Hello, and welcome to a very
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special edition
of 3ABN, Night Light.
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My name is C.A. Murray
and allow me once again
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to thank you for
sharing just a little
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of your no doubt
busy day with us.
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You know, there are four
times in a Book of Revelation
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where the Bible says,
that we need to give ear
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to what the spirit has
to say to the churches.
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And this is one of those
times when we as a church family
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are gathering
together to talk about
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the business of the Lord,
to lift up the name of Jesus.
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And to draw ourselves together
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and to listen to our
General Conference President
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and to what's
happening in our church.
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With me is Mark Finley, who is
the assistant to the president.
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And I am gonna ask Mark
to just tell us a little bit
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about what we're
gonna be doing this night
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to introduce our guest.
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And give us a little of
the culture of the evening.
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Shortly, before the
ascension of Jesus to heaven,
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Jesus says, to His disciples,
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"Wait for the
promise of the Holy Spirit."
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And then He said in Acts 1:8,
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"But you shall receive power
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when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you.
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And you shall be
witnesses to me in Jerusalem,
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in Judea, in Samaria
to the ends of the earth."
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But the disciples weren't ready
to receive the Holy Spirit.
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Pride filled their hearts.
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Arrogance gripped their lives.
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They were
striving for the supremacy.
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In fact just before the
cross, James and John influenced
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their mother to
put pressure on Jesus
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and influence Jesus
to give then first place
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in the kingdom to sit on thrones
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one in his right
and one in his left.
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You remember, Jesus said
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"The Lord of
Kingdom will serve to you."
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So the disciples were
not ready for Pentecost.
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They were not unified.
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They were not in one accord.
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They prayed, their
hearts were broken in unity.
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They came
together they repented.
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They confessed their sin
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and the Holy
Spirit was poured out.
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Unity is a preeminent
value in the heart of Jesus.
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And tonight our
topic is the unity
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of the
Seventh-day Adventist church.
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The Adventist church
faces challenges to its unity.
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And tonight Pastor Ted Wilson,
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our General Conference president
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will share his heart
on the subject of unity.
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He will be
interviewed by Jim Gilley,
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Danny Shelton of 3ABN and
Brad Thorp of the Hope Channel.
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This program will be
broadcast internationally.
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Now let's join
them on the stage now.
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Come with me as I join
Pastor Wilson and the others.
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Well welcome we're
right here on the stage at ASI
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at the Duke Energy Centre.
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And this is Night Light
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coming to you
from Cincinnati, Ohio.
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And we have a group of
very dignified individuals
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here including the
General Conference president
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to answer some questions
regarding unity of the church.
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And we have been
looking forward to this program.
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It's an
opportunity for us to speak
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to Seventh-day
Adventists all around the world.
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When Ted Wilson became president
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of the General
Conference in the year 2010.
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Is that
correct? That at Atlanta.
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I met with him shortly
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after and I said when you
want to address the church,
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we will be happy to
invite the Hope Channel
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to join with us, and Loma Linda,
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any of the other networks that
would like to be a part of it.
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And the church can
be addressed on issues
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that it might be facing
on, or bringing the church
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together in unity.
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And at that time he said to
me, I will be taking you up.
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Several times he has
spoken to the entire world
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from 3ABN and we have
invited him to do so at anytime
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that he would so desire.
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There were have been
some questions that have risen
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in the last few weeks
and as a result we contacted
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the General
Conference and we made the offer
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to them that they
could come and address
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some of the
questions of unity particularly
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to the entire world church.
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And so we welcome
you and we are very happy
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to have you with us.
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And Pastor Finley, we're happy
to have you with us as well.
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I think you have
introduced the panel
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and let
everyone know who we are.
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And so I am just gonna be
begin right of with a question.
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We have about 17
million Seventh-day Adventists
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around the world.
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And we have all sorts
of cultures and all sorts
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of in 200 countries plus.
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How do you keep that type
of a church from fragmenting?
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Well first of all
let me just thank 3ABN
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and the team
that they have here.
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Let me thank Hope Channel
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and those who are making this
very special event possible.
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It's wonderful to be
here at the ASI Convention
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here in Cincinnati.
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And a wonderful
beginning this evening
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with President Frank
Forney and an emphasis
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on our close
relationship with the Lord.
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Before I answer
that question Jim,
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and I will probably try to
work it into a response here.
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I'd like to just make a
few introductory remarks
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and then we can probably proceed
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with some of the
more specific questions.
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I want to indicate that I
am a very good courage tonight.
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Okay. Courage in the Lord.
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Amen. For the Lord is in control
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of His precious
advent movement, amen.
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And He will not let anything
happen to that precious movement
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as we move towards
the very end of time.
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I'm gonna take
just a few minutes
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to give you a little
overview of some of the things
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that are on my heart in
terms of the unity of the church
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and how we relate to that.
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You know, we have been
told in the Spirit of Prophecy
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that we need at the end
of time to press together,
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press together, press together.
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Apparently the Lord
knew that at the end of time
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there would be a
lot of dissension
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and frustration and
challenges that we would meet.
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I truly believe
with all of my heart
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that we are living
at the end of time,
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that Jesus is coming soon.
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And as Seventh-day Adventist,
we have that wonderful hope
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and that opportunity.
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Even the current settings
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that we see in the political
settings around the world.
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Things are so unstable in
the economic areas of life.
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We're really on a paper
thin edge of economic challenge
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all over the world.
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One particular thing
will create a domino effect.
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We're seeing the signs of Christ
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soon coming in the
social areas, society.
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The fragmentation of the family,
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the unfortunate disintegration
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of social understanding of
how we function as a society.
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Even in the very
difficult and unfortunate trend
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toward same sex marriage.
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Homosexuality, the
acceptance of that.
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As the scripture
point out, we need to love
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the sinner and
hate the sin, amen.
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We need to
nurture and help people
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to find victory in Christ.
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But as we see things around
us beginning to disintegrate
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including areas that we have
no control over natural disaster
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that are happening in
unprecedented numbers.
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The ecumenical movements
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that are beginning to show
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themselves in a
very powerful way.
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We begin to understand
that we truly are living
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at the very end of time
and God has called the people.
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Revelation 12:17,
gives us a very clear picture
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of those who keep
the commandments of God
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and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ.
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We know, in the next couple
of Chapters in Revelation 14,
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it was referenced this evening
that verses 6 to 12 help us
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to understand the
great Three Angels' Messages
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that God has
called us to proclaim.
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Christ is asking for His people
to stand together for truth
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at the end of time, to proclaim
those incredible messages
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that he has
entrusted to His church. Amen.
00:09:26.90\00:09:30.18
John 17, the prayer of
Christ that His disciples
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would be one and not
only for the disciples
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that were with Him,
but for the disciples
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that would come later.
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And here we are--
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in the Book of
Ephesians Chapter 2,
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we read in the 19th verse
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that "We are part
of the household of God
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built on the foundation of
the apostles and the prophets.
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Jesus Christ himself
being the chief cornerstone."
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A couple of
chapters later Christ
00:10:01.37\00:10:03.71
talks about unity in the sense
that we are all one in terms of
00:10:03.72\00:10:10.62
one body, one spirit, one
hope, one Lord, one faith,
00:10:10.63\00:10:14.94
one baptism, one God and
Father of all, who is above all
00:10:14.95\00:10:18.62
and through all and in you all.
00:10:18.63\00:10:20.96
So the Lord expects
for us to be unified
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as we come to
the very end of time.
00:10:24.30\00:10:27.89
We're in the church
trying through God's blessing,
00:10:27.90\00:10:32.80
to focus upon this great
message that He has given to us.
00:10:32.81\00:10:36.46
Tell the world
00:10:36.47\00:10:38.43
that's why we have called
for revival and reformation.
00:10:38.44\00:10:42.41
It's not something
we do, its something
00:10:42.42\00:10:44.88
that the Holy Spirit does in us.
00:10:44.89\00:10:48.21
We have called for
mission to the cities.
00:10:48.22\00:10:52.70
We have called for distribution
of that wonderful book,
00:10:52.71\00:10:55.97
the Great Controversy
in its various versions.
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I don't care what version
00:10:59.37\00:11:00.67
you use--use one of those
to reach somebody's heart.
00:11:00.68\00:11:05.14
We have called for
revived by His word
00:11:05.15\00:11:08.82
to read the scriptures
together, to understand
00:11:08.83\00:11:11.43
what God has in store for us.
00:11:11.44\00:11:13.99
We're calling for a revitalized
emphasis on medical missionary
00:11:14.00\00:11:18.83
work helping people to
understand they need to meet
00:11:18.84\00:11:21.46
the needs of people around them.
00:11:21.47\00:11:24.11
All of this requires unity.
00:11:24.12\00:11:27.56
It requires a sense
00:11:27.57\00:11:30.10
that we as Seventh-day
Adventist must come together
00:11:30.11\00:11:32.84
under the leading
of the Holy Spirit.
00:11:32.85\00:11:35.17
I want to tell you
that devil is not happy.
00:11:35.18\00:11:39.89
He wants to do
everything possible to bring
00:11:39.90\00:11:41.87
about division,
dissension, distraction
00:11:41.88\00:11:45.47
whatever it might be.
00:11:45.48\00:11:49.33
We do have currently an item
00:11:49.34\00:11:54.38
which is causing
considerable discussion.
00:11:54.39\00:11:59.38
The ordination of individuals
without regard to gender.
00:11:59.39\00:12:04.42
I am not going to speak
about women's ordination
00:12:04.43\00:12:08.63
or about that
particular subject, tonight.
00:12:08.64\00:12:12.49
I want to talk
in focus on unity.
00:12:12.50\00:12:15.31
On what it is that God
as He expects as a church
00:12:15.32\00:12:19.53
that we should do
in order to create
00:12:19.54\00:12:23.03
a better understanding
of that particular unity
00:12:23.04\00:12:27.16
that is so, so important.
00:12:27.17\00:12:30.77
I think also it's
important that we understand
00:12:30.78\00:12:33.19
that organizations from
churches to individuals--
00:12:33.20\00:12:39.97
of course, all the way through
entire system of our church,
00:12:39.98\00:12:44.16
Conferences, Unions,
Divisions, General Conference,
00:12:44.17\00:12:47.92
that all of us need to
show respect to each other.
00:12:47.93\00:12:51.68
But we also need to
have a wonderful spirit
00:12:51.69\00:12:55.61
of love and care.
00:12:55.62\00:12:58.13
But also we need to
work together in humility
00:12:58.14\00:13:02.22
and submission,
submission to each other
00:13:02.23\00:13:05.12
and to the Lord Himself.
00:13:05.13\00:13:08.84
I think we need
to be very careful
00:13:08.85\00:13:10.39
about making
references that will bring
00:13:10.40\00:13:14.92
some kind of
depreciating value on entities
00:13:14.93\00:13:19.22
of the church-- the
General Conference itself.
00:13:19.23\00:13:23.66
Some people don't even relate
to the General Conference,
00:13:23.67\00:13:26.92
because they know
their church pastor.
00:13:26.93\00:13:28.80
They know may be
their conference president,
00:13:28.81\00:13:31.67
but the General
Conference is something way out
00:13:31.68\00:13:33.62
there and really
doesn't have any relevance.
00:13:33.63\00:13:37.22
In a sense we all are
part of that great body
00:13:37.23\00:13:40.66
and we need to show
respect one to another. Right.
00:13:40.67\00:13:44.47
So that when we show some
disrespect as to the process
00:13:44.48\00:13:47.87
that the church uses to
find its way through problems,
00:13:47.88\00:13:53.07
if we show some kind of
unfortunate dividing remarks
00:13:53.08\00:13:59.02
that would indicate that
perhaps the General Conference
00:13:59.03\00:14:02.93
or other units may not really
have a voice in something,
00:14:02.94\00:14:09.44
then I think a lack of
respect for each of us is seen.
00:14:09.45\00:14:16.01
And we need to be united
00:14:16.02\00:14:17.46
as we move into the future
in a very, very specific way.
00:14:17.47\00:14:22.26
Now in terms of how
we have tried to deal
00:14:22.27\00:14:25.48
with some of the--some
of the challenges of unity
00:14:25.49\00:14:29.15
in the most recent past,
the General Conference officers
00:14:29.16\00:14:33.51
and division
presidents have made
00:14:33.52\00:14:36.51
very special spiritual appeal.
00:14:36.52\00:14:40.15
We also recently
have issued documents
00:14:40.16\00:14:44.14
just yesterday, and
even tomorrow a document
00:14:44.15\00:14:47.97
will be presented to help
clarify some of the discussion
00:14:47.98\00:14:52.17
that is taking place with
information that is not accurate
00:14:52.18\00:14:57.50
and perhaps not
understood in the proper way.
00:14:57.51\00:15:02.45
So we would hope
that people will very much
00:15:02.46\00:15:05.52
look to some of those
documents and some of those
00:15:05.53\00:15:09.75
statements that
are done in love.
00:15:09.76\00:15:12.43
That are done with
a real caring attitude
00:15:12.44\00:15:15.03
to help people
to truly understand
00:15:15.04\00:15:17.97
how the church
ought to move ahead.
00:15:17.98\00:15:20.85
I would like to just make
a quote a little statement
00:15:20.86\00:15:24.60
from Testimonies volume
9, its page 260 and 261.
00:15:24.61\00:15:32.46
It has to do with the
structure of the church
00:15:32.47\00:15:35.98
and the General Conference.
00:15:35.99\00:15:38.34
And it says when in a
General Conference the judgment
00:15:38.35\00:15:41.44
of the brethren assembled
from all parts of the field
00:15:41.45\00:15:44.47
is exercised
private independence
00:15:44.48\00:15:47.40
and private judgment
must not be stubbornly
00:15:47.41\00:15:50.24
maintained, but surrendered.
00:15:50.25\00:15:52.79
Now let me just
interject that's not easy to do.
00:15:52.80\00:15:55.63
Personally or corporately
it's only through the power
00:15:55.64\00:15:58.97
the Holy Spirit, but continuing,
00:15:58.98\00:16:01.22
never should a laborer regard
as a virtue of the persistent
00:16:01.23\00:16:05.64
maintenance of his position
of independence contrary
00:16:05.65\00:16:09.19
to the decision
of the general body.
00:16:09.20\00:16:11.62
God has ordained
that the representatives
00:16:11.63\00:16:13.96
of his church from
all parts of the earth
00:16:13.97\00:16:16.97
when assembled in
a General Conference
00:16:16.98\00:16:19.81
shall have authority.
00:16:19.82\00:16:22.48
Now, I think we
have to understand
00:16:22.49\00:16:24.19
and what we mean by that.
00:16:24.20\00:16:25.76
We are not talking about
some kind of kingly power
00:16:25.77\00:16:28.34
or some lording at over people.
00:16:28.35\00:16:31.23
We are talking
about a system that works
00:16:31.24\00:16:34.23
in submission to the
Holy Spirit to help a group
00:16:34.24\00:16:38.19
of people come
together to understand
00:16:38.20\00:16:41.02
what is best for the whole.
00:16:41.03\00:16:42.96
How did the
church in the early days
00:16:42.97\00:16:46.10
in the early
apostolic days deal with that.
00:16:46.11\00:16:49.25
How did the church
00:16:49.26\00:16:50.38
as the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:16:50.39\00:16:52.43
as it was forming
deal with differences.
00:16:52.44\00:16:55.13
They came together
in Sabbath conferences.
00:16:55.14\00:16:58.59
They came together in
prayer, they came together
00:16:58.60\00:17:01.82
in submission to each
other and the holy word.
00:17:01.83\00:17:05.99
And the Holy Spirit helped
them to come together as a body.
00:17:06.00\00:17:11.62
And I just want to
earnestly appeal to everyone,
00:17:11.63\00:17:15.17
every administrative
unit throughout the world
00:17:15.18\00:17:18.83
and those that will be
having administrative events
00:17:18.84\00:17:22.46
coming up that
they humble themselves
00:17:22.47\00:17:25.51
and I say it to myself as well.
00:17:25.52\00:17:27.93
To humble
ourselves before the Lord,
00:17:27.94\00:17:30.38
so that we can truly
find the way that God
00:17:30.39\00:17:34.70
would have us
go, not just the way
00:17:34.71\00:17:37.63
an individual or a
group would like to go.
00:17:37.64\00:17:41.77
As we submit to the
Lord, the Lord will help us
00:17:41.78\00:17:44.33
to fulfill that beautiful
prayer that he had in John 17.
00:17:44.34\00:17:49.55
It will help us to understand
00:17:49.56\00:17:50.99
that we are part of
the household of God
00:17:51.00\00:17:54.00
as he indicates
through Paul in Ephesians 2
00:17:54.01\00:17:57.57
that we do have one Lord
and one faith, one baptism,
00:17:57.58\00:18:01.50
one God, one Father
who is over all of us.
00:18:01.51\00:18:05.30
And I just want to
appeal in a very special ways.
00:18:05.31\00:18:08.49
We move into these questions
that we will understand
00:18:08.50\00:18:12.36
the need for humbling
ourselves before each other
00:18:12.37\00:18:17.86
and working
together as a unit not having
00:18:17.87\00:18:21.72
one unit go ahead of another,
but that we all work together.
00:18:21.73\00:18:26.05
How do you keep a
church together of 17 million?
00:18:26.06\00:18:30.87
We have many ways in which
things can help to do that.
00:18:30.88\00:18:35.97
We have first of
all and foremost Christ
00:18:35.98\00:18:40.76
and the wonderful belief we have
in Him and His righteousness.
00:18:40.77\00:18:44.40
We have our beautiful doctrines
00:18:44.41\00:18:46.26
which we take from scripture,
28 fundamental beliefs.
00:18:46.27\00:18:50.87
We have a worldwide
administrative system.
00:18:50.88\00:18:55.16
We have working policies.
00:18:55.17\00:18:57.04
You know policies that
sound so dry and bureaucratic,
00:18:57.05\00:19:00.09
but really what they
are, are Christian agreements
00:19:00.10\00:19:04.37
that we abide by
collectively in order to provide
00:19:04.38\00:19:11.39
for a strong push for
the mission of the church.
00:19:11.40\00:19:16.31
And as those
policies are understood
00:19:16.32\00:19:19.77
in a very positive way, then
of course we can see progress.
00:19:19.78\00:19:25.41
When we don't see
a unanimity and unity
00:19:25.42\00:19:30.23
in what we are doing,
then we see a fractious
00:19:30.24\00:19:34.33
and divisive spirit, but
I just want to appeal to us
00:19:34.34\00:19:38.59
as we move ahead
that as we see the ways
00:19:38.60\00:19:43.11
in which the
church stays together
00:19:43.12\00:19:45.82
through worldwide
Sabbath school lessons,
00:19:45.83\00:19:49.36
through working
policies, through doctrines
00:19:49.37\00:19:53.19
that we will also recognize.
00:19:53.20\00:19:55.00
And I have told
my wife Nancy this.
00:19:55.01\00:19:57.63
I don't really worry too much
about the unity of the church,
00:19:57.64\00:20:02.12
because it is the Holy Spirit
00:20:02.13\00:20:04.98
that keeps the
church together, amen.
00:20:04.99\00:20:07.29
And I believe
that the Holy Spirit
00:20:07.30\00:20:08.66
will do that as we move
into the future even though
00:20:08.67\00:20:11.68
we are facing some challenges
00:20:11.69\00:20:13.45
I believe that the Holy Spirit
00:20:13.46\00:20:14.87
will come upon people
from different languages
00:20:14.88\00:20:18.60
different cultures,
different nations and that truly
00:20:18.61\00:20:23.17
we will be united as
we submit to each other
00:20:23.18\00:20:27.84
and to the power of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.
00:20:27.85\00:20:31.05
Pastor Wilson through the
years, through the centuries,
00:20:31.06\00:20:34.53
the church has
faced many attacks
00:20:34.54\00:20:36.38
where there has been
potential for disunity.
00:20:36.39\00:20:40.14
but is there a biblical model
00:20:40.15\00:20:43.77
that we should be
following as a world church?
00:20:43.78\00:20:47.60
Is there a way in
which these potential reasons
00:20:47.61\00:20:51.57
for disagreement can be
resolved in a Christ like way?
00:20:51.58\00:20:56.11
Well it definitely has to do
with an ability to come together
00:20:56.12\00:21:00.96
as a body in submission and
then to discuss these things
00:21:00.97\00:21:06.14
prayerfully to be in our
needs to look to scripture.
00:21:06.15\00:21:10.23
You know, more and more in
society we are seeing a tendency
00:21:10.24\00:21:15.15
for people to express opinions
based upon their own feelings
00:21:15.16\00:21:21.01
rather than upon truth.
00:21:21.02\00:21:23.40
And that's why Bible truth is
so important to a denomination
00:21:23.41\00:21:27.42
like the Seventh-day Adventist
church and I think as we look
00:21:27.43\00:21:31.75
at how the early
church in Acts Chapter 15
00:21:31.76\00:21:36.48
dealt with some very
difficult challenges.
00:21:36.49\00:21:39.84
We can see that
they did not spin off
00:21:39.85\00:21:42.65
into different directions,
but they came together
00:21:42.66\00:21:45.16
in an assembled
way and the Holy Spirit
00:21:45.17\00:21:48.14
helped them as they
counseled and prayed together.
00:21:48.15\00:21:52.83
I think that's probably
one of the most important ways
00:21:52.84\00:21:56.05
that we can draw from scripture
00:21:56.06\00:21:58.38
to understand the good patron.
00:21:58.39\00:22:00.30
Mark may be you have
something you wanna add on that.
00:22:00.31\00:22:02.78
Let's unpack Acts
15 just for a moment.
00:22:02.79\00:22:05.87
The historical background
is there was a conflict
00:22:05.88\00:22:08.17
between Jews and
Gentiles and as the Apostle Paul
00:22:08.18\00:22:12.06
preached in Antioch there were
scores of Gentile Christians
00:22:12.07\00:22:16.04
coming into the
Christian--scores of gentiles
00:22:16.07\00:22:18.57
coming into the
Christian church.
00:22:18.58\00:22:20.79
The Jewish believers who were
Christians wanted the Gentiles
00:22:20.80\00:22:25.24
to be
circumcised and in addition
00:22:25.25\00:22:26.89
to that they wanted them to
keep the fees such as pass over.
00:22:26.90\00:22:30.51
That conflict grew so
large in the church at Antioch
00:22:30.52\00:22:35.77
that the churches wondered
what we gonna do about this.
00:22:35.78\00:22:38.96
They decided to send
00:22:38.97\00:22:40.52
the Apostle Paul
and representatives
00:22:40.53\00:22:43.13
from the church
there to Jerusalem,
00:22:43.14\00:22:45.87
to counsel with
the leading brethren
00:22:45.88\00:22:48.09
at Jerusalem, so they came.
00:22:48.10\00:22:49.29
They went to Jerusalem
00:22:49.30\00:22:50.84
and that counsel meeting
took place, James presided.
00:22:50.85\00:22:54.78
There were really
vigorous discussions.
00:22:54.79\00:22:57.74
There were disagreements,
00:22:57.75\00:22:58.78
you can read about
in Acts Chapter 15.
00:22:58.79\00:23:00.58
So disagreements discussions
differences of opinion
00:23:00.59\00:23:04.78
are not fatal to a church.
00:23:04.79\00:23:06.20
In fact they are healthy.
00:23:06.21\00:23:07.96
And so there were
these differences of opinion,
00:23:07.97\00:23:10.89
but as the brethren in Jerusalem
worked through the problem,
00:23:10.90\00:23:14.29
they came to a common agreement.
00:23:14.30\00:23:17.19
And that agreement of course
was that the Gentile Christians
00:23:17.20\00:23:20.82
needed to de-circumcise,
00:23:20.83\00:23:22.44
that all they need
to do was refrain from
00:23:22.45\00:23:25.17
worshipping idols
and refrain from blood
00:23:25.18\00:23:29.53
and things strangled etc.
00:23:29.54\00:23:32.35
After the Jerusalem
counsel a letter was written
00:23:32.36\00:23:35.32
it was taken by the apostles out
00:23:35.33\00:23:37.96
through the
rest of the churches.
00:23:37.97\00:23:39.88
And it was mutually
agreed upon the church
00:23:39.89\00:23:42.37
came together in unity
and focused on its mission.
00:23:42.38\00:23:45.16
Now how is this
instructive for us today?
00:23:45.17\00:23:47.65
There can be vigorous debate.
00:23:47.66\00:23:49.45
There can be respect
between one and other
00:23:49.46\00:23:51.77
differences of the
opinion can be shared.
00:23:51.78\00:23:55.38
but unity comes as the
church together in counsel
00:23:55.39\00:24:00.64
mutually agrees and as that
mutual agreement takes place
00:24:00.65\00:24:07.41
we put aside individual
differences for what's best
00:24:07.42\00:24:11.42
for the church and to facilitate
the mission of the church.
00:24:11.43\00:24:14.88
Think what would have happened
if the churches and Antioch
00:24:14.89\00:24:18.35
would have voted one
thing, the churches in Syria
00:24:18.36\00:24:20.97
would have voted another
thing, the churches in Judea
00:24:20.98\00:24:23.82
would have voted another thing.
00:24:23.83\00:24:25.26
There would have been
such chaos and fragmentation.
00:24:25.27\00:24:27.86
So Acts 15, I think is an
instructive model that enables
00:24:27.87\00:24:31.96
the church to
move together in unity
00:24:31.97\00:24:34.85
and there may be
differences of opinion,
00:24:34.86\00:24:36.95
but there is a unified
sense of mission and purpose.
00:24:36.96\00:24:41.10
Then Elder Wilson
is there a difference
00:24:41.11\00:24:43.78
in uniformity and unity?
00:24:43.79\00:24:47.42
So what is the difference?
00:24:47.43\00:24:49.90
Well that's a
good question Danny,
00:24:49.91\00:24:51.70
and unity is, of course,
00:24:51.71\00:24:56.84
a much broader term
term that we want to use.
00:24:56.85\00:25:03.23
We do not have to do
everything in lockstep.
00:25:03.24\00:25:07.07
When it comes to particular
areas that may differ,
00:25:07.08\00:25:13.88
in certain particular
situations or in settings,
00:25:13.89\00:25:18.62
but on areas that are
very pronounced, areas
00:25:18.63\00:25:23.64
areas, that the
world church has agreed on,
00:25:23.65\00:25:27.54
areas that church
has voted actions on.
00:25:27.55\00:25:32.51
We want to be extremely careful
00:25:32.52\00:25:34.69
that we do not see
entities go of in directions
00:25:34.70\00:25:40.63
that are not
unifying, but rather divisive.
00:25:40.64\00:25:45.23
So I think uniformity is
something which just sounds
00:25:45.24\00:25:48.98
like everybody has to be,
you know, a wooden soldier
00:25:48.99\00:25:53.02
that's marching
along in the same beat.
00:25:53.03\00:25:56.25
But unity helps us to
understand that definitely
00:25:56.26\00:26:01.16
the aspect of brining us
together with major doctrinal
00:26:01.17\00:26:07.92
and biblical themes
and with an understanding
00:26:07.93\00:26:11.60
that whatever I do
may affect another part
00:26:11.61\00:26:15.58
of the body that is
really what unity is all about.
00:26:15.59\00:26:20.35
You know I love that.
00:26:20.36\00:26:21.60
I love that definition of unity.
00:26:21.61\00:26:23.18
You know, when you look
at uniformity and unity.
00:26:23.19\00:26:25.78
Uniformity the word is uniform.
00:26:25.79\00:26:27.96
And my kids went
to school in England
00:26:27.97\00:26:30.73
for a while and
they wore uniforms,
00:26:30.74\00:26:32.27
and they mighthave
had external uniformity,
00:26:32.28\00:26:35.41
but they didn't
have internal unity.
00:26:35.42\00:26:38.16
You know,
uniformity can be external.
00:26:38.17\00:26:40.24
Unity has to do with the heart.
00:26:40.25\00:26:41.67
Unity has to do
with oneness of mind,
00:26:41.68\00:26:43.56
oneness of
spirit, we're committed
00:26:43.57\00:26:45.07
to the same
mission, that's unity.
00:26:45.08\00:26:47.16
We're committed to the same
master Christ, that's unity.
00:26:47.17\00:26:49.61
We're committed to the
same message, that's unity.
00:26:49.62\00:26:51.92
We may do things differently.
00:26:51.93\00:26:53.47
We may look things differently,
look at things differently,
00:26:53.48\00:26:57.53
but we're committed
to that common mission,
00:26:57.54\00:26:59.72
that common message, that
common church organization.
00:26:59.73\00:27:02.83
And I think unity is a
matter of the heart the soul,
00:27:02.84\00:27:05.49
where you are committed
00:27:05.50\00:27:06.74
to one and other with
mutual, love, trust and respect.
00:27:06.75\00:27:10.23
You know, we talk about
unity and our church is unique
00:27:10.24\00:27:15.17
in as much as we may be the only
00:27:15.18\00:27:18.74
worldwide protestant group.
00:27:18.75\00:27:21.47
There are many
groups there at worldwide,
00:27:21.48\00:27:23.77
but they have national churches
00:27:23.78\00:27:26.29
rather than worldwide church.
00:27:26.30\00:27:28.53
And so what role you
mention policy a minute ago.
00:27:28.54\00:27:33.38
What role is policy really
play in keeping this unity
00:27:33.39\00:27:38.16
with the worldwide church?
00:27:38.17\00:27:41.28
Well even though
it may sound very dry
00:27:41.29\00:27:43.93
and kind of, you
know, something that only
00:27:43.94\00:27:50.23
individuals who have no interest
00:27:50.24\00:27:52.28
in anything
elsewould want to worry about.
00:27:52.29\00:27:54.82
Really policy is as I said
they are, they are Christian
00:27:54.83\00:27:58.31
agreements that we make in order
00:27:58.32\00:28:00.03
to further the
mission of the church.
00:28:00.04\00:28:02.07
And we need to understand
that policies are voted
00:28:02.08\00:28:07.46
not by some obscure strange
group at the General Conference
00:28:07.47\00:28:12.23
that has no
relevance to the world field.
00:28:12.24\00:28:15.36
But it--they're voted
by the executive committee
00:28:15.37\00:28:19.91
of the General Conference
and who makes up that group.
00:28:19.92\00:28:23.27
We have about one-third of that
group, it's about 330 people.
00:28:23.28\00:28:28.72
About one-third of
that group is made up
00:28:28.73\00:28:32.02
of presidents of
unions around the world.
00:28:32.03\00:28:36.32
We have division officers.
00:28:36.33\00:28:38.58
We have General
Conference officers.
00:28:38.59\00:28:40.67
We have frontline workers.
00:28:40.68\00:28:42.91
We have pastors.
00:28:42.92\00:28:44.38
We have numerous laypeople
00:28:44.39\00:28:47.36
on the General
Conference committee.
00:28:47.37\00:28:49.61
It is made up of representatives
from allover the world.
00:28:49.62\00:28:53.40
It is a very
representative body.
00:28:53.41\00:28:57.46
And they create policies
for the good of the church
00:28:57.47\00:29:02.78
and the policies, in
the policies it is indicated
00:29:02.79\00:29:06.97
that all the
entities that are part
00:29:06.98\00:29:09.82
of the
Seventh-day Adventist church
00:29:09.83\00:29:11.48
will abide by those policies
and that will understand
00:29:11.49\00:29:15.23
that we are
working together as a unit.
00:29:15.24\00:29:18.55
So the working policies
even though they sound very dry
00:29:18.56\00:29:22.47
and bureaucratic are
really wonderful instruments
00:29:22.48\00:29:27.38
that help to further
the mission of the church
00:29:27.39\00:29:30.08
and keep us
from being fragmented
00:29:30.09\00:29:32.75
and just doing our own thing.
00:29:32.76\00:29:34.71
So Elder Wilson, I think it
would be very helpful to expand
00:29:34.72\00:29:38.06
in a little bit
even may be more detail
00:29:38.07\00:29:40.31
and how we actually
develop, or how the world church
00:29:40.32\00:29:42.93
develops these policies.
00:29:42.94\00:29:45.53
When are these occasions?
00:29:45.54\00:29:47.46
Who were the people who
draft these proposed' policies?
00:29:47.47\00:29:50.96
How were they reviewed?
00:29:50.97\00:29:52.93
Where does the big dimension
of the General Conference
00:29:52.94\00:29:57.02
which happens every five
years and the annual councils
00:29:57.03\00:29:59.45
which happen
annually in October?
00:29:59.46\00:30:01.81
What roles do each
of these bodies play?
00:30:01.82\00:30:05.03
All right very quickly
the Annual Council meets,
00:30:05.04\00:30:09.13
of course,
annually, once a year.
00:30:09.14\00:30:11.64
And we also have a spring
meeting not as many people
00:30:11.65\00:30:14.47
come to that particular meeting
of the executive committee,
00:30:14.48\00:30:17.86
but at the Annual
Council all members
00:30:17.87\00:30:20.61
are requested to be present.
00:30:20.62\00:30:22.48
So that's about 330 people
00:30:22.49\00:30:24.72
representing as I said
the entire world church.
00:30:24.73\00:30:27.46
It is only at
that particular meeting
00:30:27.47\00:30:31.31
when all groups are represented
00:30:31.32\00:30:34.57
that policy can be voted.
00:30:34.58\00:30:37.77
Policy can come from
various parts of the world
00:30:37.78\00:30:41.72
and is fed through a system
00:30:41.73\00:30:43.58
usually through
the secretariat area.
00:30:43.59\00:30:46.72
And is then
processed through a policy
00:30:46.73\00:30:51.08
review and development committee
at the General Conference
00:30:51.09\00:30:54.81
and then is brought through
00:30:54.82\00:30:57.01
the various
aspects of administration.
00:30:57.02\00:31:00.57
The presidents, secretaries,
treasurers, councils,
00:31:00.58\00:31:04.77
then to the General
Conference officers,
00:31:04.78\00:31:06.50
and finally then
to the Annual Council.
00:31:06.51\00:31:08.54
So it goes through
some pretty careful steps
00:31:08.55\00:31:12.71
and usually those
policies are very well written
00:31:12.72\00:31:16.96
and well intentioned and
that's why those policies
00:31:16.97\00:31:21.05
certainly help
to keep us together
00:31:21.06\00:31:23.58
and also focused on
the mission of the church.
00:31:23.59\00:31:27.13
You know, I
wanted to make another
00:31:27.14\00:31:28.17
comment on
policy, Pastor Wilson.
00:31:28.18\00:31:31.44
When you think about policy
00:31:31.45\00:31:33.10
it can seem so cold and dry,
00:31:33.11\00:31:35.62
but if you look at it
from another prospective.
00:31:35.63\00:31:38.36
First, at the General Conference
00:31:38.37\00:31:40.54
and we sit down to
take a look at policies,
00:31:40.55\00:31:42.79
we are asking our
self the two questions.
00:31:42.80\00:31:45.58
What biblical
principles impact this policy?
00:31:45.59\00:31:49.30
If we're
discussing tithe for example
00:31:49.31\00:31:51.16
and we just had
a study commission
00:31:51.17\00:31:52.61
on the subject of tithe.
00:31:52.62\00:31:54.40
The Bible teaches
clearly the tithing principle,
00:31:54.41\00:31:58.58
but there is nothing in
the Bible about percentages
00:31:58.59\00:32:00.89
of tithe when it comes to
what percentage is allocated
00:32:00.90\00:32:03.57
to a local conference union
or division, that's a matter
00:32:03.58\00:32:06.50
of General Conference,
that's a matter of policy.
00:32:06.51\00:32:09.31
So we sit down together
00:32:09.32\00:32:10.63
and say what biblical
principles impact this policy.
00:32:10.64\00:32:15.20
What biblical principles
under grade the policy.
00:32:15.21\00:32:17.81
So that's one aspect
00:32:17.82\00:32:19.88
in the discussions
that take place over policy.
00:32:19.89\00:32:22.27
There is often prayer.
00:32:22.28\00:32:23.64
There is often opening
the word of God to seek
00:32:23.65\00:32:26.12
what council we
can find from it.
00:32:26.13\00:32:28.53
Or what council does
the writing of Ellen White,
00:32:28.54\00:32:30.54
'The Spirit of
Prophecy' have in policy.
00:32:30.55\00:32:32.60
The second point of policy
is this, policy is not mission,
00:32:32.61\00:32:38.03
but policy facilitates mission
and policy drives your mission.
00:32:38.04\00:32:42.32
So everything that we're doing
00:32:42.33\00:32:43.98
we are asking
ourselves this question.
00:32:43.99\00:32:46.12
How can this policy that
we have wrote further impact
00:32:46.13\00:32:49.91
the mission of the
church, so more people
00:32:49.92\00:32:52.21
can be won for Christ,
so soon we can go home.
00:32:52.22\00:32:55.31
That's right.
Amen. And Elder Wilson
00:32:55.32\00:32:57.91
what are the
dangers to the church
00:32:57.92\00:33:00.51
if a local
conference or union acts
00:33:00.52\00:33:03.60
independently
of the church body.
00:33:03.61\00:33:05.66
I mean I'm sure there
is some ramifications.
00:33:05.67\00:33:09.51
Definitely, there are.
00:33:09.52\00:33:10.94
It first of all
damages the body itself,
00:33:10.95\00:33:16.06
because it brings
discord and disagreement.
00:33:16.07\00:33:19.54
Now that isn't to say
that there isn't disagreement
00:33:19.55\00:33:22.84
before and action
might be taken like that.
00:33:22.85\00:33:26.76
But how do you
approach tension in your life
00:33:26.77\00:33:32.55
where your moral conviction
00:33:32.56\00:33:36.01
is perhaps some thing
different from what church
00:33:36.02\00:33:39.65
policy may be, or what another
organization may be doing.
00:33:39.66\00:33:44.58
Those kinds of things have to be
00:33:44.59\00:33:47.25
looked at in a
very spiritual way
00:33:47.26\00:33:49.28
and you need to
take them to the Lord.
00:33:49.29\00:33:51.32
If an
organization would branch out
00:33:51.33\00:33:54.63
on its own and not take into
consideration the larger body
00:33:54.64\00:34:00.28
then you're
setting up a situation
00:34:00.29\00:34:02.36
where there is going
to be continued disruption
00:34:02.37\00:34:06.68
to the harmony and to
the unity for the mission.
00:34:06.69\00:34:10.79
And there are policies
that deal with that as well.
00:34:10.80\00:34:17.57
But we need to care for
that with a sense of love
00:34:17.58\00:34:21.76
and try to be redemptive
and help people to understand.
00:34:21.77\00:34:25.21
It's far better to
do something together
00:34:25.22\00:34:28.41
and to discuss
things, be able to come up
00:34:28.42\00:34:31.56
with a conclusion even if
that conclusion may not agree
00:34:31.57\00:34:36.08
with your own
personal conviction.
00:34:36.09\00:34:40.17
One of the
reasons why unfortunately
00:34:40.18\00:34:42.34
there are splinter
groups, there are groups
00:34:42.35\00:34:46.40
that simply leave the body
00:34:46.41\00:34:49.72
whether it be the
Seventh-day Adventist church
00:34:49.73\00:34:51.51
or some other group is
that they come to the point
00:34:51.52\00:34:53.63
where they cannot
accept this tension.
00:34:53.64\00:34:56.75
But in reality, we
are told that this church
00:34:56.76\00:34:59.17
will go to the end of time.
00:34:59.18\00:35:00.95
And that this is God's
precious, the apple of His eye.
00:35:00.96\00:35:05.74
That it is His
precious advent movement.
00:35:05.75\00:35:07.94
So the Lord is the great
factor through the Holy Spirit
00:35:07.95\00:35:12.27
that will truly
help us to find the unity
00:35:12.28\00:35:14.82
and bring those
units back in. Amen.
00:35:14.83\00:35:18.27
Elder Wilson the
question of women's ordination
00:35:18.28\00:35:22.40
has come at the forefront
here in recent weeks and months,
00:35:22.41\00:35:26.98
probably even in recent years.
00:35:26.99\00:35:30.38
What is the church's position
on the ordination of women?
00:35:30.39\00:35:36.03
Well the--and we're really
00:35:36.04\00:35:38.18
not going to get into a
discussion of that subject,
00:35:38.19\00:35:40.82
but I will answer that question
to give a factual answer
00:35:40.83\00:35:46.30
and then also what
the church is doing.
00:35:46.31\00:35:50.82
The church has looked
00:35:50.83\00:35:53.03
at that and at two
General Conference sessions
00:35:53.04\00:35:57.44
which we are told by
the 'Spirit of Prophecy'
00:35:57.45\00:36:00.69
are the highest
voices of authority.
00:36:00.70\00:36:05.72
The General
Conference in session
00:36:05.73\00:36:08.09
has voted to not allow
organizations to either proceed
00:36:08.10\00:36:13.78
on their own if they
would like to or to proceed
00:36:13.79\00:36:18.40
in the direction of ordaining
women to the gospel ministry.
00:36:18.41\00:36:22.42
This is no way
would imply that women
00:36:22.43\00:36:26.91
cannot be vitally
involved in the outreach
00:36:26.92\00:36:30.73
and evangelistic
activities of the church.
00:36:30.74\00:36:35.59
The question continues to arise
00:36:35.60\00:36:40.56
and the General Conference
has agreed to a process
00:36:40.57\00:36:43.72
which was recently
accepted and implemented
00:36:43.73\00:36:48.11
where we will have a theology
00:36:48.12\00:36:51.84
of ordination study committee.
00:36:51.85\00:36:54.50
And that committee will involve
every one of the 13 divisions.
00:36:54.51\00:36:58.92
It will be well represented.
00:36:58.93\00:37:01.16
It is already in
progress in terms of efforts
00:37:01.17\00:37:05.05
to obtain information from
those particular divisions.
00:37:05.06\00:37:09.72
The committee will
render its report in 2014.
00:37:09.73\00:37:14.30
It will definitely be looking
at the very specific point
00:37:14.31\00:37:19.30
of ordaining women
to the gospel ministry.
00:37:19.31\00:37:23.08
That subject will be
part of the greater discussion
00:37:23.09\00:37:26.38
of what is the
theology of ordination.
00:37:26.39\00:37:29.66
Then at that time
any agreed upon items
00:37:29.67\00:37:33.63
which should be
placed on an agenda
00:37:33.64\00:37:36.24
for the 2015
General Conference session
00:37:36.25\00:37:39.01
will be done by
the Annual Council.
00:37:39.02\00:37:41.89
So there is a process in
place, there is an opportunity
00:37:41.90\00:37:46.37
for people to truly in a
very concerted and unified way
00:37:46.38\00:37:52.31
to study scripture
together, pray together,
00:37:52.32\00:37:55.56
and listen to each other.
00:37:55.57\00:37:57.80
Elder Wilson,
obviously some policies
00:37:57.81\00:38:00.47
are more important than others.
00:38:00.48\00:38:03.39
The policy on
travel for instance
00:38:03.40\00:38:07.62
might not be as
important as some other policy.
00:38:07.63\00:38:10.89
What is it that is
so vitally important
00:38:10.90\00:38:13.29
about the issue of ordination
that makes it a something
00:38:13.30\00:38:17.49
that necessitates the world body
00:38:17.50\00:38:20.65
in the General
Conference session to address?
00:38:20.66\00:38:23.10
Is it more
important than other things?
00:38:23.11\00:38:25.37
Well there are
many important things,
00:38:25.38\00:38:27.03
of course, in the
whole life of the church,
00:38:27.04\00:38:28.99
but that is of
course an important one.
00:38:29.00\00:38:31.20
And it is important to remember
that those who are ordained
00:38:31.21\00:38:37.04
to the gospel
ministry are ordained
00:38:37.05\00:38:39.85
for a whole world
church ordination.
00:38:39.86\00:38:44.72
In other words you
don't have to be ordained
00:38:44.73\00:38:48.18
again if you go
to another division.
00:38:48.19\00:38:50.28
It is accepted
when someone travels
00:38:50.29\00:38:52.60
from one place to the other.
00:38:52.61\00:38:54.19
They are accepted
as an ordained minister
00:38:54.20\00:38:58.18
to the gospel ministry.
00:38:58.19\00:38:59.98
And that is one of
the very key points
00:38:59.99\00:39:03.06
that this is not just a regional
00:39:03.07\00:39:06.22
or a specific
situation, this is something
00:39:06.23\00:39:10.50
which the entire world
church participates in.
00:39:10.51\00:39:14.27
Ordained ministers
are vital to the ongoing
00:39:14.28\00:39:18.08
spiritual
nurturing for local churches
00:39:18.09\00:39:21.69
and most importantly
for actively training church
00:39:21.70\00:39:25.65
members to do evangelistic
work and to reach out
00:39:25.66\00:39:29.58
to the world with a
mission and proclamation
00:39:29.59\00:39:32.62
of the Three Angels' Messages.
00:39:32.63\00:39:33.74
What really springs
from our understanding
00:39:33.75\00:39:36.29
that there is a world
church, a world movement,
00:39:36.30\00:39:39.00
and when a person is ordained
00:39:39.01\00:39:40.38
they are part and representative
of that, so it very closely
00:39:40.39\00:39:44.44
is connected with our
understanding of end time events
00:39:44.45\00:39:47.37
and the nature of
the church. Precisely.
00:39:47.38\00:39:49.82
Well you know lets look at
it from another perspective.
00:39:49.83\00:39:52.12
What if
individual regions determined
00:39:52.13\00:39:58.01
the criteria for ordination?
00:39:58.02\00:40:01.23
What would take
place if that happened?
00:40:01.24\00:40:03.93
You would have different
criteria for ordination
00:40:03.94\00:40:07.03
in one area than you
would in another area,
00:40:07.04\00:40:09.55
and other area, and other area.
00:40:09.56\00:40:11.84
And there may be
different criteria based
00:40:11.85\00:40:15.13
on a variety of factors.
00:40:15.14\00:40:18.14
And so you would have
really a much more fragmented
00:40:18.15\00:40:22.34
than unified Adventist ministry.
00:40:22.35\00:40:24.59
You know, as we
travel around the world
00:40:24.60\00:40:25.82
from the General
Conference one thing
00:40:25.83\00:40:27.55
that is deeply
impressive is the fact
00:40:27.56\00:40:29.81
that in spite of our differences
00:40:29.82\00:40:31.48
when you travel
around the world,
00:40:31.49\00:40:33.04
there is this
marvelous sense of unity,
00:40:33.05\00:40:35.24
the sense that
we're one family. Amen.
00:40:35.25\00:40:37.73
And I think
there's a couple of things
00:40:37.74\00:40:39.28
that do that you know,
another aspect of this question
00:40:39.29\00:40:42.28
is I would like
in it to baptism.
00:40:42.29\00:40:44.59
A local congregation determines
00:40:44.60\00:40:48.18
who is going to be baptized,
00:40:48.19\00:40:50.60
but they don't determine
the 28 fundamental beliefs.
00:40:50.61\00:40:53.29
Correct, correct. That's the
role of the General Conference.
00:40:53.30\00:40:56.07
What if we said every
local church will determine
00:40:56.08\00:40:59.69
the standards for
baptism, what would happen?
00:40:59.70\00:41:02.82
We would have a fragmented
membership, wouldn't we?
00:41:02.83\00:41:05.76
And so similarly to
ordination, so the local union
00:41:05.77\00:41:11.05
approves a request from
the conference ordination,
00:41:11.06\00:41:15.03
but the General Conference sets
the criteria for ordination.
00:41:15.04\00:41:19.21
Similarly a local church
approves candidates for baptism,
00:41:19.22\00:41:23.91
but the body at large General
Conference working together
00:41:23.92\00:41:28.84
with its unions sets
the criteria for baptism.
00:41:28.85\00:41:31.82
In that way you have a much more
00:41:31.83\00:41:34.29
unified membership
and a unified ministry.
00:41:34.30\00:41:37.02
And I think this idea
00:41:37.03\00:41:38.95
that we are one
family unified together.
00:41:38.96\00:41:42.88
Whatever one
thinks about the subject
00:41:42.89\00:41:46.11
of that we are discussing
of ordination without respect
00:41:46.12\00:41:50.37
to gender whichever
side you are on and frankly
00:41:50.38\00:41:53.40
there are honest
hearted wonderful people
00:41:53.41\00:41:56.49
who love Jesus on
both sides of question.
00:41:56.50\00:41:59.25
But whatever side you
are on, on that, mutual trust
00:41:59.26\00:42:04.10
and respect in moving together
00:42:04.11\00:42:07.33
will keep this church
from fragmentation, amen.
00:42:07.34\00:42:10.90
And Elder
Wilson, we have probably
00:42:10.91\00:42:12.53
about 12 or 13
minutes left, and I wonder
00:42:12.54\00:42:14.98
if we could in kind of
the looking at the closing
00:42:14.99\00:42:17.68
of this discussion may be you
could give some direction to us.
00:42:17.69\00:42:22.89
May be make an
appeal to church leaders
00:42:22.90\00:42:24.97
to church members about unity
00:42:24.98\00:42:28.28
and may be give
us some direction
00:42:28.29\00:42:29.67
and you have given us some hope
00:42:29.68\00:42:31.49
and I love how positive you are.
00:42:31.50\00:42:34.45
And Mark, you too,
because whatever we talk about
00:42:34.46\00:42:38.07
and I have talked in
behind they're very positive
00:42:38.08\00:42:40.82
that the Lord is in
charge of this church.
00:42:40.83\00:42:43.25
The ship is
gonna go through. Amen.
00:42:43.26\00:42:45.14
And it's a matter of us
all catching the vision.
00:42:45.15\00:42:48.04
I'd like to join hands together
and I wanna say publicly
00:42:48.05\00:42:50.94
thank you for
allowing 3ABN to work together
00:42:50.95\00:42:54.38
with you and Hope Channel
all of us together the very fact
00:42:54.39\00:42:57.51
that we are sitting
here and I think is showing
00:42:57.52\00:43:02.31
that we believe
in unity as a church
00:43:02.32\00:43:04.96
and so may be
Mark and Brad and Jim
00:43:04.97\00:43:08.23
in our closing
time and Elder Wilson
00:43:08.24\00:43:10.60
make an appeal to us.
00:43:10.61\00:43:12.43
What do we do? How do we get,
00:43:12.44\00:43:14.21
how do we see Jesus comeback?
00:43:14.22\00:43:17.03
Well I wanna see Him come soon.
00:43:17.04\00:43:20.65
And I know
millions of Christians
00:43:20.66\00:43:24.65
wanna see that happen.
00:43:24.66\00:43:25.88
And Seventh-day Adventist
00:43:25.89\00:43:27.08
it's in our name
that Jesus is coming.
00:43:27.09\00:43:31.36
I think in terms of
helping us understand
00:43:31.37\00:43:37.26
as we face some
of these challenges,
00:43:37.27\00:43:39.66
we need to keep
in mind the vision
00:43:39.67\00:43:43.28
of who we are as a people.
00:43:43.29\00:43:45.72
That God has called us
to be His remnant church.
00:43:45.73\00:43:49.41
He has called us to be
faithful to the word of God.
00:43:49.42\00:43:53.40
He has called us to proclaim
00:43:53.41\00:43:55.14
those Three Angels'
Messages of Revelation 14.
00:43:55.15\00:43:58.92
He has called us
to be united in Him.
00:43:58.93\00:44:02.50
First John, tells us that
people will know us by our love.
00:44:02.51\00:44:07.68
It helps us to understand
00:44:07.69\00:44:09.25
that Christ's
wonderful prayer in John 17
00:44:09.26\00:44:14.45
is to be key to how
we approach challenges
00:44:14.46\00:44:18.44
and problems that we
are facing even today.
00:44:18.45\00:44:21.89
And my appeal to the church
00:44:21.90\00:44:23.72
would be to keep
that vision in mind.
00:44:23.73\00:44:26.52
Keep the understanding in
mind that we must look beyond
00:44:26.53\00:44:30.96
just the challenges
of an immediate crisis,
00:44:30.97\00:44:35.81
or an immediate situation
that seems to bring in discord.
00:44:35.82\00:44:39.57
That we have to look to what God
00:44:39.58\00:44:42.10
has called us to revival
and reformation to sharing
00:44:42.11\00:44:46.69
this precious
message in the great cities
00:44:46.70\00:44:49.16
and in the countryside,
all around the world,
00:44:49.17\00:44:53.00
that God has called us to employ
00:44:53.01\00:44:55.15
every means possible
through communication.
00:44:55.16\00:44:58.39
And I do wanna thank
3ABN and Hope Channel
00:44:58.40\00:45:01.46
for this opportunity to
use media, to use outreach,
00:45:01.47\00:45:05.83
to use medical missionary
work, to use community service,
00:45:05.84\00:45:09.18
to use every aspect
that we possibly can,
00:45:09.19\00:45:12.67
personal
evangelism, public evangelism.
00:45:12.68\00:45:15.46
Everything possible men, women
children all working together
00:45:15.47\00:45:19.83
that vision is of
absolute importance.
00:45:19.84\00:45:24.01
And as we heard even tonight,
Frank Forney was emphasizing
00:45:24.02\00:45:28.90
the sanctuary message
a beautiful understanding
00:45:28.91\00:45:31.87
of who we are as a
people and where we are going.
00:45:31.88\00:45:35.56
The understanding of Christ's
righteousness and of course
00:45:35.57\00:45:39.39
His soon second coming.
00:45:39.40\00:45:41.37
We need to be united in Him
in order to accomplish this.
00:45:41.38\00:45:46.79
How do we face differences?
00:45:46.80\00:45:49.88
How do we face those challenges
on our knees and together.
00:45:49.89\00:45:55.77
Not going our
own way, but working
00:45:55.78\00:45:58.72
together in a
very dynamic manner.
00:45:58.73\00:46:02.10
I do wanna share just
one very positive aspect
00:46:02.11\00:46:08.28
that reflects what
happened in the Acts 15 model.
00:46:08.29\00:46:14.59
It's from the
Acts of the Apostles
00:46:14.60\00:46:16.80
and I will do this quickly
00:46:16.81\00:46:18.00
and there may be
some closing remarks
00:46:18.01\00:46:19.75
that others would like to make.
00:46:19.76\00:46:22.91
But it says here in page 95
and 96 of Acts of the Apostles,
00:46:22.92\00:46:27.82
a marvelous book.
00:46:27.83\00:46:29.85
And this quotation
was actually shared
00:46:29.86\00:46:32.63
with me by my brother-in-law
very recently Dr. Jim Wilmer.
00:46:32.64\00:46:36.81
And he is a real
student now of reading scripture
00:46:36.82\00:46:40.92
and 'the Spirit of Prophecy.'
00:46:40.93\00:46:42.74
The order that was maintained
in the early Christian church
00:46:42.75\00:46:45.94
made it possible for
them to move forwards solidly
00:46:45.95\00:46:49.43
as a well disciplined army
clad with the armor of God.
00:46:49.44\00:46:53.64
The companies of
believers those scattered over
00:46:53.65\00:46:56.41
a large territory who
are all members of one body
00:46:56.42\00:46:59.88
all moved in concert and
in harmony with one another.
00:46:59.89\00:47:03.22
When dissension arose
in a local church as later
00:47:03.23\00:47:06.70
it did arise in
Antioch and else where.
00:47:06.71\00:47:10.82
And the believers were
unable to come to an agreement
00:47:10.83\00:47:13.38
among themselves such
matters were not permitted
00:47:13.39\00:47:16.78
to create a
division in the church,
00:47:16.79\00:47:18.61
but were referred
to a general council
00:47:18.62\00:47:21.14
of the entire body of believers.
00:47:21.15\00:47:23.47
Made up of appointed delegates
from the various local churches
00:47:23.48\00:47:27.80
with the apostles and elders
00:47:27.81\00:47:29.52
and positions of
leading responsibility.
00:47:29.53\00:47:32.31
Thus the efforts
of Satan to attack
00:47:32.32\00:47:36.10
the church in isolated places
00:47:36.11\00:47:38.74
were met by concerted
actionon the part of all.
00:47:38.75\00:47:42.92
And the plans of
the enemy to disrupt
00:47:42.93\00:47:45.02
and destroy were thwarted.
00:47:45.03\00:47:46.99
Now a quotation comes
from First Corinthians 14:33,
00:47:47.00\00:47:50.92
"God is not the author
of confusion, but of peace,
00:47:50.93\00:47:54.48
as in all
churches of the saints."
00:47:54.49\00:47:57.00
It goes on to say here, "He
requires that order and system
00:47:57.01\00:48:00.77
be observed in the
conduct of church affairs today,
00:48:00.78\00:48:04.43
no less than in
the days of old."
00:48:04.44\00:48:06.65
So this is news for the day.
00:48:06.66\00:48:09.50
He desires His work
to be carried forward
00:48:09.51\00:48:12.20
with thoroughness and exactness,
00:48:12.21\00:48:14.41
so that He may place upon
it the seal of His approval.
00:48:14.42\00:48:19.10
Christian is to be united with
Christian, church with church,
00:48:19.11\00:48:23.01
the human instrumentality
cooperating with the divine.
00:48:23.02\00:48:26.27
Every agency
subordinate to the Holy Spirit
00:48:26.28\00:48:29.56
and all combined
in giving to the world
00:48:29.57\00:48:33.60
the good tidings
of the grace of God.
00:48:33.61\00:48:36.47
What an appropriate
quotation for the day.
00:48:36.48\00:48:39.57
And my appeal to the church
would be to focus upon Christ
00:48:39.58\00:48:44.64
and the mission He
has entrusted to us.
00:48:44.65\00:48:46.82
Let us submit
ourselves completely to the Lord
00:48:46.83\00:48:49.98
and allow Him to
help us to work things out
00:48:49.99\00:48:53.48
according to the biblical model.
00:48:53.49\00:48:56.99
You know I love
Micah 6:8, it says here,
00:48:57.00\00:49:01.35
"He has shown you,
O man, what is good,
00:49:01.36\00:49:04.53
And what does the Lord require
of you, but to do justly,
00:49:04.54\00:49:09.47
to love mercy, and to
walk humbly with your God?"
00:49:09.48\00:49:13.42
I think the
attitude of leadership
00:49:13.43\00:49:16.78
of saying the greatest passion
of our life is to know Jesus.
00:49:16.79\00:49:21.31
And the greatest
passion of our life
00:49:21.32\00:49:23.64
is to share Jesus
and having a mutual trust
00:49:23.65\00:49:27.32
of one and another.
00:49:27.33\00:49:29.31
The church will
have disagreements,
00:49:29.32\00:49:31.24
the church will
have differences.
00:49:31.25\00:49:33.02
But if we trust one another,
if we sit at the same table,
00:49:33.03\00:49:37.19
if we work together to
solve them, God's spirit
00:49:37.20\00:49:40.65
will be poured out upon this
church in a marvelous measure.
00:49:40.66\00:49:45.20
It's a matter of trust,
we're in the ASI Convention.
00:49:45.21\00:49:48.58
Here General Conference
leadership trusting laypeople,
00:49:48.59\00:49:53.11
trusting lay ministries.
00:49:53.12\00:49:55.36
Lay ministries,
laypeople trusting
00:49:55.37\00:49:58.13
General Conference leadership.
00:49:58.14\00:50:00.40
Local churches trusting
their conference leadership.
00:50:00.41\00:50:03.68
Conference
leadership trusting unions.
00:50:03.69\00:50:05.80
Unions trusting their divisions
in the General Conference.
00:50:05.81\00:50:08.78
It seems to me that if we can
00:50:08.79\00:50:11.88
sweep aside our own egos,
00:50:11.89\00:50:17.57
our own desire for
supremacy, our own pushing
00:50:17.58\00:50:22.58
our own agendas and come before
God humbly with broken hearts
00:50:22.59\00:50:29.63
praying together
seeking God's will together,
00:50:29.64\00:50:34.00
longing for
God's spirit together,
00:50:34.01\00:50:36.59
because there is one thing
that's more important than me--
00:50:36.60\00:50:39.77
a lot of things
are more important
00:50:39.78\00:50:41.16
than me and that is the
outpouring of Jesus' Spirit.
00:50:41.17\00:50:45.12
Amen. Upon His
church, so the work of God
00:50:45.13\00:50:47.78
can be finished, so
Jesus can come. Amen.
00:50:47.79\00:50:53.01
I am reminded of
as I've reflected
00:50:53.02\00:50:55.64
on this theme of unity
of Romans Chapter 14 and 15.
00:50:55.65\00:51:00.51
Now, from an evangelist's
standpoint this is a passage
00:51:00.52\00:51:04.03
that deals a lot
with different meats
00:51:04.04\00:51:06.86
and what should be
eaten etcetera and Paul
00:51:06.87\00:51:09.08
talks about the
poor and the strong,
00:51:09.09\00:51:12.27
but he culminates the discussion
00:51:12.28\00:51:15.77
in Chapter 15 verse 1
through 3 when he said,
00:51:15.78\00:51:19.28
"Then we who are
strong ought to bear
00:51:19.29\00:51:21.36
with the scruples of the weak,
and not to please ourselves.
00:51:21.37\00:51:25.07
Let each of us please
his neighbor for his good,
00:51:25.08\00:51:28.35
leading to edification."
00:51:28.36\00:51:30.55
And then the
supreme example is given,
00:51:30.56\00:51:32.58
"For even Christ did not please
Himself, but as it is written,
00:51:32.59\00:51:37.09
the reproaches of those
who reproached You fell on Me."
00:51:37.10\00:51:40.75
And when we look at what Jesus
00:51:40.76\00:51:43.74
did for our salvation dying on
the cross, coming from heaven.
00:51:43.75\00:51:48.47
All of that was for bringing
God's people together in unity
00:51:48.48\00:51:54.83
and we need to have that
same spirit of sacrifices
00:51:54.84\00:51:57.65
that Jesus had in being willing
to serve and in anyway needed.
00:51:57.66\00:52:04.63
You know, when we had the
General Conference in 2010.
00:52:04.64\00:52:10.56
You call upon us for
revival in reformation.
00:52:10.57\00:52:14.99
At the General
Conference office,
00:52:15.00\00:52:17.00
we began to see people gathered
together in prayer groups.
00:52:17.01\00:52:21.93
Then we began to see it
spread out around the world.
00:52:21.94\00:52:24.58
And now our membership and
we announce everyday on 3ABN
00:52:24.59\00:52:28.54
that text for the day
and calling for people
00:52:28.55\00:52:32.50
to pray at seven and seven.
00:52:32.51\00:52:34.86
Unity is taking
place around the world.
00:52:34.87\00:52:39.06
And it's a unity of the
proclamation of the gospel,
00:52:39.07\00:52:42.57
because nothing pull us together
like mission pull us together,
00:52:42.58\00:52:47.59
and also the
revival and reformation,
00:52:47.60\00:52:50.12
but it is also
stirred up the devil,
00:52:50.13\00:52:53.68
because he has seen
that something is happening
00:52:53.69\00:52:57.05
and as a result he is
doing everything he can to stop
00:52:57.06\00:53:01.60
that revival and
that reformation.
00:53:01.61\00:53:04.41
We should actually be
praising God that he is upset,
00:53:04.42\00:53:09.28
because it seemed to
me like for a long time
00:53:09.29\00:53:11.39
he wasn't upset with us
all, and we need to know
00:53:11.40\00:53:16.44
that the devil wants
to bring about disunity.
00:53:16.45\00:53:19.67
When you think
about 28 years ago
00:53:19.68\00:53:22.76
there was not one
Adventist television station
00:53:22.77\00:53:25.30
on planet earth and today
00:53:25.31\00:53:27.18
not only there are numerous
television station Brad,
00:53:27.19\00:53:29.91
but a worldwide audience Amen.
00:53:29.92\00:53:31.86
Of literally
thousands and thousands,
00:53:31.87\00:53:33.95
you are building media
centers allover the world.
00:53:33.96\00:53:35.96
We have dish network
and direct television
00:53:35.97\00:53:38.97
reaching
millions of people and God
00:53:38.98\00:53:41.21
has given us an opportunity
to stand before the world
00:53:41.22\00:53:44.60
and give a unified message.
00:53:44.61\00:53:46.87
If we ever needed to do it today
00:53:46.88\00:53:48.59
is the time we need to do it.
00:53:48.60\00:53:50.25
And in this context we
need to be very careful
00:53:50.26\00:53:53.48
that we don't characterize
00:53:53.49\00:53:55.70
those who
disagree with us. Amen.
00:53:55.71\00:53:57.72
As being the enemy. No.
00:53:57.73\00:54:01.78
Disagreements have
led to deeper Bible study
00:54:01.79\00:54:05.58
to a closer relationship
with Jesus Christ. Amen.
00:54:05.59\00:54:08.01
And I think that questions
that might be in the church
00:54:08.02\00:54:12.53
now are part of God's process
00:54:12.54\00:54:15.71
to lead us to be
revived by the work
00:54:15.72\00:54:19.16
and ultimately
it's not church bodies,
00:54:19.17\00:54:22.03
but we as individuals who
need to come to the board of God
00:54:22.04\00:54:26.20
and submit just
as Jesus submitted
00:54:26.21\00:54:29.49
to the mission of saving people.
00:54:29.50\00:54:32.45
Amen. Elder Wilson would
you lead us in a prayer of unity
00:54:32.46\00:54:36.57
as we close our program tonight.
00:54:36.58\00:54:38.20
It will be a great privilege.
00:54:38.21\00:54:41.13
Our loving Father, we
come to you in great humility
00:54:41.14\00:54:45.38
recognizing that
we owe everything
00:54:45.39\00:54:49.03
to you that we
are part of your body,
00:54:49.04\00:54:54.78
because of the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ
00:54:54.79\00:54:58.84
and that together we can
claim to be airs of the kingdom,
00:54:58.85\00:55:02.39
because of what Jesus
did on the cross for us.
00:55:02.40\00:55:05.93
What He is doing
in the most holy place
00:55:05.94\00:55:09.15
of the heavenly
sanctuary right now.
00:55:09.16\00:55:12.08
We are so grateful Lord
00:55:12.09\00:55:13.29
that through the
righteousness of Christ,
00:55:13.30\00:55:17.11
He is justifying and
His sanctifying power
00:55:17.12\00:55:20.73
that we can be part of
this great advent movement
00:55:20.74\00:55:23.93
that is proclaiming
the Three Angels' Messages
00:55:23.94\00:55:27.94
and warning people
and encouraging people
00:55:27.95\00:55:30.68
about Christ's very soon coming.
00:55:30.69\00:55:34.25
Now, Lord as we think
about dissension and division
00:55:34.26\00:55:39.30
that may come in,
because of disagreement.
00:55:39.31\00:55:42.85
We ask that you will help us
00:55:42.86\00:55:44.30
to be charitable one to
another, that You will help us
00:55:44.31\00:55:48.15
to be loving and kind,
that You will help us understand
00:55:48.16\00:55:52.23
that we need to work together
and not in a unilateral way.
00:55:52.24\00:55:57.42
Lord we just place ourselves
completely at your disposal now.
00:55:57.43\00:56:02.11
We ask that you
will bring that unity
00:56:02.12\00:56:04.60
that you prayed about in
John 17 into the church today,
00:56:04.61\00:56:09.13
in our own lives personally.
00:56:09.14\00:56:11.43
So that truly we can all
be one people with one Lord
00:56:11.44\00:56:16.40
and one faith and
one baptism, one body.
00:56:16.41\00:56:20.35
Lord this can
happen through you.
00:56:20.36\00:56:22.73
Help us to fulfill
your earnest desire
00:56:22.74\00:56:27.67
that we press together,
press together, press together.
00:56:27.68\00:56:32.46
Thank you for hearing us
and thank you for the promise
00:56:32.47\00:56:34.86
of Your soon coming and the
opportunity to work for you.
00:56:34.87\00:56:38.89
In Jesus name we ask it, amen.
00:56:38.90\00:56:42.60
Elder Wilson, thank
you so much for agreeing
00:56:42.61\00:56:45.44
to have this meeting
and for it to be televised.
00:56:45.45\00:56:49.08
And I'd like to thank you
00:56:49.09\00:56:50.32
Brad Thorp for
being with us tonight
00:56:50.33\00:56:52.75
and Mark Finley, we are so
happy you could be with us.
00:56:52.76\00:56:55.89
And Danny Shelton, it's
always good to be with you
00:56:55.90\00:56:58.67
and to work with you.
00:56:58.68\00:57:00.77
We appreciate so
much that you're standing
00:57:00.78\00:57:04.12
with 3ABN in our
ministry and we pray
00:57:04.13\00:57:07.93
that you will continue to
pray for as far as we reach out
00:57:07.94\00:57:12.50
with this gospel to
go around the world.
00:57:12.51\00:57:14.58
And we appreciate
your joining us tonight
00:57:14.59\00:57:17.38
for this very
special Night Light
00:57:17.39\00:57:19.38
which has come to you come
to you from Cincinnati, Ohio.
00:57:19.39\00:57:24.79
If you live close by come on by
00:57:24.80\00:57:27.21
and enjoy the
weekend, God bless you.
00:57:27.22\00:57:29.19