Can you believe it?
00:00:02.19\00:00:03.50
Can you build your faith on it?
00:00:04.86\00:00:06.81
The promises of
God's Word are sure.
00:00:08.77\00:00:12.13
They do not fail.
00:00:12.23\00:00:15.09
This book has
stood the test of time.
00:00:17.21\00:00:21.12
Heavenly Father,
00:00:30.53\00:00:31.81
tonight as we open Your Word
00:00:33.50\00:00:35.92
we ask that our
hearts may be open.
00:00:36.52\00:00:40.08
We pray, Lord,
that they may be soft,
00:00:41.40\00:00:43.97
they may be tender.
00:00:44.37\00:00:46.81
That we may hear
the voice of Your Spirit
00:00:47.11\00:00:50.27
and that as we
listen to Your Spirit
00:00:51.66\00:00:56.43
that each one of us
may be willing to follow.
00:00:56.73\00:01:01.01
Give us wisdom.
00:01:01.31\00:01:03.00
Give us understanding,
00:01:03.30\00:01:05.25
and give us
faith to walk with You.
00:01:05.55\00:01:09.42
For this we ask in
Christ's name, Amen.
00:01:09.72\00:01:14.08
All you have to do is ask any
00:01:20.81\00:01:26.05
child, any... schoolchildren,
00:01:26.35\00:01:30.48
what the poem that was
written by Longfellow is
00:01:31.86\00:01:35.13
and just quote a
few stanzas of it
00:01:35.43\00:01:37.77
that says: "Listen my
children, and you shall hear...
00:01:38.07\00:01:42.14
the midnight
ride of Paul Revere. "
00:01:42.44\00:01:46.13
And every child
recognizes that poem.
00:01:46.44\00:01:49.72
They remember the story
00:01:50.02\00:01:51.33
how those colonists were faced
with an invasion from England
00:01:51.64\00:01:55.41
and how they had
decided that there in the tower
00:01:55.71\00:02:00.14
of the North Church in Boston
00:02:00.44\00:02:03.47
that if the
British were coming by land
00:02:03.77\00:02:06.59
they would hang one lantern.
00:02:06.89\00:02:09.00
If the British
were coming by sea,
00:02:09.30\00:02:12.39
they would hang two.
00:02:12.69\00:02:14.08
Paul Revere took a boat
and rowed across the bay
00:02:14.38\00:02:19.13
over to Charleston.
00:02:19.33\00:02:21.58
And there he waited to
see if that lantern would show
00:02:21.88\00:02:25.90
in the belfry of
the church tower.
00:02:26.20\00:02:28.75
And sure enough, at midnight
00:02:29.15\00:02:32.55
there in that tower
was hanging two lanterns
00:02:32.85\00:02:36.40
saying that the
British were coming by sea...
00:02:36.60\00:02:39.12
and Paul Revere
began his famous ride.
00:02:39.32\00:02:42.51
Riding through all
the towns and the villages
00:02:42.81\00:02:45.60
shouting: "Wake up! Wake up!
00:02:45.90\00:02:48.55
The British are
coming! Wake up! "
00:02:48.85\00:02:51.26
And those men as they
heard the cry of Paul Revere
00:02:51.56\00:02:55.34
rose up and put their
clothes on and took their rifles
00:02:55.65\00:02:58.90
and went out to
defend the colonies.
00:02:59.20\00:03:01.37
They were called Minutemen,
00:03:01.67\00:03:03.66
and they stood for something.
00:03:03.96\00:03:05.74
And the cry went out
across the whole area:
00:03:05.95\00:03:08.22
"Wake up! The
British are coming! "
00:03:08.52\00:03:10.72
In the Bible, it
speaks of another cry:
00:03:11.22\00:03:16.46
the cry that is given to
you and to me at midnight.
00:03:16.76\00:03:22.09
I want you to listen to what
the Word of God says about it.
00:03:22.39\00:03:24.98
It's found in
Mark the 13th chapter
00:03:25.28\00:03:27.70
starting with
verse 35. And it says:
00:03:28.00\00:03:30.21
Ah, He said: "Listen, watch...
00:03:35.35\00:03:38.26
You don't know when the
master of the house is coming...
00:03:38.56\00:03:41.48
in the evening, at midnight,
00:03:43.01\00:03:45.93
at the crowing of the
rooster or in the morning. "
00:03:46.23\00:03:48.46
You don't know when
it's going to take place.
00:03:48.67\00:03:50.26
He said: "Watch out!
00:03:57.91\00:04:00.11
Be prepared. The
Master's coming back...
00:04:00.31\00:04:02.80
You don't know when it's going
to be, but He's going to come. "
00:04:03.00\00:04:05.65
So listen to the
words of Christ Himself.
00:04:05.88\00:04:07.92
He says:
00:04:08.12\00:04:09.19
Said: "I'm saying that to
everyone: watch! Be prepared! "
00:04:15.10\00:04:19.48
Now folks, this cry that's
given where the Lord's saying:
00:04:19.68\00:04:22.96
"You don't know when
this is going to happen.
00:04:23.26\00:04:25.15
You don't know when the Master
of the house is coming back.
00:04:25.45\00:04:28.07
Be prepared! Watch! "
00:04:28.37\00:04:30.14
He is speaking to Christians.
00:04:30.44\00:04:33.33
That is the call
00:04:33.63\00:04:34.91
that is being
given to Christians
00:04:35.01\00:04:36.86
To those that have
accepted Jesus Christ
00:04:39.80\00:04:42.29
He's saying: "Wake up! watch!
00:04:42.60\00:04:44.91
because you don't know when I'm
00:04:45.11\00:04:46.33
coming back. "
00:04:46.53\00:04:47.85
"Oh, " you say,
"Oh, Brother Cox,
00:04:48.15\00:04:50.09
I'm so weary of watching! "
00:04:50.40\00:04:53.53
"I've been watching so
long I'm tired of watching. "
00:04:54.63\00:04:58.84
Remind me of the old
minister I was talking to...
00:04:59.14\00:05:03.04
He said: "Oh, when I gave my
heart to the Lord Jesus Christ
00:05:03.34\00:05:06.86
I thought I wouldn't
be able to go to school.
00:05:07.17\00:05:09.77
I thought the Lord would come
00:05:10.07\00:05:11.18
before I could
go away to school. "
00:05:11.38\00:05:13.25
"Then, " he said,
"I went away to school
00:05:13.55\00:05:15.37
and I thought I'll never
make it through school. "
00:05:15.68\00:05:18.44
And he said: "I went all
the way through school. "
00:05:18.74\00:05:20.85
And then he said:
"When I got out of school,
00:05:21.15\00:05:23.07
I said... 'Well, I won't
have long in the ministry. ' "
00:05:23.28\00:05:26.27
And he said: "Now
it's been all these years
00:05:26.47\00:05:28.23
in the ministry
and I've retired.
00:05:28.43\00:05:30.18
I'm so tired; I'm so
weary of watching and waiting. "
00:05:30.38\00:05:35.59
The Lord said: "Be careful!
00:05:35.89\00:05:38.65
Watch out! Don't
become indifferent. "
00:05:38.95\00:05:43.67
Don't say: "Well, I'm tired.
00:05:43.97\00:05:46.64
I'm just going to go on
and forget about that. "
00:05:46.94\00:05:49.33
"I'm going to go about life.
00:05:49.63\00:05:51.50
It's time that I
do something else.
00:05:51.81\00:05:53.42
They've said that for years. "
00:05:53.73\00:05:57.00
I run onto people all
the time that tell me that.
00:05:57.11\00:05:59.32
They say: "Oh, Brother Cox,
we have heard this for years.
00:05:59.62\00:06:03.46
I've just become
indifferent about it. "
00:06:03.76\00:06:06.40
And then I run onto
some people who say:
00:06:06.90\00:06:10.14
"I've been so
disappointed... so disappointed.
00:06:10.44\00:06:15.12
I didn't believe we would ever
make it into a new millennium.
00:06:15.32\00:06:20.40
Why I thought the Lord
would have come long before now.
00:06:20.70\00:06:24.99
So disappointed
that He hasn't come back.
00:06:25.29\00:06:28.33
I don't know that the
Lord's going to come back. "
00:06:29.65\00:06:32.65
The scripture has some
special counsel to you and to me
00:06:33.15\00:06:37.54
about that.
This is what it says:
00:06:37.74\00:06:39.87
When?
00:06:46.98\00:06:48.06
He said: "Now know that
scoffers are going to come
00:06:50.03\00:06:52.87
in the last days. "
00:06:53.07\00:06:55.16
OK. That's the time in
which you and I are living.
00:06:55.46\00:06:58.80
We'll find that out tonight.
00:06:59.10\00:07:00.45
Going to come in the last days.
00:07:00.75\00:07:02.27
What are they scoffing about?
00:07:02.47\00:07:04.19
They're scoffing
about that. They're saying:
00:07:10.45\00:07:12.46
"Where is the
promise of His coming?
00:07:12.76\00:07:14.43
Why doesn't He come back? "
00:07:14.73\00:07:16.27
"For all things
continue as they were... "
00:07:17.63\00:07:22.09
"Where is the
promise of His coming?
00:07:22.49\00:07:24.42
For since the
fathers fell asleep... "
00:07:24.62\00:07:27.07
"Oh, " he said,
"so disappointed. "
00:07:31.11\00:07:33.94
Dear friend, let me
tell you something...
00:07:34.24\00:07:36.83
hang on! The promises
of God's Word are sure.
00:07:37.13\00:07:42.53
They do not fail.
Never do they fail!
00:07:42.83\00:07:46.58
Promise that He gives when
He says He will come back...
00:07:47.66\00:07:50.03
Indeed, He will come back!
00:07:50.23\00:07:52.55
Don't go through
life and become careless
00:07:52.86\00:07:55.75
about your
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:07:56.05\00:07:59.47
Don't become
careless about your belief
00:07:59.67\00:08:02.95
in what you're holding onto.
00:08:03.25\00:08:05.10
I run onto people
that say: "Oh, Brother Cox,
00:08:05.40\00:08:07.61
we don't know
when the Lord's coming.
00:08:07.91\00:08:09.51
Why it could be a
thousand years from now.
00:08:09.81\00:08:13.23
We don't have any idea when
the Lord's going to come back? "
00:08:13.53\00:08:17.07
Well, I want you to
listen to a scripture.
00:08:18.93\00:08:21.81
This is what it tells
us in I Thessalonians.
00:08:22.11\00:08:24.45
It speaks of Jesus
coming as some people say
00:08:24.75\00:08:28.79
as a thief in the night. Listen:
00:08:29.09\00:08:31.47
Paul is saying: "Now concerning
the times and the seasons,
00:08:39.31\00:08:42.19
I really shouldn't
have to write to you. " OK?
00:08:42.49\00:08:45.17
People say: "Well see
right there. It says that Jesus
00:08:53.88\00:08:56.99
is going to come back
as a thief in the night. "
00:08:57.19\00:08:59.70
Let me tell you
something tonight:
00:09:02.41\00:09:03.97
if Jesus comes back as a
thief in the night to you,
00:09:05.20\00:09:10.27
you're lost.
00:09:10.58\00:09:11.80
If Jesus comes back
00:09:14.93\00:09:16.94
as a thief in the night to you,
00:09:17.24\00:09:19.29
you're lost!
00:09:19.59\00:09:21.64
Let's go on:
00:09:21.94\00:09:22.96
Now listen very carefully...
00:09:34.00\00:09:36.50
See, this call is to Christians.
00:09:40.43\00:09:42.47
This call is to people
that have accepted Jesus Christ.
00:09:42.77\00:09:45.36
This call is to people
who believe the Word of God.
00:09:45.66\00:09:48.49
"You brethren... " See,
that's talking about people
00:09:48.79\00:09:51.48
that have accepted Christ.
00:09:51.68\00:09:52.84
"But you brethren are
not in...? Darkness. "
00:09:53.15\00:09:57.00
"You're not in
darkness so that this day
00:09:57.20\00:09:59.57
should overtake
you as a thief. "
00:09:59.77\00:10:01.80
He said: "No!
You're not in darkness
00:10:02.00\00:10:04.04
that that day should
come upon you as a thief. "
00:10:04.35\00:10:06.24
Said: "You're sons of light!
00:10:15.81\00:10:17.66
That day's not to
come upon you unaware. "
00:10:17.96\00:10:20.61
No, don't become careless.
00:10:27.42\00:10:30.70
The promises of God are sure.
00:10:31.10\00:10:34.24
He's coming back just exactly
like He said He would come back.
00:10:34.54\00:10:39.78
Jesus Himself gave a parable...
00:10:40.08\00:10:44.28
a parable that deals
with this midnight cry.
00:10:44.58\00:10:48.28
And He speaks of
some very definite things
00:10:48.58\00:10:51.28
concerning Christians today.
00:10:51.58\00:10:53.32
This is what He says...
00:10:53.62\00:10:55.31
talks about ten
virgins... listen:
00:10:55.61\00:11:00.92
OK, so these ten virgins...
00:11:11.72\00:11:13.25
they've gone out to
meet the bridegroom.
00:11:13.45\00:11:15.99
OK?
00:11:24.42\00:11:25.99
Those were the foolish ones.
00:11:31.85\00:11:33.69
OK?
00:11:33.99\00:11:35.00
So we have two groups here.
00:11:40.72\00:11:42.70
They're all virgins.
00:11:43.00\00:11:44.16
They've all gone out
to meet the bridegroom.
00:11:44.46\00:11:46.87
One took oil with them;
00:11:47.18\00:11:48.40
the other didn't
take any oil with them.
00:11:48.60\00:11:50.46
"Now while the
bridegroom was delayed,
00:11:50.76\00:11:54.51
they all slumbered and slept. "
00:11:54.81\00:11:58.42
All of them... church members.
00:11:58.92\00:12:01.50
They ALL slumbered and slept.
00:12:01.80\00:12:05.40
Afraid we've been
doing a little bit of that...
00:12:06.62\00:12:08.58
slumbering and sleeping.
00:12:08.88\00:12:11.12
OK? BUT, the cry is given!
00:12:11.42\00:12:14.44
That means
right down at the end.
00:12:21.73\00:12:24.16
Midnight there means the darkest
hour of this earth's history.
00:12:24.46\00:12:28.35
The cry is given:
"Behold, the bridegroom comes! "
00:12:28.65\00:12:33.73
Heard:
00:12:34.03\00:12:35.49
That was the cry that was given.
00:12:41.19\00:12:42.88
All of them arose
and trimmed their lamps.
00:12:49.28\00:12:51.15
They said: "Give
us some of your oil...
00:12:57.38\00:13:00.41
our lamps are going out.
00:13:00.62\00:13:02.02
We didn't bring
any oil with us. "
00:13:02.32\00:13:04.71
They said: "If we give you
oil, we won't have enough. "
00:13:12.81\00:13:15.08
While those five
were out looking for oil
00:13:38.52\00:13:42.44
the bridegroom came
00:13:42.74\00:13:44.83
and those five wise went in
00:13:45.14\00:13:47.78
and the door was shut.
00:13:48.08\00:13:49.76
Now listen very carefully
00:13:49.96\00:13:52.17
to what the scripture says here
00:13:52.47\00:13:53.98
because what I'm
going to read to you now
00:13:54.28\00:13:55.79
is most important.
00:13:55.99\00:13:57.55
They got the oil; they went
back; they knocked on the door.
00:14:05.97\00:14:08.85
They said: "Lord,
open the door to us! "
00:14:09.15\00:14:11.73
"I do not know you. "
00:14:22.65\00:14:26.77
Terrible! Terrible!
00:14:27.07\00:14:29.88
They didn't make it in.
00:14:29.98\00:14:31.74
He said: "I don't know you. "
00:14:32.05\00:14:33.88
"I don't know who you are. "
00:14:34.18\00:14:35.34
God says: "Watch, you don't know
when the Son of Man's coming. "
00:14:44.99\00:14:49.65
The call has come.
If you're not ready,
00:14:49.95\00:14:52.43
if you aren't... if
you don't have the oil,
00:14:52.64\00:14:55.43
you're not going
to be able to go in
00:14:55.63\00:14:56.97
and the door will be shut
00:14:57.18\00:14:58.34
and He'll say:
"I don't know you. "
00:14:58.64\00:15:00.67
Those wise
virgins... they went in.
00:15:00.97\00:15:04.86
The foolish didn't.
Now there's some things
00:15:05.16\00:15:08.15
that you need to
know about these virgins.
00:15:08.45\00:15:11.09
Let's look at what it tells
us about these ten virgins.
00:15:11.39\00:15:15.53
All of them.
00:15:23.99\00:15:25.26
I mean, they're
all church members.
00:15:25.56\00:15:27.84
They're all followers.
00:15:28.14\00:15:30.95
They're all believers.
00:15:31.25\00:15:33.08
They all accept the
truth of God's Word...
00:15:33.38\00:15:35.98
all ten virgins! OK?
00:15:36.28\00:15:38.65
This call I'm talking
about right now, folks,
00:15:38.95\00:15:41.37
is to Christians.
00:15:41.57\00:15:42.72
It's to people who claim to
be followers of Jesus Christ.
00:15:43.03\00:15:45.64
These - all ten - are
followers of Jesus Christ.
00:15:45.94\00:15:49.39
Secondly, all ten of them
are advocates of the truth.
00:15:49.69\00:15:54.65
If you were to
ask any one of them
00:15:54.95\00:15:57.21
they would have told you:
"Yes, this is what we believe.
00:15:57.41\00:16:00.02
This is what we stand for. "
00:16:00.32\00:16:02.11
They all were advocates
of the truth of God's Word.
00:16:02.41\00:16:05.94
Thirdly...
00:16:06.25\00:16:08.72
All ten of them are there.
00:16:12.49\00:16:14.27
They're church members.
00:16:14.58\00:16:15.72
They're the people... different
ones that serve in the church.
00:16:15.92\00:16:19.07
They could be ones
that sing in the choir.
00:16:19.37\00:16:21.85
They're attracting each other;
they like to go to church.
00:16:22.15\00:16:24.91
That's these ten virgins.
00:16:25.21\00:16:29.86
Now let's take a
look at the facts.
00:16:31.86\00:16:34.14
The facts are that five of them
00:16:34.44\00:16:38.78
were wise. They had
oil and they went in.
00:16:39.08\00:16:44.62
Five were foolish.
00:16:44.93\00:16:48.09
They didn't take
any oil with them.
00:16:48.39\00:16:50.57
You see...
00:16:50.87\00:16:52.19
Oh, I know lots of people
00:17:00.53\00:17:02.81
who read the Word of God
00:17:03.11\00:17:05.53
and it doesn't do them any good.
00:17:05.83\00:17:08.23
You see, without
the Spirit of God
00:17:09.69\00:17:13.64
a knowledge of the Word
of God won't do you any good.
00:17:13.94\00:17:17.29
I know people that believe
00:17:18.73\00:17:21.05
but they don't
have any of the oil.
00:17:22.32\00:17:25.12
You see, the oil
represents the Holy Spirit.
00:17:25.32\00:17:28.31
And unless the
Holy Spirit is there
00:17:28.61\00:17:30.79
to touch your heart
and to work on your heart,
00:17:30.99\00:17:33.29
it won't do you any good.
00:17:33.60\00:17:35.42
And those five foolish virgins,
00:17:35.72\00:17:38.56
they didn't take
any oil with them.
00:17:38.86\00:17:40.75
They were lacking
the Spirit of God.
00:17:41.05\00:17:43.14
So what happened?
00:17:43.44\00:17:45.67
Here's the terrible facts:
00:17:45.97\00:17:48.32
five foolish... the door was
shut and He said to them what?
00:17:50.55\00:17:55.68
"I do not know you. "
00:17:55.98\00:17:58.22
"I don't know you. "
00:17:58.52\00:18:00.43
You see:
00:18:00.73\00:18:01.76
50% of them didn't make
it into the kingdom of God.
00:18:04.45\00:18:10.29
Is it possible... is it possible
00:18:10.59\00:18:13.87
to know all this and be lost?
00:18:14.07\00:18:17.08
To miss eternal life?
00:18:17.38\00:18:18.75
Is it possible that a
person could accept the truth
00:18:19.05\00:18:22.66
of God's Word - could be
an advocate of the truth,
00:18:22.86\00:18:25.67
could enjoy going to church -
00:18:25.87\00:18:27.92
and miss heaven?
00:18:28.12\00:18:29.21
Is that possible?
00:18:29.51\00:18:31.79
Well, there's
several places in scripture
00:18:33.85\00:18:37.24
that gives us a good idea.
00:18:37.34\00:18:40.04
Listen to what it says
here in Matthew the 7th chapter
00:18:40.34\00:18:44.32
verse 22:
00:18:44.62\00:18:46.10
Now these are people
that have cast out demons.
00:18:58.99\00:19:03.44
They... they have prophesied
in the name of the Lord.
00:19:03.74\00:19:07.29
They're certainly people
that would advocate the truth,
00:19:07.59\00:19:10.86
would they not?
00:19:11.07\00:19:12.07
And listen to
what He says to them:
00:19:13.11\00:19:14.98
Same thing that He told
those five foolish virgins:
00:19:23.48\00:19:26.88
"I don't know you. "
00:19:27.18\00:19:29.84
Here these people have
prophesied in His name...
00:19:30.14\00:19:33.72
cast out demons. And He says:
00:19:33.92\00:19:35.71
"Sorry, I don't know you.
00:19:36.01\00:19:38.67
Depart from Me you
who practice lawlessness.
00:19:38.97\00:19:41.73
I don't know who you are. "
00:19:42.03\00:19:44.76
In fact, Jesus told of
an experience that He had.
00:19:46.04\00:19:51.53
He told of a young
man - a rich young ruler -
00:19:51.93\00:19:57.36
that came to see Him.
00:19:57.66\00:20:00.62
If you remember that experience,
00:20:00.92\00:20:03.77
it goes like this:
00:20:04.07\00:20:05.60
Said: "Good Master, tell me
00:20:17.14\00:20:19.39
what good thing I must do
00:20:19.69\00:20:22.00
to have eternal life. "
00:20:22.30\00:20:24.66
In Matthew 19 He
goes on and He says:
00:20:27.37\00:20:30.37
Jesus said: "Why are
you calling Me good? "
00:20:38.04\00:20:40.49
Now what Jesus was trying
to get out of that young man
00:20:40.69\00:20:44.16
was him to acknowledge
that He was the Savior.
00:20:44.36\00:20:47.14
That's what He
was... that's why He said:
00:20:47.44\00:20:49.13
"Why do you call Me good? "
00:20:49.33\00:20:50.78
But listen to this...
what Jesus says to him now:
00:20:51.09\00:20:53.99
He said: "Oh, if you
want to enter into life,
00:21:00.88\00:21:03.92
if you want to have eternal
life, keep the commandments. "
00:21:04.22\00:21:06.79
I mean, here is a young man
00:21:19.11\00:21:22.82
that from his youth has
kept the commandments of God.
00:21:23.02\00:21:25.56
And by the way, I can read to
you in one of the other gospels
00:21:25.76\00:21:28.66
where it says that when
Jesus looked upon this young man
00:21:28.97\00:21:32.01
He loved him... so
this young man's not lying.
00:21:32.21\00:21:34.91
He's telling the truth.
00:21:35.31\00:21:37.18
And he said: "All this
I have done from my youth.
00:21:37.48\00:21:41.73
What do I still lack? "
00:21:42.03\00:21:44.17
Said: "If you
want to be perfect,
00:21:54.63\00:21:57.71
go sell what you have
and give it to the poor.
00:21:58.01\00:22:01.48
And you will have
treasure in heaven
00:22:03.02\00:22:05.47
and come and follow Me. "
00:22:05.77\00:22:09.91
Do you catch the
significance there?
00:22:10.21\00:22:13.15
Do you catch the significance?
00:22:15.08\00:22:16.70
"Come" and what? "Follow Me. "
00:22:17.00\00:22:20.02
You see, there's a
difference there between
00:22:20.32\00:22:22.32
"I do not know
you" and "Follow Me. "
00:22:22.52\00:22:26.38
He's saying: "If you
want to get into eternal life,
00:22:26.68\00:22:29.84
sell what you have.
Give it to the poor.
00:22:30.14\00:22:32.05
Come and follow
Me... walk with Me.
00:22:32.35\00:22:34.68
Come and be with Me...
get acquainted with Me.
00:22:34.98\00:22:37.72
Spend time with
Me... learn to know Me. "
00:22:38.02\00:22:41.12
That's what He's
saying to this young man.
00:22:41.42\00:22:43.44
So what about today?
00:22:45.50\00:22:47.44
What does the scripture say
that the conditions are today?
00:22:47.75\00:22:53.15
Where do you and I stand?
00:22:53.35\00:22:55.62
As far as the
scripture is concerned, it says:
00:22:55.92\00:22:59.66
II Timothy the 3rd chapter...
00:23:05.06\00:23:09.42
Having a form of
godliness: go to church... Yes!
00:23:28.04\00:23:31.98
but don't know anything about
the power of the Holy Spirit.
00:23:33.26\00:23:36.87
You see, having
a form of godliness
00:23:37.17\00:23:43.13
but no
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:23:43.43\00:23:46.72
This is what the
call is to the church...
00:23:48.38\00:23:51.50
to those who claim to be
followers of Jesus Christ.
00:23:51.80\00:23:54.62
To those that today
say "I'm a Christian"
00:23:54.82\00:23:57.63
God is saying: "Wake up!
00:23:57.93\00:23:59.82
Wake up! Come to know Me.
00:24:00.12\00:24:04.78
Get acquainted with Me.
00:24:05.08\00:24:06.20
Have a relationship
with the Lord Jesus Christ. "
00:24:06.50\00:24:09.25
That is the call that
He is giving in preparation
00:24:09.55\00:24:13.77
for the coming of Jesus Christ.
00:24:14.07\00:24:15.92
That's what He's
saying to you and to me:
00:24:16.22\00:24:17.89
"Get ready. I'm
coming back. Come to know Me
00:24:18.19\00:24:21.77
as a personal Savior. "
00:24:21.91\00:24:23.26
Jesus told many, many parables.
00:24:23.57\00:24:28.19
Tonight I'd like to
tell you a modern-day parable
00:24:29.68\00:24:33.07
that might illustrate what
I'm trying to tell you tonight.
00:24:33.37\00:24:36.70
We'll call the parable
The Night I Was Too Busy.
00:24:38.24\00:24:42.46
OK?
00:24:42.76\00:24:44.46
It was on a Saturday night
00:24:44.76\00:24:46.18
and I had just sat down -
00:24:47.50\00:24:51.05
or the man had just sat
down - to watch an episode
00:24:51.35\00:24:55.32
on television.
00:24:55.62\00:24:57.90
Had sat down and had
watched the first segment of it.
00:25:00.25\00:25:04.16
And when the
commercial break came
00:25:04.46\00:25:07.28
uh, he went to the kitchen
and got him a piece of cake
00:25:07.58\00:25:10.92
and a glass of milk and uh
00:25:11.12\00:25:13.49
came in and
watched the second episode
00:25:13.69\00:25:16.17
or the second part of
it - of Lethal Weapon.
00:25:16.37\00:25:22.10
Watching Lethal Weapon.
00:25:22.61\00:25:24.90
And then when the
next commercial break came
00:25:25.10\00:25:27.64
he decided he'd have
another piece of cake.
00:25:27.85\00:25:29.56
Went in to watch the last
episode of Lethal Weapon -
00:25:29.87\00:25:34.79
this is the
most interesting part
00:25:35.09\00:25:37.88
because this is when
Danny Glover and Mel Gibson
00:25:38.19\00:25:41.43
are about to capture the enemy.
00:25:41.53\00:25:44.21
And right in the
very heart of that episode
00:25:44.51\00:25:48.17
down the stairs came
his little sister yelling
00:25:48.47\00:25:52.33
"Jesus is coming;
Jesus is coming! "
00:25:52.63\00:25:55.45
And he said: "Shhh, be quiet.
00:25:55.75\00:25:58.90
I'm watching Lethal Weapon. "
00:25:59.20\00:26:00.94
And she said: "No, Jesus
is coming. I've seen Him. "
00:26:01.24\00:26:05.57
And he said: "Shhh, be quiet. "
00:26:05.67\00:26:07.84
She said: "No, I need
to go out and meet Him.
00:26:08.14\00:26:11.02
You need to come with
me. Jesus is coming! "
00:26:11.32\00:26:13.34
And he said: "Oh,
go ahead and go on.
00:26:13.68\00:26:16.11
I'll be out in a minute. "
00:26:16.41\00:26:17.52
Strange that Jesus would
come right in the middle...
00:26:19.71\00:26:23.39
right at the very
end of Lethal Weapon
00:26:23.59\00:26:26.29
and spoil the very
whole... last part of it!
00:26:26.49\00:26:29.38
And right in the
midst of that dynamic part
00:26:30.69\00:26:34.29
when everything is happening
00:26:34.49\00:26:35.81
they decided to
take a commercial break.
00:26:36.11\00:26:38.47
And he said: "Well, while
we're having a commercial break
00:26:40.33\00:26:43.58
I'll go out and meet Jesus.
00:26:43.78\00:26:45.09
Probably can say in 5 minutes
everything I have to say. "
00:26:45.39\00:26:49.21
And so he goes out, opens
the door and everything is dark.
00:26:50.75\00:26:53.75
And he said: "Terrible.
00:26:55.07\00:26:58.39
Why would He come...
00:26:58.69\00:27:00.49
Why would He come very... in
the last part of Lethal Weapon
00:27:00.79\00:27:04.30
and not even say 'Hi?' "
00:27:04.60\00:27:06.58
Said: "Oh, well, it's dark.
00:27:08.67\00:27:11.20
I'll go in and get
some root beer and popcorn
00:27:11.50\00:27:14.85
and enjoy an
evening of watching TV. "
00:27:15.15\00:27:19.28
Are you understanding
what I'm talking about?
00:27:19.58\00:27:22.16
You see, He said:
"I don't know you. "
00:27:24.66\00:27:28.49
"I don't know who you are. "
00:27:28.79\00:27:31.16
Concerning the coming
of Jesus Christ, it says
00:27:31.46\00:27:35.75
that if you and I are
going to enter into life
00:27:35.95\00:27:38.59
this is what we must do:
00:27:38.89\00:27:41.04
"And this is eternal
life... THIS is eternal life...
00:27:41.34\00:27:46.63
"THIS is eternal life:
that they may know You. "
00:27:53.49\00:27:58.85
If you want to enter
into life, dear friends,
00:27:59.15\00:28:01.54
then you have to become
acquainted with Jesus Christ.
00:28:01.84\00:28:04.98
You're not going to have
eternal life if you don't.
00:28:05.28\00:28:08.39
Going to church
won't get it done.
00:28:08.69\00:28:12.29
You can go to church
and not know Jesus Christ.
00:28:12.49\00:28:14.77
It's even possible for
you to read the Word of God
00:28:15.07\00:28:18.48
and not know Jesus Christ.
00:28:18.78\00:28:20.46
You've got to know Him.
Who is this Jesus Christ?
00:28:20.76\00:28:24.79
Who is He that I need to know?
00:28:27.55\00:28:31.57
And tonight for this first part
00:28:31.87\00:28:34.50
I have talked to
those that are Christians.
00:28:34.70\00:28:37.51
Those of you who go to church.
00:28:37.74\00:28:39.23
I'd like to take a little
time to talk to those of you
00:28:39.53\00:28:42.86
who may not know
Jesus Christ as your Savior.
00:28:43.06\00:28:45.32
Who is He? God up in
heaven, the Father...
00:28:45.63\00:28:49.86
this is what He said about Him:
00:28:50.26\00:28:52.58
God the Father said:
"This is My beloved Son. "
00:29:01.68\00:29:07.36
That's who He is:
He is the Son of God.
00:29:07.66\00:29:10.83
There is no one
else... He is the only one
00:29:11.13\00:29:16.09
that is the Son of God.
00:29:16.39\00:29:18.15
John the Baptist, as he
stood there on the banks
00:29:18.45\00:29:22.50
of the Jordan River
and Jesus come walking down
00:29:22.70\00:29:25.58
the Jordan River,
John said this about Him:
00:29:25.78\00:29:28.20
John said "He is
the Lamb of God. "
00:29:38.83\00:29:42.22
That means dear friend
tonight no matter who you are
00:29:42.52\00:29:46.09
Jesus Christ was the
sacrifice for your sins.
00:29:46.29\00:29:50.46
He died for you.
00:29:50.76\00:29:52.60
He paid the price
that you rightfully owe.
00:29:52.90\00:29:56.15
He paid. He is the Lamb of God
00:29:56.45\00:29:59.07
that takes away
the sins of the world.
00:29:59.27\00:30:02.33
That's what John the
Baptist said about Him.
00:30:02.63\00:30:04.44
Peter... When Peter
was asked who He was
00:30:04.74\00:30:08.63
Asked him: "Who is He? "
00:30:15.53\00:30:18.22
Peter said: "He is the Christ,
the Son of the Living God. "
00:30:18.52\00:30:23.40
Tonight, if you don't know Him
00:30:23.70\00:30:27.95
then tonight He IS the
Savior, the Son of God.
00:30:28.84\00:30:34.37
When Jesus
spoke about who He was
00:30:34.67\00:30:38.73
Jesus said this:
00:30:39.03\00:30:40.60
Oh, He said: "I'm
the light of the world.
00:30:58.23\00:31:00.58
That person that comes to
Me will not walk in darkness. "
00:31:00.89\00:31:06.43
No, won't walk in darkness.
00:31:06.73\00:31:09.20
In the scripture it gives you
00:31:11.14\00:31:13.53
an insight to what Jesus Christ
00:31:13.74\00:31:17.02
will do for you tonight.
00:31:17.23\00:31:18.43
What is the life? What is the
life that Jesus Christ gives?
00:31:20.68\00:31:25.50
So it says the first thing
00:31:45.74\00:31:47.62
that Christ does
is He opens your eyes.
00:31:47.92\00:31:50.84
You see, dear friend, you
can't see if your eyes are shut.
00:31:51.14\00:31:55.95
And I run onto a lot of people
that won't open their eyes.
00:31:57.48\00:32:01.78
Their eyes are shut!
00:32:02.08\00:32:03.58
And the Lord Jesus
Christ wants to open your eyes
00:32:03.88\00:32:07.14
tonight so you can see.
00:32:07.44\00:32:09.33
I got on the plane, sat down,
00:32:09.63\00:32:13.45
and this fellow came
in and sat down beside me.
00:32:13.48\00:32:15.86
He was very talkative.
00:32:16.17\00:32:18.12
And as we were
flying, he began to tell me
00:32:18.42\00:32:21.19
about a book he had
just bought at the bookstore.
00:32:21.39\00:32:23.58
Told me it was a best seller
00:32:23.78\00:32:25.83
and how it was
recommended so high
00:32:26.13\00:32:28.61
and how anxious
he was to read it.
00:32:28.91\00:32:30.72
Now the book was not very big...
just kind of a thin little book.
00:32:31.02\00:32:33.77
And the name of the
book was Who Moved My Cheese?
00:32:34.07\00:32:37.45
That was the name of the
book: Who Moved My Cheese?
00:32:37.75\00:32:39.84
And so as we flew he
read this little book.
00:32:40.14\00:32:43.26
And when he
finished it, he began to rave
00:32:43.56\00:32:46.62
what a marvelous book it was.
00:32:46.82\00:32:48.75
And then he
looked at me and he said:
00:32:48.95\00:32:50.19
"Would you like to read it? "
00:32:50.29\00:32:51.41
And I said: "Sure,
I'd like to read it. "
00:32:51.71\00:32:53.57
So he handed it to me,
00:32:53.77\00:32:54.83
and so as we flew
along I read the little book.
00:32:55.03\00:32:57.24
What the book is
about is not being afraid
00:32:57.55\00:33:01.09
to move out of
your comfort zone.
00:33:01.29\00:33:02.91
That's what it's about...
00:33:03.12\00:33:04.12
not being afraid to change.
00:33:04.42\00:33:07.51
Not being afraid
to look at new things
00:33:07.81\00:33:10.36
and to accept
changes that take place.
00:33:10.66\00:33:13.12
That's what the
little book is all about.
00:33:13.42\00:33:14.76
And I enjoyed it. It
was a great little book.
00:33:15.06\00:33:16.90
When I finished reading it,
I told him how much I enjoyed
00:33:17.21\00:33:19.73
the little book, how
much I appreciated him
00:33:19.93\00:33:21.86
letting me read it.
00:33:22.06\00:33:23.10
Then I decided in my own mind
00:33:23.40\00:33:25.70
that I would see how
much good it had done him.
00:33:26.00\00:33:28.42
So I said to him, I said:
"You know, I have a little book
00:33:28.72\00:33:32.40
that I just finished reading
00:33:32.70\00:33:34.80
that really is a
fabulous little book.
00:33:35.00\00:33:36.69
It's called Almost Home
00:33:36.89\00:33:38.70
and it's on Bible prophecy
00:33:39.00\00:33:40.70
and it kind of tells
us where we are today
00:33:41.00\00:33:43.16
and I thought you
might like to read it.
00:33:43.46\00:33:45.36
And I pulled it
out of my briefcase.
00:33:45.66\00:33:48.16
And he took it and he said:
00:33:48.26\00:33:50.29
"What did you
say it was about? "
00:33:50.49\00:33:51.90
And I said: "Oh, it's
about Bible prophecy. "
00:33:52.10\00:33:54.56
And he handed it back to
me and said: "No thank you. "
00:33:54.86\00:33:57.78
Now you see, dear friend,
00:33:58.28\00:34:00.70
it didn't get him
out of his comfort zone.
00:34:01.00\00:34:02.83
You see, if your eyes are closed
00:34:03.14\00:34:05.85
you can't see.
00:34:06.05\00:34:07.36
So Jesus Christ
comes to open your eyes.
00:34:07.67\00:34:12.36
And when your eyes are open
00:34:12.66\00:34:15.53
something marvelously begins
to happen because it says:
00:34:15.83\00:34:19.63
"in order to turn them
from darkness to light. "
00:34:19.94\00:34:24.28
You see, you've got
to open your eyes to know
00:34:24.58\00:34:28.29
that you're in darkness.
00:34:28.59\00:34:30.01
If you keep your
eyes closed all the time,
00:34:30.32\00:34:33.22
you don't know whether there's
light or there's darkness.
00:34:33.52\00:34:36.29
Your eyes are shut.
But when you open your eyes
00:34:36.59\00:34:38.77
you can tell
whether you're in darkness
00:34:38.97\00:34:40.82
or whether you're in light.
00:34:41.02\00:34:42.06
And Jesus said: "Listen,
I've come to open your eyes
00:34:42.26\00:34:44.76
so that you will turn
from darkness to light. "
00:34:44.96\00:34:47.74
That's what Jesus
Christ is going to do for you.
00:34:48.04\00:34:50.17
I can tell you tonight: if you
have never known Jesus Christ
00:34:50.47\00:34:55.78
as your personal Savior,
00:34:56.08\00:34:58.17
when you accept
Him, oh, dear friends,
00:34:58.47\00:35:01.48
how He brings in the light and
how everything looks different.
00:35:01.78\00:35:06.29
I mean, He changes things.
00:35:06.53\00:35:08.98
And things that you once loved
00:35:09.28\00:35:12.37
all of a sudden they aren't
near as attractive to you.
00:35:12.67\00:35:15.94
And some of those things
that you didn't care about
00:35:16.24\00:35:19.46
all of a sudden you enjoy.
00:35:19.76\00:35:21.83
He changes you.
00:35:22.13\00:35:23.35
Makes you different so
that you enjoy the light.
00:35:23.65\00:35:26.88
Brings that to you.
00:35:27.18\00:35:28.48
Dear friend, it can
only be experienced.
00:35:28.78\00:35:33.90
Sorry. I can tell you about it,
00:35:34.20\00:35:38.22
but you can only know
about it by experience.
00:35:38.52\00:35:42.51
If you're going
to sit back and say:
00:35:42.81\00:35:45.36
"Well, I don't know, "
00:35:45.46\00:35:47.81
you'll never experience it.
00:35:48.11\00:35:50.17
But when you give your heart to
the Lord and you experience it,
00:35:50.47\00:35:54.30
what a change
comes over your life.
00:35:54.50\00:35:56.82
And then He said:
00:35:57.12\00:35:58.62
" to turn them from
darkness to light, and from
00:35:58.92\00:36:01.53
the power of Satan to God. "
00:36:01.73\00:36:04.06
It says that He turns
you from darkness to light
00:36:13.30\00:36:17.02
that you might receive
what? The forgiveness of sin.
00:36:17.32\00:36:22.52
He says: "Listen, I'll
take you just like you are.
00:36:24.78\00:36:28.35
I'll accept you
just like you are.
00:36:28.65\00:36:32.31
Welcome you into My family.
00:36:32.61\00:36:35.82
I'll forgive you
of all your sins. "
00:36:36.12\00:36:40.54
Dear friend, let
me tell you tonight:
00:36:40.75\00:36:42.10
I don't care how
dark your sins may be,
00:36:42.40\00:36:45.47
the Bible says
that He will forgive
00:36:46.52\00:36:48.91
"all manner of sin. "
00:36:49.11\00:36:52.90
Listen:
00:36:53.11\00:36:54.15
What does that mean?
00:37:07.03\00:37:09.14
It says that if
you and I come to Him
00:37:09.44\00:37:12.12
and we confess our sins
00:37:12.42\00:37:14.75
"He is faithful and just
00:37:15.05\00:37:18.69
to forgive us our sins. "
00:37:18.89\00:37:19.98
He's faithful. That means
that heaven is open for business
00:37:20.29\00:37:24.94
24 hours a day.
00:37:25.24\00:37:27.76
It means that you
can come to Him any time
00:37:28.06\00:37:31.88
and if you confess
your sins He'll forgive you.
00:37:32.18\00:37:35.58
And it says that He
is "faithful and just. "
00:37:35.88\00:37:38.11
That means that He
won't treat me one way
00:37:38.41\00:37:41.09
and you another way. If
He'll forgive me of my sins,
00:37:41.39\00:37:44.14
He'll forgive you of your sins.
00:37:44.45\00:37:46.51
That's what it means:
that our sins can be forgiven.
00:37:47.67\00:37:52.05
He will do that
for you and for me.
00:37:52.92\00:37:56.75
It says that the
blood of Jesus Christ
00:38:08.75\00:38:12.22
cleanses us from ALL sin.
00:38:12.32\00:38:17.89
The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses us from ALL sin.
00:38:18.29\00:38:23.97
So tonight it
doesn't make any difference
00:38:24.47\00:38:29.86
how dark your
past may have been.
00:38:31.02\00:38:33.45
It doesn't make any
difference, dear friend,
00:38:34.71\00:38:37.28
how terrible your
sins may have been.
00:38:37.48\00:38:39.55
The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses from ALL sin.
00:38:40.50\00:38:46.41
There is no sin
that it won't cleanse.
00:38:46.71\00:38:49.43
See, I have at
home in my laundry room
00:38:51.74\00:38:55.75
some spot remover.
00:38:56.05\00:38:58.45
Some of it says
"SUPER" spot remover.
00:38:58.75\00:39:02.88
But none of it ever
seems to do a very good job.
00:39:03.18\00:39:06.71
But let me tell you,
the blood of Jesus Christ
00:39:07.02\00:39:10.44
cleanses ALL sin.
00:39:10.75\00:39:14.14
Not any sin that
it won't cleanse.
00:39:14.44\00:39:16.68
And then it says:
00:39:16.98\00:39:18.65
"the forgiveness of
sins according to the riches
00:39:18.95\00:39:21.99
of His grace. "
00:39:22.19\00:39:25.05
Ah, marvelous!
00:39:25.35\00:39:27.26
The riches of His grace...
00:39:27.56\00:39:31.25
This fellow had a dream.
00:39:31.55\00:39:34.12
He dreamed he went to heaven.
00:39:34.42\00:39:36.85
When he got to
heaven, he was met by Peter
00:39:38.44\00:39:41.59
at Peter's gate
00:39:41.69\00:39:44.50
and Peter
welcomed him to heaven.
00:39:44.80\00:39:46.71
They had a nice talk, and
then Peter as they were talking
00:39:47.01\00:39:52.18
said to him... said: "Well,
if you want to come on inside
00:39:52.38\00:39:54.95
you have to have 100 points. "
00:39:55.25\00:39:57.67
And the fellow said: "Well,
00:39:58.17\00:40:00.69
how do I go about
getting 100 points? "
00:40:00.99\00:40:04.29
And Peter said:
"Well, what have you done? "
00:40:04.59\00:40:08.14
"Oh, " he said,
"I've lived a good life. "
00:40:09.30\00:40:11.52
He said: "I have a family.
00:40:11.82\00:40:14.25
I've tried to be a good husband.
00:40:14.35\00:40:16.28
I've tried to be a good father.
00:40:16.58\00:40:18.02
I've tried to do good
things in the community.
00:40:18.22\00:40:20.30
I've lived a good life.
00:40:20.60\00:40:21.97
I've gone to church.
00:40:22.07\00:40:23.10
I've been very
supportive in the community.
00:40:23.30\00:40:25.99
I've done a lot
of good things. "
00:40:26.19\00:40:27.99
And Peter said: "Well
OK, that's worth a point. "
00:40:28.29\00:40:32.88
He said: "Worth what? "
00:40:33.18\00:40:34.97
Said: "Oh, that...
that's worth a point. "
00:40:35.27\00:40:37.04
He said: "You
mean my whole life?
00:40:37.35\00:40:39.56
Everything that I did
is only worth one point?
00:40:39.86\00:40:43.73
That's all? "
00:40:43.83\00:40:44.90
And Peter said: "Don't
you have anything else? "
00:40:45.40\00:40:48.80
He said: "Well, yeah,
when I died, "he said, "I left
00:40:50.20\00:40:54.45
a large amount of
money to the church. "
00:40:54.85\00:40:57.66
He said: "All the
things that I have saved
00:40:57.96\00:41:00.97
I left to the church
to forward the gospel
00:41:01.17\00:41:04.06
and to help the poor. " He said:
00:41:04.26\00:41:05.71
"I gave all
that to the church. "
00:41:05.91\00:41:07.32
Peter said: "Well yeah, "
00:41:08.69\00:41:10.39
he said, "that's
worth another point. "
00:41:10.59\00:41:12.18
He said: "You mean...
you mean all that I've done
00:41:12.46\00:41:17.64
all my life and all
the things that I saved
00:41:17.85\00:41:20.47
and everything that
I gave to the church...
00:41:20.67\00:41:22.39
that's only worth two points? "
00:41:22.69\00:41:24.73
Peter said: "That's right. "
00:41:26.71\00:41:28.08
He said: "There's no way
on earth I'll get in there
00:41:29.61\00:41:33.33
except by the grace of God! "
00:41:33.53\00:41:35.13
And Peter said:
"That's worth 100 points. "
00:41:35.43\00:41:37.54
Dear friends, that's the way
it works is by the grace of God.
00:41:39.14\00:41:44.63
You see, it's not
because you're worth it.
00:41:44.93\00:41:48.35
It's not because
you did something
00:41:48.65\00:41:50.96
that makes you worth it.
00:41:51.26\00:41:52.89
It's not because
you're intelligent.
00:41:53.19\00:41:55.67
It's not because
you are good looking.
00:41:55.77\00:41:59.08
It's not because
of what you've done...
00:41:59.38\00:42:01.26
it's because of Jesus Christ.
00:42:01.56\00:42:04.09
Because of Him...
that He died for you.
00:42:04.39\00:42:08.24
And by His grace He takes
His blood and He cleanses you
00:42:08.44\00:42:13.60
from all sin. That is
because of what Jesus Christ
00:42:13.80\00:42:17.88
did for you and for me.
00:42:18.09\00:42:19.54
And dear friends, that is
why it is so absolutely vital
00:42:19.84\00:42:23.84
that you know Him.
00:42:24.04\00:42:25.96
You see, if you don't know Him
He can't do anything for you.
00:42:26.26\00:42:29.94
You can go to
church, but dear friend
00:42:31.32\00:42:33.07
if you don't know Him,
00:42:33.27\00:42:34.46
if you don't have a
relationship with Him,
00:42:34.66\00:42:37.29
when that time comes
He'll have to say: "Sorry,
00:42:37.59\00:42:40.63
I don't know you...
00:42:40.93\00:42:43.05
I don't know you. "
00:42:43.35\00:42:44.97
Very important... To
open the eyes of the blind,
00:42:45.27\00:42:50.71
"to turn them
from darkness to light,
00:42:51.01\00:42:55.01
from the power
of Satan to God. "
00:42:55.31\00:42:59.50
Sanctified by what?
00:43:07.10\00:43:09.37
Sanctified means
changing your life.
00:43:09.68\00:43:12.87
That means what the Lord
Jesus Christ does for you.
00:43:13.17\00:43:16.34
How are we sanctified?
00:43:16.64\00:43:18.74
"By faith. "
Get it clear, folks.
00:43:19.14\00:43:22.53
You're sanctified by faith.
00:43:22.73\00:43:24.28
Ever read the
story of Abraham of old?
00:43:37.17\00:43:39.90
Came out one
evening, looked up in the sky
00:43:40.40\00:43:45.47
and God said: "Abraham,
00:43:45.67\00:43:47.70
you ought to
tidy the place up here
00:43:47.90\00:43:49.92
because there's
going to be a baby born. "
00:43:50.12\00:43:52.21
Abraham said: "Good Lord,
who's going to have a baby?
00:43:52.51\00:43:55.99
Lot's wife or one
of the servants? "
00:43:56.19\00:43:58.36
God said: "No, Abraham...
00:43:58.66\00:44:00.29
your wife Sarah's
going to have a baby. "
00:44:00.49\00:44:02.42
"In fact, Abraham, I'm
going to give you a son
00:44:02.72\00:44:05.52
and your offspring will be
like the stars of the heavens
00:44:05.72\00:44:08.42
and like the sands of the sea. "
00:44:08.72\00:44:10.12
And Abraham said: "Oh, Lord,
00:44:10.42\00:44:11.68
that's wonderful... wonderful
00:44:11.71\00:44:14.55
that You're going
to give us a baby.
00:44:14.85\00:44:16.22
I've always wanted a son. "
00:44:16.42\00:44:17.94
And he went
running home and he said:
00:44:18.24\00:44:19.75
"Sarah, Sarah, guess what?
We're going to have a baby! "
00:44:20.05\00:44:22.70
She said: "We are? "
00:44:23.00\00:44:24.99
She said: "Abraham,
you've forgotten something.
00:44:27.20\00:44:29.46
You've forgotten
that I am 65 years old.
00:44:30.34\00:44:36.31
You're 75 years old.
00:44:36.61\00:44:40.37
I'm past the time of
life to have a child.
00:44:40.67\00:44:43.34
I can't have a child. "
00:44:43.64\00:44:44.85
Abraham said: "Sarah, I
wasn't hearing things. "
00:44:46.56\00:44:49.57
And - you know -
every time they got around
00:44:51.10\00:44:56.03
that's all Abraham could talk
about was having another baby,
00:44:56.23\00:44:59.03
having a baby... having a baby.
00:44:59.23\00:45:00.76
So Sarah got tired
of talking about it.
00:45:01.06\00:45:04.21
Year after year passed. No baby.
00:45:04.51\00:45:06.81
Finally Sarah said: "Abraham,
why don't you take my handmaiden
00:45:07.11\00:45:12.69
Hagar and have a son by her. "
00:45:12.89\00:45:14.18
And so Abraham took
Hagar and had a son by her.
00:45:14.48\00:45:17.27
And God said: "Abraham, I
didn't say a word about Hagar.
00:45:17.47\00:45:21.19
I said Sarah was
going to have a son. "
00:45:21.50\00:45:24.11
Now, 25 years passed, folks.
00:45:26.13\00:45:32.11
Twenty-five years passed,
00:45:32.41\00:45:34.38
and here Christ
comes talking to Abraham.
00:45:34.69\00:45:40.37
Told him he's
going to have a son.
00:45:40.67\00:45:42.59
And it says
Abraham's now 100 years old.
00:45:42.89\00:45:46.45
Sarah... she's 90.
00:45:46.75\00:45:49.34
And when He said: "Abraham,
you're going to have a son, "
00:45:49.64\00:45:52.13
Abraham just fell on the
ground and started laughing.
00:45:52.43\00:45:54.96
Said: "You've waited too long. "
00:45:55.26\00:45:57.11
Sarah... she was
listening at it in the tent
00:45:57.42\00:46:00.05
and she started laughing.
00:46:00.25\00:46:01.44
You'd laugh too
if some sister here
00:46:01.74\00:46:04.40
stood up 90 years old
and told us she was pregnant.
00:46:04.60\00:46:07.40
You'd all say:
"Oh, she's senile. "
00:46:07.70\00:46:09.96
That's what you'd do.
00:46:10.16\00:46:11.26
But, folks, have
you ever considered
00:46:12.88\00:46:14.91
how embarrassing that was?
00:46:14.94\00:46:16.69
Huh?
00:46:16.99\00:46:18.07
Because Abraham and
Sarah... they traveled.
00:46:18.37\00:46:21.80
They were kind of nomads.
00:46:22.00\00:46:23.65
And when God told him He
was going to give him a son
00:46:23.95\00:46:27.02
he changed their names.
00:46:27.12\00:46:28.19
He changed Abram's
name to Abraham, see.
00:46:28.29\00:46:30.39
Abram to Abraham
00:46:30.59\00:46:31.66
and Sarai to Sarah.
00:46:31.86\00:46:33.33
Do you know what
those names meant?
00:46:33.63\00:46:35.25
Abraham means father of nations.
00:46:35.55\00:46:39.50
Sarah means mother of nations.
00:46:39.80\00:46:42.30
And so here they come
walking up to this village
00:46:42.60\00:46:45.01
and as they did back then
all the elders are sitting
00:46:45.21\00:46:48.57
out in front of the village.
00:46:48.77\00:46:49.86
And they say:
"Welcome to our village. "
00:46:50.72\00:46:52.21
And Abraham said: "Thank you. "
00:46:52.31\00:46:53.41
They said: "What's your name? "
00:46:53.51\00:46:54.57
He said: "Oh, my
name's father of nations. "
00:46:54.77\00:46:57.03
They said: "Your wife? "
00:46:58.12\00:46:59.24
"Oh, this is my
wife: mother of nations. "
00:46:59.34\00:47:01.12
"Well how many
children do you have? "
00:47:01.42\00:47:02.76
"We don't have any. "
00:47:03.07\00:47:04.62
Terrible!
00:47:04.92\00:47:06.76
Why? Why would
God wait 25 years?
00:47:07.26\00:47:13.25
So... waiting so that
Abraham would get so old
00:47:15.64\00:47:20.74
that he couldn't reproduce.
00:47:20.94\00:47:22.95
Said: "Abraham,
since you wouldn't listen
00:47:24.36\00:47:27.68
I'll just wait you
out. And when you're so old
00:47:27.88\00:47:30.35
you can't reproduce,
then I'll give you a son. "
00:47:30.55\00:47:33.09
Listen. That's what
it says in Romans...
00:47:33.19\00:47:34.96
Romans the 4th chapter:
00:47:35.16\00:47:36.64
That meant he
couldn't reproduce.
00:47:43.65\00:47:45.41
Listen, folks...
00:48:03.17\00:48:04.68
By faith Abraham hung on.
00:48:08.92\00:48:10.98
That was counted to
him as righteousness.
00:48:11.18\00:48:14.68
It is our faith
that overcomes the world.
00:48:14.99\00:48:18.28
Hang on! Jesus Christ will
do wonderful things for you.
00:48:19.16\00:48:25.07
How can I find
direction for my life?
00:48:25.37\00:48:28.23
Let me tell you quickly
00:48:28.53\00:48:31.20
how you can find
direction for your life.
00:48:31.50\00:48:33.92
You see, there's some
people that make decisions.
00:48:34.22\00:48:38.91
They think they're
the right decisions
00:48:40.18\00:48:43.13
but they're the wrong
ones and they lead to death.
00:48:43.43\00:48:47.22
You see, I can't
trust my own ability.
00:48:58.54\00:49:02.92
I can't do that, dear friend.
00:49:03.22\00:49:05.41
And if tonight you're
trusting your own ability
00:49:05.61\00:49:08.32
you're on dangerous ground.
00:49:08.62\00:49:10.80
Don't put your
trust in your ability.
00:49:22.23\00:49:25.13
Put your trust
in the Word of God.
00:49:25.43\00:49:27.55
Don't lean on your own ability.
00:49:27.75\00:49:29.97
So if you want to
know what's the right way
00:49:37.07\00:49:39.60
then, dear friend, get
out that Bible. Read it.
00:49:39.90\00:49:42.95
Commit your life to
the Lord Jesus Christ,
00:49:43.25\00:49:45.46
and read it to have a
personal relationship with Him.
00:49:45.76\00:49:50.02
Read it to understand
and listen to His voice.
00:49:50.33\00:49:52.55
As He speaks to you
it will change your life
00:49:52.85\00:49:55.79
and make you different.
00:49:56.09\00:49:57.24
Jesus Christ is
saying that He is the way.
00:49:57.54\00:50:02.25
You want eternal life?
00:50:11.88\00:50:14.50
Jesus Christ is the way.
00:50:14.80\00:50:17.22
Where do we stand?
00:50:24.90\00:50:26.37
It says that the cry
is given at midnight.
00:50:26.67\00:50:30.29
That's what it says.
00:50:30.59\00:50:32.03
The Bible gives
you two indicators
00:50:40.48\00:50:44.47
of helping you know where
you are in the stream of time.
00:50:44.77\00:50:47.24
Those two indicators are these:
00:50:47.54\00:50:50.54
That's what prophecy is for.
00:50:55.24\00:50:57.90
Prophecy is given to help
you and I know where we are
00:50:58.20\00:51:01.45
in the stream of time.
00:51:01.65\00:51:03.44
That's why God gives prophecy.
00:51:03.64\00:51:05.33
The other is...
00:51:05.63\00:51:07.50
For instance, in
Matthew the 24th chapter
00:51:10.16\00:51:12.46
Jesus Christ Himself
gave 17 signs of His coming.
00:51:12.76\00:51:17.72
Of those 17 signs,
16 have been fulfilled.
00:51:18.03\00:51:22.98
Can I trust these two indicators
00:51:23.28\00:51:28.30
to tell me where I am
in the stream of time?
00:51:28.50\00:51:30.82
Listen, this is
what the Bible tells you:
00:51:31.12\00:51:33.15
So he said: "If anything is
sure, it's the prophetic word.
00:51:49.67\00:51:53.99
You can trust it. "
00:51:54.09\00:51:56.12
So starting tomorrow night,
we're going to begin to take
00:51:56.42\00:52:00.29
the prophecies and
take them step by step
00:52:00.49\00:52:03.14
and we'll bring them
right on down to the time
00:52:03.34\00:52:06.12
in which you and I are living.
00:52:06.32\00:52:08.41
Concerning the
signs, Jesus said:
00:52:08.71\00:52:12.90
So those are
indicators to help you and I
00:52:22.47\00:52:25.35
know where we are today.
00:52:25.55\00:52:26.81
What is the danger today?
00:52:27.01\00:52:28.51
What's the danger
for you and for me today?
00:52:28.81\00:52:33.92
This is the danger:
00:52:34.22\00:52:35.86
That's the danger.
00:52:51.09\00:52:53.69
The danger that we have today is
that the coming of Jesus Christ
00:52:53.99\00:52:57.38
will come upon you unexpectedly.
00:52:57.58\00:53:01.85
Being so involved with
the things of this life,
00:53:02.15\00:53:05.48
so concerned
with making a living,
00:53:05.78\00:53:07.55
so concerned with taking
care of the things of this life
00:53:07.85\00:53:10.42
that I miss eternal life.
00:53:10.72\00:53:13.75
Jesus made a
comparison to it and He said:
00:53:14.98\00:53:20.37
He said: "Now,
like the days of Noah,
00:53:26.95\00:53:29.44
so will the days of
the Son of Man be. "
00:53:29.74\00:53:32.62
Let's see what the
days of Noah were like.
00:53:32.92\00:53:34.53
That meant they were
going on about life as usual.
00:53:41.50\00:53:44.56
They were eating, drinking,
marrying, giving in marriage.
00:53:44.87\00:53:47.56
Not really very concerned about
00:53:47.86\00:53:49.90
really what was taking place.
00:53:50.10\00:53:51.43
OK?
00:53:56.11\00:53:57.17
So they were just
going on about life as usual.
00:53:57.37\00:53:59.45
Now listen... I want
you to listen very carefully
00:53:59.75\00:54:03.22
to the next words:
00:54:03.42\00:54:04.83
Terrible words.
00:54:10.93\00:54:12.39
Didn't know till the flood came.
00:54:20.65\00:54:25.50
Took them all way.
00:54:25.80\00:54:27.10
"So will the coming
of the Son of Man be. "
00:54:27.40\00:54:32.69
Sometimes in our schedule
00:54:35.25\00:54:39.25
it's rather hectic.
00:54:39.55\00:54:42.40
Sometimes we have
to go for months -
00:54:42.50\00:54:46.83
even years - without vacations.
00:54:47.13\00:54:49.45
And for the last couple
years it's been that way.
00:54:49.75\00:54:52.29
I'm just constantly
from one meeting to another.
00:54:52.59\00:54:56.40
And here about a year ago now
00:54:56.70\00:55:00.21
we received an invitation
to speak at a convention
00:55:00.51\00:55:03.76
in Sacramento.
00:55:04.06\00:55:05.39
And so since we
hadn't had a break
00:55:05.69\00:55:08.17
Gordon and Dona
Klein that work with me
00:55:08.47\00:55:11.20
and I decided that
we would catch a plane
00:55:11.51\00:55:15.55
and fly up to Seattle.
00:55:15.75\00:55:17.21
And there in Seattle we
would take the Clipper Ship
00:55:17.51\00:55:21.94
from Seattle over to Victoria
00:55:22.14\00:55:24.58
and we would spend a
couple days just sightseeing
00:55:24.88\00:55:28.25
and relaxing in Victoria.
00:55:28.46\00:55:30.01
Go out to the Butchart Gardens
and just enjoy the scenery
00:55:30.31\00:55:34.34
and relax a little bit.
00:55:34.54\00:55:35.99
And then we would come back -
00:55:36.29\00:55:38.68
take the
Clipper back to Seattle.
00:55:38.71\00:55:41.22
Spend the night there,
00:55:41.28\00:55:43.31
spend a day in
Seattle sightseeing,
00:55:43.51\00:55:46.18
and then catch
Amtrak train that night...
00:55:46.38\00:55:51.03
get us a berth
and sleep overnight...
00:55:51.23\00:55:55.09
and get up and be in
Sacramento the next morning.
00:55:55.29\00:55:57.83
That was our plan.
00:55:58.13\00:55:59.14
So we did. We
flew up to Seattle.
00:55:59.44\00:56:02.06
Caught the
Clipper; went to Victoria.
00:56:02.36\00:56:04.04
Enjoyed two
wonderful days in Victoria
00:56:04.24\00:56:06.85
just looking at the
scenery and enjoying the area.
00:56:07.15\00:56:09.67
Caught the Clipper back to
Seattle and spent the night.
00:56:09.97\00:56:12.87
The next morning I got
up... we weren't rushed.
00:56:13.17\00:56:16.30
I had a very leisurely
breakfast; enjoyed it very much.
00:56:16.60\00:56:21.04
And then went up to the room
and spent some time just reading
00:56:21.34\00:56:26.50
and praying with no
schedule or anything.
00:56:26.70\00:56:29.67
Just enjoying
spending time with the Lord.
00:56:29.87\00:56:32.45
And then when I had
finished my devotions
00:56:32.75\00:56:35.38
I said to Gordon
and Dona... I said:
00:56:35.68\00:56:38.33
"Well, let's go look at
some things here in Seattle. "
00:56:38.43\00:56:41.70
But I said, "You know, I
don't want to lug this suitcase
00:56:42.00\00:56:46.80
around all day. " You
know, I had this big suitcase,
00:56:47.00\00:56:49.70
and I said: "I just don't
want to lug it around all day.
00:56:49.90\00:56:52.27
You reckon I could call Amtrak
00:56:52.57\00:56:54.94
and see if they'd let
me check it in early? "
00:56:55.14\00:56:56.80
So I called up Amtrak
and I told them, I said:
00:56:57.10\00:57:00.08
"I have a train... a train
to catch with you this evening
00:57:00.28\00:57:03.98
and I'm here in Seattle. I
don't want to lug this all day.
00:57:04.28\00:57:07.39
I'm wondering if you'd
let me check it in early. "
00:57:08.87\00:57:10.68
They said: "Sure, Mr. Cox.
You can check it in early. "
00:57:10.98\00:57:13.46
They said: "What's the
number of your train? "
00:57:13.76\00:57:15.95
And I said: "The number
of the train I'm catching
00:57:16.25\00:57:17.87
is this number and it
leaves tonight at 9:45 pm. "
00:57:18.07\00:57:21.76
And there was
silence on the other end.
00:57:22.06\00:57:24.34
And the man spoke up and said:
00:57:24.64\00:57:26.04
"Mr. Cox, your train
leaves at 9:45 this morning. "
00:57:26.24\00:57:30.98
That was 9:40 am, folks.
00:57:31.29\00:57:35.58
Only by the grace of
God did we make that train.
00:57:35.88\00:57:40.49
But I hope
you're getting my point.
00:57:40.79\00:57:43.28
Did not know... did not know
00:57:43.58\00:57:46.96
until all of a
sudden there it was.
00:57:47.16\00:57:50.56
"So, " the scripture says,
00:57:50.86\00:57:52.66
"will the coming of
the Son of Man be. "
00:57:52.86\00:57:55.95
Tonight I want to ask you:
00:57:56.25\00:57:58.92
are you ready for Jesus to come?
00:57:59.22\00:58:01.71
Do you have a
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:58:02.01\00:58:05.17
Can you look
into His face and say
00:58:05.57\00:58:08.49
"This is my God! "
00:58:08.79\00:58:11.53
Let us pray.
00:58:11.83\00:58:13.87
Heavenly Father, tonight we ask
00:58:14.17\00:58:17.66
that each one of us may
be ready for Jesus to come.
00:58:17.96\00:58:23.13
May we know You
personally as a Savior.
00:58:23.43\00:58:29.01
May our hearts be
surrendered to You.
00:58:29.45\00:58:31.78
To obtain a copy of this
program or for more information,
00:58:32.09\00:58:35.37
please write to:
00:58:35.57\00:58:36.69