Participants: Pr. Dwight K. Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP103010
|
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 02:11 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 03:00 The earth is filled with His glory 03:08 It's rising up all around 03:14 It's the anthem of the Lord's renown 03:20 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" 04:12 Amen. You may be seated. 04:19 This next pray song is called from the inside out 04:23 and it's a beautiful song that describes 04:25 that 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 simple from that we owe Him 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, that's a beautiful verse. 05:21 Let's sing it one more time. 05:23 A thousand times I've failed 05:25 But still your mercy remains 05:30 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 05:51 Never-ending 05:54 Your glory goes beyond all fame 06:01 In my heart and my soul 06:04 Lord, I give You control 06:08 Consume me from the inside out, Lord 06:15 Let justice and praise 06:19 Become my embrace 06:23 To love You from the inside out 06:28 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 06:45 Is to bring You praise 06:49 From the inside out, Lord 06:52 My soul cries out, Lord 07:09 Your will above all else 07:13 My purpose remains 07:17 The art of losing myself 07:21 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 and my soul, 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 08:23 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 08:50 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 09:28 I worship You 09:34 All I have within me 09:39 I give You praise 09:45 All that I adore is in You 09:56 Lord, I give You my heart 09:59 I give You my soul 10:02 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" 13:59 Hold of him, early of him. 14:01 How sweet are the tidings that greet the pilgrim's ear, 14:05 He is coming, coming, coming soon I know. 14:10 That's what ignited the hearts of the pioneers 14:15 for whom this church is a memorial, 14:18 Pioneer Memorial Church. 14:21 Before we plunge into a very unusual story 14:24 I want to turn to some red letter words. 14:26 So open your Bibles please to the Word of Jesus, 14:29 Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 7. 14:31 I want to read these words, 14:33 have a prayer and then plunge into our teaching today. 14:36 Matthew Chapter 7, 14:37 Sermon on the Mount words of our Lord himself. 14:44 If you have Red Letter Bible this words are bright red, 14:47 Matthew Chapter 7:15 14:52 not gonna put them on the screen 14:53 if-- oh, by the way if you don't have a Bible, 14:54 grab the pew Bible, let me give you a page number. 14:57 Pew Bible page number will be page 653. 15:01 I like you to track this, Matthew Chapter 7:15 15:06 Jesus speaking, " Beware of false prophets, 15:10 which come to you in sheep's clothing, 15:12 but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 15:15 You will know them by their fruits. 15:18 Do men gather grapes from thorns bushes, 15:21 or figs of thistles?" 15:23 Verse 17 "Even so every good tree bears forth good fruit, 15:27 but a bad tree bears bad fruit." 15:30 Verse 18 "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 15:39 is cut down, and thrown into the fire." 15:42 Punch line Jesus, verse 20 15:45 "Therefore by their fruits" by their fruits 15:50 "you will know them." 15:52 Let's pray. 15:56 Oh, God, trees and fruits by their fruits, 16:05 let today's teaching be clear 16:07 to both our minds and our hearts 16:11 as we ponder these words of Christ our Lord 16:15 we praying 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 16:31 and brown strewn upon that cold New England earth. 16:37 Robert and Eunice Harmon, their family already bulging 16:41 with two boys and four daughters, 16:45 overnight, overnight suddenly 16:50 see their family expanded by two. 16:53 The birth of fraternal twins, one they named Elizabeth 16:58 and called Lizzie the other they Ellen. 17:04 Robert Harmon hard working New Englander farmer 17:08 trying to make ends meet resorted to hat making 17:11 during the 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 17:21 that these little twins Ellen and Lizzie grew up in. 17:24 It was a formidable one and which to survive. 17:26 Let me read some statistics to you, 17:31 statistics from those years indicate the children-- 17:33 listen to this, "Children under 10 17:35 often constituted close to 50% of deaths in a year." 17:41 That's not counting stillborns by the way. 17:43 Reading on "Here stated differently 17:44 the average age of death during 1841" 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 claimed demonstrated 17:57 'the superior degree of health enjoyed in Portland.'" 18:01 Come to our city 'cause 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 scarlet's fever." 18:14 Scarlet fever consumption 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 sunny afternoon the two little girls nine-years-old 18:28 with the classmate of theirs are making the way, 18:29 their way home when an older student 13 18:32 with threatening words follows them. 18:35 They hear her threats, 18:39 raised by a god fearing mother to never retaliate. 18:42 The twins hurriedly cross the street to the other side 18:46 and little Ellen happen to look back to gauge 18:49 the distance to their tormentor when in that split second 18:54 the stone that the teenager had thrown 18:57 struck Ellen in the face and she collapsed. 19:02 She writes of what happened, 19:04 I put it in the screen for you, take a look at this. 19:06 "I was stunned by the blow, 19:08 and I fell 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 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 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 almost to 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 calls 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, 20:20 but I dared not die, for I was not prepared." 20:25 I tell you what ladies and gentlemen, 20:27 is a society like yours and mine 20:28 were physical attraction 20:30 and beauty is so highly passionately emphasized 20:37 it isn't hard for you and me to imagine 20:40 the heartbreaking horror of staring 20:43 into a mirror with that discovery. 20:46 But the most crushing blow came 20:49 when her beloved father away in Georgia in business 20:52 at the time of the tragedy 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." 21:00 Hey listen, where's little Ellen. 21:02 Nice to see you Lizzie, but where is your sis? 21:04 Where is your twin? 21:05 Oh, papa, we haven't been able to tell you 21:08 and the story tumbles out 21:09 and father now walks into the room 21:12 where little Ellen lies. 21:15 "It was hard to make him believe 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 over how you wished you looked? 21:39 Some 50 years later the grown up Ellen returned 21:42 and a visit to her hometown of Portland 21:44 stood on that spot where that tragedy took place she writes. 21:49 "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, the breathing apparatus 21:56 just never fully recovered 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 22:06 seemed so bitter and was so hard to bear, 22:10 has proved to be a blessing in disguise. 22:13 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," can you believe this? 22:26 "I might never have known Jesus, had not the sorrow 22:30 that clouded my early years 22:32 led me to seek comfort in him." 22:35 I'll tell you what ladies and gentlemen, 22:37 that is what quite a testimony is it not? 22:39 How did she put it, I might never have known 22:41 Jesus had this tragedy has not been falling me. 22:44 How did Jesus put it? 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" 23:00 you will know "you will know them." 23:04 In 1814, itinerant baptized farmer turned preacher named 23:08 William Miller came into the Portland 23:10 and soon held his audience spellbound 23:13 with the fascinating Bible prophecy teachings 23:15 that seemed to suggest 23:17 that Jesus were soon to return to this earth 23:20 and little 13-year-old Ellen sat on the edge 23:23 of her pew drinking in every single word. 23:28 She'd always had a heart for spiritual things 23:31 but theologian and historian Herbert Douglas 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 23:47 when Jesus would come, fear of failure 23:49 because of her limited schooling," 23:51 she never had formal education after the third grade. 23:54 She attempted to go to a what they called a female seminary, 23:57 a girl school, so dizzy, 24:01 so unable to focus she had to dropout. 24:06 "Her fear of failure because of her limited schooling " 24:08 and weekend body, and a 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. 24:20 One day Ellen was pouring out her fears to her mom 24:24 and her mother wisely instantly says Ellen, 24:29 you go to our Pastor Levi Stockman. 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 is 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, 25:01 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, soon young Ellen and her family joined 25:23 tens of thousands of Americans 25:24 who will hope for heart were hanging on 25:26 to the Bible teachings of the this William Miller 25:29 as the Millerite revival swept like fire 25:32 up and down the eastern seaboard. 25:34 Jesus, October 22 pass the word, 25:37 1844 Jesus is coming. 25:41 Sixteen-year-old Ellen experienced the jubilant 25:43 but sober countdown 25:45 and with the disappointment Millerites 25:48 she too wept over hopes dashed. 25:53 Had their hopes been misplaced, 25:56 that God somehow forgotten them. 26:01 And the December morning in 1844, 26:03 17-year-old Ellen was at her friend's home 26:06 in a prayer circle with four other women. 26:10 She described what happened next this way. 26:13 "While we were praying, 26:16 the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before. 26:21 I seemed to be surrounding with light 26:23 and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. 26:26 I turned and 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 and looked for the advent people in the world, 26:33 but could not find them, when a voice said to me, 26:37 'Look again, and look a little higher.' 26:39 At this I raised my eyes and I saw a straight 26:41 and narrow path, 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 26:52 at the beginning of the path, 26:53 which an angel told me was the 'midnight cry.'" 26:56 That's straight out of Jesus parable in Matthew 25 26:58 the ten virgins, you remember? 26:59 The bridegrooms 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 movement 27:07 the midnight cry movement. 27:09 The angels said that bright light 27:12 was a midnight cry at the beginning at the path. 27:16 Go on reading. 27:17 "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 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, it was the beginning 27:48 of a life ministry 70 years long. 27:52 A ministry woven with over 2,000 other visions and dreams. 27:57 A life ministry ever focused on that first visions admonition. 28:02 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 in to that worship bulletin 28:13 and pull out your study guide for today. 28:15 Jot it down, will you? 28:16 Brand new study guys sitting there 28:17 with the worship bulletin. 28:18 Ushers, lets do this real quickly please. 28:20 Just hold your hands up 28:21 you want to get these quotations, 28:23 hold your hand up they are coming your way. 28:24 If you didn't get a study guide, 28:26 up in the balcony the same for you, 28:27 those of you sitting in overflow the same for you, 28:30 and I want to say to those of you 28:31 who are watching right now, I'm delighted you are here. 28:34 Join us, you need the sane 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. 28:41 There you see it on your screen www.pmchruch.tv. 28:47 That's our website. 28:49 You're looking for the teaching series, 28:52 "The Gift." 28:54 This actually is part of this series 28:56 and so today's teaching is entitled, 28:58 "Ellen White, What Was She Really Like?" 29:01 When you see that teaching title, 29:03 you'll study guide you click on you have the same quotations, 29:06 you'll have the same study guide 29:07 and I 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 the series of Bible teachings 29:14 in which we're examining Gods gift or prophecy 29:16 from the gates of Eden all the way 29:19 to the end a Revelation. 29:22 We're looking at this gift of prophecy. 29:24 By the way if you've missed one of teachings along the way, 29:26 they are all building together. 29:28 You can go back to the website you can get the podcast. 29:30 You listen to it at your leisure, 29:32 you'll get the study guide you fill them out in your time. 29:36 But today now, we're ready now in this series 29:39 we're gonna move deeper now, we're gonna focus. 29:43 Today's teaching "Ellen White, What Was She Really Like?" 29:48 Four of these are coming now, 29:49 "Ellen White, What Was She Really Like?" 29:50 Next week "Ellen White, How Did It Really Work?" 29:54 Third week "Ellen White, But What About Those Critics?" 29:59 And finally "Ellen White, 30:00 Taste Them Again For The First Time." 30:02 Four teachings, we're moving deep now. 30:07 Well, just as surely as I have had the opportunity 30:08 to teach and preach around the world 30:10 people will ask me I can just promise you this, 30:12 Yo, Dwight, hey, 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? 30:21 For the next four weeks I want to tell you, 30:23 I want to answer that question for the next four weeks 30:25 don't miss it, share the journey. 30:28 But I wish it begin today with that line 30:30 straight out of her recounting of that first vision 30:33 "If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, 30:35 who was just before them, leading them to the city, 30:37 they were safe." 30:39 As it turns out ladies and gentlemen, 30:40 that single life, that single line 30:42 rather becomes the life focused 30:46 of Ellen White's 70 years life in ministry. 30:49 That single line, 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, this is the first line 30:54 in your study guys fill it in please. 30:56 "If we keep our eyes" all of scripture 30:59 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 note in the ensuing 31:13 70 year ministry of this 17-year-old girl, 31:16 this teenager name 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's the question, 31:35 what kind of a woman was she really? 31:37 I mean come on please, 31:38 what kind of a woman was she really? 31:41 This woman who at 19 fell in love 31:43 and married at 25-year-old 31:44 itinerant preacher name James White 31:46 and at 20, listen to this ladies, 31:48 and at 20 became the mother of first of their four boys. 31:53 Wife, mother, homemaker, 31:59 visionary, church leader, 32:02 public speaker, intrepid travel, 32:03 institutional builder, publish best selling author. 32:06 What was she really like? 32:09 A friend of mine named Horace Shaw 32:11 some of you remember him 32:13 he used to be at this university. 32:17 He wrote his doctoral dissertation 32:18 of Michigan State University and East Lansing 32:20 and in this dissertation fascinating 32:21 he focused on the rhetorical analysis 32:24 of Ellen White speaking styles, 32:26 since she was widely acclaimed as a public speaker. 32:28 By the way she could speak to the crowd of 20,000 people. 32:31 They counted them, 20,000 no P.A 32:35 and they could hear hers as clear as a bell. 32:37 So he is studying, I'm not interested 32:39 in his conclusions about her rhetorical style, 32:41 but what's fascinating is he was able to-- 32:45 this dissertation was written near at the end of the 50's, 32:48 he was able to find 366 people and interview them 32:52 who had actually heard her speak, 32:55 and what's intriguing is they're 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 Anybody 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's a short woman 5.2 all right, 33:25 interestingly enough it was her face 33:27 that was remembered the longest by this interviewees. 33:32 Here are some of the comments about here face. 33:34 Features round and full, sweetest smile broke out 33:37 occasionally, face seem to light up. 33:41 Then they spoke of her eyes, beautiful brown eyes 33:44 and far away look, her eyes were large 33:46 and became larger if she was in earnest or excited, 33:49 and grew smaller when she smiles. 33:51 Her hair, plain hairstyle, hair dark and always parted 33:55 and combed back simply to a braded 33:58 knot 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 an old black and white picture of her 34:12 and I want you to take a look at it, there it is. 34:14 Isn't that something? 34:16 What do you think she did? What do you think of her? 34:19 You thought she's gonna walk of the cover of Vogue magazine? 34:22 No, she is Victorian woman, that's what she look like. 34:27 Now when I say Victorian woman 34:28 because you have to be a Victorian woman 34:30 when you're living in a 1800's. 34:31 I do not wish to suggest 34:33 that she was some sort of prude. 34:35 Let me tell you another story. 34:37 On one occasion she attended the wedding 34:39 of a young preacher named Daniel Bardou, 34:42 who for three years, some of you guys know 34:44 what this is like, who for three years 34:46 have been searching for a wife all right. 34:49 Finally he found one. 34:51 And James White officiated at the private home wedding. 34:55 Now because the service was late in the day 34:57 the newly weds accept to the invitation of their host 34:59 to spend their first night in the host home 35:02 and White's were also invited to stay as house guest. 35:06 So Herbert Douglas now the theologian historian 35:09 we recounts that moment, I put it on the screen for you. 35:12 "When Ellen White" who by the way 35:13 she's 33 years old at this moment. 35:16 "When Ellen White went upstairs to retire, 35:19 she saw a very nervous young man pacing 35:22 back and forth in front of the close bedroom door. 35:27 She suspected a problem. 35:30 Gently she said to the young bridegroom 35:33 as the bride later quoted her 35:34 husband's recital of the incident" 35:35 so the bride told about it later. 35:38 "'Daniel, inside that room is a frightened 35:43 young woman in bed petrified with fear. 35:48 Now you go in to her 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, 'hey Daniel, 36:01 it will do you good too!'" 36:04 Oh, my. 36:07 What was she like as a wife and a mother? 36:11 A letter she wrote to James, 36:12 two days after his on a preaching itinerary. 36:16 We have the letter. 36:17 I put a portion of the letter on the screen for you. 36:19 "We are all well as usual." 36:21 He actually came here to Battle Creek, 36:23 that's where he was headed. 36:24 "We are all well as usual. 36:25 It takes a little time to get settle 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 36:38 when we sit around the social board" 36:40 that would be the dining room table. 36:42 And a couple weeks later he's still on the same trip 36:44 she writes another letter. 36:46 "I had written you 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" listen to this 36:55 "We received your few words last night on a postal card." 36:59 So that's a postcard. He sends a postcard. 37:01 She quotes everything on the postcard 37:02 now in this letter. 37:03 This is James White's postcard home. 37:05 "Battle Creek, April 11. 37:08 No letters from you for two days. 37:09 Signs James White." 37:15 She goes out now having quoted his postcard 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 lose. 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, 38:07 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 38:20 Henry died at the age of 16. 38:22 They were living in Battle Creek 38:24 not far from us here and Henry was known 38:26 he was working in the Review and Herald Publishing House 38:28 and he was known as the sweet singer. 38:30 He just had this melodies voice. 38:33 What happened was in November that year he caught a cold, 38:38 and the called turned into pneumonia 38:39 and the toxic drug concoctions used in the day 38:41 exacerbated in 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 will be there." 38:55 He then back into his brothers and parents and friends 38:57 and gave them all the partying kiss 38:59 after which she pointed upward and whispered heaven is sweet, 39:04 those were his last words. 39:06 I'll 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. 39:35 So about three or four weeks ago, 39:36 you heard David Benner up here talking about Paul Sanchez, 39:38 he used to be our pastor for Finance and Stewardship. 39:40 So Paul and I on the phone 39:41 three or four weeks ago one evening 39:43 and we're talking to the other end 39:44 the talk turned into fishing. 39:46 If you 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 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 of in the Rockies of Colorado. 40:08 It's her turn to be on the preaching itinerary, 40:10 so she's leaving the family for some honor, 40:13 for some vacation in the Rockies 40:15 and she writes a letter to them after she's left them. 40:18 They're knows beautiful rugged peaks. 40:20 So I put the letter on the screen, 40:22 portion of the letter. 40:23 She's writing "Father" she is writing to James of course. 40:25 "Father, our writing" 40:27 they were both prolific writers, 40:29 "our writings 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. 40:36 "Will and Mary, 40:37 if they stay in the mountains a few weeks longer, 40:39 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 may be able to look back to this time 40:49 as a season of unalloyed pleasure." 40:53 Oh, and "The few days you now have together, improve. 40:56 Roam about, camp out, fish" 40:59 and when Paul Sanchez saw that he says, 41:01 yes, ain't that good. 41:05 I like that, "Roam about, camp out, 41:07 fish, hunt, go to places that you have not seen, 41:11 rest as you go, 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. 41:23 "Roam all around. Climb the mountain steeps. 41:25 Ride horseback. 41:27 Find something new each day to see and enjoy. 41:29 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 appear 41:35 after the camp meetings are over." 41:38 Ladies and gentlemen, she sought to experience 41:40 the buoyant and the best of life 41:43 and then asked other to do the same. 41:49 But what was the spark? 41:51 What was the spark that ignited her mind 41:56 and heart and soul of this woman, 42:01 in her 70 year life ministry? 42:03 I've read Ellen White for years you know that. 42:08 I've discovered that her ministry 42:11 was ignited by three passions, 42:16 get into any thing she wrote and before long 42:19 you are head long into these three passion 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. Three passions, jot them down. 42:29 Passion number one, 42:30 that ignited her life in 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 42:39 that has the entire collection of her writings, 42:41 letters everything. 42:42 I go on my CD-ROM, what do I discover? 42:44 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 43:01 she referred to the "Savior" 11,583 times. 43:07 A passion, a passion for the Savior. 43:11 In that little spiritual classic of hers 43:13 by the way translated into more languages 43:15 than anything else she ever wrote, 43:17 the little books Steps to Cries. 43:18 Here are these words, you have in your study guide, 43:20 I 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, 43:28 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 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 44:15 encountered a more crystal 44:17 centric writer than Ellen White. 44:21 She had three passions. 44:22 Passion number one, a passion for Savior. 44:24 Passion number two, jot it down, 44:25 a passion for the Word of God. 44:28 A passion for Holy Scripture. 44:32 Pick up any one of her books they were having in the back 44:35 something called scripture index. 44:37 All the verses that she quotes in that writing, in that book. 44:41 She is replete, 44:42 she is saturated with Holy Scripture. 44:48 These words I've written it my brand new Bible right here, 44:50 Andrews 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 45:02 we could hear it with our ears." 45:05 Hey, listen guys, here's her point. 45:08 "If we realized this, 45:10 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 contemplating of the Scriptures 45:20 would be regarded as an audience 45:22 with the Infinite One." 45:25 Amazing three passions, 45:29 fire for her souls for her 70-year-life ministry. 45:33 Passion number one, a 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've 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 45:57 as well, put them on the screen for you. 45:59 "Recently in the night season 46:01 I was awakened from sleep and given a view 46:04 of the suffering 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 Gethsemane, 46:13 His betrayal and crucifixion, 46:15 all were vividly portrayed before me. 46:18 As I have thought of that cup 46:19 trembling in the hands of Christ," 46:21 in the Garden of Gethsemane "as I have realized 46:24 that He might have refused to drink, 46:27 and left the world to perish in its sins, 46:30 I have pledged that every energy of my life " 46:33 should be devoted to the work of winning souls Him. 46:39 Mercy, three passions 46:44 and she was faithful to all three 46:48 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 and now your pen will never stop moving. 47:08 Here we go. 47:09 Look up just and long enough to get it. 47:12 "She is considered today," write it down, will you please? 47:15 "She is considered today the third most translated 47:18 author in history of all literature." 47:21 Number three. 47:23 Third grade education was as far as she could go. 47:27 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 47:39 totaled approximately 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 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 48:12 and leadership God raised up a 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 48:26 of its major flagship institution, 48:29 Andrews University. 48:31 Raised up because of a humble little 48:34 5 foot 2 woman used mightily by God. 48:39 Keep going. 48:40 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. 48:55 Keep going. 48:56 As a fruit of her ministry and leadership 48:58 God raised up this church to become the largest 49:01 Protestant publishing enterprise 49:02 in the world today. 49:06 And there is one more. 49:08 As her a fruit of her ministry and leadership 49:12 God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist church 49:14 to become the most expansive 49:16 Protestant missions outreach in the world today, 49:19 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 fruits," 49:35 but I want you to catch the second half of that, 49:38 "a bad tree cannot bear the good fruit." 49:42 You 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, 49:48 nor can a bad tree bear 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 50:15 about the divine of authenticity 50:16 of Ellen White's prophetic ministry 50:19 is because of what the Holy Spirit has done 50:20 in my own heart and life through her writings. 50:24 I was a graduate student 50:26 a few years ago here at Andrews University 50:28 and rolled in the theological seminary. 50:29 One day our professor in class teaching 50:32 from Psalm 139 announced to us 50:35 that we ought to follow David's example 50:37 and ask God to reveal to us our in aid sinfulness. 50:43 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's 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 lose spiritually 51:03 as I was suddenly overwhelmed 51:04 with the sense of my own desperate guilt "little sins" 51:08 that I had laughed of in my youth 51:10 suddenly with a vengeance returned. 51:11 I'm franticly 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. 51:20 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 51:28 in the stairwell 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 and I have 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 52:16 and here's a 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. 52:27 Wow. 52:29 And then, the Work and the Life and then a chapter, 52:34 A Knowledge of God, 52:37 the Privilege of Prayer, another chapter 52:40 and finally the last chapter no, next the 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 book through. 52:50 Had to read it to get baptized in the eighth grade. 52:54 I'm standing here today ladies and gentleman, 52:56 to personally testify to you that this little classic, 53:01 the title of this classic 53:02 became a self fulfilling prophecy in my life 53:05 and I found the steps back to Christ 53:10 right here, 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, 54:06 "Therefore by their fruits you will know," 54:14 you will know, "by their fruits 54:18 you will know the truth." 54:24 Stand with me, will you? 54:26 Want to sing that old chores 54:27 "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." 54:29 That line out of that first visions 54:31 captured in that familiar chores, 54:34 turn your eyes upon Jesus, 54:35 look full in His wonderful face, 54:38 and the thing of earth will grow strangely dim, 54:43 in the light of His glory and His grace. 54:46 Let's sing that together. 54:57 "Turn your eyes 55:00 Upon Jesus 55:05 Look full in His 55:08 Wonderful face 55:14 And the things of earth 55:18 Will grow strangely dim 55:25 In the light of His glory 55:32 And grace 55:37 Now let's sing it even quieter. 55:39 Turn your eyes 55:44 Upon Jesus 55:49 Look full in His 55:53 Wonderful face 56:00 And the things of earth 56:05 Will grow strangely dim 56:13 In the light of His glory 56:20 And grace" 56:26 And so Holy Father, 56:27 we do taking a cue from this friend of Yours, 56:34 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, 57:01 and the communion of the Holy Spirit abide 57:03 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 57:25 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 24/7 57:51 to assist you and will get the book to you 57:52 as soon as possible straight to your address. 57:55 So why not go to the phone right now, 57:56 and see if your walk with Jesus 57:58 is deepen by the spiritual classic. 58:00 It's our gift to you. 58:02 And until I see you again next time 58:04 may you sense the living Christ 58:06 walking beside of you every step of the way. |
Revised 2015-01-29