Participants:
Series Code: ASIC
Program Code: ASIC190017S
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00:19 Happy Sabbath! For me has been and for my family
00:23 a wonderful blessing to be at ASi since 2005 00:28 and we look forward to the next convention. 00:31 Well, I have good news and bad news. 00:34 The bad news is it's almost ending. 00:36 Isn't that sad? 00:38 How many of you have been at ASi the first time this year? 00:42 Can I see your hands? 00:43 Wow! That's a big group. 00:45 OK... I'm not going to ask the rest, but of these 00:48 who have raised their hands how many of you are going to be 00:50 planning, at least have a chance to be here next year? 00:54 Not here but in Orlando. Let me see your hands. 00:56 Wow! That's amazing! Praise the Lord! 01:00 We are so blessed to come together once a year 01:03 to really unite in prayer on a message 01:07 on the mission to really be prepared 01:11 for the next year to continue on God's work. 01:15 It's such a blessing to be part of ASi, isn't it? 01:18 Well, this vespers we're going to continue to have a very rich 01:22 program. We're going to have Philip Baptiste 01:25 giving us a message. 01:26 But before anything we're going to ask the presence 01:29 of God in our midst. 01:31 Shall we bow our heads for prayer. 01:35 Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for this convention. 01:40 It has been a collective blessing; 01:42 it has been a personal blessing for each one of us. 01:45 We had these days together to really be inspired 01:50 and be focused on mission. 01:53 Now help especially to go beyond this event 01:56 that Your Holy Spirit will touch our hearts 01:59 so that we will continue to be on fire for You 02:02 because we want to see You very soon coming to this earth 02:06 and take us home. We ask You that Your Holy Spirit 02:09 will be with our speaker tonight 02:11 and that You will continue to be such a great blessing 02:17 for the ASi family. In Jesus' name we ask, Amen. 02:22 I have the privilege of introducing tonight's speaker 02:25 Philip Baptiste. You just voted him in to be 02:29 our secretary/treasurer representing ASi 02:33 at the North American Division. 02:35 I've worked with Philip for over a year now. 02:37 He is brand new to ASi. 02:40 He has been on the job, he said, one year and 3 days. 02:43 And during that time what I've really appreciated about him 02:46 is his passion not just for lay people 02:49 getting involved in ministry 02:51 and ministering, but his passion 02:55 to make sure that the lay people 02:57 join hands together with the church. 03:00 You heard Elder Denslow talk about uniting 03:03 with the church... that we are the church. 03:05 And that is true, and that is Philip's passion. 03:08 And so I want to welcome him to the pulpit 03:11 after our special music and for a challenge 03:15 to join hands together and press together... 03:18 press together with the church to finish the work. 03:21 Thank you. 03:26 Praise Father, Son - praise Father, Son - 03:31 praise Father, Son, 03:36 and Holy 03:42 Ghost. All people that 03:47 on earth do dwell 03:50 sing to the Lord with 03:54 cheerful voice. 03:57 Him serve with mirth, 04:00 His praise foretell... 04:04 come ye before Him 04:08 and rejoice. 04:12 O, enter then His gates with joy! 04:18 Within His courts 04:21 His praise proclaim. 04:26 Let thankful songs your tongues employ. 04:32 O bless and magnify 04:37 His name. 04:40 Because of all 04:43 our God is good; 04:49 His mercy is 04:51 forever sure. 04:56 His truth at all times 05:00 firmly stood 05:04 and shall from age to age 05:09 endure... 05:11 endure. 05:17 Praise God from whom all blessings 05:23 flow, 05:25 praise Him all creatures 05:28 here below. 05:32 Praise Him above 05:35 ye heavenly host: 05:39 praise Father, Son, 05:42 and Holy Ghost. 05:49 Amen. 05:55 Amen. 06:01 Amen. 06:08 Praise God from whom all 06:11 blessings flow. 06:17 Praise Him all creatures 06:20 here below. 06:25 Praise Him above 06:27 ye heavenly host: 06:33 praise Father, Son, 06:35 and Holy 06:40 Ghost. 06:43 Praise God from whom 06:48 all blessings 06:53 flow. 06:57 Praise Him 06:59 all creatures 07:04 here below. 07:10 Praise Him above 07:16 ye heavenly 07:22 host: 07:25 praise Father, Son, 07:32 and Holy 07:36 Ghost. 07:40 Amen! 07:55 The year was AD 31. 07:58 The place is a grassy hill by the Sea of Galilee. 08:02 The people are hungry. 08:05 Jesus turns to His disciples 08:07 and says: "Give ye them to eat. " 08:12 "But Lord, " they cry, 08:14 "how can we feed the multitude with such limited resources? " 08:19 "I mean, all we have is two small fish 08:22 and five loaves of bread. " 08:24 "How can we feed the enormous number of people 08:27 with so little? " 08:29 "I mean, are we supposed to divide up the loaves and fish 08:33 and give each person a crumb? " 08:36 But Jesus' instructions are clear. 08:40 He says: "Give ye them to eat. " 08:46 "But Lord, " they cry, "we don't have the financial ability 08:51 to feed so many. This is all we have" they cry 08:57 holding up their two small fish and their five loaves of bread. 09:02 But Jesus says: "If you just give Me the little that you have 09:05 I'll multiply it and I'll make it more. " 09:09 And so they did and it did, 09:13 and He did. And as a result over 5,000 09:18 were fed and they were filled. 09:22 The year is 2019. 09:26 The place is here and the time is now. 09:32 All around us people are hungry and thirsty for righteousness. 09:36 All around us people are hungering to hear the good news 09:40 of the Adventist message. 09:42 All around us people are hungry to hear the gospel 09:45 of Jesus Christ. All around us people are hungry to hear 09:49 the three angels' messages of Revelation 14. 09:53 And Jesus says to you and me 09:55 as His disciples: "Give ye them to eat. " 10:03 But we say: "But Lord, 10:06 we don't have the resources to effectively spread the gospel. " 10:10 "Give ye them to eat" Jesus commands. 10:15 But we say: "But Lord, we don't have the time. 10:18 I mean, we can barely make it to Sabbath School on time. 10:21 How are we supposed to carve out the time 10:24 to engage in sharing Christ and serving people? " 10:29 "Give ye them to eat" Jesus cries. 10:35 But the disciples are full of excuses. 10:39 Somehow they don't fully understand the mission. 10:43 But Jesus says: "If you just give Me the little that you have 10:49 I'll take it and I'll multiply it and I'll make it more. " 10:53 "If you just give Me your talents and your gifts 10:56 and your abilities, just place it in My hands, 10:59 I'll do more than you can ask, think of, or imagine. " 11:05 Good evening. My name is Philip Baptiste. 11:10 And this evening I'm so humbled and honored 11:13 to have the opportunity to give you the closing challenge. 11:18 Come with me in your Bibles to the book of Matthew. 11:21 Matthew chapter 9 verses 35 to 38. 11:26 Matthew chapter 9 verses 35 to 38. 11:31 If you found it, say "I got it! " 11:34 If you need more time, say "Have mercy. " 11:37 Matthew chapter 9 verses 35-38. The Bible says: 11:43 "Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages 11:47 teaching in their synagogues 11:49 and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom 11:51 and healing every disease and every affliction. 11:55 And when He saw the crowds He had compassion on them 11:58 for they were harassed and helpless 12:01 like sheep without a shepherd. 12:04 And then He said to His disciples: 12:06 'The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. 12:11 Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest 12:14 to send out laborers into His harvest. ' " 12:19 With your prayers and God's help 12:21 for this next few minutes I'm going to challenge you 12:24 from the topic Mission Priority: 12:28 It's Harvest Time. 12:30 So I want to do a little exercise as we begin. 12:33 When I say Mission Priority 12:36 you say It's Harvest Time. Let's practice. 12:39 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 12:42 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 12:44 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 12:47 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 12:50 Amen! Amen! 12:52 That's our topic for this evening. 12:54 Turn to your neighbor and say those words. Say: 12:56 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. Go! 12:59 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. Amen, Amen, Amen! 13:04 That's our topic for today. 13:06 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. Let us pray. 13:12 Father, I ask one more time 13:14 that You will make me just a nail upon the wall 13:17 holding Your picture into place. 13:20 Let people not see me but let them be reminded 13:23 of Your redeeming grace. Oh Jesus, 13:25 make me just a nail upon the wall 13:28 holding Your picture into place. 13:31 In Jesus' name, we pray - let everyone say - 13:34 Amen. 13:37 Matthew 9 describes the missional priority of Jesus. 13:42 While the disciples were busy fighting and bickering 13:45 about "Who's going to sit on the left side? " 13:48 and "Who's going to sit on the right side? " 13:50 and "Who's going to be great- est in the kingdom of heaven? " 13:53 Jesus was totally and completely focused on mission. 13:58 Matthew 9:35 declares that "Jesus went throughout all the 14:03 cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues 14:06 and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom 14:08 and healing every disease and every affliction. " 14:11 His focus was not on church or governmental politics. 14:16 His focus was on mission. 14:19 And while the disciples were more focused on changing 14:22 the political landscape of the Roman Empire 14:25 Jesus was focused on mission. 14:27 While the disciples were more focused on climbing the church's 14:31 corporate ladder Jesus was focused on mission. 14:34 While the disciples were trying to figure out 14:37 who was going to be the next head elder or conference 14:40 president Jesus was focused on mission. 14:44 And how did He accomplish His mission? 14:48 I just love your kind of questions. 14:51 By seeking the lost and serving the least. 14:55 By proclaiming the gospel and healing the sick. 14:59 You see, you didn't realize this, but over 2,000 years ago 15:04 Jesus was a part of the very first ASi 15:09 in Galilee. You see, Jesus was an ASi member! 15:14 You see, He was a lay person. 15:16 He was not a pastor or a priest or a Levite. 15:20 He was a carpenter by profession. 15:23 A business professional who had mastered the art of carpentry 15:27 from His earthly father while simultaneously mastering the art 15:32 of total dependence on His heavenly Father. 15:35 And with the unprecedented determination 15:39 to preach the gospel 15:40 He went out to recruit twelve other lay people 15:44 to be His disciples to establish the very first ASi 15:49 chapter in Jerusalem. 15:51 And He modeled for them how ASi members 15:56 are to live and how they are to lead. 15:59 His life's focus and His leadership focus 16:03 is all about mission. 16:06 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 16:10 Say it with me: Mission Priority: 16:13 Mission Priority: 16:16 Mission Priority: 16:20 Jesus combined the ministry of healing with the ministry 16:23 of preaching. And as SDA's we are compelled 16:28 to do the same. Listen to the SDA church's 16:32 official mission statement found on our website 16:36 and written in our policies. 16:38 Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ 16:41 who live as His loving witness 16:44 and proclaim to all people 16:47 the everlasting gospel of the three angels' messages 16:50 in preparation for His soon return. 16:53 Now listen to our method: 16:55 "Our method, guided by the Bible and the Holy Spirit, 16:59 Seventh-day Adventists pursue this mission 17:02 through Christ-like living, communicating, 17:05 discipling, teaching, healing, and serving. " 17:11 THIS is what ASi is all about 17:16 and this is what WE must be about. 17:20 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 17:23 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 17:26 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 17:28 You see, our mission is about saving lives. 17:32 Our mission is about sharing Christ and serving people. 17:36 Our mission is designed to ensure that no one is lost! 17:43 Let me illustrate. 17:45 On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur 17:50 there was once a crude little life-saving station. 17:53 The building was just a little hut 17:56 and there was only one boat, 17:58 but the few devoted members kept constant watch 18:02 over the sea with no thought for themselves. 18:06 Day and night they went out tirelessly searching 18:10 for the lost. 18:12 Many lives were saved 18:14 by this wonderful little life-saving station. 18:18 Soon it became famous. 18:21 Some of those who were saved 18:23 and various others in the surrounding areas 18:25 wanted to become associated with the station 18:29 and give of their time and money and effort 18:32 for the support of its work. 18:34 New boats were brought and new crews were trained 18:38 and the little life-saving station grew. 18:41 Soon some of the new members of the life-saving station 18:45 were unhappy that the building was crude and so poorly 18:49 equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place 18:54 should be provided as a first refuge for those 18:59 who had been saved from the sea. 19:02 So they replaced the emergency cots with beds 19:05 and put better, nicer furniture 19:09 in an enlarged building. 19:11 And now the life-saving station became a gathering place... 19:16 popular gathering place for its members. 19:20 They began to redecorate it beautifully 19:23 and they furnished it as some sort of club. 19:27 Less of the members were now interested in going to sea 19:32 on life-saving missions 19:34 so they hired lifeboats and life crews to do the work... 19:39 boat crews to do the work. 19:41 The mission of life saving was still given lip service 19:45 but most people were too busy or lacked the necessary commitment 19:50 to take part in the life saving activities personally. 19:56 About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast 20:01 and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet, 20:05 half-drowned people. They were dirty; they were sick. 20:09 Some of them had black skin or brown skin 20:14 and some of them spoke a strange language. 20:17 And the beautiful new club was now considerably messed up. 20:21 So the property committee had a shower house built 20:24 outside of the club where victims of the shipwreck 20:28 could be cleaned up before coming inside. 20:31 At the next meeting 20:34 there was a split in the club membership. 20:37 Most of the members wanted to stop the club's life-saving 20:42 activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance 20:46 to the normal pattern of the club. 20:48 But some of the members insisted that life saving 20:52 was their primary purpose and pointed out 20:55 that they were still called a life-saving station. 20:59 But they were finally voted down 21:02 and told that if they wanted to save the lives 21:06 of all kinds of various dirty, dingy people 21:08 who were shipwrecked in these waters 21:10 they could go and begin their own life-saving station 21:13 further down the coast. And so they did. 21:16 And as the years went by 21:19 the new station experienced the same changes 21:23 that had occurred in the old station. 21:25 They also evolved into a club, 21:28 and yet another life-saving station was formed. 21:33 If you visit the seacoast today, 21:36 you will find a number of exclusive clubs 21:39 there along the shore. 21:41 Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters 21:45 but now almost everybody drowns. 21:50 Hmmm. 21:52 The Seventh-day Adventist church 21:55 is called to engage in seeking the lost 21:58 and serving the least. 22:00 WE are called to be a life-saving station. 22:04 We are called to rescue the per- ishing and pray for the dying. 22:09 We are called to save lives and to be a life-saving station. 22:13 We are called to engage in selfless service for the Savior. 22:17 We are called to be mission-focused because 22:21 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 22:24 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 22:27 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 22:30 We are called to be a life-saving station. 22:35 I hear you, pastor... I hear you... 22:39 but I've got a question for you. 22:42 How do we make mission our priority? 22:46 Oh, I just love your kind of questions! 22:50 I've got three practical ways 22:53 that I want to share with you this evening. 22:55 How many ways? 22:57 Three! Three practical ways that I want to share with you 23:00 that you can intentionally live out the model 23:04 of Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 23:10 The first way that we, I believe, can live out this model 23:16 of missional living and Mission Priority 23:19 It's Harvest Time is to number one: refresh 23:24 your prayer and devotional life. 23:28 Refresh your prayer and devotional life. 23:33 If there ever was a time we needed to be in prayer, 23:37 that time is now. 23:39 Sr. White says prayer is not the way to accomplish the work; 23:43 prayer IS the work. 23:45 And we need to be praying like never before. 23:49 And we need to be studying and in The Word 23:52 like never before. 23:55 So you need to refresh your devotional life 24:00 and your prayer life. 24:02 If you have a family, rekindle the altar of family worship. 24:06 Make sure that every day 24:08 you are praying together, you are worshiping together. 24:12 And make sure you're not only praying together as a family 24:15 and studying the Word together as a family 24:18 but make sure you're doing it together as a couple 24:22 and make sure you're doing it individually 24:24 as a person, as an individual... because 24:28 the secret to our success lies when we move forward 24:33 on our knees. 24:35 THAT is our highest calling. 24:39 We don't need more planning and more strategies. 24:44 Our chief strategy is prayer. 24:47 Our chief strategy is Bible study. 24:51 THAT is our number one goal. 24:54 I remember when the two disciples were on the road 24:58 to Emmaus. And you remember they were discouraged. 25:01 They were down, and they were asking the question: 25:05 "Jesus, why have You left us like this? " 25:08 "Jesus, how is it that we thought that You 25:12 had come to redeem Israel but yet You were suddenly gone? " 25:16 And just when they thought Jesus had left them 25:19 was just when He was walking right beside them. 25:22 Don't you love that about Jesus? 25:24 Just when I need Him most 25:26 Jesus is there to comfort and share 25:29 just when I need Him most. 25:31 And as they're discouraged and they're down 25:34 Jesus walks beside them. 25:36 And Jesus takes them through three steps 25:39 to be able to see His face, 25:42 to be able to recognize who He is. 25:44 'Cause the Bible says their eyes "were hidden from Him 25:48 that they could not see or recognize who He was. " 25:51 And so the first thing is He has a Bible study with them 25:55 on the road to Emmaus. You remember? 25:58 And then after the Bible study when they get to the house 26:02 He prays and He breaks the bread. 26:05 Let me tell you: Bible study, prayer, 26:10 and brokenness are the keys to success 26:14 in whatever you want to do for Jesus Christ. 26:17 Bible study, prayer, and brokenness. 26:21 He had a Bible study with them on the way. 26:24 Then they prayed and He broke the bread. 26:27 And after Jesus prayed and broke the bread, then their eyes 26:32 were opened and they said: "Oh! It is Jesus! " 26:35 "Oh! It is Jesus! " 26:38 "Oh! It is Jesus! " 26:40 And I want you to know 26:42 that if we engage in Bible study and prayer 26:46 and in brokenness... "What do you mean by brokenness, 26:50 pastor? " Say: "God, break up the pride in me. " 26:53 "Break up the selfishness in me. " 26:55 "Break up the anger in me. Break up EVERYTHING in me 26:59 that is unlike You. " Spirit of the Living God 27:02 fall afresh on me. Break me; mold me; 27:05 melt me; make me over again. 27:08 Amen! If we engage in Bible study, 27:11 prayer, and brokenness, 27:12 THAT is when we will see Jesus. 27:17 And we need to see Him because: Mission Priority: 27:21 It's Harvest Time. Mission Priority: 27:23 It's Harvest Time. 27:25 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 27:34 I'm so glad that even as I drink this water 27:38 I'm reminded that Jesus is the source of living water. 27:43 So the first step to be able to live out the model 27:47 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time 27:49 is to refresh your prayer and devotional life. 27:54 Say it with me: Refresh your prayer and devotional life. 27:58 Come on... say it like you actually mean it. 28:00 Refresh your prayer and devotional life. 28:04 All together now... go: 28:05 Refresh your prayer and devotional life. 28:09 The second step is to renew your commitment 28:12 to being a loving disciple. 28:16 Ellen White in the book Mind, Character, and Personality 28:19 she says this. She says: "Be lovable. 28:22 Let Christ be seen in all that you do. 28:25 Let all see that you are living epistles of Jesus Christ. 28:28 Be lovable. Let your life win the hearts of all 28:32 who are brought in contact with you. " 28:34 There's a little book that you have in your delegate bag. 28:38 It's called Leading Like Jesus: 28:42 Sharing Hope at Church, at Home, 28:45 and in the Marketplace. 28:47 I want to just ask you to turn with me for a minute 28:51 if you have it to page 49 of that book. 28:54 And I want to thank Stanborough Press 28:58 which is our SDA press in the UK 29:01 for helping me put this little book together. 29:04 You know, when I was asked to deliver the closing challenge 29:08 I had so much I wanted to share 29:10 that I realized I wouldn't have enough time 29:13 so I said: "Let me put it all together in a little booklet 29:16 that I can give you and it can challenge you 29:19 throughout the year until our next ASi in Orlando. " 29:22 Is that all right? Amen! 29:24 And so it's here for you, and I want to ask you 29:27 that you would just look at page 49. 29:31 And I'm going to read from page 48 actually. 29:36 When all is said and done what is great leadership about? 29:42 We hear the word disciple a lot. 29:44 But what does it really mean to be a disciple of Jesus... 29:47 especially for us as Bible- believing, Sabbath-keeping, 29:51 commandment-obeying SDA Christians? 29:54 What does it mean to be a disciple? 29:57 And how do we know that we are actively engaged in 29:59 discipleship in our home, in our church, 30:02 and in our community? Scholars believe that a disciple 30:05 is simply a follower of Jesus. 30:08 But what does it look like to be a follower of Jesus? 30:11 And how can we tell the world that we are His disciples? 30:15 Jesus shared something deeply profound to His disciples 30:18 about this in John 13:34-35. 30:22 He said: "A new commandment 30:23 that I give you that you love one another. 30:26 As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 30:30 By this will everyone know that you are My disciples 30:34 so that you love one another. " 30:37 Here Jesus explains what it means to be a disciple. 30:40 He says: "Being a disciple involves more than 30:43 uttering pretty-turned phrases and namby-pamby 30:46 soliloquies. " Disciples are followers of Jesus 30:50 who model the radical love of Jesus by loving one another. 30:54 In fact, He declares that this is a new commandment 30:58 that He is giving, and it's interesting that Jesus gives 31:01 this commandment to His disciples. 31:03 These are the very disciples who are supposed to be modeling 31:07 love one for another. 31:09 However instead, they're fighting and competing 31:11 with each other. They allow greed and pride 31:14 to get in the way of selfless service for the Savior. 31:18 So instead of loving unconditionally 31:20 they were always fighting, always bickering. 31:23 "Who's going to sit on the left side? " 31:25 and "Who's going to sit on the right side? " 31:26 and "Who's going to be the greatest 31:28 in the kingdom of heaven? " 31:30 Ellen White in her book The Desire of Ages 31:32 reflecting on Jesus' words says this: 31:35 "In His last meeting with His disciples 31:37 the great desire which Christ expressed for them 31:40 was that they might love one another as He had loved them. 31:45 To the disciples this commandment was not new 31:48 for they had not loved one an- other as Christ had loved them. 31:51 But He saw that new ideas and impulses must control them. 31:56 That new principles must be practiced by them 31:58 and through His life and death they were to receive a new 32:02 concept of love. The command to love one another 32:05 had a new meaning in light of His self-sacrifice. 32:09 The whole work of grace is one continual service 32:12 of love, of self-denying, 32:15 of self-sacrificing effort. 32:17 During every hour of Christ's sojourn on the earth 32:21 the love of God was overflowing from Him 32:23 in irrepressible streams. 32:26 All who are imbued with His Spirit 32:28 will love as He loved. The very principle that actuated 32:33 Christ will actuate them in all their dealing with one another. 32:38 This love is the evidence of their discipleship. 32:41 'By this will all men know that you are My disciples... ' 32:45 Jesus said... 'if you love one another. ' 32:47 When men are bound together not by force or self-interest 32:51 but by love they show the working of the influence 32:54 that is above every human influence. " 32:57 Desire of Ages, p. 677 and 678. 33:02 So in light of all this 33:04 here are some questions for us to contemplate. 33:09 Are you truly a disciple? 33:12 If so, are you modeling discipleship 33:15 and letting people know you're a disciple 33:18 by having genuine love for others? 33:22 Will your spouse or your children or your parents 33:24 or your siblings call you loving? 33:27 Do you relate to your family in a loving way 33:30 or harsh and indifferently? 33:33 How loving are you to those you feel threatened by in church? 33:37 Do you model love and service to the person you think 33:40 could potentially take your place when nominating committee 33:43 meets next year? 33:45 How loving are you when you're not chosen 33:46 for a church office or the position that you feel 33:49 you've worked for or you deserve? 33:51 Do you model the unselfish, humble servanthood of Christ? 33:55 Or do you model self-centeredness, rudeness, 33:58 and unforgiveness? 34:00 Are you loving, kind, caring, and compassionate? 34:04 Are you obedient to Jesus' command to love one another? 34:09 If we're going to call ourselves disciples, 34:11 then we have to be loving. 34:13 And my prayer for each one of us 34:15 is the next time someone asks "Who is a disciple? " 34:18 that they will be able to look at each one of us 34:21 and declare: "He's a disciple, 34:24 she's a disciple, 34:25 because they love one another. " 34:30 So number one is refresh your prayer and devotional life. 34:36 Number two is renew your commitment 34:40 to be a loving disciple. 34:43 Look at your neighbor and say: "Be nice. " 34:46 Yeah. Look to your other neighbor and say: "Be nice. " 34:49 Maybe they're the ones that's no so nice. 34:55 That's right... be loving. 34:58 And number three is rekindle your passion to get involved 35:03 in active ministry. 35:07 If you go to page 20 of the same book, 35:14 page 20, Leading Like Jesus, 35:20 there's a little thing here on page 20. 35:23 It's called TMI part 1 and there's a part 2. 35:27 Says: "As Jesus was approaching the close of His ministry 35:30 on earth He gave His disciples some very interesting 35:33 instructions. He told them to go to a particular village 35:37 and when they saw a donkey tied up 35:40 to untie it, take it, and bring it to Him. 35:43 If anyone asked them what they were doing, 35:46 they were just to say that "the Master had need of it. " 35:48 So the disciples took the donkey 35:50 and that donkey became involved in ministry. 35:53 Can you imagine a donkey being involved in ministry? 35:57 A donkey was awarded the humble privilege 36:00 of carrying on his back Jesus, the Son of God, 36:03 the Savior of the world! 36:04 The interesting thing about this donkey 36:07 is that it was all tied up. 36:09 You see, donkeys are meant to be working 36:12 to help ease the burden of those nearby. 36:14 But this donkey was tied up 36:17 meaning that it was just standing idly by 36:20 not reaching its full potential for ministry. 36:23 Jesus saw from afar off 36:26 that this donkey needed to be used in Christian service. 36:29 And so He told the disciples to untie the donkey, 36:33 release it, and let it do what it was created to do. 36:37 I've got a question for you this evening: 36:40 how many times have we perhaps acted like that donkey? 36:44 How often have we been standing by with our gifts 36:48 and talents tied up instead of using them for ministry? 36:52 How often have we listened to appeals in church 36:55 to get involved, to give more, 36:57 while we stand idly by with our hands folded 36:59 and our talents and resources tied up? 37:02 How much more could we accomplish 37:04 if we untie our donkeys and release them 37:08 to be used by the Master? 37:10 We have no idea how much God is wanting to bless us 37:14 because many of us have missed our blessings 37:17 because we prefer to be benchwarmers rather than 37:20 involved in ministry. 37:22 I want you to do me a favor. Turn to your neighbor. 37:24 Give them a tap on the shoulder 37:26 and say: "Untie your donkey! " 37:28 "Untie your donkey. " Turn to your other neighbor 37:31 and say: "You... untie your donkey! " 37:42 I want you to know the Seventh-day Adventist church 37:44 has launched a global initiative called Total Member Involvement 37:48 and I'm excited about this incredible concept. 37:51 Total Member Involvement is an invitation 37:53 for every single Seventh-day Adventist Christian 37:56 to untie their donkeys, release their full potential, 37:59 and get involved in ministry and service for Jesus. 38:03 AMEN! 38:05 Jesus extended this invitation over 2,000 years ago. 38:09 He told His disciples: "Look, the harvest is plentiful 38:11 but the laborers are few. 38:13 Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to send out workers 38:16 in the harvest field. " Jesus reminds us 38:19 that we have a great harvest but we are desperately in need 38:22 of more workers. This is a call for TMI. 38:27 Can you imagine what could happen if every single SDA 38:31 member was willing to move from being a spectator 38:34 and a benchwarmer to being an incredible worker 38:37 for God. Think of the incredible difference we could make 38:41 for God's kingdom! We can wrap up the work 38:44 and we can go home! Amen! 38:47 THIS is our calling. 38:49 And so I'm leaving you with 3 things 38:53 'cause the clock just hit zero 38:55 so now I'm on overtime... grace. 39:00 Thank God for grace! 39:02 I ask for just three minutes of grace. 39:05 I don't believe in speaking long but let me wrap up. 39:09 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 39:13 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 39:15 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 39:18 How do we make mission our priority? 39:21 Number one: refresh your prayer and devotional life. 39:24 Say it: Refresh your prayer and devotional life. 39:28 Number two: renew your commit- ment to be a loving disciple. 39:32 You say it: Renew your commitment 39:34 to be a loving disciple. And number three: 39:36 rekindle your passion to get involved 39:40 in active ministry. Rekindle your passion 39:44 to get involved in active ministry. 39:46 Let's say it one more time: Rekindle your passion to get 39:49 involved in active ministry. 39:51 Rekindle your passion to get involved 39:54 in active ministry. 39:55 So three things as I close. 39:58 Some preachers say "lastly" and they last, but I say 40:01 in conclusion - I actually conclude, praise the Lord - 40:05 I want to challenge each of you. Number one: 40:08 to get involved in active ministry. 40:12 Next year June 25 to July 3 40:17 is our General Conference session in Indianapolis, IN. 40:20 The theme of our 2020 GC session 40:23 is Jesus is Coming! Let's Get Involved! 40:26 In preparation for that theme 40:29 I want to challenge you between now and GC session 40:33 to preach or conduct at least 1 evangelistic series 40:37 either here at home or overseas. 40:41 I'm going to say it again: between now and GC session 40:45 or even now and the next ASi in Orlando 40:49 I want to challenge you to preach and conduct 40:52 at least one evangelistic series either here in North America 40:58 or overseas. Can we say Amen? Amen! 41:01 Will you rise to the challenge? 41:04 Oh... that was quiet. 41:07 Will you rise to the challenge? Amen! 41:09 Amen. Now you actually have to do it. 41:13 Number two: ASi has created some resources 41:17 to help you do this. We have picture rolls 41:20 if you desire to go overseas. 41:22 You can go to www.picturerolls.org 41:26 or you can go to asiministries.org 41:29 and click under media and then click on picture rolls. 41:33 We have picture rolls, and they're beautiful picture rolls 41:37 designed for places overseas where there's no power, 41:41 where there's no PowerPoint 41:43 and you would just have to preach under a mango tree. 41:46 But they're beautiful! 41:47 And you can get them and go overseas and make a difference. 41:51 My wife and I were missionaries in Kenya, 41:53 and we used it among the Maasai people in Kenya 41:57 and it is such a blessing. 41:59 We also have the New Beginnings evangelistic series. 42:04 The New Beginnings evangelistic series is an awesome series 42:09 written by Mark Finley. 42:11 And this year we refreshed the series. 42:14 We were asked for Global Youth Day 42:16 to do 7 sermons. We did not remove one jot or one tittle 42:21 from the text of the sermon BUT we completely refreshed 42:25 the graphics in HD and in a youth-friendly oriented way. 42:31 And so you can use those sermons to preach. 42:34 And because of the success with Global Youth Day 42:37 we actually have all 26 sermons now done 42:41 in the New Beginnings GC Youth Edition. 42:44 You can just go newbeginnings.org/media 42:49 No... asiministries.org/ media/newbeginnings 42:54 and click on gcyouthedition 42:57 These are resources that we have for you 43:00 to keep your commitment of preaching one series either here 43:05 or overseas. And here it can even be in your home 43:09 as a small group Bible study 43:11 but I want to challenge you to do it. 43:13 And lastly, next year 43:16 we're planning an overseas mission trip to Madagascar. 43:19 We want to invite you to go with us on that mission trip. 43:24 More information will be available to you. 43:28 As I conclude I want to share a final story. 43:36 The teacher tells a story. She says... 43:42 She's a grade three teacher 43:45 and she tells her kids a story. 43:48 She says: "The ant and the grasshopper were friends. 43:51 And all summer long the ant saved up and worked hard 43:56 to store up food for the winter. 43:58 But the grasshopper played and frolicked in the mud 44:01 and when the winter came the grasshopper ran out of food. 44:06 So the grasshopper ran to the ant and said: 44:08 'Can I please have some of your food? ' 44:11 And she says to her grade three students: 'Now you 44:13 finish the story. So they wrote their ending to the story. 44:18 Later that night she's grading the papers. 44:21 So one little boy wrote: "The ant said to the grasshopper 44:27 "No, no, never, never, uh-uh-uh. 44:29 You'll never have any of my food, hallelujah! " 44:34 And then another little kid wrote: 44:37 "The ant shared his food with the grasshopper 44:41 but halfway through the winter 44:44 the food ran out and they both died. Ha, ha, ha, ha! " 44:50 So those were the types of stories she got. 44:54 But little Timmy wrote something special. 44:56 Little Timmy said: "The ant gave ALL his food to the grasshopper. 45:01 The grasshopper lived and the ant died. " 45:05 And at the bottom in child's crayons 45:08 was a picture of Jesus and the cross. 45:11 Don't you know that that's what Jesus has done for you? 45:14 He gave ALL so you can live 45:17 and now you've gotta tell somebody about it. 45:19 Tell somebody about the goodness of Jesus. 45:22 Tell somebody that He's coming soon. 45:24 Tell somebody that the Seventh-day Adventist Church 45:27 has a message of hope and healing. 45:29 Tell somebody that Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 45:33 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 45:36 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 45:38 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time. 45:42 If it's your desire to accept this challenge 45:46 of Mission Priority and live a missional life, 45:50 just stand with me right now as we pray. 45:57 Lord, we accept this challenge. 45:59 We pray that You will help us to truly live missional lives. 46:05 And when You come may You say to each one: 46:09 "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. " 46:12 May we leave here with a focus renewed on mission 46:17 remembering that Jesus is coming soon. 46:20 May we do all we can to tell our friends and neighbors 46:24 about Jesus. We pray and thank you in Jesus' name, 46:29 Amen. 46:42 There is a fountain 46:47 filled with blood 46:50 drawn from Immanuel's veins. 46:57 And sinners plunged 47:01 beneath that flood 47:04 lose all 47:07 their guilty stains. 47:11 Lose all their guilty 47:17 stains... 47:20 lose all 47:22 their guilty stains. 47:27 And sinners plunged 47:31 beneath that flood 47:34 lose all 47:37 their guilty stains. 47:42 The dying thief 47:46 rejoiced to see 47:50 that fountain in his day. 47:57 And there may I 48:00 though vile as he 48:04 wash all 48:06 my sins away. 48:11 Wash all my sins 48:15 away... 48:18 wash all my sins 48:22 away. 48:26 And there may I 48:30 though vile as he 48:33 wash all my sins 48:37 away. 48:42 Ever since by faith 48:47 I saw the stream 48:51 Thy flowing wounds 48:55 supply 48:58 Redeeming love 49:02 has been my theme 49:05 and shall be till 49:09 I die. 49:12 And shall be 49:16 till I die... 49:20 yes, it shall be 49:23 till I die. 49:28 Your redeeming love 49:31 has been my theme 49:35 and shall be 49:38 till I die... 49:45 and it shall 49:48 be till I 49:52 die. 50:01 Amen! Thank you so much for that wonderful music. 50:05 It's a blessing to be at ASi this year. 50:07 I've been personally blessed 50:10 and I hope that you have as well. 50:12 We're just going to wrap up this evening with a couple 50:14 of announcements. For probably the first time ever 50:18 there's something unique going on here. 50:20 And Ruben, why don't you tell us what's going to happen 50:23 in fact in just a few minutes. 50:25 That's right. So how many have really enjoyed ASi this year? 50:30 Amen! How many of you are planning to come 50:33 next year in Orlando? 50:35 Raise your hands. Amen. All right, we have wonderful news. 50:38 First time ever, at midnight... 50:42 Or not midnight... sorry. At sunset today 50:45 we're going to be opening registration. 50:48 What about that? OK? All right! 50:50 So if you're enthusiastic, motivated to go to Orlando 50:53 don't lose time because we're going to keep the rates 50:58 as they are, we promise, for the ones that are going to register 51:01 as quickly as possible. So take action: 51:05 at sunset do your registration. 51:08 All right! So that's one thing we're doing this year 51:11 to encourage our attendees to be proactive 51:15 about next year and get your registration in early. 51:17 Sundown this evening registration opens. 51:20 You can go online to asiministries.org 51:23 and you can register there for Orlando next year. 51:26 Praise God for that. And if you're an exhibitor, 51:28 your registration will open at midnight. 51:31 We want your focus on the booths 51:33 for our last time at the exhibit booths. 51:36 All right. So exhibitors: you can register at midnight. 51:40 And now we want to thank you again for being here 51:45 at ASi this year. 51:46 I said it's been a personal blessing to me. I hope it has 51:49 to you as well. Philip, are there any remarks you have 51:51 as we close out this convention together? 51:53 Mission Priority: It's Harvest Time! 51:58 God bless you. Now Philip, you've challenged us tonight 52:03 to get involved in doing some evangelism 52:05 personally either here in the United States 52:08 or somewhere around the world. 52:10 So, you know, I'm committed to this personally 52:13 and I hope that you are as well. 52:15 And we can make a difference for the SDA church 52:19 in helping to get this good news to the entire world. 52:22 We'll look for some reports about this next year. 52:24 We hope to engage you in telling us what you did 52:27 even during the year. So thank you; may God bless you 52:31 and good night. |
Revised 2020-04-13