of Genesis in the Bible.
00:20:41.47\00:20:44.24
Something's not quite right.
00:20:44.27\00:20:46.07
It's the enemy pushing
us into a corner somewhere
00:20:46.11\00:20:48.74
as he is trying to get us to be
more political than religious.
00:20:48.78\00:20:52.11
I might use that loosely.
00:20:52.15\00:20:55.05
He's working here in a
way that maybe we haven't seen
00:20:55.08\00:20:58.85
because listen,
people have been killed
00:20:58.89\00:21:02.46
over the political question,
00:21:02.49\00:21:05.16
people have attempted murder.
00:21:05.19\00:21:08.46
Things that we may
never know in this life
00:21:08.50\00:21:10.73
when it comes to
politics and who sits
00:21:10.77\00:21:13.00
on the throne as it were.
00:21:13.03\00:21:15.50
Or should we've been
more concerned about God
00:21:15.54\00:21:17.97
sitting up on the
throne as a Christian?
00:21:18.01\00:21:20.38
Who should I be supporting?
00:21:20.41\00:21:21.74
Who should I be spending time?
00:21:21.78\00:21:24.41
It's just a good
food for thought.
00:21:24.45\00:21:27.15
How does heaven view this issue?
00:21:27.18\00:21:31.39
That where we
spend so much time,
00:21:31.42\00:21:33.82
people get on the computer,
00:21:33.86\00:21:35.19
they spend hours and
hours arguing with people
00:21:35.22\00:21:37.73
they went to school
with, or complete strangers
00:21:37.76\00:21:41.26
about issues that
it does not matter
00:21:41.30\00:21:43.53
what you think about it.
00:21:43.57\00:21:45.00
It doesn't matter
about your position.
00:21:45.03\00:21:47.80
The people in
the high, you know,
00:21:47.84\00:21:49.44
elected this office
is basically gonna do
00:21:49.47\00:21:51.21
what they feel they need to do.
00:21:51.24\00:21:53.04
They scratch each other's back.
00:21:53.07\00:21:55.24
They get you to
vote for something,
00:21:55.28\00:21:56.61
they want to pass and you vote
00:21:56.64\00:21:57.98
for something they want to pass.
00:21:58.01\00:22:00.95
And sometime
they call a lot of...
00:22:00.98\00:22:02.58
Oh, we'd be careful
now, lot of pork going on.
00:22:02.62\00:22:05.49
I think some of you get
it, rest of you won't get it.
00:22:05.52\00:22:08.79
What's really important to us?
00:22:08.82\00:22:13.09
Certainly our
work as Christians,
00:22:13.13\00:22:15.06
I don't think there's a debate,
there shouldn't be a debate.
00:22:15.10\00:22:17.53
Our work should
be to get this gospel
00:22:17.57\00:22:20.27
preached into all the world.
00:22:20.30\00:22:21.64
This is where I need
to be spending my time.
00:22:21.67\00:22:23.57
The good news of
Christ's soon return
00:22:23.61\00:22:26.07
in the clouds of glory.
00:22:26.11\00:22:27.74
This is our mission.
00:22:27.78\00:22:29.81
This is our goal.
00:22:29.84\00:22:33.72
Is it to save perishing
souls from ruin, I think so.
00:22:33.75\00:22:38.85
Isn't the life that I
live, should it not be
00:22:38.89\00:22:41.69
a life of
service to my fellowman?
00:22:41.72\00:22:46.59
Tell others about
Jesus and his coming.
00:22:46.63\00:22:49.60
What does this, all
of this really mean?
00:22:49.63\00:22:52.93
Does this mean...
00:22:52.97\00:22:54.30
Let me just kind of
pose you a little question.
00:22:54.34\00:22:55.97
We're talking about
spending time politics,
00:22:56.00\00:22:58.31
spending time religion or church
00:22:58.34\00:23:00.64
or studying in the Word.
00:23:00.68\00:23:03.11
What does it really mean?
00:23:03.14\00:23:04.75
Should we spend our
time by trying to put
00:23:04.78\00:23:09.48
someone in a public office
00:23:09.52\00:23:12.62
or someone in heavenly places?
00:23:12.65\00:23:18.19
Did you get that?
00:23:18.23\00:23:20.06
Should we spend our time
trying to put someone, where?
00:23:20.10\00:23:23.77
In public
office or trying to put
00:23:23.80\00:23:26.57
someone in heavenly places.
00:23:26.60\00:23:28.70
Because it takes time,
00:23:28.74\00:23:30.27
we are accountable for our time.
00:23:30.31\00:23:33.24
And you say, well, I can really
make a difference, really.
00:23:33.27\00:23:36.28
Think about all the years
that Christians have voted
00:23:36.31\00:23:38.38
and look at the
mess this country is in
00:23:38.41\00:23:40.35
and continues to get worse.
00:23:40.38\00:23:43.18
There is no
hope for this country
00:23:43.22\00:23:45.12
outside of Christ.
00:23:45.15\00:23:47.52
And so Christians
need to do their part,
00:23:47.56\00:23:49.52
God's gonna take care of things,
00:23:49.56\00:23:51.03
I can guarantee you this.
00:23:51.06\00:23:53.33
You know when Isaiah was talking
00:23:53.36\00:23:54.70
about the
government is on his shoulders,
00:23:54.73\00:23:57.27
that means the weight of
the world, he's in control.
00:23:57.30\00:24:00.90
He sits on the throne.
00:24:00.94\00:24:02.97
He sets kings up
and he takes them down.
00:24:03.00\00:24:05.21
But we think,
no, we're gonna vote,
00:24:05.24\00:24:06.61
we're gonna do, really.
00:24:06.64\00:24:08.51
Remember there is
an accountability here,
00:24:08.54\00:24:10.18
that some of us
maybe have never looked at,
00:24:10.21\00:24:11.75
we're gonna get into it.
00:24:11.78\00:24:13.82
The Apostle Paul
makes this very, very clear.
00:24:13.85\00:24:16.42
Oh, I tell you, I
just love the Word of God
00:24:16.45\00:24:18.39
because it becomes so clear
00:24:18.42\00:24:19.75
if you just open
and begin to study it.
00:24:19.79\00:24:21.69
The Holy Spirit
would just enlighten you.
00:24:21.72\00:24:23.96
Paul made this
statement in 1 Corinthians 3:9,
00:24:23.99\00:24:27.66
it says simply, this
is part of the verse,
00:24:27.70\00:24:30.47
he said, "We are
laborers together with God."
00:24:30.50\00:24:34.47
He didn't say we were laborers
together with this group
00:24:34.50\00:24:37.11
or that group or over here,
00:24:37.14\00:24:39.61
and that doesn't mean
that we're not to work with
00:24:39.64\00:24:41.24
and so on and so forth,
00:24:41.28\00:24:42.61
but notice where we
spend our time and our energy
00:24:42.64\00:24:44.35
and our means and the
hours that we have to live.
00:24:44.38\00:24:48.35
We are laborers with whom?
00:24:48.38\00:24:50.39
Together with God.
00:24:50.42\00:24:52.05
How awesome?
00:24:52.09\00:24:53.42
People say, oh, I'd
love to work for a President,
00:24:53.46\00:24:55.32
oh, I'd love to
work for a Governor,
00:24:55.36\00:24:56.69
I'd love to work...
I'm working with God.
00:24:56.73\00:24:58.26
How about you?
00:24:58.29\00:24:59.63
I'm a co-laborer with
him, together with him.
00:24:59.66\00:25:02.50
Wow, how awesome?
00:25:02.53\00:25:05.13
Now that verse is as
exciting, but I want to read
00:25:05.17\00:25:08.30
just a comment about
this verse and it's found in,
00:25:08.34\00:25:11.74
I'd like the little book
called Acts of the Apostle,
00:25:11.77\00:25:13.81
page 303.
00:25:13.84\00:25:15.38
Now remember, I'd
love the Spirit of Prophecy
00:25:15.41\00:25:17.41
and I would be using
the Spirit of Prophecy,
00:25:17.45\00:25:19.41
it helps me to
understand the Word of God
00:25:19.45\00:25:21.75
because they were
always gel with scripture,
00:25:21.78\00:25:24.89
and the devil
tries to get you say,
00:25:24.92\00:25:26.25
well, let's not use
this, let's just use it.
00:25:26.29\00:25:29.09
Keep your mind, your heart open.
00:25:29.12\00:25:31.53
If it differs from scripture,
we have to throw it out,
00:25:31.56\00:25:33.40
if it doesn't just
accept it as something good.
00:25:33.43\00:25:36.90
Here's what this verse talks
about in 1 Corinthians 3:9,
00:25:36.93\00:25:39.53
"We're laborers
together with God."
00:25:39.57\00:25:41.17
It tells us this,
00:25:41.20\00:25:42.54
"United with Christ,
the greatest teacher..."
00:25:42.57\00:25:46.91
See, who's gonna
argue that point?
00:25:46.94\00:25:48.44
No one, we are
to unite with who?
00:25:48.48\00:25:51.48
We are to unite with Christ.
00:25:51.51\00:25:53.98
Some of us might
say, you know what?
00:25:54.02\00:25:56.35
I'm united with this group
and I'm united with that group,
00:25:56.38\00:25:58.85
I'm united...
00:25:58.89\00:26:00.22
we are to be number
one, united with Christ,
00:26:00.26\00:26:03.79
the greatest teacher.
00:26:03.83\00:26:06.29
See Paul had been
enabled to communicate lessons
00:26:06.33\00:26:10.10
of divine wisdom here in
Acts of the Apostles 303.
00:26:10.13\00:26:13.17
What did Paul do?
00:26:13.20\00:26:14.54
He communicated
lessons of divine wisdom.
00:26:14.57\00:26:17.27
Notice these words,
00:26:17.31\00:26:18.94
which met the
necessities of all classes.
00:26:18.97\00:26:22.64
So what the Bible teaches,
00:26:22.68\00:26:24.01
what Paul was
teaching will meet,
00:26:24.05\00:26:25.81
notice this, the
necessities of all classes,
00:26:25.85\00:26:28.25
all others,
00:26:28.28\00:26:30.12
which were to be
applied at all times,
00:26:30.15\00:26:34.36
didn't change and all
places around the world
00:26:34.39\00:26:38.39
that God knows, and
under all conditions.
00:26:38.43\00:26:41.13
So what the Bible teaches,
what Paul was teaching here,
00:26:41.16\00:26:44.20
regardless if we're talking
about politics, you know,
00:26:44.23\00:26:47.04
religion and politics,
whatever we talk about,
00:26:47.07\00:26:48.84
the Bible becomes clear.
00:26:48.87\00:26:51.17
The lessons that he
taught, they're for all classes,
00:26:51.21\00:26:53.84
that means everybody,
high, low, rich, poor,
00:26:53.88\00:26:55.74
bound, free, we know that.
00:26:55.78\00:26:57.38
They're to apply all
times, there's no well,
00:26:57.41\00:27:00.25
you used to it and not at all,
00:27:00.28\00:27:03.08
all places,
under all conditions.
00:27:03.12\00:27:06.76
So that helps us
to set that stage
00:27:06.79\00:27:08.59
and build a
little bit of concrete,
00:27:08.62\00:27:10.39
little bit thicker here,
so we have a good platform.
00:27:10.43\00:27:13.29
We are to then, Bible
says, yoke up with Christ,
00:27:13.33\00:27:16.23
how wonderful that is.
00:27:16.26\00:27:18.00
We are to yoke up with who?
00:27:18.03\00:27:19.37
With Christ, we
are to do his work
00:27:19.40\00:27:22.94
in the world and
not the world's work.
00:27:22.97\00:27:26.37
Got to be interesting thought.
00:27:26.41\00:27:28.04
And let me tell
you, you say, well,
00:27:28.08\00:27:29.58
we can do both, you
can't have it both ways.
00:27:29.61\00:27:32.25
Wow.
00:27:32.28\00:27:33.62
What do you mean we
can't have it both ways?
00:27:33.65\00:27:35.72
Number one, the
Bible's very clear,
00:27:35.75\00:27:37.35
we're to yoke up with Christ,
00:27:37.39\00:27:38.72
we're to unite
with Jesus Christ.
00:27:38.75\00:27:41.39
We're to do his work.
00:27:41.42\00:27:43.83
We're to do the
work of winning souls
00:27:43.86\00:27:46.19
to the kingdom of
God, not the world's work.
00:27:46.23\00:27:49.00
Somebody is saying
we're talking about politics,
00:27:49.03\00:27:50.90
it's the world's work, yes.
00:27:50.93\00:27:54.00
There's a difference and I think
00:27:54.04\00:27:55.37
we'll get to
that in just a moment.
00:27:55.40\00:27:56.74
There's a big difference,
00:27:56.77\00:27:58.11
there's a thing
that's called common,
00:27:58.14\00:27:59.47
there's a thing
that's, that's sacred.
00:27:59.51\00:28:01.68
But as Christians do we
really know the difference
00:28:01.71\00:28:03.71
or in some cases
do we really care?
00:28:03.75\00:28:08.35
We're to yoke up
with Christ, do his work.
00:28:08.38\00:28:11.65
In fact the Bible's
very clear in Matthew 6:24,
00:28:11.69\00:28:14.86
listen carefully you've read it.
00:28:14.89\00:28:16.73
It simply says, No
man can serve what?
00:28:16.76\00:28:18.73
Good, "No man can
serve two masters."
00:28:18.76\00:28:22.53
Now remember, many
time we put more emphasis,
00:28:22.56\00:28:24.80
more time, more energy,
00:28:24.83\00:28:26.17
more means in having
someone elected to office than
00:28:26.20\00:28:30.21
we are to try to win a
soul to heaven to Jesus.
00:28:30.24\00:28:33.91
How does heaven view that?
00:28:33.94\00:28:35.28
Oh my, you can't
serve two masters.
00:28:35.31\00:28:39.35
Well, you say, well,
we'll try to get a balance.
00:28:39.38\00:28:41.42
Find somebody who's in
politics and let me see
00:28:41.45\00:28:43.35
if you can find a balance.
00:28:43.39\00:28:46.99
There's a line that's drawn.
00:28:47.02\00:28:49.39
I kind of like a line,
00:28:49.42\00:28:50.76
how about you, some of you?
00:28:50.79\00:28:52.13
Sometimes say, here's,
here's the line right here.
00:28:52.16\00:28:54.50
You've ever had that happen
while you were growing up?
00:28:54.53\00:28:58.17
Did someone said
they gave you a dare?
00:28:58.20\00:29:01.27
They came up to you and
they took their little foot
00:29:01.30\00:29:02.87
and they just
made a line across here
00:29:02.90\00:29:04.87
and said I dare
you to, to cross that.
00:29:04.91\00:29:07.44
Well you know what?
00:29:07.48\00:29:08.81
Really when I was growing up
and somebody before they could
00:29:08.84\00:29:10.98
probably get that line
drawn, I was already on them.
00:29:11.01\00:29:14.32
I knew what they were getting
ready to do, so I did it first.
00:29:14.35\00:29:16.65
Look out, they're drawing a line
00:29:16.69\00:29:18.75
and it said
don't cross that line
00:29:18.79\00:29:20.42
because if you do,
here's what I'm gonna do.
00:29:20.46\00:29:23.73
Or don't ever dare me not
to cross the line because,
00:29:23.76\00:29:26.19
that point of time I did,
many of you the same way so,
00:29:26.23\00:29:29.36
there's that line drawn between
Christians and the world.
00:29:29.40\00:29:34.10
Did you get it, church?
00:29:34.14\00:29:35.47
There is a line that is
drawn between Christians,
00:29:35.50\00:29:39.17
God's people and the
world, there's a big line there,
00:29:39.21\00:29:42.04
we need to
understand there's a line there.
00:29:42.08\00:29:45.01
And a Christian knows
00:29:45.05\00:29:46.72
when to stop short of that line,
00:29:46.75\00:29:48.98
the world does
not know how to stop.
00:29:49.02\00:29:51.15
They simply step
over the line, why?
00:29:51.19\00:29:53.39
To gratify self, we want
to, we want to be involved.
00:29:53.42\00:29:57.56
You see there is
no neutral position.
00:29:57.59\00:30:00.46
As much as we might
like a neutral position,
00:30:00.50\00:30:02.66
there is no neutral
position in the cause of Christ.
00:30:02.70\00:30:07.20
And I know some
Christians, they feel strong,
00:30:07.24\00:30:10.24
strong about the
condition of the world
00:30:10.27\00:30:12.74
and the mess they're in.
00:30:12.77\00:30:14.24
I feel strong
about the conditions,
00:30:14.28\00:30:16.08
I feel strong about this
world and where it's headed,
00:30:16.11\00:30:18.48
and what's going on with people.
00:30:18.51\00:30:20.05
Things are
happening in the world,
00:30:20.08\00:30:21.48
I'm telling you,
it's just, it's so sad.
00:30:21.52\00:30:23.55
Things are just happening,
people are dying by the,
00:30:23.59\00:30:26.02
by the thousands,
there's earthquakes,
00:30:26.05\00:30:27.56
there's fires, there's floods.
00:30:27.59\00:30:30.26
Just on the news,
the longer you go,
00:30:30.29\00:30:31.79
cars floating
by, water over the...
00:30:31.83\00:30:36.33
People dying by the
hundreds and thousands.
00:30:36.36\00:30:38.83
I'm cautious and I'm
thinking about all these issues.
00:30:38.87\00:30:44.34
Man does not have the answers,
00:30:44.37\00:30:45.84
he keeps
thinking to raise taxes,
00:30:45.87\00:30:48.14
do something else.
00:30:48.18\00:30:49.98
We've got to
continue to go forward
00:30:50.01\00:30:51.41
but how long can that exist
00:30:51.45\00:30:53.52
before all blows up in our face?
00:30:53.55\00:30:55.98
But I am aware
of these conditions,
00:30:56.02\00:30:57.75
that I am aware of a change,
00:30:57.79\00:30:59.15
every politician
since I've been born,
00:30:59.19\00:31:01.22
I'd be able to comprehend
has promised a change.
00:31:01.26\00:31:04.49
And there really
has been no change.
00:31:04.53\00:31:06.26
We've grown deeper in debt.
00:31:06.29\00:31:08.10
It's getting worse and worse.
00:31:08.13\00:31:10.57
So do we really
want to be in something
00:31:10.60\00:31:12.13
that's never going to
bear really the fruit?
00:31:12.17\00:31:14.34
That people
running for office say
00:31:14.37\00:31:17.07
this is what we're going to do?
00:31:17.11\00:31:18.44
We get in the office,
this is what we're gonna do,
00:31:18.47\00:31:19.81
this is what we're gonna do.
00:31:19.84\00:31:21.18
How many really do
that's involved that did not,
00:31:21.21\00:31:22.88
if they don't accomplish
that, that's a lie, is it?
00:31:22.91\00:31:25.91
And do we become
involved in that?
00:31:25.95\00:31:28.18
What really needs to
change, my brothers and sisters,
00:31:31.59\00:31:35.59
what really needs to be changed?
00:31:35.62\00:31:38.33
The world, listen,
the world is to be changed
00:31:38.36\00:31:41.26
or the people of the world.
00:31:41.30\00:31:45.33
See, it's pretty close,
00:31:45.37\00:31:46.70
the words are
similar but notice,
00:31:46.74\00:31:48.10
does the world
need to be changed
00:31:48.14\00:31:50.11
or the people of the world?
00:31:50.14\00:31:54.04
And how does that come about?
00:31:54.08\00:31:56.58
Can it come about?
00:31:56.61\00:31:59.78
Keep some of these,
just these quick thoughts
00:31:59.81\00:32:01.55
there in your mind
because we realized,
00:32:01.58\00:32:04.09
remember, you can't
serve God and the world.
00:32:04.12\00:32:07.32
Some people say, you
know, I think it's possible.
00:32:07.36\00:32:09.92
Notice this
statement if you will with me
00:32:09.96\00:32:12.69
and again we want a balance.
00:32:12.73\00:32:14.76
It's very
important as a Christian
00:32:14.80\00:32:16.13
to be balanced Christian.
00:32:16.16\00:32:17.90
Regardless of your thoughts,
00:32:17.93\00:32:19.27
regardless of
how you were raised,
00:32:19.30\00:32:20.64
regardless of
how you were taught,
00:32:20.67\00:32:22.00
we always go back and we lean
on the Word of God, and say,
00:32:22.04\00:32:24.14
what does the Word say always?
00:32:24.17\00:32:26.34
And then we give away
with all these other things.
00:32:26.37\00:32:28.44
Oh, little book,
00:32:28.48\00:32:29.81
oh, I love this little
book called Mount of Blessing.
00:32:29.84\00:32:31.88
Everybody needs to have one.
00:32:31.91\00:32:33.25
It's kind of a daily
devotional and just gives you
00:32:33.28\00:32:35.35
what you need for that day.
00:32:35.38\00:32:37.02
I just wish
everyone in the world
00:32:37.05\00:32:38.75
would just be on the same page
00:32:38.79\00:32:40.36
as it were just open
that page for the day.
00:32:40.39\00:32:42.89
What a blessing would be page 94
00:32:42.92\00:32:45.19
gives us statement, notice,
00:32:45.23\00:32:47.10
says, "He who does not
give himself wholly to God,
00:32:47.13\00:32:51.57
oh my, is under the
control of another power.
00:32:51.60\00:32:55.80
He who does not
give himself how?
00:32:55.84\00:32:58.47
Come on, wholly,
00:32:58.51\00:33:00.28
he who do not give
himself wholly to God
00:33:00.31\00:33:02.71
is under the
control of another power.
00:33:02.74\00:33:05.91
He is listening to another voice
00:33:05.95\00:33:09.48
whose suggestions are
entirely different character.
00:33:09.52\00:33:14.69
Now notice this,
interesting words,
00:33:14.72\00:33:16.26
you can preach a
lot of sermons on this,
00:33:16.29\00:33:17.86
some of you preachers out there.
00:33:17.89\00:33:19.79
Half and half.
00:33:19.83\00:33:22.16
I think when I was
introduced possibly
00:33:22.20\00:33:24.27
to half and half
as many years ago,
00:33:24.30\00:33:26.20
when they first came up with a,
00:33:26.23\00:33:27.67
used to have
whole milk all the time
00:33:27.70\00:33:29.17
and I think they've come up
00:33:29.20\00:33:30.54
with something
called half and half.
00:33:30.57\00:33:32.97
That mean that wasn't real,
00:33:33.01\00:33:34.34
it wasn't a real McCoy, was it?
00:33:34.38\00:33:35.91
But notice, the enemy has
something different for you.
00:33:35.94\00:33:38.98
If you do not give yourself
00:33:39.01\00:33:40.75
100 percent, the devil comes in.
00:33:40.78\00:33:44.39
Jesus said, he who is
not with me is against me.
00:33:44.42\00:33:46.76
How do we say, well,
I'll take 99 percent,
00:33:46.79\00:33:48.62
the devil can have one.
00:33:48.66\00:33:49.99
Absolutely not, that's
what the Bible teach you,
00:33:50.03\00:33:52.43
we're wholly his or
we're not, and if we're not...
00:33:52.46\00:33:54.66
we say, oh, we are, we
go to church, we do all...
00:33:54.70\00:33:56.77
If you haven't given
yourself wholly to him,
00:33:56.80\00:33:58.80
no
reservations, no holding back.
00:33:58.83\00:34:01.40
The enemy is talking to you
and you're thinking it's God.
00:34:01.44\00:34:03.97
Remember, he's gonna talk
00:34:04.01\00:34:05.34
and say some little sweet things
00:34:05.37\00:34:06.71
have you these
nice little good things.
00:34:06.74\00:34:08.08
Think that you're still
being led by the Spirit of God,
00:34:08.11\00:34:10.31
but notice how it says,
"Half-and-half service places
00:34:10.35\00:34:14.12
the human agent on
the side of the enemy."
00:34:14.15\00:34:17.49
So if you are half
and half, I'm 50-50,
00:34:17.52\00:34:19.89
you can say I'm
70, you know 70-30,
00:34:19.92\00:34:22.36
still on the side, I'm 90-10
00:34:22.39\00:34:24.49
still on the side of the enemy.
00:34:24.53\00:34:28.83
And notice what it says,
"On the side of the enemy
00:34:28.86\00:34:30.87
as a successful ally
of the hosts of darkness."
00:34:30.90\00:34:35.04
You don't want to be
on the side of the enemy,
00:34:35.07\00:34:36.77
I don't want to be on
the side of the enemy,
00:34:36.81\00:34:38.51
but I've to get
myself wholly to him,
00:34:38.54\00:34:40.31
I have to be open to
what the spirit is saying.
00:34:40.34\00:34:43.31
Again the Mount of
Blessings, page 94, 95 says this
00:34:43.35\00:34:46.51
'cause I heard people,
00:34:46.55\00:34:47.88
all they give you
some dandies on this.
00:34:47.92\00:34:49.98
They're talking about
somebody who's a genius.
00:34:50.02\00:34:52.05
Oh, man there must be a
God given genius over here.
00:34:52.09\00:34:55.09
Somebody is talented
is what the article says
00:34:55.12\00:34:57.29
knows the talent, sympathy,
00:34:57.33\00:34:59.73
even generous person,
they're giving all the time,
00:34:59.76\00:35:02.70
notice this, somebody
doing kindly deeds all the time,
00:35:02.73\00:35:06.23
may oh, may become
notice this decoys of the devil.
00:35:06.27\00:35:11.27
Did some of you get that?
00:35:11.31\00:35:12.94
A genius may be a decoy,
00:35:12.97\00:35:15.04
doesn't have to be of the devil.
00:35:15.08\00:35:17.21
Somebody very talented
can be a decoy of the devil,
00:35:17.25\00:35:20.62
because you say, man,
00:35:20.65\00:35:21.98
that kind of talent has
to be God given, really.
00:35:22.02\00:35:25.52
This person is very
sympathetic in time of crisis,
00:35:25.55\00:35:28.06
and somebody's
hurting or somebody
00:35:28.09\00:35:29.52
and they're there and
they're giving sympathy
00:35:29.56\00:35:30.89
which we should do that.
00:35:30.93\00:35:32.36
But sometimes the
enemy, he doesn't mind that
00:35:32.39\00:35:34.33
because you find
this sympathy here
00:35:34.36\00:35:37.47
and then you look and you, say,
00:35:37.50\00:35:38.83
oh, well that
must be from Jesus.
00:35:38.87\00:35:42.04
Wow.
00:35:42.07\00:35:44.57
But notice, the decoys of Satan
00:35:44.61\00:35:49.48
and he does this
to entice, notice,
00:35:49.51\00:35:51.88
other souls over the
precipice of ruin for this life
00:35:51.91\00:35:56.99
and the life to come.
00:35:57.02\00:35:58.35
So he can use the
genius, he can use talent,
00:35:58.39\00:36:00.69
he can use
sympathy, he can use generous
00:36:00.72\00:36:02.96
people giving all
the time, kindly deeds.
00:36:02.99\00:36:06.83
The enemy can
use those as decoys,
00:36:06.86\00:36:08.83
we have to line up with
the Word of God, don't we?
00:36:08.86\00:36:12.00
We have to line up
with the Word of God.
00:36:12.03\00:36:14.67
I hope somebody is lining
up with that Word of God today.
00:36:14.70\00:36:18.87
See we must also consider
our influence as a Christian,
00:36:18.91\00:36:24.61
our influence as a Christian.
00:36:24.65\00:36:27.65
Not to bind it up,
notice this, with unbelievers,
00:36:27.68\00:36:32.29
are you still with me?
00:36:32.32\00:36:33.92
So as a Christian, you
have a mighty influence.
00:36:33.96\00:36:38.09
It can be for good or for evil,
but you do have a influence.
00:36:38.13\00:36:41.96
You say, well, I'm not
an influence to anybody,
00:36:42.00\00:36:43.53
yes you are.
00:36:43.57\00:36:45.57
You are an influence
one way or the other.
00:36:45.60\00:36:48.04
And then we're told
that we're not to be what,
00:36:48.07\00:36:50.07
to bind that
influence up with unbelievers.
00:36:50.11\00:36:54.44
Romans 14:7,
00:36:54.48\00:36:56.64
"For none of us
liveth unto himself.
00:36:56.68\00:36:59.51
The Bible says no one does what?
00:36:59.55\00:37:01.35
No one lives unto himself.
00:37:01.38\00:37:02.72
Well, I'm just
taking care of myself,
00:37:02.75\00:37:04.09
nobody knows I
don't have any friends,
00:37:04.12\00:37:05.49
no one, that's
what the Bible said.
00:37:05.52\00:37:07.29
You may think you
are but you're not.
00:37:07.32\00:37:09.69
You may not get out very often,
you know what the neighbor say,
00:37:09.72\00:37:11.96
I've got a neighbor over here,
he didn't get out very often.
00:37:11.99\00:37:15.60
Well nobody sees what I do.
00:37:15.63\00:37:16.97
Well, they go to
town once a week.
00:37:17.00\00:37:18.93
And they can
pretty much tell you
00:37:18.97\00:37:20.30
what you bring home
in your groceries ha,
00:37:20.34\00:37:22.14
interesting thought.
00:37:22.17\00:37:24.94
I noticed this is
kind of interesting book
00:37:24.97\00:37:27.18
called Gospel
Workers, it's very very,
00:37:27.21\00:37:29.04
it's very good, page 396.
00:37:29.08\00:37:30.45
Now, this is several paragraphs,
00:37:30.48\00:37:32.75
I don't like to
read all of this,
00:37:32.78\00:37:34.48
but if you'd just bear with me,
00:37:34.52\00:37:36.65
you just bear with me
because this is heavy duty,
00:37:36.69\00:37:40.19
this sets more
of a stage because
00:37:40.22\00:37:41.92
we're gonna come
to grips with this,
00:37:41.96\00:37:43.32
we're gonna come to grips,
00:37:43.36\00:37:44.69
can we as a Christian
really be involved in politics?
00:37:44.73\00:37:47.10
Should we really be voting?
00:37:47.13\00:37:49.73
Do we have
responsibility if we do vote?
00:37:49.76\00:37:52.67
How does heaven view it?
00:37:52.70\00:37:54.50
Can it be held against us?
00:37:54.54\00:37:56.24
For whatever that
person elected to office
00:37:56.27\00:37:58.11
that we helped,
how accountable are we?
00:37:58.14\00:38:01.14
That's pretty heavy
duty when you think about it.
00:38:01.18\00:38:03.75
Many times in this life we say,
00:38:03.78\00:38:05.11
well, I don't want to get
involved with this over here
00:38:05.15\00:38:06.48
because if I get
involved with this and over here
00:38:06.51\00:38:09.08
but I may be accountable there.
00:38:09.12\00:38:10.65
They're gonna point at me
when something goes wrong,
00:38:10.69\00:38:12.49
they're gonna point...
00:38:12.52\00:38:13.86
interesting.
00:38:13.89\00:38:16.52
Gospel Workers, 396,
00:38:16.56\00:38:18.89
the Bible said
before that we, what,
00:38:22.56\00:38:24.33
for no man liveth unto himself,
and notice this right here
00:38:24.37\00:38:28.14
what it says
Gospel Workers, 396.
00:38:28.17\00:38:30.27
"Let those who are tempted
to take part in politics."
00:38:30.31\00:38:34.54
This is who I'm
talking about here.
00:38:34.58\00:38:36.61
I don't know exactly how much
time we have left right here,
00:38:36.64\00:38:39.31
but I certainly need to find out
00:38:39.35\00:38:41.22
because this required
a paragraph right here.
00:38:41.25\00:38:44.72
Notice, "Let those who
are tempted to take part,
00:38:44.75\00:38:50.63
tempted to take
part in politics,
00:38:50.66\00:38:53.06
remember that every move
they make has its influence.
00:38:53.09\00:38:57.50
Stay with me.
00:38:57.53\00:38:58.87
Did you get that?
00:38:58.90\00:39:00.24
If there is
anyone who is tempted
00:39:00.27\00:39:01.60
to take part in politics listen,
00:39:01.64\00:39:05.77
remember that
every move they make has
00:39:05.81\00:39:09.41
its influence upon others.
00:39:09.44\00:39:11.31
That's biblical too.
00:39:11.35\00:39:13.08
Our influence,
everything we say,
00:39:13.11\00:39:14.92
everything we do our deeds,
00:39:14.95\00:39:16.28
there's an
influence upon others.
00:39:16.32\00:39:18.65
And notice how this gets
00:39:18.69\00:39:20.02
because I've heard
a lot of preachers,
00:39:20.06\00:39:21.39
they love to stay
in the world especially
00:39:21.42\00:39:22.92
all over different churches,
00:39:22.96\00:39:24.29
they love to do
political things in the pulpit.
00:39:24.33\00:39:26.96
This is one of the first things
00:39:27.00\00:39:28.33
they ever talk about
religion and politics.
00:39:28.36\00:39:30.33
Although we shouldn't have,
we should have them separated
00:39:30.37\00:39:32.73
because the
pulpit is not a place
00:39:32.77\00:39:35.00
as a political
or a stance to vote
00:39:35.04\00:39:37.74
for this one or that one.
00:39:37.77\00:39:39.11
That's not what
the pulpit is for.
00:39:39.14\00:39:40.51
We should never
be bringing it out.
00:39:40.54\00:39:43.38
Reading on, "When
the ministers or others
00:39:43.41\00:39:46.08
in responsible
position make remarks
00:39:46.11\00:39:48.98
in regards to
these matters, notice,
00:39:49.02\00:39:51.29
when they make a remark,
00:39:51.32\00:39:52.65
they cannot
gather up the thoughts
00:39:52.69\00:39:55.26
they have planted
in the human minds."
00:39:55.29\00:39:58.43
You know, you may say something
to somebody is very clear up,
00:39:58.46\00:40:00.93
this guy over here, he
takes it completely opposite,
00:40:00.96\00:40:03.10
this in here takes it
different than that one,
00:40:03.13\00:40:04.87
this near goes off to deep end,
00:40:04.90\00:40:06.27
there's others who
may be able to balance it,
00:40:06.30\00:40:07.94
this person can't balance it.
00:40:07.97\00:40:10.31
You can't pick up those thoughts
00:40:10.34\00:40:11.67
once you make those in the mind.
00:40:11.71\00:40:13.84
Notice, "Under
Satan's temptations
00:40:13.88\00:40:16.95
they have set in
operation a train
00:40:16.98\00:40:20.45
of circumstances leading
to results little dreamed of."
00:40:20.48\00:40:25.79
See influence,
people being influenced
00:40:25.82\00:40:28.36
and they react on those
things how their mind takes it.
00:40:28.39\00:40:32.06
Now it gets a
little simple for us.
00:40:32.09\00:40:34.96
"An act, something
we do, a word, a thought
00:40:35.00\00:40:39.93
cast into the minds of the great
00:40:39.97\00:40:42.34
concourse of humanity,
00:40:42.37\00:40:45.37
if it bears the
heavenly endorsement,
00:40:45.41\00:40:49.11
will yield a
harvest, this is beautiful,
00:40:49.14\00:40:51.61
of precious fruit, but
if it is inspired by Satan,
00:40:51.65\00:40:57.29
it will cause the root
of bitterness to spring up,
00:40:57.32\00:41:00.72
whereby many will be defiled.
00:41:00.76\00:41:04.03
Then let the
stewards of God's grace..."
00:41:04.06\00:41:05.96
Who's that?
00:41:05.99\00:41:07.33
It's all of us sinners,
stewards of God's grace,
00:41:07.36\00:41:08.76
notice, "In any line of service,
00:41:08.80\00:41:12.60
beware how they mingle
the common with the sacred."
00:41:12.63\00:41:17.87
The subject on this
article was let those tempted
00:41:17.91\00:41:21.68
to take part in
politics remember.
00:41:21.71\00:41:26.35
Notice what it says,
in any line of service,
00:41:26.38\00:41:29.58
that's politics to
it, anything you serve,
00:41:29.62\00:41:32.49
notice beware how they mingle,
00:41:32.52\00:41:34.66
there is common,
doesn't mean it's wrong,
00:41:34.69\00:41:36.79
it's just common and
that which is sacred.
00:41:36.83\00:41:39.89
We need not mingle politics
and Christianity together,
00:41:39.93\00:41:44.10
they do not go together at all.
00:41:44.13\00:41:47.50
Jesus made that
very clear to talk with,
00:41:47.54\00:41:49.74
will be more on that.
00:41:49.77\00:41:51.97
Say it to me
here because pretty,
00:41:52.01\00:41:53.34
pretty least clear in my mind,
00:41:53.38\00:41:55.61
that we're not to
take part in the political,
00:41:55.64\00:41:59.58
in political area or the arena.
00:41:59.61\00:42:01.72
We can't really
do that as Christians
00:42:01.75\00:42:03.72
because if we do and
we're advocating this,
00:42:03.75\00:42:06.62
we're advocating that,
00:42:06.65\00:42:07.99
we'd little know what
the results are going to be
00:42:08.02\00:42:10.53
when that person gets
in office and the things
00:42:10.56\00:42:12.49
that they'll pass laws
and so on and so forth.
00:42:12.53\00:42:14.93
It hurts many people,
don't tell what's gonna happen.
00:42:14.96\00:42:18.17
Do we become accountable?
00:42:18.20\00:42:19.80
Absolutely.
00:42:19.83\00:42:22.07
You see, people are not to join
00:42:22.10\00:42:26.37
or come together in any kind
of confederacy with the world.
00:42:26.41\00:42:30.41
Now what does that mean?
00:42:30.45\00:42:31.78
That says, Kenny, you are not
to join into any confederacy,
00:42:31.81\00:42:35.48
any kind of an agreement,
anything that will tie you
00:42:35.52\00:42:39.89
to anything of this world.
00:42:39.92\00:42:42.59
Ain't that interesting
how we've tied our self
00:42:42.62\00:42:44.36
to a political party?
00:42:44.39\00:42:48.73
Some of us have
tied to a political party
00:42:48.76\00:42:50.90
more than we are to our
church in the cause of Christ.
00:42:50.93\00:42:55.84
Right there, we certainly
have problems, do we not?
00:42:55.87\00:42:59.51
So we need to be
careful about this confederacy,
00:42:59.54\00:43:01.84
so we'll look at that.
00:43:01.88\00:43:05.15
So we're not to form
any kind of an alliance,
00:43:05.18\00:43:09.88
that means what, any
kind of an agreement,
00:43:09.92\00:43:11.59
any kind of a document we sign
with those who are unbelievers,
00:43:11.62\00:43:17.23
did you get it?
00:43:17.26\00:43:18.66
Oh, they are
believer, they are...
00:43:18.69\00:43:20.03
Well, they're unbeliever,
00:43:20.06\00:43:21.40
they don't believe
the same what you believe.
00:43:21.43\00:43:23.43
And it gets little bit
more pointed as we go on here,
00:43:23.47\00:43:26.63
so notice with an unbeliever,
00:43:26.67\00:43:30.24
and so you think of
the scripture you say,
00:43:30.27\00:43:31.67
well wait a
minute, 2 Corinthians 6:14,
00:43:31.71\00:43:35.18
unequally what, yoke together.
00:43:35.21\00:43:38.88
We're not to enter
any kind of an agreement,
00:43:38.91\00:43:41.95
a contract with anyone, what...
00:43:41.98\00:43:45.52
unequally yoked together,
00:43:45.55\00:43:46.89
doesn't believe the
same with unbelievers.
00:43:46.92\00:43:49.99
They can be times we've signed
00:43:50.03\00:43:51.36
little documents
with unbelievers,
00:43:51.39\00:43:54.10
wow, and then the
article goes on to say,
00:43:54.13\00:43:58.40
those who do not love or fear
00:43:58.43\00:44:01.10
God, those who are...
00:44:01.14\00:44:08.14
do not love or fear God.
00:44:08.18\00:44:10.98
Then I read in the Bible
00:44:11.01\00:44:12.35
and you can do it
Ecclesiastes 8:13,
00:44:12.38\00:44:14.95
but notice what the Bible says,
00:44:14.98\00:44:17.09
"But it shall not be
well with the wicked,
00:44:17.12\00:44:20.39
neither shall he prolong
his days, which are a shadow,
00:44:20.42\00:44:24.49
notice, because he
feareth not before God.
00:44:24.53\00:44:29.80
So we're not to enter
into contract or an agreement
00:44:29.83\00:44:32.53
or we're gonna work for,
or we're gonna try to put
00:44:32.57\00:44:34.20
somebody over here,
we're gonna do this or that.
00:44:34.24\00:44:36.40
Number one, if
they are an unbeliever,
00:44:36.44\00:44:39.71
and really just
to be real honest
00:44:39.74\00:44:41.08
when we look at an
unbeliever is really classified,
00:44:41.11\00:44:43.04
unequally yoke, is
one who does not believe
00:44:43.08\00:44:44.95
in the Three Angels' Message.
00:44:44.98\00:44:48.15
Think about it.
00:44:48.18\00:44:49.52
One who does not
love or fear God,
00:44:49.55\00:44:51.95
the Bible says, oh,
and those who oppose truth.
00:44:51.99\00:44:55.12
See it gets little bit clearer.
00:44:55.16\00:44:56.49
We're not to enter in agreement
00:44:56.52\00:44:58.16
with those who what?
00:44:58.19\00:44:59.53
Who oppose the truth,
00:44:59.56\00:45:01.76
almost the whole
world opposes the truth.
00:45:01.80\00:45:06.84
We're very limited
than where we might
00:45:06.87\00:45:08.60
come into unity and agreement
00:45:08.64\00:45:10.44
and then to sign papers as
it were or make an agreement.
00:45:10.47\00:45:12.77
When you say that?
00:45:12.81\00:45:14.71
Anybody who opposes the truth
because that goes to my mind
00:45:14.74\00:45:18.61
rather quickly, 2
Thessalonians 2:4,
00:45:18.65\00:45:22.25
the Bible talks about here,
talks about the man of sin.
00:45:22.28\00:45:25.99
"The man of sin is the one who
opposeth and exalteth himself,
00:45:26.02\00:45:29.76
notice that, did you see it?
00:45:29.79\00:45:31.13
above all that is called God."
00:45:31.16\00:45:34.80
So we find that
we can't be involved
00:45:34.83\00:45:36.56
with those who oppose truth.
00:45:36.60\00:45:38.10
The man of sin, people
there opposing the truth,
00:45:38.13\00:45:40.27
it doesn't matter just kind
of believe what you want to be?
00:45:40.30\00:45:42.27
How could you get together
with him and say well, yeah,
00:45:42.30\00:45:44.97
that's good, we
want you in office.
00:45:45.01\00:45:46.34
You don't love the
truth, you're an unbeliever,
00:45:46.37\00:45:47.94
you don't fear
God, you don't love God.
00:45:47.98\00:45:49.81
Wow.
00:45:49.84\00:45:51.18
And of course,
it's very popular to be
00:45:51.21\00:45:53.08
a Christian in public office
whether you really are or not.
00:45:53.11\00:45:57.39
I hear them get on there
and the politician to say
00:45:57.42\00:45:59.35
foul words and stuff
and they're gonna say,
00:45:59.39\00:46:00.72
well, I belong to
such and such church,
00:46:00.76\00:46:02.09
I'm a Christian.
00:46:02.12\00:46:04.63
What kind of a Christian
are we talking about here?
00:46:04.66\00:46:08.83
And then we're not to use
any kind of an agreement here,
00:46:08.86\00:46:11.73
or kind of a confederacy
as it were with any person,
00:46:11.77\00:46:15.44
notice this who exalts
tradition above scripture.
00:46:15.47\00:46:22.01
Anyone, so that really
starts to eliminate, doesn't it?
00:46:22.04\00:46:25.71
Matthew 15:9, you
know, it talks about there,
00:46:25.75\00:46:29.68
"In vain do they worship
me, teaching for doctrines
00:46:29.72\00:46:34.16
the commandments
of men or tradition.
00:46:34.19\00:46:36.86
So you have people who
are out there running here,
00:46:36.89\00:46:38.96
but they believe differently,
they don't believe in,
00:46:38.99\00:46:40.60
you know, nine commandments
or you know are binding maybe,
00:46:40.63\00:46:42.96
but, you know,
00:46:43.00\00:46:44.40
but one certainly
not has been changed,
00:46:44.43\00:46:47.07
which is a tradition of men.
00:46:47.10\00:46:49.97
So how can we
bind together with them
00:46:50.01\00:46:52.44
because we're
certainly not in agreement
00:46:52.47\00:46:53.81
about the
teachings of the Word of God,
00:46:53.84\00:46:58.01
and we're certainly not
to have an agreement with.
00:46:58.05\00:47:00.18
And I'm talking
about, we're talking about
00:47:00.22\00:47:01.55
a political scene here,
00:47:01.58\00:47:02.92
about those who think
that they can accomplish more
00:47:02.95\00:47:06.62
by working with the
world than they can accomplish
00:47:06.65\00:47:09.12
by working with God.
00:47:09.16\00:47:11.43
You know there's
people like there.
00:47:11.46\00:47:13.80
I think we can
accomplish a whole lot more,
00:47:13.83\00:47:15.56
you know if we,
00:47:15.60\00:47:17.47
you know if we go
ahead and join him,
00:47:17.50\00:47:19.20
you've ever heard that,
we'll join him for a while
00:47:19.23\00:47:20.97
and we'll see,
kind of see how it goes,
00:47:21.00\00:47:22.60
I think we can do more work
if we stay here and do this.
00:47:22.64\00:47:26.78
God's Word says absolutely not,
00:47:26.81\00:47:30.45
to work along with the
world because the Bible says,
00:47:30.48\00:47:32.35
and this is one
passage, 1 John 2:15,
00:47:32.38\00:47:35.72
it says, "Love
not the world, what,
00:47:35.75\00:47:37.49
neither the things
that are in the world."
00:47:37.52\00:47:40.76
So we're not to love
the world nor the things
00:47:40.79\00:47:42.36
that are in the world,
00:47:42.39\00:47:43.73
but yes some of us
are so involved in things
00:47:43.76\00:47:46.53
that are going on in
the political question,
00:47:46.56\00:47:48.93
oh, we love the world.
00:47:48.96\00:47:52.10
It's ruling in our
homes, it's ruling in our life,
00:47:52.13\00:47:54.14
it's taking up our time.
00:47:54.17\00:47:57.51
And then remember,
we have to join a party,
00:47:57.54\00:48:00.58
did you get it?
00:48:00.61\00:48:01.94
We have to
register, all of these things
00:48:01.98\00:48:05.41
are quite interesting,
00:48:05.45\00:48:07.22
when we're not to bind
any kind of confederacy
00:48:07.25\00:48:10.12
or any kind of a, an allegiance,
00:48:10.15\00:48:12.59
any kind of an agreement,
00:48:12.62\00:48:14.69
did all of us get what
we're talking about here?
00:48:14.72\00:48:17.59
No agreement with what?
00:48:17.63\00:48:18.96
Unbelievers.
00:48:18.99\00:48:21.00
No agreement with those who
do not love God or fear God.
00:48:21.03\00:48:27.10
We don't enter in agreement
with those who oppose truth.
00:48:27.14\00:48:30.91
None with those who
exalt tradition above plain
00:48:30.94\00:48:33.91
thus saith the Lord.
00:48:33.94\00:48:35.44
None, you say we'll work
the way the world works here
00:48:35.48\00:48:38.21
because we'll get
more done that way.
00:48:38.25\00:48:40.35
Counterfeit of the devil.
00:48:40.38\00:48:42.88
6 Testimonies 17, notice this.
00:48:42.92\00:48:46.29
This is very, very
interesting as it comes back
00:48:46.32\00:48:48.49
to what we've just
been talking about.
00:48:48.52\00:48:50.69
"There is to be no change
00:48:50.73\00:48:53.33
in the general
features of our work.
00:48:53.36\00:48:56.43
People say, well, we
live in a different time,
00:48:56.46\00:48:57.80
we gonna need to
do different things,
00:48:57.83\00:48:59.17
we need to be more involved.
00:48:59.20\00:49:00.54
"There is to be no change
00:49:00.57\00:49:01.97
in the general
features of our work.
00:49:02.00\00:49:05.31
It is to stand as
clear and distinct
00:49:05.34\00:49:08.64
as prophecy has made it.
00:49:08.68\00:49:11.38
We are to enter into no
confederacy with the world,
00:49:11.41\00:49:17.09
supposing that by so
doing we can accomplish more."
00:49:17.12\00:49:20.79
Did you get?
00:49:20.82\00:49:22.16
This is what we've
been talking about here.
00:49:22.19\00:49:24.03
"Men of all
ranks and capacities,
00:49:24.06\00:49:27.43
with their various gifts,
00:49:27.46\00:49:29.76
are to co-operate harmoniously
for a common result.
00:49:29.80\00:49:34.47
They are to unite in the
work of bringing in what,
00:49:34.50\00:49:37.51
the truth to the
people, each working
00:49:37.54\00:49:40.14
for fulfilling his
own special appointment."
00:49:40.18\00:49:44.05
This is quite good.
00:49:44.08\00:49:45.41
We're all to come in perfect
unity and harmony to do what?
00:49:45.45\00:49:48.72
For the cause of Christ.
00:49:48.75\00:49:50.39
Doesn't say
anything about politics,
00:49:50.42\00:49:52.09
get involved in
all these messes,
00:49:52.12\00:49:53.46
and all these lies,
all these twists and tales,
00:49:53.49\00:49:55.22
all this mess is going on.
00:49:55.26\00:49:58.59
It's for the cause of Christ.
00:49:58.63\00:49:59.96
The devil is trying to
get us so involved with things
00:50:00.00\00:50:02.10
that are going on
in the government,
00:50:02.13\00:50:03.50
things in the world today,
00:50:03.53\00:50:04.87
that we've
forgotten why we are here.
00:50:04.90\00:50:08.30
Special
appointment, he's appointed you,
00:50:08.34\00:50:10.77
you're special to
him to do a special work.
00:50:10.81\00:50:13.68
So once again, let's clarify.
00:50:13.71\00:50:15.24
People say, well, I
don't really haven't heard
00:50:15.28\00:50:16.85
this word confederacy,
what really is a confederacy?
00:50:16.88\00:50:20.52
Manuscript 29, 1911,
you can certainly look it up
00:50:20.55\00:50:23.65
for yourself in dictionary.
00:50:23.69\00:50:25.49
What's a confederacy?
00:50:25.52\00:50:27.12
Confederacy is a
union of men, notice this,
00:50:27.16\00:50:29.79
in a work that does
not bear the stamp of pure,
00:50:29.82\00:50:34.03
straightforward,
unswerving integrity.
00:50:34.06\00:50:37.47
Did you got, how interesting.
00:50:37.50\00:50:39.47
It's a union of men.
00:50:39.50\00:50:40.84
We can't join with a
union of men, notice that,
00:50:40.87\00:50:42.90
working together
that does not bear
00:50:42.94\00:50:44.97
the stamp of the
spirit, that is the truth,
00:50:45.01\00:50:47.41
did you get it?
00:50:47.44\00:50:48.78
Straightforward,
unswerving integrity.
00:50:48.81\00:50:52.55
Our leaders today
talk about integrity,
00:50:52.58\00:50:54.48
talk about the truth
00:50:54.52\00:50:55.85
and with all these
kind of things right here.
00:50:55.88\00:50:58.79
And we realize in the political
world, what a mess it is.
00:50:58.82\00:51:02.89
But yet somehow we
want to take a stand
00:51:02.92\00:51:05.43
and we're learning
and we're digging in,
00:51:05.46\00:51:07.30
we're just now started to
unravel some things that may,
00:51:07.33\00:51:09.36
just may make
the hair on the back
00:51:09.40\00:51:10.97
of your neck stand up.
00:51:11.00\00:51:13.00
Because maybe some of
us have done these things
00:51:13.03\00:51:14.80
and maybe we want
to, maybe reevaluate.
00:51:14.84\00:51:19.14
John in the Book of Revelation,
I wish we had more time,
00:51:19.17\00:51:22.18
we don't do it
till Revelation 18,
00:51:22.21\00:51:23.95
maybe on a second part we might,
00:51:23.98\00:51:25.85
Revelation 18, if you read
just verses like 1 through 8.
00:51:25.88\00:51:31.02
Wow, when you read those verses,
00:51:31.05\00:51:33.25
it's gonna make you just stop,
00:51:33.29\00:51:35.02
it's gonna make you think,
where is this world headed,
00:51:35.06\00:51:39.06
what is soon to take
place, it reveals how dangerous
00:51:39.09\00:51:44.57
it is for each one of us those
00:51:44.60\00:51:46.23
who has received truth to
form an alliance with the world,
00:51:46.27\00:51:51.97
and the government is the world.
00:51:52.01\00:51:54.01
The government even in right
00:51:54.04\00:51:55.38
we're talking
about the dictionary
00:51:55.41\00:51:56.85
is talking about man,
is talking about things
00:51:56.88\00:51:59.11
that take place
in the community.
00:51:59.15\00:52:00.88
When Christ is talking about
the heavenly, you remember.
00:52:00.92\00:52:04.15
So we look out at here and
we say oh, we can't do it..
00:52:04.19\00:52:06.55
Manuscript 135, 1902 says this,
00:52:06.59\00:52:10.39
it makes a
comment on these verses
00:52:10.43\00:52:12.06
which is Revelation 18,
00:52:12.09\00:52:13.80
hopefully, we'll get a chance
to read those 1 through 8,
00:52:13.83\00:52:16.97
it says, "This terrible picture,
00:52:17.00\00:52:20.37
drawn by John is to show
how completely, notice this,
00:52:20.40\00:52:24.44
how completely the
powers of this earth
00:52:24.47\00:52:26.98
will give
themselves over to evil.
00:52:27.01\00:52:30.08
As end result, the
Bible prophecy predicts
00:52:30.11\00:52:32.31
that you're the government
00:52:32.35\00:52:33.68
all is giving
yourself over to what?
00:52:33.72\00:52:35.15
To evil.
00:52:35.18\00:52:39.52
"And shall show that those
who have received the truth
00:52:39.55\00:52:42.62
how dangerous it
is to link up with,
00:52:42.66\00:52:45.49
oh, oh, secret societies
or to join them themselves
00:52:45.53\00:52:48.86
in any way with those who
do not keep the commandments."
00:52:48.90\00:52:53.80
That is just about as
clearer as it can get.
00:52:53.84\00:52:56.71
But you know what?
00:52:56.74\00:52:58.07
There is many out
there, they're just going,
00:52:58.11\00:52:59.44
oh, well, it doesn't matter.
00:52:59.47\00:53:00.81
It does matter, Jesus matters,
Jesus has made it clearer.
00:53:00.84\00:53:04.45
And we're just
scratching right now
00:53:04.48\00:53:06.21
what we're gonna
cover in our second part.
00:53:06.25\00:53:09.25
You want more information,
00:53:09.28\00:53:10.62
there is plenty
more information,
00:53:10.65\00:53:11.99
notice this.
00:53:12.02\00:53:13.36
The Bible says that the
world is going to be what?
00:53:13.39\00:53:15.12
It's evil and it's
going to get worse.
00:53:15.16\00:53:19.89
How dangerous it is to anyone
00:53:19.93\00:53:21.93
who believes
the truth to join up
00:53:21.96\00:53:23.63
with any kind
of secret societies
00:53:23.67\00:53:27.04
or to be a part of something,
00:53:27.07\00:53:28.87
or any way be
involved with anyone
00:53:28.90\00:53:32.14
who does not believe in
keeping the commandments.
00:53:32.17\00:53:34.28
And that's all of
them, that's all ten.
00:53:34.31\00:53:37.95
Wow.
00:53:37.98\00:53:40.72
You remember in building
00:53:40.75\00:53:42.08
the Tower of
Babel, in Genesis 11,
00:53:42.12\00:53:46.62
we find that after the
flood, as soon as the earth
00:53:46.65\00:53:50.43
had been
repopulated that man continued
00:53:50.46\00:53:54.23
to rebel against God.
00:53:54.26\00:53:56.87
Did you get, the
world was destroyed.
00:53:56.90\00:53:59.03
Notice this, back to the flood.
00:53:59.07\00:54:01.14
Soon as men came
back, they continued
00:54:01.17\00:54:02.77
just doing the same
thing that they were.
00:54:02.80\00:54:05.77
Why?
00:54:05.81\00:54:07.14
Apostasy always
leads to division.
00:54:07.18\00:54:10.25
Apostasy from
God and going to men
00:54:10.28\00:54:13.28
and things of
this world is apostasy.
00:54:13.31\00:54:15.98
There will be
division, and certainly
00:54:16.02\00:54:19.75
we find there are confederacy
or they're joining together,
00:54:19.82\00:54:23.83
they begin to notice,
00:54:23.86\00:54:25.19
they begin to fight against God.
00:54:25.23\00:54:27.13
So we're trying to get
people, oh, let's all be one,
00:54:27.16\00:54:28.86
let's all do this.
00:54:28.90\00:54:30.27
As the end result,
Bible prophecy is that
00:54:30.30\00:54:32.33
all this group
will turn on those
00:54:32.37\00:54:34.04
who are
faithful as a end result,
00:54:34.07\00:54:36.54
that don't keep the commandment,
00:54:36.57\00:54:37.91
all of them by the grace of God.
00:54:37.94\00:54:39.61
Well, I hope you see the
importance of this subject
00:54:39.64\00:54:42.24
because many have been fooled,
00:54:42.28\00:54:43.61
many had even
never thought about it.
00:54:43.65\00:54:45.45
We gonna look at it little
bit more and little bit more
00:54:45.48\00:54:47.62
about the Tower of
Babel and the confederacy
00:54:47.65\00:54:50.65
and so on and so forth.
00:54:50.69\00:54:52.12
But I want to pray with
you, we only have a minute left.
00:54:52.15\00:54:54.06
I want to pray with
you before we close.
00:54:54.09\00:54:55.66
It's very, very important that
00:54:55.69\00:54:57.03
we keep our minds
and our hearts open.
00:54:57.06\00:54:58.79
So we pray together,
let's kneel as we pray.
00:54:58.83\00:55:02.40
Merciful Father
in heaven, again,
00:55:02.43\00:55:03.77
we thank You for
Your precious Word.
00:55:03.80\00:55:05.20
We thank You for the
outpouring of Your Spirit.
00:55:05.23\00:55:07.44
We pray that
the hearts and minds
00:55:07.47\00:55:08.80
of Your children will be open.
00:55:08.84\00:55:10.27
May we receive that
which You have for us.
00:55:10.31\00:55:11.97
May the Word of
God just be paramount.
00:55:12.01\00:55:14.18
Not what mom and
dad, somebody else did
00:55:14.21\00:55:15.88
but we want to follow
the Word, the living God
00:55:15.91\00:55:17.61
and we thank You in advance
00:55:17.65\00:55:18.98
for what You are
doing in the hearts
00:55:19.01\00:55:20.35
and lives of each
one in Jesus' name.
00:55:20.38\00:55:22.42
Amen.
00:55:22.45\00:55:24.89
You know, how
wonderful it is that
00:55:24.92\00:55:26.25
we can go to the Word of God
00:55:26.29\00:55:27.62
and we can find
out these truths.
00:55:27.66\00:55:28.99
And we want to just
take a second or two here,
00:55:29.02\00:55:30.46
just again thank
you for your paryers
00:55:30.49\00:55:32.49
and your support of
Behold the Lamb Ministries.
00:55:32.53\00:55:35.10
We're very grateful and thankful
00:55:35.13\00:55:36.46
to be able to
come into your home
00:55:36.50\00:55:37.83
on a regular basis.
00:55:37.87\00:55:39.20
Be able to spend
some time with you,
00:55:39.23\00:55:40.57
be able to, you know,
make new friends together,
00:55:40.60\00:55:42.80
but keep us in your
prayer, we need them
00:55:42.84\00:55:44.74
and we certainly your offering.
00:55:44.77\00:55:46.64
So as God blesses
you, you know, bless other.
00:55:46.68\00:55:49.14
We love you and
we'll see you next time.
00:55:49.18\00:55:53.11
Hello and welcome back friends.
00:55:53.15\00:55:55.45
Religion and
politics, oil and water.
00:55:55.48\00:55:58.32
Some things were never meant
to blend cohesively together
00:55:58.35\00:56:02.52
as though they were one.
00:56:02.56\00:56:04.09
However we all
need a good foundation
00:56:04.13\00:56:06.83
as to how God expects us
00:56:06.86\00:56:09.26
as his children
to live in a world
00:56:09.30\00:56:12.07
with the
decisions we make concerning
00:56:12.10\00:56:14.70
both religion and
politics is so very important
00:56:14.74\00:56:18.27
to our daily lives.
00:56:18.31\00:56:19.64
They both play a vital
role in shaping our goals
00:56:19.67\00:56:23.01
for the present
and for the future.
00:56:23.04\00:56:25.85
Therefore it
only makes good sense
00:56:25.88\00:56:27.78
from a Christian standpoint,
00:56:27.82\00:56:29.95
from a Christian
point of view to seek God
00:56:29.98\00:56:32.29
for his wisdom
and understanding,
00:56:32.32\00:56:34.49
and properly balancing the two.
00:56:34.52\00:56:37.56
I know that many of you will
00:56:37.59\00:56:38.93
want to have these messages
00:56:38.96\00:56:40.63
for your own personal
study and for an outreach tool
00:56:40.66\00:56:43.97
to give to other people
and we want you to have them.
00:56:44.00\00:56:47.34
So we're making these
messages available to you
00:56:47.37\00:56:50.44
for a love gift of $15 or more.
00:56:50.47\00:56:53.61
Remember that's two DVDs.
00:56:53.64\00:56:55.54
And should you
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00:56:55.58\00:56:57.81
to pass out to other people,
00:56:57.85\00:56:59.75
we have a sharing
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00:56:59.78\00:57:02.25
If you order 10 copies of
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00:57:02.28\00:57:06.69
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00:57:06.72\00:57:09.82
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00:57:09.86\00:57:13.53
We really say more
because it's up to you.
00:57:13.56\00:57:15.96
Your finances, your donation,
00:57:16.00\00:57:18.10
your help always helps
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00:57:18.13\00:57:21.80
keep moving
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00:57:21.84\00:57:24.34
because you can share them
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00:57:24.37\00:57:26.98
Just simply contact us here
at Behold the Lamb Ministries
00:57:27.01\00:57:30.81
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00:57:30.85\00:57:35.88
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00:57:35.92\00:57:42.26
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00:57:42.29\00:57:44.99
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00:57:45.03\00:57:48.66
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00:57:50.53\00:57:55.27
My, dear
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00:57:55.30\00:57:57.01
may our precious Lord continue
to richly bless you and yours.
00:57:57.04\00:58:02.18