Participants: Pr. Dwight K. Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP100607
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00:28 Were you there
00:33 when they crucified my Lord? 00:44 Were you there 00:50 when they crucified my Lord? 01:01 Oh, 01:10 sometimes it causes me to tremble, 01:22 tremble, tremble. 01:32 Were you there 01:38 when they crucified 01:45 my Lord? 02:02 I invite you to join me as we read responsively 02:05 The Call to Worship. 02:06 It is found in your bulletin under the title Sanctuary 02:10 and we'll be reading together. 02:12 The scripture is taken from Deuteronomy 16:1-3 and 4:9 02:19 from the New Living translation. 02:27 "In honor of the Lord your God, 02:29 celebrate the Passover each year in the early spring, 02:33 in the month of Abib, for that was the month in which 02:36 the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night. 02:41 Your Passover sacrifice may be 02:44 from either the flock or the herd, 02:47 and it must be sacrificed to the Lord your God 02:51 at the designated place of worship - 02:54 the place he chooses for his name to be honored. 02:59 Eat it with bread made without yeast. 03:02 For seven days the bread you eat must be made 03:05 without yeast, as when you escaped 03:08 from Egypt in such a hurry. 03:11 Eat this bread - the bread of suffering - 03:14 so that as long as you live you will remember 03:16 the day you departed from Egypt. 03:19 But watch out! 03:21 Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. 03:27 Do not let these memories escape from your mind 03:31 as long as you live! 03:33 And be sure to pass them 03:35 on to your children and grandchildren." 03:39 Please stand for the invocation. 03:52 Holy Father, do you really mean that? 03:55 "Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen"? 04:00 We didn't see it. 04:02 The answer to the question, 04:03 "Were you there" is no, we were not. 04:08 And yet we've gathered this morning daring to believe 04:11 that somehow a story now 2,000 years old might yet 04:15 come to life within our struggling, sinful hearts. 04:21 Oh, God, have mercy on us. 04:25 We wait upon You, grant us in this hour of worship, 04:29 the gift of remembrance so that in remembering 04:33 cross of Christ Jesus, our Lord, 04:35 might be mysteriously lifted up high in our midst. 04:39 And in His being lifted up, may all be truly drawn to Him 04:46 and You on the Sabbath day. 04:50 Amen. 05:44 Lift high the cross the love of Christ proclaim 05:51 Till all the world adore His sacred Name 06:00 Come, Christians, follow where our Captain trod 06:07 Our King victorious, Christ, the Son of God 06:16 Lift high the cross the love of Christ proclaim 06:24 Till all the world adore His sacred Name 06:33 Led on their way by this triumphant sign 06:41 The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine 06:49 Lift high the cross the love of Christ proclaim 06:57 Till all the world adore His sacred Name 07:07 All newborn soldier of the Crucified 07:14 Bears on the brow the seal of him who died 07:24 Lift high the cross the love of Christ proclaim 07:32 Till all the world adore His sacred Name 07:41 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree 07:49 As thou hast promised, draw the world to thee 07:58 Lift high the cross the love of Christ proclaim 08:06 Till all the world adore His sacred Name 08:15 So shall our song of triumph ever be 08:24 Praise to the Crucified for victory! 08:33 Lift high the cross the love of Christ proclaim 08:42 Till all the world adore His sacred Name 08:57 I invite you to kneel with me as we pray. 09:21 Dear God, we come into Your presence this morning, 09:24 Your people, grateful for the love 09:27 that You first showed us, 09:29 which has drawn us into this place of worship. 09:32 We've sung about the cross, 09:35 which has become a triumphant sign of victory 09:39 and it's because it points us 09:40 to a God in heaven who loves us. 09:43 And thank You for the gift of 24 hours 09:47 that You have given us to honor 09:48 and worship You on the Sabbath day. 09:51 Amidst all the things that we could be doing 09:55 and You could be doing in the universe, 09:57 You've asked us to come into Your presence, 10:00 to become more like You 10:02 because of how we've spent this journey. 10:06 God, this morning, 10:07 we want to acknowledge the gift of the cross, 10:10 recognizing our need of a savior and recognizing 10:14 the need of a world that so much needs 10:16 to know that they have a choice. 10:19 And may we thought lives and though out worship today, 10:23 be inspired to be Your people, 10:26 who will take Your message to the world. 10:28 God, there are those in our midst's this morning 10:30 that we are praying for, 10:32 who have lost someone that they love. 10:34 God, You indeed are the resurrection 10:37 and the life and that gives us the hope 10:40 for when You will return someday. 10:42 God, it's not just for those 10:44 who have suffered a loss this week 10:46 that we pray but for those 10:48 of who've suffered recent losses 10:51 who still feel that pain so keenly. 10:54 And that looses are not just in death, 10:59 but we have lost the things that we hunger for the most, 11:03 for community, for friendship, for a purity of a life 11:07 that brings glory to Your name. 11:09 So, God, forgive us for the times 11:12 that we have turned to sources outside of you to bring us 11:15 the very things that You long to give us. 11:18 And God, in our congregation 11:19 there are many who have a request 11:21 or a joy that they need to bring to You this morning, 11:24 so we paused to lift those to You. 11:34 Father, we have many who are traveling this weekend 11:37 as they celebrate discoveries and new things 11:43 and I pray that You will especially be with our students 11:45 who are traveling. 11:47 And even as they reflect on their journey to Andrews, 11:50 that You will help them wherever they are to remember 11:53 that they are indeed Your chosen ones 11:56 and that they will live that way 11:57 and inspire other people to join that journey as well. 12:01 And as Pastor Dwight opens Your words to us this morning, 12:05 may each of us have a reception spirit to hear 12:08 how You want to transform each of our lives. 12:11 We have many things to celebrate today 12:14 and above those it's Your goodness to us 12:18 that we respond as Your children. 12:21 Thank you, God, for hearing us 12:23 and for the transformation that You will do today 12:26 through the power of Your Holy Spirit. 12:28 In Jesus name we pray, amen. 12:40 As we reflect on our giving this morning 12:42 to support PMC's operating expenses 12:46 I'm struck that Pastor Dwight's already given the call. 12:51 We've received and give back. 12:54 Listen to the inspired words of our friend Ellen, 12:59 "Viewing the cross of Calvary, 13:01 looking upon the world's Redeemer, 13:03 who for our sake, became poor, 13:06 that we through his poverty might be made rich, 13:09 we shall feel that we are not to lay up 13:11 for ourselves treasures on the earth, 13:14 but to lay up treasures in the bank of heaven, 13:17 which will never suspend payment nor fail. 13:21 The Lord has given Jesus to our world, and the question is, 13:24 what can we give back to God in gifts 13:27 and offerings to show our appreciation of his love? 13:31 Freely ye have received, freely give." 13:37 I'd like to invite the deacons and deaconesses 13:40 who will receive the offering to stand for prayer 13:44 and I want to remind us all to open our smiling hearts 13:49 and our purse strings to the children 13:51 who be coming though our midst 13:53 to receive the gifts for Christian education. 13:57 And we pray. 13:59 Heavenly Father, 14:00 You are the giver of all good gifts. 14:03 We worship You now with portions 14:05 return of all Your gifts to us. 14:08 As we return Your tithe and bring our offerings, 14:12 we are grateful for Your promise to never leave 14:15 or forsake us and to pour out 14:17 windows of blessings that overflow. 14:21 I pray that You multiply these gifts to Your glory 14:26 and most of all, we ask that these funds be tokens 14:30 of our deepening spirit-fed and spirit-lead 14:34 love and gratitude for our wonderful savior, 14:39 the unspeakable gift in who's name we pray. 14:43 Amen. 16:35 They crucified my Lord, 16:46 and He never said a mumbling word 16:58 They crucified my Lord, 17:09 and He never said a mumbling word 17:21 Not a word, 17:26 not a word, not a word. 18:15 They nailed Him to a tree, 18:25 and He never said a mumbling word 18:36 They nailed Him to a tree, 18:47 and He never said 18:51 a mumbling word 18:59 Not a word, not a word, 19:12 not a word. 19:55 They pierced Him in the side, 20:06 and He never said 20:11 a mumbling word 20:18 They pierced Him in the side, 20:30 and He never said 20:35 a mumbling word 20:45 Not a word, not a word, 20:57 not a word. 21:25 The blood came tricklin' down, 21:36 and He never said 21:46 a mumbling word 21:50 The blood came tricklin' down, 22:03 and He never said 22:08 a mumbling word 22:18 Not a word, 22:25 not a word, 22:35 not a word. 22:53 Holy Father, it seems the most appropriate 22:55 prayer to pray right now, 23:02 is a prayer of confession at the foot of the cross. 23:07 If our Lord and savior, Jesus, 23:11 could hold His tongue 23:16 and say not a word, oh, Father, 23:21 forgive us, forgive me, for all the words 23:27 this tongue has multiplied 23:36 that had been contrary to the very spirit of Christ. 23:42 We bow and repentance before You with the assurance 23:46 that even here this would be the one place, 23:51 forgiveness is full and free and we receive it. 23:58 As we linger at the foot of this cross, 24:00 linger with us, open our minds 24:03 to what You would teach us this day, 24:05 in Christ Jesus name we pray. 24:08 Amen. 24:16 I do believe there are, in this congregation, 24:21 some boys and girls somewhere, 24:25 I believe that by faith-- 24:28 is there a boy here, is there a girl here, 24:30 I just need to know that you're here. 24:32 Would you raise your hand for me 24:34 because you didn't-- oh, good. 24:36 Are there are-- oh, good. 24:39 You're here? I am glad. 24:41 I am glad you stayed right there with mom, 24:43 stayed right there with dad. 24:45 That was a suggestion, sir, actually, 24:50 because I want to share a story with you. 24:54 Those of you listening on the radio, 24:55 one of little tykes came running up, 24:58 thinking this was his moment. 25:00 I want to share a story with you, boys and girls, 25:02 because I saw your hands go up. 25:03 This is a story shared with me by my friend Willy Woodski. 25:09 He spotted this. 25:11 Let me put his picture on the screen for you, 25:13 that is a bird. 25:14 Let's see it on the screen, 25:16 let's just see a picture on the screen. 25:18 There it is. 25:20 Oh, I would tell you what, 25:21 I'll send a boy to the head of his class 25:23 and give him graduation 25:24 from Andrews University Profession of Faith 25:27 if you can tell me what that bird is? Hmm? 25:32 I'd do that for an adult here. 25:35 That's a bar-tailed godwit. There you go. 25:39 My executive assistance Sherry Davis is a birder, 25:43 and she knows. 25:45 Yep, take a look at that bird. 25:47 That is a-- boys and girls, 25:49 that is a shore line bird. 25:52 That means, while it lives near water, 25:55 it does not live on the water. 25:56 It has to have a shore, 25:58 it has to have a land just like you and me. 26:00 All right? 26:01 So that is a bar-tailed godwit. Very interesting, this bird. 26:08 Scientists were studying the bird and they said, 26:10 we've got to find out what's going on here. 26:13 And so the bird, in the summers in Alaska 26:17 and in the winter it's in New Zealand, 26:19 they said, let's find out and-- 26:22 and they got the little Mrs. Godwit. 26:27 They got papa Godwit and when they caught the bird, 26:30 boys and girls, what they did 26:32 was they put a little transponder, 26:36 that's a little electrical device, only 9 grams. 26:40 So not very heavy, 26:41 and they affixed it to the birds. 26:46 They said, all right little birdie, 26:48 little bar-tailed godwit, you may now fly 26:51 because we have, the US Geological survey, 26:55 we have satellites that will now track you 26:58 wherever you go. 27:01 And that's what happened. 27:03 When the time came for those godwits down 27:06 in New Zealand to begin to head north, 27:13 the satellites picked them up 27:16 and they watched in amazement this-- 27:20 boys and girls, are you still listening, boys and girls? 27:22 In amazement the scientist watched. 27:26 Look, they said as they examine their computer screens. 27:30 Look, what is happening. 27:33 The bird flew, and flew, and flew, and flew, 27:41 never stopping to eat, never stopping to sleep, 27:45 never stopping to rest. 27:47 It just kept flying and flying, and flying, and finally, 27:52 when the birds came down-- listen to this, boys and girls, 27:57 when the bird-- when that bird came down, 28:05 computer did all the calculations 28:07 and guess what? 28:09 Ten thousand kilometers, non-stop, 28:15 the furthest flying shore-based bird in the world, 28:21 with the longest distance ever recorded, 28:24 ten thousand kilometers. 28:27 Now that was just the first leg, 28:31 up towards Hong King. 28:32 Let's put a map on the screen. 28:34 That was just the first leg 28:37 because then the birdies had to... 28:41 Would you be breathing hard after eight days? 28:43 It was eight days. 28:45 Eight days of straight-- would you be breathing hard 28:48 and would you be hungry? 28:51 They cut their breath, drank the water 28:54 and them took off again, not quite as far this lay 28:59 up to the great state, our state of Alaska. 29:03 Total mileage, total mileage for the round trip, 29:06 you see that round trip? 29:07 Sometimes you get on a place, you go all the way around. 29:10 Eighteen thousand miles, not kilometers. 29:12 Eighteen thousand miles. 29:15 Isn't that amazing? How does that bird remember? 29:18 How could that bird possibly remember 29:21 where to go, where to stop, where to fly? 29:24 How does the little birdie remember, 29:26 you know-- Listen, boys and girls. 29:28 Where are you again, could you put your hand up 29:30 because I need to look right at you-- 29:31 Okay, there you are, there you are. 29:33 How does that little birdie remember? 29:34 The birdie remembers because the Creator put it 29:37 into the little mind of the birdie, 29:40 this is the way to go and this is how to fly. 29:45 Somebody helped the birdies to remember, 29:49 the bar-tailed godwit. 29:51 Somebody helps the birds remember. 29:54 I wonder if that same somebody 29:56 might be able to help us remember too. 30:01 Do you think? 30:04 I wonder if he doesn't have that ability too. 30:11 Don't you forget the godwit, bar-tailed godwit. 30:15 I need to talk to your mom and papa right now. 30:22 It is a sad day 30:27 when the mind can no longer remember. 30:35 My father died of an Alzheimer like dementia. 30:43 This man that I had revered and admired, 30:46 worship the ground, stood on, love so dearly. 30:54 Not a single memory left 30:56 of our time together as father and son. 31:01 I'll never forget that day, 31:03 pushing him in his wheelchair 31:05 out to an enclosed garden in the nursing home. 31:10 As it turns out, it was our last time together. 31:14 We each had a cardboard cup of ice-cream 31:19 that we ate in silence, no conversation. 31:25 A drone of a plane high over head 31:28 and dad instinctively looked up because you see, 31:34 he was not only a minister, he was a pilot. 31:37 It's was the "father-son" part he couldn't remember. 31:44 It is a sad day 31:46 when the mind can no longer remember. 31:50 But it is an even sadder day when the mind 31:54 that has the capacity to still remember, forgets. 32:00 And it was in void that greater tragedy 32:05 that the Book of Deuteronomy once upon a time was written. 32:09 A 120 years old, not a cell of misty dementia 32:16 in his bright mind. 32:18 That white hair, bushy bearded leader 32:21 for the last time stands before these grownup children 32:25 that he has raised like a nurse, 32:30 this will be his last day with him. 32:36 He will die alone on that purpled mountain the distance. 32:41 And then these children, who are the children of slaves, 32:48 who crossover to the Promise Land. 32:52 Open the Book of Deuteronomy with me 32:53 and I wish you would count them for yourselves. 32:56 In fact, I want you to jot these numbers down, will you? 32:59 Take out the study guide 33:00 that's in your worship bulletin today, 33:02 there's a study guide there. 33:03 Pull it out. 33:04 Those of you watching on television right now, 33:07 we'd love to have you follow along in the study guide 33:09 and so I'm going to put it on the screen. 33:11 Out website, go to that website, 33:12 you see it right there, www.pmchurch.tv. 33:17 Click on to the series "The Chosen." 33:21 This series is just getting underway 33:22 and I want to tell you something, 33:23 those of you who are sitting here, 33:25 you do not want to miss next week, 33:26 we begin our fourth part within the series. 33:30 Live microphone at the end for Q&A with the preacher. 33:33 Four controversial subjects, I hope you're here next week. 33:38 Click on to the series "The Chosen" 33:40 then you want to the teaching entitle 33:42 "The blood on the Doorpost - Lest We Forget" 33:44 click there, you see Study guide, 33:45 click there, you have the study guide. 33:48 With that drill out of the way, let me go. 33:50 Would you write it down, please? 33:52 Count them in the Book of Deuteronomy, 33:53 the word "remember" appears 14 times 33:56 in this farewell address, 14 times. 33:59 Keep your pen moving. 34:00 The word "forget" as in "forget not" 34:03 also appears 14 times in Moses' 34:08 last will and testament to Israel. 34:10 In fact, in one passionate appeal, 34:12 Moses is so caught up 34:15 in the hopes that they would remember 34:17 that he puts the two words back to back. 34:19 Look at this, we'll this on the screen for you. 34:20 Deuteronomy 9:7, "Remember," he says. 34:23 And then he says, in case you don't remember 34:25 what remember means, "Do not forget 34:29 how you thou provoke the Lord 34:31 your God to wrath in the wilderness." 34:32 Remember, remember. 34:35 In another pleading, he actually repeats 34:37 the Hebrew word "forget." 34:39 You'll miss it in the English totally, 34:40 so we'll make the English read like the Hebrew. 34:44 Deuteronomy 8, let's put that on the screen please, 34:46 Deuteronomy 8. 34:49 Deuteronomy 8:19, "Then it shall be," 34:51 God speaking through Moses, 34:52 "If you by any means forget forget--" 34:55 That's not a typo. 34:56 In the Hebrew the word forget is placed twice to make certain 35:00 that the reader one day will understand 35:02 that if he forgot to catch the first one 35:04 he will not forget to get 35:06 the second forget, forget, forget. 35:10 "Then it shall be, if you by any means forget forget 35:11 the Lord your God, and follow other gods, 35:13 and serve them and worship them, 35:14 I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish." 35:19 You-- it is nearly palpable, 35:22 the guteral passion that spews out of this aged leader 35:26 who is saying goodbye to his children. 35:28 He's been a nursemaid, these kids are gone from him. 35:32 It spews out of him. 35:35 Don't you ever forget forget, forget forget. 35:40 The theme of the book, jot this down, 35:43 in controvertibly the theme of the book is to remember. 35:45 Remember remember because it is sad day 35:49 when the mind no longer remember. 35:51 So what shall we remember, Moses? 35:54 Three unique references 36:00 where the phrase, lest we forget. 36:02 Only three times you'll find it in the Book of Deuteronomy 36:05 and when we examine these three we know 36:06 what it is he would have us remember. 36:07 Jot it down please. 36:08 Remember number one, remember the story. 36:11 Deuteronomy 4:9, let's put that on the screen. 36:14 Deuteronomy 4: 9, "Only take heed to yourself, 36:16 and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget," 36:18 there's the first of these unique phrase. 36:20 "Lest you forget the things your eyes have seen 36:22 and lest they depart from your heart 36:24 all the days of your life. 36:25 And teach them to your children and your grandchildren." 36:28 The whole tribe, make sure they remember. 36:31 Remember number two. 36:32 What should we remember number two? 36:33 Remember the covenant, jot it down. 36:36 Remember the covenant. 36:37 Deuteronomy 4:23, "Take heed to yourselves, 36:39 lest you forget the covenant." 36:41 There's a unique phrase. 36:43 "Lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God 36:45 which He made with you." 36:46 Three times this unique phrase appears. 36:49 In Chapter 6:12, notice this, 36:51 remember the delivered, number three. 36:54 Deuteronomy 6:12, put it on the screen, 36:56 "Then beware, lest you forget the Lord 36:58 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 37:01 from the house of bondage." 37:02 The Hebrew literally reads, from the house of slaves, 37:06 i.e, Moses cries, I now want to tell you something, 37:08 all of you, you all were slaves, all of you. 37:13 Hey, you time out, 37:15 Moses time-- what are you talking about? 37:17 I wasn't even born. 37:19 I wasn't even around when that mighty, 37:21 supernatural deliverance took place. 37:22 I've been born here on the hot sands. 37:26 I'm amazed, as I read the Book of Deuteronomy, 37:30 how freely got through Moses actually reads into the story, 37:35 these who 40 years are now alive. 37:37 He reads them into that spectacular 37:40 dreadful midnight of deliverance. 37:44 Reads them right in. 37:46 When I was a kid, growing up in Japan, 37:49 we live next door to the Vendons, 37:51 who used to teach in Andrews University. 37:54 They brought from America, 37:55 a children's book series called the We Were There series. 37:58 Ingenious device, great moments in history 38:00 written up in story form, 38:02 written through the eyes of couple of three kids 38:04 and as the youthful reader reads it, 38:07 it is as if you are there yourself. 38:10 Deuteronomy is the great 38:12 We Were There book of Holy Scripture. 38:15 We Were There, because that's God's point, 38:19 even if you weren't there, you were there. 38:20 Even if you weren't there, you were there. 38:25 You see that's the way it is with the movement. 38:27 When you belong to a movement as you and I do 38:29 what happens at the beginning is still your story. 38:33 It's all yours. 38:35 With the movement, that's the way it works 38:38 and so they would never forget the story 38:41 the covenant and the deliverer. 38:43 So we would never forget even as He did with them. 38:46 God gives to the children of Israel a divine ritual. 38:50 Every time you share this ritual you will remember 38:54 the story, the covenant and the deliverer. 38:57 I want you to look this up, not on the screen now, 38:59 it will be there but look it in your Bible, 39:00 please, Deuteronomy 16. 39:03 Deuteronomy 16, it would be-- 39:04 if you grab the pew Bible in front of you, page 134. 39:10 Deuteronomy 16. 39:13 Pardon me. Deuteronomy 16. 39:17 Pick it up in verse 1. 39:19 Deuteronomy 16:1, "Observe the month of Abib," 39:24 it's also known as the month of Nisan. 39:27 It's the first month of the liturgical year 39:28 because the deliverance from Egypt 39:30 marked the beginning of the Israelite calendar. 39:33 "Observe the month of Abib, 39:34 and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, 39:36 for in the month of Abib, the Lord your God--" 39:39 He's talking to kids who were never there. 39:41 "The Lord your God brought you--" 39:44 you were there, He brought you out, 39:45 of Egypt by night." 39:47 Verse 2, "Therefore you shall sacrifice 39:48 the Passover to the Lord your God, 39:50 from the flock (lamb) or from the herd (kid), 39:54 in the place where the Lord chooses to put His name." 39:56 Finally verse 3, "You shall eat no leavened bread with it. 39:59 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it." 40:02 You know why? 40:03 Because leaven-- as for ever been a symbol 40:05 on this foreign planet a fermentation. 40:08 And fermentation is always the symbol of sin. 40:10 No leaven, I want no fermented drink, 40:13 I want fermented food, not for this moment. 40:17 No leaven, you leave the leaven out, 40:19 seven days-- Keep going now, 40:21 "Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, 40:23 that is, the bread of affliction 40:26 for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste." 40:29 That's why they couldn't put the leaven in, 40:30 we don't have the time to wait 40:32 for the bakery to rise, got to go. 40:34 No leaven. 40:36 "For you came out of the land of Egypt in haste 40:38 that you may remember the day 40:40 in which you came out of the land of Egypt 40:43 all the days of your life." 40:44 Write it down, "That you may remember you were there." 40:49 Blood on the doorpost. 40:52 I'll tell you what? 40:54 If I had been the first-born back 40:55 then like I am a first-born today, trust me, 40:59 I would have made triple certain, 41:01 I would have made quadruple certain, 41:02 I would have made quintuple certain 41:05 that my daddy follow the injunction of Moses 41:08 because Moses, the word is out, 41:10 he was earnestly urgent when he declare that all-- 41:13 when the death angel at midnight flies over Egypt, 41:16 only the houses that have blood on the doorpost 41:19 and the lintel, only those first born will be spared. 41:24 I would have watched my dad and I'd have gone back in 41:26 but I'll tell you want, all through the evening, 41:28 I am sure, I would have slept out 41:29 to put my finger on that coagulating blood 41:31 just to make sure-- is the blood still here? 41:35 Did daddy do? 41:39 Am I under that blood? 41:52 "For I received from the Lord that 41:55 which I also delivered to you, 41:59 that the Lord Jesus on the same night 42:01 in which He was betrayed took bread 42:06 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 42:09 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you, 42:15 do this in remembrance of Me.' 42:19 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 42:23 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. 42:26 This do, as often as you drink it, 42:28 in remembrance of Me.' 42:30 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, 42:34 you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." 42:39 Lest we forget, the story, the covenant and the deliverer. 42:44 Do this in remembrance of me. 42:50 Like the ancient Passover, 42:52 the Lord's Supper was instituted 42:54 by almighty God Himself to make certain 42:57 that we would remember and not forget. 43:01 I want to close now 43:05 by sharing with you seven divine 43:07 and supernatural blessings that will accrue to you, 43:11 when you and I remember the crosses 43:12 we are gathered today to do, 43:14 seven blessings, they're yours for the asking. 43:17 By being here today, these blessings will be yours. 43:20 Jot it down, blessing number one, 43:22 "The collective memory of deliverance 43:24 is what keeps a movement alive and advancing" a movement. 43:30 So like God said, in Deuteronomy 7, 43:34 "Of all people on this planet, I have chosen you. 43:36 You are mine that's why I took you out of Egypt." 43:40 In Revelation 12 declared, they overcame him. 43:45 Speaking of the movement at the end of time, 43:47 they overcame the dragon by the blood of the lamb. 43:48 When you go to the cross, 43:50 the movement's collective memory is reignited. 43:52 Number two, personal memory of deliverance 43:55 is what keeps the sense of being chosen fresh. 43:58 The sense of being chosen, write that down. 44:02 You were chosen. 44:04 The two twins, these little babies, 44:07 they were chosen to have a unique destiny. 44:08 Every child alive today has that divine destiny. 44:12 You and I have been chosen. 44:13 And I remind you, Ephesians 1, you see that verse that-- 44:15 you look that verse up another time. 44:17 Ephesians 1, it declares that 44:18 from the foundation of the world, 44:20 God chose us in the beloved 44:21 and with His blood He purchased us. 44:24 You've been purchased by Calvary, 44:26 you have a chosen destiny and today, 44:28 when you handle the symbols of the cross your chosenness 44:32 will be reaffirm to you, just you watch. 44:34 Number three, jot it down, 44:35 remembering the cross is the vital requisite 44:38 to experiencing release from guilt 44:40 through the daily assurance of forgiveness. 44:42 Some of you have guilt that goes back to this morning, 44:44 some of you have guilt that goes back to last night, 44:47 some of you think you know, I don't think I have guilt. 44:49 I think I can go all the way back to Wednesday. 44:51 And my friend, you have Alzheimer. 44:56 We're all guilty. 44:59 So quick to pass it as it's not me. 45:01 No, you. 45:03 For our motivation itself is suspect. 45:06 I do the right things for the wrong reasons. 45:08 We're all guilty. 45:10 But when you come to cross and remember 45:12 you assuaged that guilt, it's washed away. 45:16 We confess our sins, He's faithful 45:18 and just to forgive us of our sins. 45:19 Behold the Lamb of God 45:20 who takes away the sin of the world. 45:22 All right, number four, 45:23 not forgetting Calvary is to remember 45:25 the divine source of our salvation. 45:28 It didn't come from me, didn't' come from the church, 45:30 didn't come from the Bible, 45:32 salvation comes from one source. 45:35 And every kindles are gratitude for our Savior. 45:38 All the rest of the verses you can look up 45:40 but I need you to see this, this is dynamite. 45:42 This is from the today's New International Version 45:45 and I love the rendition now of this familiar passage. 45:49 Verse 23, Romans 3, " For all have sinned 45:52 and fall short of glory of God." 45:54 every translation reads that way but the TNIV. 45:57 Now goes to verse 24, "And all are justified freely." 46:02 The entire human race was pardoned 46:05 and declared acquitted Calvary. 46:07 "And all are justified freely by His grace 46:09 through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." 46:12 Your sins have been dealt with, 46:13 you were forgiven 2,000 year ago 46:15 and acquitted the entire human race 46:17 has been universally justified by grace. 46:21 "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement 46:23 through the shedding of his blood 46:25 to be received by faith." 46:29 All have sinned but the good news is, 46:30 2,000 years ago at the cross, 46:34 the entire human race were declared acquitted. 46:39 If you did something in your life you wish you haven't done, 46:42 the living of the thought 46:44 that maybe my life can not be recovered now. 46:47 Oh, no, my friend, before you were ever born, 46:50 on Calvary, the blood of Christ achieved 46:55 your acquittal and pardon was issued. 47:00 Universal pardon was issued to the human race. 47:05 You remember, I remember when I come to the cross. 47:09 Number five, "Keeping the memory of the cross fresh 47:11 is vital to intelligent worship of our mighty God 47:15 who is both out Creator and Redeemer." 47:17 When the host of heaven gathered you know what, 47:19 they sing to Him, who sits on the throne 47:20 and to the lamb be glory on our majesty dominion 47:23 and power for ever and ever, amen. 47:26 Oh, He's not just our Creator, he's our redeemer. 47:28 Number six, recalling the cross 47:30 is a perpetual reminder of the supernatural, 47:34 divine power, write that in, 47:35 power available to all who live in victory, 47:38 free of sin's bondage. 47:39 Some of us have said to ourselves, 47:40 I will never get over this, 47:42 I am stuck with this for the rest of my live. 47:44 My friend, you are not stuck with it. 47:45 Hallelujah. 47:46 Jude 24, "Now to him who is able to keep you us 47:49 from falling and to present us faultless." 47:52 When you come to the cross you re-access that power. 47:55 And finally number seven, 47:56 remembering the cross brings to our own hearts 47:58 that same self-sacrificing love of Jesus 48:02 towards the unlovely and the unrighteous. 48:05 So that we too can pray the prayer, Father, 48:07 forgive him, he didn't know what he was doing. 48:10 Some of us need to pray that prayer. 48:12 We can pray the prayer, Father, forgive her, 48:14 she didn't know what she was doing. 48:16 We can pray the prayer, Father, forgive them 48:18 because sometimes a collectively, 48:20 a group decision needs to be repented of, 48:22 and you know what you can't wait 48:24 for them to repent that decision, 48:25 you just go ahead and forgive them anyway. 48:27 Forgive them for they didn't know 48:29 what they were doing. 48:30 You've got to release it just as Jesus did, 48:32 freely you've received His forgiveness. 48:34 Let it go, let it go. 48:37 And I'm going to add a number eight 48:38 because late last night 48:39 and early this morning in prayer 48:41 I said, look, there are 21 others 48:43 I am sure but number eight we cannot leave out 48:45 and so you don't have it in your study guide 48:47 but we scramble this morning, it's going to be on the screen. 48:49 Number eight, remembering the cross ignites in us 48:52 God's most pervasive passion to save the lost. 48:56 When you come here as you are today, 48:59 something will awaken in you. 49:00 God will give you His heart for a lost love one, 49:04 a lost neighbor, a lost friend, that's' what Calvary does. 49:07 God's point, Moses' point, the Bible's point never forget 49:10 the point is remember, lest we forget. 49:16 I want to close with a study 49:18 that was just release this last week, 49:19 caught my eye, 49:20 given that my father died of the disease he did. 49:23 The headline really catched my eye, 49:25 achievers less prone to Alzheimer, all right? 49:29 Listen to this, Dateline Chicago, 49:30 just this last week, 49:33 "A surprising study of elderly people suggests that 49:35 those who see themselves as self-disciplined, 49:37 organized achievers have a lower risk 49:41 for developing Alzheimer's disease than people 49:43 who are less conscientious." 49:45 We'll come back to that word. 49:46 "A purposeful personality--" 49:48 You know, having and going through my day a little less-- 49:50 "A purposeful personality may somehow protect the brain, 49:54 perhaps by increasing neural connections 49:56 that can act as a reserve against mental decline, 50:00 said study co-author Robert Wilson of Chicago's 50:02 Rush University Medical Center Astoundingly. 50:05 Now listen to this, this is fascinating, 50:07 the brains of some of the dutiful people--" 50:09 these conscious kinds of people, 50:10 the brains of some of them 50:12 "in the study were examined after their deaths 50:15 and were found to have lesions 50:17 that would meet accepted criteria for Alzheimer's 50:20 even though these people had shown no signs of dementia." 50:23 Their brain has already to atrophy 50:26 but because of its strength, the mind is not yielding 50:30 to what's happening physiologically inside. 50:33 They are finding some who are contentious, 50:39 have a wall against Alzheimer. 50:43 They studies 997 individuals in this survey. 50:46 Let me end with this, 50:47 "Those with the highest scores for a personality trait called 50:51 'conscientiousness' at the start of the study 50:55 had an 89 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's 50:58 compared to people with the lowest scores 51:00 for that personality trait." 51:02 So I pulled my dictionary out and said, 51:04 I don't want to have what dad had. 51:05 What is this 'conscientiousness'? 51:06 And he's the definition, conscientiousness, 51:08 scrupulous, careful, thorough, remembering the details. 51:15 Research this week, that indicates 51:18 that the very act of remembering 51:20 can secure the mind and according to God, 51:25 the very act of remembering can also secure the heart. 51:29 Do this, do this. 51:33 Don't go away, don't leave the table. 51:36 You must remember now, do this in remembrance of Me 51:42 and I'll secure your heart 51:43 and your mind for ever and ever. 51:46 Amen. Let us pray. 51:49 Oh, Father, for ever and ever, 51:52 You can secure heart and mind and so we've come today, 51:56 we can not forget, 51:58 we who's capacity is still able to recall, 52:01 we must remember, and as we take now 52:05 the three symbols Christ Jesus has given to us 52:07 may the very handling of these symbols burn it deep 52:12 into our consciousness of the infinite sacrifice 52:17 that has secured for us eternity, 52:20 let us all remember today, dear God, in Jesus name. 52:24 Amen. 52:26 We should conclude our service evening 52:28 as He did 2,000 years ago, 52:31 the disciples received an offering for those in need 52:35 and we'll do the same. 52:37 Hundreds of thousands of dollars we invest 52:41 because f this offering on communion Sabbath, 52:44 we invest in the intercity, 12 miles up the road, 52:47 the city of Benton Harbor. 52:49 It is because God has blessed you 52:52 and you intern have passed on that blessing 52:54 that we are able to provide the emergency assistance 52:58 that is so desperately needed. 53:01 Freely we've received, freely then let us give. 53:05 There will be ushers at the doors when you leave. 53:06 They will be glad to receive your bountiful gift 53:10 on behalf of those in need. 53:13 The record says when they had sung a hymn 53:15 they went out, and so we too will sing a hymn. 53:18 It's a beautiful hymn of community, 53:19 it is a collective community of faith sort of hymn, 407. 53:24 In your hymn, now sent forth by God's-- 53:27 sent forthwith God's blessing, 53:29 by God's spirit, as the community of faith. 53:32 Let us commit to that community as together 53:36 we go forth into the world that awaits us. 54:07 Sent forth by God's blessing, 54:09 our true faith confessing 54:12 The people of God from His dwelling take leave. 54:19 The supper ended, Oh, now be extended 54:26 The fruits of this service in all who believe 54:33 The seed of His teaching, receptive souls reaching, 54:40 Shall blossom in action for God and for all 54:47 His grace did invited us, His love shall unite us 54:54 To work for God's kingdom and answer His call 55:04 And now to Him, 55:05 who was able to keep you from stumbling 55:08 and to present you faultless 55:09 before the presence of His glory 55:11 with exceeding joy, to God, our savior, 55:15 who alone is wise, be glory in majesty, 55:19 dominion and power, both now and for ever. 55:23 Amen. 55:26 Before you go, I wanted to take one more moment 55:29 and let you know how glad I am 55:30 you shared this hour of worship and Bible teaching with us. 55:33 This was the Pioneer Memorial church, 55:35 we're on the campus of Andrews University 55:37 and the Series is The Chosen. 55:39 This is a series that has been growing 55:41 and it's burned on my heart and over the last few weeks 55:45 before new season began, 55:47 and some concentrated prayer time, 55:49 I believe the spirit of God lead me do the series, 55:52 out of the Book of Deuteronomy for this generation 55:55 within our community of faith 55:56 and outside this community of faith. 55:58 I believe both-- both communities 56:01 need to hear the compelling Bible truth captured 56:06 in this series called The Chosen. 56:07 So thank you for joining me and all of us, 56:10 as we continue our journey deeper and deeper 56:12 into the heart of this theme. 56:14 Living as you and I do, 56:16 and I know I'm preaching to the choir now, 56:19 living as we do on the edge of a civilization 56:22 that is surviving thought constant upheaval and change, 56:26 I am so grateful and I know you are for the bedrock hope 56:30 we have in Jesus. 56:32 I'm thankful that you and I have been given name 56:34 the privilege by God to partner, 56:36 to reach this generation the world 56:38 over through the satellite telecast. 56:40 I don't know how it works, 56:41 I just know that those satellites 56:42 drop the signals and those footprints 56:45 all over the planet are helping disseminate 56:48 this divine call to become a part of The Chosen, 56:51 God's last generation on earth. 56:53 So please, here's what I want you to know, 56:55 I thank God for you in a generous way 56:58 you have partnered with us in the past 57:00 and making New Perceptions possible globally. 57:03 Your tax-deductible gifts are being multiplied 57:05 all across the earth, I believe, 57:08 for such a time as this. 57:09 Look, would you like to order a copy of today's teaching 57:13 you can order DVD, you get all the PowerPoint, 57:15 everything is there, you can share 57:17 with your friends, share with your family. 57:19 I want to just insert this here, 57:20 if you go to our website 57:21 and we've been advertising our website all along the way 57:23 and I'm gonna insert it right here www.pmchurch.tv, 57:27 go to that website you get a podcast of this. 57:30 We have people now subscribing to podcast the world over, 57:34 it's time for this message to get out. 57:36 Thank you for your partnership and helping us do that. 57:39 Call one of our friendly operators to toll-free number, 57:41 it won't cost you a penny here in North America, 57:43 877-HIS-WILL. 57:45 You call that number, I promise you every penny 57:49 that you share we will invest your generosity 57:52 in God's mission to reach this final generation now. 57:56 Thank you very, very much. 57:57 And be assured, 57:58 I'm looking forward to seeing you here, right here, 58:01 again next time, as we continue 58:04 our fascinating journey into "The Chosen." 58:07 God bless you. |
Revised 2015-07-13