Participants: Pr. Dwight K. Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP102310
|
00:27 All I have needed
00:31 Thy hand hath provided 00:37 Great is Thy faithfulness! 00:43 Lord unto me! 01:05 We stand and lift up our hands 01:09 For the joy of the Lord is our strength 01:16 We bow down and worship Him now 01:20 How great, how awesome is He 01:25 And together we sing 01:31 Ev'ryone sing 01:36 Holy is the Lord, God, Almighty 01:42 The earth is filled with His glory 01:47 Holy is the Lord, God, Almighty 01:53 The earth is filled with His glory 01:58 The earth is filled with His glory 02:07 We stand and lift up our hands 02:12 For the joy of the Lord is our strength 02:18 We bow down and worship Him now 02:23 How great, how awesome is He 02:27 And together we sing 02:33 Ev'ryone sing 02:38 Holy is the Lord, God, Almighty 02:44 The earth is filled with His glory 02:49 Holy is the Lord, God, Almighty 02:55 The earth is filled with His glory 03:01 The earth is filled with His glory 03:09 It's rising up all around 03:14 It's the anthem of the Lord's renown 03:19 It's rising up all around 03:25 It's the anthem of the Lord's renown 03:32 And together we sing 03:38 Ev'ryone sing 03:44 Holy is the Lord, God, Almighty 03:50 The earth is filled with His glory 03:55 Holy is the Lord, God, Almighty 04:01 The earth is filled with His glory 04:06 The earth is filled with His glory 04:13 Amen. You may be seated. 04:19 This next prayer song is called from the inside out. 04:23 And it's a beautiful song that describes that, 04:25 no matter how time, how many times we fail 04:29 our Lord is always there to pick us up, to rescue us. 04:34 And simply from that we owe Him 04:38 our lives in service. 04:41 Let's sing this song together. 04:46 A thousand times I've failed 04:50 Still your mercy remains 04:53 And should I stumble again 04:57 Still I'm caught in Your grace 05:01 Everlasting 05:03 Your light will shine when all else fades 05:08 Never-ending 05:10 Your glory goes beyond all fame 05:18 It's a beautiful. 05:19 That's a beautiful chorus. 05:21 Let's sing it one more time through. 05:23 A thousand times I've failed but still your mercy remains. 05:29 A thousand times I've failed 05:33 Still Your mercy remains 05:37 And should I stumble again 05:40 Still I'm caught in your grace 05:44 Everlasting 05:46 Your light will shine when all else fades 05:52 Never-ending 05:54 Your glory goes beyond all fame 06:01 In my heart and my soul Lord, 06:05 I give You control 06:08 Consume me from the inside out, 06:13 Lord Let justice and praise, 06:19 Become my embrace 06:23 To love You from the inside out 06:27 Everlasting 06:30 Your light will shine when all else fades 06:35 Never-ending 06:37 Your glory goes beyond all fame 06:42 And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise 06:49 From the inside out, Lord 06:52 My soul cries out, Lord 07:10 Your will above all else my purpose remains 07:17 The art of losing myself in bringing You praise 07:24 Everlasting 07:26 Your light will shine when all else fades 07:31 Never-ending 07:33 Your glory goes beyond all fame 07:40 In My heart, in my soul Lord 07:44 I give You control 07:47 Consume me from the inside out, Lord 07:54 Let justice and praise, become my embrace 08:01 To love You from the inside out 08:06 Everlasting 08:08 Your light will shine when all else fades 08:13 Never-ending 08:15 Your glory goes beyond all fame 08:20 And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise 08:27 From the inside out, Lord 08:30 My soul cries out, Lord 08:43 Lord, I give You my heart 08:46 I give You my soul I live for You alone 08:54 Ev'ry breath that I take 08:57 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 09:01 Lord, have Your way in me 09:11 This is my desire. 09:14 This is my desire 09:19 To honor You 09:24 Lord, with all my heart, I worship You 09:34 All that I have within me 09:39 I give You praise 09:44 All that I adore is in You 09:56 Lord, I give You my heart, I give You my soul 10:03 I live for You alone 10:06 Ev'ry breath that I take 10:09 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 10:13 Lord, have Your way in me 10:17 Lord, I give You my heart 10:20 I give You my soul 10:24 I live for You alone 10:27 Ev'ry breath that I take 10:30 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 10:34 Lord, have Your way in me 13:57 Wow, beautiful. 13:58 Brass, thank you very much, Ronald been him. 14:01 Early had been him, How Sweet are the Tidings. 14:04 Greet the pilgrims here, 14:05 He is coming, coming, coming soon, I know. 14:10 It's what ignited the hearts. 14:14 Well, the Pioneers, for whom this church is a memorial, 14:18 Pioneer Memorial Church. 14:20 Before we plunge into a very unusual story, 14:24 I want to turn to some red letter words. 14:26 So open your Bible please to the words of Jesus. 14:29 Sermon on the Mount, Mathew 7. 14:31 I want to read these words, have a prayer 14:33 and then plunge into our teaching today. 14:36 Mathew Chapter 7, Sermon on the Mount, 14:39 words of our Lord Himself. 14:43 If you have red letter Bible, these words are bright red. 14:47 Mathew Chapter 7, drop down to verse 15, 14:52 I'm not gonna put them on screen, 14:53 if-- oh, by the way, you don't have a Bible, 14:54 grab the pew Bible, let me give you a page number. 14:56 Pew Bible page number will be, page 653. 15:01 Well, I like you to track this, Mathew 7:15, 15:06 Jesus speaking, "Beware of false prophets, 15:10 who come to you in sheep's clothing, 15:12 but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 15:15 You will know them by their fruits. 15:18 Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes 15:20 or figs from thistles." 15:23 Verse 17, "Even so every good tree bears good fruit, 15:27 but a bad tree bears bad fruit." 15:29 Verse 18, 15:31 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruits 15:33 nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 15:37 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down, 15:40 and thrown into the fire." 15:42 Punch line, Jesus, verse 20, "Therefore by their fruits, 15:48 by their fruits you will know them." 15:52 Let's pray. 15:56 Oh, God, trees and fruits. 16:02 By their fruits, 16:05 let today's teaching be clear to both our minds 16:10 and our hearts, 16:11 as we ponder these words of Christ, our Lord. 16:14 We pray in His name, amen. 16:19 On November 26, 1827, in a little rural village, 16:25 not far from Portland, Maine, 16:29 the autumn leaves already down and brown, 16:31 strewn up on that cold New England earth. 16:37 Robert and Eunice Harman, their family already bulging 16:41 with two boys and four daughters. 16:45 Over night, over night suddenly 16:49 see there family expanded by two, 16:53 the birth of fraternal twins. 16:56 One they named Elizabeth and called Lizzie, 17:00 the other they named Ellen. 17:04 Robert Harman, hard working, New Englander farmer 17:08 trying to make ends meet, resorted to hat making 17:11 during their frigid months of those New England winters, 17:15 10 mouths to feed now. 17:18 Let me tell you a bit about the world that these 17:22 little twins Ellen and Lizzie grew up in, 17:24 it was a formidable one and which to survive. 17:26 Let me some statistics to you. 17:31 Statistics from those years indicate that children, 17:33 listen to this, children under 10 17:35 often constituted close to 50 percent of deaths in a year. 17:41 That's not counting still borns by the way. 17:43 Reading on here, state a differently 17:44 the average age of death during 1840, 17:47 when the twins were 13, 17:48 average age of death was 22.6 years. 17:53 Which the advertiser which is the Portland Newspaper 17:56 claim demonstrated 17:57 "the superior degree of health enjoyed in Portland." 18:00 Come to our city 18:01 because you live longer here, 22.6. 18:05 Formidable times, it was not an easy time to grow up, 18:08 but isn't it fascinating? 18:11 Typhoid fever, typhus, cholera, measles, 18:14 scarlet fever, consumptions we know as tuberculosis today. 18:18 Isn't it fascinating, not one of those diseases 18:20 nearly killed one of the twins but rather anger itself? 18:24 One Sunday afternoon the two little girls, 18:26 nine years old, 18:28 with the classmate of theirs are making their way home. 18:31 When an older student 13, 18:32 with threatening words follows them, 18:35 they here her threats, raised by God favoring mother, 18:41 to never retaliate, the twins hurriedly cross the street 18:44 to the other side. 18:46 And little Ellen 18:48 happened to look back to gauge the distance to their tormenter 18:51 when in that split second 18:54 a stone that teenager had thrown 18:57 struck Ellen in the face and she collapsed. 19:02 She writes of what happened. 19:04 I'll Put it on the screen for you, 19:05 take a look at this. 19:06 "I was stunned by the blow, 19:08 and I felt senseless to the ground. 19:10 When consciousness returned, 19:12 I found myself in a merchant's store. 19:14 A kind stranger offered 19:15 to take me home in his carriage, 19:16 but I, not realizing my weakness, 19:18 told him that I preferred to walk. 19:20 Those present were not aware that my injury was so serious, 19:22 and allowed me to go, 19:23 but after walking only a few rods, 19:26 I grew faint and dizzy. 19:27 My twin sister and my schoolmate 19:29 carried me home. 19:30 I have no recollection of anything further 19:33 for some time after the accident. 19:35 My mother said that I noticed nothing, 19:37 but lay in a stupor for three weeks. 19:40 No one but herself thought it possible for me to recover, 19:43 but for some reason she felt that I would live, 19:46 I was reduced to almost a skeleton." 19:51 Weeks later, one day a neighbor lady drops by 19:53 and little Ellen overhears the neighbor lady say, 19:56 "What a pity, I wouldn't have even recognized her." 20:02 The tiny invalid call us for a glass into which to peer. 20:07 She describes her reaction. 20:11 "Every feature of my face seemed changed. 20:16 The sight was more than I could bear. 20:19 I did not wish to live, but I dared not die, 20:22 for I was not prepared." 20:25 I tell you what ladies and gentlemen, 20:27 in a society like yours and mine, 20:28 where physical attraction and beauty is so highly, 20:35 passionately emphasized. 20:37 It isn't hard for you and me to imagine 20:40 the heart breaking horror of staring into a mirror 20:45 with that discovery. 20:46 But the most crushing blow came 20:49 when her beloved father, 20:50 away in Georgia in business at the time of tragedy, 20:53 returned home. 20:55 She describes that moment as well. 20:57 "When he returned, he spoke to my brother and sisters, 20:59 and inquired for me," hey listen, where is, 21:01 where is little Ellen? 21:02 Nice to see you Lizzie, but where is your sis, 21:04 where is twin? 21:05 Oh, papa, we've been unable to tell you 21:08 and the story tumbles out 21:09 and father now walks into the room 21:12 were little Ellen lies. 21:15 "It was hard to make him believe 21:19 that I was his Ellen. 21:22 This cut me to the heart; 21:24 yet I tried to put on an appearance of cheerfulness, 21:27 when my heart ached." 21:30 Has your heart ever ached 21:32 over how you wished, you looked? 21:39 Some 50 years later, the grown up Ellen returned 21:42 to visit to her home town of Portland, 21:44 stood on the spot where that tragedy took place. 21:47 She writes, "I visited the spot where I met with the accident 21:51 that has made me a life-long invalid." 21:53 She never recovered. 21:55 The breathing apparatus just never fully recovered 21:58 from that tragic accident. 22:01 "I visited the spot where I met with the accident 22:02 that has made me a life-long invalid. 22:04 This misfortune, which for a time seemed so bitter 22:08 and was so hard to bear, 22:10 has proved to be a blessing in disguise. 22:12 The cruel blow which blighted the joys of earth, 22:16 was the means of turning my eyes to heaven. 22:19 I might never have known Jesus," 22:23 can you believe this? 22:25 "I might never have known Jesus, 22:29 had not the sorrow that clouded my early years 22:32 led me to seek comfort in him." 22:35 I tell you what ladies and gentlemen, 22:36 that is quite a testimony, is it not? 22:39 How does she put it? 22:40 I might never have known Jesus 22:41 had this tragedy not been, be fallen me? 22:44 How did Jesus put it? 22:46 How did Jesus put it? 22:48 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, 22:51 nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 22:55 Therefore by their fruits you will know, 23:02 you will know them." 23:04 In 1814, an itinerant Baptist, farmer 23:07 turned preacher name William Miller 23:08 came into Portland 23:10 and soon held his audience spell bound 23:13 with the fascinating Bible prophecy teachings 23:15 that seemed to suggest that Jesus was soon 23:18 to return to this earth 23:20 and little 13-year-old Ellen sat on the edge of her pew 23:24 drinking in every single word. 23:28 She'd always had a heart for spiritual things. 23:31 But theologian and historian, Herbert Douglass, describes 23:34 what was going on in that, young 13 years old heart. 23:38 "Her primary motivation, however, 23:41 her primary motivation was fear, 23:45 fear of not being ready when Jesus would come, 23:48 fear of failure because of her limited schooling." 23:51 She never went-- she never had formal education 23:52 after the third grade. 23:54 She attempted to go to, 23:55 what they called a female seminary, 23:58 the girl's school, so dizzy, so unable to focus, 24:04 she had to drop out. 24:06 "The fear of failure because of her limited schooling 24:08 and weakened body, and fear that in some way," 24:11 some of you know this fear, 24:12 "that in some way God had afflicted her 24:14 with her horrid, physical burden." 24:19 One day Ellen is pouring out her fears to her mom, 24:24 and her mother wisely, instantly says, 24:26 Ellen, you go to our Pastor Lewis Stockton. 24:31 She goes to the pastor, pours out her fears, 24:33 the wise man listens to that little 13-year-old 24:38 and then begins to tell the story of God 24:40 as reflected in the life of Jesus. 24:42 Listen to what happened, Ellen's words on the screen. 24:46 "Faith now took possession of my heart. 24:51 I felt an inexpressible love for God, 24:53 and had the witness of His Spirit 24:54 that my sins were pardoned. 24:56 My views of the Father were changed. 24:58 I now looked upon Him as a kind and tender parent, 25:00 rather than a stern tyrant 25:02 compelling men to a blind obedience. 25:05 My heart went out toward Him in a deep and fervent love. 25:08 My heart was so filled with love to God 25:11 and the peace that passeth understanding, 25:13 that I loved to meditate and pray." 25:19 Wow. 25:21 Soon young Ellen and her family 25:22 join the tens of thousands of Americans, 25:24 who will hope for heart, were hanging on 25:26 to the Bible teachings of this William Miller. 25:28 As the Millerite revival swept like fire 25:32 up and down the eastern seaboard. 25:34 Jesus. 25:35 October 22, pass the word, 1844, Jesus is coming. 25:40 Sixteen-year-old Ellen experiences the jubilant 25:43 but sober countdown 25:45 and with the disappointing Millerites, 25:48 she too wept over hopes dashed. 25:53 Had their hopes been misplaced? 25:56 Did God somehow forgotten them? 26:01 On a December morning in 1844, 26:03 17-year-old Ellen was at friend's home 26:05 in a prayer circle with four other women. 26:09 She describes what happened next this way. 26:13 "While we were praying, the power of God came upon me 26:17 as I had never felt it before. 26:21 I seemed to be surrounded with light, 26:23 and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. 26:26 I turned to look for the advent people," 26:28 because that's what they called each other, 26:30 hoping the soon coming of Christ, 26:31 "I turned to look for the advent people in the world, 26:33 but could not find them," when a voice, 26:35 "when a voice said to me, 26:37 'Look again, and look a little higher.' 26:39 At this I raised my eyes, 26:40 and I saw a straight and narrow path, 26:42 cast up high above the world. 26:44 On this path the advent people were traveling to the city 26:47 which was at the farther end of the path. 26:50 They had a bright light set up behind them 26:51 at the beginning of the path, 26:53 which an angel told me was the 'midnight cry.' 26:55 " That's straight out of Jesus parable in Matthew 25, 26:58 the 10 virgins remember. 26:59 The bride grooms delay, they all fall asleep 27:01 and then in the midnight a cry goes out, 27:03 "behold, the bridegroom cometh." 27:06 So that they called that moment 27:07 the midnight cry moment. 27:09 The angel said that bright light 27:12 was amidnight cry at the beginning at the path. 27:16 Go on reading, "This light shone all along the path, 27:19 and gave light for their feet, 27:21 so that they might not stumble." 27:23 Now notice, "If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, 27:27 who was just before them, leading them to the city, 27:30 they were safe." 27:34 Isn't that amazing? 27:35 If they kept their eyes on Jesus, 27:38 that was the admonition 27:39 of the 17-year-old teenage girl, 27:41 who relate to the four women gathered in prayer, 27:43 what she had just seen. 27:46 Little did she know, 27:48 it was the beginning of a life ministry 27:49 70 years long? 27:52 A ministry woven with over 2,000 other visions and dreams. 27:57 A life ministry ever focused 27:59 on that first visions admonition. 28:01 If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will be safe. 28:09 That point is so critical 28:10 I need you to write it down, right now. 28:11 Come on, reach into that worship bulletin, 28:13 pull out your study guide for today. 28:15 Jot it down, will you? 28:16 Brand new study guide sitting there in the worship bulletin. 28:19 Ushers, let's do this real quickly please. 28:20 Just hold your hand up, you want to get these quotations, 28:23 hold your hand up, they're coming your way 28:24 if you didn't get a study guide, up in the balcony, 28:26 the same for you, those of you sitting in overflow, 28:29 the same for you. 28:30 And I want to say that those of you 28:31 who are watching right now, I'm delighted you're here. 28:34 Join us, you need the same study guide 28:36 so let me put our website on the screen for you 28:38 and then you can go to your computer, 28:40 get the identical study guide, there you see it on your screen 28:43 www.pmchurch.tv that's our website. 28:49 You're looking for the teaching series, The Gift. 28:54 This actually is part six of this series. 28:56 And so today's teaching is entitled Ellen White, 28:59 What Was She Really Like? 29:01 When you see that teaching title you'll say study guide, 29:04 you click on, you'll have the same quotations, 29:06 you'll have the same study guide 29:07 and I'll hope you'll take a moment 29:08 and get that study guide and fill it out with us. 29:12 You see, this is a series of Bible teachings 29:14 in which we were examining God's gift of prophecy 29:16 from the gates of in 29:17 all the way to the end of Revelation. 29:22 We're looking at this gift of prophecy. 29:24 By the way, if you've missed one of the teachings 29:26 along the way they're all building together. 29:28 You can go back to that website, 29:29 you can get the podcast. 29:30 You listen to it at your leisure. 29:32 You get the study guide, you fill them out in your own time. 29:36 But today now, we are ready now, 29:38 in this series we are gonna move deeper now. 29:41 We're gonna focus. 29:43 Today's teaching, Ellen White was-- 29:45 what was she really like? 29:47 Forty-- four of these are coming now. 29:49 Ellen White, what was She Really Like, next week. 29:51 Ellen White, How Did It Really Work? 29:54 Third week Ellen White, But What About Those Critics? 29:59 And finally Ellen White, Taste Them Again for the First Time. 30:02 Four teachings, we're moving deep now. 30:07 But just as surely as I have the opportunity 30:08 to teach and preach around the world, people will ask me, 30:11 I can just promise you this, yo, Dwight, what is-- 30:14 what's up with this Ellen White person 30:18 that you have in your community of faith? 30:20 What can you tell me about her for the next four weeks? 30:22 I want to tell you, I want to answer that question 30:24 for the next four weeks don't miss it, share the journey. 30:28 But I wish to begin today, with that line 30:30 straight out her recounting of that first vision, 30:33 if they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, 30:35 who was just before them, 30:36 leading them to the city they were safe. 30:39 As it turns out ladies and gentlemen, that single life, 30:41 that single line rather becomes the life focus 30:46 of Ellen White's 70 year life in ministry that single line, 30:50 I want to put it in the present tense 30:51 that way we won't forget it. 30:52 So, let's put it on the screen, 30:53 this is the first line in your study guide, 30:55 fill it in please, "If we keep our eyes" 30:58 all of scripture is replete with this line. 31:02 "If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we are safe." 31:08 The ringing appeal of God in His word. 31:10 And it was the dominant node in the ensuing 70 year ministry 31:14 of this 17-year-old girl, this teenager, named Ellen. 31:20 How did Jesus put it? 31:22 Let's look at it again, Sermon on the Mount, 31:23 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, 31:25 nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 31:27 Therefore," Jesus says, "by their fruits 31:31 you will know them." 31:33 All right, so here is the question. 31:35 What kind of a woman was she really? 31:37 I mean, come on, please. 31:38 What kind of woman was she really? 31:41 This woman, who at 19 fell in love 31:43 and married a 25 year old itinerant preacher 31:45 named James White and at 20, listen to this ladies, 31:48 and at 20 became the mother of the first of their-- 31:51 their four boys. 31:53 Wife, mother, homemaker, visionary, 32:01 church leader, public speaker, interpret traveler, 32:03 institutional builder, published best selling author, 32:06 what was she really like? 32:09 A friend of mine, named Horace Shaw 32:11 and some of you remember him, 32:13 he used to be at this university. 32:16 He wrote his doctoral dissertation 32:18 up at Michigan State University in East Lasing, 32:20 and in this dissertation, fascinating he focused 32:22 on the rhetorical analysis of Ellen White's speaking style, 32:26 since she was widely acclaimed as a public speaker. 32:28 By the way, she could speak to a crowd of 20,000 people. 32:31 They counted them, 20,000 people. 32:33 No PA and they could hear her as clear as a bell. 32:37 So he is studying, I am not interested in his conclusions 32:39 about her rhetorical style but I am-- 32:42 what's fascinating is he was able, 32:45 this dissertation was written at the end of the 50's, 32:48 he was able to find 366 people and interview them 32:52 who would actually heard her speak. 32:55 And what's intriguing is there actually emerges 32:57 a physical description of Ellen White 33:00 and I want to share that with you. 33:01 I'm not interested in their rhetorical analysis. 33:04 Here's what we know from those interviews, 33:06 get this, she was a short woman, 5'2". 33:09 Any body here 5'2", be proud of it. 33:12 We can't see you but be proud of it. 33:15 We know you're here, raise your hand, all right. 33:19 She is a short woman, 5'2", all right. 33:25 Interestingly enough it was her face that was remembered 33:28 the longest by these, these interviewees. 33:31 Hear some of the comments about her face. 33:33 Features round and full, 33:36 sweetest smile broke out occasionally, 33:38 face seem to light up. 33:41 Then they spoke of her eyes, beautiful brown eyes 33:44 and far way look, her eyes were large 33:46 and became larger if she was in earnest or excited, 33:48 and grew smaller when she smiled. 33:51 Her hair, plain hairstyle, hair dark and always parted 33:55 and combed back simply to a braded knot 33:58 in the back of her neck. 34:01 Her dress, black velvet or silk, two piece garment, 34:04 white cuffs and collars as accent, gold watched chain, 34:07 silver watch in her pocket and the silver brooch. 34:11 We found of no black and white picture of her 34:12 and want to take a look at it, there it is. 34:15 Isn't that something? What do you think she did? 34:18 What do you think of her? 34:19 He thought she's gonna walk off the cover Vogue magazine? 34:22 No, she is a Victorian woman. That's what she look like. 34:27 Now when I say Victorian women 34:29 because you, you have to be a Victorian woman 34:30 when you living in 1800's. 34:31 I do not wish to suggest that she was some sort of proved. 34:35 Let me tell you another story. 34:37 On one occasion she attended the wedding 34:39 of a young preacher name Daniel Bardou, 34:42 who for three years, some of you guys know 34:44 what this is like, who for three years have been 34:46 searching for a wife, all right. 34:49 Finally he found one. 34:51 And James White appreciated at the private home wedding. 34:54 Now, because the service was late in the day 34:57 the newly weds accepted the invitation of their host 34:59 to spend their first night in the host home 35:01 and the White's were also invited 35:03 to stay as house guests. 35:06 So, Herbert Douglass, now the Theologian historian, 35:09 recounts that moment. 35:10 I'll put it on the screen for you, 35:12 "When Ellen White, who by the way, she is 33 years old. 35:15 At this moment. 35:16 "When Ellen White went upstairs to retire, 35:19 she saw a very nervous young man pacing back and forth 35:23 in front of a closed bedroom door. 35:27 She suspected a problem. 35:30 Gently she said to the young bridegroom, as the bride 35:33 later quoted her husband's recital of the incident," 35:35 so the bride told about it later. 35:38 "'Daniel, inside that room is a frightened young woman 35:44 in bed petrified with fear. 35:48 Now you go into her right now, 35:50 and you love her, and you comfort her. 35:52 And Daniel, you treat her tenderly, 35:55 and you treat her lovingly. 35:56 It will do her good.' 35:59 And then she added, 36:00 'hey, Daniel, it will do you good, too!'" 36:04 Oh, my. 36:07 What was she like as a wife and a mother? 36:11 In letter she wrote to James, 36:12 two days after he is on a preaching itinerary. 36:16 We have the letter, I'll put a portion 36:17 of the letter on the screen for you. 36:19 "We are all well as usual." 36:21 She came here to bout a creek, that's where he was headed. 36:24 "We are all well as usual. 36:25 It takes a little time to get settled down 36:27 from the excitement of your going. 36:28 You may be assured we miss you. 36:30 Especially do we feel the loss of your society 36:33 when we gather about the fireside evenings. 36:36 We feel your absence when we sit around the social board," 36:40 that would be the dining room table. 36:42 Then a couple of weeks later, he's still on the same trip, 36:44 she writes an another letter, "I had written you 36:47 quite a lengthy letter last night 36:49 but the ink was spilled upon it, 36:50 making an unsightly blotch, and I will not send it. 36:54 We received," oh, oh, listen to this, 36:56 "We received your few words last night on a postal card." 36:59 So that's a post card. 37:00 He sent a post card, she quotes everything 37:01 on the post card now in this letter. 37:03 This is James White's post card home, "Battle Creek, April 11. 37:08 No letters from you for two days. 37:09 Sign, James White." 37:15 She goes on now having quoted his post card back to him. 37:19 "This lengthy letter was written by yourself. 37:22 Thank you, for we know you are living. 37:27 I will write every morning. Will you do the same?" 37:32 She loved her boys, her four boys 37:34 just as much as young mother did, 37:38 which is why it broke her heart 37:39 when little John Herbert died at three months of age. 37:43 The 33-year-old mother would later describe that loss. 37:48 "My babe was worse. 37:50 I listened to his labored breathing, 37:52 and I felt his pulseless wrist. 37:54 I knew that he must die. 37:56 That was an hour of anguish for me. 38:00 I fainted at the funeral. 38:04 My heart ached as though it would break, 38:06 yet I could not shed a tear." 38:09 Some of you know a grief that deep 38:13 that not even a tear will come. 38:18 Three years later her first born son Henry, 38:20 died at the age of 16. 38:22 They were living in Battle Creek, 38:24 not far from us here 38:25 and Henry was known he is working 38:26 in the Review and Herald publishing house 38:28 and he was known as a sweet singer, 38:30 he just had this melodious voice. 38:33 What happened was in November that year he got a cold, 38:38 and then the cold turn into Pneumonia 38:39 and the toxic drug concoctions used in the day 38:41 exacerbated his condition 38:43 and his last words to his mother were these, 38:48 mother, I shall meet you in heaven 38:50 in the morning of the resurrection. 38:52 For I know you'll be there. 38:55 He then back into his brothers and parents and friends 38:57 and gave them all a parting kiss after which 38:59 he pointed upward and whispered, heaven is sweet. 39:04 Those were his last words. 39:06 I tell you what ladies and gentlemen, 39:08 it doesn't matter, it does not matter your life calling. 39:12 If you are a mother and two of your four boys die, 39:18 you are cut to the quick and your heart is broken, 39:22 no matter what you do or don't do for a living. 39:29 But how about some cheerful, Dwight? 39:31 Glad you asked. I got some cheerful. 39:34 So about three or four weeks ago, 39:36 you heard David Benner up here talking about Paul Sanchez 39:38 who used to be our pastor for Finance and Stewardship. 39:40 So Paul and I are on the phone, three or four weeks ago 39:42 one evening and we're talk together 39:44 and then we, the talk turned to fishing, 39:46 if he talk with Paul long, it always turns to fishing. 39:49 Paul taught Kirk, my son and me how to fish. 39:53 So we're talking about fishing and he said, Dwight, 39:55 I got a letter you have got to read. 39:58 So I got a hold of the letter. He made sure I got it. 40:02 It's a letter Ellen White writes to her family. 40:04 She's just dropped them off in the Rockies of Colorado. 40:08 It's her turn to be on a preaching itinerary. 40:10 So she is leaving the family for some honor, 40:13 some vacation in the Rockies 40:15 and she writes a letter to them, 40:17 after she's left them there in those beautiful rugged peaks. 40:20 So I'll put the letter on the screen, portion of the letter. 40:23 She is writing, Father, she's writing to James, of course. 40:26 "Father, our writing," they were both prolific writers, 40:29 "our writing can be done in the winter. 40:31 Lay it aside now. 40:32 Throw off every burden, and be a carefree boy again. 40:35 I like that, "Will and Mary, if they stay in the mountains 40:38 a few weeks longer, should neither study nor write." 40:41 Don't make the kids study, all right. 40:44 "They should be made happy for this season, 40:47 that they maybe able to look back to this time 40:49 as a season of unalloyed pleasure." 40:53 Oh, in "The few days you now have together, improve. 40:56 Roam about, camp out, fish," 40:59 and when Paul Sanchez saw that he is saying, yes. 41:04 Isn't that good? I like that. 41:05 "Roam about, camp out, fish, hunt, 41:10 go to places that you have not seen, 41:11 rest as you go, and enjoy everything. 41:13 Then come back to your work fresh and vigorous. 41:16 Father needs to be a boy again." 41:19 Every man needs to hear that in his life. 41:22 Father needs to be a boy again. "Roam all around. 41:24 Climb the mountain steeps. Ride horseback. 41:27 Find something new each day to see and enjoy. 41:29 This will be for, this will be for Father's health. 41:31 Do not spend any anxious thought on me. 41:33 You will see how well I will appear 41:35 after the camp meetings are over." 41:38 Ladies and gentlemen, she started to have experience 41:40 the buoyant and the best of life 41:43 and then she asked others to do the same. 41:49 But what was the spark? 41:51 What was the spark that ignited the mind and heart 41:57 and soul of this woman, in her 70 years life ministry? 42:03 I've read Ellen White for years, you know that. 42:08 I have discovered 42:11 that her ministry was ignited by three passions, 42:16 get into anything she wrote and before long 42:19 you are head long into these three passions 42:23 and I want you to jot them down right now. 42:24 From here on out you're writing the whole way. 42:26 Let's go. 42:27 Three passions, jot them down. 42:29 Passion number one, that ignited life and ministry. 42:32 A passion for the Savior. 42:34 Would you fill that in please? A passion for the Savior. 42:38 So I go on my CD-ROM that has the entire collection 42:40 of her writings, letters everything. 42:42 I go on my CD-ROM. 42:43 What do I discover? Jot it down. 42:45 I discover that she writes of Jesus 37,038 times. 42:51 My computer counted them in a split second. 42:54 I discovered that she writes of Christ 69,277 times, 43:00 and then I found out that she referred 43:02 to the Savior 11,583 times. 43:07 A passion, a passion for the Savior. 43:11 In that little spiritual classical of hers, 43:13 by the way, translated into more languages 43:15 than anything else she ever wrote. 43:17 The little book 'Steps to Christ', 43:18 here are these words, 43:19 you have them in your study guide, 43:20 I'll put them on the screen. 43:21 Ellen White writing, "You are not to look to yourself, 43:26 not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. 43:30 Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, 43:33 the perfection, of His character. 43:35 Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation," 43:39 Calvary, "Christ in His purity and holiness, 43:42 Christ in His matchless love-- 43:44 this is the subject for the soul's contemplation. 43:47 It is by loving Him, copying Him, 43:50 depending wholly upon Him, 43:51 that you are to be transformed into His likeness." 43:55 She had a passion for Christ. 44:00 What was that first line from her first vision, 44:04 "If we will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus 44:06 we will be safe." 44:08 I read widely, I think you know that. 44:11 And I can testify I have never in all my reading encountered 44:16 a more crystal centric writer than Ellen White. 44:21 She had three passions. 44:22 Passion number one, the passion for the Savior. 44:24 Passion number two, jot it down, 44:25 a passion for the Word of God, a passion for Holy Scripture. 44:32 Pick up anyone of her books they will have in the back 44:34 something called scripture index. 44:37 All the verses that she quotes in that writing, in that book. 44:40 She is replic-- she is saturated with Holy Scripture. 44:48 These words I've written in my brand new Bible 44:49 right here Andrew's study Bible. 44:51 I put these words in the cover of this Bible. 44:54 And you have it now in your study guide, 44:56 I'll put them up on the screen. 44:57 She wrote these words, 44:58 "The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, 45:01 just as surely as though we could here it with our ears." 45:05 Hey, listen guys, here is her point. 45:07 "If we realized this, with what awe would we open God's word, 45:13 and with what earnestness would we search its precepts! 45:17 The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures 45:20 would be regarded as an audience 45:22 with the Infinite One." 45:25 Amazing. 45:28 Three passions, fire for her soul, 45:31 for her 70 year a life ministry. 45:33 Passion number one, the passion for the Savior. 45:35 Passion number two, a passion for the Word of God. 45:37 And finally passion number three, 45:39 a passion for the salvation of the lost. 45:42 Write that down please. 45:46 A passion for the salvation of the lost. 45:49 I have never read any author more passionate 45:52 about saving lost people for Christ than Ellen White. 45:56 I scribble these words down in my Bible as well, 45:58 I'll put them on the screen for you, 45:59 "Recently in the night season I was awakened from sleep 46:03 and given a view of the sufferings of Christ for men. 46:06 His sacrifice, the mockery and derision 46:08 He received at the hands of wicked men, 46:11 His agony in the Garden of the Gethsemane, 46:13 His betrayal and crucifixion 46:15 all were vividly portrayed before me. 46:18 As I have thought of that cup trembling 46:20 in the hands of Christ in the Garden of the Gethsemane, 46:22 as I have realized that He might have refused to drink, 46:27 and left the world to perish in its sin, 46:30 I have pledged that every energy of my life 46:33 should be devoted to the work of winning souls to Him." 46:39 Mercy. 46:42 Three passions 46:44 and she was faithful to all three through all her life. 46:50 Called by God at the age of 17 46:52 and gifted with the spiritual gift of prophecy, 46:55 Ellen White lived her 70 prolific years of ministry 46:58 ignited by these three. 47:01 No wonder the fruit that ensued was so bountiful, 47:06 now your pen will never start moving here we go. 47:09 Look up just and long enough to get it, 47:12 "She is considered today", write this down, 47:14 will you please, "she is considered today 47:16 the third most translated author 47:19 in history of all literature. 47:21 Number three, 47:23 third grade education was just far as she could go. 47:26 The third most translated, keep your pen moving, 47:30 she is the most translated American author, 47:32 male or female. 47:36 Keep your pen going. 47:38 Her literary productions totaled approximately 47:40 100,000 pages, 47:44 the equivalent of 25 million words. 47:51 A decade ago 128 titles were in print bearing her name, 47:56 including books that are compilations." 48:00 Now just listen to this, humbly now 48:03 I read these for you in your study guide. 48:06 As fruit of her ministry, fruit of her ministry and leadership 48:13 God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church 48:16 to become the largest protestant 48:19 educational system in the world today. 48:23 And we are sitting in the heart of its 48:26 major flagship institution, Andrews University. 48:31 Raised up because of our humble, little 5'2" woman, 48:37 used mightily by God. 48:39 Keep going, as a fruit of her ministry and leadership 48:42 God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church today 48:44 to become the largest protestant 48:46 health system in the world today. 48:50 Loma Linda University Medical School, 48:53 making headlines with science. 48:56 Keep going, as a fruit of her ministry and leadership 48:58 God raised up this church to become a largest Protestant 49:01 publishing enterprise in the world today. 49:06 And there is one more, 49:08 as if fruit of her ministry and leadership 49:12 God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church to become 49:14 the most expensive Protestant missions outreach 49:17 in the world today, with the Seventh Day Adventist Church 49:20 in more countries than any other denomination. 49:26 How did Jesus put it? What did Jesus tell us? 49:31 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit." 49:35 But I want you to get the second half of that, 49:38 "A bad tree cannot bear a good fruit." 49:42 You've got to get that one. 49:44 And in three weeks, I'll tell you why, 49:47 a good tree cannot bear bad fruit 49:49 nor can a bad tree bear a good fruit. 49:50 Therefore by their fruits you will evaluate them." 49:56 You will come to conclusions about them, 49:58 by their fruits you will know them. 50:05 Which is why I want to conclude today 50:06 with a personal testimony. 50:13 The reason I'm so deeply convicted about the divine 50:15 of the authentic, Ellen White's prophetic ministry 50:18 is because of what the Holy Spirit has done 50:20 in my own part and life through her writings. 50:24 I was a graduate student, 50:26 a few years ago here at Andrews University, 50:28 enrolled in the theological seminary. 50:29 One day our professor, in class teaching 50:32 from Psalm 139 announced to us that we ought to follow 50:36 David's example and ask God to reveal to us, 50:39 ours in aid sinfulness. 50:42 So one night before going to bed 50:44 I decided to give it a whirl. 50:46 After all I was a fifth generation Adventist, 50:48 fourth generation preacher 50:50 there is nothing God could show me. 50:54 Nothing happened after I prayed it. 50:57 Until three weeks later, 50:59 when all hell broke loose spiritually, 51:03 as I was suddenly overwhelmed 51:04 with a sense of my own desperate guilt, 51:07 little sins that I had laughed often my youth, 51:10 suddenly with a vengeance returned, 51:11 I'm frantically trying to purge them out of my mind 51:14 and my memories but I cannot. 51:17 And so I say, I'll go back to the professor 51:19 who told us to do this, it was his idea in the first place. 51:23 And I went back to him but he was old school 51:26 and all he said to me in the stairwell, 51:29 in that building was, 51:31 go read Steps to Christ, go read Steps to Christ. 51:35 I stumbled back to our little apartment, 51:37 in the Maplewood apartments here on campus. 51:41 And I pulled down from my shelf, 51:43 my army, navy edition of Steps to Christ 51:46 that I've been given as a boy in Japan. 51:49 I pulled that book out and I began to turn the pages. 51:55 I read about God's love from man. 52:00 And then I read about the sinner's need of Christ. 52:05 And then I come to a chapter called Repentance, 52:09 then Confession, then Consecration, 52:15 then here's the chapter I read Faith and Acceptance. 52:20 And then another one, The Test of Discipleship. 52:24 Then another chapter, Growing up into Christ. 52:26 Wow. 52:29 And then, the Work and the Life 52:33 and then a chapter, A Knowledge of God. 52:37 The Privilege of Prayer, another chapter. 52:40 And finally the last chapter, now the next last chapter, 52:44 What to Do with Doubt and then the last chapter, 52:46 Rejoicing in the Lord. 52:48 I read the little books through. 52:50 I had to read it to get baptized in the eighth grade. 52:54 I'm standing here today ladies and gentlemen, 52:56 to personally testify to you that this little classic, 53:01 the title of this classic became 53:02 a self fulfilling prophecy in my life 53:05 and I found the steps back to Christ right here. 53:12 Right here. 53:14 I'm telling you, I have tasted of the fruit, 53:20 there is absolutely no equivocation in my mind. 53:24 The Christ anointed, blessed, in filled this woman 53:31 with a prophetic ministry, for such a time as this. 53:40 I have found the truth and I invite you please 53:47 to discover the same truth for yourself. 53:53 How did Jesus put it, come on. What did He say? 53:56 "Therefore a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, 54:01 nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." 54:04 So I'm telling you Jesus says, therefore, by their fruits 54:11 you will know, you will know. 54:16 By their fruits you will know the truth. 54:24 Stand with me, will you? 54:26 I want to sing that old chorus, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, 54:29 that line out of that first visions 54:31 captured in that familiar chorus. 54:34 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 54:35 Look full in His wonderful face 54:38 And the things of earth will grow strangely dim 54:43 In the light of His glory and His grace 54:46 Let's sing that together. 54:56 Turn your eyes upon Jesus 55:05 Look full in His wonderful face 55:14 And the things of earth will grow strangely dim 55:25 In the light of His glory and grace 55:37 Now, let's sing it even quieter. 55:39 Turn your eyes upon Jesus 55:50 Look full in His wonderful face 56:00 And the things of earth will grow strangely dim 56:13 In the light of His glory and grace 56:26 And so Holy Father, we do taking a cue 56:29 from this friend of yours, we turn our eyes to Jesus. 56:37 If you keep your eyes on Him you'll always be safe. 56:43 It's still true, hold our gaze dear God, 56:48 hold our gaze until Jesus comes. 56:55 And now may the love of the Father, 56:57 and the grace of His Son, and the communion 57:02 of the Holy Spirit abide with you and me, amen. 57:11 This little classic was a God sent to me 57:12 when I hit rock bottom spiritually 57:15 as a graduated student on this campus years ago. 57:17 The title became itself fulfilling prophecy, 57:20 Steps to Christ. 57:22 Because that's precisely what I discovered in the short 57:24 but inspiring and for me life changing book 57:28 and I'd love for you to experience the same 57:30 which is why we're setting aside 57:31 a few of this books for our viewing friends. 57:33 If you'd like your own copy of Steps to Christ 57:36 call our toll free number 877-HIS-WILL. 57:39 Just punch those two words, HIS-WILL on your keyboard, 57:41 877-HIS-WILL and ask for the book. 57:44 If you want it in Spanish, ask for it. 57:46 It's one of the most translated books in the world. 57:48 Our friendly operators are standing by 24x7 to assist you 57:51 and will get the book to you as soon as possible 57:53 straight to your address. 57:55 So why not go to the phone right now, and see if your walk 57:57 with Jesus is deepen by the spiritual classic. 58:00 It's our gift to you. 58:02 Until I see you again next time may you sense 58:05 the living Christ walking beside of you 58:08 every step of the way. |
Revised 2014-12-17