Participants: Pr. John Carter
Series Code: CR
Program Code: CR001202
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00:08 From Arcadia, California, the Carter report presents
00:11 "The Living Word" around the world. 00:18 Hello friends, do you ever wonder 00:20 what's going to happen next. 00:22 How can we ever get the images of the Japan out of our minds? 00:26 Think of this tremendous tsunami. 00:28 I've never seen anything like it. 00:29 I believe with all my heart 00:32 that God is sending a wake up call 00:35 to the nations of this world. 00:37 That message is get ready 00:39 because Christ is coming soon. 00:41 I believe that Christ is also sending 00:43 a wake up call to the church. 00:46 I want you to know today 00:48 this cannot be business today as usual. 00:52 We have a work to do. 00:53 And the Bible tells me, 00:55 we're called to go into all the world 00:57 and to preach the everlasting gospel, 01:00 the good news of Jesus Christ, the Lord. 01:03 I want you to join me my friend 01:05 in the great nations of the world, 01:08 in world evangelism. 01:10 We're working in China, join us. 01:13 I want you to join us in India. 01:15 We've got a television program in India. 01:17 It is a land of more than a billion souls. 01:21 Join us in India. 01:22 I want you to join us in Russia and Ukraine 01:26 and here in the United States of America, 01:28 in Australia, all around the world 01:30 where people need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. 01:36 I say this because I've got to find my soul. 01:41 Jesus is coming soon 01:44 and you and I have got a work to do. 01:47 Please write to me today, 01:48 John Carter, PO Box 1900, 01:52 Thousand Oaks, California, 91358. 01:56 In the South Pacific write to me at beautiful Terrigal. 02:01 The address is now appearing on the screen. 02:04 Listen my friend, Jesus is coming soon. 02:09 We must work while it is day because the night is coming. 02:19 The topic today is the Christian's dilemma. 02:23 We're going to talk about the baby that never grew up. 02:29 Stay with us for this great presentation today 02:32 and this great message. 02:34 But now let me introduce to you, David Castanon. 02:38 Would you please welcome him today. 02:59 Water You turned into wine 03:07 Opened the eyes of the blind 03:12 There's no one like You 03:20 There's none like You 03:30 Into the darkness You shine 03:38 Out of the ashes we rise 03:43 There's no one like You 03:50 There's none like You 04:00 Our God is greater Our God is stronger 04:08 God You are higher than any other 04:15 Our God is Healer Awesome in power 04:22 Our God 04:26 Our God 04:30 Water You turned into wine 04:38 Opened the eyes of the blind 04:43 There's no one like You 04:51 There's none like You 05:01 Into the darkness you shine 05:08 Out of the ashes we rise 05:14 There's no one like You 05:21 There's none like You. 05:31 Our God is greater Our God is stronger 05:38 God You are higher than any other 05:46 Our God is Healer Awesome in power 05:52 Our God 05:55 Our God 06:01 And if our God is for us 06:05 Then who could ever stop us 06:08 And if our God is with us 06:12 Then what could stand against 06:16 And if our God is for us 06:19 Then who could ever stop us 06:23 And if our God is with us 06:27 Then what could stand against 06:30 Our God is greater Our God is stronger 06:37 God You are higher than any other 06:45 Our God is Healer Awesome in power 06:52 Our God 06:56 Our God 07:09 I'm going to talk today about, 07:11 "the baby that never grew up." 07:15 But firstly I want to share you 07:18 some pictures of a little baby that is growing up. All right. 07:23 Now you got to admit, 07:27 you know I just got away with her, she just loves me. 07:31 You see that can't you? 07:34 Now just all say ah! Ah! 07:37 Let's hear it. 07:38 Yeah, that's right. Now isn't she cutie? 07:40 Ah! Ah! 07:42 Oh, I tell you. You think she looks like me. 07:44 Okay, okay. Yeah, thank you Ron. 07:47 Double indulgence for you today, Ron. 07:49 Now it's great when they are like this, isn't it? 07:54 Isn't it beautiful? 07:56 But it will be a tragedy, if they never grew up 08:02 and this little girl Amelie is starting to grow up. 08:08 She's 6 months and 18 days old. 08:14 And Julie tells me she's walking, 08:17 of course she is not. 08:20 But she's doing some high steps by the looks. 08:22 Folks, God gave us babies, 08:27 but babies need to grow up. 08:32 Today I'm gonna talk to you about the Christian's dilemma. 08:38 Now what's a dilemma? 08:40 Well, a dilemma is a thing 08:42 you know it's a conflict and ego problems in you. 08:47 Sometimes you don't' know what to do, 08:49 you say, it's a dilemma. 08:51 We're going to talk about the Christian's dilemma. 08:54 Something which is sometimes confusing 08:58 and a conflicting situation and you need to understand this, 09:03 because if you don't understand this, 09:05 maybe it's because you don't understand 09:09 the truth of the Bible on the gospel. 09:12 I want you to take your Bibles down 09:14 and turn with me firstly today to the Book of Romans, 09:18 Romans and I want you to come over here to Chapter 8:1. 09:24 Romans 8:1. 09:29 And I want you to notice these texts, 09:31 because theses texts are so positive 09:34 and up beaten, so uplifting. 09:36 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation 09:39 to those who are in Christ Jesus, 09:41 because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life 09:45 set me free from the law of sin and death." 09:47 There is no condemnation, if you're in Christ. 09:50 Now come to verses 12 to 14. 09:52 "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-- 09:55 but it is not to the sinful nature, 09:57 to live according to it. 09:59 For if you live according to the sinful nature, 10:02 it says, you will die." 10:03 So what, what was all these about assurance? 10:06 The Bible says, if you don't do something 10:09 or if you do-do something, 10:10 the Bible says you're going to die. 10:12 "But if by the Spirit you put to death 10:15 the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 10:17 because those who are led by the Spirit of God 10:21 are the sons of God." 10:23 So the Bible talks here about 10:24 people who are lead by the Spirit of God, 10:27 they are the sons of God. 10:28 But the Bible says, if you live according to the sinful nature, 10:32 the Bible says you're going to die. 10:34 Now come to verse 22 and 23. 10:38 The Bible says, we know 10:39 that the whole creation has been groaning 10:42 as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 10:47 Not only so, but we ourselves, 10:49 who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly 10:54 as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, 10:58 the redemption of the body." 10:59 The Bible says until our bodies are redeemed, 11:02 there's going to be some groaning, 11:04 I wonder why? This is the dilemma. 11:07 And if you look at verse 28, verse 28 will be fine. 11:12 "And we know that in all things 11:15 God works for the good of those who love him, 11:17 who have been called according to his purpose." 11:22 Come back if you don't mind please to verse 26. 11:26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. 11:31 We do not know what we ought to pray for." 11:34 Hey, I thought we were saved and redeemed 11:37 and we don't know what we ought to even pray for. 11:39 "But the Spirit himself intercedes for us 11:42 with groans that words cannot express." 11:45 This is serious matter. 11:47 "And he who searches our hearts 11:49 knows the mind of the Spirit, 11:51 because the Spirit intercedes for the saints 11:53 in accordance with the will of God." 11:57 So the Bible tells me 11:59 that I can know that I'm right with God. 12:03 I can have an assurance 12:06 that I can sing blessed assurance, 12:08 Jesus is mine. 12:09 I can know that I'm redeemed and I'm going to heaven. 12:14 But the Bible says, while I'm doing this 12:19 and I live according to the sinful nature. 12:21 The Bible says, you're going to die 12:24 and that is the Christian's dilemma. 12:28 Let me tell you folks this now. 12:30 This is something that it's not actually popular theology. 12:36 It is easy to become a Christian. 12:42 The steps are very simple, believe on the Lord Jesus 12:46 and you're going to be saved. 12:47 It's easy to become a Christian. 12:49 But I want to tell you folks something, 12:52 it's not easy to stay a Christian. 12:56 It's easy to become a Christian, 12:59 but, it's not easy to stay a Christian. 13:05 Some years ago when we were in Glendale, 13:07 I run a campaign in Glendale as you may remember 13:09 and it's about 14 or 15 years ago, 13:12 we baptized the lady and I have tried to baptize her. 13:16 She told me she has been married eight times 13:20 and she was a Hollywood star. 13:23 She was quite a famous person. 13:24 She had been married eight times. 13:28 It's easy to get married, 13:30 but it's not always easy to stay married. 13:33 I asked this lady 13:35 and I said what happened to your husbands? 13:36 She said they all died. 13:39 And I met her husband number eight, 13:42 I said, how are you? 13:43 He said I'm not feeling too good. 13:53 It makes you think, doesn't it? 13:54 But I want you folks to know something, 13:56 it's little bit like becoming a Christian. 14:00 It's not that hard to come onto a church 14:03 and raise your hand 14:04 and to make a profession of Christ. 14:07 But it's hard to stay a Christian. 14:11 I want you to let this sink down into your minds. 14:14 What you believe makes you what you are. 14:19 And that is something that most people 14:21 haven't even thought about. 14:23 What you believe makes you what you are. 14:30 Whether you're an Adventist 14:32 or a Baptist or a Pentecostal 14:35 or a Roman Catholic or a Muslim, 14:38 what you believe makes you what you are. 14:44 Everybody says to me. 14:46 Well, the gospel is the gospel, is the gospel, is the gospel. 14:50 The Apostle Paul said there were different gospels 14:53 but only one true gospel. 14:55 You all heard of that great person 14:57 that we have looked up to 14:59 and highly esteemed for so many years 15:01 Mother Theresa, who worked with the lepers 15:05 in Calcutta and other places. 15:07 But after she died it was discovered 15:10 from her letters that were published 15:12 and Mother Theresa had never known 15:15 one single hour of peace. 15:21 She believed a gospel but not the gospel of the Bible. 15:26 And Mother Theresa spent her life 15:29 in deep depression, suicidal 15:33 and even contemplated on occasions 15:35 becoming an atheist. 15:40 So don't tell me, 15:42 it doesn't matter what you believe, 15:46 because what you believe makes you what you are. 15:52 And today I want you to get to understand 15:55 by the grace of God the truth about the gospel. 16:00 Now back to the Christian's dilemma. 16:03 I want you to come over here to Matthew 11:28 and onwards. 16:07 Matthew 11:28 and onwards. 16:15 Matthew 11:28 and onwards, 16:17 I just love these words of Jesus. 16:20 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 16:24 and I will give you rest." 16:26 That's absolutely beautiful. 16:28 Christ says, "I will give you rest. 16:31 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 16:34 for I am gentle and humble in heart, 16:37 and you will find rest for your souls. 16:40 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 16:46 Now I'm gonna tell you the dilemma. 16:50 When you become a Christian 16:53 and you accept His rest, you have peace. 16:59 His yoke is easy and His burden is light 17:05 and if that is so, 17:08 then why is there so much struggle. 17:12 And you say I don't have any struggle. 17:16 Well, then you've got a problem 17:19 because the saints of God 17:22 in the Bible like St. Paul had a struggle. 17:28 The dilemma here it is, 17:31 the challenge of following Christ 17:34 and His teachings and the consequent struggle. 17:40 When I get through the day 17:42 you'll understand why people don't read their Bibles. 17:46 I'm going to show you today what a true Christian is. 17:53 What it takes to be a disciple of Christ. 17:59 Now when Jesus came, 18:02 He said the kingdom of heaven is at hand 18:04 and everybody was glad and shouting hallelujah. 18:09 And then Jesus went up on a mountain 18:11 near the Sea of Galilee, 18:13 the northern area and He sat down. 18:17 A mountain in the Bible is symbolic of the kingdom. 18:22 The city of Babylon was called a mountain. 18:24 The great stone of Daniel 2 becomes a mountain 18:28 because the mountain symbolizes the kingdom. 18:31 And when Jesus went up on the mountain 18:34 and gave the sermon on the Mount, 18:37 He was talking about the laws and the principles 18:42 not of the United States of America or of Great Britain 18:47 but He was talking about the laws and the great truths 18:54 that are the foundation of His kingdom. 18:58 What it takes to be a real Christian. 19:03 Now what we're going to notice now 19:05 is the description of a true Christian, 19:09 a follower of Christ. 19:10 Now you may say to me is, 19:12 do you think this is that important. 19:17 I want to tell you from my heart, 19:21 this is a matter of life and death. 19:26 What a tragedy if you should follow a certain teaching 19:31 and have absolute confidence that you are saved 19:35 and when you come up in the resurrection, 19:38 it's the resurrection of the lost. 19:40 Will that be a tragedy? 19:45 And therefore I want to show you today 19:48 what Jesus said is a true Christian. 19:54 And He gave it in Matthew 5 on the mountain. 19:58 Remember the mountain symbolizes the kingdom. 20:01 And so now He's giving the laws about the kingdom of God. 20:08 Matthew 5:1 and onwards. 20:12 "Now when he saw the crowds, 20:14 he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 20:18 His disciples came to him, 20:20 and he began to teach them, saying-- 20:24 "Now I'm going to share many texts with you today 20:27 but because of the brevity of time we spend here, 20:31 I'm going to go through some of these things quickly. 20:34 Verse 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit." 20:39 The people who are saved are spiritually poor. 20:44 The next verse, verse 4. 20:46 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." 20:50 The people who are His disciples are mourners. 20:54 They mourn because of their inadequacies and their sins. 21:00 Verse 5, "Blessed are the meek, 21:03 for they will inherit the earth." 21:05 A true disciple is a meek person. 21:08 Verse 6, "Blessed are those who hunger 21:11 and thirst for righteousness." 21:14 A true disciple is hungry 21:17 and thirsty for God all the time. 21:21 Verse 7, "Blessed are the merciful, 21:26 for they will be shown mercy." 21:28 A disciple of Christ is merciful. 21:32 Verse 8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, 21:35 for they will see God." 21:36 A disciple of Christ is pure. 21:40 He doesn't look at pornography, 21:43 anything like that. 21:45 Verse 9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, 21:48 for they will be called sons of God." 21:50 A disciple of Christ praise and works for peace. 21:56 Verse 10, "Blessed are those who are persecuted 22:00 because of righteousness, 22:02 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 22:05 A true disciple of Christ will experience 22:09 a times in His life, the fire of persecution 22:13 and if you never experience it perhaps you should doubt, 22:16 whether you're a disciple. 22:19 Now we're going to notice some of the laws 22:22 that are so specific. 22:24 Look at verse, verse 13, verse 13. 22:32 "You are the salt of the earth. 22:36 But if the salt loses its saltiness, 22:39 how can it be made salty again?" 22:42 Jesus says be genuine, be salty. 22:48 Verse 14, "You are the light of the world." 22:51 Jesus said be a light. 22:55 Verse 18 and 19, verse 18 and 19, 23:00 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, 23:03 until heaven and earth disappear, 23:05 not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, 23:09 will by any means disappear from the Law 23:12 until everything is accomplished. 23:15 Anyone who breaks 23:16 one of the least of these commandments 23:18 and teaches others to do the same 23:21 will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, 23:24 but whoever practices and teaches these commands 23:27 will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 23:31 People who don't read their Bible say, 23:36 the Old Testament is the book 23:38 that is full of laws and commands. It is. 23:44 They say thank God that we have the New Testament, 23:50 they obviously haven't read it. 23:55 And these are the words of Jesus 23:58 who would today be accused of the sin of legalism 24:05 because he's saying, do, do and be. 24:09 Look at verse 20, don't get angry with me. 24:12 Jesus said, "For I tell you 24:15 that unless your righteousness surpasses 24:19 that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, 24:22 you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." 24:25 Jesus said, if you're going to be my disciple, 24:30 you will be better than the most 24:33 religious people in the world. 24:39 The Pharisees were the most religious people in the world. 24:43 Jesus said, the Pharisees come to church 24:47 at 9 o'clock you come at 8:30. 24:54 You ought to be better and higher 24:59 than all the people in the world. 25:02 Matthew 5:21-22. 25:06 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 25:08 'Do not murder." 25:10 Verse 22, "But I tell you that anyone 25:12 who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." 25:15 Jesus says, be not angry, 25:20 not a case of not murdering, Jesus said don't even get angry. 25:25 Verse 23 and 24, 25:27 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar 25:30 and there remember that your brother 25:32 has something against you, 25:34 leave your gift there in front of the altar. 25:36 First go and be reconciled to your brother, 25:39 then come and offer your gift." 25:41 Jesus is saying be consolatory. 25:46 Don't sue people. Verse 27-28. 25:53 "You have heard that it was said, 25:54 'Do not commit adultery.' 25:57 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman 26:00 lustfully has already committed adultery 26:04 with her in his heart." 26:09 So Jesus says, be pure inside. 26:17 You say what sort of religion is this. 26:20 This is not like the religion of my church. 26:24 This is the religion of Christ. 26:27 He's talking about those who are the citizens of His kingdom. 26:34 Verse 31, "It has been said, 26:36 'Anyone who divorces his wife 26:37 must give her a certificate of divorce.'' 26:40 But I tell you, He says 26:42 be a one marriage person He says. 26:45 I wonder if Jesus would fit into our churches 26:48 or would He be this fellowshipped. 26:50 Verse 33 to 37. 26:52 "Again, you have heard that 26:53 it was said to the people long ago, 26:55 'Do not break your oath, 26:56 but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 26:58 But I tell you, Do not swear at all, 27:01 either by heaven, for it is God's throne or by the earth." 27:05 Verse 37, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' 27:08 and your 'No,' 'No'." 27:11 Jesus would say today, 27:13 how can you inherit the kingdom of God 27:16 when you blaspheme and say, oh my God. 27:24 Such will be thrown into utter darkness, 27:28 where they will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 27:31 Jesus said, don't swear. 27:35 Say yes and no. 27:39 And then He said, be gracious. 27:43 Look at verse 38 and onwards. 27:45 "You have heard that it was said, 27:47 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 27:49 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. 27:52 If someone strikes you on the right cheek, 27:54 turn to him the other also. 27:56 And if someone wants to sue you 27:58 and take your tunic, 28:00 let him have your cloak as well. 28:01 If someone forces you to go one mile, 28:04 go with him two miles." 28:07 You know what Jesus is referring to, don't you? 28:10 The Romans who were the occupying power. 28:16 Think my Americans friends, 28:18 if America were occupied by the Russians. 28:26 And Jesus says, he said to His disciple, 28:30 if the occupier come along and says, carry my bag. 28:35 The law said he had to do it for a mile. 28:40 And if a Pharisee was asked he would carry for a mile 28:44 and look for a puddle of mud and drop it in. 28:50 Jesus said, your righteousness 28:54 must be better than that carry it two miles. 29:02 Who is this man? 29:05 He brought to the world 29:07 the most revolutionary teachings, 29:10 but most of those who claim his name 29:14 have never read them. 29:15 You see, the Bible talks about the Lord Jesus Christ. 29:21 Christ is the Messiah. Everybody wants Jesus. 29:25 Everybody loves Jesus. 29:30 Jesus means Savior. 29:32 People want to be saved 29:36 but they do not want Him as Lord and Lord his Master. 29:44 And here Jesus is giving the lordship teachings 29:49 of the kingdom of God. 29:52 Describing those who are going to be saved, 29:56 is this too hard for you? 29:58 My friends these words will judge 30:01 you and me in the last days. 30:04 Verse 43 and 44, 30:06 "You have heard that it was said, 30:07 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 30:10 But I tell you, Love your enemies 30:12 and pray for those who persecute you." 30:18 If this was so, 30:20 all of the attorneys would be out of jobs. 30:26 Do not deceive yourselves into thinking 30:30 that you're a Christian if you're not. 30:34 Jesus said, you're called to love 30:37 the person who's suing you. 30:40 The mean person, the person that you do not like 30:45 because nobody can like him. 30:48 The narrow minded religious humbug 30:52 who comes into church and flouts her spirituality 30:57 but knows nothing of God's love. 30:59 Jesus said, love that person. 31:02 He said, don't just love your friends, 31:05 but love your enemies. 31:08 Chapter 6 verse 1 31:09 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' 31:12 before men, be humble." 31:15 Verse 4 "So that your giving may be in secret." 31:18 Be secretive of your good deeds. 31:22 Do not be like the person 31:24 who went to a great religious convention 31:26 and gave a million dollars on condition 31:30 that the television cameras were there 31:33 and they took pictures of the check 31:36 that reached across the stage. 31:41 Such a religion is humbug. 31:46 The disciple of Christ will not let 31:49 his left hand know what his right hand is doing. 31:53 Verse 7, verse 7, "When you pray, 31:57 do not keep on babbling like pagans, 32:02 for they think they will be heard 32:03 because of their many words." 32:05 Jesus said don't be verbose, get to the point. 32:09 When you're talking to God, you want to impress Him. 32:13 Verse 9, "This, then, is how you should pray, 32:16 'Our Father in heaven..."' This is a sample prayer. 32:19 Be personal with God, call Him Father. 32:23 Verse 12, "Forgive us our debts, 32:27 as we also have forgiven our debtors." 32:29 Be forgiving. 32:31 Verse 13, "And lead us not into temptation, 32:35 but deliver us from the evil one.''' 32:36 Be smart. 32:40 If you have got an alcohol problem 32:43 do not walk past the bar, 32:46 do not walk past the hotel. 32:50 So Jesus said a Christian will be as wise as a serpent. 33:00 Be smart. 33:01 Verse 16 and 17, "When you fast, 33:04 do not look somber as the hypocrites do..." 33:08 Verse 17, "But when you fast, 33:10 put oil on your head and wash your face..." 33:14 So Jesus said do not have a long face, 33:18 Jesus said be joyful, even when you fast. 33:23 No wonder they put him on a cross. 33:26 And verse 19 to 21, 33:28 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, 33:31 where moth and rust destroy, 33:33 and where thieves break in and steal. 33:35 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." 33:38 Verse 21, "For where your treasure is, 33:41 there your heart will be also." 33:43 Be generous with God, pay your tithes 33:47 and pay your offerings maybe pay a double tithe, 33:51 but be generous to God. 33:55 Verse 22, he says, 33:58 "The eye is the lamp of the body. 34:00 If your eyes are good, 34:01 your whole body will be full of light. 34:03 But if your eyes are bad, 34:05 your whole body will be full of darkness." 34:10 He says, do not be spiritually blind. 34:14 When Jesus is talking here about the eye and the light, 34:19 He's talking about spiritual perceptions, 34:23 be able to have the gift of discernment 34:28 and see what is right and what is wrong. 34:33 These are His disciples. 34:36 Now I'm going to summarize 34:38 the rest of Christ sermons without going through the texts. 34:45 He goes on to say 34:46 and this was point 29 actually in my notes. 34:50 I have gone through 28 points. Here's point 29. 34:53 Be totally devoted to God. 34:56 You can't love God and money, he says. 34:59 Be totally devoted. Number 30 point. 35:03 Don't love money. 35:04 He says, if you love money you're not my disciples 35:08 but you'll be lost. Now that's a tough one. 35:13 Because we live proudly in a capitalistic society, 35:17 where many people are taught 35:20 that the wealthier you are the better you are, 35:23 that is not true. Jesus was a poor man. 35:27 And not that we advocate that people be poor people 35:31 and live off other people. We're not talking about that. 35:37 But our Lord taught us that His truth goes into the soul. 35:43 Don't love money. 35:45 Then He said, don't worry, don't be a worrier. 35:49 Don't worry He said. 35:51 Look at the birds, they don't worry. 35:54 And then He said, give God your best, 35:57 seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. 36:00 God must be first. 36:02 Now He's talking about His disciples. 36:04 Was Jesus the supreme legalist, 36:07 who was teaching us that we're saved by our works? 36:12 Point number 3. He said, don't condemn people. 36:16 Number 34. 36:17 Look at your own faults, not at your brothers. 36:21 He said, don't tell your brother 36:22 that you're going to take the mode out his eye, 36:24 when there is a piece of 4/2 in your own eye. 36:29 So He said, don't be critical of human frailty. 36:35 Number 35. Be discerning. 36:39 36, be believing. 36:41 Full of faith, that was 37. 36:45 And 38 is the toughest one of the whole lot 36:47 which really distinguishes 36:49 a child of God from a child of devil. 36:53 Look at Matthew 7. 36:54 This is the same sermon verse 12. 37:00 Verse 12 Matthew 7, 37:02 this distinguishes a Christian from a pagan. 37:06 "So in everything, do to others 37:08 what you would have them do to you, 37:11 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." 37:15 Are disciple of Christ will do to others 37:19 what he would like others to do to him. 37:23 Did you see this week 37:26 when a presidential candidate had the temerity to say 37:30 to a large crowd of people, 37:32 maybe it's time that we practice the golden rule 37:37 and did to others 37:38 what we would like them to do onto us. 37:41 He was booed. 37:43 The hall was filled with people, 37:46 who were booing because my friend, 37:48 they do not understand this gospel. 37:52 This gospel is not Americanism or British Israelitism 38:00 or Australianism or any other ism, 38:03 it is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ 38:08 and it sets a high standard. 38:11 So it's easy to become a Christian. 38:14 Jesus said, be narrow. 38:17 Verse 13 and 14, "Enter through the narrow gate. 38:21 For wide is the gate and broad is the road 38:24 that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 38:28 But small is the gate and narrow the road 38:31 that leads to life, and only a few find it." 38:35 In comparison to the multitudes in the world, 38:39 Jesus said as far as truth is concerned, 38:43 you need to walk, the narrow road. 38:47 Not the wide road, that goes down to hell. 38:53 Point number 40, He said, 38:54 be wise and keep your eyes open. 38:57 Number 41, He said, be obedient, be listening. 39:02 And number 42, He said, be a disciple. 39:10 Now listen carefully, 39:11 because if this is making you uncomfortable here today, 39:16 maybe you need to be uncomfortable. 39:21 But Jesus did not come to make people comfortable, 39:26 Jesus came to set up a kingdom and to call out disciples. 39:33 Jesus in not giving merely good advice, 39:36 He's describing the citizens of the kingdom. 39:40 No wonder, now listen to this, 39:43 no wonder straight after Jesus gave the sermon, 39:48 the Bible tells the story of the healing of the leper. 39:55 No wonder, look at Matthew 8, 39:57 straight after the sermon. 40:00 "When he came down from the mountainside, 40:02 large crowds followed him. 40:04 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 40:07 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' 40:10 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 40:12 'I am willing,' he said. 40:15 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cured of his leprosy." 40:21 You know why that story is there. 40:24 You think it's by luck or by chance. 40:29 That story is there 40:31 because after you and I have read 40:35 the principles of the kingdom of God, 40:39 we discover, we're what? We're lepers. 40:44 Every one of us is a leper 40:47 in constant need of the grace of God. 40:51 Why should human flesh 40:54 be proud or boast of anything, 40:59 when we're lepers... 41:05 and indeed of the touch of Christ. 41:11 The Christian dilemma, what is the solution? 41:16 Can you now see why I asked the question 41:20 about babies that don't grow up, is that good? 41:24 It is because we do not study the teachings of Christ 41:29 and by the grace of God practice them 41:31 that we have so many babies. 41:36 Babies in church, yes. 41:40 Maybe somebody comes around the church 41:42 and somebody is sitting in her seat 41:44 and she says well, I'm not going to go there anymore. 41:47 She's a baby. 41:49 Never grown up and then other people say, 41:53 well, it's raining today and they pull the covers up. 41:57 I guess the best place for babies to be is in bed. 42:03 But it is a tragedy, 42:05 when a little baby doesn't grow up. 42:08 It is a tragedy when a Christian stays 42:11 in the same spiritual condition year after year. 42:16 And remember this is not an option 42:20 that we're talking about, we're talking about salvation. 42:24 The Christians dilemma, what is the solution? 42:31 There are two words that I've tried to teach you. 42:35 And most people don't get it. 42:39 One is standing and one at state. 42:44 Say with me, standing. Standing. 42:46 Say it loud. 42:47 Standing. Standing. 42:48 What's the next word? 42:49 State. Standing and state. 42:53 I have written it over here on the blackboard, 42:56 standing and state. 42:59 And I want to tell you how we can be His disciples. 43:05 When I come to Christ, I come as a penitent sinner 43:12 and when I come to Christ 43:14 and He justifies me by His blood. 43:19 Instantaneously I have a perfect standing with God. 43:24 Amen. Better say amen to that. 43:26 Amen. Especially if you're a leper. 43:29 And come over here to Romans 5:1. 43:32 Now if you get this, it's going to change your life. 43:36 It's going to make you a better person, 43:37 going to make you a happier person. 43:40 If you're a miserable person, it's gonna change you. 43:43 Romans 5:1, Therefore, since we have been justified 43:47 or declared righteous through faith, 43:50 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." 43:54 Listen my friend, 43:56 when I'm justified by the blood of Jesus, 44:03 I get a perfect standing, 44:06 100% standing, 44:09 I stand in the sight of a Holy God 44:13 as though I have never sinned, just like Jesus. 44:17 It's a perfect standing. 44:20 But what some people don't understand is this. 44:24 They don't have a perfect state. 44:32 When I was back in Brisbane sometime back 44:34 when my father went to work at the Cairncross Dry Dock. 44:39 I remember how ships would come into that dock. 44:43 American worships, blown almost to pieces. 44:47 When they were dragged up the Brisbane river, 44:50 they got into the home of a ally, hallelujah. 44:54 They are out of the enemy's grasp. 44:57 And when they got into the Cairncross Dry Dock, 44:59 they had a perfect standing. 45:04 They were safe but they weren't sound. 45:10 They needed a lot of work, that's like us. 45:16 We may have got into the dry dock 45:19 but we need if you're like me, a lot of work. 45:24 What we need a mighty infusion of grace, 45:29 love and an attitude of gratitude 45:33 that's called holiness and sanctification. 45:39 Now as the pastor 45:41 and I pastored the biggest churches and the smallest. 45:44 It is wonderful to baptize people 45:47 but that's not enough. 45:49 They have got to grow in grace. 45:52 It's wonderful to see babies grow up 45:55 but it's a tragedy after 30 years. 45:58 Some people are no more mature. 46:02 They're still going home because somebody said boo. 46:07 They're still inhospitable. 46:10 They're still the frozen chosen but they haven't been chosen. 46:17 They're not the children of God. 46:20 They need-- we need a mighty infusion of grace, love 46:26 and an attitude of gratitude to work on the state. 46:33 It's easy to become a Christian. 46:35 It's not easy to stay a Christian. 46:39 Now I'm going to contrast this, 46:41 I'm going to put it up on one screen 46:44 and then I'm going to put 46:45 the other side on the other screen. 46:47 If you understand this, it's going to help you. 46:51 We're going to put up on one screen. 46:53 Let's have it, we're gonna put up. 46:55 Here it is, over here we're gonna put up 46:57 sanctification and we're gonna put up-- 47:01 where is justification going to go? 47:03 Here we got to have justification. 47:06 Now justification my friend gives me 47:10 a perfect standing with God. 47:13 Justification--now I'm gonna give you little theology, 47:17 but what I'm telling you is the truth, 47:20 even though most folks don't seem to get it, 47:23 but you can get it. 47:24 If I can get it, anybody can get it. 47:27 Justification in the center there is a declaration. 47:33 It is a declaration that the sinner is righteous, 47:37 it is a judicial statement. 47:41 And it changes my standing from being lost to being saved. 47:47 But sanctification my friend is a making of holiness, 47:54 it is our work in the life 47:57 and that's what Jesus was talking about. 48:01 He's talking about the work in the life. 48:05 Justification, number two here it is, number two. 48:11 Christ for me, He died for me. 48:16 I'm saved not because of my works 48:20 but because He died for me, you see. 48:23 And therefore I will have an attitude of gratitude. 48:26 You cannot be a miserable Christian. 48:31 That's an oxymoron. 48:34 But sanctification is Christ in me 48:38 which is the fruitage of Christ for me. 48:44 Somebody is saying, well, what's that matter. 48:46 Well, it better matter if you want to be saved. 48:49 Point number three, justification is 100% complete. 48:54 You can't add to it. 48:55 If you have the perfect righteousness of God, 48:58 you can't make that any better. 49:01 You're gonna have that as a gift. 49:05 It's 100% complete but if you're a disciple, 49:09 the Spirit of God will come into you 49:11 and start to work upon all that nastiness's there. 49:17 And it's incomplete. 49:18 You could never come to the place 49:20 where you can say, I'm perfect, look at me. 49:26 Point number four. 49:27 The Bible says, in Christ there is no condemnation. 49:33 I can go to bed knowing that I'm going home to glory, 49:37 there's no condemnation. 49:39 But my friend in sanctification 49:43 I have a sense of my sinfulness. 49:46 You say, no, no, I don't go. 49:47 Well, you go and read Romans 7 49:49 and there you have got one of the greatest Christians 49:51 who ever lived and he says, "Oh, wretched man that I'm." 49:57 If you're a true Christian, you'll be crying out every day, 50:01 Lord have mercy on this wretched man. 50:05 And he won't be talking about somebody else. 50:10 Point number five. 50:13 Justification, a perfect standing, 50:17 sanctification, an imperfect state. 50:20 Point number six. 50:22 My standing is through the blood of Christ, 50:25 I'm redeemed through the blood 50:28 but I'm sanctified or made Holy 50:32 in the life through the Spirit of God. 50:35 And if He doesn't come into your life, 50:37 it's because you haven't come to Christ. 50:40 This standing justification happens in a moment of time, 50:43 my friend some of you don't know that. 50:46 Some of you got a real problem. 50:48 You got so much religion in you, bad religion 50:51 that you don't even understand what I'm saying 50:53 and maybe some of you are on the verge 50:56 of committing the unpardonable sin 50:57 because you've been hardening your heart. 50:59 You better think about that. 51:03 You know why I'm telling you this 51:04 because I want you to be saved. 51:08 I get a perfect standing in a moment. 51:11 But changing my state is a life time. 51:15 In Christ I have a perfect peace 51:20 but as the Spirit of God works on me, 51:22 there's a struggle in my life, what about you? 51:25 Point number nine. 51:27 On the cross, the battle was won and finished. 51:32 When I come to Christ, He accepts me as I'm 51:37 because His battle was finished on the cross 51:39 but the battle goes on in my life. 51:43 Look at the blackboard. 51:45 Justification is a declaration. 51:48 Say--it's not a making, this is sanctification, 51:52 the declaration Christ forming sanctification is Christ in me. 51:57 This is a 100% it's through the blood, 52:00 this is through the spirit. 52:05 So you see it's easy to become a Christian, 52:11 it's not easy to stay one. 52:12 Point number 10. 52:16 This doctrine of a perfect standing 52:19 is Biblical Protestant and Adventist. 52:24 And the doctrine of God's changing this state 52:29 my bad old nature, 52:31 that's Biblical Protestant, an Adventist. 52:37 There is such a thing as having a false security. 52:44 You can only have a security, 52:50 if the fruits of the life show 52:54 that you have been redeemed. 52:56 That is why on the judgment, 52:58 we're judged not by faith but by works, 53:04 because the works show what I'm? 53:08 How do you fell about that? 53:11 That Jesus have the last word, shall we? 53:16 Mathew 7 and this is the conclusion to His sermon. 53:21 That certainly amazed them. 53:24 Mathew 7:21 and onwards He has the last word. 53:31 Therefore-- while He said all these things 53:34 you need to do this, you need to do that, 53:36 you need to do someone else. 53:39 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine," 53:43 what does it say? 53:45 Come on, put some, what does it say? 53:49 Guy, I want you to talk to me what does it say? 53:53 Put some into what? 53:55 "Puts them into practice is like a wise man 53:58 who built his house on the rock. 54:01 The rain came down the streams rose, 54:03 and the winds blew and beat against that house, 54:06 yet it did not fall, 54:07 because it had its foundation on the rock. 54:11 But everyone who hears these words of mine 54:14 and does not put them into practice 54:18 is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 54:23 The rain came down, the streams rose, 54:26 and the winds blew and beat against that house, 54:29 and it fell with a great crash." 54:34 When Jesus had finished saying these things, 54:37 the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 54:40 because he taught as one who had authority, 54:44 and not as their teachers of the law." 54:48 Jesus on another occasion said, 54:53 listen to it, He said, 54:56 "He who has ears to hear, 55:02 let him hear, amen. Amen. 55:08 The Carter Report is a self supporting ministry 55:11 with a global mission. 55:13 We believe that the most important thing 55:15 that we can do in this tremendous hour 55:18 is to tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ. 55:21 Because Jesus said, 55:23 "I am the way, the truth and the life." 55:26 We do not believe that this is business as usual. 55:30 We believe that we are living in the closing hours 55:33 in the history of this world. 55:35 Bless your heart, friend. 55:36 Look at the signs that are being fulfilled almost everyday. 55:40 The signs of the times are shouting at us. 55:43 And they're saying, "Jesus is coming soon." 55:47 I want you to be my partner in global mission. 55:50 I want you to be my partner 55:52 in helping to tell the world about the coming of Jesus. 55:56 I want you to be my partner in the preaching 55:59 of the distinctive truths of the Three Angels' Messages. 56:04 Please, check us out 56:06 at the new "Carter Report" website, cartereport.org. 56:11 We have a special section whereby you can ask questions 56:16 and I will give you the answers 56:17 from the living world of the living God. 56:21 That is the cartereport.org. 56:26 My friend, we want you to join us 56:29 in the mission to preach the gospel in China, 56:33 in India, in Australia, in Africa, 56:37 in the United States of America, 56:39 wherever people are lost 56:41 and wherever people need to hear 56:43 the good news that Jesus saves. 56:47 Please, check us out. 56:49 The new "Carter Report" website, cartereport.org. 56:54 I want to hear from you today. 57:09 I can hear the rush of angel's wings 57:15 I see glory 57:18 on each face 57:24 For surely 57:27 the presence 57:32 of the Lord 57:37 is in this place |
Revised 2014-12-17