From Arcadia, California, the Carter report presents 00:00:08.03\00:00:11.15 "The Living Word" around the world. 00:00:11.18\00:00:13.35 Hello friends, do you ever wonder 00:00:18.28\00:00:20.55 what's going to happen next. 00:00:20.58\00:00:22.26 How can we ever get the images of the Japan out of our minds? 00:00:22.29\00:00:26.24 Think of this tremendous tsunami. 00:00:26.27\00:00:28.03 I've never seen anything like it. 00:00:28.06\00:00:29.96 I believe with all my heart 00:00:29.99\00:00:32.09 that God is sending a wake up call 00:00:32.12\00:00:35.11 to the nations of this world. 00:00:35.14\00:00:37.09 That message is get ready 00:00:37.12\00:00:39.18 because Christ is coming soon. 00:00:39.21\00:00:41.45 I believe that Christ is also sending 00:00:41.48\00:00:43.48 a wake up call to the church. 00:00:43.51\00:00:46.59 I want you to know today 00:00:46.62\00:00:48.52 this cannot be business today as usual. 00:00:48.55\00:00:52.05 We have a work to do. 00:00:52.08\00:00:53.82 And the Bible tells me, 00:00:53.85\00:00:55.09 we're called to go into all the world 00:00:55.12\00:00:57.90 and to preach the everlasting gospel, 00:00:57.93\00:01:00.16 the good news of Jesus Christ, the Lord. 00:01:00.19\00:01:03.68 I want you to join me my friend 00:01:03.71\00:01:05.93 in the great nations of the world, 00:01:05.96\00:01:08.22 in world evangelism. 00:01:08.25\00:01:10.55 We're working in China, join us. 00:01:10.58\00:01:13.36 I want you to join us in India. 00:01:13.39\00:01:15.57 We've got a television program in India. 00:01:15.60\00:01:17.62 It is a land of more than a billion souls. 00:01:17.65\00:01:21.01 Join us in India. 00:01:21.04\00:01:22.88 I want you to join us in Russia and Ukraine 00:01:22.91\00:01:25.97 and here in the United States of America, 00:01:26.00\00:01:28.16 in Australia, all around the world 00:01:28.19\00:01:30.85 where people need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:01:30.88\00:01:36.75 I say this because I've got to find my soul. 00:01:36.78\00:01:40.99 Jesus is coming soon 00:01:41.02\00:01:44.26 and you and I have got a work to do. 00:01:44.29\00:01:47.46 Please write to me today, 00:01:47.49\00:01:48.96 John Carter, PO Box 1900, 00:01:48.99\00:01:52.64 Thousand Oaks, California, 91358. 00:01:52.67\00:01:56.27 In the South Pacific write to me at beautiful Terrigal. 00:01:56.30\00:02:01.09 The address is now appearing on the screen. 00:02:01.12\00:02:03.99 Listen my friend, Jesus is coming soon. 00:02:04.02\00:02:09.10 We must work while it is day because the night is coming. 00:02:09.13\00:02:14.76 The topic today is the Christian's dilemma. 00:02:19.23\00:02:23.95 We're going to talk about the baby that never grew up. 00:02:23.98\00:02:29.54 Stay with us for this great presentation today 00:02:29.57\00:02:32.44 and this great message. 00:02:32.47\00:02:34.01 But now let me introduce to you, David Castanon. 00:02:34.04\00:02:38.45 Would you please welcome him today. 00:02:38.48\00:02:40.92 Water You turned into wine 00:02:59.71\00:03:04.26 Opened the eyes of the blind 00:03:07.53\00:03:12.94 There's no one like You 00:03:12.97\00:03:17.44 There's none like You 00:03:20.53\00:03:25.57 Into the darkness You shine 00:03:30.63\00:03:38.10 Out of the ashes we rise 00:03:38.13\00:03:43.36 There's no one like You 00:03:43.39\00:03:50.77 There's none like You 00:03:50.80\00:03:55.90 Our God is greater Our God is stronger 00:04:00.70\00:04:08.17 God You are higher than any other 00:04:08.20\00:04:15.88 Our God is Healer Awesome in power 00:04:15.91\00:04:22.50 Our God 00:04:22.53\00:04:26.23 Our God 00:04:26.26\00:04:30.94 Water You turned into wine 00:04:30.97\00:04:38.64 Opened the eyes of the blind 00:04:38.67\00:04:43.78 There's no one like You 00:04:43.81\00:04:51.21 There's none like You 00:04:51.24\00:04:56.88 Into the darkness you shine 00:05:01.27\00:05:08.82 Out of the ashes we rise 00:05:08.85\00:05:13.98 There's no one like You 00:05:14.01\00:05:21.50 There's none like You. 00:05:21.53\00:05:27.18 Our God is greater Our God is stronger 00:05:31.23\00:05:38.92 God You are higher than any other 00:05:38.95\00:05:46.64 Our God is Healer Awesome in power 00:05:46.67\00:05:52.69 Our God 00:05:52.72\00:05:55.79 Our God 00:05:55.82\00:06:01.29 And if our God is for us 00:06:01.32\00:06:05.08 Then who could ever stop us 00:06:05.11\00:06:08.63 And if our God is with us 00:06:08.66\00:06:12.44 Then what could stand against 00:06:12.47\00:06:16.33 And if our God is for us 00:06:16.36\00:06:19.76 Then who could ever stop us 00:06:19.79\00:06:23.43 And if our God is with us 00:06:23.46\00:06:27.13 Then what could stand against 00:06:27.16\00:06:30.52 Our God is greater Our God is stronger 00:06:30.55\00:06:37.92 God You are higher than any other 00:06:37.95\00:06:45.51 Our God is Healer Awesome in power 00:06:45.54\00:06:52.27 Our God 00:06:52.30\00:06:56.44 Our God 00:06:56.47\00:07:00.44 I'm going to talk today about, 00:07:09.28\00:07:11.57 "the baby that never grew up." 00:07:11.60\00:07:15.64 But firstly I want to share you 00:07:15.67\00:07:18.68 some pictures of a little baby that is growing up. All right. 00:07:18.71\00:07:23.75 Now you got to admit, 00:07:23.78\00:07:27.60 you know I just got away with her, she just loves me. 00:07:27.63\00:07:31.03 You see that can't you? 00:07:31.06\00:07:34.58 Now just all say ah! Ah! 00:07:34.61\00:07:37.26 Let's hear it. 00:07:37.29\00:07:38.32 Yeah, that's right. Now isn't she cutie? 00:07:38.35\00:07:40.76 Ah! Ah! 00:07:40.79\00:07:42.01 Oh, I tell you. You think she looks like me. 00:07:42.04\00:07:44.92 Okay, okay. Yeah, thank you Ron. 00:07:44.95\00:07:47.44 Double indulgence for you today, Ron. 00:07:47.47\00:07:49.61 Now it's great when they are like this, isn't it? 00:07:49.64\00:07:54.90 Isn't it beautiful? 00:07:54.93\00:07:56.91 But it will be a tragedy, if they never grew up 00:07:56.94\00:08:02.32 and this little girl Amelie is starting to grow up. 00:08:02.35\00:08:08.48 She's 6 months and 18 days old. 00:08:08.51\00:08:14.19 And Julie tells me she's walking, 00:08:14.22\00:08:17.07 of course she is not. 00:08:17.10\00:08:20.14 But she's doing some high steps by the looks. 00:08:20.17\00:08:22.91 Folks, God gave us babies, 00:08:22.94\00:08:27.00 but babies need to grow up. 00:08:27.03\00:08:32.43 Today I'm gonna talk to you about the Christian's dilemma. 00:08:32.46\00:08:38.05 Now what's a dilemma? 00:08:38.08\00:08:40.09 Well, a dilemma is a thing 00:08:40.12\00:08:42.76 you know it's a conflict and ego problems in you. 00:08:42.79\00:08:47.85 Sometimes you don't' know what to do, 00:08:47.88\00:08:49.15 you say, it's a dilemma. 00:08:49.18\00:08:51.40 We're going to talk about the Christian's dilemma. 00:08:51.43\00:08:54.83 Something which is sometimes confusing 00:08:54.86\00:08:58.39 and a conflicting situation and you need to understand this, 00:08:58.42\00:09:03.89 because if you don't understand this, 00:09:03.92\00:09:05.87 maybe it's because you don't understand 00:09:05.90\00:09:09.25 the truth of the Bible on the gospel. 00:09:09.28\00:09:12.69 I want you to take your Bibles down 00:09:12.72\00:09:14.43 and turn with me firstly today to the Book of Romans, 00:09:14.46\00:09:18.42 Romans and I want you to come over here to Chapter 8:1. 00:09:18.45\00:09:24.79 Romans 8:1. 00:09:24.82\00:09:29.17 And I want you to notice these texts, 00:09:29.20\00:09:31.14 because theses texts are so positive 00:09:31.17\00:09:34.17 and up beaten, so uplifting. 00:09:34.20\00:09:36.65 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation 00:09:36.68\00:09:38.98 to those who are in Christ Jesus, 00:09:39.01\00:09:41.58 because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life 00:09:41.61\00:09:45.06 set me free from the law of sin and death." 00:09:45.09\00:09:47.47 There is no condemnation, if you're in Christ. 00:09:47.50\00:09:50.36 Now come to verses 12 to 14. 00:09:50.39\00:09:52.87 "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-- 00:09:52.90\00:09:55.33 but it is not to the sinful nature, 00:09:55.36\00:09:57.15 to live according to it. 00:09:57.18\00:09:59.20 For if you live according to the sinful nature, 00:09:59.23\00:10:01.99 it says, you will die." 00:10:02.02\00:10:03.82 So what, what was all these about assurance? 00:10:03.85\00:10:06.65 The Bible says, if you don't do something 00:10:06.68\00:10:09.46 or if you do-do something, 00:10:09.49\00:10:10.72 the Bible says you're going to die. 00:10:10.75\00:10:12.95 "But if by the Spirit you put to death 00:10:12.98\00:10:15.04 the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 00:10:15.07\00:10:17.74 because those who are led by the Spirit of God 00:10:17.77\00:10:21.70 are the sons of God." 00:10:21.73\00:10:23.32 So the Bible talks here about 00:10:23.35\00:10:24.95 people who are lead by the Spirit of God, 00:10:24.98\00:10:27.05 they are the sons of God. 00:10:27.08\00:10:28.31 But the Bible says, if you live according to the sinful nature, 00:10:28.34\00:10:32.04 the Bible says you're going to die. 00:10:32.07\00:10:34.26 Now come to verse 22 and 23. 00:10:34.29\00:10:38.10 The Bible says, we know 00:10:38.13\00:10:39.73 that the whole creation has been groaning 00:10:39.76\00:10:42.88 as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 00:10:42.91\00:10:47.50 Not only so, but we ourselves, 00:10:47.53\00:10:49.30 who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly 00:10:49.33\00:10:54.81 as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, 00:10:54.84\00:10:58.27 the redemption of the body." 00:10:58.30\00:10:59.93 The Bible says until our bodies are redeemed, 00:10:59.96\00:11:02.65 there's going to be some groaning, 00:11:02.68\00:11:04.21 I wonder why? This is the dilemma. 00:11:04.24\00:11:07.22 And if you look at verse 28, verse 28 will be fine. 00:11:07.25\00:11:12.54 "And we know that in all things 00:11:12.57\00:11:15.04 God works for the good of those who love him, 00:11:15.07\00:11:17.75 who have been called according to his purpose." 00:11:17.78\00:11:22.73 Come back if you don't mind please to verse 26. 00:11:22.76\00:11:26.24 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. 00:11:26.27\00:11:31.71 We do not know what we ought to pray for." 00:11:31.74\00:11:34.49 Hey, I thought we were saved and redeemed 00:11:34.52\00:11:37.25 and we don't know what we ought to even pray for. 00:11:37.28\00:11:39.94 "But the Spirit himself intercedes for us 00:11:39.97\00:11:42.27 with groans that words cannot express." 00:11:42.30\00:11:45.08 This is serious matter. 00:11:45.11\00:11:47.66 "And he who searches our hearts 00:11:47.69\00:11:49.53 knows the mind of the Spirit, 00:11:49.56\00:11:51.41 because the Spirit intercedes for the saints 00:11:51.44\00:11:53.76 in accordance with the will of God." 00:11:53.79\00:11:57.82 So the Bible tells me 00:11:57.85\00:11:59.90 that I can know that I'm right with God. 00:11:59.93\00:12:03.93 I can have an assurance 00:12:03.96\00:12:06.26 that I can sing blessed assurance, 00:12:06.29\00:12:08.22 Jesus is mine. 00:12:08.25\00:12:09.64 I can know that I'm redeemed and I'm going to heaven. 00:12:09.67\00:12:14.27 But the Bible says, while I'm doing this 00:12:14.30\00:12:19.04 and I live according to the sinful nature. 00:12:19.07\00:12:21.24 The Bible says, you're going to die 00:12:21.27\00:12:24.26 and that is the Christian's dilemma. 00:12:24.29\00:12:28.51 Let me tell you folks this now. 00:12:28.54\00:12:30.70 This is something that it's not actually popular theology. 00:12:30.73\00:12:36.77 It is easy to become a Christian. 00:12:36.80\00:12:38.87 The steps are very simple, believe on the Lord Jesus 00:12:42.70\00:12:46.16 and you're going to be saved. 00:12:46.19\00:12:47.22 It's easy to become a Christian. 00:12:47.25\00:12:49.41 But I want to tell you folks something, 00:12:49.44\00:12:52.05 it's not easy to stay a Christian. 00:12:52.08\00:12:56.60 It's easy to become a Christian, 00:12:56.63\00:12:59.11 but, it's not easy to stay a Christian. 00:12:59.14\00:13:05.30 Some years ago when we were in Glendale, 00:13:05.33\00:13:07.03 I run a campaign in Glendale as you may remember 00:13:07.06\00:13:09.43 and it's about 14 or 15 years ago, 00:13:09.46\00:13:12.75 we baptized the lady and I have tried to baptize her. 00:13:12.78\00:13:16.38 She told me she has been married eight times 00:13:16.41\00:13:20.32 and she was a Hollywood star. 00:13:20.35\00:13:23.21 She was quite a famous person. 00:13:23.24\00:13:24.77 She had been married eight times. 00:13:24.80\00:13:28.81 It's easy to get married, 00:13:28.84\00:13:30.94 but it's not always easy to stay married. 00:13:30.97\00:13:33.81 I asked this lady 00:13:33.84\00:13:35.21 and I said what happened to your husbands? 00:13:35.24\00:13:36.65 She said they all died. 00:13:36.68\00:13:39.96 And I met her husband number eight, 00:13:39.99\00:13:42.01 I said, how are you? 00:13:42.04\00:13:43.07 He said I'm not feeling too good. 00:13:43.10\00:13:44.54 It makes you think, doesn't it? 00:13:53.11\00:13:54.66 But I want you folks to know something, 00:13:54.69\00:13:56.53 it's little bit like becoming a Christian. 00:13:56.56\00:14:00.95 It's not that hard to come onto a church 00:14:00.98\00:14:03.18 and raise your hand 00:14:03.21\00:14:04.58 and to make a profession of Christ. 00:14:04.61\00:14:07.44 But it's hard to stay a Christian. 00:14:07.47\00:14:11.21 I want you to let this sink down into your minds. 00:14:11.24\00:14:14.61 What you believe makes you what you are. 00:14:14.64\00:14:19.27 And that is something that most people 00:14:19.30\00:14:21.21 haven't even thought about. 00:14:21.24\00:14:23.31 What you believe makes you what you are. 00:14:23.34\00:14:30.68 Whether you're an Adventist 00:14:30.71\00:14:32.46 or a Baptist or a Pentecostal 00:14:32.49\00:14:35.21 or a Roman Catholic or a Muslim, 00:14:35.24\00:14:38.71 what you believe makes you what you are. 00:14:38.74\00:14:44.33 Everybody says to me. 00:14:44.36\00:14:46.46 Well, the gospel is the gospel, is the gospel, is the gospel. 00:14:46.49\00:14:50.48 The Apostle Paul said there were different gospels 00:14:50.51\00:14:53.58 but only one true gospel. 00:14:53.61\00:14:55.37 You all heard of that great person 00:14:55.40\00:14:57.82 that we have looked up to 00:14:57.85\00:14:59.04 and highly esteemed for so many years 00:14:59.07\00:15:01.73 Mother Theresa, who worked with the lepers 00:15:01.76\00:15:04.97 in Calcutta and other places. 00:15:05.00\00:15:07.64 But after she died it was discovered 00:15:07.67\00:15:10.17 from her letters that were published 00:15:10.20\00:15:12.24 and Mother Theresa had never known 00:15:12.27\00:15:15.46 one single hour of peace. 00:15:15.49\00:15:21.05 She believed a gospel but not the gospel of the Bible. 00:15:21.08\00:15:26.96 And Mother Theresa spent her life 00:15:26.99\00:15:29.92 in deep depression, suicidal 00:15:29.95\00:15:33.60 and even contemplated on occasions 00:15:33.63\00:15:35.91 becoming an atheist. 00:15:35.94\00:15:40.09 So don't tell me, 00:15:40.12\00:15:42.54 it doesn't matter what you believe, 00:15:42.57\00:15:46.34 because what you believe makes you what you are. 00:15:46.37\00:15:52.25 And today I want you to get to understand 00:15:52.28\00:15:55.88 by the grace of God the truth about the gospel. 00:15:55.91\00:16:00.82 Now back to the Christian's dilemma. 00:16:00.85\00:16:03.88 I want you to come over here to Matthew 11:28 and onwards. 00:16:03.91\00:16:07.60 Matthew 11:28 and onwards. 00:16:07.63\00:16:15.60 Matthew 11:28 and onwards, 00:16:15.63\00:16:17.73 I just love these words of Jesus. 00:16:17.76\00:16:20.25 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 00:16:20.28\00:16:24.38 and I will give you rest." 00:16:24.41\00:16:26.52 That's absolutely beautiful. 00:16:26.55\00:16:28.30 Christ says, "I will give you rest. 00:16:28.33\00:16:31.37 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 00:16:31.40\00:16:34.50 for I am gentle and humble in heart, 00:16:34.53\00:16:37.60 and you will find rest for your souls. 00:16:37.63\00:16:40.68 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 00:16:40.71\00:16:46.30 Now I'm gonna tell you the dilemma. 00:16:46.33\00:16:50.45 When you become a Christian 00:16:50.48\00:16:53.40 and you accept His rest, you have peace. 00:16:53.43\00:16:59.58 His yoke is easy and His burden is light 00:16:59.61\00:17:05.77 and if that is so, 00:17:05.80\00:17:08.04 then why is there so much struggle. 00:17:08.07\00:17:12.07 And you say I don't have any struggle. 00:17:12.10\00:17:16.41 Well, then you've got a problem 00:17:16.44\00:17:19.07 because the saints of God 00:17:19.10\00:17:22.38 in the Bible like St. Paul had a struggle. 00:17:22.41\00:17:28.15 The dilemma here it is, 00:17:28.18\00:17:31.64 the challenge of following Christ 00:17:31.67\00:17:34.91 and His teachings and the consequent struggle. 00:17:34.94\00:17:40.28 When I get through the day 00:17:40.31\00:17:42.01 you'll understand why people don't read their Bibles. 00:17:42.04\00:17:46.95 I'm going to show you today what a true Christian is. 00:17:46.98\00:17:53.85 What it takes to be a disciple of Christ. 00:17:53.88\00:17:59.95 Now when Jesus came, 00:17:59.98\00:18:02.23 He said the kingdom of heaven is at hand 00:18:02.26\00:18:04.95 and everybody was glad and shouting hallelujah. 00:18:04.98\00:18:08.99 And then Jesus went up on a mountain 00:18:09.02\00:18:11.40 near the Sea of Galilee, 00:18:11.43\00:18:13.79 the northern area and He sat down. 00:18:13.82\00:18:17.20 A mountain in the Bible is symbolic of the kingdom. 00:18:17.23\00:18:22.01 The city of Babylon was called a mountain. 00:18:22.04\00:18:24.54 The great stone of Daniel 2 becomes a mountain 00:18:24.57\00:18:28.57 because the mountain symbolizes the kingdom. 00:18:28.60\00:18:31.52 And when Jesus went up on the mountain 00:18:31.55\00:18:34.34 and gave the sermon on the Mount, 00:18:34.37\00:18:37.73 He was talking about the laws and the principles 00:18:37.76\00:18:42.91 not of the United States of America or of Great Britain 00:18:42.94\00:18:47.22 but He was talking about the laws and the great truths 00:18:47.25\00:18:54.32 that are the foundation of His kingdom. 00:18:54.35\00:18:58.75 What it takes to be a real Christian. 00:18:58.78\00:19:03.42 Now what we're going to notice now 00:19:03.45\00:19:05.65 is the description of a true Christian, 00:19:05.68\00:19:09.08 a follower of Christ. 00:19:09.11\00:19:10.65 Now you may say to me is, 00:19:10.68\00:19:12.85 do you think this is that important. 00:19:12.88\00:19:17.25 I want to tell you from my heart, 00:19:17.28\00:19:21.35 this is a matter of life and death. 00:19:21.38\00:19:26.32 What a tragedy if you should follow a certain teaching 00:19:26.35\00:19:31.21 and have absolute confidence that you are saved 00:19:31.24\00:19:35.42 and when you come up in the resurrection, 00:19:35.45\00:19:38.02 it's the resurrection of the lost. 00:19:38.05\00:19:40.35 Will that be a tragedy? 00:19:40.38\00:19:45.36 And therefore I want to show you today 00:19:45.39\00:19:48.61 what Jesus said is a true Christian. 00:19:48.64\00:19:54.28 And He gave it in Matthew 5 on the mountain. 00:19:54.31\00:19:58.33 Remember the mountain symbolizes the kingdom. 00:19:58.36\00:20:01.94 And so now He's giving the laws about the kingdom of God. 00:20:01.97\00:20:08.13 Matthew 5:1 and onwards. 00:20:08.16\00:20:12.27 "Now when he saw the crowds, 00:20:12.30\00:20:14.30 he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 00:20:14.33\00:20:17.98 His disciples came to him, 00:20:18.01\00:20:20.76 and he began to teach them, saying-- 00:20:20.79\00:20:24.33 "Now I'm going to share many texts with you today 00:20:24.36\00:20:27.31 but because of the brevity of time we spend here, 00:20:27.34\00:20:31.91 I'm going to go through some of these things quickly. 00:20:31.94\00:20:34.31 Verse 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit." 00:20:34.34\00:20:38.99 The people who are saved are spiritually poor. 00:20:39.02\00:20:43.99 The next verse, verse 4. 00:20:44.02\00:20:46.36 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." 00:20:46.39\00:20:50.62 The people who are His disciples are mourners. 00:20:50.65\00:20:54.36 They mourn because of their inadequacies and their sins. 00:20:54.39\00:21:00.05 Verse 5, "Blessed are the meek, 00:21:00.08\00:21:03.21 for they will inherit the earth." 00:21:03.24\00:21:05.29 A true disciple is a meek person. 00:21:05.32\00:21:08.15 Verse 6, "Blessed are those who hunger 00:21:08.18\00:21:11.24 and thirst for righteousness." 00:21:11.27\00:21:14.48 A true disciple is hungry 00:21:14.51\00:21:17.34 and thirsty for God all the time. 00:21:17.37\00:21:21.66 Verse 7, "Blessed are the merciful, 00:21:21.69\00:21:26.15 for they will be shown mercy." 00:21:26.18\00:21:28.43 A disciple of Christ is merciful. 00:21:28.46\00:21:32.24 Verse 8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, 00:21:32.27\00:21:35.65 for they will see God." 00:21:35.68\00:21:36.78 A disciple of Christ is pure. 00:21:36.81\00:21:40.48 He doesn't look at pornography, 00:21:40.51\00:21:43.35 anything like that. 00:21:43.38\00:21:45.07 Verse 9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, 00:21:45.10\00:21:48.42 for they will be called sons of God." 00:21:48.45\00:21:50.32 A disciple of Christ praise and works for peace. 00:21:50.35\00:21:56.50 Verse 10, "Blessed are those who are persecuted 00:21:56.53\00:22:00.65 because of righteousness, 00:22:00.68\00:22:02.65 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 00:22:02.68\00:22:05.53 A true disciple of Christ will experience 00:22:05.56\00:22:08.99 a times in His life, the fire of persecution 00:22:09.02\00:22:13.28 and if you never experience it perhaps you should doubt, 00:22:13.31\00:22:16.54 whether you're a disciple. 00:22:16.57\00:22:19.15 Now we're going to notice some of the laws 00:22:19.18\00:22:22.65 that are so specific. 00:22:22.68\00:22:24.78 Look at verse, verse 13, verse 13. 00:22:24.81\00:22:32.68 "You are the salt of the earth. 00:22:32.71\00:22:36.34 But if the salt loses its saltiness, 00:22:36.37\00:22:39.28 how can it be made salty again?" 00:22:39.31\00:22:42.01 Jesus says be genuine, be salty. 00:22:42.04\00:22:48.13 Verse 14, "You are the light of the world." 00:22:48.16\00:22:51.44 Jesus said be a light. 00:22:51.47\00:22:55.19 Verse 18 and 19, verse 18 and 19, 00:22:55.22\00:23:00.20 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, 00:23:00.23\00:23:03.23 until heaven and earth disappear, 00:23:03.26\00:23:05.74 not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, 00:23:05.77\00:23:09.42 will by any means disappear from the Law 00:23:09.45\00:23:12.72 until everything is accomplished. 00:23:12.75\00:23:15.49 Anyone who breaks 00:23:15.52\00:23:16.76 one of the least of these commandments 00:23:16.79\00:23:18.73 and teaches others to do the same 00:23:18.76\00:23:21.14 will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, 00:23:21.17\00:23:24.34 but whoever practices and teaches these commands 00:23:24.37\00:23:27.61 will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 00:23:27.64\00:23:31.95 People who don't read their Bible say, 00:23:31.98\00:23:36.32 the Old Testament is the book 00:23:36.35\00:23:38.60 that is full of laws and commands. It is. 00:23:38.63\00:23:44.11 They say thank God that we have the New Testament, 00:23:44.14\00:23:50.09 they obviously haven't read it. 00:23:50.12\00:23:55.24 And these are the words of Jesus 00:23:55.27\00:23:58.96 who would today be accused of the sin of legalism 00:23:58.99\00:24:05.25 because he's saying, do, do and be. 00:24:05.28\00:24:09.44 Look at verse 20, don't get angry with me. 00:24:09.47\00:24:12.63 Jesus said, "For I tell you 00:24:12.66\00:24:15.25 that unless your righteousness surpasses 00:24:15.28\00:24:19.03 that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, 00:24:19.06\00:24:22.68 you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." 00:24:22.71\00:24:25.60 Jesus said, if you're going to be my disciple, 00:24:25.63\00:24:30.76 you will be better than the most 00:24:30.79\00:24:33.91 religious people in the world. 00:24:33.94\00:24:39.06 The Pharisees were the most religious people in the world. 00:24:39.09\00:24:43.41 Jesus said, the Pharisees come to church 00:24:43.44\00:24:47.46 at 9 o'clock you come at 8:30. 00:24:47.49\00:24:50.03 You ought to be better and higher 00:24:54.05\00:24:59.72 than all the people in the world. 00:24:59.75\00:25:02.35 Matthew 5:21-22. 00:25:02.38\00:25:06.04 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 00:25:06.07\00:25:08.23 'Do not murder." 00:25:08.26\00:25:10.00 Verse 22, "But I tell you that anyone 00:25:10.03\00:25:12.36 who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." 00:25:12.39\00:25:15.88 Jesus says, be not angry, 00:25:15.91\00:25:20.35 not a case of not murdering, Jesus said don't even get angry. 00:25:20.38\00:25:25.29 Verse 23 and 24, 00:25:25.32\00:25:27.47 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar 00:25:27.50\00:25:30.70 and there remember that your brother 00:25:30.73\00:25:32.74 has something against you, 00:25:32.77\00:25:34.45 leave your gift there in front of the altar. 00:25:34.48\00:25:36.65 First go and be reconciled to your brother, 00:25:36.68\00:25:39.64 then come and offer your gift." 00:25:39.67\00:25:41.76 Jesus is saying be consolatory. 00:25:41.79\00:25:46.21 Don't sue people. Verse 27-28. 00:25:46.24\00:25:53.18 "You have heard that it was said, 00:25:53.21\00:25:54.27 'Do not commit adultery.' 00:25:54.30\00:25:57.45 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman 00:25:57.48\00:26:00.36 lustfully has already committed adultery 00:26:00.39\00:26:04.00 with her in his heart." 00:26:04.03\00:26:09.37 So Jesus says, be pure inside. 00:26:09.40\00:26:16.98 You say what sort of religion is this. 00:26:17.01\00:26:20.28 This is not like the religion of my church. 00:26:20.31\00:26:24.56 This is the religion of Christ. 00:26:24.59\00:26:27.78 He's talking about those who are the citizens of His kingdom. 00:26:27.81\00:26:34.10 Verse 31, "It has been said, 00:26:34.13\00:26:36.45 'Anyone who divorces his wife 00:26:36.48\00:26:37.94 must give her a certificate of divorce.'' 00:26:37.97\00:26:40.33 But I tell you, He says 00:26:40.36\00:26:42.30 be a one marriage person He says. 00:26:42.33\00:26:45.71 I wonder if Jesus would fit into our churches 00:26:45.74\00:26:48.33 or would He be this fellowshipped. 00:26:48.36\00:26:50.62 Verse 33 to 37. 00:26:50.65\00:26:52.50 "Again, you have heard that 00:26:52.53\00:26:53.56 it was said to the people long ago, 00:26:53.59\00:26:55.37 'Do not break your oath, 00:26:55.40\00:26:56.66 but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 00:26:56.69\00:26:58.83 But I tell you, Do not swear at all, 00:26:58.86\00:27:01.66 either by heaven, for it is God's throne or by the earth." 00:27:01.69\00:27:05.93 Verse 37, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' 00:27:05.96\00:27:08.81 and your 'No,' 'No'." 00:27:08.84\00:27:11.00 Jesus would say today, 00:27:11.03\00:27:13.31 how can you inherit the kingdom of God 00:27:13.34\00:27:16.13 when you blaspheme and say, oh my God. 00:27:16.16\00:27:20.43 Such will be thrown into utter darkness, 00:27:24.64\00:27:28.27 where they will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:27:28.30\00:27:31.09 Jesus said, don't swear. 00:27:31.12\00:27:35.90 Say yes and no. 00:27:35.93\00:27:39.59 And then He said, be gracious. 00:27:39.62\00:27:43.68 Look at verse 38 and onwards. 00:27:43.71\00:27:45.54 "You have heard that it was said, 00:27:45.57\00:27:46.99 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 00:27:47.02\00:27:49.15 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. 00:27:49.18\00:27:52.81 If someone strikes you on the right cheek, 00:27:52.84\00:27:54.96 turn to him the other also. 00:27:54.99\00:27:56.81 And if someone wants to sue you 00:27:56.84\00:27:58.75 and take your tunic, 00:27:58.78\00:28:00.07 let him have your cloak as well. 00:28:00.10\00:28:01.91 If someone forces you to go one mile, 00:28:01.94\00:28:03.97 go with him two miles." 00:28:04.00\00:28:07.57 You know what Jesus is referring to, don't you? 00:28:07.60\00:28:10.78 The Romans who were the occupying power. 00:28:10.81\00:28:16.29 Think my Americans friends, 00:28:16.32\00:28:18.76 if America were occupied by the Russians. 00:28:18.79\00:28:23.09 And Jesus says, he said to His disciple, 00:28:26.81\00:28:30.53 if the occupier come along and says, carry my bag. 00:28:30.56\00:28:35.76 The law said he had to do it for a mile. 00:28:35.79\00:28:40.09 And if a Pharisee was asked he would carry for a mile 00:28:40.12\00:28:44.13 and look for a puddle of mud and drop it in. 00:28:44.16\00:28:50.36 Jesus said, your righteousness 00:28:50.39\00:28:54.89 must be better than that carry it two miles. 00:28:54.92\00:28:58.46 Who is this man? 00:29:02.05\00:29:05.31 He brought to the world 00:29:05.34\00:29:07.08 the most revolutionary teachings, 00:29:07.11\00:29:10.03 but most of those who claim his name 00:29:10.06\00:29:14.18 have never read them. 00:29:14.21\00:29:15.47 You see, the Bible talks about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:15.50\00:29:21.93 Christ is the Messiah. Everybody wants Jesus. 00:29:21.96\00:29:25.86 Everybody loves Jesus. 00:29:25.89\00:29:30.05 Jesus means Savior. 00:29:30.08\00:29:32.68 People want to be saved 00:29:32.71\00:29:36.07 but they do not want Him as Lord and Lord his Master. 00:29:36.10\00:29:40.82 And here Jesus is giving the lordship teachings 00:29:44.26\00:29:49.44 of the kingdom of God. 00:29:49.47\00:29:52.96 Describing those who are going to be saved, 00:29:52.99\00:29:56.73 is this too hard for you? 00:29:56.76\00:29:58.35 My friends these words will judge 00:29:58.38\00:30:01.36 you and me in the last days. 00:30:01.39\00:30:04.52 Verse 43 and 44, 00:30:04.55\00:30:06.73 "You have heard that it was said, 00:30:06.76\00:30:07.96 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 00:30:07.99\00:30:10.09 But I tell you, Love your enemies 00:30:10.12\00:30:12.55 and pray for those who persecute you." 00:30:12.58\00:30:18.40 If this was so, 00:30:18.43\00:30:20.46 all of the attorneys would be out of jobs. 00:30:20.49\00:30:23.00 Do not deceive yourselves into thinking 00:30:26.21\00:30:30.76 that you're a Christian if you're not. 00:30:30.79\00:30:34.55 Jesus said, you're called to love 00:30:34.58\00:30:37.25 the person who's suing you. 00:30:37.28\00:30:39.97 The mean person, the person that you do not like 00:30:40.00\00:30:45.18 because nobody can like him. 00:30:45.21\00:30:48.33 The narrow minded religious humbug 00:30:48.36\00:30:52.28 who comes into church and flouts her spirituality 00:30:52.31\00:30:57.57 but knows nothing of God's love. 00:30:57.60\00:30:59.22 Jesus said, love that person. 00:30:59.25\00:31:02.70 He said, don't just love your friends, 00:31:02.73\00:31:05.83 but love your enemies. 00:31:05.86\00:31:08.57 Chapter 6 verse 1 00:31:08.60\00:31:09.63 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' 00:31:09.66\00:31:12.18 before men, be humble." 00:31:12.21\00:31:15.05 Verse 4 "So that your giving may be in secret." 00:31:15.08\00:31:18.88 Be secretive of your good deeds. 00:31:18.91\00:31:22.05 Do not be like the person 00:31:22.08\00:31:24.04 who went to a great religious convention 00:31:24.07\00:31:26.91 and gave a million dollars on condition 00:31:26.94\00:31:30.78 that the television cameras were there 00:31:30.81\00:31:33.69 and they took pictures of the check 00:31:33.72\00:31:36.23 that reached across the stage. 00:31:36.26\00:31:41.53 Such a religion is humbug. 00:31:41.56\00:31:46.39 The disciple of Christ will not let 00:31:46.42\00:31:49.07 his left hand know what his right hand is doing. 00:31:49.10\00:31:53.10 Verse 7, verse 7, "When you pray, 00:31:53.13\00:31:57.37 do not keep on babbling like pagans, 00:31:57.40\00:32:02.07 for they think they will be heard 00:32:02.10\00:32:03.84 because of their many words." 00:32:03.87\00:32:05.34 Jesus said don't be verbose, get to the point. 00:32:05.37\00:32:09.41 When you're talking to God, you want to impress Him. 00:32:09.44\00:32:13.04 Verse 9, "This, then, is how you should pray, 00:32:13.07\00:32:16.05 'Our Father in heaven..."' This is a sample prayer. 00:32:16.08\00:32:19.54 Be personal with God, call Him Father. 00:32:19.57\00:32:23.21 Verse 12, "Forgive us our debts, 00:32:23.24\00:32:26.99 as we also have forgiven our debtors." 00:32:27.02\00:32:29.68 Be forgiving. 00:32:29.71\00:32:31.74 Verse 13, "And lead us not into temptation, 00:32:31.77\00:32:35.09 but deliver us from the evil one.''' 00:32:35.12\00:32:36.75 Be smart. 00:32:36.78\00:32:40.11 If you have got an alcohol problem 00:32:40.14\00:32:43.21 do not walk past the bar, 00:32:43.24\00:32:46.69 do not walk past the hotel. 00:32:46.72\00:32:50.15 So Jesus said a Christian will be as wise as a serpent. 00:32:50.18\00:32:56.78 Be smart. 00:33:00.52\00:33:01.94 Verse 16 and 17, "When you fast, 00:33:01.97\00:33:04.77 do not look somber as the hypocrites do..." 00:33:04.80\00:33:08.52 Verse 17, "But when you fast, 00:33:08.55\00:33:10.79 put oil on your head and wash your face..." 00:33:10.82\00:33:14.61 So Jesus said do not have a long face, 00:33:14.64\00:33:18.61 Jesus said be joyful, even when you fast. 00:33:18.64\00:33:23.24 No wonder they put him on a cross. 00:33:23.27\00:33:26.52 And verse 19 to 21, 00:33:26.55\00:33:28.48 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, 00:33:28.51\00:33:31.07 where moth and rust destroy, 00:33:31.10\00:33:33.15 and where thieves break in and steal. 00:33:33.18\00:33:35.23 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." 00:33:35.26\00:33:38.92 Verse 21, "For where your treasure is, 00:33:38.95\00:33:41.79 there your heart will be also." 00:33:41.82\00:33:43.46 Be generous with God, pay your tithes 00:33:43.49\00:33:47.25 and pay your offerings maybe pay a double tithe, 00:33:47.28\00:33:51.19 but be generous to God. 00:33:51.22\00:33:55.59 Verse 22, he says, 00:33:55.62\00:33:58.37 "The eye is the lamp of the body. 00:33:58.40\00:34:00.42 If your eyes are good, 00:34:00.45\00:34:01.61 your whole body will be full of light. 00:34:01.64\00:34:03.75 But if your eyes are bad, 00:34:03.78\00:34:05.83 your whole body will be full of darkness." 00:34:05.86\00:34:10.16 He says, do not be spiritually blind. 00:34:10.19\00:34:14.15 When Jesus is talking here about the eye and the light, 00:34:14.18\00:34:19.53 He's talking about spiritual perceptions, 00:34:19.56\00:34:23.74 be able to have the gift of discernment 00:34:23.77\00:34:28.10 and see what is right and what is wrong. 00:34:28.13\00:34:33.59 These are His disciples. 00:34:33.62\00:34:36.64 Now I'm going to summarize 00:34:36.67\00:34:38.32 the rest of Christ sermons without going through the texts. 00:34:38.35\00:34:45.46 He goes on to say 00:34:45.49\00:34:46.52 and this was point 29 actually in my notes. 00:34:46.55\00:34:50.08 I have gone through 28 points. Here's point 29. 00:34:50.11\00:34:53.16 Be totally devoted to God. 00:34:53.19\00:34:56.01 You can't love God and money, he says. 00:34:56.04\00:34:59.54 Be totally devoted. Number 30 point. 00:34:59.57\00:35:03.66 Don't love money. 00:35:03.69\00:35:04.94 He says, if you love money you're not my disciples 00:35:04.97\00:35:08.53 but you'll be lost. Now that's a tough one. 00:35:08.56\00:35:13.38 Because we live proudly in a capitalistic society, 00:35:13.41\00:35:17.72 where many people are taught 00:35:17.75\00:35:20.05 that the wealthier you are the better you are, 00:35:20.08\00:35:23.35 that is not true. Jesus was a poor man. 00:35:23.38\00:35:27.92 And not that we advocate that people be poor people 00:35:27.95\00:35:31.36 and live off other people. We're not talking about that. 00:35:31.39\00:35:37.79 But our Lord taught us that His truth goes into the soul. 00:35:37.82\00:35:43.14 Don't love money. 00:35:43.17\00:35:45.31 Then He said, don't worry, don't be a worrier. 00:35:45.34\00:35:49.53 Don't worry He said. 00:35:49.56\00:35:51.41 Look at the birds, they don't worry. 00:35:51.44\00:35:54.89 And then He said, give God your best, 00:35:54.92\00:35:57.29 seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. 00:35:57.32\00:36:00.87 God must be first. 00:36:00.90\00:36:02.62 Now He's talking about His disciples. 00:36:02.65\00:36:04.73 Was Jesus the supreme legalist, 00:36:04.76\00:36:07.84 who was teaching us that we're saved by our works? 00:36:07.87\00:36:12.20 Point number 3. He said, don't condemn people. 00:36:12.23\00:36:16.17 Number 34. 00:36:16.20\00:36:17.27 Look at your own faults, not at your brothers. 00:36:17.30\00:36:21.12 He said, don't tell your brother 00:36:21.15\00:36:22.52 that you're going to take the mode out his eye, 00:36:22.55\00:36:24.89 when there is a piece of 4/2 in your own eye. 00:36:24.92\00:36:29.32 So He said, don't be critical of human frailty. 00:36:29.35\00:36:35.05 Number 35. Be discerning. 00:36:35.08\00:36:39.55 36, be believing. 00:36:39.58\00:36:41.77 Full of faith, that was 37. 00:36:41.80\00:36:44.98 And 38 is the toughest one of the whole lot 00:36:45.01\00:36:47.88 which really distinguishes 00:36:47.91\00:36:49.72 a child of God from a child of devil. 00:36:49.75\00:36:53.50 Look at Matthew 7. 00:36:53.53\00:36:54.72 This is the same sermon verse 12. 00:36:54.75\00:36:57.29 Verse 12 Matthew 7, 00:37:00.52\00:37:02.24 this distinguishes a Christian from a pagan. 00:37:02.27\00:37:06.55 "So in everything, do to others 00:37:06.58\00:37:08.93 what you would have them do to you, 00:37:08.96\00:37:11.05 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." 00:37:11.08\00:37:15.09 Are disciple of Christ will do to others 00:37:15.12\00:37:19.31 what he would like others to do to him. 00:37:19.34\00:37:23.92 Did you see this week 00:37:23.95\00:37:26.10 when a presidential candidate had the temerity to say 00:37:26.13\00:37:30.10 to a large crowd of people, 00:37:30.13\00:37:31.98 maybe it's time that we practice the golden rule 00:37:32.01\00:37:37.43 and did to others 00:37:37.46\00:37:38.90 what we would like them to do onto us. 00:37:38.93\00:37:40.99 He was booed. 00:37:41.02\00:37:43.89 The hall was filled with people, 00:37:43.92\00:37:46.28 who were booing because my friend, 00:37:46.31\00:37:48.73 they do not understand this gospel. 00:37:48.76\00:37:52.38 This gospel is not Americanism or British Israelitism 00:37:52.41\00:38:00.38 or Australianism or any other ism, 00:38:00.41\00:38:03.55 it is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:38:03.58\00:38:08.00 and it sets a high standard. 00:38:08.03\00:38:11.91 So it's easy to become a Christian. 00:38:11.94\00:38:14.82 Jesus said, be narrow. 00:38:14.85\00:38:17.68 Verse 13 and 14, "Enter through the narrow gate. 00:38:17.71\00:38:21.67 For wide is the gate and broad is the road 00:38:21.70\00:38:24.24 that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 00:38:24.27\00:38:28.19 But small is the gate and narrow the road 00:38:28.22\00:38:31.28 that leads to life, and only a few find it." 00:38:31.31\00:38:35.77 In comparison to the multitudes in the world, 00:38:35.80\00:38:39.00 Jesus said as far as truth is concerned, 00:38:39.03\00:38:43.87 you need to walk, the narrow road. 00:38:43.90\00:38:47.73 Not the wide road, that goes down to hell. 00:38:47.76\00:38:53.52 Point number 40, He said, 00:38:53.55\00:38:54.89 be wise and keep your eyes open. 00:38:54.92\00:38:57.65 Number 41, He said, be obedient, be listening. 00:38:57.68\00:39:01.97 And number 42, He said, be a disciple. 00:39:02.00\00:39:05.64 Now listen carefully, 00:39:10.59\00:39:11.75 because if this is making you uncomfortable here today, 00:39:11.78\00:39:16.87 maybe you need to be uncomfortable. 00:39:16.90\00:39:21.08 But Jesus did not come to make people comfortable, 00:39:21.11\00:39:26.67 Jesus came to set up a kingdom and to call out disciples. 00:39:26.70\00:39:33.04 Jesus in not giving merely good advice, 00:39:33.07\00:39:36.46 He's describing the citizens of the kingdom. 00:39:36.49\00:39:40.31 No wonder, now listen to this, 00:39:40.34\00:39:43.58 no wonder straight after Jesus gave the sermon, 00:39:43.61\00:39:48.04 the Bible tells the story of the healing of the leper. 00:39:48.07\00:39:55.00 No wonder, look at Matthew 8, 00:39:55.03\00:39:57.58 straight after the sermon. 00:39:57.61\00:40:00.84 "When he came down from the mountainside, 00:40:00.87\00:40:02.38 large crowds followed him. 00:40:02.41\00:40:04.01 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 00:40:04.04\00:40:07.03 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' 00:40:07.06\00:40:09.97 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 00:40:10.00\00:40:12.62 'I am willing,' he said. 00:40:12.65\00:40:15.02 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cured of his leprosy." 00:40:15.05\00:40:21.27 You know why that story is there. 00:40:21.30\00:40:24.49 You think it's by luck or by chance. 00:40:24.52\00:40:29.89 That story is there 00:40:29.92\00:40:31.36 because after you and I have read 00:40:31.39\00:40:35.12 the principles of the kingdom of God, 00:40:35.15\00:40:39.60 we discover, we're what? We're lepers. 00:40:39.63\00:40:44.11 Every one of us is a leper 00:40:44.14\00:40:46.98 in constant need of the grace of God. 00:40:47.01\00:40:51.21 Why should human flesh 00:40:51.24\00:40:54.30 be proud or boast of anything, 00:40:54.33\00:40:59.94 when we're lepers... 00:40:59.97\00:41:05.77 and indeed of the touch of Christ. 00:41:05.80\00:41:11.10 The Christian dilemma, what is the solution? 00:41:11.13\00:41:16.31 Can you now see why I asked the question 00:41:16.34\00:41:20.39 about babies that don't grow up, is that good? 00:41:20.42\00:41:24.29 It is because we do not study the teachings of Christ 00:41:24.32\00:41:29.49 and by the grace of God practice them 00:41:29.52\00:41:31.77 that we have so many babies. 00:41:31.80\00:41:36.72 Babies in church, yes. 00:41:36.75\00:41:40.16 Maybe somebody comes around the church 00:41:40.19\00:41:42.60 and somebody is sitting in her seat 00:41:42.63\00:41:44.57 and she says well, I'm not going to go there anymore. 00:41:44.60\00:41:47.66 She's a baby. 00:41:47.69\00:41:49.83 Never grown up and then other people say, 00:41:49.86\00:41:53.19 well, it's raining today and they pull the covers up. 00:41:53.22\00:41:57.86 I guess the best place for babies to be is in bed. 00:41:57.89\00:42:03.82 But it is a tragedy, 00:42:03.85\00:42:05.25 when a little baby doesn't grow up. 00:42:05.28\00:42:08.73 It is a tragedy when a Christian stays 00:42:08.76\00:42:11.70 in the same spiritual condition year after year. 00:42:11.73\00:42:16.78 And remember this is not an option 00:42:16.81\00:42:20.07 that we're talking about, we're talking about salvation. 00:42:20.10\00:42:24.83 The Christians dilemma, what is the solution? 00:42:24.86\00:42:31.22 There are two words that I've tried to teach you. 00:42:31.25\00:42:35.82 And most people don't get it. 00:42:35.85\00:42:39.59 One is standing and one at state. 00:42:39.62\00:42:44.22 Say with me, standing. Standing. 00:42:44.25\00:42:46.50 Say it loud. 00:42:46.53\00:42:47.56 Standing. Standing. 00:42:47.59\00:42:48.62 What's the next word? 00:42:48.65\00:42:49.68 State. Standing and state. 00:42:49.71\00:42:53.41 I have written it over here on the blackboard, 00:42:53.44\00:42:56.42 standing and state. 00:42:56.45\00:42:59.74 And I want to tell you how we can be His disciples. 00:42:59.77\00:43:05.40 When I come to Christ, I come as a penitent sinner 00:43:05.43\00:43:12.49 and when I come to Christ 00:43:12.52\00:43:14.72 and He justifies me by His blood. 00:43:14.75\00:43:19.49 Instantaneously I have a perfect standing with God. 00:43:19.52\00:43:24.27 Amen. Better say amen to that. 00:43:24.30\00:43:26.09 Amen. Especially if you're a leper. 00:43:26.12\00:43:29.67 And come over here to Romans 5:1. 00:43:29.70\00:43:32.65 Now if you get this, it's going to change your life. 00:43:32.68\00:43:36.20 It's going to make you a better person, 00:43:36.23\00:43:37.87 going to make you a happier person. 00:43:37.90\00:43:40.00 If you're a miserable person, it's gonna change you. 00:43:40.03\00:43:43.53 Romans 5:1, Therefore, since we have been justified 00:43:43.56\00:43:47.96 or declared righteous through faith, 00:43:47.99\00:43:50.49 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." 00:43:50.52\00:43:54.11 Listen my friend, 00:43:54.14\00:43:56.45 when I'm justified by the blood of Jesus, 00:43:56.48\00:44:02.97 I get a perfect standing, 00:44:03.00\00:44:06.58 100% standing, 00:44:06.61\00:44:09.60 I stand in the sight of a Holy God 00:44:09.63\00:44:13.22 as though I have never sinned, just like Jesus. 00:44:13.25\00:44:17.80 It's a perfect standing. 00:44:17.83\00:44:20.42 But what some people don't understand is this. 00:44:20.45\00:44:24.05 They don't have a perfect state. 00:44:24.08\00:44:26.21 When I was back in Brisbane sometime back 00:44:32.16\00:44:34.72 when my father went to work at the Cairncross Dry Dock. 00:44:34.75\00:44:39.76 I remember how ships would come into that dock. 00:44:39.79\00:44:43.42 American worships, blown almost to pieces. 00:44:43.45\00:44:47.45 When they were dragged up the Brisbane river, 00:44:47.48\00:44:50.23 they got into the home of a ally, hallelujah. 00:44:50.26\00:44:54.21 They are out of the enemy's grasp. 00:44:54.24\00:44:57.03 And when they got into the Cairncross Dry Dock, 00:44:57.06\00:44:59.72 they had a perfect standing. 00:44:59.75\00:45:04.67 They were safe but they weren't sound. 00:45:04.70\00:45:09.99 They needed a lot of work, that's like us. 00:45:10.02\00:45:16.11 We may have got into the dry dock 00:45:16.14\00:45:19.06 but we need if you're like me, a lot of work. 00:45:19.09\00:45:24.07 What we need a mighty infusion of grace, 00:45:24.10\00:45:29.64 love and an attitude of gratitude 00:45:29.67\00:45:33.96 that's called holiness and sanctification. 00:45:33.99\00:45:39.40 Now as the pastor 00:45:39.43\00:45:41.50 and I pastored the biggest churches and the smallest. 00:45:41.53\00:45:44.79 It is wonderful to baptize people 00:45:44.82\00:45:47.60 but that's not enough. 00:45:47.63\00:45:49.77 They have got to grow in grace. 00:45:49.80\00:45:52.46 It's wonderful to see babies grow up 00:45:52.49\00:45:55.05 but it's a tragedy after 30 years. 00:45:55.08\00:45:58.92 Some people are no more mature. 00:45:58.95\00:46:02.59 They're still going home because somebody said boo. 00:46:02.62\00:46:07.53 They're still inhospitable. 00:46:07.56\00:46:10.92 They're still the frozen chosen but they haven't been chosen. 00:46:10.95\00:46:17.13 They're not the children of God. 00:46:17.16\00:46:20.86 They need-- we need a mighty infusion of grace, love 00:46:20.89\00:46:26.02 and an attitude of gratitude to work on the state. 00:46:26.05\00:46:33.37 It's easy to become a Christian. 00:46:33.40\00:46:35.52 It's not easy to stay a Christian. 00:46:35.55\00:46:39.34 Now I'm going to contrast this, 00:46:39.37\00:46:41.78 I'm going to put it up on one screen 00:46:41.81\00:46:44.15 and then I'm going to put 00:46:44.18\00:46:45.85 the other side on the other screen. 00:46:45.88\00:46:47.91 If you understand this, it's going to help you. 00:46:47.94\00:46:51.29 We're going to put up on one screen. 00:46:51.32\00:46:53.54 Let's have it, we're gonna put up. 00:46:53.57\00:46:55.60 Here it is, over here we're gonna put up 00:46:55.63\00:46:57.59 sanctification and we're gonna put up-- 00:46:57.62\00:47:01.07 where is justification going to go? 00:47:01.10\00:47:03.84 Here we got to have justification. 00:47:03.87\00:47:06.17 Now justification my friend gives me 00:47:06.20\00:47:09.97 a perfect standing with God. 00:47:10.00\00:47:13.91 Justification--now I'm gonna give you little theology, 00:47:13.94\00:47:17.30 but what I'm telling you is the truth, 00:47:17.33\00:47:20.35 even though most folks don't seem to get it, 00:47:20.38\00:47:23.28 but you can get it. 00:47:23.31\00:47:24.79 If I can get it, anybody can get it. 00:47:24.82\00:47:27.83 Justification in the center there is a declaration. 00:47:27.86\00:47:33.23 It is a declaration that the sinner is righteous, 00:47:33.26\00:47:37.09 it is a judicial statement. 00:47:37.12\00:47:41.32 And it changes my standing from being lost to being saved. 00:47:41.35\00:47:47.61 But sanctification my friend is a making of holiness, 00:47:47.64\00:47:54.35 it is our work in the life 00:47:54.38\00:47:57.05 and that's what Jesus was talking about. 00:47:57.08\00:48:01.55 He's talking about the work in the life. 00:48:01.58\00:48:05.24 Justification, number two here it is, number two. 00:48:05.27\00:48:11.46 Christ for me, He died for me. 00:48:11.49\00:48:16.46 I'm saved not because of my works 00:48:16.49\00:48:19.99 but because He died for me, you see. 00:48:20.02\00:48:23.57 And therefore I will have an attitude of gratitude. 00:48:23.60\00:48:26.81 You cannot be a miserable Christian. 00:48:26.84\00:48:31.50 That's an oxymoron. 00:48:31.53\00:48:34.52 But sanctification is Christ in me 00:48:34.55\00:48:38.46 which is the fruitage of Christ for me. 00:48:38.49\00:48:44.80 Somebody is saying, well, what's that matter. 00:48:44.83\00:48:46.32 Well, it better matter if you want to be saved. 00:48:46.35\00:48:49.03 Point number three, justification is 100% complete. 00:48:49.06\00:48:54.04 You can't add to it. 00:48:54.07\00:48:55.39 If you have the perfect righteousness of God, 00:48:55.42\00:48:58.02 you can't make that any better. 00:48:58.05\00:49:01.56 You're gonna have that as a gift. 00:49:01.59\00:49:05.24 It's 100% complete but if you're a disciple, 00:49:05.27\00:49:09.44 the Spirit of God will come into you 00:49:09.47\00:49:11.82 and start to work upon all that nastiness's there. 00:49:11.85\00:49:17.06 And it's incomplete. 00:49:17.09\00:49:18.80 You could never come to the place 00:49:18.83\00:49:20.50 where you can say, I'm perfect, look at me. 00:49:20.53\00:49:26.06 Point number four. 00:49:26.09\00:49:27.81 The Bible says, in Christ there is no condemnation. 00:49:27.84\00:49:33.08 I can go to bed knowing that I'm going home to glory, 00:49:33.11\00:49:36.99 there's no condemnation. 00:49:37.02\00:49:39.73 But my friend in sanctification 00:49:39.76\00:49:43.35 I have a sense of my sinfulness. 00:49:43.38\00:49:45.98 You say, no, no, I don't go. 00:49:46.01\00:49:47.59 Well, you go and read Romans 7 00:49:47.62\00:49:49.81 and there you have got one of the greatest Christians 00:49:49.84\00:49:51.91 who ever lived and he says, "Oh, wretched man that I'm." 00:49:51.94\00:49:57.75 If you're a true Christian, you'll be crying out every day, 00:49:57.78\00:50:01.45 Lord have mercy on this wretched man. 00:50:01.48\00:50:05.65 And he won't be talking about somebody else. 00:50:05.68\00:50:10.85 Point number five. 00:50:10.88\00:50:13.76 Justification, a perfect standing, 00:50:13.79\00:50:17.42 sanctification, an imperfect state. 00:50:17.45\00:50:20.48 Point number six. 00:50:20.51\00:50:22.48 My standing is through the blood of Christ, 00:50:22.51\00:50:25.62 I'm redeemed through the blood 00:50:25.65\00:50:27.97 but I'm sanctified or made Holy 00:50:28.00\00:50:32.36 in the life through the Spirit of God. 00:50:32.39\00:50:35.87 And if He doesn't come into your life, 00:50:35.90\00:50:37.75 it's because you haven't come to Christ. 00:50:37.78\00:50:40.28 This standing justification happens in a moment of time, 00:50:40.31\00:50:43.74 my friend some of you don't know that. 00:50:43.77\00:50:46.46 Some of you got a real problem. 00:50:46.49\00:50:48.34 You got so much religion in you, bad religion 00:50:48.37\00:50:51.42 that you don't even understand what I'm saying 00:50:51.45\00:50:53.69 and maybe some of you are on the verge 00:50:53.72\00:50:56.10 of committing the unpardonable sin 00:50:56.13\00:50:57.75 because you've been hardening your heart. 00:50:57.78\00:50:59.64 You better think about that. 00:50:59.67\00:51:03.05 You know why I'm telling you this 00:51:03.08\00:51:04.27 because I want you to be saved. 00:51:04.30\00:51:08.16 I get a perfect standing in a moment. 00:51:08.19\00:51:11.24 But changing my state is a life time. 00:51:11.27\00:51:15.21 In Christ I have a perfect peace 00:51:15.24\00:51:20.07 but as the Spirit of God works on me, 00:51:20.10\00:51:22.08 there's a struggle in my life, what about you? 00:51:22.11\00:51:25.59 Point number nine. 00:51:25.62\00:51:27.52 On the cross, the battle was won and finished. 00:51:27.55\00:51:32.26 When I come to Christ, He accepts me as I'm 00:51:32.29\00:51:37.09 because His battle was finished on the cross 00:51:37.12\00:51:39.88 but the battle goes on in my life. 00:51:39.91\00:51:43.61 Look at the blackboard. 00:51:43.64\00:51:45.05 Justification is a declaration. 00:51:45.08\00:51:48.52 Say--it's not a making, this is sanctification, 00:51:48.55\00:51:52.81 the declaration Christ forming sanctification is Christ in me. 00:51:52.84\00:51:57.86 This is a 100% it's through the blood, 00:51:57.89\00:52:00.78 this is through the spirit. 00:52:00.81\00:52:02.66 So you see it's easy to become a Christian, 00:52:05.50\00:52:11.24 it's not easy to stay one. 00:52:11.27\00:52:12.62 Point number 10. 00:52:12.65\00:52:16.50 This doctrine of a perfect standing 00:52:16.53\00:52:19.95 is Biblical Protestant and Adventist. 00:52:19.98\00:52:24.96 And the doctrine of God's changing this state 00:52:24.99\00:52:28.98 my bad old nature, 00:52:29.01\00:52:31.95 that's Biblical Protestant, an Adventist. 00:52:31.98\00:52:37.66 There is such a thing as having a false security. 00:52:37.69\00:52:44.53 You can only have a security, 00:52:44.56\00:52:50.36 if the fruits of the life show 00:52:50.39\00:52:54.77 that you have been redeemed. 00:52:54.80\00:52:56.82 That is why on the judgment, 00:52:56.85\00:52:58.69 we're judged not by faith but by works, 00:52:58.72\00:53:04.40 because the works show what I'm? 00:53:04.43\00:53:08.51 How do you fell about that? 00:53:08.54\00:53:11.78 That Jesus have the last word, shall we? 00:53:11.81\00:53:15.98 Mathew 7 and this is the conclusion to His sermon. 00:53:16.01\00:53:21.58 That certainly amazed them. 00:53:21.61\00:53:24.96 Mathew 7:21 and onwards He has the last word. 00:53:24.99\00:53:31.22 Therefore-- while He said all these things 00:53:31.25\00:53:34.43 you need to do this, you need to do that, 00:53:34.46\00:53:36.19 you need to do someone else. 00:53:36.22\00:53:38.98 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine," 00:53:39.01\00:53:43.72 what does it say? 00:53:43.75\00:53:45.60 Come on, put some, what does it say? 00:53:45.63\00:53:49.57 Guy, I want you to talk to me what does it say? 00:53:49.60\00:53:53.05 Put some into what? 00:53:53.08\00:53:55.10 "Puts them into practice is like a wise man 00:53:55.13\00:53:58.55 who built his house on the rock. 00:53:58.58\00:54:01.48 The rain came down the streams rose, 00:54:01.51\00:54:03.72 and the winds blew and beat against that house, 00:54:03.75\00:54:06.36 yet it did not fall, 00:54:06.39\00:54:07.61 because it had its foundation on the rock. 00:54:07.64\00:54:11.88 But everyone who hears these words of mine 00:54:11.91\00:54:14.36 and does not put them into practice 00:54:14.39\00:54:18.41 is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 00:54:18.44\00:54:23.36 The rain came down, the streams rose, 00:54:23.39\00:54:26.96 and the winds blew and beat against that house, 00:54:26.99\00:54:29.62 and it fell with a great crash." 00:54:29.65\00:54:34.13 When Jesus had finished saying these things, 00:54:34.16\00:54:37.32 the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 00:54:37.35\00:54:40.31 because he taught as one who had authority, 00:54:40.34\00:54:44.53 and not as their teachers of the law." 00:54:44.56\00:54:48.95 Jesus on another occasion said, 00:54:48.98\00:54:53.03 listen to it, He said, 00:54:53.06\00:54:56.20 "He who has ears to hear, 00:54:56.23\00:55:02.02 let him hear, amen. Amen. 00:55:02.05\00:55:08.69 The Carter Report is a self supporting ministry 00:55:08.72\00:55:11.90 with a global mission. 00:55:11.93\00:55:13.63 We believe that the most important thing 00:55:13.66\00:55:15.65 that we can do in this tremendous hour 00:55:15.68\00:55:18.32 is to tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:55:18.35\00:55:21.68 Because Jesus said, 00:55:21.71\00:55:23.33 "I am the way, the truth and the life." 00:55:23.36\00:55:26.17 We do not believe that this is business as usual. 00:55:26.20\00:55:30.23 We believe that we are living in the closing hours 00:55:30.26\00:55:33.58 in the history of this world. 00:55:33.61\00:55:35.25 Bless your heart, friend. 00:55:35.28\00:55:36.81 Look at the signs that are being fulfilled almost everyday. 00:55:36.84\00:55:40.50 The signs of the times are shouting at us. 00:55:40.53\00:55:43.69 And they're saying, "Jesus is coming soon." 00:55:43.72\00:55:47.14 I want you to be my partner in global mission. 00:55:47.17\00:55:50.68 I want you to be my partner 00:55:50.71\00:55:52.47 in helping to tell the world about the coming of Jesus. 00:55:52.50\00:55:56.25 I want you to be my partner in the preaching 00:55:56.28\00:55:59.40 of the distinctive truths of the Three Angels' Messages. 00:55:59.43\00:56:04.08 Please, check us out 00:56:04.11\00:56:06.31 at the new "Carter Report" website, cartereport.org. 00:56:06.34\00:56:11.18 We have a special section whereby you can ask questions 00:56:11.21\00:56:16.02 and I will give you the answers 00:56:16.05\00:56:17.91 from the living world of the living God. 00:56:17.94\00:56:21.49 That is the cartereport.org. 00:56:21.52\00:56:26.00 My friend, we want you to join us 00:56:26.03\00:56:29.08 in the mission to preach the gospel in China, 00:56:29.11\00:56:33.45 in India, in Australia, in Africa, 00:56:33.48\00:56:37.33 in the United States of America, 00:56:37.36\00:56:39.56 wherever people are lost 00:56:39.59\00:56:41.52 and wherever people need to hear 00:56:41.55\00:56:43.92 the good news that Jesus saves. 00:56:43.95\00:56:47.72 Please, check us out. 00:56:47.75\00:56:49.05 The new "Carter Report" website, cartereport.org. 00:56:49.08\00:56:54.07 I want to hear from you today. 00:56:54.10\00:56:56.76 I can hear the rush of angel's wings 00:57:09.49\00:57:15.29 I see glory 00:57:15.32\00:57:18.71 on each face 00:57:18.74\00:57:24.68 For surely 00:57:24.71\00:57:27.63 the presence 00:57:27.66\00:57:32.19 of the Lord 00:57:32.22\00:57:37.54 is in this place 00:57:37.57\00:57:45.54