Participants:
Series Code: ASIC
Program Code: ASIC190002S
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00:20 I have the privilege of this evening of introducing
00:23 our ASI speaker at this opening meeting. 00:27 Pastor Ted Wilson is the President 00:29 of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 00:33 He is the pastor of over 21 million people 00:39 in 215 countries. 00:41 I wanna share with you five things 00:43 you may not know about Elder Wilson. 00:46 Number one, he grew up in Egypt. 00:50 He's lived in the United States, 00:51 the Middle East, Africa, and Russia. 00:54 He speaks English, French, 00:58 Russian some, and some Arabic. 01:01 He has a PhD degree from New York University 01:06 specialized in city evangelism. 01:09 Elder Wilson is well, 01:11 you may not know this 01:12 is a certified Health Education Specialist. 01:16 And he has a degree in Public Health. 01:19 You may not know as well, that his wife's name is Nancy, 01:23 many of you know that, he has three married daughters, 01:25 and he has 10 grandchildren. 01:29 Now you might wanna know, what does Pastor Wilson do 01:32 when he's not at the General Conference office? 01:35 He loves hiking and mountain climbing, 01:36 but did you know he was an expert carpenter? 01:40 You may not know as well, 01:43 that in addition to being an administrator, 01:45 he's a pastor, a writer, and that he loves evangelism. 01:49 He just came back 01:50 from an evangelistic meeting in India. 01:53 Now at the core of his being, he loves the church, 01:57 he loves this message, he loves God's people. 02:00 And especially he loves ASI 02:05 and lay people are witnessing for Christ. 02:08 After the music you'll hear a message from God 02:13 given through Pastor Wilson 02:15 that will be indicted by the Holy Spirit. 02:37 Come 02:38 Thou Fount of every blessing 02:44 Tune my heart to sing thy grace 02:50 Streams of mercy never ceasing 02:57 Call for songs of sweetest praise 03:04 Teach me some melodious sonnet 03:10 Sung by flaming tongues above 03:17 Praise the mount 03:20 I'm fixed upon it 03:24 Mount of Thy redeeming love 03:33 Here I raise my Ebenezer 03:39 Here there by Thy help I've come 03:45 And I hope by Thy good pleasure 03:50 Safely to arrive at home 03:56 Jesus sought me when a stranger 04:02 Wandering from the fold of God 04:08 He, to rescue me from danger 04:13 Interposed His precious blood 04:32 Oh, to grace how great a debtor 04:37 Daily I'm constrained to be 04:42 Let Thy goodness like a fetter 04:47 Bind my wandering heart to Thee 04:52 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it 04:57 Prone to leave the God I love 05:08 Here's my heart 05:12 Oh take and seal it 05:16 Seal it for Thy courts above 05:38 Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it, 05:41 seal it for the courts above. 05:46 What a beautiful way 05:48 in which to begin our ASI Convention this evening, 05:54 to give ourselves to the Lord 05:56 in a very peculiar and specific way. 06:00 What a privilege it is to be here with you tonight 06:04 to support this magnificent organization 06:08 that has sharing Christ in the marketplace 06:12 as your greatest theme. 06:15 But the theme for this ASI here in Louisville, Kentucky, 06:20 is written in some letters 06:24 that may be a little bit difficult for you to see. 06:28 But it is Business Unusual 06:32 for God's Unusual Business. 06:36 You'll see a little clock up there 06:39 that shows that it's almost 12 o'clock. 06:43 It is almost the time for the Lord's appearing. 06:47 It is a time in which all of us 06:50 must be actively involved as a group. 06:54 The denominational paid individuals, 06:59 lay people working together 07:02 in a powerful way 07:05 for business unusual, unusual business. 07:11 This is the time in which we live. 07:15 An opportunity for us to be involved 07:18 in God's last day proclamation. 07:23 The three angels' messages 07:25 flowing across the skies from one continent to another, 07:30 bringing about the last proclamation. 07:37 Tonight, 07:38 we're gonna spend a few minutes 07:42 in a kind of an informal study of God's Word 07:45 and the Spirit of Prophecy to understand 07:48 what it really means to be Business Unusual 07:54 for ASI. 07:57 ASI was established about 1947, 08:02 a marvelous organization 08:04 that started out as the association 08:06 of self-supporting institutions. 08:10 A wonderful way in which God saw 08:13 that lay people working in order to support themselves 08:19 would be able to help the church 08:20 in a powerful manner in its outreach. 08:26 As ASI developed further and further, 08:29 more and more people 08:31 became part of this amazing outreach. 08:36 And it is now developed 08:37 into Adventist Laymen's Services & Industries. 08:44 I want to thank all of you here tonight, 08:47 and all those who will be coming. 08:51 On behalf of the world church, 08:53 I wanna give a ringing endorsement 08:56 and a huge vote of thanks for what you are doing 09:01 as members of ASI. 09:04 Thank you for being part of God's last day proclamation. 09:09 Never fear and never feel 09:13 that somehow you are being marginalized. 09:17 Somehow you are not a part 09:20 of God's last day proclamation. 09:24 Business Unusual, 09:27 the time and the clock is ticking. 09:33 My own personal family 09:35 has deep roots in ASI. 09:41 My grandfather and grandmother on the Wilson side 09:45 began essentially their ministry 09:49 at Madison College. 09:51 They along with brothers of my grandfather, 09:57 my great uncles, 09:59 and their families have deep roots 10:02 in that beautiful experience of Madison College. 10:07 From that experience, 10:10 my own personal family 10:12 has grown to love this organization 10:15 because it is full of people that have absolutely one goal 10:21 and that is to allow Jesus to use them 10:24 to proclaim the soon coming of Jesus Christ. 10:29 And that's what Business Unusual is all about. 10:34 Tonight, as we focus upon what you can do, 10:38 and what scripture tells us, 10:40 this amazing and unbelievable setting 10:45 in which we are in now 10:48 will only give us greater opportunity 10:51 to allow the Holy Spirit to use us. 10:54 I want you to understand fully 10:56 you are part 10:58 of God's great proclamation. 11:02 Business Unusual, 11:06 the theme itself gives you an understanding 11:09 that there is something that is peculiar. 11:12 There's something unique. 11:14 There's something exciting 11:15 about what's going to be happening. 11:17 Now I don't know if you been able to look at 11:20 the most recent Inside ASI. 11:25 As I was looking through this the other day, 11:29 I looked at the editor's note 11:31 written by the editor, Kristi Jensen. 11:34 And Kristi brought out some absolutely amazing things 11:37 about Business Unusual. 11:40 I'm not gonna read the entire short editorial, 11:43 but let me pick out just a few points. 11:47 "The end is near 11:49 yet what are we doing to prepare 11:52 unusual times call for unusual business." 11:57 That's why you're here tonight. 11:59 That's why you're a part of ASI. 12:02 That's why I'm here tonight. 12:06 She goes on to say, few more lines down. 12:10 "While dwelling on our mortality 12:12 is counterproductive 12:13 focusing on our mission is imperative. 12:17 Are our lives reflecting the time 12:19 in which we live?" 12:22 Don't forget that clock up there 12:24 minutes before midnight. 12:29 Are we living lives of unusual dedication, 12:33 unusual love, and unusual business? 12:39 A little further on, she points out, 12:42 "As we consider our mission 12:43 in this unusual time in earth's history 12:47 take time to pray, 12:50 to meditate on scripture and to witness, 12:54 listen to the voice of the Lord, 12:57 live a godly Christian life." 12:59 And then she concludes with this. 13:01 "We are living in the end times. 13:05 How are you living an unusual life?" 13:11 The objectives of ASI are amazing, 13:16 for it is really a practical approach 13:20 that ASI engenders in its work. 13:24 Christ in the marketplace. 13:27 Represented here tonight 13:28 are many different kinds of businesses, 13:31 many different kinds of services, 13:33 self-supporting institutions, 13:35 special mission outreach activities. 13:40 You are vital to the mission of the church. 13:44 And the objectives that ASI has 13:47 is to make this outreach practical 13:51 as we come up to the end of time. 13:57 What are the ASI purposes? 14:01 Well, I went on to the website, 14:03 you know, you can find almost anything online. 14:07 You can't believe everything online, 14:09 but you can find a lot of things online. 14:12 In fact, I don't even worry about a concordance anymore. 14:17 I don't worry about trying to find specific information 14:21 in some encyclopedia, I just Google it. 14:25 And then, of course, I have to decide 14:27 whether I want to accept that particular result. 14:31 But the ASI website tells us 14:35 ASI is a membership based organization 14:38 of Seventh-day Adventist lay people 14:42 who are enthusiastic. 14:44 Now I like that word. 14:46 If you came here tonight to ASI, 14:51 tired after a long trip, 14:54 troubled about some experience, 14:57 challenged about perhaps some business opportunity, 15:02 maybe a little distracted. 15:03 I want you to become enthusiastic tonight 15:07 because that's what it says you are. 15:11 Lay people who are enthusiastic 15:13 about actively participating 15:16 in the churches' world-wide mission. 15:21 That's what ASI is all about. 15:23 To spread the Gospel of Christ to the world, 15:26 this unique and diverse group of members 15:30 and that's all of you, 15:34 ranges from business owners, to individual professionals, 15:39 to supporting ministries, 15:43 enthusiastically spreading God's Word 15:47 and His mission. 15:51 You see Business Unusual requires you to become 15:57 part of God's great last day proclamation, 16:02 total member involvement, 16:05 everyone doing something for Jesus as we anticipate 16:11 the time reaching 12 o'clock. 16:17 Recently, I was looking at a magazine, 16:22 was actually directed to this particular article. 16:27 It is in the latest version of Adventist Journey, 16:33 which is the North American Division 16:37 edition of Adventist World. 16:40 It has Adventist World included in it. 16:43 There was an article, a commentary 16:45 by a gentleman named Adam Fenner. 16:48 Adam Fenner is the Director 16:51 of the Adventist Learning Community 16:54 sponsored by the North American Division. 16:57 In this particular article, and you may have seen it. 17:02 The title of it is, 17:04 "Is Adventism Relevant Anymore?" 17:10 And Adam goes on to explain. 17:12 And Adam is a very single-minded focused person. 17:16 He's a bright individual. 17:18 He has friends like you do in the church. 17:22 And he went on to explain that, "Two of his best friends 17:25 left the church during the past year. 17:29 Both went through Adventist education 17:31 from kindergarten through graduate school." 17:34 And then he goes on to say that, 17:35 "They're financially successful, respected, 17:38 well-liked by their peers, etcetera." 17:43 He says, "That they were active in their local churches. 17:46 They never let meat touch their lips, 17:49 never consumed alcohol, 17:51 and generally were shining examples 17:53 of traditional Adventism. 17:56 But recently, quite independently..." 18:00 Now these are two of his best friends. 18:02 "They stopped going to church 18:04 and informed their communities 18:06 they no longer considered themselves 18:09 Seventh-day Adventists." 18:13 Then he goes on to say, "My friends told me, 18:16 'The church is no longer relevant to my life.' 18:21 For them, 18:22 Adventism became spiritually and mentally draining 18:26 rather than sustaining." 18:32 And then I close with what he continued to say, 18:36 "For the most part they continue to believe 18:38 the 28 Fundamental Beliefs in some capacity, 18:41 but have been so dismayed by the church's execution 18:47 of the Gospel Commission 18:49 that they simply have lost faith in the church." 18:54 Now I don't know who these individuals are 18:57 and what their background has been. 18:59 I don't know what drove them to give up something 19:03 which had been such a part of their lives. 19:06 But I want to tell you, my dear friends at ASI, 19:09 one of the greatest solutions for those two individuals, 19:13 not knowing who they are, 19:15 but I would venture to say there would be 19:20 a much greater enthusiasm on their part 19:24 if those people had joined ASI. 19:30 ASI gives you an enthusiastic view 19:34 of World Mission. 19:35 ASI gives you that understanding 19:38 that it is Business Unusual. 19:41 It is unusual business that God wants us to be about. 19:46 I want you to pray along with me 19:48 for those two young professionals, 19:51 that God somehow will bring them 19:54 back into an understanding 19:58 of what service is all about 20:02 when it comes down to understanding 20:05 God's great plan for each of us. 20:08 Business Unusual means being part of God's proclamation 20:13 and service to others. 20:15 And that is what ASI is all about. 20:20 Get involved with God's work, 20:25 for the time is ticking 20:27 close to midnight. 20:32 In Scripture, 20:35 we understand and read something fascinating 20:39 in the 1 Book of Peter. 20:42 And for a few moments I wanna focus 20:44 on 1 Peter Chapter 4. 20:48 If you have your Bibles with you, 20:50 if you have your Bible on your iPhone, 20:53 whatever it is, go to 1 Peter Chapter 4 20:56 and beginning with verse 7. 21:01 In this particular chapter, 21:03 there are unusual guidelines and principles for all of us 21:07 as we are facing the very end of time. 21:10 Let me tell you, my wife and I, Nancy, 21:13 travel all over the world. 21:15 We visit so many places we understand and see 21:19 what is happening in the world just as you do. 21:24 I want to tell you, 21:25 we are living in the very last tips of the toes 21:30 of the statue of Daniel Chapter 2. 21:34 The next great event that will take place 21:36 is the coming of that rock, 21:38 not cut out with man's hands, 21:41 representing the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 21:45 We are living in unusual times, business unusual, 21:51 the clock is ticking. 21:55 1 Peter 4:7, 21:58 "But the end of all things is at hand." 22:02 I believe we are there. 22:05 "Therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." 22:09 If ever there was a time to be a joyous happy Christian, 22:13 but to focus on things in a serious manner, 22:17 it is right now. 22:19 Seventh-day Adventist should not be moping, 22:22 should not be so frustrated 22:24 with all of their experiences that they become 22:29 as Elder Ralph Thompson 22:32 used to say sadventists. 22:38 Elder Ralph Thompson, 22:39 former secretary of the General Conference, 22:41 a wonderful mentor of mine, used to say, 22:44 "We should not be as Adventists, sadventists, 22:49 we should be gladventists." 22:52 I want to tell you as we look to the future and realize 22:56 that there are amazing things that God wants to do with us. 23:00 We should be glad but serious at the same time. 23:03 "And above all things have fervent love for one another, 23:07 for love will cover a multitude of sins." 23:11 I just wanna stop for a moment. 23:14 I don't care where you go in what country 23:16 and certainly within our own environment 23:21 in this country, 23:23 there is such a lack of love for others, 23:27 that it is driving people into opposite corners. 23:33 And God is calling for us as Seventh-day Adventist 23:36 to bring true love into desperate situations. 23:42 There is nothing more powerful 23:44 than a loving and lovable Christian. 23:50 Now as scripture goes on, it says, 23:52 "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." 23:57 Be open to helping others. 24:00 Your influence will make such a difference 24:03 in Business Unusual. 24:07 "As each one has received the gift, 24:09 minister to one another, 24:10 as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 24:14 Let me tell you, 24:16 Seventh-day Adventist ought to be the greatest proponents 24:19 of the grace of Jesus Christ anywhere on this earth. 24:25 We are only saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, 24:28 by the righteousness of Christ. 24:31 Now I will have to tell you and I'm gonna be preaching 24:33 on this Daniel Counsel. 24:35 The righteousness of Jesus Christ 24:38 involves marvelous aspects of justification. 24:44 And the righteousness of Christ 24:46 is also involved in sanctification. 24:50 It is His complete and wonderful plan, 24:54 all through His righteousness, 24:56 but the grace that has been provided to us 24:59 is to be the core 25:01 of why we are propelled in Business Unusual. 25:07 "If anyone speaks, 25:08 let him speak as the oracles of God. 25:10 If anyone ministers, let him do it 25:14 as with the ability which God supplies, 25:16 that in all things God may be glorified 25:19 through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory 25:22 and the dominion forever and ever." 25:26 I wanna tell you in Business Unusual 25:28 as ASI continues its powerful message 25:31 to the world, 25:33 as it participates in the church outreach 25:37 in revival and reformation, 25:40 in mission to the cities 25:42 in comprehensive health ministry 25:44 or medical missionary work, in total member involvement. 25:49 All of that is to point people 25:52 not to self but to Jesus Christ. 25:56 One of the greatest challenges 25:57 the Seventh-day Adventist Church faces 26:00 is not some nuclear holocaust, 26:03 not some persecution that may come, 26:06 not some disastrous situation. 26:10 The greatest challenge we face is self. 26:16 God is calling for us to give God the glory, 26:21 to have selflessness and selfless service. 26:26 That is what Business Unusual is all about. 26:31 Peter goes on saying, 26:33 "Don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial 26:37 which is to try you, 26:38 as though some strange thing happened to you." 26:41 When you become a wonderful follower of Jesus Christ 26:47 expect people are going to be against you. 26:53 It's just part of the criteria. 26:59 It goes on to say, 27:01 "But rejoice to the extent that you partake 27:03 of Christ's sufferings, 27:07 that when His glory is revealed, 27:08 you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 27:13 Some of you have experienced great suffering. 27:16 There are those perhaps in the audience tonight 27:19 who have been in unfortunate situations 27:23 where you have been persecuted. 27:25 And you have left that situation. 27:29 There are people here who have suffered physically 27:32 with many difficulties, 27:33 you have suffered spiritually with people against you. 27:37 But let me tell you, 27:38 none of us have ever suffered as Jesus suffered. 27:42 So be glad to suffer in the name of the Lord. 27:48 Now here's an interesting verse 27:49 as we come to the end of this particular chapter, 27:54 "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, 27:58 blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory 28:01 and of God rests upon you." 28:06 If I were to ask you to raise your hands tonight 28:08 as to how many have been reproached 28:12 because of your connection with Jesus. 28:16 My estimation would be that most of you have. 28:22 Don't worry about what people say 28:24 in the corners about you. 28:26 Don't worry about being slighted 28:29 for some position in your local church. 28:32 Don't worry about what people are saying 28:35 on social media about you. 28:39 Let me tell you if I worried about that, 28:42 I wouldn't be here tonight. 28:47 You just lean on the Lord. 28:49 You just say, Lord, take care of us. 28:52 And thank You for letting me be reproached 28:55 for Your name. 28:59 "On their part He is blasphemed, 29:02 but on your part He is glorified." 29:08 By God's grace, 29:10 and our connection with Him in Business Unusual, 29:14 may everything we do bring glory to God. 29:19 "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, 29:22 a thief, an evildoer, 29:24 or as a busybody in other people's matters." 29:27 Now it's interesting in that sequence 29:29 of descriptions, 29:31 most of you would say, "I'm not a murderer. 29:34 I'm not a thief. I'm not an evil doer." 29:39 However, I wanna tell you and I include myself, 29:42 are we tempted to become busy buddies 29:45 in other people's business? 29:48 Tempted to criticize, 29:50 tempted to somehow move people away from a focus 29:56 on Business Unusual. 30:00 "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, 30:01 let him not be ashamed, 30:03 but let him glorify God in this matter. 30:06 For the time has come 30:08 for judgment to begin at the house of God, 30:11 and if it begins with us first, 30:13 what will be the end of those 30:15 who do not obey the gospel of God?" 30:19 Peter begins to worry about those 30:22 to whom you are ministering to 30:26 in the marketplace. 30:29 And then he quotes from the Book of Proverbs. 30:32 "Now 'If the righteous one is scarcely saved, 30:35 where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?' 30:40 "In other words, 30:42 it seems to me Peter is saying it's a challenge for us 30:45 who are even connected with God 30:48 to somehow be able to be judged worthy. 30:52 What about all these other people 30:53 who don't know about Him? 30:57 Thank God that 30:58 when you claim the name of Jesus. 31:01 And when you call upon the power of God 31:04 to change your life, 31:06 He will do just that. 31:10 And God will give you the power 31:11 as you proclaim in Business Unusual, 31:16 so that the ungodly and the sinner will be found 31:20 not only at the foot of the cross, 31:23 but in heaven itself, when Jesus returns. 31:27 "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God 31:32 commit their souls to Him in doing good, 31:37 as to a faithful Creator." 31:40 Business Unusual, 31:43 committing yourself to doing good 31:47 in the name of Jesus, 31:50 our faithful Creator. 31:56 Last month, 31:57 Nancy and I had the privilege 32:01 of holding religious outreach meetings 32:05 in the city of Kolkata. 32:08 Kolkata is a city of about 15 million people 32:13 with only about 350 Seventh-day Adventists. 32:20 We have a wonderful program that has been implemented 32:23 and is unfolding to reach that enormous metropolitan area 32:28 by God's grace. 32:31 So that we can establish 32:34 not just three congregations or so, 32:38 but about 50 congregations in that huge metropolitan area. 32:44 It was a privilege to be able to speak God's Word. 32:49 I used Mark Finley's wonderful series 32:51 called Revelation of Hope. 32:52 I've done that, 32:54 used it about 10 or more times and will continue to do so. 32:59 As I was preaching the Word of God 33:02 as the Word of God was on the screen 33:04 in the Bengali language, 33:06 our audience, which was 80%, 33:10 the majority of the indigenous religious people 33:13 of that particular area, 33:15 I saw what the Word of God did to their hearts 33:19 because it was proclaimed with Holy Spirit power. 33:25 And in that Business Unusual setting, 33:28 I saw the Holy Spirit touch people's lives, 33:32 they would raise their hands, 33:34 they would stand, 33:37 they would come forward. 33:41 It was an unusual situation for them 33:43 because the Word of God was something so new, 33:46 and yet it was so striking. 33:49 This is the work 33:51 that God is calling you to do. 33:56 I wanna go over for just a few moments, 33:58 some magnificent quotations 34:01 from the book Christian Service. 34:04 And I'm gonna ask those who have been assigned 34:06 to distribute these papers to you. 34:10 We could have put them on the screen, 34:12 but I want you to have something in your hand. 34:15 I want you to go home tonight and understand 34:17 what Business Unusual is all about. 34:20 We may not have enough copies so you may have to share. 34:23 Perhaps we can make some copies. 34:25 You've got it on your iPhone 34:28 if you have the Ellen White writings online. 34:33 But this comes from Christian Service. 34:37 Those of you who will receive the paper 34:39 and we hope that they're being passed out now, 34:42 a number have them. 34:44 We're gonna be looking at just a few quotations 34:47 that will help us to understand 34:49 why Business Unusual is so key for this ASI Convention, 34:54 and for what God is intending to happen this year. 35:01 On page 74 of Christian Service, 35:04 now the copies that you're going to receive 35:06 will have citations from many different sources. 35:10 Unfortunately, we did not put the page 35:13 where it comes from in Christian Service. 35:16 But I will give you that page as we read it. 35:19 Page 74 in Christian Service, 35:21 and it comes from Testimonies volume 9, 35:24 "The strength of an army is measured largely 35:26 by the efficiency of the men in the ranks. 35:30 A wise general instructs his officers 35:33 to train every soldier for active service. 35:36 He seeks to develop 35:38 the highest efficiency on the part of all. 35:42 If he were to depend on his officers alone." 35:46 Now let's remember, 35:48 the work on this earth will never be finished 35:52 until the men and women comprising 35:54 our church membership. 35:56 That's you and me, 35:58 join ranks and hands 36:01 with pastors, ministers, and church officers, 36:06 all of us working together. 36:08 That's volume 9, page 117. 36:12 And so here Ellen White is saying, 36:16 "You can't just depend on officers alone, 36:18 he could never expect to conduct 36:19 a successful campaign. 36:21 He counts on the loyal untiring service 36:23 from every man in his army." 36:25 Every man and woman. 36:27 "The responsibility rests 36:28 largely upon the men in the ranks." 36:32 Going on, on that page, 36:34 "While there are but few officers, 36:36 it requires many soldiers to form the rank 36:39 and file of the army, 36:40 yet its success depends upon the fidelity 36:43 of every soldier." 36:44 Every one of you here in ASI is vitally important 36:49 to God's last day proclamation. 36:52 None of you is left out. 36:55 "One man's cowardice or treachery 36:57 may bring disaster upon the entire Army." 37:01 Now on page 75. 37:04 "The secret of success in the work of God 37:07 will be found in the harmonious working of our people." 37:11 Now this is an amazing quotation 37:14 given the setting in which we find ourselves 37:17 in the country here and international discord. 37:23 "There must be concentrated action. 37:27 Every member of the body of Christ 37:29 must act his part in the cause of God, 37:32 according to the ability that God has given him. 37:35 We must press together against obstructions and difficulties, 37:39 shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart." 37:44 It goes on to say, "Angels work harmoniously. 37:48 Perfect order characterizes all their movements. 37:52 The more closely we imitate the harmony 37:55 and order of the angelic host, 37:59 the more successful will be the efforts 38:02 of these heavenly agents in our behalf." 38:06 As you go forward with ASI in Business Unusual, 38:10 there are angels that are accompanying you 38:13 and opening the way ahead of you 38:16 if you are harmonious in your actions 38:21 and your objectives. 38:25 I wanna go on and look at another particular area 38:30 on page 86. 38:31 It comes from Testimonies volume 9, 38:35 it's on the second page of those 38:36 who have received the handout. 38:39 "If every soldier of Christ had done his duty, 38:41 if every watchman on the walls of Zion 38:43 had given the trumpet a certain sound, 38:47 the world might ere this 38:50 have heard the message of warning. 38:53 But the work is years behind. 38:55 While men have slept, 38:57 Satan has stolen a march on us." 39:03 Business Unusual, 39:06 had the purpose of God been carried out by His people 39:09 and giving to the world the message of mercy, 39:11 Christ would ere this have come to the earth, 39:15 and the saints would have received 39:17 their welcome into the City of God. 39:20 My brothers and sisters in ASI, 39:22 I'm looking forward to going to the City of God. 39:26 And I believe it will be very soon. 39:29 A little further on pages 86 and 87 under Heaven's Register. 39:34 It says, "The world needs missionaries, 39:36 consecrated home missionaries, 39:39 and no one will be registered 39:40 in the books of heaven as a Christian 39:42 who has not a missionary spirit." 39:46 That's what ASI is all about, a mission spirit, 39:51 enthusiastic people sharing Jesus 39:54 in the marketplace. 39:58 Here's an interesting quotation, 40:01 "Every neglected opportunity 40:04 to do service for God is recorded, 40:08 and there to every deed of faith and love 40:11 is held in everlasting remembrance." 40:19 Here's an interesting quote, 40:21 "Under the general heading of selfishness 40:25 came every other sin." 40:28 The work of Business Unusual in ASI is selflessness. 40:34 And the only way to have selflessness 40:37 is to be in connection with the one 40:40 who is truly selfless and that is Jesus Christ. 40:45 May ASI 40:48 always lift up Jesus. 40:54 Then on page four of the handout at the very top, 40:58 it is a mystery. 41:00 This is from Testimonies volume 9, page 42 41:04 or pages 88 and 89 in Christian Service. 41:10 "It is a mystery that there are not hundreds at work 41:13 where now there is but one. 41:15 The heavenly universe is astonished 41:18 at the apathy, the coldness, 41:22 the listlessness of those 41:25 who profess to be sons and daughters of God. 41:27 In the truth there is living power." 41:33 You know, you have to stop for a moment then just wonder, 41:37 what is heaven thinking right now? 41:41 When it looks down at the church 41:43 and realizes that so many times we are cold, 41:47 we are apathetic, we are listless, 41:50 but if we are in connection with God, 41:52 we will have living power 41:56 for Business Unusual. 42:00 "We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. 42:04 There is no such thing as a truly converted person 42:08 living a helpless, useless life." 42:13 By God's grace, 42:14 no member of ASI is a person 42:20 who is helpless and useless. 42:23 "It is not possible for us 42:25 to drift into heaven. 42:30 No sluggard can enter there. 42:32 Those who refuse to cooperate with God on earth, 42:35 would not cooperate with Him in heaven. 42:37 It would not be safe 42:39 to take them to heaven." 42:43 Business Unusual. 42:47 And closing on the last page that 42:49 those of you who have this particular handout, 42:54 there are three watch words. 42:55 This is from page 106 in Christian Service. 42:59 "Three watchwords in the Christian life, 43:02 which must be heeded 43:03 if we would not have Satan steal a march upon us, 43:06 namely, Watch, Pray, Work." 43:13 Watch, Pray, Work. 43:16 Can you repeat those three with me? 43:19 Watch, Pray, Work. 43:22 One more time. 43:24 Watch, Pray, Work. 43:27 Business Unusual, 43:30 the time is drawing close to midnight. 43:36 Then this final quotation that I'd like to read, 43:39 which comes from Prophets and Kings, 43:41 page 164 in Christian Service is page 107. 43:48 "For the disheartened there is a sure remedy, 43:51 faith, prayer, work. 43:52 Faith and activity will impart assurance 43:55 and satisfaction that will increase day by day. 43:58 Are you tempted to give way to feelings 44:01 of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? 44:04 In the darkest days, 44:07 when appearances seem most forbidding, 44:10 fear not, have faith in God. 44:12 He knows your need. He has all power. 44:15 His infinite love and compassion never weary. 44:18 Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. 44:22 He is eternal truth. 44:24 Never will He change the covenant 44:26 He has made with those who love Him. 44:29 And He will bestow upon His faithful servants 44:32 the measure of efficiency that their need demands." 44:37 Business Unusual, 44:40 tonight, as you launch into this convention 44:45 for 2019 and understand that it is time 44:50 to understand fully that it is Business Unusual. 44:54 May the Holy Spirit come especially 44:57 into your heart. 44:59 And may you be animated, and be an enthusiastic member, 45:03 not only of ASI, 45:05 but of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 45:07 which God has called for the last proclamation 45:11 of the three angels' messages. 45:14 In a book that my wonderful colleague 45:17 who introduced me, 45:19 Mark Finley has written a new book 45:21 called "The Church Triumphant." 45:26 He remarks on page 112. 45:29 Those... 45:30 And he's meaning, 45:32 "Those who are part of God's great outreach to the world. 45:35 They count all things but loss for Christ. 45:39 He is there all in all, 45:41 they care not for earthly fame or human accolades, 45:44 position, prestige, and earthly praise 45:47 mean little to them 45:49 with the Apostle Paul, they say, 45:51 for me to live is Christ. 45:55 Empowered by His Spirit, 45:57 they proclaim His love and share His grace. 45:59 The earth is lightened 46:01 with the glory the character of God, 46:03 the Holy Spirit is poured out in latter rain power, 46:06 hearts are touched, lives are changed, 46:09 the world is reached, and Jesus comes again." 46:16 Business Unusual. 46:19 One of these days very soon wherever you are in this world, 46:24 whether it is in Louisville, whether it is in Hong Kong, 46:29 whether it is in Rio de Janeiro, 46:32 whether it is in Kinshasa, if it is in Cairo, 46:36 everyone will look up, 46:38 and they will see a small dark cloud approaching 46:41 and getting larger and larger and brighter and brighter, 46:45 and filling the sky with all the glory 46:48 that heaven can pour out. 46:50 A rainbow over that cloud 46:52 and lightning like activity underneath the cloud, 46:56 all of heaven, 46:58 all of the angels poured out for this climax 47:00 of earth's history because it is Business Unusual. 47:06 And that clock will have come 47:08 to its full compliment at midnight. 47:14 And we will look up into the sky 47:15 and we'll look into that cloud, and we will see Jesus. 47:22 And we will say this is the God that we have waited for, 47:24 He will save us. 47:26 And Jesus will look down. 47:29 And I like to think, He'll say, 47:31 "Well done good and faithful members of ASI, 47:36 enter into the joy of your Lord." 47:40 And we will ascend into heaven following those 47:45 who have died in Christ 47:46 but have heard that trumpet sound 47:50 and we will live with Jesus forever. 47:55 Business Unusual. 47:59 Tonight, how many of you would like to say, 48:04 Lord, I wanna take that challenge, 48:08 I wanna be part of an outreach 48:11 that relies completely on You, 48:14 that leans upon Your grace and Your righteousness 48:17 that animates me with the power 48:20 that is only from heaven itself. 48:23 And, Lord, I wanna be part of Business Unusual, 48:28 as we come to the end of time. 48:30 And, Lord, I wanna be there 48:32 when You appear in the clouds of glory. 48:35 But, Lord, help me to also enlist many others 48:40 and point them to the one who is all together lovely, 48:44 and can bring them into heaven itself. 48:50 As ASI members tonight, 48:52 how many of you would like to make that commitment 48:57 to Jesus as you begin this convention? 49:01 Would you stand to your feet? 49:08 As you stand and as you make this commitment, 49:14 Yvonne Lewis-Shelton is going to sing 49:17 a magnificent song of commitment. 49:20 And I asked that as she sings, 49:22 your mind will be focused upon Business Unusual. 49:28 God's business and your part 49:32 in this magnificent last day proclamation. 49:43 How can I say thanks 49:52 For the things You have done for me? 49:58 Things so undeserved 50:05 Yet You gave to prove Your love for me 50:11 The voices of a million angels 50:18 Cannot express 50:22 My gratitude 50:26 All that I am 50:30 And ever hope to be 50:37 I owe it all 50:41 To Thee 50:45 To God 50:48 Be the glory 50:53 To God 50:56 Be the glory 51:00 To God 51:03 Be the glory 51:08 For the things 51:10 He has done 51:15 With His blood He has saved me 51:22 With His power He has raised me 51:29 To God be the glory 51:36 For the things He has done 51:44 With His blood Jesus saved me 51:51 With His power He has raised me 51:57 To God be all the glory 52:04 For the things 52:06 He has done 52:11 Oh, great 52:13 Is thy faithfulness! 52:19 Great is thy faithfulness! 52:25 Morning by morning 52:29 New mercies I see 52:37 All I have needed your hand 52:43 Hath provided 52:47 Great is thy faithfulness! 52:56 Great is thy faithfulness 53:04 Lord, unto me! 53:24 Father in heaven we thank You 53:27 for the great faithfulness 53:30 that You have towards us 53:33 with the plan of salvation was established 53:36 before even the foundation of this earth, 53:39 that You have had it in mind that each of us 53:41 should be part of this last day proclamation, 53:44 and that You have made every provision 53:46 for us to be saved, 53:48 and all who are willing to call upon Your name 53:52 and believe in You. 53:55 Now, Lord, 53:57 we ask that You will bless this magnificent 54:00 and wonderful group of ASI members 54:04 who understand that it is Business Unusual 54:07 at this time in earth's history. 54:10 Lord, use us, use everyone, 54:15 and use this wonderful organization 54:17 that is so devoted 54:20 to helping the church accomplish its mission. 54:24 Use everyone to the greatest amount of good, 54:27 all to Your glory. 54:31 Thank You now for the commitment 54:33 on the part of each one standing. 54:35 Give each one a wonderful convention here in Louisville, 54:42 and those watching on television 54:44 and through internet. 54:46 Help them to feel the vibrancy of the presence 54:49 of the Holy Spirit. 54:51 Bring us 54:52 into a right relationship with You, Lord, 54:55 so that soon we may see Your coming 54:58 in the clouds of heaven 55:00 all through the power of the Holy Spirit 55:02 working in and through us to accomplish Your will. 55:08 Thank You for hearing us. 55:10 Give each one a good rest tonight. 55:12 And help us to remember 55:15 that in Your work on this earth, 55:18 it is now Business Unusual. 55:22 We commit ourselves into Your hands. 55:25 In Jesus' name, we ask it. 55:28 Amen. |
Revised 2020-01-08