Welcome to 3ABN
Sabbath School Panel,
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lesson number nine.
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This quarter's title
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has been "Making
Friends for God."
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Today is
"Developing a Winning Attitude."
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And so, we'd
like to encourage you
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to get your Bibles,
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invite people that are with you
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to sit down and
enjoy this lesson study.
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If you'd like to
get a copy of it,
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go to absg.advenist.org.
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You can download a
copy, but better yet,
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go to your local
Seventh-day Adventist Church
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and sit down and
enjoy an excursion
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through the Word of God.
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We know this is going to
be a thought-provoking topic,
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how to develop a
winning attitude.
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So, stay tuned and enjoy
this lesson along with us.
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Welcome to 3ABN
Sabbath School Panel,
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what a lesson study,
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developing a winning attitude.
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That's something
that makes the difference.
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The attitude brings
gratitude, or if not gratitude,
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just a bad attitude.
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Today we're going to find out
how to have a winning attitude
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because it makes a difference
in winning people for Christ.
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Before we go
into our lesson study
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and have prayer,
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we're going to go ahead
and introduce our panel.
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To my immediate left
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is my brother,
the singer of Israel.
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I don't know about that.
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But, hey, I'm excited.
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I'm gonna be talking
about "An Attitude Adjustment."
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Oh, man, I can't
wait for that one.
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Pastor John Dinzey.
Good to have you here.
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It's a blessing to be
here and we'll be talking about
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"Preaching the Truth with Love."
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Okay. Amen.
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That's a great title because I,
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you know, you have
some amazing stories,
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but I think
that's a wonderful title
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God picked just for you
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because I've always
seen that in your ministry.
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Amen. Pastor Kenny Shelton.
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Yeah.
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Good to be here as always,
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gonna be talking
about "Foundation."
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And so, as a carpenter,
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I always go back
to the foundation.
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Okay.
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And, Jill,
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what lists are you
going to be covering today?
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A few lists.
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My topic seems
similar to Pastor Johnny's,
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"Truth Lovingly Presented."
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Okay. Wow.
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So today, as you can
see, it's about attitude.
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Get your Bibles, enjoy
us, enjoy this time with us.
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And I know that
you're going to enjoy us too.
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I think I said it inadvertently.
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But I think
hopefully that's true,
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that you've enjoyed
what God has done through us.
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And, but before
we go any further,
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we'd like to invite the
Lord to be here with prayer.
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Jill, would you have
our prayer for us today?
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Holy Father, we come
before You in the name of Jesus.
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Grateful
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that You want to give
us the mind of Christ.
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Right now, as we
open up Your Word,
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would You open up our
minds and hearts to the power
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and anointing
of the Holy Spirit.
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In Jesus' name, amen.
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Amen. Amen.
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Thank you.
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Attitude is everything.
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Attitude is everything.
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You know, oftentimes we've said,
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it's not what you do,
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but it's the
attitude behind you doing it.
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Even Jesus says, God
loves a cheerful giver.
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So, attitude is
everything that we do.
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And that's why I'd like to begin
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with this
passage in 1 Peter 3:15.
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Let's look there together.
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As this lesson has been
wonderfully put together.
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Lesson number nine,
that means we have four left.
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That's right.
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And I hope you've been with all,
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with us throughout all of them,
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if not, thank you
for joining us today.
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But here's what the Bible says,
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"But sanctify the
Lord God in your hearts,
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and always be ready to
give a defense to everyone
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who asks you a reason
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for the hope that is in
you with meekness and fear."
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You know, I like that...
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I think the King
James Version says,
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"Always be ready
to give an answer."
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Okay, I like
answering in defense is nice,
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answer sounds less defense.
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It sounds
defensive, not defensive.
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But I understand what it means.
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In other words, be ready
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to give a reason for
the hope that is within you.
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And the reason should not be,
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well, what do you
think I believe that for.
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We should come across
with the right attitude.
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That's why it begins by saying,
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sanctify the Lord
God in your hearts.
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Why?
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Because out of the heart,
proceed the issues of life.
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Now think about the
people that live around you,
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and I just kind of do a
little indirect counseling,
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because whether you
are a Christian or not,
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if there's one thing you
notice about everything you do,
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is the attitude
by which it's done.
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I've heard some
people have asked
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for help some,
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sometimes a person
might ask for help.
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And I said, I don't
have time to help you,
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call somebody else,
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the attitude or
somebody might see you
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carrying groceries
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or they would help
you without even asking.
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And you'll say,
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well, what a nice
attitude that person had.
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Or somebody
might be checking you
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out of the grocery
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and you could see
them with the very...
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Doing like they
don't want to work things,
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you say, boy, what?
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They had a bad attitude today.
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If you start noticing
your world around you,
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so much has to do with attitude.
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And that's why
we're going to talk
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about this topic today.
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And we find a couple of examples
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how Pastor Finley
pointed out in the lesson.
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And I want to also add
there were other contributors,
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but Pastor Finley was
the chief main contributor.
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On Sabbath afternoon
we find these words here.
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It says the more we
studied Jesus' life,
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the more we
marvel at His ability
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to accept and affirm people.
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Although He
issued scathing rebukes
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to the religious
leaders of His day,
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He gladly received
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those who were
struggling with sin,
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plagued with guilt,
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and hopelessly condemned.
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His grace was for them.
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His mercy extended to
even the vilest sinners,
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the depth of His forgiveness
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was infinitely deeper
than the depth of their sin.
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His love knew no bounds.
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And I've often said
the only thing that is,
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is higher than
God's law is God's grace.
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When you look at the mercy seat,
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the mercy seat
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inside of the
Ark of the Covenant
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is the law of God,
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but above it is the mercy seat.
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The only thing
higher than God's law
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is His mercy.
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Praise the Lord for that.
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Let's go to John Chapter 4,
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and we're going to
answer the question,
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how does Jesus,
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Jesus' interaction
with a Samaritan woman
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demonstrate the truth
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that all sorts of
people are open to the gospel
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even in unexpected places?
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This is a beautiful story
because it brings out the fact
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that sometimes we
can be a hindrance
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to the gospel going forward.
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And as you look at the
developing of the story
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in John Chapter 4,
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I'm turning there.
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In John Chapter 4,
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Jesus had to send
His disciples away,
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because the disciples
had not yet been developed
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beyond their attitude.
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And you find a
number of instances
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in the scriptures
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where, you know, they say,
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well, don't cast the bread
of the children to the swine.
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And then also, when it
came to the Samaritans,
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even the woman at the
well communicated to Christ
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that you're a Jew,
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I'm a Samaritan,
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we don't have any
dealings with you.
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But let's look at verse 27.
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Let's look at verse 27.
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And the story,
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and the Bible
says, "And at this point,
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His disciples
came and they marveled
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that He talked with a woman
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yet no one said,
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'What do you seek
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or why are you
talking with her?'
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The woman then
left her water pot,
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went her way into the
city and said to the men,
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'Come see a man
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who told me all
things that I ever did,
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could this be the Christ.'
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Then they went out of
the city and came to Him.'"
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Now I want you
to notice something,
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the attitude that Jesus conveyed
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broke a cycle in her life.
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Now, I want to communicate this
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because there are
cycles in our lives
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that keep us bound.
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She came to that
well every day, every day.
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And she carried her water pot,
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which represents in
so many of our lives,
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the burden that
we carry every day.
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She was proud of the well.
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She said it
came from her father.
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And then when Jesus was trying
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to open up a
door to communicate,
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she focused on worship.
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She began to continue to
try to avert the conversation.
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But when the
Lord connected to her
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and this is a
very important aspect
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of the story.
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When she says,
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"Come see a man
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who told me all
things I ever did."
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Remember, the conversation began
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with Jesus saying,
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"Go get your husbands."
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And He said,
"You had five husbands
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and the one
you're with right now
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is not even yours."
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He became the
seventh man in her life.
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Nice.
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The seventh man in her life.
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When she found the
man that transforms,
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she left her water pot.
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Now this is important.
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The man that
transforms when she met Christ,
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she left her water pot,
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meaning I don't
need that water anymore.
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I found the real water. Amen.
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I don't need to go into a
well that's been sitting here
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for 1000 plus years.
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I found the living
water, she left her water pot.
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How beautiful it is
that we could help people
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lay down their burdens
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by the attitude
of our communication.
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Look at verses 39 to 42
in this very same story,
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and many of the Samaritans
of that city believed in Him.
00:10:02.00\00:10:05.47
Why?
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Because of the word of
the woman who testified,
00:10:06.87\00:10:10.14
using a symbolic comparison,
00:10:10.17\00:10:12.37
if the church would
testify about the man
00:10:12.41\00:10:14.98
that they met
named Jesus Christ,
00:10:15.01\00:10:17.31
how many people
will believe on Him?
00:10:17.35\00:10:20.58
The woman testifying.
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And it says, "He told
me all that I ever did."
00:10:22.28\00:10:25.59
So, when the
Samaritans had come to Him,
00:10:25.62\00:10:27.79
they urged him
to stay with them.
00:10:27.82\00:10:30.19
And He stayed there two
days, and many more believed,
00:10:30.23\00:10:34.83
because of his own word.
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First of all, they believe
because of the woman's word,
00:10:36.46\00:10:38.63
but the woman believed
because of His attitude.
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The attitude opened
the door to her heart,
00:10:41.27\00:10:43.44
and the door to her heart
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opened the door to
other people's hearts.
00:10:44.84\00:10:46.64
It makes all the difference.
00:10:46.68\00:10:48.01
You can mess up somebody's
day with your attitude,
00:10:48.04\00:10:50.21
or you can send them out
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going to work with
such a positive attitude.
00:10:51.68\00:10:53.72
I saw a story many years ago.
00:10:53.75\00:10:55.52
It's an illustration.
00:10:55.55\00:10:56.89
I may not remember
all the components,
00:10:56.92\00:10:58.25
but it was kind of like this.
00:10:58.29\00:10:59.62
You know, guy got angry,
00:10:59.65\00:11:01.42
here at the house
and kicked the dog,
00:11:01.46\00:11:03.86
got into a car accident.
00:11:03.89\00:11:05.73
You know, and I
remember one day leaving home
00:11:05.76\00:11:07.53
in New York City
00:11:07.56\00:11:08.90
when I was on
my way to the bank.
00:11:08.93\00:11:11.50
And there was a guy
00:11:11.53\00:11:13.80
that was walking with
a big German Shepherd dog
00:11:13.84\00:11:17.07
and it was not on a leash.
00:11:17.11\00:11:18.87
And it was raining.
00:11:18.91\00:11:20.24
And thankfully
that dog came after me.
00:11:20.28\00:11:22.08
I had a big golf umbrella,
00:11:22.11\00:11:23.85
and I put it down
to hold the dog back
00:11:23.88\00:11:25.98
until the owner got his dog.
00:11:26.01\00:11:27.45
I was so glad for
that big umbrella.
00:11:27.48\00:11:30.02
I was so angry, I said,
man, what else could happen?
00:11:30.05\00:11:33.79
I got arrested that day.
00:11:33.82\00:11:37.33
I'm on my way to
work, I got arrested,
00:11:37.36\00:11:39.73
falsely accused
by a police officer
00:11:39.76\00:11:42.16
in plain clothes.
00:11:42.20\00:11:45.73
Now I know you will
know the rest of the story,
00:11:45.77\00:11:47.27
I'll leave that anonymous.
00:11:47.30\00:11:48.94
But here's the point.
00:11:48.97\00:11:50.51
So here I am, I'm
on my way to work,
00:11:50.54\00:11:52.01
I end up in jail, get arrested,
00:11:52.04\00:11:54.08
falsely accused
and I was so angry.
00:11:54.11\00:11:56.91
I said to that officer,
00:11:56.95\00:11:58.78
"If I lose my job,
I'm coming after you."
00:11:58.81\00:12:01.05
I mean, I was not converted yet.
00:12:01.08\00:12:03.18
Come on now.
00:12:03.22\00:12:05.15
And I went to jail.
00:12:05.19\00:12:06.69
I'm supposed to go to,
I'm on my way to the bank,
00:12:06.72\00:12:11.06
end up in jail.
00:12:11.09\00:12:12.43
Oh, wow.
00:12:12.46\00:12:13.80
So, I stand before the judge,
he said, "Why are you here?"
00:12:13.83\00:12:16.67
I said, "This police
officer falsely accused me
00:12:16.70\00:12:20.24
of putting a ticket in a machine
00:12:20.27\00:12:22.67
when I bought a token."
00:12:22.70\00:12:24.34
The judge said,
"Can you prove that?"
00:12:24.37\00:12:25.71
I said, "Here's my
receipt and here's the change."
00:12:25.74\00:12:28.14
He said, "Go home."
00:12:28.18\00:12:29.84
Yeah.
00:12:29.88\00:12:31.21
The next week
00:12:31.25\00:12:32.58
that police was
on regular patrol,
00:12:32.61\00:12:34.18
he was no longer
in plain clothes.
00:12:34.22\00:12:36.02
Now I kind of felt satisfied
that was a bad attitude.
00:12:36.05\00:12:39.35
But the point of the matter is,
00:12:39.39\00:12:41.79
when I left my house
with the wrong attitude,
00:12:41.82\00:12:45.13
and I said what
else could happen,
00:12:45.16\00:12:47.26
it got worse.
00:12:47.30\00:12:49.00
So, we could determine
what happens in our day
00:12:49.03\00:12:51.07
just by our attitude.
00:12:51.10\00:12:52.87
Now please forget that story,
00:12:52.90\00:12:54.24
it's just for
illustration purposes,
00:12:54.27\00:12:56.44
but here's...
00:12:56.47\00:12:59.74
Here is something
that's very important.
00:12:59.77\00:13:01.91
Here is
something very important.
00:13:01.94\00:13:03.28
We must pray that
our attitudes are led
00:13:03.31\00:13:04.95
by God's Spirit.
00:13:04.98\00:13:06.31
Look at Romans
8:14, Romans 8:14,
00:13:06.35\00:13:09.48
and this is important.
00:13:09.52\00:13:11.45
"For as many as are
led by the Spirit of God,
00:13:11.49\00:13:15.26
these are sons of
God or children of God."
00:13:15.29\00:13:18.09
When we are led
by the Spirit of God,
00:13:18.13\00:13:20.10
our attitudes are transformed,
00:13:20.13\00:13:22.26
because the Spirit of God
00:13:22.30\00:13:23.73
activate the fruit
of the Spirit, right?
00:13:23.77\00:13:26.67
What's the fruit of the Spirit?
00:13:26.70\00:13:28.30
I think on couple
of our past lessons,
00:13:28.34\00:13:30.54
I think you were saying
that the fruit are evidence
00:13:30.57\00:13:33.27
not the gifts,
00:13:33.31\00:13:34.74
the fruit of the Spirit.
00:13:34.78\00:13:36.11
Here's the attitude fruits.
00:13:36.14\00:13:37.48
Love, joy, peace,
long suffering, gentleness,
00:13:37.51\00:13:40.65
meekness, patience.
00:13:40.68\00:13:42.02
Those are good fruits.
00:13:42.05\00:13:43.39
And by the way,
there are good attitudes,
00:13:43.42\00:13:45.02
by the way.
00:13:45.05\00:13:46.39
And the Bible also points out
00:13:46.42\00:13:47.76
the Spirit is the one
that can make a difference
00:13:47.79\00:13:49.99
in your life.
00:13:50.03\00:13:51.43
Ezekiel 36:26,
00:13:51.46\00:13:53.29
what promise have we been given
00:13:53.33\00:13:55.10
by the Spirit of God?
00:13:55.13\00:13:57.20
I will give you a new heart
00:13:57.23\00:14:01.40
and put a new
attitude within you.
00:14:01.44\00:14:04.01
The word there,
00:14:04.04\00:14:05.37
spirit means
disposition, attitude,
00:14:05.41\00:14:08.84
and put a new
attitude within you.
00:14:08.88\00:14:11.38
I will take the heart
of stone out of your flesh
00:14:11.41\00:14:14.25
and give you a heart of flesh.
00:14:14.28\00:14:16.99
When we have a heart of flesh.
00:14:17.02\00:14:19.02
Many, many years ago
there was a song came out,
00:14:19.05\00:14:20.96
well, Ryan, you may remember,
00:14:20.99\00:14:22.39
because you were just
shouting, I got a new attitude.
00:14:22.42\00:14:24.66
Oh, yeah.
00:14:24.69\00:14:26.03
Friends, what
many Christians need?
00:14:26.06\00:14:28.60
I'm not talking about worldlings
00:14:28.63\00:14:29.96
because there's
no need for them to,
00:14:30.00\00:14:32.17
there's no need to
look for the right attitude
00:14:32.20\00:14:34.37
in the life of someone
who doesn't know Jesus.
00:14:34.40\00:14:36.57
But if you know Jesus, today,
00:14:36.60\00:14:39.14
pray for God to
give you a new attitude.
00:14:39.17\00:14:42.21
Because it can be the reason
00:14:42.24\00:14:43.81
why somebody
who doesn't know Him
00:14:43.85\00:14:45.78
will find Him and
leave their water pot.
00:14:45.81\00:14:49.25
Man, I like it.
00:14:49.28\00:14:50.62
I like it, good
job. I appreciate that.
00:14:50.65\00:14:51.99
That was a blessing,
00:14:52.02\00:14:53.36
especially the
illustration, that was good.
00:14:53.39\00:14:54.72
Forget that.
00:14:54.76\00:14:56.09
You said forget it,
but I can't forget it.
00:14:56.12\00:14:57.46
That was too good.
00:14:57.49\00:14:59.16
Amen. It actually happened.
00:14:59.19\00:15:00.53
Yeah, I believe it.
00:15:00.56\00:15:02.10
Monday's lesson, "An
Attitude Adjustment."
00:15:02.13\00:15:05.83
Oh, this one was perfect for me.
00:15:05.87\00:15:07.24
I really,
really enjoyed this one
00:15:07.27\00:15:08.60
just because I have,
00:15:08.64\00:15:09.97
I have again
personally experienced myself
00:15:10.01\00:15:11.97
with how, you know,
00:15:12.01\00:15:13.78
I received many
attitude adjustments
00:15:13.81\00:15:15.84
growing up.
00:15:15.88\00:15:17.45
I've often told people
about the Day family household
00:15:17.48\00:15:20.78
and how my family,
00:15:20.82\00:15:22.15
my parents definitely
believed in not sparing the rod
00:15:22.18\00:15:25.95
so that the child
wouldn't be spoiled.
00:15:25.99\00:15:28.62
You know, we had a board
in our house that my mom,
00:15:28.66\00:15:31.06
mom used frequently
and they would remind us
00:15:31.09\00:15:33.09
that this is the
attitude adjustment.
00:15:33.13\00:15:34.93
And, you know,
00:15:34.96\00:15:36.30
I know people have
different parenting techniques
00:15:36.33\00:15:39.00
and theories of how to parent,
00:15:39.03\00:15:40.37
but I praise the Lord for
all of those butt whippings
00:15:40.40\00:15:42.87
that I got growing up
00:15:42.90\00:15:44.31
because they helped
adjust some attitude
00:15:44.34\00:15:46.71
that I needed
help with growing up.
00:15:46.74\00:15:49.08
And, but the beautiful thing
about this particular lesson
00:15:49.11\00:15:52.15
and the truth behind this
00:15:52.18\00:15:53.85
is that Jesus does not
force His kingdom upon us.
00:15:53.88\00:15:58.09
He does not
force His way upon us.
00:15:58.12\00:15:59.89
He's not going to
beat us into submission,
00:15:59.92\00:16:02.69
even though I did
wasn't beaten by my family.
00:16:02.72\00:16:04.86
I want to clarify that.
00:16:04.89\00:16:06.59
But it's interesting.
00:16:06.63\00:16:08.46
I just want to open up with this
00:16:08.50\00:16:09.83
because I thought
Pastor Mark Finley
00:16:09.86\00:16:11.33
did a wonderful job
00:16:11.37\00:16:12.70
in establishing
this particular lesson,
00:16:12.73\00:16:15.90
An Attitude Adjustment.
00:16:15.94\00:16:17.34
He says our attitudes
often determine our ability
00:16:17.37\00:16:20.58
to influence others.
00:16:20.61\00:16:22.31
A harsh, critical
and unfriendly attitude
00:16:22.34\00:16:24.91
is going to drive
people away from you.
00:16:24.95\00:16:27.12
And even if you
are able to witness,
00:16:27.15\00:16:29.38
get this, I love this.
00:16:29.42\00:16:30.75
Even if you are able
to witness your words,
00:16:30.79\00:16:33.42
no matter how truthful
00:16:33.46\00:16:34.92
are much less
likely to be received.
00:16:34.96\00:16:38.33
In contrast, a positive attitude
00:16:38.36\00:16:40.93
and a belief in
others draw them to us.
00:16:40.96\00:16:44.53
It creates a bond of
and here's the key word,
00:16:44.57\00:16:47.34
friendship.
00:16:47.37\00:16:48.74
Friendship evangelism,
00:16:48.77\00:16:50.21
I've always, I learned
that when I was at AFCO,
00:16:50.24\00:16:52.17
learning how to be a friend,
00:16:52.21\00:16:53.91
to befriend people in
order to lead them to Jesus.
00:16:53.94\00:16:56.64
You know, I remember, I,
00:16:56.68\00:16:58.01
not only did I receive
lots of attitude adjustments
00:16:58.05\00:17:00.12
growing up as a kid,
00:17:00.15\00:17:01.48
but God has had
to adjust my attitude
00:17:01.52\00:17:03.42
even in ministry over the years.
00:17:03.45\00:17:05.59
You know, I came on
00:17:05.62\00:17:06.96
as this fireball
excited about the truth
00:17:06.99\00:17:08.92
that I was learning.
00:17:08.96\00:17:10.29
And there was a time
00:17:10.33\00:17:11.66
when I had just freshly learned
the truth about the Sabbath.
00:17:11.69\00:17:14.63
It was like the light
bulb came up in my mind.
00:17:14.66\00:17:17.27
And I thought,
"Wow, this is so clear."
00:17:17.30\00:17:19.70
How can, and here's my thinking,
00:17:19.73\00:17:21.64
how can no one
see this in Scripture?
00:17:21.67\00:17:23.84
How are all these
people out here in the world,
00:17:23.87\00:17:26.04
not seeing the
plain truth of God's Word
00:17:26.07\00:17:28.38
as it's written right here.
00:17:28.41\00:17:29.74
And I almost had this
attitude with me like,
00:17:29.78\00:17:31.81
man, these people,
how can we be so ignorant?
00:17:31.85\00:17:34.35
You know, I kind
of had this attitude.
00:17:34.38\00:17:35.72
And I remember thinking,
00:17:35.75\00:17:37.09
I remember doing a
Bible study with this guy.
00:17:37.12\00:17:38.89
He rejected the Sabbath messages
00:17:38.92\00:17:40.36
I was sharing with him
and I remember saying to him,
00:17:40.39\00:17:42.29
you could not be a bigger idiot.
00:17:42.32\00:17:44.69
I remember saying that to him.
00:17:44.73\00:17:46.39
Do you think I won
that brother to Christ?
00:17:46.43\00:17:48.46
I wasn't bringing
him any closer to Jesus,
00:17:48.50\00:17:50.23
my attitude
00:17:50.27\00:17:51.60
as brother Mark
Finley said here,
00:17:51.63\00:17:53.10
it drove him away.
00:17:53.13\00:17:55.10
And so that's why
I love John 15:15.
00:17:55.14\00:17:58.81
And by the way,
00:17:58.84\00:18:00.18
if I offend anyone
by that word, idiot,
00:18:00.21\00:18:01.61
I know some
people don't like that,
00:18:01.64\00:18:02.98
that was illustration,
I said that to that guy.
00:18:03.01\00:18:05.08
And I feel I had to
repent later in life
00:18:05.11\00:18:07.15
and say, Lord,
forgive me for the attitude
00:18:07.18\00:18:09.18
that I used for people.
00:18:09.22\00:18:11.32
I drove a lot of
people away trying to witness
00:18:11.35\00:18:13.49
but I wasn't doing any good.
00:18:13.52\00:18:14.99
I was driving people away.
00:18:15.02\00:18:16.76
John 15:15, I love this.
00:18:16.79\00:18:18.79
Jesus said to His disciples,
00:18:18.83\00:18:20.20
"No longer do I
call you servants,
00:18:20.23\00:18:22.00
for a servant does not
know what his master is doing.
00:18:22.03\00:18:25.23
But I have called you
friends for all things
00:18:25.27\00:18:28.24
I heard from My Father,
00:18:28.27\00:18:30.31
I have made known to you."
00:18:30.34\00:18:32.24
Jesus considers everyone
00:18:32.27\00:18:33.78
He encounters as His friend
and He wants to befriend you.
00:18:33.81\00:18:37.45
He wants to share
the gospel with you
00:18:37.48\00:18:39.51
in such a way that He draws
you into a loving friendship.
00:18:39.55\00:18:43.12
Friends, accept one another
in spite of their weaknesses
00:18:43.15\00:18:47.36
and mistakes
00:18:47.39\00:18:48.72
and freely share
their joys and sorrows.
00:18:48.76\00:18:51.69
You know, I believe
00:18:51.73\00:18:53.06
that we probably need
some attitude adjustments
00:18:53.09\00:18:55.56
even in the church.
00:18:55.60\00:18:57.10
You know, I've come in
contact with many people
00:18:57.13\00:18:59.23
who are well advanced
00:18:59.27\00:19:01.40
even in their years
of service for the Lord,
00:19:01.44\00:19:03.87
but in the way that
they share the truth,
00:19:03.91\00:19:05.44
it doesn't make
me want to study.
00:19:05.47\00:19:07.51
You don't want
to study with them.
00:19:07.54\00:19:09.01
It doesn't make me
want to receive the message
00:19:09.04\00:19:11.68
that they're sharing with me
00:19:11.71\00:19:13.05
because in the way
that they are sharing it
00:19:13.08\00:19:14.92
in a very dogmatic
and very in your face way.
00:19:14.95\00:19:18.52
It's not done with
a loving, kind heart.
00:19:18.55\00:19:21.22
It's not done with
a passionate heart.
00:19:21.26\00:19:23.16
It's done with a very
critical and judgmental spirit.
00:19:23.19\00:19:25.86
And so, we can pray
right now for the church,
00:19:25.89\00:19:27.83
we need to be praying.
00:19:27.86\00:19:29.20
Lord, help Your church
have an attitude adjustment
00:19:29.23\00:19:31.07
because we certainly need that.
00:19:31.10\00:19:32.83
In this lesson, He
gives a couple of examples,
00:19:32.87\00:19:35.54
contrasting examples
here, because that one,
00:19:35.57\00:19:37.94
it seems like Jesus
is being a little harsh
00:19:37.97\00:19:41.38
with the person
that He's sharing with.
00:19:41.41\00:19:43.78
But yet, in the end,
00:19:43.81\00:19:45.51
He worked out for the good
00:19:45.55\00:19:46.98
because Jesus
actually was ministering
00:19:47.02\00:19:49.18
to this woman's needs.
00:19:49.22\00:19:50.55
And, of course, Pastor,
00:19:50.59\00:19:51.92
you referenced this
just few minutes ago,
00:19:51.95\00:19:53.29
and it's the story
of the Canaanite woman
00:19:53.32\00:19:55.72
in Matthew Chapter 15.
00:19:55.76\00:19:57.09
So, let's read
that really quickly.
00:19:57.13\00:19:58.46
I love this story
00:19:58.49\00:19:59.83
because Jesus ended
up using this situation
00:19:59.86\00:20:03.23
and addressing her in a way
00:20:03.26\00:20:04.60
because He was
helping to build her faith.
00:20:04.63\00:20:06.37
And that's
exactly what He got here.
00:20:06.40\00:20:08.00
Matthew 15:21-28.
00:20:08.04\00:20:10.81
It says "Then
Jesus went out from there
00:20:10.84\00:20:13.07
and departed to the
region of Tyre and Sidon,
00:20:13.11\00:20:15.64
and behold, a woman of Canaan
00:20:15.68\00:20:17.35
came from the region
and cried out to Him saying,
00:20:17.38\00:20:20.12
'Have mercy on me,
oh, Lord, son of David,
00:20:20.15\00:20:23.08
my daughter is
severely demon possessed.'
00:20:23.12\00:20:26.42
But He answered not a word.'"
00:20:26.45\00:20:28.96
It's almost as if
He just ignored it,
00:20:28.99\00:20:30.36
like I get to
talk with this woman.
00:20:30.39\00:20:31.73
But that's not
what was happening here.
00:20:31.76\00:20:33.63
Notice what He continues to say.
00:20:33.66\00:20:35.00
"And His disciples
came and urged Him saying,
00:20:35.03\00:20:37.03
'Send her away for
she cries out after us.'"
00:20:37.07\00:20:39.23
Well, His disciples
needed an attitude adjustment.
00:20:39.27\00:20:41.40
And we see that over
the period of three years
00:20:41.44\00:20:43.71
that they were with Christ.
00:20:43.74\00:20:45.07
You know, Jesus gave
them an attitude adjustment
00:20:45.11\00:20:46.91
a few times.
00:20:46.94\00:20:48.28
But notice verse 24,
00:20:48.31\00:20:50.55
"But He answered and said,
00:20:50.58\00:20:52.45
'I was not sick,
00:20:52.48\00:20:53.82
except to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel.'
00:20:53.85\00:20:56.62
Then she came and
worshipped Him saying,
00:20:56.65\00:20:58.25
'Lord, help me.'
00:20:58.29\00:20:59.89
But He answered and said,
00:20:59.92\00:21:01.26
'It is not good to
take the children's bread
00:21:01.29\00:21:03.26
and throw it to
the little dogs.'"
00:21:03.29\00:21:05.09
It almost makes it
sound like He's saying, yeah,
00:21:05.13\00:21:07.33
you're not
really, you're not really,
00:21:07.36\00:21:09.13
you know, worth my
time, you're kind of the dogs,
00:21:09.16\00:21:11.20
I'm not gonna
waste my time with you.
00:21:11.23\00:21:12.93
But notice what it says next.
00:21:12.97\00:21:15.74
"And she said, 'Yes, Lord,
00:21:15.77\00:21:17.41
yet even the
little dogs eat the crumbs
00:21:17.44\00:21:19.27
which fall from
the master's table.'"
00:21:19.31\00:21:21.94
And then I love Jesus' response.
00:21:21.98\00:21:23.75
"Then Jesus
answered and said to her,
00:21:23.78\00:21:25.18
'Oh, woman, great is your faith,
00:21:25.21\00:21:28.32
let it be to you as you desire.'
00:21:28.35\00:21:30.89
And her daughter was
healed that very hour.'"
00:21:30.92\00:21:33.32
I love the story
00:21:33.36\00:21:34.69
because it shows us that
Jesus intentionally refuses
00:21:34.72\00:21:38.59
this woman
00:21:38.63\00:21:39.96
so that as she
persists, as she persisted Him,
00:21:40.00\00:21:44.80
her faith grew.
00:21:44.83\00:21:46.23
And so, you know,
00:21:46.27\00:21:47.70
I personally would
probably not go out
00:21:47.74\00:21:49.70
and, you know,
refer to someone as dogs
00:21:49.74\00:21:51.71
or personally ignore them.
00:21:51.74\00:21:53.41
But Jesus knew the
heart and in this situation,
00:21:53.44\00:21:55.44
He set up a perfect situation,
00:21:55.48\00:21:57.28
to be able to witness to her
00:21:57.31\00:21:58.88
so that He could build her up.
00:21:58.91\00:22:01.28
And that's one of
the greatest things
00:22:01.32\00:22:02.65
about witnessing to people
00:22:02.68\00:22:04.02
is we need to put
ourselves in a situation
00:22:04.05\00:22:05.82
where when we're
witnessing to someone,
00:22:05.85\00:22:07.46
we're befriending
them, we're building them up,
00:22:07.49\00:22:09.62
not tearing them down,
00:22:09.66\00:22:10.99
not telling
them and showing them
00:22:11.03\00:22:12.36
about all they don't know,
00:22:12.39\00:22:13.73
and all
00:22:13.76\00:22:15.10
that they're going to
experience that it's bad,
00:22:15.13\00:22:16.46
on it we need to build them up.
00:22:16.50\00:22:17.83
We need to build their faith.
00:22:17.87\00:22:19.20
And that's exactly
what Jesus was doing here.
00:22:19.23\00:22:20.57
Another story, Mark 14:3-9.
00:22:20.60\00:22:24.97
This would be kind of in context
00:22:25.01\00:22:26.34
with Mary Magdalene
00:22:26.37\00:22:27.84
and the woman who
would come and pour out
00:22:27.88\00:22:30.11
the oil upon Jesus.
00:22:30.15\00:22:31.48
It says there in verse 3,
00:22:31.51\00:22:32.85
"And being in Bethany
00:22:32.88\00:22:34.22
at the house of
Simon the leper."
00:22:34.25\00:22:36.42
So, this is Mark 14:3-9.
00:22:36.45\00:22:39.65
It says, "And being in Bethany
00:22:39.69\00:22:41.32
at the house of Simon the leper,
00:22:41.36\00:22:42.99
as he sat at the table,
00:22:43.02\00:22:44.36
a woman came
having an alabaster flask
00:22:44.39\00:22:46.53
of very costly
oil of spikenard."
00:22:46.56\00:22:49.00
Is this spik-nerd or spikenard.
00:22:49.03\00:22:50.37
Spikenard. Spikenard.
00:22:50.40\00:22:51.73
"She broke the flask
and poured it on his head,
00:22:51.77\00:22:54.07
but there were some
00:22:54.10\00:22:55.44
who were indignant
among themselves and said,
00:22:55.47\00:22:58.07
'Why was this
fragrant oil wasted
00:22:58.11\00:23:00.68
for it might have been
sold for more than 300 denarii
00:23:00.71\00:23:04.15
and given to the poor,
00:23:04.18\00:23:06.15
and they criticized her sharply.
00:23:06.18\00:23:08.68
But Jesus said, 'Let her alone.
00:23:08.72\00:23:10.65
Why do you trouble her?
00:23:10.69\00:23:12.12
She has done a good work for me.
00:23:12.15\00:23:14.49
For you have the
poor with you always
00:23:14.52\00:23:17.23
and whenever you wish,
00:23:17.26\00:23:18.59
you may do them good,
00:23:18.63\00:23:20.26
but Me, you do
not always have.'"
00:23:20.30\00:23:22.56
I love this.
00:23:22.60\00:23:23.93
"She has done what she could.
00:23:23.97\00:23:26.63
She has come beforehand
to anoint my body for burial.
00:23:26.67\00:23:30.01
Assured that I say to you,
00:23:30.04\00:23:31.37
wherever this gospel is
preached in the whole world,
00:23:31.41\00:23:34.01
what this woman has done
00:23:34.04\00:23:35.48
will also be told
as a memorial to her."
00:23:35.51\00:23:38.21
And here we are
nearly 2000 years later,
00:23:38.25\00:23:40.45
we're still
talking about that woman,
00:23:40.48\00:23:41.98
Jesus was right,
00:23:42.02\00:23:43.35
you can imagine as
this woman walked in,
00:23:43.39\00:23:45.12
you know, a chief
of sinners in her eyes,
00:23:45.15\00:23:48.32
I'm sure.
00:23:48.36\00:23:49.69
The gasp in the
room as people were,
00:23:49.72\00:23:51.93
you know, what
is she doing here?
00:23:51.96\00:23:53.29
Right?
00:23:53.33\00:23:54.66
Oh, you know, look,
she was looked down upon
00:23:54.70\00:23:56.20
not welcomed amongst
certain social classes.
00:23:56.23\00:24:00.14
And while others were
quick to criticize her,
00:24:00.17\00:24:02.74
Jesus complements
her and commends her
00:24:02.77\00:24:06.04
for her form of worship.
00:24:06.07\00:24:07.81
You know, we must adopt
00:24:07.84\00:24:09.84
better methods
and better attitudes
00:24:09.88\00:24:11.45
if we're going to
reach people for Christ.
00:24:11.48\00:24:13.75
And I'm, you know,
Christ method alone.
00:24:13.78\00:24:16.55
Amen. That's what it said.
00:24:16.58\00:24:18.19
Christ method alone,
00:24:18.22\00:24:19.55
this is Ministry
of Healing, page 143.
00:24:19.59\00:24:21.59
"Christ method alone
will give true success
00:24:21.62\00:24:24.13
in reaching the people.
00:24:24.16\00:24:26.19
The Savior mingled with men
as one who desired their good.
00:24:26.23\00:24:30.27
He showed His sympathy for them,
00:24:30.30\00:24:32.37
ministered to their needs,
and won their confidence."
00:24:32.40\00:24:36.44
Now once He done
all that, once He,
00:24:36.47\00:24:39.04
you know, sympathize with
them, minister to their needs,
00:24:39.07\00:24:41.58
and won their
confidence then finally, Pastor,
00:24:41.61\00:24:45.45
He would bid them to follow Him.
00:24:45.48\00:24:46.82
That's what we have to do.
00:24:46.85\00:24:48.18
I run into people
all the time who say,
00:24:48.22\00:24:49.68
you know, I'm, I
gotta tell people this
00:24:49.72\00:24:52.02
they're doing this
wrong, they're doing that,
00:24:52.05\00:24:53.39
shouldn't be drinking coffee,
00:24:53.42\00:24:54.76
shouldn't be eating
pork, shouldn't be doing this.
00:24:54.79\00:24:56.12
But yet if we
would approach them,
00:24:56.16\00:24:57.49
win them,
00:24:57.53\00:24:58.86
you sympathize with
them and build them up,
00:24:58.89\00:25:02.16
you know, and then
bid them to follow us
00:25:02.20\00:25:04.27
once we've
gained their confidence.
00:25:04.30\00:25:05.67
That is Christ method alone
00:25:05.70\00:25:07.04
and that is a
winning attitude indeed.
00:25:07.07\00:25:09.24
Amen. Thank you, Ryan.
00:25:09.27\00:25:10.61
We appreciate that. Wow.
00:25:10.64\00:25:12.04
Two topics about attitude.
00:25:12.07\00:25:15.08
And so, we have
three more remaining,
00:25:15.11\00:25:17.68
so don't go away.
We'll be right back.
00:25:17.71\00:25:19.78
Ever wish you could watch
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School Panel again,
00:25:27.22\00:25:29.32
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00:25:42.07\00:25:45.47
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Welcome back
00:25:55.22\00:25:56.55
to our Sabbath
School Lesson Study
00:25:56.58\00:25:58.29
with 3ABN panel.
00:25:58.32\00:25:59.99
We had a wonderful
presentation with Pastor Ryan.
00:26:00.02\00:26:02.56
What was yours called?
00:26:02.59\00:26:04.13
An Attitude Adjustment.
00:26:04.16\00:26:05.49
An Attitude Adjustment.
00:26:05.53\00:26:06.86
We're going to go
from an Attitude Adjustment
00:26:06.90\00:26:08.23
to Presenting the Truth in Love,
00:26:08.26\00:26:10.23
Pastor Dinzey.
00:26:10.27\00:26:11.60
Thank you. I have
been blessed so far.
00:26:11.63\00:26:13.03
So, praise the Lord for that.
00:26:13.07\00:26:14.87
Yes, Tuesday's lesson is titled,
00:26:14.90\00:26:17.14
"Presenting the Truth in Love."
00:26:17.17\00:26:19.74
And I like to read
this opening remark here
00:26:19.77\00:26:22.38
in Tuesday's lesson
00:26:22.41\00:26:23.75
because it is
brought out very well.
00:26:23.78\00:26:26.45
Friendship alone does
not win people to Christ,
00:26:26.48\00:26:30.05
we might have many friends,
00:26:30.09\00:26:32.35
people we enjoy being with
and who enjoy being with us.
00:26:32.39\00:26:36.49
But if we never
tell them that Jesus,
00:26:36.52\00:26:38.96
what Jesus means to us
and how He changed our lives,
00:26:38.99\00:26:42.56
our friendship may
make a little eternal...
00:26:42.60\00:26:45.33
Our friendship may make
little eternal difference.
00:26:45.37\00:26:48.24
Sure, we might
be fun to be around.
00:26:48.27\00:26:51.17
But God calls us
00:26:51.21\00:26:52.54
to be more than
just fun to be around.
00:26:52.57\00:26:55.01
That's right.
00:26:55.04\00:26:56.38
So we must transition
be, not only to be friends,
00:26:56.41\00:27:01.18
but also to love them enough
to share the truth with them.
00:27:01.22\00:27:05.59
And, you know,
00:27:05.62\00:27:07.89
when we talk about
presenting the truth in love,
00:27:07.92\00:27:11.03
we have to
understand that Satan,
00:27:11.06\00:27:15.30
although the Bible mentions
that he is as a roaring lion
00:27:15.33\00:27:18.40
seeking who he may
devour, he's also very sneaky.
00:27:18.43\00:27:23.24
And when you are
sharing the truth with someone,
00:27:23.27\00:27:27.18
he may try to put
00:27:27.21\00:27:29.84
thought in the
minds of that person
00:27:29.88\00:27:31.31
to bring the conversation
00:27:31.35\00:27:33.92
into a discussion
almost to a fight.
00:27:33.95\00:27:37.29
So, we have to be
very, very careful.
00:27:37.32\00:27:39.35
And that's why we have to
heed the counsel of God's Word.
00:27:39.39\00:27:43.99
Ephesians 4:15, is
brought out in the lesson,
00:27:44.03\00:27:49.20
very well chosen scripture.
00:27:49.23\00:27:51.43
Notice what Paul
tells us in Ephesians 4:15."
00:27:51.47\00:27:55.84
But speaking the truth in love
00:27:55.87\00:27:59.41
may grow up into
him in all things,
00:27:59.44\00:28:03.24
which is the head, even Christ."
00:28:03.28\00:28:05.75
So, we should endeavor
00:28:05.78\00:28:08.08
to present the
truth in love with others,
00:28:08.12\00:28:12.25
and that will have a
greater impact upon people.
00:28:12.29\00:28:18.19
I would like to
share with you about Jesus.
00:28:18.23\00:28:21.20
This is the way
Jesus presented the truth.
00:28:21.23\00:28:24.83
In Gospel Workers
117, page 117 it says,
00:28:24.87\00:28:29.67
"In the work of soul winning,
00:28:29.70\00:28:31.97
great tact and
wisdom are needed.
00:28:32.01\00:28:35.24
The Savior never
suppressed the truth."
00:28:35.28\00:28:38.35
We have to present the truth,
00:28:38.38\00:28:40.12
the undiluted
message of God's Word.
00:28:40.15\00:28:43.18
It says, "He never
suppressed the truth,
00:28:43.22\00:28:45.52
but He ordered
it always in love.
00:28:45.55\00:28:48.29
In His interaction with others,
00:28:48.32\00:28:50.66
He exercised the greatest tact
00:28:50.69\00:28:52.96
and He was always
kind and thoughtful.
00:28:52.99\00:28:55.46
He was never rude,
00:28:55.50\00:28:56.83
never needlessly
spoke a severe word,
00:28:56.87\00:28:59.23
never gave unnecessary
pain to a sensitive soul.
00:28:59.27\00:29:02.37
He did not
censure human weakness.
00:29:02.40\00:29:04.74
He fearlessly
denounced hypocrisy
00:29:04.77\00:29:07.61
on belief and inequity
00:29:07.64\00:29:09.04
but tears were in His voice
00:29:09.08\00:29:10.98
as He uttered
His scathing rebukes.
00:29:11.01\00:29:14.02
He never made truth, cruel,
00:29:14.05\00:29:16.62
but ever manifested a
deep tenderness for humanity.
00:29:16.65\00:29:19.92
Every soul was
precious in His sight."
00:29:19.95\00:29:23.49
And so, we, by
God's grace should pray
00:29:23.53\00:29:25.79
for that love for others
00:29:25.83\00:29:27.96
that every soul is
precious in His sight.
00:29:28.00\00:29:31.50
I have heard some speakers
00:29:31.53\00:29:34.04
and it seems
like they even delight
00:29:34.07\00:29:36.67
in bringing out truth
00:29:36.71\00:29:39.81
in such a way to
make people sorry,
00:29:39.84\00:29:43.48
but to make people look stupid.
00:29:43.51\00:29:44.91
Well, can't you see the
truth that I'm sharing with you?
00:29:44.95\00:29:48.55
Are you that stupid, that dumb
00:29:48.58\00:29:50.89
that you can't understand
what I'm sharing with you?
00:29:50.92\00:29:53.02
Some people
present the truth that way
00:29:53.05\00:29:55.82
and unfortunately
00:29:55.86\00:29:58.39
will not reach the hearts
because you raise defense.
00:29:58.43\00:30:02.40
And throughout my time
on this sojourn of earth,
00:30:02.43\00:30:07.74
I've learned that sometimes
00:30:07.77\00:30:09.10
when you're
sharing truth with others,
00:30:09.14\00:30:10.71
you have to be
very, very careful
00:30:10.74\00:30:12.57
because when,
00:30:12.61\00:30:14.38
even when you're
sharing the truth,
00:30:14.41\00:30:16.91
and you're letting them know
00:30:16.95\00:30:18.28
that what you have
believed in for years
00:30:18.31\00:30:20.55
is error to some people,
00:30:20.58\00:30:23.12
their church, their
doctrine that they hold, dear.
00:30:23.15\00:30:25.39
It's like, you are
talking bad about my mother.
00:30:25.42\00:30:27.86
That's right.
00:30:27.89\00:30:29.22
So, I remember
when I was little.
00:30:29.26\00:30:32.26
If you wanted
to insult somebody,
00:30:32.29\00:30:34.26
you said something
bad about their mother,
00:30:34.30\00:30:36.43
even when I, that was
in Dominican Republic.
00:30:36.46\00:30:38.17
When I came to the US,
00:30:38.20\00:30:39.53
I said, well, they
have the same practice here.
00:30:39.57\00:30:41.94
You just insult their mothers
00:30:41.97\00:30:43.61
and all of a
sudden there is a fight.
00:30:43.64\00:30:45.57
And so, when you are sharing
the truth with other people,
00:30:45.61\00:30:48.31
bear in mind that to them,
00:30:48.34\00:30:50.11
they believe
what they understand
00:30:50.15\00:30:52.21
to be doctrine.
00:30:52.25\00:30:55.35
It's like, they love
this truth as their mother
00:30:55.38\00:30:58.45
and so if you tell
them this is wrong,
00:30:58.49\00:31:00.16
wait a minute,
00:31:00.19\00:31:01.52
you know,
they're ready to fight.
00:31:01.56\00:31:02.89
So, you have to
ask for God's grace.
00:31:02.92\00:31:06.29
Pray, pray for the Lord
to use you in such a way
00:31:06.33\00:31:10.07
that when you present the truth,
00:31:10.10\00:31:11.93
it is not like you're
coming with a bulldozer
00:31:11.97\00:31:14.34
to destroy things,
but to bring a flashlight,
00:31:14.37\00:31:18.01
a light that
will say, like a lamp.
00:31:18.04\00:31:20.98
I understand I was
wrong all these years.
00:31:21.01\00:31:24.61
And so, this is the way
00:31:24.65\00:31:26.21
that God wants us
to deal with people.
00:31:26.25\00:31:29.12
That's why we
have this principle
00:31:29.15\00:31:31.15
presented in Matthew 10:16.
00:31:31.19\00:31:35.42
Matthew Chapter 10,
verse, actually, yes, verse 16.
00:31:35.46\00:31:39.79
"Behold, I send you out
00:31:39.83\00:31:42.10
as sheep in the midst of wolves.
00:31:42.13\00:31:45.53
Therefore, be wise as
serpents and harmless as doves."
00:31:45.57\00:31:50.44
Notice, "You're as
sheep in the midst of wolves
00:31:50.47\00:31:54.31
but yet He wants you
to be wise as serpents
00:31:54.34\00:31:56.91
and harmless as doves,
00:31:56.95\00:31:58.41
presenting the truth in love."
00:31:58.45\00:32:02.42
And by this, you
will have greater success.
00:32:02.45\00:32:05.65
You're giving the Lord,
00:32:05.69\00:32:07.02
the Holy Spirit an
opportunity to soften the heart
00:32:07.06\00:32:10.63
and understand that
you care about them,
00:32:10.66\00:32:13.40
that you have
their salvation in mind,
00:32:13.43\00:32:17.17
their interest for eternal life
00:32:17.20\00:32:19.40
and their desire to
learn the truth of God's Word
00:32:19.43\00:32:22.70
in your heart.
00:32:22.74\00:32:24.07
And this is why you
are sharing with them,
00:32:24.11\00:32:25.44
you're not here
to tear them down
00:32:25.47\00:32:27.61
and destroy them
00:32:27.64\00:32:28.98
but to share with
them the wonderful light
00:32:29.01\00:32:32.08
that God has blessed you with.
00:32:32.11\00:32:35.88
So while there are some
00:32:35.92\00:32:37.52
who delight in
looking for things
00:32:37.55\00:32:39.35
that are wrong with
others, and sometimes, you know,
00:32:39.39\00:32:41.62
unfortunately,
some people as they see
00:32:41.66\00:32:45.19
they're having a
hard time getting through,
00:32:45.23\00:32:47.10
then they start to attack
00:32:47.13\00:32:48.46
the character of the individual,
00:32:48.50\00:32:50.03
and that becomes
also an obstacle,
00:32:50.07\00:32:52.57
a wall
00:32:52.60\00:32:53.94
that you are
unfortunately building up
00:32:53.97\00:32:56.30
to create an
obstacle for the person
00:32:56.34\00:32:58.11
to accept the truth.
00:32:58.14\00:32:59.47
So, tact must be exercised.
00:32:59.51\00:33:02.41
And in the
lesson, we have a quote
00:33:02.44\00:33:05.81
from Testimonies for the Church,
00:33:05.85\00:33:07.18
volume nine, page 189.
00:33:07.22\00:33:09.12
Pointing that out,
00:33:09.15\00:33:10.49
"If we would humble ourselves
00:33:10.52\00:33:12.95
before God and be kind,
00:33:12.99\00:33:15.09
and courteous and
tenderhearted and pitiful,
00:33:15.12\00:33:18.99
in other words, full of pity,
00:33:19.03\00:33:20.53
there will be 100
conversions to the truth
00:33:20.56\00:33:24.00
where now there is only one."
00:33:24.03\00:33:27.54
So, this is a principle
00:33:27.57\00:33:29.40
to bring into our
presenting of the truth.
00:33:29.44\00:33:33.68
And I see the time is escaping.
00:33:33.71\00:33:35.91
So now we have to select,
00:33:35.94\00:33:39.48
you know, there are
people that they think
00:33:39.51\00:33:42.52
that whenever
you're presented the truth
00:33:42.55\00:33:44.25
every time you
present the truth,
00:33:44.29\00:33:45.62
you have to cry
aloud and spare not, right?
00:33:45.65\00:33:47.62
You know, and so, this
is why I'm bringing to you
00:33:47.66\00:33:50.53
this quote from page 63,
00:33:50.56\00:33:52.79
Counsels to Writers and Editors.
00:33:52.83\00:33:54.56
It says, "It is true
00:33:54.60\00:33:56.10
that we are commanded
to cry aloud and spare not,
00:33:56.13\00:33:58.93
lift up thy voice like a trumpet
00:33:58.97\00:34:00.87
and show my people
their transgression,
00:34:00.90\00:34:03.17
and the house of
Jacob their sins."
00:34:03.20\00:34:05.11
Isaiah 58:1, "This
message must be given,
00:34:05.14\00:34:08.88
but while it must be given,
00:34:08.91\00:34:10.75
we should be
careful not to thrust
00:34:10.78\00:34:13.08
and crowd and condemn
00:34:13.11\00:34:14.62
those who have not
the light that we have."
00:34:14.65\00:34:17.79
So, there is a balance,
00:34:17.82\00:34:19.52
we have to ask
the Lord for wisdom
00:34:19.55\00:34:21.26
in presenting the truth.
00:34:21.29\00:34:22.92
Finally, I see that I have
time to share one more here
00:34:22.96\00:34:25.66
from Counsel to
Writers and Editors, page 58.
00:34:25.69\00:34:29.23
Notice, "What course
00:34:29.26\00:34:30.97
shall the
advocates of truth pursue.
00:34:31.00\00:34:33.97
They have the unchangeable,
eternal Word of God,
00:34:34.00\00:34:38.01
and they should reveal the fact
00:34:38.04\00:34:39.64
that they have the
truth as it is in Jesus.
00:34:39.67\00:34:43.14
Their words must
not be rugged and sharp,
00:34:43.18\00:34:46.28
in their presentation of truth
00:34:46.31\00:34:48.72
they must manifest
the love and meekness
00:34:48.75\00:34:52.32
and gentleness of Christ,
00:34:52.35\00:34:54.59
let the truth do the cutting.
00:34:54.62\00:34:57.49
The Word of God is as
a sharp two edged sword,
00:34:57.53\00:35:01.00
and will cut its way
to the heart surgically."
00:35:01.03\00:35:04.43
That's right.
00:35:04.47\00:35:05.80
"Those who know
that they have the truth,
00:35:05.83\00:35:08.40
truth should not by the use
of harsh and severe expressions
00:35:08.44\00:35:13.34
give Satan one chance to
misinterpret their spirit."
00:35:13.38\00:35:19.31
So, this is why
we should be careful
00:35:19.35\00:35:22.25
to present the truth in love
00:35:22.28\00:35:23.62
because as I said before,
00:35:23.65\00:35:25.15
Satan is seeking some way
to interrupt this opportunity
00:35:25.19\00:35:30.23
to share the truth
with people in such a way
00:35:30.26\00:35:33.60
that they would accept it.
00:35:33.63\00:35:34.96
So, when you know
that you're going to be
00:35:35.00\00:35:38.83
before someone
to share the truth.
00:35:38.87\00:35:41.64
I encourage you to
spend a lot of time in prayer,
00:35:41.67\00:35:45.57
asking for the Lord
00:35:45.61\00:35:47.01
to bless you
with the Holy Spirit
00:35:47.04\00:35:49.08
so that you will
present the truth in love
00:35:49.11\00:35:52.71
and that the Holy Spirit can
do the work of leading people
00:35:52.75\00:35:59.15
into the truth of God.
00:35:59.19\00:36:01.09
So, thank you
for this opportunity
00:36:01.12\00:36:04.53
to consider
these things and pray,
00:36:04.56\00:36:07.50
because the truth
must be made known
00:36:07.53\00:36:10.20
and it is high time
for God's people to study,
00:36:10.23\00:36:12.77
to show themselves,
approve them to God,
00:36:12.80\00:36:14.67
a workman that
need not be ashamed,
00:36:14.70\00:36:17.04
rightly dividing
the word of truth.
00:36:17.07\00:36:18.81
Amen. Amen.
00:36:18.84\00:36:20.18
Thank you for that.
00:36:20.21\00:36:21.54
I can do like my
mother used to say
00:36:21.58\00:36:22.91
after some time
hearing a message.
00:36:22.94\00:36:24.65
She used to say, son, thank you,
00:36:24.68\00:36:26.01
you stepped all over my toes.
00:36:26.05\00:36:27.58
So, every one of
those good points
00:36:27.62\00:36:29.08
which are true
00:36:29.12\00:36:31.35
I found that I've
failed many times,
00:36:31.39\00:36:33.19
in your experience,
00:36:33.22\00:36:34.56
where it's early in or
you know, continuing on,
00:36:34.59\00:36:37.69
it's like, you
know, maybe we failed.
00:36:37.73\00:36:40.46
And so, we want to read
these and by the grace of God,
00:36:40.50\00:36:42.86
we want to just continue to,
00:36:42.90\00:36:44.40
you know, to move
forward and say God,
00:36:44.43\00:36:45.93
by Your grace and strength,
we want to do the right thing.
00:36:45.97\00:36:48.24
Praise the Lord for that.
00:36:48.27\00:36:49.60
Wednesday's lesson,
"Foundation of Acceptance."
00:36:49.64\00:36:53.07
This was good for me also,
00:36:53.11\00:36:54.44
every lesson
seemed like good for me
00:36:54.48\00:36:55.81
and it kind of hit,
00:36:55.84\00:36:57.18
you know, my own personal life
00:36:57.21\00:36:58.55
and always go back to it
every time we talk about.
00:36:58.58\00:37:00.68
When you say a foundation,
00:37:00.72\00:37:02.05
I have to think
about the foundation
00:37:02.08\00:37:03.59
because, you know, a foundation,
00:37:03.62\00:37:06.65
when you put a foundation in,
00:37:06.69\00:37:08.02
you need to
consider where you're at.
00:37:08.06\00:37:10.83
But in this country,
let's say, if you're up north,
00:37:10.86\00:37:13.26
you're going to dig
the footings a lot deeper
00:37:13.29\00:37:15.76
because of the frost
line, you do not want to get,
00:37:15.80\00:37:19.50
you know, put
in a lesser vaults,
00:37:19.53\00:37:21.40
you know, this is deep enough
for a footing and foundation,
00:37:21.44\00:37:24.07
but you can take
into consideration
00:37:24.11\00:37:26.71
the freezing of the ground,
the freezing and the thawing.
00:37:26.74\00:37:29.71
And if your foundation
is not down deep enough,
00:37:29.74\00:37:32.88
when there's pressure
is applied as the earth,
00:37:32.91\00:37:34.82
you know, is
expanding and contracting,
00:37:34.85\00:37:36.58
it will push up that foundation
00:37:36.62\00:37:38.79
which will push
against the blocks
00:37:38.82\00:37:40.19
which will destroy
your house or your basement,
00:37:40.22\00:37:42.52
wherever it might be.
00:37:42.56\00:37:43.89
Very interesting.
00:37:43.93\00:37:45.26
So, you need to know
00:37:45.29\00:37:46.63
when you put in that foundation,
00:37:46.66\00:37:48.00
that number one when you
do it, it needs to be square.
00:37:48.03\00:37:50.63
You know, take your tape measure
00:37:50.67\00:37:52.27
and you make
sure that it's square,
00:37:52.30\00:37:54.17
foundation we had to
make sure it's square
00:37:54.20\00:37:56.40
as I squared up with Jesus
in the teaching of His Word.
00:37:56.44\00:37:59.51
Foundation needs to be level,
00:37:59.54\00:38:01.14
if your foundation is not level,
00:38:01.18\00:38:03.18
I think balance
was the word I like,
00:38:03.21\00:38:05.08
balance, there's a time,
00:38:05.11\00:38:06.58
there's a season for everything.
00:38:06.61\00:38:09.22
So, we need to balance
it with the Word of God.
00:38:09.25\00:38:12.05
Remember, if the
foundation is not level,
00:38:12.09\00:38:14.39
that means
00:38:14.42\00:38:15.76
you're not going to be balanced.
00:38:15.79\00:38:17.13
Everything that you
go to do is not level,
00:38:17.16\00:38:20.63
it's out of balance.
00:38:20.66\00:38:22.00
Because you know, you say,
00:38:22.03\00:38:23.37
well, I'm going to be
working up on the roof
00:38:23.40\00:38:24.73
regardless you
started down here.
00:38:24.77\00:38:26.10
Your house is going to be tilted
00:38:26.13\00:38:27.47
a little bit this way or that,
all the windows everything.
00:38:27.50\00:38:30.17
Is it okay I guess I remember
00:38:30.21\00:38:31.81
working on a
church many years ago
00:38:31.84\00:38:34.41
and a good block laid,
00:38:34.44\00:38:36.75
he laid the block on
the wrong side of the line.
00:38:36.78\00:38:39.75
The line was there,
think spiritually with me,
00:38:39.78\00:38:42.18
the line was there
00:38:42.22\00:38:43.55
but he accidentally
laid the 12-inch block
00:38:43.59\00:38:45.25
on the wrong side of
the line down on one end.
00:38:45.29\00:38:47.96
When he got done
00:38:47.99\00:38:49.32
when you went to
square this building,
00:38:49.36\00:38:50.69
which was like 48
by 80 some odd feet.
00:38:50.73\00:38:53.73
When he went to square
it was a foot out of square.
00:38:53.76\00:38:57.13
That simply mean
00:38:57.17\00:38:58.50
that everything
that we went to do
00:38:58.53\00:39:01.97
was not square,
00:39:02.00\00:39:03.34
was not, well, it's pretty level
00:39:03.37\00:39:04.97
but it wasn't square.
00:39:05.01\00:39:06.34
That mean every sheet
that you put on the floor,
00:39:06.37\00:39:08.94
plywood, it had to
be cut at an angle,
00:39:08.98\00:39:10.85
every sheet on the roof
00:39:10.88\00:39:12.38
had to be cut at
angles to get it to work
00:39:12.41\00:39:14.62
because
everything was out of square,
00:39:14.65\00:39:16.05
we need to be square with God.
00:39:16.08\00:39:17.65
Foundation, it's very important
00:39:17.69\00:39:19.02
to have a good
foundation, right?
00:39:19.05\00:39:20.39
And we're talking
about this foundation,
00:39:20.42\00:39:21.76
we're talking about
here must be relationship
00:39:21.79\00:39:24.03
that we have with God.
00:39:24.06\00:39:25.39
Our relationship
must be built on love,
00:39:25.43\00:39:27.43
I think it has been
brought out with each one
00:39:27.46\00:39:28.83
I'm thankful for that.
00:39:28.86\00:39:30.67
Love, the Bible says is
the fulfilling of the law.
00:39:30.70\00:39:33.54
Jesus sets the example for us.
00:39:33.57\00:39:36.17
You know, His love toward us
00:39:36.20\00:39:37.54
becomes the very
foundation of our acceptance
00:39:37.57\00:39:40.98
and our
forgiveness toward others.
00:39:41.01\00:39:43.35
You might not
think the foundation
00:39:43.38\00:39:45.15
or of acceptance is important,
00:39:45.18\00:39:47.05
I might say and
I hope we get to it
00:39:47.08\00:39:48.48
is we're talking
life and death issue here.
00:39:48.52\00:39:51.09
The way we accept people,
the way we deal with people.
00:39:51.12\00:39:54.42
You see, our eternal interest
certainly could ride on that
00:39:54.46\00:39:57.96
because we're
talking forgiveness here,
00:39:57.99\00:39:59.53
acceptance forgiveness.
00:39:59.56\00:40:00.90
Now foundation
built on what? Love.
00:40:00.93\00:40:03.40
1 Corinthians,
what is it, 13:13.
00:40:03.43\00:40:05.63
The Bible simply says,
00:40:05.67\00:40:07.00
"And now by faith, hope
00:40:07.04\00:40:08.37
and yeah, love charity,
00:40:08.40\00:40:10.81
you know, and of these three
00:40:10.84\00:40:12.17
the greatest is
charity or is love."
00:40:12.21\00:40:15.11
Romans 5:6, 8 says,
00:40:15.14\00:40:17.68
"For when we were
yet without strength,
00:40:17.71\00:40:20.48
when we were weak, right,
00:40:20.52\00:40:21.88
when we just,
00:40:21.92\00:40:23.25
you know, we without Him
00:40:23.28\00:40:24.62
in due time Christ
died for us or the ungodly."
00:40:24.65\00:40:28.82
Verse 8, in Romans 5:6, 8,
00:40:28.86\00:40:31.09
"But God commended
His love toward us,
00:40:31.13\00:40:33.60
praise God, that
while we were yet..."
00:40:33.63\00:40:35.80
Sinners.
00:40:35.83\00:40:37.17
Oh, so many
times you've read this
00:40:37.20\00:40:38.53
but yet it comes back every time
00:40:38.57\00:40:39.90
while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
00:40:39.93\00:40:42.94
Good news, I love good news.
00:40:42.97\00:40:44.57
John 6:37.
00:40:44.61\00:40:48.11
So Him that
cometh to Me, what is it?
00:40:48.14\00:40:50.25
I will in no wise cast out.
00:40:50.28\00:40:52.91
What a promise based
upon God's love for man.
00:40:52.95\00:40:58.42
And my Bible in 1 John 4:8 says,
00:40:58.45\00:41:00.52
God is what?
00:41:00.56\00:41:01.89
God is love.
00:41:01.92\00:41:03.26
This is the basis,
00:41:03.29\00:41:04.63
this is the
foundation of ministries,
00:41:04.66\00:41:06.23
outreach, everything that we do.
00:41:06.26\00:41:08.50
If it's not based
upon the love for God
00:41:08.53\00:41:10.57
and love for our fellowman,
00:41:10.60\00:41:11.93
where's it going to go?
00:41:11.97\00:41:13.37
It's doomed for failure.
00:41:13.40\00:41:15.14
We have to have
that love of God.
00:41:15.17\00:41:17.21
Little magazine called
The Youth Instructor 113,
00:41:17.24\00:41:21.31
1898 simply says this.
00:41:21.34\00:41:23.51
"Love is of a
heavenly attribute."
00:41:23.55\00:41:27.22
The world talks
about love today,
00:41:27.25\00:41:29.38
it's a whole different thing
00:41:29.42\00:41:30.75
than what heaven has to
do when we talk about love.
00:41:30.79\00:41:33.05
Where love exists,
00:41:33.09\00:41:34.42
there is power
and truth in the life.
00:41:34.46\00:41:38.49
I love this, love does nothing,
nothing but good, right?
00:41:38.53\00:41:45.23
Love does good
and nothing but good.
00:41:45.27\00:41:49.24
Those who had
been know have love,
00:41:49.27\00:41:51.64
they bear fruit and to holiness
00:41:51.67\00:41:53.58
and to the end everlasting life.
00:41:53.61\00:41:55.91
Romans 15:17.
00:41:55.94\00:41:57.35
Moving on quickly.
00:41:57.38\00:41:58.71
It also describes the
foundation of acceptance.
00:41:58.75\00:42:02.08
Wherefore receive you
one another, Romans 15:7.
00:42:02.12\00:42:05.09
You receive what?
00:42:05.12\00:42:06.45
One another as
Christ also did what?
00:42:06.49\00:42:09.49
Received us to the glory of God.
00:42:09.52\00:42:11.59
We have an obligation here,
00:42:11.63\00:42:13.16
we have to
receive others the way
00:42:13.19\00:42:14.53
that Christ receives me.
00:42:14.56\00:42:15.90
Why? Because I'm a sinner.
00:42:15.93\00:42:17.27
All right, we're
going to be saved,
00:42:17.30\00:42:18.63
be saved by the grace of God.
00:42:18.67\00:42:20.34
And it's not just well,
we've done things one time,
00:42:20.37\00:42:22.14
we may have done
things over and over and over.
00:42:22.17\00:42:24.47
Receive you one
another, God is merciful.
00:42:24.51\00:42:27.24
Again, this is a reason
00:42:27.28\00:42:28.61
that the Christians
are to receive others
00:42:28.64\00:42:30.95
is because of that love
that Christ has shown us.
00:42:30.98\00:42:34.82
Let's put this
principle in play.
00:42:34.85\00:42:36.32
This is a
principle here in play.
00:42:36.35\00:42:38.22
Can we possibly
ask this question,
00:42:38.25\00:42:40.02
could we do this?
00:42:40.06\00:42:41.39
Has God been good to me?
00:42:41.42\00:42:43.59
I've heard that beautiful
song, has God been good to me?
00:42:43.63\00:42:45.46
Yeah, well, okay, yes.
00:42:45.49\00:42:46.83
We say, yeah,
He's been good to me.
00:42:46.86\00:42:48.40
Then should we
not be good to others?
00:42:48.43\00:42:50.93
That's right. Yeah.
00:42:50.97\00:42:52.30
Has God supplied all my
needs as He's promised to do?
00:42:52.33\00:42:55.14
Yes, He has.
00:42:55.17\00:42:56.50
So, should we not
help others, right,
00:42:56.54\00:42:58.47
to meet their
needs that they have.
00:42:58.51\00:43:00.04
That's right.
00:43:00.08\00:43:01.41
You know, so we,
as God invited us
00:43:01.44\00:43:03.55
to be part of His family.
00:43:03.58\00:43:05.35
I like this, has God invited
us to be part of His family?
00:43:05.38\00:43:07.78
Absolutely.
00:43:07.82\00:43:09.15
How many have we
invited to become,
00:43:09.18\00:43:10.79
not only part of our
family but the family of God.
00:43:10.82\00:43:14.06
The invitation
who must be given,
00:43:14.09\00:43:15.72
God has certainly invited us
00:43:15.76\00:43:17.43
to give that invitation
to the world come unto me.
00:43:17.46\00:43:20.73
So our lesson makes this point,
00:43:20.76\00:43:22.10
I think very
clear about acceptance
00:43:22.13\00:43:23.97
of one another.
00:43:24.00\00:43:25.33
Because Christ has what?
00:43:25.37\00:43:26.87
He's forgiven, He's
accepted each one of us.
00:43:26.90\00:43:30.21
I think this was
brought out by someone else,
00:43:30.24\00:43:32.17
we can, how can
we possibly refuse
00:43:32.21\00:43:35.01
to forgive and
accept one another?
00:43:35.04\00:43:37.71
Again, in spite of their flaws.
00:43:37.75\00:43:41.62
I've heard people say,
no matter how long I live,
00:43:41.65\00:43:43.08
no matter what happens
00:43:43.12\00:43:44.45
is what I will not forgive them.
00:43:44.49\00:43:46.02
That's
dangerous, dangerous talk.
00:43:46.05\00:43:48.72
Eternal life,
00:43:48.76\00:43:50.09
we're going to
miss out on heaven,
00:43:50.13\00:43:51.46
we have to forgive as
Christ has forgiven us.
00:43:51.49\00:43:54.50
Our eternal
life depends upon it.
00:43:54.53\00:43:57.17
Peter came to Christ, you
remember this well, right,
00:43:57.20\00:43:58.83
Peter came to Christ
00:43:58.87\00:44:00.20
and how often shall my
brothers sin against me
00:44:00.24\00:44:02.14
and I, I forgive him.
00:44:02.17\00:44:03.71
Matthew 18, it
goes in there verse 21.
00:44:03.74\00:44:06.44
How often shall I give,
00:44:06.47\00:44:07.81
so, I guess Peter thought
he was really doing very well
00:44:07.84\00:44:10.15
because he had been
following around Jesus,
00:44:10.18\00:44:12.01
wasn't the rabbi,
said you do it three times.
00:44:12.05\00:44:14.48
You forgive them three times.
00:44:14.52\00:44:16.45
Peter went on.
00:44:16.48\00:44:17.82
So I'm gonna just double
this and I'm going to add one.
00:44:17.85\00:44:19.75
I'm going to be
doing and he said,
00:44:19.79\00:44:21.12
well, no, he said, well,
how about seven times, Lord.
00:44:21.16\00:44:23.36
And Jesus too
came to him and said,
00:44:23.39\00:44:25.23
oh, my never, principle,
00:44:25.26\00:44:27.23
never get weary of
forgiving your fellowman.
00:44:27.26\00:44:30.47
Jesus said 70
times 70, 490 offenses.
00:44:30.50\00:44:34.80
Now I must bring this out.
00:44:34.84\00:44:36.17
You thought back if you want to,
00:44:36.20\00:44:37.54
the 490 offenses
for the same cause.
00:44:37.57\00:44:43.41
Well, there's silence.
00:44:43.45\00:44:45.45
Think about it, 70 times 7.
00:44:45.48\00:44:47.58
We can't just say well,
00:44:47.62\00:44:48.95
for this amount
will go this far,
00:44:48.98\00:44:50.32
for this amount.
00:44:50.35\00:44:51.69
Now you think about
how forgiving that to be?
00:44:51.72\00:44:54.22
Well, I'm gonna
illustration here.
00:44:54.26\00:44:56.36
I definitely
don't want to do this.
00:44:56.39\00:44:57.73
But I didn't like what Ryan said
00:44:57.76\00:44:59.16
so, I mean, I was
got a little uptight.
00:44:59.19\00:45:00.60
So, when I walked
by, I slapped him,
00:45:00.63\00:45:03.57
didn't say punches, said slap.
00:45:03.60\00:45:05.20
Then I said, oh,
I came to my senses.
00:45:05.23\00:45:06.94
Which you didn't really do.
00:45:06.97\00:45:08.34
No, I didn't
really do, oh, no, my.
00:45:08.37\00:45:10.94
And I wouldn't want to do that.
00:45:10.97\00:45:12.47
Probably just
one way or the other.
00:45:12.51\00:45:14.08
Well, you might have
deserved it but still yeah.
00:45:14.11\00:45:17.08
We come right.
00:45:17.11\00:45:18.45
And I say quickly,
I come to my senses.
00:45:18.48\00:45:19.81
I lost my patience.
00:45:19.85\00:45:21.18
I said, Brother Ryan, I'm sorry.
00:45:21.22\00:45:23.99
You have big
heart. You love Jesus.
00:45:24.02\00:45:25.42
You said, okay,
Kenny, that's good.
00:45:25.45\00:45:27.36
Next day, we go
through the same thing.
00:45:27.39\00:45:28.79
I smack you again. Second time.
00:45:28.82\00:45:31.09
I'm saying, oh,
Ryan, I'm sorry, man,
00:45:31.13\00:45:33.33
I wish I hadn't done
that, please forgive me.
00:45:33.36\00:45:35.60
I don't know if
you'd be hesitate or not.
00:45:35.63\00:45:37.07
You'd say well, now
that's the second time.
00:45:37.10\00:45:39.47
What if I did it the
third time and the fourth time
00:45:39.50\00:45:40.84
and the fifth time,
00:45:40.87\00:45:42.20
the same thing and each time
00:45:42.24\00:45:43.57
pretty soon you
might begin to doubt that
00:45:43.61\00:45:44.94
I'm really sorry.
00:45:44.97\00:45:46.31
That's true.
00:45:46.34\00:45:47.68
But you know,
this is the challenge
00:45:47.71\00:45:49.04
is even if it's the same thing
over and over, you know why?
00:45:49.08\00:45:51.45
Because we have
done the same thing
00:45:51.48\00:45:54.68
over and over to Jesus.
00:45:54.72\00:45:57.55
And He has forgiven
us over and over and over
00:45:57.59\00:46:00.39
for the same offense.
00:46:00.42\00:46:01.76
Oh, mercy.
00:46:01.79\00:46:03.12
What mercy that is and
what a lesson I can learn,
00:46:03.16\00:46:06.33
you see by looking
at the life of Christ.
00:46:06.36\00:46:08.60
Seventy times seven.
00:46:08.63\00:46:11.27
And I might mention
this, you know that people say,
00:46:11.30\00:46:13.13
accept people as
they are, you do that,
00:46:13.17\00:46:15.20
you win them to Christ with love
00:46:15.24\00:46:16.57
that we were talking about.
00:46:16.60\00:46:17.94
But remember, you
accept them to Christ.
00:46:17.97\00:46:19.41
Somebody's out in the world
that haven't accepted Christ.
00:46:19.44\00:46:21.74
But there comes a time
you need to take the Bible.
00:46:21.78\00:46:23.91
You need to take the Scripture
and you sit down in love
00:46:23.95\00:46:26.01
after you won their,
00:46:26.05\00:46:27.38
you know, their
admiration and so on.
00:46:27.42\00:46:28.75
They know you love Jesus
and point out what truth is,
00:46:28.78\00:46:32.35
because that is real love.
00:46:32.39\00:46:35.02
If you love someone,
00:46:35.06\00:46:36.39
you're going to point out
00:46:36.42\00:46:37.76
which scripture after you've won
00:46:37.79\00:46:39.53
you see them over.
00:46:39.56\00:46:40.90
They know you love
Jesus and point them to Jesus.
00:46:40.93\00:46:44.53
I'm telling you,
that's what our mission is,
00:46:44.57\00:46:46.13
that's what our goal,
point people to Jesus.
00:46:46.17\00:46:47.87
Amen.
00:46:47.90\00:46:49.24
Thank you so much, Pastor Kenny,
00:46:49.27\00:46:50.77
what an incredible
lesson about forgiveness,
00:46:50.81\00:46:54.31
I'm going to be thinking
about that for quite a while,
00:46:54.34\00:46:56.41
that was really powerful.
00:46:56.44\00:46:58.58
Thursday's lesson we have
"Truth Lovingly Presented."
00:46:58.61\00:47:02.55
Now Pastor Johnny had,
presenting the truth in love.
00:47:02.58\00:47:06.45
And this is truth
lovingly presented.
00:47:06.49\00:47:09.42
The lesson says,
00:47:09.46\00:47:10.79
Jesus did not
neglect presenting truth
00:47:10.83\00:47:13.36
for love's sake
00:47:13.40\00:47:14.73
because that would
not have been love.
00:47:14.76\00:47:16.97
There is no conflict
between truth and love.
00:47:17.00\00:47:20.80
That's right.
00:47:20.84\00:47:22.17
Truth presented humbly
00:47:22.20\00:47:23.74
and kindly is a
statement of love.
00:47:23.77\00:47:26.78
The thing about what
Jesus said in John 14:6,
00:47:26.81\00:47:28.91
what did He say?
00:47:28.94\00:47:30.28
I am the way, the
truth and the life
00:47:30.31\00:47:33.48
but yet He also in 1
John, we read that God is love.
00:47:33.52\00:47:38.85
So, Jesus is truth,
but He is also love.
00:47:38.89\00:47:42.09
There is no conflict
between truth and love.
00:47:42.12\00:47:46.09
The lesson had a
wonderful statement,
00:47:46.13\00:47:47.66
which I want to read here,
00:47:47.70\00:47:49.03
and then we're
going to unpack it
00:47:49.06\00:47:50.40
for a moment.
00:47:50.43\00:47:51.77
It said, truth without
love leads to stifling legalism
00:47:51.80\00:47:57.21
which strangles spiritual life.
00:47:57.24\00:48:00.68
Love without truth
00:48:00.71\00:48:02.54
leads to
tolerant sentimentalism,
00:48:02.58\00:48:05.75
with no substance,
00:48:05.78\00:48:07.15
leaving an individual
adrift on a sea of uncertainty.
00:48:07.18\00:48:12.19
Truth presented in love
00:48:12.22\00:48:14.69
leads to an
authentic Christian experience
00:48:14.72\00:48:18.59
that provides
direction, peace and hope.
00:48:18.63\00:48:21.36
So, I want to
unpack that a moment.
00:48:21.40\00:48:22.90
We're going to start
with a legalistic side.
00:48:22.93\00:48:25.10
Truth without love
leads to stifling legalism
00:48:25.13\00:48:29.54
which strangles spiritual life.
00:48:29.57\00:48:32.47
So, what is legalism?
00:48:32.51\00:48:33.84
I'm going to give
you four definitions,
00:48:33.88\00:48:35.21
you can pick which one,
00:48:35.24\00:48:36.58
maybe they all could
apply in some matters.
00:48:36.61\00:48:39.21
Maybe there's
probably more as well.
00:48:39.25\00:48:41.18
Definition number one.
This is according to Jill.
00:48:41.22\00:48:44.05
Legalism is a strict adherence,
00:48:44.09\00:48:46.69
or the principle of
strict adherence to the law,
00:48:46.72\00:48:50.26
especially the letter of the law
00:48:50.29\00:48:52.29
versus the spirit of the law.
00:48:52.33\00:48:54.66
It's the doctrine,
here's the second definition,
00:48:54.70\00:48:56.80
it's the doctrine that
salvation can be gained
00:48:56.83\00:48:58.87
through works.
00:48:58.90\00:49:00.80
Third definition,
00:49:00.84\00:49:02.17
legalism is being a slave
to performance based religion.
00:49:02.20\00:49:07.34
Fourth definition,
00:49:07.38\00:49:08.71
legalism is not
pursuing the law,
00:49:08.74\00:49:10.85
it's pursuing the
law the wrong way.
00:49:10.88\00:49:14.88
Let's look at seven
signs of a legalist.
00:49:14.92\00:49:18.09
If you ever
wonder, am I a legalist?
00:49:18.12\00:49:21.16
I have to tell
you, I've probably seen
00:49:21.19\00:49:23.19
all seven of
these signs in my life
00:49:23.22\00:49:25.06
at one point or another.
00:49:25.09\00:49:26.53
And the Lord says,
Jill, I want to pour my grace
00:49:26.56\00:49:29.13
in your heart.
00:49:29.16\00:49:30.50
Sign number one,
lack of true joy.
00:49:30.53\00:49:33.90
Legalism kills joy in
the life of a Christian.
00:49:33.94\00:49:39.37
Sign number two.
00:49:39.41\00:49:40.98
Now this is deep, no
real victory over sin.
00:49:41.01\00:49:44.85
We might think a
legalist holds the law up
00:49:44.88\00:49:47.95
and so they would be
the ones upholding the law.
00:49:47.98\00:49:50.15
But the sign of a legalist
is no real victory over sin
00:49:50.19\00:49:53.82
because they try to be
good in their own strength,
00:49:53.86\00:49:57.19
but fail because
our righteousness
00:49:57.23\00:49:59.29
is as filthy rags.
00:49:59.33\00:50:01.26
Sign number three,
00:50:01.30\00:50:02.63
an unhealthy
performance orientation,
00:50:02.66\00:50:05.63
trying to somehow earn
or merit favor with God.
00:50:05.67\00:50:11.21
Sign number four, a critical,
00:50:11.24\00:50:13.21
unloving attitude toward others.
00:50:13.24\00:50:16.54
You see, if you
don't understand grace,
00:50:16.58\00:50:18.95
there's no way that
you can extend grace
00:50:18.98\00:50:21.82
to someone else.
00:50:21.85\00:50:23.18
Sign number five,
00:50:23.22\00:50:24.55
an obsessive focus
on outward standards.
00:50:24.59\00:50:27.72
This is what I call the
man-made religious code.
00:50:27.76\00:50:31.36
Sign number six,
bondage to religious tradition.
00:50:31.39\00:50:35.73
This is the way
we've always done it.
00:50:35.76\00:50:37.30
This is the way my mama
did it and grandma before that,
00:50:37.33\00:50:39.93
and this is the way I
was raised in the church.
00:50:39.97\00:50:41.90
This is the way we did it.
00:50:41.94\00:50:43.61
Bondage to tradition.
00:50:43.64\00:50:46.68
Sign number seven,
00:50:46.71\00:50:48.04
little or no
assurance of salvation.
00:50:48.08\00:50:52.78
Thinking, I'm not good
enough and I'm trying harder
00:50:52.81\00:50:56.18
and I don't know, am I
going to be saved or not?
00:50:56.22\00:50:59.39
Now, let's look at
the flip side of that.
00:50:59.42\00:51:01.39
Love without truth
00:51:01.42\00:51:02.92
leads to
tolerance sentimentalism,
00:51:02.96\00:51:05.59
with no substance,
00:51:05.63\00:51:07.53
leaving an individual adrift
on the sea of uncertainty.
00:51:07.56\00:51:11.73
So, what is this we
call it "love" in quotes,
00:51:11.77\00:51:14.07
this tolerant sentimentality.
00:51:14.10\00:51:16.40
Here's definitions,
tolerant sentimentality.
00:51:16.44\00:51:20.11
Number one, it's a
pseudo spirituality,
00:51:20.14\00:51:22.88
that clouds truth,
and it distorts reality.
00:51:22.91\00:51:26.92
That's right.
00:51:26.95\00:51:28.28
Definition number two,
00:51:28.32\00:51:29.65
it's an emotional idealism
00:51:29.68\00:51:32.02
resulting from feeling
rather than reason or thought,
00:51:32.05\00:51:36.42
having an excess of emotion
00:51:36.46\00:51:38.26
holding that
above the Word of God.
00:51:38.29\00:51:41.76
Definition number three,
00:51:41.80\00:51:43.37
tolerant sentimentality
is placing my emotions
00:51:43.40\00:51:46.43
and feelings as the standard
by which all other truth,
00:51:46.47\00:51:51.17
beliefs and
actions are measured.
00:51:51.21\00:51:54.11
Definition number four,
00:51:54.14\00:51:56.21
tolerant
sentimentality is not practicing
00:51:56.24\00:51:58.48
the love of Christ.
00:51:58.51\00:51:59.85
It is a false love
and a false emotion
00:51:59.88\00:52:02.82
that has nothing to do
00:52:02.85\00:52:04.19
with Christ
self-sacrificing love
00:52:04.22\00:52:07.29
and grace.
00:52:07.32\00:52:08.66
So what are the signs
if you fall into the camp
00:52:08.69\00:52:11.06
of a tolerant sentimentalist.
00:52:11.09\00:52:14.63
Six signs, number one,
00:52:14.66\00:52:16.67
holding your
emotions and feelings
00:52:16.70\00:52:19.43
above the Word of God,
00:52:19.47\00:52:21.44
saying if it feels right,
00:52:21.47\00:52:23.00
if this is the way I
feel, if this is what I think,
00:52:23.04\00:52:26.11
then surely that must be right.
00:52:26.14\00:52:28.64
And when someone presents,
00:52:28.68\00:52:30.01
you know, this is the
truth from the Word of God,
00:52:30.05\00:52:31.91
you say no, this
other feels better to me.
00:52:31.95\00:52:35.32
So, I'm going
to hold my feelings
00:52:35.35\00:52:37.22
about the Word of God.
00:52:37.25\00:52:38.59
Sign number two
is self deception,
00:52:38.62\00:52:41.82
no real
knowledge of self or sin.
00:52:41.86\00:52:44.83
It's the lack
of self-examination
00:52:44.86\00:52:46.96
in the light of the
truth of God's Word.
00:52:47.00\00:52:49.56
You know, the Word of God
says we are to examine ourselves
00:52:49.60\00:52:52.37
whether we are in the faith.
00:52:52.40\00:52:54.00
Yes.
00:52:54.04\00:52:55.37
Sign number three
00:52:55.40\00:52:56.74
is covering oneself
in one sins of slackness,
00:52:56.77\00:53:00.88
complacency, laziness,
00:53:00.91\00:53:03.61
pride and superiority
with a gauze of emotion
00:53:03.65\00:53:08.28
and supposed tolerance,
00:53:08.32\00:53:09.65
saying, okay,
00:53:09.68\00:53:11.02
I'm just being tolerant of this,
00:53:11.05\00:53:12.39
I'm being tolerant of that
00:53:12.42\00:53:13.96
when really it's my own laziness
00:53:13.99\00:53:15.66
or my complacency or
even my spirit of pride
00:53:15.69\00:53:18.39
or superiority.
00:53:18.43\00:53:19.96
Sign number four,
00:53:20.00\00:53:21.70
of someone who engages
00:53:21.73\00:53:23.16
in this tolerant sentimentality.
00:53:23.20\00:53:25.33
It's the spirit of pride
00:53:25.37\00:53:27.24
toward those who
still maintain righteousness
00:53:27.27\00:53:30.77
and the law
according to God's Word.
00:53:30.81\00:53:33.58
So, if you see someone
preaching truth in the law,
00:53:33.61\00:53:36.44
according to
God's Word, you say,
00:53:36.48\00:53:37.81
oh no, we're past that,
00:53:37.85\00:53:39.18
we're beyond that,
00:53:39.21\00:53:40.55
we just hold on to
this emotions, this love.
00:53:40.58\00:53:42.82
Sign number five,
00:53:42.85\00:53:44.19
holding to fleeting emotion
00:53:44.22\00:53:45.99
instead of the
genuine love and grace of God.
00:53:46.02\00:53:49.92
And sign number six,
00:53:49.96\00:53:51.29
blurring the lines
between truth and error,
00:53:51.33\00:53:54.23
covering everything
with what makes me feel good.
00:53:54.26\00:53:58.53
By contrast, the
truth presented in love
00:53:58.57\00:54:01.04
leads to an
authentic Christian experience
00:54:01.07\00:54:04.74
that provides
direction, peace and hope.
00:54:04.77\00:54:07.34
You see the Bible
always blends truth and love,
00:54:07.38\00:54:11.21
grace and law,
compassion and honesty
00:54:11.25\00:54:15.72
because Jesus is the
truth and He is also love.
00:54:15.75\00:54:20.42
So how do we
present the truth in love?
00:54:20.46\00:54:22.39
Here's five ways to
present the truth in love.
00:54:22.42\00:54:25.33
And we're going to
read our memory text.
00:54:25.36\00:54:27.00
1 Peter 3:15.
00:54:27.03\00:54:28.76
And the first three ways
I get from that one verse.
00:54:28.80\00:54:31.53
1 Peter 3:15, "But
sanctify the Lord God
00:54:31.57\00:54:34.94
in your hearts,
00:54:34.97\00:54:36.30
and always be ready
to give a defense, "
00:54:36.34\00:54:38.07
or as Pastor John said,
00:54:38.11\00:54:39.44
"an answer to
everyone who asks you a reason
00:54:39.47\00:54:42.14
for the hope that is in
you with meekness and fear."
00:54:42.18\00:54:46.21
Way number one, to
present the truth in love
00:54:46.25\00:54:48.62
is to allow God
to sanctify you first
00:54:48.65\00:54:52.05
before you attempt
to present the truth.
00:54:52.09\00:54:56.06
You know, many times we
attempt to present truth
00:54:56.09\00:54:58.06
without an attitude adjustment,
00:54:58.09\00:54:59.43
without knowing
Jesus for ourselves,
00:54:59.46\00:55:02.30
and we start to hit people
over the head with the truth,
00:55:02.33\00:55:05.47
without first being
sanctified by that truth.
00:55:05.50\00:55:10.71
1 Corinthians 9:27.
00:55:10.74\00:55:12.27
Paul says, I discipline my body,
00:55:12.31\00:55:14.54
and I bring it into subjection,
00:55:14.58\00:55:16.44
lest when I have
preached to others,
00:55:16.48\00:55:18.25
I myself would
become a castaway.
00:55:18.28\00:55:21.88
That verse is
really heavy to me.
00:55:21.92\00:55:24.52
Because at 3ABN, we
want to proclaim the truth,
00:55:24.55\00:55:27.79
we want to teach the truth,
00:55:27.82\00:55:29.82
but it's also vitally important
that we live the truth.
00:55:29.86\00:55:34.33
There we go. Amen.
00:55:34.36\00:55:35.70
Way number two to
present the truth in love
00:55:35.73\00:55:37.77
always be ready to share truth.
00:55:37.80\00:55:39.83
We already read that verse.
00:55:39.87\00:55:41.30
First, we need to be sanctified,
00:55:41.34\00:55:43.20
then we need to always be ready.
00:55:43.24\00:55:45.21
We need to be instant in
season and out of season,
00:55:45.24\00:55:48.44
always ready to share the truth.
00:55:48.48\00:55:50.28
Way number three,
00:55:50.31\00:55:51.65
share the truth
with humility and fear.
00:55:51.68\00:55:55.32
That was the same
verse, 1 Peter 3:15.
00:55:55.35\00:55:57.92
At the end of it, it
says always be ready to share.
00:55:57.95\00:56:00.89
And then it says
with meekness and fear.
00:56:00.92\00:56:03.63
It makes a difference
if we present truth with
00:56:03.66\00:56:05.59
arrogance and superiority
00:56:05.63\00:56:08.00
or if we present it
with meekness and fear.
00:56:08.03\00:56:12.57
Way number four,
00:56:12.60\00:56:13.94
speak the truth
boldly yet with patience.
00:56:13.97\00:56:17.74
2 Timothy 4:2,
00:56:17.77\00:56:19.17
Paul tells
Timothy, preach the word,
00:56:19.21\00:56:22.08
be instant in
season and out of season,
00:56:22.11\00:56:24.55
convince, rebuke, exhort
00:56:24.58\00:56:26.15
with all long
suffering and teaching.
00:56:26.18\00:56:28.22
So, we're bold in
what we preach and teach,
00:56:28.25\00:56:32.09
but we share it with patience.
00:56:32.12\00:56:34.32
And way number five is we tell
00:56:34.36\00:56:36.73
what we have
already experienced.
00:56:36.76\00:56:40.36
You see, you
can't present truth,
00:56:40.40\00:56:41.76
you can't present Jesus,
00:56:41.80\00:56:43.33
if you've never met
the Master for yourself.
00:56:43.37\00:56:47.70
Fall in love with Jesus,
00:56:47.74\00:56:49.30
and then you can
share Him with someone else.
00:56:49.34\00:56:51.47
That's right. Praise the Lord.
00:56:51.51\00:56:53.01
Brother Ryan, what do we have?
00:56:53.04\00:56:54.74
Yeah, I just want
to give 1 John 2:10,
00:56:54.78\00:56:58.21
"He who loves his
brother abides in the light
00:56:58.25\00:57:00.62
and there is no
cause for him to stumble."
00:57:00.65\00:57:03.49
Pastor Dinzey?
00:57:03.52\00:57:04.85
I would say pray
00:57:04.89\00:57:06.22
that as you
present the truth in love,
00:57:06.25\00:57:07.59
it will awaken love
for the truth in others.
00:57:07.62\00:57:09.66
That's right. Amen.
00:57:09.69\00:57:11.03
There's a thought here
Manuscript 339, 1911 says,
00:57:11.06\00:57:14.40
"It should be our aim to
bring all the pleasantness
00:57:14.43\00:57:16.73
possible into our lives
00:57:16.77\00:57:18.37
and do all the kindness
possible to those around us."
00:57:18.40\00:57:21.94
Okay. Amen.
00:57:21.97\00:57:23.54
It's difficult to share truth
if you have not allowed God
00:57:23.57\00:57:26.17
by the power of His
Spirit to change you.
00:57:26.21\00:57:28.11
So, open up your
heart to Him today.
00:57:28.14\00:57:30.01
Amen. And thank you all.
00:57:30.05\00:57:31.38
Jill, it was a
wonderful presentation.
00:57:31.41\00:57:32.88
And so was the case
with every one of you.
00:57:32.91\00:57:35.05
As you can see this whole thing,
00:57:35.08\00:57:37.39
the winning attitude
makes all the difference
00:57:37.42\00:57:39.82
in the way people hear Christ.
00:57:39.85\00:57:42.26
It's not enough to
say, we know of Him,
00:57:42.29\00:57:44.69
but it's important
for people to say that,
00:57:44.73\00:57:46.43
hey, you have been with Him.
00:57:46.46\00:57:48.43
And so, the Bible says
make sure as Peter did,
00:57:48.46\00:57:51.03
that you never call
anyone common or unclean
00:57:51.07\00:57:53.74
and you deal with everyone
as a candidate for the kingdom
00:57:53.77\00:57:57.01
because they have
found Christ in your life.
00:57:57.04\00:57:58.81
Our next study,
00:57:58.84\00:58:00.18
an exciting way to get involved.
00:58:00.21\00:58:02.38
See you then. Amen.
00:58:02.41\00:58:04.18