Music...
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Welcome to 3ABN
Australia Homecoming.
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Music...
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Hello and welcome to our
3ABN Australia Homecoming,
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we're so grateful for
our home audience here
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but we're grateful for
those of you that joined us
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through television,
radio, or the internet.
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What a blessing we
have received here already.
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Angela: Yes.
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You know Camp
Meeting... Homecoming...
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it's an encouragement...
it's uplifting isn't it Angie?
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Oh, I just love Camp Meeting.
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At 3ABN, we have
a huge Camp Meeting,
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our 3ABN Spring Camp
Meeting, and we have... what?
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The Fall Camp
Meeting is another blessing
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and I am just
excited to be down under...
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Yes, I am too
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and it's a privilege
to meet each one of you
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because as we've
mentioned all along
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that you are a big part of 3ABN.
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Yes... yes.
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Now Angie, I know
your husband is a pastor
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of the Thompsonville
Seventh-day Adventist Church...
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Jill-and-our Pastor there
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but you also are his wife
but you work at 3ABN Radio.
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Yes, I have been at
3ABN radio for about 14 years
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and I do editing
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and I host a
program called: Crossroads.
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I don't know if anyone
ever heard Crossroads here
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but it's a wonderful
program where I interview people
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for... about their testimony...
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how they became an
Adventist Christian.
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so, I'm just excited to
meet each and every one of you.
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You know and it's neat too
because I know that there's
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3ABN Australia Radio
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and you know, it makes an impact
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and I think
what's so encouraging
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to come to events like
this and then as you travel...
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you and Pastor John
travel around the world,
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Jill and I... not so much
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but when we have the Camp
Meetings like you mentioned
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at 3ABN... it's a
blessing to meet people that...
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their lives have been
changed because of 3ABN
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and so, we want to say,
"Thank you" to you as well
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especially for your
financial support...
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that is huge for
3ABN Australia...
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for 3ABN USA
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because you're not just
giving money for new cameras
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or for Sets like this...
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you're really giving
money to change lives
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for what? It's
eternity, isn't it?
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I love this
here, "Homecoming... "
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When I think of Homecoming,
I think of going home.
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Well, home is something
you're familiar with right?
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So, I think the key
for us is to become...
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when none of us
have been to heaven...
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Angie: Right.
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But the key is for us
to get to know Jesus Christ
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and that's where we'll be
able to go home for eternity.
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Oh... I'm looking forward
to that great and glorious day
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but we have a wonderful
program today, don't we?
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We do... we
have Pastor Ryan Day,
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you've heard him
sing, haven't you?
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Oh and God has given him
a gift in music, hasn't He?
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You're going to get to
hear him preach the Word.
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Angie: That's right.
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Greg: So, he's going to be
bringing us the message today
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entitled "As Our Closest Friend"
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but before that,
we have some music.
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Yeah, before that,
we're going to have a Trio...
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wow! and it's going to
be Tim Parton on the piano,
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Ryan Day and my
husband, John Lomacang,
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so you are going to be
blessed by a song called...
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named... "Had It Not Been"
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so, sit back and relax
and let the Lord bless you...
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as we are going to
be blessed, thank you.
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Greg: Amen.
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Pause.
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Piano...
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Just suppose God
searched through Heaven,
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He couldn't find one willing
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to be,
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The supreme sacrifice
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that was needed,
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That could buy eternal life
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for you and me.
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Had it not been for a place
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called Mount Calvary
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Had it not been
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for the old rugged cross,
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Had it not been
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for a man called Jesus,
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Then forever
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my soul would be lost.
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I'm so glad He was willing
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to drink that bitter cup,
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Although He prayed,
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"Father let it pass from me"
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And I'm so glad
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He didn't call Heaven's angels,
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From these hands,
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Pulled the nails
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that torment me.
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Oh, had it not been
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for a place called Mount Calvary
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Had it not been
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for the old rugged cross
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Had it not been
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for a man called Jesus,
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Then forever
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my soul would be lost...
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Then forever
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my soul would be
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lost...
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Pause.
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more pause.
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Good Day...
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Audience: Laughter...
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I'm practicing...
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I love it... praise the Lord.
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How are all of you
doing this evening?
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Audience: Fine.
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It's so good to see each and
every one of your smiling faces,
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time is of the essence.
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I'm looking at that clock
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and I don't know how I'm
going to get through this sermon
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in 49 minutes
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but with God's
grace... by God's grace
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and with His
help, we will do so.
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Before we go any further though,
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I would like to
kneel... you don't have to kneel
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but if you would just
reverently bow your heads,
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we'll go to the
Lord at this time.
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"Father in heaven,
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we praise you and thank you God
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for being the wonderful
friend to us that you are.
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Pause.
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As we take on this topic,
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'Knowing You as
our closest friend'
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I pray that you
would amplify your Word
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in each and every one
of our hearts and minds.
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As I prayed earlier this morning
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that you give us
this spiritual eyesight,
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the spiritual hearing
and the spiritual mind
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to be able to see
and hear and comprehend
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what Your Word is
telling us this evening,
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May You reveal Your will to us,
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may You lift Jesus Christ high
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and we may fix our eyes
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on the wonderful
character of Jesus,
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I praise you and thank
you for this opportunity,
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I'm completely depending on you
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to give me every word...
every thought... every action...
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and may it be
that of Jesus Christ,
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we praise you and
we thank you as always,
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we ask this in
Jesus' name, amen. "
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Amen.
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Knowing God
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as our closest friend...
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do you remember
our theme Scripture?
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John chapter 17 verse...
verse 3... say it with me,
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"And this is eternal life,
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that they may know
You the only true God,
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and Jesus Christ,
whom You have sent. "
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Knowing God... is salvational.
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Pause...
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Knowing God on a personal
level... is life or death.
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This particular Series
in which we are focusing
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on coming to know our God more
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through many of these
different topics and realities
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that we must confront...
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that we must
consider as vitally important
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the one that I've been
chosen to speak on this evening
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is: Knowing God
as our closest friend
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and I find that
as I travel around
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and as I have been
given the wonderful privilege
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and opportunity... to preach
the good news of Jesus Christ
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over the past few years,
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I find that there's a
lot of people who struggle
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with the concept
of God as a friend
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and I can see it
to a certain extent
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because many of
us and rightfully so,
00:10:02.70\00:10:06.17
should view God in
the respectful... honoring
00:10:06.20\00:10:10.17
reverent way that we should,
00:10:10.21\00:10:13.51
we should honor Him...
we should lift Him up...
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we should treat Him and
respond to Him in reverence,
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but nonetheless,
God... even in His every Word
00:10:18.75\00:10:22.02
is pleading with us
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to have an
intimate... close relationship
00:10:24.39\00:10:28.49
like that of a
very close friend.
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I would like to
take you this evening
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on a journey through Scripture,
00:10:33.46\00:10:35.76
we're going to have
a good old-fashioned
00:10:35.80\00:10:37.47
Bible Study this evening,
00:10:37.50\00:10:38.87
I don't even know
if that expression
00:10:38.90\00:10:40.24
is used here in Australia,
00:10:40.27\00:10:41.67
but back home where I'm
from in the southern states
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of the United States of America,
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we would say,
00:10:46.98\00:10:48.31
"We're going to have a
good old-fashioned Bible Study"
00:10:48.34\00:10:50.85
and that's exactly what
we're going to do this evening,
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this is probably
not going to suffice
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the ears of those who are
looking for some deep spiritual
00:10:56.12\00:11:00.29
theological discourse
00:11:00.32\00:11:01.66
but nonetheless, we're
going to keep it simple,
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we're going to keep
it Biblically focused
00:11:04.26\00:11:06.33
and I would like for you
to join me in this journey.
00:11:06.36\00:11:09.16
I would like for us
to begin this evening
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in Colossians chapter 1
beginning with verse 13,
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so if would take out
your Bibles if you have them
00:11:14.27\00:11:17.31
this particular text,
00:11:17.34\00:11:18.67
I'm going to be reading
from the New King James Version
00:11:18.71\00:11:20.71
and we're going to read
it directly from the Bible
00:11:20.74\00:11:23.48
and then I'm going to put
up a text in just a few moments
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that comes from a
different translation,
00:11:25.78\00:11:27.78
I want you to see this
from two different perspectives
00:11:27.82\00:11:30.92
so we're going to
the book of Colossians,
00:11:30.95\00:11:33.52
what chapter did I
say? I did say chapter 1,
00:11:33.56\00:11:35.52
I was just testing to
see if you were listening.
00:11:35.56\00:11:37.49
Colossians chapter 1...
00:11:37.53\00:11:39.43
we're going to begin
reading in... what verse?
00:11:39.46\00:11:41.63
We're going to
begin reading in verse 13.
00:11:41.66\00:11:45.27
Colossians 1
beginning with verse 13
00:11:45.30\00:11:50.31
and the Bible says,
00:11:50.34\00:11:51.67
by-the-way, this is
going to be a lengthy passage
00:11:51.71\00:11:53.14
so stay with me,
we're going to read through
00:11:53.17\00:11:54.71
verses 20... verse 23...
00:11:54.74\00:11:56.85
It says, "He has delivered
us from the power of darkness
00:11:56.88\00:12:01.75
and conveyed us into the
kingdom of the Son of His love,
00:12:01.78\00:12:05.52
in whom we have
redemption through His blood,
00:12:05.55\00:12:09.96
the forgiveness of sins.
00:12:10.03\00:12:12.36
He is the image
of the invisible God,
00:12:12.39\00:12:15.76
the firstborn over all creation.
00:12:15.80\00:12:18.63
For by Him all things
were created that are in heaven
00:12:18.70\00:12:22.64
and that are on earth,
visible and invisible... "
00:12:22.67\00:12:25.57
excuse me... "visible
and invisible... " yes,
00:12:25.61\00:12:28.44
"whether thrones or dominions
or principalities or powers.
00:12:28.48\00:12:32.38
All things were created
through Him and for Him. "
00:12:32.41\00:12:36.25
I'm in verse 17...
00:12:36.28\00:12:38.55
it says, "And He
is before all things,
00:12:38.59\00:12:42.39
and in Him all things consist.
00:12:42.42\00:12:46.93
And He is the head of the
body... " that is the church
00:12:46.96\00:12:50.67
"who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
00:12:50.70\00:12:54.77
that in all things He
may have the preeminence.
00:12:54.80\00:12:58.84
For it pleased the Father
00:12:58.87\00:13:02.14
that in Him all the
fullness should dwell,
00:13:02.21\00:13:05.98
and by Him to
reconcile all things to Himself,
00:13:06.01\00:13:09.72
by Him, whether things on
earth or things in heaven,
00:13:09.75\00:13:12.85
having made peace
through the blood of His cross.
00:13:12.92\00:13:15.99
And you, who once were alienated
00:13:16.02\00:13:20.30
and enemies in your
mind by wicked works,
00:13:20.33\00:13:23.80
yet now He has reconciled
00:13:23.83\00:13:27.34
in the body of His
flesh though death,
00:13:27.37\00:13:30.71
to present you
holy, and blameless,
00:13:30.74\00:13:33.48
and above
reproach in His sight... "
00:13:33.54\00:13:36.24
last verse says,
00:13:36.28\00:13:38.08
if indeed you
continue in the faith,
00:13:38.11\00:13:40.38
grounded and steadfast,
00:13:40.42\00:13:42.15
and are not moved away
from the hope of this gospel
00:13:42.18\00:13:45.09
which you heard,
00:13:45.12\00:13:46.45
which was preached to
every creature under heaven,
00:13:46.49\00:13:48.86
of which I, Paul,
became a minister. "
00:13:48.89\00:13:53.23
That indeed is a
very powerful passage
00:13:53.26\00:13:55.73
and it reminds us of whom
we're discussing this evening.
00:13:55.76\00:13:59.90
Now, I'm about to do something
that normally I consider to be
00:13:59.93\00:14:05.87
absolutely blasphemous
00:14:05.91\00:14:07.61
and that is,
00:14:07.64\00:14:09.34
read from a paraphrased
translation of Scripture.
00:14:09.38\00:14:13.62
Audience: Laughter.
00:14:13.68\00:14:15.55
Normally, I try to stick to the
King James or the New King James
00:14:15.58\00:14:18.62
I'm just kind of
biased in that way...
00:14:18.65\00:14:20.12
not that I don't believe that we
shouldn't use other translations
00:14:20.16\00:14:24.09
I believe in its proper context
and in the proper moment,
00:14:24.13\00:14:27.06
there are appropriate
times to use other translations,
00:14:27.10\00:14:30.07
but I very much try to stay
away from paraphrased versions
00:14:30.10\00:14:33.07
because it's not
really a word-by-word
00:14:33.10\00:14:34.97
or textual translation,
00:14:35.00\00:14:36.60
but more of just a...
00:14:36.64\00:14:38.17
a kind of an overall
view... a paraphrase...
00:14:38.24\00:14:40.98
and so... but when I
found this particular paraphrase
00:14:41.01\00:14:43.55
of a particular translation
that I normally stay away from,
00:14:43.61\00:14:47.18
I really liked the
way Eugene Peterson...
00:14:47.22\00:14:50.09
the author of
"The Message Bible"
00:14:50.12\00:14:53.39
or the "The Message Translation"
00:14:53.42\00:14:56.49
paraphrased this particular
text that we just read
00:14:56.52\00:14:59.13
and I'm... I think it's
going to be on the screen
00:14:59.16\00:15:01.80
at this moment and it says,
00:15:01.86\00:15:03.20
"For everything... "
00:15:03.23\00:15:04.57
listen very closely to
the verse... I like this,
00:15:04.60\00:15:06.87
"For everything,
absolutely everything,
00:15:06.90\00:15:09.94
above and below,
00:15:09.97\00:15:11.57
visible and invisible,
00:15:11.61\00:15:14.01
rank after rank
after rank of angels...
00:15:14.04\00:15:17.45
everything got started in Him
00:15:17.48\00:15:20.92
and finds its purpose in Him.
00:15:20.95\00:15:24.32
He was there before any
of it came into existence
00:15:24.35\00:15:28.66
and holds it all together
right up to this moment.
00:15:28.69\00:15:32.99
He was supreme in the beginning
00:15:33.03\00:15:37.23
and leading the
resurrection parade...
00:15:37.27\00:15:40.94
He is supreme in the end.
00:15:40.97\00:15:42.60
From beginning
to end He's there,
00:15:42.64\00:15:46.88
towering far above
everything, everyone... "
00:15:46.91\00:15:50.08
and I love this,
00:15:50.15\00:15:51.48
"so spacious is He, so roomy,
00:15:51.51\00:15:55.55
that everything of God
finds its proper place in Him
00:15:55.58\00:15:59.49
without crowding.
00:15:59.52\00:16:01.69
Not only that,
00:16:01.72\00:16:03.83
but all the broken
and dislocated pieces
00:16:03.86\00:16:06.76
of the universe...
00:16:06.80\00:16:08.13
people and things,
animals and atoms...
00:16:08.16\00:16:11.03
get properly
fixed and fit together
00:16:11.07\00:16:14.14
in vibrant harmonies,
00:16:14.20\00:16:16.87
all because of His death,
00:16:16.91\00:16:19.54
His blood that poured
down from the cross...
00:16:19.57\00:16:22.91
But now, by giving
Himself completely at the Cross,
00:16:22.94\00:16:28.28
He has died for you. "
00:16:28.32\00:16:31.35
I love this
part... don't miss this,
00:16:31.39\00:16:34.72
"You don't walk away
from a gift like that!"
00:16:34.76\00:16:40.46
Pause...
00:16:40.50\00:16:43.30
I'll try this side over here,
00:16:43.33\00:16:45.03
pause...
00:16:45.07\00:16:47.64
"You don't walk away
from a gift like that!
00:16:47.67\00:16:52.54
Audience: Amen.
00:16:52.57\00:16:53.91
"You stay grounded and
steady in that bond of trust,
00:16:53.94\00:16:58.91
constantly tuned
in to the Message... "
00:16:58.95\00:17:04.35
the message...
00:17:04.39\00:17:05.82
"careful not to be
distracted or diverted. "
00:17:05.85\00:17:08.56
We have a lot of
that going on today, huh,
00:17:08.59\00:17:11.26
pause...
00:17:11.29\00:17:13.80
"There is no other
Message... just this one.
00:17:13.83\00:17:17.43
Every creature under
heaven gets this same Message. "
00:17:17.47\00:17:24.21
Audience: Amen.
00:17:24.24\00:17:27.41
I remember, I just
turned five years old
00:17:27.44\00:17:32.91
and mom and daddy
enrolled me in public school.
00:17:32.95\00:17:39.85
Now, do you guys have...
00:17:39.89\00:17:41.62
here in Australia do
you guys have Kindergarten?
00:17:41.66\00:17:44.46
I'll say, okay...
00:17:44.49\00:17:46.16
well I was... I was being
enrolled into Kindergarten
00:17:46.19\00:17:49.03
and I remember
I was very excited
00:17:49.06\00:17:51.70
because, you know,
00:17:51.73\00:17:53.47
I don't know how it
is here in Australia,
00:17:53.50\00:17:55.24
but in America,
it's... it's almost like a...
00:17:55.27\00:17:57.47
it's just a cultural
thing where... you know,
00:17:57.51\00:17:59.64
as you're approaching
the first day of school,
00:17:59.67\00:18:01.54
the parents take
the kids out shopping
00:18:01.58\00:18:03.21
and you get new shoes
and you get new clothes
00:18:03.24\00:18:05.08
and new backpacks
00:18:05.11\00:18:06.45
and, you know, little hardware
to put in your backpacks
00:18:06.48\00:18:08.65
and all those other
things and so... my family...
00:18:08.68\00:18:10.89
I mean, they were so
excited, I was excited
00:18:10.92\00:18:12.59
and back then...
this was, of course,
00:18:12.62\00:18:14.56
way before my
Christian days when... when I...
00:18:14.59\00:18:16.73
I hadn't really
figured things out yet,
00:18:16.76\00:18:18.09
and, of course, I
was just a little one
00:18:18.13\00:18:19.46
but I was very much into a...
a... a very mythical character
00:18:19.49\00:18:22.90
and comic... comic-book
character known as Batman
00:18:22.93\00:18:26.57
and so, I was
very much into Batman
00:18:26.60\00:18:28.70
and so, on the
first day of school,
00:18:28.74\00:18:30.77
my parents obviously
had taken me out shopping
00:18:30.81\00:18:32.84
but on the first day of
school, I stepped out of the car
00:18:32.87\00:18:35.04
at the school,
I've got Batman shoes,
00:18:35.08\00:18:37.01
I've got Batman pants,
00:18:37.05\00:18:38.38
I got Batman shirt,
I got Batman backpack,
00:18:38.41\00:18:40.12
I even had a little Batman watch
00:18:40.15\00:18:42.18
and I didn't even know how to
tell time but I was proud of it.
00:18:42.22\00:18:45.15
I was so excited
as we were on the way
00:18:45.19\00:18:49.12
because I couldn't
wait for everyone to see
00:18:49.16\00:18:51.29
all of my Batman
merchandise that I had on,
00:18:51.33\00:18:53.53
but as soon as I
stepped out of the vehicle,
00:18:53.56\00:18:55.73
a very strong sense of anxiety
00:18:55.76\00:18:58.03
immediately began to
flood through my veins.
00:18:58.07\00:19:00.94
As I begin to see
all of the long lines
00:19:00.97\00:19:03.74
of these random strange children
that I'd never seen before,
00:19:03.77\00:19:06.57
each one that was
standing by their parents...
00:19:06.61\00:19:09.14
this was just prior to
the opening of the doors,
00:19:09.18\00:19:11.68
but then eventually
they came and they opened
00:19:11.71\00:19:13.05
the front doors of the school,
00:19:13.08\00:19:14.42
and we began parading in,
00:19:14.45\00:19:15.78
almost like they
were taking us one by one
00:19:15.82\00:19:17.65
into a high
secure penitentiary...
00:19:17.69\00:19:19.85
Audience: Laughter.
00:19:19.92\00:19:22.16
And I was so
anxious... so scared...
00:19:22.19\00:19:25.33
and I remember
like it was yesterday
00:19:25.36\00:19:28.43
then of course, we
went and found my home room
00:19:28.46\00:19:31.03
where I would be the entire year
00:19:31.07\00:19:33.10
and as I'm walking
through the hallways
00:19:33.13\00:19:35.67
and I'm going to officially find
the entrance of my home room
00:19:35.70\00:19:38.17
and they begin ushering in...
00:19:38.21\00:19:39.54
ushering me into
the home room there,
00:19:39.57\00:19:41.11
I'm looking around and
I'm taking in my surroundings,
00:19:41.14\00:19:43.68
I'm paying attention to
the behavior and the reactions
00:19:43.75\00:19:46.25
of all the other
young boys and girls around
00:19:46.28\00:19:48.22
and, of course, their
parents are bringing them in,
00:19:48.25\00:19:49.95
some of which I could
see that same horrific,
00:19:49.98\00:19:52.19
terrifying look on their face,
00:19:52.25\00:19:53.59
and some were so terrified,
they were beyond the point,
00:19:53.62\00:19:57.36
some of them were
kicking and screaming and crying
00:19:57.39\00:19:59.36
saying, "No
mummy, no mummy, no... "
00:19:59.39\00:20:01.83
it was like mum and daddy were
pushing us out of their nest
00:20:01.86\00:20:05.00
saying, "Go, go,
shoo... shoo... "
00:20:05.03\00:20:06.37
They eventually brought us in
00:20:06.40\00:20:08.80
and they sat us down
on these little squares
00:20:08.84\00:20:11.11
each little square...
do you guys remember this?
00:20:11.14\00:20:13.38
You guys have this in school?
00:20:13.41\00:20:14.74
I don't know,
maybe it's a new thing
00:20:14.78\00:20:16.11
but they... they... they sat
us down on these little squares
00:20:16.14\00:20:18.91
and we all sat on a little
number or a little color...
00:20:18.95\00:20:20.95
what was blue or green...
or number one... number two...
00:20:20.98\00:20:23.28
so, I remember I sat on
the very corner in the room,
00:20:23.32\00:20:25.62
I had my own little corner spot
00:20:25.65\00:20:27.56
and I... again,
I'm very, very anxious
00:20:27.59\00:20:29.52
but I... even from a young age,
00:20:29.59\00:20:30.93
I've always been very
in control of my emotions,
00:20:30.96\00:20:32.99
sometimes, I'm very
good at hiding my emotions
00:20:33.06\00:20:35.26
and on this particular day,
00:20:35.30\00:20:36.63
I was not about
to let some other kid
00:20:36.67\00:20:38.47
or any other adult see me
cry on the first day of school,
00:20:38.50\00:20:40.87
even though I
had that lip quiver.
00:20:40.90\00:20:42.74
Audience: Laughter.
00:20:42.77\00:20:45.17
I was ready to let
loose at any moment
00:20:45.21\00:20:46.88
and I'm looking around and
I'm... I'm studying the room
00:20:46.91\00:20:50.88
and... and... But I remembered
something mom and dad told me
00:20:50.91\00:20:53.72
before we arrived that day,
00:20:53.78\00:20:55.22
they said, "Oh son,
you're going to be fine,
00:20:55.25\00:20:56.58
you're going to
make new friends,
00:20:56.62\00:20:58.69
just... just find a
friend... make new friends
00:20:58.72\00:21:01.89
and it will be okay,
you'll get through it
00:21:01.92\00:21:05.03
and I'm sitting
on that little block
00:21:05.09\00:21:07.00
and that... that
came into my mind
00:21:07.03\00:21:08.90
and I began scoping the room
00:21:08.93\00:21:10.67
trying to determine
who's going to be my friend
00:21:10.70\00:21:14.04
and it was just
really convenient
00:21:14.10\00:21:19.24
because there was this
young boy sitting beside me
00:21:19.27\00:21:21.61
who looked just as
horrifically terrified as I did
00:21:21.64\00:21:23.98
and I thought, "Hey, why not?"
00:21:24.01\00:21:25.78
And so, I had to make
the first initial connection
00:21:25.81\00:21:28.58
and so I remember in
that very high pitched
00:21:28.62\00:21:30.79
country accent of
mine as a little kid,
00:21:30.82\00:21:32.95
I said, "Uhhh... would
you like to be my friend?"
00:21:32.99\00:21:36.39
Audience: Laughter.
00:21:36.42\00:21:38.19
And that little
boy... he looked over at me
00:21:38.23\00:21:41.96
he was as surprised I guess
to know that I was actually
00:21:42.00\00:21:44.57
addressing him...
speaking to him...
00:21:44.60\00:21:46.33
and he really didn't
know any other way to respond
00:21:46.40\00:21:48.30
other than, "Uhhhh... sure... "
00:21:48.34\00:21:50.67
And so we became friends
00:21:50.71\00:21:53.27
and mom and dad were right,
00:21:53.31\00:21:55.78
it made the
first day of school...
00:21:55.81\00:21:58.01
in fact, it made every
day at school so much easier
00:21:58.05\00:22:00.28
to know that I
didn't have to walk into
00:22:00.32\00:22:01.88
that young people
penitentiary by myself each day
00:22:01.92\00:22:04.55
and alone...
00:22:04.59\00:22:05.92
now it's comical
and very truthful
00:22:05.95\00:22:09.12
as that story
most definitely is.
00:22:09.16\00:22:12.19
As I was preparing for
this particular message,
00:22:12.23\00:22:15.90
all of those thoughts were just
flooding back into my mind...
00:22:15.93\00:22:19.10
the very concept of friendship.
00:22:19.13\00:22:21.40
You see, there was
a natural response...
00:22:21.44\00:22:25.91
there's a natural
drawing of God's people
00:22:25.94\00:22:30.35
to desire friendship.
00:22:30.38\00:22:33.08
We all want that
special connection...
00:22:33.11\00:22:36.05
we all want to be liked,
we all want to be cared for,
00:22:36.08\00:22:39.42
God created us for that purpose
00:22:39.45\00:22:43.76
to connect.
00:22:43.83\00:22:45.99
You see, the opposite of
selfishness is to give yourself
00:22:46.03\00:22:50.97
to someone else in
that kind of way...
00:22:51.00\00:22:53.50
in a relationship...
a special relationship.
00:22:53.54\00:22:56.24
As I always do
when I'm studying,
00:22:56.30\00:23:01.38
I tend to want to define
things before I go any further
00:23:01.41\00:23:04.35
so I thought,
"Well, you know what?
00:23:04.38\00:23:05.98
I just want to see
what the dictionary
00:23:06.01\00:23:07.58
defines the word 'friend'
or the concept of 'friend. '"
00:23:07.62\00:23:10.69
What... what is a friend
according to the dictionary?
00:23:10.72\00:23:13.05
And I didn't just want
to go to any dictionary...
00:23:13.09\00:23:15.32
there's... there's so many
different dictionaries out there
00:23:15.39\00:23:17.49
but you know there's
those sophisticated Institutes
00:23:17.53\00:23:19.96
such as Oxford...
00:23:20.00\00:23:21.33
and I thought, "You know what?
00:23:21.36\00:23:22.70
Why not check the
Oxford English Dictionary
00:23:22.73\00:23:25.13
for what a friend is defined as
00:23:25.17\00:23:29.00
or what... what is the
definition of a friend.
00:23:29.04\00:23:30.91
Now, again I'm just quoting
Oxford English Dictionary here,
00:23:30.94\00:23:34.18
I want to show you what
Oxford English Dictionary
00:23:34.21\00:23:36.85
defines a "friend"
as... so, here it is:
00:23:36.88\00:23:38.88
A person with whom one has
a bond of mutual affection,
00:23:38.91\00:23:43.49
typically one exclusive of
sexual or family relations.
00:23:43.52\00:23:47.89
The second definition was:
00:23:47.92\00:23:50.29
An acquaintance or a
stranger one comes across.
00:23:50.33\00:23:54.33
Maybe... see that... okay.
00:23:54.36\00:23:58.10
The third definition
was: One's close relatives.
00:23:58.13\00:24:01.50
I can see that
to a certain extent
00:24:01.54\00:24:03.17
because I'm very
close to my brother,
00:24:03.20\00:24:04.77
in fact, I consider my brother
00:24:04.81\00:24:06.14
who is also an
Amazing Facts Evangelist
00:24:06.17\00:24:08.44
he is... is my
very close friend.
00:24:08.48\00:24:10.85
I can see that.
00:24:10.88\00:24:12.31
Notice the last one:
00:24:12.35\00:24:14.72
A person who is not an
enemy or opponent but an ally.
00:24:14.75\00:24:20.29
okay, we can see
that to a certain extent,
00:24:20.36\00:24:24.06
there is one... there
is a couple of more here,
00:24:24.09\00:24:28.46
I don't know if they have
the... have it on slides here
00:24:28.50\00:24:30.23
but there's a couple
of more that I found.
00:24:30.27\00:24:32.60
The fifth
definition that came up was:
00:24:32.63\00:24:34.90
A familiar or helpful thing.
00:24:34.94\00:24:37.37
Pause.
00:24:37.41\00:24:40.44
Did you catch that?
00:24:40.48\00:24:41.81
Oxford dictionary
defines a friend as a thing.
00:24:41.84\00:24:46.72
A familiar or helpful thing.
00:24:46.75\00:24:49.18
Now, I can see where
they're going with this
00:24:49.22\00:24:50.55
because I hear
people all the time
00:24:50.75\00:24:52.12
you know, you
run out of the house
00:24:52.15\00:24:53.49
and they forget their cell phone
00:24:53.52\00:24:54.86
but oh, they'll go
back again in and grab it,
00:24:54.89\00:24:56.22
"Eh... huh... huh... huh...
I almost forgot my friend.
00:24:56.26\00:24:57.83
This is my close friend,
00:24:57.86\00:25:00.13
can't go
anywhere without that... "
00:25:00.16\00:25:02.03
and then, of course,
the last definition...
00:25:02.06\00:25:05.20
now, I kind of was
surprised when I first saw it
00:25:05.23\00:25:07.94
but then, it's like,
"Ah, this should be expected"
00:25:07.97\00:25:10.71
the sixth definition...
the last definition...
00:25:10.74\00:25:13.31
in the Oxford English
Dictionary for a "friend"
00:25:13.34\00:25:15.88
check this out:
00:25:15.91\00:25:17.25
A contact on a
social networking website.
00:25:17.28\00:25:22.95
Audience: Laughter.
00:25:22.98\00:25:25.65
That is the age in
which we are living.
00:25:25.72\00:25:28.16
In fact, if you were to
really take on the modern
00:25:28.22\00:25:33.33
truthful definition of a
"friend" in most people's minds,
00:25:33.36\00:25:35.93
you can just scrap those
previous five that I just read
00:25:35.96\00:25:38.50
and just put that
last one down right there
00:25:38.53\00:25:40.17
because when most people
consider a friend to be a friend
00:25:40.20\00:25:42.54
they're talking about
their friends on Facebook
00:25:42.57\00:25:44.81
or Twitter or all the
other social media networks
00:25:44.84\00:25:46.78
that they're involved in.
00:25:46.81\00:25:48.14
Now, when I read this
definition I was very sad
00:25:48.18\00:25:51.41
because it did not...
00:25:51.45\00:25:52.78
it... it... it did not
really settle within me
00:25:52.81\00:25:56.72
as a sufficient
definition for a friend
00:25:56.75\00:25:59.05
so I went to another
very familiar definition...
00:25:59.09\00:26:02.92
a very familiar dictionary...
00:26:02.96\00:26:04.29
as you can see there,
00:26:04.33\00:26:08.26
Ryan Day's Dictionary...
00:26:08.30\00:26:12.13
and as I was praying
and thinking this through,
00:26:12.17\00:26:15.60
I thought, you know,
"What would I consider
00:26:15.64\00:26:19.01
to be the proper
attributes of a good friend...
00:26:19.04\00:26:23.58
a close friend?"
00:26:23.61\00:26:24.95
Now I understand that this
is not a very complex list,
00:26:24.98\00:26:28.45
a good friend is
much more complex
00:26:28.48\00:26:30.49
which is these seven
points but nonetheless
00:26:30.52\00:26:32.35
this is what I came up with.
00:26:32.39\00:26:33.72
You see, a good
friend to me is someone...
00:26:33.76\00:26:35.32
and you'll
notice, the first three
00:26:35.36\00:26:36.76
are really the most
foundational aspects
00:26:36.79\00:26:39.03
of a good healthy relationship.
00:26:39.06\00:26:40.40
If you're going to have a good
healthy relationship with anyone
00:26:40.43\00:26:43.10
whether it be a marriage...
whether it be a courtship...
00:26:43.13\00:26:45.33
or whether it be
simply a close friend,
00:26:45.37\00:26:46.94
number one, you want a friend
to be someone you can trust,
00:26:46.97\00:26:50.27
do you agree or disagree?
00:26:50.31\00:26:53.34
Okay, number two,
a good communicator.
00:26:53.38\00:26:58.21
You see, a relationship
without communication,
00:26:58.25\00:27:01.75
is no relationship at all
00:27:01.78\00:27:03.55
because the very foundation
of a healthy relationship
00:27:03.59\00:27:07.76
is communication.
00:27:07.79\00:27:09.26
Trust... notice number three,
00:27:09.29\00:27:12.59
honesty and to be truthful.
00:27:12.63\00:27:15.86
You want someone as a friend,
a close friend to be honest
00:27:15.90\00:27:19.17
and truthful.
00:27:19.23\00:27:20.74
Of course, number four,
00:27:20.77\00:27:22.64
you want this friend to
be encouraging and supportive
00:27:22.70\00:27:25.71
and when I'm
talking about encouragement
00:27:25.74\00:27:27.84
and someone who is supporting
you as a close friend,
00:27:27.88\00:27:30.55
we're talking about someone
00:27:30.58\00:27:31.91
who's going to
encourage you and support you
00:27:31.95\00:27:34.22
not just in the good
times but also the bad.
00:27:34.25\00:27:36.48
Pause.
00:27:36.52\00:27:39.79
Number six, a good
friend is a good listener.
00:27:39.82\00:27:43.86
A good friend knows how
to be quiet and just listen
00:27:43.89\00:27:50.07
in times when their
friend needs to be heard
00:27:50.10\00:27:54.50
and of course,
last but not least
00:27:54.54\00:27:58.47
someone willing to
sacrifice their life...
00:27:58.51\00:28:01.38
or give their life for you.
00:28:01.44\00:28:04.75
Pause...
00:28:04.78\00:28:07.55
Now, as I was
thinking over this list,
00:28:07.58\00:28:09.35
you know, I've met many people
00:28:09.38\00:28:11.49
who would probably qualify
for the majority... if not all
00:28:11.52\00:28:14.02
of these particular
aspects of a friendship
00:28:14.06\00:28:18.56
but there was one
person who came to my mind
00:28:18.59\00:28:23.06
that without a doubt
fits all the criteria
00:28:23.10\00:28:27.47
and that is none other
than Jesus Christ Himself.
00:28:27.50\00:28:32.44
I want to take you
through a very quick...
00:28:32.47\00:28:35.14
very simple but
profound Bible Study
00:28:35.18\00:28:38.05
as we go back
through these one by one,
00:28:38.08\00:28:40.88
I want to show you
how the Bible confirms...
00:28:40.92\00:28:44.29
this is not just some
made up story or myth,
00:28:44.32\00:28:47.66
but yet the Bible confirms
00:28:47.69\00:28:49.86
that the greatest
closest friend that one can have
00:28:49.89\00:28:53.63
is their
Creator... Jesus Christ.
00:28:53.66\00:28:57.37
Pause.
00:28:57.40\00:29:00.14
I want to take us
to the very first one
00:29:00.17\00:29:03.61
which is someone you can trust
00:29:03.64\00:29:05.74
and I think that if
there's anyone in the Scripture
00:29:05.77\00:29:09.44
who understands God as a
person that they can trust,
00:29:09.48\00:29:13.11
how about the man that God said,
00:29:13.18\00:29:15.12
that is a man
after His own heart.
00:29:15.15\00:29:17.19
While David was
not a perfect man,
00:29:17.22\00:29:19.15
David did indeed... he
was very faithful to God
00:29:19.22\00:29:22.32
and notice what he writes here
in Psalm chapter 31, verse 13,
00:29:22.36\00:29:27.06
excuse me, verse 14,
very simple but he says,
00:29:27.10\00:29:30.83
"But as for me, I
TRUST in You, O Lord;
00:29:30.87\00:29:36.67
I say, 'You are my God. '"
00:29:36.71\00:29:40.41
Pause.
00:29:40.44\00:29:42.44
I trust in You Lord,
I say, "You are my God"
00:29:42.48\00:29:44.91
and... and if you
read the story of David,
00:29:44.95\00:29:47.28
you know that he had to
put a lot of trust in God
00:29:47.32\00:29:50.32
to be where he was
00:29:50.35\00:29:52.25
and to accomplish what
he was able to accomplish.
00:29:52.29\00:29:55.49
Also, in the book of
Psalm chapter 31 verse 14,
00:29:55.52\00:29:58.66
the Bible goes on to
say, excuse me, I'm sorry,
00:29:58.69\00:30:01.80
Psalm 84 verse 12,
00:30:01.86\00:30:03.57
the Bible goes on to
tell us, "O Lord of hosts... "
00:30:03.60\00:30:06.40
of course, this is David,
00:30:06.43\00:30:07.77
"blessed is the
man who TRUSTS in You!"
00:30:07.80\00:30:10.41
If you want to
go talk to someone
00:30:10.44\00:30:13.04
who knows anything
about trusting in God
00:30:13.07\00:30:15.31
or being able to
trust God as a close friend,
00:30:15.34\00:30:17.48
David would know
that and David records it,
00:30:17.51\00:30:19.58
he says, "Blessed is
the man who TRUSTS in You. "
00:30:19.61\00:30:22.52
Pause.
00:30:22.55\00:30:24.19
And of course, we all
know that famous passage,
00:30:24.22\00:30:26.96
coming from, of
course, as the Bible describes,
00:30:26.99\00:30:29.69
the wisest man to ever live,
00:30:29.72\00:30:31.23
that is... the
created man that ever lived,
00:30:31.26\00:30:33.86
that would be Solomon
00:30:33.90\00:30:35.23
and we find this in Proverbs
chapter 3 verses 5 through 6,
00:30:35.26\00:30:37.80
this should be a
very familiar verse,
00:30:37.83\00:30:39.43
notice what it...
what does it start with?
00:30:39.47\00:30:41.44
Say it with me... "TRUST"
that's the first thing...
00:30:41.47\00:30:44.04
the wisest man
to ever live says,
00:30:44.07\00:30:46.27
"Hey, let me give
you a little advice,
00:30:46.31\00:30:48.18
'TRUST in the Lord
with all your heart. '"
00:30:48.21\00:30:50.08
Why should you?
Because you can...
00:30:50.11\00:30:52.25
He's your best friend,
00:30:52.31\00:30:53.65
there's no one on the planet
that you can trust more than Him
00:30:53.68\00:30:56.18
"Trust in the Lord
with all your heart,
00:30:56.22\00:30:58.25
and lean not on
your own understanding;
00:30:58.29\00:31:00.29
in all your ways acknowledge Him
00:31:00.32\00:31:02.72
and He shall direct your path. "
00:31:02.76\00:31:05.16
Pause.
00:31:05.19\00:31:07.40
Now there's some other texts
00:31:07.43\00:31:08.86
that as I was
studying from the Old Testament
00:31:08.90\00:31:11.07
into the New Testament,
00:31:11.10\00:31:12.43
I found something
quite interesting...
00:31:12.47\00:31:13.84
I... I... I... I located this
and discovered this years ago,
00:31:13.87\00:31:17.07
but it brought me back to
this particular series of texts.
00:31:17.11\00:31:20.28
When you're
coming to trust God...
00:31:20.31\00:31:22.54
when you're
learning to trust God,
00:31:22.58\00:31:24.78
Christ reminds you of
that... and He... He tells us
00:31:24.81\00:31:28.48
and preaches this in the Word,
00:31:28.52\00:31:30.02
notice John chapter 14 verse 1,
00:31:30.05\00:31:31.45
we all know that famous text,
where he's talking about...
00:31:31.49\00:31:34.26
how when he is going away
to prepare for us a mansion,
00:31:34.29\00:31:36.89
that where He is,
there we may be also,
00:31:36.93\00:31:38.53
notice what He
starts this with though,
00:31:38.56\00:31:40.40
He says, "Let not
your heart be troubled;
00:31:40.46\00:31:43.70
you BELIEVE in God,
believe also in Me. "
00:31:43.73\00:31:46.90
And you say, "Ryan,
what does that have to do
00:31:46.94\00:31:48.27
with trusting God?"
00:31:48.30\00:31:49.64
You see, the word "believe"
here in the original Greek,
00:31:49.67\00:31:52.51
is a word that
you would pronounce
00:31:52.57\00:31:54.48
and it sounds
like this, "pisteuo"
00:31:54.51\00:31:56.38
so we go in the original
Greek here, to believe...
00:31:56.41\00:32:00.62
as it says here,
to believe in God
00:32:00.65\00:32:02.12
he's asking you to
"pisteuo" in the Greek
00:32:02.15\00:32:05.02
and if you look up a
further-defining word
00:32:05.05\00:32:07.89
that would
properly communicate to us
00:32:07.92\00:32:10.43
what it is in the
Greek to "pisteuo"
00:32:10.46\00:32:12.19
it also means, "to put trust in"
00:32:12.23\00:32:14.76
that means, "To trust... "
00:32:14.80\00:32:17.27
so essentially what God is
saying here is, "You know what?
00:32:17.30\00:32:19.67
I don't want you
to just believe in me,
00:32:19.70\00:32:22.20
as in... 'I just
exist' or that 'I'm here'
00:32:22.24\00:32:24.34
I want you to go
far and beyond that,
00:32:24.37\00:32:26.17
I want you to trust in God
and also, trust also in Me. "
00:32:26.21\00:32:31.28
Pause.
00:32:31.31\00:32:33.52
And probably one
of the most quoted...
00:32:33.55\00:32:36.82
and probably the most...
00:32:36.89\00:32:38.22
if I were to ask
you this evening,
00:32:38.25\00:32:39.59
what is probably the
most popular verse or...
00:32:39.62\00:32:42.86
or memorized verse in
all the world from the Bible?
00:32:42.89\00:32:45.19
Probably John 3:16,
I would agree with you,
00:32:45.23\00:32:48.36
I would say to you
this evening, my friends,
00:32:48.40\00:32:51.47
while John 3:16 may be
the most popularly memorized
00:32:51.50\00:32:54.90
and quoted verse
among the Christian world,
00:32:54.94\00:32:57.91
I believe it's also one of
the most misunderstood verses
00:32:57.94\00:33:00.51
within the Christian world.
00:33:00.54\00:33:02.61
Pause.
00:33:02.64\00:33:05.01
I want you to say with me,
you know it by heart, John 3:16,
00:33:05.05\00:33:08.55
"For God so loved
the... " Audience: world
00:33:08.58\00:33:11.39
"that He gave His only
begotten" Audience: Son
00:33:11.42\00:33:15.16
"that whosoever believes
in Him should not perish
00:33:15.19\00:33:18.86
but have everlasting life.
00:33:18.89\00:33:21.60
Notice the word,
"BELIEVES in Him. "
00:33:21.63\00:33:24.07
You see, years ago when I
was kind of church hopping,
00:33:24.10\00:33:27.07
I found myself studying
with many different Christians
00:33:27.10\00:33:31.11
from different denominations
and I found a common theme
00:33:31.14\00:33:35.14
or common pattern among
some of those believers,
00:33:35.18\00:33:37.05
that when they read John 3:16,
00:33:37.08\00:33:39.71
they really held on
to that particular text,
00:33:39.75\00:33:41.75
that was kind of their key verse
00:33:41.78\00:33:44.09
that they really
held on to as a promise
00:33:44.15\00:33:45.95
that all they had to do was
just simply believe in Jesus
00:33:45.99\00:33:49.19
and they would not
perish but have everlasting life
00:33:49.22\00:33:51.79
and of course, the
concept that they're thinking of
00:33:51.83\00:33:54.33
in the sense of
"believing in God"
00:33:54.36\00:33:56.26
is just simply, "I
believe that Jesus is real,
00:33:56.30\00:33:58.67
I believe that He
died on the cross for me
00:33:58.70\00:34:01.00
and of course, I
believe now that I believe that
00:34:01.04\00:34:03.27
I believe I'm saved. "
00:34:03.30\00:34:05.07
Pause.
00:34:05.11\00:34:06.61
And essentially,
00:34:06.64\00:34:08.28
if you go into the original
Greek... as I just said,
00:34:08.31\00:34:10.65
the word "pisteuo"
again, used right here
00:34:10.68\00:34:12.95
simply, Jesus is saying,
00:34:12.98\00:34:14.32
"Look, yes, I want
you to believe in Me"
00:34:14.35\00:34:16.28
that is, "I want
you to trust in me...
00:34:16.32\00:34:19.05
I want you to trust
Me... I'm your God...
00:34:19.12\00:34:21.82
I'm your friend...
00:34:21.86\00:34:23.69
trust me... "
00:34:23.73\00:34:25.63
and what are we trusting in?
00:34:25.66\00:34:27.23
What are we
putting trust in Him to do?
00:34:27.26\00:34:28.96
To do what He said He would do
00:34:29.00\00:34:30.77
and that is to
save us from our sins.
00:34:30.80\00:34:33.84
Pause.
00:34:33.87\00:34:37.01
So, is God
someone you can trust?
00:34:37.04\00:34:39.31
Is Jesus someone you can trust?
00:34:39.34\00:34:41.94
Let's go on to our second point
00:34:41.98\00:34:44.51
and that is... "a
good communicator"
00:34:44.55\00:34:48.18
a good friend is
a good communicator.
00:34:48.22\00:34:52.72
Notice Jeremiah
chapter 33 verse 3.
00:34:52.75\00:34:56.46
The Bible says, "Call to
Me... " this is God speaking...
00:34:56.49\00:35:00.86
"Call to Me, and
I will... " what?
00:35:00.90\00:35:03.26
"if you call to
me, I will... " what?
00:35:03.30\00:35:06.00
"I will answer you
00:35:06.03\00:35:07.37
and show you great and mighty
things which you do not know. "
00:35:07.40\00:35:09.77
Did you realize
that in a relationship,
00:35:09.80\00:35:13.38
it's a dialogue...
00:35:13.41\00:35:15.68
proper communication in
most one-on-one relationships...
00:35:15.71\00:35:21.75
it's a dialogue...
00:35:21.78\00:35:23.12
but yet some of us treat it as a
constant never-ending monologue
00:35:23.15\00:35:27.06
pause
00:35:27.09\00:35:29.06
even in our
relationship with God...
00:35:29.09\00:35:30.43
even when we go to
God in prayer, it's like,
00:35:30.46\00:35:32.76
"Lord, I need this...
00:35:32.79\00:35:34.13
Lord, I need you to
save me from this...
00:35:34.16\00:35:35.50
Lord, I need this, I need
this, I need this... I need this
00:35:35.53\00:35:36.87
I need... " and we pray to God
00:35:36.90\00:35:38.23
but, you know, sometimes
we don't stop and allow God
00:35:38.27\00:35:40.87
to speak back to us.
00:35:40.90\00:35:42.40
What did He say here?
00:35:42.44\00:35:43.87
He says, "Call to
me, I will answer you...
00:35:43.91\00:35:47.44
if you call to
me, I'll answer. "
00:35:47.48\00:35:48.81
Notice in verse...
00:35:48.84\00:35:52.28
excuse me... John
chapter 10 verse 27,
00:35:52.31\00:35:55.22
Jesus says, "My
sheep hear My voice,
00:35:55.28\00:35:58.42
and I know them,
and they follow Me. "
00:35:58.45\00:36:01.52
Is God interested in
communicating with you and me...
00:36:01.56\00:36:06.63
in you and me?
00:36:06.66\00:36:08.36
Is He interested
in communication?
00:36:08.40\00:36:10.07
Absolutely... absolutely.
00:36:10.10\00:36:13.30
So we know that God is
indeed a good communicator.
00:36:13.34\00:36:17.27
We can depend on Him,
00:36:17.31\00:36:19.11
in fact, we're going to see that
pop up in just a few moments.
00:36:19.14\00:36:21.58
Let's go on to point number 3,
00:36:21.61\00:36:23.14
because we're running
very quickly out of time.
00:36:23.18\00:36:25.15
Number three,
00:36:25.18\00:36:27.38
when you're looking
for a good close friend,
00:36:27.42\00:36:30.65
you want this friend
to be honest and truthful.
00:36:30.69\00:36:33.86
The question of the
hour... is God honest?
00:36:33.89\00:36:38.76
Is He truthful?
00:36:38.79\00:36:40.60
What did Jesus say,
00:36:40.63\00:36:42.40
"I am the way, the...
the truth and the life"
00:36:42.43\00:36:45.30
in fact, let me take you
on to Numbers chapter 23,
00:36:45.33\00:36:48.74
verse 19, I believe it is,
notice what the Bible says,
00:36:48.80\00:36:52.17
"God is not a man,
that He should... " what?
00:36:52.21\00:36:54.88
"God is not a man,
that He should lie,
00:36:54.94\00:36:57.11
nor a son of man,
that He should repent,
00:36:57.15\00:36:59.28
He... " notice,
"Has He said... "
00:36:59.31\00:37:01.95
the question... "Has He
said, and will He not do?"
00:37:01.98\00:37:04.62
My friends, do you
believe in the promises of God?
00:37:04.65\00:37:07.32
Do you believe that
when God tells you something,
00:37:07.36\00:37:09.96
He's going to perform it?
00:37:09.99\00:37:11.43
I believe there, right
there, is the ultimate test
00:37:11.46\00:37:13.73
of the faith of a Christian.
00:37:13.76\00:37:15.10
Many times, we... we... we
are walking along this life
00:37:15.13\00:37:20.17
and we read these promises ,
00:37:20.20\00:37:22.40
but again, we experience
many trials and tribulations
00:37:22.47\00:37:25.87
and sometimes, it's like,
00:37:25.91\00:37:27.24
"You know, I just don't know
00:37:27.28\00:37:28.64
if God really is
going to respond.
00:37:28.68\00:37:30.65
I just don't know if
He's really going to allow me
00:37:30.68\00:37:34.72
to tap in to that
promise that He has promised me
00:37:34.75\00:37:38.75
but the Bible
reminds us over and over...
00:37:38.79\00:37:42.36
notice in Titus
chapter 1 verses 1 and 2,
00:37:42.39\00:37:45.86
the Bible says again, here,
"Paul, a bondservant of God...
00:37:45.89\00:37:49.43
an apostle of Jesus Christ,
00:37:49.46\00:37:51.87
according to the
faith of God's elect
00:37:51.93\00:37:54.04
and the
acknowledgment of... " what?
00:37:54.07\00:37:56.40
"of the TRUTH" He
is a truthful God...
00:37:56.44\00:37:58.74
He's an honest God
"which accords with godliness,
00:37:58.77\00:38:03.35
in hope of eternal life
which God, who cannot lie,
00:38:03.38\00:38:07.88
promised before time began. "
00:38:07.92\00:38:11.09
You know, not only do
I find it to be important
00:38:11.15\00:38:14.06
that a good friend
is honest and truthful,
00:38:14.09\00:38:16.96
but sometimes, it's
important for a good friend
00:38:16.99\00:38:20.13
for that friend to
be... sometimes honest in ways
00:38:20.20\00:38:23.30
that you may not
want them to be honest,
00:38:23.33\00:38:24.67
in other words...
tell you the truth
00:38:24.70\00:38:26.77
that sometimes
it's hard to receive.
00:38:26.80\00:38:28.90
What did Jesus say in
Revelation chapter 3 verse 19?
00:38:28.94\00:38:33.17
And by the way, He's speaking
to the last church ages...
00:38:33.21\00:38:37.38
that would be me and you
00:38:37.41\00:38:38.75
and what does He say?
00:38:38.78\00:38:40.12
"As many as I love,
I rebuke and chasten. "
00:38:40.15\00:38:44.05
I love you, He
says, "I'm your friend"
00:38:44.09\00:38:47.16
and there's no
other friend in the world
00:38:47.19\00:38:50.16
that's going to be more
honest and truthful with you
00:38:50.19\00:38:52.23
than Jesus Christ.
00:38:52.26\00:38:53.60
My friends, we're talking about
knowing God as our close friend.
00:38:53.63\00:38:58.33
Pause.
00:38:58.37\00:38:59.97
He is a close friend.
00:39:00.00\00:39:03.24
Pause.
00:39:03.30\00:39:05.61
So, can we believe and
stake our faith in the fact
00:39:05.64\00:39:11.21
that God is honest and truthful?
00:39:11.25\00:39:12.91
Yes.
00:39:12.95\00:39:14.45
Let's continue on
to point number 4,
00:39:14.48\00:39:17.09
a good friend is
someone who's dependable.
00:39:17.15\00:39:20.06
Is God a dependable God?
00:39:20.09\00:39:22.66
Some of these may be rhetoric
00:39:22.69\00:39:25.76
or... or just very,
very much repetitive
00:39:25.79\00:39:27.96
but I just want
you to know my friends
00:39:28.00\00:39:30.00
the Bible is very
clear on these points.
00:39:30.03\00:39:32.00
Psalm chapter 89
verse 34, what does God say?
00:39:32.03\00:39:35.50
"My covenant I will not break,
00:39:35.54\00:39:37.97
nor alter the word that
has gone out of My lips. "
00:39:38.01\00:39:40.78
That's a promise.
00:39:40.81\00:39:42.24
He says, if I tell you
I'm going to do something,
00:39:42.28\00:39:45.28
if I've given you a command,
00:39:45.31\00:39:46.65
if I've given you advice,
00:39:46.68\00:39:48.02
I'm not going to go back on it,
00:39:48.05\00:39:49.38
if it's said, it's done.
00:39:49.42\00:39:50.99
I will not alter the words
that have gone out of my lips.
00:39:51.02\00:39:54.06
What does Matthew chapter
4 verse 4 say as Jesus was...
00:39:54.09\00:39:57.13
was contending
with the devil, he says,
00:39:57.16\00:39:58.86
"Man shall not
live by bread alone
00:39:58.89\00:40:00.73
but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God"
00:40:00.76\00:40:03.80
we can believe, my
friends, in those promises.
00:40:03.83\00:40:06.03
Notice, 2nd
Timothy chapter 2 verse 13,
00:40:06.10\00:40:09.17
but I love this verse,
00:40:09.20\00:40:10.64
very simple, very
sure but to the point.
00:40:10.67\00:40:13.68
If we are
faithless, He remains faithful.
00:40:13.71\00:40:17.61
If we are faithless...
He remains faithful,
00:40:17.65\00:40:21.52
He cannot deny Himself,
00:40:21.55\00:40:23.52
in other words, He
will not deny Himself.
00:40:23.59\00:40:25.69
You may not have
faith, but He will.
00:40:25.75\00:40:28.09
You may have given up
on you, but He hasn't.
00:40:28.12\00:40:31.53
He remains faithful my friends.
00:40:31.56\00:40:34.80
Isaiah chapter 41 verse 10
00:40:34.83\00:40:37.20
is probably one of
my favorite promises
00:40:37.23\00:40:38.97
in all the Word of God.
00:40:39.00\00:40:40.34
What does God say?
00:40:40.37\00:40:41.70
Again talking
about dependability here,
00:40:41.74\00:40:43.57
He says, "Fear
not for I am with you.
00:40:43.61\00:40:46.11
Be not dismayed
for I am your God...
00:40:46.14\00:40:48.31
hey, I am there for you...
00:40:48.34\00:40:49.68
you can depend
on me... " He says.
00:40:49.71\00:40:51.41
"I will strengthen you,
00:40:51.48\00:40:53.42
yes, I will help
you, I will uphold you,
00:40:53.48\00:40:55.88
with my righteous right hand. "
00:40:55.92\00:40:58.29
He says, "You can depend on me.
00:40:58.32\00:41:00.66
I am indeed your friend. "
00:41:00.69\00:41:02.96
So, is God dependable?
00:41:02.99\00:41:05.19
Hello, help me out here folks,
00:41:05.23\00:41:07.83
is God dependable?
00:41:07.86\00:41:09.56
Yes, He is... amen...
00:41:09.60\00:41:11.23
you see, a good friend will also
be encouraging and supportive
00:41:11.30\00:41:15.70
and again, as I said
earlier, not just in...
00:41:15.74\00:41:17.57
in the good times
but also in the bad.
00:41:17.61\00:41:19.67
Someone who will
encourage you in the right way
00:41:19.71\00:41:24.08
and support you
in the right way,
00:41:24.11\00:41:26.18
again Isaiah chapter 43 verse 2,
00:41:26.21\00:41:28.22
again, we're just taking us
through a good old-fashioned
00:41:28.25\00:41:30.59
Bible Study but we're
going to bring it home
00:41:30.62\00:41:31.95
in just a few moments.
00:41:31.99\00:41:33.32
The Bible says, "When
you pass through the waters,
00:41:33.36\00:41:36.36
I will be with you;
00:41:36.42\00:41:38.09
and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow you. "
00:41:38.13\00:41:43.37
Why? Because I am
going to support you.
00:41:43.40\00:41:46.13
I'm going to be there
for you to encourage you.
00:41:46.17\00:41:50.34
When you walk through the
fire, you shall not be burned,
00:41:50.41\00:41:53.01
nor shall the
flame scorch you. "
00:41:53.04\00:41:55.44
Again, we're going to verse 6,
same chapter, Isaiah 43 verse 6,
00:41:55.48\00:41:59.75
"I will say to the
north, 'Give them up!'
00:41:59.78\00:42:02.38
and to the south,
'Do not keep them back!'
00:42:02.42\00:42:05.29
Bring My sons from
afar, and My daughters
00:42:05.32\00:42:08.12
from the ends of the earth. "
00:42:08.16\00:42:09.52
He says, "I got
you, I got your back...
00:42:09.56\00:42:11.39
I'm here to support you,
I'm here to encourage you,
00:42:11.43\00:42:14.66
you're not alone. "
00:42:14.70\00:42:16.03
John chapter 16 verse 33,
00:42:16.06\00:42:19.53
I love this, notice
what Jesus says here,
00:42:19.57\00:42:21.80
"These things I
have spoken to you,
00:42:21.84\00:42:23.91
that in Me you
may have... " what?
00:42:23.94\00:42:25.94
"You may have peace.
00:42:25.97\00:42:27.48
In the world you
will have tribulation... "
00:42:27.51\00:42:30.18
He says, "Don't
just mark it down,
00:42:30.25\00:42:31.58
it's going to happen. "
00:42:31.61\00:42:32.95
Tribulation... you're
going to experience it
00:42:32.98\00:42:34.32
but guess what?
I got your back...
00:42:34.35\00:42:36.05
I'm here for you...
00:42:36.08\00:42:37.49
I'm going to see you through it,
00:42:37.52\00:42:38.85
I'm going to be
there to encourage you,
00:42:38.89\00:42:40.56
I'm going to be
there to support you,
00:42:40.59\00:42:42.22
where you are... there I am...
00:42:42.26\00:42:43.69
notice what He says,
00:42:43.73\00:42:45.06
"In the world, you
will have tribulation;
00:42:45.09\00:42:47.00
but be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world. "
00:42:47.06\00:42:50.77
In other words, He
says, "If I can do it,
00:42:50.80\00:42:52.83
you just trust in me and
I will see you through it. "
00:42:52.87\00:42:55.97
Pause.
00:42:56.00\00:42:59.54
God is that encouraging and
supportive friend that we need
00:42:59.57\00:43:05.08
when nobody else is.
00:43:05.11\00:43:06.82
Pause...
00:43:06.85\00:43:09.55
You know, I
don't care who you are,
00:43:09.58\00:43:13.66
but at the end of the
day, every single one of us
00:43:13.69\00:43:18.43
wants that friend
who is able to listen...
00:43:18.46\00:43:23.60
who was willing to listen.
00:43:23.63\00:43:25.93
You know, there are times
that I might have a bad day
00:43:25.97\00:43:29.57
or there's times that I
might be having a bad week
00:43:29.60\00:43:32.97
or struggling with something
00:43:33.01\00:43:34.34
and probably the
best friend I have
00:43:34.38\00:43:37.18
other than Jesus
Christ Himself is my wife...
00:43:37.25\00:43:40.45
bless her heart,
sometimes she has to listen
00:43:40.48\00:43:43.69
to some horrible rants
00:43:43.72\00:43:45.35
and as I vent all of
my emotions and thoughts,
00:43:45.39\00:43:49.52
she's such a good listener.
00:43:49.56\00:43:53.13
She'll just sit
and listen to me.
00:43:53.16\00:43:56.20
Sometimes I can see
the look on her face...
00:43:56.23\00:43:59.10
she's thinking to
herself, "You're just crazy"
00:43:59.13\00:44:01.97
she just listens
00:44:02.00\00:44:04.97
because she knows that whatever
I'm going through at that moment
00:44:05.01\00:44:08.24
it's important
for her to listen...
00:44:08.28\00:44:09.94
because I need
someone to listen.
00:44:09.98\00:44:11.45
Pause.
00:44:11.48\00:44:15.68
You know, what God says,
1st Peter chapter 5 verse 7,
00:44:15.72\00:44:20.06
"... casting all your care upon
Him, for He cares for you. "
00:44:20.12\00:44:28.16
You see, when
you come to the point
00:44:28.20\00:44:30.47
where you're ready to cast
all your cares upon somebody,
00:44:30.50\00:44:32.37
you know what that requires?
00:44:32.40\00:44:33.74
Someone to receive it.
00:44:33.77\00:44:35.30
Someone to listen.
00:44:35.34\00:44:36.97
Someone to be there for you
00:44:37.01\00:44:38.67
when you need them
to be there for you.
00:44:38.74\00:44:40.08
That's a good friend.
00:44:40.11\00:44:41.44
Notice, 1st Peter
chapter 3 verse 12,
00:44:42.94\00:44:45.51
it says, "For
the eyes of the Lord
00:44:45.58\00:44:48.12
are on the righteous,
00:44:48.15\00:44:49.48
and His ears are
open to their prayers... "
00:44:49.52\00:44:52.82
You say, "You know,
sometimes I might pray
00:44:52.85\00:44:56.36
and sometimes I think that
God just isn't listening. "
00:44:56.39\00:44:58.89
Oh, He's listening,
00:44:58.93\00:45:01.06
He says, "I'm listening. "
00:45:01.10\00:45:03.87
My ears are
open to your prayers.
00:45:03.90\00:45:07.47
I love this next verse,
00:45:07.50\00:45:09.34
in fact, Ms. Jill read
this verse this morning.
00:45:09.37\00:45:12.07
Jeremiah chapter 29
verses 11 through 13,
00:45:12.11\00:45:15.18
notice what the Scripture
says, "For I know the thoughts
00:45:15.21\00:45:18.55
that I think towards you"
00:45:18.61\00:45:20.02
you don't... you
don't have to tell God
00:45:20.05\00:45:23.49
what He needs to think
about, He already knows that
00:45:23.52\00:45:26.02
and notice what
kinds of thoughts He says,
00:45:26.05\00:45:28.79
He says, "Thus says the Lord
00:45:28.82\00:45:30.46
thoughts of
peace and not of evil,
00:45:30.49\00:45:33.36
to give you a future and a hope.
00:45:33.40\00:45:36.20
Then you will call upon
Me and go and pray to Me,
00:45:36.23\00:45:41.54
and I will... " what?
00:45:41.57\00:45:44.04
"I will listen to you.
00:45:44.07\00:45:46.27
And you will seek Me... "
00:45:46.31\00:45:48.41
and what will you
do when you seek Him?
00:45:48.44\00:45:50.25
He says, "You will find
me, when you search for Me
00:45:50.28\00:45:54.22
with all your heart. "
00:45:54.25\00:45:55.58
He says, "You pray,
00:45:55.62\00:45:57.69
lift up your
prayers... and what am I doing?"
00:45:57.72\00:45:59.89
He says, "I'm listening. "
00:45:59.92\00:46:01.42
Why is He listening?
00:46:01.49\00:46:02.82
Because God is the best
friend... the closest friend
00:46:02.86\00:46:05.56
that you and I could ever have.
00:46:05.59\00:46:08.63
He is indeed a good listener.
00:46:08.66\00:46:11.67
Pause...
00:46:11.70\00:46:15.00
I've come to my final
point as I was contemplating
00:46:15.07\00:46:18.71
the key aspects
of a good friend.
00:46:18.74\00:46:21.24
There's an
expression in the United States,
00:46:21.28\00:46:24.71
I don't know if you
guys use this in Australia
00:46:24.75\00:46:27.72
but back in the United
States, it's kind of a...
00:46:27.78\00:46:30.72
I don't know, it's
kind of a... a guy thing
00:46:30.75\00:46:32.72
probably more of a
male-to-male-type thing
00:46:32.75\00:46:34.99
but I remember
growing up in the deep south
00:46:35.02\00:46:37.33
in... in America,
we're serious about our guns
00:46:37.36\00:46:39.83
and one of the
expressions that we have is,
00:46:39.89\00:46:42.30
is... is... well, you know,
when we have a close friend
00:46:42.33\00:46:45.00
or are creating a strong
bond from brother to brother,
00:46:45.03\00:46:47.54
you'll hear us sometimes say,
00:46:47.57\00:46:49.20
"Hey, hey, that's my
brother right there...
00:46:49.24\00:46:51.47
that's my main
man right there...
00:46:51.51\00:46:52.97
that boy would
take a bullet for me. "
00:46:53.01\00:46:54.94
Pause...
00:46:54.98\00:46:57.51
And... and... and... some
of you are probably thinking,
00:46:57.55\00:46:59.58
"That's just crazy!"
00:46:59.61\00:47:00.98
But it's just an expression
communicating the fact
00:47:01.02\00:47:03.55
that if someone's willing
to take a bullet for you,
00:47:03.59\00:47:06.05
what are they ultimately doing?
00:47:06.09\00:47:07.46
They're saying,
"You know, I would...
00:47:07.49\00:47:09.52
I would... I would be willing
to sacrifice my life for yours
00:47:09.56\00:47:12.49
because I love you,
00:47:12.53\00:47:14.40
you're my friend... "
00:47:14.43\00:47:15.86
Pause...
00:47:15.93\00:47:20.37
you see, most of
us... maybe not all...
00:47:20.40\00:47:23.04
but most of us in this lifetime
00:47:23.07\00:47:25.44
probably will
never have to experience
00:47:25.47\00:47:27.21
the idea of one human friend
00:47:27.24\00:47:32.75
having to give
their life for another
00:47:32.78\00:47:35.92
pause...
00:47:35.95\00:47:38.52
but I can tell you my friends,
00:47:38.55\00:47:40.29
today, we would
not be standing here
00:47:40.32\00:47:42.26
and I would not be standing
here preaching this sermon
00:47:42.29\00:47:44.89
if there was not one
00:47:44.93\00:47:46.76
that had not
already given His life
00:47:46.80\00:47:48.76
for each and every
one of us. so we may live.
00:47:48.80\00:47:51.47
Pause.
00:47:51.50\00:47:54.54
Notice what Jesus
says in John chapter 15,
00:47:54.60\00:47:56.84
verses 11 through 13,
00:47:56.87\00:47:59.47
"These things I
have spoken to you,
00:47:59.51\00:48:02.81
that My joy may remain in you,
00:48:02.84\00:48:06.35
and that your joy may be full.
00:48:06.38\00:48:09.82
This is My commandment,
that you love one another
00:48:09.85\00:48:14.22
as I have loved you. "
00:48:14.26\00:48:15.99
That changes the
game of a relationship.
00:48:16.02\00:48:18.53
But then notice what He says,
00:48:18.56\00:48:21.40
"Greater love
has no one than this,
00:48:21.43\00:48:24.03
than to lay down one's
life for his friends. "
00:48:24.07\00:48:28.07
Coming from the
person who knew good and well
00:48:28.10\00:48:31.54
he was going to have
to do that very thing.
00:48:31.57\00:48:34.98
Lay down His
life for His friends.
00:48:35.01\00:48:39.35
Pause.
00:48:39.41\00:48:42.82
Romans chapter 5
verses 6 through 8
00:48:42.88\00:48:45.95
says these words,
00:48:45.99\00:48:48.69
"For when we were
still without strength,
00:48:48.72\00:48:51.19
in due time Christ
died for the ungodly. "
00:48:51.23\00:48:53.60
Could you... can you
begin to even fathom that?
00:48:53.66\00:48:55.70
No you can't.
00:48:55.73\00:48:57.37
You and I cannot
even begin to fathom that.
00:48:57.40\00:48:59.20
He died for the ungodly...
00:48:59.23\00:49:01.80
"For scarcely, for the... for
a righteous man will one die;
00:49:01.84\00:49:06.57
yet perhaps for a good man
00:49:06.61\00:49:08.31
someone would
even dare to die. "
00:49:08.34\00:49:10.11
Notice this... "But God
demonstrates His own love
00:49:10.15\00:49:13.08
toward us, in that
while we were still sinners,
00:49:13.11\00:49:15.98
Christ died for us. "
00:49:16.02\00:49:17.95
Pause...
00:49:17.99\00:49:20.82
more pause...
00:49:20.86\00:49:26.56
2nd Corinthians 5 verse 21,
00:49:26.59\00:49:30.17
pause...
00:49:30.20\00:49:33.40
"Now then, we are
ambassadors for Christ... "
00:49:33.44\00:49:38.21
you know what that means?
00:49:38.24\00:49:40.61
You know what an ambassador is?
00:49:40.64\00:49:43.85
It's a representative.
00:49:43.88\00:49:49.25
I saw a Series... Study Series
done by a minister years ago,
00:49:49.28\00:49:54.49
the title... I mean it
was a book that he had written
00:49:54.52\00:49:56.93
and then of course they made
a DVD Study Series out of it
00:49:56.96\00:49:59.66
but the title of the
book was, "Not a fan"
00:49:59.69\00:50:01.33
Not a fan...
00:50:01.36\00:50:03.10
and it caught my attention
00:50:03.13\00:50:05.50
and, you know, I'm not
really much of a reader...
00:50:05.53\00:50:08.40
really outside of the Bible,
00:50:08.44\00:50:09.80
I do read things
outside of the Bible
00:50:09.84\00:50:11.37
but mostly not.
00:50:11.41\00:50:13.54
This particular
book caught my attention
00:50:13.58\00:50:14.94
and so I picked it up...
00:50:14.98\00:50:16.31
I bought it... it
was only five bucks.
00:50:16.34\00:50:17.68
I begin reading the book
00:50:17.71\00:50:19.05
and I really liked
where the author was going
00:50:19.08\00:50:20.58
because he simply
was asking the question,
00:50:20.62\00:50:22.32
"Are you a fan or a follower?"
00:50:22.35\00:50:26.02
Pause...
00:50:26.05\00:50:28.52
You see, a fan is someone
who stands on the sidelines
00:50:28.56\00:50:30.99
and cheers from a distance
00:50:31.03\00:50:32.56
but a follower is
someone who gets in the game...
00:50:32.59\00:50:36.83
they participate...
00:50:36.87\00:50:39.90
you see, we are
ambassadors for Jesus.
00:50:39.93\00:50:42.84
When we take upon
the name of Jesus,
00:50:42.87\00:50:45.77
we now become
representatives for Jesus
00:50:45.81\00:50:47.74
and then notice
what he goes on to say.
00:50:47.78\00:50:50.35
"As though God were
pleading through us:
00:50:50.38\00:50:53.01
we implore you on
Christ's behalf... "
00:50:53.08\00:50:55.68
I want you to read this with me,
00:50:55.72\00:50:57.05
"be... " what?
00:50:57.09\00:50:58.42
"RECONCILED to God. "
00:50:58.45\00:51:00.36
Now what... notice this...
00:51:00.39\00:51:01.72
in... why are they
using this word, "Reconciled"?
00:51:01.76\00:51:04.66
Pause...
00:51:04.69\00:51:06.49
what's the
opposite of reconciliation?
00:51:06.53\00:51:08.60
Separation...
00:51:08.63\00:51:11.07
there would be no need
00:51:11.10\00:51:13.03
to communicate the
idea of reconciliation
00:51:13.07\00:51:15.74
if there had not been
previously a separation
00:51:15.77\00:51:18.41
and so, God is simply saying,
00:51:18.44\00:51:20.91
"Look, we're
separated... I'm your friend...
00:51:20.98\00:51:24.55
I don't want to
be apart anymore,
00:51:24.61\00:51:26.98
"For He made Him who
knew no sin to be sin for us,
00:51:27.02\00:51:31.15
that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him. "
00:51:31.22\00:51:34.79
Pause...
00:51:34.82\00:51:36.36
My friends... let me...
let me... I read this...
00:51:36.39\00:51:38.69
I heard of a story of
a man who wanted to know
00:51:38.73\00:51:41.03
really what all the Bible
was just kind of in a general
00:51:41.06\00:51:43.77
concept... general idea...
00:51:43.80\00:51:45.50
so he took two weeks
off, went into a cabin
00:51:45.53\00:51:47.77
and simply... in a
cabin the deep woods...
00:51:47.80\00:51:50.04
in the deep wilderness somewhere
00:51:50.07\00:51:51.41
and he read the
Bible from cover to cover,
00:51:51.44\00:51:52.77
in two weeks...
00:51:52.81\00:51:54.14
just to kind of
get a general overview
00:51:54.18\00:51:56.31
of what the Bible
story was all about
00:51:56.34\00:51:58.45
he came from that experience
and this is what he said,
00:51:58.48\00:52:00.45
I'm going to put
it on the screen here,
00:52:00.48\00:52:01.82
notice what it says,
00:52:01.85\00:52:03.49
"The whole Bible can be boiled
down to one effort after another
00:52:03.55\00:52:06.25
of God seeking to restore a
broken relationship with man. "
00:52:06.29\00:52:09.72
Pause...
00:52:09.76\00:52:11.83
You want to know what
this Bible is all about?
00:52:11.86\00:52:13.50
It's... it's about just that.
00:52:13.53\00:52:14.86
One effort after another
00:52:14.90\00:52:17.67
of God seeking to restore a
broken relationship with man.
00:52:17.70\00:52:20.74
Pause...
00:52:20.80\00:52:23.14
We see this
pouring from the Scripture
00:52:23.17\00:52:25.17
as Christ pleads with Jerusalem,
00:52:25.21\00:52:27.84
notice in this particular text,
we read in Matthew 23 verse 37,
00:52:27.88\00:52:31.68
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...
" He comes, He says,
00:52:31.71\00:52:34.55
He says, "the one
who kills the prophets
00:52:34.58\00:52:36.69
and stones those
who are sent to her!
00:52:36.72\00:52:38.72
How often I wanted to
gather you as children together,
00:52:38.75\00:52:43.22
as a hen gathers her
chicks under her wings,
00:52:43.26\00:52:45.49
but you were not willing!"
00:52:45.53\00:52:47.23
In other words,
Jesus was saying that
00:52:47.26\00:52:48.60
how often I wanted to
be a close friend to you...
00:52:48.63\00:52:50.87
how often I wanted to gather
you and I wanted to have this...
00:52:50.90\00:52:53.84
this personal connection
but you didn't want it.
00:52:53.87\00:52:56.77
You didn't want to be my friend
00:52:56.81\00:52:58.84
but I want to be yours.
00:52:58.87\00:53:01.51
Pause...
00:53:01.54\00:53:04.91
There's a passage over
in John chapter 21 verse 17,
00:53:04.95\00:53:12.85
it says after the
resurrection of Jesus,
00:53:12.89\00:53:16.52
notice what is happening here,
00:53:16.56\00:53:18.76
Jesus is addressing Simon Peter
00:53:18.79\00:53:20.73
and notice what He says here,
00:53:20.76\00:53:22.60
"And He said to
him the third time,
00:53:22.63\00:53:25.00
'Simon, son of
Jonah, do you love Me?'"
00:53:25.03\00:53:27.80
Pause...
00:53:27.84\00:53:30.17
Peter was grieved because
He had said to him a third time
00:53:30.21\00:53:32.74
obviously, previous
to this Jesus had said,
00:53:32.77\00:53:34.84
"Hey Simon, son of
Jonah, do you love me?"
00:53:34.88\00:53:37.31
He's like Jesus...
"You know that I love you"
00:53:37.35\00:53:39.78
and then He asked
him a second time,
00:53:39.81\00:53:41.92
"Hey, Simon,
but do you love me?"
00:53:41.95\00:53:44.15
He said, "Jesus, you
know, you know I love you. "
00:53:44.19\00:53:47.56
Then of course a third time...
00:53:47.62\00:53:49.76
Peter was grieved because
He said to him a third time,
00:53:49.79\00:53:52.16
"Do you love me?"
00:53:52.19\00:53:53.53
And he said to
Him, notice these words,
00:53:53.56\00:53:55.00
"Lord, You know all things... "
00:53:55.06\00:53:57.37
now I've always
wondered why he said that,
00:53:57.43\00:53:59.10
"Lord, You know all things;
You now that I LOVE You. "
00:53:59.13\00:54:03.00
Now, there's something
interesting that happens
00:54:03.04\00:54:04.37
in this particular passage
00:54:04.41\00:54:05.74
that's not on the
surface of the English.
00:54:05.77\00:54:07.44
You see, if you go directly into
the Greek... or the Greek here,
00:54:07.48\00:54:11.01
you'll find
something interesting,
00:54:11.05\00:54:12.38
I have to say this
really quick because my time's
00:54:12.41\00:54:13.75
about to run out,
00:54:13.78\00:54:15.62
the first time when
Jesus comes to Peter and says,
00:54:15.65\00:54:17.52
"Hey, look, do you love me?"
00:54:17.55\00:54:18.89
See, Jesus is trying to
engage in that friendship.
00:54:18.92\00:54:21.76
He loves Peter, He
considers Peter a deep friend
00:54:21.79\00:54:24.66
but on the opposite
end of the spectrum,
00:54:24.69\00:54:26.39
it's not reciprocated...
00:54:26.43\00:54:30.13
Jesus knows this
00:54:30.17\00:54:32.03
because when Jesus addresses
00:54:32.07\00:54:33.67
Peter, He says,
"Do you love me?"
00:54:33.70\00:54:35.04
In the original Greek,
the word for love is, "agape"
00:54:35.07\00:54:36.94
now if you
understand what "agape" means...
00:54:36.97\00:54:39.71
"agape" simply
means, an unconditional love
00:54:39.74\00:54:42.44
beyond comprehension.
00:54:42.48\00:54:44.08
"I love you
brother... do you love me?"
00:54:44.11\00:54:47.15
Peter responds
with, "I love you"
00:54:47.18\00:54:51.09
okay, but when you get
down to this last part here,
00:54:51.15\00:54:53.99
notice this, when he says,
"Lord, You know all things;
00:54:54.06\00:54:56.86
You know that I LOVE You. "
00:54:56.89\00:55:00.10
The word that
Peter uses is not "agape"
00:55:00.13\00:55:02.10
it's the word in the
original Greek, "phileo. "
00:55:02.13\00:55:06.94
You know what
"phileo" means in the Greek?
00:55:06.97\00:55:10.21
He says, "I'm just...
I'm just fond of you...
00:55:10.24\00:55:13.64
Jesus, you know that
I'm just fond of you. "
00:55:13.68\00:55:17.01
You know that I don't
love you, like you love me.
00:55:17.05\00:55:20.58
Pause...
00:55:20.62\00:55:23.52
We know that passage
when Jesus tells Peter,
00:55:23.55\00:55:27.66
"Peter, when you're converted,
strengthen the brethren. "
00:55:27.69\00:55:33.33
Pause...
00:55:33.36\00:55:35.50
You see, Jesus desires a
close intimate relationship
00:55:35.53\00:55:39.87
with His people.
00:55:39.90\00:55:42.60
Pause...
00:55:42.64\00:55:44.94
Do you desire that?
00:55:44.97\00:55:47.18
Do you desire to
be a friend to Him
00:55:47.21\00:55:49.61
as He desires to be with you?
00:55:49.64\00:55:52.11
I want to read this passage,
00:55:52.15\00:55:54.58
it comes from "Our
Father Cares" page 207-208
00:55:54.62\00:55:58.15
Pause...
00:55:58.19\00:56:00.12
"The loneliness of Christ,
00:56:00.16\00:56:02.32
separated from
the heavenly courts,
00:56:02.36\00:56:04.03
living the life of humanity,
00:56:04.06\00:56:05.83
was never understood or
appreciated by the disciples
00:56:05.86\00:56:08.66
as it should have been...
00:56:08.70\00:56:10.87
When Jesus was
no longer with them,
00:56:10.90\00:56:13.54
they began to see how they
might have shown Him attention
00:56:13.57\00:56:17.61
that would have
brought gladness to His heart.
00:56:17.64\00:56:21.21
The same want is
evident in our world today.
00:56:21.24\00:56:24.78
But few appreciate all
that Christ is to them...
00:56:24.81\00:56:28.15
if they did, the
great love of Mary
00:56:28.18\00:56:31.99
as presented in
Matthew 26, would be expressed,
00:56:32.02\00:56:34.66
the anointing
would be freely bestowed.
00:56:34.72\00:56:36.73
Nothing would be thought
too costly to give for Christ,
00:56:36.76\00:56:39.76
no self-denial or
self-sacrifice too great
00:56:39.79\00:56:42.40
to be endured for His sake. "
00:56:42.43\00:56:44.43
Pause.
00:56:44.47\00:56:46.20
My friend, in closing
today, I want to ask you,
00:56:46.23\00:56:49.27
"Are you willing to be
friends with Jesus Christ
00:56:49.30\00:56:52.34
because He desires to
be friends with you. "
00:56:52.37\00:56:55.54
He's simply asking,
"Can we be friends?"
00:56:55.58\00:56:58.78
And so today in
closing I'd like to pray
00:56:58.81\00:57:02.48
that you and I would
be that friend to Him.
00:57:02.52\00:57:06.02
"Father in heaven, we
praise You and thank You
00:57:06.05\00:57:09.39
for what You have done for us
00:57:09.42\00:57:11.39
and for being
the ultimate friend
00:57:11.46\00:57:13.40
that we simply cannot be
00:57:13.43\00:57:15.20
but we're asking Lord,
00:57:15.23\00:57:16.97
that You will give
us Your Holy Spirit...
00:57:17.00\00:57:19.00
that You will replicate the
character of Jesus within us,
00:57:19.03\00:57:22.10
that we can be a
friend to our fellow brethren
00:57:22.14\00:57:24.87
and a friend to You
00:57:24.91\00:57:26.24
that You are pleading
and asking for us to be.
00:57:26.27\00:57:28.64
We praise You and we thank You
00:57:28.68\00:57:30.51
and we ask these things
in Jesus' holy name, amen. "
00:57:30.55\00:57:35.48