Anchors of Truth

The Great Object Of Life

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

Program transcript

Participants: Kameron DeVasher

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Series Code: AOT

Program Code: AOT000068


00:22 Hello friends, and welcome once again to 3ABN's Worship Center
00:26 here in Thompsonville, Illinois.
00:28 I know that 3ABN is located in West Frankfort
00:31 but that's a stone's throw away just a few feet down the road.
00:34 But I'm glad that you've tuned in tonight for the continuation
00:38 of our Anchors of Truth series with Pastor Kameron DeVasher.
00:41 Now if you tuned in last night, you know that it was
00:44 a tremendous blessing. "The Last Link of Sympathy"
00:48 was the message. Tonight's message is entitled
00:50 "The Greater... or "The Great Object of Life. "
00:53 So invite your friends and family members
00:56 to tune in with you. If you will pick the phone up
00:58 and call them. They can't miss this message tonight.
01:01 And we encourage you if you're busy right now
01:04 sit down with your family. Relax for the next hour
01:06 because the Lord does have a blessing in store for you
01:10 tonight. We want to thank you for your prayers and your
01:12 continued support of 3ABN and also remind you
01:15 that on tomorrow morning 11 o'clock Central Time
01:18 and 3 PM Central Time tomorrow afternoon
01:22 are parts four and five of this series entitled
01:25 "The Greater Controversy. "
01:28 Now Pastor Kameron DeVasher is the pastor of the Muskegon
01:30 as well as Fremont church... the Fremont churches
01:34 in the state of Michigan.
01:37 And he's come to visit us to bless our hearts,
01:39 and truly we have been blessed.
01:41 We'll have some music tonight, and I know that God is going to
01:45 pour into us His Holy Spirit as He pours through Pastor Kameron.
01:48 But before we do anything else we invite the presence of God
01:52 here through prayer. So I invite you to bow your
01:54 heads with me. Father in heaven,
01:57 thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity
02:00 to come before You tonight.
02:02 Before the word goes forth
02:04 we invite Your Holy Spirit to come and to fill this place.
02:07 And even more than the sanctuary we pray that You will fill
02:11 the preacher tonight.
02:13 Bless Pastor Kameron DeVasher.
02:16 We know that he has penned a message, but we pray that
02:19 You will anoint it. We also pray that You will open our ears
02:22 to hear what the Spirit has to say to each one of us.
02:25 And Father, when this message is over
02:27 may we be that much closer to Jesus.
02:31 In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
02:35 Now we always begin our meetings not only with prayer but with
02:38 wonderful music. One of my favorite singers -
02:40 not just because of her ability to sing but because of our
02:43 personal connection - Danny Shelton's sister
02:46 Tammy Chance. Now she's not singing by chance
02:49 she's singing by the power of the Holy Spirit.
02:52 Let's welcome her right now as she sings a song
02:54 "Heavenly Music. "
03:17 What heavenly music
03:22 steals over the sea!
03:27 Entrancing the senses
03:32 like sweet melody!
03:36 'Tis the voice of the angels
03:42 born soft on the air;
03:49 For me they are singing;
03:54 their welcome I hear.
04:08 On the banks of old Jordan
04:13 here gazing I stand,
04:21 And earnestly longing
04:26 I stretch forth my hand;
04:33 Send a convoy of angels,
04:38 dear Jesus, I pray!
04:45 Let me join that sweet music;
04:50 come, take me away!
05:17 Though dark are the waters
05:23 and rough is the wave,
05:28 if Jesus permit
05:32 the wild surges I'll brave;
05:38 For that heavenly music
05:43 hath ravished me so,
05:50 I must join in that chorus!
05:55 I will go!
05:58 Oh let me
06:05 go!
06:13 Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh.
06:25 Amen!
06:29 Good evening everyone!
06:31 Good evening.
06:32 That was a beautiful message in song, Amen?
06:34 Amen.
06:36 I cannot wait to someday... hopefully, someday soon...
06:38 hear that heavenly music when we enter into the courts
06:41 of our King. Just to review...
06:44 In our previous messages we've studied how angels
06:48 of heaven and unfallen beings from other worlds
06:51 have been witnessing the development of Lucifer's charges
06:56 against the government of God.
06:58 First of all in the courts of heaven itself and then
07:01 after his expulsion
07:03 as his evil principles were more fully developed
07:06 here on the earth.
07:08 When they witnessed the murder of Christ -
07:10 that sinless Son of God - the entire heavenly universe
07:14 could see the outward manifestation
07:17 of the evil character that God had seen from the very beginning
07:21 in the heart of that covering cherub.
07:24 And as we closed last night's message
07:26 we concluded with this description of the universal
07:30 ramifications of Christ's crucifixion
07:33 as recorded and described in Desire of Ages page 761.
07:38 "Satan saw that his disguise was torn away.
07:42 His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels
07:46 and before the heavenly universe.
07:48 He had revealed himself as a murderer.
07:51 By the shedding of the blood of the Son of God
07:53 he had uprooted himself from the sympathies
07:56 of the heavenly beings.
07:58 Henceforth his work was restricted.
08:00 Whatever attitude he might assume
08:02 he could no longer await the angels as they came from the
08:05 heavenly courts and before them accuse Christ's brethren
08:08 of being clothed with the garments of blackness
08:11 and the defileness of sin.
08:13 The last link of sympathy
08:17 between Satan and the heavenly world was broken. "
08:21 Now it's of crucial importance
08:24 to note that the restriction of Satan's work
08:27 was not a unilateral physical limitation imposed by God.
08:33 Instead, it was a voluntary rejection of Satan's influence
08:38 by those witnesses in heaven.
08:41 They just weren't listening any more.
08:46 And tonight I want to pick up right where that statement
08:50 left off and open this evening's study by reading the very next
08:53 paragraph. So after the sentence "the last link of sympathy
08:57 between Satan and the heavenly world was broken"
08:59 we read these words:
09:01 "Yet Satan was not then destroyed.
09:05 The angels did not even then understand all that was involved
09:11 in the great controversy.
09:13 The principles at stake were to be more full revealed.
09:16 And for the sake of man... "
09:19 listen to this carefully... "And for the sake of man,
09:22 Satan's existence must be continued.
09:26 Man as well as angels must see the contrast between
09:30 the Prince of light and the prince of darkness.
09:33 He must choose whom he will serve. "
09:37 We're going to study this in depth a bit tonight.
09:40 But before we do any study of God's Word we need to begin
09:42 with a word of prayer.
09:44 Let's bow our heads. Dear heavenly Father,
09:46 Lord I thank you again for the opportunity of fellowship
09:50 especially as the Sabbath hours are upon us.
09:54 And Lord, now I ask not only for Your presence in this room
09:57 but Your presence in our hearts.
09:58 And to soften our hearts and by Your grace
10:01 and by Your power to sharpen our minds
10:03 and to see clearly not only the character of Satan
10:07 but more lovely the character of Christ.
10:09 And through Your power, Lord, please change us
10:12 into that image. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
10:15 We're going to be going to Colossians chapter 1.
10:18 That's going to be our first text this evening:
10:19 Colossians chapter 1.
10:21 So if you want to get ready, get there: Colossians chapter 1.
10:24 But I'll review just a bit more.
10:26 So even after... let's make sure we have the same picture
10:29 in our heads... So even after Satan was cast out of heaven -
10:33 not once, but twice, mind you...
10:35 You remember the first time the Lord kicked him out physically?
10:39 That was some 6,000 years ago.
10:42 But then 4,000 years later he was cast out of the
10:45 sympathies of the heavenly beings when Christ was
10:47 crucified on the cross.
10:49 This statement that we've just read
10:52 says that there were still things... even after all of that
10:55 there were still things these heavenly witnesses
10:58 did not understand about the great controversy.
11:02 And I'm thinking: "What else is there to learn? "
11:04 They've seen the character of Christ...
11:07 that He is selfless, He would give even His own life.
11:09 And yet seen in that stark contrast the character of Satan
11:13 who would take everything including the very life of God
11:16 if it were possible. So what else is there to reveal?
11:19 Well... yes, there is still some more to reveal
11:22 and let's study it out.
11:24 Basically it comes down to this:
11:27 God's plan to handle the sin problem is not called
11:32 the plan of destruction.
11:34 It's called the plan of redemption or the plan
11:37 of salvation. And that's a big difference.
11:41 That's a difference we're going to focus on and hone in on
11:43 tonight: not just destruction but redemption, salvation.
11:48 In order for it to be fully accomplished therefore
11:50 it must do more than merely destroy Satan and sin.
11:53 It must also redeem or save sinners.
11:58 More than destruction it encompasses redemption.
12:02 And think about why that's such a hugely important, significant
12:06 detail. After all the mess that the unfallen inhabitants
12:10 of God's universe had had to this point
12:13 and they'd endured all along God now
12:17 wants to bring some of those who have been Satan's loyal subjects
12:20 back to heaven.
12:24 We have to look at the universe from other people's eyes
12:28 sometimes. Colossians chapter 1 verses 19 and 20.
12:33 Scripture reads: "For it pleased the Father... "
12:37 This is what the Father wants...
12:39 whatever we're about to read here.
12:41 "For it pleased the Father that in Him... "
12:43 That is speaking of Christ.
12:45 "that in Him all the fullness should dwell. "
12:48 Now verse 20: "And by Him... "
12:52 Again that's by Christ.
12:54 "to reconcile all things to Himself
12:58 by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven
13:03 having made peace through the blood of His cross. "
13:06 So it was God's plan... think about what this is saying...
13:10 We say "Amen" and we should say "Amen, " but think about
13:12 the ramifications. God's plan is that through the blood
13:15 of Jesus - His sacrifice on the cross - all things
13:18 in heaven and on the earth will be reconciled.
13:21 Which means to be brought together.
13:24 God wants to unify heaven and earth.
13:27 Go to the book of Ephesians.
13:29 Just go to the left just a few books there.
13:33 Ephesians chapter 1 again, now this time starting with verse 7.
13:37 Notice verses 7 through 10 Ephesians chapter 1.
13:43 Notice the similarities to Paul's argument...
13:47 his line of reasoning.
13:48 Ephesians 1 starting with verse 7:
13:51 "In Him... " that is Christ
13:53 "we have redemption through His blood
13:56 the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of
13:58 His grace which He made to abound towards us
14:01 in all wisdom and truth. " Verse 9:
14:03 "Having made known to us the mystery of His will... "
14:07 It's interesting that God's will apparently is still a mystery.
14:11 "the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure"
14:17 So that's what pleased God.
14:19 "according to His good pleasure which He proposed
14:25 in Himself. " And here's what that is... that mystery
14:28 hidden in God... Verse 10:
14:30 "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the time
14:33 He might gather together in one all things in Christ... "
14:39 And He defines what all means.
14:41 "both which are in heaven and which are on the earth in Him. "
14:47 OK. So God wants to reconcile or bring together
14:50 or unify all things in Christ.
14:54 Which not just includes all redeemed sinners but also
14:57 those who never fell in the first place.
15:00 Those in heaven and those on the earth.
15:02 Which you know from our perspective that's wonderful!
15:05 Praise the Lord! You know, sounds great.
15:08 The blood of Jesus gets us into heaven
15:10 but... think about it from their perspective.
15:16 "You're going to let them in here? "
15:25 Hmmm.
15:28 Which brings me to a significant thought that I want to
15:31 hone in on tonight.
15:34 To the same extent that the heavenly universe
15:38 needed to see sufficient evidence that it was right
15:41 for God to cast out and ultimately destroy Satan
15:45 to that same extent they now need to see sufficient evidence
15:49 that it would be right for God to allow Satan's former subjects
15:52 into heaven and give them - give us - eternal life.
15:57 Do you see that? It's like if they needed to see evidence
15:59 that Satan shouldn't be there
16:01 don't you think it's only reasonable that they should see
16:03 evidence that we should be.
16:08 No wonder there were still things about the great
16:11 controversy that even the angels and unfallen beings
16:13 didn't quite understand yet.
16:15 The destruction of Satan? We're good with that.
16:18 The redeeming of fallen humanity? Slow down...
16:23 By the way, those heavenly beings are still watching.
16:27 I Corinthians chapter 4 verse 9.
16:31 Paul was convinced of this reality of an on looking
16:34 universe. He wrote in I Corinthians 4:9:
16:37 "For I think that God has displayed us
16:40 the apostles last as men condemned to death
16:44 for we have been made a spectacle to the worlds. "
16:48 And then he defines how broad this world that he's thinking of
16:51 is: "We have been made a spectacle to the worlds
16:53 both to angels and to men. "
16:56 It's not like he was just vulnerable and on display
17:00 for everyone on earth to see. He's like: "No, no, no, no.
17:02 But that extends to the heavenly realms as well...
17:03 both to angels and to men. "
17:06 Turn with me again to the book of Ephesians chapter 3.
17:11 He clarifies this. He brings out the scene even more.
17:14 Ephesians chapter 3 and verse 8.
17:18 In these verses starting with verse 8 of Ephesians chapter 3
17:22 Paul describes his ministry.
17:24 He gives his job description.
17:27 "To me... " he says...
17:29 "who am less than the least of all the saints
17:31 this grace was given. That I should preach among the Gentiles
17:36 the unsearchable riches of Christ... "
17:38 And we would typically put a period there.
17:40 Say that's what his job description was:
17:42 Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.
17:44 But in his mind there was something else he was
17:47 supposed to do. Continue on... verse 9:
17:49 "and to make all see what is the fellowship... "
17:55 And here is our word again: "of the mystery
17:59 which from the beginning of ages has been hidden in God
18:03 who created all things through Jesus Christ. "
18:06 He said: "I'm not only supposed to preach the unsearchable
18:09 riches of Christ to the Gentiles but I'm supposed to give
18:11 the broader theme to my message to make all see
18:14 the mystery which has been hidden in God. "
18:17 Let's continue on. Verse 10... the key:
18:21 "To the intent that now
18:24 the manifold wisdom of God
18:27 might be made known by the church
18:30 to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places
18:36 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished
18:39 in Christ Jesus our Lord
18:41 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence
18:44 through faith in Him. "
18:47 Understand what that's saying... the depth of this.
18:49 Apparently there is some hidden wisdom
18:53 that God wants to make known to the principalities and powers
18:58 in the heavenly places.
18:59 So there is God in heaven
19:02 with the principalities and powers in heavenly places
19:05 and He wants to teach them something about His plan...
19:08 His wisdom. So wouldn't it make only sense that He would
19:12 just turn to them and say whatever it is?
19:14 "Hey, here's this plan. I want to explain it to you. "
19:18 But how does He wish to teach this lesson?
19:22 Notice again... how does God intend to reveal His
19:24 mysterious hidden wisdom to them?
19:26 By the church.
19:29 God's people on earth.
19:31 That's as if to say there were still some things that were
19:33 a mystery to them. They did not understand;
19:35 they were hidden in God. And instead of Him just saying
19:37 them to them He said: "Let me show you
19:39 what My manifold wisdom is. Watch My people on earth. "
19:46 That's significant. God intends to use His people on earth
19:49 to explain His wisdom to heavenly beings.
19:53 Now this is fascinating to me.
19:54 You may not find it fascinating but I find it enthralling
19:57 and since I'm the one presenting the message, you get to hear it.
19:59 Deuteronomy chapter 4... Moses instructs
20:03 the children of Israel about the impact their obedience
20:07 to God's principles would have on the surrounding nations
20:10 who were constantly watching this peculiar people.
20:13 You know Israel was not just another nation.
20:15 It was supposed to be a witness; ambassador for Christ
20:18 on earth if you will.
20:21 Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verse 6
20:23 we read these words:
20:26 "Therefore be careful to observe them. "
20:29 Speaking of the principles of God's government.
20:31 The law that He had given them.
20:33 "Be careful to observe them for... " Here's the reason:
20:35 "this is your wisdom
20:38 and your understanding in the sight of the people
20:43 who will hear all these statutes. "
20:46 So there are going to be people who hear the statutes of God
20:48 and they're going to see the statutes of God
20:50 lived out in the people.
20:52 And they're going to say: "This is Your wisdom.
20:55 You're never going to be the biggest, the strongest.
20:57 You're supposed to be a repre- sentative of Christ on earth. "
21:02 Notice this now: "And say 'Surely this great nation
21:06 is a wise and understanding people. ' "
21:07 Now, in a fascinating exposition of this particular passage
21:13 Ellen White in a little pamphlet called the Crest Collection
21:17 makes this remarkable statement. Listen closely.
21:21 Speaking... And now she's referring to the words here
21:24 in Deuteronomy chapter 4. She says:
21:27 "Even these words fail of reaching the greatness
21:32 and the glory of God's purpose to be accomplished
21:35 through His people. "
21:39 She explains what she means.
21:40 "Not to this world only but to the universe
21:44 are we to make manifest the principles of His kingdom. "
21:49 Amen.
21:51 So Israel was supposed to make known to the other nations
21:53 but she said: "No, no, no, no. If you just think of earthly
21:55 nations you're thinking too small. There's a universe
21:58 out there who's watching.
21:59 And they're supposed to learn something about God
22:02 through us. "
22:05 "The heavenly universe... " And by the way, the text
22:07 that she... after that statement that she supports this with...
22:10 is Ephesians chapter 3 highlighting verse 10 there.
22:13 "Now the manifold wisdom of God may be made known by the church
22:17 to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. "
22:19 That's what she's talking about.
22:22 "The heavenly universe is watching to see if Christ's
22:26 sacrifice on the cross can actually transform sinners
22:31 into responsible citizens of heaven. "
22:34 Let's go to the book of Hebrews chapter 11.
22:38 Hebrews chapter 11.
22:41 This is one of those famous chapters in scripture.
22:45 This is the hall of faith.
22:47 The great heroes of faith.
22:51 Going down through time itemizing, listing out these
22:53 heroes of faith who have by faith done great things
22:56 for the Lord. But in the midst of the description
22:59 of these heroes of faith we find starting with verse 13
23:03 and going through verse 16 these words:
23:07 "These all died in faith not having received the promises.
23:13 But having seen them afar off were assured of them,
23:17 embraced them and confessed that they were strangers
23:21 and pilgrims on the earth. "
23:23 All right. So talking about the faithful heroes of Hebrews 11
23:26 they make a parenthetical pause in the middle to say
23:29 "Now these all died not having received the promises. "
23:33 All right. They just lived a lifetime in this earth
23:36 and that was it.
23:37 But they did see them afar off. They were assured of them
23:41 and because of that they con- fessed that they were strangers
23:44 and pilgrims here. This world was not their home if you will.
23:50 Goes on... verse 14:
23:51 "For those who say such things declare plainly... "
23:55 My question is... just pause:
23:58 who were they declaring it to?
24:02 Anyway, back to the text.
24:03 "For those who say such things declare plainly
24:07 that they seek a homeland.
24:10 And truly if they had called to mind that country
24:13 from which they had come out
24:15 they would have had opportunity to return. "
24:17 So they weren't just calling themselves heavenly
24:20 claiming to be citizens of heaven but actually thinking
24:23 about the world. Their minds were fixed on another place.
24:27 Is that clear? OK.
24:31 "But... " verse 16:
24:32 "But now they desire a better and that is
24:36 a heavenly country. " And I love this:
24:40 "Therefore... " So because they don't just claim
24:44 to be going to heaven but are trying to live through the power
24:47 of Christ a heavenly citizenship
24:49 "Therefore God is not... " What's the word?
24:55 "ashamed to be called their God
24:59 for He has prepared a city for them. "
25:05 God is not ashamed of being their God
25:09 for they seek to live in a better place, according to
25:14 better principles, even while they're in this place.
25:17 Think about that.
25:18 And by the way, isn't that a wonderful promise?
25:20 God has a place prepared for us.
25:23 This is the same promise that Jesus Himself gave in
25:26 John chapter 14. We know it probably by heart.
25:28 John chapter 14 verses 2 and 3.
25:30 "In My Father's house are... " What? "many mansions.
25:33 If it were not so, I would have told you.
25:35 I go... " For what purpose? "to prepare a place for you.
25:40 And if I go and prepare a place for you I WILL COME AGAIN
25:43 and receive you to Myself
25:44 that where I am, there you may be also. "
25:49 Hmmm.
25:52 Sometimes, however, when I read these promises... I hear them
25:55 recited over and over that there's a place for you.
25:57 God is preparing a place for you. Gone to prepare a place...
26:00 Sometimes I fear that while we focus on Christ's
26:05 promise to prepare a place for us
26:08 we ignore His promise to prepare us for that place.
26:13 Do you see the difference?
26:20 The redemption provided by the blood of Jesus
26:23 entails more than a promise to physically transport us
26:26 to heaven.
26:29 It includes the far greater promise
26:31 to spiritually transform us for heaven.
26:35 Amen.
26:36 Salvation, my friends, is not merely a transaction
26:40 it's a transformation.
26:46 Let's boil it down this way.
26:48 God not merely wants to "get us in"
26:50 He wants to "fit us in" to the courts of heaven.
26:54 Does that make sense?
26:56 Now, some will say: "That's a great high standard
26:58 but doesn't the Bible says that we will be changed?
27:01 But it will be at the last trumpet.
27:02 That's when we'll be changed: "In the twinkling of an eye...
27:04 in a moment. " That's when the change will occur.
27:07 Well, yes it does.
27:09 It does say something about that.
27:11 In fact, in I Corinthians chapter 15 the apostle Paul
27:13 declares unambiguously - without reservation -
27:16 that we shall "not all sleep but we shall all be...
27:20 changed. In a moment. In the twinkling of an eye.
27:24 At the last trumpet. " And that's a wonderful promise
27:27 but have you ever stopped to think: "What get's changed? "
27:30 What about us actually changes when Jesus comes?
27:36 Well, let's see if Paul explains himself.
27:39 Philippians chapter 3.
27:41 We're going to start with verse 18.
27:43 Philippians chapter 3 starting with verse 18.
27:47 Look what the same Paul says here.
27:53 3:18.
27:56 He says: "For many walk of whom I have told you often
28:00 and now tell even weeping that they are the enemies
28:03 of the cross of Christ.
28:04 Whose end is destruction.
28:07 Whose God is their belly
28:09 and whose glory is in their shame.
28:12 Who set their mind... " Where?
28:14 "on earthly things. "
28:16 Does that not sound like the book of Hebrews?
28:18 You know? They did not set their mind on earthly things
28:21 but had their mindset - their citizenship - in heaven.
28:24 Same Paul now.
28:26 Now verse 20: "For our citizenship... " -
28:29 here it is again - "is in heaven
28:32 from which... " - speaking of heaven -
28:35 "from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior...
28:38 the Lord Jesus Christ. " Verse 21:
28:42 "who will transform our lowly... " What's the next word?
28:45 "bodies according to the working by which He is able
28:50 even to subdue all things to Himself. "
28:53 So the same God who wants to subdue all things to Himself
28:56 will send again Jesus Christ. He will return
28:59 and in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
29:01 we shall be changed and we will each receive a new body.
29:06 Which praise the Lord... As I, you know,
29:09 I may not look it but I'm getting older.
29:11 You know, I'd like some new knees.
29:13 A nice new back would be good, you know?
29:15 I can appreciate that.
29:17 But that's what we get at the second coming
29:19 is a new body... not a new character.
29:26 The character that will be ours for eternity will not be
29:29 given at the second coming.
29:32 It will be developed right here, right now,
29:36 in the life that you're currently living today.
29:41 Think this through a little bit. Romans chapter 8.
29:46 Romans chapter 8, starting with verse 18.
29:55 Going to take our time and go through Romans 8 just a bit here
29:59 'cause this is Paul's clearest exposition of these thoughts.
30:04 Most methodical rationalization.
30:07 Romans chapter 8 starting with verse 18:
30:11 "For I consider... "
30:13 I love that about the apostle Paul.
30:15 He never shoots from the hip.
30:17 Even though... Have you noticed his sentences are pages long
30:20 sometimes? And even Peter says: "Look,
30:22 I know Paul wrote some things that are hard to understand. "
30:24 Paul's a thinker. He hasn't come across this in the night
30:28 in a dream. He's thought about it.
30:30 "For I consider... " verse 18...
30:32 "that the sufferings of this present time
30:35 are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
30:39 revealed... " Now stop right there.
30:41 You might think "on the eastern sky. "
30:45 "Someday a cloud the size of a man's... "
30:48 That's the glory we're waiting for - Right? -
30:50 to be revealed.
30:51 That's not what the text says.
30:53 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
30:57 are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
30:59 revealed in us.
31:04 For... " verse 19, he builds on this...
31:06 "For the earnest expectation of the creation
31:10 eagerly waits for the revealing... " And again,
31:13 you would expect it to be of the Son of God.
31:17 Capital S... singular.
31:19 But that's not what the text says.
31:21 "the creation is eagerly awaiting for the revealing
31:24 of the sons of God. "
31:27 Small s... plural.
31:32 "So the creation was subjected to futility. Not willingly,
31:36 but because of him who subjected it, in hope... "
31:39 You know, we talked about how the Lord has gone through this
31:42 due process. And it takes time and it's painful.
31:44 But it's not to an end of despair and discouragement.
31:49 There's hope at the end.
31:51 So he bound this earth, not in futility
31:56 but in hope. "Because of him who subjected
31:59 it in hope... " Verse 21:
32:01 "because the creation itself also will be delivered
32:03 from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty
32:06 of the children of God. For... " Verse 22...
32:10 "we know that the whole creation groans and labors
32:13 with birth pangs together until now.
32:15 Not only that but we also
32:18 who have the firstfruits of the Spirit
32:20 even we ourselves groan within ourselves
32:22 eagerly awaiting for the adoption, the redemption
32:25 of our... " What's the word? "bodies. "
32:28 That's what we're waiting for is a body.
32:30 Not a character but a body.
32:33 That's a big, big difference.
32:37 The glory of God that will be revealed will be revealed in us.
32:41 And the creation is eagerly awaiting for the revealing of
32:44 us... the sons of God.
32:46 And the thing that we're waiting for is not a new character,
32:49 a new us... just a new body to go on the old.
32:52 Well hopefully, a transformed us.
32:56 Hmmm.
32:58 Taking these ideas and making them succinct and clear
33:01 Mrs. White writes in Christ Object Lessons 331:
33:04 "A character formed according to the divine likeness
33:08 is the only treasure that we can take from this world
33:11 to the next. " Amen. Even more clearly:
33:18 page 278 of the book Our High Calling.
33:22 If words mean anything and clarity is important,
33:26 listen to this just laser- precision with which she writes.
33:30 "When Christ shall come
33:32 our vile bodies are to be changed and made like His
33:36 glorious body. "
33:38 Praise the Lord, right? Amen!
33:40 "But the vile character will not then be made holy.
33:46 The transformation of character must take place
33:50 before His coming. " Amen.
33:55 And the simple reason is this:
33:57 character is not something that can be given.
34:00 It's something you choose and you develop
34:03 through relationships over time.
34:06 It can't be a gift.
34:08 It must be worked through the life.
34:11 That's why sanctification is "the work of a lifetime. "
34:13 It's a process. Now that may sound intimidating
34:19 but it's actually built on such a simple premise.
34:22 Let me just ask you this simple question:
34:25 if Christ were to actually let you into heaven,
34:29 would you even want to go?
34:33 Ever consider that? Everybody talks about heaven
34:35 and I've worked with young people so long.
34:37 "Oh, heaven's going to be this and heaven, heaven, heaven,
34:38 heaven... " But... I mean...
34:44 do we like heavenly things now?
34:48 And if not, why would we want to go to a place that's
34:51 nothing but heavenly things?
34:54 There's a certain just bold-faced logic to it.
35:00 Again in the book In Heavenly Places page 142:
35:03 "We are individually now testifying to the world
35:06 of the power of the grace of Christ in the transformation
35:10 of human character from glory to glory,
35:12 from character to character. " Amen.
35:15 Throughout the writings of Mrs. White you'll always see
35:17 an equivalence between glory and character.
35:20 The glory of God is His character. It's who He is! Amen!
35:24 "In beholding Christ our pattern who is pure and holy
35:28 and undefiled we are being prepared for the society
35:32 of the heavenly angels. "
35:33 And then she asks this most sublime question.
35:36 It's just a rhetorical, simple, straight-forward question:
35:40 "If Christ is to be our Head and Prince in the heavenly courts,
35:45 it becomes us to inquire... "
35:48 This is a beautiful way of just saying
35:50 we really should ask this question:
35:53 "What is Christ to us now? " Amen.
35:57 Just leave it at that.
35:59 If we expect to live with Him forever,
36:02 do we even like being with Him now?
36:06 Later on, on page 370 of that same book we read:
36:09 "Those who take no pleasure
36:11 in thinking and talking of God in this life
36:14 will not enjoy the life that is to come
36:17 where God is ever present, dwelling among His people. "
36:21 You've heard that saying: "What would Jesus do? "
36:23 Or you've had that question perhaps when you were a child
36:26 and maybe you've asked it to a child:
36:27 "Would Jesus appreciate it? "
36:29 "Would Jesus enjoy what you're doing? "
36:30 "Could you do what you're doing now with Jesus by your side? "
36:33 And you know we hate that question because it's
36:35 guilt giving and... "Ah... I know... "
36:37 But there is a certain amount of logic to it.
36:40 If all the stuff that you enjoy doing here
36:43 is none of the stuff that's going to be there,
36:46 do you even want to go?
36:51 But those who love to think of God will be in their element
36:54 breathing in the atmosphere of heaven.
36:57 Amen. Those who on earth love the thought of heaven
37:00 will be happy in its holy association and pleasures.
37:03 It's as though God will come again and give us that new body
37:06 so we can feel refreshed and physically be transformed.
37:09 And we'll step into heaven. It'll...
37:12 ah... like going home. Amen.
37:16 'Cause we seek NOW a better country. Our citizenship
37:19 IS in heaven. Amen!
37:21 It'll be like going home.
37:23 The universe is looking for evidence that if God were to
37:26 by the blood of Jesus Christ and by His grace
37:29 to actually get us into heaven
37:32 would we actually fit in once we got there.
37:37 Let's think about this logically.
37:39 Why is the development of a Christ-like character
37:42 a necessity before the second coming?
37:45 Why can't He just give it to us?
37:46 Well, let's see why character is such a big deal.
37:51 First of all, there's two reasons.
37:53 Number one: is resolves what in my simple mind
37:56 I dub the 33/22 paradox.
38:02 OK. I made that term up. It has no meaning right now.
38:04 whatsoever but it's a way to help me to remember.
38:07 The 33/22 paradox... let me explain.
38:09 In Exodus chapter 33
38:13 God warns Moses in verse 20
38:16 "You cannot see My face for no man
38:20 shall see Me and... " What? "and live. "
38:23 "You can't see My face, for no man can see Me and live. "
38:29 Which implies: "If you were to see My face you would... die. "
38:33 OK. Exodus 33.
38:36 However it's the same God who at the other end of the Bible
38:39 in Revelation chapter 22 promises that the redeemed
38:43 "shall see His face. "
38:45 Well I don't know whether to say "Amen" or not!
38:50 Right. You see what I'm saying?
38:52 The same God who says: "If you see Me you'll die"
38:54 and then gives us the "promise" that we're going to see Him.
38:58 Is that good news or not?
39:01 I mean, how can the same God say those two different things?
39:04 And have you ever considered that the second coming
39:06 is not necessarily good news for everyone?
39:09 That this same event to some will be great.
39:11 That they'll say: "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him
39:14 and He will save us. "
39:15 Yet at the same moment accord- ing to Revelation chapter 6
39:21 it describes people terror- stricken at the return of Christ
39:24 crying out: "Fall on us and hide us from... " What?
39:27 "the face of Him who sits on the throne and from
39:33 the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of His wrath
39:35 has come and who is able to stand? "
39:40 And notice what they're terrified of.
39:42 What's the thing that they just can't stand to be around?
39:44 It's not the sword; it's not fire; it's not plagues.
39:47 It's not these things, it's... it's His face.
39:53 They can't look at His face and live.
40:00 You know, there's a tremendous difference between living to
40:03 the second coming and living through the second coming.
40:09 Now I believe right now in the world God is raising up
40:13 an army of young people especially
40:15 who are determined to live faithfully, to finish the work,
40:19 and to see Jesus come in their lifetime. Amen.
40:22 I propose to be part of that generation.
40:25 That's what I want and that's what I'm convinced of
40:28 will happen if the Holy Spirit is unleashed in the lives
40:31 of people. But being part of a generation that
40:37 lives to the second coming...
40:39 living to the second coming has no inherent value.
40:44 There will be plenty of people who will make it to the second
40:48 coming but won't live through the second coming.
40:53 And just because you're part of the generation that happens
40:56 to be alive at the time when Jesus returns...
40:58 Which we are living in a very exciting time. Amen.
41:00 All the time prophecies have expired.
41:02 All the signs are all around us.
41:04 Jesus is in fact coming soon!
41:06 But what difference does it make
41:08 if we're just not planning on living through the second...
41:11 all we're going to do is live to the second coming?
41:13 There's got to be a higher ideal.
41:16 Hmmm.
41:18 So here's the resolution of the 33/22 paradox.
41:21 How there could be a God who says "You can't see My face
41:23 and live yet I'm going to show you My face. "
41:26 I John chapter 2 and verse 28 we read these words:
41:31 "And now little children abide in Him... "
41:35 And notice why: "that when He appears
41:38 we may have confidence and not be ashamed
41:42 before Him at His coming. " Amen.
41:44 How do we not be ashamed before Him?
41:46 We dwell in Him now. Abide in Him
41:49 so that when He appears we may not be ashamed.
41:52 I John chapter 3- one chapter over -
41:55 starting with verse 1.
41:56 We know this text: "Beloved, behold what manner
42:01 of love the Father has bestowed upon us
42:04 that we should be called the sons of God. "
42:05 We know that text. But look at verse 2
42:08 and notice the process language:
42:09 "Beloved, now we are children of God. "
42:13 Present tense... right now. Amen!
42:15 "And... " But in addition to that... "And it has not yet
42:19 been revealed what we shall be... "
42:22 So apparently you can be a child of God now
42:25 and yet you shall be something else later.
42:27 Not less of a child of God but you see what I'm saying.
42:30 There's a process; there's progress;
42:34 there's transformation.
42:35 "And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be
42:37 but we know... " And even the writer says here
42:40 "I don't even know what that's going to look like
42:42 but we do know this... "
42:44 "But we know that when He is revealed... " -
42:48 which is a reference to the second coming -
42:50 "when He is revealed we shall be... " What?
42:53 "like Him. " And how do we know?
42:55 This is so simple the logic.
42:57 How do we know we shall be like Him when He arrives?
43:00 "For we shall see Him as He is. "
43:07 Isn't that beautiful?
43:08 The Lord's going to return. He's saying: "Schwaa!
43:10 Here I am! "
43:13 This is something that's going to be the most terrifying
43:16 awful thing. But to others they'll say: "Ah...
43:20 there He is. " And He's like: "Come on home. "
43:24 And you go from this world to the next seamlessly.
43:30 Amen.
43:31 And notice what it then says: "And everyone
43:34 who has this hope in him... " Does what?
43:37 "purifies himself. " How?
43:39 "as He is pure. "
43:41 The goal is to be like Jesus. Amen.
43:44 Of course Jesus said it the mostly simply and most sublime
43:47 way of all in Matthew chapter 5 and verse 8.
43:50 "Blessed are the pure in heart... " Why?
43:53 "for they shall see God. "
43:56 And that's a beautiful promise; it's not a threat.
43:58 That's good news, right?
44:00 The implication is they shall see God and live!
44:03 Amen.
44:04 Hmmm... that's what I want.
44:06 I don't want to just live to the second coming.
44:08 I want to live through it by abiding in Christ now.
44:11 So reason number one why the development of a Christ-like
44:14 character is important is because it's the only way
44:16 that we can look upon a glorious God and not be destroyed.
44:19 It's the only way to survive the second coming.
44:22 And to you that's a big deal.
44:23 To me that's a big deal. I mean, think about it
44:25 from your perspective.
44:26 You are the only you you've got,
44:32 and saving you is big to you. And by the way...
44:36 you're also the only you God's got.
44:39 Amen.
44:42 Anyone who is not there is an eternal loss for Him.
44:49 God wants you to be there and I know you want to be there.
44:54 So that's why character is so important.
44:56 But did you know there's a reason even better than that?
45:00 Because our working premise through this whole series
45:02 has been that there's something bigger than just saving sinners
45:06 involved in the great controversy.
45:08 Getting you into heaven is great.
45:10 Fitting you into heaven is great.
45:12 But there's a reason why it's better than just
45:15 self-preservation.
45:17 There's a broader - a greater - controversy.
45:25 In Nahum chapter 1...
45:27 Now this is a rare text, but in Nahum chapter 1
45:29 and verse 9 I believe we find there God's greatest promise.
45:35 I mean, the promise to come again is a wonderful promise.
45:38 And the Bible is full of wonderful promises, but
45:41 in Nahum chapter 1 and verse 9 very simply
45:44 the scripture reads: "What do you imagine
45:46 against the Lord? He will make an utter end.
45:50 Affliction will not rise up the second time. "
45:53 Amen.
45:55 That's a promise! That's a guarantee.
45:57 When the great controversy is done there's not going to be
45:59 another controversy. That's it.
46:01 Amen! Amen!
46:03 But think about how can the God who allows people to have
46:06 free will make that kind of guarantee.
46:11 The only way God can leave intact our freedom of choice
46:15 and yet guarantee that no one will ever again disobey
46:18 is the development of a Christ-like character
46:21 in each citizen of heaven.
46:24 Amen.
46:26 Thus we can read statements like
46:28 Sermons and Talks, volume 2, page 294:
46:32 "Without perfection of character
46:34 no one can enter the pearly gates of the city of God. "
46:37 And there's an explanation.
46:40 "For... " For this reason:
46:42 "if with all our imperfections
46:47 we were permitted to enter that city... "
46:51 So if God were to get you in without you being fit to go in.
46:55 "If with all our imperfections we were permitted to enter
46:58 that city there would soon be in heaven a second rebellion. "
47:04 Think about it.
47:05 And this is what... Trust me,
47:08 Gabriel is thinking about it.
47:11 Saying: "OK, Lord, we see why You can destroy Satan
47:14 but You're going to let some of his loyal subjects
47:17 come here? " And God's like: "That's right!
47:21 And they're going to live in the palace right next to you. "
47:25 "I'm going to take that Kameron deVa... "
47:26 "No! Not him! "
47:27 "Yes... your roommate. "
47:34 Hmmm.
47:36 It's a big promise.
47:39 She goes on. After she says "there would soon be in heaven
47:44 a second rebellion" the passage continues:
47:47 "We must first be tried and chosen
47:50 and found faithful and true.
47:52 Upon the purification of our character
47:55 rests our only hope of eternal life. "
47:59 Whoo! Now think about what that's saying
48:03 and please think about what that's not saying.
48:06 That's not to say that the development of a Christ-like
48:09 character causes you to be saved.
48:12 That's not it at all.
48:13 Only the blood of Jesus has power to restore
48:17 and redeem and save fallen man. Amen.
48:20 BUT a Christ-like character is the only guarantee
48:25 that no one will ever choose to rebel again.
48:29 Amen.
48:31 Think about it: there's a lot riding on your character
48:34 for more than just you.
48:36 The entire safety and security
48:39 of the heavenly realm for eternity
48:42 is resting on every single citizen of heaven
48:48 knowing the difference between right and wrong
48:50 and choosing whom they will serve each and every time.
48:54 Amen.
48:55 That's why character is so important.
48:58 Because there's more involved in the great controversy
49:01 than just saving you. It's safeguarding the universe
49:04 for eternity. Hmmm.
49:08 The redemption provided by the blood of Jesus entails more
49:11 than merely a transaction to get you in
49:13 but a transformation that fits you into heaven.
49:17 The title of our message tonight is called
49:19 The Great Object of Life.
49:22 And it's hard for many people. I believe we've painted
49:25 a picture of salvation that's a transaction only.
49:28 You made a decision. "I got converted back in this.
49:30 I went to a seminar this one time. I came forward
49:32 at the altar call for this. I got saved on this day. "
49:35 "I have a transaction; I have my heaven ticket in hand.
49:39 I'm going to get in. " Right?
49:43 And they rest secured in their transactional salvation
49:48 instead of their transformational Savior.
49:51 Amen. See the difference?
49:53 "You know, I'm gettin' in 'cause I've got my ticket. "
49:58 Friends, there's more to getting into heaven.
50:00 Christ wants to fit you into heaven - Amen -
50:04 so you won't ruin heaven for anybody else. Amen.
50:09 Thus we read in the book Education page 64:
50:15 "In the beginning God created man in His own likeness.
50:20 He endowed him with noble qualities.
50:24 His mind was well balanced
50:26 and all the powers of his being were harmonious.
50:31 But the fall and its effects have perverted these gifts.
50:34 Sin has marred and well nigh obliterated the image of God
50:37 in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation
50:43 was devised and a life of probation was granted to man.
50:46 To bring him back to the perfection in which he was
50:49 first created is the great object of life...
50:54 the object that underlies every other. " Amen.
50:58 Salvation is more than a transaction;
51:00 it's a transformation. It's a complete restoration
51:02 of the image of God in fallen humanity
51:06 so that when the Lord returns
51:10 and He welcomes home those who are His
51:13 it'll be like to comin' to a place that just feels natural.
51:17 Amen; Amen.
51:19 Gabriel'll say: "Welcome home, brother.
51:21 Good to have you. Won't you come on in. "
51:25 Christ will say: "I'm not ashamed
51:27 to call them My brethren.
51:28 Un uh, proud to be their God. Come on in. "
51:32 That's the great object of life... not just a ticket
51:35 but a transformation!
51:37 So let's bring it back around to where we began.
51:42 "Yet Satan was not then destroyed. "
51:44 We're speaking of Christ on the cross.
51:47 The reason... ever wondered that? If "It is finished! "
51:51 happened 2,000 years ago, why is "it" still going?
51:55 What is there left to learn?
52:01 "Yet Satan was not then destroyed.
52:03 The angels did not even then understand all that was
52:06 involved in the great controversy.
52:09 The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed
52:12 and for the sake of man, Satan's existence must be continued. "
52:17 Do you understand how radical of a statement that is?
52:20 To say that it is in your best interest
52:23 that Satan remain alive.
52:28 You'd better understand some things if you're going to go out
52:31 and maybe say hand out that book or talk about these
52:33 things. Say: "Yeah, I know Satan. Oh, don't you wish
52:37 God would destroy him? " Well not yet...
52:39 because it's a bigger plan than just destroying Satan.
52:43 There's the redemption of sinful humanity
52:45 and the restoration and securing and safeguarding
52:48 of the universe for eternity at stake.
52:51 Amen. As we saw from night #1
52:53 God is a God of due process.
52:56 The reason He didn't destroy him is because people wouldn't
52:59 understand at his first rebellion, so He cast him out
53:02 and extended his life.
53:03 And for 4,000 years Satan had the opportunity to
53:07 develop these principles and work out his administration
53:10 all before the onlooking universe. As we saw in the
53:13 book of Job "the sons of God. "
53:17 But finally when Jesus died on the cross
53:22 what God had seen from the very beginning,
53:24 that murderous intent in the heart of Lucifer,
53:27 the violence that was within,
53:29 was unleashed on the very sinless Son of God.
53:33 And in that moment
53:35 they saw clearly contrasted the character of their Savior
53:39 and the character of His adversary... Satan.
53:43 And that's where the last link of sympathy was broken.
53:47 But now, since that time,
53:51 God has allowed even more time for Satan to more fully
53:54 develop his principles. And here's the reason why:
53:57 "Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not
53:59 even then understand all that was involved
54:01 in the great controversy.
54:03 The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed
54:05 and for the sake of man Satan's existence must be continued. "
54:10 And here's what we're going to pick up on tomorrow
54:12 and tomorrow afternoon.
54:15 "Man as well as angels must see the contrast
54:19 between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness.
54:22 He must choose whom he will serve. "
54:25 At the cross of Christ the angels sealed their decision
54:30 for God. Now the question is:
54:33 what will you do when confronted with the opportunity
54:37 of following Jesus or following Satan?
54:40 Whom will you serve?
54:43 And of course the impetus is: "Choose you this day
54:46 whom you will serve. " By the way,
54:48 there's a reason why you should choose right now.
54:51 And it's not because Jesus could come at any moment.
54:53 Even though I believe we're living in the very toenails
54:56 of time and Jesus... we've been promised that the last events
54:59 will be rapid ones and Jesus is coming soon,
55:01 but even better than that... You could say: "Well,
55:05 yeah, but if Jesus doesn't come right soon we could still die
55:08 at any moment and our own personal second coming
55:11 could happen at any time. "
55:13 But even better than that
55:14 the reason you should choose whom you will serve this day
55:17 is because character is being formed not in a day
55:21 but day by day. Amen.
55:24 The formation of character is not instantaneous.
55:26 It's a process. And every decision you make
55:28 turns you into the person that you are tomorrow.
55:32 And that person will be a different person than
55:35 the day after that. Amen. And so "Choose you this day
55:38 whom you will serve, " because even now
55:41 we're becoming citizens of God's kingdom...
55:44 safe to save for eternity. Amen.
55:48 Has the presentation made sense this evening? Amen!
55:50 Praise God for clarity.
55:52 Let's bow our heads for a word of prayer.
55:55 Dear heavenly Father, Lord I thank you so much
55:59 for revealing to us Your character and the way in which
56:03 You have done it.
56:06 Lord, we understand that You are a God of due process.
56:08 You're going to take time to get it right.
56:11 You've made a big promise in Nahum chapter 1 and verse 9.
56:14 You've promised that affliction will never rise
56:17 again... not for a second time.
56:19 And when the great controversy is done there will never be
56:21 another controversy.
56:23 And Lord, we want to be part of that people
56:25 who You seal and say "These are safe to save. "
56:29 So when You come again we're not afraid of Your face
56:32 but we can look on Your face with confidence and not be
56:34 ashamed. And say: "Lo, this is our God.
56:36 We have waited for Him and He will save us. "
56:39 Lord, we want to go into heaven with a sense that we're just
56:42 going home. Lord, to that end I ask that You
56:46 seal our decisions tonight.
56:48 And not just help us to rest on a transaction
56:51 but Lord, continue to work in our lives to develop
56:53 that transformation of character
56:55 that will not only get us in but fit us in
56:58 to Your kingdom when it comes. Let that day be soon
57:01 and when it does let not one be missing.
57:04 We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
57:25 We encourage you to tune in tomorrow morning
57:27 for part 4 of the continued Greater Controversy.
57:31 God bless you till we see you again.


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Revised 2014-12-17