All of us at some
point have or will experience
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tough and trying times.
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Well, this week on
3ABN Sabbath School Panel,
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we're going to be taking
on Lesson Number 11 entitled:
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Managing Through Tough Times
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and, of course, we are
in our Quarterly entitled:
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Managing for the
Master Till He Comes
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and it's not too late
to get a copy of the Lesson
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and to study with us.
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There's a couple of
ways you can do that.
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You want to go to your local
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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I always encourage that
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because it's good to study with
friends and family members...
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in person with a
physical copy of the Lesson
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or you can go to
3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com
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and you can download
a digital copy for free.
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So, get your Bibles together,
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let's study together right
now as we make our way through
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this powerful Lesson.
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Music...
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Hello Friends, you
know where you're watching,
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you're watching
3ABN Sabbath School Panel
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and as always, we're thankful
that you're taking the time
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out of your busy day
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to join us during this
Sabbath School Study time
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because we're making our
way through... as we said...
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our Lesson on Managing
for the Master Till He Comes
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and this has... I
don't know about you guys...
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this has been an
incredible Lesson.
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You know, you would think
looking at a subject like this,
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it would be focused on tithe
and offering and some things
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that maybe some people
may not be interested in
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but this is actually
been an incredible Lesson
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and has just surprised me a lot
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and I don't say
that in a negative way,
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I say... just...
it's a wonderful thing
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so, praise God.
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So this week we're in
Lesson Number 11 entitled:
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Managing in Tough Times
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and, well, I'm going
to go ahead and introduce
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our Panel Members at this time.
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If you don't know them...
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someone may be
watching for the first time
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and they want to know who
this lady is to my left...
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Ms. Jill Morikone... it's always
a blessing to have you Sister.
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Jill: Thank you,
Ryan, glad to be here.
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On Monday we look at: Trust
God, Not Your Own Resources.
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Ryan: Awesome... okay.
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And to your left
is Pastor John Dinzey.
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Dinzey: It's a
blessing to be here as well.
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Tuesday... is what I have and
it's entitled: Time to Simplify?
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Ryan: All right, praise the Lord
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and, of course, next to
you is Ms. Shelley Quinn.
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Shelley: Always a joy... um...
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my Lesson for
Wednesday is: Priorities
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which is very
important in times of trouble.
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Ryan: All right, and of
course, last but not least...
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Pastor John Lomacang...
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always a blessing
to have you Brother.
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Lomacang: Mine is entitled:
When No One Can Buy or Sell.
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We're diving into
Daniel and Revelation.
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Ryan: All right.
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Lomacang:
Looking forward to that.
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Ryan: All right,
looking forward to that... yeah.
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All right, my Friends,
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well, I'm going to
read our Memory Text
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and then we're
going to have a prayer.
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Memory Text today
comes from Psalm chapter 50
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verses 14 and 15... reading
from the New King James Version.
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It says, "Offer
to God thanksgiving,
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and pay your
vows to the Most High.
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Call upon Me in
the day of trouble;
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I will deliver you,
and you shall glorify Me. "
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Powerful text
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and I'm going to
ask Ms. Shelley Quinn,
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if you wouldn't mind
having an opening prayer for us.
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Shelley:
Absolutely, "Heavenly Father,
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we come before You
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and we thank You Lord
that You are our shield
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and our
exceedingly great reward.
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We love You and we ask right now
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that Your Holy Spirit
would come be our Teacher...
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anoint our lips...
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anoint our ears and
help us to put into practice
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all that we learn.
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In Jesus' name, amen. "
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Panel: Hmmm...
Ryan: Hmmm... amen, amen.
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Sabbath afternoon's
Lesson brings out... it says,
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"Sometimes our world seems to
be spinning out of control... "
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ain't that the truth?
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Wars, bloodshed,
crime, immorality,
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natural disasters, pandemics,
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economic uncertainty,
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political corruption, and more.
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There is a strong urge
for individuals and families
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to think first of
their own survival.
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Accordingly, much thought
is given to seeking security
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in these uncertain times,
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which, of course,
is understandable.
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The toils of life do
take a lot of our daily focus.
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With debts to
pay... children to raise...
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property to maintain...
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it does take time and thought.
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And, of course, we do need
clothes and food and shelter.
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In the Sermon on the Mount,
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Jesus addresses these
basic needs and then stated,
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in Matthew chapter
6 verses 32 and 33,
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He says, "Your
heavenly Father knows
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that you need
all of these things.
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But seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness,
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and all these things
will be added to you. "
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And, of course,
amid trying times,
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when we need to lean on
the Lord more than ever,
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there are some concrete steps,
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based on biblical principles,
that we should follow
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and that basically
launches us into Sunday's Lesson
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where we're going to
be putting God first.
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That's the title
of Sunday's Lesson.
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Putting God First.
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I think that's the number
one thing we need to focus on
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as we're going
down in today's...
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each individual day
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and we're learning how
to manage in tough times.
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My Friends, one
of the worst mistakes
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that you could ever
make is: seek self-first.
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Many people do that
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and, of course, it
doesn't go over well for them.
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God is waiting for you earnestly
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to put Him first.
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And we learn some lessons from
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a powerful story
I've read many times
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found in 2nd Chronicles
chapter 20 verses 1 through 22,
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I hope we have time to
read this entire passage
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but there are so many
great lessons that we can learn
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from a very difficult and trying
time that the children of Israel
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were going through
under King Jehoshaphat
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and, of course,
this finds again...
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it finds us again in
2nd Chronicles chapter 20
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verse 1 through 22,
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let's go there,
we'll begin reading
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and then we'll
learn and pick apart this
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and bring about some lessons
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that we can learn
through this along the way.
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I'm going to read verse 1
of 2nd Chronicles chapter 20
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and it says, "It
happened after this
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that the people of Moab
with the people of Ammon,
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and others with them
besides the Ammonites,
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came to battle
against Jehoshaphat.
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Then some came and
told Jehoshaphat, saying,
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'A great multitude
is coming against you
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from beyond the sea, from Syria;
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and they are in Hazazon
Tamar' which is En Gedi.
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And Jehoshaphat feared,
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and set himself
to seek the Lord,
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and proclaimed a
fast throughout all Judah.
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So Judah gathered together
to ask help from the Lord;
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and from all the cities of Judah
they came to seek the Lord. "
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It is true that when you
start seeking the Lord...
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you start living for
God, it stirs up the enemy
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and he will do everything he can
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in bringing all of
your enemies against you.
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That's exactly what was
happening here to Jehoshaphat
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as he was called as
a king after Ahab...
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he was the one who
came in perhaps maybe
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the worst of all other kings...
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he had to clean up
what had happened in Israel,
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he tore down all
of the high places...
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he tore down all of
the altars of Baal...
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and he was trying to restore God
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or doing his part to restore
the commandments of the Lord
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and the work of God in Israel
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and in this case, the
enemy brought his enemies
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against him
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and so, he proclaimed a
fast throughout all Jerusalem
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and throughout all
the people there...
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they gathered together...
they sought the Lord together...
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and this brings us
to our first point:
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Don't make God your
second, third or last plan.
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Put Him first... okay, that's
the title of the Lesson, right?
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Put Him first.
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Many times when we
find ourselves in a trial...
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we find ourselves in
a difficult situation,
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the first thing for us to
do is to kick into panic mode
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and start figuring out
what we are going to do...
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how we're going
to aid or... or...
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or fix this problem ourselves
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when in reality, the
first thing we should do is say,
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"Lord, I don't
know what I'm doing
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and I don't trust
myself to do what is right
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in a situation, can
You come and help me, Lord?
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Can you be there for me?"
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And that's
exactly what happened.
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In this case, you know,
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we know that we
are not wrestling
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against flesh or blood,
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as Ephesians
chapter 6 verse 12 says,
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"but against
principalities, against powers,
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against the rulers of
the darkness of this age,
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against spiritual
hosts of wickedness
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in heavenly places. "
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So, the enemy will
do everything he can
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to wage a war against you
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to separate you from God...
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to keep you down...
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to keep you discouraged
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and, of course, ultimately
to sever you from the Lord.
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But, of course, you know,
when those times come upon us,
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we can learn from Jehoshaphat
and the people of Israel here.
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What did they do?
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Not only did they
come to the Lord and say,
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"Oh, God help us... "
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but they actually
proclaimed a fast...
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they humbled themselves in
the presence of their Lord.
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And this reminds me of
Luke chapter 5 verses 33 to 35,
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where Jesus, you
know, was being questioned
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by the disciples because
they came to Jesus and urged...
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not the
disciples... but the Pharisees
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and they came to Jesus and
the disciples and they said,
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"What are you
doing here? You're...
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You know, the disciples of
John the Baptist... they fast
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and... but Your disciples,
they just eat and drink
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and You don't say
anything to them... "
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and Jesus said to them,
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"Can you make the
friends of the bridegroom fast
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while the
bridegroom is with them?"
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And He says, "But
the days will come
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when the bridegroom
will be taken away from them;
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then they will
fast in those days. "
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My Friends, the enemy...
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the Spirit of God is being
withdrawn from this planet daily
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and we will find
ourselves in deeper and deeper
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spiritual warfare in
which there will come times
00:09:05.77\00:09:08.18
when we will indeed
have to humble ourselves
00:09:08.21\00:09:10.61
in God's presence
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and we will have to
fast and call out on the Lord
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that we might be
delivered from our enemies.
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We continue in our story,
00:09:17.12\00:09:18.95
verse 5 of 2nd
Chronicles chapter 20,
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it says, "Then Jehoshaphat
stood in the assembly of Judah
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and Jerusalem,
00:09:24.53\00:09:25.86
in the house of the
LORD, before the new court.
00:09:25.89\00:09:27.70
and said, 'O LORD
God of our fathers,
00:09:27.73\00:09:29.76
are You not God in heaven,
00:09:29.80\00:09:31.70
and do You not rule over
the kingdoms of the nations,
00:09:31.73\00:09:34.44
and in Your hand is
there not power and might,
00:09:34.47\00:09:37.01
so that no one is
able to withstand You?"
00:09:37.04\00:09:39.51
He says, "Are You not our God,
00:09:39.54\00:09:42.08
who drove out the
inhabitants of this land
00:09:42.14\00:09:44.25
before Your people Israel,
00:09:44.28\00:09:46.68
and gave it to the descendants
of Abraham Your friend forever?"
00:09:46.72\00:09:50.29
Notice how he's
bringing up Abraham...
00:09:50.32\00:09:52.22
he's reminding God of the
promise He made to His people.
00:09:52.25\00:09:54.96
"And they dwelt in it
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and have built You a sanctuary
in it for Your name, saying,
00:09:56.36\00:09:59.59
'If disaster comes upon us...
00:09:59.63\00:10:01.20
sword, judgment,
pestilence, or famine...
00:10:01.26\00:10:04.20
we will stand before
this temple in Your presence,
00:10:04.23\00:10:07.60
for Your name is in this temple,
00:10:07.64\00:10:09.94
and cry out to
You in our affliction,
00:10:09.97\00:10:12.44
and You will hear and save. '
00:10:12.47\00:10:14.51
And now, here
are Your people... "
00:10:14.54\00:10:16.41
excuse me... "Here are
the people of Ammon, Moab,
00:10:16.44\00:10:18.95
and Mount Seir...
00:10:18.98\00:10:20.32
whom You would
not let Israel invade
00:10:20.35\00:10:22.82
when they came out
of the land of Egypt,
00:10:22.85\00:10:25.25
but they turned from them
and did not destroy them...
00:10:25.29\00:10:27.89
here they are, rewarding us
00:10:27.92\00:10:29.86
by coming to throw us
out of Your possession
00:10:29.89\00:10:33.90
You gave us to inherit. "
00:10:33.93\00:10:35.73
And then in verse 12,
00:10:35.76\00:10:37.53
"O our God, will
You not judge them?
00:10:37.57\00:10:40.00
For we have no power
against this great multitude
00:10:40.04\00:10:42.87
that is coming against us;
00:10:42.90\00:10:44.47
nor do we know what to do,
00:10:44.54\00:10:46.57
but our eyes are upon You. "
00:10:46.61\00:10:48.58
I love this... you know what?
00:10:48.64\00:10:50.21
Point Number 2 here, I
just want to bring out...
00:10:50.25\00:10:51.81
there are a lot of lessons we
can glean from this big section
00:10:51.85\00:10:54.38
we read... but when you pray,
00:10:54.42\00:10:56.32
learn how to pray like
your life depends on it...
00:10:56.35\00:10:59.09
that's important...
each and every day...
00:10:59.15\00:11:00.79
you know what? Our
life does depend on it...
00:11:00.82\00:11:02.42
our lives depends on Him
00:11:02.46\00:11:04.03
and, of course, when you pray,
00:11:04.06\00:11:05.39
here's a powerful lesson...
00:11:05.43\00:11:06.76
pray the promises of God.
00:11:06.80\00:11:08.13
Panel: That's right.
00:11:08.16\00:11:09.50
Ryan: Remind God... not
that God needs reminding,
00:11:09.53\00:11:10.90
but remind God that
you know that He has...
00:11:10.93\00:11:13.37
He has blessed you and has
proclaimed promises over you
00:11:13.40\00:11:15.97
and that's exactly what
Jehoshaphat was doing here...
00:11:16.00\00:11:17.97
he was calling out to
the Lord and saying, "Lord,
00:11:18.01\00:11:19.97
You are the almighty...
00:11:20.01\00:11:21.34
You are the powerful One...
00:11:21.38\00:11:22.71
You gave us this land...
00:11:22.74\00:11:24.08
we are the
descendants of Abraham...
00:11:24.11\00:11:25.45
You promised
Abraham's descendants...
00:11:25.48\00:11:26.82
this land... and now our
enemies are coming against us,
00:11:26.85\00:11:28.78
God, we're depending on You
00:11:28.82\00:11:30.15
to deliver us
from this situation. "
00:11:30.19\00:11:31.62
And that's exactly
what ends up happening...
00:11:31.65\00:11:33.76
it goes on to say
in Samuel chapter...
00:11:33.82\00:11:35.86
and I'll just read this here,
2nd Samuel chapter 7 verse 25,
00:11:35.89\00:11:39.06
just reminds us that it's okay
to remind God of His promises
00:11:39.09\00:11:42.26
because even in 2nd
Samuel chapter 7 verse 25
00:11:42.30\00:11:44.93
David says, "Now, O LORD God,
00:11:44.97\00:11:46.30
the word which You have
spoken concerning Your servant
00:11:46.33\00:11:48.97
and concerning this house,
00:11:49.00\00:11:50.44
establish it forever
and do as You have said. "
00:11:50.47\00:11:54.51
I love that...
00:11:54.54\00:11:55.88
just reminding God that
we know Your Word, Lord,
00:11:55.91\00:11:57.68
and we're going to
hold You to Your Word
00:11:57.71\00:11:59.05
and He says, "All
right, I'm there for you. "
00:11:59.08\00:12:00.58
Point Number 3 here and I
just want to read verse 13
00:12:00.62\00:12:03.89
before I go to Point Number 3,
00:12:03.92\00:12:05.25
notice what verse 13
says in 2nd Chronicles 20.
00:12:05.29\00:12:08.06
It says, "Now all of
Judah with their little ones,
00:12:08.09\00:12:10.86
their wives, and their children
stood before the Lord. "
00:12:10.89\00:12:13.06
Point Number 3, this is crucial.
00:12:13.09\00:12:14.73
God wants a united front.
00:12:14.76\00:12:16.36
Panel: Yeah. Ryan:
God wants a united front.
00:12:16.40\00:12:18.43
He wants unity in faith.
00:12:18.47\00:12:20.24
You know what?
00:12:20.27\00:12:21.60
It's... God does hear the
prayers of the faithful few
00:12:21.64\00:12:24.27
but, oh, how much
more powerful it is
00:12:24.31\00:12:26.24
when God's people
are united together...
00:12:26.27\00:12:28.18
coming together in times of need
00:12:28.21\00:12:30.18
and times when we
were praying for each other
00:12:30.21\00:12:32.21
and we're there for each other
00:12:32.25\00:12:33.78
and we present ourselves
united before the Lord.
00:12:33.82\00:12:35.85
That's a very,
very powerful point.
00:12:35.88\00:12:37.52
Even Nineveh... this
reminded me of Nineveh.
00:12:37.59\00:12:39.55
When God proclaimed a
judgment against them,
00:12:39.62\00:12:41.69
every single person...
man, woman, and child...
00:12:41.72\00:12:43.76
they prayed with
sackcloth and ashes
00:12:43.79\00:12:45.66
and they humbled
themselves before God
00:12:45.69\00:12:47.90
united as a people
and God saved them.
00:12:47.93\00:12:49.93
Let's continue on to verse 14,
00:12:49.96\00:12:51.80
"Then the Spirit of
the LORD came upon Jahaziel
00:12:51.83\00:12:54.37
the son of Zechariah,
the son of Benaiah... "
00:12:54.40\00:12:56.91
and it goes on
down here verse 15
00:12:56.97\00:12:59.24
"And he said,
"Listen, all you of Judah
00:12:59.27\00:13:01.84
and you
inhabitants of Jerusalem,
00:13:01.88\00:13:03.21
and you, King Jehoshaphat!
00:13:03.24\00:13:04.88
Thus says the LORD to you... "
00:13:04.91\00:13:06.58
I only just... I
made a point here that
00:13:06.61\00:13:08.45
when we pray
according to His will,
00:13:08.48\00:13:10.15
God hears and will answer.
00:13:10.19\00:13:11.79
God does hear your prayer
00:13:11.82\00:13:13.36
and He will answer if you
pray according to His will
00:13:13.39\00:13:16.32
and you can read
1st John chapter 5
00:13:16.36\00:13:18.19
verses 14 and 15 for that.
00:13:18.23\00:13:19.76
But then, down here,
Point Number 5, I make,
00:13:19.79\00:13:22.83
Stop attempting to
defeat the enemy on your own...
00:13:22.86\00:13:25.67
it's not your fight...
00:13:25.70\00:13:27.04
and I love this
because if you read
00:13:27.07\00:13:28.57
and we don't have time to
finish reading all of this
00:13:28.60\00:13:30.27
but if you read on through here
00:13:30.31\00:13:31.94
all the way down to verse 19,
00:13:31.97\00:13:33.41
the prophet brings about...
00:13:33.48\00:13:34.81
he says, "You know what?
00:13:34.84\00:13:36.18
God has told you,
"this isn't your fight...
00:13:36.21\00:13:37.81
you just... you
position yourselves" He says,
00:13:37.85\00:13:39.68
there's a nice sermon
title: Position Yourselves...
00:13:39.88\00:13:42.15
he says, "Position yourselves...
00:13:42.18\00:13:43.55
stand and watch the Lord do
what He's going to do for you
00:13:43.59\00:13:47.36
in this day in delivering you. "
00:13:47.39\00:13:48.72
And, of course, Point Number 6,
00:13:48.76\00:13:50.09
Learning to
respond to God's goodness
00:13:50.13\00:13:51.86
with thanksgiving and praise.
00:13:51.89\00:13:53.23
When God did show up
and He did deliver them,
00:13:53.26\00:13:55.86
they sang praises to His name.
00:13:55.90\00:13:58.33
They recognized and humbled
themselves in recognizing
00:13:58.40\00:14:01.30
that God was
there for them because
00:14:01.34\00:14:03.04
and it all comes down to this...
00:14:03.07\00:14:04.74
they put Him first.
00:14:04.77\00:14:06.37
Panel: Amen.
00:14:06.41\00:14:07.74
Ryan: That's the lesson to
be learned from Sunday's Lesson.
00:14:07.78\00:14:09.64
Putting God first is essential
00:14:09.68\00:14:11.45
if we're going to
manage and make it through
00:14:11.51\00:14:13.72
these difficult
and trying times.
00:14:13.75\00:14:15.38
Panel: Amen...
00:14:15.42\00:14:16.75
Jill: Thank you so much,
Ryan, what a powerful lesson!
00:14:16.79\00:14:19.75
That is a king who is in
trouble but who sought the Lord.
00:14:19.82\00:14:23.22
My lesson is a king who
was not in so much trouble
00:14:23.26\00:14:27.60
but he did not seek the Lord
and it did not turn out well.
00:14:27.66\00:14:31.00
We're going to 1st Chronicles...
00:14:31.03\00:14:32.83
first of all, my
name is Jill Morikone.
00:14:32.87\00:14:34.84
On Monday's Lesson,
00:14:34.87\00:14:36.30
we look at: Trust God,
Not Your Own Resources.
00:14:36.34\00:14:40.08
We study the story of a
king... this is King David
00:14:40.11\00:14:43.81
who did not trust God.
00:14:43.85\00:14:45.38
He trusted his own resources.
00:14:45.41\00:14:47.82
We're going to 1st
Chronicles chapter 21...
00:14:47.85\00:14:50.35
1st Chronicles chapter 21
00:14:50.39\00:14:52.72
and this is the story of
David's numbering of Israel.
00:14:52.75\00:14:57.23
And thank you Shelley
for the lesson assignment.
00:14:57.26\00:15:01.00
Shelley always coordinates
the lesson assignments for us
00:15:01.03\00:15:03.63
and this one was one...
one I've read many times
00:15:03.67\00:15:06.80
but hadn't studied in
depth so, thank you for that.
00:15:06.84\00:15:09.60
We're looking at eight takeaways
00:15:09.64\00:15:12.67
from David's numbering of Israel
00:15:12.71\00:15:15.68
or eight lessons
that we can learn today.
00:15:15.71\00:15:18.18
We're in 1st Chronicles 21...
00:15:18.21\00:15:19.98
hopefully, we're going to
get through this whole passage,
00:15:20.02\00:15:22.08
verses 1 through 14.
00:15:22.12\00:15:23.79
Verse 1...
00:15:23.82\00:15:25.15
"Now Satan stood
up against Israel,
00:15:25.19\00:15:28.26
and moved David
to number Israel. "
00:15:28.29\00:15:31.83
Takeaway Number 1.
00:15:31.86\00:15:33.19
Be careful when you allow Satan
00:15:33.23\00:15:35.96
to influence your decisions.
00:15:36.03\00:15:39.17
It wasn't God who
was influencing David
00:15:39.20\00:15:43.27
to number Israel...
00:15:43.30\00:15:44.64
it was Satan who came
in with that temptation
00:15:44.67\00:15:49.48
to number Israel...
00:15:49.51\00:15:51.28
to not trust God but to
trust his own resources.
00:15:51.31\00:15:55.52
Be careful when you allow Satan
to influence those decisions
00:15:55.55\00:15:59.15
especially when you are
in Leadership like David was.
00:15:59.19\00:16:02.59
Proverbs 3:5 and 6...
00:16:02.62\00:16:04.26
we've quoted this
Proverb many times
00:16:04.29\00:16:06.93
on this Set this last quarter
but it's worth repeating again.
00:16:06.96\00:16:10.47
"Trust in the Lord... "
don't trust in yourself.
00:16:10.50\00:16:12.53
Don't trust in man...
00:16:12.57\00:16:13.90
trust in the Lord
with all your heart,
00:16:13.94\00:16:16.07
lean not on your
own understanding;
00:16:16.10\00:16:18.27
in all your
ways acknowledge Him,
00:16:18.31\00:16:20.64
and He will direct your paths. "
00:16:20.68\00:16:23.01
Look to God for guidance.
00:16:23.04\00:16:25.35
As Jehoshaphat said,
"Our eyes are upon You. "
00:16:25.41\00:16:28.65
Look to God for guidance...
00:16:28.68\00:16:30.32
not self and
certainly not Satan.
00:16:30.35\00:16:32.85
Let's go to Verse 2,
00:16:32.89\00:16:34.22
"So David said to Joab... "
that's his General of the armies
00:16:34.26\00:16:37.66
"David said to Joab and
the leaders of the people,
00:16:37.69\00:16:39.93
'Go, number Israel
from Beersheba to Dan,
00:16:39.96\00:16:43.26
and bring the number of
them to me that I may know it. "
00:16:43.30\00:16:47.24
Now, David's giving a command
00:16:47.27\00:16:49.04
that's showcasing
he's not trusting God.
00:16:49.07\00:16:52.57
He's also giving a command
00:16:52.61\00:16:54.21
that was directly
prompted by the enemy.
00:16:54.24\00:16:56.41
Wow! Verse 3,
00:16:56.44\00:16:58.25
"Joab answered, 'May the LORD
make His people a hundred times
00:16:58.31\00:17:01.48
more than they are.
00:17:01.52\00:17:02.85
But, my lord the king,
00:17:02.88\00:17:04.22
are they, not all
my lord's servants?
00:17:04.25\00:17:06.25
Why then does my
lord require this thing?
00:17:06.29\00:17:08.99
Why should this be a
cause of guilt in Israel?"
00:17:09.02\00:17:13.03
So, Joab is remonstrating
with the King saying, "Really?
00:17:13.06\00:17:16.46
Are you serious?
00:17:16.50\00:17:17.83
You want me to
go number Israel?"
00:17:17.87\00:17:20.40
Takeaway Number 2:
00:17:20.44\00:17:21.94
Be careful when
trusting in men and numbers
00:17:22.00\00:17:26.44
instead of trusting in God.
00:17:26.47\00:17:28.84
David... David chose
to trust in his men...
00:17:28.91\00:17:34.55
he chose to trust in the
military might of Israel.
00:17:34.58\00:17:38.35
Instead of relying
on God for protection.
00:17:38.39\00:17:41.86
Psalm 20 verse 7,
00:17:41.89\00:17:43.73
"Some trust in chariots,
00:17:43.76\00:17:45.69
and some in horses;
00:17:45.73\00:17:47.20
but we... we will remember
the name of the LORD our God. "
00:17:47.23\00:17:51.17
We will trust in God.
00:17:51.20\00:17:52.87
The next verse... verse 4,
00:17:52.90\00:17:54.67
Nevertheless, remember
Joab has just told the king,
00:17:54.70\00:17:58.24
"Are you serious?
00:17:58.27\00:17:59.61
Do you really
want me to do this?"
00:17:59.64\00:18:00.98
"Nevertheless, the king's
word prevailed against Joab.
00:18:01.01\00:18:03.81
Therefore Joab departed
00:18:03.85\00:18:05.31
and he went
throughout all Israel
00:18:05.35\00:18:07.92
and came to Jerusalem. "
00:18:07.95\00:18:10.25
Takeaway Number 3:
00:18:10.29\00:18:11.65
Be careful when you think you
know better than other people.
00:18:11.69\00:18:15.99
David went
against Godly counsel...
00:18:16.02\00:18:18.03
he went against
the counsel of his men.
00:18:18.06\00:18:20.00
He went in direct opposition
to what God had wanted.
00:18:20.03\00:18:24.47
I remember, I had a boss once
00:18:24.50\00:18:26.67
and I remember, one day him
slamming his fist on the table
00:18:26.70\00:18:30.87
and he said, "I
don't pay you to think,
00:18:30.91\00:18:33.41
I pay you to do what I say. "
00:18:33.44\00:18:35.01
Panel: Hmmm...
00:18:35.04\00:18:36.38
Jill: That's kind of
what David's doing here...
00:18:36.41\00:18:37.91
"Joab, I don't
care what you think...
00:18:37.95\00:18:39.28
Joab, I don't care
that you are against this...
00:18:39.31\00:18:41.35
I don't even care if
I'm going against God...
00:18:41.38\00:18:43.45
you're going to do what I say. "
00:18:43.49\00:18:45.15
So, Joab went out and
did what the king said.
00:18:45.19\00:18:47.99
Be careful when you think you
know better than other people.
00:18:48.02\00:18:51.86
When he numbered Israel,
00:18:51.89\00:18:53.53
he numbered all the
men of military age...
00:18:53.56\00:18:55.76
the men who could draw a sword.
00:18:55.80\00:18:58.13
According to 2nd Samuel 24...
00:18:58.17\00:19:00.44
this story is also
recorded in 2nd Samuel 24.
00:19:00.47\00:19:02.97
It took nine
months for the numbering
00:19:03.00\00:19:06.04
of the children of Israel.
00:19:06.07\00:19:07.48
That's a lot of time.
00:19:07.51\00:19:08.84
That's a lot of
resources involved.
00:19:08.88\00:19:10.98
Panel: That's right.
00:19:11.01\00:19:12.35
Jill: The number
that we are given here
00:19:12.38\00:19:14.28
in this account
in 1st Chronicles
00:19:14.32\00:19:15.98
is: 1.1 million men
00:19:16.02\00:19:19.05
and Judah had 470,000 men.
00:19:19.09\00:19:22.16
Now, it says...
the Bible's clear,
00:19:22.19\00:19:24.26
it did not include the
tribes of Levi and Benjamin.
00:19:24.29\00:19:26.80
Why is that?
00:19:26.83\00:19:28.16
Both tribes were exempted
00:19:28.20\00:19:30.10
because they were connected
with Israel's sanctuary.
00:19:30.13\00:19:32.60
The Levites
were exempted we know
00:19:32.63\00:19:34.57
from mandatory military service
00:19:34.60\00:19:36.50
as they guarded the temple
00:19:36.54\00:19:37.91
and they
maintained public worship.
00:19:37.94\00:19:40.11
And also in Benjamin,
there was a tabernacle located
00:19:40.14\00:19:43.35
in the city of Gibeon.
00:19:43.38\00:19:44.71
So, probably they had the
same exemption as the Levites.
00:19:44.75\00:19:48.18
We're going on to Verse 7,
00:19:48.22\00:19:50.39
1st Chronicles 21 verse 7,
00:19:50.42\00:19:52.49
"God was
displeased with this thing;
00:19:52.52\00:19:56.56
therefore He struck Israel. "
00:19:56.59\00:19:59.33
So, it took nine months for
this numbering to take place.
00:19:59.36\00:20:02.90
Joab comes back to
Jerusalem but God's displeased
00:20:02.93\00:20:06.74
because David had
gone against the Lord.
00:20:06.77\00:20:09.44
Takeaway 4:
00:20:09.50\00:20:10.84
Be careful of the
consequences of disobedience.
00:20:10.87\00:20:14.94
David was going to reap the
consequences of his decision
00:20:14.98\00:20:18.08
but not just David...
00:20:18.11\00:20:19.45
Israel was going to
reap the consequences
00:20:19.48\00:20:22.35
of the Leader's decision.
00:20:22.38\00:20:24.45
Galatians 6 verse 7,
00:20:24.49\00:20:26.32
it says, "Do not be deceived,
00:20:26.35\00:20:27.69
God is not mocked;
00:20:27.72\00:20:29.06
for whatever a man sows,
00:20:29.09\00:20:31.03
that will he also reap. "
00:20:31.06\00:20:33.23
Yes, there is repentance.
00:20:33.26\00:20:35.43
Yes, there is forgiveness.
00:20:35.46\00:20:37.53
Yes there is
restoration but we still see...
00:20:37.57\00:20:41.30
we see it time and time
again throughout the Word of God
00:20:41.34\00:20:44.47
the law of cause and effect...
00:20:44.51\00:20:46.57
the law of sowing and reaping
00:20:46.61\00:20:48.58
and that those consequences...
00:20:48.61\00:20:50.55
even though there
is forgiveness yes,
00:20:50.58\00:20:52.21
but those consequences...
many times we see still remain.
00:20:52.25\00:20:56.48
Let's look at verse
8, 1st Chronicles 21:8,
00:20:56.52\00:20:59.52
"And David said to God,
00:20:59.55\00:21:01.49
'I have sinned greatly... '"
00:21:01.52\00:21:03.29
here he's repenting.
00:21:03.32\00:21:04.66
"because I have done this thing;
00:21:04.69\00:21:06.46
but now, I pray, take away
the iniquity of Your servant,
00:21:06.49\00:21:09.30
for I have done
very foolishly. "
00:21:09.33\00:21:11.00
He says, "God, I'm sorry...
00:21:11.03\00:21:12.37
now I realize... I
recognize that I messed up. "
00:21:12.40\00:21:16.50
Takeaway 5:
00:21:16.54\00:21:17.87
Be willing to
confess your sin...
00:21:17.91\00:21:19.27
be willing to return to God.
00:21:19.31\00:21:22.24
You know, David sinned
greatly in his tenure as a king
00:21:22.28\00:21:27.62
but yet, he repented.
00:21:27.68\00:21:30.15
He sinned with the
numbering of Israel.
00:21:30.19\00:21:32.29
He also sinned with the
situation with Bathsheba
00:21:32.35\00:21:35.06
but yet he repented
00:21:35.09\00:21:37.76
and God later called him
a man after His own heart.
00:21:37.79\00:21:41.66
We see his
willingness to confess his sins
00:21:41.70\00:21:44.40
and his
willingness to return to God.
00:21:44.43\00:21:47.44
1st John 1:9... if we confess...
00:21:47.47\00:21:48.94
He is faithful
and just to forgive us
00:21:48.97\00:21:50.97
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
00:21:51.01\00:21:53.84
Now we see Gad which is David's
long-time friend and prophet
00:21:53.88\00:21:58.65
come to David,
00:21:58.71\00:22:00.05
we're in verse 9,
00:22:00.08\00:22:01.42
"The Lord spoke to Gad... "
00:22:01.45\00:22:02.78
and this is
David's Seer, saying:
00:22:02.82\00:22:04.82
"Go and tell David, saying,
00:22:04.85\00:22:06.86
'Thus says the LORD:
00:22:06.89\00:22:08.22
I offer you three things... '"
00:22:08.26\00:22:09.59
So, God gave David a choice
00:22:09.62\00:22:10.96
as to the consequence
he was going to have.
00:22:10.99\00:22:13.23
"I offer you three things;
choose one of them for yourself,
00:22:13.26\00:22:16.10
that I may do it to you. "
00:22:16.13\00:22:17.47
So Gad came to
David and said to him,
00:22:17.50\00:22:19.53
"Thus says the LORD:
00:22:19.57\00:22:20.90
'Choose for yourself... '"
00:22:20.94\00:22:22.27
Verse 12...
here's the three things.
00:22:22.30\00:22:23.91
"either three years of famine,
00:22:23.94\00:22:26.11
or three months to
be defeated by your foes
00:22:26.17\00:22:28.78
with the sword of your
enemies overtaking you,
00:22:28.81\00:22:32.11
or else for three days
the sword of the LORD...
00:22:32.15\00:22:35.45
the plague in the land,
00:22:35.48\00:22:36.89
with the angel of the LORD
00:22:36.92\00:22:38.29
destroying throughout
all the territory of Israel.
00:22:38.32\00:22:40.59
Now consider what
answer I should take back
00:22:40.62\00:22:42.82
to Him who sent me. "
00:22:42.86\00:22:44.19
Takeaway Number 6:
00:22:44.23\00:22:45.56
Be willing to accept the
consequences of your sin.
00:22:45.59\00:22:50.07
None of these
things were pleasant.
00:22:50.10\00:22:51.43
In fact, it's interesting...
00:22:51.47\00:22:52.83
all three of the
consequences mentioned here
00:22:52.87\00:22:55.04
are mentioned in the curses
in Deuteronomy chapter 28.
00:22:55.07\00:22:59.81
You know, the law of
blessing and cursing,
00:22:59.87\00:23:01.94
you can look that up...
00:23:01.98\00:23:03.31
all three of
those were mentioned.
00:23:03.35\00:23:04.68
Be willing to accept the
consequences of your sin.
00:23:04.71\00:23:07.75
Now, in verse 13,
David makes his decision:
00:23:07.78\00:23:10.55
And David said to Gad,
"I am in great distress.
00:23:10.59\00:23:13.19
Do not let me fall and...
00:23:13.22\00:23:15.32
Please let me fall
into the hand of the LORD,
00:23:15.36\00:23:18.59
for His mercies are very great;
00:23:18.63\00:23:20.16
but do not let me fall
into the hand of man. "
00:23:20.20\00:23:24.10
Takeaway Number 7:
00:23:24.13\00:23:26.10
Be willing to trust
God even in difficulty.
00:23:26.13\00:23:30.14
David is in great distress.
00:23:30.21\00:23:31.54
He recognizes
that he has sinned.
00:23:31.57\00:23:34.04
He has repented
00:23:34.08\00:23:35.41
but he still recognizes there
are consequences to that sin...
00:23:35.44\00:23:38.61
and yet, in the
midst of his trouble
00:23:38.65\00:23:40.78
in the midst of
his difficulty...
00:23:40.82\00:23:42.88
he's choosing to trust God.
00:23:42.92\00:23:45.29
He's saying, as it
were as Jehoshaphat said,
00:23:45.32\00:23:47.89
"Our eyes are upon you...
00:23:47.92\00:23:50.49
even though I made a mistake,
00:23:50.53\00:23:52.56
I am still trusting you in
the midst of this difficulty. "
00:23:52.59\00:23:56.53
Finally, verse 14...
00:23:56.56\00:23:58.80
the Lord sent a plague
00:23:58.83\00:24:01.07
because David
had made his choice
00:24:01.10\00:24:02.54
"I'd rather fall into
the hand of the Lord. "
00:24:02.57\00:24:04.34
"The LORD sent a
plague upon Israel,
00:24:04.37\00:24:06.34
and seventy thousand
men of Israel fell. "
00:24:06.37\00:24:10.11
Final takeaway Number 8:
00:24:10.15\00:24:12.45
Be careful because
your sin can affect others.
00:24:12.51\00:24:17.35
Seventy thousand
innocent men died
00:24:17.39\00:24:20.49
because of one man's mistake.
00:24:20.52\00:24:22.62
Yes, there is forgiveness...
00:24:22.66\00:24:24.69
yes there is repentance
00:24:24.76\00:24:26.73
but there are still
consequences to sin.
00:24:26.76\00:24:29.56
Ryan: Hmmm... wow!
00:24:29.60\00:24:30.93
thank you so much, Jill,
for that powerful lesson.
00:24:30.97\00:24:33.20
All right, my Friends, we're
going to take a short break...
00:24:33.23\00:24:35.60
don't go anywhere,
we'll be right back.
00:24:35.64\00:24:37.54
Music...
00:24:37.57\00:24:44.05
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Ryan: Hello Friends,
00:25:13.24\00:25:14.91
welcome back to 3ABN
Sabbath School Panel.
00:25:14.94\00:25:17.25
We're going to pass it
on to Pastor John Dinzey
00:25:17.28\00:25:19.98
for Tuesday's Lesson.
00:25:20.02\00:25:21.35
Dinzey: Thank you very much,
00:25:21.38\00:25:22.72
you know the
title for this lesson
00:25:22.75\00:25:24.09
is in the form of a question,
it's: Time to Simplify?
00:25:24.12\00:25:27.32
And I'd like to read the
opening paragraph of this Lesson
00:25:27.36\00:25:31.09
that is there.
00:25:31.13\00:25:32.56
It says, "What should
Seventh-day Adventist Christians
00:25:32.59\00:25:35.73
do in response
to difficult times?
00:25:35.76\00:25:37.87
Do we hunker down
in a survival mode?
00:25:37.93\00:25:40.67
No, in fact, just
the opposite is true.
00:25:40.70\00:25:43.24
Because we know
that the end of the world
00:25:43.27\00:25:45.57
and the second
coming of Christ is near,
00:25:45.61\00:25:47.84
and we want to use our assets
to tell others the good news
00:25:47.88\00:25:51.55
of the gospel
00:25:51.58\00:25:52.91
and what God has
prepared for those who love Him.
00:25:52.95\00:25:55.68
Also, we
understand that someday soon,
00:25:55.75\00:25:59.15
everything on
earth will be burned up
00:25:59.19\00:26:02.56
and this is why we go
to 2nd Peter chapter 3
00:26:02.59\00:26:06.49
beginning in verse 3.
00:26:06.53\00:26:08.36
Notice verse 3,
00:26:08.40\00:26:11.07
"Knowing this first:
00:26:11.10\00:26:12.43
that scoffers will
come in the last days,
00:26:12.47\00:26:15.47
walking according
to their own lusts... "
00:26:15.50\00:26:18.24
I'll stop there
for a moment because
00:26:18.27\00:26:20.91
the way they express
themselves... it's...
00:26:20.98\00:26:24.18
apparently, they hear the gospel
00:26:24.21\00:26:26.92
or were part of those
that believed in the gospel
00:26:26.98\00:26:30.59
but now, notice
how they are talking
00:26:30.65\00:26:33.12
and say, "Where is
the promise of His coming?
00:26:33.15\00:26:36.52
For since the
fathers fell asleep,
00:26:36.56\00:26:39.23
all things continue as they were
00:26:39.26\00:26:41.63
from the
beginning of creation. "
00:26:41.66\00:26:44.07
These apparently are believers
00:26:44.10\00:26:46.43
because they are
mentioning creation.
00:26:46.47\00:26:48.34
And notice that
00:26:48.37\00:26:49.70
they are not walking according
to the ways of the Lord...
00:26:49.74\00:26:52.51
they're not walking in the
light as God is in the light,
00:26:52.57\00:26:55.41
they are walking in darkness
00:26:55.44\00:26:56.78
because it says,
00:26:56.81\00:26:58.15
"They are walking according
to their own lusts... "
00:26:58.18\00:27:00.22
They are living like the world.
00:27:00.25\00:27:02.45
No interest in Godly things
00:27:02.48\00:27:05.25
and they also have the
opportunity for salvation
00:27:05.29\00:27:08.92
but they are paying
attention more to the things
00:27:08.96\00:27:12.56
of the world.
00:27:12.59\00:27:13.93
You know, in
Matthew chapter 24 verse 44,
00:27:13.96\00:27:17.43
we are told,
"Therefore you also be ready,
00:27:17.47\00:27:21.10
for the Son of Man is coming
00:27:21.14\00:27:23.54
at an hour you do not expect. "
00:27:23.61\00:27:25.71
You know, we hear these verses
00:27:25.77\00:27:27.61
and sometimes we
kind of dismiss them.
00:27:27.64\00:27:29.14
"Oh yes, the Lord will come
as a thief in the night... "
00:27:29.18\00:27:31.21
I understand that...
00:27:31.25\00:27:32.58
but we are supposed to be ready
00:27:32.61\00:27:34.68
and the unbelievers
don't know when Jesus is coming
00:27:34.72\00:27:38.52
and the believers do not
know when Jesus is coming...
00:27:38.55\00:27:42.32
we do not know...
00:27:42.36\00:27:43.69
we are told to
watch and be ready.
00:27:43.73\00:27:46.90
We now move to verse 5, it says,
00:27:46.93\00:27:50.50
"For... " the scoffers...
00:27:50.53\00:27:51.87
"For they... this
willfully forget... "
00:27:51.90\00:27:54.20
they make a decision...
00:27:54.24\00:27:55.57
"this they willfully
forget that by the Word of God,
00:27:55.60\00:27:59.57
the heavens were of old,
00:27:59.61\00:28:01.88
and the earth
standing out of the water
00:28:01.94\00:28:03.61
and in the water,
00:28:03.65\00:28:04.98
by which the world
that then existed perished,
00:28:05.01\00:28:07.68
being flooded with water.
00:28:07.75\00:28:09.75
But the heavens and the earth
00:28:09.78\00:28:11.32
which are now preserved...
00:28:11.35\00:28:12.85
But the heavens and the earth
00:28:12.89\00:28:14.36
which are now
preserved by the same word,
00:28:14.39\00:28:16.83
are reserved for fire
00:28:16.89\00:28:18.86
until the day of judgment
and perdition of ungodly men. "
00:28:18.89\00:28:24.00
In the time of Noah,
00:28:24.03\00:28:26.57
he preached for about 120 years
00:28:26.63\00:28:30.01
and interestingly enough,
00:28:30.04\00:28:32.34
the people of Noah's day
00:28:32.37\00:28:34.54
even saw the
animals going into the ark.
00:28:34.58\00:28:37.01
It was not something they
had ever seen in their lives
00:28:37.05\00:28:40.68
but even this did not
awaken them to the reality
00:28:40.72\00:28:44.35
that the flood was coming.
00:28:44.39\00:28:46.76
Did they know when
the flood was coming? No.
00:28:46.79\00:28:48.72
Likewise, we do not
know when the Lord is coming.
00:28:48.76\00:28:51.89
But... like they were told to
get ready and get into the ark,
00:28:51.93\00:28:56.56
we are told to be ready
for when the Lord comes.
00:28:56.63\00:29:00.27
They had an
opportunity to get into the ark
00:29:00.30\00:29:03.20
and some people
put these things off...
00:29:03.24\00:29:05.77
they waited till
the last moment...
00:29:05.81\00:29:08.28
and, of course, it was too
late because the door was shut.
00:29:08.31\00:29:12.41
Likewise, we are living
in the time of the end...
00:29:12.48\00:29:15.38
the time will come
when the Lord will pronounce
00:29:15.42\00:29:18.09
that which is found
in Revelation chapter 22
00:29:18.15\00:29:20.76
that says, "He that is unjust,
let him be unjust still...
00:29:20.79\00:29:24.06
and he that is filthy,
let him be filthy still:
00:29:24.09\00:29:26.06
and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still... "
00:29:26.09\00:29:29.46
so, the time is coming,
00:29:29.50\00:29:31.63
when the time of opportunity
00:29:31.67\00:29:34.34
that we call the
close of probation will come
00:29:34.37\00:29:36.60
and then no one
else will be able
00:29:36.64\00:29:40.11
to accept Jesus Christ
00:29:40.14\00:29:41.48
and the reality of this as well,
00:29:41.51\00:29:43.24
is that God has done the
work through His children
00:29:43.28\00:29:46.78
preaching the
gospel to the whole world
00:29:46.82\00:29:49.35
and people like the scoffers
00:29:49.38\00:29:51.32
take the position... "Where
is the promise of His coming?"
00:29:51.35\00:29:54.39
They do not see the signs
00:29:54.42\00:29:56.69
because the signs are
occurring, they're taking place
00:29:56.73\00:29:59.56
but they do not pay
attention to these signs...
00:29:59.59\00:30:02.10
they take place and they go
on walking after their lusts
00:30:02.13\00:30:07.30
but, we know... as
we... as we just read
00:30:07.34\00:30:11.34
that these things that we see...
00:30:11.37\00:30:14.24
they are reserved for
fire until the day of judgment
00:30:14.28\00:30:17.91
and perdition of ungodly men.
00:30:17.95\00:30:20.05
Verse 8,
00:30:20.08\00:30:21.42
"But, beloved, do not
forget this one thing,
00:30:21.45\00:30:23.49
that with the Lord one
day is as a thousand years,
00:30:23.52\00:30:27.79
and a thousand years as a day. "
00:30:27.82\00:30:29.79
Beautiful to understand
00:30:29.82\00:30:31.89
is that the Lord is not
slack concerning His promise.
00:30:31.96\00:30:35.66
"But... " as some
count slackness, it says,
00:30:35.70\00:30:39.17
"But is longsuffering... "
00:30:39.20\00:30:40.84
He is patient with us.
00:30:40.87\00:30:42.47
Long-suffering...
00:30:42.50\00:30:44.27
"not willing
that any should perish
00:30:44.31\00:30:46.81
but that all should
come to repentance. "
00:30:46.84\00:30:49.28
All can come to repentance
00:30:49.31\00:30:51.65
but not all come to repentance.
00:30:51.68\00:30:54.08
They all have the opportunity
00:30:54.12\00:30:56.45
but they do not take
advantage of the opportunity
00:30:56.48\00:30:59.39
and I am glad
and praise the Lord
00:30:59.42\00:31:02.52
that the door of
mercy is still open today
00:31:02.56\00:31:04.69
and I encourage you that if
you're not walking in the light
00:31:04.73\00:31:08.00
as God is in the light,
00:31:08.03\00:31:09.66
it's time to ask
yourself, "What am I doing?
00:31:09.70\00:31:14.74
Where is this going to take me?
00:31:14.77\00:31:17.54
Is it going to take me
to salvation or destruction
00:31:17.57\00:31:22.41
so that I will be
burned up with the earth
00:31:22.44\00:31:24.75
when it is burned up?"
00:31:24.78\00:31:26.11
It's time to ask yourself...
"What should I be doing?"
00:31:26.15\00:31:31.59
I encourage you to give yourself
to the Lord and be ready...
00:31:31.65\00:31:35.89
take part in
spreading the gospel...
00:31:35.92\00:31:38.06
use your means to
spread the gospel.
00:31:38.09\00:31:40.16
Let's continue in verse 12,
00:31:40.20\00:31:42.10
"Looking for and hastening
the coming of the day of God,
00:31:42.13\00:31:47.47
because of which the heavens
will be dissolved, being on
00:31:47.50\00:31:51.07
fire, and the elements
will melt with fervent heat?"
00:31:51.11\00:31:53.38
This is the question...
00:31:53.41\00:31:54.74
now notice the thought of
this is in the first part...
00:31:54.78\00:31:58.31
"Looking for and hastening the
coming of the day of God... "
00:31:58.35\00:32:02.15
You know, we are told
in Matthew 24 verse 14
00:32:02.18\00:32:05.12
that this gospel of the kingdom
00:32:05.15\00:32:07.29
shall be
preached in all the world
00:32:07.32\00:32:09.42
for a witness unto all nations
00:32:09.46\00:32:10.89
and then the end shall come. "
00:32:10.93\00:32:12.76
We can participate in
that and it appears to say here
00:32:12.79\00:32:16.46
that we can take
part in bringing that day
00:32:16.53\00:32:18.83
a little quicker.
00:32:18.87\00:32:20.54
Wouldn't that be wonderful?
00:32:20.60\00:32:21.94
You know, some
people think it has...
00:32:21.97\00:32:24.74
it has... it should
have taken a long...
00:32:24.77\00:32:27.51
place a long time ago
00:32:27.54\00:32:28.88
but we have the
opportunity today
00:32:28.91\00:32:30.95
and let's take
the opportunity...
00:32:30.98\00:32:33.25
do what you can while you can
00:32:33.28\00:32:35.55
with what you have.
00:32:35.58\00:32:36.92
And so, I take you now to
1st Thessalonians chapter 5
00:32:36.95\00:32:40.39
and we're going to
look at verses 2 through 4,
00:32:40.42\00:32:43.99
"For you
yourselves know perfectly
00:32:44.03\00:32:45.93
that the day of the Lord so
comes as a thief in the night.
00:32:45.96\00:32:48.66
For when they say,
00:32:48.70\00:32:51.17
'Peace and safety!'
00:32:51.20\00:32:53.60
then sudden
destruction comes upon them,
00:32:53.64\00:32:55.47
as labor pains
upon a pregnant woman.
00:32:55.50\00:32:58.31
And they shall not escape. "
00:32:58.37\00:33:00.28
There will be no escape.
00:33:00.34\00:33:02.24
Pause...
00:33:02.28\00:33:03.81
The only
solution is Jesus Christ.
00:33:03.85\00:33:06.15
Panel: Yes.
00:33:06.18\00:33:07.52
Dinzey: But... look in verse 4,
00:33:07.55\00:33:08.88
"But you, brethren,
are not in darkness,
00:33:08.92\00:33:11.65
so that this Day should
overtake you as a thief. "
00:33:11.69\00:33:15.36
Praise the Lord.
00:33:15.39\00:33:16.73
Those that are following the
Lord and walking in the light...
00:33:16.76\00:33:19.26
they are not
going to be surprised...
00:33:19.29\00:33:21.10
they are going to be glad...
00:33:21.13\00:33:22.73
"This is the day we waited for
00:33:22.76\00:33:24.27
and the Lord has
come to save us. "
00:33:24.33\00:33:27.04
Praise the Lord.
00:33:27.10\00:33:28.44
So, even though we do
not know the day or the hour,
00:33:28.47\00:33:32.01
by watching and
prayer... we will be ready.
00:33:32.04\00:33:34.61
Be ye also ready
00:33:34.64\00:33:36.21
for as such a time you
think not, the Lord is coming.
00:33:36.24\00:33:39.68
Now, concerning the
things that we possess...
00:33:39.71\00:33:43.69
the lesson brings this out,
00:33:43.72\00:33:45.05
"We understand
from the Word of God
00:33:45.09\00:33:47.39
that He is not
sending moving vans
00:33:47.42\00:33:49.69
to take our stuff to heaven. "
00:33:49.72\00:33:51.33
Panel: Laughter.
00:33:51.36\00:33:52.69
Dinzey: I thought this was kind
of interesting way he put it,
00:33:52.73\00:33:54.36
He's not sending moving
vans to take your possessions.
00:33:54.40\00:33:57.07
Don't get tied up
with your possessions,
00:33:57.10\00:33:59.57
don't take deep
roots in this world
00:33:59.60\00:34:02.00
because this world
is not our final home.
00:34:02.04\00:34:04.97
It says here, "It
will all get burned up
00:34:05.01\00:34:07.91
in the final conflagration
00:34:07.94\00:34:10.25
when all traces
of sin and evil... "
00:34:10.28\00:34:13.21
except the scars
on Christ's hands...
00:34:13.25\00:34:16.18
"will be forever destroyed. "
00:34:16.22\00:34:17.79
The only remaining
things of this world
00:34:17.82\00:34:20.82
will be the scars on
the hands of Jesus Christ.
00:34:20.86\00:34:24.03
What a reminder of the horrible
things that sin has caused
00:34:24.06\00:34:29.86
and the suffering
that sin has caused.
00:34:29.90\00:34:32.03
I read to you from the Lesson
00:34:32.07\00:34:33.97
and it is quoting Ellen G.
White Counsels on Stewardship.
00:34:34.00\00:34:38.37
"So, what shall we
do with our possessions?
00:34:38.41\00:34:41.21
It is now... it is
now that our brethren
00:34:41.24\00:34:44.05
should be cutting
down their possessions
00:34:44.08\00:34:46.58
instead of increasing them.
00:34:46.61\00:34:48.75
We are about to
move to a better country,
00:34:48.78\00:34:50.89
even a heavenly.
00:34:50.92\00:34:53.15
Then let us not be
dwellers upon the earth,
00:34:53.22\00:34:56.56
but be getting...
00:34:56.59\00:34:57.93
but getting
things into as compact
00:34:57.96\00:35:01.86
a compass as possible...
00:35:01.90\00:35:04.23
compact as
compass as possible. "
00:35:04.27\00:35:07.14
Let's get things
reduced... in other words
00:35:07.17\00:35:10.84
and, you know, it's interesting
because we do not know...
00:35:10.87\00:35:14.31
some people want
to reserve things.
00:35:14.34\00:35:16.71
I think I will do
something for the Lord later.
00:35:16.75\00:35:20.52
Do what you can
for the Lord now.
00:35:20.55\00:35:23.89
This is the time we have,
we're not promised tomorrow,
00:35:23.92\00:35:26.35
do what you can
for the Lord today
00:35:26.42\00:35:28.52
and watch and be ready for
such a time that you think not,
00:35:28.59\00:35:32.86
the Lord is coming.
00:35:32.89\00:35:34.36
Panel: Amen.
00:35:34.40\00:35:35.73
Shelley: Amen, wonderful
lesson, Ryan, Jill, Johnny...
00:35:35.76\00:35:39.47
my... I'm Shelley Quinn
00:35:39.50\00:35:41.84
and my Lesson is Wednesday...
00:35:41.87\00:35:44.64
it is: Priorities.
00:35:44.67\00:35:46.01
I have a habit of journaling
my prayers in the morning.
00:35:46.04\00:35:51.85
I sit at my computer
00:35:51.88\00:35:53.21
and it's just like I'm
writing a letter to the Lord
00:35:53.25\00:35:55.78
and what happens is,
this keeps me really focused.
00:35:55.82\00:35:58.42
What I have found, however, is
00:35:58.45\00:36:00.86
some mornings you get up...
you hit the floor running...
00:36:00.89\00:36:03.59
running a little late...
00:36:03.63\00:36:04.96
there's getting
phone calls coming in
00:36:04.99\00:36:06.33
and things that need to
be done and you know what?
00:36:06.36\00:36:10.17
If I don't make
God my first priority,
00:36:10.23\00:36:13.64
sometimes I find that it's clear
till the end of the evening
00:36:13.67\00:36:17.74
that I'm giving Him leftovers.
00:36:17.77\00:36:19.61
The Bible is clear... God
wants our total commitment.
00:36:19.64\00:36:25.08
He wants total devotion.
00:36:25.11\00:36:27.32
When Jesus was asked,
00:36:27.35\00:36:29.45
"What is the most
important commandment?"
00:36:29.48\00:36:32.45
in Mark 12:30, He
said, "This is it...
00:36:32.49\00:36:35.36
you should love the LORD
your God with all of your heart,
00:36:35.39\00:36:38.46
your mind, your soul,
00:36:38.49\00:36:40.86
and your strength. "
00:36:40.90\00:36:43.16
You know, it's easy to say,
00:36:43.20\00:36:44.90
"I love You, Lord. "
00:36:44.93\00:36:46.53
But if you're not
putting any strength...
00:36:46.60\00:36:49.40
any oomph in behind it,
00:36:49.44\00:36:52.44
love is shown by actions.
00:36:52.47\00:36:54.81
So, I will submit to you...
00:36:54.84\00:36:57.08
I believe it is only possible
as all obedience is made...
00:36:57.15\00:37:02.15
we are empowered
by the Holy Spirit...
00:37:02.18\00:37:04.62
God pours His
love into our hearts.
00:37:04.65\00:37:07.02
But God's not interested
in just leftovers of our time
00:37:07.06\00:37:12.53
or our money.
00:37:12.56\00:37:13.90
Listen to this, Revelation 3:15,
00:37:13.93\00:37:17.00
these are the
words of our Savior
00:37:17.07\00:37:20.07
and He is saying to
this church of Laodicea,
00:37:20.10\00:37:23.77
"I know your works,
00:37:23.81\00:37:25.14
you are neither
hot... cold nor hot...
00:37:25.17\00:37:27.58
I wish you were cold or hot.
00:37:27.64\00:37:31.61
So then, because
you are lukewarm,
00:37:31.65\00:37:34.58
neither cold nor hot... "
00:37:34.62\00:37:37.09
oooh! this one's hard...
00:37:37.12\00:37:39.29
"I will vomit
you out of My mouth.
00:37:39.32\00:37:41.82
Because you say,
00:37:41.86\00:37:43.86
'I am rich, I
have become wealthy,
00:37:43.89\00:37:47.26
I have need of nothing... '
00:37:47.30\00:37:49.90
and you do not know
that you are wretched,
00:37:49.93\00:37:53.10
miserable, poor,
blind, and naked. "
00:37:53.13\00:37:56.24
There is no half-hearted
commitment to Jesus.
00:37:56.27\00:38:00.28
Of course, you know that
this goes on in verse 20,
00:38:00.31\00:38:04.01
and He says, "Hey, I
stand at the door and knock,
00:38:04.05\00:38:07.72
and if you'll open the door,
00:38:07.75\00:38:09.42
I'll come in and sup with you. "
00:38:09.45\00:38:11.25
He wants to fellowship with us.
00:38:11.29\00:38:13.66
But how many of
us even churches...
00:38:13.69\00:38:15.99
is Jesus on the outside...
00:38:16.02\00:38:18.56
we've become a
little social club
00:38:18.59\00:38:20.26
and He's on the outside saying,
"Let Me in... let Me in... "
00:38:20.30\00:38:24.07
so, there's no
partial obedience...
00:38:24.10\00:38:27.44
no half-hearted commitment...
00:38:27.47\00:38:29.34
no such thing as a
"Carnal Christian. "
00:38:29.40\00:38:32.57
You cannot have
one foot in the kingdom
00:38:32.61\00:38:35.74
and one in the world.
00:38:35.78\00:38:37.28
James 1:8 says,
there are double-minded man
00:38:37.31\00:38:40.62
is unstable in
all that he does. "
00:38:40.65\00:38:43.89
So, there's no
neutral position...
00:38:43.92\00:38:46.69
you're either on
the side of Christ
00:38:46.72\00:38:49.19
or guess what?
00:38:49.22\00:38:50.59
If you're not on Christ's side,
you're on the side of Satan.
00:38:50.63\00:38:54.63
Jesus said in Luke 11:23,
00:38:54.66\00:38:57.60
"He who is not with Me... "
00:38:57.63\00:39:00.50
that's siding and
believing with Me...
00:39:00.54\00:39:02.94
working with
Me... is against Me.
00:39:02.97\00:39:05.91
And he who does
not gather with Me... "
00:39:05.94\00:39:10.28
engage in the interest
of trying to save others
00:39:10.31\00:39:13.92
and gathering
with Him... scatters.
00:39:13.95\00:39:17.32
So, you can't be neutral...
00:39:17.35\00:39:20.86
if you're
neutral, you're scattering.
00:39:20.89\00:39:22.59
1st John 3:7...
00:39:22.62\00:39:24.69
if you know me at all...
00:39:24.76\00:39:26.13
you know that
righteousness by faith
00:39:26.16\00:39:27.86
is one of my favorite topics
00:39:27.90\00:39:30.67
because it is the
everlasting covenant.
00:39:30.70\00:39:33.20
But listen to what John writes,
00:39:33.23\00:39:36.07
he says, "Little
children... " 1st John 3:7,
00:39:36.10\00:39:39.61
"let no one deceive you.
00:39:39.64\00:39:42.58
He who practices
righteousness is righteous,
00:39:42.61\00:39:47.65
just as He...
Jesus... is righteous. "
00:39:47.68\00:39:51.62
He who sins is of the devil.
00:39:51.65\00:39:54.72
Let me tell you...
00:39:54.76\00:39:56.09
Jesus didn't die for you so that
you could live like the devil,
00:39:56.12\00:40:00.23
He died for you
00:40:00.26\00:40:02.06
that you might become
the righteousness of God
00:40:02.13\00:40:05.83
in Christ Jesus
00:40:05.87\00:40:07.20
and He says...
00:40:07.24\00:40:08.57
"He who sins is of the devil,
00:40:08.60\00:40:10.11
for the devil has
sinned from the beginning.
00:40:10.14\00:40:12.74
For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested,
00:40:12.77\00:40:15.58
that He might destroy
the works of the devil. "
00:40:15.61\00:40:19.01
One of my favorite
Scriptures, Psalm 85:13,
00:40:19.05\00:40:23.22
it says, "Righteousness
will go before Him,
00:40:23.25\00:40:27.72
and shall make His
footsteps our pathway. "
00:40:27.76\00:40:31.46
That's what John
goes on in 1st John 2:6,
00:40:31.49\00:40:35.10
he said, "whoever says
that he abides in Him... "
00:40:35.13\00:40:39.27
and if you're
not abiding in Jesus,
00:40:39.30\00:40:41.47
you're not saved.
00:40:41.50\00:40:42.90
You've got to be
connected to the vine.
00:40:42.94\00:40:45.91
"But he who says
he abides in Him... "
00:40:45.94\00:40:48.84
John says, "You ought to be
walking just as He walked. "
00:40:48.88\00:40:52.65
How do we walk as Jesus walked?
00:40:52.68\00:40:55.58
When you are in Christ,
we are given the Holy Spirit
00:40:55.65\00:41:00.99
and when this Spirit is in us,
00:41:01.02\00:41:03.69
Jesus is more than our
Savior... He is our Master.
00:41:03.73\00:41:06.66
Who is your Master?
00:41:06.70\00:41:09.00
The Bible says... we
are either slaves of sin
00:41:09.03\00:41:12.67
or slaves of obedience.
00:41:12.70\00:41:15.17
Let me read this, Romans 6:16,
00:41:15.20\00:41:17.64
"Do you not know that to
whom you present yourselves
00:41:17.67\00:41:21.08
slaves to obey,
00:41:21.11\00:41:22.51
you are that one's
slaves whom you obey,
00:41:22.54\00:41:26.51
whether of sin
leading to death... "
00:41:26.55\00:41:30.49
that's the second death...
00:41:30.55\00:41:31.89
utter destruction...
00:41:31.92\00:41:33.59
"or of obedience... "
00:41:33.62\00:41:35.29
that's obedience
motivated by love
00:41:35.32\00:41:38.46
that leads us,
the Scripture says,
00:41:38.49\00:41:41.60
"to righteousness. "
00:41:41.66\00:41:43.00
It's leading us in the
path that Jesus walked.
00:41:43.03\00:41:46.23
Jesus said in Matthew 6:24,
00:41:46.27\00:41:48.80
"No one can serve two masters;
00:41:48.84\00:41:51.31
for either, he
will hate the one... "
00:41:51.34\00:41:53.64
that means he
will love them less...
00:41:53.68\00:41:55.88
less devoted to or
kind of disregard the one
00:41:55.91\00:41:59.15
"and love the other,
00:41:59.18\00:42:00.88
or he will stand by
and be devoted to the one
00:42:00.92\00:42:05.02
and despise and
be against the other.
00:42:05.05\00:42:09.02
You cannot serve
God and mammon. "
00:42:09.06\00:42:12.99
What is mammon?
00:42:13.06\00:42:14.83
Mammon is
deceitful riches... money...
00:42:14.86\00:42:19.33
possessions
00:42:19.37\00:42:20.70
or whatever you're
putting your trust in.
00:42:20.74\00:42:24.44
Mammon for David was
numbering the people.
00:42:24.47\00:42:28.11
He was putting his
trust in the numbers.
00:42:28.14\00:42:31.75
But this is interesting...
00:42:31.81\00:42:33.15
Jesus here... when He says
you can't serve two masters...
00:42:33.18\00:42:37.55
He's picturing us as slaves
under the control of a master.
00:42:37.59\00:42:41.96
Either of God or of
deceitful materialism.
00:42:41.99\00:42:47.13
Sometimes, if we are
slaves to materialism,
00:42:47.16\00:42:51.93
that has a higher priority
commitment in our life...
00:42:51.97\00:42:56.60
is to gather things
and it's so funny...
00:42:56.67\00:42:59.01
you spend all your young
years and I'm not saying...
00:42:59.04\00:43:02.24
we all gather things.
00:43:02.28\00:43:03.75
I like my stuff...
00:43:03.78\00:43:05.18
we spend our young
years gathering our stuff
00:43:05.21\00:43:08.42
and guess what?
00:43:08.48\00:43:09.82
You get to a certain age
and you start trying to think...
00:43:09.85\00:43:11.35
now, where do I...
00:43:11.39\00:43:12.72
how do I dish out this stuff
00:43:12.75\00:43:14.09
because I'm not going to
be able to take it with me.
00:43:14.16\00:43:16.39
So, today's
society is so materialistic
00:43:16.42\00:43:21.20
that there are so many
00:43:21.23\00:43:22.56
who are lusting after
the things of the world
00:43:22.60\00:43:26.47
and they are making that...
00:43:26.53\00:43:29.40
they're spending all
their time working on that...
00:43:29.44\00:43:31.77
it is their top priority
00:43:31.81\00:43:33.31
only to die and
leave it behind as I said.
00:43:33.34\00:43:36.28
Now, the Quarterly says this:
00:43:36.31\00:43:40.18
Notice that Jesus didn't say
that it was hard to serve money
00:43:40.22\00:43:45.29
and God... God and money...
00:43:45.32\00:43:46.89
or that you needed to be
careful on how you serve both.
00:43:46.92\00:43:52.76
Jesus said, instead,
that couldn't be done. Period.
00:43:52.79\00:43:58.60
The end.
00:43:58.63\00:43:59.97
Why?
00:44:00.00\00:44:01.34
"The love of the money...
" 1st Timothy 6:10 tells us,
00:44:01.37\00:44:04.87
"is the root of all evil. "
00:44:04.91\00:44:08.61
There's nothing wrong with money
00:44:08.64\00:44:09.98
and God actually
gives us the increase
00:44:10.01\00:44:12.98
so that we will
have plenty of seed
00:44:13.01\00:44:15.92
to sow for Him.
00:44:15.98\00:44:18.09
But who is your Master?
00:44:18.12\00:44:20.06
Here's how you tell...
00:44:20.09\00:44:21.96
who's occupying your thoughts?
00:44:22.02\00:44:23.79
What's occupying your thoughts?
00:44:23.83\00:44:25.56
What's occupying your
time and your efforts?
00:44:25.59\00:44:28.46
Are we storing up
treasures on earth or in heaven?
00:44:28.50\00:44:33.50
1st John 2:15 through 17,
00:44:33.54\00:44:36.44
I'm going to read it from
the Amplified very quickly,
00:44:36.50\00:44:38.71
"Do not love the
world or cherish the world
00:44:38.74\00:44:40.98
or the things
that are in the world.
00:44:41.04\00:44:42.38
If anyone loves the world,
00:44:42.41\00:44:44.48
the love for the
Father is not in him.
00:44:44.51\00:44:46.38
For all that is in the world...
00:44:46.41\00:44:48.52
the lust of the flesh... "
00:44:48.55\00:44:49.88
that's craving for
sensual gratification...
00:44:49.92\00:44:52.15
"the lust in the eyes... "
greedy longings of the mind,
00:44:52.19\00:44:55.96
"and the pride of life... "
00:44:55.99\00:44:57.79
you know what I
think of a pride of life?
00:44:57.83\00:44:59.63
that's when you're
parading your possessions around
00:44:59.69\00:45:02.03
like a peacock.
00:45:02.06\00:45:03.40
You know... on the farm
we used to see the peacocks
00:45:03.43\00:45:07.17
and they put... and
they just parade around...
00:45:07.20\00:45:10.21
that's what some people do
00:45:10.24\00:45:11.57
because they're so proud
of what they've attained.
00:45:11.61\00:45:13.78
The whole point is this.
00:45:13.81\00:45:15.81
The world
00:45:15.84\00:45:17.88
is going to be burned up...
00:45:17.91\00:45:20.95
as you said.
Panel: That's right.
00:45:20.98\00:45:22.32
Shelley: We
have to understand...
00:45:22.35\00:45:25.29
there's no middle ground,
00:45:25.32\00:45:26.89
our devotion should be marked by
love and obedience to God first
00:45:26.92\00:45:31.83
or else, we're actually
in rebellion against God.
00:45:31.86\00:45:35.13
So, the pride of life...
00:45:35.16\00:45:36.90
the lust of the flesh
is not what God wants.
00:45:36.93\00:45:40.34
What He wants is genuine
love relationship with you.
00:45:40.37\00:45:45.17
What He wants is
sincerity and a generous spirit
00:45:45.21\00:45:49.94
and humility of services.
00:45:49.98\00:45:51.55
Panel: Amen.
00:45:51.58\00:45:52.91
Lomacang: Thank you,
thank you Shelley for...
00:45:52.95\00:45:54.28
for the way you connected
that to righteous living.
00:45:54.32\00:45:56.42
Not just the topic
in and of itself...
00:45:56.45\00:45:58.22
but righteous living
00:45:58.25\00:45:59.59
which makes a major
difference when it comes
00:45:59.62\00:46:01.49
to managing through tough times.
00:46:01.52\00:46:03.43
Your spiritual condition
is often more important
00:46:03.46\00:46:06.46
than your
materialistic possession.
00:46:06.49\00:46:07.96
Mine is entitled:
When No One Can Buy or Sell
00:46:08.00\00:46:11.03
which... which
gives us an opportunity
00:46:11.07\00:46:13.44
to dive in Revelation.
00:46:13.50\00:46:14.84
Let's go to
Revelation chapter 13.
00:46:14.87\00:46:16.20
There is a time
that's not too far distant
00:46:16.24\00:46:19.01
because we are living in
Revelation chapter 13 already.
00:46:19.04\00:46:22.34
We're living between
the first and second beast
00:46:22.38\00:46:24.61
of Revelation chapter 13...
00:46:24.65\00:46:25.98
between the
risen kingdom of Rome
00:46:26.01\00:46:28.42
and the apostate
system of Protestantism
00:46:28.45\00:46:31.89
which has
metamorphosized into something
00:46:31.92\00:46:35.32
that God never intended.
00:46:35.36\00:46:36.69
A Movement that began in
the Protestant Reformation
00:46:36.73\00:46:39.59
is going back to the Bible
00:46:39.63\00:46:41.13
has all but abandoned
the Bible on so many points.
00:46:41.16\00:46:43.53
And what people believe nowadays
00:46:43.57\00:46:45.20
and I like the way you said it
00:46:45.23\00:46:46.70
is motivated by
preference... ideology...
00:46:46.74\00:46:49.80
what I've
heard... what I desire...
00:46:49.84\00:46:52.44
and religions
today is "just that".
00:46:52.47\00:46:55.01
Religion... very few things
that are connected to Christ.
00:46:55.04\00:46:57.88
One person once said,
00:46:57.91\00:46:59.31
"If the Spirit of God
was withdrawn from the earth,
00:46:59.35\00:47:02.38
much of what is happening
in the church will continue.
00:47:02.42\00:47:05.42
That's why
Revelation's message is,
00:47:05.45\00:47:07.09
"Behold I stand at
the door and knock,
00:47:07.12\00:47:08.72
could you let me in?
00:47:08.76\00:47:10.09
I know you guys are righteously
focusing on your own things
00:47:10.13\00:47:14.16
and your own ideologies... "
00:47:14.20\00:47:15.53
Isaiah 4 verse 1,
00:47:15.56\00:47:16.90
"In that day seven women will
take hold of one man saying,
00:47:16.93\00:47:20.80
'We will eat our own
bread... wear our own apparel;
00:47:20.84\00:47:24.17
only let us be
called by your name,
00:47:24.21\00:47:26.71
to take away our reproach. ' "
00:47:26.74\00:47:28.61
That's the day and
age in which we live
00:47:28.64\00:47:30.71
and so, in Revelation
13 brings a focus about
00:47:30.75\00:47:33.78
how this is going to nosedive...
00:47:33.82\00:47:35.72
how the
economic... social... spiritual
00:47:35.78\00:47:38.65
and... and societal aspects...
00:47:38.69\00:47:41.32
religious aspects of
society are going to nosedive.
00:47:41.39\00:47:43.96
It gives us the
context in which these changes
00:47:43.99\00:47:46.90
are going to be affected.
00:47:46.93\00:47:48.26
Revelation 13 verses 11 to 17,
00:47:48.30\00:47:49.96
"Then I saw another beast
coming up out of the earth,
00:47:50.00\00:47:53.34
and he had two horns like a lamb
00:47:53.37\00:47:55.74
and spoke like a dragon. "
00:47:55.77\00:47:57.11
That's none other
than the United States
00:47:57.14\00:47:58.51
coming up at a time
00:47:58.54\00:47:59.87
when the powers of
Europe were descending...
00:47:59.91\00:48:01.84
when Rome was about to
receive a deadly wound,
00:48:01.88\00:48:04.28
God was bringing up
this lamb-like nation?
00:48:04.31\00:48:06.68
Why lamb?
00:48:06.72\00:48:08.05
That's the symbol of Christ...
00:48:08.08\00:48:09.42
a very infant nation
also the symbol of the lamb
00:48:09.45\00:48:11.75
but it had two
horns... what were those horns?
00:48:11.79\00:48:14.72
A government
that was a Republic...
00:48:14.76\00:48:16.32
by the people...
for the people...
00:48:16.36\00:48:17.86
and a system of
religion that was Protestant
00:48:17.89\00:48:21.03
antithetical to all
that Rome had endorsed.
00:48:21.06\00:48:23.97
It was not a
top-down system but bottom up
00:48:24.03\00:48:26.60
and the people had
the freedom of religion.
00:48:26.63\00:48:29.14
This is vitally important.
00:48:29.20\00:48:30.54
That's what... if you
think about it nowadays,
00:48:30.57\00:48:32.71
America is not a nation
00:48:32.74\00:48:34.08
that really focuses
on freedom of religion.
00:48:34.11\00:48:35.94
It's imposing a certain brand
of religion on its society.
00:48:35.98\00:48:40.18
Be careful when
you start voting...
00:48:40.22\00:48:41.92
I'm going to be
very candid with you,
00:48:41.95\00:48:43.62
when you start voting
00:48:43.65\00:48:45.29
because somebody
agrees with you doctrinally,
00:48:45.32\00:48:48.52
that's not what
the Bible ever forced.
00:48:48.56\00:48:50.36
Jesus in His day never insisted
on pushing political issues
00:48:50.39\00:48:54.20
even when He was...
00:48:54.23\00:48:55.56
even when they said to Him,
00:48:55.60\00:48:56.93
"Aren't You going to
restore Israel at this time?"
00:48:56.97\00:48:59.50
Even when they came up
against the issues in Rome,
00:48:59.53\00:49:02.00
the Lord never dove
into political issues.
00:49:02.04\00:49:04.91
But the church today
has done more than that,
00:49:04.94\00:49:07.74
it's become... it is a
desire of religious leaders
00:49:07.78\00:49:11.18
to control political issues
00:49:11.21\00:49:13.45
and that's why Revelation
13 is going to be an easy segue
00:49:13.48\00:49:17.02
from the control of religion
00:49:17.05\00:49:18.65
to the control of
merchants in America.
00:49:18.69\00:49:21.82
Look at this, it
says here in verse 12,
00:49:21.86\00:49:24.89
"And he exercises all the
authority of the first beast
00:49:24.93\00:49:27.76
before him... or
in his presence... "
00:49:27.80\00:49:29.23
and look at the impact...
00:49:29.26\00:49:30.87
"and causes the earth
and those who dwell in it
00:49:30.90\00:49:32.30
to worship the first beast... "
00:49:32.33\00:49:33.67
that is America.
00:49:33.70\00:49:35.04
When they make an
image to the beast...
00:49:35.07\00:49:37.67
that's America...
00:49:37.71\00:49:39.04
when they now begin
to reach across the gulf
00:49:39.07\00:49:40.84
and unite with
the powers of Rome,
00:49:40.88\00:49:43.04
there will be
an economic embargo
00:49:43.11\00:49:45.25
on the citizens of the world.
00:49:45.28\00:49:46.88
We'll see that in
the verses following.
00:49:46.92\00:49:48.98
And it says in verse 13,
"And he performs great signs,
00:49:49.02\00:49:51.99
so that he even makes fire come
down from heaven on the earth
00:49:52.05\00:49:55.09
and in the sight of men.
00:49:55.12\00:49:56.46
And he deceives those
who dwell on the earth
00:49:56.49\00:49:57.83
by the means of those
signs which he was granted to do
00:49:57.86\00:50:00.23
in the sight of the beast,
00:50:00.26\00:50:01.60
telling those who
dwell on the earth
00:50:01.63\00:50:02.96
to make an image to the beast
00:50:03.00\00:50:04.33
who was wounded by
the sword and lived. "
00:50:04.37\00:50:06.13
So much that that
could be impacted here
00:50:06.17\00:50:08.30
but notice this,
00:50:08.34\00:50:09.67
Verse 15, "He was
granted power to give breath
00:50:09.70\00:50:12.54
to the image of
the beast who is alive
00:50:12.57\00:50:13.91
that the image of the
beast should both speak,
00:50:13.94\00:50:16.81
and cause as many as would not
worship the image of the beast
00:50:16.85\00:50:19.31
to be killed.
00:50:19.35\00:50:20.68
He caused all,
both small and great,
00:50:20.72\00:50:22.52
rich and poor,
00:50:22.55\00:50:23.89
free and bond... " or slave,
00:50:23.92\00:50:25.25
to receive a mark in their right
hand, or in their foreheads"
00:50:25.29\00:50:28.76
and here's the impact...
00:50:28.82\00:50:30.16
"And that no
one may buy or sell,
00:50:30.19\00:50:33.26
except one who has the
mark or the name of the beast,
00:50:33.29\00:50:36.36
or the number of his name. "
00:50:36.40\00:50:37.73
So, you don't even
have to have the mark.
00:50:37.77\00:50:39.83
You could have
the name of the beast
00:50:39.87\00:50:41.37
or the number of his name.
00:50:41.40\00:50:42.74
Allegiance on any
platform disqualifies you
00:50:42.77\00:50:46.31
from being under God's blessing.
00:50:46.34\00:50:48.38
For those who
have possessions...
00:50:48.41\00:50:50.41
and I like the way
you laid the foundation...
00:50:50.45\00:50:52.25
all of you...
00:50:52.28\00:50:53.62
when your
possessions become your focus...
00:50:53.65\00:50:56.08
when this economic
embargo is imposed,
00:50:56.12\00:50:58.82
people will think more about
sustaining their way of life
00:50:58.85\00:51:02.92
than their way of
worship... than true worship...
00:51:02.96\00:51:06.29
that's why John 4
verses 23 and 24 says,
00:51:06.33\00:51:08.26
"the hour is coming in
which the true worshipper
00:51:08.33\00:51:11.27
must worship the Father
in spirit and in truth. "
00:51:11.30\00:51:14.24
It's not about worship,
00:51:14.27\00:51:15.60
it's about true worship
00:51:15.64\00:51:16.97
because worship...
00:51:17.01\00:51:18.34
there are economic reasons
behind a lot of worship today.
00:51:18.37\00:51:21.11
They want to be
able to live the fat life
00:51:21.14\00:51:23.71
and unfortunately, God's
name is often used to sustain
00:51:23.75\00:51:27.58
a kind of life
that is antithetical
00:51:27.62\00:51:29.68
to the humility that
Jesus is connected to.
00:51:29.72\00:51:32.65
So, not being able
to buy or sell means
00:51:32.69\00:51:35.59
when that time comes,
you'll not be able to function
00:51:35.62\00:51:38.33
in a society where you
have to have allegiance
00:51:38.39\00:51:41.23
to a power that is
antithetical to Christ
00:51:41.26\00:51:43.16
in order to
sustain the way you live.
00:51:43.20\00:51:45.03
So, the question is asked,
"How do financial matters today
00:51:45.10\00:51:48.50
fit into the
time of persecution?"
00:51:48.54\00:51:50.94
How dependent are you today
00:51:50.97\00:51:53.74
on the Systems of
the world to survive?
00:51:53.78\00:51:56.51
That's a big question.
00:51:56.54\00:51:57.88
Let me make it very practical.
00:51:57.91\00:51:59.41
Are you in debt?
00:51:59.45\00:52:00.78
Are you in serious debt?
00:52:00.82\00:52:02.65
Because some people
carry some level of debt
00:52:02.68\00:52:04.59
but if you cannot breath
without leaning on the System,
00:52:04.65\00:52:09.22
if your sustenance of
life is so dependent on
00:52:09.26\00:52:14.06
all that society
provides for you,
00:52:14.10\00:52:16.16
then you are living a fragile...
00:52:16.20\00:52:18.30
almost like a
funnel away for life
00:52:18.33\00:52:20.40
just a little bit of moisture
and your life falls apart.
00:52:20.44\00:52:23.20
You have to make sure that
you are being sustained by God
00:52:23.24\00:52:26.01
because when these
Systems impose themselves...
00:52:26.04\00:52:29.34
look at Revelation 18 verse
3, it's a worldwide impact.
00:52:29.38\00:52:32.65
"For all nations have drunk
00:52:32.68\00:52:34.95
of the wine of the
wrath of her fornication... "
00:52:34.98\00:52:37.02
that's not only
that... not only the Society
00:52:37.05\00:52:39.02
"and the kings of the earth have
committed fornication with her"
00:52:39.05\00:52:41.69
that's the political leaders...
00:52:41.72\00:52:43.06
"and the merchants of
the earth have become rich
00:52:43.09\00:52:45.46
through the
abundance of her luxuries. "
00:52:45.49\00:52:47.26
This powerful Head
under the leadership of Rome,
00:52:47.30\00:52:50.67
has an impact
socially... religiously
00:52:50.70\00:52:53.54
and economically
00:52:53.57\00:52:54.90
and the entire
world as Jeremiah says,
00:52:54.94\00:52:57.27
"the nations are deranged
00:52:57.31\00:52:59.24
because they have drunk
of the wine of Babylon. "
00:52:59.27\00:53:01.88
And today,
people are looking at...
00:53:01.91\00:53:03.51
what's the... what's
the solace in America?
00:53:03.55\00:53:05.45
Life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.
00:53:05.51\00:53:07.38
Everybody wants to be happy
00:53:07.42\00:53:09.08
and we tend to mean
that happiness is...
00:53:09.12\00:53:11.79
"I got new toys... "
00:53:11.82\00:53:13.29
"I have a... lot of
things that I'm living for. "
00:53:13.36\00:53:15.29
If you're not
living for Christ...
00:53:15.32\00:53:16.86
and let me say this...
00:53:16.93\00:53:18.26
hold on to the
world ever so lightly
00:53:18.29\00:53:21.40
but hold on to
Jesus ever so tightly.
00:53:21.43\00:53:23.77
Panel: That's good.
00:53:23.80\00:53:25.13
Lomacang: So,
here are my takeaways.
00:53:25.17\00:53:27.54
I used the word
"takeaways" Jill.
00:53:27.57\00:53:29.04
Panel: Laughter.
00:53:29.10\00:53:30.44
Lomacang: First
thing I suggest you do,
00:53:30.47\00:53:31.81
Invest in God.
00:53:31.84\00:53:33.17
Invest in God...
Matthew 6 verses 19 and 20,
00:53:33.21\00:53:36.11
"Do not lay up for
yourselves treasures on earth,
00:53:36.14\00:53:40.62
where moth and rust destroy
00:53:40.65\00:53:42.52
and where thieves
break in and steal;
00:53:42.55\00:53:44.92
but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven,
00:53:44.95\00:53:48.76
where neither
moth nor rust destroys
00:53:48.79\00:53:51.46
and where thieves do
not break in to steal. "
00:53:51.49\00:53:53.70
Translated:
00:53:53.76\00:53:55.10
Invest in the things
that will advance the gospel.
00:53:55.13\00:53:57.67
Invest in those things that will
make a difference in eternity.
00:53:57.70\00:54:01.30
Another soul...
another life for the kingdom.
00:54:01.34\00:54:04.51
If your finance
is not given towards
00:54:04.57\00:54:06.74
where somebody can
know more about Christ...
00:54:06.78\00:54:08.61
if your finance is not
used to win another soul
00:54:08.64\00:54:12.25
for the
Kingdom... it's frivolous.
00:54:12.28\00:54:14.05
It has no eternal value.
00:54:14.08\00:54:16.08
The second thing is: Do not
place your wellbeing in man.
00:54:16.12\00:54:19.22
Psalm 146 verse 3,
00:54:19.25\00:54:21.19
"Do not put your
trust in princes,
00:54:21.22\00:54:22.72
nor in the son of man,
in whom there is no help. "
00:54:22.76\00:54:25.16
You know, when the
Credit Card companies decide
00:54:25.19\00:54:27.10
they're not taking
your payments any longer
00:54:27.13\00:54:28.86
and they are going
to possess your property
00:54:28.90\00:54:30.60
and there is
debtor prisons again...
00:54:30.63\00:54:32.17
like there used
to be in Bible times,
00:54:32.20\00:54:33.70
you will have...
00:54:33.74\00:54:35.17
all that you have
will all of a sudden
00:54:35.20\00:54:37.37
lose its impress upon you...
00:54:37.41\00:54:39.54
it will no longer be important.
00:54:39.57\00:54:41.64
You'll be
willing to give it all up
00:54:41.71\00:54:43.35
just to be free.
00:54:43.38\00:54:44.71
So, put not your trust in man
or in those things they provide.
00:54:44.75\00:54:48.05
Number 3: Know that
God will protect you.
00:54:48.08\00:54:50.95
Psalm 91 verse 3...
when this time comes,
00:54:50.99\00:54:53.76
"Surely He shall deliver you
from the snare of the fowler,
00:54:53.82\00:54:57.23
and from the
perilous pestilence.
00:54:57.26\00:54:59.03
He shall cover
you with His feathers,
00:54:59.06\00:55:00.80
and under His wings
you shall take refuge:
00:55:00.83\00:55:03.00
His truth shall be
your shield and defense.
00:55:03.03\00:55:05.23
You shall not be
afraid of the terror by night;
00:55:05.27\00:55:07.44
nor of the arrow
that flies by day... "
00:55:07.47\00:55:09.07
Yes... this time of
economic embargo is coming
00:55:09.10\00:55:12.24
and it's going to be terrible
00:55:12.27\00:55:13.61
before it gets
better permanently.
00:55:13.64\00:55:14.98
If you trust in God...
if you lean upon Him...
00:55:15.01\00:55:18.01
He will sustain you
which is Point Number 4:
00:55:18.08\00:55:22.22
Disconnect from your
dependence on man's System.
00:55:22.25\00:55:26.35
Proverbs 22 verse 7,
00:55:26.39\00:55:27.92
"The rich rule over the poor,
00:55:27.96\00:55:31.99
and the borrower is the
servant of the lender. "
00:55:32.06\00:55:34.70
And finally, recognize that God
will provide all of your need.
00:55:34.73\00:55:39.53
Psalm 50 and verse 12,
00:55:39.57\00:55:41.57
"If I were hungry,
I would not tell you;
00:55:41.60\00:55:44.07
for the world is Mine,
and all of its fullness. "
00:55:44.11\00:55:46.51
And so, here is the key...
00:55:46.54\00:55:47.94
what's the System
that God put in place?
00:55:47.98\00:55:50.18
Let's go back to the very
foundation of this Lesson,
00:55:50.21\00:55:52.41
Stewardship...
00:55:52.45\00:55:53.78
if you are faithful in
your tithe and offerings to God,
00:55:53.82\00:55:56.62
you are laying up
treasure in heaven.
00:55:56.65\00:55:58.59
If you are
investing to ministries
00:55:58.62\00:56:00.56
that are winning
souls for Christ,
00:56:00.59\00:56:02.12
you are faithful to God who will
sustain you in difficult times.
00:56:02.16\00:56:05.99
He will dwell on high...
00:56:06.03\00:56:08.06
his place and his
defense will be in the Lord.
00:56:08.10\00:56:10.60
Trust God and when
difficult times come,
00:56:10.63\00:56:13.23
God will bring you through it.
00:56:13.27\00:56:15.10
Panel: Hmmm... amen.
00:56:15.14\00:56:16.47
Ryan: Amen. praise the Lord.
00:56:16.50\00:56:17.84
May God have mercy on us
all when we get to those times
00:56:17.87\00:56:21.44
because we're going to make sure
00:56:21.51\00:56:23.14
that we are
locked in on Jesus Christ
00:56:23.18\00:56:25.18
in only serving Him.
00:56:25.21\00:56:26.55
Let's get some final
thoughts from our Panel Members.
00:56:26.58\00:56:28.62
Jill: On Monday's Lesson,
00:56:28.65\00:56:29.98
we looked at
David numbering Israel
00:56:30.02\00:56:31.42
and, you know, he didn't
set out for 70,000 men to die.
00:56:31.45\00:56:34.12
He didn't set out to
walk in disobedience to God.
00:56:34.16\00:56:36.73
I think it was a lot of fear...
00:56:36.76\00:56:38.96
not sure... can I trust God?
00:56:38.99\00:56:41.10
And so just... to make a choice
to trust God with your life.
00:56:41.13\00:56:44.70
Dinzey: Amen.
00:56:44.73\00:56:46.07
In Tuesday's Lesson, we
talked about: Time to Simplify
00:56:46.10\00:56:49.07
and we have to ask
ourselves, "Is there anything
00:56:49.10\00:56:51.67
that is hindering me from
walking closer with the Lord?"
00:56:51.71\00:56:55.24
We should live with our
focus in heaven... salvation.
00:56:55.28\00:56:58.78
So, continue
following the Lord Jesus Christ
00:56:58.81\00:57:01.42
with heaven as a focus.
00:57:01.45\00:57:03.15
Shelley: Priorities...
00:57:03.18\00:57:04.82
Jesus said, "Seek
first the kingdom of God
00:57:04.85\00:57:07.16
and His righteousness...
00:57:07.19\00:57:08.56
everything else
will be added to you. "
00:57:08.59\00:57:10.73
Lomacang: Daniel 12:1 a
time of trouble is coming
00:57:10.76\00:57:13.43
but when you trust
God, here is your assurance.
00:57:13.46\00:57:17.10
"At that time, His
people shall be delivered. "
00:57:17.13\00:57:20.74
Panel: Amen...
00:57:20.77\00:57:22.10
Ryan: Amen... praise the Lord.
00:57:22.14\00:57:23.47
Well, my friends, we've come
to the end of Lesson Number 11,
00:57:23.51\00:57:26.47
and, you know, as we
have clearly studied today,
00:57:26.51\00:57:29.68
especially from
Pastor Lomacang's Lesson,
00:57:29.71\00:57:31.88
it just brought me
back to the seriousness
00:57:31.91\00:57:34.02
of living for Christ
and being fully surrendered
00:57:34.05\00:57:36.15
because these things
are coming before us...
00:57:36.18\00:57:38.25
they are
unfolding before our eyes.
00:57:38.29\00:57:39.82
We should choose this
day whom we shall serve.
00:57:39.85\00:57:43.12
That's our choice today.
00:57:43.16\00:57:44.53
You want to join us next week
00:57:44.56\00:57:45.99
because we're going to be
diving into the very last Lesson
00:57:46.03\00:57:48.86
of this Quarter
00:57:48.90\00:57:50.23
and it is entitled:
Rewards of the Faithfulness
00:57:50.27\00:57:53.34
and so, be sure to
join us back here next week.
00:57:53.37\00:57:56.60
Tell your friends about us,
00:57:56.64\00:57:58.07
tell your friends
about us... send the link
00:57:58.11\00:57:59.97
and we will see you
right back here next week.
00:58:00.01\00:58:01.54
God bless.
00:58:01.58\00:58:02.91