Just want to welcome everyone
to Sabbath School Study Hour,
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if you are
watching us from online
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or if you are around the world
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and even here visiting
with us here at Granite Bay
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and our visitors and
our local members as well,
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we are so glad
to have you today.
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We are going to be
going through the lesson,
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Oneness in Christ, is
the lesson or the quarterly
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that we've been going through,
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but the lesson itself
is When Conflict Arises,
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and you are available,
if you don't have that,
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if you home viewers
and around the world,
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if you don't have
that, you can go to
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lesson.aftv.org,
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and when you go
there, you can click on it
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and download it for yourselves,
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When Conflict Arises.
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Also, we have a free
offer that's available to you
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and it's a DVD called
"Forgiving Friendly Fire,"
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and to get that offer
all you need to do is dial
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866-788-3966
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and ask for offer number 862.
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We also have a
digital version of that,
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and all you need to
do is text this code
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to "SH188"
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and you text it to 40544,
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and it'll send you to a link
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where you can
download this as well.
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And, so we are so glad
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you are able to worship with us,
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and at this time the
song leaders will come out
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and they will share a
song to bless us with today.
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Very soon, one day,
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we will ever Thy
glorious face to behold
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when Jesus comes in
the clouds of glory.
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At this time, Pastor John
will have our opening prayer.
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Our loving, kind
and heavenly Father,
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as we are just here, we
are asking Your blessing
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as we study this lesson today is
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Conflicts Arise, dear Father,
we are asking Your blessings
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as You guide
Pastor Shawn Brummund
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to share this message today.
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We pray in Jesus' name.
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Amen.
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I want to welcome
one of our pastors here,
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Pastor Shawn Brummund
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to share the
message today for us.
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So we are looking at
study lesson number seven,
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and lesson number seven
is an interesting topic.
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I have to confess...
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Anybody here like conflict?
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Anybody here enjoy conflict?
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No. Yeah, me neither.
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I'm putting my hand up
just, you know, as a model,
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but I am not putting my hand up
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because I enjoy conflict.
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You know, I've met
the rare individual
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and you probably have
too that seem somehow,
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you know, wired a
little bit different,
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and they seem to kind of,
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they seem to thrive on conflict,
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you know, they
like a good fight,
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they like a good argument,
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or they kind of thrive on
having these verbal battles.
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And sometimes we can watch them
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on our news
networks as well, can't we?
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So they kind of gravitate
and make a career or maybe
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and that's why we have
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such a big
concentration of them there.
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But for the most part,
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you know, I know that
I speak for most of us.
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Most of us don't enjoy conflict.
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Has anybody
experienced conflict?
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Okay.
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Now some are laughing,
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they don't need
to put their hand up,
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I mean that's
kind of a no-brainer.
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If you've lived more
than a couple of years,
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you know, you would know
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what conflict is about firsthand
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because you've
already experienced it.
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And, so it's not
exactly my favorite subject,
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I have to
confess, but nevertheless,
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it's one that we shouldn't avoid
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because when I ask
that second question,
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"How many of you
have ever experienced it?"
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Of course, everybody
has experienced conflict
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and we have experienced it
more than once in this world.
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Whenever you have
two or more human beings
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spending any significant
amount of time together,
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it's inevitable it seems that
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we eventually
experience some kind of tension,
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some kind of dispute or conflict
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that will take place
for different reasons
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at different measures.
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And so the
quarterly is entitled,
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"Oneness in Christ,"
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and I trust that all of
us really like that title
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because that was at the
heart of Christ's prayer
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when He prayed before
His disciples in John 17.
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It's recorded just
before He went to Gethsemane
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and then when He was
arrested and then crucified.
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And Jesus said, "Lord, Father,
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I pray that they may be
one even as we are one."
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Does God want us to be
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oneness in spirit,
and mind, and in unity?
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He does, doesn't He?
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That's one of the
great goals and the fruits,
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one of the outcroppings
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of having the Holy
Spirit in our hearts
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and falling on our
knees each morning and saying,
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"Lord, you know, please fill
me with Your Holy Spirit today.
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I die daily again. I die today."
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Even as the Apostle
Paul says, "I die daily
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that I might not get in
the way of your purposes
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and add to division
rather than to oneness."
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Our memory verse on
page 56 in lesson seven again
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is found in Galatians 3:27, 28.
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And, so I'm just
gonna go ahead and read that
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and you can read in your Bibles
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or your quarterlies if you wish.
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It says, "For as many of
you as were baptized into Christ
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have put on Christ.
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There is neither Jew nor Greek,
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there is neither slave nor free,
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there is
neither male nor female,
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for you are all
one in Christ Jesus."
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And so if there's any verse
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that we could
pick in all the Bible
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to be able to reflect
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the actual
title of our quarterly
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that would be it, wouldn't it?
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That when we put on Christ...
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Have you put on
Christ this morning?
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Now some of you have
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and I know that
some of you haven't.
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What does it
mean to put on Christ?
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Well, to put on
Christ means that
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you stop and you
again get on your knees
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and you say, "Lord, you know,
I want Your Holy Spirit today.
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Please baptize me, immerse me,
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help me to put Your
Spirit in my heart in life,
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help me to put You
on here this morning."
00:10:08.74\00:10:10.71
And so for those of you
who prayed this morning,
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asked for God in your
heart, you've put on Christ.
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For those of you who
haven't, this is your reminder
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that Christ has
called you to put Him on
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each and every morning,
and so that's important.
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Amen? Amen.
00:10:22.62\00:10:23.69
Okay.
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Glad I got a
couple of amens on that
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because that's no small truth
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that we are looking
at in light of conflict
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because when conflict arises,
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first of all, less
conflict takes place
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when we are dying
to ourselves daily.
00:10:32.86\00:10:35.23
And even when
there is disagreements
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and sometimes even
arguments or tension and such,
00:10:36.93\00:10:39.53
how to handle that is
dependent on whether or not
00:10:39.53\00:10:42.70
we are humbly putting
on Christ each morning.
00:10:42.70\00:10:46.88
Before we look at
the actual scriptures
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and such that the
lesson study points us to,
00:10:49.34\00:10:51.71
and because we've
looked at some of those things,
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The Jerusalem
Council in Acts Chapter 15,
00:10:53.58\00:10:56.25
the vision that Peter
received, the unclean animals
00:10:56.25\00:10:59.19
and so on that
came down from heaven
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in a sheet in
this prophetic vision,
00:11:00.59\00:11:02.69
we looked at that in
detail in the last quarterly.
00:11:02.69\00:11:04.59
In fact, I was the one that
taught both of those lessons
00:11:04.59\00:11:08.43
just by happenchance,
and so I didn't want to go
00:11:08.43\00:11:11.73
over the same
material too thoroughly
00:11:11.73\00:11:13.77
even though we will
look at The Jerusalem Council
00:11:13.77\00:11:15.44
one more time in
an important way.
00:11:15.44\00:11:17.57
But I want to bring us back to,
00:11:17.57\00:11:19.31
not at the beginning
of the Christian churches
00:11:19.31\00:11:21.08
we are looking
in our lesson study,
00:11:21.08\00:11:22.64
but all the way
back to Moses' day.
00:11:22.64\00:11:25.55
And in Moses' day, we
find that God had chosen Moses
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as a very important instrument
in serving, called by God
00:11:29.42\00:11:33.22
to be able to lead the
Israelites out of bondage.
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The Egyptians, even though
they had a good relationship
00:11:36.36\00:11:38.49
with the Israelites
in their first years,
00:11:38.49\00:11:41.00
sadly as the
centuries actually went by,
00:11:41.00\00:11:43.13
because it was about 400 years
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that they were in
Egypt and multiplying,
00:11:44.23\00:11:46.40
we find that at some point,
00:11:46.40\00:11:49.24
there was a
Pharaoh that wasn't quite
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as righteous as the first ones
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and not quite as kind
and so they began to misuse
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and abuse the Israelites
and turn them into slaves,
00:11:55.44\00:11:58.18
and not only did
they turn them into slaves
00:11:58.18\00:11:59.51
but they abused
them as slaves as well,
00:11:59.51\00:12:03.08
and so it was
not a pretty picture.
00:12:03.08\00:12:04.32
And so God had sent
Moses in to deliver them.
00:12:04.32\00:12:07.26
And many of us know the
story in the Book of Exodus,
00:12:07.26\00:12:09.92
indeed in a very powerful way,
00:12:09.92\00:12:11.29
God had delivered the
Israelites out of Egypt.
00:12:11.29\00:12:14.20
And they weren't more
than a month and a half
00:12:14.20\00:12:17.07
outside of that experience,
00:12:17.07\00:12:18.33
this great Exodus, this
great exit that took place
00:12:18.33\00:12:22.27
and despite the fact that
God had done some very powerful
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and some of them, really
the largest amazing miracles
00:12:25.31\00:12:29.18
that God has ever performed
in all of human history
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took place
during the days of Moses
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and the
deliverance out of Egypt.
00:12:34.48\00:12:36.92
And so it was no small
thing that the Israelites,
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this first generation
of freedom had experienced.
00:12:40.09\00:12:46.19
And despite the fact
00:12:46.19\00:12:47.23
that they were
just less than 45 days
00:12:47.23\00:12:49.86
since they had been at
the shore of the seaside
00:12:49.86\00:12:53.27
shore of the Red Sea,
00:12:53.27\00:12:55.44
and we find that
the women were signing
00:12:55.44\00:12:56.84
and they have the tambourines,
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they are dancing,
and great celebration,
00:12:57.91\00:12:59.57
they are praising
and they are thanking God
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for this delivery from
death and from captivity.
00:13:01.84\00:13:07.92
And despite the fact that surely
00:13:07.92\00:13:11.62
more than a few
of the Israelites
00:13:11.62\00:13:13.49
had been
strengthened in their faith,
00:13:13.49\00:13:14.82
they had been strengthened
in their trust in God,
00:13:14.82\00:13:17.13
they had been doing
some soul searching,
00:13:17.13\00:13:18.53
and all this
experience for some of them
00:13:18.53\00:13:20.43
was strengthening their faith,
strengthening their trust.
00:13:20.43\00:13:24.30
But in spite of all of that,
it's important to understand
00:13:24.30\00:13:27.50
that this fledgling
nation of God's people
00:13:27.50\00:13:30.51
were still dealing
with different conflicts
00:13:30.51\00:13:32.27
from within the camp.
00:13:32.27\00:13:36.95
Like the first months and
years of the early church,
00:13:36.95\00:13:39.11
they were involved in disputes
00:13:39.11\00:13:41.52
that were
threatening the unity of Israel.
00:13:41.52\00:13:44.55
Sadly, some of those complaints
and even false acquisitions
00:13:44.55\00:13:47.92
were being lifted up and
coming to the ears of Moses,
00:13:47.92\00:13:50.96
false acquisitions
that were laid against
00:13:50.96\00:13:53.70
God's humble and
faithful servant Moses himself.
00:13:53.70\00:14:00.04
And as we read through the Book
of Exodus as many of us have,
00:14:00.04\00:14:04.74
we'll find very
quickly and very sadly
00:14:04.74\00:14:07.08
that more than once
00:14:07.08\00:14:08.21
there was
murmuring within the camp,
00:14:08.21\00:14:10.35
there was different
disputes, there was complaints,
00:14:10.35\00:14:12.11
sometimes amongst themselves
00:14:12.11\00:14:13.48
and quite often
against the leadership
00:14:13.48\00:14:16.45
that God had
established at that time.
00:14:16.45\00:14:20.42
Now we can find a
key verse that helps us
00:14:20.42\00:14:22.36
to be able to understand
that just a little bit better,
00:14:22.36\00:14:23.89
if you come with me
00:14:23.89\00:14:25.06
to the Book of
Exodus Chapter 18.
00:14:25.06\00:14:27.73
We are going to go
to the Book of Exodus,
00:14:27.73\00:14:29.56
that's the second
book of the Bible.
00:14:29.56\00:14:30.97
That's Exodus Chapter 16...
00:14:34.84\00:14:36.87
and we are going to go
ahead and read verse 16.
00:14:39.94\00:14:42.44
Now I have asked a volunteer
00:14:42.44\00:14:44.45
to go ahead and
read that for me.
00:14:44.45\00:14:45.65
Is that you, Dan? That's me.
00:14:45.65\00:14:47.02
Okay, thank you, Dan.
00:14:47.02\00:14:48.08
You go ahead and
read that for us, please.
00:14:48.08\00:14:49.45
Exodus 18:16,
00:14:49.45\00:14:52.22
"When they have a
difficulty, they come to me,
00:14:52.22\00:14:54.79
and I judge
between one and another,
00:14:54.79\00:14:58.03
and I make known the
statutes of God and His laws."
00:14:58.03\00:15:01.73
Okay.
00:15:01.73\00:15:02.76
So here we have a
statement that Moses is making
00:15:02.76\00:15:04.53
in the midst of a very
interesting conversation
00:15:04.53\00:15:06.50
that he is having with
his father-in-law, Jethro.
00:15:06.50\00:15:09.97
Now Jethro is Midianite priest,
00:15:09.97\00:15:12.07
and he lives in the
vicinity of Mount Sinai
00:15:12.07\00:15:14.98
and we find that the
Israelite camp is camped
00:15:14.98\00:15:17.81
at the very base of
the mountain of God,
00:15:17.81\00:15:20.02
Mount Sinai, and Moses is
giving a firsthand account
00:15:20.02\00:15:24.02
of all these powerful
things that took place
00:15:24.02\00:15:25.79
from the moment that
Moses got into the land of Egypt
00:15:25.79\00:15:28.29
and how God had
delivered His people
00:15:28.29\00:15:30.76
in such a powerful way.
00:15:30.76\00:15:32.69
And Moses is
sharing, and now he says,
00:15:32.69\00:15:35.20
"I'm so busy that I'm
working from day to night
00:15:35.20\00:15:37.17
just judging people.
00:15:37.17\00:15:38.23
I just sit on the judgment seat
00:15:38.23\00:15:39.30
and there's a big
line up of Israelites
00:15:39.30\00:15:41.37
and they come to me with
their different disputes,
00:15:41.37\00:15:43.14
their different
difficulties and conflicts,
00:15:43.14\00:15:48.04
and I make judgment on them
00:15:48.04\00:15:49.68
in light of the
laws of God and so on."
00:15:49.68\00:15:53.28
Well, it's
interesting, it's almost comical
00:15:53.28\00:15:54.95
but it's certainly something
that was very much needed
00:15:54.95\00:15:57.55
in regards to counsel to Moses.
00:15:57.55\00:15:59.52
And so Jethro
responds in verse 17.
00:15:59.52\00:16:01.12
In the last half he says,
00:16:01.12\00:16:02.22
"The thing that
you do is not good."
00:16:02.22\00:16:05.49
Well, Moses must
have been taken aback.
00:16:05.49\00:16:06.76
"What do you mean, not good?
00:16:06.76\00:16:07.83
Really, I am serving the Lord
00:16:07.83\00:16:08.86
and doing all
these important things.
00:16:08.86\00:16:10.20
It is good."
00:16:10.20\00:16:13.60
And then Jethro explains himself
00:16:13.60\00:16:15.97
even more at
the end of verse 18.
00:16:15.97\00:16:17.67
He says, "You are not able
to perform it by yourself."
00:16:17.67\00:16:22.01
So that's...
00:16:22.01\00:16:23.11
So Jethro follows up and
says, "This is why I am saying
00:16:23.11\00:16:24.91
the things you
are not doing is good.
00:16:24.91\00:16:26.31
You are doing a
good work for sure,
00:16:26.31\00:16:28.58
but you can't
perform it all yourself.
00:16:28.58\00:16:30.69
You are going to
frustrate the people.
00:16:30.69\00:16:32.22
You are going to
wear yourself out.
00:16:32.22\00:16:33.39
You are going to wear them out
00:16:33.39\00:16:34.49
because their line ups
are going to get so backlogged
00:16:34.49\00:16:36.26
that they are
going to be dealing with
00:16:36.26\00:16:37.69
tensions and
difficulties much longer than
00:16:37.69\00:16:39.73
they should have to deal with
00:16:39.73\00:16:41.20
and not finding that
relief that they need
00:16:41.20\00:16:43.13
and so you need to be
able to find some help."
00:16:43.13\00:16:45.53
And so we find that famous
counsel where Jethro says,
00:16:45.53\00:16:48.70
"You need to able to divide
00:16:48.70\00:16:49.74
the whole camp of
Israel into thousands
00:16:49.74\00:16:51.87
and put a leader and elder
in charge of those thousands.
00:16:51.87\00:16:54.81
Then they divide
each group of thousand
00:16:54.81\00:16:56.21
into hundreds, ten hundreds
00:16:56.21\00:16:58.41
and so then you
have ten sub-leaders
00:16:58.41\00:17:00.35
and they are in
charge of hundreds.
00:17:00.35\00:17:01.95
Now take each of those groups
of hundreds and cut it in half
00:17:01.95\00:17:04.75
and have a captain for each
of the fifties in that hundred.
00:17:04.75\00:17:07.62
And then in those same fifties,
00:17:07.62\00:17:08.96
you want to divide it
into ten groups of ten
00:17:08.96\00:17:11.63
and so you have a team
leader for each of those
00:17:11.63\00:17:13.36
to be able to judge
the smallest matters.
00:17:13.36\00:17:15.80
And of course,
the smallest matters
00:17:15.80\00:17:17.20
would be judged
by leader of ten,
00:17:17.20\00:17:18.60
and if he can't sort it out,
00:17:18.60\00:17:19.90
then he goes to
their leader of fifty,
00:17:19.90\00:17:21.54
and if they can't sort it out,
00:17:21.54\00:17:22.74
then they move it up to leader
of a hundred and a thousand
00:17:22.74\00:17:25.44
and then finally
they go the Supreme Court
00:17:25.44\00:17:28.08
if they need to,
00:17:28.08\00:17:29.41
and the Supreme Court
at that time was Moses."
00:17:29.41\00:17:33.95
Verse 22, it says,
00:17:33.95\00:17:34.98
"Let them judge the
people at all times.
00:17:34.98\00:17:36.92
And then it will be
that every great matter
00:17:36.92\00:17:38.99
that they bring to you,
00:17:38.99\00:17:40.36
but every small matter
they themselves may judge.
00:17:40.36\00:17:43.22
It will be far easier for you,
00:17:43.22\00:17:44.59
for they will be able to
bear the burden with you."
00:17:44.59\00:17:50.23
And so very, very
wisely, we find this counsel
00:17:50.23\00:17:52.67
that is not only was
followed by Moses very smartly,
00:17:52.67\00:17:55.44
but many church
leaders and organizations
00:17:55.44\00:17:58.51
have followed that counsel,
00:17:58.51\00:18:00.18
many Christian, more
heritage based nations
00:18:00.18\00:18:04.05
like the US and so on,
00:18:04.05\00:18:05.25
politicians and governments
have leaned upon that counsel,
00:18:05.25\00:18:08.75
you know, all kinds of
different organizations
00:18:08.75\00:18:10.29
have benefited from
that very important counsel.
00:18:10.29\00:18:14.96
And so now Moses
is sharing the burden
00:18:14.96\00:18:16.79
and more people are involved
00:18:16.79\00:18:18.59
and being able to be a
part of a good organized
00:18:18.59\00:18:24.07
healthy
conflict handling society
00:18:24.07\00:18:28.14
and this is a good thing.
00:18:28.14\00:18:29.57
Why do non-theological
disputes take place
00:18:35.51\00:18:38.21
among God's people
in the first place?
00:18:38.21\00:18:41.82
You know, different disputes...
00:18:41.82\00:18:44.72
You know, of course, there's
a variety of different reasons
00:18:44.72\00:18:46.62
why we get in to conflict with
each other at different times.
00:18:46.62\00:18:49.56
Why does it take place
amongst God's people even?
00:18:49.56\00:18:51.73
Now we understand that it would
take place amongst the world
00:18:51.73\00:18:53.86
because the world is carnal,
00:18:53.86\00:18:56.36
and of course,
when you are carnal,
00:18:56.36\00:18:59.33
you gravitate towards conflict,
and you know, selfishness
00:18:59.33\00:19:03.24
and self-centeredness
and so on takes over,
00:19:03.24\00:19:06.24
but why do we have
it within God's people?
00:19:06.24\00:19:09.44
Well, I like to suggest that
there's two possible reasons
00:19:09.44\00:19:11.45
that this takes place.
00:19:11.45\00:19:13.28
The first one being
that the Bible calls it
00:19:13.28\00:19:15.82
in the same Book of
Exodus by the way, at 12:38,
00:19:15.82\00:19:19.75
he calls it a mixed multitude,
00:19:19.75\00:19:21.92
a mixed multitude, you see?
00:19:21.92\00:19:23.99
In verse 38, it says that
00:19:23.99\00:19:25.39
when the
Israelites were gathering
00:19:25.39\00:19:26.53
all their stuff together,
00:19:26.53\00:19:27.60
gathering their families
or gathering themselves.
00:19:27.60\00:19:29.20
And by the way, the Bible says,
00:19:29.20\00:19:30.23
they went over in a
very orderly fashion as well.
00:19:30.23\00:19:32.77
God is a God of order,
not of confusion, isn't He?
00:19:32.77\00:19:35.37
And so God had
organized His people into ranks
00:19:35.37\00:19:38.37
through Moses
and the other elders
00:19:38.37\00:19:39.61
to be able to very
orderly find themselves
00:19:39.61\00:19:43.45
leaving the land of Egypt.
00:19:43.45\00:19:45.41
And it says that,
"A mixed multitude
00:19:45.41\00:19:46.78
went up with them also,
00:19:46.78\00:19:49.25
and flocks and herds, and
a great deal of livestock."
00:19:49.25\00:19:52.75
And so here we find that
00:19:52.75\00:19:55.06
it wasn't just
those who loved God
00:19:55.06\00:19:57.96
that had found
themselves putting their faith
00:19:57.96\00:19:59.93
in the God of Israel
00:19:59.93\00:20:00.96
and were so thankful
for the promise of God
00:20:00.96\00:20:03.03
being fulfilled
as He said He would
00:20:03.03\00:20:05.23
through Abraham, through
Jacob, and Joseph, and so on.
00:20:05.23\00:20:07.74
And so, they were
following by faith
00:20:07.74\00:20:10.91
and they were so
happy to be able to leave,
00:20:10.91\00:20:12.71
but there was
also a mixed multitude.
00:20:12.71\00:20:14.81
Some of them weren't leaving
00:20:14.81\00:20:15.88
for the best
motives in the world.
00:20:15.88\00:20:18.21
Some of them
weren't really leaving
00:20:18.21\00:20:19.48
because they had a
great faith in God,
00:20:19.48\00:20:21.42
they saw the miracles
00:20:21.42\00:20:22.45
and they wanted to
surrender to This god of gods,
00:20:22.45\00:20:25.85
you know, that was
demonstrating himself
00:20:25.85\00:20:27.52
to be the true God
and not the gods of Egypt.
00:20:27.52\00:20:31.49
And so this points
out a very important
00:20:31.49\00:20:34.13
and needful reality
00:20:34.13\00:20:36.00
that we need to understand
as God's people even today.
00:20:36.00\00:20:38.67
And that is, God's
organized people have never been
00:20:38.67\00:20:40.80
made up of only sincere
lovers and followers of God.
00:20:40.80\00:20:43.84
It's never been that way.
00:20:43.84\00:20:45.51
It wasn't that way
00:20:45.51\00:20:46.51
from the very conception
of the Israelite nation
00:20:46.51\00:20:49.14
as we just took a
quick peek at in Moses' day.
00:20:49.14\00:20:52.98
And in the
beginnings of the early church,
00:20:52.98\00:20:55.62
we find that there was
a mixed multitude as well.
00:20:55.62\00:20:58.05
Even when we look at the 12,
00:20:58.05\00:21:00.69
the 12 apostles.
00:21:00.69\00:21:01.76
Were they all sincere
lovers and followers of God?
00:21:01.76\00:21:04.96
No, no.
00:21:04.96\00:21:06.29
We have Judas
Iscariot, don't we?
00:21:06.29\00:21:08.33
And so Judas Iscariot was
there for ulterior motives.
00:21:08.33\00:21:11.33
He was going through the motions
00:21:11.33\00:21:12.40
and he was pretending
he was on the same page,
00:21:12.40\00:21:15.50
but he wasn't, was he?
00:21:15.50\00:21:17.11
And so, right
from the very inception
00:21:17.11\00:21:19.27
of the Christian
church even amongst the 12,
00:21:19.27\00:21:21.84
we found that there was a
bit of amongst mixed multitude.
00:21:21.84\00:21:26.88
It's no coincidence that
00:21:26.88\00:21:27.92
one of the more
extensive or longer parables
00:21:27.92\00:21:30.69
that Jesus had shared
was one concerning a farmer
00:21:30.69\00:21:33.22
and some wheat, as
well as some tares.
00:21:33.22\00:21:35.29
Why?
00:21:35.29\00:21:36.42
Because Jesus wanted to
clearly communicate that so that
00:21:36.42\00:21:39.69
when we as new Christians,
00:21:39.69\00:21:41.33
especially when you are
new and you come to the faith.
00:21:41.33\00:21:43.30
I remember when I
joined the Adventist church,
00:21:43.30\00:21:44.83
I was baptized and so on,
00:21:44.83\00:21:46.74
and I was just
full of the spirit
00:21:46.74\00:21:48.30
and I thought
everybody just lived like Jesus.
00:21:48.30\00:21:50.44
They were
perfect just like heaven.
00:21:50.44\00:21:52.44
And it didn't take
me very long to realize,
00:21:52.44\00:21:54.34
"Hey, wait a minute.
00:21:54.34\00:21:55.41
There're some real
faults among these people.
00:21:55.41\00:21:57.05
What's up?"
00:21:57.05\00:21:58.65
And so this parable
helped me when I came to it
00:21:58.65\00:22:02.22
because it clarified
for me that, "Hey, listen."
00:22:02.22\00:22:04.82
You know, Jesus said, "It's
like a farmer, a land owner."
00:22:04.82\00:22:06.69
He had different
servants, and they went out
00:22:06.69\00:22:08.12
and they had a
sack of pure seed,
00:22:08.12\00:22:10.56
this was high quality,
top quality grain seed,
00:22:10.56\00:22:14.30
you know, wheat
seed, and so they went out
00:22:14.30\00:22:15.66
and they planted it,
00:22:15.66\00:22:17.43
waited for the
early rains to come
00:22:17.43\00:22:18.77
and being able to give
that sprouting that they needed,
00:22:18.77\00:22:21.17
and sure enough they started
to sprout and they came up.
00:22:21.17\00:22:23.27
But Jesus says, "In the
night while they were sleeping,
00:22:23.27\00:22:25.11
there was an enemy that came in
00:22:25.11\00:22:26.31
and planted seeds
from weeds called tares."
00:22:26.31\00:22:29.74
Now scholars as it
turns out have discovered
00:22:29.74\00:22:31.65
that tares is a weed
00:22:31.65\00:22:32.91
that looks pretty
similar to the wheat plant.
00:22:32.91\00:22:36.55
And so the servants
didn't figure this out at first.
00:22:36.55\00:22:38.62
It had to grow for a
while, but after it grew up
00:22:38.62\00:22:40.86
and got a
little bit more mature,
00:22:40.86\00:22:41.96
they started to
realize, "Hey, lo and behold.
00:22:41.96\00:22:43.99
Not every plant here is wheat.
00:22:43.99\00:22:46.66
There's also tares among it."
00:22:46.66\00:22:47.93
So they were distressed,
they ran to the land owner
00:22:47.93\00:22:49.40
and said, "Hey, wait a minute.
00:22:49.40\00:22:50.47
Didn't we...
00:22:50.47\00:22:51.53
I got to swear that we
only just planted good seed."
00:22:51.53\00:22:54.24
And he said, "Yes, we did."
00:22:54.24\00:22:55.84
He said, "Well,
what's all these tares here?"
00:22:55.84\00:22:57.21
He said, "An enemy
came and planted those."
00:22:57.21\00:23:00.38
And so sadly then they said,
00:23:00.38\00:23:02.84
"Well, should we go
and gather them up?"
00:23:02.84\00:23:04.65
And Jesus said,
"No, no. Just leave them.
00:23:04.65\00:23:05.91
Let them grow with
the rest of the wheat.
00:23:05.91\00:23:07.68
At the harvest, we'll separate
the wheat from the tares."
00:23:07.68\00:23:11.72
And then later He
deciphered that and said that
00:23:11.72\00:23:13.99
that represents the gospel,
the Word of God and the church.
00:23:13.99\00:23:18.79
And so sadly, not all of
us are putting on Christ.
00:23:18.79\00:23:25.03
Maybe we've never put on Christ
00:23:25.03\00:23:27.20
and surrendered
to Him in the way
00:23:27.20\00:23:28.34
that we need to be saved
00:23:28.34\00:23:30.67
and to be able to find that
born again experience in Jesus
00:23:30.67\00:23:33.17
or perhaps some of
us have found ourselves,
00:23:33.17\00:23:35.44
it's been so long
since we put on Christ
00:23:35.44\00:23:37.41
that we're not really
walking with Him anymore.
00:23:37.41\00:23:41.45
And so this is God's opportunity
00:23:41.45\00:23:43.95
as He's speaking to
you right now and saying,
00:23:43.95\00:23:46.76
"If this is true for
you," and God is speaking,
00:23:46.76\00:23:48.96
you are feeling maybe
some conviction in your heart,
00:23:48.96\00:23:51.33
then this is the time
to be able to do a reset
00:23:51.33\00:23:53.90
if you used to know Christ,
00:23:53.90\00:23:55.30
and if you know you've
never really fully surrendered,
00:23:55.30\00:23:57.60
this is the time to be
able to give yourself to Him.
00:23:57.60\00:24:03.54
Well, the second reason
that we can find disputes
00:24:03.54\00:24:05.27
among God's people
is that even amongst
00:24:05.27\00:24:07.01
those who were
sincere, even amongst the wheat,
00:24:07.01\00:24:09.68
we can find conflicts, can't we?
00:24:09.68\00:24:11.71
Okay, you just find two
sincere born again people
00:24:11.71\00:24:13.65
that are married,
00:24:13.65\00:24:15.82
and you ask them,
00:24:15.82\00:24:16.99
"You know, have you ever
had conflict in your marriage?"
00:24:16.99\00:24:20.19
And if they're
honest, they'll say yes,
00:24:20.19\00:24:22.36
okay, you know.
00:24:22.36\00:24:24.69
And I'll be the first
one to put my hand up.
00:24:24.69\00:24:26.63
There's times in
my growing experience
00:24:26.63\00:24:28.76
where I have failed my
wife and I've said things
00:24:28.76\00:24:31.23
or done things that
I shouldn't have said
00:24:31.23\00:24:33.67
and I had to apologize
after and reconcile with her.
00:24:33.67\00:24:37.07
Did that make me insincere
or non-born-again Christian?
00:24:37.07\00:24:41.38
No, not at all.
00:24:41.38\00:24:42.98
But it did make me a
growing Christian, didn't it?
00:24:42.98\00:24:45.61
And so we're all sinners
saved by the grace of God.
00:24:45.61\00:24:48.65
We're learning obedience.
00:24:48.65\00:24:49.95
We're learning and
forming our character
00:24:49.95\00:24:51.89
to reflect the
character of Christ.
00:24:51.89\00:24:54.52
The Bible has a
long word for it.
00:24:54.52\00:24:56.52
We don't use it on
the street very often.
00:24:56.52\00:24:57.86
It's called sanctification.
00:24:57.86\00:25:00.43
And sanctification is
a long theological term,
00:25:00.43\00:25:02.76
it's in the Bible,
00:25:02.76\00:25:03.83
and it refers to being
set apart to be like Jesus,
00:25:03.83\00:25:06.53
to be holy even
as Jesus is holy.
00:25:06.53\00:25:10.01
But that is a
process that takes place.
00:25:10.01\00:25:12.44
One of the things that
we find out as Christians
00:25:12.44\00:25:14.61
is not only are others
within the church not perfect,
00:25:14.61\00:25:17.55
but we start to realize that
we are not perfect yet either.
00:25:17.55\00:25:20.48
And so you don't
become like Jesus
00:25:20.48\00:25:21.95
within a month after baptism.
00:25:21.95\00:25:23.79
You don't come perfectly
like Jesus a year after baptism.
00:25:23.79\00:25:28.36
One wise person says that
it's a work of a lifetime.
00:25:28.36\00:25:32.69
One of my favorite
verses is found in 1 Peter 3:18,
00:25:32.69\00:25:36.87
and it's the very
last verse of 2 Peter,
00:25:36.87\00:25:40.24
sorry, 2 Peter 3:18.
00:25:40.24\00:25:42.70
And it's the very last verse
00:25:42.70\00:25:44.57
that he shares with
the Christian church.
00:25:44.57\00:25:46.98
It's his last
letter, his last words,
00:25:46.98\00:25:49.54
and these are the
words that he shares.
00:25:49.54\00:25:51.05
He says, "But grow..."
00:25:51.05\00:25:53.98
What does he ask us to do?
00:25:53.98\00:25:55.72
He asks us to grow in
the grace and the knowledge
00:25:55.72\00:25:58.72
of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
00:25:58.72\00:26:02.19
And so, Peter understood
00:26:02.19\00:26:04.73
and, of course, he
understood that firsthand.
00:26:04.73\00:26:06.06
We can read his
record and realize
00:26:06.06\00:26:07.46
there was bumps in the
road for him too, wasn't there?
00:26:07.46\00:26:09.93
And he had to get
on his knees and say,
00:26:09.93\00:26:11.27
"Lord, please forgive
me. I really blew it,"
00:26:11.27\00:26:13.84
and learn and grow and
become a better Christian,
00:26:13.84\00:26:17.21
a better human being,
more like Christ because of it.
00:26:17.21\00:26:19.54
And so he gives that same
encouragement to you and I.
00:26:19.54\00:26:23.68
One of my favorite
church conference president
00:26:23.68\00:26:25.65
used to say, "The
saints are in process, Shawn.
00:26:25.65\00:26:28.48
The saints are in
process, you know?"
00:26:28.48\00:26:30.72
If there's one sure place
00:26:30.72\00:26:32.05
that you want to
witness this process,
00:26:32.05\00:26:33.59
just go to a summer camp meeting
00:26:33.59\00:26:36.09
and go there on
the final Sabbath.
00:26:36.09\00:26:38.53
If it's a two weekend Sabbath,
00:26:38.53\00:26:40.06
typically, the last
Sabbath is the grand finale
00:26:40.06\00:26:42.30
and you have a lot of locals
00:26:42.30\00:26:43.73
within the same part of
the state, neighboring states.
00:26:43.73\00:26:46.00
They'll drive over
00:26:46.00\00:26:47.27
and join for a
nice picnic and worship
00:26:47.27\00:26:49.44
and the crowd is big
and the parking is sparse.
00:26:49.44\00:26:53.78
And you'll start to find that
00:26:53.78\00:26:55.71
the saints
indeed are in process.
00:26:55.71\00:26:57.88
Sometimes spirits come out
00:26:57.88\00:26:59.15
that aren't exactly the
spirit of God, are they?
00:26:59.15\00:27:01.82
And sometimes, the saints
have to apologize to each other
00:27:01.82\00:27:06.42
and say, "Wait a minute.
00:27:06.42\00:27:07.56
I got carried away there.
You gonna have to forgive me.
00:27:07.56\00:27:09.39
I didn't really act like Christ
in that particular instance."
00:27:09.39\00:27:15.66
Well, this week's
quarterly brings our attention
00:27:15.66\00:27:17.23
to a non-theological
dispute and complaint
00:27:17.23\00:27:19.37
among the saints of
a newly budding church,
00:27:19.37\00:27:21.90
and we find it in Acts 6:1.
00:27:21.90\00:27:24.97
And so we're going
to turn there together,
00:27:24.97\00:27:28.74
Acts 6:1,
00:27:28.74\00:27:34.05
and again, we have a volunteer.
00:27:34.05\00:27:35.32
And Case is going to
kindly read that for us.
00:27:35.32\00:27:37.09
Thank you.
00:27:37.09\00:27:38.35
"Now in those days,
00:27:38.35\00:27:39.75
when the number of the
disciples was multiplying,
00:27:39.75\00:27:42.52
there arose a complaint
00:27:42.52\00:27:43.99
against the
Hebrews by the Hellenists,
00:27:43.99\00:27:46.39
because their
widows were neglected
00:27:46.39\00:27:48.26
in the daily distribution."
00:27:48.26\00:27:50.63
Okay. Thank you.
00:27:50.63\00:27:52.63
And so it sounds a lot
like Moses' day, doesn't it?
00:27:52.63\00:27:55.77
The word, "complaint," came
up a lot in the Book of Exodus.
00:27:55.77\00:27:58.11
And we find that lo and behold,
00:27:58.11\00:27:59.87
when we come to just
weeks or at the most months
00:27:59.87\00:28:03.41
into the existence
of the Christian church,
00:28:03.41\00:28:05.88
we find that there's a complaint
00:28:05.88\00:28:06.95
that's rising up
to the leadership.
00:28:06.95\00:28:08.42
And they are
saying, "Hey, listen.
00:28:08.42\00:28:09.98
We've got a problem."
00:28:09.98\00:28:11.09
There's inequity
that's taking place.
00:28:11.09\00:28:14.09
There's unfairness in practice
00:28:14.09\00:28:15.82
in concerned to a welfare system
00:28:15.82\00:28:17.43
that had sprung
up within the church
00:28:17.43\00:28:19.46
because the church
recognized very quickly
00:28:19.46\00:28:21.80
once it began that there
was a need within the church
00:28:21.80\00:28:26.47
for different
people to have lodging,
00:28:26.47\00:28:28.20
different members to
have food, and there was for
00:28:28.20\00:28:30.34
a couple or three
different reasons for that.
00:28:30.34\00:28:32.91
One of them was that
there was widows within the camp
00:28:32.91\00:28:35.68
and those widows
had stood for Christ,
00:28:35.68\00:28:38.21
but the family didn't.
00:28:38.21\00:28:39.41
And so, whatever sons or family
maybe were supporting them
00:28:39.41\00:28:43.25
basically had disowned them,
you know, because they joined
00:28:43.25\00:28:45.95
this Jewish cult
called Christianity,
00:28:45.95\00:28:49.02
and so they experience
this kind of excommunication
00:28:49.02\00:28:53.53
from their home,
00:28:53.53\00:28:54.76
and different
individuals were expelled
00:28:54.76\00:28:57.40
from their homes and disowned.
00:28:57.40\00:28:58.57
And so there was a real need,
00:28:58.57\00:29:00.54
very immediate need that
rose up within the church.
00:29:00.54\00:29:04.04
Well, there
wasn't a welfare system
00:29:04.04\00:29:06.24
like we have in our
government in United States
00:29:06.24\00:29:08.48
and other
countries around the world.
00:29:08.48\00:29:11.18
And so the only
option that they had was
00:29:11.18\00:29:13.28
to be able to gather together
funds and different food
00:29:13.28\00:29:15.72
and bread to be able to feed
00:29:15.72\00:29:17.15
these different
individuals within the church
00:29:17.15\00:29:19.15
and make sure that
they are taken care of.
00:29:19.15\00:29:20.99
And we read some of those things
00:29:20.99\00:29:23.22
in the early chapters of Acts
in our quarterly study already
00:29:23.22\00:29:25.86
where people didn't
count things as their own,
00:29:25.86\00:29:27.96
but if they had an
extra house or extra land,
00:29:27.96\00:29:29.96
they would go and
sell and bring the money
00:29:29.96\00:29:31.87
before the feet of the apostles,
00:29:31.87\00:29:32.97
and some of that was
used to feed the needy
00:29:32.97\00:29:35.44
within the church.
00:29:35.44\00:29:37.27
Well, there were widows
00:29:37.27\00:29:38.54
that were being
fed on a daily basis.
00:29:38.54\00:29:40.21
They were distributing
food, and as it turns out,
00:29:40.21\00:29:45.31
the Hebrew Christians
were the majority in Jerusalem.
00:29:45.31\00:29:48.22
And so they
would have taken charge
00:29:48.22\00:29:50.75
of this particular
distribution of the food.
00:29:50.75\00:29:53.19
And we find that they are
guilty of doing something that
00:29:53.19\00:29:55.36
you and I can find ourselves
doing very, very easily
00:29:55.36\00:29:59.33
if we're not very, very careful.
00:29:59.33\00:30:01.00
And so this is a very
important life lesson for us
00:30:01.00\00:30:02.80
in our sanctification,
00:30:02.80\00:30:03.97
in our growth
experience in Christ.
00:30:03.97\00:30:06.60
And we find that the Hebrews,
00:30:06.60\00:30:08.80
the Hebrew Christians
were playing favoritism,
00:30:08.80\00:30:12.17
and they were guilty
of offering favoritism
00:30:12.17\00:30:15.41
to the Hebrew widows,
but not to the Hellenists.
00:30:15.41\00:30:18.65
And so the Hellenist widows
were getting half the amount
00:30:18.65\00:30:21.35
that the Hebrew
widows were getting.
00:30:21.35\00:30:23.89
Well that's not fair, is it? No.
00:30:23.89\00:30:27.46
And so a rightful complaint
came before the leadership,
00:30:27.46\00:30:31.36
something unfair is
taking place within the church.
00:30:31.36\00:30:34.86
Now it's interesting
00:30:34.86\00:30:36.70
and it's important to understand
00:30:36.70\00:30:37.83
that a Hebrew widow
and a Hebrew Christian
00:30:37.83\00:30:41.17
would be one
that was of a culture
00:30:41.17\00:30:44.24
within the
Jewish nation in which
00:30:44.24\00:30:47.44
they continued to
speak Hebrew within the home.
00:30:47.44\00:30:50.85
They would memorize and
read the Hebrew Scriptures,
00:30:50.85\00:30:53.75
the Torah and so on.
00:30:53.75\00:30:55.75
They were the gatekeepers
00:30:55.75\00:30:57.32
of the Hebrew
culture and traditions
00:30:57.32\00:30:59.75
that had been developed
over the centuries beforehand.
00:30:59.75\00:31:02.69
And so they were as Hebrew
or Jewish as you could be.
00:31:02.69\00:31:07.13
The Hellenists were also Jews
00:31:07.13\00:31:09.36
and they also
believed in the same God.
00:31:09.36\00:31:10.70
They have the same Bible,
00:31:10.70\00:31:11.77
went to synagogues
on Sabbath as well.
00:31:11.77\00:31:14.20
But their difference
was that they had adopted
00:31:14.20\00:31:16.27
the universal
language of the Roman Empire
00:31:16.27\00:31:18.14
which was Greek,
00:31:18.14\00:31:19.41
and so they were speaking Greek
in the home instead of Hebrew.
00:31:19.41\00:31:22.54
And not only that, they
had a Greek, the Septuagint,
00:31:22.54\00:31:25.81
they had the Greek
Scriptures that they would read
00:31:25.81\00:31:27.88
and they had also adopted some
of the Greek culture as well,
00:31:27.88\00:31:30.99
and some of the Greek traditions
00:31:30.99\00:31:32.69
rather than staying
strictly in Hebrew tradition.
00:31:32.69\00:31:35.69
And so it was very natural
and easy for the Hebrews,
00:31:35.69\00:31:39.33
the Hebrew Christians
to look down their noses
00:31:39.33\00:31:40.93
at the Hellenists and say,
00:31:40.93\00:31:41.93
"Well, you know,
we're superior to you,
00:31:41.93\00:31:44.17
and besides,
you're not of our kind,
00:31:44.17\00:31:47.24
and so therefore,
00:31:47.24\00:31:48.80
I'm going to give
you a little bit of food,
00:31:48.80\00:31:50.17
but here is a great big food
00:31:50.17\00:31:52.74
for you over
here, Hebrew widow."
00:31:52.74\00:31:57.55
Well, the good news is that
the following verses tell us
00:31:57.55\00:31:59.61
that there was a very real
00:31:59.61\00:32:00.92
and effective
process that took place.
00:32:00.92\00:32:02.85
The God had guided the apostles,
00:32:02.85\00:32:05.05
the apostles gathered together
the membership of Jerusalem,
00:32:05.05\00:32:08.72
and so the
majority of the membership
00:32:08.72\00:32:10.23
of the Jerusalem
church came together,
00:32:10.23\00:32:11.43
and he said, "Now, listen.
00:32:11.43\00:32:12.49
This is the problem
00:32:12.49\00:32:13.70
and this is how we would like
to suggest that we solve it.
00:32:13.70\00:32:15.96
We want you to choose
seven men amongst yourselves,
00:32:15.96\00:32:20.14
and we're going to
place those seven men
00:32:20.14\00:32:22.74
to be full time in-charge
of distributing the food fairly
00:32:22.74\00:32:27.41
amongst both the Hebrew
and the Hellenist widows."
00:32:27.41\00:32:30.35
And so sure enough,
the people got together,
00:32:30.35\00:32:33.35
they chose a seven.
00:32:33.35\00:32:34.98
And we call them deacons today
00:32:34.98\00:32:36.42
because later on,
deacons are spoken of,
00:32:36.42\00:32:38.89
and the responsibilities
are very much the same.
00:32:38.89\00:32:41.72
And so traditionally,
00:32:41.72\00:32:43.32
we referred to these seven
as the first seven deacons.
00:32:43.32\00:32:48.30
Well, not only would
these deacons be in charge
00:32:48.30\00:32:50.10
of policing the distribution
of the food to make sure
00:32:50.10\00:32:54.30
that everything was being
fair and rightly distributed,
00:32:54.30\00:32:57.91
but it also gave
opportunity for the guilty ones,
00:32:57.91\00:33:01.48
for the guilty ones that
were playing favoritism before,
00:33:01.48\00:33:04.25
now they had an opportunity
to repent and say, "Okay."
00:33:04.25\00:33:07.68
You know, maybe they
weren't even conscious
00:33:07.68\00:33:10.05
that they were
doing it, or realize that
00:33:10.05\00:33:11.45
it was something that was wrong
00:33:11.45\00:33:13.49
and now God and the Holy
Spirit was bringing conviction,
00:33:13.49\00:33:16.29
the governance of the church
00:33:16.29\00:33:17.99
and the leadership had brought
that conviction and correction.
00:33:17.99\00:33:20.90
And now they had opportunity
00:33:20.90\00:33:22.00
to be able to start to
treat everybody the same
00:33:22.00\00:33:26.50
regardless of
their ethnic background,
00:33:26.50\00:33:28.50
and ethnicity, or race.
00:33:28.50\00:33:30.74
Can you say amen? Amen.
00:33:30.74\00:33:32.64
Okay, good.
00:33:32.64\00:33:34.54
All right. So yeah.
00:33:34.54\00:33:36.91
So it gave them an opportunity
to be able to be corrected
00:33:36.91\00:33:39.88
and to find
themselves in harmony
00:33:39.88\00:33:41.55
with this important principle
that they were not practicing.
00:33:41.55\00:33:45.12
Another important part in
achieving a successful unity
00:33:45.12\00:33:47.99
and harmony was
noticed in verse 3,
00:33:47.99\00:33:50.43
and so I'm going to
get our last volunteer,
00:33:50.43\00:33:52.33
if you could
kindly read verse 3 for us
00:33:52.33\00:33:54.50
in chapter 6, Acts 6:3.
00:33:54.50\00:33:59.37
"Therefore, brethren,
00:33:59.37\00:34:01.30
look you out among
seven honest reward,
00:34:01.30\00:34:06.51
full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom,
00:34:06.51\00:34:09.01
whom we may appoint
over this business."
00:34:09.01\00:34:12.45
Okay. Thank you.
00:34:12.45\00:34:13.48
So they didn't just say
pick any seven, did they?
00:34:13.48\00:34:16.02
But they said, "Pick men
that are of good reputation,
00:34:16.02\00:34:20.69
that are full of
the Holy Spirit."
00:34:20.69\00:34:23.36
Now isn't that interesting?
00:34:23.36\00:34:24.39
They were full
of the Holy Spirit.
00:34:24.39\00:34:28.80
You know, I've been in a
lot of nominating committees
00:34:28.80\00:34:30.40
and processes as a
pastor over the last 21 years,
00:34:30.40\00:34:33.10
and not too
often that I've heard,
00:34:33.10\00:34:35.74
you know, the
nominating committee say,
00:34:35.74\00:34:36.77
"Okay, now we are thinking of
00:34:36.77\00:34:37.84
such and such to
be our head deacon.
00:34:37.84\00:34:40.38
Is he full of the Holy Spirit?"
00:34:40.38\00:34:43.04
You know, not too
often we say that.
00:34:43.04\00:34:44.51
How do we know if somebody
is full of the Holy Spirit?
00:34:44.51\00:34:47.82
You know, that's one
of the qualifications.
00:34:47.82\00:34:49.15
So John Smith shouldn't be
nominated as the head deacon
00:34:49.15\00:34:52.49
if we're not convinced that
he's full of the Holy Spirit.
00:34:52.49\00:34:55.99
Well, you know, the Bible
gives us some different types.
00:34:55.99\00:34:58.73
You know, Jesus says,
00:34:58.73\00:34:59.76
"You know, a good tree
cannot produce bad fruit."
00:34:59.76\00:35:02.30
You know, you shall
know them by their fruits.
00:35:02.30\00:35:04.13
And so we need to
examine their fruits
00:35:04.13\00:35:07.30
and maybe even ask them and say,
00:35:07.30\00:35:08.84
"Are you asking
for the Holy Spirit
00:35:08.84\00:35:10.14
on a regular
basis in your life?"
00:35:10.14\00:35:13.54
You know, you'd be
surprised how many might say,
00:35:13.54\00:35:15.28
"Well, you know...
00:35:15.28\00:35:18.85
Two months ago, you know."
00:35:18.85\00:35:21.45
And so it's important for
us to be able to make sure
00:35:21.45\00:35:23.65
that our leaders are
full of the Holy Spirit.
00:35:23.65\00:35:25.92
Good reputation and
also have wisdom, of course,
00:35:25.92\00:35:29.12
experience and understanding.
00:35:29.12\00:35:31.69
And so finally
in the same chapter,
00:35:31.69\00:35:32.83
we find a solid Bible model
00:35:32.83\00:35:34.73
for nominating key
leaders in the church.
00:35:34.73\00:35:37.07
Notice how the
apostles didn't choose them.
00:35:37.07\00:35:38.47
He said, "Now I want you
to choose amongst yourselves,"
00:35:38.47\00:35:41.04
and that's what
we're doing in Granite Bay
00:35:41.04\00:35:42.30
and many
churches across the world
00:35:42.30\00:35:43.71
in our world church
this fall, aren't we?
00:35:43.71\00:35:45.07
Before the year ends,
00:35:45.07\00:35:46.14
we're getting
nominating committees together
00:35:46.14\00:35:47.58
that are chosen by you,
and then that group of you
00:35:47.58\00:35:50.35
then nominates different leaders
00:35:50.35\00:35:52.01
to be able to be in charge
00:35:52.01\00:35:53.15
of different
ministries and departments,
00:35:53.15\00:35:55.05
and then you bring that
list to the whole church,
00:35:55.05\00:35:57.22
and then you vote on whether
or not they'll be the leaders.
00:35:57.22\00:36:00.42
And so you're
voting and choosing
00:36:00.42\00:36:02.42
from amongst
yourselves, aren't you?
00:36:02.42\00:36:04.26
And so we don't have
this kind of monarchy kind of
00:36:04.26\00:36:07.50
approach to the
leadership of the church
00:36:07.50\00:36:10.83
but rather it's chosen
from amongst yourselves.
00:36:10.83\00:36:14.27
And so we're
following a good model,
00:36:14.27\00:36:16.17
and I take great
confidence in knowing that.
00:36:16.17\00:36:21.24
Well, for the last few
minutes that we have together,
00:36:21.24\00:36:23.55
we're going to look at the
next conflict in the church.
00:36:23.55\00:36:25.35
And again, we studied this
in detail in the last quarterly,
00:36:25.35\00:36:27.45
so we're just going
to quickly run over that.
00:36:27.45\00:36:31.35
Now this conflict was
way bigger than the conflict
00:36:31.35\00:36:33.52
we just saw in Acts Chapter 6
00:36:33.52\00:36:35.16
way more intense, way longer,
00:36:35.16\00:36:37.06
it took several years for them
00:36:37.06\00:36:38.29
to work through
this particular conflict.
00:36:38.29\00:36:40.50
And so Chapter 6 was kind of
just a little bit of a warm up
00:36:40.50\00:36:45.17
for what was ahead because
it was just after chapter 6
00:36:45.17\00:36:47.70
that we find that one
of those seven deacons
00:36:47.70\00:36:49.54
that were chosen
by the name of Stephen
00:36:49.54\00:36:52.17
found himself as
the first martyr.
00:36:52.17\00:36:55.04
God had chosen Stephen
to give one more last appeal
00:36:55.04\00:36:57.21
to the highest
leadership of Israel
00:36:57.21\00:36:58.98
and in the midst of that,
00:36:58.98\00:37:00.25
Stephen realized he's
not making it through.
00:37:00.25\00:37:02.32
He could tell by their reaction
00:37:02.32\00:37:03.42
and their anger that was growing
00:37:03.42\00:37:04.69
that he's not going to make
it to the end of his speech.
00:37:04.69\00:37:07.39
And so he makes
a bit of an appeal
00:37:07.39\00:37:09.12
and then they take him outside
00:37:09.12\00:37:10.19
and they throw rocks
at him until he is dead.
00:37:10.19\00:37:14.20
So Stephen became the
first Christian martyr to die
00:37:17.30\00:37:20.57
for his faith in Christ,
00:37:20.57\00:37:22.04
and so he's a very honorable
person for us to remember.
00:37:22.04\00:37:27.54
Well, as it turns out,
the following scriptures
00:37:27.54\00:37:29.84
in the Book of Acts tells us
00:37:29.84\00:37:30.91
that this execution
flamed the fires of persecution,
00:37:30.91\00:37:34.05
the church leaders
within, not church leaders
00:37:34.05\00:37:36.28
but the Jewish
religious leaders of Jerusalem
00:37:36.28\00:37:38.52
then kind of took the
momentum and fire from that
00:37:38.52\00:37:41.12
and they began to
persecute within Jerusalem
00:37:41.12\00:37:43.09
in a very aggressive way
00:37:43.09\00:37:44.33
and then started to spread out
00:37:44.33\00:37:45.69
to the other cities in
Judea and Israel and such.
00:37:45.69\00:37:49.26
And as a result of that,
00:37:49.26\00:37:50.57
we find a very
key verse in Acts 8:4.
00:37:50.57\00:37:53.47
It says, "Therefore those who
were scattered went everywhere
00:37:53.47\00:37:57.01
preaching the Word."
00:37:57.01\00:37:59.14
And so not only
were they scattered
00:37:59.14\00:38:00.61
outside of Judea and Israel,
00:38:00.61\00:38:02.81
but we find that
they went preaching
00:38:02.81\00:38:05.45
and sharing the
great gospel and good news
00:38:05.45\00:38:07.42
that they had found
of Jesus as the Messiah
00:38:07.42\00:38:09.72
and Savior of the world.
00:38:09.72\00:38:11.29
Well, as a result of this,
00:38:11.29\00:38:12.35
they began to expose
the gospel to Gentiles.
00:38:12.35\00:38:14.79
Well, what are Gentiles?
00:38:14.79\00:38:16.89
Gentiles is a biblical term
00:38:16.89\00:38:18.89
that was used
back in Bible times,
00:38:18.89\00:38:20.90
in Jesus' times, to
refer to non-Jewish people.
00:38:20.90\00:38:23.50
So any race or
person that's not Jewish
00:38:23.50\00:38:26.47
is referred to as a Gentile.
00:38:26.47\00:38:28.64
And so these
Gentiles were exposed
00:38:28.64\00:38:30.51
to the Gospel of
Christ and His kingdom,
00:38:30.51\00:38:32.51
and they started to
accept, they started to believe,
00:38:32.51\00:38:34.74
and some of them
were even being baptized,
00:38:34.74\00:38:37.28
and they were finding
themselves within the church.
00:38:37.28\00:38:40.85
Well, what did the
apostles and Jewish Christians
00:38:40.85\00:38:42.38
think about this?
00:38:42.38\00:38:45.09
Well, Peter said
it best in Acts 10:28,
00:38:45.09\00:38:48.82
when he was in a
house full of Gentiles.
00:38:48.82\00:38:50.76
He was in a
house that was packed,
00:38:50.76\00:38:53.26
and you can almost picture,
00:38:53.26\00:38:54.50
it packed from wall to wall
as this gentile Roman leader
00:38:54.50\00:38:59.13
by the name of Cornelius
had gathered his whole family,
00:38:59.13\00:39:01.37
his neighbors, his
friends, any believers
00:39:01.37\00:39:03.00
or anybody that's
open to the God of Israel,
00:39:03.00\00:39:04.57
and he brought them together.
00:39:04.57\00:39:05.97
And Peter says to them,
00:39:05.97\00:39:07.44
"You know how
unlawful it is for a Jewish man
00:39:07.44\00:39:09.38
to keep company with or
go to one of another nation.
00:39:09.38\00:39:13.45
But God has shown me
that I should not call
00:39:13.45\00:39:16.42
any man common or unclean."
00:39:16.42\00:39:19.19
And so here we have
00:39:19.19\00:39:20.22
the biblical interpretation
of that great vision
00:39:20.22\00:39:22.49
where the unclean
animals all came down
00:39:22.49\00:39:24.29
on this heavenly sheet
00:39:24.29\00:39:25.99
that Peter had
received three days before,
00:39:25.99\00:39:28.40
and three times God
said, "Rise, kill, and eat,"
00:39:28.40\00:39:30.57
and three times
says Peter, "No way.
00:39:30.57\00:39:33.00
You know, you told me
very strictly, very clearly
00:39:33.00\00:39:35.20
that eating these
things is an abomination.
00:39:35.20\00:39:37.27
This is not Your will."
00:39:37.27\00:39:38.67
And so finally the sheet goes up
00:39:38.67\00:39:40.14
and Peter
scratching his head on the way
00:39:40.14\00:39:42.21
over to Cornelius' house,
00:39:42.21\00:39:43.68
and on the
journey God reveals to him
00:39:43.68\00:39:45.21
the interpretation we
find in 10:28 as we read.
00:39:45.21\00:39:51.35
And so Peter then goes on to
proceed to preach the gospel,
00:39:51.35\00:39:55.56
and as he's preaching the gospel
00:39:55.56\00:39:56.83
to this house full Gentiles,
00:39:56.83\00:39:58.43
lo and behold, the Holy
Spirit falls down upon them,
00:39:58.43\00:40:01.70
and not only does
it fall down upon them,
00:40:01.70\00:40:03.97
they become born again,
00:40:03.97\00:40:05.03
but they began
to speak in tongues.
00:40:05.03\00:40:07.84
Now we have to understand
that as Peter later explained it
00:40:07.84\00:40:10.34
to the Jewish leaders
in Jerusalem in Acts 11:15.
00:40:10.34\00:40:13.38
He said the tongues
fell down upon the people,
00:40:13.38\00:40:15.34
then it was
manifested in the same way
00:40:15.34\00:40:17.91
as it was upon
us in the beginning.
00:40:17.91\00:40:20.72
And so Peter
points his listeners
00:40:20.72\00:40:23.55
and you and I back
to the day of Pentecost.
00:40:23.55\00:40:25.65
He says, "In the same way
00:40:25.65\00:40:26.76
that we were used
with the gift of tongues,"
00:40:26.76\00:40:29.09
and we use that spiritual gift
00:40:29.09\00:40:30.19
to speak international languages
00:40:30.19\00:40:31.79
to an international crowd
00:40:31.79\00:40:33.60
in several different
known languages and dialects,
00:40:33.60\00:40:37.00
so did it happen with Cornelius.
00:40:37.00\00:40:39.53
Now as it turns out,
00:40:39.53\00:40:40.54
everybody in
Cornelius' household knew Greek.
00:40:40.54\00:40:42.67
All Peter had to do
was preach in Greek,
00:40:42.67\00:40:45.21
and he probably was, or Aramaic.
00:40:45.21\00:40:49.34
But the reason
that God manifested
00:40:49.34\00:40:52.91
it was to be able
to confirm to Peter
00:40:52.91\00:40:55.05
and to Peter's colleagues
00:40:55.05\00:40:57.02
that indeed this was
the genuine Holy Spirit
00:40:57.02\00:41:00.32
and these were
genuine born again,
00:41:00.32\00:41:02.32
saved believers of Jesus Christ.
00:41:02.32\00:41:06.16
And so Peter says,
00:41:06.16\00:41:07.66
"What prevents us
then from baptizing them?"
00:41:07.66\00:41:09.30
And so he baptized
them that same day.
00:41:09.30\00:41:13.40
And so the bottom line is this.
00:41:13.40\00:41:15.80
As the Gentiles
were joining the church,
00:41:15.80\00:41:18.27
there was a large,
big disagreement on
00:41:18.27\00:41:21.34
whether or not they
should be circumcised,
00:41:21.34\00:41:23.55
whether or not
they were required
00:41:23.55\00:41:24.81
to keep the Jewish feast like
00:41:24.81\00:41:25.91
the Jewish church
generally believed
00:41:25.91\00:41:27.45
they should at that time.
00:41:27.45\00:41:29.18
And I know as a pastor again
00:41:29.18\00:41:32.99
in the Seventh-day
Adventist Church for many years
00:41:32.99\00:41:35.19
that there's more
than a couple of us,
00:41:35.19\00:41:36.86
the Seventh-day Adventists
have asked the sincere question,
00:41:36.86\00:41:38.93
"Should we be
keeping the Jewish feasts?"
00:41:38.93\00:41:41.70
"Is this something
that's required of us?"
00:41:41.70\00:41:43.20
"Is this part of God's
plan for us as Christians?"
00:41:43.20\00:41:45.93
And there's
certainly nothing wrong
00:41:45.93\00:41:48.00
with asking any
question concerning the Bible,
00:41:48.00\00:41:50.01
but it's good to make sure
you get a good Bible answer.
00:41:50.01\00:41:52.97
And so I'm going to
take this opportunity
00:41:52.97\00:41:54.38
to plug something.
00:41:54.38\00:41:55.51
A new book that's just
been published by Amazing Facts
00:41:55.51\00:41:57.61
written by Doug
Batchelor, and it's entitled,
00:41:57.61\00:42:00.52
"Should Christians
keep the Jewish feasts?"
00:42:00.52\00:42:03.35
"Should Christians
keep the Jewish feasts?"
00:42:03.35\00:42:04.82
And so, if you don't
have a copy of that book yet,
00:42:04.82\00:42:06.42
make sure you go
to amazingfacts.org,
00:42:06.42\00:42:09.06
and you can order a hard
copy on there, and if not,
00:42:09.06\00:42:12.26
you can also probably download
00:42:12.26\00:42:14.63
or purchase a
digital copy of that as well.
00:42:14.63\00:42:17.03
So if you haven't had
that satisfactorily answered,
00:42:17.03\00:42:19.23
I can't answer with
our time here today,
00:42:19.23\00:42:21.10
but if you
haven't had an answer,
00:42:21.10\00:42:22.34
make sure you go and get
that book, very good book.
00:42:22.34\00:42:26.61
Paul and Barnabas were
missionaries to the Gentiles
00:42:26.61\00:42:28.71
and believed that Gentiles were
not required to be circumcised
00:42:28.71\00:42:32.55
and to keep the Jewish feasts
00:42:32.55\00:42:33.95
and to keep the
ceremonies of Moses.
00:42:33.95\00:42:35.45
And so they made it very clear,
00:42:35.45\00:42:36.52
and they weren't requiring it
00:42:36.52\00:42:37.59
as they were converting
00:42:37.59\00:42:38.82
hundreds and
hundreds of different Gentiles
00:42:38.82\00:42:41.26
in the different
cities of the Gentile world
00:42:41.26\00:42:43.59
of the Roman Empire.
00:42:43.59\00:42:45.63
But there was a
very substantial group
00:42:45.63\00:42:48.20
of Christian believers,
and some of them leaders,
00:42:48.20\00:42:51.67
who strongly disagreed
00:42:51.67\00:42:54.34
despite the testimony
of Peter and his vision,
00:42:54.34\00:42:57.27
despite Cornelius'
household and their conversion.
00:42:57.27\00:43:01.48
And so finally, the tension grew
00:43:01.48\00:43:03.35
long enough and deep enough
00:43:03.35\00:43:04.38
that there were delegates
that came from Antioch.
00:43:04.38\00:43:07.08
Now Antioch was a key city
00:43:07.08\00:43:10.79
that was just to
the north of Israel
00:43:10.79\00:43:12.35
on the Mediterranean Sea
00:43:12.35\00:43:13.39
and it was kind
at the edge of Israel
00:43:13.39\00:43:15.36
and it was at the
edge of the Gentile world,
00:43:15.36\00:43:17.49
the Roman Empire.
00:43:17.49\00:43:18.93
And so it was a key place
00:43:18.93\00:43:20.76
where God then
started to sponsor
00:43:20.76\00:43:22.16
through that church
different missionaries
00:43:22.16\00:43:24.13
to the Roman
world and Peter and...
00:43:24.13\00:43:26.07
Not Peter, but Paul,
and Barnabas, and Timothy,
00:43:26.07\00:43:28.27
and Luke, and Mark, and others
00:43:28.27\00:43:29.80
were sponsored on these
different missionary journeys.
00:43:29.80\00:43:34.54
And so finally,
delegates from Antioch church
00:43:34.54\00:43:37.68
came down to Jerusalem
00:43:37.68\00:43:38.88
to speak with the
leaders of the world church.
00:43:38.88\00:43:43.75
And so it all came down to
the organized church council
00:43:43.75\00:43:47.49
where the apostles and
appointed elders prayed.
00:43:47.49\00:43:49.96
They did three key things.
00:43:49.96\00:43:52.79
They prayed in a
very key and quality way,
00:43:52.79\00:43:56.50
they discussed the
issue that was at hand,
00:43:56.50\00:44:00.90
they looked at it in
the light of Scripture,
00:44:00.90\00:44:03.37
and then the third thing
they did after the discussion
00:44:03.37\00:44:06.64
was that they voted or
they agreed or disagreed.
00:44:06.64\00:44:09.24
Now in this case, they agreed
00:44:09.24\00:44:10.38
that observing the
ceremonial law of Moses
00:44:10.38\00:44:13.38
was not necessary for
the Gentile believers.
00:44:13.38\00:44:19.35
And so they within a day or two,
00:44:19.35\00:44:22.82
the same chapter
of Acts Chapter 15,
00:44:22.82\00:44:24.79
it tells us that
they drafted up a letter.
00:44:24.79\00:44:27.30
And when they had
drafted up that letter,
00:44:27.30\00:44:29.60
they found
themselves distributing
00:44:29.60\00:44:31.17
to the rest of the world church.
00:44:31.17\00:44:32.43
Yes, they brought it
to the Antioch church,
00:44:32.43\00:44:34.00
but as you read the
rest of the Book of Acts,
00:44:34.00\00:44:35.54
you find that Paul
and others also brought
00:44:35.54\00:44:38.37
that letter to
the other churches
00:44:38.37\00:44:40.21
that were established
within the Roman Empire
00:44:40.21\00:44:42.78
and the known world as well.
00:44:42.78\00:44:45.45
And so this was
the official stand,
00:44:45.45\00:44:48.12
one of the first world
church policies and doctrines
00:44:48.12\00:44:52.22
that were voted at the highest
level of the world church.
00:44:52.22\00:44:56.42
Now I know that
if Paul was here,
00:44:56.42\00:44:59.16
he would be able to say
it much more strongly than I
00:44:59.16\00:45:02.33
that how much he wishes that
00:45:02.33\00:45:05.03
that was the end of the problem.
00:45:05.03\00:45:07.30
How much he
wishes that everybody
00:45:07.30\00:45:09.14
that was on the other side,
00:45:09.14\00:45:10.44
that was opposing it
would say, "Okay. Listen.
00:45:10.44\00:45:12.77
If I'm right, eventually
00:45:12.77\00:45:14.44
the Lord's going to be
able to help us to see the light
00:45:14.44\00:45:16.44
and bring it
according to His speed,
00:45:16.44\00:45:19.01
and if I'm wrong,
00:45:19.01\00:45:22.18
Lord, please help
me to be correctable
00:45:22.18\00:45:24.15
and see the light that
I'm not seeing in regards
00:45:24.15\00:45:25.82
to the rest of
the world church."
00:45:25.82\00:45:28.06
Wouldn't that be wonderful
if that's what happened?
00:45:28.06\00:45:31.16
Is that what happened
as we read the record?
00:45:31.16\00:45:33.76
No, it's not, is it?
00:45:33.76\00:45:35.56
Sadly, the Bible records
00:45:35.56\00:45:37.03
that some of those
that were at that meeting
00:45:37.03\00:45:39.17
and some who heard
about that particular meeting
00:45:39.17\00:45:41.70
that held the opposing viewpoint
00:45:41.70\00:45:43.71
never seemed to surrender,
00:45:43.71\00:45:46.51
and they chose upon themselves
00:45:46.51\00:45:48.44
to continually openly
influence the local churches
00:45:48.44\00:45:51.08
to reject this church policy,
and to place their opinions
00:45:51.08\00:45:54.58
above the voice
of the world church.
00:45:54.58\00:45:58.05
Did that make Paul's
life a lot more difficult?
00:45:58.05\00:46:01.29
Yes. When you read...
00:46:01.29\00:46:02.46
Poor Paul, you know,
every time I read his letters,
00:46:02.46\00:46:04.16
I just feel so sorry for him
00:46:04.16\00:46:05.43
because he had
to battle opposition
00:46:05.43\00:46:08.40
from this particular
faction within the church
00:46:08.40\00:46:13.03
not just up to Acts Chapter 15,
00:46:13.03\00:46:15.17
but in all the
years that followed
00:46:15.17\00:46:16.87
after Acts Chapter 15 as well.
00:46:16.87\00:46:18.97
And so sadly, that
was a very real reality.
00:46:18.97\00:46:23.95
And so as a result, the
world church was wracked
00:46:23.95\00:46:25.95
with all kinds of
division and distresses
00:46:25.95\00:46:28.02
that really
shouldn't have existed.
00:46:28.02\00:46:31.69
And so I hope that we as
a church can learn from that
00:46:31.69\00:46:35.32
and allow God to speak
to us as we find ourselves
00:46:35.32\00:46:38.96
disagreeing in conflict
over different things as well.
00:46:38.96\00:46:43.57
As we close, I would
like to go to Friday's page
00:46:43.57\00:46:49.57
on our lesson
study for this week.
00:46:49.57\00:46:51.94
And on Friday page 62,
00:46:51.94\00:46:55.21
we find there a quote
from one of my favorite books
00:46:55.21\00:46:57.98
called the Acts of the Apostles.
00:46:57.98\00:47:00.78
And it's written
by one of my favorite,
00:47:00.78\00:47:02.22
well, the favorite author
that I have outside the Bible
00:47:02.22\00:47:04.45
which is Ellen G. White
00:47:04.45\00:47:06.15
and I believe
that Ellen G. White
00:47:06.15\00:47:07.92
was given the genuine
gift of the Spirit of Prophecy.
00:47:07.92\00:47:11.93
And this is what she
writes in this powerful,
00:47:11.93\00:47:14.66
powerful book on
pages 196 and 197.
00:47:14.66\00:47:17.20
"The council
which decided this case
00:47:17.20\00:47:18.87
was composed of
apostles and teachers
00:47:18.87\00:47:21.50
who had been prominent
in raising up the Jewish
00:47:21.50\00:47:23.71
and Gentile Christian churches,
00:47:23.71\00:47:26.21
with chosen
delegates from various places.
00:47:26.21\00:47:28.71
Elders from Jerusalem, deputies
from Antioch were present,
00:47:28.71\00:47:31.71
and the most influential
churches were represented.
00:47:31.71\00:47:35.55
The council moved in accordance
00:47:35.55\00:47:36.92
with the dictates of
enlightened judgment,
00:47:36.92\00:47:38.65
and with the dignity of a church
00:47:38.65\00:47:40.12
established by the divine will.
00:47:40.12\00:47:42.56
As a result of
their deliberations
00:47:42.56\00:47:44.06
they all saw that God Himself
00:47:44.06\00:47:46.03
had answered the
question at issue
00:47:46.03\00:47:47.93
by bestowing upon the
Gentiles the Holy Ghost,
00:47:47.93\00:47:50.87
and they realized
that it was their part
00:47:50.87\00:47:52.63
to follow the
guidance of the Spirit.
00:47:52.63\00:47:55.67
The entire body of Christians
00:47:55.67\00:47:57.07
was not called to
vote upon the question.
00:47:57.07\00:48:00.44
The "apostles and elders,"
men of influence and judgment,
00:48:00.44\00:48:03.61
framed and issued the decree,
00:48:03.61\00:48:05.58
which was thereupon
00:48:05.58\00:48:06.98
generally accepted by
the Christian churches.
00:48:06.98\00:48:10.02
Not all, however, were
pleased with the decision,
00:48:10.02\00:48:12.85
there was a faction of ambitious
00:48:12.85\00:48:14.32
and self-confident
brethren who disagreed with it.
00:48:14.32\00:48:17.56
These men assumed
to engage in the work
00:48:17.56\00:48:19.79
on their own responsibility.
00:48:19.79\00:48:21.66
They indulged in much
murmuring and faultfinding,
00:48:21.66\00:48:23.77
proposing new plans
00:48:23.77\00:48:24.83
and seeking to pull
down the work of the men
00:48:24.83\00:48:26.97
whom God had ordained to
teach the gospel message.
00:48:26.97\00:48:30.57
From the first the church
has had such obstacles to meet
00:48:30.57\00:48:34.28
and ever will have
until the close of time."
00:48:34.28\00:48:40.35
What was the last part?
00:48:40.35\00:48:42.38
Ever will have
until the close of time.
00:48:42.38\00:48:44.82
You know, sometimes
00:48:44.82\00:48:45.85
when we have
disagreements with other church
00:48:45.85\00:48:47.32
and sometimes as church
members and church leaders,
00:48:47.32\00:48:50.83
we can find
ourselves for a time, you know,
00:48:50.83\00:48:54.36
misrepresenting the church
and misrepresenting Christ
00:48:54.36\00:48:59.07
and behaving in ways
00:48:59.07\00:49:00.70
that perhaps Christ
wouldn't have us behave.
00:49:00.70\00:49:04.21
And that can be
disheartening sometimes
00:49:04.21\00:49:05.97
to us as church members,
00:49:05.97\00:49:07.68
but I have to say
that we have to remember
00:49:07.68\00:49:10.21
that the statement from
God's servant here tells us
00:49:10.21\00:49:13.78
that this has
always been the case
00:49:13.78\00:49:16.05
and it always will be
until the end of time.
00:49:16.05\00:49:17.89
And so this is
not a new experience
00:49:17.89\00:49:20.06
that we're experiencing.
00:49:20.06\00:49:21.99
We just read it
in Acts Chapter 15
00:49:21.99\00:49:23.39
on another issue
00:49:23.39\00:49:24.49
and there's going to be
other issues in the future.
00:49:24.49\00:49:26.86
That's just part of the
nature of living in this world
00:49:26.86\00:49:29.26
and within this church
and in God's plan and kingdom
00:49:29.26\00:49:32.90
until Jesus comes.
00:49:32.90\00:49:34.87
Well, that's
our study for today.
00:49:34.87\00:49:36.10
I'm so glad that
you're able to join us here
00:49:36.10\00:49:38.47
both of course
here in Granite Bay,
00:49:38.47\00:49:40.11
we're always
happy to have visitors
00:49:40.11\00:49:41.38
as well as
members as well as those
00:49:41.38\00:49:42.68
who are watching online.
00:49:42.68\00:49:44.28
I want to wish
you a blessed Sabbath,
00:49:44.28\00:49:45.71
a blessed rest of the week
00:49:45.71\00:49:46.75
until we come
together next week.
00:49:46.75\00:49:49.65
Don't forget to request
00:49:49.65\00:49:50.75
today's life
changing free resource.
00:49:50.75\00:49:53.32
Not only can you receive
this free gift in the mail,
00:49:53.32\00:49:55.46
you can download a digital
copy straight to your computer
00:49:55.46\00:49:58.03
or mobile device.
00:49:58.03\00:49:59.29
To get your digital
copy of today's free gift,
00:49:59.29\00:50:02.10
simply text the keyword
on your screen to 40544,
00:50:02.10\00:50:06.17
or visit the web
address shown on your screen,
00:50:06.17\00:50:08.97
and be sure to select
that digital download option
00:50:08.97\00:50:11.27
on the request page.
00:50:11.27\00:50:12.67
It's now easier than ever
for you to study God's Word
00:50:12.67\00:50:15.78
with Amazing Facts
wherever and whenever you want,
00:50:15.78\00:50:19.05
and most important,
to share it with others.
00:50:19.05\00:50:21.75
On Christmas Eve, 1971,
00:50:33.09\00:50:35.93
17-year-old Juliane Koepcke
00:50:35.93\00:50:38.27
boarded LANSA flight 508
with her mother in Lima, Peru.
00:50:38.27\00:50:42.44
They intended to join
her father for Christmas
00:50:42.44\00:50:44.97
at his research station
in the Amazon rainforest.
00:50:44.97\00:50:48.58
After crossing the
Andes at about 21,000 feet,
00:50:48.58\00:50:51.95
their aircraft was enveloped
by large, dark thunderclouds,
00:50:51.95\00:50:55.72
and it
encountered severe turbulence.
00:50:55.72\00:50:58.02
Lightning was
flashing everywhere
00:50:58.02\00:50:59.72
and the plane
was shaken violently
00:50:59.72\00:51:01.66
which naturally
terrified the passengers.
00:51:01.66\00:51:04.79
Then a bolt of lightning
struck the plane's engine
00:51:04.79\00:51:08.13
and tore off a wing.
00:51:08.13\00:51:10.00
As the doomed airliner
hurdled towards the earth,
00:51:10.00\00:51:12.93
the cabin came apart
and the next thing she knew,
00:51:12.93\00:51:15.97
Juliane found herself
strapped alone to a row of seats
00:51:15.97\00:51:19.47
falling and spinning
silently from over 10,000 feet
00:51:19.47\00:51:23.08
above the rainforest.
00:51:23.08\00:51:24.85
She plummeted
through the jungle canopy
00:51:24.85\00:51:26.78
and slammed into forest floor.
00:51:26.78\00:51:28.88
When she awoke the next day,
Juliane was amazed to realize
00:51:28.88\00:51:32.72
she had survived the 2 mile fall
00:51:32.72\00:51:35.09
with just a broken collar bone
00:51:35.09\00:51:36.69
and a bad gash in her arm.
00:51:36.69\00:51:38.93
After failing to
find any other survivors,
00:51:38.93\00:51:41.43
Juliane relied on what
her father had taught her
00:51:41.43\00:51:44.03
that walking downstream
00:51:44.03\00:51:45.83
will always
lead to civilization.
00:51:45.83\00:51:48.34
So with the bag of candy
that had fallen from the plane
00:51:48.34\00:51:51.21
and one sandal,
she started walking.
00:51:51.21\00:51:54.11
For 10 days, Juliane hobbled,
swam or floated downstream.
00:51:54.11\00:51:58.68
The wounds became infected
and she was plagued by maggots,
00:51:58.68\00:52:01.85
while having to
dodge crocodiles, piranhas
00:52:01.85\00:52:04.49
and relentless insects.
00:52:04.49\00:52:06.92
Eventually, she came to a shack,
00:52:06.92\00:52:09.59
where she slept and
she was soon discovered
00:52:09.59\00:52:11.39
by Peruvian loggers.
00:52:11.39\00:52:13.63
Eventually, Juliane was
united with her amazed father.
00:52:13.63\00:52:17.50
It's hard to
imagine a 17-year-old girl
00:52:17.50\00:52:19.90
surviving such a
fall and then hiking alone
00:52:19.90\00:52:22.84
out of the world's
largest rainforest.
00:52:22.84\00:52:26.34
You know, the Bible
talks about some who survived
00:52:26.34\00:52:28.38
an even greater
fall than Juliane.
00:52:28.38\00:52:30.78
In fact,
according to the scriptures,
00:52:30.78\00:52:32.81
when Adam and Eve
fell in the Garden of Eden,
00:52:32.81\00:52:35.15
it brought the
whole human race down.
00:52:35.15\00:52:37.29
But Jesus came to
redeem the world from sin.
00:52:37.29\00:52:40.62
Perhaps you're
thinking to yourself,
00:52:40.62\00:52:42.36
well, that's okay for the world,
00:52:42.36\00:52:44.03
but I've fallen too far.
00:52:44.03\00:52:46.29
Well, if the
Lord can save Juliane,
00:52:46.29\00:52:48.23
God can save you.
00:52:48.23\00:52:49.63
You've not gone
farther than Moses,
00:52:49.63\00:52:51.47
who was guilty of murder,
00:52:51.47\00:52:52.83
or David, who was
guilty of adultery,
00:52:52.83\00:52:54.84
or Peter who denied Jesus,
00:52:54.84\00:52:56.74
and all of them were saved
and restored from their fall.
00:52:56.74\00:53:00.74
Or maybe you're thinking,
I've fallen too many times.
00:53:00.74\00:53:04.11
Be of good courage, it
says in Proverbs 24:16,
00:53:04.11\00:53:07.88
"A righteous man
falls seven times
00:53:07.88\00:53:10.02
and rises again."
00:53:10.02\00:53:11.35
And Jesus cast seven
devils out of Mary Magdalene.
00:53:11.35\00:53:14.42
So don't get
discouraged, friend,
00:53:14.42\00:53:16.16
if you've fallen,
get back up again.
00:53:16.16\00:53:18.29
The same way that
He could save Juliane,
00:53:18.29\00:53:20.66
lead her from that lost
condition in the rainforest
00:53:20.66\00:53:23.20
and restore her to her father,
00:53:23.20\00:53:25.47
Jesus can lead you
from your lost condition
00:53:25.47\00:53:27.60
and restore you to
your heavenly father.
00:53:27.60\00:53:29.94
Let's face it.
00:53:39.48\00:53:40.58
It's not always easy
to understand everything
00:53:40.58\00:53:42.78
you read in the Bible.
00:53:42.78\00:53:44.32
With over 700,000
words contained in 66 books,
00:53:44.32\00:53:48.06
the Bible can
generate a lot of questions.
00:53:48.06\00:53:50.73
To get biblical
straightforward answers,
00:53:50.73\00:53:52.99
call into Bible Answers Live,
00:53:52.99\00:53:54.73
a live nationwide
call in radio program
00:53:54.73\00:53:57.47
where you can talk to
Pastor Doug Batchelor,
00:53:57.47\00:53:59.80
and ask him your most
difficult Bible questions.
00:53:59.80\00:54:02.30
For times and
stations in your area,
00:54:02.30\00:54:04.74
or to listen to answers online,
00:54:04.74\00:54:06.51
visit bal.amazingfacts.org.
00:54:06.51\00:54:10.38
You probably heard
the expression before,
00:54:18.92\00:54:20.79
"If you don't like
the weather in Texas,
00:54:20.79\00:54:22.82
just wait, it'll change."
00:54:22.82\00:54:24.53
And you've also heard,
00:54:24.53\00:54:25.59
"Everything is bigger in Texas."
00:54:25.59\00:54:27.40
The ranches, the belt buckles,
00:54:27.40\00:54:29.16
the cowboy hats,
00:54:29.16\00:54:31.07
but the most
famous slogan about Texas
00:54:31.07\00:54:33.84
is remember the Alamo.
00:54:33.84\00:54:35.97
The violent battles and
bravery of iconic heroes
00:54:39.24\00:54:42.21
have been the stuff
of legends throughout
00:54:42.21\00:54:43.78
which entire cultures often
draw their identity and pride,
00:54:43.78\00:54:47.48
even long after
centuries have passed.
00:54:47.48\00:54:49.72
And in Texas, the
story of the Alamo has been
00:54:49.72\00:54:52.22
a rallying cry of Texas
Independence for 200 years.
00:54:52.22\00:54:56.59
One reason that
Texans love to brag
00:54:56.59\00:54:58.33
that everything is
bigger in Texas is,
00:54:58.33\00:55:00.80
of course, because
Texas is the largest
00:55:00.80\00:55:02.76
of the lower 48 US states.
00:55:02.76\00:55:05.40
It's hard to believe
that this massive state
00:55:05.40\00:55:07.80
got its beginning
00:55:07.80\00:55:09.04
in a very small
Christian mission
00:55:09.04\00:55:11.17
during the Battle of the Alamo.
00:55:11.17\00:55:13.61
Every year, this
famous mission museum
00:55:13.61\00:55:15.84
receives over two and
a half million visitors
00:55:15.84\00:55:18.38
from all parts of the planet
00:55:18.38\00:55:19.95
that are eager to get a good
look at this legendary site.
00:55:19.95\00:55:23.69
The Alamo played a critical role
00:55:23.69\00:55:25.59
in the Texas Revolution.
00:55:25.59\00:55:27.49
In December, 1835,
00:55:27.49\00:55:29.49
Texans and Tejano volunteers
00:55:29.49\00:55:31.46
battled Mexican
troops quartered in the city
00:55:31.46\00:55:33.80
forcing General Martin
Perfecto de Cos to surrender.
00:55:33.80\00:55:37.03
The victorious volunteers
then occupied the Alamo
00:55:37.03\00:55:39.97
and strengthened its defenses.
00:55:39.97\00:55:42.90
Famous Americans like
Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie,
00:55:42.90\00:55:45.34
and Colonel William
Travis, made this location,
00:55:45.34\00:55:48.04
this ancient
mission, the beachhead,
00:55:48.04\00:55:50.48
the last stand in an epic battle
00:55:50.48\00:55:52.95
to win independence
of Texas from Mexico.
00:55:52.95\00:55:56.62
On February 23rd, 1836,
00:55:56.62\00:55:59.52
the arrival of General
Antonio Lopez Santa Ana
00:55:59.52\00:56:02.76
nearly caught them by surprise.
00:56:02.76\00:56:04.86
Undaunted, the
Texans and Tejanos
00:56:04.86\00:56:07.13
prepared to defend the Alamo,
00:56:07.13\00:56:09.13
for this small
ragtag group of rebels,
00:56:09.13\00:56:11.23
the youngest of who was
about 16 and the oldest 75
00:56:11.23\00:56:14.67
was against the well-trained
and organized Mexican army
00:56:14.67\00:56:17.84
of 6,000 plus soldiers.
00:56:17.84\00:56:19.91
It was a fierce
and lopsided battle.
00:56:19.91\00:56:22.28
Yet, the small force of rebels
was able to repel the troops
00:56:22.28\00:56:25.58
for 13 days.
00:56:25.58\00:56:28.22
Legend holds that
00:56:28.22\00:56:29.42
with the possibility
of additional help fading,
00:56:29.42\00:56:32.15
Colonel Travis drew a line
in the ground with a sword,
00:56:32.15\00:56:35.02
and asked any man
willing to stay and fight,
00:56:35.02\00:56:37.76
to step over the line.
00:56:37.76\00:56:39.56
All except one crossed over.
00:56:39.56\00:56:42.30
The final assault
came before daybreak.
00:56:42.30\00:56:44.53
On the morning of March 6, 1836,
00:56:44.53\00:56:47.50
the 13th day of the siege,
00:56:47.50\00:56:49.70
cannon and small arms
fire from inside the Alamo
00:56:49.70\00:56:52.61
beat back
several Mexican attacks.
00:56:52.61\00:56:55.14
Regrouping, Santa Anna's
soldiers scaled the walls,
00:56:55.14\00:56:58.41
and rushed into the compound.
00:56:58.41\00:57:00.62
The desperate struggle continued
00:57:00.62\00:57:02.22
until the
defenders were overwhelmed.
00:57:02.22\00:57:04.62
By sunrise, the
battle had ended,
00:57:04.62\00:57:06.96
and the garrison was slain.
00:57:06.96\00:57:08.92
You know, historians may debate
00:57:08.92\00:57:10.23
some of the details
00:57:10.23\00:57:11.29
regarding the
Battle of the Alamo,
00:57:11.29\00:57:13.19
but none of them questioned
the incredible sacrifice
00:57:13.19\00:57:15.60
that was made and the courage
00:57:15.60\00:57:16.63
that was displayed
during that intense conflict.
00:57:16.63\00:57:19.63
They made the
ultimate sacrifice,
00:57:19.63\00:57:21.87
giving their lives.
00:57:21.87\00:57:23.14
And this is why
the story of the Alamo
00:57:23.14\00:57:24.67
is so inspiring
and so encouraging.
00:57:24.67\00:57:27.81
You know, and
that's why the Bible
00:57:27.81\00:57:28.88
is so inspiring, friends,
00:57:28.88\00:57:30.21
because someone was willing
to make the ultimate sacrifice,
00:57:30.21\00:57:32.81
and give his life
00:57:32.81\00:57:34.25
so that you can have
freedom and eternal life.
00:57:34.25\00:57:36.99
Don't you think you
could trust your life
00:57:36.99\00:57:38.49
to a friend like that,
00:57:38.49\00:57:39.72
that would give everything?
00:57:39.72\00:57:41.29
The story of the gospel is
a story of courage and hope.
00:57:41.29\00:57:44.16
It's a story of a God
who will never leave you
00:57:44.16\00:57:46.36
without defense and support.
00:57:46.36\00:57:48.26
Jesus is the good news,
00:57:48.26\00:57:50.07
and the gospel is a
story worth remembering.
00:57:50.07\00:57:52.60