The hour is urgent, as darkness is dispelled by the light of 00:00:01.16\00:00:06.94 God's Word. 00:00:06.94\00:00:07.70 A new day begins. 00:00:08.17\00:00:09.34 Jesus, the light of the world is shining. 00:00:10.51\00:00:13.11 Prepare your hearts to proclaim the final cry. 00:00:13.74\00:00:16.88 This is 3ABN Summer Camp Meeting. 00:00:17.58\00:00:20.55 Welcome, welcome, welcome. 00:00:24.19\00:00:25.59 So glad you're here with us for 3ABN Summer Camp Meeting. 00:00:25.62\00:00:29.96 This is June 5, 2025. 00:00:29.96\00:00:31.86 And we are preparing to proclaim the loud cry. 00:00:33.06\00:00:36.30 Isn't that right? 00:00:36.77\00:00:37.47 And so far so good. 00:00:37.87\00:00:39.70 God has been blessing. 00:00:39.73\00:00:40.80 We have had two meetings last evening. 00:00:41.07\00:00:44.31 And how, what did you think? 00:00:44.94\00:00:46.78 Powerful messages coming from the Word of God. 00:00:48.24\00:00:51.05 One verse after another. 00:00:51.45\00:00:52.58 One Bible verse after another. 00:00:52.68\00:00:53.95 Helping us to prepare to proclaim the loud cry. 00:00:54.35\00:00:57.65 So thankful for that. 00:00:57.69\00:00:58.69 My name is Pastor James Rafferty. 00:00:58.69\00:01:00.79 I am 3ABN Director of Discipleship. 00:01:00.99\00:01:04.19 And following me is going to be Pastor John Dinzey. 00:01:04.99\00:01:07.96 Pastor John Dinzey, how do you describe him? 00:01:08.10\00:01:10.53 He is, I guess the best word to describe Pastor John Dinzey 00:01:11.00\00:01:14.10 would be humble, reliable, responsible, enduring. 00:01:14.10\00:01:20.18 He's been at 3ABN with his wife, Idalia, since 1989. 00:01:20.88\00:01:26.21 Now, there might be a few people here who weren't born in 00:01:27.12\00:01:29.92 1989, but that's a long time, isn't it? 00:01:29.92\00:01:33.42 And he is the Network General Manager for the Latino, 3ABN 00:01:33.82\00:01:40.26 Latino. 00:01:40.26\00:01:40.96 And he is going to be focusing on Reconciled and Restored a 00:01:41.63\00:01:46.40 Personal Relationship. 00:01:46.40\00:01:47.27 That's the title of the message he's going to be bringing. 00:01:48.04\00:01:50.27 Now before he comes on, we're going to have a special music 00:01:50.37\00:01:53.68 with Celestine Dickens. 00:01:53.68\00:01:55.81 No one ever cared for me like Jesus, and she's going to be 00:01:56.34\00:01:59.51 accompanied by her daughter Farrah Barry-Isaacs on the 00:01:59.51\00:02:02.92 piano. 00:02:02.92\00:02:06.32 is the voice of Pastor John. 00:02:06.32\00:02:08.16 I 00:02:26.98\00:02:28.18 would love to tell you what I think of Jesus Since I found in 00:02:46.06\00:02:55.47 him a friend so strong and true I would tell you how we changed 00:02:55.47\00:03:06.95 my life completely. 00:03:06.95\00:03:11.35 He did something that no other friend could do. 00:03:12.92\00:03:19.76 No one ever cared for me like Jesus. 00:03:21.40\00:03:28.14 There's no other friend so kind as He. 00:03:29.14\00:03:36.38 No one else could take the sin and darkness from me. 00:03:37.71\00:03:45.22 Oh, how much He cares for me. 00:03:47.36\00:03:54.10 Oh, how much He cares for me. 00:03:55.06\00:04:03.00 All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me. 00:04:09.94\00:04:17.39 All my heart was full of misery and woe. 00:04:18.32\00:04:26.93 Jesus placed His loving, strong arms around me. 00:04:26.93\00:04:34.50 And He led me in the way that I should go. 00:04:36.34\00:04:43.38 No one ever cared for me like Jesus. 00:04:44.78\00:04:51.55 There's no other friend so kind as He. 00:04:52.55\00:04:59.59 No one else could take the sin and darkness from me. 00:05:01.13\00:05:09.24 Oh, how much He cares for me. 00:05:10.71\00:05:17.45 Oh, how much He cares. 00:05:18.45\00:05:23.08 Oh, how much He cares for me. 00:05:27.92\00:05:40.07 Amen. 00:05:54.22\00:05:55.42 Praise the Lord. 00:05:55.65\00:05:56.48 Thank you very much. 00:05:57.39\00:05:58.69 God is good. 00:05:59.82\00:06:01.72 Amen. 00:06:01.72\00:06:02.39 We're glad that you're here for 3ABN Camp Meeting. 00:06:04.89\00:06:07.50 And I am always blessed during 3ABN Camp Meeting. 00:06:08.66\00:06:12.20 God does something marvelous and uses frail human beings to 00:06:12.67\00:06:18.44 communicate a message from heaven that we all need. 00:06:18.44\00:06:22.48 Amen. 00:06:23.65\00:06:23.95 Amen. 00:06:25.08\00:06:25.35 Before we begin, I'd like to go to the Lord in prayer. 00:06:26.18\00:06:29.15 And I invite you to join me in prayer there where you are. 00:06:29.58\00:06:32.92 I'm going to kneel and ask for the Lord's blessing to bless 00:06:32.99\00:06:35.59 us. 00:06:35.59\00:06:36.22 Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for your 00:06:39.93\00:06:45.87 excellent mercy. 00:06:45.87\00:06:47.44 We thank you for your love that is beyond comparison. 00:06:48.27\00:06:52.31 And we thank you that you have given us the privilege to hear 00:06:52.31\00:06:57.31 a message from you. 00:06:57.31\00:06:59.01 For this is what we plead for. 00:06:59.25\00:07:01.12 We ask for a message from heaven. 00:07:01.92\00:07:05.45 We ask for the outpouring of your Holy Spirit. 00:07:06.15\00:07:08.52 Speak to everyone here and everyone wherever they may be. 00:07:09.29\00:07:14.23 May they hear you and may they be drawn closer to you. 00:07:14.56\00:07:19.57 I place myself in your hands, Lord. 00:07:20.40\00:07:22.67 May your name be honored and glorified in Jesus' holy and 00:07:23.37\00:07:27.94 blessed name. 00:07:27.94\00:07:28.81 Amen. 00:07:29.24\00:07:29.64 Amen. 00:07:30.31\00:07:30.58 Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. 00:07:31.85\00:07:37.75 He came to this world to rescue people from the claws of the 00:07:38.79\00:07:45.63 devil. 00:07:45.63\00:07:45.96 And today he still does the same through people like you 00:07:46.96\00:07:52.77 and me. 00:07:52.77\00:07:54.07 Praise the Lord. 00:07:54.37\00:07:55.24 During his ministry, he told a parable that is a parable that 00:07:57.17\00:08:05.01 illustrates God's incredible love for us. 00:08:05.01\00:08:08.52 It's found in Luke chapter 15. 00:08:08.78\00:08:12.19 If you join me in Luke chapter 15, I'm going to begin reading 00:08:12.19\00:08:15.86 in verse 11. 00:08:15.86\00:08:17.39 Luke 15 verse 11. 00:08:18.03\00:08:20.26 Then he said, A certain man had two sons, and the younger of 00:08:21.23\00:08:27.50 them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of 00:08:27.50\00:08:33.21 goods that falls to me. 00:08:33.21\00:08:36.14 So he divided to them his livelihood. 00:08:36.75\00:08:39.95 There appears to be no protest from the father. 00:08:39.95\00:08:43.25 He's not saying, wait a minute, I'm still alive, son. 00:08:43.95\00:08:46.89 Are you wishing me to be dead? 00:08:47.29\00:08:49.72 But the Bible says that he divided his goods among them. 00:08:52.43\00:08:56.70 So both received their inheritance while the father 00:08:57.03\00:09:00.80 was still living. 00:09:00.80\00:09:02.10 Then something interesting in verse 13. 00:09:03.27\00:09:07.08 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all 00:09:07.08\00:09:14.32 together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his 00:09:14.32\00:09:19.02 possessions with prodigal living. 00:09:19.02\00:09:22.02 This is the New King James Version. 00:09:22.56\00:09:24.43 I like the King James Version. 00:09:25.09\00:09:26.80 It says riotous living. 00:09:26.86\00:09:28.50 But prodigal means just that, that you waste money 00:09:29.56\00:09:34.04 extravagantly. 00:09:34.04\00:09:35.24 Like you don't care where it came from and what happens to 00:09:35.24\00:09:40.64 it. 00:09:40.64\00:09:41.21 And it's good the way it is stated in some sense, because 00:09:42.21\00:09:46.05 he went to a far country. 00:09:46.05\00:09:48.05 And you may think, well, maybe he didn't want to embarrass his 00:09:49.25\00:09:52.59 father by going to the local community. 00:09:52.59\00:09:55.52 But he went to a far country. 00:09:55.82\00:09:57.73 Now keep that in mind as we continue reading. 00:09:57.73\00:10:00.96 And it says in verse 14, but when he has spent all there 00:10:01.56\00:10:07.67 arose a severe famine in that land and he began to be in 00:10:07.67\00:10:13.84 want. 00:10:13.84\00:10:14.31 He went and joined himself to a citizen of that country and 00:10:16.11\00:10:21.28 sent him into his fields to feed swine. 00:10:21.28\00:10:26.22 Has anybody ever fed swine here? 00:10:26.22\00:10:28.79 They eat a lot of yucky stuff. 00:10:29.99\00:10:33.06 Sometimes things that are dying or dead. 00:10:34.60\00:10:38.80 And they eat sloppy yucky stuff. 00:10:39.93\00:10:43.61 And I've heard of people that take a little pig and wash them 00:10:44.07\00:10:49.24 up, clean them up. 00:10:49.24\00:10:50.25 I don't know, maybe even put perfume on them. 00:10:50.78\00:10:52.71 But what does he do the moment he gets the opportunity? 00:10:52.71\00:10:57.02 Runs back into that yucky stuff and begins to eat. 00:10:58.42\00:11:03.12 Now, when he had money, the prodigal son, he appeared to 00:11:04.29\00:11:09.10 have many friends. 00:11:09.10\00:11:10.47 You know, that's what happens when people have goods. 00:11:11.20\00:11:14.37 Sometimes they have friends that normally would not be 00:11:14.40\00:11:18.61 friends if they had nothing. 00:11:18.61\00:11:19.97 And so it says when he has spent all, this is very 00:11:22.11\00:11:27.68 interesting because, you know, he's looking at the amount he 00:11:27.68\00:11:31.32 has. 00:11:31.32\00:11:36.62 smaller and smaller and basically spent his last dime. 00:11:36.62\00:11:42.70 And then he began to be in want. 00:11:43.87\00:11:46.10 And it's interesting that Jesus says he joined himself to a man 00:11:47.90\00:11:53.94 in that country and he took a job feeding swine. 00:11:53.94\00:11:57.85 That's one of the most detestable things for a Jew to 00:11:57.88\00:12:01.98 do. 00:12:01.98\00:12:02.35 But there he was feeding swine. 00:12:03.65\00:12:07.79 Now, I know somebody that works with pigs in this area. 00:12:08.62\00:12:14.86 And sometimes when we visit him and he has not had a chance to 00:12:16.06\00:12:21.94 take a shower, you notice that. 00:12:21.94\00:12:26.31 And in fact, a couple of days ago, I gave him a hug and I 00:12:28.21\00:12:32.71 noticed that he had not taken a shower. 00:12:32.71\00:12:37.09 You seem to get used to it, you know, you seem to get used to 00:12:37.09\00:12:39.75 the stench. 00:12:39.75\00:12:40.96 And this is why I caution you. 00:12:40.96\00:12:44.19 I exhort you that you can get used to a sinful way of living. 00:12:44.53\00:12:50.93 You can. 00:12:52.20\00:12:52.90 And time passes and you seem to go further and further away 00:12:53.40\00:12:58.37 from the Lord. 00:12:58.37\00:12:59.54 And it's almost like warning after warning comes to you and 00:13:00.61\00:13:07.48 you still linger in sin. 00:13:07.48\00:13:09.98 And it's only when the devil begins to slap you around, drag 00:13:11.42\00:13:17.29 you through the ground, bring you pain and suffering that you 00:13:17.29\00:13:23.00 seem to realize I was not suffering like this when I was 00:13:23.00\00:13:28.24 with Jesus. 00:13:28.24\00:13:29.30 So this man began to be in want. 00:13:31.31\00:13:33.31 And notice what the Bible continues to tell us in verse 00:13:34.24\00:13:38.05 17. 00:13:38.05\00:13:38.75 Actually, we're 16 and he would have gladly have filled his 00:13:39.68\00:13:46.25 stomach with the pods that the swine ate and no one gave him 00:13:46.25\00:13:53.60 anything. 00:13:53.60\00:13:54.30 Wow. 00:13:55.10\00:13:55.63 It gives a hint that he asked, Hey, can you give me some of 00:13:56.46\00:14:00.84 that? 00:14:00.84\00:14:01.57 No. 00:14:02.44\00:14:03.10 He would have loved to have some nourishment, but here 00:14:04.34\00:14:09.91 nobody gave him anything. 00:14:09.91\00:14:11.28 And then verse 17, But when he came to himself, he said, How 00:14:11.65\00:14:18.19 many of my father's hired servants have bread enough to 00:14:18.19\00:14:23.29 spare? 00:14:23.29\00:14:23.79 And I perish with hunger. 00:14:24.29\00:14:28.23 Wow. 00:14:28.90\00:14:29.43 That was his condition. 00:14:29.80\00:14:31.03 That was the condition. 00:14:31.03\00:14:33.54 And that is the condition of people that don't have Jesus. 00:14:33.97\00:14:39.14 Eventually, they realized I am not happy. 00:14:40.71\00:14:46.21 I don't have peace. 00:14:47.15\00:14:49.75 And it can be people with lots and lots of money. 00:14:50.09\00:14:54.69 Two years ago, I read a news article. 00:14:55.49\00:14:59.29 And there was this man that was extremely rich. 00:14:59.29\00:15:04.97 But for some reason that is unknown, he killed himself. 00:15:06.07\00:15:13.44 And the people that knew him said, It's unbelievable. 00:15:15.44\00:15:19.48 He had everything that anyone could hope for. 00:15:20.18\00:15:23.32 He was such a good person. 00:15:23.79\00:15:25.62 But he did not have Jesus. 00:15:26.82\00:15:30.39 And when you don't have Jesus, you can have all the goods of 00:15:31.49\00:15:35.30 the world and not be happy. 00:15:35.30\00:15:38.23 And I praise the Lord that there are people that the Lord 00:15:39.97\00:15:43.71 has blessed with goods, but they have Jesus and are happy. 00:15:43.71\00:15:48.64 And the Lord guides them how to use their funds, not only for 00:15:49.48\00:15:52.81 themselves and their family, but to also help others and 00:15:52.81\00:15:57.02 help spread the gospel. 00:15:57.02\00:15:58.12 Would you say amen to that? 00:15:58.92\00:15:59.85 Let's continue reading. 00:16:02.72\00:16:03.99 He made his plan. 00:16:04.79\00:16:06.70 He decided to prepare a speech so that when he talked to his 00:16:06.70\00:16:13.00 father, he could appeal to his mercy so that he could be 00:16:13.00\00:16:18.14 accepted. 00:16:18.14\00:16:18.74 Notice Luke 15, 20. 00:16:19.21\00:16:22.04 And he rose and came to his father. 00:16:22.31\00:16:25.65 We'll stop there for a moment. 00:16:27.28\00:16:28.42 He arose and went where? 00:16:29.25\00:16:30.39 To his father. 00:16:31.32\00:16:32.42 It's interesting that the Bible tells us about a mother's love. 00:16:33.29\00:16:38.73 In this case, it's talking about a father's love. 00:16:39.33\00:16:41.76 It doesn't include the mother for some reason, but this is 00:16:42.53\00:16:45.57 talking about our Heavenly Father. 00:16:45.57\00:16:47.67 And the Bible tells us that God so loved the world that he gave 00:16:48.24\00:16:53.88 all. 00:16:53.88\00:16:54.38 He gave his only begotten son. 00:16:54.78\00:16:57.01 The whosoever believeth in him will not perish, but have 00:16:57.01\00:17:03.89 everlasting life. 00:17:03.89\00:17:06.55 How many here want everlasting life? 00:17:07.26\00:17:12.39 Praise the Lord. 00:17:12.96\00:17:13.83 Praise the Lord. 00:17:14.36\00:17:15.06 And so the father's love is on display here. 00:17:16.33\00:17:19.17 But remember, it just says he arose and went to his father. 00:17:19.63\00:17:23.87 Where was he before? 00:17:24.21\00:17:25.61 In a far away place. 00:17:25.61\00:17:30.21 Enough time to say on his way, well, I think I'll stop here. 00:17:31.58\00:17:36.75 No, he was determined to go back to the father. 00:17:36.82\00:17:42.06 Whatever appeared to him as something more interesting, 00:17:42.56\00:17:46.43 something more lovely, he did not care anymore. 00:17:46.83\00:17:49.53 He wanted to return home. 00:17:50.70\00:17:53.10 And there's something about home that appeals to the human 00:17:53.10\00:17:56.97 heart. 00:17:56.97\00:17:57.54 And for us as humans, home is where God is. 00:17:57.97\00:18:03.68 So he arose, went to his father, the text says. 00:18:05.11\00:18:08.42 But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and 00:18:09.15\00:18:17.79 had compassion. 00:18:17.79\00:18:19.16 And ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 00:18:19.16\00:18:24.30 Praise the Lord. 00:18:24.47\00:18:25.50 I have seen some video trying to illustrate this. 00:18:26.84\00:18:29.80 You know, it's like the father saw him a great way off. 00:18:30.61\00:18:35.04 We don't know how he was dressed, but he must have even 00:18:36.64\00:18:40.15 sold the clothing that he had when he left. 00:18:40.15\00:18:43.95 He appeared in rags, filthy. 00:18:44.35\00:18:47.26 He had been traveling. 00:18:47.26\00:18:49.32 But somehow mothers and fathers can tell the form of their 00:18:51.19\00:18:55.80 children, the way they walk. 00:18:55.80\00:18:57.50 He was a great way off. 00:18:57.77\00:18:59.17 And the father didn't say, oh, there he comes. 00:18:59.90\00:19:02.07 I'm just going to wait here to see what he has to say. 00:19:02.20\00:19:05.94 And as the son that he saw, he knew. 00:19:08.01\00:19:11.68 He knew my son has been suffering. 00:19:12.58\00:19:17.29 My son has been suffering. 00:19:18.62\00:19:20.32 And I don't know if anyone is here that can identify with the 00:19:20.46\00:19:23.93 prodigal son. 00:19:23.93\00:19:24.59 And you have been suffering because you don't have that 00:19:25.13\00:19:29.40 peace in your heart. 00:19:29.40\00:19:30.73 Could be somebody listening to me on radio, social media, 00:19:31.47\00:19:35.40 3ABN, TV, cable networks. 00:19:35.87\00:19:40.01 Whatever the case may be, the father yearns for you to return 00:19:40.01\00:19:46.48 so that he can embrace you. 00:19:46.48\00:19:49.38 As this father embraced his son, the father still loves 00:19:49.42\00:19:56.29 you. 00:19:56.29\00:20:01.06 committed. 00:20:01.06\00:20:06.53 Saw him a great way off. 00:20:07.54\00:20:10.01 Ran and hugged him and kissed him no matter how filthy and 00:20:10.27\00:20:18.98 smelly he was. 00:20:18.98\00:20:21.22 Because love looks beyond the exterior. 00:20:22.82\00:20:26.35 And God wants to do that for us here. 00:20:28.76\00:20:31.56 Meet us a great way off. 00:20:33.09\00:20:34.76 So the very first step you take, the father has already 00:20:34.76\00:20:38.83 been working in your heart to draw you to him through the 00:20:38.83\00:20:44.27 marvelous working of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:44.27\00:20:46.78 Because it is written in Romans 2,4 that the goodness of God 00:20:47.04\00:20:50.75 leads us to repentance. 00:20:50.75\00:20:52.48 Amen. 00:20:53.31\00:20:53.72 Has anybody here been away from the Lord for a year, two, 00:20:54.78\00:21:01.39 three, five, fifteen, twenty and then returned to the Lord? 00:21:01.39\00:21:04.53 Anybody here? 00:21:04.59\00:21:05.69 Praise the Lord. 00:21:06.06\00:21:06.83 Several of you. 00:21:07.13\00:21:08.13 And you are still with the Lord. 00:21:09.43\00:21:11.07 Praise the Lord. 00:21:12.03\00:21:12.77 And I saw some hands go up that have white hair knowing and 00:21:13.23\00:21:19.61 letting us know that they have made the best decision 00:21:19.61\00:21:23.41 possible. 00:21:23.41\00:21:28.15 Praise the Lord. 00:21:29.12\00:21:30.15 So in verse 21, the son had prepared his speech. 00:21:30.15\00:21:34.49 The father didn't even wait for that speech. 00:21:35.36\00:21:37.19 But then in verse 21, and the son said to him, Father, I have 00:21:37.59\00:21:45.87 sinned against heaven and in your sight, and I'm no longer 00:21:45.87\00:21:51.27 worthy to be called your son. 00:21:51.27\00:21:54.58 What does the father say? 00:21:55.34\00:21:56.88 Verse 22. 00:21:57.61\00:21:58.78 But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best 00:21:59.01\00:22:02.22 robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and sandals 00:22:02.22\00:22:06.25 on his feet. 00:22:06.25\00:22:07.06 What? 00:22:07.12\00:22:07.72 He doesn't have sandals on his feet? 00:22:08.39\00:22:09.96 Yes. 00:22:11.53\00:22:17.83 be merry. 00:22:17.83\00:22:18.77 For this my son was dead and is alive again. 00:22:19.13\00:22:23.34 He was lost and is found and they began to be merry. 00:22:23.34\00:22:30.21 Praise the Lord. 00:22:30.38\00:22:31.61 Praise the Lord. 00:22:33.45\00:22:34.42 What a marvelous picture of God's love for you and for me. 00:22:36.02\00:22:40.99 And I ask today, are there any prodigal sons and daughters 00:22:43.06\00:22:48.16 here that would like to come back to the father that loves 00:22:48.16\00:22:54.20 you with a love that you cannot even imagine? 00:22:54.20\00:22:58.14 I read to you from the desire of ages. 00:22:59.41\00:23:03.24 Page 587. 00:23:04.38\00:23:06.85 Notice these wonderful words. 00:23:07.12\00:23:09.15 In every age there is given to men their day of light and 00:23:10.55\00:23:15.42 privilege, a probationary time in which they may become 00:23:15.42\00:23:20.86 reconciled to God. 00:23:20.86\00:23:23.00 But there is a limit to this grace. 00:23:24.00\00:23:27.37 Mercy may plead for years and be slighted and rejected. 00:23:28.07\00:23:33.71 But there comes a time when mercy makes her last plea. 00:23:34.38\00:23:39.11 The heart becomes so hardened that it ceases to respond to 00:23:39.11\00:23:48.06 the Spirit of God. 00:23:48.06\00:23:50.03 Then the sweet winning voice entreats the sinner no longer 00:23:50.69\00:23:57.87 and reproves and warnings cease. 00:23:57.87\00:24:01.47 Why do they cease? 00:24:02.30\00:24:03.47 Because the heart has become so hardened that it will never 00:24:03.47\00:24:08.84 respond. 00:24:08.84\00:24:09.68 And so I want to make an appeal right now. 00:24:11.18\00:24:15.02 Has the Lord been speaking to you today, last night after you 00:24:16.22\00:24:21.69 heard those powerful messages that changes need to be made in 00:24:21.69\00:24:27.96 your life so that you can be prepared to proclaim the final 00:24:27.96\00:24:35.80 cry? 00:24:35.80\00:24:36.30 Is there something that hinders you from 100% surrender? 00:24:37.17\00:24:43.11 Something. 00:24:44.41\00:24:45.05 The Bible says that we should lay aside the sin that doth so 00:24:46.48\00:24:52.12 easily beset us. 00:24:52.12\00:24:54.56 As if someone, as if everyone has something that has a hold 00:24:54.56\00:24:59.83 of them and it doesn't seem easy to give it up. 00:24:59.83\00:25:04.57 It seems to be easy to do it again and again and again. 00:25:04.87\00:25:09.40 But Paul is exhorting us, actually the Lord, through Paul 00:25:10.27\00:25:14.04 saying let us lay aside. 00:25:14.04\00:25:16.51 It's a personal decision. 00:25:16.61\00:25:18.35 So I want to ask. 00:25:20.12\00:25:21.28 Is there anyone here that wants to tell the Lord, Lord, I'm 00:25:21.28\00:25:26.79 ready to come back to Jesus? 00:25:26.79\00:25:29.32 Praise the Lord. 00:25:29.42\00:25:30.13 I invite you to come forward. 00:25:30.49\00:25:31.56 All those that are willing, would you stand? 00:25:31.83\00:25:34.23 Come forward to Jesus. 00:25:34.76\00:25:36.73 Because he's calling us to 100% surrender. 00:25:37.43\00:25:42.17 Who wants to come back to the Lord? 00:25:42.50\00:25:44.04 Who wants to say to the Lord, Lord, I can identify with the 00:25:44.47\00:25:48.21 prodigal son. 00:25:48.21\00:25:49.38 And I want to come back. 00:25:49.38\00:25:51.68 Would you meet me a great way off? 00:25:52.88\00:25:54.38 Yes, you can come. 00:25:54.55\00:25:55.48 You can come. 00:25:56.28\00:25:57.12 Come forward, all those that are willing. 00:25:57.22\00:25:58.49 We're going to have prayer. 00:25:58.75\00:26:00.06 You see, the title for the message I've been given is 00:26:00.69\00:26:06.36 Reconciled and Restored. 00:26:06.36\00:26:09.20 And up close and personal relationship, which is what we 00:26:11.03\00:26:14.40 need, every one of us. 00:26:14.40\00:26:15.87 Yes, come forward. 00:26:16.20\00:26:17.34 Tell the world, tell the Lord, I'm ready to come back, Lord. 00:26:18.47\00:26:24.91 I'm ready to leave the world behind and give you 100%. 00:26:25.75\00:26:32.55 Yes, come forward. 00:26:32.55\00:26:33.59 A little closer, a little closer. 00:26:33.72\00:26:36.06 I'm not that mean. 00:26:37.59\00:26:39.13 God is good, isn't he? 00:26:41.73\00:26:43.03 And you know, the wonderful thing is that when we come to 00:26:43.80\00:26:48.77 the Lord, He meets us a great way off. 00:26:48.77\00:26:53.88 Praise the Lord. 00:26:55.01\00:26:55.98 A great way off. 00:26:57.08\00:26:58.25 Hugs us, kisses us, grabs, you know, it's a hugs, hug the neck 00:26:58.75\00:27:03.99 type of hug. 00:27:03.99\00:27:05.09 Praise the Lord. 00:27:05.49\00:27:06.32 Heaven is paying attention to what you will decide today, 00:27:08.02\00:27:13.80 right now. 00:27:13.96\00:27:14.83 What will you do? 00:27:15.56\00:27:16.43 The opportunities presented to you. 00:27:17.43\00:27:19.77 Will you come back to the Lord? 00:27:20.34\00:27:22.54 Will you give Him 100%? 00:27:23.20\00:27:26.21 Praise the Lord for these decisions. 00:27:26.51\00:27:28.71 The Lord promises to forgive us for our sins and to cleanse us 00:27:30.55\00:27:36.79 from all unrighteousness. 00:27:36.79\00:27:37.75 Isn't that marvelous? 00:27:38.92\00:27:39.59 Yes, continue to come. 00:27:40.36\00:27:41.59 The door of mercy is still open for us and God is asking us to 00:27:42.49\00:27:47.40 make a full commitment. 00:27:47.40\00:27:49.33 Praise the Lord. 00:27:49.90\00:27:50.90 Anyone else who would like to join this wonderful group of 00:27:51.13\00:27:54.77 God's children to say, Lord, I want to leave that sin that 00:27:54.77\00:28:00.08 does so easily beset me. 00:28:00.08\00:28:02.04 Someone else is out there struggling with a, do I do it 00:28:02.14\00:28:06.92 or not? 00:28:06.92\00:28:07.58 But you know, it is the Lord appealing to you and this is an 00:28:08.35\00:28:12.85 opportunity He is giving you. 00:28:12.85\00:28:15.92 We will pray when one more person comes. 00:28:16.49\00:28:19.89 Somebody that is here that you know the Lord is calling you 00:28:19.89\00:28:24.03 and He has given you hints, messages, praise the Lord, that 00:28:24.03\00:28:30.31 tell you it's time, my son, it's time, my daughter, to give 00:28:30.31\00:28:36.91 all, to give all and not hold anything back. 00:28:36.91\00:28:41.02 Praise the Lord for these decisions. 00:28:41.98\00:28:44.12 We are ready to pray. 00:28:44.65\00:28:45.79 Now, I want to ask, perhaps there are people that have 00:28:45.79\00:28:49.36 difficulty walking or standing. 00:28:49.36\00:28:50.73 Is there anyone else that by lifting your hand would like to 00:28:51.19\00:28:53.90 say, I join that group as well? 00:28:53.90\00:28:55.43 Anyone else? 00:28:55.53\00:28:56.20 Praise the Lord. 00:28:57.03\00:28:57.70 Let's pray together. 00:28:59.23\00:29:00.74 Our loving Heavenly Father, glory be to Your name. 00:29:02.40\00:29:07.78 We pray that as we have read, You will do, Lord. 00:29:08.34\00:29:11.38 Meet them a great way off. 00:29:11.78\00:29:13.58 Help them. 00:29:13.58\00:29:15.42 Bless them to feel Your warm embrace. 00:29:15.85\00:29:18.72 Letting them know You accept them. 00:29:19.42\00:29:21.82 You forgive them. 00:29:22.46\00:29:23.86 And You will cleanse them with the blood of the Lamb, Jesus 00:29:24.09\00:29:28.36 Christ. 00:29:28.36\00:29:28.96 Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer. 00:29:29.96\00:29:32.07 And Lord, they have said they want to leave the sin that does 00:29:32.63\00:29:39.01 so easily beset them. 00:29:39.01\00:29:40.84 Bless them with victory through Jesus Christ. 00:29:40.84\00:29:45.98 And we pray for complete cleansing in the name of our 00:29:46.51\00:29:50.02 Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:29:50.02\00:29:52.29 Amen and amen. 00:29:52.69\00:29:54.49 Praise the Lord. 00:29:55.09\00:29:55.86 You may be seated, but please continue to listen because we 00:29:56.36\00:30:02.40 need to talk about what happens next. 00:30:02.40\00:30:05.87 Because once you come to Jesus, things happen that are 00:30:05.87\00:30:11.74 wonderful. 00:30:11.74\00:30:12.27 The Holy Spirit begins to speak to your heart, helping you to 00:30:13.78\00:30:19.55 move one step after another closer and closer to Jesus. 00:30:19.55\00:30:26.02 And He begins to fill you with peace. 00:30:27.32\00:30:29.69 And the closer you come to Jesus, the greater is your 00:30:29.92\00:30:34.66 peace. 00:30:34.66\00:30:35.60 Your confidence that the Lord is with you. 00:30:35.60\00:30:38.30 He will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:30:38.60\00:30:41.54 Amen. 00:30:41.80\00:30:42.10 John 6 37 says that He who comes to me, Jesus says, I will 00:30:43.41\00:30:48.68 in no wise what? 00:30:48.68\00:30:49.74 Cast out. 00:30:50.35\00:30:51.05 So anyone that comes to Jesus is accepted no matter what they 00:30:51.71\00:30:57.09 have done. 00:30:57.09\00:30:57.69 What a wonderful Savior. 00:30:58.92\00:30:59.95 What a wonderful Lord. 00:31:00.69\00:31:01.86 And Jesus died on the cross to save the worst of sinners. 00:31:01.86\00:31:08.03 I ask, is the worst of sinners here? 00:31:10.60\00:31:16.17 Is He here? 00:31:17.34\00:31:18.07 Is she here? 00:31:18.14\00:31:19.01 Is the worst of sinners? 00:31:19.81\00:31:20.84 If you are here, would you raise your hand if you are the 00:31:21.01\00:31:22.98 worst of sinners? 00:31:22.98\00:31:23.78 Praise God that you are here. 00:31:27.05\00:31:28.52 Because He wants to talk to you and let you know. 00:31:28.95\00:31:31.85 You can be forgiven. 00:31:31.85\00:31:34.29 You can be accepted. 00:31:34.89\00:31:36.26 You know, in John 15 7, the Bible tells us, I say to you 00:31:37.56\00:31:41.76 that likewise, there will be more joy in heaven. 00:31:41.76\00:31:46.47 Over one sinner who repents than over 99 just persons who 00:31:46.87\00:31:52.97 need no repentance. 00:31:52.97\00:31:54.94 Praise the Lord. 00:31:55.81\00:32:02.55 here? 00:32:02.55\00:32:02.95 Yes, great joy in heaven. 00:32:03.55\00:32:06.29 Such as we do not know. 00:32:06.99\00:32:10.39 Because heaven rejoices with a pure joy that we will soon be 00:32:11.29\00:32:19.57 there to experience that. 00:32:19.57\00:32:22.07 So the question is, now that you have been reconciled and 00:32:22.07\00:32:27.74 restored, how do we maintain an up close and personal 00:32:27.74\00:32:34.28 relationship with God? 00:32:34.28\00:32:36.15 How do we do that? 00:32:36.89\00:32:37.85 We have a little bit of time to talk about that. 00:32:38.95\00:32:41.36 We won't get through the whole thing. 00:32:41.39\00:32:43.19 But most of you know these elements. 00:32:44.76\00:32:47.36 You know, before I continue, I want to tell you this story 00:32:49.86\00:32:53.44 that happened to my wife and I. 00:32:53.44\00:32:55.27 It was during the time of COVID, COVID was in the middle 00:32:56.67\00:32:59.87 of COVID. 00:32:59.87\00:33:07.95 So we were driving and on this particular day we did not pack 00:33:08.65\00:33:13.22 a lunch. 00:33:13.22\00:33:13.96 And there are certain restaurants that have food of 00:33:15.22\00:33:20.26 different countries and we enjoy that from time to time. 00:33:20.26\00:33:23.13 So there in Chicago we looked at the GPS and found a 00:33:23.37\00:33:28.17 restaurant and said, let's go there. 00:33:28.17\00:33:29.74 We were hungry. 00:33:30.51\00:33:31.41 It was about 2 p.m. 00:33:32.07\00:33:33.51 And we found the restaurant. 00:33:33.81\00:33:35.21 We parked the vehicle. 00:33:35.64\00:33:36.95 Went to the door. 00:33:36.95\00:33:38.41 It was 2 p.m. 00:33:39.31\00:33:40.45 Went to the door. 00:33:40.68\00:33:41.55 Tried to open it. 00:33:41.65\00:33:42.75 It was locked. 00:33:43.15\00:33:44.52 And we started looking at the time. 00:33:46.55\00:33:48.29 Yeah, they're open. 00:33:48.32\00:33:49.02 Some restaurants closed from 2 to 3, whatever the case may be. 00:33:49.56\00:33:53.63 But the schedule says they were supposed to be open. 00:33:53.90\00:33:56.56 But they were closed. 00:33:57.10\00:33:58.10 Door was locked. 00:33:58.50\00:33:59.33 We started to step back and the door opened. 00:34:00.40\00:34:02.77 And the person said, may we help you? 00:34:03.91\00:34:05.87 Yes, we would like to eat. 00:34:05.87\00:34:07.84 We are hungry. 00:34:07.98\00:34:08.81 And he says, have you been vaccinated? 00:34:09.91\00:34:12.81 Do you have your card? 00:34:15.12\00:34:16.45 Last night at midnight it came into effect that we are not 00:34:20.99\00:34:25.36 supposed to allow anyone in without the vaccination. 00:34:25.36\00:34:30.33 I'm not going to talk here about whether it's good or bad 00:34:31.70\00:34:34.07 to be vaccinated. 00:34:34.07\00:34:34.94 But I said, my wife and I already had COVID. 00:34:35.64\00:34:39.47 We have all the antibodies we need. 00:34:39.61\00:34:41.71 But that was not good enough. 00:34:44.61\00:34:46.92 But do you have a vaccination card? 00:34:47.65\00:34:49.42 We said, no, I'm sorry. 00:34:49.88\00:34:51.85 I can't let you in. 00:34:52.72\00:34:53.89 What? 00:34:54.96\00:34:55.49 So sorry. 00:34:57.49\00:34:58.43 And he closed the door. 00:34:59.16\00:35:00.36 We were shocked. 00:35:00.70\00:35:01.53 But please understand that the Lord is letting us know 00:35:03.57\00:35:08.30 something. 00:35:08.30\00:35:08.90 A lot of the elements that are going to happen during the 00:35:10.84\00:35:15.14 Sunday law, we saw them during COVID. 00:35:15.14\00:35:18.41 The Lord is letting us know things are getting ready to 00:35:20.15\00:35:23.99 wrap up and close. 00:35:23.99\00:35:25.75 Soon. 00:35:27.06\00:35:27.89 And very soon. 00:35:29.59\00:35:31.63 So we need to be ready. 00:35:32.83\00:35:33.66 Let's take a look at some things that help us. 00:35:34.20\00:35:36.10 Joshua 23, 11 tells us, therefore take careful heed to 00:35:37.43\00:35:44.64 yourselves that you love the Lord your God. 00:35:44.64\00:35:50.11 That's one of the steps to being close to the Lord. 00:35:51.91\00:35:56.82 Take careful heed that you love the Lord your God. 00:35:56.82\00:36:01.72 That's priority. 00:36:02.12\00:36:03.32 Because there's faith, there's hope, but the greatest of these 00:36:04.76\00:36:08.53 is love. 00:36:08.53\00:36:10.07 So if you love the Lord your God with all your heart, you 00:36:11.00\00:36:16.77 have taken a step that brings you close to the Lord. 00:36:16.77\00:36:22.24 Love the Lord your God. 00:36:23.31\00:36:24.38 That's a decision. 00:36:24.38\00:36:25.55 Well, how do you love the Lord your God? 00:36:25.55\00:36:28.72 You make a decision, learn about him, consider what great 00:36:28.95\00:36:33.29 things he has done for you. 00:36:33.29\00:36:36.79 Think about these things and your love for the Lord will 00:36:37.76\00:36:41.80 grow. 00:36:41.80\00:36:42.33 A thankful heart is a heart that is drawn close to the 00:36:43.30\00:36:48.24 Lord. 00:36:48.24\00:36:56.18 words. 00:36:56.18\00:36:56.85 Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all 00:36:57.38\00:37:02.42 your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 00:37:02.42\00:37:06.86 This is the first and great commandment. 00:37:07.09\00:37:11.23 Do you love the Lord your God with all your soul, all your 00:37:11.23\00:37:16.13 mind, all your strength? 00:37:16.13\00:37:17.83 This is the first and great commandment. 00:37:19.20\00:37:21.67 Do I really love the Lord? 00:37:22.27\00:37:24.47 Because Satan will present other things so that you can 00:37:25.04\00:37:31.71 love those things more than the Lord. 00:37:31.71\00:37:34.58 It could be anything. 00:37:35.12\00:37:37.25 It could even be a person that could say to you, give up that 00:37:37.25\00:37:42.92 Bible, give up that Jesus, and come with me. 00:37:42.92\00:37:47.56 Many a men and women have left the Lord because they thought 00:37:51.80\00:37:58.01 they found the love of their life. 00:37:58.01\00:38:01.38 Only to suffer down the line because that love they thought 00:38:02.51\00:38:08.45 was not really love. 00:38:08.45\00:38:11.29 And they suffer greatly. 00:38:12.12\00:38:14.56 So, above all things, love the Lord your God with all your 00:38:16.93\00:38:21.90 heart. 00:38:21.90\00:38:22.23 Amen? 00:38:22.50\00:38:23.00 Amen. 00:38:23.80\00:38:30.14 part of this walking close to the Lord. 00:38:30.14\00:38:33.04 So, Jesus answered and said to them, have faith in God. 00:38:33.54\00:38:42.42 Yes, have faith in God. 00:38:43.35\00:38:48.22 Look at your history. 00:38:50.19\00:38:51.43 God has been good to you. 00:38:52.43\00:38:54.46 Have faith in him. 00:38:55.16\00:38:56.46 And believe his promises. 00:38:57.07\00:38:59.77 Have faith in God. 00:39:01.80\00:39:06.11 And your faith will grow as you exercise your faith. 00:39:06.68\00:39:11.35 I remember receiving a call one day. 00:39:13.62\00:39:16.79 And the lady said, I'm 80 something years old and I don't 00:39:17.45\00:39:23.69 have enough faith. 00:39:23.69\00:39:24.76 My heart sank. 00:39:25.79\00:39:26.96 I felt sorrow that she had reached that age. 00:39:27.93\00:39:31.07 I don't know how long she had been at church. 00:39:31.17\00:39:32.70 It could be that it was recent, but she says, I don't have 00:39:32.77\00:39:36.67 enough faith. 00:39:36.67\00:39:37.77 Brothers and sisters, to every person is given a measure of 00:39:39.07\00:39:44.85 faith. 00:39:44.85\00:39:45.51 Trust in the Lord's promises. 00:39:45.51\00:39:48.68 Believe in the Lord with all your heart. 00:39:49.12\00:39:51.92 Don't let anyone shake you from loving the Lord or believing in 00:39:54.02\00:39:59.29 the Lord. 00:39:59.29\00:39:59.73 Have faith in God. 00:40:00.00\00:40:01.86 James chapter 1, beginning in verse 5. 00:40:02.36\00:40:08.10 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all 00:40:08.10\00:40:14.64 liberally and without reproach. 00:40:14.64\00:40:16.44 And it will be given to him and to her. 00:40:16.95\00:40:22.55 But let him ask in faith with no doubting. 00:40:22.92\00:40:26.39 For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and 00:40:26.89\00:40:30.99 tossed by the wind. 00:40:30.99\00:40:32.99 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything 00:40:32.99\00:40:37.57 from the Lord. 00:40:37.57\00:40:38.47 So does the Lord require for us to have faith, to believe in 00:40:38.77\00:40:42.47 him? 00:40:42.47\00:40:42.67 Yes. 00:40:43.20\00:40:43.91 Trust him. 00:40:44.67\00:40:45.74 He loves you. 00:40:46.24\00:40:47.38 He will not let anything happen to you that is not for your own 00:40:47.71\00:40:53.98 good. 00:40:53.98\00:40:54.42 So when you give yourself to the Lord, wonderful things 00:40:56.22\00:41:00.86 happen. 00:41:00.86\00:41:07.66 about them. 00:41:07.66\00:41:08.16 They fear him and delivers them. 00:41:08.46\00:41:10.30 So the Lord is going to deliver you from a lot of horrible, 00:41:10.70\00:41:13.67 horrible things. 00:41:13.67\00:41:14.34 And has delivered you. 00:41:14.60\00:41:15.84 Some people said amen. 00:41:17.64\00:41:18.74 Is that true? 00:41:19.74\00:41:20.94 Yes, praise the Lord. 00:41:21.74\00:41:23.11 Question, has anybody been delivered from death? 00:41:23.75\00:41:26.98 Death, some accident, something was going to happen, some 00:41:27.85\00:41:30.59 disease? 00:41:30.59\00:41:31.22 And the Lord delivered you? 00:41:31.22\00:41:32.29 Let's see all your hands up at the same time. 00:41:32.39\00:41:33.82 Let's see. 00:41:33.92\00:41:34.36 Praise the Lord. 00:41:34.59\00:41:35.62 Praise the Lord. 00:41:35.99\00:41:36.93 Yes. 00:41:37.59\00:41:38.13 Have faith in God. 00:41:38.76\00:41:40.03 Trust him with all your heart. 00:41:40.13\00:41:41.73 Lean not upon your own understanding. 00:41:42.06\00:41:43.97 In all your ways acknowledge him. 00:41:44.20\00:41:46.30 He will direct your path. 00:41:46.53\00:41:48.57 Praise the Lord. 00:41:48.97\00:41:50.54 You know it says in Mark 923 that Jesus said to somebody 00:41:52.31\00:41:56.95 that came to him, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. 00:41:56.95\00:42:00.78 We can pray that. 00:42:01.08\00:42:02.15 Lord, help my unbelief. 00:42:02.38\00:42:03.95 And Jesus said to that man, all things are possible to them 00:42:04.72\00:42:10.06 that believe. 00:42:10.06\00:42:12.03 So is it good to believe? 00:42:12.73\00:42:13.86 Praise the Lord. 00:42:14.50\00:42:15.50 Let's believe in our wonderful Lord. 00:42:15.63\00:42:19.10 In 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9, just in case you did not know 00:42:19.57\00:42:23.10 it, this applies to you and to me. 00:42:23.10\00:42:25.81 You that have given yourself to the Lord, but ye are a chosen 00:42:25.81\00:42:32.61 generation, a royal priesthood and holy nation, a peculiar 00:42:32.61\00:42:39.72 people, that you shall show forth the praises of him who 00:42:39.72\00:42:44.43 hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:42:44.43\00:42:49.36 Yes, the Lord has marvelous light. 00:42:49.93\00:42:52.50 And the Lord has called us out of darkness. 00:42:52.50\00:42:56.57 The world and the things in the world are darkness. 00:42:57.41\00:43:01.34 They may appear to bring you some joy, some emotion, some 00:43:02.81\00:43:09.42 thrill, some good times, accordingly, according to what 00:43:09.42\00:43:14.66 some people say, but really they are a deception of the 00:43:14.66\00:43:20.06 real joy that God can give his children. 00:43:20.06\00:43:22.90 Greater joy has he who loves the Lord than he who does not. 00:43:25.00\00:43:28.20 In 1 Peter chapter 2 we go to verse 10, which in time past 00:43:29.30\00:43:34.88 were not a people, but are now the people of God, which had 00:43:34.88\00:43:40.05 not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 00:43:40.05\00:43:44.52 Praise God for his mercy. 00:43:45.69\00:43:46.72 Would you say amen? 00:43:46.79\00:43:47.49 Amen. 00:43:48.19\00:43:48.59 1 Peter 2, 11, 00:43:49.19\00:43:50.96 So what does fleshly lust do? 00:44:04.71\00:44:07.44 War against the soul. 00:44:08.68\00:44:10.55 And we are told to abstain. 00:44:10.78\00:44:13.31 Why is he saying that? 00:44:13.58\00:44:14.58 Because it is possible through Jesus Christ to abstain from 00:44:14.82\00:44:20.22 fleshly lust. 00:44:20.22\00:44:20.96 It's possible. 00:44:21.56\00:44:22.66 Jesus has shown to us, as you heard last night, Jesus did not 00:44:23.32\00:44:28.16 come to show us what God can do as he is tempted. 00:44:28.16\00:44:31.30 Jesus came to show us in human flesh what a human being can do 00:44:32.70\00:44:38.11 by trusting in God completely. 00:44:38.11\00:44:42.14 And by God's grace we can be victorious. 00:44:44.35\00:44:47.58 Amen to that? 00:44:48.08\00:44:48.95 Amen to that. 00:44:49.45\00:44:50.29 Now please understand that these fleshly things war 00:44:50.55\00:44:53.59 against the soul, trying to draw you away from the Lord, 00:44:53.59\00:44:57.16 but let us remain with the Lord. 00:44:57.39\00:45:00.20 That's why we should love the Lord with all of our heart, all 00:45:00.20\00:45:03.77 of our strength, all of our soul. 00:45:03.77\00:45:06.23 Amen? 00:45:06.74\00:45:07.17 Amen. 00:45:07.74\00:45:08.30 Luke 9, 23, I think most of you know this. 00:45:08.64\00:45:10.74 Then he said to them all, If anyone desires to come after 00:45:10.74\00:45:18.68 me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and 00:45:18.68\00:45:25.55 follow me. 00:45:25.55\00:45:26.82 Praise the Lord. 00:45:27.02\00:45:27.66 We can talk about this verse for a long, long time. 00:45:28.12\00:45:31.63 If anyone, that includes everyone, wants to come after 00:45:33.73\00:45:37.13 me, what is that person supposed to do? 00:45:37.13\00:45:39.67 Deny himself. 00:45:41.24\00:45:42.37 How do we deny ourselves? 00:45:44.44\00:45:45.54 Remember that Jesus said in John 15, 5, I don't know if 00:45:46.54\00:45:49.74 we'll have time to read that. 00:45:49.74\00:45:51.08 Without me, you can do nothing. 00:45:51.45\00:45:54.45 So we need the help of the Lord to even deny ourselves. 00:45:54.85\00:45:58.39 Because when it says deny yourself, it's talking about 00:45:58.92\00:46:02.22 that fleshly lust, that war against the soul. 00:46:02.22\00:46:07.30 And Jesus says that if anyone desires to come after me, let 00:46:07.30\00:46:12.43 him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 00:46:12.43\00:46:18.27 Warning. 00:46:19.21\00:46:19.87 If you are carrying someone else's cross, drop it 00:46:21.04\00:46:26.41 immediately. 00:46:26.41\00:46:26.98 Don't carry someone else's cross. 00:46:28.58\00:46:30.49 Carry your cross. 00:46:30.95\00:46:32.42 And even in carrying the cross, the Lord helps us along the 00:46:32.42\00:46:37.43 way. 00:46:37.43\00:46:37.86 What is that cross for? 00:46:38.89\00:46:41.66 It is to crucify self. 00:46:43.00\00:46:46.37 And when things come along the way, we're taking the cross, 00:46:47.74\00:46:52.61 denying ourselves through the strength that Jesus gives us. 00:46:53.11\00:46:57.81 Deny yourselves. 00:46:59.35\00:47:00.62 It is a choice you make that the Lord gives you strength to 00:47:00.62\00:47:05.12 do, praise the Lord. 00:47:05.12\00:47:06.52 So we learn from this that self must die daily. 00:47:06.86\00:47:12.79 Self must die daily. 00:47:13.80\00:47:15.96 Every single day when you wake up, by God's grace, die to 00:47:16.20\00:47:24.34 self. 00:47:24.34\00:47:24.94 And follow Jesus. 00:47:26.68\00:47:28.84 And so this leads us to the next verse. 00:47:28.84\00:47:34.12 Galatians 2 verse 20. 00:47:34.42\00:47:37.42 I have been crucified with Christ. 00:47:38.49\00:47:43.59 It is no longer I who live, but Christ. 00:47:44.43\00:47:49.36 Christ lives in me. 00:47:50.10\00:47:52.70 And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith 00:47:53.57\00:47:59.67 in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:47:59.67\00:48:07.18 Praise the Lord. 00:48:07.58\00:48:08.45 I have been crucified with Christ. 00:48:09.65\00:48:11.89 Self must die daily. 00:48:12.39\00:48:15.16 And Satan is going to try to push those buttons of things 00:48:15.96\00:48:21.00 you used to do in the past. 00:48:21.00\00:48:23.80 Do that again. 00:48:24.47\00:48:25.17 You know you like it. 00:48:25.17\00:48:26.70 You enjoy it. 00:48:27.10\00:48:28.47 Do it again. 00:48:28.57\00:48:29.70 God will forgive you. 00:48:30.54\00:48:31.67 Go ahead. 00:48:31.67\00:48:32.64 Whatever it is that he tells us, we must say by the grace of 00:48:33.81\00:48:38.75 the Lord, I have been crucified with Christ. 00:48:38.75\00:48:41.62 It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. 00:48:42.42\00:48:48.22 Thus Christ live in you. 00:48:49.32\00:48:51.79 Ask yourself then, does Christ live in me? 00:48:54.20\00:48:56.67 If you have given yourself to him, Christ lives in you. 00:48:57.30\00:49:04.97 Because the Bible tells us that he stands at the door and 00:49:06.37\00:49:09.94 knocks. 00:49:09.94\00:49:10.35 And if we open the door, what does he do? 00:49:10.91\00:49:12.95 Come in. 00:49:13.52\00:49:14.75 Let us open that door daily to Jesus. 00:49:15.12\00:49:18.39 Would you say amen to that? 00:49:18.49\00:49:19.69 I think we're going to have to read these next verses quickly 00:49:20.59\00:49:23.76 and do very little comment. 00:49:23.76\00:49:26.90 Are you ready? 00:49:27.40\00:49:28.06 John 15, beginning in verse 1. 00:49:28.10\00:49:30.10 Jesus says, I am the true vine, and my father is the 00:49:30.93\00:49:36.67 vinedresser. 00:49:36.67\00:49:37.41 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away. 00:49:37.91\00:49:42.64 And every branch that bears fruit, he prunes that it may 00:49:42.88\00:49:46.92 bear more fruit. 00:49:46.92\00:49:48.32 You are already clean, because of the word which I have spoken 00:49:48.32\00:49:53.19 to you. 00:49:53.19\00:49:54.12 Abide in me, and I in you. 00:49:54.52\00:49:57.99 As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in 00:49:58.46\00:50:03.73 the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 00:50:03.73\00:50:09.00 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:50:09.30\00:50:13.81 He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for 00:50:13.81\00:50:19.05 without me you can do nothing. 00:50:19.05\00:50:22.78 Question, how many have discovered that without Jesus 00:50:23.28\00:50:26.62 you can do nothing? 00:50:26.62\00:50:27.69 I have discovered that myself. 00:50:28.59\00:50:30.16 And I thank Jesus that he says abide in me. 00:50:31.23\00:50:36.46 And you know it's interesting that Jesus uses the vine as an 00:50:37.20\00:50:41.34 illustration of himself. 00:50:41.34\00:50:42.74 Why didn't he say a mighty cedar or setter? 00:50:42.74\00:50:46.04 Why didn't he say a great oak? 00:50:46.71\00:50:49.91 Jesus on earth as a human being depended on the father. 00:50:52.01\00:50:56.45 This is why he uses I am the vine. 00:50:57.65\00:50:59.69 And you are the branches. 00:51:00.36\00:51:01.46 When a branch is connected to the vine, what does it do? 00:51:02.06\00:51:05.53 What is it supposed to do? 00:51:05.93\00:51:07.13 Bear fruit. 00:51:08.13\00:51:15.34 bear fruit. 00:51:15.34\00:51:16.00 The Lord shows us things along the way. 00:51:18.94\00:51:23.11 Oh brothers and sisters, what great things await you and me 00:51:24.65\00:51:30.59 as we draw closer to the Lord. 00:51:30.59\00:51:32.69 He wants us to abide in him. 00:51:33.69\00:51:35.99 This abiding is talking about continual abiding in him. 00:51:35.99\00:51:41.10 Connected. 00:51:41.36\00:51:42.26 That's why he says you are the branches. 00:51:42.26\00:51:42.30 You are connected to Jesus. 00:51:44.27\00:51:45.87 And we really need a vital connection with Jesus. 00:51:46.17\00:51:49.80 There are things in this world that are happening. 00:51:50.57\00:51:54.54 That are and will test the faith of every person in the 00:51:55.28\00:52:00.28 world. 00:52:00.28\00:52:04.82 take up your cross daily and follow me. 00:52:04.82\00:52:07.26 If we have our eyes on Jesus, we will not be shaken. 00:52:07.66\00:52:11.89 We will stand firm because our trust will be in him and not in 00:52:14.00\00:52:17.97 ourselves. 00:52:17.97\00:52:18.40 Are you ready for Psalm 16 11? 00:52:19.00\00:52:21.00 Psalm 16 11 says you will show me the path of life. 00:52:22.47\00:52:29.51 In your presence is fullness of joy. 00:52:31.05\00:52:35.92 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:52:36.62\00:52:40.02 Praise the Lord. 00:52:41.56\00:52:42.09 This abiding in Jesus brings us this experience. 00:52:43.46\00:52:49.00 Because in the presence of the Lord there is what kind of joy? 00:52:49.00\00:52:55.07 Fullness of joy. 00:52:56.84\00:52:59.11 And if in the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy, 00:53:00.31\00:53:04.85 everything else is a deception. 00:53:05.51\00:53:08.08 Everything else is a deception. 00:53:09.58\00:53:10.95 So let us come to the presence of the Lord. 00:53:11.82\00:53:16.52 As often as we have the opportunity. 00:53:17.59\00:53:20.50 And every day you and I have opportunity. 00:53:20.93\00:53:25.47 What we make of our day is our choice. 00:53:26.27\00:53:30.54 Yes we have some responsibilities. 00:53:31.01\00:53:32.81 Oh we have to go to work. 00:53:33.71\00:53:34.91 Oh we have to go to school. 00:53:35.91\00:53:37.31 Oh we have this to do and that to do. 00:53:38.15\00:53:40.48 But we can stay in the presence of the Lord wherever we are. 00:53:40.48\00:53:47.22 Wherever we are. 00:53:47.56\00:53:49.32 Wherever we are. 00:53:49.62\00:53:50.99 And quickly this experience of being in the presence of the 00:53:51.43\00:53:59.20 Lord has to do with things we haven't talked about. 00:53:59.20\00:54:02.54 And one of them is prayer. 00:54:02.84\00:54:05.37 What great blessing is prayer. 00:54:07.98\00:54:10.88 And if you are just praying as I have said in other times. 00:54:12.58\00:54:16.89 Thank you Lord for giving me this day of life. 00:54:17.89\00:54:20.42 Thank you for this breakfast that we are about to eat. 00:54:20.66\00:54:23.89 Thank you for this lunch we are about to eat. 00:54:24.39\00:54:27.66 Thank you for this supper or dinner that we are about to 00:54:28.00\00:54:30.83 eat. 00:54:30.83\00:54:31.37 And that's your prayer life. 00:54:31.50\00:54:32.80 You are in danger. 00:54:33.70\00:54:35.27 We need more prayer. 00:54:35.77\00:54:37.64 We need more prayer, more time with the Lord. 00:54:38.61\00:54:42.11 Because every wind of doctrine is blowing. 00:54:43.58\00:54:46.51 The devil is preparing great deceptions to deceive God's 00:54:47.58\00:54:51.65 people. 00:54:51.65\00:54:52.05 And we need to study God's word. 00:54:52.82\00:54:55.96 So prayer and the study of God's word are vital. 00:54:56.93\00:55:00.73 They are priority for God's people to stay close to him. 00:55:00.73\00:55:05.53 When you open the Bible. 00:55:06.07\00:55:08.27 You have an audience with the King of Kings and Lord of 00:55:09.60\00:55:13.04 Lords. 00:55:13.04\00:55:13.38 Open it with reverence, understanding. 00:55:13.88\00:55:16.81 You are reading words of life. 00:55:17.28\00:55:20.72 Words that are living words. 00:55:21.78\00:55:25.05 Words that give you courage. 00:55:25.45\00:55:27.72 Give you hope. 00:55:27.72\00:55:28.96 Give you understanding. 00:55:29.32\00:55:30.63 And make you wise unto salvation. 00:55:30.99\00:55:33.26 So our time is wrapping up. 00:55:34.36\00:55:36.46 I have to cut short. 00:55:36.70\00:55:38.47 So I ask again. 00:55:39.03\00:55:41.10 How many are willing to surrender 100% to the Lord? 00:55:42.20\00:55:46.88 Would you stand this time? 00:55:46.94\00:55:48.51 I know there are some that cannot stand. 00:55:49.51\00:55:51.18 But I ask you to raise your hand if you cannot stand. 00:55:51.25\00:55:54.22 How many are willing to surrender 100% to the Lord? 00:55:54.22\00:55:58.62 Oh Lord, God of heaven. 00:56:00.22\00:56:01.79 Take a look at all these wonderful souls. 00:56:02.12\00:56:04.53 They have said 100% surrender. 00:56:05.03\00:56:08.30 Praise the Lord. 00:56:09.66\00:56:10.37 Your decision has been written in heaven along your name. 00:56:10.87\00:56:17.11 Because that's what God does. 00:56:17.27\00:56:19.07 Keeps a record of our decisions. 00:56:19.24\00:56:21.94 Yes. 00:56:21.94\00:56:22.81 Praise the Lord for your decisions. 00:56:23.01\00:56:24.45 Let's pray together. 00:56:25.28\00:56:26.38 Our loving Heavenly Father. 00:56:27.42\00:56:29.38 Behold your children Lord. 00:56:29.92\00:56:31.62 Who have said 100% surrender is what they want. 00:56:32.72\00:56:36.99 Bless them. 00:56:37.99\00:56:38.79 Keep them. 00:56:39.26\00:56:40.20 And bless them with victory through Jesus Christ. 00:56:40.86\00:56:43.90 And give them victory over the sin that does so easily besets 00:56:44.37\00:56:48.60 them. 00:56:48.60\00:56:49.10 Heavenly Father, I join them in complete surrender to you. 00:56:50.11\00:56:54.01 And I pray that in us you will work that marvelous work that 00:56:54.11\00:57:00.45 you have started. 00:57:00.45\00:57:01.22 And that you have promised to complete. 00:57:01.38\00:57:04.25 Thank you Lord that we can trust in you. 00:57:05.15\00:57:07.46 And that we can have the blessing of the fullness of joy 00:57:07.69\00:57:12.99 in your presence. 00:57:12.99\00:57:14.36 We ask you Heavenly Father to bless each and every one here. 00:57:14.76\00:57:17.57 And all those that have made a decision wherever they are. 00:57:17.57\00:57:21.60 Bless them with your joy. 00:57:22.00\00:57:22.90 Bless them with your peace. 00:57:23.47\00:57:24.57 And bless them with your forgiveness. 00:57:24.91\00:57:26.78 Thank you for the blood of the lamb that cleanses us from all 00:57:27.31\00:57:31.21 sin. 00:57:31.21\00:57:31.68 In the holy and blessed name of Jesus. 00:57:32.05\00:57:34.02 Amen. 00:57:34.48\00:57:34.88 And amen. 00:57:35.58\00:57:36.28 Praise the Lord. 00:57:36.85\00:57:37.22