And this is the record
00:00:11.27\00:00:13.31
that God hath
given to us eternal life
00:00:13.34\00:00:16.61
and this life is in His Son.
00:00:16.64\00:00:19.41
Welcome to 3ABN
Australia Homecoming.
00:00:20.45\00:00:24.45
I'd like to welcome you all
00:00:30.83\00:00:32.26
to the 3ABN
Australia Homecoming 2020,
00:00:32.29\00:00:35.73
and we are talking
about preparing for eternity.
00:00:35.76\00:00:39.43
And in this series
we're going through
00:00:39.47\00:00:40.87
a little book
called Steps to Christ.
00:00:40.90\00:00:43.34
It's only a small book,
00:00:43.37\00:00:44.87
but preparing for eternity
is really knowing about Jesus.
00:00:44.91\00:00:49.44
And we've been very privileged
to have 13 different speakers
00:00:49.48\00:00:53.25
who gotta cover each
chapter of this book.
00:00:53.28\00:00:56.79
And in our last presentation,
Pastor Mike Browning
00:00:56.82\00:01:01.29
spoke about Chapter 2, The
Sinners need of the Christ.
00:01:01.32\00:01:06.49
We really do need Christ
00:01:06.53\00:01:08.06
as we are
preparing for eternity.
00:01:08.10\00:01:09.86
He becomes the focus
of all our attention.
00:01:09.90\00:01:13.23
Mike summarized it in
five different points.
00:01:13.27\00:01:15.84
One: Jesus is the source of life
00:01:15.87\00:01:18.67
and of immortal life
for repentant sinners.
00:01:18.71\00:01:22.04
Two: Humanity is
born with natural life
00:01:22.08\00:01:25.31
but not immortal life.
00:01:25.35\00:01:27.82
Three: Without
immortality no human
00:01:27.85\00:01:31.02
can enjoy endless life.
00:01:31.05\00:01:33.66
Four: Humanity today
is so crippled by sin
00:01:33.69\00:01:37.16
he is unable to resist evil.
00:01:37.19\00:01:40.50
And five: Through the
life and death of Jesus
00:01:40.53\00:01:44.73
we may have eternal life now
00:01:44.77\00:01:47.17
and immortal life
when He comes again.
00:01:47.20\00:01:50.81
Our speaker for today
is Pastor Danny Milenkov.
00:01:50.84\00:01:53.31
And I know that
you are aware of Danny
00:01:53.34\00:01:56.81
'cause Danny spoken on
3ABN many times before.
00:01:56.85\00:02:00.68
And he is really a
man who wants to have
00:02:00.72\00:02:02.72
people prepared
for Jesus' coming.
00:02:02.75\00:02:05.05
And he is going to be speaking
on Chapter 3, Repentance,
00:02:05.09\00:02:08.32
an important part.
00:02:08.36\00:02:10.26
But before he speaks,
00:02:10.29\00:02:12.09
we have a special
musical item by Helio Auguste
00:02:12.13\00:02:17.33
and he's gonna be
singing "In the Garden"
00:02:17.37\00:02:19.63
and accompanying him is
Desiree Sleight on the piano
00:02:19.67\00:02:23.17
and Henry Lorens on the guitar.
00:02:23.20\00:02:26.47
Thank you.
00:02:26.51\00:02:27.84
I come to the garden
00:02:50.53\00:02:57.14
Alone
00:02:57.17\00:03:01.61
While the dew
00:03:01.64\00:03:05.85
Is still on the roses
00:03:05.88\00:03:12.79
And the voice I hear
00:03:13.92\00:03:19.76
Falling on my ear
00:03:19.79\00:03:25.30
The Son of God discloses
00:03:25.33\00:03:32.27
And He walks
00:03:39.41\00:03:46.35
With me
00:03:48.02\00:03:49.72
And He talks with me
00:03:49.76\00:03:56.03
And He tells me
00:03:56.06\00:03:59.77
I am his own
00:03:59.80\00:04:06.74
And the joys we share
00:04:06.78\00:04:12.75
As we tarry there
00:04:12.78\00:04:19.29
None other
00:04:19.32\00:04:22.86
Has ever known
00:04:22.89\00:04:29.13
He speaks
00:04:31.53\00:04:34.74
And the sound of His voice
00:04:34.77\00:04:41.38
Is so sweet
00:04:41.41\00:04:45.48
The birds hush
00:04:45.51\00:04:48.35
Their singing
00:04:48.38\00:04:53.05
And the melody
00:04:53.09\00:04:59.03
That He gave to me
00:04:59.06\00:05:04.47
Within my heart
00:05:04.50\00:05:09.94
Is ringing
00:05:09.97\00:05:15.81
And He walks
00:05:17.95\00:05:24.62
With me
00:05:26.65\00:05:28.22
And He talks with me
00:05:28.26\00:05:34.30
And He tells me
00:05:34.33\00:05:38.03
I am his own
00:05:38.07\00:05:44.87
And the joys we share
00:05:44.91\00:05:50.28
As we tarry there
00:05:50.31\00:05:57.29
None other
00:05:57.32\00:06:00.89
Has ever known
00:06:00.92\00:06:06.39
I'd stay in the garden
00:06:08.70\00:06:14.64
With Him
00:06:14.67\00:06:18.71
Though the night
00:06:18.74\00:06:22.94
Around me
00:06:22.98\00:06:25.81
Be falling
00:06:25.85\00:06:30.49
But He bids me go
00:06:30.52\00:06:36.26
Through the voice of woe
00:06:36.29\00:06:41.73
His voice to me
00:06:41.76\00:06:46.77
Is calling
00:06:46.80\00:06:52.61
And He walks
00:06:55.28\00:07:02.15
With me
00:07:04.02\00:07:05.92
And He talks with me
00:07:05.95\00:07:11.69
And He tells me
00:07:11.73\00:07:15.56
I am his own
00:07:15.60\00:07:22.10
And the joys we share
00:07:22.14\00:07:28.21
As we tarry there
00:07:28.24\00:07:33.72
None other
00:07:35.45\00:07:39.22
Has ever known
00:07:39.25\00:07:45.99
What do you say?
00:08:03.28\00:08:04.91
Amen and amen.
00:08:04.95\00:08:07.28
Thank you so much
for that beautiful item,
00:08:07.32\00:08:09.92
Helio, and Desiree, and
Henry for their accompaniment.
00:08:09.95\00:08:15.36
It's so wonderful to
hear that beautiful hymn.
00:08:15.39\00:08:17.66
I come to the garden alone,
and we come to the garden alone
00:08:17.69\00:08:23.26
to connect with our best
friend and savior Jesus Christ.
00:08:23.30\00:08:27.14
And I am just so
blessed to be part
00:08:27.17\00:08:30.34
of the 2020
Homecoming 3ABN series.
00:08:30.37\00:08:34.84
Fitly named this
theme, Preparing for Eternity.
00:08:34.88\00:08:40.62
And if ever there was a time
00:08:40.65\00:08:42.65
that we needed to
focus on eternity,
00:08:42.68\00:08:45.45
I believe it is today.
00:08:45.49\00:08:47.92
I really do
believe that eternity
00:08:47.96\00:08:50.46
is just around the corner.
00:08:50.49\00:08:53.06
I think of the words
of Jesus where He said,
00:08:53.09\00:08:55.10
when you see all
these things come to pass,
00:08:55.13\00:08:57.63
the things that we
are beginning to see.
00:08:57.67\00:09:00.57
Look up because your
redemption is drawing near.
00:09:00.60\00:09:03.57
And He says also that
His coming will be near
00:09:03.61\00:09:07.28
even at the door.
00:09:07.31\00:09:09.44
And so, if ever there was a time
00:09:09.48\00:09:10.91
to draw nearer to Jesus,
00:09:10.95\00:09:12.31
if there was a time to
take more steps towards Christ,
00:09:12.35\00:09:15.98
I believe it is today.
00:09:16.02\00:09:17.95
So, those of you who
are out there watching,
00:09:17.99\00:09:20.12
wherever you may be
watching from or listening,
00:09:20.16\00:09:22.26
I too wanna just give
you a big warm welcome
00:09:22.29\00:09:24.93
to this 3ABN Homecoming series.
00:09:24.96\00:09:27.86
My name is Danny Milenkov,
00:09:27.90\00:09:29.50
and I want to thank
my good friend John,
00:09:29.53\00:09:31.83
for giving me a warm welcome,
00:09:31.87\00:09:34.70
and it's just such a
pleasure, such a joy.
00:09:34.74\00:09:37.31
And I count it a real privilege.
00:09:37.34\00:09:38.67
And I don't just say it,
I count it a real privilege
00:09:38.71\00:09:40.71
to have an opportunity
to be part of the preaching
00:09:40.74\00:09:45.55
of three angels' messages,
00:09:45.58\00:09:47.32
which is what 3ABN is all about.
00:09:47.35\00:09:50.49
And so, I praise God for that.
00:09:50.52\00:09:52.99
Today in this
series, as we go through
00:09:53.02\00:09:56.83
this wonderful
little book Steps to Christ,
00:09:56.86\00:09:59.73
it really is a beautiful book.
00:09:59.76\00:10:01.50
In this series, we are going
00:10:01.53\00:10:02.86
to be taking a
look at Chapter 3.
00:10:02.90\00:10:04.93
The chapter
focusing on repentance,
00:10:04.97\00:10:08.67
and I have
titled my message today,
00:10:08.70\00:10:12.31
"God's Gift of Repentance."
00:10:12.34\00:10:18.98
Well, spelling the word
isn't all that difficult,
00:10:19.01\00:10:23.18
but saying it is a
little bit more of a challenge.
00:10:23.22\00:10:27.59
The word that most
people are familiar
00:10:27.62\00:10:30.43
with is the word sorry.
00:10:30.46\00:10:33.86
Have you heard that word?
00:10:33.90\00:10:35.60
Have you ever had to say it?
00:10:35.63\00:10:39.33
Sorry.
00:10:39.37\00:10:40.74
I found it a real
challenge to say sorry,
00:10:40.77\00:10:43.10
especially when I was young kid.
00:10:43.14\00:10:45.67
I don't know if
you can relate to me
00:10:45.71\00:10:47.61
but it was always
someone else's fault.
00:10:47.64\00:10:51.05
Anyone know what
I am talking about
00:10:51.08\00:10:53.45
where it was either
my younger sister's fault
00:10:53.48\00:10:55.98
or it was mom and dad's fault
or it was my teacher's fault.
00:10:56.02\00:11:00.49
Today we go to the next step.
00:11:00.52\00:11:02.02
If it's not our teachers,
or if it's not our parents,
00:11:02.06\00:11:05.09
if it's not the wife
or the husband's fault,
00:11:05.13\00:11:07.00
it's the government's
fault, someone else but me.
00:11:07.03\00:11:11.47
Sorry.
00:11:11.50\00:11:12.83
We are well familiar
with that term sorry.
00:11:12.87\00:11:15.04
But there is a term that
00:11:15.07\00:11:16.40
we are not so
well familiar with.
00:11:16.44\00:11:18.77
And that is the term repentance.
00:11:18.81\00:11:20.18
Now repentance is
very different to sorry
00:11:20.21\00:11:24.08
and that's what we
wanna unpack today.
00:11:24.11\00:11:25.85
We wanna take a look at God's
wonderful gift of repentance.
00:11:25.88\00:11:29.18
And as we will discover,
it indeed is a gift from God
00:11:29.22\00:11:32.89
'cause we in and of ourselves
00:11:32.92\00:11:35.02
don't have repentance within us.
00:11:35.06\00:11:38.73
It's just not within our DNA.
00:11:38.76\00:11:40.93
So we want to take a look
at what God's Word has to say.
00:11:40.96\00:11:43.43
We want to take a
look what the inspired
00:11:43.47\00:11:45.70
author Ellen White has to
say in a couple of sections
00:11:45.73\00:11:49.04
in this beautiful
little book Steps to Christ
00:11:49.07\00:11:50.71
but before we do that,
and we open up God's Word.
00:11:50.74\00:11:53.68
As always what do we need to do?
00:11:53.71\00:11:56.01
We need to pray.
00:11:56.04\00:11:57.38
We need to ask God's
Holy Spirit to be with us.
00:11:57.41\00:11:59.11
So let's just
pause for a moment,
00:11:59.15\00:12:00.98
and let's bow
our heads as we pray.
00:12:01.02\00:12:03.39
Father in heaven, we
want to thank You so much
00:12:03.42\00:12:05.09
for the privilege
00:12:05.12\00:12:06.45
and the
opportunity to be here today.
00:12:06.49\00:12:08.69
We're here in the
3ABN studios today.
00:12:08.72\00:12:11.33
And people are
watching in their homes
00:12:11.36\00:12:14.43
or maybe
listening in their cars,
00:12:14.46\00:12:16.67
wherever they may
find themselves in,
00:12:16.70\00:12:18.80
by themselves or
with their family
00:12:18.83\00:12:21.17
or with their friend,
00:12:21.20\00:12:22.54
Father, we ask and we
plead for Your Holy Spirit
00:12:22.57\00:12:25.31
to be poured out upon us today.
00:12:25.34\00:12:27.28
We are about to unpack
the words from Scripture,
00:12:27.31\00:12:30.88
the words from the
Spirit of Prophecy.
00:12:30.91\00:12:32.81
And, Father, we
dare not go there
00:12:32.85\00:12:35.78
without Your Holy
Spirit leading and guiding.
00:12:35.82\00:12:37.85
So, we ask and pray
that as we open the pages
00:12:37.89\00:12:41.99
of Holy Scripture that
You will open our minds
00:12:42.02\00:12:44.53
and open our hearts,
00:12:44.56\00:12:45.99
that we may be ready
and prepared to receive that
00:12:46.03\00:12:48.76
which the spirit has
to say to the church.
00:12:48.80\00:12:51.60
For this is our
prayer in Jesus' name.
00:12:51.63\00:12:54.07
Amen and amen.
00:12:54.10\00:12:56.40
I want to begin by
going to Romans 2:4,
00:12:56.44\00:12:59.44
and notice these words.
00:12:59.47\00:13:00.81
In Romans 2:4,
we read these words.
00:13:00.84\00:13:03.45
The Apostle Paul
writes, "Or do you despise
00:13:03.48\00:13:06.15
the riches of his goodness,
forbearance and longsuffering,
00:13:06.18\00:13:10.22
not knowing that
the goodness of God
00:13:10.25\00:13:13.12
leads you to repentance?"
00:13:13.15\00:13:14.62
So right from the very
outset we discover that
00:13:14.66\00:13:17.23
it's the goodness of God
that leads us to repentance.
00:13:17.26\00:13:21.20
As I pointed out earlier,
00:13:21.23\00:13:22.56
we don't have these
in and of ourselves.
00:13:22.60\00:13:25.63
It's a gift from God.
00:13:25.67\00:13:27.00
I love this beautiful statement
from Steps to Christ, page 25,
00:13:27.04\00:13:31.07
where the author that
examines this beautiful
00:13:31.11\00:13:35.41
and all-important
message of repentance,
00:13:35.44\00:13:37.78
she makes this powerful point.
00:13:37.81\00:13:40.55
"A repentance such as
this, is beyond the reach
00:13:40.58\00:13:44.39
of our own power to accomplish,
it is obtained only from Christ
00:13:44.42\00:13:49.49
who ascended up on high
and has given gifts unto men."
00:13:49.52\00:13:53.23
So it's very, very
clear the gift of repentance
00:13:53.26\00:13:57.13
comes to us only from Christ.
00:13:57.17\00:13:58.97
It's not something
that we can manufacture
00:13:59.00\00:14:01.57
in and of ourselves.
00:14:01.60\00:14:03.41
I went to Wikipedia.
00:14:03.44\00:14:04.87
In fact, I went
there just today.
00:14:04.91\00:14:06.68
I was impressed
to go to Wikipedia
00:14:06.71\00:14:08.54
and just take a look at
00:14:08.58\00:14:10.35
what Wikipedia has
to say on repentance,
00:14:10.38\00:14:12.81
and I was pleasantly surprised
00:14:12.85\00:14:14.85
that Wikipedia really nailed it.
00:14:14.88\00:14:17.15
And I just want to
read these words to you.
00:14:17.19\00:14:18.69
They're not on the screen.
00:14:18.72\00:14:20.62
So you just need to
listen to them carefully.
00:14:20.66\00:14:23.93
The doctrine of repentance
as taught in the Bible
00:14:23.96\00:14:26.86
is a call to persons
to make a radical turn
00:14:26.90\00:14:30.23
from one way of life to another.
00:14:30.27\00:14:32.67
Now notice these words.
00:14:32.70\00:14:34.04
The repentance called
for throughout the Bible
00:14:34.07\00:14:37.47
is a summons to a
personal, absolute and ultimate
00:14:37.51\00:14:41.21
unconditional
surrender to God as Sovereign.
00:14:41.24\00:14:44.98
Though it includes sorrow
and regret, it is more than.
00:14:45.01\00:14:50.05
It is a call to conversion from,
00:14:50.09\00:14:52.82
notice these words
there, self-love, self-trust,
00:14:52.85\00:14:56.36
and
self-assertion to obedient trust
00:14:56.39\00:14:59.69
and self-commitment
to now live for God
00:14:59.73\00:15:02.90
and for His purposes.
00:15:02.93\00:15:05.13
Isn't that beautiful?
00:15:05.17\00:15:06.50
I'm gonna repeat those words,
00:15:06.53\00:15:07.87
because we're gonna come
across those words again.
00:15:07.90\00:15:11.64
It is a real call to
conversion from self-love,
00:15:11.67\00:15:16.14
self-trust, and
self-assertion to obedient trust
00:15:16.18\00:15:20.62
and self-commitment
00:15:20.65\00:15:22.32
to now live for
God and His purposes.
00:15:22.35\00:15:26.76
It's a complete
turning away from the things
00:15:26.79\00:15:30.29
that I want to do,
to turning to the will
00:15:30.33\00:15:33.63
that God has for my life.
00:15:33.66\00:15:35.13
In fact, the word
repentance in the original,
00:15:35.16\00:15:39.47
the word is
metanoia in the Greek.
00:15:39.50\00:15:41.10
And it means to do
a U-turn. A U-turn.
00:15:41.14\00:15:44.47
We all have to do
a U-turn, haven't we,
00:15:44.51\00:15:46.24
when we realize
we're going the wrong way.
00:15:46.27\00:15:48.74
It's that 180 degree
turn where you realize
00:15:48.78\00:15:52.45
you are heading in
the wrong direction,
00:15:52.48\00:15:54.05
you are heading away from Christ
00:15:54.08\00:15:56.18
and through the
goodness of God you realize
00:15:56.22\00:15:59.25
that the only way
home is to go to Christ.
00:15:59.29\00:16:02.86
And so you make a
complete turnaround,
00:16:02.89\00:16:05.39
you make a complete change.
00:16:05.43\00:16:07.46
There's a beautiful
statement that defines
00:16:07.50\00:16:09.96
what repentance is once again
00:16:10.00\00:16:11.73
in that little
book Steps to Christ.
00:16:11.77\00:16:13.34
Notice these words.
00:16:13.37\00:16:15.64
These words, "Repentance
includes sorrow for sin
00:16:15.67\00:16:18.84
and a turning away from it.
00:16:18.87\00:16:20.78
We shall not renounce sin
unless we see its sinfulness,
00:16:20.81\00:16:24.58
until we turn
away from it in heart,
00:16:24.61\00:16:27.02
there will be no
real change in the life."
00:16:27.05\00:16:29.98
So where does
repentance need to begin?
00:16:30.02\00:16:32.95
Where does it need to begin?
It needs to begin in the heart.
00:16:32.99\00:16:35.69
Unless it takes
place in the heart,
00:16:35.72\00:16:38.33
there will not be a genuine
true turning away from sin.
00:16:38.36\00:16:42.26
We will not understand
the consequences of sin,
00:16:42.30\00:16:45.30
we'll not
understand what sin entails
00:16:45.33\00:16:47.74
until we have
that heart conversion.
00:16:47.77\00:16:50.77
So it's about the
heart being converted.
00:16:50.81\00:16:53.07
It's about our
hearts being transformed
00:16:53.11\00:16:55.34
and that is why the
Bible over and over again
00:16:55.38\00:16:57.68
speaks of a new heart.
00:16:57.71\00:17:00.28
A new heart, and a new
heart is only something
00:17:00.32\00:17:03.99
that God can give to us.
00:17:04.02\00:17:06.32
Now this theme of repentance
is absolutely critical.
00:17:06.35\00:17:12.79
In fact, John the
Baptist, and I am going to,
00:17:12.83\00:17:15.53
I love to read and my Bible say,
00:17:15.56\00:17:17.07
the words are up
there on screen for you,
00:17:17.10\00:17:19.57
but I want to read
these words in my Bible
00:17:19.60\00:17:22.94
from Matthew Chapter 3,
00:17:22.97\00:17:25.67
and here the John
Baptist is preaching.
00:17:25.71\00:17:27.81
He is preparing people
for what coming of Jesus,
00:17:27.84\00:17:30.05
do you remember?
00:17:30.08\00:17:31.81
For the first coming of
Jesus. Isn't that right?
00:17:31.85\00:17:33.88
For the very
first coming of Jesus.
00:17:33.92\00:17:35.52
And notice what we
read here in Matthew 3:1-2,
00:17:35.55\00:17:39.22
"In those days John
the Baptist came preaching
00:17:39.25\00:17:41.92
in the wilderness
of Judea," and saying,
00:17:41.96\00:17:44.06
notice the first word out
of John the Baptist's mouth,
00:17:44.09\00:17:48.16
"Repent for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand."
00:17:48.20\00:17:52.53
This is John the Baptist.
00:17:52.57\00:17:53.90
He is preaching, the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.
00:17:53.94\00:17:55.40
You continue to
read through that chapter
00:17:55.44\00:17:57.74
and you get into Chapter 4.
00:17:57.77\00:17:59.11
And in Chapter
4, we discover that
00:17:59.14\00:18:01.34
Jesus after being baptized,
He heads into the wilderness,
00:18:01.38\00:18:05.31
where He spends 40
days fasting and praying,
00:18:05.35\00:18:07.92
preparing for what?
00:18:07.95\00:18:09.52
Preparing for His
three and half year ministry
00:18:09.55\00:18:12.52
as was prophesied
in the Book of Daniel.
00:18:12.55\00:18:14.59
Daniel 9:24-27,
00:18:14.62\00:18:17.66
if you are
interested to discover there,
00:18:17.69\00:18:19.79
the prophecy concerning Jesus
and how long He would minister
00:18:19.83\00:18:23.43
for before His crucifixion.
00:18:23.47\00:18:25.90
And then after His temptation
there in the wilderness,
00:18:25.93\00:18:30.77
Jesus also begins to preach.
00:18:30.81\00:18:32.87
And notice the
words that Mathew records
00:18:32.91\00:18:36.34
that came out of
the mouth of Jesus,
00:18:36.38\00:18:38.21
the very first words
as He begins His ministry.
00:18:38.25\00:18:40.82
In Matthew 4:17, "From that time
00:18:40.85\00:18:44.75
Jesus began to
preach and to say,
00:18:44.79\00:18:46.86
'Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is," what?
00:18:46.89\00:18:50.29
"Is at hand."
00:18:50.33\00:18:52.23
It's the same
message of John the Baptist,
00:18:52.26\00:18:53.80
repent for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.
00:18:53.83\00:18:56.20
Could it be that
2,000 years later,
00:18:56.23\00:19:02.10
it's the same
message that you and I,
00:19:02.14\00:19:05.24
that the world needs to hear,
00:19:05.27\00:19:06.88
repent for the
kingdom of heaven is what?
00:19:06.91\00:19:11.01
Is at hand.
00:19:11.05\00:19:14.75
It's not only a message
that John the Baptist preached.
00:19:14.78\00:19:16.95
It's not only a
message that Jesus preached,
00:19:16.99\00:19:18.89
but Jesus also
called on His disciples
00:19:18.92\00:19:22.72
to preach that same message.
00:19:22.76\00:19:24.09
Notice these words.
00:19:24.13\00:19:26.36
We have them in
Mark 6:12, it says,
00:19:26.39\00:19:32.73
"So they," that
is the disciples,
00:19:32.77\00:19:34.90
"went out and preached
that people should" what?
00:19:34.94\00:19:39.01
"Should repent."
00:19:39.04\00:19:41.58
Let's fast forward
three and half years,
00:19:41.61\00:19:43.48
Jesus has ascended to heaven.
00:19:43.51\00:19:46.51
On the day of Pentecost,
00:19:46.55\00:19:48.25
Peter preaches a
mighty and powerful sermon.
00:19:48.28\00:19:52.62
We pick up the
words in Acts 2:36.
00:19:52.65\00:19:56.39
Notice these words, Acts 2:36.
00:19:56.42\00:20:01.50
"Therefore, preaches Peter,
let all the house of Israel
00:20:01.53\00:20:05.87
know assuredly that
God has made this Jesus,
00:20:05.90\00:20:08.24
whom you crucified,
both Lord and Christ.
00:20:08.27\00:20:11.47
Now when they heard this,
they were cut to the heart
00:20:11.51\00:20:14.08
and they said to Peter
and the rest of the apostles,
00:20:14.11\00:20:17.11
'Men and brethren,
what shall we do?'"
00:20:17.15\00:20:20.22
Okay, that's an
important question,
00:20:20.25\00:20:22.15
what shall we do?
00:20:22.18\00:20:23.52
When we recognize
our sin pardoning savior
00:20:23.55\00:20:26.65
is the one that we crucified
00:20:26.69\00:20:29.12
and now something begins
to happen in their hearts
00:20:29.16\00:20:32.39
and they ask that
all-important question,
00:20:32.43\00:20:34.23
what shall we do
or what must we do?
00:20:34.26\00:20:36.87
And notice how Peter responds.
00:20:36.90\00:20:38.77
"Then Peter said to them,
00:20:38.80\00:20:40.40
'Repent and let every one of you
00:20:40.44\00:20:43.04
be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ
00:20:43.07\00:20:45.27
for the remission of sins
00:20:45.31\00:20:46.94
and you shall receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit."
00:20:46.98\00:20:50.01
So what is Peter's message?
00:20:50.05\00:20:52.38
Repent and you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit.
00:20:52.41\00:20:57.09
It's the same message from
the very beginning of time,
00:20:57.12\00:21:00.89
all the way through
to the very end of time,
00:21:00.92\00:21:03.09
that same message,
00:21:03.12\00:21:04.46
"Repent for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand."
00:21:04.49\00:21:07.10
Repent if you want to receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit,
00:21:07.13\00:21:10.53
who alone can prepare
us for the coming of Jesus.
00:21:10.57\00:21:15.57
Who alone can fill us
so that we can be vessels
00:21:15.60\00:21:19.37
used at the end of
time to prepare a people
00:21:19.41\00:21:23.35
who are ready to meet the Lord.
00:21:23.38\00:21:27.82
Repent for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.
00:21:27.85\00:21:30.89
Repentance and the
Holy Spirit go together.
00:21:30.92\00:21:35.02
In fact,
repentance and the Holy Spirit
00:21:35.06\00:21:38.19
and preparing for the
coming of Jesus all go together.
00:21:38.23\00:21:41.43
They all work hand in hand.
00:21:41.46\00:21:43.43
Notice these words
in the very next chapter
00:21:43.47\00:21:45.67
in Acts 3:19-20.
00:21:45.70\00:21:49.60
Notice, once again, Peter.
00:21:49.64\00:21:51.74
This is shortly
after the day of Pentecost
00:21:51.77\00:21:53.88
and he's once again preaching,
and here we have the words.
00:21:53.91\00:21:57.75
Repent therefore and be what?
00:21:57.78\00:22:00.02
Converted, that word repentance
00:22:00.05\00:22:02.92
and conversion
they go hand in hand,
00:22:02.95\00:22:05.42
they're synonymous with
the true heart conversion.
00:22:05.45\00:22:09.59
"Repent
therefore and be converted,
00:22:09.62\00:22:11.39
that your sins
may be blotted out,
00:22:11.43\00:22:13.46
so that times of refreshing
00:22:13.50\00:22:15.73
may come from the
presence of the Lord."
00:22:15.76\00:22:17.50
Now what are those
times of refreshing?
00:22:17.53\00:22:19.97
That's the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
00:22:20.00\00:22:23.10
That's what
Peter is speaking of.
00:22:23.14\00:22:24.54
He's speaking of the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
00:22:24.57\00:22:26.81
Now how do we know
that Peter is specifically
00:22:26.84\00:22:29.18
speaking of the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
00:22:29.21\00:22:32.48
that latter rain power
that will be poured out
00:22:32.51\00:22:36.05
that John in the
Book of Revelation
00:22:36.08\00:22:38.02
18:4 speaks of,
00:22:38.05\00:22:40.66
sorry in verse 1
speaks of this angel
00:22:40.69\00:22:43.32
that illuminates the whole world
00:22:43.36\00:22:44.86
with the glory of God,
with the character of God.
00:22:44.89\00:22:47.06
How do we know that these words
00:22:47.10\00:22:48.46
from Peter are specifically
for the Second Coming?
00:22:48.50\00:22:52.00
Because notice, he
goes on, and he says,
00:22:52.03\00:22:54.57
"This
refreshing that it may come
00:22:54.60\00:22:56.10
from the presence of the
Lord and that He may send" who?
00:22:56.14\00:23:00.01
"Jesus Christ who was
preached to you before."
00:23:00.04\00:23:03.98
So before Jesus comes,
00:23:04.01\00:23:06.78
the message of
repentance needs to be shared
00:23:06.82\00:23:10.12
and received.
00:23:10.15\00:23:13.12
The message of the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit
00:23:13.15\00:23:16.02
needs to be shared
00:23:16.06\00:23:17.39
and that too
needs to be received
00:23:17.43\00:23:19.26
another gift from God
in order to prepare us,
00:23:19.29\00:23:22.50
in order to prepare the world
for the Second Coming of Jesus.
00:23:22.53\00:23:25.87
Isn't that clear, yes or no?
00:23:25.90\00:23:27.57
It's absolutely
crystal clear from Scripture.
00:23:27.60\00:23:31.57
So the question is,
how can I receive this gift
00:23:31.61\00:23:36.38
from God called repentance.
00:23:36.41\00:23:39.55
It's a gift. How
can I receive it?
00:23:39.58\00:23:41.95
How can I be filled
with the Holy Spirit?
00:23:41.98\00:23:43.89
How can I be ready for
the soon return of Jesus?
00:23:43.92\00:23:48.26
Isn't that what this 3ABN
camp meeting is focused on?
00:23:48.29\00:23:53.13
Preparing for what? Eternity.
00:23:53.16\00:23:56.63
Preparing for
the coming of Jesus,
00:23:56.67\00:23:58.13
preparing for eternity.
00:23:58.17\00:23:59.50
It's one and the same.
00:23:59.53\00:24:01.24
So how can I be ready?
00:24:01.27\00:24:03.20
Jesus shared a parable.
00:24:03.24\00:24:06.01
He shared a story.
00:24:06.04\00:24:07.58
And we find that
in the Book of Luke.
00:24:07.61\00:24:10.08
And this time, once again,
00:24:10.11\00:24:11.45
I'm going to
open up in my Bible,
00:24:11.48\00:24:14.38
you see when I'm just
reading of the screen,
00:24:14.42\00:24:17.52
it's not the same I
like to read in my Bible.
00:24:17.55\00:24:20.86
I don't know about you.
00:24:20.89\00:24:22.62
I don't know one of
these Monday pastors
00:24:22.66\00:24:24.93
that read from tablets
00:24:24.96\00:24:27.20
and they read the
scriptures from their phone.
00:24:27.23\00:24:29.50
I like to have
the book in my hand.
00:24:29.53\00:24:31.40
Amen?
00:24:31.43\00:24:32.77
It is just
something about having,
00:24:32.80\00:24:34.97
you know, the
Bible in one's hand.
00:24:35.00\00:24:37.87
And so I just
wanna read this passage,
00:24:37.91\00:24:39.64
it would be up on the
screen for you to follow.
00:24:39.67\00:24:42.21
If you have your Bible at home,
00:24:42.24\00:24:44.38
I would encourage
you to follow along
00:24:44.41\00:24:46.72
and read this
passage from Luke Chapter 18,
00:24:46.75\00:24:49.88
and I'm beginning in verse 9.
00:24:49.92\00:24:51.69
That's Luke 18:9.
00:24:51.72\00:24:55.52
"Also He, that is
Jesus, spoke this parable
00:24:55.56\00:24:59.06
to some who
trusted in themselves
00:24:59.09\00:25:02.76
that they were
righteous, and despised others."
00:25:02.80\00:25:06.77
You remember that
definition earlier,
00:25:06.80\00:25:09.20
from Wikipedia,
00:25:09.24\00:25:11.07
of what is at the
heart of repentance.
00:25:11.11\00:25:16.58
A call from self-love,
self-trust and self-assertion.
00:25:16.61\00:25:22.35
A call from that to
be taken away from that.
00:25:22.38\00:25:26.76
Let's keep reading.
00:25:26.79\00:25:28.12
Verse 10, "Two men went
up to the temple to pray,
00:25:28.16\00:25:31.63
one a Pharisee and
the other a tax collector.
00:25:31.66\00:25:34.63
The Pharisee stood and
prayed thus with himself.
00:25:34.66\00:25:38.40
'God, I thank You that
I am not like other men,
00:25:38.43\00:25:42.00
extortioners,
unjust, adulterers,
00:25:42.04\00:25:45.41
or even this tax collector.
00:25:45.44\00:25:49.78
I fast twice a week,
00:25:49.81\00:25:51.35
I give tithes of
all that I possess.'
00:25:51.38\00:25:53.38
And the tax
collector, standing afar off,
00:25:53.42\00:25:57.55
would not so much as
raise his eyes to heaven,
00:25:57.59\00:26:00.82
but beat his breast saying,
00:26:00.86\00:26:02.99
'God, be
merciful to me a sinner!'
00:26:03.02\00:26:08.50
And Jesus then
finishes off by saying,
00:26:08.53\00:26:10.53
I tell you, this man,
that is this tax collector.
00:26:10.57\00:26:17.41
"This man went down
to his house justified
00:26:17.44\00:26:21.34
rather than the other."
00:26:21.38\00:26:23.85
The self righteous Pharisee.
00:26:23.88\00:26:26.08
"For everyone who
exalts himself will be humbled,
00:26:26.11\00:26:29.18
and he who humbles
himself will be exalted."
00:26:29.22\00:26:34.62
Jesus here talks
about two worshipers,
00:26:34.66\00:26:38.96
two worshipers
that went to church,
00:26:38.99\00:26:42.36
one a self righteous Pharisee,
00:26:42.40\00:26:46.43
the other a self confessed
tax collector and sinner.
00:26:46.47\00:26:52.44
One a saint, the other a sinner.
00:26:52.47\00:26:56.61
Now, where do you and
I come into the picture?
00:26:56.64\00:27:01.05
Who do you and I identify with?
00:27:01.08\00:27:04.45
Now you may be thinking,
00:27:04.49\00:27:05.82
well, I really
don't want to be portrayed
00:27:05.85\00:27:08.36
as the Pharisee
because the Pharisee
00:27:08.39\00:27:09.96
does not look good.
00:27:09.99\00:27:12.13
He does not look good
according to what Jesus said.
00:27:12.16\00:27:14.46
So what you do is you
kind of, you kind of come up
00:27:14.50\00:27:17.43
with some trifle little
sin, you know, I might eat,
00:27:17.47\00:27:22.80
I do eat
chocolate, I know I shouldn't.
00:27:22.84\00:27:26.07
And so you come
up with something,
00:27:26.11\00:27:28.18
because you don't
want to be the Pharisee
00:27:28.21\00:27:33.95
which makes you very much
a Pharisee and me a Pharisee,
00:27:33.98\00:27:38.32
if that's how
we're gonna go about.
00:27:38.35\00:27:41.16
Whereas the tax collector,
if you're the tax collector,
00:27:41.19\00:27:47.13
your sins are not chocolate,
your sins are not this...
00:27:47.16\00:27:53.54
You've got other sins.
00:27:53.57\00:27:55.70
It's a laundry
list long of sins.
00:27:55.74\00:27:59.54
And you've got and
your sins are so crushing.
00:27:59.57\00:28:03.65
When you think about your sins,
when you seek to examine them,
00:28:03.68\00:28:07.65
they bring you to the point
00:28:07.68\00:28:10.72
where you even don't
want to go to church.
00:28:10.75\00:28:14.12
You find yourself
like the tax collector
00:28:14.16\00:28:16.16
there at the back of the church,
00:28:16.19\00:28:18.16
not wanting anyone
to really notice you.
00:28:18.19\00:28:20.56
Because you just feel
down, you feel guilty,
00:28:20.60\00:28:22.96
you feel rotten, you feel
like you're a total failure.
00:28:23.00\00:28:27.34
And you cry out, Lord,
have mercy upon me a sinner,
00:28:27.37\00:28:31.24
you just don't
feel worthy at all.
00:28:31.27\00:28:33.64
There are some powerful
words that give us an insight,
00:28:37.21\00:28:41.15
an insight into
this story of Jesus.
00:28:41.18\00:28:44.85
And once again from
the book Steps to Christ.
00:28:44.89\00:28:47.49
Notice these words.
They're on the screen for you.
00:28:47.52\00:28:51.13
"God does not regard all
sins as of equal magnitude,
00:28:51.16\00:28:56.30
there are degrees of
guilt in His estimation,
00:28:56.33\00:28:58.87
as well as in that of
man, but however trifling this
00:28:58.90\00:29:02.50
or that wrong act my
seem in the eyes of men,
00:29:02.54\00:29:05.31
no sin is small
in the sight of God.
00:29:05.34\00:29:08.44
Man's judgment is
partial, imperfect,
00:29:08.48\00:29:11.81
but God estimates all
things as they really are."
00:29:11.85\00:29:14.72
Let's continue.
00:29:14.75\00:29:16.08
"The drunkard is despised."
Let's fill in the blanks,
00:29:16.12\00:29:20.82
the gambler, the womanizer,
all those outward sins
00:29:20.86\00:29:25.89
that are so easy
and obvious to pinpoint,
00:29:25.93\00:29:29.10
the ones that we see on Facebook
00:29:29.13\00:29:30.90
and so on and so forth.
00:29:30.93\00:29:34.54
"The drunkard is despised
and is told that his sin
00:29:34.57\00:29:37.57
or her sin will
exclude him or her from heaven,
00:29:37.61\00:29:40.31
while" notice these
words, "pride, selfishness,
00:29:40.34\00:29:44.75
and covetousness
too often go on rebuked.
00:29:44.78\00:29:48.15
But these that is pride,
selfishness and covetousness,
00:29:48.18\00:29:51.82
these are the scenes that
are especially offensive to God
00:29:51.85\00:29:55.29
for they are contrary to the
benevolence of His character."
00:29:55.32\00:29:59.26
We continue reading.
00:29:59.29\00:30:01.13
"He who falls into
some of the grosser sins
00:30:01.16\00:30:03.73
may feel a sense of
his shame and poverty,
00:30:03.77\00:30:06.53
and his need of
the grace of Christ,
00:30:06.57\00:30:08.97
but, notice these three,
00:30:09.00\00:30:10.61
notice these four
words, "pride feels no need,
00:30:10.64\00:30:15.34
and so it closes
the heart against Christ
00:30:15.38\00:30:17.75
and the infinite
blessings He came to give."
00:30:17.78\00:30:22.55
Wow. So what are the sins
00:30:22.58\00:30:24.69
that are
especially offensive to God?
00:30:24.72\00:30:27.56
They are pride,
selfishness and what?
00:30:27.59\00:30:30.73
And covetousness?
00:30:30.76\00:30:32.09
Why are these sins
so offensive to God?
00:30:32.13\00:30:34.86
We're told in that statement.
00:30:34.90\00:30:36.40
It's because they
are completely contrary
00:30:36.43\00:30:39.77
to His character.
00:30:39.80\00:30:41.97
These are the sins of character.
00:30:42.00\00:30:43.87
And guess what?
00:30:43.91\00:30:45.24
The last time I
checked in the mirror.
00:30:45.27\00:30:48.94
I don't know about you,
00:30:48.98\00:30:50.31
but the last time I
checked in the mirror,
00:30:50.35\00:30:51.91
they are the
problems that I have.
00:30:51.95\00:30:54.82
They are my big
problems. But guess what?
00:30:54.85\00:30:57.25
We find that those
are not the problems
00:30:57.29\00:31:00.46
that we look to when
we're in a church board meeting,
00:31:00.49\00:31:04.83
or an elders meetings,
or in a business meeting,
00:31:04.86\00:31:07.60
or in any meeting
between one another.
00:31:07.63\00:31:11.23
These are the sins
and I have to say it,
00:31:11.27\00:31:14.80
these are sins sadly found
00:31:14.84\00:31:17.37
and festered
often in the remnant.
00:31:17.41\00:31:24.28
These are the sins
of the self righteous.
00:31:24.31\00:31:29.12
And we can all
fall into that trap.
00:31:29.15\00:31:31.62
And don't think for one
minute that you're immune,
00:31:31.65\00:31:34.89
because pride feels no need.
00:31:34.92\00:31:37.56
Pride feels no need.
00:31:37.59\00:31:39.43
I looked up that word pride.
00:31:39.46\00:31:41.40
And it appears in Ezekiel 28:17,
00:31:41.43\00:31:44.93
I don't have the words,
00:31:44.97\00:31:46.30
you may want to
make note of those,
00:31:46.33\00:31:47.74
Ezekiel 28:17, where
God describes Lucifer.
00:31:47.77\00:31:53.34
And he says your
heart was lifted up
00:31:53.38\00:31:56.38
because of your beauty,
that word there lifted up.
00:31:56.41\00:31:59.51
In my Bible, I have a footnote
next to the word lifted up
00:31:59.55\00:32:02.48
and it's the word pride.
00:32:02.52\00:32:05.89
So when we sense no need,
00:32:05.92\00:32:09.19
or we think we are
better than someone else,
00:32:09.22\00:32:12.16
we are exhibiting
the character of Lucifer.
00:32:12.19\00:32:15.46
And that is why pride
is so repugnant to God.
00:32:15.50\00:32:20.57
It is completely
contrary to His character,
00:32:20.60\00:32:23.71
which is the complete
opposite, isn't that right?
00:32:23.74\00:32:27.01
Selflessness
rather than selfishness.
00:32:27.04\00:32:30.71
Notice, the last time the word
repent appears in the Bible.
00:32:34.12\00:32:39.19
Notice to who it's
addressed, no coincidence.
00:32:39.22\00:32:42.32
Revelation 3:19-20.
00:32:42.36\00:32:45.13
These are the words of Jesus
to His final end time church,
00:32:45.16\00:32:48.90
the final end time group
of Christians on the planet.
00:32:48.93\00:32:52.97
To the church of Laodicea,
Jesus Himself says these words,
00:32:53.00\00:32:57.94
"As many as I love,
I rebuke and chasten.
00:32:57.97\00:33:00.44
Therefore be
zealous and" what? "Repent."
00:33:00.48\00:33:03.78
The last time in Scripture
that word repent appears,
00:33:03.81\00:33:06.41
it's to the Laodicean Church.
00:33:06.45\00:33:08.85
Behold says Jesus, I
stand at the door and knock.
00:33:08.88\00:33:11.45
If anyone hears My
voice and opens the door,
00:33:11.49\00:33:14.12
I will come in to him and
dine with him and he with Me."
00:33:14.16\00:33:17.16
Can you see the plea of Jesus?
00:33:17.19\00:33:20.50
You don't need to
read between the lines,
00:33:20.53\00:33:22.26
you don't need to
pull out your Greek.
00:33:22.30\00:33:24.83
It's there in
plain simple English
00:33:24.87\00:33:27.80
for a five year
old to understand.
00:33:27.84\00:33:29.64
Jesus says, you have a problem
and your problem is pride,
00:33:29.67\00:33:34.98
because Laodicea, Laodicea,
00:33:35.01\00:33:37.15
if you read the whole
letter says I am rich,
00:33:37.18\00:33:41.82
I'm increased with
goods, I have need of what?
00:33:41.85\00:33:45.15
Nothing.
00:33:45.19\00:33:46.52
And Jesus says
you have got no idea
00:33:46.55\00:33:48.99
that you are wretched,
00:33:49.02\00:33:50.36
you're miserable,
you're blind, you're poor.
00:33:50.39\00:33:54.00
And worst of all, you're naked.
00:33:54.03\00:33:57.57
The worst possible
situation for a Jew,
00:33:57.60\00:34:02.24
for a Middle Eastern Jew,
or a person in the Middle East
00:34:02.27\00:34:05.77
to be found was
to be found naked.
00:34:05.81\00:34:08.54
The worst possible
situation is naked.
00:34:08.58\00:34:11.61
And Jesus says
that's who you are.
00:34:11.65\00:34:14.48
That's who you are.
00:34:14.52\00:34:16.35
And I want to help
you, I want to help you.
00:34:16.38\00:34:19.25
I'm here to
chasten you and the word
00:34:19.29\00:34:22.22
there really is the word
00:34:22.26\00:34:25.53
that relates to
training up a child, paideia.
00:34:25.56\00:34:29.80
In the original
paideia, train up to,
00:34:29.83\00:34:32.57
you know, pediatrics,
the study of children
00:34:32.60\00:34:36.64
and things related to children.
00:34:36.67\00:34:39.37
And so Jesus said,
"I want to train you up,
00:34:39.41\00:34:42.34
but are you
willing to be a child?
00:34:42.38\00:34:44.78
Are you willing to
be like a little child?"
00:34:44.81\00:34:47.02
Didn't someone say that unless
we become like little children,
00:34:47.05\00:34:50.75
we're not going to
enter into the kingdom of God?
00:34:50.79\00:34:52.55
Didn't someone say
that 2000 years ago?
00:34:52.59\00:34:56.93
Jesus says, "Behold, I
stand at the door and knock."
00:34:56.96\00:35:00.73
I'm standing, I'm knocking.
00:35:00.76\00:35:02.76
And by the way, those words,
I stand at the door and knock
00:35:02.80\00:35:06.74
are in the continuous tense.
00:35:06.77\00:35:08.77
Do you know what that means?
00:35:08.80\00:35:10.34
That means that Jesus
is standing at the door
00:35:10.37\00:35:12.51
of your heart and my heart,
at the door of your heart,
00:35:12.54\00:35:15.51
wherever you may
be watching from.
00:35:15.54\00:35:17.25
And He is knocking,
continually knocking,
00:35:17.28\00:35:19.55
and He doesn't stop knocking,
He does not stop knocking.
00:35:19.58\00:35:22.42
He's so much wants
to come into our hearts,
00:35:26.45\00:35:29.12
to give us that
gift of repentance
00:35:29.16\00:35:30.73
to unite us to Himself,
00:35:30.76\00:35:33.13
to deliver us from selfishness,
pride, covetousness,
00:35:33.16\00:35:39.50
from all things that are
associated with the enemy.
00:35:39.53\00:35:45.21
2 Chronicles 7:14,
we read these words.
00:35:45.24\00:35:49.91
And these words
are familiar to most,
00:35:49.94\00:35:52.45
if not all, who are here today,
00:35:52.48\00:35:54.82
and many of you
who are watching.
00:35:54.85\00:35:57.49
God said to Solomon,
"If My people who are called
00:35:57.52\00:36:02.22
by My name will" do what?
00:36:02.26\00:36:04.46
"Will humble themselves,
and pray and seek My face,
00:36:04.49\00:36:09.40
and turn," do what?
00:36:09.43\00:36:10.90
"Turn from their wicked ways."
00:36:10.93\00:36:12.70
There is that U-turn,
that metanoia that U-turn,
00:36:12.73\00:36:15.27
turn from their wicked ways.
00:36:15.30\00:36:18.27
"Then I will hear from heaven,
I will forgive their sins
00:36:18.31\00:36:21.11
and I will heal their land."
00:36:21.14\00:36:24.88
I will heal their land.
00:36:24.91\00:36:27.95
Pride, pride, pride.
00:36:27.98\00:36:32.85
How many marriages
could have been saved
00:36:32.89\00:36:38.16
if pride was crucified?
00:36:38.19\00:36:41.13
How many children
could have grown up
00:36:41.16\00:36:43.80
in a home with a
mother and a father
00:36:43.83\00:36:47.00
if pride would have
been crucified on the altar?
00:36:47.04\00:36:50.47
I think of my own experiences,
00:36:54.44\00:36:56.91
and I think of
one in particular,
00:36:56.95\00:36:59.75
has been a number of times.
00:36:59.78\00:37:01.12
I've been married
for some 25 years now.
00:37:01.15\00:37:04.45
My wonderful wife has
been hanging around me
00:37:04.49\00:37:07.32
for 25 years.
00:37:07.36\00:37:08.69
Amen? Praise the Lord for that.
00:37:08.72\00:37:10.86
Often when she gets
cranky with me, I'm like, Dea.
00:37:10.89\00:37:13.96
Her name is Jasna.
00:37:14.00\00:37:15.33
I'm like Dea, the
Lord placed me in your life
00:37:15.36\00:37:19.10
to develop your character.
00:37:19.13\00:37:21.10
So you'll be
ready for the kingdom.
00:37:21.14\00:37:23.44
I'm character development
material in your life.
00:37:25.24\00:37:29.54
But I remember on one
occasion, on one occasion,
00:37:29.58\00:37:33.21
we had a disagreement,
and I was just 100% sure
00:37:33.25\00:37:40.19
that she was in the
wrong and I was in the right,
00:37:40.22\00:37:42.16
is that ever happened to you?
00:37:42.19\00:37:44.16
Where you thought
you were in the ride
00:37:44.19\00:37:46.03
and she or he was in the wrong.
00:37:46.06\00:37:49.80
And I was like,
I was pretty upset.
00:37:49.83\00:37:51.87
And I was like, until she admits
00:37:51.90\00:37:55.80
that she's at
fault, I'm not gonna talk,
00:37:55.84\00:37:58.14
I'm not gonna, I'm just
not going to be the one.
00:37:58.17\00:38:02.44
When she is good
and ready, I'm here,
00:38:02.48\00:38:04.21
I'm ready to
receive her confession,
00:38:04.25\00:38:09.75
to receive her apology.
00:38:09.78\00:38:12.85
And then I'll
think of forgiving her.
00:38:12.89\00:38:14.22
No, I would forgive her.
00:38:14.26\00:38:16.93
And so, I'm on my
knees and I'm praying
00:38:16.96\00:38:18.89
and I'm really
cranky, and I'm upset.
00:38:18.93\00:38:21.43
And I'm like, Lord, this
is just not advocating you,
00:38:21.46\00:38:23.23
please impress upon my dear wife
00:38:23.26\00:38:26.80
that she needs to
come and say sorry.
00:38:26.84\00:38:28.80
Can you please
impress that upon her?
00:38:28.84\00:38:32.01
Silence, silence.
00:38:32.04\00:38:34.81
I'll repeat my prayer.
00:38:34.84\00:38:36.18
God maybe didn't
hear me the first time
00:38:36.21\00:38:37.91
or the second
time or the third time.
00:38:37.95\00:38:40.98
And then when
I've quit my praying,
00:38:41.02\00:38:45.02
he prayed within himself
that we read that earlier.
00:38:45.05\00:38:49.06
The Pharisee
prayed within himself,
00:38:49.09\00:38:50.66
so this is Danny
praying within himself.
00:38:50.69\00:38:52.83
And when Danny stops and
pauses to pray within himself,
00:38:52.86\00:38:57.37
he hears a little
voice, a still small voice.
00:38:57.40\00:39:00.80
Danny, you need
to go and apologize.
00:39:00.84\00:39:04.17
What? I need to apologize.
00:39:04.21\00:39:07.11
It's clear to the world
that I'm not in the wrong,
00:39:07.14\00:39:09.74
she's in the wrong.
00:39:09.78\00:39:12.15
Why would I go and apologize.
00:39:12.18\00:39:13.82
I don't want to
affirm her in her wrongdoing.
00:39:13.85\00:39:17.75
I don't want to condone
00:39:17.79\00:39:19.12
something that
is blatantly wrong.
00:39:19.15\00:39:23.76
I thank God that I did
follow that still small voice.
00:39:23.79\00:39:26.70
And I went to my wife.
00:39:26.73\00:39:28.30
And I said, "My dear,
00:39:28.33\00:39:30.93
I'm really
sorry for what I said"
00:39:30.97\00:39:32.93
or how I said it.
00:39:32.97\00:39:34.30
And I can't even
remember the situation now.
00:39:34.34\00:39:36.17
But I'm really
sorry, please forgive me.
00:39:36.20\00:39:38.31
I love you. Please
forgive me. That was it.
00:39:38.34\00:39:40.94
We didn't even
talk about the problem.
00:39:40.98\00:39:42.31
I don't even know
what the problem was.
00:39:42.34\00:39:44.38
But all of a sudden she
smiled and said that's okay.
00:39:44.41\00:39:47.52
We gave each other a big
hug. And that was the end of it.
00:39:47.55\00:39:50.92
That was the end of it.
00:39:50.95\00:39:55.02
If only we would
be willing to follow
00:39:55.06\00:39:57.66
in the footsteps of Jesus
00:39:57.69\00:40:00.53
and not be
concerned about the issue.
00:40:00.56\00:40:03.30
Who cares about the issue?
00:40:03.33\00:40:04.93
Who cares about
who is right and wrong?
00:40:04.97\00:40:07.87
Who cares about who is
right and wrong right there
00:40:07.90\00:40:09.97
and then deal with
that in another time.
00:40:10.01\00:40:13.51
But may be at the very outset
that the first thing we do
00:40:13.54\00:40:17.81
is ask the Lord
to humble our hearts,
00:40:17.85\00:40:20.08
ask the Lord to give us
the spirit of repentance,
00:40:20.12\00:40:22.55
ask the Lord to give us
00:40:22.58\00:40:23.92
the gift of
initiating reconciliation.
00:40:23.95\00:40:27.82
The last time I
checked my Bible,
00:40:27.86\00:40:30.06
when Adam and Eve
sinned, when they broke
00:40:30.09\00:40:34.90
the covenant of
love relationship
00:40:34.93\00:40:37.10
that God has
established with them,
00:40:37.13\00:40:38.50
they didn't come to
God, they didn't initiate.
00:40:38.53\00:40:42.37
The last time I
checked my Bible,
00:40:42.40\00:40:44.04
they went running
and God came looking.
00:40:44.07\00:40:48.81
And He came looking with
the words, where are you?
00:40:48.84\00:40:52.51
Which are the words 4000 years
later that Jesus cries out?
00:40:52.55\00:40:57.69
It is finished.
00:40:57.72\00:40:59.62
Which are the words there John,
00:40:59.65\00:41:01.39
in 1 John Chapter 4
cries out, God is love.
00:41:01.42\00:41:05.06
You see genuine love initiates.
00:41:05.09\00:41:08.90
It doesn't wait
for the other person.
00:41:08.93\00:41:12.73
Genuine love doesn't focus on
who is right and who is wrong.
00:41:12.77\00:41:16.84
Genuine love
focuses on reconciliation.
00:41:16.87\00:41:20.51
So how can I have
the gift of repentance?
00:41:25.15\00:41:30.09
Would you like to have
the spirit of repentance?
00:41:30.12\00:41:34.59
Do you want to have
the spirit of repentance?
00:41:34.62\00:41:38.03
I pray that you do. I
want to give you two steps.
00:41:38.06\00:41:40.16
Two steps of how
you can continually
00:41:40.20\00:41:42.13
have the spirit of repentance.
00:41:42.16\00:41:44.30
The first step,
pray the prayer of David.
00:41:44.33\00:41:48.10
Pray the prayer of David.
00:41:48.14\00:41:49.47
Now what's the prayer of David?
00:41:49.50\00:41:50.84
It's in Psalm 139:23-24.
00:41:50.87\00:41:53.34
Notice these words, "Search
me, O God, and know my heart,
00:41:53.38\00:41:57.38
try me and know my anxieties,
00:41:57.41\00:41:59.21
and see if there is
any wicked way in me,
00:41:59.25\00:42:01.95
and lead me in the
way of everlasting."
00:42:01.98\00:42:05.95
Search my heart.
00:42:05.99\00:42:08.22
Search my heart, O God.
00:42:08.26\00:42:10.29
You know my ways.
00:42:10.33\00:42:12.29
You see, my heart, my judgment
00:42:12.33\00:42:15.80
according to
Scripture is deceitful.
00:42:15.83\00:42:19.67
It says the human
heart is deceitful
00:42:19.70\00:42:22.54
above all things
desperately wicked.
00:42:22.57\00:42:25.01
Isn't that true?
00:42:25.04\00:42:26.47
Your heart and my
heart is desperate...
00:42:26.51\00:42:27.94
When I take the magnifying glass
00:42:27.98\00:42:29.84
and I place it over my
heart and my mind, guess what?
00:42:29.88\00:42:32.71
It doesn't look too bad.
00:42:32.75\00:42:34.78
But when God places
His magnifying glass
00:42:34.82\00:42:37.05
called the Holy Spirit
over my heart and my mind,
00:42:37.09\00:42:39.39
it's a different
story altogether.
00:42:39.42\00:42:43.02
Almost 16, 17 years ago,
somewhere there 2003, 2004,
00:42:43.06\00:42:47.80
I was ministering in
New Zealand at the time,
00:42:47.83\00:42:50.67
had a wonderful
time in New Zealand,
00:42:50.70\00:42:52.47
spent six years there.
00:42:52.50\00:42:54.90
Six of the best
years of my life.
00:42:54.94\00:42:57.11
And I don't know,
any Kiwi, Kiwis here,
00:42:57.14\00:42:59.04
anyone here from New Zealand?
00:42:59.07\00:43:00.84
Okay. Oh, there
is one hand went up.
00:43:00.88\00:43:02.81
One of our cameramen,
he is from New Zealand.
00:43:02.84\00:43:05.11
If there's anyone out
there from New Zealand,
00:43:05.15\00:43:06.95
you are blessed.
00:43:06.98\00:43:08.58
New Zealand, a
beautiful country,
00:43:08.62\00:43:10.19
and I was blessed to spend
six years ministering there
00:43:10.22\00:43:12.85
in Palmerston
North and in Hamilton
00:43:12.89\00:43:14.79
there in the north island.
00:43:14.82\00:43:16.46
I remember one
minister came over
00:43:16.49\00:43:18.09
and he's probably
well-known to many of you,
00:43:18.13\00:43:20.60
well-known to 3ABN,
00:43:20.63\00:43:22.50
and his name is
pastor or Dr. Derek Morris.
00:43:22.53\00:43:26.33
He does a Hope Sabbath School.
00:43:26.37\00:43:29.64
And he's just a wonderful man.
00:43:29.67\00:43:32.41
Anyway, Derek
Morris, he came along
00:43:32.44\00:43:35.01
and he talked to us about
this message of repentance
00:43:35.04\00:43:38.25
and many other messages.
00:43:38.28\00:43:39.81
And one night, I
remember was a Friday night
00:43:39.85\00:43:42.08
and he challenged us pastors,
this was a group of pastors,
00:43:42.12\00:43:44.95
pastors that had come to a place
00:43:44.99\00:43:47.16
called Palmerston North.
00:43:47.19\00:43:49.36
They're in the bottom
half of the north island.
00:43:49.39\00:43:51.86
We had come from
all over New Zealand
00:43:51.89\00:43:54.33
and all over the Pacific.
00:43:54.36\00:43:55.93
Okay, so there's
probably about 150 pastors
00:43:55.96\00:43:58.50
gathered there with their
spouses and families from...
00:43:58.53\00:44:02.44
Yeah, from all
over the New Zealand
00:44:02.47\00:44:05.24
Pacific Union Conference
00:44:05.27\00:44:06.78
as it's known in
that entire region.
00:44:06.81\00:44:08.94
And on the Friday
night, he challenged us
00:44:08.98\00:44:12.05
to go back to our rooms,
00:44:12.08\00:44:13.98
after he shared this
scripture from Psalm 139.
00:44:14.02\00:44:17.95
And he asked us to
go back to our rooms
00:44:17.99\00:44:20.39
and to pray the prayer of David,
00:44:20.42\00:44:22.72
pray the prayer of David.
00:44:22.76\00:44:24.09
If we genuinely wanted
that gift of repentance,
00:44:24.13\00:44:25.99
that's the first step,
pray the prayer of David.
00:44:26.03\00:44:28.40
And I remember
going into my room.
00:44:28.43\00:44:31.27
And I was nervous,
I wasn't quite sure
00:44:31.30\00:44:32.97
what was going to happen.
00:44:33.00\00:44:34.34
He said, what you need
to do is you need to have
00:44:34.37\00:44:35.70
your Bible open, you
need to read the passage.
00:44:35.74\00:44:38.01
And then you need
to have a notebook.
00:44:38.04\00:44:40.78
And you need to
have a pen ready,
00:44:40.81\00:44:42.98
because God is going to reveal
to you what is in your heart.
00:44:43.01\00:44:49.88
So be ready, be prepared.
00:44:49.92\00:44:52.49
And my, oh my,
God is my witness.
00:44:52.52\00:44:55.12
It was a Friday night
that I'll never forget.
00:44:55.16\00:44:57.46
As I prayed
that prayer of David,
00:44:57.49\00:44:59.46
search my heart, O God,
00:44:59.49\00:45:01.06
and see if there is
any wicked way in me
00:45:01.10\00:45:03.30
and lead me in the
way of everlasting.
00:45:03.33\00:45:04.83
As I prayed that
prayer, had my notebook,
00:45:04.87\00:45:06.87
had my pen, God
began to reveal to me.
00:45:06.90\00:45:09.57
Wow. It was such...
00:45:09.60\00:45:12.74
I can't even begin to describe,
00:45:12.77\00:45:14.31
but it was such an
experience that was overwhelming
00:45:14.34\00:45:18.31
beyond words that I
could use to describe.
00:45:18.35\00:45:21.55
I just realized how much
I was falling short of God
00:45:21.58\00:45:27.12
and His glory and
His plans for my life.
00:45:27.16\00:45:30.49
And I began to
write, and as I was writing,
00:45:30.53\00:45:33.23
I was praying and praying.
00:45:33.26\00:45:35.46
And as I was
writing, there were tears
00:45:35.50\00:45:37.50
just streaming down my face,
00:45:37.53\00:45:39.10
and I could barely
see what I was writing,
00:45:39.13\00:45:41.40
as God began to reveal to
me what my true condition was.
00:45:41.44\00:45:46.68
But I thank God, I thank God
00:45:49.74\00:45:53.05
that Pastor Derek Morris
said, "Do not take step one.
00:45:53.08\00:45:57.92
Do not pray this prayer
00:45:57.95\00:45:59.29
unless you're
willing to take step two."
00:45:59.32\00:46:02.32
Unless you're
willing to take step two,
00:46:02.36\00:46:04.13
do not pray this prayer,
because it'll be overwhelming.
00:46:04.16\00:46:07.46
It'll be completely destructive.
00:46:07.50\00:46:12.20
You won't be able to get
up if God truly reveals to you
00:46:12.23\00:46:15.67
or begins to reveal to you,
and God does that in His grace.
00:46:15.70\00:46:21.54
Step two, what's step
two? Here is step two.
00:46:21.58\00:46:24.55
Look to Jesus.
00:46:24.58\00:46:26.61
Look to Jesus, your
sin pardoning Savior.
00:46:26.65\00:46:29.52
Notice these words
from John the Baptist,
00:46:29.55\00:46:32.62
as he encountered
Jesus in John 1:29.
00:46:32.65\00:46:35.16
"Behold the Lamb
of God that takes away
00:46:35.19\00:46:37.86
the sins of the world."
00:46:37.89\00:46:39.23
Behold the Lamb of God
00:46:39.26\00:46:40.90
that takes away
the sins of the world.
00:46:40.93\00:46:42.26
Jesus Himself in
Matthew 11:28, He said,
00:46:42.30\00:46:47.34
"Come to Me, all you who
labor and are heavy laden,
00:46:47.37\00:46:51.17
and I will do" what?
00:46:51.21\00:46:52.81
"I'll give to you rest."
00:46:52.84\00:46:54.24
So do not take that first step
00:46:54.28\00:46:57.35
in praying the prayer of David,
00:46:57.38\00:46:58.95
unless you're
willing to look to Jesus.
00:46:58.98\00:47:03.02
Go to your sin pardoning Savior,
00:47:03.05\00:47:05.32
and He will forgive you.
00:47:05.35\00:47:08.42
For the Bible clearly
tells us in 1 John 1:9,
00:47:08.46\00:47:12.19
"If we confess our
sins, He is faithful
00:47:12.23\00:47:15.86
and just to forgive us
and to cleanse us from"
00:47:15.90\00:47:18.87
most of our unrighteousness.
00:47:18.90\00:47:21.10
No, no, "all of
our unrighteousness."
00:47:21.14\00:47:27.28
All of our unrighteousness
00:47:27.31\00:47:28.91
if we are
willing to come to Jesus,
00:47:28.94\00:47:31.58
if we are willing to
look to Him, He will,
00:47:31.61\00:47:34.35
He will forgive us.
00:47:34.38\00:47:37.09
And where is the
epicenter of that forgiveness?
00:47:37.12\00:47:41.32
Where is the
epicenter of God's grace?
00:47:41.36\00:47:44.23
Where?
00:47:44.26\00:47:46.09
On a place called
Calvary, Gethsemane, Gethsemane.
00:47:46.13\00:47:51.93
Go to the garden
00:47:51.97\00:47:55.20
and go all the way
through to Golgotha.
00:47:55.24\00:47:58.81
You see pride
cannot survive at Calvary.
00:47:58.84\00:48:04.31
The only antidote
for pride, selfishness,
00:48:04.35\00:48:08.42
and covetousness is Calvary.
00:48:08.45\00:48:12.92
Notice these
words, powerful words,
00:48:12.95\00:48:17.09
written by that same author,
00:48:17.13\00:48:18.63
not in the book Steps to Christ.
00:48:18.66\00:48:20.10
Ellen White writes
and lift him up, page 43.
00:48:20.13\00:48:23.10
"Pride and self-esteem
cannot flourish in the hearts
00:48:23.13\00:48:28.34
that keep fresh in
memory, the scenes of" what?
00:48:28.37\00:48:31.64
"Of Calvary." It just can't.
00:48:31.67\00:48:33.51
It just can't.
00:48:33.54\00:48:34.88
The only vaccine and
we've been talking about
00:48:34.91\00:48:37.45
vaccine lately, haven't we?
00:48:37.48\00:48:39.95
The only vaccine that is able
00:48:39.98\00:48:44.29
and capable to deal with pride,
00:48:44.32\00:48:48.92
which is at the very heart
00:48:48.96\00:48:52.89
of not experiencing
true heart repentance.
00:48:52.93\00:48:59.27
The only vaccine
is found in the blood
00:48:59.30\00:49:03.41
that flows from
Calvary, from Calvary.
00:49:03.44\00:49:07.84
Roger Morneau, who
is now passed away,
00:49:07.88\00:49:11.45
awaiting the coming of Jesus.
00:49:11.48\00:49:12.91
He's written many
books on the power of prayer,
00:49:12.95\00:49:16.38
his testimony and
the power of prayer.
00:49:16.42\00:49:19.19
And he would go every single day
00:49:19.22\00:49:23.09
to the Book of Matthew,
00:49:23.12\00:49:24.53
Matthew 27:24-54,
00:49:24.56\00:49:27.86
those 30 verses
every single day,
00:49:27.90\00:49:30.47
he would read
the passage of Christ
00:49:30.50\00:49:35.30
from Gethsemane to
Golgotha every day,
00:49:35.34\00:49:41.08
every single day.
00:49:41.11\00:49:44.15
Notice these words.
00:49:44.18\00:49:46.41
Once again from
Acts of the Apostles,
00:49:46.45\00:49:51.19
Ellen White writes,
00:49:51.22\00:49:52.85
"The sinner may resist..."
00:49:52.89\00:49:54.56
Sorry this is
from Steps to Christ.
00:49:54.59\00:49:57.19
"The sinner may
resist this love,
00:49:57.23\00:49:58.89
may refuse to
be drawn to Christ,
00:49:58.93\00:50:00.73
but if he does or
she does not resist,
00:50:00.76\00:50:03.37
he will be drawn to Jesus,
00:50:03.40\00:50:04.73
a knowledge of
the plan of salvation
00:50:04.77\00:50:06.74
will lead him or her
to the foot of the cross
00:50:06.77\00:50:08.97
in repentance for his sins,
00:50:09.00\00:50:11.17
which have caused
00:50:11.21\00:50:12.54
the sufferings
of God's dear Son."
00:50:12.57\00:50:15.28
If you and I will
not refuse this gift,
00:50:15.31\00:50:20.15
we will receive it.
00:50:20.18\00:50:22.15
God so much wants to give
us this gift of repentance.
00:50:22.18\00:50:25.79
It's our only
hope. It's our only hope.
00:50:25.82\00:50:30.16
They will never ever be genuine,
00:50:30.19\00:50:32.93
true heart conversion
without the gift of repentance,
00:50:32.96\00:50:39.33
and the gift of
repentance is just that
00:50:39.37\00:50:41.74
it's a gift that comes from God.
00:50:41.77\00:50:45.84
If you and I will
simply open our arms
00:50:45.87\00:50:50.18
and allow Jesus to embrace us.
00:50:50.21\00:50:52.88
If we will simply open
the door when He says repent.
00:50:52.91\00:50:58.35
I want to come in,
00:50:58.39\00:50:59.82
we will receive
that wonderful gift.
00:50:59.85\00:51:04.03
There's a beautiful
statement that I want to read
00:51:04.06\00:51:07.30
from Acts of the Apostles,
00:51:07.33\00:51:08.66
and I hope it will be
up there up on the screen
00:51:08.70\00:51:11.50
regarding how
repentance deepens.
00:51:11.53\00:51:14.24
Notice these words,
"The nearer we come to Jesus,
00:51:14.27\00:51:17.17
and the more clearly
we discern the purity
00:51:17.21\00:51:19.34
of His
character, the more clearly
00:51:19.37\00:51:21.58
shall we see the
exceeding sinfulness of sin,
00:51:21.61\00:51:24.71
and the less shall we
feel like exalting ourselves.
00:51:24.75\00:51:28.55
There will be a
continual reaching out
00:51:28.58\00:51:30.85
of the soul after God,
00:51:30.89\00:51:32.49
a continual, earnest,
00:51:32.52\00:51:34.66
heartbreaking confession of sin
00:51:34.69\00:51:36.66
and humbling of
the heart before Him.
00:51:36.69\00:51:38.93
At every advance step in
our Christian experience,
00:51:38.96\00:51:42.03
our repentance will" what?
00:51:42.06\00:51:44.33
"Will deepen.
00:51:44.37\00:51:46.00
We shall know
that our sufficiency
00:51:46.03\00:51:47.80
is in Christ alone
00:51:47.84\00:51:49.20
and shall make the
apostle's confession our own:
00:51:49.24\00:51:51.97
'I know that in me,
that is in my flesh,
00:51:52.01\00:51:55.14
dwelleth no good thing.'
00:51:55.18\00:51:56.95
God forbid that I should glory,
00:51:56.98\00:52:00.65
save in the cross of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:52:00.68\00:52:03.69
by whom the world
is crucified unto me,
00:52:03.72\00:52:05.82
and I unto the world.'"
00:52:05.85\00:52:07.56
Romans 7 and Galatians 4:6.
00:52:07.59\00:52:11.69
The closer we come to Jesus,
00:52:11.73\00:52:13.50
the more we will see His beauty,
00:52:13.53\00:52:17.30
the more we will see our need.
00:52:17.33\00:52:19.57
And our repentance
will deepen, deepen.
00:52:19.60\00:52:24.77
The less we will
want to exalt ourselves,
00:52:24.81\00:52:27.68
the more we will
seek to uplift Christ,
00:52:27.71\00:52:30.25
and the more we will
seek to preach the message
00:52:30.28\00:52:33.28
of John the Baptist,
00:52:33.31\00:52:34.78
"Behold, the Lamb
of God, look to Jesus,
00:52:34.82\00:52:39.12
the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world."
00:52:39.15\00:52:42.09
He has taken away my sins.
00:52:42.12\00:52:45.36
He has given me the
gift of His repentance,
00:52:45.39\00:52:48.40
and He wants to do that for you.
00:52:48.43\00:52:50.27
My, dear friends,
as we seek to land,
00:52:50.30\00:52:54.17
there has been no
better time, no better time
00:52:54.20\00:52:56.50
in earth's history
than to point people,
00:52:56.54\00:52:59.27
men and women, boys and girls
00:52:59.31\00:53:01.44
who are experiencing confusion,
00:53:01.48\00:53:04.11
chaos, and hopelessness.
00:53:04.15\00:53:08.18
No better time than today
than to point them to Jesus.
00:53:08.22\00:53:11.79
Point them to the
one that has promised,
00:53:11.82\00:53:15.19
if we confess our
sins, He is faithful
00:53:15.22\00:53:17.19
and just to forgive
us and to cleanse us
00:53:17.23\00:53:18.79
from all unrighteousness.
00:53:18.83\00:53:20.36
Repent for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.
00:53:20.40\00:53:23.20
It's time to make ready a people
00:53:23.23\00:53:25.83
who are prepared
for the Lord's coming.
00:53:25.87\00:53:27.60
Amen. It's time, it's time.
00:53:27.64\00:53:30.27
Jesus is on His
way. He's on His way.
00:53:30.31\00:53:33.71
And He wants you and I, He
wants all of us to be ready.
00:53:33.74\00:53:37.65
So those of you who
are watching out there,
00:53:37.68\00:53:39.25
as I close in
prayer, I just pray that
00:53:39.28\00:53:41.72
you will give your
heart and life to Jesus.
00:53:41.75\00:53:44.05
Invite Him into your heart
and He will bless you above
00:53:44.09\00:53:48.22
and beyond all measure
00:53:48.26\00:53:49.59
and draw you to
His heart of love.
00:53:49.62\00:53:52.09
Let's pause and pray.
00:53:52.13\00:53:53.46
Father in heaven,
we want to thank You
00:53:53.50\00:53:55.63
for the gift of repentance.
00:53:55.66\00:53:57.10
Father, we want to
thank You so much for Jesus.
00:53:57.13\00:53:59.93
We want to thank You
that He has opened up
00:53:59.97\00:54:03.17
His nail stretched hands wide.
00:54:03.20\00:54:07.51
And He's able and
willing to embrace all.
00:54:07.54\00:54:09.58
Bless us, Father,
00:54:09.61\00:54:11.35
as we continue to look to Jesus,
00:54:11.38\00:54:13.35
the author and
finisher of our faith
00:54:13.38\00:54:15.38
in preparing
for His soon return,
00:54:15.42\00:54:17.39
and everybody said
amen, and amen, and amen.
00:54:17.42\00:54:20.52
And God bless you.
00:54:20.56\00:54:21.89