I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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I want to spend my life
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Removing pain
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Lord, let my words
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Heal a heart that hurts
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I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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Hello and welcome.
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Glad you joined us today
here at 3ABN Family Worship.
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You know, I'm
excited about this lesson,
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so I want you to be excited too.
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So don't go anywhere.
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If you're in a
seat, just stay there.
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Grab your
Bible, pencil and paper
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because we're going
to look at something,
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I think, as we study,
we're talking about power,
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we're talking about
peace equals self-control.
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And I know
everyone's going to look around,
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you're probably in your home,
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you're going to
look around and say,
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"They really need this."
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And probably around this
table, I hope no one says
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he really needs this.
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I'm going to look
in the mirror. Amen.
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Okay, in this program, I
want to look in the mirror,
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this spiritual mirror,
and see where I'm failing.
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Because I know that
there's improvement to be made.
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If we ever say
there's no improvement,
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then we're not going to
be looking for those things
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that we need to change and get
ready for the coming of Jesus.
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So I definitely
lack in this area.
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And it says, you know,
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"Confess your faults
from one to another."
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And with that, we can
pray about these things.
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And in our lesson,
I believe it's going
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to be brought out here,
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how we can gain
mastery over self.
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And this is a big issue.
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So anyway, we're
glad you joined us,
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praise the Lord for that.
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And, Honey, I'm
going to let you,
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you can
introduce the ones we have.
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They are actually going to
carry the load, aren't they?
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We're just here to
sit in, isn't that right?
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Yeah.
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Well, that means
you've got some things to say.
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We don't want to be selfish,
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we want to help
them carry the load.
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Okay. I'll be a helper today.
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We're all going
to work as a group
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to help carry the
load, we need each other.
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And as time continues
on, we need each other now.
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Yes.
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And we're going
to need each other
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throughout the
rest of this lifetime,
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possibly throughout eternity.
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Won't that be nice? Yes.
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Well, to my right
is Brother Ryan Day.
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And by the way, in case you
don't know, I am Chris Shelton.
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This is my husband,
Pastor Kenny Shelton.
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Thank you, Honey.
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And this is Ryan Day and
his beautiful wife, Stephanie.
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That's right.
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And we haven't always, I
think we had you on one program
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a long time ago when
you guys first moved here.
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And it's so good
to have you back.
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Thank you. I know
there's been a lot of changes.
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So it frees you
up to get to join
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and do some more
ministry, that's exciting.
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So, Ryan, anything
you want to share about
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what you've been doing
or what you're doing here?
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Something new this year at 3ABN?
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Well, we are pressing forward
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with creating
our Bible database.
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I love that.
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Which is a Bible
questions and answer database,
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and it's not quite ready
yet, we're getting closer
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and closer but we're
pressing forward with it.
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It's going to be a blessing
once we get it all together
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and ready, people
will be able to go on
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and get their
Bible questions answered
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right through this database.
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That's awesome. Amen.
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Praise the Lord. Lot of work.
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I am so excited. Yes.
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When I first heard
that, I was just so excited.
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It's something we've needed,
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it's something I
wish Behold the Lamb had.
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You know, because I've always
thought that it's wonderful.
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We've got it now.
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But we have links, so
we're going to link it to yours,
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you know, so when they come in,
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they have question we're
going to link it to 3ABN.
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She really was excited about.
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I kind of her run through
the house screaming one day.
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What is it?
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She started
telling me about this.
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I said, "How exciting that is."
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And since it's going to
answer so many questions,
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help many who have questions
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that maybe has never
been answered before.
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So it's quite a
blessing, thanks a lot.
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Amen.
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And down at our
far end of the table,
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is Sister Linda and her husband,
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Eddie Clark, and they have
recently moved here in 3ABN,
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and I'm so excited
about what you both are doing.
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Brother Eddie, what
are you doing in this area?
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We have brought our
health ministry here.
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And we're going to
put in a wellness center.
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Amen.
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My wife is a herbalist,
a very good herbalist.
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Yes, she is. Amen.
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And so we help a lot
of people with herbs,
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and hydrotherapy, and so forth.
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And so, we're
looking forward to.
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Let me just ask
kind of a silly question,
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when are you going to begin?
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Well, you've just
been here a short time,
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but what has happened?
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Well, we... You've been
covered up, haven't you?
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When we moved our
business here, we kept it going.
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And so we've
always kept that going.
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But as far as the
building, we're renovating.
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Yes. We're making some steps.
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And so we're not
all the way there,
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kind of like Ryan,
he's in the process,
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we're in the
process already going.
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Working hard.
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Keeping it going
was really tough.
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Because when we came,
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we were in the
building behind the church.
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And so we had some
challenges back there,
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just continuing
to get the orders out
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while doing renovations.
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And so, the Lord provided.
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And we need something,
somebody will stop by and say,
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"Hey, I've got a
couple hours here or there."
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And it's been awesome,
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just awesome to see the miracles
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that have happened
since we've been here.
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Amen.
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And I believe the
Lord has more miracles now
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he's in each
ministry and the work
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and I tell you
guys are building,
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and everything is
always about somebody else.
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I like that because
that's part of our lesson,
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no matter when you call,
no matter what's going on,
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God has given them
answers to our health
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and they just put everything
down and just right then meet
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that need right there.
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And so, you know, they
have a lot of needs too,
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I pray, there's
people out there really
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that's had an
interest in this work
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that you guys are in,
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I know in the
building project right now.
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It just takes an awful
lot to rebuild and to remodel,
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and I just know
peoples out there
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that's very interested in that.
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And by the grace of
God, you're going to get
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what you need to continue this.
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Amen. We're just
excited about it.
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It's just that
simple just to have,
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I'm getting
goosebumps, because I know
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that you've talked about
the work in the medical work
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and so on so forth,
it's going to be one
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of the last things that
can be done before Jesus come.
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We know it's the
entering wedge and so,
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how exciting that is.
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Let's start wedging
in, there's peoples going
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to be interested
not only in health,
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they're going to be
interested in spiritually too.
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That's right. Amen.
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Okay, we need to
have prayer. Yes, we do.
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And maybe begin
because all this other stuff
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is exciting to me to talk.
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But let's have, but, Brother
Ryan, how about you, my friend?
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Would you pray for us
please? Absolutely, let's pray.
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Wonderful, Heavenly
Father, Lord, we are so blessed
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and honored to be
alive on this day.
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See another day, Lord,
and to breathe a fresh breath
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of life that You provide.
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As we sit around this table now
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and also those joining us
at home all around the world,
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Lord, we're all one
giant family in you,
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in our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
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And we ask for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit
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during this family worship time,
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Lord, may this not
just be another lesson
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or another study.
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May it be something
that pricks our heart
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and leads us and draws
us to Jesus and awakens us
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to the spiritual
need of the Holy Spirit
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in these last days,
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as we know our
Savior's coming soon.
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So bless this
time together, Lord,
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be with each
and every one of us.
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And may You be glorified
we guess in Jesus' holy name.
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Amen. Amen. Praise the Lord.
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Okay, there's a
little opening to this.
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And if we, if you
set the opening for us,
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wherever you want to
do on that front part
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that we have here in our notes,
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and then we can
all start joining in
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and there's questions, right?
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Because I'm thinking
you'll probably ask a few more,
00:08:00.61\00:08:02.38
but it's going to be answered
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and then we have three
questions to go over, so.
00:08:03.78\00:08:05.31
Well, I think you're
going to ask those, yes.
00:08:05.35\00:08:07.55
So I'll read down that you begin
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where you told me to begin.
00:08:09.52\00:08:11.79
Self-control. Okay,
Honey, you know what?
00:08:11.82\00:08:13.25
Self-control begin
where I ask you to begin.
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There you go.
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Okay, self-control was
once a cherished attribute.
00:08:17.16\00:08:21.46
But to look at our world today,
00:08:21.50\00:08:23.06
it's as though
self-control was nothing
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but a thing of the past.
00:08:24.87\00:08:26.97
Nowadays, anything goes
if it feels good, just do it.
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Sad to say that was a statement
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they had way
back in the 70s too.
00:08:33.68\00:08:35.94
But it's very prevalent today.
00:08:35.98\00:08:38.45
Our society is swiftly
becoming a society of no respect
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for anyone or anything.
00:08:42.82\00:08:44.72
Matthew 24:12, tells us that,
"Because iniquity shall abound,
00:08:44.75\00:08:49.46
the love of
many shall wax cold."
00:08:49.49\00:08:52.73
Certainly,
00:08:52.76\00:08:54.10
Christ's prophetic
words are now our reality.
00:08:54.13\00:08:58.93
Wow.
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You know, again,
we're talking about power,
00:09:00.34\00:09:02.34
and here in lesson it
talks about and peace.
00:09:02.37\00:09:04.71
So power plus peace,
00:09:04.74\00:09:07.61
you have to have
equal self-control.
00:09:07.64\00:09:09.18
So that's how we're going
to try to put it together.
00:09:09.21\00:09:11.05
You know, how can we have peace
00:09:11.08\00:09:12.41
and how can we have power
00:09:12.45\00:09:14.18
if we already have self-control?
00:09:14.22\00:09:16.48
Is it possible if we
can't control as it were, right?
00:09:16.52\00:09:19.32
Our emotions, our feelings,
so can we really have power
00:09:19.35\00:09:22.52
and can we really have peace?
00:09:22.56\00:09:24.13
So I think that's the question
that leads into number one.
00:09:24.16\00:09:27.56
Brother Ryan, there's
a couple passages there.
00:09:27.60\00:09:30.00
Maybe you'll see them
there on it, if you have it.
00:09:30.03\00:09:32.77
Starts out what fullness
is expressed in these words.
00:09:32.80\00:09:36.00
Yeah, so just a collection
of a few pieces of Scripture
00:09:36.04\00:09:39.87
that communicates a
powerful lesson here.
00:09:39.91\00:09:41.81
We see that Jesus
said in John 8:12, He said,
00:09:41.84\00:09:45.01
"I am the light of the world."
00:09:45.05\00:09:46.38
Yes.
00:09:46.41\00:09:47.75
And, of course,
John 6:35, He says,
00:09:47.78\00:09:49.12
"I am the bread of life."
00:09:49.15\00:09:51.52
Also in John 14:6,
this is that famous passage
00:09:51.55\00:09:54.16
where Jesus says, "I am the Way,
00:09:54.19\00:09:56.06
the Truth and the Life."
00:09:56.09\00:09:58.49
And then, of course, John 10:14,
00:09:58.53\00:10:00.80
"I am the good shepherd."
00:10:00.83\00:10:02.63
And then you, of course,
pair that with John 10:10,
00:10:02.66\00:10:08.27
and also verse...
00:10:08.30\00:10:09.77
Yes, John 10:14, here, it says,
00:10:09.80\00:10:12.84
"I am come that
they may have life
00:10:12.87\00:10:16.51
and that they may
have it more abundantly."
00:10:16.54\00:10:19.48
And, of course, the
note here, which I love
00:10:19.51\00:10:20.85
what was put here it says,
this life is what we must have,
00:10:20.88\00:10:23.18
and we must have
it more abundantly.
00:10:23.22\00:10:25.49
God will breathe
this life into every soul
00:10:25.52\00:10:28.22
that dies to self
and lives to Christ,
00:10:28.26\00:10:30.96
but entire self
renunciation is required.
00:10:30.99\00:10:34.30
Unless this takes place,
we carry with us the evil
00:10:34.33\00:10:38.00
that destroys our happiness.
00:10:38.03\00:10:39.80
But when self is
crucified, Christ lives in us.
00:10:39.83\00:10:43.47
And the power of the
Spirit attends our efforts.
00:10:43.51\00:10:46.01
That comes from Our High Calling
00:10:46.04\00:10:47.88
on page 21 thereof Our
High Calling, dying to self,
00:10:47.91\00:10:53.21
that's what this
is talking about.
00:10:53.25\00:10:54.75
We have to look unto
Christ, the life source,
00:10:54.78\00:10:57.05
He is the light, He is the way,
00:10:57.09\00:10:58.79
He is the truth, He is the life.
00:10:58.82\00:11:00.39
And so I think
the number one step
00:11:00.42\00:11:02.36
that we must first acknowledge
00:11:02.39\00:11:04.19
and realize that in
order to die to self,
00:11:04.23\00:11:06.59
we cannot do that in
and of our own power.
00:11:06.63\00:11:08.70
It must come by
the power of Christ.
00:11:08.73\00:11:11.27
Amen.
00:11:11.30\00:11:12.73
I underlined that I thought
how interesting this life,
00:11:12.77\00:11:15.54
you know, that we
have to die to self,
00:11:15.57\00:11:18.87
and the one who dies
to self lives to Christ.
00:11:18.91\00:11:22.08
So if we're not dying to self,
00:11:22.11\00:11:23.61
then we're not really
living in for Christ, are we?
00:11:23.65\00:11:26.31
That's right.
00:11:26.35\00:11:27.68
I don't know,
Brother Ed and Linda,
00:11:27.72\00:11:29.05
you have something down or
you want to throw in on this,
00:11:29.08\00:11:30.42
because you can go in so many
different directions on this,
00:11:30.45\00:11:32.75
but it's about dying to self.
00:11:32.79\00:11:34.76
And that is one of the
most difficult things, I think,
00:11:34.79\00:11:37.93
because I think at
every root, isn't it true?
00:11:37.96\00:11:40.66
At the root of all
sin self lies there.
00:11:40.70\00:11:44.33
There's so many avenues of sin,
00:11:44.37\00:11:46.27
so many different ways.
00:11:46.30\00:11:50.54
And, you know, everybody
has their own tailor made
00:11:50.57\00:11:55.71
temptation and sin.
00:11:55.74\00:11:57.38
And so, it's a very
big answer to the question
00:11:57.41\00:12:02.05
of how does one die to self?
00:12:02.08\00:12:03.55
Right. There's
a whole lot to it.
00:12:03.59\00:12:06.72
Amen. Absolutely.
00:12:06.76\00:12:08.16
You know, before we go ahead
00:12:08.19\00:12:09.99
and answer this
a little bit more,
00:12:10.03\00:12:11.89
I want to jump back a
little bit before that,
00:12:11.93\00:12:15.30
because I think
that the people at home
00:12:15.33\00:12:17.33
I think you at home can relate
to what I'm going to read here,
00:12:17.37\00:12:20.07
it says, "But as a child of God,
00:12:20.10\00:12:22.00
who desires heaven
to be our eternal home,"
00:12:22.04\00:12:24.34
I believe
everybody around this table,
00:12:24.37\00:12:26.47
we desire heaven to
be our eternal home.
00:12:26.51\00:12:30.45
So what's the problem
00:12:30.48\00:12:32.88
with following in the
footsteps of the world?
00:12:32.91\00:12:35.32
A lot of people question that.
00:12:35.35\00:12:37.62
There are so many denominations.
00:12:37.65\00:12:39.99
I mean, in fact, some of
the largest denominations,
00:12:40.02\00:12:42.72
you can be a full participant
in the things of the world,
00:12:42.76\00:12:46.46
and yet go and worship and
praise and feel really good
00:12:46.49\00:12:50.67
about what you've
just done at church
00:12:50.70\00:12:52.40
and go back and do it again.
00:12:52.43\00:12:53.77
It's a back and forth,
it's a yo-yo type of thing.
00:12:53.80\00:12:56.71
Is there really
a higher standard?
00:12:56.74\00:12:59.34
You see, a lot of
people say, "Come as you are."
00:12:59.37\00:13:02.51
And they take
that out of context.
00:13:02.54\00:13:04.65
Because Jesus does
say, "Come as you are,"
00:13:04.68\00:13:07.68
but praise God, He
doesn't leave us there.
00:13:07.72\00:13:10.49
Acts talks about the
restoration of all things.
00:13:10.52\00:13:13.82
And Christ is slowly throughout
the eons of this world,
00:13:13.86\00:13:17.79
He has been restoring things
that the devil has taken away.
00:13:17.83\00:13:20.90
So this is a question I
want you to keep in mind.
00:13:20.93\00:13:23.26
Is there really
a higher standard?
00:13:23.30\00:13:26.20
Does a moral
absolute truly exist?
00:13:26.23\00:13:29.70
This is another challenge.
00:13:29.74\00:13:31.77
Is there really anything
that we can base morally
00:13:31.81\00:13:34.58
that we can say, you
know, "This is worth dying for?
00:13:34.61\00:13:38.11
This is worth living for?
00:13:38.15\00:13:39.85
This is really what truth is?"
00:13:39.88\00:13:42.88
I mean, if there's
ever been a question,
00:13:42.92\00:13:45.09
in this earth's history,
00:13:45.12\00:13:48.19
I think the last
few years bears the fact
00:13:48.22\00:13:51.16
that we don't always know
what's right and what's wrong,
00:13:51.19\00:13:53.29
what's truth and what's err.
00:13:53.33\00:13:54.76
Err is becoming truth
and truth is becoming err
00:13:54.80\00:13:57.50
which also fulfills prophecy.
00:13:57.53\00:13:59.37
Yes. Okay.
00:13:59.40\00:14:01.20
So, or has the devil
deceived us into believing
00:14:01.24\00:14:05.31
that we can be one with
the world and one with God?
00:14:05.34\00:14:09.11
And really, what's the problem
if we slip into the muddy water
00:14:09.14\00:14:12.91
of sinful thoughts and
actions once in a while?
00:14:12.95\00:14:16.85
Prayerfully,
during, and as we begin
00:14:16.89\00:14:19.42
to answer this
outline that we have here,
00:14:19.45\00:14:23.02
we were going to
touch on these things,
00:14:23.06\00:14:24.79
we're going to
answer these things,
00:14:24.83\00:14:26.39
and we're going to find out,
00:14:26.43\00:14:27.76
is there really
a moral absolute?
00:14:27.80\00:14:29.13
Is there really a truth?
00:14:29.16\00:14:30.50
Does God really have a standard
00:14:30.53\00:14:32.30
that is much higher than
what maybe we are right now?
00:14:32.33\00:14:35.27
And we need to
attain to that standard.
00:14:35.30\00:14:37.11
You know,
probably the first thing
00:14:37.14\00:14:38.47
and then with the
what, and everybody trying
00:14:38.51\00:14:39.87
to discuss this because to me,
00:14:39.91\00:14:41.24
this is the question of
questions then this answer,
00:14:41.28\00:14:44.41
because Jesus was
speaking in Matthew 16:24.
00:14:44.45\00:14:47.12
You know, well, He says,
00:14:47.15\00:14:48.48
"If any man will come after Me,"
00:14:48.52\00:14:51.09
what is he going to do?
00:14:51.12\00:14:52.79
Aren't we all striving
to be like Christ, right?
00:14:52.82\00:14:55.26
If you're a Christian, you're
striving to be like Him. Right.
00:14:55.29\00:14:57.16
And Jesus said, "If you
are, and you're coming after Me
00:14:57.19\00:15:00.10
as it were, you see My life,
00:15:00.13\00:15:02.40
you see how I
lived, you see what I did?"
00:15:02.43\00:15:03.83
He said, "Then
first of all, Kenny,
00:15:03.87\00:15:06.57
before you can follow Me,
you have to deny yourself."
00:15:06.60\00:15:10.44
Wow. We set it off
and you know, deny self.
00:15:10.47\00:15:13.98
And then He says, "If by
the grace of God," right?
00:15:14.01\00:15:16.41
"You can deny self,
00:15:16.44\00:15:17.78
then you're to
take up the cross,
00:15:17.81\00:15:20.65
and then you follow Me."
00:15:20.68\00:15:22.08
And I've often said,
00:15:22.12\00:15:23.59
You're not going
to pick up any cross
00:15:23.62\00:15:25.25
if self is still there, right?
00:15:25.29\00:15:27.49
Right.
00:15:27.52\00:15:28.86
You're not going to deny self,
00:15:28.89\00:15:30.33
take up the cross,
and then follow Me.
00:15:30.36\00:15:31.76
None of us is
going to follow Christ,
00:15:31.79\00:15:33.46
unless something
happens, self dies.
00:15:33.50\00:15:37.33
And I don't care
how self dies, right?
00:15:37.37\00:15:39.87
It just needs to die.
00:15:39.90\00:15:41.74
But I found out
studying on this lesson here.
00:15:41.77\00:15:44.77
Now use this
word, I can't kill it.
00:15:44.81\00:15:46.47
Right.
00:15:46.51\00:15:47.84
You know what I'm saying,
I can't kill self on my own.
00:15:47.88\00:15:49.64
No, you can't. I just, I can't.
00:15:49.68\00:15:51.08
But let me tell you,
don't get excited and say,
00:15:51.11\00:15:52.88
oh see, there's no
help, excuses all of mine.
00:15:52.91\00:15:55.02
I say it here today
and not make excuses
00:15:55.05\00:15:56.85
for any of the
failures or shortcomings
00:15:56.89\00:15:58.25
that I might have.
00:15:58.29\00:15:59.62
It's when we
look away from Christ,
00:15:59.65\00:16:01.06
we're going to fall short.
00:16:01.09\00:16:02.42
But He says deny self.
00:16:02.46\00:16:03.79
So this is a big
issue of every disagreement.
00:16:03.83\00:16:07.06
Probably might have in the home.
00:16:07.10\00:16:08.86
Right. Right?
00:16:08.90\00:16:10.23
In the workplace.
00:16:10.27\00:16:12.07
"I want,"
00:16:12.10\00:16:14.07
is what the
enemy said, "I want."
00:16:14.10\00:16:16.04
So let's look at
that little closer there
00:16:16.07\00:16:17.74
about denying self.
00:16:17.77\00:16:19.11
Self denial and sacrifice
00:16:19.14\00:16:21.71
actually marks the
life of a Christian.
00:16:21.74\00:16:24.71
Yes. It has to be in there.
00:16:24.75\00:16:27.42
But who really
wants to sacrifice?
00:16:27.45\00:16:30.32
Who really wants to deny self?
00:16:30.35\00:16:32.85
You don't want to hear
that. I know what's wrong.
00:16:32.89\00:16:34.62
But I like to.
00:16:34.66\00:16:36.52
I want to go there because
well, I know I shouldn't.
00:16:36.56\00:16:38.53
Right. I guess, go ahead.
00:16:38.56\00:16:40.96
I would love to just
give you this thought
00:16:41.00\00:16:43.26
because when I
began to answer this,
00:16:43.30\00:16:45.67
I put that denying self
00:16:45.70\00:16:47.04
is really a
process of sanctification.
00:16:47.07\00:16:49.50
It is. When we come to
Jesus, and we're justified.
00:16:49.54\00:16:53.64
But then we begin that
road of sanctification.
00:16:53.68\00:16:56.08
And we know that that
road of sanctification
00:16:56.11\00:16:58.55
is the work of a lifetime.
00:16:58.58\00:17:00.78
But sometimes I
think people think,
00:17:00.82\00:17:03.45
"It's going to take me
a lifetime to achieve it."
00:17:03.49\00:17:06.15
But that's not
what Christ is saying.
00:17:06.19\00:17:08.46
It's a work of a lifetime,
00:17:08.49\00:17:09.96
because we're going to be
doing that work for a lifetime.
00:17:09.99\00:17:12.73
He wants us to
grow up in Christ.
00:17:12.76\00:17:14.10
Yes. He wants us to grow up.
00:17:14.13\00:17:16.10
And so, you know,
because we are human,
00:17:16.13\00:17:18.37
we face trials,
we face temptations,
00:17:18.40\00:17:21.20
the old man has to die daily.
00:17:21.24\00:17:23.67
And so it is a
work of a lifetime,
00:17:23.71\00:17:26.47
meaning that it's just something
00:17:26.51\00:17:27.91
we're going to
continue to do on this earth.
00:17:27.94\00:17:30.45
Amen.
00:17:30.48\00:17:33.78
You read at the very
beginning, Matthew 24:12, says,
00:17:33.82\00:17:37.89
"Because iniquity shall abound,
00:17:37.92\00:17:39.82
the love of
many shall wax cold."
00:17:39.85\00:17:43.83
How many messages though,
00:17:43.86\00:17:45.23
nowadays, do we hear about love,
00:17:45.26\00:17:47.33
do this out of love,
00:17:47.36\00:17:48.73
do this out of
love for your neighbor.
00:17:48.76\00:17:50.33
Right. Do such and so.
00:17:50.37\00:17:51.97
And we have to
remember, here Jesus is saying,
00:17:52.00\00:17:57.17
"You don't truly
understand the love
00:17:57.21\00:17:59.54
that I want to draw you into."
00:17:59.57\00:18:01.01
That's true.
00:18:01.04\00:18:02.38
Satan has his own deceptive
means and what love is.
00:18:02.41\00:18:07.08
I just have to
throw something out
00:18:07.12\00:18:08.88
because what you just
said because it is true.
00:18:08.92\00:18:11.55
We're to love others,
we're to do for others,
00:18:11.59\00:18:13.66
you know, even
before ourselves many times.
00:18:13.69\00:18:15.72
Right.
00:18:15.76\00:18:17.09
But we're seeing in
the world many times
00:18:17.13\00:18:18.76
we'll learn to do this
for the love of others.
00:18:18.79\00:18:23.00
Even though it's something that
00:18:23.03\00:18:24.37
we're feeling
uncomfortable with,
00:18:24.40\00:18:27.34
for the common good of others.
00:18:27.37\00:18:29.10
We're supposed to love
others as we love ourselves.
00:18:29.14\00:18:31.64
We have to understand
that we have an obligation
00:18:31.67\00:18:33.68
to ourselves too.
00:18:33.71\00:18:35.34
Well, and I think
what the point I'm trying
00:18:35.38\00:18:36.95
to make is it doesn't
mean you cross over the line
00:18:36.98\00:18:39.78
of what is right and
wrong for the sake of others,
00:18:39.81\00:18:42.88
because that's what's happening.
00:18:42.92\00:18:44.55
Because we have to
love the Lord first.
00:18:44.59\00:18:46.35
Yes. Amen.
00:18:46.39\00:18:47.72
God comes first.
00:18:47.76\00:18:49.09
Our fellowman come second.
00:18:49.12\00:18:50.86
That's right. Beautiful.
00:18:50.89\00:18:52.23
Amen. Yeah.
00:18:52.26\00:18:53.60
So again, we're
talking about the love.
00:18:53.63\00:18:55.33
We need the love,
we need present truth.
00:18:55.36\00:18:58.23
You know, you need
the stuff you can chew on,
00:18:58.27\00:19:00.37
the stuff that maybe as milk,
there's room for everything,
00:19:00.40\00:19:03.81
you know, in the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
00:19:03.84\00:19:05.94
But there again,
how can we really give
00:19:05.97\00:19:07.64
something that we don't have?
00:19:07.68\00:19:09.14
Right.
00:19:09.18\00:19:10.51
You know, how can we really
give and tell someone else,
00:19:10.55\00:19:12.58
"I can only go to the
Word, and let the Word say,
00:19:12.61\00:19:14.55
let Jesus say how
this is to be done."
00:19:14.58\00:19:17.79
Want to read something quickly,
and you might comment on it
00:19:17.82\00:19:19.55
if you'd like, Step to Christ.
00:19:19.59\00:19:21.06
I love the little
book Steps to Christ.
00:19:21.09\00:19:22.72
Amen. That's right.
00:19:22.76\00:19:24.09
Everybody should have one
00:19:24.13\00:19:25.46
because this is what
we're talking about here.
00:19:25.49\00:19:26.83
They are steps we
take for our salvation,
00:19:26.86\00:19:28.96
there's steps that God gives us.
00:19:29.00\00:19:30.57
And I'm glad, I'm
glad He just didn't throw
00:19:30.60\00:19:32.37
the whole ball out
there and say, "Here it is."
00:19:32.40\00:19:34.60
He said, "Kenny,
just one step at a time."
00:19:34.64\00:19:37.11
You mentioned one day at a time
00:19:37.14\00:19:38.74
we're to gain these victories.
00:19:38.77\00:19:40.11
This says right here it
says, and that's page 87,
00:19:40.14\00:19:42.54
"The Savior's life on
earth was not a life of ease
00:19:42.58\00:19:46.05
and devotion to Himself."
00:19:46.08\00:19:48.25
We like ease,
right? That's right.
00:19:48.28\00:19:50.95
We like to be
patted on the back.
00:19:50.99\00:19:52.89
Okay, I better get off of that.
00:19:52.92\00:19:54.26
But he, notice it.
00:19:54.29\00:19:55.62
"He toiled with
persistent earnestness,
00:19:55.66\00:19:58.09
uniting effort for the salvation
00:19:58.13\00:20:00.56
of lost mankind."
00:20:00.60\00:20:02.23
And it says "From
the major to Calvary,
00:20:02.26\00:20:04.50
He followed," notice
"this path of self denial."
00:20:04.53\00:20:07.90
That's right. I thought
what an example that is.
00:20:07.94\00:20:10.41
Yes. Right.
00:20:10.44\00:20:12.27
I'm wondering sometimes,
I'm just not persistent
00:20:12.31\00:20:14.14
sometime to
something most people say I am.
00:20:14.18\00:20:16.51
You know, they call
it nagging, but you know,
00:20:16.54\00:20:18.61
persistent as giving the
gospel and trying to win souls.
00:20:18.65\00:20:22.68
Christ kept doing that.
00:20:22.72\00:20:24.72
He worked for lost mankind.
00:20:24.75\00:20:26.96
So really, if you are
working along that line,
00:20:26.99\00:20:30.89
it's kind of hard to be selfish.
00:20:30.93\00:20:32.96
That's right. Right?
00:20:32.99\00:20:34.33
So there are things in
here, steps that will help us,
00:20:34.36\00:20:36.70
that if we are a little
selfish and self centered.
00:20:36.73\00:20:39.60
You know, I had a guy I
worked with many years ago,
00:20:39.63\00:20:41.40
and we asked for
change at break time,
00:20:41.44\00:20:42.94
or whatever I'm told, he said,
00:20:42.97\00:20:45.67
he always had big
pocketful of change.
00:20:45.71\00:20:48.08
And most generally poor,
but I didn't have any change
00:20:48.11\00:20:49.78
or if I did at
all, I'm going to change
00:20:49.81\00:20:51.15
but he'd reach to his pocket.
00:20:51.18\00:20:52.51
He'd have a big old
hand bill full of coins.
00:20:52.55\00:20:54.92
He'd say, "Well, let me see
00:20:54.95\00:20:56.48
if I've got
enough for myself first.
00:20:56.52\00:20:59.55
And then if I
do," you know, yeah,
00:20:59.59\00:21:02.42
that's kind of the
way the world thinks,
00:21:02.46\00:21:04.13
and probably we do at times.
00:21:04.16\00:21:06.33
But somehow we've,
00:21:06.36\00:21:07.70
by the grace of God
get past all of that,
00:21:07.73\00:21:10.53
from the manger to Calvary,
00:21:10.57\00:21:11.90
He followed the
path of self denial.
00:21:11.93\00:21:14.34
That's right.
How can that be done?
00:21:14.37\00:21:17.64
Yeah.
00:21:17.67\00:21:19.01
I want to throw in a thought
of how that can be. Sure.
00:21:19.04\00:21:21.64
You know, it comes
through much study,
00:21:21.68\00:21:23.71
it comes through much prayer.
00:21:23.75\00:21:26.08
And before we even
begin this lesson today,
00:21:26.11\00:21:29.15
we were talking about sins.
00:21:29.18\00:21:30.69
Really, if you look at any sin,
00:21:30.72\00:21:33.25
you can see that it is
a lack of self-control.
00:21:33.29\00:21:36.93
When we fall into
sin, think about this.
00:21:36.96\00:21:39.89
There's a lot of lifestyle
diseases that are a result,
00:21:39.93\00:21:44.13
because we have not taken
in or we are taking something
00:21:44.17\00:21:47.27
that we shouldn't be taking in.
00:21:47.30\00:21:49.04
And so really, that is
a lack of self-control.
00:21:49.07\00:21:52.71
You think about alcoholism,
you think about lying,
00:21:52.74\00:21:55.88
stealing, fornication,
00:21:55.91\00:21:57.25
watching or
listening to something,
00:21:57.28\00:21:59.21
all of those things
are a lack of self-control.
00:21:59.25\00:22:02.45
Why?
00:22:02.48\00:22:03.82
Because as he
mentioned, self likes that.
00:22:03.85\00:22:07.82
I know that that's
going to make me sick,
00:22:07.86\00:22:09.62
but I like it so much,
00:22:09.66\00:22:12.43
even though it's
going to make me sick.
00:22:12.46\00:22:14.73
So see that's the thing.
00:22:14.76\00:22:16.16
So what do you
do when we realize
00:22:16.20\00:22:18.80
that the sins are a
lack of self-control?
00:22:18.83\00:22:21.34
And we don't have
that within ourselves,
00:22:21.37\00:22:23.57
we need to take that to Christ.
00:22:23.61\00:22:25.44
The beautiful thing is,
He never reveals anything
00:22:25.47\00:22:28.51
before He gives us the power
00:22:28.54\00:22:30.01
without giving us
the power to overcome.
00:22:30.05\00:22:32.71
And so we can take that
and some things are easy.
00:22:32.75\00:22:35.75
I've seen some people
gain victory over things,
00:22:35.78\00:22:37.82
whether it was
alcohol, or cigarette smoking,
00:22:37.85\00:22:40.12
whatever, just like that.
00:22:40.16\00:22:42.29
And other people,
they have struggled,
00:22:42.32\00:22:43.96
and they have struggled,
and they have gone back.
00:22:43.99\00:22:46.66
Only God knows why.
00:22:46.70\00:22:48.43
I think He
brings us to the point
00:22:48.46\00:22:50.17
where we're finally ready
to let that seed of sin go.
00:22:50.20\00:22:54.70
He knows when we're really
still holding on to something.
00:22:54.74\00:22:58.67
But that's it.
00:22:58.71\00:23:00.04
I mean, there is
no way in this world
00:23:00.08\00:23:01.84
that we can gain
victory without Christ,
00:23:01.88\00:23:04.81
without the power
of the Holy Spirit.
00:23:04.85\00:23:07.22
And let me just add this,
00:23:07.25\00:23:08.58
it's when we're
at our very lowest.
00:23:08.62\00:23:11.39
And we may be at our very lowest
00:23:11.42\00:23:13.19
when we're trying to fight sin.
00:23:13.22\00:23:15.19
And that's when we
have the most power.
00:23:15.22\00:23:17.63
Why?
00:23:17.66\00:23:18.99
Because that's
when God comes in.
00:23:19.03\00:23:21.13
And His power takes over.
00:23:21.16\00:23:23.06
We are weak, we are vacillating,
00:23:23.10\00:23:25.20
but we need to commit
and submit our will to Him
00:23:25.23\00:23:28.17
and Linda is about to pop.
00:23:28.20\00:23:29.54
Linda, tell us what you've got?
I just want to agree with you.
00:23:29.57\00:23:32.37
Because you mentioned, you know,
00:23:32.41\00:23:35.18
the temptations on the things
that we eat and in our health.
00:23:35.21\00:23:39.38
And with myself, you
know, a lot of people
00:23:39.41\00:23:42.15
who know me know that I
was very ill many years ago.
00:23:42.18\00:23:45.42
And I tell people that
the Lord found me in a ditch,
00:23:45.45\00:23:48.69
He has to pull us
sometimes out of the ditch.
00:23:48.72\00:23:50.63
Yes.
00:23:50.66\00:23:51.99
And you know,
00:23:52.03\00:23:53.43
He's very willing and able
to pull us out of the ditch.
00:23:53.46\00:23:56.13
But we don't know
how to get out of there.
00:23:56.16\00:23:57.67
Our only hope is
to rely on the Lord
00:23:57.70\00:24:00.34
to give it all to
Him, and give Him our will.
00:24:00.37\00:24:04.94
And as we spend time with
Him and give Him our will,
00:24:04.97\00:24:08.01
then we have the power.
00:24:08.04\00:24:09.38
But without that,
if we don't say, "Lord,
00:24:09.41\00:24:11.45
I've made a decision.
00:24:11.48\00:24:12.81
I am going to give you my all."
00:24:12.85\00:24:15.15
If we don't make that decision,
00:24:15.18\00:24:17.15
then we won't
spend time with Him.
00:24:17.19\00:24:19.09
And we will not fight
against these temptations. Amen.
00:24:19.12\00:24:22.49
Another thing that you
mentioned is, you know,
00:24:22.52\00:24:24.69
what I'm hearing you
say is those small things.
00:24:24.73\00:24:28.56
Our diet is a small thing.
00:24:28.60\00:24:30.70
And everybody else is
probably doing 10 times worse
00:24:30.73\00:24:34.07
the things that may be the
Lord is already working on you.
00:24:34.10\00:24:36.71
There are certain things that
00:24:36.74\00:24:38.17
that the Lord has
already revealed to me
00:24:38.21\00:24:40.41
that I need to give up.
00:24:40.44\00:24:42.14
That doesn't
really sit well with me,
00:24:42.18\00:24:43.78
but everybody else is fine with.
00:24:43.81\00:24:45.95
And so the Lord deals
with us on an individual basis.
00:24:45.98\00:24:49.92
That's true.
00:24:49.95\00:24:51.29
So I just wanted to throw that.
00:24:51.32\00:24:53.46
I've got to
throw this back to you.
00:24:53.49\00:24:54.99
The enemy, he is a
fabulous scientist.
00:24:55.02\00:24:59.66
He knows how all
these things affect us.
00:24:59.69\00:25:03.00
And you see, a lot of
times we become imbalanced,
00:25:03.03\00:25:05.70
we lose that
homeostasis as it were,
00:25:05.73\00:25:09.10
we lose that balance.
00:25:09.14\00:25:10.47
And when we do, our
hormones are involved,
00:25:10.51\00:25:12.84
they get messed up,
we start having trouble,
00:25:12.87\00:25:15.41
we start having panic
attacks, we start giving,
00:25:15.44\00:25:18.35
we give into rage,
00:25:18.38\00:25:19.71
we give into
all of these things.
00:25:19.75\00:25:21.08
And so, as God is
bringing us into this truth,
00:25:21.12\00:25:24.29
He's bringing us, He's
looking at us holistically,
00:25:24.32\00:25:27.29
to say, we've got to
take care of the diet,
00:25:27.32\00:25:29.42
we've got to
take care of the home,
00:25:29.46\00:25:30.93
we've got to take
care of your lifestyle.
00:25:30.96\00:25:32.83
And this is where
I'm restoring you back
00:25:32.86\00:25:35.10
so that everything is balanced,
00:25:35.13\00:25:37.27
and then you're not so
easily given over to temptation,
00:25:37.30\00:25:40.94
you're not so
easily given into rage.
00:25:40.97\00:25:43.37
You're not so
easily upset, you know,
00:25:43.41\00:25:45.17
did you hear Danny say so often,
00:25:45.21\00:25:47.38
"Perfect peace have
they which love thy law
00:25:47.41\00:25:50.28
and nothing shall offend."
00:25:50.31\00:25:52.08
We need to claim that promise.
00:25:52.11\00:25:53.82
And I know years
ago, I used to say,
00:25:53.85\00:25:56.42
"Lord, You didn't
say only when I feel good
00:25:56.45\00:25:58.65
that I'm supposed
to be loving and kind."
00:25:58.69\00:26:00.99
But you know, when we are tired,
00:26:01.02\00:26:02.62
when we're
exhausted, when we are sick,
00:26:02.66\00:26:04.63
or we have some
kind of health issue,
00:26:04.66\00:26:06.93
it is very difficult to
exhibit these attributes.
00:26:06.96\00:26:10.60
And yet it has to
be Christ within us.
00:26:10.63\00:26:13.17
And I would pray that prayer,
I said, "God, You got to do it,
00:26:13.20\00:26:15.74
because I don't have it."
00:26:15.77\00:26:17.11
Amen. You got to give me Your
love, because I don't have it.
00:26:17.14\00:26:20.51
And that's where we need to
get to, to where He comes in.
00:26:20.54\00:26:23.45
He gives us that
self-control to take self
00:26:23.48\00:26:26.72
and nail it to the wall.
00:26:26.75\00:26:29.02
One of the things that
we try to encourage people,
00:26:29.05\00:26:32.15
you know, she was
talking about there are things
00:26:32.19\00:26:34.89
that she can eat that I can't.
00:26:34.92\00:26:37.03
We both have some
strange sensitivities
00:26:37.06\00:26:39.76
to different foods.
00:26:39.79\00:26:41.13
I'm fructose intolerant.
She has a wheat intolerance.
00:26:41.16\00:26:44.87
And there's a lot
of people out there
00:26:44.90\00:26:47.00
that we want to
encourage people.
00:26:47.04\00:26:50.91
Your walk with the Lord
is your walk with the Lord.
00:26:50.94\00:26:53.01
Come on.
00:26:53.04\00:26:54.38
There are some people
who can get you stumped up
00:26:54.41\00:26:57.68
and tripped up in regard to,
00:26:57.71\00:27:00.45
well, you should
be doing this and so,
00:27:00.48\00:27:02.62
you should, you know,
this is what worked for me.
00:27:02.65\00:27:05.65
And we need to make sure
that we encourage people.
00:27:05.69\00:27:08.29
Don't let other people
00:27:08.32\00:27:09.82
who are so
critical stump you up.
00:27:09.86\00:27:12.69
Because you have to
have your own personal walk
00:27:12.73\00:27:14.73
with the Lord in everything
00:27:14.76\00:27:17.07
and no matter
what the situation.
00:27:17.10\00:27:18.43
There's people who are
very bold along that line. Yeah.
00:27:18.47\00:27:20.54
I can think of several years ago
00:27:20.57\00:27:21.90
I visited Behold the Lamb
00:27:21.94\00:27:23.27
and in the kitchen
and stuff like that.
00:27:23.30\00:27:24.64
You know, there were visitors,
never had been there before.
00:27:24.67\00:27:26.27
And I'm not trying
to be critical of it.
00:27:26.31\00:27:27.64
But let's think there's
people who they're like this,
00:27:27.68\00:27:30.15
you know, and so,
after church or whatever,
00:27:30.18\00:27:33.31
I seen him, he's
opening the cabinet doors,
00:27:33.35\00:27:35.82
and he was
reading labels, you know?
00:27:35.85\00:27:38.19
Oh, dear, no. I
said, "What are you doing?"
00:27:38.22\00:27:40.82
"I'm reading the
labels." I said, "Really?
00:27:40.86\00:27:42.62
What for?"
00:27:42.66\00:27:43.99
"Well, I want to
see if you guys..."
00:27:44.03\00:27:45.66
I said, "Really?"
00:27:45.69\00:27:47.03
So I said, "You know, best
thing to do is close the door,"
00:27:47.06\00:27:49.56
you know, really
'cause he had nerve enough
00:27:49.60\00:27:51.57
to open the door
need to be closed,
00:27:51.60\00:27:53.54
because really, we shouldn't
do those kind of things.
00:27:53.57\00:27:56.77
That's not the way you win
a brother and sister. Right.
00:27:56.81\00:27:59.31
And again, he was
thinking of his self
00:27:59.34\00:28:02.11
and his relationship
and maybe where he was at,
00:28:02.14\00:28:04.88
well, maybe some of the
rest of us are not there
00:28:04.91\00:28:06.41
and it can be very offensive.
00:28:06.45\00:28:08.05
In this quote
from Steps to Christ.
00:28:08.08\00:28:09.78
Brother Ryan, I want you to
think with me on this, okay?
00:28:09.82\00:28:11.89
Because we're talking about,
00:28:11.92\00:28:13.25
"Self and self interest
had no part in His labor."
00:28:13.29\00:28:18.86
Okay, we're
talking about ministry
00:28:18.89\00:28:20.70
and health work and
people who are doing as teachers
00:28:20.73\00:28:22.90
and working for
kids all the time.
00:28:22.93\00:28:25.13
How can we keep self out of it?
00:28:25.17\00:28:28.80
In other words, it had no part.
00:28:28.84\00:28:30.91
Because sometimes
we look and we say,
00:28:30.94\00:28:33.44
"Well, looks like
I've got cheated on this.
00:28:33.48\00:28:36.48
I'm going to look, I'm
going to watch that program.
00:28:36.51\00:28:37.98
I only spoke about
two minutes of the whole."
00:28:38.01\00:28:41.08
None of it. In other
words, we'll do that.
00:28:41.12\00:28:43.99
Well, I'm just saying,
00:28:44.02\00:28:45.79
it had no part in Christ's work.
00:28:45.82\00:28:48.59
And He sets the example,
00:28:48.62\00:28:50.03
and I'm saying
it's more difficult.
00:28:50.06\00:28:51.73
We can say these
things, but it's more difficult.
00:28:51.76\00:28:54.43
You're doing
programs all the time.
00:28:54.46\00:28:55.80
You're traveling all the time.
00:28:55.83\00:28:57.17
You're talking to
people all the time,
00:28:57.20\00:28:58.53
and they're saying praise
God, man, it's wonderful, bro,
00:28:58.57\00:29:00.34
we're glad you're here,
you know, oh, boy, blah, blah.
00:29:00.37\00:29:02.97
We stand by the grace of God,
00:29:03.00\00:29:05.07
self has to be
removed from that.
00:29:05.11\00:29:07.94
In fact, come to the point
00:29:07.98\00:29:09.31
where you don't
even like your name
00:29:09.34\00:29:10.78
mentioned with
something that God has done.
00:29:10.81\00:29:13.45
You know, because heaven,
00:29:13.48\00:29:15.78
I think it's
going to be determined
00:29:15.82\00:29:17.32
whether we go there or not...
00:29:17.35\00:29:18.69
That's right.
Unless we can kill self.
00:29:18.72\00:29:20.79
That's right. Deny self.
00:29:20.82\00:29:22.19
What do you think about that?
00:29:22.22\00:29:23.96
Is that bigger
for some than others,
00:29:23.99\00:29:25.69
the temptation to
get self in the work?
00:29:25.73\00:29:28.46
Well, I think we
all have our struggles.
00:29:28.50\00:29:30.07
There's no doubt about that.
00:29:30.10\00:29:31.43
For some it may
be more of a struggle
00:29:31.47\00:29:33.23
for some than others in
certain aspects of life.
00:29:33.27\00:29:36.04
But you know, the answer
is the same for everyone.
00:29:36.07\00:29:38.77
You know, Jesus
Christ is the only one
00:29:38.81\00:29:41.51
who has ever perfectly overcome
self without any sin, right?
00:29:41.54\00:29:45.18
But it's
interesting, the same way
00:29:45.21\00:29:46.98
that Jesus had to depend
on or had to overcome self
00:29:47.02\00:29:51.12
for the denial of self,
the same way we have to,
00:29:51.15\00:29:53.22
we've briefly
already mentioned it,
00:29:53.25\00:29:54.69
I want to take it
little deep if you don't mind.
00:29:54.72\00:29:56.06
Okay, go there. The key to this.
00:29:56.09\00:29:59.16
So you said in this, I
love what you put here.
00:29:59.19\00:30:01.56
Power and peace
equals self-control.
00:30:01.60\00:30:04.77
When you look at
power and you look at peace,
00:30:04.80\00:30:06.80
where does that come from?
00:30:06.84\00:30:08.50
The Lord.
00:30:08.54\00:30:09.87
Christ, the disciples on the day
00:30:09.90\00:30:11.77
that you know the
day of resurrection,
00:30:11.81\00:30:13.48
and also the day that
Jesus was murdered on the cross.
00:30:13.51\00:30:16.38
They go and they hide
themselves in an upper room
00:30:16.41\00:30:18.51
and they're closed in
there, and the Bible says
00:30:18.55\00:30:20.18
they were in there
for fear of the Jews.
00:30:20.22\00:30:21.62
They thought the Jews
were going to come after them.
00:30:21.65\00:30:22.98
That's right. Jesus appears
to them on resurrection day.
00:30:23.02\00:30:25.25
Of course, you can just imagine
00:30:25.29\00:30:26.62
they're shaking
in their breaches.
00:30:26.65\00:30:28.62
But it's interesting,
Jesus says something to them,
00:30:28.66\00:30:30.33
He says, "Peace be unto you."
00:30:30.36\00:30:33.96
Oh, mercy. Amen.
00:30:34.00\00:30:35.80
It says He breathes
upon them the Holy Spirit.
00:30:35.83\00:30:38.70
Amen. Power and peace.
00:30:38.73\00:30:41.50
Okay, power, Acts 1:8,
"And you shall receive power
00:30:41.54\00:30:46.74
when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you."
00:30:46.78\00:30:48.51
What's the
common denominator here?
00:30:48.54\00:30:50.58
Holy Spirit. Okay,
notice this right here.
00:30:50.61\00:30:53.65
2 Timothy Chapter
3, Paul lists, he says,
00:30:53.68\00:30:57.05
"But know this
then, the last days
00:30:57.09\00:30:58.42
perilous times will come."
00:30:58.45\00:30:59.79
This is 2 Timothy 3:1-5,
"Perilous times will come,"
00:30:59.82\00:31:03.02
and he lists this
long list of sinful,
00:31:03.06\00:31:06.39
the way people's
sinful hearts will be.
00:31:06.43\00:31:08.13
Talks about for men
will be lovers of themselves,
00:31:08.16\00:31:10.10
lovers of money,
boasters, proud, blasphemers,
00:31:10.13\00:31:11.83
disobedient, he
goes down this list,
00:31:11.87\00:31:13.70
but he ends it
with this, he says,
00:31:13.74\00:31:15.94
"Having a form of godliness,
but denying its power."
00:31:15.97\00:31:21.28
What are all of these
people, these blasphemers,
00:31:21.31\00:31:23.78
the disobedient to parents,
the unthankful, the unholy,
00:31:23.81\00:31:25.71
the unloving, the unforgiving,
the slanderers, with, notice,
00:31:25.75\00:31:28.22
without self-control,
00:31:28.25\00:31:30.32
what do all of
these have in common?
00:31:30.35\00:31:32.29
They lacked the peace.
00:31:32.32\00:31:33.66
They lacked the power
having a form of godliness,
00:31:33.69\00:31:37.09
but denying its power.
00:31:37.13\00:31:38.79
What are they
denying? What's the key here?
00:31:38.83\00:31:40.33
It's the Holy Spirit.
00:31:40.36\00:31:42.13
How in the world are we going
to ever able to overcome self
00:31:42.16\00:31:45.23
if we are like Paul
says in 1 Thessalonians 5:19,
00:31:45.27\00:31:48.30
if we are quenching
the Spirit, he says,
00:31:48.34\00:31:50.14
"Do not quench the Spirit."
00:31:50.17\00:31:51.71
In Ephesians 4:30, He says,
00:31:51.74\00:31:53.91
"And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit."
00:31:53.94\00:31:56.31
The catalyst
here, the major aspect
00:31:56.34\00:31:59.55
of our Christian life in
order for us to overcome,
00:31:59.58\00:32:02.48
in order for us
to have the power,
00:32:02.52\00:32:04.19
to have the peace,
it's the Holy Spirit.
00:32:04.22\00:32:06.69
Now, it's
interesting. Matthew 25.
00:32:06.72\00:32:09.29
I've said this many times.
00:32:09.32\00:32:11.56
In the last days,
00:32:11.59\00:32:12.93
there's only two
groups of people.
00:32:12.96\00:32:14.46
There's only
two types of people.
00:32:14.50\00:32:15.83
There's no third, you know,
00:32:15.86\00:32:17.20
there's no straddling the fence.
00:32:17.23\00:32:18.57
You know, I did a
Sabbath School lesson recently,
00:32:18.60\00:32:20.54
and the title of the lesson
was 'There's no Middle Ground.'
00:32:20.57\00:32:23.41
Because there's
no middle ground.
00:32:23.44\00:32:24.77
There's just two
groups in the last days.
00:32:24.81\00:32:26.54
I'm reading this in Matthew 25.
00:32:26.57\00:32:28.24
We have 10 virgins.
00:32:28.28\00:32:30.01
Oh, yes. That's right.
00:32:30.05\00:32:31.78
What's the
difference between the five wise
00:32:31.81\00:32:34.02
and the five foolish,
what does it say there?
00:32:34.05\00:32:35.92
It says, "Now
five of them were wise
00:32:35.95\00:32:37.32
and five of them were foolish."
00:32:37.35\00:32:38.69
This is Matthew 25:2,
now, verse 3, it says,
00:32:38.72\00:32:40.96
"Those who were foolish
took their lamps with them."
00:32:40.99\00:32:44.43
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.
00:32:44.46\00:32:46.29
Notice they've got their Bibles,
00:32:46.33\00:32:47.66
they've got their lamps
and they're putting their trust
00:32:47.70\00:32:49.53
in God's Word,
verbally, mentally, maybe.
00:32:49.56\00:32:52.20
But notice it says,
00:32:52.23\00:32:53.77
"Those that were
foolish took their lamps
00:32:53.80\00:32:55.14
with them, but
took no oil with them."
00:32:55.17\00:32:57.84
That's right. What
does the oil represent?
00:32:57.87\00:32:59.24
The Holy Spirit.
It's the Holy Spirit.
00:32:59.27\00:33:01.01
Now, Stephanie.
00:33:01.04\00:33:02.38
Stephanie has a
scripture on standby here.
00:33:02.41\00:33:04.31
Let's go to Matthew Chapter 7.
00:33:04.35\00:33:06.45
Okay, we're just piecing
some things together here
00:33:06.48\00:33:08.02
with Matthew Chapter 7, I
00:33:08.05\00:33:09.58
want you to read
verses 21 to 23, for us.
00:33:09.62\00:33:13.15
Okay, verse 21, "Not
everyone who says to Me,
00:33:13.19\00:33:16.42
Lord, Lord,
00:33:16.46\00:33:17.79
shall enter the
kingdom of heaven,
00:33:17.83\00:33:19.53
but he who does the
will of My Father in heaven.
00:33:19.56\00:33:23.03
Many will say to Me
in that day, 'Lord, Lord,
00:33:23.06\00:33:25.20
have we not
prophesied in Your name?
00:33:25.23\00:33:27.44
Cast out demons in Your name
00:33:27.47\00:33:29.04
and done many
wonders in Your name?'
00:33:29.07\00:33:31.31
And then I will declare to them,
00:33:31.34\00:33:33.41
'I never knew you.
00:33:33.44\00:33:34.94
Depart from Me you who
practice lawlessness'."
00:33:34.98\00:33:38.38
Amen. Wow.
00:33:38.41\00:33:39.75
Okay. So we have to
have the oil of the Spirit.
00:33:39.78\00:33:42.08
That's right.
00:33:42.12\00:33:43.45
Because if we
have the Holy Spirit,
00:33:43.49\00:33:44.82
the Holy Spirit is going
to lead us and guide us to,
00:33:44.85\00:33:46.92
as John the Baptist
said, He must increase
00:33:46.96\00:33:49.76
and I must decrease.
00:33:49.79\00:33:51.73
See, we're
filling up with Christ,
00:33:51.76\00:33:53.33
because the Holy
Spirit is ministering to us
00:33:53.36\00:33:55.93
and
transforming us and giving us
00:33:55.96\00:33:57.73
that power to be self denying.
00:33:57.77\00:34:00.14
And so in this case, notice
these individuals in Matthew 7,
00:34:00.17\00:34:03.34
they're saying, "But
wait, Lord, you know,
00:34:03.37\00:34:05.11
I did this, and I did that.
00:34:05.14\00:34:06.57
And I cast out demons
and I've done wonderful work.
00:34:06.61\00:34:08.64
I returned my tithe, I
was a deacon in my church,
00:34:08.68\00:34:10.95
I was married to the
same woman for 51 years.
00:34:10.98\00:34:13.05
Lord, I did all of
these wonderful things."
00:34:13.08\00:34:14.75
But yet Jesus still
says to them, "I'm sorry.
00:34:14.78\00:34:18.05
I don't know you."
00:34:18.09\00:34:19.42
What's interesting
when you go back to that,
00:34:19.45\00:34:20.86
Matthew 25, to those 10 virgins,
00:34:20.89\00:34:23.39
those who were lacking the
oil, what does He say to them
00:34:23.43\00:34:25.56
when they come
knocking on the door?
00:34:25.59\00:34:27.00
He says, "I'm sorry.
00:34:27.03\00:34:28.40
I don't know you."
00:34:28.43\00:34:29.93
My friends, the
point of all of this that
00:34:29.96\00:34:31.87
I just wanted to share
here, how does one die to self?
00:34:31.90\00:34:35.37
You have to be 100%
every moment of every day,
00:34:35.40\00:34:39.77
completely
dependent upon a source
00:34:39.81\00:34:42.08
that's more powerful than you.
00:34:42.11\00:34:43.45
That's right.
00:34:43.48\00:34:44.81
The power of those,
but not having a form
00:34:44.85\00:34:46.85
of godliness and
denying the power,
00:34:46.88\00:34:49.12
but rather again
when the Holy Spirit
00:34:49.15\00:34:50.69
has come upon you,
you shall receive power.
00:34:50.72\00:34:54.06
And to me that is the
ultimate answer is that,
00:34:54.09\00:34:56.79
yes, we should die to
self, we want to die to self,
00:34:56.83\00:34:59.76
we must die to self.
00:34:59.79\00:35:01.23
But when we come to the
point where we think we're going
00:35:01.26\00:35:03.23
to do it in and of
our own power again,
00:35:03.26\00:35:05.13
"Not by My
might, not by My power,
00:35:05.17\00:35:07.10
but by My
Spirit, says the Lord."
00:35:07.14\00:35:09.67
It's all about the
importance of the Holy Spirit
00:35:09.70\00:35:12.01
recognizing your
dependence upon Him.
00:35:12.04\00:35:14.78
Paul, didn't Paul
said in Galatians 2:20.
00:35:14.81\00:35:18.41
He said, "I'm
crucified with Christ,"
00:35:18.45\00:35:21.65
but he said, "Oh,
my lands, nevertheless,
00:35:21.68\00:35:24.72
I live," but what?
00:35:24.75\00:35:27.52
"But It's not I, it's
Christ who lives in me."
00:35:27.56\00:35:30.83
The whole answer to
everything that you're saying
00:35:30.86\00:35:32.19
is Christ in us
the hope of glory,
00:35:32.23\00:35:33.93
the mind of Christ.
00:35:33.96\00:35:35.93
Hebrews 5:24 or
Galatians 5:24 says,
00:35:35.96\00:35:38.90
"They that are of Christ
have crucified the flesh."
00:35:38.93\00:35:43.41
The flesh to me
is always clamor,
00:35:43.44\00:35:45.27
you know, we come to the
Lord, we study the Bible,
00:35:45.31\00:35:47.88
we're baptized, and we go
down in that watery grave.
00:35:47.91\00:35:51.28
That means the old
man is supposed to die,
00:35:51.31\00:35:52.85
or a woman or child
whatever is supposed to die.
00:35:52.88\00:35:55.02
But so often, the old
man comes back up with,
00:35:55.05\00:35:59.12
there's really no
change takes place.
00:35:59.15\00:36:00.89
But honestly, when we go down,
00:36:00.92\00:36:02.69
Christ said all
of that mess, right?
00:36:02.72\00:36:05.53
That's right. Is self.
00:36:05.56\00:36:07.80
All that self
centered, I, me, mine.
00:36:07.83\00:36:10.07
My son said one time.
00:36:10.10\00:36:11.43
So several times interesting.
00:36:11.47\00:36:12.80
He's about seven
or eight years old.
00:36:12.83\00:36:14.17
Right now he's older
now, he was about 10 or 12.
00:36:14.20\00:36:16.34
Because somebody in
the house was going to have
00:36:16.37\00:36:17.91
a little party, some
neighbors and some little kids,
00:36:17.94\00:36:20.18
and they were
going to go over there.
00:36:20.21\00:36:21.74
He said, "Dad, I
want to go over there."
00:36:21.78\00:36:23.98
I said, "No, I don't think
it'd be a good place to go."
00:36:24.01\00:36:26.41
And again. "Well,
everybody's going."
00:36:26.45\00:36:28.62
Everyone, remember?
00:36:28.65\00:36:29.98
That's the reason you're
not, because everyone's going,
00:36:30.02\00:36:32.49
and he said, "But
Dad, what about me?
00:36:32.52\00:36:38.03
What am I going to do?"
00:36:38.06\00:36:42.76
Told him, "You're
going to stay home,
00:36:42.80\00:36:44.13
that's what you're going to do."
00:36:44.17\00:36:45.70
We need to take
our mind off of self.
00:36:45.73\00:36:47.50
All he had at that age and us
00:36:47.54\00:36:50.04
who are lot
older sometimes self.
00:36:50.07\00:36:52.61
What am I going to do?
00:36:52.64\00:36:54.58
Well, if they take
this or they do that,
00:36:54.61\00:36:56.14
what am I going to do?
00:36:56.18\00:36:58.11
But we need to by the
grace of God, crucify self.
00:36:58.15\00:37:00.72
Romans 6:6, says,
"The old man," notice that,
00:37:00.75\00:37:04.89
"The old man is
crucified with him."
00:37:04.92\00:37:08.02
Wow. So there's a crucifixion
that takes place here.
00:37:08.06\00:37:12.73
I want to read
something just quick.
00:37:12.76\00:37:14.10
And then we still
have quite a bit of time.
00:37:14.13\00:37:16.46
I see I had it here sometime.
00:37:16.50\00:37:17.83
Because part of our question
how does one die to self?
00:37:17.87\00:37:21.90
And where does it begin?
00:37:21.94\00:37:23.84
Now, remember dying
to self, self-control
00:37:23.87\00:37:26.98
begins with mother and baby.
00:37:27.01\00:37:30.15
It begins teaching self-control
in the home with the child.
00:37:30.18\00:37:33.85
And you can read that
in Sons and Daughters,
00:37:33.88\00:37:35.25
page 371, we don't have time.
00:37:35.28\00:37:37.12
The child should be taught
00:37:37.15\00:37:38.49
the will must be
brought into subjection.
00:37:38.52\00:37:40.66
We're already just
bringing the objection.
00:37:40.69\00:37:42.69
Now again, Steps to Christ,
which we quote this all times,
00:37:42.72\00:37:45.39
43 says what?
00:37:45.43\00:37:47.00
"Welfare against self is the
greatest battle ever fought."
00:37:47.03\00:37:50.87
So there's a lot of
battles going on in the world,
00:37:50.90\00:37:52.43
but the greatest one
will always be for the person
00:37:52.47\00:37:56.10
that is addicted
to drugs, what is it?
00:37:56.14\00:37:58.54
Not only the addiction itself,
I've got to have the drink,
00:37:58.57\00:38:02.64
smoke, whatever it
might be, is I want it.
00:38:02.68\00:38:07.92
Let me find that question,
I thought it was interesting.
00:38:07.95\00:38:09.95
Found in Seven Testimonies, 49.
00:38:09.98\00:38:13.42
Excuse me.
00:38:13.46\00:38:15.12
Says, "In this struggle,
it's talking about self,
00:38:15.16\00:38:17.73
you can conquer only
by the aid of Christ."
00:38:17.76\00:38:20.36
This is what everybody
says at least several parts
00:38:20.40\00:38:22.73
and this goes
of this right here,
00:38:22.76\00:38:24.80
"Self, you can conquer
only by the aid of Christ.
00:38:24.83\00:38:28.47
You may struggle hard
and long, many people do,
00:38:28.50\00:38:32.24
to subdue self, but you
will fail if on our own."
00:38:32.27\00:38:37.81
Did you get it right?
00:38:37.85\00:38:39.18
You may struggle long and hard.
00:38:39.21\00:38:40.55
Some people say, "I've
been fighting this for 20 years
00:38:40.58\00:38:42.22
and I'm still a
failure, I still can't."
00:38:42.25\00:38:44.19
Something's wrong.
00:38:44.22\00:38:45.92
Something's wrong
if we had fighting
00:38:45.95\00:38:47.36
the same things over and
over and you just have to figure
00:38:47.39\00:38:49.22
that when you're in the Lord,
00:38:49.26\00:38:50.66
you will fail unless you receive
00:38:50.69\00:38:52.23
the strength from on high.
00:38:52.26\00:38:55.00
By the grace of Christ,
00:38:55.03\00:38:56.46
you can gain victory
over self and selfishness.
00:38:56.50\00:38:59.90
That gave me hope as
I read this right here,
00:38:59.93\00:39:02.14
notice, it says,
okay, no, it goes on,
00:39:02.17\00:39:05.07
"As you live his life."
00:39:05.11\00:39:07.61
How do I gain it?
00:39:07.64\00:39:08.98
"As I live His life,
00:39:09.01\00:39:10.58
showing
self-sacrifice at every step,"
00:39:10.61\00:39:13.52
you notice that?
00:39:13.55\00:39:15.08
"Constantly
revealing a stronger sympathy
00:39:15.12\00:39:19.12
for those who need help."
00:39:19.15\00:39:21.39
I'm gaining victory now.
00:39:21.42\00:39:22.79
Getting ready self
00:39:22.82\00:39:24.16
because I'm
looking to other people
00:39:24.19\00:39:25.53
and I'm trying
to help other people
00:39:25.56\00:39:26.90
by the grace of God.
00:39:26.93\00:39:28.26
It's working, you notice.
00:39:28.30\00:39:29.63
It says, "You will
gain victory after victory.
00:39:29.66\00:39:32.43
Day by day, you will
learn better how to conquer self
00:39:32.47\00:39:36.84
and how to strengthen
your weak points of character.
00:39:36.87\00:39:39.47
The Lord Jesus
will be your light,
00:39:39.51\00:39:41.34
your strength,
your crown of rejoicing,
00:39:41.38\00:39:43.75
because," notice that
you mentioned a while ago,
00:39:43.78\00:39:45.51
"Because we've
yielded our will to Him."
00:39:45.55\00:39:48.62
If you look that and
dissect again, brother,
00:39:48.65\00:39:50.49
that'd be several
sermons, as you will know,
00:39:50.52\00:39:52.12
because you look, but
all the answers are there
00:39:52.15\00:39:54.42
for the questions and
what we're going through,
00:39:54.46\00:39:55.96
power, peace and
self-control is here.
00:39:55.99\00:39:59.89
Now, because we
read them doesn't mean
00:39:59.93\00:40:01.26
it's going to work overnight.
00:40:01.30\00:40:02.63
Notice, day by day.
That's right. Go ahead.
00:40:02.66\00:40:05.33
That goes back to the
process of sanctification.
00:40:05.37\00:40:07.60
And I love what
everybody has brought
00:40:07.64\00:40:09.57
to the table here this evening
00:40:09.60\00:40:11.57
because we've
already really talked
00:40:11.61\00:40:13.91
about why it is so important
00:40:13.94\00:40:16.64
that self is
laid upon the altar.
00:40:16.68\00:40:18.28
I want to read this question,
00:40:18.31\00:40:19.65
you kind of
touched on it a little bit,
00:40:19.68\00:40:22.52
just this little quote
00:40:22.55\00:40:24.15
that's found in
Our High Calling again,
00:40:24.19\00:40:25.82
on page 21.
00:40:25.85\00:40:27.19
It says, "I wish we could be
what God would have us to be."
00:40:27.22\00:40:31.99
So what does God want us to be?
00:40:32.03\00:40:34.13
All light in the Lord.
00:40:34.16\00:40:36.20
What is light? Light is truth.
00:40:36.23\00:40:38.33
He is light. It's righteousness.
00:40:38.37\00:40:41.00
We need to reach
a higher standard.
00:40:41.04\00:40:44.34
That was one of the questions
in the very, very beginning,
00:40:44.37\00:40:47.38
is there really
a higher standard?
00:40:47.41\00:40:49.48
Here we find out in
Spirit of Prophecy, yes,
00:40:49.51\00:40:52.35
we need to reach
that higher standard,
00:40:52.38\00:40:55.12
but we can never do this
until self is laid on the altar,
00:40:55.15\00:40:59.05
until we let the
Holy Spirit control us,
00:40:59.09\00:41:01.62
molding and fashioning us
00:41:01.66\00:41:03.43
according to the
divine similitude.
00:41:03.46\00:41:06.56
So we need both.
00:41:06.59\00:41:08.23
We need the power of Christ,
00:41:08.26\00:41:09.66
we need that
indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
00:41:09.70\00:41:12.17
We cannot do any
of this without Him.
00:41:12.20\00:41:14.67
I would like to jump down
00:41:14.70\00:41:16.04
because I think we've
talked about how self-control
00:41:16.07\00:41:19.11
can give us power,
can give us peace already.
00:41:19.14\00:41:21.81
But I want to jump
down to this question.
00:41:21.84\00:41:24.75
And that is, why is the
victory of self-control,
00:41:24.78\00:41:28.12
why is it needed so
much in the closing scenes
00:41:28.15\00:41:31.32
of this world's history?
00:41:31.35\00:41:32.69
I think this is
vitally important,
00:41:32.72\00:41:34.49
because there's so many people
I feel that are being deceived
00:41:34.52\00:41:38.99
into thinking that
they can do, they can live,
00:41:39.03\00:41:42.30
they can participate,
whether it's drinking,
00:41:42.33\00:41:44.83
going to the
nightclubs, you know,
00:41:44.87\00:41:47.70
one day a week
they're at church,
00:41:47.74\00:41:49.14
but nothing changes.
00:41:49.17\00:41:51.34
There's nothing that changes,
00:41:51.37\00:41:52.74
there's no change in
allowing self to die.
00:41:52.77\00:41:56.51
Let me read this other quote
here found in My Life Today,
00:41:56.54\00:41:59.58
it's on page 70.
00:41:59.61\00:42:01.42
"He has conquered
self the strongest foe,"
00:42:01.45\00:42:05.05
this was mentioned earlier,
00:42:05.09\00:42:06.65
"The strongest
foe man has to meet."
00:42:06.69\00:42:09.52
It's the toughest battle
any of us is fighting self.
00:42:09.56\00:42:13.43
The highest evidence
00:42:13.46\00:42:14.80
of nobility in a
Christian is self-control."
00:42:14.83\00:42:18.13
Did you get that? Yes.
00:42:18.17\00:42:19.50
"The highest evidence
of nobility in a Christian
00:42:19.53\00:42:24.47
is self-control.
00:42:24.51\00:42:26.04
He who can stand
unmoved," have mercy on us,
00:42:26.07\00:42:30.45
"amid a storm of abuse,
is one of God's heroes."
00:42:30.48\00:42:35.28
That is so strong.
00:42:35.32\00:42:37.29
"He who has
learned to rule his spirit
00:42:37.32\00:42:40.06
will rise above the slides,
the reviews, the annoyances
00:42:40.09\00:42:43.69
to which we are daily exposed."
00:42:43.73\00:42:46.70
See, God is not
going to take us out
00:42:46.73\00:42:48.96
of these circumstances,
00:42:49.00\00:42:50.33
but how do you deal with
them in those circumstances?
00:42:50.37\00:42:53.60
"And these will cease to
cast the gloom over his spirit."
00:42:53.64\00:42:57.84
That is a powerful statement.
00:42:57.87\00:42:59.97
So why is that needed?
00:43:00.01\00:43:02.11
Why are these attributes needed
00:43:02.14\00:43:04.51
as we see this
earth's history wrapping up?
00:43:04.55\00:43:07.98
I have to put this
out, because at least
00:43:08.02\00:43:09.35
I'm thinking right
now, we have the tendency
00:43:09.38\00:43:13.36
to judgmentally judge somebody.
00:43:13.39\00:43:16.66
Right. We're still there?
00:43:16.69\00:43:18.39
To judge somebody
else that he needs,
00:43:18.43\00:43:22.36
you know, we can
read Steps to Christ,
00:43:22.40\00:43:23.90
we can read some other books
and the principles of God Word
00:43:23.93\00:43:26.30
says this, I'm gonna try to,
00:43:26.33\00:43:29.00
so that maybe we
would stop doing that.
00:43:29.04\00:43:31.01
And I've done it,
I understand that.
00:43:31.04\00:43:33.31
But she says
many times in there.
00:43:33.34\00:43:35.84
Remember, all of us
didn't have the same character.
00:43:35.88\00:43:38.68
We don't have the same
sins that bother each other.
00:43:38.71\00:43:41.85
She says a strong willed person,
00:43:41.88\00:43:44.09
a person who's
ready as were to fight
00:43:44.12\00:43:45.65
for the cause of Christ,
00:43:45.69\00:43:47.02
who's rambunctious
for the cause of Christ.
00:43:47.06\00:43:49.32
She says, you know not
what battles they go through
00:43:49.36\00:43:52.03
to subdue even to that
point as they continue to grow.
00:43:52.06\00:43:55.36
And so there's another person
who's sitting back in here,
00:43:55.40\00:43:58.17
I'll use your wife
Stephanie or Chris.
00:43:58.20\00:44:00.74
They're more mild mannered.
00:44:00.77\00:44:02.60
I'm a little more
rambunctious, man,
00:44:02.64\00:44:03.97
I'm going to hit
right on the head.
00:44:04.01\00:44:05.87
Sometimes, you
know what I'm saying?
00:44:05.91\00:44:07.24
It's not always, but I'm saying,
00:44:07.28\00:44:09.18
but those of you
who are laid back
00:44:09.21\00:44:11.78
and not quick with your tongue.
00:44:11.81\00:44:13.62
I got more trouble at
school, at home and whipping
00:44:13.65\00:44:16.18
because my
tongue was quick, right?
00:44:16.22\00:44:18.85
I had an answer as it were
00:44:18.89\00:44:20.22
and it may not always
have been the best one.
00:44:20.26\00:44:21.59
That's not always good,
but I'm saying that we need
00:44:21.62\00:44:25.06
to be very
cautious that we judge not
00:44:25.09\00:44:27.80
as we look at the
disciples, Peter and John.
00:44:27.83\00:44:31.53
Sons of Thunder.
00:44:31.57\00:44:33.03
Sons of Thunder, cut
off the priest's assistant
00:44:33.07\00:44:36.71
whoever it was,
the ear and so on.
00:44:36.74\00:44:38.07
I'm just simply
saying let's be careful
00:44:38.11\00:44:39.81
with the person
who by the grace of God
00:44:39.84\00:44:41.71
is struggling every day
to gain these victories,
00:44:41.74\00:44:45.08
and you're laid back.
00:44:45.11\00:44:46.51
You know, I work with
people that some guys say,
00:44:46.55\00:44:48.78
oh, that didn't bother me.
00:44:48.82\00:44:50.15
Man, I was already
halfway up the ladder.
00:44:50.19\00:44:51.85
You know what I'm
saying? I was already there.
00:44:51.89\00:44:53.49
And I said, "Don't
ever." "No, never ever."
00:44:53.52\00:44:56.36
So I'm just
saying we don't know,
00:44:56.39\00:44:58.13
you don't know exactly
00:44:58.16\00:44:59.49
what I'm going
through in my career.
00:44:59.53\00:45:00.86
I don't know exactly
what you're going through.
00:45:00.90\00:45:02.23
So be careful if
I lose my patience,
00:45:02.26\00:45:05.33
because I'm still
struggling for eternal life.
00:45:05.37\00:45:07.17
You see what I'm saying?
00:45:07.20\00:45:08.54
I'm working much harder
than may be, come on, yeah,
00:45:08.57\00:45:11.07
you over there,
much harder than you,
00:45:11.11\00:45:13.84
because that's not an issue.
00:45:13.88\00:45:15.21
Maybe you've got
it under control,
00:45:15.24\00:45:16.98
but you may have another issue.
00:45:17.01\00:45:18.35
So is that true? Absolutely.
00:45:18.38\00:45:22.12
You know, I think of,
you know, the disciples,
00:45:22.15\00:45:24.09
it took them
three and a half years.
00:45:24.12\00:45:25.92
Come on.
00:45:25.95\00:45:27.29
Walking with the
Master of the Universe,
00:45:27.32\00:45:29.06
before it finally clicked
00:45:29.09\00:45:31.26
and they started
figuring things out.
00:45:31.29\00:45:33.19
You know, they struggled in
that walk of sanctification.
00:45:33.23\00:45:35.70
And even
afterwards, even, you know,
00:45:35.73\00:45:37.30
Peter being rebuked by Paul,
you know, several years later,
00:45:37.33\00:45:39.80
after Christ had
already went to heaven.
00:45:39.83\00:45:42.17
You know, it's a
constant journey.
00:45:42.20\00:45:43.54
But you know, I think of Paul,
00:45:43.57\00:45:44.91
Paul said in 1
Corinthians 15:31,
00:45:44.94\00:45:47.11
he said, "I die daily."
00:45:47.14\00:45:49.44
There it is.
00:45:49.48\00:45:50.91
Even the Great
Paul, the Great Paul,
00:45:50.95\00:45:53.48
who wrote the majority
of the New Testament said,
00:45:53.52\00:45:55.28
"I have to die daily."
00:45:55.32\00:45:56.65
And he was the chief of what?
00:45:56.69\00:45:58.02
He was the chief of
sinners. Absolutely.
00:45:58.05\00:46:00.32
You know, so it's
amazing that, you know,
00:46:00.36\00:46:01.89
the question
that was asked here,
00:46:01.92\00:46:04.43
you know, asking, I'm going
to question number three here,
00:46:04.46\00:46:06.59
explain how self-control
gives us power over these,
00:46:06.63\00:46:09.03
and why a
victory of self-control
00:46:09.06\00:46:10.80
will be needed in the
closing scene of this world.
00:46:10.83\00:46:13.44
Why? Paul had to die daily.
00:46:13.47\00:46:15.40
And if you go back and look
what this brother went through
00:46:15.44\00:46:17.44
the times of testing and trial
00:46:17.47\00:46:20.14
that this brother
had to go through,
00:46:20.18\00:46:21.81
Paul's a great example.
00:46:21.84\00:46:23.18
And we're no different.
00:46:23.21\00:46:24.55
We may not have to go through
00:46:24.58\00:46:25.91
all of the persecutions
that Paul went through.
00:46:25.95\00:46:27.28
But guess what?
00:46:27.32\00:46:28.65
There's a time coming
when that testing trial
00:46:28.68\00:46:30.02
will come.
00:46:30.05\00:46:31.39
I want my wife to read this,
00:46:31.42\00:46:32.75
because when we
read this question,
00:46:32.79\00:46:34.12
and we were asking the question
here about how you know,
00:46:34.16\00:46:36.09
self-control being
needed in the closing scenes
00:46:36.12\00:46:37.79
of the world's history,
00:46:37.83\00:46:39.36
Stephanie read for us
Acts of the Apostles page 483.
00:46:39.39\00:46:42.46
Listen to these
words, powerful words.
00:46:42.50\00:46:45.10
"He who had built up a
strong symmetrical character,
00:46:45.13\00:46:48.94
he who would be a
well balanced Christian,
00:46:48.97\00:46:52.11
must give all and
do all for Christ,
00:46:52.14\00:46:55.91
for the Redeemer will
not accept divided service.
00:46:55.94\00:47:00.88
Daily, he must learn the
meaning of self surrender,
00:47:00.92\00:47:04.92
you must study the Word
of God learning its meaning
00:47:04.95\00:47:07.32
and obeying its precepts.
00:47:07.36\00:47:09.56
Thus, he may reach the standard
of Christian excellence.
00:47:09.59\00:47:13.43
Day by day, God works with him,
00:47:13.46\00:47:16.97
perfecting the character
00:47:17.00\00:47:18.33
that is to stand in
the time of final test.
00:47:18.37\00:47:22.74
And day by day,
00:47:22.77\00:47:24.31
the believer is working
out before men and angels
00:47:24.34\00:47:27.24
a sublime experiment,
showing what the gospel can do
00:47:27.28\00:47:31.21
for fallen human beings."
00:47:31.25\00:47:32.98
Okay, what do you
hear there multiple times?
00:47:33.01\00:47:35.12
Day by day, day by day.
00:47:35.15\00:47:37.09
And I love this
that she just read here,
00:47:37.12\00:47:38.45
day by day He works with
him, perfecting the character
00:47:38.49\00:47:42.22
that is to stand in
the time of final test.
00:47:42.26\00:47:46.73
We're not there yet, but we're
fast approaching that time.
00:47:46.76\00:47:49.36
Now, let's put this in
the biblical perspective.
00:47:49.40\00:47:51.07
We need to do really quickly,
and this will be probably
00:47:51.10\00:47:52.60
the last time I talk.
00:47:52.63\00:47:53.97
Revelation 15,
00:47:54.00\00:47:55.34
I can't, I got to share
this, this is important.
00:47:55.37\00:47:56.81
Revelation 15
gives us the scene,
00:47:56.84\00:47:58.97
it paints for us the
scene of what's coming.
00:47:59.01\00:48:01.14
Because we look
at the latter verses,
00:48:01.18\00:48:02.51
so verses 5
through 8 in Revelation,
00:48:02.54\00:48:04.15
we may not read all
these but Revelation 15:5-8,
00:48:04.18\00:48:07.12
we see a
beautiful scene where Jesus,
00:48:07.15\00:48:11.09
according to Daniel Chapter 12,
00:48:11.12\00:48:12.62
Michael stands up,
Jesus stands up, okay?
00:48:12.65\00:48:16.16
And smoke fills the temple,
00:48:16.19\00:48:18.16
and the seven angels
are given the seven vials
00:48:18.19\00:48:20.60
full of the wrath of
God, and they're sent out.
00:48:20.63\00:48:23.16
And what we're seeing
here in the latter verses
00:48:23.20\00:48:24.73
of Revelation 15 is the
temple, the heavenly temple,
00:48:24.77\00:48:27.17
the heavenly
sanctuary is being evacuated.
00:48:27.20\00:48:29.60
Jesus is getting ready to
come back and get His people,
00:48:29.64\00:48:32.21
which is why we read
there in Daniel 12:1,
00:48:32.24\00:48:34.74
"At that time,
Michael shall stand up,
00:48:34.78\00:48:36.28
the great prince who
stands watch over the sons
00:48:36.31\00:48:38.31
of the people and
there shall be a time
00:48:38.35\00:48:40.38
of trouble such as never
was since there was a nation
00:48:40.42\00:48:42.92
even to that time."
00:48:42.95\00:48:44.29
Jesus is preparing to come back
00:48:44.32\00:48:46.05
but there's going to come a time
00:48:46.09\00:48:47.96
when the temple is evacuated.
00:48:47.99\00:48:49.89
There's no more intercessor.
00:48:49.92\00:48:51.69
Why must we
have self denial now?
00:48:51.73\00:48:55.10
What's the main
reason and the main purpose
00:48:55.13\00:48:57.20
of why we need to learn
00:48:57.23\00:48:58.57
to surrender our
will to Him daily,
00:48:58.60\00:49:00.67
dying daily as Paul did?
00:49:00.70\00:49:02.30
Well, let me read you
this from Early Writings,
00:49:02.34\00:49:05.31
page 280. Okay, this
clarifies it even more.
00:49:05.34\00:49:08.41
"It was
impossible for the plagues
00:49:08.44\00:49:10.15
to be poured out while Jesus
officiated in the sanctuary,
00:49:10.18\00:49:14.05
but as His work
there is finished,
00:49:14.08\00:49:16.45
and His intercession closes,
00:49:16.48\00:49:19.05
there is nothing to
stay the wrath of God,
00:49:19.09\00:49:21.39
and it breaks with fury
upon the shelterless head
00:49:21.42\00:49:23.59
of the guilty sinner,
who has slighted salvation
00:49:23.63\00:49:26.36
and hated reproof."
00:49:26.39\00:49:27.76
Why have they hated reproof?
00:49:27.80\00:49:29.13
Because they
have no self-control.
00:49:29.16\00:49:30.53
They have no self
denial. There you go.
00:49:30.57\00:49:31.93
So here it is,
"In that fearful time,
00:49:31.97\00:49:34.94
after the close
of Jesus' mediation,
00:49:34.97\00:49:38.44
the saints were
living in the sight
00:49:38.47\00:49:40.04
of a holy God
without an intercessor.
00:49:40.08\00:49:43.58
Every case was
decided, every jewel numbered."
00:49:43.61\00:49:47.28
My friends, why do
we need to practice
00:49:47.32\00:49:49.22
and learn self-control
now, self-denial now?
00:49:49.25\00:49:51.85
Because there's coming a time
00:49:51.89\00:49:53.46
when there will
be no intercessor.
00:49:53.49\00:49:54.96
That's right. And the angels
will be given charge over us.
00:49:54.99\00:49:58.29
But we will have to
have the seal of God,
00:49:58.33\00:50:01.16
be sealed in
from the Holy Spirit
00:50:01.20\00:50:03.00
so much that our self
has completely decreased,
00:50:03.03\00:50:06.90
and He has
completely filled us up.
00:50:06.94\00:50:08.67
That's right. Amen.
00:50:08.70\00:50:10.57
And that's when we talk
about latter rain experience
00:50:10.61\00:50:12.94
right comes on,
00:50:12.97\00:50:14.31
when God's given us the
victory in our life there,
00:50:14.34\00:50:15.68
brother, as you think about then
00:50:15.71\00:50:17.35
we're covered with
that robe of righteous,
00:50:17.38\00:50:19.05
then we're
prepared to go through
00:50:19.08\00:50:20.52
that great time of trouble.
00:50:20.55\00:50:21.88
And how do we get to that point?
00:50:21.92\00:50:23.59
We have to start practicing now.
00:50:23.62\00:50:25.65
We have to start practicing
our faith now. Very good.
00:50:25.69\00:50:28.42
Our faith isn't
where it needs to be.
00:50:28.46\00:50:30.59
But even when Jesus
leaves the Most Holy Place,
00:50:30.63\00:50:35.53
we still have to have the
faith because our struggles
00:50:35.56\00:50:38.67
and trials on this
earth are not finished then.
00:50:38.70\00:50:42.34
In fact, some of the most
worst ones are just beginning.
00:50:42.37\00:50:44.97
That's right.
00:50:45.01\00:50:46.34
And so we have to have
our faith built strong enough
00:50:46.37\00:50:48.98
by that time,
00:50:49.01\00:50:50.71
that we will continue to walk
00:50:50.75\00:50:52.95
not by sight, but by faith.
00:50:52.98\00:50:55.08
Hallelujah.
00:50:55.12\00:50:57.05
Ever notice that
when we have a temptation,
00:50:57.09\00:50:58.85
and we don't, we fail the test.
00:50:58.89\00:51:00.72
The Lord will bring it
back around and give it back
00:51:00.76\00:51:02.96
to us again until
we gain that victory.
00:51:02.99\00:51:05.93
And I have some tests
come to me over and over again,
00:51:05.96\00:51:09.56
I tell the Lord,
"I'm hard headed,
00:51:09.60\00:51:11.43
I'm hard hearing,
please speak loudly."
00:51:11.47\00:51:14.20
And He's been
very gracious to me.
00:51:14.24\00:51:16.00
Amen. Amen.
00:51:16.04\00:51:17.37
Is that possible why
sometimes some people,
00:51:17.41\00:51:20.18
you know, day by
day, every day is,
00:51:20.21\00:51:21.91
"I just can't believe
this has happened to me again.
00:51:21.94\00:51:24.05
I can't believe it's happening."
00:51:24.08\00:51:27.08
Maybe it's because
we're going the same ground
00:51:27.12\00:51:29.52
which we failed.
00:51:29.55\00:51:30.89
And because God
loves them, loves me,
00:51:30.92\00:51:33.09
He brings those things back
00:51:33.12\00:51:34.89
so that we can
gain that victory.
00:51:34.92\00:51:36.26
No sidestepping,
right, no jumping off,
00:51:36.29\00:51:38.19
just go through
by the grace of God.
00:51:38.23\00:51:41.33
No, go ahead, you go first.
00:51:41.36\00:51:42.70
But I wanted to say
Revelation 3:21. Yes.
00:51:42.73\00:51:45.93
That's not one you were
going to close with but,
00:51:45.97\00:51:48.70
"To him who overcomes,
00:51:48.74\00:51:50.11
I will grant to sit
with Me on My throne,
00:51:50.14\00:51:52.07
as I also overcame,
00:51:52.11\00:51:53.71
and sat down with My
Father on His throne."
00:51:53.74\00:51:56.14
That's why we want
to gain the victory
00:51:56.18\00:51:58.95
is because we want
to be able to sit down
00:51:58.98\00:52:00.85
with Him in His throne.
00:52:00.88\00:52:02.35
Amen.
00:52:02.38\00:52:03.72
I just wanted to emphasize,
because it was mentioned.
00:52:03.75\00:52:07.96
We're not there yet,
but we're actually seeing
00:52:07.99\00:52:10.49
and for some
people, they are there now.
00:52:10.53\00:52:13.33
So I want to encourage
00:52:13.36\00:52:14.70
everybody at home
don't procrastinate.
00:52:14.73\00:52:17.07
Don't procrastinate.
Today is the day of salvation.
00:52:17.10\00:52:21.00
Today, we need to be
standing for what is right,
00:52:21.04\00:52:24.44
standing for principle.
00:52:24.47\00:52:25.84
A lot of times even
when we don't feel like it,
00:52:25.87\00:52:27.94
it's still
exhibiting self-control,
00:52:27.98\00:52:30.65
and God will bring the feelings,
00:52:30.68\00:52:32.41
He will bring it.
00:52:32.45\00:52:33.78
But sometimes we
stand on principle.
00:52:33.82\00:52:35.85
There are Christians
today as we sit at this table
00:52:35.88\00:52:38.79
that are being persecuted,
not only in this country,
00:52:38.82\00:52:41.79
but in other countries are
some that have been put in jail,
00:52:41.82\00:52:44.93
put in these internment camps,
and all this different stuff,
00:52:44.96\00:52:48.43
you know, don't procrastinate.
00:52:48.46\00:52:50.57
We don't know when
our trial will come.
00:52:50.60\00:52:53.84
You know, we don't know
when Christ will stand and say,
00:52:53.87\00:52:56.60
"It is done."
00:52:56.64\00:52:58.41
Mercy. Yeah.
00:52:58.44\00:52:59.77
But those who are
righteous be righteous still,
00:52:59.81\00:53:02.44
and those who are
filthy be filthy still.
00:53:02.48\00:53:04.78
Which side will we be on?
00:53:04.81\00:53:07.75
I think the whole thing
in my mind is to deny self,
00:53:07.78\00:53:12.69
to have
self-control is a new birth.
00:53:12.72\00:53:16.69
You know, just
recently I was re-baptized.
00:53:16.73\00:53:19.86
And I remember when I
went down in that water,
00:53:19.89\00:53:22.03
the thought came to
me, this is a real baptism.
00:53:22.06\00:53:26.74
And we're to come back
up in power and in truth,
00:53:26.77\00:53:30.11
and to have the peace of
Christ through the Holy Spirit.
00:53:30.14\00:53:33.84
That peace that
passes all understanding.
00:53:33.88\00:53:36.24
That's right.
00:53:36.28\00:53:37.68
It is a new birth
experience because every day,
00:53:37.71\00:53:42.58
we're doing
surgery on the old man.
00:53:42.62\00:53:45.25
Every day, we're doing surgery
on those things that hurt us.
00:53:45.29\00:53:48.49
Every day, we're putting
them on the altar and say,
00:53:48.52\00:53:50.69
"God, give me the victory."
00:53:50.73\00:53:52.39
And we're learning how to submit
00:53:52.43\00:53:55.40
and commit everything
to Him, no matter what.
00:53:55.43\00:54:00.27
Amen.
00:54:00.30\00:54:01.64
You know, that says
in there Hebrews 4:12,
00:54:01.67\00:54:03.91
you know, the Word of
God which we need, right?
00:54:03.94\00:54:06.44
It's powerful, right?
00:54:06.47\00:54:08.78
And we need that power
in our hearts, in our life.
00:54:08.81\00:54:11.01
And what's the
importance of power?
00:54:11.05\00:54:12.91
Heard a lot of good things,
praise God for each one of you
00:54:12.95\00:54:14.88
what you put in here.
00:54:14.92\00:54:16.25
But as I read
this, there are people
00:54:16.28\00:54:18.19
who bring self into
their work cannot be trusted.
00:54:18.22\00:54:22.52
Somebody that
brings self into the work
00:54:22.56\00:54:25.03
cannot be trusted,
Manuscript 2, 1903.
00:54:25.06\00:54:27.36
And it goes on to say,
notice this, "This is self,
00:54:27.40\00:54:31.37
people who weave self
into all that they do,
00:54:31.40\00:54:33.87
they dishonor their Redeemer."
00:54:33.90\00:54:36.24
I don't want to
dishonor Him, do you?
00:54:36.27\00:54:39.14
"Persons who exalt self will
never see the kingdom of God."
00:54:39.17\00:54:43.21
So this is heavy.
00:54:43.24\00:54:44.58
I mean, this is heavy duty
stuff that we're talking about.
00:54:44.61\00:54:45.95
I think each one of you
brought that point home,
00:54:45.98\00:54:48.08
unless by the grace
of God self is conquered,
00:54:48.12\00:54:50.45
heaven will never be our home.
00:54:50.49\00:54:52.72
When self is conquered,
00:54:52.75\00:54:54.16
we're at our
weakest, we're at our lowest.
00:54:54.19\00:54:56.09
I want to read 2
Corinthians 12:9-10.
00:54:56.12\00:55:01.00
"My Grace," God says,
"is sufficient for you.
00:55:01.03\00:55:06.17
For my power is
made perfect in weakness.
00:55:06.20\00:55:11.84
Therefore, I will
boast for the more gladly
00:55:11.87\00:55:14.48
of my weakness,
00:55:14.51\00:55:15.94
so that the power of
Christ may rest upon me."
00:55:15.98\00:55:19.15
We want His power, not ours,
we can do nothing without Him.
00:55:19.18\00:55:23.45
For the sake of Christ,
00:55:23.49\00:55:24.82
then I am content
with weakness, insults,
00:55:24.85\00:55:27.92
hardships,
persecutions and calamities,
00:55:27.96\00:55:30.73
for when I am weak,
00:55:30.76\00:55:32.29
He is made strong.
00:55:32.33\00:55:34.16
That's right. Amen.
00:55:34.20\00:55:35.53
Praise the Lord.
00:55:35.56\00:55:36.90
You know, I was
thinking really quickly,
00:55:36.93\00:55:38.27
just going to
mention this. Yeah, go ahead.
00:55:38.30\00:55:40.14
Right there in John 3,
Jesus is talking to Nicodemus.
00:55:40.17\00:55:43.57
Many people
would quote John 3:16,
00:55:43.61\00:55:45.87
but I'm going to tell you
the key verse is verse 14.
00:55:45.91\00:55:48.31
It says, "As Moses lifted up
the serpent in the wilderness,
00:55:48.34\00:55:50.75
so shall also the
Son of Man be lifted up."
00:55:50.78\00:55:53.48
How can we bring ourselves?
00:55:53.52\00:55:54.85
You may be at
home now saying, "Lord,
00:55:54.88\00:55:56.35
Lord, I want to be self-denial.
00:55:56.38\00:55:58.05
I want to have self-control.
00:55:58.09\00:55:59.85
How do I do that?"
Look to Jesus Christ.
00:55:59.89\00:56:03.89
Look at, what does
Hebrews 12:1-2 say?
00:56:03.93\00:56:05.93
"Therefore,
since we are surrounded
00:56:05.96\00:56:07.96
by so great a
cloud of witnesses,
00:56:08.00\00:56:09.33
let us lay aside every weight,
00:56:09.36\00:56:10.70
and the sin which
so easily ensnares us,
00:56:10.73\00:56:12.67
and let us run
with endurance the race
00:56:12.70\00:56:14.90
that is set before us."
00:56:14.94\00:56:16.27
But here's the key, verse 2,
00:56:16.30\00:56:17.64
"Looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith,
00:56:17.67\00:56:20.84
who for the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross,
00:56:20.88\00:56:23.48
despising the shame and is sat
down at the right hand of God."
00:56:23.51\00:56:26.25
My friends, that's the
key, looking at the cross.
00:56:26.28\00:56:28.38
Look unto Him today. Amen.
00:56:28.42\00:56:29.92
That's it.
00:56:29.95\00:56:31.29
You know, I'll read
something quickly, it said,
00:56:31.32\00:56:33.12
"If we lift up ourselves,
00:56:33.15\00:56:36.12
it shows our ignorance
of heavenly things of God."
00:56:36.16\00:56:40.66
We don't know God,
we don't know Christ.
00:56:40.70\00:56:43.26
We don't know what's prepared
for us, those that love Him.
00:56:43.30\00:56:46.43
And I'm thinking
every time we do that,
00:56:46.47\00:56:48.40
we're putting Christ
down and so all we have to do
00:56:48.44\00:56:49.87
is behold Him,
00:56:49.90\00:56:51.31
and His character
and all of a sudden,
00:56:51.34\00:56:53.78
there's no room for us
to compare ourselves with.
00:56:53.81\00:56:55.81
So I'm going to say
right now is behold Christ.
00:56:55.84\00:56:58.61
Closing thought real quick?
00:56:58.65\00:57:00.55
Is behold Christ, I mean that,
we see through a glass darkly,
00:57:00.58\00:57:05.19
we have no idea
00:57:05.22\00:57:06.65
all that He has
given up to bring us back,
00:57:06.69\00:57:09.66
and He's just trying to fit us
00:57:09.69\00:57:11.66
to be one of His servants
in the kingdom of heaven.
00:57:11.69\00:57:15.80
And that's what it's all about.
00:57:15.83\00:57:17.17
We must behold Him and
allow self to die in Him
00:57:17.20\00:57:20.54
to have His mind be in us
which is also encouraging.
00:57:20.57\00:57:24.11
Praise the Lord.
00:57:24.14\00:57:25.47
So we're talking about
power, peace, self-control.
00:57:25.51\00:57:27.34
May the God of heaven, right?
00:57:27.38\00:57:29.08
Answer your prayer today as
you commit your will to Him.
00:57:29.11\00:57:31.78
Victory is assured, trust Jesus.
00:57:31.81\00:57:34.55
Amen.
00:57:34.58\00:57:35.92