If you are student of the Bible,
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then perhaps you have
ran across those passages
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that are just
tough to deal with,
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perhaps they seem
contradicting in nature
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or just simply
hard to understand.
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Well, this week on
3ABN Sabbath School Panel,
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we're going to be
taking on how to deal
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with these tough passages.
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We're on lesson number 12.
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We're almost to the end
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and we are talking again
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about how to
interpret scripture.
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So please join us this
week and you know what?
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If you don't have
a copy of the study,
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please go to absg.Adventist.org
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that stands for
Adult Bible Study Guide
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and there you can access a
copy of this study for free.
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So get your pencils, get
your pens, get your iPads,
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notepads anything
that you need to take notes
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because we're going to continue
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on through this epic
Bible study adventure
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together.
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Hello and welcome back
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to another edition of
3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
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We are
continuing through our study
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and this quarter
of course is entitled,
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"How to Interpret Scripture"
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and we're actually approaching
the end of this train.
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We are on lesson number 12,
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dealing with difficult passages
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and this is a much needed study
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because when you're
trying to learn the Bible,
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understand the
Bible, read the Bible,
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in your Christian
walk with the Lord,
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you're going to run
across those difficult passages
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from time to time
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that you simply
just don't understand,
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might even seem contradicting,
whatever the case may be,
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we're going to talk
about it during this lesson.
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And before we go any further,
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I just want to
introduce this wonderful panel.
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We have Brother
Kenny Shelton to my left.
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How are you, Brother?
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I'm well and it's a
blessing to be here today
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and look forward to the study.
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Amen. Praise the
Lord. It's good to have you.
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Brother John Dinzey,
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it's always a pleasure
to have you on the program.
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It's a wonderful
opportunity to learn from others
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and to share God's Word.
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I'm looking forward to it.
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Amen. Good job.
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And you did a phenomenal
job last week with that tough,
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investigative judgment topic.
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That was really, really nice.
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Pastor Lomacang,
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it's always a
blessing to have you, Brother.
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Yes.
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And I'm excited about the topic,
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determination and patience.
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Something very needed
in studying the Bible.
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Nice,
absolutely. Praise the Lord.
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And, of course,
Miss Jill Morikoni.
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She's holding
down the ladies' fort
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on the end of the table there
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and throughout
this entire program.
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We appreciate your
presence here always.
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Always a privilege to
open up the Word of God
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and study together.
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Amen.
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Well, before we get
started into our lesson here,
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I'm going to ask
Brother John Dinzey
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if you would
have a prayer for us.
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Sure.
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Our loving Heavenly Father,
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we are grateful for
Your kindness and mercy.
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We come before
Your throne of grace
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in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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We ask for Your grace,
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for Your Holy Spirit
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that You through us
will speak the words
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Your children need to hear.
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We pray that You will
teach us all new things
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and draw us close to you.
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We ask in Jesus' name, amen.
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Amen. Amen.
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Praise the Lord.
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Dealing with difficult passages,
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if I have time,
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I might tell a little
bit of a personal testimony.
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You know, I...
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When I first came into the
Seventh-day Adventist Church,
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there were some passages,
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some topics that
I was running across
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in the scriptures
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that I just simply
couldn't quite grasp
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and understand
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and it almost caused
me to leave the faith,
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leave the church,
but praise the Lord,
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I had a great pastor,
I had a great teacher,
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and we were able to
study the scriptures together
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to approach the
topics from a relative
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and a very
responsible perspective,
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a healthy perspective.
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And that's what we
want to talk about today.
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Our memory text comes
from 2 Peter 3:15 and 16.
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We've heard these texts before.
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And, of course, this
is 2 Peter 3:15 and 16,
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and the Bible says,
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"And consider
that the longsuffering
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of our Lord is salvation,
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as also our
beloved brother Paul,
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according to the
wisdom given to him,
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has written to you,
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as also in all his epistles,
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speaking in
them of these things,
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in which are some
things hard to understand,
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which untaught
and unstable people
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twist to their own destruction,
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as they do also the
rest of the scriptures."
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I think that's a
great foundation text
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in the sense that,
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you know, one of
the major reasons
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why many people leave the faith
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or they simply approach
Christianity in a different way
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that's not necessarily
in harmony with God's Word
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it's because of a twisting,
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or a misunderstanding
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or
misrepresentation of God's Word.
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And so, I'm going to be
talking a little bit about that
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in my lesson today
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which is
Sunday's lesson entitled,
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"Possible Reasons for
Apparent Contradiction."
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And I love this first text.
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This is
probably one of the texts
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that I quote often
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in my sermons
and in my ministry,
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because it's foundational,
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it reminds me of
my responsibility
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as a student of Scripture.
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2 Timothy 2:15,
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we have referenced
this text many times
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throughout our
study at 2 Timothy 2:15,
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which Paul says,
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and I'm reading from
the King James Version.
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I like how it's
worded a little better.
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It says, "Study to show
thyself approved unto God."
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The New King James
Version says, "Be diligent."
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And so, we want to study,
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we want to be diligent
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in studying to show
ourselves approved unto God,
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a workman that need
us not to be ashamed,
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rightly dividing
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the word of
truth and that is key.
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We need to learn to
be able to rightly divide
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the word of truth.
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Sunday's lesson brings this out.
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It says, "No thoughtful
and honest student of Scripture
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will deny the fact
that there are things
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in the Bible that are
difficult to understand."
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The situation
should not disturb us.
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In fact, in a sense,
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those difficulties
are to be expected.
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After all, we are
impacted, we are, excuse me,
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we are imperfect
and infinite beings,
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and no person has a
comprehensive knowledge
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of every area of learning,
let alone of divine things.
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Hence when ignorant
and finite human beings
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try to understand the wisdom
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of infinite God of Scripture,
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there is, there's
bound to be some difficulty.
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Such difficulty
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in understanding
biblical teachings,
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however, does
not in any way prove
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that the Bible is untrue.
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So we want to make
sure that we are responsible
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when we approach the study.
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And there are
multiple, multiple reasons
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as to why someone might struggle
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with a difficult passage
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or consider it to be
apparently contradicting.
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In fact, even
Ellen White brings out
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one of those reasons in
Selected Messages, book 1,
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I'm not going to read the quote,
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but in Selected
Messages, book 1, page 16,
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Ellen White has stated
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that some
discrepancies in Scripture
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might be due to minor errors,
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or copyists, of
copyists or translators.
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And I have seen
this to be the case.
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For the record,
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there is no perfect translation.
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And I want to
say that, you know,
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I tend to study more
from the King James Version
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and the New King
James version of Scripture,
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not that those are
perfect translations,
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because they're not in any way.
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I just believe in
my personal studies
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that they are
closer to the original text
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than any other translation.
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They're a word translation,
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rather than a
thought translation.
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But still, even the
King James and New King James
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as well as every
other Bible translation,
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there's not a perfect
translation out there,
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and from time to time
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you're going to run across some,
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what appears to be a discrepancy
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from the copyist perspective
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or the person who
translated a particular text.
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And so that's why Paul tells us
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study to show yourself approved.
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Sometimes you got to dig
in to the Greek and the Hebrew
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and Aramaic,
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which is what we studied in
one of the previous lessons.
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We have to put
it in its context.
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We have to study the text deeper
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and understand what
the Bible is telling us,
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sometimes even from
the original language.
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Sometimes it's just a simple
misunderstanding of the text.
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Sometimes we can
approach a text and read it.
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And I find that many people
try to isolate certain texts.
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Jill, I think you
mentioned or referenced this
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in one of the previous lessons
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where some
people study the Bible,
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literally,
they'll just, you know,
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wherever their eyes fall,
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and they'll take
that text out of context
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instead of
reading it in context.
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And so, you simply have a
misunderstanding of the text.
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And, of course, another
reason why someone might find
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what appears to be an
apparent contradiction,
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or a problematic text
in the Bible is simply
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not studying the
subject through thoroughly.
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Sometimes we'll read a
text and it's like, whoa,
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this seems to be
contradicting everything else
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that I've read
and that I've learned
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and that I've
studied in the Bible
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instead of digging deeper
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and trying to find
what the Bible says
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harmoniously across the board
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on that
particular topic or subject.
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Some people just
take it at face value,
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they misrepresent the text,
they miscalculate the text.
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And, of course,
simply just not studying it
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through thoroughly can cause
some interpretation issues.
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I want to give a
couple examples of this
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because recently,
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a prime example I think of this,
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this misunderstanding
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or misrepresentation
of the Word of God
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would be recently,
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I'm not going to say the
name of this particular person,
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but there was a professional NFL
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football player,
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very well-known
NFL football player
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that came out recently.
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And I want to
read his quote here,
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this is what he says.
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He says, "I don't know
how you can believe in a God
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who wants to condemn
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most of the
planet to a fiery hell.
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Like what type of
loving, sensitive, omnipresent,
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omnipotent being
00:10:00.76\00:10:02.10
wants to condemn most
of his beautiful creation
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to a fiery hell?"
00:10:04.87\00:10:06.20
Now, why did he
make that statement?
00:10:06.23\00:10:07.57
And how did he
come to that conclusion?
00:10:07.60\00:10:09.70
There could be a
series of reasons,
00:10:09.74\00:10:11.31
but I'm sure probably
some type of misrepresentation
00:10:11.34\00:10:14.54
that he might
have heard from someone
00:10:14.58\00:10:16.08
about the God of the Bible
or about a particular text,
00:10:16.11\00:10:19.01
perhaps maybe he
himself has read scriptures
00:10:19.05\00:10:21.32
and he has maybe misunderstood
or taken it out of context
00:10:21.35\00:10:24.52
without thoroughly
studying it across the board
00:10:24.55\00:10:27.32
in harmony with
the rest of Scripture.
00:10:27.36\00:10:29.72
Whatever it may be
or just simply hearsay,
00:10:29.76\00:10:32.93
just hearing others say
something and it's like,
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you know what?
00:10:34.33\00:10:35.66
I don't want to
serve a God like that.
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And you know what?
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I can actually
say, I agree with him.
00:10:38.43\00:10:40.07
I don't want to serve a God
either that's like that, right?
00:10:40.10\00:10:42.20
I don't want to serve some,
you know, unloving, you know,
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is supposed to be a sensitive,
omnipresent, omnipotent being
00:10:45.51\00:10:48.24
that wants to condemn
most of the beautiful creation
00:10:48.28\00:10:50.28
to the fiery hell.
00:10:50.31\00:10:51.65
He must have
never read Ezekiel 33:11
00:10:51.68\00:10:54.35
in which God says again,
00:10:54.38\00:10:56.08
"As I live,' says the Lord,
00:10:56.12\00:10:57.45
'I have no pleasure in
the death of the wicked,
00:10:57.49\00:10:59.19
but that the wicked
turn from his way and live.'"
00:10:59.22\00:11:02.02
God says, "Turn ye
from your evil ways!
00:11:02.06\00:11:04.69
For why should you
die, O house of Israel?"
00:11:04.73\00:11:06.86
That is evidence of a
God who loves His people.
00:11:06.90\00:11:10.00
And when we study
the Bible responsibly,
00:11:10.03\00:11:12.37
and we allow the scriptures
to speak to us harmoniously
00:11:12.40\00:11:15.60
across the board,
00:11:15.64\00:11:16.97
we start to see a
bigger more clearer picture
00:11:17.01\00:11:19.24
of what the Bible
actually teaches on a subject.
00:11:19.27\00:11:22.04
You know, I can
imagine that someone
00:11:22.08\00:11:23.88
who holds that position,
00:11:23.91\00:11:25.58
like this particular
person that I just quoted,
00:11:25.61\00:11:28.08
perhaps they've read a
text from Revelation 14:11,
00:11:28.12\00:11:31.02
it says, "And the
smoke of their torment
00:11:31.05\00:11:32.95
ascendeth up for ever and ever:
00:11:32.99\00:11:34.62
and they have no
rest day nor night,
00:11:34.66\00:11:36.22
who worship the
beast and his image,
00:11:36.26\00:11:37.89
and whoever receives the
mark of his name," or subjects,
00:11:37.93\00:11:41.36
prints or texts perhaps
like Matthew 25:41 and 46,
00:11:41.40\00:11:45.53
where Jesus is talking
about everlasting punishment,
00:11:45.57\00:11:48.54
everlasting fire,
00:11:48.57\00:11:50.17
Sodom and Gomorrah
00:11:50.21\00:11:51.54
being destroyed
with eternal fire.
00:11:51.57\00:11:53.54
They're found in Jude Chapter 1.
00:11:53.58\00:11:55.24
These are texts that again,
00:11:55.28\00:11:56.68
you can read them
00:11:56.71\00:11:58.15
and without
thoroughly investigating,
00:11:58.18\00:12:00.55
without thoroughly studying,
00:12:00.58\00:12:02.08
you could easily
isolate those texts
00:12:02.12\00:12:03.82
and misunderstand or think
that there's a contradiction
00:12:03.85\00:12:07.39
or a miscommunication,
00:12:07.42\00:12:09.06
if you do not
thoroughly study these things.
00:12:09.09\00:12:10.46
That's why again,
00:12:10.49\00:12:11.83
our texts at the beginning
study to show thyself approved.
00:12:11.86\00:12:14.56
We know that the
Bible does not teach
00:12:14.60\00:12:17.53
such a thing about God,
00:12:17.57\00:12:18.90
that we do not serve
this sick, sinister, evil God
00:12:18.93\00:12:21.70
that just finds pleasure
00:12:21.74\00:12:23.07
in seeing people roast and toast
00:12:23.10\00:12:24.64
in an eternal
hellfire for all eternity.
00:12:24.67\00:12:27.54
When you study
those texts, we find that,
00:12:27.58\00:12:29.68
you know, those
words like you know,
00:12:29.71\00:12:31.05
forever and ever in the Bible,
00:12:31.08\00:12:32.81
the terms for forever and
ever do not mean the same thing
00:12:32.85\00:12:36.08
in the biblical older
days than they do today.
00:12:36.12\00:12:38.85
Forever can mean a
definite period of time
00:12:38.89\00:12:41.09
if you do a proper
research and study.
00:12:41.12\00:12:43.53
And, of course, it goes
on everlasting punishment.
00:12:43.56\00:12:45.93
We know that it's not talking
00:12:45.96\00:12:47.30
about a continual
ongoing forever and ever concept
00:12:47.33\00:12:50.70
or everlasting punishment
is a definite period of time.
00:12:50.73\00:12:53.64
He didn't say
everlasting punishing would,
00:12:53.67\00:12:55.84
which would
communicate an ongoing thing.
00:12:55.87\00:12:57.74
We're just giving an example
00:12:57.77\00:12:59.71
of some text or some ways
00:12:59.74\00:13:01.34
in which someone might
come to a conclusion like this,
00:13:01.38\00:13:04.21
because they read, hear of
00:13:04.25\00:13:06.11
or understand a text
00:13:06.15\00:13:07.58
that seems to be
contradicting in nature.
00:13:07.62\00:13:09.98
Another thought
that came to my mind is,
00:13:10.02\00:13:12.12
you know, on the
concept of death,
00:13:12.15\00:13:13.49
I think of that
text in 2 Corinthians 5:8
00:13:13.52\00:13:15.69
and I think, Pastor,
00:13:15.72\00:13:17.06
you referenced this
in a previous study,
00:13:17.09\00:13:18.86
you know, being
absent from the body
00:13:18.89\00:13:20.23
means to be
present with the Lord,
00:13:20.26\00:13:21.60
even though the text
00:13:21.63\00:13:22.96
doesn't actually
say it in that way.
00:13:23.00\00:13:24.33
There are a lot of
people that take that text.
00:13:24.37\00:13:25.93
They isolate it, they
pull it out of context,
00:13:25.97\00:13:28.40
as Peter said, they twist
it to their own destruction,
00:13:28.44\00:13:32.07
because they take and say, see,
00:13:32.11\00:13:33.68
being absent from the body
00:13:33.71\00:13:35.28
means that I'm
immediately present
00:13:35.31\00:13:36.64
with the Lord.
00:13:36.68\00:13:38.01
But that's not what
the text actually teaches.
00:13:38.05\00:13:41.15
From Sunday's lesson I think
00:13:41.18\00:13:42.52
what we need to
grasp from this overall,
00:13:42.55\00:13:44.89
and I really
wanted to go into detail
00:13:44.92\00:13:48.02
in much greater detail here,
00:13:48.06\00:13:49.39
but I think the main thing
00:13:49.42\00:13:51.46
that we can take
away from this is again,
00:13:51.49\00:13:53.63
study to show yourself approved
just because you read a text
00:13:53.66\00:13:56.67
that seems to be contradicting
00:13:56.70\00:13:58.67
does not necessarily mean it is.
00:13:58.70\00:14:00.04
And you know what?
00:14:00.07\00:14:01.40
It's not
necessarily a bad thing.
00:14:01.44\00:14:03.27
If you go and find a
text and it's a hard text
00:14:03.30\00:14:05.54
that seems to
be a difficult text
00:14:05.57\00:14:07.28
to comprehend or to understand,
00:14:07.31\00:14:09.01
that's a part of
our growing process
00:14:09.04\00:14:10.55
as Christians,
00:14:10.58\00:14:11.91
that sometimes over time
00:14:11.95\00:14:13.28
the Lord wants to
build our patience.
00:14:13.31\00:14:15.08
He wants us to
build faith in Him
00:14:15.12\00:14:16.79
and to trust in His Word,
00:14:16.82\00:14:18.55
even though sometimes
00:14:18.59\00:14:20.32
we may not have all the answers.
00:14:20.36\00:14:23.22
So, Brother Kenny, on that note,
00:14:23.26\00:14:24.59
I'm going to
turn it over to you.
00:14:24.63\00:14:25.96
Yeah, good
foundation. Thank you.
00:14:25.99\00:14:27.46
And then we'll probably be using
00:14:27.50\00:14:28.83
some of those things
00:14:28.86\00:14:30.20
that you was talking about there
00:14:30.23\00:14:31.57
because it harmonizes with what?
00:14:31.60\00:14:32.93
Monday's lesson is,
00:14:32.97\00:14:34.30
"Dealing With Difficulties
Honestly and Carefully."
00:14:34.34\00:14:37.54
Amen. You know, how do we do it?
00:14:37.57\00:14:38.91
Because sometimes when we think
00:14:38.94\00:14:40.28
you've got the
truth on an issue.
00:14:40.31\00:14:42.81
Sometimes we just blurt it out.
00:14:42.84\00:14:45.25
Maybe you've never
done that, I think I have.
00:14:45.28\00:14:47.45
And sometimes
it's very offensive.
00:14:47.48\00:14:49.78
So if even though you
have a beautiful truth,
00:14:49.82\00:14:52.15
you want to handle it right
00:14:52.19\00:14:53.52
because our
purpose is to win a soul,
00:14:53.56\00:14:56.73
not lose a soul,
not drive anybody away.
00:14:56.76\00:14:59.89
So we're going to look
at this carefully as we can.
00:14:59.93\00:15:02.40
And it goes right
into the beginning
00:15:02.43\00:15:04.60
in 1 Chronicles 29:17.
00:15:04.63\00:15:07.17
So get your Bible
and look those things up
00:15:07.20\00:15:08.67
because there's a
couple of the questions
00:15:08.70\00:15:10.04
I want to go over.
00:15:10.07\00:15:11.41
Our lesson starts out
with several questions,
00:15:11.44\00:15:13.17
and it says this,
00:15:13.21\00:15:14.54
I think you hit
on some of these.
00:15:14.58\00:15:16.34
Have you ever
come across a text?
00:15:16.38\00:15:18.48
Notice this or a set of texts
that you didn't understand?
00:15:18.51\00:15:22.85
Probably everyone
here at least at one time,
00:15:22.88\00:15:24.85
say, yeah, I'm
still going across those,
00:15:24.89\00:15:27.06
I find them all the time.
00:15:27.09\00:15:28.42
Number two.
00:15:28.46\00:15:29.79
Have you found a text
00:15:29.82\00:15:31.16
or text difficult to
harmonize with other text?
00:15:31.19\00:15:33.76
What you were
talking about. Yes, three.
00:15:33.80\00:15:36.03
So how did you respond?
00:15:36.06\00:15:38.00
That's probably the
bigger, how did you respond?
00:15:38.03\00:15:39.77
And then number four, how
should you have responded?
00:15:39.80\00:15:45.37
There could be a
difference, you know.
00:15:45.41\00:15:47.14
So we start off
00:15:47.18\00:15:48.51
with three
passages of Scripture.
00:15:48.54\00:15:49.88
I want you to look at
00:15:49.91\00:15:51.25
and then ask
ourselves this right here.
00:15:51.28\00:15:52.95
How do we deal
with difficult passages?
00:15:52.98\00:15:55.98
1 Chronicles 29:17,
the Bible says and reads,
00:15:56.02\00:15:59.59
"I know also, my God,
that thou triest the heart,
00:15:59.62\00:16:04.03
and hast
pleasure in uprightness.
00:16:04.06\00:16:06.76
As for me, in the
uprightness of mine heart
00:16:06.80\00:16:09.86
I have willingly
offered all these things:
00:16:09.90\00:16:13.27
and now have I seen with joy
00:16:13.30\00:16:15.87
thy people,
which are present here,
00:16:15.90\00:16:18.17
to offer willingly unto thee."
00:16:18.21\00:16:21.21
Now, we're
talking 1 Chronicles 29:17
00:16:21.24\00:16:24.48
tells us that David's
going over his preparation
00:16:24.51\00:16:27.12
for the building
of the temple here.
00:16:27.15\00:16:29.55
And he's like, I like this
00:16:29.58\00:16:31.82
because he's
appealing for offerings.
00:16:31.85\00:16:34.12
Right. Is that okay to do that?
00:16:34.16\00:16:35.49
People say, they're always doing
00:16:35.52\00:16:36.86
is they never ask for.
00:16:36.89\00:16:38.23
He's a appealing
for offerings here.
00:16:38.26\00:16:39.83
We have some biblical
texts, isn't that right?
00:16:39.86\00:16:41.50
It's okay to do
that for the temple.
00:16:41.53\00:16:44.07
And then listen,
00:16:44.10\00:16:45.43
because it's under the direction
00:16:45.47\00:16:46.80
of the Lord.
00:16:46.84\00:16:48.17
It's okay to do that.
00:16:48.20\00:16:49.54
And then David thanked God.
00:16:49.57\00:16:50.91
And then David acknowledged
00:16:50.94\00:16:52.27
that everything belongs to God.
00:16:52.31\00:16:53.64
That's right.
00:16:53.68\00:16:55.01
That's a good way
to begin, ain't it?
00:16:55.04\00:16:56.38
Thank you God for what You give
and why it all belongs to You.
00:16:56.41\00:16:59.18
What's the
familiar, Psalms 50:10,
00:16:59.21\00:17:02.58
"Where every beast
of the field is mine
00:17:02.62\00:17:05.29
and the cattle
on a thousand hills.
00:17:05.32\00:17:08.06
God just making real clear
00:17:08.09\00:17:09.42
everything belongs to Me
anyway, I just loan it to you.
00:17:09.46\00:17:11.56
My grandpa always said,
when he gave me a shovel,
00:17:11.59\00:17:13.29
he said, "I'm going to
see how you're going to act."
00:17:13.33\00:17:16.43
Did you get it?
00:17:16.46\00:17:17.80
That's good. Yeah.
00:17:17.83\00:17:19.17
How you're going to
be able to see and act.
00:17:19.20\00:17:20.54
So God's loaning us
things of this world to see
00:17:20.57\00:17:23.81
how we're going
to act with them.
00:17:23.84\00:17:25.17
Are we going to do
00:17:25.21\00:17:26.54
what He's asked
us to do with them
00:17:26.57\00:17:27.91
and that's simply to share
00:17:27.94\00:17:29.28
better to give than
certainly to receive.
00:17:29.31\00:17:31.58
And so He said, you
know, in Psalms 7:9, he says,
00:17:31.61\00:17:34.78
"For the righteousness
God trieth the hearts
00:17:34.82\00:17:38.35
and the reins."
00:17:38.39\00:17:39.72
For the righteousness," notice,
00:17:39.75\00:17:41.16
God trieth the
hearts and the reins.
00:17:41.19\00:17:44.99
So God calls for
a religious heart
00:17:45.03\00:17:48.26
that will produce,
I like the word fruit.
00:17:48.30\00:17:51.47
Always produce
fruit in this life.
00:17:51.50\00:17:53.34
David is being honest
with God in this passage,
00:17:53.37\00:17:56.10
and God appreciates.
00:17:56.14\00:17:58.07
Simply God appreciates honesty,
00:17:58.11\00:18:00.28
He appreciates
integrity from His children.
00:18:00.31\00:18:03.65
And so He's listening to David,
00:18:03.68\00:18:05.51
and He's blessing
David in a wonderful way,
00:18:05.55\00:18:07.58
which it gives us an example
as we study this lesson here,
00:18:07.62\00:18:10.22
that we should
follow in the footsteps,
00:18:10.25\00:18:12.02
footsteps of Jesus,
but also in His people,
00:18:12.05\00:18:14.36
when they were
doing the right thing
00:18:14.39\00:18:15.99
based upon Scripture.
00:18:16.02\00:18:17.46
It gives us a good example.
We emulate His character.
00:18:17.49\00:18:20.93
So simply, you know,
00:18:20.96\00:18:22.40
be honest with
difficulties in the Word.
00:18:22.43\00:18:25.43
So what do we do?
00:18:25.47\00:18:27.14
Run across
something that's difficult,
00:18:27.17\00:18:29.17
be honest about it.
00:18:29.20\00:18:31.61
Don't try to
hoodwink, don't try to skirt it.
00:18:31.64\00:18:33.74
We'll see that in a moment.
00:18:33.78\00:18:35.11
This will help to give us
a correct answer to someone.
00:18:35.14\00:18:39.85
We hear a lot
about cover ups nowadays.
00:18:39.88\00:18:41.48
Right.
00:18:41.52\00:18:42.85
Even in Bible study,
00:18:42.88\00:18:44.22
we need to be
careful and be honest,
00:18:44.25\00:18:45.59
don't try to cover up something
00:18:45.62\00:18:47.26
because you just didn't know it,
00:18:47.29\00:18:48.89
little embarrassed.
00:18:48.92\00:18:50.26
That was one of the
reasons I'm going to say
00:18:50.29\00:18:51.63
many years ago,
00:18:51.66\00:18:52.99
I was just a teenager
00:18:53.03\00:18:54.36
and had opportunity to
give some Bible studies.
00:18:54.40\00:18:56.13
And I was afraid
to give a Bible study
00:18:56.16\00:18:57.60
because I was
afraid that they'd asked me
00:18:57.63\00:18:58.97
something that I didn't know.
00:18:59.00\00:19:01.04
Finally I came to my senses.
00:19:01.07\00:19:03.37
Finally I came
to my senses, said,
00:19:03.41\00:19:04.74
they're going to ask me a
lot of things I don't know.
00:19:04.77\00:19:07.11
But what is the best, the
next best thing to knowing?
00:19:07.14\00:19:12.91
Is knowing where to find
it. So you can always point.
00:19:12.95\00:19:18.22
I came to the point,
I say, you know what?
00:19:18.25\00:19:19.69
I don't have the
answer right now,
00:19:19.72\00:19:21.42
but I know where I
can go to get that answer
00:19:21.46\00:19:23.66
or let's go there
together and find that answer.
00:19:23.69\00:19:27.10
So, you know, again
we want to be honest.
00:19:27.13\00:19:29.30
Let's go on.
00:19:29.33\00:19:30.67
Proverbs 2:7, here
it goes on, it says,
00:19:30.70\00:19:32.53
"He layeth up sound wisdom,"
00:19:32.57\00:19:34.30
I love this, "for the righteous:
00:19:34.34\00:19:36.37
he is a buckler to
them who walk uprightly.
00:19:36.40\00:19:40.51
Now, so if we lack
wisdom, where do we go first?
00:19:40.54\00:19:43.38
Didn't James tell
us that in James 1:5,
00:19:43.41\00:19:45.51
if any of you lack
wisdom, what do we do?
00:19:45.55\00:19:47.08
We go to what?
00:19:47.12\00:19:48.45
To God, and He gives to
men, liberally and broadly.
00:19:48.48\00:19:51.85
He gives you all
the wisdom you want.
00:19:51.89\00:19:53.89
You know, that's why we prayed
for the mind of Jesus Christ.
00:19:53.92\00:19:57.49
Now again, where
does this sound wisdom
00:19:57.53\00:20:00.10
come from that we need?
00:20:00.13\00:20:01.46
Now we're talking
about wisdom, what?
00:20:01.50\00:20:02.83
When it's
dealing with Scripture,
00:20:02.86\00:20:04.20
you're dealing with a soul
00:20:04.23\00:20:05.67
that you may turn toward God
00:20:05.70\00:20:07.14
or you may turn
them away from God
00:20:07.17\00:20:09.50
by the way we handle questions,
by the way we give a study.
00:20:09.54\00:20:14.71
And I've been asked, I've
talked to a lot of people,
00:20:14.74\00:20:16.44
if that's, you know,
00:20:16.48\00:20:17.81
you're talking
about a certain study,
00:20:17.85\00:20:19.18
so on and so forth, and
if I didn't know better,
00:20:19.21\00:20:21.15
I'd probably turn
away and never come back.
00:20:21.18\00:20:23.52
Because sometimes they hit
you with a 12-gauge shotgun.
00:20:23.55\00:20:26.29
Now, some of you won't get that?
00:20:26.32\00:20:27.66
But you know what
I'm talking about,
00:20:27.69\00:20:29.02
it's too much at once.
00:20:29.06\00:20:30.76
Didn't Jesus say that?
00:20:30.79\00:20:32.26
He said, I have a lot
of things I want to what?
00:20:32.29\00:20:34.73
That I want to
share with you, but what?
00:20:34.76\00:20:36.20
You're not able right now
00:20:36.23\00:20:37.57
that we weren't able and
there's a time and a place.
00:20:37.60\00:20:40.87
And I always like to
and it says right or wrong.
00:20:40.90\00:20:42.54
I always like to get to
know the person where they're at
00:20:42.57\00:20:44.51
in their
relationship with Christ.
00:20:44.54\00:20:45.97
And then you kind of know
where to go and what to give
00:20:46.01\00:20:48.74
to encourage them along the way.
00:20:48.78\00:20:50.98
Earnest searcher of truth
00:20:51.01\00:20:52.78
will you'll never fail
in receiving that truth.
00:20:52.81\00:20:55.58
You'll never, never find...
00:20:55.62\00:20:58.05
You'll always find wisdom
if you go to God and you ask,
00:20:58.09\00:21:01.02
"I want this wisdom."
00:21:01.06\00:21:02.39
God will always give it to you.
00:21:02.42\00:21:03.76
Hebrews 11:6, he said,
00:21:03.79\00:21:05.13
"He is a rewarder
of them who do, " what?
00:21:05.16\00:21:07.10
Diligently seek Him.
00:21:07.13\00:21:08.46
"Is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek Him."
00:21:08.50\00:21:10.37
We need to be
diligently seeking.
00:21:10.40\00:21:11.73
So as a people,
00:21:11.77\00:21:13.10
we need to love Jesus
with all of our heart,
00:21:13.13\00:21:15.34
our soul and our
mind, and we need to learn,
00:21:15.37\00:21:17.54
may I emphasize this, truth.
00:21:17.57\00:21:19.64
Amen.
00:21:19.67\00:21:21.01
Truth is very important
00:21:21.04\00:21:22.38
because we look as
life and death issue.
00:21:22.41\00:21:23.75
2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11
speaking of them that perish,
00:21:23.78\00:21:27.18
they said those
that are perishes
00:21:27.22\00:21:28.55
because they receive
not a love of the truth.
00:21:28.58\00:21:31.95
People think
that's not important,
00:21:31.99\00:21:33.32
truth's not
important or love the truth.
00:21:33.36\00:21:35.12
You may know that I
know a lot of people
00:21:35.16\00:21:36.76
who know the truth,
00:21:36.79\00:21:38.13
but man, the way
they come across,
00:21:38.16\00:21:39.49
I'm not trying to quit, I just,
00:21:39.53\00:21:40.86
the way they
come across sometimes,
00:21:40.90\00:21:42.56
and I'm sure I've done that too.
00:21:42.60\00:21:44.00
But it's
consistent in their life,
00:21:44.03\00:21:45.37
that it's a turn off to people.
00:21:45.40\00:21:47.34
So we want to make sure
00:21:47.37\00:21:48.70
that we have a
love for the truth.
00:21:48.74\00:21:50.07
You have a love for the truth,
00:21:50.11\00:21:51.44
that means you
take it into your heart
00:21:51.47\00:21:52.81
and what does truth do inside?
00:21:52.84\00:21:54.18
Does it not change you?
00:21:54.21\00:21:55.54
It changes you to the
image of Jesus Christ.
00:21:55.58\00:21:57.61
Receive a love of the truth
00:21:57.65\00:21:58.98
that it says that
we might be saved.
00:21:59.01\00:22:01.08
So if we don't have
a love for truth, pray,
00:22:01.12\00:22:02.58
O God help me to
have a love for that truth
00:22:02.62\00:22:04.52
that I might be
saved in the kingdom.
00:22:04.55\00:22:06.55
In verse 11 if
you're going down,
00:22:06.59\00:22:07.96
it says there in 2
Thessalonians 2:10 and 11,
00:22:07.99\00:22:10.93
it says, "For this
cause God shall send them
00:22:10.96\00:22:13.19
strong delusion,
00:22:13.23\00:22:15.96
that they should believe a lie."
00:22:16.00\00:22:18.23
Simply means if we don't
accept what is truth is there,
00:22:18.27\00:22:20.47
turn our back on that.
00:22:20.50\00:22:21.84
God sends it again,
00:22:21.87\00:22:23.20
we turn our back
on that, pretty soon,
00:22:23.24\00:22:24.57
we're just going to
accept whatever's out there,
00:22:24.61\00:22:25.94
the enemy comes and
takes control of the mind.
00:22:25.97\00:22:27.84
So always be careful
00:22:27.88\00:22:29.21
how we deal with
difficult passages,
00:22:29.24\00:22:32.11
even truth.
00:22:32.15\00:22:33.68
Never present information
in a context that you mentioned
00:22:33.72\00:22:37.39
about twisting
it or doing whatever
00:22:37.42\00:22:39.69
and never take it
like you say in rapid fire.
00:22:39.72\00:22:43.06
You know, there's a time
00:22:43.09\00:22:44.43
when you just don't
do even though it's true.
00:22:44.46\00:22:45.93
You don't rapid
fire someone with that.
00:22:45.96\00:22:47.96
We don't use,
00:22:48.00\00:22:49.86
can I use the
word loaded language.
00:22:49.90\00:22:51.93
Lot of times it's
loaded, it's fiery language,
00:22:51.97\00:22:53.70
it comes across
and it comes across
00:22:53.74\00:22:55.14
maybe the wrong way to someone.
00:22:55.17\00:22:57.94
You meant was a passage,
00:22:57.97\00:22:59.67
2 Peter 3:16 and so on
00:22:59.71\00:23:02.44
is that we be careful, we
don't twist the scriptures,
00:23:02.48\00:23:04.95
because it's going to
lead to our own destructions.
00:23:04.98\00:23:06.68
We don't want to do that.
00:23:06.72\00:23:08.05
Again, we're
wanting to seek and say,
00:23:08.08\00:23:09.68
by the grace of God,
00:23:09.72\00:23:11.05
those who maybe have
lost their first love
00:23:11.09\00:23:13.12
or they're coming back
00:23:13.15\00:23:14.49
or they're trying to
find that by the grace of God.
00:23:14.52\00:23:16.83
Better to wait, now remember,
00:23:16.86\00:23:18.39
never try to
manipulate the evidence.
00:23:18.43\00:23:22.00
I think sometime
I've been a manipulator
00:23:22.03\00:23:23.60
and I don't mean to be.
00:23:23.63\00:23:25.17
Have you ever, maybe
in your life you think
00:23:25.20\00:23:26.57
as growing up and growing
00:23:26.60\00:23:27.94
and reading the Word
we've got it manipulate,
00:23:27.97\00:23:29.30
kind of make it say something,
00:23:29.34\00:23:30.67
maybe it didn't or the evidence.
00:23:30.71\00:23:32.27
Better to wait and
better to study some more,
00:23:32.31\00:23:35.54
better to get counsel,
00:23:35.58\00:23:36.91
nothing wrong with
asking in order to be honest.
00:23:36.95\00:23:40.58
And this helps build trust
00:23:40.62\00:23:42.45
to with the one who
we're studying with.
00:23:42.48\00:23:45.19
We won't have time
to go into 1 Timothy,
00:23:45.22\00:23:46.82
but I'll just read
that real quick 4:16
00:23:46.86\00:23:48.89
because you can do
that study on your own.
00:23:48.92\00:23:50.89
It says to, "Take
heed unto thyself,
00:23:50.93\00:23:53.56
and unto the doctrine,
00:23:53.60\00:23:54.93
continue in them:
00:23:54.96\00:23:56.30
for in doing thou
shalt both save thyself,
00:23:56.33\00:23:59.20
and them that hear thee."
00:23:59.23\00:24:00.84
That's kind of a bottom line,
00:24:00.87\00:24:02.20
at least for me to say
00:24:02.24\00:24:03.57
those who you're studying with,
and certainly is for our self.
00:24:03.61\00:24:06.84
Seekers of truth are
not intended to think
00:24:06.88\00:24:09.88
I...Well,
00:24:09.91\00:24:11.25
I think so.
00:24:11.28\00:24:12.61
It seems like,
00:24:12.65\00:24:13.98
well the theory
of this thing is,
00:24:14.02\00:24:15.42
we like to get insight.
00:24:15.45\00:24:16.79
This is what
God's Word has said.
00:24:16.82\00:24:18.95
It really, really works.
00:24:18.99\00:24:20.46
And it solves many,
many of the problems.
00:24:20.49\00:24:22.19
You know, praise God.
00:24:22.22\00:24:23.56
He's a problem
solver. Praise God.
00:24:23.59\00:24:24.93
We get into His Word,
find out what truth is
00:24:24.96\00:24:26.29
and love it and be
gentle with our neighbor.
00:24:26.33\00:24:29.33
Amen. Praise the Lord.
00:24:29.36\00:24:30.90
Well Brother
Kenny, thank you so much.
00:24:30.93\00:24:32.27
That was a powerful
approach to that subject.
00:24:32.30\00:24:33.67
Thank you so much.
00:24:33.70\00:24:35.04
Hey, we're going
to take a short break.
00:24:35.07\00:24:36.40
Don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back.
00:24:36.44\00:24:37.77
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Welcome back to 3ABN
Sabbath School Panel.
00:25:16.88\00:25:19.51
We're going to move on to
Tuesday's lesson entitled,
00:25:19.55\00:25:22.32
"Deal With Difficulties Humbly."
00:25:22.35\00:25:25.45
Pastor John Dinzey.
Thank you very much.
00:25:25.49\00:25:27.82
And this is something
00:25:27.86\00:25:29.82
that is sometimes difficult
for people to be humble.
00:25:29.86\00:25:32.99
But the scriptures tell us
that it's wise to be humble.
00:25:33.03\00:25:35.70
Absolutely.
00:25:35.73\00:25:37.07
We are going to
first define humble, okay,
00:25:37.10\00:25:40.54
you go to the dictionary
and you find definitions,
00:25:40.57\00:25:43.34
not proud or arrogant, modest.
00:25:43.37\00:25:47.04
A person that is low
in rank or importance.
00:25:47.08\00:25:51.95
That's another way
00:25:51.98\00:25:53.42
and there's another definition
00:25:53.45\00:25:54.85
called
courteously and respectful.
00:25:54.88\00:25:57.95
Right, especially
when you're dealing
00:25:57.99\00:25:59.32
with other people,
00:25:59.35\00:26:00.69
you can be
courteous and respectful.
00:26:00.72\00:26:03.66
Now there is another definition
that I like to bring out.
00:26:03.69\00:26:07.30
And that is meek.
00:26:07.33\00:26:09.73
Because this is
another definition
00:26:09.76\00:26:11.43
that goes along
with being humble.
00:26:11.47\00:26:14.27
And this means to be
humbly patient, or docile.
00:26:14.30\00:26:19.81
Specially under
provocation from others.
00:26:19.84\00:26:23.95
So, when you go into the Bible
00:26:23.98\00:26:26.48
and you'll find the
word humble and meek,
00:26:26.51\00:26:29.68
there are
definitions to consider.
00:26:29.72\00:26:31.89
In Hebrew,
00:26:31.92\00:26:34.56
it means to bend
the knee, to humiliate,
00:26:34.59\00:26:37.29
to bring down, to be humble.
00:26:37.33\00:26:42.03
The Greek will bring out
to make low or bring low.
00:26:42.06\00:26:46.70
So, I first like
to point out a person
00:26:46.74\00:26:50.61
that is a great example
of humility, Jesus Christ.
00:26:50.64\00:26:53.84
Amen.
00:26:53.88\00:26:55.21
So Philippians 2:3-8,
00:26:55.24\00:27:00.55
"Let nothing be done
00:27:00.58\00:27:01.95
through selfish
ambition or conceit,
00:27:01.98\00:27:04.59
but in lowliness of mind
00:27:04.62\00:27:06.29
let each esteem
others better than himself.
00:27:06.32\00:27:10.73
Let each of you look out
not only for his own interests,
00:27:10.76\00:27:13.96
but also for the
interests of others.
00:27:14.00\00:27:16.50
Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus,
00:27:16.53\00:27:21.54
who, being in the form of God,
00:27:21.57\00:27:23.81
did not consider it
00:27:23.84\00:27:25.31
robbery to be equal with God,
00:27:25.34\00:27:27.78
but made Himself
of no reputation,
00:27:27.81\00:27:31.51
taking the form
of a bondservant,
00:27:31.55\00:27:33.52
and coming in
the likeness of men.
00:27:33.55\00:27:36.02
And being found in
appearance as a man,
00:27:36.05\00:27:39.42
He humbled Himself
00:27:39.45\00:27:41.32
and became obedient
to the point of death,
00:27:41.36\00:27:44.33
even the death of the cross."
00:27:44.36\00:27:48.56
There's our example.
00:27:48.60\00:27:49.93
That's right. Yes.
00:27:49.96\00:27:51.30
Jesus Himself says, "I am low,
00:27:51.33\00:27:54.87
meek and lowly of heart"
00:27:54.90\00:27:56.24
is what the King James
says, meek and lowly of heart.
00:27:56.27\00:27:59.01
So this is the attitude
00:27:59.04\00:28:01.74
we should have as we approach
the reading of the scriptures.
00:28:01.78\00:28:05.05
This is an
attitude we should have
00:28:05.08\00:28:06.55
as we're talking with
others, be respectful.
00:28:06.58\00:28:09.08
In James 4:6-10,
the Bible tells us,
00:28:09.12\00:28:12.85
"But He gives more grace.
00:28:12.89\00:28:15.72
Therefore He says:
'God resists the proud,
00:28:15.76\00:28:19.93
but gives grace to the humble.'
00:28:19.96\00:28:23.53
Therefore submit to God.
00:28:23.57\00:28:25.80
Resist the devil and
he will flee from you.
00:28:25.83\00:28:29.64
Draw near to God and
He will draw near to you.
00:28:29.67\00:28:32.71
Cleanse your hands, you sinners,
00:28:32.74\00:28:34.51
and purify your
hearts, you double-minded.
00:28:34.54\00:28:36.68
Lament and mourn and weep!
00:28:36.71\00:28:38.41
Let your laughter
be turned to mourning
00:28:38.45\00:28:40.12
and your joy to gloom.
00:28:40.15\00:28:41.92
Humble yourselves in
the sight of the Lord,
00:28:41.95\00:28:44.69
and He will lift you up.'"
00:28:44.72\00:28:47.82
When we take that attitude,
00:28:47.86\00:28:50.23
when we humble
ourselves before the Lord,
00:28:50.26\00:28:52.83
we are really opening a
door for the Lord to bless us
00:28:52.86\00:28:56.63
and even to use us.
00:28:56.67\00:29:00.40
There's a passage that
I really, really enjoy.
00:29:00.44\00:29:04.11
I'm blessed by is
2 Corinthians 7:14.
00:29:04.14\00:29:07.58
I'd like to ask, Sister Jill,
to read for us 2 Corinthians,
00:29:07.61\00:29:10.68
2 Chronicles, I'm
sorry, 2 Chronicles.
00:29:10.71\00:29:14.15
2 Chronicles 7:14.
00:29:14.18\00:29:17.02
Yes. A wonderful passage.
00:29:17.05\00:29:19.69
And it's really God
talking to His people
00:29:19.72\00:29:22.89
and talking to
His people back then
00:29:22.92\00:29:24.66
and talking to us today.
00:29:24.69\00:29:27.03
2 Chronicles 7:14.
00:29:27.06\00:29:29.56
"If My people who
are called by My name
00:29:29.60\00:29:31.73
will humble themselves,
and pray and seek My face,
00:29:31.77\00:29:35.34
and turn from their wicked ways,
00:29:35.37\00:29:37.11
then I will hear from heaven,
00:29:37.14\00:29:38.81
and will forgive their
sin and heal their land."
00:29:38.84\00:29:42.31
Amen.
00:29:42.34\00:29:43.68
These are the
instructions from the Lord
00:29:43.71\00:29:45.61
to His people back
then, and even for us today.
00:29:45.65\00:29:49.78
That's right.
00:29:49.82\00:29:51.15
Now considering this,
00:29:51.19\00:29:52.85
if My people, know He's willing,
00:29:52.89\00:29:55.22
God is willing to heal,
00:29:55.26\00:29:56.59
God is willing
to give us messages.
00:29:56.62\00:29:59.53
God is willing to do so much.
00:29:59.56\00:30:01.50
But what do we have to do?
00:30:01.53\00:30:03.77
"If my people, which
are called by my name,
00:30:03.80\00:30:06.63
humble themselves,
pray and seek my face,
00:30:06.67\00:30:11.31
turn from their wicked ways,
00:30:11.34\00:30:12.67
then I will hear from heaven
00:30:12.71\00:30:14.04
and forgive their
sin and heal their land."
00:30:14.08\00:30:15.94
So I encourage you to do that.
00:30:15.98\00:30:17.58
I would like to,
that's what I like to do.
00:30:17.61\00:30:20.68
Go to the Lord,
00:30:20.72\00:30:22.05
humble myself
before Him and I know,
00:30:22.08\00:30:24.35
if He wants to lift
me up, He'll lift me up,
00:30:24.39\00:30:25.82
and if He doesn't,
praise the Lord anyway.
00:30:25.85\00:30:29.39
Now, even when
we're dealing with people
00:30:29.42\00:30:31.56
that have committed mistakes.
00:30:31.59\00:30:33.73
In Galatians 6:1-3,
00:30:33.76\00:30:40.37
we have a message
that we need to consider.
00:30:40.40\00:30:43.81
"Brethren, if a man or
woman be overtaken in a fault,
00:30:43.84\00:30:50.75
ye which are spiritual,
00:30:50.78\00:30:53.31
restore such a one in
the spirit of meekness,
00:30:53.35\00:30:57.09
considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted.
00:30:57.12\00:31:01.89
Bear one another's burdens,
00:31:01.92\00:31:03.56
and so fulfill
the law of Christ."
00:31:03.59\00:31:07.43
Verse 3,
00:31:07.46\00:31:08.80
"For if a man think
himself to be something,
00:31:08.83\00:31:11.33
when he is nothing,
he deceives himself."
00:31:11.37\00:31:15.60
So the place where we should
be is at the foot of the cross.
00:31:15.64\00:31:21.84
The place where we need to be.
00:31:21.88\00:31:23.81
It's a need that we have
is at the foot of the cross.
00:31:23.85\00:31:27.78
Humble before the Lord.
00:31:27.82\00:31:29.48
And we have heard you
know, sometimes people take,
00:31:29.52\00:31:34.39
demand things of God.
00:31:34.42\00:31:36.42
They demand.
00:31:36.46\00:31:38.33
But we need to come
home before the Lord
00:31:38.36\00:31:40.90
with confidence
because He has promised,
00:31:40.93\00:31:43.60
He has invited us,
00:31:43.63\00:31:45.97
"Come, come."
00:31:46.00\00:31:48.27
There are many
invitations to come,
00:31:48.30\00:31:50.61
ask and you shall receive.
00:31:50.64\00:31:53.11
These invitations do
not have a time limit.
00:31:53.14\00:31:57.55
You know how
sometimes you hear the sales,
00:31:57.58\00:31:59.81
for a limited time only.
00:31:59.85\00:32:02.78
God has these
invitations for us.
00:32:02.82\00:32:05.42
And they are open to us today
00:32:05.45\00:32:07.62
because the door
of mercy still open
00:32:07.66\00:32:08.99
and I praise the Lord for that.
00:32:09.02\00:32:10.36
That's good.
00:32:10.39\00:32:11.73
Now, as we are
considering these things,
00:32:11.76\00:32:16.67
let's go to
Ecclesiastes Chapter 7.
00:32:16.70\00:32:19.90
In Ecclesiastes
7:16, we have these words,
00:32:19.93\00:32:23.71
"Do not be overly righteous,
00:32:23.74\00:32:26.47
nor be overly wise:
00:32:26.51\00:32:28.24
Why should you
destroy yourself?"
00:32:28.28\00:32:32.68
So these ideas of being,
00:32:32.71\00:32:34.32
"Oh, I am better than so and so.
00:32:34.35\00:32:37.52
I am wiser than so and so,
00:32:37.55\00:32:39.42
you know, we think
ourselves better than others.
00:32:39.45\00:32:41.89
We are in danger."
00:32:41.92\00:32:43.26
As a matter of
fact, it says here,
00:32:43.29\00:32:44.63
why would you destroy yourself?
00:32:44.66\00:32:47.26
And these things do us harm
00:32:47.30\00:32:49.53
when we see that our
example is Jesus Christ.
00:32:49.56\00:32:55.40
Now, let's go to
Matthew Chapter 18.
00:32:55.44\00:32:58.57
And I would like to
ask Pastor Lomacang,
00:32:58.61\00:33:01.24
if you'll read us,
00:33:01.28\00:33:02.61
help us with Matthew 18:1- 4
00:33:02.64\00:33:08.45
And here we have Jesus
00:33:08.48\00:33:11.55
talking to His disciples
with a wonderful message.
00:33:11.59\00:33:15.29
At that time the
disciples came to Jesus,
00:33:15.32\00:33:17.53
saying, "Who then is greatest
in the kingdom of heaven?"
00:33:17.56\00:33:22.13
And Jesus called a
little child to Him,
00:33:22.16\00:33:25.17
set him in the
midst of them, and said,
00:33:25.20\00:33:27.60
"Assuredly, I say to you,
00:33:27.64\00:33:29.60
unless you are converted
and become as little children,
00:33:29.64\00:33:33.71
you will by no means
enter the kingdom of heaven.
00:33:33.74\00:33:37.15
Therefore
whoever humbles himself
00:33:37.18\00:33:39.28
as this little child
00:33:39.31\00:33:41.75
is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
00:33:41.78\00:33:44.12
And whoever receives
one little child like this
00:33:44.15\00:33:47.66
in My name receives Me."
00:33:47.69\00:33:50.43
Amen. Amen.
00:33:50.46\00:33:51.83
Thank you so much.
00:33:51.86\00:33:53.19
So we see here
00:33:53.23\00:33:54.56
that we must be
as little children.
00:33:54.60\00:33:56.93
We're approaching
these difficult scriptures
00:33:56.97\00:33:59.33
and you know, the scriptures,
00:33:59.37\00:34:02.90
the Bible is a treasure
00:34:02.94\00:34:05.04
waiting for people to
discover wonderful things.
00:34:05.07\00:34:08.28
Now, the surface readers,
00:34:08.31\00:34:09.68
the ones that
just read the surface,
00:34:09.71\00:34:11.75
they're going to be blessed.
00:34:11.78\00:34:13.11
But those that
dig deep, dig deep,
00:34:13.15\00:34:15.88
they receive greater blessings
because they, we should,
00:34:15.92\00:34:19.82
I like what Ellen G. White says,
00:34:19.85\00:34:21.19
we should tax our mind.
00:34:21.22\00:34:23.43
Put an effort
00:34:23.46\00:34:24.79
into trying to
understand these things,
00:34:24.83\00:34:27.33
asking for the Lord to bless us
00:34:27.36\00:34:28.73
because He has
promised the Holy Spirit
00:34:28.76\00:34:31.70
that will guide
us into all truth.
00:34:31.73\00:34:35.67
God is willing,
00:34:35.70\00:34:37.04
God wants to
reveal things to us.
00:34:37.07\00:34:39.64
But we must comply
with these conditions
00:34:39.67\00:34:41.68
of coming to the
Lord with humility.
00:34:41.71\00:34:46.61
I'd like to read this
quickly. See if I have time.
00:34:46.65\00:34:49.62
It's from a
Review and Herald article
00:34:49.65\00:34:52.12
in August 22, 1907 available,
00:34:52.15\00:34:55.12
anyone can find it online.
00:34:55.16\00:34:57.39
We need to humble our hearts
00:34:57.43\00:34:59.49
and with sincerity and reverence
00:34:59.53\00:35:01.96
search the word of life.
00:35:02.00\00:35:04.13
For that mind alone
that is humble and contrite
00:35:04.17\00:35:07.67
can see light.
00:35:07.70\00:35:10.21
So if you want to
receive light from the Lord,
00:35:10.24\00:35:13.41
come humbly before Him.
00:35:13.44\00:35:15.48
And he promises
to open things to you
00:35:15.51\00:35:19.05
just like He was
concerned about the disciples,
00:35:19.08\00:35:21.58
He opened their understanding.
00:35:21.62\00:35:23.42
Let us ask the Lord to
open our understanding,
00:35:23.45\00:35:25.79
and we will be blessed.
00:35:25.82\00:35:27.16
Amen, thank you Pastor Dinzey.
00:35:27.19\00:35:28.52
Now mine is
"Determination and Patience, "
00:35:28.56\00:35:31.73
have to be
determined, have to be patient.
00:35:31.76\00:35:34.60
I want to give a
couple of examples
00:35:34.63\00:35:36.03
why as the Bible
writer points out
00:35:36.06\00:35:38.43
that if you really
want to learn something,
00:35:38.47\00:35:40.00
determination and patience
are very, very necessary.
00:35:40.04\00:35:43.67
Real achievement
requires tenacity.
00:35:43.71\00:35:47.11
And they said what
we obtain too easily
00:35:47.14\00:35:49.01
we often esteem too lightly.
00:35:49.04\00:35:52.08
Now what I've done
when I studied the Bible,
00:35:52.11\00:35:54.02
is I often go through
different translations.
00:35:54.05\00:35:56.08
Now three most
common translations
00:35:56.12\00:35:57.95
used today,
00:35:57.99\00:35:59.32
King James Version,
New King James Version,
00:35:59.35\00:36:01.66
and New International Version.
00:36:01.69\00:36:03.53
And then there are
those who use the Amplified.
00:36:03.56\00:36:05.93
Now I want to show you,
00:36:05.96\00:36:07.30
just to show you the difference
00:36:07.33\00:36:08.66
between the King
James and the New King James
00:36:08.70\00:36:10.70
and then the New
King James and the NIV.
00:36:10.73\00:36:13.44
Now the King James Version,
let's go to Genesis 3:5.
00:36:13.47\00:36:17.37
Pastor Kenny has a
King James Version,
00:36:17.41\00:36:18.84
but I want to read it there.
00:36:18.87\00:36:20.74
And then I'm going to show you
00:36:20.78\00:36:22.11
why the New King James Version
primarily came into existence.
00:36:22.14\00:36:27.55
The King James
Version, Genesis 3:5,
00:36:27.58\00:36:30.29
"For God doth know that
in the day ye eat thereof,
00:36:30.32\00:36:34.12
then your eyes shall be opened,
00:36:34.16\00:36:36.62
and ye shall be as gods,"
00:36:36.66\00:36:39.26
lower g, plural,
00:36:39.29\00:36:41.16
"knowing good and evil."
00:36:41.20\00:36:43.16
Now the New King
James corrected that
00:36:43.20\00:36:46.40
because this whole suggestion
that Lucifer made to Eve was,
00:36:46.43\00:36:50.47
you're going to
be just like God,
00:36:50.51\00:36:52.01
because later on in the passage
00:36:52.04\00:36:53.84
when they fell into sin,
00:36:53.88\00:36:55.58
the Lord said
00:36:55.61\00:36:56.95
they have become like one of us.
00:36:56.98\00:36:58.75
Now look
00:36:58.78\00:37:00.12
at how the New King
James corrected that.
00:37:00.15\00:37:02.55
It put it in the proper context
00:37:02.58\00:37:04.15
and I'll tell you what
the word in the Hebrew is.
00:37:04.19\00:37:06.59
Now the New King James,
00:37:06.62\00:37:07.99
"For God knows that
in the day you eat of it
00:37:08.02\00:37:11.09
your eyes will be opened,
00:37:11.13\00:37:12.69
and you will be like God,"
00:37:12.73\00:37:14.70
singular, capital G,
00:37:14.73\00:37:17.10
"knowing good and evil."
00:37:17.13\00:37:18.47
And that's the
correct translation
00:37:18.50\00:37:19.83
because it's the
word Elohim, God.
00:37:19.87\00:37:23.04
Later on, you find clearly
00:37:23.07\00:37:24.74
that the Bible is
delineating that Eve was not,
00:37:24.77\00:37:28.64
Satan was not suggesting
she'll be like gods plural,
00:37:28.68\00:37:32.11
but she's going to
be like the very one
00:37:32.15\00:37:34.05
who warned her
00:37:34.08\00:37:35.42
about the
consequences of disobedience.
00:37:35.45\00:37:37.85
Now one more,
00:37:37.89\00:37:39.22
before I give you the principles
00:37:39.25\00:37:40.59
I'm gonna send interpretation,
00:37:40.62\00:37:41.96
let's go to Romans 8:1 in
the New King James Version
00:37:41.99\00:37:44.19
and then I'll
compare it with the NIV.
00:37:44.23\00:37:46.93
Romans 8:1.
00:37:46.96\00:37:48.30
"There is
therefore now no condemnation
00:37:48.33\00:37:50.87
to those who are
in Christ Jesus."
00:37:50.90\00:37:52.83
Romans 8:1 NIV,
00:37:52.87\00:37:54.80
"There's therefore
now no condemnation
00:37:54.84\00:37:56.81
to those who
are in Christ Jesus,
00:37:56.84\00:37:59.91
who do not walk
according to the flesh,
00:37:59.94\00:38:02.11
but according to the Spirit."
00:38:02.14\00:38:03.48
That's New King James Version.
00:38:03.51\00:38:04.85
That's the New
King James Version.
00:38:04.88\00:38:06.21
So there is no condemnation
00:38:06.25\00:38:07.65
if you do not walk
according to the flesh,
00:38:07.68\00:38:10.25
but according to the Spirit,
00:38:10.29\00:38:12.09
but NIV now,
00:38:12.12\00:38:13.46
let's read the NIV in
the very same passage,
00:38:13.49\00:38:15.92
"There is
therefore now no condemnation
00:38:15.96\00:38:18.46
to those who are
in Christ Jesus."
00:38:18.49\00:38:22.16
And it ends
right there. Oh, wow.
00:38:22.20\00:38:24.00
Where's the rest of it?
00:38:24.03\00:38:25.37
"Who do not walk
according to the flesh,
00:38:25.40\00:38:27.34
but according to the Spirit,"
00:38:27.37\00:38:28.70
has been completely taken out.
00:38:28.74\00:38:31.04
So it say to me,
00:38:31.07\00:38:32.41
there's no condemnation
if you're in Christ Jesus.
00:38:32.44\00:38:34.31
It's not saying, wait a minute.
00:38:34.34\00:38:36.44
You've got to walk right?
00:38:36.48\00:38:38.25
You have to walk not
according to the flesh,
00:38:38.28\00:38:41.12
but you have to now
walk according to the Spirit.
00:38:41.15\00:38:43.52
And I believe in my own opinion,
00:38:43.55\00:38:45.22
I believe that's
vitally important.
00:38:45.25\00:38:47.36
If I'm in Christ
Jesus, I want to say,
00:38:47.39\00:38:49.49
"Be careful how you walk.
00:38:49.52\00:38:51.06
Avoid slippery places.
00:38:51.09\00:38:52.93
Be careful with
the choices you make."
00:38:52.96\00:38:55.10
That's why the King
James and New King James
00:38:55.13\00:38:57.90
left that latter part in,
00:38:57.93\00:38:59.43
but the NIV took
00:38:59.47\00:39:00.80
the latter part
of the verse out.
00:39:00.84\00:39:02.44
Here are the principles
00:39:02.47\00:39:03.81
that I believe
are very necessary
00:39:03.84\00:39:05.24
to find answers
00:39:05.27\00:39:06.61
to difficult
questions in the Bible.
00:39:06.64\00:39:08.48
Let's go to Isaiah 28:10.
00:39:08.51\00:39:10.71
First one and, Jill, I
must admit this is a list.
00:39:10.75\00:39:13.48
Yay!
00:39:13.52\00:39:14.85
The first one,
leave nothing out.
00:39:14.88\00:39:17.05
Leave nothing out.
00:39:17.09\00:39:18.95
Isaiah 28:10.
00:39:18.99\00:39:20.49
For precept
must be upon precept,
00:39:20.52\00:39:23.22
precept upon precept,
00:39:23.26\00:39:25.09
line upon line, line upon line,
00:39:25.13\00:39:28.23
here a little,
and there a little,
00:39:28.26\00:39:31.03
leave it nothing out."
00:39:31.07\00:39:33.03
You want to find the answers?
00:39:33.07\00:39:34.40
Don't read the
Bible for answers,
00:39:34.44\00:39:36.67
read it for information
and the answers will come.
00:39:36.71\00:39:39.14
That's right.
Second one, don't give up.
00:39:39.17\00:39:42.74
Galatians 6:9.
00:39:42.78\00:39:44.88
Don't give up.
00:39:44.91\00:39:46.25
You know, sometimes
we give up too easily.
00:39:46.28\00:39:48.58
It's like running a race
00:39:48.62\00:39:50.05
and stopping inches
short of the finish line.
00:39:50.09\00:39:53.86
Don't give up.
00:39:53.89\00:39:55.32
Galatians 6:9.
00:39:55.36\00:39:56.69
Go ahead, Jill read for us.
00:39:56.73\00:39:58.49
"And let us not grow
weary while doing good,
00:39:58.53\00:40:01.16
for in due season we shall
reap if we do not lose heart."
00:40:01.20\00:40:04.20
Sometimes you got to
fight with that scripture.
00:40:04.23\00:40:06.43
Sometimes you got
to wrestle with it.
00:40:06.47\00:40:08.40
And then all of a sudden,
one day the light comes on
00:40:08.44\00:40:10.64
because the Lord says,
now you need to understand it.
00:40:10.67\00:40:13.81
Don't be weary. I'm tired.
00:40:13.84\00:40:16.01
And you know what
happens in this generation today
00:40:16.04\00:40:18.15
where everything
happens in nanoseconds
00:40:18.18\00:40:19.81
and milliseconds,
00:40:19.85\00:40:21.18
and we go to Facebook
and people don't do homework,
00:40:21.22\00:40:23.28
they Google their answers.
00:40:23.32\00:40:24.65
That's right.
00:40:24.69\00:40:26.02
You know, in our day,
00:40:26.05\00:40:27.39
you couldn't just give the
answer to the math problem,
00:40:27.42\00:40:28.79
you have to show the work.
00:40:28.82\00:40:30.16
That's right.
00:40:30.19\00:40:31.53
And I had math problems
00:40:31.56\00:40:32.89
that was sometimes the
work alone was two pages.
00:40:32.93\00:40:35.03
Then the answer came.
00:40:35.06\00:40:36.67
Today quickly,
don't give up easily.
00:40:36.70\00:40:40.40
Be not weary in doing well,
00:40:40.44\00:40:41.77
for in due time you will
reap the answer will come
00:40:41.80\00:40:44.27
if you do not lose
heart or if you do not faint.
00:40:44.31\00:40:46.94
The other one, be patient
kind of along the same lines,
00:40:46.98\00:40:49.78
but James 1:4, be patient,
00:40:49.81\00:40:54.85
"But let patience
have its perfect work,
00:40:54.88\00:40:58.85
that you may be
perfect and complete,
00:40:58.89\00:41:01.49
lacking nothing."
00:41:01.52\00:41:02.86
That's what the Bible says
00:41:02.89\00:41:04.33
that the man of
God may be perfect,
00:41:04.36\00:41:06.90
that you may be perfect.
00:41:06.93\00:41:08.26
In other words, you'll
have all that you need,
00:41:08.30\00:41:10.43
if you are patient.
00:41:10.47\00:41:12.03
Let the Lord do it in His time.
00:41:12.07\00:41:14.17
The other one,
00:41:14.20\00:41:15.54
make it a matter of daily study.
00:41:15.57\00:41:17.87
I think you know
where I'm going, Acts 17:11.
00:41:17.91\00:41:21.01
You study your Bible daily
00:41:21.04\00:41:22.44
and you'll see
the answers will come
00:41:22.48\00:41:24.08
according to God's timetable.
00:41:24.11\00:41:26.35
The Bible says, Acts 17:11,
00:41:26.38\00:41:28.58
"These were more fair-minded
than those in Thessalonica,
00:41:28.62\00:41:32.65
in that they
received the Word of God
00:41:32.69\00:41:34.36
with all readiness, and
searched the scriptures,"
00:41:34.39\00:41:36.99
how often?
00:41:37.03\00:41:38.49
"Daily to find out
whether these things were so."
00:41:38.53\00:41:41.60
What would
happen if churches today
00:41:41.63\00:41:43.57
search the scriptures
00:41:43.60\00:41:44.93
after the pastor
preached the sermon?
00:41:44.97\00:41:47.20
Well.
00:41:47.24\00:41:48.57
I think more
churches will be empty
00:41:48.60\00:41:49.94
than before.
00:41:49.97\00:41:51.67
People will start
finding out what the Bible says
00:41:51.71\00:41:54.18
not just what the preacher says.
00:41:54.21\00:41:56.31
And that's what's missing today.
00:41:56.34\00:41:57.68
That's why many
churches are set up like a show,
00:41:57.71\00:42:01.52
entertainment because
they want to sidetrack
00:42:01.55\00:42:03.99
really examining
what the Bible says.
00:42:04.02\00:42:06.32
The fourth one, make it,
00:42:06.35\00:42:07.82
I mean, the fifth
one, be a servant of God.
00:42:07.86\00:42:11.36
This is powerful.
00:42:11.39\00:42:12.99
God does not just give answers,
00:42:13.03\00:42:15.10
but He does give
answers to His servants.
00:42:15.13\00:42:17.53
Amos 3:7,
00:42:17.57\00:42:18.90
"Surely the
Lord God does nothing
00:42:18.93\00:42:21.04
unless He revealed His secrets
to His servants, the prophets."
00:42:21.07\00:42:25.67
Be a servant of God,
and the answers will come.
00:42:25.71\00:42:28.74
That's why Jesus
spoke in parables,
00:42:28.78\00:42:30.98
because He didn't want people
that were going to do Him harm,
00:42:31.01\00:42:33.42
knowing what He was about to do.
00:42:33.45\00:42:35.95
That's why He
called His disciples
00:42:35.98\00:42:37.45
aside privately and told
them apart from the crowd,
00:42:37.49\00:42:41.19
what these things
meant, be a servant of God.
00:42:41.22\00:42:44.09
Number six, live
a Spirit led life.
00:42:44.13\00:42:47.43
How you live makes
all the difference.
00:42:47.46\00:42:48.80
Yes.
00:42:48.83\00:42:50.17
1 Corinthians 2:14,
00:42:50.20\00:42:51.87
"But the natural
man does not receive
00:42:51.90\00:42:53.44
the things of the
Spirit of God," why?
00:42:53.47\00:42:55.50
"For they are
foolishness to him,
00:42:55.54\00:42:57.87
nor can he know them,
because they are," what?
00:42:57.91\00:43:00.88
"Spiritually discerned."
00:43:00.91\00:43:02.64
Some people want
to read the Bible
00:43:02.68\00:43:04.21
to argue with Christians,
00:43:04.25\00:43:05.91
and they come
up just as ignorant
00:43:05.95\00:43:07.42
as they went when
they open the Bible.
00:43:07.45\00:43:09.65
Some people say, I
don't read the Bible.
00:43:09.68\00:43:11.02
They want to argue with us,
00:43:11.05\00:43:12.39
but God will
never give them anything
00:43:12.42\00:43:14.02
because they are carnal.
00:43:14.06\00:43:15.52
He does not
receive the spiritual,
00:43:15.56\00:43:17.69
He does not give the
spiritual to the carnal.
00:43:17.73\00:43:20.50
You got to be born again.
00:43:20.53\00:43:21.86
Unless you are born again,
00:43:21.90\00:43:23.23
Jesus said to
Nicodemus, you cannot see.
00:43:23.26\00:43:26.23
He made it very clear.
00:43:26.27\00:43:28.00
Number seven, be
obedient to God's commandments.
00:43:28.04\00:43:30.71
John 14:15-17,
00:43:30.74\00:43:33.58
"If you love Me,
keep My commandments, "
00:43:33.61\00:43:36.21
and look at the promise.
00:43:36.24\00:43:37.95
This is why
keeping God's commandments
00:43:37.98\00:43:39.61
is so vitally important,
00:43:39.65\00:43:41.02
and I will pray the Father
00:43:41.05\00:43:42.38
and He will give
you another helper,
00:43:42.42\00:43:44.85
that He may
abide with you forever.
00:43:44.89\00:43:47.16
Verse 17, "The Spirit of truth,
00:43:47.19\00:43:49.76
if you're obedient,
00:43:49.79\00:43:51.26
the spirit will
bring more truth to you.
00:43:51.29\00:43:54.00
The Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive,
00:43:54.03\00:43:56.73
because they need to
cease him nor knows him,
00:43:56.77\00:43:59.37
but you know him
00:43:59.40\00:44:00.74
for He dwells with
you and will be in you.
00:44:00.77\00:44:04.24
My brother, my sister,
00:44:04.27\00:44:05.61
the only way to receive truth
00:44:05.64\00:44:07.08
is to be obedient to truth
that has already been given.
00:44:07.11\00:44:09.81
That's right.
00:44:09.84\00:44:11.18
Number eight, nurture
your walk with Christ.
00:44:11.21\00:44:14.75
John 8:12,
00:44:14.78\00:44:16.58
"Then Jesus spoke
to them again, saying,
00:44:16.62\00:44:19.15
'I am the light of the world.'"
00:44:19.19\00:44:20.99
This is powerful.
00:44:21.02\00:44:22.36
"He who follows Me
shall not walk in," what?
00:44:22.39\00:44:25.96
"Will not walk in darkness,
but have the light of life."
00:44:25.99\00:44:28.66
Nurture your walk with Christ.
00:44:28.70\00:44:31.23
Number nine, pray
for the spirits leading.
00:44:31.27\00:44:37.74
John 16:13,
00:44:37.77\00:44:39.47
"However, when He, the
Spirit of truth, has come,
00:44:39.51\00:44:43.45
He will guide
you into," how much?
00:44:43.48\00:44:45.65
"All truth,
00:44:45.68\00:44:47.32
for He will not
speak on His own authority,
00:44:47.35\00:44:49.62
but whatever He
hears He will speak;
00:44:49.65\00:44:51.35
and He will tell
you things to come."
00:44:51.39\00:44:54.22
And lastly, wait on
the Lord. That's right.
00:44:54.26\00:44:59.06
God knows when you
need to understand it,
00:44:59.09\00:45:01.53
wait on the Lord.
00:45:01.56\00:45:02.90
Habakkuk 2:3,
00:45:02.93\00:45:04.67
"For the vision is yet
for an appointed time, "
00:45:04.70\00:45:08.20
wait on the time,
00:45:08.24\00:45:09.90
for it is yet for
an appointed time,
00:45:09.94\00:45:12.27
but at the end it will
speak and it will not lie,
00:45:12.31\00:45:16.24
though it tarries wait for it,
because it will surely come."
00:45:16.28\00:45:21.62
It will not
tarry, wait on the Lord,
00:45:21.65\00:45:24.69
when difficulty is there,
00:45:24.72\00:45:26.42
apply these principles
and you will be blessed.
00:45:26.45\00:45:29.09
Amen.
00:45:29.12\00:45:30.46
Thank you so much, Pastor John.
00:45:30.49\00:45:32.29
I got to get my notes out.
00:45:32.33\00:45:33.66
I was so focused on
what you were sharing.
00:45:33.70\00:45:35.03
I got to look at
00:45:35.06\00:45:36.40
what I'm supposed to talk about.
00:45:36.43\00:45:37.77
Thank you. That was powerful.
00:45:37.80\00:45:39.77
Thursday's lesson,
that's what I'm talking about,
00:45:39.80\00:45:42.17
"Deal with Difficulties
Scripturally and Prayerfully."
00:45:42.20\00:45:47.48
The lesson says
00:45:47.51\00:45:48.84
the best solution
to Bible difficulties
00:45:48.88\00:45:51.31
is still found
in the Bible itself.
00:45:51.35\00:45:54.48
Yes.
00:45:54.52\00:45:55.85
If you're having
difficulty interpreting,
00:45:55.88\00:45:57.69
understanding a
difficult passage
00:45:57.72\00:45:59.65
in Scripture,
00:45:59.69\00:46:01.02
the best way to find
answers is in the Word of God.
00:46:01.06\00:46:04.19
We're going to look at six keys
00:46:04.23\00:46:06.63
to deal with
these difficult passages
00:46:06.66\00:46:08.60
in Scripture,
00:46:08.63\00:46:09.96
both from a
scriptural perspective
00:46:10.00\00:46:11.37
and a prayerful perspective.
00:46:11.40\00:46:13.67
And one of the
keys actually overlaps.
00:46:13.70\00:46:15.94
Number one,
00:46:15.97\00:46:17.31
compare
scripture with scripture.
00:46:17.34\00:46:19.74
Don't take
scripture out of context.
00:46:19.77\00:46:23.58
Don't take one
scripture in isolation
00:46:23.61\00:46:25.68
from the rest of the Bible.
00:46:25.71\00:46:27.05
Pastor Ryan, you
talked about that,
00:46:27.08\00:46:28.42
Pastor Kenny, I think
you mentioned that as well.
00:46:28.45\00:46:30.25
I think about the
scripture on the Lord's Day.
00:46:30.29\00:46:33.36
And people take
one scripture and say,
00:46:33.39\00:46:35.62
"Oh, we need to
keep Sunday as sacred, "
00:46:35.66\00:46:38.99
and they ignore the
rest of the evidence
00:46:39.03\00:46:41.26
in scripture
00:46:41.30\00:46:42.63
and just take one
scripture out of context.
00:46:42.66\00:46:44.97
What about this
scripture in Matthew 7?
00:46:45.00\00:46:46.94
Matthew 7:13 and 14.
00:46:46.97\00:46:50.51
Jesus speaking, he says,
"Enter by the narrow gate,
00:46:50.54\00:46:53.14
for wide is the
gate and broad is the way
00:46:53.17\00:46:55.41
that leads to destruction,
00:46:55.44\00:46:57.31
and there are
many who go in by it.
00:46:57.35\00:47:00.15
Because narrow is the
gate and difficult is the way
00:47:00.18\00:47:02.78
which leads to life,
00:47:02.82\00:47:04.15
and there are few who find it."
00:47:04.19\00:47:06.76
Some people could
read that one scripture
00:47:06.79\00:47:09.26
and think Jesus is saying,
00:47:09.29\00:47:10.89
it's impossible
to be saved, right?
00:47:10.93\00:47:12.76
Narrow is the way,
00:47:12.79\00:47:14.13
I can't even make it
00:47:14.16\00:47:15.50
so I might as well not even try.
00:47:15.53\00:47:16.87
And that's not
at all the context
00:47:16.90\00:47:19.07
of what Jesus was
saying in that passage.
00:47:19.10\00:47:21.84
He's saying many people
were refused to follow Me.
00:47:21.87\00:47:26.47
Many people were refused
to accept Me as their Savior.
00:47:26.51\00:47:29.78
That's why it
seems like a narrow path.
00:47:29.81\00:47:32.15
And the path might be
a bit difficult at times,
00:47:32.18\00:47:35.25
but it is not impossible.
00:47:35.28\00:47:37.82
Isaiah 28:9 and
10, you reference this.
00:47:37.85\00:47:40.66
We must study
precept upon precept,
00:47:40.69\00:47:44.19
and line upon line,
00:47:44.23\00:47:45.66
we must compare
scripture with scripture.
00:47:45.69\00:47:48.26
Principle number two,
00:47:48.30\00:47:49.63
keep Jesus central
00:47:49.66\00:47:52.07
as you study the
difficult passages.
00:47:52.10\00:47:54.80
Always seek to
keep Jesus central.
00:47:54.84\00:47:57.67
Acts 8:35.
00:47:57.71\00:48:01.21
And I think about Philip,
00:48:01.24\00:48:02.58
remember the Holy
Spirit whisked him away
00:48:02.61\00:48:05.51
to the Ethiopian eunuch.
00:48:05.55\00:48:07.22
He was reading the scroll
of Isaiah the Ethiopian eunuch
00:48:07.25\00:48:10.59
was reading that is,
00:48:10.62\00:48:11.95
and the Lord knew
00:48:11.99\00:48:13.32
that the Ethiopian
needed a bit more understanding.
00:48:13.36\00:48:16.93
And we come to Acts 8:35.
00:48:16.96\00:48:18.56
It says, "Philip
opened his mouth,
00:48:18.59\00:48:20.30
and beginning at this scripture,
00:48:20.33\00:48:22.43
preached Jesus to him."
00:48:22.46\00:48:25.00
Now remember,
00:48:25.03\00:48:26.37
the Ethiopian had
difficulty understanding
00:48:26.40\00:48:28.80
and what did Philip do?
00:48:28.84\00:48:30.17
He kept Jesus central.
00:48:30.21\00:48:33.07
Number three, Pastor
John referenced this,
00:48:33.11\00:48:34.98
so we won't look
up the scripture.
00:48:35.01\00:48:36.51
Study the scriptures daily.
00:48:36.54\00:48:38.98
That was the
scripture in Acts 17
00:48:39.01\00:48:40.75
speaking of the
Bereans who studied every day.
00:48:40.78\00:48:44.55
They researched and study,
00:48:44.59\00:48:46.25
it's important to continue
to study the Word of God.
00:48:46.29\00:48:48.99
Number four,
00:48:49.02\00:48:50.36
allow scripture to
confirm theological decision.
00:48:50.39\00:48:56.70
Let's look at Acts Chapter 15.
00:48:56.73\00:48:59.73
This is what we call
00:48:59.77\00:49:01.10
the Jerusalem
Council taken place in 1849.
00:49:01.14\00:49:05.31
Remember there
was this whole concept
00:49:05.34\00:49:07.94
in the New Testament Church.
00:49:07.98\00:49:09.81
Once the Gentiles
started accepting Christ
00:49:09.84\00:49:12.51
as Messiah,
00:49:12.55\00:49:13.88
started being
baptized and joined the church,
00:49:13.92\00:49:17.25
there arose this dissension
in the early Christian church.
00:49:17.29\00:49:20.69
Did the Gentile Christians
00:49:20.72\00:49:22.19
need to be circumcised
in order to be saved?
00:49:22.22\00:49:26.63
So there were
Judaizers who said,
00:49:26.66\00:49:28.40
"No, they have
to be circumcised."
00:49:28.43\00:49:30.37
And then others
in the church said,
00:49:30.40\00:49:31.83
"No, circumcision
00:49:31.87\00:49:33.20
is not essential for salvation."
00:49:33.23\00:49:36.07
So the church
came together in AD 49
00:49:36.10\00:49:38.17
we'll just call it
the Jerusalem Council.
00:49:38.21\00:49:40.38
And they gathered
together to discuss this issue.
00:49:40.41\00:49:44.28
So we're in Acts Chapter 15.
00:49:44.31\00:49:46.15
And to me, it gives an outline
00:49:46.18\00:49:48.12
for how we handle
theological issues
00:49:48.15\00:49:50.22
in the church, Acts 15 does.
00:49:50.25\00:49:52.12
We won't look at all of
that, but a couple points.
00:49:52.15\00:49:54.26
Number one,
00:49:54.29\00:49:55.62
they brought the
question to leadership.
00:49:55.66\00:49:58.19
The Judaizers came
from Judah to Jerusalem
00:49:58.23\00:50:01.10
to settle this question.
00:50:01.13\00:50:02.46
They just didn't say,
00:50:02.50\00:50:03.83
we're going to have
our own private meeting,
00:50:03.87\00:50:05.20
Pastor John over here.
00:50:05.23\00:50:06.57
And we're going
to have a huddle.
00:50:06.60\00:50:07.94
And this is now
what we're going to do.
00:50:07.97\00:50:09.30
No, there was an issue of
discussion and dissension.
00:50:09.34\00:50:11.27
They brought it to
the church leadership.
00:50:11.31\00:50:14.94
Then the
leadership met in Acts 15:6,
00:50:14.98\00:50:17.45
we see that.
00:50:17.48\00:50:18.81
"The apostles and elders
00:50:18.85\00:50:20.52
came together to
consider the matter."
00:50:20.55\00:50:23.85
Number three, we see
that discussion is allowed.
00:50:23.89\00:50:27.56
You can see that
in Acts 15:7, it says,
00:50:27.59\00:50:30.03
"When there had
been much dispute,
00:50:30.06\00:50:32.89
Peter rose up and said to them,"
00:50:32.93\00:50:34.26
so in other words, they
didn't just stifle that.
00:50:34.30\00:50:36.13
They didn't say okay,
no one's allowed to talk.
00:50:36.16\00:50:38.13
There was
clearly much discussion
00:50:38.17\00:50:40.37
and much dispute.
00:50:40.40\00:50:41.97
Then we see that
the leadership spoke
00:50:42.00\00:50:43.74
if you read it, you see,
00:50:43.77\00:50:45.11
Peter shared his
experience with Cornelius.
00:50:45.14\00:50:47.78
He shared about
how the Holy Spirit
00:50:47.81\00:50:50.18
had fallen upon
Cornelius and his household
00:50:50.21\00:50:53.25
and yet he was a Gentile.
00:50:53.28\00:50:55.25
We see Paul and
Barnabas stand up
00:50:55.28\00:50:57.92
and share the miracles
00:50:57.95\00:50:59.82
that God had
done to the Gentiles.
00:50:59.85\00:51:02.56
We see James as
leader of the council
00:51:02.59\00:51:04.89
stand up and
this is where we see
00:51:04.93\00:51:07.43
that he allowed scripture
00:51:07.46\00:51:09.13
to confirm their
theological discussion.
00:51:09.16\00:51:12.03
James stood up and
he quoted scripture.
00:51:12.07\00:51:15.74
We see that in Acts 15:15 -17.
00:51:15.77\00:51:19.84
James quoted scripture,
in order to say that yes,
00:51:19.87\00:51:23.65
the Gentiles
should be saved as well.
00:51:23.68\00:51:26.72
We see that and verse 15,
00:51:26.75\00:51:28.35
"And with this
00:51:28.38\00:51:29.72
the words of the prophets agree,
00:51:29.75\00:51:31.25
just as it is written.
00:51:31.29\00:51:32.62
"Now this is
James quoting scripture.
00:51:32.65\00:51:34.69
"After this I will
return and will rebuild
00:51:34.72\00:51:36.59
the tabernacle of David,
00:51:36.62\00:51:37.96
which has fallen down,
00:51:37.99\00:51:39.33
I will rebuild its
ruins, and I will set it up.
00:51:39.36\00:51:41.63
So that the rest of
mankind may seek the Lord,
00:51:41.66\00:51:44.43
even all the Gentiles
who are called by My name,
00:51:44.47\00:51:48.90
Says the Lord who
does these things."
00:51:48.94\00:51:52.17
Principle number five,
00:51:52.21\00:51:53.54
be humble enough
00:51:53.58\00:51:54.91
to accept what
the Scripture teaches.
00:51:54.94\00:51:57.68
Pastor Johnny covered that well.
00:51:57.71\00:52:00.25
Be humble enough to
accept what Scripture says
00:52:00.28\00:52:01.95
even if it goes
00:52:01.98\00:52:03.32
against your preconceived ideas.
00:52:03.35\00:52:06.52
Now, that's a serious point
00:52:06.55\00:52:07.89
because many times we
have a preconceived idea
00:52:07.92\00:52:10.73
or presupposition.
00:52:10.76\00:52:12.09
Now this is the way
that it ought to be.
00:52:12.13\00:52:14.26
And then we are
not willing to accept
00:52:14.30\00:52:17.10
what the
scripture actually says.
00:52:17.13\00:52:19.80
Number six, pray
before studying the Word.
00:52:19.83\00:52:25.07
This is where we
come to the passage,
00:52:25.11\00:52:27.28
the section of the importance
00:52:27.31\00:52:29.31
of studying these
difficult passages
00:52:29.34\00:52:31.41
prayerfully.
00:52:31.45\00:52:33.35
I want to look
at a couple things
00:52:33.38\00:52:34.88
we're to pray for.
00:52:34.92\00:52:36.25
First, we pray for wisdom.
00:52:36.28\00:52:37.85
James 1:5, "If any
of you lacks wisdom,
00:52:37.89\00:52:41.66
let him ask of God,
00:52:41.69\00:52:43.86
who gives to all
liberally and without reproach,
00:52:43.89\00:52:46.59
and it will be given to him."
00:52:46.63\00:52:48.66
God is the one who gives wisdom
00:52:48.70\00:52:50.47
into those difficult
passages of Scripture.
00:52:50.50\00:52:53.54
If you don't understand
it, ask Him for wisdom.
00:52:53.57\00:52:57.71
The second key,
pray for understanding.
00:52:57.74\00:53:01.88
Psalms 119:18.
00:53:01.91\00:53:03.91
Psalm 119 really
focuses on the law of God,
00:53:03.95\00:53:07.52
the Word of God.
00:53:07.55\00:53:09.08
Psalms 119:18,
00:53:09.12\00:53:11.15
"Open my eyes,
00:53:11.19\00:53:12.52
that I may see
wondrous things from Your law."
00:53:12.55\00:53:15.99
Ask God to open your eyes
00:53:16.02\00:53:18.59
to discern the
truth in His Word.
00:53:18.63\00:53:21.86
Third, pray for
focus on God's Word.
00:53:21.90\00:53:25.50
We're still in Psalm
119, but verses 35 and 36.
00:53:25.53\00:53:30.17
Psalms 119:35 and 36,
00:53:30.21\00:53:32.94
"Incline my heart
to Your testimonies,
00:53:32.97\00:53:35.98
and not to covetousness.
00:53:36.01\00:53:37.71
Turn away my eyes
00:53:37.75\00:53:39.08
from looking at
worthless things,
00:53:39.11\00:53:41.22
and revive me in Your way."
00:53:41.25\00:53:43.85
We can ask God to keep
us from being distracted.
00:53:43.89\00:53:46.29
We can ask God to
give us a desire for Him
00:53:46.32\00:53:49.42
and for His work.
00:53:49.46\00:53:51.49
Number four, pray to see
and experience God's love.
00:53:51.53\00:53:56.90
Ephesians 3, I love
the Book of Ephesians.
00:53:56.93\00:53:59.80
Ephesians 3:18 and 19,
00:53:59.83\00:54:03.20
that we, "May be
able to comprehend
00:54:03.24\00:54:05.07
with all the saints
00:54:05.11\00:54:06.44
what is the width and
length and depth and height,
00:54:06.47\00:54:10.25
to know the love of
Christ which passes knowledge,
00:54:10.28\00:54:13.45
that you may be filled
with all the fullness of God."
00:54:13.48\00:54:16.48
Ask God to show you His love
00:54:16.52\00:54:18.95
in each and every
passage of scripture.
00:54:18.99\00:54:22.12
Number five, pray to
practice what you learn.
00:54:22.16\00:54:26.93
James 1:22,
00:54:26.96\00:54:28.30
"We're called to
be doers of the word
00:54:28.33\00:54:31.40
and not just hearers
only, deceiving our own selves."
00:54:31.43\00:54:35.97
We're called to practice
what the Word of God says.
00:54:36.00\00:54:39.61
And the sixth thing we pray for
00:54:39.64\00:54:41.08
is that we pray
that what we learn
00:54:41.11\00:54:43.75
is going to help someone else.
00:54:43.78\00:54:47.02
We don't study for ourselves,
00:54:47.05\00:54:48.58
we study so that
we can share that
00:54:48.62\00:54:50.82
with someone else.
00:54:50.85\00:54:52.39
1 Thessalonians 5:11,
00:54:52.42\00:54:54.86
"Therefore comfort each other
00:54:54.89\00:54:56.59
and edify one another,
just as you also are doing."
00:54:56.62\00:55:01.83
So the Word of God is
given for me to understand.
00:55:01.86\00:55:05.23
The Word of God is given
for us to delight in Him.
00:55:05.27\00:55:08.67
The Word of God is
given for us to focus on Him.
00:55:08.70\00:55:12.31
The Word of God is given
for us to experience God's love.
00:55:12.34\00:55:16.68
The Word of God is
given for us to practice.
00:55:16.71\00:55:19.35
And finally,
00:55:19.38\00:55:20.72
the Word of God is given for
us to share with other people.
00:55:20.75\00:55:24.55
Amen. Praise the Lord.
00:55:24.59\00:55:28.32
This has been a powerful study,
00:55:28.36\00:55:29.72
it helps us to
refocus our attention on,
00:55:29.76\00:55:32.49
you know, properly
approaching scripture
00:55:32.53\00:55:35.46
in a responsible, spiritual way
00:55:35.50\00:55:37.43
in which, you
know, we can be edified.
00:55:37.47\00:55:39.50
We can learn, we can grow,
00:55:39.53\00:55:40.90
I'm going to allow
some time go ahead.
00:55:40.94\00:55:43.64
Tell us some little
something about your day
00:55:43.67\00:55:45.01
or a final thought.
00:55:45.04\00:55:46.37
Okay, final thought is that
00:55:46.41\00:55:47.74
people who really
want to know the truth
00:55:47.78\00:55:49.48
doesn't want someone
00:55:49.51\00:55:51.21
just to give you
a hasty conclusion
00:55:51.25\00:55:53.78
based on I'm not really sure.
00:55:53.82\00:55:56.45
I don't know where to
find it or flimsy evidence.
00:55:56.48\00:55:59.32
But every aspect,
00:55:59.35\00:56:00.69
every detail is
very, very important.
00:56:00.72\00:56:02.82
Because God says Matthew 4:4,
00:56:02.86\00:56:04.56
every word that proceeds
out of the mouth of God.
00:56:04.59\00:56:07.00
Amen. Amen.
00:56:07.03\00:56:08.40
God gave us the scriptures,
so that we may understand,
00:56:08.43\00:56:12.13
so we may learn from him.
00:56:12.17\00:56:13.50
But I like to
share the scriptures
00:56:13.54\00:56:15.07
before I
finished Psalms 25:8, 9,
00:56:15.10\00:56:20.78
Good and upright is the Lord,
00:56:20.81\00:56:23.31
therefore He
teaches sinners in the way.
00:56:23.35\00:56:26.82
The humble He guides in justice,
00:56:26.85\00:56:29.18
and the humble
He teaches His way."
00:56:29.22\00:56:32.12
That's right.
00:56:32.15\00:56:33.49
And a quote that was
said earlier in my lesson,
00:56:33.52\00:56:36.06
which I really appreciate,
00:56:36.09\00:56:38.16
it's important
that we understand
00:56:38.19\00:56:39.89
the value of
what we are studying
00:56:39.93\00:56:42.60
and make the value
of what we're studying
00:56:42.63\00:56:44.63
drive us to understand
00:56:44.67\00:56:46.30
that the Lord would not
give us something valuable,
00:56:46.33\00:56:49.10
and have us handle it lightly.
00:56:49.14\00:56:51.34
What we obtained too easily,
we often esteem too lightly.
00:56:51.37\00:56:57.18
It's good.
00:56:57.21\00:56:58.55
I think sometimes we look
at these difficult passages.
00:56:58.58\00:57:00.52
And I know in my
own experience too
00:57:00.55\00:57:01.88
in the past,
00:57:01.92\00:57:03.25
sometimes I'm afraid of them.
00:57:03.28\00:57:04.89
So I would just encourage you
00:57:04.92\00:57:06.25
don't be afraid
00:57:06.29\00:57:07.62
of difficult
passages in Scripture.
00:57:07.66\00:57:10.43
The Holy Spirit
wants to be your teacher.
00:57:10.46\00:57:12.79
God's Word can explain itself
00:57:12.83\00:57:14.86
and don't be afraid
to dive in and study.
00:57:14.90\00:57:16.90
Amen.
00:57:16.93\00:57:18.27
Praise the Lord, you
know, just considering all this,
00:57:18.30\00:57:20.47
a text came into my mind.
00:57:20.50\00:57:22.24
There may be passages
00:57:22.27\00:57:23.97
that are considered to
be confusing or difficult.
00:57:24.01\00:57:27.28
But 1 Corinthians 14:33,
00:57:27.31\00:57:29.24
says God is not the
author of confusion.
00:57:29.28\00:57:31.68
That's right. He
doesn't want to confuse us.
00:57:31.71\00:57:33.58
And, you know, the
text that came to my mind
00:57:33.62\00:57:35.98
also was Matthew 23:37,
00:57:36.02\00:57:39.69
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
00:57:39.72\00:57:41.06
the one who kills
the prophets and stones
00:57:41.09\00:57:42.52
those who are sent to her!
00:57:42.56\00:57:43.89
How often I wanted to
gather your children together,
00:57:43.93\00:57:46.03
as a hen gathers her
chicks under her wings,
00:57:46.06\00:57:48.53
but you were not willing!"
00:57:48.56\00:57:51.07
We have to be
willing to receive the truth
00:57:51.10\00:57:53.37
when it comes and sometimes
00:57:53.40\00:57:54.74
that truth may
not always be easy
00:57:54.77\00:57:56.54
to understand at
first, but remember,
00:57:56.57\00:57:58.54
He is not the
author of confusion.
00:57:58.57\00:58:00.74
He wants us to understand.
00:58:00.78\00:58:03.04
We are so blessed and
thankful that you've joined us
00:58:03.08\00:58:04.95
this week for another edition
of 3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
00:58:04.98\00:58:07.55
Join us next week
00:58:07.58\00:58:09.05
for the final
study which is entitled,
00:58:09.08\00:58:12.35
"Living by the Word of God."
00:58:12.39\00:58:14.66
God bless.
00:58:14.69\00:58:16.02