Participants: Kenny and Chris Shelton (Host), Mollie Steenson, JD Quinn
Series Code: TDYFW
Program Code: TDYFW017027A
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:06 Mending broken people 00:11 I want to spend my life 00:18 Removing pain 00:23 Lord, let my words 00:29 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:39 Mending broken people 00:45 I want to spend my life 00:50 Mending broken people 01:07 Hello, happy Sabbath 01:09 and welcome to 3ABN's Family Worship. 01:11 I'm Chris Shelton. And I'm Kenny Shelton. 01:15 And we are so thankful that you have joined us tonight 01:18 and we've got a couple of wonderful guests, 01:20 our 3ABN family. 01:21 To my left is Brother JD Quinn. 01:24 JD, tell us a little bit about what you do at 3ABN? 01:27 Well, I'm very fortunate at 3ABN 01:29 because I get to work in the pastoral department. 01:32 We're on second floor which pushes 01:34 a little bit closer to God and we need it. 01:37 We have such a wonderful time 01:39 and we got a great group and it's just... 01:43 It's wonderful for people to call in with 01:48 that want to talk and we through the aid 01:52 of the Holy Spirit have words of encouragement that we share. 01:56 And busy looking for scriptures that will fit exactly what, 01:59 so it's really a blessing. 02:01 It certainly changed my life. 02:02 It can be challenging at times, yes. 02:04 It can be challenging and it seems like 02:07 just the times that we're living in, 02:09 seems like it comes in waves. 02:10 Oh, yeah. 02:11 It might be sickness one, a lot of sickness one week, 02:14 maybe the next week a lot of finances, 02:16 maybe then I'm marital week or something. 02:18 It's just phenomenal to me how that all works 02:21 but anyway the thing that I have found out 02:25 was still just amazes me. 02:26 God is always on time. 02:27 Amen. Amen. 02:29 And we're just vessels just a big use there. 02:33 But I love it that 3ABN has set apart that 02:36 that's basically all you do 02:38 because you need that time to do that. 02:40 Yeah, and the people just, they just thank us daily. 02:44 Oh, thank that we have a place to go that 02:47 we can someone that will listen. 02:50 Isn't it wonderful though as human beings 02:53 that we can take our cares to him? 02:54 Yes. 02:56 Because if you like, I have been a few times 02:59 when you sit in the office and it seems like 03:01 six, seven, eight hours, seriously, 03:04 one phone call after the other and everybody was hurting, 03:09 everybody had issues. 03:11 And you start taking that all in, 03:13 we're personal rather than put it to feet of Jesus. 03:16 And I remember that one day specifically, 03:19 I don't know if you ever had it 03:20 about seven, eight hours I hung up the phone, I said, 03:23 "Don't give me another phone call. 03:25 I don't think that I can do another phone call." 03:28 Don't know if that's right or not 03:30 but I was just so full and finally had to figure out 03:33 that we take our cares to Christ, 03:34 we leave them with Him. 03:36 Yes, we get involved, yes, we care, and yes, 03:38 we want to pray for and so on. 03:40 But when you really get it inside sometime, 03:42 you're just like, you're gonna almost explode, 03:45 don't think I understand explode. 03:46 If you have to hear another heartache for that day 03:49 and so I basically hung the phone up, 03:51 closed the door and walked out. 03:53 Well, someone told me, Roi Ewing, she used to be here, 03:56 and she was in pastoral department 03:58 and she was one of my mentors and she said, 04:01 "You're not here by accident, JD." 04:03 That's right. 04:04 And, you know, I've gone to Mollie many times 04:06 where we've had this front conversation because... 04:09 "What am I doing here?" 04:11 And Mollie said, "We pray earnestly about this 04:14 and this is where the Lord instructed us 04:16 to be a good fit." 04:18 I know. 04:19 But God doesn't make any accidents. 04:21 He don't just say, "Hey, go do this for a while, 04:23 see if it works or anything. 04:26 I believe it and I know you guys are really busy 04:29 because often we get phone calls and they say, 04:32 "They're too busy at 3ABN to talk to us." 04:35 So I know you guys are staying busy. 04:37 And we certainly help the people understand 04:40 that we're not avoiding anyone. 04:43 It's just that lots and lots of people... 04:46 Right. And that's a lot. 04:48 You'll be amazed of how many people 04:50 that watch 3ABN. 04:52 Amen. Amen. 04:53 And, you know, there's people, you know, 04:54 that they're on fire for the Lord, 04:56 they just may want, am I doing the right thing 04:59 and there're others they just call that their heart 05:01 is breaking and they're just... 05:04 Can Jesus assist me? 05:06 See that sets 3ABN apart, doesn't it? 05:08 Because it is ministry 05:10 and it is people touching people, 05:12 so it's not like you're watching 05:14 just any station they can call in 05:16 and they can speak to people like yourself and I love that. 05:18 Amen. 05:20 To my right, Sister Mollie, tell us what you don't do? 05:25 I wanted to kind of add concerning those prayer, 05:30 the prayer warriors, the prayer partners 05:33 and that's what pastoral is. 05:34 Amen. Yes. 05:35 They pray with people, they're not counselors. 05:37 That's right. 05:38 They can share scripture but because of the volume 05:43 of phone calls, we as administration 05:45 found it necessary to limit and tell them, 05:49 you know, for reach phone call, 05:51 try not to go over this amount of time and they, well, why? 05:55 Because there're so many other calls coming in. 05:56 That's right. 05:58 And something that we have said to these men and women 06:02 because they have such a heart for the people is... 06:06 I tell them, "Think about this." 06:08 That phone call, you see that phone call there, 06:10 this blinking wanting to get through to you, 06:12 visualize in your mind, think about this. 06:15 It could well be if that person is calling, 06:17 he's got a gun in their hand, and they're about to put it 06:20 in their mouth and pull the trigger 06:22 if they don't get somebody to talk to. 06:23 Yeah. 06:25 So when you're talking to someone 06:26 that just need to hear and pray, 06:29 pray with them absolutely but limit it 06:32 because that next person, 06:34 it could be a life and death phone call. 06:36 We don't know. 06:37 And there are times, JD, 06:38 when you have life and death phone calls. 06:40 Exactly. You bet, you bet. 06:41 All right, speaking of life and death, 06:43 tonight's topic is entitled, "Is Heaven Real"? 06:47 Amen. 06:48 You know, we live in such a melting pot 06:50 throughout this world. 06:52 There's a lot of people that believe in heaven, 06:55 there's a lot of people that don't believe in heaven, 06:57 there's people that believe in other places besides heaven. 07:01 You know, when I was a little girl, 07:02 I grew up believing that, you know, 07:04 people that go to heaven are just gonna be 07:06 floating on a cloud and have a harp in their hand 07:10 and basically doing nothing. 07:12 So tonight, we're gonna look at the topic, 07:15 "Is Heaven Real"? 07:16 And I will start up by saying 07:17 as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian 07:19 of which I am, I am blessed to believe in scripture. 07:23 We are blessed as the people to have the Spirit of Prophecy. 07:27 And one of my favorite verses... 07:29 My little, my youngest daughter grew up 07:31 and she loves this verse because she was so sick 07:33 when she was a child and it is Isaiah 40:28-31. 07:39 So I'd like to open the program and read that, 07:41 and the reason I'm reading this is because I truly believe 07:44 that someday this promise that we find in Isaiah 07:48 will be fully complete 07:51 once we get to the kingdom of heaven. 07:53 And what is it? 07:55 Isaiah 40:28-31, "Hast thou not known? 08:01 hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, 08:03 the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, 08:06 fainteth not, neither is weary?" 08:09 See that's what Pastor Kenny had to learn. 08:11 You don't keep all these things on yourself, 08:14 you give them to God because He doesn't weary. 08:17 "There is no searching of his understanding. 08:20 He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have 08:23 no might he increases strength." 08:26 Now we can experience that here and now today, 08:29 and I know each one of us around this table have 08:32 and I pray that we'll continue to do so. 08:35 "Even the youth shall faint and be weary, 08:37 and the young men shall utterly fall. 08:40 But they that wait upon the Lord..." 08:43 Whether it's in this life or in the life to come, 08:46 I added that part by the way. 08:48 "Shall renew their strength. 08:50 They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, 08:54 and not be weary. 08:56 They shall walk, and not faint." 08:58 Praise the Lord. 08:59 So panel, I ask you here this evening, is heaven real? 09:05 What are your thoughts? 09:06 Why don't we just have prayer and let's get into our study. 09:09 Shall we together? Let's pray. 09:11 Merciful Father in heaven, we thank You 09:13 for each and every one of Your children, 09:15 those who are viewing, those who listen. 09:17 We thank You, we just thank You with the bottom of our heart 09:20 for another Sabbath day. 09:21 We thank You for that day that You set aside 09:23 that You blessed, that You sanctified, 09:26 a day that we can come apart and worship You 09:28 in spirit and in truth. 09:30 A time that we can open the Word of God, 09:31 You can speak to us clearly, yeah, 09:34 we have time in which to do it 09:36 because we put aside all worldly things. 09:39 All things that You've allow us to do for six days 09:42 and this time we can spend with You, 09:43 and so as we're around this table, small group here. 09:47 But we pray for the Holy Spirit to just encompass around 09:50 about each and every one of us as Your children. 09:53 Lord, open our hearts and our minds, 09:55 how desperately we need to hear from the Holy Spirit. 09:58 It's not about man's thought, man's wisdom, 10:00 whatever a man may have, we're not interested in that. 10:03 We're interested in what heaven has to offer us. 10:05 That's right. 10:06 And so as we open our self to Thee right now 10:08 and those who are at home. 10:10 Some of you are kneeling right now, 10:12 others are opening your Bible, 10:13 you're getting pens and paper out 10:15 because you've written in and you said, 10:17 "I want to study along. 10:18 I want to know more about Jesus." 10:21 And that we pray tonight as we talk about heaven, 10:23 as the Holy Spirit reaches out and touches these precious ones 10:27 whether they are young, or whether they are older, 10:29 they're longing for You, and I know if they long for You 10:32 and they're seeking, they shall find. 10:34 Help us we pray just to be little instruments. 10:37 Impress our hearts and our minds to say 10:39 the right thing, to say it the way 10:41 which would be pleasing in thy sight. 10:43 So we all surrender our self to Thee at this moment 10:46 asking for forgiveness of any sin, 10:49 anything that which separate us now. 10:51 And we thank You for again those who are watching, 10:54 and those who are kneeling, those who are praying, 10:56 may this be such a wonderful study 10:58 that will uplift and just encourage us 11:01 and strengthen us to say, 11:02 "Oh, I just can't wait for that day." 11:03 Amen. 11:05 Heaven came down in glory and glory filled my soul. 11:07 In Jesus' name, amen. 11:09 Amen. Amen. 11:10 Well, we never want to start the study without prayer. 11:13 And once in a while because we're praying 11:16 before the program, we're praying at home 11:19 during the study and my mind just kind of skips through 11:23 and got to the subject but I know we're more equipped 11:26 because we're filled with the Holy Spirit, 11:27 so panel, is heaven real? 11:29 What are your thoughts this evening? 11:31 Amen. 11:33 Well, I certainly think that the heaven is real 11:37 because the Bible says it is real, 11:39 and that's the premise of my belief. 11:40 Amen. 11:42 You know, it's very difficult for me the way 11:47 that my mind works to visualize how wonderful heaven is. 11:53 Well. I mean, I just... 11:55 I've gone there, I've had this conversation with people 11:58 and boy, with some people because they are so creative 12:01 and they have a better grasp of what the Word says 12:05 that they can say, "Oh, yes, 12:07 I can just see the streets of gold." 12:09 I can just see, you know, 12:11 as we're going through the mansions. 12:13 My mind really doesn't work like that. 12:15 And so I've asked the Lord to forgive me, 12:17 to increase my faith. 12:19 What's really important to me is my life on this earth. 12:23 Now, if I had my choice to do anything that I wanted to do, 12:28 would I pursue that? 12:29 I am pursuing that. Amen. 12:31 And I love coming to work every day, 12:34 I love being able to share Jesus every day. 12:36 Yes. 12:38 I mean that's the privilege that I have 12:40 of being able to talk to people and pray with people. 12:43 Because I see how Jesus works 12:46 and to me the bonus of heaven 12:50 is to be able to mingle 24 hours a day 12:54 or 60 hours a day whatever that is 12:57 in heaven with likeminded people. 13:01 I do have that opportunity here, 13:04 because basically we all see the same, 13:07 we look the same, 13:08 we love the same, we're there to encourage each other, 13:12 and we don't have to wonder if I'm gonna say 13:15 the right thing because we are. 13:18 We have more similarities than we have differences. 13:21 And so I'm gonna pay 13:25 real close attention tonight 13:28 to see how these, because I want to do 13:33 all that I can do to be closer to Him. 13:35 And if someone can give me a nugget here 13:37 or give me a nugget there 13:39 of more what heaven itself is, 13:45 I am anxious to hear. 13:47 But what I hear in your voice 13:50 and this is a promise to all of us, 13:51 that's why we study, we find this out. 13:53 We can have a piece of heaven here on this earth... 13:55 Yes. 13:57 And that's what your experiences... 13:58 Amen. 13:59 But, you know, as far as our imagination 14:01 we can think of it 14:02 as beautifully as we possibly can 14:04 and it's just so far passes. 14:06 It doesn't even come close to what heaven will really be, 14:11 but we are gonna touch on some of those principles, 14:14 what it will be like and what it may be 14:16 and what it won't be like? 14:17 Who won't be there? Who will be there? 14:20 You know, I think we need to look at 14:21 a lot of those things. 14:23 You know, we were talking about 14:24 before the cameras were turned on, 14:26 we were talking about because we've got a grandson 14:28 that's wanting to go into the service. 14:29 We were talking about people in the military, 14:31 and your experience with the military 14:34 and it made me think, you know, 14:35 there's a lot of our young people that leave 14:37 and those that are even older in age 14:40 that are still in the service and they don't come back. 14:43 Mercy. 14:44 You know, you can get a reality check 14:46 just turning on the television and looking at 14:49 some of the horrific things that are happening. 14:53 I was watching the news the other night 14:55 and this 25 year old girl who was killed in Florida 14:59 and she was stabbed 101 times. 15:05 And you think, you know, 15:08 there's got to be something better. 15:09 We hope and pray, we have faith in God's word 15:13 that there is something better than this life. 15:15 What is the next thing that they will know? 15:17 You know, we've all lost, at least I have, 15:19 I've lost both, all of my parents. 15:21 I want to say all because I had two dads. 15:23 I had a real dad, a biological and a stepfather. 15:26 And, you know, where will they be in eternity, 15:29 I truly believe I'm gonna see my mom again. 15:32 Amen. 15:34 You know, because of the experience 15:35 we had in the hospital. 15:37 And my mother was a gospel singer, 15:39 I might as well just tell you little bit about the story. 15:41 She was a gospel singer, she had left the church 15:44 for many years and as a young child, 15:47 I live with my grandparents for a while, 15:49 and they would have calls for people to be baptized, 15:52 and I would never raise my hand. 15:54 And finally, the people in the church, 15:55 they came to me and they said, 15:57 "Why don't you want to be baptized?" 15:58 And at a very young age I said, 16:01 "I'm gonna be baptized with my mother." 16:03 Amen. 16:04 But they thought that's an impossibility 16:06 because at that time she was working in tavern, 16:08 she was singing with country bands, 16:12 and, you know, just not the atmosphere 16:14 that you would think that 16:15 I would ever be baptized with my mother. 16:19 And eventually, she and my step dad 16:21 moved down to Southern Illinois and I can't tell you 16:24 how many times I spent with her talking with her 16:27 and crying and my heart breaking 16:30 because I wanted her back to church. 16:32 And it took years, but eventually she stepped back 16:36 into those doors and when she did, 16:38 the country music was put aside, 16:40 the gospel music... 16:42 You know, we have Sister Marlene 16:44 that comes and plays for us 16:45 once a while for family worship. 16:46 She used to play in her gospel group, 16:48 her daddy used to play the harmonica 16:51 and they brought in a lot of big gospel groups 16:55 here to Southern Illinois and it was a real blessing. 16:58 But, you know, when she passed, 17:02 she had been on such high prednisone 17:03 and I won't tell you the whole story, 17:05 but they put her on, they put a feeding tube in her, 17:08 and we thought she was getting better. 17:10 And I got a call Friday night that she was bleeding out, 17:15 and so I rushed up there the next day 17:17 because I planned on going up there 17:19 on Sabbath anyway. 17:21 And they just gave us no hope because they couldn't close her 17:26 and they said there's nothing else that they can do. 17:29 So they started the morphine drip 17:31 and before they did, my girls and I, 17:33 we went in and we gathered around her 17:35 and we read this Psalms 23. 17:38 And then after she started going into the sleep, 17:42 Kenny came in and a few others were there 17:46 and we began to sing. 17:49 And every time we were singing praises to the Lord, 17:52 her breathing was easing and comfortable. 17:55 Amen. 17:56 The moment we would stop singing, 17:58 it became very uncomfortable and difficult 18:02 and you can see she was struggling. 18:04 And I kid you not as we continued to sing 18:07 and lift up Jesus in that room, 18:09 it was as if you raised your hand, 18:11 there would be an angel there. 18:13 Oh, mercy. Amen. 18:14 It was that close. 18:16 People going by, the nurses came in 18:17 and they said, "We just sense 18:19 and feel something different in this room." 18:22 And that was told to us more than once 18:24 and that I can't explain it 18:26 but there was a spiritual experience 18:31 with my mom leaving this earth. 18:33 Praise God. 18:34 And I feel that I'm going to, 18:35 I sense I'm going to see her again 18:37 because I felt the angels were there 18:40 as she fell asleep in Jesus. 18:41 You know with that thought in mind, Sister Mollie, 18:44 one time somebody asked me, of course, 18:46 I read a little bit before. 18:47 It's nice to read things and kind of have them, 18:49 you know, and the Lord would bring them back 18:51 and they said "Give me the shortest definition 18:55 you can of heaven." 18:58 I said, "Jesus." Amen. 19:00 I mean that's a child would say that that is simple... 19:02 That's beautiful. 19:03 But the most, definition of heaven, 19:05 the most beautiful definition you can give is simply Jesus. 19:09 By the grace of God we will be able to see Him face to face. 19:14 We'll be able to thank Him face to face. 19:17 I've often said there's some people 19:19 they snigger a little bit, I said, 19:21 "I really believe by the grace of God, 19:23 only by His grace, I'll make it there. 19:26 I'm gonna be able to hug Him." Most certainly. 19:29 I'm gonna be able to put my hands on Him. 19:33 You know, He's not gonna be something that's abstract, 19:35 something that's so far off that we can only see 19:37 from a distance, but He's gonna spend time with me, 19:40 He's gonna spend time with you, with everyone 19:42 and I really had the opportunity to say, 19:44 "Thank you." 19:45 Praise God. You know, definition of heaven. 19:47 What else is there? 19:48 The streets of gold, all these other things 19:50 that we talk about, it has to be Jesus there 19:55 that makes it heaven. 19:56 That's pretty short answer, you know, to that little bit. 19:57 But that's a good answer, Brother Kenny. 20:01 You know, I think about heaven, is it real? 20:03 Wouldn't we be of all people most measurable, 20:07 if this was all there is? 20:08 Yes. 20:10 We can't be shortsighted, this is not all there is, 20:13 however this is all there is for some people. 20:18 Oh, yeah. 20:19 Only the individual can make the choice in their life 20:25 whether this is going to be all there is 20:27 or whether they are going to have that heaven to gain. 20:31 And it's what we do on, I call it this side of eternity 20:35 that determines where we're going to spend. 20:39 The other side of the eternity and that is either 20:43 in the presence of almighty God 20:45 and that heavenly place that words, 20:48 our words can't describe heaven. 20:51 You know, it's easier to think of heaven as not, you know, 20:56 in earthly terms and when you only think 21:00 of heaven in earthly terms, 21:02 it's not all that, that magnificent. 21:05 Oh, but the words again, nothing we can describe, 21:09 you know, Sister White in some of her writings 21:11 has come the closest and even she will say 21:15 her words doesn't do any justice, 21:17 but don't be shortsighted, this isn't all there is. 21:21 There is an eternity to be gained 21:24 and that is what we do, that's determined about 21:27 what we do on this side of eternity. 21:29 Amen. 21:30 Didn't it say that eye have not seen and ear heard, 21:33 you know, it hasn't entered in the heart of a man 21:36 and the things that God has prepared for. 21:38 I have to be reminded of that too 21:40 because I like to be able to, I read something, 21:42 I kind of try to picture, you know, this is it, 21:44 but it's just so far beyond that 21:47 and I have to be reminded of that relationships 21:50 that we have down here will still be known 21:53 as we're known as some things we'll be studying 21:55 and going over here but we realize that, 21:58 you know, everybody's children is everybody else's children. 22:02 We're not going to love anybody else 22:04 more than we love anybody else less. 22:05 Kind of think I live with her for 50 years, you know... 22:09 It's just going to be different but it's going to be better, 22:12 better than we could ever think or imagine. 22:15 Can I say this right quickly 22:16 because it segues into something that you said, 22:18 Mollie, then you pick up from there. 22:20 This is a story that I was reading this morning. 22:22 A little girl, a little girl was in the country 22:26 for the first time with her grandmother, 22:28 and she was looking up at the sky. 22:33 Oh, Grandma, if heaven is so beautiful on the wrong side, 22:39 what must it be on the right side? 22:41 Oh, yes. Mercy. 22:43 I like that. It's beautiful. 22:44 You were mentioning this, Mollie, 22:46 about what heaven must be like. 22:49 Yeah, wow. 22:50 We have the promises in the word, 22:51 I'll read one of those promises, 22:53 if that's okay. 22:54 It's going to be John 14:2 and 3, 22:57 it's the very first one of the scriptures 23:00 that you have here and Chris, you said, you know, 23:04 you got that assurance that your mother is... 23:07 She went to sleep in Jesus, I've got that same assurance 23:10 and that is so comforting to my heart to know 23:13 that we spend an eternity with your mom. 23:15 Amen. 23:16 But throughout the centuries, the promise of Jesus 23:20 in John 14:2 and 3, 23:22 has filled the hearts of Christians with hope. 23:25 And let me read that to you. 23:27 "In my Father's house are many mansions, 23:30 if it were not so I would have told you I go, 23:33 this is Jesus telling, 23:35 I go to prepare a place for you, 23:38 and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will do, what? 23:43 Will come again and receive you unto my self 23:47 that where I am there you may be also 23:51 in the darkest moments of despair, 23:55 disappointment, despondency or defeat, 23:58 the hope of living with Jesus." 24:01 Kenney Shelton, just as you say it, 24:03 with Jesus in heaven has brightened the day, 24:07 cleared away the clouds and lifted the spirit. 24:09 Hallelujah. Yes. 24:11 Amen. Oh, that's good. 24:12 That is awesome. 24:14 He's given us so many promises and you said, 24:17 what is it going to be like on the other side. 24:19 Just think even of Moses 24:21 when he came down out of the mount 24:22 because he had been in the presence of God 24:25 and the people couldn't look upon him 24:27 because his face shone with the Shekinah Glory. 24:31 We're going to be clothed with the Shekinah Glory. 24:34 The grass is going to look... 24:35 We read as gold and silver 24:37 and there won't be any dead trees, 24:39 there won't be any flowers that die 24:42 and people no longer will there be sickness 24:45 and sadness and best of all death. 24:48 You know, it's going to be a place of peace 24:51 and will read even further to be in harmony, 24:54 and God is a God of order 24:58 and things are in perfect order. 25:00 And you know, as I was reading through some of these things 25:02 like the promises that we read of what heaven will be like? 25:07 I can see why the enemy comes in 25:09 and deceives so many the way that he does, 25:13 because he wants us to think that obedience is not cool. 25:18 You know, if you want to be cool, 25:19 you don't have to obey and, you know, 25:21 and yet God is always calling us back to obedience. 25:25 And you just see bits and pieces 25:27 how the enemy is tearing away of God's government 25:29 because he doesn't want. 25:31 He knows what heaven was like. 25:33 And he knows, he'll never see it, 25:35 he'll never live there again. 25:36 And he doesn't want any of us to live there. 25:39 So he's doing all he can. 25:41 Heaven, what will it be like? 25:42 I'm going to continue reading Sister Mollie. 25:45 It says, and this is what you mentioned a moment ago. 25:49 Words are inadequate to describe it 25:51 but the Holy Scriptures give us 25:53 glimpses of the glorious future. 25:56 There will be harmony, peace, love and unity 25:59 and I know as you mentioned Brother J.D., 26:01 there are people calling in over and over 26:04 because their life is not in harmony. 26:08 They don't have that peace, they don't have the love, 26:11 there is no unity. 26:13 Even as Christians we just strive to unify. 26:16 And listen to this, 26:18 all will be purity and holiness. 26:22 And how often we hear 26:23 what we shouldn't be striving for that, 26:25 we're mere human beings, we can't attain, 26:28 and yet if heaven is to be on this earth 26:31 that should be our goal, 26:32 not that we'll ever fully make it, 26:34 we may never sens that we fully make 26:36 that holiness, that purity, 26:38 but that's our goal to be like Jesus, 26:41 and we can't do it of ourselves, 26:43 but He promises to come in and do it for us. 26:46 And blessedness, God will be, gone will be sorrow, 26:51 crying and pain and best of all as I mentioned earlier 26:56 death will be no more. 26:59 Praise the Lord. 27:01 You know, as Christians we need to come to the point 27:03 where we don't fear death on this earth, 27:07 but always the separation from God. 27:10 And yet those that are still alive 27:12 even if we are assured of our salvation 27:14 and we go to sleep in Jesus, 27:16 you've got ones that love us it tears their heart apart. 27:19 Death on this earth has its sting 27:22 but someday Jesus says, it will be no more. 27:25 One of the passages at the top there 27:27 is found in the Book of Acts. 27:28 I think it's go along with 27:29 what everybody has been saying here, 27:31 Acts 3:20 and 21, you know, this is comforting, 27:36 this should be such an encouragement to us 27:38 as we read it because it talks about Jesus again. 27:42 Starting Acts 3:20, "And he shall send Jesus Christ 27:47 which before was preached unto you, 27:50 whom the heavens must receive until the time of restitution 27:53 of all things which God has spoken 27:56 by the mouth of all the holy prophets 27:58 since the world began." 28:00 Hallelujah! 28:01 The hope, since the world began is Jesus Christ, right? 28:05 Him coming, Him living the life of perfection 28:08 and living the life of holiness, 28:10 and that we may by the grace of God 28:11 make it to a place called heaven. 28:15 Amen. That's assured to us. 28:16 You know, I like it because it says 28:19 instead of before was preached to you, 28:22 I jotted this down and stood up before it was preached 28:25 the real reading of it says should be who was appointed you 28:31 for the foundation of the world 28:32 there was somebody appointed to you. 28:34 See, this was the whole thing is laid, 28:36 is appointed to you which was simply Jesus Christ. 28:39 So the plan of salvation then was clear set in motion, 28:44 you know, from all eternity, if I could put it that way. 28:46 We always say from beginning, from all eternity 28:48 it was set in place, it was sure. 28:52 And really and then you look at, 28:55 if it's fulfilled on condition of obedience, 29:00 where there has to be something on our part. 29:03 Now, will heaven be worth it? 29:05 If you prove from the Bible that there is a heaven 29:08 and surely when you read passage after passage, 29:11 after passage that all these holy men of God, 29:14 these prophets that we just read about here. 29:17 They spoke of a better place, 29:20 they spoke about heaven, Jesus even said 29:22 which we won't get to that point 29:24 probably in one of the passage, He says, 29:26 He told the thief on the cross, you remember? 29:28 He called it, you will be with me in...? 29:30 In paradise. Paradise. 29:32 He called heaven paradise. Yes. 29:33 So I think sometime I might say, 29:35 I'm lonesome for paradise. 29:38 I want to go to paradise. 29:39 I want to be there because 29:41 that's what Jesus referred to as for heaven. 29:43 So if Jesus said there's a heaven, 29:44 there must be a heaven. 29:46 You know, I like verse 21. 29:47 It's got a word in it. Okay. 29:49 In that word is the time space word. 29:52 It's whom heaven must receive 29:54 and in Amplified it says retain. 29:56 That means keep, hold on to 29:58 and here's your time space word until. 30:01 Until. Until. 30:02 Until has a beginning, and it's got an ending. 30:06 So there is a time when heaven will no longer keep hold on to, 30:12 there will be a time of releasing. 30:14 Oh, and that's what 30:16 we're looking forward to, isn't it? 30:17 Wow. Yes. 30:19 Because the disciples saw him go back to heaven. 30:23 As you mentioned then heaven then had to receive Him 30:26 and we don't say had to but and held on as it were... 30:29 It's holding onto until... 30:31 Until the time that he would come back again, 30:34 I thought how interesting that is, 30:36 He remains in heaven until the second coming 30:39 and then a restitution, I've always... 30:43 It's encouraged me and given me strength 30:45 over the years to say 30:47 there's going to be a restitution, 30:49 a restoring of all thing. 30:52 He's going to put it back just like it was. 30:55 I want to say even better, like to just let me do it. 30:56 That's what that word restore means. 30:59 If I restore a piece of furniture, 31:01 what do I do to that piece of furniture? 31:03 Make it back like it was to start with. 31:06 So how was it in the beginning? 31:09 Pretty good around here, wasn't it, 31:10 beginning in the Garden of Eden. 31:12 That's the restitution, restoration of all things, 31:17 and it's going to be restored. 31:19 And it had to be good 31:21 because when God in creation right, every day 31:24 when it was done, what did He say? 31:25 He looked over and He said, hmm, it's good. 31:29 Maybe not quite like that but it was good. 31:31 It was perfect because it came from the hand of the creator. 31:34 And He said, now the enemy has taken this thing now 31:36 and Jesus came 31:38 and now He's going to restore it, 31:39 bring it back. 31:41 It's going to be like it was. So how it was in the beginning? 31:42 So we need to be looking at now. 31:44 Absolutely. 31:45 You know, I was so blessed by the way 31:47 you both broke those two verses down 31:49 because I read them several times 31:51 and I didn't get out of them 31:53 what you just gave me through the Spirit of God. 31:55 And as you were talking, 31:57 I, once again I was reminded of Christ's love for us. 32:01 And that's what He is doing. 32:02 He is restoring us 32:04 so that we can have a place in heaven. 32:05 You talked about obedience. 32:07 See there's no disobedience in heaven, 32:09 sin will not rise up a second time. 32:12 It cannot be there, so God is, 32:14 He's refining us like that piece of furniture. 32:16 We are in that fire of refinement 32:20 and He allows certain things to mold and to break us down 32:23 and to get us back to where we need to be, 32:25 so that we can be citizens of the kingdom 32:28 possibly to replace 32:30 that third of the angels that fell. 32:32 God is going to make all things new again. 32:34 Did you know the recovery part quickly? 32:36 We called in and J.D, 32:37 I'm sure is thinking along this line each one. 32:39 When you say recovery, 32:40 really the first thing goes in my mind, 32:42 I keep thinking about nature, different things, recovery 32:45 but really it's the recovery from sin. 32:48 Really when you think about the main issue is what? 32:50 He's going to recover this world 32:53 and us from the bondage 32:55 that Satan has put on us sin issue, 32:58 He's going to restore 32:59 and bring us back to that point. 33:01 So I think that's good news, don't you? 33:02 I think it's wonderful news. 33:04 You know, it says here, you know, it is what, 33:06 follow your compilation here 33:11 as we're looking forward 33:13 with joyous anticipation to the day 33:14 when Jesus will return to earth. 33:17 Not as a man of sorrows 33:19 but as the King of kings and Lord of lords. 33:22 Amen. 33:23 And in that day the dead in Christ will rise then. 33:27 They will rise first and then His followers 33:29 who are alive will be changed in a moment, 33:31 in the twinkling of an eye 33:33 and then together this redeemed company 33:34 now immortal will travel 33:36 through time and space to the paradise 33:38 that we were talking about, that God is promising, 33:41 the paradise of God to heaven itself. 33:45 And so you know, that's... That's hope. 33:50 And most certainly is, it is hope. 33:52 And I mean, it's... It's who we were born to be. 33:58 You know, that was the original plan. 34:01 And I mean, as you know 34:02 that I'm certainly looking forward to that. 34:04 In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye 34:07 the dead shall rise first, 34:08 that's what comforts us during times of sorrow. 34:12 And it's only just begun, 34:13 we're told that there's going to be 34:15 a time of trouble that this world has never seen, 34:17 and when you look back, in fact for years, 34:20 I couldn't even read the Book of Martyrs. 34:22 I would start to read it and it just, 34:24 I was sick of what people went through. 34:27 I do know a little bit about that history and I stop 34:30 and think, how can it be worse 34:32 than anything this world has ever experienced? 34:35 So we need to be clothed 34:37 with that robe of righteousness. 34:39 We need to be filled completely with the spirit. 34:42 Empty totally of self. 34:44 You mentioned some time earlier 34:47 and I'm not exactly sure what it was 34:48 but you said, you know, will heaven be worth it? 34:51 That may have been the exact words 34:52 and I couldn't find it 34:54 but I found it after when brother was reading here. 34:57 I want to share this with you, 34:59 it says trials cannot be recalled. 35:01 We tried to call up our greatest trials 35:04 and I know, I know we've already experienced 35:07 some that we think how can it ever get worse? 35:09 But when we look at other people many times 35:11 and I was reminded as our secretary 35:14 who was facing death a couple of years ago 35:16 and she would always say, it could always be worse. 35:19 It could always be worse. 35:21 And so I remember that as we suffer many times, 35:24 it can always be worse. 35:25 Amen. 35:27 But they look so small compared to the far more exceeding 35:32 and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us. 35:35 There you go brother, imagine it the glory 35:39 that we could not speak of them, 35:40 you can't even recall those horrible trials 35:43 and we all cried out hallelujah, 35:46 heaven is cheap enough. 35:48 And we touched our golden harps and made heaven's arches ring. 35:52 There's going to be music like you've never heard before. 35:56 The angels we're told, sometimes 35:57 they will strike a note an octave higher. 36:01 It's beautiful. 36:02 It's all peace, it's harmony, it's health, it's healing. 36:06 There's another place in here maybe we'll find it. 36:09 Oh, here it is. No pain there. 36:13 Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. 36:17 And I've often told people 36:19 because there have been times 36:21 just to give a quick example, I try to make it quick. 36:26 One year we were down in Florida 36:27 and during that week 36:29 we were to speak at several churches. 36:31 His back went out and his lower lumbar region 36:34 and the disc were swollen, everything was inflamed. 36:38 We bought him a big exercise ball, 36:41 he tried to lay over that to sleep. 36:43 He would sleep no more than one to two minutes at a time 36:47 through the night. 36:48 And it was horrible and one church he got up, 36:52 he didn't complain that time, he got up he went 36:54 and you would see his body begin to straighten up, 36:58 and as the Holy Spirit took over there was strength, 37:01 there was power 37:02 and then we'll go and it would hit again. 37:05 And this went on and the last one 37:07 was down in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 37:10 And we had called Danny, we said Danny, 37:12 please pray with us. 37:14 He was at his end of the room. Wet sand. 37:17 After a week of no sleep and horrible pain, 37:20 we've been to see a chiropractor, 37:22 we had tried everything we knew 37:24 and he prayed with Danny 37:28 and then he was reading in this newspaper 37:30 and it said something about wading out into the deep. 37:33 You see we have faith when we can see what the water, 37:35 we can see the bottom. 37:36 You know, we can see when our feet are on the bottom 37:39 but when you get out 37:40 and you can't see the bottom anymore, 37:41 you gonna have faith, 37:43 there is not a shark coming after you or something 37:44 that you don't want in that water, right? 37:47 And so he knew that the next day 37:48 was going to be a big day 37:50 and he write there, it says, okay, I don't know 37:52 but I'm just going to have faith. 37:54 Literally he walked into the church crippled. 37:57 You never seen one, I'm doing this 37:59 because one shoulder was harder than the other. 38:01 And we gathered around with the elders 38:03 and some of the ladies 38:05 and the pastor we had prayer 38:06 but He walked up like this again, 38:09 and once again the Holy Spirit took control, 38:13 straightened up, 38:14 because there's healing in His presence. 38:17 And we've experienced that many times, 38:19 even this year many of you know, 38:21 you've been calling him, you've been writing him 38:22 because he's been sick and have been through a lot, 38:25 but when he's got up to speak many, many times. 38:28 In fact it was just not this past Sabbath, 38:30 Sabbath before he got up 38:31 and he had had a real bad week with fibrillation 38:34 and he, when he got up, 38:35 it's just the Holy Spirit 38:37 took over in health and healing. 38:39 And when he got done, I said, you were just fibbing to us. 38:44 No, it was really I understood 38:45 because he was in the presence of God. 38:48 And so that's what it's talking about here. 38:50 Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of God. 38:54 There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, 38:57 no badges of mourning. 38:58 There'll be no more death neither sorrow, nor crying, 39:01 for the former things are passed away. 39:03 The inhabited shall say I am sick. 39:06 The people that dwell there in 39:08 shall be forgiven their inequity. 39:10 And that's important too. 39:12 Remember Jesus, when He looked at the crippled boy 39:15 that came down out of the roof. 39:17 He didn't say rise up, take your bed. 39:20 Right away He says, "Thy sins be forgiven". 39:22 Amen. Amen. 39:23 It's important. Amen. 39:25 Amen. Yeah. 39:26 No condemnation. 39:28 Oh, I love that. That's the big one there. 39:31 No condemnation. Tell us about that one? 39:34 So you do have that freedom, you know, just... 39:39 I like this one right here. Full of joy. 39:44 Heaven it says will be full of joy, 39:46 it resounds with the praises of him 39:48 who made so wonderful sacrifice 39:51 for the redemption of the human race. 39:53 So in other words, he's saying, 39:54 should not the church on earth be full of praise, 39:57 should not Christians publish throughout the world, 40:00 the joy of serving Jesus. 40:02 Talking of heavens, yes, you know. 40:04 I mean, that's... 40:06 Those who in heaven join 40:09 with the angelic choir in their anthem are praised, 40:12 must learn on earth the song of heaven. 40:16 The keynote of which is Thanksgiving. 40:19 You know, that's... 40:22 Being a non singer who loves to sing. 40:25 All right. I'm with you, Brother. 40:26 Well, that's one of those things 40:28 that catches my attention. 40:30 I'll forever be grateful to Danny, 40:33 because Danny has that ability and Mollie does too. 40:37 They've seen potential in people 40:38 that sometimes you don't see in yourself. 40:41 So, you know caver in everything, 40:44 we were given the opportunity, you know to be able to sing, 40:47 and that's big time choir stuff. 40:50 You know, it's kind of like okay, thank you Jesus, 40:52 you know I don't deserve to be here, but thank you. 40:55 And so it was fun to be involved, 40:58 because on both sides of us we had real singers. 41:02 And you just kind of got covered up, 41:04 but then he's talking about here the day will come, 41:08 when you don't have to have someone 41:11 singing that can really sing, 41:13 they've got their microphone on, 41:15 you know where yours may not be turned down. 41:18 I'm looking forward to that. Amen. 41:20 Because and my... 41:22 And my mother was a very talented singer and so, 41:28 but none of us kids got that, 41:30 you know, got that gift or it never was. 41:33 We never got to use it anyway. 41:35 So that's something 41:37 that I've always say everything's got angelic choir 41:39 has always caught my attention. 41:41 Amen. Amen. 41:42 Because sometimes music can touch the heart 41:45 the way sermons and teachings cannot. 41:48 There is just something about it. 41:50 But I do believe they need to work together 41:52 and often I'm in the same boat as you are, 41:54 and I'll look at somebody, some of our good friends, 41:56 I say when I get to the kingdom of heaven, 41:58 I'm going to be able to do that. 41:59 I would be able to play that piano. 42:01 I'm going to be able to sing like that, 42:03 and we look forward to those joyous time. 42:06 You know we're all going to be singing 42:08 this song of the redeemed. 42:09 He mentioned earlier Jesus being able to touch me. 42:13 You know, I was reading in preparation, 42:15 and I don't have that quote with me, 42:16 but as right before we go into the kingdom I believe it was, 42:20 and we were all joined into the city, 42:23 all joined in the square 42:25 and Jesus Himself goes and puts the crown on your head, 42:30 Himself to unnumbered torn souls 42:35 puts the crown on your head. 42:37 And I thought how long will that take, 42:40 but however long it will be joy. 42:44 I remember a pastor years ago said, 42:46 I don't care if I'm a door stopper. 42:49 I just want to be in the kingdom. 42:51 Amen. Amen. 42:52 You know, we're talking about heaven, is it real? 42:56 And to we that have that blessed hope, 42:59 the hope of His soon coming. 43:02 Yes. Yeah. 43:03 It's real to us, we know heaven's real. 43:06 But my heart just gone out to those 43:11 that it's not a reality to. 43:14 Have you ever heard someone say, 43:16 "I won't go to heaven." 43:18 And you know they're not in right relationship with God. 43:20 Oh yes. 43:22 But they think, oh, God, would never send anybody, 43:25 like God and God doesn't. 43:27 We do it to ourselves. That's right. 43:29 But I wanted to read a Scripture 43:32 and it's 2 Thessalonians 1:9, 43:38 "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction 43:43 from the presence of the Lord, 43:44 and from the glory of his power." 43:47 Now I wanted to read this to you, 43:49 and this is from Sister White's writings. 43:53 It says, "The sinner could not be happy 43:57 in God's presence. 43:59 See and does God want any to be lost. 44:02 He's made provision so that none should be lost. 44:07 Everybody has free access 44:09 into the very presence of almighty God. 44:13 What Christ strode out for us at Calvary 44:16 wasn't just for Pastor Kenny or Sister Chris or J.D. 44:21 it was for every inhabitant person, 44:26 it's for you. 44:27 Salvation and this promise of an eternity 44:31 in the presence of God. 44:33 This heaven we're talking about, it's for you. 44:36 I want to finish reading this, talking about the sinner. 44:40 He would shrink 44:42 from the companionship of holy beings. 44:45 Could he be permitted to enter heaven, 44:49 it would have no joy for him. 44:51 The spirit of unselfish love. Oh, do we thank God for that. 44:56 The law of heaven and earth, 44:57 the spirit of self sacrificing love only 45:00 in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 45:03 "That reigns there, 45:04 every heart responding to the heart of infinite love, 45:09 would touch no answering chord in that sinner soul. 45:14 His thoughts, his interest, his motives would be alien 45:19 to those that actuate the sinless dwellers there. 45:23 He would be a discordant note in the melody of heaven. 45:29 Heaven would be to him a place of torture." 45:35 So that's those that haven't made Jesus Christ 45:38 the Lord of their life, 45:40 those that haven't accepted salvation, 45:42 this free gift 45:44 that from the very foundation of the earth 45:48 the Lord made a way for you 45:51 to have right relationship with God. 45:53 So our hearts cry. 45:55 Oh, we're talking about heaven, and the reality of heaven, 45:58 and how real it is to us. 46:00 And how real it is to those in right relationship with God. 46:04 We want to be just as well for you too. 46:07 Amen. Amen. 46:08 You know and just, and thinking along that, have you ever, 46:12 and I'm sure everybody has here at the table, 46:13 you've met people, 46:15 that you want to talk about Jesus to them. 46:19 They have no interest whatsoever 46:21 and pretty soon their feet are shuffling, 46:23 their heads looking over here, 46:25 they're reaching for their phone, 46:27 they're doing something over here, 46:28 they never make eye contact. 46:31 It just let you know that 46:32 they have at that point in their life 46:33 they have no interest in heaven. 46:37 And really what you are saying to them about Jesus 46:40 and accepting Him, 46:41 is kind of like a little bit of torture 46:43 like the pan stove on the fire just a little bit here 46:46 because they're kind of wiggling around, 46:48 and they can't wait 46:50 to have some kind of excuse come in their mind 46:52 so they can get out there. 46:53 But you're planting seeds that will start planting. 46:54 You got to keep planting. 46:56 No, keeping planting the seed, 46:57 but you can kind of see it in the physical here. 46:59 Even in this world that people 47:01 who don't have a love for Jesus. 47:03 You can see them starting to really, 47:05 they don't want to be in the presence of it, 47:07 they don't want to hear about it, 47:08 they don't want to talk about it, 47:09 they don't have time. 47:11 So this really goes in harmony 47:12 with I was talking about the end results, 47:14 they just won't be happy in heaven. 47:15 And that's why 3ABN exists, 47:17 that's why Behold the Lamb exists, 47:19 that's why so many ministries, that's why we have given up 47:22 the things of this world to work in ministry 47:25 because we want to reach souls for the kingdom. 47:28 We want you to wake up and say, Jesus, I want to know Him. 47:33 How do I find out more about Him? 47:35 Heaven, is it really real? I want to know more about that. 47:39 You know if they can contact me in some way, 47:41 I'll be happy to even send them a copy of these notes 47:44 because we want to share these things 47:46 with anyone, anywhere, anytime. 47:49 And the quote right under what you just read, it says, 47:53 "It is no arbitrary decree on the part of God 47:56 that excludes the wicked from heaven." 47:58 He didn't do that arbitrary. No! 48:01 He loves everyone, He is calling every one of you, 48:05 just as He's calling us, to accept Him into your heart, 48:09 and accept the free gift of salvation 48:12 He has for you. 48:14 It reads on, it says, 48:16 "Unfortunately they are shut out 48:20 by their own unfitness for its companionship. 48:23 The glory of God would be to them a consuming fire." 48:28 You know as we read in Scripture as the second coming, 48:31 you've got the wicked that are crying for the rocks 48:34 to fall on them 48:35 because they feel this consuming fire burning 48:38 throughout their body and they want to die. 48:42 They would welcome destruction that they might be hidden 48:45 from the face of Him, who died to redeem. 48:48 In other words, there's two choices. 48:50 You have the choice to accept Jesus, 48:53 and He's already given us the end of the story, He says, 48:56 if you choose not to this will be your lot. 49:01 But if you choose me, heaven will be your home 49:05 because it is real. 49:07 And, you know, and there may be people out there right now 49:09 that are saying, well, 49:10 I want to know who that Jesus is? 49:12 What do I need to do? 49:14 You know, it's really very simple. 49:17 Jesus, come into my heart. Amen. 49:20 I want to know who you are. 49:22 I gave you permission to impress upon my heart 49:25 who you are, Jesus. 49:27 Why don't you have a prayer for them right now? 49:28 I'll be happy to. 49:30 And may be they will pray along with us 49:31 and pray this prayer with you. 49:32 Amen. Amen. 49:34 "Father, as we come together right now in the name of Jesus, 49:36 Father. 49:39 There is no greater peace 49:42 than to know that we're free indeed, 49:45 and free indeed, Lord, 49:46 to be able to receive the promises 49:50 that you are freely giving. 49:52 And so, Father, as we come before you, 49:55 Father, if we don't know 49:57 as much as we think we should know. 49:59 Father, we're just asking Lord to make it plain to us. 50:02 Amen. 50:03 Father, simplify it, 50:05 so that we know that we are hearing from You. 50:08 Father, we don't have to understand everything 50:11 but, Father, we just want to know 50:13 that what we're receiving from You is a start, 50:18 just the baby steps, Lord. 50:20 And, Father, so as we just plead, beg, 50:26 Father, that we're just sick 50:28 and tired of being sick and tired. 50:31 That, Father, we want something that's better, 50:34 something that's new, something, Lord, 50:36 that would put a smile on our face 50:38 and peace in our heart. 50:40 And, Father, that when we come to the T in the road, 50:43 we will know which way to turn. 50:45 We don't have to sit and wonder and just flip a coin 50:49 but, Father, that You through 50:51 the Holy Spirit will impress us. 50:53 And, Father, just give us that feeling 50:58 that we know that's coming from You. 51:00 So, Father, we love You and we thank You 51:03 and we plead, Lord, 51:05 that You will indeed 51:06 make that difference in our lives. 51:08 Yes, Lord. Amen. 51:09 We're turning it over to you, in the name of Jesus. 51:11 Amen. Amen. 51:13 And you know if, 51:16 if you're one of the ones 51:18 that asked the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart, 51:21 then if that prayer that J.D, 51:23 just prayed for you was for you, 51:26 then you need to tell somebody, 51:30 you need to do something about it. 51:31 You know, this is Friday evening, 51:35 this is the beginning of the Sabbath. 51:37 We're welcoming in the Sabbath. Do you know what tomorrow is? 51:41 Tomorrow is our day of worship. Yes. 51:45 And I would expect there is a Seventh-day Adventist church 51:50 in your community, in your town. 51:52 You need to go find you a local church 51:56 to become attached to. 51:58 You and everyone of us need a church family. 52:02 A church we can be planted and put our roots down in, 52:05 draw nourishment from that church 52:08 and grow up into the things of the Lord. 52:12 So don't just sit there and thank God 52:15 she accepted Jesus that you have reached out 52:18 able to make it more with your life, 52:20 but now let's become a part of a family. 52:24 Become part of a congregation of believers 52:27 that will nourish you, they'll help you, 52:29 they'll encourage you. 52:31 Amen. Amen. 52:32 And they can call 3ABN and speak with brother. 52:35 Yes, Pastor J.D. and the other pastoral staff 52:39 and they can say during that family worship 52:41 I accepted Jesus, and we'll help them. 52:44 You know because if we look at it from Scripture 52:47 which we should is that 52:49 we'll either be inside those walls 52:52 or outside those walls. 52:54 It doesn't matter who it is or what people might think of 52:57 who they are. 52:58 One or the other the choice will be 53:00 when he comes back the second time 53:01 will be in of the, actually the third coming. 53:04 He comes and hit the walls 53:05 and the wicked surround that city 53:08 and, you know, people will try to say, well, 53:10 we won't know who, I'm convinced 53:13 that those inside the walls will know those 53:15 who are outside the walls. 53:18 And Lord have mercy. 53:20 It may be mom or daddy or our children 53:23 or whatever it might be. 53:24 I believe we're going to be well aware of that, 53:27 and so what we need to do now is what? 53:29 Strive that they make the changes necessary now. 53:33 I've heard one person say, doesn't go to church, 53:35 doesn't care whether he goes to heaven or not just, 53:37 well, I'm just good as you and I'm 53:39 as good as everybody else. 53:40 And says, don't be, try to be as good as me, 53:42 well I'm not any good. 53:44 We want to be like Jesus. 53:46 This is what it's all about at home. 53:48 So He's our target, He's our objective. 53:51 And so I encourage people to look to Him. 53:53 It's one or the other and it can definitely be, 53:57 you know, when Peter was going down 53:59 how he said was what? 54:01 Jesus. 54:02 I supposed I think he said, help me, Jesus. 54:05 That was help, was right there on the way 54:07 and so this is what we're looking at. 54:08 Help is on your way, it's been prayed, 54:11 it's been witness to, 54:12 it's been agreed upon two or three 54:13 to touch and agreed upon it. 54:15 And I really believe by the grace of God, 54:16 there's been those who accepted Christ right now. 54:18 And said I don't want to be outside those walls. 54:20 Amen. 54:21 I don't want to be destroyed... Can I read this real quick? 54:23 Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven, 54:28 just think of taking hold of the hand 54:29 in finding it's God's hand, 54:32 just think of breathing new air and finding it heavenly air, 54:36 just think of feeling invigorated 54:38 and finding it immortality. 54:40 Amen. 54:42 Just think of passing from storm 54:43 and temptest to an unbroken calm. 54:47 And just think of waking up and finding at home. 54:51 Amen. I am loving this study. 54:54 And I want to share a few verses of Scripture. 54:57 Write these down if you've never read them before. 54:59 Revelation, 21:1:7. 55:03 This is what John the Revelator was given 55:05 and he wrote it just for you. 55:07 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 55:10 for the first heaven and the first earth 55:12 were passed away and there was no more sea, 55:15 and I John, saw the holy city, 55:18 New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, 55:21 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, 55:24 and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 55:27 oh, can you wait to hear this voice, 55:29 behold the tabernacle of God is with men 55:33 and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people 55:36 and God himself shall be with them 55:39 and be their God 55:40 and God shall wipe away all tears, all your tears, 55:44 brothers and sisters from their eyes 55:46 and there should be no more death, 55:48 neither sorrow, no crying, 55:50 neither shall there be any more pain 55:51 for the former things are passed away. 55:54 And he that sat on the throne said, behold, 55:56 I make all things new and he said unto to me, 55:59 right for these words are true and faithful. 56:03 You can build your faith upon this rock of foundation. 56:07 And he said unto to me it is done, 56:10 I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. 56:13 I given to him that is a thirst 56:15 of the fountain of water of life free. 56:19 I'm getting thirsty. Amen. 56:20 Yeah, I'm getting thirsty. Have that blessed hope. 56:24 That thing encourages us 56:26 that the coming of Jesus is near even at the door. 56:28 We've got about a minute left. 56:30 Sister Mollie, can you give us just a quick thought 56:31 and then J.D? 56:33 And he who overcomes shall inherit all things. 56:35 Amen. Amen. 56:38 There's something to it, right? 56:39 Yes, some obedience here as though overcomer. 56:42 That's a promise. 56:43 You know, what I'd like to thank 56:45 that we should have a yearning in our heart for heaven itself. 56:51 You know, where we will have our brothers and sisters. 56:54 And we look forward to our family members there. 56:56 Thank you, Jesus. 56:58 Amen. Amen. 56:59 And you know, the Lord says, Mama says, 57:01 I'll give you the desires of your heart. 57:04 So if that's your desire 57:05 that you want heaven to be your home, 57:07 guaranteed the price is already been paid, 57:10 guaranteed that Jesus' blood will cover all your past. 57:15 He's going to make a new creature out of you. 57:16 It's guaranteed based upon the Word of God. 57:20 Be sure this is desire, hang on Jesus is coming soon. 57:23 Amen. 57:25 He does anything and everything to witness to Him. 57:28 So until next time, friends, 57:29 may our precious Lord continue to richly bless, you and yours. 57:34 Amen. Amen. |
Revised 2017-09-26