Hello, and welcome
to 3ABN Worship Hour.
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And I am glad
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that you have decided to join us
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because we are going to
study God's Word together.
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The title for this message
is "2021 Better than 2020?"
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This is an intriguing title
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that we will talk
about in a moment,
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but before we do this,
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we want to encourage
you to get your Bibles,
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whatever form you may have it
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whether it's a
digital device, follow along,
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you may want to
write down the scriptures
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to continue studying God's Word.
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Before we begin,
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I would like to go
to the Lord in prayer.
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I invite you to pray
with me and pray for me.
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And for everyone
that will be listening
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to this message.
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I will be
kneeling and asking for God
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to bring a
message from heaven to us.
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Let us go to the Lord in prayer.
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Our loving Heavenly
Father, we do thank You.
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We thank You, Lord,
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because we have
this day of life.
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And we do thank You
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that we have the Holy Scriptures
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that are able to make
us wise unto salvation.
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We therefore pray and
ask for Your Holy Spirit.
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I place myself
in Your hands, Lord,
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that every word may come
from Your throne of grace.
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Speak to Your children.
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We pray for an
outpouring of Your Holy Spirit.
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And we ask for this blessing
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in the holy and
blessed name of Jesus.
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Amen. Amen.
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When we think of the year 2020,
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we think of some terrible things
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that happened not
only in the United States,
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but all around the world.
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January 1, 2020
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began with
people on a high state,
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Happy New Year, you
would hear Happy New Year.
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I hope you have a great one,
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hope it's better than last year,
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but you see,
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looming in the horizon
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was this thing
called the Coronavirus.
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We're not gonna
dwell on that today,
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but there was Coronavirus
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and at first people did not
pay too much attention to it.
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And things began to get
more and more difficult.
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And eventually you
heard the name COVID-19.
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And, of course, you well know
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the restrictions
placed upon people
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they have to
stay in their homes,
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something new happened,
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something new, a new experience.
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And many people
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had a very
difficult time with it.
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As a matter of fact,
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you would know very
well that restaurants closed,
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people had to wear masks.
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And still we have this COVID-19
looming over the whole world,
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and what will be
the end of these things,
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but perhaps as you look at 2020,
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you look back
and you ask yourself,
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"Well, you know, I
had high aspirations.
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I wanted to do
better than what I did."
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And perhaps you started 2020
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with some people call them
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new things you wanted to do.
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And so you decided
to change some habits.
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Some people decide,
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"Well, I'm gonna
lose weight this year."
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"I'm gonna stop
doing this or that."
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"I'm gonna be a better father."
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"I'm gonna be a better
husband, a better wife."
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Some concluded.
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And so people have
these type of things
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and they make New
Year's resolution,
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but I ask you the question,
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what happened to the people
that made those resolutions?
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Were they carried out?
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Did you make
those wonderful changes
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that you wanted to make?
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Was 2020 a good year?
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But the reason I
asked the question,
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the reason for the title 2021,
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better than 2020
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is because I'm
referring in a spiritual sense.
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And so I ask you the question,
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if we were to put
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all of the thoughts
and actions and words
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you spoke on a scale
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and we put all the words
and thoughts and actions,
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the good ones and the bad ones,
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which way would
the scale tip over,
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to the good or to the bad.
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What was the majority of
your experience for 2020?
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I hope that the
scale would go, yes,
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you had more
thoughts of doing good,
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or more words of good
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and more actions
that were good than evil,
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but notice
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that if only one sin
remained in your heart,
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that is enough.
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For the Bible says,
"The wages of sin is death."
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So if there is a record, a
stained record in your life,
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I want you to consider
the words of Psalm 103.
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In Psalm 103, the
Bible tells us in verse 17,
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"But the mercy of the Lord
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is from
everlasting to everlasting,
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and those who fear Him
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and His righteousness
to children's children."
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And so the mercy of the Lord
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is from
everlasting to everlasting,
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God will have mercy upon you,
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if you come to Him, and
ask Him for forgiveness.
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And when I
consider the situation
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with the COVID-19,
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and the problems
that plagued the world,
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whatever they may
be, I have to ask myself,
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if the answers
are all in God's Word,
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and they are.
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I would like to encourage you
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to write down another scripture.
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And some may even
know this by memory,
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is in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
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In 2 Chronicles
7:14, the Bible says,
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"If my people, who
are called by my name,
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will humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face,
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and turn from their wicked ways,
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then I will hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
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and heal their land."
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So you see,
brothers and sisters,
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friends that are
joining me, God is merciful,
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and whatever
difficulties, challenges,
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whether they be the Coronavirus,
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whatever it is,
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if God's people
humble themselves,
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God will bring
healing upon them.
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God will bring
forgiveness of sins.
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And so I encourage you
that as you consider 2020,
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whatever the
case may be for you,
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if you are
harboring anger, bitterness,
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hatred for people
that did you wrong,
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let those things die with 2020,
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bury them in 2020
and forget about them.
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Give yourself to
the Lord completely.
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Ask God to
forgive you for your sins,
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so that you can start a new 2021
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with a clean record
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without the weight
of the past upon you.
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Let those things go
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and begin a new
with Jesus Christ.
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As a matter of fact,
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I would like to invite you
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to consider
Lamentations 3:21-23.
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Lamentations 3:21-23.
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"This I recall to my
mind, therefore I have hope.
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Through the Lord's
mercies we are not consumed,
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because his
compassions fail not.
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They are new every morning,
great is thy faithfulness."
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Praise the Lord.
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And so, brothers and sisters,
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the Bible has a
message of hope for us.
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The Bible has a message of hope,
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a message of hope
for you and for me.
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I would like to turn right now
to another passage of the Bible
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that communicates hope.
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And this is in
Isaiah Chapter 55.
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And we're gonna
read verses 6 and 7.
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Thus it is written,
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"Seek the Lord
while he may be found,
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call upon him while he is near.
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Let the wicked forsake his way,
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and the
unrighteous men his thoughts.
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Let him return to the Lord,
and he will have mercy on him,
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and to our God, for he
will abundantly pardon."
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Praise the Lord.
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He will abundantly pardon.
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I encourage you
to take advantage
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of the invitation of the Lord.
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Now notice that
the scripture said,
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"Seek the Lord
while He may be found."
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This implies
that a time will come
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when the Lord will
not be able to be found.
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So I encourage you to
take the opportunity today,
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right now to seek the
Lord while He may be found,
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call upon Him while He is near.
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He is near.
Praise His holy name.
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And according to
what we just read,
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if you forsake your
sins and your evil ways,
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He will abundantly pardon.
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Start new.
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Start a brand New
Year, we use the word brand,
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but a New Year,
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clean record for you
to have the opportunity
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to begin anew in Jesus Christ.
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Remember,
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that the scriptures
also bring a message to us
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because perhaps
there may be situations
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where there's strife
between you and someone,
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you've to consider
someone your enemy,
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perhaps they did you wrong.
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And you did them wrong as well.
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I would like to read
to you from Luke 6:37.
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Luke 6:37.
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The Bible says this,
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"Do not judge, and
you will not be judged.
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Do not condemn, and
you will not be condemned.
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Forgive, and you
will be forgiven."
00:11:10.40\00:11:15.17
So I encourage
you to forgive others.
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Start anew, start a
new with Jesus Christ,
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start a new life in Jesus.
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Now I want to
read something to you
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from a very old
magazine Review and Herald,
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December 16, 1884, an
article by Ellen G. White,
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notice this that will help us
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put the past behind us
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that will help you be reconciled
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and make peace
with those around you.
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Notice, "If there
have been difficulties
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between brethren and sisters,
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if envy, malice, bitterness,
evil surmisings, have existed,
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confess these sins,
not in a general way,
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but go to your
brethren and sisters personally.
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Be definite.
00:12:05.79\00:12:07.82
If you have committed
one wrong and they twenty,
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confess that one
00:12:12.79\00:12:14.86
as though you were
the chief offender.
00:12:14.90\00:12:18.77
Take them by the hand,
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let your heart soften
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under the influence
of the Spirit of God,
00:12:22.40\00:12:25.14
and say, 'Will you forgive me?
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I have not felt
right toward you.
00:12:28.91\00:12:30.75
I want to make
right every wrong,
00:12:30.78\00:12:34.18
that naught or nothing may
stand registered against me
00:12:34.22\00:12:39.62
in the books of heaven.
00:12:39.65\00:12:41.39
I must have a clean record.'
00:12:41.42\00:12:45.89
Who, think you,
00:12:45.93\00:12:47.26
would withstand
such a movement as this?"
00:12:47.30\00:12:49.90
I encourage you to
take the first step.
00:12:49.93\00:12:52.00
Pray to the Lord.
Say, Lord, give me courage.
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Give me that
forgiveness in my heart
00:12:55.00\00:12:56.81
to forgive those 20
things 30, 40, 50, 100
00:12:56.84\00:13:00.74
whatever they may be,
00:13:00.78\00:13:02.68
even if you have
committed one wrong,
00:13:02.71\00:13:04.58
go to that person.
00:13:04.61\00:13:05.95
Be specific, and receive
the blessing of forgiveness
00:13:05.98\00:13:10.29
and receive that reconciliation
that can bring you peace,
00:13:10.32\00:13:14.02
and bring the other person peace
00:13:14.06\00:13:15.42
because if something stands
between you and the Savior,
00:13:15.46\00:13:19.36
it could mean that
you are left out of heaven
00:13:19.39\00:13:22.83
because you hold grudges.
00:13:22.86\00:13:26.43
Now I want to encourage you
00:13:26.47\00:13:29.04
to consider that
God has been appealing
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to your heart
throughout the year.
00:13:31.94\00:13:34.28
Throughout the 2020
00:13:34.31\00:13:35.64
the Lord has been
trying to draw you
00:13:35.68\00:13:37.15
close to Him,
00:13:37.18\00:13:39.05
draw you near to Him.
00:13:39.08\00:13:40.52
And I want to bring
you a message of warning
00:13:40.55\00:13:43.12
because the reality
00:13:43.15\00:13:44.65
is that the Bible
says in Romans 6:23,
00:13:44.69\00:13:50.49
"For the wages of sin is death,"
00:13:50.53\00:13:55.13
but notice, the scripture say,
00:13:55.16\00:13:58.13
"but the gift of
God is eternal life
00:13:58.17\00:14:01.97
in Christ Jesus our Lord."
00:14:02.00\00:14:07.24
There is a message of warning,
00:14:07.28\00:14:08.98
but there's also
a message of hope.
00:14:09.01\00:14:11.41
The wages of sin is death.
00:14:11.45\00:14:12.98
And so what I am saying to
you is if you persist in sin,
00:14:13.01\00:14:17.05
if you persist in evil,
00:14:17.09\00:14:18.85
what awaits you
is the wages of sin,
00:14:18.89\00:14:21.89
but if you repent and
give yourself to the Lord,
00:14:21.92\00:14:25.13
the gift of God is yours,
00:14:25.16\00:14:28.20
and that is eternal
life through Jesus Christ.
00:14:28.23\00:14:33.84
Please consider
Proverbs Chapter 11.
00:14:33.87\00:14:38.37
In Proverbs Chapter 11,
00:14:38.41\00:14:40.81
we have a message that
needs to be considered.
00:14:40.84\00:14:46.08
Consider it and
put it into practice.
00:14:46.11\00:14:49.18
Notice, Proverbs 11:21.
00:14:49.22\00:14:55.62
In Proverbs 11:21,
"Though they join forces,
00:14:55.66\00:15:01.50
the wicked will
not go unpunished,
00:15:01.53\00:15:05.20
but the
posterity of the righteous
00:15:05.23\00:15:07.90
will be delivered."
00:15:07.94\00:15:09.80
In this verse, Proverbs 11:21,
00:15:09.84\00:15:12.37
the Bible tells
us that the wicked
00:15:12.41\00:15:14.11
will not go unpunished.
00:15:14.14\00:15:16.71
The only way of escape
is through Jesus Christ,
00:15:16.75\00:15:21.02
to repent, ask the
Lord to forgive you.
00:15:21.05\00:15:24.19
And as we read
earlier in Isaiah 55,
00:15:24.22\00:15:27.16
He will abundantly pardon,
00:15:27.19\00:15:30.03
take advantage
of that opportunity
00:15:30.06\00:15:32.33
the Lord is giving you.
00:15:32.36\00:15:35.46
Now, of course,
you go to church,
00:15:35.50\00:15:37.63
and there are
different people there.
00:15:37.67\00:15:39.97
The Bible says
00:15:40.00\00:15:41.34
that there are
wheat and there are tares.
00:15:41.37\00:15:44.24
And in Matthew Chapter 15,
00:15:44.27\00:15:47.38
there is a message
that sometimes people look,
00:15:47.41\00:15:51.91
oh, that's for
that person over there,
00:15:51.95\00:15:54.08
that's not for me.
00:15:54.12\00:15:55.45
But in Matthew 15:7-8,
00:15:55.48\00:15:58.42
Jesus says something
that we need to consider
00:15:58.45\00:16:01.52
at this moment.
00:16:01.56\00:16:03.16
"Hypocrites!
00:16:03.19\00:16:04.53
Well did Isaiah
prophesy about you, saying:
00:16:04.56\00:16:07.80
These people draw near
to Me with their mouth,
00:16:07.83\00:16:11.83
and honor Me with their lips,
00:16:11.87\00:16:13.77
but their heart is far from Me."
00:16:13.80\00:16:17.64
Verse 9, "And in
vain they worship Me,
00:16:17.67\00:16:20.21
teaching as doctrines,
the commandments of men."
00:16:20.24\00:16:24.11
So you have
these type of people.
00:16:24.15\00:16:25.81
They go to church, they
sing, and they sing joyously,
00:16:25.85\00:16:30.09
they seem beautiful,
00:16:30.12\00:16:32.19
but they're praising
the Lord with their lips,
00:16:32.22\00:16:34.42
but their heart
is far from the Lord.
00:16:34.46\00:16:38.26
I remember
hearing some young people
00:16:38.29\00:16:39.89
share that,
00:16:39.93\00:16:41.26
"Oh, yes, we were
part of a singing group,
00:16:41.30\00:16:44.03
we would go to church,
00:16:44.07\00:16:45.57
and we will
sing all these songs.
00:16:45.60\00:16:47.80
And people would say, "Amen,"
00:16:47.84\00:16:49.87
and beautiful songs.
00:16:49.90\00:16:52.31
But after the
church service was over
00:16:52.34\00:16:54.01
these young
people, some of them,
00:16:54.04\00:16:56.01
not all of them, went
over to do wicked things.
00:16:56.04\00:16:59.81
They were worshiping
the Lord with their lips,
00:16:59.85\00:17:02.08
but their heart
was far from the Lord.
00:17:02.12\00:17:03.72
Let not that be
the case for you.
00:17:03.75\00:17:06.35
Come near to the Lord,
00:17:06.39\00:17:07.72
the Lord is
saying, draw near to Me,
00:17:07.76\00:17:09.22
and I will draw near to you.
00:17:09.26\00:17:11.89
Now I praise the Lord
00:17:11.93\00:17:13.36
that this story that
I just shared with you
00:17:13.40\00:17:15.80
was from one or
two of the people
00:17:15.83\00:17:18.47
that were in that group.
00:17:18.50\00:17:20.47
And now they were
expressing repentance
00:17:20.50\00:17:23.57
over what they
were doing before.
00:17:23.61\00:17:26.37
I wanna talk about
some people briefly,
00:17:26.41\00:17:29.18
that come to
church, and they are there,
00:17:29.21\00:17:34.68
but these people
put very little effort
00:17:34.72\00:17:38.12
in the things of the Lord,
00:17:38.15\00:17:40.26
but when it comes
to worldly endeavors,
00:17:40.29\00:17:43.73
trying to get rich,
trying to get the highest job,
00:17:43.76\00:17:47.26
they put all the effort,
00:17:47.30\00:17:48.96
all their zeal,
all their energy,
00:17:49.00\00:17:51.17
work late hours,
00:17:51.20\00:17:52.53
come home late
00:17:52.57\00:17:54.30
because they want to
get this or get that.
00:17:54.34\00:17:57.14
And their job takes
priority over the Lord.
00:17:57.17\00:18:01.28
Things of the world
take priority over the Lord.
00:18:01.31\00:18:06.11
There is something
I would like to share
00:18:06.15\00:18:08.12
that is in the book
Testimonies for the Church,
00:18:08.15\00:18:11.29
Volume 1, page 477
00:18:11.32\00:18:14.29
concerning people
that are in this category,
00:18:14.32\00:18:16.86
it says, "If all
will only manifest
00:18:16.89\00:18:19.96
that degree of ambition, zeal,
00:18:20.00\00:18:22.80
and earnestness
for everlasting life
00:18:22.83\00:18:25.57
that they manifest in
their worldlypursuits,
00:18:25.60\00:18:28.44
they will be
victorious overcomers."
00:18:28.47\00:18:32.01
They have shown that
they can put great zeal
00:18:32.04\00:18:34.91
and great
effort into an endeavor
00:18:34.94\00:18:37.25
and accomplish those things.
00:18:37.28\00:18:38.88
If only they
would put those efforts
00:18:38.91\00:18:41.98
into following the Lord,
00:18:42.02\00:18:44.02
they would be
victorious Christians,
00:18:44.05\00:18:46.49
wonderful Christians.
00:18:46.52\00:18:48.96
And so, there
is a warning for us
00:18:48.99\00:18:52.76
because in Matthew 24:24,
00:18:52.79\00:18:56.10
I want to encourage
you to search for the Lord
00:18:56.13\00:18:58.77
with all of your heart.
00:18:58.80\00:19:00.14
You see, we are
living in difficult times,
00:19:00.17\00:19:02.27
troublous times.
00:19:02.30\00:19:03.64
And the Bible
says in Matthew 24:24,
00:19:03.67\00:19:08.28
"For false Christs and
false prophets will rise
00:19:08.31\00:19:12.21
and show great signs
and wonders to deceive,
00:19:12.25\00:19:16.18
if possible, even the elect."
00:19:16.22\00:19:21.19
So you see,
these false prophets,
00:19:21.22\00:19:25.56
false Christs will
arise, some have already,
00:19:25.59\00:19:29.30
and have deceived many.
00:19:29.33\00:19:31.03
Unless we are
grounded under scriptures,
00:19:31.07\00:19:34.84
you may be deceived.
00:19:34.87\00:19:37.14
How can you
avoid getting deceived?
00:19:37.17\00:19:39.71
Be grounded in the scripture.
00:19:39.74\00:19:41.14
Study the Word of God,
00:19:41.18\00:19:42.74
ask for the Holy
Spirit to guide you
00:19:42.78\00:19:45.18
into all truth as Jesus promised
00:19:45.21\00:19:47.82
that the Holy Spirit will do.
00:19:47.85\00:19:49.92
Cooperate with the Lord
and it will be well for you.
00:19:49.95\00:19:53.76
You see,
00:19:53.79\00:19:55.12
there is a
terrible enemy out there
00:19:55.16\00:19:57.43
and his name is
the devil, the Satan.
00:19:57.46\00:19:59.69
People seem to forget
00:19:59.73\00:20:01.26
that he's actively
working hard to destroy,
00:20:01.30\00:20:05.33
to kill, and to
deceive, and to derail,
00:20:05.37\00:20:09.57
and to divert your
attention in other areas,
00:20:09.60\00:20:11.74
when he knows
00:20:11.77\00:20:13.11
that the longer he
holds your attention,
00:20:13.14\00:20:15.14
the more secure
you are in his grasp.
00:20:15.18\00:20:19.88
That's why, in 1
Peter 5:8, we are told,
00:20:19.91\00:20:24.22
"Be sober, be vigilant
00:20:24.25\00:20:26.96
because your adversary the devil
00:20:26.99\00:20:29.42
walks about like a roaring lion,
00:20:29.46\00:20:32.16
seeking whom he may devour."
00:20:32.19\00:20:36.03
So I encourage you,
be sober, be vigilant,
00:20:36.06\00:20:39.90
search for the Lord
with all your heart,
00:20:39.93\00:20:42.47
don't serve the
Lord with your lips,
00:20:42.50\00:20:44.31
serve the Lord
with your whole heart,
00:20:44.34\00:20:47.94
with all of your mind,
00:20:47.98\00:20:49.64
and you will find the joy
00:20:49.68\00:20:52.41
that the Lord wants to give you.
00:20:52.45\00:20:54.28
And this is why I
bring to you the invitation
00:20:54.32\00:20:57.95
from the Book of Job,
00:20:57.99\00:20:59.89
very powerful
message here, very short,
00:20:59.92\00:21:03.29
it's in Job 22:21.
00:21:03.32\00:21:08.03
And here in Job Chapter 22,
00:21:08.06\00:21:09.86
a short message
00:21:09.90\00:21:11.23
that I
encourage you to consider.
00:21:11.27\00:21:12.83
Now notice,
powerful, now, it says,
00:21:12.87\00:21:17.51
"Now acquaint
yourself with Him,"
00:21:17.54\00:21:21.21
that is the Lord,
00:21:21.24\00:21:22.58
"acquaint yourself
with Him, and be at peace,
00:21:22.61\00:21:26.85
thereby good will come to you."
00:21:26.88\00:21:31.15
This scripture tells us
00:21:31.19\00:21:33.02
that if we acquaint
ourselves with the Lord,
00:21:33.05\00:21:37.89
and be at peace with Him,
00:21:37.93\00:21:39.26
good will come to us.
00:21:39.29\00:21:41.66
Now the word acquaint here
is not just something passive
00:21:41.70\00:21:46.10
is something
that you develop time,
00:21:46.13\00:21:48.94
you take time to
acquaint yourself,
00:21:48.97\00:21:52.11
be familiar with the
Lord, get to know the Lord.
00:21:52.14\00:21:57.55
And this is the
opportunity we have today.
00:21:57.58\00:22:02.62
Call upon the
Lord while He is near.
00:22:02.65\00:22:08.66
God does not just
want to forgive us,
00:22:08.69\00:22:10.56
I want to let you know,
00:22:10.59\00:22:11.93
God does not just
want to forgive us.
00:22:11.96\00:22:14.16
He wants to change us
00:22:14.20\00:22:15.56
so that we don't keep
sinning and sinning and sinning
00:22:15.60\00:22:18.43
and sinning and sinning.
00:22:18.47\00:22:20.50
He wants to
change us transform us
00:22:20.54\00:22:23.20
so that sin does
not destroy our peace.
00:22:23.24\00:22:26.64
And that's why I encourage you
00:22:26.68\00:22:29.04
to consider 2
Corinthians Chapter 5.
00:22:29.08\00:22:31.55
In 2 Corinthians
5:20, we will begin there.
00:22:31.58\00:22:36.28
Notice, we'll focus in
a little verse 20 first,
00:22:36.32\00:22:38.82
and then go to 21.
00:22:38.85\00:22:40.19
"Now then, we are
ambassadors for Christ,
00:22:40.22\00:22:44.49
as though God were
pleading through us,
00:22:44.53\00:22:49.50
we implore you
on Christ's behalf,
00:22:49.53\00:22:51.93
be reconciled to God."
00:22:51.97\00:22:54.94
That's 2 Corinthians 5:20.
00:22:54.97\00:22:57.61
As an ambassador for
Christ, I plead with you,
00:22:57.64\00:23:02.11
and as in the verses
00:23:02.14\00:23:03.95
as if God was
pleading through me to you,
00:23:03.98\00:23:08.15
it says, "Be reconciled to God."
00:23:08.18\00:23:13.49
Be reconciled to God.
00:23:13.52\00:23:15.62
You have all to gain.
00:23:15.66\00:23:18.69
And you will have all to benefit
00:23:18.73\00:23:20.80
from being reconciled to God,
00:23:20.83\00:23:22.86
you will deliver
yourself from destruction
00:23:22.90\00:23:26.27
because the
wages of sin is that,
00:23:26.30\00:23:28.47
be reconciled to God.
00:23:28.50\00:23:30.47
He wants to save you.
00:23:30.51\00:23:32.34
In verse 21 it
says, "For He made Him, "
00:23:32.37\00:23:36.31
that is Jesus made
Jesus, "who knew no sin, "
00:23:36.34\00:23:39.71
Jesus did not sin,
"to be sin for us,"
00:23:39.75\00:23:42.58
grab that statement.
00:23:42.62\00:23:43.95
Notice, "For He made Him
00:23:43.99\00:23:45.32
who knew no sin
to be sin for us,
00:23:45.35\00:23:49.46
that we might become
00:23:49.49\00:23:51.49
the
righteousness of God in Him."
00:23:51.53\00:23:54.83
Wow! What a powerful statement.
00:23:54.86\00:23:57.77
And I want you to
consider this statement
00:23:57.80\00:23:59.97
for a moment.
00:24:00.00\00:24:01.34
God made him
Jesus to be sin for us.
00:24:01.37\00:24:05.87
Jesus took our sins
upon Him, my sins, your sins,
00:24:05.91\00:24:10.95
and He became
like sin itself for us.
00:24:10.98\00:24:14.85
And the Bible says
00:24:14.88\00:24:16.22
that God
demonstrates His love toward us
00:24:16.25\00:24:18.65
that while we were yet sinners,
00:24:18.69\00:24:20.26
Christ died for us.
00:24:20.29\00:24:22.72
Consider the great price,
00:24:22.76\00:24:25.56
the great
sacrifice that God has made
00:24:25.59\00:24:28.70
so that you could be forgiven,
00:24:28.73\00:24:30.43
but not only that,
00:24:30.47\00:24:31.83
the scripture says
that we might become
00:24:31.87\00:24:35.10
the righteousness of God in Him.
00:24:35.14\00:24:38.44
In other words, God
wants to transform us,
00:24:38.47\00:24:41.71
so that we have
00:24:41.74\00:24:43.08
the righteousness
of Jesus Christ in us,
00:24:43.11\00:24:46.55
so that we won't be
trying to figure out
00:24:46.58\00:24:49.42
what is the next
evil thing I want to do.
00:24:49.45\00:24:51.65
God wants to transform
us by renewing our minds.
00:24:51.69\00:24:57.49
God is so good and merciful
with each and every one of us,
00:24:57.53\00:25:01.53
so I want to share three steps.
00:25:01.56\00:25:03.53
So that I
believe that you can use
00:25:03.57\00:25:08.50
to discover a
genuine Christian experience
00:25:08.54\00:25:11.44
for 2021.
00:25:11.47\00:25:13.21
That's right, the year 2021
00:25:13.24\00:25:15.54
can be the best
year of your life
00:25:15.58\00:25:18.31
if you surrender
yourself to the Lord,
00:25:18.35\00:25:20.58
and follow Him
with all of your heart.
00:25:20.62\00:25:22.95
2021 can be the point
00:25:22.98\00:25:26.82
where you start
walking with the Lord
00:25:26.86\00:25:28.89
and rejoicing every single day
00:25:28.92\00:25:31.06
that you know more
and more about the Lord.
00:25:31.09\00:25:35.30
And that is why I
want to remind you
00:25:35.33\00:25:37.53
that Jesus said in John 6:37,
00:25:37.57\00:25:39.77
"He that comes to me, I
will in no way cast out."
00:25:39.80\00:25:44.31
So take
confidence, come to Jesus,
00:25:44.34\00:25:46.88
just as you are, and
He will not cast you away,
00:25:46.91\00:25:49.31
He will not turn you
away, He will accept you,
00:25:49.34\00:25:52.15
but I wanna
share these three steps
00:25:52.18\00:25:53.52
to discover a
genuine Christian experience.
00:25:53.55\00:25:57.09
And that begins in Luke 9:23.
00:25:57.12\00:26:01.82
Luke 9:23.
00:26:01.86\00:26:04.69
From this verse,
00:26:04.73\00:26:06.63
we want to look
at the three steps
00:26:06.66\00:26:09.76
that I believe will
be a blessing to you,
00:26:09.80\00:26:13.67
and will help you begin
00:26:13.70\00:26:15.54
a new and
wonderful genuine experience
00:26:15.57\00:26:19.47
with Jesus Christ.
00:26:19.51\00:26:21.44
And so, Luke 9:23,
this is what the Bible says,
00:26:21.48\00:26:24.58
"Then He said to them all,
00:26:24.61\00:26:27.28
'If anyone
desires to come after Me,
00:26:27.32\00:26:30.62
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily,
00:26:30.65\00:26:35.22
and follow Me."
00:26:35.26\00:26:37.63
Praise the Lord.
00:26:37.66\00:26:39.06
This is what Jesus said.
00:26:39.09\00:26:40.73
This is His invitation.
00:26:40.76\00:26:42.96
First, let us look
at step number one.
00:26:43.00\00:26:45.33
It says there,
00:26:45.37\00:26:46.70
if anyone
desires to come after me,
00:26:46.74\00:26:48.87
there is born in you a
desire to come after Jesus,
00:26:48.90\00:26:52.77
the Holy Spirit
works in your heart,
00:26:52.81\00:26:55.28
and leads you to consider
00:26:55.31\00:26:57.91
the great blessing it would be
00:26:57.95\00:26:59.95
to give your heart to the Lord,
00:26:59.98\00:27:01.58
the great benefit it would be
00:27:01.62\00:27:03.39
to have your sins forgiven
00:27:03.42\00:27:05.55
through the
blood of Jesus Christ.
00:27:05.59\00:27:07.72
And you desire
to follow the Lord.
00:27:07.76\00:27:10.99
And Jesus says, "If anyone,
00:27:11.03\00:27:12.36
if any man
desires to come after Me,"
00:27:12.39\00:27:14.53
notice, the next words
00:27:14.56\00:27:16.56
that are written
in the scriptures,
00:27:16.60\00:27:18.40
it says, "Let him," what?
00:27:18.43\00:27:22.10
"Deny himself."
00:27:22.14\00:27:24.31
So this is a point in
time when you make a choice,
00:27:24.34\00:27:29.04
the desire's there, but
then it says, let him deny,
00:27:29.08\00:27:33.65
that means you
must make a choice.
00:27:33.68\00:27:37.52
The desire is there,
00:27:37.55\00:27:38.89
the choice must be
made to follow Jesus.
00:27:38.92\00:27:42.72
Now for this, I bring
you to Joshua 24:14-15.
00:27:42.76\00:27:49.63
The desire must go
further, you must go to action,
00:27:49.66\00:27:53.74
you must decide,
00:27:53.77\00:27:55.70
you must make a
choice to follow Jesus.
00:27:55.74\00:27:58.21
Joshua 24:14-15.
00:27:58.24\00:28:00.34
"Now therefore fear the Lord,
00:28:00.38\00:28:02.81
serve him in
sincerity and in truth,
00:28:02.84\00:28:05.91
and put away the gods
00:28:05.95\00:28:08.05
which your fathers served
on the other side of the river,
00:28:08.08\00:28:11.45
and in Egypt, serve the Lord."
00:28:11.49\00:28:13.89
Verse 14 says.
00:28:13.92\00:28:15.26
Now verse 15,
00:28:15.29\00:28:16.62
"And if it seems evil
to you to serve the Lord,
00:28:16.66\00:28:19.63
choose for yourself this
day, whom you will serve,
00:28:19.66\00:28:23.47
whether the gods
which your fathers served
00:28:23.50\00:28:26.60
that were on the
other side of the river,
00:28:26.63\00:28:28.70
or the gods of the Amorites,
in whose land you dwell,
00:28:28.74\00:28:32.17
but as for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord."
00:28:32.21\00:28:37.98
Praise God for that.
00:28:38.01\00:28:39.55
Now, I want to
encourage you to remember
00:28:39.58\00:28:42.62
that we're dealing with
00:28:42.65\00:28:43.99
if anyone
desires to come after Me,
00:28:44.02\00:28:46.29
Jesus said, let
him deny himself,
00:28:46.32\00:28:49.22
that means
you're making a choice,
00:28:49.26\00:28:50.86
to give up the
wickedness of your life,
00:28:50.89\00:28:54.96
and follow Jesus.
00:28:55.00\00:28:56.60
You must make a choice.
00:28:56.63\00:28:59.10
In one of my favorite
books called Steps to Christ,
00:28:59.13\00:29:03.30
we have this important message
concerning making a choice.
00:29:03.34\00:29:08.31
"Desires for goodness
and holiness are right
00:29:08.34\00:29:12.81
as far as they go,
00:29:12.85\00:29:14.18
but if you stop here,
they will avail nothing."
00:29:14.22\00:29:18.12
Notice, "Many will be lost
00:29:18.15\00:29:20.39
while hoping and
desiring to be Christians.
00:29:20.42\00:29:24.39
They do not come to the point
of yielding the will to God.
00:29:24.43\00:29:28.46
They do not
choose to be Christians."
00:29:28.50\00:29:31.43
Steps to Christ, page 47.
00:29:31.47\00:29:33.90
So the decision must be made,
00:29:33.94\00:29:37.47
you must make a
decision to follow Jesus.
00:29:37.51\00:29:41.04
The desire is wonderful,
00:29:41.08\00:29:42.91
the expression of your
desire to follow Jesus.
00:29:42.94\00:29:45.68
I want to follow the Lord.
00:29:45.71\00:29:47.05
I wanna give my heart to Him,
00:29:47.08\00:29:48.75
but you must make a choice
00:29:48.78\00:29:50.95
in order for you to
enter into newness of life.
00:29:50.99\00:29:55.62
And, of course, Jesus
said that we must be born again
00:29:55.66\00:30:00.66
through the waters of baptism.
00:30:00.70\00:30:02.43
You can read about
this in John Chapter 3.
00:30:02.46\00:30:04.90
John Chapter 3.
00:30:04.93\00:30:06.27
So the decision must be made,
00:30:06.30\00:30:08.40
you must decide
to follow the Lord.
00:30:08.44\00:30:11.31
Let's move now to
the Book of Daniel 1:8.
00:30:11.34\00:30:16.54
In the Book of Daniel 1:8,
00:30:16.58\00:30:20.28
we have a message here
that we want to bring in,
00:30:20.32\00:30:24.32
as we consider this aspect
of choosing to follow the Lord.
00:30:24.35\00:30:30.03
Now we are moving.
00:30:30.06\00:30:31.83
Now we are moving
to step number two.
00:30:31.86\00:30:33.80
In step number two, Jesus said,
00:30:33.83\00:30:35.90
"If anyone
desires to come after Me,
00:30:35.93\00:30:37.70
let him deny himself and
take up his cross daily."
00:30:37.73\00:30:41.17
There must be
taking up the cross action
00:30:41.20\00:30:44.41
is referred to here,
00:30:44.44\00:30:45.77
we must choose and
act upon the choice.
00:30:45.81\00:30:49.44
Notice what Daniel
decided in Daniel 1:8,
00:30:49.48\00:30:53.75
"But Daniel
purposed in his heart
00:30:53.78\00:30:56.58
that he would not defile himself
00:30:56.62\00:30:58.92
with the portion of
the king's delicacies,
00:30:58.95\00:31:01.79
nor with the
wine which he drank."
00:31:01.82\00:31:04.59
Notice what he did,
00:31:04.63\00:31:05.96
"Therefore he requested
of the chief of the eunuchs
00:31:05.99\00:31:08.96
that he might
not defile himself."
00:31:09.00\00:31:12.20
So the desire is
born in his heart,
00:31:12.23\00:31:15.47
he makes a decision,
he purposed in his heart,
00:31:15.50\00:31:19.01
but then he carried it out,
00:31:19.04\00:31:21.08
he went to talk to
someone about his decision,
00:31:21.11\00:31:25.05
and what he wanted to do.
00:31:25.08\00:31:29.02
And so the same thing
happens for you and I,
00:31:29.05\00:31:32.12
we make a
choice to follow Jesus,
00:31:32.15\00:31:34.09
it's considered that
Jesus is standing before you.
00:31:34.12\00:31:36.36
And He says to you, if
you want to come after Me,
00:31:36.39\00:31:39.36
you must deny yourself,
00:31:39.39\00:31:40.83
and take up your
cross and follow Me.
00:31:40.86\00:31:43.16
And Jesus begins to walk away.
00:31:43.20\00:31:45.83
If you do not take up
your cross to follow Jesus,
00:31:45.87\00:31:50.07
you're not gonna
follow Jesus, you stay.
00:31:50.11\00:31:51.91
Yes, I do wanna do that.
00:31:51.94\00:31:53.34
I do desire to follow
You, but if you stay there,
00:31:53.38\00:31:56.58
and you don't take up
your cross and follow Jesus,
00:31:56.61\00:31:58.91
this will not
bring you the blessing
00:31:58.95\00:32:01.18
that you so desperately need.
00:32:01.22\00:32:04.79
So I encourage
you, make your decision,
00:32:04.82\00:32:07.72
and follow Jesus
00:32:07.76\00:32:09.26
because the
blessing will come to you.
00:32:09.29\00:32:13.60
And so, this is
something that is done daily.
00:32:13.63\00:32:17.50
Notice that the verses
and take up His cross daily,
00:32:17.53\00:32:20.54
every single day,
00:32:20.57\00:32:22.07
you and I must make a
choice in the morning.
00:32:22.10\00:32:25.61
I encourage you
00:32:25.64\00:32:27.54
to give yourself
completely to the Lord
00:32:27.58\00:32:30.31
every single day.
00:32:30.35\00:32:32.41
Every single day
00:32:32.45\00:32:33.78
brings a new
mercy from the Lord.
00:32:33.82\00:32:36.85
I'm gonna read to you
again from Steps to Christ,
00:32:36.89\00:32:39.25
page 47 this time.
00:32:39.29\00:32:41.49
I encourage you to
read the whole book.
00:32:41.52\00:32:42.86
As a matter of fact,
00:32:42.89\00:32:44.23
I would bring you
three recommendations
00:32:44.26\00:32:46.23
to read the
book, Steps to Christ,
00:32:46.26\00:32:49.33
and Desire of Ages
00:32:49.36\00:32:50.70
if you want to get
closer and closer to the Lord.
00:32:50.73\00:32:53.34
Yes, the Bible
brings you the best message,
00:32:53.37\00:32:56.20
the message
that we need to read,
00:32:56.24\00:32:57.97
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
00:32:58.01\00:32:59.97
are the places you can go to get
00:33:00.01\00:33:01.64
the most about
the life of Jesus,
00:33:01.68\00:33:03.81
but the whole Bible
tells us about Jesus,
00:33:03.85\00:33:06.88
but these books
outside of the Bible,
00:33:06.92\00:33:09.08
draw you closer
and closer to God.
00:33:09.12\00:33:11.55
There are many good books,
00:33:11.59\00:33:12.95
but for me, I am
recommending these to you.
00:33:12.99\00:33:15.32
In Steps to Christ, page 47,
00:33:15.36\00:33:17.86
"What you need to understand
is the true force of the will.
00:33:17.89\00:33:22.73
This is the governing
power in the nature of man,
00:33:22.76\00:33:26.37
the power of
decision, or of choice.
00:33:26.40\00:33:29.70
Everything depends
00:33:29.74\00:33:31.07
on the right action of the will.
00:33:31.11\00:33:33.14
The power of choice
has been given to men,
00:33:33.17\00:33:36.31
it is theirs to exercise.
00:33:36.34\00:33:38.55
You cannot change your heart,
00:33:38.58\00:33:40.42
you cannot of yourself
give to God its affections,
00:33:40.45\00:33:44.22
but you can choose to serve Him.
00:33:44.25\00:33:46.15
You can give Him your will.
00:33:46.19\00:33:48.32
He will then work in you
00:33:48.36\00:33:50.59
to will and to do
according to His good pleasure.
00:33:50.63\00:33:53.80
Thus your whole
nature will be brought
00:33:53.83\00:33:57.23
under the control of
the Spirit of Christ,
00:33:57.27\00:34:00.80
your affections will
be centered upon Him,
00:34:00.84\00:34:04.11
your thoughts will
be in harmony with Him."
00:34:04.14\00:34:08.24
Praise the Lord.
00:34:08.28\00:34:09.61
So the true force of the will,
this is the governing power.
00:34:09.64\00:34:13.18
This is the power,
00:34:13.21\00:34:14.55
the ability to
choose is the gift
00:34:14.58\00:34:16.58
that God has given us.
00:34:16.62\00:34:17.95
And as you choose
to do, you will do.
00:34:17.99\00:34:22.76
And so, please put
your choice on Jesus
00:34:22.79\00:34:28.70
because that is the best thing
that you could possibly do.
00:34:28.73\00:34:33.23
I am going now to the
Book of Romans 12:1-2.
00:34:33.27\00:34:38.21
And I am going to join
Paul in this appeal to you.
00:34:38.24\00:34:44.05
"I beseech you
therefore, brethren,
00:34:44.08\00:34:47.15
by the mercies of God,
00:34:47.18\00:34:48.62
that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice,
00:34:48.65\00:34:52.32
holy, acceptable to God,
00:34:52.35\00:34:54.82
which is your
reasonable service."
00:34:54.86\00:34:56.89
That means it's the very least
that you could possibly do.
00:34:56.93\00:35:00.50
Now notice what
it says in verse 2.
00:35:00.53\00:35:03.73
"And do not be
conformed to this world,
00:35:03.77\00:35:08.74
but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind,
00:35:08.77\00:35:13.48
that you may
prove what is that good,
00:35:13.51\00:35:15.88
and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God."
00:35:15.91\00:35:19.01
Wow.
00:35:19.05\00:35:20.38
This is an invitation
00:35:20.42\00:35:21.92
that we need to
take action upon.
00:35:21.95\00:35:24.22
Make a decision,
and take action upon,
00:35:24.25\00:35:27.12
be transformed by the
renewing of your mind,
00:35:27.16\00:35:29.46
daily following Jesus
brings you into the experience
00:35:29.49\00:35:34.96
and blessing of
having your mind renewed
00:35:35.00\00:35:38.20
and transformed
by the Holy Spirit.
00:35:38.23\00:35:40.97
This is a daily experience.
00:35:41.00\00:35:42.80
We do prayer, we do Bible study,
00:35:42.84\00:35:45.37
we search for the
Lord with all of our heart.
00:35:45.41\00:35:48.01
And when you study the Bible,
00:35:48.04\00:35:50.38
study with a sincere desire
00:35:50.41\00:35:52.65
to find out
what is God's message
00:35:52.68\00:35:55.88
for me here.
00:35:55.92\00:35:57.25
Place yourself in the
message and ask the Lord,
00:35:57.29\00:36:00.96
Lord, what is it
that You have for me here?
00:36:00.99\00:36:04.53
You're gonna have
a living experience,
00:36:04.56\00:36:07.43
a fresh
experience with the Lord,
00:36:07.46\00:36:09.33
when you begin
to talk to the Lord,
00:36:09.36\00:36:11.30
as you read the scriptures
00:36:11.33\00:36:12.90
and ask him to make the
scriptures alive to you.
00:36:12.93\00:36:18.34
You know, perhaps
you've heard this before,
00:36:18.37\00:36:21.21
oh, you cannot teach
an old dog new tricks.
00:36:21.24\00:36:25.81
I've heard it, I'm
sure you have as well.
00:36:25.85\00:36:27.68
You cannot teach
an old dog new tricks.
00:36:27.72\00:36:32.09
Now that may be true for dogs,
00:36:32.12\00:36:34.52
but for people,
that is not true.
00:36:34.56\00:36:37.36
We have been blessed
00:36:37.39\00:36:39.46
with a mind that
has the capacity,
00:36:39.49\00:36:42.86
God given capacity for our minds
00:36:42.90\00:36:45.70
to be transformed well
00:36:45.73\00:36:48.64
into the all these
years you could possibly have.
00:36:48.67\00:36:52.07
Remember that God
created us to live eternally,
00:36:52.11\00:36:56.58
but sin
interrupted that blessing.
00:36:56.61\00:36:59.81
And our minds
are able to change.
00:36:59.85\00:37:03.62
That's right.
00:37:03.65\00:37:04.99
They're able to change as
you bring new information,
00:37:05.02\00:37:08.09
new habits, your
mind will be transformed,
00:37:08.12\00:37:11.86
will be changed.
00:37:11.89\00:37:13.36
You know, for
years, scientists thought,
00:37:13.40\00:37:15.56
oh, no, you can't
teach an old dog new tricks.
00:37:15.60\00:37:18.93
Once people are
set in their ways,
00:37:18.97\00:37:21.10
they will not change,
00:37:21.14\00:37:23.07
but science has discovered
something they have entitled
00:37:23.10\00:37:27.48
or called that the
mind has neuroplasticity.
00:37:27.51\00:37:32.91
This means that the
mind can adapt and change
00:37:32.95\00:37:35.68
according to the
input given what you watch,
00:37:35.72\00:37:39.19
what you see, what you hear,
00:37:39.22\00:37:41.09
these things will have
an effect upon your mind
00:37:41.12\00:37:46.29
and your mind will
adapt to those things.
00:37:46.33\00:37:49.46
And I'm reading to
you from an article
00:37:49.50\00:37:51.10
from Daniel Honan,
00:37:51.13\00:37:52.83
H-O-N-A-N, H-O-N-A-N.
00:37:52.87\00:37:55.87
And there are many
articles about this.
00:37:55.90\00:37:58.21
I enjoy reading.
00:37:58.24\00:38:00.28
And one of the things
I like to read about is,
00:38:00.31\00:38:02.94
of course, the Bible
and the spiritual things,
00:38:02.98\00:38:04.78
but I read a little,
I read some on health,
00:38:04.81\00:38:06.85
I read some on
how the mind works.
00:38:06.88\00:38:09.55
And this message says,
00:38:09.58\00:38:11.19
"Brain imaging studies show
00:38:11.22\00:38:13.66
that every time
we learn a new task,
00:38:13.69\00:38:16.93
we're changing our brain
00:38:16.96\00:38:19.29
by expanding our neural network.
00:38:19.33\00:38:22.60
Your brain is more flexible
than we've ever thought before.
00:38:22.63\00:38:26.94
It changes
00:38:26.97\00:38:28.30
because it is
constantly optimizing itself,
00:38:28.34\00:38:31.54
reorganizing itself
00:38:31.57\00:38:33.21
by transferring
cognitive abilities
00:38:33.24\00:38:36.64
from one lobe to the other,
00:38:36.68\00:38:38.81
particularly as you age.
00:38:38.85\00:38:41.52
After a stroke, for instance,
00:38:41.55\00:38:43.02
your brain can reorganize itself
00:38:43.05\00:38:46.52
to move functions
to undamaged areas."
00:38:46.55\00:38:50.53
Marvelous, isn't it?
00:38:50.56\00:38:51.89
Notice, "In a
more practical sense,
00:38:51.93\00:38:54.36
we know that the
physical exercise
00:38:54.40\00:38:57.27
is good for the brain
00:38:57.30\00:38:58.73
because it helps
create new neurons.
00:38:58.77\00:39:00.94
Similarly, when we
teach an old brain new tricks
00:39:00.97\00:39:04.81
we know that it will help
slow age-related mental decline.
00:39:04.84\00:39:10.51
So exercise your body
and exercise your mind!"
00:39:10.55\00:39:15.15
So you see,
00:39:15.18\00:39:16.79
God has put within us
this capacity in our minds,
00:39:16.82\00:39:21.62
that we can be
changed, transformed.
00:39:21.66\00:39:24.49
That's why when you look
00:39:24.53\00:39:25.89
at the scripture in Romans 12:2,
00:39:25.93\00:39:29.70
"And be not
conformed to this world,
00:39:29.73\00:39:31.77
but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind."
00:39:31.80\00:39:34.67
It is the fact,
00:39:34.70\00:39:36.34
a fact that God has put in us
00:39:36.37\00:39:38.57
that as we
spend time with Jesus,
00:39:38.61\00:39:41.54
we will be
transformed into His image.
00:39:41.58\00:39:43.85
Take advantage
00:39:43.88\00:39:45.21
of that every
moment that you can.
00:39:45.25\00:39:47.55
And now Steps
to Christ, page 70.
00:39:47.58\00:39:50.35
Steps to Christ, page
70, notice this message,
00:39:50.39\00:39:54.26
"Consecrate yourself
to God in the morning,
00:39:54.29\00:39:58.46
make this your very first work.
00:39:58.49\00:40:01.26
Let your prayer be,
00:40:01.30\00:40:02.63
'Take me, O
Lord, as wholly Thine.
00:40:02.66\00:40:06.03
I lay all my plans at Thy feet.
00:40:06.07\00:40:08.94
Use me today in Thy service.
00:40:08.97\00:40:11.61
Abide with me,
00:40:11.64\00:40:13.01
and let all my work
be wrought in Thee.'
00:40:13.04\00:40:16.01
This is a daily matter.
00:40:16.04\00:40:18.45
Each morning
00:40:18.48\00:40:19.81
consecrate yourself
to God for that day.
00:40:19.85\00:40:22.32
Surrender all your plans to Him,
00:40:22.35\00:40:25.35
to be carried out or given up,
00:40:25.39\00:40:27.69
as His
providence shall indicate.
00:40:27.72\00:40:30.03
Thus day by day
00:40:30.06\00:40:31.89
you may be giving your
life into the hands of God,
00:40:31.93\00:40:35.13
and thus your
life will be molded
00:40:35.16\00:40:38.87
more and more after
the life of Christ."
00:40:38.90\00:40:42.04
Steps to Christ, page 70.
00:40:42.07\00:40:44.31
So this is a message
00:40:44.34\00:40:46.41
that we need to understand
00:40:46.44\00:40:47.94
that we need to daily
spend time with the Lord.
00:40:47.98\00:40:51.35
It is a fact
00:40:51.38\00:40:52.78
that whatever
you spend time with
00:40:52.81\00:40:55.28
influences you.
00:40:55.32\00:40:56.92
Your mind is
constantly taking an input.
00:40:56.95\00:40:59.95
And that input is
what creates in you
00:40:59.99\00:41:03.36
whom you will be,
00:41:03.39\00:41:05.69
what you will say,
what you will think about.
00:41:05.73\00:41:09.76
And so, let's go
back to Luke 9:23.
00:41:09.80\00:41:13.57
Notice, because we're moving now
00:41:13.60\00:41:15.90
to step number three.
00:41:15.94\00:41:17.37
Step number one,
you must make a choice.
00:41:17.41\00:41:19.47
Step number two,
00:41:19.51\00:41:20.84
you must take
action upon that choice
00:41:20.88\00:41:23.45
and take up your cross
daily and follow Jesus.
00:41:23.48\00:41:26.88
Now when I say,
00:41:26.92\00:41:28.45
take up your
cross daily, people ask,
00:41:28.48\00:41:29.95
well what do you
mean, take up your cross?
00:41:29.98\00:41:31.79
The cross is a
symbol of what will happen
00:41:31.82\00:41:35.22
as you come to
challenges and temptations
00:41:35.26\00:41:38.99
the cross in a sense
is for you to understand
00:41:39.03\00:41:41.63
that you must crucify
the evil desires of self.
00:41:41.66\00:41:46.53
And that is what the
cross is given to us.
00:41:46.57\00:41:48.94
And remember, without
Jesus, we can do nothing.
00:41:48.97\00:41:52.17
We come to a situation,
we come to a temptation,
00:41:52.21\00:41:54.98
we give it to Jesus and
say, Lord, work in me Your will.
00:41:55.01\00:41:59.25
This is why
Paul was able to say,
00:41:59.28\00:42:00.85
I can do all things
00:42:00.88\00:42:02.48
through Christ
who strengthens me.
00:42:02.52\00:42:06.05
Praise be to God.
00:42:06.09\00:42:07.89
So step number
three, follow Jesus.
00:42:07.92\00:42:11.33
That's step number three.
00:42:11.36\00:42:12.69
Notice, "Then He
said to them all,"
00:42:12.73\00:42:14.33
Luke 9:23. "Then
He said to them all,
00:42:14.36\00:42:16.43
'If anyone
desires to come after Me,
00:42:16.46\00:42:19.73
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily,
00:42:19.77\00:42:23.54
and follow Me.'"
00:42:23.57\00:42:25.31
This is an
experience that we daily need
00:42:25.34\00:42:29.64
to take up our cross
daily, and follow Jesus.
00:42:29.68\00:42:33.55
There is a rule of life.
00:42:33.58\00:42:36.72
And we've talked a
little bit about it.
00:42:36.75\00:42:38.09
There is a rule of
life, it's a fact of life,
00:42:38.12\00:42:41.62
that whatever we behold,
00:42:41.66\00:42:43.56
is what our mind
to adapt itself to,
00:42:43.59\00:42:46.06
we will be
molded into that image,
00:42:46.09\00:42:48.80
whatever consumes
most of your time,
00:42:48.83\00:42:52.40
is what your
mind will be enjoying
00:42:52.43\00:42:54.80
and want to do and
will prompt you to do.
00:42:54.84\00:42:57.54
Look at 2 Corinthians 3:18.
00:42:57.57\00:43:01.01
2 Corinthians 3:18.
00:43:01.04\00:43:03.61
This is what the Bible says.
00:43:03.65\00:43:05.28
"But we all, with unveiled face,
00:43:05.31\00:43:09.28
beholding as in a
mirror, the glory of the Lord,
00:43:09.32\00:43:14.62
are being
transformed into the same image
00:43:14.66\00:43:18.63
from glory to glory,
00:43:18.66\00:43:20.90
just as by the
Spirit of the Lord."
00:43:20.93\00:43:24.40
So this is why when Jesus says,
00:43:24.43\00:43:27.44
"Take up your cross
daily, and follow Me."
00:43:27.47\00:43:30.64
He knows, and
that's why He said it.
00:43:30.67\00:43:33.21
Take up your cross
daily, and follow Me.
00:43:33.24\00:43:35.94
It's not just
00:43:35.98\00:43:37.31
when you go to
church on that day,
00:43:37.35\00:43:40.05
it's every single day, we
must spend time with Jesus.
00:43:40.08\00:43:44.62
And as we spend time
with Jesus every single day,
00:43:44.65\00:43:48.49
it's a fact of
life, it's a rule of life,
00:43:48.52\00:43:52.06
that what we behold
00:43:52.09\00:43:54.63
will have a
changing effect upon us.
00:43:54.66\00:43:57.90
This is why it's
important to read God's Word.
00:43:57.93\00:44:00.84
You read God's
Word, study God's Word,
00:44:00.87\00:44:04.27
think about God's Word
00:44:04.31\00:44:06.27
and that will
have a changing effect
00:44:06.31\00:44:08.74
upon your mind.
00:44:08.78\00:44:10.35
I encourage you to
daily spend time with Jesus.
00:44:10.38\00:44:14.65
If you want to be like Jesus,
you must spend time with Jesus.
00:44:14.68\00:44:18.42
This is a rule of
life, whatever you behold,
00:44:18.45\00:44:20.79
that's what
00:44:20.82\00:44:22.16
you are gonna be
transformed into.
00:44:22.19\00:44:24.76
And that's why I bring you
00:44:24.79\00:44:26.19
this next invitation from Jesus,
00:44:26.23\00:44:28.46
from Matthew Chapter 11.
00:44:28.50\00:44:30.73
Matthew 11:28-30.
00:44:30.77\00:44:33.77
Ready? Let us read it.
00:44:33.80\00:44:35.70
"Come to me,
00:44:35.74\00:44:37.21
all who labor
and are heavy laden,
00:44:37.24\00:44:40.08
and I will give you rest."
00:44:40.11\00:44:43.65
Do you need that rest?
00:44:43.68\00:44:46.41
Matthew 11:28 says
that if you come to Jesus,
00:44:46.45\00:44:50.42
with all of your heavy
things, he will give you rest.
00:44:50.45\00:44:56.12
And this is the rest
that only Jesus can give.
00:44:56.16\00:45:00.90
Verse 29, "Take
my yoke upon you,
00:45:00.93\00:45:04.97
and learn from me,
00:45:05.00\00:45:07.07
for I am gentle
and lowly in heart:
00:45:07.10\00:45:09.74
and you will find
rest for your souls."
00:45:09.77\00:45:13.38
Wow, we could spend hours
00:45:13.41\00:45:15.34
just talking about
each one of these verses.
00:45:15.38\00:45:18.15
He says, "Take My yoke
and learn from Me daily."
00:45:18.18\00:45:21.65
Jesus wants to be our teacher.
00:45:21.68\00:45:24.65
So He invites you to
take His yoke upon you
00:45:24.69\00:45:28.52
because He is
gentle and lowly heart,
00:45:28.56\00:45:32.06
and you will find
rest unto your souls.
00:45:32.09\00:45:33.80
Now notice, verse 30.
00:45:33.83\00:45:36.40
"For my yoke is easy,
and my burden is light."
00:45:36.43\00:45:41.74
Wait a minute.
00:45:41.77\00:45:43.34
Did I read that right?
00:45:43.37\00:45:45.87
I'm sure you've heard,
00:45:45.91\00:45:47.28
or maybe you
have said it yourself.
00:45:47.31\00:45:49.04
Being a
Christian is really hard.
00:45:49.08\00:45:53.68
Recently, I was in a church,
00:45:53.72\00:45:56.89
and a young lady was
making the presentation.
00:45:56.92\00:46:01.29
And in this
presentation, she said,
00:46:01.32\00:46:03.63
"It is hard being a Christian.
00:46:03.66\00:46:05.86
We all know it's
hard being a Christian."
00:46:05.89\00:46:08.10
And I was like,
"Wait, wait, wait a minute.
00:46:08.13\00:46:10.90
That is contrary to Scripture.
00:46:10.93\00:46:13.37
It depends on your perspective.
00:46:13.40\00:46:15.30
And it depends on what
you have chosen to do."
00:46:15.34\00:46:19.27
Because Jesus says
00:46:19.31\00:46:21.11
that if you come to
Him, He will give you rest.
00:46:21.14\00:46:24.01
And then He says in verse 30,
00:46:24.05\00:46:26.01
"His yoke is easy,
and His burden is light."
00:46:26.05\00:46:30.49
Some people say it's
hard, but it's not hard.
00:46:30.52\00:46:32.42
It's light, Jesus said.
00:46:32.45\00:46:35.16
And if you're saying otherwise,
00:46:35.19\00:46:36.96
you're saying
that Jesus is lying.
00:46:36.99\00:46:39.49
Please consider
that you have to enter
00:46:39.53\00:46:41.70
into the experience
00:46:41.73\00:46:43.06
that Jesus said if any
man will come after Me,
00:46:43.10\00:46:45.03
let him take up his
cross daily and follow Me,
00:46:45.07\00:46:47.40
then you will find
that his yoke is easy.
00:46:47.44\00:46:50.81
And the devil has
deceived many people
00:46:50.84\00:46:52.37
with the idea that
it's hard being a Christian.
00:46:52.41\00:46:55.34
It is not hard
being a Christian.
00:46:55.38\00:46:56.95
It is a joy being a Christian.
00:46:56.98\00:46:58.55
As a matter of fact, not
only is His burden light,
00:46:58.58\00:47:01.58
it's a delight.
00:47:01.62\00:47:03.49
It is a joy to follow Jesus.
00:47:03.52\00:47:07.72
You know, when you ask yourself,
00:47:07.76\00:47:11.23
what is the yoke?
00:47:11.26\00:47:12.76
You know, Merriam
Webster defines yoke,
00:47:12.79\00:47:15.46
Y-O-K-E as,
00:47:15.50\00:47:18.20
"A wooden bar or frame
00:47:18.23\00:47:19.87
by which two draft
animals such as oxen
00:47:19.90\00:47:22.90
are joined at the heads or
necks for working together."
00:47:22.94\00:47:27.21
So in other words,
both animals carry the load.
00:47:27.24\00:47:31.88
And Jesus says to you and to me,
00:47:31.91\00:47:34.75
"Take My yoke upon you,
00:47:34.78\00:47:37.85
for My yoke is easy
and My burden is light."
00:47:37.89\00:47:41.92
When you work with Jesus,
when you cooperate with Jesus,
00:47:41.96\00:47:45.96
you are going to find out
00:47:45.99\00:47:48.26
that it is easy to follow Jesus.
00:47:48.30\00:47:50.37
It is a joy to follow Jesus,
00:47:50.40\00:47:53.03
and you want to
spend more time with Jesus
00:47:53.07\00:47:55.44
because you know that in Him,
00:47:55.47\00:47:58.57
there's that
rest that we all need.
00:47:58.61\00:48:02.11
And if you're not
experiencing that rest,
00:48:02.14\00:48:04.35
need to step back
00:48:04.38\00:48:05.71
and take a look
and ask yourself,
00:48:05.75\00:48:07.08
"Wait a minute.
00:48:07.12\00:48:08.45
Am I doing this on my own?
00:48:08.48\00:48:10.12
Am I trying to carry
this load on my own?"
00:48:10.15\00:48:12.12
Jesus says,
"Take My yoke upon you,
00:48:12.15\00:48:14.92
for My yoke is easy."
00:48:14.96\00:48:17.19
If you're having a
hard time being a Christian,
00:48:17.23\00:48:20.13
surrender your heart to
the Lord and tell Jesus,
00:48:20.16\00:48:23.83
Lord, I don't want
my yoke to be easy.
00:48:23.87\00:48:26.03
If you are heavy laden
00:48:26.07\00:48:27.94
with the yoke of
doing it yourself,
00:48:27.97\00:48:30.94
come to Jesus.
00:48:30.97\00:48:32.31
And you will find out
00:48:32.34\00:48:33.68
that His yoke is easy
and His burden is light.
00:48:33.71\00:48:38.48
Thousands are saying,
00:48:38.51\00:48:40.75
"Oh, I don't know
what's wrong with me.
00:48:40.78\00:48:43.95
How come I don't enjoy church,
00:48:43.99\00:48:45.45
I don't enjoy reading the Bible,
00:48:45.49\00:48:47.16
I don't enjoy the
things of the Lord
00:48:47.19\00:48:50.03
or like I used to."
00:48:50.06\00:48:52.03
You know, there is a something
that has happened in your life.
00:48:52.06\00:48:57.27
We have been talking
about the mind adapts itself
00:48:57.30\00:49:00.90
to whatever you
dedicate time to,
00:49:00.94\00:49:02.67
whatever you read,
whatever you watch,
00:49:02.70\00:49:04.07
whatever you hear,
your mind adapts to that.
00:49:04.11\00:49:07.84
And if during the week,
00:49:07.88\00:49:10.15
you're doing all
these exciting things,
00:49:10.18\00:49:12.78
all these things that
are moving your emotions
00:49:12.81\00:49:17.79
to a high pitch
00:49:17.82\00:49:19.25
and an excitement
that is unnatural.
00:49:19.29\00:49:23.29
When you have to
dedicate your time
00:49:23.32\00:49:24.99
to reading the scriptures
00:49:25.03\00:49:27.30
is not exciting
about as shooting aliens
00:49:27.33\00:49:30.10
or shooting the bad
people in those games
00:49:30.13\00:49:33.74
or listening to that
music that has the beat
00:49:33.77\00:49:35.77
that makes you wanna
move and makes you wanna jump
00:49:35.80\00:49:37.97
and all those type of things.
00:49:38.01\00:49:40.91
You must understand
00:49:40.94\00:49:43.98
that your mind adapts
00:49:44.01\00:49:45.61
to whatever you put
dedicate your time to.
00:49:45.65\00:49:49.15
You see, what happens is
00:49:49.18\00:49:50.95
that if you're not
finding a great interest
00:49:50.99\00:49:53.56
in reading the Bible,
00:49:53.59\00:49:54.92
you must be transformed
by the renewing of your mind.
00:49:54.96\00:49:58.89
You must dedicate
time, you must ask the Lord.
00:49:58.93\00:50:02.46
Okay, where can
I read in the Bible
00:50:02.50\00:50:04.67
that will awaken in me
00:50:04.70\00:50:06.84
that will help me to
capture the experience
00:50:06.87\00:50:10.34
of enjoying the
reading of the scriptures,
00:50:10.37\00:50:12.71
you see because
the mind will adapt
00:50:12.74\00:50:15.04
the more you dedicate time.
00:50:15.08\00:50:16.78
If you're
finding a difficult time
00:50:16.81\00:50:18.68
trying to read the scriptures
00:50:18.71\00:50:20.15
and understand and enjoy
00:50:20.18\00:50:21.65
the spiritual
exercises of prayer,
00:50:21.68\00:50:23.75
you must train your
mind, dedicate time.
00:50:23.79\00:50:28.09
Perhaps you may
remember Dr. Arthur Weaver,
00:50:28.12\00:50:31.06
Dr. Arthur Weaver program
00:50:31.09\00:50:33.53
that we'll see for
many years on 3ABN.
00:50:33.56\00:50:36.67
I'm using an
illustration he used.
00:50:36.70\00:50:39.43
He asked the question,
00:50:39.47\00:50:40.80
"Why do the Chinese
people eat Chinese food?"
00:50:40.84\00:50:44.57
Because they eat it. That's why.
00:50:44.61\00:50:46.74
And why do the
Mexicans eat Mexican food?
00:50:46.78\00:50:49.11
Why do they love it?
00:50:49.14\00:50:50.48
Because they eat it. That's why.
00:50:50.51\00:50:52.21
In other words,
00:50:52.25\00:50:53.58
the experience of
daily taking in this food
00:50:53.62\00:50:57.19
begins to become familiar to do
00:50:57.22\00:50:59.52
and it begins to
be enjoyable to you.
00:50:59.55\00:51:02.22
You must dedicate time,
00:51:02.26\00:51:03.59
you must make an
effort to understand
00:51:03.63\00:51:06.96
what God is trying to
tell us in the scriptures.
00:51:07.00\00:51:08.83
This book, the Bible
has life, everlasting life,
00:51:08.86\00:51:13.44
the message of
everlasting life is there,
00:51:13.47\00:51:15.30
we must reeducate
our minds to take time,
00:51:15.34\00:51:18.77
to ask the Lord to
help us understand,
00:51:18.81\00:51:20.88
to ask the Lord
to change your mind
00:51:20.91\00:51:22.91
into the mind of Christ.
00:51:22.94\00:51:24.61
And I know that
you will be blessed.
00:51:24.65\00:51:27.65
I encourage you to
dedicate your mind.
00:51:27.68\00:51:32.45
Take time to exercise
your mind in that direction.
00:51:32.49\00:51:36.42
You see in Psalm
16:11, the Bible says,
00:51:36.46\00:51:40.93
"You will show
me the path of life.
00:51:40.96\00:51:43.23
In Your presence
is fullness of joy.
00:51:43.26\00:51:46.53
At Your right hand are
pleasures forevermore."
00:51:46.57\00:51:51.21
So I am trying to tell you
00:51:51.24\00:51:53.38
that the more you dedicate time
00:51:53.41\00:51:54.74
to the reading
of the scriptures,
00:51:54.78\00:51:56.61
you're gonna be in
the presence of the Lord.
00:51:56.64\00:51:58.51
And if you're in the
presence of the Lord,
00:51:58.55\00:52:00.42
you're going to
begin to discover
00:52:00.45\00:52:01.88
this fullness of joy
and pleasures forevermore.
00:52:01.92\00:52:07.86
The more time you
dedicate to the Lord,
00:52:07.89\00:52:10.23
the more you will
begin to experience
00:52:10.26\00:52:12.53
that joy of
reading the scriptures.
00:52:12.56\00:52:15.46
And I want to encourage you
to as it says in Psalms 34:8,
00:52:15.50\00:52:19.93
"Oh, taste and see
that the Lord is good.
00:52:19.97\00:52:23.54
Blessed is the
man who trust in Him!"
00:52:23.57\00:52:28.44
We're talking
about step number three.
00:52:28.48\00:52:31.88
Step number three talks to
us that we must follow Jesus.
00:52:31.91\00:52:37.09
Follow Jesus
means you must take time
00:52:37.12\00:52:39.55
to read the scriptures,
00:52:39.59\00:52:40.92
become familiar with Him.
00:52:40.96\00:52:42.72
And so, I want to read to you
from Desire of Ages, page 83.
00:52:42.76\00:52:48.26
"It would be well for us
00:52:48.30\00:52:50.30
to spend a
thoughtful hour each day
00:52:50.33\00:52:53.44
in contemplation
of the life of Christ.
00:52:53.47\00:52:56.71
We should take
in point by point,
00:52:56.74\00:52:59.01
and let the
imagination grasp each scene,
00:52:59.04\00:53:03.11
especially the closing ones.
00:53:03.14\00:53:05.05
As we does dwell
00:53:05.08\00:53:06.82
upon His great sacrifice for us,
00:53:06.85\00:53:09.05
our confidence in Him
will be more constant,
00:53:09.08\00:53:12.22
our love will be quickened,
00:53:12.25\00:53:14.76
and we shall be
more deeply imbued
00:53:14.79\00:53:17.59
with His Spirit.
00:53:17.63\00:53:18.96
If we would be saved at last,
00:53:18.99\00:53:21.43
we must learn the
lessons of penitence
00:53:21.46\00:53:24.30
and humiliation at
the foot of the cross."
00:53:24.33\00:53:28.70
Yes, you need time with Jesus.
00:53:28.74\00:53:32.37
I need time with Jesus.
00:53:32.41\00:53:35.34
Take the opportunities
the Lord is giving you
00:53:35.38\00:53:38.55
to receive the
blessing of the Lord.
00:53:38.58\00:53:42.22
There's a warning
for us in 1 John 2:15-17.
00:53:42.25\00:53:47.12
Listen carefully.
00:53:47.16\00:53:48.76
"Do not love the world
or the things in the world.
00:53:48.79\00:53:52.46
If anyone loves the world,
00:53:52.49\00:53:54.26
the love of the
Father is not in him.
00:53:54.30\00:53:56.70
For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh,
00:53:56.73\00:53:59.27
the lust of the eyes,
00:53:59.30\00:54:00.80
and the pride of life
00:54:00.84\00:54:02.17
is not of the
Father but of the world.
00:54:02.20\00:54:05.24
And the world is passing
away, and the lust of it,
00:54:05.27\00:54:09.34
but he who does the
will of God abides forever."
00:54:09.38\00:54:13.78
Praise the Lord.
00:54:13.82\00:54:15.95
I want to encourage
you to place yourself
00:54:15.98\00:54:17.95
in the hands of the Lord.
00:54:17.99\00:54:19.62
I want to invite
Brother Tim Parton
00:54:19.65\00:54:24.79
and Pastor Ryan Day to
hear this wonderful hymn
00:54:24.83\00:54:27.90
that speaks to us
00:54:27.93\00:54:29.56
of the hope that
is set before us.
00:54:29.60\00:54:31.50
I don't know
00:54:35.87\00:54:39.74
About tomorrow
00:54:39.77\00:54:44.61
I just live
00:54:44.65\00:54:48.22
From day to day
00:54:48.25\00:54:52.79
I don't borrow
00:54:52.82\00:54:56.79
From the sunshine
00:54:56.83\00:55:01.10
For its skies
00:55:01.13\00:55:04.63
May turn to gray
00:55:04.67\00:55:09.60
I don't worry
00:55:09.64\00:55:13.98
O'er the future
00:55:14.01\00:55:18.05
For I know
00:55:18.08\00:55:21.72
What Jesus said
00:55:21.75\00:55:26.29
And today
00:55:26.32\00:55:29.89
I'll walk beside Him
00:55:29.92\00:55:34.73
For He knows
00:55:34.76\00:55:38.33
What lies ahead
00:55:38.37\00:55:43.00
Many things
00:55:43.04\00:55:46.78
About tomorrow
00:55:46.81\00:55:51.25
I don't seem
00:55:51.28\00:55:54.98
To understand
00:55:55.02\00:55:59.55
But I know
00:55:59.59\00:56:03.12
Who holds tomorrow
00:56:03.16\00:56:07.76
And I know
00:56:07.80\00:56:11.10
Who holds my hand
00:56:11.13\00:56:15.67
Many things
00:56:15.70\00:56:19.44
About tomorrow
00:56:19.47\00:56:23.98
I don't seem
00:56:24.01\00:56:27.68
To understand
00:56:27.72\00:56:32.55
But I know
00:56:32.59\00:56:36.32
Who holds tomorrow
00:56:36.36\00:56:41.46
And I know
00:56:41.50\00:56:46.37
Who holds my hand.
00:56:46.40\00:56:53.38
Amen. Amen.
00:56:59.91\00:57:02.65
God is in control
00:57:02.68\00:57:04.29
if we surrender
our hearts to Him.
00:57:04.32\00:57:07.92
If we take up our
cross daily and follow Jesus,
00:57:07.96\00:57:11.66
we will discover
00:57:11.69\00:57:13.46
that fullness of joy
that God wants to give us.
00:57:13.50\00:57:18.70
I encourage you to follow Jesus
00:57:18.73\00:57:20.80
each and every day
that God gives you.
00:57:20.84\00:57:23.97
He is waiting.
00:57:24.01\00:57:25.34
He is waiting for you to
surrender yourself to Him.
00:57:25.37\00:57:28.18
Do it right now.
00:57:28.21\00:57:30.28
God bless you.
00:57:30.31\00:57:31.65