Hello, friends, grab
your Bible and a friend
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and sit back as we
explore God's word together
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on this edition
of "House Calls."
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Friends, welcome
to the most exciting
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program in the
world, "House Calls."
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And you know why,
because we are living in a world
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where the Bible
needs to be talked about
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and it's
happening here, so welcome.
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My name is John
Lomacang, and I have my buddy
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in the studio with
me, Pastor John Stanton.
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Good to have you here stretch.
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John, it's good to be here again
for another exciting program.
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I'm excited about this program,
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some hot button
issues coming up.
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That's right, that's right.
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You know, we like
to talk about things
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that are interesting to you
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and many have fed us emails
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about how important it is to
get back to the truth and so.
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One of the topics we're
gonna be talking about today
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is entitled "To tell the truth."
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What does it mean
to tell the truth?
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But before we do any of that,
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we want to go to
the Lord in prayer.
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So, John, let's
have a prayer together.
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Our Father in heaven,
we're so thankful again
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to be able to
come before Your throne
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and seek wisdom and
strength and knowledge.
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And we just pray that You
will send us Your Holy Spirit
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to lead and guide
us through our study,
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bless everyone who joins
us for this program as well.
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May we draw closer to You
because we know more about You
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and Your plan for our lives,
in Jesus' name, amen. Amen.
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And friends, as you know
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you Bible questions are
big part of this program.
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And many of you
are very faithful.
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Some of you are
just like clockwork,
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we can count on your
emails coming through
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and all the Bible questions.
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Some of you send us snail mail
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that is by the post
office that stamped.
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And some of you
really enjoy doing that
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and there are those of
you who don't have typewriters
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and we appreciate that too.
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So today we're
gonna begin our program
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by entertaining your questions
and if you have any of them,
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you can send those
to housecalls@3abn.org,
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that's housecalls@3abn.org.
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We download those
questions and try our best
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to go to God's word
and answer them for you.
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And if it's our opinion,
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we're going to
say it's our opinion.
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But we'd like to
stick to the word of God.
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Today let's start
with our first question.
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John, what do you have for us?
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I've got a question with regard
to the Old Testament and--
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yeah, it's a New
Testament word actually,
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but with regard to
Abraham and his ancestry. Okay.
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And not only where is
he from, but who he was
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and it says here, the
question specifically says,
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"On the show you mentioned
that Abraham was not a Jew
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and that he was a Chaldean.
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I'm a Seventh-day Adventist
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and I'm confused
about what you said
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so would you
please explain it further.
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And if this is true
where did the first Jew
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come on the scene
from, was it Jacob?"
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And there is
actually good guess. Okay.
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But let's talk
about here Abraham first.
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We find that in Genesis
11:31, it says this in regard
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to Abraham and
his father and his--
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I believe his--
yeah, his father here.
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It says, "And Terah took his
son Abram and his grandson Lot,
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the son of Haran, and
his daughter-in-law Sarah,
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or actually Sarai at the time.
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his son Abram's wife,
and they went out with them
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from Ur of the Chaldeans
to go to the land of Canaan."
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So here we find that his
family was from Ur, John,
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which was part of the
land of the Chaldeans.
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So he was Chaldean so to speak.
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Now that's why we said
that Abraham was not a Jew.
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Now specifically with
regard to the word Jew,
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that wasn't really
applied to God's people
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until after the divided kingdom
following Solomon's reign
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we had Solomon's
son and then of course
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he rebelled against the Lord
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and that's where
Jeroboam came into play
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to take Israel,
the northern kingdom
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which had 10 of the 12 tribes
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and as that divided
eventually over time.
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We know that
the northern kingdom
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was besieged and
taken over by Assyria.
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They were scattered and then
the southern kingdom of Judah
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which had grown was taken
captive and brought to Babylon.
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After seven years plus
they return to Jerusalem
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to rebuild the city,
to rebuild the temple.
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And then from that point on,
we get into the segment between
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kind of the Old
Testament and New Testament
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and by the time we
get to the New Testament
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writings of Jesus' first advent,
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they were referred to as
Jews which was short for Judah.
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So that's where the
word Jews comes from.
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Now if you go back far enough
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although the word Jew wasn't
part of Israel at the time.
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The word Israel itself was
applied to Jacob the first time.
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And so that was a good guess
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as far as where
these names go back,
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how far they go back to.
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But Jacob who
was the son of Isaac
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was first known
with his new name
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after wrestling with God that
night where he wrestle with Him
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and he didn't
concur but he struggled,
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he wrestle with God and
he overcame or at least he--
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what's the word I'm
looking for it talks about,
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he was an
overcomer. He prevailed.
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He prevailed to receive
the blessing from the Lord
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and from that point
on, God called him Israel,
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your name should
be called Israel.
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And so that's where Israel
which apply to both kingdoms,
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both the north and the south
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even though they
were divided came from.
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So that little history
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into where these names
come from in the Bible.
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That was good, that was good
that you walked us through that.
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Glad that you hit the
record button to follow that.
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You could rewind that later on
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and look at the history
that John just laid out for us.
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It's important to know
why we are where we are today
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and what we
believe and how God led
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in the choosing
of a special people.
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They were special not because
they had a different blood type
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or because their DNA--
let me not use that phrase
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or that word but
because their nationality.
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They were not special
because of nationality.
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They were special because
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they were chosen by God
for a particular purpose.
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And so you find in and believe
its Romans 9:6 where it says,
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"They that are of
Israel are not all Israel."
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And so you clearly see that
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it is not so much
our physical birth
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but it's our spiritual
birth that makes the difference
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and that was very important.
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But something aside to add
about where Abraham is from.
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And by the way the
name Abram, you know,
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when the promise that God had
made with him was covenanted,
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He called him Abraham now
which is a beautiful thing
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and changed Sarah's
name from Sarai to Sarah
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showing that the covenant
that He had made with them
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had now have been enforce.
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And what a
beautiful covenant to say
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to a couple that don't
have any children at all.
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He said one day your seed would
be like the stars of the sky.
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That's an amazing thing and
God did fulfill that promise.
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But in Genesis 15:7
the Lord even confirms
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what you just read
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"Then He said to him" that
is the Lord said to Abraham.
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"I am the Lord, who brought
you out of Ur of the Chaldeans,
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to give you this
land to inherit it."
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And if you look at where Ur
was, Ur was in southern Babylon.
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So years ago I've said
that Abraham was Babylonian
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and by birth and
nationality, yes he was
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because Ur was the
southern providence
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of the Babylonian empire.
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So here's the
beautiful thing about that.
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The Lord can take
somebody from Babylon
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and give him the inheritance
of the kingdom of God.
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Amazing, and look at
this, look at the parallel.
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In the last days, the Lord is
gonna call people out of Babylon
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and then give them the
designation of His chosen people
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come out of her my people.
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He did that to
Abraham and his wife.
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And He's gonna do that
in the last days also again.
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You know, the interesting thing
to you that we talked about here
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how Israel is about prevailing,
it's about, you know,
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wrestling with God
and staying and clinging
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and staying close overcoming.
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You know, we talk
about faith being the victory
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that we have
'cause it's all by faith.
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By faith we cling to
God, by faith we overcome,
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by faith we prevailed
because it's His strength.
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And so when it says there
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that all Israel or
Israel is not all Israel.
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Really what we're
talking about that word Israel
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is an issue of faith when
you get to the New Testament.
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So those Paul says, "Who
are by faith are Israel."
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Right. And so
the real issue is not
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whether or not you're
descendants as a race of Abraham
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which was a big
issue for the Pharisees,
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Sadducees at that time.
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The issue was
whether you are not gonna--
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you put your
faith in Jesus Christ
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and you're gonna
becoming overcomer through Him.
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And so that's why we
have said several times
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that we do not believe in some
kind of a dual covenant here
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where Israel as a nation
has a covenant with God still
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and now Israel, the
church has a covenant with God.
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But there is only been
one everlasting covenant.
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It was first came through
Abraham and then came through--
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it was reiterated
actually through Abraham
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'cause he had a
covenant with Noah too.
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But then he came down through
them until the time of Christ
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which was a probationary
period for the nation of Israel
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and then afterwards
was given to the church.
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So that's why we
say several times,
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you will hear
us say that church,
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the church of Christ today
is Israel, spiritual Israel.
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But in the
sense it's always been
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a spiritual application
that word, hasn't it? Right.
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Those who are of
Christ's are Abraham's seed
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and heir
according to the promise.
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So it's always been
spiritual designation.
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We know that a
salvation is not a first birth,
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it's always the second
birth, it's a new birth.
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And anyone whose is the part
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of the new birth is
in fact spiritual Israel
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that's what the Lord
makes it very, very clear.
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So when you get
down to Revelation, John,
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and this is something that
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you and I both
really enjoy studying.
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Revelation is a spiritual
book for a spiritual people.
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It's not a book designated
for just one particular race
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but in fact a book
for a spiritual people,
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calling them out of darkness
into this marvelous life.
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And you know the Apostle Paul
does a wonderful job about that.
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He says, at one
time we were not a people
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but now we are a people.
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And so that's
the beautiful thing.
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The Lord can
extend an invitation
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to somebody who is not His
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but then by accepting the
invitation, they become His.
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But thank you very much.
00:10:35.24\00:10:36.51
And our last text
to that Nehemiah 9:7
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once again the Bible says
00:10:41.27\00:10:43.52
confirming what you just
pointed out about Abraham.
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"You are the Lord
God, who chose Abram,
00:10:46.52\00:10:51.04
and brought him out
of Ur of the Chaldeans,
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and gave him the name Abraham."
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You see, so that's
showing the transition
00:10:57.34\00:10:59.56
and then it says "You found
his heart faithful before you,
00:10:59.59\00:11:03.53
and made a covenant with him
00:11:03.56\00:11:05.46
to give him the land of
the Canaanites, the Hittites,
00:11:05.49\00:11:07.54
the Amorites, the Perizzites,
00:11:07.57\00:11:08.68
the Jebusites,
and the Girgashites
00:11:08.71\00:11:11.35
and to give it
to his descendants."
00:11:11.38\00:11:13.32
And so you clearly see that
00:11:13.35\00:11:14.40
the promise that
God made to Abraham
00:11:14.43\00:11:16.08
at that point was
when his name changed
00:11:16.11\00:11:18.40
and it wasn't the same
thing with his son Jacob.
00:11:18.43\00:11:21.29
He went from Jacob to
Israel. Yeah, that's right.
00:11:21.32\00:11:25.50
When God makes a covenant
00:11:25.53\00:11:26.84
and friends, look
at that whole thing,
00:11:26.87\00:11:28.29
when we get to heaven
we're gonna have a new name.
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There's another
topic all together.
00:11:31.36\00:11:33.38
It's not gonna be our name,
00:11:33.41\00:11:34.85
His name is gonna
be on our foreheads,
00:11:34.88\00:11:37.45
that's the new
name since God is above.
00:11:37.48\00:11:39.44
And we thank you
for that question.
00:11:39.47\00:11:41.40
Here's another one.
00:11:41.43\00:11:44.59
Dear John, it
could be anyone of us.
00:11:44.62\00:11:47.28
Thank you so much.
00:11:47.31\00:11:48.76
Please help me out
with Revelation 14:4.
00:11:48.79\00:11:52.76
Go with us to Revelation 14:4
00:11:52.79\00:11:54.59
and by the way that is
the second place in Revelation
00:11:54.62\00:11:57.90
or the second place in the Bible
00:11:57.93\00:11:59.15
you find that
144,000 talked about.
00:11:59.18\00:12:01.86
The first place in Revelation 7
00:12:01.89\00:12:03.93
the choosing and the
sealing of the 144,000.
00:12:03.96\00:12:06.69
And then Revelation 14,
the message of the 144,000.
00:12:06.72\00:12:11.83
A lot of times we take
them out of the equation,
00:12:11.86\00:12:14.12
but before you
find the first, second,
00:12:14.15\00:12:16.18
and third Angel's
message you find the 144,000.
00:12:16.21\00:12:20.19
Those who are going
to proclaim this message,
00:12:20.22\00:12:23.68
very exclusive message.
00:12:23.71\00:12:25.52
The message is
exclusive for the carriers,
00:12:25.55\00:12:28.55
but it's
inclusive for the world.
00:12:28.58\00:12:31.34
Revelation 14:4
describes who the 144,000 are.
00:12:31.37\00:12:36.64
"These are the ones who
were not defiled with women,
00:12:36.67\00:12:42.17
for they are virgins.
00:12:42.20\00:12:44.94
These are the ones who follow
the Lamb wherever He goes.
00:12:44.97\00:12:51.71
These were
redeemed from among men,
00:12:51.74\00:12:54.16
being first fruits
to God and to the Lamb."
00:12:54.19\00:12:58.25
Now that's a big passage
and there are a lot of points
00:12:58.28\00:13:01.04
that were
brought on that passage.
00:13:01.07\00:13:02.21
One of the first one it says,
00:13:02.24\00:13:03.52
"These are the ones who
were not defiled with women."
00:13:03.55\00:13:07.44
Well, we know in prophecy
00:13:07.47\00:13:08.63
that when the Bible
uses the phrase woman
00:13:08.66\00:13:11.31
or the word woman it
designates to church.
00:13:11.34\00:13:14.71
And so clearly if I
would begin with the beginning
00:13:14.74\00:13:18.77
it says for they are
virgins meaning pure.
00:13:18.80\00:13:21.88
They were not defiled by
the teachings of other churches.
00:13:21.91\00:13:27.24
Matter of fact go
with us to Revelation 17.
00:13:27.27\00:13:29.27
I want you to see something
here because in Revelation 17,
00:13:29.30\00:13:34.63
you find a condition
but you find another woman
00:13:34.66\00:13:38.94
that's not described as pure.
00:13:38.97\00:13:41.58
As a matter of fact,
she is anything but pure.
00:13:41.61\00:13:44.55
Revelation 17:1.
00:13:44.58\00:13:46.84
Why don't you
read that for us, John?
00:13:46.87\00:13:48.24
Revelation 17:1.
00:13:48.27\00:13:51.75
"One of the seven
angels who had the seven bowls
00:13:51.78\00:13:54.19
came and talked with me,
00:13:54.22\00:13:55.81
saying, 'Come, I will show you
the judgment of the great harlot
00:13:55.84\00:13:58.82
who sits on many waters.'"
00:13:58.85\00:14:00.38
And look at verse 4.
00:14:00.41\00:14:03.60
"The woman was
arrayed in purple and scarlet,
00:14:03.63\00:14:06.56
and adorned with gold and
precious stones and pearls,
00:14:06.59\00:14:09.85
having in her hand a
golden cup full of abominations
00:14:09.88\00:14:13.06
and the filthiness
of her fornication."
00:14:13.09\00:14:15.37
And just add verse 5 there.
00:14:15.40\00:14:16.82
"And on her
forehead a name was written,
00:14:16.85\00:14:20.06
Mystery, Babylon the
great, the mother of harlots
00:14:20.09\00:14:23.01
and the
abominations of the earth."
00:14:23.04\00:14:25.81
Okay, now notice something.
00:14:25.84\00:14:27.31
In Revelation 14, it says,
00:14:27.34\00:14:28.92
these were not defiled with
women, for they are virgins.
00:14:28.95\00:14:32.65
But you go to Revelation
17 you clearly see a different
00:14:32.68\00:14:35.23
system altogether talked about,
00:14:35.26\00:14:37.09
a system of complete defilement.
00:14:37.12\00:14:40.43
She is referred
to as a great harlot,
00:14:40.46\00:14:43.20
not just a
harlot, a great harlot.
00:14:43.23\00:14:45.46
She is referred to
as the mother of harlots
00:14:45.49\00:14:50.04
and abominations of the earth,
00:14:50.07\00:14:52.00
so if you partake
of what she is selling,
00:14:52.03\00:14:55.09
you will definitely be defiled.
00:14:55.12\00:14:56.76
As a matter of fact,
verse 6 talks about--
00:14:56.79\00:15:00.25
matter of fact, verse
2. Sorry before verse 6.
00:15:00.28\00:15:03.01
Verse 2 says, "With whom
00:15:03.04\00:15:05.19
the kings of the
earth were made drunk
00:15:05.22\00:15:09.55
with the wine
of her fornication.
00:15:09.58\00:15:12.70
The kings of the
earth committed fornication,
00:15:12.73\00:15:14.98
and the inhabitants of the earth
00:15:15.01\00:15:16.50
were made drunk with the
wine of her fornication."
00:15:16.53\00:15:19.06
So you clearly see
00:15:19.09\00:15:20.69
the inhabitance of
the earth may drunk,
00:15:20.72\00:15:22.65
the kings committed fornication,
they were not clean,
00:15:22.68\00:15:26.40
they were
defiled, so the contrast is
00:15:26.43\00:15:29.81
Revelation is talking about
a people that are not defiled,
00:15:29.84\00:15:32.78
a people that are not polluted,
00:15:32.81\00:15:35.49
a people that are
true to the Lord God
00:15:35.52\00:15:38.24
as the woman
described in Revelation 12.
00:15:38.27\00:15:41.27
Look at that with us.
00:15:41.30\00:15:43.59
That woman was
not decked with gold
00:15:43.62\00:15:47.08
and precious stones and pearls.
00:15:47.11\00:15:48.94
And by the way,
John, I want to add this.
00:15:48.97\00:15:52.05
The woman of Revelation
17 had on purple and red.
00:15:52.08\00:15:57.59
It's nothing wrong with
the color purple and red.
00:15:57.62\00:15:59.48
The question is
what didn't she have on.
00:15:59.51\00:16:02.36
She didn't have
on the color of blue.
00:16:02.39\00:16:05.15
And the color blue is
the color that's symbolic
00:16:05.18\00:16:07.42
with the commandments of God.
00:16:07.45\00:16:09.77
So you see that in
this system of worship
00:16:09.80\00:16:12.68
the commandments
of God were omitted
00:16:12.71\00:16:14.40
or most
specifically were changed,
00:16:14.43\00:16:19.01
were diverted, were broken down
00:16:19.04\00:16:22.54
as the word I
used just a moment ago
00:16:22.57\00:16:25.21
polluted or diluted,
00:16:25.24\00:16:27.94
that's the word I'm looking for.
00:16:27.97\00:16:29.63
But look at Revelation
12:1. The contrast is amazing.
00:16:29.66\00:16:34.27
"Now a great sign
appeared in heaven,
00:16:34.30\00:16:37.13
a woman clothed with the sun,
and the moon under her feet,
00:16:37.16\00:16:42.00
and on her head a garland
or crown of twelve stars."
00:16:42.03\00:16:47.67
And when you look
at that whole parallel,
00:16:47.70\00:16:50.22
you begin to see that
the reason why this woman
00:16:50.25\00:16:52.11
is the one that's
designated is pure,
00:16:52.14\00:16:54.45
is this is the one
that Satan is upset with.
00:16:54.48\00:16:56.77
And by the way
you can guarantee that
00:16:56.80\00:16:58.32
if the devil is upset with you,
you're doing something right.
00:16:58.35\00:17:01.35
Read for us,
John, Revelation 12:17.
00:17:01.38\00:17:04.57
Notice how angry the devil is
00:17:04.60\00:17:06.58
and what his
attitude toward this woman is.
00:17:06.61\00:17:09.91
"And the dragon was
enraged with the woman,
00:17:09.94\00:17:12.42
and he went to make war
with the rest of her offspring."
00:17:12.45\00:17:16.42
King James Version says, remnant
there which is a key word.
00:17:16.45\00:17:20.03
"Who keep the
commandments of God
00:17:20.06\00:17:21.85
and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ."
00:17:21.88\00:17:24.85
So you see there, that woman
00:17:24.88\00:17:26.64
is a woman
that's associated with
00:17:26.67\00:17:28.91
keeping the commandments
of God and the devil is upset.
00:17:28.94\00:17:32.29
She also has the
testimony of Jesus Christ
00:17:32.32\00:17:34.84
which Revelation 19:10 says,
00:17:34.87\00:17:36.59
"The gift of the
Spirit of Prophecy."
00:17:36.62\00:17:39.53
But let's look at the
rest of the aspects of that
00:17:39.56\00:17:41.35
and you could chime in anytime
you'd like in that verse.
00:17:41.38\00:17:43.65
Well, you know, I was
focusing on that word remnant.
00:17:43.68\00:17:46.35
It's interesting that Babylon
has a remnant. Very good point.
00:17:46.38\00:17:50.22
Because she is
the mother of harlots
00:17:50.25\00:17:52.52
which means she has
children. That's right.
00:17:52.55\00:17:54.67
And those children play a
big part in the end times,
00:17:54.70\00:17:57.85
in last days as the
Book of Revelation tells us.
00:17:57.88\00:18:00.57
The woman of Revelation 12
has a remnant. That's right.
00:18:00.60\00:18:03.70
And this is the one
00:18:03.73\00:18:04.76
that the dragon is very
angry with at the end of time.
00:18:04.79\00:18:07.42
But specifically
that remnant, the 144, 000
00:18:07.45\00:18:10.93
he is very angry with
because they are doing the work
00:18:10.96\00:18:14.07
that God has called them to do.
00:18:14.10\00:18:16.38
And it says there in the passage
we already ready in Chapter 14,
00:18:16.41\00:18:19.55
"They are firstfruits
to God and to the Lamb."
00:18:19.58\00:18:23.48
Now that word firstfruits
00:18:23.51\00:18:25.06
tells us a little bit
about the remnant or the 144,000
00:18:25.09\00:18:29.38
because firstfruits
that were part of the culture
00:18:29.41\00:18:34.86
and part of the life
of the nation of Israel
00:18:34.89\00:18:39.25
were the very firstfruit
that came from the harvest
00:18:39.28\00:18:41.96
and that firstfruit was brought
00:18:41.99\00:18:44.38
and dedicated to
God as an offering.
00:18:44.41\00:18:46.87
And so we see here in
the remnant or the 144, 000
00:18:46.90\00:18:51.16
that they are the first ones
00:18:51.19\00:18:52.74
that are redeemed
from the earth by God.
00:18:52.77\00:18:56.20
And they're redeemed for a
specific purpose, all right.
00:18:56.23\00:19:00.23
That's why Revelation 7
says that they were sealed
00:19:00.26\00:19:03.65
prior to the four winds being
released to blow upon the earth
00:19:03.68\00:19:08.18
which is the coming
of the time of trouble.
00:19:08.21\00:19:10.48
So they were sealed,
they were firstfruits,
00:19:10.51\00:19:12.65
they were prepared for a
message to give to the world
00:19:12.68\00:19:17.88
during the time the
four winds were released.
00:19:17.91\00:19:20.71
And for that
message you just have to
00:19:20.74\00:19:22.67
read on little
further in Revelation 14,
00:19:22.70\00:19:25.08
the Three Angels'
messages from verse 6-11.
00:19:25.11\00:19:31.59
So anyway just to give you
00:19:31.62\00:19:32.65
a little picture
of the last days.
00:19:32.68\00:19:34.20
Now if you want to see
those who were not firstfruits,
00:19:34.23\00:19:37.16
who were redeemed
at the end of time,
00:19:37.19\00:19:39.36
then look at the
second part of Revelation 7
00:19:39.39\00:19:41.39
which is the great
multitude, all right.
00:19:41.42\00:19:44.49
So all these things play a part,
00:19:44.52\00:19:46.53
they come in together here as
you read the Book of Revelation.
00:19:46.56\00:19:48.92
Just want to give you those
pieces to fit everything in here
00:19:48.95\00:19:51.72
as we talked about the
firstfruit or the 144,000.
00:19:51.75\00:19:55.00
I'm glad you brought that
up because in 1 Corinthians 15,
00:19:55.03\00:19:59.16
Paul the Apostle described Jesus
00:19:59.19\00:20:01.56
as the firstfruits
of those that slept.
00:20:01.59\00:20:04.95
Meaning, He is the first
one to conquer the grave,
00:20:04.98\00:20:09.06
but He is not the only one
00:20:09.09\00:20:10.30
that's going to
conquer the grave.
00:20:10.33\00:20:12.04
Those of us who are laid
to rest before Jesus comes,
00:20:12.07\00:20:16.67
1 Corinthians 15 is going to
say when they are resurrected.
00:20:16.70\00:20:19.07
"O death, where is thy sting?
00:20:19.10\00:20:21.01
O grave, where is thy victory?"
00:20:21.04\00:20:22.81
At the resurrection they
will be conquerors of death
00:20:22.84\00:20:25.26
but not on their
own but through Christ.
00:20:25.29\00:20:27.59
But the harvest--
let's get back to that
00:20:27.62\00:20:29.43
because that's
a very good point.
00:20:29.46\00:20:30.52
I'm glad you brought that out.
00:20:30.55\00:20:33.12
In Exodus 23:16 the
Bible talks about the harvest.
00:20:33.15\00:20:37.20
And when the time
of the harvest came,
00:20:37.23\00:20:39.80
the firstfruits
always represented the best.
00:20:39.83\00:20:43.29
I'm going to give you the first.
00:20:43.32\00:20:45.27
When a person--that's why when
we return tithes to the Lord,
00:20:45.30\00:20:49.43
it should be our firstfruits
not what's left. Right, right.
00:20:49.46\00:20:52.73
You know, a lot of people
00:20:52.76\00:20:53.79
that don't give a return tithe
to the Lord, they don't think
00:20:53.82\00:20:57.33
if it is the firstfruits,
the first obligation.
00:20:57.36\00:21:00.08
The Lord wants our first,
00:21:00.11\00:21:01.30
because the first
always represents the best.
00:21:01.33\00:21:03.26
Let me go ahead
and read the text
00:21:03.29\00:21:04.32
that I was
referring to in Exodus 23:16.
00:21:04.35\00:21:07.71
"And the Feast of Harvest,
the firstfruits of your labors
00:21:07.74\00:21:12.61
which you have
sown in the field,
00:21:12.64\00:21:14.39
and the Feast of Ingathering
at the end of the year,
00:21:14.42\00:21:18.76
when you have gathered in
00:21:18.79\00:21:20.63
the fruit of your
labors from the field."
00:21:20.66\00:21:24.30
And so notice the firstfruits
are the fruit of the labors.
00:21:24.33\00:21:28.46
Fruit of whose labor
though will be the firstfruits?
00:21:28.49\00:21:31.42
The fruits of the Lord's labor.
00:21:31.45\00:21:33.72
He says the harvest is
ripe but the laborers are few.
00:21:33.75\00:21:38.22
Pray that the
Lord of the harvest
00:21:38.25\00:21:39.72
will sent forth
laborers into the field.
00:21:39.75\00:21:42.44
And so those who come
in are the firstfruits,
00:21:42.47\00:21:45.90
those who are chosen to bringing
00:21:45.93\00:21:47.73
the rest of the
harvest are the firstfruits.
00:21:47.76\00:21:50.98
Follow me carefully.
00:21:51.01\00:21:52.22
Those chosen are the firstfruits
from the Lord's harvest.
00:21:52.25\00:21:56.77
But the firstfruits bring
in the rest of the harvest.
00:21:56.80\00:22:00.16
You're getting my point?
00:22:00.19\00:22:01.24
The multitude that you point out
00:22:01.27\00:22:02.65
that no one could number.
00:22:02.68\00:22:03.75
Yeah, and that's
why in Revelation 14
00:22:03.78\00:22:05.28
you see the
structure of the 144,000
00:22:05.31\00:22:07.98
which is the first
half of that chapter
00:22:08.01\00:22:10.20
and the next half of the chapter
00:22:10.23\00:22:11.62
is all about the
rest of the harvest.
00:22:11.65\00:22:13.47
It says, "The
grapes are now fully ripe."
00:22:13.50\00:22:16.84
Why are they ripe because
the Three Angels' Messages
00:22:16.87\00:22:19.48
smacked out in the middle of it,
00:22:19.51\00:22:20.55
have already been given,
00:22:20.58\00:22:21.61
they had been accepted
and they now go forward.
00:22:21.64\00:22:24.71
Now there is something
that I saw several years ago,
00:22:24.74\00:22:28.03
that was really key to help
me understand this little better
00:22:28.06\00:22:30.79
and that's Revelation 15.
00:22:30.82\00:22:34.27
And I'll just mention this here
00:22:34.30\00:22:35.33
just to finish up
our question here, John,
00:22:35.36\00:22:37.55
that we're getting the aspects
00:22:37.58\00:22:38.68
that aren't
really asked there but.
00:22:38.71\00:22:40.88
If you look here--
Revelation 15 what verse?
00:22:40.91\00:22:43.91
Revelation 15 and
I'm reading from--
00:22:43.94\00:22:48.13
let's see verse 2. All right.
00:22:48.16\00:22:51.79
It says, "I saw something
00:22:51.82\00:22:53.02
like a sea of
glass mingled with fire,
00:22:53.05\00:22:56.58
and those who have had
victory over the beast,
00:22:56.61\00:22:59.12
over his image
and over his mark,
00:22:59.15\00:23:00.84
and over the number of his name,
00:23:00.87\00:23:02.17
standing on the sea of
glass, having harps of God."
00:23:02.20\00:23:04.09
Now first of all,
what does a sea represent?
00:23:04.12\00:23:07.36
Water. Right.
00:23:07.39\00:23:08.79
The great number
of people, right.
00:23:08.82\00:23:10.34
And so those who have had
victorious standing on the sea.
00:23:10.37\00:23:13.72
So there is a great
number of people here.
00:23:13.75\00:23:15.29
and I would refer to this
00:23:15.32\00:23:16.35
as the great
multitude speaking of here.
00:23:16.38\00:23:18.57
And it says, "They
sing the song of Moses,
00:23:18.60\00:23:21.08
the servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb,
00:23:21.11\00:23:22.86
saying, "Great and marvelous are
Your works, Lord God Almighty!
00:23:22.89\00:23:27.01
Just and true are Your
ways, O King of saints!"
00:23:27.04\00:23:29.22
Now look at this
verse 4, it's really key.
00:23:29.25\00:23:32.37
If you know anything about
the Three Angels' Messages,
00:23:32.40\00:23:35.43
this should ring loud and clear.
00:23:35.46\00:23:37.04
So the 144,000
have given this message,
00:23:37.07\00:23:39.96
they've declared this message.
00:23:39.99\00:23:41.42
And the great
multitude have been redeemed
00:23:41.45\00:23:44.36
because of their
receiving of that truth.
00:23:44.39\00:23:47.30
Now listen to what they say.
00:23:47.33\00:23:49.19
"Who shall not
fear You, O Lord God,
00:23:49.22\00:23:55.17
and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
00:23:55.20\00:23:59.89
For all nations shall
come and worship before You,
00:23:59.92\00:24:03.64
for Your judgments
have been manifested."
00:24:03.67\00:24:07.56
Now what do you think of
when you see those words.
00:24:07.59\00:24:10.58
John, fear,
glorify, worship, judgments?
00:24:10.61\00:24:15.16
First angel's message.
The First angel's message.
00:24:15.19\00:24:17.39
Fear God, give glory to Him
00:24:17.42\00:24:19.21
for the hour of His
judgment has come, worship Him.
00:24:19.24\00:24:22.33
So I would say the great
multitude have got the message.
00:24:22.36\00:24:26.02
Right, they got the message.
00:24:26.05\00:24:27.08
They receive the message
00:24:27.11\00:24:28.20
and they have
become part of the redeem
00:24:28.23\00:24:32.18
or they have been joined
with the firstfruit of God
00:24:32.21\00:24:34.43
as the total
redeemed at the end of time.
00:24:34.46\00:24:36.71
Matter of fact, Revelation 15:4
is a statement of preparation.
00:24:36.74\00:24:40.25
Now we're
prepared, now we are ready.
00:24:40.28\00:24:43.43
The Lord has call those out that
are going to respond to Him.
00:24:43.46\00:24:46.26
Now we are ready, go ahead
and send the judgments of God.
00:24:46.29\00:24:49.85
That is go ahead and
send the judgments of God
00:24:49.88\00:24:51.57
that are not
mixed with God's mercy.
00:24:51.60\00:24:54.28
That's the key
because there are judgments
00:24:54.31\00:24:56.07
talked about in Revelation
that are mixed with God's mercy,
00:24:56.10\00:24:58.64
but when you get to
the seven last plagues.
00:24:58.67\00:25:00.80
The reason why
it's called seven last
00:25:00.83\00:25:03.31
is because they are
unmixed with the mercy of God
00:25:03.34\00:25:06.39
and a lot of people have
a hard time thinking of that
00:25:06.42\00:25:09.08
as the time where
God's mercy is withdrawn.
00:25:09.11\00:25:12.23
God is never, not a merciful God
00:25:12.26\00:25:14.91
but He withdraws His mercy
from the finally impenitent,
00:25:14.94\00:25:18.12
those who refuse to repent.
00:25:18.15\00:25:21.41
But God is
always a merciful God.
00:25:21.44\00:25:23.34
Just that in
those last judgments,
00:25:23.37\00:25:24.98
it's the consuming
judgments rather than
00:25:25.01\00:25:27.74
judgments to lead
men's heart to repentance.
00:25:27.77\00:25:31.26
What else is left
in here in verse 4?
00:25:31.29\00:25:33.69
There is so much in
just that one verse.
00:25:33.72\00:25:35.11
Thank you for the
question. It's a rich question.
00:25:35.14\00:25:38.06
Of the last part
it says in verse 4,
00:25:38.09\00:25:41.29
well, we've
talked about redeemed,
00:25:41.32\00:25:42.63
the firstfruits and it says
00:25:42.66\00:25:44.88
they follow the
Lamb wherever He goes.
00:25:44.91\00:25:47.64
You will find one of
the most important things
00:25:47.67\00:25:50.25
is when they follow
the Lamb wherever He goes,
00:25:50.28\00:25:53.11
the commission
is, go ye therefore
00:25:53.14\00:25:56.11
and preach the
gospel to every nation.
00:25:56.14\00:25:59.20
And this is the time
00:25:59.23\00:26:00.61
how wonderful it
is on Revelation 14:4
00:26:00.64\00:26:03.69
that the very
people that are waiting
00:26:03.72\00:26:05.47
for the message are
the ones that are sent
00:26:05.50\00:26:08.30
and the Lamb is
the one that sends them
00:26:08.33\00:26:10.53
and wherever the
Lamb is gonna go,
00:26:10.56\00:26:12.36
they are going to go now.
00:26:12.39\00:26:14.15
I want to lean back
to something here, John,
00:26:14.18\00:26:15.65
as I wrap up this question.
00:26:15.68\00:26:17.34
Many years ago there was a poem
about Mary had a little Lamb.
00:26:17.37\00:26:21.43
And it says wherever Mary
went, the Lamb was sure to go.
00:26:21.46\00:26:25.85
But that was a
fable, that was teaching
00:26:25.88\00:26:27.69
the old adage that, you know,
Mary was supreme to Christ.
00:26:27.72\00:26:32.29
But this is the proper context.
00:26:32.32\00:26:34.03
Wherever the Lamb
goes, people follow Him.
00:26:34.06\00:26:37.64
Not wherever Mary
goes, the Lamb follows her.
00:26:37.67\00:26:40.29
We are followers of Christ.
00:26:40.32\00:26:42.14
Christ is not
the follower of Mary.
00:26:42.17\00:26:44.60
And so that's the
beautiful context there.
00:26:44.63\00:26:46.33
So the point of
it, winding it up.
00:26:46.36\00:26:48.39
They were not
defiled pure gospel,
00:26:48.42\00:26:50.67
they follow the Lamb
00:26:50.70\00:26:51.81
wherever He sends
them, wherever He leads.
00:26:51.84\00:26:54.05
And lastly, they
are the firstfruits
00:26:54.08\00:26:57.07
but not the only fruits.
00:26:57.10\00:26:59.32
And in their mouths,
00:26:59.35\00:27:00.60
last part verse 5,
was found no deceit."
00:27:00.63\00:27:03.38
In other words
their message is true,
00:27:03.41\00:27:06.06
unadulterated and pure.
00:27:06.09\00:27:08.10
They are preaching the
true and everlasting gospel
00:27:08.13\00:27:10.63
that will lead people to
a knowledge of the truth.
00:27:10.66\00:27:13.14
Amen. Okay.
00:27:13.17\00:27:14.50
You know, I think that's
probably all we have time for
00:27:14.53\00:27:16.79
as far as our questions today.
00:27:16.82\00:27:18.26
That's right, so if
you have anymore questions.
00:27:18.29\00:27:20.32
If we've opened
the door to something
00:27:20.35\00:27:21.81
that has triggered
a thought or question,
00:27:21.84\00:27:24.00
send your questions to 3ABN
00:27:24.03\00:27:26.48
that is to House Calls
program at housecalls@3abn.org,
00:27:26.51\00:27:30.93
that's housecalls@3abn.org.
00:27:30.96\00:27:34.20
And we would
tremendously appreciate
00:27:34.23\00:27:36.18
getting a chance
to respond to it.
00:27:36.21\00:27:38.10
We have some more
about wine and other things
00:27:38.13\00:27:40.28
that we will
entertain on a future program.
00:27:40.31\00:27:43.45
But let's dive into
the topic for today.
00:27:43.48\00:27:45.35
You know, friends, this is
a topic that really excites me
00:27:45.38\00:27:49.25
and I believe that,
you know, John and I share,
00:27:49.28\00:27:51.72
there is a similar
excitement because we are--
00:27:51.75\00:27:54.37
what I would
refer to as sentinels,
00:27:54.40\00:27:57.27
I'm gonna use that
word, champions of the truth.
00:27:57.30\00:28:00.97
People who love the
Lord and love even more,
00:28:01.00\00:28:04.48
proclaiming His
message and His truth.
00:28:04.51\00:28:07.59
And, John, there is a growing
tendency in our world today
00:28:07.62\00:28:11.70
to shy away from the word
truth in Christian circles.
00:28:11.73\00:28:18.05
Some people think that
the word truth is divisive,
00:28:18.08\00:28:22.13
suggesting exclusivity
and leaning toward elitism.
00:28:22.16\00:28:27.96
And so nowadays when
people say or when we say,
00:28:27.99\00:28:31.48
well, this is the truth
about that particular topic
00:28:31.51\00:28:33.73
or this is the
truth about that topic.
00:28:33.76\00:28:36.71
Sometimes people say,
well, are you saying that
00:28:36.74\00:28:39.60
because we don't
agree with what you teach,
00:28:39.63\00:28:41.76
that somehow we are lost
00:28:41.79\00:28:43.30
or we are wrong or
we're not really Christians?
00:28:43.33\00:28:46.75
But I think that
where we're headed
00:28:46.78\00:28:48.56
with this particular program is
00:28:48.59\00:28:50.55
in a world where
pluralism and diversity
00:28:50.58\00:28:54.55
has taken over the landscape
00:28:54.58\00:28:57.65
and what I mean by
that is some people say that
00:28:57.68\00:28:59.86
well, in the
pluralistic postmodern society,
00:28:59.89\00:29:03.83
you can hear the
phrases like, there's got to be
00:29:03.86\00:29:06.71
more than one interpretation
of that Bible text.
00:29:06.74\00:29:09.39
And one of the ones, John,
that people really fight against
00:29:09.42\00:29:11.48
is if you love me,
keep my commandments.
00:29:11.51\00:29:15.25
And people say,
well, there's got to be
00:29:15.28\00:29:17.17
more than one
interpretation to that text.
00:29:17.20\00:29:19.93
And so in a society
where pluralism has taken over
00:29:19.96\00:29:23.10
the landscape
even in Christianity,
00:29:23.13\00:29:26.62
many that are highly educated
00:29:26.65\00:29:28.86
used the Bible now
as a book of suggestions
00:29:28.89\00:29:31.88
rather than a
book of as a guidepost
00:29:31.91\00:29:35.36
to teachings that
are affirm and sure.
00:29:35.39\00:29:39.45
And so in a
pluralistic society, people say,
00:29:39.48\00:29:42.45
how do you know that
I'm wrong and you are right
00:29:42.48\00:29:44.47
or how do you know that
I'm right and you are wrong.
00:29:44.50\00:29:47.23
See, so what makes
you so different than us.
00:29:47.26\00:29:50.38
And so nowadays instead of
going straight to the Bible
00:29:50.41\00:29:53.24
and say this is what
it means and nothing else,
00:29:53.27\00:29:56.67
we're now living in
a pluralistic society
00:29:56.70\00:29:59.08
and straight
forward Bible truths
00:29:59.11\00:30:01.30
have been replaced
with shades of gray.
00:30:01.33\00:30:03.95
You know, I think the
other thing too is that
00:30:03.98\00:30:07.83
there is truth and then there is
the way that people look at it.
00:30:07.86\00:30:12.56
And when we say
that there is truth,
00:30:12.59\00:30:15.59
I think we're
talking about something
00:30:15.62\00:30:17.28
that maybe is a little different
than others talk about,
00:30:17.31\00:30:20.78
when they talk about truth.
00:30:20.81\00:30:21.89
And I'm not
saying just John and I,
00:30:21.92\00:30:23.58
I'm just saying that
those who read the word
00:30:23.61\00:30:27.62
understand truth or see
the truth in a different light
00:30:27.65\00:30:30.55
because when you
follow the word of God,
00:30:30.58\00:30:34.75
that is the truth,
okay. That's right.
00:30:34.78\00:30:37.91
But if you're not
following the word of God,
00:30:37.94\00:30:39.80
then truth is gonna
be something else to you.
00:30:39.83\00:30:43.41
And the Bible says very clear
00:30:43.44\00:30:45.06
and we read this in
the Gospel of John 17:17
00:30:45.09\00:30:48.25
"Sanctify them by Your
truth. Your word is truth."
00:30:48.28\00:30:54.11
Okay, pretty clear.
Very straight forward.
00:30:54.14\00:30:56.13
So if John or I'm talking about
truth today in this program,
00:30:56.16\00:31:01.41
what we are depending upon,
00:31:01.44\00:31:02.89
where we're standing
on is not what we believe.
00:31:02.92\00:31:05.81
We're saying, this is
what the word of God says.
00:31:05.84\00:31:10.14
And the word of God is truth.
00:31:10.17\00:31:12.56
So there are those
out in the world say,
00:31:12.59\00:31:14.00
well, you-- that's
the way that you see it
00:31:14.03\00:31:15.38
or that's the way that--
00:31:15.41\00:31:16.47
Will, I would
suggest that if someone
00:31:16.50\00:31:20.45
has another foundation of truth,
00:31:20.48\00:31:23.46
then they would come up
with a different conclusion.
00:31:23.49\00:31:26.01
But what we're saying is
00:31:26.04\00:31:27.37
we're standing
on the word of God
00:31:27.40\00:31:29.08
and this is what the
word of God says is truth.
00:31:29.11\00:31:32.06
So, you know, we
don't want to offend.
00:31:32.09\00:31:35.73
No one is looking to
offend somebody by saying,
00:31:35.76\00:31:37.40
well, I'm sharing
the truth with you,
00:31:37.43\00:31:38.92
I'm gonna give
you what the truth is
00:31:38.95\00:31:40.85
because we're not
saying it's my truth,
00:31:40.88\00:31:42.44
this isn't John's
truth, this isn't my truth,
00:31:42.47\00:31:45.44
this is what God's
word says is truth.
00:31:45.47\00:31:48.49
And truth also
comes by a preponderance
00:31:48.52\00:31:51.27
of the evidence
of all of God's word,
00:31:51.30\00:31:53.70
it's not just one text taken
00:31:53.73\00:31:56.50
the way that
someone wants to read it
00:31:56.53\00:31:58.16
because if you compare that one
text with just the text itself
00:31:58.19\00:32:03.45
or even yourself, it's
gonna be your world view.
00:32:03.48\00:32:06.36
It's gonna be your
thoughts and your truth
00:32:06.39\00:32:09.16
which where it's what the Bible
calls a private interpretation.
00:32:09.19\00:32:12.18
Right, very good point.
00:32:12.21\00:32:13.24
But the truth that
this is talking about
00:32:13.27\00:32:15.33
as the truth of God's word
00:32:15.36\00:32:16.45
that is more than
just single text here,
00:32:16.48\00:32:18.44
it is the Bible put
together in its entirety
00:32:18.47\00:32:21.17
and that's what we seek to share
with you each and every week.
00:32:21.20\00:32:24.36
So I just want to
qualify truth there
00:32:24.39\00:32:26.47
as we begin to
talk about it today.
00:32:26.50\00:32:28.50
The other thing that, you know,
00:32:28.53\00:32:30.66
I'm using this word
postmodernism and diversity
00:32:30.69\00:32:36.73
and I'll also add
another word ecumenical.
00:32:36.76\00:32:40.55
There is this pushed
to correlates together
00:32:40.58\00:32:42.81
into a
particular thought pattern
00:32:42.84\00:32:45.09
and if you don't correlates
into that thought pattern,
00:32:45.12\00:32:46.92
you are seen as an outsider--
there is even a new definition.
00:32:46.95\00:32:51.01
A few years ago the
pope clearly defined,
00:32:51.04\00:32:56.72
gave a new definition
for what a Christian is.
00:32:56.75\00:32:59.88
And unless you fell
onto that definition,
00:32:59.91\00:33:03.34
then you are
outside of the realm
00:33:03.37\00:33:05.68
of what a "Christian is."
00:33:05.71\00:33:08.53
But another word that
has come to the forefront
00:33:08.56\00:33:11.17
that has been used to water down
00:33:11.20\00:33:13.84
the truth of God's
word is a word relevance.
00:33:13.87\00:33:17.65
Is it relevant to our society,
is it relevant to the church.
00:33:17.68\00:33:21.34
And what so
deceptive about relevance is
00:33:21.37\00:33:25.00
it doesn't deny the
truth, it just argues
00:33:25.03\00:33:28.41
whether or not it's relevant,
00:33:28.44\00:33:30.66
whether or not
it matters anymore.
00:33:30.69\00:33:32.55
And so, you know,
we have to look at that
00:33:32.58\00:33:35.01
and so you look at
the two categories.
00:33:35.04\00:33:37.81
One is the attack, Satan seeks
to attack something to kill it
00:33:37.84\00:33:40.93
and if he can't kill it he seeks
to modify it or water it down.
00:33:40.96\00:33:45.78
And so one would be getting
rid of the word truth altogether
00:33:45.81\00:33:48.97
and the other one would be,
00:33:49.00\00:33:51.46
does it really
matter, is it really relevant.
00:33:51.49\00:33:54.00
And John, remember
in the Book of Daniel,
00:33:54.03\00:33:56.80
one of the things that the Bible
says the antichrist had done
00:33:56.83\00:34:00.00
was he cast truth
to the ground, you see.
00:34:00.03\00:34:04.01
And we're living
in that day and age
00:34:04.04\00:34:05.31
where truth has
been cast to the ground.
00:34:05.34\00:34:08.03
And how strange it is at a time
00:34:08.06\00:34:10.00
where there seems
to be more Christians
00:34:10.03\00:34:11.75
and more Bibles
than ever before,
00:34:11.78\00:34:14.20
we're looking for the truth.
00:34:14.23\00:34:15.87
And so that's why the program
is entitled "To tell the truth."
00:34:15.90\00:34:18.66
And lies are never--are
rarely completely manufactured.
00:34:18.69\00:34:24.48
Lies are usually
variance of the truth
00:34:24.51\00:34:26.58
to be a successful lie.
00:34:26.61\00:34:29.78
You know, if someone hit
you with the direct question.
00:34:29.81\00:34:32.86
You know, where were
you on such and such a time.
00:34:32.89\00:34:35.60
You know, the
truth is you were gone.
00:34:35.63\00:34:39.38
So you can't say, I was
here right under your nose.
00:34:39.41\00:34:45.30
The truth is it has to be a--
00:34:45.33\00:34:46.81
the lie has to be adopted
off of some element of truth.
00:34:46.84\00:34:49.87
I was gone but
here's where I was, okay.
00:34:49.90\00:34:53.31
So when devil manufactures
or puts together a lie,
00:34:53.34\00:34:56.54
he doesn't do it
entirely apart from some truth.
00:34:56.57\00:35:01.80
He takes elements of truth
00:35:01.83\00:35:03.12
and then mingles
the lie, his lie with it
00:35:03.15\00:35:06.36
and he distorts what is
called truth to fit his pattern.
00:35:06.39\00:35:10.37
I want to read a
text here just briefly
00:35:10.40\00:35:12.40
from 2 Thessalonians 2. Okay.
00:35:12.43\00:35:15.71
And some strong
words about the truth
00:35:15.74\00:35:18.18
but I think it's a good
one to springboard off of
00:35:18.21\00:35:20.24
because we do need
to understand I believe,
00:35:20.27\00:35:22.02
the God's word tells
us we need to search for
00:35:22.05\00:35:25.21
and understand the truth
00:35:25.24\00:35:26.27
because it is an issue
of being saved or lost.
00:35:26.30\00:35:30.43
It can be that important.
And I believe is that important.
00:35:30.46\00:35:35.48
And it says here in
2 Thessalonians 2:9.
00:35:35.51\00:35:38.31
"The coming of the lawless one
00:35:38.34\00:35:40.40
is according to
the working of Satan,
00:35:40.43\00:35:41.85
with all power, signs,
and--" what kind of wonders?
00:35:41.88\00:35:44.26
Lying. "Lying wonders.
00:35:44.29\00:35:47.44
And with all
unrighteous deception."
00:35:47.47\00:35:50.21
Notice he's gonna deceive
not only live but deceive.
00:35:50.24\00:35:53.39
"Among those who perish,
00:35:53.42\00:35:55.29
because they did not
receive the love of a truth."
00:35:55.32\00:35:58.51
The truth. What?
00:35:58.54\00:36:01.08
Love of the truth. I
thought it was a truth.
00:36:01.11\00:36:05.28
No, it does say
the love of the truth
00:36:05.31\00:36:07.39
and so there is
one truth not a truth,
00:36:07.42\00:36:10.25
but the truth that
they might be what?
00:36:10.28\00:36:13.33
Saved. "Saved.
00:36:13.36\00:36:15.14
And for this reason God
will send them strong delusion."
00:36:15.17\00:36:19.23
In other words they
are confused about it.
00:36:19.26\00:36:20.89
"That they
should believe the lie."
00:36:20.92\00:36:23.06
Notice the
comparison the truth, the lie.
00:36:23.09\00:36:25.86
The lie, there is
the truth and the lie,
00:36:25.89\00:36:28.22
not a truth and a lie.
00:36:28.25\00:36:30.37
This is the ultimate truth,
00:36:30.40\00:36:31.47
the ultimate
lie that opposes it.
00:36:31.50\00:36:33.90
That they all maybe
condemned who did not believe--
00:36:33.93\00:36:37.63
not a truth again
but the truth again.
00:36:37.66\00:36:40.85
But had pleasured
in unrighteousness.
00:36:40.88\00:36:44.24
So you see, they
were saved, John,
00:36:44.27\00:36:46.24
or lost because of the fact
00:36:46.27\00:36:48.71
they did not receive
the truth, not a truth.
00:36:48.74\00:36:52.55
It doesn't matter
that you believe something.
00:36:52.58\00:36:55.60
It matters that
you believe the truth
00:36:55.63\00:36:58.31
or the right thing and
that is what God's word says.
00:36:58.34\00:37:02.58
So if you say, well,
no it's not how I see it.
00:37:02.61\00:37:06.63
And you oppose or have a
different view of something
00:37:06.66\00:37:09.46
than someone else
does, one of you is wrong.
00:37:09.49\00:37:12.89
That's right. Or maybe both.
00:37:12.92\00:37:15.30
But there is always
a right and a wrong.
00:37:15.33\00:37:18.24
And I understand there is a gray
area when it comes to ethics.
00:37:18.27\00:37:21.56
Okay, the
application of ethics here
00:37:21.59\00:37:24.28
but we're talking
about God's word does,
00:37:24.31\00:37:26.65
it is black and
white, it does have truth,
00:37:26.68\00:37:28.31
it does have error
and that's what I believe
00:37:28.34\00:37:30.48
Paul is talking
about in his letter
00:37:30.51\00:37:32.58
to the
Thessalonica Church. Right.
00:37:32.61\00:37:35.93
The other way
that Satan is fighting
00:37:35.96\00:37:37.57
against truth today
is couple of questions.
00:37:37.60\00:37:41.04
Does it really matter, you know,
00:37:41.07\00:37:43.48
people get down to that,
"Well, does it really matter?"
00:37:43.51\00:37:45.59
And we're gonna intersperse
throughout our discussion here,
00:37:45.62\00:37:48.73
some of the
topics that have fallen
00:37:48.76\00:37:50.69
into the category of
does it really matter.
00:37:50.72\00:37:53.50
One of those that really
00:37:53.53\00:37:56.68
is a hot button
is the Sabbath truth.
00:37:56.71\00:38:00.33
Does it really matter?
00:38:00.36\00:38:02.71
I mean, you find--
if you look at the world
00:38:02.74\00:38:05.08
and the way the
world has been established
00:38:05.11\00:38:07.20
in observance of
a particular day,
00:38:07.23\00:38:09.54
then Sunday has
risen to the forefront
00:38:09.57\00:38:11.51
kind of like somebody taken
a brand new toothpaste tube
00:38:11.54\00:38:14.69
and just
squeezing that whole thing,
00:38:14.72\00:38:15.99
it just, you know, it's full.
00:38:16.02\00:38:18.69
As compare to the Sabbath
00:38:18.72\00:38:20.15
is almost like a toothpaste
tube with nothing left in it.
00:38:20.18\00:38:23.21
And you're trying to squeeze
out and say I have toothpaste
00:38:23.24\00:38:25.55
and somebody says
well, it's so little,
00:38:25.58\00:38:27.87
why even pay attention to
it you got a full tube here.
00:38:27.90\00:38:31.34
And so the world is full
when it comes to its adherence
00:38:31.37\00:38:34.96
and allegiance to the
first day of the week.
00:38:34.99\00:38:37.91
I mean, that's the dictionary
00:38:37.94\00:38:38.97
called Sunday the
first day of the week.
00:38:39.00\00:38:41.19
But a lot of people that
honor the first of the week
00:38:41.22\00:38:44.78
and do so in lieu of the Sabbath
00:38:44.81\00:38:47.71
they say, "Well,
does it really matter
00:38:47.74\00:38:49.81
more than a
relationship with Jesus.
00:38:49.84\00:38:52.13
And so John, I mean,
how do you answer that?
00:38:52.16\00:38:54.35
Somebody says, "Okay,
you are keeping the Sabbath,
00:38:54.38\00:38:56.46
but is it more important
than a relationship with Jesus?"
00:38:56.49\00:39:01.40
This is tough,
that's a tough question
00:39:01.43\00:39:03.02
but I mean, you
know, we know the answer
00:39:03.05\00:39:04.49
but does the
Sabbath really matter,
00:39:04.52\00:39:07.18
as you compare with the
relationship with Jesus,
00:39:07.21\00:39:09.40
you know, I had
relationship with Him
00:39:09.43\00:39:11.02
and you got the
Sabbath, does it really matter?
00:39:11.05\00:39:12.84
I mean, let's look at that.
00:39:12.87\00:39:14.01
You know, and we could
apply this to anything,
00:39:14.04\00:39:15.07
I mean, we're
talking about the Sabbath
00:39:15.10\00:39:16.13
and we'll talk a
little bit more about it here.
00:39:16.16\00:39:18.04
But, you know, with
any truth in God's word
00:39:18.07\00:39:20.56
does it really matter more than
the relationship with Jesus.
00:39:20.59\00:39:23.31
Well, you know, the question
we got to ask ourselves is
00:39:23.34\00:39:25.81
what does the relationship
with Jesus mean, right.
00:39:25.84\00:39:29.69
I mean, what is the
relationship with Jesus mean?
00:39:29.72\00:39:31.83
Does my relationship with John
00:39:31.86\00:39:34.43
mean that I can
do anything I want
00:39:34.46\00:39:37.18
or believe
anything I want about him
00:39:37.21\00:39:39.14
and our
relationship is still maintain
00:39:39.17\00:39:42.74
at the same level or degree.
00:39:42.77\00:39:45.77
Could I believe
the worst about him?
00:39:45.80\00:39:47.22
Can I believe things
that are untrue about him
00:39:47.25\00:39:49.34
and operate off
of that foundation,
00:39:49.37\00:39:52.22
that foundation
of error about him
00:39:52.25\00:39:53.93
and still call
him my good friend?
00:39:53.96\00:39:57.28
I would say
that he would suggest
00:39:57.31\00:39:59.46
or tell me if I were
to do that, come on, John,
00:39:59.49\00:40:03.44
you know what I
mean, I didn't do that.
00:40:03.47\00:40:06.67
Well, how could you
believe that about me?
00:40:06.70\00:40:08.45
Or I mean, a relationship is
built on truth. That's right.
00:40:08.48\00:40:15.97
It's built on trust and
if it's not built on that,
00:40:16.00\00:40:19.87
if I don't know
where you are coming from
00:40:19.90\00:40:21.57
and you don't where I'm
coming from in our relationship,
00:40:21.60\00:40:23.62
it's not a strong
relationship. That's right.
00:40:23.65\00:40:25.46
So you know, is the
relationship more important?
00:40:25.49\00:40:28.37
Both are important.
It's not one or the other.
00:40:28.40\00:40:32.15
Truth is important to
our relationship with Jesus.
00:40:32.18\00:40:35.29
And anyway weighing on that
00:40:35.32\00:40:37.29
'cause I have some
other things I'd like to--
00:40:37.32\00:40:39.10
You know, and I'm gonna
just go ahead and make the point
00:40:39.13\00:40:41.69
based on what we
just talked about
00:40:41.72\00:40:42.75
in the context of the Sabbath.
00:40:42.78\00:40:45.27
If the Sabbath
were not important
00:40:45.30\00:40:49.33
or if the relationship
with Jesus was more important,
00:40:49.36\00:40:54.11
then you have a
really difficult time
00:40:54.14\00:40:56.97
saying that all that
is based on the Bible.
00:40:57.00\00:40:59.20
Let me put those two together.
00:40:59.23\00:41:01.08
When Jesus says
in Ezekiel 20:12.
00:41:01.11\00:41:05.02
"Moreover or furthermore
I also gave them My Sabbaths
00:41:05.05\00:41:08.62
to be a sign between them
and Me, that they might know
00:41:08.65\00:41:12.35
that I am the Lord
who sanctifies them."
00:41:12.38\00:41:15.10
The Sabbath is a
sign of a relationship.
00:41:15.13\00:41:18.00
Let me use the comparison now.
00:41:18.03\00:41:20.06
It's like my wife saying to me,
00:41:20.09\00:41:21.56
"Honey, you
forgot our anniversary."
00:41:21.59\00:41:24.69
And I say to her,
"Honey, what's more important,
00:41:24.72\00:41:27.08
our anniversary
or our relationship.
00:41:27.11\00:41:29.59
And she says to me,
00:41:29.62\00:41:30.85
our anniversary is a
sign of our relationship.
00:41:30.88\00:41:34.76
If you love me, our anniversary
00:41:34.79\00:41:36.96
would be something
you would remember.
00:41:36.99\00:41:38.63
And so to separate
the two is to say that
00:41:38.66\00:41:40.40
we don't understand really what
the relationship with Christ is.
00:41:40.43\00:41:43.18
A relationship with
Christ does not omit truth.
00:41:43.21\00:41:47.82
Our relationship with
Christ includes truth.
00:41:47.85\00:41:51.22
So the Sabbath being
the truth cannot be omitted
00:41:51.25\00:41:54.39
and then all of
the sudden we say
00:41:54.42\00:41:55.47
our relationship with
Christ is as relevant as yours
00:41:55.50\00:41:58.42
because we
forget and you remember
00:41:58.45\00:42:01.55
or because we
remember and you forget.
00:42:01.58\00:42:04.16
You cannot say the Lord asks us
00:42:04.19\00:42:06.78
to remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy.
00:42:06.81\00:42:09.19
And you say Lord, I am
not gonna remember that,
00:42:09.22\00:42:12.10
I'm just gonna have a
relationship with you.
00:42:12.13\00:42:14.42
It doesn't make sense.
00:42:14.45\00:42:15.80
But that's what
happening in our world today.
00:42:15.83\00:42:18.31
In a pluralistic,
postmodern, ecumenical society
00:42:18.34\00:42:22.10
where everybody
is pushing us all
00:42:22.13\00:42:23.67
to get back into
same tube of toothpaste.
00:42:23.70\00:42:26.50
People are saying,
well, now what do we unload
00:42:26.53\00:42:29.42
to get into
this toothpaste tube.
00:42:29.45\00:42:31.22
And a number of years ago, John,
00:42:31.25\00:42:32.42
I heard that it was at a
Promise Keepers Convention
00:42:32.45\00:42:36.65
where I'm not gonna mention
the person's name but he says,
00:42:36.68\00:42:39.47
"Okay at the count
of three everybody,
00:42:39.50\00:42:41.52
you know,
mentioned their denomination
00:42:41.55\00:42:43.55
and all the
men, thousands of men
00:42:43.58\00:42:46.23
mentioned their denominations
and you can imagine
00:42:46.26\00:42:48.46
all the names
flying through the air.
00:42:48.49\00:42:50.38
It sound like
battle of Armageddon,
00:42:50.41\00:42:52.09
it sound like just confusion.
00:42:52.12\00:42:54.15
And then he says, okay, okay,
now let's do that over again.
00:42:54.18\00:42:57.16
At the count of
three let's all just say
00:42:57.19\00:42:58.60
mention the name
Jesus and, you know--
00:42:58.63\00:43:01.84
To whom you put your faith
00:43:01.87\00:43:02.93
and I think is what
you're saying. Yeah.
00:43:02.96\00:43:04.26
Let's mention who you trust
for your salvation or, yeah.
00:43:04.29\00:43:07.36
And so he mentioned Jesus.
00:43:07.39\00:43:09.45
And so but the inference was
00:43:09.48\00:43:11.41
get rid of all your
beliefs and just look to Jesus.
00:43:11.44\00:43:15.82
And but Jesus doesn't, He
is not an advocate of that.
00:43:15.85\00:43:20.08
He is saying, look to Me first
00:43:20.11\00:43:23.56
and those things
that you believe about Me
00:43:23.59\00:43:26.29
will strengthen
our relationship.
00:43:26.32\00:43:28.59
But we're in the
society nowadays that says,
00:43:28.62\00:43:31.63
does it apply to this generation
00:43:31.66\00:43:33.14
like it applied to the
generations in the past.
00:43:33.17\00:43:35.38
Well, the question would
be, does the Lord change.
00:43:35.41\00:43:37.44
Now the Bible even says,
00:43:37.47\00:43:38.52
"He holds His
word above His name."
00:43:38.55\00:43:41.95
Oh, that's right.
00:43:41.98\00:43:43.76
So, you know,
this guy is saying,
00:43:43.79\00:43:45.10
let's just all say
Jesus, O Jesus, see.
00:43:45.13\00:43:48.30
You know, He says, My
word is even above My name,
00:43:48.33\00:43:51.88
that's how valuable His
word is when Jesus comes again.
00:43:51.91\00:43:54.61
This is interesting, John.
00:43:54.64\00:43:55.92
When Jesus comes again,
if you look at Revelation 19.
00:43:55.95\00:43:59.34
It says that "He
is called the word."
00:43:59.37\00:44:03.20
The word, not a
word, but the word.
00:44:03.23\00:44:08.06
Why is Jesus come as
the judge of the world
00:44:08.09\00:44:11.51
and His name is the word
00:44:11.54\00:44:13.96
because the word is
what judges the people.
00:44:13.99\00:44:18.58
So for you to say,
00:44:18.61\00:44:19.64
well, the word isn't
so important or truth.
00:44:19.67\00:44:21.66
The truth we've
already talked about the truth
00:44:21.69\00:44:23.20
is the word of God that
the word is not so important,
00:44:23.23\00:44:27.85
you're actually
taking away from God Himself
00:44:27.88\00:44:31.91
because He holds His
word even above His name.
00:44:31.94\00:44:34.12
That's right. He--
00:44:34.15\00:44:35.20
And forbid that we
would do that, you know--
00:44:35.23\00:44:38.73
Matter of fact, if
we go to the next verse.
00:44:38.76\00:44:40.60
Think of the word,
David says in the text
00:44:40.63\00:44:42.52
that John is
refereing to is Psalms 138:2.
00:44:42.55\00:44:45.17
Notice the Lord says,
00:44:45.20\00:44:46.51
"For you have magnified
your word above all you name."
00:44:46.54\00:44:52.62
Notice, He didn't
minimize His word,
00:44:52.65\00:44:54.98
He magnified His word.
00:44:55.01\00:44:56.87
The word of God Jesus magnified
the word, His written word.
00:44:56.90\00:45:02.57
Yeah, Paul talks about
the word that sanctifies
00:45:02.60\00:45:05.38
and purifies is able to
save your soul. That's right.
00:45:05.41\00:45:08.26
So I mean, the word
can save. That's right.
00:45:08.29\00:45:11.19
And anyway we're gonna go
00:45:11.22\00:45:14.14
a lot of directions
in this topic I know.
00:45:14.17\00:45:16.17
But I wanted to go
one direction here that
00:45:16.20\00:45:18.57
last Sabbath I preached a sermon
00:45:18.60\00:45:20.72
and I come out
of from an approach
00:45:20.75\00:45:22.88
that I'd not seen before.
00:45:22.91\00:45:23.98
You know, you got
those uh-huh moments.
00:45:24.01\00:45:25.54
I got to preach about
that. Well, this was it.
00:45:25.57\00:45:28.12
And I'm going to Romans
6. All right, go to Romans 6.
00:45:28.15\00:45:31.05
You know, we all,
if you believe in Jesus
00:45:31.08\00:45:33.50
one of the things
he asked you to do
00:45:33.53\00:45:34.76
is your profession of faith,
John, is to be baptized. Right.
00:45:34.79\00:45:39.34
And so we declare our
faith, our belief in Jesus,
00:45:39.37\00:45:42.26
we're baptized and
ecumenism would tell you
00:45:42.29\00:45:45.31
well, you know, the
truth isn't the important part,
00:45:45.34\00:45:47.56
just get baptized or just put
your faith and trust in Jesus
00:45:47.59\00:45:51.18
and you will be just fine.
00:45:51.21\00:45:52.84
Right, that's the one time deal.
00:45:52.87\00:45:54.62
We're on the heels
of Paul's discussion
00:45:54.65\00:45:57.93
about baptism in Romans 6.
00:45:57.96\00:46:01.41
Are these words
as he continues on
00:46:01.44\00:46:03.96
to talk about the
importance of baptism.
00:46:03.99\00:46:07.08
And so verse 15 is
where I'll begin here.
00:46:07.11\00:46:10.82
He says, "What then?
00:46:10.85\00:46:14.63
Shall we sin because we are
not under law but under grace?"
00:46:14.66\00:46:18.92
And he answers the question
for himself, certainly not.
00:46:18.95\00:46:22.90
"Do you not know that
00:46:22.93\00:46:25.06
to whom you present
yourselves slaves to obey,
00:46:25.09\00:46:27.97
you are that one's
slaves whom you obey,
00:46:28.00\00:46:31.25
whether of sin leading to death,
00:46:31.28\00:46:33.25
or of obedience
leading to righteousness?"
00:46:33.28\00:46:35.71
And you know, sometimes
we ask or we talk about
00:46:35.74\00:46:38.94
well, you have to
do this to be saved,
00:46:38.97\00:46:41.00
you have to do this to be saved.
00:46:41.03\00:46:42.42
And well, you know,
00:46:42.45\00:46:43.58
we're not saved by
works, we're saved by grace.
00:46:43.61\00:46:46.86
But come on, we in common
sense know that as a murderer
00:46:46.89\00:46:51.04
one going around
murdering people,
00:46:51.07\00:46:52.63
you're not gonna
go to heaven. Right.
00:46:52.66\00:46:54.28
You're running around stealing
from people all the time,
00:46:54.31\00:46:55.81
you're not gonna go to heaven,
00:46:55.84\00:46:56.87
you're running
on lying constantly,
00:46:56.90\00:46:58.00
you're not gonna go to heaven.
00:46:58.03\00:46:59.06
I mean, these commandments
are there to tell us
00:46:59.09\00:47:02.03
not only that we're sinners but
we're in a saving relationship
00:47:02.06\00:47:06.01
or lost
relationship depending upon
00:47:06.04\00:47:07.50
whether we're
committing those or not.
00:47:07.53\00:47:09.11
So sin is an issue to
God, that's why Jesus died.
00:47:09.14\00:47:12.89
But as we go on look
at what the Bible says,
00:47:12.92\00:47:15.97
look what Paul says after
talking about baptism here,
00:47:16.00\00:47:18.99
our obligation to
Christ. What verse now?
00:47:19.02\00:47:20.98
I'm in verse 17
now of Romans 6. Okay.
00:47:21.01\00:47:24.01
"But God be thanked that
though you were slaves of sin,
00:47:24.04\00:47:28.42
yet you obeyed from the heart
00:47:28.45\00:47:29.79
that form of doctrine
which you were delivered."
00:47:29.82\00:47:32.73
Okay, so you did what,
you went on to do what?
00:47:32.76\00:47:35.08
Obey. You obey.
00:47:35.11\00:47:37.02
Obey, so
obedience is an issue here.
00:47:37.05\00:47:39.44
"And having been
set free from sin."
00:47:39.47\00:47:41.75
And here's the key thing.
00:47:41.78\00:47:43.39
"You became
slaves of righteousness."
00:47:43.42\00:47:48.34
And I had to think
about that one, John,
00:47:48.37\00:47:50.50
you know, because I've always
been taught that when I'm free,
00:47:50.53\00:47:53.66
I'm not a slave anymore.
00:47:53.69\00:47:55.90
I'm right? Well, that's true.
00:47:55.93\00:47:58.61
Well, typically people
think if you're set free,
00:47:58.64\00:48:00.35
you're no longer a
slave but this says
00:48:00.38\00:48:03.17
that I'm set free from sin but
I'm a slave to righteousness.
00:48:03.20\00:48:07.07
Now I had to
grabble with that a bit.
00:48:07.10\00:48:08.74
Okay. So I read on verse 19.
00:48:08.77\00:48:11.98
"I speak in human terms because
of the weakness of your flesh.
00:48:12.01\00:48:15.22
For just as you
presented your members
00:48:15.25\00:48:16.86
as slaves of uncleanness,
00:48:16.89\00:48:18.74
and of lawlessness
leading to more lawlessness,
00:48:18.77\00:48:21.38
so now you present your members
00:48:21.41\00:48:22.82
as slaves of
righteousness for holiness."
00:48:22.85\00:48:28.56
So now wait a minute.
00:48:28.59\00:48:30.45
I have been set free by Jesus,
free from the power of sin
00:48:30.48\00:48:35.23
and I'm not--this is saying,
I'm not free to do as I please.
00:48:35.26\00:48:40.75
I become a slave to
righteousness, to holiness.
00:48:40.78\00:48:45.94
Elsewhere Paul says, "I
became a slave to Christ."
00:48:45.97\00:48:49.85
So this is telling me, I'm
not free to do as I please,
00:48:49.88\00:48:53.41
I became obliged or
obligated to not commit sin
00:48:53.44\00:48:58.73
but to do or to
perform acts of holiness.
00:48:58.76\00:49:03.60
So and let me break this
down in the practical aspect.
00:49:03.63\00:49:06.80
And I don't know
we've shared this before.
00:49:06.83\00:49:08.41
If you get pulled over as a
citizen of the United States
00:49:08.44\00:49:12.11
and as a citizen of
the State of Illinois
00:49:12.14\00:49:14.14
both of us are right now.
00:49:14.17\00:49:15.83
If I'm driving my
car 80 miles an hour--
00:49:15.86\00:49:19.21
let's make this a
little more personal--
00:49:19.24\00:49:21.09
let me tell you a story
00:49:21.12\00:49:22.33
this is fictitious by
the way so I didn't do this.
00:49:22.36\00:49:24.38
I'm driving 90 one day, John,
00:49:24.41\00:49:26.92
and a State
police pulled me over.
00:49:26.95\00:49:30.09
And he said, I caught
you doing 90 in a 65 zone.
00:49:30.12\00:49:34.84
I'm gonna give you a
ticket. Where you doing 90?
00:49:34.87\00:49:38.33
Oh, yeah, I was doing 90.
00:49:38.36\00:49:39.94
You know, I'm a pastor,
I need to tell the truth.
00:49:39.97\00:49:42.25
So he comes back and he writes
me the ticket, 90 in a 65 zone.
00:49:42.28\00:49:46.63
And then he says to
me, John, this is amazing.
00:49:46.66\00:49:48.92
He says, "Here's
your ticket for doing 90
00:49:48.95\00:49:52.54
and remember from now on,
00:49:52.57\00:49:55.61
now that you've
have this ticket once
00:49:55.64\00:49:57.49
you don't have to keep
the speeding laws anymore,
00:49:57.52\00:50:00.90
you can speed as
much as you want.
00:50:00.93\00:50:02.35
So you peel out.
00:50:02.38\00:50:03.62
So I peel out in front of
them and I get back up to--
00:50:03.65\00:50:06.01
I go up to 120
miles an hour, screaming
00:50:06.04\00:50:09.20
and he passes me
and waves. No way.
00:50:09.23\00:50:12.70
No way it could happen. Right.
00:50:12.73\00:50:14.75
You know what,
we teach this lie.
00:50:14.78\00:50:17.66
Christendom teaches this lie
that because we are in Christ,
00:50:17.69\00:50:22.98
we don't have to
keep the law anymore.
00:50:23.01\00:50:25.49
Because I'm a
citizen of the State
00:50:25.52\00:50:29.37
and I committed sin against
it but now I've been set free,
00:50:29.40\00:50:32.15
I don't have to obey
the speeding laws anymore
00:50:32.18\00:50:34.08
or other laws whatever that is.
00:50:34.11\00:50:36.09
The Ten Commandments have become
00:50:36.12\00:50:39.83
as I put my will
on the side of Christ
00:50:39.86\00:50:42.23
as I put my trust in Him,
00:50:42.26\00:50:43.53
it has become an
obligation to me.
00:50:43.56\00:50:46.83
That's why Paul
says, I became a slave
00:50:46.86\00:50:49.56
through righteousness,
a slave to Christ.
00:50:49.59\00:50:51.52
I become obligated to
serve Him in that way now.
00:50:51.55\00:50:55.91
So I'm not free
to do as I please,
00:50:55.94\00:50:58.32
I've now became a slave to Him.
00:50:58.35\00:51:00.45
But praise God this
Master that I serve now
00:51:00.48\00:51:03.54
loves me more than
my own father loves me,
00:51:03.57\00:51:06.48
so I will serve Him out
of love, but I will serve Him
00:51:06.51\00:51:10.21
in a way He's
called me to serve Him
00:51:10.24\00:51:11.80
in the truth of
keeping His commandments.
00:51:11.83\00:51:14.72
He says, "If you love
Me, keep My commandments."
00:51:14.75\00:51:18.98
But in the pluralistic
world like we've have nowadays
00:51:19.01\00:51:21.93
that has found a home in
Christianity and the phrase,
00:51:21.96\00:51:25.46
the argument
against that would be.
00:51:25.49\00:51:27.49
Well, I mean,
look at all the good
00:51:27.52\00:51:29.48
that's been done by Christians.
00:51:29.51\00:51:31.31
How can we allow our
believes to divide us from them.
00:51:31.34\00:51:35.59
And look at how the
good that's been done.
00:51:35.62\00:51:37.48
This pluralistic society
uses the argument of doing good
00:51:37.51\00:51:40.87
to fight against whether or not
00:51:40.90\00:51:42.30
keeping the commandments
of God are relevant anymore.
00:51:42.33\00:51:45.30
The other word is tolerance.
00:51:45.33\00:51:47.07
We're gonna be tolerant of those
00:51:47.10\00:51:49.17
who believe
something different than us.
00:51:49.20\00:51:51.18
But let's just entertain that
and what would the response be
00:51:51.21\00:51:54.00
to those who say, well,
look at all the good work,
00:51:54.03\00:51:58.03
we're feeding the hungry,
00:51:58.06\00:51:59.53
where we have
all these societies
00:51:59.56\00:52:01.62
are helping underprivileged
kids get a good education.
00:52:01.65\00:52:05.26
We are making
sure that the cities
00:52:05.29\00:52:06.90
that are broken
down are being built up.
00:52:06.93\00:52:08.25
All these things
are good and relevant.
00:52:08.28\00:52:10.24
But Matthew 7:21-23 is put there
00:52:10.27\00:52:16.97
so that we don't think
that the things that we do
00:52:17.00\00:52:20.43
now free us from
living by the will of God,
00:52:20.46\00:52:24.41
you see, and so when
you look at Matthew 7.
00:52:24.44\00:52:26.89
Look at that with
me for those of you--
00:52:26.92\00:52:28.39
some people know
it right off back,
00:52:28.42\00:52:30.65
but let me go and
read it, Matthew 7:21-23.
00:52:30.68\00:52:37.66
Here it is.
Okay, listen to this.
00:52:37.69\00:52:43.12
And this is in the context
of the doing all the stuff.
00:52:43.15\00:52:47.18
It's important and
everything I've mentioned so far
00:52:47.21\00:52:49.63
that I profess the
statement by a good things.
00:52:49.66\00:52:52.40
Yes, it's
important to feed the hungry.
00:52:52.43\00:52:54.60
It's important
to clothe the naked.
00:52:54.63\00:52:56.63
It's important to make sure
00:52:56.66\00:52:57.69
that underprivileged
kids get good education,
00:52:57.72\00:53:00.88
but the church
and the government now
00:53:00.91\00:53:02.25
has fought the
correlation somewhat
00:53:02.28\00:53:04.19
to better the
community very, very relevant.
00:53:04.22\00:53:07.95
But the question
I'm leading to is,
00:53:07.98\00:53:09.67
does it all of
the sudden now omit us
00:53:09.70\00:53:12.23
from standing
firmly on the truths
00:53:12.26\00:53:14.46
that God has taught in His word
00:53:14.49\00:53:16.42
and listen to what Jesus says?
00:53:16.45\00:53:18.42
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone
who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,'
00:53:18.45\00:53:24.19
shall enter the
kingdom of heaven,
00:53:24.22\00:53:26.05
but he who does the
will of My Father in heaven."
00:53:26.08\00:53:31.52
But here's the text.
00:53:31.55\00:53:33.85
"Many will say to Me
in that day, 'Lord, Lord,
00:53:33.88\00:53:36.90
have we not prophesied
or preached in Your name,
00:53:36.93\00:53:40.72
cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonderful works
00:53:40.75\00:53:46.44
or many wonders in Your name?'
00:53:46.47\00:53:49.07
And then I will declare
to them, or profess to them,
00:53:49.10\00:53:53.46
I never knew
you, depart from Me,
00:53:53.49\00:53:56.09
you who practice lawlessness
or you who work inequity."
00:53:56.12\00:54:01.28
Now why was that so important?
00:54:01.31\00:54:03.01
Notice He says,
I never knew you.
00:54:03.04\00:54:04.91
And here's the
context, John, 1 John 2:3-4.
00:54:04.94\00:54:08.26
"And hereby we do
know that we know him,
00:54:08.29\00:54:11.24
if we keep His commandments."
00:54:11.27\00:54:13.34
1 John 2:4, "He
that saith, I know Him,
00:54:13.37\00:54:16.43
and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar,
00:54:16.46\00:54:19.55
and the truth is not in him."
00:54:19.58\00:54:23.01
So, John, it doesn't take
00:54:23.04\00:54:24.27
a Christian organization
to better communities
00:54:24.30\00:54:26.43
but Christian organizations
that are better in communities
00:54:26.46\00:54:29.45
have an extra
obligation outside of the--
00:54:29.48\00:54:31.73
you know, the Red Cross or the--
00:54:31.76\00:54:34.54
you know, the foundation for
the betterment of our community.
00:54:34.57\00:54:37.45
They have an obligation
to also teach the truth
00:54:37.48\00:54:41.11
in the context of reaching
out and changing peoples lives.
00:54:41.14\00:54:44.14
The group here has
put the name of Christ
00:54:44.17\00:54:48.47
as an utterance,
just a mere speaking
00:54:48.50\00:54:51.66
of the name
above the word of God
00:54:51.69\00:54:56.07
as we already read from
Psalms, what was it 123? Yeah.
00:54:56.10\00:55:02.32
That He says, "I magnified
My word above My name."
00:55:02.35\00:55:06.25
Psalms 33:2. 138, Psalms 138.
00:55:06.28\00:55:09.98
138, okay, there we go.
00:55:10.01\00:55:11.73
So you have that reference
00:55:11.76\00:55:13.13
but so while God is elevating
His word to the highest standard
00:55:13.16\00:55:18.04
these people just
speaking the name of Jesus
00:55:18.07\00:55:20.51
have just used that
as a way of believing
00:55:20.54\00:55:26.24
or something that has
given them enough power
00:55:26.27\00:55:28.90
or given them all that
they need for their salvation.
00:55:28.93\00:55:34.09
And what is
Jesus' response to that?
00:55:34.12\00:55:36.13
He doesn't even
know them. Right.
00:55:36.16\00:55:38.23
So the issue is here
00:55:38.26\00:55:39.76
that there could be
people that exist in this world.
00:55:39.79\00:55:42.70
And in fact I think
He says many, not some.
00:55:42.73\00:55:45.29
Right, many, that's right.
Many, that's more than half.
00:55:45.32\00:55:48.41
Many will say in that
day, "Lord, Lord," okay.
00:55:48.44\00:55:53.51
So there are
lots of people today,
00:55:53.54\00:55:55.36
who are saying
that they are Christian,
00:55:55.39\00:55:56.55
they're taking on
the name of Christ
00:55:56.58\00:55:57.82
but they take it on in vain
00:55:57.85\00:55:59.34
because they don't
keep His commandments
00:55:59.37\00:56:02.04
or they don't follow His
word and what He says in it.
00:56:02.07\00:56:05.23
And even using the phrase,
they keep His commandments.
00:56:05.26\00:56:08.05
People say, there you go again
with those commandment keeping.
00:56:08.08\00:56:11.28
They're just the commandments
this, the commandments that.
00:56:11.31\00:56:14.15
Why do you guys make
00:56:14.18\00:56:15.21
such a big deal
about the commandments?
00:56:15.24\00:56:17.35
Well, you know,
Jesus made a huge deal.
00:56:17.38\00:56:19.40
He says, "If you love
Me, keep My commandments."
00:56:19.43\00:56:24.20
Remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy.
00:56:24.23\00:56:26.57
You notice the
word, keep is being
00:56:26.60\00:56:28.88
coming to the
surface over and over again.
00:56:28.91\00:56:30.88
And why would Jesus
say, remember, keep,
00:56:30.91\00:56:34.28
if He didn't want us
to remember and keep.
00:56:34.31\00:56:36.94
And that what's
happening nowadays,
00:56:36.97\00:56:38.27
all these good
work organizations,
00:56:38.30\00:56:39.87
all these, you know,
get a better portfolio,
00:56:39.90\00:56:43.02
here's how did the seven habits
of highly effective Christians
00:56:43.05\00:56:45.67
were following all
the secular mindset,
00:56:45.70\00:56:47.80
it's just
watering down the truth.
00:56:47.83\00:56:50.14
And we're gonna talk
about some other topics
00:56:50.17\00:56:51.87
that are just had
been shut off the pavement
00:56:51.90\00:56:55.00
by this whole
pluralistic society.
00:56:55.03\00:56:56.91
Yeah, and so you want to stay
tune here for this next program
00:56:56.94\00:57:00.03
'cause, John, we're gonna talk
about some hot button issues
00:57:00.06\00:57:03.21
just that generally come up
00:57:03.24\00:57:04.79
in topics of conversation
between Christians today.
00:57:04.82\00:57:07.91
That's right. And
so stay tune for those.
00:57:07.94\00:57:10.46
That's right, because
the truth really does matter
00:57:10.49\00:57:12.97
and as you know
here at House Calls,
00:57:13.00\00:57:14.73
the reason why we tell it
like it is in a loving ways
00:57:14.76\00:57:17.73
because we serve a loving Savior
00:57:17.76\00:57:19.49
who tells like it
is in a loving way.
00:57:19.52\00:57:21.98
It's not just
about knowing Jesus,
00:57:22.01\00:57:23.77
it's about knowing
the truth of His word
00:57:23.80\00:57:26.03
which in fact when
you know the truth,
00:57:26.06\00:57:27.87
it will make you free.
00:57:27.90\00:57:28.93
So begin that free
relationship in Christ
00:57:28.96\00:57:31.42
by having a good
day with Him today.
00:57:31.45\00:57:34.07
God bless you.
00:57:34.10\00:57:35.15