Participants: Pr. Kenneth Cox
Series Code: GMTB
Program Code: GMTB000060
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00:19 Hello and welcome
00:20 to Give Me The Bible right here 00:22 in the 3ABN Worship Center 00:24 in Thompsonville, Illinois. 00:25 I appreciate all of you that 00:26 have come out this evening 00:28 to the 60th sermon 00:30 in this series. I'm kind of sad 00:32 that this is coming to an end. 00:33 Have you all enjoyed it? Just thoroughly enjoyed it? 00:36 Had an incredible time with the Lord 00:39 these last 60 sermons. 00:42 And now we're going to continue this evening 00:45 with our series entitled No Other Name Like Jesus. 00:49 You know, we have been learning... 00:51 we've been being refreshed 00:54 in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:56 and once again learning of Him. 00:59 Some of the things I think that we've learned about Him 01:02 or been refreshed in is that Jesus Christ is the same 01:06 yesterday, today, and forever. 01:10 Something that I've learned is: 01:12 with Jesus... you can't live without Him 01:15 and you can't outlive Him. 01:17 Jesus Christ is Lord! 01:20 And we're continuing this evening with a sermon titled 01:24 Unto You A Savior. 01:25 And we have determined that this evening 01:28 is going to be committed solely to uplifting 01:31 and upholding the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 01:34 And we have a quartet with us this evening 01:37 that I know all of you are anxious to hear. 01:39 The King's Heralds are with us. 01:41 And the King's Heralds are the longest, continuous 01:47 quartet in the world today. 01:49 They started in 1927. 01:51 They ministered for 45 years with the Voice of Prophecy, 01:55 and they're with us tonight. 01:57 And they have dedicated and committed their music tonight 02:01 to upholding the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 02:04 They've dedicated this time to speak of the birth 02:07 of our Lord and Savior. 02:09 So we receive them now as they minister a beautiful song 02:13 Do You Hear What I Hear? 02:26 Said the night wind to the little lamb: 02:31 "Do you see what I see? 02:34 Do you see what I see? " 02:37 Way up in the sky, little lamb, 02:41 do you see what I see? 02:44 Do you see what I see? 02:46 A star, a star, dancing in the night, 02:50 with a tail as big as a kite. 02:55 With a tail as big as a kite. 03:02 Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy: 03:07 "do you hear what I hear? " 03:10 Do you hear what I hear? 03:12 Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy... 03:16 do you hear what I hear? 03:19 Do you hear what I hear? 03:21 A song, a song... high above the tree 03:25 with a voice as big as the sea. 03:30 With a voice as big as the sea. 03:37 Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king: 03:42 "do you know what I know? " 03:44 "What I know? " 03:47 In your palace warm, mighty king, 03:51 do you know what I know? 03:54 What I know? 03:56 A child, a child, shivers in the cold... 04:00 let us bring Him silver and gold. 04:05 Let us bring Him silver and gold. 04:16 Said the king to the people everywhere: 04:22 "Listen to what I say. 04:27 Pray for peace, people everywhere! 04:32 Listen to what I say. " 04:36 A child, a child, sleeping in the night. 04:40 He will bring us goodness and light. 04:45 He will bring us 04:48 goodness and light! 04:57 Bring us light! 05:08 Amen! Thank you King's Heralds quartet! 05:14 Wonderful! 05:17 Very thankful to have them with us here 05:20 and sure that you're enjoying this great music. 05:24 Welcome to each of you. 05:25 Glad to have you here tonight 05:27 as we bring to an end 05:30 this series that we're doing 05:32 on Jesus Christ entitled No Other Name Like Jesus. 05:36 And tonight we're talking about: 05:41 And since we're talking about Jesus Christ as our Savior, 05:46 we are doing a little something different 05:49 and that is that we're using Christmas music 05:52 because it talks about the Savior, Jesus Christ. 05:55 And we hope that that will bless you in a special way 05:58 as we hear songs about Christ as our Savior. 06:02 And I appreciate the King's Heralds bringing us that 06:05 beautiful song. Well, tonight we're talking about 06:08 Unto You A Savior. We have dealt so far in this series 06:13 uh... Who Is Jesus? 06:16 Something that every individual needs to be 06:20 clear in his mind... who Jesus Christ was. 06:24 Not somebody that just maybe you heard about in passing 06:30 or even ought to go farther folks than just saying 06:33 "Well, that's what my parents told me. " 06:36 Need to dig into it and find out what it has to say. 06:41 And so we talked about Who Is Jesus? 06:43 And then we dealt with Why Believe in Jesus Christ? 06:47 Why do you believe in Jesus Christ? 06:51 Is there reasons for your faith? 06:55 There should be. 06:57 And I hope that that presentation helped you 06:59 tie down some definite reasons why you believe in Jesus Christ. 07:04 And then we talked about What Makes Jesus Different? 07:07 He is distinctly, decidedly 07:10 different than anyone else, 07:14 and He did certain things that nobody else could do. 07:19 And that's the reason that He is without question 07:24 the Son of God. 07:26 So we hope it will bless you in a special way. 07:29 And then our last presentation we talked about 07:32 Jesus: Prophet, Priest, and King. 07:37 The three positions that He holds 07:39 and how He filled each one of those positions. 07:42 And then tonight... Unto You A Savior. 07:45 So we hope that this presentation 07:48 will make very clear to you 07:52 what He did as a Savior. 07:55 That's what you need to look for tonight 07:57 in this presentation is what did Christ do 08:01 that secured your salvation for you and for me. 08:07 That's what we need to find out... 08:08 what does the Word of God say? 08:11 What says the Bible, the blessed Bible? 08:15 This my only question be. 08:18 The teachings of man so often mislead us. 08:23 What says the Bible to me? 08:26 We need to know exactly what it has to say 08:29 in the Word of God that seals and makes complete 08:35 and settles in our heart and soul our salvation 08:39 that we find in Jesus Christ. 08:40 And so since we're talking about Christ as our Savior 08:46 in coming to this earth, accomplishing your salvation 08:50 and mine, we're going to ask the King's Heralds to come back 08:53 and to sing probably one of the most popular songs 08:57 that there is at this... concerning the birth of Jesus 09:01 Christ and all... and that's one entitled 09:03 O Holy Night. 09:13 O holy night, 09:17 the stars are brightly shining. 09:22 It is the night 09:24 of our dear Savior's birth. 09:33 Long lay the world 09:37 in sin and error pining 09:42 till He appeared... 09:44 and the soul felt its worth. 09:51 A thrill of hope... 09:54 the weary world rejoices. 09:59 For yonder breaks 10:02 a new and glorious morn. 10:07 Fall 10:10 on your knees. 10:15 Oh hear 10:18 the angel voices. 10:23 O night 10:27 divine... 10:30 oh night 10:34 when Christ was born... 10:39 O night 10:43 divine... 10:46 oh night... 10:49 oh night 10:53 divine. 10:59 Truly He taught us 11:03 to love one another. 11:08 His law is love 11:10 and His gospel is peace. 11:19 Chains shall He break 11:22 for the slave is our brother... 11:28 and in His name 11:30 all oppression shall cease. 11:37 Sweet hymns of joy 11:40 in grateful chorus raise we. 11:45 Let all within us 11:49 praise His holy name. 11:53 Christ 11:56 is the Lord! 12:01 Then ever, ever 12:05 praise we, 12:09 His power - His mighty power - 12:13 and glory... glory 12:17 ever more proclaim! 12:23 Proclaim! 12:25 His power... mighty power 12:29 and glory 12:34 ever more 12:38 proclaim! 13:04 Father in Heaven, 13:06 as we consider tonight 13:12 the greatest event that has ever happened 13:17 in the universe, 13:20 the greatest event that has ever happened 13:23 in the eons of time, 13:28 when You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, 13:32 to be our Savior. 13:35 We ask tonight that the Holy Spirit 13:39 may come into our hearts. 13:42 That it may give to us enlightenment, 13:48 understanding. May our hearts be surrendered. 13:52 May they be open. 13:55 May Jesus Christ be uplifted 13:59 and may each of us rejoice 14:03 in the hope that we have in Him this evening. 14:06 We pray in Christ's name, Amen. 14:16 When you pick up the scripture, 14:18 one thing that it does 14:21 is it gives you the promise 14:24 of a Savior. 14:26 Because it says 14:36 So we have that promise that we would have a Savior. 14:40 A Savior would come that would save the world. 14:44 That's the promise that's given to you and to me. 14:47 But in the last presentation that we talked about 14:52 we talked about Jesus as 14:56 prophet and priest and king. 15:00 But either Jesus Christ is a Savior 15:06 or He's nothing. 15:11 He is either a Savior or He's nothing. 15:17 You see, as a prophet 15:20 He could prophesy many, many things 15:24 that were going to take place 15:26 and all those things that He prophesied could happen. 15:31 But if He cannot 15:36 save you, He's worthless 15:41 as a prophet. 15:44 We talked about Him as a priest. 15:47 And He could bring sacrifices 15:51 and offer all those sacrifices in your behalf. 15:56 But if He can't save you, all those are useless. 16:04 We talked about Him as king. 16:07 And He could rule all the heavens 16:11 and be in charge of all that... 16:17 but if He can't save you, it's worth nothing. 16:23 You see, all of it - everything that we've talked about - 16:27 all that's written in God's Word 16:30 all that either stands or falls 16:33 on the question of a Savior. 16:37 Either He is able to provide you 16:42 and me salvation 16:46 and hope... or it's all worthless and useless. 16:52 And so, we have the promise of a Savior. 16:56 In fact, Jesus says that He is the Savior. 17:01 I mean, He is very, very clear about it. 17:04 Very distinct. No ifs, ands, buts about it. 17:07 He says that He is the Savior. 17:10 Listen to these: 17:19 He said: "I AM the Lord... 17:23 and outside of Me there is no Savior. " 17:27 In other words, He's saying: "I am the only One. " 17:32 So He claims to be a Savior. 17:45 So He says: "I'm your Savior. 17:48 And when you want to look at it all, 17:50 I'm the only One... there's none beside Me. " 17:53 So the thing that you and I must decide tonight: 17:58 is He the Savior? 18:02 Is He different?... which we've talked about. 18:08 Is He different than those others that claim to be Saviors? 18:12 If He says: "Beside me there is no other, " 18:17 then what's He going to save you from? 18:22 Why... why do you need a Savior? 18:26 What... what is the necessity of that? 18:32 There's plenty of evidence in God's Word 18:36 that others believed that He was a Savior. 18:40 And as you go down through time, they accepted Him 18:44 and believed that He was a Savior. 18:46 David of old... 19:01 David said all that about Jesus Christ. 19:05 That He was everything, and over and above everything else 19:11 He was his Savior. 19:14 OK? 19:17 You remember when Jesus was there in Samaria 19:21 talking to the woman at the well? 19:26 And you remember how He had told her that He was 19:30 the Messiah. That He was the One. 19:34 He was the Savior. 19:35 And that woman went from that well 19:39 and went throughout that village and told them 19:41 that they... who she had found and who He was. 19:44 And the people of the village came, and it says that Jesus 19:48 spent two days with them. 19:51 At the end of those two days they had this to say: 20:15 They said "No question about it. 20:17 We heard what you had to say 20:20 but we've heard it for ourselves now 20:23 and we KNOW that He is the Savior of the world. " 20:27 So they believed that He was the Savior. 20:31 And of course you read through the scripture 20:35 and there is no question that Paul 20:40 believed He was the Savior. 20:42 I mean, he believed it with all of his heart and his soul. 21:02 He said "Jesus Christ is the Savior. " 21:06 So as you go back through time 21:09 individual after individual accepted Him 21:14 as the Savior. 21:16 My question tonight is simply this: 21:24 Do you believe He is the Savior? 21:27 And if you believe that He is a Savior, 21:34 then what has He saved you from? 21:37 See? What has He saved you from? 21:40 I mean, wouldn't it have worked 21:43 for Him to have been a prophet only? 21:49 Or to have been a high priest only? 21:53 Or even a king? 21:59 Was it necessary for you... 22:02 I'm not talking about for Him, 22:04 I'm talking about for you... was it necessary for you 22:07 for Him to be a Savior? 22:09 Well, this is what He says He came to save you from: 22:25 Now that text, folks, is very, very personal. 22:32 You read it that way, for it says: 22:35 "For unto YOU... " 22:37 That's speaking to each one of you here tonight. 22:41 To those of you who are watching by television. 22:44 Those of you who are listening on the radio. 22:47 Those of you that have joined us throughout the world 22:52 in many, many different languages. 22:56 "Unto YOU... " That's a promise given. 23:02 So unto you what? 23:12 Born into this world a Savior which is Jesus Christ the Lord. 23:18 Distinct, absolute... a Savior for you and for me. 23:24 OK... so what? This Savior who is here 23:29 that was born into this world - Jesus Christ the Lord 23:33 that is a Savior to you - He is saving you from this: 23:56 So what is He saving you from? 24:00 Well, one thing He's saving you from is death. 24:04 Put it down. He's saving you from death 24:08 because all of us are under that. All of us are going to die 24:14 unless Jesus comes back and stops this whole process 24:19 that the world is in of decaying. 24:21 And year after year men and women pass off the scene. 24:26 And each one of us as we get older face that. 24:30 Or if our life is taken some other way... 24:34 You know, you die several different ways. 24:38 You can die at your own hand, 24:41 and there's people that die at the hand of somebody else. 24:45 Or you can die by disease. 24:49 Or if you live long enough, you can just die out of old age. 24:53 But nevertheless... you die! 24:56 So if there's going to be something that is going to 25:01 stop that process, you've got to have a Savior. 25:06 And that's what He came to do: 25:08 He came to provide for you and I life. 25:13 "and brought life and immortality to light 25:17 through the gospel. " 25:18 The Bible says the wages of sin is "death. " 25:23 OK. "The wages of sin is death. " 25:27 That is simply... and all of us have sinned. 25:31 I have never in all the years of my life 25:35 I have never had someone come up to me and say: 25:38 "I'm perfect. I have never sinned. " 25:42 I've never had an individual... 25:44 everybody I've ever talked to recognizes and understands 25:49 whether they're a follower of Jesus Christ 25:51 or whether they're not 25:52 they understand that they're sinners. 25:55 They all realize that. 25:57 And all of us are sinners. And because we are sinners 26:01 the wages of sin is "death. " 26:07 And you need - I don't care who you are - 26:09 but you need somebody to save you from that. 26:15 Because if He doesn't... then, that's it. 26:21 That's the end of it. 26:29 The last enemy that's going to be destroyed is death. 26:34 And thankful that Jesus Christ came... 26:40 And folks, He didn't just come here and teach. 26:47 He came here and did everything that was required 26:53 so that you and I could have life. 26:57 You see, He said: 27:11 You see, He didn't just come here and teach on this earth. 27:15 He came here and He paid the price... 27:20 He died. 27:22 Dear friend, if He had just died, 27:27 then you and I would be lost. 27:33 But - praise God! - He arose! 27:39 Came out of the grave. 27:41 And since He died and rose again 27:46 He can say to you and I: "Follow Me 27:50 and I will give you life. " 27:55 He is offering to us salvation. 28:05 He took the sting out of death. 28:08 That's what He did, you know. 28:11 I feel, my heart aches... 28:16 I feel for those people 28:19 who die not knowing Jesus Christ. 28:23 You see, they die with the sting of death still in it. 28:30 But He took the sting out of it. 28:40 There is none there 28:42 because He is the resurrection and the life. 28:52 It is totally and completely contained in Him. 28:57 And so He says: "I'm your Savior. " 29:01 There just isn't one outside of Jesus Christ. 29:06 He's the only One that has done what was necessary 29:11 for you and for me to be saved. 29:14 "For this corruption... " 29:16 That's this old body of ours. 29:18 This corruptible body of ours. Strange, you know... 29:23 as you get older you realize how corrupt it is. 29:30 You know, it just... 29:33 it just doesn't work as well as it used to. 29:36 Time has its effect upon our old bodies. 29:42 But He says: 29:54 Marvelous... the promises that He has given. 29:57 Now: He IS salvation. 30:05 And out of all the scriptures in the Bible 30:12 this one I'm going to share with you tonight 30:16 I consider to be the completest 30:19 and the one as far as I 30:22 personally am concerned 30:23 states the whole process of salvation 30:28 the clearest of any there is in God's Word. 30:33 To me, what I share with you tonight 30:36 tells the whole gospel story in marvelous words - 30:41 simple words, brief words - 30:44 but it tells exactly what Jesus Christ did for each one of us. 30:50 And so I'd like for you to look at it with me. 30:53 It's found in the book of Titus. 30:56 Titus the third chapter. 30:59 This is what it says: 31:07 Jesus Christ came and was born. 31:12 You think... up until that time 31:15 all the prophets and the people in the Old Testament 31:18 read about it. It talked about it, 31:21 but nobody saw it. 31:24 But when Jesus Christ came 31:27 all of a sudden there was living evidence 31:31 of what the kindness of God was. 31:34 And so when the kindness of God appeared in Jesus Christ 31:38 we saw in Him One that was 31:44 like us. In a body, folks. 31:49 In a body if you please, that went through the same process 31:54 that you and I go through. 31:57 In a body that age affected. 32:02 But we saw in Him One who was distinctly, 32:08 decidedly different. 32:11 He was the Savior. 32:14 Watch as Paul, writing to Titus, goes on: 32:36 Now Paul starts out and he makes it very, very clear... 32:41 Starts out right at the top and says: 32:43 "not by works of righteousness that we have done. " 32:48 Now I have highlighted different phrases in these verses 32:52 because those phrases as far as I am concerned 32:55 tell you step by step the whole plan of salvation 33:00 and what's involved. 33:04 Watch as Paul goes on... 33:10 That's the second point I want you to look at: 33:12 "according to His mercy He saved us" 33:15 "through the washing of regeneration" 33:20 OK? 33:21 "and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. " 33:26 All those are steps that take place 33:32 in salvation. 33:34 Now watch as he continues: 33:44 All this that we have just read 33:46 was poured out upon us in Jesus Christ. 33:51 OK. 34:04 Two other points there. 34:05 One: we're justified by His grace. OK? 34:10 And secondly, we have hope of eternal life. 34:14 Those are the steps of salvation, 34:18 and I want to look at them with you this evening 34:21 because to me and to you those ought to be crystal clear 34:26 in accepting Christ as my Savior. 34:30 And so... 34:35 Paul gets that right out front, 34:38 and let's clear it up. 34:40 It has nothing to do with your ability. 34:47 God does not give you salvation because you're smart. 34:54 God does not grant to you 34:57 salvation because you're good looking. 35:00 God does not give you salvation because of your wife 35:06 or he doesn't give you salvation because of your husband. 35:10 He gives you salvation not by your works. 35:17 Cancel it; forget it. You can't do anything. 35:21 Listen. This is what the scripture says: 35:38 Lest anyone should make any kind of a boast. 35:40 No! It doesn't come that way, dear friends. 35:44 And if you have any ideas that you in any way 35:50 can contribute to the plan of salvation 35:55 you have missed the mark. 35:58 It is a gift. 36:02 It's a gift. 36:04 It has nothing to do with your ability. 36:10 It's something that God gives to you freely 36:15 out of His mercy. OK? 36:19 So let's make that clear tonight. 36:21 Now let's go on: 36:27 "According to HIS MERCY He saved us. " 36:32 Do you understand that? 36:35 It's not because He has to. 36:40 Not something that God owes you. 36:43 Not something that He... you know... 36:48 It's strictly based on His mercy. 37:00 I want to get something clear because this really bothers me. 37:03 I run onto this all too often. 37:06 Dear friend, let me tell you something: 37:08 God is mighty to save. 37:11 He can save in any situation. 37:16 Are you understanding me? 37:18 I don't care how sinful you may be. 37:21 I don't care how bad you are. 37:24 I don't care how... if the devil 37:26 doesn't want to associate with you because you're so bad. 37:28 I don't care! 37:30 Jesus Christ is mighty to save! Amen! 37:36 So please... let's stop this stuff 37:39 that I hear people talking about "am I safe to save? " 37:43 No! God is mighty to save! 37:48 This thing of saying: "Well, you've got to be safe to save... 37:53 to be saved. " NO! 37:55 You're not safe. You never are. 37:58 If you go through your life trusting yourself, 38:01 you're in trouble. 38:03 Can't trust the "old man. " 38:06 He's sinful! 38:08 But Jesus Christ is mighty to save, and He will save. 38:14 And He does it totally and completely out of His mercy. 38:19 This... this is why He saves you 38:23 is because He loves you. 38:27 Because He is merciful. 38:30 Therefore in His kindness He reaches out and saves you. 38:36 This He offers to you 38:38 and to me. 38:40 Mighty! Mighty to save. 38:48 See? I'm so thankful for that 38:54 because He's the One that does the washing... 38:59 the "washing of regeneration. " 39:02 He doesn't say: "Well, if you clean yourself up 39:07 you can come to Me. " 39:09 No. That isn't what He says. 39:12 It says He does this by the "washing of regeneration. " 39:17 That means that He changes us. 39:28 I know some people have trouble with what I'm fixing to say, 39:33 but nevertheless I contend 39:38 that it's true. 39:40 If a person will give their heart to Jesus Christ, 39:45 I don't care what your background has been, 39:48 I don't care how bad you've been, 39:50 if you give your heart to Jesus Christ, HE WILL CHANGE YOU. 39:55 Amen! 39:58 This fellow accepted that. 40:02 Gave his heart to the Lord. 40:08 The pastor said: "Just give your heart to the Lord. 40:12 Follow Jesus; give your heart; stay with Him. 40:15 He'll change you. " 40:18 So he got home. Got to thinking about it. 40:23 A few days passed and he said: "I want to go to a party. " 40:29 Said: "I'd just like to go to a party. " 40:34 So he finally said: "OK, Jesus, come on. 40:36 We're going to go to a party. " 40:38 And so, we went to the party. 40:41 Got there. After a while he said: 40:46 "Jesus, we're not having a very good time. " 40:50 You see, it changes your life. 40:54 It... I've seen people change, folks. 40:57 Too many times I've seen people that change their whole way 41:02 of life. I'll never forget 41:08 holding a meeting. 41:11 In the door walked a lady and her daughter. 41:18 The daughter - probably in her early 20's - 41:22 came walking down the aisle. 41:26 She had purple hair, 41:30 and everything that she had on I could hold in my hand. 41:35 I mean it stopped the whole service 41:39 as everybody turned and watched as she walked down. 41:43 But they came night after night. 41:48 Some nights her hair was orange. 41:52 Some nights, I mean, she just didn't wear very much. 41:57 But they came 41:59 and they accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. 42:03 I will never forget... We got down to the end of the meetings. 42:08 They had given their hearts to the Lord. 42:11 They said: "We want to follow Jesus. 42:14 We want to do what He says. " 42:16 I can remember some of the dear saints 42:20 opposing me on baptizing them. 42:23 You know, they wanted them to clean themselves up. 42:28 You know? 42:30 Said: "No, Jesus will clean them up. " 42:33 So we baptized them. 42:37 But year... but month after month after month 42:43 the change took place. 42:45 Changed and the life became completely different. 42:49 Dear friend, let me tell you something: 42:52 it's the washing of regeneration 42:54 that Christ does that changes our lives. 42:58 That's what happens. 43:05 That is the work of the Holy Spirit. 43:09 If our people would just learn: that is not YOUR work. 43:13 That's the work of the Holy Spirit. 43:16 Your work... you want to know what your work is? 43:19 Your work is to keep your heart open 43:21 and let the Holy Spirit do its work. 43:23 This whole process of perfection, dear friends, 43:28 will only take place as you surrender 43:32 and let the Holy Spirit do its work. 43:34 That's the way it happens. 43:46 The Holy Spirit is more than capable 43:52 of changing you. 43:56 The problem is: 43:58 most of the time we want to manage our own lives. 44:03 We want to run it... we want to do it our way. 44:07 We don't like the way it's being handled. 44:13 Have you ever been there? 44:17 You ever been where... you know, 44:20 it's... sometimes it's uncomfortable, I have to admit. 44:24 Especially the times when... you know... 44:29 when I can't see. Have you ever been there? 44:33 When you can't see? 44:35 You know, most of us would like for the Lord to 44:39 open all the doors all the way up 44:43 so that you and I can look down all the way and say: 44:46 "Yeah, it's fine. " 44:48 But that isn't the way it happens. 44:50 You know what doors He opens? 44:53 Hmmm? 44:55 The ones behind you. 44:58 You can turn around and look down all of those... 45:00 see just as clear as a bell. 45:02 It's the ones in front of you that He opens only one 45:07 at a time. 45:10 And bless your heart, 45:12 He won't open another one until you walk through that one. 45:17 And when you walk through that one, He'll open another one. 45:21 And sometimes when you walk through it, 45:24 He slams the one behind you. 45:28 And the one in front of you doesn't open, 45:30 and there you stand. And you know what you have to do? 45:33 You just have to wait. 45:36 Let the Holy Spirit do its work in your life. 45:43 And if you do that, then He does His work and changes us... 45:49 makes us different. 45:50 That's the work of the Holy Spirit. 45:52 That's its purpose. 46:00 I'm thankful for that text. 46:04 "Having been justified by His grace. " 46:09 I am not justified any other way 46:14 other than by His grace. 46:18 You see, 46:21 there's times when 46:26 I'd like to be 46:29 justified... but I'm not. 46:36 Have you ever... 46:41 Maybe confession is good for the soul. I think 46:44 I heard Danny say it's not good for the reputation. 46:49 But 46:52 here while we've been doing 46:54 all these programs 46:55 my computer crashed 46:59 and I lost everything I had in my computer. 47:05 And I had to buy all new software, OK? 47:11 So I don't know if you understand. That runs into 47:16 hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars, see. 47:20 And I had just bought all new upgrades. 47:25 I mean, I had spent this money for upgrades 47:28 and now here my computer has crashed. 47:30 I've lost everything and the upgrades won't do me any good. 47:33 I've got to buy new programming completely. 47:37 Hundreds of dollars. 47:40 My granddaughter is in college, 47:46 and I thought... yeah, there it is. 47:50 I'll just buy it through her 47:53 and save hundreds and hundreds of dollars 47:57 because you can buy the programs as a student 48:01 and save lots of money. 48:03 So I went down and I bought them. 48:06 Had her buy them, 48:08 and I took them and put them on my computer. 48:12 And I "justified" what I had done - 48:17 or I should say I rationalized what I had done - 48:20 and thought since I had just bought new software and all 48:24 this was perfectly all right. 48:28 But when I got home, my conscience wouldn't justify it. 48:33 It just would not leave me alone, 48:37 and I had to write to Microsoft 48:41 and to Adobe and had to send them checks and say 48:45 "I'm sorry for what I have done. " 48:47 See... you have to be willing 48:51 to let the Holy Spirit do its work in your life... 48:56 and then you stand where Christ can stand 49:01 in your place. And He's the One 49:04 that can justify you... 49:07 because you and I are sinful 49:13 and we have to walk with the Lord. 49:23 No. You can't... you can't say... 49:28 somebody can't say: "Well Lord, this person is 49:31 a sinner. " You know what He's going to say? 49:33 Tell Me about it! 49:36 I know it. 49:37 He's very much aware of it 49:39 that person's a sinner. 49:50 Another person didn't die for you. Christ died for you! 49:54 He's the One that paid the price. 50:04 It's Christ that did all this. 50:07 And so you and I can come to Him 50:11 and say: "Lord, here... 50:15 here I am. Sinful, unworthy. 50:22 But because of Your Son Jesus Christ 50:26 I have hope. " 50:34 Hope of eternal life. 50:37 He's promised that to each one of you here tonight. 50:41 Each of you who are watching by television, 50:44 each one of you who are listening on the radio, 50:47 God has promised you hope of eternal life. 50:56 This is the promise. 50:59 And dear friend, this Savior 51:01 that we have talked about tonight is coming back. 51:05 And when He's coming back, is He going to be your Savior? 51:11 Is He going to be mine? 51:21 He's going to come back. 51:22 Going to gather all of His children. 51:24 Going to say: "These are Mine. I died for them. 51:28 I... out of mercy... have saved them. " 51:44 See? Promised that to you and to me. 51:48 Hope that's given to each one of us. 51:51 And so tonight I would say to each one of you: 52:08 To each one of you is born a Savior. 52:11 Tonight you have to be willing by God's grace 52:17 to step out and accept Christ in your heart 52:21 as your personal Savior. 52:22 So I don't know of any other way, folks, 52:26 that as I consider all that 52:28 Jesus Christ has done 52:30 and all that He has accomplished 52:32 for you and for me 52:34 than to ask the King's Heralds to come back and sing 52:37 Joy To The World. 52:52 Joy to the world! 52:55 The Lord is come! 52:58 Let earth receive her King; 53:03 Let every heart 53:07 prepare Him room, 53:09 And heav'n and nature sing, 53:12 And heav'n and nature sing, 53:15 And heav'n, and heav'n 53:18 and nature sing. 53:21 He rules the world 53:23 with truth and grace, 53:26 And makes the nations prove 53:31 The glories of 53:35 His righteousness 53:37 And wonders of His love, 53:40 And wonders of His love, 53:43 And wonders, wonders 53:46 of His love. 53:48 And wonders, wonders 53:52 of His love. 54:02 Amen! 54:04 Let's bow our heads for prayer. 54:06 Father, tonight as we have looked at Christ as our Savior, 54:14 as we have seen that He has done everything 54:20 that's necessary for us to be saved... 54:24 that we can't contribute anything 54:29 to the plan of salvation... 54:31 That all we can do tonight is accept... 54:38 accept His marvelous gift 54:40 that we each might be saved. 54:45 Not because we deserve it 54:47 but because of what Christ has done for us. 54:52 Bless each one. 54:54 May they reach out in faith tonight 54:58 and accept You into their hearts as their Savior. 55:02 For this we ask in Christ's name. 55:07 Thank you very much for being here. 55:10 Thank you for loving the Lord Jesus Christ. 55:14 Good night. God bless you. 55:18 Hello, friends. 55:20 In Luke the 12th chapter Jesus tells an interesting story 55:24 of a master who returned home from his wedding 55:27 hoping to find each of his servants eagerly waiting 55:31 to let him in 55:32 no matter what hour of the day or the night. 55:35 This story is about each of us 55:37 who have been bought by His precious blood 55:39 and therefore have become His servants. 55:42 And His hope is that we will faithfully be doing 55:46 the work He assigned while anxiously awaiting His return. 55:51 But this beautiful parable 55:53 has a dark warning as well. 55:55 Luke writes about a break-in that happens 55:58 in the night while the master of the house is fast asleep. 56:02 Under the cover of darkness, 56:04 a thief steals his most precious possession. 56:08 And Jesus goes on to say 56:09 "But know this, that if the master of the house 56:12 had known what hour the thief would come 56:15 he would have watched 56:16 and not allowed his house to be broken into. 56:19 Therefore you also be ready for the Son of Man is coming 56:23 at an hour you do not expect. " 56:25 Friends, none of us know the hour of Christ's second coming. 56:29 To some it may seem like a far-off event. 56:32 But if their life should end today, 56:35 it will feel like only a moment. 56:37 Jesus' message is the same for us today. 56:41 Do all you can to prepare 56:43 and faithfully watch and wait. 56:46 Satan is a thief, and there is nothing he enjoys more 56:50 than stealing our relationship with Jesus. 56:54 He robs us by making us careless and indifferent. 56:57 He tries to distract us from spending time with our Lord 57:01 and to burden us with so much care that we become indifferent 57:05 to those who are suffering 57:07 and those who don't know about our loving Savior. 57:12 As Christians, we are given the great privilege of being 57:16 called the sons and daughters of God. 57:18 But with this privilege comes an awesome responsibility: 57:22 to be faithful servants and to tell others about Jesus. 57:27 Are you being faithful to God? 57:29 Are you ready to give an account of your stewardship? 57:32 Our ministry is geared entirely 57:34 to taking care of those spiritual needs 57:37 of those who watch us all over the world. 57:40 Won't you help us? 57:41 Please consider what you can do 57:43 for those who still don't know about Jesus. 57:46 As the Holy Spirit impresses, 57:48 please send your tax-deductible gifts to: 58:02 Thank you for helping us spread the light of God's Word 58:04 through television and radio. 58:06 Your gifts help bring the blessed hope of salvation 58:09 to millions around the world. |
Revised 2014-12-17