Participants: Kenny Shelton
Series Code: 16HC
Program Code: 16HC000004A
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00:48 Welcome to Fall Camp Meeting Homecoming 2016!
00:52 Have you been blessed? Amen! 00:54 What did I tell you? What an inspiration from last night 00:57 for those of you that were here last night. 00:58 Those of you that joined us on 3ABN or listened on the radio: 01:02 we hope you were blessed. We know we were blessed 01:04 for being here. It's just... To me it's a taste 01:08 of what heaven's going to be like, isn't it? 01:09 To be able to be together to worship the Lord, 01:12 but in heaven we'll be able to do that face to face with Him. 01:15 Won't that be amazing? 01:17 And it's a blessing to be here at Camp Meeting. 01:19 And I know last night we had a raise of hands for those that 01:22 were here for the first time for Camp Meeting 01:23 and quite a few of you were here for the first time. 01:26 And it's a blessing to have you here. Maybe you've just 01:28 joined us for the first time on 3ABN. 01:31 We hope that it's not your last but that it will continue. 01:33 And also, coming to 3ABN... we hope this is just 01:36 part of your tradition if you want to call it that. 01:38 We have the Fall Camp Meeting; we have the Spring Camp Meeting. 01:41 It's always a blessing to be together to worship the Lord. 01:45 And I know 3ABN is a team effort. 01:48 You know, you have those that are on 3ABN 01:49 but 3ABN is you all 01:51 and 3ABN is you at home as well. 01:53 You know, it's a team... because as we pray 01:56 and as you pray and as you support financially 01:59 the ministry of 3ABN many souls around the world - 02:02 And isn't that incredible? - 02:04 are being won to Jesus Christ. 02:05 You think about it: while we're sleeping... 02:07 You're in a tent here at Camp Meeting. That seems like 02:10 camping... Camp Meeting. But you think about it: 02:13 you're sleeping in your tent or your hotel room, 02:15 Jill and I at home. 02:17 The message is going out around the world 24/7. 02:20 And it won't be until heaven that we'll find the full story 02:24 of what God has done. So thank you again... 02:26 thank you for supporting the ministry of 3ABN. 02:29 This morning we're going to be blessed 02:30 with a message by Pastor Kenny Shelton. 02:33 He has been, of course, with Danny since the very beginning 02:36 of 3ABN and has been there right with him. 02:39 We appreciate his ministry and his wife, Chris, 02:41 and the ministry and the bless- ing they are to us here at 3ABN. 02:45 And of course, for you that have been following on 3ABN 02:48 for many years you're very familiar with them. 02:50 We also before he speaks have Vonda Beerman. 02:54 She is going to be bringing us special music 02:57 a great song called No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus. 03:01 Isn't that a blessing? Christ definitely cares 03:03 for each one of us. She and her husband Merlin - 03:06 he is unfortunately not able to be here 03:08 for our Camp Meeting - but they have been a part of 3ABN 03:10 for many years. But before we start let's open in prayer. 03:13 Father in heaven, what a blessing it is 03:15 to be here at Camp Meeting to hear Your Word, 03:20 Lord, just broken down by Your servants. 03:23 And, Lord, we know that we can hear so many messages 03:27 but, Lord, we want Your Holy Spirit as You're speaking 03:29 to us and convicting us, that it would take root in our hearts. 03:33 And Father, it wouldn't be like "Oh, that was a great sermon" 03:35 but, Lord, it would become part of us and that as You speak 03:38 to us we would listen and obey. Be with Pastor Kenny 03:41 as he brings us the message today. Be with Vonda 03:44 as she brings us the song in worship. 03:46 Lord, that You would be with them as they present Your 03:49 message. Be with those that are in attendance, 03:51 those that are viewing on 3ABN. Lord, bless them 03:53 in a special way. And in Jesus' name we pray, 03:57 Amen. 04:17 I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus 04:24 since I've found in Him 04:27 a Friend so strong and true. 04:32 I would tell you how He changed my life 04:37 completely... 04:42 He did something that no other Friend 04:46 could do. 04:50 No one ever cared for me 04:57 like Jesus... 04:59 There's no other friend so kind 05:04 as He. 05:08 No one else can take the sin 05:12 and darkness from me. 05:18 Oh how much 05:20 He cares for me. 05:35 Every day He comes to me 05:39 with new assurance. 05:43 More and more I understand 05:47 His words of love. 05:51 But I'll never know just why 05:55 He came to save me 06:00 till some day 06:02 I see His blessed face above. 06:08 No one ever cared for me 06:14 like Jesus... 06:17 There's no other friend so kind 06:22 as He. 06:25 No one else can take the sin 06:30 and darkness from me. 06:36 Oh how much He cares... 06:40 oh how much He cares... 06:45 oh how much He cares 06:51 for 06:56 me! 07:05 Amen! 07:11 Amen! Praise the Lord! 07:13 No one ever cared for me like Jesus. 07:16 Now that's a fact, isn't it? 07:18 Good to see each and every one. We welcome those of you 07:20 visiting us around the world and those who are here 07:22 for the Camp Meeting. Praise God! 07:25 We look forward to spending this time together 07:27 in the study of God's Word. 07:29 And you know what we always do: even though we have prayer 07:31 and we have prayer and we have prayer 07:33 I'm going to kneel up here and I'm going to have prayer 07:35 one more time. If you would like to join with me, 07:37 please feel free to do it. I'm going to kneel right now 07:40 as we have prayer. 07:44 Kind, loving heavenly Father, again we thank you 07:46 for the privilege of prayer. 07:48 We're thankful that we can call upon Thee. In our time of need 07:50 You said You would hear and You would answer. 07:52 Now we ask for the power of Thy Holy Spirit. 07:54 Give us understanding of Your Word. 07:57 Give us clearness of heart and mind. 07:59 Lord, I ask that You would forgive me of any sin, 08:02 anything in my heart and life that needs not be there today. 08:04 I need to hear Your voice and the people need to hear Jesus. 08:07 We need to stand behind the cross of Calvary. 08:10 May this message be one today 08:12 that will bring us to the point of decision 08:14 if we have not come to that point. 08:16 And yet every day we need to make a decision: 08:18 is it going to be Christ or is it going to be Barabbas? 08:21 Bless us now, we pray. 08:23 Bless each mind, each heart, each ear. 08:26 May we be receptive to Your Spirit. In Jesus' name, 08:28 Amen. Amen. 08:31 Praise the Lord! I pray that you brought your Bible 08:33 with you because you know I'm always... 08:35 I'm a believer in this: I believe that you check 08:37 the preacher. You know, I'm going to be nice about it 08:40 but all preachers are not preaching the truth. 08:42 And so you need to check it with the Word of God, don't you? 08:45 In the power of the Holy Spirit so you'll know what truth is 08:48 because the devil is deceiving, isn't he? 08:50 He's a deceiver. 08:51 I'm going to talk about for the few moments that we have today 08:54 Barabbas instead of Christ... or Barabbas or Christ? 08:58 What is it going to be? A decision every day 09:00 that you have to make and I make every day of my life. 09:04 Because as we look at it we have 1. certainly Christ that we want 09:08 and we have Barabbas, who represents the world 09:11 or the enemy. We have several... If you have your Bible 09:13 you'll want to turn to Matthew if you will 09:15 in the New Testament. Matthew chapter 27. 09:18 This is a familiar story I'm sure to most of you. 09:22 But we pray the Holy Spirit will do some wonderful wonderful 09:25 things here today as we open the blessed pages of the Word of God 09:29 and God speaks to us. I like to think of this account 09:33 in scripture... three characters if I might say that 09:38 that are prominent. And cer- tainly Jesus would be number one 09:41 wouldn't He? But then we have Pilate 09:43 and then we have Barabbas. 09:45 And so just quickly a little run down in case maybe you 09:47 have forgotten. I know none of you forget like I do. 09:50 But the little account... you think of Barabbas. 09:53 You think about what kind of a man that he was. 09:57 Did you realize that Barabbas claimed to be the Messiah? 10:02 Yeah! He claimed to be the Messiah. 10:05 He claimed to be able to come into the world 10:07 and he was going to bring the world under a new order. 10:10 He was going to explain some things to them. 10:13 He was going to cause an uproar; he was going to cause a change 10:15 to take place, but he was doing it under the masquerade 10:19 of a Christian. Interesting. 10:22 Think about it. Oh, that's kind of interesting. 10:25 He was sentenced to death. 10:28 He was sentenced because of the acts that he had committed, 10:32 the choices that he had made. 10:34 The two companions of Barabbas 10:38 died on the cross with Jesus, didn't they? 10:40 Those two that died on the cross were his cohorts. 10:44 They worked along with him. 10:46 And so the cross that was made for Barabbas who was going to be 10:49 in the middle... Jesus was nailed there instead. 10:52 Kind of an interesting thought. 10:54 And then we have Pilate. Many of us are like Pilate 10:58 because we find that we... sometimes we're weak 11:01 and we're vacillating. 11:03 And we have pride, and we don't want to lose our position. 11:06 See, Pilate didn't want to lose his position. 11:09 He just said: "You know, I have this... 11:12 popularity. I want to be popular. " 11:14 And he wasn't too... but he had this spirit of compromise. 11:18 In Adventism today we have no room for compromising 11:21 the Word of God. But it's being compromised right and left 11:25 and God's people need to know what it is to expose those who 11:27 are trying compromise the way of the truth. 11:31 We also realize Jesus... we praise God that 11:36 Jesus was willing to come down, willing to die on the cross 11:39 for us. You have your Bibles: Matthew chapter 27. 11:42 I'm going to read just a few verses down quickly 11:44 to give kind of a low-down of what we're going to discuss 11:48 and what took place. Notice verse 15 with me. 11:51 Matthew chapter 27. I like this. Here's what the Bible says: 11:55 Come on, church. This is what the Bible says. 11:57 This is good. "Now at the feast 12:00 the governor was want to release unto the people 12:02 a... " What? "a prisoner whom they would. " 12:05 Notice what it says quickly. "Now at the... " What? 12:08 "at the feast. " So we know at the time of the feast - 12:10 notice this - it was customary to release what? 12:14 Who? A prisoner - notice that - at the time of the feast. 12:18 And you realize that was of pagan origin 12:21 but the Jews loved it. 12:23 Somebody still with me? 12:25 God's people loved it even though it was of pagan origin. 12:28 We have to be careful about those things that originate in 12:30 paganism, right? 12:31 Have to be very careful with those things. 12:33 But they loved it and they wanted to be involved with it. 12:36 Verse 16: "And they had then a notable prisoner 12:42 who was... " What? Yeah... "called Barabbas. " 12:45 He was notorious. 12:47 He was known for some of his deeds... things that he had, 12:51 had been doing. In fact, we realize as we read a little bit 12:55 more about Barabbas that he did some things that 12:59 people could not explain by watching what he was doing. 13:02 The enemy was working through Barabbas. 13:05 Barabbas represents what? The enemy. 13:07 And he was working, and there seemed to be some signs 13:09 and miracles and wonders and deceptions 13:11 that were done. And people thought: "Oh, even though 13:14 it looks like it's not right it must be because we can't 13:17 explain these things." Same thing taking place 13:19 in the world today and when Jesus... you know, the enemy 13:22 shall come impersonating Christ. 13:26 Verse 17: "Therefore when they gathered together... " 13:29 notice: brought before Pilate again... 13:31 "he said to them: 'Whom will ye that I release 13:34 unto you? Barabbas or Jesus which is called Christ? ' " 13:38 Skip to verse 20: 13:39 "But the chief priest... " Notice who was guilty here, 13:42 notice who was leading... "chief priest and the elders 13:45 persuaded the multitude that they should... " Do what? 13:48 "ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus. " 13:51 Interesting! If you look at Desire of Ages page 590 on this, 13:55 it says: "The Jewish leaders were addressed as the rulers 13:59 of Sodom and Gomorrah. " 14:01 Wow! The enemy had taken possession of their minds! 14:08 Notice verse 24: "The governor answered and said unto them: 14:11 'Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? ' " 14:14 And notice what they said? 14:16 "All of them said: 'Barabbas. ' Pilate said to them: 14:20 'What shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ? ' " 14:23 This is what I present to you today and I present to myself. 14:27 Every day the question comes up to each one of us: 14:30 what are we going to do with this One called Jesus? 14:33 What are you going to do with Jesus Christ? 14:35 And notice: "They all said to him: 'Let Him be crucified! ' " 14:38 Notice: everybody... ALL OF THEM said. 14:40 This is an interesting account because we have to realize 14:44 that the judgment hall scene - 14:46 the whole scene of the judgment hall 14:49 in Jerusalem - is a symbol of what will take place 14:53 in these last days. Think about it. What is it? 14:56 It's going to be repeated. 14:58 So what Christ went through God's people are going to be... 15:01 have to go through. And we have to be ready for that. 15:04 And that means we need a relationship with Jesus Christ. 15:07 "They said: 'Crucify Him! ' " Let's get to verse 25 quickly. 15:10 "And then answered all the people... " 15:12 And what did they say? 15:14 "His blood be on us and our children. " 15:17 What audacity! What boldness as it were! 15:20 The enemy was speaking out. 15:22 He was speaking through the people, and they said: 15:24 "We don't care! We're going to crucify Him! " 15:26 "We don't care what happens; let His blood be on us. " 15:29 Like it was just ordinary blood. Interesting. 15:34 That's why people say, they ask the question today: 15:36 why is it that the Jews, as a nation, people go through... 15:39 have been through such turmoil? 15:42 And they seem to continue; they've never gotten out of it. 15:45 It's because they prayed as it were this prayer. 15:48 They said: "Let His blood be on us and our children's 15:50 children. " 15:52 People chose Barabbas in the place of Christ we realize. 15:55 And they are to feel, Desire of Ages says, pages 738-9 16:00 to "feel the cruelty of Barabbas as long as time shall last. " 16:03 That might answer some questions. People say: "Why 16:05 do they keep going through? Why are they in the midst 16:07 of this all the time? " Because they asked... 16:10 Here it continues... the article... it says this: 16:13 "His blood be on us and our children. " 16:15 "That awful cry ascended to the... " Where? 16:17 "very throne room of God. 16:20 Sentence pronounced upon them- selves was written in heaven. " 16:24 Interesting. 16:27 Their prayer was heard. 16:29 The blood of the Son of God was upon their children 16:33 and their children's children... a perpetual curse. 16:37 Interesting when you think about it. 16:40 Barabbas in character represents Satan we know. 16:43 He's the god of this world. 16:46 And we realize as we look we need not be surprised 16:49 at anything that's taking place in our society today. 16:52 Nothing should surprise you: those who are studying 16:54 and reading the Word of God. 16:56 These things are going to come to pass we realize 16:58 at the time because the choice is there every time. 17:00 Is it going to be Christ or is it going to be Barabbas? 17:03 Is it the god of this world? What is it 17:05 that maybe we hold onto? 17:08 Because the scene is going to be re-enacted at the cross. 17:13 We realize we're going to have to go through 17:15 this garden experience. We're going to have to go 17:17 through the things that the enemy throws at each and every 17:19 one of us every day of our life. 17:21 But the question will come back. 17:23 God's going to say to each one of us: "What have you done with 17:27 My Son? " Does that make sense? 17:30 The world must give an account 17:33 of what they've done to Jesus Christ. 17:36 God is going to hold each one of us accountable for that. 17:39 We're all under the condemnation 17:43 if we don't repent and change our ways. 17:44 We'll talk more about that. 17:47 "What have you done with My Son? " 17:52 What an awful statement! 17:54 "What have you done? " And if we haven't done something 17:57 about it, if we haven't made a change, 17:59 the time will come that God will say: "Depart from Me 18:03 ye that work iniquity. I don't know you. " 18:06 He's holding the world responsible for how they... 18:09 their response to Jesus Christ. 18:12 I don't know about you, but I know false doctrines are 18:15 coming in right and left. 18:17 That's exactly what Barabbas was doing. 18:19 Christ was presenting the truth. Barabbas was bringing in false 18:21 teachings and false doctrines 18:23 and the world was following after Barabbas. 18:26 "Give us... give us Barabbas, give us the world. " 18:29 It's no different in most of the churches today. 18:32 In society today, the cry still is... it has not changed: 18:37 "Give us the world; give us Barabbas! " 18:40 "We don't want Christ in here. " 18:42 We're throwing Him out every opportunity that we have 18:44 in this world. We're trying to get rid of Christ. 18:46 And one of these days, He's going to say: "It is finished! " 18:49 "It cannot continue to go on! " 18:53 The enemy loves to bring in, you know, false doctrines 18:57 and teachings because it gets the attention of the unconverted 19:00 and they find the back door rather quickly. 19:03 Instead of unity there's disunity. 19:08 The enemy is permitted to come in. 19:11 And you know, we think about it in this world here. 19:13 The Bible says... just a couple passages... 19:16 Acts 20:30 the Bible speaks about 19:18 "Men will arise, speaking... " What? 19:21 "perverse things to draw away disciples after them. " 19:26 So we know the enemy is going to come in. 19:28 We know he's going to speak and he's going to use people to 19:30 do these perverse... That means he's going to speak 19:33 distorted things. They're going to speak corrupt things. 19:37 They're going to twist things up. 19:40 They're going to turn things around; they're going to go 19:42 at it backwards. And some of us can't figure out 19:47 when that's taking place because we don't know the Word of God. 19:49 We have to know the Word of God 19:51 because we live in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. 19:55 Is that what it says? Read Philippians 2:15 19:57 when you have the opportunity. 19:59 Read Luke chapter 9 verse 11. 20:02 A perverse generation: a generation that loves 20:05 error and not truth. 20:08 What an hour that we live in! 20:11 And you know, these errors - this corruption - is going to 20:15 exist in the church until the end of the world 20:18 and it's going to wax worse and worse. 20:21 God's true church - I believe this with my whole heart - is 20:24 going to be the light... the light of the world. 20:26 It's supposed to be! But it's in a world that we find 20:29 that has been demoralized by sin. 20:32 It's polluted; it's dark... and God's calling for us to 20:35 light that light. Let our light shine before men. 20:39 And I believe this: the counsel that Paul gave to Timothy 20:43 in I Timothy 4:16. He says: "Take heed 20:47 to thyself and to the doctrine. " 20:50 So I say to God's last-day church 20:52 "Take heed today to thyself and to the doctrine 20:55 because we must know them. " 20:58 I don't like to sit idly by and see a doctrine changed 21:02 and changing. And new words are being used 21:06 and new meanings are given to them. 21:08 But it's a strange doctrine, and we have to know the difference 21:12 my brothers and sisters. 21:13 No use to act like it's not happening because it is! 21:17 We see many, many, many claiming to have new light. 21:20 How many? Somebody come up and say: "I've got some new 21:23 light. " Remember: if it's truth it's always been. 21:26 Right? It may be somebody'll say: "You need to study this. " 21:30 Well you may have studied it 30 years ago. Truth is truth... 21:32 It's always there. Praise God for that! 21:35 But yet they say: "I've got new light, " 21:37 but at the same time what are they doing? 21:39 They're tearing down those truths 21:41 that God has given to His people. 21:43 So it cannot be the truth! It cannot be. 21:47 I think this: if they, if they do this it simply... to me 21:50 shows that they've changed lead- ers... they've changed leaders. 21:56 And there's something going on always - I'll put it this way - 22:01 there's something always emerging. 22:03 Is somebody with me? 22:04 Something always emerging and going on. 22:07 Something supposed to be different that's going on. 22:10 But you know, our test will always be the same: 22:13 Isaiah 8:20. The Bible says to what? 22:16 "To the law and..." What? "and to the testimony: 22:18 if they speak not according to this it's because... " What? 22:21 "there's no light in them. " 22:23 It didn't say a little bit of light. It didn't say partial. 22:26 It says there's "no light in them. " 22:28 That means NONE... ZERO... NADA! 22:31 Somebody still with me? 22:32 Instead of saying: "Well, I think, they seem to be... " 22:35 The Bible has spoken: there is NO light. 22:38 It's "to the law and to the testimony. " 22:40 And God says in His Word we are to bind up the testimony. 22:44 Isaiah what? 8:16. 22:46 To bind up the testimony and do what? 22:48 What does it mean "bind it up? " 22:51 God said His last-day people are to tighten it up. 22:53 Is there somebody with me? 22:54 Tighten up the testimony; straighten up the testimony. 22:57 Tie it together... "bind up the testimony. " 23:02 Testimony... the prophetic. We look at the injunction 23:06 the testation of these truths that God's given us. 23:10 He said: "Seal... " Notice this: "seal the law. " 23:13 Do what? "Seal the law. " 23:15 People don't want to hear about law any more. 23:16 They don't want to hear about obedience. 23:18 You know, Barabbas didn't want to hear about it. 23:20 Jesus came to show us what it was all about. 23:22 He obeyed His Father, right? He kept His commandments. 23:25 Barabbas said you didn't have to do it. 23:27 "Seal up the law. " That means to make it. 23:31 Did you get it? That means to mark it out. 23:33 That means to fasten it; that means to seal it up. 23:36 That means to lock it up! 23:37 God said: "I want you to lock up this truth" 23:40 instead of being blown by every wind of doctrine that comes by. 23:44 Many people are trying to change the straight testimony. 23:48 They're trying to trade it in, you know, for something 23:51 that... something new. 23:53 So I have to ask the question to the church today, 23:55 I have to ask the question: what's wrong with 23:57 the truths that God has given this church? 23:59 What is wrong with what God has given us to proclaim 24:02 to the world? If you're going to trade it in for something, 24:05 right, what are you going to trade it in for? 24:09 God's given us our appointed work 24:11 which we are told that not a peg or a pin is to be removed 24:15 from these truths, and people are doing more than that. 24:17 They're removing the pillars of our faith! 24:19 And we sit idly by and do nothing. 24:21 That's exactly what Barabbas was doing: 24:23 he was removing the pillars! 24:26 I ask you: "Why? Why? " 24:28 What's wrong with repairing the breach? 24:32 What's wrong with repairing the breach in the law of God 24:36 which we've been appointed to do as a people? 24:38 Is there anything wrong with that? 24:40 What's wrong with being a restorer of the path 24:43 to dwell in? 24:45 What's wrong with raising up the foundation of many generations? 24:48 What's wrong with this message? 24:50 Nothing is wrong with it. It's what's been given to us. 24:53 We've been challenged to give it to the world. 24:56 What's wrong with being God's peculiar, particular people 25:00 giving clear three angels' message to the world 25:04 and not apologizing for it? 25:07 What's wrong? Why is it that we want to trade it in? 25:10 Why do we want to water it down? 25:12 I tell you this: if you choose Christ, 25:15 you know, you're going to be hated. 25:17 That's what the Bible said. 25:18 Matthew chapter 10 verse 22. 25:21 Jesus said: "You're going to be hated... " Notice this: 25:24 "hated of all men for My name's sake. " 25:27 Most of us just don't like to be disliked 25:29 let alone hated. Did you get it? 25:31 We want everybody to get along and think we're "just it. " 25:34 But you know, you're going to be hated. 25:36 That means... You know what that word hated in the Greek is? 25:39 Detested. You're going to be detested 25:41 if you stand for Christ because Christ was detested. 25:45 Choosing a common criminal and murderer over Jesus Christ. 25:49 The world still has the same attitude. 25:52 He said: "For My name's sake but if you endure unto the end... " 25:55 if you stay fast, if you hold fast... if you abide - 25:58 notice that - in Him you're going to be saved 26:01 in the kingdom. Hated why? Why will you be hated? 26:05 Think about it. 26:07 Why would you be? Jesus was hated! 26:09 He did nothing but good but He was hated. 26:12 You'll be hated because you will not yield 26:15 to the doctrine and the commandments of men... 26:17 that's why. You're not going to honor a day that the man of 26:21 sin put in the place, the 1st day, of the 7th day of the week 26:24 which is sanctified, blessed, and set apart. 26:27 Somebody still with me? 26:29 You think about it. You'll be HATED 26:32 because you honor what God says to honor! 26:34 He says: "Those that honor Me I will... " What? 26:36 "I will honor them. " 26:38 Satan's purpose for command- ment keepers is to put us 26:41 out of existence. You do know that? 26:43 You're here by the grace of God today and I am, too. 26:46 The enemy just wants to put you out. Why? 26:48 So his supremacy to this world as it were 26:50 won't be disputed. 26:52 But he wants to try to get rid of us. 26:55 We need Jesus! We need Jesus! 26:58 You say: "What do you mean? " What is He doing right now? 27:00 Oh, you know what He's doing. Where's He at right now? 27:03 He's making intercession for me. 27:05 He's making atonement for me because I need it 27:07 because all have sinned, come short of the glory of God. 27:10 We need that. We need to know where He's at. 27:13 The hour of the judgment continues on. 27:15 Think that's Hebrews 7:25. Thank God for that! 27:19 Jesus stood before Pilate, Matthew chapter 27 verse 11. 27:24 Notice: the ruler wanted Jesus to be released. 27:28 He didn't want Jesus to be crucified. 27:30 Is that true, church? 27:31 He really didn't want it on examination. 27:33 He didn't really want Jesus to be crucified. 27:35 And so he thought: "I have to have a plan here. " 27:39 He wanted the people to choose to release Jesus 27:43 from the cross experience. 27:45 He didn't really want Him to go through that. 27:47 He could find no fault with Him. 27:49 Interesting! People can't find fault with Jesus 27:52 but they fall in love with Barabbas. What's wrong here? 27:56 How could this be done? 27:58 If you were in Pilate's shoes, how could you have done? 28:02 You want to... but the mob is angry! 28:04 The devil has taken over every mind of the rulers 28:07 all down to... to every person 28:09 that supposedly... What? Named the name of Christ. 28:12 And they all had the devil inside of them, and they said: 28:14 "No, we don't want Jesus. " 28:18 Pilate came up with a good deal. He said: "You know what? 28:21 It'll be very simple. I'll bring both of them out here 28:24 and I'll put Jesus over here and I'll put Barabbas 28:27 over here. " Now be careful with this one. 28:29 Anybody with any sense will be able to pick the one they like 28:32 to have to go ahead, you know. One go to the cross 28:34 and one be released. Because Barabbas had all 28:37 the marks of the world on his face even... 28:39 in his attitude. People knew who he was. 28:42 They knew what he was guilty of. 28:44 So Pilate says: "Here's what I'll do: 28:45 I'll just put one here - Jesus - 28:47 all the miracles, all the nice good things that He had done - 28:50 surely they'll look upon Him and see a peace. 28:52 They'll see a radiance, they'll see a glory of God 28:54 on His face. Surely they will choose Him 28:56 and they'll crucify Barabbas 28:58 So I'll just bring them both out here. " 29:00 Hmm. And then he looked at them and he said: 29:04 "Whom will ye that I release unto you. " 29:07 Matthew 27:17-20. "Whom will ye that I release 29:11 unto you? " What would you choose today? 29:16 Two were standing there... what would happen? 29:20 Who would you choose? 29:22 Remember: these were God's people. 29:24 Where they not? They were supposed to be. 29:28 And so they looked upon them and said: "Hmm, 29:31 we want Barabbas. " And then what did Pilate say? 29:34 "What am I going to do with Jesus? " 29:37 I challenge you with that today. 29:39 What are you going to do with Jesus? 29:41 What are you going to do with Jesus? 29:42 He came into this world to save us. 29:44 He came into this world to set an example. 29:46 He came to set the world straight. 29:48 But notice: the counterfeit was Barabbas that said 29:50 he had a new order of things. 29:52 He was going to set the world straight. 29:56 Interesting thought! 29:58 "What shall we do with Jesus? " And notice: all of them said, 30:02 everybody involved said: "Let Him be crucified! " 30:05 Matthew 27:22. "Let Him be... " What? 30:07 "Let Him be crucified! " 30:10 The multitude was stirred with wrath. 30:13 See, it seems impossible. Surely this group we have here 30:16 and those around the world you wouldn't say... 30:17 you wouldn't... you wouldn't fit into that group. 30:19 Surely you wouldn't fit into that group. 30:21 Surely you'd be at least one voice 30:22 crying in the wilderness that said: "No! I choose Christ! " 30:25 See, every day of my life there's Barabbas over here 30:28 and there's Christ over here. And I'm looking at Barabbas, 30:30 I'm looking at Jesus, and I must make a choice every day 30:32 of my life. Whether it's in the workplace, whether it's in the 30:35 home, whether it's in ministry. Wherever it is 30:37 I have to choose Christ. I have to look at both of them 30:41 and I have to make that choice. 30:44 But the enemy comes in and he stirs the minds of the people 30:47 when they were asked to choose. 30:49 And they looked at this robber, they looked at this murderer, 30:54 and then they looked at Jesus. 30:56 Seemed like such a simple choice, but... 30:58 We still live in a world that rejected Jesus Christ. 31:04 Is that true, church? We still live in this world 31:06 that we talked about that crucified, despised. 31:10 The shame, the guilt still rests upon this world 31:13 for what we've done with God's Son! 31:16 Something has to be done. And lest we - listen church! 31:19 Those you say "I'm an atheist, I don't care. I'm not going to 31:21 get involved. " Your involved whether you like it or whether 31:23 you don't like it. Are you still with me? 31:25 If you were born on this planet, you're going to be involved. 31:28 You're going to heaven or hell one way or the other. 31:32 There's no saying "I don't want to be. " 31:35 And God will pose that question to every one of us 31:39 that's ever been born: "What are you going to do with My Son? " 31:43 "What are you going to do with Jesus? " 31:46 All of heaven emptied out; what are you going to do with Him? 31:48 Unless we individually repent toward God. Why? 31:53 Because we've broken God's law! 31:56 Think about it! Then we have to exercise faith 32:00 toward Christ... who has been rejected. 32:03 We too... If we don't do that, we too will lie under the 32:07 condemnation of choosing Barabbas instead of Christ. 32:11 You say: "I wouldn't! If one stood here and one stood here, 32:13 I would not choose Barabbas. " Every day of your life 32:16 you have that choice. And I guarantee you, 32:18 many of us have said: "I'll take Barabbas over Christ. 32:20 I know the right thing to do; I know what I should say. 32:23 I know what I should do; I know what the Bible says... 32:25 but I choose Barabbas. " 32:28 That choice - that decision - every day of your life 32:31 is so so very important. 32:33 God has a controversy with the people of this world, 32:37 and if we do not repent of that 32:40 and ask for forgiveness we will be... we're going to be 32:43 charged with deliberate rejection and the murder 32:47 of the Son of God. 32:48 This is heavy duty that we're talking about today. 32:51 The murder of the Son of God! 32:54 But it can be so easy to take it to God in prayer 32:58 and ask for forgiveness. 32:59 Do you realize, because of the rejection of the Son of God 33:04 the world has crucified afresh Jesus Christ. 33:08 They put Him to open shame. You remember reading that 33:10 in Hebrews chapter 6 verse 6? 33:13 Remember: we put Him to open shame 33:15 through the persecution of His people. 33:18 Think about this: the world crucifies afresh, 33:22 puts Him to open shame. Notice this: 33:26 when the world - we know this - when the world rejects 33:29 the saints they reject Christ. 33:33 When the world rejects the message, 33:35 you see, they reject the message of God. 33:39 Satan is alive and well sad to say. 33:42 He is "the accuser of the brethren" 33:44 the Bible said in Revelation chapter 12 verse 10. 33:47 You know? And you know what the enemy says? 33:51 You're no exception and I'm no exception. 33:53 He's pointing his finger at you and you and you and you 33:56 and me, and he said: "All of these people are 33:59 full of sin. " Stay with me, church. 34:04 Those of you at home, we said whether you're an infidel, 34:06 an atheist, whatever you're going to be: you're involved. 34:08 The finger is being pointed. The devil says 34:11 "You are full of sin. " 34:14 What would be your response? What do you mean? 34:17 And then the enemy begins to go and he begins to point out 34:22 particular sins that he's tempted you to commit 34:27 and you fell for it. 34:28 The devil knows every time you fell short 34:32 of the glory of God. Did you get it? 34:34 From the day that you were born until right now he knows 34:37 everything. Interesting how he has learned 34:40 because we know the Bible says there's a book of deeds 34:43 and the good things will be written. 34:45 Right? Of course, the bad things are all written in a book. 34:47 The enemy has his book. 34:49 Are you there, church? 34:52 And he's written those things down and he's bringing them 34:55 before the Father and saying: "Look, these people profess 34:57 to be Your people? Look at them! 34:59 They are mine and I want them. 35:02 You must turn them over to me; look what You did to me 35:06 and the angels! You cast them out! 35:09 They've done worse than this! " 35:11 This is interesting. 35:13 Sins... all these sins! 35:16 You know, in the book of Zechariah, 3 verse 1, 35:20 is an interesting thought. Zechariah 3:1. 35:25 The Bible says: "And he showed me Joshua. " 35:28 Interesting. We realize the high priest 35:30 but also Joshua represents the people who keep the 35:34 commandments of God. Joshua does what? 35:38 He represents the people who keep the commandments of God. 35:41 This is who the enemy is angry with: 35:44 those who keep the commandments of God. 35:46 We talk about so often the two identifying marks 35:49 of God's last-day church. 35:51 There's no use trying to erase one of them... there's two. 35:54 That's what God says. 35:56 "He showed me Joshua, the high priest, 35:59 standing before the angel of the Lord. " Notice: 36:02 "Satan - the adversary - standing at the right hand 36:05 to resist him. " 36:07 So the enemy is there... he's resisting. 36:10 Just notice that. He's saying: "They're mine. They're full of 36:12 sin. " Interesting thought! 36:17 He knows... he knows. 36:22 What will be the choice? There's going to be Christ; 36:25 there's going to be Barabbas, the things of this world. 36:30 You have to make that decision. I have to make that decision 36:34 because somehow we need some help beyond ourselves. 36:37 We've got to have some outside help to get inside! 36:42 Too many of these self-help programs and "look to me" 36:45 and look to this and something inside of you. 36:47 That's the devil if I ever heard of it! 36:52 Testimonies to Ministers 39 makes a real bold statement 36:58 that we just talked about. It says here that Satan 37:01 represents the people of God as GREAT sinners. 37:05 Not just sinners but a GREAT sinner. 37:08 "They can't stay in Your hand, Lord, because look at them! " 37:10 Now we realize a little later on as you read it 37:13 these are the ones that what? They repent of their sins. 37:15 But before that it's: "Look at this! Look at this! 37:18 Look at this what's going on here. " 37:20 Now notice what he does. He presents the sins 37:24 of every individual to God. 37:27 Think about that in your own life. 37:30 Here the article says, Testimonies to Ministers 39 37:32 says: "The list of sins he's tempted them to commit 37:36 through their life. " 37:41 He presents to God every sin that he has tempted you 37:47 to commit. 37:49 How long would that list be? 37:53 In your life, how long would that list be? 37:56 Every one of them. And he said: "It's written down here. 37:59 It's right here... look at all of this. " 38:03 How long would that list be? 38:06 And then he says what? "I want them! 38:09 They are to be given to me because... " They've done what? 38:13 "because of their transgressions. 38:15 They belong to me, and I'm going to destroy them. " 38:20 Interesting. 38:24 The article goes on. I like this. Even the enemy knows this. 38:27 You know, you're blessed and I'm blessed 38:29 as a follower of Jesus Christ because He says 38:32 the devil then does what? "He urges... " Notice: 38:35 "that they should not be protected by ministering angels 38:38 against the confederacy of evil. " 38:41 The enemy realizes he cannot get to the people of God if we 38:44 choose Christ. If you choose Barabbas, you're in trouble! 38:47 If you choose Christ, the pro- tecting angels will surround you 38:51 and take care of you and your family. 38:53 Meet all the needs. How wonderful that is! 38:56 But notice that he does it. How long would that list be 38:59 if I may be so bold to think about it here. 39:02 I have this here... here's that list. 39:04 And John and Pete and Fred and - whoever - Sally, 39:08 all this right through here. Your name is on this, 39:11 and he takes it like this and he goes... 39:14 And he just rolls it out and he says: "Look! 39:18 Look! " Every one through your entire life. 39:25 "It's written, Lord... they're mine. 39:29 I want them. I want them; they're mine. " 39:34 Interesting. But he knows he can't get to God's people 39:39 because of those protecting angels 39:41 that surround them because... Not because... from sin. 39:45 Because they have confessed those sins and they're no longer 39:48 so if he puts that roll out there today we would find what? 39:51 When His blood covers it it's white. There's not anything 39:54 written on that list that was full before. 39:57 It could have reached from here to California 39:59 with some individuals and probably mine. 40:01 Mine might have gone out in the Pacific, I don't know. 40:04 Maybe on down to the bottom if it's four or five miles. 40:07 But I have the confidence and assurance of God's Word 40:10 that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just. 40:14 And that roll as it were Satan has, when he goes to 40:16 unroll it... Whoo! Forgiven! 40:20 White... clean. There nothing there to appear against me 40:24 in the judgment. How wonderful that is! 40:27 Christ or Barabbas? 40:31 I want to read just a paragraph or two quickly. 40:34 Prophets and Kings page 582. 40:37 This... I love this statement here. 40:39 It says: "He... " Satan... "was determined to cause... " 40:43 This is talking about Israel's destruction... 40:46 He's determined to cause your destruction in this world. 40:49 Is that not true? He's determined to do it... 40:52 that's why you're going through what you're going through. 40:54 But God is reversing it and turning it around 40:56 in little tests and trials to prove your character 40:58 and my character for heaven. 41:00 This is beautiful when you think about it, but Satan is 41:03 determined. Notice this: like Israel of old, us today, 41:07 "while they were obedient he could do them no harm. " 41:12 While we are obedient to God's commands 41:16 the enemy can do us no harm. 41:19 He simply gives a smoke screen. Are you still with me? 41:21 He simply makes insinuations. 41:23 He say: "Oh, but... " And we fall for that many times 41:25 and say: "Oh, there's not a chance, there's not a chance. " 41:28 But as long as we're obedient to God He is our protector. 41:31 He is our provider; He is our sustainer. 41:34 Thank God for that! The devil cannot do us any harm! 41:38 But notice: when Israel rebelled, what happened? 41:40 When they transgressed the law of God something happened. 41:43 What happened? They were carried away into captivity 41:46 into Babylon, weren't they? 41:48 Over and over it was shown that what? 41:51 Blessings or a curse; Christ or Barabbas. 41:56 You're going to choose one or the other; 41:58 I'm going to choose one or the other. 42:00 We need to make it consistent every day of our life that we 42:03 choose Christ as our Lord and as our Savior. 42:09 Prophets and Kings 585 says: 42:11 "Never is there one received into the family of God 42:14 without exciting... " notice this: "the determined resistance 42:18 of the enemy. " The enemy's going to fight tooth and nail. 42:22 You find it difficult to talk to your own family; 42:24 difficult to give Bible studies, 42:26 people make decisions for Christ, because the enemy says 42:29 "They're in my rank now and I don't want them to leave. 42:31 I'm going to do everything I can to make sure. " 42:33 That's why they're sick and they can't come 42:35 when they say they're going to come to church. 42:36 That's why something happens. They can't, you know, do 42:38 what they need to do and follow through because 42:40 the enemy is at work. We need to realize that today. 42:43 What will we do with this Man called Christ? 42:47 What will you DO? Barabbas or Christ? 42:52 The enemy looks at our charac- ters and our character flaws. 42:57 If we have character flaws 42:59 we will not enter the kingdom of God. 43:01 He expects us to be like Jesus, right? 43:04 He's given us all the power that we need. 43:06 Given us the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and power 43:08 to gain the victory over the enemy... who is already 43:11 defeated anyway. 43:13 The enemy knows this for sure: Prophets and Kings 585, 43:17 notice this: "He exalts in their defective characters. " 43:21 The enemy knows your character because he has the list made. 43:25 And if it's not been repented of, he has that list. 43:27 Everything is there, and so he says: "Look at that 43:30 character. " And you know only the character is going to 43:32 make it to the kingdom of God... one like Jesus. 43:36 So he says this... notice: "For he knows that only 43:39 through their transgression of God's law 43:43 can he obtain power over them. " 43:46 Only how? Only way the devil can get power over you, 43:49 can have that power, is when we transgress the law of God. 43:53 Other than that he cannot harm you. 43:56 The only thing that can come to you is if it goes through God 43:59 first. Are you still with me, church? 44:01 It has to go through God first. God has to give permission first 44:04 before it can be, the devil can lay anything on you. 44:07 Because God knows that you're able through Him 44:09 to endure what is thrown on you. 44:11 Isn't that wonderful? 44:12 He said: "I'll make sure it's not too much. 44:14 I don't want to overwhelm you. " 44:18 He can have no power so we need to quit saying 44:21 "The devil made me do it. " 44:27 The enemy knows probably better than we. 44:29 We know it because it's head knowledge. 44:31 We know that if we confess He's faithful and just to 44:35 forgive. We know that; we've read it. 44:38 We certainly believe that. 44:40 The devil trembles when he sees God's saints 44:43 on their knees and are making a choice for Christ 44:46 and they're leaving the side of Barabbas. 44:47 And so... the fight then begins. 44:50 The enemy knows this: if anyone - contrite heart - 44:53 asks forgiveness, regardless of their life and their past 44:56 or anything that they've ever done, 44:58 they will receive pardon and grace from God. 45:01 They will obtain it. And so what does the enemy do? 45:04 He starts presenting your old past to you. 45:07 He starts presenting your sins, 45:09 you know, so he tries to discourage you. 45:12 Don't raise your hand, but there's probably been many here 45:14 that's maybe been discouraged because you think you've moved 45:16 on and then the old devil starts throwing some things 45:18 back out that used to be once. 45:22 We need to look forward through the grace of God. 45:25 By God's grace WHITER THAN SNOW! 45:29 Prophets and Kings 587 says: 45:32 "Not one soul who in penitence and faith 45:35 has claimed His protection 45:38 will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. " 45:41 I think that's such good stuff; makes me want to jump and shout! 45:44 It just really makes me want to jump and shout. 45:46 "Not one soul... " 45:50 Sorry for their sin. They come to Him; they confess 45:53 and forsake, "will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's 45:57 power. " Think about that, church! 46:00 No one. These promises are sure. 46:05 "Let him take hold of My strength that he may make 46:08 peace with Me, and he shall make peace with Me. " 46:11 Isaiah 27:5. 46:13 God says you shall make what? "You shall make peace. " 46:18 So regardless of our life, regardless of what's happened, 46:20 and today as we will choose as we go about our work 46:23 as we mentioned in the home or wherever it might be 46:25 you will have this situation that will develop 46:28 that you'll have to make a choice. 46:30 You're going to have to make a decision. 46:31 You've got a list that's as long... wrap around this earth 46:36 of things that, you know, the enemy's throwing out 46:38 and saying: "They're mine! " What are you going to do with 46:40 that? Are you going to accept Barabbas? 46:43 Are you going to accept Christ? 46:45 What will it be as God's last-day people? 46:49 What will you do with this Man called Jesus? 46:54 What will you do with Him? What have you been doing 46:56 with Him? How have your choices been? 47:02 I believe this: all who claim to believe present truth... 47:06 Is there anybody here that believes in present truth? 47:08 Yeah... praise God. That's why you're here, isn't it? 47:11 Why you watch 3ABN... present truth! 47:13 And it's very difficult sometimes to find present truth 47:17 in all meetings. We may call ourselves a certain name, 47:20 this and that, to find present truth. And believers 47:23 in present truth... people who will advocate present truth 47:26 is sometimes very difficult to find. 47:29 We don't know the difference between the common and sacred 47:33 anymore, and God is calling a people back. 47:37 He's calling us, He's calling us. If you are a believer 47:40 in this present truth, these words, regardless of however 47:43 vacillating maybe you have been or I have been 47:48 God is calling us back to obedience. 47:52 He's calling us back. 47:56 He's calling a people who will stand tall and straight 47:59 and give the truth regardless of the cost. 48:04 And there will be a cost. 48:06 You stand for Christ there will be a cost. 48:08 It will cost you in this life 48:10 but I guarantee you it's going to be worth it. 48:12 "Though your sins be as scarlet... " He said... 48:14 "I make them white. " 48:17 God's looking because this world is a perverse generation 48:22 that we talked about. 48:24 He's looking for s people who will stand boldly to vindicate 48:26 the law of God. And many of us in our own church sometimes 48:31 are not vindicating it, we're not following with it. 48:33 We know it, but we just kind of want to throw it out. 48:36 We're looking for a new way... an easier way. 48:40 Are we willing to do the Isaiah 58 that we talked about? 48:44 The breach in the wall that the man of sin made. 48:50 He, too, under the guidance of the enemy just like 48:53 Barabbas. Who's going to be His people today? 48:57 Do you dare to stand for Christ? 49:00 Do you dare to take a stand for Jesus Christ? 49:06 Or will you fall for Barabbas? 49:09 Will you be fooled by Barabbas? 49:11 Will you be fooled by these who are preaching false doctrine 49:14 and teaching and trying to change things all around? 49:17 We talked about giving kind of different definitions 49:20 to what we understand is distorting what is truth. 49:25 What will you do? What am I going to do? 49:31 I find every day that I am challenged. 49:34 Every day I know you are challenged. 49:37 Each one of us... What will you do with Jesus? 49:43 Pilate did not want Christ to be crucified. 49:47 We talked about it. He did not want to lose his position. 49:51 But because he was weak and vacillating 49:55 and he was a man of compromise you realize what happened? 49:58 "I don't want to lose the position I have. " 50:00 Because of what he did to Christ he lost his position. 50:05 And not long after that he committed suicide. 50:09 Interesting when we turn our back on God 50:12 the things that can happen in life. 50:14 We no longer... no longer have the mind of Christ. 50:17 We no longer have that Spirit to lead, guide, and direct 50:20 and we make bad choices and decisions. 50:25 Christ crucified, Barabbas's friends on either side. 50:33 One of them that day made a decision. 50:37 One of them said: "Remember me when You come. " 50:44 Think about it. Christ would have gone to the cross 50:47 if it had just been that one individual. 50:49 The cross that was meant for Barabbas. 50:51 But there was salvation at the cross... 50:54 not just for the thief but for the world that's offered. 50:58 What will you choose? Who will you choose today? 51:01 I believe this: the truth has been lying in the dust 51:06 long enough. We need to raise and elevate a standard 51:12 higher than ever before. 51:14 We need to bring the truth to the top. 51:18 We need to agitate, agitate, agitate 51:21 the truth of God's Word. 51:23 And I see this is the hour; I believe this is the hour. 51:27 This is the hour that God will use you. 51:31 He's going to use 3ABN as we all work together 51:33 to go into all the world and preach the gospel 51:36 to lift up the truth, to lift up Calvary. 51:38 To let people see Jesus that they may choose Him 51:41 instead of Barabbas. 51:42 Who will you choose today? 51:47 Who will you choose today? We have a few minutes left. 51:50 I want you think along with me before we close 51:52 in the last 5 minutes or so. 51:54 You have a choice to make as well as I do. 51:57 They say: the old, old story. Write on my heart every word. 52:01 But the decision must be made daily. 52:05 Who will we choose today? Who will we follow? 52:08 Who is appealing to us as we behold? 52:11 Barabbas appealing; the world is appealing. 52:15 Is it because of pride that may- be we will not come to Christ? 52:18 Is it because of position we will not come to Christ? 52:21 We don't want to lose our job; we don't want to lose our 52:23 standing in the community we will not follow Jesus Christ? 52:26 Look what happened to Pilate. 52:28 Look what happened to multitude millions of people 52:31 in the past and will continue if they make the wrong choice. 52:36 May I encourage you to make the right choice. 52:38 What are you going to do with Jesus? 52:41 What will you do with Jesus? 52:46 If you choose Jesus as your Lord and your Savior today 52:49 wouldn't it be nice if we could just maybe stand? 52:51 Somebody may want special prayer. 52:53 We want to do it in the next few minutes that we have. 52:56 Maybe you haven't chosen Christ 52:59 the way that you maybe want to today 53:01 and you're going to say: "You know, I want to come up forward. 53:03 I want to have special prayer. " 53:04 "I want to make sure it's sealed. I want to make sure 53:07 that when that list is all thrown out 53:09 that all this stuff is not written on it from the day 53:11 I was born as it were. 53:13 But now it's white and it's clean, and I need to make sure 53:15 that it's right... and today's going to be the day. " 53:19 Is there someone today to say: "I want to come forward? " 53:22 "I want special prayer because I want to make sure 53:24 that list is white as snow. " 53:27 Is there someone today wants special prayer? 53:29 Don't hesitate... just come right on up. 53:30 Praise the Lord... yes! Come right on up for prayer. 53:33 Remember: you're thinking about that list and you want to 53:35 make sure that list is covered by the blood of the Lamb. 53:38 If there's any kind of a doubt at all, dear friends, 53:41 the devil's going to say: "Well just don't worry about it 53:43 today. " No, no... that's wrong. 53:45 The Holy Spirit says today's the day. 53:47 Come while you have the opportunity and chance. 53:51 Remember: what are you going to do with Jesus? 53:53 What are you doing with Him right now? 53:54 Are we still "sitting on Him" as it were? 53:56 Or are we going to let Him rule and reign in our hearts 53:59 and in our life? There's others who still want to come quickly, 54:02 want to come quickly so we can have special prayer 54:04 together. We want to have special prayer together 54:08 because it is the day of decisions, is it not? 54:11 That's it? Honey, I don't know if you would have time. 54:14 You might want to run back and see if they'll give you a mic. 54:15 I want you to come and pray with me. 54:17 OK? I think we'll have time if you'll hurry up. 54:20 See, somebody probably heard that already and they're already 54:22 getting it ready. We need to pray, don't we, as a church? 54:26 We need to pray because we're in a "battle royale. " 54:32 And there's going to be winners and losers, 54:34 and you can be a winner. 54:35 And God wants you to be a winner. He's called you. 54:37 Is there somebody else that maybe is fighting 54:39 a little issue and things you want to make sure 54:41 that you're covered by the blood of the Lamb? 54:43 Praise the Lord. You can stand where you're at. 54:44 You can come forward. Whatever you want to do. 54:46 I want to make sure that I'm covered by the blood today, 54:49 how about you? I don't want there to be "maybe I am. " 54:53 I know by the Word of God we can be sure today 54:56 that we're covered by the blood of the Lamb. 54:58 Our life is clean and it's white and it's smooth 55:02 because of Jesus Christ. 55:04 Barabbas will be presented and Christ will be presented. 55:10 Who will you choose? What are you going to do with Jesus? 55:14 What are you going to do with Jesus? 55:19 The world will give an account one of these days soon. 55:22 But because you stood for Jesus Christ 55:25 He's going to stand for you. Amen! 55:28 He's going to be in the judgment for you. 55:30 When your name comes up in the judgment He'll just say: 55:32 "Oh Father, My blood... My blood. " 55:34 There's no list; it's been covered by the blood of Jesus 55:38 Christ. There's no list for the other as it were 55:40 if the list was out here and it had Joe Blow's name on it. 55:43 Probably a big bunch of you would be running up here 55:45 trying to see what old Joe did. Don't worry about what 55:47 Joe did. Covered by the blood of the Lamb. 55:50 We're going to pray for that. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! 55:52 That's exciting, isn't it? 55:55 We're going to pray for that right now. 55:57 You have family and friends outside the ark 55:59 you have a burden for. Where's your children? 56:01 Where's your grandchildren? Where are they at? 56:03 What's going to happen to them? If they're not with Christ, 56:06 "He who is not with Me is... " What? "is against Me. " 56:09 They've chosen Barabbas today. 56:10 If you have not chosen Jesus Christ, those of you around 56:13 the world, you've chosen Barabbas the enemy! 56:16 Please make that change today. Honey, I want you to pray 56:18 for them. We'll kneel here. It may not be possible 56:20 for all of you. Hands? Family, friends, different ones 56:23 you have a special burden on your heart. 56:24 We'll pray in the last minute that we have right now. 56:27 Let's go to the Lord in prayer, shall we? 56:28 Most gracious heavenly Father, I just thank you for 56:33 the people who have stood today. Yes! 56:35 The people who have said: "I want Christ over Barabbas. " 56:39 Father, each and every day we have a decision to make. 56:42 Thoughts come into our mind; things that we turn on, 56:45 things that we listen to, what we read. 56:48 Father, I pray that today is going to make a difference 56:53 in every person's life. Amen. 56:55 And I know that they brought the burdens of their children. 56:58 Yes. They brought the burdens of their grandchildren. 57:01 Father, we're just barely seeing through this glass 57:05 that's so dark, but the enemy has his hand 57:08 in so many things to keep us away from the truth 57:12 to help us not to see things in the light that we should be 57:16 seeing them in. So Father, we pray today 57:19 that You will remove that cloud of darkness 57:22 and may we see the light of truth. 57:24 May we see Jesus, and may we continue each and every day 57:28 to choose Christ over Barabbas - Amen! 57:32 is our prayer in Jesus' name. |
Revised 2024-10-06