Participants: Kameron DeVasher
Series Code: AOT
Program Code: AOT000068
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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. |
Revised 2014-12-17