Participants: Pr. Dwight Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP052309
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00:28 He is my salvation from sorrow and sin
00:32 This blessed persuasion the Spirit brings in 00:38 The lord is my light, my joy, and my song 00:44 By day and by night He leads me along 00:50 The Lord is my light, my joy, and my song 00:56 By day and by night He leads me along 01:04 The Lord is my light, though clouds may arise 01:10 Faith, stronger than sight, looks up to the skies 01:15 Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign 01:21 Then how can I ever in darkness remain? 01:27 The lord is my light, my joy, and my song 01:33 By day and by night He leads me along 01:40 The lord is my light, my joy, and my song 01:45 By day and by night He leads me along 01:53 The Lord is my light, the Lord is my strength 01:59 I know in His might I'll conquer at length 02:04 My weakness in mercy He covers with power 02:10 And, walking by faith, He upholds me each hour 02:16 The Lord is my light, my joy, and my song 02:22 By day and by night He leads me along 02:28 The lord is my light, my joy, and my song 02:34 By day and by night He leads me along 02:42 The Lord is my light, my all in all 02:48 There is in His sight no darkness at all 02:53 He is my Redeemer, my Savior and King 02:59 With saints and with angels His praises I sing 03:05 The Lord is my light, my joy, and my song 03:11 By day and by night He leads me along 03:17 The Lord is my light, my joy, and my song 03:23 By day and by night He leads me along 03:34 In my blog today I report on the recent pew forum 03:40 on religion and public life survey 03:43 that discovered that over one half of American adults 03:50 have changed their religion. 03:54 Amazing. One half, over a half. 03:58 Today, I want to have conversation 04:00 with two of those adults 04:03 who happen to be husband and wife, 04:06 who have changed their religion. 04:10 I met these two, two Novembers ago 04:15 after giving a public lecture in the beautiful Century Center 04:19 down in South Bend one night event 04:23 and they had a story. 04:25 I want to hear their story. 04:26 So I'm gonna invite them to come up 04:28 and join me now, Herb and the Nanette Gundt. 04:34 Thirty five minutes from your home in South Bend. 04:39 That's a long drive early in the morning, wouldn't you say? 04:41 Yes. Coming here Nanette, bless you. 04:44 So Herb, tell me how you really feel about televangelist? 04:52 Well, I used to ridicule and make fun 04:58 of evangelist that I always see on television. 05:04 Obviously, I didn't hold them in high regard. 05:07 So one Sunday, see, if I have this straight, 05:10 so one Sunday you are channel surfing, 05:13 Nan's out of the house 05:14 and you are just moving around and what happened? 05:17 I stumbled on the New Perceptions 05:19 television program, which was right here. 05:24 Right. In this facility and listened to your message. 05:29 And for whatever reason I was attracted 05:34 to what I was hearing and Sunday after that 05:38 I found my way back to the same program 05:43 and then the Sunday after that and I became a regular viewer 05:48 and I found that what I was hearing ring true. 05:54 And Nan, you kind of drawn into that same Sunday apparent, 05:59 Sundays at noon, Channel 46 WHME, 06:02 our New Perceptions telecast. 06:07 So months go by and in October of 2007, 06:10 I started we put this little clip on at the end 06:13 of our telecast talking about an event Century Center, 06:16 Century Center come on down. 06:18 The lecture was a new way to pray. 06:20 And lo and behold, both of you came down. 06:24 What gave you the courage 06:25 and attitude to just kind of step out 06:27 and drive on down to Centuries Center? 06:30 It's just felt right. 06:32 We had heard the message through the television 06:36 and I feel that the Holy Spirit guided us into attending. 06:42 Now I need to tell you pioneer family 06:47 that we were in the thick in the fall of '07 06:49 in a series called The Chosen. 06:51 We're tracking the children of Israel 06:53 through the 40 years in the wilderness 06:55 and it just so happen that Sunday 06:58 after our Saturday night together in century center 07:02 the telecast was entitled, 07:04 "How Much of Naked is Acceptable?" 07:08 That's kind of great way to follow up of it, 07:11 our Saturday tonight contact. 07:13 And of course I got a-- we have a congregation 07:16 full of young adults and we talking about 07:18 how much clothing or the lack there of 07:20 this generation is wearing 07:22 and we talked about the children of Israel 07:25 and there at the foot of Mount Sinai, 07:26 the spiritual revival and they strip 07:28 all their jewelry off, you remember that? 07:31 So, when Herb tells you to listen to it, Nanette, 07:35 and you do, what thought crosses your mind? 07:37 Well, I had worn jewelry to the event in, 07:44 I was totally ashamed at what I had done, 07:47 and I couldn't sleep. 07:50 I just fell very shameful. 07:51 So what you do about it? 07:54 Well, we prayed and then we wrote a letter to you. 07:58 Yeah. 07:59 So I tell you what, you want to know 08:02 who felt the worst of the three of us upfront? 08:05 So I get this email from this woman 08:08 and I'm thinking I wonder 08:09 because there are number of people I met that night, 08:12 now would this be that one, would this be that? 08:14 Was this the couple that we talk together afterwards? 08:19 And then I pulled the letter out, 08:20 your letter and response because I still have them, 08:24 and I just-- as I'm reading this email 08:27 I'm backpedaling all over the place, hey, now listen, 08:31 listen let me tell you about this congregation, 08:33 let me tell you about our faith community 08:35 and that is not something we focused on 08:38 but we are into controversial subject matter 08:41 for young adults and on and on and on and you asked-- 08:44 you had a question on new way to pray as well. 08:47 So I write back and the last line 08:50 and I'm convinced now Nan and Herb 08:53 that the Holy Spirit used you to see the program. 08:55 Say, hey, Nan, listen to this thing 08:57 then you'll say, well, I got to write an apologize 09:00 which you, of course, didn't have to do it all. 09:03 But the whole-- God used that, 09:06 because now I get the letter, 09:07 I shoot the letter back and at the very bottom 09:11 I say, you know sometime the three of us 09:13 will have to get together and we'll talk. 09:16 And then, Nan, get it email back for me, 09:18 yeah, let's do that sometime. 09:20 And that was right at Thanksgiving time 09:21 and Christmas was coming, so we put everything on hold 09:24 till after the New year 09:25 and because of your graciousness and kindness 09:27 I end up in your home, sitting right there 09:29 in your family room at the table and we begin studying 09:35 using the Discover Bible study guides 09:36 which we offer on our program at the end of every program. 09:40 So Herb, what did you think, 09:43 I mean here we're getting into the word together. 09:45 You hadn't been to church in centuries 09:47 and now we're into, well not that long you understand. 09:55 We're getting to there, what were you thinking? 09:58 Well, lot of things really-- 10:03 first a lot of work was old and familiar. 10:07 It was coming back but at the same time, 10:12 it was realization this was the beginning of a new path 10:15 and new journey 10:16 and that things will gonna be different. 10:24 And Nan, for you this whole question of salvation 10:28 and Jesus as Savior as friend as Lord 10:33 and that was kind of some new exploration for you. 10:36 How was your heart responding? 10:40 It absolutely was new, 10:42 I had never looked at God as my friend 10:48 and I have learned so much, 10:52 it's truly been a blessing. 10:56 Well, it was a treat for me, because of my crazy schedule 10:59 I mean, we go two or three weeks at a time without 11:00 getting together but then we touch base 11:03 and eventually you came up here 11:04 we would have study in my office here. 11:07 Herb, you made a statement to me to once 11:09 and what you meant by this or 11:12 I really wanted was the truth? 11:15 That's about as simple and as basic as it can get. 11:21 You know, all of us here 11:22 know about the various deceptions 11:26 that are throw in front of us through life 11:27 and it comes from all different directions 11:29 and I think all my life 11:31 all I was ever interested in what was real 11:34 and what was true 11:36 and that's really all I have been searching for. 11:41 And Nan, we get into this teaching of the Bible Sabbath 11:46 the Seventh-day Sabbath, and we get into-- 11:48 I mean, we spend several weeks thanking and praying, 11:52 I remember one Sabbath standing their at the back door 11:55 greeting the worshippers as they were leaving 11:56 and all of a sudden here you two come walk into 11:59 and I am thinking, good night here there are, halleluiah. 12:04 Nan, tell us this Sabbath experience, 12:08 what is that meant for you? 12:09 It has been such a blessing, I can come home, 12:15 I can dedicate the Sabbath to God 12:21 and relax and be recharged, reenergized. 12:28 I can't even describe what it is done for me. 12:32 I tell its been a joy for me to watch your journey 12:35 as you've taken steps, 12:36 always in step with Christ in the word, 12:40 we have been at this two and half years 12:41 when you do the arithmetic two and half years 12:43 since we met in the Century Center 12:46 and can you believe this, 12:47 this is your baptism Sabbath, halleluiah. 12:52 Nanette, you sent me an email just, 12:54 I think it was last week, you said I came home 12:57 and Herb had the huge smile on his face. 13:00 Well, what's up for that? 13:01 He was just, he was beaming, 13:03 I haven't seen him that happy 13:07 probably since we took our wedding vows 13:10 and he was on the phone talking to you about this day 13:16 and it was really good to see, really good to see. 13:20 I know God has led your lives, step by step 13:26 and I also know this is just a beginning. 13:30 I'm thinking God has put you in South, South Bend for a reason 13:33 and I'm scrambling with our senior leadership team here 13:36 and I said okay, 13:37 where are these two going to find 13:40 of very active niche in the mission of Christ. 13:45 But I want to tell you, I want to tell you, 13:48 there surely is already a network of lives 13:53 that God has on His little check list, 13:55 okay, Herb, check, Nanette, check, 13:57 but the names that follow are names 14:00 God has strategically placed in your circles. 14:04 You know, I can only, 14:05 I can only wait with eager anticipation 14:07 for what God is gonna do to you both. 14:10 Now you're not the only ones happy today. 14:12 I want to tell you why, I'm a especially happy today 14:15 and that is these two individual represent 14:22 the harvest of this ministry that you and I got into 14:26 about three and half years ago, 14:29 called New Perception television on Michiana. 14:33 We have been on global satellite for years 14:35 but we one day felt we got to making, 14:38 we got to be sharing the good news right here. 14:41 I want to take a good look at Herb and Nanette 14:45 because this is what television ministry is. 14:47 These are the first I have believe 14:49 there are many other thinking, men and women 14:52 and young, adults, teenagers 14:53 and in Michiana who are open to the tug of the Spirit. 14:58 And I want to see you tell these two, dear people 15:01 how glad you're, that they today 15:04 they're gonna be baptize in second service. 15:06 How glad you're that they have come 15:09 and joined our community of faith. 15:11 Amen and amen. 15:15 God bless you both. 15:16 I'm so proud of you and so happy for you. 15:18 Thank you for sharing your story. 15:22 Halleluiah. 15:31 Herb we're celebrating with you. 15:35 We are so happy for your both, 15:38 I suggest that you can tell 15:40 this is a joyous day for all of us. 15:42 I can't believe that 15:44 the baptism Sabbath has finally come. 15:46 After long journey 15:48 but God is been in the sake of you with you both. 15:52 I'm gonna pray with you now 15:54 and when I do I'm gonna put my hands on your head 15:57 as a symbol of the Holy Spirit 16:00 who brings a special gift cluster. 16:02 I'm convinced as I mentioned in the in our last service 16:06 that God has called you 16:08 for some special mission at this time 16:12 and I'm excited to see 16:14 when you open these spiritual gifts 16:15 what is gonna end up being, 16:17 but for sure your called and you got a mission. 16:22 About our pioneer family you put your hands together 16:24 and now let's give that pioneer wave, 16:26 as we welcome them into our community of faith 16:30 for a journey that who knows, 16:32 who knows how long the journey is gonna last, 16:34 until Jesus comes of course and be faithful. 16:58 Four weeks ago if you would kind of mean say, hey, Dwight, 17:00 which one of these two animals do you want to be, 17:02 I would made a selection but now four weeks later 17:07 I know, I would have changed my answer. 17:13 The reason I would change my answer now is 17:15 because of what my friend Bruce Moore sent to me 17:19 three weeks ago. 17:21 He sent me a page from Joshua Cooper Ramos new book 17:25 "The Age of the Unthinkable." 17:28 The book just came out 17:31 and after reading that page 17:32 I think I would switch. 17:34 Let me give you little background 17:35 to where we are going. 17:36 The British philosopher Isaiah Berlin was the one 17:41 who years ago said the world's thinkers 17:43 can be divided into two categories, 17:46 there are the hedgehogs thinkers 17:50 those who, those are the thinkers 17:51 who latch onto one idea 17:55 and stay with it through their lives 17:57 and then Isaiah Berlin said there are the fox type thinkers, 18:01 those who the thinkers who dart from idea to idea to idea. 18:09 Here they are hedgehog, fox. 18:13 I would have said I want to be a hedgehog a few weeks ago 18:15 but now let me tell you why I want to be a fox. 18:18 Isaiah Berlin said by the way 18:20 you want examples of hedgehog, hedgehog thinkers 18:22 these are great names, Plato, Pascal, Nietzsche. 18:26 These all are great philosophers. 18:27 You want examples of fox kind of thinkers 18:30 that would be Aristotle, Erasmus, and Goethe, 18:33 the German philosopher. 18:35 But then I'm reading, I'm reading Ramos 18:38 and he begins to describe a fascinating discovery. 18:45 A political scientist and psychologist named 18:47 Philip Tetlock teaches at University of California, 18:49 Berkley discovered that you could put thinkers 18:53 into this fox and hedgehog category 18:56 and ascertain their ability 18:59 to prognosticate about the future, 19:01 their ability to predict. 19:03 Now let me just begin reading here 19:05 out of Ramos book. 19:07 Tetlock, U.C., Berkley 19:09 and his team interviewed hundreds of experts on subjects 19:12 such as economics 19:14 international relations and politics 19:16 and ask them to make prediction about the short term future 19:18 the next five years. 19:19 What do you things gonna happen in economic 19:21 that in next five years and so and so, all right. 19:23 Then they divided the subjects of the study 19:26 into a number of categories, optimist and pessimist, 19:29 left and right wing political persuasion, 19:32 foxes and hedgehogs. 19:34 After sometime Tetlock's team reviewed prediction sheets 19:38 to see who was most often right. 19:41 They found, now listen up, 19:42 that the only reliable predictor was the one 19:45 that divided thinkers into foxes and hedgehogs. 19:49 Low scores, according to Tetlock, 19:51 now, low scores look like hedgehogs, he wrote later. 19:54 They are thinkers who know one big thing 19:56 and aggressively extend the explanatory reach of that 19:59 one big thing in the new domains. 20:01 I'm hanging on to this, I'm hanging on. 20:03 But the high scores he said, look more like foxes. 20:07 They were skeptical of easy historical analogy. 20:09 They tended to be more probabilistic in their thinking 20:13 and they were comfortable updating their models. 20:16 Now I'm gonna put the next words on the screen 20:17 because I need you to follow the logic here. 20:19 Put it on the screen. 20:20 "It wasn't," I'm reading Ramos now, 20:23 "It wasn't, Tetlock explained, 20:24 that the foxes knew any more or less about the subject. 20:27 After all, they were experts, 20:29 " they're all experts. 20:30 "It was how they acquired and updated their knowledge 20:32 that seemed to matter. 20:34 The more wide-ranging their curiosity, 20:36 the more accurate they tended to be." 20:39 Now hold on. 20:40 "The problem, he suspected, was the hedgehog personalities 20:43 were generally very eager, too eager, for closure. 20:48 They stuck with one big idea precisely 20:50 because they wanted to know it completely, 20:53 to have the sensation of reaching a total 20:56 and final understanding 20:57 as if they had finished the Saturday 20:58 New York Times crossword in pen." 21:01 Look at, I did the whole thing in pen 21:02 and never had a change in one answer. 21:03 Wow. 21:06 So well, am I fascinated by this, 21:11 because I'm wondering, I'm thinking, 21:14 maybe the son's of Issachar are like foxes. 21:21 Let me explain. 21:22 Open the Bible to our theme text 21:24 will be mini series just last Sabbath together 21:26 open the Bible to 1 Chronicles 12:32. 21:30 I want to, I want to kind of brood over this 21:33 with you for a moment. 21:34 Old Testament, 1 Chronicles Chapter 12 21:36 this is fascinating, if you didn't-- 21:38 by the way you didn't bring a Bible 21:39 grab the pew Bible right in front of you. 21:41 Let me give you the page number be page 285. 21:44 Pew Bibles in the New King James Version, 21:46 that is the translation, 21:47 I'll be reading from this morning 21:49 all right. 21:51 1 Chronicles Chapter 12, and list of the tribes how many, 21:54 how may soldiers 21:57 they contributed to the new king David's army? 21:59 Well we're gonna skip the rest of the tribe 22:00 because we got a very small tribe here 22:02 they are called Issachar. 22:04 Notice how they are, 22:05 how their identification marker is established. 22:08 Watch this, 1 Chronicles12:32, and "Of the sons of Issachar 22:14 who had understanding of the times, 22:17 to know what Israel ought to do, 22:20 their chiefs were two hundred and all their brethren were 22:22 at their command." 22:23 Small tribe but a fascinating identification marker. 22:27 Did you catch that marker? 22:28 Let me put it on the screen for you. 22:29 Number one, They understood the times, okay. 22:34 And as a consequence number two, 22:36 they knew what Israel ought to do. 22:40 Were calling it the Issachar factor. 22:42 Small little tribe that we met for the first and last week, 22:46 I believe-- hey, here's where I'm going. 22:48 I'm suggesting they are best described as foxes. 22:55 Let's go back to that Joshua 22:58 Cooper Ramos quotation for a moment. 23:00 Grab your study guide. 23:01 I want you to take a look at it. 23:02 I'm much close to look at that one quotation 23:03 we put up on the screen. 23:04 Grab your study guide 23:05 it should be tucked away in your worship bulletin. 23:07 If you didn't get a study guide holds your hands up 23:09 our friendly ushers are coming your way up 23:11 in the balcony as well. 23:12 Just hold your hands up, 23:13 glad to have you here today 23:15 just ask, just keep the hand up 23:16 and we'll get that study guide to you 23:18 and we're delighted have those of you 23:19 who are joining us on television today, 23:21 you can have the same study guide 23:23 let me put it on the screen for you, 23:24 so that you know what you looking for. 23:26 You're looking for this mini series 23:27 we're plunging in to part two of this mini series. 23:30 You see I there in your screen now, 23:31 the Issachar Factor. 23:34 Fascinating line from ancient scripture, 23:38 that has strong application for generation today. 23:40 The Issachar Factor, 23:41 we're plunging now into part two, 23:43 when you find part two it will say study guide, 23:45 you click on the study guide 23:46 you'll have the same study guide we have 23:48 and you get this Joshua Cooper Ramos quotation. 23:52 You want that quotation, all right. 23:55 Everybody have a study guide? Good. 23:56 Let's go. 23:58 Were the children of Israel-- children of Issachar rather, 24:01 more like foxes than hedgehogs? 24:02 I'm suggesting they are. 24:03 Let's read that again fill it in, 24:05 "It wasn't Tetlock, 24:06 " University of California Berkley. 24:08 It wasn't the professor "explained that the foxes, 24:12 " write that down, those are the one's 24:14 whose predictions scores were the highest, 24:15 they knew had a read the times. 24:17 It wasn't that they were, 24:19 that they "knew any more or less about the subject. 24:21 After all, they were experts, too. 24:23 It was how the foxes acquired 24:25 and updated their knowledge that seemed to matter. 24:28 The more wide-ranging their curiosity, 24:30 " that's a keyword write that down. 24:32 That's the word I want to have, 24:33 I want to become curious. 24:35 "The more wide-ranging their curiosity 24:38 the more accurate they tended to be, 24:41 the problem, he suspected, was the hedgehog," 24:45 write that in "the hedgehog personalities 24:47 were generally very eager, too eager, for closure. 24:51 They stuck with one big idea precisely 24:54 because they wanted to know it completely, 24:56 to have the sensation of reaching a total 24:58 and final understanding 24:59 as if they had finished the Saturday 25:01 New York Times crossword in pen." 25:03 Wow. I got it all. 25:05 Never had a change my view once. 25:10 What's that have to do with the Issachar Factor, a lot. 25:14 Keep your pen moving, jot it down. 25:15 "Tetlock's research reveals that the highest predictor 25:18 for 'understanding of the times,'" 25:19 remember Issachar's able understand the time, 25:21 the highest predictor. 25:23 "Is a wide-ranging and probing curiosity 25:25 that drives thinkers to acquire 25:27 and update their knowledge." 25:30 Leading me to wonder out loud 25:31 could that be one of the critical factors, 25:33 one of the critical components to these son's of Issachar. 25:36 What made them with this uncanny ability 25:39 to discern what is still come and down the line 25:42 and then to know how to respond? 25:45 Could it be that this-- this sense of what's coming, 25:50 comes from a wide-ranging curiosity 25:52 and could it be that those 25:53 who are the spiritual descendants of Issachar 25:55 we who want the Issachar Factor 25:58 could it be that will be our key too. 26:00 In fact, jot this down. Will you? 26:01 "The Issachar Factor is the gift of an unusual discernment" 26:06 unlike we're not gonna impact that. 26:07 That was last week, If you miss last week 26:08 go back to that website download it. 26:11 You can listen to that in your leisure. 26:12 You got to have part one as we build on it for part two. 26:15 Okay, so last week was about discernment. 26:17 "The Issachar Factor is the gift of an unusual 26:20 discernment of the times that is predicated 26:23 upon a wide-ranging curiosity of the trends." 26:28 That's what I want to talk to you about today. 26:29 I want to think about these trends. 26:32 I want to think about the trends, 26:34 because this is not amazing. 26:35 You think about this, it's no accident. 26:37 I would suggest 26:38 that when Christ decided to line up for His disciples, 26:43 He said, I'm gonna give you the human, 26:44 I'm gonna give you the human societal trends 26:48 that will peak simultaneously, just before I return. 26:52 Last week 26:54 He calls them the "Signs of the times." 26:56 Those are His words. 26:57 He said hey, guys, 26:58 you can read the signs of the sky. 26:59 Red skies at night sailors delight, 27:00 reds skies in the morning sailors take warning. 27:02 By the way those are Christ words. 27:05 He said you can read the signs of the sky, 27:06 why can't you read the signs of the times. 27:10 I'm wondering perhaps it is no accident 27:13 that when Jesus string these together in gospels, 27:16 we don't have, we don't have a one trend list, 27:20 we have a strange of trends. 27:22 He is thinking like a fox, 27:24 He is putting the trends together. 27:26 When you see all these ascending together look out, 27:31 I'm about to return. 27:33 In fact, I want to take you to, 27:35 what some scholars call the Little Apocalypse. 27:39 Matthew 24, go, go. 27:40 We were in the Old Testament now 27:41 let's go to the New Testament. 27:43 Here is Jesus great signs of the times chapter. 27:47 This is amazing, 27:48 I want you to take a look at this. 27:50 kind of brood, keeping the brooding going with me. 27:53 Matthew 24:3 sets us up. 27:56 We want to know, 27:59 we want to understand the times. 28:00 In fact, the disciples had a little bit 28:02 of the Issachar factor in them, 28:03 because they come with Jesus here in verse 3 28:05 let's read it here. 28:06 "Now as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, 28:08 the disciples came to Him privately, 28:11 saying 'Tell us, when these things be? 28:14 And what would be their sign'" 28:15 here we go now, 28:16 "'what will be the sign of Your coming 28:18 and of the end of the age?'" 28:22 Tell us, we want that Issachar Factor. 28:26 Jesus, all right. 28:27 Verse 4 "And Jesus answered and said to them, 28:29 'Take heed that no one deceives you.'" 28:33 Now he could have-- he could have 28:34 put the period right there. 28:35 Say, okay that's, 28:37 I've give you one big hedgehog sign 28:39 this thing is gonna grow over centuries 28:40 but when that is huge then you know. 28:43 But He doesn't do it. 28:46 He goes on unless seven global trends. 28:51 I'll tell you what, 28:52 for a preacher it is very tempting. 28:56 Tonight I only give you these some 28:57 but comment on them as we go. 28:59 I cannot do it. 29:00 I'm on a rapid fire sequence here they come. 29:02 Notice his fox like thinking. 29:04 He says watch for these seven trends 29:05 they will peak together. 29:06 Here we go write it down. 29:07 Number one, trend number one, 29:09 Religious deception. 29:11 Many will come in My name and say I'm the Christ. 29:13 False prophet will arise, I'll tell you what, 29:16 I have a file of this thick that I've started-- 29:18 I've just been working on for the last two years. 29:20 Speaking of religious deception, 29:21 I've been focusing on that like its going out of style. 29:25 And this teaching suddenly took me up by the lepers 29:28 and said hey, boy, wait a minute. 29:30 Don't be so myopic. 29:33 There are series of trends, 29:34 think like a fox not a hedgehog. 29:37 Watch for the movement of those trends together. 29:40 Now I got files, I got files and all of these 29:43 and I'm planting little seed in your mind 29:45 your inquisitive mind I hope, 29:47 that will lead you to go and begin 29:48 a collection of these yourself. 29:50 Anybody can do it, 29:51 He's got eyes and a mind that you have. 29:54 All right number one is religious deception, 29:57 number two, Military conflicts. 29:59 Wars and rumors of wars. 30:01 Militay conflicts, we have got plenty of those today. 30:04 Number three, Natural disasters. 30:06 Jesus says, famines, pestilences and earthquakes. 30:09 Well, got those two I guess. 30:11 Number four, now number-- 30:14 number five is Legal breakdown. 30:16 Legal breakdown. 30:17 In a spirit of lawlessness, it says in Mathew 25, 30:21 oh mercy, are we moving in that direction? 30:23 Number six, Social collapse. 30:27 Social collapse, the hearts are many will grow cold, 30:31 society begins to disintegrate. 30:33 And trend number seven, Spiritual revival. 30:36 Just before I come He says, 30:38 gospel goes to the entire planet, 30:39 Spiritual revival, seven trends 30:42 watch those trends, think like a fox, 30:44 don't become concentrating on one watch the spread. 30:50 So you can do the same piece of cake, you know. 30:52 You do, you get a shoe box. 30:54 You just start stuffing in a shoe box. 30:56 You got a file folder just start putting them in. 30:57 News paper clippings, 30:58 we're are talking about web releases, press releases, 31:00 we're are talking about essays, 31:02 we're talking about books, 31:03 we're talking about I heard in on television, 31:06 you begin to assemble your own collection. 31:09 Watch the trends. 31:10 Jesus says think like a fox, 31:13 watch these seven as they ascend together 31:16 then you know 31:17 and by the way with cyber space 31:19 and this glut of information today, 31:21 there is no excuse for you and me 31:22 not to be able to trend. 31:23 I mean, there are so many websites 31:24 that are trending now. 31:25 You can just follow the trenders 31:27 as they analyze the trends. 31:30 But here is the question, what's the big deal, Dwight? 31:32 I mean, come on, 31:33 why should we track Jesus listed trends at all? 31:37 I think they're gonna enable us to zero 31:39 in on the date of His return. 31:41 I'm telling you what no, no, no, no, no, no, 31:43 Jesus is unequivocal you cannot know, no. 31:46 Don't go to these trends 31:48 to try to find out the date for My coming. 31:50 In fact, just turn the page, boy, 31:52 He doesn't want to get into this trap 31:54 and what is this? 31:55 Verse 36 same chapter Mathew 24 Jesus said, 31:57 "But of that day and hour no one knows, 32:00 not even the angels of heaven, 32:02 but My Father only." 32:05 There is no way Christ ever intended 32:07 for these global trends 32:08 to become a calculus for the date of His return. 32:12 Too many Christians have crashed on that heap. 32:15 Trust me you don't want to go down on that road. 32:17 Can we know the times? Yep. 32:19 Can we know the date? Nope. 32:21 Don't get sucked into that, 32:23 there are people out there on the web 32:25 who would loved to have you know 32:26 they find if you get it up, they got the date. 32:29 It's a killer because the date is too far, 32:32 you're in trouble, if the day is too soon-- 32:33 you forget the date. 32:37 Then why, then why track these predicted trends at all? 32:40 I tell you why? 32:41 Answer Issachar Factor, Issachar Factor. 32:45 Let me put it on the screen again for you, 1 Chronicles 12, 32:48 "They had understanding of the times" 32:50 now notice this "to know what Israel ought to do." 32:55 Would you jot it down? 32:57 "The Issachar Factor, 32:59 To decipher the times 33:02 in order to decide the response." 33:06 Jot that down. 33:07 We got a decipher of the times 33:08 for a reason to decide the response. 33:10 Divine revelation is always for the sake of human response. 33:13 God does get his jollies over say, 33:15 hey, let Me show you how much I know 33:17 that you don't know. 33:18 Wow, look at that. Nope. 33:20 God says I'm gonna give you, 33:21 I'm gonna reveal some information to you, 33:23 but the information should leaves to react, 33:26 you must respond to this, 33:28 decipher the trends in order to decide the response. 33:34 And what's the response Christ would have us? 33:38 Bring. 33:39 Trend number seven, that's it, hands down. 33:41 It's trend number seven. 33:43 Let's look at trend number seven verse 14 same chapter, 33:46 and this gospel oh, you know these words. 33:50 "And this gospel of the kingdom 33:51 will be preached in all the world 33:54 as a witness to all the nations, 33:56 and then the end will come." 34:01 I He-- now hold on, 34:02 as we witness an exhilaration of the trends, 34:06 as we witness an exhilaration of the trends 34:09 we are then to exhilarate our response, 34:12 namely His mission. 34:15 Exhilarate. 34:17 Exhilaration of the trends, exhilarate our response. 34:21 A final line collaborating this several years ago, 34:24 when I was reading 34:25 that classic on the life of Jesus the Desire of Ages, 34:27 it's in your study guide take a look at this line. 34:30 "With vigilant watching 34:33 we are to combine earnest working." 34:36 Okay you got to watch, you got to watch. 34:37 Follow the trend, respond. 34:39 "With vigilant watching 34:40 we are to combine earnest working. 34:41 Because we know that the Lord is at the door," 34:44 these trends, these indicators are all rising together. 34:47 "Our zeal is quickened to co-operated 34:50 with the divine intelligences 34:52 in the working for the salvation of souls." 34:56 That's it, jot it down, will you. 34:58 "The shorter our time the greater our zeal 35:04 and the more earnest our mission." 35:08 The shorter our time, the greater our zeal 35:11 and the more earnest our mission. 35:13 Hey, listen just think about this, come on. 35:16 When you've been told by your doctor 35:18 that you have five months to live 35:20 and trust me I know this 35:22 I've had the sacred privilege of being up-close 35:25 and personal as parishioners have lived through this. 35:29 When you have been told by your physician 35:30 you have five months or five weeks 35:33 you can know that suddenly 35:35 every thing preferable is dropped off 35:37 and only that which deeply matters 35:40 to you will occupy your time. 35:43 Is that not true? Of course, it is. 35:46 Who has time for the rest? 35:52 The shorter our time, the greater our zeal, 35:56 the more earnest our mission. 35:59 That was precisely the point 36:00 Jesus was trying to hammer into the minds of His disciples 36:04 on that very sunny Sabbath afternoon. 36:08 We know its Sabbath I am guessing it's sunny 36:10 because it's Jerusalem, all right. 36:12 Take a look at this our last line 36:13 that we'll look up together. 36:14 The Gospel of John read for us 36:16 just a moment ago by Edwin Buck. 36:20 Go to John page 722 in the pew Bible. 36:25 See here-- this is precise of the point Jesus is making. 36:28 John Chapter 9. John Chapter 9. 36:34 Let's get a little context for this. 36:35 Let's begin with verse 1 36:37 "Now as Jesus passed by," that Sabbath afternoon, 36:40 "He saw a man who was blind from birth. 36:43 And His disciples asked Him, 36:44 saying 'Rabbi, who sinned, 36:48 this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 36:50 Jesus answered, 36:51 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, 36:54 but that the works of God should be revealed in him." 36:56 Now watch this verse 4 "I"-- some times manuscripts 37:00 we "must work the works of Him 37:04 who sent Me while it is day, 37:07 for the night is coming 37:08 when no one can work.' 37:10 As long as I am in the world, 37:11 I am the light of the world.'" 37:14 That's it. 37:15 Now obviously ladies and gentlemen, 37:16 Jesus is speaking of His impending death, 37:21 the dark night at Calvary 37:23 I understand that, 37:24 but His words are just as precious 37:27 for generation living on the edge of eternity. 37:29 We got to work while its day, 37:31 night is coming, night is coming. 37:35 "We must do the works of him 37:36 who sent us while it is day for the night is coming 37:39 when no one can work." 37:42 Hey, didn't we used to sing an old gospel song, 37:46 how's it go, "Work for the night is coming" 37:48 wasn't that a song like that. 37:49 "Work for the night is coming" yeah. 37:52 That's based on John 9:4. 37:54 Work while it's light 37:56 why you can the shorter our time, 37:59 the greater our zeal the more earnest our mission. 38:03 But I got to tell you, I am sorry. 38:05 I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say this. 38:07 This will get everybody here off the hook. 38:09 I'm gonna say present company accepted, 38:12 all right, so you're not in this 38:14 but I know some people 38:16 who have gotten themselves 38:17 deep into trouble by some mistaken thinking. 38:21 I mean they think, you saw they think, 38:24 they think that if they can convince God 38:27 to accelerate these seven trends simultaneously 38:30 that society will have to collapse 38:32 and the world will be been thrown into such global chaos 38:35 that the end will have to come 38:37 and Jesus will come again, Hallelujah. 38:42 That is such misguided thinking 38:45 that I am gonna lay on you right now. 38:47 I carry this one line in my Bible it is a very sober. 38:51 Waving away don't go there, 38:55 one line you got it in your study guide 38:57 and you have to fill it in. 38:58 One line written a century ago isn't some thing. 39:02 "The work which the church has failed to do 39:06 in a time of peace and prosperity 39:10 she will have to do in a terrible crisis 39:16 under most discouraging, and forbidding circumstances." 39:20 Isn't that amazing? Jot it down, terrible crisis. 39:24 Ladies and gentlemen, there is no automatic 39:26 get out of jail free card for the church 39:28 when society implodes 39:29 and earth begins her final melt down. 39:31 God doesn't step in and say, oh man, this is so bad. 39:34 Sorry you didn't do what I asked you to do. 39:36 Guess hey, step over. 39:38 Guess I want have to take the supper 39:39 and finish it myself. 39:40 No one else say. He will not do it. 39:45 If it is bad now guess what, 39:48 you still got to do it. 39:50 You still have the mission 39:52 I gave you, there is no pass. 39:56 Why? Oh, it's easy. 40:00 Jot it down, will you. 40:01 "Because the whole point of the Gospel Commission 40:05 is that it is to be a co-mission 40:08 that we share with Christ." 40:10 That's it. 40:11 Its co, co means together with. 40:13 The Gospel Commission is a co-mission with Christ. 40:17 Hey, you look come on please, 40:19 God can finish His work anytime He wants to, 40:21 can he just like that He can finish it. 40:24 But as every parent knows 40:26 who invites his son or her daughter 40:28 to stand by daddy or mommy and do the same work, 40:31 it isn't so much about task accomplishment. 40:35 We got some young parents here, 40:36 please, you can do the thing faster yourself, isn't true. 40:40 It isn't so much about task accomplishment 40:42 as it is about relational bonding. 40:45 We'll gonna do the same thing together. 40:48 You gonna be right here beside daddy, 40:49 and daddy is gonna be right here beside you 40:51 and we're going to move through this together 40:54 and as we do the work, 40:55 we're going to get closer and closer and closer. 40:58 Ladies and gentlemen, it's a co-mission, 41:04 co-mission. 41:08 Because if we don't share the father's work, 41:13 we will never share the father's heart, 41:15 and if we don't share the father's heart 41:17 we will never share the father's home. 41:20 I promise you, no father's heart, 41:23 no father's home. 41:25 Please we do it together. 41:28 That means and this whole thing melts down 41:29 and we're not done, we still do it together. 41:36 How did Jesus put it here? 41:38 "We must work the works of Him 41:41 who sent Me while it is day." 41:43 Come on, we got a wide open door right now. 41:46 We need to be working right now. 41:47 The door is wide open, let us do, 41:49 "We must work the works of Him 41:51 who sent Me while it is day, 41:52 the night is coming when no one " no one "can work." 41:58 So here's a question. 41:59 Wrap it up with this question. 42:00 How would you like to be in co-mission with Christ? 42:06 Wouldn't you like to? 42:07 I mean we're not talking about rocket science here. 42:09 we're not talking about the accumulation of 42:10 multiple degrees until you can do this. 42:12 I want to share with you enclosing seven simple steps 42:16 were you can be drawn into Jesus co-mission 42:18 every single day of your life. 42:19 I don't care where you spend this summer 42:22 or memorial day we can, seven simple steps. 42:27 I'll end with these. 42:28 I'm gonna fly through them. 42:29 Number one, jot it down, please. 42:31 Make yourself available daily in prayer. 42:36 Make yourself available daily in prayer. 42:38 So you begin the day dear God, 42:39 look I realize it's a co-mission, 42:42 so what I want to do is 42:43 I want to make myself available to You today. 42:45 I need You to open my eyes. 42:46 Let me sense when You're bringing something to be, 42:50 something to bear, let me know 42:53 that an opportunity is presenting itself. 42:55 Make yourself available at the beginning of everyday. 43:00 I'll tell you what, when I pray that prayer 43:02 and the times when I get some enforced 43:06 contact with people that I-- that are strangers to meet 43:09 are the times that I fly. 43:12 When I pray before I fly, 43:15 I amazed the door is opening and conversation. 43:18 I just came back from Arkansas 43:19 and so I'm sitting beside the 43:20 vice president of a company that services Wal-Mart 43:23 and we fall in the conversation. 43:24 He is a dad and I'm a dad and he Presbyterian 43:27 and we're talking together and we get into spiritual things 43:30 and send him a book. 43:35 He writes Henry Noble, hey Dwight, thanks for this. 43:37 I'm reading the book now. 43:40 When I pray I amazed I have doors open 43:44 but when I do not pray man, I am so tired, 43:46 God I don't want to talk to nobody today. 43:49 Guess what, God says okay, 43:50 you are not worth talking anybody today, sleep, boy. 43:56 I find that the prayer makes the difference. 43:57 So number one jot it down please, 43:59 make yourself available daily in prayer. 44:01 Number two, look for opportunity throughout the day. 44:04 Don't guess what its gonna look like, 44:06 it could be a phone call. 44:08 Any encounter can turn out to be more than chance, 44:12 a phone call, a visit to the gas station. 44:14 When I'm in this village pumping gas, 44:16 I meet people all the time. 44:17 You don't have to be, you don't have to be-- 44:22 what's this personality type 44:23 where the people are just always sanguine. 44:25 You don't have to be sanguine. 44:27 You don't have to be sanguine. 44:28 You're just pumping gas 44:29 but the guy is right beside you on the other side of pump. 44:32 You can have these. 44:33 I'm in the grocery line, you are in the grocery line 44:35 it doesn't matter look for opportunity 44:38 throughout the day. 44:39 Number three, 44:41 because it's gonna stand right in front of you. 44:42 Number three, take the natural route. 44:45 Now this is very important. 44:48 I need to affirm some of you great thinkers 44:50 whether you are hedgehog or foxes, 44:52 that there is nothing wrong with innocuous chit chat. 44:55 Some people who have become educated for a longtime 45:00 aren't excited about innocuous little chatter. 45:02 They don't have time for that. 45:04 My dear friend, innocuous chit chat 45:07 is the door to meaningful encounter. 45:09 You have to start innocuous. 45:11 So humble yourself and talk about the weather, 45:15 talk about stock market, 45:18 talk about the delay in the tarmac, the news, 45:20 what you do for living. 45:22 It's just innocuous I understand it, 45:24 but boom just like that, it works. 45:27 You don't need to blurt out. 45:30 Jesus is coming repent sinner, 45:34 has not yet, you loose Him. 45:37 Sleep, sleep in the plane. 45:41 Better to sleep. 45:42 So here is the point be winsome and friendly, 45:44 take the natural route. 45:46 We're not having as a, no just the natural route. 45:49 Let it flow you'll get there. 45:51 Okay that was number three, take the natural. 45:53 Number four, watch for a transition point 45:56 to make a spiritual point. 45:58 This is very important because you are in this now. 46:01 You didn't plan to be. 46:02 You know, somebody realize, 46:03 I'm have a conversation with a stranger. 46:04 Oh, that's right I prayed this morning 46:05 and I would, you know, meet somebody. 46:08 So now you are on the look the Holy Spirit is saying, 46:10 hey, hey, hey, hey, watch this. 46:13 Watch for a transitional point to make a spiritual point. 46:17 Kind of give you the words, don't worry about it, 46:20 just watch for that point. 46:21 I love the story of Nehemiah for that reason. 46:23 Nehemiah, you remember has been praying to God all night long 46:26 and now he is serving the king next morning 46:28 and in the middle of a sentence hit blindsided. 46:31 The king said, hey boy, what do you want? 46:33 And Nehemiah says, and I doted a prayer to heaven. 46:37 It was not a long prayer. 46:39 It was only one word, "help." 46:44 And-- you know, one of a little book 46:46 "Traveling Mercies" writes that's my favorite prayer 46:50 "help," and look what happens. 46:53 Luke Chapter 12, I love this in the New Living Translation. 46:55 Luke 12:11 Jesus says, 46:58 "And when you are brought to trail 46:59 in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, 47:02 don't you worry" come on, don't you worry 47:03 about what you gonna have to say. 47:04 Don't even think about it. 47:05 Look at the next verse 12 47:07 "For the Holy Spirit will teach you 47:08 what needs to be said even as you are standing there." 47:14 Isn't that great? 47:15 While you are standing there, 47:17 something's comes in your mind, speak it. 47:21 Number five, Be open to a follow-up. 47:25 See lot of people have this chance encounters and that's it. 47:27 Boy, well, I did something. 47:29 Well, of course, you did. 47:30 Why don't you setup a follow up, offer a book? 47:33 Hey, by the way, I got something-- 47:34 I got something you need to read. 47:36 I got a magazine I want to pass along your way. 47:38 I got a study guide I would like to give you. 47:40 Be open to follow-up. 47:42 Herb and Nannette just a moment ago 47:43 that's how we got together. 47:44 She writes this email. She is feeling terrible. 47:46 I write an email back, the very last line says 47:48 I hope someday we can get together. 47:50 She shoots an email back, yeah let's do. 47:52 Good, I will be down. 47:54 The follow up is what leads to the conversation. 47:58 The first meeting is nothing, 47:59 the first meeting is just setting you up. 48:01 So don't close your mind to the possibility of a follow up. 48:04 Now I can't tell you how many people I give them books to 48:08 on planes who never write me back. 48:10 Oh, this is such great a book. 48:11 All right, thank you. No, never, not a word. 48:15 That's okay, I'm just one tiny little link 48:17 in a long chain that God is weaving 48:20 to draw their heart to Him. 48:21 I don't have to be big link, I'm just a little one. 48:24 Just one word sometimes, 48:26 God says I just needed you for one word, 48:27 thank you, good bye. 48:31 That's great. 48:33 Just be used. 48:35 Number six, Solicit help in your mission. 48:37 This is important don't be afraid ask somebody to help you. 48:40 I mean, talk to a friend, 48:41 talk to a colleague, call the pastor. 48:42 We got eight pastors on this staff, 48:44 there is nothing wrong with calling and up and say 48:45 hey, listen, I can't believe-- 48:47 I told a guy I'm gonna send him a book, 48:48 I have no idea what book I am sending him. 48:51 What is the conversation, people are happy just like that, 48:54 go view the ABC they'll do that just like that. 48:56 Oh, I got a magazine for you, 48:57 here's a little pamphlet, here's a book. 49:00 Don't be afraid to ask for help. 49:02 We're not trying to prove that we are some kind of 49:04 authority in anything. 49:06 We're just human beings meeting other human beings. 49:11 Number seven, finally, Give to mission needs 49:16 and volunteer for mission tasks. 49:20 I like that because you know what that means, don't you. 49:22 It means keep your heart in this co-mission pasture. 49:26 So somebody comes up and stands up here in church 49:29 or in chapel and the word 49:31 hey, we need more help in Benton Harbor. 49:33 Hey, I'll go. 49:34 I don't know what I'm gonna do there, I'll go. 49:36 Just go. 49:37 Keep yourself in a pastor of co-mission. 49:40 Somebody says we need help down here 49:42 in the community service center. 49:43 Go, you can count on me. 49:44 Show up. 49:45 We're gonna have evangelist meanings coming up 49:47 this next winter show up, volunteer, be a part. 49:52 Now I want to tell you about the giving part. 49:55 Come on, you join now. 49:58 Giving, volunteering, okay we did that one, 50:01 but I want to talk about giving. 50:02 Giving is the part of co-mission. 50:05 Now think very careful with me, 50:07 my friends Herb and Nannette 50:10 would not have been in that baptistery today. 50:14 Read my lips, if some of you, 50:18 who three years ago in the month of May 50:20 when I stood up and I said 50:21 I need 90 volunteers to give $10 a week, 50:25 so then we can be on Michiana television 50:27 and reach a 1.75 million percent audience. 50:32 Herb and the Nennette 50:33 would not have been in the baptistery today 50:35 if our whole bunch you didn't say, 50:37 I can give co-mission that I will give ten bucks a week. 50:41 You been giving every singly week 50:44 and look what God has finally done. 50:47 Don't you ever minemalize the giving, 50:53 the giving is co-mission. 50:55 It keeps you in the posture. 50:56 I'll give, I'll give to AFM, 51:00 I'll give to student missionaries, 51:03 I'll give to New Perception, I'll just give. 51:05 If it involves mission give to do something to your heart. 51:10 You know, how it works, don't you? 51:11 God gives you the money, 51:14 so that you can give it back. 51:16 That's the way it works. 51:18 I want to end with the story 51:19 that Brennan Manning tells on the last page 51:22 of his delightful little book "Lion and Lamb." 51:24 I'm gonna read it to you right here. 51:26 I love this, in 1980, listen, "in 1980, 51:30 the day before Christmas, 51:31 Richard Ballenger's mother in Anderson, South Carolina, 51:35 was busy wrapping packages 51:37 and asked her young son to shine her shoes. 51:40 Soon," you can picture this "with the proud smile 51:42 that only a seven-year-old can muster, 51:45 he presented the shoes for inspection. 51:47 His mother was so pleased, 51:49 that she reaching her purse 51:50 and she gave him a quarter. 51:52 On Christmas morning" that would be the next day 51:54 "On Christmas morning 51:55 as she put on the shoes to go to church, 51:59 she noticed a lump in one shoe. 52:03 She took it off and found a quarter wrapped in paper. 52:09 Written on the paper 52:11 in a child's scrawl were the words, 52:15 'I done it for love.'" 52:21 I done it for love. 52:28 I done it for love. 52:30 Oh sure come on I understand this. 52:32 The shorter our time, the greater our zeal 52:34 the more earnest our mission. 52:35 I understand this, 52:36 but the greatest reason for our co-mission is I done it. 52:44 I done it for love. 52:45 After all He has done for you and me 52:51 we must done it, 52:54 we must done it for love. 53:01 Sing with me will you. 53:03 I love you, Lord, 53:08 and I lift my voice 53:16 To worship You, 53:22 O my soul rejoice 53:30 Take joy, my King in what You hear 53:45 Let it be a sweet, 53:49 sweet sound in Your ear 53:59 Stand with me, let's sing that with me. 54:01 I love that one. 54:02 I love you, Lord, 54:09 and I lift my voice 54:17 To worship You, 54:24 O my soul rejoice 54:32 Take joy, my King, in what You hear 54:48 Let it be a sweet 54:53 sweet sound in Your ear 55:07 Oh, God, we done it for love. 55:12 Why else can we do it? 55:14 In the end the Christ 55:18 who emptied the treasury of heaven 55:21 to save the likes of us. 55:25 Oh, we can never repay you, dear Father. 55:29 But we can do it out of deep love 55:32 and gratitude to the God 55:34 who is done it all for us. 55:37 So who you gonna send us to this week? 55:39 Who be there, who will cross our paths, 55:42 who will ring our number, 55:45 who will stand in our line, 55:47 who will sit in our seat? 55:50 Whoever it is, Oh, God, please make a co-mission. 55:56 It's with You not for us. 55:59 We did it for You so that every friend on earth 56:05 might become a friend of Yours 56:07 and You are friend of theirs until Jesus comes, 56:10 co-mission until the Savior returns 56:16 we done it for love 56:18 and we thank You in Jesus name, amen. 56:26 I'd like to take a moment here 56:27 at the end of the service to tell you about 56:29 one of the most important groups of people 56:30 that make this ministry possible. 56:33 They are team of people, 56:35 they are not afraid to get down into the thick of life itself 56:39 which is why you're gonna find them, 56:40 you will find them moving forward on their knees. 56:43 They are our prayer partners. 56:45 A group of men and women and young adults 56:48 who believe that this humble television ministry 56:51 has been raised up by God for such a time is this. 56:53 And so they pray earnestly 56:54 that God will use the preacher, 56:57 that God would use me, 56:58 that God would use the countless 56:59 other volunteers to spread the everlasting gospel 57:02 and the Word of God in ways 57:04 we could never have imagined before. 57:06 They are ones who are praying 57:07 that God is gonna open up the hearts of people, 57:10 open up the hearts of viewers 57:12 around the world for the message, 57:14 the critical message for this end time generation. 57:18 And what I'd like to do is ask you, 57:20 would you be willing to be a prayer partner with us, 57:23 a prayer partner with New Perceptions? 57:25 You don't have to call a toll free number, 57:26 you don't have to go online and register, 57:29 all I need to know is that you'd be willing 57:31 to lift this little ministry up day after day after day 57:37 pray that somehow through radio and television and the web 57:41 God will open up new doors, new regions on earth 57:45 where the everlasting gospel can be proclaimed. 57:48 There is no question the power of prayer 57:50 has potential to take this ministry to places 57:53 we could never have imagined before. 57:56 So that's it, would you please be willing 57:59 to partner with me in prayer? 58:00 The times are urgent, the need is critical, 58:04 and I hope you'll say yes. 58:06 Till we're together and next time 58:08 may the prayer answering God 58:10 accompany you every step of the way. |
Revised 2014-12-17