The Bible tells us, "In
the beginning was the Word,
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and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God."
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It says to,
"Receive with meekness
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the implanted Word
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which is able
to save your souls.
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And to be diligent
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to present
yourself approved to God,
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rightly dividing
the Word of truth."
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Join us now for the
3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
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Our study today is
"The Least of These."
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Hello, friends, welcome
to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
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My name is John Lomacang,
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thank you for
taking the time to tune in.
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We are excited
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that you have
paused on this network.
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If this is your first time,
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please put a mark on
whatever device you need to
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because we
believe that this channel
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has been chosen by God to
continue going and growing,
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getting people ready
for the coming of the Lord.
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We are beginning a new quarter
in our Sabbath School lesson
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about God's right to
restore a broken planet,
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a broken society
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and we're talking
about servant hood,
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we're talking about
the ways that relationships
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play a major role
in the development
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and the restoration of humanity.
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So stay tuned with us,
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it's gonna be an exciting study.
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Before I go any further though,
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I'd like to
introduce you to our panel.
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To my immediate left,
Mollie, good to have you here.
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Thank you. It's
a joy to be here.
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That's right, Mollie
Steenson for those of you
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who may not know who she is.
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And to her
immediate left, Shelley Quinn.
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Good to have you here, Shelley.
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Wonderful to be here. Yes.
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Our Program Director
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and a number of
other hats you wear,
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but we're glad to
have you here today.
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Pastor Ryan
Day, good to see you.
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It's a blessing to
be here. That's right.
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You're the...
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not the new kid on the
block, but the kid on the block.
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But you are a man of the Word
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and we
appreciate that very much.
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Praise the Lord.
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And Jill Morikone.
Good to have you here, Jill.
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Thank you so much, Pastor John.
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I'm waiting for those
points, those bullet points,
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which you are
very well-known for.
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And the ladies
are all color today
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and we know that
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this is gonna be
a bright program,
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but more than anything else,
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we need prayer
before we go any further.
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And I like to ask, Mollie,
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would you have
prayer for us today?
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Thank you.
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Holy Father, we come
before You in the name of Jesus
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and we praise You
and we thank You, Lord,
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for this Word
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that You've
entrusted to us to share.
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Father, as we
break this bread of life
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to share with Your people,
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we ask Holy God
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that Your
anointing would be upon it,
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that the Word would go
forth and it would accomplish
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that which You would
want it to accomplish.
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So we commended into your hands,
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in Jesus' name, amen.
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Amen.
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To get a copy of the
lesson to follow along with us,
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go to ABSG.Adventist.org.
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That's ABSG.Adventist.org
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and download a copy
if you'd like to do that,
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or stop by your local
Seventh-day Adventist Church
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and join them for
an exciting study.
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We believe that God is
going to really bless you.
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Now I have been given
the wonderful opportunity.
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Our memory text, by the
way comes from Proverbs 14:31,
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lays the foundation on the topic
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of the lesson for
this week, "God Created."
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And we're gonna
talk about God's right
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to be the creator.
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The memory text
is Proverbs 14:31,
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and the Bible says as follows.
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"He who oppresses the
poor reproaches his Maker,
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but he who honors Him
has mercy on the needy."
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You know, panel,
when I read this,
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one of the things that I came up
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with is God's right.
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God's right to the
restoration process
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of our planet.
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Only the creator can
have the right to restore.
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And the author of this lesson
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drew a picture
of giving something
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unbroken to someone
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and then all of
a sudden, it breaks
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and it doesn't only
afflict the receiver,
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but it saddens the
one who gave the gift.
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I mean, can you imagine that
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a great cause of
the creation process,
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but then all of a sudden,
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creation is now broken
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and it's been broken
for thousands of years,
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but through that process,
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the only one that
has the right as creator
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is now the one that's involved
in the process of redemption.
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So what I want to do
today is look at God's right
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to restore the planet
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from the vantage point
of His power as creator.
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I'll begin with Acts 17:28.
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"Everything that
we are, do and see
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all our interaction
with others life itself
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and how it is best lived,
all began with this reality."
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Acts 17:28, do
you have it, Jill?
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I do.
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"For in him we live and
move and have our being,
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as also some of
your own poets have said,
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'For we are
also His offspring.'"
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That's right, So
everyone on this planet,
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whether they
acknowledge God or not,
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as Ryan often says,
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we are brothers
from another mother.
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But we all have the
same father in the beginning.
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You know, it all
began with the phrase,
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"In the beginning
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God created the
heavens and the earth."
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And even though His
creatorship is challenged,
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and sometimes denied,
and sometimes overlooked,
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and people try to
substitute His creative ability
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and His right to
create, you cannot deny it.
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You know, couple
other passages in the Bible,
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consider the power,
because the author said,
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if you really pause
and think for a moment
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that God spoke the
world into existence,
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these are points, Shelley,
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that we can't
even begin to imagine.
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I mean, when you look
at the detail of creation,
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when you look at
the detail in creation,
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just the diversity
of plants and flowers,
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and birds and fish, and islands,
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and dialects and languages,
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and the list goes
on and on endlessly.
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It's hard to
imagine that kind of process
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and everything
that the Lord create,
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He gives it the ability
to procreate, even plants.
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And so I want to
just focus on that,
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considering the power
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behind the
creation of the world.
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For example, Genesis 1:3,
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listen to this,
it's a powerful...
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and God said, "Let there be."
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Can you imagine, all
I've got to do is say,
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let there be and
something shows up.
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Let there be and there
was, let there be and there was,
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let there be and there wasn't,
so that repetitious statement.
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Some call it the Big Bang, I
don't believe in the Big Bang
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because they think that
something came from nothing,
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it's not possible
only if you're God,
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only if you're God,
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you can't throw nuts and bolts
inside of a chamber and spin it
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and then blow it
up with an atomic bomb
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and out comes a vehicle,
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it's not possible
but God in His Word,
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Psalm 33:6,
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"By the word of the
Lord the heavens were made
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and all the host of them
by the breath of His mouth."
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Psalm 33:9, "For
He spoken it was done,
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He commanded,
and it stood fast."
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Only God can do that.
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Another one, Job 26:7,
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"He stretched out the
north over empty space,
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He hangs the earth on nothing."
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Think about that for a moment.
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You know, astronauts know
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and those who
have the space shuttle
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and the probes that have
all been sent out to space,
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we look back and we see
this perfectly spherical ball
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and it's sitting right there,
just staying in its orbit,
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but it's hanging on nothing.
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Only God can do that.
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You can't blow something
up and put it in perfect order
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and it not collide
with the other planets
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that surround it.
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Only God can do that.
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Another text, Psalm 147:4,
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"He counts the
number of the stars,
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He calls them all by name."
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That one hurts
'cause in our galaxy alone,
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there are billions
and billions and billions.
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But then there are
billions of galaxies,
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admittedly by astronomers,
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they're saying there
are billions of galaxies
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and they have
only come up with that
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by focusing on
certain areas of black space,
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billions of galaxies.
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Another text, Psalm 24:1-2,
"The earth is the Lord's,
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and the fullness thereof
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of the world and
those who dwell in it,
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for He has
founded it upon the seas
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and establish it
upon the waters."
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Only God has the right
to restore what He created.
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And I want to just kind
of, for those who may say,
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"Well, how do we know?"
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Let me give you a testimony
of a self described agnostic.
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Astrophysicist Robert
Jastrow, he stated this.
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He said, "The seed of everything
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that has
happened in the universe
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was planted in
that first instant.
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Even every star, every planet,
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every living
creature in the universe
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came into being as
a result of the events
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that were set in motion
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in the moment of
the cosmic explosion."
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That's his description.
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The universe flashed into being
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and look what he
says, an agnostic,
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"And we cannot find out
what caused it to happen."
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When you deny God,
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you always try to
find a substitute,
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which you can't.
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There's no substitute
to create such detail.
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Richard Feynman,
a Nobel Prize winner
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for Quantum Electrodynamics,
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he said, "Why nature is
mathematical is a mystery.
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The fact that
there are rules at all
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is a kind of miracle."
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Everything in space,
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you know, for eons and
eons and century after century,
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you can point to a particular
constellation of stars
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and you'll notice that
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they are the same distance apart
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as they were 4000 years ago.
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Mathematically placed immovable,
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and we can,
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they're so
reliable that sailors,
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they would use instruments,
I don't know the name of it,
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I don't want to
slaughter the name,
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but they would
navigate the oceans
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by lining stars up
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and even still today telescopes,
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they'll say if
you look at certain,
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you know, hazmat and
longitude and latitude,
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you can find particular bodies
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that were there
for thousands of years,
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this mathematical consistency.
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And not only that,
everything created has DNA,
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DNA, all instruction,
all teaching and all training
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comes with intent.
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Someone who writes
an instruction manual
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does so with
purpose, but listen about DNA.
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In every cell of our bodies
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there exist a very
detailed instruction code,
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which like a miniature computer,
00:10:01.66\00:10:03.43
programs everything to happen.
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That's not just in our
DNA, but in the DNA of animals,
00:10:05.87\00:10:09.07
the DNA of plants,
and I forgot who said it,
00:10:09.10\00:10:11.41
but he said,
one person who said,
00:10:11.44\00:10:12.87
"If you line up the DNA
and it goes to space and back,
00:10:12.91\00:10:16.24
just in our human body."
00:10:16.28\00:10:18.31
So how amazing it is.
00:10:18.35\00:10:19.68
But one of the undeniable
facts of God's creatorship,
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to me is how time is kept.
00:10:22.38\00:10:25.65
You know, the
day, astronomically,
00:10:25.69\00:10:27.69
we have a 24 hour day
or 23 hours and 56 minutes
00:10:27.72\00:10:31.26
defined by the earth's
rotation around its axis.
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It takes about 24 hours
to complete that process.
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We can find that astronomically.
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Then the month,
astronomically we have the cycle
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defined by the moon's
orbit around the earth.
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That's where
the four conditions,
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the half, I mean,
the quarter, the half,
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the three quarter, the full,
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it goes through the
cycle on a monthly basis.
00:10:50.25\00:10:52.61
That's found by
looking into space.
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Then we have the year,
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the astronomical year
which has four seasons,
00:10:55.92\00:10:57.99
defined by the
earth's orbit around the sun.
00:10:58.02\00:11:00.29
It takes about 365
days, given the leap year
00:11:00.32\00:11:03.63
to make up the time
that is differentiated.
00:11:03.66\00:11:06.96
But what amazes me
about God's creative ability
00:11:07.00\00:11:11.47
is there is no astronomical
00:11:11.50\00:11:13.50
or celestial
authentication for the week.
00:11:13.54\00:11:17.94
You can't look up in space
and find a week in any place.
00:11:17.97\00:11:20.88
The only place you can
find a week is in God's Word.
00:11:20.91\00:11:24.78
Amen. Amen.
00:11:24.81\00:11:26.15
Amen.
00:11:26.18\00:11:27.52
So whether a person
is atheist, or agnostic,
00:11:27.55\00:11:28.88
or just plugs his ears to
deny the very words of God,
00:11:28.92\00:11:33.59
the fact that God
00:11:33.62\00:11:35.46
that we all live
in a seven day cycle
00:11:35.49\00:11:38.13
is evidence that God exists,
00:11:38.16\00:11:40.36
because His Word
is the only point
00:11:40.40\00:11:42.06
of authentication
for a seven day week.
00:11:42.10\00:11:44.57
So the one who creates the world
00:11:44.60\00:11:46.67
doesn't stand back
and let it determine
00:11:46.70\00:11:49.40
its own
direction but He continues.
00:11:49.44\00:11:52.64
And as Job found out,
00:11:52.67\00:11:54.08
nature can teach
us so much about God
00:11:54.11\00:11:55.94
that's unexplainable.
00:11:55.98\00:11:57.45
You know, I remember
when Job was in a funk,
00:11:57.48\00:12:00.38
I use that phrase
00:12:00.42\00:12:01.75
and he was
angry and complaining.
00:12:01.78\00:12:04.82
He never blamed
God for his condition
00:12:04.85\00:12:07.02
but he just got in the funk.
00:12:07.06\00:12:08.52
And I love the way
the Lord responded to Job
00:12:08.56\00:12:10.69
in Job 38:4-6,
00:12:10.73\00:12:13.90
the Lord said to Job,
00:12:13.93\00:12:15.86
"Where were you
00:12:15.90\00:12:17.63
when I lay the
foundations of the earth?
00:12:17.67\00:12:19.23
Tell me, if you
have understanding,
00:12:19.27\00:12:22.84
who determined its measurement?
00:12:22.87\00:12:25.34
Surely, you know!"
00:12:25.37\00:12:26.71
God is working him over.
00:12:26.74\00:12:28.08
And he said,
00:12:28.11\00:12:29.44
"Or who
stretched the line upon it?
00:12:29.48\00:12:31.31
To what were its
foundations fastened?
00:12:31.35\00:12:33.62
Or who laid its cornerstone?"
00:12:33.65\00:12:35.32
Job, if you so know so much,
can you give me the answer?
00:12:35.35\00:12:38.85
And when you read that,
00:12:38.89\00:12:40.22
when you read that
response, where Job,
00:12:40.26\00:12:41.82
Job gets to the place
where he almost says to God,
00:12:41.86\00:12:43.56
"Okay, enough,
enough," and Lord said,
00:12:43.59\00:12:44.93
"No, I'm not done yet."
00:12:44.96\00:12:46.70
And He continues to
remind him in his frailty,
00:12:46.73\00:12:49.70
that the heavens
declare the glory of God.
00:12:49.73\00:12:52.53
And the firmament
shows His handiwork.
00:12:52.57\00:12:54.50
This Psalmist
David, Psalm 19:1-6,
00:12:54.54\00:12:58.14
"Day and today
they utter speech,
00:12:58.17\00:12:59.74
and night unto
night reveals knowledge.
00:12:59.77\00:13:01.88
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
00:13:01.91\00:13:05.11
The line has gone
out throughout all earth
00:13:05.15\00:13:07.62
and their words to
the end of the world."
00:13:07.65\00:13:09.68
So when you think about that,
who can do that except God.
00:13:09.72\00:13:13.82
The heavens
declare the glory of God,
00:13:13.86\00:13:15.86
and we have the
beautiful privilege
00:13:15.89\00:13:17.29
and the process of the
restoration of creation,
00:13:17.33\00:13:19.63
to not only let the
heavens glorify God,
00:13:19.66\00:13:22.50
but we have been
given the injunction,
00:13:22.53\00:13:24.13
"Fear God and give glory to Him,
00:13:24.17\00:13:26.57
for the hour of
His judgment has come."
00:13:26.60\00:13:28.34
So recognize
His creative ability
00:13:28.37\00:13:31.71
and His creatorship,
and then give Him glory.
00:13:31.74\00:13:33.68
Amen.
00:13:33.71\00:13:35.04
So God created everything,
00:13:35.08\00:13:38.15
everything that was
created, God created.
00:13:38.18\00:13:40.45
Do you know that
it means you and I
00:13:40.48\00:13:41.82
are created by almighty God.
00:13:41.85\00:13:43.55
Now that is just
encouraging if you ask me.
00:13:43.59\00:13:46.42
Well, I have a Monday,
00:13:46.45\00:13:48.39
and on Monday we
look at a complete world.
00:13:48.42\00:13:52.76
And let me ask
you this question,
00:13:52.79\00:13:56.06
I like to teach
by asking questions.
00:13:56.10\00:13:59.53
In your opinion,
00:13:59.57\00:14:01.24
when you hear the
word a complete world,
00:14:01.27\00:14:03.64
what does that speak
to us, a complete world?
00:14:03.67\00:14:07.31
Well, before you jump in,
00:14:07.34\00:14:08.68
let me just give you
my observation of this.
00:14:08.71\00:14:11.28
That would be a world
that is in harmony with God,
00:14:11.31\00:14:16.18
a world in harmony with God.
00:14:16.22\00:14:19.72
Now, let me ask
you this question.
00:14:19.75\00:14:21.62
This is a
rhetorical question by the way.
00:14:21.66\00:14:24.16
Is this world in a mess?
00:14:24.19\00:14:26.43
Now we just,
pastor just identified,
00:14:26.46\00:14:29.76
clarified so beautifully,
00:14:29.80\00:14:31.53
that this world was
created by almighty God.
00:14:31.57\00:14:35.40
And we're gonna look
at the condition it was in
00:14:35.44\00:14:37.41
when He got
through with creation,
00:14:37.44\00:14:38.87
but right now, today,
is this world in a mess?
00:14:38.91\00:14:42.38
And the answer is yes, it is.
00:14:42.41\00:14:43.91
Now I want to
look at three aspects.
00:14:43.95\00:14:46.48
One is the natural world,
one is the socioeconomic world,
00:14:46.51\00:14:50.95
is that in a mess
today, and the spiritual world.
00:14:50.99\00:14:55.02
Now, we look at, now,
we've seen on the media,
00:14:55.06\00:15:00.40
all this rioting and
all the horrendous attacks
00:15:00.43\00:15:05.13
and so forth that have happened
00:15:05.17\00:15:06.53
not just in these United States,
00:15:06.57\00:15:08.57
but all over the world.
00:15:08.60\00:15:09.97
And we look at that and we say,
00:15:10.01\00:15:11.41
"Oh, the socioeconomic situation
00:15:11.44\00:15:13.91
that is in the world."
00:15:13.94\00:15:15.28
But let me just clarify
this from the beginning.
00:15:15.31\00:15:18.75
It's the great
controversy being played out,
00:15:18.78\00:15:21.18
it is good versus evil.
00:15:21.22\00:15:23.55
That's right.
00:15:23.59\00:15:24.92
Christ versus Satan,
00:15:24.95\00:15:26.29
it is light versus
darkness that we're seeing.
00:15:26.32\00:15:28.59
We're seeing more prevalent
now than I think in history,
00:15:28.62\00:15:33.50
the great
controversy being played out
00:15:33.53\00:15:35.23
before our very eyes.
00:15:35.26\00:15:36.73
That's what I
think we're seeing.
00:15:36.77\00:15:38.83
Does it appear as though
00:15:38.87\00:15:40.80
our world is
declining to its end?
00:15:40.84\00:15:43.51
Now, what do we know
00:15:43.54\00:15:45.17
that is going to
happen to this world?
00:15:45.21\00:15:47.48
Is it going to be
destroyed by fire?
00:15:47.51\00:15:51.11
But then...
00:15:51.15\00:15:52.48
But then, there's a
new heaven and a new earth.
00:15:52.51\00:15:53.88
So anytime we see
something that we think,
00:15:53.92\00:15:56.99
"Oh, that's painful."
00:15:57.02\00:15:58.35
God always gives us
a future and a hope.
00:15:58.39\00:16:01.09
He always speaks hope to us.
00:16:01.12\00:16:03.89
Now, what did God say was
the condition of this world
00:16:03.93\00:16:10.27
when He finished on
the sixth day of creation,
00:16:10.30\00:16:13.00
that would be Genesis
1:31, He said, it is what?
00:16:13.03\00:16:17.47
Very good.
00:16:17.51\00:16:18.84
He looked at all
that He had created,
00:16:18.87\00:16:21.31
this God of creation
00:16:21.34\00:16:23.18
that Pastor
Lomacang was talking about.
00:16:23.21\00:16:25.45
He looked at all
that He had created,
00:16:25.48\00:16:28.72
not in the
universe so much as here.
00:16:28.75\00:16:32.92
He was speaking of this earth,
this earth that we live in,
00:16:32.95\00:16:37.69
and He looked at
all of His creation,
00:16:37.73\00:16:40.06
and He said,
"This is very good."
00:16:40.10\00:16:43.26
So, ladies and gentlemen,
00:16:43.30\00:16:46.70
people, Pastor, Pastor Ryan,
00:16:46.74\00:16:51.27
that is what God
created for us to live in.
00:16:51.31\00:16:56.24
That's what He wanted for us.
00:16:56.28\00:16:58.75
That's right.
00:16:58.78\00:17:01.35
It's what He wanted
humanity to live in,
00:17:01.38\00:17:05.05
throughout all of our
existence here on this earth.
00:17:05.09\00:17:09.56
That is what Adam and Eve
experienced in the garden.
00:17:09.59\00:17:14.10
Now in our quarterly,
00:17:14.13\00:17:16.97
the quarterly makes a statement.
00:17:17.00\00:17:19.53
And in it, what
the statement is,
00:17:19.57\00:17:21.70
it's easy to feel
homesick for Eden.
00:17:21.74\00:17:25.67
Why would we feel
homesick for Eden?
00:17:25.71\00:17:27.71
Because this is what God
had for us in the beginning.
00:17:27.74\00:17:32.51
This is what He wanted for us.
00:17:32.55\00:17:35.52
We know that is
what God intended
00:17:35.55\00:17:39.02
from the very beginning.
00:17:39.05\00:17:40.39
It was both.
00:17:40.42\00:17:41.76
And, Pastor, you
touched on a lot of this,
00:17:41.79\00:17:43.69
it was both
beautiful and functional.
00:17:43.73\00:17:47.33
It was exquisite in its design.
00:17:47.36\00:17:49.63
It was vibrant
with life and color,
00:17:49.66\00:17:52.17
but also filled
with everything necessary
00:17:52.20\00:17:55.90
for life to flourish.
00:17:55.94\00:17:57.41
Now, I want to
give you some good news.
00:17:57.44\00:18:01.21
Well, first I'm gonna
start with the bad news.
00:18:01.24\00:18:04.21
But then I get to
give you some good news.
00:18:04.25\00:18:06.11
So here's the bad news.
00:18:06.15\00:18:09.82
Adam and Eve
sinned, now remember,
00:18:09.85\00:18:12.65
they were in the Garden of Eden,
00:18:12.69\00:18:14.82
which was created perfect.
00:18:14.86\00:18:17.83
It was very good.
00:18:17.86\00:18:19.93
This is where they
were and they sinned,
00:18:19.96\00:18:23.37
and were driven
from the Garden of Eden,
00:18:23.40\00:18:26.53
never to return.
00:18:26.57\00:18:27.90
What did I say? Never to return.
00:18:27.94\00:18:30.01
Did Adam and Eve ever
get to go back to the garden?
00:18:30.04\00:18:31.97
No, they never returned.
00:18:32.01\00:18:33.64
Sin separated them,
separated them from God.
00:18:33.68\00:18:39.28
They fell down.
00:18:39.31\00:18:41.28
Here's how I like to say
it, sin separated them from God.
00:18:41.32\00:18:44.35
They fell down, is
it called the fall?
00:18:44.39\00:18:46.52
The fall of men.
00:18:46.55\00:18:47.89
They fell down and
they could not get back up
00:18:47.92\00:18:52.29
without the intervention,
without an intervention.
00:18:52.33\00:18:55.40
Here's the good news,
but I'm not there yet.
00:18:55.43\00:18:56.80
Okay.
00:18:56.83\00:18:59.27
They disobeyed God's
commandments to them,
00:18:59.30\00:19:03.84
and what was the commandment?
00:19:03.87\00:19:05.54
Not to eat of the fruit
00:19:05.57\00:19:07.18
of the tree of
knowledge of good and evil?
00:19:07.21\00:19:09.14
Did they do it? They did it.
00:19:09.18\00:19:11.15
So they sinned,
00:19:11.18\00:19:12.91
they disobeyed
God's commandments.
00:19:12.95\00:19:15.65
They did what?
00:19:15.68\00:19:17.02
Disobeyed God's commandments.
00:19:17.05\00:19:18.42
Listen to this.
00:19:18.45\00:19:19.79
They disobeyed
God's commandments.
00:19:19.82\00:19:21.39
Are there
commandments in place today
00:19:21.42\00:19:23.53
that we're to adhere, to
bring our life in alignment?
00:19:23.56\00:19:26.96
Do we want to be on the
side of obedience to God
00:19:27.00\00:19:31.63
or as Adam and Eve,
disobedience to God?
00:19:31.67\00:19:34.40
They were found guilty
00:19:34.44\00:19:37.24
and a sentence was
pronounced on both of them.
00:19:37.27\00:19:41.78
And that sentence fell
to all of their descendants.
00:19:41.81\00:19:46.92
That's you and me.
00:19:46.95\00:19:48.28
Are we
descendants of Adam and Eve?
00:19:48.32\00:19:49.65
Yes, we are. Okay.
00:19:49.68\00:19:51.05
So here's the good news.
00:19:51.09\00:19:52.82
God sent Jesus to
this earth right here.
00:19:52.85\00:19:56.93
Amen to that.
00:19:56.96\00:19:58.29
To bear the penalty of sin,
00:19:58.33\00:20:00.30
to restore us to
right relationship with God,
00:20:00.33\00:20:04.27
to bridge that separation.
00:20:04.30\00:20:06.00
Now, what does sin do?
00:20:06.03\00:20:07.77
Sin separates us from God.
00:20:07.80\00:20:10.97
Jesus came into this
earth born of a woman
00:20:11.01\00:20:14.94
and his sole purpose,
00:20:14.98\00:20:16.44
the reason He came to this earth
00:20:16.48\00:20:18.98
was to bridge that separation.
00:20:19.01\00:20:22.52
To reached out his
hand to Jill Morikone
00:20:22.55\00:20:27.42
and lift her up
where she had fallen,
00:20:27.46\00:20:32.93
where she had no way
of getting up on her own.
00:20:32.96\00:20:36.06
But, Jill, when you
took the hand of God,
00:20:36.10\00:20:39.83
when you accepted Jesus
Christ as your Lord and Savior,
00:20:39.87\00:20:43.17
you were lifted up,
00:20:43.20\00:20:45.14
that separation was bridged
00:20:45.17\00:20:48.11
and you are now in
right relationship with God.
00:20:48.14\00:20:52.81
Two, He came to
reestablish a complete world,
00:20:52.85\00:20:58.89
a world that is
in harmony with God.
00:20:58.92\00:21:01.49
Now, the natural world
00:21:01.52\00:21:04.89
and we've got a
beautiful natural world,
00:21:04.93\00:21:06.83
and we'll look at
that just for a minute.
00:21:06.86\00:21:09.20
The natural world
isn't what was restored.
00:21:09.23\00:21:12.33
The socioeconomic system
is not what was restored,
00:21:12.37\00:21:16.50
what was restored?
00:21:16.54\00:21:18.34
Our relationship,
that's our spiritual we hated
00:21:18.37\00:21:21.58
is joint into the Lord is what?
00:21:21.61\00:21:23.45
One spirit.
00:21:23.48\00:21:24.81
Our spiritual relationship
with God was restored,
00:21:24.85\00:21:28.85
we are brought back
into harmony with God,
00:21:28.88\00:21:32.79
just assuredly as Adam and Eve
00:21:32.82\00:21:34.69
were initially
in harmony with God,
00:21:34.72\00:21:36.79
we're in harmony with God,
00:21:36.83\00:21:38.79
even in a world that
is filled with turmoil,
00:21:38.83\00:21:41.20
we can be in
harmony with God, okay.
00:21:41.23\00:21:47.24
Now, let me jump to this.
00:21:47.27\00:21:51.67
Even with the
decline and degradation
00:21:51.71\00:21:55.28
we see in our natural world,
00:21:55.31\00:21:57.85
we are still able to see
00:21:57.88\00:21:59.38
much at the
grander of God's creation,
00:21:59.41\00:22:02.02
don't want us to overlook this.
00:22:02.05\00:22:04.32
Jesus used the
grander of God's creation
00:22:04.35\00:22:08.19
in many of His teachings.
00:22:08.22\00:22:09.82
In Matthew 6:26,
00:22:09.86\00:22:11.43
let me read
this quickly for you,
00:22:11.46\00:22:13.43
"Look at the birds of the air
00:22:13.46\00:22:15.26
for they neither sow nor
reap nor gather into barns,
00:22:15.30\00:22:18.40
yet your heavenly
Father feeds them."
00:22:18.43\00:22:20.94
Here, He used these
teachings from nature
00:22:20.97\00:22:23.94
as a way to encourage us.
00:22:23.97\00:22:25.54
Look at this,
00:22:25.57\00:22:26.91
and "Are you not more valuable
than the birds of the air?"
00:22:26.94\00:22:31.38
God loves us.
00:22:31.41\00:22:32.75
He's done
everything to bring us back
00:22:32.78\00:22:34.95
into right
relationship with Him.
00:22:34.98\00:22:37.29
While we know that
the best is yet to come,
00:22:37.32\00:22:40.62
that heaven is real,
00:22:40.66\00:22:42.22
and we have a future and a hope
of eternity in God's presence.
00:22:42.26\00:22:48.26
Do we know that we
have that future and a hope?
00:22:48.30\00:22:50.60
We're gonna spend an
eternity in the presence of God.
00:22:50.63\00:22:53.44
Here is just a
word of encouragement.
00:22:53.47\00:22:55.50
"Let's open our eyes
00:22:55.54\00:22:57.37
and look at the
marvels of creation
00:22:57.41\00:22:59.57
that surround us every day.
00:22:59.61\00:23:01.54
The battle between good and evil
00:23:01.58\00:23:03.71
is raging around us constantly.
00:23:03.75\00:23:06.41
We face trial after trial,
00:23:06.45\00:23:08.85
but with our focus on the
one who created all things
00:23:08.88\00:23:12.55
and pronounced it as very good.
00:23:12.59\00:23:15.12
Let's walk with an attitude
of gratitude and thankfulness
00:23:15.16\00:23:19.83
for His grace and mercy
00:23:19.86\00:23:21.90
that has been so
abundantly extended to us.
00:23:21.93\00:23:24.90
One last quote,
00:23:24.93\00:23:26.27
"As Seventh-day Adventists
00:23:26.30\00:23:27.80
those who both
celebrate creation
00:23:27.84\00:23:29.74
and anticipate
God's coming kingdom,
00:23:29.77\00:23:33.11
we should realize
that the beauty, joy,
00:23:33.14\00:23:35.68
and goodness we see and
experience in this world
00:23:35.71\00:23:38.58
are glimpses of
what our world once was,
00:23:38.61\00:23:42.28
and what it will be again."
00:23:42.32\00:23:43.72
Amen. Thank you.
00:23:43.75\00:23:45.09
Thank you so much, Mollie.
00:23:45.12\00:23:46.45
On that note, we're
going to take a break
00:23:46.49\00:23:47.82
and we'll be right back.
00:23:47.86\00:23:49.19
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Welcome back to our
Sabbath School Panel.
00:24:26.19\00:24:28.26
We'll continue
on Tuesday's lessons
00:24:28.30\00:24:30.60
with Shelley Quinn,
"Stewards of the Earth."
00:24:30.63\00:24:33.03
"Stewards of the Earth,"
00:24:33.07\00:24:34.40
you all had set
this up very well.
00:24:34.44\00:24:35.80
Thank you so much.
00:24:35.84\00:24:37.17
You know,
00:24:37.21\00:24:38.54
in the Bible's
record of creation,
00:24:38.57\00:24:40.68
as you said, Mollie,
00:24:40.71\00:24:42.04
God created
everything and it was idyllic.
00:24:42.08\00:24:44.98
There was abundance.
00:24:45.01\00:24:47.12
And in the Hebrew,
00:24:47.15\00:24:49.88
the expression Garden of Eden
00:24:49.92\00:24:52.25
meant the garden of
pleasure, the garden of delight,
00:24:52.29\00:24:57.06
this was paradise.
00:24:57.09\00:24:58.96
So let's look at Genesis 1:28,
00:24:58.99\00:25:01.06
because God created
this beautiful earth.
00:25:01.10\00:25:04.97
But then He
intended to give man,
00:25:05.00\00:25:09.00
He created man
with special purpose,
00:25:09.04\00:25:11.47
and He gave man
a responsibility.
00:25:11.51\00:25:13.81
Genesis 1:28, it
says, then God blessed them,
00:25:13.84\00:25:19.81
God said to them
speaking to Adam and Eve,
00:25:19.85\00:25:23.28
"Be fruitful and multiply,
fill the earth and subdue it,
00:25:23.32\00:25:28.29
have dominion over
the fish of the sea,
00:25:28.32\00:25:30.26
over the birds of the air,
00:25:30.29\00:25:31.93
and over everything
that moves on the earth."
00:25:31.96\00:25:36.00
This is the
longest of five blessings
00:25:36.03\00:25:38.80
in the creation account.
00:25:38.83\00:25:40.64
And it is interesting
00:25:40.67\00:25:42.44
because here we see
this, be fruitful and multiply.
00:25:42.47\00:25:46.54
That was Him pronouncing
a blessing on marriage.
00:25:46.57\00:25:50.21
But I want to point
out the word 'subdue it.
00:25:50.25\00:25:53.31
When God said
"subdue the earth."
00:25:53.35\00:25:56.82
He was talking about
bringing it under control,
00:25:56.85\00:26:00.99
a wise use of
the natural resources
00:26:01.02\00:26:05.09
that would enhance
00:26:05.13\00:26:07.66
the experience of
filling the earth.
00:26:07.70\00:26:10.47
Now, in Hebrew, the
word Rada is dominion.
00:26:10.50\00:26:15.44
God said subdue it,
have dominion over it.
00:26:15.47\00:26:19.01
You know what that means?
00:26:19.04\00:26:20.48
It's not, you're just gonna
do whatever you want with it.
00:26:20.51\00:26:24.35
Dominion means
to take care of it,
00:26:24.38\00:26:28.52
to direct, to manage.
00:26:28.55\00:26:31.65
And God created
humankind with a special status.
00:26:31.69\00:26:36.96
And He gave us
this responsibility
00:26:36.99\00:26:40.20
to take care of
this beautiful creation.
00:26:40.23\00:26:43.03
And what was the first
job that God gave to Adam?
00:26:43.06\00:26:46.43
To name the birds
and all the animals.
00:26:46.47\00:26:49.60
So in Genesis
2:15, the scripture says,
00:26:49.64\00:26:53.74
"The Lord God took the man
put him in the Garden of Eden
00:26:53.78\00:26:58.25
to tend it, to keep it."
00:26:58.28\00:27:01.95
He was to work it
and take care of it.
00:27:01.98\00:27:04.95
This is the first
command of stewardship,
00:27:04.99\00:27:08.82
the responsibility
00:27:08.86\00:27:11.26
in maintaining the created order
00:27:11.29\00:27:13.53
so that all this
life and goodness,
00:27:13.56\00:27:16.83
and fullness and
beauty would be there
00:27:16.87\00:27:19.90
for future generations.
00:27:19.93\00:27:22.40
You know, in a fallen world,
00:27:22.44\00:27:24.34
don't you think we have
00:27:24.37\00:27:25.71
even a greater
responsibility as Christians
00:27:25.74\00:27:28.84
to be wise stewards of
all that God has given us.
00:27:28.88\00:27:33.15
So James 1:17, I
love this scripture.
00:27:33.18\00:27:36.79
And I always remember it
because my birthday is 1:17.
00:27:36.82\00:27:40.52
James 1:17,
00:27:40.56\00:27:43.36
"Every good and
perfect gift is from above."
00:27:43.39\00:27:49.13
"Every good gift,
00:27:49.16\00:27:50.53
every perfect
gift is from above,
00:27:50.57\00:27:53.77
and comes down to us
from the Father of lights
00:27:53.80\00:27:56.91
with whom there is no
variation or shadow of turning."
00:27:56.94\00:28:00.64
In other words,
God doesn't change,
00:28:00.68\00:28:02.94
but everything that we are,
00:28:02.98\00:28:05.35
everything that we
possess belongs to God.
00:28:05.38\00:28:09.35
In 1 Corinthians,
you, I think you've...
00:28:09.38\00:28:12.42
John, quoted Psalm 24:1,
00:28:12.45\00:28:15.92
Paul quotes it in
1 Corinthians 10:26,
00:28:15.96\00:28:19.16
he says, "The
earth is the Lord's,
00:28:19.19\00:28:21.16
and the fullness thereof."
00:28:21.20\00:28:22.63
He's the rightful owner.
00:28:22.66\00:28:24.97
But I want one of you
to look up Psalm 115:15-16.
00:28:25.00\00:28:30.97
And then I'll
read the next thing.
00:28:31.01\00:28:32.41
Okay, I have it.
00:28:32.44\00:28:33.78
In Psalm 115,
00:28:33.81\00:28:35.61
God gave dominion
over the earth to mankind.
00:28:35.64\00:28:37.88
Would you read that?
00:28:37.91\00:28:39.25
Sure, verse 15 and 16,
00:28:39.28\00:28:41.08
"May you be blessed by the Lord
00:28:41.12\00:28:42.92
who made heaven
and earth, the heavens,
00:28:42.95\00:28:45.95
even the heavens are the Lord's,
00:28:45.99\00:28:48.69
but the earth He has
given to the children of men."
00:28:48.72\00:28:52.13
Okay, so it says the earth
is the Lord's and its fullness,
00:28:52.16\00:28:55.76
but now I'm
saying He has given them.
00:28:55.80\00:28:57.60
Let's turn to Matthew 21:33,
00:28:57.63\00:29:00.70
because I think some
people find a little tension
00:29:00.74\00:29:03.61
but what do you mean
the earth is the Lord's?
00:29:03.64\00:29:05.34
He gave it to man.
00:29:05.37\00:29:06.74
But I think Matthew 21:33
is the perfect explanation
00:29:06.78\00:29:11.18
because Jesus is
telling a parable.
00:29:11.21\00:29:13.62
He taught a lot by parables.
00:29:13.65\00:29:15.65
And He's telling the
Parable of the Vineyard.
00:29:15.68\00:29:18.12
And it says Matthew
21:33, hear another parable.
00:29:18.15\00:29:22.26
"There was a certain land
owner who planted a vineyard,
00:29:22.29\00:29:26.96
set a hedge around it,
00:29:27.00\00:29:29.03
dug a vine
precedent and built a tower.
00:29:29.06\00:29:32.13
And he leased it
to vine dressers,
00:29:32.17\00:29:38.01
and he went into a far country."
00:29:38.04\00:29:40.44
Here, he's talking about
God is a certain landowner
00:29:40.48\00:29:44.68
who had made
this beautiful garden,
00:29:44.71\00:29:47.55
then He leased it,
00:29:47.58\00:29:48.92
He created this earth
with all of the potential
00:29:48.95\00:29:52.95
to make an iPad,
shuttles, you name it.
00:29:52.99\00:29:56.96
The potential was there,
00:29:56.99\00:29:58.33
but He leased it
to man to develop it.
00:29:58.36\00:30:02.23
But there is a term
or terms of engagement,
00:30:02.26\00:30:07.24
we are to wisely
manage these resources.
00:30:07.27\00:30:12.04
And, you know,
especially when you think
00:30:12.07\00:30:13.41
about the resources
that are non-renewable,
00:30:13.44\00:30:17.88
but we are to lovingly
treat the creatures He created.
00:30:17.91\00:30:24.32
So, beginning with Adam and Eve,
00:30:24.35\00:30:28.06
God introduced this
concept of stewardship.
00:30:28.09\00:30:33.36
And I want to run
through that a little bit
00:30:33.40\00:30:35.26
because sometimes
people don't understand
00:30:35.30\00:30:37.90
what we're talking
about when we use that word.
00:30:37.93\00:30:40.60
But when God gave man
dominion over the earth,
00:30:40.64\00:30:44.31
as caretaker He gave...
00:30:44.34\00:30:47.18
It was to be
managed for God's purposes.
00:30:47.21\00:30:51.08
Stewardship is our
duty to acknowledge God
00:30:51.11\00:30:55.85
as our provider,
00:30:55.88\00:30:58.42
and it's our
responsibility to manage
00:30:58.45\00:31:02.02
all of our God given
resources for His glory.
00:31:02.06\00:31:06.06
In the Bible, I want to look
at two examples of stewards.
00:31:06.09\00:31:11.03
A steward was a
manager of an estate.
00:31:11.07\00:31:15.20
Now think about
Joseph, Joseph was Jacob's son.
00:31:15.24\00:31:19.37
He was sold into slavery.
00:31:19.41\00:31:21.64
And what happened
after when he was...
00:31:21.68\00:31:24.85
Went to Egypt, they
took him down to Egypt.
00:31:24.88\00:31:27.65
Joseph gained favor
with a man named Potiphar
00:31:27.68\00:31:31.22
and he was
really Potiphar's slave,
00:31:31.25\00:31:33.39
but Potiphar saw
such excellence in Joseph,
00:31:33.42\00:31:38.43
he made him a steward.
00:31:38.46\00:31:41.66
Joseph had dominion
00:31:41.70\00:31:44.80
over all of Potiphar's property,
00:31:44.83\00:31:47.37
he was the overseer.
00:31:47.40\00:31:49.54
You find that
story in Genesis 39.
00:31:49.57\00:31:52.51
So all that was owned
00:31:52.54\00:31:54.68
was put under
Joseph's authority,
00:31:54.71\00:31:57.85
but another word for
steward, in the Old Testament,
00:31:57.88\00:32:02.58
is one who will
inherit my estate.
00:32:02.62\00:32:06.72
So it's not just a
manager of an estate,
00:32:06.76\00:32:09.96
but one who will inherit,
00:32:09.99\00:32:12.36
who will be the
heir of My house.
00:32:12.39\00:32:15.43
And I think of Eliezer,
00:32:15.46\00:32:17.50
who was Abram's servant,
00:32:17.53\00:32:20.24
Abram, who became...
00:32:20.27\00:32:21.60
His name was changed to Abraham.
00:32:21.64\00:32:23.47
But Eliezer,
00:32:23.51\00:32:24.84
if Abraham had
not had a male child
00:32:24.87\00:32:28.44
to whom he could
pass on his estate,
00:32:28.48\00:32:33.01
Eliezer was in line
00:32:33.05\00:32:35.98
as one to inherit the estate.
00:32:36.02\00:32:38.82
So you think about us,
00:32:38.85\00:32:40.32
as children of God
00:32:40.36\00:32:42.29
we play both roles.
00:32:42.32\00:32:44.09
We're managers of God's estate,
00:32:44.13\00:32:46.96
and we are to
inherit God's estate.
00:32:47.00\00:32:50.40
Romans 8:7, says that
"We are heirs of Christ
00:32:50.43\00:32:53.97
and joint heirs,
00:32:54.00\00:32:55.70
or heirs of God and
joint heirs with Christ."
00:32:55.74\00:32:58.97
So we must manage
and use everything
00:32:59.01\00:33:04.11
that God has
given us for His glory.
00:33:04.15\00:33:07.85
We should seek His will
on every decision we make,
00:33:07.88\00:33:12.22
that it will be wise,
that it will be unselfish.
00:33:12.25\00:33:17.06
You know, God
expects us to use everything
00:33:17.09\00:33:21.83
that He has given us
00:33:21.86\00:33:23.70
in a manner that
will be pleasing to Him.
00:33:23.73\00:33:26.40
And guess what?
00:33:26.43\00:33:27.84
When we do that,
00:33:27.87\00:33:29.20
we can count on
his fatherly generosity
00:33:29.24\00:33:32.67
because God took loving care
in how He created the earth.
00:33:32.71\00:33:38.18
Oh, He made it
special for you and me.
00:33:38.21\00:33:40.98
But humankind, He
gave us that responsibility
00:33:41.02\00:33:45.55
that we would, likewise,
00:33:45.59\00:33:48.76
manage what the
beauty that He had created
00:33:48.79\00:33:52.29
for the benefit of all,
even the least of these.
00:33:52.33\00:33:56.56
That's right. Amen.
00:33:56.60\00:33:57.93
Praise the Lord.
00:33:57.97\00:33:59.30
That was very,
very well put, Shelley.
00:33:59.33\00:34:01.34
I'm gonna move on to
Wednesday's lesson entitled,
00:34:01.37\00:34:04.01
"A Broken World."
00:34:04.04\00:34:06.04
And, you know, when I first
read this particular title,
00:34:06.07\00:34:09.38
"A Broken World,"
00:34:09.41\00:34:11.61
what came to my
mind was a gentleman
00:34:11.65\00:34:13.11
I had went to
church with years ago,
00:34:13.15\00:34:15.48
one of my good friends,
00:34:15.52\00:34:16.85
but I remember
often when I would,
00:34:16.89\00:34:18.22
when I would deliver a sermon,
00:34:18.25\00:34:19.72
or I would have a Bible study
with him or with a small group,
00:34:19.75\00:34:22.82
and he was in the group.
00:34:22.86\00:34:24.23
You know, when we would talk
00:34:24.26\00:34:25.59
about sin and some
of the negative aspects
00:34:25.63\00:34:27.56
of the reality of this
world and in scripture,
00:34:27.60\00:34:31.07
he would often tell me,
00:34:31.10\00:34:32.43
he'd say, "You
know, just don't talk
00:34:32.47\00:34:34.17
about the negative stuff,
00:34:34.20\00:34:35.54
talk about the good stuff,
00:34:35.57\00:34:36.91
you know, talk about
00:34:36.94\00:34:38.27
the positive
aspects of scripture,
00:34:38.31\00:34:39.71
you know, the
grace and the mercy
00:34:39.74\00:34:41.08
and the love that God
has bestowed upon us."
00:34:41.11\00:34:43.01
And, and so, you
know, coming from,
00:34:43.04\00:34:45.58
you know, that situation,
00:34:45.61\00:34:47.42
having dealt with
that particular individual,
00:34:47.45\00:34:48.78
I've dealt with a
lot of individuals
00:34:48.82\00:34:50.19
that have that
particular mindset,
00:34:50.22\00:34:51.79
when you want to start talking
about the negative aspects
00:34:51.82\00:34:54.46
and the negative realities
of scripture in the world
00:34:54.49\00:34:56.79
that we live in today.
00:34:56.83\00:34:58.16
Some people just kind
of turn their brain off,
00:34:58.19\00:35:00.06
they don't want to listen to it.
00:35:00.10\00:35:01.43
But the fact of the matter
00:35:01.46\00:35:02.80
is we have to
deal with the reality
00:35:02.83\00:35:04.30
that we live in today.
00:35:04.33\00:35:05.67
And that is that we
live in a broken world.
00:35:05.70\00:35:08.07
In fact, you know,
00:35:08.10\00:35:09.70
I'm a whole Bible
believing Christian.
00:35:09.74\00:35:12.71
And that means every
single aspect of this Bible,
00:35:12.74\00:35:15.11
from Genesis to Revelation,
00:35:15.14\00:35:16.48
I want to put my
faith and trust in.
00:35:16.51\00:35:18.38
And, you know, I've done
this illustration many times.
00:35:18.41\00:35:20.02
I've seen it
00:35:20.05\00:35:21.38
in an
evangelist series one time.
00:35:21.42\00:35:22.85
If you go through the
front door of the Bible,
00:35:22.88\00:35:25.09
you mean just you go through
00:35:25.12\00:35:26.45
the first two
chapters of Genesis,
00:35:26.49\00:35:27.82
what do you see?
00:35:27.86\00:35:29.19
You see this
beautiful creative power
00:35:29.22\00:35:30.59
as it has been put
on display here already,
00:35:30.63\00:35:33.63
the beautiful,
creative work of God,
00:35:33.66\00:35:35.10
so God creating man,
00:35:35.13\00:35:36.97
placing him in the
garden of pleasure,
00:35:37.00\00:35:38.87
that's what Eden
means, garden of pleasure,
00:35:38.90\00:35:40.90
in a paradise in
which you see a perfect
00:35:40.94\00:35:43.37
uninterrupted
communion between God and man,
00:35:43.41\00:35:45.47
just as God intended it to be.
00:35:45.51\00:35:47.21
All right, now you go to
the back door of the Bible,
00:35:47.24\00:35:48.78
you come to the
Book of Revelation.
00:35:48.81\00:35:50.15
What do you find
happening in the latter chapters
00:35:50.18\00:35:51.81
of the Book of Revelation?
00:35:51.85\00:35:53.18
We see again, God
restoring or recreating
00:35:53.21\00:35:56.99
back again to what
He had intended to be,
00:35:57.02\00:35:59.72
but the reality is
from Genesis Chapter 3,
00:35:59.75\00:36:03.19
all the way through
to the end of the Bible,
00:36:03.22\00:36:05.29
the bulk of
scripture is we see that
00:36:05.33\00:36:08.06
the majority of
scripture is this conflict,
00:36:08.10\00:36:10.77
this great
conflict and covenant issue
00:36:10.80\00:36:13.20
that we see this
great controversy battle
00:36:13.23\00:36:15.00
between good and evil.
00:36:15.04\00:36:16.37
And it very much puts on display
00:36:16.40\00:36:18.11
the broken
world that we live in.
00:36:18.14\00:36:19.77
And so as we consider
this particular topic,
00:36:19.81\00:36:22.68
Wednesday's
lesson, "A Broken World,"
00:36:22.71\00:36:25.31
this is here for us
to better understand
00:36:25.35\00:36:27.62
and come to understand
why we live in a broken world.
00:36:27.65\00:36:30.15
And, you know,
the negative aspect
00:36:30.19\00:36:32.65
of the tone of that
language also communicates to us
00:36:32.69\00:36:35.52
as we continue to
go through God's Word.
00:36:35.56\00:36:37.19
We know that God has something
amazing in store for us.
00:36:37.23\00:36:39.93
And so I want to start
00:36:39.96\00:36:41.30
with the opening
paragraph of today's lesson.
00:36:41.33\00:36:44.23
I really liked
how it was worded.
00:36:44.27\00:36:45.60
So I want to read it,
00:36:45.63\00:36:46.97
just to kind of set the tone
for what we're talking about.
00:36:47.00\00:36:48.97
It says, "One thing
God gave Adam and Eve
00:36:49.00\00:36:51.57
that He didn't give
anything else on earth
00:36:51.61\00:36:54.04
was moral freedom.
00:36:54.08\00:36:56.95
They were moral
beings in ways that plants,
00:36:56.98\00:36:59.68
animals and
trees could never be.
00:36:59.71\00:37:02.52
God valued this
moral freedom so much
00:37:02.55\00:37:04.59
that He allowed the possibility
00:37:04.62\00:37:06.89
that His people
would choose to disobey.
00:37:06.92\00:37:09.89
And so we know
that's the very reality.
00:37:09.92\00:37:11.99
In doing so, get this,
00:37:12.03\00:37:13.73
He risked all
that He had created
00:37:13.76\00:37:16.36
for the larger
goal of a relationship
00:37:16.40\00:37:18.87
with His human creatures
based on love, and free will.
00:37:18.90\00:37:23.24
And that's the
bulk of this message.
00:37:23.27\00:37:25.04
I want to go into conversation
about this concept of freedom
00:37:25.07\00:37:30.81
and free will and why
we live in a broken world.
00:37:30.85\00:37:33.72
CS Lewis, the
popular Christian author
00:37:33.75\00:37:37.55
had this to say in his writings.
00:37:37.59\00:37:38.92
You can study his writings
00:37:38.95\00:37:40.29
and he talks about
this multiple times.
00:37:40.32\00:37:42.22
And while I don't agree
with everything he says,
00:37:42.26\00:37:44.43
I thought this was a very, very
good point that he makes here.
00:37:44.46\00:37:47.60
He says the
greatest of all mysteries,
00:37:47.63\00:37:49.80
I think that's a
very interesting,
00:37:49.83\00:37:51.37
the greatest of all mysteries
00:37:51.40\00:37:52.73
found in scripture
from his perspective,
00:37:52.77\00:37:55.47
is that the
almighty of the universe
00:37:55.50\00:37:57.71
would create
men in His own image
00:37:57.74\00:38:00.84
and invest the
created with the free will
00:38:00.88\00:38:05.61
to resist and
reject the Creator.
00:38:05.65\00:38:09.55
In other words,
00:38:09.58\00:38:10.92
and also the fact that God
00:38:10.95\00:38:12.42
would allow this to happen,
00:38:12.45\00:38:14.12
the greatest He said,
00:38:14.16\00:38:15.49
surely this is the
greatest of all mysteries.
00:38:15.52\00:38:17.59
And I would have to
agree when you really begin
00:38:17.63\00:38:19.09
to contemplate
the fact that God,
00:38:19.13\00:38:21.50
perfect love,
would create beings
00:38:21.53\00:38:24.60
but yet create
them with the free will
00:38:24.63\00:38:26.67
and the free
choice to reject His love,
00:38:26.70\00:38:28.80
to reject Him as individual.
00:38:28.84\00:38:30.21
It is definitely a mystery
00:38:30.24\00:38:31.84
that none of us can
possibly begin to fathom.
00:38:31.87\00:38:33.91
But I think there is an
answer to this as to why,
00:38:33.94\00:38:36.21
why would God allow that?
00:38:36.24\00:38:37.75
And I think it really sums up,
00:38:37.78\00:38:39.18
you could sum this up
in just three little words.
00:38:39.21\00:38:41.55
It's found in 1 John 4:8,
00:38:41.58\00:38:43.72
I'm gonna read the entire text,
00:38:43.75\00:38:45.09
but the three words
00:38:45.12\00:38:46.45
that I'm speaking of is
found at the end of this text,
00:38:46.49\00:38:48.19
one of the
shortest text in scripture,
00:38:48.22\00:38:50.26
but very profound.
00:38:50.29\00:38:51.63
1 John 4:8, the Bible says,
00:38:51.66\00:38:53.76
"He who does not love
00:38:53.80\00:38:55.26
does not know God for..."
00:38:55.30\00:38:57.03
And here's those three words
00:38:57.07\00:38:58.40
"God is love."
00:38:58.43\00:39:01.70
And I always like to
just remind everyone,
00:39:01.74\00:39:03.61
when we read that text,
notice what it's not saying.
00:39:03.64\00:39:06.27
It's not saying
that God is loving,
00:39:06.31\00:39:07.94
you know, we can all be loving,
00:39:07.98\00:39:09.31
we can express
emotions and feelings,
00:39:09.34\00:39:11.61
and actions and love.
00:39:11.65\00:39:12.98
But this particular
text says that God is love.
00:39:13.01\00:39:15.42
It's describing His character,
00:39:15.45\00:39:16.95
it's describing His very nature.
00:39:16.99\00:39:19.02
God is a loving being
00:39:19.05\00:39:20.49
just as we can be loving,
00:39:20.52\00:39:21.89
but God is love.
00:39:21.92\00:39:24.03
So why do we live
in a broken world?
00:39:24.06\00:39:25.69
And why did God
create us with this free will
00:39:25.73\00:39:28.76
to be able to
reject Him and His love?
00:39:28.80\00:39:31.07
It just simply bows down
to the fact that He is love.
00:39:31.10\00:39:34.17
I found this, I heard a minister
00:39:34.20\00:39:35.64
bring this out one time
00:39:35.67\00:39:37.01
and I have to bring
this out at the moment
00:39:37.04\00:39:38.44
because it really
describes the very nature,
00:39:38.47\00:39:41.14
the very aspect
of the conversation
00:39:41.18\00:39:42.54
that we're having
here about this free will.
00:39:42.58\00:39:44.88
You see true godly
love requires freedom,
00:39:44.91\00:39:50.19
true godly love.
00:39:50.22\00:39:51.55
If God were to create
us all as little robots
00:39:51.59\00:39:53.82
that just done
every single aspect
00:39:53.86\00:39:55.62
of everything
that He said to do.
00:39:55.66\00:39:57.36
Well, there's not real true
godly love involved in that.
00:39:57.39\00:40:00.20
So true love, we're talking
about biblical godly love
00:40:00.23\00:40:03.43
requires freedom and of course,
00:40:03.47\00:40:05.70
freedom involves risk.
00:40:05.73\00:40:08.84
Okay, so when you
bestow freedom upon anyone
00:40:08.87\00:40:10.94
and I believe,
00:40:10.97\00:40:12.31
I can't necessarily
speak to this myself,
00:40:12.34\00:40:14.34
but parents more than
anyone can understand this
00:40:14.38\00:40:16.98
because when you have a child
00:40:17.01\00:40:18.41
and you bestow that
freedom upon the child,
00:40:18.45\00:40:20.42
that free will to choose,
00:40:20.45\00:40:22.28
you know, to live and to
make choices on their own,
00:40:22.32\00:40:25.89
there's risk involved in that.
00:40:25.92\00:40:27.32
The risk of the fact
00:40:27.36\00:40:28.69
that they're
gonna choose not to do
00:40:28.72\00:40:30.06
what you taught them to do,
00:40:30.09\00:40:31.43
or the risk that
they're going reject you
00:40:31.46\00:40:32.86
as their parent or
not, listen to you.
00:40:32.89\00:40:34.56
Of course,
freedom involves risk.
00:40:34.60\00:40:36.73
Number three, risk
entails responsibility,
00:40:36.77\00:40:40.54
so when we have...
00:40:40.57\00:40:41.90
with that risk
comes the responsibility
00:40:41.94\00:40:43.81
on each and every one of us
00:40:43.84\00:40:45.47
that we have in
making better decisions
00:40:45.51\00:40:48.04
and following through
with the plan that God gave us.
00:40:48.08\00:40:50.11
And number four, last one,
responsibility enables growth,
00:40:50.15\00:40:53.75
okay.
00:40:53.78\00:40:55.12
So you put all this together,
true love requires freedom,
00:40:55.15\00:40:56.92
freedom involves risk,
00:40:56.95\00:40:58.35
risk entails responsibility,
00:40:58.39\00:41:00.09
and
responsibility enables growth,
00:41:00.12\00:41:02.19
that spells out the
very nature, God is love.
00:41:02.22\00:41:05.23
He had to bestow that upon us
00:41:05.26\00:41:06.93
in order to be
able to rightly receive
00:41:06.96\00:41:10.17
and see a
replication of that love in us,
00:41:10.20\00:41:13.57
in order for us to
choose freely to love him
00:41:13.60\00:41:16.91
that had been bestowed upon us.
00:41:16.94\00:41:18.94
The perfect,
uninterrupted communion
00:41:18.97\00:41:22.14
between God and creation
00:41:22.18\00:41:24.58
had actually been
interrupted some time before
00:41:24.61\00:41:27.38
the creation of earth and man.
00:41:27.42\00:41:29.35
And I just want to back up here
00:41:29.38\00:41:30.72
and read Ezekiel 28:14-15,
00:41:30.75\00:41:33.19
because sometimes
we get so focused on,
00:41:33.22\00:41:35.52
you know, what's actually
happening here on earth,
00:41:35.56\00:41:37.86
and the root of this
actually happened in heaven,
00:41:37.89\00:41:40.26
where God actually
speaking of Lucifer,
00:41:40.30\00:41:42.70
He says there in verse 15,
00:41:42.73\00:41:44.07
"You were perfect in your ways,
00:41:44.10\00:41:45.43
from the day
that you were created,
00:41:45.47\00:41:46.80
till iniquity was found in you."
00:41:46.84\00:41:49.57
So this, you know,
when God created the angels
00:41:49.60\00:41:51.71
that were in heaven,
00:41:51.74\00:41:53.07
He bestowed this
free willingness,
00:41:53.11\00:41:54.44
free power to
choose upon them as well
00:41:54.48\00:41:57.11
and Lucifer of course,
00:41:57.15\00:41:58.91
with that risk he
was not responsible
00:41:58.95\00:42:01.68
and he actually, of
course, saw in himself,
00:42:01.72\00:42:03.89
his own beauty, his own love,
00:42:03.92\00:42:05.45
his own love for self
00:42:05.49\00:42:06.96
more than a love for God.
00:42:06.99\00:42:08.32
And, of course,
that contaminated aspect
00:42:08.36\00:42:12.13
would continue on into creation.
00:42:12.16\00:42:14.53
We see it in Genesis 3:1-5,
00:42:14.56\00:42:19.90
I'm not gonna read all of this,
00:42:19.93\00:42:21.27
but I just want
to highlight here.
00:42:21.30\00:42:22.64
In this particular chapter,
00:42:22.67\00:42:24.31
we see a direct attack
against God's character.
00:42:24.34\00:42:28.14
And we can see
how man was affected
00:42:28.18\00:42:31.08
and how this broken
world would come about.
00:42:31.11\00:42:33.62
Because we see here that as
we're told right in verse 1,
00:42:33.65\00:42:36.32
that the serpent
who again is cunning,
00:42:36.35\00:42:38.39
he's crafty,
he's sly, he's tricky,
00:42:38.42\00:42:40.06
he comes and he begins
00:42:40.09\00:42:41.42
to have a conversation with Eve.
00:42:41.46\00:42:43.02
And, of course,
he goes on to say,
00:42:43.06\00:42:44.66
has God indeed said
00:42:44.69\00:42:46.36
"You shall not
eat of every tree"
00:42:46.39\00:42:47.73
as if God is unfair?
00:42:47.76\00:42:49.10
In other words,
God is really unclear,
00:42:49.13\00:42:50.47
he's unreasonable and restricted
00:42:50.50\00:42:52.03
that was attack
against God's character
00:42:52.07\00:42:53.97
and in applying that question,
00:42:54.00\00:42:55.34
he's attacking God's character
00:42:55.37\00:42:56.71
and saying, you
know, God's unclearly,
00:42:56.74\00:42:58.07
He's done
reasonable, He's restricted,
00:42:58.11\00:42:59.71
did He really tell you
00:42:59.74\00:43:01.08
"You can't eat of
every tree in the garden?"
00:43:01.11\00:43:03.35
And, of course, there's
two more implied accusations
00:43:03.38\00:43:05.71
as you go on to read this text.
00:43:05.75\00:43:07.22
It goes on to say, you
know, "You shall not eat,
00:43:07.25\00:43:09.28
we shall not eat of it,
00:43:09.32\00:43:10.65
neither shall we
touch it, lest we die."
00:43:10.69\00:43:12.05
But notice what Satan
response is in verse 4,
00:43:12.09\00:43:14.79
"Then the serpent
said to the woman,
00:43:14.82\00:43:16.29
'You shall not surely die.'"
00:43:16.32\00:43:18.36
So again, God is dishonest now,
00:43:18.39\00:43:20.10
He's untrustworthy,
He's lying to you,
00:43:20.13\00:43:22.06
He's not really
telling you the truth
00:43:22.10\00:43:23.43
and then He goes on to say,
00:43:23.47\00:43:24.80
"For God knows that
in the day you eat of it,
00:43:24.83\00:43:26.17
your eyes will be open,
00:43:26.20\00:43:27.54
and you will be like
God, knowing good from evil."
00:43:27.57\00:43:29.87
The last accusation here
against the character of God,
00:43:29.90\00:43:31.97
they're basically,
00:43:32.01\00:43:33.34
he's basically
communicating to Eve
00:43:33.38\00:43:34.71
that God is selfish,
00:43:34.74\00:43:36.08
he's only
looking out for himself.
00:43:36.11\00:43:37.45
You are better off without God.
00:43:37.48\00:43:38.85
Now why would I say all
of this in closing here,
00:43:38.88\00:43:40.85
I just want to communicate.
00:43:40.88\00:43:42.35
This broken world that
we live in is the result
00:43:42.38\00:43:45.22
of a misunderstanding
00:43:45.25\00:43:46.59
and a misrepresentation
of God's character
00:43:46.62\00:43:48.92
and God's love.
00:43:48.96\00:43:50.29
And when we come to as people
00:43:50.33\00:43:51.96
because now we
have a responsibility.
00:43:51.99\00:43:53.80
As you continue
to study the lesson,
00:43:53.83\00:43:55.16
you see, we have a
responsibility on ourselves
00:43:55.20\00:43:58.33
to replicate and to
reflect that of the nature
00:43:58.37\00:44:01.67
and the loving character of God.
00:44:01.70\00:44:03.04
And when we do that,
00:44:03.07\00:44:04.41
when we come to do that,
00:44:04.44\00:44:05.84
people around the
world in their need,
00:44:05.87\00:44:08.04
they see Jesus
and His love in us.
00:44:08.08\00:44:10.15
And then everything
begins to balance out,
00:44:10.18\00:44:12.25
they begin to seek God in you.
00:44:12.28\00:44:14.02
And I believe
that's our ultimate goal.
00:44:14.05\00:44:15.65
Amen. Well done.
00:44:15.68\00:44:17.22
Ryan, thank you so much.
00:44:17.25\00:44:18.59
Each one of you set the stage
00:44:18.62\00:44:20.46
as we think about the
entrance of sin into this world.
00:44:20.49\00:44:24.39
Are you thankful
that there is a solution?
00:44:24.43\00:44:26.83
Are you thankful
that there is a redeemer,
00:44:26.86\00:44:30.20
that God gave that promise
00:44:30.23\00:44:31.83
to Adam and Eve there
in the Garden of Eden,
00:44:31.87\00:44:34.44
and that promise
extends down to you and to me,
00:44:34.47\00:44:36.81
so even though
this world is marred,
00:44:36.84\00:44:39.27
and creation is marred
00:44:39.31\00:44:40.64
and it's broken by sin,
00:44:40.68\00:44:42.11
that there is a solution.
00:44:42.14\00:44:43.48
When we sin,
00:44:43.51\00:44:44.85
we often think we shall obtain
the maximum amount of pleasure
00:44:44.88\00:44:48.72
at the minimum penalty,
00:44:48.75\00:44:51.49
but it never works that way.
00:44:51.52\00:44:53.36
Sin brings devastation
00:44:53.39\00:44:54.92
and destruction
and separation from God
00:44:54.96\00:44:57.33
as you brought out, Mollie,
00:44:57.36\00:44:59.23
and each other as
brothers and sisters
00:44:59.26\00:45:01.20
that bring
separation from each other.
00:45:01.23\00:45:03.70
It brings loneliness, and grief,
00:45:03.73\00:45:05.23
and anxiety, and
fear, and frustration,
00:45:05.27\00:45:07.70
and anger, and
jealousy, and envy,
00:45:07.74\00:45:10.67
misunderstandings
and evil surmising,
00:45:10.71\00:45:13.94
rebellion, and death.
00:45:13.98\00:45:16.68
Thursday's lesson which I have
00:45:16.71\00:45:18.55
is the "Family Web of Humanity."
00:45:18.58\00:45:22.72
We are our brother's keeper.
00:45:22.75\00:45:25.59
Turn with me to
Genesis Chapter 4.
00:45:25.62\00:45:28.56
Ryan did a beautiful job
explaining the entrance of sin,
00:45:28.59\00:45:32.23
not only in heaven,
00:45:32.26\00:45:33.80
but then here on this
earth with Adam and Eve.
00:45:33.83\00:45:38.10
And we know they were
banished from the garden.
00:45:38.13\00:45:40.27
And then we get
to Genesis Chapter 4,
00:45:40.30\00:45:42.00
and they start having kids
00:45:42.04\00:45:44.07
and Cain, their eldest and Abel,
00:45:44.11\00:45:47.11
when they grew
up to be young men,
00:45:47.14\00:45:49.48
they took their
offerings before the Lord.
00:45:49.51\00:45:52.41
Now, Abel offered the sacrifice
00:45:52.45\00:45:54.65
that was accepted.
00:45:54.68\00:45:56.02
The sacrifice of righteousness,
representing the righteousness
00:45:56.05\00:45:59.55
of Christ character
00:45:59.59\00:46:00.92
and the coming
lamb, the Messiah, Jesus,
00:46:00.96\00:46:04.56
who would be slain for our sins,
00:46:04.59\00:46:07.00
but Abel brought the
fruit of his own works.
00:46:07.03\00:46:09.83
He brought literally
the fruit from the harvest.
00:46:09.86\00:46:13.97
And God
accepted Abel's sacrifice
00:46:14.00\00:46:16.91
and did not
accept Cain's sacrifice.
00:46:16.94\00:46:20.18
Cain got kind of mad about it.
00:46:20.21\00:46:22.28
He got very mad about it,
00:46:22.31\00:46:23.68
and he disgusted
with his brother.
00:46:23.71\00:46:26.15
And the first murder takes place
00:46:26.18\00:46:27.78
in Genesis Chapter 4.
00:46:27.82\00:46:29.45
I mean, this is just one chapter
00:46:29.48\00:46:31.22
after the entrance of
sin here in this world.
00:46:31.25\00:46:35.16
Verse 9, we're in Genesis 4:9,
00:46:35.19\00:46:37.59
"Then the Lord said to Cain,
00:46:37.63\00:46:38.96
'Where is Abel, your brother?'
00:46:38.99\00:46:42.66
And he said, 'I do not know.
00:46:42.70\00:46:44.90
Am I my brother's keeper?'"
00:46:44.93\00:46:48.10
Are we our brother's keeper?
00:46:48.14\00:46:50.44
Are we spiritually
responsible for other people,
00:46:50.47\00:46:55.48
for this web of humanity
00:46:55.51\00:46:57.61
that we're talking
about here on Thursday,
00:46:57.65\00:46:59.95
you know, at work, we're...
00:46:59.98\00:47:01.72
It seems like we're
always busy here at 3ABN
00:47:01.75\00:47:04.29
and my husband, Greg, when...
00:47:04.32\00:47:06.99
This was several years ago,
people would come in my office
00:47:07.02\00:47:09.29
and they'd say, "Where's Greg?"
00:47:09.32\00:47:11.23
And I'd say, "Am I
my husband's keeper?"
00:47:11.26\00:47:13.90
So it was kind of a joke,
00:47:13.93\00:47:15.26
you know, we
would begin as joke.
00:47:15.30\00:47:17.67
And then if he goes
to another building,
00:47:17.70\00:47:20.10
and we work in the
production building,
00:47:20.14\00:47:21.54
if he comes to
the worship center,
00:47:21.57\00:47:22.90
he'd say, Jilly, I'm
heading to this building,
00:47:22.94\00:47:24.64
or I'm leaving the building.
00:47:24.67\00:47:26.21
But if he's in
the main building,
00:47:26.24\00:47:27.61
he could be in a meeting,
00:47:27.64\00:47:28.98
he could be upstairs, he
could be in a control room,
00:47:29.01\00:47:31.31
there's many different
places where he could be.
00:47:31.35\00:47:35.65
Are we spiritually responsible?
00:47:35.68\00:47:37.75
Are we to be our
brothers and sisters' keeper?
00:47:37.79\00:47:41.62
Romans 14:7,
00:47:41.66\00:47:43.26
this talks about the influence
00:47:43.29\00:47:45.96
that each of us
have on each other.
00:47:45.99\00:47:48.86
Romans 14:7,
00:47:48.90\00:47:50.63
"For none of us
lives to himself,
00:47:50.67\00:47:53.97
and no one dies to himself."
00:47:54.00\00:47:57.11
We each have an
influence on those around us.
00:47:57.14\00:48:01.84
Ephesians 2:6,
00:48:01.88\00:48:03.21
"We are called to sit
together in heavenly places."
00:48:03.24\00:48:08.78
We are all
connected through creation,
00:48:08.82\00:48:10.85
all connected, all the
way back from Adam and Eve.
00:48:10.89\00:48:13.96
We are all brothers and sisters,
00:48:13.99\00:48:15.96
and there's
consequences to being connected.
00:48:15.99\00:48:19.19
1 Corinthians 12:26,
00:48:19.23\00:48:21.43
"If one member
suffers, all the members," what?
00:48:21.46\00:48:25.87
"Suffer with him."
00:48:25.90\00:48:29.50
There's three ways I think
00:48:29.54\00:48:30.87
that we're our brother's keeper
00:48:30.91\00:48:32.24
and then we'll get to
the four points Pastor John,
00:48:32.27\00:48:34.54
about being our
brother's keeper.
00:48:34.58\00:48:36.28
But before we get to that,
00:48:36.31\00:48:37.81
I think we are spiritually
our brother's keeper,
00:48:37.85\00:48:40.98
and physically, and emotionally.
00:48:41.02\00:48:43.95
Let's look at the
spiritual aspect first.
00:48:43.99\00:48:46.05
Turn with me to Hebrews.
00:48:46.09\00:48:47.99
Hebrews 10:24-25,
00:48:48.02\00:48:52.96
Hebrews 10:24-25.
00:48:52.99\00:48:56.10
"Let us consider one
another in order to stir up
00:48:56.13\00:48:59.83
love and good works."
00:48:59.87\00:49:01.87
So that's talking about
spiritual application here
00:49:01.90\00:49:04.47
with each other as
brothers and sisters,
00:49:04.51\00:49:06.68
love and good works,
00:49:06.71\00:49:08.21
"Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together
00:49:08.24\00:49:11.65
as this is the manner of some,
00:49:11.68\00:49:13.31
but exhorting one another,
00:49:13.35\00:49:15.62
and so much more as you
see the day approaching."
00:49:15.65\00:49:18.89
We're called to
encourage each other,
00:49:18.92\00:49:21.16
we're called to
spiritually lift each other up
00:49:21.19\00:49:24.23
and to exhort each other to love
00:49:24.26\00:49:26.29
and to good works.
00:49:26.33\00:49:28.03
Now physically,
00:49:28.06\00:49:29.40
we're called to help
our brothers and sisters
00:49:29.43\00:49:31.20
when they are in need.
00:49:31.23\00:49:33.50
James Chapter 2, James 2:15-17,
00:49:33.54\00:49:37.04
James says, "If your
brother or sister is naked
00:49:37.07\00:49:39.87
and destitute of daily food,
00:49:39.91\00:49:42.01
and one of you says to them,
00:49:42.04\00:49:43.38
depart in peace,
00:49:43.41\00:49:44.78
be warmed and filled,
00:49:44.81\00:49:46.28
but you do not
give them the things
00:49:46.31\00:49:47.88
which are needed for the body.
00:49:47.92\00:49:49.62
What does it profit?
00:49:49.65\00:49:51.09
Does also faith by itself
00:49:51.12\00:49:52.85
if it does not
have works is dead,
00:49:52.89\00:49:54.46
and many times we can
spiritualize religion.
00:49:54.49\00:49:57.59
What I mean by that is we say
00:49:57.63\00:49:59.36
"We're all about the Word of God
00:49:59.39\00:50:00.90
and we are as
Seventh-day Adventist Christians
00:50:00.93\00:50:03.16
about the Word of God.
00:50:03.20\00:50:04.73
At the same time God calls
us to get out of ourselves,
00:50:04.77\00:50:08.67
and to see the physical needs
00:50:08.70\00:50:11.47
of our brothers and sisters,
00:50:11.51\00:50:13.54
and that's a great focus
of the lesson this quarter.
00:50:13.58\00:50:17.41
Then emotionally,
00:50:17.45\00:50:18.78
we're called in Galatians 6:2,
00:50:18.81\00:50:21.68
"Emotionally we
are called to support
00:50:21.72\00:50:25.15
and help each other."
00:50:25.19\00:50:27.32
Galatians 6:2 says,
00:50:27.36\00:50:28.76
"Bear one another's burdens,
00:50:28.79\00:50:31.79
and so fulfill
the law of Christ."
00:50:31.83\00:50:35.60
If someone is struggling,
00:50:35.63\00:50:36.97
if someone's having a hard time,
00:50:37.00\00:50:38.33
we're called to
pray with each other,
00:50:38.37\00:50:39.70
we're called to
reach in and support them.
00:50:39.73\00:50:43.00
Now here's my four
takeaways, Pastor John,
00:50:43.04\00:50:45.91
four ways to provide
assistance practically
00:50:45.94\00:50:48.51
to our brothers and sisters
to be our brother's keeper.
00:50:48.54\00:50:51.65
Number one, offer
assistance and help.
00:50:51.68\00:50:55.98
I was at Walmart in Marion
00:50:56.02\00:50:57.72
and the mall is just
next to Walmart in Marion
00:50:57.75\00:51:00.22
and I drove by, and
there was a gentleman,
00:51:00.26\00:51:02.06
older gentleman
holding a cardboard sign.
00:51:02.09\00:51:05.16
And it said, veteran,
00:51:05.19\00:51:07.80
anything you can give will help.
00:51:07.83\00:51:09.76
And I drove right by.
00:51:09.80\00:51:11.43
And then the Lord
convicted my heart.
00:51:11.47\00:51:13.54
And I turned around,
00:51:13.57\00:51:14.90
you know, how you play
these games with yourself?
00:51:14.94\00:51:16.81
Okay, what's he
going to use it for?
00:51:16.84\00:51:18.57
Is this really legit, is it,
00:51:18.61\00:51:20.04
you know, all those
things but the Lord convicted me
00:51:20.08\00:51:22.04
"Jill, he's your brother."
00:51:22.08\00:51:23.41
So I turned around,
00:51:23.45\00:51:24.78
all I had Ryan was
$20 cash, that's it.
00:51:24.81\00:51:27.25
So I rolled the window down.
00:51:27.28\00:51:29.28
I gave him the $20.
00:51:29.32\00:51:30.65
And he said,
00:51:30.69\00:51:32.02
"God bless you,
my little sister."
00:51:32.05\00:51:34.26
And then he went back.
00:51:34.29\00:51:35.76
We are called to
offer assistance and help.
00:51:35.79\00:51:39.13
Remember the
sheep and the goats?
00:51:39.16\00:51:40.50
Matthew 25:37-40,
00:51:40.53\00:51:44.10
what did Jesus
say to the righteous?
00:51:44.13\00:51:46.40
Or what did the righteous
say when Jesus commanded them?
00:51:46.43\00:51:49.07
And the righteous said
"When did we see you hungry?
00:51:49.10\00:51:50.97
And when did we feed you
00:51:51.01\00:51:52.34
or thirsty and give you a drink?
00:51:52.37\00:51:53.84
When did we see you a stranger
00:51:53.88\00:51:55.21
and take you in or
naked and cloth you?
00:51:55.24\00:51:57.55
When did we see you sick
00:51:57.58\00:51:58.91
or in prison and come to you
00:51:58.95\00:52:00.85
and the king shall say
in as much as you've done it
00:52:00.88\00:52:03.42
to the least of
these, my brethren,
00:52:03.45\00:52:05.55
you have done it unto me.
00:52:05.59\00:52:07.02
We're called
the feed the hungry,
00:52:07.06\00:52:08.86
to clothe the naked, to
visit those in hospitals,
00:52:08.89\00:52:12.99
those who are sick,
00:52:13.03\00:52:14.36
those who are in
prison and to offer,
00:52:14.40\00:52:16.06
open up our home
even to strangers.
00:52:16.10\00:52:18.67
Number two,
00:52:18.70\00:52:20.04
recognize that we are
all brothers and sisters.
00:52:20.07\00:52:25.61
We are all part of creation
00:52:25.64\00:52:26.98
and we're all
brothers and sisters.
00:52:27.01\00:52:28.44
Galatians 3:26-28.
00:52:28.48\00:52:31.55
"For you are all sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus.
00:52:31.58\00:52:35.18
For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ
00:52:35.22\00:52:37.69
have put on Christ,
there is neither Jew nor Greek,
00:52:37.72\00:52:40.56
there is
neither male nor female,
00:52:40.59\00:52:42.16
there's neither slave nor free,
00:52:42.19\00:52:44.03
for you are all
one in Christ Jesus."
00:52:44.06\00:52:47.10
Relationship status
changes when we're in Christ.
00:52:47.13\00:52:50.57
There's no racial distinction,
00:52:50.60\00:52:52.83
there's no economic
or social caste system,
00:52:52.87\00:52:56.47
there's no gender distinction,
00:52:56.50\00:52:58.11
we're all one in Christ Jesus.
00:52:58.14\00:52:59.81
Number three,
00:52:59.84\00:53:01.18
we are called to react in love.
00:53:01.21\00:53:04.28
Romans 13:10 says
00:53:04.31\00:53:05.71
"Love does no
harm to a neighbor.
00:53:05.75\00:53:07.88
Love is the
fulfilling of the law."
00:53:07.92\00:53:12.39
Many times I want to
react and maybe frustration
00:53:12.42\00:53:16.16
or irritation, or even fear
00:53:16.19\00:53:19.46
to someone that
you don't understand
00:53:19.49\00:53:21.10
or someone who
seems different from you.
00:53:21.13\00:53:23.30
We're called to react in love
00:53:23.33\00:53:25.13
and finally,
00:53:25.17\00:53:26.50
God calls us to encourage
each other, encourage others.
00:53:26.53\00:53:30.81
1 Thessalonians 5:11,
00:53:30.84\00:53:34.08
"Therefore comfort each other
00:53:34.11\00:53:36.58
and edify one another
just as you also are doing."
00:53:36.61\00:53:40.15
The word edifying Greek
literally means to build up.
00:53:40.18\00:53:44.39
We are called to build
up our brothers and sisters.
00:53:44.42\00:53:47.36
So you might be saying,
00:53:47.39\00:53:48.72
"Okay, am I really
my brother's keeper
00:53:48.76\00:53:50.86
and what can I do about that?"
00:53:50.89\00:53:52.26
You can offer
assistance and help.
00:53:52.29\00:53:54.36
You can
recognize that each person
00:53:54.40\00:53:56.80
that comes across your path
00:53:56.83\00:53:58.63
is truly your
brother and sister,
00:53:58.67\00:54:01.27
because we are all
part of God's creation.
00:54:01.30\00:54:04.17
You can react in love
00:54:04.21\00:54:06.17
instead of maybe
how our carnal nature
00:54:06.21\00:54:08.38
wants to react,
00:54:08.41\00:54:09.74
but ask God for the infilling
00:54:09.78\00:54:11.48
of His Holy Spirit and His love.
00:54:11.51\00:54:13.35
And we can encourage each other.
00:54:13.38\00:54:15.92
We encourage others by
practicing stewardship,
00:54:15.95\00:54:18.45
by extending friendship,
00:54:18.49\00:54:20.26
by developing
leadership in other people
00:54:20.29\00:54:22.29
and by seeking to
heal relationships.
00:54:22.32\00:54:25.66
Amen.
00:54:25.69\00:54:27.03
We've been gifted with
a little extra time today.
00:54:27.06\00:54:29.86
And I want to give each
one of you an opportunity
00:54:29.90\00:54:31.90
to just revisit what
you just talked about,
00:54:31.93\00:54:35.00
just in case
somebody missed it, Mollie?
00:54:35.04\00:54:37.41
Well, I look to
add a complete world,
00:54:37.44\00:54:39.84
a world in harmony with God.
00:54:39.87\00:54:42.44
And so I think the point
that I would like to stress is,
00:54:42.48\00:54:46.65
you know, God sent
Jesus to this world
00:54:46.68\00:54:50.05
to restore us
00:54:50.09\00:54:51.95
into right
relationship with Him,
00:54:51.99\00:54:53.49
so as we accept
00:54:53.52\00:54:55.66
what Christ brought
out for us at Calvary.
00:54:55.69\00:54:58.59
When we accept His sacrifice,
00:54:58.63\00:55:00.73
when we accept Him as
our Lord and our Savior,
00:55:00.76\00:55:04.00
we are brought
00:55:04.03\00:55:05.37
into right
relationship with God.
00:55:05.40\00:55:06.74
We are in harmony with God.
00:55:06.77\00:55:09.77
We are living in
a complete world.
00:55:09.80\00:55:13.27
Not that our
environment is all in turmoil,
00:55:13.31\00:55:17.78
but we are
standing in a complete
00:55:17.81\00:55:21.22
and happy relationship with God.
00:55:21.25\00:55:23.69
So make Jesus Christ
the Lord of your life,
00:55:23.72\00:55:26.09
and you will have that
world in harmony with God.
00:55:26.12\00:55:29.52
Amen and amen.
00:55:29.56\00:55:30.89
Well, mine was on stewardship,
and I just want to go back
00:55:30.93\00:55:34.76
and say that
00:55:34.80\00:55:36.13
there's two
examples of stewardship
00:55:36.16\00:55:38.63
or two meanings for stewardship
00:55:38.67\00:55:40.44
in the Old Testament.
00:55:40.47\00:55:41.80
One is to be a manager
of someone else's estate
00:55:41.84\00:55:45.11
and we know that God
has leased this world to us,
00:55:45.14\00:55:48.74
and He created us to be special,
00:55:48.78\00:55:52.31
in His image He created us
00:55:52.35\00:55:54.98
to manage this
estate for His glory,
00:55:55.02\00:55:59.72
but the other
meaning was to be one
00:55:59.75\00:56:02.82
who inherited the estate.
00:56:02.86\00:56:05.29
And so we are not only
00:56:05.33\00:56:07.13
to manage to pass
on to our children,
00:56:07.16\00:56:10.23
but to know that
we are heirs of God
00:56:10.27\00:56:13.10
and joint heirs of Christ.
00:56:13.13\00:56:14.90
Amen. Amen.
00:56:14.94\00:56:17.11
Considering the overall
title of this entire study
00:56:17.14\00:56:20.08
of the least of these,
00:56:20.11\00:56:21.44
when you're thinking of
people in this world today
00:56:21.48\00:56:22.81
that are in need,
00:56:22.84\00:56:24.35
I think one of the best things
00:56:24.38\00:56:25.71
that we can do
in the broken world
00:56:25.75\00:56:27.08
that we're living in,
00:56:27.12\00:56:28.45
and that was the
title of my lesson,
00:56:28.48\00:56:29.82
"A Broken World,"
00:56:29.85\00:56:31.19
is that we need to extend
00:56:31.22\00:56:33.19
a major dose of the reality
that God is with these people.
00:56:33.22\00:56:38.56
He still is alive
today, He still exists,
00:56:38.59\00:56:40.60
and He's still
doing a powerful work
00:56:40.63\00:56:43.10
of transformation
in this world today.
00:56:43.13\00:56:45.50
And I think one of the best ways
00:56:45.53\00:56:46.87
that we can do that to
minister to others needs
00:56:46.90\00:56:48.94
is first we need, we
need a transformation
00:56:48.97\00:56:52.37
and so we need to
accept our responsibility
00:56:52.41\00:56:54.88
to vindicate the name
and holy character of God
00:56:54.91\00:56:57.65
before the world and
before all of creation.
00:56:57.68\00:57:00.55
Amen.
00:57:00.58\00:57:01.92
This is a quote
from Ministry of Healing,
00:57:01.95\00:57:03.59
page 345,
00:57:03.62\00:57:04.95
it was in my day on a
lesson, but I really liked it.
00:57:04.99\00:57:07.76
It says "We are
all woven together,
00:57:07.79\00:57:10.53
in the web of humanity.
00:57:10.56\00:57:12.93
The evil that befalls any part
00:57:12.96\00:57:14.96
of the great human brotherhood
00:57:15.00\00:57:17.47
brings peril to all.
00:57:17.50\00:57:19.63
So we're all part of
that web of humanity,
00:57:19.67\00:57:22.77
because we're all
created in the image of God.
00:57:22.80\00:57:25.24
And God calls us to
get out of our own selves.
00:57:25.27\00:57:28.28
And what we
naturally tend to look at
00:57:28.31\00:57:30.18
which is me, myself and I,
00:57:30.21\00:57:32.38
focus on the
needs of other people
00:57:32.41\00:57:35.32
and get involved in
their lives and help them.
00:57:35.35\00:57:37.82
Amen.
00:57:37.85\00:57:39.19
Thank all, thank you
all for a wonderful catapult
00:57:39.22\00:57:42.82
into a new lesson
00:57:42.86\00:57:44.19
that is talking
about a broken world
00:57:44.23\00:57:46.66
in the process of restoration.
00:57:46.70\00:57:49.03
It's beautiful
to see that one day,
00:57:49.06\00:57:51.13
everything that we
see now that's fractured,
00:57:51.17\00:57:53.07
that's broken,
that brings sadness,
00:57:53.10\00:57:55.27
that brings, takes, robs our joy
00:57:55.30\00:57:58.17
and takes away our hope
00:57:58.21\00:57:59.54
is one day not
even gonna be factor.
00:57:59.57\00:58:01.04
And it's hard to imagine
00:58:01.08\00:58:02.41
what a perfect
world is going to be.
00:58:02.44\00:58:04.05
You know, Lord says,
00:58:04.08\00:58:05.41
"For as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
00:58:05.45\00:58:07.82
so are my ways higher than yours
00:58:07.85\00:58:09.72
and my thoughts
than your thoughts."
00:58:09.75\00:58:11.82
Isaiah 55:9.
00:58:11.85\00:58:13.49
That's where we're headed to,
a higher world, a better world.
00:58:13.52\00:58:16.29
And think about this
thought as I leave you.
00:58:16.32\00:58:18.53
Our next lesson
study is gonna be blueprint
00:58:18.56\00:58:20.76
for a better world.
00:58:20.80\00:58:22.43
We're looking forward
to that very next study.
00:58:22.46\00:58:24.53
But here's the thought
I'd like to leave with you.
00:58:24.57\00:58:26.40
How do you define God?
00:58:26.43\00:58:28.27
A fool can count
seeds in an apple,
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but only God can
count the apples gonna seed.
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May that thought
permeate your heart
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until we see you again.
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