Participants: Pr. Dwight Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP081509
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00:59 Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
01:03 God of glory, Lord of love 01:07 Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee 01:11 Hail Thee as the sun above 01:15 Melt the clouds of sin and sadness 01:19 Drive the dark of doubt away 01:23 Giver of immortal gladness 01:27 Fill us with the light of day! 01:34 All Thy works with joy surrounded Thee 01:38 Earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays 01:42 Stars and angels sing around Thee 01:46 Center of unbroken praise 01:50 Field and forest, vale and mountain 01:55 Bloss'ming meadow, flashing sea 01:59 Chanting bird and flowing fountain 02:03 Call us to rejoice in Thee 02:09 Thou art giving and forgiving 02:13 Ever blessing, ever blest 02:17 Wellspring of the joy of living 02:21 Ocean depth of happy rest! 02:26 Thou the Father Christ our Brother 02:31 All who live in love are Thine 02:35 Teach us how to love each other 02:39 Lift us to the joy divine 05:41 I think it's just two, this Sabbath 05:43 and next children story and second service 05:45 and then the college kids will be here 05:48 and then you want to get mom and dad come to first church 05:51 where we have it every week. 05:55 Nice to have you, oh we got a group, nice to have you. 06:00 Are any of youfreshmen here at Andrews University? 06:04 You're going to be freshmen? 06:05 Yes, you are, yes you are Jesus doesn't come one day 06:09 you will be He doesn't come soon. 06:12 Nice to have you. 06:13 All right, everybody here? 06:15 Good and have you had a good summer? 06:18 Has it been a good summer? 06:19 How many days until school starts for you? 06:20 How many have school starting this next week? 06:22 Anybody having school starting in this next week 06:24 a few of you do. 06:25 Some schools will start last week. 06:27 And then how many the following week? 06:29 Ruth Murdoch? How man Ruth Murdoch? 06:31 Good, good, good, good, good, all right. 06:34 So here is the perfect, here is the perfect story 06:36 for the end of summer, would that be all right. 06:38 My friend, Alys Williams spotted this story 06:41 and she send it to me 06:42 and we need to have something upfront in order to do this, 06:45 so kids, can you just move back, 06:46 just a little this way because someone is coming 06:48 through the door right now. 06:49 Our deacons are bringing them. 06:50 Let's see here they come. 06:54 Boy, can you hear the engines? 06:57 Here they come, yep there is the first one. 07:00 What is that? 07:02 Oh my, is that a real jeep. 07:05 All right, stay down guys because it's coming in your way, 07:07 coming through. 07:08 Deacon Jones is bringing it right to the front. 07:11 Did any of you had this little drive around cars 07:13 in your drive way when you were a little, did you? 07:16 Oh, you know that-- oh, here comes another fancy model 07:19 right behind, 07:21 you know where we got this, don't you? 07:22 No. 07:23 Somebody traded them in for cash for clunkers 07:25 and so that's how they-- they want to get a new car. 07:28 See, you don't know about that but that's what they do. 07:31 Okay, now nobody is touching, nobody is touching, 07:33 everybody is watching. 07:35 Oh, the story today has to do with one these 07:38 and I need to say, a special thank you to my friend 07:41 Aunt Lona and Uncle Bud 07:42 because that's what my kids call them 07:44 when they were grown up 07:45 but Bud Chapman used to be sheriff. 07:47 Late last night we were still looking for these 07:49 and they found this one, their little grandson Alex 07:51 had that to quarter to ten last night. 07:54 And then somebody remembered 07:55 a Sabbath school room this morning had this. 07:56 Okay, let's look at this one because this one, 07:59 both of these are cars you can actually go, 08:02 you can go inside these and drive them, we won't try it. 08:06 This is a little smaller chap the story today 08:09 that happened this summer 08:10 has to do with this one right here. 08:12 Almost just like that. 08:14 So look at this one, because little Demetrius Jones, 08:19 three years old, that seem like a very long name 08:21 for a little boy, Demetrius Jones. 08:23 Anybody here three years old? 08:25 Be proud of it, put your hand up if you're three-- 08:27 you're three, three your size, your size, your size, all right? 08:32 Demetrius is so excited and said, 08:33 hey, grandma and grandpa, are you telling me the truth, 08:36 I get to go with you to Peace River Island 08:40 for camping this weekend? 08:41 They live up in BC that's British Columbia, 08:45 all right that's in Canada. 08:46 You really mean it, 08:48 I get to go up with you to camping? 08:51 They said, yes Demetrius, you're gonna be-- 08:53 are you gonna be will you be 08:54 because your mom and dad aren't coming 08:55 will you be obedient, 08:57 will you be helpful around the trailer? 08:58 Oh, yes I will. 09:00 Good, you're coming with us. 09:03 So can I take-- can I take my-- 09:05 can I take my little driving truck? 09:08 All right, we'll put it in the back of the pickup truck 09:10 and so they put the little driving truck 09:12 in the back of their pickup truck 09:14 drove up to Peace River Island 09:18 and they set up their trailer. 09:19 Oh, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow 09:22 because it was in the evening when they set up. 09:24 Tomorrow, tomorrow I get to ride 09:26 my little truck tomorrow I can hardly wait. 09:29 And so when they tuck little Demetrius into bed, 09:34 they promised him in the morning, 09:37 in the morning guess, who woke up early? 09:40 Demetrius. 09:42 Demetrius, you are absolutely right 09:44 because he wanted to do what? 09:45 Ride. 09:46 He wanted to ride his truck. 09:48 He woke up so early that grandma and grandpa-- 09:53 that's how grandpa sleeps. 09:56 And he said, I don't want to wake, 09:58 I don't want to wake grandma and grandpa up. 10:00 So he said, I'm gonna go outside 10:04 and I'm gonna just ride my little truck. 10:07 It had a little motor on it I don't know what those are 10:10 must be very nice. 10:11 As it owned by daddy's okay, you knew all about them. 10:14 All right, so he got in his little truck, 10:20 people are sleeping in the campground, 10:22 you don't want awake them up with the loud truck. 10:24 So he's driving quietly. 10:27 You know, grandma and grandpa got up, 10:29 they got up and looked around hey, 10:33 hey, Demetrius where are you? 10:35 He's been ascending. 10:36 Hey, Demetrius, so grandpa got out 10:39 on the Peace River Island campground. 10:43 Demetrius, are you here? No answer. 10:48 Grandma, where is the truck? It's gone. 10:51 Oh, no. I bet he went running off. 10:55 He's probably visiting all the campus, 10:57 they went for camper to camper to camper no, 10:59 we never seen a little boy with a little truck. 11:00 No, we never seen a little boy with a little truck. 11:03 And then they look down to the flowing, raging river, 11:09 no, you can't-- 11:11 then he would have left this truck right there, 11:12 no, he's not there soon they call the-- 11:15 The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, they came in. 11:18 They said how was he about this three years old. 11:20 Once he go by Demetrius they send out search parties 11:23 everywhere for two hours. 11:26 They searched for little Demetrius every road 11:28 they could think of, no sign of him. 11:31 Until two hours later, 12 kilometer away 11:38 somebody spotted a little boy on a make believe truck 11:44 that is turned upside down, 11:47 flowing in the raging river. 11:52 The rescuer dive into the frigid British Columbia waters 11:57 he swam out, the truck was upside down, Demetrius-- 12:01 the rescuer grabbed him, haul him to the shore. 12:09 For 12 kilometers that's 7.5 miles, 12:12 he rode his truck down the river, 12:15 nobody saw him and eventually it rolled over 12:19 and the three year old boy knew 12:22 how to crawl up onto the bottom of the truck. 12:26 And hang on for dear life. 12:29 I got to see a picture of Demetrius Jones right now. 12:32 Let's put it on the screen. 12:33 There he is put on the big screen, 12:35 there he is. 12:37 Look at him, almost looks like this one doesn't it. 12:39 Let's see a close up of Demetrius Jones, 12:42 oh, does he look happy to be back 12:44 with grandma and grandpa of what? 12:46 Do you think he will ever do that again? 12:49 No. No way. 12:52 Oh, but I thought what a story for the end of summer 12:55 because who protects us even when we're in danger, 13:02 summer, fall, winter, spring, who protects us? 13:05 God. God does. 13:07 He has a guardian angel. 13:10 You know what, anytime God saves somebody's like 13:13 He saved yours do you know what it means? 13:15 It means, He has a special plan for you. 13:19 He's got a plan for Demetrius, He has a plan for you. 13:22 How many want to thank Jesus for bringing you all the way 13:25 through the summer safely with one hand 13:28 and then with the other hand say, 13:29 Jesus, may Your special plan for me 13:32 come true as I stay close to You. 13:36 Let's fold our hands put your hands together, 13:38 close your eyes. 13:39 Oh, dear Jesus, thank you for that story 13:41 that the guardian angel that save Demetrius, 13:45 you have guardian angels for all these children 13:47 and their mommas and daddies please Jesus, 13:50 because you have a plan for the new year keep us 13:54 close to You every step of the way. 13:57 We pray in Your name, amen. 14:01 As you go quietly and reverently back to your seats. 14:03 You just say, Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you. 14:43 O Lord my God! 14:47 When I in awesome wonder 14:52 Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made 15:01 I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder 15:09 Thy pow'r thro'out the universe displayed 15:18 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee 15:28 How great Thou art, 15:32 how great Thou art! 15:36 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee 15:45 How great Thou art, 15:50 how great Thou art! 15:59 And when I think that God, His Son not sparing 16:08 Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in 16:18 That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing 16:27 He bled and died to take away my sin 16:37 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee 16:47 How great Thou art, how great Thou art! 16:57 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee 17:07 How great Thou art, how great Thou art! 17:23 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation 17:33 And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! 17:42 Then I shall bow in humble adoration 17:53 And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art! 18:03 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee 18:14 How great Thou art, how great Thou art! 18:24 Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee 18:35 How great Thou art, how great Thou art! 18:55 Oh, Father, we lived all of our heart up to You. 18:59 What do we say, You are the great one. 19:04 You are so great, you are so good 19:09 and we are so honored to be in Your presence. 19:11 We linger little longer, surely there is a word 19:14 You have for us from Holy Script make it clear please 19:19 and may relieve with the certain sense 19:22 of Your greatness and Your goodness 19:25 in Jesus name, amen. 19:28 Amen. Be seated please. 19:32 Oh, "How Great God is," amen and amen. 19:41 I want to you ask the permission of those of you 19:44 who are visiting here maybe for the first time 19:46 or just visiting we're glad to have you 19:48 but I need your permission to just have 19:50 a little family moment with the congregation here 19:53 we've been away for a six weeks. 19:56 I want to share a series of three little snapshots. 19:58 Let's just do this 19:59 and it's the third snapshot that will all get into 20:03 but let me just put the first snapshot 20:05 by a way of a testimony "How Great God Is." 20:07 These are little end of summer testimonies to God's goodness, 20:11 that's-- that's the manuscript that's 366 pages of a manuscript 20:17 and I want to thank this congregation 20:19 for your faithful prayer partnership in praying me 20:25 through the finishing of that manuscript 20:28 for devotional book coming out in a while. 20:33 One page for everyday it will come out on a leap year 20:37 and the years actually it's 2012 20:38 we will have forgotten the book by them but that's okay. 20:41 Book is due January 1, 2010 20:44 and so I knew that after December there will be no way 20:46 we could do anymore work on it 20:48 and so thank you for your-- your prayer partnership. 20:54 You know, there were times because you were praying it 20:58 just was a sense that God even gets into the writing process 21:03 that I just want to say, "How Great God Is." 21:05 So thank you very much, title of the book, 21:07 I think the Review and Herald Publishing Association 21:09 has coming out with the book 21:10 and they have to send it through all these committees 21:11 and you know and then book will gone say, I think in 2011. 21:17 But the title of book its been chosen is, "The Chosen." 21:21 It's a theological and spiritual profile of God's 21:23 last generation on earth and it has-- 21:26 I hope it will be a very practical 21:28 how to component to the book 21:30 that will be helpful I'm praying. 21:32 So God is good and thank you again for your-- 21:35 your prayer partnership. 21:36 All right snapshot number two let me put that up 21:39 because it's a one more family moment here 21:40 we can put that on the screen. 21:42 That's a picture of our brand new daughter-in-law, 21:45 Chelsea Knowlton Nelson. 21:47 That's a picture of Kirk 21:48 and Chelsea just two Sundays ago 21:51 in the beautiful state of Vermont they God married 21:54 and they we're so excited to have another family member 21:57 in our tribe, Chelsea's dad is an OB/GYN over there. 22:00 They lived for years in Vermont. 22:03 And so their family planned for the wedding 22:05 to take place on Lake Champlain, 22:07 which is Lake between New York and Vermont 22:11 and a little dinner cruise ship it took place. 22:14 You know it's pouring down rain 22:15 just as we're getting ready to start 22:17 and then God just at that last moment lifted-- 22:20 lifted the clouds and we had a beautiful sunset. 22:23 They got sunset on that little ship. 22:26 And so let me just show you one more picture 22:28 because those are our kids. 22:30 Here they are, that's Christian, 22:32 Andrews you know Andrews medical 22:33 with the US army range is as down at Fort Knox. 22:35 And I want you count that's one, two, three, four 22:37 because I'm looking for the day 22:38 when that picture will become five and six. 22:42 I'm figuring probably go up to 20 22:44 and so you see my kids you let them know. 22:49 But you know thank it 22:50 because I know congregations pray 22:52 especially for all the pastor's kids that are on the staff. 22:56 And thank you for all the prayers, 22:57 you've prayed for all the children 22:58 on our pastoral staff here 23:00 for what you've done for us, thank you. 23:01 "How great God is", halleluiah. 23:04 Now-- now you can come in, you visitors join us now. 23:08 Because I want to show a picture in a moment, 23:11 that would be of not the tallest mountain in Europe 23:16 it's not the tallest but it is a more treacherous 23:19 and challenging mountain 23:21 to be climbed even today in Europe. 23:24 When we were over in with the skill of architecture, 23:27 back in June in Italy for the Waldensians 23:30 where they were shooting a documentary over there 23:32 with Cathy Dempsey. 23:34 After it was over we slipped up to Switzerland 23:37 because we want to celebrate Karen and I 23:38 our 35th anniversary. 23:40 And so we found a little place there 23:42 did it all online you know 23:44 and when we woke up the first morning 23:46 I want you to see the picture 23:47 out of that little tiny apartment 23:49 in the village of Grindelwald, Switzerland. 23:52 You're looking there ladies and gentlemen, that is Eiger. 23:54 They don't even call it Mount Eiger it's just Eiger. 23:59 13,042 feet tallest so it's not the tallest. 24:04 But you see-- you see the front of it, 24:06 that is a 5,000 foot vertical face. 24:11 It was not conquered for decades. 24:15 Fertility after fertility of men intrepid men 24:19 wanting to go up that vertical face. 24:21 The first successful climb and I found all of these out 24:25 in a little village bookstore, 24:26 I brought a book call "The White Spider." 24:29 Because "The White Spider" is the nick name 24:31 they've given Eiger. 24:33 If you look up on that close up now 24:35 there is patch of vertical ice and snow 24:38 you have to traverse it to go to the summit. 24:42 And it is a deadly patch because in the summer 24:45 because you wouldn't climb it in the winter 24:47 in the summer even the melting of the sun 24:50 releases little particles of ice and snow 24:53 that become projectiles and missiles 24:57 and by the time you get to this white spider patch, 25:01 you just have to pray 25:03 that you will make it across that patch 25:05 without being striker. 25:06 Many plunge to their death 25:08 because of the falling projectiles. 25:10 This is a story the first successful ascent July 21 25:13 to July 24, 1938 by Heinrich Harrer the part-- 25:18 they were six starting only four made it to the summit. 25:21 So it gives you an idea 25:23 of the magnitude to that challenge. 25:25 Now why talk about the "White Spider" at all, 25:26 here is why? 25:28 Because it occurs to me at this moment 25:29 in this waning movement of this summer, 25:32 there are massive white spiders 25:35 towering in front of our civilization and our nation. 25:39 This crazy economy that we were talking about when we left, 25:43 nothing is changed that little whistling by the cemetery 25:46 in the dark business of it's all okay now 25:48 don't believe the whistles. 25:52 This economy, this whole thing with the healthcare 25:56 debate, I mean, you're following all that. 25:58 Afghanistan we have these massive white spiders today, 26:02 that impeding the progress 26:03 but here is deal about a mountain, 26:05 you can either go up it or you can go back, 26:08 you can't go around it. 26:10 The white spiders that faced the human race 26:12 are gonna have to be ascended somehow 26:14 and by the way flip it over, forgot-- 26:16 forget the global white spiders. 26:18 We all have our personal white spiders, 26:21 we have these looming, towering mount financial peaks 26:26 that are blocking us right now, 26:27 I'll never be able to make it to that top, 26:30 we have physical summits. 26:32 I'm talking about our health. 26:33 We've got emotional, we have social, 26:37 we have academic mountains, somebody you're freshman 26:40 just come into this campus we are so excited to have you. 26:44 God has led you here 26:45 and you're in front of incredible event year 26:47 but some of view with feeling like a 26:49 massive white spider right now. 26:51 There is no way I can get through this. 26:52 Oh, you can. 26:55 It's because we all had and face our white spiders 26:58 that we're beginning today at little, 26:59 mini little two patter, call lessons from the "White Spider" 27:04 two mountain climbing stories from the Old Testament, 27:07 today and next Sabbath 27:09 and then we plunged into a new school 27:10 because everybody will be back. 27:13 Two stories with fresh hope and courage, 27:16 don't want you to be discouraged. 27:19 Either go up or you go back and God says 27:21 I'm not let you go back you've got to go up, 27:23 we'll climb this, we'll make it by God's grace. 27:27 Story number one today, 27:29 I wish we can put an 85 year-old-man right here. 27:32 Is there anybody here who is man and who is 85 years old. 27:35 I promise I will not make come up on this platform but 27:40 I kind of visualize what an 85 man would-- 27:43 85 year old man would look like today. 27:45 Anybody proud to be 85? 27:47 You're not so proud, are you? 27:51 We had some put their hands up in first church. 27:53 If we can 85 year old man right here 27:56 by the way is 85 young? 28:00 No, it's not young. 28:01 Is it old? 28:02 Oh, I don't know that we say so why we just agree 28:05 its middle age, middle age, all right. 28:07 If we can put an 85 year old man right here, 28:10 we could then begin to visualize the story 28:13 that's about to unfold. 28:14 His name meant Dog. 28:15 Now I know that in Roman culture that's not a very, 28:17 that's not a very complementary kind of name, 28:20 you call somebody a dog. 28:22 And yet he's one of the greatest unsung heroes 28:26 in the entire Old Testament. 28:28 When he's comes on the scene in our story today, 28:30 he's 85 years old, subtract 40 28:33 he would have been subtract 45 rather 28:36 that would I made him 40 those number are important 28:40 as you see as we open up the Bibles right now. 28:41 Let's go to the story without any further delay. 28:44 The sixth book of the Bible Joshua, 28:46 go to the Book at Joshua, find Joshua Chapter 14 please. 28:51 By the way I've be in the new International Version today, 28:54 if you didn't bring a Bible, oh, please find-- 28:57 find the pew Bible right in front of you, 29:00 it'll be the New King James Version 29:01 not too much difference. 29:03 I'm thinking though I'm gonna be preaching 29:04 in the NIV again this fall. 29:07 I'm getting my New King James rebound 29:11 because the cover just tore apart. 29:12 By the way I have a woman that I know 29:15 if you have a Bible that needs to be recovered 29:17 you just get all to me you're watching on television, 29:19 you get hold of us that I'll give you a phone number 29:21 and you can get it done. 29:22 She did this one and did a beautiful, beautiful job. 29:24 So this is-- in the pew Bible that's, 29:26 we page 159 Joshua Chapter 14, 29:30 Joshua Chapter 14. 29:33 Lessons from the "White Spider" 29:36 the story of man name the Dog. 29:38 Joshua Chapter 14 let's pick it up in verse 6. 29:44 Joshua 14:6, "Now the men of Judah 29:46 approached Joshua at Gilgal, 29:49 and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him," 29:53 hit the pause button right there, 29:55 he said to him but hold it right there. 29:57 We need to sense of what's happening in the story. 29:59 For five years now the children of Israel 30:05 now we used to sing this is kids in Sabbath school. 30:07 Didn't we sing a song about 30:08 the Walls of Jericho came tumbling down, 30:10 was isn't a some kind of a song like that, 30:11 the Walls of Jericho came tumbling down. 30:13 It's been five years since Jericho collapsed 30:16 and they conquered the first city of the new Promised Land. 30:20 I wish the story where win, win, win, win, win, win, win 30:22 but the story goes like win, win, loss 30:24 and it was bitter loss win, win, win. 30:27 It's all another story 30:28 in that bitter loss and the tragic lesson 30:30 they had to learn in the hard way. 30:32 But five years now they-- they've been-- 30:34 they've been conquering piece by piece 30:36 until most-- most of Canon now 30:38 is ready to become the Promised Land 30:40 that God has given to the children of Israel. 30:42 That's when the story happens here 30:44 and these men of Judah approached. 30:45 Verse 6 again, "Now the men of Judah approached Joshua 30:48 at Gilgal, and Caleb" whose name means "dog" 30:53 there he is right there, Caleb 30:55 "and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to Joshua," 30:59 I need to tell you hold, hold just a moment. 31:01 Kenizzite listen it, this is fascinating, 31:04 scholars believe some do, 31:07 the Caleb was a descended of Kenaz the grandson of Issa. 31:12 So the children of Israel all descendents of Jacob 31:14 so he's almost like a distant cousin all right? 31:17 Grandson of-- a grandson of Issa 31:19 and the Caleb was a proselyte one of the mix multitude 31:23 who join the children of Israel 31:25 in that midnight flight the Exodus from Egypt, 31:30 which is probably a shirt tail cousin of Moses 31:33 who is related to the Canaanites. 31:35 So isn't that something, he is part of the mix multitude 31:39 who became a radical believer, his name Metdog. 31:43 Caleb starts to speak here in verse 6, he says to Joshua, 31:49 ''You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God 31:53 at Kadesh Barnea about you and me." 31:56 Because there is something very special about 31:57 Caleb and Joshua. 31:59 Kadesh Barnea by the way code words, 32:01 code words for the more meltdown. 32:04 Do you think God planned on Israel 32:05 taken 40 years to conquer, 32:08 the wilderness between them in the Promised Land. 32:10 You're kidding he wanted to be a matter of months. 32:13 Remember the story, 12 spies go in 10 spies comeback. 32:17 Massive walls no way 32:18 hosay we can never take this land two spies spoke up. 32:22 And then God made a promise all right. 32:26 Everybody in the age of 20, 32:28 you're not going in only these two. 32:31 So Caleb is reminding Joshua, 32:33 you and I, we're the only ones living left, 32:37 Caleb says to Joshua now you know 32:38 what the Lord say to Moses the man of God 32:40 at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 32:41 ''I was forty years old 32:42 when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me 32:44 from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. 32:46 And I brought him back a report according to my convictions 32:49 but" verse 8, "my brothers who went up with me 32:51 made the hearts of the people melt with fear. 32:53 I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 32:56 So," verse 9, "on that day Moses swore to me, 32:59 you heard it Joshua, 33:00 ''The land on which your feet 33:02 Caleb have walked will be your inheritance 33:05 and that of your children forever, 33:06 because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.' 33:10 Now then, just as the Lord promised," I love this, 33:14 "he has kept me alive for forty-five years 33:17 since he said this to Moses." 33:19 He has kept me alive. 33:24 You think about it Caleb is the second oldest man 33:25 in the community, he is 85, Joshua was older. 33:28 Everybody else is a little berry mound 33:31 on those hot wilderness sense. 33:32 Nobody is left, he's kept me alive. 33:37 You know when I read those words, 33:39 I think of the senior citizens in this congregation, 33:42 who can make the same testimony, 33:44 the Lord has kept me alive all these years, halleluiah. 33:51 We are so blessed to have you that God has to couched 33:57 and nurtured to your senior years in this congregation. 34:02 Now I won't say a word to the young 34:03 because their few young over here. 34:07 The commentary on this verse in Joshua, 34:10 by the way I called up, I called up the great 34:13 such a dear friend Professor Leona Running, 34:15 the great Hebrew professor in our theological seminar. 34:18 She is 93 years young now. 34:20 I called her up this last week I said, Leona 34:21 you-- you're the only one that knows 34:23 who wrote the different books 34:25 of the Bible commentary in our commentary series. 34:28 So who wrote the book, 34:30 who wrote the commentary for Joshua said, 34:31 I'll call you back she checked it all out, 34:34 RO Christiansen some of you might remember 34:36 that name wrote the book on Joshua. 34:39 Now I want put for those who are young, this is, 34:41 this is not for the aged, 34:43 this is not quote for you, this is for the young. 34:45 I want put it on the screen for you, 34:47 "The reward of a life of virtuous youth 34:52 and temperate manhood, by nature's own law, 34:55 is ordinarily" that's a key word, 34:57 "usually a vigorous, healthy, and respected old age. 35:03 'Loyalty to God had apparently preserved Caleb 35:06 from the dissipating sin of his fellow Israelites. 35:08 He had not indulged appetite as they had, 35:10 nor had he lost sleep and rest at night 35:13 struggling with a painted conscience 35:15 His abstemious his self control life 35:18 had paid off in dividends in this life, 35:21 and now" in our story "he presented himself 35:23 before Joshua with undiminished strength at an age 35:27 when most others had already been called from this life." 35:32 I want to say something that you who are young. 35:35 Don't you believe, don't get snookered by society 35:41 which will call you to sow all the vow 35:44 those you want right now, 35:46 I'm telling you what it isn't worth it, whatever-- 35:50 whatever a man saws he's gonna eventually reap. 35:53 So here is the deal, don't you be at all, 35:56 don't you be at all ashamed about living virtuously, 36:01 healthfully, righteously and faithfully. 36:04 You live that way, you live it boldly 36:06 and one day if Jesus doesn't come soon 36:09 your life can be extended 36:10 just when the community faith will be needing you. 36:13 You start right now. 36:16 Look at Caleb, read verse 10 again, 36:19 "Now then, just as the Lord promised, 36:21 he has kept me alive for forty-five years 36:23 since the time he said this to Moses, 36:25 while Israel moved about in the desert. 36:27 Here I am today" can you see that 85 years old saying this. 36:29 And by the way, they didn't live to be 200, 36:32 Joshua lived to be 101 36:33 so he is the equivalent of 85 year old man today. 36:37 We just beg that the last survivor 36:39 World War I was is a 109. 36:42 So it's our-it's within our age bracket now. 36:45 Here I am today what did he say, 36:46 so here I am today eighty-five years old, 36:48 "I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out, 36:51 I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now 36:53 as I was then, Now give me" 36:55 and I love it in the New King James, 36:57 "Now give me this mountain" I want this mountain, 37:00 I'm 85 I can do it, "give me this mountain 37:04 that the Lord promised me that day." 37:05 Forty-five years ago. 37:06 "You yourself heard then 37:08 that the Anakites" these giants "were there 37:10 and their cities were large and fortified, 37:12 but the Lord helping me" at 85 years of age, 37:15 "I will drive them out just as he said." Hallelujah. 37:21 Mark those words down in your brain 37:23 and never forget them. 37:24 "Give me this mountain!" I want that mountain. 37:29 The cry of an oxygenerian, the bold cry. 37:33 What can we learn from it? 37:34 I want to share with you four lessons 37:36 and then will sit down will go. 37:37 Four lessons grab your study guide. 37:38 Do you the study guide, did you get a worship bulletin 37:40 when you came in? Thank you. 37:42 Friendly were making sure everybody 37:43 today gets a study guide. 37:45 If you didn't get one you want these four lessons 37:47 holds your hand up, four lesson. 37:49 And by the way the lesson number four is the key. 37:52 You want lesson number four, 37:53 it's a secret to all the first three 37:56 and while they are doing that I want to welcome those of you 37:57 who are watching on television right now 37:59 we're delighted to have you. 38:00 I want you to have the same study guide. 38:01 Jot these lessons down, go to our website. 38:03 Let me put it on the screen for you, 38:04 www.pmchurch.tv 38:08 You're looking for the little two part series, 38:12 lesson from the White Spider, lesson from the White Spider. 38:15 This will be part one, 38:16 that's the one you click on next week will be part two 38:19 and then by the way don't miss our brand new, 38:22 New Year series that begins two week 38:25 from the day called the Temple. 38:28 Not the temple here, what's up, up there, 38:32 what is going on in the temple up there? 38:36 This maybe the most challenging series 38:38 you and I will ever work through together, 38:40 it begins two weeks from the day, the Temple. 38:44 But right now lessons from the White Spider 38:45 jot them down. 38:46 Let's go there are four of these 38:47 but the first three will only work 38:49 if you have lesson four. 38:51 That's the clincher number four. 38:52 But write it down please lesson number one, 38:54 Be willing to be in the minority. 38:58 Be willing to be in the minority 39:01 even if the minority report won't carry the day, 39:05 still be willing to be in the minority. 39:07 Now look at guys, ladies and gentlemen, 39:09 I understand that there is a little bit 39:11 of teenager in all of us 39:13 that loves the warm security of being a part of the pack, 39:17 a part of the crowd, a part of the majority. 39:20 I remember when I went out the college for the first time 39:22 this is for you freshman, 39:25 when I went out the college for the first time, 39:26 I was missionary's kid 39:27 I graduated from Far Eastern Academy 39:29 on the island nation of Singapore, 39:31 came back to the States all alone. 39:33 So one of us, you heard just a moment ago 39:35 went to southern college. 39:39 Now I got to tell you first Singapore was 10 years 39:42 behind life in the United States. 39:45 So when I landed on that campus 39:47 I was dressing like happy days. 39:51 I had long dark plans there where intentionally 39:54 just a little short so that they would reveal 39:56 the white socks that I had on, 39:58 I showed up in that first freshman 40:00 orientation meeting with these white socks 40:02 that look like they had neon lights 40:03 just announcing that they were there, 40:06 I realized nobody else in that crowd 40:07 was wearing white socks. 40:08 I went straight back to the dorm 40:10 took those socks out and never worn again. 40:13 There is something about the teenager in all of us 40:15 nobody wants to stick out like soar thumb, 40:17 nobody wants to look David I look like a country bumpkin. 40:21 I don't want to do that. 40:23 But lesson number one, 40:25 Be willing to be apart of the minority. 40:28 Nobody likes standing off from the crowd I understand, 40:31 12 spies comeback, 10 off the 12 of vast majority say, 40:34 giants too tall, walls too massive cannot be done 40:39 and when the people start wailing 40:41 Caleb and Joshua go waiting out into the morning congregation, 40:45 timeout time wait hold it, 40:47 what do you mean it can't be done, 40:49 you forgot who's leading us, 40:50 of course it can't be done. 40:52 Do you know that they picked up stones 40:54 ready to stone the minority report? 40:58 Two spies who said with the power of our God 41:01 we can do it. 41:03 No matter what the cast my friends, 41:05 we must all be willing to be apart of the minority. 41:08 Let me share with you some words written 100 years ago, 41:11 commenting on this aspect of Caleb's life. 41:13 Put it on the screen for you, 41:14 I do believe there in your study guide as well. 41:17 Speaking of Caleb, "It is when the unbelieving 41:20 cast contempt upon the Word of God 41:23 that the faithful Calebs are called for. 41:27 It is then that they will stand firm at the post of duty, 41:31 without parade," without show 41:33 "and without swerving because of reproach. 41:35 The unbelieving spies stood ready to destroy Caleb. 41:39 He saw the stones in their hands, 41:44 the hands of those who had brought a false report 41:46 but this did not deter him, 41:48 he had a message and he would bear it. 41:50 The same spirit will be manifested today 41:52 by those who are true to God." 41:56 There is been big rocker this summer across the nation, 42:00 in our community of faith over the competing world 42:04 views of creation and evolution and theories of origin, 42:10 the story of Caleb is a compelling reminder 42:13 that even if you're in the minority 42:15 you must stand hold, 42:18 hold the ground, hold your ground. 42:21 Lesson number one, 42:22 be willing to be in the minority. 42:23 Lesson number two, jot it down, 42:25 Grow bolder as you grow older. 42:30 Grow bolder as you grow older. 42:34 I have a wonderful mother-in-law 42:36 she is 90 years young, should be 91 in January. 42:41 She likes to quip, growing old emphasizes. 42:47 That's good. 42:49 You know, I got to tell you 42:50 this is kind of embracing to admit this you 42:52 but I used to think, 42:54 I used to think you know what, what is the problem, 42:57 I would love to grow old. 42:58 I mean, common when you retire, 43:00 you never have to work a day in your life again, 43:03 hallelujah. 43:04 When you retired you can sleep in 43:07 for as long as you want every single day. 43:11 Now I'm beginning to discover you know, 43:14 even if you want to sleep in anymore you can't. 43:18 Is that happened to you too? 43:20 Even on Sunday your day out you can't sleep in, 43:22 you're waking up with the birds. 43:24 This is a conspiracy by the young 43:26 I that's what I think it is. 43:27 You guys plan this. 43:31 Now I tell you what after loosing two fathers, 43:33 watching both of them die, not very pretty deaths 43:37 and having two be loving mothers now, 43:40 watching all the medications, all the pills, 43:43 all the doctor visits, I've revised my understanding. 43:49 I believe my mother-- my mother-in-law is right 43:51 growing old emphasizes. 43:54 But you know what, growing old physically 43:57 doesn't have to mean growing weak spiritually 43:59 or morally or ethically. 44:03 You can grow bolder, you can grow bolder 44:06 as you grow older that's what happen to Caleb. 44:08 He got bolder as he went. 44:10 By the way that's the truth about Abraham and Sarah 44:12 their faith story, 44:13 here at the beginning was nothing like it was 44:15 when they grew old. 44:17 That's a way it was with Jacob, 44:19 that' a way it was with Moses he had to go pass 80 44:21 before God said I can use you know. 44:24 Grow bolder as you grow older. 44:26 It was that way with Ruth and Mary and Paul and John 44:30 until when you get to Paul 44:31 who's just about ready to be executed 44:33 and he is saying I'm know I have believed in, 44:36 I'm persuaded he's able to keep what I have committed 44:38 onto him against that day. 44:40 Grow bolder as you grow older. 44:44 We are so blessed in this perish to have you 44:48 who are seniors, the seniors followers 44:52 and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. 44:54 You don't understand the incredible commitment 44:57 you make to the body of Christ. 45:00 Your tenacious faith, 45:03 your willingness to stay faithful 45:05 no matter what happens, I'm telling you what, 45:08 God sent you to us, we have to have you, 45:12 you model to us what we must be. 45:14 We too want to grow bolder as we grow older. 45:18 I want to share this with just to seen 45:19 it's the rest of you, you can, you don't have to listen to this 45:22 but there is a promise that I find so beautiful 45:24 and I want you to hear these words from God. 45:26 God is speaking this promise to you. 45:28 This is in the Book of Isaiah. 45:30 I want you look it up in your Bible 45:31 will put it on the screen but go ahead look it up 45:33 because you may want to mark these verses in your Bible. 45:35 This would be Isaiah 46. 45:39 Just two verses but I'll tell you what an awesome promise 45:43 God makes to you. 45:45 Isaiah 46:3, he says, hey listen to me, 45:48 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, 45:51 and all you who remain in the house of Israel, 45:53 you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, 45:56 and have carried since your birth." 45:59 I've been with you since that first gasp of air 46:02 when you came out to your mommy's tummy, 46:04 I've been there with you, now notice 46:05 what He promises to you. 46:06 Verse 4, "Even to your old age and gray hairs 46:14 I am he, 46:16 I am he who will sustain you. 46:18 I have made you and I will carry you, 46:21 I will sustain you and I will rescue you." 46:24 Isn't that beautiful? 46:26 Even until you have white hair or no hair 46:28 it doesn't matter to Me, I'm there for you, 46:31 I'm with you every step of the way. 46:34 I'm gonna holds you and sustain you 46:36 and I'm gonna rescue you right at the end. 46:39 I'll rescue you. 46:40 Lot of debate in this healthcare about end of life issues. 46:43 The big debate in the healthcare conversation right now, 46:46 what about end of life issues? 46:47 God is saying end of life, I'll be with you, 46:50 you want to end of life issue here it is, 46:51 I'm with you till you die. 46:54 I'll be with you when you breathe your last. 46:56 I'll be there, I'll be with you. 46:58 Oh, what a God? 47:00 Well, grow older and as you grow older grow bolder. 47:04 Lesson number three jot it down please, 47:05 Ask God for you mountain. 47:08 Octogenarian Caleb cries out "Give me this mountain!" 47:12 We got to pray the same prayer, ladies and gentlemen. 47:14 Ask God for your mountain. 47:15 It doesn't matter the mountains, 47:16 we all got different mountains, trust me. 47:18 We're different ages we got different mountains 47:20 it doesn't matter, financial mountain, 47:23 physical mountain, health mountain, 47:24 social mountain. 47:25 I'm here as the brand new student mountain, 47:28 it doesn't matter the mountain. 47:30 We've got the mountains but here is a deal, 47:32 we need to ask God to give us. 47:36 Oh, God give me, give me this mountain. 47:41 This story hair raising 47:43 describing the first successful ascent. 47:47 They came to a point of no return 47:50 and I want to put the words. 47:51 I think they are in the study guide 47:52 to put them on the screen for you. 47:53 "Forward" now this is Heinrich Harrer, 47:57 his name's translation the German book, 47:58 "Forward," he writes "was the only way," 48:01 these are the weak and frozen because they are iced up. 48:06 They're spending the night in a rope, 48:08 there is no, there is no ledge. 48:09 You are hanging in a rope, waiting for the sun to rise 48:12 so that you can start climbing again. 48:15 '''Forward' was the only way now no more turning back. 48:18 The past was wiped out, all that mattered was future, 48:20 and the future lay over the snow-plastered, 48:22 ice glazed summit-wall. 48:24 'I believe'" and here he's speaking a truth 48:26 for all of life, "'I believe no man can be completely able 48:29 to summon all his strength, all his will, all his energy, 48:33 for the lat desperate move, till he is convinced 48:36 that the last bridge is down behind him 48:38 and that there is nowhere to go but on.''' 48:42 They're comes at time in life 48:44 when you have to cut the ropes to your past and just go up. 48:48 There is no choice buddy, up is the only way left. 48:56 Give me this mountain. 48:57 We need to tear a page out of Caleb's play book 48:59 and ask God for the mountain that intimidates us, 49:02 give me this mountain. 49:05 You know what just melting the words 49:07 will enable us to talk to talk 49:09 you're gonna have to talk to talk 49:10 before you'll ever walk to walk. 49:11 So just say words to yourself again and again 49:13 God give me this mountain. What are you talking about? 49:15 I'm talking about this financial crises I'm in. 49:17 Give me this mountain. 49:19 I'm talking about this educational academic crisis 49:21 I'm facing, give me this mountain. 49:23 There are string of failures in my life, 49:25 give me this mountain. 49:26 What you're doing is, you're transforming 49:28 your shifting the paradigm. 49:30 In fact, would you jot this down please. 49:32 You shift the paradigm. 49:33 We need to shift the paradigm on that towering mountain 49:36 before us so that rather than defining it as an obstacle, 49:41 we ask God to give it to us as an opportunity. 49:45 There is a huge difference, 49:46 just changing your mind about the mountain. 49:49 Oh, God, I know it's a crisis 49:51 but you know what, give me this mountain 49:52 because it will the perfect moment for You 49:55 to show yourself strong on this planet for me. 49:58 Give me this mountain, please. 50:03 So Caleb did, nothing changed it's still the awful mountain 50:06 it was 45 years ago, he has to still take it, 50:10 he's asking for it now, give me, give me this mountain. 50:17 I love that promise in 2 Chronicles 16:9, 50:22 I skipped over when I put this study guide together, 50:24 my apology I'm gonna put it on the screen 50:25 please jot this down. 50:26 This is a promise for you, 2 Chronicles Chapter 16:9, 50:30 "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth 50:33 to strengthen those whose hearts are fully, 50:37 fully committed to him." 50:40 Isn't that beautiful? 50:41 He just look over for somebody to help, 50:43 if you say give me this mountain I'll help you. 50:47 Sister, brother, I will help you, 50:50 give me this mountain. 50:52 He is just looking for someone 50:54 whose heart is longing for him to show himself strong. 50:58 All right here it is final lesson four. 51:01 Now remember the first three will work 51:03 if there is lesson four, this is-- this is it, 51:05 lesson four is what counts. 51:07 You get the first three, 51:08 if you remember lesson four jot it down. 51:10 And finally follow God "wholeheartedly." 51:13 That word is between quotation marks because the Hebrew word 51:16 for wholeheartedly appear six times 51:19 in connection with the life of Caleb more than 51:21 any other person in the entire Old Testament. 51:24 He is called following God wholeheartedly, 51:26 in fact it's three times in this very story that we just read. 51:29 Let's end the story now Joshua, go back to Joshua 14, 51:32 let's end of story with verse 13. 51:35 Caleb ask give me this mountain, here we go, 51:40 "Then Joshua blessed Caleb," it's verse 13 of 14 51:43 "Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh 51:46 and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 51:48 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh 51:51 the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, 51:56 the God of Israel," with all his heart, 52:02 "wholeheartedly." 52:03 As the NIV renders it. 52:05 So what is mean to follow God wholeheartedly? 52:08 Well, let's just answer this way, 52:09 what would it mean to follow God half heartedly? 52:13 What is mean to follow God half heartedly? 52:16 I mean, having just come from a wedding, 52:17 can you imagine wedding bows 52:18 and we've got a beautiful wedding tomorrow 52:20 with Garemo and Esther. 52:22 Can you imagine wedding bows going like this 52:24 a pledge to have and to hold you to love 52:27 and cherish you with half my heart? 52:31 Do you think there is minister in the world 52:34 who put his hand and say all right 52:35 and I'll pronounce your husband-- are you kidding. 52:37 If you ever say half my heart you go home it's over. 52:43 What is it mean to follow God wholeheartedly? 52:47 Out of Christiansen, I love this. 52:50 He writes that the Hebrew word for a wholeheartedly 52:52 gives the idea of a traveler 52:54 who intend upon following his guide 52:56 walk so closely in his steps 52:58 as to leave hardly any space in between. 53:02 That is very close. 53:03 Look at because its summer time, 53:05 does it-- hasn't it happened to you, 53:06 you're wearing flip-flops 53:08 and someone behind you keep stepping on them 53:10 because they're getting too close. 53:11 What are you doing? I mean. 53:14 When you wear a little flip-flops 53:17 that's what it means, to follow God wholeheartedly. 53:20 It mean walks so close to Him 53:22 you are practically stepping on his flip-flops, 53:28 Hebrew says, it's that close, that close. 53:32 I can think of a better way on this Pre New Year movement, 53:35 I can think of better way to end of the New Year 53:37 and follow God wholeheartedly, can you? 53:40 So how do I follow God wholeheartedly? 53:44 You can you know. 53:46 I want to end with this, 53:47 a century ago these words written by Caleb, 53:49 have a lot to say today it just one line, 53:51 look at it in your study guide it was Caleb's faith, 53:55 "It was Caleb's faith that gave him courage even so today 53:58 to follow Jesus requires wholehearted" 54:01 there is the key word "requires wholehearted 54:05 conversation at the start, and a repetition 54:11 of this conversation every day." 54:16 Did you catch that? 54:17 Wholehearted at the start and a repetition 54:21 of this conversation every day. 54:25 So what's this with repeat conversation every day? 54:28 It's a simple ladies and gentlemen, 54:29 just get this down. 54:30 All that means 54:31 is to go to the mountain of salvation every day. 54:33 Go to that mountain every day. 54:36 You say what mountain you're talking about 54:37 there is only mountain in the universe, 54:39 God stood at the foot of the mountain one day 54:40 and long before Cable cry the words, 54:42 God stood at the foot of this towering mountain 54:44 and he cried out, give me this mountain. 54:47 I'm talking about Mount Calvary. 54:49 So here is the deal, 54:51 every day for the rest of your journey, 54:53 every day for the rest of your journey 54:56 read the story of Calvary in Matthew 27. 54:59 I do it every day. 55:02 Climb Mount Calvary in the just behind 55:05 the sign of Jesus every single day, 55:08 whatever you do for your worship include 55:09 the reading of Matthew 27, 55:11 beginning with verse 24 go to verse 54, 55:13 we climb the mountain every day 55:16 and when you get the summon of Mount Calvary 55:18 at the foot of the cross, 55:20 you pray the prayer of Caleb, 55:21 oh, God give me, give me this mountain. 55:27 I can't save myself, I can't save my family, 55:30 I can't save my friends, I can't save my carrier, 55:33 I can't say my life. 55:34 Oh, God give me, give me this mountain, Mount Calvary. 55:41 And you know what He will do? 55:42 He'll give the every gift that flows from Mount Calvary. 55:44 He will give it to you. 55:46 Out of that hymn writer put it free to all 55:48 a healing stream flows from the Calvary's mountain. 55:53 Give me that mountain, give it to me. 55:57 And by the way, true, true. 56:00 If you will pray that prayer, give me this mountain, 56:04 speaking of Calvary every day with Jesus, 56:07 if you will pray that prayer 56:09 there is not another mountain in your life 56:13 that Jesus will not help you climb and conquer with Him. 56:20 You go up Calvary every day 56:23 and you get every other mountain as well. 56:27 Give me this mountain. Give me this mountain. 56:35 It's been a pleasure to be able to worship with you today, 56:38 out the Spirit of Jesus has blessed your time with us 56:41 right here in the Pioneer Memorial Church 56:42 in the campus of Andrews university. 56:45 Do you know that around the world 56:46 people join us every week for this our worship. 56:48 We're always looking as a consequence for new ways 56:50 to bridge somehow to connect with these people, 56:53 who come here to worship via the telecast. 56:56 One of the areas that is quickly growing for us, 56:59 is our website. 57:00 We had more than hundred 57:01 and forty thousand visitors last year, 57:04 it's an incredible opportunity 57:05 that God has given us to expand His kingdom. 57:08 If you would like to help partner with us 57:10 as we seek the spread the everlasting gospel 57:13 I'd love to have your call our toll-free number. 57:16 We got very friendly operators standing by, here is the number, 57:19 877-His-Will, 877 and then the two words His Will, 57:23 one of the operators will be happy to give you the details 57:27 of how you can partner with this global ministry. 57:30 If you prefer listen you could do it all online. 57:32 Go to our website, please, www.pmchurch.tv 57:36 I'd be honored to have the privilege 57:38 of partnering with you as we seek the spread 57:40 that truth of our God for this generation. 57:42 We are living in urgent times, now more than never 57:46 we've got to go to the world 57:49 where the good news interested to us. 57:50 So once again here is that toll-free number 877-His-Will. 57:55 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 58:02 will abide with you every step of the way 58:04 and I hope you'll come back again next time right here 58:08 as we continue our worship journey together. |
Revised 2014-12-17