Participants: Pr. Louis Torres
Series Code: OTR
Program Code: OTR000732
|
01:00 Welcome to Digging Up the Future,
01:02 Bible Prophecy Exposed. 01:03 We're glad that each of you are with us 01:05 and we're glad that we can study God's word together. 01:08 And we've been just going on this journey 01:10 looking at the prophecies, looking at Bible truths 01:13 and today we're gonna be asking the question 01:15 why are there so many different denominations 01:18 and how can you tell the difference. 01:19 You know, if you go to a restaurant 01:21 you go to eating enticement 01:23 and they have all kinds of choices. 01:25 It's kind of hard to choose. 01:26 You're sitting there and saying which one should I chose. 01:29 Maybe this one, maybe that one and sometimes you'll just wish 01:33 there was only maybe one choice there 01:35 to make it a lot easier, at least ordering. 01:38 But you know when it comes to worshipping God 01:41 is it just what we think or what our inclinations are? 01:46 We're gonna find out tonight in tonight's message. 01:49 And so let's just bow our heads 01:50 and ask the Lord's presence to be with us. 01:53 Father in heaven, we are thankful that 01:56 though there were many things You could do, 01:59 You decided to come send Your Son to this earth 02:03 to die on Cavalry's cross for each person 02:05 that is hearing and watching this program. 02:09 And You made that choice. 02:10 Tonight we're going to be looking 02:11 at all the different denominations. 02:14 We're going to ask 02:16 why are there so many denominations, 02:17 it doesn't really matter. 02:18 And we just ask that Your spirit Your presence 02:20 would be with us as we, as we consider this topic. 02:25 We come in Christ name, amen. 02:28 We're going to have a special number 02:30 "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" 02:33 Chris Albrecht and Anthia Hii will be playing for us. 06:18 Amen. 06:21 Had a call from someone not too long ago 06:24 who was concerned about 06:27 what particular church I belong to 06:29 and apparently this person was considered to be 06:34 what is called a church hopper. 06:38 Have you ever heard of that term before, 06:40 a church hopper? 06:41 Somebody who hops from church to church 06:43 to church to church. 06:46 I believe that there are lot of people 06:47 who are confused and in fact I've had people 06:51 say listen its so confusing out there 06:55 as to which is the right church to go to. 06:57 Did I decide that if God wants to find 06:59 He is gonna come to my home 07:02 and look me up because it just too difficult to go 07:06 and find which is the right religion. 07:10 Have you ever felt that way? 07:12 Have you ever felt that it's been such a challenge 07:15 that it's almost like finding a needle in a haystack? 07:23 Tonight we're going to study the subject 07:25 is to why are there so many denominations. 07:28 But first join me for a prayer as we study. 07:31 Father, as we study Your word again 07:33 we pray Your spirit to guide direct us 07:36 and give us the understanding that 07:37 You would want us to have in Jesus name, amen. 07:42 There is no question that when Jesus is here on earth 07:45 one of the things that He instructed His disciples 07:48 was that there would be a lot of false Christ. 07:53 In other words, that potential was that the faith 07:57 that the Lord had given to the disciples 07:59 would get splintered and divided. 08:02 And so in the Book of Jude 08:04 we find the Prophet Jude writing and saying 08:06 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence 08:10 to write unto you of the common salvation, 08:12 it was needful." 08:14 It was what? 08:15 "Needful for me to write unto you, 08:18 and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend 08:22 for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." 08:26 Notice, the emphasis and the urging 08:31 is that there should be a contending 08:35 for the faith that was once delivered on to the saints. 08:39 Obviously, then there was a faith that was delivered 08:42 to the saints that was a saving faith. 08:48 But there was concern that other faith would come along 08:51 and consequently bring about confusion. 08:54 So today if you were to go into the Yellow Pages 08:58 here in North America you would find 09:00 that there are over 1,700 different denominations. 09:04 And by the way all of them claim to be the right one. 09:08 And so the question then is, how can we find the right one? 09:13 I should tell you first of all that 09:14 according to the Scriptures in the beginning 09:18 there was one faith and in the new beginning 09:21 there will be one faith. 09:23 In other words, if you go to Genesis Chapter 1 and 2 09:26 "There was one God and one faith." 09:28 If you go to the Revelation Chapter 21 and 22 09:32 you will find again one God and one faith. 09:34 Now the question is if that's true 09:36 if there was one faith to begin with 09:38 and it will be one faith to end with 09:42 or should I say begin or began 09:44 in the new beginning then why is that 09:46 we have so many different faiths today 09:48 and what's the answer to that. 09:51 You know, that the Scripture tells us in Ephesians 4:5 09:56 "There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism." 09:59 I should explain here that 10:03 Paul who is writing this is saying 10:05 that there is only one true Lord, 10:08 there is only one true faith 10:10 and there's only one true baptism. 10:13 This is not in reference to numbers 10:14 but in reference to quality. 10:17 So the reason for that is of course 10:20 that there are many people 10:21 who would call themselves Lord's 10:23 and many faiths would come about 10:25 and many different types of baptisms would be exercised. 10:28 And so Paul is making it clear 10:31 that there is only one true Lord, 10:33 there is only one true faith 10:34 and there is only one true baptism. 10:39 So let's go to the beginning and discover what happened. 10:46 In the beginning when God had created Adam and Eve 10:50 it was one faith, one God with His people. 10:55 But when man sinned still after that 10:59 there was still one faith until something happened. 11:02 That the Scripture reveals that an evil tendency 11:07 came into one of the boys his name of course is Cain. 11:12 And Cain decided that 11:14 he did not want to follow the prescribed way 11:19 that God had dictated concerning what was acceptable. 11:23 In fact he decided that he was gonna go to God 11:26 and he was gonna bring his particular offerings 11:29 and basically say well, 11:31 God if you want me to come You gonna have accept 11:33 what I'm offering You. 11:35 Well, Abel didn't do that. 11:37 Abel actually brought to God what God had asked. 11:42 And so you find right there from the start 11:44 after the fall of man 11:46 that there are two divergent faiths now not one. 11:51 One which is basically a salvation by works, 11:56 Abel trying to offer what he wants to offer 12:00 but one is salvation by faith, 12:03 Abel offering to God what God had asked. 12:07 Cain offering what he wanted. 12:09 Abel asking-- offering what God had asked. 12:12 And right there as you know 12:14 this is a first religious controversy that took place 12:17 and of course the Bible reveals 12:19 that Cain decided to kill his brother Abel. 12:22 And so in the Book of Hebrews 12:24 it talking about this it says " By faith." 12:26 By what? 12:27 "Faith Abel offered unto God 12:30 a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, 12:32 by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, 12:35 God testifying of his gifts 12:37 and by it he being dead yet he speaks." 12:41 In other words, Abel by faith did what God asked. 12:47 And as a result God considered Abel to be a righteous man. 12:54 As Abel had passed away 12:59 God then through Eve brought up 13:02 another young man his name was Seth. 13:04 And Eve believed that through her 13:10 would come the Savior. 13:11 Since the Savior had been promised 13:13 God has said in Genesis 3:15 that the seed would come. 13:17 Well, Eve believed that somehow it would come very quickly. 13:22 In fact, when she had Cain 13:24 she said that she had received a child of the Lord. 13:29 In other words, she believed that 13:30 this was the one who would deliver. 13:32 But it turned out the opposite. 13:35 Cain did not become the deliverer 13:37 but rather the murderer. 13:39 Well, Seth then took up the posterity 13:43 and through Seth, and Cain belong line 13:46 of those who carried along the genuine faith 13:50 in God all away up to the time of Noah. 13:55 At the same time as Cain developed his own ideas 13:58 and his own philosophy 14:00 and his own religious perspective 14:02 there was another mass group of people 14:06 who were following a different way 14:08 than what God had given to His children. 14:12 So the Scripture reveals then that there is a-- 14:16 this division between the genuine faith 14:19 and of course other faiths that had come into place. 14:23 So "the true faith then was not become extinct." 14:27 It was not to what? Become extinct. 14:30 "God has ever preserver remnant to serve Him. 14:33 Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem in unbroken line, 14:37 had preserved from age to age 14:39 the precious revealings of His will." 14:41 It was necessary if man was to be saved 14:44 that which God had given to mankind 14:47 the holy oracles of God 14:50 could be maintained and contained intact 14:53 so that all the posterity of Adam and Eve 14:57 all the children would come along 14:59 would have an opportunity to know 15:02 what was the true faith to follow it 15:05 and find the salvation that God had offered 15:08 through the Son of God would come 15:12 and finally die for mankind. 15:14 So that seed was kept alive. 15:19 We finally come to the time of the ark. 15:22 Do you remember finally mankind had become 15:27 so wicked that God had to interpose? 15:31 And the Bible says concerning Noah 15:35 "The Lord said unto Noah, 15:36 Come thou and all thy house into the ark 15:38 for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation." 15:43 In other words, Noah who was a descendant of Seth 15:50 was a true believer and believed 15:54 in the genuine faith of God had given to his children. 15:58 God had given to Noah then the responsibility 16:01 of preserving the seed that would continue 16:05 to live on after the flood. 16:07 And so Noah preaching the gospel 16:10 allowed people the opportunity 16:11 to come into the ark to find salvation. 16:14 However we know from history 16:16 and from the Scriptures that unfortunately 16:19 not many people responded to that appeal. 16:23 I suppose that people might have had their reasons 16:26 for not getting into the ark. 16:28 I suppose that people could have said look Noah, 16:31 if what you're saying is true 16:32 we don't need to get to the ark 16:33 we can make our own ark, 16:35 thank you or they could have argued Noah, 16:40 we don't believe what you're saying. 16:42 Why do you think that you're the only right one? 16:45 Are you holier than everybody else? 16:48 And let's think that same argument is heard today. 16:50 People say what do you think 16:52 you're holier than everybody else. 16:54 Have you heard that yes or no? 16:55 Yes, and so none the less 16:59 even though people might have felt that way 17:02 in the days of Noah there was only one ark of safety. 17:07 How many? One ark of safety. 17:11 It did matter what you believed 17:12 or what you didn't want to believe 17:14 if you did not believe the message of salvation 17:17 when the flood came you were lost. 17:19 So if you were inside the ark you were what? 17:23 Saved and if you were outside the ark you were lost. 17:27 And so you could have argued. 17:30 You could say I don't believe that I don't want to do that. 17:34 I don't want to follow that. 17:35 But friend, if you wanted salvation 17:37 God had provided one way. 17:40 And our acceptance of that way 17:43 demonstrates our gratitude that God has merciful enough 17:47 to open to us a door of escape so that we can find salvation. 17:52 Well, the Bible then reveals 17:54 that after the flood then as the family of Noah regrouped 18:00 and they began to settle down into a new life 18:03 unfortunately it happened again. 18:07 You know the rest of the story what took place. 18:10 The Bible reveals then that Ham got inflicted 18:14 with that terrible disease called sin 18:18 and Ham then decided to establish 18:22 his own way of thinking and his religion. 18:25 In fact the Bible reveals that 18:26 from Ham came the descendants of his 18:30 that build what is called the Tower of Babel. 18:34 And the Tower of Babel was an attempt 18:37 for man to save himself. 18:39 And so God however still preserve for himself 18:44 people who would be faithful and would obey Him. 18:48 And so we come all the way through Genesis 26 18:53 where we find that Abraham was a man who had faith 18:59 but also demonstrated his faith by his obedience. 19:01 What do you say? 19:03 And so the Bible says "Because Abraham obeyed 19:05 my voice kept my charge my commandments 19:07 my statutes and my laws." 19:10 In other words Abraham was a man of integrity. 19:13 He was a man who was loyal to God. 19:16 And though he had some of his challenges 19:18 still he chose rather to follow the way of God. 19:22 And he demonstrated his faith and his obedience in God. 19:27 So if you notice there are two identifying marks 19:31 then that mark the genuine seed carriers or truth carriers. 19:36 Notice then according to the Book of Hebrews 11:8 19:41 it says "By faith Abraham" by what? 19:43 "By faith Abraham, when he was called 19:46 to go out into a place 19:47 which he should after receive for an inheritance, 19:51 obeyed and he went out, not knowing whither he went." 19:55 Notice then there're two qualities. 19:57 Two what? Two qualities. 19:59 Number one, that a faith exercising faith 20:02 and trusting God and the other one of obedience. 20:06 So through the centuries then 20:09 God then identifies His people as those who have genuine faith 20:14 and trust in the salvation that God offers 20:19 and not that man develops or makes. 20:22 Well, Abraham separated from that place called Ur 20:27 where the Tower of Babel have been built 20:31 and went and followed God 20:33 wherever God determined he should go. 20:37 We now then recognize that there is faith and obedience. 20:44 So we can track God's children 20:47 by those true identifying marks throughout history. 20:51 Well, if you were then remember, 20:55 after Abraham came this two sons-- 20:59 I pardon me its Isaac and then came Jacob 21:01 and his son Esau and again you have a separation 21:06 or splitting off and it is from Esau 21:09 and from Ham that all the religions 21:12 in the land of Canaan are established. 21:15 In fact, if you read the scriptures 21:16 it says that the Canaanites, 21:18 the Mennonites and all those people 21:21 are descendants of Ham. 21:23 So you have a lot of different ideas of religion 21:26 that have been established 21:27 but God still maintains His genuine religion, 21:30 His genuine faith intact 21:32 because there are those who chose to stay 21:36 in connection with God 21:37 and who chose to follow God in His ways. 21:40 We have then those two tracks going side by side. 21:45 The enemy of course is seeking to thwart the plans of God 21:49 and seeking through offer mankind 21:51 all manners of salvation 21:53 which he knew perfectly well would not save mankind. 21:57 God however still wanting man to be saved 22:01 still offered His offer of salvation. 22:05 The question was who or which way people would choose. 22:11 Unfortunately, the majority chose the way 22:14 of disobedience and God's people 22:17 chose the way of obedience. 22:20 From the time then the God pulled the Israelites 22:24 out of the land of Egypt 22:25 who were descendants by the way of Abraham. 22:28 It is interesting that God now establishes His church. 22:31 His what? 22:33 His church in the wilderness. 22:34 Notice it says "This is he that was in the church 22:38 in the wilderness with the angel 22:41 that spake to him in the Mount Sinai, 22:43 and with our fathers who received 22:45 the lively oracles to give unto us." 22:48 And so, we see then from Adam to Noah, 22:52 from Noah to Abraham from Abraham to Moses 22:57 we see then that is a consistent doctrines 23:02 that God has given to His children consistent faith 23:05 and it was always identified 23:08 as those who had faith in God 23:12 and believed in the faith of God 23:14 as well as obeyed God in what He said. 23:17 Of course, in the time of the Israelites 23:21 when then they went into the land of Canaan 23:24 again people had a choice. 23:26 You could have said my religion 23:28 is better than the religion of the Jews. 23:30 You could have said anything you wanted to 23:31 but the reality is this, if you wanted salvation 23:35 you must belong then to that church 23:37 which God had established. 23:39 I will give you some examples. 23:41 When the Lord went to Jericho 23:44 and sent the people to Jericho and surrounded Jericho. 23:47 In Jericho there was a woman in fact 23:50 we don't know how young she was 23:51 but she was a young prostitute. 23:54 That young woman decided 23:56 that she would cast her allegiance on the side 24:00 of those who she believed were with the true of God of heaven. 24:04 And so Rahab was her name. 24:08 When the Israelites surrounded the city 24:11 she had already made a covenant with the people of God 24:14 that this is what she wanted. 24:16 Obviously, there are people like Rahab 24:19 who long to find the truth 24:21 and when they find it they rejoice in it 24:24 and are willing to leave anything 24:26 behind in order to become part of it. 24:28 And so when the Israelites surrounded Jericho 24:32 and Jericho was destroyed the Bible says 24:34 that Rahab and all her family was saved. 24:39 Therefore, the Bible registers Rahab 24:42 in that wonderful chapter of Hebrew 11 24:45 that gives a whole list of people of faith. 24:48 Rahab believed had faith and obeyed 24:52 and therefore she found salvation. 24:55 Now, as we go on from the time of the Israelites 25:00 you find that the camera of heaven 25:03 always focuses on the seed carriers 25:07 or the truth carriers. 25:09 For example, you may discover in the Bible 25:12 that a lot of countries are not mentioned. 25:14 A lot of nations are not mentioned. 25:16 Only a few nations are mentioned 25:18 you may ask yourself why. 25:20 Why is it that God only mentions 25:22 a certain group of countries? 25:24 Simply because that's where God's people 25:28 who were carrying the truth went. 25:30 In other words, according to the Scriptures 25:34 then if the people were taken to Rome 25:38 then the Bible speaks about Rome. 25:40 If they were taken to Egypt 25:42 then the Bible speaks about Egypt. 25:43 If they're taken to the land of Canaan 25:45 the Bible speaks about the land of Canaan. 25:47 If they were taken to Babylon Bible speaks about Babylon. 25:50 And so all of these countries are mentioned 25:53 because this is where God's precious truth of salvation 25:58 has been taken by those who believed it. 26:04 You think of the mercy of God and His willingness 26:10 to provide for mankind his wonderful truths of salvation. 26:15 Now listen... 26:20 even when the people were taken to Babylon 26:24 and it looked like the devil well had succeeded 26:26 in destroying the truth carriers 26:29 because God had set the children of Israel 26:32 right in the centre of the known world. 26:34 And the reason for that was so that as people 26:37 came from Europe to go to Africa 26:40 they would pass through Israel and marvel 26:42 and how great it was to serve the God of heaven. 26:45 And give them an opportunity to find salvation 26:48 through that wonderful demonstration of godly people. 26:52 They had people came Africa. 26:53 They would traverse through Israel 26:55 and again the purpose was to inspire people 26:58 with that hope that only comes 27:00 from one excerpt the truth that's it is in Christ. 27:03 Well, finally because the people 27:07 are not faithful God then scatters them 27:11 and one of the places that 27:13 they're sent to of course is Babylon. 27:15 But even though the majority of the people 27:18 had forsaken God they were still those that were faithful. 27:22 In fact, if you remember the Prophet Elijah 27:25 who was concerned that he was the only one 27:27 that remained God said I have yet 7,000 27:31 that have not been they need to Baal. 27:33 In other words, God still had His faithful people 27:36 even in the midst of unfaithful people. 27:38 What do you say? 27:40 Which is important? 27:41 My friends, listen sometimes you may find yourself 27:45 in the midst of people who supposedly are Christians 27:50 and yet their very actions betray their profession. 27:55 And you may get discouraged and begin to criticize 27:59 and call people hypocrites and all that. 28:00 Remember this keep you eyes on Jesus. 28:03 As long as you keep your eyes on Jesus 28:06 He will never let you down. 28:07 If you keep your eyes on people 28:09 they will fall and you'll fall with them. 28:12 And so remember that God always wants us 28:15 to keep our faith in Him and to obey Him. 28:18 What do you say? Does that make sense? 28:20 Well, from that time of Babylon 28:23 when the three worthies for example were challenged 28:26 to surrender their faith, their allegiance to God 28:30 and to give up their, trust and obedience to God. 28:36 They would test it. 28:37 The king set up a statue and ask everybody 28:40 to bow down to the statue 28:42 and if they would not bow down 28:43 whoever did not would be cast into the fiery furnace. 28:46 And these three boys decided that we're not going to do it 28:50 and so the king threatened them 28:52 and the boys just simply said to the king "But if not." 28:56 In other words, God will deliver us. 28:58 "But if not, be it known unto thee, 29:01 O king, that we will not serve thy gods, 29:03 nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." 29:06 Now why does these boys say that? 29:08 Because one of the commandments says 29:10 thou shall not worship idols. 29:16 These boys demonstrated their faith in God 29:20 that God could deliver them 29:21 if God so chose to but in spite of that 29:25 they were going to trust Him and obey Him. 29:28 And if God chose to deliver them fine 29:30 otherwise they still were going to cast 29:33 their lives in the hands of God. 29:36 That faith paid off because the Lord protected them 29:39 and they were taken out of the fiery furnace. 29:43 So friend, when you're tempted 29:47 pressures come upon you 29:49 to go against what you know to be true, 29:52 go against what you know the Bible says. 29:55 Remember this if you're faithful and true 29:57 God will deliver you. 30:00 I can vouch for that 30:01 because I have experience that often times. 30:05 As we continue then we see then 30:07 how the truth carriers are traced 30:10 from the time of Adam 30:12 all the way through to the time of Christ. 30:15 And so you'll find for example 30:18 in the New Testament two lists of names. 30:22 We call it genealogy. 30:24 And sometimes people kind 30:25 of read over then skip over that 30:27 because they don't think there's much 30:29 in those lists of names. 30:31 But in reality my friends, God is demonstrated in proving 30:34 that He was successful in keeping the truth 30:37 being carried through from generation to generation 30:40 all the way from Adam down to Christ. 30:42 And that's why those lines of names are there 30:46 to demonstrate that God was successful. 30:49 He did preserve His truth, all away up to Christ. 30:54 What do you say? 30:55 And if God preserved His truth all the way up to Christ, 30:58 4,000 years of constant challenges with His faith, 31:03 even His own people sometimes would turn their backs on God 31:06 and went and worships statues 31:08 and then false god's still threw it all. 31:12 God still preserved His wonderful truth of salvation. 31:15 And when Jesus came on planet earth 31:18 that truth had been kept and maintained. 31:21 Now, finally as Jesus thus shows up on this planet 31:28 there is a desire to restore 31:32 that which perhaps had been lost. 31:35 Do you remember that the Israelites 31:36 were supposed to be the truth carriers? 31:38 They were supposed to be the one's 31:40 to protect God's wonderful truth. 31:42 But through the centuries something had happened. 31:45 And there is a lot of confusion that took place 31:47 and they'd accepted philosophies and doctrines 31:52 that would not in harmony 31:53 with God had given through the fathers. 31:56 And so that's why Jesus said in vain do you worship Me 31:59 teaching for doctrines and commandments of man. 32:02 Well if you notice then we have traced the line of truth 32:08 all the away from Adam through Moses down to Christ. 32:12 And so when John the Baptist shows up 32:17 notice Jesus says about him 32:20 "Elias truly shall first come and do" What? 32:24 "Restore all things." 32:26 Why do things need to be restored? 32:28 Because they were people who believed in the truth 32:32 but the majority of people 32:33 had forsaken the actual teachings 32:36 that God had given down through the centuries. 32:39 There were zealous to protect their own ideas 32:43 but not zealous to protect what God had given to them. 32:45 And often times the rulers would come 32:49 and have a controversy with Christ. 32:51 And finally they would say something like this 32:54 "why do your disciples disobey the commandment 32:57 or why do you disregard the traditions?" 33:00 And Jesus simply said "listen, it is more important to follow 33:04 what God had said than to follow what man has said." 33:07 Constantly that was controvert it back and forth 33:10 one time they came to tempt Jesus 33:12 and they said show them a coin and said look 33:16 I'm sorry they came and said 33:17 who should we pay tribute to Caesar or to God. 33:20 And Jesus asked for a coin and then He said look at 33:23 what the inscription is and whose image it is. 33:25 They said Caesar. 33:26 Then Jesus said render to Caesar what's Caesar 33:29 and to God's what's God's. 33:31 But the problem is that they'd forget 33:32 what belonged to God. 33:36 Why did they forget it? 33:37 They had a Bible they had the Old Testament. 33:41 Is it possible friends, 33:43 that people can come to the place 33:46 where from generation to generation 33:49 they hear things that they thing are true 33:52 and think of finding the Scriptures 33:54 when in reality they're not. 33:55 Can that happen? Yes, it happens all the time. 33:58 I can give you a list of many doctrines 34:02 that came into the Christian faith 34:03 through the centuries they have nothing to do 34:06 with the Bible or with Christianity 34:08 but there are lot of people think is from Christ. 34:11 Let me give you one example 34:13 most people practice Easter 34:15 and on Easter Sunday they have usually here 34:17 in this country anyway 34:19 they have the egg and the bunny. 34:21 And one time I asked the lady, how come there was a bunny? 34:24 She said oh there must have been a little rabbits 34:26 at the foot of cross 34:27 and that's why we have a bunny. 34:29 Well, they had nothing to do 34:30 with a bunny at the foot of the cross 34:32 it actually had to do with paganism. 34:34 The bunny was an emblem or symbol 34:38 and the egg was a symbol 34:39 of the worship of a God as procreation. 34:41 And so when paganism 34:44 and Christianity joined together 34:46 they then adopted some of the pagan symbols 34:48 into the Christian faith. 34:50 That may come as a shock to you 34:52 but I'm just illustrating that there're people 34:54 who think that things are biblical 34:57 oh, from God when reality have nothing to do 34:59 with the God of heaven 35:01 but something to do more with tradition 35:03 or practices of customs that people have established. 35:08 That's why it's so important for us 35:09 to go back to the Word of God. 35:11 What do you say? 35:12 As we studied the Word of God 35:13 we see that God actually makes it clear 35:16 what we ought to believe and what we ought to hold to. 35:20 That's why Paul says that-- 35:21 Jude said that we've to content 35:23 for that faith that once delivered onto the saints. 35:27 In Matthew 16:18 then Jesus made a statement 35:32 that a lot of people have misunderstood. 35:34 And Jesus basically is telling the disciples 35:38 that He is restoring everything upon Himself. 35:42 And so He said to Peter "Thou art Peter, 35:45 and upon this rock I will build my church 35:47 and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." 35:50 Well, there is a people who are saying 35:52 you see God build the church upon Peter. 35:54 No, Peter was defeated by the devil 35:57 when he accursed and swore and denied Christ we know that. 36:00 And so why did Jesus say that? 36:02 Well, Jesus didn't say Peter, upon you He said Peter, 36:05 you're be well upon this rock, you see. 36:08 Not upon you but upon this rock I will build the church. 36:11 Well, Peter himself confirms that 36:13 because later on in the book Ephesians 36:16 Paul writes and Peter writes 36:19 that fact that Jesus is the rock. 36:22 Who is it? It is Christ that's the rock. 36:25 And it is important to understand that 36:27 because please remember this 36:30 that the one who gave the first genuine faith to Adam and Eve 36:35 is the same one who came to dwell upon the earth. 36:39 Do you think He forgot 36:40 what he talked Adam and Eve? 36:42 Do you think He forgot the principles? 36:44 No, of course not. 36:45 He knew exactly what He needed to restore 36:48 because by this time there were so many things 36:50 that have crept into the faith 36:52 that God had given to the Jews 36:54 there were difficult to differentiate or distinguish 36:57 what was true and what was false. 37:00 And that's why Jesus said a very wonderful statement. 37:04 "I'm the way the truth and the life." 37:09 So, sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth. 37:15 In other words, if you want to know how to follow Christ 37:20 come to the truth of Christ 37:22 that He has revealed through His word. 37:24 Christ is the rock. 37:25 Now, Christ gave the disciples the understanding 37:32 that He was establishing a church. 37:36 And He established the church 37:37 so that the truth could continue 37:39 to be carried forth all the way up to the time 37:42 that He would arrive on planet earth again. 37:44 In other words, He would come 37:45 the second time to take all His children home. 37:49 Paul writes and says in 1 Timothy 3:15 37:54 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know 37:57 how men ought to behave themselves 37:59 in the house of God, 38:00 which is the church of the living God, 38:02 the pillar and ground of" what? "Of the truth." 38:06 In other words, the Lord had established a church again, 38:10 He had a church in the wilderness 38:11 that church kind of went wayward 38:14 and so now Christ established everything anew again 38:18 to help them to realize 38:20 that they needed to get back to the original faith and truth 38:22 that God had given to them. 38:24 And He then bestowed that into the disciples 38:27 and they were to be stewards of that truth 38:30 and they went to preach that truth 38:32 which because that particular gospel 38:34 would have power to bring salvation 38:37 to those that heard it. 38:38 Well, Paul writes that the church 38:42 then that had been established 38:43 would be the ground and pillar of the truth. 38:46 And so now we find the apostolic faith. 38:49 The which faith? Apostolic faith. 38:51 Now the apostolic faith is a same faith 38:54 that Adam and Eve had. 38:56 Because Adam and Eve believed that they needed to have faith 39:01 and obey what God said 39:03 because that would bring them the security 39:06 that they needed to have in knowing 39:09 that when Christ would come 39:10 they could find salvation through Him. 39:13 Well, now we look back to the same point. 39:17 They had to look forward we look back 39:19 and all of us focus on the reality 39:22 that Jesus is the truth. 39:25 What do you say? 39:26 Now, when the apostolic faith was given 39:30 and the church began to preach 39:32 people began to be baptized into the church. 39:36 Notice what it says then in Acts 2:41, 47. 39:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized 39:45 and the same day there were added 39:47 unto them about three thousand souls." 39:50 And in verse 47 it says "Praising God, 39:52 and having favor with all the people. 39:54 And the Lord added to the church daily 39:57 such as" what? "Should be saved." 39:59 Obviously God has it a harbinger 40:02 all right, a refuge 40:04 where people can come and find salvation. 40:07 He had it in the ark did He not of Noah? 40:10 He had it in the wilderness. Did He not. 40:12 Any one who wanted to be saved 40:13 all they had to do was believe accept 40:16 and become part of God's people. 40:18 In fact in the even during the Medes and the Persian 40:21 they have to follow the Babylon empire. 40:24 There was a time of trouble that came to God's people 40:27 and they'll say young lady name Ester 40:29 who became the queen 40:31 and through her God's spared His people. 40:34 What's amazing is it says 40:36 that the people of the land became Jews. 40:38 They became what? They became Jews. 40:40 In other words, it was clear 40:42 then that these people were the people of God 40:45 because they had faith in God 40:47 and trust in God and obeyed Him. 40:50 But for example Mordecai which is the reason 40:53 why the trouble came around 40:55 with not bow down to somebody else 40:58 and that created some problems. 40:59 Well, let's continue on 41:01 because we have a lot to cover. 41:03 Paul then recognizing the trouble would come 41:06 to that genuine faith began to warn 41:09 and say "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him 41:11 that called you into the grace of Christ 41:13 unto another" what? 41:15 "Unto another gospel which is not another 41:17 but there be some that trouble you, 41:19 and would pervert the gospel of Christ." 41:20 In other word that gospel that given 41:23 that gospel which could save 41:25 the saving gospel began to be affected. 41:28 Again the enemy was successful in watering it down 41:32 so that the power that it had 41:34 through faith and obedience was lost. 41:36 And Paul warns and said 41:37 "But though we, or an angel from heaven, 41:40 preach any other gospel unto you 41:42 than that which we have preached unto you, 41:43 let him be accursed." 41:45 So again he says "As we said before, 41:49 if any man preach any other gospel unto you 41:53 than that ye have received, let him be accursed." 41:55 So there was a gospel given 41:59 and that gospel contained teachings 42:01 and when you find that gospel that has the teachings 42:05 that Christ gave you'll find then assurance of salvation. 42:10 But what would happen to that faith? 42:11 Well... 42:16 there was a great concern that it would be lost side of 42:20 and so in 3 John notice it said "Beloved, 42:23 when I gave all diligence 42:25 to write unto you of the common salvation 42:27 it was needful for me to write unto you 42:29 and exhort you that you should earn 42:31 the contend for the faith 42:32 which was once delivered unto the saints." 42:35 And of course, how could you know 42:38 who was a saint and who wasn't a saint? 42:41 Well, God had given some indication. 42:44 You shall know them by there what? 42:46 By there fruits. 42:47 You shall know them by what? 42:48 Their fruit. 42:50 Why because people will say I'm Christian, I'm a Christian 42:53 and everybody now is a Christian. 42:54 In fact once the apostolic church 42:57 got going it became a real force in history 43:01 and thousands who've been converted 43:03 by the power of God 43:04 people who were thieves became honest, 43:07 drunkards became sober, 43:09 prostitute became pure and noble. 43:13 The wife beater became the loving husband 43:16 and there was another tremendous effect 43:18 on the community. 43:19 People began to rejoice in the freedom 43:22 that they found through Christ to depart from the evil 43:26 that they were committing and find power in the gospel 43:30 to be obedient to that which beforehand 43:33 they could not be obedient too. 43:34 So God in His mercy had through the gospel 43:38 brought salvation to people. 43:40 But there were certain things that they needed to know 43:47 as this problem came into the church 43:51 and that was how to identify the genuine from the false. 43:56 "And so hereby we know that we know him." 44:00 We know who? The Lord. 44:02 "If we keep His commandment 44:05 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth 44:07 not his commandments is a" what? 44:09 "Is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 44:12 Can you see what's happening now? 44:14 There is clear and clear counsel to the believers 44:18 to be able to tell the difference 44:20 between the genuine and the what? 44:22 And the false. Can you see that? 44:25 Paul writes, Peter writes, Jude writes 44:28 and it was all because 44:30 falsehood was creeping through the church. 44:33 And finally "Who so keepeth his words in him 44:38 verily is the love of God perfected him 44:41 by we know that we are in him." 44:45 So you can see then that it was essential 44:51 to have some mechanism of some way 44:54 of determining the false from the truth. 44:57 And of course Christ said warn 44:59 that they would be false Christ. 45:01 And if there would be false Christ 45:02 it would mean that they would use 45:03 His very name to mislead people. 45:06 Is it possible then that people can have 45:09 a good name for their church 45:11 and yet be leading people in wrong direction yes or no? 45:15 Of course, it's possible 45:16 and that's why Christ was warning. 45:19 Well, in the Book of Hebrews now we find 45:22 that there is faith is necessary. 45:25 Without faith it is impossible to please God. 45:29 "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, 45:31 that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." 45:35 So now the apostolic church is growing 45:37 and it's conquering the world people are being converted 45:40 and the enemy is dissatisfied. 45:42 He begins to persecute the church 45:44 many of the first apostles died, 45:47 the church then begins to be affected by people 45:51 who came into the church 45:52 who were not necessarily converted 45:54 and the gospel began to be voted down. 45:56 And finally as the church is affected by paganism 46:02 God has to do something. 46:03 And the scripture says then 46:05 that something when happened to the genuine faith. 46:09 And that is revealed 46:10 in the Book of Revelation Chapter 12, 46:12 in the Book of Revelation Chapter 12 46:14 you have a woman dressed in 46:17 with the sun and standing on the moon 46:19 and crown of stars upon her head. 46:21 The crown of stars representing 46:22 of course the twelve messengers that's what stars represent. 46:26 The colt with the sun and Malachi says 46:29 Jesus is the sun as you in the righteousness 46:31 and of course, standing on the moon 46:33 the types of shadows of the Old Testament. 46:35 So here is the church 46:36 that stands on the Old Testament 46:39 but as the righteous has of Christ 46:41 and it says first propagators of the message the 12 apostles. 46:47 But what happens to this church, 46:48 this apostolic church? 46:50 Well, as you already know there was warning 46:53 that was given to the church 46:54 that it would be effected in the pure gospel 46:57 would be lost side up. 46:59 And so the Bible says 47:00 then that when the woman was-- 47:02 when the woman was attacked by the enemy 47:04 and false doctrines began to creep in 47:07 there were people in the church, 47:09 who could not go along what's taking place 47:11 they began to be persecuted 47:13 and they had no alternative 47:14 than to try to find refuge away from society 47:19 and found it in mountains and hills and valleys et cetera 47:23 where they could worship God 47:25 according to what they knew was true. 47:28 The Bible says "that the woman fled into the wilderness 47:30 where she hath a place prepared 47:32 that they should feed her 47:33 there a thousand two hundred and three score days." 47:38 In other words one thousand two hundred and sixty years 47:41 that God had said 47:43 that the church would go into hiding. 47:44 So here is something 47:46 that's important for you to recognize. 47:47 The apostolic church is growing. 47:49 And finally it attacked 47:50 finally becomes to get watered down 47:53 and God to preserve the genuine message 47:55 the genuine faith God then allows 47:57 the faith to go into the wilderness into hiding. 47:59 For how long? 48:01 Twelve hundred and sixty years. 48:02 Why does that happening? 48:04 Because at the same time 48:05 the beast power comes up into position 48:09 and it begins to control the world 48:12 and any one who did not go 48:13 along with his teachings suffered death. 48:16 And so you have the genuine faith 48:19 goes into hiding for twelve hundred sixty years 48:22 then the false faith begins rein in Europe 48:25 and control people's consciences 48:27 and the dogmas of teachings that people could believe. 48:32 Of course, according to prophecy 48:34 the twelve hundred sixty days 48:35 equals the twelve hundred sixty years. 48:37 And so when that began, 48:40 538AD was when the apostasy took place 48:45 and church became a ruling church in the world 48:48 and it was at this point 48:50 then that many faithful believers 48:53 had to go into the hiding. 48:55 This is what happened of course in the Old Testament as well 48:58 where God had people in Israel 49:00 who had not yet bend their kneel to Baal 49:02 but had to find refuge or hiding 49:04 in order to preserve the truth that God had given to Ham. 49:07 Well, now the church is in hiding 49:09 for twelve hundred sixty days and the church is persecuted. 49:13 Those who love God, those who believed in the scriptures, 49:15 those who had faith and obedience were persecuted. 49:19 Well, they had no choice and to hide in the wilderness. 49:22 And you have many groups 49:23 for example through the dark ages 49:25 who are faithful to God and who rather died 49:28 and give up their faith in Christ 49:30 and in the word that he had given to them. 49:32 They wanted to be people of the word. 49:35 And friends, you and I should be-- 49:36 want to be people of the word, what do you say. 49:39 Well, as that church is persecuted 49:42 the church is in hiding. 49:44 The Bible then finally says that 49:46 that church would come out of hiding. 49:49 But listen it says 49:50 "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, 49:53 that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, 49:55 where she is nourished for a time, 49:56 and times, and half a time." 49:58 That's our 1,260 years that we've talked about. 50:02 "And the serpent cast out of his mouth 50:04 water as a flood after the woman, 50:06 that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 50:09 But the earth fortunately helped the woman, 50:12 and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood 50:15 which the dragon cast out of his mouth." 50:18 I have been to Europe to the Waldensian Valleys 50:20 and I can tell you that people were hiding 50:21 in caves to worship in caves. 50:23 They wanted to follow God 50:24 according to the dictates of their own consciences 50:26 but the popular church would not allow that 50:29 and they suffered great persecution 50:31 as a result of that. 50:33 Would that come to an end? 50:35 The question is what would God do? 50:38 Well, because of the great intolerance, 50:40 religious intolerance in Europe. 50:42 Finally, the Lord spoke to people's hearts 50:45 and they began to leave Europe to come to a new continent. 50:49 And where is that continent? America. 50:52 It was people who desired to find religious freedom. 50:56 They fled from Europe because they weren't to worship 51:00 according to the dictates of their own conscience 51:01 and follow what we understand to be the Word of God. 51:06 At this time there is, there is a lot of leaving of Europe 51:09 and people fled to America to find religious freedom. 51:14 Now what's interesting about that is this. 51:17 That according to the Bible it's said 51:18 and that woman or that truth 51:21 that woman carried will be hiding for 1,260. 51:25 Which means then that from 538, 1,260 years bring you the 798 51:30 you see, which means then that after 798 51:34 the wonderful gospel would again surface. 51:37 All right, so keep that in mind 51:40 because that's a very important thing 51:44 because the Bible again says that when that woman surfaces 51:48 or that faith surfaces the true gospel surfaces. 51:52 It would again be identified by two things. 51:55 Notice it that says 51:57 that "Here is a patience of the saints 52:00 here are they that keep 52:02 the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." 52:05 Again what did he finds obedience and faith. 52:09 You see those two things. 52:11 So if you're going to find a church today 52:15 that is in harmony with all that has trespassed in the past 52:19 that follows the Bible and follows the will of God 52:22 you must find the church that rises after 798. 52:26 Now that's interesting 52:28 because many churches existed before 798. 52:32 But there are few that have come up after 798. 52:35 So then you have the problem. 52:36 You still have the needle in the haystack, right. 52:39 But how do you solve that? 52:41 Notice it says the faith of Jesus-- 52:44 not in Jesus but the faith of Jesus and the commandments. 52:48 So if you want to know which church is in harmony 52:53 with the old gospel with the everlasting gospel 52:56 then you have to have one that has faith of Jesus 52:59 and what else and obedience. 53:01 What do you say? 53:02 Now you may say well that sounds simplistic. 53:06 How can you apply that? Well, it's simple my friends. 53:08 As we have studied from the scriptures 53:10 you know that the Ten Commandments 53:13 are those that God gave 53:14 with his own hand for our purpose 53:16 so that we could live in harmony with his will. 53:19 And as I mentioned before if everybody kept 53:22 the Ten Commandments in this city, 53:23 what kind of city would you have? 53:25 You'll have a perfect city wouldn't you? 53:27 If everybody kept 53:28 the Ten Commandments in the world 53:29 what kind of world would you have? 53:31 You would have a perfect world. 53:33 But think then what would happen 53:35 if people not only kept the letter of law 53:37 but the spirit of the law. 53:39 In other words if they actually loved 53:41 then what kind of world that you would you have? 53:43 You'll have a perfect loving world. 53:44 What do you say? 53:45 And so God gave the Ten Commandments 53:47 for that purpose to identify 53:49 the difference between the truth and the false. 53:52 So you have to have the faith of Jesus 53:55 and you have to have the commandments. 53:57 So if you come across the church today 53:59 that says that they follow Jesus 54:01 but do not keep the commandments 54:02 can they be the genuine one? 54:04 Yes or no? 54:05 There maybe sincere people 54:07 but we're not talking about sincerity friends, 54:09 we're talking about whether or not 54:11 we have found the genuine faith. 54:13 And the genuine faith must have both the faithful Jesus 54:16 and what else the commandments of God. 54:19 But they also have to rise after 1798 54:22 because they would be a different faith out there. 54:26 Notice then that you either have to have both 54:29 or you can have one or the other. 54:32 There are people who have faith in Jesus 54:35 or obey but not both. 54:40 God wants us to have both, what do you say? 54:42 That faith that saves us 54:46 and also that obedience that demonstrates 54:49 that we are a loving people. 54:51 Jesus says if you love Me, keep My commandments. 54:55 And so the Bible then says 54:56 "that the dragon would be wroth with the woman," 54:59 that is the woman that rises up after 1798, 55:03 "which keep the commandments of God 55:05 and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." 55:06 There you have it again. 55:07 So who is the devil angry against? 55:09 Well, he is angry against that faith 55:11 that has the faith of Jesus 55:13 and that keeps the commandments of God. 55:16 You can see then that God has a literal church, a what? 55:20 A literal group of people. 55:22 In fact, we understand 55:24 then that there are several identified marks 55:28 for you to determine which is the genuine faith. 55:31 So let's review them again as we come into a close. 55:35 Number one, Has its truth in the Old Testament. 55:38 Number two, 55:39 has the dual characteristics of genuine faith 55:42 and keeping the commandments of God. 55:43 Number three, accepts 55:44 and teaches from the entire Bible. 55:46 How much? The entire Bible. 55:48 Number four, goes into hiding for 1,260 years. 55:51 Number five, comes up after 1798. 55:53 Number six, recaptures the pure Apostolic Faith and teachings. 55:57 Number seven, calls people 56:00 to a total commitment to Christ. 56:01 Number eight, 56:02 be a worldwide Mission driven movement. 56:04 Number nine, lead people back to obedience 56:06 to all Commandments including what? 56:09 Including the Sabbath. 56:11 You can see that, friends, 56:12 that God does make it simple for us 56:15 to find the genuine faith. 56:16 What do you say? 56:17 And I want to tell you today I'm thankful that the Lord 56:20 has allowed me by His mercy to find that church 56:25 that is in harmony with the teachings of Christ 56:29 and I just want you to know that church in my estimation 56:33 is the Seventh-day Adventist church. 56:37 Our friends, listen, finally Jesus says 56:40 there will be one fold and one Shepherd. 56:44 I want to be in that fold 56:46 and I want to only follow that Shepherd. 56:48 What do you say? 56:49 How many of you tonight would like to say, Lord, 56:51 I want to be part of that fold 56:53 and I want to follow only that Shepherd? 56:57 Shall we pray together? 56:58 Our Father, how thankful we are 57:01 that through history You have maintained 57:04 Your wonderful truth. 57:06 And we see that Your commandments plays 57:08 an important role in such of a God. 57:11 Help us to have faith in You 57:12 and to be willing to follow that truth. 57:15 We pray 1in Jesus name, amen. |
Revised 2014-12-17