Participants: Chris Shelton &, Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000021
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00:41 Hello and welcome to another Behold The Lamb
00:44 presents program. I'm Chris Shelton your host 00:47 and has always we are very thankful that you 00:49 have chosen to join us in another wonderful 00:52 study of God's word. Have you ever felt a 00:55 sense that there was more for you to do in 00:57 this life? Have you ever felt that there was a 00:59 spiritual calling to be or to do more than 01:02 you are or doing right now, if the answer is 01:06 yes then praise the Lord. The Holy Spirit is 01:10 working on your heart and in your mind. 01:13 In First Peter chapter 2 and verse 9 we are 01:15 told that God is calling us to be a 01:18 chosen generation, a royal priesthood, 01:21 a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should 01:25 show forth the praises of him who hath called 01:29 you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. 01:33 It is God who is calling you. 01:36 It is Him drawing you out of darkness or 01:39 sin into His marvelous light or an understanding 01:42 of truth, this text in informs us that we are to 01:45 grow in truth. We are to be called we are called 01:50 to be a different generation we are called 01:52 to be a royal priesthood. God is calling us to be 01:56 a holy nation. He is asking that we would be 01:59 a peculiar people who are different from the 02:02 world that we may reflect His glory and shout 02:06 forth praises unto Him. This calling as a process 02:10 of justification and sanctification combine 02:14 once accepted and prayed about it's a growing 02:18 process that happens throughout our life. 02:21 It involves every aspect of who we are, but we 02:25 are not left alone to make these changes 02:28 absolutely not, or to stay the course on our 02:32 own Christ has promised to never leave us 02:35 He's promised to never forsake us. 02:38 He will be with you, He will be with you 02:41 to strengthen you every step of the way 02:43 so that you will stay true to your calling 02:47 true to our calling this is the title of today's 02:50 message with my husband pastor Kenny Shelton 02:53 and it's part one of a two parts series on 02:56 this subject, but first as always we are blessed 02:59 to listen to great is thy faithfulness as sung by 03:03 Rudy Micelli at 3ABN's worship center. 03:31 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father 03:41 There is no shadow of turning with Thee 03:50 Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not 03:59 As Thou hast been, Thou for ever will be 04:09 Great is thy faithfulness Great is thy faithfulness 04:19 Morning by morning new mercies I see 04:28 All I have needed thy hand hath provided 04:38 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me 04:51 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth 05:00 Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide 05:09 Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow 05:18 Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside 05:29 Great is thy faithfulness Great is thy faithfulness 05:39 Morning by morning new mercies I see 05:48 All I have needed thy hand hath provided 05:58 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me 06:15 All I have needed thy hand hath provided 06:25 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. 06:53 Praise the Lord we're glad you could join us 06:55 again for Behold The Lamb Presents, 06:57 we're gonna be studying the word of God today 06:59 and I know you're getting in the habit of 07:01 having your Bible, pencil land paper, so that we 07:04 can take down some notes and we can continue to 07:07 study to show by self approved and to God. 07:10 Oh! It's just such a blessing to be able to 07:11 come into your home or wherever you 07:13 maybe around the world, but before we 07:15 begin our study because it's an important study 07:17 today true to our calling, God has called us into a 07:23 special work. Why don't we pray about it 07:25 right now ask for the Holy Spirit the words 07:28 that we may hear from heaven that we all 07:29 maybe able to understand as God speaks 07:32 to our heart? Let's pray shall we together? 07:39 Merciful Father in Heaven, we thank thee for 07:41 the privilege of prayer. We ask that you would 07:44 forgive us of anything in our hearts and lives 07:46 that need not be there. We want a direct plug in 07:50 to heaven here as we study your word. 07:53 We need the power of thy Holy Spirit to give us 07:55 understanding spiritual things are 07:57 spiritually discerned. We relay upon the 08:00 power of the spirit and the wisdom of the 08:02 spirit we have nothing good within ourselves 08:06 and wish to offer these thy people. 08:08 We commit our care our keeping into your hands, 08:12 our mind, our body, all that we have that we maybe 08:15 a blessing to someone today in Jesus name, amen. 08:22 Well again, if you have your Bible I want you to 08:24 turn with me maybe some you are going down 08:26 the road or you maybe visiting somewhere 08:29 it's alright you know if you are at the neighbor's 08:31 house ask them for a Bible so that we can, 08:33 we can gel together as we study the word of God 08:36 true to our calling. You know as God's 08:39 last day people He has given us a specific 08:42 message to give to the world. 08:44 Now, we will read that now remember when 08:46 we are reading this message it's not our 08:49 aim today is to take a whole lot of time 08:53 in going over specifically these messages, 08:55 if we do it would take a long time and we will do 08:59 that eventually, but right now we just want to 09:01 call to your attention as God's last day people 09:05 what we are accountable for. 09:07 Found in the Book of Revelation, 09:08 you know it well, Revelation chapter 14 09:11 we are going to reading verses 6 through 12. 09:14 Now, it will take a little time to read these 09:16 verses but they are very, very important to us today. 09:20 Revelation chapter14, 6 through 12. 09:24 This is what the Bible said, this is what is 09:26 important today. The Bible says, and I saw 09:29 another angel fly in the midst of heaven, 09:32 having the everlasting gospel to preach, 09:35 now notice He said to preach, unto them that 09:39 dwell on the earth, and to every nation, 09:41 and kindred, and tongue, and people. 09:44 Here we find the first angel's messages, 09:47 but there is this, we are calling this the three 09:49 angels message that we have to give to the 09:52 world and the Bible says, I saw another 09:54 angel flying in the midst of heaven 09:57 showing how important the angels are involved, 09:59 angels represents certainly mankind giving 10:01 the message, but it's to go around the world, 10:04 every nation, kindred, tongue and people. 10:06 Now here is what the angel said, saying verse 7 10:09 with a loud voice, fear God and give glory to Him. 10:14 for the hour of His judgment is, has come: 10:18 and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, 10:21 and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 10:24 Verse 8, And there followed another angel, 10:26 saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, 10:29 that great city, because she made all nations 10:32 drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 10:36 Verse 9, and the third angel followed them, 10:38 saying with a loud voice, if any man worship 10:40 the beast and his image, and receive his mark 10:44 in his forehead, or in his hand, verse 10 says, 10:47 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, 10:51 which is poured out without mixture into the 10:53 cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented 10:57 with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy 11:00 angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11:03 What a fearful warning. God's last day people if 11:07 we're going to be true to our calling of giving 11:11 the three angels messages we are going to sit here 11:14 on the fact that we need to fear God, give glory 11:18 to Him for the hour of His judgment is come. 11:23 Now, what is part of our message we just fear God 11:27 have reverence to respect for God 11:29 for the hour of His judgment has come. 11:30 God's last day people is gonna be preaching 11:32 a judgment hour message or preparation 11:36 for His coming. We are admonished them to 11:39 go back to the one who made heavens 11:41 and earths and the sea, and so we go back to what? 11:44 To creation and we find some beautiful truths 11:47 that have been covered up by traditions of men 11:51 and God said the last day people are going to 11:53 expose these things along the exposing 11:56 the by the way, the man of sin. 11:59 We have a message to give; there is a reason 12:02 why we are here. We must be true to our calling. 12:06 I hear a lot of people say well you know I 12:07 like to get part of the message but I am kind of 12:09 afraid to get the other part may God help you 12:12 may God help me. We must give the message 12:15 exactly the way God has given it to us in 12:19 order to be counted faithful do you wanted 12:21 to be faithful I know that you do. 12:23 And so we are to give this message and there is 12:25 a second angel came and said Babylon is fallen, 12:28 we must remember the Babylon is not 12:31 completely fallen yet. Revelation 18 brings 12:35 it to light and when the Babylon's completely 12:38 fallen oh friend the wrath of God is going to 12:41 burst loose upon this world. Babylon is fallen, 12:45 is fallen. Now, see I believe this, 12:49 that God has a, a controversy 12:51 with this churches, when He says Babylon confusion, 12:55 they drank of the wine of the wrath of God 12:58 you know they drink up this false doctrine 13:00 and teaches, so God has a controversy the 13:02 scriptures says here with the churches today. 13:05 We are fulfilling the prophecy that John 13:08 gave here, because we are what? 13:10 We're drinking of that false doctrine and that 13:13 false teaching in God's word. 13:16 We're not receiving the truth of God's word, 13:19 such as bringing back to light 13:21 the Seventh-Day Sabbath. Oh! We have so many 13:24 truths that are here that we are to be true to, 13:26 to our calling. And then the great warning is 13:29 given that if we worship the beast or the image 13:32 and receive the mark in the forehead or the hand. 13:34 We're gonna, we're gonna drink of the wine of 13:36 the wrath of God? Do you want that day? Oh! 13:39 I friend I don't want that, and so I want to 13:42 know what the message that God has given for us 13:44 today and so we take the Bible and we say 13:48 the Bible is God's will expressed to man, 13:52 the Bible is what? God's will expressed to man. 13:56 If you want to know God's will if you want to know 13:59 God's plan you need to get into the word. 14:02 The word is very, very important for us today, 14:04 if heaven is going to be, be our home. 14:07 Why the message once again in Revelation 14 14:10 again we've just barely scratched the surface of 14:13 it to give you an idea of what we are talking about, 14:16 but why this message well it becomes very clear 14:19 to it because the principles of God's word, 14:22 the churches around the world have 14:25 corrupted the truth. They've done what, 14:29 they've corrupted the truth and so God has a 14:32 controversy with the churches and He's going to 14:35 call them back He is gonna hold you and me, 14:37 He's gonna hold us accountable for the light 14:40 that he has given to us. We see as we read 14:44 scripture and prophecy that the false religious 14:47 system is going to be exalted you know against, 14:50 above the word of God, and so we have to know what, 14:53 what truth is here. False religion, we must be 14:57 willing to separate our self from the world. 15:00 We must be able to separate ourselves 15:02 from all iniquity. Wow! What a challenged today. 15:06 Well, we need God on our side this is the 15:08 only way we are going to make it through. 15:11 We must engaged now as never before in the 15:15 work of saving souls, engage that means we are 15:19 not going to back away, we are not going to sit 15:21 down, we are going to be quiet, we are not going to 15:23 shut up, we are going to proclaim the message of 15:25 the three angels the way God said to do it. 15:28 What that angels say with that loud voice 15:30 so that everybody can hear so the 15:32 message goes around the world. 15:34 We engage in this work of saving souls why? 15:38 Because these souls are ready to perish because 15:41 they are not receiving the truth they are 15:43 receiving a lie today, lie upon lie. 15:46 And God expects us to be digging in the word. 15:48 I've often thought about this you talk 15:51 about spiritual activity, if you just allow me to 15:55 think on this just a moment, spiritual activity 15:59 is demanded on all who believe present truth. 16:05 I don't know if some of you got that or not, 16:08 but spiritual activity is demanded by all of 16:11 those who believe present truth. 16:14 Now if we break that down this will get some of 16:17 your attention and rest of you just gonna go 16:18 kick over your head you are not going to get it. 16:21 SDA what does that mean? Oh! I know what most of 16:24 you are going to say but I'd like to think SDA 16:27 as Spiritually Demand Activity. 16:31 SDA Spiritually Demanded Activity. 16:36 Now let me say like this we need to be 16:39 SDA's people say well Seventh-day Adventist 16:42 but let's think beyond shall we that's true but 16:43 those SDA our spiritual life, our spiritual life 16:49 depends upon activity, our what? S spiritual life, 16:55 D depends, upon what? A, activity. Yeah, 17:01 not lay activity but activity in the 17:03 cause of Christ, we are in a warfare. 17:06 God has called a people to give this life and 17:11 death message. Remember what we are talking 17:14 about is life and death. So if it seems 17:17 at times urgent, I've had people say well 17:20 the message is being given it seems like 17:22 there is an, there is an urgency, yes there is, 17:25 every time I read Revelation 14, 17:27 I begin to read scripture there is something that 17:29 comes up inside and is a urgency it's like 17:32 you need to, you need to hurry with it, 17:34 you need to get it out. Why because probation is 17:38 closing the world doesn't even know it 17:41 they are not even anticipating it. 17:43 They're thinking there is a cure just around 17:45 the corner for all the ills of this world and 17:48 there is not according to scripture, 17:50 there is a time of preparation here. 17:54 Do this responsibility, my Bible as I read 17:57 Second Timothy 1:9 the Bible says he's called us 18:00 with a holy calling. So now we are gonna be 18:03 true to our calling after all He has called us 18:06 what with a holy calling not just hey you come 18:10 over here it's a holy calling because God is 18:14 doing the calling He is reaching out today as 18:17 the angels are going to and fro and to the 18:19 earth they know who is serious about the 18:22 hour in which we live. They, they understand 18:24 who is serious about their life and giving it 18:27 totally and completely to Jesus. 18:29 They're searching out these souls. 18:33 Will you be one that will be found or you really 18:35 serious about your God? Are you really serious 18:38 about your religion? Are you serious about 18:42 your belief, why because you've been called 18:45 the Bible said with a holy calling. 18:48 Second Peter 1:10, the Bible says make your 18:52 calling and election sure, make you what? 18:57 Once again it's the calling and your election sure, 19:00 why because you've been called with a holy calling. 19:04 First John 3:1 the Bible says, we're going to be 19:06 called the son's of God. Oh! I like this, 19:11 this calling. And I want you to notice that they 19:14 there is not you just calling upon God sort of 19:17 speak but it's a Holy Spirit that's inside of 19:19 you that's calling you and some of you today 19:23 need to realize that you none of us just as 19:27 one day we wake up and say oh I'm gonna give my 19:29 heart to Jesus there has been work going on 19:31 in your life maybe for years and years 19:34 it has been the Holy Spirit wooing you. 19:39 Now think about that for just a moment, 19:41 the spirit of God inside of you even though 19:43 you've rejected even though you're saying no, 19:46 you've spurned the call. Yet the spirit of God 19:49 has been working and wooing with you to come to 19:51 the point to where one day you will say yes 19:54 I want to give my life to Jesus. 19:56 You can't even give your life to Jesus without 19:58 the power of the spirit. Friend, make your 20:01 calling and election sure, a little question 20:05 for you well God's well God's people 20:07 accomplish the work that He has given to us? 20:09 We're gonna talk more about the work, 20:11 we're gonna talk about how we can really be 20:14 true to the calling and how important this calling is, 20:17 after all it's been, it's given to us by God 20:19 so we've established that it's a holy calling. 20:24 But God when He calls He wants us to 20:25 respond immediately, but the work seem so large, 20:32 how can this message go around the world and it's, 20:36 it's a testing message and it's, it's gonna test 20:38 the people of God in the last days. 20:40 It's a preparation message to prepare us 20:43 for heaven. How is this going to be accomplished? 20:47 it's seem like just such a small amount of people 20:49 that serious about giving this, this message and 20:52 how is everybody going to hear around the world 20:54 listen, that's God business he said 20:57 he is going to happen and I believe with all 20:59 my heart that God's people will finish the 21:01 task under what? Under His strength and His power. 21:06 Let me just read you a little quote on the best 21:08 books I've ever read on the life of Christ, 21:10 Desire of Ages page 6:13, just a little paragraph 21:14 so stay with me and listen carefully see if it 21:17 doesn't do something in your heart and in 21:19 in your mind, it says, when the third angels 21:22 message closes, mercy no longer pleads 21:27 for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. 21:30 The people of God have accomplished their work. 21:37 Will God's people accomplish their work yes 21:40 they will under the unction of the spirit 21:43 of the living God, but you know what? 21:45 If you, if you're gonna follow Christ and but you 21:47 say oh I get to heaven well I am just gonna 21:49 follow Jesus wherever he goes I am just gonna, 21:51 I'm gonna follow Him listen if you're gonna 21:53 follow Him in heaven you need to be 21:54 following Him right now. This is something very 21:57 important, you won't follow Him in heaven 21:59 if you don't follow Him now, if you're not 22:01 obedient to him right now you will not be obedient 22:03 if you were in heaven. Now is the time, 22:07 now is the day. God's people will accomplish 22:12 the work that He has given us to do. 22:15 We'll see just a little bit more as we study into 22:17 God's word how important these angels are? 22:22 And the work that He has told that 22:24 we need to be doing. I think it's a privilege 22:28 today to be able to understand the word of God, 22:30 nothing that we have inside spiritual things 22:33 are spiritually discerned but God said His last 22:36 day people will be able to understand prophecy 22:39 or the will of God as revealed in prophecy. 22:45 Now, you say well I am not sure we can because 22:47 my preacher, my preacher says well you can 22:51 understand The Book of Revelation oh it's 22:54 confusing stay out of it, listen as soon as 22:57 you have a pastor tell you stay out of 22:59 The Book of Revelation, be determined to get into it. 23:02 He does not know what he is talking about as you 23:05 just read Revelation chapter 1 is a Revelation 23:08 of Jesus Christ, that's why the devil says 23:10 stay out of it. It reveals the future of 23:14 God's church, it reveals the things that 23:17 will be said God's people just before Jesus comes. 23:22 Now, what you think I'm just a little bit tough 23:24 on some of the pastors, you better believe it. 23:26 I'm not gonna cut you any slack because you 23:28 call yourself a pastor, if you are a pastor you 23:30 will be faithful to the calling of God, 23:32 if you are a pastor you're feeding the flock 23:34 you are given and something that can shew 23:36 horn you are getting some meat of the word 23:38 you are not just giving them some little flimsy 23:40 little old sermon every week that tickles their 23:42 inners and sends them home and they feel 23:44 good about it, when God's ministers are 23:47 ministering in the word today well bring conviction 23:49 on the heart and of the life of the people. 23:52 There will be changes the will develop 23:54 and take place. So I countered a thrill, 23:58 thank you God that He is revealed prophecy 24:01 so that we can understand it you are saying 24:03 yeah but that's what you say no no this is what 24:04 the Bible says you say where, if you have your 24:08 Bible you turn there in Second Peter 24:10 chapter 1 verse 19, this is what the Bible says, 24:14 says We have also a more sure word of prophecy; 24:20 where unto ye do well that ye take heed. 24:24 Oh! The Bible get so clear says we have a sure 24:27 word of prophecy and it will be well with you 24:30 and with me that we take heed to it. 24:33 People are afraid of prophecy why? 24:35 Because the devil doesn't want you to understand 24:37 what's going on in the world. He doesn't want you 24:40 to understand that you are in parallels today, 24:43 you think you can believe what you want and make it 24:45 into heaven. You can live like you want and make it 24:47 into heaven. Do all the things that the world 24:50 does and make into heaven, friend that is not true. 24:53 The Bible nowhere teaches that, but all you 24:55 are here awful lot from the pulpit don't you. 24:58 Do the best you can God will make it done. 25:00 This is the hour, we have prophecy we have the 25:04 Bible and we can understand that word of 25:07 God but when you say I understand the word of God, 25:09 it places heavy responsibility on us. 25:14 See be careful we have a lot of people who 25:16 may not be so bold and say that they are know 25:18 at all when it comes to the word of God. 25:22 God is how much you think you know about 25:24 the word of God you've only scratched the surface. 25:28 God will be revealing through the ceaseless ages 25:31 these beautiful truths to us that we've just 25:33 scratched the surface, in surface but enough 25:36 has been revealed as a plan of salvation that you 25:39 and I we can make it heaven. It's been clear, 25:43 so clear that there will be no reason for us 25:44 to try and make excuses, understanding God's 25:47 word, heavy responsibility why? Because God 25:51 expects you to give to others what he has given 25:54 to you. See why just, why, why shine the 25:57 light of heaven upon me or somebody else 25:59 or somebody over here if you're just gonna 26:01 keep it to yourself. He gives you that 26:04 light not only to change you but to help to 26:07 change others. So though we become accountable 26:11 he's given us that knowledge towards that 26:15 we can as Mark 16:15 says, so that we go into 26:18 all the world and do what? Preach the gospel. 26:22 There's a reason He's given us that light. 26:24 He says you are the light of the world, 26:27 your city that set upon the hill you feel like 26:30 that today you're hiding under some kind of a 26:32 bush or hiding under some kind of pretext 26:34 saying you're a Christian that you love Jesus 26:37 but you lies not showing it today. 26:39 Why not change that right now would that be a good 26:40 time to do that? I think it is. Every person 26:45 that receives this light, I hear people sometimes 26:48 that's the preacher's job, that's the elder's 26:50 job that's a leaders of the church I am like, 26:53 once you understand what is light what is truth 26:55 as you receive that light God expects you 26:59 to give it to someone else. I think that makes 27:01 pretty good sense don't you, we have the same 27:03 responsibility because we are what the Bible 27:06 says in Isaiah 62 :6 we are watchmen upon the 27:11 walls of Zion. Are you a watchman, 27:16 a watchman is going to not be afraid to cry 27:19 loud and spare not. A watchman that cares 27:22 about the flock. A watchman that cares 27:24 about the hour in which we live. 27:28 I want to be a faithful watchman how about you. 27:33 Well, remember we're all called to be watchmen, 27:35 we're all called to sound the alarm when there's 27:39 danger to talk a brother and sister when we see 27:43 them slipping out of the will of God. 27:48 Have you ever done that? Sometimes it seems to 27:51 back fire, well you get yourself in, in trouble 27:57 and when you go to because you care you see 27:59 somebody slipping back we called backsliding 28:02 they've turned the way from God they don't even 28:03 realize how severe it is and you go to them 28:05 and lot of times that sometimes they might say 28:07 mind your own business. When you get your 28:11 life right then you can come and talk to me 28:13 about it. We get pretty defensive when we 28:18 fall away from God. Have you ever thought 28:21 about how really beautiful it is somebody 28:24 I am not talking about right attitude not, 28:27 not some this smart stuff that goes on even in the 28:30 church. But somebody cares enough for you 28:33 that they're willing to risk losing you 28:35 as a friend to come down and set, sit down 28:38 with you maybe you've drifted away you 28:40 realize that you are drifted away and they 28:42 come and say how can I help, how can I help, 28:46 can we pray about this thing, not to, 28:48 not to judge or condemn you but we want to help, 28:51 we want to get you feet back upon solid ground 28:54 again why? We have to be truth to our calling. 28:59 We have to be true God has called us. 29:02 He has given us prophecy, the things that's 29:04 going to happen in this world. 29:05 Friend, what good is prophecy if we wait till 29:08 it's fulfilled before we tell someone, 29:11 people are afraid to say this and such is going to 29:13 happen in the near future they are afraid as, 29:16 as Jonah that it may not take place. 29:19 We have a sure word of prophecy, and what God 29:22 says it will take place and it takes space to 29:24 stand up and say it's going to happen, 29:27 because God said it's going to happen, 29:30 what good are these warnings. You realize the 29:35 warning that God's gives if we did not 29:36 heed the warning and make a change His wrath 29:39 is going to fall on the disobedient 29:41 that we read about. And if we warn 29:44 people it's how to avoid the plagues, 29:48 as how to avoid the wrath of God we need 29:51 to be telling them right now. This is the hour, 29:55 listen I'm convinced of this, this is the most 29:58 solemn three angels message, 29:59 is the most solemn message. 30:02 Every entrusted to mortals to give to the world, 30:07 I'm not sure that's gelling with you 30:08 right now, I am not sure 30:10 I understand it the way that I need to 30:13 understand it, because if 30:15 it's the most solemn truth that's ever been in 30:17 trusted and we've been given these to proclaim 30:21 to the world shouldn't occupy more of our time 30:25 shouldn't be a more of it interest tools 30:27 that we like can understand then 30:28 and give them to someone else be able 30:30 to explain them by the power of the Spirit. 30:34 Life and death why there is close to seven 30:39 billion people on the face this earth, 30:43 how many are ready to meet Jesus. 30:47 Great debate many times is oh the 144,000. 30:54 Some say well that's a literal number some say 30:57 well it's symbolic and lot of say oh it's 30:59 it can really be literal because that's not 31:01 very many people. There weren't many people 31:07 the days of the flood wasn't it that was 31:10 ready to meet Jesus. Lot of people professing, 31:13 but very few were willing to listen to the 31:15 word of God and to heed the word of God. 31:18 Be true to your calling today; 31:21 give the message so the people can avoid 31:24 the wrath of God. We have a responsibility, 31:28 we have an accountability to God. 31:32 Have you ever thought what that really means 31:34 as people who say that we are to be the light 31:36 of the world that we are different, 31:38 and I'm gonna make some bold statements in 31:40 a little while, some of you won't 31:42 be able to take it they're gonna be some that's 31:43 gonna a get little angry about it, 31:46 but you know if I can, if I can get you stirred 31:48 up just a little bit in the right way in the 31:49 right spirit so you study the soul yourself 31:52 approved unto God praise His name. 31:56 Prove it wrong, open the word and 31:58 prove what I'm gonna say here in little bit, 32:01 prove it wrong from scripture. 32:04 First of all, it is our, 32:05 our first work what is our first work? 32:11 Someone ask you, what's my, 32:12 what's my first work here what I need to do lot 32:14 of people say boy I just need to get going I need 32:16 to what is your first work, 32:18 listen if you are not born again God can't 32:21 use you to spread this gospel this good news. 32:26 What is our first work? What is our 32:29 first responsibility? Oh! It's clear once I 32:32 state this you will say oh I understand 32:34 that part. Do you remember 32:36 in Matthew chapter 6 verse 33, 32:40 Bible makes this statement and it says 32:41 seeking what, first good 32:44 the kingdom of God and His righteousness 32:48 all these other things will be added. 32:52 The Bible when the, listen when the Bible 32:53 says first it means first. First Thessalonians 4, 32:57 when the Bible says the dead in Christ rise 33:00 first that's exactly what it means, 33:04 they are people who wanted to debate the 33:06 clear spoken word of God. I want to make this 33:11 real clear and I'll bring it out a little bit as 33:13 time allows. We should be 33:16 studying the word of God today so that we 33:20 will submit ourselves to the word and be obedient 33:24 to the word, not argumentative 33:26 to the word that's studying to show 33:28 yourself approved, but I want to study 33:31 and I want to learn these truths so I can 33:32 be obedient to these things. 33:36 First seek ye first the kingdom of God, 33:40 and then He is gonna use you and He is 33:42 gonna use me to help finish this work. 33:47 Friend, you realize how awesome that is, 33:48 we just He called with, with a holy calling. 33:53 Who is God, He will look down 33:56 to this miserable world and a sinful human being, 34:00 rotten, pathetic, unrighteous 34:03 and say I call you, I call you to represent 34:08 me to the world. Who are we 34:16 that God would trust you, He believes in you? 34:23 That will equip you and certainly empower you 34:25 could be can't do it on our own, 34:27 after the millions and millions billions of 34:30 failures that He is witness and all the 34:32 profession that goes on and we will, 34:34 we want all this right here He still looks 34:37 and says I want you, will you work for me today. 34:45 And I think of my first responsibility I 34:47 have responsibility of God. 34:49 I have responsibility to you. 34:52 I have responsibility to every person 34:54 that I meet. From responsibility, 34:58 that scares people, we have responsibility 35:01 I have an obligation that's what 35:03 responsibility means. I have an obligation. 35:09 I have an obligation to God. 35:12 I have answerability to God, 35:18 you're gonna have to answer to God 35:19 on of these days. I need dependability 35:24 it's all talking about responsibility isn't it, 35:25 dependability something in the cause of Christ 35:29 there it is so difficult to find anymore that it 35:31 breaks your, it breaks your heart. 35:34 Those who said they love Him with all the heart 35:36 they're not dependable in, 35:37 in the cause of Christ, but boy they're 35:39 dependable in the world. Are you dependable, 35:44 are you putting Him first and of course 35:47 you say I am, I am dependable 35:49 and I am the answerability and in my obligation 35:51 and my accountability for my behavior is 35:56 to God first. Friend, 36:00 if you're putting the world first or if you 36:04 are putting friends and family, husband, 36:07 wife and you know brothers and sisters 36:09 before God He said you know if we, 36:12 if we put others before Him the Bible says 36:17 in Matthew 10:37 that we are not worthy of Him, 36:21 if you put anything before Him we are not 36:24 worthy of Him, what are you putting 36:26 before God today? Oh! Friend what is it? 36:30 Is it you just don't want Him, 36:32 you do but you don't, you can't have both. 36:35 Is it your job, is it you want 36:39 material things, is it things going 36:42 on you're looking across the pastor and you 36:44 see something greener over there, 36:46 what is it that's stopping us from really serving 36:49 Him with our whole heart or soul and our mind. 36:54 We need to be around people who are on 36:56 fire for Jesus. Bible is so clear 37:01 in the Book of Exodus chapter 20 verse 3 37:03 Jesus regard says thou shall have no other 37:07 Gods before me, thou shall have no 37:11 other Gods before me. Now, I'm gonna base that 37:15 on three things, when God says 37:18 no other God's before Him shall we not base it 37:22 on three things I believe so. 37:24 One, that we derive our life from Him. 37:31 We do what? We derive our 37:33 life for Him. So, we, 37:35 we are accountable to Him, 37:37 we are responsible to Him. 37:39 We are, we are obliged 37:41 to him why because we have what? 37:44 Or everything that we have the Bible says 37:46 this is in Him that we live and that we move 37:48 and we have our being, this is the basis, 37:53 we derive our life for Him. 37:56 That's the Acts 17:28 you can read that. 37:59 Number two, we are His by creation, 38:06 we are His by what? By creation. 38:09 We can read there in the Bible in 38:10 Genesis 2 verse 7 the Bible simply says, 38:13 And the Lord God formed man of the dust 38:17 of the earth. So, shall we put 38:20 Him first in everything yeah we derive our life, 38:23 we live and move through Him. 38:25 He created us and the third thing we are His 38:28 through what? Redemption, 38:30 He has redeemed us. Yeah, what, 38:34 he has redeemed us. John 3:16 so familiar 38:38 to most everyone that's ever read the Bible 38:41 for God so love the world that He gave 38:43 His only begotten son, Jesus died on the cross. 38:48 We are His, we are to put Him first. 38:54 Our responsibility is proportionate to the 38:57 light to the privileges that God has given to us. 39:06 Now where do we get that? Because we want to be 39:08 true to our calling don't we? And so, 39:11 we look at our responsibility then we're, 39:13 it's proportionate to the light that we 39:15 have received for the opportunities that is, 39:18 that God has given us and the privileges. 39:22 Have you ever looked around, 39:23 it seems like somebody in the church or somebody 39:25 over here they have so many opportunities 39:27 to do so much for Jesus. They've had so many 39:30 privileges to do, but they've been 39:32 too lazy to do anything with those opportunities. 39:36 They have finances, they may have this, 39:38 they may have that and all the other things but 39:39 they're doing nothing for the cause of 39:41 the Christ. We have to be true to our calling. 39:45 There is no time to delay. 39:50 Now, we have to realize the Bible is very clear 39:52 on this point too in James 4:17, 39:55 Bible says to Him that knoweth to do good, 39:57 and doeth it not, to him it is sin, 40:00 so I can see our responsibility then is 40:03 proportion to the light that God has given to us. 40:07 And so more you say well I know or I've read 40:10 you're responsible for what you've read, 40:12 anything less then that you're backsliding. 40:16 Did some of you, some of you lost 40:17 your first love. You may not even 40:21 really realize that you've lost your first love 40:24 but you know what you are not on fire like 40:25 you used to be. You don't talk about God 40:29 as much as used to, you're not praying 40:30 as much, you're not 40:32 studying as much, you've lost some 40:33 of that joy, you've lost some 40:34 of that peace, you've lost some 40:35 of that social security, you've lost it and you 40:38 don't even know that you've lost it that's 40:40 how the devil likes to operate, 40:41 you need to get back to your first love. 40:44 You need to put Him, put Him first. 40:47 He's given us opportunity and privileges and let 40:53 me just go a step further, God is going to hold 40:57 us accountable for the good that we might 41:02 have done, for the good that 41:05 we might have done and yet we neglected to do 41:09 it because we got a little bit lazy. 41:12 Or we didn't care for He did it or not. 41:20 Given this illustration many times but I can 41:21 remember that the neighbor. 41:24 My mother wanted to tell the truth and she said 41:26 look Berta, here's what 41:28 the Bible says and she said no don't tell me I 41:32 don't want to know because if I, 41:33 if I hear it I'll become responsible for it. 41:37 Friend the point of this is that she had the 41:39 opportunity to learn what truth was and 41:42 she rejected it so she still was accountable 41:44 for that. You're accountable, 41:47 you can close you ears, and say oh I don't want 41:49 to hear this message, I don't want to hear this, 41:51 I don't want to be, I don't want to hear 41:52 what people saying is truth today, 41:54 you're accountable you've had the opportunity. 41:57 Think how many advertisements as you've 42:00 received in the mail? How many opportunities 42:03 neighbors calling, say let's go to church, 42:04 to stay at the word of God? 42:05 We need to get involved, probably say oh, 42:08 but you've turned them down but you're 42:09 accountable for what you could have learned. 42:13 That's heavy duty when you begin to 42:14 think about it. Once again life 42:18 for Christ Desire of Ages page 493 I just want 42:21 to read this it says when we have a realization 42:25 of our weaknesses here's many of our problems in 42:28 the movement today. We don't sense our 42:30 weakness we don't seek sense that we, 42:32 that we've need you know Bible says in 42:35 Revelation the last church you know they 42:37 have need of what? They say they have 42:39 need of nothing but boy, they're miserable, poor, 42:40 blind and, and naked. We've need of everything, 42:43 but once we really get on our needs and 42:45 we really give our life to Jesus we see that we 42:48 are so weak and then we began to lean on a power, 42:54 depend upon a power not inherit or a power there 42:58 is not in born, a power that is 43:00 not natural, but it's supernatural. 43:05 One but we have realize that we are weak we 43:07 have to believe and depend upon Jesus Christ. 43:11 It helps us to sense our responsibility to God. 43:17 So if you don't realize that you're weak and 43:18 have need you're not gonna really be 43:21 responsible to God are you. 43:24 You think you don't need Him. 43:27 Friend, we, we need Him more than ever before in 43:31 the hour in which we live the giving of 43:34 these truths, the three angels message 43:36 is our work. It is our work, 43:41 we must be true to our calling of giving these 43:44 messages and quit trying to substitute some 43:47 of you ministers out there substituting for the 43:49 more pleasing things. This is a job that God 43:55 has given the true and the faithful. 43:58 Little book called Nine Testimonies 19, 44:00 here's some of those things that we're 44:02 talking about here that might just rub you a 44:05 little bit the wrong way and you know what it 44:07 probably won't rub the world the wrong way 44:08 or people we don't know but you know who 44:10 it'll rub the wrong way. Some of you who know, 44:15 some of you who know what I'm talking about 44:18 some of you who have been studying these things 44:19 you're gonna, you're gonna 44:20 get those porcupine needles stuck out. 44:24 Please don't do that, let's just listen what 44:27 the servant of God said. That I, yeah would you 44:31 think yes I'm gonna to talk about Seventh-day 44:32 Adventist it yeah listen. In a special sense 44:38 Seventh-day Adventists have been set in 44:41 the world as watchmen and light bearers. 44:43 Why, because we've been given the light, 44:45 it was Israel, it was Israel in 44:48 a special sense it's wasn't God's people yes, 44:50 when the Jews supposed to be the light yes. 44:53 They've all rejected now it comes to, 44:55 yeah God said there is a group of people keep the 44:57 commandments of God and they have the 44:58 faith of Jesus these are people who is gonna 45:00 be responsible light bearers, 45:04 to them has been entrusted the 45:05 last warning for a perishing world. 45:09 On them is a shining wonderful light from 45:11 the word of God. They have been 45:13 given a work of the most solemn import, 45:17 what is it, the proclamation of the first, 45:19 second, and third angel's message. 45:21 Now, ministers listen to me carefully and people. 45:25 No, there is no other work of so great 45:29 of importance. They are to allow 45:32 nothing else to absorb their attention. 45:36 We spend so much time in foolishness and 45:38 rhetoric and things that, nothing to prepare the 45:41 people of God you know on Sabbath or in church 45:44 meetings in the world, the foolishness of man's 45:46 mind and things that they are doing to try to you 45:49 know out do one another. Instead of saying there 45:52 is nothing to occupied we should let nothing to 45:54 occupy our minds this is the greatest important 45:57 nothing is to absorb their attention, 45:59 attention then giving of the three 46:01 angels message. You hardly ever 46:03 hear it preaching the pulpit anymore, 46:07 it's just tasteful to many, 46:11 whit this is, this is our work. 46:12 We have to be true to our calling. 46:17 Yeah yes and maybe oh boy, this is a little bit 46:18 bold oh yeah that's alright. 46:20 That's exactly right you know why, 46:22 we live in an hour where it calls for 46:24 holy boldness. We have to be 46:26 willing to lay on the line for Jesus Christ. 46:29 He laid on the line for us didn't He? 46:32 Man, I believe with all my heart we, 46:34 we can't let anything else come in and to 46:36 change our, our direction right 46:38 now by giving this warning message, 46:40 we're gonna talk more about some of the things 46:41 that's entailed in this message but we have 46:45 to be convinced that we need to focus on 46:48 it and give it this message to the world. 46:53 You know how God's people are 46:54 really distinguished. How are they 46:57 really distinguished, first of all we could do 47:00 it simply not to go into a study but you 47:03 know God's people are going to be distinguished 47:05 by the word of God. It will distinguish those 47:09 who are just talking and those who are following 47:11 in the foot steps of the master. 47:15 And certainly that God's people are 47:16 distinguished because they, 47:18 they serve Him fully and if you allow me to 47:21 go to this. When we talk 47:24 about serving Him fully I'm talking about keeping 47:27 all the commandments of God. 47:30 Serving them to the best of their ability, 47:32 everything that they know that they've read, 47:33 that is truth of God's word, 47:35 they say God help me to be what you've said 47:37 in your word. Lot of people 47:40 are not willing, they're not ready. 47:43 Wholehearted people, this is how you can 47:46 see God's last day people. They are proclaiming 47:52 all the commandments of God that may just 47:56 be real plain. See how the shoe fits, 48:02 you know in first John the Bible says 2 verse 4, 48:06 he that said I know with him and keepeth 48:10 not his commandments is what good is a liar 48:14 and the truth is not in Him that's Bible. 48:18 He not gonna blame me for that I am bring 48:21 it to your attention what because in your church, 48:24 many of your churches you're told you don't 48:26 have to keep the commandments anymore 48:27 then when you really pin them down they 48:29 said well yeah we need to keep nine but 48:30 we don't worry about the Seventh-day anymore, 48:32 wrong again, the Bible says, 48:36 if you say you know Him you know Jesus 48:38 oh I know Jesus. The Bible says, 48:41 if we know Him he that saith I know Him and 48:44 that's all the Christians around the world 48:46 I know Him, keep you not 48:48 His commandments. He's a liar the Bible said 48:51 and the truth is not in Him. 48:55 Bible is very clear in the last days 48:57 John 4 verse 23 it says that God's people it 49:00 said the true worshipers of God will worship 49:03 Him in what? In spirit and in truth. 49:06 The true worshipers in spirit and in truth, 49:09 the Holy Spirit will lead and guide them into 49:12 all truth Holy Spirit will be a factor and giving 49:15 them victory in their life over sin. 49:18 Leading, guiding and directing a people here 49:21 in the last days. Not just a church 49:24 I'm talking about, talking about a people 49:26 that as willing to follow Jesus Christ write 49:29 down the line. Are you willing, 49:31 am I willing today, this is our test? 49:35 We don't have time to get into, 49:37 into the covenant experience that we, 49:39 that we, that we made with God. 49:41 We've made a real covenant, 49:43 but I just want to may be hit on the edges 49:45 of it and then we'll pick it up in our 49:46 second part, because remember 49:49 they will be a people that will be wholeheartedly 49:51 take no honor to themselves but they're 49:54 going to Revelation 14:7 give honor and 49:57 glory to whom? To God, 50:00 take nothing for themselves because we 50:01 have nothing. The question 50:03 comes back many times and you may approach it 50:06 from different angles but you're gonna say how 50:08 do I give God glory how can I give God glory? 50:15 Very simple, to reveal His character 50:18 in your life gives God, glory and honor to Him. 50:23 It reveals Him to the world are we giving 50:27 Him real honor and giving Him glory where 50:30 we revealing His, His character 50:35 to the world. Oh! Friend, 50:37 I hope that you are today. In your Bible I want 50:40 you to turn to Exodus 31, we're gonna pick up 50:42 here we're gonna read a little bit here and 50:44 then we're gonna as we close and we come back 50:46 our second part we'll be looking at 50:48 this lot closer. Okay, you have your 50:51 Bible let's turn with me in the Book of Exodus 50:52 there is a good way maybe to end it, 50:54 give you some real food for thought. 50:56 In the Old Testament in Exodus chapter 31, 51:00 I know some of you are saying already 51:02 oh boy we are going back the Old Testament 51:03 oh boy is right we are exactly right. 51:06 Remember that's all Jesus had to preach from 51:08 didn't he, teach from? 51:11 And many the Old Testament prophecy. 51:12 And so it's good enough for them it's good 51:14 enough for us. The word of God is truth, 51:18 we can, there's a people that will be 51:19 distinguished in the last days. 51:21 they've made a covenant with God. 51:25 They bound themselves to the Lord and Him only. 51:28 In Exodus chapter 31 we're gonna read verses 12 51:30 through 18, 12 through 18 51:33 we may have time to do it before we end today. 51:35 Verse 12, and the Lord spake unto Moses saying, 51:37 speak thou also unto the children of Israel, 51:40 saying. Verily my Sabbath ye shall keep: 51:44 for it is a sign between me and your throughout 51:47 your generations; that ye may know 51:49 that I am the Lord that does sanctify you. 51:52 Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; 51:55 for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth 51:58 it shall be put to death. For whosoever doeth 52:02 any work therein, that souls shall be cut 52:04 off from among His people. 52:06 Six days work may be done; but the seventh is 52:09 the Sabbath of rest, keep that in mind, 52:11 don't you no doubt some of you say well 52:14 I do one in seven, the Bible says the 52:16 seventh is the Sabbath of rest, 52:18 holy to the Lord: whoever doeth any work 52:21 on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be 52:22 put to death. Wherefore the children 52:25 of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, 52:27 to observe the Sabbath throughout 52:28 their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 52:32 Verse 17, it really gets a, 52:33 it's just a start to get a fine line here we're 52:35 gonna underline notice, Bible said it is a sign 52:38 between me and the children of 52:40 Israel forever: for in six days 52:43 the Lord made heaven and earth, 52:44 and on the seventh day he rested, 52:46 and He was refreshed. Verse 18 last verse notice 52:50 and he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end 52:52 of communion with Him on Mount Sinai, 52:54 He said two tables of testimony, 52:59 written with the finger of God. 53:01 That's awesome when you think about it. 53:05 People say well yeah but that was a 53:07 covenant with, with Israel. Friend, 53:10 today I want you to think that who is 53:12 Israel today? God said I've set 53:16 aside the Sabbath is a sign between me and my, 53:18 my people in the last days God said this 53:21 is my people will be observing all the 53:23 commandments, who is, 53:25 Israel really for today? As we realize that 53:30 Israel failed to fulfill God's purposes 53:33 didn't they. And because 53:35 the Israel failed then we've realize that Jewish 53:38 nation came and what did they do the priests 53:40 and the Rabbis, the rulers what they, 53:42 they rejected they lay decide God's, 53:45 God's law and obedience and made their own, 53:48 who is the real true Israel today? 53:52 Who is the real spiritual Israel today? 53:55 Because, why am I asking 53:57 it because the covenant is very, 53:58 very important today that we have to see 54:01 that it's binding on God's people today. 54:04 Don't you think we need to pray about that before 54:06 we close today? We come back in 54:08 part two about being you know true 54:09 to our calling, we're just gonna 54:11 examine a few brief passages and then we're 54:13 gonna look at some more of the responsibility 54:15 that God is, is giving to 54:17 His last day people and how we should stand 54:19 firm and strong here in these days give this 54:22 warning message so Jesus can come. 54:25 This is something that's gonna be take a 54:27 matter of prayer, and we need to prayer 54:29 about right now there is people who is making 54:30 decisions right now for Jesus. 54:32 There are things that the Holy Spirit is 54:34 bringing to the remembrance right 54:35 now putting them together for them to say, 54:38 oh a puzzle is fit in together. 54:40 Why don't we pray about it right now just 54:41 before we close, can we pray about let's 54:43 do it right now as before we close, let's pray. 54:48 Merciful Father in Heaven, we thank you for 54:49 your word today. We thank you as we've 54:52 began this first part of the series, 54:54 pray for your Holy Spirit to lead, 54:56 guide and direct and we pray you stir us 54:58 up as Christians that we may understand and see 55:01 the truths for the hour in which we live in 55:02 Jesus name, amen. 55:06 Oh! It's good to be able spend this 55:07 time with you. And I want you be here 55:09 and if you have questions be sure and write them 55:11 down send them to us you get the address 55:14 here in a just a few moments. 55:15 You might even want to make a quick phone call, 55:18 you could may do that too. 55:19 We'll enjoy hearing from you and we're 55:21 gonna be praying for you and I want you to 55:22 pray for us until next time God 55:24 richly bless you, we'll see you then. 55:27 Being true to our calling takes a great 55:31 effort on our part as well as on the part 55:34 of our Savior. It's a combined effort 55:36 between God and man. To be true to your calling 55:40 it is essential brothers and sisters, 55:42 it is essential that you take time and God's 55:46 word every single day to learn to always be in a 55:50 attitude of prayer with your creator and 55:52 sustainer God. Remember, 55:54 it is not by your strength or your power that 55:57 keeps you true to your calling. 55:59 It is by the might, the power, 56:01 the mercy and grace of our heavenly Father that 56:05 will care you through the straight and narrow 56:07 path that leads to our heavenly home. 56:10 God is simply waiting for you to ask for His help 56:14 and His strength. Won't you do just 56:17 that today, why keep the 56:19 Savior waiting for you any longer. 56:22 And please, please don't 56:24 forget to contact us as well. 56:26 We love to hear from you and we are so 56:29 encouraged to bless, to learn how the 56:31 Holy Spirit is working in your behalf. 56:34 And we would also like to make this two part 56:37 series entitled true to our calling available to 56:40 you for a suggest to donation of just 56:43 $15 or more. Yes, it is a two part 56:46 set so you will received two full length messages 56:50 on the study of being true to our calling. 56:53 So please contact us today and request you 56:56 very own set and remember, remember as always 57:00 when you do this you're enabling us here 57:02 Behold The Lamb Ministries to continue to work, 57:06 to reach out to others for God's kingdom. 57:09 So won't you write us today you may 57:10 write us at Behold The Lamb Ministries, 57:13 PO box 2030, Herrin, 57:15 IL 629748 or call us Central Standard Time 57:20 618-942-5044 you may email us at 57:26 BeholdTheLamb Ministries@yahoo.com 57:30 or visit us on the web you can also order on the 57:33 web and that is Behold TheLambMinistries.com. 57:38 Until next time may our precious Lord continue 57:42 to richly bless you and yours. |
Revised 2014-12-17