Participants: Chris Shelton (Host), Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000046
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00:41 Hello, I am Chris Shelton, your host and welcome,
00:44 to Behold the Lamb, presents. 00:46 Today, we're going to present 00:47 the first of the two part series of messages that we've entitled, 00:52 "Promised blessings of believing God's Prophets." 00:55 Throughout all Christian history, 00:57 God's people were blessed much of the time to be given 01:01 direction of heaven through a man or a woman 01:04 that God called to be a prophet. 01:06 You'll find that early in Christian history 01:08 of the Bible these persons were first called Seers. 01:12 No doubt, because they were able to see into the future 01:15 what God chose or found necessary 01:18 to reveal in order to lead or prepare 01:20 His people for future events. 01:23 It is through prophecy that we're given insight 01:26 to the end of this world's history 01:29 and encouraged as God's fearing people 01:31 to get our hearts, to get our lives ready 01:34 and be fully prepared to meet the coming tribulation 01:38 and then the triumphant return of our Lord 01:41 and Savior Jesus Christ. 01:43 Certainly, most of us would agree 01:45 that we're a most blessed people 01:48 to have this prophetic information 01:50 as given to us through prophets of own. 01:53 But you know, with so many people claiming this gift 01:56 and having been revealed as false prophets, 01:59 many in our world today 02:01 are questioning this gift of prophecy 02:03 and who or what that we should believe in. 02:07 So, we look forward to studying more about prophecy 02:10 and the blessings God has in store 02:12 for us as we receive it. 02:15 And woven through the next two messages 02:17 will be biblical guidance 02:19 that will ground us in the truth of this gift and guide us 02:23 and discerning who or what to believe in. 02:26 But first, as always we're so blessed 02:29 to visit the 3ABN Worship Centre 02:31 and listen to a song that is entitled, 02:34 "He leadeth me," as sung by Rudy Micelli. 02:56 He leadeth me, O blessed thought 03:03 O words with heav'nly comfort fraught 03:10 Whate'er I do, where'er I be 03:15 Still 'tis God's hand 03:19 that leadeth me 03:24 He leadeth me, He leadeth me 03:31 By His own hand He leadeth me 03:37 His faithful foll'wer I will be 03:46 For by His hand 03:52 He leadeth me 03:57 Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom 04:03 Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom 04:09 By waters still, o'er troubled sea 04:15 Still 'tis God's hand 04:18 that leadeth me 04:28 He leadeth me, He leadeth me 04:35 By His own hand He leadeth me 04:42 His faithful foll'wer I will be 04:51 For by His hand 04:57 He leadeth me 05:15 And when my task on earth is done 05:21 When by Thy grace the vict'ry's won 05:28 E'en death's cold wave I will not flee 05:34 For God through Jordan leadeth me 05:54 He leadeth me, He leadeth me 06:00 By His own hand He leadeth me 06:07 His faithful foll'wer I will be 06:16 For by His hand 06:22 He leadeth me 06:46 Thanks, for joining us today. 06:47 We appreciate it and as mentioned, 06:49 this is really an exciting subject 06:51 and you won't wanna miss it. 06:53 And I guess, I get excited about every subject 06:55 because this is one especially that's many people 06:58 need to understand a little better 07:00 may be than we approached it in times past. 07:02 Because, when you talk about the blessings of a prophet 07:05 or something operating in the church, 07:07 it becomes little bit confusing to people 07:08 and they're not really sure how to take it. 07:10 And we're just simply gonna go to God's word today 07:12 and we're gonna see what God has to say about it. 07:14 And that's going to be the final line. 07:16 Isn't it the bottom line? 07:17 Its how God view's it. 07:19 How God chooses to communicate with us 07:20 and we must accept His way. 07:22 And so we're gonna scout a Bible, right? 07:24 And we're gonna to be studying 07:25 but first and always we need to pray. 07:27 So, I invite you to join with me where you can. 07:30 Let's pray that the Holy Spirit 07:31 will help us and enlighten us in this most- 07:34 most exciting subject. Let's pray, shall we? 07:38 Merciful Father, in heaven, we thank you 07:39 again for the privilege of prayer 07:41 where we ask for the anointing of thy Holy Spirit, 07:42 clear our hearts our minds. 07:44 We pray that you'll just open the ears 07:46 and the hearts of Your precious people 07:48 wherever they are around the world. 07:49 That each one of us may hear 07:51 and understand that sweet voice 07:53 of the Holy Spirit speaking to us. 07:55 We desperately need to know what truth is. 07:58 We desperately need to understand the avenues 08:01 that You've left for us 08:02 that we may be able to communicate with heaven. 08:05 That we may do it God's way. 08:07 Help us now we pray as we open the precious pages 08:10 of this beautiful thing called the Bible. 08:12 And may we understand it through the power thy Holy Spirit. 08:16 Again, bless your people wherever they're today. 08:18 Help us to unite together in Jesus name, amen. 08:24 Again it's nice to have pencil and paper. 08:25 Be sure and jot things down 08:27 and again if you've questions feel free to call. 08:31 We've a lot of people that are making calls, 08:33 are sending emails, you know, letters and cards 08:36 and again they're asking 08:37 for certain subjects that's troubling their heart. 08:41 We're taking all these in a consideration 08:42 and I've stack on my desk right now 08:45 and I am looking them over and asking the Holy Spirit 08:47 to help us to sort out for the timely messages. 08:51 You know, I believe that God has a message 08:53 that He wants to put to you at a certain time 08:55 in earth's history. 08:56 And so we need to give these messages 08:58 that will strengthen and encourage 09:00 God's people to gain victory 09:02 and to help them in their daily walk as it's so important. 09:05 So, we're looking these things over and again 09:08 and we do appreciate your comments, 09:09 your questions and certainly your support. 09:11 Now, where as we study this subject 09:14 I want you to be open and it may be new to you, 09:17 you've never approached it before 09:19 about the promised blessing of, 09:21 you know, of prophet believing God's prophets. 09:24 If there's a blessing do you want that blessing? 09:27 Oh, I do. I don't want to miss out on any blessings 09:29 because I need them that, you know, 09:31 the world has so many things to offer 09:32 but I want the blessings of God, don't you? 09:35 If God has a certain way, He wants things done. 09:36 I want to know that way 09:38 that I might be pleasing to Him and I know, you do too. 09:41 So, we don't close our ears today. 09:42 We wanna talk about and it's interesting 09:45 when you talk about prophets, 09:47 prophecy, symbols of prophecy, 09:51 you talk about prophetic interpretation 09:54 whether that be literal or figurative interpretation. 09:58 Whether you talk about prophecies of classification, 10:01 how you classify them. 10:02 It begins to confuse people's mind. 10:04 Either people talk about and you study 10:06 and I have to do prophecies in scriptures. 10:09 Prophecies, you know, symbols of prophecy. 10:12 And I begin to read these things and--a long range prophecy. 10:17 And you look at the parables and you look at prophecies that 10:21 in the past tense and you look at prophecies in the future. 10:26 Well, they're all prophecies 10:28 and if you think about those prophecies that are prophesied 10:31 and if you--God uses somebody with mouth. 10:35 Could it be a prophet? 10:37 So that we understand something 10:38 that we need to understand that hour in which we live. 10:41 Dreams and visions, 10:44 the Bible is clear that these things will take place 10:46 in the last days but 10:48 you know, do we have a God that may be has left us 10:50 here in these last days? 10:53 There's no help, no hope for us 10:55 as after all God has been with His people 10:58 and has communicated with them from the very beginning of time. 11:01 He said I'll never leave you or forsake you 11:03 and so if He's been with the church 11:05 and had a message for them, 11:07 does He not have a message for His church 11:09 here in the last days. 11:10 Will He leave us helpless? 11:11 Oh, no. No He won't. 11:14 God has a way in which He wants to communicate 11:16 what's about to take place in this world 11:18 and what is taking place so that we're not stunned 11:22 by what we see and what we sense that's going on 11:24 and so that we feel helpless but to be encouraged by it. 11:28 Many people say you know I am afraid 11:29 when someone talks about a prophet in the church. 11:33 And sometimes they're afraid because 11:35 they've never studied the issue. 11:37 They're afraid because they've had bad experiences. 11:41 Or it may be they're afraid because 11:42 they haven't had any experiences at all 11:44 and so as soon as you mention 11:46 they go oh ha I don't want to hear this thing. 11:48 But if God has something for us, we want it. 11:53 But you know, think along with me for a moment. 11:55 If--if God has a true prophet which He does 12:00 then there's also is--there're false prophets. 12:03 And so people are worried about being deceived and we should be 12:06 and we can only find out from scripture 12:08 what is truth and what is air. 12:10 But it doesn't what, nullify that God has 12:13 prophets in the world and He's gonna be using them 12:15 until He shall come back to this world and take us home. 12:19 So don't close your mind you wanna read and study 12:23 as we're doing in this program to say 12:25 okay, I've studied to show myself approved on this. 12:28 And if God has a way that will help me 12:31 or help, help the church 12:32 to get through this time, I want to know it. 12:35 Now, I think back in scripture and I begin to-- 12:38 Apostle Paul is one of my favorites. 12:40 Love to read the writings of Paul. 12:43 But, you know, the Apostle Paul at this point in time 12:45 when we're getting ready to read was 12:46 he was getting up there in years 12:48 and God have given him a faithful helper, Timothy. 12:51 And so Paul would begin to tell him things to write down 12:55 and Timothy would pen the words 12:57 the messages that Paul gave him. 12:59 And they were messages concerning the churches. 13:03 Automatically, New Testament-- we ought to pay attention, 13:06 okay, message to the churches. 13:08 So it wasn't just for that time in place, but it's what? 13:11 Just as much for us today that we can learn from. 13:15 So this aged apostle you see instructed Timothy 13:18 to pen this verse down 13:20 and we've to pay special attention to every word. 13:24 Now, the first thing I say is, 13:26 Well, why should we pay attention to every word? 13:30 Because Paul knew even then 13:32 of the difficulties that we would face. 13:35 More now even then, 13:37 then that we would begin to pick and choose 13:41 what we might want to believe or something 13:44 we want to discard that we're picker and choosers. 13:48 But we can't do that in the word of God. Since we-- 13:50 as we read this passage scripture you'll see why? 13:54 Some people will say well I like this passage of scripture, 13:55 well, it doesn't demand a change and so they like it. 13:57 And others demand a change 13:59 and may be points out some of our pet sins 14:01 and so we don't like that ones, so we kind of let it go. 14:04 But let's notice this subject, 14:06 notice, this passage Second Timothy 3:16. 14:10 It starts out like this 14:11 as you read it in your Bible, it says what. 14:14 Good, all scripture. Now remember, all means, what? 14:18 Good, there's somebody is saying all means all. 14:21 So remember when it says all scripture 14:24 be careful as we look at the issues. 14:27 And somebody presents something that may be 14:29 you haven't studied before and you'll say well, that's-- 14:32 that's a way over here, and that's in Old Testament 14:34 we don't believe that anymore. 14:36 That's not what the Bible says. 14:37 First of all, you get yourself in trouble there. 14:39 Why? Why because it says, 14:41 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 14:45 It says, "It's profitable for doctrine, and for reproof, 14:48 and for correction, for instructions in righteousness." 14:53 Oh, do we need that today? 14:55 So, why is the inspired scripture 14:59 been so profitable to us? 15:02 And I'll think about it, we're interested in prophets 15:05 in this world and material things. 15:09 But why are we interested in spiritual things 15:12 that will profit us in our spiritual growth. 15:15 It's going to profit. It's inspired, it's profitable 15:18 because the very next verse 15:20 in Second Timothy 3:17, answers that question. 15:22 Why it's profitable? It says "So that man." Right? 15:26 "May be perfect and thoroughly furnished in all good works." 15:31 So, it's profitable because it does what? 15:33 It helps the man to become, what? 15:35 Perfect in Jesus Christ and it says thoroughly 15:38 and that thoroughly there in the Greek means perfected. 15:41 Thoroughly furnished, furnished means 15:43 he's going to be fully equipped. 15:45 He's going to be fine tuned. 15:47 He's going to be able to accomplish 15:49 that which God has for him. 15:51 So that's the purpose of what? 15:53 The scripture, all scripture is profitable to us. 15:57 Now, remember when we talk about scripture, right? 16:00 This is a background. 16:01 We're laying a foundation on which our study 16:03 because if you do not have confidence in God's word. 16:07 If you're doubting Thomas, 16:08 you're not going to believe certain things 16:10 in God's word, aren't you? 16:12 If you can't quite figure it out. 16:13 Well, I've people say well I can't quite figure it out. 16:15 Well, there's things that's above you and above me. 16:18 You know, there's things that are made plain 16:20 and we're to understand those things 16:21 and there's the secret things of God 16:23 that we'll talk about little later 16:25 But if God reveals it to us we need to understand it. 16:27 So as we think about the word of God. 16:29 If I look at it today and I'll say that. 16:31 what it literally means is the word of God is God breathe. 16:35 God breathe or God breathe on. 16:39 It simply means God inspired. 16:42 So if this word of God all scripture is God inspired 16:45 or its God breathe then I don't want to miss any of it. Do you? 16:51 Your purpose is we can't throw out certain things 16:53 and we've to put it all together old and the new 16:57 and then we've to look at it 16:58 and say okay I can't throw anything out 17:00 because it's God breathe, 17:02 It's God inspired, is what it says here. 17:04 Well, Second Peter, makes that very clear 17:07 in Chapter 1, verse 21, tells us, it said, 17:10 "For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of," what? 17:14 "By the will of man" man just didn't do it, right? 17:16 "But holy men of God spake as they were moved by," what? 17:21 Good, "By the Holy Ghost." 17:23 Now again, holy men of God, they say, were removed. 17:26 Now, again the statements 17:28 we need to think about and say it remember this. 17:30 It is not the words of the Bible 17:32 that are inspired but it was the man that what? 17:37 The men that were inspired. 17:39 Praise God, that He was willing to use mankind. 17:43 And men had to be willing to be used, what? 17:46 Of God, because the words 17:49 that they penned are words for us today. 17:51 Words for them and words for us. 17:54 Oh, friend how desperately we need that. 17:56 So, we can conclude as we look 17:58 through quickly on the study right now. 18:00 That when the Bible says, you know, that is profitable for us. 18:03 It simply means what? 18:05 Profitable for what? Profitable for doctrine. 18:08 I've people say-- oh, don't talk about doctrine. 18:11 We don't--we go to church. We don't have any doctrine. 18:13 Don't kid yourself, 18:15 every church teaches something that's what it is. 18:18 It's a teaching. That's what the word doctrine mean, 18:20 the teaching. It says it's profitable for reprove. 18:24 How many of us like to have reprove? 18:27 You realize what reprove is? 18:28 To center, wow. To discipline. No one wants discipline? 18:35 But the Bible said is good for correction. 18:38 None of us want to really be corrected. 18:40 Really, correction here means not only 18:42 that you're corrected in what you're doing 18:44 may be that was wrong but it's called restoration. 18:47 God wants to restore, but many times we have to be what? 18:50 Corrected before, we are restored. 18:53 And then it says, it's transformation. 18:57 We need to be what? We need to be remade-- 18:59 we need to be transformed into the image of God. 19:02 And then the last one says there 19:03 that were about profitable in scripture 19:05 it says instructions in righteousness. 19:09 The Bible then gives us instructions 19:11 on how we become, what? Righteous in Jesus Christ. 19:14 Which says simply means training. 19:17 Bible is training us. 19:20 It' approved of God. 19:23 Oh, I like that. 19:25 So, we talk about here a spirituous-- 19:28 you know special characteristics of God's church will be this. 19:33 They will believe and they will obey all scripture. 19:38 That's very simply. 19:39 Taken us a while to get There, but think about it. 19:42 God's church, God's last day people, 19:45 whoever they may be is one who's what? 19:47 They believe and they obey all scripture. 19:51 They don't have the audacity to say 19:52 well the Old Testament is done away with, man we don't pay. 19:55 Yeah, if you were one of them bless your heart. 19:57 I am talking to you. 19:59 Because we just found out all scripture right. 20:01 Again we're rebuilding on this platform here. 20:03 And then in the New Testament 20:05 the Mathew 4:4 God tells us this. 20:09 He said that that we need to what? 20:10 Believe "Every word that proceeds out of" what? 20:15 "Out of the mouth of God." How many words? 20:17 Every word. So are you going to pick and choose. 20:20 You want this and don't want that 20:23 Not if you're a follower of Jesus Christ. 20:24 We're going to believe every word. 20:26 That's what scripture says. 20:28 So well we've this foundation set up here all scripture, 20:31 we believe every word. 20:33 We can't throw any out. We have to just accept it 20:35 as God has left it for us here to believe. 20:38 Then I do hope that we're together so far. 20:41 I hope we're together. 20:43 So what now? So if we're together, 20:45 that means we've a firm foundation. 20:47 And we've settled down and said 20:49 okay I need to be careful because this is God breathe. 20:51 This is God inspired. It's a good foundation. 20:54 Second Timothy 2:19 says that right it. 20:57 "The foundation of God" What? "Standeth sure." 21:02 The foundation of what? "Of God standeth sure." 21:05 So we stand sure today because we're getting on what 21:09 the foundation of God which is what? 21:11 Is which is His word? 21:13 And so we were solid as long as we continue in the word 21:16 and we're not picking and choosing. 21:20 See God's church will operate on His word then all of it. 21:28 That means what? The Old and the New Testament. 21:31 So, again be careful what you say. 21:35 I've people say things like, you know 21:37 they say, we don't go by the Old Testament. 21:41 But why not? Interesting, we don't go by the Old Testament. 21:45 Well, if that be so, now that we're talking church goers. 21:52 If that be so we don't go by the Old Testament. 21:54 May be you ought to enlightened your pastor. 21:57 Now, because every time he gets up in the pulpit 22:00 it seems like you know if you listen to him, what is he doing? 22:04 Large number may be every sermon 22:06 that he preaches there is principle, 22:10 there are illustrations, there is stories, 22:14 there is truths as well of salvation 22:18 and holiness that comes from the Old Testament. 22:23 And which he is drawing all these. You remember 22:25 all things you've heard in the Old Testament. 22:27 You said, oh, they're good, They're good, then you say 22:28 well we don't believe in it. Doesn't makes sense, does it? 22:33 And after all in the Old Testament 22:34 all that Jesus had. 22:36 That's what he preached from and talked from and lived from. 22:39 See the enemy--I am convinced doesn't want us 22:42 to believe God's word or what to believe His prophets. 22:47 You see, enemy doesn't want us to believe that, why? 22:50 Because it exposes him and his plan to deceive us. 22:54 He doesn't want the church encouraged. 22:57 He doesn't want the church to see that the church 22:59 that God is blessing and leading 23:01 and guiding will make it through. 23:03 Church has got God's people. 23:04 Who hear and obey-- 23:07 enemy exposes his plans and he say, no I don't want this. 23:12 So we must be informed 23:14 on this subject of believing God's promise. 23:17 Prophets and the blessings that will come our way. 23:21 Doors will be opened up. Avenues of thinking will be opened up. 23:27 You will be encouraged as we follow God's word. 23:31 Now why do we need to be informed? 23:33 I think this is a legitimate question. 23:35 Why do we need to be informed? 23:38 Well Hosea 4:6, as you will know tells us exactly why. 23:42 He says what, "For my people." What? 23:45 "They perish, they're destroyed." 23:48 It's the word, "or they're cut off." 23:50 For a lack of what? "For a lack of knowledge." 23:53 And notice this, because 23:55 "thou has rejected knowledge I will also reject thee." 24:00 Does that make sense to you? 24:02 Let these words come into your heart and mind 24:05 when you're trying to, you know,, 24:06 separate--and this as just saying all scripture. 24:09 All the New Testament there it is for us. 24:12 God says my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 24:16 And if you'll not accept that knowledge or the light of truth 24:19 as it comes your way He said, I am going to reject you. 24:22 Oh, you don't want to be rejected, do you? 24:24 I don't want to be rejected. 24:27 Don't let this prophecy come up on you 24:29 and that's exactly what it is. 24:33 Hosea 4:17, says, for Ephraim, remember him. 24:37 He said "Joined to the idols, let him alone." Wow. 24:44 See by continued resisting knowledge and truth 24:48 and we become hardened. 24:49 And we reject what? God's mercy. 24:53 And no more can be done. 24:55 Wouldn't that be sad if that was pronounced upon you or me today? 24:59 And God said I can't do anymore for him. 25:01 We've joined ourselves up with the idols and let Him alone. 25:06 We're pleading with God. God don't leave us alone. 25:08 We need Your help, we need Your encouragement. 25:11 And where does it come from? 25:13 Does it come from reading the word? 25:15 Yes, from the Holy Spirit. 25:16 Yes, does it come from the prophets? 25:19 It always has. 25:22 Would you take a little closer look at that? 25:25 Has God used prophets in the past? 25:27 We have to say, oh yes He as all abundantly. 25:30 Do we need to even know about 25:32 these spiritual gifts, New Testament gifts? 25:37 Oh, we've need to know what an encouragement 25:39 it is to know that God has given gifts to the church 25:41 and He has gifts and He's giving to his people today. 25:45 And that's to encourage us and strengthen us 25:48 and how desperately we need these gifts. 25:53 I don't want him to say, oh, let him alone. 25:57 First Corinthians 12:1 makes it really clear 26:00 as we are studying this subject. 26:02 It says now concerning spiritual gifts. 26:05 So we realize gift of a prophet 26:07 or blessings of a prophet, is what? 26:10 It's a gift that God bestows. 26:12 And the Bible makes it very, very clear. 26:14 "Now concerning" what? 26:16 "Spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." 26:20 So the scripture is telling us rather quickly 26:22 I don't want you be ignorant or I don't, 26:24 you know, you got to you need to know about this. 26:28 And so I am going to reveal it to you 26:31 because, it will be a blessing to you. 26:33 May be you've been missing all of these may be years. 26:36 What a blessing? I don't want you ignorant He said. 26:40 What if this, gift 26:42 this spiritual gift is absent in the church. 26:46 Many of people are afraid of it, they don't want it 26:48 inside their church walls or they're afraid of it. 26:52 Bible is very clear. 26:54 If it's not in the church, the church will what? 26:57 The people will perish. That's the church isn't it? 26:59 Oh, sure you've read that in Proverbs 29:18, you remember it. 27:03 It says, "where there is no" what? 27:05 Now, don't become confused. Now, don't let these words. 27:07 Now, look, "where there is no vision." What happens? 27:10 "The people perish." That's what it says. 27:13 Now, okay, you take your strong's if you want to. 27:16 You say, yeah, but where there is no vision. 27:18 It's not restricted to a vision. 27:21 Where there is no vision the people will perish. 27:23 Where the gift of prophecy is not operating 27:26 in the church the people will perish. 27:30 The word here is friends, vision means prophecy. 27:33 Where there is no prophecy in the church. 27:36 The word vision here means sight. 27:38 Where there is no insight 27:40 or sight in the church it's going to perish. 27:43 The word vision here means a dream 27:46 if there is no dream as it where in the church. 27:50 Dreams and vision, it said they perish. 27:52 Another word is Revelation. 27:54 Oh, how we need a revelation of Jesus Christ. 27:57 Well, there is no revelation. 27:59 Another word is where there is no auricles 28:03 the church will perish. 28:04 The people will perish. 28:06 What does that mean the people will perish? 28:09 Or we think, oh the word perish means we're gonna die. 28:11 Well yeah, but listen that word that really simply 28:14 that means the people will listen they will lucent. 28:18 Where there is no vision the people will lucent. 28:22 That means they become look out now. 28:23 They become liberals. 28:27 We found a lot of liberals today they're gonna lucent up. 28:31 Anything goes it doesn't matter 28:34 because there's no vision in the church. 28:38 There's no revelation in the church. 28:39 There's no prophecy in the church. 28:42 There's no prophet in the church. 28:46 They lucent. They--the word there means go back. 28:50 That means they begin to backslide. 28:54 They begin to refuse what is truth. 28:57 And they begin to dismiss what is truth. 29:01 Find a lot of people today 29:02 dismissing what they understand is truth. 29:05 Well, they know how to be truth, 29:07 but they don't want to hinder the lifestyle. 29:09 And so they just dismiss it. They don't think about it. 29:12 They don't want to talk about it. 29:15 Because they're what? They had no vision in the church. 29:20 Nothing is happening in the church. 29:21 There's no guidance going on in the church 29:23 and the people are perishing. 29:25 But let's go on with that in that passage. 29:28 It says, "But he that he that keepeth the law happy is he." 29:35 Wow. Another subject. He that keepeth the law happy, is he? 29:41 And even in this passage scripture again 29:43 we have got to put these things together 29:45 so they make sense to us when it says here 29:49 in the vision it's not an ordinary vision 29:52 there in Proverbs 29:18, that it's talking about. 29:55 And I wanna be careful 29:56 not to just say, a vision just ordinary. 29:59 Its not we call it ordinary vision 30:01 concerning a subject, but 30:02 it is a prophetic vision 30:05 given by a prophet. Wow. 30:12 It was a prophetic vision 30:15 and a prophetic vision given by what? 30:18 By prophet of God. 30:21 I'll make a pretty big statement here if you stay with me here. 30:24 What is it we're thinking about it? 30:26 If you take a church or lets say a nation, 30:30 a group of people regards or where they're out in the world. 30:35 And we reject the way that God chooses to communicate with us. 30:41 Now, did you get that? 30:43 You can't say, well God here's the way we're gonna communicate. 30:45 God chooses the way that He wants to communicate with us. 30:50 If a nation where people rejects the way that God will choose 30:54 to communicate with them let me be bold here. 30:57 There is no hope for them. 31:01 They will what's about. 31:02 They'll perish. And that's what we just read. There is no hope. 31:05 He's chosen to communicate with you. 31:07 And you said I don't to communicate that way. 31:10 I know you don't want to do that. 31:12 I don't want to do that 31:14 But yeah what if it's possible we may be throwing 31:16 something out of the window here. 31:18 A good straight solid Bible teaching 31:21 because well, that's just not normal. 31:23 It's not what everybody is doing 31:24 and well I don't know I am afraid. 31:27 Oh say, oh Lord, if it's--what's if 31:28 this is the truth I want to know it. 31:30 I want those, I want those blessings. 31:32 You say well, I am not sure blessings will come, oh friend. 31:35 How long has it been since 31:36 you've been digging in the New Testament? 31:38 Oh let's just go Second Chronicles 20:20, 31:40 all are familiar yes. 31:42 You know what the Bible says? It's clear, we cannot reject it. 31:46 Try as you might, you might get up walk out 31:48 turn to say, I don't want thing of it. 31:50 That's up to you, but you know what? 31:51 You're rejecting the way 31:52 that God wants to communicate with you, right now. 31:56 Don't do that? Be open. Why? Because here's God's word says. 32:00 God's prophet, if we reject, listen, 32:02 if we reject God's prophets we're rejecting God. 32:09 Do I need to say that again? 32:11 If we're rejecting God, right? God's prophets. 32:15 We're rejecting Him. Because I'll say one more time. 32:19 Because the prophet is simply a mouthpiece of God. 32:22 They only say what God gives them to say. 32:26 And many times they don't even understand it. 32:30 Interesting, think with me. God gives a message. 32:33 They've to bear that what they understand 32:35 whether it implies to them or not. 32:36 They just tell it exactly like God says. 32:39 Second Chronicles 20:20 says. 32:42 "Believe the Lord your God and you shall be" what? 32:46 "You shall be established 32:48 believe his prophets and so shall ye prosper." 32:51 Anybody here want to prosper. 32:54 You say yeah, oh just to get little deep for some of you 32:56 because we'll say prosper 32:58 and some of us will be just proper and fit 32:59 will say well yeah, 33:01 we're talking strictly spiritually here. 33:03 No, we're talking both ways. 33:07 The promise is given believe the Lord your God. 33:11 Now, so shall ye be established. 33:15 Believe his prophets so shall ye prosper. 33:20 What does it mean believe Lord, your God, 33:22 and you're gonna be established. 33:24 We look at establish here. You're gonna be faithful. 33:28 See, God's looking for faithful people today. 33:30 He's said you're gonna be established 33:31 if you believe the Lord your God. 33:33 You're gonna be faithful. You're gonna be permanent. 33:36 You're gonna be true. You're gonna be trustworthy, 33:40 that's established, didn't it? 33:42 And then goes on to say believe his prophets. 33:44 And you will what? You'll prosper. 33:47 We all want to prosper. 33:49 Two areas here, 33:50 you're gonna prosper spiritually and you're gonna what? 33:53 Prosper materially. Yes you will. God promises to do that. 33:58 Yes, so we must believe is to be what? 34:02 Is to be established and let me just say this, 34:05 there is no man woman child or anywhere 34:07 any person in the world that can be established 34:10 until he has established himself in the Lord. 34:13 You may try to establish yourself somewhere. 34:15 You never will be established 34:17 until you've established yourself in the Lord. 34:21 You know someone mentions that the church 34:24 that they attend or whatever has a prophet 34:27 may be he is operating in that church. 34:30 You've heard this I know before. 34:33 I found this right here since you'll say well, 34:34 so and so church they could say they've a prophet 34:36 and people begin to run for cover up 34:39 before the roof is going to fall on them. 34:41 There are scared to death. They're afraid. Why? 34:45 Well we talked a little bit about it. 34:48 Why are we afraid? 34:51 Is it not taught in scripture about prophets in church? 34:57 Well, I think it is. 34:59 Is it taught in the Old Testament? Yes. 35:02 Is it taught in the New Testament? Yes. 35:05 Well why are we afraid? 35:09 If that so why are we so scared of this subject. 35:14 Could, just could. Could the enemy be trying to 35:18 keep us away from these spiritual gifts for the church. 35:24 Could he be? 35:25 Because he knows 35:27 how the spiritual gifts are so important to church 35:30 and so he's trying to keep us away from those blessings-- 35:33 those things that would help the church. 35:37 Do we not believe that God is still God today? 35:40 That He still chooses men and women 35:41 and chooses them to be His mouthpiece, 35:43 and chooses them to deliver a specific message to the world. 35:47 Is God still God? 35:50 I believe that He is. 35:52 Is He the same today as He was in ancient times? Yes. 35:56 Does He still operate the same way? Yes, wow. 36:02 May be it will be well for us 36:05 some of the time that we have here today is to trace. 36:08 Now I am gonna trace. We're gonna follow-- 36:11 some of God's prophets. 36:13 We gonna look at just a few and see 36:15 how this gift is used and has it come to an end, 36:22 or did it come to an end at the certain time, 36:24 or is it to continue on till Jesus comes. 36:27 Is it still really a gift to the church? 36:29 Is it something that church really needs or is the church, 36:32 you know, sound and the church don't really need any help? 36:36 They don't need any encouragement. 36:37 They don't need any extra direction. 36:41 Seventh church of the Book of Revelation, 36:43 Laodicean church is a lukewarm isn't it? 36:46 Certainly, the time of the judging of the church. 36:49 But it's lukewarm and we need direction, 36:51 and we need encouragement. 36:52 We need to get things simplified, 36:54 so God can help us to gain the victories that we need. 36:59 Oh, and for those of you bless your heart you 37:01 you're afraid of a prophet operating, 37:04 you know, among God's people. 37:06 I want you to listen something, 37:07 this is beautiful. I want you to listen so what Moses, 37:09 something Moses said, now, 37:11 if I say if I talk to you about Moses. 37:12 You gonna say, oh we love Moses. 37:14 All those stories, how God used Moses is fantastic. 37:19 A representative of Jesus. 37:21 Wow. You know, Moses said about prophets. 37:27 You know, some of you I gonna turn my Bible. 37:29 I want you take your time. I'll go back 37:30 in the Old Testament to the Book of Numbers. 37:32 Book of Numbers, Chapter 11. 37:35 Now when you read this it may change your whole thinking. 37:37 It may change your life. 37:40 I am gonna give you something to really think about here. 37:43 Or let's go and get some of you who don't want to accept 37:45 what the truth is just as start making excuses about. 37:48 Well it's not gonna hold water. 37:49 Come on we know that. 37:51 Numbers Chapter 11 and verse 27 through 29, 37:55 11:27 through 29 and they said, "There ran a young man," 38:00 notice this they ran a young man, 38:03 "And told Moses, and he said, 38:05 Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp." 38:09 There was a couple, ooh, a prophets in the camp. 38:12 And here come this young guy run up to Moses 38:14 said you can't believe they're prophesying in the camp. 38:19 Don't you know he's probably adding some other words, 38:21 oh better be careful with that. 38:23 We need to get them out need to shut them up. 38:26 Anybody is going to do any talking around 38:27 Here, it's going to be you and the Moses. 38:28 We don't need anybody else. You're God's man. 38:31 Moses thought well, that's not the way it went 38:33 but you notice the response. 38:36 Just, listen this is just like you hear today. 38:40 If someone said they've prophesied in the church 38:42 or they, what, use the gift 38:44 the spiritual gift of prophecy in the church. 38:47 We got to shut him up. Let's roll him out. 38:50 Before we stop and listen 38:52 can God use will he be using people in the last days. 38:56 Will there be men and women and children 38:58 and old folks dreaming, they're having visions 38:59 and we'll get into that. 39:02 But here it's so interesting I love what Moses, 39:04 where Moses said there verse 20. 39:06 And notice what, it said, 39:07 "And Joshua were the son of Nun, 39:09 the servant of Moses, one of his young men, 39:13 answered and said, oh my lord Moses, forbid them." 39:19 We've got somebody prophesying 39:20 in the church as it were among them. 39:24 And that's he ran to Moses he said forbid them to prophecy 39:27 we don't need any prophets. 39:30 Verse 29, oh, listen carefully, 39:34 "And Moses said unto to them, enviest thou" 39:39 notice the word he uses envy. 39:41 "Enviest thou for my sake? 39:46 Would, you're not gonna get this. 39:50 "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets." 39:57 Heavy. 40:00 "And that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" 40:06 What did Moses say? The servant of God. 40:10 He didn't forbid them to prophesy. 40:14 To tell some things that God had impressed their hearts 40:17 because you should never try to stop, 40:18 we should, someone said, God has given me a vision, 40:21 what is it? God has given me a dream, 40:25 what is it? God's revealed this to me, God spoke to me. 40:29 What did He say? And then what, 40:32 we'll get in as we study more, 40:33 we'll go to scripture and see if God gave that or the enemy. 40:37 But first of all don't close your ears, 40:39 Moses said, are you envieth for me? 40:42 Don't envy for me, 40:44 what did God that all of His people would be prophets. 40:48 Wow, mean, there are homes to some of us. 40:53 And notice what he, 40:55 what he put together with being a prophet 40:57 and what, and putting the spirit of God inside them 41:01 to take control of them. 41:03 Is that what he said, verse 29? 41:05 And that the Lord would put His spirit upon them, 41:08 which we need in the church. 41:10 Wow, prophets, 41:14 Moses now let's get to a little closer to home. 41:20 Let's say well, Moses said, 41:21 remember all scripture don't doubt that they are the same. 41:26 Now, if we look at it from the eyes of Jesus, 41:30 our lovely Jesus. 41:33 He never spoke anything that wasn't true, 41:35 that was just so honest and sincere without sin, 41:40 never made--you know, 41:41 the mistakes and all that, never said anything wrong. 41:45 But if we look and see what Jesus said about 41:47 prophets in His day in the New Testament Church 41:52 and all those go around and said I'm a New Testament Christian. 41:56 Now be careful Kenny, I know get round up a little bit. 42:00 I'm a New Testament Church, good. 42:04 I'm a New Testament Church too. 42:06 They may devoid the Old Testament at all 42:08 but I'm a New Testament believer, aren't you? 42:12 And so, if its so then shouldn't we pay attention 42:15 to what Jesus said about prophets, 42:18 operating in His day in the New Testament Church 42:21 until the end of time. 42:23 Jesus said, okay let's get down to it. 42:24 Matthew 23:34 and then we'll just skip to 37 42:29 you can read the whole chapter if you'd like. 42:31 Jesus said to the people, those Scribes and the Pharisees, 42:35 and some of those who were after Him, He said, 42:36 "Behold I send unto you prophets." 42:41 What? "Behold I send unto you prophets." 42:44 God's method of communicating 42:46 and dealing with His people He may choose 42:49 and He said what? He said, I send what, forth prophets. 42:53 "And I send wise men, and scribes, and some of them 42:57 you're going to kill you're going to crucify." 43:00 I send you a way to communication 43:03 and you're breaking that gap of communication 43:06 between you and heaven and you killed them. 43:08 Now verse 37, I can picture in my mind, 43:11 I hope it's okay to say that in what's going through here 43:13 and I'm sure in a simple way, Jesus said, 43:16 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 43:21 thou that killest the prophets 43:24 and stone them which are sent unto thee." 43:30 Heaven has sent prophets and sent them. 43:34 Not only all through the Old Testament 43:36 but all through the New Testament, 43:38 the New Testament Church. 43:40 So why you're afraid of when someone says prophet? 43:43 Well, we need to be afraid 43:45 of if its from God or it is from the enemy. 43:47 You follow the difference. This is from God, 43:49 oh, oh, oh wonderful, 43:51 we need to hear from God, the churches are too dry, 43:55 churches are too dead, churches lack the spirit. 44:00 We need to hear from God. 44:02 We need something that, 44:04 that penetrates these old hearts, 44:05 heart and these old minds 44:07 and these all ears that can't hear it seems 44:09 and eyes that cant' see. 44:11 Say God we need a fresh manifestation of Your power 44:14 and what God's people need to be doing here in these last days. 44:18 Jesus said, I've sent him to you you've killed them, 44:20 I sent them to you to help you, to communicate heaven's boys. 44:26 Oh, friend can you see it? See remember you, 44:30 you can't separate the Old Testament 44:33 from the New Testament. 44:34 As much as you say well there is a separation 44:36 here is the old and there is the new. 44:38 You cannot do that. Why? Let's give you the punch line. 44:43 Why can't you separate the old and the new? 44:48 Because, they're both teachings of Jesus Christ. 44:53 Someone wants to challenge the issue. 44:55 You know, what I'm saying here, 44:57 are they not both teachings of Jesus Christ, absolutely. 45:00 Wow, now let me just give you an example here quick. 45:04 Okay, let me give you good example here. 45:07 Some Jews I'm a pinpoint a little bit here. 45:11 Some Jews and many people they accept, 45:16 they accept the teachings of the Old Testament. 45:20 Are you still with me? 45:21 They accept the teachings of the Old Testament only. 45:27 But you know what, if you just accept 45:29 the teachings of the Old Testament 45:31 this is not unto salvation 45:35 You see scriptures are--what into salvation, 45:39 or the salvation of God. 45:41 But if only in the Old Testament it's not-- 45:44 it cannot be into the salvation of God. 45:46 Why? Because they reject Jesus of the New Testament. 45:51 His life, His work 45:53 and His fulfillment of the law and the prophets, stay with me. 46:00 See in the Old Testament is the earlier teachings 46:04 of the son of God through Moses. 46:09 Still the teachings of what? Of son of God. 46:14 Still good and those who do away 46:17 with the Old Testament is not unto salvation. 46:22 If you do away the Old Testament you're not unto salvation, 46:25 why? Because it rejects 46:29 the plain teachings and testimony of Jesus Christ. 46:34 See how we need the put them to, together here, see if you, 46:38 if you with me if we reject or we discount 46:43 the Old Testament it won't be long, 46:47 listen carefully it won't be long until 46:49 we will start to deny the New Testament 46:53 and certain things in the New Testament, at least in part, 46:57 and then the next step it won't long 46:59 until we're just going to reject both. 47:05 Reject one 'cause you what, reject the other 47:09 and then of course you want reject of course you will. 47:12 That's the devil's plan. 47:15 Oh, friend we must see, please listen. 47:18 Why, why do the Jews 47:24 I'll be careful with this but stay with me. 47:28 Now I'm gonna talk about two classes. 47:30 Why do the Jews so have such a difficult time or having, 47:35 having an influence in the world. 47:37 They have a difficult time being an influence in the world, 47:40 when they comes to keeping the commandments of God 47:42 and the observance of the Seventh Day Sabbath 47:44 keeping all the commandments. 47:47 The fourth commandment, is that clear now? 47:49 Why they have such little influence in the world today, 47:55 when it comes just these, these two points. 47:59 We find many of the Jews dear friends. 48:02 Listen to me carefully, 48:04 they bring forth 48:06 some of the most beautiful teachings in the Old Testament. 48:10 Old Testament truths. 48:12 And out of these beautiful 48:17 teachings and these beautiful truths, 48:22 they begin to talk about God and Jesus 48:26 and they give you lot of truthful thought here. 48:29 But while they're doing 48:31 that bringing these things out of Old Testament, 48:33 listen they through out the New Testament 48:37 teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. 48:40 Did you get it? 48:42 Well, they're bringing 48:43 what these beautiful things in the Old Testament 48:45 but at the same time well the thrown out the teachings 48:48 talking about it move it here 48:49 but thrown it out over here it doesn't work. 48:52 That's why we need what? Old and, 48:54 and the new that make sense to you. 48:57 Now let's get--lets look at the another part here. 48:59 Why do New Testament Christians, 49:03 fail to influence the Jews 49:06 to accept the teachings of Jesus. 49:07 I have people have ministries just to the Jews 49:10 and they're trying to what, present Jesus to them 49:12 so they will accept Jesus, as individuals. 49:14 Why, why the New Testament Christians 49:19 fail to influence the Jews? 49:22 They too the New Testament could reveal 49:24 beautiful truths from the word of God. 49:27 Yes, they do but knows what, they reject, 49:30 they turn down, they tear out, 49:32 they treat with contempt the Old Testament teaching of Jesus. 49:40 They can't gel together. 49:43 You know, it's interesting what Jesus said. 49:48 Now let's take this to heart, 49:50 we have little few minutes left, 49:51 let's take this to heart and what Jesus said. 49:53 Jesus is talking to the disciples and He, 49:56 He said something very just, you know, profound. 49:59 He said to His followers and to His teachers 50:02 that they should bring forth 50:04 these beautiful teachings of God's word, 50:07 as they told but He said it like this. 50:10 Matthew 13:52, He said, 50:13 "Bring forth things new and old." 50:18 Interesting, Jesus said, 50:20 we have to bring in our teachings, 50:22 what? Things in the old and things of the new. 50:27 You realize how many passage of scripture 50:29 in the New Testament come directly 50:31 or indirectly from the Old Testament. 50:34 Revelation what, 400 some odd verses 50:36 and over 200 some of them come directly 50:38 or indirectly from the Old Testament. 50:42 How do you tear those out? How do you throw those out? 50:46 There's a reason for what we're going through 50:49 and we're studying right here. 50:51 All through scripture we can go from Genesis to Revelation. 50:55 God has chosen to use, what? Prophets, 50:59 prophets to guide His people. 51:02 The Bible is a witness to that. 51:07 And if what about we call ourselves 51:09 a New Testament Church, 51:11 we call ourselves a New Testament Church 51:13 where are the prophets in the Church. 51:17 In God's New Testament Church where is the, 51:20 where is the--in the Bible they, 51:23 they have prophets operating 51:26 in New Testament time and the Church's 51:30 is there no need of a prophet in these last days 51:35 when the world is relaxing worse and worse. 51:37 It's falling apart. 51:39 The enemy has more counterfeits today then ever before. 51:46 He has so many ways to occupy our time and you know, 51:48 our means and everything else 51:50 so that we can do what God would have as to do. 51:54 He has more amazing you can count to distract us today. 51:57 If there was ever a need for God 52:00 to speak to His church today it's now. 52:04 But He must speak the way that he's chosen to speak to us. 52:07 Through His word, through the Holy Spirit, 52:10 through His messengers the, the prophet. 52:12 Friend it's now, we need it now. 52:17 You talked about little while ago of tracing down 52:20 through scripture of few the prfophets 52:23 and prophetess men and women of scripture. 52:27 Men and women that God called to guide His church, 52:29 does the Church not need guiding today. 52:32 Yes, desperately so. His people need it. 52:40 Needed as a Church or individuating we begin to, 52:43 to backslide or we begin to go into apostasy. 52:47 We begin to stray from him. 52:50 If you would back to the very beginning 52:52 in the book of Genesis Chapter 20 verse 7, 52:55 Abraham is called a prophet. 52:59 God had prophet in the book of Genesis, right prophet. 53:04 Exodus 7 verse 1 the Bible said, there's Aaron in the prophet. 53:10 Does God used prophet or doesn't He? 53:13 Exodus 15 and 20 you can realize there was Merriam the prophet, |
Revised 2014-12-17