Participants: Pr. John Carter
Series Code: CR
Program Code: CR001006
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00:07 From Arcadia, California, the Carter Report presents
00:10 "The Living Word" around the world. 00:19 Millions around the world have attended 00:21 the Carter Report programs 00:22 and seen the wonders of biblical archeology, 00:25 from the treasures of King Tutankhamun, 00:27 to the great pyramids of Giza, vast audiences have walked 00:30 with John Carter in the dusty roads of ancient Egypt. 00:33 The journey has continued as the masses have gazed upon 00:36 the palaces of Petra and the stones of Herod's temple. 00:40 The largest secular crowds attending religious meetings 00:42 anywhere have exclaimed, "At last, 00:45 here is evidence to believe in God." 00:47 Please support the Carter Report in its unique mission. 00:50 Write to John Carter, P.O. Box 1900, 00:53 Thousand Oaks, California, 91358 or P.O. Box 861, 00:57 Terrigal, New South Wales, 2260 Australia. 01:01 Once again that address is, The Carter Report, 01:03 P.O. Box 1900, Thousand Oaks, California, 91358 01:08 or P.O. Box 861, Terrigal, 01:11 New South Wales, 2260, Australia. 01:22 Have you ever dreamed of being a biblical archaeologist? 01:25 Ever wondered how you might help stem 01:27 the flood of secularism that's sweeping away 01:29 the foundations of society? 01:31 Dr. Randall Younker, 01:34 director of the Institute of Archaeology 01:36 at Andrews University invites you to join him, 01:38 as he and his team continued to unearth evidence 01:41 that shows the truthfulness of the Bible. 01:44 Act now. 01:45 Write today to Dr. Younker, Institute of Archaeology 01:49 at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49104. 01:54 Support our archaeologists as they dig for truth. 01:57 Write out to Dr. Younker, 01:59 Institute of Archaeology at Andrews University. 02:02 Or call the University at 269-471-3273. 02:08 That number once again, 269-471-3273. 02:22 The topic today is "The Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy." 02:31 Why did the Christian church burn the Bibles 02:36 few hundred years ago? 02:38 What is there so threatening with the Bible 02:42 that church leaders would burn the Bibles 02:46 as you can see happening over there in Europe, 02:50 couple of hundred, two or three hundred years ago. 02:53 More to our own time, 02:55 why did the communists ban the Bibles? 03:01 Why were the communists scared of the Bible? 03:06 What is there about the Bible that terrifies dictators? 03:14 Why are the most prosperous, cleanest, 03:18 healthiest, safest, 03:22 freest countries and societies on earth, 03:26 those that honor and respect the Bible, 03:31 that were founded by Bible believing 03:36 and Bible reading Christians? 03:41 Why is it that in my travels around the world. 03:45 I've gone to countries where women are washing 03:49 their clothes in the gutters? 03:52 Why? 03:54 Why is that that you go to some countries 03:57 and every second person seems to be someone 04:00 who wants to steal from you? 04:03 Why people are lined up as far as the eye can see 04:06 to get into America? 04:11 Does the Bible got something to do with it? 04:16 And do the words of the Bible today have power 04:20 to help me as I daily face the challenge 04:24 of paying my mortgage, 04:27 paying my taxes, paying my school fees, 04:31 going to work, living my life, coping with sickness, 04:37 death and a thousand other occurrences? 04:41 Can the words of an ancient book help me as a teenager 04:47 who wonders what life is all about 04:49 in an age of computers and cell phones? 04:55 Is this ancient book still relevant today? 05:00 What is the verdict of history? 05:03 So the topic is "The Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy." 05:08 Why I believe society is crumbling 05:12 and what we can do to preserve and defend 05:15 our biblical heritage of goodness and greatness. 05:23 Please turn in the Bible to our theme text, Hebrews 4:12. 05:29 Hebrews Chapter 4. 05:31 Dear Hearts and Gentle people. 05:33 Hebrews 4:12, 05:38 which will be our theme text. 05:42 Hebrews 4:12. 05:47 Have you got that text? Here it is. 05:51 "For the word of God..." Got that text? 05:54 "For the word of God is living and active. 05:59 Sharper than any double-edged sword, 06:02 it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, 06:06 joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts 06:10 and attitudes of the heart." 06:13 The King James Version says, that the word of God is living 06:19 and powerful and penetrating. 06:22 I want to put this over here on this high-tech black board. 06:29 The word of God, the Bible, is living. 06:35 The word of God is not static. 06:39 It is not dead. 06:40 It's not a dead word, it is the living word of God 06:44 and the word of God describes itself and says it is powerful. 06:52 And the Bible says it is penetrating. 06:58 It is unlike any other book in the whole wide world. 07:03 It is unlike any other book because it is the word of God. 07:09 Now I'm going to invite a special person of our church 07:13 Alma Dixon to come. 07:16 And I'm going to ask Alma to tell us 07:19 what is her favorite text 07:21 and how this text has helped her 07:25 at some time in her life. 07:27 The text, Alma. 07:29 Yes, Pastor Carter, it's Psalms 121:7, 8. 07:33 It says, "The Lord will keep you from all harm. 07:36 He will watch over your life. 07:38 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, 07:40 both now and forevermore." 07:42 How has this text helped you Alma? 07:46 Pastor Carter, I've been pretty much on my own 07:47 since I was 18. 07:49 And I moved out to California and I didn't know-- 07:51 really know anyone and at the time, 07:54 I really wasn't a Christian but the Lord watched over me. 07:57 And when I got to know Him, I understood even more 08:00 how much He was watching over me and it was really awesome. 08:02 God bless you, Alma. Thank you. 08:04 Thank you. 08:05 Let's say thank you to Alma. 08:06 She is a very special person in our church and we love her. 08:13 The Bible is the word of God. 08:16 It has unique power. 08:19 It is unlike that of any other book, 08:22 and it is described partially in the following text. 08:26 Would you come now to 2 Timothy 3:15 and 16. 08:31 2 Timothy 3:15, 16. 08:37 The Great Paul says, verse 15, "And how from infancy 08:42 you've known the Holy Scriptures, 08:44 which are able to make you wise for salvation 08:48 through faith in Christ Jesus. 08:51 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, 08:56 rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 09:01 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped 09:04 for every good work." 09:06 The Bible tells me about itself 09:09 that the word of God is God-breathed. 09:15 There is no other book like this, my friend. 09:18 It is the breath of God in print. 09:23 It is able to make you wise unto salvation. 09:27 The next text is John 17: 17. 09:31 And everybody, please turn in the scriptures 09:34 because this is the living word. 09:37 John 17:17. 09:41 John 17:17. 09:45 Jesus said, "Sanctify them by the truth." 09:50 What did He say? 09:53 Sanctify them by the truth." 09:54 What did He say? 09:56 What are the next words? 09:58 "Your word is truth." 10:00 Do you want to know the truth? 10:04 Do you want to know the truth? 10:06 The Bible tells me, 10:07 the word of God reveals to us the truth. 10:12 It is the living word of God. 10:15 Come over now to Matthew 4:4. 10:19 Matthew 4:4. 10:22 And here we come again to the words of our Lord. 10:25 Matthew 4:4. 10:28 Matthew 4:4. 10:30 "Jesus answered, 'It is written: 10:34 Man does not live on bread alone, 10:37 but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.''' 10:41 It is the bread of life. 10:44 May I see the hands of those people here today 10:46 who had breakfast? 10:49 Would you raise your hands if you had breakfast? 10:52 Put your hands down. 10:54 Can I see the hands of those who are planning to have lunch? 10:59 Put your hands down. 11:00 You are thinking about it already. 11:02 I know you. 11:04 Who is planning to have dinner? 11:09 What would happen to you, my friend, 11:12 if you fail to have any food taken into your body? 11:15 What would happen to you? 11:18 You would die. 11:20 A person who fails to read the scriptures on a daily basis 11:26 is destined to die spiritually and ultimately socially, 11:32 physically, in every other way. 11:34 Come over now to Psalm 33: 6. 11:37 Psalm 33:6. 11:41 Psalm 33:6. 11:47 The Bible says, "By the word of the Lord 11:50 were the heavens made, 11:52 their starry host by the breath of His mouth." 11:57 The word of God that we hold in our hands today, 12:01 the word of God is so powerful that it made the universe. 12:07 Therefore, this word is an all powerful. 12:12 It is a mighty word. 12:16 Come now to Psalm 119:11. 12:20 Another text that describes what the word of God is. 12:23 Psalm 119:11. 12:28 Psalm 119:11. 12:33 Have you got that text? 12:35 Psalm 119:11. 12:38 David said, "I have hidden your word in my heart 12:44 that I might not sin against You." 12:47 The word of God, my beloved friends, 12:51 has the divine capacity to give you power over sin. 12:57 Have you got a problem? Don't respond. 13:01 Hold in your heart? 13:03 Have you got a problem with sin in your life? 13:06 The Bible tells me you have a problem with sin in your life 13:10 because you are not feeding on the word. 13:13 The word of God will give you power over your sin. 13:19 Come now to Psalm 119:105. 13:24 Verse 105. 13:27 Psalm 119:105. 13:30 "Your word is a lamp to my feet 13:34 and a light for my path." 13:36 Have you ever stumbled in darkness? 13:40 Have you sometimes wondered what on earth shall I do, 13:46 I don't know what to do. 13:48 I'm in desperation. 13:50 I have been out in a jungle at night time, 13:54 stumbling along a jungle track that was infested with snakes. 14:01 Hope for light is the cry of the heart. 14:05 If there is someone here today, 14:08 and you are stumbling in darkness, 14:10 you don't know which way to turn, 14:13 try the word of God, 14:15 because the word of God is a light and a lamp. 14:19 Come now to Jeremiah 23:29. 14:22 Jeremiah 23:29. 14:24 And as you take this text today into your heart, 14:28 you are going to be blessed. 14:29 I promise you. 14:30 Jeremiah 23:29. 14:35 Jeremiah 23:29. 14:40 "'Is not my word like fire,' declares the Lord, 14:46 'and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?''' 14:52 The word of God, my friends, is not a passive thing. 14:57 The word of God is like a fire that blazes in the soul 15:03 and consumes evil and iniquity. 15:06 It is the hammer that breaks down the kingdom of darkness. 15:12 There is no power on the face of the earth 15:17 that can withstand the mighty word of God. 15:21 For instance, the Roman Empire. 15:24 Another great empire that stood up against God, 15:27 like the Soviet Empire. 15:30 Come now to Psalm 107:20, 15:34 107:20, 15:37 107:20. 15:42 Psalm 107:20. 15:45 He sent forth His word and healed them, 15:50 He rescued them from the grave." 15:54 I wonder, is there someone here today 15:57 and you are afflicted with an awful sickness? 16:01 Do you not realize that most of the diseases 16:06 that plague us here in the United States of America 16:10 are because of our disobedience to the word? 16:16 I'm not saying all afflictions but most sicknesses. 16:21 The Bible tells us, if we will obey His word, 16:26 God will give us a healing force in our lives. 16:32 So think about this. 16:35 The Bible is for all people. 16:38 It elevates, and nobles, cleanses, heals, 16:44 enlightens, creates, feeds, sustains 16:49 and shows us the way to salvation. 16:53 Now let me pause in my train of thought 16:58 and answer a question. 17:01 Some of my dear friends in other churches, 17:05 whom I appreciate tremendously, 17:08 and respect and honor. 17:10 Some of them have come to me and they've said. 17:14 "Is it not true that Seventh-day Adventists 17:18 have another Bible?" 17:24 In fact, one man who is making a name for himself 17:27 in this part of the world, who's putting out magazines 17:31 that I have had a little debate with, 17:34 he says, "I would not want to belong to a church 17:40 that has another Bible." 17:47 Of course, they're referring to Ellen White. 17:51 Let Ellen White speak for herself. 17:55 Listen. 17:57 Ellen White said, the Bible is the only 18:01 infallible authority in religion. 18:07 She said, 18:08 "It is the only book that tells me what to do to be saved." 18:14 She said, "It is the only sufficient 18:18 and infallible rule." 18:21 Only one. 18:23 She said, "Obey it as God's voice." 18:27 And then she said, my dearly beloved Protestant friend 18:31 she said, "It is the Seventh-day Adventists 18:36 rule of faith and discipline." 18:42 And then she made this remarkable powerful statement. 18:46 She said, "The words..." 18:48 and she's talking about quoting authorities, 18:51 religious authorities. 18:52 She said, "The words of the Bible 18:55 alone should be heard from the pulpit." 19:02 And so we tell you when you come into this church, 19:04 by the grace of God, 19:06 You will hear the words of the Bible. 19:12 And of course, when you get to know Ellen White, 19:15 who was one of the great saints of God, 19:19 a great American, you discover that she was a Protestant, 19:24 through and through. 19:25 She followed the watch word of the Protestant Reformers. 19:28 Read it in "Great Controversy." 19:30 She said, with a Protestant Reformers, 19:33 the Bible, and the Bible alone. 19:37 Ellen White believed in the Protestant principle 19:40 that I spoke about only last Wednesday night, 19:44 when I was speaking on the mark of the beast. 19:46 She believed in the Protestant principle of Sola Christus, 19:53 that we are saved by Christ alone. 19:57 And she believed in the Protestant principle 19:59 of Sola Scriptura. 20:04 Sola Scripture, Sola Scriptura. 20:08 It means only scripture. 20:13 Now... a dear old General Conference friend 20:20 remarked to me some time ago. 20:23 I've known him for many years, one of my closest friends. 20:27 He said "You know, Brother John, 20:31 I don't have any trouble at all with Ellen White." 20:37 He said, "I seem to have a little bit of trouble 20:39 with people who misquote her." 20:45 She believed Sola Christus, Sola Scriptura. 20:49 Sola gratia, only grace. 20:52 Sola fide, only faith. 20:56 Because she was a Protestant. 21:00 And I stand here today as a Bible believing Christian, 21:03 who is glad to call himself a Protestant. 21:08 Now, I want some of my friends 21:11 who are representative of our church to come forward. 21:15 And not only representative of our church, 21:18 but maybe a representative of the world, Cindy Ciulla. 21:23 Would you please welcome our dear Cindy? 21:29 Good morning, Cindy. Good morning. 21:33 Good morning, sorry, good morning Cindy. 21:35 Good morning. 21:36 What is your favorite text? 21:38 My favorite text, 21:39 well one of them, is 1 Peter 5:10. 21:43 "For the God of all grace who called you 21:45 to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a while 21:49 will himself restore you and make you strong, 21:53 firm and steadfast." 21:55 How does this text helped Cindy Ciulla? 21:58 It helps me because it says. 22:00 I remember Jesus saying 22:01 that "In this world you will have trouble. 22:03 But take heart because I've overcome the world." 22:07 We all have many trials and struggles 22:09 and I've had my share. 22:11 And this verse gives me hope because it says 22:13 the God of all grace Himself will restore you. 22:16 And He is restoring me, He will continue to restore me. 22:20 And until He comes again. 22:22 So I take great hope in that and it gives me great joy. 22:25 We're proud of you, Cindy. 22:26 We love you. Thank you. 22:27 God bless you, God bless you, Cindy. 22:32 My friend who is on my board, Greg Eberhardt. 22:36 Would you please welcome Greg? 22:40 Thank you, Pastor Carter. 22:42 Greg, tell me a little bit about your work, what do you do? 22:46 I work in commercial real estate finance. 22:49 You were in New York this week. That's correct, yes. 22:51 Now you back in L.A. Happy to be back. 22:53 Yes. What is your favorite text? 22:55 My favorite text is Philippians 4:6 and 7. 23:01 "Do not be anxious about anything, 23:04 but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 23:07 with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 23:10 And the peace of God 23:12 which transcends all understanding, 23:14 will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 23:17 How does this text help Greg Eberhardt? 23:21 Well, when the financial sector was melting down 23:23 in this country, about a year and a half ago, 23:25 I kept this verse with me every day. 23:28 It reminded me to put everything in God's hands, 23:32 to say my prayers, and most importantly, 23:35 to give thanks to God for that which we have 23:38 because we're very blessed. 23:40 We're blessed to have you Greg. God bless you. 23:42 Thank you. Thank you, thank you. 23:49 Beautiful lady in our church, 23:51 whose ancestors came from Russia. 23:55 I'm sure you don't know whom I'm speaking of. 23:59 Yeah. It's Jill Canas. Please come, Jill. 24:04 And we've sort of got her addressed up a little bit 24:06 to represent Russia today. 24:09 Jill, I'm glad to see you. 24:11 Glad to see you, Pastor Carter. 24:12 And what is your profession, besides being a mom? 24:15 I'm a registered nurse. 24:18 What is your favorite text? I go to Philippians 4:19. 24:24 It says, "And my God will meet all your needs 24:26 according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." 24:30 How does this text help you? 24:33 As a nurse, I work in intensive care. 24:37 And there are a lot of sick patients 24:39 and every day I'm faced with changing things 24:43 and needing things. 24:44 And when I am desperate and I'm working hard, 24:48 I come back to this text 24:50 and realize that God will meet all my needs, 24:52 for me and for my patient that I'm praying for. 24:55 We're proud of you Jill. God bless you. 24:57 Thank you, thank you. 25:02 Haven't we got nice folks in this church? 25:05 A young man, Steve Sulgatti, we could say 25:08 that Steve represents the vast world of people 25:11 who speak the Spanish language. 25:16 Steve, I'm glad to see. Good morning. 25:18 Good morning. What is your favorite text? 25:20 My favorite text is John 3:34. 25:23 And it says, 25:24 "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, 25:27 for God gives the Spirit without limits." 25:30 How does this help you, Steve? 25:32 Well, one of the most difficult times in my life 25:33 was losing my grandmother. 25:35 And this text, I would read it and it gave me great peace, 25:39 knowing that He would give it without limits, His Spirit. 25:43 Wonderful testimony. God bless you, Steve. 25:44 Thank you. Thank you. 25:49 Now a person who is making an impact upon our ministry 25:53 is Miles Yu, 25:55 because Miles is translating an entire evangelistic series 26:01 into Chinese. 26:02 This is a great, great work. 26:04 And these videos or rather DVDs are going to be distributed, 26:08 we believe across China. 26:10 Miles, welcome here today. 26:13 Pastor Carter, welcome. 26:15 We're glad to have you here today. 26:16 All right, thank you, thank you for having me. 26:19 Tell me about your profession? 26:20 Well, I'm a translator, interpreter. 26:24 I used to do voice over, acting, recording. 26:28 And I'm a youth pastor. Well, you are a busy person. 26:31 What is your favorite text? 26:34 And would you read it firstly to us in Chinese. 26:37 Oh. Please. 26:38 Good thing I brought this Bible. 26:41 My favorite text is found in Luke 12:29-31. 26:46 In Chinese. 27:04 Thank you. 27:06 Would you now read it in English for us? 27:08 Absolutely. 27:10 "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink, 27:13 do not worry about it. 27:15 For the pagan world runs after all such things, 27:18 and your Father knows that you need them. 27:20 But seek his kingdom, 27:21 and these things will be given to you as well." 27:24 How does this text help you? 27:27 Well, about nine years ago, my wife was pregnant 27:31 and I decided to quit my job. 27:33 I want to be a stay home dad, 27:35 you know, to spend time with my family. 27:37 So I took a big leap of faith 27:40 and went out on my own, became freelance 27:42 in all the services that I provide. 27:44 And I just always come back to this verse 27:46 and to remember that not to worry, 27:48 and seek God's kingdom first and His righteousness 27:50 and everything else will be taken care of. 27:53 We're so glad that you're working with us 27:56 on the translation of this series. 27:58 Praise God. And we thank God for you. 28:00 Thank you, Miles. Praise God. 28:01 Thank you. God bless you. 28:10 When you hear stories like this, 28:12 your heart cries out, give me the Bible. 28:15 John Wesley said on one occasion, 28:17 whatever happens he said, "Give me the word of God." 28:21 But I would like you to notice today, 28:25 there is a steady erosion of faith, 28:30 a deadly undermining of our Christian faith. 28:35 Now, remember this, 28:37 speaking to an American audience, 28:41 this is going around the world. 28:43 So let me say hello, to my friends 28:45 in New Zealand, Australia 28:47 and across the great continent of Europe. 28:50 Remember this, my American friends. 28:53 The Bible made America great, not secularism. 28:59 America, which grew until it became the greatest nation 29:03 in the history of the world without dispute, 29:07 was founded by Bible believing, Bible reading Christians. 29:13 And when you meet people today, and they say, 29:17 "It doesn't matter about the Bible, 29:18 we don't need the Bible in America." 29:23 If we should believe them and follow them, 29:28 American would quickly go the way of the Roman Empire, 29:33 and would be destroyed. 29:36 Because this nation, 29:37 unlike almost any other nation in the world, 29:42 was founded by people who believed in the Bible. 29:46 I want you to notice, dear friends, today's trends. 29:52 In the year 2000, 29:54 59 percent of Americans read the Bible occasionally. 30:00 This is down from 73 percent in 1980. 30:05 Only one in seven Americans today 30:08 is involved in a Bible Study Group. 30:11 This is down from one in five in 1990. 30:15 The trend is downwards. 30:18 Nevertheless, Americans, this great nation, 30:23 Americans remain the most biblically literate people 30:28 on the face of the earth. 30:31 People say, "Why is America such a marvelous place?" 30:36 It is because it is built on the Bible. 30:41 And if this nation had not been built on the Bible, 30:45 it would be like some of those countries 30:47 that are filled with crime and poverty. 30:51 That is a fact. 30:54 The Bible has been the source of her strength 30:59 and her prosperity. 31:01 But the trend today is away from the Bible. 31:06 Now in a recent Gallup Poll, 31:09 only 37 percent of Americans could name the gospels. 31:14 Only 42 percent could name five of the Ten Commandments, 31:19 38 percent believe 31:21 the entire Bible was written after Jesus, 31:25 12 percent believe 31:28 that Noah's wife was Joan of Arc. 31:32 Hey, it's only 12 percent. Come on. 31:37 Seventy five percent of us believe, 31:40 the Bible teaches 31:41 that God helps those who help themselves. 31:44 Bible doesn't say this. 31:49 Now wait for this. 31:51 If you are not an American, don't laugh, 31:56 because all the other countries are worst. 32:02 Try asking the British and the Australians 32:06 about their biblical knowledge, 32:11 let alone the Germans and the French. 32:17 There is a relationship between biblical knowledge 32:21 and biblical practice and the prosperity 32:25 and well being of a nation. 32:28 Not only of a nation 32:30 but of an individual and a family. 32:35 Think about this. An individual and a family. 32:40 Do you know any person, think about this, 32:43 do you any person who gave up the church, 32:47 who gave up the daily reading of the Bible, 32:50 who gave up faith in Christ and betted himself. 33:01 Listen to these words. 33:04 I love this country. 33:06 I've lived here now for 25 years. 33:09 I'm perfectly aware of the great truth 33:12 that the Bible made America great. 33:16 Those of you, who poke fun at America, 33:18 ask yourself the question, 33:20 why are people still lined up trying to get into this place. 33:24 Because it's better here than in their country. 33:28 The Bible made Britain great. 33:32 She wasn't called Great Britain for nothing. 33:37 You know why Britain was called Great Britain? 33:41 Because she was Great Britain. 33:44 Because she was a part of a great movement, 33:48 back to God, of Sola Christus, Sola scriptura. 33:54 And that is why she became the birthplace you could say, 33:59 of freedom in our day and age. 34:06 Britain was great 34:08 while she believed in the Bible. 34:10 But as Britain has given up faith in the Bible, 34:14 so her greatness has greatly declined. 34:20 Now what I'm going to say now, you have to forgive me. 34:25 Because you know, I am an Aussie. 34:30 I say this to my Australian friends, 34:33 and many of them are cynical of religion. 34:38 The Bible made Australia a great country. 34:45 They say that for the last 10 years, 34:47 it has had the best economy in the world 34:52 and two of the top cities in the world 34:54 has places to live are Australian cities. 34:58 At least two. 35:01 Why? 35:03 Well, let me tell you folks a little bit of history. 35:08 I just got to get this out, folks. 35:09 It's been building up inside me for so long. 35:14 When did America get freedom from Britain? 35:17 What year was it? 35:20 By the law or the war when? 35:23 Independence, when was it? 35:26 Come on, Americans, tell me. 35:29 Okay, in the 1770s. Okay. 35:34 England had dumped her criminals 35:37 over here in America, 35:40 because this was a British colony. 35:43 At Britain, it had so many convicts 35:45 that she ran out of places for them. 35:47 She sent them to America. 35:50 Now you didn't have to be too bad 35:51 to be sent as a convict to America, 35:54 maybe stealing a loaf of bread to feed your kids. 35:59 Or poor little ladies of 70 or 80 years of age 36:02 that stole an ounce of sugar or an ounce of cheese 36:07 to feed their grandchildren 36:09 and they would sent out as convicts. 36:10 That's how Britain treated people. 36:14 That's what happened because of 1776, 36:18 they didn't have a dumping ground anymore 36:21 and they said, "Glory, we've just discovered Australia." 36:27 It was discovered in 1770 36:32 by the great 1770, Bob, 36:36 it was discovered, don't tell me my history, 36:39 in 1770, it was discovered by Captain James Cook, 36:44 with a little boat. 36:47 And then the British said, 36:48 where are we going to send the refused of our society? 36:53 Where are going to send the scum of our society? 36:57 Do you know where they sent them to? 36:58 They said we can't send them any more to America, 37:01 'cause it's no longer our colony, 37:03 we're gonna send them to a place 37:06 where no body will want to go. 37:09 But which proved to be a lot better than the mother land, 37:13 sorry to tell my English friends there. 37:15 They sent them to Australia. 37:18 Do you know how they came out there, 37:20 now these are some-- these are cartoons? 37:23 These are my ancestors. Yeah. 37:27 You know, what we had to do is, some of these pictures, 37:30 we had to put them in photo shop 37:32 to make them sort of half decent. 37:35 These are my ancestors. 37:37 I do not have a lot of sympathy for people who come to me 37:41 and they say, "Oh, I've had such a bad time." 37:44 If you only knew what happened to my ancestors. 37:48 Hey, don't tell me that, 37:49 my ancestors most likely were convicts. 37:55 Maybe, yours too. 37:58 Let me tell you folks something. 38:00 Australia had one redeeming feature. 38:03 When they sent out the convict ships, 38:04 and hundreds would die in the passage, 38:07 there was terrible immorality and drunkenness. 38:11 The soldiers were often worse than the convicts. 38:15 They had a big fight in Australia. 38:17 It was called the Rum Rebellion, 38:19 because that was the currency, Rum. 38:22 What a degraded society, but do you know 38:25 who came with the convicts on those ships? 38:28 Church of England chaplains. 38:31 And every day between the floggings, 38:34 the inhumanity to the convicts was dreadful. 38:40 Mother England was not very good to her children. 38:43 You know that. The Americans know that. 38:45 And in between the floggings, 38:48 the chaplains would read to the convicts 38:50 out of the word of God, and the book of common prayer, 38:55 and would teach them praise. 38:59 And Australia came out of this cesspool of iniquity 39:05 and degradation where today it is a marvelous place. 39:12 The convicts did not make Australia a great place. 39:16 It was the word of God in the hands of the convicts. 39:21 When I was a boy, and things have changed in Australia. 39:24 And as Australia gets away from the word of God, 39:27 I want to tell you something, her path is downwards. 39:34 But when I was a boy, growing up in Australia, 39:37 I was taught the Bible. 39:39 And when I went to State school, 39:42 we had a time once a week 39:44 where the ministers of various denominations 39:46 would come and we were trained in the scriptures 39:50 in a State school. 39:54 The government said, 39:55 if we don't teach people the Bible, 39:58 well, they said, we can't do it 39:59 because of the separation of church and state 40:01 but we're gonna get the ministers, 40:03 the Baptists and the Adventists and Catholic priests 40:06 and they had to come along and I was trained in the Bible. 40:11 I'll never forget it. 40:13 I can remember starting a day in a school, 40:17 State school, in Australia, 40:19 where Mr. Conroy, the principle, 40:21 went to the black board and he wrote up a text. 40:25 He said, we're gonna start with a text. 40:27 "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are pure, 40:31 whatsoever things are holy." 40:34 These texts got into my mind 40:37 and I was brought up in a society 40:40 that believed in God and believed in the Bible 40:44 and therefore, I was taught as a child, 40:47 it was a dreadful thing to steal. 40:52 A person who stole, 40:54 it is so dreadful or a person who told lies. 40:59 The school I went to when kids were caught telling lies, 41:03 they had their mouths washed out with soapy water. 41:07 Now today, you know, there'll be court cases, 41:10 it did the kids a lot of good. 41:15 I remember the Cole's Funny Book 41:17 and it showed a great big hand, big hand 41:21 and it said, the "Spankaphone." 41:25 First used by Mrs. Adam Smith 41:28 and used successfully ever since. 41:34 The people got their principles from the Bible. 41:37 And I want you to know this. 41:39 When you live in a Bible believing, 41:42 God fearing community, you're not gonna have crime, 41:46 and you're not gonna have evil. 41:49 Listen. This is a fact. 41:53 Here it is, politically uncorrect, it's a fact. 41:58 The most prosperous countries, 42:02 where women as treated as equal citizens. 42:08 That's how you can judge a country. 42:10 How they treat the women. 42:14 But if the women are out in the fields 42:16 while the men are home, drinking bear 42:19 and the women are out bare feet, 42:21 you got a degraded society. 42:24 And any society that doesn't treat women 42:28 with an equality and with respect, 42:30 is a degraded society. 42:33 Because the Bible says, men and women are equal. 42:40 And as you know, the first country 42:43 that gave women the right to vote 42:45 was New Zealand, 42:48 followed a few weeks later by Australia. 42:55 Listen, the most prosperous countries 42:57 where women is treated as equal citizens, 43:00 where freedom is celebrated, 43:02 where the people are clean and healthy, 43:05 where part of or the result of a great spiritual revival 43:11 that swept the world. 43:13 I'm thinking of the days of Martin Luther, 43:16 the other great preachers of the Bible. 43:19 I'm talking about the reformation. 43:24 You say, "Are you sure?" Yeah, 'cause I travel. 43:27 USA News in World Report 43:29 recently put out a map of the world for businessmen. 43:34 And it colored the countries that believed in the Bible 43:37 by coincidence. 43:40 The most honest countries, the cleanest countries, 43:44 they were green. 43:46 And the countries that were corrupt were red 43:50 and the countries that you couldn't even read 43:53 because of their corruption being so high, 43:55 it was just white. 43:57 But the countries that are green, 44:01 well, there's Canada, there's the United States 44:04 and I won't go through the rest 44:05 'cause I don't want go embarrass you 44:07 or anybody watching the program. 44:09 But the countries that achieved the greatest freedom, 44:14 the greatest respect for women, the greatest work ethic, 44:19 are the countries that believe the Bible. 44:24 Now let me tell you, folks something, 44:26 so this will sink down into your ears 44:28 and you won't forget it. 44:30 My travels. 44:32 I've gone to countries 44:34 where women are washing their clothes in the gutters. 44:39 You know why? 44:41 When I walked around those countries 44:43 I've gone to the great church that banned the Bible. 44:49 The poor women who are washing their clothes 44:51 in the gutters have never read a Bible. 44:56 Because the church didn't want them to. 45:00 I've gone to a land of a million gods. 45:04 I've seen indescribable, I've seen it, I've smelt it. 45:10 Filth, poverty, degradation of women, 45:15 a terrible cast system, 45:19 a nation where vast numbers of little baby girls 45:24 are murdered because they are girls. 45:29 Where babies are deformed or even cockroaches 45:35 are strapped to their eyeballs, to eat out their eyeballs. 45:40 So the parents can use them as beggars 45:44 because there is no Sola Cristus, 45:47 no Sola Scriptura, no. 45:51 Heathenism. 45:53 Don't you dare tell me that all religions are the same. 45:59 They are not. 46:01 Only the religion that comes from God can lead to God. 46:05 The rest will lead you down to the gates of hell. 46:09 I've been, 46:11 I guess, I'm an expert on the Soviet Union. 46:12 I've been there 40 times. 46:15 They carried out a great experiment of atheism. 46:19 "Ban the Bibles." That was their cry. 46:23 Why would the Soviets ban the Bible? 46:25 Because the Bible teaches there is a God. 46:27 And every soul is important. 46:29 They put to death 15 to 17 million innocent people. 46:35 Don't come and boast to me about your atheism. 46:39 I've got people who come to me and say, 46:40 "I'm proud to be an atheist." 46:42 I wouldn't be if I saw these pictures. 46:47 Fifteen million people put to death. 46:51 Why? Because the Soviets said it's a dangerous book. 46:55 Yes, it is. It is dangerous to dictators. 47:02 What happened to the Soviet Union? 47:03 It collapsed. 47:05 Because of poverty, disease and ignorance. 47:09 I've seen the evidence. 47:11 Long ago, with my team, I went through a village 47:14 between Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod 47:20 and the name of the village poverty stricken place. 47:25 Nobody seemed to have a job. Everybody seemed to be drunk. 47:30 It was called "No Grace of God here" village. 47:33 That's what it's called. 47:35 I said to our team, what's the name of the place? 47:37 "No Grace of God here" village. 47:41 Poverty. 47:44 The Bible is hated by every repressive regime, 47:48 political, or religious. 47:52 Why? Because it is the book of liberty. 47:58 I say to my American friends, 48:00 the United States government does not give you liberty. 48:03 That's a pagan idea. 48:05 The Bible gives us liberty. 48:09 The Bible gives us liberty. Christ gives us liberty. 48:13 Thank God, the United States government 48:15 recognizes the divine right that God has given to us. 48:22 I told the governor of Nizhny Novgorod, 48:24 get that out of your head that you as a Russian leader 48:27 are giving the Russians liberty, 48:29 God gave it to them. 48:31 You need to recognize it. This is the book of freedom. 48:36 This is the book of liberty. 48:38 This is the book that will lift up society. 48:43 Therefore, what shall we do? 48:49 I say to you, believe in God 48:52 and believe in the Christ of the Bible. 48:55 Come over here to Hebrews 4:12. 48:59 Hebrews 4:12. 49:06 We come back to where we started. 49:10 "For the word of God is living and powerful." 49:13 King James Version. 49:15 "Sharper than any double-edged sword, 49:19 it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, 49:22 joints and marrow, 49:24 it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." 49:30 Let this powerful and living word 49:34 abide in your hearts. 49:36 This is the source of our strength, 49:40 our peace, our health and our prosperity. 49:44 Moreover, it is the source of our salvation 49:49 and as an old evangelist called into pastor a church, 49:55 after he retired is want to say, 50:00 read your Bible every day. 50:06 "Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming, 50:11 to cheer the wanderer lone and tempest tossed, 50:15 No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming, 50:19 Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost. 50:24 Give me the Bible, holy message shining, 50:31 Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way, 50:36 Precept and promise, law and love combining, 50:43 Till night shall vanish in eternal day." 50:48 I say it 50:52 in the name of Him who sent me to preach. 50:56 If you are not daily reading the Bible... 51:03 you are going the way of all flesh 51:05 and it is a way of darkness and despair. 51:09 I say to you, my American friends, 51:14 return to the roots. 51:16 Go back to the days of the puritan fathers 51:21 who forged a nation 51:23 out of the crucible of suffering... 51:29 and become again a great people, 51:36 because you are people of the book. 51:41 Amen. Let us kneel. 51:55 Here we are, our Father on our knees. 51:59 We thank you that the evidence is in the happiest families, 52:04 a Bible reading, Bible believing families, 52:08 that the happiest children in the world 52:10 are children who are brought up by loving kind parents, 52:15 who teach them the Bible, the word of God. 52:21 We thank you today 52:23 that the Bible is the source of peace, 52:27 joy, prosperity and liberty, 52:32 because it tells us about Christ. 52:37 We thank You that we live in a land 52:39 where we have the Bible. 52:42 Forgive us for our great sin of spiritual sloth, 52:46 and a laziness and apathy, 52:49 whereby we have turned from your word, 52:52 and we've turned to Hollywood, 52:55 and we've turned to the trash of television. 53:00 So we give God a minute 53:01 and we give the devil an hour or more. 53:07 May we reform our ways today. 53:11 May we become the people of the book 53:16 that made America great. 53:20 As we're praying here today, 53:22 how many will raise their hands and say 53:25 I thank God for my heritage. 53:28 And I will be a reader of God's word. 53:32 I will obey God's word. I will follow the light. 53:36 Can you raise your hand, please if that's your prayer? 53:40 Lord, I will read Your word. I will follow the light. 53:46 I will feed on Your word. It is the Bread of Life. 53:52 I need Your word in my heart today 53:56 that I might not sin against You. 53:59 Bless this great and marvelous congregation, 54:02 here in this great and wonderful land. 54:06 Help us, dear Father, to open our eyes to the truth 54:11 that we will understand that the people who read 54:16 and who obey the word, wherever they live, 54:20 whether it be Africa or Haiti or Chile or Australia 54:27 or Britain, wherever they live. 54:29 Those individuals who read and obey Your word 54:34 will be the most blessed of all people. 54:38 So we worship You. And we thank You. 54:42 We thank You for the martyrs by the millions who died 54:46 that we might have the Bible. 54:49 May it be the man of our counsel, 54:52 may it be our friend. 54:55 Thank you, Lord, in Jesus' name, amen and amen. 55:21 When peace, like a river 55:27 Attendeth my way 55:33 When sorrows like sea 55:38 Billows roll 55:45 Whatever my lot 55:51 Thou hast taught me to say 55:57 It is well 56:00 It is well 56:03 With my soul 56:09 It is well 56:15 With my soul 56:21 It is well 56:24 It is well 56:28 With my soul 56:34 My sin 56:37 Oh, the bliss 56:40 Of this glorious thought 56:46 My sin, not in part 56:52 but the whole 56:58 Is nailed to the cross 57:03 And I bear it no more 57:09 Praise the Lord 57:12 Praise the Lord 57:15 O my soul 57:22 It is well 57:28 With my soul 57:34 It is well 57:36 It is well 57:39 With my soul 57:46 And, Lord, haste the day 57:52 when the faith shall be sight 57:59 The clouds... |
Revised 2015-12-17