Since the weekend has begun,
00:01:00.49\00:01:02.59
we have heard
wonderful testimonies
00:01:02.62\00:01:04.33
from individuals who
have responded to the call
00:01:04.36\00:01:06.80
for Bibles for
Africa and send their Bibles
00:01:06.83\00:01:09.53
and today, we have
a couple of others.
00:01:09.56\00:01:11.67
And we'd like to
hear those in person.
00:01:11.70\00:01:15.00
So we are going to be
talking with Vernice and Jesse.
00:01:15.04\00:01:18.67
Jesse Caffey from
Lincoln, Nebraska.
00:01:18.71\00:01:21.54
And we're very
glad to have you here.
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We understand that you have come
00:01:23.38\00:01:24.71
from a little bit
further out from Coldwater.
00:01:24.75\00:01:28.32
Vernice, where
did you come from?
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How far did you travel?
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We came from Lincoln,
Nebraska, the good life state.
00:01:31.25\00:01:34.69
So did you drive, did you fly?
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No, we drove
through all that rain,
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and lightning, and
thunder, and everything.
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Now I understand
that you actually came for
00:01:42.70\00:01:45.00
with a specific purpose,
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not just to come and be inspired
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by everything
that's going on here,
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but you actually
had a mission in mind.
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Jesse, you came
bringing something in tow,
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what was that?
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Well, in June we were
looking, watching 3ABN
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and then we saw the program
00:02:02.12\00:02:04.95
that was carrying
Bibles for Africa.
00:02:04.99\00:02:08.39
So she, my wife and I jumped
up and said, "Let's get busy."
00:02:08.42\00:02:12.23
So we went out and
started gathering Bibles.
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And so we, our church,
00:02:15.70\00:02:17.57
Allon Chapel
Church there in Lincoln,
00:02:17.60\00:02:20.24
and we asked the members,
would they bring Bibles.
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And we know we used to
work for Christian Record
00:02:23.47\00:02:25.64
Braille Foundation.
00:02:25.67\00:02:27.01
So we asked them
at Christian Record
00:02:27.04\00:02:29.64
at the Braille
Foundation to bring Bibles.
00:02:29.68\00:02:32.65
And so we asked the
Lord for 200, He gave us 386.
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And then we came back
in June and $4,000 cash,
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and we bought the
Bibles here in June.
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Now wait a minute, so you
drove from Lincoln, Nebraska
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in June to bring those
Bibles with that money?
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Yes. Oh, what a blessing.
00:02:49.76\00:02:51.77
Now, okay, so then you
did that and you didn't say,
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okay, great,
we've done our part,
00:02:54.40\00:02:55.74
we're going back
00:02:55.77\00:02:57.11
and we're going back
to business as usual.
00:02:57.14\00:02:58.47
Oh, no. What happened?
00:02:58.51\00:02:59.84
We got back and we
started all over again.
00:02:59.87\00:03:01.98
We told the people
we need more Bibles.
00:03:02.01\00:03:04.21
And so when the
phone would ring,
00:03:04.25\00:03:05.58
my husband say, "Bibles"
and sure enough people say,
00:03:05.61\00:03:08.42
"Jesse, we have more Bibles,"
and we go and pick them up.
00:03:08.45\00:03:11.12
So you went and
pick them up, Jesse.
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And so you arrived
here the second time
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with how many Bibles with you?
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We brought 582 Bibles this time.
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Amen.
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And eight boxes of
books, the Conflict Series.
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All right.
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The Conflict of the Ages
series written Ellen G. White.
00:03:26.87\00:03:29.47
Wonderful, wonderful.
00:03:29.50\00:03:30.84
Now, okay.
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When the weekend is finished,
what's going to happen next?
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We're going to go back
and start all over again.
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So we've got a regular train
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coming here from
Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Right.
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I tell you the Caffeys,
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you are a real role model for us
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and we know that
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everyone would
want to follow your lead
00:03:47.59\00:03:48.92
and donate Bibles for Africa.
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Thank you very much.
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Thank you. Amen.
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Now we'll have
coming is Ann Ferrari.
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She is an individual
from Livonia, Michigan,
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kind of out in my territory,
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and we're going to let her share
00:04:00.97\00:04:02.47
just a little bit
about what her testimony is
00:04:02.50\00:04:05.31
and her donating
Bibles for Africa.
00:04:05.34\00:04:09.14
Good morning. Good morning.
00:04:09.18\00:04:11.21
Several years ago,
I had the opportunity
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to go to Africa
with the small group
00:04:14.15\00:04:16.85
from Andrews University.
00:04:16.89\00:04:19.25
We were on a safari
traveling in an open vehicle.
00:04:19.29\00:04:23.29
The driver stopped.
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Children came
running from all directions.
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One little boy came up
to the window and said,
00:04:28.20\00:04:31.03
"Madam, madam,
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do you have a pencil for
school, just one pencil."
00:04:32.83\00:04:37.21
I handed him
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the three and a half
inch pencil in my hand
00:04:38.67\00:04:41.64
and some notebook paper.
00:04:41.68\00:04:43.95
"Oh, thank you,
thank you, madam,"
00:04:43.98\00:04:46.61
he politely said,
and handed me a stick.
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As the bus
slowly started to leave,
00:04:52.65\00:04:56.19
the people said,
"Where did you get that?
00:04:56.22\00:04:59.33
Who gave that to you?
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"I said, "A little boy
gave it to me for a pencil."
00:05:01.46\00:05:05.83
"You took that
from a little boy."
00:05:05.87\00:05:10.11
Yes.
00:05:10.14\00:05:12.54
"Do you know what that is?
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No.
00:05:15.08\00:05:17.28
"It's a knob knocker.
00:05:17.31\00:05:18.78
It's his only
protection to keep him safe."
00:05:18.81\00:05:23.69
When I arrived home,
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in my suitcase was
lying the knob knocker.
00:05:26.42\00:05:30.39
My thoughts went
back to the little boy
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and how grateful
he was for the pencil.
00:05:33.29\00:05:36.97
I decided to send
pencils to a school in Africa.
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A few months later,
00:05:41.90\00:05:43.27
I received a letter in the mail,
00:05:43.30\00:05:45.64
thanking me for the pencils.
00:05:45.67\00:05:48.51
"The pencils came at
just the right time,"
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he said.
00:05:51.01\00:05:52.35
"The students were
writing with pencils
00:05:52.38\00:05:54.58
that were half a inch long."
00:05:54.62\00:05:57.75
The writer said,
"Do you have any Bibles.
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We need them.
00:06:00.76\00:06:02.22
The people in this
country would cherish
00:06:02.26\00:06:05.29
a Bible of their own."
00:06:05.33\00:06:08.06
I shared the
letter with my friends.
00:06:08.10\00:06:10.67
We decided to
send Bibles to Africa.
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Remnant Publication has given us
00:06:14.90\00:06:17.74
the opportunity to
send Bibles to Africa.
00:06:17.77\00:06:21.71
As a result many
will hear God's Word,
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learn about Jesus
and His great love
00:06:25.08\00:06:28.18
for you and me.
00:06:28.22\00:06:31.05
Yesterday I was
helping my neighbor
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with her garage sale.
00:06:34.02\00:06:36.19
A man walked up and
asked, "Do you have any Bibles?
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I lost on this place my Bible."
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I told him about
Bibles for Africa
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and offer to sale him a Bible.
00:06:46.50\00:06:49.50
He gave me all his
extra money and phone number.
00:06:49.54\00:06:53.98
He said, "He would like
to be part of this mission."
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He owns his own business.
00:06:58.58\00:07:01.22
He said, "I'm, running late,
00:07:01.25\00:07:03.49
but I was impressed
to stop here today."
00:07:03.52\00:07:07.56
Amen.
00:07:07.59\00:07:08.92
And you know before you go, Ann,
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this is the knob knocker
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that she was
given by the young boy.
00:07:14.43\00:07:15.90
Yes, it is. Thank
you very much, Ann.
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For those of you
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who have been
touched by these testimonies,
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you too may want to participate
in Bibles for Africa.
00:07:22.60\00:07:25.71
For those of you
00:07:25.74\00:07:27.08
who are joining us by
satellite, you are saying,
00:07:27.11\00:07:28.44
"But where do we
send these Bibles."
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On your screen will be
an address, phone number.
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Let me just give
those to you at this time.
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You can send them
to Bibles for Africa,
00:07:35.85\00:07:38.09
PO Box 426,
00:07:38.12\00:07:40.92
Coldwater, Michigan 49036.
00:07:40.96\00:07:44.76
There's a toll free number
00:07:44.79\00:07:46.26
800-423-1319.
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You can also visit us on the web
00:07:51.47\00:07:53.34
at your biblesaves.com.
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So get those Bibles
coming for Bibles for Africa.
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Thank you.
00:08:00.61\00:08:02.14
I have a Friend so precious
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So very dear to me
00:08:23.63\00:08:29.44
He loves me
with such tender love
00:08:29.47\00:08:34.74
He loves so faithfully
00:08:34.78\00:08:40.28
I could not live apart from Him
00:08:40.32\00:08:45.72
I love to feel Him nigh
00:08:45.75\00:08:51.29
And so we dwell together
00:08:51.33\00:08:56.43
My Lord and I
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I tell Him all my sorrows
00:09:09.28\00:09:14.62
I tell Him all my joys
00:09:14.65\00:09:19.89
I tell Him all that pleases me
00:09:19.92\00:09:25.03
I tell Him what annoys
00:09:25.06\00:09:30.43
He tells me what I ought to do
00:09:30.47\00:09:35.60
He tells me how to try
00:09:35.64\00:09:40.88
And so we dwell together
00:09:40.91\00:09:46.18
My Lord and I
00:09:46.21\00:09:52.79
Sometimes I'm faint and weary
00:09:59.06\00:10:04.23
He knows that I am weak
00:10:04.27\00:10:09.30
And as He bids me lean on Him
00:10:09.34\00:10:14.51
His help I'll gladly seek
00:10:14.54\00:10:19.58
He leads me in the path of light
00:10:19.61\00:10:24.92
Beneath a sunny sky
00:10:24.95\00:10:30.06
And so we dwell together
00:10:30.09\00:10:34.66
My Lord and I
00:10:34.70\00:10:42.50
He knows how I am longing
00:10:48.04\00:10:52.85
Some weary soul to win
00:10:52.88\00:10:58.12
And so He bids me go and speak
00:10:58.15\00:11:03.46
A loving word for Him
00:11:03.49\00:11:08.43
He bids me tell
His wondrous love
00:11:08.46\00:11:14.04
And why He came to die
00:11:14.07\00:11:19.41
And so we dwell together
00:11:19.44\00:11:24.48
He tells me how to try
00:11:24.51\00:11:29.85
We want to dwell together
00:11:29.88\00:11:34.89
My Lord
00:11:34.92\00:11:38.33
And I
00:11:38.36\00:11:43.13
Amen!
00:11:50.14\00:11:51.47
Our loving, heavenly Father,
00:11:51.51\00:11:55.11
we thank You,
Lord, for Your blessings.
00:11:55.14\00:11:59.08
We thank You, Lord, for 3ABN
00:11:59.11\00:12:02.85
that You are using to
bring a message to the world
00:12:02.88\00:12:06.32
in such a time as this.
00:12:06.35\00:12:08.62
Lord, I place
myself in Your hands.
00:12:08.66\00:12:12.56
I surrender to You, Lord,
00:12:12.59\00:12:14.90
and I ask Lord that
00:12:14.93\00:12:16.43
You through the Holy Spirit
00:12:16.46\00:12:19.43
will present every
word speak every word
00:12:19.47\00:12:22.67
to Your children.
00:12:22.70\00:12:24.57
We ask for Your Holy
Spirit to be poured out, Father.
00:12:24.61\00:12:28.44
We pray for a blessing upon all
00:12:28.48\00:12:31.05
and we pray that Your
name will be glorified.
00:12:31.08\00:12:35.38
We ask it
Father, in Jesus' name.
00:12:35.42\00:12:38.75
Amen. Amen.
00:12:38.79\00:12:42.22
Jesus,
00:12:42.26\00:12:44.16
He who was the subject
of adoration and praise
00:12:44.19\00:12:48.86
in heaven, in heaven
00:12:48.90\00:12:52.43
came to this
world as a helpless baby
00:12:52.47\00:12:57.31
to carry out that phase
00:12:57.34\00:13:00.11
of the plan of salvation.
00:13:00.14\00:13:04.91
Jesus,
00:13:04.95\00:13:06.75
He is even now
doing a great work
00:13:06.78\00:13:10.72
in the plan of salvation.
00:13:10.75\00:13:12.09
I'd like to invite
you to turn in your Bibles
00:13:12.12\00:13:14.86
to John Chapter 1,
00:13:14.89\00:13:18.93
and we're going to read
there beginning in verse 10.
00:13:18.96\00:13:22.70
John 1:10
00:13:22.73\00:13:27.34
unto 13.
00:13:27.37\00:13:30.61
Thus it is written,
00:13:30.64\00:13:32.27
"He, that is
Jesus, was in the world,
00:13:32.31\00:13:36.18
and the world was made by Him,
00:13:36.21\00:13:39.28
and the world knew Him not.
00:13:39.31\00:13:42.25
He came unto His own,
and His own received Him not.
00:13:42.28\00:13:47.99
But as many as received Him,
00:13:48.02\00:13:51.09
to them gave He power
00:13:51.13\00:13:53.26
to become the sons of God,
00:13:53.29\00:13:56.87
even to them that
believe on His name:
00:13:56.90\00:14:02.00
Which were born, not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
00:14:02.04\00:14:06.01
nor of the will
of man, but of God."
00:14:06.04\00:14:10.71
Praise the Lord for
His Holy Scriptures.
00:14:10.75\00:14:14.92
Sad words, He came unto His own
00:14:14.95\00:14:19.09
and His own received Him not.
00:14:19.12\00:14:21.62
There's a death of
sorrow in those words to me.
00:14:21.66\00:14:25.06
But the next
part brings great joy,
00:14:25.09\00:14:28.00
but as many as
received Him to them what?
00:14:28.03\00:14:32.03
Gave He power to become what?
00:14:32.07\00:14:35.04
Sons of God.
00:14:35.07\00:14:36.84
Can you picture there for
a moment, contemplate that.
00:14:36.87\00:14:40.91
Those that were in darkness,
00:14:40.94\00:14:43.11
those that should
be receiving death
00:14:43.14\00:14:46.95
because the Bible says
that the wages of sin is what?
00:14:46.98\00:14:49.55
Death.
00:14:49.58\00:14:51.25
God through His Son Jesus Christ
00:14:51.29\00:14:54.56
is able to take that
person from death to life.
00:14:54.59\00:15:00.23
That is so marvelous.
00:15:00.26\00:15:02.16
But as many as received Him,
00:15:02.20\00:15:03.53
to them gave He power
to become sons of God,
00:15:03.57\00:15:08.20
and praise be to the Lord that
00:15:08.24\00:15:09.70
the door of mercy
is still open today.
00:15:09.74\00:15:14.44
And even today as
many as received Him,
00:15:14.48\00:15:18.68
He's going to give
power to become sons,
00:15:18.71\00:15:23.55
daughters of God.
00:15:23.59\00:15:26.25
Amen.
00:15:26.29\00:15:29.82
You know,
00:15:29.86\00:15:31.43
we have to go to 2
Corinthians Chapter 5
00:15:31.46\00:15:34.70
to see a marvelous
description of what happens
00:15:34.73\00:15:38.53
when someone gives
their life to Jesus Christ.
00:15:38.57\00:15:42.60
2 Corinthians Chapter
5 if you would join me.
00:15:42.64\00:15:47.48
2 Corinthians Chapter 5,
00:15:47.51\00:15:49.71
we're going to
begin reading in verse 17.
00:15:49.74\00:15:53.31
2 Corinthians 5:17,
00:15:53.35\00:15:56.15
"Therefore if any...
00:15:56.18\00:15:59.32
No one is excluded.
00:15:59.35\00:16:00.69
"Therefore if
any man be in Christ,
00:16:00.72\00:16:03.83
he is a new creature.
00:16:03.86\00:16:06.90
Old things are passed away,
00:16:06.93\00:16:08.96
behold,
00:16:09.00\00:16:10.50
all things are become new.
00:16:10.53\00:16:15.60
What a wonderful
God? What a wonderful God?
00:16:15.64\00:16:19.87
Whatever sins that
person has committed,
00:16:19.91\00:16:23.35
whatever horrible
things that person has done
00:16:23.38\00:16:27.02
or said, or even thought,
00:16:27.05\00:16:31.29
all these things passed away.
00:16:31.32\00:16:35.46
God is willing to forgive
00:16:35.49\00:16:38.36
as many as are
willing to be forgiven.
00:16:38.39\00:16:42.63
Praise the Lord.
00:16:42.66\00:16:44.93
And the Bible says that
00:16:44.97\00:16:46.30
that person
becomes a new creature.
00:16:46.33\00:16:50.37
Praise the Lord.
00:16:50.41\00:16:53.38
But God begins a
work of transformation,
00:16:53.41\00:16:56.54
to make that
person into a new person
00:16:56.58\00:16:59.01
because he say, "Old
things are passed away,
00:16:59.05\00:17:02.25
the old habits,
00:17:02.28\00:17:03.62
the old ways have
to be passed away."
00:17:03.65\00:17:09.22
And so, new tastes,
00:17:09.26\00:17:11.03
new desires to live for Jesus,
00:17:11.06\00:17:16.56
to love your fellowman
00:17:16.60\00:17:19.27
and so that is a
wonderful transformation
00:17:19.30\00:17:22.40
that God is willing to do
in each and every one of us.
00:17:22.44\00:17:24.94
Continuing on 2
Corinthians Chapter 5,
00:17:24.97\00:17:27.54
we now move to verse 18.
00:17:27.58\00:17:29.68
And this says, "And
all things are of God
00:17:29.71\00:17:34.42
who have reconciled us
to himself by Jesus Christ,
00:17:34.45\00:17:40.39
and have given to
us the ministry of..."
00:17:40.42\00:17:44.76
What?
00:17:44.79\00:17:46.26
"Reconciliation."
00:17:46.29\00:17:48.56
The ministry of... What?
00:17:48.60\00:17:50.47
"Reconciliation."
00:17:50.50\00:17:53.34
Wow!
00:17:53.37\00:17:54.70
That's the ministry
00:17:54.74\00:17:56.07
that God has given to us
not a ministry of criticism,
00:17:56.10\00:18:01.14
not a ministry
of attacking others
00:18:01.18\00:18:04.11
as we heard in
the previous message,
00:18:04.15\00:18:06.11
not a ministry or
doing any other thing
00:18:06.15\00:18:09.82
but to help others
be reconciled to God.
00:18:09.85\00:18:14.49
That's the ministry
00:18:14.52\00:18:15.86
that God has
given to His children.
00:18:15.89\00:18:17.99
If you are a new
creature in Christ,
00:18:18.03\00:18:20.00
if you have
accepted Jesus Christ
00:18:20.03\00:18:21.93
as your personal savior,
00:18:21.96\00:18:23.30
whatever ministry you have
00:18:23.33\00:18:24.80
that is not a
ministry of reconciliation
00:18:24.83\00:18:28.00
has to be given up
00:18:28.04\00:18:29.67
because that is
not a ministry of God.
00:18:29.70\00:18:32.21
Amen?
00:18:32.24\00:18:33.58
In agreement.
00:18:33.61\00:18:35.58
You know, we're
used... We're becoming...
00:18:35.61\00:18:39.58
We're beginning
to use the word amen
00:18:39.61\00:18:41.22
as if, is that right.
00:18:41.25\00:18:44.65
The word amen means, means what?
00:18:44.69\00:18:46.42
So be it.
00:18:46.45\00:18:48.02
So be it.
00:18:48.06\00:18:49.92
And so, we have been given
the ministry of reconciliation.
00:18:49.96\00:18:54.50
Verse 19,
00:18:54.53\00:18:57.37
"To wit,
00:18:57.40\00:18:58.80
that God was in Christ,
00:18:58.83\00:19:03.57
reconciling the
world unto himself,
00:19:03.61\00:19:07.11
not imputing their
trespasses unto them,
00:19:07.14\00:19:09.74
and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation.
00:19:09.78\00:19:15.08
Amen.
00:19:15.12\00:19:16.45
It says there
that God was where?
00:19:16.48\00:19:18.75
In Christ.
00:19:18.79\00:19:20.12
You know, some
people say, "It's wonderful.
00:19:20.16\00:19:24.99
It's just wonderful
00:19:25.03\00:19:26.96
that God so loved the world
00:19:27.00\00:19:29.36
that He gave His
only begotten Son."
00:19:29.40\00:19:33.30
And some will complain,
00:19:33.34\00:19:34.67
"Well, if He
loved the world so much,
00:19:34.70\00:19:37.34
why didn't God
the Father Himself
00:19:37.37\00:19:39.37
come to die for us."
00:19:39.41\00:19:42.38
The answer is right here.
00:19:42.41\00:19:44.15
Where was God, the Father?
00:19:44.18\00:19:46.08
In Christ, reconciling
the world unto Himself.
00:19:46.11\00:19:51.19
Every iota of suffering
00:19:51.22\00:19:54.82
that the Son went through,
00:19:54.86\00:19:57.33
the Father went through it also.
00:19:57.36\00:20:01.86
And those of us
here that are parents
00:20:01.90\00:20:05.10
or have ever even loved anyone,
00:20:05.13\00:20:08.70
can somehow understand
it at least a little bit,
00:20:08.74\00:20:13.44
that you would
rather suffer yourself
00:20:13.48\00:20:15.54
than see that person
that you love suffer.
00:20:15.58\00:20:18.08
Is that right? That's right.
00:20:18.11\00:20:22.48
How many times has it then
00:20:22.52\00:20:25.49
there is someone has
given his or her life
00:20:25.52\00:20:28.59
for someone else
because they love that person.
00:20:28.62\00:20:30.96
I would rather see myself suffer
00:20:33.19\00:20:36.23
than my wife
suffer, my children suffer,
00:20:36.26\00:20:38.20
or anyone that I love.
00:20:38.23\00:20:41.00
But if someone asked me,
00:20:41.04\00:20:42.37
"Hey we need to
sacrifice your son."
00:20:42.40\00:20:43.91
No, no, sacrifice me instead.
00:20:43.94\00:20:46.31
So when we hear of God
00:20:49.98\00:20:52.91
so loved the world
00:20:52.95\00:20:54.38
that He gave His
only begotten Son,
00:20:54.42\00:20:57.35
He gave all that He
could possibly give.
00:20:57.39\00:20:59.92
Question:
00:21:02.32\00:21:04.23
If you gave
someone that you love,
00:21:04.26\00:21:06.90
let say your child,
00:21:06.93\00:21:08.26
you know, or
your wife or husband,
00:21:08.30\00:21:11.83
and you knew that
something horrible
00:21:11.87\00:21:13.40
was going to happen to them,
00:21:13.44\00:21:15.10
would you turn
away and plug your ears
00:21:15.14\00:21:19.74
so you wouldn't hear.
00:21:19.77\00:21:21.64
No, you would be trying
there, looking at every moment,
00:21:21.68\00:21:25.98
but the scriptures tell us that
God was in Christ, the Father,
00:21:26.01\00:21:31.19
reconciling the
world through Himself.
00:21:31.22\00:21:33.56
All that the Son went through,
00:21:33.59\00:21:34.96
the Father went
through also in great pain
00:21:34.99\00:21:39.53
He suffered,
great pain He suffered.
00:21:39.56\00:21:41.50
Now the verse continue...Says
in verse 19 that he says,
00:21:41.53\00:21:45.13
"Not imputing their
trespasses unto them,
00:21:45.17\00:21:47.40
and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation."
00:21:47.44\00:21:51.67
Once again we have the
word of reconciliation.
00:21:51.71\00:21:55.68
What does God do
00:21:55.71\00:21:58.08
with anyone that decides
00:21:58.11\00:22:00.88
I'm going to pass
out some literature,
00:22:00.92\00:22:03.02
or I'm going to
go to this person
00:22:03.05\00:22:04.79
and say
something to that person?
00:22:04.82\00:22:08.22
God uses that person
00:22:08.26\00:22:11.06
and gives the
words to that person
00:22:11.09\00:22:13.29
to say to that other person.
00:22:13.33\00:22:16.56
He's given us the
word of reconciliation.
00:22:16.60\00:22:21.34
And if we place
ourselves in the Lord's hands,
00:22:21.37\00:22:24.24
the Lord will do
great and mighty things.
00:22:24.27\00:22:29.04
Great and mighty things.
00:22:29.08\00:22:30.41
I praise the Lord
for Bibles for Africa.
00:22:30.45\00:22:33.18
We should be sending Bibles
to as many places as possible
00:22:33.21\00:22:37.79
to reach the
world for Jesus Christ.
00:22:37.82\00:22:40.06
Isn't it about
time that God's people
00:22:40.09\00:22:43.43
take the torch of the
gospel to the whole world?
00:22:43.46\00:22:47.50
Amen. Amen.
00:22:47.53\00:22:49.70
Let's continue, 2
Corinthians Chapter 5.
00:22:49.73\00:22:52.83
Now we move to verse 20.
00:22:52.87\00:22:55.07
"Now then
00:22:55.10\00:22:56.57
we are ambassadors for Christ,
00:22:56.60\00:23:01.51
as though God did
beseech you by us:
00:23:01.54\00:23:05.51
we pray you in Christ's stead,
00:23:05.55\00:23:07.12
be ye reconciled to God.
00:23:07.15\00:23:12.22
We are what?
00:23:12.25\00:23:13.99
Ambassadors.
00:23:14.02\00:23:15.86
What's an ambassador?
00:23:15.89\00:23:17.23
What's the job of an ambassador?
00:23:17.26\00:23:19.39
Well, I took the task
00:23:19.43\00:23:20.76
of looking that
up in a dictionary.
00:23:20.80\00:23:22.96
Most of you already know,
00:23:23.00\00:23:24.70
but one of the
definitions I found,
00:23:24.73\00:23:26.23
it says the ambassador,
00:23:26.27\00:23:27.84
"The highest ranking
diplomatic representative
00:23:27.87\00:23:31.54
appointed by one
country or government
00:23:31.57\00:23:35.04
to represent it in another."
00:23:35.08\00:23:38.58
Definition number two.
00:23:38.61\00:23:40.08
An official agent
with a special mission.
00:23:40.12\00:23:45.05
Does that fit the
definition for a Christian.
00:23:45.09\00:23:49.02
We are what? Ambassadors.
00:23:49.06\00:23:51.09
It says, "The
highest ranking official
00:23:51.13\00:23:53.29
from one country to another."
00:23:53.33\00:23:56.03
We are as children
of God, ambassadors,
00:23:56.06\00:24:01.60
high ranking officials
from the kingdom of heaven.
00:24:01.64\00:24:06.88
We're ambassadors
for God to this world.
00:24:09.58\00:24:14.38
And the world needs to see Jesus
00:24:14.42\00:24:17.22
and hear Jesus in us.
00:24:17.25\00:24:20.69
We're
ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
00:24:20.72\00:24:23.39
We don't have the
ministry of any other thing
00:24:23.43\00:24:25.99
but the ministry
of rare conciliation.
00:24:26.03\00:24:31.03
Ambassadors.
00:24:31.07\00:24:32.93
It said also,
00:24:32.97\00:24:35.14
"An agent with a
special mission."
00:24:35.17\00:24:40.31
Do Christians
have a special mission?
00:24:40.34\00:24:43.98
Amen.
00:24:44.01\00:24:46.01
We have a special mission
00:24:46.05\00:24:47.98
to take the everlasting
gospel to the whole world.
00:24:48.02\00:24:52.49
Praise the Lord.
00:24:52.52\00:24:53.86
What a privilege
to go from darkness
00:24:53.89\00:24:57.53
to become children of God.
00:24:57.56\00:25:01.00
And then to become
ambassadors for God.
00:25:01.03\00:25:06.33
If the devil is
putting thoughts in your mind,
00:25:06.37\00:25:08.34
you're not worth anything,
00:25:08.37\00:25:11.37
point him to Jesus and say,
00:25:11.41\00:25:14.98
"Because Jesus shed His
blood on the cross for me,
00:25:15.01\00:25:18.81
I'm a child of God."
00:25:18.85\00:25:23.02
I'm an
ambassador for Jesus Christ.
00:25:23.05\00:25:25.72
A special agent
with a special mission.
00:25:25.75\00:25:29.86
You know, the
Bible goes on to say,
00:25:29.89\00:25:33.16
we'll come back to 2 Corinthians
00:25:33.19\00:25:34.90
so do not take your
finger away from there.
00:25:34.93\00:25:38.30
in Revelation Chapter 1,
00:25:38.33\00:25:41.17
it goes on to say
something marvelous about us,
00:25:41.20\00:25:45.47
about those that have
given their lives to the Lord.
00:25:45.51\00:25:50.48
Revelation Chapter 1,
00:25:50.51\00:25:52.05
we're going to
begin reading in verse 5.
00:25:52.08\00:25:55.05
We'll read verse 5
and 6, Revelation 1:5-6,
00:25:55.08\00:25:59.12
and the Bible
says the following,
00:25:59.15\00:26:02.06
"And from Jesus Christ,
who is the faithful witness,
00:26:02.09\00:26:07.46
and the first
begotten of the dead,
00:26:07.50\00:26:09.76
and the prince of
the kings of the earth.
00:26:09.80\00:26:13.37
Unto him that loved us,
00:26:13.40\00:26:16.60
and washed us from
our sins in his own blood.
00:26:16.64\00:26:22.34
And hath made us," what?
00:26:22.38\00:26:24.28
"Kings and priests
unto God and his Father,
00:26:24.31\00:26:28.85
to him be glory
00:26:28.88\00:26:31.32
and dominion for ever and ever.
00:26:31.35\00:26:35.19
Amen."
00:26:35.22\00:26:36.56
What does the Bible say?
00:26:36.59\00:26:40.13
We're children of the King.
00:26:40.16\00:26:43.06
Sons of God, daughters of God.
00:26:43.10\00:26:45.30
It goes on to say that
00:26:45.33\00:26:46.67
we're kings, queens, children
00:26:46.70\00:26:51.37
of the King of
kings and Lord of lords.
00:26:53.81\00:26:57.68
What does it say in 1 John 3:1?
00:26:57.71\00:27:00.48
"Behold, what manner of love
00:27:00.52\00:27:03.52
the Father has bestowed upon us,
00:27:03.55\00:27:05.22
that we should be called
00:27:05.25\00:27:08.42
the sons of God."
00:27:08.46\00:27:11.33
What a privilege?
00:27:11.36\00:27:12.69
Belongs to those
00:27:12.73\00:27:14.06
that give their lives
to the Lord, Jesus Christ.
00:27:14.10\00:27:16.77
We have to put
these thoughts of,
00:27:19.30\00:27:20.97
"We're not worthy of anything.
00:27:21.00\00:27:24.07
I'm nothing."
00:27:24.11\00:27:25.94
There is some truth to that.
00:27:25.97\00:27:28.24
But
00:27:28.28\00:27:30.15
when we give our
lives to the Lord,
00:27:30.18\00:27:33.05
we become children of the King.
00:27:33.08\00:27:36.72
If you don't
think much of yourself,
00:27:36.75\00:27:38.82
put your thoughts on God.
00:27:38.85\00:27:40.56
Consider how
much He thought of you
00:27:40.59\00:27:43.06
giving His Son to die for you.
00:27:43.09\00:27:45.99
All of heaven is
interested in our salvation.
00:27:46.03\00:27:48.73
All of heaven is
interested in the salvation
00:27:48.76\00:27:50.93
of everyone that is out there.
00:27:50.97\00:27:54.44
Consider,
00:27:54.47\00:27:55.80
the Bible says
that the Holy Spirit
00:27:55.84\00:27:57.31
in Romans Chapter 8, it says
the Holy Spirit is doing what?
00:27:57.34\00:27:59.77
Making groanings
which cannot be uttered.
00:27:59.81\00:28:04.41
Wow!
00:28:04.45\00:28:05.91
And the Bible tells us that
00:28:05.95\00:28:07.28
Jesus Christ is in
the most holy place.
00:28:07.32\00:28:10.59
There in Hebrews Chapter 4,
00:28:13.09\00:28:14.42
it says that He
became our High Priest
00:28:14.46\00:28:16.93
and He is there in
the courts of heaven
00:28:16.96\00:28:20.56
in the most holy place,
00:28:20.60\00:28:21.93
bleeding His
blood for our salvation.
00:28:21.96\00:28:25.50
Angels are going everywhere,
00:28:25.53\00:28:28.54
moving upon the
hearts of the people,
00:28:28.57\00:28:30.04
and the Holy
Spirit trying to impress
00:28:30.07\00:28:31.97
upon the hearts
and minds of the people
00:28:32.01\00:28:33.38
the need they
have of Jesus Christ.
00:28:33.41\00:28:38.48
Ambassadors for Jesus.
00:28:38.51\00:28:40.82
It's time to be
ambassadors for Jesus.
00:28:40.85\00:28:46.15
Let's continue.
00:28:46.19\00:28:47.62
We go back now to 2
Corinthians Chapter 5.
00:28:47.66\00:28:51.86
2 Corinthians 5:21,
00:28:51.89\00:28:56.97
"For he hath made
him, that is Jesus,
00:28:57.00\00:29:00.40
to be sin for
us, who knew no sin,
00:29:00.44\00:29:05.64
that we might be made
00:29:05.67\00:29:09.54
the
righteousness of God in him."
00:29:09.58\00:29:14.38
Wow!
00:29:14.42\00:29:16.69
That text in itself,
00:29:16.72\00:29:18.65
we can take another
hour talking about that.
00:29:18.69\00:29:20.72
He made Jesus to be what?
00:29:23.12\00:29:25.99
Sin for us.
00:29:26.03\00:29:27.86
We little understand
00:29:30.30\00:29:33.90
what Jesus has done for us.
00:29:33.94\00:29:37.17
You're talking about God
00:29:37.21\00:29:40.41
because the Bible reveals
00:29:40.44\00:29:41.78
very plainly that Jesus is what?
00:29:41.81\00:29:43.85
God.
00:29:43.88\00:29:45.65
We read one of the
verses that declare Him to,
00:29:45.68\00:29:48.48
to have made the world.
00:29:48.52\00:29:49.95
And the Bible says
that God created the world.
00:29:49.98\00:29:52.62
John Chapter 1
says that He is the Word
00:29:52.65\00:29:54.86
and the Word was with God,
00:29:54.89\00:29:57.93
and the Word was God, John 1:1.
00:29:57.96\00:30:03.70
He, that is Jesus,
00:30:03.73\00:30:06.40
was made sin for us.
00:30:06.43\00:30:10.91
That means upon His
00:30:10.94\00:30:12.57
spotless character,
00:30:12.61\00:30:17.98
those horrible
sins that we have done,
00:30:18.01\00:30:21.62
He took it upon Himself.
00:30:21.65\00:30:24.39
Took all that
junk that we've done.
00:30:24.42\00:30:29.19
Those things that we said.
00:30:29.22\00:30:30.79
Took all of that upon Himself.
00:30:30.83\00:30:33.50
All those horrible things
00:30:33.53\00:30:34.86
that we would not even want
to mention to any other person,
00:30:34.90\00:30:38.77
took it upon Himself
00:30:38.80\00:30:41.00
and became sin for us
00:30:41.04\00:30:44.41
so identified with sin,
00:30:44.44\00:30:48.34
by taking the sins of
the world upon Himself.
00:30:48.38\00:30:51.35
You can read that in Isaiah 53,
00:30:51.38\00:30:53.78
and in Peter in
the Book of Peter,
00:30:56.22\00:30:57.75
I think it's 1 or 2 Peter says,
00:30:57.79\00:30:59.29
"The Lord has laid on
Him the inequity of us all."
00:30:59.32\00:31:04.59
That's right.
00:31:04.63\00:31:06.23
Jesus,
00:31:06.26\00:31:08.66
spotless purity
00:31:08.70\00:31:11.07
became defiled with our sins.
00:31:11.10\00:31:15.50
For what purpose?
00:31:15.54\00:31:17.37
The scripture say
00:31:17.41\00:31:20.11
that we might be made
00:31:20.14\00:31:23.41
in the
righteousness of God in Him.
00:31:23.45\00:31:28.35
Wow!
00:31:28.38\00:31:30.22
Is that amazing love for us?
00:31:30.25\00:31:35.86
Let's become
ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
00:31:35.89\00:31:38.76
Let's tell the world
what Jesus has done for us.
00:31:38.79\00:31:43.73
Let's tell the world.
00:31:43.77\00:31:45.10
You know,
00:31:45.13\00:31:47.74
the world needs
to know about Jesus.
00:31:47.77\00:31:51.04
The world needs to know
00:31:51.07\00:31:52.41
that Jesus
Christ is coming soon.
00:31:54.54\00:31:58.71
I would like to
invite you to join me
00:31:58.75\00:32:00.62
in the Book of
Matthew Chapter 5.
00:32:00.65\00:32:04.42
Let's go there
quickly, Matthew Chapter 5.
00:32:04.45\00:32:06.49
There in Matthew Chapter 5,
we're going to read verse 16,
00:32:08.76\00:32:11.26
very well-known verse.
00:32:11.29\00:32:14.13
Actually we need to
begin there in Matthew 5:14-16.
00:32:14.16\00:32:19.37
Matthew Chapter 5, it says,
00:32:19.40\00:32:21.37
"Ye are the light of the world.
00:32:21.40\00:32:25.44
A city that is set on
an hill cannot be hid.
00:32:25.47\00:32:28.51
Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel,
00:32:28.54\00:32:31.45
but on a candlestick,
00:32:31.48\00:32:32.95
and it giveth light unto
all that are in the house.
00:32:32.98\00:32:36.65
Let your light
so shine before men,
00:32:36.69\00:32:40.42
that they may
see your good works,
00:32:40.46\00:32:42.76
and glorify your Father
00:32:42.79\00:32:47.63
which is in heaven."
00:32:47.66\00:32:50.40
How are we to let
our light so shine,
00:32:50.43\00:32:53.03
that they may see our
good works and glorify who?
00:32:53.07\00:32:56.27
God, the Father.
00:32:56.30\00:32:58.61
He deserves all credit.
00:32:58.64\00:33:01.24
Praise be to God
00:33:01.28\00:33:04.25
for every thing
that He has done for us.
00:33:04.28\00:33:07.42
Who would say amen to that?
00:33:07.45\00:33:08.78
Amen.
00:33:08.82\00:33:10.29
How many here by
raising of the hand
00:33:10.32\00:33:13.72
are able to testify?
00:33:13.76\00:33:16.86
By raising your hand,
00:33:16.89\00:33:19.06
I know that there is at
least one time in my life
00:33:19.09\00:33:23.63
when I could have been dead.
00:33:23.67\00:33:25.10
I could have been
killed by something,
00:33:25.13\00:33:26.80
car accident, whatever it was.
00:33:26.84\00:33:28.40
There are so many hands here.
00:33:28.44\00:33:29.87
God is merciful, isn't He?
00:33:32.64\00:33:36.75
Praise be to His name.
00:33:36.78\00:33:38.11
Brothers and sisters,
00:33:40.65\00:33:41.98
we need to get the light
of salvation to the world,
00:33:42.02\00:33:46.12
the light of the
gospel to the world.
00:33:46.15\00:33:49.99
We are
ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
00:33:50.03\00:33:52.26
It is high time for
God's people to wake up
00:33:52.29\00:33:55.56
and let the world know
Jesus Christ is coming soon.
00:33:55.60\00:34:00.94
The world needs to
know, God loves them.
00:34:00.97\00:34:04.31
Let's get these Bibles
into the hands of the people.
00:34:04.34\00:34:07.51
Let's get these
truth filled books
00:34:07.54\00:34:09.44
into the hands of the people.
00:34:09.48\00:34:11.05
Whatever it is that
God will use you to do,
00:34:11.08\00:34:13.98
be it to pass
out some literature.
00:34:14.02\00:34:15.92
Even now people are
using DVDs, VHS, CDs.
00:34:15.95\00:34:20.22
Hand them to people.
00:34:20.26\00:34:22.99
Do something for Jesus.
00:34:23.02\00:34:25.36
You can't come up with anything?
00:34:25.39\00:34:28.96
Can't come up with any ideas?
00:34:29.00\00:34:31.73
You say, you can't talk.
00:34:31.77\00:34:34.87
Pass out something.
00:34:34.90\00:34:36.24
Give something.
00:34:36.27\00:34:37.61
You can't say
anything, pass out something.
00:34:37.64\00:34:40.71
There is something
for everyone to do.
00:34:40.74\00:34:43.45
Amen.
00:34:43.48\00:34:44.81
Something for everyone to do.
00:34:44.85\00:34:47.32
And if you can't
come up with anything,
00:34:47.35\00:34:50.05
ask and it
shall be given to you.
00:34:50.09\00:34:53.76
Ask and it
shall be given to you.
00:34:53.79\00:34:56.36
If we place
ourselves in the Lord's hands,
00:34:56.39\00:34:59.66
great and mighty
things will happen.
00:34:59.69\00:35:02.16
Great and mighty
things will happen.
00:35:02.20\00:35:05.00
In the year 2000,
00:35:05.03\00:35:06.50
there was an
evangelistic series in Peru.
00:35:06.53\00:35:09.60
They dared to rent a stadium
00:35:09.64\00:35:13.34
that had the capacity
for over 65,000 people.
00:35:13.38\00:35:17.21
And they say, we
want to fill the stadium.
00:35:17.25\00:35:19.81
We want people to come.
00:35:19.85\00:35:21.58
And so they told that,
they said that in the churches,
00:35:21.62\00:35:23.92
everyone needs to get
busy, do something for Jesus,
00:35:23.95\00:35:26.65
to bring
somebody to the meetings.
00:35:26.69\00:35:29.06
And in one of those
churches there was this one man
00:35:29.09\00:35:32.79
that said, "I
want to do something."
00:35:32.83\00:35:36.13
So he began to pray, and
as he prayed he realized,
00:35:36.16\00:35:40.14
wow,
00:35:40.17\00:35:41.50
it's been over 15 years
00:35:41.54\00:35:45.37
that I remember
someone coming to Christ
00:35:45.41\00:35:47.58
because of something I've done.
00:35:47.61\00:35:50.38
Oh, Lord, he's
began to pray earnestly,
00:35:50.41\00:35:52.25
Lord, use me to
bring someone to you.
00:35:52.28\00:35:55.15
Use me, Lord, please use me.
00:35:55.18\00:35:59.15
And the Lord
answered his prayer this way.
00:35:59.19\00:36:01.59
One day this man is walking,
00:36:01.62\00:36:04.86
and he received a
message from heaven,
00:36:04.89\00:36:08.33
"Go into the building
00:36:08.36\00:36:10.10
that you're
standing in front of."
00:36:10.13\00:36:12.60
He looked, police headquarters.
00:36:12.63\00:36:17.01
I don't know how many of you
00:36:17.04\00:36:18.37
have ever entered
into a police headquarters
00:36:18.41\00:36:19.74
to preach the gospel,
00:36:19.77\00:36:21.11
but he went in
and there was a man,
00:36:21.14\00:36:24.61
a sergeant standing by a desk.
00:36:24.65\00:36:27.15
He came up to him.
00:36:27.18\00:36:28.68
He said, "Yes, may help you."
00:36:28.72\00:36:30.99
He says, "Sir,
00:36:31.02\00:36:33.96
I want to know if
there is someone here
00:36:33.99\00:36:36.89
with whom I can
study the Bible with."
00:36:36.93\00:36:39.86
The man at the desk
looked at him for a moment
00:36:39.89\00:36:42.36
and said, "What?
00:36:42.40\00:36:44.73
You've come to a police station
00:36:44.77\00:36:47.47
to ask if somebody can
study the Bible with you."
00:36:47.50\00:36:51.97
He looked at him
and said, "Yes, sir."
00:36:52.01\00:36:55.88
Sergeant looked
at him for a moment.
00:36:55.91\00:36:58.98
He said, "Can
you be here tomorrow
00:36:59.01\00:37:00.58
at 10 in the morning."
00:37:00.62\00:37:02.38
He said, "Yes, sir."
00:37:02.42\00:37:03.75
"Good, be here tomorrow at 10.
00:37:03.79\00:37:05.85
In that room right there
00:37:05.89\00:37:07.22
I'll have 50 police
officers waiting for you
00:37:07.26\00:37:09.22
and you can study
the Bible with them."
00:37:09.26\00:37:10.89
Amen? Amen.
00:37:10.93\00:37:15.10
See, who would ever
put in their plan...
00:37:15.13\00:37:17.53
Let's see who can we
go preach the gospel to,
00:37:17.57\00:37:19.33
let's put a police station.
00:37:19.37\00:37:20.70
No, he placed
himself in the Lord's hand,
00:37:20.74\00:37:23.27
and the Lord
said, "Go in there."
00:37:23.30\00:37:25.91
And this man
began to study the Bible
00:37:25.94\00:37:28.01
with 50 police officers
there in Peru, Lima, Peru.
00:37:28.04\00:37:33.68
And he got so
far and then he said,
00:37:33.72\00:37:35.08
you know, "I've
taken you as far as I can.
00:37:35.12\00:37:37.49
Tomorrow the pastor
of my church will be here
00:37:37.52\00:37:39.95
and he will continue with you."
00:37:39.99\00:37:43.12
And you know I was
there in Lima, Peru.
00:37:43.16\00:37:47.20
It was such a joy to see.
00:37:47.23\00:37:49.60
I don't know how many there were
00:37:49.63\00:37:50.97
but there were at
least 50,000 or morepacked
00:37:51.00\00:37:53.23
in that stadium
there to hear the preaching
00:37:53.27\00:37:56.17
of the everlasting gospel.
00:37:56.20\00:37:59.11
And I saw police
officers being baptized,
00:37:59.14\00:38:04.71
giving their hearts
to the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:38:04.75\00:38:06.95
The Lord is moving upon hearts.
00:38:09.42\00:38:13.25
The harvest is what?
00:38:13.29\00:38:17.29
Harvest is great but
the laborers are few.
00:38:17.33\00:38:21.20
How about some
laborers wake up today
00:38:21.23\00:38:23.97
and become
ambassadors for Jesus Christ?
00:38:24.00\00:38:26.57
Maybe there are some here.
00:38:26.60\00:38:27.97
Maybe there are some
listening or watching right now
00:38:28.00\00:38:30.64
that need to become ambassadors.
00:38:30.67\00:38:33.98
Take the gospel to
somebody for Jesus Christ.
00:38:34.01\00:38:38.51
Some are almost about to perish,
00:38:38.55\00:38:41.15
but they need to
hear about Jesus.
00:38:41.18\00:38:44.89
You know, God is
using the printed page,
00:38:44.92\00:38:47.62
God is using 3ABN
00:38:47.66\00:38:50.49
and other
ministries that are involved
00:38:50.53\00:38:52.13
in bringing the
message to the world.
00:38:52.16\00:38:55.50
I was shocked last
year to receive a call.
00:38:55.53\00:38:58.50
Shocked.
00:38:58.53\00:39:01.00
It was close to 6, we're
supposed to go home at 5,
00:39:01.04\00:39:03.24
but we stayed there
past the time to go home.
00:39:03.27\00:39:07.81
I've seen people at
3ABN at 2 in the morning,
00:39:07.84\00:39:10.31
3 in the morning
doing something for Jesus.
00:39:10.35\00:39:12.75
I've gone there.
00:39:15.18\00:39:16.52
We have to take a
flight at 4 in the morning
00:39:16.55\00:39:18.15
and there are people there,
doing something for Jesus.
00:39:18.19\00:39:22.72
So it was close to 6 o'clock
and I had something to do
00:39:22.76\00:39:25.79
and I said,
"Well, I've got to go."
00:39:25.83\00:39:27.63
And the phone rings.
00:39:27.66\00:39:29.60
I also worked in the
pastoral ministry department.
00:39:29.63\00:39:32.40
And I said, when
the phone was ringing,
00:39:32.43\00:39:34.40
I said, "I got to go."
00:39:34.44\00:39:35.77
And the thought came
to my mind, it may be...
00:39:38.14\00:39:39.57
The thought came to my mind,
00:39:39.61\00:39:40.94
it may be someone
about to commit suicide,
00:39:40.98\00:39:44.18
they need to hear about Jesus,
00:39:44.21\00:39:46.55
so I picked up the phone.
00:39:46.58\00:39:49.72
And the person said,
00:39:49.75\00:39:51.09
"I am calling to tell you
00:39:51.12\00:39:52.72
that you guys are
doing a good job."
00:39:52.75\00:39:56.22
Well, praise the Lord.
00:39:56.26\00:39:57.59
And you'd think, well,
00:40:00.23\00:40:01.56
probably a Seventh-day
Adventist calling to tell us
00:40:01.60\00:40:03.23
that we're doing good job.
00:40:03.26\00:40:04.60
Praise the Lord, or somebody
from another denomination
00:40:04.63\00:40:06.43
that are blessed
by the programming.
00:40:06.47\00:40:09.10
But the person
said, "I'm an atheist."
00:40:09.14\00:40:13.07
And I said, "You are."
00:40:13.11\00:40:15.91
"Yes.
00:40:15.94\00:40:18.21
And I'm calling to tell you
that you're doing a good job.
00:40:18.25\00:40:21.18
She said, "Of
all the denominations
00:40:21.22\00:40:25.29
that I've looked
at that are saying
00:40:25.32\00:40:27.26
they're following the Bible,
00:40:27.29\00:40:28.72
you guys are following
the Bible the closest."
00:40:28.76\00:40:33.29
And I said, "Praise the
Lord. Thank you very much."
00:40:33.33\00:40:36.03
And she said,
"That's all I called to say.
00:40:36.06\00:40:39.53
Have a nice day."
00:40:39.57\00:40:41.64
I said, "Wow."
00:40:41.67\00:40:44.67
You know, God is calling people,
00:40:44.71\00:40:47.98
doesn't matter
if they're atheist,
00:40:48.01\00:40:50.08
God is trying
to reach everybody.
00:40:50.11\00:40:53.75
Let's join those angels,
00:40:53.78\00:40:56.48
let's be a part of
bringing someone to Jesus.
00:40:56.52\00:41:01.32
1999, Y2K was coming.
00:41:04.39\00:41:09.13
Y2K, remember that? Yes.
00:41:09.16\00:41:11.90
People thought
there was going to be
00:41:11.93\00:41:13.27
widespread panic
all over the world.
00:41:13.30\00:41:15.97
In the US they thought
00:41:16.00\00:41:17.51
there was going
to be power outages,
00:41:17.54\00:41:18.87
water was going to stop running,
00:41:18.91\00:41:21.18
and it was going to be
mass chaos all over the world.
00:41:21.21\00:41:24.48
And some thought that Christ
00:41:24.51\00:41:27.72
was coming in the year 2000.
00:41:27.75\00:41:31.22
So there were some people
00:41:31.25\00:41:32.75
that made a
decision to follow Jesus,
00:41:32.79\00:41:34.46
somewhere in 1999-2000.
00:41:34.49\00:41:38.93
It was like a wake-up
call, and many people did that,
00:41:38.96\00:41:42.40
but some went back to sleep.
00:41:42.43\00:41:47.87
Anybody remember
9/11, that was a Tuesday.
00:41:47.90\00:41:51.81
Reuben Carr, a
good friend of ours
00:41:51.84\00:41:53.98
that is doing great
work there in New York.
00:41:54.01\00:41:58.18
Bless him and his wife
00:41:58.21\00:41:59.55
doing tremendous
things for the Lord.
00:41:59.58\00:42:01.75
He said to me while
we were in New York.
00:42:01.78\00:42:04.59
"John, you wouldn't believe it,
00:42:04.62\00:42:08.29
remember 9/11."
00:42:08.32\00:42:09.66
And I said, "Yes."
00:42:09.69\00:42:11.03
That was Tuesday, on Wednesday,
00:42:11.06\00:42:13.40
you know how the
church comes on Wednesday,
00:42:13.43\00:42:15.13
you know, 30% sometimes, 40-50.
00:42:15.16\00:42:19.70
"The church was packed," he
said, the church was packed.
00:42:19.73\00:42:23.00
I said, "Wow."
00:42:23.04\00:42:25.01
You know,
Saturday morning, he said,
00:42:25.04\00:42:26.51
how the people trickle in 9:30.
00:42:26.54\00:42:29.98
Some come in
but it's close to 11
00:42:30.01\00:42:32.51
that people really
start coming in, he said,
00:42:32.55\00:42:34.72
on that day got to
church close to 9:30,
00:42:34.75\00:42:39.25
the parking lot was
full, the church with packed.
00:42:39.29\00:42:43.26
I don't know if
you have one of those,
00:42:43.29\00:42:44.63
but I have one of
those alarm clocks.
00:42:44.66\00:42:45.99
As matter of fact
00:42:48.43\00:42:49.76
I used that
function this morning.
00:42:49.80\00:42:51.83
Anybody know,
00:42:51.87\00:42:53.30
alarm clock goes off
whatever time you get up,
00:42:53.34\00:42:56.04
five in the
morning, six, whatever it is.
00:42:56.07\00:42:57.94
And you press the snooze button.
00:43:00.91\00:43:05.18
And you know,
00:43:05.21\00:43:06.55
you can sleep for
another nine minutes
00:43:06.58\00:43:09.25
but in another 9
minutes, beep, beep, beep...
00:43:09.28\00:43:14.19
And you're going to
press the snooze button,
00:43:14.22\00:43:17.63
and some people will
press their snooze button
00:43:17.66\00:43:20.30
for about another hour
00:43:20.33\00:43:21.83
before they get
up and they snooze.
00:43:21.86\00:43:27.07
Unfortunately after 9/11,
00:43:27.10\00:43:30.34
see, some people woke up,
9/11, something's going on.
00:43:30.37\00:43:33.71
Could it be that
Jesus Christ is coming soon,
00:43:33.74\00:43:36.34
so some people woke up.
00:43:36.38\00:43:39.01
Unfortunately as time went by,
00:43:39.05\00:43:43.02
some have pressed a
spiritual snooze button
00:43:43.05\00:43:46.79
and right now there is,
00:43:46.82\00:43:48.79
they are
snoozing, they are sleeping.
00:43:48.82\00:43:52.46
And we need to
wake up for Jesus.
00:43:52.49\00:43:55.26
Amen?
00:43:55.30\00:43:56.63
We need to wake up
00:43:56.67\00:43:58.00
because it's high
time to awake out of sleep
00:43:58.03\00:44:00.74
and take the good news
of salvation to the world.
00:44:00.77\00:44:03.67
Let's take Bibles to Africa.
00:44:03.71\00:44:06.11
Let's take Bibles to Russia,
to India, all over the world,
00:44:06.14\00:44:10.45
enlightened the world
with the glory of God.
00:44:10.48\00:44:14.78
Amen?
00:44:14.82\00:44:16.99
I would like to invite
you to turn in your Bibles
00:44:17.02\00:44:22.99
to Romans Chapter 13.
00:44:23.02\00:44:24.96
Romans Chapter 13.
00:44:24.99\00:44:27.10
Romans Chapter 13
00:44:29.70\00:44:31.93
and we are going to
begin reading in verse 11.
00:44:31.97\00:44:36.64
Romans 13 beginning in verse 11.
00:44:36.67\00:44:40.38
I'm sorry, let's
begin in verse 10,
00:44:40.41\00:44:41.74
Romans 13, begin in verse 10.
00:44:41.78\00:44:43.75
"Love worketh no
ill, to his neighbor,
00:44:43.78\00:44:48.18
therefore love is the
fulfilling of the law.
00:44:48.22\00:44:51.49
And that, knowing
the time, that now..."
00:44:51.52\00:44:56.02
When?
00:44:56.06\00:44:57.39
"Now it is high time
00:44:57.43\00:45:01.13
to awake out of sleep:
00:45:01.16\00:45:04.20
for now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed, "
00:45:04.23\00:45:09.37
when we first believed.
00:45:09.40\00:45:10.91
"The night is far
spent, the day is at hand:
00:45:10.94\00:45:16.08
let us therefore cast
off the works of darkness,
00:45:16.11\00:45:21.72
and let us put on
00:45:21.75\00:45:23.85
the armor of light.
00:45:23.89\00:45:28.29
Let us walk
honestly, as in the day,
00:45:28.32\00:45:30.66
not in rioting and drunkenness,
00:45:30.69\00:45:33.09
not in
chambering and wantonness,
00:45:33.13\00:45:34.80
not in strife and envying.
00:45:34.83\00:45:37.77
But put ye on the
Lord Jesus Christ,
00:45:37.80\00:45:42.04
and make no
provision for the flesh,
00:45:42.07\00:45:45.07
to fulfill the lusts thereof."
00:45:45.11\00:45:47.58
Brothers and sisters,
00:45:47.61\00:45:48.94
it is high time to
awake out of sleep.
00:45:48.98\00:45:53.18
Jesus Christ is coming soon,
00:45:53.21\00:45:54.78
the world needs to hear
that Jesus is coming soon.
00:45:54.82\00:45:58.89
Let's take the
gospel to the world,
00:46:01.22\00:46:04.93
and support those
00:46:04.96\00:46:06.29
that are taking the
gospel to the world.
00:46:06.33\00:46:10.17
Please turn in
your Bibles with me,
00:46:10.20\00:46:12.13
Ephesians Chapter 5,
something along the same lines.
00:46:12.17\00:46:14.74
Ephesians Chapter 5.
00:46:14.77\00:46:17.77
Ephesians Chapter 5.
00:46:17.81\00:46:20.48
Let's begin reading in verse 8.
00:46:20.51\00:46:22.98
"For ye were sometimes darkness,
00:46:25.41\00:46:29.25
but now are ye
light in the world:
00:46:29.28\00:46:33.12
walk as children of light:
00:46:33.15\00:46:34.76
For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness
00:46:36.99\00:46:39.43
and righteousness and truth,
00:46:39.46\00:46:41.06
proving what is
acceptable unto the Lord.
00:46:41.10\00:46:43.57
And have no fellowship
00:46:43.60\00:46:45.77
with the
unfruitful works of darkness,
00:46:45.80\00:46:47.94
but rather reprove them.
00:46:47.97\00:46:50.44
For it is a shame even
to speak of those things
00:46:50.47\00:46:53.24
which are done
of them in secret.
00:46:53.27\00:46:55.64
But all things that are reproved
00:46:55.68\00:46:58.31
are made manifest by the light:
00:46:58.35\00:47:00.65
for whatsoever doth
make manifest is light.
00:47:00.68\00:47:04.92
Wherefore he saith,
Awake thou that sleepest,
00:47:04.95\00:47:10.06
and arise from the dead,
00:47:10.09\00:47:11.93
and Christ shall
give thee light."
00:47:11.96\00:47:17.30
Who wants light?
00:47:17.33\00:47:20.44
Who wants to be
the light of the world?
00:47:20.47\00:47:21.80
Would you raise your hand?
00:47:21.84\00:47:23.20
Praise the Lord.
00:47:23.24\00:47:26.51
Brothers and sisters,
Jesus Christ is coming soon.
00:47:26.54\00:47:32.05
Revelation 18 says,
has a picture there,
00:47:32.08\00:47:35.88
it describes an angel
that comes down from heaven
00:47:35.92\00:47:39.12
that what?
00:47:39.15\00:47:40.56
Lightens the world
00:47:40.59\00:47:43.93
with the glory of God.
00:47:43.96\00:47:47.20
We need to lighten the
world with the glory of God
00:47:47.23\00:47:50.93
by allowing Christ
to shine through us,
00:47:50.97\00:47:55.84
in us.
00:47:55.87\00:47:57.21
Let us put off
the works of darkness.
00:47:57.24\00:47:59.97
Let us totally
surrender to the Lord
00:48:00.01\00:48:03.14
so He can use us,
00:48:03.18\00:48:05.81
and Jesus Christ can come soon.
00:48:05.85\00:48:09.38
We know the scripture,
00:48:09.42\00:48:10.75
Matthew 24:14, what does it say?
00:48:10.79\00:48:12.75
"And this gospel of the kingdom
shall we preached," where?
00:48:15.02\00:48:20.93
"In all the world for a
witness unto all nations,
00:48:20.96\00:48:25.47
and then the end shall come."
00:48:25.50\00:48:29.17
Brothers and sisters, let
us take up this great work
00:48:29.20\00:48:32.47
to bring the gospel to the world
00:48:32.51\00:48:34.74
because it means
that as we do this,
00:48:34.78\00:48:37.01
the end will come, and
Jesus Christ will return,
00:48:37.05\00:48:40.15
and we can go with Him
00:48:40.18\00:48:41.52
and put an end to
all of this suffering
00:48:41.55\00:48:43.65
that the world is going through,
00:48:43.69\00:48:45.09
and the heaven
itself is going through.
00:48:45.12\00:48:48.29
I like to invite you
to turn in your Bibles
00:48:50.73\00:48:52.53
to Isaiah Chapter 60.
00:48:52.56\00:48:56.36
Isaiah Chapter 60.
00:48:56.40\00:48:58.10
And I want to thank Sister Lilly
00:49:01.27\00:49:02.90
for playing the piano.
00:49:02.94\00:49:06.61
Isaiah Chapter 60,
00:49:06.64\00:49:08.71
and we're going to
read some verses there.
00:49:08.74\00:49:11.18
Isaiah Chapter 60.
00:49:14.68\00:49:16.75
Brothers and
sisters, the time is at hand.
00:49:19.65\00:49:22.89
We know that Satan
is as a roaring lion
00:49:22.92\00:49:26.53
seeking whom he may devour.
00:49:26.56\00:49:28.83
He knows that his time is short.
00:49:28.86\00:49:31.57
He is doing
every conceivable thing
00:49:31.60\00:49:34.70
to keep us asleep.
00:49:34.74\00:49:37.41
But let us make a
decision to wake up.
00:49:37.44\00:49:40.61
And I'm saying this to you
00:49:40.64\00:49:42.18
because when we are sleeping,
00:49:42.21\00:49:44.31
do you know
that you're sleeping?
00:49:44.35\00:49:46.41
We don't know we're sleeping.
00:49:46.45\00:49:48.92
We don't know.
00:49:48.95\00:49:50.29
We need for Christ
to give us that light
00:49:53.59\00:49:57.46
that He wants to give us.
00:49:57.49\00:49:59.39
Isaiah Chapter 60 says,
00:49:59.43\00:50:02.86
"Arise, shine..."
00:50:02.90\00:50:06.74
People of Coldwater,
Michigan, arise, shine.
00:50:06.77\00:50:12.27
Children of God
all over the world,
00:50:12.31\00:50:14.64
"Arise, shine,
00:50:14.68\00:50:18.38
for thy light is come,
00:50:18.41\00:50:20.68
and the glory of the
Lord is risen upon thee.
00:50:20.72\00:50:24.65
For, behold, the
darkness shall cover the earth,
00:50:24.69\00:50:27.82
and gross darkness the people:
00:50:27.86\00:50:30.39
but the Lord
shall arise upon thee,
00:50:30.43\00:50:34.46
and his glory
shall be seen upon thee."
00:50:34.50\00:50:39.73
Do you want the
glory of the Lord
00:50:39.77\00:50:42.87
to be seen upon you?
00:50:42.90\00:50:46.14
If that is your decision,
00:50:46.17\00:50:47.71
I would like to
invite you to stand.
00:50:47.74\00:50:49.74
If you would
like to come forward
00:50:49.78\00:50:51.78
and say to the Lord,
00:50:51.81\00:50:53.18
"Lord, I want to put off
all the works of darkness.
00:50:53.21\00:50:58.42
I want to live in
Your marvelous light."
00:50:58.45\00:51:02.19
You know,
00:51:02.22\00:51:04.23
there where we were
this morning at the hotel,
00:51:04.26\00:51:08.80
there were two
gentlemen having breakfast.
00:51:08.83\00:51:12.27
And they told me
something that was bittersweet.
00:51:12.30\00:51:15.40
Good friends they are,
00:51:19.97\00:51:22.71
but they said somehow
because of life's things,
00:51:22.74\00:51:26.41
they drifted away from the Lord.
00:51:26.45\00:51:29.22
He said, one said,
he said, my friend,
00:51:29.25\00:51:33.09
he came back to the
Lord after 25 years.
00:51:33.12\00:51:35.49
He said, "I came
back after 40 years."
00:51:38.16\00:51:42.33
I praise the Lord they're back.
00:51:42.36\00:51:45.80
But there are some out
there, they have not returned.
00:51:45.83\00:51:49.37
There are some out
there they have not yet heard
00:51:49.40\00:51:52.34
and they need to
hear about Jesus.
00:51:52.37\00:51:56.21
So for those of you
00:51:56.24\00:51:57.58
that want to come a
little closer, you may.
00:51:57.61\00:52:00.38
I heard a story many years ago
00:52:00.42\00:52:04.92
about a man that had a dream.
00:52:04.95\00:52:07.62
And he said that in
this dream, he saw Jesus,
00:52:07.66\00:52:13.26
praying in the
Garden of Gethsemane.
00:52:13.29\00:52:17.20
And this man called the
pastor and he said, "Pastor,
00:52:17.23\00:52:20.40
do you believe that
God gives people dreams?"
00:52:20.44\00:52:23.74
He says, "Yes, I do."
00:52:23.77\00:52:25.24
He says, "Well, I saw Jesus
00:52:25.27\00:52:27.78
praying in the
Garden of Gethsemane.
00:52:27.81\00:52:30.91
He told his pastor
00:52:30.95\00:52:32.28
that he had been
away from the Lord
00:52:32.31\00:52:33.65
for over 20 years.
00:52:33.68\00:52:37.32
And he said that
in after this dream,
00:52:37.35\00:52:40.79
He knew the Lord
was calling him back.
00:52:40.82\00:52:44.26
But he was involved
in things of the world
00:52:44.29\00:52:46.19
and didn't
really want to go back.
00:52:46.23\00:52:48.96
It's like he wanted to
but he didn't really want to.
00:52:49.00\00:52:52.10
He wanted to but
didn't really want to.
00:52:52.13\00:52:54.27
I don't know if
somebody is there.
00:52:54.30\00:52:56.64
I don't know what
allurements the devil is using
00:52:56.67\00:52:59.27
to keep us asleep or to
keep us away from the Lord.
00:52:59.31\00:53:03.24
Even those that are
listening and watching,
00:53:03.28\00:53:05.45
it's time to come back to Jesus.
00:53:05.48\00:53:09.68
This man said,
"I saw Jesus there
00:53:09.72\00:53:11.49
pressed up against the rock,
00:53:11.52\00:53:13.29
praying and praying,
00:53:13.32\00:53:15.66
and I saw tears
streaming down from His face
00:53:15.69\00:53:19.59
and as it were
great drops of blood
00:53:19.63\00:53:21.46
falling from His
head, from His forehead.
00:53:21.50\00:53:24.37
I saw Him, I saw Him
00:53:24.40\00:53:27.24
but then I realized
that I too was praying.
00:53:27.27\00:53:31.97
Praying for something.
00:53:32.01\00:53:35.08
And I noticed that
00:53:35.11\00:53:36.44
tears were
streaming down my face.
00:53:36.48\00:53:39.28
And I was being
asked to make a decision
00:53:39.31\00:53:41.78
and it was hard, very hard,
and I did not know what to do.
00:53:41.82\00:53:47.19
And then suddenly Jesus turned
00:53:51.06\00:53:55.46
and looked at me
00:53:55.50\00:53:57.13
and I saw the tears
coming down His face
00:53:57.17\00:53:59.60
and the blood
coming from His forehead.
00:53:59.63\00:54:02.97
And He said,
00:54:03.00\00:54:06.21
'What are you doing here?'
00:54:06.24\00:54:08.38
He says, 'Well I'm being
called to make a decision
00:54:08.41\00:54:10.48
and I don't know what to do.'
00:54:10.51\00:54:13.28
And He heard Jesus say,
'Well come over here next to me
00:54:13.31\00:54:18.62
because right now I
have to make a decision
00:54:18.65\00:54:22.82
and I don't know what to do.' "
00:54:22.86\00:54:25.96
You see there in the
Garden of Gethsemane,
00:54:25.99\00:54:28.33
our Savior struggled.
00:54:28.36\00:54:32.03
He struggled.
00:54:32.07\00:54:34.40
Do I allow Myself to be
separated from the Father
00:54:34.44\00:54:38.27
and take upon Myself
the sins of the world.
00:54:38.31\00:54:42.94
It was the moment of decision.
00:54:42.98\00:54:45.58
"Father, if it be possible,
00:54:45.61\00:54:49.72
let this cup pass from Me."
00:54:49.75\00:54:53.22
It is as if He were saying,
00:54:53.25\00:54:54.59
"Father, is this any
other way to save the world.
00:54:54.62\00:54:59.56
Let's take that route."
00:54:59.59\00:55:00.93
Believing 100%,
surrendering 100% to the Lord,
00:55:02.96\00:55:06.80
he said,
00:55:06.84\00:55:08.37
"Nevertheless, not as I wilt,
00:55:08.40\00:55:12.11
but as thou wilt."
00:55:12.14\00:55:15.88
Three times He
prayed that prayer.
00:55:15.91\00:55:19.78
There Satan was trying to
make it as hard as possible.
00:55:19.81\00:55:22.98
But, brothers and
sisters, in full surrender,
00:55:23.02\00:55:28.46
He said,
"Nevertheless, not as I wilt,
00:55:28.49\00:55:31.43
but as thou wilt."
00:55:31.46\00:55:32.99
Jesus Christ gave
Himself 100% for you.
00:55:33.03\00:55:37.83
Surrendered
completely for you, for me.
00:55:37.87\00:55:42.77
So that we can
become children of God.
00:55:42.80\00:55:46.24
So that we can be
reconciled to God.
00:55:49.74\00:55:54.48
And so that we can be given
the ministry of reconciliation.
00:55:54.52\00:55:58.05
It is high time to
awake out of sleep.
00:56:01.92\00:56:04.56
I join with all of
you that have stood up
00:56:04.59\00:56:07.03
to say to the Lord,
00:56:07.06\00:56:08.50
"I want to put off
the works of darkness.
00:56:08.53\00:56:12.03
I want your marvelous
light to shine through me.
00:56:12.07\00:56:14.84
I join with you
00:56:14.87\00:56:16.57
to become an
ambassador for Jesus Christ."
00:56:16.60\00:56:20.18
If it is possible for you,
00:56:20.21\00:56:21.54
I would like to
invite you to kneel.
00:56:21.58\00:56:23.65
Let's go to the Lord in prayer.
00:56:23.68\00:56:25.08
Make a prayer of
commitment to the Lord.
00:56:25.11\00:56:27.68
And if you're
there watching at home
00:56:27.72\00:56:29.95
and you would
like to do the same,
00:56:29.98\00:56:31.89
I invite you to
come back to Jesus.
00:56:31.92\00:56:33.69
It may be that
you've been gone for years,
00:56:33.72\00:56:36.32
but it's time to
come back to Jesus
00:56:36.36\00:56:40.30
and become a light for Jesus.
00:56:40.33\00:56:42.40
Join us in prayer.
00:56:42.43\00:56:43.77
Our loving heavenly Father,
how grateful we are, Lord,
00:56:47.00\00:56:51.17
that the door of
mercy is still open.
00:56:51.21\00:56:54.28
How grateful we are, Lord,
00:56:54.31\00:56:56.14
that even today
00:56:56.18\00:56:58.35
we can choose to
awake and not asleep.
00:56:58.38\00:57:01.28
We can choose to be forgiven.
00:57:01.32\00:57:04.32
And, Lord,
00:57:04.35\00:57:05.69
as people make confession
of their sins here today
00:57:05.72\00:57:08.09
and wherever
they are in the world,
00:57:08.12\00:57:10.66
we ask You, Father,
to fulfill Your promise
00:57:10.69\00:57:13.09
in 1 John 1:9,
00:57:13.13\00:57:15.26
"That if we confess our sins,
00:57:15.30\00:57:18.30
You are faithful and just
to forgive us for our sins
00:57:18.33\00:57:22.44
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness."
00:57:22.47\00:57:25.44
Make us pure,
Lord, make us holy.
00:57:25.47\00:57:27.88
Make us totally Yours,
00:57:27.91\00:57:29.94
we ask you,
Father, in Jesus' name.
00:57:29.98\00:57:32.18