Well Happy Sabbath Y'all. Is
that how we say it in America?
00:01:01.73\00:01:06.51
Yeah I'm sure I'd
probably say I'm just as weird.
00:01:06.54\00:01:10.42
Happy Sabbath everyone, friend,
mate, y'all, However you say it.
00:01:10.45\00:01:16.91
Ok has everyone
had a good lunch today?
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Are they all filled up and
is their mind switched on still?
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I'm sure you guys are but it
seems like there are a lot of
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people had some really interest-
ing theological questions today.
00:01:28.35\00:01:32.37
So, this as you
know is our panel.
00:01:32.40\00:01:35.32
And for you guys who
have been here for a few days
00:01:35.35\00:01:39.72
so far you know who we
have, we have Ryan, we have Jeff
00:01:39.75\00:01:42.50
we have Charissa, we have
Justin we have Pastor Zeny
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and we have Pastor Sherwin Jack.
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These are going to be the
people we're gonna be presenting
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your questions to,
today. Okay and as you can see
00:01:50.72\00:01:53.71
we've got a good mixture
of a whole different variety
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of wise people. We
have the young wise people
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and we have the
very mature wise people.
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Mature in a good way, ok? So...
00:02:03.26\00:02:07.62
Don't say rubbish Jeff. ok.
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Alright, so we're gonna
present some questions now
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your questions, so
we get a good variety of
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answers. Yes, so
listen up and enjoy
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Ok, question 1. In regard
to a sermon recently preached
00:02:18.64\00:02:24.79
should I stop using my iPad
as Bible for Bible memorization?
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Or is there a way I can
use both my Bible and my iPad
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for memorization or can you
give me any other strategies
00:02:34.35\00:02:38.04
for Bible memorization?
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So I'd just like to say that the
key Psalm 119 of course tells us
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that David says, Thy
word have I hid in my heart
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that I might not
sin against Thee.
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So we know that Bible memori-
zation is essential to us
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as Christians. The Lord
can speak to us by bringing His
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Word back to our minds
that way. And really, personally
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I believe that, I've written
an article to that extent
00:03:02.91\00:03:05.70
for Secrets Unsealed,
for some youth saying that
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really we should never
completely do away with
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our paper Bibles, Amen. You know
you can turn faster to a verse
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in a Bible if you're used to it
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than the fastest tablet
or smart phone there is.
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Or computer. So really
there is no replacement also
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the battery doesn't die,
it can't malfunction on you
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when the power goes out
it will still be readable
00:03:28.36\00:03:32.36
if you have a candle or a torch
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But really to answer
the question, I think that
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its essential to utilize
the tools that God has given us
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with technology, different
people have different opinions
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when it comes to
Bible reading, Bible study
00:03:43.68\00:03:45.80
some pastors say
don't highlight your Bible,
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don't turn it
into a coloring book.
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Others say whatever gets
you into the Word and helps you
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remember it, Praise the Lord.
But when it comes to utilizing
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apps or different programs,
personally I used to write out
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my Bible memory verses
on cards and then the stack
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got bigger and bigger and
when I started going places
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I was concerned of losing it or
if someone spilled water on it
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it would be gone and
there are apps available
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through which you can memorize
scripture and utilize both
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the physical Bibles as
well as technology and that way
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if it's backed up to a
cloud you can download it on a
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different computer, it's
in your pocket, in your phone
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and the key is knowing what
the verse, the chapter the verse
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and the book. Because when
you have that it doesn't matter
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what Bible you are using, you
can find your memory verse, Amen
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So really utilize the
tools, I'd say God has given you
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and find what works for you.
The key is putting and hiding
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God's word in our
hearts, in our minds
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and using every possible
means that we can to do so.
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I just want to say something
as well, just I think one big
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thing you find in the Bible
is in Ecclesiastes 9:11. It says
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The race is not to the swift
nor the battle to the strong
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but time and
chance happens to them all
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And so I think one big
thing that we lose a lot is
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just the little pockets of
time as well, and one way to
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I thought I'd just add this
as you know sometimes you're
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waiting at a train station
or you're sitting on a bus
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or you're waiting for a friend,
you know there are lots of times
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you're on a break and you check
your Facebook page you know
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So all these little gaps
of time you get during the day
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A lot of times we waste away
these little pockets of time
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And those are some really imp-
ortant times that you can just
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instead of checking your Face-
book page just check out a verse
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instead of looking up and
seeing what the TV is saying
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you know always hold
something in your pocket or
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whether it's a tablet
or a phone, I think that's
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that's a really effective way
practically to cultivate a love
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for wanting to put effort into
study it is just those little
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pockets of time you know they
seem small when you're going
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throughout the day but
when you actually think about it
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about this whole year,
how many times you've checked
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your facebook or you've checked
something or you've spent
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a little gap of time unnecessar-
ily if you replace all those
00:06:01.62\00:06:04.82
little gaps of time with
simply picking up your Bible and
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reading a verse that will really
help you to make up for a lot of
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time that gets wasted sometimes.
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On the other hand if you
want to do a really great study
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technology can be of great help.
00:06:21.23\00:06:23.95
So let's say you have
your iPhone and or iPad and
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and you want to do a
topical study of any nature
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and you find just one word,
that word you find it's the key
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and you would like
to see it somewhere else
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technology becomes very
handy and very important
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So using technology
is just great, fantastic.
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So for your devotional it
can be great aid for all of us.
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Zeb I think, I think
that I raised the issue
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maybe I ought to talk to it
again. The danger that I think
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we're facing is the minimization
of using the Scriptures.
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And we see this illustrated
with a lot of preachers and
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and those of us
who are preachers here
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I think we need to be very care-
ful about not using powerpoint
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to put text on the screen,
because immediately we put
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text on the screen we discourage
people from turning it up
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in their Bibles. And I think
we make a very grave mistake
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in doing that. And so my appeal
is to those who are presenting
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to if you are going
to put the reference up,
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and that's possibly a good
thing In my evangelistic program
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I never put the text up on the
screen but I put the reference
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and the page number so I
encourage people to turn it up
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But as soon as you put the
full text up people immediately
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you watch, they'll
put their Bibles down
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and they'll read it from the
screen. And that is doing the
00:08:03.33\00:08:06.17
same thing as iPads
are doing its discouraging
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memorization because we
remember as we get involved
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with turning the
scriptures up. That's my concern
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I still think there is a place
for it and we're not saying
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we should never have it. But
I'm saying the Word in our hands
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the Word in our
hands is very important.
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Ok, so by the sounds of it,
it sounds like there's a bit of
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middle ground there between two
different generations. Maybe?
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No, no, no,no, no, no, no.
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Well we stand on the same ground
that the Scriptures need to be
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in our minds and our hearts
and the best way you can do that
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you utilize everything that
you can to do that and make sure
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that they're here and
here and we all agree on that.
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This generation has won. Look!
We're not completely illiterate.
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It's that we see the danger
that's all we're saying too.
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Amen, amen. Ok we'll
go to the next question.
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This is a really good question.
How do you know when you are
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meant to move forward in
faith or stay put in faith?
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I guess so you're
not being presumptuous.
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Well sometimes depending on
what type of situation it is
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If I'm not sure if I
should, what the Lord's will is
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in the matter, I tell the Lord
Lord I'm going to move forward
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in this direction and if this
is not Your will close the door.
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And it's amazing that when
it's not in the Lord's will
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I mean, He will slam
the door shut. At times,
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you can push against it, it's
as hard as you want it you can't
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budge it. At other times if
you push hard enough you can
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go through but you know when the
Lord has shut the door on you.
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So that's one way of determining
the Lord's will and of course
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keeping a strong connection
with Him through His word
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so He can speak to you
in your devotional life.
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I think something else
Zeb that is very important is
00:10:01.73\00:10:06.49
in taking counsel from those
that we have confidence in.
00:10:06.52\00:10:09.96
Because sometimes
folk of wider experience
00:10:09.99\00:10:13.99
and years of experience can
help us and it's a good thing
00:10:14.02\00:10:17.57
to have someone you
have confidence in to share
00:10:17.60\00:10:20.04
that issue with and
to get their perspective.
00:10:20.07\00:10:23.11
It's not the only thing
that we should do, I think
00:10:23.14\00:10:25.34
what Justin has said
is very very important
00:10:25.37\00:10:28.33
but also counsel of those
that we have confidence in.
00:10:28.36\00:10:32.58
Alright. Next
question. This is a good one.
00:10:32.61\00:10:39.53
How can we overcome if we
are victims of child abuse
00:10:39.56\00:10:43.40
so we can marry, have children
and get on with our lives.
00:10:43.43\00:10:47.34
A very sensitive one, but yeah.
00:10:47.37\00:10:54.09
I think we need to be humble
and understand, what is it we
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I'm talking about me as a pastor
what is it I as a pastor can do
00:11:05.95\00:11:10.32
and where my limits are.
Obviously one thing that is
00:11:10.35\00:11:16.34
a powerful tool for us
is counsel them spiritually
00:11:16.37\00:11:21.50
and that is extremely
powerful because there is
00:11:21.53\00:11:24.74
any other professional
is not going to do that job.
00:11:24.77\00:11:27.93
So that is what
we powerfully can use
00:11:27.96\00:11:33.75
but then we also need to under-
stand, humbly understand that
00:11:33.78\00:11:37.43
there needs to be a
professional there as well
00:11:37.46\00:11:42.57
and understand our limits
as well and direct him to the
00:11:42.60\00:11:46.18
professionals and there could
be a variety of them that they
00:11:46.21\00:11:48.91
need to see. But we also need
to understand that our role is
00:11:48.94\00:11:55.17
extremely important. Nobody
else is going to do it but us.
00:11:55.20\00:11:58.42
so but also understand
that there is a limit to
00:11:58.45\00:12:04.06
our role that we play.
00:12:04.09\00:12:08.03
I think that it is important
for us to create an environment
00:12:08.06\00:12:13.32
within our churches
where people feel safe
00:12:13.35\00:12:15.81
to disclose when
incidents like this happen
00:12:15.84\00:12:19.98
we, at many times, do not
have a safe environment where
00:12:20.01\00:12:24.58
members who have been victimized
can feel free to disclose
00:12:24.61\00:12:28.52
and seek help. It
varies from person to person
00:12:28.55\00:12:32.65
some people can be healed
through spiritual intervention
00:12:32.68\00:12:36.35
via utilizing all of the
aspects of our faith, prayer,
00:12:36.38\00:12:40.95
Bible study,
fellowship. But as Pr. Zeny said
00:12:40.98\00:12:44.33
there are some individuals
because of the depth of the hurt
00:12:44.36\00:12:48.60
scarring, the pain that
they are not able to move on
00:12:48.63\00:12:52.65
They need to get and
seek professional counseling
00:12:52.68\00:12:56.92
and we, as a church,
should have a resource base
00:12:56.95\00:13:00.58
where we have
counselors that have been vetted
00:13:00.61\00:13:03.37
counselors that we
have some interaction with
00:13:03.40\00:13:08.42
so that when members
need that kind of help
00:13:08.45\00:13:11.24
we can have a
ready referral for them
00:13:11.27\00:13:14.40
so they're not left to sort of
flounder as to where they can go
00:13:14.43\00:13:19.02
to get help. Spiritual help
is definitely needed, support
00:13:19.05\00:13:24.58
but we have to also look
at the clinical component
00:13:24.61\00:13:28.28
that sometimes must work in
hand with spiritual nurturing
00:13:28.31\00:13:32.44
to help individuals
be made whole again.
00:13:32.47\00:13:34.63
Okay. Next question. Is it
ok for Seventh-day Adventists
00:13:34.66\00:13:41.88
to use Christian rock
music in church services?
00:13:41.91\00:13:44.80
Where should we draw the
line in music and worship?
00:13:44.83\00:13:48.39
How much time do we have?
I'll give you five minutes.
00:13:48.42\00:13:57.27
I say that facetiously
simply because the area of music
00:13:57.30\00:14:02.05
is one of those areas of
discussion within the church
00:14:02.08\00:14:05.14
family that will go on until
we stand in the presence of God
00:14:05.17\00:14:09.06
because our tastes
vary, our desires vary,
00:14:09.09\00:14:13.53
where the boundaries are
vary, what's acceptable for one
00:14:13.56\00:14:18.23
is simply not
acceptable for the other, and so
00:14:18.26\00:14:21.32
I think that the whole idea
of Christian rock, just having
00:14:21.35\00:14:26.51
those two words
together is problematic for some
00:14:26.54\00:14:29.35
because of the associations
we make with rock music
00:14:29.38\00:14:32.76
and so when we talk
about music, I think
00:14:32.79\00:14:37.05
just as we sit here this after-
noon and look on this audience,
00:14:37.08\00:14:41.14
every face is different and
we will find that in terms of
00:14:41.17\00:14:45.87
musical preferences,
musical desires, musical needs
00:14:45.90\00:14:50.33
that it varies. Where
that balance is to be found
00:14:50.36\00:14:55.31
is very very
difficult and challenging
00:14:55.34\00:14:58.63
but I do believe
that as a church family
00:14:58.66\00:15:01.80
having a variety of
musical presentations
00:15:01.83\00:15:04.87
will at some point in time meet
the needs of the church family.
00:15:04.90\00:15:09.92
Christian rock? For some
people the association just
00:15:09.95\00:15:15.75
the beat, the drums, people
just see it as an abandonment
00:15:15.78\00:15:20.57
of one's faith and sacrilege
to even have guitars or
00:15:20.60\00:15:24.71
drums in the church. We then ask
ourselves is the instrument evil
00:15:24.74\00:15:29.01
or is the manner in which it is
played evil? I pastored a church
00:15:29.04\00:15:34.06
where there was a lot of
discussion about whether we
00:15:34.09\00:15:36.64
should have drums in the church.
And some of the same people
00:15:36.67\00:15:40.06
who were against
drums would go to a symphony
00:15:40.09\00:15:42.66
and drums would be played
and they would appreciate it.
00:15:42.69\00:15:45.49
Sometimes its the manner
in which the drum is played
00:15:45.52\00:15:48.80
the cadence, the beat,
these are things that sometimes
00:15:48.83\00:15:52.14
we have to be careful about.
00:15:52.17\00:15:54.36
I agree with Pastor Jack in the
sense that there is definitely
00:15:54.39\00:15:59.80
on the straight and
narrow, the road is wide enough
00:15:59.83\00:16:03.52
for us to all be on the
same road while differing in
00:16:03.55\00:16:07.06
personal taste to a degree,
but of course the Word of God
00:16:07.09\00:16:12.16
is also clear about principles
that should govern our worship
00:16:12.19\00:16:14.96
principles of
modesty, of holiness
00:16:14.99\00:16:17.37
and while there's a discussion
right now in musical circles
00:16:17.40\00:16:20.80
as to whether, and in our church
whether music is neutral or not
00:16:20.83\00:16:24.81
it's very clear and
easy to see that music itself
00:16:24.84\00:16:28.76
even without words carries a
message. And you can see this by
00:16:28.79\00:16:32.51
shows that are played on TV
etc music creates a mood and
00:16:32.54\00:16:37.47
just the question of Christian
rock, I'd like to share a few
00:16:37.50\00:16:41.74
simple quotes, this is interest-
ing in the Buzz magazine 1984
00:16:41.77\00:16:46.10
Prof. Verna Rice stated
that when Christian and secular
00:16:46.13\00:16:50.23
rock music was played at a club
in Belgium the hearers could not
00:16:50.26\00:16:54.46
tell the difference. And
I think that's quite telling
00:16:54.49\00:16:57.93
Also Leah Ford in
the LA Times in 1988 said
00:16:57.96\00:17:04.09
and she's a secular rock
musician, this is from the
00:17:04.12\00:17:07.16
secular rock industry, she says
Listen rock n roll ain't church
00:17:07.19\00:17:11.87
It's nasty business,
you gotta be nasty too,
00:17:11.90\00:17:15.64
if you're a goody goody
you can't sing or play it.
00:17:15.67\00:17:19.69
So, in the eyes of secular rock
musicians, rock music itself
00:17:19.72\00:17:25.71
is contrary in
principle and in message
00:17:25.74\00:17:28.39
to the message of Christianity.
00:17:28.42\00:17:31.08
You may ask what about
contemporary Christian music?
00:17:31.11\00:17:33.66
John Stile the editor of
CCM Magazine actually said
00:17:33.69\00:17:38.27
The record companies
realize they're dealing with
00:17:38.30\00:17:40.45
a commercial product and
they have to consider the
00:17:40.48\00:17:43.07
entertainment
factor of the record.
00:17:43.10\00:17:44.67
The message may be great
but unless the framework is
00:17:44.70\00:17:48.12
well executed, the people
are not going to listen to it.
00:17:48.15\00:17:50.80
And while music should be
beautiful and it needs to be
00:17:50.83\00:17:53.47
well done, when music record
labels are looking for something
00:17:53.50\00:17:59.29
that is going to sell, you
can know that the principles
00:17:59.32\00:18:03.23
that are leading them are going
lead them into giving people
00:18:03.26\00:18:06.57
what they want and not
focusing on the message
00:18:06.60\00:18:09.50
that not only
the words communicate
00:18:09.53\00:18:11.91
but that the music
itself is portraying.
00:18:11.94\00:18:17.04
So the rock scene we see in
the world is actually contrary
00:18:17.07\00:18:22.71
according to secular
rock musicians themselves.
00:18:22.74\00:18:25.02
To the principles of
Christ as we find in His word.
00:18:25.05\00:18:28.60
Can I just add, I think
much of the problem is solved
00:18:28.63\00:18:34.42
if we have a sanctified
person in charge of the music.
00:18:34.45\00:18:37.36
I think that's the key, is
the sanctification of those
00:18:37.39\00:18:45.52
who are leaders and if
they are not sanctified
00:18:45.55\00:18:48.25
then we're going to
have all sorts of problems
00:18:48.28\00:18:50.14
with our music and
our standard of music
00:18:50.17\00:18:53.96
my experience over the years has
been it's not so much the drums
00:18:53.99\00:18:57.65
that's the problem, it's the
drummer. And I've seen the drums
00:18:57.68\00:19:03.20
played in churches
that are very nice.
00:19:03.23\00:19:07.89
and I would have no
objection whatsoever.
00:19:07.92\00:19:11.10
And as Pr. Jack has reminded
us in the orchestras that we
00:19:11.13\00:19:15.03
some of us love the orchestral
music and the symphony orchestra
00:19:15.06\00:19:18.66
that kind of instrument
is very prominent often
00:19:18.69\00:19:22.97
and we don't have any
problems with that because
00:19:23.00\00:19:25.26
the drummer and those
who are leading out are part
00:19:25.29\00:19:29.23
of the orchestra,
they're not on their own.
00:19:29.26\00:19:31.19
But often in our
churches when we have the drums
00:19:31.22\00:19:36.01
the drummer wants to take over.
00:19:36.04\00:19:38.78
And that's where I think
most of us have a real problem.
00:19:38.81\00:19:42.98
So a sanctified leader, and as
leaders of the church, we should
00:19:43.01\00:19:48.66
make sure that who's
in charge of the music
00:19:48.69\00:19:51.68
is indeed
converted and sanctified.
00:19:51.71\00:19:54.33
And most of the
problems will be cared for.
00:19:54.36\00:19:56.41
Just to add something as well,
just as a Biblical reference
00:19:56.44\00:20:03.00
when you read 1 Samuel 16, you
read the story of how Saul was
00:20:03.03\00:20:08.42
troubled by the evil spirit, and
he calls David along and David
00:20:08.45\00:20:12.23
plays the harp, We're not
told that words were played or
00:20:12.26\00:20:15.13
words were even expressed but
we're told that the instrument
00:20:15.16\00:20:17.83
was played and what you find
as when he plays this instrument
00:20:17.86\00:20:21.63
the evil spirit leaves and that
is just a Biblical reference
00:20:21.66\00:20:25.45
to show that music
is a spiritual matter
00:20:25.48\00:20:28.02
It's not just something
that's just aerie faerie
00:20:28.05\00:20:31.96
and there's no spiritual
implications, that verse
00:20:31.99\00:20:35.08
that chapter you can read
in 1 Samuel 16 shows that music
00:20:35.11\00:20:39.15
can have a spiritual effect and
second thing I just want to add
00:20:39.18\00:20:42.22
not to take up too much
time was that our character
00:20:42.25\00:20:46.29
is made up of thoughts and
our feelings and what you find
00:20:46.32\00:20:49.28
with music is that music has the
ability to move your feelings
00:20:49.31\00:20:52.11
to change your
feelings and emotions
00:20:52.14\00:20:53.89
Now we know we're not called
to go by feelings but by faith
00:20:53.92\00:20:56.92
and so what you find is whether
it's rock or Christian rock
00:20:56.95\00:21:00.60
or whether it's a rock
musical even or you know grunge
00:21:00.63\00:21:03.57
or whatever kind of music you
can find just by lookin at the
00:21:03.60\00:21:07.10
music bid, you know the
music itself, how it affects
00:21:07.13\00:21:10.07
your emotions you know, you play
music and it moves your emotions
00:21:10.10\00:21:13.25
and it makes you feel
certain ways and so we know that
00:21:13.28\00:21:16.17
character is
what we take to heaven
00:21:16.20\00:21:17.81
and so one thing that
we also is good to consider
00:21:17.84\00:21:21.74
what the kind of music we
add as Christian is the way
00:21:21.77\00:21:25.24
it affects our
emotions and our feelings
00:21:25.27\00:21:27.30
because that's what
makes up our moral character.
00:21:27.33\00:21:30.31
And when you read
Early Writings page 72
00:21:30.34\00:21:32.57
it says Faith and
Feeling are different
00:21:32.60\00:21:35.11
the two are distinct. It says
Faith is ours to exercise but
00:21:35.14\00:21:38.36
the joyful feelings and the
blessings are God's to give.
00:21:38.39\00:21:41.75
And so I think that's how some
times music can, we can be moved
00:21:41.78\00:21:46.44
by music in a
way, when in reality
00:21:46.47\00:21:49.00
feeling is what comes second.
00:21:49.03\00:21:50.65
Faith is what comes first. So I
just wanted to add that as well.
00:21:50.68\00:21:54.47
Ok, Thank you, thank
you. Big topic as you said.
00:21:54.50\00:21:57.05
Ok next question. Do the wicked
suffer longer according to the
00:21:57.08\00:22:02.56
sins they committed in
the judgment or are they
00:22:02.59\00:22:05.10
all destroyed at the same time?
00:22:05.13\00:22:07.25
Well Jesus did say that
there are degrees of rewards.
00:22:10.77\00:22:18.84
Now if there are degrees
of rewards, there are probably
00:22:18.87\00:22:23.18
degrees of punishment
as well. The Bible says
00:22:23.21\00:22:29.16
that there are some things that
if we don't use and do not apply
00:22:29.19\00:22:35.04
on this earth, that
throughout all eternity
00:22:35.07\00:22:37.73
we will be at a
loss over. And so
00:22:37.76\00:22:46.48
I don't think it's
something that we ought to be
00:22:46.51\00:22:49.37
very concerned about
and I think it's a subject
00:22:49.40\00:22:51.58
that we ought to be
careful about how we express
00:22:51.61\00:22:54.02
because we don't want to paint
God to be something He's not
00:22:54.05\00:22:57.86
but seeing the
question is being raised,
00:22:57.89\00:23:01.22
to whom much has been
given much is expected
00:23:01.25\00:23:04.75
And so the Bible definitely
does teach degrees of reward
00:23:04.78\00:23:09.37
I'd just like to add a
verse to that, Luke chapter 12
00:23:09.40\00:23:15.36
there's a passage there where
Jesus, and you could find this
00:23:15.39\00:23:18.21
in the gospels as well, where
it talks about the two kinds of
00:23:18.24\00:23:20.32
servants. In Matthew 24 it
calls it the good and faithful
00:23:20.35\00:23:25.35
and wicked servant but in Luke
12:47 it says, and that speaking
00:23:25.38\00:23:31.29
of the servant after the
Lord has delayed His coming
00:23:31.32\00:23:34.81
it says and that servant
which knew His Lord's will
00:23:34.84\00:23:37.85
and prepared not himself neither
did according to His will
00:23:37.88\00:23:41.16
shall be beaten with
many stripes. verse 48 says
00:23:41.19\00:23:44.70
but he that knew not and
did commit such things worthy of
00:23:44.73\00:23:48.29
stripes shall be beaten with
few stripes, for unto whosoever
00:23:48.32\00:23:52.52
as Geoff just
mentioned, much is given
00:23:52.55\00:23:54.62
of him shall be much
required. And to whom may have
00:23:54.65\00:23:57.47
committed much of him
they will ask the more.
00:23:57.50\00:24:00.10
Revelation 22:12
says Behold I come quickly
00:24:00.13\00:24:05.52
and my reward is with me to give
every man according as his work
00:24:05.55\00:24:09.42
shall be. And so in Luke 12
and Revelation 22 you find there
00:24:09.45\00:24:13.81
the dealing of sin
after the 1000 years
00:24:13.84\00:24:18.20
those who did these
things and did not know
00:24:18.23\00:24:21.43
are beaten with few,
obviously this is a metaphor
00:24:21.46\00:24:25.33
speakin here in this chapter
but you find here Jesus speakin
00:24:25.36\00:24:28.40
of degrees,
different degrees of reward
00:24:28.43\00:24:32.51
As there is for the righteous
so also for the wicked.
00:24:32.54\00:24:35.34
Ok, next question. In
regards to relationships
00:24:37.76\00:24:42.76
how can we be unequally yoked?
00:24:42.79\00:24:45.96
Can 2 SDAs be dating and still
be unequally yoked spiritually?
00:24:45.99\00:24:52.09
I'd like to say something here
00:24:52.12\00:24:54.04
because I haven't said anything
yet, surrounded by all these
00:24:54.07\00:24:58.04
wise men I've been
waiting for my moment.
00:24:58.07\00:24:59.88
I think the answer to
that is, it is possible
00:24:59.91\00:25:03.38
to be dating a Seventh Day
Adventist and be unequally yoked
00:25:03.41\00:25:06.72
I say that because just
because somebody is a SDA
00:25:06.75\00:25:11.00
in name doesn't mean that
they're a converted Christian
00:25:11.03\00:25:14.33
and a follower of Jesus Christ.
And I speak from experience
00:25:14.36\00:25:17.89
I mean my mom married my dad.
He was a SDA going to church
00:25:17.92\00:25:22.51
but shortly after they
got married he stopped going.
00:25:22.54\00:25:25.71
So, Praise the Lord he came back
So you need to prayerfully seek
00:25:25.74\00:25:31.33
the Lord in matters like this
and ask is he or she converted?
00:25:31.36\00:25:35.83
Just adding to that the Bible
says 'Can two walk together
00:25:39.35\00:25:42.21
unless they be
agreed?' And you can both be
00:25:42.24\00:25:46.11
a part of the SDA church and not
be walking, or not be agreeing
00:25:46.14\00:25:50.93
on a variety of
serious core issues.
00:25:50.96\00:25:53.90
And so talk to the
person, spend time with them in
00:25:53.93\00:25:58.51
groups of people,
observe their character
00:25:58.54\00:26:00.90
and you know I just wanna say
00:26:00.93\00:26:03.49
that you can get to
know somebody very well
00:26:03.52\00:26:06.29
without being in a committed
serious relationship with them
00:26:06.32\00:26:08.74
and spending lots of
one on one time together.
00:26:08.77\00:26:10.79
You really wanna get to know
somebody? Spend time with them
00:26:10.82\00:26:14.06
and many people. And
pray about it together
00:26:14.09\00:26:17.44
discuss it if the time comes
up. But yes, the answer is yes
00:26:17.47\00:26:21.75
and that's why we need to
place our lives in God's hands
00:26:21.78\00:26:25.10
claim Psalm 32:8 where He
says I will instruct you and
00:26:25.13\00:26:28.91
teach you in the way you should
go, I will guide you with my eye
00:26:28.94\00:26:32.22
Trust Him to lead us and
listen to Him when He tell us
00:26:32.25\00:26:35.99
and if He tells us you know this
person's not quite right for you
00:26:36.02\00:26:39.46
Because that means that
00:26:39.49\00:26:41.31
when the right person
comes along He'll tell you.
00:26:41.34\00:26:43.59
When we talk about
being unequally yoked,
00:26:45.13\00:26:47.36
we're not only just
talking about religion
00:26:47.39\00:26:50.01
because that's a very,
very important part and
00:26:50.04\00:26:53.22
that's been much
emphasized so far
00:26:53.25\00:26:56.11
But there are
lots of other areas
00:26:56.14\00:26:57.85
that we can be unequally yoked
together in which is very bad
00:26:57.88\00:27:01.83
for example, education. If
we're not of a similar mind
00:27:01.86\00:27:10.44
educationally, then
after the marriage takes place
00:27:10.47\00:27:14.01
and the honeymoon is over
and we get down to dishes and
00:27:14.04\00:27:17.35
the other issues that
have to take place in life
00:27:17.38\00:27:20.39
if you can't
communicate with your partner
00:27:20.42\00:27:23.91
or you find that your partner is
not able to communicate with you
00:27:23.94\00:27:27.52
in the level then your
marriage is in trouble.
00:27:27.55\00:27:30.76
Not only education,
but also background wise
00:27:30.79\00:27:36.38
some of us come from a
totally different background
00:27:36.41\00:27:39.13
to others and we need to
check all this out, that's why
00:27:39.16\00:27:41.97
courtship needs to be over 2 or
3 years so that we've got time
00:27:42.00\00:27:47.29
to get to know the other person.
It's not just the matter of
00:27:47.32\00:27:50.22
whether the person
says I love the Lord
00:27:50.25\00:27:52.23
There's more to it than that.
00:27:52.26\00:27:54.76
And we're facing a serious
issue with our marriages today
00:27:54.79\00:27:59.07
because nearly 50%
are ending in divorce.
00:27:59.10\00:28:02.34
Something, something
is wrong. And I believe
00:28:02.37\00:28:07.07
that as young people we
ought to once again take
00:28:07.10\00:28:09.70
people into counsel
that we have confidence in
00:28:09.73\00:28:11.92
and ask their opinion of
our friend, our partner whoever
00:28:11.95\00:28:16.97
what do you think? how
do you feel about them?
00:28:17.00\00:28:20.49
Have you noticed
something that could be helpful?
00:28:20.52\00:28:22.80
The trouble is we think we know.
00:28:22.83\00:28:24.83
And as young people we
are the most inexperienced
00:28:24.86\00:28:27.61
we have to make the
biggest decisions in life
00:28:27.64\00:28:29.70
when we're the
least experienced.
00:28:29.73\00:28:31.12
And we decide what
we're going to do in life
00:28:31.15\00:28:34.91
we have no experience and
we decide who we're gonna marry
00:28:34.94\00:28:37.96
and we have no experience.
00:28:37.99\00:28:39.58
And so many of us
are making a big mistake
00:28:39.61\00:28:43.21
take persons you have confidence
in, take them into your counsel
00:28:43.24\00:28:47.99
and trust them. And if
you've got good parents
00:28:48.02\00:28:51.32
trust your parents
because sometimes your parents
00:28:51.35\00:28:54.41
have been through a few things
00:28:54.44\00:28:55.60
and they're able to see
some things that you can't see.
00:28:55.63\00:28:58.29
And if they ring some
warning bells take some notice.
00:28:58.32\00:29:01.89
I think that's why in
my practice as a pastor
00:29:03.66\00:29:07.06
I will not marry any couple
unless they go through a period
00:29:07.09\00:29:10.52
of marital counseling
except if they're 82 years old
00:29:10.55\00:29:13.99
and I tell them what
thou doest do quickly
00:29:14.02\00:29:16.66
But in the normal course what
the pastor said is so important
00:29:21.73\00:29:27.21
taking counsel from
friends, from family but also
00:29:27.24\00:29:31.68
getting counseling in
terms of pre marital counseling.
00:29:31.71\00:29:35.21
It is vitally important
that one sits with a counselor
00:29:35.24\00:29:38.83
be it a pastor or maybe there's
some Christian counselors
00:29:38.86\00:29:42.18
in the church, I guarantee
there maybe someone here
00:29:42.21\00:29:44.47
in the audience right now
that you have the background
00:29:44.50\00:29:46.96
the skills to help to
guide them I'm always amazed
00:29:46.99\00:29:52.36
at the length of time and the
inordinate amount of preparation
00:29:52.39\00:29:57.59
that couples spend in
preparing for the wedding
00:29:57.62\00:30:01.05
and how little time they
want to invest in the marriage.
00:30:01.08\00:30:04.15
The wedding is for one
day, the marriage is for life.
00:30:04.18\00:30:08.08
So I think its incumbent
upon the couple and us pastors
00:30:08.11\00:30:13.46
to give couples guidance and
even if we don't do counseling
00:30:13.49\00:30:16.95
ourselves to make sure
that there was a period of
00:30:16.98\00:30:20.77
pre-marital counseling
that was done prior to them.
00:30:20.80\00:30:24.88
A lot of things come out in that
process that can help to guide
00:30:24.91\00:30:29.32
the couple as to whether or
not this is the right person, or
00:30:29.35\00:30:32.57
this is the right time. I
agree that a period of time
00:30:32.60\00:30:36.28
must be granted to
get to know the person,
00:30:36.31\00:30:39.12
to get to know yourselves in
connection and in relationship
00:30:39.15\00:30:42.49
to that individual so
that you are making a decision
00:30:42.52\00:30:45.82
that will bring glory and
honor to God and joy to you
00:30:45.85\00:30:49.89
as a couple. So I
really, strongly stress
00:30:49.92\00:30:53.31
pre-marital counseling should be
a part of the whole experience.
00:30:53.34\00:30:57.52
Thank you Pastor. Alright, next
question. Ok, in regards to the
00:30:57.55\00:31:04.83
Trinity and the Holy Spirit,
is the Holy Spirit just a force
00:31:04.86\00:31:09.19
or an actual being
like God and Jesus.
00:31:09.22\00:31:11.95
If you want to read the chapter
where Jesus Himself speaks
00:31:17.97\00:31:22.81
most frequently about the Holy
Spirit, study John 14 through 17
00:31:22.84\00:31:28.12
specifically chapter 16.
It's interesting that Jesus
00:31:28.15\00:31:32.69
made reference to the
Holy Spirit a number of times
00:31:32.72\00:31:35.56
in John 16 as 'HE'.
He said in John 16:6
00:31:35.59\00:31:41.99
Because I have said these things
to you sorrow has filled your
00:31:42.02\00:31:43.90
heart, continuing on V.7, it is
to your advantage that I go away
00:31:43.93\00:31:48.92
for if I do not go away
the Helper will not come to you
00:31:48.95\00:31:52.00
but if I depart, I
will send Him to you.
00:31:52.03\00:31:55.07
And repeatedly Jesus
called the Holy Spirit HIM
00:31:55.10\00:31:57.85
We see also in the Book of Acts
the Holy Spirit can be grieved
00:31:57.88\00:32:03.90
that His feelings can be
hurt when we reject the counsel
00:32:03.93\00:32:08.88
or instruction the Holy
Spirit is bringing to us
00:32:08.91\00:32:11.93
it is a personal thing for
Him. If you really want to read
00:32:11.96\00:32:16.24
a good chapter and section
that gathers from various places
00:32:16.27\00:32:21.10
what Ellen White has to
say about the Triunity of God
00:32:21.13\00:32:24.63
the Trinity if you will, or
the Godhead, I'm meaning the
00:32:24.66\00:32:28.34
same thing by those
three, read the section called
00:32:28.37\00:32:31.52
Misrepresentations
of the Godhead
00:32:31.55\00:32:33.57
in the book Evangelism. If you
have questions that will clear
00:32:33.60\00:32:37.17
it up. She says there, speaking
of a place not too far from here
00:32:37.20\00:32:40.23
Avondale. She was writing
to the students and she said
00:32:40.26\00:32:42.84
know that the Holy Spirit
who is as much a person as God
00:32:42.87\00:32:48.00
the Father is a person
is walking these grounds.
00:32:48.03\00:32:51.82
The Holy Spirit is a person.
And not only according to
00:32:51.85\00:32:56.76
Ellen White because
she is echoing, as always,
00:32:56.79\00:32:59.02
what the Bible teaches on this,
the Holy Spirit is co-eternal
00:32:59.05\00:33:03.58
with God the
Father and God the Son.
00:33:03.61\00:33:06.52
And this is just the next
introduction to my next sermon
00:33:06.55\00:33:09.32
which is next Sabbath. So come.
00:33:09.35\00:33:12.58
Zeb, can I just add
one more thing on this?
00:33:17.52\00:33:20.46
You know when Jesus said in
Matthew 28, go baptizing folk
00:33:20.49\00:33:24.79
in the name of the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
00:33:24.82\00:33:27.26
that puts them all together.
Now if the Holy Spirit is
00:33:29.07\00:33:32.16
an influence and
Christ is a person
00:33:32.19\00:33:34.71
and the Father is a person and
most people accept the fact that
00:33:34.74\00:33:38.35
those two are persons,
then why would the commission
00:33:38.38\00:33:43.90
the great commission be at it so
that in the name of the Father
00:33:43.93\00:33:50.02
Son and Holy Spirit, Jesus
is putting the three of them
00:33:50.05\00:33:52.93
on the same level
in that commission?
00:33:52.96\00:33:55.97
and it's very clear. Baptism
is in the name of the, you know
00:33:56.00\00:33:59.95
baptized with the Holy Spirit
was there in the form of a dove
00:33:59.98\00:34:03.42
Jesus was there of
course being baptized
00:34:03.45\00:34:07.74
and the Father in the
voice of the Father from heaven
00:34:07.77\00:34:10.49
So every time Jesus talks about
the Godhead He's talking about
00:34:10.52\00:34:15.64
the three members
of the Godhead, and
00:34:15.67\00:34:19.99
the church has,
we're not going back to the
00:34:20.02\00:34:23.73
if you go back to the
early days of our church
00:34:23.76\00:34:27.06
when often folks who are
anti- Trinitarian are quoting
00:34:27.09\00:34:30.42
Uriah Smith and some of
these men who were Unitarians
00:34:30.45\00:34:34.88
they came out of the Unitarian
background and of course
00:34:34.91\00:34:38.48
what they're saying is that
we have departed, the church has
00:34:38.51\00:34:41.20
departed from our
pioneers. That is not true.
00:34:41.23\00:34:44.24
The pioneers were wrong. The
early pioneers were incorrect
00:34:44.27\00:34:48.94
in their understanding and God
raised up the Spirit of Prophecy
00:34:48.97\00:34:52.76
to make sure that we understood
it and the Desire of Ages was
00:34:52.79\00:34:56.03
written here in Australia
and she made it very, very clear
00:34:56.06\00:34:59.31
about the Godhead.
Read the Desire of Ages
00:34:59.34\00:35:03.05
it's a
wonderful, wonderful book.
00:35:03.08\00:35:05.41
Just expounding on what Geoff
said on the great commission
00:35:05.44\00:35:09.76
just doing a personal
Bible study on that one
00:35:09.79\00:35:13.55
you remember when just
before Jesus died on the cross
00:35:13.58\00:35:16.87
He told them you're going
to see me after I resurrect.
00:35:16.90\00:35:21.20
Where? In Galilee. And then
He would mention it once more
00:35:21.23\00:35:25.04
Then angels after His resurrect-
ion also said to the disciples
00:35:25.07\00:35:30.96
you're going to
meet Jesus in Galilee.
00:35:30.99\00:35:32.88
And that was not the only
place where Jesus appeared
00:35:32.91\00:35:35.00
after He resurrected. But
some thing in Galilee was going
00:35:35.03\00:35:38.27
to happen that was
extremely important
00:35:38.30\00:35:40.34
and it was emphasized
before the crucifixion
00:35:40.37\00:35:44.09
and even after resurrection.
So when you look what happened
00:35:44.12\00:35:48.52
in Galilee, on the
mountain where Jesus even called
00:35:48.55\00:35:51.80
His disciples. Two
important things happened there
00:35:51.83\00:35:54.68
One, Corporately for the
first time they worshipped Jesus
00:35:54.71\00:35:58.89
It never happened before. So
corporately they worshipped Him
00:35:58.92\00:36:03.21
Bowed down before Him. Not
individually but corporately
00:36:03.24\00:36:06.51
And the second important
thing that happened, Jesus
00:36:06.54\00:36:09.43
uttered something that
He never uttered before.
00:36:09.46\00:36:12.31
And that is to talk
about God as being in plural.
00:36:12.34\00:36:17.35
Father, Son and the Holy
Spirit. And I think that was so
00:36:17.38\00:36:21.53
extremely important. He
said something that was of such
00:36:21.56\00:36:25.32
significance that He is
God, that He is part of Godhead
00:36:25.35\00:36:30.94
and therefore, it is persons
as we mentioned it before
00:36:30.97\00:36:34.65
but that is extremely signifi-
cant I find in the Word.
00:36:34.68\00:36:38.42
Is it ok for SDAs to do modeling
in the fashion industry?
00:36:38.45\00:36:44.88
My simple answer would be it's
a very very dangerous occupation
00:36:54.98\00:36:59.75
if you want to remain a
Christian because it's an
00:36:59.78\00:37:04.58
environment television, radio
and I've been in that quite a
00:37:04.61\00:37:08.13
while it's a very very
dangerous anti-God, secular area
00:37:08.16\00:37:14.93
and if you're going to associate
with that type of activity
00:37:14.96\00:37:19.58
then you are
flirting with danger
00:37:19.61\00:37:25.75
and if you are going to go down
that path you need to make sure
00:37:25.78\00:37:29.99
that you are spending many hours
per day in communion with God
00:37:30.02\00:37:33.67
then you might find that you
decide you might want to do it.
00:37:33.70\00:37:37.65
Because I think
it's very very dangerous.
00:37:37.68\00:37:44.33
I would just completely agree
and add to that, you may say
00:37:44.36\00:37:48.87
When I think of modeling
for fashion you don't typically
00:37:48.90\00:37:52.11
think of a man in a suit with
a tie, right? I mean modeling
00:37:52.14\00:37:57.80
a suit or something. You may
think well there's nothing wrong
00:37:57.83\00:38:01.02
with that. But really the danger
here lies in the fact that
00:38:01.05\00:38:04.29
we are naturally selfish as
individuals, we're naturally
00:38:04.32\00:38:08.09
proud, prideful and
Lucifer's fall in part
00:38:08.12\00:38:11.84
his heart we're told was
lifted up because of his beauty
00:38:11.87\00:38:15.72
and when you have cameras
pointed at you all the time
00:38:15.75\00:38:18.40
because of the way you look,
when people are making comments
00:38:18.43\00:38:21.44
when you see yourself on a bill
board you can know that pride
00:38:21.47\00:38:24.14
is going to rise in your
heart. He was the only being
00:38:24.17\00:38:27.57
interestingly enough,
that we know of, at least
00:38:27.60\00:38:29.85
ever created with
built in jewelery,
00:38:29.88\00:38:32.45
if you read Ezekiel 28
you'll find that he had
00:38:32.48\00:38:36.11
gems, Isaiah 14 as well,
and its interesting to note that
00:38:36.14\00:38:42.16
he fell because his heart
was lifted up he became proud
00:38:42.19\00:38:45.90
because of the way he looked.
So that's the major danger
00:38:45.93\00:38:49.50
really lies in the
fact that pride can rise
00:38:49.53\00:38:52.55
and like Pr. Yolden mentioned
you're going to be around people
00:38:52.58\00:38:55.86
all the time who are,
it's going to be a negative
00:38:55.89\00:38:58.62
environment through which the
devil will try to pull you down.
00:38:58.65\00:39:02.39
And Jeb, when we look
at those who are involved
00:39:04.46\00:39:07.49
there are very, very few who are
not on drugs and who eventually
00:39:07.52\00:39:12.19
go down the path of
ruin and broken relationships
00:39:12.22\00:39:16.71
they can't maintain their
relationships and many of them
00:39:16.74\00:39:19.37
have had 3 or 4 wives
or husbands and so forth
00:39:19.40\00:39:23.32
so it does something to their
psyche and I don't really think
00:39:23.35\00:39:28.49
that's the environment
that as Christians we want to
00:39:28.52\00:39:31.17
get involved with too
much. I wouldn't think.
00:39:31.20\00:39:34.78
I just want to add one
verse when you read about Vashti
00:39:34.81\00:39:41.05
in the Bible, in Esther 1,
she's a perfect Biblical example
00:39:41.08\00:39:45.64
where King Ahasuerus
calls her to come before
00:39:45.67\00:39:47.68
the whole throne room
and to show her beauty
00:39:47.71\00:39:50.21
You read that in Esther 1:11-13,
here she is being called upon
00:39:50.24\00:39:56.12
to parade herself because
the Bible says she was very
00:39:56.15\00:39:59.06
fair to look upon and the
Bible says she actually refused
00:39:59.09\00:40:03.12
and you know what happened,
she was dethroned and so forth
00:40:03.15\00:40:05.47
I think it was taken out of
Vashti's book even though she'd
00:40:05.50\00:40:10.64
this beauty and was beautiful to
look upon, adding to everything
00:40:10.67\00:40:13.83
that Justin just mentioned
you know it's there in the Bible
00:40:13.86\00:40:17.12
as well where women have been
called to show themselves but
00:40:17.15\00:40:20.77
she as an example actually
refused, that's a good example
00:40:20.80\00:40:26.27
Ok this one is probably
more for the marriage counselors
00:40:27.45\00:40:30.44
So seeing that there
will be no marriage in heaven
00:40:30.47\00:40:35.19
does that mean no
sex in heaven as well?
00:40:35.22\00:40:38.23
You can tell the age of the aud-
ience by that question can't you
00:40:41.40\00:40:44.54
It's a question I suppose that
many a young couple have asked
00:40:49.21\00:40:52.76
once upon a time?
Married couples I should say.
00:40:52.79\00:40:58.67
I've often been asked
this question over the years
00:41:02.24\00:41:04.65
in evangelism. My simple
answer is if God was good enough
00:41:04.68\00:41:08.76
to give us that
gift here on this earth
00:41:08.79\00:41:11.01
then I think He'll have
some thing even better for us
00:41:11.04\00:41:14.26
up in heaven and unfortunately
we can only see through a
00:41:14.29\00:41:18.26
glass darkly at the moment and
we can only see what we can see.
00:41:18.29\00:41:21.88
And all we can experience is sex
and we all think it's wonderful
00:41:21.91\00:41:26.32
But, God's got something even
better I believe up in heaven
00:41:26.35\00:41:31.03
so don't worry about it!
00:41:31.06\00:41:34.59
There you have it, don't
worry about it guys. No stress.
00:41:35.09\00:41:38.66
Ok next question. We're
slowly wrapping this up now.
00:41:38.69\00:41:42.70
I'm a young single Uni
student witnessing at Uni
00:41:42.73\00:41:46.63
but only guys seem to be
receptive, young Uni guys
00:41:46.66\00:41:51.23
but I'm troubled that
they have other motives.
00:41:51.26\00:41:53.42
What should I do? Witness or not
00:41:53.45\00:41:55.78
It's not a girls' group.
00:41:55.81\00:41:58.00
I think the girl on
the panel would be the
00:42:02.06\00:42:04.61
most effective to answer this.
00:42:04.64\00:42:06.90
This is my big
moment and I'm speechless!
00:42:06.93\00:42:10.66
No it's true. Its very difficult
to witness to people of the
00:42:11.88\00:42:15.52
opposite gender because
they can start being interested
00:42:15.55\00:42:19.21
in listening to you
for all the wrong reasons.
00:42:19.24\00:42:21.15
So, I would
introduce them to a guy friend
00:42:21.18\00:42:25.34
that could also share with them.
That would be what I would do.
00:42:25.37\00:42:28.49
I'm sorry that's
true. That is a problem.
00:42:28.52\00:42:31.62
As a young pastor and unmarried
I always made it a policy
00:42:31.65\00:42:37.67
when studying with girls,
to have another girl present.
00:42:37.70\00:42:40.68
It's a good thing to do and
it really breaks the ice and
00:42:40.71\00:42:44.36
if possible just hand
the study over to that girl
00:42:44.39\00:42:48.53
cuz they can connect in
ways that are healthy and
00:42:48.56\00:42:52.64
help each other in ways
that we can't help them, so
00:42:52.67\00:42:54.78
what Charissa said was right on!
00:42:54.81\00:42:57.34
I think honesty and authenticity
is very important to hear
00:42:59.01\00:43:02.99
because one has to be true
to one's self and know that
00:43:03.02\00:43:07.67
there are boundaries you
must set for yourself before
00:43:07.70\00:43:11.63
you get into that kind of
a situation. Don't wait until
00:43:11.66\00:43:14.78
you're in the midst of it.
So be honest with yourself, be
00:43:14.81\00:43:18.58
honest with the person that
you are witnessing to, make sure
00:43:18.61\00:43:21.81
that there are certain
boundaries that are set in terms
00:43:21.84\00:43:24.54
of how this relationship is
governed and not allow yourself
00:43:24.57\00:43:28.48
to be caught in circumstances
or situations that can lead
00:43:28.51\00:43:32.88
to something more than what you
intended the relationship to be.
00:43:32.91\00:43:37.84
I don't think there's any harm
in it, it's part of the gospel
00:43:37.87\00:43:40.69
commission to go out
and to share the gospel
00:43:40.72\00:43:44.07
but we have to be wise and we
have to be honest with ourselves
00:43:44.10\00:43:48.67
we have to set clear boundaries
so that the relationship
00:43:48.70\00:43:52.05
is not mistaken for
something other than what it is.
00:43:52.08\00:43:56.92
Ok next question. Can we
as Christians participate
00:43:58.27\00:44:02.27
in contact sports or should we?
00:44:02.30\00:44:04.37
I think it's quite telling
that in our country, the US
00:44:16.08\00:44:20.77
there is a magazine
called the Guidepost Magazine
00:44:20.80\00:44:24.13
I believe it was the Guidepost,
I believe it was December 12
00:44:24.16\00:44:28.99
My friend Dave Stuart
pointed me to an article there
00:44:29.02\00:44:31.54
where they were talking
about the helmets in NFL
00:44:31.57\00:44:35.88
Football, Iron grid as you
call it here, American football
00:44:35.91\00:44:39.19
And they're actually scientists
are trying to engineer
00:44:39.22\00:44:42.68
a new type of helmet that
will enable players to still
00:44:42.71\00:44:46.04
have the same impact without
having as many concussions
00:44:46.07\00:44:49.36
I think when we face problems
like this in contact sports
00:44:49.39\00:44:53.60
we really need to stop and ask
ourselves if our bodies are the
00:44:53.63\00:44:56.56
temple of the Holy Spirit, the
temple of God, does God want us
00:44:56.59\00:45:00.82
crashing our temples into
each other for the sake of
00:45:00.85\00:45:04.34
entertainment and sports.
Now I love certain sports
00:45:04.37\00:45:07.96
they're not full on like contact
sports, I play some basketball
00:45:07.99\00:45:13.11
tennis, things like this
and Ellen White talked about how
00:45:13.14\00:45:16.28
boxing, football, had in her
day become schools of brutality
00:45:16.31\00:45:21.25
and I think there's a danger
in that but healthy exercise
00:45:21.28\00:45:27.13
she never condemns ball
playing baseball, and of course
00:45:27.16\00:45:30.42
the thing with that is
we have to have balance
00:45:30.45\00:45:32.69
we can't allow it to
become our everything.
00:45:32.72\00:45:35.57
but we do also need to be
careful what types of sport
00:45:35.60\00:45:39.20
we play and support and ask is
it something that is building us
00:45:39.23\00:45:43.85
is it
wreck-creation or recreation?
00:45:43.88\00:45:47.50
The other thought that we could
add there too Zeb is the fact
00:45:53.09\00:45:57.13
if we're playing
contact sport or any other sport
00:45:57.16\00:46:01.95
if we're spending so much time
with this this is another aspect
00:46:01.98\00:46:05.77
of this matter of sport, that
sport or exercise is good but if
00:46:05.80\00:46:10.39
it becomes so dominant in
our lives that it's taking up
00:46:10.42\00:46:13.40
so much time and we haven't
got time for missionary work
00:46:13.43\00:46:17.52
we haven't got time for sharing
our faith, we haven't got time
00:46:17.55\00:46:19.67
for studying the Word,
then I think it stands condemned
00:46:19.70\00:46:23.45
on that basis which
would condemn anything
00:46:23.48\00:46:26.07
tennis or any sport. So
we have to have a balance
00:46:26.10\00:46:31.87
And only as we have a
relation- ship with God
00:46:31.90\00:46:35.67
can God give us that appropriate
balance and I don't think
00:46:35.70\00:46:40.35
any of us are saying that
we shouldn't play sports but
00:46:40.38\00:46:43.21
you just need to be very careful
that it doesn't absorb our time.
00:46:43.24\00:46:48.40
Okay we'll do two more questions
and then we'll finish up.
00:46:48.43\00:46:52.30
What does the
Bible say about jewelry?
00:46:52.33\00:46:56.13
Should I be wearing it, is there
a line to be drawn somewhere?
00:46:56.16\00:47:00.15
What's your best advice?
00:47:00.18\00:47:01.79
I think the Bible acknowledges
that jewelry was worn
00:47:07.68\00:47:11.72
both in secular and
among the people of God
00:47:11.75\00:47:15.17
For years as a pastor this is
a question that we continually
00:47:15.20\00:47:19.31
receive and will probably
continue to get those kinds of
00:47:19.34\00:47:24.29
questions. I think the
funda- mental question is that
00:47:24.32\00:47:27.08
we need to look at is,
what is the whole issue,
00:47:27.11\00:47:31.27
what is the real
issue with jewelry wearing?
00:47:31.30\00:47:33.87
The wearing or the not wearing?
In the US where I live and work
00:47:33.90\00:47:38.39
this is an ongoing discussion
in some of our churches
00:47:38.42\00:47:41.50
some of our Caribbean
churches which is my background
00:47:41.53\00:47:45.42
coming from Trinidad,
we're more conservative
00:47:45.45\00:47:49.18
bent on wearing jewelry. We
have women who will not wear
00:47:49.21\00:47:53.51
earrings or necklaces but
they will take the same piece
00:47:53.54\00:47:56.93
of jewelry and put it on
their blouse and it now becomes
00:47:56.96\00:47:59.32
a pin or brooch. And so
our whole approach to this
00:47:59.35\00:48:03.88
jewelry becomes
a bit convoluted,
00:48:03.91\00:48:06.27
it's not a
consistent approach in terms of
00:48:06.30\00:48:10.35
how we address it. First of
all I like to look at it from
00:48:10.38\00:48:13.83
a standpoint: is the material
itself intrinsically evil?
00:48:13.86\00:48:18.03
Is gold evil? If it is then
we have a problem with heaven.
00:48:18.06\00:48:22.73
Because in heaven the
streets are paved with gold.
00:48:22.76\00:48:25.80
If we say the material
that pearls are made of are evil
00:48:25.83\00:48:29.45
we have to go through a gate
of pearl to get in the walls.
00:48:29.48\00:48:32.80
So in terms of what we
and how we address jewelry
00:48:32.83\00:48:37.16
for me as a pastor studying
this thing for many years
00:48:37.19\00:48:39.97
I began to really ask
myself what is the issue here?
00:48:40.00\00:48:43.26
Let me give you
my summary statement
00:48:43.29\00:48:45.45
with the whole idea
of jewelery My position,
00:48:45.48\00:48:48.40
this is just me sharing, as part
of the panel, just one voice
00:48:48.43\00:48:51.98
that we are not spiritually
ready to wear jewelry.
00:48:52.01\00:48:55.41
Jewels, as Justin
alluded to a moment ago
00:48:55.44\00:49:01.08
when God created Lucifer,
He created Lucifer and his
00:49:01.11\00:49:04.83
entire covering was jewels.
Not just wearing jewels but his
00:49:04.86\00:49:09.10
entire covering. At that
point the jewels that God
00:49:09.13\00:49:12.95
placed on him reflected
his relationship with God.
00:49:12.98\00:49:17.26
Secondarily, there's a
second person I saw in the Bible
00:49:17.29\00:49:21.37
that God directed to wear
jewels that was the High Priest
00:49:21.40\00:49:24.64
Breastplate with
different kinds of stones,
00:49:24.67\00:49:27.44
a golden mitre on his head and
a golden girdle and so forth.
00:49:27.47\00:49:30.90
But here's what I
discovered in my own study
00:49:30.93\00:49:33.97
that makes sense for me. When
ever God's people were standing
00:49:34.00\00:49:38.54
before God in a time of
judgment the jewelery came off.
00:49:38.57\00:49:42.48
Exodus 33 when they sinned Moses
said God is coming to judge you
00:49:42.51\00:49:46.90
take off all of your
earrings and so forth
00:49:46.93\00:49:49.67
On the day of atonement
when the High Priest went into
00:49:49.70\00:49:52.81
the temple, he voluntarily
stripped himself of all
00:49:52.84\00:49:56.57
the jewels and went in before
God in a plain linen ephod
00:49:56.60\00:50:01.32
which symbolizes
that in a time of judgment
00:50:01.35\00:50:04.62
God's people laid
aside their jewels.
00:50:04.65\00:50:07.09
As SDAs since 1844 we
believe preach and practice
00:50:07.12\00:50:11.72
that we too are
living in a time of judgment
00:50:11.75\00:50:14.38
And so for me it makes
sense that we would voluntarily
00:50:14.41\00:50:17.93
lay aside our jewels because
of the time frame and our
00:50:17.96\00:50:22.74
standing before God.
But I believe that one day
00:50:22.77\00:50:27.08
the jewels will not be a problem
00:50:27.11\00:50:29.39
Because if I recall, before the
flood jewels lay on the surface
00:50:29.42\00:50:33.85
of the earth and Ellen White
says that men adorned their
00:50:33.88\00:50:36.81
homes with jewels. But because
they chose to use it in a way to
00:50:36.84\00:50:41.76
gratify and glorify self
the flood buried the jewels deep
00:50:41.79\00:50:46.23
in the recesses of the
earth. So I don't think for me
00:50:46.26\00:50:49.33
as a pastor when people ask
this question, I say to them
00:50:49.36\00:50:52.91
there's nothing intrinsically
evil about the gold or silver
00:50:52.94\00:50:56.34
or whatever the metal might
be but because of where we are
00:50:56.37\00:51:00.69
in earth's history we
are seeking to glorify God
00:51:00.72\00:51:04.33
rather than to glorify ourselves
and so for now we lay them aside
00:51:04.36\00:51:08.56
I'd just like to add to that and
say if there was ever a person
00:51:08.59\00:51:12.29
who should've been
able to wear jewelry and
00:51:12.32\00:51:14.80
deserve to wear it was Jesus, I
mean he deserved to wear a crown
00:51:14.83\00:51:18.64
and we should've crowned
him but instead He comes down
00:51:18.67\00:51:21.50
to this earth and lives
a life of modest simplicity
00:51:21.53\00:51:25.46
and He set for us an example
so I'm happy to wait till we get
00:51:25.49\00:51:29.32
to the Kingdom and He
will place a crown on our heads
00:51:29.35\00:51:31.64
when we get there. Amen.
00:51:31.67\00:51:33.28
Zeb, can I just add an
appeal to our girls here
00:51:33.31\00:51:38.40
I don't think you girls
need to wear this stuff.
00:51:38.43\00:51:41.16
You're beautiful as you are.
I haven't seen too many women
00:51:41.19\00:51:46.64
that I could say are more
beautiful when they put on
00:51:46.67\00:51:49.21
earrings and so forth and I can
not speak on behalf of every man
00:51:49.24\00:51:54.07
here but I think I
speak on behalf of many men
00:51:54.10\00:51:56.82
who would agree with
what I'm saying. That a girl
00:51:56.85\00:52:00.36
is attractive as she is and why
do we need to put that stuff on?
00:52:00.39\00:52:06.44
Just be simple and
beautiful at the same time.
00:52:07.39\00:52:12.52
Just to finish off, I
think like just principle wise
00:52:14.87\00:52:18.16
the question I always
ask is at the root of it is
00:52:18.19\00:52:21.10
the Bible says you're bought
with a price and the question is
00:52:21.13\00:52:24.67
if we feel that we need
to add things to our body
00:52:24.70\00:52:26.65
does that show we really believe
we are bought with a price?
00:52:26.68\00:52:29.33
Because if you are bought with
a price what more could you add
00:52:29.36\00:52:31.51
to that value. If you are
bought with the blood of Christ
00:52:31.54\00:52:34.29
you are worth the blood of
Christ, so if you add things
00:52:34.32\00:52:36.56
to your body the question to
ask is do you actually believe
00:52:36.59\00:52:40.15
that you're worth God's blood.
00:52:40.18\00:52:41.62
If you are why
add that to yourself?
00:52:41.65\00:52:44.00
OK and final
question as we wrap this up
00:52:45.82\00:52:48.82
Is it ok for us to work on
the Sabbath if we have a job
00:52:48.85\00:52:53.50
that helps other people
like nurses, ambulance drivers
00:52:53.53\00:52:58.21
police officers and what should
we do with the money if we do?
00:52:58.24\00:53:02.62
I think one of the
dangers, Justin you correct me
00:53:05.51\00:53:09.31
One of the
dangers that folk have
00:53:09.34\00:53:12.90
if they're working
on the Sabbath is that
00:53:12.93\00:53:16.36
they lose their spirituality.
I have seen this over and over
00:53:16.39\00:53:20.24
again. I have seen doctors who
legitimately, because the Bible
00:53:20.27\00:53:25.10
says it's good to do well on
the Sabbath and the hospitals
00:53:25.13\00:53:27.55
have to be maintained,
people who are sick need to be
00:53:27.58\00:53:29.91
attended to so the principle
is ok but I have seen very few
00:53:29.94\00:53:35.24
doctors who can
continue to do that
00:53:35.27\00:53:38.90
and maintain their
spiritual life and what happens
00:53:38.93\00:53:41.60
is gradually, gradually, grad-
ually and they slip right out
00:53:41.63\00:53:45.19
because they get so busy doing
something that is legitimate
00:53:45.22\00:53:47.88
same is true of nurses and so if
we're going to work on Sabbath
00:53:47.91\00:53:52.59
I think it needs
to be very controlled
00:53:52.62\00:53:54.71
and not do what some Adventists
are doing working on the weekend
00:53:54.74\00:53:58.90
because they get
more pay on the weekend
00:53:58.93\00:54:00.69
and do it under the cloak of
00:54:00.72\00:54:05.56
it's good to do
well on the Sabbath
00:54:05.59\00:54:07.92
I think it's the motive,
it's what lies in the mind
00:54:07.95\00:54:12.04
when we do these
things that determines
00:54:12.07\00:54:13.77
whether it's right or wrong.
00:54:13.80\00:54:15.51
Well we want to thank
everyone for all those questions
00:54:15.54\00:54:19.63
you submitted and we
want to thank our panel here
00:54:19.66\00:54:21.94
for answering them and hopefully
that settled everyone's question
00:54:21.97\00:54:25.00
and we can go out of
here feeling the peace of God
00:54:25.03\00:54:28.25
in your hearts. Alright so
we thank you and God bless.
00:54:28.28\00:54:32.50