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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We want to welcome to
another House Calls program.
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Well, we're excited to be here
with you in your living room,
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maybe in your car
wherever you maybe
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we're just thankful
to be part of your day.
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And so House
Calls is a program about
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rightly dividing
the word of truth.
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We pray that that will be
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part of the program
today as it usually is.
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And I want to
thank Johnny Dinzey
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for being here with us today.
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Johnny, thank you.
Welcome to the program.
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Thank you, thank you once again.
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It's my opportunity to be here
and share God's word together.
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Yeah, it's a wonderful thing.
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We-- you know, it's not a duty,
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it's a privilege
to be able to dive
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into the Word of God
and to share His truth.
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Amen.
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It really is and we
consider that every time
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we began and we
record one of these programs
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it truly it is a
privilege to be able to share
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the everlasting
gospel with all the world.
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And we're thankful for that.
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We want to-- not only thank you
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for joining with
us in this program
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but we want to make sure
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we're starting off the
program on the right foot.
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So let's go to
the Lord and pray.
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Johnny, would you
lead us in prayer.
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Sure, let's go to
the Lord in prayer.
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Our loving heavenly Father,
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we thank You once
again for the opportunity
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to come before
Your throne of grace.
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We pray Lord, for
Your blessing upon everyone
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that stops to
listen to this program.
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We pray that Your holy angels
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and Your Holy Spirit
will draw on to them,
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close to them
and draw close to us.
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And we pray that You
will bless Pastor Stanton
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and myself with the Holy Spirit
give us the words to speak,
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give us the
answers to the questions
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that have come
in and we pray that
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You will lead us in our study.
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We ask you Father, for
a blessing upon everyone.
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In Jesus name, amen. Amen.
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Our program today the topic
of the program today is Unity.
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And that is unity
speaking of the church
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and within the
church the body of Christ.
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And we want to make sure
that you stay tuned for that
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that's usually in the last part
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of our program,
the last half hour.
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The first part
is your questions.
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And you are a big
part of those questions
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and we thank you
for sending those in.
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We've got some good
ones to cover here today.
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You can mail those questions
to housecalls@3abn.org.
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That's housecalls@3abn.org
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or you can write
out your questions
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sticking in envelopes send
it to 3ABN care of House Calls
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or you could even
call the call center
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and they will make sure
they take down your question
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and send it into the House Calls
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email if you don't
have an email of yourself.
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Several ways to get
your questions to us
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but we do depend
upon you to send those in.
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It's a big part of the program
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and that's exactly
where we're heading today.
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And Johnny, I think you have
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a question to start us off with.
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Why don't we go ahead
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and cover our first
question here today.
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Let me get that one
here-- questions that came in
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and, yes, this
one is from Jimmy.
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And Jimmy writes to us.
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Actually, we'd like
to ask the next time
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to please include
where they're writing from.
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You know, we have viewers
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and listeners
all over the world.
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It'll be nice to be able to say
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well, this one is calling from--
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Yeah. Honk Kong may be.
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But Jimmy writes
to us and he says
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please explain 1 John 5:16, 17
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where it talks
about there being a sin
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that does not lead to death.
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Thank you and God bless, he says
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and actually he says,
A. Parker so A wrote to us.
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And so we are thank
you for your questions
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and please continue
to watch House Calls
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and listen to House Calls
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by whatever form
you view the program.
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So this leads us
to 1 John Chapter 5.
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Yeah, a very interesting
passage to say the least.
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Yes, it is.
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But one that
can't be understood.
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Well, here we
have the Scriptures
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and we know that he
says 16 and 17 correct.
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Is it 16-17? Yes, it is.
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Okay, "If any man
see his brother sin
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a sin which is not
unto death, he shall ask,
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and he shall
give him life for them
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that sin not unto death.
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There is a sin unto death
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I do not say that
he shall pray for it.
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All unrighteousness is sin
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and there is a
sin not unto death."
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So a very good question
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about what is
this sin unto death
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and what is this
sin not unto death.
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So we look at the Scriptures
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and we ask
ourselves what it is it.
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Because James does not
enter into what that sin is.
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Well, John and this one is John.
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Oh, John, yes, John. Yeah.
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So I had James on my mind. Yeah.
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So 1 John, here we
see-- we first we have to look
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at what the Bible
says concerning sin.
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Of course, when we look
at the Bible 1 John 3:4 says
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that sin is the
transgression of the law.
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Since sin is the
transgression of the law
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then that's how
you identify sin.
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You know, some
people I wanted to say
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that the law has passed away
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but the Bible tells us
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that sin is the
transgression of the law.
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The law remains as the standard
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by which you identify
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what sin is and what is not sin.
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So having said
this we want to bring
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your attention to
the Book of James.
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This is why I wanted to--
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I want to find this
Scripture in the Book of James
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where it gives you a description
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as to the process
of sin and the process
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that takes place
when a person sins.
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It is in James Chapter 2
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let's see if I
can find that here
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perhaps you can look for it.
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Is it James, is it
James 1 I think 1--
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James 1. Starting with 14.
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Oh, I am sorry, I
am still in 1 John.
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There you go.
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James 1:14 I think it's
where you're trying to go right.
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"Each one is tempted
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when he is drawn
away by his own desires."
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There you go.
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Would you read that for us then?
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Yeah, "Each one is
tempted when he is drawn away
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by his own desires and enticed."
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It says "Then, when
desire has conceived,
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it gives birth to sin and sin,
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when it is
full-grown, brings forth death."
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There we go, so here we
have the Scripture that tells us
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when sin is full
grown it leads to what?
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Death. It leads to death.
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So still the question remains
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what is the sin
that is not unto death.
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I want to add
another text to this
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by going to Ezekiel Chapter 18,
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Ezekiel Chapter 18.
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In Ezekiel 18:4, we are told,
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"Behold, all souls are Mine,
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as the soul of the father,
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so the soul of the son is mine."
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God says.
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"The soul that
sinneth, it shall die."
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It is very clear.
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The soul that
sinneth, it shall die."
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By the way here
is some people say
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that the soul cannot die
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however the
Scripture says that it can.
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That's right.
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We won't dwell on this aspect.
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So what is the sin
that is not unto death?
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Well, there is a
description in the Bible
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about an unpardonable sin.
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In other words,
Jesus said, "that all sins
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that men may commit
will be forgiven them
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except the sin
against the Holy Ghost."
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That's right.
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So we have the Bible
helping us understand
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that the sin
against the Holy Ghost
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consider the unpardonable sin
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and this how do
you commit the sin.
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It is a continuing persisting
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in rejecting the drawing
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of the Holy
Spirit to repentance.
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Because when we send
God through His Holy Spirit
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leads us to repentance
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but if we continue
to refuse and refuse
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eventually this
becomes the unpardonable sin.
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Yeah.
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And so this is a
sin that is-- that is--
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I am sorry that
is unto the death
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because from that you have
no opportunity for salvation
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but all sins that you commit
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and you go to the Lord
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and you ask Him for forgiveness
you will be forgiven.
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It is written in 1 John
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and it says "if
we confess our sins
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He is faithful and just
to forgive us for our sins
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and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness."
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I am sure you
have something to add.
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Well, I tell you what
first the Book of 1 John
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really it does a great job
of explaining exactly that.
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Here's what sin is.
Here's what righteousness is.
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Here is how to cling to
God and receive forgiveness.
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Here is how to not cling to God
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persisting your
own life and die.
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And it really lays both of
those things out very clearly
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and does an excellent job
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although it seems
in this one passage
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to be very brief
sin leading to death,
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sin not leading to death
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and we kind of boil it
down to one specific sin
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that is committed that's
not what it speaking about.
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He is developing
an entire theology
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throughout this epistle
about sin and life in Christ,
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sin as opposed to righteousness.
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Here is an example of it.
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You already mentioned this text
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John, it's from 1 John 3:4,
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"Whoever commits sin
also commits lawlessness.
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And sin is lawlessness"
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or transgression
of the law, right.
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And notice this.
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Listen to his ongoing theology.
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"And you know
that He was manifested
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to take away our sins,
and in Him there is no sin.
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Whoever abides
in Him does not sin.
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Whoever sins has
neither seen Him nor known Him."
00:10:02.18\00:10:05.69
This is one that sin
as a trend of the life.
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This is the life of sin.
This is the one specific sin.
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So when it says whoever
abides in Him does not sin
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it means that He
is not living a life
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full of sinful for practices.
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Right.
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And we here is
how I can say that
00:10:18.61\00:10:20.84
because he defines exactly
what he is talking about.
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Look at verse 7,
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"Little children,
let no one deceive you."
00:10:24.59\00:10:26.81
He who does what? Sin.
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"He who practices
righteousness is righteous,
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just as he is righteous.
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He who sins" or you would say
practices sin "is of the devil,
00:10:35.32\00:10:40.20
for the devil has
sinned from the beginning."
00:10:40.23\00:10:42.57
So you see here this
theology of the lifestyle.
00:10:42.60\00:10:47.08
Yes.
00:10:47.11\00:10:48.14
The big capital
SIN am I living a life
00:10:48.17\00:10:51.22
where I practice the sins
that result from a separation
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or sin for relationship with God
00:10:54.73\00:10:57.53
or is might the
trend of the life
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to practice the good things,
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the pure things,
the righteous things,
00:11:01.60\00:11:03.61
that come from
Christ righteousness
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and living
according to His Spirit.
00:11:05.70\00:11:07.35
Amen.
00:11:07.38\00:11:08.41
And he pulls up the two
00:11:08.44\00:11:10.51
and he continues that thought
right down into chapter 5
00:11:10.54\00:11:14.61
so it helps us
as we read chapter 5
00:11:14.64\00:11:17.75
and the verses that you
mentioned there 16 and 17
00:11:17.78\00:11:21.15
where it says "If
anyone sees his brother
00:11:21.18\00:11:23.07
sinning a sin which
does not lead to death."
00:11:23.10\00:11:25.38
In other words, he's
sinning but it's not a practice
00:11:25.41\00:11:29.65
and he can be delivered from it.
00:11:29.68\00:11:31.36
Intervene, pray for him
that he might overcome that sin
00:11:31.39\00:11:34.48
and he will be saved, okay.
00:11:34.51\00:11:36.48
Now the sin or the error
00:11:36.51\00:11:38.83
that the mistake committed
by the individual maybe as such
00:11:38.86\00:11:43.71
where he even needs
conviction about it.
00:11:43.74\00:11:46.44
And so we of course
00:11:46.47\00:11:47.55
we should be
praying for that right.
00:11:47.58\00:11:49.56
But that's supposed to
the one leading to death
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which is the sin that
resists the spirit of God.
00:11:52.30\00:11:57.15
You did a very good
job John, of mentioning
00:11:57.18\00:11:59.53
how the unpardonable sin is
00:11:59.56\00:12:01.53
a blasphemy
against the Holy Spirit.
00:12:01.56\00:12:03.87
And what that is
telling the spirit
00:12:03.90\00:12:06.51
who is trying to draw
you to Christ no, go away.
00:12:06.54\00:12:10.28
I don't want to hear about it.
00:12:10.31\00:12:11.34
I am not
interested in life in Christ
00:12:11.37\00:12:13.71
and hopefully I
will say this right.
00:12:13.74\00:12:15.86
I'd always tried I
mess it up sometimes.
00:12:15.89\00:12:18.85
There is no sin
that Christ won't forgive
00:12:18.88\00:12:23.98
but there is a sin
that He can't forgive.
00:12:24.01\00:12:27.86
That's right.
00:12:27.89\00:12:28.92
He can't forgive it
because we're not confessing it
00:12:28.95\00:12:32.16
nor do we want to forsake it.
00:12:32.19\00:12:33.35
That's right.
00:12:33.38\00:12:34.41
That's why it
says "if we confess."
00:12:34.44\00:12:36.02
"If we confess."
00:12:36.05\00:12:37.60
So it's not that
you have committed a sin
00:12:37.63\00:12:39.65
that He won't forgive
it's that you committed a sin
00:12:39.68\00:12:43.46
that you don't
want forgiveness for.
00:12:43.49\00:12:46.46
You're running away from
God with and it's not that
00:12:46.49\00:12:48.91
He won't forgive
it if you confess it.
00:12:48.94\00:12:50.74
It's just He can't
00:12:50.77\00:12:52.15
because if you're
deliberate practice of sin.
00:12:52.18\00:12:55.57
And this is the
theology that John develops
00:12:55.60\00:12:57.70
throughout the Book of 1 John--
00:12:57.73\00:13:00.57
his first epistle to the church.
00:13:00.60\00:13:02.69
And I think a fantastic
way he-- example of that.
00:13:02.72\00:13:06.52
Here is a passage
we've been eluding
00:13:06.55\00:13:08.12
to a couple of times already.
00:13:08.15\00:13:10.42
Mark Chapter 3
is one of the places
00:13:10.45\00:13:12.00
you'll find that
verse beginning in verse 28
00:13:12.03\00:13:14.26
"Verily I say
unto you" Jesus says
00:13:14.29\00:13:16.40
"All sins shall be
forgiven unto the sons of men,
00:13:16.43\00:13:19.76
and blasphemies wherewith soever
00:13:19.79\00:13:23.65
they shall blaspheme
00:13:23.68\00:13:24.71
but he that shall
blaspheme against the Holy Ghost
00:13:24.74\00:13:28.20
hath never forgiveness,
00:13:28.23\00:13:30.27
but is in danger
of eternal damnation."
00:13:30.30\00:13:34.30
And so here we have
Jesus clearly speaking to us
00:13:34.33\00:13:37.76
about this great danger.
00:13:37.79\00:13:40.39
And so what happens if
you've committed a sin.
00:13:40.42\00:13:44.59
In 1 John 2:1, he says
00:13:44.62\00:13:47.37
"My little children,
00:13:47.40\00:13:48.85
these things I write
unto you, that ye sin not.
00:13:48.88\00:13:52.29
But if any man sin, we have
an advocate with the Father,
00:13:52.32\00:13:55.74
Jesus Christ the righteous."
00:13:55.77\00:13:56.89
That's right. So
the invitation is out.
00:13:56.92\00:13:59.25
Jesus says "if
any man cometh unto me
00:13:59.28\00:14:02.36
I will in no wise cast out."
00:14:02.39\00:14:04.30
So we have the opportunity
to be forgiven for our sins.
00:14:04.33\00:14:07.26
Please take advantage of
it while there is opportunity.
00:14:07.29\00:14:10.65
And also we would pray
that sometimes forgiveness
00:14:10.68\00:14:13.22
or the repenting heart
that is a gift from God.
00:14:13.25\00:14:16.02
The gift of repentance, we
should pray for the sorrow.
00:14:16.05\00:14:18.67
Sometimes I mean Johnny,
00:14:18.70\00:14:20.04
when I was, when
I was young first--
00:14:20.07\00:14:23.73
well I was raised
in a Christian home
00:14:23.76\00:14:26.15
and abided by my
parents rules and guidelines
00:14:26.18\00:14:30.40
but never really had a
relationship with Jesus.
00:14:30.43\00:14:33.52
And I remember during
a lot of my party life
00:14:33.55\00:14:35.72
I would be
sitting there in the car
00:14:35.75\00:14:37.74
whether I was
drinking or smoking
00:14:37.77\00:14:39.16
or doing what I shouldn't do,
00:14:39.19\00:14:40.24
I don't you
know whatever it was,
00:14:40.27\00:14:42.02
sitting there
thinking with a sudden fear
00:14:42.05\00:14:46.05
that came upon me
00:14:46.08\00:14:47.11
that if the Jesus
would come I will be lost.
00:14:47.14\00:14:49.18
I mean I knew
that I will be lost.
00:14:49.21\00:14:51.62
And when I began to--
00:14:51.65\00:14:55.35
when my heart
turned back toward God
00:14:55.38\00:14:57.54
and I opened my heart up to Him
00:14:57.57\00:15:00.74
and the forgiveness
came and my repentance came.
00:15:00.77\00:15:04.25
I found myself
early on at that point
00:15:04.28\00:15:06.68
just before that point praying
Lord I know that I am sinning,
00:15:06.71\00:15:11.26
I know I am a sinner
and I don't even really
00:15:11.29\00:15:14.06
I am not even
really sorrowful for it.
00:15:14.09\00:15:16.28
But give me the sorrow.
00:15:16.31\00:15:18.41
Give me a desire for
you give me an experience
00:15:18.44\00:15:21.94
where it makes me want
to even to turn from my sin
00:15:21.97\00:15:24.67
and then He did.
00:15:24.70\00:15:25.73
Amen.
00:15:25.76\00:15:26.79
And we underestimate
the act of the will.
00:15:26.82\00:15:29.62
You know, just
saying even in your words,
00:15:29.65\00:15:32.69
in you mind without feeling it
00:15:32.72\00:15:34.50
Lord I opposed to You right now
00:15:34.53\00:15:37.62
in fact I don't even
want the things of God
00:15:37.65\00:15:39.49
but I know I should.
00:15:39.52\00:15:40.55
Amen.
00:15:40.58\00:15:41.61
Help me to want it. Amen.
00:15:41.64\00:15:43.33
Put the desire within me.
00:15:43.36\00:15:44.55
I choose Jesus, I choose
God not the ways of this world
00:15:44.58\00:15:48.80
but my body my desires
00:15:48.83\00:15:50.60
don't allow me to
follow after that.
00:15:50.63\00:15:52.12
Please put that within me
00:15:52.15\00:15:53.44
and He will give you repentance.
00:15:53.47\00:15:55.58
Your forgiveness will be genuine
00:15:55.61\00:15:57.11
as you ask for your confession.
00:15:57.14\00:15:59.02
And you'll find
that this blasphemy
00:15:59.05\00:16:01.13
against the Holy Spirit is God.
00:16:01.16\00:16:02.49
Amen.
00:16:02.52\00:16:03.55
And anything you
committed He will forgive
00:16:03.58\00:16:05.13
and that's a great promise
that we have in His word.
00:16:05.16\00:16:07.06
Amen, praise the
Lord. Praise the Lord.
00:16:07.09\00:16:08.62
Here is the another
question we have from Karen
00:16:08.65\00:16:11.56
and she says give an,
00:16:11.59\00:16:12.98
please give an answer
to someone who believes
00:16:13.01\00:16:15.61
that he believes in Jesus
00:16:15.64\00:16:16.71
but does not feel it
is important to belong to
00:16:16.74\00:16:20.01
or join the church.
00:16:20.04\00:16:23.24
And as a pastor I can say
this it's happened several times
00:16:23.27\00:16:26.30
where we've gone through
series of Bible study lessons
00:16:26.33\00:16:29.34
and there has been conviction
00:16:29.37\00:16:31.15
and clearly someone who
sees the truth of God's word
00:16:31.18\00:16:35.45
and the question
comes well, pastor,
00:16:35.48\00:16:38.69
do I have to join the church?
00:16:38.72\00:16:41.06
Can I just be baptized?
00:16:41.09\00:16:43.73
Why do I have
to join the church?
00:16:43.76\00:16:46.83
And I think to a degree
00:16:46.86\00:16:48.33
it's one of the
reasons why we have
00:16:48.36\00:16:50.54
a entire Bible
study devoted to baptism.
00:16:50.57\00:16:53.05
Yes.
00:16:53.08\00:16:54.16
Because the
baptism that we receive
00:16:54.19\00:16:57.74
which is unto repentance
and a new life in Christ
00:16:57.77\00:17:00.91
contains within it
00:17:00.94\00:17:03.61
membership into
the body of Christ.
00:17:03.64\00:17:06.37
So when you
come up to a new life
00:17:06.40\00:17:08.19
that new life is
served in harmony
00:17:08.22\00:17:11.57
or together with your
other fellow believers,
00:17:11.60\00:17:15.63
the body of Christ
under the headship of Christ.
00:17:15.66\00:17:18.68
There is no, you could
say no Christian on an island
00:17:18.71\00:17:21.40
you could see no
man-- no man is in island
00:17:21.43\00:17:23.65
there is no
Christian that's in island,
00:17:23.68\00:17:25.70
there is no teaching that
you can find in God's word
00:17:25.73\00:17:27.82
where you can just believe
00:17:27.85\00:17:29.34
but not be a
part of God's church.
00:17:29.37\00:17:31.16
The reason for that
is because God knows
00:17:31.19\00:17:34.84
there is safety in the
multitude of counselors,
00:17:34.87\00:17:37.60
there is safety in the together
the unity of all believers.
00:17:37.63\00:17:41.82
And this is how he
teaches and he uses his church
00:17:41.85\00:17:45.30
to finish the gospel
work that is given to us.
00:17:45.33\00:17:48.06
The mission of the
church is to proclaim
00:17:48.09\00:17:49.31
the everlasting gospel.
00:17:49.34\00:17:50.94
Now certainly you
can go out individually
00:17:50.97\00:17:52.72
and you share with
people what you believe
00:17:52.75\00:17:55.37
but you're missing entirely
the big picture perspective
00:17:55.40\00:17:59.17
of what God is
doing through His church
00:17:59.20\00:18:01.79
to finish those specific work
00:18:01.82\00:18:03.39
that He is finishing
now before His return.
00:18:03.42\00:18:04.94
Yes, yes.
00:18:04.97\00:18:06.00
So it's not we shouldn't
be long range of questions.
00:18:06.03\00:18:09.43
Right.
00:18:09.46\00:18:10.69
Yeah, there is no
real such thing as that.
00:18:10.72\00:18:12.70
In fact, you will
find teachings from Paul
00:18:12.73\00:18:18.45
about the body of
Christ where all members
00:18:18.48\00:18:21.73
but one having one body.
00:18:21.76\00:18:23.89
So that's not one body
00:18:23.92\00:18:25.10
with a few
individualistic islands around.
00:18:25.13\00:18:28.19
He is talking about
everybody is part of one body
00:18:28.22\00:18:30.82
and if that's the case
00:18:30.85\00:18:32.19
you cannot be
baptized into the faith
00:18:32.22\00:18:36.12
without joining Christ church.
00:18:36.15\00:18:38.58
Amen.
00:18:38.61\00:18:39.64
I think the real issue
is behind these things.
00:18:39.67\00:18:43.24
I wouldn't say in
every case but in many cases
00:18:43.27\00:18:46.40
they're
uncomfortable with joining
00:18:46.43\00:18:48.30
an established denomination.
00:18:48.33\00:18:50.74
As you know Johnny,
00:18:50.77\00:18:51.80
there is emerging
church movement out there
00:18:51.83\00:18:54.95
which really is bucking
the trend of denominationalism.
00:18:54.98\00:18:59.25
Its where a lot of the
nondenominational church
00:18:59.28\00:19:01.24
is the early
mindset of the establishment
00:19:01.27\00:19:03.62
of nondenominational
churches has come from
00:19:03.65\00:19:06.72
this not wanting to be
associated with movements
00:19:06.75\00:19:09.56
or churches that are established
00:19:09.59\00:19:11.27
denominations of sorts.
00:19:11.30\00:19:13.39
And the crazy thing is that
00:19:13.42\00:19:15.62
these
nondenominational churches today
00:19:15.65\00:19:17.73
have become an
organization in themselves.
00:19:17.76\00:19:19.58
That right.
00:19:19.61\00:19:20.64
And so they really
still join an organization
00:19:20.67\00:19:21.70
it's just called
00:19:21.73\00:19:22.76
a
nondenominational organization.
00:19:22.79\00:19:25.89
So truly God's word is
supportive of organization
00:19:25.92\00:19:29.88
of the organized church
00:19:29.91\00:19:31.93
but it must be
under the system of truth
00:19:31.96\00:19:33.96
which actually
is part of our topic
00:19:33.99\00:19:35.64
that we've already begun
here on unity, church unity.
00:19:35.67\00:19:38.39
It's under a system of truth
00:19:38.42\00:19:39.50
that God has clearly established
00:19:39.53\00:19:41.38
for the church to operate under.
00:19:41.41\00:19:43.72
Amen, praise the Lord.
00:19:43.75\00:19:45.54
Do you have another,
do you another question?
00:19:45.57\00:19:46.76
I have another
yeah, that has come in
00:19:46.79\00:19:49.14
this one from Irma
00:19:49.17\00:19:51.34
and she says dear pastors,
I struggle to understand
00:19:51.37\00:19:55.27
the purpose of the
resurrection of the wicked.
00:19:55.30\00:19:58.38
What is to be
learned and by whom
00:19:58.41\00:20:01.27
from raising the wicked
to burn them in hellfire?
00:20:01.30\00:20:05.37
And so we have here
apparently the question
00:20:05.40\00:20:08.41
takes in those
wicked that have died
00:20:08.44\00:20:13.72
through some natural
course of life they died
00:20:13.75\00:20:19.86
so we'll take those into
consideration in the question
00:20:19.89\00:20:22.99
and then of course
there are the wicked
00:20:23.02\00:20:25.16
that are alive
00:20:25.19\00:20:26.29
when Jesus
Christ returns obviously
00:20:26.32\00:20:28.85
they're gonna be
righteous and wicked alive
00:20:28.88\00:20:31.67
when Jesus Christ returns.
00:20:31.70\00:20:33.29
Those wicked
what happens to those?
00:20:33.32\00:20:35.83
We understand from
1 Thessalonians 2:8
00:20:35.86\00:20:38.52
that the wicked that are
alive when Christ returns
00:20:38.55\00:20:42.56
are slain by the
brightness of His coming.
00:20:42.59\00:20:45.31
And there is a
1,000 year period of time
00:20:45.34\00:20:49.24
upon which there is no
wicked human being alive
00:20:49.27\00:20:55.57
and describes in
Revelation Chapter 20
00:20:55.60\00:20:58.20
that Satan is this earth
becomes like a vast wilderness
00:20:58.23\00:21:04.85
Satan has no one to tempt,
00:21:04.88\00:21:06.15
he is chained by a circumstances
00:21:06.18\00:21:12.35
and can go nowhere except
to see the results of his work
00:21:12.38\00:21:17.18
throughout the 100s and
several 1,000 years of sin
00:21:17.21\00:21:21.84
then you say several 100,000
00:21:21.87\00:21:23.27
I said several
1,000 years of sin
00:21:23.30\00:21:26.83
of life of history
that he has called sin
00:21:26.86\00:21:30.18
to create
destruction upon this earth.
00:21:30.21\00:21:33.02
He has time to contemplate
all the damage that he has done
00:21:33.05\00:21:36.89
and suffering he has caused.
00:21:36.92\00:21:39.37
We see of course in
Revelation Chapter 20
00:21:39.40\00:21:41.48
that at the end of 1,000 years
00:21:41.51\00:21:44.87
he takes up the work
right where he left off.
00:21:44.90\00:21:47.73
Because it says at the
end of Revelation Chapter 20
00:21:47.76\00:21:51.27
it helps us to
understand what happens here
00:21:51.30\00:21:56.19
let me find it in
Revelation Chapter 20.
00:21:56.22\00:22:00.99
By the way as
you're going there, Johnny.
00:22:01.02\00:22:02.08
Yes.
00:22:02.11\00:22:03.15
I am just gonna read
here just real briefly
00:22:03.18\00:22:05.44
because you mentioned
00:22:05.47\00:22:06.50
and it maybe a little challenge
for some that are hearing this
00:22:06.53\00:22:09.64
that when Jesus comes
00:22:09.67\00:22:12.14
the wicked who
are alive at that time
00:22:12.17\00:22:14.16
are destroyed by the
brightness of His coming
00:22:14.19\00:22:15.82
and earth is left
with no one on it alive.
00:22:15.85\00:22:18.19
Correct, yes.
00:22:18.22\00:22:19.25
And the explanation
you can find for this
00:22:19.28\00:22:20.99
where it says I
believe the earth
00:22:23.63\00:22:26.24
and indeed it was
without "I beheld the earth,
00:22:26.27\00:22:28.84
and indeed it was
without form, and void.
00:22:28.87\00:22:32.35
And the heavens,
they had no light.
00:22:32.38\00:22:34.37
I beheld the mountains,
and indeed they trembled,
00:22:34.40\00:22:36.34
and all the hills
moved back and forth.
00:22:36.37\00:22:38.22
And there was no man."
00:22:38.25\00:22:40.30
So here there is
no man alive on it
00:22:40.33\00:22:42.43
and that's what
you're talking about there.
00:22:42.46\00:22:44.52
And the interesting
thing it says in verse 27
00:22:44.55\00:22:47.30
"Thus says the Lord,
00:22:47.33\00:22:48.39
'The whole land
shall be desolate,
00:22:48.42\00:22:50.01
yet I will not
make a full end.'"
00:22:50.04\00:22:53.58
"In other words
this isn't the end.
00:22:53.61\00:22:55.62
This isn't.
00:22:55.65\00:22:56.68
Jesus comes back
the wicked are destroyed
00:22:56.71\00:22:58.18
or at least killed by
the brightness of His coming
00:22:58.21\00:23:00.42
but judgment hasn't occurred,
the full end hasn't occurred
00:23:00.45\00:23:02.69
but yet it will be
without form and void
00:23:02.72\00:23:04.77
for a period of time
which is a 1,000 years.
00:23:04.80\00:23:06.75
So now you gonna pick
it up in Revelation 20.
00:23:06.78\00:23:09.22
Revelation 20,
yes in Revelation 20
00:23:09.25\00:23:15.25
I will begin reading in verse 5
00:23:15.28\00:23:17.06
and go through
different verses here.
00:23:17.09\00:23:18.74
Revelation 20:5 says,
"But the rest of the dead
00:23:18.77\00:23:22.44
lived not again until the
thousand years were finished."
00:23:22.47\00:23:26.41
This is the first resurrection,
00:23:26.44\00:23:29.83
the first
resurrection it's talking about
00:23:29.86\00:23:32.13
in 1 Thessalonians Chapter
4 you will notice that it says
00:23:32.16\00:23:36.05
that it's a description of
the righteous that are dead
00:23:36.08\00:23:41.70
when they're resurrected
and the righteous living
00:23:41.73\00:23:44.54
when Christ comes
they join together
00:23:44.57\00:23:47.97
in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air.
00:23:48.00\00:23:51.42
We go to heaven for 1,000 years.
00:23:51.45\00:23:53.13
We're going
through a lot of concepts
00:23:53.16\00:23:54.81
in this Scriptures.
00:23:54.84\00:23:56.14
They go to
heaven for 1,000 years
00:23:56.17\00:23:57.72
what are they doing there?
00:23:57.75\00:23:59.30
It's time and opportunity
for the righteous to judge.
00:23:59.33\00:24:04.27
What do you mean judge?
00:24:04.30\00:24:05.33
Look over the books
to see why they're there
00:24:05.36\00:24:10.12
and to see why
people they loved,
00:24:10.15\00:24:12.46
people they knew are not there.
00:24:12.49\00:24:14.72
Questions are asked
why isn't so and so here?
00:24:14.75\00:24:17.40
Why isn't so and so here?
00:24:17.43\00:24:19.69
And so the
record books are opened
00:24:19.72\00:24:21.63
and they look and they judge
the work that was done by God
00:24:21.66\00:24:26.21
to determine who is
saved and who is not.
00:24:26.24\00:24:28.11
That's right.
00:24:28.14\00:24:29.17
So here if there is
a first resurrection
00:24:29.20\00:24:33.30
there is a second resurrection.
00:24:33.33\00:24:35.65
This is brought out
in Revelation Chapter 20
00:24:35.68\00:24:37.46
and in John
Chapter 5 Jesus talks about
00:24:37.49\00:24:39.85
the resurrection of life
00:24:39.88\00:24:41.37
and the
resurrection of damnation.
00:24:41.40\00:24:43.82
So in this second resurrection
00:24:43.85\00:24:46.87
now we go to a certain verse
00:24:46.90\00:24:50.47
and notice what
it says in verse 6
00:24:50.50\00:24:52.16
"Blessed and holy
00:24:52.19\00:24:54.26
is he that has part
in the first resurrection
00:24:54.29\00:24:57.07
on such the
second death has no power
00:24:57.10\00:25:00.98
but they shall be priest of God
00:25:01.01\00:25:02.30
and that of Christ
and shall reign with him
00:25:02.33\00:25:04.30
a thousand years."
00:25:04.33\00:25:05.56
Yeah.
00:25:05.59\00:25:06.62
Now, let's go over to eventually
00:25:06.65\00:25:12.42
the wicked dead are resurrected.
00:25:12.45\00:25:16.69
That's right.
00:25:16.72\00:25:17.76
This is the
resurrection of damnation.
00:25:17.79\00:25:19.43
As they are gonna
have a second death.
00:25:19.46\00:25:21.12
Yes.
00:25:21.15\00:25:22.18
So to mean to die twice
you have to be resurrected
00:25:22.21\00:25:24.56
at some point
before the second death.
00:25:24.59\00:25:26.93
So it is safe to say
00:25:26.96\00:25:30.01
that there are
people alive today
00:25:30.04\00:25:32.98
and people that
have lived before us
00:25:33.01\00:25:34.82
their have been
wicked they have died.
00:25:34.85\00:25:37.33
They just died
because they got sick,
00:25:37.36\00:25:38.86
they got cancer, they
were killed by someone
00:25:38.89\00:25:40.78
different reasons why they died.
00:25:40.81\00:25:43.22
So you have to ask yourself
00:25:43.25\00:25:44.61
what happens to those people.
00:25:44.64\00:25:45.78
Why are they resurrected?
00:25:45.81\00:25:47.05
They need to understand
00:25:47.08\00:25:49.11
why they are going to
receive the wages of sin.
00:25:49.14\00:25:54.72
That's right.
00:25:54.75\00:25:55.78
Because when they
die a physical death
00:25:55.81\00:25:57.48
it's not
necessarily the wages of sin
00:25:57.51\00:25:59.29
that they have experienced.
00:25:59.32\00:26:00.92
The wages of sin
or in other words
00:26:00.95\00:26:03.61
they are judged according
as their work shall be.
00:26:03.64\00:26:06.29
That's what it
says in the Bible.
00:26:06.32\00:26:07.82
You're judged
according to what we're choices.
00:26:07.85\00:26:11.69
What were the choices you made?
00:26:11.72\00:26:13.70
And so here we
see that God is just,
00:26:13.73\00:26:18.32
fair and good to everyone.
00:26:18.35\00:26:21.74
Questions are asked,
the books are opened.
00:26:21.77\00:26:23.52
It says there in the at the
end of Revelation Chapter 20.
00:26:23.55\00:26:29.33
Look at verse 12 there.
00:26:29.36\00:26:30.55
Beginning-- I
will start in verse 11
00:26:30.58\00:26:32.24
for little context.
00:26:32.27\00:26:33.30
"And I saw a great white throne,
00:26:33.33\00:26:36.23
and him that sat on it,
00:26:36.26\00:26:37.76
whose face the earth
and the heaven fled away
00:26:37.79\00:26:40.29
and there was
found no place for them.
00:26:40.32\00:26:42.21
And I saw the dead,"
00:26:42.24\00:26:44.32
obviously
resurrected "small and great,
00:26:44.35\00:26:45.87
stand before God and
the books were opened
00:26:45.90\00:26:48.99
and another book was opened,
which is the book of life
00:26:49.02\00:26:51.79
and the dead were
judged out of those things
00:26:51.82\00:26:55.37
which were written in the books,
00:26:55.40\00:26:56.53
according to their works."
00:26:56.56\00:26:58.32
So here the wicked dead
00:26:58.35\00:27:00.88
are judged according to
what is written in the books.
00:27:00.91\00:27:04.02
They need to understand why
00:27:04.05\00:27:07.23
they did not
received eternal life.
00:27:07.26\00:27:08.87
Yeah.
00:27:08.90\00:27:09.93
Because they
really have not suffered
00:27:09.96\00:27:12.68
for the sins
they have committed.
00:27:12.71\00:27:14.46
They merely died a first death.
00:27:14.49\00:27:16.97
You know, Johnny, there is a
00:27:17.00\00:27:18.54
there is some evidence of this
00:27:18.57\00:27:20.39
in just our own
court system here today
00:27:20.42\00:27:22.88
because there are
several kinds of judgment
00:27:22.91\00:27:24.87
there is an investigation
phase of the judgment
00:27:24.90\00:27:28.33
that's the court trial
with evidences presented.
00:27:28.36\00:27:30.83
Yes. There is a verdict.
00:27:30.86\00:27:37.39
Yes. That's the second part.
00:27:37.42\00:27:39.98
That's judgment too.
00:27:40.01\00:27:41.40
And there is a sentencing
a third aspect of judgment.
00:27:41.43\00:27:45.39
So you have investigation. Yes.
00:27:45.42\00:27:47.32
Verdict and
sentencing. And sentencing, yes.
00:27:47.35\00:27:50.38
And you have to look carefully
for what part you're in
00:27:50.41\00:27:53.71
and what you're
talking about here
00:27:53.74\00:27:55.03
with the dead
standing before God
00:27:55.06\00:27:58.16
it's this is a judgment
00:27:58.19\00:28:00.68
an investigation of
sorts for the wicked
00:28:00.71\00:28:04.37
but also it comes with
a verdict and a sentencing
00:28:04.40\00:28:06.52
and its all three here
in this specific piece.
00:28:06.55\00:28:10.91
With the
righteous it is different.
00:28:10.94\00:28:14.71
The righteous there
00:28:14.74\00:28:15.85
or has to be an
investigative judgment
00:28:15.88\00:28:18.18
and a verdict prior to
the second coming of Jesus.
00:28:18.21\00:28:21.48
Yes.
00:28:21.51\00:28:22.67
Because the
sentence is eternal life
00:28:22.70\00:28:25.03
and the reward is given
to them at Christ returns.
00:28:25.06\00:28:27.27
So the judgment has
to occur before that.
00:28:27.30\00:28:29.19
But for the wicked
00:28:29.22\00:28:31.29
it doesn't have to occur before.
00:28:31.32\00:28:32.75
It's happening all at once.
00:28:32.78\00:28:34.21
This is so true and this
will help many people understand
00:28:34.24\00:28:38.32
because the Bible describes that
00:28:38.35\00:28:41.41
1 Thessalonians
4, 1 Corinthians 15,
00:28:41.44\00:28:43.61
it talks about a transformation
of those that are righteous
00:28:43.64\00:28:49.17
this corruptible
shall put any corruption
00:28:49.20\00:28:50.94
and this mortal
shall put on immortality.
00:28:50.97\00:28:54.08
And then it says
that the sleeping saints
00:28:54.11\00:28:58.36
the Christians that died
for whatever reason it was
00:28:58.39\00:29:01.83
the first-- their
first death and only death.
00:29:01.86\00:29:05.50
They are resurrected
00:29:05.53\00:29:06.59
and they meet the
Lord in the air and it says
00:29:06.62\00:29:08.21
and so shall we
ever be with the Lord.
00:29:08.24\00:29:10.71
But why are they
receiving eternal life?
00:29:10.74\00:29:12.79
There was that
phase of investigation
00:29:12.82\00:29:15.58
that was done already
prior to the second coming.
00:29:15.61\00:29:19.35
This is so true
what you've stated.
00:29:19.38\00:29:21.78
And so this is what
the Bible brings out.
00:29:21.81\00:29:24.18
Now, the question is
00:29:24.21\00:29:26.80
why bring these
the wicked up again
00:29:26.83\00:29:29.89
so they can face death.
00:29:29.92\00:29:32.57
Well, as we mentioned before,
00:29:32.60\00:29:35.37
before the
universe they are judged
00:29:35.40\00:29:38.02
because God is--
00:29:38.05\00:29:39.60
God is so
precise in His judgment
00:29:39.63\00:29:43.10
that throughout,
throughout eternity
00:29:43.13\00:29:45.89
if it would take that long
00:29:45.92\00:29:47.74
you can see the
record books and say well,
00:29:47.77\00:29:50.88
I am just going to pick
a name Bob, Jerry, Frank,
00:29:50.91\00:29:56.28
let's go just to
pick a name, Jerry.
00:29:56.31\00:30:00.02
Why was he not
allowed to have eternal life?
00:30:00.05\00:30:03.00
Well, he never
gave his life to Christ.
00:30:03.03\00:30:05.40
He turned away from God
00:30:05.43\00:30:07.78
and he never accepted
salvation and forgiveness.
00:30:07.81\00:30:11.73
This is why Jerry is going to be
00:30:11.76\00:30:14.52
thrown into the lake of fire.
00:30:14.55\00:30:18.02
And they will see how
God tried over and over again
00:30:18.05\00:30:21.77
to reach Jerry and Jerry refused
00:30:21.80\00:30:23.77
and refused and
refused and refused
00:30:23.80\00:30:26.23
and eventually he
died for whatever reason.
00:30:26.26\00:30:28.37
Now he has to understand
00:30:28.40\00:30:30.31
why he did not get eternal life.
00:30:30.34\00:30:33.59
He just did not want it.
00:30:33.62\00:30:34.65
He refused it.
00:30:34.68\00:30:35.94
And so here we
see the love of God
00:30:35.97\00:30:38.73
and His mercy
00:30:38.76\00:30:40.04
and so at the
end of Revelation 20
00:30:40.07\00:30:44.79
let's pickup in verse 12
again "And I saw the dead,
00:30:44.82\00:30:47.04
small and great,
stand before God,
00:30:47.07\00:30:48.40
and the books were opened
00:30:48.43\00:30:49.65
and another book was opened,
which is the book of life
00:30:49.68\00:30:51.51
and the dead were
judged out of those things
00:30:51.54\00:30:53.49
which were written in the books,
00:30:53.52\00:30:54.82
according to their works.
00:30:54.85\00:30:56.16
And the sea gave up
the dead which were in it
00:30:56.19\00:30:58.38
and death and hell
delivered up the dead
00:30:58.41\00:31:00.65
which were in them
and they were judged
00:31:00.68\00:31:02.71
every man
according to their works.
00:31:02.74\00:31:05.61
"And death." I'm sorry.
00:31:05.64\00:31:07.19
"And death and hell were
cast into the lake of fire.
00:31:07.22\00:31:09.77
This is the second death.
00:31:09.80\00:31:12.28
And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life
00:31:12.31\00:31:16.80
was cast into the lake of fire."
00:31:16.83\00:31:19.48
So unfortunately they
received the wages of sin.
00:31:19.51\00:31:25.10
And so it is not
because it is not that God
00:31:25.13\00:31:30.51
are betrayal chose
who is gonna be saved.
00:31:30.54\00:31:33.26
Let's see I think I will save
this person and that's person
00:31:33.29\00:31:35.26
and oh, no, not that
one, oh, no, not that one.
00:31:35.29\00:31:37.99
No, there is an
investigated judgment
00:31:38.02\00:31:40.97
that takes place as
was already mentioned
00:31:41.00\00:31:43.71
and they're judged
according to their works.
00:31:43.74\00:31:47.25
Did they accept Christ?
00:31:47.28\00:31:48.56
Did they not accept Christ?
00:31:48.59\00:31:50.08
And the Bible tells
us in 2 Peters Chapter 3
00:31:50.11\00:31:53.23
that God is not
willing that any should perish
00:31:53.26\00:31:55.99
but that all
should come to repentance.
00:31:56.02\00:31:57.70
Yeah.
00:31:57.73\00:31:58.76
But the question do
all come to repentance?
00:31:58.79\00:32:01.01
Unfortunately, none.
00:32:01.04\00:32:02.18
So the blessing of being
in the investigative judgment
00:32:02.21\00:32:04.65
that happens
before Christ return
00:32:04.68\00:32:07.25
is that when judgment
is made for the saints
00:32:07.28\00:32:11.69
it's in their favor
because of what Christ has done.
00:32:11.72\00:32:13.56
Amen.
00:32:13.59\00:32:14.62
They are not judged by
their works their works,
00:32:14.65\00:32:16.35
their works are Christ works.
00:32:16.38\00:32:19.13
Yes, amen.
00:32:19.16\00:32:20.23
So Christ is the
one that is looked at
00:32:20.26\00:32:22.33
and the sins don't appear
because Christ has written
00:32:22.36\00:32:25.02
or covered the sins by His blood
00:32:25.05\00:32:26.53
and blotted them out.
00:32:26.56\00:32:27.62
Amen. That's the blessing.
00:32:27.65\00:32:29.22
What we're talking about here
00:32:29.25\00:32:31.14
in this great
white throne judgment
00:32:31.17\00:32:33.76
are those that
don't have Christ there
00:32:33.79\00:32:35.70
to stand in their
behalf they rejected that
00:32:35.73\00:32:38.41
and they're judged by the things
00:32:38.44\00:32:39.67
written in the books
00:32:39.70\00:32:40.73
because their own
works stand as evidence.
00:32:40.76\00:32:43.58
Yes.
00:32:43.61\00:32:44.65
They don't have Christ to be
the works of evidence for them
00:32:44.68\00:32:47.09
as those the saints did.
00:32:47.12\00:32:49.23
Yes.
00:32:49.26\00:32:50.39
These are the wicked
that stand in their own
00:32:50.42\00:32:52.17
in their own works.
00:32:52.20\00:32:53.60
And there are
none that would say
00:32:53.63\00:32:55.70
I don't deserve it.
00:32:55.73\00:32:57.18
I mean, at point
they will see clearly
00:32:57.21\00:32:59.45
the big picture and
God will make that clear.
00:32:59.48\00:33:01.40
He is a just God and a fair God.
00:33:01.43\00:33:03.65
And the other
aspect to this of course is
00:33:03.68\00:33:05.93
how long is the
sentencing for each?
00:33:05.96\00:33:08.71
Yes.
00:33:08.74\00:33:09.77
And there is a
different length of time
00:33:09.80\00:33:12.00
that they maybe
burning in that lake of fire
00:33:12.03\00:33:15.09
because of the
deeds that they're burned
00:33:15.12\00:33:17.38
or they're
sentenced to burn for.
00:33:17.41\00:33:19.86
Perhaps, we should
dwell on that a little bit.
00:33:19.89\00:33:21.55
Could you
elaborate a little bit?
00:33:21.58\00:33:23.13
Maybe we can discuss that
00:33:23.16\00:33:24.23
because this is a little
challenging for some people.
00:33:24.26\00:33:27.51
Yeah, well with
every sentence here
00:33:27.54\00:33:29.60
you'll find
within our court system
00:33:29.63\00:33:31.09
and it's our
court system is built on
00:33:31.12\00:33:33.21
Judeo-Christian principles.
00:33:33.24\00:33:35.76
As many courts
especially the sentencing
00:33:35.79\00:33:37.98
is built on the
system of judgment
00:33:38.01\00:33:40.02
and fairness, justice really.
00:33:40.05\00:33:42.89
And so what you have are
those that maybe murderers
00:33:42.92\00:33:46.85
that are given life
sentences and there are those
00:33:46.88\00:33:50.67
that maybe are
thieves or perjurers
00:33:50.70\00:33:54.80
or whatever it maybe
00:33:54.83\00:33:56.90
they're given a
much shorter time period
00:33:56.93\00:33:59.76
and the reason is
because for justice to occur
00:33:59.79\00:34:02.92
the punishment must
fit the crime, right.
00:34:02.95\00:34:07.50
And in the last
days God is the same way
00:34:07.53\00:34:09.73
the punishment
will fit the crime
00:34:09.76\00:34:11.54
and the lake is
kindled to burn up sin
00:34:11.57\00:34:15.14
those that are sinful
will burn up in that lake
00:34:15.17\00:34:17.87
but the long-- the more sins
00:34:17.90\00:34:20.82
the most severe the sin
the longer there is to burn.
00:34:20.85\00:34:25.37
And we find evidence
00:34:25.40\00:34:26.98
not in a specific
text from Scripture
00:34:27.01\00:34:29.46
we find evidence through
the preponderance of evidence
00:34:29.49\00:34:32.29
throughout Scriptures
00:34:32.32\00:34:33.42
that shows us
that justice of God
00:34:33.45\00:34:36.07
also occurs in the punishment
in the sentencing of the wicked
00:34:36.10\00:34:39.41
and therefore then
that must be the case.
00:34:39.44\00:34:41.03
Because you cannot give
00:34:41.06\00:34:42.78
lets just look up
to you commonsense.
00:34:42.81\00:34:44.67
You would not give
Hitler for an example
00:34:44.70\00:34:49.69
and then maybe a Jew
that was a secular Jew
00:34:49.72\00:34:53.32
and never believed in Christ
00:34:53.35\00:34:55.71
and was generally a
good kind person on the earth
00:34:55.74\00:34:58.67
but just he's not believer.
00:34:58.70\00:34:59.92
You would not give
them the same sentence.
00:34:59.95\00:35:02.36
They would the one
that was persecuted
00:35:02.39\00:35:05.42
and killed by the
Hitler and his men
00:35:05.45\00:35:08.33
would sit there and
say though that's not fare.
00:35:08.36\00:35:11.65
I mean he's
killed millions. Yes.
00:35:11.68\00:35:14.08
At least was behind
the killing of millions
00:35:14.11\00:35:16.16
what did-- who
did I ever killed?
00:35:16.19\00:35:19.14
There is justice even
in the sentencing of God
00:35:19.17\00:35:21.78
and there will
be a different level
00:35:21.81\00:35:23.84
or different term of
burning in that lake of fire
00:35:23.87\00:35:26.76
because of that.
00:35:26.79\00:35:27.82
It just it comes
from the principles
00:35:27.85\00:35:29.95
and the preponderance
of evidence in Scriptures.
00:35:29.98\00:35:32.93
And of course, eventually
they all the wicked die
00:35:32.96\00:35:36.85
and become ashes.
00:35:36.88\00:35:37.94
The Bible tells which is
in this Malachi Chapter 4
00:35:37.97\00:35:40.42
an in other
places they become ashes.
00:35:40.45\00:35:42.83
So therefore, ultimately
the end of the sinners
00:35:42.86\00:35:46.61
of the wicked is that they die,
00:35:46.64\00:35:48.56
for the wages of sin is death.
00:35:48.59\00:35:49.99
Yes.
00:35:50.02\00:35:51.08
And there is a
Scripture that may help us
00:35:51.11\00:35:52.56
to understand this as well
00:35:52.59\00:35:55.58
in Luke Chapter 12
00:35:55.61\00:35:57.55
we're talking about
the length of punishment.
00:35:57.58\00:36:01.55
It says you have
to read the context
00:36:01.58\00:36:04.10
I am just going to
read a few verses here.
00:36:04.13\00:36:09.06
Let's-- I will begin in verse 45
00:36:09.09\00:36:10.93
and Luke 12:45
00:36:10.96\00:36:13.25
"But and if that
servant say in his heart,
00:36:13.28\00:36:14.98
My lord delayeth his coming
00:36:15.01\00:36:16.40
and shall begin to beat
the menservants and maidens,
00:36:16.43\00:36:18.85
and to eat and
drink, and to be drunken.
00:36:18.88\00:36:21.58
The lord of that
servant will come in a day
00:36:21.61\00:36:23.52
when he looketh not for him,
00:36:23.55\00:36:25.38
and at an hour
when he is not aware,
00:36:25.41\00:36:27.20
and will cut him in sunder,
00:36:27.23\00:36:28.26
and will appoint him his portion
00:36:28.29\00:36:30.11
with the unbelievers.
00:36:30.14\00:36:32.81
And that servant,
which knew his lord's will,
00:36:32.84\00:36:35.39
and prepared not himself,
00:36:35.42\00:36:36.95
neither did
according to his will,
00:36:36.98\00:36:39.31
shall be beaten
with many stripes.
00:36:39.34\00:36:41.79
But he that knew not,
00:36:41.82\00:36:43.30
and did commit
things worthy of stripes,
00:36:43.33\00:36:45.62
shall be beaten
with few stripes.
00:36:45.65\00:36:47.48
For unto whomsoever
much is given, of him
00:36:47.51\00:36:49.64
shall be much required
00:36:49.67\00:36:51.12
and to whom have committed much,
00:36:51.15\00:36:53.67
of him they shall ask the more."
00:36:53.70\00:36:56.13
So the servant
worthy of few stripes
00:36:56.16\00:36:59.41
will receive few stripes
00:36:59.44\00:37:01.15
the one worthy of many stripes
will receive many stripes.
00:37:01.18\00:37:04.61
You made a good
reference there about one person
00:37:04.64\00:37:07.82
killing of maybe one or a few
00:37:07.85\00:37:09.70
and Hitler responsible
for millions of death.
00:37:09.73\00:37:12.71
Obviously to be fair,
00:37:12.74\00:37:16.67
you know, the
lookers and will say wait
00:37:16.70\00:37:18.59
why did this person
that killed this one person
00:37:18.62\00:37:23.54
all he did receive his death
00:37:23.57\00:37:24.96
and this person that is
responsible for millions.
00:37:24.99\00:37:27.45
You know-- That's right.
00:37:27.48\00:37:28.51
The same punishment.
00:37:28.54\00:37:29.57
You know there
will be difference,
00:37:29.60\00:37:32.12
there will be a difference
but God is fair and just
00:37:32.15\00:37:34.83
and no one will suffer
00:37:34.86\00:37:37.63
one second less
than they deserve.
00:37:37.66\00:37:41.78
Nor one second
more than they deserve
00:37:41.81\00:37:44.40
because God is very
sensitive to punishment.
00:37:44.43\00:37:46.41
God is love so
ultimately they become ashes
00:37:46.44\00:37:50.09
and they die.
00:37:50.12\00:37:51.18
And this is why we disagree
with the eternal burning
00:37:51.21\00:37:54.07
that many
Christians believe today
00:37:54.10\00:37:56.89
that God will
burn internally in hell
00:37:56.92\00:37:58.96
everyone who
doesn't believe in Jesus.
00:37:58.99\00:38:00.22
It doesn't present a
very fair picture of God,
00:38:00.25\00:38:03.05
nor an accurate one
according to the Bible.
00:38:03.08\00:38:04.71
So anyway we've gone way longer
00:38:04.74\00:38:07.94
than we should
have on our questions
00:38:07.97\00:38:09.31
but we thank you for them
00:38:09.34\00:38:11.04
and we want to
encourage you to send in more
00:38:11.07\00:38:12.69
maybe some of the
things we're talking about
00:38:12.72\00:38:14.78
have prompted more
questions in your mind.
00:38:14.81\00:38:16.75
So we encourage you
to send those questions
00:38:16.78\00:38:18.70
into housecalls@3abn.org
00:38:18.73\00:38:21.38
that's housecalls@3abn.org
00:38:21.41\00:38:24.13
and we'll be sure to get to them
00:38:24.16\00:38:27.37
as soon as possible.
00:38:27.40\00:38:28.45
And we encourage you not to send
00:38:28.48\00:38:29.63
long distortion about your views
00:38:29.66\00:38:31.81
just present
the questions simply
00:38:31.84\00:38:33.59
because those are the
only ones we really take
00:38:33.62\00:38:35.40
and bring to the program itself.
00:38:35.43\00:38:36.83
So thank you very much for being
00:38:36.86\00:38:38.74
a very important
part of this program.
00:38:38.77\00:38:40.27
Now on to our topic.
00:38:40.30\00:38:43.13
We don't have a lot of time
00:38:43.16\00:38:44.47
we have taken up most of
our time here with questions
00:38:44.50\00:38:47.31
but we do want
to talk about Unity
00:38:47.34\00:38:48.83
and where we are to this point
00:38:48.86\00:38:50.89
in the subject of Unity
00:38:50.92\00:38:52.19
as we have in the last program
00:38:52.22\00:38:53.77
we talked about
the difference between
00:38:53.80\00:38:58.50
pillar, landmark teachings
00:38:58.53\00:39:02.23
present truth teachings
00:39:02.26\00:39:04.25
as well as core
Christian teachings
00:39:04.28\00:39:06.75
from the Word of God
00:39:06.78\00:39:08.21
that are part of
the body of believers
00:39:08.24\00:39:10.59
that are non negotiables
00:39:10.62\00:39:12.46
and other teaching or
even personally held views
00:39:12.49\00:39:16.09
or lifestyle
issues that are just that.
00:39:16.12\00:39:18.64
There're teachings
that aren't test of faith
00:39:18.67\00:39:21.56
but are convictions,
individual personal convictions
00:39:21.59\00:39:25.00
of the believers
and followers of Jesus.
00:39:25.03\00:39:27.77
Even Paul mentioned
in one of his epistles
00:39:27.80\00:39:30.85
and because of
the shortness of time
00:39:30.88\00:39:32.57
we're not gonna go there
00:39:32.60\00:39:33.63
but you know he says
there are something's
00:39:33.66\00:39:35.96
that I do that I
might do by myself
00:39:35.99\00:39:39.26
but I don't do in public
00:39:39.29\00:39:40.32
because I don't want
to be stumbling block
00:39:40.35\00:39:41.38
for somebody else.
00:39:41.41\00:39:42.80
But he feels by faith
he's a perfect liberty
00:39:42.83\00:39:44.79
to live out his life
00:39:44.82\00:39:46.19
may be in a different way
than another believer would
00:39:46.22\00:39:48.37
because of their
personal convictions.
00:39:48.40\00:39:49.83
So there're clearly
personal convictions
00:39:49.86\00:39:52.96
that aren't test of
faith or even test fellowship
00:39:52.99\00:39:56.59
within the body of believers
00:39:56.62\00:39:57.72
and that's kind of
where we left off last time.
00:39:57.75\00:40:00.35
I want to just for
those who understand
00:40:00.38\00:40:05.60
and believe that God has
raised up a last day movement
00:40:05.63\00:40:11.97
a church known as
00:40:12.00\00:40:14.47
the Seventh-day Adventist church
00:40:14.50\00:40:15.58
for proclaiming
the everlasting gospel
00:40:15.61\00:40:17.63
throughout the world
00:40:17.66\00:40:18.80
to finish the work
those who understand that
00:40:18.83\00:40:22.37
I am a minister of
the gospel of that faith.
00:40:22.40\00:40:25.85
We have this
encouragement for us
00:40:25.88\00:40:28.65
in regard to what
the landmarks really are.
00:40:28.68\00:40:31.04
In other words, these
are the core present truths
00:40:31.07\00:40:32.98
we have as a church.
00:40:33.01\00:40:34.51
And I just thought
I'd read this here.
00:40:34.54\00:40:37.53
It's from Counsels Writen
to the church specifically
00:40:37.56\00:40:40.42
and it says here in
regard to the passing of time
00:40:40.45\00:40:43.33
in 1844.
00:40:43.36\00:40:45.30
This is now there
were Millerites there
00:40:45.33\00:40:47.04
and there were no
Seventh-day Adventist
00:40:47.07\00:40:48.50
but as the time progressed
here is what happened.
00:40:48.53\00:40:51.23
It says "There was an
opening to our astonished eyes
00:40:51.26\00:40:55.61
the cleansing of the sanctuary
transpiring in heaven" okay.
00:40:55.64\00:41:00.69
"And having decided
00:41:00.72\00:41:02.41
relation to God's
people upon the earth."
00:41:02.44\00:41:04.61
There is a
connection between the two.
00:41:04.64\00:41:07.02
"Also the first and
second angels' messages
00:41:07.05\00:41:10.20
and the third,
including unfurling the banner
00:41:10.23\00:41:13.30
on which was inscribed,
'The commandments of God
00:41:13.33\00:41:15.33
and the faith of Jesus.'
00:41:15.36\00:41:17.61
One of the
landmarks under this message
00:41:17.64\00:41:20.00
was the temple of God,
00:41:20.03\00:41:21.28
seen in His
truth-loving people in heaven,"
00:41:21.31\00:41:23.72
or by His
truth-loving people in heaven "
00:41:23.75\00:41:25.65
and the ark
containing the law of God.
00:41:25.68\00:41:27.90
The light of the Sabbath
of the fourth commandment
00:41:27.93\00:41:30.01
flashed its strong
rays in the pathway
00:41:30.04\00:41:32.10
of the
transgressors of God's law.
00:41:32.13\00:41:34.67
The nonimmortality of the wicked
00:41:34.70\00:41:36.58
is an old landmark."
00:41:36.61\00:41:38.15
Okay, in other words,
there is a conditionalism here.
00:41:38.18\00:41:42.33
Mortalities received
because of faith in Christ
00:41:42.36\00:41:45.24
not because of
innately who we are.
00:41:45.27\00:41:49.11
I can call, listen to this,
00:41:49.14\00:41:50.49
"I can call to mind nothing more
00:41:50.52\00:41:53.46
that can come under the
head of the old landmarks.
00:41:53.49\00:41:58.13
All this cry about
changing the old landmarks
00:41:58.16\00:42:00.04
is imaginary."
00:42:00.07\00:42:01.10
In other words,
here is a dispute
00:42:01.13\00:42:02.17
over what we should believe
00:42:02.20\00:42:03.39
what so and so believes and ah
00:42:03.42\00:42:04.76
and there is a
casting of disparagement
00:42:04.79\00:42:07.05
and dissension
00:42:07.08\00:42:08.68
upon what maybe was
someone taught here there.
00:42:08.71\00:42:10.97
There were these making
mountains out of molehills
00:42:11.00\00:42:14.13
that was going on back then
00:42:14.16\00:42:15.38
and so she felt like
she needed to reiterate
00:42:15.41\00:42:18.06
what the old landmarks were.
00:42:18.09\00:42:19.77
And so we have core
beliefs within the church
00:42:19.80\00:42:21.95
that we have established
had been established overtime.
00:42:21.98\00:42:24.99
You were probably at
the second coming of Jesus.
00:42:25.02\00:42:27.31
Amen.
00:42:27.34\00:42:28.38
And a few others
00:42:28.41\00:42:29.87
but there are teachings
that are not part of that
00:42:29.90\00:42:31.90
and we need to make
sure that we are not dividing
00:42:31.93\00:42:34.39
over those issues.
00:42:34.42\00:42:35.66
And it's been Johnny,
honestly it's been part of
00:42:35.69\00:42:38.39
one of the core messages
00:42:38.42\00:42:41.52
I have felt God
has laid on my heart
00:42:41.55\00:42:43.57
because I love my church.
00:42:43.60\00:42:45.40
Amen.
00:42:45.43\00:42:46.49
And I want to see it unified.
00:42:46.52\00:42:48.47
And there are things
that we tend to divide over
00:42:48.50\00:42:51.78
that create
disunity and I don't think
00:42:51.81\00:42:54.25
God has pleased with that
00:42:54.28\00:42:55.50
because the
Bible is fairly clear
00:42:55.53\00:42:57.89
that in love in unity we
revealed God's character.
00:42:57.92\00:43:01.80
That is even when
people don't agree with
00:43:01.83\00:43:04.94
what we believe with
exactly on our points.
00:43:04.97\00:43:07.52
Amen, Amen.
00:43:07.55\00:43:09.41
Now perhaps it
would be good to say that
00:43:09.44\00:43:11.91
while we are
Seventh-day Adventist
00:43:11.94\00:43:13.38
and believe that God has called
00:43:13.41\00:43:14.95
the Seventh-day Adventist church
00:43:14.98\00:43:16.44
with a special
message for the world
00:43:16.47\00:43:19.60
at the end of time
00:43:19.63\00:43:21.41
that God has
believers in all churches.
00:43:21.44\00:43:25.62
Children, Jesus
said other sheep I have
00:43:25.65\00:43:27.97
that are not of this fold
00:43:28.00\00:43:29.73
we also have a moment in time
00:43:29.76\00:43:32.32
when it is
declared in Revelation 18
00:43:32.35\00:43:36.46
where he says "come
out of her, my people,
00:43:36.49\00:43:39.10
where there is error
00:43:39.13\00:43:40.60
and be not
partakers of her sins."
00:43:40.63\00:43:43.37
So therefore, we believe
that God has His children
00:43:43.40\00:43:47.09
and in many, many denominations.
00:43:47.12\00:43:49.44
Yeah.
00:43:49.47\00:43:50.51
So having said that yes
we need to work together
00:43:50.54\00:43:57.30
for the purpose
of glorifying God
00:43:57.33\00:43:59.65
because Jesus said
00:43:59.68\00:44:01.25
"by this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples
00:44:01.28\00:44:03.40
if you have love
for one and another."
00:44:03.43\00:44:05.53
Paul addressed several times
00:44:05.56\00:44:08.14
when they were
envying and strives
00:44:08.17\00:44:11.76
among the believers
00:44:11.79\00:44:13.00
and he said these
things should not be.
00:44:13.03\00:44:15.15
Yes.
00:44:15.18\00:44:16.21
And so this is what
we want to get away from.
00:44:16.24\00:44:18.93
There is a work to be
done and it has to be done
00:44:18.96\00:44:23.55
understanding
that God is calling us
00:44:23.58\00:44:26.32
to be consecrated, sanctified
00:44:26.35\00:44:29.38
and to follow Him
with all of our hearts
00:44:29.41\00:44:32.04
and to leave the world
00:44:32.07\00:44:33.35
and its attractions
behind and to follow Jesus.
00:44:33.38\00:44:36.59
And sometimes we get to
we tend to pull these things
00:44:36.62\00:44:38.62
and it almost
becomes political about it.
00:44:38.65\00:44:40.44
Yes.
00:44:40.47\00:44:41.50
And I like the statement
politics leads to polarization
00:44:41.53\00:44:46.58
which leads to
paralyses from our mission.
00:44:46.61\00:44:49.08
Paralyses that's a
good way to putting.
00:44:49.11\00:44:50.88
And so when we are a paralyzed
00:44:50.91\00:44:52.62
from accomplishing our
mission the devil is happy.
00:44:52.65\00:44:55.71
We're not spreading the gospel.
00:44:55.74\00:44:57.07
We're not sharing the good news
00:44:57.10\00:44:58.45
we're fighting within
00:44:58.48\00:45:00.00
and God does not want that.
00:45:00.03\00:45:01.58
Here is just a few
texts in regard to unity
00:45:01.61\00:45:04.33
that I think are important from.
00:45:04.36\00:45:05.74
From the Word of God.
00:45:05.77\00:45:08.19
First Corinthians 1:10
let's go there here first,
00:45:08.22\00:45:13.61
1 Corinthians 1:10 says
00:45:13.64\00:45:17.99
"Now I plead with you,
00:45:18.02\00:45:19.41
brethren, by the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:45:19.44\00:45:21.56
that you all
speak the same thing,
00:45:21.59\00:45:24.67
and that there be
no divisions among you,
00:45:24.70\00:45:26.84
but that you be
perfectly joined together
00:45:26.87\00:45:28.89
in the same mind and
in the same judgment."
00:45:28.92\00:45:33.62
All right, so he wants
us to be of the same mind.
00:45:33.65\00:45:38.02
But this doesn't
necessarily mean that
00:45:38.05\00:45:39.51
in every single
respect that we agree--
00:45:39.54\00:45:42.06
Yes.
00:45:42.09\00:45:43.12
But we must agree on the major
00:45:43.15\00:45:45.68
the core
teachings that we share.
00:45:45.71\00:45:48.20
Notice here how
this translation says
00:45:48.23\00:45:52.14
that you speak the same thing.
00:45:52.17\00:45:54.62
What we share evangelistically,
00:45:54.65\00:45:56.34
what we teaches as a church,
00:45:56.37\00:45:57.81
what is present truth for today
00:45:57.84\00:45:59.23
we must be unified in the faith.
00:45:59.26\00:46:02.13
But other things
within the church
00:46:02.16\00:46:03.67
we can have some disagreement
00:46:03.70\00:46:06.52
and but we should
not never divide over.
00:46:06.55\00:46:08.94
Let me give you example.
00:46:08.97\00:46:12.27
And I am
touching a hot button here
00:46:12.30\00:46:13.63
I realize but its
relevant and its present today
00:46:13.66\00:46:16.10
the issue of women ordination.
00:46:16.13\00:46:19.43
You know, it is an issue
00:46:19.46\00:46:21.18
that is creating some
division within the church.
00:46:21.22\00:46:26.47
And some are holding fast
00:46:26.50\00:46:29.59
to what they believe
is true and that's good.
00:46:29.62\00:46:33.33
But if we begin to
fight and become unchrist like
00:46:33.36\00:46:38.00
in the way that we
share our position the truth
00:46:38.03\00:46:41.31
and begin to then divide
00:46:41.34\00:46:43.11
in our feelings
toward each other
00:46:43.14\00:46:45.27
and make this a dividing issue
00:46:45.30\00:46:48.20
then we've stepped on ground
00:46:48.23\00:46:49.71
that God does not want us on.
00:46:49.74\00:46:52.27
I do believe there will
be issues within the church
00:46:52.30\00:46:54.44
that we must end up and
proclaim truth regarding.
00:46:54.47\00:46:57.40
Amen.
00:46:57.43\00:46:58.46
However, if God
is leading the church
00:46:58.49\00:47:01.58
He is doing it united way
and if we see Him go direction
00:47:01.61\00:47:05.19
even if it may not be
exactly what He would desire
00:47:05.22\00:47:09.24
He still wants us
to remain unified.
00:47:09.27\00:47:10.89
Let me give you an
example from the Old Testament.
00:47:10.92\00:47:13.61
Did God want
Israel to have a king?
00:47:13.64\00:47:17.12
No.
00:47:17.15\00:47:18.18
Did Israel ask for
and insist on king.
00:47:18.21\00:47:21.32
Well, they sure
insisted on a king.
00:47:21.35\00:47:22.95
And did God give them
king? Yeah, yes He did.
00:47:22.98\00:47:26.07
He allowed them to have a
king. He let them have the king.
00:47:26.10\00:47:28.60
Would He disown
them as the people?
00:47:28.63\00:47:30.51
No. No.
00:47:30.54\00:47:32.64
There may be things
and I am not speaking
00:47:32.67\00:47:33.99
of women's
ordination specifically
00:47:34.02\00:47:35.45
but there maybe
things that the church does
00:47:35.48\00:47:37.97
that God doesn't isn't
completely in harmony with.
00:47:38.00\00:47:40.51
It's not exactly His will
00:47:40.54\00:47:42.65
but He doesn't
disown His church.
00:47:42.68\00:47:44.30
He loves His
church and He wants us
00:47:44.33\00:47:45.61
to still to work
together and to move forward.
00:47:45.64\00:47:48.96
Now I am giving you just
a couple of examples here
00:47:48.99\00:47:50.85
because I believe that sometimes
00:47:50.88\00:47:54.03
we have become
unchrist like in the way
00:47:54.06\00:47:57.61
treat others for
the sake of truth
00:47:57.64\00:48:01.33
where truth is never licensed
for being unchrist like.
00:48:01.37\00:48:06.38
We must share the truth in love.
00:48:06.41\00:48:08.82
Amen.
00:48:08.85\00:48:10.05
Ellen White one of our
core pioneers of the church says
00:48:10.08\00:48:13.62
this is called the
truth as it is in Jesus.
00:48:13.65\00:48:17.65
That is His character
and how He would relate truth
00:48:17.68\00:48:21.02
and this is essential.
00:48:21.05\00:48:22.24
And what I am seeing
in all kinds of churches
00:48:22.27\00:48:25.62
but its also in the Seventh-day
Adventist church as well
00:48:25.65\00:48:29.14
its some of these
polarizing over issues
00:48:29.17\00:48:31.19
and dividing over issues
that should not divide us
00:48:31.22\00:48:34.23
that we need to
set aside as barriers
00:48:34.26\00:48:36.23
and get back to the
mission of the church
00:48:36.26\00:48:37.69
and that is spreading
the everlasting gospel
00:48:37.72\00:48:39.82
and calling people and do
00:48:39.85\00:48:40.88
a saving
relationship with Jesus.
00:48:40.91\00:48:44.14
Now this is so
true. This is so true.
00:48:44.17\00:48:47.05
You know I guess
00:48:47.08\00:48:49.67
it would be good to say John 17
00:48:49.70\00:48:54.05
which we mentioned
in previous program
00:48:54.08\00:48:57.54
Jesus said
concerning His disciples
00:48:57.57\00:49:00.30
that they may one
even as we are one.
00:49:00.33\00:49:02.97
Oh, yeah. And this is the same.
00:49:03.00\00:49:05.65
And you brought out so
well in the last program
00:49:05.68\00:49:08.30
that it encompasses
believers throughout
00:49:08.33\00:49:10.64
the history of the
earth-- us in the future.
00:49:10.67\00:49:13.47
We're to be one as
Christ and the Father of one
00:49:13.50\00:49:16.76
based on the platform
of the truth of God's word
00:49:16.79\00:49:19.52
the truth found
in the scriptures
00:49:19.55\00:49:21.40
and so this is something
that we should strive for.
00:49:21.43\00:49:26.80
And again I would like to stress
00:49:26.83\00:49:30.04
that for us
living in the end of time
00:49:30.07\00:49:32.90
God wants to bring
us into one accord.
00:49:32.93\00:49:38.63
Unfortunately, we see
that the Bible reveals
00:49:38.66\00:49:43.30
and well,
fortunately and unfortunately
00:49:43.33\00:49:45.16
I'll put those two words there
00:49:45.19\00:49:47.30
remember the time
when the servant asked
00:49:47.33\00:49:52.58
there was good seed
planted on the ground
00:49:52.61\00:49:54.61
but eventually there
were tares among the wheat.
00:49:54.64\00:49:57.20
Yeah, yeah.
00:49:57.23\00:49:59.54
The servant asked master,
did you not plant good seeds?
00:49:59.57\00:50:02.98
Where do the tares come from?
00:50:03.01\00:50:05.38
And Jesus says or
in the parables it says
00:50:05.41\00:50:08.31
an enemy has done this.
00:50:08.34\00:50:09.38
Yeah.
00:50:09.41\00:50:10.44
Do you want us to gather
up, don't wait till the end.
00:50:10.47\00:50:14.23
And so to say that
we'll have perfect unity
00:50:14.26\00:50:21.07
among all
members-- On all issues.
00:50:21.10\00:50:23.89
On all issues is
not going to happen.
00:50:23.92\00:50:26.26
However, when we say
00:50:26.29\00:50:27.79
there will be
unity among believers
00:50:27.82\00:50:30.88
will be one
accord that will happen.
00:50:30.91\00:50:33.00
Yes.
00:50:33.03\00:50:34.06
Because eventually
those that are not sincere
00:50:34.09\00:50:36.93
and honest and true
they're going to leave.
00:50:36.96\00:50:39.31
Yeah.
00:50:39.34\00:50:40.54
So in Acts
Chapter 2 its talks about
00:50:40.57\00:50:44.41
that the
disciples of Christ became,
00:50:44.44\00:50:47.43
they were of one accord.
00:50:47.46\00:50:48.49
Yeah.
00:50:48.52\00:50:49.55
And this is they
repented of their sins.
00:50:49.58\00:50:52.93
They confessed the
false one to another hey,
00:50:52.96\00:50:55.15
I had some terrible
things I thought about you
00:50:55.18\00:50:58.85
and I was you know--
00:50:58.88\00:51:01.55
I am giving you
possibility so what took place
00:51:01.58\00:51:03.96
and I really didn't
want anything to do with you.
00:51:03.99\00:51:05.93
But you are a brethren,
Christ and forgive me for the--
00:51:05.96\00:51:09.09
Yeah.
00:51:09.12\00:51:10.15
And be embarrassed one
and other forgave one another
00:51:10.18\00:51:13.00
and a beautiful thing happened.
00:51:13.03\00:51:14.99
They were able to go as one
00:51:15.02\00:51:17.98
and proclaim the
gospel unlike ever before.
00:51:18.01\00:51:20.70
Yeah.
00:51:20.73\00:51:21.76
Yeah, there is power in unity
as we saw with the disciples.
00:51:21.79\00:51:25.87
They were not
unified in every single thing
00:51:25.90\00:51:28.85
especially their personality
differences were there
00:51:28.88\00:51:31.85
but they unified in the mission
00:51:31.88\00:51:33.89
that God has
given them as a church.
00:51:33.92\00:51:36.09
And we can-- we
need to be unified
00:51:36.12\00:51:38.28
in our mission of saving people
00:51:38.31\00:51:40.52
and spreading the gospel
00:51:40.55\00:51:42.69
right before the
Jesus soon return.
00:51:42.72\00:51:45.23
And also I would add to this
00:51:45.26\00:51:47.00
it is not our job
00:51:47.03\00:51:49.07
to divide the
wheat from the tares.
00:51:49.10\00:51:51.55
No, its not.
00:51:51.58\00:51:53.51
In fact, He says
no leave them alone
00:51:53.54\00:51:56.04
because you might root up--
00:51:56.07\00:51:57.34
up root some of the
wheat with the tares.
00:51:57.37\00:51:59.82
In other words,
you're gonna mess things up.
00:51:59.85\00:52:02.29
You need to be
careful let the Lord do that.
00:52:02.32\00:52:04.37
Let Him do that work.
00:52:04.40\00:52:05.82
In fact over and
over again we find
00:52:05.85\00:52:08.06
encouragement and
counsel through pastor, pioneers
00:52:08.09\00:52:13.68
and those who have
counseled the church
00:52:13.71\00:52:15.10
through issues that
have happened in the past
00:52:15.13\00:52:17.09
that the best way to counteract
error is to preach truth.
00:52:17.12\00:52:20.53
Amen.
00:52:20.56\00:52:21.59
Not go after the person
that's teaching the error.
00:52:21.62\00:52:24.68
There maybe a time to
come in and rebuke that error
00:52:24.71\00:52:27.25
and set through straight
00:52:27.28\00:52:29.22
but you also
must do that in love
00:52:29.25\00:52:31.47
and one person
said that truth is
00:52:31.50\00:52:36.60
what is it the
preaching of truth
00:52:36.63\00:52:41.00
never gives one license
for being unchrist like.
00:52:41.03\00:52:45.07
And so I think
that's a good thing.
00:52:45.10\00:52:46.30
Here's another
verse from Colossians 3:14
00:52:46.33\00:52:49.21
and above all things
all these put on love
00:52:49.24\00:52:52.82
which binds everything
together in perfect harmony.
00:52:52.85\00:52:55.77
Amen.
00:52:55.80\00:52:57.04
I have said several
times love is the greatest law.
00:52:57.07\00:53:01.54
It is higher
law than other laws.
00:53:01.57\00:53:03.57
In fact, if you look
at first Corinthians 13,
00:53:03.60\00:53:05.97
Johnny, I think its--
00:53:06.00\00:53:07.45
he talks about you
know if we have prophecy
00:53:07.48\00:53:09.55
we have all this
knowledge and all these things
00:53:09.58\00:53:11.22
but we don't have love
we're like a claying symbol.
00:53:11.25\00:53:14.40
Claying symbol. It
doesn't do any good.
00:53:14.43\00:53:15.46
That's right.
00:53:15.49\00:53:16.52
Love is more important
even than these other truths
00:53:16.55\00:53:19.03
not that these other truths
aren't important they are.
00:53:19.06\00:53:21.04
But love is the highest law
then there is a difference here
00:53:21.07\00:53:23.47
we must default to love.
00:53:23.50\00:53:25.83
Love for our
brothers and our sisters
00:53:25.86\00:53:27.44
and we do that by
showing them respect
00:53:27.47\00:53:29.98
by humbling
ourselves before them
00:53:30.01\00:53:32.35
and as Paul puts it
00:53:32.38\00:53:34.18
in the epistle to
the Philippians church.
00:53:34.21\00:53:37.86
He said that we
should treat them
00:53:37.89\00:53:39.50
as better than ourselves
and this is hard to do.
00:53:39.53\00:53:43.43
I know this is hard to do
00:53:43.46\00:53:45.25
but if we are to
stick with a mind of Christ
00:53:45.28\00:53:48.62
this is part of our
actions towards others
00:53:48.65\00:53:50.92
that even that we
disagree with on some issues.
00:53:50.95\00:53:54.89
One another text
that another passage
00:53:54.92\00:53:57.15
we I would like to share is
found in Ephesians Chapter 4
00:53:57.18\00:54:00.04
and I am gonna read verses
1 through 6 and then verse 13.
00:54:00.07\00:54:03.40
Okay.
00:54:03.43\00:54:04.46
"I therefore, the
prisoner of the Lord,
00:54:04.49\00:54:06.19
beseech you that you walk
00:54:06.22\00:54:07.69
worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called,
00:54:07.72\00:54:11.16
with all lowliness and meekness,
00:54:11.19\00:54:12.82
with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love
00:54:12.85\00:54:15.58
endeavoring to keep the unity
00:54:15.61\00:54:17.61
of the Spirit in
the bond of peace.
00:54:17.64\00:54:20.12
There is one
body, and one Spirit,
00:54:20.15\00:54:22.35
even as ye are called in
one hope of your calling.
00:54:22.38\00:54:25.39
One Lord, one
faith, one baptism,
00:54:25.42\00:54:28.14
one God and Father of all,
00:54:28.17\00:54:30.15
who is above
all, and through all,
00:54:30.18\00:54:32.60
and in you all."
00:54:32.63\00:54:34.23
Other things are mentioned
00:54:34.26\00:54:35.32
but I want to the core of
this whole thing is verse 13
00:54:35.35\00:54:40.82
"Till we all come in
the unity of the faith,
00:54:40.85\00:54:44.74
and of the
knowledge of the Son of God,
00:54:44.77\00:54:46.63
unto a perfect
man, unto the measure
00:54:46.66\00:54:49.27
of the stature of
the fullness of Christ."
00:54:49.30\00:54:52.81
Beautiful. Amen.
00:54:52.84\00:54:53.98
That's the whole key.
00:54:54.01\00:54:55.27
Yeah and there
is a promise there
00:54:55.30\00:54:57.74
that with unity we mature.
00:54:57.77\00:55:01.15
Amen.
00:55:01.18\00:55:02.21
Right. Amen.
00:55:02.24\00:55:03.27
Because we finally reach a
status of fullness in Christ
00:55:03.30\00:55:07.51
when unity
occurs what I often find
00:55:07.54\00:55:09.53
is those that are
bickering or complaining
00:55:09.56\00:55:11.38
or criticizing the preacher
00:55:11.41\00:55:13.12
for what he
preached that Sabbath
00:55:13.15\00:55:15.28
or going home and talking about
00:55:15.31\00:55:16.65
what a horrible message this was
00:55:16.68\00:55:18.65
or just the
criticism that we see
00:55:18.68\00:55:20.99
this all comes from
those that are immature.
00:55:21.02\00:55:24.72
They're still babes in Christ,
00:55:24.75\00:55:25.96
they're still relying
on their carnal nature.
00:55:25.99\00:55:28.46
We are looking for
unity and growth to maturity
00:55:28.49\00:55:31.34
and maturity is
where we're unified
00:55:32.21\00:55:35.34
even if we disagree
there is still unity.
00:55:35.37\00:55:38.17
And that's an
important aspect of the gospel
00:55:38.20\00:55:40.18
because when they sees
and our love for one another
00:55:40.21\00:55:42.30
even when there is
disagreement on certain issues
00:55:42.33\00:55:45.42
they can say you know
what, Christ is in them.
00:55:45.45\00:55:47.88
Christ truly He is showing
His character through them.
00:55:47.91\00:55:52.28
And I think the biggest thing
00:55:52.31\00:55:53.76
we need to be doing
especially in these last day
00:55:53.79\00:55:56.39
is showing that love for others
00:55:56.42\00:55:58.10
in the mission that we have
00:55:58.13\00:55:59.76
and our interceding for
those who don't know Christ
00:55:59.79\00:56:02.17
and our reaching out to them
to bring them into the faith.
00:56:02.20\00:56:05.13
And we're
fighting over an issues
00:56:05.16\00:56:06.25
we're not doing that.
00:56:06.28\00:56:08.02
You know, it's
the Bible gives us
00:56:08.05\00:56:12.69
scriptures to
help us to understand
00:56:12.72\00:56:14.69
the unity that God desires
to be among His believers.
00:56:14.72\00:56:19.62
You know, there is summarizing
00:56:19.65\00:56:21.82
the first great commandment
00:56:21.85\00:56:22.88
and the second
great commandment.
00:56:22.91\00:56:24.51
Yeah those are great.
00:56:24.54\00:56:25.57
Love the Lord your God
00:56:25.60\00:56:26.63
with all your
heart with all your mind
00:56:26.66\00:56:28.05
and then it says and love
your neighbor as yourself.
00:56:28.08\00:56:31.73
That's right.
00:56:31.76\00:56:32.79
And when we look at that
aspect of God's teachings
00:56:32.82\00:56:37.19
love your neighbor as yourself
and the context of unity
00:56:37.22\00:56:41.19
we will see that
are lot of things
00:56:41.22\00:56:42.58
well we put aside.
00:56:42.61\00:56:43.64
Yeah.
00:56:43.67\00:56:45.33
And so self has to be put
aside for the sake of Christ.
00:56:45.36\00:56:49.72
It's much more
difficult to criticize
00:56:49.75\00:56:53.50
and to dislike or
even hate somebody
00:56:53.53\00:56:55.74
that you're friends with.
00:56:55.77\00:56:58.30
Getting to know somebody
and really caring for them
00:56:58.33\00:57:01.44
really is a key
to help it with unity
00:57:01.47\00:57:03.50
and praying for your
brother or your sister.
00:57:03.53\00:57:06.74
And this is where
we need to establish
00:57:06.77\00:57:08.47
those bonds of
love to finish the work.
00:57:08.50\00:57:09.77
Amen.
00:57:09.80\00:57:10.83
And so we encourage
you from House Calls to you
00:57:10.86\00:57:13.38
even you may disagree
with some of you brothers
00:57:13.41\00:57:15.24
and sisters in the faith
00:57:15.27\00:57:16.84
unify on the bond of
love express your love
00:57:16.87\00:57:20.78
and your care for them
00:57:20.81\00:57:22.13
and that Christ
leads you step by step
00:57:22.16\00:57:23.98
into sharing in His mission
00:57:24.01\00:57:25.54
for spreading
that everlasting gospel
00:57:25.57\00:57:27.20
of love of Jesus
Christ with every one
00:57:27.23\00:57:29.52
you know and you meet.
00:57:29.55\00:57:31.05
God bless you, today.
00:57:31.08\00:57:32.27