Participants: Pr. Dwight Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP051609
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00:56 Rejoice, the Lord is King!
01:00 Your Lord and King adore! 01:04 Rejoice, give thanks, and sing 01:08 And triumphs evermore 01:12 Lift up your heart 01:16 Lift up your voice! 01:18 Rejoice, again I say, rejoice 01:26 Jesus, the Savior, reigns 01:30 The God of truth and love 01:35 When He had purged our stains 01:38 He took His seat above 01:42 Lift up your heart 01:47 Lift up your voice! 01:48 Rejoice, again I say, 01:52 Rejoice 01:57 Rejoice, in glorious hope! 02:01 Our Lord the judge shall come 02:05 And take His servants up 02:08 To their eternal home 02:13 Lift up your heart 02:17 Lift up your voice! 02:19 Rejoice, again I say, 02:24 Rejoice! 02:33 The God who invites us to rejoice 02:35 is aware of our joys. 02:38 He's also aware of those times 02:39 that it's difficult for us to rejoice. 02:42 But His command to rejoice is also a promise 02:45 that when we recognize Him as our Lord and Savior, 02:47 as our guardian, as our king. 02:49 We'll be able to rejoice even amidst the difficulties 02:52 that we journey through. 02:54 Today we're going to come to this God in prayer. 02:58 And as we do, we are gonna sing number 691 03:01 ''Lead me Lord." 03:03 And if it all be meaningful to you 03:05 during the time that we are seeing that 03:06 we invite you to slip out of the pew 03:09 and join us here in the front 03:10 for a special time of prayer to our Lord and savior. 03:13 Number 691. 03:38 Lead me, Lord, lead me 03:46 In Thy righteousness 03:50 Make Thy way plain 03:54 Before my face 04:02 For it is Thou, Lord 04:08 Thou, Lord only 04:13 That makest me 04:17 Dwell in safety 04:31 Let's kneel together as we pray. 04:51 Dear, God, we come into Your presence 04:53 this morning acknowledging that we need to be lead by You, 04:57 acknowledging that when we choose You, 04:59 we choose the best person to follow 05:02 because You've a plan for our lives 05:04 it is beyond even what we can imagine. 05:07 And so we are grateful that we serve that kind of God. 05:11 God, you've been with us this week through things 05:16 that brought us joy and things 05:18 that sometimes broke our hearts. 05:20 And we know that Your heart feels the things 05:24 that we do as well 05:26 and to in even greater capacity than we have, 05:29 You experience those joys and sorrows. 05:32 God, this week there were times 05:33 when we didn't acknowledged You 05:35 as the leader of our life and we confess our sins 05:39 and we ask that You create in us 05:41 the desire to love the things that You love 05:43 and to hate the things that You hate. 05:46 Thank You for Your gift of forgiveness. 05:48 God there were many who don't know you 05:50 as their Lord and Savior, 05:52 and we want to raise them up to you right now as well 05:55 and ask that You'll help our powers 05:57 to intersect with theirs 05:58 and that we can reveal to them Your love 06:00 and that they'll want to know you 06:02 and have You as part of their life. 06:04 That we believe that You are coming in again. 06:07 We believe that You are great Lord 06:09 and so we say hallelujah. 06:12 And, God, because of that 06:14 that we come and bring to You our joys 06:17 and our concerns right now, 06:19 so we pause to lift those to You. 06:28 God, you are the one 06:31 who answers every need of our heart 06:34 and whether we are young or whether we are older, 06:37 we indeed have always seen the way 06:39 that You've cared for Your children. 06:41 Use us to care for others 06:43 not just with their physical needs, 06:45 but with the spiritual needs 06:46 that they have to know You as the Lord and Savior. 06:49 And as Pastor Dwight shares with us 06:50 Your word today, that we be transformed 06:53 because we've put our self in the place 06:56 where we can hear Your word and incorporate into our lives. 07:00 So thank you God for what You'll do, 07:02 because we've come to worship You 07:03 on Your Sabbath day, in Jesus' name we pray. 07:06 Amen. 07:35 Who will speak the words for the flower? 07:40 Who will sing the song for the tree? 07:45 Who will blow the trumpet for the elephant 07:50 Hunted for his ivory? 07:56 Who will be the roar for the tiger? 08:01 Who will do the work of the bee? 08:05 For those who have no choice 08:08 We must be the voice 08:10 We must help them to be free 08:15 Yes, it's up to you and me 08:21 Sing a song for nature 08:26 Sing a song for all the earth 08:31 Open you eyes and realize 08:36 How much our planet's worth 08:41 Sing a song for nature 08:46 Sing your whole life through 08:50 If you sing a song for nature 08:55 It will sing one back to you 09:11 Who will be the shell for the turtle? 09:16 Who will save the chimpanzee? 09:21 Who will tell the tale of the great blue whale 09:25 Swimming in the great blue sea? 09:30 Yes, it's up to you and me 09:36 Sing a song for nature 09:41 Sing a song for all the earth 09:46 Open your eyes and realize 09:50 How much our planet's worth 09:56 Sing a song for nature 10:01 Sing your whole life through 10:05 If you sing a song for nature 10:09 It will sing one back to you 10:15 Sing a song for nature 10:21 Sing a song for nature 10:34 "He which testifieth these things saith, 10:37 Surely I come quickly. 10:39 Amen. Even so, come, Lord." 10:42 Join us as we sing Jesus is coming again. 10:56 Lift up the trumpet 10:58 And loud let it ring 11:00 Jesus is coming again! 11:05 Cheer up, ye pilgrims 11:08 Be joyful and sing 11:12 Jesus is coming again! 11:17 Coming again, coming again 11:22 Jesus is coming again! 11:28 Echo it, hilltops 11:31 Proclaim it ye plains 11:34 Jesus is coming again! 11:39 Coming in glory 11:42 The Lamb that was slain 11:45 Jesus is coming again! 11:51 Coming again, coming again 11:57 Jesus is coming again! 12:02 Nations are angry 12:05 By this we do know 12:08 Jesus is coming again! 12:14 Knowledge increases 12:16 Men run to and fro 12:20 Jesus is coming again! 12:25 Coming again, coming again 12:31 Jesus is coming again! 12:39 The heavens declare the glory of God, " 12:41 and the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 12:44 Great is our Lord, amen. 12:47 Please join us as we sing "Great Are You, Lord. 12:57 "Holy Lord, most Holy Lord. 13:04 You alone are worthy of my praise 13:11 Holy Lord, most holy Lord 13:19 With all of my heart I sing! 13:26 Great are You, Lord 13:34 Worthy of praise 13:41 Great are You, Lord 13:46 Great are You, Lord 13:49 Most Holy Lord. 13:56 Holy Lord, most Holy Lord. 14:02 You alone are worthy of my praise 14:10 Holy Lord, most Holy Lord 14:16 With all of my heart I sing! 14:24 Great are You, Lord 14:31 Worthy of praise 14:38 Great are you, Lord 14:43 Great are you, Lord 14:47 most Holy Lord!" 15:05 Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee 15:10 God of glory, Lord of love 15:14 Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee 15:19 Op'ning to the sun above 15:24 Melt the clouds of sin and sadness 15:29 Drive the dark of doubt away 15:33 Giver of immortal gladness 15:38 Fill us with the light of day 16:20 All Thy works with joy surround Thee 16:25 Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays 16:30 Stars and angels sing around Thee 16:35 Center of unbroken praise 16:40 Field and forest, vale and mountain 16:45 Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea 16:50 Singing bird and flowing fountain 16:55 Call us to rejoice in Thee 17:23 Teach me, Lord 17:27 Teach me, Lord 17:31 Teach me to do Your will 17:39 Teach me, Lord 17:43 Teach me, Lord 17:47 Teach me to trust and obey 17:54 I'll listen as You speak 17:58 In Your still small voice 18:02 As You teach me each day 18:05 To make the right choice 18:10 Teach me, Lord 18:14 Teach me, Lord 18:18 Teach me to do Your will 18:25 Teach me, Lord 18:29 Teach me, Lord 18:33 Teach me to trust and obey 18:49 Well, happy Sabbath, boys and girls, 18:52 on this gray still rainy Sabbath day, 18:58 but we've got sunshine in ours I can tell 19:00 because you've smiles on your faces. 19:02 That's proof enough for me. Nice to have all of you here. 19:05 Boy, we got a nice group today. 19:07 Thank you choir members who are here. 19:09 Always nice to have you in first church. 19:12 Come home back. 19:14 Oh, and look at those lovely blossoms. 19:17 Are those roses or what? 19:20 Oh, those dogwoods, all right. Those are dogwoods, beautiful. 19:24 Now, this is the season for our lovely blooming plants. 19:29 Now, I've something in my pocket 19:31 that is an invention, 19:32 I think a company in California invented this. 19:35 I've it right here in my pocket. 19:37 Right here, because they invented a special piece 19:43 that is able to forecast the weather. 19:46 Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just-- 19:49 if the weathermen always got it right, 19:50 you're planning a picnic on Sabbath 19:51 and they said, it's going to be sunny then it rains, 19:53 I mean why don't you get it right? 19:55 Well a company in California, 19:56 has come out with a new invention. 19:58 You can get it right with this one, 19:59 I've it right here in my hands. 20:01 Can you see it? 20:03 Oh, this is a very special ribbon. 20:06 This is not just any old ribbon. 20:07 See all the colors on it? This is a very special ribbon. 20:10 Can you see the ribbon, I hold it here in my hands. 20:12 The company says, 20:13 "This ribbon can forecast the weather." 20:17 Wow! How can that be? 20:19 So I wondered the same thing what? 20:23 But here is what we do. 20:24 I have the instructions right here. 20:25 Yup, that's what this company says. 20:28 Number one, what you got to do with this? 20:31 Can you see it? 20:32 What you have to do with this number one, 20:34 is you've to hang it outside your window. 20:38 So, do you have a house and apartment? 20:41 So outside the window, 20:43 you can put it right on the wall. 20:46 Bang it up. 20:47 But make sure that daddy puts it outside the window. 20:50 It can't be inside, has to be outside, all right. 20:53 Put it outside the window and then instruction number 2. 20:57 Check daily. 21:00 Check daily, that means take a look at it. 21:02 If you go and look at it, 21:04 and here are their instructions. 21:06 If you look at it and you see that the ribbon is wet, 21:10 it's raining, that's what it means. 21:13 If it's wet, it's raining. 21:15 If you look out the window and the ribbon is stiff, 21:18 it means it's freezing, it's cold out there. 21:22 If you look at the window-- 21:23 No, really, truly, that's how it works. 21:24 If you look out the window and the ribbon is white, 21:27 all the colors are gone that means it's snowing. 21:31 If you go out and you look 21:33 and the ribbon is going like this, 21:35 if the ribbon is going like this, it's windy. 21:38 How did you know? That's right. 21:43 And if you go out 21:45 and the ribbon is faded, it's sunny outside. 21:50 But if you go out and the ribbon is missing, 21:52 it's been ripped off. 21:54 See that's what it means, somebody stole it. 21:57 You can-- Can you believe that? 21:59 You can predict, you can forecast the weather, 22:01 any weather with just a little ribbon, 22:03 so make sure you go home and ask daddy or mummy 22:05 put that ribbon out 22:06 and let's start forecasting the weather. 22:09 Oh, don't you wish we could forecast the future that way? 22:13 Oh, I wish we could know what's coming. 22:17 Wait a minute, wait a minute, there's a -- 22:18 Do we have this verse as a memory verse. 22:20 Let me see 2 Chronicles 20:20 "Believe in the Lord your God 22:26 and so shall you prosper believe in his prophets 22:33 and so shall you be established." 22:38 Wait a minute there are people who can know what's coming. 22:42 Oh, the Bible says, believe, believe, believe 22:44 that little weather, that little weather invention 22:47 has been placed by God so that we can know. 22:51 We don't have to be caught totally by surprise 22:55 that's why there are prophets in the Bible, 22:58 prophetesses too by the way. 23:00 Yup. Oh-oh! 23:02 I don't want to be caught by surprise. 23:04 I'm glad Jesus gave us something 23:06 to forecast what's coming down the road. 23:09 How many want to say thank you Jesus 23:10 for giving us something to know the forecast. 23:13 Thank you Jesus for being the greatest forecaster of all. 23:18 Oh, we are so thankful. Let's pray to Jesus. 23:21 Jesus, thank You for not leaving us in the storm. 23:23 Thank You for not leaving us in the dark all alone. 23:26 We don't know what's coming. 23:27 You gave Your word, so that we can know. 23:32 Make us all boys and girls and moms and dads 23:34 those who know and because we know. 23:39 Give us that sense of peace in our hearts 23:44 because the future is in your hands. 23:47 We pray in your name. Amen. 23:49 As you quietly and readily back to your seats, would you-- 23:52 would you say that to Jesus, oh, thank you Jesus. 23:55 I guess I don't need a ribbon after all to know what's coming 23:58 because You know Jesus and You'll lead us. 24:07 Scripture this morning is found in your bulletin 24:10 on the page sanctuary. 24:13 I'll read the light print, 24:15 and you can read the dark print along with me. 24:18 This is from Luke 21:25-28 24:22 in Today's New International Version. 24:26 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. 24:31 On the earth, nations will be in anguish 24:34 and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 24:38 People will faint from terror, 24:41 apprehensive of what is coming on the world, 24:44 for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 24:48 At that time they will see the Son of Man 24:51 coming in a cloud with great power and glory. 24:55 When these things begin to take place, 24:58 stand up and lift up your heads, 25:01 because your redemption is drawing near." 25:05 Thank you. 25:09 Don't you wish weather forecasting 25:10 could be that simple? 25:12 Tag up a ribbon you can know. 25:15 Don't you wish forecasting the times 25:17 in which we are living today could be that simple? 25:22 Maybe, maybe, 25:27 maybe it's not beyond the pale 25:32 of possibility for you and me. 25:36 Let's pray together. 25:37 Oh, God, as we launch our new journey today teach us, 25:45 teach us we pray that we might know 25:50 what You would have us to know 25:53 and that in the journey yet ahead, we might be secure. 25:59 In Jesus' name, Amen. 26:04 Once upon a time there was an ancient tribe 26:06 that had the uncanny ability to forecast the times. 26:11 Yep. 26:14 And the more I ponder their giftedness, 26:16 the more I find myself longing for God 26:20 to raise up such a generation in our nation today, 26:27 to raise up such a generation in our denomination today. 26:34 Generation entrusted with the gift 26:38 of forecasting the times. 26:42 Open your Bible with me please, to the first Book of Chronicles 26:45 don't go to that book very often, do we? 26:46 1 Chronicles 12 as we launch a new mini series today. 26:50 1 Chronicles 12, let me give you the setting 26:52 as we are finding it together. 26:54 David has vanquished, finally vanquished his enemies. 26:58 King Saul is dead and now in this chapter one by one 27:04 the tribes of Israel cast their allegiance 27:07 to the new young monarch to be. 27:11 1 Chronicles 12, would be page 285 in your pew Bible, 27:17 this is a line you can't miss. 27:18 So, if you didn't bring your Bible, 27:19 grab that pew Bible in front of you please. 27:21 1 Chronicles 12 finding it with you. 27:27 And let's begin in verse 23. 27:31 1 Chronicles 12:23, Now these, I'll be in the New King James 27:34 by the way, that's the same translation as your pew Bible. 27:37 "Now these were the numbers of the divisions..." 27:40 All right, these are the armies "that were equipped for war, 27:43 and came to David at Hebron 27:45 to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, 27:47 according to the word of the Lord." 27:50 It's time now the young monarch to be, is to take office. 27:54 Drop down to verse 38. 27:55 "All these men of war, who could keep ranks, 27:58 came to Hebron with a loyal heart, 28:00 to make David king over all Israel, 28:01 and all the rest of Israel were of one mind 28:04 to make David king." 28:05 Now between those book ends, the tribes are all listed. 28:08 One by one by one, I mean you have Judah there, 28:10 you see Judah in 24 Simeon in 25, 28:12 Levi, we got Benjamin, you got Benjamin down in 29 28:16 but one of the tribes has an id marker 28:20 that distinguishes it from all the other tribes 28:22 and that's the tribe that has captured my attention. 28:26 And I wish to share with you, verse 32. 28:28 And of those tribe of Issachar 28:30 all right, of the sons of Issachar. 28:33 "Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, 28:36 to know what Israel ought to do, 28:38 their chiefs were two hundred, 28:40 and all their brethren were at their command." 28:45 Did you catch that? 28:47 The tribe of Issachar is identified by a single marker. 28:51 "They understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do." 28:57 Let me repeat that. 28:58 They understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do. 29:03 It's called the Issachar Factor. 29:07 With the God that we had a generation in this nation, 29:09 a generation in this denomination gifted 29:13 with the Issachar Factor divinely equipped 29:16 to read the tea leaves of our times 29:21 and from that analytical discernment 29:22 to be divinely enable 29:24 to recommend a strategic response 29:26 for the community of faith to the times 29:28 in which we are living, the Issachar Factor. 29:31 And before some of you quickly say, 29:32 you know, well, that's just not my spiritual gift, 29:34 I'll never have that gift. 29:35 I want to put a pause on that as we will know 29:38 in just a moment, this gift is available for the asking. 29:42 So don't write it off. Don't say not me. 29:44 No, you, the Issachar Factor. 29:48 In fact, let's jot it down right now. 29:51 Ushers would you make sure that everybody here 29:53 gets that study guide to begin this new mini series. 29:56 Hold your hand up if you didn't get a study guide today 29:58 or five of you came in with one bulletin, 30:00 you want the study guide as well. 30:01 Hold your hand up all the way to the balcony. 30:03 Those of you listening on the radio, watching on television, 30:06 we want you to have the same study guide. 30:08 Let me give you our website. Put it on the screen for you. 30:11 You see it there this is the new mini series, 30:13 the Issachar Factor, you see beneath that title part 1. 30:16 This is part 1. There are four parts to this. 30:19 Go to our website please, www.pmchurch.tv. 30:25 You'll see the Issachar Factor now advertised on that website 30:30 and you click on there to part 1, 30:31 it will say study guide. 30:32 You then have the same, 30:35 the identical study guide we have right now. 30:38 So without any further ado, let's get into it. 30:39 What is this Issachar Factor? 30:40 Would you jot it down please in your study guide? 30:42 "To understand the times and know what we ought to do." 30:49 Make sure please you get the reference 30:51 because I left it out of the study guide. 30:53 1 Chronicles 12:32. 30:56 Make sure you jot that down as well. 30:59 I'll give you little extra time because it, 31:02 you need to jot that down. 31:04 To understand the times and know what we ought to do. 31:08 1 Chronicles 12:32. 31:09 Now, here's another way to express it. 31:11 Jot this one down too. 31:12 "To be divinely equipped to read the times 31:16 and divinely enabled to recommend the response." 31:21 Keep it up there please. 31:23 To be divinely equipped to read the times 31:25 and divinely enabled to recommend the response. 31:28 It's the Issachar Factor. 31:30 Which by the way is the identical factor 31:34 Christ himself called for in those who choose to follow Him. 31:38 I mean, Let's go to the New Testament. 31:40 Here it is in the New Testament 31:41 from the lips of our Lord Himself. 31:43 The Gospel of Luke, St. Luke Chapter 12. 31:47 Let's read together please, verse 54. 31:49 What's the page number? Page number 702. 31:51 Luke 12 we will pick it up in verse 54. 31:54 If you have a red letter Bible these words are all red. 31:57 Christ is speaking. Let's take a look at this. 31:59 Luke 12:54, "And Jesus said to the multitude, 32:03 "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, 32:06 immediately you say, 'a shower is coming', and so it is." 32:10 Jesus didn't live in Michigan but he knew, 32:12 there is a prevailing west to easterly wind always. 32:15 Almost always. 32:16 You see a cloud coming from Lake Michigan, 32:17 you know we got rain coming. 32:19 Jesus says, you know this. 32:20 You've lived in Michigan long enough, you know. 32:22 Oh, and by the way if you live in California verse 55, 32:25 "And when you see the south wind blow, 32:27 you say, oh, 'There will be hot weather' and there is." 32:31 Called the Santa Ana winds, where my mother lives. 32:33 The Santa Ana winds, I mean dry and hot. 32:38 You know, it's gonna be hot. 32:40 Ah, Jesus goes on verse 56, "Hypocrites! 32:46 You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, 32:49 but how is it you do not discern this time." 32:52 I mean come on, I'm so proud of you Jesus says, 32:54 Greater weather forecasting why don't you exercise 32:57 the same discerning prowess for the times in which you live 33:00 Why don't you have the Issachar Factor? 33:03 Now, I want you to notice the parallel 33:05 in the synoptic would be Matthew. 33:07 Go back to Matthew because there's a slight variation 33:11 that Mathew provides in Matthew chapter 16, 33:14 so just turn a few pages back to Matthew 16. 33:16 Pick it up in verse 1, 33:18 "Then the Pharisees and the Sadducees" 33:20 that will be the two dominant religious parties 33:23 within the community of faith then. 33:25 Then this is Matthew 16:1 33:27 "Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, 33:29 and testing Jesus asked 33:31 that He would show them a sign from heaven." 33:33 Jesus said, all right, you want a sign? 33:34 Verse 2, "He answered and said to them, 33:37 'When it is evening..." 33:38 Notice the different meteorological markers 33:41 that the synoptic vary. 33:44 "Jesus says, 'When it is evening you say, 33:46 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red, 33:49 "and in the morning, verse 3, 33:51 you say it will be foul weather today, 33:53 for the sky is red and threatening." 33:55 Hey listen, I grew up my dad thought me that 33:56 from knee high to a grasshopper. 33:58 Red skies at night, sailor's delight. 34:02 Red skies in the morning, sailors take warning. 34:04 Jesus says you know that. 34:06 It's been true on the planet from the beginning. 34:10 "Hypocrites" He goes on now, notice this. 34:12 "Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, 34:16 but you cannot discern the signs of the times." 34:22 Greater in the signs of the skies, 34:24 why can't you read the signs of the times. 34:28 Oh, my, please now clearly in both synoptic passages 34:32 Jesus is calling for the exercise 34:34 of the Issachar Factor. 34:35 Number 1, you must discern the times 34:37 and number 2 and you must decide the response. 34:39 Write it down, we can call this the Jesus factor, I suppose. 34:42 To discern the times and to decide the response. 34:47 Makes you wonder, doesn't it? 34:49 If the Issachar and Jesus factor were exercised today. 34:54 What will we discern about the times? 34:57 I wonder, what we would discern. 35:00 May I suggest to you, that a proper reading 35:04 of the tea leaves of these times would indicate 35:07 that we are in the throes of a global pandemic? 35:14 A pandemic depicted on the cover of this magazine. 35:18 This is daily two days yet in the future 35:21 when I hold the current issue of Newsweek Magazine. 35:23 Can you see it there, get my hand off it, there we go. 35:27 You see the headline there, 35:28 cover story fear & the Flu the New Age of Pandemics. 35:32 Now I need to tell you, that the pandemic 35:34 that Newsweek is trying to draw our attention 35:36 to is the flu but the pandemic 35:38 I'm trying to draw your attention to the fear. 35:43 I mean can you believe it? 35:45 This story about the swine flu H1N1 outbreak 35:49 is a classic manifestation of the medias almost 35:53 and must ascertain that words so that I get off the hook 35:55 with anybody who tries to nail me. 35:57 All most, the media is 35:58 all most unconscionable over hype of a story. 36:03 You can't believe it. 36:06 Please, 3 weeks ago, you'd have thought that a human race 36:08 was about to be ravished from the face of this earth 36:10 by a new strain of swine avian human flu. 36:14 I mean Mexico goes on red alert. 36:16 The United States, nearly pushes the hyper panic button 36:19 entire school districts in our country are shut down. 36:22 Egypt slaughters 300,000 pigs. 36:28 Nobody misses them. 36:31 The world health organization hastily arranges 36:34 a news conference to now announce 36:36 that we are at pandemic level 4 36:38 one short of the global level 5. 36:43 I mean the country goes berserk. 36:48 Sales of surgical masks and rubber gloves 36:51 and thermo flu medication sore offer what 36:54 as of Wednesday that as of this Wednesday, 36:57 we-- there have been 3352 conformed cases of H1N1 37:01 and as of Friday that would be yesterday 4 deaths. 37:04 We are sad for all 4 deaths but do you understand 37:06 that every single year, every flu season 37:09 36,000 people quietly died 37:12 with out even a whimper from the news media. 37:15 4 have died we are on national alert. 37:18 Either they panicked or they manipulated us 37:23 and our human tendency to panic 37:25 and the headline went into overdrive. 37:28 I read about a judge, an Italian judge 37:31 whose cough cleared a panic in court room 37:33 when he told the lawyers, I just got back from Mexico. 37:38 Here they're quoting one of the lawyers. 37:40 "This is 30 attorneys in Rome told Judge Giovanni Barese 37:43 that they were boycotting the court 37:44 and adjourning their cases because of fear of swine flu. 37:46 Now one lawyer said, "The judge coughed a few times, 37:49 I don't know if it was from the flu 37:50 or he was just clearing his throat, 37:52 but then said he had just come back from Mexico. 37:54 I've never seen so many lawyers agree 37:55 on anything in court so quickly." 37:58 Oh, God, by the way the judge, 38:00 the judge is in quarantine right now. 38:02 Can you believe it? 38:05 Ah, listen my purpose ladies and gentlemen 38:07 is not to minimize a serious health threat, 38:09 I understand that. 38:10 I'm married to a nurse. 38:12 Everything has to be septic in our home. 38:15 When you come, wear your gloves please. 38:18 So, I understand the nature of disease 38:22 but please, this is an overreaction. 38:28 Now, George Friedman from the Stratfor Organization 38:31 which is a private organization that does analysis 38:33 of current trends and provides security analysis 38:36 to those who pay $400 a year for it and I do not. 38:40 Has written a piece on the swine flu, 38:42 he says, listen, it's nothing, but then he makes his point, 38:45 and I suppose we ought to remember 38:46 it should a disease arise however in the future, 38:49 that is as deadly as HIV, all right 38:54 that spreads through casual contact, 38:56 about which there is little knowledge this disease 38:58 and for which there is no cure, the medical capabilities 39:01 of humanity would be virtually useless." 39:04 You can understand it's the real thing with the real thing. 39:07 There's nothing we can do, that's Stratfor's point. 39:13 But my point is the pandemic, and jot this down please. 39:15 "The pandemic this earth needs 39:17 to fear more than the swine flu is fear itself. 39:22 Probably there was a president 39:23 in the history of the United States 39:24 he said the only thing we had to fear is fear itself. 39:28 Most of us are right. 39:30 Fear, I mean we have become a civilization 39:34 on the jittery edge of who knows what? 39:37 I suppose sociologist and psychologists 39:39 when one day they do, they do a postmortem 39:43 on this generation will probably point to 39:46 September 11, 2001 as the trigger. 39:50 Since that way two wars a handful of natural disasters 39:52 in an uncertain economy later we are not only a nation, 39:55 we are a world caught in the grip of fear 39:58 and the deal about fear is this, 40:00 it is a self fulfilling prophecy. 40:03 It just-- it creates itself if you think of it. 40:06 Exhibit A, the wild gyrations of Wall Street's volatility 40:09 are linked to the single human emotion of fear. 40:13 Exhibit B get this. 40:15 The pew form on religion and public life 40:17 released a study three weeks ago, CNN reported 40:20 on the study with this headline, I'll read it to you. 40:22 "The more often Americans go to church..." 40:24 Can you believe this? 40:25 "The more often Americans go to church, 40:27 the more likely they are to support 40:29 the torture of suspected terrorists, 40:32 according to a new survey. 40:33 More than half of people who attend services 40:35 at least once a week that will be you and me. 40:38 54 percent said the use of torture against 40:40 suspected terrorists is 'often' or 'sometimes' justified. 40:45 If you'll make me safe, go ahead and do it. 40:48 Only 42 percent of people who 'seldom or never' 40:50 go to services agreed, according to the Pew Forum. 40:53 Now, catch the next sentence. 40:54 "White evangelical Protestants were the religious group 40:58 most likely to say torture is often 41:01 or sometimes justified more than six in 10 supported it. 41:05 People unaffiliated with any religious organization 41:08 least likely 4 out of 10. 41:10 Can you believe that because of fear. 41:12 Church going America leads the nation 41:14 and say we can have torture, it's okay. 41:17 The torture people. 41:19 Ladies and gentlemen what is wrong with this picture? 41:22 Fear, that's what's wrong. We are afraid. 41:27 To save me, you can do that to him. 41:31 Isn't that sad? Oh, my... 41:34 What's all this have to do with Issachar Factor? 41:36 Plenty, plenty. 41:39 Just read what Jesus' prescient psychoanalysis 41:42 of the generation just before He returns. 41:45 Cathie read it with us just a moment ago. 41:46 Let's go back to it. 41:47 We are still in Matthew right now so, 41:49 last text just look up, that's be Luke 21 41:56 look at this, Jesus said, I tell you what 41:58 what the psyche will be like just before I come. 42:01 Luke 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, 42:07 in the moon, and in the stars, 42:09 and on the earth distress of nations, 42:12 with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring." 42:15 Now, here comes verse 26 42:17 "Men's hearts, peoples' hearts failing them from fear 42:22 and the expectation of those things which are coming on the" 42:25 I don't know what it is but something is coming. 42:28 "For the powers of heaven will be shaken." 42:29 Would you jot that down please, 42:31 I like the TNIV rendering of this 42:32 "People will faint from terror. 42:35 People will faint from terror, 42:37 apprehensive of what is coming on the world." 42:41 Fear of terrorism. Fear of the flu, pandemics. 42:47 Fear of immigrants. 42:50 Fear of a meltdown economically. 42:53 Fear of my neighbor. 42:55 It's just fear, pandemic. Jot it down. 42:58 "Christ predicts a global pandemic of fear 43:01 just before he returns." 43:03 The Issachar and Jesus Factor quietly admonishes us 43:05 to discern the signs of the times but not only to discern, 43:09 we must decide based on what we discern we must, 43:12 we must respond and that's why Jesus goes on verse 27 43:15 "Then..." See in this pandemic of fear. 43:17 "Then they will see the Son of Man 43:19 coming in a cloud with power and great glory." 43:21 Verse 28, "Now when these things begin to happen, 43:24 look up and lift up your heads, 43:25 because your redemption draws near." 43:28 Please note ladies and gentlemen, 43:29 people who are discouraged hang their heads. 43:31 People who are afraid ring their hands. 43:33 This is not the posture Jesus is describing here, 43:35 He says, come on, put that chin up, 43:36 hold your chin up, lift up your eyes. 43:39 Take a posture of confidence and courage. Jot it down. 43:44 The Issachar Factor teaches us that the pandemic of fear 43:49 is to be met by the posture of hope. 43:52 You don't have to be afraid. 43:54 We have hope. We are hope, please. 43:59 The Issachar and Jesus Factor is for the people 44:01 who are not only gifted to discern the times 44:03 but also decide the response. 44:05 So how'd you like the gift? 44:07 How'd you like the gift of discernment 44:08 that the Issachar Factor represents? 44:09 Wouldn't you like to have that gift? 44:11 I'd like to have that gift. 44:12 Let me end now with seven ways to get the gifts. 44:14 Jot these down, seven. These are from the scripture. 44:16 Seven of them. Number 1, pray for discernment. 44:19 You can pray for it. You can actually ask for this gift. 44:23 So I was in prayer last night, just thinking about today 44:25 and the journey ahead for all of us, 44:27 I said God, I got to have to this gift. 44:31 He said, you can't pray for this. Oh, yes, you can. 44:33 John 16:13 put it on the screen please, 44:36 "However, when He, the Sprit of truth has come, 44:38 Jesus says, He will guide you into all truth." 44:42 Next. 44:44 "For He will not speak on His own authority, 44:46 but whatever He hears..." 44:48 This is the Holy Spirit "He will speak..." 44:49 And now notice this line. 44:50 I find great solace in this line. 44:52 "He will tell you things to come." 44:54 You'll be told. You'll be given a discernment. 44:57 There's another verse, 44:58 I didn't put in the study guide, 44:59 so you gonna need to jot this down, 45:00 but it came to me last night as I was in prayer, 45:02 Jeremiah 33:3, jot this down, this is a great text. 45:04 Look at this, "Call to Me, God says, 45:06 and I will answer you, and I'll show you great 45:08 and hidden things, which you do not know." 45:12 God says, you ask me, ask me for the gift of discernment, 45:14 I'll give it to you. 45:16 I'll tell you what others do not see. 45:19 I'll give you the Issachar Factor. 45:22 Number 2, study the word. Look at this Psalm 119. 45:29 "The entrance of Your words gives light, 45:30 it gives understanding..." 45:31 By the way, that's the same word for Issachar. 45:33 They had understanding to know the times identical Hebrew word 45:36 "Understanding to the simple." 45:38 It's in the word of God. 45:39 You can't just go, read in the newspaper. 45:41 The newspaper will not give you discernment. 45:42 Stratfor will not give you discernment, 45:44 not the kind you need. 45:45 You have to get in the word. Number 3, jot it down please. 45:48 Believe the prophets. Believe the prophets. 45:51 There's something very interesting 45:52 about this tribe of Issachar. 45:53 I want to show you something. I'll put on the screen for you. 45:56 Judges 5:15 "And the princes of Issachar..." 45:59 This is previous to the 1 Chronicles. 46:02 "And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah..." 46:05 They aligned themselves with Deborah. 46:07 Do you know who Deborah was? Who was Deborah? 46:11 She was a prophetess. She was a prophetess. 46:15 The leaders of Issachar will have this gift of discernment. 46:19 You align yourself with the prophetess. 46:25 It would be a sign of wisdom in an age of darkness 46:33 to align yourself with the gift of prophecy. 46:39 2 Chronicles 20:20 46:41 quoted with a children story just a moment ago. 46:43 Can we put it on the screen, there you go. 46:44 "Believe in the Lord your God, 46:45 and you shall be established, believe His prophets." 46:49 Believe the prophets and you will prosper. 46:54 If I were the enemy, listen to me carefully. 46:57 If I were the enemy, I'd do all in my power 47:02 to keep people from believing the prophetess 47:05 or the prophet Deborah or anybody else. 47:08 Because the story in Judges 5 that some didn't believe 47:11 and they did not align themselves. 47:15 Those on the sight are right and like did 47:18 and in the end they are the once 47:19 that won the great victory over the enemy. 47:21 You have to align yourself. It's a wise strategy. 47:25 All right, oh, by the way this is a New Testament point. 47:27 Put it up 2 Peter 1:19 and so, the New Testament tells us, 47:30 "We have the prophetic word confirmed, 47:32 which you do well to heed as a light 47:33 that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns 47:36 and the morning star rises in your hearts." 47:40 The Issachar Factor, the divinely enabled 47:43 ability to discern the times and decide the response, 47:45 it's predicated on a trust in God's prophets. 47:50 The journey is much darker and the deceptions much stronger 47:52 for those who ignore the light 47:54 that God still shines upon this earth. 47:57 These prescient words were written a century ago. 47:59 I put them on the screen, 48:00 I think you have them in your study guide. 48:01 "The present is a time 48:02 of overwhelming interest to all living. 48:05 Rulers and statesmen, 48:07 men who occupy positions of trust and authority, 48:09 thinking men and women of all classes, 48:11 have their attention fixed 48:12 upon the events taking place about us. 48:14 They are watching the strained, 48:15 restless relations that exist among the nations. 48:19 They observe the intensity 48:20 that is taking possession of every earthly element, 48:23 and they recognize that something great 48:26 and decisive is about to take place 48:28 that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis." 48:36 Number 4, Avoid all date-setting. 48:40 Please be careful, Acts 1:7, let's read that "And He said, 48:44 Jesus said to them, just before you ascended, 48:46 'It is not for you to know times or seasons 48:49 which the Father has put in His own authority." 48:52 Allow me to just put Mathew 24 up 48:54 real quickly with Matthew 24:42 48:55 "Watch therefore, Jesus says, for you do not know 48:58 what hour your Lord is coming." 49:00 You do not know. Avoid all date-setting. 49:02 But as you avoid that please keep in mind 49:04 this prescient observation, also from a century ago. 49:07 "Great changes are soon to take place in our world, 49:08 and the final movements will be rapid." 49:11 Don't get caught in the reverse trap. 49:15 Ah, it's going to take long time for all of this to happen. 49:19 Be very careful. Number 5 jot it down. 49:21 Maintain a healthy caution. 49:23 I think this is important in this strategy 49:25 to seek the gift of discernment. 49:27 Avoid dogmatic prognostications and those who insist on them. 49:31 And I got this from Ecclesiastes 11:6, 49:34 I like this principle, "In the morning... 49:36 the wisest man on earth wrote. 49:38 "...sow your seed, and in the evening do not 49:39 withhold your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, 49:43 either this or that, or whether both alike will be good." 49:46 You can't know, we just can't know, 49:47 is it this way, is that way. 49:48 There's some thing you just gonna have, 49:50 you must maintain a healthy caution, 49:52 a healthy skepticism, a healthy tentativeness. 49:56 I'm amazed at the dogmatic scenarios 49:59 and apocalyptic predictions 50:00 that are bound in the internet and flourish. 50:03 I get hard copies sent to me, 50:04 oh, pastor, read this, I've a new idea. 50:06 I get that all the time. 50:09 Healthy caution, don't bite every hook that comes along. 50:15 There are some outcomes 50:16 we simply cannot predict or foresee. 50:18 Number 6, keep your focus on God. You look to God. 50:23 And finally number 7, testify to your hope. 50:28 I love 1 Peter 3:15, "Always be prepared 50:31 to give an answer to everyone who asks you 50:33 to give the reason for the hope that you have. 50:35 But do this with gentleness and respect." 50:37 Come on, give a reason. Why? Why? Why? 50:39 Look at Matthew 24:14, one more text. 50:41 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached 50:43 in all the world as a witness to all the nations, 50:45 and then the end will come." 50:49 I was out in California this last weekend visiting my mother 50:51 and out there for the wedding of my nephew, 50:54 my Brother Greg's son Ivan, who is also a pastor. 50:58 And on my mother's coffee table 50:59 I found Jon Paulien's new book Armageddon. 51:03 So I read it over the weekend. 51:04 I happened to bump into Jon, 51:05 actually looked him up on Monday. 51:07 I told him I was gonna buy the book when I got back here, 51:08 I bought it yesterday at the APC. 51:10 I want to tell you something. 51:11 Jon has done some very careful study 51:13 and reflection on the apocalypse. 51:16 And I found the book for me impressive 51:18 informative and for me inspiring. 51:22 John maintains in the book a healthy tentativeness 51:25 even with his own research 51:26 and conclusions though his scholarship is solid. 51:30 But one point he reiterates and this stuck with me. 51:33 One point he reiterates is that no matter 51:36 how the end game is deciphered in Revelation, 51:39 Christ makes it clear that the everlasting gospel 51:42 must go to every nation, kindred, tribe, tongue, 51:44 and people before the return." 51:46 IE, the Issachar Factor of discerning 51:49 the times must lead us 51:50 to the Issachar Factor of determining the response. 51:53 And Jesus is unequivocal in response 51:56 to the nearness of my return, I'm telling you, 51:59 I'm commanding you as Russell's preached us 52:01 to the other day as you see I'm commanding you go to the world. 52:04 You go now, go to all the world. 52:07 I mean you think about? This just boggles the mind. 52:10 The surest of all the science that Jesus is soon to return 52:14 is the one sign the only sign 52:16 that is left in the hands of Christ followers. 52:20 It's the only one that you and I have any part in achieving. 52:26 Namely telling the world, our little worlds, 52:29 the good news about Jesus, I mean you name for me 52:32 one more calming antidote 52:35 to this generation of pandemic fear 52:37 than the simple truth about Jesus. 52:40 He died for me. I can live without guilt. 52:47 He died for me. I can live without guilt. 52:50 I don't have to drink my guilt away. 52:52 I don't have to drug my guilt away. 52:54 I don't have to dance my guilt away. 52:56 I now live without guilt. He's forgiven me. 53:00 Number 1, He died for me. Number 2, He rose for me. 53:02 You know what that means? I have nothing to fear. 53:04 If you have conquered death, 53:06 you have conquered the ultimate human fear. 53:10 What can any man do to me 53:14 that the Son of Man cannot undo for me? 53:19 He died for me, I live without guilt. 53:22 He rose for me, I live without fear. 53:25 And He is coming for me, I live with hope. 53:30 Not hope in the president. Not hope in the Congress. 53:35 Not hope in Wall Street. 53:39 Now I live in the hope of one who says, 53:43 "Behold I'll come again." 53:47 Wow! 53:49 The only one I know in this universe 53:51 who can have the last word. 53:53 No matter what happens to this nation, 53:57 No matter what happens to this world, 53:59 No matter what anyone happens to say we have hallelujah. 54:04 We have this hope. 54:31 We have this hope that 54:36 Burns within our hearts 54:40 Hope in the coming of the Lord 54:49 We have this faith that 54:53 Christ alone imparts 54:58 Faith in the promise of His Word 55:07 We believe the time is here 55:11 When the nations far and near 55:15 Shall awake, and shout and sing 55:20 Hallelujah! Christ is King 55:29 We have this hope that 55:33 Burns within our hearts 55:38 Hope in the coming of the Lord 55:53 And now to him who has loved us, 55:57 and washed us from our sins in His blood. 56:00 And has made us kings and priests to his God and Father 56:05 to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. 56:09 Behold, he's coming with clouds and every eye will see him, 56:16 even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen. 56:34 It's been a pleasure to be able to worship with you today. 56:37 I hope that the Spirit of Jesus has blessed your time with us 56:40 right here in the Pioneer Memorial Church 56:42 in the campus of Andrews University. 56:44 Do you know that around the world 56:45 people join us every week for this hour of worship? 56:47 We're always looking as a consequence 56:49 for new ways to bridge, 56:51 somehow to connect with these people 56:52 who come here to worship via the telecast. 56:55 One of the areas that is quickly growing for us 56:58 is our website. 56:59 We had more than a 140,000 visitors last year. 57:03 It's an incredible opportunity 57:05 that God has given us to expand His kingdom. 57:07 If you'd like to help partner with us 57:10 as we seek to spread the everlasting gospel, 57:12 I'd love to have you call our toll free number. 57:15 We got very friendly operators standing by. 57:17 Here's the number 877-HIS-WILL. 57:20 877 and then the two words HIS WILL. 57:23 One of the operators will be happy to give you the details 57:26 of how you can partner with this global ministry. 57:29 If you prefer listen, you can do it all online. 57:31 Go to our website please www.pmchurch.tv. 57:36 I'd be honored to have the privilege 57:37 of partnering with you as we seek to spread the truth 57:39 about God for this generation. 57:41 We are living in urgent times, now more than ever 57:45 we've got to go to the world 57:48 with the good news entrusted to us. 57:50 So once again here's that toll free number 877-HIS-WILL. 57:54 Thank you in advance for your generosity. 57:57 That blesses me and you grow this ministry. 58:00 I pray that the Spirit of Christ 58:01 will abide with you every step of the way 58:04 and I hope you'll come back again next time 58:06 right here as we continue our worship journey together. |
Revised 2014-12-18