Hello, friends, grab your
Bible and a friend and sit back
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as we explore
God's word together
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on this edition
of "House Calls."
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Welcome to the
best Bible program
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on television at
this very minute.
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And if--I didn't
believe that I wouldn't be here.
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But I'm not here by myself.
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I have my good
friend John Stanton.
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Good to see you, John.
It's good to be here, John.
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I tell you, we
enjoy it every time
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we get together with you
to study the word of God.
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So you're going to
need some basic equipment.
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You need a Bible, may
be you'll need a computer
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if you want to send us a message
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and invite your
family and friends together
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to sit down for
this next thoughtful hour
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as we walk through
the Word of God together.
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John, what do we going to
be studying this time around?
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We're going to study the
work of the spirit. Okay.
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In the life of
each church member
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and how we respond to that.
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Okay. Well, that
sounds good to me.
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But, you know
friends, before we do anything
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we always like to
begin with prayer.
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So John is going to lead
us before the Lord in prayer.
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So bow your heads with us
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as we invite God's
presence to be with us.
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Dear Father, in
heaven, we thank You again
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for an
opportunity to open Your word
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and we pray Lord that You'll
draw us especially close to You
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that we might hear
Your spirit speak to us
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that You might draw us
near to Your truth and--
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and that You
would change our hearts.
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We pray in Jesus name, amen.
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Also friends,
many of you know that
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our program is
made of Bible questions.
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Not just what we
talk about in our topics,
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but also Bible questions.
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And many of you have
sent Bible questions to us.
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We tried to download them
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and some of you who
sent actual physical letters,
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we thank you when you
make your questions concise.
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But if you have any questions
you like to send to us,
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send those to
housecalls@3abn.org,
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that's housecalls@3abn.org,
and we'll download those.
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And hopefully give you an
answer that will sufficiently
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respond to you as to
what the Word of God says
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or as in some cases
what the text means.
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But, John, why don't
you dive into it today
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and give us our first question.
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Yeah, it's a question, it
comes from Kevin. All right.
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And it's a question that
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I've heard many
times as a pastor actually.
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And I know that I
really identify with those
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whose heart goes out to friends
and neighbors and co-workers.
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To be able to witness to them
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and I know there are
many struggles in that today.
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But this person Kevin
writes in this question,
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"Do you have any words
of wisdom on how to witness
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to an 80-year-old man
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who has a
distorted understanding
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of the State of the Dead
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and does not believe
in the existence of Satan?
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And also someone who
denies the crucifixion of Jesus
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and does not believe in sin?"
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You know, the
Bible really doesn't give
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a lot of counsel necessarily
or specifically in regard to
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how to witness
someone when they do not
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necessarily
respond to the Word of God.
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And I think that really is
the issue, John, here is that
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whenever you're going to study
and you're going to look for
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and find God's will it comes
through His word. That's right.
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And, you know, His word is
how the early church began.
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The Book of Acts is full
of the preaching of the word.
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How the word went out?
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And many were converted
through the word of God
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and through
preaching and teaching.
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In fact Acts 19:20,
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"The Word of the Lord
grew mightily and prevailed."
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It wasn't the disciples
and the apostles who prevailed,
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it was the Word of God
that prevailed. That's right.
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And so if someone wants
to have their own beliefs
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and they don't want
to hear the Word of God,
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there is nothing much
you can really do. True.
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So as far as
convincing them of what is right
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on the State of the
Dead and what's right on
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whether or not Satan exists
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and what is right on
the crucifixion of Jesus.
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The real issue here is.
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Are they willing to
agree with the Word of God?
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Are they willing
to open the Bible
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and trust what is there?
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John, I find that
there is a forum--
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actually a few of them that I've
been a part of over the years.
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Bible questions and it's,
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you know, not really
a denominational forum.
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It's just any
Christian can get on there
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and they ask
questions and people answer.
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And there's a lot of dialogue,
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there's lot of back
and forth with some people.
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They express an opinion
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and then the next
person expresses their opinion
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and what I find on
those is a lot of opinions.
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They aren't a lot of text.
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But some do
bring in text to play
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and they try to do
their best to provide
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an interpretation of
those an accurate one.
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But one of the things I
find over and over again
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that really I struggle with is,
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a consistency with how
to study the Word of God.
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One of the things
I'm speaking specifically
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about here today is that
sometimes in these forums
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especially
lately I'm finding that
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people are interpreting things.
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There they're using the word
as an analogy, a nice story.
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And there isn't a lot
of literal interpretation
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of the Word of God
anymore. I got you.
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So if they're reading something
a plain thus says the Lord.
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What Jesus says,
"it is written." Right.
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But then they say, Well,
but here's what it really means.
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They're doing a lot of
their own interpretation.
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They're expanding,
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there's these two
terms exegesis and eisegesis.
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Exegesis is pulling exegetically
out of the word what it means.
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Eisegesis is reading
into it your own opinions.
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And there's a lot of eisegesis
going on in there today.
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It has nothing to do with Jesus.
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It's just the way
the word is, eisegesis.
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It's using an analogous
approach to the Word of God.
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Not a literal reading,
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but then just infusing
one's own opinion and beliefs.
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And so often I
found in these discussions
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that I just--I share the
truth and I bow out, I'm done.
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There's nothing I
can do to convince them
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and it's not my
job anyway. Right.
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My job is just to share the word
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and share what I
believe the word is saying.
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And so here when
you're talking to individuals
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and this can go for
anybody you're studying with.
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There comes a point in time
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where there's
nothing more you can say
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unless you can both
agree on the Word of God
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being the
arbiter of truth, right?
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That's the basic premise.
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Now there is one thing
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you can do to
witness to someone like that.
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And that is to step
away, don't argue, pray.
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Pray for the change of
heart for that individual.
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And then secondly love him.
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Just love on him.
Spend time with him.
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Show him you care.
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Show him you really
are concerned for them.
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Don't come back to
these constant arguments
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about what you disagree on.
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But just minister to
them and pray for them.
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And sometimes that's
where you just have to go to
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and rely on God to
change their heart.
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You know, the challenge
that comes when a person says,
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"I don't believe."
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And is it, "I don't
believe in the Bible?"
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Is that what
you're mentioning? No, no.
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The question was they have a
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confusing view of
the State of the Dead.
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They have--
don't believe in Satan
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and they don't believe
that Jesus was really crucified.
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So it's-- they're not following
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really what the Bible
is clearly saying. Okay.
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But they don't say that
they don't believe in the Bible,
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I don't know that,
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I'm reading into
that as being the issue.
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Well, where the
word confusion exists--
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I would probably
approach it and say,
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"Since you are not convinced
that these things did not occur.
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And you're
primarily looking at them as
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confused about actually,
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let's say the State
of the Dead for example."
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If somebody says "I'm confused."
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And there's a lot of confusion
about the State of the Dead.
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People, you know, they believe
they die and go to heaven,
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purgatory limbo.
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You know, you name
the different things.
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Separation of
body from the soul,
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that would be very confusing.
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So I would begin by
saying to the person,
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if we--since we
have no evidences
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that they don't
believe the Bible.
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And I'd say, "Well,
would you like to study that?"
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And I think you made
a very good point there
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when you said the Bible
is the arbiter of truth.
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If they, if they agree
on that particular platform
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that the Bible is
the arbiter of truth,
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where the Bible is
the source of all truth.
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Then you can say, "Well,
let's see what the Bible says."
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And if they are willing to
accept what the Bible says,
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then you actually
have an open door.
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But if you can't
get them to accept
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what the Bible says or
that the Bible is the source
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or the arbiter as John
used that word of all truth,
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then it's just nothing more than
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in my opinion
versus your opinion.
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And you can't really
get very far on opinions.
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I mean you can't get far at all.
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So and so the counsel
will be primarily what?
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Just pray for the person.
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Pray and love him. Right.
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You know, show him you do care,
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but don't comeback to
issues that you disagree on.
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Right, the Bible does say
avoid unlearned conversations
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knowing that they
do generate strife.
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In other words they
do cause controversy.
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So if the person
is open to study,
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study with them if not say
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"I'll keep you in prayer."
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And I've had some
challenging situations.
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I had a professor once
and I've--may have shared
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the story in the course of
our time of doing "House Calls."
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I may have shared the
story where I had a professor
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who used to be a
Christian but now was an atheist
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and he would make some grand,
far sweeping statements about,
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what if we could
recreate the black hole,
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the one mile
above earth's atmosphere
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then we could go, you
know, light years into the past
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or light years into the future.
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And it sounded
great in the class.
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We were taken electronics
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and they sat with
their mouths open.
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And it sounded really plausible.
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And I said, Doctor,
and I mentioned his name,
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that sounds great but that's
just hypothetical at best,
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because we'll never be
able to create the black hole
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one mile above
earth's atmosphere.
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So why don't we tell about
things that really do matter.
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Like why do people die and
what happens when they die?
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And why do people get married?
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And I threw him the
question, "are you married?"
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And he said,
"Well of course I am."
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"But are you an
atheist?" "Oh, yeah."
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"Well, then why you marry?"
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And it started a
conversation in the class
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and he allowed
because our class is
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two hours and
fifty minutes long.
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For about 35 or 40 minutes
we had this open conversation
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and I was amazed,
it went on so long
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but we were able to draw
out at least I was able to draw
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and put enough question in
the minds of the listeners.
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And afterwards
one of the guy said
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"Hey, so what
church you belong to?"
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And I said,
"Seventh-day Adventist."
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And he said, "What is
seven days in advance?"
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He didn't even understand--
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he didn't understand what's
Seventh-day Adventist was.
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I said, "No,
Seventh-day Adventist
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not seven days in advance."
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But--but really you can,
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you can create enough
question in a person's mind
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who is not clear on the Bible.
00:11:05.91\00:11:08.32
And its veracity or validity
to get them to even consider.
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Well, maybe I
should look into it.
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So I'd say well,
there's a 50-50 chance
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that you maybe right
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and there's a 50-50
chance that I maybe right.
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But here's the challenge.
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If you are wrong that
God Jesus was never crucified
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or that there is no God.
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If you're wrong,
then you stand to lose
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a whole lot more
than if I'm wrong.
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So if I'm, if I'm, wrong
and I accept the fact that
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Jesus is the Lord and
I accept the fact that--
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Jesus was
crucified or God does exist,
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then I haven't lost
anything, but if you're wrong,
00:11:48.92\00:11:51.70
you've lost everything. Yeah.
00:11:51.73\00:11:53.10
So in the laws of
averages, its better to be wrong
00:11:53.13\00:11:58.70
and safe than wrong and unsafe.
00:11:58.73\00:12:02.65
So anyway that's kind of
something to think about.
00:12:02.68\00:12:04.91
But, yeah, so don't
argue with them, pray for them,
00:12:04.94\00:12:07.87
that does make a difference
00:12:07.90\00:12:09.27
because God will
soften their heart.
00:12:09.30\00:12:10.67
Here's a person who
gave some Bible text here,
00:12:10.70\00:12:12.37
but very interesting.
00:12:12.40\00:12:13.77
Go with--if you have your Bibles
00:12:13.80\00:12:15.17
go with me to
the Book of Job 36.
00:12:15.20\00:12:18.28
Job 36.
00:12:18.31\00:12:19.68
Job is a very interesting book,
00:12:19.71\00:12:22.00
in that much of it
deals with the trials of Job.
00:12:22.03\00:12:25.86
And Job had friends
that contended with him.
00:12:25.89\00:12:30.51
You know, let me
before I read a question,
00:12:30.54\00:12:32.19
sometimes a person is
going through something
00:12:32.22\00:12:34.07
that's really
trying their faith.
00:12:34.10\00:12:36.06
And they have based
on all external evidences
00:12:36.09\00:12:40.12
they have a great
relationship with the Lord.
00:12:40.15\00:12:42.46
And then all of a
sudden this great trial hits
00:12:42.49\00:12:46.14
and somebody would say,
00:12:46.17\00:12:48.54
"Well, how do we know
00:12:48.57\00:12:49.94
they haven't done
something to deserve that?"
00:12:49.97\00:12:52.30
How do we know that what
they are going through right now
00:12:52.33\00:12:54.83
is not a direct result
of some action they took
00:12:54.86\00:12:57.80
maybe a month ago or
year ago or a few years ago?
00:12:57.83\00:13:01.27
And I know people in
situations like that--
00:13:01.30\00:13:04.35
that people will
say, "Well, I guess,
00:13:04.38\00:13:08.55
I guess if God let that
happen, they must deserve it."
00:13:08.58\00:13:12.16
And that was the
context of this text.
00:13:12.19\00:13:15.50
And I'm going to
read the question
00:13:15.53\00:13:16.95
In the Bible I came across
three verses that scare me.
00:13:16.98\00:13:21.44
Could you tell me how to
understand their meaning?
00:13:21.47\00:13:24.51
So we'll start first with Job 36
00:13:24.54\00:13:27.28
and we're going
to look at verse 18.
00:13:27.31\00:13:29.90
Job 36:18.
00:13:29.93\00:13:32.05
Now Job 36:18,
00:13:32.08\00:13:34.93
if that, if that verse were
all by itself then I could say,
00:13:34.96\00:13:38.74
"Well, truly it
might scare someone."
00:13:38.77\00:13:41.24
But Job 36:18 is
one of the verses
00:13:41.27\00:13:44.82
in a long series of
verses that Elihu or Elihu,
00:13:44.85\00:13:50.33
however you would like
to pronounce his name--
00:13:50.36\00:13:53.58
used as a rebuttal to Job's--
00:13:53.61\00:13:57.89
to Job's concerned
about the justice of God.
00:13:57.92\00:14:02.58
Not that Job's concern
about the justice of God,
00:14:02.61\00:14:05.51
but Job was
lamenting his circumstances.
00:14:05.54\00:14:09.00
And Elihu was
saying in a long sense,
00:14:09.03\00:14:12.44
because this goes
on for many chapters
00:14:12.47\00:14:14.50
if I like to
just give you an idea.
00:14:14.53\00:14:16.98
This rebuttal
starts in chapter 32.
00:14:17.01\00:14:20.62
And so we're going
all the way to chapter 36.
00:14:20.65\00:14:23.25
In this
continuing rebuttal by Elihu
00:14:23.28\00:14:27.30
about Job
lamenting his circumstances.
00:14:27.33\00:14:30.06
First of all Job remembers
his happy times in chapter 29.
00:14:30.09\00:14:35.10
And then Job describes
his present humiliation
00:14:35.13\00:14:38.10
starting in chapter 30.
00:14:38.13\00:14:40.94
And so Job is continuing
00:14:40.97\00:14:42.63
and then chapter 32
Elihu starts to rebuttal.
00:14:42.66\00:14:46.58
He intervenes in this
debate about whether or not
00:14:46.61\00:14:50.42
God is treating Job the
way he should be treated
00:14:50.45\00:14:54.52
or if God is
being unjust with Job
00:14:54.55\00:14:57.22
or if God is disciplining Job.
00:14:57.25\00:15:00.34
And so he comes to
the conclusion that
00:15:00.37\00:15:02.17
God is disciplining
Job in this verse he uses--
00:15:02.20\00:15:06.49
and this is the
verse that kind of brings
00:15:06.52\00:15:08.50
some of the concern
to you and here it is.
00:15:08.53\00:15:11.68
But I like to include a
couple of verses prior to that.
00:15:11.71\00:15:15.10
Let me give you an example.
00:15:15.13\00:15:16.87
For example, Elihu
who says to Job, now,
00:15:16.90\00:15:20.61
this is who I believe God is.
00:15:20.64\00:15:22.51
If a person was wicked
and judgment was going to come
00:15:22.54\00:15:26.61
because of his
wickedness and then he repents,
00:15:26.64\00:15:28.85
then God is nice to him.
00:15:28.88\00:15:31.36
But why is God not nice to you?
00:15:31.39\00:15:35.65
Because maybe you didn't repent
00:15:35.68\00:15:37.87
or maybe you didn't
admit that you did this.
00:15:37.90\00:15:40.78
So let's go and
start a little earlier.
00:15:40.81\00:15:42.93
We're on verse 11
00:15:42.96\00:15:44.96
and he is talking
about the wicked by the way.
00:15:44.99\00:15:46.45
He says in verse 11 of Job 36.
00:15:46.48\00:15:49.03
"If they obey and serve Him,
00:15:49.06\00:15:51.72
they spend their
days in prosperity,
00:15:51.75\00:15:54.70
and their years in pleasures.
00:15:54.73\00:15:57.28
But if they do not obey,
they shall perish by the sword,
00:15:57.31\00:16:00.52
and they shall die
without knowledge."
00:16:00.55\00:16:02.42
So he's in essence saying
00:16:02.45\00:16:03.82
their decision will activate
a specific response from God.
00:16:03.85\00:16:07.84
But he goes on to verse 13,
00:16:07.87\00:16:11.62
"But the hypocrites
in heart store up wrath,
00:16:11.65\00:16:15.70
they do not cry for
help when He binds them.
00:16:15.73\00:16:19.17
They die in youth,
00:16:19.20\00:16:20.81
and their life ends
among the perverted persons.
00:16:20.84\00:16:25.16
He delivers the poor
in their affliction."
00:16:25.19\00:16:26.77
Verse 15, "And opens
their ears in oppression.
00:16:26.80\00:16:30.54
Indeed He would have
brought you out of dire distress
00:16:30.57\00:16:35.51
into a broad place
where there is no restraint."
00:16:35.54\00:16:38.36
In other words God would have
00:16:38.39\00:16:39.76
changed the
circumstances by now.
00:16:39.79\00:16:41.89
Then he says,
00:16:41.92\00:16:43.29
"And what is set on your
table would be full of riches."
00:16:43.32\00:16:46.13
In other words God would
have blessed you abundantly.
00:16:46.16\00:16:48.68
"But you are filled
with the judgment due to,
00:16:48.71\00:16:51.75
due the wicked."
00:16:51.78\00:16:53.15
Notice what he's saying.
00:16:53.18\00:16:54.55
See what you're
getting is what you deserve.
00:16:54.58\00:16:57.00
You are filled with the
judgment due the wicked,
00:16:57.03\00:16:59.36
Judgment and
justice take hold of you.
00:16:59.39\00:17:01.90
Because there is wrath."
00:17:01.93\00:17:03.57
And this is the
verse you're talking about.
00:17:03.60\00:17:05.02
"Because there is wrath,
beware lest He take you away
00:17:05.05\00:17:11.76
with one blow for a large ransom
would not help you avoid it."
00:17:11.79\00:17:18.11
In other words he's saying,
no matter what you pay God,
00:17:18.14\00:17:21.37
you are going to
get what you deserve
00:17:21.40\00:17:23.69
because if you
are who you--if you're
00:17:23.72\00:17:26.85
receiving what you are receiving
because of what you did,
00:17:26.88\00:17:29.61
no matter what you pay,
00:17:29.64\00:17:31.23
you're not going to be
able to avoid God's judgment.
00:17:31.26\00:17:33.67
So that's why it seems scary.
00:17:33.70\00:17:35.71
It almost seems like
no matter what we do,
00:17:35.74\00:17:37.79
God is going to get us anyway.
00:17:37.82\00:17:39.51
That's where the fear comes in.
00:17:39.54\00:17:40.91
But what Elihu
is saying to Job is,
00:17:40.94\00:17:42.34
you're going through
what you're going through
00:17:42.37\00:17:43.89
because of what you did
and because of what you did,
00:17:43.92\00:17:46.56
no matter how much
you pay Him, it's coming.
00:17:46.59\00:17:48.86
And keep in mind here,
Elihu is not telling the truth.
00:17:48.89\00:17:51.80
No, he's not telling the truth.
00:17:51.83\00:17:53.60
So that's why it sounds scary.
00:17:53.63\00:17:55.18
He's trying to
make it appears though,
00:17:55.21\00:17:58.28
he's trying to
make it appears though
00:17:58.31\00:17:59.68
God is just like
He's getting you.
00:17:59.71\00:18:01.87
He's got you.
He finally got you.
00:18:01.90\00:18:04.34
But, but God is not that way.
00:18:04.37\00:18:08.34
God is not a beat
you up kind of person.
00:18:08.37\00:18:10.61
And if He is good
to those who repent,
00:18:10.64\00:18:14.06
why would He not
even pay attention to Job
00:18:14.09\00:18:17.59
when he began by saying,
Job was a just and upright man.
00:18:17.62\00:18:21.42
One that fear God and
one that shunned evil.
00:18:21.45\00:18:25.15
So in other words this
rebuttal that Elihu is giving
00:18:25.18\00:18:29.00
is not indicative of God
00:18:29.03\00:18:31.20
and does not
vindicate the character of God.
00:18:31.23\00:18:33.29
That's right.
And he gave two more.
00:18:33.32\00:18:36.02
And I think Psalms
50:2, let's look at that one.
00:18:36.05\00:18:39.57
This person is not a
he by the way it's a she.
00:18:39.60\00:18:42.20
I thank you for
these questions, Linda.
00:18:42.23\00:18:44.63
Psalms 50:22.
00:18:44.66\00:18:47.25
Now I'll just read it in
the verse very carefully there.
00:18:47.28\00:18:49.79
It says, "Now consider
this, you who forget God,
00:18:49.82\00:18:52.27
lest I tear you in pieces,
and there be none to deliver."
00:18:52.30\00:18:57.62
Well, that verse
shouldn't frighten you,
00:18:57.65\00:18:59.33
but it really should
bring out the reality that,
00:18:59.36\00:19:01.80
hey, if we forget God
00:19:01.83\00:19:03.46
that's the only thing
that could happen to us.
00:19:03.49\00:19:05.61
In other words it's not
so much, "Oh, I forgot God,
00:19:05.64\00:19:08.35
but its I don't
want to remember God.
00:19:08.38\00:19:10.25
I don't have
anything to do with God.
00:19:10.28\00:19:12.25
Well, if you don't want to
have anything to do with God,
00:19:12.28\00:19:14.87
there's only this fearful
judgment to look forward to.
00:19:14.90\00:19:17.76
And as the text says,
00:19:17.79\00:19:19.43
"Yes, you will be
torn in pieces and that--
00:19:19.46\00:19:22.35
who is there to
deliver you from God."
00:19:22.38\00:19:24.28
There is none to deliver.
00:19:24.31\00:19:26.47
And keep in mind here this
word, tearing in pieces. Right.
00:19:26.50\00:19:29.89
Is not descriptive
of God's character,
00:19:29.92\00:19:32.09
is not He desire to do
that. Not shredding you know.
00:19:32.12\00:19:34.38
But the language God's using
00:19:34.41\00:19:36.00
is the language of
the cultures of that day.
00:19:36.03\00:19:38.50
I mean, what they did to their--
00:19:38.53\00:19:40.62
in warfare to
those that they oppose
00:19:40.65\00:19:43.30
and those that they
fought against was very violent.
00:19:43.33\00:19:48.07
Yeah, very violent.
00:19:48.10\00:19:49.47
And so God speaks
their language here
00:19:49.50\00:19:51.47
and He is speaking their
language in this verse really.
00:19:51.50\00:19:54.63
And so in the end
what He's saying is,
00:19:54.66\00:19:56.67
in the end judgment
will come unless we repent
00:19:56.70\00:19:59.80
and praise and give
glory and honor to Him.
00:19:59.83\00:20:01.96
So that's the essence
of what God is saying here.
00:20:01.99\00:20:06.09
And also chapter 52 and verse
5 there's another one there.
00:20:06.12\00:20:10.89
And what I want you to pay
00:20:10.92\00:20:12.29
close attention to
is the word likewise.
00:20:12.32\00:20:14.38
Because this verse is comparing
00:20:14.41\00:20:16.13
what has happened to
what could happen to you.
00:20:16.16\00:20:19.02
So in other
words, say for example
00:20:19.05\00:20:20.87
a lion tore man apart,
shredded him, devoured him.
00:20:20.90\00:20:25.77
And then God now
goes to the wicked
00:20:25.80\00:20:28.17
and says or we say
in the place of God.
00:20:28.20\00:20:32.50
God shall likewise
destroy you forever,
00:20:32.53\00:20:35.70
in verse 5 of chapter 52.
00:20:35.73\00:20:38.11
"He shall take you
away, and pluck you,
00:20:38.14\00:20:40.31
and pluck you out
of your dwelling place.
00:20:40.34\00:20:43.02
And uproot you from
the land of the living."
00:20:43.05\00:20:45.71
God can do that.
00:20:45.74\00:20:47.29
So for those who
choose to forget God,
00:20:47.32\00:20:49.48
those who choose to
live in rebellion to God,
00:20:49.51\00:20:52.05
those who choose to just
ignore the requirements of God?
00:20:52.08\00:20:55.04
There's no fleeing
the judgment of God.
00:20:55.07\00:20:58.19
So whatever judgment
you can come up with,
00:20:58.22\00:21:00.99
whatever wrath
you can even sum up
00:21:01.02\00:21:03.21
or whatever terrible horrible
situation you can even surmise
00:21:03.24\00:21:08.30
or try to create in a scenario
you can say to the person
00:21:08.33\00:21:12.01
that is wicked and
just chooses to ignore God.
00:21:12.04\00:21:14.63
God will likewise destroy you.
00:21:14.66\00:21:16.33
That's what gonna
happen to you, you see.
00:21:16.36\00:21:18.91
But it's gonna be even worse.
00:21:18.94\00:21:20.31
Because when you think about it
00:21:20.34\00:21:21.71
whatever happens
to man in this life
00:21:21.74\00:21:23.28
at least there
is a chance that he
00:21:23.31\00:21:25.61
or she can be saved
in the resurrection,
00:21:25.64\00:21:28.73
because Christians
were torn apart by lions,
00:21:28.76\00:21:32.28
Christians were
tortured and dismembered
00:21:32.31\00:21:35.14
during the Dark
Ages and some horrific
00:21:35.17\00:21:37.23
examples of
people who just hated
00:21:37.26\00:21:40.23
the advancement of God's truth
00:21:40.26\00:21:41.85
and hated those
who were proponents
00:21:41.88\00:21:43.58
that upheld God's truth.
00:21:43.61\00:21:45.48
So we can't even
use that as an example.
00:21:45.51\00:21:48.33
But they will have an
opportunity in the resurrection
00:21:49.72\00:21:52.57
because the
resurrection of the just,
00:21:52.60\00:21:54.11
no matter how they
die will be a resurrection
00:21:54.14\00:21:57.30
that will give
them joy forever more.
00:21:57.33\00:21:59.33
But if a wicked person in the
arenas of Rome when they died,
00:21:59.36\00:22:03.67
on their tombstones
were inscribed the word,
00:22:03.70\00:22:06.05
good bye, good bye forever
00:22:06.08\00:22:08.66
as compared to the Christian,
good bye until the morning.
00:22:08.69\00:22:11.49
You see, they knew
there was a better day coming.
00:22:11.52\00:22:13.91
So being torn
apart as Hebrews 11
00:22:13.94\00:22:15.96
said to the Christian,
wasn't an horrible thing.
00:22:15.99\00:22:18.46
And God at that moment
shielded them from the horror
00:22:18.49\00:22:21.58
and the terrible
pain that would come
00:22:21.61\00:22:26.56
to the wicked in
the second death.
00:22:26.59\00:22:28.92
So don't let
this things fear you.
00:22:28.95\00:22:31.20
If you have a
relationship with the Lord,
00:22:31.23\00:22:33.15
this does not apply to you.
00:22:33.18\00:22:35.43
But verse 18 of Job Chapter 36,
00:22:35.46\00:22:38.60
it's a context to a
response from Elihu to Job
00:22:38.63\00:22:41.54
who didn't really understand
the character of God, all right.
00:22:41.57\00:22:44.78
You have one more for us? I do.
00:22:44.81\00:22:46.18
This one is from Laura.
00:22:46.21\00:22:48.35
What is the
meaning of the word Jew?
00:22:48.38\00:22:51.68
See here, "Remember
Israel came out of Egypt."
00:22:51.71\00:22:55.68
And then it says,
"The Jews were destroyed"
00:22:55.71\00:22:58.27
I presume she might be referring
00:22:58.30\00:22:59.87
to the judgment of Rome in 1870.
00:22:59.90\00:23:07.30
So anyway there's some confusion
00:23:07.33\00:23:08.70
is to the difference
between the word Israel and Jew.
00:23:08.73\00:23:11.31
Very interesting.
00:23:11.34\00:23:12.71
You just go to
something I--anybody can do.
00:23:12.74\00:23:14.58
You can go to a dictionary.
00:23:14.61\00:23:18.54
I pulled the one-up
online and put in the word Jew
00:23:18.57\00:23:21.57
and it answers very correctly.
00:23:21.60\00:23:23.44
It says, "The member
of the tribe of Judah."
00:23:23.47\00:23:26.52
So Judah anyone that was from
the tribe of Judah is a Jew.
00:23:26.55\00:23:31.00
And it was the tribe of Judah.
00:23:31.03\00:23:32.40
The southern kingdom
that was taking captive
00:23:32.43\00:23:34.06
by Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon.
00:23:34.09\00:23:36.81
And they were there in
captivity until of course
00:23:36.84\00:23:41.48
they were released
through the three decrees.
00:23:41.51\00:23:43.23
The last one
was from Artaxerxes,
00:23:43.26\00:23:45.45
rebuilt the city of
Jerusalem and the temple
00:23:45.48\00:23:48.10
and then that's the situation
00:23:48.13\00:23:49.52
you find them in
during the gospels period.
00:23:49.55\00:23:53.86
It says here, part B
is a member of a nation
00:23:53.89\00:23:57.43
existing in Palestine
from the 6th century BC
00:23:57.46\00:24:00.03
to the 1st century AD.
00:24:00.06\00:24:02.54
So those were, were
descendants of Judah
00:24:02.57\00:24:06.18
shortened to be Jew and
continue to exist unto this day.
00:24:06.21\00:24:10.60
Remember the
northern kingdom of Israel
00:24:10.63\00:24:13.15
were overcome by the Assyrians
00:24:13.18\00:24:14.86
and Samaria when it was sacked.
00:24:14.89\00:24:16.85
And they dispersed
and there is no real
00:24:16.88\00:24:20.38
clear revelation
as to where they are.
00:24:20.41\00:24:25.52
Except spiritually we know that
God is going to bring back all
00:24:25.55\00:24:28.72
and He explains how His
church is spiritual Israel.
00:24:28.75\00:24:32.22
I'm talking about
His worldwide church,
00:24:32.25\00:24:34.25
His spiritual Israel
who He will bring back
00:24:34.28\00:24:36.64
and will save in the last days.
00:24:36.67\00:24:40.00
By the way the word Israel,
00:24:40.03\00:24:42.92
it means one who perseveres,
00:24:42.95\00:24:48.28
who strives with
God and perseveres.
00:24:48.31\00:24:50.45
In other words, is
saved and redeemed by God.
00:24:50.48\00:24:52.54
That's the meaning
of the word Israel.
00:24:52.57\00:24:54.24
So it's a very
spiritual word which very well
00:24:54.27\00:24:56.72
applies in a
spiritual sense to His church.
00:24:56.75\00:24:59.23
So that's why the term
Israel is used in prophecy
00:24:59.26\00:25:02.44
even into the New
Testament era down to today.
00:25:02.47\00:25:06.11
And people that were of
Israel, Jews that were of Israel
00:25:06.14\00:25:10.42
boasted that they
were Jews of Israel.
00:25:10.45\00:25:13.74
But the Lord through the
writings of the Apostle Paul
00:25:13.77\00:25:17.27
let people know that
you're national origin
00:25:17.30\00:25:19.50
has nothing to do
with your final destiny.
00:25:19.53\00:25:22.13
And that was the most
important thing about this.
00:25:22.16\00:25:24.96
When Jesus talked to
the woman at the well
00:25:24.99\00:25:27.60
and she was arguing over
different methods of worship.
00:25:27.63\00:25:31.03
And He said, "Well,
isn't salvation of the Jews."
00:25:31.06\00:25:33.92
And so you see clearly
there, she even said to Him,
00:25:33.95\00:25:37.85
"You being a Jew have no
dealing with the Samaritan."
00:25:37.88\00:25:40.45
There was always this,
there was always a separation
00:25:40.48\00:25:43.17
between the Jews
and the Samaritans
00:25:43.20\00:25:46.20
so much so that the Samaritans
were often referred to as dogs.
00:25:46.23\00:25:52.32
So when you find that
phrase in Revelation for outside
00:25:52.35\00:25:54.58
are the dogs and
sorcerers, and whoremongers.
00:25:54.61\00:25:57.75
It was in essence
those who were the outcast,
00:25:57.78\00:26:00.13
those who were those who
had rejected the true Messiah
00:26:00.16\00:26:04.76
and didn't have a
connection with Him,
00:26:04.79\00:26:06.46
because they were
not really of the lineage
00:26:06.49\00:26:08.81
of Israel or a Jew
by a natural birth.
00:26:08.84\00:26:13.55
But I want to
share with you two texts,
00:26:13.58\00:26:15.42
so that you can see that whether
00:26:15.45\00:26:17.65
Jew or of the nation of
Israel synonymous by the way.
00:26:17.68\00:26:21.43
There is no advantage
because in Romans 2:29,
00:26:21.46\00:26:28.59
let me just go
and go to the verse
00:26:28.62\00:26:30.26
right before that verse
20 looking up in context.
00:26:30.29\00:26:33.35
Romans 2:28, it
says, "For he is not a Jew,
00:26:33.38\00:26:39.43
who was one
outwardly, nor is circumcision,
00:26:39.46\00:26:43.76
that which is
outward in the flesh.
00:26:43.79\00:26:46.24
But he is a Jew,
who is one inwardly,
00:26:46.27\00:26:49.58
and circumcision
is that of the heart,
00:26:49.61\00:26:51.45
in the spirit,
not in the letter,
00:26:51.48\00:26:54.18
whose praise is not
from men, but from God."
00:26:54.21\00:26:57.73
So the question is in verse 1
00:26:57.76\00:26:59.13
of the very next
chapter, chapter 3.
00:26:59.16\00:27:01.76
"What advantage
then has the Jew?
00:27:01.79\00:27:05.36
Or what is the
profit of circumcision?"
00:27:05.39\00:27:08.44
So when it comes to Christ--
He's the God of the Jew,
00:27:08.47\00:27:12.73
of the Gentile, of the--
00:27:12.76\00:27:14.80
He doesn't discriminate
as far as nationality.
00:27:14.83\00:27:18.32
And lastly Romans 9:6,
00:27:18.35\00:27:21.98
"But it is not
that the word of God
00:27:22.01\00:27:24.24
has taken no effect,
00:27:24.27\00:27:26.10
for they are not all
Israel, who are of Israel."
00:27:26.13\00:27:30.56
Once again there
was this perception
00:27:30.59\00:27:33.31
that since we're of this nation,
00:27:33.34\00:27:35.07
we definitely have an advantage.
00:27:35.10\00:27:37.26
And you know, there
is a part advantage there
00:27:37.29\00:27:40.17
but not in the
sense of nationality,
00:27:40.20\00:27:42.49
but in the sense
of responsibility
00:27:42.52\00:27:44.22
or in the sense of
receiving the oracles of God.
00:27:44.25\00:27:46.80
Because in Acts 13,
Paul and Barnabas said,
00:27:46.83\00:27:49.64
you know, "It was necessary
00:27:49.67\00:27:51.04
that the Word of God
be given to you first."
00:27:51.07\00:27:53.29
See, so they were the first
ones to receive it, but hey,
00:27:53.32\00:27:56.12
that means they
are more responsible
00:27:56.15\00:27:57.78
not preeminent
about anybody else.
00:27:57.81\00:28:01.12
So great, great nice answer.
00:28:01.15\00:28:03.50
Jews of Jerusalem or
Israelites of Israel.
00:28:03.53\00:28:08.86
There is no,
there is no disadvantage
00:28:08.89\00:28:11.32
to being a Gentile
when Christ in the picture.
00:28:11.35\00:28:14.25
There is no
disadvantage to being
00:28:14.28\00:28:16.44
from a different
nation when Christ is our God.
00:28:16.47\00:28:19.24
He is the Lord
of every one of us.
00:28:19.27\00:28:22.04
Well, John, why don't you--
00:28:22.07\00:28:23.80
let me before we actually segue.
00:28:23.83\00:28:25.67
I know that we've talked
about lot of things here today
00:28:25.70\00:28:27.69
that may engender some
questions further in your mind.
00:28:27.72\00:28:30.93
So if you have
any Bible questions
00:28:30.96\00:28:32.33
you want to send to us
you can send those questions
00:28:32.36\00:28:34.60
to housecalls@3abn.org.
00:28:34.63\00:28:38.16
That's housecalls@3abn.org
and we promise
00:28:38.19\00:28:42.05
to be able to answer
those from the Bible.
00:28:42.08\00:28:44.69
Hopefully that
will be satisfactory
00:28:44.72\00:28:46.74
and the answers will
bring you closer to the Lord.
00:28:46.77\00:28:50.77
John, what do we
have for us today?
00:28:50.80\00:28:52.19
Just kind of take
us into our topic.
00:28:52.22\00:28:54.50
You know, we-- when
one becomes a Christian
00:28:54.53\00:29:01.06
and they profess
faith and belief in Jesus,
00:29:01.09\00:29:05.62
we say in one sense that the
work of salvation is complete.
00:29:05.65\00:29:11.01
And that work of
salvation is complete in Christ
00:29:11.04\00:29:13.66
because of His
finished worked work, amen.
00:29:13.69\00:29:15.75
Right.
00:29:15.78\00:29:17.18
But then the process
of sanctification begins.
00:29:17.21\00:29:20.12
We're set apart
for God to use us
00:29:20.15\00:29:23.46
and to fit us for heaven.
00:29:23.49\00:29:26.45
And so He begins to change
us and He begins to use us
00:29:26.48\00:29:29.61
in ways to expand His kingdom.
00:29:29.64\00:29:31.52
He does all these
things through the Holy Spirit.
00:29:31.55\00:29:35.23
And that's why Jesus
said to the disciples
00:29:35.26\00:29:37.67
make sure that you
pray for the Holy Spirit.
00:29:37.70\00:29:41.47
Because if you ask
for Him, I promise you
00:29:41.50\00:29:43.87
I'm more willing to
give the Holy Spirit
00:29:43.90\00:29:45.81
to you than you are to
give gifts to your children.
00:29:45.84\00:29:49.01
And so the big thing,
the main thing the disciples
00:29:49.04\00:29:52.93
did when they got
together in the upper room
00:29:52.96\00:29:55.55
was they unified in purpose.
00:29:55.58\00:29:58.23
They were one in
Christ, but they sort out
00:29:58.26\00:30:01.23
the power of the Holy
Spirit to receive the strength
00:30:01.26\00:30:04.97
they needed to go
forward and to do the work
00:30:05.00\00:30:07.47
associated with God's kingdom.
00:30:07.50\00:30:09.98
God gave with the
church a clear charge.
00:30:10.01\00:30:14.83
Go therefore and make disciples
00:30:14.86\00:30:16.85
of all nations
preaching, teaching, baptizing.
00:30:16.88\00:30:20.29
He said, "Oh, I've given you
all authority to go do that."
00:30:20.32\00:30:23.33
And then He empowered
them through the Holy Spirit.
00:30:23.36\00:30:26.88
But I think to some degree,
00:30:26.91\00:30:29.23
it's good to
circle back to this topic
00:30:29.26\00:30:31.25
because there are two things
00:30:31.28\00:30:33.66
the Holy Spirit seeks to do
in the life of every Christian.
00:30:33.69\00:30:37.72
And so first of all we
accept Christ as our Savior
00:30:37.75\00:30:40.92
and we identify ourselves
with His church, the body.
00:30:40.95\00:30:45.03
And the Holy Spirit-- as
we pray for the Holy Spirit
00:30:45.06\00:30:47.11
comes in to our
life and He changes us.
00:30:47.14\00:30:49.61
And He changes us in two ways
00:30:49.64\00:30:51.63
and these are very
important because I believe
00:30:51.66\00:30:55.71
the Bible is clear on
two things predominate things
00:30:55.74\00:30:59.25
that the Holy Spirit
brings into the life.
00:30:59.28\00:31:00.82
Number one, he brings
the fruit of the spirit.
00:31:00.85\00:31:04.31
And number two, he
brings the gifts of the spirit.
00:31:05.75\00:31:10.47
Both fruit and gifts are things
00:31:10.50\00:31:13.08
the Holy Spirit
brings into our life.
00:31:13.11\00:31:15.14
One of the things I see though
00:31:16.94\00:31:18.31
within churches
in a practical way
00:31:18.34\00:31:20.79
is that we tend to
emphasize the fruit.
00:31:20.82\00:31:24.93
And we don't
emphasize or deemphasize,
00:31:24.96\00:31:28.38
I don't believe intentionally,
00:31:28.41\00:31:29.78
but we aren't
spending a lot of time
00:31:29.81\00:31:31.36
on the gifts of the spirit.
00:31:31.39\00:31:33.78
Now some church
members might say, well, no,
00:31:33.81\00:31:35.55
I know what my gift
is, we have gift test
00:31:35.58\00:31:38.15
and we do all the gifts,
so I know what my gifts are.
00:31:38.18\00:31:42.08
And that's fine,
that's to one level, okay,
00:31:42.11\00:31:44.45
it's okay to
acknowledge that we have gifts.
00:31:44.48\00:31:46.09
I mean, there is a
teaching from the word,
00:31:46.12\00:31:48.74
but we're
accountable as God's children
00:31:48.77\00:31:51.32
to use those gifts for
His glory. That's right.
00:31:51.35\00:31:56.27
And just basking in the fruit
of being changed individually,
00:31:56.30\00:32:01.30
personally and living
with that transformation
00:32:01.33\00:32:04.62
without using the
gifts God has given us
00:32:04.65\00:32:06.93
to save somebody else
is only half the picture.
00:32:06.96\00:32:11.23
In fact I can find it's a
very selfish picture sometimes.
00:32:11.26\00:32:15.16
So as a pastor
one of the key things
00:32:15.19\00:32:16.96
that I'm to do
coming into a church
00:32:16.99\00:32:19.29
is to help
members find their gifts,
00:32:19.32\00:32:22.97
but then also encourage
them and find ways to help them
00:32:23.00\00:32:26.72
put those gifts
into practice. Right.
00:32:26.75\00:32:30.59
In fact I would
say in all respects,
00:32:30.62\00:32:32.47
this is the will of God
for our life as a Christian,
00:32:32.50\00:32:35.81
is to become an active
worker for Him in His kingdom.
00:32:35.84\00:32:39.54
Christianity is
not a spectator sport.
00:32:39.57\00:32:42.13
Never has been.
00:32:42.16\00:32:43.53
We don't accept
Jesus and just bask
00:32:43.56\00:32:45.13
in the fact that we're saved
00:32:45.16\00:32:46.53
and we sit there and
we cheer the pastor on,
00:32:46.56\00:32:48.26
we cheer church leaders on
00:32:48.29\00:32:49.66
for the wonderful
work they are doing
00:32:49.69\00:32:51.06
and we go home and we
say, I'm so glad I'm saved.
00:32:51.09\00:32:54.60
That's not the
life of a Christian.
00:32:54.63\00:32:56.71
The life of the Christian
is I've been saved by Jesus,
00:32:56.74\00:32:59.73
I've been
transformed by His spirit,
00:32:59.76\00:33:01.90
now He has given me a work
to do for Him for His kingdom.
00:33:01.93\00:33:05.19
I love people, I
love lost people,
00:33:05.22\00:33:07.56
I want to reach them for Jesus.
00:33:07.59\00:33:10.29
And we have a natural
desire that's put within us
00:33:10.32\00:33:12.97
by the spirit to
save other people.
00:33:13.00\00:33:15.90
John, we've all
heard this statement,
00:33:15.93\00:33:18.52
well, we can't take
anything with us to heaven
00:33:18.55\00:33:20.13
except our character.
00:33:20.16\00:33:23.11
I disagree with that statement
00:33:23.14\00:33:25.17
because I believe we
can take somebody else.
00:33:25.20\00:33:27.72
Oh, someone else? Yes.
00:33:27.75\00:33:30.65
They say you can't
take something with you.
00:33:30.68\00:33:32.05
You can't take your car,
you can't take your house,
00:33:32.08\00:33:33.73
you can't take you
know, whatever, you can't take
00:33:33.76\00:33:36.59
yes, your character but
you can take someone else.
00:33:36.62\00:33:40.37
And this is the part
00:33:40.40\00:33:41.77
I think that we need to
return to in aspect of ministry,
00:33:41.80\00:33:44.39
we need to
return to as a church.
00:33:44.42\00:33:47.31
In Ephesians 4:11,
you go through 11 and 12.
00:33:47.34\00:33:52.72
This the
leadership it's identified,
00:33:52.75\00:33:54.81
there're apostles and pastors
and evangelists and prophets.
00:33:54.84\00:34:00.63
It says, "They
are there to equip
00:34:00.66\00:34:02.60
and train the
members for ministry." Right.
00:34:02.63\00:34:07.21
Who is doing
the work of ministry
00:34:07.24\00:34:08.68
according to that
passage? The members are.
00:34:08.71\00:34:11.77
And so yes we
acknowledge that leaders
00:34:11.80\00:34:13.93
including
pastors and evangelist,
00:34:13.96\00:34:15.45
various leaders
are given there to help
00:34:15.48\00:34:18.20
lead the church
and instruct the church
00:34:18.23\00:34:19.85
as under-shepherds
under Christ. Right.
00:34:19.88\00:34:21.81
But the ones doing
the ministry is everybody.
00:34:21.84\00:34:26.00
And if we step back
and aren't doing ministry,
00:34:26.03\00:34:28.16
John, honestly
that the sad truth is
00:34:28.19\00:34:31.25
we may be lost. True.
00:34:31.28\00:34:34.83
And to say that
I have no concern
00:34:34.86\00:34:36.65
for those around me
and I right them off
00:34:36.68\00:34:38.99
well, you know, they're
just lost in their own sin
00:34:39.02\00:34:43.06
or I've no desire
00:34:43.09\00:34:44.46
or aren't feeling
compelled out of love
00:34:44.49\00:34:46.40
to reach them for
Christ and do something.
00:34:46.43\00:34:49.02
Even to pray for Him.
How is our prayer life?
00:34:49.05\00:34:51.36
How is our intercessory
prayer life for people?
00:34:51.39\00:34:53.61
We have none of that.
00:34:53.64\00:34:55.01
That means our
heart is not transformed.
00:34:55.04\00:34:56.41
So anyway I thought
we'd spend some time
00:34:56.44\00:34:59.40
just in one
program here to look at
00:34:59.43\00:35:02.28
the difference
between fruit and gifts. Okay.
00:35:02.31\00:35:04.99
To maybe outline or
to show they're real,
00:35:05.02\00:35:07.58
God's real plan for His church.
00:35:07.61\00:35:10.11
And that He has
given through His spirit
00:35:10.14\00:35:11.51
both of these things to
finish the work. All right.
00:35:11.54\00:35:14.30
Well, one of the
things I would like to,
00:35:14.33\00:35:16.40
you know, begin with is--
there's a text in Matthew 7:20,
00:35:16.43\00:35:23.09
very succinct and
very to the point.
00:35:23.12\00:35:28.38
"Therefore by their
fruits you will know them."
00:35:28.41\00:35:33.59
Now reason why I
want to begin with that is
00:35:33.62\00:35:35.33
because while we emphasize
the importance of gifts,
00:35:35.36\00:35:40.48
the fruit come before the gifts.
00:35:40.51\00:35:43.08
The gifts are not in
lieu of the fruit. Right.
00:35:43.11\00:35:46.01
You see, there are many and
the reason I mention this is
00:35:46.04\00:35:48.50
because Matthew,
this very same chapter
00:35:48.53\00:35:50.91
when you go to verse 21,
00:35:50.94\00:35:53.70
it starts
talking about activities
00:35:53.73\00:35:56.79
that can be very well associated
00:35:56.82\00:35:59.07
with great skills and gifts
00:35:59.10\00:36:00.61
that a person has
and look at those.
00:36:00.64\00:36:03.21
See this verse 20 is
a-- if I can use a word,
00:36:03.24\00:36:08.48
a preparation for what's going
to happen in verse 21 to 23.
00:36:08.51\00:36:12.06
It says, be careful that
you're not just prophesied
00:36:12.09\00:36:19.27
because one of
the gifts is prophecy.
00:36:19.30\00:36:21.43
Be careful that you
just not get involved
00:36:21.46\00:36:23.03
with casting out demons,
00:36:23.06\00:36:24.62
delivering people
from demon possession
00:36:24.65\00:36:26.82
by the gifts you
have to make that occur.
00:36:26.85\00:36:30.18
Be careful that you're not just
become inanimate by preaching,
00:36:30.21\00:36:34.70
declaring the name of Christ
00:36:34.73\00:36:36.68
which is a gift without
having the fruit, you see.
00:36:36.71\00:36:41.73
Because that's the,
that's the, that's the lead.
00:36:41.76\00:36:44.57
And Matthew is
saying, yes there are many
00:36:44.60\00:36:46.71
that are going to
be actively involved
00:36:46.74\00:36:48.94
in winning souls for Christ,
00:36:48.97\00:36:50.65
but they're going to
be missing the fruit.
00:36:50.68\00:36:52.91
Now conversely
there will be many
00:36:52.94\00:36:55.28
who will be actively
involved, will have the fruit,
00:36:55.31\00:37:00.46
but won't emphasize
anything about the work.
00:37:00.49\00:37:02.91
And that's what
you're talking about.
00:37:02.94\00:37:04.43
So what we're not saying here is
00:37:04.46\00:37:05.83
that you have one or the other.
00:37:05.86\00:37:07.23
We're saying, you can
have one without the other.
00:37:07.26\00:37:10.47
So don't emphasize
the word part of it.
00:37:10.50\00:37:13.04
And let me just
give you an example.
00:37:13.07\00:37:14.44
You have been a pastor.
00:37:14.47\00:37:16.31
I mean, you are a
pastor, I am a pastor.
00:37:16.34\00:37:18.32
You see people,
some people I remember
00:37:18.35\00:37:20.33
and example of one of
the churches I pastored.
00:37:20.36\00:37:22.32
There is a person
who is very, very gifted.
00:37:22.35\00:37:24.51
You remember there in one
of churches in California,
00:37:24.54\00:37:27.04
very gifted person
we had in leadership.
00:37:27.07\00:37:29.21
But the fruit were
missing and I had to ask
00:37:29.24\00:37:31.53
that person to
get to leave office.
00:37:31.56\00:37:34.20
I had to say, you cannot be
in this position in this church,
00:37:34.23\00:37:38.21
because you
don't have the fruit.
00:37:38.24\00:37:41.30
And the response was, "Well,
who's going to do the work?"
00:37:41.33\00:37:46.02
I said, "We'll train somebody
to do that." That's right.
00:37:46.05\00:37:48.79
But you can't say, "The work is
more important than the fruit."
00:37:48.82\00:37:51.61
Because the Lord says, "By their
fruits you will know them."
00:37:51.64\00:37:53.60
In fact many, I
think many of our--
00:37:53.63\00:37:57.54
the disservice we do.
00:37:57.57\00:37:59.49
The hurting we do of people is
00:37:59.52\00:38:01.86
because we've got some that work
00:38:01.89\00:38:03.89
but have no fruit.
00:38:03.92\00:38:05.36
And now they are
hurting peoples feeling
00:38:05.39\00:38:07.24
and doing all kinds of
stuff that are not Christ like.
00:38:07.27\00:38:09.96
Offending people, doing things
00:38:09.99\00:38:11.53
that are just
blatant non Christian.
00:38:11.56\00:38:13.67
They say, "What
do you want me to do,
00:38:13.70\00:38:15.07
I'm getting the work
done? What you want me to do?"
00:38:15.10\00:38:17.26
It's not what I want you to do.
00:38:17.29\00:38:18.66
I want you to allow
Christ to shine through you.
00:38:18.69\00:38:21.05
He says, "By their
fruit you'll know them."
00:38:21.08\00:38:23.32
This is how we'll know
that we're His disciples
00:38:23.35\00:38:25.84
by our--how they will
know that we're His disciples
00:38:25.87\00:38:28.45
by our love for one another.
00:38:28.48\00:38:30.57
And people think
that love is cheap,
00:38:30.60\00:38:32.49
but that love does something.
00:38:32.52\00:38:33.89
It activates the
heart to be a person
00:38:33.92\00:38:35.77
who does need-- let
me just rephrase that.
00:38:35.80\00:38:38.70
It activates the heart to say,
00:38:38.73\00:38:40.54
Lord, put to--put into action
the gifts you've given to me.
00:38:40.57\00:38:46.25
And that's what I
hear you're saying here.
00:38:46.28\00:38:48.03
Yeah. Yeah.
00:38:48.06\00:38:49.49
Well, very much and I, and
I-- there's a lot we can cover
00:38:49.52\00:38:53.89
and may run from one program
into a second program. Sure.
00:38:53.92\00:38:56.34
I don't know here, but
there's a lot to cover here
00:38:56.37\00:38:58.18
but I do want to make sure
00:38:58.21\00:38:59.61
that we have a
balanced Christianity here.
00:38:59.64\00:39:03.81
And, John, what you
said is so important
00:39:03.84\00:39:06.72
and I think it can
bring so much more success
00:39:06.75\00:39:09.09
in the Christian life "success"
because it's all God's success.
00:39:09.12\00:39:11.88
But if we can make sure
00:39:11.91\00:39:14.25
that we're
operating as Christ word
00:39:14.28\00:39:17.56
in a Christ like
spirit the fruit. Right.
00:39:17.59\00:39:20.46
As we then are motivated
to serve using our gifts
00:39:20.49\00:39:24.93
and its both together,
00:39:24.96\00:39:26.95
then we can say that
we're a sanctified Christian
00:39:26.98\00:39:30.02
that is helping to
expand God's kingdom
00:39:30.05\00:39:33.14
and finish the work
that He's given us to do.
00:39:33.17\00:39:35.99
Right, because if you
have somebody working with you
00:39:36.02\00:39:37.92
and you're working
in a conference office
00:39:37.95\00:39:39.43
there in Upper
Columbia Conference.
00:39:39.46\00:39:41.57
If there's somebody
in the conference office
00:39:41.60\00:39:43.44
that has a great skill,
00:39:43.47\00:39:45.41
but they are a
bare to work with.
00:39:45.44\00:39:48.75
There may be some consideration.
00:39:48.78\00:39:50.59
You know what?
00:39:50.62\00:39:52.20
Every time I come to work here,
00:39:52.23\00:39:54.39
I just dread the
thought of having
00:39:54.42\00:39:56.45
to work with so and so,
00:39:56.48\00:39:57.87
because they are
just so unchristian.
00:39:57.90\00:40:01.55
But they are so
good at what they do.
00:40:01.58\00:40:03.36
So what do we do?
00:40:03.39\00:40:04.76
Let's have a talk
with them. Let's find out.
00:40:04.79\00:40:06.57
Brothers and sisters
there's something we can do.
00:40:06.60\00:40:09.12
Is there some
challenge in your life
00:40:09.15\00:40:11.48
and here's the
reaction. What's the problem?
00:40:11.51\00:40:14.48
Am I not doing the
work? Is that the issue? Yeah.
00:40:14.51\00:40:18.17
Or they don't even see
that they are unchrist like.
00:40:18.20\00:40:20.01
They may say, "I don't
know what the problem is,
00:40:20.04\00:40:21.43
I am Christ like."
00:40:21.46\00:40:23.25
You know, and they
don't see there the issues.
00:40:23.28\00:40:26.29
But what I like about what
you're saying here today is
00:40:26.32\00:40:30.34
that the success of the
church, the work will go forward
00:40:30.37\00:40:33.20
more effectively
and more consistently
00:40:33.23\00:40:37.88
and with greater success
rate if people realize that
00:40:37.91\00:40:41.43
God is not just
calling them to be a fruit.
00:40:41.46\00:40:46.01
But to be a person
through which the gifts
00:40:46.04\00:40:48.68
that God has entrusted to
us now begin to be actively
00:40:48.71\00:40:53.39
used to win
somebody else to Christ.
00:40:53.42\00:40:55.84
And there are two parts
00:40:55.87\00:40:57.24
of the process of
sanctification here.
00:40:57.27\00:40:59.22
Let's just talk about the--
lay some more ground work here.
00:40:59.25\00:41:03.96
The change to our
characters often comes,
00:41:03.99\00:41:06.78
our growth in our
strength in our faith,
00:41:06.81\00:41:08.98
often comes through
trials and struggles.
00:41:09.01\00:41:12.28
They're God's workmen.
00:41:12.31\00:41:15.01
Trials, struggles, the
battles we have in life
00:41:15.04\00:41:16.92
are God's workmen to
transform our character.
00:41:16.95\00:41:19.24
I call them God
sandpaper. It's perfect.
00:41:19.27\00:41:22.79
God sandpaper to help
us see who we really are
00:41:22.82\00:41:26.89
and our need of
Christ and His character.
00:41:26.92\00:41:30.48
And God changes us and He
works on us and He grinds.
00:41:30.51\00:41:33.10
And He lets us go
through challenges
00:41:33.13\00:41:34.50
and trials and experiences.
00:41:34.53\00:41:35.90
Well, Lord, take me out of this
00:41:35.93\00:41:37.66
and in the end we
find that we're stronger
00:41:37.69\00:41:40.00
in our faith because of that.
00:41:40.03\00:41:42.47
And we know
those that have any--
00:41:42.50\00:41:44.63
done any study on this
process of sanctification
00:41:44.66\00:41:47.11
know that that's kind of,
00:41:47.14\00:41:48.51
that's a part of
spiritual growth, trials.
00:41:48.54\00:41:51.51
But let's talk
about spiritual gifts.
00:41:51.54\00:41:54.06
The use of our spiritual
gifts can only become effective
00:41:54.09\00:41:59.98
when we also and God can only
strengthen us in those gifts
00:42:00.01\00:42:03.03
when we go through
trials in using them.
00:42:03.06\00:42:07.22
So it's not just
trials that prepare us
00:42:07.25\00:42:09.77
for character
transformation, the fruit,
00:42:09.80\00:42:12.46
He allows us to
go through trials
00:42:12.49\00:42:14.04
that help to
build our efficiency,
00:42:14.07\00:42:15.82
our effectiveness
in the use of the gifts
00:42:15.85\00:42:17.77
that He has given to us. Right.
00:42:17.80\00:42:19.30
So someone might say, I just--
00:42:19.33\00:42:22.35
I'm not great with
connecting with people.
00:42:22.38\00:42:24.48
I can't talk to anybody
00:42:24.51\00:42:25.88
so I-- here's another one.
I can't give a Bible study.
00:42:25.91\00:42:28.69
I don't know the
Bible like you do.
00:42:28.72\00:42:30.77
Or I don't know I'm just
afraid to sharing my testimony.
00:42:30.80\00:42:33.51
I don't know what to
say to people. Right.
00:42:33.54\00:42:35.92
These are challenges
00:42:35.95\00:42:37.38
but let's recognize them as
challenges to overcome. Right.
00:42:37.41\00:42:41.37
Challenges that when we
throw ourselves into the work
00:42:41.40\00:42:44.15
that God will also grow
us in the area of gifts.
00:42:44.18\00:42:49.08
So don't just
stop and don't say,
00:42:49.11\00:42:51.67
I can't use my gifts,
because I'm just afraid to
00:42:51.70\00:42:55.20
or it's a little
hard or difficult for me.
00:42:55.23\00:42:57.91
It goes against my nature.
00:42:57.94\00:43:00.69
Because God wants
you to rise above that.
00:43:00.72\00:43:03.64
He want's you to
go through experience
00:43:03.67\00:43:05.32
of discomfort of
knocking at a door
00:43:05.35\00:43:08.43
and saying to somebody,
00:43:08.46\00:43:10.09
hey, I'm here to
share a track with you
00:43:10.12\00:43:11.91
or something. Right.
00:43:11.94\00:43:13.62
Just don't diverge yourself from
responsibility of using gifts
00:43:13.65\00:43:17.52
because of a discomfort,
00:43:17.55\00:43:18.92
because its part
of the discomfort
00:43:18.95\00:43:20.93
that comes with sanctification.
00:43:20.96\00:43:22.50
Yeah, I remember that.
00:43:22.53\00:43:23.90
Both, faith--
both fruit and gifts.
00:43:23.93\00:43:26.30
And your point is
well taken in that--
00:43:26.33\00:43:29.64
there has to be a
point of inception
00:43:29.67\00:43:31.99
where you begin to use the
gift that you've been given.
00:43:32.02\00:43:35.01
I remember when I was growing up
00:43:35.04\00:43:37.14
my first use of a
hammer, my thumb remembers that.
00:43:37.17\00:43:40.98
And some of you may
have had some new gadget
00:43:41.01\00:43:43.82
or some new tool or may be
the first time you rode a bike,
00:43:43.85\00:43:46.59
you may remember that experience
00:43:46.62\00:43:47.99
because you fell,
or you couldn't stop,
00:43:48.02\00:43:50.44
you couldn't find the breaks,
00:43:50.47\00:43:51.84
you press the front
breaks and went forward.
00:43:51.87\00:43:53.98
You know, you may remember that
00:43:54.01\00:43:55.38
but as you get efficient
people that are runners
00:43:55.41\00:43:58.86
now, people that are Olympians
or at least aim at the Olympiad,
00:43:58.89\00:44:02.73
people that are
professionals in their field
00:44:02.76\00:44:04.97
didn't begin that way
00:44:05.00\00:44:06.37
and what we're
in essence saying is
00:44:06.40\00:44:07.92
if you put forth that kind
of effort in your profession,
00:44:07.95\00:44:11.81
then you should at least
00:44:11.84\00:44:13.89
put forth equal that
effort in your Christianity.
00:44:13.92\00:44:18.19
And if you don't
fear making mistake,
00:44:18.22\00:44:21.02
I like the way that
somebody wants to describe
00:44:21.05\00:44:23.60
Benjamin Franklin's discovery.
00:44:23.63\00:44:25.53
Well, what did he discover?
00:44:25.56\00:44:26.93
Was it light bulb, again created
a light bulb or electricity?
00:44:26.96\00:44:28.70
No, no, no, electricity.
00:44:28.73\00:44:30.10
He found it with the key
on the end of a kite there.
00:44:30.13\00:44:32.18
And so they said he never failed
00:44:32.21\00:44:35.82
because everything he
did was an experiment.
00:44:35.85\00:44:37.87
Oh, you're telling
about Thomas Edison
00:44:37.90\00:44:39.27
and the light bulb?
00:44:39.30\00:44:40.67
Thomas Edison and the
light bulb. So he never failed.
00:44:40.70\00:44:42.07
Everything he
did was an experiment
00:44:42.10\00:44:43.47
until he finally got
his creation to work.
00:44:43.50\00:44:44.90
Yes, don't you get discouraged
about how many failures,
00:44:44.93\00:44:47.33
a thousand failures?
Something he said, "No.
00:44:47.36\00:44:50.42
Each one of them was
a step towards success."
00:44:50.45\00:44:53.63
And so on the same
sense there are people,
00:44:53.66\00:44:55.64
I've spoken to people that say
00:44:55.67\00:44:57.04
well, you know,
we're getting together now
00:44:57.07\00:44:58.44
there's a ministry team
00:44:58.47\00:44:59.84
and we're going to knock on
the doors passing our tracks
00:44:59.87\00:45:01.24
and somebody said to
me, "Oh, I'll never do that.
00:45:01.27\00:45:05.29
Are you kidding me?"
00:45:05.32\00:45:07.20
And I thought to myself
00:45:07.23\00:45:08.60
what if you were
on the other end.
00:45:08.63\00:45:10.00
What if you were the
person behind that door saying,
00:45:10.03\00:45:12.67
"Heavenly father, I
don't even know if You exist."
00:45:12.70\00:45:17.33
And he is saying, "I
got some folks down here
00:45:17.36\00:45:19.91
I am working on, so
they can come to your house,
00:45:19.94\00:45:22.93
so that you'll know I exist."
00:45:22.96\00:45:25.05
Right now they are like in the
00:45:25.08\00:45:26.88
'I will never do
that' category. Yeah.
00:45:26.91\00:45:29.50
Not realizing that I didn't
call them to just come to work,
00:45:29.53\00:45:34.76
I call them to come to work
to get prepared to go to work.
00:45:34.79\00:45:38.56
The charge-- the commission
God gave us is to go. Right.
00:45:38.59\00:45:43.19
And think about when we say
evangelism today in the church,
00:45:43.22\00:45:46.46
specifically the
Adventist church today.
00:45:46.49\00:45:48.53
Most people think
about the public meeting,
00:45:48.56\00:45:50.36
the reaping meeting.
00:45:50.39\00:45:51.89
When we say evangelism,
well, who we're getting
00:45:51.92\00:45:53.54
to come in as an evangelist
00:45:53.57\00:45:54.94
and then we'll send
out a bunch of fliers
00:45:54.97\00:45:56.78
and we'll hopefully get--
00:45:56.81\00:45:58.18
what is it? 0.7% of
response from those fliers.
00:45:58.21\00:46:03.48
And we'll preach them and
hopefully they are convinced
00:46:03.51\00:46:05.36
of what we were sharing is true
and they will accept the truth.
00:46:05.39\00:46:08.36
That is intellectual,
but let me tell you
00:46:08.39\00:46:10.61
God's mission in more
cases was to connect with people
00:46:10.64\00:46:15.78
on a one to one level
than it was preaching upfront.
00:46:15.81\00:46:19.17
Yes, he had his times, his
moments, his reaping series,
00:46:19.20\00:46:23.61
but how much was
one to one service.
00:46:23.64\00:46:25.90
And if we
disconnect, divorce ourselves
00:46:25.93\00:46:28.26
from connecting
with people one to one,
00:46:28.29\00:46:29.78
whether it will be door to door
or whether it be our neighbors,
00:46:29.81\00:46:31.83
whether it be our co-worker,
00:46:31.86\00:46:33.91
the gospel will never
be finished. That's right.
00:46:33.94\00:46:38.72
In fact, there's a
statement from Gospel Workers
00:46:38.75\00:46:41.47
and it says, "The
work of God on this earth
00:46:41.50\00:46:44.73
can never be finished unless
our members unite their efforts
00:46:44.76\00:46:50.25
with our pastors and
leaders, church officers."
00:46:50.28\00:46:53.00
Okay, Page 351,
00:46:53.03\00:46:55.95
"The work of this
earth can never be finished
00:46:55.98\00:46:57.82
until the men and
women comprising our church
00:46:57.85\00:47:00.37
rally to the work to
get unite their efforts
00:47:00.40\00:47:02.29
with those of ministers
00:47:02.32\00:47:03.69
and church
officers. "That's right.
00:47:03.72\00:47:05.09
And so when you
hear this phrase,
00:47:05.12\00:47:06.49
well, the layman
going to finish the work
00:47:06.52\00:47:07.89
or the clergy is
gong to finish the work.
00:47:07.92\00:47:10.16
In God's sight
there're no layman and clergy,
00:47:10.19\00:47:13.19
they're all workers.
00:47:13.22\00:47:14.59
Each of those categorizations
00:47:14.62\00:47:17.28
is the gift that God
has entrusted you with.
00:47:17.31\00:47:20.83
Gift of administration,
00:47:20.86\00:47:22.23
some thing that
John is strong in.
00:47:22.26\00:47:24.65
The gift of leadership,
00:47:24.68\00:47:26.05
the gift of, you
know, organization,
00:47:26.08\00:47:29.22
all these are gifts,
the gift of preaching.
00:47:29.25\00:47:31.02
And some of those
are more obvious gifts,
00:47:31.05\00:47:33.25
but let's go to
down the list now.
00:47:33.28\00:47:34.90
There is hospitality,
00:47:34.93\00:47:37.07
the gift of
encouragement. That's right.
00:47:37.10\00:47:38.94
The gift of giving.
00:47:38.97\00:47:40.96
These gifts that seem to be
00:47:40.99\00:47:43.22
kind of lost sight of sometimes
00:47:43.25\00:47:45.97
are sometimes more
important on a relational level
00:47:46.00\00:47:50.42
for reaching the
hearts of our community
00:47:50.45\00:47:52.25
and the people around us. Right.
00:47:52.28\00:47:54.27
And we are not using them,
we are not feeling accountable.
00:47:54.30\00:47:56.23
Well, the preacher,
00:47:56.26\00:47:57.63
he's just such a good
preacher or the teacher.
00:47:57.66\00:47:59.30
Boy, he can give a Bible study.
00:47:59.33\00:48:00.70
Let's leave the
saving up to them.
00:48:00.73\00:48:02.70
No, God is calling
you to step forward
00:48:02.73\00:48:05.31
and use your
gift for the salvation
00:48:05.34\00:48:06.85
of your neighbors,
your friends, co-workers,
00:48:06.88\00:48:09.05
whatever, whoever it may be.
00:48:09.08\00:48:10.66
Yes, its like in any company
00:48:10.69\00:48:12.26
you never have the
CEO doing all the work,
00:48:12.29\00:48:16.42
he actually have the staff.
00:48:16.45\00:48:18.96
I was giving a--
I've been preaching
00:48:18.99\00:48:20.80
a lot about this
topic here recently
00:48:20.83\00:48:22.52
in going around
from church to church.
00:48:22.55\00:48:24.96
It's really the model
00:48:24.99\00:48:26.36
that Upper Colombia is
adopting with its pastors
00:48:26.39\00:48:28.42
and its churches to
really get empower everyone
00:48:28.45\00:48:32.70
in the church for ministry.
00:48:32.73\00:48:34.72
And one of the things I
mentioned in that message is,
00:48:34.75\00:48:39.20
Rochelle usually plays a
special music before I preach.
00:48:39.23\00:48:42.22
And you know, she
is good with the keys
00:48:42.25\00:48:43.77
and she's talented as
a musician, the pianist.
00:48:43.80\00:48:47.91
And I said, how many
of you would believe me
00:48:47.94\00:48:51.60
if I told you that Rochelle
00:48:51.63\00:48:53.00
just started
playing the piano last week.
00:48:53.03\00:48:55.71
Oh, it's good.
00:48:55.74\00:48:57.54
And everybody says, no
way. There's not a chance.
00:48:57.57\00:49:01.42
Well, for that Bible
worker or for that preacher
00:49:01.45\00:49:05.08
or the one that, you know,
is really ministered to you,
00:49:05.11\00:49:07.98
how long ago do you think
00:49:08.01\00:49:09.38
they started
using their gift? Right.
00:49:09.41\00:49:11.97
Even the gift of
hospitality and other things,
00:49:12.00\00:49:14.44
you've got to
just jump in sometimes
00:49:14.47\00:49:16.75
and it may be uncomfortable
00:49:16.78\00:49:18.58
and it may have few
failures along the way,
00:49:18.61\00:49:20.54
but you get good
at it once you do it.
00:49:20.57\00:49:23.22
Bible workers, we have a network
00:49:23.25\00:49:24.62
of 37 Bible workers
right now in Upper Colombia
00:49:24.65\00:49:27.27
and they're placed
around at various churches.
00:49:27.30\00:49:30.26
Every one of them,
to the last one say that
00:49:30.29\00:49:32.72
when they go out
knocking on doors,
00:49:32.75\00:49:34.52
the first few are
the most difficult
00:49:34.55\00:49:36.19
but after that they
are on the roll. Right.
00:49:36.22\00:49:39.09
Because the
discomfort goes away.
00:49:39.12\00:49:41.61
It all of the
sudden they feel like,
00:49:41.64\00:49:43.21
you know, I am God's worker.
00:49:43.24\00:49:45.32
And they are knocking on doors
and they are talking to people
00:49:45.35\00:49:47.86
and that
uncomfortableness wares off
00:49:47.89\00:49:51.57
and they become good at it.
00:49:51.60\00:49:52.97
Now let me also add
another component here
00:49:53.00\00:49:54.67
that seems strange,
00:49:54.70\00:49:56.07
it's kind of like
adding some pepper,
00:49:56.10\00:49:58.76
adding some seasoning
to the conservation here.
00:49:58.79\00:50:02.54
If the worker of Christ
is not a worker for Christ
00:50:02.57\00:50:09.66
then the work
doesn't go forward.
00:50:09.69\00:50:12.50
When Jesus talks
about this in Matthew 24,
00:50:12.53\00:50:16.04
Matthew 20, Matthew 7.
00:50:16.07\00:50:19.13
I want to read this
in the King James Version
00:50:19.16\00:50:21.85
because I want
you to see something
00:50:21.88\00:50:24.48
that really-- the Lord just--
00:50:24.51\00:50:27.00
I mean, really I don't
often say statements like this,
00:50:27.03\00:50:29.45
but He just
impressed me to share this text
00:50:29.48\00:50:32.12
from the
perspective of the worker.
00:50:32.15\00:50:37.69
He says in Matthew
7:21 then--verse 23,
00:50:37.72\00:50:45.69
"And then I will
profess unto them,
00:50:45.72\00:50:49.68
I never knew you depart from me,
00:50:49.71\00:50:52.53
ye that work iniquity."
00:50:52.56\00:50:57.39
They work but what
is their work? Iniquity.
00:50:57.42\00:51:01.71
And if you think
about the world today,
00:51:01.74\00:51:03.75
I remember going to
Las Vegas with 3ABN.
00:51:03.78\00:51:08.14
We went there to do a rally
00:51:08.17\00:51:09.54
at one of the
churches few years ago.
00:51:09.57\00:51:12.45
And one of the
things that we were
00:51:12.48\00:51:14.18
so encouraged by is that
00:51:14.21\00:51:18.13
the baptism rate is
so high in Las Vegas
00:51:18.16\00:51:24.28
because 3ABN's
network is going out
00:51:24.31\00:51:27.17
throughout the community.
00:51:27.20\00:51:28.57
And people are
walking into churches,
00:51:28.60\00:51:30.74
prepared for
baptism. People then go out,
00:51:30.77\00:51:33.78
those persons that are baptized
00:51:33.81\00:51:35.21
then go out into the community
00:51:35.24\00:51:36.98
and bring other individuals.
00:51:37.01\00:51:38.70
And I thought to myself as
we were walking down these,
00:51:38.73\00:51:41.68
you know, you
cannot go to Las Vegas
00:51:41.71\00:51:43.39
without going down
the major strip there
00:51:43.42\00:51:45.92
and seeing the
lights but you can't move
00:51:45.95\00:51:48.60
but a few inches, but a few feet
00:51:48.63\00:51:52.49
before there somebody always
trying to give you something.
00:51:52.52\00:51:55.94
They're workers
of iniquity out there
00:51:55.97\00:51:58.47
that work 24 hours a day,
seven days a week on their back,
00:51:58.50\00:52:02.69
some of them have backpacks,
00:52:02.72\00:52:04.13
some of them have a box
on the side of the road.
00:52:04.16\00:52:06.60
They go and get a handful
00:52:06.63\00:52:08.00
of whatever
handbills they are passing out,
00:52:08.03\00:52:10.46
they are
flipping and giving it--
00:52:10.49\00:52:12.83
take another one out there.
00:52:12.86\00:52:14.44
Here's another
one, here's one for you,
00:52:14.47\00:52:15.96
here's one for you.
00:52:15.99\00:52:17.36
They're making sure that
these workers of iniquity
00:52:17.39\00:52:19.58
get their message out.
00:52:19.61\00:52:22.04
And you know what the--
00:52:22.07\00:52:23.44
and when you look at
these ads in a newspaper,
00:52:23.47\00:52:27.83
this is the ad, no experience
required on the job training.
00:52:27.86\00:52:35.23
So we come to
Christianity we'll say,
00:52:35.26\00:52:37.20
I say to somebody,
you say you will never
00:52:37.23\00:52:40.02
oh, you'll never get
me to do that and I said,
00:52:40.05\00:52:42.94
"So how hard is
it to go like this?"
00:52:42.97\00:52:46.96
Knock, knock.
Does your arm work?
00:52:46.99\00:52:52.83
Can you say, how hard is
it to just go down the block
00:52:52.86\00:52:57.13
and hang on
somebody's door knob,
00:52:57.16\00:53:01.06
a nice clear plastic bag
00:53:01.09\00:53:02.46
with the number of
different types of literature
00:53:02.49\00:53:04.47
that can preach
a message to them
00:53:04.50\00:53:05.98
that they would
never otherwise receive.
00:53:06.01\00:53:09.35
That's what
you're talking about.
00:53:09.38\00:53:10.82
These are the gifts.
00:53:10.85\00:53:12.22
God has called us to
be workers not of iniquity
00:53:12.25\00:53:15.00
but workers of righteousness.
So we cannot miss.
00:53:15.03\00:53:19.90
You want to
read something there?
00:53:19.93\00:53:21.30
Well, in looking at
verse you just read. Yeah.
00:53:21.33\00:53:24.15
From the King James Version,
the New King James Version,
00:53:24.18\00:53:28.08
I think it's also good, it say,
"You who practice lawlessness."
00:53:28.11\00:53:31.96
And that word
practice jumps out at me
00:53:31.99\00:53:33.92
because John in his epistle,
00:53:33.95\00:53:37.07
1 John 3 says this, 1 John 3:7,
00:53:37.10\00:53:42.04
"Little children,
let no one deceive you.
00:53:42.07\00:53:44.97
He who practices righteousness
00:53:45.00\00:53:47.50
is righteous, just
as he is righteous."
00:53:47.53\00:53:51.33
Practice makes perfect and
here's what I mean by that.
00:53:51.36\00:53:56.66
Not in the sense that you
00:53:56.69\00:53:58.06
finally have arrive at
the highest 100% level.
00:53:58.09\00:54:01.65
But the fact that
you practice your faith.
00:54:01.68\00:54:04.96
Any point along the time
where you are practicing,
00:54:04.99\00:54:07.49
using your gifts,
00:54:07.52\00:54:09.72
allowing the
fruits of God's spirit
00:54:09.75\00:54:11.26
to shine through you.
00:54:11.29\00:54:12.66
Remember a
balance gospel here now.
00:54:12.69\00:54:14.75
Anytime you practicing
that, Jesus makes you perfect.
00:54:14.78\00:54:18.09
He doesn't call for
you to be great and perfect
00:54:18.12\00:54:21.58
in all that you do just
that you practice it. Right.
00:54:21.61\00:54:24.39
Practicing righteousness
makes us righteous.
00:54:24.42\00:54:28.02
And to say I become--
I've been saved by Jesus,
00:54:28.05\00:54:33.47
I've been transformed,
I am prepared for heaven
00:54:33.50\00:54:36.81
without actually
being involved in His work
00:54:36.84\00:54:39.41
and using His
gifts is self deception.
00:54:39.44\00:54:42.25
That's why John says,
"Let no one deceive you,
00:54:42.28\00:54:45.78
practice righteousness."
Get out there and perform it.
00:54:45.81\00:54:49.55
Do the work that
God has given you to do.
00:54:49.58\00:54:51.58
Don't you sit there
and say, I am saved.
00:54:51.61\00:54:55.95
And that's one of the reasons
00:54:55.98\00:54:57.35
why we have this
debate within even Adventism.
00:54:57.38\00:55:00.32
And I know a lot of
Christian face have this
00:55:00.35\00:55:02.82
is should we say
that, I am saved.
00:55:02.85\00:55:05.79
Well, yes we should have
confidence that we're saved,
00:55:05.82\00:55:07.65
but our confidence is
in the doing of the work
00:55:07.68\00:55:10.02
God has given us to do. Right.
00:55:10.05\00:55:11.82
Now in the fact
that I am attained
00:55:11.85\00:55:13.50
or reached a point in time
00:55:13.53\00:55:15.01
where I am arrived,
I finally have arrived.
00:55:15.04\00:55:18.22
It's the work of God in doing
00:55:18.25\00:55:20.21
and being involved
in the work of God.
00:55:20.24\00:55:21.84
This is what we're trying to
get members to be involved with.
00:55:21.87\00:55:25.42
So when people say I am saved,
00:55:25.45\00:55:27.09
a good question nowadays to
follow that up with will be,
00:55:27.12\00:55:30.17
what are you saved for?
00:55:30.20\00:55:34.25
Not when where you saved,
00:55:34.28\00:55:35.65
but what do you saved for? Yeah.
00:55:35.68\00:55:38.94
What does the
Lord saved you for?
00:55:38.97\00:55:40.83
Ephesians 2:10, "For
we are his workmanship,
00:55:40.86\00:55:45.20
created in Christ
Jesus for good works,
00:55:45.23\00:55:48.21
which God prepared beforehand,
that you should walk there in."
00:55:48.24\00:55:53.61
Just recently we have a
prison ministry here that
00:55:53.64\00:55:57.96
3ABN treasurer which
is also one of our elders
00:55:57.99\00:56:01.59
is heavily involved
with a beautiful ministry.
00:56:01.62\00:56:03.70
He and a number of people here,
00:56:03.73\00:56:05.11
go to different institutions
00:56:05.14\00:56:07.01
whether large prisons
or small detention centers,
00:56:07.04\00:56:13.30
but every now and
then they get these
00:56:13.33\00:56:14.70
massive loads of boxes of goods
00:56:14.73\00:56:17.30
and plastic bags
of all these things
00:56:17.33\00:56:19.76
that they take over there.
00:56:19.79\00:56:21.69
And Sabbath afternoon he say,
00:56:21.72\00:56:23.17
okay, for the next three
hours we need lots of hands,
00:56:23.20\00:56:26.17
we got to get all
of these bags together
00:56:26.20\00:56:28.80
to carry them out
to give to somebody
00:56:28.83\00:56:32.24
and you realize okay.
00:56:32.27\00:56:34.36
He had these
things prepared beforehand
00:56:34.39\00:56:37.78
that we should go
ahead and involve ourselves
00:56:37.81\00:56:40.01
in getting involved in
that. You know what happens?
00:56:40.04\00:56:42.12
When all the church
members after we have lunch,
00:56:42.15\00:56:43.94
get together and
go over to the school
00:56:43.97\00:56:45.34
and work for hours on there
00:56:45.37\00:56:46.79
they feel a sense of
accomplishment in partnership
00:56:46.82\00:56:49.26
and those bags finally
make it to that inmate.
00:56:49.29\00:56:52.11
Whether male or
female they realize
00:56:52.14\00:56:53.65
they did something today
00:56:53.68\00:56:55.40
to make a
difference in somebody's life.
00:56:55.43\00:56:57.33
We're going to spend more
time in our part two. Yes.
00:56:57.36\00:56:59.84
Talking about good works,
00:56:59.87\00:57:01.99
because that is part of
the Christian experience.
00:57:02.02\00:57:05.78
We can't be so
afraid of good works
00:57:05.81\00:57:07.52
not to talk about it.
00:57:07.55\00:57:08.92
So we'll talk about that,
00:57:08.95\00:57:10.32
but God wants workers for Him
to help finish the work today.
00:57:10.35\00:57:13.96
That's right and so
friends here at "House Calls"
00:57:13.99\00:57:15.96
we do believe that the
Lord has made a call already.
00:57:15.99\00:57:19.41
Not just to come to Him,
00:57:19.44\00:57:21.27
but He wants to
prepare you to do something
00:57:21.30\00:57:23.09
that you never
thought you will able to do,
00:57:23.12\00:57:25.61
give you an ability that
will always glorifies His name.
00:57:25.64\00:57:28.36
So get ready
because the call is coming
00:57:28.39\00:57:30.68
and when it does, we
pray that you will answer it.
00:57:30.71\00:57:32.98
God bless you.
00:57:33.01\00:57:34.38