Participants: Graham Weir
Series Code: FGW
Program Code: FGW000027A
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00:26 Hello, I'm Graham Weir.
00:29 And I want to welcome you to part 2 00:31 of The Reformation Revisited. 00:33 This is the six part dynamic series 00:36 dealing with the impact of the Protestant Reformation, 00:39 and its vital implications 00:41 for the survival of Christianity today. 00:45 And in this presentation, 00:46 we're going to take a deeper look 00:47 at some of the teachings of Martin Luther, 00:50 and the various denominations that rose after Martin Luther. 00:55 And we're also going to take a look 00:57 at how to tell the difference 00:58 between a true and a false revival. 01:02 So let us pray. 01:09 Loving Father in heaven, 01:10 we praise You and thank You once again 01:12 for the opportunity 01:14 to contemplate the great Protestant Reformation, 01:17 and the mighty heritage 01:18 that You've given us through that. 01:21 The journey from darkness into light 01:24 and the amount of light that arose piece by piece 01:29 with the Reformers that rose after Luther 01:33 that we might get an appreciation 01:35 for the emergence of Christianity 01:37 and want to discuss in these days. 01:40 So please bless us, 01:42 and once again give it to Easter here. 01:44 And I ask to see 01:46 and heart incline to do your work 01:49 because we are saying things in Jesus' precious name. 01:53 Amen. 01:57 Our text today is Proverbs 4:18. 02:02 And it says this, 02:04 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, 02:07 that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." 02:13 This tells us that the Christian journey 02:15 is the journey from darkness into light. 02:20 Have you ever walked out of a dark room 02:22 into blazing sunlight? 02:24 It really hurts, doesn't? 02:27 And we have to shield our eyes 02:30 until we have time to adjust to that brightness. 02:33 But for the same reason, 02:34 Christians emergent 02:36 from long years of spiritual darkness 02:38 were unable to receive the full light 02:41 that we have today until had time to adjust to it. 02:45 And this process took many years. 02:49 Well, after Luther refusal to attend at Worm, 02:52 he was on his journey home to Wittenberg. 02:55 When he was unexpectedly ambushed by a bandit men 02:59 who separated him from his companions 03:01 and galloped off into the North, 03:04 really disappear for many months. 03:07 And most people thought that Luther had been killed. 03:10 But what really happened 03:11 was that some of these worthy supporters 03:13 who didn't really trust 03:14 the king's pledge to keep himself, 03:17 arrange to have him taken captive 03:19 to Wartburg Castle 03:22 near the village of Eisenach in Germany. 03:24 You can go there today 03:26 and you can see where Luther was. 03:28 He was to be kept safe in isolation 03:31 where he could think and plan future direction 03:34 without anyone knowing really where he was. 03:37 I want you to think about that. 03:38 Sometimes when God allows what appears to be a setback, 03:42 He's really preparing for a great come back. 03:46 And this seeming setback for Martin Luther 03:48 was undoubtedly part of God's great plan 03:51 for the Protestant Reformation 03:53 because in this room, 03:55 Luther translated the entire New Testament 03:58 into the common language for the German people. 04:02 He had plenty of time to think and to study and to write. 04:07 Now, I'm going to show you a list 04:09 of some of the many long forgotten Bible principles 04:12 that he brought back into the lot. 04:15 The first one was holy clergy. 04:18 No more dishonesty or evil living. 04:21 He taught holy finances. 04:24 Money to be used properly, 04:26 not to be used to sustain evil lifestyles of corrupt priests. 04:31 He also taught that we should keep the commandments 04:34 to honor God, 04:35 not as a means of salvation, but to honor God. 04:40 He also taught that great principle 04:42 of the Protestant Reformation "Sola Scriptura". 04:45 It's the Bible and the Bible only as a foundation for faith. 04:51 He also taught the importance of studying 04:53 Bible Prophecy 04:54 in order to be prepared for the future, 04:57 in order to understand the future, 04:59 he knew we had to look to the past. 05:02 He also taught that 05:03 the Bible has more authority than the traditions of men. 05:07 And he taught that 05:08 great principle of justification by faith. 05:11 The belief that we are saved by God's grace alone, 05:15 not by any of our own good works. 05:18 He also taught that we need to confess directly to God, 05:22 not man. 05:24 It's not necessary to confess to a human priest 05:27 because he believed 05:29 the priest has no authority or ability to forgive sins. 05:34 But like the man emerging from a dark room 05:36 into a blinding light, 05:38 Luther was unable to see clearly 05:41 all the points of truths 05:42 that God wanted to reveal to the world. 05:46 In fact, he even believed 05:47 that some of the books of the Bible 05:49 really shouldn't be in it. 05:51 He wanted to tear out the books of Esther, 05:54 Hebrews, James, Jude, and then Revelation. 05:59 He wanted to throw them out. 06:01 He felt they didn't have any part with the Bible. 06:04 But God knew the darkness 06:06 that Luther and the people of his time were emerging from. 06:10 In fact, the most prolific woman writer 06:12 in American history, Ellen G. White 06:15 summed up the situation very well 06:17 in an article she titled, 06:19 "Martin Luther, his character and early life." 06:23 This was published in 1883, 06:25 and take a look at what she said. 06:28 She said, "Foremost among those 06:30 who were called for God to break the chains of peppery, 06:34 and lead the church 06:35 into the light of a purer faith, 06:37 stood Martin Luther. 06:40 Though, like others in his time, 06:41 he did not see every point of faith 06:44 as clearly as we say it today, 06:46 yet he earnestly desired to know the will of God, 06:49 and he joyfully received the truth 06:52 as it was made plain to his understanding." 06:56 Well, besides Luther, other reformers arose 06:59 and a Protestant Reformation spread 07:01 throughout Europe and England. 07:04 But after it became established in several countries 07:07 something strange began to happen. 07:12 The English reformers 07:14 while renounced the doctrines of Romanism 07:16 had still retained many of its forms. 07:20 So although they rejected the authority 07:22 and the creeds of Rome, 07:24 a lot of Roman Catholic customs and ceremonies were copied 07:29 into the worship practices of the Church of England. 07:32 And the inclusion of these Catholic customs 07:35 tended to narrow the gulf 07:36 which separated reformed churches from Rome. 07:40 Their leaders justified these compromises by saying 07:43 that it would make the Protestant faith 07:45 more attractive to Roman Catholics. 07:49 But the church members, 07:50 while the church members 07:51 who were lukewarm and willing to compromise, 07:54 this reason seemed valid. 07:57 But there was another class who weren't so easily deceived. 08:01 The fact that this custom 08:03 tended to bridge over the chasm 08:05 between Rome and the Reformation, 08:07 or to their minds a conclusive argument 08:10 against retaining them. 08:13 Well, as the Church of England continued to compromise 08:16 their principles of Protestantism. 08:18 Then like the Roman Church 08:20 before them that gained the ire of the state, 08:23 and they started doing falsely doctrines by civil law. 08:27 That's persecution 08:29 and public punishment of dissenters 08:31 again emerged making the Protestant faith 08:35 no better than the Roman Church that it came out of. 08:39 Well, to preserve their freedom of conscience, 08:41 many were forced to flee to Holland, 08:44 a republic that allowed people to worship God as they chose 08:48 without fear of persecution. 08:51 And from there, 08:52 God putted some of them across the sea to a land 08:55 where they might stand for themselves the state 08:58 and leave to their children 08:59 a precious heritage of religious liberty. 09:04 Well, to get an insight into what was happening 09:06 to the Christian faith at the time, 09:08 we can get a clue from this painting 09:10 in the rotunda 09:12 of the United States Capitol Building 09:14 in Washington DC. 09:15 I lived there for a couple of years, 09:17 and I saw this painting on the wall. 09:20 In this painting, 09:21 we see Pastor John Robinson 09:24 praying for the pilgrims on the ship, the Speedwell. 09:28 On the day of their departure from Delft Haven in Holland 09:31 for the New World on July 22nd, 1620. 09:36 What he said to the pilgrims gives us a clear picture 09:40 of the condition of Christianity at that time. 09:44 Let's take a look. 09:46 Note carefully what he had to say to them. 09:49 He said, "For my part, 09:50 I cannot sufficiently bewail 09:53 the conditions of the reformed churches, 09:56 who are come to a period in religion, 09:58 and will go at present no farther 10:00 than the instruments of their reformation. 10:04 The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw, 10:08 and the Calvinist, you see, 10:09 they stick fast 10:11 where they were left by that great man of God, 10:13 who yet saw not all things. 10:16 This is the misery much to be lamented, 10:19 for though they were burning 10:21 and shining lights in their time, 10:23 yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God, 10:27 but were they now living, 10:28 would be as willing to embrace further light 10:31 as that which they first received." 10:34 He said, "Remember your church covenant, 10:36 in which you've agreed to walk in all the ways of the Lord, 10:40 made or to be made known unto you. 10:43 Remember your promise and covenant with God 10:46 and with one another, 10:47 to receive whatever light and truth 10:50 shall be made known to you from His written word, 10:53 but withal, he says, take heed, 10:56 I beseech you, I warned you, I plead with you, 11:00 what you receive for truth, 11:02 and compare it and weigh it 11:04 with other scriptures of truth before you accept it, 11:08 for he said it is not possible 11:10 that the Christian world 11:12 should come so lately out of that thick darkness, 11:15 and that full perfection of knowledge 11:18 should break forth at once." 11:21 So you can see from this history 11:23 that the problem with Christianity at that time 11:25 was the fact that each group 11:27 would not advance any faster or further 11:30 than their leaders went 11:32 in their understanding of truth. 11:35 And this is an error that we must avoid today 11:37 when every wind of doctrine blows. 11:41 It is absolutely essential for our growth as Christians. 11:43 And it doesn't matter 11:45 what denomination you belong to. 11:47 To study and examine for ourselves, 11:50 what profess it, takes you, say to us 11:53 and not just be satisfied 11:55 with accepting anything without question. 11:56 What do you say? 11:58 That should be the basis of the Protestant Reformation. 12:01 And this quote from Ellen White makes this very clear. 12:05 She said this, We must not think, 12:08 "Well, we have all the truth, 12:10 we understand the main pillars of our faith, 12:13 and we may rest on this knowledge. 12:16 The truth is an advancing truth, 12:18 and we must walk in increasing light." 12:21 And if you look back 12:23 at some of the main denominations 12:24 that arose from Luther's time to at our time, 12:27 we see the increasing light of truth emerging. 12:32 Let's take a closer look at some of the key doctrine 12:34 that emerged 12:36 during the climb out of the dark ages. 12:39 The Lutheran's restored the truth in Sola Scriptura, 12:43 the Bible and the Bible 12:44 only at the foundations for the faith, 12:47 and salvation by faith alone, not works. 12:52 The Anglicans restored the truth of no idols or images 12:56 and the worship of Christ, not Mary. 12:58 These are all essential points that we had to hear 13:01 to emerge out of darkness. 13:04 And the Presbyterians restored the truth 13:07 about practical Christianity, simple lifestyles, 13:10 and no formalism or displays in the churches. 13:14 And a good old Baptists restored the truths 13:16 about baptism by immersion, not sprinkling, 13:20 and that great principle of freedom and democracy, 13:23 the strict separation of church and state. 13:27 We have our freedom today, 13:29 our freedom to worship God 13:31 and freedom of conscience to the good old Baptist. 13:33 They started it, 13:35 and we can be grateful for that. 13:37 The Methodists restored 13:38 the truths about the need for obedience 13:40 to the Ten Commandments. 13:42 And look at this, as a response to salvation, 13:45 not the means of salvation, very important point. 13:50 This was the great principle that Martin Luther discovered 13:53 when God spoke to him 13:54 as he climbed those stairs on his knees. 13:58 And they also restored the truth of the importance 14:00 for standards of Christian behavior. 14:04 And the early Adventists, 14:05 I'm not talking about Seventh-day Adventists here. 14:07 They restored the truth about the second coming of Christ, 14:11 and the cleansing of the sanctuary. 14:14 I remember, they were the people 14:16 from many denominations 14:17 who suffered what we call today, 14:19 the great disappointment. 14:22 It's happened during the late 19th century. 14:24 I didn't understand until later that the scripture references 14:28 to the cleansing of the sanctuary 14:30 referred to the one in heaven, not the earth. 14:34 In those days, many people saw that the earth was a sanctuary. 14:37 And when the Bible said 14:38 that sanctuary was to be cleansed, 14:40 they thought it meant 14:41 the cleansing of the earth by fire. 14:42 It wasn't until later 14:44 that they discovered their mistake. 14:47 And finally, the Seventh-day Adventist arose 14:50 out of that great disappointment, 14:52 and they restored 14:53 the great truths about the Sabbath 14:55 being the seventh day of the week 14:56 and not the first day of the week. 14:58 And they also restored the truth 15:00 that identified the time of the investigative judgment. 15:04 And God's three final warning messages to the world. 15:10 Now something we need to notice 15:11 as we look at this story 15:13 is the fact that as the church fell away 15:16 into the Dark Ages, 15:18 they persuaded the state to enforce its doctrines 15:21 by civil law 15:24 was the result of millions of people 15:26 suffered great persecution and death. 15:30 Forcing some of them to risk a dangerous sea journey 15:33 to find a new land 15:35 where they could live without fear of persecution. 15:39 And these refugees eventually wrote a constitution 15:43 that ensured their new American states 15:45 would never make religious laws. 15:47 And I say eventually 15:49 because it didn't happen quickly. 15:51 Some of them even made great effort 15:53 to make their Protestant faith the law of the land. 15:57 And they too began to persecute those 15:59 who didn't agree with them. 16:02 In fact, religious freedom didn't really emerge 16:04 in the statute books 16:06 until the founder of the Rhode Island colony, 16:09 Roger Williams was the first person 16:11 in modern Christendom 16:13 to establish civil government 16:15 on the doctrine of liberty of conscience. 16:19 The public or the magistrates may decide he said, 16:23 what is due for man to man, 16:25 but when they attempt to prescribe 16:27 a man duties to God, they had a place. 16:30 And there could be no safety 16:32 because it is clear 16:34 that if the magistrate had the power, 16:36 he may decree one set of opinions 16:37 or beliefs today and another tomorrow. 16:40 And that has been done in England 16:42 by different kings and queens, 16:44 and by different popes and councils 16:46 in the Roman Church. 16:47 This is all happened before. 16:50 He said, "Eventually, 16:51 these great principles of freedom 16:53 were incorporated into the Federal Constitution 16:56 of the United States" with these words. 16:58 Note carefully what they were, 17:01 and every American will know what this is. 17:03 It says, "Congress shall make no law 17:06 respecting an establishment of religion, 17:09 or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, 17:13 or abridging the freedom of speech, 17:16 or of the press, 17:17 or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, 17:21 and to petition the government for redress of grievances." 17:26 So today we can give thanks to God 17:28 for this great principle of government. 17:30 And that grew out of the Protestant Reformation. 17:33 And I believe, 17:35 it's one of the biggest reasons for the freedoms of democracy 17:38 enjoyed by so many countries today. 17:40 What do you say? We can thank God for that. 17:44 And Australia among many other countries 17:46 sees the wisdom in such statements 17:49 and enshrined this principle in its constitution. 17:52 Let's take a look. 17:56 It says, "Religious freedom is safeguarded 17:59 by section 116 of the Australian Constitution 18:03 which prohibits the Federal government 18:05 from making any law establishing any religion, 18:10 imposing any religious observance, 18:12 or prohibiting the free exercise 18:14 of any religion. 18:16 Individuals are free to express a diversity views, 18:23 so long as they do not incite religious hatred." 18:29 And that clause was put in our constitution largely 18:32 because of the lobbying activities 18:35 of two Seventh-day Adventists. 18:38 It's important point to remember. 18:40 And it's also enshrined in the United Nations Charter 18:45 Declaration of Human Rights. 18:47 It says, 18:48 "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, 18:50 conscience and religion, 18:53 this right includes freedom 18:54 to change his religion or belief, 18:56 and freedom either alone or in community with others 19:00 and in public or private, 19:02 to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, 19:05 practice, worship and observance." 19:10 So, friends, we can thank God 19:12 for His hand on these early pioneers 19:14 who built the foundations of democracy on the principles 19:18 of the great Protestant Reformation. 19:21 And today we have an unparalleled window 19:24 of opportunity in democratic countries 19:27 to worship God in freedom of conscience 19:30 without fear of persecution. 19:31 That's great news, isn't it? Yes. 19:33 But the window is closing. 19:39 In fact, "We have come to a period of time in history 19:42 when the end of all things is fast approaching, 19:45 and many of God's people are not ready." 19:50 Ellen White studied it very clearly 19:51 when she said this, 19:53 "A revival of true godliness among us 19:57 is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. 20:01 To seek this should be our first work." 20:06 So we asked the question, what is she talking about, 20:09 what is this revival 20:10 of godliness spoken about here? 20:13 How can we identify it or even tell if we have it? 20:17 Well, let's look more closely 20:19 at the dramatic effects of the Word of God 20:21 on people in the past. 20:24 Wherever the Word of God has been faithfully preached, 20:27 results have followed 20:28 that demonstrated its divine origin. 20:31 The Spirit of God accompanied the message of his servants 20:35 and the word with power. 20:37 Sinners felt their consciences quickened. 20:40 Deep conviction, 20:42 deep conviction took hold upon their minds and hearts. 20:45 They were convinced of sin, and of righteousness, 20:49 and of judgment to come. 20:52 They had a sense 20:54 of the righteousness of Jehovah, 20:56 and they felt the terror of appearing, 20:58 in their guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. 21:04 In anguish they cried out: 21:06 Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 21:10 As the cross of Calvary, 21:12 with its infinite sacrifice 21:14 for the sins of men, was revealed. 21:16 They realized that nothing 21:18 but the merits of Christ will be sufficient to atone 21:21 for their disobedient to his commandments. 21:23 This alone, they felt could reconcile man to God. 21:28 And with faith and humility, they accepted the Lamb of God, 21:31 that taketh away the sin of the world. 21:34 Through the blood of Jesus, 21:35 they had remission of sins that are past. 21:40 "And then so, brought forth, fruit meet for repentance," 21:43 as the Bible calls it. 21:45 They experienced dramatic changes 21:47 in their way of life. 21:49 Changes that demonstrated 21:50 that they're being filled with sorrow 21:52 for their past mistakes 21:54 and had somehow received a vision 21:57 of a bold new direction for their lives. 22:01 They believed, and they were baptized 22:03 and arose to walk in newness of life, 22:06 they were new creatures in Christ Jesus. 22:09 They no longer had any interest 22:11 in following their former worldly attraction. 22:14 But by the faith of the Son of God, 22:16 they now wanted to follow in His step 22:19 to reflect His character, 22:21 and to purify themselves even as Christ is pure. 22:26 The things they once hated, they're now loved. 22:28 The things that once loved, they're now hated. 22:32 The proud and self-assertive became meek and lowly of heart. 22:35 The vain and supercilious became serious and unobtrusive. 22:39 And the profligate became pure, and the drunken became sober. 22:46 The vain fashions of the world were laid aside. 22:49 "Christians sought not the outward adorning 22:52 or plaiting of the hair, 22:53 and of wearing of gold, 22:55 and putting on jewelry and apparel, 22:57 but the hidden man of the heart, 23:00 in that which is not corruptible, 23:02 even the ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit, 23:06 which is in the sight of God of great price." 23:09 And that was in 1 Peter 3:3 and 4. 23:15 Genuine true revivals brought 23:17 deep heart-searching and humility. 23:20 They were characterized by solemn, 23:22 earnest appeal to the sinner, 23:24 and by yearning compassion for the purchase 23:26 of the blood of Christ. 23:29 Men and women prayed and wrestled with God 23:32 for the salvation of souls. 23:35 And the fruits of such revivals were seen in souls 23:38 who shrank not at self-denial and sacrifice, 23:42 but they rejoiced that they were counted worthy 23:45 to suffer reproach for the sake of God. 23:49 Men beheld a transformation in the lives of those 23:51 who professed the name of Jesus. 23:54 The community was benefited by their influence. 23:57 They gathered with Christ, and they sowed to the Spirit, 24:00 to reap life everlasting. 24:03 And they made it very clear by the example 24:06 that there is no evidence of genuine repentance 24:09 unless it works reformation in the life. 24:12 What do you say? 24:14 No evidence of genuine repentance 24:16 unless it works a reformation in the love. 24:21 Now, I'm going to read you something, 24:22 and the commentary notes that I'm reading to you 24:25 were written in 1900. 24:28 So you might need to ask yourself the question, 24:30 are these comments still relevant today? 24:34 And please note also as I read through this material 24:37 which is bit heavier in places that it's not my purpose, 24:41 and it's not the purpose of this series 24:43 to put down any specific denomination or individual. 24:47 I'm simply reading the comments of historians 24:50 about religious movements or systems in general. 24:54 As you listen, you can decide for yourself 24:57 if they remain relevant in this age. 24:59 So let's continue, and I'm going to quote. 25:04 "But many of the revivals of modern times 25:07 have presented a marked contrast 25:09 to those exhibitions of divine grace 25:12 which in earlier days followed the labors of God's servants. 25:17 While it is true that large number of people 25:20 are attracted to these events, 25:22 and many of them profess to be converted 25:24 and join the movements, 25:27 nevertheless these outward signs 25:29 are insufficient evidence 25:32 that there has been a corresponding increase 25:34 of real spiritual life. 25:37 Often the flame of revival 25:38 which flares up for a time soon dies out, 25:43 leaving the darkness more dense than before. 25:46 So you can answer the question, is that still relevant today? 25:50 What do you say? Yes. 25:52 You think, it's irrelevant? 25:55 And we continue quoting, 25:57 "Popular revivals are too often 25:59 carried by appeal to the imagination, 26:02 by exciting the emotions, 26:05 by gratifying the love for what is new and startling. 26:09 Converts thus gained have little desire 26:11 to listen to Bible truths, 26:14 little interest 26:15 in the testimony of prophets and apostles. 26:18 Unless a religious service 26:20 has something of a sensational character, 26:23 it has no attractions for them. 26:26 A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason 26:29 awakens no response. 26:31 The plain warnings of God's word, 26:33 relating directly to their eternal interests, 26:36 are unheeded." 26:39 Is that still relevant today? 26:41 What do you say? Yes. 26:43 Yes. 26:45 I continue, 26:46 "With every truly converted soul 26:49 the relation to God and to eternal things 26:52 will be the great topic of life. 26:56 But where, in the popular churches of today, 26:58 is the spirit of consecration to God? 27:02 The converts do not renounce their pride 27:04 and love of the world. 27:06 They are no more willing to deny self, 27:09 to take up the cross, 27:10 and follow the meek and lowly Jesus, 27:13 than before their conversion. 27:15 Religion has become the sport of infidels and skeptics 27:20 because so many 27:21 who bear its name are ignorant of its principles. 27:27 Remember, the author was speaking generally 27:28 about certain types of religious movements. 27:32 Do you think your statement is still true today? 27:34 Yes. Yeah. 27:39 I'm continuing, 27:41 "The power of godliness 27:43 has well-nigh departed from many of the churches. 27:47 Personal display, lands and goods 27:50 and worldly occupations engross the mind, 27:55 and things of eternal interest 27:57 receive hardly a passing notice." 28:00 In those churches where Satan can bring 28:02 under his deceptive power, 28:04 he will make it appear 28:06 that God's special blessing is poured out. 28:10 There will be manifest 28:11 what is thought to be great religious interest. 28:14 Multitudes will exalt 28:16 that God is working marvelous thing for them. 28:19 When the work is that of another spirit. 28:22 "There is an emotional excitement, 28:25 a mingling of the truth with false 28:27 that is well adapted to mislead. 28:32 Yet none need be deceived. 28:35 In the light of God's Word, 28:36 it is not difficult to determine 28:38 the nature of false movements and revivals. 28:42 Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, 28:46 turning away from those plain, 28:48 soul-testing truths 28:51 which require self-denial and disallowance of the world, 28:56 there we may be sure 28:57 that God blessing is not given." 29:01 Do you think that finding is still valid today? 29:04 Amen. 29:08 And by the rule 29:09 which Christ Himself has given, 29:11 in Matthew 7:16, 29:14 He says, 29:15 "Ye shall know them by their" what? 29:17 "By their fruits" meaning the evidence of their behavior. 29:22 And a lot of that 29:24 this commentary says 29:25 it is evident that these movements 29:27 are not the work of the Spirit of God. 29:31 In the truths of God's Word, 29:33 God has given to men a revelation of Himself, 29:37 and to all who accept them, 29:39 they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan. 29:44 And it is a neglect of these truths 29:46 that has opened the door to the evils 29:48 which are now becoming 29:50 so widespread in the religious world." 29:53 Is that true? 29:55 Yeah. Yeah. 29:57 I continue quoting, 29:59 "The nature and the importance of the law 30:01 of God had been, 30:04 to a great extent, lost sight of. 30:07 A wrong conception of the character, 30:11 the perpetuity, 30:13 and the obligation of the divine law 30:16 has led to errors in relation 30:18 to conversion and sanctification, 30:24 and has resulted in lowering 30:26 the standard of piety in the church. 30:30 He is to be found the secret 30:31 of the lack of the Spirit and power of God 30:34 in the revival to their time." 30:35 Does that make sense? Yes. 30:38 Let's try and summarize 30:40 this to make it more clear in today's language. 30:43 The author is saying here 30:45 that a misunderstanding of the divine law. 30:47 And we're talking about the Ten Commandments, 30:48 not the Old Testament Laws about sacrifices and offerings. 30:53 A misunderstanding of that divine law 30:56 has led to a misunderstanding 30:59 about the nature of Christian conversion 31:02 and the process of sanctification. 31:05 Let me repeat that. 31:07 A misunderstanding of the divine law, 31:10 the Ten Commandments, 31:11 the misunderstanding of it 31:13 has led to another misunderstanding 31:16 about the nature of Christian conversion 31:19 in the process of sanctification. 31:23 It's a very important point 31:25 because if a teaching or doctrine says 31:27 that the law was done away with at the cross, 31:30 then it will naturally result in a complete misunderstanding 31:34 about the true nature of conversion simply 31:37 because the Bible plainly says in Psalm 19 31:42 that the law of the Lord is perfect... 31:43 What is it doing? 31:45 Converting the soul. 31:48 Without the law, 31:50 men have no correct conception 31:51 of the purity and holiness of God, 31:54 or of their own guilt and uncleanness. 31:58 They have no true conviction of sin, 32:00 and they feel no need of repentance. 32:03 Not seeing their lost condition as violators of God's rule, 32:08 they do not realize 32:09 the need of the atoning blood of Christ. 32:12 The hope of salvation is accepted 32:15 without a radical change of heart 32:17 or reformation of life. 32:21 They may confess to being converted 32:23 but without a correct 32:24 understanding of God's law and the Ten Commandments, 32:27 that type of conversion will be little more 32:29 than an intellectual assent. 32:32 There will be little 32:33 if any type of change of character or behavior. 32:36 What do you say? Do you notice that? 32:41 I continue quoting, 32:43 "There is a spirit of self-exaltation 32:48 and disregard for the law of God 32:50 that mark it as foreign to the Bible. 32:54 Its advocates teach that sanctification 32:57 is an instant work, by which through faith alone, 33:01 they attain perfect holiness. 33:04 "Only believe," say they, and the blessing is yours. 33:09 No further effort on the part of the receiver 33:11 is supposed to be required. 33:14 But at the same time 33:15 they deny the authority of the law of God, 33:18 urging that they are released from obligation 33:21 to keep the commandment. 33:23 But is it possible to be holy without coming into harmony 33:27 with the principles 33:29 which express God's holy nature and will." 33:31 What do you say? No. 33:32 It's not possible. 33:36 "The testimony of the Word of God 33:38 is against this ensnaring doctrine of faith 33:41 without works. 33:44 It is not faith that claims the favor of heaven 33:47 without complying with the condition 33:49 upon which mercy is to be granted, 33:51 it is presumption." 33:54 And the Bible makes it very clear 33:55 in the Book of James 2:14-24. 33:59 Let's read it. 34:00 We'll open our Bibles, and we'll read it. 34:02 James 2:14-24, 34:09 and it says this, 34:11 "What doth it profit, my brethren, 34:13 though a man say he has faith, and have not works? 34:16 Can faith save him? 34:19 If a brother or sister be naked, 34:21 and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, 34:25 'Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled,' 34:29 notwithstanding ye give them not those things 34:31 which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? 34:36 Even so faith, if it hath not works, 34:39 is dead, being alone. 34:44 Yea, a man may say, 34:45 Thou hast faith, and I have works, 34:49 okay, show me thy faith without thy works, 34:51 and I will show thee my faith by my works. 34:56 Thou believest that there is one God, 34:58 thou doest well, the devils also believe, 35:01 and they tremble. 35:04 But wilt thou know, O vain man, 35:07 that faith without works is dead?" 35:15 And there is more good news 35:17 from the inspired visions of Ellen White 35:19 who said that God revealed to her 35:21 that in spite of all 35:22 that devil's deceptively engineered false doctrine 35:26 and a widespread corruption of truth faith and piety, 35:29 there are still genuine followers of Christ 35:32 in these deceived movements. 35:35 And she said this, 35:38 "Before the final visitation of God's judgment 35:40 upon the earth 35:42 there will be among the people of the Lord 35:43 such a revival of primitive godliness 35:46 as has not been witnessed since apostolic time. 35:50 The Spirit and the power of God will be poured out 35:54 upon His children. 35:55 And at that time many will separate themselves 35:58 from the churches, 35:59 from those churches in which the love of this world 36:02 has supplanted love for God and His word. 36:05 Many, both of ministries and people, 36:08 will gladly accept those great truths 36:11 which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time 36:14 to prepare our people for the Lord's second coming." 36:19 That's good news, isn't it? Yes. 36:21 Amen. 36:22 "In visions of the night, 36:24 she says, representations passed before me 36:26 of a great reformatory movement among God's people. 36:30 Many were praising God. 36:32 The sick were healed, 36:33 and other miracles were wrought. 36:35 Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, 36:38 and opening before them the word of God. 36:42 Hearts were convicted 36:43 by the power of the Holy Spirit, 36:45 and a spirit of genuine conversion 36:48 with manifest. 36:50 On every side doors were thrown 36:52 open to the proclamation of the truth. 36:54 The world seemed to be enlightened 36:56 with the heavenly influence. 36:58 Great blessings were received by the true 37:00 and humble people of God." 37:02 Aren't you looking forward to those days? 37:04 Yes. Amen. 37:06 Well, it's already happening. 37:08 Right now I want you to watch this video clip 37:10 from the world headquarters 37:12 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 37:25 The General Conference 37:26 is watching a new visionary bold initiative 37:31 called Total Member Involvement. 37:35 I believe with all my heart that Jesus is coming very soon. 37:39 Every church member can do something. 37:42 That's what Total Member Involvement is all about. 37:45 The Lord has placed on my heart a huge burden, 37:49 a burden to help each of us realize 37:52 that we must be totally involved 37:55 in God's last day message, 37:58 and that has to do with everything 38:00 from speaking the word to living the word 38:03 following Christ's example in everything, 38:06 helping people physically, 38:08 mentally, socially, and spiritually. 38:14 Thousands and thousands of lay people 38:16 are actively involved in praying for their neighbors 38:19 and giving Bible studies and distributing literature. 38:21 But whatever 38:22 we have done up until this point, 38:24 it is not yet Total Member Involvement. 38:27 One of the greatest challenges we face 38:29 is the devil's attempt to neutralize our mission, 38:35 endeavor and focus 38:37 because we don't have a relationship 38:39 with the Lord. 38:41 I'm reminded of what Ellen White said 38:42 in Desire of Ages, page 142, 38:45 "In order to develop a character like Christ, 38:48 we must work as He worked." 38:49 There is something about service, 38:51 something about ministry, 38:52 something about witnessing 38:54 that brings revival to our own hearts. 38:57 This is why I am so encouraged about Total Member Involvement. 39:07 There are so many examples all over the world 39:09 as to what God is doing through his members, 39:12 through those who are really committed to him. 39:15 There in Chitungwiza in Harare, Zimbabwe, 39:18 thousands of people involved in specific assignments 39:22 in reaching people with the precious message 39:25 whether they were visiting, 39:27 whether they were helping out in health expo, 39:30 whether they were doing Bible studies, 39:32 whether they were just welcoming people, 39:35 whatever it was, they were involved. 39:37 In Zimbabwe, itself, 39:39 there were over 918 meetings going on at the same time 39:43 all across that great country. 39:44 And in the end 30,000 people were baptized. 39:49 A beautiful example in San Antonio, Texas, 39:51 literally thousands of people involved 39:54 in reaching out to the community 39:56 of San Antonio. 39:57 Over 700 people were baptized. 40:01 One of the things that really amazed me 40:02 about San Antonio 40:04 in that year Best Pathway to Health 40:05 was that total involvement 40:07 1,500 people involved ministering to the needs 40:09 of over 6,100 individuals that came, 40:13 many of them stayed all night in line. 40:15 And as I watched what God did, it was amazing. 40:20 In Harare, Zimbabwe over 30,000 people 40:24 were affected through this special outreach 40:27 which God says is the right arm of the gospel. 40:35 One can praise the Lord and say, "Wow! 40:37 That's great. 40:38 It happened over there, 40:40 but what am I gonna do in my little place?" 40:41 What about the difficult parts of the world? 40:44 What about postmodern culture? 40:46 I know, there's some places are more difficult than others. 40:49 But if you don't believe that you can win people 40:53 for Christ in that setting, you won't win anybody. 40:57 I want to tell you the Lord has a job 40:59 for all of us. 41:01 And God is going to bless you 41:03 regardless of how small the operation or how large. 41:07 Doing something gives God an avenue to bless. 41:12 The real factor is your commitment to the Lord 41:16 and to following Christ's method alone. 41:21 How can I as a church member 41:23 become involved in Total Member Involvement? 41:25 The first thing that, I think, 41:27 is significantly important 41:28 is to get on your knees and begin to pray, and say, 41:30 "Lord, I am consecrating myself to you. 41:33 I'm giving myself to you. 41:35 What do you want me to do? 41:37 Whatever it is, 41:38 whether it's to be an intercessor in prayer 41:40 and concentrate on a prayer ministry, 41:43 whether it is actively involved in health ministry, 41:45 whether it's literature ministry, 41:47 whether it's children's ministry, 41:50 whether it's Bible study ministry of preaching." 41:53 I just feel an overwhelming burden 41:56 that all of us need to be involved. 41:58 Everyone has a job that the Lord can provide. 42:03 Everyone can be a missionary for Jesus, 42:06 no matter whether 42:08 you're in a sophisticated society 42:10 or in a simple setting, God can use each of us. 42:17 Jesus has given us a Great Commission to go, 42:19 and preach, and teach, and baptize. 42:21 The Commission is to you personally, 42:23 it's to me, no matter who you are. 42:25 When you get on your knees, and say, Jesus, 42:27 "I want to be an active witness for you. 42:29 I want to be involved, totally, 42:31 completely involved with the entire church 42:34 in Total Member Involved." 42:45 Good news? Yes. 42:47 You want to be involved? Yes. 42:49 There is no greater activity beside the kingdom of heaven, 42:51 what do you say? 42:53 Yes. 42:54 It's a great tool to help people 42:56 come to a knowledge of the truth. 42:59 And there are multitudes of sincere people 43:01 have been living and transgressing of God's law, 43:04 without realizing that the forbearance 43:06 and patience of God is about to end. 43:09 And now he and mercy is calling them to obey 43:12 its sacred precepts before it is too late. 43:17 The message must be given that all he will put away 43:20 their sins by repentance toward God and faith in Christ 43:24 are offered pardoned. 43:28 Friend, Jesus is about to return, 43:31 do you believe it? Yes. 43:32 Jesus is about to return. The signs are fulfilling fast. 43:37 We need to be personally ready ourselves 43:39 and ready to warn others before it is too late. 43:44 And the good news is 43:45 that Jesus promises to give us divine 43:48 supernatural power to help us obtain all the things 43:52 that are necessary 43:53 to achieve godliness and eternal life. 43:57 Listen carefully to these words in the Book of 2 Peter 1:3-11. 44:03 Let's have a look at 2 Peter 1:3-11, 44:08 and it says, 44:10 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things 44:13 that pertain unto life and godliness, 44:17 through the knowledge of him 44:19 that hath called us to glory and virtue." 44:22 How is he giving, how is that? 44:24 Through the knowledge of him 44:26 that has called us to glory and virtue. 44:28 "Whereby are given unto us 44:30 exceeding great and precious promises 44:33 that by these great and precious promises, 44:37 ye might be partakers of the divine nature, 44:43 having escaped the corruption 44:44 that is in the world through lust. 44:47 And beside this, giving all diligence, 44:50 add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, 44:56 and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, 45:01 and to patience godliness, 45:04 and to godliness brotherly kindness, 45:07 and to brotherly kindness charity. 45:11 For if these things be in you, and abound, 45:14 they make you that ye shall neither be barren 45:17 nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 45:22 Good news? Yes. 45:23 Amen. 45:24 "But he that lacks these things is blind, 45:28 and cannot see afar off, 45:30 and has forgotten 45:31 that he was purged from his old sins. 45:34 Wherefore the rather, brethren, 45:36 give diligence to make your calling 45:38 and election sure, for if ye do these things, 45:44 ye shall never fall." 45:45 Isn't that good news? Amen. 45:48 "For so an entrance shall be ministered 45:50 unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom 45:54 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 45:57 Isn't that good news? Yes. 45:59 Amen. 46:01 Our only hope of overcoming sin and evil is to learn of Christ. 46:07 We must know what He is to those He has ransomed. 46:10 We must realize that through belief in Him, 46:13 it is their privilege to be partakers 46:16 of the divine nature. 46:18 Good news? Yes. 46:19 I need more than human nature. 46:21 I need divine nature, don't I? 46:23 If I'm going to overcome sin, 46:25 and so escape the corruption 46:27 that is in the world through lust, 46:29 and then we are cleansed from old sin, 46:32 old defects of character. 46:34 We need not retain even one tendency to sin 46:38 because of that supernatural power 46:40 that God promises us. 46:43 If you feel a great desire 46:44 to accept God's offer of salvation 46:47 and become a partaker of His divine nature, 46:50 and you would like to learn more about 46:52 the many wonderful truths and promises 46:54 found in His word, 46:56 I would like to invite you to pick up your pen 46:59 and write down this vital information. 47:02 And here is the details you need. 47:08 Inspired by the Reformation, 47:10 the Great Controversy DVD production 47:13 is a musical and historical journey 47:15 through Europe. 47:16 It Is Written's John Bradshaw joins Fountainview Academy 47:20 to host this production, 47:21 filmed in five different countries of Europe 47:24 at historically meaningful sites. 47:26 These young musicians share not only music, 47:29 but personal testimonies 47:31 and powerful reformation stories, 47:33 still relevant to our lives today. 47:38 To order your own set of The Great Controversy DVD 47:40 and book by Fountainview Academy, 47:42 Orchestra and Singers, 47:43 visit their online web store at store.fountainview.ca. 47:49 That's store.fountainview.ca 47:53 or you may call them in North America 47:55 on 1-877-490-4141. 48:05 And there's more good news. 48:07 As we partake of the divine nature, 48:10 hereditary and cultivated tendencies 48:12 to wrong will be removed from our characters. 48:17 And we will be made a living power for good. 48:20 You want that? I tell you what I do. 48:24 We will cooperate with God 48:26 in overcoming Satan's temptations, 48:28 that's fantastic news. 48:31 We're not left to struggle with error and deception alone. 48:35 God works and made works 48:38 that may end maybe one with Christ, 48:41 just as Christ was one with the Father. 48:43 Remember He prayed that prayer? 48:47 Then we begin to experience what it meant by the statement 48:49 in Ephesians 2:6 that says, "God has raised us up." 48:54 Meaning that of mental darkness, 48:56 and the dark ideas of thinking, and darkness of error, 49:00 it made us sit together in heavenly places 49:03 in Christ Jesus. 49:05 The mind rest with peace and assurance in Jesus, 49:10 a far better kind of peace than the world offers. 49:12 Listen, Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27. 49:16 He says, "Peace I leave with you, 49:19 My peace I give unto you, 49:22 not as the world gives, give I unto you. 49:25 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 49:29 Is that good news? Yes. 49:30 Amen. 49:32 Friends, I believe, if we study and digest God's living word 49:35 in the Bible, 49:37 He will transform us by the renewing of our mind. 49:41 Do you want your mind renewed? 49:43 He promises it in Romans 12:2. 49:46 And he will enable us to complete the task 49:49 that He prepared for us to do. 49:51 Are you ready? Yes. 49:53 Are you ready? 49:54 Yes. Amen. 49:57 Are you willing to unite with Christ 49:59 to proclaim God's last warning message 50:01 to the world? 50:03 Yes or no? Yes. 50:04 Amen. 50:06 I hope you will make a decision to ask Jesus 50:08 to take over your life 50:09 and show you what He wants you to do. 50:12 As you listen to this beautiful hymn, 50:15 sung in the church of that great martyr Jerome. 50:19 Bethlehem Chapel in Prague by the choir and orchestra 50:23 of Fountainview Academy from Canada, 50:26 "My faith has found a resting-place." 50:32 My faith has found 50:38 A resting place 50:42 Not in a manmade creed 50:50 I trust 50:52 The Ever-living One 50:58 That He for me will plead 51:19 Enough for me that Jesus saves 51:24 This ends my fear and doubt 51:29 A sinful soul I come to Him 51:33 He will not cast me out 51:38 I need no other evidence 51:42 I need no other plea 51:47 It is enough that Jesus died 51:52 And rose again for me 52:04 My soul is resting on the Word 52:08 The living Word of God 52:13 Salvation in my Savior's name 52:17 Salvation through His blood 52:22 I need no other evidence 52:26 I need no other plea 52:31 It is enough that Jesus died 52:36 And rose again for me 52:48 My great Physician heals the sick 52:53 The lost He came to save 52:57 For me His precious blood He shed 53:02 For me His life He gave 53:06 I need no other evidence 53:11 I need no other plea 53:21 It is enough 53:24 That Jesus died 53:30 And rose again 53:34 For me 54:13 Did you enjoy that? Yes. 54:15 Beautiful music, isn't it? Thank you very much. 54:17 Let us thank God as we close in prayer. 54:24 Loving Father in heaven, 54:25 we praise You and thank You so much 54:26 for the mighty heritage 54:28 You've given us of Christianity, 54:32 that You've helped us today to appreciate 54:34 the opportunities happen before, 54:37 the slow and painful climb out of darkness into light. 54:41 And, Lord, if we look at Your Word 54:43 and consider the Spirit of Prophecy 54:46 and the writings that You've given us. 54:48 We look forward to the future 54:50 with great hope and gladness in our hearts, 54:53 confident in the knowledge 54:55 that You have promised us 54:57 supernatural hope to overcome sin. 55:00 So, Lord, we pray 55:02 for this supernatural hope today, 55:04 and ask Your blessings upon us to empower us 55:07 to move forward in faith and practice 55:09 that we might honor Your glorious name 55:12 because we ask these things in Jesus' precious name. 55:15 Amen. |
Revised 2017-12-24