Have you had a good Sabbath today? 00:01:00.62\00:01:03.06 Yes. 00:01:03.09\00:01:04.43 Good. 00:01:04.46\00:01:05.83 We're going to sing for a few minutes. 00:01:05.86\00:01:09.16 And praise God and reminisce a little bit 00:01:09.20\00:01:13.37 about how good God is. 00:01:13.40\00:01:15.84 And I want to introduce to you, 00:01:15.87\00:01:18.17 Christine Harding and Del Jean Matthews 00:01:18.21\00:01:22.11 who are going to help me out 00:01:22.14\00:01:23.85 with my poor vocals tonight. 00:01:23.88\00:01:27.82 It seemed to be... 00:01:27.85\00:01:30.99 needing a little help and they are excellent help. 00:01:31.02\00:01:33.46 So thank you. 00:01:33.49\00:01:34.82 And also, Lily Diehl. 00:01:34.86\00:01:38.33 Have you enjoyed her piano playing? 00:01:38.36\00:01:42.53 What a blessing, Lily, and thank you for that. 00:01:42.56\00:01:46.33 We want to start out by singing 00:01:46.37\00:01:50.21 kind of an old timer hymn. 00:01:50.24\00:01:52.74 Some of you younger bucks may not know it too well, 00:01:52.77\00:01:57.55 but you'll learn it 00:01:57.58\00:01:59.38 because we're going to do all four stanzas. 00:01:59.41\00:02:02.35 A wonderful Sabbath evening hymn. 00:02:02.38\00:02:05.32 And it's a prayer, "Dear Lord and Father of mankind." 00:02:05.35\00:02:09.29 Let's sing. 00:02:09.32\00:02:10.66 Dear Lord And Father of mankind 00:02:19.00\00:02:24.61 Forgive our foolish ways 00:02:24.64\00:02:30.45 Reclothe us In our rightful mind 00:02:30.48\00:02:36.92 In purer lives Thy service find 00:02:36.95\00:02:43.39 In deeper reverence praise 00:02:43.43\00:02:50.83 In simple trust Like theirs who heard 00:02:50.87\00:02:57.07 Beside the Syrian sea 00:02:57.11\00:03:03.61 The gracious calling Of the Lord 00:03:03.65\00:03:10.25 Let us, Like them without a word 00:03:10.29\00:03:17.29 Rise up and follow Thee 00:03:17.33\00:03:24.33 Just a little bit faster. 00:03:24.37\00:03:26.60 Drop Thy Still dews of quietness 00:03:26.63\00:03:32.37 Till all our strivings cease 00:03:32.41\00:03:38.65 Take from our souls The strain and stress 00:03:38.68\00:03:45.35 And let our ordered Llives confess 00:03:45.39\00:03:52.46 The beauty 00:03:52.49\00:03:55.36 Of Thy peace 00:03:55.40\00:04:00.77 Breathe thro' the heats Of our desire 00:04:00.80\00:04:07.71 Thy coolness and Thy balm 00:04:07.74\00:04:14.38 Let sense be dumb, Let flesh retire 00:04:14.42\00:04:21.36 Speak thro' the earthquake, Wind and fire 00:04:21.39\00:04:29.06 O still small voice of calm 00:04:29.10\00:04:37.04 Did you enjoy singing that prayer? 00:04:40.41\00:04:45.71 Another prayer song. 00:04:45.75\00:04:48.65 Teach me Father, 00:04:48.68\00:04:51.25 what to say? 00:04:51.29\00:04:53.19 How to be like Jesus? 00:04:53.22\00:04:57.73 All together. 00:04:57.76\00:04:59.09 Teach, me, Father, what to say 00:05:11.54\00:05:18.01 Teach me, Father, how to pray 00:05:18.05\00:05:24.42 Teach me all along the way 00:05:24.45\00:05:31.36 How to be like Jesus 00:05:31.39\00:05:38.60 I would be like Jesus 00:05:38.63\00:05:45.77 I would be like Jesus! 00:05:45.81\00:05:53.11 Help me, Lord 00:05:53.15\00:05:56.18 To daily grow 00:05:56.22\00:06:01.69 More and more 00:06:01.72\00:06:05.06 Like Jesus! 00:06:05.09\00:06:10.17 We didn't have the second stanza, 00:06:20.38\00:06:21.88 so we sing another. 00:06:21.91\00:06:23.45 Man, in memory of a former ASI President 00:06:28.18\00:06:34.06 Keras Lada. 00:06:34.09\00:06:36.09 Anytime you talked about being like Jesus, 00:06:36.12\00:06:38.69 he wanted to... 00:06:38.73\00:06:40.06 In fact he would burst out, 00:06:40.10\00:06:41.43 if he were in the audience singing, 00:06:41.46\00:06:46.94 "Be like Jesus." 00:06:46.97\00:06:48.54 And the key is G. Here we go. 00:06:48.57\00:06:52.04 Be like Jesus, this my song 00:06:52.07\00:06:57.71 In the home and in the throng 00:06:57.75\00:07:03.79 Be like Jesus, all day long! 00:07:03.82\00:07:11.33 I would be 00:07:11.36\00:07:14.86 Like Jesus 00:07:14.90\00:07:19.47 I think we can do that again. 00:07:19.50\00:07:21.60 Be like Jesus, this my song 00:07:21.64\00:07:27.38 In the home and in the throng 00:07:27.41\00:07:33.31 Be like Jesus, all day long! 00:07:33.35\00:07:41.19 I would be 00:07:41.22\00:07:44.96 Like Jesus 00:07:44.99\00:07:50.00 Everyone knows the tune 00:07:53.27\00:07:54.97 of "What a friend we have in Jesus," right? 00:07:55.00\00:07:58.74 Almost everyone. 00:07:58.77\00:08:01.01 We want to sing the music 00:08:01.04\00:08:05.18 for "What a friend we have in Jesus," 00:08:05.21\00:08:06.92 but a friend from Australia wrote some words. 00:08:06.95\00:08:11.95 They're not very many Sabbath hymns 00:08:11.99\00:08:14.42 to close out the Sabbath. 00:08:14.46\00:08:17.79 And so... 00:08:17.83\00:08:21.66 We have a friend Esther. 00:08:21.70\00:08:23.37 Was it Gross, Esther Gross? 00:08:26.67\00:08:30.27 Wrote these words, 00:08:30.31\00:08:32.04 and if we can find them on the overhead, 00:08:32.07\00:08:36.48 we will sing it. 00:08:36.51\00:08:38.88 Otherwise I don't think I can teach you all the words. 00:08:38.91\00:08:43.45 Here we go. 00:08:43.49\00:08:45.49 Sabbath hours Are swiftly passing 00:08:45.52\00:08:52.13 Sun is sinking in the west 00:08:52.16\00:08:58.47 On this sacred day of worship 00:08:58.50\00:09:05.41 We have been divinely blessed 00:09:05.44\00:09:11.91 Now, A brand new week is dawning 00:09:11.95\00:09:18.35 Untried hours before us lie 00:09:18.39\00:09:25.29 May we live this week For Thee, Lord 00:09:25.33\00:09:32.33 Under Thine approving eye 00:09:32.37\00:09:39.04 There are souls out there who need Thee 00:09:39.07\00:09:45.65 May we, Lord, Thy mouth piece be 00:09:45.68\00:09:52.15 Telling out the old, old story 00:09:52.19\00:09:59.13 Jesus died for you and me 00:09:59.16\00:10:05.83 May we seek To fill each day Lord 00:10:05.87\00:10:12.74 With some worthwhile task For Thee 00:10:12.77\00:10:19.91 And when Sabbath Comes again Lord 00:10:19.95\00:10:27.16 We will praise 00:10:27.19\00:10:29.86 And worship Thee 00:10:29.89\00:10:35.56 Do you like it? 00:10:35.60\00:10:36.93 Amen. 00:10:36.97\00:10:39.33 I heard two violins over here, 00:10:39.37\00:10:43.71 a few hours ago, 00:10:43.74\00:10:45.97 playing a song that I used to love as a child. 00:10:46.01\00:10:49.88 And I'd like to sing 00:10:49.91\00:10:51.71 just the first stanza and chorus. 00:10:51.75\00:10:55.38 Now a cappella. 00:10:55.42\00:10:58.49 You know what a cappella is? 00:10:58.52\00:11:01.42 There is... 00:11:01.46\00:11:03.22 Do we have some words? 00:11:03.26\00:11:05.89 There is a place 00:11:05.93\00:11:09.80 Of quiet rest 00:11:09.83\00:11:14.40 Near to the heart of God 00:11:14.44\00:11:20.91 A place 00:11:20.94\00:11:23.45 Where sin cannot molest 00:11:23.48\00:11:29.45 Near to the heart of God 00:11:29.48\00:11:36.09 O Jesus 00:11:36.12\00:11:39.19 Blest Redeemer 00:11:39.23\00:11:44.80 Sent from the heart of God 00:11:44.83\00:11:51.31 Hold us 00:11:51.34\00:11:53.98 Who wait before Thee 00:11:54.01\00:12:00.22 Near 00:12:00.25\00:12:01.62 To the heart of God 00:12:01.65\00:12:09.02 All right. 00:12:09.06\00:12:10.39 I think we're going to do 00:12:10.43\00:12:12.53 "Victory in Jesus," that we did this morning. 00:12:12.56\00:12:15.96 Just like to sense it 00:12:16.00\00:12:17.63 because I have two ladies 00:12:17.67\00:12:21.00 who can hit that last high note. 00:12:21.04\00:12:24.11 And, so, 00:12:24.14\00:12:26.17 just to refresh your memory 00:12:26.21\00:12:27.54 in case some of you weren't here, 00:12:27.58\00:12:29.48 let's just do the chorus one time, Lily. 00:12:29.51\00:12:32.11 I have victory in Jesus 00:12:37.65\00:12:42.59 Just one step at a time With Him 00:12:42.62\00:12:47.06 Take my heart, O Lord, And seal it 00:12:47.10\00:12:51.70 Make me holy, and wholly Thine 00:12:51.73\00:12:56.24 Through the grace And power of Jesus 00:12:56.27\00:13:01.04 With a new heart Your gift to me 00:13:01.08\00:13:05.88 I will go forth to win Over self and sin 00:13:05.91\00:13:10.99 I have victory in Him 00:13:11.02\00:13:16.73 The stanza now. 00:13:19.79\00:13:21.13 I long to be in His will With my whole heart 00:13:33.58\00:13:38.78 But still something within It keeps 00:13:38.81\00:13:42.42 Turning my heart from Him 00:13:42.45\00:13:45.12 How can I know Him my Father 00:13:45.15\00:13:49.06 My Lord and my God 00:13:49.09\00:13:54.96 I have victory in Jesus 00:13:55.00\00:14:00.40 Just one step at a time With Him 00:14:00.44\00:14:05.21 Take my heart, O Lord, And seal it 00:14:05.24\00:14:10.35 Make me holy, and wholly Thine 00:14:10.38\00:14:15.48 Through the grace And power of Jesus 00:14:15.52\00:14:20.66 With a new heart your gift To me 00:14:20.69\00:14:25.69 I will go forth to win Over self and sin 00:14:25.73\00:14:31.03 I have victory in Him 00:14:31.07\00:14:37.11 Next line. 00:14:37.14\00:14:38.47 Sometimes When struggling with self 00:14:43.81\00:14:46.85 I feel my heart is made of steel 00:14:46.88\00:14:50.79 Then I assures me that 00:14:50.82\00:14:53.39 His love is with me still 00:14:53.42\00:14:56.12 Now I can know Him my Father 00:14:56.16\00:14:59.93 My Lord and my God 00:14:59.96\00:15:05.83 I have victory in Jesus 00:15:05.87\00:15:11.31 Just one step at a time With Him 00:15:11.34\00:15:16.14 Take my heart, O Lord, And seal it 00:15:16.18\00:15:20.98 Make me holy, and wholly Thine 00:15:21.02\00:15:26.05 Through the grace And power of Jesus 00:15:26.09\00:15:31.23 With a new heart Your gift to me 00:15:31.26\00:15:36.10 I will go forth to win Over self and sin 00:15:36.13\00:15:41.74 I have victory in Him 00:15:41.77\00:15:49.04 Amen. 00:15:52.11\00:15:53.45 Now it's time for our theme song. 00:15:53.48\00:15:55.85 If you'll stand, we'll do "Lift up." 00:15:55.88\00:15:59.79 I cue you and here we go. 00:16:07.03\00:16:08.36 Lift up the trumpet 00:16:21.38\00:16:23.31 And loud let it ring 00:16:23.35\00:16:26.08 Jesus is coming again! 00:16:26.11\00:16:31.05 Cheer up, ye pilgrims Be joyful and sing 00:16:31.09\00:16:36.66 Jesus is coming again! 00:16:36.69\00:16:41.20 Coming again Coming again 00:16:41.23\00:16:46.74 Jesus is coming again! 00:16:46.77\00:16:52.61 Echo it, hilltops Proclaim it, ye plains 00:16:52.64\00:16:57.75 Jesus is coming again! 00:16:57.78\00:17:02.88 Coming in glory The Lamb that was slain 00:17:02.92\00:17:08.62 Jesus is coming again! 00:17:08.66\00:17:14.20 Coming again Coming again 00:17:14.23\00:17:19.90 Jesus is coming again! 00:17:19.93\00:17:26.44 Heavings of earth Tell the vast, wondering throng 00:17:26.47\00:17:31.88 Jesus is coming again! 00:17:31.91\00:17:37.09 Tempests and whirlwinds The anthem prolong 00:17:37.12\00:17:43.43 Jesus is coming again! 00:17:43.46\00:17:48.93 Coming again Coming again 00:17:48.96\00:17:54.97 Jesus is coming again! 00:17:55.00\00:18:02.21 Nations are angry By this we do know 00:18:02.24\00:18:07.65 Jesus is coming again! 00:18:07.68\00:18:13.05 Knowledge increases Men run to and fro 00:18:13.09\00:18:19.29 Jesus is coming again! 00:18:19.33\00:18:24.97 Coming again Coming again 00:18:25.00\00:18:30.97 Jesus 00:18:31.01\00:18:32.64 Is coming again! 00:18:32.67\00:18:39.48 Amen. 00:18:39.51\00:18:40.95 Thanks. Thanks a lot. 00:18:40.98\00:18:42.62 You may be seated. 00:18:49.62\00:18:50.96 Good evening. 00:18:56.06\00:18:57.97 I hope that all of you 00:18:58.00\00:18:59.33 have been as blessed as I have been 00:18:59.37\00:19:02.30 throughout this ASI Convention. 00:19:02.34\00:19:04.04 Amen. 00:19:04.07\00:19:05.41 And this afternoon, 00:19:05.44\00:19:06.78 I was once again challenged 00:19:06.81\00:19:08.48 with "Tell the World, Tell them Now" theme. 00:19:08.51\00:19:12.41 I believe that the greatest ambition 00:19:12.45\00:19:15.82 any human being can have 00:19:15.85\00:19:18.19 is to tell the gospel to the world 00:19:18.22\00:19:21.19 in this generation. 00:19:21.22\00:19:23.19 In fact, my students at Ouachita Hills 00:19:23.22\00:19:24.96 are very familiar with the passage in Education, 00:19:24.99\00:19:29.03 page 262. 00:19:29.06\00:19:30.97 We read this, 00:19:31.00\00:19:32.33 "Success in any line demands a definite aim. 00:19:32.37\00:19:37.81 He who would achieve true success in life 00:19:37.84\00:19:40.54 must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. 00:19:40.58\00:19:44.35 Such an aim 00:19:44.38\00:19:45.71 is set before the youth of today. 00:19:45.75\00:19:49.02 The heaven-appointed purpose 00:19:49.05\00:19:51.39 of giving the gospel to the world in this generation 00:19:51.42\00:19:55.02 is the noblest that can appeal 00:19:55.06\00:19:57.49 to any human being." 00:19:57.53\00:20:00.36 Oh, my friends, what a grand purpose 00:20:00.40\00:20:03.20 God has placed before us, 00:20:03.23\00:20:04.97 and what a privilege 00:20:05.00\00:20:07.00 to be alive in this hour of earth's history. 00:20:07.04\00:20:09.97 This evening, 00:20:10.01\00:20:11.34 I want us to ask ourselves the question, 00:20:11.37\00:20:14.31 are we telling them now? 00:20:14.34\00:20:16.61 The main thought that I want you to understand 00:20:16.64\00:20:19.61 as we look at the scriptures together 00:20:19.65\00:20:22.52 is that telling them now 00:20:22.55\00:20:24.62 is an essential part 00:20:24.65\00:20:27.02 of being ready for Jesus to come. 00:20:27.06\00:20:29.06 It's an essential part of reflecting His character, 00:20:29.09\00:20:32.53 because the God that we serve 00:20:32.56\00:20:34.63 is a God who believes in telling them now. 00:20:34.66\00:20:38.13 Let's bow our heads for a word of prayer. 00:20:38.17\00:20:40.04 Father in heaven, 00:20:40.07\00:20:41.70 today we recognize 00:20:41.74\00:20:45.01 the monumental task that lies before us. 00:20:45.04\00:20:48.51 And yet we claim today the promise 00:20:48.54\00:20:53.15 that this gospel of the kingdom 00:20:53.18\00:20:54.72 will be preached in all the world 00:20:54.75\00:20:57.19 for a witness to all nations. 00:20:57.22\00:20:58.85 And then the end will come. 00:20:58.89\00:21:01.62 And, Father, tonight, we just wanna pray 00:21:01.66\00:21:03.96 in our last few minutes together 00:21:03.99\00:21:05.76 in this corporate body, 00:21:05.79\00:21:08.76 that You will still speak to our hearts, 00:21:08.80\00:21:10.77 that You will use my lips, 00:21:10.80\00:21:12.93 that You'll hide me behind the cross of Christ, 00:21:12.97\00:21:15.87 that Jesus might be seen 00:21:15.90\00:21:17.54 and that we might become more like Him. 00:21:17.57\00:21:19.67 And we thank you in Jesus' name. 00:21:19.71\00:21:21.54 Amen. 00:21:21.58\00:21:23.95 It was April 10, 1912. 00:21:23.98\00:21:27.62 And one of the most luxurious ships ever built 00:21:27.65\00:21:32.19 was leaving the harbor, 00:21:32.22\00:21:34.56 2228 passengers were on board, 00:21:34.59\00:21:38.19 including the rich and famous. 00:21:38.23\00:21:41.10 A parlor suite on the Titanic 00:21:41.13\00:21:44.40 would have cost $69,000 in today's money. 00:21:44.43\00:21:49.44 And that was a one way voyage. 00:21:49.47\00:21:52.84 As they were leaving the harbor, 00:21:52.87\00:21:55.14 they very narrowly missed disaster, 00:21:55.18\00:21:58.55 the passenger liner New Yorker 00:21:58.58\00:22:01.42 was tied up there 00:22:01.45\00:22:02.78 and the great weight caused by the Titanic's moving 00:22:02.82\00:22:07.06 broke the moorings 00:22:07.09\00:22:08.42 that tied the New Yorker to the dock. 00:22:08.46\00:22:11.16 And some quick thinking by the captain of the Titanic 00:22:11.19\00:22:14.60 as well as a very quick thinking 00:22:14.63\00:22:16.87 tugboat operator 00:22:16.90\00:22:19.10 managed to avert disaster. 00:22:19.13\00:22:21.04 The two ships missed each other by either one or two inches. 00:22:21.07\00:22:25.24 The captain of the Titanic, 00:22:28.38\00:22:31.51 Edward J. Smith, 00:22:31.55\00:22:33.35 had written this several years earlier. 00:22:33.38\00:22:36.05 When anyone asks me how I can best describe 00:22:36.08\00:22:39.02 my experience of nearly 40 years at sea. 00:22:39.05\00:22:41.82 I merely say an eventful. 00:22:41.86\00:22:44.93 Of course there have been winter gales 00:22:44.96\00:22:46.83 and storms and fog and the like. 00:22:46.86\00:22:49.16 But in all my experience, 00:22:49.20\00:22:50.67 I have never been in any accident 00:22:50.70\00:22:52.73 or any sort we're speaking about. 00:22:52.77\00:22:54.84 I've seen, but one vessel in distress 00:22:54.87\00:22:57.54 in all my years at sea. 00:22:57.57\00:23:00.04 I never saw a wreck and never have been wrecked 00:23:00.08\00:23:02.34 or nor was I in any predicament that threatened to end 00:23:02.38\00:23:05.38 in disaster of any sort. 00:23:05.41\00:23:07.55 You see, my friends, 00:23:07.58\00:23:08.92 the passengers on the Titanic were confident. 00:23:08.95\00:23:12.42 They would have a smooth and uneventful trip. 00:23:12.45\00:23:16.69 Little did they know that in just a few short days, 00:23:16.73\00:23:20.70 that great ship, the Titanic would meet its watery grave 00:23:20.73\00:23:25.23 1000 miles due east of Boston, 00:23:25.27\00:23:28.60 and 2 miles beneath the surface. 00:23:28.64\00:23:33.54 Friends, today our world 00:23:33.58\00:23:36.88 is on a collision course with disaster. 00:23:36.91\00:23:41.82 If you like me will turn on your television 00:23:41.85\00:23:44.65 or look on the internet or read your newspaper, 00:23:44.69\00:23:47.36 you will notice that something is happening. 00:23:47.39\00:23:49.89 Our world is fast headed towards the final events. 00:23:49.92\00:23:53.83 And many of the world's inhabitants 00:23:53.86\00:23:56.16 like the passengers on the Titanic 00:23:56.20\00:23:58.53 are completely unaware of the doom 00:23:58.57\00:24:02.00 that is soon to come upon this world. 00:24:02.04\00:24:04.11 We are a part, we are on a planet 00:24:04.14\00:24:06.68 that is destined and doomed 00:24:06.71\00:24:08.94 for destruction. 00:24:08.98\00:24:10.31 It all began in the Garden of Eden, 00:24:10.35\00:24:11.68 if you'll turn with me there in your Bibles 00:24:11.71\00:24:13.42 to Genesis Chapter 3. 00:24:13.45\00:24:15.22 Genesis Chapter 3, and we're going to be looking 00:24:15.25\00:24:17.19 at a number of passages together 00:24:17.22\00:24:19.25 here tonight. 00:24:19.29\00:24:20.62 Genesis Chapter 3, we know the story. 00:24:20.66\00:24:23.09 But I just want you to contemplate it 00:24:23.12\00:24:24.79 from a little different perspective. 00:24:24.83\00:24:27.26 Genesis Chapter 3, 00:24:27.30\00:24:29.30 God has informed Adam and Eve of the dangers, 00:24:29.33\00:24:33.74 of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 00:24:33.77\00:24:36.44 And in Genesis 3:6, 00:24:36.47\00:24:40.68 perhaps, what is the saddest verse 00:24:40.71\00:24:43.04 in the scriptures. 00:24:43.08\00:24:44.68 "When the woman saw 00:24:44.71\00:24:46.05 that the tree was good for food, 00:24:46.08\00:24:48.15 and that it was pleasant for the eyes, 00:24:48.18\00:24:50.19 and a tree to be desired to make one wise, 00:24:50.22\00:24:52.59 she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, 00:24:52.62\00:24:55.72 and gave also unto her husband with her, 00:24:55.76\00:24:59.56 and he did eat." 00:24:59.59\00:25:02.26 In direct disobedience to the command of God, 00:25:02.30\00:25:06.43 our first parents 00:25:06.47\00:25:08.07 ate of the tree of the knowledge 00:25:08.10\00:25:09.44 of good and evil. 00:25:09.47\00:25:10.81 And thus sin entered this planet. 00:25:10.84\00:25:14.31 Since then we have been living in a fallen world. 00:25:14.34\00:25:18.28 But what is interesting in this chapter 00:25:18.31\00:25:20.72 as I thought of the Tell the World, 00:25:20.75\00:25:22.75 Tell them Now theme of ASI this year. 00:25:22.78\00:25:26.02 What I realized was that from this very first day 00:25:26.05\00:25:31.19 on which sin entered the human experience, 00:25:31.23\00:25:35.50 God has exhibited an urgency 00:25:35.53\00:25:40.07 in telling the world 00:25:40.10\00:25:42.34 the good news of the gospel. 00:25:42.37\00:25:44.54 You see, God did not wait for a day or two 00:25:44.57\00:25:47.38 to go by. 00:25:47.41\00:25:48.74 He didn't wait for a week or two. 00:25:48.78\00:25:50.28 He didn't wait for Adam and Eve 00:25:50.31\00:25:52.98 to sort of suffer in the shame of what they had done. 00:25:53.01\00:25:57.09 As they sewed together their fig leaves 00:25:57.12\00:25:59.09 and they hid in the garden. 00:25:59.12\00:26:00.46 No. 00:26:00.49\00:26:01.82 In fact, in the very day, 00:26:01.86\00:26:03.19 some perhaps only a few hours after sin came, 00:26:03.22\00:26:06.70 God came to the garden not to condemn mankind, 00:26:06.73\00:26:10.33 not to tell the first parents 00:26:10.37\00:26:11.90 how awful what they had done really was. 00:26:11.93\00:26:14.70 God came to the garden on that night, 00:26:14.74\00:26:16.77 the very day which sin entered this planet, 00:26:16.81\00:26:19.17 He came to tell them the good news of the gospel. 00:26:19.21\00:26:24.45 You see, my friends, my Bible tells me 00:26:24.48\00:26:27.12 that as soon as there was sin, 00:26:27.15\00:26:29.35 there was a savior. 00:26:29.38\00:26:31.02 Jesus Christ was the Lamb slain 00:26:31.05\00:26:32.89 from the foundation of the world. 00:26:32.92\00:26:34.96 And God would not sit by idly in heaven 00:26:34.99\00:26:38.16 to allow our first parents to go on in ignorance. 00:26:38.19\00:26:41.70 He would tell them. 00:26:41.73\00:26:43.06 And in Genesis 3:15, 00:26:43.10\00:26:45.53 we find the gospel presentation given for the first time. 00:26:45.57\00:26:49.34 He says, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, 00:26:49.37\00:26:52.17 between thy seed and her seed, 00:26:52.21\00:26:53.84 it shall bruise thy head, 00:26:53.88\00:26:55.28 and thou shalt bruise his heel." 00:26:55.31\00:26:57.15 Here we find the promise of a Savior to come. 00:26:57.18\00:27:01.18 What a wonderful promise this must have been 00:27:01.22\00:27:03.65 for Adam and Eve. 00:27:03.69\00:27:05.02 God would not allow them to go on in ignorance. 00:27:05.05\00:27:07.02 He had to tell them and He would tell them now. 00:27:07.06\00:27:09.82 You see, we must notice this one thing 00:27:09.86\00:27:11.99 about the character of God. 00:27:12.03\00:27:13.96 God is not a God 00:27:14.00\00:27:16.40 who enjoys keeping people in ignorance. 00:27:16.43\00:27:19.03 If God knows something good, He is going to tell them. 00:27:19.07\00:27:22.24 God is a God who has to share 00:27:22.27\00:27:25.61 what is beneficial, what is helpful, 00:27:25.64\00:27:27.94 what is saving salvific for mankind. 00:27:27.98\00:27:32.05 And here we find 00:27:32.08\00:27:33.42 that Jesus let our first parents know 00:27:33.45\00:27:37.09 that there would be a Savior. 00:27:37.12\00:27:39.25 The reason that God did not wait 00:27:39.29\00:27:42.09 to tell the gospel news 00:27:42.12\00:27:44.36 is because He is a God who tells them now. 00:27:44.39\00:27:47.83 It is a part of who He is. 00:27:47.86\00:27:50.83 It is a part of the character of God. 00:27:50.87\00:27:52.77 In Amos 3:7, we read, 00:27:52.80\00:27:55.54 "Surely the Lord God will do," how much? 00:27:55.57\00:27:58.57 "Nothing, 00:27:58.61\00:28:00.08 but He reveals His secret 00:28:00.11\00:28:01.94 unto His servants the prophets." 00:28:01.98\00:28:03.98 God is a God who loves to disseminate 00:28:04.01\00:28:06.15 and share information. 00:28:06.18\00:28:08.15 He doesn't keep it to Himself. 00:28:08.18\00:28:09.82 He tells the world. 00:28:09.85\00:28:11.99 And He wants to tell them now. 00:28:12.02\00:28:14.06 After the fall of man, 00:28:14.09\00:28:16.89 God could no longer walk and talk face to face 00:28:16.93\00:28:21.80 with the human family. 00:28:21.83\00:28:23.26 And so He depends upon human agents 00:28:23.30\00:28:27.04 to take His message. 00:28:27.07\00:28:28.67 They may have been prophets, they may have been laypeople, 00:28:28.70\00:28:31.37 they may have been the priests, 00:28:31.41\00:28:32.87 but they were all given a job to do. 00:28:32.91\00:28:35.08 God's people were placed in this world 00:28:35.11\00:28:37.75 to be light bearers, 00:28:37.78\00:28:39.15 to tell the world of the good news of salvation 00:28:39.18\00:28:42.22 and to tell them now. 00:28:42.25\00:28:44.02 And you see, my friends, 00:28:44.05\00:28:46.09 it was Nathan the Prophet, 00:28:46.12\00:28:47.69 who was sent to David, 00:28:47.72\00:28:49.42 not weeks or months later, but immediately. 00:28:49.46\00:28:52.59 God wanted to give David that message. 00:28:52.63\00:28:55.40 Isaiah, Jeremiah, 00:28:55.43\00:28:57.23 they were given messages for God's people 00:28:57.27\00:28:59.73 that were relevant for their day. 00:28:59.77\00:29:01.47 They were given those messages and expected to tell them now. 00:29:01.50\00:29:05.84 God loved even heathen Nineveh so much 00:29:05.87\00:29:08.64 that He gave the Prophet Jonah a message. 00:29:08.68\00:29:12.01 And Jonah, you know, rebelled. 00:29:12.05\00:29:14.02 He said, "I don't wanna go to Nineveh. 00:29:14.05\00:29:17.02 I'll run from the call of God to tell them now." 00:29:17.05\00:29:20.36 And so Jonah went on a ship, the opposite direction. 00:29:20.39\00:29:24.46 God loved Nineveh so much, my friends, 00:29:24.49\00:29:27.36 that He sent a storm, 00:29:27.40\00:29:29.33 and in the midst of that storm, Jonah was thrown overboard, 00:29:29.36\00:29:32.63 but God loved Nineveh so much 00:29:32.67\00:29:35.07 that He sent a fish, a great fish, 00:29:35.10\00:29:37.51 and He swallowed Jonah, preserved his life, 00:29:37.54\00:29:41.14 spewed him out on the shore by Nineveh 00:29:41.18\00:29:43.35 and said, "Go and tell them now." 00:29:43.38\00:29:46.18 You see, my friends, God loves the world. 00:29:46.21\00:29:49.72 And He has only us as human instruments to use 00:29:49.75\00:29:54.76 in order to tell them His message. 00:29:54.79\00:29:58.19 Oh, God is a God 00:29:58.23\00:30:00.33 who wants to tell them now, 00:30:00.36\00:30:01.96 it's who He is. 00:30:02.00\00:30:04.30 So many times 00:30:04.33\00:30:05.67 throughout the history of God's people, 00:30:05.70\00:30:07.37 they failed to tell them now. 00:30:07.40\00:30:09.94 And sometimes calamity had to come upon Israel. 00:30:09.97\00:30:13.58 They had to be scattered to the heathen nations in order 00:30:13.61\00:30:17.75 that they might tell them now 00:30:17.78\00:30:19.85 of the good news of a God in heaven. 00:30:19.88\00:30:22.52 Throughout the gospels, 00:30:22.55\00:30:23.89 we find the character of God represented. 00:30:23.92\00:30:26.49 Mark, the Book of Mark. 00:30:26.52\00:30:27.92 Turn with me there, Mark Chapter 1. 00:30:27.96\00:30:29.82 I love the Book of Mark, 00:30:29.86\00:30:31.19 because it encapsulates the urgency. 00:30:31.23\00:30:34.10 Everything in the Book of Mark 00:30:34.13\00:30:35.50 is straightway and forthwith and immediately. 00:30:35.53\00:30:38.77 And in Mark Chapter 1, we read a few verses here. 00:30:38.80\00:30:41.64 In verse 16, 00:30:41.67\00:30:43.00 "Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, 00:30:43.04\00:30:45.17 he saw Simon and Andrew his brother 00:30:45.21\00:30:47.14 casting a net into the sea: 00:30:47.18\00:30:48.58 for they were fishers." 00:30:48.61\00:30:50.15 Verse 17, 00:30:50.18\00:30:51.51 "Jesus said unto them, 'Come ye after me, 00:30:51.55\00:30:54.05 and I will make you to become fishers of men.'" 00:30:54.08\00:30:57.05 And the Bible says in verse 18, 00:30:57.09\00:30:59.15 "And straightway they forsook their nets, 00:30:59.19\00:31:02.72 and followed Him." 00:31:02.76\00:31:04.09 You see the time to follow Jesus is now. 00:31:04.13\00:31:07.13 It is when God calls upon your heart. 00:31:07.16\00:31:09.60 That is the time. 00:31:09.63\00:31:10.97 Don't wait until tomorrow. 00:31:11.00\00:31:12.40 Don't wait for a better day. 00:31:12.43\00:31:13.77 Don't wait until you're more prepared. 00:31:13.80\00:31:15.97 Follow Jesus now. 00:31:16.00\00:31:17.74 As we continue on, 00:31:17.77\00:31:19.11 "When he went a little farther," 00:31:19.14\00:31:20.48 in verse 19, 00:31:20.51\00:31:22.08 "He saw James the son of Zebedee, 00:31:22.11\00:31:23.78 and John his brother, 00:31:23.81\00:31:25.15 who also were in the ship mending their nets. 00:31:25.18\00:31:26.88 And straightway," 00:31:26.92\00:31:28.52 Jesus was not wasting time. 00:31:28.55\00:31:30.49 He would call them now. He would tell them now. 00:31:30.52\00:31:32.62 He would send them forth, straightway. 00:31:32.65\00:31:34.32 "He called them: 00:31:34.36\00:31:35.69 and they left their father Zebedee 00:31:35.72\00:31:37.06 in the ship with the hired servants, 00:31:37.09\00:31:38.43 and went after him." 00:31:38.46\00:31:39.79 Verse 21, again, 00:31:39.83\00:31:41.16 "And they went into Capernaum, 00:31:41.20\00:31:43.13 and straightway on the Sabbath day 00:31:43.16\00:31:46.03 he entered into the synagogue, and taught." 00:31:46.07\00:31:48.24 Oh, my friends, Jesus was on a mission. 00:31:48.27\00:31:51.14 And it wasn't about telling them 00:31:51.17\00:31:52.51 sometime in the future. 00:31:52.54\00:31:53.98 He would tell them now. 00:31:54.01\00:31:56.14 As we continue on in Mark, 00:31:56.18\00:31:58.75 we can look on and a few verses later, 00:31:58.78\00:32:02.98 a few chapters later. 00:32:03.02\00:32:04.35 Well, let's look first in verse 28. 00:32:04.39\00:32:06.52 "And immediately his fame spread abroad 00:32:06.55\00:32:10.03 throughout all the region round about Galilee." 00:32:10.06\00:32:12.56 Now turn with me to Mark Chapter 6, Mark 6:49. 00:32:12.59\00:32:19.07 Mark 6:49. 00:32:19.10\00:32:22.10 Here we find this story of the disciples 00:32:22.14\00:32:24.54 rowing rather disheartedly across the Sea of Galilee. 00:32:24.57\00:32:30.75 And in John 6:49, 00:32:30.78\00:32:32.68 we find that Jesus is walking along 00:32:32.71\00:32:35.38 on top of the water, 00:32:35.42\00:32:37.29 and He frightens His disciples. 00:32:37.32\00:32:39.52 Now the disciples had actually been 00:32:39.55\00:32:41.92 a little bit of... 00:32:41.96\00:32:43.89 They had been a little bit rebellious. 00:32:43.93\00:32:45.83 Jesus had sent them off 00:32:45.86\00:32:47.20 and they had just really resented 00:32:47.23\00:32:51.50 the fact that Jesus stopped them 00:32:51.53\00:32:53.77 from doing what they wanted to do 00:32:53.80\00:32:56.07 in crowning Him King. 00:32:56.10\00:32:58.14 So they were talking complaining, 00:32:58.17\00:32:59.61 and Jesus could have said it 00:32:59.64\00:33:00.98 would serve them right to be a little scared, 00:33:01.01\00:33:02.58 don't you think? 00:33:02.61\00:33:03.95 But in verse 49, we read this, 00:33:03.98\00:33:05.31 "When they saw him walking upon the sea, 00:33:05.35\00:33:07.48 they supposed it had been a spirit, 00:33:07.52\00:33:09.82 and cried out: 00:33:09.85\00:33:12.05 For they all saw him, and were troubled." 00:33:12.09\00:33:13.99 Verse 50 says. 00:33:14.02\00:33:15.42 "And immediately he talked with them, 00:33:15.46\00:33:18.59 and saith unto them, 00:33:18.63\00:33:19.96 'Be of good cheer: 00:33:20.00\00:33:21.40 it is I, be not afraid.'" 00:33:21.43\00:33:23.97 Oh, my friends, the very character of God 00:33:24.00\00:33:26.90 is to tell them now. 00:33:26.94\00:33:29.40 He doesn't hold it back. 00:33:29.44\00:33:31.17 He doesn't just enjoy the blessings of knowledge. 00:33:31.21\00:33:34.18 He shares it, and the early Christian church, 00:33:34.21\00:33:37.41 follow the teachings of Jesus. 00:33:37.45\00:33:39.51 Jesus said, 00:33:39.55\00:33:40.88 as one person was called to follow Him, 00:33:40.92\00:33:44.05 and they said to Him, 00:33:44.09\00:33:45.42 "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 00:33:45.45\00:33:48.09 Jesus said in Luke 9:60, 00:33:48.12\00:33:50.23 "Let the dead bury their dead: 00:33:50.26\00:33:52.73 but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." 00:33:52.76\00:33:55.63 Tell them now. 00:33:55.66\00:33:58.00 Another said to the Lord, "I will follow You. 00:33:58.03\00:34:00.70 But first let me go bid them farewell 00:34:00.74\00:34:02.64 which are at home at my house." 00:34:02.67\00:34:04.14 Jesus said, "No man having put his hand to the plow 00:34:04.17\00:34:06.94 and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." 00:34:06.98\00:34:09.78 You see, my friends, 00:34:09.81\00:34:11.15 we must tell them now. 00:34:11.18\00:34:15.72 The Apostle Paul 00:34:15.75\00:34:17.95 adopted the urgency of the gospel message. 00:34:17.99\00:34:22.66 In Galatians 1:15, he said, 00:34:22.69\00:34:24.73 "But when it pleased God, 00:34:24.76\00:34:26.26 who separated me from my mother's womb, 00:34:26.29\00:34:28.60 and called me by his grace, 00:34:28.63\00:34:30.70 to reveal his Son in me, 00:34:30.73\00:34:33.03 that I may preach him among the heathen, 00:34:33.07\00:34:35.07 immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." 00:34:35.10\00:34:38.84 You see, when Paul was called to preach, 00:34:38.87\00:34:40.61 he didn't waste time. 00:34:40.64\00:34:41.98 Immediately, he would tell them and he would tell them now. 00:34:42.01\00:34:45.31 In Acts 9:18, we read the story, 00:34:45.35\00:34:48.08 "And immediately there fell from his eyes, 00:34:48.12\00:34:49.75 that's Paul's eyes, as it had been scales: 00:34:49.78\00:34:51.92 and he received sight forthwith, 00:34:51.95\00:34:53.62 and arose, and was baptized." 00:34:53.66\00:34:55.69 Verse 19, 00:34:55.72\00:34:57.06 "And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. 00:34:57.09\00:34:59.36 Then was Paul certain days with the disciples 00:34:59.39\00:35:01.83 which were at Damascus." 00:35:01.86\00:35:03.23 And in Acts 9:20, 00:35:03.26\00:35:05.30 "And straightway he preached Christ 00:35:05.33\00:35:08.40 in the synagogues, 00:35:08.44\00:35:09.77 that he is the Son of God." 00:35:09.80\00:35:13.98 Oh, Philip in Acts Chapter 8. 00:35:14.01\00:35:16.51 Turn with me there. 00:35:16.54\00:35:17.88 In Acts Chapter 8, 00:35:17.91\00:35:20.02 the disciple Philip is having 00:35:20.05\00:35:22.45 a fantastically successful evangelistic campaign. 00:35:22.48\00:35:27.12 And the Spirit of God comes upon him. 00:35:27.16\00:35:29.49 Turn with me to Acts Chapter 8, 00:35:29.52\00:35:31.43 and let's read verses 26-28. 00:35:31.46\00:35:35.86 The Bible says, "The angel of the Lord 00:35:35.90\00:35:37.30 spake unto Philip, saying, 00:35:37.33\00:35:38.67 'Arise, and go toward the south 00:35:38.70\00:35:41.24 unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, 00:35:41.27\00:35:44.34 which is desert.'" 00:35:44.37\00:35:45.71 Notice, there were no specific details about 00:35:45.74\00:35:48.98 who he was to meet or where he was to meet them. 00:35:49.01\00:35:53.08 There was simply a call, a command, 00:35:53.11\00:35:56.12 go and tell them, right? 00:35:56.15\00:35:58.55 Go and you will find. 00:35:58.59\00:36:01.22 As we know what happened, 00:36:01.26\00:36:03.19 Philip finds this Ethiopian eunuch. 00:36:03.22\00:36:06.83 We read about it in verse 27. 00:36:06.86\00:36:11.27 Acts Chapter 9. 00:36:11.30\00:36:13.44 I'm sorry in verse 17. 00:36:13.47\00:36:14.87 Acts Chapter 8, I'm sorry, verse 17. 00:36:19.97\00:36:22.14 I'm getting confused here. 00:36:22.18\00:36:23.65 "And he arose and went: 00:36:23.68\00:36:25.01 and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, 00:36:25.05\00:36:26.85 an eunuch of great authority 00:36:26.88\00:36:28.52 under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, 00:36:28.55\00:36:30.42 who had the charge of all her treasure, 00:36:30.45\00:36:32.72 and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, 00:36:32.75\00:36:35.96 and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet." 00:36:35.99\00:36:40.83 Now, get this picture in your minds. 00:36:40.86\00:36:43.10 This man is traveling. 00:36:43.13\00:36:45.73 God brings Philip from one direction 00:36:45.77\00:36:47.94 and the Ethiopian eunuch from the other direction. 00:36:47.97\00:36:50.47 And just as he is traveling and sitting in his chariot 00:36:50.51\00:36:53.81 and reading the Prophet Esaias, 00:36:53.84\00:36:55.88 there God brings Philip to talk to him. 00:36:55.91\00:36:59.71 Now that's what I call a divine appointment. 00:36:59.75\00:37:04.32 Let me ask you a question. 00:37:04.35\00:37:07.42 Is it possible that if Philip had not gone immediately 00:37:07.46\00:37:10.93 where God called him to go, 00:37:10.96\00:37:13.40 that he would have missed 00:37:13.43\00:37:15.10 that divine appointment? 00:37:15.13\00:37:17.10 What if Philip had simply said, 00:37:17.13\00:37:18.93 I think I'll go tomorrow? 00:37:18.97\00:37:21.24 I think I'll go get some better equipment 00:37:21.27\00:37:23.61 or better training or better materials. 00:37:23.64\00:37:25.54 I think I'll do something 00:37:25.57\00:37:27.18 I'll do it next month or next year. 00:37:27.21\00:37:29.71 He would have missed that divine appointment, 00:37:29.74\00:37:32.85 but Philip was one whom God could trust 00:37:32.88\00:37:36.12 with divine appointments. 00:37:36.15\00:37:37.49 When He told him to go, he went. 00:37:37.52\00:37:40.59 And he met the Ethiopian eunuch, 00:37:40.62\00:37:43.56 just where God knew that he would. 00:37:43.59\00:37:46.56 Oh, we could go through Peter. 00:37:46.59\00:37:48.36 We could see how, 00:37:48.40\00:37:49.73 when Peter had that vision of the sheet 00:37:49.76\00:37:52.63 coming down from heaven in Acts Chapter 10. 00:37:52.67\00:37:56.34 And this was repeated three times. 00:37:56.37\00:37:59.34 As soon as Peter understood the message from God, 00:37:59.37\00:38:03.51 that the Gentiles 00:38:03.55\00:38:05.18 were not to be called common or unclean, 00:38:05.21\00:38:07.45 immediately, it says in Acts Chapter 11, 00:38:07.48\00:38:09.68 there was a knock at Peter's door, 00:38:09.72\00:38:13.22 tell them now. 00:38:13.25\00:38:14.69 The urgency, the immediacy, 00:38:14.72\00:38:17.16 this is what God wants us to understand. 00:38:17.19\00:38:20.86 You see, God is not a God of future ambition. 00:38:20.90\00:38:24.73 He is a God of immediate action. 00:38:24.77\00:38:28.60 Tell them now 00:38:28.64\00:38:29.97 is verily a reflection of the character of God. 00:38:30.01\00:38:33.11 It reflects who He is. 00:38:33.14\00:38:35.74 God cannot sit on good news without sharing it. 00:38:35.78\00:38:39.78 He has to tell them now. 00:38:39.81\00:38:41.35 Like the four lepers of Elisha's day, 00:38:41.38\00:38:43.72 we do not do well, 00:38:43.75\00:38:46.12 if we don't tell the good news. 00:38:46.15\00:38:49.29 Those who reflect the character of God 00:38:49.32\00:38:51.59 must in fact live ASI's theme for this year, 00:38:51.63\00:38:56.20 Tell the World and Tell Them Now. 00:38:56.23\00:38:59.30 Sometime ago an 18-year-old girl 00:38:59.33\00:39:01.07 in Washington State 00:39:01.10\00:39:02.44 attended a worship service. 00:39:02.47\00:39:05.51 For the first time in her life 00:39:05.54\00:39:07.94 she heard the gospel message. 00:39:07.98\00:39:11.28 On Tuesday, the week following this Sunday, 00:39:11.31\00:39:15.05 when this girl had attended church 00:39:15.08\00:39:16.75 for the first time, 00:39:16.79\00:39:18.22 on Tuesday, the church received a letter. 00:39:18.25\00:39:20.82 And this is what it said, 00:39:20.86\00:39:22.19 "Dear church members, 00:39:22.22\00:39:23.93 last Sunday, I attended your church 00:39:23.96\00:39:26.33 and I heard the preacher. 00:39:26.36\00:39:27.76 In the sermon the preacher said that all men have sinned 00:39:27.80\00:39:30.10 and rebelled against God, 00:39:30.13\00:39:31.47 because of the rebellion and disobedience 00:39:31.50\00:39:33.30 they all face eternal damnation and separation from God. 00:39:33.34\00:39:37.54 But then, he also said, 00:39:37.57\00:39:40.38 that God loved men 00:39:40.41\00:39:41.98 and sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world 00:39:42.01\00:39:45.11 to redeem them from their sins, 00:39:45.15\00:39:46.58 and that all those who believe in Him 00:39:46.61\00:39:48.38 would go to heaven and live with God eternally. 00:39:48.42\00:39:51.89 My parents died recently in rapid succession. 00:39:51.92\00:39:56.02 I know they did not believe in Jesus Christ, 00:39:56.06\00:40:00.53 whom you call the Savior of the world. 00:40:00.56\00:40:03.43 If what you believe is true, 00:40:03.47\00:40:07.57 they are lost. 00:40:07.60\00:40:10.77 You compel me to believe 00:40:10.81\00:40:13.94 that if what you say is true, 00:40:13.98\00:40:17.05 either you yourself don't really believe it 00:40:17.08\00:40:21.68 or that you don't care. 00:40:21.72\00:40:24.29 You see, we live only three blocks 00:40:24.32\00:40:26.39 from your church, 00:40:26.42\00:40:27.96 and no one ever told us." 00:40:27.99\00:40:29.89 My friends, telling the world is a part 00:40:33.06\00:40:37.93 of being like Jesus. 00:40:37.97\00:40:40.74 The Bible says, in Isaiah 60:1, 00:40:40.77\00:40:43.64 "Arise and shine, for thy light is come, 00:40:43.67\00:40:47.48 and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." 00:40:47.51\00:40:50.75 We understand this predicts the time 00:40:50.78\00:40:54.05 when God's people will rise with the character of God 00:40:54.08\00:40:56.89 reflected in their own characters. 00:40:56.92\00:41:00.09 And they will shed the light of truth around the world. 00:41:00.12\00:41:03.86 This, my friends, 00:41:03.89\00:41:06.23 is the work of the church. 00:41:06.26\00:41:07.60 And I believe tonight, 00:41:07.63\00:41:09.96 now is the time. 00:41:10.00\00:41:12.13 Now is the time for God's people 00:41:12.17\00:41:14.84 to set aside the bickering among themselves, 00:41:14.87\00:41:18.07 to set aside the non essentials in their lives, 00:41:18.11\00:41:21.91 and to become seriously committed 00:41:21.94\00:41:25.05 to becoming like Jesus. 00:41:25.08\00:41:26.98 Not becoming like Jesus, 00:41:27.02\00:41:28.38 so they can look around at their fellow church members 00:41:28.42\00:41:30.45 and criticize what they see. 00:41:30.49\00:41:32.75 But to get busy telling the world 00:41:32.79\00:41:35.52 the good news of Jesus' coming, 00:41:35.56\00:41:37.23 to get busy sharing the Three Angels Messages 00:41:37.26\00:41:40.13 with a world that is fast headed 00:41:40.16\00:41:42.93 towards eternal destruction. 00:41:42.96\00:41:44.47 Now is the time for us to be like Jesus. 00:41:44.50\00:41:47.77 Oh, my friends, sometimes I think we have a warped idea 00:41:47.80\00:41:50.67 of what it means to be like Jesus. 00:41:50.71\00:41:52.77 We think we must seclude ourselves 00:41:52.81\00:41:55.01 into an enclave 00:41:55.04\00:41:56.38 maybe far up in the mountains 00:41:56.41\00:41:57.85 where there we can perfect the character of Christ. 00:41:57.88\00:42:00.22 But Jesus was among people, my friends, 00:42:00.25\00:42:02.85 and telling them of the good news. 00:42:02.88\00:42:05.55 This is what it means. 00:42:05.59\00:42:07.02 This is an integral part 00:42:07.06\00:42:08.39 of what it means to be like Jesus. 00:42:08.42\00:42:12.09 John Harper 00:42:12.13\00:42:14.20 was born into a Christian family. 00:42:14.23\00:42:15.76 He became a Christian when he was 13 years old. 00:42:15.80\00:42:19.43 He started a church in London, 00:42:19.47\00:42:22.20 which started with 25 members and grew to 500 members. 00:42:22.24\00:42:25.81 He was called some 13 years later, 00:42:25.84\00:42:29.41 to pastor at the Moody Church in Chicago. 00:42:29.44\00:42:33.65 And so in 1912, 00:42:33.68\00:42:35.08 as the Titanic left its moorings, Liverpool, 00:42:35.12\00:42:39.62 John Harper and his daughter 00:42:39.65\00:42:41.52 were among those on the boat. 00:42:41.56\00:42:45.03 After the ship struck an iceberg 00:42:45.06\00:42:47.00 and began to sink. 00:42:47.03\00:42:49.30 John got his daughter, Nana, into a lifeboat, 00:42:49.33\00:42:54.27 but evidently made no effort to follow her. 00:42:54.30\00:42:58.34 Instead, he ran through the decks 00:42:58.37\00:43:00.98 of the Titanic, 00:43:01.01\00:43:02.34 shouting women, children, 00:43:02.38\00:43:05.28 and unsaved into the lifeboats first. 00:43:05.31\00:43:09.68 When the ship finally slipped beneath those dark waters, 00:43:09.72\00:43:14.49 John Harper jumped into the murky depths, 00:43:14.52\00:43:18.33 clinging to a bit of debris 00:43:18.36\00:43:21.00 because he had given his life jacket 00:43:21.03\00:43:23.13 to somebody else. 00:43:23.16\00:43:25.83 Four years later, 00:43:25.87\00:43:27.20 at a meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, 00:43:27.24\00:43:30.17 a man gave this testimony. 00:43:30.21\00:43:32.04 He said, I am a survivor of the Titanic. 00:43:32.07\00:43:36.64 When I was drifting alone on a spar that awful night, 00:43:36.68\00:43:39.91 the tide brought Mr. Harper of Glasgow 00:43:39.95\00:43:42.45 also on a piece of wreck near me, 00:43:42.48\00:43:44.85 man, he said, "Are you saved?" 00:43:44.89\00:43:47.96 "No," I said, "I am not." 00:43:47.99\00:43:50.66 He replied, 00:43:50.69\00:43:52.03 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ 00:43:52.06\00:43:54.50 and you will be saved." 00:43:54.53\00:43:56.06 The waves carry John Harper away 00:43:56.10\00:43:58.30 but a few minutes later, for some reason, 00:43:58.33\00:44:00.57 they carried him back by this man. 00:44:00.60\00:44:02.84 And he said that, John Harper once again said, 00:44:02.87\00:44:05.21 "Man, are you saved now?" 00:44:05.24\00:44:08.21 And he replied, 00:44:08.24\00:44:09.58 "No, I cannot honestly say that I am." 00:44:09.61\00:44:13.18 Again John Harper said, 00:44:13.21\00:44:14.58 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:44:14.62\00:44:17.05 and thou shall be saved." 00:44:17.09\00:44:19.45 Shortly after that, 00:44:19.49\00:44:21.52 John Harper slipped beneath the water. 00:44:21.56\00:44:25.26 But there alone in the night, 00:44:25.29\00:44:28.56 with two miles of ocean beneath him, 00:44:28.60\00:44:31.43 this passenger gave his life to Jesus. 00:44:31.47\00:44:35.84 I, he said, 00:44:35.87\00:44:37.37 "I'm John Harper's last convert." 00:44:37.41\00:44:41.44 We may not feel as John Harper did, 00:44:41.48\00:44:44.05 the urgency of the hour, 00:44:44.08\00:44:46.68 but friends, we need to. 00:44:46.72\00:44:49.78 People are dying. 00:44:49.82\00:44:52.69 Jesus says to us today, "Whom shall I send? 00:44:52.72\00:44:57.23 And who will go for us? 00:44:57.26\00:44:59.26 Then said I, 00:44:59.29\00:45:01.63 here am I, send me. 00:45:01.66\00:45:03.53 I have chosen you 00:45:41.00\00:45:43.94 Chosen you for service 00:45:43.97\00:45:47.01 I have chosen you 00:45:47.04\00:45:49.21 To be children of the Lord 00:45:49.24\00:45:52.98 I have chosen you I have chosen you 00:45:53.01\00:45:56.12 Shall be my will 00:45:56.15\00:45:57.49 I have chosen you I have chosen you 00:45:57.52\00:46:01.16 You are precious in my sight 00:46:01.19\00:46:04.93 Chosen you for nation 00:46:04.96\00:46:07.96 Chosen you for glory 00:46:08.00\00:46:10.97 Chosen you for nation 00:46:11.00\00:46:13.60 I can't believe that died 00:46:13.64\00:46:16.97 You shall be my children 00:46:17.01\00:46:20.04 I shall be your shepherd 00:46:20.08\00:46:23.65 Forever and ever 00:46:23.68\00:46:29.35 For I have chosen you for love For I have chosen you for love 00:46:29.38\00:46:35.49 Before that universal glory Wasn't filled 00:46:35.52\00:46:41.36 Before us spoke the word 00:46:41.40\00:46:43.70 and made a brand new world 00:46:43.73\00:46:47.47 Before my hand reach out, It made a name 00:46:47.50\00:46:53.51 Before the dawn of time 00:46:53.54\00:46:55.78 I had you be my man 00:46:55.81\00:47:02.15 I have chosen you 00:47:02.18\00:47:05.02 Chosen you for service 00:47:05.05\00:47:08.09 I have chosen you 00:47:08.12\00:47:10.33 To be children of the Lord 00:47:10.36\00:47:14.13 I have chosen you I have chosen you 00:47:14.16\00:47:17.07 You shall be my will You shall be my will 00:47:17.10\00:47:20.30 I have chosen you I have chosen you 00:47:20.34\00:47:22.30 You shall be pick In morning pride 00:47:22.34\00:47:26.14 Chosen you for nation 00:47:26.17\00:47:29.04 Chosen you for glory 00:47:29.08\00:47:32.11 Chosen you for nation 00:47:32.15\00:47:34.75 I can't believe that died 00:47:34.78\00:47:38.22 You shall be my children 00:47:38.25\00:47:41.29 I shall be your shepherd 00:47:41.32\00:47:44.99 Forever and ever 00:47:45.03\00:47:50.57 For I have chosen you for love 00:47:50.60\00:47:56.67 For I have chosen you For love 00:47:56.71\00:47:59.21 Chosen you for love Chosen you for love 00:47:59.24\00:48:02.24 Chosen you for love Chosen you for love 00:48:02.28\00:48:09.22 I have chosen you for love 00:48:09.25\00:48:16.12 Amen. 00:48:24.53\00:48:25.97 Let us stand for the benediction. 00:48:34.94\00:48:36.28 And after I'm finished benediction, 00:48:39.65\00:48:40.98 I'll ask you to remain seated 00:48:41.02\00:48:42.35 for just a few brief announcements. 00:48:42.38\00:48:44.29 Let us pray. 00:48:44.32\00:48:45.75 Thank you, dear God, we have come to the end 00:48:45.79\00:48:47.26 of these sacred hours, 00:48:47.29\00:48:48.72 these past 24 hours of Your time. 00:48:48.76\00:48:51.56 And also the end 00:48:51.59\00:48:52.93 of this 59th International ASI Convention. 00:48:52.96\00:48:56.83 I want to thank You so much 00:48:56.87\00:48:58.20 for the time You have spent here. 00:48:58.23\00:48:59.57 Thank You for the blessings for Your Sabbath hours. 00:48:59.60\00:49:02.34 And like our spiritual forefathers 00:49:02.37\00:49:03.84 before us, 00:49:03.87\00:49:05.21 we cry out how long, how many more Sabbaths, 00:49:05.24\00:49:07.44 how and more conventions on this rebellious planet. 00:49:07.48\00:49:10.75 And yet Your Word speaks us clearly 00:49:10.78\00:49:13.31 as reflected on our theme during this convention. 00:49:13.35\00:49:16.45 Tell the World and Tell Them Now. 00:49:16.48\00:49:18.72 So as we've been equipped, 00:49:18.75\00:49:20.09 inspired and challenged this weekend, 00:49:20.12\00:49:23.39 please remind us every day of our commitment 00:49:23.43\00:49:25.26 so we may fulfill our part in this theme 00:49:25.29\00:49:28.36 is our prayer in Jesus' name. 00:49:28.40\00:49:30.07 Amen. 00:49:30.10\00:49:31.43