Hi, I'm Wes McDonald, 00:00:31.21\00:00:32.89 I'd liked to welcome you to today's 00:00:32.90\00:00:35.29 Faith Chapel here at 3ABN, 00:00:35.30\00:00:37.56 we're delighted you could be with us. 00:00:37.57\00:00:39.17 We're going to sharing with you today 00:00:39.18\00:00:40.96 as always some things from God's word. 00:00:40.97\00:00:44.49 And before we do that, let's bow our heads and pray. 00:00:44.50\00:00:48.84 Our Father in heaven, 00:00:48.85\00:00:49.82 thank You that we can come before You today, 00:00:49.83\00:00:53.28 that we can learn of You. 00:00:53.29\00:00:55.12 I pray that you would grant each of us knowledge 00:00:55.13\00:00:57.57 and wisdom and wisdom from Your word, 00:00:57.58\00:00:58.79 give me words to speak that will be a blessing, 00:00:58.80\00:01:02.21 and just a powerful word of comfort 00:01:02.22\00:01:06.69 to those in our audience today. 00:01:06.70\00:01:09.17 And so we ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen. 00:01:09.18\00:01:12.94 Our message today is "Lift Him Up." 00:01:15.10\00:01:19.70 We want to look at a text which many of you know 00:01:19.71\00:01:22.61 by heart but there maybe some people, 00:01:22.62\00:01:24.69 maybe you're a new Christian 00:01:24.70\00:01:25.84 or maybe you're not Christian at all, 00:01:25.85\00:01:27.35 it maybe a text that you've not seen before, 00:01:27.36\00:01:29.44 but it is the hallmark text of Christians 00:01:29.45\00:01:33.41 and it is John 3 and verse 16. 00:01:33.42\00:01:37.04 Let's read this together, John 3 and verse 16, 00:01:37.05\00:01:40.31 For God so loved the world 00:01:40.32\00:01:43.86 that he gave his only begotten Son, 00:01:43.87\00:01:47.87 that whosever believeth in him should not perish, 00:01:47.88\00:01:50.95 but have everlasting life. 00:01:50.96\00:01:55.90 Each of us is a sinner, we're not without that knowledge, 00:01:55.91\00:02:02.30 we understand this. But often times we feel like 00:02:02.31\00:02:06.38 we must do something ourselves 00:02:06.39\00:02:08.28 in order to merit favor with God. 00:02:08.29\00:02:11.99 But the Bible is very clear that Jesus loved us, 00:02:12.00\00:02:14.43 and the Father loved us, 00:02:14.44\00:02:15.77 and that Jesus died for us. 00:02:15.78\00:02:18.00 But for most Christians this verse is one 00:02:18.01\00:02:20.56 that they have committed to memory, 00:02:20.57\00:02:21.97 but very few have committed 00:02:21.98\00:02:23.40 the preceding two verses to memory. 00:02:23.41\00:02:25.50 If I were to ask a 100 Christians out there 00:02:25.51\00:02:27.67 how many of you know John 3 verse 14 and 15? 00:02:27.68\00:02:31.72 The majority would give me a blank stare, 00:02:31.73\00:02:35.01 and I'm sure some of you maybe thinking wow, 00:02:35.02\00:02:37.15 I don't know what that is. 00:02:37.16\00:02:39.28 So let's look at that, because we're going to focus 00:02:39.29\00:02:41.45 on these verses a little bit today. 00:02:41.46\00:02:43.29 John 3 verse 14 and 15 00:02:43.30\00:02:46.15 and let's read this together as well. 00:02:46.16\00:02:49.81 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, 00:02:49.82\00:02:54.92 even so must the Son of man be lifted up, 00:02:54.93\00:02:58.44 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 00:02:58.45\00:03:03.25 but have eternal life. 00:03:03.26\00:03:05.69 Is this text using a snake to be a symbol for Christ, 00:03:10.91\00:03:15.83 doesn't that seen strange to you? 00:03:15.84\00:03:18.33 Doesn't that snake symbolize the devil, 00:03:18.34\00:03:20.78 we know that in the Garden of Eden, 00:03:20.79\00:03:23.24 the devil took on form of the serpent 00:03:23.25\00:03:25.88 and yet we find that it's comparing Christ 00:03:25.89\00:03:29.06 and a serpent in the wilderness. 00:03:29.07\00:03:30.99 Christ being lifted up and the serpent being lifted up. 00:03:31.00\00:03:34.57 Does the snake symbolize the devil, sin, 00:03:34.58\00:03:37.67 something cursed, unholy, defiled, detestable, 00:03:37.68\00:03:43.28 dangerous, evil in its intent, 00:03:43.29\00:03:46.38 isn't this true about snakes? 00:03:46.39\00:03:48.07 When you think of a snake, 00:03:48.08\00:03:49.28 do you think of something holy? 00:03:49.29\00:03:51.57 When you think of a serpent, 00:03:51.58\00:03:52.64 don't you think of someone as venomous 00:03:52.65\00:03:54.15 that will bite you, that will kill you. 00:03:54.16\00:03:56.77 Why is it that this is being used 00:03:56.78\00:03:58.99 in some way in context with Christ, 00:03:59.00\00:04:02.11 who is absolutely holy, He was God, He had to be holy. 00:04:02.12\00:04:05.77 Why does it do this, what does it mean? 00:04:05.78\00:04:07.75 This text refers us back to a passage 00:04:07.76\00:04:10.48 in the Book of Numbers. 00:04:10.49\00:04:12.17 We want to allow scripture to answers scripture 00:04:12.18\00:04:14.71 and we're gonna look at that text. 00:04:14.72\00:04:16.61 In the Book of Numbers in chapter 21, 00:04:16.62\00:04:19.77 we find here that Moses has been with this 00:04:19.78\00:04:23.00 rebellious Israelite people through the desert. 00:04:23.01\00:04:27.12 They had been brought through the water 00:04:27.13\00:04:30.23 where Pharaoh's army was destroyed after them, 00:04:30.24\00:04:33.49 they had been received water out of a rock, 00:04:33.50\00:04:37.10 they had received manna from heaven. 00:04:37.11\00:04:40.05 And every step along the way they complained. 00:04:40.06\00:04:44.58 God was upset with them, Moses was upset with them, 00:04:44.59\00:04:47.64 and all they did was complain, complain, complain. 00:04:47.65\00:04:51.28 And this brings us to Numbers 21 verse 5 through 9, 00:04:51.29\00:04:56.41 they had been complaining again. 00:04:56.42\00:04:58.13 Let's read this text together Numbers 21 verse 5 through 9. 00:04:58.14\00:05:04.29 And the people spake against God, 00:05:04.30\00:05:06.43 and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up 00:05:06.44\00:05:09.86 out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? 00:05:09.87\00:05:12.98 For there is no bread, neither is there any water, 00:05:12.99\00:05:16.30 and our soul loatheth this light bread. 00:05:16.31\00:05:19.94 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, 00:05:19.95\00:05:22.49 and they bit the people, and much people of Israel died. 00:05:22.50\00:05:27.54 Therefore the people came to Moses and said, 00:05:27.55\00:05:29.68 We've sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, 00:05:29.69\00:05:33.88 and against thee, pray unto the Lord, 00:05:33.89\00:05:36.19 that he take away the serpents from us. 00:05:36.20\00:05:39.79 And Moses prayed for the people. 00:05:39.80\00:05:43.28 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, 00:05:43.29\00:05:48.35 and set it upon a pole, and it shall come to pass 00:05:48.36\00:05:52.39 that every one that is bitten, 00:05:52.40\00:05:55.13 when he looketh upon it, shall live. 00:05:55.14\00:05:59.20 And Moses made a serpent of brass, 00:05:59.21\00:06:01.56 and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass 00:06:01.57\00:06:04.80 that if a serpent had bitten any man, 00:06:04.81\00:06:08.14 when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. 00:06:08.15\00:06:12.30 Doesn't this sound strange to you? 00:06:15.98\00:06:18.97 Here the people are dying, 00:06:18.98\00:06:20.42 they've been complaining against the Lord, 00:06:20.43\00:06:22.61 they complained even about the food that they were given. 00:06:22.62\00:06:25.98 Can you imagine, this was the food prepared by angels, 00:06:25.99\00:06:29.18 it came down from heaven and fell on the ground. 00:06:29.19\00:06:31.66 They didn't have to work for anything, 00:06:31.67\00:06:33.24 they just went out and picked up the food. 00:06:33.25\00:06:35.35 It was delicious, nutritious, it kept them healthy, 00:06:35.36\00:06:38.83 they had not suffered any illness along the whole away, 00:06:38.84\00:06:42.25 they had been protected even from sun burn, 00:06:42.26\00:06:44.88 because the cloud that went over them 00:06:44.89\00:06:47.31 shaded them even from the sun, 00:06:47.32\00:06:49.31 they did nothing but complain. 00:06:49.32\00:06:51.42 And you know, I can remember sometimes 00:06:51.43\00:06:53.63 hearing parents talked to their children. 00:06:53.64\00:06:56.26 The child is disobedient and he's complaining, 00:06:56.27\00:06:59.10 and crying, and crying, and crying, 00:06:59.11\00:07:01.16 and the child has everything, 00:07:01.17\00:07:02.39 he has nothing to complain about. 00:07:02.40\00:07:04.43 And finally the parent says, you know what? 00:07:04.44\00:07:07.19 If you don't quick complaining, 00:07:07.20\00:07:09.26 I'm going to give you something to complain about. 00:07:09.27\00:07:11.85 Have you ever said this yourself? 00:07:11.86\00:07:14.24 Well, God realized that these people 00:07:14.25\00:07:16.55 did not appreciate His blessings to them, 00:07:16.56\00:07:20.92 they did not appreciate the fact 00:07:20.93\00:07:22.34 that He sent Moses to deliver them. 00:07:22.35\00:07:25.02 They were even complaining 00:07:25.03\00:07:26.43 about the food that He gave Him, 00:07:26.44\00:07:28.44 and beggars should not be choosers, 00:07:28.45\00:07:30.56 and they should not complain, amen. 00:07:30.57\00:07:32.30 When you have nothing, and you get it for nothing, 00:07:32.31\00:07:34.91 and you get everything you have for nothing, 00:07:34.92\00:07:36.61 you really shouldn't complain. 00:07:36.62\00:07:37.73 But the people were complaining 00:07:37.74\00:07:39.01 and they were complaining bitterly 00:07:39.02\00:07:40.37 to Moses and bitterly about God. 00:07:40.38\00:07:43.77 These serpents had been in the desert all along the way, 00:07:43.78\00:07:49.30 they were always out there, 00:07:49.31\00:07:50.52 had always been there and they were called fiery serpents 00:07:50.53\00:07:52.99 because they're sting was especially 00:07:53.00\00:07:54.56 painful and it was fatal. 00:07:54.57\00:07:56.54 You got bit, you're gonna die, end of story. 00:07:56.55\00:07:59.95 There was no antivenin, there were no hospitals, 00:07:59.96\00:08:02.92 they were in the desert, they were in the wilderness, 00:08:02.93\00:08:05.14 and if you got bit, that was it, it was all over. 00:08:05.15\00:08:08.97 But all along the way God's holy angels had protected 00:08:08.98\00:08:13.28 these people so that no one got bit. 00:08:13.29\00:08:16.07 In fact, the people probably didn't even know 00:08:16.08\00:08:18.03 that the snakes were there, they never saw. 00:08:18.04\00:08:21.77 God had miraculously kept them away. 00:08:21.78\00:08:24.20 And so when they began to accuse God of taking them 00:08:24.21\00:08:27.77 into the wilderness to die, 00:08:27.78\00:08:29.37 when they begin complain about the healthful food 00:08:29.38\00:08:31.80 He gave them, God simply removed the protection, 00:08:31.81\00:08:36.74 so that they could see what it was that 00:08:36.75\00:08:39.09 they had been protected against. 00:08:39.10\00:08:40.96 And then they realized, we've sinned. 00:08:40.97\00:08:44.34 Oh, Moses please, we've sinned, 00:08:44.35\00:08:46.68 we said bad things about you, 00:08:46.69\00:08:48.94 bad things about God, and we have sinned. 00:08:48.95\00:08:52.11 Moses, would you pray for us, 00:08:52.12\00:08:54.11 would you ask God to take the snakes away, 00:08:54.12\00:08:56.53 would you pray for us? 00:08:56.54\00:08:57.56 And so God gave Moses some specific instructions. 00:08:57.57\00:09:01.69 And He asked Moses to do something 00:09:01.70\00:09:03.81 which would sound quite ridiculous. 00:09:03.82\00:09:08.84 He asked Moses to make of serpent out of brass, 00:09:08.85\00:09:13.15 put it on a pole 00:09:13.16\00:09:14.34 and then instruct the people to look at it. 00:09:14.35\00:09:17.41 That to most people would sound absurd. 00:09:17.42\00:09:21.06 You know, give me a pill, 00:09:21.07\00:09:22.83 I don't know send me to the ICU, 00:09:22.84\00:09:24.90 but simply looking is gonna cure it, 00:09:24.91\00:09:28.07 this was to teach the people a valuable lesson. 00:09:28.08\00:09:32.04 They had to obey in faith, they had to look and to live 00:09:32.05\00:09:38.15 and there was no other way that they could be saved, 00:09:38.16\00:09:42.31 except to look and to live, and it required faith to look, 00:09:42.32\00:09:48.05 it requires faith to obey. 00:09:48.06\00:09:51.03 The obedience was simply to look, 00:09:51.04\00:09:53.42 they didn't have to do any fancy thing, 00:09:53.43\00:09:55.44 and they just simply had to look and to live. 00:09:55.45\00:09:59.43 So you can imagine out in the desert, 00:09:59.44\00:10:01.89 thousands of people on every side, 00:10:01.90\00:10:04.28 they're all dying? And their relatives, 00:10:04.29\00:10:06.95 you know, their eyes are becoming glazed 00:10:06.96\00:10:09.89 and they're breathing their last breathes, 00:10:09.90\00:10:12.09 and their family rushed to them 00:10:12.10\00:10:13.76 and it's like that they positioned themselves 00:10:13.77\00:10:15.69 so that they can see this brass serpent 00:10:15.70\00:10:17.30 that's been raised up. And they turned their heads 00:10:17.31\00:10:20.30 and say, and would you open your eyes, 00:10:20.31\00:10:23.18 and look, would you look, would you look? 00:10:23.19\00:10:25.99 And the person looks and instantly, 00:10:26.00\00:10:28.88 they feel life coming back into their veins. 00:10:28.89\00:10:31.70 Instantly their breathing becomes normal, 00:10:31.71\00:10:34.69 instantly they regain strength 00:10:34.70\00:10:36.92 and they are saved by the look of faith. 00:10:36.93\00:10:40.49 There was nothing they did to deserve it, 00:10:40.50\00:10:42.96 nothing they did to bring it about, 00:10:42.97\00:10:46.13 except they had to look at what would be ridiculous 00:10:46.14\00:10:50.13 and absurd to even consider to look and to live. 00:10:50.14\00:10:54.71 Nothing they could do to save themselves. 00:10:54.72\00:10:58.27 They couldn't just promise to be good and save themselves, 00:10:58.28\00:11:02.83 they just had to look and to live. 00:11:02.84\00:11:06.75 Well, how can this be? 00:11:06.76\00:11:08.77 Let's turn to Second Corinthians 5 and verse 21, 00:11:08.78\00:11:14.58 Jesus is represented it here. 00:11:14.59\00:11:18.00 For he hath made him to be sin for us, 00:11:18.01\00:11:21.75 who knew no sin, that we might be made 00:11:21.76\00:11:25.47 the righteousness of God in him. 00:11:25.48\00:11:30.66 You see, friends, the snake was made out of brass, 00:11:30.67\00:11:34.62 but it was in the shape of a real snake, 00:11:34.63\00:11:37.66 yet it didn't have any poison in it, 00:11:37.67\00:11:39.27 there was no sting in it. 00:11:39.28\00:11:41.48 Just as Christ was made sin for us, 00:11:41.49\00:11:45.18 and yet He knew no sin. 00:11:45.19\00:11:48.07 He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh 00:11:48.08\00:11:51.00 and yet not sinful, 00:11:51.01\00:11:53.55 as harmless as the brass snake. 00:11:53.56\00:11:56.72 The serpent was a cursed creature 00:11:56.73\00:11:58.76 and Christ was made a cursed for us. 00:11:58.77\00:12:02.23 That which cured them, 00:12:02.24\00:12:04.14 reminded them of the very thing which was killing them. 00:12:04.15\00:12:11.33 You see when we look to the cross, 00:12:11.34\00:12:13.13 and we see a dying Savior with His arms out spread 00:12:13.14\00:12:18.64 and He's breathing His last breath, 00:12:18.65\00:12:20.85 and He's dying for my sin, and for your sin. 00:12:20.86\00:12:25.72 Doesn't that remind us of our sin? 00:12:25.73\00:12:30.11 Doesn't that remind us of how unworthy we are 00:12:30.12\00:12:33.47 and how worthy Jesus is? 00:12:33.48\00:12:36.08 Doesn't that teach us that there is nothing 00:12:36.09\00:12:38.69 we can do to want salvation, it is a gift of God, 00:12:38.70\00:12:42.64 not of works lest any man should boast. 00:12:42.65\00:12:45.75 You know, in First Peter 2 and verse 22, 00:12:45.76\00:12:52.39 it tells us that Jesus, it says, 00:12:52.40\00:12:54.26 "He did no sin, neither was guile 00:12:54.27\00:12:56.80 even found in his mouth." 00:12:56.81\00:12:59.00 Imagine Christ dying, capital punishment for your life? 00:12:59.01\00:13:04.90 And yet He never lied, 00:13:04.91\00:13:06.60 and yet He's dying because of your little white lie. 00:13:06.61\00:13:09.87 Imagine Christ who never slept with a woman, 00:13:09.88\00:13:13.09 dying for the fact that you cheated 00:13:13.10\00:13:16.72 on your wife last week or your husband last week. 00:13:16.73\00:13:19.92 Imagine Christ dying for you cheating on your taxes, 00:13:19.93\00:13:23.51 and He was faithful to pay His, it's not fair is it? 00:13:23.52\00:13:29.18 Salvation is not fair, it's love. 00:13:29.19\00:13:33.41 Love goes beyond fair, because if salvation were fair 00:13:33.42\00:13:36.51 none of us could be saved, amen. 00:13:36.52\00:13:39.32 Not one of us deserves salvation, 00:13:39.33\00:13:41.32 but we can have it any and it is an act of faith 00:13:41.33\00:13:44.45 in Christ death for us on the cross, 00:13:44.46\00:13:46.62 nothing more, nothing less, you can't work for it, 00:13:46.63\00:13:49.66 you don't deserve it, I don't deserve it end of the story. 00:13:49.67\00:13:54.06 So we have do that which is ridiculous 00:13:54.07\00:13:56.35 to consider that we look to Christ, 00:13:56.36\00:13:59.28 repent of our sins, ask him for forgiveness 00:13:59.29\00:14:01.86 and he does it, and we don't deserve it. 00:14:01.87\00:14:05.20 It doesn't make sense any more 00:14:05.21\00:14:06.90 than asking the people to look at a brass snake, 00:14:06.91\00:14:10.23 and expecting that they would live. 00:14:10.24\00:14:12.29 But that's what happened and that's what happens today 00:14:12.30\00:14:14.94 when we look to Christ. 00:14:14.95\00:14:16.71 Believing in his shed blood, ask Him to forgive our sins, 00:14:16.72\00:14:21.44 repent of them and we are saved. 00:14:21.45\00:14:24.35 Friends, that's reality, crazy as it seems, 00:14:24.36\00:14:28.62 unfair because we don't deserve it, 00:14:28.63\00:14:31.00 but that's reality. He takes our punishment 00:14:31.01\00:14:35.43 and our burden of guilt. 00:14:35.44\00:14:37.57 Let's look at Matthew 11 and verse 28 to 30 together, 00:14:37.58\00:14:42.11 and let's read together, Jesus takes our burden, 00:14:42.12\00:14:45.52 our heavy burden of guilt, 00:14:45.53\00:14:47.34 he bears it upon himself for us. 00:14:47.35\00:14:49.53 Matthew 11 verse 28 to 30, let's read together. 00:14:49.54\00:14:55.01 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 00:14:58.19\00:15:02.41 and I will give you rest. 00:15:02.42\00:15:05.42 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, 00:15:05.43\00:15:07.78 for I am meek and lowly in heart, 00:15:07.79\00:15:10.73 and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 00:15:10.74\00:15:13.36 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 00:15:17.63\00:15:22.50 When we look and live with the Savior, 00:15:22.51\00:15:26.02 we enjoy life which we don't deserve. 00:15:26.03\00:15:29.27 In Matthew 16 and verse 24, 00:15:29.28\00:15:33.53 it tells us that, and we will read together. 00:15:33.54\00:15:37.83 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, 00:15:37.84\00:15:40.04 if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, 00:15:40.05\00:15:44.51 and take up his cross and follow me. 00:15:44.52\00:15:49.09 To be the recipient of such love of Jesus, 00:15:49.10\00:15:54.16 to realize that our sins have been forgiven 00:15:54.17\00:15:57.48 by such an enormous gift, 00:15:57.49\00:16:00.84 by something we did not deserve, 00:16:00.85\00:16:03.09 we are then called to share with others the same thing. 00:16:03.10\00:16:06.58 So we take up our burden, which is the burden of Christ, 00:16:06.59\00:16:10.20 which is the burden of lost souls. 00:16:10.21\00:16:12.60 And Paul tells us exactly how we are to take up this burden. 00:16:12.61\00:16:16.68 In Philippians 2 verses 1 through 11, 00:16:16.69\00:16:19.10 Paul tells us the following 00:16:19.11\00:16:21.33 If therefore, if there be therefore 00:16:21.34\00:16:24.27 any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, 00:16:24.28\00:16:29.09 if any fellowship of the Spirit, 00:16:29.10\00:16:30.89 if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye me joy, 00:16:30.90\00:16:34.63 that ye be likeminded, having the same love, 00:16:34.64\00:16:38.43 being of one accord, of one mind. 00:16:38.44\00:16:41.38 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, 00:16:41.39\00:16:44.23 but in lowliness of mind let each other, 00:16:44.24\00:16:48.77 let each esteem other better than themselves. 00:16:48.78\00:16:53.43 Look not every man on his own things, 00:16:53.44\00:16:55.81 but every man also on the things of others. 00:16:55.82\00:16:59.75 Let this mind be in you, 00:16:59.76\00:17:01.42 which was also in Christ Jesus, 00:17:01.43\00:17:04.38 Who, being in the form of God, 00:17:04.39\00:17:07.18 thought it not robbery to be equal with God 00:17:07.19\00:17:09.75 But made himself of no reputation, 00:17:09.76\00:17:13.47 and took upon him the form of a servant, 00:17:13.48\00:17:16.39 and was made in the likeness of men. 00:17:16.40\00:17:19.02 And being found in fashion as a man, 00:17:19.03\00:17:21.83 he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, 00:17:21.84\00:17:25.75 even the death of the cross. 00:17:25.76\00:17:30.12 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, 00:17:30.13\00:17:33.89 and given him a name which is above every name, 00:17:33.90\00:17:37.66 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 00:17:37.67\00:17:42.12 of things in heaven, and things in Earth, 00:17:42.13\00:17:45.81 and things under the Earth, 00:17:45.82\00:17:47.77 and that every tongue should confess 00:17:47.78\00:17:49.76 that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. 00:17:49.77\00:17:55.50 Let's look together briefly at verse 4 there, 00:17:55.51\00:18:00.31 it tells us to, Look not every man on his own things, 00:18:00.32\00:18:05.39 but every man also on the things of others. 00:18:05.40\00:18:08.84 In order for us to have the mind of Christ, 00:18:10.75\00:18:13.14 we must be seeking after the things 00:18:13.15\00:18:15.48 which Christ is seeking after, 00:18:15.49\00:18:17.49 and that is the salvation of lost souls. 00:18:17.50\00:18:19.90 If we are to look out for the other guy eternally, 00:18:19.91\00:18:24.22 we have to be prepared in order to do that. 00:18:24.23\00:18:26.82 There are some things we need to do, 00:18:26.83\00:18:28.37 we need to do two things, 00:18:28.38\00:18:29.47 we need do raise up the cross to others, 00:18:29.48\00:18:31.91 we need to keep our eyes raised 00:18:31.92\00:18:34.54 look to him upon the cross ourselves, 00:18:34.55\00:18:37.71 and we need to be prepared 00:18:37.72\00:18:39.16 in order to give a reason for our faith. 00:18:39.17\00:18:42.44 We need to be prepared in some way to share 00:18:42.45\00:18:45.12 the love of Christ with other people. 00:18:45.13\00:18:47.32 Turn with me if you will to Second Timothy 2 and verse 15, 00:18:47.33\00:18:54.02 it tell us, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, 00:18:54.03\00:18:58.35 a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 00:18:58.36\00:19:02.08 rightly dividing the word of truth. 00:19:02.09\00:19:07.89 As we learn more of truth, we can share more. 00:19:07.90\00:19:11.23 You know, everyone thinks a little different. 00:19:11.24\00:19:14.97 What will touch your heart may not touch my heart 00:19:14.98\00:19:17.54 and may not touch someone else's heart. 00:19:17.55\00:19:19.97 But if we arm our minds with more and more 00:19:19.98\00:19:22.84 and more of scripture we can be able to give 00:19:22.85\00:19:25.55 just the right word, to just the right hurting soul, 00:19:25.56\00:19:29.15 at just the right instant to make the difference 00:19:29.16\00:19:31.81 so that they can see that they're loved by God 00:19:31.82\00:19:34.62 and that they want to serve Him. 00:19:34.63\00:19:36.42 They'll want to give their hearts to Him, 00:19:36.43\00:19:37.93 they'll want to look to the Savior to live 00:19:37.94\00:19:40.89 and to share eternity with Him. 00:19:40.90\00:19:43.49 Let's go to First Peter 3 verse 15. 00:19:43.50\00:19:47.19 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, 00:19:49.30\00:19:51.68 and be ready always to give an answer to every man 00:19:51.69\00:19:54.95 that asketh your reason of the hope 00:19:54.96\00:19:56.83 that is in you with meekness and fear. 00:19:56.84\00:20:00.81 We need to be prepared, we need be armed, 00:20:00.82\00:20:04.22 and we need to know exactly what we're to do. 00:20:04.23\00:20:06.39 Otherwise how can we preach anything, 00:20:06.40\00:20:08.11 how can we share anything? 00:20:08.12\00:20:09.62 Let's go to Second Timothy 4 and verse 2 to 4, 00:20:09.63\00:20:13.34 we need be ready instantly, Preach the word, 00:20:13.35\00:20:17.23 be instant in season, out of season, reprove, 00:20:17.24\00:20:23.17 rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 00:20:23.18\00:20:28.10 For the time will come when they will not endure 00:20:28.11\00:20:31.75 sound doctrine, but after their own lusts 00:20:31.76\00:20:35.70 shall they heap to themselves teachers, 00:20:35.71\00:20:38.60 having itching ears, And they shall turn away 00:20:38.61\00:20:41.10 their ears from the truth, 00:20:41.11\00:20:42.89 and shall be turned unto fables. 00:20:42.90\00:20:45.25 Now it's the time of salvation, 00:20:47.46\00:20:50.43 there is no better time to share 00:20:50.44\00:20:53.04 salvation with anyone then now. 00:20:53.05\00:20:56.22 As time goes on people get harder, and harder, 00:20:56.23\00:20:59.44 and harder in their hearts and they're harder to reach. 00:20:59.45\00:21:02.66 The longer someone is comfortable with sin 00:21:02.67\00:21:06.51 the less likely they are to pull back out of sin. 00:21:06.52\00:21:11.74 The more we share with Christ now, 00:21:11.75\00:21:14.74 the more we're likely to pull someone on. 00:21:14.75\00:21:16.79 You know, when you're in sin, 00:21:16.80\00:21:18.51 you partaken it so long that after a while 00:21:18.52\00:21:21.01 it doesn't even bother you. 00:21:21.02\00:21:22.76 Friends don't allow someone to become comfortable and then, 00:21:22.77\00:21:26.23 you know, try to reach them. 00:21:26.24\00:21:27.49 No, in season, out of season, 00:21:27.50\00:21:29.90 you know what to say, say it and do it. 00:21:29.91\00:21:32.43 Friends, we need to do that. 00:21:32.44\00:21:34.15 Every day do something for Jesus, 00:21:36.14\00:21:39.26 let not one day go by where you do not raise up 00:21:39.27\00:21:42.71 the cross of Christ before humanity. 00:21:42.72\00:21:45.45 When you get up in the morning, 00:21:45.46\00:21:46.50 friends, I want you to pray and say, Lord, 00:21:46.51\00:21:49.35 I want you to today to give me some soul to witness to, 00:21:49.36\00:21:54.33 I want you to give me a word 00:21:54.34\00:21:56.12 to speak in season or out of season, 00:21:56.13\00:21:58.70 they may think it's the wrong season, 00:21:58.71\00:22:00.33 but to you there is no season it's all the same season. 00:22:00.34\00:22:03.53 Salvation is today wherever you are. 00:22:03.54\00:22:07.49 I want you to ask the Lord to lay this upon your heart, 00:22:07.50\00:22:09.97 and then I want you to study to show yourself approved. 00:22:09.98\00:22:12.87 Get up early in the morning as Christ did. 00:22:12.88\00:22:16.88 You know, early to bed, 00:22:16.89\00:22:18.05 early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy, and wise. 00:22:18.06\00:22:21.31 Go to bed early, turn off the television except, 00:22:21.32\00:22:23.56 unless it's 3ABN. 00:22:23.57\00:22:25.14 But turn off the television, 00:22:25.15\00:22:26.83 get to bed early, get up early in the morning 00:22:26.84\00:22:30.09 and spend that time with God when it's quite in the house, 00:22:30.10\00:22:33.44 no one is bothering you and you can actually get that 00:22:33.45\00:22:37.20 quality time with God, do that. 00:22:37.21\00:22:40.18 But most of all, lift up the Savior before humanity. 00:22:40.19\00:22:44.99 In an Adventist church in Long Beach, California, 00:22:45.00\00:22:48.33 many years ago there was a Catholic hospital 00:22:48.34\00:22:51.64 across the street, and the people in the hospital 00:22:51.65\00:22:56.87 could hear every Sabbath morning 00:22:56.88\00:22:58.60 the people singing in the Adventist church. 00:22:58.61\00:23:01.77 One day the pastor or someone at the church 00:23:01.78\00:23:04.73 was there at the church and they found 00:23:04.74\00:23:06.49 a letter slipped under the door. 00:23:06.50\00:23:09.05 And there was a poem that someone had written 00:23:09.06\00:23:11.08 who was a patient at the hospital 00:23:11.09\00:23:12.71 and apparently this was a long term patient, 00:23:12.72\00:23:15.44 apparently this individual whoever they are 00:23:15.45\00:23:17.36 because it was signed, it's just unknown. 00:23:17.37\00:23:20.13 But they had been in the hospital 00:23:20.14\00:23:21.50 for along enough of time to where they had appreciated 00:23:21.51\00:23:25.60 the music from a number of Sabbaths, 00:23:25.61\00:23:27.83 a number of prayer meetings, 00:23:27.84\00:23:29.32 a number of Friday night services, 00:23:29.33\00:23:31.10 a number of Saturday nights services. 00:23:31.11\00:23:33.19 And they appreciated hearing it, 00:23:33.20\00:23:35.29 and they wrote this poem and they entitled it, 00:23:35.30\00:23:39.50 Lift Him up, the risen Savior. 00:23:39.51\00:23:43.27 Listen with me as I share this to you, 00:23:43.28\00:23:45.77 this is precious, "Lift Him up, 00:23:45.78\00:23:49.07 the risen Savior, hear the mighty anthem roll, 00:23:49.08\00:23:54.36 List the song, whose inner meaning floods 00:23:54.37\00:23:57.63 with joy my very soul. 00:23:57.64\00:24:00.77 How the voices of the singer 00:24:00.78\00:24:02.47 as they sing of Christ on high, 00:24:02.48\00:24:05.51 Turn my thoughts from earthly sorrows 00:24:05.52\00:24:08.95 as they point me to the sky. 00:24:08.96\00:24:13.04 Lift Him up, the risen Savior, 00:24:13.05\00:24:14.90 high above the gathering throng. 00:24:14.91\00:24:17.58 Oh, what bliss to know He waits us, 00:24:17.59\00:24:20.92 and is listening to your song! 00:24:20.93\00:24:24.27 Days of suffering cannot matter 00:24:24.28\00:24:26.46 while to Him our faith we cling, 00:24:26.47\00:24:29.31 Nights of pain serve to remind us of the peace 00:24:29.32\00:24:33.96 that He will bring. 00:24:33.97\00:24:36.23 Lift Him up, 'tis He who pleadeth, 00:24:36.24\00:24:38.99 sing it out with music sweet, 00:24:39.00\00:24:41.29 So that we, on beds of illness may be led to Jesus feet. 00:24:41.30\00:24:46.76 As you sing, try to remember all the blessings given you. 00:24:46.77\00:24:51.82 And that just across the highway, 00:24:51.83\00:24:54.39 suffering souls are listening, too. 00:24:54.40\00:24:57.56 Lift Him up in songs of praises, 00:24:57.57\00:24:59.65 open wide your church-house door, 00:24:59.66\00:25:02.66 Then our weary load is lifted as we hear your voices soar. 00:25:02.67\00:25:07.45 You can hear your pastor's sermon 00:25:07.46\00:25:09.34 as your service moves along, 00:25:09.35\00:25:12.13 But for us there's just the uplift 00:25:12.14\00:25:14.78 and the courage from your song. 00:25:14.79\00:25:17.29 Lift Him up and spread the story 00:25:17.30\00:25:19.36 of the Savior's wondrous love, 00:25:19.37\00:25:22.50 Had you thought that through your singing, 00:25:22.51\00:25:25.17 you were guiding us above? Patients did you know that, 00:25:25.18\00:25:29.52 on each Wednesday, Friday, and here Sabbath too, 00:25:29.53\00:25:34.90 patients, nurses, even sisters 00:25:34.91\00:25:40.05 pause a while and hark to you. 00:25:40.06\00:25:44.62 As the strains of your sweet music 00:25:44.63\00:25:46.80 fall upon each burdened heart, peace comes in, 00:25:46.81\00:25:52.25 and rest, and comfort, bidding all our care depart. 00:25:52.26\00:25:59.00 So sing your songs, and when you're praying, 00:25:59.01\00:26:02.14 say a prayer for us in here, 00:26:02.15\00:26:04.87 And may God, who watches over us, 00:26:04.88\00:26:06.99 bless you, keep you, and hold you dear. 00:26:07.00\00:26:12.04 Lift Him up, the risen Savior, 00:26:12.05\00:26:14.34 high above the gathering throng, 00:26:14.35\00:26:17.27 Lift Him up, 'tis He who pleadeth, 00:26:17.28\00:26:19.22 now He bids you flee from wrong. 00:26:19.23\00:26:22.14 Lift Him up by word and action, 00:26:22.15\00:26:24.79 let your life the tale prolong, Lift Him up, 00:26:24.80\00:26:29.47 and let us hear you tell the story in your song." 00:26:29.48\00:26:35.78 It's signed unknown, I think I'd like to meet 00:26:35.79\00:26:40.05 unknown someday, how about you? 00:26:40.06\00:26:42.98 Dear friends, we never known the impact 00:26:42.99\00:26:48.11 of courage and the joy, and the peace 00:26:48.12\00:26:51.10 that we can give to some suffering soul, 00:26:51.11\00:26:54.18 whether they're on a bed of the illness, 00:26:54.19\00:26:56.50 and they're looking to live, 00:26:56.51\00:26:58.91 they know that they might die just as the people 00:26:58.92\00:27:01.04 in the wilderness had to look to the serpent on the brass, 00:27:01.05\00:27:05.19 the brass serpent in order to live. 00:27:05.20\00:27:07.55 We need to point these people who may not live now 00:27:07.56\00:27:12.24 but we need to point them to the Savior. 00:27:12.25\00:27:14.84 So that one day when Jesus comes, 00:27:14.85\00:27:17.83 they will look up and say, this is my God. 00:27:17.84\00:27:21.08 Oh, how precious it is. 00:27:21.09\00:27:23.33 They'll be caught up together with Him 00:27:23.34\00:27:24.76 in the clouds to meet him in the air, 00:27:24.77\00:27:27.21 and then we will all live together 00:27:27.22\00:27:29.02 forever in heaven with the Lord. 00:27:29.03\00:27:32.65 Friends, today my appeal to you is to lift up the Savior, 00:27:32.66\00:27:39.93 lift him high above the gathering throng. 00:27:39.94\00:27:42.75 Let your life be a song. 00:27:42.76\00:27:47.27 Friends, give your hearts to Jesus yourself, 00:27:47.28\00:27:50.73 turn your life over to Him and let's lift up Jesus. 00:27:50.74\00:27:55.20