Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;
00:01:04.22\00:01:11.03
Father, impute His life unto me.
00:01:11.04\00:01:18.44
My life of
scarlet, my sin and woe,
00:01:18.86\00:01:26.15
Cover with His
life, whiter than snow.
00:01:26.16\00:01:35.22
Cover with His
life, whiter than snow;
00:01:35.23\00:01:43.62
Fullness of His
life then shall I know;
00:01:43.63\00:01:53.04
My life of
scarlet, my sin and woe,
00:01:53.99\00:02:01.12
Cover with His
life, whiter than snow.
00:02:01.13\00:02:09.68
Deep are the wounds
transgression has made;
00:02:12.95\00:02:19.19
Red are the
stains; my soul is afraid.
00:02:19.20\00:02:26.82
O to be covered,
Jesus, with Thee,
00:02:27.20\00:02:34.47
Safe from the law
that now judgeth me!
00:02:34.48\00:02:44.61
Longing the joy
of pardon to know;
00:02:47.14\00:02:53.67
Jesus holds out a
robe white as snow;
00:02:53.68\00:03:00.70
"Lord, I accept
it! Leaving my own,
00:03:00.71\00:03:09.30
Gladly I wear
Thy pure life alone."
00:03:09.31\00:03:18.11
Cover with His
life, whiter than snow;
00:03:18.12\00:03:25.70
Fullness of His
life then shall I know;
00:03:25.71\00:03:35.62
My life of
scarlet, my sin and woe,
00:03:36.73\00:03:44.34
Cover with His
life, whiter than snow.
00:03:44.35\00:03:53.39
Cover with His
life, whiter than snow;
00:03:53.40\00:04:01.69
Fullness of His
life then shall I know;
00:04:01.70\00:04:11.48
My life of
scarlet, my sin and woe,
00:04:12.72\00:04:21.28
Cover with His
life, whiter than snow.
00:04:21.29\00:04:40.05
This ASI convention, it
is indeed a gala affair,
00:04:48.81\00:04:55.07
not just an
extraordinary event as the
00:04:56.14\00:04:58.43
word implies. You
see gala can be seen as
00:04:58.44\00:05:02.42
an acronym that
captures the essence
00:05:02.43\00:05:05.41
of what ASI is
all about, gratitude,
00:05:05.42\00:05:09.79
the appreciation we
are quick to give Jesus,
00:05:10.31\00:05:12.84
who emboldens us to
tell others about His love
00:05:12.85\00:05:16.18
and His soon return.
Attitude, the spirit of
00:05:16.19\00:05:20.85
compassion and
urgency that guides the intent
00:05:20.86\00:05:24.47
of every witnessing
encounter. Latitude,
00:05:24.48\00:05:29.40
the flexibility of
approach we seek from the
00:05:30.01\00:05:32.64
Holy Spirit to
effectively reach every
00:05:32.65\00:05:35.80
person for Jesus.
Aptitude, the capacity
00:05:35.81\00:05:41.33
for service, each
one possesses as we
00:05:41.34\00:05:44.25
recognize that our
availability is the only
00:05:44.26\00:05:48.12
prerequisite. Yes,
this ASI's 60th anniversary
00:05:48.13\00:05:53.52
convention is a gala
affair. God has been and
00:05:53.53\00:05:59.61
is very good to us,
that is something to
00:05:59.62\00:06:03.81
celebrate, but when
this session is over,
00:06:03.82\00:06:08.65
when the
celebration ends and the
00:06:09.95\00:06:13.52
memories of these
moments fade, what
00:06:13.53\00:06:17.45
will keep us pressing
forward? What will keep
00:06:17.46\00:06:21.36
ASI an evangelism
focused organization?
00:06:21.37\00:06:25.22
What will fuel our
determination to partner
00:06:25.86\00:06:29.67
with divine
agents to reach the world
00:06:29.68\00:06:31.79
for Jesus? These
are the questions we
00:06:31.80\00:06:36.00
must answer this
evening, let us pray.
00:06:36.01\00:06:39.48
Lord Jesus, I offer
my heart and my soul
00:06:41.72\00:06:44.36
to you, so that I
might be a mouthpiece
00:06:44.37\00:06:47.27
tonight for your
message, for your people.
00:06:47.28\00:06:51.21
Give us open,
receptive and vulnerable
00:06:52.51\00:06:55.39
hearts, so that we
would not only be hearers
00:06:55.40\00:06:58.71
but doers. In
Jesus name I pray, amen.
00:06:58.72\00:07:03.07
I have become very
fond of particular story
00:07:03.08\00:07:07.60
in the Bible, one
that I stumbled across
00:07:07.61\00:07:09.27
in my devotions,
that I thought was very
00:07:09.28\00:07:12.20
interesting and I
think it has unique
00:07:12.21\00:07:15.11
applicability for
us today. And so if you
00:07:15.12\00:07:18.22
have your Bibles I
would like you to turn to
00:07:18.23\00:07:20.33
Second
Chronicles the 15th chapter.
00:07:20.34\00:07:23.68
Second Chronicles
15 and we're going
00:07:24.75\00:07:27.97
to meet, we're going
to read selected verses
00:07:27.98\00:07:31.35
to kind of capture
the flavor of the story.
00:07:31.36\00:07:34.61
So in 2nd
Chronicles 15 and verse 1 and 2
00:07:35.72\00:07:39.80
it reads. And the
Spirit of God came upon
00:07:39.81\00:07:43.44
Azariah, the son
of Oded and he went
00:07:43.45\00:07:46.53
out to meet Asa
and said unto him,
00:07:46.54\00:07:49.66
"hea ye me, Asa and
all Judah and Benjamin.
00:07:49.67\00:07:54.49
The Lord is with you
while ye be with him.
00:07:55.39\00:07:58.11
If you seek him, he
will be found of you,
00:07:58.83\00:08:01.27
but if ye forsake
him, he will forsake you.
00:08:01.74\00:08:04.98
Let's got to verse
8. And When Asa heard
00:08:05.88\00:08:09.91
these words and
the prophecy of Oded
00:08:09.92\00:08:12.76
the prophet, he
took courage and put away
00:08:12.77\00:08:16.69
the abominable idols
out of all land of Judah
00:08:16.70\00:08:19.70
and Benjamin and out
of the cities which he
00:08:19.71\00:08:22.69
had taken from
Mount Ephraim, and renewed
00:08:22.70\00:08:25.93
the altar of the
Lord that was before the
00:08:25.94\00:08:28.64
portico of the
Lord. Verse 12 and they
00:08:28.65\00:08:33.80
speaking of Judah
and Benjamin. Entered
00:08:33.81\00:08:36.34
into a covenant
to seek the LORD, God
00:08:36.35\00:08:38.49
of their fathers,
with all their hearts and
00:08:38.50\00:08:41.56
with all their soul.
Verse 15 and all Judah
00:08:41.57\00:08:46.88
rejoiced at the oath
for they had sworn with
00:08:46.89\00:08:50.76
all their heart and
sought Him with their
00:08:50.77\00:08:52.83
whole desire and
he was found of them
00:08:52.84\00:08:55.87
and the Lord gave
them rest round the bows.
00:08:55.88\00:08:58.94
Verse 16, and
also concerning Maachah
00:08:59.25\00:09:03.81
the mother of Asa
the King, he removed her
00:09:03.82\00:09:07.07
from being Queen,
because she had made
00:09:07.08\00:09:10.65
an idol in a grove:
and Asa cut down her idol,
00:09:10.66\00:09:14.94
and stamped it, and
burned it at the brook
00:09:14.95\00:09:18.51
Kidron. Verse 19,
and there was no more war
00:09:18.52\00:09:24.05
until the five and
thirty fifth year of the reign
00:09:24.06\00:09:27.88
of Asa. Now you can
catch the flavor of this
00:09:27.89\00:09:31.81
story that this was a
time in Judah's history
00:09:31.82\00:09:34.82
where there was
obviously conflict and war
00:09:34.83\00:09:38.54
and unrest all around,
and this had been going
00:09:38.55\00:09:42.18
on for a very, very
long time, And Asa was
00:09:42.19\00:09:50.04
approached by a
prophet who told him that
00:09:50.05\00:09:55.67
if you seek the Lord,
He will be fond of you
00:09:55.68\00:09:58.06
but if you forsake
Him, He will forsake you.
00:09:58.07\00:10:01.88
Well King Asa
was convicted of this
00:10:02.76\00:10:05.85
mission, to serve
the God of his fathers
00:10:05.86\00:10:09.80
and his responsibility
to lead the nation
00:10:09.81\00:10:12.74
of Judah to do the
same. Despite these
00:10:12.75\00:10:16.12
years of unrest,
conflict and adversity,
00:10:16.13\00:10:19.09
once King Asa got
his priorities straight,
00:10:19.10\00:10:22.71
God was able to
work on his behalf and
00:10:22.72\00:10:25.63
in the lives of
his people. Asa even
00:10:25.64\00:10:28.99
rebuked his own
mother, destroyed her
00:10:29.00\00:10:32.54
idols and demoted
her from Queenship.
00:10:32.55\00:10:35.33
You try that with
your mother and see what
00:10:36.69\00:10:38.52
happens. He was
committed to follow God,
00:10:38.53\00:10:42.94
no matter the cost
or the consequence,
00:10:42.95\00:10:46.40
talking with their
friend Dan Houghton,
00:10:47.26\00:10:49.19
the other night and
he said a statement that
00:10:49.20\00:10:51.32
was very striking
to me. He said you know
00:10:51.33\00:10:53.98
we must do right
because it's right and
00:10:53.99\00:10:58.20
leave the consequences to God.
00:10:58.21\00:10:59.61
ASI in existence
for 60 years has enjoyed
00:11:02.31\00:11:07.24
a similar type
of prosperity. God's
00:11:07.25\00:11:10.90
blessing has been
evident as ASI members
00:11:10.91\00:11:13.73
have responded
with earnest commitment
00:11:13.74\00:11:16.63
to the Gospel
commission. Our motto sharing
00:11:16.64\00:11:20.19
Christ in the market
place has not been the
00:11:20.20\00:11:22.73
driving force but
the inevitable result
00:11:22.74\00:11:25.69
of staying true to
the mission within,
00:11:25.70\00:11:28.78
keeping God first.
ASI's long history gives
00:11:28.79\00:11:36.80
meaningful
reflection and encouragement
00:11:36.81\00:11:39.27
as we look to the
future but we must
00:11:39.28\00:11:42.05
hasten to
understand that our continued
00:11:42.06\00:11:45.75
success. God's
continued blessings are
00:11:45.76\00:11:49.49
contingent upon
our maintaining a deep
00:11:49.50\00:11:52.94
abiding
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:11:52.95\00:11:55.48
King Asa forgot
that critical fact.
00:11:56.88\00:11:59.76
If you look in 2nd
Chronicles chapter 16,
00:12:00.75\00:12:03.54
we see the
unfortunate results of
00:12:04.37\00:12:07.00
underestimating
the importance of
00:12:07.01\00:12:09.41
maintaining this connection.
00:12:09.42\00:12:11.39
The importance of
maintaining and paying
00:12:12.04\00:12:14.29
attention to the
mission within. Let's go
00:12:14.30\00:12:18.36
to our Bibles and
look at 2nd Chronicles 16
00:12:18.37\00:12:22.88
and I want to just
paint this picture for you
00:12:24.16\00:12:26.85
a little bit
because you remember in
00:12:26.86\00:12:29.05
the beginning when
Asa heard the words
00:12:29.06\00:12:31.51
of the prophet,
he decided to adhere
00:12:31.52\00:12:34.33
to the counsel and
go back to God an allow
00:12:34.34\00:12:37.45
Him to control
their lives. Well, in this
00:12:37.46\00:12:40.26
particular chapter
what happens is Asa decides
00:12:40.27\00:12:43.76
that he is going to
do his own thing. You see
00:12:43.77\00:12:46.81
the King of Israel
at that time decided to
00:12:46.82\00:12:49.77
come into Judis
into Asa and the Kingdom
00:12:49.78\00:12:54.08
of Judah into their
territory and they were
00:12:54.09\00:12:56.40
kind of reeking
havoc and moving into
00:12:56.41\00:12:58.93
their space and Asa
didn't really like it that
00:12:58.94\00:13:02.12
much and he
decided, well what I will do
00:13:02.13\00:13:06.12
is I will approach
the King of Syria, and
00:13:06.13\00:13:09.45
so he actually
bribed the King of Syria and
00:13:09.46\00:13:12.29
said, you know
what? Let me pay you,
00:13:12.30\00:13:14.41
I would love to pay
you and give you all
00:13:14.42\00:13:16.87
these wonderful
gifts and this money if you
00:13:16.88\00:13:20.67
would break your
allegiance with Israel
00:13:20.68\00:13:22.73
and because kind of
help me get rid of them
00:13:22.74\00:13:25.17
off of my territory.
And so the King of Syria
00:13:25.18\00:13:30.67
with his eyes wide
with wondering greed
00:13:30.68\00:13:33.25
accepted that proposition and he
00:13:33.26\00:13:36.75
gathered his army
and his captains and they
00:13:36.76\00:13:39.23
went and they reeked
havoc with Israel and
00:13:39.24\00:13:41.86
moved them away from
the land. And so that's
00:13:41.87\00:13:46.18
what happened but
that wasn't the end of
00:13:46.19\00:13:49.02
the story. We read
in 2nd Chronicles 16
00:13:49.03\00:13:53.26
verse 7 and at that
time, Hanani, the seer,
00:13:53.27\00:14:00.33
came to Asa, King of
Judah, and said unto him.
00:14:00.34\00:14:03.74
Because thou hast
relied on the King of
00:14:04.47\00:14:08.49
Syria, and not
relied on the Lord thy God,
00:14:08.50\00:14:12.90
therefore is the
host of the King of Syria
00:14:12.91\00:14:15.96
escaped out of
thine hand. Were not the
00:14:15.97\00:14:18.99
Ethiopians and the
Lubims a huge host,
00:14:19.00\00:14:21.88
with very many
chariots and horsemen?
00:14:21.89\00:14:24.69
Yet, because thou
didst rely on the Lord,
00:14:24.70\00:14:27.89
he delivered them into
thine hand. For the eyes
00:14:27.90\00:14:31.95
of the LORD run
to and fro throughout
00:14:31.96\00:14:34.10
the whole earth,
to show himself strong
00:14:34.11\00:14:36.94
in the behalf of them
whose heart is perfect
00:14:36.95\00:14:40.43
toward him. Herein
thou hast done foolishly:
00:14:40.44\00:14:45.85
therefore from
henceforth thou shalt have
00:14:46.80\00:14:50.32
wars. For 35 years, 35
years Judah experienced
00:14:50.33\00:14:57.93
prosperity and
peace and somehow King Asa
00:14:57.94\00:15:02.03
forgot the
mission within, somehow
00:15:02.04\00:15:06.15
he forgot that God
was the one who secured
00:15:06.16\00:15:09.65
their presence, who
protected their borders,
00:15:09.66\00:15:12.93
who gave them
peace and prosperity.
00:15:12.94\00:15:16.82
Will we forget? Well
being the recipient of
00:15:19.92\00:15:24.15
long time blessings
bring short time recognition
00:15:24.16\00:15:28.32
about the source
of those blessings?
00:15:28.33\00:15:30.23
Will multiple and
continuous success
00:15:31.27\00:15:34.06
breed
independence and self reliance?
00:15:34.07\00:15:36.95
It happened to
King Asa and Judah, can
00:15:37.89\00:15:41.98
that happen to ASI,
can this happen to you
00:15:41.99\00:15:46.58
and to me. ASI's
mission is to, let me coin
00:15:46.59\00:15:52.22
the theme of this
term, of this convention,
00:15:52.23\00:15:54.89
to tell the world and
to tell them now by any
00:15:54.90\00:16:00.57
means possible
that Jesus loves them,
00:16:00.58\00:16:03.24
wants to be the Lord
of their lives and is
00:16:03.25\00:16:05.44
coming to take
them home. Even though
00:16:05.45\00:16:08.35
this mission is
embedded in the very fabric
00:16:08.36\00:16:11.60
of the
organization, the only safeguard
00:16:11.61\00:16:15.20
against
compromise and distraction is
00:16:15.21\00:16:18.68
spiritual vigilance.
Our only protection from
00:16:18.69\00:16:23.38
ourselves is that
we remember that we
00:16:23.39\00:16:26.36
are nothing and
that God is everything.
00:16:26.37\00:16:30.21
I had a
conversation with Juan Chrisman,
00:16:32.19\00:16:34.59
just the other day
as the convention was
00:16:34.60\00:16:36.38
starting and we talked
and we were looking at,
00:16:36.39\00:16:39.09
know there's a little
anxiety for those of us
00:16:39.10\00:16:41.47
who are involved
in the planning as
00:16:41.48\00:16:43.36
the convention
is beginning. Do we
00:16:43.37\00:16:44.69
have all our eyes
started in our tease cross,
00:16:44.70\00:16:47.13
is everything okay.
Have we covered every base,
00:16:47.14\00:16:49.82
have we made every
provision for every
00:16:49.83\00:16:51.89
possible emergency
and Ron you know Debbie
00:16:51.90\00:16:56.02
this is really
interesting. When we get
00:16:56.03\00:16:57.57
to heaven, you
know what we're gonna
00:16:57.58\00:16:58.94
realize that we
had nothing to do with
00:16:58.95\00:17:01.94
anything. That God
took care of everything
00:17:01.95\00:17:05.63
and had everything
going exactly the way
00:17:05.64\00:17:08.04
he wanted it to go.
Well that's really very
00:17:08.05\00:17:12.35
interesting
because we believe that we
00:17:12.36\00:17:14.00
are in charge and
have some control of so
00:17:14.01\00:17:17.42
much and yet
really our only task,
00:17:17.43\00:17:21.38
our only responsibility
is to make the mission
00:17:21.39\00:17:25.43
within our soul
motivation. Ellen White
00:17:25.44\00:17:30.54
says in a
devotional that they may know
00:17:30.55\00:17:32.92
page 212. There is
no safety anywhere,
00:17:32.93\00:17:38.01
Satan has come down
with great power and
00:17:39.14\00:17:42.31
is working with
all deceivableness of
00:17:42.32\00:17:44.77
unrighteousness
in them that perish.
00:17:44.78\00:17:46.58
Those who do not
follow in Christ's footsteps
00:17:46.59\00:17:50.22
will find themselves
following another leader.
00:17:50.23\00:17:53.94
They have listened
to strange voices until
00:17:55.42\00:17:57.97
they cannot distinguish
the voice of the true
00:17:57.98\00:18:00.86
shepherd. Little by
little they ceased to
00:18:00.87\00:18:04.63
hear the
warnings, the reproves, the
00:18:04.64\00:18:07.16
instructions. Human
wisdom came in, human
00:18:07.17\00:18:10.97
imaginations were
followed. Much reliance
00:18:10.98\00:18:14.65
is placed upon
human exertion and devices
00:18:14.66\00:18:16.92
and they can
perceptively go on until they
00:18:16.93\00:18:20.70
are fully satisfied
with their own wisdom,
00:18:20.71\00:18:23.84
their own inventions
and are filled with their
00:18:23.85\00:18:27.15
own doings. Have
faith in God, I am still
00:18:27.16\00:18:32.14
quoting. However
stormy may be the times
00:18:32.15\00:18:36.02
looking unto Jesus was
the author and finisher
00:18:36.03\00:18:38.98
of your faith, you
will be complete in Him,
00:18:38.99\00:18:42.60
abide in the old
pass, whoever may turn back
00:18:43.68\00:18:48.20
and that's what
Asa did. No matter even
00:18:48.99\00:18:51.39
if it cost his
relationship with his
00:18:51.40\00:18:53.97
mother, he was
going forward responding
00:18:53.98\00:18:57.48
to the mission
within to follow Jesus. Be
00:18:57.49\00:19:00.98
rooted and
grounded and built up in the
00:19:00.99\00:19:03.42
most holy faith, a
living epistle, known and
00:19:03.43\00:19:07.65
read of all men.
I believe this is a
00:19:07.66\00:19:12.98
message relevant
for ASI today, for
00:19:12.99\00:19:16.46
ASI people are independent, risk
00:19:16.47\00:19:19.72
takers,
visionaries, doers, movers and
00:19:19.73\00:19:22.67
shakers for the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
00:19:22.68\00:19:25.84
But we don't want
these particular attributes,
00:19:26.83\00:19:29.89
gifts and talents
to place us at risk for
00:19:29.90\00:19:33.20
standing alone in
our own self sufficiency.
00:19:33.21\00:19:36.69
We must remember
that it is the mission
00:19:37.59\00:19:40.24
within that brings
us blessing and success.
00:19:40.25\00:19:46.35
It is the mission
within that secures the
00:19:47.99\00:19:51.33
mission without,
the conviction to keep
00:19:51.34\00:19:54.61
God first secures
the mission to share
00:19:54.62\00:19:59.25
Christ in the
market place. It is our
00:19:59.26\00:20:03.71
individual
relationship with Jesus that
00:20:03.72\00:20:06.84
keeps our
organizational mission in
00:20:06.85\00:20:09.45
proper perspective
and alignment with the
00:20:09.46\00:20:11.73
Gospel
commission found in Matthew
00:20:11.74\00:20:14.15
28 line 19 to 20.
For how could we possibly
00:20:14.16\00:20:19.66
meet that divine
imperative without
00:20:19.67\00:20:22.77
the power of the
Holy Spirit. After all,
00:20:22.78\00:20:27.05
it says go and
teach all that I have
00:20:27.06\00:20:31.49
commanded you
and how will we know
00:20:31.50\00:20:34.55
what has been
commanded if we are not
00:20:34.56\00:20:37.39
steeped in the word
of God. King Asa wasn't
00:20:37.40\00:20:42.62
reminded of the
mission without, to tell
00:20:42.63\00:20:47.56
and show his world
about the God of his
00:20:47.57\00:20:50.05
fathers. He wasn't
reminded that it was
00:20:50.06\00:20:53.47
important for him
to make sure that he
00:20:53.48\00:20:56.95
passed out
certain number of tracks.
00:20:56.96\00:20:58.88
He wasn't reminded
that it was important
00:20:58.89\00:21:01.98
for him to adhere
to a certain diet.
00:21:01.99\00:21:04.50
He wasn't reminded
that it was important
00:21:05.96\00:21:08.92
for him to make sure
that he told all that
00:21:08.93\00:21:13.05
he came in contact
with about the Seventh
00:21:13.06\00:21:15.30
Day Sabbath. He
wasn't reminded that
00:21:15.31\00:21:18.60
it was critical for
him to share the principles
00:21:18.61\00:21:22.61
of Bible study
and to understand how
00:21:22.62\00:21:25.32
to pray and to
read the word and to
00:21:25.33\00:21:29.60
integrate that
into his mind. He wasn't
00:21:29.61\00:21:31.74
reminded about
those outward things,
00:21:31.75\00:21:34.99
the mission
without. He was reminded
00:21:35.00\00:21:39.84
however that it was
his intimate connection
00:21:39.85\00:21:43.69
with God that
brought strength and success
00:21:43.70\00:21:46.96
to God's people. The
mission without those
00:21:46.97\00:21:51.68
things that I
mentioned before, being
00:21:51.69\00:21:54.22
important, very
important and critical
00:21:54.23\00:21:57.34
must be submissive
to the mission within.
00:21:57.35\00:22:01.48
The mission within
meant God controlled
00:22:02.49\00:22:06.15
his life and
rulership perspective.
00:22:06.16\00:22:09.10
So that when he
went out to give Bible
00:22:10.19\00:22:12.15
studies, when he
taught people the
00:22:12.16\00:22:15.12
principles of
health. When he told people
00:22:15.13\00:22:18.68
about the wonder
of the Sabbath, when
00:22:18.69\00:22:22.72
he did these things,
it had power and impact,
00:22:22.73\00:22:27.37
that was
important but it was only
00:22:28.85\00:22:31.91
important because
he already had what
00:22:31.92\00:22:34.98
it took to fuel
the power that was
00:22:34.99\00:22:37.52
needed to do those
things. He had paid
00:22:37.53\00:22:40.01
attention to the
mission within. I
00:22:40.02\00:22:45.14
sincerely believe
that ASI has come into
00:22:45.15\00:22:47.73
existence to be
a catalyst for more
00:22:47.74\00:22:50.83
affective and
broad reaching spreading
00:22:50.84\00:22:53.69
of the Gospel. The historical
00:22:53.70\00:22:56.04
prospective that will
unfold during this ASI
00:22:56.05\00:22:58.65
convention will give
credence to that fact.
00:22:58.66\00:23:01.79
It will also
reaffirm that our personal
00:23:02.63\00:23:06.92
relationship
with Jesus Christ is
00:23:06.93\00:23:09.89
fundamental to
igniting a passion for
00:23:09.90\00:23:12.82
ministry in the
hearts of leaders, members,
00:23:12.83\00:23:15.84
supporters and observers alike.
00:23:15.85\00:23:18.04
The global impact
and influence of ASI
00:23:19.45\00:23:23.49
is unprecedented.
When one considers
00:23:23.50\00:23:27.78
its humble
beginnings with what the world
00:23:27.79\00:23:30.54
might call a band
of misfits, old, young,
00:23:30.55\00:23:35.87
rich, poor and
poorer, black, white,
00:23:37.05\00:23:44.23
supporting
ministries, professionals,
00:23:45.60\00:23:47.11
business owners
all co-laborers with
00:23:47.12\00:23:51.15
the church. I
suspect that no other
00:23:51.16\00:23:57.10
organization with
similar composition
00:23:57.11\00:23:59.95
has affected the
kind of worldwide
00:24:00.85\00:24:03.91
movement to
realize a singular goal
00:24:03.92\00:24:07.81
for us to hasten
the second coming of
00:24:07.82\00:24:10.92
Jesus Christ. You
see, we setup goals
00:24:10.93\00:24:17.17
and we develop strategies and we
00:24:18.88\00:24:24.82
design marketing
and promotion materials
00:24:24.83\00:24:29.56
and we, I try and understand and
00:24:31.28\00:24:33.24
identify what
can we do so we have
00:24:33.25\00:24:35.03
a greater presence in the world.
00:24:35.04\00:24:37.11
What can we do for
all of these things,
00:24:37.12\00:24:39.93
what can we do
to be more affective
00:24:39.94\00:24:41.55
and let me tell
you those are all very
00:24:41.56\00:24:43.47
good things, but
I hasten to tell you
00:24:43.48\00:24:48.25
a couple of
other things. The power
00:24:49.42\00:24:52.64
is not in the
planning and we must
00:24:52.65\00:24:57.07
plan for Ellen White
says in Gospel workers
00:24:57.08\00:25:01.11
page 236, there
must be far more personal
00:25:01.12\00:25:05.75
responsibility.
Far more thinking and
00:25:05.76\00:25:09.76
planning, far more
mental power brought
00:25:09.77\00:25:15.46
into the labor, put
forth for the master.
00:25:15.47\00:25:17.63
This would enlarge
the capacity of the
00:25:18.85\00:25:21.43
mind and give
keener perceptions as to
00:25:21.44\00:25:25.90
what to do and
how. So planning is good
00:25:25.91\00:25:30.20
and we encourage,
we're counseled that
00:25:30.21\00:25:32.93
we must plan. The
power is not in our
00:25:32.94\00:25:38.54
presence, the
power is not in the
00:25:38.55\00:25:42.32
innovative tools
that we might develop to
00:25:42.33\00:25:46.86
use and share. To use
for our sharing Christ
00:25:46.87\00:25:49.96
in the market
place, but we must go
00:25:49.97\00:25:53.04
where ever Christ
leads us and we must
00:25:53.05\00:25:55.89
be creative so
that we can reach people
00:25:55.90\00:25:57.96
in every part of
the world. Ellen White
00:25:57.97\00:26:02.68
says in the Review
and Herald 1911, March 2,
00:26:02.69\00:26:05.23
God's workers
must be ever on watch.
00:26:05.98\00:26:08.74
Ready to speak a
word in season to those
00:26:08.75\00:26:11.31
who are searching
for truth, they must
00:26:11.32\00:26:14.34
take advantage
of every opportunity
00:26:14.35\00:26:17.31
to win souls for the
Savior. The Holy Spirit
00:26:17.32\00:26:23.02
will guide and
direct those who stand ready
00:26:23.03\00:26:26.33
to go where God
calls and to speak with the
00:26:26.34\00:26:29.89
words he gives
them. The power is
00:26:29.90\00:26:34.99
also not in the
promotion of ASI, inviting
00:26:35.00\00:26:39.38
those of like mind
and station to forces
00:26:39.39\00:26:42.64
with us, to spread
the Gospel in uncanny
00:26:42.65\00:26:45.97
ways and
unexpected places. I remember
00:26:45.98\00:26:50.03
our first encounter
with ASI, it was I believe
00:26:50.04\00:26:54.76
maybe 1992, we
were in Toronto, Canada.
00:26:54.77\00:26:57.45
Ray and I having had
a ministry with media,
00:26:58.68\00:27:03.06
with radio. Quiet
Moment Ministries,
00:27:03.07\00:27:04.93
we had a burden
to be able to let the
00:27:05.69\00:27:07.26
community know that Seventh Day
00:27:07.27\00:27:09.71
Adventist
Christians were not ordinary
00:27:09.72\00:27:13.02
Christians, Seventh
day Adventist Christians
00:27:13.03\00:27:16.67
we're not those
who are so involved
00:27:17.22\00:27:19.57
and in focused in
our religion that we
00:27:19.58\00:27:23.06
weren't concerned
and had compassion
00:27:23.07\00:27:26.22
for the needs of
the world. So isn't that
00:27:26.23\00:27:29.41
Christ's method
that we need to meet
00:27:29.42\00:27:33.43
the needs of
those. Let them know that
00:27:33.44\00:27:36.97
we desire their
good and then bid them
00:27:36.98\00:27:38.73
follow us. We were
amazed as we walked
00:27:38.74\00:27:42.35
the halls, attended
the general sessions
00:27:42.36\00:27:45.14
and the seminars and
it was so interesting
00:27:45.15\00:27:47.83
because see in
our radio program,
00:27:47.84\00:27:49.68
we interviewed
people like you. Oh it was
00:27:49.69\00:27:54.85
you, people who
had ministries that met
00:27:54.86\00:27:58.89
people's needs
as an open doors and
00:27:58.90\00:28:01.56
opening word to be
able to invite them
00:28:01.57\00:28:03.39
to Jesus. And as we
looked and as we saw
00:28:03.40\00:28:06.46
all the different
people amongst this crowd
00:28:06.47\00:28:09.37
that we had come to
know through interview.
00:28:09.38\00:28:12.32
We realized that
we had stumbled on an
00:28:12.92\00:28:15.95
evangelism gold
mine and we were thrilled
00:28:15.96\00:28:20.18
with the things
that we saw. And that
00:28:20.19\00:28:22.52
we experienced and
we were thrilled to see
00:28:22.53\00:28:26.60
that people put
deliberate attention
00:28:26.61\00:28:29.52
and strategic methodology in the
00:28:30.48\00:28:32.63
spreading of the
Gospel. We're especially
00:28:32.64\00:28:35.58
thrilled to see
that people were willing
00:28:35.59\00:28:37.17
to put their
money where their mouths
00:28:37.18\00:28:38.68
were. But we were
most impressed with
00:28:38.69\00:28:43.44
this kind of
passion that seemed to burn
00:28:43.45\00:28:46.77
and urge people
forward for the Gospel.
00:28:46.78\00:28:49.26
It was wonderful to
see that people loved
00:28:50.12\00:28:53.56
Jesus and so much
so that had bubbled
00:28:53.57\00:28:58.17
out in their lives
with everything that
00:28:58.18\00:29:00.61
they did. And
that they looked for
00:29:00.62\00:29:03.20
different ways,
what can I do more,
00:29:03.21\00:29:05.20
how can I do
different, what can I do
00:29:05.21\00:29:07.65
more to serve
Jesus and to let people
00:29:07.66\00:29:09.76
know that he is
coming again. And all
00:29:09.77\00:29:11.97
of this was an
outgrowth of the kind
00:29:11.98\00:29:14.53
of mission within
their love and desire
00:29:14.54\00:29:18.37
to serve Jesus.
It was a wonderful
00:29:18.38\00:29:22.01
experience and
that's why we're here
00:29:22.02\00:29:24.53
today, now we
have learned as we have
00:29:24.54\00:29:28.26
rubbed shoulders
with you and as if we have
00:29:28.27\00:29:30.70
talked with you
and become friends,
00:29:30.71\00:29:32.87
life long friends
that the important part
00:29:32.88\00:29:37.47
of this whole
operation is not the mission
00:29:37.48\00:29:40.33
without, it's the
mission within. What's
00:29:40.34\00:29:46.96
important that we put God first.
00:29:46.97\00:29:50.06
Ellen White says
in Testimonies to The
00:29:52.35\00:29:55.65
Church volume 4
page 306. We are now
00:29:55.66\00:30:01.14
upon the very
borders of the eternal
00:30:01.15\00:30:03.08
world but it is
the purpose of the
00:30:03.09\00:30:05.94
adversary of souls to
lead us to far off the
00:30:05.95\00:30:09.92
close of time. Satan
will in every conceivable
00:30:09.93\00:30:14.92
manner assail
those who profess to be
00:30:14.93\00:30:18.17
the commandment
keeping people of God
00:30:18.18\00:30:20.00
and to be waiting
for the second appearing
00:30:20.80\00:30:22.83
of our Savior in the
clouds of heaven with
00:30:22.84\00:30:24.83
power and great
glory. You see the power
00:30:24.84\00:30:27.08
is not in the
planning, the power is not
00:30:27.09\00:30:29.80
in presence. The
power is not in promotion,
00:30:29.81\00:30:32.18
the power is in the
Holy Spirit. For Matthew
00:30:32.19\00:30:37.15
6:33 says, seek ye
first the kingdom of
00:30:37.16\00:30:42.58
God and all these
things will be added,
00:30:42.59\00:30:44.93
from the book,
Thoughts From The Mount
00:30:46.84\00:30:49.33
of Blessings, page
101 if you will seek
00:30:49.34\00:30:53.62
the Lord and be
converted everyday,
00:30:53.63\00:30:56.65
everyday. If you
will of your own spiritual
00:30:56.66\00:31:03.47
choice be free
and joyous in God.
00:31:03.48\00:31:07.50
If with gladsome
consent of heart to his
00:31:08.41\00:31:11.49
gracious call you
come wearing the yolk of
00:31:11.50\00:31:14.15
Christ, the yolk of
obedience and service.
00:31:14.16\00:31:17.90
All your
murmurings will seize, will be
00:31:19.09\00:31:22.69
stilled, all your
difficulties will be
00:31:22.70\00:31:26.22
removed. All the
perplexing problems
00:31:26.23\00:31:30.21
that now confront
you will be solved and
00:31:30.22\00:31:34.31
I need to read that
again, because it is
00:31:34.32\00:31:36.64
powerful, it's a
wonderful promise in
00:31:36.65\00:31:40.18
support of the
word of God that he will
00:31:40.19\00:31:42.65
never leave nor
forsake us and he will
00:31:42.66\00:31:44.39
meet all of our
needs. If you will seek the
00:31:44.40\00:31:47.55
Lord and be converted everyday.
00:31:47.56\00:31:49.99
If you will of your
own spiritual choice
00:31:50.00\00:31:52.65
be free and
joyous in God. It with
00:31:52.66\00:31:54.87
gladsome consent of heart to his
00:31:54.88\00:31:57.20
gracious call; you
come wearing the yolk
00:31:57.21\00:31:59.13
of Christ, the
yolk of obedience and
00:31:59.14\00:32:01.92
service. All your
murmurings will be
00:32:01.93\00:32:05.56
stilled, some,
most? No, all, all your
00:32:05.57\00:32:11.92
difficulties will
be removed. All the
00:32:11.93\00:32:17.18
perplexing
problems that now confront
00:32:17.19\00:32:19.39
you will be solved.
The Bible says in Isaiah
00:32:19.40\00:32:24.59
54 that no weapon
formed against you shall
00:32:24.60\00:32:28.86
prosper, praise God
for the blessing of ASI.
00:32:28.87\00:32:32.54
But all these
things have come only at
00:32:33.90\00:32:35.87
the heeding of
the mission within.
00:32:35.88\00:32:38.28
The conviction
to seek God first.
00:32:39.23\00:32:41.95
It's important for
us from time to time
00:32:44.09\00:32:46.59
to step back and
take a look, to reflect,
00:32:48.55\00:32:52.52
to understand and then refocus.
00:32:52.53\00:32:56.60
So that we can
proceed as long as we
00:32:57.64\00:33:00.13
have clear in our
mind's eye what the
00:33:00.14\00:33:02.89
mission and the
vision is and if we don't do
00:33:02.90\00:33:06.78
that. We can get
a little misguided,
00:33:06.79\00:33:10.23
little off track,
waylaid, delayed. So this
00:33:11.23\00:33:19.51
kind of an event
is very important.
00:33:19.52\00:33:22.41
It's important not
only because we want
00:33:24.25\00:33:25.99
to celebrate where
God has brought us,
00:33:26.00\00:33:29.86
but this event
needs to sober us to know
00:33:31.05\00:33:35.45
that we've got
double work to do.
00:33:35.46\00:33:37.96
When will Jesus
come? When we've done
00:33:39.72\00:33:42.91
what we need to do.
It is said that Christ
00:33:42.92\00:33:49.84
will not come until
his character is perfectly
00:33:49.85\00:33:53.69
reproduced in our
lives, that's the mission
00:33:53.70\00:33:57.87
within. If we don't
pay attention to mission
00:33:57.88\00:34:01.24
within, the
mission without becomes
00:34:01.25\00:34:05.01
more impotent. We
must tend to the mission
00:34:05.02\00:34:10.11
within, First
Peter 5:8 says be sober,
00:34:10.51\00:34:17.74
be vigilant
because your advisory the
00:34:17.75\00:34:20.75
devil as a roaring
lion walking above seeking
00:34:20.76\00:34:23.00
whom he may devour. You know,
00:34:23.01\00:34:24.53
I looked at it,
look that up with me,
00:34:24.54\00:34:26.48
First Peter 5:8 and
I discovered something
00:34:26.49\00:34:30.48
because we always
repeated, at least
00:34:30.49\00:34:33.22
I did, always
repeated that verse and
00:34:33.23\00:34:36.25
for some reason I
read further and it just
00:34:36.26\00:34:44.01
gave me a whole
different insight of
00:34:44.02\00:34:48.06
what I think the
Bible is trying to say.
00:34:48.07\00:34:50.50
First Peter 5:8,
00:34:51.61\00:34:53.09
Alright, this is
interesting. Look at
00:35:00.65\00:35:02.71
First Peter 5:8,
9 and 10. Be sober,
00:35:02.72\00:35:09.27
be vigilant;
because your adversary
00:35:09.28\00:35:11.32
the devil as a
roaring lion, walketh about,
00:35:11.33\00:35:14.29
seeking whom he
may devour. Whom resist
00:35:14.30\00:35:17.35
steadfast in the
faith, knowing that the same
00:35:17.36\00:35:21.62
afflictions are
accomplished in your
00:35:21.63\00:35:23.13
brethren that are
in the world. But the
00:35:23.14\00:35:26.27
God of all grace,
who hath called us into
00:35:26.28\00:35:28.68
his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after
00:35:28.69\00:35:31.44
that ye have
suffered a while, make you
00:35:31.45\00:35:33.14
perfect, establish,
strengthen, settle you.
00:35:33.15\00:35:36.10
This told me that
the devil was after us,
00:35:37.56\00:35:40.16
you understand that,
be sober, be vigilant;
00:35:42.58\00:35:45.15
because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring
00:35:45.16\00:35:47.37
lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may
00:35:47.38\00:35:49.59
devour, Whom resist
steadfast in the faith.
00:35:49.60\00:35:53.37
He is targeting each one of us,
00:35:54.27\00:35:57.27
every ASI member
because we're serious
00:35:58.01\00:36:00.32
about paying
attention to the mission
00:36:00.33\00:36:01.70
within and he knows
that if he can derail
00:36:01.71\00:36:04.64
us from that focus he's got us.
00:36:04.65\00:36:07.50
So this vigilance
is really much more
00:36:09.96\00:36:12.77
critical and
important then we can ever
00:36:12.78\00:36:15.96
imagine. And I
have long heard sermons
00:36:15.97\00:36:21.30
and presentations
and urgings and counsel
00:36:21.31\00:36:23.66
about the
importance of Bible study and
00:36:23.67\00:36:26.69
prayer and fasting.
And it's not until the
00:36:26.70\00:36:30.41
Lord revealed to
me in the preparation
00:36:30.42\00:36:32.16
for this message
that I don't understand,
00:36:32.17\00:36:35.58
the real significance.
The real significance
00:36:35.59\00:36:40.10
even in the success
of ASI, the importance
00:36:40.11\00:36:44.92
of me, an
individual, managing and taking
00:36:44.93\00:36:48.68
care of and paying
attention to the mission
00:36:48.69\00:36:51.45
within. And it told
me that if I focus on
00:36:51.46\00:36:56.99
what I need to do,
if each of us focuses
00:36:57.00\00:37:01.55
on what we need
to do and what you
00:37:01.56\00:37:04.99
need to do. The
organization will
00:37:05.00\00:37:07.92
automatically
flourish, that was a Revelation
00:37:07.93\00:37:14.51
to me. May be you
got it but I got it more
00:37:14.52\00:37:17.97
and so if we all
pay attention to what
00:37:18.92\00:37:21.10
we're supposed to
then where will ASI go,
00:37:21.11\00:37:26.02
what could stop us
from conquering the world
00:37:26.03\00:37:28.68
for Jesus Christ.
Yes, the power is not
00:37:28.69\00:37:33.58
in the planning, it's
not in the presence and
00:37:33.59\00:37:36.36
it's not in the
promotion and those are
00:37:36.37\00:37:38.50
important but the power
is with the Holy Spirit.
00:37:38.51\00:37:41.13
And we get the Holy
Spirit by submitting
00:37:41.14\00:37:44.27
ourselves to Jesus
and paying attention
00:37:44.28\00:37:47.99
to the mission
within. It's an incredible
00:37:49.18\00:37:55.22
opportunity to be
able to work for Jesus,
00:37:55.23\00:37:58.98
incredible and
to be vulnerable and
00:38:00.83\00:38:04.79
I believe we heard
that all we need to do
00:38:04.80\00:38:07.13
is be available,
it's amazing what he does
00:38:07.14\00:38:11.66
with availability.
We don't have to sign up
00:38:11.67\00:38:14.57
for anything, we
just have to say I'm here,
00:38:14.58\00:38:17.23
I'm ready and
somehow the Holy Spirit seems
00:38:17.24\00:38:20.26
to take it from
there and pulls us all
00:38:20.27\00:38:23.14
together and sets
us on a right track so
00:38:23.15\00:38:26.30
that we can do
what we need to do.
00:38:26.31\00:38:27.51
Now I know you've
heard, you may have
00:38:27.52\00:38:29.44
heard this story
but I just have to,
00:38:29.45\00:38:31.71
I have to repeat
it, I have to share it
00:38:31.72\00:38:33.92
with you because
it's just kind of,
00:38:33.93\00:38:36.85
to me emphasizes
this point that is so
00:38:36.86\00:38:40.40
important for us to
be focused on taking
00:38:40.41\00:38:42.79
care of the mission
within. And I remember
00:38:42.80\00:38:46.27
it was actually
in 2001 when we went
00:38:48.27\00:38:51.59
to the Philippines
and that was a time
00:38:51.60\00:38:55.68
that we actually
piloted the new beginnings
00:38:55.69\00:38:59.17
DVD sermon series.
And a band of us unlikely
00:38:59.18\00:39:05.12
candidates for the
gospel I tell you, nurses
00:39:05.13\00:39:07.34
and teachers and
business people and printers
00:39:07.35\00:39:11.20
and school kids
and everybody excited
00:39:11.21\00:39:15.01
and having paying
attention to the mission
00:39:15.02\00:39:17.07
within said
okay, we're gonna go.
00:39:17.08\00:39:19.03
We're gonna go,
we're gonna take care
00:39:20.25\00:39:21.39
of this, we're gonna.
We were really excited
00:39:21.40\00:39:23.32
and we'll know that
we'll be able to prepare,
00:39:24.06\00:39:26.13
we'll have all of
our notes and we would
00:39:26.14\00:39:29.35
have been able to
study everything and
00:39:29.36\00:39:31.49
be prepared, so we
had no fear really,
00:39:31.50\00:39:35.50
a little bit of
anxiety but we would be
00:39:35.51\00:39:37.95
prepared. And so
as we go on and Karen
00:39:37.96\00:39:42.07
Houghton may
remember this. We actually
00:39:42.08\00:39:43.90
enroute to the
Philippines going over
00:39:43.91\00:39:47.18
we landed in
California, we went to a
00:39:47.19\00:39:52.02
restaurant and we
were eating and we were
00:39:52.03\00:39:54.68
really anxious
then because we realized
00:39:54.69\00:39:57.20
we didn't have all
of those sermons that
00:39:57.21\00:39:59.80
we were supposed to
have to be prepared.
00:39:59.81\00:40:02.57
We wanted to be
ready, we wanted to know
00:40:03.47\00:40:07.20
our stuff because
God requires us to be
00:40:07.21\00:40:10.41
prepared and to
know our stuff. And we
00:40:10.42\00:40:13.49
we're talking there
at the table and ringing
00:40:13.50\00:40:15.66
our hands just a
little bit because there were
00:40:15.67\00:40:18.10
several sermons that
we hadn't even seen yet.
00:40:18.11\00:40:21.63
And I a nurse was
supposed to hold an
00:40:22.54\00:40:25.96
evangelistic
series? Pretty scary.
00:40:25.97\00:40:29.90
And as we talked
around the table it dawned
00:40:31.37\00:40:35.39
on us. You know,
nothing ever dawns on us,
00:40:35.40\00:40:37.94
if you're connected,
there is no such thing
00:40:37.95\00:40:40.42
as a by the way
thought because the Holy Spirit
00:40:40.43\00:40:44.84
impresses if you are
listening and we were
00:40:44.85\00:40:47.48
listening because
we needed to hear some
00:40:47.49\00:40:49.19
because we were
little scared. And so we
00:40:49.20\00:40:52.97
talked and say what
do gonna do yeah and
00:40:52.98\00:40:56.19
I don't know and
well when I get there I am
00:40:56.20\00:40:58.28
not even sleeping
because I got to go over
00:40:58.29\00:40:59.84
all those sermons
and we were just trying
00:40:59.85\00:41:01.94
to figure out how
we're gonna make up
00:41:01.95\00:41:03.34
for our lost
territory and the Holy Spirit
00:41:03.35\00:41:07.23
spoke to us and said
gotcha. You are exactly
00:41:07.24\00:41:12.21
where I want you
because I need you to
00:41:12.22\00:41:16.51
lean on me. I want
you to be prepared,
00:41:16.52\00:41:21.13
to the extent that
you have prepared your
00:41:21.14\00:41:23.19
heart, that you
have paid attention to
00:41:23.20\00:41:26.21
the mission within,
then I can work wonders
00:41:26.22\00:41:31.61
through you. Then as
we realize and we did
00:41:31.62\00:41:35.19
what we did through the
power of the Holy Spirit
00:41:35.20\00:41:38.09
that God gave us
souls, over 3000 souls
00:41:38.10\00:41:43.05
and our small group
sat in wonder with tears
00:41:43.06\00:41:46.53
streaming down our
eyes, we could not believe
00:41:46.54\00:41:49.07
that something like
this, souls saved for the
00:41:49.08\00:41:52.33
kingdom, for
eternity because of something
00:41:52.34\00:41:55.10
that came out of our
mouth and it was true.
00:41:55.11\00:42:00.47
Because we are
taking care of the mission
00:42:02.23\00:42:04.99
within. So God took
care of the mission without.
00:42:05.00\00:42:09.96
I remember in
Kenya in the year 2005,
00:42:11.49\00:42:15.66
we went on with
ShareHim, a small band
00:42:15.67\00:42:18.70
of us ASI leaders
and members. And we
00:42:18.71\00:42:22.06
go over the air in
and off course now we've
00:42:22.07\00:42:24.25
done this before,
so we're experts. Yeah,
00:42:24.26\00:42:27.17
we're done it one
time before, so we're
00:42:27.18\00:42:29.36
experts and so
we're trying to figure out
00:42:29.37\00:42:32.70
how we're gonna do
this thing. Now you know
00:42:32.71\00:42:34.55
as I said planning,
presence, all of those
00:42:34.56\00:42:36.97
things are
important, so we had planned.
00:42:36.98\00:42:39.49
And you know God
has an interesting way
00:42:39.50\00:42:41.17
of addressing
things because sometimes
00:42:41.18\00:42:43.27
the very things we
plan that we're trying to
00:42:43.28\00:42:46.58
do in the best
way, God for some reason
00:42:46.59\00:42:49.13
sees fit to upset.
Just to remind us that
00:42:49.14\00:42:53.56
someone else really
is in control and it's
00:42:53.57\00:42:56.64
not us and so that
what comes forth is
00:42:56.65\00:42:59.51
something
completely different then what
00:42:59.52\00:43:02.09
we had planned,
although the outcome is
00:43:02.10\00:43:04.46
exactly what we
wanted. So we had our sites
00:43:04.47\00:43:09.84
and we had plan to
go you know to these
00:43:10.83\00:43:12.75
particular sites
and oops, okay somebody
00:43:12.76\00:43:15.86
didn't come. So we
need another speaker and
00:43:15.87\00:43:19.53
I remember
Robert Folkenberg's Jr.
00:43:20.06\00:43:22.93
his wife, she was
coming along to be a wife
00:43:22.94\00:43:26.51
and to help and to
do what she could and
00:43:26.52\00:43:29.19
to take care of the
children and whatever
00:43:29.20\00:43:31.97
needed to happen.
And she got fingered;
00:43:31.98\00:43:34.90
we have another
site we need to cover.
00:43:34.91\00:43:36.87
Can you preach? Said
me, can I preach? Okay,
00:43:37.46\00:43:46.61
I'll try. Are you
sure and do you know that
00:43:46.62\00:43:51.25
she preached with
power because she submitted
00:43:51.26\00:43:55.55
a willing heart. She
took care of the mission
00:43:55.56\00:43:58.49
within. So God took
care of the mission without.
00:43:58.50\00:44:01.85
It really is a
very simple formula and
00:44:03.02\00:44:07.52
some how we are
sometimes like King Asa
00:44:07.53\00:44:11.20
and even though
years and years and years
00:44:12.13\00:44:15.47
have gone past. We
realize that we've been
00:44:15.48\00:44:18.70
the recipient of blessings and
00:44:18.71\00:44:20.24
successes; we just
might forget who's in
00:44:20.25\00:44:23.04
charge, the mission
within that's what most
00:44:23.05\00:44:30.11
important. I think
of the time that again
00:44:30.12\00:44:40.04
in Kenya, now this
is really interesting
00:44:40.05\00:44:41.95
because you see.
When you pray and your
00:44:41.96\00:44:46.01
prayers are
answered you are grateful
00:44:46.02\00:44:47.21
for that and it's a
miracle and it's really
00:44:47.22\00:44:49.56
exciting but when
they are not answered,
00:44:49.57\00:44:52.59
how exciting is
that? What do you do
00:44:52.60\00:44:55.78
with that? How do
you handle when you pray
00:44:55.79\00:44:58.54
and pray and pray
and the prayer that you
00:44:58.55\00:45:01.14
are praying that
one doesn't really get
00:45:01.15\00:45:03.10
get answered? And
I am thinking about
00:45:03.11\00:45:05.40
the time that we
were going to the site
00:45:05.41\00:45:09.21
and it was
looking like it was going
00:45:09.22\00:45:12.27
to rain and I'll
short and give you the
00:45:12.28\00:45:13.81
abbreviated version
which for an ASI member
00:45:13.82\00:45:15.90
there is no such thing
as an abbreviated version.
00:45:15.91\00:45:18.24
And so we were going
to the site and it was
00:45:18.25\00:45:21.62
getting cloudy and
it looked like it was
00:45:21.63\00:45:23.06
going to rain and I
was nervous, what are
00:45:23.07\00:45:26.86
we gonna do? And so
I prayed and said Lord
00:45:26.87\00:45:29.88
what's gonna happen
here? And I was just
00:45:29.89\00:45:32.80
kind of ringing my
hands and when the person
00:45:32.81\00:45:35.74
came to pick me
up, he said okay Debbie
00:45:35.75\00:45:38.10
we're ready to go. I
said okay, have you notice
00:45:38.11\00:45:40.49
the guy outside, did
you drive in the same
00:45:40.50\00:45:43.67
place that I am.
Windy, clouds kind of starting
00:45:43.68\00:45:48.38
to build a wind, so
much for being in Kenya
00:45:48.39\00:45:52.41
during a time when
you are not suppose
00:45:52.42\00:45:53.61
to have that kind
of weather. So we get
00:45:53.62\00:45:56.85
to the site and I am
sitting there with my
00:45:56.86\00:46:02.63
translator, the
preliminary is finished.
00:46:02.64\00:46:07.04
I am shaking because
I don't know what I am
00:46:08.16\00:46:10.94
gonna do. Because
it's becoming more and
00:46:10.95\00:46:13.60
more harmonious,
clouds are building in,
00:46:13.61\00:46:18.15
we get up to
speak and I decide. Okay
00:46:18.37\00:46:21.58
Lord, I am gonna give
this to you. it's not me,
00:46:21.59\00:46:24.40
it's you. And I
raised my hand and I say we
00:46:24.41\00:46:29.13
need to pray that
God holds back the rain
00:46:29.14\00:46:31.40
because you need
to hear this message.
00:46:31.41\00:46:34.01
And I pray and
God answers my prayer.
00:46:36.18\00:46:39.19
The clouds kind of
hang in the sky and it turns
00:46:40.78\00:46:44.56
this interesting
orange purple pink color.
00:46:44.57\00:46:47.64
And we preach and we
go to through sermon.
00:46:49.20\00:46:50.93
We extended appeal
people come forward,
00:46:50.94\00:46:53.51
we are really
blessed, we get people together
00:46:53.52\00:46:55.94
and we get all their
names and we make plans.
00:46:55.95\00:46:59.63
We get every
thing together and then
00:46:59.64\00:47:02.04
everybody is about
ready to go home those
00:47:02.05\00:47:03.75
who have come
for. Because everybody
00:47:03.76\00:47:04.82
else is left to walk
home and the sky's cut loose.
00:47:04.83\00:47:09.83
My what an experience
that was, I could have
00:47:12.05\00:47:15.35
floated home. No one
had to take me home because
00:47:15.36\00:47:19.67
God answered my
prayer that was exciting.
00:47:19.68\00:47:23.20
Because I had
extended myself, I am taking
00:47:23.80\00:47:25.95
care of the mission
within and said okay
00:47:25.96\00:47:28.57
Lord Mission without.
That's your territory;
00:47:28.58\00:47:33.28
next night same
exact thing happened only
00:47:36.40\00:47:43.23
it started raining
before we got to the site.
00:47:43.24\00:47:46.27
I am saying okay Lord
what about this prayer
00:47:47.46\00:47:49.53
that I am praying that
you know, that I did last
00:47:49.54\00:47:52.12
night, it didn't
work tonight. As we get
00:47:52.13\00:47:56.37
there and the people
are under the over hangs
00:47:56.38\00:47:59.60
and I ask the
pastor he said, what do we
00:47:59.68\00:48:02.30
do. He says he asked
the people, the people said
00:48:02.31\00:48:05.45
we need to have a
meeting. So we get
00:48:05.46\00:48:08.01
things together and
kind of try and jury rig
00:48:08.02\00:48:10.15
something
underneath the tents. And then
00:48:10.16\00:48:12.36
much to our surprise
and really not without
00:48:12.37\00:48:15.29
us really paying
attention, we look up and
00:48:15.30\00:48:18.59
the rain stopped.
And it dawned on me,
00:48:18.60\00:48:21.73
boy God you are
really something, because
00:48:21.74\00:48:24.32
somebody out there
was praying desperately
00:48:24.33\00:48:26.25
for rain. And I
was praying desperately
00:48:26.26\00:48:30.40
for no rain and isn't
it just like God to be able
00:48:30.41\00:48:36.70
to answer anyone
and everyone's prayer
00:48:36.71\00:48:39.47
at the same time. We
must take care of the
00:48:39.48\00:48:43.15
mission within and
leave the mission without
00:48:43.16\00:48:45.21
to God. So on this
60th anniversary of ASI
00:48:46.23\00:48:52.31
with the history of
God's leading to give us
00:48:52.32\00:48:56.23
confidence and
the promise of his
00:48:56.24\00:48:59.78
presence to give us
courage for the future
00:48:59.79\00:49:03.50
when challenges seems
to overwhelm. Remember
00:49:05.42\00:49:09.22
the mission within,
when the very foundation of
00:49:09.23\00:49:12.76
the organization
seems to crack under the
00:49:12.77\00:49:15.34
pressure of scrutiny
and criticism. Remember
00:49:15.35\00:49:18.45
the mission within.
When the limits seem to have
00:49:18.46\00:49:23.21
no solution, remember
the mission within, when
00:49:23.22\00:49:28.71
growth and
progress out strip the
00:49:28.72\00:49:31.60
organizational infrastructure.
00:49:31.61\00:49:33.34
Remember the
mission within. When
00:49:34.18\00:49:37.46
interpersonal relationships are
00:49:37.47\00:49:39.17
strained by disappointments,
00:49:39.18\00:49:41.50
failures or diverging
opinions, remember the
00:49:41.51\00:49:44.83
mission within. When
distracted by good things
00:49:44.84\00:49:50.84
and tempted to
stray from the original
00:49:50.85\00:49:53.77
mission, remember
the mission within.
00:49:53.78\00:49:58.50
In this hurry up
world, with a mindset that
00:49:59.75\00:50:03.14
thinks everything is
most effectively achieved
00:50:03.15\00:50:06.27
by a remote, a
microwave, fast food or
00:50:06.28\00:50:08.77
some other kind of
instantaneous method.
00:50:08.78\00:50:10.62
We need to hit the
pause button and attend
00:50:11.78\00:50:14.99
to the mission
within. When we've said the
00:50:15.00\00:50:18.40
last amen and depart
to tell the world that
00:50:18.41\00:50:24.70
is what will keep
us pressing forward
00:50:24.71\00:50:27.20
the mission within.
That is what will keep
00:50:27.21\00:50:31.30
ASI an evangelism
focused organization
00:50:31.31\00:50:34.22
the mission within.
That is what will fuel our
00:50:35.13\00:50:40.02
determination to
partner with divine agents
00:50:40.03\00:50:43.47
to reach the world
for Jesus. The mission
00:50:43.48\00:50:46.62
within, I end with
this quote from Jeremiah
00:50:47.23\00:50:53.08
29:12 and 13. Then
shall ye call upon me,
00:50:53.09\00:50:57.59
and ye shall go
and pray unto me, and I
00:50:58.22\00:51:01.18
will hearken unto
you. And ye shall seek me
00:51:01.19\00:51:04.20
and find me, when
ye shall search for
00:51:04.21\00:51:08.06
me with all your
heart. The mission within.
00:51:08.07\00:51:12.76