We truly are a
nation of sports addicts.
00:00:05.66\00:00:08.94
We love our games,
baseball, football,
00:00:08.97\00:00:12.27
golf, marathons
and the Olympics.
00:00:12.30\00:00:16.19
If you take the time to notice
00:00:16.22\00:00:17.59
there are some
interesting parallels
00:00:17.62\00:00:19.46
that can be drawn
between sports and the church.
00:00:19.49\00:00:23.16
I am not the first
to notice this either.
00:00:23.19\00:00:25.19
Both David in Psalm 19
00:00:25.22\00:00:27.38
and Paul in his
Epistles of 1 Corinthians
00:00:27.41\00:00:29.78
and Hebrews made
similar observations.
00:00:29.81\00:00:33.09
Now even if you could care
less about sports stay with me
00:00:33.12\00:00:36.85
because I am
trying to make a point.
00:00:36.88\00:00:39.17
Suppose you are one of
the major league players.
00:00:39.20\00:00:42.20
If you were there would
be a certain minimum things
00:00:42.23\00:00:45.44
you would have to do, right?
00:00:45.47\00:00:47.70
Like, you have to
show up for practice,
00:00:47.73\00:00:50.03
you have to suit up
00:00:50.06\00:00:51.63
and you have to
play the game, minimums.
00:00:51.66\00:00:55.80
Well, most of us will never
be one of those sports heroes
00:00:55.83\00:00:59.72
who are paid
millions just to play
00:00:59.75\00:01:02.10
but we can be and
many people are fans.
00:01:02.13\00:01:05.85
But even here there are some
00:01:05.88\00:01:07.69
minimum
requirements, aren't there?
00:01:07.72\00:01:10.11
I mean, what if I told
you I was a Packers fan?
00:01:10.14\00:01:13.40
But I didn't know
what state they were from.
00:01:13.43\00:01:15.57
Had never seen a
game, not even on TV.
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I didn't know
what colors they wore
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and never talked
football at the water cooler.
00:01:20.75\00:01:23.56
Would you believe
I was a Packers fan?
00:01:23.59\00:01:26.35
The title of this study is
"Jesus chooses His church."
00:01:26.38\00:01:31.15
It almost seems
blasphemous to suggest
00:01:31.18\00:01:33.91
that Jesus would
choose just one church.
00:01:33.94\00:01:36.94
After all it's
said that there are over
00:01:36.97\00:01:39.47
38,000 different denominations
00:01:39.50\00:01:42.11
that all claim to
be followers of Christ.
00:01:42.14\00:01:44.88
Would Jesus choose just one?
00:01:44.91\00:01:48.74
Just the suggestion
causes a thunderstorm
00:01:48.77\00:01:51.73
in the minds of many today
00:01:51.76\00:01:53.89
and it did the same
in the days of Jesus.
00:01:53.92\00:01:56.73
For His doctrine declares,
00:01:56.76\00:01:58.88
"There shall be just
one fold, and one shepherd."
00:01:58.91\00:02:04.04
Yes, there are certain
minimums to being a fan.
00:02:56.57\00:03:01.04
There's an evidently
some article of clothing,
00:03:01.07\00:03:03.67
some decal or
piece of memorabilia
00:03:03.70\00:03:06.42
that defines your interest.
00:03:06.45\00:03:08.54
There's always the time spent
with friends or fellow fans
00:03:08.57\00:03:11.73
watching the game at
the stadium or on TV.
00:03:11.76\00:03:15.37
There's a certain comradery
00:03:15.40\00:03:16.93
as you talk about
the specific plays
00:03:16.96\00:03:19.50
that define the game
and the shared experience.
00:03:19.53\00:03:22.61
If there are minimums
for becoming a sports fan
00:03:22.64\00:03:25.89
it shouldn't surprise us
that Jesus has some standards,
00:03:25.92\00:03:29.02
some minimums for
being part of His team,
00:03:29.05\00:03:31.94
His church, His remnant people.
00:03:31.97\00:03:35.38
Today, we're
going to look carefully
00:03:35.41\00:03:37.40
at the teachings of the Jesus
00:03:37.43\00:03:38.94
on this very
important matter. Levi.
00:03:38.97\00:03:43.14
In the culture that
prices individual freedom
00:03:43.17\00:03:45.88
and in a society
that changes churches
00:03:45.91\00:03:48.39
for the slightest of reasons,
00:03:48.42\00:03:50.27
it seems as
disruptive as a thunderstorm
00:03:50.30\00:03:52.94
to suggest that Jesus
might pick just one church.
00:03:52.97\00:03:56.90
In this lesson we're
gonna let Jesus tell us
00:03:56.93\00:03:59.32
what church or churches
would receive His approbation
00:03:59.35\00:04:03.06
and what are the identifying
marks of His chosen people.
00:04:03.09\00:04:07.43
As we begin our
study, now let's look
00:04:07.46\00:04:09.49
at the first of its seven signs
00:04:09.52\00:04:11.29
Jesus left as a template
00:04:11.32\00:04:13.15
to quickly
identify His chosen church.
00:04:13.18\00:04:16.61
The sign number one,
can be found in John 10,
00:04:16.64\00:04:19.98
"And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold
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them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice,
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and there shall be one
fold, and one shepherd."
00:04:28.44\00:04:32.71
"And there was a
division therefore again
00:04:32.74\00:04:34.44
among the Jews
for these sayings."
00:04:34.47\00:04:37.98
Notice two things, at
first Jesus is prophesying
00:04:38.01\00:04:41.60
that there will be one fold
00:04:41.63\00:04:43.18
or one church for
His true followers.
00:04:43.21\00:04:46.74
Second, He also tells us
00:04:46.77\00:04:48.42
what that first sign is
that one is in His church.
00:04:48.45\00:04:52.02
The people who
belong to Jesus, hear.
00:04:52.05\00:04:56.33
If we're not willing to
listen then we can't justifiably
00:04:56.36\00:05:00.30
consider ourselves
the sheep of His pasture.
00:05:00.33\00:05:03.18
While here in Israel we've
seen any number of shepherds.
00:05:03.21\00:05:06.63
If the sheep don't or who won't
listen to the shepherd's voice
00:05:06.66\00:05:10.33
calling them to follow
then he's not their shepherd.
00:05:10.36\00:05:13.88
But Jesus'
doctrine went even further.
00:05:13.91\00:05:16.36
He said, "And
other sheep I have,
00:05:16.39\00:05:18.99
which are not of this
fold, them also I must bring,
00:05:19.02\00:05:23.21
and they shall hear my voice."
00:05:23.24\00:05:26.36
This is what
caused the division.
00:05:26.39\00:05:27.98
The Jews thought all God's
blessings were just for them.
00:05:28.01\00:05:32.10
They didn't
understand that God is love
00:05:32.13\00:05:34.72
and He loves the whole world.
00:05:34.75\00:05:36.39
He wants to save everyone
and He died for everyone.
00:05:36.42\00:05:40.78
Jesus said in John
10:11, "I am the good shepherd.
00:05:40.81\00:05:44.77
The good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep."
00:05:44.80\00:05:48.68
So sign number
one that you found
00:05:48.71\00:05:50.38
in God's true
church, God's people listen.
00:05:50.41\00:05:54.88
And every person who
hears His voice in scripture
00:05:54.91\00:05:57.54
who listens for the
promptings of the Holy Spirit
00:05:57.57\00:06:00.44
and following wherever he leads
is a part of God's true church.
00:06:00.47\00:06:04.94
And you don't have to be Jewish.
00:06:04.97\00:06:06.65
That bloodline
only helps in that
00:06:06.68\00:06:08.32
it was the Jews
who gave us the Bible
00:06:08.35\00:06:10.68
and the living word
of God, Jesus Himself.
00:06:10.71\00:06:13.98
But if they don't listen
then they are not God's chosen
00:06:14.01\00:06:17.98
anymore than a pagan is.
00:06:18.01\00:06:20.64
And the same is true
for every other church.
00:06:20.67\00:06:23.01
So, listen.
00:06:23.04\00:06:25.10
Okay, again from
the teaching of Jesus
00:06:25.13\00:06:28.27
let's look for a second sign
00:06:28.30\00:06:29.92
that defines and
identifies God's true church.
00:06:29.95\00:06:33.68
Jesus was preaching one day,
00:06:33.71\00:06:35.27
the crowd around
the Master was so thick
00:06:35.30\00:06:37.20
that His own family couldn't
get through to speak with Him.
00:06:37.23\00:06:39.87
So he sent a message.
00:06:39.90\00:06:41.56
It was passed through the
crowd until it came to Jesus.
00:06:41.59\00:06:44.40
Your mother and
brothers are trying to see you.
00:06:44.43\00:06:47.50
"But He answered
and said unto him,
00:06:47.53\00:06:48.90
that told him,
'Who is my mother?
00:06:48.93\00:06:50.97
And who are my brethren?
00:06:51.00\00:06:52.57
Whosoever shall do the will
of my Father who is in heaven,
00:06:52.60\00:06:56.02
he is my brother and
sister, and mother.'"
00:06:56.05\00:07:01.03
The teachings
of Jesus are clear.
00:07:01.06\00:07:03.14
The second sign that we
are in God's true church
00:07:03.17\00:07:05.93
is His followers
are well, followers,
00:07:05.96\00:07:08.92
they do what God ask of them.
00:07:08.95\00:07:10.85
This is a
highly important point.
00:07:10.88\00:07:13.28
Some who are fluent in
lip service are offended
00:07:13.31\00:07:15.87
if anyone lifts up
the truths of the Bible
00:07:15.90\00:07:18.01
as a standard for living.
00:07:18.04\00:07:19.71
To defend themselves they
will even say things like,
00:07:19.74\00:07:22.66
well, God knows my heart.
00:07:22.69\00:07:24.96
And yes, He does.
00:07:24.99\00:07:26.89
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us
what He knows about our hearts.
00:07:26.92\00:07:31.36
"The heart is
deceitful above all things
00:07:31.39\00:07:33.22
and desperately
wicked, who can know it?"
00:07:33.25\00:07:36.19
Let me translate this
00:07:36.22\00:07:37.59
using the original
meanings of the words in Hebrew.
00:07:37.62\00:07:40.89
The heart is like a
balloon, all puffed up with air
00:07:40.92\00:07:43.17
thinking itself to be
important and valuable
00:07:43.20\00:07:45.56
not realizing that it's
fragile and soon to break.
00:07:45.59\00:07:49.02
You can't hide puffy balloons
00:07:49.05\00:07:51.05
and you can't hide
what's in the heart.
00:07:51.08\00:07:53.27
Jesus taught in Luke 6:45 that,
00:07:53.30\00:07:55.31
"A good man out of the
good treasure of his heart
00:07:55.34\00:07:57.93
brings forth good.
00:07:57.96\00:07:59.37
And an evil man out of
the evil treasure of his heart
00:07:59.40\00:08:01.71
brings forth evil.
00:08:01.74\00:08:03.11
For out of the abundance of
the heart his mouth speaks."
00:08:03.14\00:08:07.35
What's in the heart always
comes out in words and actions.
00:08:07.38\00:08:11.77
And jut like
blowing up balloons,
00:08:11.80\00:08:13.77
what's in the heart
can't be hid forever.
00:08:13.80\00:08:16.28
"Be sure your sin
will find you out."
00:08:16.31\00:08:19.08
God's word tells
us in Numbers 32:23.
00:08:19.11\00:08:21.92
So sign number two is that
God's people do what He say's.
00:08:21.95\00:08:28.71
Sign number three
that identified the church
00:08:28.74\00:08:31.03
Jesus has chosen as His
church is found in Mathew 16.
00:08:31.07\00:08:35.86
Jesus has just
asked the disciples
00:08:35.89\00:08:37.81
to what people
are saying about Him.
00:08:37.84\00:08:39.93
They told Him that
some thought He was Elijah,
00:08:39.96\00:08:42.21
Jeremiah or one of
the other prophets.
00:08:42.24\00:08:45.14
Then Jesus asked them,
but who do you say that I am?
00:08:45.17\00:08:49.32
"And Simon Peter
answered and said,
00:08:49.35\00:08:52.40
'Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.'
00:08:52.43\00:08:56.23
And Jesus
answered and said unto him,
00:08:56.26\00:08:58.87
'Upon this rock I
will build my church
00:08:58.90\00:09:02.08
and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.'"
00:09:02.11\00:09:05.43
Some have suggested the church
was built on the Apostle Peter.
00:09:05.46\00:09:09.74
No, it was built on the
truth of Peter's declaration.
00:09:09.77\00:09:14.15
You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.
00:09:14.18\00:09:18.99
The third sign is that His
church is built upon Christ.
00:09:19.02\00:09:23.97
Not on traditions
or customs or cultures,
00:09:24.00\00:09:27.01
it is built on Jesus Himself
00:09:27.04\00:09:29.62
who is the way,
the truth and the life.
00:09:29.65\00:09:33.81
He is the rock
whom the church rejected
00:09:33.84\00:09:36.39
in the wilderness of Sinai.
00:09:36.42\00:09:38.35
He is the cornerstone
00:09:38.38\00:09:39.75
rejected by the Jewish
leaders in Christ's day.
00:09:39.78\00:09:42.70
The foundation, the
rock is a symbol of Jesus.
00:09:42.73\00:09:47.84
"And they did all drink
the same spiritual drink,
00:09:47.87\00:09:52.10
for they drank of
that spiritual rock
00:09:52.13\00:09:54.39
that followed them
and that rock was Christ."
00:09:54.42\00:09:58.27
It is upon truth and truth
alone that His church stands.
00:09:58.30\00:10:03.14
That truth is contained
in Christ who is the word.
00:10:03.17\00:10:07.18
That truth, Jesus and His words
00:10:07.60\00:10:10.72
is the birthing agent for all
the true members of His church.
00:10:10.75\00:10:15.23
"Of His own will begat He
us with the word of truth,
00:10:15.26\00:10:19.45
that we should be a kind of
first fruits of His creatures."
00:10:19.48\00:10:23.96
Sign number three then
is that the true church
00:10:23.99\00:10:26.75
is built on
Christ and His teachings.
00:10:26.78\00:10:30.96
That's three signs so far.
00:10:30.99\00:10:33.87
The first is, His church,
00:10:33.90\00:10:35.62
His people
listen to what He says.
00:10:35.65\00:10:38.42
The second is,
they do what He says.
00:10:38.45\00:10:41.34
And the third sign is,
00:10:41.37\00:10:42.74
the church is built on
Jesus and His teachings.
00:10:42.77\00:10:47.37
The forth sign that we found
00:10:47.40\00:10:49.38
the church Jesus would
chose is found in Revelation.
00:10:49.41\00:10:53.49
This last book of the
Bible is the revealing
00:10:53.52\00:10:56.27
or showing of Jesus
Himself and it contains
00:10:56.30\00:10:59.52
the teachings of Jesus
as sent and shown to John.
00:10:59.55\00:11:03.56
In Revelation 12:17 we find
Satan angry at a certain woman.
00:11:03.59\00:11:09.17
Since Revelation is
a highly symbolic book,
00:11:09.20\00:11:12.18
I wanted to know who
that woman represents.
00:11:12.21\00:11:15.50
I found the
answer in Jeremiah 6:2,
00:11:15.53\00:11:19.04
"I have likened
the daughter of Zion
00:11:19.07\00:11:21.82
to a comely and delicate woman."
00:11:21.85\00:11:25.57
The daughter of Zion
00:11:25.60\00:11:26.97
is code language
for God's chosen people.
00:11:27.00\00:11:29.90
The Jews used to be but they
rejected the God of creation
00:11:29.93\00:11:34.05
when they rejected
Emanuel, God with us.
00:11:34.08\00:11:38.78
God's people were never
simply a bloodline anyway.
00:11:38.81\00:11:42.24
They were the
people who listened
00:11:42.27\00:11:44.25
who did whatever
God told them to do.
00:11:44.28\00:11:46.99
So let's look at
00:11:47.02\00:11:50.07
and see what Jesus says
about His last day church.
00:11:50.10\00:11:54.99
"And the dragon was
wroth with the woman,"
00:11:55.02\00:11:58.11
God's church,
"and went to make war
00:11:58.14\00:12:00.87
with the remnant of her seed."
00:12:00.90\00:12:03.16
Now watch for what
defines His church.
00:12:03.19\00:12:06.15
"which keep the
commandments of God,
00:12:06.18\00:12:08.96
and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ."
00:12:08.99\00:12:12.68
In this verse we see
00:12:12.71\00:12:14.08
the next identifying
sign of Christ's church.
00:12:14.11\00:12:17.54
Sign four, they
keep the commandments.
00:12:17.57\00:12:21.43
These
commandments are not something
00:12:21.46\00:12:23.44
they do to earn salvation,
for salvation is a free gift
00:12:23.47\00:12:26.81
given to us by our
loving Father in Jesus Christ.
00:12:26.84\00:12:31.19
But in the salvation process,
00:12:31.22\00:12:33.04
Jesus doesn't just
declare us righteous,
00:12:33.07\00:12:35.94
He actually makes us righteous.
00:12:35.97\00:12:38.64
He writes His law on
our hearts, in our minds.
00:12:38.67\00:12:43.16
We then keep the commandments
00:12:43.19\00:12:44.76
because he is willing in us
00:12:44.79\00:12:46.88
and doing in us
His good pleasure.
00:12:46.91\00:12:50.69
Any church, any organization,
00:12:50.72\00:12:52.93
who preaches and teaches that
God's people can't keep the law
00:12:52.96\00:12:57.04
are playing into the
hands of Satan himself.
00:12:57.07\00:13:00.52
Listen to these words of Jesus,
00:13:00.55\00:13:02.92
"If you love me,
keep my commandments.
00:13:02.95\00:13:07.65
For verily I say unto you,
'Till heaven and earth pass,
00:13:07.68\00:13:11.05
one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise
00:13:11.08\00:13:14.10
pass from the law,
till all be fulfilled.'"
00:13:14.13\00:13:18.45
Paul makes it
clear in Romans 8:4
00:13:18.48\00:13:21.06
that the law is to
be fulfilled in us.
00:13:21.09\00:13:24.47
No, Jesus didn't get
rid of the commandments.
00:13:24.50\00:13:27.92
His church, His true
church still keeps them.
00:13:27.95\00:13:31.93
This moral code
written with the finger of God
00:13:31.96\00:13:35.74
was written by Jesus Himself.
00:13:35.77\00:13:38.08
These are His commandments.
00:13:38.11\00:13:40.58
So this is a sign of Jesus.
00:13:40.61\00:13:43.11
He said, this would set
00:13:43.14\00:13:44.66
His church
apart from all others.
00:13:44.69\00:13:47.13
How many churches
uphold the Ten Commandments,
00:13:47.16\00:13:50.61
all ten of them?
00:13:50.64\00:13:52.36
This makes it very easy
to find God's true church.
00:13:52.39\00:13:56.47
Look for a church that
upholds all of the moral law
00:13:56.50\00:14:00.13
and you'll find maybe
00:14:00.16\00:14:01.53
just a handful of
churches to consider.
00:14:01.56\00:14:04.68
This one test alone
00:14:04.71\00:14:06.09
is reminiscent to
finding Cinderella.
00:14:06.12\00:14:09.43
Just find the foot
that fits the glass slipper
00:14:09.46\00:14:12.41
or in this case just find
the church that keeps the law.
00:14:12.44\00:14:17.10
Then you'll find a church that
Satan is raging war against.
00:14:17.13\00:14:21.53
That's four of the
seven signs Jesus left us
00:14:21.56\00:14:24.99
to help us to
find His true church.
00:14:25.02\00:14:28.26
Let's once again
join our reporters
00:14:28.29\00:14:30.14
as we consider
the last three. Levi.
00:14:30.17\00:14:35.10
Thanks, Charles.
00:14:35.13\00:14:36.50
There's one more
sign found in the verse
00:14:36.53\00:14:38.32
you've been talking about.
00:14:38.35\00:14:39.72
So let's take another
look at Revelation 12:17,
00:14:39.75\00:14:43.07
"And the dragon was
wroth with the woman,
00:14:43.10\00:14:45.38
and went to make war
with the remnant of her seed,
00:14:45.41\00:14:48.55
which keep the
commandments of God,
00:14:48.58\00:14:50.68
and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ."
00:14:50.71\00:14:54.50
Remember, Revelation is a highly
symbolic and spiritual book.
00:14:54.53\00:14:59.27
We must let
scripture interpret scripture.
00:14:59.30\00:15:02.36
So what does the Bible
say the testimony of Jesus is?
00:15:02.39\00:15:06.14
I found that answer
in Revelation 19:10.
00:15:06.17\00:15:09.34
And this is so neat when anyone,
00:15:09.37\00:15:11.35
even a young person can
clearly interpret scripture.
00:15:11.38\00:15:14.53
This verse says, "And I
fell at His feet to worship Him.
00:15:14.56\00:15:18.58
And He said unto
me, See thou do it not
00:15:18.61\00:15:21.25
for I am thy fellowservant,
and of thy brethren
00:15:21.28\00:15:24.44
that have the
testimony of Jesus."
00:15:24.47\00:15:27.61
There's that
phrase again, "Worship God
00:15:27.64\00:15:30.83
for the testimony of Jesus
is the spirit of prophecy."
00:15:30.86\00:15:35.74
Sign number five
of God's true church.
00:15:35.77\00:15:38.17
It will have the
testimony of Jesus
00:15:38.20\00:15:40.90
which is the Sprit of Prophecy.
00:15:40.93\00:15:43.59
When Jesus went back to
heaven He made a promise.
00:15:43.62\00:15:46.79
He promised to
send us the Holy Spirit.
00:15:46.82\00:15:49.51
He promised that the Holy
Ghost would be our teacher
00:15:49.54\00:15:53.52
and helping us to remember
everything Jesus taught us
00:15:53.55\00:15:56.28
and to show us things
that had not yet happened.
00:15:56.31\00:16:00.04
"Surely the Lord will do nothing
00:16:00.07\00:16:02.55
but He revealeth His secrete
unto His servants the prophets."
00:16:02.58\00:16:06.45
He tells us in Amos 3:7.
00:16:06.48\00:16:08.74
In fact this is part
what makes God, well, God.
00:16:08.77\00:16:13.18
He knows what
will happen at the end
00:16:13.21\00:16:15.65
all the way back
here at the beginning.
00:16:15.68\00:16:18.00
Isaiah 46:10 says, "Declaring
the end from the beginning,
00:16:18.03\00:16:22.56
and from ancient times
00:16:22.59\00:16:24.13
the things that
are not yet done."
00:16:24.16\00:16:26.85
Don't forget
it's the Holy Spirit
00:16:26.88\00:16:28.91
that inspired all
the Bible writers.
00:16:28.94\00:16:31.34
Paul told Timothy that
00:16:31.37\00:16:33.14
"All scriptures
given by inspiration of God
00:16:33.17\00:16:35.78
and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof,
00:16:35.81\00:16:39.22
for correction, for
instruction in righteousness."
00:16:39.25\00:16:43.66
We need the spirit
in the body of Christ
00:16:43.69\00:16:45.96
in His church to
guide us into all truth
00:16:45.99\00:16:49.24
and truth found in the Bible
00:16:49.27\00:16:50.69
as well the truth about
what's coming in future.
00:16:50.72\00:16:53.87
He will also guide us
00:16:53.90\00:16:55.27
into an obedient
experience in the truth.
00:16:55.30\00:16:58.51
So sign number five
is that God's true church
00:16:58.54\00:17:02.18
will have the
Spirit of Prophecy.
00:17:02.21\00:17:05.86
Sign number six for
identifying the church of Christ
00:17:05.89\00:17:08.48
is also found in
Revelation, Revelation 12:11,
00:17:08.51\00:17:12.16
"And they" the Christian church
"overcame him" that is Satan
00:17:12.19\00:17:15.90
"by the blood of the Lamb,
00:17:15.93\00:17:17.45
and by the word
of their testimony,
00:17:17.48\00:17:19.59
and they loved not
their lives unto the death."
00:17:19.62\00:17:22.93
That sixth sign is that
God's people are overcomers.
00:17:22.96\00:17:26.25
Satan thought his
wiles and temptations
00:17:26.28\00:17:28.09
cannot stop
God's people from going
00:17:28.12\00:17:30.03
from victory to
victory and glory to glory.
00:17:30.06\00:17:33.01
That's what Paul
told the folks in Corinth.
00:17:33.04\00:17:35.54
"But we all, with open face
00:17:35.57\00:17:37.35
beholding as in a
glass the glory of the Lord,
00:17:37.38\00:17:40.21
are changed into the same
image from glory to glory,
00:17:40.24\00:17:43.59
even as by the
Spirit of the Lord."
00:17:43.62\00:17:46.17
God's true people
can't help but overcome
00:17:46.20\00:17:48.97
because of what Jesus
did for them at the cross,
00:17:49.00\00:17:51.03
declaring them
righteous and perfect.
00:17:51.06\00:17:54.13
They can't help but
overcome in their daily lives
00:17:54.16\00:17:56.54
because Jesus also
supplies them with everything
00:17:56.57\00:17:59.29
they need for
living a holy life.
00:17:59.32\00:18:02.24
"His divine power hath
given unto us all things
00:18:02.27\00:18:05.24
that pertain unto
life and godliness,
00:18:05.27\00:18:07.97
through the knowledge of Him
00:18:08.00\00:18:09.37
that hath called us
to glory and virtue."
00:18:09.40\00:18:12.84
In God's true church
people don't drink or smoke
00:18:12.87\00:18:16.08
they are overcomers.
00:18:16.11\00:18:17.82
They don't shoot
on their spouses,
00:18:17.85\00:18:19.57
they are overcomers.
00:18:19.60\00:18:21.44
They don't harbor unforgiveness
or a bitter spirit,
00:18:21.47\00:18:24.55
they are overcomers.
00:18:24.58\00:18:26.68
In God's true church they
are overcomers even a fear.
00:18:26.71\00:18:31.41
Once you love Jesus
00:18:31.44\00:18:32.88
more than father or
mother or even life itself
00:18:32.91\00:18:35.72
there is no fear in what Satan
or other people can do to you.
00:18:35.75\00:18:39.20
1 John 4:18 says,
"There is no fear in love,
00:18:39.23\00:18:43.22
but perfect love
casteth out fear,
00:18:43.25\00:18:45.77
because fear hath torment.
00:18:45.80\00:18:47.86
He that feareth is
not made perfect in love."
00:18:47.89\00:18:52.61
This leaves us free to
be always obedient to Jesus.
00:18:52.64\00:18:55.89
This leaves us free
to bask in His love.
00:18:55.92\00:18:59.44
"If you keep my commandments,
ye shall abide in my love,
00:18:59.47\00:19:03.22
even as I have kept
my Father's commandments
00:19:03.25\00:19:05.12
and abide in his love."
Jesus said in John 15:10.
00:19:05.15\00:19:08.76
Abiding in Christ does not mean
00:19:08.79\00:19:10.63
bad things wont
happen to His people.
00:19:10.66\00:19:13.00
Revelation 12:17
tells us the devil is angry
00:19:13.03\00:19:15.86
at Jesus' church
and seeks to destroy it.
00:19:15.89\00:19:19.10
During the Dark Ages alone
it is conservatively estimated
00:19:19.13\00:19:22.12
that 40 million
Christians lead their lives down
00:19:22.15\00:19:25.23
rather than compromise
00:19:25.26\00:19:26.63
the true teachings of
Jesus found in the Bible.
00:19:26.66\00:19:30.18
Perhaps that is a key reason
00:19:30.21\00:19:31.65
that church is
called the remnant.
00:19:31.68\00:19:33.25
The true followers
of Jesus are remnant
00:19:33.28\00:19:35.71
or an exact copy of the church
00:19:35.74\00:19:37.61
Jesus established
while here on earth.
00:19:37.64\00:19:40.48
His followers carefully receive
00:19:40.51\00:19:42.28
and study the
prophecies of the Bible.
00:19:42.31\00:19:44.46
His followers look
like the original disciples
00:19:44.49\00:19:46.59
who shun out with adornment.
00:19:46.62\00:19:48.77
They didn't try to
amass wealth for themselves
00:19:48.80\00:19:51.32
but helped others
who were truly in need.
00:19:51.35\00:19:54.14
So sign number six,
00:19:54.17\00:19:55.61
is God's church is
an overcoming church.
00:19:55.64\00:20:00.42
This leaves us
one more sign. Andrea.
00:20:00.45\00:20:02.98
Thanks, Steven.
00:20:03.01\00:20:04.38
This last sign is in Mark 16:15.
00:20:04.41\00:20:07.20
Let's look at it together.
00:20:07.23\00:20:09.37
"And he said unto them,
'Go ye into all the world,
00:20:09.40\00:20:12.70
and preach the
gospel to every creature.'"
00:20:12.73\00:20:15.77
God's true people
are mission minded.
00:20:15.80\00:20:19.43
It is not just a few believers
who enjoy each other's company
00:20:19.46\00:20:22.92
or a large mega church that has
a great and charismatic leader
00:20:22.95\00:20:26.32
who keeps them all feeling good.
00:20:26.35\00:20:28.54
The seventh sign is of
the remnant church of Jesus
00:20:28.57\00:20:31.42
is a worldwide movement
00:20:31.45\00:20:34.05
going from home to
home and heart to heart,
00:20:34.08\00:20:36.41
going into every country to
all people with the true gospel.
00:20:36.44\00:20:41.50
I mean, the gospel is
not just the good news
00:20:41.53\00:20:43.20
of Jesus dying
for us on the Calvary.
00:20:43.23\00:20:45.90
Jesus tells us
what the gospel is
00:20:45.93\00:20:47.98
in His Revelation to John,
00:20:48.01\00:20:49.58
"And I saw another angel
00:20:49.61\00:20:52.10
fly in the midst of
heaven, having--" here it is,
00:20:52.13\00:20:55.85
"the everlasting
gospel to preach unto them
00:20:55.88\00:20:59.54
that dwell on the
earth, and to every nation,
00:20:59.57\00:21:02.30
and kindred, and
tongue, and people.
00:21:02.33\00:21:04.94
Saying with a loud voice,
Fear God and give glory to Him
00:21:04.97\00:21:08.75
for the hour of
His judgment is come
00:21:08.78\00:21:11.66
and worship Him
that made heaven,
00:21:11.69\00:21:13.77
and earth, and the sea,
and the fountains of waters."
00:21:13.80\00:21:17.27
God's church has a last
day message to the whole world.
00:21:17.30\00:21:21.71
The creator God
is about to return,
00:21:21.74\00:21:24.17
the hour of His
judgment is come.
00:21:24.20\00:21:26.76
Be ready, go out to meet Him.
00:21:26.79\00:21:29.94
TV, sports, the
internet and music
00:21:29.97\00:21:32.62
seem bent on
lowering people's interest
00:21:32.65\00:21:34.99
in this end-time message.
00:21:35.02\00:21:36.73
Not many today even
think about the fact
00:21:36.76\00:21:39.15
that they are soon to
meet the judge of the universe
00:21:39.18\00:21:42.36
who will based on
our choices and actions
00:21:42.39\00:21:45.46
decide where
we'll spend eternity.
00:21:45.49\00:21:49.13
That judgment has already come.
00:21:49.16\00:21:51.37
The message was
given to the prophet Daniel
00:21:51.40\00:21:54.19
and because of that prophecy,
00:21:54.22\00:21:55.94
the longest time
prophecy in the Bible
00:21:55.97\00:21:58.07
we absolutely know
we are on borrowed time.
00:21:58.10\00:22:02.29
Jesus is soon to return.
00:22:02.32\00:22:04.84
There is no party time left.
There is no self time left.
00:22:04.87\00:22:09.33
"Fear God, and give glory to Him
00:22:09.36\00:22:12.41
for the hour of
His judgment is come."
00:22:12.44\00:22:16.28
So the seventh and final sign
00:22:16.31\00:22:17.91
that you've found in
the church of Jesus Christ
00:22:17.94\00:22:19.87
is His church is
a world wide church,
00:22:19.90\00:22:23.05
obedient to His command to
share the gospel with everyone.
00:22:23.08\00:22:28.01
On this point I
did a little research.
00:22:28.04\00:22:30.60
What I found surprised me.
00:22:30.63\00:22:32.52
I found this document made up
00:22:32.55\00:22:34.29
by the American Bible
Society and Church Missions.
00:22:34.32\00:22:37.24
This non-Protestant
group has one goal.
00:22:37.27\00:22:40.97
Let's get the Bible
out there for everyone.
00:22:41.00\00:22:43.72
They are not promoting
any specific denomination.
00:22:43.75\00:22:46.86
It was this group that made this
little sheet called partners
00:22:46.89\00:22:50.93
showing the major Protestant
denominations across the top
00:22:50.96\00:22:54.34
and in what countries they have
an establish presence and work.
00:22:54.37\00:22:58.07
It was very
interesting for me to know
00:22:58.10\00:23:00.37
that only one of these churches
00:23:00.40\00:23:02.37
was in virtually
every county of the world.
00:23:02.40\00:23:06.51
Upon further
investigation I discovered that
00:23:06.54\00:23:09.34
among all named
Christian churches
00:23:09.37\00:23:11.50
there are only two churches
who claim the name of Jesus
00:23:11.53\00:23:14.92
that are in
virtually every country.
00:23:14.95\00:23:18.01
They are Catholics and
the Seventh-day Adventists.
00:23:18.04\00:23:21.80
When you take these seven
signs Jesus taught us about
00:23:21.83\00:23:24.80
and compare them with
the different denominations
00:23:24.83\00:23:27.61
it doesn't take long to learn
00:23:27.64\00:23:29.17
what church Jesus
would affirm as His own.
00:23:29.20\00:23:32.90
God's word is truly amazing.
00:23:34.56\00:23:37.31
And it's so clear and direct
00:23:37.34\00:23:39.47
and it really is
easy to understand
00:23:39.50\00:23:41.87
if you accepted the
fact that God is our creator.
00:23:41.90\00:23:46.08
If you embrace the love of
God revealed to us in Jesus,
00:23:46.11\00:23:49.66
His selfless life,
His death on the cross
00:23:49.69\00:23:52.51
to take away the
sins of the world.
00:23:52.54\00:23:55.78
Let me see if I can
make this really simple.
00:23:55.81\00:23:58.96
Imagine you are the
manager of the Taco Bell,
00:23:58.99\00:24:02.21
part of your responsibility
as a manager is to hire people
00:24:02.24\00:24:05.95
and make sure
that they are there
00:24:05.98\00:24:07.90
and train to
server the customers.
00:24:07.93\00:24:09.77
Simple so far.
00:24:10.74\00:24:12.11
So you hire a young lady.
00:24:12.14\00:24:14.15
You give her the uniform
00:24:14.18\00:24:15.55
and the next day
she shows up without it.
00:24:15.58\00:24:18.28
Then she won't listen
to any of your instructions
00:24:18.31\00:24:20.69
as to how to prepare the food.
00:24:20.72\00:24:22.40
She keeps doing
what she think is best.
00:24:22.43\00:24:25.10
She adds more beans
than it's called for
00:24:25.13\00:24:27.62
and then leaves off the lettuce
00:24:27.65\00:24:29.11
because that's
the way she likes it.
00:24:29.14\00:24:31.78
She puts in hot sauce
00:24:31.81\00:24:33.33
because that's the way
her friends eat theirs.
00:24:33.36\00:24:36.61
Which brings me to
an obvious question,
00:24:36.64\00:24:39.50
how long will she
remain your employee?
00:24:39.53\00:24:42.76
The same is true in sports.
00:24:42.79\00:24:45.29
Anyone who plays sports
knows that there are rules
00:24:45.32\00:24:48.09
that must be
follow by all the players
00:24:48.12\00:24:50.32
or the game simply doesn't work.
00:24:50.35\00:24:53.29
If a player won't
wear their uniform,
00:24:53.32\00:24:55.51
wont listen to the coach,
00:24:55.54\00:24:57.07
won't show up for practice,
00:24:57.10\00:24:58.65
and won't follow the rules
00:24:58.68\00:25:00.25
how long till the
player is booted from the team?
00:25:00.28\00:25:03.72
Jesus has told us
00:25:03.75\00:25:05.69
who He will affirm as
His people, His church.
00:25:05.72\00:25:10.05
First God's true
church, God's people listen.
00:25:10.08\00:25:14.63
Jesus said His true sheep
hear His voice in scripture
00:25:14.66\00:25:18.09
and in spirit promptings.
00:25:18.12\00:25:20.70
And the second
sign naturally follows,
00:25:20.73\00:25:22.99
people who are
part of His church
00:25:23.02\00:25:25.07
and do what God asks of them.
00:25:25.10\00:25:27.91
The third sign that
you find God's true church
00:25:27.94\00:25:31.11
is that His followers had
built their faith on Jesus.
00:25:31.14\00:25:34.86
The rock, who is the
way, the truth and the life.
00:25:34.89\00:25:39.63
Sign number four is God's true
church obeys the commandments.
00:25:39.66\00:25:44.34
All ten of them including
the Sabbath commandment
00:25:44.37\00:25:47.72
just like Jesus did.
00:25:47.75\00:25:49.87
This one item alone
00:25:49.90\00:25:51.27
dismisses most denominations
as counterfeit Christianity.
00:25:51.30\00:25:56.93
We also learn
from Jesus teaching
00:25:56.96\00:25:59.09
in Revelation 12:17 and
19:10 that God's true church
00:25:59.12\00:26:03.44
will manifest the
testimony of Jesus
00:26:03.47\00:26:05.90
which is the Spirit of Prophesy.
00:26:05.93\00:26:10.64
Jesus provides sign
number six in Revelation 12:11.
00:26:10.67\00:26:14.88
His church is an
overcoming church.
00:26:14.91\00:26:18.92
This of course means that
00:26:18.95\00:26:20.32
they allow His
Bible to define sin.
00:26:20.35\00:26:22.82
And they allow
Him to willing them
00:26:22.85\00:26:24.78
and doing them
his good pleasure.
00:26:24.81\00:26:27.76
His followers don't continue
in the old habits of sin.
00:26:27.79\00:26:31.47
They are definitely overcomers.
00:26:31.50\00:26:34.95
And the seventh
sign that you've found
00:26:34.98\00:26:37.02
that church of Jesus Christ
00:26:37.05\00:26:38.87
is His church is
a world wide church,
00:26:38.90\00:26:41.92
obedient to His command to
share the gospel with everyone.
00:26:41.95\00:26:46.86
Jesus Himself as the living word
00:26:46.89\00:26:49.22
has already ordained
these identifying marks
00:26:49.25\00:26:52.68
of His true Remnant Church.
00:26:52.71\00:26:56.39
So in reality
Jesus isn't choosing
00:26:56.42\00:26:59.23
one church over another.
00:26:59.26\00:27:00.98
We are doing the choosing.
00:27:01.01\00:27:02.86
Every time we chose
to suit up as it were
00:27:02.89\00:27:05.58
to get into His
game, obeying His rules.
00:27:05.61\00:27:09.59
When we chose to
embrace these identifiers
00:27:09.62\00:27:12.45
we are in fact
accepting His invitation
00:27:12.48\00:27:15.25
to come out of all the false
man made systems of worship
00:27:15.28\00:27:19.04
and come into His
fold, His true church.
00:27:19.07\00:27:24.76