Music...
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We are going to
study God's Word together
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and I would
like to encourage you
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to pray for me
and for yourselves.
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I am going to kneel and
ask for the Lord to bless us
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and I would ask you to
pray for yourself and for me...
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for myself...
let us pray together.
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Kneeling.
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"Our loving heavenly Father,
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we thank you that
whenever we call upon you
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you listen to our prayers.
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We thank you Lord
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that you are
more concerned for us
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than we are for ourselves.
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In this moment Lord, we
approach your throne of grace
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in Jesus' name
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and we pray that you will
bless each and every one of us
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for whether we know it or not,
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we desperately need your help
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and so, Father,
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we pray for your Holy
Spirit to be poured out.
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I place myself in your hands
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that every word will
come from your throne of grace
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pause
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and we pray a blessing upon all
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and we ask it in
Jesus' name, amen... amen. "
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Pause.
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We live in this world
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and this is a world
of trial and tribulation.
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Pause.
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This is not the world that God
had intended for His children
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for He made a perfect world...
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a world where there
would be no trouble...
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no concern about somebody
pressing a button in one place
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sending a
missile to where you are
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and destroying you
and everyone around
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and man has done terrible
things to cause destruction
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and we live in
times when we need Jesus
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and we know that
He is coming soon.
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Many things tell us that
Jesus Christ is coming soon.
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if you believe that,
would you raise your hand?
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Amen.
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The Lord is good.
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So, I have some
questions for you.
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What is your highest hope?
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How do you define success?
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When will you
know and be satisfied
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that your dreams have come true.
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What will let you know
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I have reached the highest
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happiness I
could upon this world.
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You see, these are questions
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that even though people
don't always express them...
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in their heart
they want to be happy.
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In their heart, they want peace.
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They want to be happy
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and so, we are trained in
this world to go to school,
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get a good job
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and make as
much money as you can
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so you can get that dream
life to have what you need
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and take vacations
whenever you want to.
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This is the
world that we live in.
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Pause.
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Unfortunately, there
are things against us
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and that is competition.
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Others want the
same job you want
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and there are also
things that hinder us
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because the
devil is roaming around
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seeking whom he may devour
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and if he can fool you
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into going into what
people call "the rat race"
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and I don't know if anyone
here has been in the rat race,
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has anybody been
in the rat race here?
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The rat race...
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trying to get
as much as you can,
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as quick as you can
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and be happy
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pause
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but God has a better way for us
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and His way is a
way of salvation...
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a way of happiness and peace
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and so, I bring you to a
time when Adam and Eve...
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it was their joy to
have communion with God.
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They experienced true
happiness for a while.
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We do not know how long it was
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that Adam and Eve enjoyed
the joys of purity and holiness
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going through the
garden that God created,
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seeing all the beautiful
things that He had done
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without any trouble...
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without the devil
being on their track
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until one day, as we know,
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Satan came
disguised as a serpent,
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tempted Adam and Eve
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and they fell into sin
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and after sin, it was not
a joy to search for the Lord,
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they felt... they lost something
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that there was a
struggle to regain
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that communion with
God... that fullness of joy...
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because sin had
entered into their lives
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and so,
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God is seeking to draw
each one of us to Himself
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and there were some
who came close to the Lord.
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You may remember Enoch.
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The Bible mentions
Enoch, the Bible mentions Moses
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and others who followed the Lord
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and I want to talk to you
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about the words
found in Psalm 16 verse 11.
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Psalm 16 verse 11...
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if you join me in
Psalm 16 verse 11,
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you will find some wonderful
words and they are these,
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"You will show
me the path of life;
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In Your presence
is fullness of... "
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what? "joy;
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At Your right hand are
pleasures forevermore. "
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You see, there were individuals
that we read about in the Bible
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that found the
fullness of joy...
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that it wasn't in the
rat race of their day,
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it was being in the
presence of the Lord
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and they knew they
could walk with Jesus.
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The Bible tells us...
there was one individual
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that walked with Jesus
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and he was not.
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Let's go to Genesis
chapter 5, verse 22 to 24.
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In Genesis
chapter 5 verses 22 to 24,
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pause
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and I think most of you
know who this individual was.
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If you found Genesis
chapter 5, please say, "Amen. "
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Okay, let us read it together.
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"After he begot Methuselah,
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Enoch walked with
God three hundred years,
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and had sons and daughters.
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So all the days of Enoch were
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three hundred
and sixty-five years.
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And Enoch walked with God;
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and he was not,
for God took him. "
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Enoch walked with God.
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He had fullness of
joy in walking with God
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and Enoch was so close to God
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that the time came
when the Lord said,
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"Enoch, you are ready to enter
into the kingdom of heaven"
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and so it was that God took him.
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Marvelous... and you
know, the day will come
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when the same
thing will be for us
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if we walk in the
presence of the Lord,
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the Lord will come and
take us with Him, amen.
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Now, there were
some as I mentioned
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you can read about
Noah, Job, Abraham, Isaac,
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Jacob, Joseph,
Samuel, David, Daniel
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and the list will go on
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that trusted in the
Lord... followed the Lord...
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and served Him... served
Him with all their hearts.
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They didn't have some of
the things that we have today.
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We... today... can
carry a Bible wherever we go.
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I am happy to have
many Bibles on my phone
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and many wonderful books
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that help me to stay
in contact with the Lord
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and so, they did not
have a Bible in their pocket.
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There were
scrolls in those days...
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eventually there were scrolls
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but they knew they
could have communion with God
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in talking to the Lord.
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We can talk to the
Lord throughout the day.
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Yes there are times and seasons
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when we need to go
to the Lord and pray...
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kneeling and pouring
out our souls unto Him,
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pleading before Him,
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asking Him to be with us
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and you will find that
in the presence of the Lord
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there is... what?
Fullness of joy...
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there is fullness of joy
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and some of us
here... if not all...
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have experienced a time when you
were reading the Scriptures...
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when you were praying...
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and you were
drawn close to the Lord
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and there's this
wonderful presence...
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a sweet abiding of
the Lord Jesus Christ
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and you don't want
to leave that moment
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and so, there's one individual
that really is amazing to me
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pause
00:10:08.50\00:10:10.87
and this
individual is called Job.
00:10:10.91\00:10:13.14
Pause.
00:10:13.17\00:10:14.64
Now, I don't know if you
can compare your experience
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to Job's experience
but he went through a lot.
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How many here would like to go
through what Job went through?
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Pause.
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Wow! Job went through a
horrible, horrible experience,
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pause
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I was... we were
talking to some...
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to someone this week
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and we were taking about
these boils that get on people,
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Job had these... I
think they were boils,
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does anybody here
had a boil before?
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pause
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they're painful things...
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was a painful? It was painful...
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Samuel and others in Pohnpei
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for some reason...
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I don't know if it
was the atmosphere...
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the temperature... I
don't know what it is
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many in the groups
were getting boils.
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Samuel showed us...
he had one in his leg...
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painful...
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and Job was covered
with whatever it was
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and the Bible says that
he would even grab things
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to scrape his skin.
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Friends came to visit
Job and they looked upon Him
00:11:15.10\00:11:20.04
and he looked so horrible...
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that he was in
such pain and agony
00:11:22.38\00:11:25.41
that they stood and
sat there speechless
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for several days
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because his
suffering was so great.
00:11:30.89\00:11:33.82
But this Job... walked
so close to the Lord...
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that even though he had lost
practically everything he had,
00:11:40.76\00:11:45.23
he still praised the Lord.
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Would you say, "Amen" to that?
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Audience: Amen.
00:11:50.34\00:11:51.67
And there is a Scripture
00:11:51.71\00:11:54.34
that is amazing... and is
of comfort to God's children.
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I would like to point
you to Job chapter 13,
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Job 13 and verse 15.
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It's very simple,
if I start reading it,
00:12:06.62\00:12:09.42
you may be able to
quote the rest of it
00:12:09.46\00:12:12.19
and Job chapter 13 verse
15 says the following words,
00:12:12.23\00:12:18.23
"Though He slay me,
yet will I trust Him.
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Even so, I will defend
my own ways before Him. "
00:12:24.67\00:12:28.24
Though He slay me,
00:12:28.28\00:12:30.55
yet will I trust Him
00:12:30.58\00:12:32.78
and you know,
it's amazing to me...
00:12:32.81\00:12:34.82
it has happened to me also.
00:12:34.85\00:12:36.18
That some suffering
has come into my life
00:12:36.22\00:12:39.02
and I said, "Phew,
this is... this is hard
00:12:39.05\00:12:42.09
are others going through
what I am going through?"
00:12:42.12\00:12:45.29
Then you start
looking around wondering if...
00:12:45.33\00:12:48.70
"Is this fair what
I am going through?"
00:12:48.73\00:12:51.20
Pause...
00:12:51.23\00:12:53.07
And then I look back and say,
00:12:53.10\00:12:55.10
"What in the
world was I thinking?"
00:12:55.14\00:12:57.57
When you think about Job...
00:12:57.61\00:12:59.81
when you think about others that
suffered great horrible things
00:12:59.84\00:13:04.18
and I looked at my things and
they were so small in comparison
00:13:04.21\00:13:08.52
you feel ashamed to think,
00:13:08.58\00:13:10.89
"Lord, are
you... are you with me
00:13:10.92\00:13:12.69
are you helping me, are you...
00:13:12.72\00:13:14.39
where are you Lord?"
00:13:14.42\00:13:15.76
Pause.
00:13:15.79\00:13:17.23
But God wants us to know
that whatever we go through,
00:13:17.26\00:13:21.96
He is with us.
00:13:22.00\00:13:24.50
That whatever
suffering we encounter,
00:13:24.53\00:13:28.10
God is with us
00:13:28.14\00:13:31.54
but in this world, Jesus said,
00:13:31.57\00:13:33.94
"We will suffer tribulation
00:13:33.98\00:13:36.28
but be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world"
00:13:36.34\00:13:41.25
and because He has
overcome the world,
00:13:41.28\00:13:43.85
there is hope for us
00:13:43.89\00:13:46.29
that nothing, nor no one,
00:13:46.32\00:13:49.72
not even the devil and all
his demons can take away from us
00:13:49.79\00:13:54.70
hope in Jesus...
hope in salvation...
00:13:54.73\00:13:59.33
hope in eternal life...
00:13:59.37\00:14:01.14
hope in a life where
there will be no sickness,
00:14:01.17\00:14:04.07
suffering nor pain,
00:14:04.11\00:14:05.77
and this is what God
wants us to understand
00:14:05.81\00:14:08.64
that in Him there
is fullness of joy
00:14:08.68\00:14:12.78
and I encourage you to follow
Jesus with all your heart...
00:14:12.81\00:14:17.25
with all your heart...
00:14:17.29\00:14:19.45
and so, one of the
things that these people did
00:14:19.49\00:14:22.52
was pray...
00:14:22.56\00:14:24.46
pray when you're happy...
00:14:24.49\00:14:26.49
pray when you're sad...
00:14:26.53\00:14:28.90
pray... pray... pray...
00:14:28.93\00:14:31.27
Paul said,
"Pray without ceasing"
00:14:31.30\00:14:35.30
now he wasn't saying that
00:14:35.34\00:14:37.21
you are on your knees all
the time with your eyes closed
00:14:37.24\00:14:40.08
but you can have a
prayer in your heart
00:14:40.14\00:14:42.34
and you're in
communion with the Lord.
00:14:42.38\00:14:44.45
Pause.
00:14:44.48\00:14:45.81
The devil wants to
take peace from you,
00:14:45.85\00:14:48.02
the devil wants to
take hope from you,
00:14:48.05\00:14:50.29
the devil wants to take
that fullness of joy from you
00:14:50.32\00:14:56.12
and prayer is one of the
keys of staying with the Lord,
00:14:56.16\00:15:01.96
keeping your eyes on the Lord
00:15:02.00\00:15:03.63
and walking with Him,
00:15:03.67\00:15:05.40
memorizing Scripture
00:15:05.43\00:15:07.14
and rehearsing them in your mind
00:15:07.17\00:15:09.17
as you go throughout the day
00:15:09.20\00:15:11.17
you are in
communion with the Lord
00:15:11.21\00:15:13.74
and in the presence of the
Lord there is fullness of joy.
00:15:13.78\00:15:17.98
Pause.
00:15:18.01\00:15:19.35
You know in the
book "Steps to Christ"
00:15:19.38\00:15:21.55
I am going to
paraphrase what it says,
00:15:21.58\00:15:25.19
it says, "The
darkness of the evil one
00:15:25.22\00:15:29.82
enclose those who
neglect to pray. "
00:15:29.86\00:15:34.43
Wow! Scary isn't it?
00:15:34.46\00:15:37.10
If we neglect to pray,
00:15:37.13\00:15:39.70
that's an invitation for
the devil to come to our side
00:15:39.73\00:15:44.97
and bring darkness upon us,
00:15:45.01\00:15:48.01
so, is it important to pray?
00:15:48.04\00:15:51.01
Yes! Paul knew it
00:15:51.05\00:15:53.08
and that's why he said,
"Pray without ceasing. "
00:15:53.11\00:15:56.12
Pause.
00:15:56.18\00:15:57.85
We desperately need to be
in connection with the Lord.
00:15:57.89\00:16:03.76
Pause.
00:16:03.83\00:16:05.49
I would like to ask you to
join me in Isaiah chapter 57...
00:16:05.53\00:16:08.53
Isaiah chapter 57...
00:16:08.56\00:16:10.60
let's read a few
verses in Isaiah 57
00:16:10.67\00:16:14.80
beginning in verse 19,
00:16:14.84\00:16:17.01
Isaiah 57 verse 19,
00:16:17.07\00:16:19.14
if you have found it, I
hear some pages turning,
00:16:19.17\00:16:22.68
Isaiah 57 beginning in verse 19,
00:16:22.71\00:16:24.75
if you found it say, "Amen"
00:16:24.78\00:16:26.11
notice what the Bible says,
"I create the fruit of the lips:
00:16:26.15\00:16:30.89
Peace, peace to
him who is afar off
00:16:30.92\00:16:34.16
and to him who is
near, Says the Lord,
00:16:34.22\00:16:37.43
'And I will heal him. '
00:16:37.46\00:16:39.73
But the wicked are
like the troubled sea,
00:16:39.79\00:16:44.87
When it cannot rest,
00:16:44.90\00:16:47.60
Whose waters
cast up mire and dirt.
00:16:47.64\00:16:50.61
'There is no peace,'
00:16:50.64\00:16:53.21
Says my God, 'for the wicked. '"
00:16:53.24\00:16:57.58
That's the life of the wicked.
00:16:57.61\00:17:01.88
They may have pleasure...
a little bit here and there
00:17:01.92\00:17:05.95
because they spend their
money on this or they do that...
00:17:05.99\00:17:08.96
they think they found some joy.
00:17:08.99\00:17:11.93
But you know all
the joys of this world
00:17:11.96\00:17:16.93
are temporary...
00:17:16.97\00:17:19.13
they end... and
then they go down
00:17:19.17\00:17:21.84
and the Bible says that
the wicked are like the sea.
00:17:21.90\00:17:25.07
Have you ever
stopped to look at the sea?
00:17:25.11\00:17:26.84
I like to go and
look at the sea sometimes.
00:17:26.88\00:17:29.61
Of course, we can't
find it in this area...
00:17:29.64\00:17:32.35
Audience: Laughter...
00:17:32.38\00:17:35.52
but I'd like to go
when we get to travel
00:17:35.55\00:17:37.39
to one of these
places where you can go close
00:17:37.42\00:17:39.19
to where there's
this large body of water,
00:17:39.22\00:17:40.99
pause
00:17:41.02\00:17:42.89
and you can watch the sea
and it is constantly moving,
00:17:42.92\00:17:45.46
the wicked are
like the troubled sea...
00:17:45.49\00:17:47.86
cannot rest...
00:17:47.90\00:17:49.23
and you see,
00:17:49.26\00:17:51.50
we cannot find true rest until
we open our hearts to Jesus.
00:17:51.53\00:17:57.84
Pause.
00:17:57.87\00:18:00.24
He brings serenity... He
brings peace to our hearts.
00:18:00.28\00:18:04.41
Pause.
00:18:04.45\00:18:06.31
There is a painting, I
think it's still there at 3ABN
00:18:06.35\00:18:08.58
pause
00:18:08.62\00:18:10.49
you may have seen
it where there's...
00:18:10.52\00:18:12.22
the artist tried to
paint this storm of wind...
00:18:12.25\00:18:16.93
the waves are roaring...
00:18:16.96\00:18:18.43
and there is a
group of people in a boat
00:18:18.46\00:18:22.46
and Jesus is at the wheel
00:18:22.50\00:18:27.60
and the people close to Jesus
00:18:27.64\00:18:30.17
have this look of peace in their
hearts... in their faces...
00:18:30.21\00:18:34.78
pause...
00:18:34.81\00:18:36.95
and that's what it is.
00:18:36.98\00:18:38.31
If you face storms in life,
00:18:38.35\00:18:40.58
with Jesus, you could have peace
00:18:40.62\00:18:43.12
and you can
have fullness of joy.
00:18:43.15\00:18:45.59
If you're going
through a difficult time,
00:18:45.62\00:18:49.69
it's meant to be difficult.
00:18:49.72\00:18:52.43
It can cause you pain,
it can cause you grief,
00:18:52.46\00:18:56.40
it can cause you even to doubt,
00:18:56.43\00:19:01.77
but never lose your
connection with Jesus.
00:19:01.80\00:19:07.84
Pause.
00:19:07.88\00:19:09.28
Keep looking unto Jesus
00:19:09.31\00:19:13.05
because He is the way
out, the truth and the life.
00:19:13.08\00:19:19.15
Satan would love
to throw more upon us
00:19:19.19\00:19:22.79
than we can handle
00:19:22.82\00:19:24.16
but thanks be to God that
He puts a limit on the devil
00:19:24.23\00:19:29.66
pause
00:19:29.70\00:19:31.47
he restrains the devil
00:19:31.50\00:19:33.67
from doing things to us
that he will love to do.
00:19:33.74\00:19:36.50
Pause.
00:19:36.54\00:19:38.51
I don't know what it
would have done to you
00:19:38.54\00:19:40.31
if Jesus had come to you
00:19:40.34\00:19:42.84
and told you
what Jesus told Peter.
00:19:42.88\00:19:45.68
I don't know if you
would have had chill bumps
00:19:45.71\00:19:48.38
if Jesus would tell you,
00:19:48.45\00:19:51.49
"Simon, the devil
has sought to have you
00:19:51.55\00:19:55.72
that he may sift you as wheat. "
00:19:55.76\00:19:58.26
What would it do to
you if Jesus did that.
00:19:58.29\00:20:01.83
The devil is asking for
you... to sift you as wheat.
00:20:01.86\00:20:04.37
Pause.
00:20:04.40\00:20:07.04
Would you be scared?
00:20:07.07\00:20:08.44
Pause.
00:20:08.47\00:20:10.61
But would you take courage
in the following words of Jesus
00:20:10.64\00:20:14.88
"But I have prayed for you
that your faith fail not. "
00:20:14.91\00:20:18.91
Pause.
00:20:18.95\00:20:21.28
Our hope is Jesus
00:20:21.32\00:20:23.89
and I encourage you
to stay close to Him.
00:20:23.92\00:20:26.52
Jesus wants to give us rest,
00:20:26.55\00:20:29.42
the wicked are
like the troubled sea,
00:20:29.46\00:20:31.59
there is no
peace for the wicked.
00:20:31.63\00:20:33.73
I'd like you to
consider the words of Jesus
00:20:33.90\00:20:35.83
and his invitation to
those that were around him
00:20:35.86\00:20:38.83
in those days when
He walked among men,
00:20:38.87\00:20:42.90
suffering as others
suffered in His time.
00:20:42.94\00:20:47.48
In Matthew chapter
11, verses 28 to 30,
00:20:47.51\00:20:51.98
Jesus makes the invitation
to those that were around Him
00:20:52.01\00:20:55.52
and to us today.
00:20:55.55\00:20:57.62
In Matthew 11 verse 28 to 30,
00:20:57.65\00:21:00.56
Jesus says, "Come to Me,
00:21:00.59\00:21:03.46
all you who labor
and are heavy laden,
00:21:03.49\00:21:06.83
and I will give you rest.
00:21:06.86\00:21:08.66
Take My yoke upon
you and learn from Me,
00:21:08.70\00:21:12.13
for I am gentle
and lowly in heart,
00:21:12.17\00:21:15.54
and you will find
rest for your souls.
00:21:15.57\00:21:18.84
For My yoke is easy
and My burden is light. "
00:21:18.87\00:21:23.14
Praise the Lord.
00:21:23.18\00:21:25.35
"Come to Me... and I
will give you rest. "
00:21:25.38\00:21:30.09
So, if the wicked are out there,
00:21:30.12\00:21:31.99
Jesus says... He
can give them rest
00:21:32.05\00:21:35.36
but they have to separate
themselves from the evil things
00:21:35.39\00:21:41.66
by asking Jesus to rescue them
from the hands of the devil.
00:21:41.70\00:21:47.94
Jesus wants to give you rest
00:21:47.97\00:21:50.74
and if you're in here today
00:21:50.77\00:21:53.48
and you don't feel
you have that rest...
00:21:53.51\00:21:55.84
that joy...
00:21:55.88\00:21:57.48
Jesus wants to
give it to you today
00:21:57.51\00:22:00.05
and I encourage you to
open your heart to receive it.
00:22:00.12\00:22:03.49
Let's go to
Jeremiah... Jeremiah chapter 9.
00:22:03.52\00:22:08.22
In Jeremiah chapter 9,
God has a message for us.
00:22:08.26\00:22:13.70
You may want to
write some of these down,
00:22:13.73\00:22:16.56
Jeremiah chapter
9 verses 23 and 24
00:22:16.60\00:22:22.20
Jeremiah 9:23 and
24, the Bible says,
00:22:22.27\00:22:27.14
"But let him who
glories glory in this,
00:22:27.18\00:22:32.05
That he
understands and knows Me,
00:22:32.08\00:22:35.42
That I am the Lord,
exercising lovingkindness,
00:22:35.45\00:22:39.59
judgment and
righteousness in the earth.
00:22:39.62\00:22:43.83
For in these I
delight, says the Lord. "
00:22:43.86\00:22:48.03
Amen.
00:22:48.06\00:22:49.86
Pause.
00:22:49.90\00:22:51.63
What is the Lord? He
exercises loving kindness,
00:22:51.67\00:22:55.04
judgment,
righteousness in this world.
00:22:55.07\00:22:58.57
Pause.
00:22:58.61\00:23:00.68
In Psalm 34, the Bible says,
00:23:00.71\00:23:03.18
"Oh taste and see
that the Lord is good. "
00:23:03.21\00:23:09.52
You see, God
wants to do you good.
00:23:09.55\00:23:14.32
He wants you to be happy,
00:23:14.39\00:23:17.29
He wants you to
have fullness of joy.
00:23:17.33\00:23:20.66
The devil wants to
take that away from you
00:23:20.70\00:23:23.30
and the best thing we could do
00:23:23.37\00:23:25.43
is to turn our
backs on the devil
00:23:25.47\00:23:27.54
and the works of the devil
00:23:27.60\00:23:29.40
and follow Jesus
with all of our hearts.
00:23:29.47\00:23:32.77
I encourage you to
stay close to Jesus.
00:23:32.81\00:23:35.78
The Lord delights in
blessing His children
00:23:35.81\00:23:38.68
and as you come to
the Lord in prayer,
00:23:38.71\00:23:41.52
bring your concerns...
your petitions before Him.
00:23:41.55\00:23:45.05
I rejoice to see people
coming to the Lord in prayer
00:23:45.09\00:23:48.46
and many of you come
during the congregational prayer
00:23:48.49\00:23:51.86
to present your
petitions before the Lord
00:23:51.89\00:23:54.33
and I'm going to
ask this question,
00:23:54.36\00:23:56.20
many of you have been
coming Sabbath after Sabbath,
00:23:56.23\00:23:58.73
week after week,
asking the Lord to bless you.
00:23:58.77\00:24:02.70
You've been doing
it for several years.
00:24:02.74\00:24:05.51
How many of you have
had God answer your prayers
00:24:05.57\00:24:09.98
would you raise your hand?
00:24:10.05\00:24:11.61
Praise the Lord.
00:24:11.65\00:24:13.38
How many of you
say, "The Lord is good. "
00:24:13.42\00:24:17.19
Praise God.
00:24:17.22\00:24:19.12
God is good to every one
of us, amen and amen to that.
00:24:19.15\00:24:24.39
I would like to take
you to Mark chapter 12.
00:24:24.43\00:24:27.56
In Mark chapter 12,
we have some individuals
00:24:27.60\00:24:30.67
that...
00:24:30.70\00:24:33.97
went before the Lord.
00:24:34.00\00:24:36.91
You see, God wants us to
consider Him as our Father
00:24:36.94\00:24:42.01
how did Jesus say
was the model prayer?
00:24:42.04\00:24:45.48
How does He begin?
00:24:45.51\00:24:46.85
"Our Father
which art in heaven. "
00:24:46.88\00:24:50.29
He wants us to form
this relationship with Him
00:24:50.32\00:24:53.56
so that we know
we're not just a number,
00:24:53.59\00:24:57.29
so that we know we're
not just a face in the crowd
00:24:57.33\00:25:01.16
you see, God knows each
and every one of us by name...
00:25:01.20\00:25:05.00
knows more about us
than we know about ourselves.
00:25:05.03\00:25:08.10
Pause.
00:25:08.14\00:25:10.74
In Mark chapter 12, verse 28,
00:25:10.77\00:25:13.38
if you found this, say, "Amen. "
00:25:13.41\00:25:16.01
Amen.
00:25:16.04\00:25:17.41
"Then one of the scribes came,
00:25:17.45\00:25:19.38
and having heard
them reasoning together,
00:25:19.41\00:25:22.38
perceiving that
He... " that is Jesus...
00:25:22.42\00:25:25.35
"had answered
them well, asked Him,
00:25:25.39\00:25:27.02
'Which is the first
commandment of all?'"
00:25:27.06\00:25:29.99
Verse 29, Jesus answered him,
00:25:30.03\00:25:33.36
"The first of all
the commandments is:
00:25:33.40\00:25:36.40
'Hear, O Israel,
the LORD our God,
00:25:36.43\00:25:39.37
the LORD is one.
00:25:39.40\00:25:41.80
And you shall
love the LORD your God
00:25:41.84\00:25:44.07
with all your
heart, with all your soul,
00:25:44.11\00:25:46.27
with all your mind, and
with all your strength. '
00:25:46.31\00:25:49.64
this is the first commandment. "
00:25:49.68\00:25:52.48
And Jesus went further
00:25:52.51\00:25:54.05
because the man just
asked for the first commandment,
00:25:54.08\00:25:56.42
Jesus went further and said,
"And the second like it is this:
00:25:56.45\00:26:00.36
'You shall love your
neighbor as yourself. '
00:26:00.42\00:26:05.09
There is no other
commandment greater than these.
00:26:05.13\00:26:08.86
So the scribe said to
Him, 'Well said, Teacher,
00:26:08.90\00:26:12.50
You have spoken the
truth, for there is one God,
00:26:12.53\00:26:16.10
and there is no other but He.
00:26:16.14\00:26:19.14
And to love Him
with all the heart,
00:26:19.17\00:26:21.44
and with all the understanding,
00:26:21.48\00:26:24.41
with all the soul,
and all the strength,
00:26:24.45\00:26:26.61
and to love one's
neighbor as oneself,
00:26:26.68\00:26:28.82
is more than all the whole burnt
offerings and sacrifices. "
00:26:28.85\00:26:35.59
Pause.
00:26:35.62\00:26:37.03
Praise the Lord.
00:26:37.06\00:26:38.93
"Now when Jesus saw
that He answered wisely,
00:26:38.96\00:26:42.23
He said to him,
00:26:42.26\00:26:43.73
'You are not far
from the kingdom of God. '
00:26:43.77\00:26:47.24
But after that no one dared
to ask him any questions. "
00:26:47.27\00:26:52.84
You are not far
from the Kingdom of God.
00:26:52.87\00:26:57.18
This man had been thinking,
00:26:57.21\00:26:59.21
this man went
beyond the external
00:26:59.25\00:27:02.25
and the surface reading.
00:27:02.28\00:27:04.22
This man was
seeking to understand
00:27:04.25\00:27:08.86
and when he saw these questions
and that Jesus answered wisely,
00:27:08.89\00:27:13.96
pause
00:27:14.00\00:27:16.00
he asked him the question.
00:27:16.03\00:27:17.77
And to hear Jesus say,
00:27:17.83\00:27:19.50
"You're not far from
the kingdom of heaven"
00:27:19.53\00:27:22.57
was good news.
00:27:22.60\00:27:23.94
So I ask you this question,
00:27:23.97\00:27:26.44
"Are you far from
the kingdom of heaven?"
00:27:26.47\00:27:30.41
Is the road you're traveling
on leading you closer to God
00:27:30.45\00:27:36.38
and to heaven?
00:27:36.42\00:27:38.22
Or are you far
from the kingdom of God?
00:27:38.25\00:27:43.16
Pause.
00:27:43.19\00:27:44.96
Are you beginning
to practice things
00:27:44.99\00:27:47.33
that are drawing
you away from God
00:27:47.36\00:27:49.66
and to the devil?
00:27:49.70\00:27:52.00
Are you doing things
00:27:52.03\00:27:54.24
that are inviting
the devil to come closer?
00:27:54.27\00:27:57.17
Are you neglecting prayer?
00:27:57.21\00:27:58.87
The reading of the Scriptures?
00:27:58.94\00:28:00.54
I remind you that
00:28:00.58\00:28:03.68
those who neglect to pray...
00:28:03.71\00:28:05.48
it's like an invitation
to the devil to draw near
00:28:05.51\00:28:07.92
and bring darkness
all around the individual.
00:28:07.95\00:28:10.89
So, are you
close or far from God?
00:28:10.92\00:28:16.02
Had the things of this
world... the busyness of life
00:28:16.06\00:28:21.13
taken you a little further from
the Lord than you wanted to be?
00:28:21.16\00:28:26.77
If that is the case, it's
time to come back to Jesus.
00:28:26.80\00:28:34.34
He wants to rescue us
00:28:34.38\00:28:37.68
not only from
falling further into sin,
00:28:37.71\00:28:41.45
but also to rescue
us from destruction
00:28:41.48\00:28:44.29
because the devil
wants to destroy us.
00:28:44.32\00:28:47.46
While God is
working to draw us to Him,
00:28:47.52\00:28:50.59
the devil is trying
to take us away from Him
00:28:50.63\00:28:53.19
by different things.
00:28:53.23\00:28:55.46
Pause.
00:28:55.53\00:28:57.93
And you know,
00:28:57.97\00:29:00.17
pause
00:29:00.20\00:29:02.87
he doesn't always pull
you like he's forcing you...
00:29:02.90\00:29:06.68
the devil is not always like,
00:29:06.71\00:29:08.14
"Come on, you're coming with
me whether you like it or not. "
00:29:08.18\00:29:11.01
Pause.
00:29:11.05\00:29:12.38
No... he draws you...
00:29:12.41\00:29:13.75
pause
00:29:13.78\00:29:15.55
just like people try
to draw the... the...
00:29:15.58\00:29:18.19
like the mice with
something good to eat,
00:29:18.22\00:29:20.79
the devil throws things
at you, "Isn't this good?"
00:29:20.82\00:29:24.63
"Doesn't this taste good?"
00:29:24.66\00:29:26.13
"Doesn't this look good?"
00:29:26.16\00:29:27.56
"Doesn't she or
he look good to you?"
00:29:27.60\00:29:31.10
Pause.
00:29:31.13\00:29:33.00
Tries to draw you away...
00:29:33.03\00:29:34.37
"Don't you think
you can make more money
00:29:34.40\00:29:36.34
doing something else?"
00:29:36.40\00:29:37.74
Tries to draw us
away from the Lord
00:29:37.77\00:29:41.31
Pause.
00:29:41.34\00:29:43.18
so that we can
fall into his traps.
00:29:43.21\00:29:46.72
But God is also working to
draw you close to the Lord...
00:29:46.78\00:29:51.49
close to Him... that we
may rejoice in His salvation
00:29:51.52\00:29:56.22
and we may have
the fullness of joy
00:29:56.26\00:29:59.16
that only He can give.
00:29:59.19\00:30:01.50
I would like to invite
you to the book of Mark again
00:30:01.53\00:30:05.03
chapter 10...
00:30:05.07\00:30:06.63
in the book of Mark,
00:30:06.67\00:30:08.24
there's another
individual that came to Jesus,
00:30:08.27\00:30:11.07
and he also had a question.
00:30:11.11\00:30:13.68
In Mark chapter 10
beginning in verse 17,
00:30:13.71\00:30:16.71
we find this person.
00:30:16.75\00:30:18.08
If you found this, say, "Amen. "
00:30:18.11\00:30:21.15
"Now as He was
going out on the road,
00:30:21.18\00:30:25.42
one came running
and knelt before Him,
00:30:25.45\00:30:29.62
and asked Him, 'Good Teacher,
00:30:29.69\00:30:31.86
what shall I do that I
may inherit eternal life?'"
00:30:31.89\00:30:36.67
We'll stop right there...
00:30:36.70\00:30:38.63
you see, Jesus had just
done something marvelous
00:30:38.67\00:30:43.74
and it could be... I think
this person was watching Jesus
00:30:43.77\00:30:47.08
and saying, "Wow! look how
He's blessing these children!"
00:30:47.11\00:30:50.41
They brought
little children to Jesus
00:30:50.45\00:30:52.38
and the disciples had
first tried to stop them...
00:30:52.41\00:30:55.62
"No, no, no, no, no...
He's... Jesus is too busy...
00:30:55.65\00:30:58.79
He doesn't have
time for children. "
00:30:58.82\00:31:01.29
God always has
time for children.
00:31:01.32\00:31:03.76
Pause.
00:31:03.79\00:31:05.13
And Jesus says, "Suffer the
little children to come unto me.
00:31:05.16\00:31:08.86
Let the little
children come to Me
00:31:08.93\00:31:11.37
for of such is
the kingdom of heaven"
00:31:11.40\00:31:13.80
and Jesus blessed the children
00:31:13.84\00:31:16.00
and the children
loved to be in His presence.
00:31:16.04\00:31:18.84
Jesus always has
time for children.
00:31:18.87\00:31:22.91
Jesus also always
has time for adults
00:31:22.94\00:31:26.95
and this young man saw this
00:31:26.98\00:31:30.75
and apparently Jesus
was beginning to walk away
00:31:30.79\00:31:33.56
and this person
came running to Jesus.
00:31:33.59\00:31:39.19
It will be wonderful to see
people running to Jesus today.
00:31:39.23\00:31:43.00
Pause.
00:31:43.03\00:31:44.50
He came running to
Jesus... knelt before Him
00:31:44.53\00:31:47.27
and asked Him the question...
00:31:47.30\00:31:49.84
a very important question.
00:31:49.87\00:31:52.37
"What shall I do that I
may inherit eternal life?"
00:31:52.41\00:31:59.41
What a question!
00:31:59.45\00:32:01.48
"What can I do...
00:32:01.52\00:32:03.45
how can I have that assurance
that I have eternal life?"
00:32:03.49\00:32:07.82
Wouldn't you want to know?
00:32:07.86\00:32:09.62
Wouldn't you want to know
the answer to that question?
00:32:09.66\00:32:12.83
You as an individual...
where you are at now...
00:32:12.86\00:32:17.37
what can you do that you
may inherit eternal life?
00:32:17.40\00:32:21.87
Notice what
Jesus said, verse 18...
00:32:21.90\00:32:25.31
so, Jesus said to him,
"Why do you call Me good?
00:32:25.34\00:32:29.11
No one is good but
One, that is, God. "
00:32:29.14\00:32:35.48
Very interesting answer.
00:32:35.52\00:32:37.99
"No one is good but
One, that is, God. "
00:32:38.02\00:32:42.29
Jesus wanted to take this
man's view from the external
00:32:42.32\00:32:48.93
pause
00:32:48.96\00:32:51.40
from the visible
to the invisible.
00:32:51.43\00:32:53.44
If only this man
knew who he was talking to
00:32:53.50\00:32:57.67
but he knew that
Jesus had words of life
00:32:57.71\00:33:01.88
and so the question...
00:33:01.91\00:33:04.11
Jesus
continued... the answer came...
00:33:04.15\00:33:08.62
pause
00:33:08.65\00:33:11.02
"You know the commandments:
00:33:11.05\00:33:13.86
'Do not commit
adultery,' verse 19
00:33:13.92\00:33:16.42
'Do not commit
adultery' 'Do not murder,'
00:33:16.46\00:33:19.03
'Do not steal,' 'Do
not bear false witness,'
00:33:19.06\00:33:21.60
'Do not defraud,'
00:33:21.63\00:33:22.96
'Honor your father
and your mother. '"
00:33:23.03\00:33:27.44
Wow! how did Jesus
answer the question?
00:33:27.47\00:33:31.57
"What do I need to do
to inherit eternal life?"
00:33:31.61\00:33:36.54
Pause.
00:33:36.58\00:33:38.65
And so, in this question
you have to ask yourself,
00:33:38.68\00:33:41.72
"Does Jesus say that you
can work your way to heaven?"
00:33:41.78\00:33:44.79
No... He's not... and we'll
talk about that in a moment.
00:33:44.82\00:33:49.06
He mentioned part
of the commandments.
00:33:49.12\00:33:52.29
Why didn't He give
him the whole list?
00:33:52.33\00:33:55.26
The Ten Commandments...
00:33:55.30\00:33:56.63
why didn't he say,
00:33:56.67\00:33:58.00
"You should not
make any graven images"
00:33:58.03\00:34:00.70
"You should not take the
name of the Lord in vain... "
00:34:00.74\00:34:03.71
"Remember the
Sabbath to keep it holy"
00:34:03.74\00:34:06.04
He didn't mention any
of these commandments.
00:34:06.07\00:34:08.71
He mentioned the last four.
00:34:08.74\00:34:11.21
See, Jesus looked
into this man's eyes
00:34:11.25\00:34:14.32
and He knew what was lacking.
00:34:14.35\00:34:17.55
Pause.
00:34:17.59\00:34:19.59
So, He answered him that way.
00:34:19.62\00:34:21.16
This was a perfect
time for Jesus to answer
00:34:21.22\00:34:25.99
in some other way... as
some people would have thought,
00:34:26.03\00:34:28.16
"Oh, don't worry about it,
by grace you are saved... "
00:34:28.20\00:34:31.93
we'll read that in a moment
00:34:31.97\00:34:33.30
but let's
consider what is written,
00:34:33.34\00:34:35.44
keep your finger in Mark
10, we'll come back to it,
00:34:35.50\00:34:38.27
let us consider the
words of Galatians chapter 2,
00:34:38.31\00:34:41.08
Galatians chapter 2.
00:34:41.11\00:34:43.48
In Galatians chapter
2 we find in verse 16
00:34:43.51\00:34:47.68
the following words,
00:34:47.72\00:34:49.42
"Knowing that a man
00:34:49.45\00:34:51.05
is not justified by
the works of the law
00:34:51.12\00:34:55.12
but by faith in Christ Jesus,
00:34:55.16\00:34:57.93
even we have
believed in Christ Jesus,
00:34:57.96\00:35:01.36
that we might be
justified by faith in Christ
00:35:01.40\00:35:05.40
and not by the works of the law;
00:35:05.43\00:35:08.07
for by the works of the law
no flesh shall be justified. "
00:35:08.10\00:35:13.41
Praise the Lord.
00:35:13.44\00:35:15.04
Pause.
00:35:15.08\00:35:17.28
So, was Jesus saying to him...
00:35:17.31\00:35:18.78
was He contradicting what
the rest of the Bible says?
00:35:18.81\00:35:21.65
No, we'll find that in a moment.
00:35:21.68\00:35:24.59
Let's go to that other Scripture
that we mentioned before,
00:35:24.62\00:35:29.42
Ephesians chapter
2, how are we saved?
00:35:29.46\00:35:33.43
Ephesians chapter 2
gives us the answer...
00:35:33.46\00:35:37.40
in Ephesians 2
beginning in verse 8,
00:35:37.43\00:35:40.64
if you found this, say, "Amen. "
00:35:40.67\00:35:43.81
Amen... we have at least
two witnesses so we read,
00:35:43.84\00:35:47.48
"For by grace you have
been saved through faith,
00:35:47.51\00:35:51.05
and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God... "
00:35:51.08\00:35:55.35
It is what? "a gift of God"
00:35:55.38\00:35:58.19
"... not of works,
lest anyone should boast.
00:35:58.22\00:36:01.89
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
00:36:01.92\00:36:06.13
for good works,
00:36:06.16\00:36:07.86
which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them. "
00:36:07.90\00:36:12.27
We are saved by
grace through faith
00:36:12.30\00:36:17.77
but these things are
the reality of our salvation
00:36:17.81\00:36:25.08
"by grace through faith"
00:36:25.11\00:36:27.25
no amount of works
that we do can we say,
00:36:27.32\00:36:31.65
"I have done this
list of requirements,
00:36:31.69\00:36:35.92
therefore, I am now
worthy to be saved. "
00:36:35.99\00:36:40.20
Pause.
00:36:40.23\00:36:42.30
"For by grace are
we saved through faith"
00:36:42.36\00:36:46.47
it is the gift of God
00:36:46.50\00:36:48.40
you cannot buy it.
00:36:48.44\00:36:50.24
You cannot work
your way to receive it
00:36:50.27\00:36:53.44
but you can accept it by
faith as it is in Christ Jesus.
00:36:53.48\00:36:58.58
But you see, when you are,
00:36:58.61\00:37:01.38
"accept by grace
the gift of salvation"
00:37:01.42\00:37:05.22
we must work with the
Lord... cooperate with the Lord
00:37:05.25\00:37:11.09
in keeping the commandments
00:37:11.13\00:37:13.06
because if you are living in
disobedience to the commandments
00:37:13.09\00:37:18.07
you cannot be saved
00:37:18.10\00:37:21.64
because the
wages of sin is death.
00:37:21.67\00:37:27.04
Let's read a few
Scriptures to help us with that.
00:37:27.08\00:37:30.15
In 1st John chapter 3 verse 4,
00:37:30.18\00:37:34.52
1st John chapter 3 verse 4,
00:37:34.55\00:37:36.85
pause
00:37:36.89\00:37:40.29
1st John chapter 3 verse 4,
00:37:40.32\00:37:41.82
has the following
words, "Whoever...
00:37:41.86\00:37:45.99
Whosoever committeth sin,
transgresseth also the law:
00:37:46.03\00:37:51.77
for sin is the
transgression of the law. "
00:37:51.80\00:37:55.14
What does it say?
00:37:55.17\00:37:56.50
"the transgression of the law"
00:37:56.54\00:37:58.24
the New King James Version says,
00:37:58.27\00:38:00.14
"Whoever commits sin
also commits lawlessness... "
00:38:00.18\00:38:04.58
in other words, you're living
not in harmony with the law.
00:38:04.61\00:38:08.38
"... and sin is lawlessness"
00:38:08.42\00:38:10.89
living without
harmony to the law.
00:38:10.92\00:38:14.49
So, whoever commits sin
is transgressing the law
00:38:14.52\00:38:18.96
and the wages of sin is death
00:38:18.99\00:38:21.76
as we read in Romans chapter 6.
00:38:21.80\00:38:24.47
Let us continue in 1st John
chapter 3... now in verse 5,
00:38:24.50\00:38:27.94
"And you know
00:38:27.97\00:38:29.30
that He was manifested
00:38:29.34\00:38:32.44
to take away our
sins" that is Jesus...
00:38:32.47\00:38:35.28
"and in Him there
is no sin" praise God
00:38:35.34\00:38:38.11
"whoever abides in
Him does not sin. "
00:38:38.15\00:38:40.58
How is it that we can
live our lives without sin?
00:38:40.62\00:38:47.06
The answer is in verse 6,
00:38:47.09\00:38:49.62
"Whoever abides
in Him does not sin.
00:38:49.66\00:38:51.79
Whoever sins has neither
seen Him nor known Him. "
00:38:51.83\00:38:55.36
Whoever lives in
habitual sinning.
00:38:55.40\00:38:58.77
"Whoever sins has
neither seen Him nor known Him.
00:38:58.80\00:39:01.74
Little children,
let no one deceive you.
00:39:01.77\00:39:04.17
He who practices... " what?
00:39:04.21\00:39:07.68
"righteousness is righteous
just as He is righteous.
00:39:07.71\00:39:11.01
He who sins" who
lives his life sinning...
00:39:11.05\00:39:14.15
"is of the devil,
00:39:14.18\00:39:16.18
for the devil has
sinned from the beginning.
00:39:16.22\00:39:18.72
For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested,
00:39:18.75\00:39:21.86
that He might destroy
the works of the devil. "
00:39:21.89\00:39:24.96
So, when Jesus
answered this man,
00:39:24.99\00:39:27.43
"You know the commandments"
00:39:27.46\00:39:29.80
He was saying to him,
00:39:29.83\00:39:31.43
"You must live in
harmony with the commandments
00:39:31.47\00:39:35.24
if you are to be part
of the family of God. "
00:39:35.27\00:39:38.97
Why?
00:39:39.01\00:39:40.44
Because the first
and great commandment
00:39:40.48\00:39:42.31
is to love the Lord
your God with all your heart,
00:39:42.34\00:39:45.08
with all your
soul, all your mind,
00:39:45.11\00:39:46.78
and the second is like unto it,
00:39:46.82\00:39:48.42
you shall love your
neighbor as yourself,
00:39:48.45\00:39:49.95
and the Ten Commandments
describe just this...
00:39:49.98\00:39:53.86
to love the Lord
with all your heart
00:39:53.89\00:39:55.52
and your neighbor as yourself.
00:39:55.56\00:39:57.13
Jesus told him the
commandments that define
00:39:57.16\00:40:01.16
your neighbor as yourself.
00:40:01.20\00:40:02.76
"You shall not murder,
you shall not commit adultery,
00:40:02.80\00:40:06.57
and honor your father
and your mother, et cetera.
00:40:06.60\00:40:10.34
Now, let's go to
Mark chapter 10 again,
00:40:10.37\00:40:13.11
Mark chapter 10.
00:40:13.14\00:40:14.64
Pause.
00:40:14.71\00:40:16.04
In Mark chapter 10, I
hope you had your finger there
00:40:16.08\00:40:19.75
we continue in verse 20,
00:40:19.78\00:40:21.12
The young man
waiting for Jesus to...
00:40:21.15\00:40:23.85
as he heard the words of Jesus,
00:40:23.89\00:40:25.95
He says... "And he
answered and said to Him,
00:40:25.99\00:40:27.96
'Teacher, all these things
I have kept from my youth. '"
00:40:27.99\00:40:34.00
Pause.
00:40:34.03\00:40:35.83
"All these
things... I've done this,
00:40:35.86\00:40:38.30
there must be something else. "
00:40:38.33\00:40:40.44
"I've done this... "
he did not feel the joy.
00:40:40.47\00:40:45.31
You see, he was not walking
in the presence of the Lord,
00:40:45.34\00:40:49.98
he did not have fullness of joy
00:40:50.01\00:40:52.31
and that's why he felt
00:40:52.35\00:40:55.32
something was missing.
00:40:55.35\00:40:58.29
Notice what the Bible
says as He continued...
00:40:58.32\00:41:02.79
verse 21... "Then Jesus,
looking at him, loved him,
00:41:02.82\00:41:08.36
and said to him,
'One thing you lack:
00:41:08.40\00:41:13.37
Go your way, sell what you have
00:41:13.40\00:41:18.17
and give to the poor,
00:41:18.21\00:41:19.91
and you will have
treasure in heaven;
00:41:19.94\00:41:22.64
and come and take up the cross
00:41:22.71\00:41:25.18
and follow Me. "
00:41:25.21\00:41:26.55
I can see this man's face
as he heard the words of Jesus
00:41:26.58\00:41:30.72
and as Jesus had said,
"One thing you lack... "
00:41:30.79\00:41:33.96
I could see
anticipation in his face,
00:41:33.99\00:41:36.69
"What is that one
thing? I want to know"
00:41:36.73\00:41:39.39
because he came
running to Jesus.
00:41:39.43\00:41:41.56
He wanted to know.
00:41:41.60\00:41:44.23
"One thing you lack"
00:41:44.27\00:41:46.84
pause
00:41:46.87\00:41:48.64
"Go and sell what you have... "
00:41:48.67\00:41:50.51
oooh...
00:41:50.54\00:41:53.04
struck at the
chord of his heart,
00:41:53.07\00:41:57.91
Jesus was speaking to him
00:41:57.95\00:42:02.42
the truth of what
would lead him into salvation
00:42:02.45\00:42:06.86
and that is: to give up the
idol that he loved more than God
00:42:06.89\00:42:11.93
and that is the
treasures he owned.
00:42:11.96\00:42:16.36
He said, "Go and
sell what you have... "
00:42:16.40\00:42:19.23
you see, the Bible says there...
00:42:19.27\00:42:21.37
it says that Jesus
was looking to him.
00:42:21.40\00:42:24.31
That was not a passing glance,
Jesus was looking at him...
00:42:24.34\00:42:29.14
fixedly on him
00:42:29.18\00:42:31.28
and gazing into him.
00:42:31.31\00:42:34.72
Contact with his
eyes, looking at him,
00:42:34.75\00:42:37.92
the man saw Jesus
00:42:37.95\00:42:39.59
and the man did not know that
Jesus was looking into his life.
00:42:39.62\00:42:44.73
Pause.
00:42:44.76\00:42:46.66
One thing you lack, and
I tell you, this man knew
00:42:46.70\00:42:52.00
that Jesus answered him exactly
00:42:52.03\00:42:55.07
what was lacking in his life.
00:42:55.10\00:42:58.11
He knew that Jesus has
spoken the truth to him
00:42:58.14\00:43:03.55
and I wonder... had
he asked this question
00:43:03.58\00:43:08.92
to the Scribes
and the Pharisees.
00:43:08.95\00:43:11.72
Had he asked
this question before
00:43:11.75\00:43:14.46
and no answer satisfied
the longing in his heart.
00:43:14.49\00:43:19.53
Pause.
00:43:19.59\00:43:21.26
No one answered him in a
way that gave him the peace
00:43:21.30\00:43:27.10
to know that he
was on the right track
00:43:27.14\00:43:29.94
but here was One that
spoke to him of the truth
00:43:29.97\00:43:33.88
and of the idol
that he had in his life
00:43:33.91\00:43:37.28
pause
00:43:37.31\00:43:39.98
and he was greatly
distressed and in sorrow.
00:43:40.02\00:43:45.75
Wouldn't you love to hear
that Jesus would say to you,
00:43:45.79\00:43:50.63
"There's only one
thing you've got missing
00:43:50.69\00:43:52.79
pause
00:43:52.86\00:43:54.96
everything else is okay,
00:43:55.00\00:43:57.03
there's only one thing...
00:43:57.07\00:43:59.10
only one thing... "
00:43:59.13\00:44:02.07
pause
00:44:02.10\00:44:04.11
I don't know if there's
one thing for you or more,
00:44:04.17\00:44:06.91
I don't know how
Jesus would answer you...
00:44:06.94\00:44:09.38
what He would tell you...
00:44:09.41\00:44:10.88
what specific thing
00:44:10.91\00:44:12.51
because Jesus spoke
to him specific things.
00:44:12.55\00:44:17.82
He didn't leave it in the dark,
00:44:17.85\00:44:20.16
he didn't say,
"Well, there is one thing
00:44:20.19\00:44:21.89
but I can't really
talk to you about that"
00:44:21.92\00:44:23.63
He didn't say,
00:44:23.66\00:44:24.99
"There is one thing and
you know what that is. "
00:44:25.03\00:44:27.30
He told him what it was.
00:44:27.33\00:44:29.76
He read his heart.
00:44:29.80\00:44:31.60
So, what would Jesus tell you?
00:44:31.63\00:44:35.60
What do you have to give up?
00:44:35.64\00:44:39.17
What do you love more than God?
00:44:39.21\00:44:42.71
What is it?
00:44:42.74\00:44:44.75
And if Jesus answers you,
the best thing you could do
00:44:44.78\00:44:49.08
is say, "Lord,
here I am... take me
00:44:49.12\00:44:53.99
and take this love
for this other thing away
00:44:54.02\00:44:57.33
and give me eternal life. "
00:44:57.36\00:45:00.80
Would you do that?
00:45:00.86\00:45:02.93
Would you ask the Lord to
reveal to you that one thing?
00:45:02.96\00:45:07.90
The Bible says that
Jesus looked upon him
00:45:07.94\00:45:11.27
and loved him
00:45:11.31\00:45:12.64
and this is that
word in the Bible
00:45:12.67\00:45:14.01
that you have heard before,
00:45:14.04\00:45:15.38
Agape... it's that agape love...
00:45:15.41\00:45:18.21
that pure heavenly love...
00:45:18.25\00:45:20.35
pure heavenly love...
00:45:20.38\00:45:23.15
you see, this man...
00:45:23.18\00:45:25.85
if you would look
at these things...
00:45:25.92\00:45:28.22
he didn't love his
neighbor as himself.
00:45:28.26\00:45:30.83
He didn't have
pure love towards God
00:45:30.86\00:45:33.40
and if you don't
first pure love towards God,
00:45:33.43\00:45:35.86
you're going to fail
in the other thing...
00:45:35.90\00:45:38.33
is loving your
neighbor as yourself.
00:45:38.37\00:45:41.10
Pause.
00:45:41.14\00:45:42.87
And I encourage you
to come before Jesus
00:45:42.90\00:45:46.24
and tell Him all.
00:45:46.27\00:45:49.74
give... have a... have a
one-on-one time with the Lord
00:45:49.78\00:45:54.68
so, "Lord, where am I?
Am I missing one thing?
00:45:54.72\00:45:59.35
Or is it more than one thing?
00:45:59.39\00:46:01.46
Is there something that is
an obstacle between me and you?
00:46:01.49\00:46:05.56
Is there something that is
keeping me from experiencing
00:46:05.59\00:46:09.60
that fullness of joy?"
00:46:09.63\00:46:12.37
And if you come before the Lord
00:46:12.40\00:46:15.44
as he did for this young man,
00:46:15.47\00:46:18.47
He will reveal to you the truth.
00:46:18.54\00:46:21.68
When I was younger
00:46:21.71\00:46:23.31
as I was reading the Scripture,
00:46:23.35\00:46:25.91
I found one that impacted me
00:46:25.95\00:46:28.45
and I decided to buy... I
think it was a 100 or more pens
00:46:28.48\00:46:33.79
and put the
Scripture on the pen...
00:46:33.82\00:46:35.52
I said, "I'm going to
give this away to people. "
00:46:35.59\00:46:37.53
And this is the Scripture
found in Proverbs chapter 21.
00:46:37.56\00:46:40.93
In Proverbs
chapter 21 and verse 13,
00:46:40.96\00:46:43.93
Proverbs chapter 21 verse 13,
00:46:43.97\00:46:47.84
pause
00:46:47.90\00:46:52.17
and the reality is that
if you live in this world
00:46:52.21\00:46:55.84
you're going to
encounter someone
00:46:55.88\00:46:58.41
that is less fortunate than you.
00:46:58.45\00:47:00.75
Someone that
has less than you...
00:47:00.78\00:47:03.05
that you could
possibly be a blessing to them
00:47:03.08\00:47:05.72
and you know it's amazing,
00:47:05.75\00:47:07.96
I have even seen
people give things
00:47:07.99\00:47:10.36
and they look
like they need things
00:47:10.39\00:47:12.83
and yet they
give to help others.
00:47:12.86\00:47:15.16
Praise God for that.
00:47:15.20\00:47:17.77
And there it is,
Proverbs 21 verse 13,
00:47:17.80\00:47:21.00
"Whoever shuts his
ears to the cry of the poor
00:47:21.04\00:47:25.84
will also cry
himself and not be heard. "
00:47:25.87\00:47:30.28
Pause.
00:47:30.31\00:47:31.68
So, if the Lord presents
someone that is in need to you
00:47:31.71\00:47:34.42
and you have the
capacity to help this person
00:47:34.45\00:47:37.59
and you know the need
00:47:37.62\00:47:39.29
and you know
it's a legitimate need
00:47:39.32\00:47:40.86
because some of us question,
00:47:40.89\00:47:42.52
"I don't know if he's going
to use that money for drugs"
00:47:42.56\00:47:44.63
but if you know there's a need
00:47:44.69\00:47:46.90
and you know there's a need
00:47:46.93\00:47:49.10
and you don't help and you can,
00:47:49.13\00:47:51.87
pause
00:47:51.90\00:47:54.40
and this keeps happening
00:47:54.44\00:47:55.80
that God
presents people that need
00:47:55.84\00:47:57.84
and you say, "No,
somebody else will help you"
00:47:57.87\00:48:02.41
one day, you too will cry
and no one will answer you.
00:48:02.44\00:48:07.82
Pause.
00:48:07.85\00:48:11.95
May God bless
you to be able to see
00:48:11.99\00:48:14.49
that in helping others
00:48:14.52\00:48:16.56
Jesus is going to
say, "You have helped me. "
00:48:16.59\00:48:20.23
Pause.
00:48:20.30\00:48:22.40
In Deuteronomy
chapter 8, I would like to...
00:48:22.43\00:48:25.60
invite you to quickly go
to Deuteronomy chapter 8,
00:48:25.63\00:48:28.14
pause
00:48:28.17\00:48:31.24
more pause
00:48:31.27\00:48:33.31
in Deuteronomy chapter 8,
00:48:33.34\00:48:35.34
we have the
Scriptures that let us know
00:48:35.38\00:48:39.21
from where we get the
blessings we... we have.
00:48:39.25\00:48:43.45
Pause.
00:48:43.49\00:48:44.95
Deuteronomy
8:18, the Bible says,
00:48:44.99\00:48:47.12
"And you shall
remember the Lord your God,
00:48:47.16\00:48:49.66
for it is He who gives
you power to get wealth,
00:48:49.72\00:48:53.40
that He may
establish His covenant
00:48:53.43\00:48:55.56
which He swore to your fathers,
00:48:55.60\00:48:57.67
as it is this day. "
00:48:57.70\00:48:59.57
God is the One that
gives us power to get wealth
00:48:59.63\00:49:03.87
and when He gives us opportunity
to share with others,
00:49:03.91\00:49:06.57
He's giving us an opportunity
00:49:06.61\00:49:08.64
to let our lives
so shine before men
00:49:08.68\00:49:11.18
that they may see our good works
and glorify our heavenly Father.
00:49:11.21\00:49:15.25
God may send someone to you
00:49:15.28\00:49:17.75
that has a need
that you can supply
00:49:17.82\00:49:20.36
and God is giving
you an opportunity
00:49:20.39\00:49:22.89
to be a blessing to
others so, you may get more.
00:49:22.92\00:49:28.30
You see, that's
the way God works.
00:49:28.33\00:49:30.43
You give and God
keeps giving unto you.
00:49:30.47\00:49:34.70
God is good... amen.
00:49:34.74\00:49:37.34
Let's go back
to Mark chapter 10.
00:49:37.37\00:49:39.91
In Mark chapter
10, we ask ourselves,
00:49:39.94\00:49:42.04
"How did this
young man respond?"
00:49:42.08\00:49:44.11
In Mark chapter 10
verse 22, the Bible says,
00:49:44.15\00:49:46.92
"But he was sad at this word,
00:49:46.95\00:49:50.25
and went away sorrowful,
for he had great possessions. "
00:49:50.29\00:49:55.69
These are some of the
saddest words in the Bible.
00:49:55.72\00:49:59.13
His reactions revealed
who or what was his God,
00:49:59.16\00:50:03.03
he loved the gift more
than he loved the Giver.
00:50:03.06\00:50:06.80
God gave him those
gifts... those possessions...
00:50:06.84\00:50:10.51
but instead of being a
blessing to others with them,
00:50:10.57\00:50:14.21
he was hoarding them,
keeping them to himself
00:50:14.24\00:50:18.05
and God would have him
find salvation in Jesus Christ.
00:50:18.08\00:50:26.45
It was sad that he could not see
00:50:26.49\00:50:31.06
that God had
greater treasures for him.
00:50:31.09\00:50:34.86
What did Jesus say to this man?
00:50:34.90\00:50:37.20
"Go and sell what you have
00:50:37.23\00:50:39.93
and you will have... " what?
00:50:40.00\00:50:42.67
"treasure in heaven. "
00:50:42.70\00:50:45.21
You see, he could
have greater treasures
00:50:45.24\00:50:49.04
than he could ever imagine
00:50:49.08\00:50:50.65
because he would
have treasure in heaven
00:50:50.68\00:50:53.11
which is the greatest riches...
00:50:53.15\00:50:54.88
more than any riches
you can get in this world.
00:50:54.92\00:50:58.12
You see, God has
the better offer,
00:50:58.15\00:51:01.29
pause
00:51:01.32\00:51:03.09
God has the best offer for us.
00:51:03.12\00:51:05.33
Pause.
00:51:05.36\00:51:07.16
You and I are in church today.
00:51:07.20\00:51:11.33
You are in church
00:51:11.37\00:51:15.24
but is Christ in you?
00:51:15.27\00:51:19.07
You're in church...
but is Christ in you?
00:51:19.11\00:51:23.04
Pause.
00:51:23.08\00:51:24.65
You see, every day Jesus
stands at the door of our heart
00:51:24.68\00:51:27.48
and says, "Behold I
stand at the door and knock. "
00:51:27.52\00:51:30.12
And if we let Him
in, Jesus will be in.
00:51:30.15\00:51:33.62
Pause.
00:51:33.66\00:51:35.92
And if we are walking with Him,
00:51:35.99\00:51:39.23
He will bless us
more than we can imagine.
00:51:39.26\00:51:42.96
I would like to invite you
to turn to Colossians chapter 1.
00:51:43.00\00:51:46.23
Colossians chapter 1...
00:51:46.30\00:51:48.30
in Colossians chapter 1,
00:51:48.34\00:51:50.27
we find the words
of Jesus in verse 26.
00:51:50.31\00:51:53.74
We find the words
from... from the Lord...
00:51:53.78\00:51:57.18
pause
00:51:57.21\00:51:58.98
Colossians chapter 1...
00:51:59.01\00:52:00.52
"... the mystery which
has been hidden from ages
00:52:00.55\00:52:04.22
and from generations,
00:52:04.25\00:52:05.59
but now has been
revealed to His saints.
00:52:05.62\00:52:07.86
To them God willed to make known
00:52:07.89\00:52:10.76
what are the riches of the glory
00:52:10.79\00:52:13.19
of this mystery
among the Gentiles:
00:52:13.23\00:52:16.43
which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory. "
00:52:16.46\00:52:21.34
Christ in you...
that is the hope of glory
00:52:21.37\00:52:26.17
and I would like to
invite you today to consider...
00:52:26.21\00:52:29.34
I'd like to invite
you to please come...
00:52:29.38\00:52:32.51
to consider the
invitation that Jesus has
00:52:32.58\00:52:35.68
for each and every one of us.
00:52:35.72\00:52:37.62
Pause.
00:52:37.65\00:52:39.32
If there's one
thing that you lack,
00:52:39.35\00:52:42.79
I would like to
invite you to consider
00:52:42.82\00:52:46.19
that God is asking you
to give up whatever it is
00:52:46.26\00:52:50.90
that's keeping you from
being 100% belonging to Jesus.
00:52:50.93\00:52:57.21
If you see that you need
holy communion with the Lord
00:52:57.24\00:53:03.45
more than ever before,
00:53:03.51\00:53:04.95
if you sense that the Lord is
00:53:04.98\00:53:07.32
drawing you
closer than ever before,
00:53:07.35\00:53:09.88
I encourage you
to come to Jesus.
00:53:09.92\00:53:12.39
I encourage you to
give Him your whole heart.
00:53:12.42\00:53:16.29
Piano playing.
00:53:16.32\00:53:20.56
I ask, "Are you
far from the Lord
00:53:20.60\00:53:24.57
or close to the Lord?"
00:53:24.60\00:53:26.23
In Acts chapter
26, Paul is talking
00:53:26.27\00:53:29.94
to King Agrippa and others...
00:53:29.97\00:53:31.97
Paul is sharing his testimony
of what happened to him,
00:53:32.01\00:53:36.24
how he discovered Jesus
00:53:36.28\00:53:37.95
and King Agrippa
is listening intently
00:53:38.01\00:53:42.52
and in Acts chapter 26 verse 27,
00:53:42.55\00:53:47.06
Paul asked this
man... King Agrippa...
00:53:47.09\00:53:51.76
"Do you believe the prophets?"
00:53:51.79\00:53:54.10
He didn't wait for an answer,
00:53:54.13\00:53:56.36
he says, "I know
that you believe"
00:53:56.40\00:53:58.67
"Then Agrippa said to Paul,
00:53:58.73\00:54:01.77
'You almost persuade me
00:54:01.80\00:54:04.41
to become a Christian. '"
00:54:04.44\00:54:06.98
You almost persuade me
to become a Christian...
00:54:07.01\00:54:11.15
and Paul said, "I would
to God that not only you,
00:54:11.18\00:54:16.38
but also all who hear me today,
00:54:16.42\00:54:18.49
might become both almost
and altogether such as I am,
00:54:18.52\00:54:23.09
except for these chains. "
00:54:23.12\00:54:25.39
Wouldn't it be wonderful
00:54:25.43\00:54:27.66
if King Agrippa
00:54:27.70\00:54:31.33
didn't answer
or say it that way.
00:54:31.37\00:54:34.67
"You almost persuaded me
to be a Christian but... "
00:54:34.70\00:54:38.17
wouldn't it have been wonderful,
00:54:38.21\00:54:41.28
"Paul, you have convinced
me to become a Christian. "
00:54:41.31\00:54:44.38
Pause.
00:54:44.41\00:54:46.68
So, I wonder if
there is anyone here
00:54:46.72\00:54:49.18
that's almost convinced
00:54:49.25\00:54:51.59
to give your
whole heart to the Lord
00:54:51.62\00:54:53.46
that has seen the Lord
calling you time after time...
00:54:53.49\00:54:57.73
last week's
sermon... the week before...
00:54:57.76\00:54:59.73
the week before,
00:54:59.76\00:55:01.13
throughout the week, God
drawing you in different ways
00:55:01.16\00:55:03.40
and you almost say, "Yes"
00:55:03.43\00:55:06.47
but something keeps you from it.
00:55:06.50\00:55:08.54
Is there one thing
that you're holding on to
00:55:08.57\00:55:11.74
that's going to keep you out
00:55:11.77\00:55:13.51
pause
00:55:13.54\00:55:14.88
of the greatest happiness
00:55:14.91\00:55:16.54
you could have
00:55:16.58\00:55:18.51
and that is to have
Jesus in your heart.
00:55:18.55\00:55:20.92
I would like to
make an appeal today
00:55:20.95\00:55:23.28
that if you are
willing to say to the Lord,
00:55:23.32\00:55:26.39
"Lord, there may be one
thing and I may not even know it
00:55:26.42\00:55:31.16
but I'm asking you
to reveal it to me. "
00:55:31.19\00:55:33.63
I would like to
invite you to not only stand
00:55:33.66\00:55:36.46
but come to the
front and say to the Lord,
00:55:36.50\00:55:39.23
"Lord, I give you all today,
00:55:39.30\00:55:41.20
if there is one
thing that I lack,
00:55:41.24\00:55:43.77
I want you to let me know.
00:55:43.81\00:55:45.14
I want you to let me know and
give me power to put that away.
00:55:45.17\00:55:49.34
If there's something
00:55:49.41\00:55:53.15
that is an obstacle
between you and the Lord
00:55:53.18\00:55:55.38
and you want to
know what that is,
00:55:55.45\00:55:57.42
that perhaps you
may not even notice
00:55:57.45\00:55:59.35
that it's there...
eating away, eating away...
00:55:59.39\00:56:03.32
little by little...
00:56:03.39\00:56:04.79
I encourage you
to say to the Lord,
00:56:04.83\00:56:07.30
"Lord, reveal to me
00:56:07.33\00:56:08.66
because I know that
what this world has to offer
00:56:08.70\00:56:13.23
is not all that I want...
00:56:13.27\00:56:15.64
I want the fullness of the
joy that only you can give. "
00:56:15.67\00:56:21.21
I praise the Lord
for your decisions.
00:56:21.24\00:56:24.28
You see, God is
drawing us to Him...
00:56:24.31\00:56:27.32
drawing us...
00:56:27.38\00:56:28.88
but we must make decisions
to give Him all... a 100%
00:56:28.92\00:56:36.09
that as we do this,
00:56:36.12\00:56:37.96
we will begin to
experience the fullness of joy
00:56:37.99\00:56:42.23
as only He can give us
00:56:42.26\00:56:44.40
and that peace that
passes all the understanding...
00:56:44.43\00:56:48.30
you see,
00:56:48.34\00:56:53.14
I heard it before many times
00:56:53.17\00:56:54.88
rich people... they have
all that they could possibly buy
00:56:54.94\00:56:58.41
but they do not
have fullness of joy
00:56:58.45\00:57:01.68
because they do not have Jesus
00:57:01.72\00:57:04.19
pause
00:57:04.25\00:57:05.59
and Jesus is all you need
00:57:05.62\00:57:07.89
to be happy...
00:57:07.92\00:57:09.66
communion with
Him and joy with Him.
00:57:09.69\00:57:12.26
I would like to
invite you to prayer...
00:57:12.29\00:57:15.73
while we pray, pour out
your heart to the Lord and say,
00:57:15.76\00:57:19.93
"Lord, is there one thing...
00:57:19.97\00:57:21.30
if there's more than
one thing, let me know
00:57:21.34\00:57:23.54
but I want to be among those
that inherit eternal life. "
00:57:23.57\00:57:28.34
If it's possible for
you, I invite you to kneel,
00:57:28.38\00:57:30.85
let's go to the Lord in prayer.
00:57:30.88\00:57:32.81
Piano playing.
00:57:32.85\00:57:40.59
"Our loving heavenly Father,
00:57:40.66\00:57:42.39
pause
00:57:42.42\00:57:45.19
praise be to your name Lord
00:57:45.26\00:57:46.59
for this opportunity you
give to each and every one of us
00:57:46.63\00:57:51.23
to give you all
00:57:51.27\00:57:54.60
and Lord, we ask,
00:57:54.64\00:57:57.94
"Is there one
thing that's keeping us
00:57:57.97\00:58:04.15
from having that eternal
life that you want to give us,
00:58:04.21\00:58:09.32
let us know what it is Lord
00:58:09.35\00:58:11.79
and help us to understand
00:58:11.85\00:58:14.22
that with You all
things are possible,
00:58:14.26\00:58:18.26
help us Lord that
whatever it may be
00:58:18.29\00:58:22.06
pause
00:58:22.10\00:58:24.80
or whomever it may be...
00:58:24.83\00:58:27.17
it may be an idol to us,
00:58:27.24\00:58:29.47
we pray that You will take
this love for whatever it is...
00:58:29.50\00:58:34.98
away from us,
00:58:35.01\00:58:36.48
and give us victory
00:58:36.54\00:58:42.15
and give us Jesus.
00:58:42.18\00:58:43.79
We pray, heavenly Father,
for each and everyone here,
00:58:43.82\00:58:48.09
you know them and love
them, speak to them now Lord,
00:58:48.12\00:58:52.36
I beg of you,
00:58:52.39\00:58:53.73
let them know of
your love and your mercy,
00:58:53.76\00:58:56.56
extend to them your forgiveness
and give them your acceptance.
00:58:56.60\00:59:02.64
We pray Lord, that your
promise will be fulfilled
00:59:02.67\00:59:06.07
that if we confess our sins,
00:59:06.11\00:59:07.78
you are faithful and just
to forgive us for our sins
00:59:07.84\00:59:12.11
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
00:59:12.18\00:59:15.25
We ask you for this
to happen in our lives
00:59:15.28\00:59:18.32
and we pray that you will help
us to walk with you forever,
00:59:18.35\00:59:23.66
in Jesus' name, amen... amen."
00:59:23.69\00:59:28.90