Participants: Chris Shelton (Host), Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000001
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00:42 Hello and welcome to what is actually the
00:45 first of Behold the Lamb presents programs 00:48 produced at Behold the Lamb Ministries with 00:50 the blessing and help of 3ABN Broadcasting 00:52 Network. Today's sermon title is we need a 00:56 divine touch. In today's society we need 00:59 a divine heavenly touch more than ever, 01:02 but before we begin, I like share a few 01:05 verses of scripture found in John, 01:07 beginning with the verse 1. It says in the 01:09 beginning was the word, and the word was 01:12 with God, and the word was God, 01:14 it's talking about Jesus here. The same was in 01:17 the beginning with God. All things were 01:19 made by him; and without him was not 01:21 anything made that was made. 01:24 In him was the life; and the life was the 01:26 light of men. Going down to verse 7, 01:29 it reads the same came for a witness, 01:32 you see we're all to bear witness of Jesus, 01:35 it's talking about John, 'cause John was 01:37 bearing witness, and like John we are to 01:40 bear witness of Jesus to bear witness of 01:42 that light, that truth that he brings into the 01:45 world. Verse 12 reads, "But as many as 01:48 received him to them, he gave he gave 01:51 power to become the sons of God." 01:53 Don't you desire to be a son or daughter 01:56 of God I know I do. Verse 23, "He said, 01:59 I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness." 02:02 Now John was answering the questions of 02:04 the priest and the scribes and pharisees were 02:07 asking John, what gives you the authority? 02:10 Why are you here talking about all these things. 02:12 What gives you the authority to do that? 02:14 John goes on and he answers. He say "I am 02:16 the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 02:19 Make straight the way of the Lord, 02:22 as said the prophet Esaias." Verse 27, 02:27 John is talking about Jesus. He says 02:29 "It is He who coming after me is preferred 02:33 before me, whose shoe latches I am not 02:36 worthy to unloose." You see God is so 02:40 wonderful, so powerful, so majestic, 02:42 we are not even worthy to untie his 02:45 shoe-latchet. In Verse 29, we read 02:49 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming to him, 02:52 and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, 02:55 which taketh away the sin of the world." 02:58 You see that's our desire here that anyway 03:01 possible, we can help you to Behold the Lamb 03:05 of God. Before we get into today's message, 03:08 we're gonna go back to 3ABN's worship center, 03:11 and we are gonna be blessed with the song 03:13 entitled "As Water To The Thirsty" 03:16 sung by Christian Berdahl. 03:19 As water to the thirsty, as beauty to 03:28 the eyes, as strength that follows weakness, 03:36 as truth instead of lies, as song time and 03:45 springtime and summertime to be, 03:54 so is my Lord, my living Lord, so is my Lord to me. 04:18 Like calm in place of clamor, 04:23 like peace that follows pain, like meeting 04:31 after parting, like sunshine after rain, 04:40 like moonlight and starlight and sunlight 04:48 on the sea, so is my Lord, my living Lord, 04:57 so is my Lord to me. 05:58 As sleep that follows fever, 06:03 as gold instead of gray, as freedom after 06:11 bondage, as sunrise to the day, 06:19 as home to the traveler and oh he longs 06:27 to see, so is my Lord, my living Lord, 06:37 so is my Lord to me, so is my Lord to me. 06:57 I wanna thank you for joining us today and 06:59 we thank you brother Christian for that 07:00 beautiful song. I know it's been a blessing to 07:03 everyone who can hear that, 07:05 we just praise God for that. We're glad that 07:07 again you're here, you join us by whatever 07:09 means that you can as we are gonna study the 07:12 word of God. I invite you to get your 07:13 Bible, get your pencil, get a pen and you 07:16 know we need to try the spirits the Bible 07:18 said to see whether these things be so, 07:21 but before we get studying God's word today, 07:23 I want, I like for you just maybe while you're 07:25 there at home, you might be able to kneel 07:26 with me. I am gonna kneel right 07:27 here and ask God's blessing. 07:33 Merciful Father in Heaven, we thank you 07:34 for the privilege of prayer. We thank you 07:37 for the promise that when we open the 07:40 word of God that you're gonna speak to 07:41 us through the power of the Holy Spirit. 07:44 Bless now we pray to this end that every 07:46 word that's spoken will bring honor and 07:48 glory to the King of Kings, and the Lord of 07:50 Lords, anoint us we pray with Holy Spirit 07:54 power and stop the ears, the eyes of each 07:56 and everyone that we may see and hear, 07:59 and understand that Jesus is soon to come. 08:01 I thank you and praise you in the 08:02 loving name of Jesus. Amen. 08:08 Again I encourage you by the way home 08:09 to get your Bible, some of may not be 08:11 wherever you might be at, traveling, 08:13 whatever, but we encourage you to be 08:16 sure and write down all of the Bible passages 08:19 that we will be using because we're gonna 08:20 to be looking at well I say one of the most 08:23 important subjects that we could look at 08:25 today. We need a divine touch, that's our 08:29 subject for today, we need a divine touch, 08:31 and I am sure that everyone of us 08:33 realizes that we need a touch from Jesus 08:35 in a special way. How do we receive that 08:38 touch? Do we really need that touch, 08:42 and if we are touched by the vanity will 08:44 something changed in our hearts and in 08:47 our lives to make us more like Jesus. 08:49 Is it really important in the hour that we 08:53 live to be more and more like Jesus? 08:57 Do we need to be ready for his coming? 08:58 Do you believe that he is coming; 09:00 well it's very important that we plan. 09:02 Now I want you to contemplate these 09:04 questions. I want you to contemplate what 09:06 we'll be talking about today, and by the end 09:08 of the program by the way I wanna, 09:11 want you to make a decision for Jesus. 09:14 So we're glad to be here, we're glad that 09:15 you're where you're at, and let's study 09:17 God's words shall we together. You know as 09:21 I study scripture, I see that Jesus spend 09:24 a lot of time touching people and that's 09:26 so, so very important in the world that 09:28 we live in today, as we are reaching out 09:30 touching other people for him. 09:33 He touches us, we reach out and touch 09:35 other people for him, and by the way he 09:38 spent a lot of time doing that and I just 09:39 wanna remind you that when Jesus touches 09:42 you something happens, something 09:45 supernatural and by the way Jesus spend 09:50 a lot of time. Now I'm gonna give you a 09:51 passage of scripture, so you can jot it 09:52 down right now First Samuel chapter 10 09:55 verse 26, I am just gonna read that to 09:57 you right now, it says there went from 09:59 him or from Saul as you read the whole 10:01 passage of scripture a band of men, 10:04 whose hearts had being touched by God. 10:08 Now remember when you heart is touched by 10:11 God, great things happen. You never remain 10:15 the same by the way you change when 10:18 divinity reaches down and touches humanity. 10:21 So Jesus today is in the business of doing 10:25 several things. He's touching the hearts 10:27 of those who are hurting. There may be 10:31 somebody out there today you're hurting. 10:35 You've lost a loved one. You maybe went 10:38 through some things that you don't 10:39 understand at the job, you may have 10:41 lost your job, you may not, I don't know 10:43 how even to pay my next house payment. 10:46 So you're hurting today, you have maybe 10:49 people have a miserable heart, 10:50 they have a hard heart and that we 10:52 realize there are those with a lonely 10:54 heart because you may be lost your 10:56 loved one. But you know I believe this, 10:59 Jesus is in the heart business. 11:02 You know he can take that old heart of 11:04 stone and he can make it a heart of flesh, 11:05 he can mold it, he can make it in anyway 11:08 that you let him do it, change your 11:10 heart, change your life, change your 11:12 direction. You know somebody today 11:14 maybe have that sad heart, and maybe 11:17 you've had that sad heart for a long time 11:18 because you don't know how to change it. 11:21 If you listen very carefully today the 11:23 Holy Spirit will speak to your heart and you 11:25 will see that change take place. God is able 11:28 to do that. By the Bible says in the book of 11:31 Matthew chapter 14 verse 36, it says 11:35 "And they besought him that they might 11:37 just touch the hem of his garment." 11:41 There were throngs of people crowding 11:43 around Jesus and many people had the 11:45 faith to believe that if I can just touch the 11:48 hem of his garment, I can me made whole 11:51 and you know what the Bible says, 11:53 there in the book of Matthew 14:36 the 11:55 Bible say those that touched him were made 11:59 perfectly whole. Now think about it when 12:03 Jesus touches you, think about it. 12:06 When Jesus touches you, you won't be 12:09 the same, he doesn't do a half job, 12:12 he doesn't do an incomplete job, 12:13 when he touches you, you become 12:15 completely whole. For some of us who 12:18 need changes, we need to change every 12:20 day in our life, some of you have been in 12:22 this rut for so long a time that you, 12:24 you're not sure how you're gonna get out 12:25 of that but you know what if you by 12:27 faith reach out and touch the hem of 12:29 Jesus' garment, you will be perfectly whole. 12:33 I look at that word and I want you to do 12:35 these things too as we study together, 12:38 as we study it says perfectly it means, 12:41 it means to save, to save thoroughly, 12:46 so when they reached out by faith and they 12:48 touched the hem of his garment several 12:50 things took place. See these are things that 12:53 we need in the hour in which we live, 12:55 if we really believe that Jesus is coming. 12:57 We really realize that we need some 12:59 changes to take place in our life. 13:02 That we need to be saved, that's what 13:04 this perfect, perfectly whole means, 13:08 that they were saved thoroughly. 13:11 In another word very interesting it was 13:13 they were, they were cured, they were, 13:15 another word I like was they were rescued, 13:19 they were safe. So here's what he was 13:20 talking about, he was talking about 13:22 physically and he was talking about spiritually. 13:26 So when you reach out and touch Jesus 13:28 by the way and he says there is lot of 13:30 good things that's going to happen. You know 13:31 it doesn't really end there. The good news 13:34 just doesn't end to say oh boy you know 13:36 it's spiritual and then the physical that's 13:39 wonderful but when Jesus touches you 13:41 then you automatically want to reach out 13:44 and touch somebody else for Jesus and why 13:48 not do that today, why not just reach out 13:51 by faith and touch someone for Jesus if 13:54 you've been touched. In fact you can't help 13:56 yourself. When the Lord has put his 13:59 blessing upon you and you feel the 14:02 anointing of the spirit you cannot remain 14:04 quiet any longer. See this is important in 14:07 the hour, we live in a world of unrest. 14:11 We live in a world that needs a touch from 14:15 the master's hand, but you know what you're 14:17 gonna have to ask for that. You're gonna 14:19 have to plead with him. You've got to get 14:21 on your knees and ask God to help you 14:23 with that. And by the way the Bible says in 14:26 Matthew chapter 9, so may be you have 14:28 your Bible now and you have your pen. 14:30 Matthew chapter 9 verses 30 and 31, 14:33 I wanna read those to you. Jesus said to 14:36 the people, now remember Jesus he 14:38 healed a, he healed a blind man, 14:40 he healed a man that was deaf and dumb, 14:43 and so Jesus was out always touching and 14:46 healing individuals and it was very 14:48 interesting. He told these blind men, 14:51 he told this deaf men, he said now don't, 14:53 don't you go tell anybody, isn't that interesting. 14:57 Any thing good that happens to us what 14:59 usually takes place, if something good 15:01 happens to me you know what, 15:02 I am gonna sometime I am gonna shout 15:04 about it, I may run around the neighborhood 15:06 with it, I'm gonna make some phone calls, 15:07 I am gonna do a little emailing, I am gonna 15:09 let people know that something good 15:11 has happened to me. See what's the 15:13 differences in that by the way than people 15:14 saying you know we entered this contest 15:18 and we won it and you keep it to yourself? 15:20 No, you want to tell everybody about 15:24 what happened. And so as Jesus told 15:27 these men that he touched and he 15:28 healed don't, don't tell anybody he knew 15:32 it makes his work more difficult by the 15:34 way, but they couldn't keep quiet. 15:37 The Bible says here that they when they 15:39 had departed they were touched, 15:42 they were made whole and they departed. 15:43 The Bible says that they spread abroad 15:46 his fame in all that country. Now what 15:49 does that say. They couldn't help themselves. 15:52 Something great had taken place why? 15:54 Because by the faith they had touched 15:55 the Master. Do you realized what would 15:58 take place in your life and my life today 16:00 if we by faith would just reach out and 16:02 touch the Master. Things would never 16:04 be the same again and you know we, 16:06 we both need, we all need these 16:08 changes to take place in our life. 16:11 Their hearts were so full of gratitude and 16:14 thanksgiving that they just couldn't keep 16:17 quiet. Now you see my point, the point 16:19 is when Jesus touches you, 16:21 it could be physically and spiritually but 16:24 then you cannot be quiet about it. 16:26 You're gonna have to tell somebody about 16:28 it. You're gonna have to share some 16:30 good news, the good news of the Gospel. 16:33 Now remember Jesus said this, 16:36 Luke 5 verse 32. He made it very, 16:39 very clear. He said I came not to call the 16:42 righteous, but sinners to repentance. 16:47 Please think about that with me. Jesus 16:49 said that I didn't come to just call the 16:51 righteous, but I came to call sinners. 16:56 And I got to thinking about that I am 16:59 sinner. The Bible says that we've all 17:03 sinned and come short of the glory of God. 17:07 One of the functions of Jesus coming to 17:09 this earth, he came for me, he came for 17:12 you because we were sinners. And He 17:15 wanted to just give us victory. 17:16 He wanted a turn about in our life. 17:20 And I am convinced of this the more that 17:22 we that we look to Jesus. The more that 17:24 we behold Jesus, the more that we 17:27 become like him, the more that we have 17:30 to say about him, the more that we want 17:32 to talk about him, the more that we 17:34 love him it's clear from scripture. By the 17:38 way Romans chapter 2 verse 4, 17:40 the Bible says and his work comes into 17:42 play by the way. It says that the 17:44 goodness of God leadeth us to repentance. 17:48 Now what leads us to repentance? 17:51 We've established already that we've all 17:53 sinned but we need to come to repentance. 17:56 How does that takes place? The Bible says 17:58 that we behold Jesus, his goodness, 18:02 his mercy, his long suffering and to see 18:04 how much he loves us and what he, 18:06 the penalty that he paid for my sin, 18:09 that it leads me to repent or to ask 18:12 for forgiveness of my sin. See nothing 18:15 remains the same, everything begins to 18:18 change. Paul kind of said in such a way 18:21 he said you know those old things, 18:23 you know that I used to love, he said I 18:26 now hate, and those things that I hated, 18:29 that I didn't like I now love. Jesus says 18:33 I can make you over, I can make you 18:34 new again. Several years ago oh my, 18:39 it's been you know 15, almost 20 years 18:41 ago, used to have a radio program. 18:44 You know what the name of that radio 18:45 program was? Name of that program was 18:47 People Touching People. How appropriate for 18:53 what we were talking about today. 18:55 It wasn't just words; it just wasn't doing 18:57 a radio program. It doesn't gain any 19:00 merit with God. How's the heart and what, 19:04 what took place as people touching people? 19:08 It was a ministry of supplying the 19:10 needs of the people and by the way that 19:12 was physical and spiritual. Just the away 19:16 that Jesus would have us to do. 19:19 By the way are you meeting the needs 19:21 of your community, where you're at? 19:25 Are we doing that what Jesus has 19:26 commissioned us to do, if not why not? 19:32 Do we need a divine touch? 19:35 See I believe that we need a divine 19:37 touch. In fact we have to have that divine 19:39 touch. We have to have that Holy Spirit 19:42 power in our hearts and in our lives to 19:45 make us more and more like Jesus. 19:47 How can we do, this helps us to fulfill 19:50 the gospel commission. The gospel 19:53 commission is going into all the world 19:55 and to do what and to preach the 19:56 gospel. Friend, I believe that with all 20:01 my heart, we live in such an hour that 20:04 we need to be telling our relatives, 20:05 and our friends about the nearest and 20:07 the soon coming of Jesus. In fact what 20:10 does it really mean to be a Christian. 20:13 Oh I've heard all kind of definitions and I 20:15 know that you have too. Oh what does it 20:18 mean to be Christian. I have heard a 20:19 person say that and I tell you they went 20:21 off on about an hour of what it means to 20:23 be Christian, that's all right. But this one 20:26 man said it in a way that I can relate 20:29 to and I hope that you can relate to it. 20:31 His name was Hudson Taylor. 20:34 Hudson Taylor was asked this question, 20:36 what is a Christian? Now, I don't know 20:39 what your response would be. 20:42 I don't know how would you answer that, 20:45 here's what he said. Boy this makes a lot 20:47 of sense. What does it mean to be a 20:48 Christian? His answer is if, if your father 20:53 and your mother, if your brother and 20:57 your sister, if your neighbor and notice 21:02 this he said even your dog or your cat if 21:08 they're not happy for you being a 21:11 Christian it's a question of whether you 21:15 really are or not, wow! How awesome, 21:22 simply being a Christian means that 21:24 what mom and dad gonna know that 21:26 you are, your neighbors are gonna to know 21:28 that you are, and you know what your 21:30 dogs and your cats are gonna know 21:32 that you are, by the way that you even 21:33 treat them. How awesome, are we Christ 21:38 like, or we Christ sinner, have we been 21:40 they beholding Jesus. Friend, I need a 21:44 divine touch, how about you. 21:46 I need to be touch by the Master today. 21:50 There's a movie by the way that was 21:51 advertised just several months ago. 21:54 Now I want you to catch this point, 21:55 it's so important that we catch what's 21:59 going on here and we don't miss it 22:01 because you know God said he is not 22:03 going to do anything that he doesn't warn 22:05 us first. He's going to reveal things to 22:08 us that we really need to know and that 22:10 we really need to understand, and you 22:13 know what it could be in the newspaper, 22:16 it could be in the book, it could be on a 22:18 poster, it could be through a neighbor, 22:21 but oh how interesting, this was printed 22:24 in the U.S.A. Today just a few months ago 22:27 and the title of the movie was 2012. 22:31 Now think about 2012, some of you have 22:33 been reading about it maybe you've seen 22:35 it but in this movie by the way they saw 22:38 the earth in turmoil, it was like 22:41 collapsing, it was falling apart and do 22:46 you know what on the U.S.A today on 22:49 the side of it, it said Armageddon. 22:52 Did they really know, did they really 22:54 realize what they were saying, and it's 22:57 very interesting how that article went on. 23:00 And besides that now check this besides 23:03 that the newspaper article, the writer 23:05 said this, that's preposterous. Oh that's 23:09 not going to happen but it's a lot of 23:12 fun to watch it, it's you know just fun 23:14 for us to entertain us, but the 23:18 article continues on in this picture. 23:21 It shows again the earth is all falling 23:23 apart and there are people everywhere 23:25 and things are falling part, high rises and 23:27 all the places that shouldn't be falling 23:29 down is falling, falling apart, and then the 23:33 article goes on and says wow, impressive, 23:43 but ludicrous, interesting. One hand 23:44 they call it impressive, trying to maybe 23:48 get somebody's attention, and then 23:49 on the other hand they say oh but it's 23:50 ludicrous and the writer went on to say, 23:53 oh it's cheesy. He said it's a ridiculous 23:58 story really. Friend, little does the world 24:05 realize, little does the world know how 24:09 soon is the coming of Jesus Christ. 24:14 We put every thing before him, 24:17 a lot of times we never asked him 24:19 you know whether should change jobs, 24:21 whether we should move, anything in 24:22 our hearts in our life, we don't even 24:24 realizes he's coming. The devil is trying to 24:26 cloud all of these things. And by the 24:30 way how much destruction is soon to 24:33 come upon this earth. You know I love 24:36 to talk about Jesus. I love to talk about 24:38 the second coming. You know I want 24:39 to be a part of that, but you know what 24:42 if you love God, you love Jesus, 24:45 if you love your neighbors and your 24:46 friends, we must warn them of the 24:49 nearness of the coming, the signs are 24:51 everywhere, could it be even in a worldly 24:55 movie. Could God be saying these things 24:58 are going to take place? It's a possibility 25:02 but man looks and says that's cheesy, 25:04 that's not going to happen, that's not 25:06 what the Bible says. The Bible said these 25:10 things are going to happen before Jesus 25:12 comes. And as I see these things taking 25:16 place in the world, in fact just today 25:20 maybe dating a little bit, today I think 25:22 there was another earthquake, 25:23 I think it was in China. It seems like 25:27 every few days in some parts of the earth, 25:28 there is more earthquake, and more 25:30 devastation, and Jesus said this would 25:31 be some of the some of the sign. 25:32 Listen, I need a divine touch; I need to 25:36 be touched by the Master right now. 25:38 I need a refuge in the midst of a storm. 25:41 If you don't think a storm is coming 25:42 upon this earth, friend you need to think 25:44 again. The signs are all clear, the warnings 25:48 have been given and God said his last 25:51 day people will be warning the world again 25:54 that he's soon to come. Devastation is 25:57 upon us now; don't say some time in 25:59 the future. We've got a taste of it right 26:02 now, and I'll tell you this nice United States 26:04 of America is soon to pay for a lot of 26:08 mistakes that we have made, a lot of 26:11 wrong choices. Many other countries 26:13 are going through it right now dear 26:14 friends but you know what this is a 26:16 country founded upon in God we trust. 26:18 How wonderful, I am thankful for a 26:20 country, freedom of religion. Our freedom 26:23 will always remain that way, I need a 26:26 divine touch, how about you. I need 26:29 a refuge in the midst of a storm that's 26:32 taking place. I need to know the 26:35 events that's soon to take place. 26:37 By they way as you read in the Old 26:39 Testament Jeremiah had just a wonderful 26:42 vision of view of the future and some of 26:46 things he saw I am sure probably just 26:48 almost blew him apart because he 26:50 probably didn't understand some of 26:51 the things as well, but he had to write 26:53 as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. 26:56 But when man to man looks and says 26:57 these things are cheesy, the world is not 26:59 going to fall apart, isn't that interesting. 27:02 Jeremiah says differently, and Jeremiah 27:05 by the way chapter 4 verse 26. 27:08 He said, I beheld, and lo, notice this he 27:11 said I beheld, I was looking I looked at 27:13 the fruitful place it become a wilderness, 27:19 and all the cities thereof were broken 27:21 down at the coming of Jesus. What does 27:25 the Bible say, I looked at those fruitful 27:27 place, all those places that seem to be 27:29 like they just last forever and he said 27:31 there were broken down, the cities broken 27:36 down at the coming of Jesus. 27:39 For in devastation, we need a divine 27:42 touch, you know it, I know it today. 27:46 And the Bible goes on and says it 27:47 happens by the what, the fierce anger 27:51 of God's wrath. Could it be that we're 27:53 on the wrong track. Could it be that we 27:55 need a change. Could it be that we need 27:58 not going down the same whole pathway 28:00 and nothing's really happening. Too many 28:02 people sit week by week in their church 28:04 pew. They come and they pray their 28:06 tithe, and they go through all the motions 28:08 and all the you know things that people 28:11 do to go to church but it never really 28:14 changes their life, never. But I am 28:20 convinced as when Jesus was reaching out 28:23 and touch or a divine touch that every 28:25 time he did wherever he went and by 28:28 the way the Bible is clear whoever 28:30 Jesus touched, they were completely whole. 28:33 There was not one person that ever 28:35 came to Jesus that went away sorrowful 28:38 if they had faith, are you praising God. 28:40 See I'm gonna shout here in a minute 28:44 and if he'll do it for someone else, 28:46 he would do it for you and he would 28:47 do it for me. Some of you stay at home 28:49 and say yeah but I am not physically 28:50 right here, I am not mentally right. 28:52 I've got problems over here. 28:53 I've got financial problems. I've got this 28:55 kind of problem, here's the answer, 28:57 here's the answer just say you know 28:59 I need that divine touch. He can take 29:01 care of my finances. He can take care 29:03 of the physical, the spiritual and you 29:06 know what it wouldn't be bad to stir 29:08 things up a little bit in your Christian 29:09 experiences, it wouldn't be bad by the 29:12 way to stir things up in my Christian 29:14 experience, because I believe that God's 29:16 people are going to be so stirred up 29:18 before his coming, that there are gonna 29:20 to be telling the world of the signs of 29:23 his coming. They're going to be telling 29:25 them that there are some changes that 29:27 have to take place. I need a divine touch 29:32 and by the way just simply not let the 29:34 man go, as the newspaper article said 29:36 you know Armageddon. Listen, there is 29:38 a real Armageddon, it is just before us, 29:42 that battle is soon the Bible says is 29:45 to be fought and you know what we 29:46 need not sleep. There's too many 29:50 sleepy Christian today. By the way Jesus 29:53 makes it very, very clear that you know 29:55 we need not be what in the book Revelation, 29:57 lukewarm, why is it that we become 30:01 lukewarm. May I have be real personal 30:04 with you, what, how is that may be you 30:07 have grown lukewarm, what caused it? 30:12 Did you take your eyes off Jesus? 30:14 Did you stop praying? Did you stop 30:19 spending time with him? You know as I 30:24 taken time to study the earthly sanctuary 30:27 a little bit, I find it so, so important 30:31 because it says the way of God is through 30:32 the sanctuary and in the sanctuaries you 30:35 study you see simple three things that 30:39 will maintain our Christian experience. 30:42 In fact let me say this, if you maintain 30:44 these three things, you will never back 30:47 slide, wow big statement. You will never 30:51 back slide if you maintain these three, 30:54 A B C, 1 2 3 things and they're all 31:00 simple is what, good you've got it 31:02 already, what? Study the Bible, 31:06 pray and witness. Remember the sanctuary 31:10 when you went into the Holy place, 31:12 what did you find. Table of show bread what 31:14 is that, the bread is the bread of life 31:16 that's reading the word everyday isn't 31:17 that right, physical food, we need our 31:19 spiritual food, and then you know as with 31:23 the altar of incense right it represents our 31:25 prayer life, mingle with Christ's 31:26 righteousness and so as we read the word, 31:29 we want to pray and get more familiar with 31:30 him and then why we get so full of the spirit 31:34 of God that we liked the ones that he 31:36 touched you remember we talked about 31:38 earlier. He said be quiet, don't tell anybody 31:41 but boy then we had the lamp stand and 31:43 that represent what he's the light of the 31:45 world but while we reflect that light 31:47 and so we go tell what other people, 31:50 wow awesome. Friend, how are you by the 31:53 way, are you really reflecting the light, 31:58 are you reflecting Jesus in your heart, 32:00 in your life and everything that you do. 32:02 When people look at you by the way who 32:03 do they see? I want you to think about 32:06 that for a moment. Who do they really see, 32:08 if they see you dear friend they're seeing 32:10 something that they shouldn't see. 32:12 If I call myself a Christian, they shouldn't 32:14 be looking at me, they shouldn't be seeing 32:15 me but they should be seeing what good 32:18 Jesus who lives in my heart and in your 32:21 heart. Jesus made this profound statement 32:25 at least in my mind and I often wondered 32:28 about as a little child what did they mean 32:31 by that, and I am not sure I have the 32:33 understanding even now. The Bible says 32:35 spiritual things are spiritually discerned and 32:37 so I'm praying for that kind of wisdom 32:39 and maybe it won't be anything for you 32:41 but Jesus said Kenny, if I be lifted up, 32:51 I will draw all men unto me. He never 32:54 one time said, Kenny lift yourself up, 32:57 too many preachers today, too many 32:58 evangelists, too many just individuals as 33:01 Christians trying to lift themselves up. 33:03 Oh we're doing this, oh we're doing that, 33:08 oh we've got this going on. If you've got 33:11 anything good going on because Jesus is 33:13 behind that dear friend. There is nothing 33:15 good that can from you, nothing good 33:17 that can come from me. He should be 33:19 receiving what, all the praise, all the honor, 33:22 and all the glory because there's nothing 33:23 good that I can do within myself. And I 33:27 though how wonderful all we need to 33:28 do is to what? Lift up the name of Jesus. 33:34 I need a divine touch, I need to get a little 33:39 closer to that, that one who's willing to 33:42 come down here and to die on Calvary's Cross. 33:46 I need more of that blood, I need to be 33:49 cleansed. I need to be ready for Heaven. 33:51 I heard people say sometimes they said 33:53 you know old Joel bloke over here, 33:55 he's going to make it Heaven, you know 33:57 he's a good old boy, he's morally pretty good, 33:59 but listen if you don't accept Jesus. 34:01 The Bible says there is no other name given 34:03 among men where by we must be saved 34:06 than the name of Jesus. There is no other 34:08 way that you're going in. There is one door 34:10 and he is the door. There's only one 34:12 way and that's by the blood of the Lamb. 34:14 You cannot work your way in. You cannot 34:16 pay your way in. There's nothing you can 34:18 do. It's a free gift by the way, 34:21 that's salvation. We need to just, 34:26 I'm gonna say relax a little bit and say okay 34:29 Lord that's right, you're in charge because 34:32 you're in charge and you know everything 34:33 and all blessing comes from you I want 34:35 to receive those, and so as this hour that 34:38 we're living in, when the world seems to 34:41 be shaking almost off his axis. Things are 34:44 happening in every part of the country 34:45 and the world today, what should you 34:47 and I be doing right now. As we know we 34:49 need a divine touch. The thing that 34:53 keeps going in my mind every time I 34:55 read scripture and I know it does yours 34:57 too is always and simple the gospel 35:00 commission or the saving of souls. 35:05 Some people say well I can't do that, no, 35:08 you really can't. There's no one that can, 35:10 the Holy Spirit does that. I can't speak 35:13 very well. Let the Holy Spirit do the 35:14 speaking for you. I can't read very well, 35:16 the Holy Spirit can take care of that also. 35:19 We're always looking to ourselves, 35:20 we become failures that way, rather than 35:22 victors because Jesus said all things are 35:24 possible. He can do it. If you and I just 35:26 let him live his life through us. Have faith. 35:31 Do you need that divine touch? 35:32 Are you sensing it, well I do I know I 35:35 want that, I need it. By the way did you 35:39 realize, I want you to just think with me 35:40 for just a moment? The only way that 35:44 God can use me, you, the human family. 35:49 The only part he has for us to play 35:51 is to give the gospel. We can't convert 35:55 anyone, we can't change anyone's life, 35:59 but he's chosen us to give the gospel to 36:02 the world. Now you, I count this awesome. 36:06 Let me tell you, now let me tell you why, 36:09 why would he chose somebody, now let 36:12 that be personal about it. You will find 36:13 that in our program as we do in Behold 36:15 the Lamb. I get personal, I just talk to 36:17 about it and I hope you feel the same way. 36:21 You talked it over with your wife or 36:23 your husband or talk it over with God. 36:26 But you know it's time we get personal. 36:28 Why would God use someone like me? 36:34 Why would God use somebody like you? 36:37 After all he knows you and me so well 36:42 and yet he said he's going to allow 36:44 man to do what give the gospel, 36:46 the good news, the only means of 36:49 salvation to mankind. And he says I 36:51 chose you. Did you choose him? 36:56 Do you need that divine touch? 37:00 Do you realize there are souls that are 37:02 hanging in the destiny right now. 37:06 That are looking for that touch, they're 37:07 looking for someone to tell them there's 37:08 a better way. And you have that 37:12 opportunity, you have that privilege, 37:13 I have that privilege. But think about 37:17 how awesome that is that God sees, 37:19 he sees me, he sees you, but I am so 37:23 thankful he looks at what we can be 37:27 through him. Not necessarily what you are, 37:30 but what you can be by faith through him. 37:34 Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of a 37:36 sudden just the world as it were just had 37:38 that little measure of faith and we just 37:40 all exercised that measure of faith, 37:42 it wouldn't be long Jesus would be here, 37:43 we could go home. We quit worrying about 37:46 ourselves and be so self-centered. 37:52 When we care about other people enough 37:55 and we're willing to go out of our way as 37:57 it were to be able to reach out and touch 37:59 somebody for Jesus. If you don't have 38:03 that burden, why don't you pray about it? 38:08 I am convinced of this. There will not be 38:12 a person in Heaven that's has not won 38:14 by God's grace, by his strength, 38:16 by the spirit, at least one in the kingdom 38:19 of God. Now that's a big statement, 38:21 challenge me with it if you want to 38:24 but I say it's food for thought, there 38:25 won't be anybody be in there. 38:27 It's not because of our work we don't 38:28 get there because of that at all. 38:30 But you will have them, why because 38:33 you've been touched, you can't keep 38:34 quiet any longer, you've had that 38:36 divine touch. Now you want to share it 38:37 with others. I like this thought, 38:40 God chooses us. He looked at the human 38:44 family and He said I choose them, 38:47 I choose them and I thought about this, 38:49 I choose them to represent me. 38:54 Wow, I find it difficult in this world that 38:59 we live in down here for anybody to 39:02 represent me and every area. Oh who 39:05 would you trust? Who would you trust? 39:11 I'm gonna have somebody to represent 39:12 me; I'm gonna have somebody like I 39:15 can trust explicitly. If you trust him that 39:20 much, okay, you can say okay there is 39:21 my house, there is home, there is my 39:23 companion, there's checkbook whatever 39:25 just go ahead represent me, wow. 39:29 But Jesus said I choose you, do you 39:33 choose him today. This is so very important, 39:36 I need that divine touch because you know 39:39 what, I can't do it on my own, but I know 39:42 that I can do it for him. Coming of Jesus 39:47 is so much nearer than we believe. 39:54 I wish there was, I wish there was 39:57 something that I could say and I know 39:59 that probably all of you feel the same way, 40:01 something I could say, something I could 40:02 do that would just stir something, 40:05 something inside of you to quit fighting 40:09 this, to say it's a reality. That I know it's 40:14 near I know the coming of Jesus is near 40:16 even at the door. I think at times well 40:20 I we hear that knock, don't you. 40:22 Faintly I hear the knock and it's getting 40:24 stronger, it's getting louder Jesus said 40:26 I want to come in, I tell you things are 40:27 getting ready to happen. The Bible says 40:32 Kenny, you need to be watching, 40:35 you need to be praying, you need to be 40:36 working while it's still day, have you 40:39 read that. And the Bible becomes very 40:42 clear because night cometh when no man 40:47 can work. Some of us have no idea what's 40:53 on the horizon. Friend, but we can have 40:58 if we're willing to spend some time with 40:59 Jesus. Why don't we just put all the other 41:03 little books and different things aside and 41:06 get God's word. Maybe turn the TV off, 41:11 quit that texting every time you turn around, 41:13 wearing out your thumb. Shut the email 41:17 situation down, go to a quiet room, 41:21 open the word of God and say God, 41:23 I want you to speak to me. 41:24 Oh how he loves to hear that. Friend, 41:27 I need that divine touch and I know 41:29 that you do too, we want that. 41:32 But when the Bible says to me Kenny, 41:33 you've got to, you must be watching, 41:36 you've got to be working, you got to be, 41:38 what am I to be watching for. We hear 41:42 and see it over and over, what might I 41:43 be watching for. I mentioned that to people, 41:47 and they'll say oh for what? Signs of 41:49 the time. We got to be watching for the 41:51 signs of the times. You know I thought 41:53 that's true too, that's true. But you 41:56 know what, I believe there's more, 41:58 that we're to be watching for; we're to 41:59 be working for and we were to be praying 42:01 about. Let me just give you a quick 42:03 example and I know many of you will 42:07 remember this, the Parable of the Great 42:09 Supper, do you remember that, 42:11 that's found in Luke 14 verse 17. 42:15 And the Bible says it something like this 42:17 It says, and he sent his servant at 42:21 supper time to say to them notice this, 42:26 them that were bitten, he said come; 42:28 notice this just listen carefully for all 42:31 things are now ready. You realize what a 42:35 big statement that is. Do you realize what 42:39 this represents, the Great Supper Jesus 42:42 has invited all of us to be a part of and 42:45 to come to that supper and the King of 42:46 the universe has invited me to come? 42:51 He wants me to come. He's given me 42:55 an invitation to come. He's prepared the 42:57 way. He's paid the price, and he just says 43:01 come it's free, come. And what do we say. 43:05 Oh well you know I've been a little 43:07 busy today or I haven't had time for 43:10 you today. I get busy in all these other things, 43:13 sports, activities and all these others 43:15 things going on in the world and I've 43:18 forgotten you. Oh please come before it's ever 43:20 too late and then the bottom line, 43:22 in fact you underline in it, you put it 43:24 in red, you underscore it, you do whatever 43:26 you want to do because Jesus said all 43:30 things are now ready what does that mean? 43:35 When Jesus says all he means all. 43:38 There's people in the world when they 43:41 use the word all, they really don't mean all. 43:44 But when Jesus said all things are ready 43:47 he means things are ready. He said I 43:48 am going back and I am going to prepare 43:50 what? A place for you and then I am 43:53 going to come and to receive you that 43:55 is reality, that's a fact. In fact by 44:00 the way the tense in which that's 44:01 written it's though as it has already taken 44:07 place, wow. That's how sure it is. 44:11 I will come again, why? All things are 44:15 ready. Jesus is not idle, he's not sitting 44:19 back doing nothing. He's doing everything 44:21 he possible can to save you and to save 44:24 me. You know what from ourselves, 44:28 it's not from the neighbors, it's not from 44:29 the pastors, not the teachers, not the drugs, 44:31 not the alcohol and all of the stuff that 44:33 goes on in the world today, but you know 44:35 what it's we are the problems. 44:38 Victory over self is what we need and only 44:40 God can help us with that. But I like it so 44:44 much when he says all things, it gives 44:46 me hope. All things are now what, 44:48 they're ready, ready for what? Ready 44:50 for the coming of Jesus in the clouds of 44:54 glory, do you long to see him? How long 44:59 has it been since you really said Lord I 45:01 long for you to come but you know I know 45:03 that you're coming but you know what 45:04 I wanna go back with you. I need that 45:10 divine touch, I need to hear your voice. 45:16 Oh Lord, don't leave me. Don't forsake me, 45:20 and he promises I never will. I love you with 45:23 everlasting love. I'll never leave you, 45:24 I'll never forsake you. Friend, bank on that, 45:28 that's the only sure thing in this life. 45:31 It's what Jesus said, not what man 45:32 promises you here. All things are now ready 45:37 and so I want to go back with him. 45:40 Are you working, are you watching, 45:42 are you praying, praying for we mentioned 45:45 what? The answer is really simple, 45:49 I need to be watching, I need to be 45:50 working, I need to be praying for the 45:53 salvation of souls including my own, 45:56 how about you? We keep thinking about 45:59 a lot of different things that we should 46:00 be doing. But you realize everyday oh 46:04 please listen, everyday that goes by 46:07 there are thousands who die. 46:11 And they go to a Christless grave. 46:14 Now think about it. They will never 46:18 share eternity with Jesus, why? 46:23 What could be the reason, because we 46:25 haven't done our job, because we haven't 46:28 reached out, because we haven't been 46:32 going and pleading with people or living the 46:35 life where they can see Jesus in us? 46:37 You realize what I'm talking about, 46:38 dying and going to a Christless grave, 46:40 that's it. There's nothing else, it's for 46:46 eternity. And friend if you can't get 46:49 that somehow can you associate maybe 46:53 with someone that you love, maybe your 46:54 mother, maybe you know your father, 46:57 children. Don't you want the best for them? 47:02 Why not order your house, okay, 47:04 why not put it in order. As far as me and 47:08 my house we will serve the Lord. 47:13 Oh friend, yes, I want you to feel anxious 47:15 about it. I don't want you upset about 47:17 what I am talking about here but I want 47:18 you to do something, I want something be 47:20 stirred up by the power of Holy Spirit 47:21 inside of you to say today is the day 47:23 that I am going to make that change. 47:27 We are to be going to the highways and 47:29 the byways for what? For the saving of the 47:34 laws, that's what we do everywhere. 47:37 Everywhere we can possibly go, 47:39 everywhere that the word can be spread, 47:40 we are to be doing that right now while we 47:42 can, because there's people out there that 47:45 need to hear. Why because Jesus makes this 47:48 statement that we talked about a couple of 47:50 times, you remember what he say. 47:51 He said all things are what, they're now 47:56 ready. And let me tell you when Jesus is 47:59 ready, he's going to come back. Oh yes, 48:04 with or without you ready or not, 48:07 think about that. Some people pridefully 48:11 think that maybe they're special. Jesus is 48:15 going to hold everything back until they 48:17 decide what they're gonna to do. 48:19 He has a time, he is coming back and you 48:21 and I need to be ready that's what the 48:22 Bible says today is what? Today is the day 48:24 of what? Of salvation, you're not to put 48:27 off for tomorrow, you must do it today. 48:29 I need to touch, I need a divine touch. 48:34 Bible says in the book of Matthew by the 48:36 way 24:44 if you're jotting these things, 48:39 you see why I've said at the beginning of 48:40 the program; let's write some of these 48:42 things down, so that we don't forget. 48:46 He said "Therefore be ye ready for in such 48:50 what an hour as ye think not the son 48:52 of man cometh." Now I want to you think 48:56 be ready, why? For the hour that you 49:00 think not the son of man cometh, wow. 49:05 So the warning then has to be given and 49:10 it's your job, it's my job to be given that 49:15 warning right now. Why? Because when I 49:19 get a warning then I am to rise to the 49:22 occasion, I am to be fully awake during this 49:27 hour of earth's history. Let me tell you 49:30 Satan's job is to put you to sleep and if 49:33 he can do it he will lower you to sleep and 49:35 then in Revelation we talked about, 49:36 he talks about he, he likes to have just 49:39 lukewarm, you know what, that's still sleepy. 49:43 Not discerning what's really going on, 49:44 not really prioritizing things in our hearts 49:47 and in our lives, but I believe this that the 49:51 warnings that are being given the word of 49:53 God says he'll do nothing except he warns 49:55 us first the wise will awake. The spiritual, 50:02 those are keeping their eyes on Jesus will 50:03 realize that they need to double the efforts 50:06 right now while we still can. And by the way 50:10 there are some, and I have heard this said, 50:13 and I think probably you've talked to people 50:14 too. Well I can't go out and preach the 50:17 gospel, oh really? Oh! I can't go, 50:21 I can't give a Bible study. Have you been 50:23 touched? If you've been touched by a 50:26 divine hand dear friend, he will enable you. 50:30 Apparently one man said, one, one time he 50:31 said, well now you preach the message, 50:33 do you have Oh! Check this one, 50:35 do you have credentials. Huh! That shocked 50:40 some people by the way. Well, you have 50:42 to have credentials before you preach the 50:45 gospel. Well those might be nice the little 50:47 things as added before your name or 50:49 after that, that might be all nice, 50:51 but let me, let me give you some good 50:53 news that comes from scripture. The only 50:58 credentials that you need is number one, 51:00 you love Jesus with all your heart. 51:02 Check it now, and you love your fellow man. 51:08 Jesus made it pretty simple, he said on 51:09 these two hang all of the law. Credentials, 51:15 little pieces of paper or do you need the 51:17 unction of the Holy Spirit or desire in your 51:20 heart to say I, I love Jesus and I, I love, 51:24 I love people. Because I do believe this, 51:27 God is not going to use, Oh! I'm gonna be 51:29 careful about this. God's not going to use 51:32 in the closing scenes of earth's history, 51:35 possibly the most talented individuals; 51:37 he may not be able to use them because 51:39 they understand, they know they're talented. 51:43 In fact, he may not even use the smartest 51:45 ones. I've heard people say, by the way 51:47 they'll say, well you know what I have an 51:50 high IQ. And I say to you, so what? 51:56 There's going to be a lot of high IQ people 51:57 that's going to burn in hell, I want to get 51:59 straight with you. It's nice if you have that 52:04 dear friends if you use it for his glory, 52:06 but if you're standing all proudly saying, 52:07 I have it. God can't use you, you're not 52:11 teachable. You think you know everything. 52:14 So, that's what I'm saying, I'm trying to 52:15 encourage you by the way here, not 52:16 discourage you. Say, God can use a humble 52:20 individual that submits their life to him. 52:23 You know, we have to want that divine touch 52:26 you want it today. You know I, I want it, 52:31 I need that divine touch. I now realize we 52:35 only have a couple of minutes left, 52:37 but boy I tell you, I'm starting to feel good 52:39 about the gospel of Jesus Christ that he can use 52:41 somebody like me to help finish the work. 52:45 What do we really need? I need that divine 52:48 touch, I need to be working for Jesus while 52:50 I can. So, today right here, right now, 52:55 I stand hooked on the gospel of Jesus Christ. 52:58 I stand hooked on evangelism. I stand 53:03 hooked and say God help me to be a soul 53:05 winner for you. I'm hooked on stations like 53:08 3ABN that's giving the gospel message to the, 53:11 to the whole world reaching people that 53:12 can never be reached any place or anytime, 53:16 because people won't open the doors, 53:19 but you can get into those homes. 53:20 Oh! Friend, get into those homes while you 53:22 can. Don't give him the sugar coated, 53:24 but give them the real message of a wake 53:25 up call. Jesus said very quickly, he said 53:29 you know what? We need to, we need to, 53:31 we need to make aggressive warfare. 53:33 And I'm going to encourage you to make 53:34 that aggressive warfare right now. 53:36 That means ongoing warfare, that means 53:39 continue, that means active, that means 53:41 make haste, that means make a thrust for 53:43 Jesus Christ. My marching orders has been 53:46 given, how about you? I need that divine 53:49 touch. Why don't we start right now? 53:52 Let's pray about it shall we, before we 53:54 close together. Merciful Father in Heaven, 53:57 we thank you for your word. 53:58 We thank you for the power of thy Holy Spirit. 54:01 We pray now that those who have made 54:02 that decision will made it for you, but right 54:04 now they're going to go out, and they're 54:05 going to tell someone about Jesus. You're soon 54:07 to come, I praise you, and I thank you for it in 54:09 Jesus name, amen. Until next time God bless you, 54:15 we look forward to meeting with you again. 54:18 Welcome back, and by the way my name is 54:20 Chris Shelton. And that message you just 54:22 heard it was preached by my husband 54:24 Pastor Kenny Shelton. What a blessing, 54:27 what a blessing God has been today. 54:29 You know we do need a divine touch in the 54:32 world in which we live in, at the recording of 54:35 this message anyway, in the past few 54:37 weeks there have been so many earthquakes 54:40 just back-to-back. Our world is changing; 54:43 our world is crying out, one of the worse 54:45 of course was being was in Haiti, where so 54:48 many thousands of people lost their life in 54:52 just a moment, in seconds of time. 54:55 And then you had the one in Chile, 54:57 and here in America, in Southern California, 55:00 Ohio, Missouri. It's heading close to home. 55:04 And then think about it, think about how 55:06 our lives have changed so many broken 55:09 homes, and broken hearts. You know our 55:12 minds are not clear anymore. We're always 55:15 looking for those things to make us happy, 55:18 to make us healthy, our health has changed. 55:20 In the past 25 or 30 years, I mean we 55:22 have diseases we never heard about before 55:25 then. Times are changing, this earth is 55:28 crying out, this earth and we as God's 55:31 people, we need a divine touch. I want you 55:35 to think about it, and I hope that during 55:37 that message that you heard God calling 55:40 to your heart, that you reach out and say, 55:42 Lord yes, yes Father I need that divine 55:46 touch, won't you touch me, won't you 55:48 change me? Today is the day of salvation. 55:51 Today can be your day of salvation. 55:55 Don't put off for tomorrow what needs to be 55:58 done in your heart, in your life today. 56:01 And once that's done, once that's done 56:04 would you please contact us, would you 56:06 give us a call? We want to know what God 56:08 has done for you, and perhaps how this 56:11 message has touched your heart. 56:13 Look on your screen now. You can contact 56:15 us at Behold the Lamb Ministries, PO Box 2030, 56:20 Herrin, IL 62948, or you can call we're at 56:24 Central Standard Time here in America, 56:27 it's 618-942-5044. And of course with the 56:32 technology, you can email the same name 56:35 BeholdTheLamb Ministries@Yahoo.com 56:39 or visit u on the web 56:40 www.BeholdTheLamb Ministries.com. We want 56:45 to hear from you, we want to know how 56:48 the Lord is working in your heart. 56:50 You know, God is so good and time is, 56:53 time is short. It is shorter than we can 56:56 even imagine I think. We don't have time to 56:59 waste, so I pray that you put your priorities 57:03 in order, and allow the Lord to bless you 57:07 and yours, until we meet again, God bless you. |
Revised 2014-12-17