Participants: Chris Shelton (Host), Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000055
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00:41 Hello and welcome to "Behold the Lamb" presents.
00:44 I'm Chris Shelton, your host. 00:45 And I would like to invite you to stay with us today 00:49 and view this first, 00:50 in the two part series of messages 00:52 that we have entitled simply "Drama." 00:55 Whether the term is used to represent 00:57 the daily stresses of life or theatrical drama, 01:00 most of us would agree that we need much less 01:04 of any type of drama in our lives, 01:06 as we are preparing for the kingdom of heaven. 01:09 Some drama can easily be escape, 01:12 while other types we simply just have to learn 01:15 the best way to deal with it. 01:17 And in a very real sense, 01:19 that's what our program is all about today. 01:21 Just how we should be dealing with drama. 01:25 Not that we're gonna deal with all the types of drama. 01:28 No, we're gonna take a deeper look at theatrical drama, 01:32 namely as it applies to being used in churches 01:35 and especially as it relates 01:37 to the use of fictional characters and situations. 01:41 For many of us the thought that 01:43 of God is having had anything to say about 01:46 the use of dramas seems highly unlikely. 01:48 But remember that old adage, 01:50 "There's nothing new under the sun." 01:53 Well, I believe that many will be surprised, 01:56 with the lessons we find in the Word of God, 01:58 as well as the Spirit of Prophecy 02:00 that have profound correlation with the use of drama. 02:04 And how it may affect us 02:06 in this life and the life to come. 02:08 It's sure to be a heavy duty study 02:10 that will touch very close to many families. 02:14 So please be in the spirit of prayer 02:16 and ask God for His leading 02:18 as we open up the word today on the use of drama. 02:22 But first, we are so blessed to visit the 3ABN Worship Center 02:26 and listen to a song entitled "I Will Follow You," 02:31 as sung by Brother Rudy Micelli. 02:47 Wherever ye may lead me 02:54 I want to follow you 03:00 Through the valley of the shadow 03:05 Or through the mountains' breathless view 03:12 If the crowds applaud my progress 03:18 Or if they never know my name 03:25 I will follow you just the same 03:36 If you lead me through the desert 03:43 When your voice seems far away 03:49 I will still believe you love me 03:54 I will listen and I will pray 04:00 For if the thousands thronged around me 04:06 Or if I am the critics toys 04:13 I will need to know 04:20 Your still small voice 04:25 Lord I want to be your servant 04:31 But I don't always know how 04:36 But you promised to be with me, Lord 04:42 I need you near me now 04:47 So let me see you in each moment 04:54 Day by day and week by week 05:02 And I will follow you 05:09 Wherever ye may lead 05:22 Lord, I will follow you 05:30 Wherever ye may lead 06:07 Thanks for joining us again here at "Behold the Lamb." 06:09 I know that you have got yourself setup 06:12 for maybe pencil, paper, Bible, everything together 06:15 because, of this most important subject. 06:18 And you'll notice when we go to the Word of God, 06:20 we always say, "It's an important subject." 06:23 Gonna be talking about 06:25 maybe some things that take place 06:27 in a lot of the churches, maybe even in your own. 06:30 And maybe you were not aware of this teaching 06:33 and of course, maybe you were aware of it. 06:35 And maybe you just need a-- I'm gonna be careful here, 06:38 a little bit of ammo to help you 06:40 to do what would be pleasing in the sight of the Lord. 06:43 We pray today, Holy Spirit will help us 06:47 as we present this subject of drama. 06:49 You know, what does that really mean drama? 06:51 Does is it really belong in the church? 06:54 Theatrics really belong in the church. 06:56 Acting and you know, maybe even puppetry. 06:59 We're gonna examine these subjects 07:01 based on the Word of God, Spirit of Prophecy. 07:05 Before we do, we always ask God to be with us. 07:08 And I'm gonna kneel and have prayer. 07:10 Maybe when you're at home, 07:11 you can say, "Oh, I'm gonna kneel along and pray." 07:13 We've had people that call and say, 07:14 "Oh, when you kneel and pray, 07:16 we kneel and pray right along with you." 07:17 But others, they hear on radio 07:19 or different things and they say, 07:20 "Well, you know, we're going down the road, 07:22 we just--we still have the attitude of prayer." 07:24 So praise God for that and we're thankful for you, 07:26 our viewer today. 07:27 And we know the Holy Spirit's gonna speak to your heart. 07:29 Let's pray. Shall we together? 07:32 Merciful God in heaven, 07:33 we thank You for the privilege of prayer. 07:35 Now we pray that Your Holy Spirit 07:37 will enlighten us to be people, 07:39 --truths that you have in store for Your people. 07:42 We pray that You'll take our attitudes here today. 07:45 And that You help us to realize that 07:48 being part of the family of God is such responsibility. 07:52 And we need Your Holy Spirit 07:53 to lead and guide us into all truth. 07:55 And as we study this subject many will say, 07:58 "Oh, it doesn't make any difference. 08:00 Oh, what difference does it make?" 08:01 Listen, every word that proceeds 08:04 out of the mouth of God makes a difference. 08:06 Lord, help us today to dissect, 08:08 rightly dividing the word of truth by Your Spirit. 08:11 Please help every ear, every eye. 08:13 And I pray for forgiveness of sin, 08:15 anything in my heart and life that needs not be there 08:18 that had communicate with all of us today 08:21 in Jesus name. Amen. 08:24 Again the subject is drama. 08:26 And so, yeah, and lot of people will carry 08:29 things way far to the extreme. 08:31 They say to the left and others to the right 08:32 and others will have the attitude, 08:34 it doesn't really matter. 08:36 Oh, my friend, if that's your attitude today, 08:38 our prayer today was for you. It's for all of us. 08:41 It does matter, what God's word says 08:45 and we need to follow it. 08:46 Never come to the point, regardless of how-- 08:49 maybe your church. 08:51 I'm speaking to everyone who will be listening 08:53 and viewing and, you know, hearing these words. 08:56 If some things going on in the church 08:58 and it's not biblical, then we need to find out, 09:02 you know, what God's word has to say. 09:04 And then say, "Oh, God help me to do the right thing." 09:07 Why else would Jesus say, 09:08 "Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God?" 09:11 We can't afford to as it were, to deviate right to the left. 09:16 We go straight down the line by the Word of God, 09:18 the Spirit of Prophecy. 09:20 There was a saying 09:22 that I wrote down, I thought very interesting. 09:23 I just love to share it with you 09:25 and it kind of jarred me just a little bit. 09:26 And I thought, you know, I like this 09:28 because, we have a lot of people 09:30 when they say, "Well, it was an honest mistake." 09:34 I get that. Maybe you've made some. 09:36 I've sure made some. 09:38 I made some mistakes, some honest mistakes. 09:41 But listen to these lines, it says, 09:43 "When a man who is honestly mistaken." 09:46 So you take a man who is honestly mistaken. 09:50 When he hears the truth, notice what takes place. 09:54 "He will either quit being mistaken, 09:58 or he will cease to be honest." 10:01 Wow, interesting words. He has to do something. 10:05 The honest heart is going to change, 10:07 but the person who is not. 10:09 He just ceases to be honest. Wow. 10:11 You know, as a Christian we need to what? 10:13 Be honest, don't we? With the Word of God. 10:15 Take your Bible please and turn with me 10:17 because as we look up in Philippians 4:8, 10:21 talking about this drama, the theatrics and acting 10:24 and deception of every kind, puppetry. 10:28 You may say today, not important. 10:32 May I say to you before we read this passage, err. 10:36 Listen carefully, err rarely appears as it really is, 10:39 did you get that? 10:41 Err rarely appears as it really is. 10:45 It's when it's mingled with truth or it attaches. 10:51 Err, does what? Attaches itself to the truth. 10:54 Notice that it gains acceptance. So when err does what? 10:59 When it's mingled with truth, 11:01 when err attaches itself to the truth, 11:05 then it begins to be acceptable by many, many, many people. 11:09 Friend, don't let that fool you. 11:11 Notice what the Bible says in Philippians 4:8. 11:15 It says, "Finally, brethren." 11:17 I know this is familiar, 11:18 you know it, but listen carefully. 11:20 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are good, 11:22 'I heard someone' true, whatsoever things are honest, 11:27 whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure. 11:32 'Notice the words' Whatsoever things are lovely 11:35 and whatsoever things are of good report. 11:38 'And then it goes on to say,' if there be any virtue, 11:41 and if there be any praise, think on these things." 11:45 So the Bible, commissions us today 11:48 to think on those things that are just, 11:50 those things that are pure, those things that are lovely, 11:53 those things that are, what? That are good. 11:56 That's what the Bible commissions us to do today. 12:00 So as we think about this subject, 12:03 I want to approach it-- I'm not trying to offend anyone. 12:08 This maybe prominent where you are at. 12:11 We're doing this two part series 12:13 and there's a lot of material to cover 12:15 and my wife mentioned that 12:16 we were giving the outline of it. 12:18 And there's gonna be, you know, 20 some odd, 12:20 24, 25, real, I mean, just write down here. 12:23 Here's what it says. 12:24 This will help you to stay on target, 12:26 if you want to present this message 12:28 maybe to someone, in some church. 12:30 When someone says, "Oh, it doesn't matter." 12:33 Drama, theatrics. 12:35 Listen, I believe this from the very beginning of time. 12:39 This question has been on our hearts and on our minds. 12:43 And it's this, what method do we really use to evangelize? 12:49 What method should we use 12:50 to get the attention of the people, of children 12:54 and make a lasting impression? 12:57 Men, women, children just, you know, 12:58 so let's just makes an impression on their mind. 13:01 And so, all the things that we can use 13:03 or maybe things that we shouldn't use, 13:05 we want to reach people for Jesus. 13:08 So how do we do that? 13:10 Well, you know, we have to answer these questions 13:12 because we must be careful not to, 13:15 as we answer it, not to use human reasoning. 13:19 See, this gets in our way. It gets in my way. 13:21 I'd say, "Oh, God help me." 13:22 It gets in our way sometime because we want to do something. 13:26 We want to see this take place. 13:28 It's appealing maybe or, you know, 13:31 we like things that are going on. 13:34 So we really don't want to change it so, 13:36 but if we're looking for truth, what? 13:39 We can't rely upon our human reasoning. 13:41 We need to say, "Well, I like this here, 13:42 but now what does God say about it." 13:46 Got to remember, what does God's Word think? 13:48 What does God's Word say? 13:50 What does it tell us today? And you know what? 13:52 I found this out my answer, your answer today. 13:56 You know what, it maybe influenced 13:58 by the way you were raised. 14:01 What school that you went to? 14:03 What you like? What you don't like? 14:05 It can be an influence by your family and your friends. 14:10 And how they view things? 14:13 But it's interesting today. 14:14 It's not really so important how everybody views it, 14:18 but how does God's Word view this. 14:21 I heard some people say, "Oh, these Christians." 14:23 They'll say, "Well, you know, I'm kind on the-- 14:25 I'm on the liberal side." You ever heard this? 14:28 It's almost like bringing 14:29 politics into the church sometime. 14:31 Well, I'm on the liberal side. 14:33 Some are a little more on liberal side. 14:34 The other will say, "Well, now I'm more conservative." 14:37 Well, friend, think about what we're talking about. 14:39 Doesn't that sound political? It's not politics. 14:42 Let's leave politics outside the church wall, shall we? 14:47 All we need to realize is very simple today. 14:49 Now we're building on the platform, much information. 14:53 Don't get discouraged because when we deal with things 14:56 of drama and theatrics and all these different things, 14:59 we have to dwell upon God's Word and what is truth. 15:04 What is the truth of the issue? 15:07 And so we had to find out, 15:09 what God's word says about every issue. 15:11 Does it need to be all truthful 15:12 or can we deviate from the truth a little bit? 15:16 To make, you know, make an impression on someone. 15:18 Oh, no, absolutely not. 15:20 But we need simply again go to God's Word. 15:22 Now just, you know, just regardless of how we feel. 15:26 Regardless, of just what we want to accomplish 15:29 because I know this, there are many people in churches 15:33 that just want what's best for the church. 15:35 They want what's best for the cause of Christ. 15:38 And their intensions are wonderful. 15:40 They want to see things happen. They're interested in children. 15:43 They're interested in the adults. 15:45 And so this is not trying to criticize somebody's motive. 15:48 But, yet, we need to look deep within this subject matter. 15:52 Simple, truth is truth. 15:55 Right is what? Good. 15:57 Somebody said it, "Right is right." 16:00 Based upon the Word of God not based upon how you feel 16:04 or how I feel about it. 16:06 Now I'm really getting that so that we understand the issue. 16:09 Now you'd say, "What kind of brought about this study? 16:12 Well, maybe, you know, I believe that the Holy Spirit 16:15 brought about this study 16:17 because maybe we're abusing this subject. 16:21 Maybe we've let it go 16:23 and we were kind of afraid to approach, 16:26 you know, the issue 16:27 because it might cause division in the church. 16:29 And sometime we don't approach it 16:30 because we have no material in which to approach it with. 16:35 But kind of, in my own thinking here, 16:38 someone came up with a thought, 16:40 in order to make our church service better. 16:43 Oh, I like that. 16:44 Oh, my ears are open, in order to make it better, you see. 16:48 So people can learn to help our older people 16:52 and our young, our teens and our little children, 16:54 to help them understand to keep their attention spanned, 17:00 something needs to be done to do that, huh? 17:03 Oh, it can happen during the children story time 17:06 that you have or maybe in the children's class. 17:09 So we can use something to keep their attention 17:11 because their little attention goes from here to here to here. 17:13 So, you know, people have the right motives. 17:15 Oh, we need to do something to help them. 17:18 And, you know, it will help our classes 17:19 and it may help the church 17:21 and it will help to grow and maybe more people will come. 17:23 Although, all those things sound good, 17:25 but, hey, praise God. Let's think about the issue. 17:28 There are those who suggested this. 17:31 They suggested that we use certain things. 17:34 Now remember, they just wanted to what? 17:37 Come on, good. They just wanted to help. 17:39 They just wanted to make things better. 17:41 And you know the difficult thing is 17:43 when you have somebody that's honest 17:45 and hard and they're trying to do the very best, 17:47 you know, for the church 17:49 and for the growth of the ministry and evangelism. 17:51 It's very difficult to take a positional stance on it, 17:54 if maybe it's in the wrong direction. 17:55 Oh, it just, you know, 17:57 tries your relationship with God. 17:59 Are you gonna be honest with God? 18:00 Do you have that kind of relationship with God 18:02 and with your fellowman that you're willing to stand 18:04 for truth or the heaven's fall? 18:08 But when we're confronted with these issues, 18:11 it's kind of, interesting. 18:12 We need to do something here. 18:14 We need to think in terms of, not is it acceptable to people, 18:19 but is it approved of heaven. 18:22 In other words, does heaven approve it? 18:23 It may sound good and all other thing. 18:25 And I see a lot of things in government. 18:27 I see a lot of things in church activities. 18:29 That they'll say, "Oh, this is gonna be good, this is--" 18:31 You need to look at all the issues that surround this. 18:34 Will it be good? 18:36 If it is, it's gonna be approved of heaven. 18:37 Is it now? Of course. 18:40 And as we begin to examine these things 18:42 and maybe it's taking place in your church today. 18:45 You realiz now not only, oh, boy, 18:48 not only do you have to deal with the issue of, 18:51 is it right or wrong? Does heaven approve of it? 18:54 But now you have to deal 18:55 with people's feelings and people's emotions. 18:59 And none of us want to be offensive or hurt someone. 19:03 Two issues will crop up, when we do this. 19:06 We'll be challenged with, what does God's word say? 19:12 Or do we want the approval of God 19:15 or do we want the approval of man? 19:18 Now every issue will come to that. 19:21 Or we can take number two. 19:23 We can say, "Well, you know, I really don't want 19:24 to offend my brother or my sister. 19:27 I don't want to hurt their feelings, 19:28 oh, we love them too much. We may lose them. 19:33 They may leave." Or if what? 19:35 Oh, if they don't maybe get their way. 19:39 Now remember we're trying-- 19:41 we're establishing, is it approved of heaven or not? 19:45 But feelings are involved and they really shouldn't be. 19:48 It should be issue, if it's right and wrong. 19:51 Well, we're gonna lose some people, it might be one. 19:53 You might lose six, eight, ten, whatever over the issue. 19:56 But you know what? Truth is still truth. 19:58 And God challenges in His word to take a stand. 20:01 In fact, here's what God's word said 20:02 in the Book of Deuteronomy. 20:04 Have your Bible, mark things down. 20:05 Because as we begin to establish, 20:07 we're beginning to build and we'll repeat over and over 20:09 about truthfulness and honesty and what's acceptable of heaven 20:13 and not popular opinion. 20:16 Deuteronomy 11:26-28, let me read those for you. 20:21 Bible says, "Behold, I set before you this day 20:25 a blessing and a curse." 20:27 Oh, it's familiar, but how powerful that it is. 20:31 God says, "I set before you," that's you, this me, 20:35 "a blessing or a curse." Here's the blessing. 20:39 "The blessing is if you obey," praise God. 20:42 Verse 28 says, "A curse, if you will not obey." 20:46 So we're dealing with issues 20:48 that are bigger than feelings and emotions 20:50 and what the majority might want. 20:53 What are we really dealing with? 20:56 Aren't we dealing with what God's word says here? 20:59 "A blessing or a curse." 21:01 There maybe many churches today that are cursed. Why? 21:04 Because we're not willing to follow what God has said. 21:08 I've said this time and time again. 21:10 Let me do it again. God means business. 21:14 What He says, He means business. His Word, it's not word in it. 21:17 The inspired word is just not something 21:19 that's just put down to occupy your time. 21:21 God means business with us. 21:24 Even if you might say today, 21:26 here's what some people have said. 21:27 Now bless your heart. 21:29 You might say, "Oh, that's just a little thing, 21:31 it doesn't matter." Really? 21:33 You know my opinion on this 21:35 and you can throw it out if you want to. 21:37 But there'll probably be more people 21:39 that will miss out on heaven because of their--be careful. 21:42 I don't believe there's such thing, as a little thing. 21:43 But what they've termed little things 21:46 than the big issues of life. 21:48 Not so much if what we've done, but what we, what? Fail to do. 21:53 These are very, very important points 21:56 that we need to look at today. 21:58 And so as we're looking at these passages 22:01 there's a blessing, the Bible said "And there is a curse." 22:03 You choose what you want. 22:05 And then the Bible goes on to say this listen, 22:07 Proverbs 3:33. Come on. 22:10 Let's setup this platform good, solid, unmovable. 22:14 It said the curse. 22:16 So we have to realize today, 22:18 there is curses and there are blessings. 22:20 God blesses or He doesn't, 22:21 if He doesn't bless then, we're cursed, aren't we? Sure. 22:24 "The curse of God is in the house of the wicked." 22:28 Now look up that word, if you will do that? 22:30 In the Hebrews, it's very interesting. 22:33 The curse of God is upon the house of the wicked. 22:36 Listen or the man that did wrong. Wow. 22:43 Knowingly did wrong, the curse of God is upon him. 22:47 Passage goes on to say, but thank God. 22:51 "But he blesses the habitation of the just." 22:55 What an interesting word? 22:56 Now again, we're establishing truth and right, in every area 23:00 connected with God's movement of His last day people. 23:03 How closely do we resemble the world 23:05 or how closely do we resemble heaven? 23:09 Right now we need to pray, kids, pray. 23:12 Bible is very, very clear. 23:13 The habitation, He said, He will bless. 23:16 You know what habitation really means? 23:18 God said He blesses the just. 23:20 The habitation means this, listen carefully. 23:22 It means He's gonna bless your home. 23:25 He's gonna bless your family. He's gonna bless the church. 23:30 He's even blessing the animals, 23:33 the flocks, the cattle, the crops. 23:36 God's gonna bless everything that your hand find to do. 23:39 What a blessing that is. 23:41 All He wants us to do 23:43 He said He blesses those that are being just, 23:45 those that are doing the right thing. 23:47 And then a curse goes upon those who do the wrong things. 23:50 So it's very imperative, in the church 23:51 that were doing the right things. 23:54 Came across this in letter 35 written in 1843, 23:57 this is very interesting. 23:59 1893, sorry, notice, it says, 24:01 "When you have sought to know His will--" 24:04 When there's so many praying. I hear this all the time. 24:06 "We want to know God's will." 24:08 "When you have sought to know God's will, 24:11 your part in the operation with God 24:15 is to believe that you will be led 24:17 and guided and blessed in the doing of His will." 24:22 We need to be, what? Seeking the will of God. 24:26 I wonder, if any of you, are ever seeking, 24:28 really have been seeking the will of God. 24:31 How does that take place? 24:33 When something new crops up in the church 24:35 and we want to say, is it right, is it wrong, 24:37 shall we go this direction, shall we not go--? 24:39 Seek God's will. Pray about it. 24:44 A little book called "Mount of Blessing", 24:45 just a beautiful little book, 24:47 page 52 says, this talking about the will. 24:49 It says, "By venturing to disregard the will of God." 24:54 Come on, this fits in, 24:55 some of you are saying, "Oh, boy." 24:56 Well, no, listen, "By venturing to disregard 25:00 the will of God in one point." 25:05 Notice, "Our parents opened 25:08 the floodgates of woe upon," what? 25:12 "The world." By what? 25:16 Disregarding in just one point, a floodgate was open and what? 25:22 It's down to us, even today. 25:25 "Every individual who follows this example 25:28 will reap a similar result." 25:32 So does one point, huh? 25:34 One point make a difference, you better believe it. 25:37 Mount of Blessings 51 goes on, 25:38 "It is not the greatness of the act of disobedience." 25:41 See some of you say, 25:43 "Oh, it's just a little thing, it really doesn't matter. 25:44 It entertains the children, entertains the adult. 25:47 We're not coming to church to be entertained. 25:49 You might be, but I don't believe that. 25:53 You see, to be entertained. We're coming to what? 25:55 Close connection with Jesus Christ, 25:57 to have better relationship with Him, 25:59 learn the direction, the will of God, 26:01 in our hearts, in our life to be activated, right. 26:03 To be energized, to go out and do, what? 26:06 Evangelism some work for Jesus. Get our lives right with Him. 26:11 So it's not the greatness of the act of disobedience. 26:14 Some people prioritize, oh, this is bad. 26:17 One of this is not so bad. This is big. This is little. 26:19 "It's not the greatness 26:21 of the act of disobedience that constitutes sin." 26:24 Listen, "but the fact of the variance 26:28 from God's expressed will 26:29 in the least particular." So, to what? 26:33 Just to get away in the least 26:34 particular from the will of God or the truth of God. 26:38 He makes it known to us, you see, becomes sin. 26:42 Wow, that's pretty heavy duty. 26:44 Little books, people need-- we need to be reading it, 26:47 Parents, you need grandparents it's called child guidance. 26:50 Page 293 says this, talking about education. 26:53 A couple of people say education. 26:55 We need this. We need that in the world. 26:56 Listen, "The first great lesson in all education 26:59 is to know and understand the will of God." 27:03 The will of God, what God's will 27:04 is for the church for you and each of our lives. 27:07 "We should bring into every day of our life 27:12 the effort to gain this knowledge." 27:14 Every day of our life, huh? 27:19 That we need to bring this into-- 27:21 God, what is Your will for me, 27:23 for the church and in this particular situation 27:26 we're talking about drama and, you know, maybe acting 27:29 and theatrics, you know, lot of these different things? 27:33 So how can I quit and go say, okay, let's get-- 27:35 Oh, how can I bring my will, 27:37 you see, together with God's will? 27:40 This is important, since we're talking about the will here. 27:43 5 Testimonies 5:15 says this, 27:46 "We need to drink daily from the fountain of truth, 27:51 that you may understand the secret, 27:54 the pleasure and the joy of the Lord." 27:57 Oh, friend, have you been drinking everyday? 28:00 See, if you're drinking every day 28:02 from that fountain of truth, when issues confront the church, 28:06 you're going to automatically know about, what? 28:09 The power of the Holy Spirit that it's right or it's wrong. 28:13 You may not have all the information, 28:15 you see, at hand, 28:17 but the Holy Spirit reveals to you, 28:19 this is not what we should be doing in God's house. 28:21 This is not what God has called us into this movement, 28:24 when it's all about. 28:25 Now remember, when a man 28:27 who is honestly mistaken what is it? 28:29 He hears the truth. 28:30 He will either quit being what? 28:31 Mistaken or he'll cease to be honest. 28:36 Repeat it, so that we get 28:38 what we're talking about here at today. 28:39 Now think about it with me. 28:41 So do we really want God's blessing on our church? 28:44 Do we really want God to come down 28:46 and to dwell with us? 28:48 And remember it's regardless of how many vote for it 28:53 or, how many vote against it. 28:55 Is it right in the word of God certain things? 28:59 I had a pastor one time. 29:01 He told me, he said, "You know, 29:02 we're talking about certain issue 29:04 that was kind of touchy." 29:06 He said to me, "Well, 29:08 how many people would be for it, if I did this 29:11 and how many people would be against it?" 29:16 I was almost shocked, by the question. 29:19 How many--I said this is not a popularity contest. 29:23 It's not how many would be for you. 29:25 It's...what is right based upon God's word. 29:29 Not, how many are gonna love you for it, 29:30 how many are gonna hate it? 29:31 And then if you got the majority, 29:33 you'll say we'll we do it anyway. 29:34 Oh, no, come on, now. 29:37 How many of us are willing to follow 29:38 the principles of truth and righteousness? 29:42 Now back to this question, let's get in, remember. 29:45 This is only one of the many things 29:47 that this subject covers, 29:49 but the question we should use today 29:51 dealing with drama and theatrics 29:54 and, you know, all this kind of puppetry. 29:57 Should these things be used in our services? 30:02 Or should they may be put, 30:03 you know, as they would have think outside these walls. 30:07 Let's let God's word just speak. 30:10 And again, it may not be what you want today. 30:12 And you maybe heavily involved with it, 30:13 but maybe you didn't know. 30:15 And as you get information, you're gonna want to make 30:17 the right decision, aren't you? 30:19 Not that we like it? 30:21 And it's popular and the people love it 30:22 and they love me for doing it, look out, huh. 30:28 Acts 17:11, here's what the Bible says. 30:32 If you really want to know the truth, 30:34 we must do this. 30:35 It says we have to "Receive the word of God 30:38 with all readiness of," what? Good. 30:40 "All readiness of mind searched the scriptures daily, 30:43 whether these things be so." 30:46 It's simple, but many don't do these things. 30:49 They won't search the scriptures. 30:50 They want to have a popularity contest. 30:53 The Great Controversy 202 makes this statement here. 30:56 Listen, "One wrong act, one wrong belief, 31:03 prepares the way for another one." 31:07 Did you get it? 31:08 So you say it doesn't matter, 31:10 but if it's wrong based upon God's word. 31:13 It prepares a way for us, accepting what? 31:16 Good, another one. 31:18 That's why the enemy doesn't just beat you to death 31:20 with all these things at once. 31:22 What does he do? 31:24 He leads you on a step at a time. 31:25 You know, where he learned that? 31:27 From scripture, where Jesus said, 31:28 you know, it's a step at a time. 31:30 The right way to do it and the enemy is gonna take it. 31:32 And he'd say, Okay, 31:33 I'm gonna lead you a step at a time too, 31:34 but I'm gonna lead you away from the cross of Calvary. 31:37 I'm gonna lead you against the teachings of Jesus Christ 31:39 and what is truth?" Interesting. 31:42 So we must be on guard 31:44 as the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:11 31:47 tells us, listen, we're on guard. 31:49 Why am I on guard? 31:50 Oh, somebody pray. 31:52 Why should we need to be on guard? 31:53 The Bible says, "Lest Satan should 31:56 get an advantage over us. 32:00 We need not be ignorant or not ignorant of his devices." 32:04 So we need to be well aware 32:06 of our enemy, you see. 32:08 Now look at that thought, 32:09 I don't want him to take an advantage, huh. 32:13 What does that really mean? 32:16 So that the enemy does not defraud us, did you get it? 32:21 So that the enemy does not take--listen carefully, 32:24 greater advantage of me. 32:28 The enemy is trying to take advantage of you today 32:31 and you probably have pretty good idea 32:32 of how he's taking the advantage of you 32:34 and you're allowing him to do that. 32:36 Do not do that. Ask God for help. 32:38 Counsels the teachers, very interesting, 32:40 148, makes this comment. 32:42 It says, "At home and in the school," 32:44 come on, we're starting to look at principle. 32:46 We're gonna talk about principle. 32:48 We're gonna talk about all these issues right here. 32:50 But first, we're establishing 32:51 is the importance of truth and following God's word, 32:54 how we make decisions against not what is popular, no. 32:58 "At home and in the school, by precept," and what? Good. 33:02 "Example, the children and the youth 33:05 should be taught to be truthful, unselfish and industrious." 33:10 So we see they need to be taught to do things to work. 33:13 They need to be truthful. 33:14 They need to be unselfish and where is this taught? 33:17 In the home. 33:18 You talk about taught to be truthful, 33:20 what does that mean? 33:21 When it's convenient or, you know, 33:23 when it's not convenient? 33:24 You shade it just a little bit? 33:26 No, we're talking about the truth, 33:27 the whole truth and what? 33:29 They say nothing, but the truth. 33:32 Proverbs 16:6 just really-- just a one-liner, 33:36 just can really hit hard here. 33:37 It says, "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged." 33:43 Iniquity, right-wrong doing sin 33:45 is purged out because of, what? 33:46 Thank God for mercy and thank God for truth. 33:50 And it's much better, dear friends, 33:51 even if you get in trouble is to tell the truth. 33:54 Tell the truth. Get the issue out. 33:56 Ask God to help you. 33:57 You know confess that thing and move on. 33:59 And God will bless and will not be a curse. 34:03 So it's clear, our decisions 34:04 must be based on the Word of God. 34:07 And I'm gonna call this here. 34:08 We're gonna talk about religious principles 34:13 because I'm seeing sometime people go to them 34:16 and looking for subjects like this. 34:19 And it's very interesting. 34:21 What they do is they say, 34:22 "Well, I can't just find that one specific word here. 34:25 So, you know, it must not be in here. 34:26 So it must be okay to kind of, do what we want to do. 34:28 Oh, no, dear friends. 34:30 It's time to really get down 34:32 and really study the Word of God. 34:34 When we talk about religious principles 34:36 and this is what we're talking about. 34:38 Religious principles-- they are fundamental truths, 34:44 fundamental truths which other truths are based. 34:49 So you have a main truth 34:50 and you have a lot of other truths 34:53 that are based upon this main truth that hang from it. 34:57 Okay, so that's how we need to be studying. 34:59 And in fact the 2 Testimonies 325 says, 35:04 "The actions of men should be regulated by principle." 35:10 Does that make sense? 35:11 The actions of men should be regulated by, what? 35:14 By principles. And someone said, 35:16 "Well, I don't know what principles are?" 35:19 Listen, let's just get some example here 35:21 and make it clear therefore. 35:23 We're going to use-- we're gonna say, lying. 35:25 Someone's telling a lie. 35:27 Now you've met people who'd rather--Hmm, be careful. 35:30 Tell a lie than tell the truth. 35:31 They'd already don't know what the truth is 35:33 because they've exaggerated 35:35 and told some many lies, they don't know. 35:36 Now remember a fundamental truth-- 35:38 we're looking at a fundamental truth here. 35:40 There's gonna be other things that are hanging from it. 35:41 Truths to hang from it. 35:43 We know Exodus 20:16, 35:46 "Thou shall not bear," what? Good. 35:49 It's one of the commandments. 35:50 False witness. 35:52 And so I present to you and let's think about it. 35:56 How many ways can a person tell a lie? 36:01 Did you see the fundamental truth there's up, what? 36:03 "Thou shall not bear false witness." 36:04 We're not supposed to lie. 36:07 But then hanging from that, you see, 36:09 the Bible may not go into every detail of that, 36:12 but through that-- right, 36:13 so what does that all cover? 36:15 The fundamental truth is what? Shall not lie. 36:18 Now this principle, we're looking at truths 36:22 and we're looking that are based, 36:24 you know, based upon these things 36:26 and they can be identified, we need to look at it. 36:28 It's a lie if. 36:30 Let's say, someone asked you a question. 36:32 Someone asked you a question 36:33 that you really--you don't want really tell them the answer 36:37 or you want them to believe a certain thing 36:40 because you heard something, you thing it's right. 36:42 You don't want really repeat that. 36:44 And so you put yourself in a position 36:46 when they ask you this, you know, 36:48 what the truth is saying is saying of that words 36:50 you just--you don't give an answer. 36:52 You just-- they'll tell you 36:55 all about it and you don't say anything. 36:57 You don't say, yes, or, no. 36:58 You just go, hmm. 37:00 Can a person lie with just a nod of their head? 37:04 I've seen people who wouldn't say it, 37:05 when they are confronted with a question. 37:06 They just go, huh, wow. 37:10 Automatically you begin to do, what? 37:11 Draw your own conclusions and we can lie by just sign. 37:16 We can lie by just nodding our head, 37:19 humping our shoulders and check this. 37:23 I've seen people do this. 37:24 You've asked them something, they don't to tell you. 37:26 Probably, they don't even know the answer, 37:28 but they want you to believe a certain thing. 37:30 They look at you in the face. 37:31 Come on, somebody get with me. 37:33 And they do like this with their eyes, they go. 37:36 I call it rolling. I don't know if they rolled or not, 37:38 but you know what I'm talking. 37:39 They're kind of, they go. 37:41 And automatically, "Oh, yeah, 37:43 what I was just talking about must be the truth." 37:45 You lied because you rolled your eyes, huh. 37:49 Now you say to me, well, wait a minute. 37:51 I haven't found and maybe you will and if somebody does, 37:53 I'm sure I'll hear about it. 37:55 I've never found in the Bible, by rolling your eyes is a sin. 38:01 So now you're getting, what we're talking about here? 38:04 You roll your eyes when certain question is asked. 38:08 But, you know, you're not saying a word, 38:10 you just roll your eyes, but you lied about that person. 38:15 Now, now what we're looking for is what? 38:19 Truth. We have to find out what truth is. 38:24 And that's why we're examining it, 38:26 like we are today. 38:28 So when you look for a truth on a certain subject--listen to me, 38:32 the Bible may not give you that certain, what? 38:36 That certain word. 38:37 I've heard people say, when it comes to puppets. 38:39 "Oh, well, that puppet, we looked it all up, 38:41 there's nothing that said anything about--" 38:42 Listen, we just talked about here, 38:44 how many different ways we can lie. 38:47 So it may not give you that word, 38:49 you're looking for, but Bible truths 38:52 can be found for every topic that you want to examine. 38:56 You can go in and they will be--listen, 38:59 they're going to be attached to religious principle 39:03 or fundamental truths of God's word. 39:06 They're attached. 39:07 They're hanging from that, which the first thing was what? 39:09 "Don't bear false witness." Don't lie. 39:12 And all these other things the way it just-- 39:13 So it's still wrong, isn't it? 39:15 Second Selected Messages 343 says this, 39:18 listen carefully please to these words. 39:21 It's simple, always act from principle. 39:26 How many times we do it? Just once in a while. 39:29 Always act from principle. 39:31 Other words not how you feel, not have emotional, 39:33 or I'm having a bad day, 39:35 but you act from principle, right? 39:38 It's taken inside of you. It's a part of you. 39:41 Not from feelings, right? 39:43 Not from emotions, but from principle. 39:45 In that little book, I tried to read a lot about 39:47 in those Testimonies to Ministers, page 17. 39:51 It says talking about the church. 39:53 Now again the church has to take positional stances on things 39:56 that come within, it's walls. 39:59 And sometime in local and then of course, 40:02 it can go away around the world. 40:03 But listen, when some issues come in the church is firmly 40:08 and decidedly to hold her principles, how? 40:12 Notice that firmly and decidedly to hold up her principle 40:17 before the whole heavenly universe and the world. 40:21 That's pretty good. 40:23 Friend, do you have any principles in your church? 40:26 Are you really operating from principle? Wow. 40:33 Are you a principled individual? 40:39 Or in this situation we're gathering the fragments. 40:44 You remember that, Jesus talked about 40:45 gather little pieces of fishes left over. 40:48 Still fish or just a few and when held majority of it. 40:51 But we go, we gather these fragments 40:53 or I call him--listen, pieces of what? Good. 40:56 Pieces of truth. 40:57 And we put them together and we can say that we must learn 41:01 and we must be controlled by principle. 41:09 And you know this is very interesting. 41:11 When we're governed by religious principles, 41:15 the dangers of committing great errors are very small. 41:19 When we're, what? 41:21 When we're governed by-- Come on, help me. 41:22 Come on. When we're governed by principles 41:24 that are deep seated in our heart, our mind, and truth 41:26 that we know what is right, very little chance, you see? 41:31 That we're going to be deceived and commit great errors. 41:34 It's small because what? 41:35 Because we're not doing from emotion, 41:37 we're not all so upset that we can't think properly, 41:39 we make rash decisions. 41:40 No, we're basing it on, what? 41:42 What God has said in His Word? 41:46 Do we realize today, my brothers and sisters, 41:48 every, every act of our life we must consider it well? 41:56 Every act must be considered, why? 42:00 Because we might affect 42:02 or we might injure our brother and our sister 42:06 and it may lead someone away from Christ. 42:08 Did--oh, please did you get that? 42:10 Every act, every word, everything we do as a Christian 42:15 must be considered because you know what? 42:18 Some people are going to-- they're gonna say, 42:20 "Oh, I've seen or I heard and oh, 42:23 they may not like the decision. 42:25 But the church comes onto, 42:26 you know, to follow the Word of God 42:28 and they're gonna get their feelings hurt 42:29 and they're going to leave." 42:34 Oh, every act. 42:38 My friend, do you want to follow Jesus today? 42:41 Do I want to follow Jesus today? 42:43 Do I want to honor God? 42:44 Do I want to be faithful to His word? 42:47 Do I want to stand by principles? 42:50 Listen, principles that will live through the eternal ages. 42:55 See, my life must be governed by principles, 42:58 the truth of God's word that will endure for eternity, 43:02 not just here or, any--just a given time. 43:05 Principle is a principle. 43:06 Solid truth, the Word of God. 43:11 And so as I read in Four Testimonies 538, it says, 43:14 "We can never swerve from principle in the least thing." 43:19 Come on, you've got to build with me on this. 43:21 It gets heavier as we go. 43:24 That's why we chose to do a couple of parts 43:26 and that's why, you know, 43:27 did a little summary that we want to give out at the end, 43:28 that people still having a hard time with it, 43:31 that you can over all these principles of God's word. 43:35 You have to call for that. You have to call. 43:38 We're not to swerve from principle 43:40 in the very least of anything. 43:41 So if it's questionable we need not do it. 43:46 And I've to tell you. Be honest with you. 43:47 You're looking for truth. 43:49 I don't find that's so ever really questionable. 43:50 They say, it's black and it's white. 43:52 Its right, it's wrong. 43:53 God's word will make that clear to us. Never. 43:58 Let me give you the example maybe of, 44:00 we're talking about here of some principles. 44:03 How did Daniel and his companions-- 44:06 You remember, when they were taken into captivity 44:08 and they were challenged to say, 44:09 we're gonna feed you all this good food, you know. 44:12 What was their response? 44:14 You remember that they were challenged 44:15 on the appetite, very interesting. 44:19 But they knew this and you need to know it 44:22 and I need to know it too. 44:24 That a single instance of departure from principle, 44:29 truth or right will weaken their sins 44:33 of right and abhorrence of wrong. 44:38 Did some of you get that? 44:40 Daniel, right? That they're Hebrews. 44:43 They knew when they're offered the king's meat 44:45 that just one deviation, you see. 44:48 Just one departure from a principle 44:51 will begin to weaken their sins of what is right. 44:55 See, some of us don't realize. 44:56 We thing we can just do wrong and do wrong 44:59 and do wrong and it just really not affecting us. 45:02 You know, why? 45:03 It's because every time we do our spiritual senses 45:06 are numbed more and more and more. 45:08 And we think that it's okay and nothing's really happening. 45:11 It's obvious to others, 45:13 but to you it is a cloud over you. 45:16 Lord, help us to see not one single departure from the truth. 45:24 If we do that we're setting our self up. 45:29 And pretty soon wrong won't seem so bad anymore. Wow. 45:37 If there's ever any question on your mind to what is right? 45:42 Let me just--and I'm sure you've got this, 45:44 but please just listen. 45:46 There's any time in your life, 45:48 you're going through situations where you say, 45:50 I'm not really sure if what is right. 45:53 Here's the simple answer, always, always, always, 45:56 it never changes. 45:58 Look to, who? Good. 45:59 You look to Jesus. 46:02 You spend some time with Jesus. 46:05 He's going to guide you. 46:07 Now this next thing I'm going to say, 46:09 I want you to pay close attention, right? 46:10 And pay close attention. 46:13 We need to bring every plan 46:17 that's in church capacity, that's in our human life, 46:19 "Every plan that we have to the Lord, 46:23 to see if He approves of it." 46:27 Got that little quote from the book 46:28 called "Life Sketches" 447. 46:31 No excuse for us. 46:32 Every plan we have we want to change something up, 46:35 do something different in our own lives 46:37 and in our homes and in our churches. 46:39 We need to bring it before God to see if He approves. 46:42 It makes sense, doesn't it? 46:43 Oh, I want God's blessing, don't you? 46:47 Let's just quickly look at another 46:48 fundamental truth and principle. 46:51 I think that will help us today. 46:54 How does God look at deception? Wow. 46:57 How does God look at deception? 47:00 And I'm talking about deception in every form 47:03 because it's rampant in the world that we live in. 47:05 It's difficult to know what's not-- 47:07 there's not some kind of deception going on 47:09 and we're apprehensive about it 47:11 because somebody's deceiving somebody else, 47:13 somebody is leading somebody else in a different direction. 47:15 We're raised on these types of things. 47:17 Somebody's selling something. 47:19 They're not telling you the truth about it. 47:20 You're buying something. 47:22 You're not sure what you're buying. 47:23 There's deception of every kind. 47:24 Listen, that book I told you about 47:26 Testimonies to Ministers, page 274 says this. 47:29 "The Lord hates all deception." 47:32 Oh, please listen. 47:34 This is saying the stage 47:36 in our last 8 or 9 minutes that we have. 47:38 Listen, setting the stage for what we're talking about, 47:40 part 2 be powerful. 47:44 God hates what? 47:46 All forms. Good. 47:47 Oh, He hates all deception. 47:50 He hates secrecy, and guile. 47:53 "This is Satan's work. 47:56 The work of God is open and frank." 48:00 God's work is open. The devil's is not. 48:04 Any kind of deception, so are we doing something 48:07 maybe in the church, that's deceiving somebody 48:10 where they be 6 months or 60. 48:14 Is there something that we're deceiving them? 48:16 You know, the little minds, 48:17 they have a hard time to try to decide 48:19 for what you might be able to. 48:23 They may think that something is real, 48:25 when it is really not. 48:26 And we're talking about we can't be what? 48:27 We must be truthful in the very least of everything, truthful. 48:33 We can't get after where' it's gonna deceive or be a deception. 48:38 Beautiful book "Patriarchs and Prophets" 48:40 page 338 says this. 48:43 This is what we're getting at deception. 48:47 "It was by deception that the devil seduced the angels." 48:53 What was it by? It was by deception. 48:57 Making something appear that's really not. 49:00 How did the enemy deceive those holy angels of God? 49:03 By deception. What did he do? 49:05 He disguised himself. 49:09 He mixes truth with error. 49:12 The most dangerous falsehoods 49:14 are those that are mingled with truth. 49:17 You remember the point we made at the beginning. 49:19 What are the most dangerous errs you think? 49:21 What are the falsehoods? 49:23 The ones that are mingled with the truth. 49:25 How did the devil seduce the angels of heaven? 49:28 He used a disguise. He made something. 49:33 You see that appeared-- 49:34 well, this is not really the way that it is. 49:38 It appeared differently than it was. 49:40 Deception, a disguise. 49:45 Now listen to this please. 49:47 This goes on in Patriarchs and Prophets page 53. 49:52 Talking about the enemy, 49:53 "In order to accomplish his work unperceived." 49:56 In other words, to be able to accomplish 49:58 his work where no one could understand or you know. 50:01 "Satan chose to employ as his medium," 50:07 his goal between what? 50:09 "The serpent." Oh, in order to what? 50:13 Deceive mankind, the devil chose to use 50:17 a medium or a goal between what? 50:20 To push all of his stuff out there, 50:23 that he wanted out. 50:24 His lies and everything else, now think about that. 50:27 "A disguise that was well adapted 50:30 for his purpose of deception." 50:31 Now I bring to you and submit this to you 50:34 that you have-- just talking about 50:37 puppets say for instance. 50:39 That you have a man or a woman that has what? 50:42 That has the message they're going to give, 50:44 but they use something, what? 50:48 They use something in between 50:49 that you call it a puppet between what? 50:51 Them and the child. 50:53 So that puppet then becomes what? 50:55 Their medium of what? 50:58 Talking to that child that little baby 1, 2, 3 years old 51:01 really believes that what there's 51:04 coming from that puppet is--it's doing it. 51:06 Wouldn't that be a lie? 51:07 Wouldn't that be a deception? 51:09 Don't say, oh, it's just a little thing. 51:11 No, it's not. The devil, what? 51:13 He would stand here as the enemy and he chose what? 51:15 The serpent to get to mankind, a medium. 51:21 You know the devil understands medium well, 51:22 but as a Christian we need to understand too. 51:24 There's one mediator between God and man, who is that? 51:26 That's Jesus Christ. 51:28 Everything else is false. 51:30 Well, why we're custom to that? 51:32 When there's a battle going on where union and non-union, 51:35 you bring in a mediator. 51:36 Get somebody that's been honest and been impartial and 51:39 they do the talking for the other parties 51:40 because they can't get along. 51:42 But here, we're talking about here-- 51:43 we're talking about deceptions of the enemy, 51:46 the way that he hoodwinked mankind and sin developed by. 51:49 We're talking about this medium. 51:52 John 8:32 says, "You shall know the truth 51:56 and the truth shall" What? 51:58 Good, "make you free." 52:01 So now, how do we approach the drama? 52:05 How do we--and the deception of drama and theatrics 52:09 and acting, mock drama, puppetry. 52:15 All of these things that we see cropping up all the time 52:17 and you know what, we've grown so accustomed 52:20 because we are TV addicts. 52:25 Did you get it? 52:27 TV addicts and all of this stuff seems to be normal. 52:32 People acting out and things, you know. 52:35 So how do we approach this? 52:36 First, let's say in a couple of minutes 52:38 we got--we'll start to define here 52:40 and really get in some heavy duty stuff. 52:42 What is drama? 52:45 Let's look at it. First, what's drama? 52:47 Drama is a play, let's keep it simple. 52:50 It's written for the performance of an actor, interesting. 52:56 So listen, when a person 52:59 or an actor acts out the play, acts out the drama, 53:03 the script or what? 53:05 Or the story, then it becomes theatrical. 53:08 Did you get it? 53:10 The drama, because how it's written, 53:12 how it's written up, it's a play written 53:14 before an actor somebody pretending to be something else 53:17 and when it is put on script and people begin to act it out, 53:20 it becomes theatrical. 53:22 Wow, kind of interesting. 53:24 Did you know this? 53:26 Did you know that the drama and theatrics 53:29 were really originated? 53:31 You know where it came from? 53:32 It came from paganism. 53:36 The pagans would get together and they would act out dramas 53:39 and skits and stories to appease their gods. 53:45 Yeah, interesting. 53:47 Where is the roots of this thing? 53:49 What does it do to us as a people? 53:53 Did you know that? I think it would. 53:55 Lord, have mercy on us. 53:59 And I hear a lot about-- oh, there's certain time 54:01 of the year you hear a lot about-- 54:03 Oscars or who's the best actor? 54:06 What's the best performance? 54:08 So who's the best pretender? 54:10 Maybe the best liar, the best deceiver. 54:12 Don't say words like that, but who's the best actor? 54:15 Let me submit this to you. 54:16 May I do this here as signs of "Time "article in 518--1882 54:22 this was written, notice this. 54:24 It says, "Satan is the master actor." 54:29 Wow. He's the master deceiver. 54:33 He's the master pretender. 54:36 He's the master in make-believe 54:38 or make something appear that's really not. 54:42 Is that the way a Christian should operate 54:44 in any form of deceiving someone? 54:47 Making someone believe, 54:49 something that's not really true. Wow. 54:52 May God help us to see the importance of this? 54:57 I think probably since we're right there, 54:59 it's time just to talk to you for just for a moment 55:01 before we have prayer and just to remind you, 55:03 this is the first of two parts of drama. 55:07 And how we will get into-- how God thinks about it? 55:11 How Jesus thinks about it? 55:12 How we're to do as Christians and it really gets heavy duty 55:15 and about theatrics and drama in the church and puppetry. 55:19 You won't want to miss that. 55:22 And you want it, you call in and make sure you get that, 55:24 the little review that we have, 55:25 on the subject that we're talking about. 55:27 But right now, I want to pray with you 55:28 and then have a moment to speak to you, when we get done. 55:30 Let's pray. This is heavy duty stuff 55:31 that God will open our hearts and minds. 55:33 Let's close with prayer, shall we? 55:35 Father in Heaven, we thank You for Your precious word. 55:37 We thank You, Lord in heaven, 55:38 that You can open our hearts and our minds 55:40 in regards to what we've been involved with. 55:42 You can help to straighten us right into the straight 55:44 and narrow by Your word and Your truth. 55:46 Thank you for those who watch, 55:47 for those who listen and for those who hear, 55:49 I pray for the Holy Spirit 55:50 working upon their hearts and their minds 55:52 and they're saying, "Oh, Lord, I didn't know this before, 55:54 but now that I'm learning, God, help me to do the right thing. 55:57 Bless we pray this in Jesus name. Amen. 56:02 Again we understand that--you folks, 56:04 you love the truth and you want to hear the truth, 56:06 you're writing us and you're calling us and you're telling us 56:08 and you're asking for these DVD's and things 56:11 and books that we can, you know, be shipped to your home. 56:13 Keep it up. Keep your cards and your letters 56:15 and the only way we can bring these programs is what? 56:17 By your love and by your support. 56:19 So please be praying for us. 56:21 We're gonna be praying for you. 56:22 And remember you don't want to miss. 56:24 You don't to miss the second part of the drama. 56:26 Until then may God bless you and we'll see you next time. 56:31 Hello, again. 56:33 The more we dissect the Word of God, 56:35 the more clearly we see how the enemy of souls 56:39 has left no stone unturned to deceive God's people 56:43 and to keep us all in a confused state of mind. 56:46 This way, it is more difficult for us 56:49 to discern right from wrong. 56:51 And through his many deceptive uses of drama, 56:55 we have literally been reprogrammed 56:57 to accept the wrong behaviors as good or even right. 57:01 We're finding more and more that the Bible is no longer 57:04 the moral guide for even professed Christians 57:08 simply because it doesn't teach 57:10 what they have been conditioned to accept as correct behavior. 57:14 What a sad state of affairs that we are living in, friends. 57:18 We're pushing God and His Spirit 57:20 further and further away from us. 57:22 Well, proclaiming at the same time to worship Him. 57:25 Indeed, we have a form of godliness, 57:28 but no true spiritual godly power. 57:32 Friends, this message is one 57:33 that calls for decisions to be made. 57:36 And it is our prayer that you make the right biblical decision 57:39 for your family and for your house of worship. 57:42 And should you wish to hold on to this information 57:45 and always have it available for you to share or to study again. 57:50 We're offering this two part series entitled "Drama," 57:53 to you for a love gift of just $15 or more. 57:57 And don't forget to ask for the free outline of quotes 58:00 that Pastor Kenny is providing, 58:02 so that you may always have them at your fingertips when needed. 58:05 And please remember, always remember 58:07 that your love gifts and your prayerful support 58:10 enables us here at "Behold the Lamb Ministries" 58:13 to keep moving forward and sharing this gospel of truth, 58:17 this good news to the world. 58:20 Therefore your love gift is very valuable to us as well. 58:24 So give us a call here in the United States 58:27 at area code 618-942-5044, 58:32 That's Central Standard Time 58:34 or write us at Behold the Lamb Ministries 58:36 PO Box 2030, Herrin, Illinois 62948. 58:41 You may also email us 58:43 at beholdthelambministries @yahoo.com. 58:47 And as always order on our website 58:50 at www.beholdthelambministries.com. 58:55 Until next time, friends, may our precious, 58:58 precious Lord, continue to richly bless you and yours. |
Revised 2014-12-17