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 our
Bible living room.
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This is our Bible living room.
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I like it.
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We are comfortable
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and we want to
make you comfortable
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with what the word of
God has to say to you today.
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Welcome to House calls, the,
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what I call one
of the best Bible...
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Well, sorry. Let me repeat.
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The best Bible program,
undeniable, incomprehensible.
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What other word can
we add to that, John?
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Unrivalled Unrivalled.
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And John and John
are residing here,
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waiting for the Spirit of
God to speak to our hearts
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so that we can
speak to your heart.
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And so get your friends,
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your family members,
your Bible, your pens
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and prepare
yourself a wonderful time
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as we have another excursion
through the living word of God.
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But before we do anything,
before we get to your questions
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and your comments,
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John will lead us
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before the throne of
grace through prayer.
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Let's do that.
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Gracious Father,
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we thank you for
another opportunity
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here to gather
together to study your word,
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we pray that
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we will rightly
divide the word of truth
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as we study the various
topics in line for today
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and the questions
that have been submitted.
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Please, Lord,
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guide our minds
and help instruct us
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and give us the words
to share from your word
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that answers the questions
in the hearts of all of us.
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In Jesus' name, amen.
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Amen. Thank you, John.
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And, friends, as you may
know we get the Bible questions,
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you e-mail them to us,
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we try our best
to respond to them.
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And, John, I'll let you go ahead
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and dive in for the
first question today.
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Alright.
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A question from Clark.
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And it says, "Can a Christian
lose his or her salvation?
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What text do you have
to support the conclusion?"
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So, let's take a
look at a few things here.
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You know for the most part,
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I think the
Christian world today
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has moved into a teaching
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where, two things
God's covenant always exist.
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He is covenant to save mankind
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and he will not
fail with his covenant.
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And number two,
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that because of that
once you give your life to him
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you cannot lose that salvation.
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While the first is
true, God is true, God is,
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he will always keep
his covenant with us.
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The second is not true.
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And to conclude
that once you're saved
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that there's nothing you can do,
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to walk away from the redemption
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you have in Jesus is to miss
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many very clear
text in scripture
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that say that
some have done that
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and will do that right on
through to the end of time.
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That's right.
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And, so we'll
share some of those text
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with you here today.
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But I want to start off
with a general concept here
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that is found
throughout scripture.
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And it's driven by
the word "Keep," OK.
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So we know we
read from scripture,
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especially from
the Old Testament,
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when the covenant of
God to save his people,
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this everlasting
covenant to save all mankind
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was lay that he will
be true to that covenant,
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true to that promise to save.
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And by sending Jesus
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he is guaranteed
salvation now for all.
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OK.
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So that part is the true part
of this two pronged equation.
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But the other part is
that he asks us to keep,
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OK.
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Keeping the covenant
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not in the way that
God keeps the covenant
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because God is
true and forever true
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and his truth goes
beyond what we're capable of.
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But in the way that we with
our will give ourselves to him
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and keep those
things which he gives to us
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and entrust to us
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for the redemption of our lives.
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Let me give you
just a few examples.
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From 1 John 2:5,
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the Apostle John says,
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"But whoever keeps his word
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truly the love of
God is perfected in him.
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By this we know
that we are in him."
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So he's writing to the church,
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the whole church has
professed the name of Jesus.
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Yet, he's saying
that you need to allow,
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you need to keep the word
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so that the love of God
can be perfected in you, OK.
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So there's he's going somewhere,
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he wants to
transform, and remake,
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recreate our life
into the image of Christ.
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Here's another one,
same book, Chapter 3:24,
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"Now he who keeps
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"his commandments abides in him,
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"and he in him,
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"and by this we
know that he abides in us
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"by the Spirit
whom he has given us."
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So another "Keep," OK.
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So twice we've heard,
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keep the word,
keep the covenants.
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And here's another
one, from Revelation 16:15,
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"Behold I'm coming as a thief,
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blessed is he who
watches and keeps his garments."
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Right.
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Now the interesting
thing about this one...
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I was about along that line,
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I'll just put
in this right to...
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Yeah.
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The neat thing about this
is that he adds to this lest
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he walk naked and
they see his shame.
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So again writing
this letter to the church,
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he's saying
that you need to keep
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that garment on or
you will be found naked.
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Right.
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We know that the
garments, the white garment,
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that is spoken of
throughout scripture
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represents the
righteousness of Jesus.
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And that
righteousness is given to us,
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it's not only imputed to us,
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it's credit to do our count
and we're justified in him.
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But we are we receive the
imparting of righteousness
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from Christ.
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The garment
itself represents both.
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And unless we have that
garment on we're not saved,
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that is very clear
throughout scriptures.
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Right. There
several text about that.
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But here's the thing,
go back to this word, Keep.
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If we didn't need to keep,
why the command to constantly,
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command throughout scripture
to Keep, keep the commandments,
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keep the word, keep the garment,
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keep your
relationship in Christ.
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Keep yourself
unspotted from the world
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Unspotted from the
world, keep yourself blameless.
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So this word keep,
evidently as a concept
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that something that
you don't hold on to it,
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you would lose it.
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Another keep,
remember the Sabbath,
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to keep it a Holy.
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Keep it Holy, there we go.
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So keep is throughout.
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And if it's something
that you could not lose anyway,
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why the admonition to keep?
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It doesn't make sense.
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So we find that
throughout scripture
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God is going to
keep his covenant
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to save all mankind
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but we enter into
that covenant with him.
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And as we do that by
faith and it is the grace of God
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then that saves
us, he gives us things,
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the word, the
commandments, a garment.
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And he says, keep those
things I've been trusted to you.
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Here's the other thing
is you can't keep something
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you haven't been given.
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So those that are not in Christ
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have not been
given these things.
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It's those who are
saved, who are called to keep.
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In fact, John, this
whole thing about the command,
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you have to keep the
command is to be saved.
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It's kind of a moot point.
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Here's why.
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God only gives
us the commandments
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when we're saved.
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Right.
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He doesn't give his commandments
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to people that are unsafe,
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he didn't go to the
nations of the world
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who didn't follow him and
say, "Keep my commandments,"
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he gave them to his people.
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Right. And he said, "Keep them."
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Right, when you enter
into that saving relationship
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now the parameters into that,
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is like saying to
it's like walking up
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to a woman on the
street and say, "Hey!
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"Let's enter into a contract
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"that married
people have entered into,
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"but we're not married."
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And that's kind of
like, "Well, who are you?
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"How could you
require me to do something
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"when we don't
have a relationship?"
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It reminds me several
times I think you've said this.
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It's like going
to the altar saying,
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"I deal with your wife."
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And then
saying, "See you later."
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You don't go live together,
you don't do anything together,
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you just married.
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You just married and that's it.
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You profess that you're married
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but there's no
evidence of marriage.
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Not the relationship.
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And so these are the reasons
why God encourages us to keep.
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And the other
reason I bring this up
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is because the question here is,
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can you lose your salvation?
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Well, if you
called to keep something,
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obviously, you can lose it too.
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Right, that's right.
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And one of the
examples there with the garment.
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I think it's in the
book of James 1 or 2,
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where it says,
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"That your
garments are moth eaten."
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Right. OK.
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They, they're,
they're falling off of you.
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They're no longer there,
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which is why the admonition
to keep your garments.
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And if you lose your
garment, Revelation 16:15, says,
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"That you are naked
and your shame is exposed."
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Which means that
you are no longer saved
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and you will be lost.
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Now here's what I'm not saying,
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I'm not saying that God
is not concerned for you,
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and loves you,
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and does everything he can
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to keep you in that relationship
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once you're saved.
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This is not an issue of
whether or not God loves you.
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Right.
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This is an issue of whether
or not in a relationship,
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you're committed to him,
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and you return those affections
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and you desire to
remain in that relationship.
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Because many times I
think one of the things
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that really attracts,
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the most common thing
that pulls us away from Christ
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is the things in the world,
the enticements of the world,
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and the things,
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they are to go back
into that into a life of sin,
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and to do those
things that the body
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which is sinful is
naturally inclined to.
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Which I'll bring one text
and then I'll let you, John,
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chime in on a few
other ones here too.
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But let's read from Hebrew 6:4.
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Hebrews 6:4, and
here's what it says,
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"For it is impossible for
those who were once enlightened
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"and have tasted
the heavenly gift
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and I become
partakers of the Holy Spirit,
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and have tasted
the good word of God,
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and the powers
of the age to come.
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If they fall away to
renew them again to repentance,
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since they crucify
again for themselves
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the Son of God
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and we'll put him
to an open shame."
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Now it's interesting, we
read that, we go, oh, boy,
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I've lost my
salvation I can't get it back.
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This is actually not
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what the writer
of Hebrews is saying.
00:10:18.68\00:10:20.45
He's saying it's
impossible for God to save you
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if you've decided to
go back into the world.
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In other words,
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he's not going to
save you against your will.
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So it's impossible
for God to save one
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who is left the taste of
the good heavenly things,
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and experience that
it has see the world
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as being more in enticing
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and he's gone
back into the world
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to then save him
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because they've
chosen the world.
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That's right.
It's not impossible.
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If they repent again
and come back to him,
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then it's possible.
00:10:48.48\00:10:50.18
But the impossibility is
God never goes against our will,
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he will never save
us against our will,
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and this is something
that he's always given.
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He's established
from the very beginning.
00:10:57.92\00:10:59.35
Even to Adam and with
Adam and Eve before sin,
00:10:59.39\00:11:02.06
he gave them the ability
to choose sin which they did.
00:11:02.09\00:11:06.13
And so God does not
save even against our will.
00:11:06.16\00:11:10.33
And in some respects
00:11:10.37\00:11:11.70
he won't even
'cause us to be lost
00:11:11.73\00:11:13.80
with outside of our will too.
00:11:13.84\00:11:15.17
But, anyway, John,
00:11:15.20\00:11:16.54
you probably have a couple
more there let's, let's...
00:11:16.57\00:11:17.91
Yeah, I want to this, this idea.
00:11:17.94\00:11:20.38
I think the whole
context of it is the,
00:11:20.41\00:11:22.38
once saved,
always saved ideology
00:11:22.41\00:11:24.68
that oftentimes
people get tripped up on.
00:11:24.71\00:11:29.35
Because the concept of
salvation is misunderstood,
00:11:29.38\00:11:31.62
many people don't
understand what salvation is.
00:11:31.65\00:11:34.66
So they remember these dates,
00:11:34.69\00:11:36.96
you know, I was
saved on February 2,
00:11:36.99\00:11:39.09
you know, 1992, I
got saved, I got saved.
00:11:39.13\00:11:42.83
It's like a God
thing. Yeah, right.
00:11:42.86\00:11:44.23
It's like, I got a
car on the next day,
00:11:44.27\00:11:46.30
and I got a
house the week after.
00:11:46.33\00:11:48.20
Well, I don't want to be little,
00:11:48.24\00:11:49.57
that whole transaction,
00:11:49.60\00:11:51.57
but what you actually did
when you said you got saved
00:11:51.61\00:11:54.51
or you were saved,
00:11:54.54\00:11:56.14
you entered into a
saving relationship.
00:11:56.18\00:11:59.75
So when you were saved,
00:11:59.78\00:12:02.28
you were saved
from the penalty of sin.
00:12:02.32\00:12:05.02
But you know you aren't
safe from the presence of sin
00:12:05.05\00:12:07.42
because it's still
there in the world.
00:12:07.46\00:12:09.16
Temptation is still there.
00:12:09.19\00:12:11.93
That's why Paul
says, "I die daily."
00:12:11.96\00:12:14.80
Paul, as a matter of
fact, after he was converted,
00:12:14.83\00:12:17.50
had a terrible struggle.
00:12:17.53\00:12:19.13
He says, "What I
want to do I can't do,
00:12:19.17\00:12:21.97
"what I don't want to
do, I find myself doing."
00:12:22.00\00:12:24.34
And then he said, "Oh,
wretched man that I am,
00:12:24.37\00:12:27.54
"who will deliver me
from the body of this death?"
00:12:27.58\00:12:30.48
In other words,
the body of this death
00:12:30.51\00:12:32.68
and he didn't say
the death of this body,
00:12:32.71\00:12:35.28
the body of this death.
00:12:35.32\00:12:37.39
Who is going to deliver me
from the body of this death?
00:12:37.42\00:12:39.99
What he actually meant
was he entered into a covenant
00:12:40.02\00:12:44.23
where the spiritual body
or the corrupt body is dead,
00:12:44.26\00:12:49.20
but he's now...
00:12:49.23\00:12:51.57
the corrupt nature is dead,
00:12:51.60\00:12:53.07
but he's dealing with a
body that is still mortal.
00:12:53.10\00:12:56.84
So the challenge of
Christians is to enter,
00:12:56.87\00:13:00.91
to say, I have died to sin
00:13:00.94\00:13:03.38
but I've got this
mortal body that remembers it.
00:13:03.41\00:13:06.28
Now I want to say that
again, this mortal body,
00:13:06.31\00:13:08.88
when Paul says,
00:13:08.92\00:13:10.25
"Don't let sin reign
in your mortal body."
00:13:10.29\00:13:13.49
He is saying even after
00:13:13.52\00:13:14.96
you've given
your life to Christ,
00:13:14.99\00:13:16.46
sin wants to come back
00:13:16.49\00:13:18.73
and establish
itself in your life.
00:13:18.76\00:13:21.63
Don't let sin...
00:13:21.66\00:13:23.00
Now matter of
fact, go to Romans 8,
00:13:23.03\00:13:24.40
I have a couple of
text I want to show you.
00:13:24.43\00:13:25.77
But Romans 8,
pulls it into beautiful,
00:13:25.80\00:13:28.77
into a beautiful equation,
what the saving relationship.
00:13:28.80\00:13:33.68
This idea that I was saved...
00:13:33.71\00:13:35.64
Somebody once said to me,
"I was saved when I was four."
00:13:35.68\00:13:37.85
And I thought, you know,
00:13:37.88\00:13:39.55
you were not saved
when you were four,
00:13:39.58\00:13:40.92
you just got a new bottle.
00:13:40.95\00:13:43.79
Salvation is like,
salvation to the Christian
00:13:43.82\00:13:46.69
is like marriage to
the husband or wife.
00:13:46.72\00:13:49.36
You got to know the
parameters of your...
00:13:49.39\00:13:51.39
you don't get
saved at four years old.
00:13:51.43\00:13:52.83
What did you do?
00:13:52.86\00:13:54.20
You enter into your
first class and in church?
00:13:54.23\00:13:56.83
Some of these
language statements are like,
00:13:56.87\00:13:59.27
well, OK, well,
00:13:59.30\00:14:00.64
so that means your
saved longer than I was.
00:14:00.67\00:14:03.07
No, let's just understand
the whole context here
00:14:03.10\00:14:05.74
of what salvation is.
00:14:05.77\00:14:07.11
Let's look at this now.
00:14:07.14\00:14:08.78
Give me the text
again. Romans 8, OK.
00:14:08.81\00:14:13.08
This is Romans 8:12, 13.
00:14:13.11\00:14:20.26
Well, verse 13
actually is the direct one,
00:14:20.29\00:14:23.43
"For if you live
according to the flesh,
00:14:23.46\00:14:27.00
you will die
00:14:27.03\00:14:28.60
but if by the
spirit you put to death
00:14:28.63\00:14:31.93
the deeds of the
body you will live."
00:14:31.97\00:14:34.70
Now get this.
00:14:34.74\00:14:36.07
Why would you live
according to the spirit
00:14:36.10\00:14:37.67
if you are not in the spirit?
00:14:37.71\00:14:39.14
So he says, in
the very next verse,
00:14:39.17\00:14:42.18
look at verse 14 to pull
the whole context together,
00:14:42.21\00:14:46.05
"For as many as are
led by the Spirit of God
00:14:46.08\00:14:50.75
these are the sons of
God, or these are sons of God."
00:14:50.79\00:14:53.86
So now,
00:14:53.89\00:14:55.22
when you enter the
saving relationship
00:14:55.26\00:14:56.59
you enter a
spiritual covenant with God.
00:14:56.62\00:15:00.16
Matter of fact,
00:15:00.20\00:15:01.53
let me just go and add one more,
00:15:01.56\00:15:02.90
you don't have to turn there,
00:15:02.93\00:15:04.27
but John 1:10, go
there very quickly.
00:15:04.30\00:15:09.87
Look at this,
00:15:09.90\00:15:12.11
John 1:12,
00:15:12.14\00:15:19.85
"But as many as received
him to them he gave the right."
00:15:19.88\00:15:25.02
Or the King James
Version says, "The power,
00:15:25.05\00:15:27.86
to become children of God
00:15:27.89\00:15:29.49
to those who
believe in his name."
00:15:29.52\00:15:32.59
Get this now, verse 13,
00:15:32.63\00:15:34.70
"Who were born not of blood
00:15:34.73\00:15:37.10
nor of the will of the flesh
00:15:37.13\00:15:39.03
nor of the will
of man, but of God."
00:15:39.07\00:15:41.64
So when you're born of God
00:15:41.67\00:15:43.27
now you enter into
this spiritual relationship.
00:15:43.30\00:15:46.27
You enter the
spiritual relationship.
00:15:46.31\00:15:48.04
Being born of God,
entering into the relationship,
00:15:48.08\00:15:51.48
one word.
00:15:51.51\00:15:52.85
Justification.
00:15:52.88\00:15:54.22
Think of it this way,
00:15:54.25\00:15:55.58
you have just been
released from death row.
00:15:55.62\00:15:57.22
The death sentence has
been hanging over your head
00:15:57.25\00:15:59.12
all your life,
00:15:59.15\00:16:00.49
now you've just been released.
00:16:00.52\00:16:02.02
Watch this,
00:16:02.06\00:16:03.49
you've just been released
from the penalty of death,
00:16:03.53\00:16:06.46
but the criminal
that's just been released
00:16:06.49\00:16:08.70
from the penalty of death,
00:16:08.73\00:16:10.07
wakes up in the morning
and has to acknowledge the fact
00:16:10.10\00:16:12.73
that if I am not
delivered from the power of sin,
00:16:12.77\00:16:17.81
I just been living
from the penalty of sin.
00:16:17.84\00:16:21.81
If I am not delivered
from the power of sin,
00:16:21.84\00:16:24.18
I could end up back in jail.
00:16:24.21\00:16:26.55
And you know they call
that the recidivism rate,
00:16:26.58\00:16:28.98
I can end up right
back where I was before.
00:16:29.02\00:16:30.69
So this idea
00:16:30.72\00:16:32.05
that you enter into a
relationship with Jesus
00:16:32.09\00:16:33.96
and you'll never ever
have the chance to go back
00:16:33.99\00:16:36.42
or fall or fall
through, or for that matter,
00:16:36.46\00:16:39.69
walk away, then
you forget this text.
00:16:39.73\00:16:42.03
Listen to this,
00:16:42.06\00:16:43.40
and this is one
of the Gospel workers
00:16:43.43\00:16:44.77
in the New Testament church.
00:16:44.80\00:16:46.43
A man by the name of
Demas, 2 Timothy 4:10.
00:16:46.47\00:16:50.94
Paul simply says,
"For Demas has forsaken me,
00:16:50.97\00:16:56.14
having loved this present world,
00:16:56.18\00:16:59.05
and has departed
for Thessalonica,
00:16:59.08\00:17:02.58
Crescens for
Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia."
00:17:02.62\00:17:07.76
So, Demas he says, the
reason why he forsake me,
00:17:07.79\00:17:12.49
Demas was
working for the Gospel.
00:17:12.53\00:17:14.76
He was a convert in
the New Testament church.
00:17:14.80\00:17:18.00
But somewhere along the way,
00:17:18.03\00:17:21.10
he got caught up in
the world and he left.
00:17:21.14\00:17:24.81
He says, I'm no
longer doing this,
00:17:24.84\00:17:26.17
he went back.
00:17:26.21\00:17:27.54
And look at 2
Peter 2:20-22, John.
00:17:27.58\00:17:30.61
Something came to your mind?
00:17:30.65\00:17:32.21
No, go ahead.
00:17:32.25\00:17:33.58
2 Peter Chapter 2:20-22.
00:17:33.62\00:17:36.62
I'm going to make
reference to Demas here
00:17:36.65\00:17:38.62
and to those who have
given their lives to Christ.
00:17:38.65\00:17:41.16
That's why this phrase the
word that John kept emphasizing,
00:17:41.19\00:17:44.13
keep, keep, keep, keep, keep.
00:17:44.16\00:17:46.29
Paul uses another word,
00:17:46.33\00:17:47.66
"Press toward the
goal for the prize
00:17:47.70\00:17:49.33
of the upward
call of God in Christ."
00:17:49.36\00:17:50.83
Press, you've got
to you've got to press,
00:17:50.87\00:17:52.37
you've got to push,
you've got to make sure
00:17:52.40\00:17:54.00
you move in the right direction.
00:17:54.04\00:17:55.37
Yeah. Here it
is, 2 Peter 2:20-22.
00:17:55.40\00:17:58.41
This is powerful,
00:17:58.44\00:17:59.77
"For if, after
they have escaped,"
00:17:59.81\00:18:03.81
let me it, "For if,
00:18:03.85\00:18:05.18
after they have escaped
the pollutions of the world
00:18:05.21\00:18:08.35
through the
knowledge of the Lord
00:18:08.38\00:18:10.19
and Savior Jesus Christ,
00:18:10.22\00:18:12.85
they are again
entangled in them and overcome,
00:18:12.89\00:18:17.99
the latter end is worse
for them than the beginning."
00:18:18.03\00:18:22.26
Get this,
00:18:22.30\00:18:23.63
if they've already escaped
00:18:23.67\00:18:25.37
but now they've
gotten entangled again
00:18:25.40\00:18:27.30
and it's going to
be worse this time.
00:18:27.34\00:18:28.90
And I'm going to make
emphasis, remind me of that.
00:18:28.94\00:18:31.27
it says, "For it
would," verse 21,!"
00:18:31.31\00:18:33.94
it would have been better
00:18:33.98\00:18:36.58
for them not to have
known the way of righteousness."
00:18:36.61\00:18:41.38
They knew the way of right...
00:18:41.42\00:18:42.75
it's better they didn't know it.
00:18:42.78\00:18:44.95
Then,
00:18:44.99\00:18:46.32
"Having known it to turn
away from the holy commandment
00:18:46.35\00:18:49.56
delivered to them,
00:18:49.59\00:18:51.16
but it has happened to them
according to the true proverb.
00:18:51.19\00:18:55.43
A dog returns to his own
vomit and a pig, having washed,
00:18:55.46\00:19:00.54
to her wallowing in the mire."
00:19:00.57\00:19:03.61
So what's happened here?
00:19:03.64\00:19:05.81
He's went back.
00:19:05.84\00:19:07.18
He knew about the vomit,
00:19:07.21\00:19:08.84
he knew about the mud
00:19:08.88\00:19:10.21
and he went back to
the vomit of corruption,
00:19:10.25\00:19:12.71
the vomit of sin,
00:19:12.75\00:19:14.12
the vomit of the world,
00:19:14.15\00:19:15.48
because that's what dogs do.
00:19:15.52\00:19:17.59
And why does it say that?
00:19:17.62\00:19:18.99
The dog did...
00:19:19.02\00:19:20.36
You know what happened here?
00:19:20.39\00:19:21.72
He wallowed,
00:19:21.76\00:19:23.09
he panted in there
until he went back.
00:19:23.12\00:19:25.16
Now, I use one more example
00:19:25.19\00:19:26.80
then I'd throw it
back over to John.
00:19:26.83\00:19:30.23
In the New Testament,
00:19:30.27\00:19:31.60
the Bible talks about
when a man is cleansed,
00:19:31.63\00:19:33.90
when a man is cleansed
00:19:33.94\00:19:35.27
and the Lord cast
demons out of that person.
00:19:35.30\00:19:37.97
It's power story.
00:19:38.01\00:19:39.34
And the demons are cast
out and they go all out,
00:19:39.37\00:19:42.54
the Lord cleanse cleansed him.
00:19:42.58\00:19:44.38
But the Bible says,
00:19:44.41\00:19:45.81
The demons came back
00:19:45.85\00:19:48.88
and the demons
looked at the man's house,
00:19:48.92\00:19:51.02
he found it swept,
00:19:51.05\00:19:53.89
that means that
nothing was in there.
00:19:53.92\00:19:55.56
He found a clean,
00:19:55.59\00:19:56.93
that means those former things
00:19:56.96\00:19:58.29
he did were no
longer being, done.
00:19:58.33\00:19:59.69
But he found it empty.
00:19:59.73\00:20:02.26
And because it was not
filled by the Spirit of God,
00:20:02.30\00:20:06.37
he went back and got
seven demons of worse
00:20:06.40\00:20:09.17
than the one
that was there before.
00:20:09.20\00:20:11.04
And the Bible says,
00:20:11.07\00:20:12.41
"The latter end is worse
for them than the beginning."
00:20:12.44\00:20:15.01
See, it's not
enough to be swept,
00:20:15.04\00:20:16.81
it's not up to is
not enough to say,
00:20:16.85\00:20:18.78
I've given up
this, giving up that.
00:20:18.81\00:20:20.25
It's is not enough to be clean.
00:20:20.28\00:20:21.78
I've been justified
00:20:21.82\00:20:23.15
but you've got to be
filled by the Spirit.
00:20:23.18\00:20:25.65
When you are not,
filled by the Spirit,
00:20:25.69\00:20:27.36
you don't have the
power to live by the spirit.
00:20:27.39\00:20:29.82
Romans 8:1.
00:20:29.86\00:20:31.19
Are you at that?
00:20:31.23\00:20:32.56
Where are you, are
you at this particular...
00:20:32.59\00:20:33.93
I'm at another...
00:20:33.96\00:20:35.30
OK, I'll just hit Romans
8:1 and we'll dive into this,
00:20:35.33\00:20:37.90
"There is
therefore now no condemnation
00:20:37.93\00:20:40.90
to those who are
in Christ Jesus."
00:20:40.94\00:20:43.30
Here's where the
condemnation is removed.
00:20:43.34\00:20:45.37
"Who do not walk
according to the flesh
00:20:45.41\00:20:48.64
but according to the spirit."
00:20:48.68\00:20:51.01
So the devil does a
serious a sinister thing here,
00:20:51.05\00:20:53.48
he removes the commandments,
the obligation to follow God.
00:20:53.52\00:20:57.92
The obligation to provide
evidence of your salvation
00:20:57.95\00:21:01.39
with good works.
00:21:01.42\00:21:03.16
He removes that entirely
just to overemphasize really.
00:21:03.19\00:21:07.50
Maybe the word
overemphasize isn't right,
00:21:07.53\00:21:09.20
but to emphasize justification
00:21:09.23\00:21:11.60
to the exclusion
of sanctification
00:21:11.63\00:21:14.67
where salvation is
both it's a package.
00:21:14.70\00:21:17.04
It's imputed
righteousness, justification
00:21:17.07\00:21:19.44
and the imparted
righteousness of Christ
00:21:19.47\00:21:21.18
the changing power of God,
00:21:21.21\00:21:22.74
giving you
power, victory over sin.
00:21:22.78\00:21:24.55
That's right.
00:21:24.58\00:21:25.91
Those both are necessary
for a transformed life,
00:21:25.95\00:21:29.02
one that's prepared and
ready for Jesus to come.
00:21:29.05\00:21:30.45
Right.
00:21:30.49\00:21:31.82
And that's why
it says in Luke 21.
00:21:31.85\00:21:34.72
And by the way, John,
00:21:34.76\00:21:36.66
the Bible was
written to the churches.
00:21:36.69\00:21:40.10
Right.
00:21:40.13\00:21:41.46
It was given to those
who had accepted Jesus.
00:21:41.50\00:21:44.40
OK.
00:21:44.43\00:21:45.77
Now granted, people
come to another Lord
00:21:45.80\00:21:47.40
through reading the word,
they give their hearts to him.
00:21:47.44\00:21:49.84
But the depth of the Word of God
00:21:49.87\00:21:52.17
the transforming
power is given to those
00:21:52.21\00:21:54.64
who have entered into
relationship with Jesus.
00:21:54.68\00:21:57.75
And so when he saying,
00:21:57.78\00:21:59.45
"Don't let these
things snare you,
00:21:59.48\00:22:00.92
make sure you watch
out for this and that"
00:22:00.95\00:22:03.42
it's telling people who
are saved of those things.
00:22:03.45\00:22:06.25
Like, it's like giving somebody
an auto manual for a car
00:22:06.29\00:22:09.76
that they don't have.
00:22:09.79\00:22:11.89
I like that.
00:22:11.93\00:22:13.26
You know... Exactly right.
00:22:13.29\00:22:14.63
And so you can't
read these things in like,
00:22:14.66\00:22:16.93
they're for
people that are unsaved
00:22:16.97\00:22:18.50
that they need to wake up
and give themselves to Jesus.
00:22:18.53\00:22:20.90
These are written to
people that are saved,
00:22:20.94\00:22:22.70
who want to stay safe.
00:22:22.74\00:22:24.07
Yeah.
00:22:24.11\00:22:25.44
Can you imagine that,
I never said that before,
00:22:25.47\00:22:26.81
as you know.
00:22:26.84\00:22:28.28
Imagine a Toyota manual
show up in your mailbox.
00:22:28.31\00:22:32.11
John Stanton,
Toyota Avalon manual,
00:22:32.15\00:22:34.78
And you say,
00:22:34.82\00:22:37.15
"I think you
sent this to wrong..."
00:22:37.19\00:22:38.52
"No, no, no we
have the right name,
00:22:38.55\00:22:39.89
John Stanton."
00:22:39.92\00:22:41.26
"But I don't
have a Toyota Avalon."
00:22:41.29\00:22:42.62
"According to our
records you need this manual."
00:22:42.66\00:22:45.96
"I don't have it."
00:22:45.99\00:22:47.33
You cannot maintain
something you don't have.
00:22:47.36\00:22:51.13
The Bible is a
manual for the Christian,
00:22:51.17\00:22:54.20
it's a book that
leads you in wisdom,
00:22:54.24\00:22:56.91
it unfolds a knowledge
00:22:56.94\00:22:58.67
that will lead
you to accept Christ.
00:22:58.71\00:23:01.38
But once you accept him,
now, you live by... Matthew 4:4,
00:23:01.41\00:23:05.65
"Man shall not
live by bread alone
00:23:05.68\00:23:08.05
but by every word
00:23:08.08\00:23:10.35
that proceeds
from the mouth of God."
00:23:10.39\00:23:12.49
It becomes our life manual.
00:23:12.52\00:23:15.56
So, nutshell, can
you lose your salvation?
00:23:15.59\00:23:18.56
Of course, you can.
00:23:18.59\00:23:20.16
When you put it in your own hand
00:23:20.20\00:23:22.60
and not allow
yourself to be daily moulded
00:23:22.63\00:23:25.90
by the Spirit,
00:23:25.93\00:23:27.27
you are in danger of
going back to the dog pan,
00:23:27.30\00:23:30.64
and going back to the mud pan.
00:23:30.67\00:23:33.74
Going back to the
vomit and going back
00:23:33.78\00:23:36.81
to the whatever
garbage the pig eats.
00:23:36.85\00:23:38.85
That's right.
00:23:38.88\00:23:40.22
But if you submit
yourself to Christ,
00:23:40.25\00:23:42.05
He said, the Bible
says, and Paul says,
00:23:42.08\00:23:45.55
"I am persuaded
that he is able to keep
00:23:45.59\00:23:50.23
that which I have committed
to him against that day.
00:23:50.26\00:23:54.30
I am persuaded
that neither death,
00:23:54.33\00:23:57.10
nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities,
00:23:57.13\00:24:00.00
nor thing present,
nor things to come,
00:24:00.04\00:24:02.00
no height, no depth,
00:24:02.04\00:24:03.54
nor any other created thing
00:24:03.57\00:24:05.37
shall be able to
separate me from the love of God
00:24:05.41\00:24:08.54
which is in Christ Jesus."
00:24:08.58\00:24:10.01
Submit yourself to God,
00:24:10.05\00:24:12.38
resist the devil and
he will flee from you.
00:24:12.41\00:24:14.78
These are all action scripts.
00:24:14.82\00:24:17.02
Resist, submit, commit,
00:24:17.05\00:24:19.25
and when you do that the
Lord will give you power.
00:24:19.29\00:24:21.62
That's why it says,
"As many as received him,
00:24:21.66\00:24:24.26
to them he gave the power
to become the children of God."
00:24:24.29\00:24:27.76
There's a power
in the Christian life
00:24:27.80\00:24:29.13
that we don't often tap
into that's why we fail.
00:24:29.16\00:24:31.80
And I'm gonna end
with this one point,
00:24:31.83\00:24:33.54
I think that the doctrine
of once saved always saved
00:24:33.57\00:24:38.01
is better described as
the doctrine of insecurity.
00:24:38.04\00:24:42.34
Beautiful.
00:24:42.38\00:24:43.71
And here's why I say
it's a doctrine of insecurity,
00:24:43.75\00:24:46.78
because you ask the person...
00:24:46.82\00:24:49.42
Well, because, the,
00:24:49.45\00:24:51.75
the assertion is
that what you're saying
00:24:51.79\00:24:53.56
you're always
saved, they're secure.
00:24:53.59\00:24:54.92
You know that you're in
Christ. I'm on a conveyor belt.
00:24:54.96\00:24:57.23
OK.
00:24:57.26\00:24:58.59
But my question to
them then would be,
00:24:58.63\00:25:00.20
and I've asked people this,
00:25:00.23\00:25:01.76
so what about the person
00:25:01.80\00:25:03.13
that gives their life to Christ,
00:25:03.16\00:25:04.93
he's in the church,
00:25:04.97\00:25:06.30
and they leave the church later
and they become a murderer,
00:25:06.33\00:25:07.84
and they get on death row.
00:25:07.87\00:25:09.20
Are they saved?
00:25:09.24\00:25:10.57
They're going to
heaven, no matter what.
00:25:10.61\00:25:11.94
That's what they teach.
00:25:11.97\00:25:13.31
But you know what
their response is?
00:25:13.34\00:25:14.71
Well, they weren't
really saved in the first place.
00:25:14.74\00:25:18.45
Yeah, I've heard that.
00:25:18.48\00:25:19.81
So, what is it that saves you?
00:25:19.85\00:25:22.58
Do you mean, when
he was in the church
00:25:22.62\00:25:24.29
and he gave his life to Christ
00:25:24.32\00:25:25.65
and professed his
commitment to Jesus,
00:25:25.69\00:25:28.19
he wasn't saved at that moment?
00:25:28.22\00:25:29.56
Didn't understand how...
00:25:29.59\00:25:30.93
You're going to actually,
00:25:30.96\00:25:32.29
what you will breed
is a bunch of people
00:25:32.33\00:25:34.90
running around a church
saying, "Did I.did that take..."
00:25:34.93\00:25:39.80
You know I said I
give myself to Jesus,
00:25:39.83\00:25:41.57
did that work,
did that one work?
00:25:41.60\00:25:43.81
Well, the murderer on
death row would have to say,
00:25:43.84\00:25:46.07
I guess that one didn't work.
00:25:46.11\00:25:48.04
Right. You see, this is simple.
00:25:48.08\00:25:50.68
You're in Christ, you're saved.
00:25:50.71\00:25:52.88
You're out of
Christ, you're not.
00:25:52.91\00:25:54.65
The evidence of that is
what is your life look like.
00:25:54.68\00:25:58.89
Are you following him?
Are you committed to him?
00:25:58.92\00:26:00.39
Do you have a devotional
life? Do you have a prayer life?
00:26:00.42\00:26:02.49
Are you becoming Christ like?
00:26:02.52\00:26:04.49
Are you becoming
more and more like him?
00:26:04.53\00:26:06.80
Those are evidences
that you are in Christ
00:26:06.83\00:26:08.63
and you are saved.
00:26:08.66\00:26:10.00
If you're walking away from him,
00:26:10.03\00:26:11.37
you're going back in the world,
00:26:11.40\00:26:12.73
you start parting
again, you're drinking things,
00:26:12.77\00:26:14.10
you're doing stuff you
know really isn't good.
00:26:14.14\00:26:15.54
That's evidence
that you're not saved.
00:26:15.57\00:26:17.84
I know where I stand with
God by the evidences of my life,
00:26:17.87\00:26:21.74
that brings security.
00:26:21.78\00:26:23.65
That's why the Bible says,
00:26:23.68\00:26:25.01
"We must all appear before
the judgment seat of Christ,
00:26:25.05\00:26:28.28
that everyone
must give an account
00:26:28.32\00:26:30.62
for the deeds done in the body.
00:26:30.65\00:26:33.69
So speak and so do
as they that shall be,
00:26:33.72\00:26:36.39
judged by the law of liberty.
00:26:36.42\00:26:39.09
So speak, so speak,
00:26:39.13\00:26:41.13
and so do as those
that would judge by love."
00:26:41.16\00:26:43.73
Fear God and
keep his commandments
00:26:43.77\00:26:45.17
for this is the
whole duty of man
00:26:45.20\00:26:47.00
for God will bring
every work into judgment,
00:26:47.04\00:26:50.81
with every secret thing
00:26:50.84\00:26:52.77
whether it be good
or whether it be evil.
00:26:52.81\00:26:54.68
Why is that so important if
you're just saved and locked
00:26:54.71\00:26:57.81
and, "Hey, guys,
00:26:57.85\00:26:59.45
I've been spiritually
fastened into the seatbelt
00:26:59.48\00:27:02.25
and even I want to get out
I just have to go to heaven.
00:27:02.28\00:27:05.52
I don't want to
be there any more."
00:27:05.55\00:27:07.39
This is ridiculous.
00:27:07.42\00:27:08.76
But that is the deception,
the doctrine of insecurity.
00:27:08.79\00:27:12.43
Thank you, John,
I appreciate that,
00:27:12.46\00:27:13.80
the doctrine of insecurity.
00:27:13.83\00:27:15.16
So, what are we saying?
00:27:15.20\00:27:16.73
Maintain your
relationship by the power,
00:27:16.77\00:27:18.87
the presence that
God makes available.
00:27:18.90\00:27:21.47
The Spirit of God
wants to work in your life
00:27:21.50\00:27:23.77
but he can only
work in your life,
00:27:23.81\00:27:25.64
if daily you are
willing to die to self.
00:27:25.67\00:27:29.54
And what's the promise?
00:27:29.58\00:27:31.81
He who has begun a good
work in you will complete it
00:27:31.85\00:27:34.65
until the day of Jesus Christ.
00:27:34.68\00:27:36.38
But you got to awake
in the morning and say,
00:27:36.42\00:27:38.15
OK, Lord, please keep going
00:27:38.19\00:27:40.22
because if I have try
I'm going to mess it up."
00:27:40.26\00:27:43.46
And he says,
00:27:43.49\00:27:44.83
"It has not yet been
revealed what we shall be,
00:27:44.86\00:27:47.40
but we do know that
when he is revealed,
00:27:47.43\00:27:49.73
we'll be like Him for
we will see him as he is,"
00:27:49.76\00:27:52.10
1 John 3:2.
00:27:52.13\00:27:53.70
So let him keep working.
00:27:53.74\00:27:55.07
I began the
work, I'll complete it.
00:27:55.10\00:27:56.71
But if you don't
give me permission,
00:27:56.74\00:27:59.04
you will end up as you are.
00:27:59.07\00:28:00.58
I think that's a good
enough for the first question.
00:28:00.61\00:28:02.21
I think we need to dive in.
00:28:02.24\00:28:03.58
We have some good
questions for the next program.
00:28:03.61\00:28:05.48
But, you know, it's important
to spend time sometimes
00:28:05.51\00:28:07.65
on really important questions
because saving relationship
00:28:07.68\00:28:10.79
is what everybody
needs to know about.
00:28:10.82\00:28:12.32
Yes, that's really critical.
00:28:12.35\00:28:13.79
You know, it's like
saying to a husband and wife,
00:28:13.82\00:28:15.16
"Well, you're married,
you know, go and sin no more."
00:28:15.19\00:28:20.16
You know...
00:28:20.20\00:28:21.53
What does that mean?
How do you know that?
00:28:21.56\00:28:22.90
That means, get
rid of your black book,
00:28:22.93\00:28:24.27
you get rid of all of
the girl friends you have,
00:28:24.30\00:28:26.33
and we know it's
deeper than that.
00:28:26.37\00:28:28.47
Well, anyway, if
you have any questions
00:28:28.50\00:28:29.84
you'd like to send to us,
00:28:29.87\00:28:31.51
the following e-mail
address will let you know
00:28:31.54\00:28:33.88
how you can get those to us.
00:28:33.91\00:28:35.98
You can send those to
House Calls at 3abn.org.
00:28:36.01\00:28:39.25
That's housecalls@3abn.org.
00:28:39.28\00:28:42.15
And surely, we will do our
part to answer your questions.
00:28:42.18\00:28:47.36
Praise the Lord for that.
00:28:47.39\00:28:48.96
John, we're continuing
today in a wonderful study,
00:28:48.99\00:28:50.93
just lead us into that.
00:28:50.96\00:28:52.86
We've been
talking about baptism.
00:28:52.89\00:28:54.66
You have part one already.
00:28:54.70\00:28:56.46
And some of the
important aspects,
00:28:56.50\00:28:58.20
really the essential
foundational parts baptism,
00:28:58.23\00:29:03.41
the fact that its
right, it's important,
00:29:03.44\00:29:05.51
something we must do.
00:29:05.54\00:29:07.14
The Bible has called
us, commanded us to do that.
00:29:07.18\00:29:09.84
And what we didn't
talk about, John, I think,
00:29:09.88\00:29:13.48
maybe this will help us
segue into the rest of the study
00:29:13.52\00:29:17.55
is that although
it is a commandment,
00:29:17.59\00:29:20.66
a command to be baptized,
it's a right of the Christian.
00:29:20.69\00:29:24.29
It's a statement that
I now belong to Christ,
00:29:24.33\00:29:26.66
I do not belong to
the world or to Satan
00:29:26.70\00:29:28.06
or do anything else,
00:29:28.10\00:29:29.43
I've left those things
behind, I've died to self.
00:29:29.46\00:29:32.37
That what about the
pride, I know it's out there,
00:29:32.40\00:29:35.14
so what about the person
00:29:35.17\00:29:36.50
that can't get into
the baptismal waters
00:29:36.54\00:29:38.37
but wants to give
their life to Christ?
00:29:38.41\00:29:40.51
What about you know,
00:29:40.54\00:29:41.88
if I haven't been saved
00:29:41.91\00:29:43.24
or someone give
their life to Jesus,
00:29:43.28\00:29:44.61
and they had an
accident and their life is over,
00:29:44.65\00:29:47.68
and they don't they
couldn't have a chance.
00:29:47.72\00:29:49.08
So, let's answer that
before we move on to the rest,
00:29:49.12\00:29:51.65
because I know some
people will be thinking,
00:29:51.69\00:29:53.02
hey, if unless you're baptized,
unless you're underneath water,
00:29:53.05\00:29:55.72
you're lost and you know...
00:29:55.76\00:29:58.36
Well, you want
to answer that one?
00:29:58.39\00:29:59.73
No, go ahead.
00:29:59.76\00:30:01.10
You know, when Jesus was
baptized he said to John,
00:30:01.13\00:30:04.37
"Permitted to be so now for thus
00:30:04.40\00:30:06.63
it is necessary to
fulfil alrighteousness."
00:30:06.67\00:30:10.67
And I want to clarify something
and actually amplify it
00:30:10.71\00:30:13.94
what I said on a
previous program about this.
00:30:13.98\00:30:16.95
I made the statement,
when Jesus went into the water,
00:30:16.98\00:30:19.78
since he was not a sinner,
00:30:19.81\00:30:21.78
the Bible says,
he became sin for us,
00:30:21.82\00:30:23.75
but he was not a sinner.
00:30:23.79\00:30:25.12
You got to separate the two.
00:30:25.15\00:30:27.26
He became sin for us
that we might through him
00:30:27.29\00:30:30.53
become the righteousness of God.
00:30:30.56\00:30:32.23
OK.
00:30:32.26\00:30:33.60
So when he went
into the baptismal pool
00:30:33.63\00:30:35.90
or the Jordan River,
00:30:35.93\00:30:37.67
he made provision for those
00:30:37.70\00:30:40.50
who could not
physically have a baptism
00:30:40.54\00:30:44.87
and for those who could
physically have a baptism
00:30:44.91\00:30:47.31
because
alrighteousness was fulfilled.
00:30:47.34\00:30:50.75
And what John was talking
about and what we mean by that
00:30:50.78\00:30:53.45
is there are those
extenuating circumstances.
00:30:53.48\00:30:55.78
And you know, it
wasn't too long after that,
00:30:55.82\00:30:58.09
that a perfect example came up.
00:30:58.12\00:31:00.29
We, today,
00:31:00.32\00:31:01.66
have incessantly referred
00:31:01.69\00:31:03.02
to this as a thief on the cross.
00:31:03.06\00:31:05.06
The thief on the cross,
00:31:05.09\00:31:08.50
"Lord, remember me when
you come in new kingdom."
00:31:08.53\00:31:11.73
"I'm saying to you today,
you'll be with me in paradise.
00:31:11.77\00:31:14.00
I promise you that.
00:31:14.04\00:31:15.37
When I come I
will remember you."
00:31:15.40\00:31:17.51
And so, the
Lord, when he returns
00:31:17.54\00:31:20.28
he will respond to
the request of the thief.
00:31:20.31\00:31:23.61
The thief said, "Lord,
00:31:23.65\00:31:24.98
remember me when you
come into the kingdom."
00:31:25.01\00:31:26.82
And the Lord says,
I'm telling you this today
00:31:26.85\00:31:29.18
you will be with me in paradise.
00:31:29.22\00:31:31.12
He couldn't come
down to be baptized,
00:31:31.15\00:31:33.56
there could be no possible...
00:31:33.59\00:31:34.92
That's right.
00:31:34.96\00:31:36.29
So Jesus imparted to
that man his righteousness.
00:31:36.32\00:31:39.49
And that's what Paul,
00:31:39.53\00:31:40.86
that's what
Matthew meant when he said,
00:31:40.90\00:31:43.37
when John said, when
Jesus said in Matthew,
00:31:43.40\00:31:45.83
"Permitted to be this way now
00:31:45.87\00:31:47.24
for it is necessary to
fulfil alrighteousness.
00:31:47.27\00:31:51.27
But in most cases, John...
00:31:51.31\00:31:52.81
Most people are cut
off from being baptized.
00:31:52.84\00:31:55.78
So you need to
make that decision
00:31:55.81\00:31:57.15
and follow through with it.
00:31:57.18\00:31:58.51
But you know what in some
of our pastors have done this
00:31:58.55\00:32:00.05
in this is wonderful
how provision can be made.
00:32:00.08\00:32:01.98
Other than a baptismal pool,
00:32:02.02\00:32:04.12
but we've been instructed Ellen
00:32:04.15\00:32:07.12
White talks about this
in our church manual says,
00:32:07.16\00:32:09.59
if at all to make
this ceremony special
00:32:09.62\00:32:11.73
if it's possible at
all to have a baptism
00:32:11.76\00:32:14.03
in running water
in a wonderful river
00:32:14.06\00:32:17.37
or lake do it is so special.
00:32:17.40\00:32:20.70
But if not if they can't
make it to a baptismal pool
00:32:20.74\00:32:23.77
or river anything at all.
00:32:23.81\00:32:25.41
And they are incapacitated.
00:32:25.44\00:32:27.24
There was a young man in Russia
00:32:27.28\00:32:28.61
that Mark Finley did
his baptism in a bath tub.
00:32:28.64\00:32:30.98
He said I want to be baptized,
00:32:31.01\00:32:32.45
I want to he said but you
can't make it to the church.
00:32:32.48\00:32:34.65
So they said OK,
fill up the baptism
00:32:34.68\00:32:36.99
fill up the bath tub and
they baptized in the tub.
00:32:37.02\00:32:41.32
But this right is
a beautiful thing.
00:32:41.36\00:32:43.02
And so, yes people can
be saved without baptism
00:32:43.06\00:32:46.83
in extenuating circumstances.
00:32:46.86\00:32:48.83
Don't make you as
an excuse and say,
00:32:48.86\00:32:50.40
'Well, I actually
intended to be here."
00:32:50.43\00:32:53.44
It's not that that but
that's not what we mean.
00:32:53.47\00:32:55.47
Yeah, you give your
life to Christ unreservedly.
00:32:55.50\00:32:57.84
Right without reservation.
00:32:57.87\00:33:01.44
So yeah, you
mentioned the thief on the cross
00:33:01.48\00:33:03.65
and the fact that he
was not able to be baptized
00:33:03.68\00:33:10.62
but still was saved
00:33:10.65\00:33:12.59
and so that kind of dance
that answers that question.
00:33:12.62\00:33:15.06
But let's talk about more about
this ordinance about baptism.
00:33:15.09\00:33:17.73
OK.
00:33:17.76\00:33:19.09
And those that are sincere
I want to follow through that
00:33:19.13\00:33:21.73
and what does that
represent what does that mean
00:33:21.76\00:33:23.57
when we talk a little bit
about how this is death to self.
00:33:23.60\00:33:26.74
New Life in Christ
we die to the old man.
00:33:26.77\00:33:29.84
We live now to Jesus
through his power his strength
00:33:29.87\00:33:33.48
but it also there is
there is other things
00:33:33.51\00:33:37.51
that it symbolizes as well.
00:33:37.55\00:33:40.32
One of those coming
into a faith with doctrine,
00:33:40.35\00:33:46.22
the church the body that's
part of what baptism symbolizes.
00:33:46.25\00:33:52.49
In fact, Ephesians 4:5,
00:33:52.53\00:33:56.63
Ephesians 4:5 Let me read that.
00:33:56.67\00:33:59.73
Sure.
00:33:59.77\00:34:01.14
While you turn there
let me just hit this one
00:34:01.17\00:34:02.70
because you talked
about this a lot of times
00:34:02.74\00:34:04.57
you get baptized.
00:34:04.61\00:34:06.01
They said, I don't want
to be baptized into a church
00:34:06.04\00:34:08.04
I just want to be
baptized into Jesus.
00:34:08.08\00:34:09.94
Well you know saying
00:34:09.98\00:34:11.31
I don't want to not
only be in a football team.
00:34:11.35\00:34:12.68
I just want to football uniform.
00:34:12.71\00:34:14.58
Well nobody is
and said, island of,
00:34:14.62\00:34:19.52
of activity unto themselves.
00:34:19.55\00:34:22.39
The Lord Acts 2:47
00:34:22.42\00:34:25.03
the Lord added
to the church daily
00:34:25.06\00:34:28.63
those who were saved in
the saving relationship.
00:34:28.66\00:34:33.00
There's a place is a
community there's a fellowship
00:34:33.03\00:34:35.64
and let me tell you something.
00:34:35.67\00:34:37.01
There's a text in the
Bible says, "Iron sharpens iron"
00:34:37.04\00:34:41.31
You will never know
what kind of Christian
00:34:41.34\00:34:43.14
you have become
00:34:43.18\00:34:44.51
unless you have
somebody to test you.
00:34:44.55\00:34:47.32
And saints will test you.
00:34:47.35\00:34:48.68
And believe me
Saints will test you.
00:34:48.72\00:34:53.66
You will test others
and they will test you
00:34:53.69\00:34:56.56
you've gotto you
grow in a community.
00:34:56.59\00:34:58.99
You don't you know,
00:34:59.03\00:35:00.36
you don't grow into
00:35:00.40\00:35:02.06
you don't grow into
grace you grow in grace.
00:35:02.10\00:35:07.54
You don't grow into
Christ you grow in Christ.
00:35:07.57\00:35:12.31
See so we're not a fish
doesn't swim into the water,
00:35:12.34\00:35:16.68
he swims in the water.
00:35:16.71\00:35:19.01
A plant doesn't
grow into the pot
00:35:19.05\00:35:20.85
it grows in the pot.
00:35:20.88\00:35:22.88
So when you
planted it was Christ,
00:35:22.92\00:35:25.02
you grow as the
phrase has grow your planted
00:35:25.05\00:35:27.86
was the text you
have for us John.
00:35:27.89\00:35:30.36
Ephesians 4,
beginning with verse 4,
00:35:30.39\00:35:33.16
There is one
body and one spirit,
00:35:33.19\00:35:36.30
just as you were
called in one hope
00:35:36.33\00:35:37.80
of your calling one Lord,
00:35:37.83\00:35:39.30
one faith, one baptism,
00:35:39.33\00:35:41.67
one God and Father of all
00:35:41.70\00:35:43.87
who is above all and
through all and in you all.
00:35:43.91\00:35:47.14
But each one of
us grace was given
00:35:47.18\00:35:49.08
according to the
measure of Christ's gift."
00:35:49.11\00:35:51.28
So we're talking about
here a body of believers
00:35:51.31\00:35:54.88
who have received doctrine.
00:35:54.92\00:35:58.09
They've received the Holy.
00:35:58.12\00:36:00.22
Spirit into their lives,
00:36:00.26\00:36:01.82
they've been
bonded together in peace.
00:36:01.86\00:36:04.99
They have been, given hope,
00:36:05.03\00:36:06.46
they have one
faith that they practice
00:36:06.49\00:36:08.83
and they had been, baptized.
00:36:08.86\00:36:10.97
So as this message
this word was going out
00:36:11.00\00:36:13.34
and people were
being saved day-by-day
00:36:13.37\00:36:15.90
you also read that baptisms
00:36:15.94\00:36:17.27
were happening
by the thousands...
00:36:17.31\00:36:18.67
By the thousands.
00:36:18.71\00:36:20.04
In the Book of Acts,
so baptism went clearly
00:36:20.08\00:36:22.21
along with those
that were being saved,
00:36:22.24\00:36:24.41
but it also was bringing
them into the Body of Christ.
00:36:24.45\00:36:28.05
So someone can say,
00:36:28.08\00:36:29.42
Well I like to be baptized
in a river and do I really
00:36:29.45\00:36:31.69
I really don't
like being in church,
00:36:31.72\00:36:33.22
I don't like being in public.
00:36:33.25\00:36:34.72
It really challenges me
I get anxious and so forth.
00:36:34.76\00:36:37.13
What we understand
those kinds of anxieties.
00:36:37.16\00:36:39.43
But unless you're
connecting with a body.
00:36:39.46\00:36:41.60
You're actually
creating a very huge gap.
00:36:41.63\00:36:46.43
Not only in
potential for growth,
00:36:46.47\00:36:48.07
which was what
John always spoke about
00:36:48.10\00:36:49.44
already spoke about
00:36:49.47\00:36:50.81
but of being able to be
sustained and encouraged
00:36:50.84\00:36:54.31
by the Saints to continue on.
00:36:54.34\00:36:57.01
I find John
that when we're home.
00:36:57.05\00:36:59.61
If I'm home and I
don't have a lot to do
00:36:59.65\00:37:02.22
I better find something to do.
00:37:02.25\00:37:04.85
And those are the times
after well, lets say, OK,
00:37:04.89\00:37:07.09
where's my project list
00:37:07.12\00:37:08.46
and I've got to get
out there wash the car.
00:37:08.49\00:37:10.03
I've got to get in the garden
00:37:10.06\00:37:11.89
and maybe mow the
lawn or do something.
00:37:11.93\00:37:13.73
Because as we know slothfulness
are just sitting around
00:37:13.76\00:37:17.57
with nothing to do
00:37:17.60\00:37:18.93
that doesn't incline
us to do good things.
00:37:18.97\00:37:21.14
No.
00:37:21.17\00:37:22.50
It causes the old
man to kind of rise up
00:37:22.54\00:37:24.84
and unless you're
involved with the Saints
00:37:24.87\00:37:28.31
unless you're
involved with the church,
00:37:28.34\00:37:30.25
and only you will not grow,
00:37:30.28\00:37:31.85
but I think
there's a greater chance
00:37:31.88\00:37:33.78
to fall back into sin.
00:37:33.82\00:37:35.18
Right.
00:37:35.22\00:37:36.55
And as we're going into
00:37:36.58\00:37:38.52
the continual
unfolding of baptism
00:37:38.55\00:37:42.52
the church is necessary
00:37:42.56\00:37:43.89
you grow
together in the community.
00:37:43.93\00:37:46.16
I said this in a moment ago,
00:37:46.19\00:37:47.53
when you look at this
when you look at this word
00:37:47.56\00:37:49.30
in the in the
phrase in the New Testament
00:37:49.33\00:37:51.13
in the Book of Acts one
accord, one accord, one accord.
00:37:51.17\00:37:54.77
You know they were in one accord
00:37:54.80\00:37:56.40
for prayer and supplication
they were in one accord
00:37:56.44\00:37:59.11
when the Holy
Spirit was poured out,
00:37:59.14\00:38:00.78
they continued daily
with one accord in the temple
00:38:00.81\00:38:05.61
and breaking bread
from house to house.
00:38:05.65\00:38:07.78
This accordance you
can't be in one accord
00:38:07.82\00:38:10.22
with yourself you
have to be in accord
00:38:10.25\00:38:14.16
in the word accord
there means unity harmony.
00:38:14.19\00:38:18.89
Fellowship is the
word Koinonia is the word,
00:38:18.93\00:38:22.23
fellowship with
one another 1 John 1:7,
00:38:22.26\00:38:26.53
"If we walk in the
light as he is in the light
00:38:26.57\00:38:28.14
we have fellowship." Koinonia.
00:38:28.17\00:38:30.37
The church is a
place of fellowship
00:38:30.41\00:38:31.74
is also a church
a place of service.
00:38:31.77\00:38:33.88
A place of growth
00:38:33.91\00:38:35.24
the Spirit of God works on
you to bring you to a conviction
00:38:35.28\00:38:38.41
then you accept the
Lord that is justification,
00:38:38.45\00:38:41.15
you into now
into the relationship
00:38:41.18\00:38:43.35
with all the others
who have done the same.
00:38:43.39\00:38:45.25
That's called, Sanctification
00:38:45.29\00:38:46.62
but you know you
have to enter into this.
00:38:46.65\00:38:49.72
But let me also add this
John, Mark 3... Matthew 3:11.
00:38:49.76\00:38:54.86
This is
interesting because when Jesus,
00:38:54.90\00:38:56.36
was baptized by John the Baptist
00:38:56.40\00:39:02.24
a statement followed about
what kind of baptism this was.
00:39:02.27\00:39:06.71
But read that for us.
00:39:06.74\00:39:09.34
"I indeed that is you
with water unto repentance,
00:39:09.38\00:39:13.68
but he who is coming after me
is mightier than I who sandals
00:39:13.72\00:39:17.82
I am not worthy to carry,
00:39:17.85\00:39:19.62
he will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and Fire."
00:39:19.65\00:39:22.59
OK,
00:39:22.62\00:39:23.96
so this says this
is another baptism
00:39:23.99\00:39:25.59
people don't often think about,
00:39:25.63\00:39:27.40
what I want to
also do is straight now
00:39:27.43\00:39:29.66
the distortion of baptism
by the Holy Spirit of fire.
00:39:29.70\00:39:33.27
When the Lord
descended on the disciples
00:39:33.30\00:39:35.60
on the day of Pentecost,
00:39:35.64\00:39:37.77
they were able to
communicate the language
00:39:37.81\00:39:40.51
to the world in a tongue
00:39:40.54\00:39:42.24
that all the other nations knew.
00:39:42.28\00:39:44.31
But they themselves as galleons
00:39:44.35\00:39:45.81
didn't know the Lord
equipped these Galilean men.
00:39:45.85\00:39:49.18
Let me just use of
a loose phrase today,
00:39:49.22\00:39:51.65
he I'm from New
York, so I'll use this,
00:39:51.69\00:39:54.09
he equipped all these
people brought born in New York.
00:39:54.12\00:39:57.96
You know Brooklyn
00:39:57.99\00:39:59.53
with the ability to speak German
00:39:59.56\00:40:01.53
and Italian and Dutch
and Portuguese and Spanish.
00:40:01.56\00:40:05.53
And the languages of the world,
00:40:05.57\00:40:07.80
what he didn't do
00:40:07.84\00:40:09.17
was 'cause them to
start talking in tongues
00:40:09.20\00:40:12.37
things that nobody understood.
00:40:12.41\00:40:14.44
And so when you're
baptized with the Holy Spirit.
00:40:14.48\00:40:18.28
That means the Holy
Spirit now comes into your life
00:40:18.31\00:40:21.45
and makes you
capable of accomplishing,
00:40:21.48\00:40:24.29
accomplishing what you could
not accomplish in the flesh.
00:40:24.32\00:40:28.09
So as walk in the spirit.
00:40:28.12\00:40:30.43
So you will not
fulfil the days of the flesh.
00:40:30.46\00:40:32.59
That's what happens
the Holy Spirit comes in
00:40:32.63\00:40:35.16
and says, OK, I'm here
00:40:35.20\00:40:37.53
now there are a number of things
00:40:37.57\00:40:38.90
that you are going
to do as I train you
00:40:38.93\00:40:40.60
as you submit to
the will of God each day
00:40:40.64\00:40:42.77
the Spirit of God
will come into your life.
00:40:42.80\00:40:44.67
And want to says, also with fire
00:40:44.71\00:40:46.61
it doesn't just mean
on the day of Pentecost
00:40:46.64\00:40:48.51
the cloven tongues as of fire
00:40:48.54\00:40:50.08
representing the
power of the Holy Spirit.
00:40:50.11\00:40:51.85
It means I'm going to burn
everything out of your life
00:40:51.88\00:40:54.68
that doesn't have any
place in the Christians life.
00:40:54.72\00:40:58.42
I'm going to consume all the sin
00:40:58.45\00:41:00.36
consume all the draws
I'm going to purify you.
00:41:00.39\00:41:03.16
And that's why Jesus says,
00:41:03.19\00:41:04.99
"By of me gold tried
in the fire in the fire."
00:41:05.03\00:41:10.63
This is the faith
that work of the by love
00:41:10.67\00:41:13.03
the gold tried in the fire.
00:41:13.07\00:41:14.64
So before, we
get to the kingdom.
00:41:14.67\00:41:16.30
Before we are perfected,
00:41:16.34\00:41:19.37
we will be under the constant
firing of the Spirit of God
00:41:19.41\00:41:24.55
burning all the way
that's what happened to Joshua
00:41:24.58\00:41:27.42
the angel put a cold on his lip
00:41:27.45\00:41:29.98
and he says, OK
you're clean now see.
00:41:30.02\00:41:35.09
Isaiah I'm a
man of unclean lips.
00:41:35.12\00:41:37.26
So we have a
cleanliness that is necessary.
00:41:37.29\00:41:39.93
There's a cleaning process,
00:41:39.96\00:41:41.86
that's necessary for
us to become like Jesus.
00:41:41.90\00:41:45.33
But Pastor.
00:41:45.37\00:41:48.27
I just I don't get along
with the people in the church.
00:41:48.30\00:41:51.81
They just sometimes
they're not very nice to me
00:41:51.84\00:41:54.21
and they just
they're always judge mental,
00:41:54.24\00:41:56.21
they look at me funny.
00:41:56.24\00:41:58.71
I just I don't
really get along there.
00:41:58.75\00:42:02.58
Well, here's
something that is the challenge.
00:42:02.62\00:42:05.72
Here's where growth
can be its greatest right.
00:42:05.75\00:42:08.86
Be that transforming
agent in that church
00:42:08.89\00:42:13.60
be the one that's
Christ like in the church
00:42:13.63\00:42:15.90
to introduce them to
what Christ really is like.
00:42:15.93\00:42:21.20
Manifest his character.
00:42:21.24\00:42:22.64
Don't just go
home and sit there,
00:42:22.67\00:42:24.81
that's what the
devil want you to do.
00:42:24.84\00:42:26.17
He's the one
telling you to stay home.
00:42:26.21\00:42:28.74
God is saying get in there,
00:42:28.78\00:42:30.25
and mingle and transform
that church by my spirit.
00:42:30.28\00:42:33.08
I can use you to transform
these Judge Mental unkind
00:42:33.11\00:42:37.65
even in words and
even sometimes deeds
00:42:37.69\00:42:39.72
people by your love my
love through you to them.
00:42:39.75\00:42:44.66
And yes, it's
going to be a challenge.
00:42:44.69\00:42:46.03
Yes, you're going to
have some difficulties...
00:42:46.06\00:42:47.50
But that's the iron
sharpening the iron.
00:42:47.53\00:42:48.86
It is.
00:42:48.90\00:42:50.23
It is and when we
shrink back from that,
00:42:50.27\00:42:54.00
I think it just
allows the church
00:42:54.04\00:42:55.77
to continue to, to foster
this negative kind of attitude
00:42:55.80\00:43:03.24
even keep us from
ministry to others
00:43:03.28\00:43:05.58
and you know the
heard those horrible stories
00:43:05.61\00:43:08.55
you know about the young girl
00:43:08.58\00:43:09.95
that walks in and
her skirts too short or,
00:43:09.98\00:43:12.59
or maybe her.
00:43:12.62\00:43:14.56
Her neckline is a little too low
00:43:14.59\00:43:16.52
and grandma steps up and says,
00:43:16.56\00:43:18.63
"You better leave here now
00:43:18.66\00:43:20.00
and don't come back
until you change your clothes."
00:43:20.03\00:43:21.86
you know and so no
they never come back
00:43:21.90\00:43:24.33
you know that's
the devil working
00:43:24.37\00:43:25.83
he does work
through people in the Saints
00:43:25.87\00:43:28.14
column saying it's but
not all of them are saints.
00:43:28.17\00:43:31.07
We've got convicts in the church
00:43:31.11\00:43:32.44
as we mentioned
in a recent program,
00:43:32.47\00:43:33.81
but not a lot of converts.
00:43:33.84\00:43:35.21
And so that that is what
00:43:35.24\00:43:36.68
you're going to
run into so expect it.
00:43:36.71\00:43:38.58
I always tell someone
baptized I maybe do this too.
00:43:38.61\00:43:41.35
If I'm baptizing I say, listen
00:43:41.38\00:43:43.89
this is where the
battle begins you realize this.
00:43:43.92\00:43:46.25
This isn't like
00:43:46.29\00:43:47.96
just a culmination of the
joy of the journey in Christ.
00:43:47.99\00:43:50.89
Just what is going to be Joy.
00:43:50.93\00:43:52.76
This is a culmination
this is the beginning
00:43:52.79\00:43:54.46
of some incredible
trials in your life
00:43:54.50\00:43:56.33
because, the
devil's not to be happy
00:43:56.36\00:43:57.70
with you you're
making a statement
00:43:57.73\00:43:59.07
you're standing
up on, on a mountain,
00:43:59.10\00:44:00.44
you're saying,
"Devil, I'm done with you."
00:44:00.47\00:44:03.07
I'm in Christ
now, I'm his army."
00:44:03.10\00:44:05.47
What you think is
going to do with his armory.
00:44:05.51\00:44:07.41
He's in the image
right at you. Oh, yeah.
00:44:07.44\00:44:09.98
So when you're baptized
when you make that statement.
00:44:10.01\00:44:12.45
The devil is
going to come after you
00:44:12.48\00:44:14.38
and he doesn't do that
specifically with himself
00:44:14.42\00:44:16.79
or with his demons
00:44:16.82\00:44:18.15
although there's
temptations and other things.
00:44:18.19\00:44:20.02
But he uses even
the people of God
00:44:20.06\00:44:21.72
to come after us
00:44:21.76\00:44:23.22
to discourage us to get us
00:44:23.26\00:44:24.59
to give up hope
and to walk away.
00:44:24.63\00:44:27.13
Don't let him do that,
00:44:27.16\00:44:29.83
just allow
Christ to transform you
00:44:29.86\00:44:31.97
and use you is
that transforming agent
00:44:32.00\00:44:33.84
in the life blood of the church.
00:44:33.87\00:44:35.64
You know 1 Peter 4:12,
there's a beautiful text here
00:44:35.67\00:44:38.07
that talks about
the Christian life
00:44:38.11\00:44:39.44
and we were talking today
00:44:39.47\00:44:40.81
not just about
the act of have to sin
00:44:40.84\00:44:42.18
but the kind of life
00:44:42.21\00:44:43.55
that a person who
is baptized a lives.
00:44:43.58\00:44:44.91
We're trying to be practical,
00:44:44.95\00:44:46.28
We're trying to
be practical here,
00:44:46.31\00:44:47.65
because a lot of times
00:44:47.68\00:44:49.02
people come to the
life of a Christian
00:44:49.05\00:44:50.42
they enter into
the community of faith
00:44:50.45\00:44:51.95
in the fellowship of believers
00:44:51.99\00:44:53.52
and they think
it's going to be smooth,
00:44:53.56\00:44:54.92
they think that somehow
00:44:54.96\00:44:56.29
I have now been I have now been
scotched guarded against sin.
00:44:56.32\00:45:00.66
No, you haven't.
00:45:00.70\00:45:02.40
You have received the
righteousness of Jesus
00:45:02.43\00:45:06.27
keep it now, keep that garments
unspotted from the world.
00:45:06.30\00:45:10.24
Keep it, committed,
dedicated, grow in Christ,
00:45:10.27\00:45:15.74
grow in grace,
understand that yesterday,
00:45:15.78\00:45:19.31
you're a hopeless center
today you are a sinner with hope
00:45:19.35\00:45:24.25
without Christ as
a hopeless and with,
00:45:24.29\00:45:26.35
with Christ as an endless hope.
00:45:26.39\00:45:28.12
So you have now
entered the relationship
00:45:28.16\00:45:30.46
and like a husband or wife
00:45:30.49\00:45:31.83
on the first
day of your wedding.
00:45:31.86\00:45:34.33
You can say, "Wow!
00:45:34.36\00:45:36.53
We've been married a long time."
00:45:36.56\00:45:38.77
I said to people when
you hit 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
00:45:38.80\00:45:44.41
you understand you want it
00:45:44.44\00:45:45.77
you understand
better than anyone else.
00:45:45.81\00:45:47.64
You don't just get there
00:45:47.68\00:45:49.14
because you both are
war sanded before you met
00:45:49.18\00:45:51.85
you both sanded each other.
00:45:51.88\00:45:53.78
Your iron sharpened
his iron in her iron
00:45:53.82\00:45:56.92
you both had those moments
00:45:56.95\00:45:58.29
where now like
I said to my wife,
00:45:58.32\00:46:00.16
"Honey,
00:46:00.19\00:46:01.52
It took a long time for us
to get to where we are today.
00:46:01.56\00:46:03.69
I don't want to do this again."
00:46:03.73\00:46:05.43
Not that undesired, undesirable
00:46:05.46\00:46:07.66
but once you once if it is
00:46:07.70\00:46:09.93
you know marriage is like
00:46:09.96\00:46:11.30
all the
relationship with a Christian.
00:46:11.33\00:46:12.67
Is like you get a piece of
wood and you've ever seen those
00:46:12.70\00:46:16.57
what structures that they
put in those trinkets stores
00:46:16.60\00:46:19.71
and they look so beautiful.
00:46:19.74\00:46:21.44
One of the well let
me use another example,
00:46:21.48\00:46:23.08
and I know
00:46:23.11\00:46:24.45
this is not
something we all desire
00:46:24.48\00:46:25.81
because nobody wants to kill
00:46:25.85\00:46:27.18
elephants for their ivory tusks.
00:46:27.22\00:46:28.78
But have you ever
seen some of those,
00:46:28.82\00:46:30.52
those little
things that look like
00:46:30.55\00:46:32.25
how did they get in there
00:46:32.29\00:46:34.22
that they build
an entire carbons
00:46:34.26\00:46:37.96
you know hard ivory.
00:46:37.99\00:46:39.69
And you look at
the intricate detail
00:46:39.73\00:46:41.30
you think unbelievable.
00:46:41.33\00:46:43.70
How do they even
see all that they see
00:46:43.73\00:46:47.64
by just looking
at this ivory tusks?
00:46:47.67\00:46:49.74
The Lord looks at us as
an ivory tusks so to speak
00:46:49.77\00:46:52.17
and he takes out his
sharp Holy Spirit tools
00:46:52.21\00:46:55.58
and start carving out
to create in us his image.
00:46:55.61\00:46:59.15
So that's a trial.
But listen to this.
00:46:59.18\00:47:01.35
I talked about the
fire matter of fact.
00:47:01.38\00:47:03.32
I've just been talking
read 1 Peter 4:12 to 16.
00:47:03.35\00:47:10.03
This is so indicative
00:47:10.06\00:47:12.59
of how we are shaped
in our Christian journey.
00:47:12.63\00:47:17.27
How we are shaped in
our walk with Christ.
00:47:17.30\00:47:20.37
Starting with 1
Peter 4:12 down to 16,
00:47:20.40\00:47:23.61
"Beloved, do not
think it is strange
00:47:23.64\00:47:26.04
it's a strange thing
concerning the fiery trial
00:47:26.07\00:47:29.41
which is to try you as though
00:47:29.44\00:47:30.78
some strange
things happened to you."
00:47:30.81\00:47:32.38
Look it's not unusual
don't get bent out of shape
00:47:32.41\00:47:35.52
this is suppose to happen.
00:47:35.55\00:47:36.89
The Holy Ghost and with
fire don't think it strange.
00:47:36.92\00:47:38.92
"But rejoice to the extent
00:47:38.95\00:47:40.62
that you partake
of Christ sufferings
00:47:40.66\00:47:43.19
that when his glory is revealed.
00:47:43.22\00:47:44.89
You may also be
glad with exceeding joy.
00:47:44.93\00:47:47.76
If your reproach
00:47:47.80\00:47:49.13
for the name of
Christ blessed are you
00:47:49.16\00:47:51.03
for the whole for
the spirit of glory
00:47:51.07\00:47:52.77
and of God rests upon you
00:47:52.80\00:47:55.10
on their part
he is a blast fiend
00:47:55.14\00:47:57.34
but on your part
he is glorified."
00:47:57.37\00:47:59.81
Now watch this, this
is this is important now.
00:47:59.84\00:48:02.48
"But let none of you
suffer as a murderer or a thief
00:48:02.51\00:48:05.55
an evil doer or as a busybody
in other people's matters,
00:48:05.58\00:48:09.62
yet if anyone suffers
as crude as a Christian.
00:48:09.65\00:48:12.29
Let him not be ashamed
00:48:12.32\00:48:13.66
but let him glorify
God in this matter."
00:48:13.69\00:48:16.46
Right.
00:48:16.49\00:48:17.83
OK, so just stop
there for a moment.
00:48:17.86\00:48:19.19
So this, this
council is to the Christian.
00:48:19.23\00:48:22.90
This is not to the
person who has a...
00:48:22.93\00:48:24.93
who hasn't accepted Christ
and I want to bring this up
00:48:24.97\00:48:27.14
because he said,
00:48:27.17\00:48:28.50
you know some of
you are going to suffer.
00:48:28.54\00:48:30.54
Everybody's going to suffer
00:48:30.57\00:48:32.54
but make sure that
you are not suffering
00:48:32.57\00:48:35.48
because you want to
head and kill somebody
00:48:35.51\00:48:38.35
or that you are
thieves or that you're an evil
00:48:38.38\00:48:40.92
to know that you're a busybody
in other people's matters.
00:48:40.95\00:48:44.35
Please as a Christian
don't let that happen to you.
00:48:44.39\00:48:47.46
But if you
suffer as a Christian.
00:48:47.49\00:48:49.69
Don't be ashamed.
00:48:49.72\00:48:51.56
So Christians do suffer
00:48:51.59\00:48:53.40
but don't let the suffering
00:48:53.43\00:48:55.26
be based on what you
did and my good friend.
00:48:55.30\00:49:01.10
He's now a union
president Ricardo Graham,
00:49:01.14\00:49:03.64
he once said to me years ago,
00:49:03.67\00:49:05.44
when I was in
Northern California conference
00:49:05.47\00:49:06.88
he said John people will throw
people will throw stones at you
00:49:06.91\00:49:11.01
but don't give them any.
00:49:11.05\00:49:13.42
OK.
00:49:13.45\00:49:15.05
and I never forgot that
00:49:15.08\00:49:17.02
because that's
in fact the truth.
00:49:17.05\00:49:18.92
You're going to have trials.
00:49:18.95\00:49:20.39
That's a part of the process.
00:49:20.42\00:49:22.22
I want to read this
statement here very quickly.
00:49:22.26\00:49:24.49
Listen to this and
Ellen White wrote this.
00:49:24.53\00:49:27.16
This is powerful.
00:49:27.20\00:49:28.53
This is in Testimony
Volume 5 page 344 listen to this
00:49:28.56\00:49:31.97
and for those of you
that are not Adventists
00:49:32.00\00:49:33.74
listen to this council.
00:49:33.77\00:49:35.10
And this fits into
everybody's category of life.
00:49:35.14\00:49:37.91
"There is a high standard
to which we are to attain
00:49:37.94\00:49:41.41
if we would be children
of God, noble, pure, holy,
00:49:41.44\00:49:46.18
and undefiled and a
pruning process is necessary
00:49:46.21\00:49:51.42
if we would
reach this standard."
00:49:51.45\00:49:53.22
What happens when a tree grows
its branches out really fall
00:49:53.25\00:49:57.16
what do gardeners do...
00:49:57.19\00:49:59.13
They prune stuff
off it's not as healthy.
00:49:59.16\00:50:02.00
Right and you say,
00:50:02.03\00:50:03.37
but the only thing we
look at after the tree
00:50:03.40\00:50:04.83
is probably see how many
cut so much off of this thing.
00:50:04.87\00:50:07.84
It's going to grow back.
00:50:07.87\00:50:09.20
And next season or
look at the rose bush.
00:50:09.24\00:50:12.77
I'm glad I didn't do it
00:50:12.81\00:50:14.14
because I don't
know how to prune it.
00:50:14.18\00:50:15.88
But the pruning process
is necessary but get this.
00:50:15.91\00:50:19.85
"How would this
pruning be accomplished
00:50:19.88\00:50:22.78
if there were no
difficulties to meet
00:50:22.82\00:50:25.42
no obstacles to some mound,
00:50:25.45\00:50:27.52
nothing to call out
patience and in durance
00:50:27.56\00:50:30.79
these trials are not
the smallest blessing
00:50:30.83\00:50:33.13
in our experience,"
00:50:33.16\00:50:34.50
in other words
they're really good blessings.
00:50:34.53\00:50:36.50
They are designed to nerve
us to determination to succeed.
00:50:36.53\00:50:42.87
We are to use them as God's
00:50:42.90\00:50:44.87
means to gain
decided victory over self.
00:50:44.91\00:50:49.08
Instead of
allowing, it to hinder,
00:50:49.11\00:50:51.58
oppress, and destroy us
00:50:51.61\00:50:53.68
so John, have you been through
a new trials as a pastor?
00:50:53.72\00:50:56.35
Oh, yes. Yeah.
00:50:56.38\00:50:58.75
Do they still show
up. Their rhetorical.
00:50:58.79\00:51:00.72
To be a Christian means
the devil is against you
00:51:03.83\00:51:07.30
and you will be hit
00:51:07.33\00:51:09.16
and let me think a number
00:51:09.20\00:51:11.37
of other of a
number of other texts
00:51:11.40\00:51:14.50
that we need to bring into also
00:51:14.54\00:51:16.57
the other thing
about the other thing about
00:51:16.60\00:51:18.34
the life of a Christian.
00:51:18.37\00:51:20.61
You have to grow.
00:51:20.64\00:51:21.98
You have to grow spiritually
00:51:22.01\00:51:25.81
so many Christians
00:51:25.85\00:51:28.75
have no
spiritual plan of growth.
00:51:28.78\00:51:34.79
We begin with milk
because we're babies,
00:51:34.82\00:51:37.56
but at some point
00:51:37.59\00:51:38.93
you've got to go
to the solid stuff.
00:51:38.96\00:51:41.60
And so many of us
00:51:41.63\00:51:43.03
don't have a plan of
growth matter of fact.
00:51:43.06\00:51:47.70
I think you fit
into this category
00:51:47.74\00:51:49.50
because you're
involved in personal ministries
00:51:49.54\00:51:51.44
in your conference.
00:51:51.47\00:51:52.81
So talk to the
issue of why is it
00:51:52.84\00:51:55.58
and why is it important
for Christians to grow up.
00:51:55.61\00:51:58.01
Well, there is something
called spiritual practices
00:51:58.05\00:51:59.38
that we have.
00:51:59.41\00:52:00.75
You know in the
life of every Christian
00:52:00.78\00:52:02.12
the basic absolute necessity
00:52:02.15\00:52:05.55
to maintain that relationship
you have with Jesus.
00:52:05.59\00:52:07.86
Number one, prayer,
Prayer is absolutely, important
00:52:07.89\00:52:11.99
it's critical when on time
not just praying for things
00:52:12.03\00:52:16.13
but just a connection with God
If you have time, time a prayer
00:52:16.16\00:52:20.00
and you're not
connected with him.
00:52:20.04\00:52:21.37
If you don't sense of connection
00:52:21.40\00:52:22.74
with the source of
power throughout the day
00:52:22.77\00:52:24.61
you won't have any power.
00:52:24.64\00:52:26.34
So day-by-day morning-by-morning
00:52:26.37\00:52:28.64
and in the evenings,
00:52:28.68\00:52:30.01
you know I
often say this, I say,
00:52:30.05\00:52:32.18
in the morning talk about
00:52:32.21\00:52:34.12
what you're going
to need for that day.
00:52:34.15\00:52:35.58
Give yourself a place
yourself into the hands of God
00:52:35.62\00:52:39.72
seek your spirit
and let make sure
00:52:39.75\00:52:41.82
that you're
walking in that spirit
00:52:41.86\00:52:43.19
from that moment.
00:52:43.22\00:52:44.56
At the end of the day
00:52:44.59\00:52:45.93
the evening when
you pray to God at night
00:52:45.96\00:52:47.30
thank Him for all the things
00:52:47.33\00:52:48.66
in the way he used
you throughout the day
00:52:48.70\00:52:50.03
it's a different kind of prayer.
00:52:50.07\00:52:51.40
Lord, I know I'm
going to this day
00:52:51.43\00:52:52.77
I need these things,
I need your blessing,
00:52:52.80\00:52:54.14
I want you with me
at the end of the day
00:52:54.17\00:52:55.90
or thank you for being with me.
00:52:55.94\00:52:57.37
Oh, I praise your name
for what you did through,
00:52:57.41\00:52:58.94
through me today,
00:52:58.97\00:53:00.31
that to touch
this life or that life.
00:53:00.34\00:53:01.94
It's your per life
bookends of your day
00:53:01.98\00:53:06.01
really, really important.
00:53:06.05\00:53:07.38
The second essential
00:53:07.42\00:53:08.75
one of the spiritual
practices is reading the word
00:53:08.78\00:53:11.55
studying the Bible,
00:53:11.59\00:53:12.92
get to know the
death of it's truths,
00:53:12.95\00:53:15.46
it is power in fact.
00:53:15.49\00:53:17.49
Was it Romans says
00:53:17.53\00:53:18.86
it has the power
to save your soul.
00:53:18.89\00:53:20.90
Yeah.
00:53:20.93\00:53:22.50
Paul... Receive
the implanted word.
00:53:22.53\00:53:24.70
Right
00:53:24.73\00:53:26.07
because it is the
power to save your soul,
00:53:26.10\00:53:27.60
some of that effect.
00:53:27.64\00:53:28.97
Yeah, it says,
00:53:29.00\00:53:30.34
"Continue in the
doctrine that you have learned
00:53:30.37\00:53:33.81
for in so doing you
shall both save your soul
00:53:33.84\00:53:36.91
and those who hear you."
00:53:36.95\00:53:38.65
And so but continue in
the thought pattern here.
00:53:38.68\00:53:42.32
Well those
that's the second one.
00:53:42.35\00:53:43.69
And here's the
third spiritual practice
00:53:43.72\00:53:45.35
and that is service to others.
00:53:45.39\00:53:47.26
Don't, don't cut off the spigot
of what's flowing into you.
00:53:47.29\00:53:51.86
Make sure what flows into
you is flowing out to others.
00:53:51.89\00:53:55.20
You're not you know
your God is feeling you
00:53:55.23\00:53:57.83
so that you can empty
yourself in the lives others
00:53:57.87\00:54:00.84
invest time in
the lives of others.
00:54:00.87\00:54:03.00
Be there to encourage them,
strengthen them, love them,
00:54:03.04\00:54:06.11
care for them, support them,
00:54:06.14\00:54:07.84
and whatever gift he asked
you he's giving you to use,
00:54:07.88\00:54:10.75
use that gift to
the best that you can
00:54:10.78\00:54:12.71
I say John,
00:54:12.75\00:54:14.08
that God has given us two things
00:54:14.12\00:54:16.79
one we're saved
through his Spirit.
00:54:16.82\00:54:19.82
Number one, he gives us fruit.
00:54:19.85\00:54:22.39
And number two,
he gives us gifts.
00:54:22.42\00:54:25.26
The fruit is desired
designed to change us.
00:54:25.29\00:54:28.86
But if all you do
is rely on the fruit
00:54:28.90\00:54:31.37
and that's your salvation.
00:54:31.40\00:54:32.73
That's selfish.
00:54:32.77\00:54:34.17
That's preparing
yourself for the kingdom.
00:54:34.20\00:54:36.60
You've got to move
into the gift categories.
00:54:36.64\00:54:39.07
Whatever gifts he's
given to you one, two, three.
00:54:39.11\00:54:41.61
However many if you
don't use that gift.
00:54:41.64\00:54:44.01
It will not grow either.
00:54:44.05\00:54:45.68
Just like if you don't
allow Christ to transform you
00:54:45.71\00:54:48.38
and grow the fruit in you,
00:54:48.42\00:54:50.45
you won't see a
change in your life
00:54:50.49\00:54:51.82
if you don't use
the gifts given you.
00:54:51.85\00:54:53.46
You want change
in areas of ministry.
00:54:53.49\00:54:55.02
Right.
00:54:55.06\00:54:56.39
So fruit and gifts
both are designed to help
00:54:56.42\00:54:59.29
save you day-by-day
00:54:59.33\00:55:00.96
and to bring you
into a deeper relationship
00:55:01.00\00:55:03.06
with Jesus and a
relationship with others
00:55:03.10\00:55:05.70
and so don't just say
you know what I'm going to
00:55:05.73\00:55:08.00
I'm going to receive
this fruit to change me.
00:55:08.04\00:55:10.04
I'm going to kind of lock
myself away from the world
00:55:10.07\00:55:12.17
and nothing's going to get to me
00:55:12.21\00:55:13.68
and I just wait
for Jesus to come.
00:55:13.71\00:55:16.24
You're missing the second half,
00:55:16.28\00:55:17.85
the other part of what saves us,
00:55:17.88\00:55:20.48
I'm talking about sanctifies
us and that is the gifts.
00:55:20.52\00:55:24.65
So those things are critical
00:55:24.69\00:55:26.72
all those things are
critical in your daily life.
00:55:26.76\00:55:29.76
One of the one of the dangers
that we have to talk about here
00:55:29.79\00:55:32.29
before we wind up
this topic and as you know
00:55:32.33\00:55:34.16
we're not talking
about doctrinal baptism.
00:55:34.20\00:55:37.20
We're not talking at
all the tenets of the faith.
00:55:37.23\00:55:39.97
We are talking
about the practicality
00:55:40.00\00:55:41.64
of how to survive
and after your baptized.
00:55:41.67\00:55:45.34
One of the ways that you
can guarantee your failure
00:55:45.37\00:55:47.78
is when you choose not to
when you choose not to mature.
00:55:47.81\00:55:53.42
You know there are five
dangers I did a series called,
00:55:53.45\00:55:55.75
The Danger Zone,
00:55:55.78\00:55:57.12
so you can
probably get that at 3ABN
00:55:57.15\00:55:58.49
and if you have a
desire to do that call
00:55:58.52\00:55:59.85
and ask for the series called,
Danger Zone by John Lomacang.
00:55:59.89\00:56:05.33
I pointed out five dangers
00:56:05.36\00:56:07.70
that the book
of Hebrews outlines
00:56:07.73\00:56:09.30
the want the first one
is, The Danger of Neglect.
00:56:09.33\00:56:11.77
How shall we
escape if we neglect.
00:56:11.80\00:56:14.77
The second one is,
The Danger of Un-belief,
00:56:14.80\00:56:17.34
they did not enter
because of unbelief.
00:56:17.37\00:56:19.94
The third one is, The
Danger of Not Maturing
00:56:19.97\00:56:22.31
and this is the one
00:56:22.34\00:56:23.68
I want to talk about
right now very quickly.
00:56:23.71\00:56:25.31
It says, "Therefore
leaving the discussion
00:56:25.35\00:56:27.58
of the elementary
principles of Christ,
00:56:27.62\00:56:29.98
let us go on to perfection
00:56:30.02\00:56:31.99
not laying again to form
a foundation of repentance
00:56:32.02\00:56:35.56
from dead works of faith
and of the doctrine of baptism.
00:56:35.59\00:56:41.03
But to go on to
perfection to go on
00:56:41.06\00:56:44.93
and to add to
your walk with Christ
00:56:44.97\00:56:47.10
this level of maturity."
00:56:47.14\00:56:49.00
I don't want to
get into the program.
00:56:49.04\00:56:51.17
I want to take a little bit.
We'll pick that up next time.
00:56:51.21\00:56:53.54
We'll pick it up
in the next program.
00:56:53.58\00:56:54.98
But if you're not
maturing you're going to die.
00:56:55.01\00:56:57.98
John go ahead and
take it from here.
00:56:58.01\00:56:59.35
Where I found
that verse James 1:21.
00:56:59.38\00:57:02.02
"Therefore,
00:57:02.05\00:57:03.39
lay aside all filthiness
and overflow of wickedness
00:57:03.42\00:57:05.25
and receive with
meekness the implanted word
00:57:05.29\00:57:07.36
which is able
to save your soul."
00:57:07.39\00:57:08.76
There you go, there you go.
00:57:08.79\00:57:10.13
So that's what I was
looking for but praise God,
00:57:10.16\00:57:11.89
he probably has
provided all we need to save us
00:57:11.93\00:57:15.16
that he has saved us
00:57:15.20\00:57:16.53
and he is saving us still today.
00:57:16.56\00:57:17.90
That's right.
00:57:17.93\00:57:19.27
Saves us from death row
and saving us for his glory
00:57:19.30\00:57:22.50
producing in us day-by-day
00:57:22.54\00:57:24.64
that which will one day
00:57:24.67\00:57:26.07
finally, become the
perfect image of Jesus.
00:57:26.11\00:57:29.08
May the Lord bless you
and go toward to that goal,
00:57:29.11\00:57:31.91
until we see you again.
00:57:31.95\00:57:33.31