Participants:
Series Code: ASIC
Program Code: ASIC000002A
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00:21 Good evening, ASI.
00:22 Amen. 00:24 You know, it's truly an honor for me tonight 00:26 to introduce our speaker for the evening. 00:30 And I'd just tell you one thing, 00:32 I have spent many hours on the phone 00:35 with our speaker tonight. 00:37 But one thing is very interesting, 00:39 whenever, often times when I call him, 00:42 I'll pick up the phone and I will hear 00:44 something going in the background, 00:45 either a chainsaw, or a hammer, 00:48 or some other type of mechanical device 00:50 because Steve Dickman is always doing something. 00:54 As the president of Harbert Hills Academy, 00:57 he is as I asked him, I said, 00:59 "Steve, how do you want me to describe you." 01:01 And he said, "Well, just say I'm a back cooperator." 01:04 Steve is an enterprising man. 01:08 He teaches students there, fixes the air conditioners, 01:12 does just about everything it takes to run a school, 01:16 but more than that he is a humble man. 01:18 And those of you who know him, he is always helping people. 01:21 Always there to do whatever he can 01:24 to make something happen. 01:26 And as they say he's the kind of guy 01:29 who would give you the shirt off his back, 01:31 he even lent me this tie tonight 01:33 because I didn't have one. 01:35 So Steve spent, has spent 26 years 01:38 at Harbert Hills Academy and serves as the president 01:41 of that great school in Tennessee, 01:43 and he also serves as the chairman 01:45 of the E.A Sutherland Educational Association, 01:48 and as the chairman 01:49 of Outpost Centers International. 01:52 And there is no one that I know 01:55 that is more committed to the work of ASI 01:57 who has such a burden for supporting ministries in US 02:02 who has a passion for finishing the work. 02:05 And as of this evening, 02:06 I am happy to once again say that he is the newly elected, 02:10 newly reelected president of ASI. 02:14 And Steve, more than any of that, 02:17 he is a father of two children and two, 02:20 a grandfather of two grandkids. 02:22 His lovely wife Brenda is by his side. 02:25 And I just have to say that he truly models the example 02:29 of servant leadership. 02:31 A good leader gets in the trenches 02:34 and fights along those he leads. 02:36 And I cannot say anything less of my friend Steve Dickman, 02:41 whether it's traveling in the bush of Africa, 02:43 and Steve and I have been to Kibidula, 02:45 whether it's navigating the streets of Russia, 02:50 or visiting our many ASI members 02:53 across this division. 02:55 I've had the privilege of seeing Steve in action. 02:58 And above all, his passion is to see Jesus come soon. 03:04 And so the next voice you will hear 03:06 after our special music will be that of our ASI president, 03:09 Steve Dickman. 03:30 Holy Spirit, living breath of God 03:36 Breathe new life into my willing soul 03:43 Let a presence of the risen Lord 03:49 To renew my heart and make me whole 03:57 Cause Your Word to come alive in me 04:03 Give me faith for what I cannot see 04:10 Give me passion for Your purity 04:16 Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me 04:34 Holy Spirit, come abide within 04:40 May Your joy be seen in all I do 04:47 Love enough to cover evr'y sin 04:53 In each thought and deed and attitude 05:01 Kindness to the greatest and the least 05:08 Gentleness that sows the path of peace 05:15 Turn my striving into works of grace 05:21 Breath of God, show Christ in all I do 06:06 Holy Spirit, from creation's birth 06:13 Giving life to all that God has made 06:21 Show Your power once again on earth 06:27 Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways 06:34 Let the fragrance of our prayers arise 06:42 Lead us on the road of sacrifice 06:49 That in unity the face of Christ 06:56 Will be clear for all the world to see 07:27 Thank you for that beautiful music tonight. 07:31 It's a blessing to be here at ASI with you. 07:38 I just like to ask you this evening 07:40 if you would just bow your heads with me 07:41 as we begin? 07:44 Oh, Father, in heaven we're here tonight. 07:47 We're asking that You would pour out Your Spirit 07:49 upon each person here 07:52 that we may hear Your voice. 07:54 And not just hear Your voice, Lord, 07:56 but that we would respond to Your call. 08:00 In Jesus' name we pray, amen. 08:06 I know some of you 08:07 may have brought your Bibles this evening, 08:10 at least I hope you did, and if you didn't 08:12 maybe you have your Bible on your phone. 08:17 We're going to be looking for a few moments here 08:19 at Mark 13. 08:22 Jesus, the context here is that 08:25 Jesus is talking to His disciples 08:29 about what the future is holds, what the future holds. 08:34 It says that in verse 1 of chapter 13 08:38 that "He went out from the temple, 08:40 and one of His disciples said unto Him, 08:42 Master, see what manner of stones 08:44 and what buildings are here." 08:46 And then Jesus privately began, 08:49 when He got to the Mount of Olives, 08:50 He privately began to explain to His disciples 08:54 the end of the story, 08:57 and whether or not you know it, this evening 09:00 we are living in the time of the end of the story, 09:05 and so we read this with great interest. 09:07 We read this 09:08 what Jesus was saying here with great interest 09:10 because Jesus was talking 09:12 not just to His disciples, He's talking to us today 09:15 because we are living actually the end of the story. 09:19 He says something interesting here in Mark 13:24, 09:24 he says, "But in those days after that tribulation, 09:29 the sun shall be darkened, 09:31 and the moon shall not give her light." 09:33 Let me ask you a question tonight, 09:35 has this happened? 09:37 Yes. Okay. 09:39 So we're now entering the stream of time, 09:42 we find ourselves living in a time 09:45 when prophecy is not something in the future, 09:48 but it's something that has already been fulfilled, 09:50 is that true? 09:52 So the sun has been darkened, 09:56 the moon would not give her light. 09:58 And verse 25, 10:00 "The stars of heaven shall fall, 10:01 and the powers that are in the heavens 10:03 shall be shaken." 10:04 Has this happened? Yes. 10:06 Okay, so, again we're talking now 10:08 about a part of the scripture that we recognize 10:12 it didn't happen in my day, 10:13 it happened actually before I was born. 10:18 So that means if we're marking time, 10:21 it happened now. 10:24 And then I come on the scene, 10:26 I'm living after these prophecies 10:28 have all been fulfilled. 10:31 Verse 26, the next verse, 10:36 "And then shall they see the Son of man 10:40 coming in the clouds with great power and glory." 10:47 Now this is what? 10:49 This is the next verse. 10:51 This is the next verse. 10:55 And verse 27, "Then he shall send his angels, 10:57 and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, 11:00 from the uttermost parts of the earth 11:02 and from the uttermost parts of heaven." 11:04 In verse 28, "And now learn a parable of the fig tree." 11:07 And so Jesus now begins to emphasize 11:10 what He just said by telling a couple of parables, 11:13 so He tells the parable of the fig tree 11:14 and He says here. 11:16 When you see the fig tree and its branch is yet tender, 11:18 and it putteth forth leaves, 11:20 you know that summer is where? 11:23 "Summer is near." 11:26 So verse 29, 11:27 "In like manner, 11:29 when ye shall see these things come to pass, 11:32 know that it is nigh, even at the doors." 11:38 Verse 30, "Verily I say unto you, 11:41 this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 11:45 Heaven and earth shall pass away: 11:47 but my word shall not pass away." 11:50 And then He goes to give this little warning, 11:53 He says, "But of that day and hour" what? 11:58 "Knoweth no man, 11:59 no, not the angels that are in heaven, 12:01 neither the Son, but the Father." 12:05 Verse 33, so He says, I'm telling you 12:09 when you see these things happen, 12:11 you should know that it is near even at the door. 12:15 And then he tells this little parable 12:18 and then He says 12:19 but "Take heed, watch and pray: 12:26 for you know not when the time is." 12:33 So Jesus here is saying something very interesting. 12:35 He says, you can know when the time is near 12:37 but you're not going to know when the time is. 12:43 Well, for me I'm looking at the clock, 12:46 I'm thinking it's getting close to, 12:48 let's just say it's getting close to noon, 12:50 12 o'clock. 12:52 I watch the clock 12:53 and I see the hands moving around. 12:55 I can see that we're getting close to 12 o'clock 12:58 and I know how long it is until 12 o'clock 13:00 because the hand keeps moving 13:03 and I say that's two minutes to 12, 13:05 it's one minute to 12, it's 30 seconds to 12, 13:08 and I can gauge how long it is, 13:11 but Jesus said, 13:12 He give us a little warning here says, 13:13 you're going to know that it's near 13:15 but you're not going to know the exact time. 13:18 He says, your job is to watch and to pray. 13:23 Watch and pray, that sounds pretty simple. 13:25 I keep my eyes open, I stay on my knees, 13:28 I'm good to go, right? 13:31 Well, we should read the next verse. 13:35 Verse 34 at this point, verse 34, 13:38 "For the Son of Man..." 13:40 Now Jesus tells another little short 13:42 one sentence parable here. 13:44 He has clued His disciple that there's some danger ahead, 13:48 you're going to know when it's near, 13:50 but you're not going to know the exact time. 13:52 I want you to be on the alert. 13:53 I want you to watch and pray, 13:55 "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a" what? 14:01 "A far journey, who left his house, 14:05 and gave authority to his servants, 14:08 and to every man his work, 14:13 and commanded the porter to watch." 14:18 Now let's review here, what we've learned so far. 14:21 Jesus said in verse 33, "Take heed, watch and do" what? 14:26 "Pray." 14:27 And in verse 34, He says, 14:30 I want you to not only watch and pray, 14:32 I want you to know 14:34 that I am going to a far country, 14:35 is going to be some time before I return, 14:38 and I want you to watch and pray while I am gone, 14:40 but I don't want you to stop by watching and praying, 14:42 I want you to work because He says, 14:45 He has given to every man His work. 14:51 Now let me ask you what every means? 14:53 Does every mean every, or does every mean only some? 14:59 If you are within the hearing of my voice tonight 15:03 and you can understand what I am saying, 15:06 then you are included in this idea 15:09 that God has given to every man His work. 15:13 I am included in that idea 15:14 that God has given to every man His work. 15:18 This is part of what Jesus is saying to His disciples, 15:22 He says, "Yes, I want you to watch 15:25 and I want you to pray, but I also want you to work." 15:31 There is something for us to do. 15:34 There is something that God has given us 15:37 not just corporately, for surely He did that. 15:40 In the Great Commission, He told His disciples, He says, 15:44 "I am on my way, and I'm going to give you 15:47 this great commission." 15:49 Matthew 28, "Go ye therefore and do" what? 15:54 "Teach all nations, baptizing them 15:56 in the name of the Father, and the Son, 15:57 and the Holy Spirit." 15:59 And that commission is for God's family, 16:01 for His church and for us individually. 16:05 God has given to us a work to do. 16:08 God has not left us wondering what we should do. 16:12 He has given to us a specific and certain work to do. 16:17 I'm thinking that this is not the only place in scripture 16:21 where we find this, 16:23 Jesus was talking to His disciples. 16:29 And He told them another parable. 16:30 Actually in Matthew 20 you find this parable 16:34 that Jesus is sharing with His disciples, 16:37 and He tells them the story about the vineyard owner 16:42 who went to get some workers for his vineyard. 16:44 And he went down to the place 16:45 where the workers were hanging out and he said, 16:47 "Hey, at 6 o'clock in the morning, 16:49 I need a few workers." 16:50 Some of the guys said, "Yeah, we'll go." 16:53 And later he comes back and he find some more workers, 16:55 and he keeps coming back and finding more workers, 16:58 and finally he comes back at the eleventh hour 17:01 which is according to the way they reckon time at that point, 17:06 it is one hour before the end of the day, 17:08 it's the last little bit of time 17:10 that workday is going to be complete 17:13 and then you're off, then you're done. 17:16 And he comes back at the eleventh hour 17:18 and he find these guys standing around and he says, 17:22 "What are you doing here." 17:24 And their response was, "No one hired us." 17:29 And his response was, 17:32 "Go to my vineyard and go to work." 17:37 I would suggest to you tonight that we are living 17:39 in the eleventh hour of this story, 17:41 and God is still calling for workers 17:43 to enter the vineyard. 17:47 Maybe we're living past the eleventh hour. 17:49 Maybe we're living closer to the twelfth hour. 17:52 Maybe we're living in the last few moments 17:54 as it were in earth's history, 17:56 and Jesus is still calling for workers 17:59 to enter His vineyard. 18:02 Until you take your last breath, 18:04 until Jesus comes, 18:05 there is a work for every man to do. 18:08 There is a work allocated 18:11 that cannot be shifted to another. 18:15 What God has called you to do, no other man can do. 18:18 What God has called you to do, no other woman can do, 18:22 because God is very specific in His calling. 18:24 Did you know that God knew you 18:27 before you were formed in your mother's womb, 18:29 that's what the Bible says. 18:33 We find recorded in scripture 18:35 certain individuals found out the fact 18:38 that He had called them before they were born 18:40 to do a certain work. 18:42 And I believe that, that is not a story 18:45 that is without significance to my own life 18:48 because I believe that God has called 18:50 every single one of us before we were even born 18:53 God knew who we were. 18:54 He knew what He fashioned in the womb, 18:56 and He knew that He had a certain job for us to do, 19:00 and He has called us to do that work. 19:03 Our theme for these two years has been what? 19:08 Called, Chosen and Committed. 19:14 To every man has been given His work to do. 19:18 Now we find some other interesting stories 19:20 in the Bible. 19:21 For instance we could review the story of Jonah. 19:23 Now Jonah had a call, right? 19:27 God said, "I want you to go to a certain city 19:29 called Nineveh, and I want you to preach there 19:32 to those people that the end of their city is near. 19:37 In fact they have how many? 19:40 Forty days and then Nineveh will be destroyed. 19:44 Now, Jonah had a better idea than God, and he said, 19:47 "Hmm, I think I'll go the other direction." 19:56 I wonder if any of us have ever tried 20:02 to escape from the work that God has called us 20:07 to do specifically. 20:11 Jonah tried it, didn't turn out too well. 20:14 I don't advise it. 20:16 Okay, if you want to know my recommendation, 20:18 I don't advice Jonah's approach. 20:20 I advice that we should cooperate with God's calling 20:24 instead of rebelling against God's calling. 20:27 I think of another individual, Elijah. 20:30 He was called by God to go to Ahab and to tell him, 20:34 it's not going to rain in Israel until I say so. 20:39 Well, finally after three and a half years, 20:42 the attention of the people had been sufficiently 20:46 gotten interested in actually getting some rain 20:48 that they said, maybe we should do something 20:51 and God sent Elijah to the top of Mount Carmel 20:55 and he, a great victory was won for God there. 20:58 He preached a sermon 21:00 and thousands of people were converted, 21:02 and the priest of Baal 21:04 who had led the people astray in were destroyed, 21:09 and it was a great victory for the cause of God 21:12 and He led the king back to the palace 21:15 and He laid down there and a messenger came 21:18 and he became afraid. 21:21 If you read the story in the Spirit of Prophecy, 21:25 it says that he became fearful, his human nature was tired, 21:29 he was worn out and his human nature 21:31 just kind of took over and he became afraid 21:34 of what might happen there that night. 21:37 And it, but it says there also that if Elijah had stayed 21:44 that there would have been a victory 21:46 that God would have brought judgment upon Jezebel 21:49 and there would been this amazing victory 21:51 but he didn't, he became afraid, 21:54 he began to run 21:55 and he didn't run just a little bit, 21:57 it says that he ran until he got so weary, 21:59 the angels had to feed him. 22:01 And they fed him some really good stuff 22:03 because after that he ran for 40 days, 22:05 and he came to the mountain 22:07 and he got alone there with God in the mountain, 22:09 and God asked him a question in the mountain. 22:12 And the question that He asked Elijah in the mountain 22:15 I think is the same question 22:16 He may be asking some of us tonight, 22:19 "What doest thou here?" 22:23 God had sent Elijah on a mission. 22:25 He hadn't sent him on a mission to this departed point, 22:29 He had sent him on a mission, 22:30 He expected him to stay engaged in his mission. 22:33 Elijah became weary, abandoned his mission 22:35 and began to run, 22:37 and God asked him this simple question, 22:40 "What doest thou here?" 22:44 And tonight if I don't miss my mark, 22:46 some of us are being asked that same question by God, 22:52 "What are we doing?" 22:58 Review and Herald, 1893, December 12, 23:02 this is what it says, 23:04 "To every one work has been allotted, 23:12 and no one can substitute for another." 23:21 Now I have noticed that I like to get people to do my work, 23:26 I don't know about you, 23:27 but sometimes it's kind of makes things easier 23:32 when I can find somebody else to do the job, 23:34 especially if it's a tough one, especially if it's a hard one, 23:37 I would like to find somebody else that can do it, 23:39 and I might even say, listen, 23:41 I will pay you to do this work for me. 23:45 Especially if it's a hot sweaty job 23:47 and it's a hot day, I might say, hey, 23:48 listen, you know, I'll give you 20 bucks 23:50 if you'll do this work for me, whatever it is, you know. 23:55 God does not allow us 23:57 to have someone else do our work for us. 24:00 We cannot even hire people to do our work for us. 24:03 I've heard some people say, I'm going to stay at home 24:07 and I'm going to just support people 24:09 to do the work. 24:13 It's a good idea, 24:15 but it is not an option 24:19 if God is calling you personally. 24:23 Now, for some folks 24:24 He may call them to sit at home and support things, 24:27 and that's wonderful. 24:29 But what I read here, it says that 24:31 no one can be a substitute 24:33 for what God has called me to do, 24:36 and no one can be a substitute 24:38 for what God has called you to do. 24:43 Each one, goes on to say, 24:44 each one has a mission of wonderful importance. 24:50 Wonderful importance. 24:52 God has something important for every single person 24:58 on planet earth to do. 25:00 No one is excluded. 25:05 The child in its early years 25:09 has a work to do for God. 25:12 Those who are older... 25:14 Some are even what we would call elderly 25:18 still have a work to do for God. 25:29 Five Testimonies, page 462 says this, 25:32 "God never designed 25:36 that the lay members of the church 25:38 should be excused from labor in His cause." 25:44 Now, the reason I am saying that 25:47 is because some of us would say, 25:50 listen, you don't have to worry, 25:52 we've got a great preacher at our church 25:54 and he works really hard. 25:56 I mean, we pay the guy. 25:58 Think about this, we pay him, 26:00 he is the one who takes care of pretty much everything, 26:03 and he works hard and we're happy. 26:06 We can sit in the pew, 26:07 he will go out and give the Bible studies. 26:10 He will go out and take care of these things 26:12 and isn't that the way it's supposed to work. 26:18 According to what I read here, the answer to that is no. 26:24 If the church members 26:26 do not individually take hold of this work, 26:29 then they show that they have 26:31 no living connection with God. 26:44 If the church members 26:45 do not individually take hold of this work, 26:52 then they show that they have, how much? 26:55 No living connection with God. 27:01 Their names are registered as slothful servants. 27:09 She goes on to ask the question, 27:11 "Can you discern the reason 27:13 why there is no more spirituality 27:16 in our churches? 27:19 And then she answers her own question by saying, 27:22 it is because 27:24 you are not co-laborers with Christ. 27:32 That's a wake up call. 27:35 We wonder 27:36 why is it that our church is struggling spiritually. 27:39 Why don't we have more, you know, things going on here? 27:42 It's because we have chosen 27:45 individually not to take hold of the work God 27:47 has given us to do, instead we have... 27:52 We've been registered as slothful servants. 28:01 Kyle used this quote earlier this evening, 28:05 and this is one of my favorites 28:08 because it gives us as lay people 28:12 our marching orders. 28:15 It says that the work of God on this earth 28:17 can never be finished until men and women, 28:22 that's us, that's the laity 28:24 comprising the church membership 28:27 rally to the work 28:29 and unite their efforts 28:30 with those of the ministers and church officers. 28:34 If that's not a rallying call to help finish God's work, 28:37 I don't know what would be. 28:39 It says that the work will, what? 28:42 Never be finished. 28:44 Let me ask you a question tonight. 28:45 Are you interested in seeing Jesus come? 28:49 How many of you tonight want to be alive 28:51 when Jesus comes? 29:03 It can't happen, 29:06 it won't happen 29:07 according to this statement 29:10 until we engage as laypeople, 29:16 the men and women who are members of the church, 29:21 and not just kind of wander in and say, 29:26 well, I know I'm a little late today 29:29 but I'm here. 29:32 I know I don't, not really with it. 29:34 I don't have as much energy as maybe I should have today 29:38 but I'm here, and I'm going to help out, 29:41 and our steps are slow and our thinking is, 29:46 maybe confused. 29:48 This statement says, we've got to rally to the work. 29:52 Now, what happens when you rally to something? 29:54 Let me ask that question? 29:56 Is that something 29:57 where it just kind of moves along slowly? 30:00 Now, to me what it's saying is, 30:02 listen, we've got to get going on this thing. 30:05 We've got to make some progress here, 30:07 and we've got to make it quickly. 30:10 Some of you probably have watched a game or two 30:14 of some kind of sport thing. 30:17 Basketball game, or a football game, 30:19 or something, you say, 30:21 "Boy, my team, 30:22 they had to rally right down near the end. 30:24 The clock was two seconds to quitting time, 30:26 and they made two touchdowns in two seconds" 30:29 or whatever happened, that's rallying, right? 30:32 Well, it's time for us to rally to the work. 30:34 It's time for us to do something 30:37 that God has already been calling us to do, 30:39 but to do it in a different way 30:40 and with a different level of energy, 30:42 and with a different level of passion, 30:44 and individually to do things for God 30:47 that might even be hard, 30:48 that it might even require self-sacrifice, 30:51 that it might even drain our bank account, 30:53 that it might even drain our energy, 30:55 that it might even be dangerous, 30:57 but God is calling us, 30:58 and He's calling us individually, 31:00 so I cannot stand here tonight and tell you what to do. 31:04 I cannot give you your marching orders 31:06 because there's only one person 31:08 in charge of what you should do and that should be God. 31:13 And if somebody else tries to tell you 31:15 what your marching orders are, 31:16 you should say, excuse me, 31:18 let me ask God about that because God knows the answer. 31:22 The problem is that sometimes 31:24 we are not listening or we don't want to listen 31:28 to what God is asking us to do because we have our own plans. 31:35 The work of God needs men and women 31:37 who have some faith. 31:39 Men and women who have some courage. 31:41 You can read through the Bible, 31:42 I've been reading in the Book of Joshua, 31:46 and I am empowered 31:47 when I read about Joshua 31:48 because it gives Joshua instructions. 31:51 God came down, 31:53 He says, just have courage and be strong 31:57 because you're going to take the land, 31:59 and I'm going to drive the people out before you 32:02 and God is in charge. 32:07 And Joshua with the courage and faith 32:11 that God has imparted to him, he steps forward. 32:16 And when it's time to cross the Jordan River 32:19 and the flood waters are raging. 32:24 He commands the priest, 32:25 He says, I want you to get started. 32:26 We're going to follow you, 32:28 and God is going to open the way 32:29 before us as we go, but we've got to get started. 32:33 And the priest put the ark on their shoulders 32:35 and they begin to walk forward, 32:37 and they get to the edge of the water 32:39 and the water still there, and they step into the water, 32:42 and when they step into the water, 32:43 then God does something. 32:45 Have you ever had that experience in your life 32:48 where God has called you to do something? 32:50 You think this is impossible, I can't do this. 32:52 Look, there's a big river here God think about this, 32:54 You've got to imagine my circumstances, God, 32:57 I can't get across the river. 32:59 And He is yet urging you to go forward, 33:02 that is an act of faith, 33:04 that's what God is calling us to. 33:06 He's calling us 33:07 to acts of faith in this generation 33:09 I believe that if... 33:11 We were reading there in Mark and I kind of skipped over this 33:13 but I would like to go back to it 33:15 for just a second. 33:17 Verse 30 it says, "Verily I say unto you, 33:19 that this generation shall not pass, 33:21 till all these things be done." 33:24 Listen, I want to be a part of this generation 33:26 where it's not going to pass till all these things get done. 33:31 I want to be able to say, 33:34 yes, I was alive when Jesus came. 33:37 I had the opportunity to look up 33:39 with great joy and say, lo, 33:41 this is my God, I have waited for Him. 33:44 Do you want to experience that? Yes! 33:47 Amen. 33:48 But God is waiting still for us to respond to His call. 33:53 He forces no one. 33:55 He calls, He chooses 33:58 but He waits for us to commit. 34:13 The world tonight, 34:15 I don't know if you've noticed this 34:17 but the world is in disarray. 34:24 I haven't lived that long, 34:26 but I'll tell you a little thing 34:27 and that is I have never personally seen 34:30 as much disarray in this world as I have seen recently. 34:35 I'll say recently, 34:37 it just seems like things keep getting worse and worse. 34:39 They don't get better and better, 34:41 they get worse and worse. 34:46 Nations are in turmoil. 34:49 The society is so confused, it doesn't even know 34:51 the difference between a man and a woman anymore. 34:54 I'm telling you, we're really confused. 35:00 And Jesus is calling every single one of us 35:05 to take the message of salvation 35:10 to this confused and dying world. 35:16 And He's waiting for us to do that. 35:21 I don't know if you read the recent review, 35:24 but there was an article there 35:26 and I excerpted a couple of things. 35:28 We know these, we know these statements 35:30 but I said, yes, this is powerful. 35:35 Desire of Ages, page 633, 35:39 "By giving the gospel to the world, 35:41 it is in our power to" what? 35:44 "Hasten our Lord's return." 35:47 Listen, if you want Jesus to come sooner, 35:49 then get to work. 35:51 Yes, there's a place to watch and there's a place to pray, 35:54 but there's a place to work too, 35:56 and God has given us a work to do, 35:58 and He's given it to us individually. 36:09 I want to take you to the Book of Judges 36:12 for just a minute, Judges 4 and 5. 36:15 If you have your Bibles, you should read this. 36:22 It's a story that challenges our thinking. 36:28 And here's what happens. 36:30 In Judges 4, 36:31 it begins with this amazing statement. 36:33 Verse 1, 36:35 "And the children of Israel again did" what? 36:39 "Evil in the sight of the Lord, and when Ehud was dead." 36:45 So they had a king 36:49 who was evidently on the right track 36:51 and when he died, they did what? 36:55 Evil in the sight of the Lord. 36:57 Verse 2, "And the Lord sold them 36:59 into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, 37:01 that reigned in Hazor, 37:02 the captain of whose host was Sisera, 37:04 which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles." 37:08 So Israel had strayed from God's purposes. 37:13 They had failed to follow God fully, 37:15 and what happened? 37:17 They got sold into the hand of Jabin. 37:21 And so they cried out to God. 37:23 Verse 3, "They cried out to God, 37:25 and they said, 'Lord, help us.'" 37:30 Makes a little footnote here in verse 3, 37:32 it says, they were concerned 37:34 because Sisera had 900 chariots. 37:38 They were facing to them an impossible situation. 37:43 And they had been oppressed for 20 years. 37:46 So God sends a message to Deborah, 37:48 the prophetess, and He says to Deborah, 37:51 "Go call Barak, 37:52 I want him to do something for Me, 37:54 and I'm going to help him." 37:56 Barak shows up. He says, you said what? 38:00 Listen, he says to Deborah, I'm not going unless you go. 38:05 Deborah says, well, I'm going 38:07 but I'll tell you something 38:08 if I go, the glory is going to go 38:10 to someone else besides you 38:11 because you're not willing to step out in faith. 38:14 The battle ensues, Barak is victorious. 38:17 The battle is won. 38:19 And in chapter 5, we find Deborah singing a song, 38:24 it's called the Song of Deborah and Barak. 38:27 Verse 2, "Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel." 38:31 And when the people willingly offered themselves, 38:34 why did God help them? 38:38 What does it say here, the people did what? 38:41 They willingly offered themselves. 38:43 This is the first statement in this song 38:45 talking about the victory. 38:47 It says, God helped us 38:48 because we willingly offered ourselves 38:51 to do something for Him. 38:54 He goes on down through this 38:56 and she's singing about the things 38:59 that are amazing there, that have happened, 39:02 and she says in verse 18, 39:04 "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized 39:08 their lives unto the death 39:10 in the high places of the field." 39:12 She says, there's a couple of people 39:14 I want to mention here who had courage for God. 39:17 They were called to do something for God, 39:19 and they had courage for God in the fact 39:21 that they even laid their lives on the line to do 39:25 what God was calling them to do. 39:34 But in verse 23, 39:39 we find a sad statement recorded. 39:43 It says here in her song of victory, 39:47 she mentions one thing, 39:49 she says, "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, 39:54 curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, 39:57 because they came not to the help of the Lord, 40:00 and to the help of the Lord against the mighty." 40:05 So there was a blessing for those 40:07 who responded to God's call and there was a what? 40:11 There was a curse for those who didn't respond. 40:13 Deuteronomy 11, you find the story there, 40:15 and what's being offered there is a curse or a blessing, 40:20 you can go and read it. 40:22 Our time is running out, 40:23 we're not going to be able to read it here tonight. 40:25 There's a curse or a blessing offered. 40:26 If you obey, you will be blessed. 40:28 If you don't respond and obey, 40:30 you will be cursed. 40:36 Unfortunately tonight, 40:38 it's possible that some of us, 40:43 if they were to sing a song 40:46 about this process of this great victory, 40:49 we might be in the wrong category. 40:54 God requires of each members of His church 40:58 to engage in the work that He has called us to do. 41:01 In Testimonies volume 2, page 165, it says this, 41:05 "It is not left with you to decide 41:08 whether it is best for you to obey the call of God." 41:12 What? It's not my decision. That's what it says. 41:16 It is not left with you to decide 41:19 whether you obey the call of God. 41:20 Obedience is required, 41:23 and unless you obey 41:25 you will stand on worse than neutral ground. 41:37 You need to go home. 41:39 Go to your hotel room 41:42 and you need to study some of the references 41:45 that are associated with this Curse ye Meroz. 41:49 Ellen White mentions 41:51 it almost 50 times in her writings. 41:53 One little statement in the Bible, 41:55 it's mentioned one place she uses this as an example 41:57 over and over and over again about people, 42:00 or individuals, or church members 42:03 that were unwilling to engage to respond to the call of God. 42:07 God needs us in His work today not so much. 42:11 And this is pointed out as you read and study this. 42:13 Not so much for the, what? 42:15 He wants us to do for Him, 42:16 but more what He wants to do for us. 42:18 The work that He has designed for us to do 42:20 is not only for the salvation of other people, 42:23 it is for our own salvation. 42:25 And unless we engage 42:27 in responding to the call of God, 42:28 we could be lost over this. 42:31 Honestly, we could be lost 42:32 because we failed to engage in doing the work 42:35 that God set before us and we became lazy 42:39 because we thought, 42:40 well, everything's okay, I'm pretty good. 42:42 You study this out, 42:43 you'll find this is pointed out over and over again. 42:47 You know the question I have for us tonight is, 42:50 will we fully commit ourselves to doing God's work? 42:53 Are we willing to fully and completely without reserve? 42:57 Now, that's a pretty comprehensive statement, 42:59 so I want you to think about it. 43:00 I don't want you just to jump up and say, 43:02 yeah, I'm going to do that. 43:03 I want you to think about. 43:04 I want you to pray about it 43:06 over this weekend as while we're here together. 43:07 You're going to hear some stories. 43:09 You're going to be challenged by people 43:10 who are giving seminars 43:12 and talking and speaking about the passion 43:14 that they have for doing it and finishing God's work. 43:17 And God is going to tap you on the shoulder, 43:18 and He's going to give you 43:20 some kind of call I believe that. 43:21 That's why we have ASI, that's why you come to ASI, 43:25 because you want to hear what God is asking you to do. 43:27 It may happen in the exhibit hall. 43:29 It might happen around the dinner table. 43:31 It might happen in a private conversation, 43:33 but God is going to ask you to do something 43:35 and the question is, 43:37 are you committed enough to do what God is calling you to do. 43:44 So tonight, I want to end with this question. 43:49 And it comes from Review and Herald, 43:51 October 17, 1882. 43:55 It says, "Oh, must Christ, the Majesty of Heaven, 44:01 the King of glory, bear the heavy cross, 44:05 and wear the thorny crown, and drink the bitter cup, 44:09 while we recline at ease, glorify ourselves, 44:14 and forget the souls He died to redeem." 44:18 I want you to just think about that. 44:20 Jesus came here from the heavenly kingdom 44:22 and He laid his life on the line. 44:31 She answers this rhetorical question with this. 44:35 No, let us give while we have power. 44:41 Let us do while we have strength. 44:44 Let us work while it is day. 44:47 Let us devote our time 44:48 and our means to the service of God 44:51 that we may have His approbation 44:53 and receive His reward. 44:57 Tonight as you leave this place, 44:59 ask God what He wants you to do. 45:02 And then get down on your knees and say, God, I am willing. 45:06 I may not know everything but I'm willing. 45:09 I challenge you during this weekend 45:10 to be willing to do what God calls you to do. 45:15 And to answer yes instead of no. 45:19 Amen. 45:51 There in heaven's gates above 45:54 The angels sway to hear about 45:58 Jesus' plan 46:00 To save all mankind 46:06 When they heard what would be done 46:09 It left them all dumb clearly stunned 46:13 Why should 46:14 Jesus die? 46:20 We are the reason that He gave His life 46:26 We are the reason that He suffered and died 46:32 To a world that was lost 46:34 He gave all He could give 46:38 To show us the reason to live 46:45 On a dark and gloomy day 46:49 It was time for Christ to pay 46:52 The greatest gift anyone could get 46:59 He gave His life and saves the lives 47:02 Restored us and cleanse our hearts 47:05 Could it be from sin we're all free 47:12 We are the reason that He gave His life 47:18 We are the reason that He suffered and died 47:24 To a world that was lost 47:26 He gave all He could give 47:30 To show us the reason 47:33 To live 47:39 I've finally found 47:42 The reason to live 47:46 I tell the story 47:49 What Jesus did 47:56 We are the reason that He gave His life 48:02 We are the reason that He suffered and died 48:08 To a world that was lost 48:10 He gave all He could give 48:14 To show us the reason to live 48:21 We are the reason that He gave His life 48:27 We are the reason that He suffered and died 48:32 To a world that was lost 48:35 He gave all He could give 48:39 To show us the reason to live 48:45 To show us the reason 48:51 To live 49:08 Will you stand with me for the benediction? 49:16 Our Heavenly Father, 49:17 we have been truly blessed this evening 49:19 to hear these testimonies 49:21 of how You're going about Your work 49:23 in these last days. 49:25 We are grateful that You're using us, 49:28 that You're using people around the world 49:30 to accomplish Your task. 49:33 Father, we thank You so much 49:34 for what You've done 49:36 in sending Your Son Jesus to die for us, 49:38 and so we thank You Father. |
Revised 2018-01-25