Participants: Pr. Kenneth Cox
Series Code: GMTB
Program Code: GMTB000044
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00:19 Good evening and welcome to
00:21 Thompsonville, Illinois, 00:23 home of 3ABN. 00:26 And right here from the Worship Center at 3ABN 00:29 we're bringing you Give Me The Bible 00:32 with Pastor Kenneth Cox. 00:34 We've been enjoying this series 00:36 five nights every single month - one weekend - 00:41 we have been presenting a different subject. 00:43 Pastor Cox has been after one subject and then another. 00:47 This particular weekend we're talking about the Bible... 00:50 how you got the Bible. 00:52 Tonight's subject is: What Can The Bible Do For You? 00:56 And all of these series are available on DVD. 01:00 And you can secure them by calling the 800 number 01:04 that is going to appear on your screen 01:06 right at this particular time. 01:08 So whatever you do, 01:10 get these particular series. 01:12 Now, one of the most popular ones has been Five Have Fallen. 01:17 This was on prophecy. 01:18 And there are several other of these series 01:23 that are on prophecy. So if you 01:26 have not received those 01:27 or you missed those, 01:29 you may want to call and secure 01:31 these DVD series on prophecy. 01:35 A lot of people have been getting the entire set. 01:37 They've ordered for 12 months. 01:40 They've ordered each of the ones. 01:41 We've only done... is it nine so far? 01:44 But they've ordered them in advance 01:46 so that they can receive all 12 of these editions. 01:51 So you may want to do that. Share them with your friends. 01:53 Bring people in, show them to them. 01:55 Look at them again yourself, 01:57 and study the Bible along with the word. 02:00 And as you do so, I know that God is going to bless you. 02:04 Tonight we have a very special treat. 02:06 We have a group called In Spirit with us, 02:10 and Gerald Peel is the director. 02:12 And, Gerald, we're happy to have you with us. 02:14 Tell us about In Spirit. 02:16 About six years ago a friend of mine called me 02:19 and asked me to put together 02:21 a group of men to sing for a service that would highlight 02:25 the role of men in family and in church. 02:30 And... called a bunch of friends and we got together 02:34 and we sang. And it seemed to work well, 02:37 and some of them said: "You know what? 02:39 We ought to just keep doing this. " 02:41 We're from Chattanooga, Tennessee, 02:43 and proud to be up here singing for the Ken Cox 02:49 program tonight. And we're a diverse group... 02:52 diverse in occupation and age and even denomination. 02:57 We enjoy input from singers from all over the southeast 03:03 Tennessee, north Georgia area. 03:05 And we're happy to be here. 03:06 We're just happy that you are with us. 03:09 And we're going to enjoy a song by In Spirit. 03:13 And this is a song entitled Grace. 03:17 And my friend, we do need grace, don't we? 03:20 In this world in which we live we are saved by grace, 03:24 and this song beautifully displays that. 03:42 Amazing grace 03:48 how sweet the sound 03:55 that saved a wretch 04:01 a wretch like me. 04:08 I once was lost 04:14 but now am found. 04:21 I once was blind 04:28 but now I see. 04:41 Twas grace that taught 04:47 my heart to sing. 04:54 And that same grace 05:00 my fears relieved. 05:06 How precious did 05:12 that grace appear 05:19 the hour when 05:25 I first believed. 05:38 Through many dangers, 05:45 toils and snares 05:50 I have 05:51 already 05:56 safely come. 06:02 Tis grace that brought 06:08 me safe thus far. 06:14 And surely 06:19 grace will lead me home. 06:27 I shall go home. 06:44 When we've been there 06:50 ten thousand years, 06:56 Bright shining as 07:02 the glorious sun, 07:08 We've no less days 07:14 to sing God's praise 07:20 than since the day 07:27 we first begun. 07:38 than since the day 07:45 we first 07:49 begun. 08:07 Amen! 08:11 Well we would like to say thank you to the men's chorus 08:15 from Southern Adventist University. 08:19 Very thankful that you're here. 08:21 God bless you. 08:22 I know that all of us were blessed 08:24 in a very, very definite way. 08:26 And we want to say welcome 08:28 to all of you that are here tonight. 08:30 Appreciate you being here. 08:32 Those of you that are watching by television 08:36 or you're listening by radio, we welcome you again tonight. 08:39 We hope this series that we've been doing on Your Bible and You 08:44 has been a blessing to each of you. 08:47 And we hope that you're taking God's Word, 08:49 picking it up and reading it 08:51 and finding more and more about God's Word. 08:55 As that little poem that we've mentioned from night to night: 08:58 What says the Bible, the blessed Bible? 09:01 This my only question be. 09:05 The teachings of men so often mislead us. 09:08 What says the Bible to me? 09:11 That's what we want to find out. 09:12 And so we're going to be looking at God's Word 09:15 and finding out exactly what it has to say 09:17 about what the Bible can do for you. 09:21 What can the Word of God do for you? 09:25 Why should I read it? 09:27 Why should I spend time in the Word of God? 09:30 That's what our subject is tonight. 09:31 We hope it'll help you understand what God 09:35 wants to do for you personally. 09:39 Our next presentation is the last one in this series 09:43 on Your Bible and You. 09:45 And it is simply entitled How to Study Your Bible. 09:50 How can you read your Bible, 09:52 study it, and get the most out of it? 09:55 What's there? And so that's what we're going to take a look at. 09:58 We hope that it'll help you spend more time 10:02 with the Word of God. 10:04 And I think you'll find that as you do 10:06 many, many different things will happen in your life. 10:09 Tonight, as I mentioned, it's on: 10:14 And what you need to watch for and look for 10:16 are the things that the Word, the Bible tells you 10:20 that it will do for you if you'll spend time in it. 10:25 And there are some marvelous things that take place 10:28 and transpire in our lives when we have the Word of God 10:32 in our lives and working in our lives. 10:35 So we hope that as we go into this subject tonight 10:38 you'll be able to follow and understand what God is willing 10:42 to do for you and for me. 10:44 Well I know you enjoyed the chorus, the men's chorus. 10:47 We've been very, very thankful this week to have with us 10:51 Joe Pearles. Always a great blessing 10:53 to each one of us. He's going to sing a song for you tonight 10:57 entitled Leavin' On My Mind. 11:12 This old house 11:15 I'm living in 11:19 is needing repair. 11:25 The windows and the shutters 11:32 lettin' in cold, cold air. 11:38 I say to myself 11:41 "I'm gonna fix 'em, " 11:44 when I can find the time. 11:51 But all I'm gettin' lately 11:57 is leavin' on my mind. 12:03 Lately all I've got is leavin' 12:09 on my mind. 12:17 Seems that's all I'm thinkin' about 12:24 most all the time. 12:29 But soon, yes very soon, I'll 12:34 leave my troubles all behind. 12:42 Lately I've got leavin'... 12:48 leavin' on my mind. 13:07 Some folks say 13:09 I should be lookin' 13:13 for a better place to live. 13:19 But I just can't seem to get excited 13:25 'bout this world and all it might give. 13:32 I couldn't care less 13:35 if I could buy it all 13:38 with a solitary dime. 13:45 For what good would a world do me 13:51 with leavin' on my mind? 13:57 Lately all I've got is leavin' 14:03 on my mind. 14:10 Seems that's all I'm thinkin' about 14:19 most all the time. 14:23 But soon, yes very soon, I'll 14:28 leave my troubles all behind. 14:36 Lately I've got leavin'... 14:42 leavin' on my mind. 14:52 Lately I've got leavin'... 14:58 leavin' on 15:01 my mind. 15:27 Gracious Lord, 15:29 Tonight we come to You as Your children 15:34 sitting at Your table, 15:38 asking that You will bless. 15:43 May we take the time to eat 15:48 and to be filled with Your Word. 15:53 We ask that our hearts may be open. 15:56 That the Holy Spirit may dwell with us 16:00 and give us understanding as we look at Your Word tonight. 16:05 We pray in Christ's name, Amen. 16:15 When someone picks up 16:17 the Word of God 16:20 and begins to read 16:23 what's recorded in this book, 16:25 things begin to happen that are not human. 16:32 Things begin to take place that are totally different. 16:36 And that's what we're going to look at tonight 16:39 is what happens when I open up God's Word 16:42 and begin to look at it. 16:44 And the reason that it does this, folks, 16:47 is because what we read the other night 16:49 in one of our presentations where it simply says that 16:57 Now that's a tremendous statement: 17:00 that the Word of God can change my life... 17:04 make it different. And the reason it makes a difference 17:07 is because it says here: 17:16 And since the Word is there and it's not of human origin, 17:22 it is of divine. Therefore, when I begin to read it 17:26 it comes into my life and begins to make definite changes 17:30 in my life. 17:31 Because it tells us: 17:45 So Jesus Christ came. He is the embodiment of the Word. 17:51 And if I read the Word, then His life, 17:55 His character, the things that He taught, 17:58 begins to fill my life and make me different. 18:01 This is what the disciples were talking about 18:03 when they said here: 18:06 What was from the beginning? 18:08 The Word. "In the beginning was the Word. " 18:23 They were there. They saw it, they touched it, 18:26 they felt it, they spoke it, they saw it. 18:28 And it says it filled their lives and made those poor 18:34 fishermen - uneducated, uncouth - it turned them into 18:40 twelve of the greatest men that have ever lived. 18:42 That's what the Word of God did in their lives... 18:47 what it can do for you and for me. 18:50 And it says here: 18:55 Do you understand that when it says corruptible seed? 18:59 That means of flesh is what it's saying: not of human. 19:06 How? 19:11 So this change that must take place in my life 19:15 takes place through the Word of God. 19:19 That's how it happens; that's how it takes place. 19:22 And Peter goes on and talks about it. It says here: 19:34 That's what this is: 19:36 exceeding great and precious promise. 19:46 See? Different. Totally changed by the Word of God. 19:51 That is what we're looking at tonight. 19:54 And that's what this book will do for you. 19:59 But you have to spend time with it, folks. 20:03 And you have to open up your heart. 20:07 You can't close your heart and do it. 20:10 Head knowledge won't do you any good. 20:13 Bible in your head won't do you any good. 20:16 The Bible in your pocket won't do you any good. 20:19 The Bible in your hand won't do you any good. 20:22 The Bible on the shelf won't do you any good. 20:24 It's the Bible in the heart... 20:27 that's what makes the change, that's what brings about 20:32 the difference in a person's life. 20:34 So the Word of God, we find that scripture tells us, 20:38 is what gives to you and me faith. 20:42 I have people say: "Well I don't have much faith. " 20:45 Well then you're not reading the Bible enough. 20:48 That simple, because this is what it says: 20:56 So if I spend time in this book, 20:59 it will give me faith. 21:02 Help me to step out in faith. 21:05 And let me just share with you what happens when a person 21:09 walks by faith. Have you ever considered that? 21:12 When a person walks by faith, this is what happens: 21:30 Now listen... 22:00 This is what these people accomplished through faith. 22:05 So the Word of God gives me faith. 22:11 I can read it. I can read in this book 22:14 about other people who stepped out in faith and how - 22:18 because of their faith - God rewarded that 22:20 and done wonderful things in their lives. 22:25 The children of Israel had not followed what God 22:30 wanted them to do. 22:32 And because of that 22:35 different tribes and so forth 22:38 came down and ran over Israel 22:40 and put them into bondage 22:41 numbers of time. 22:43 And among those were the Philistines. 22:46 They were probably one of the worst that did that. 22:48 And the children of Israel, I guess thinking that they 22:53 could solve their problems, decided they wanted a king. 22:57 And so they said: "We want a king. " 23:00 And God in His mercy, and in His kindness, His love 23:03 granted them a king. And that first king was king Saul. 23:08 And so when Saul came as king 23:11 one of the first things he wanted to do 23:13 is get rid of all these people that were persecuting them 23:17 and giving them a hard time... which were the Philistines. 23:19 And they were fighting against them, and I want you to 23:22 look at a story in the Bible about his son Jonathan 23:27 because there's a story of great, great faith there 23:31 with Jonathan. Listen to this: 23:56 Fantastic statement. 23:58 I mean, it's just him and his armor bearer, 24:01 and they're going up to face these Philistines 24:04 which are not two... there's hundreds of them. 24:09 That's what they're faced with. 24:11 And he said: "Well, the Lord doesn't need many. 24:14 He can save by many or by few. " 24:16 OK? 24:26 He said: "I'll go with you. Go. " 24:38 He said: "Let's walk over here and show ourselves to these 24:42 Philistines" - who, by the way, are interested in killing them. 24:47 They're not interested in treating them well. 24:49 OK. He said: "Let us show ourselves to them. " 25:05 Said: "Now if these Philistines say just stay where you are, 25:08 we'll come over to where you are, " 25:10 he said: "we'll know that we should stay right here 25:13 and not go anywhere. " 25:26 So here they are down in this kind of valley 25:29 and these Philistines are all up on this knoll there. 25:33 And he said: "If they say come on up here where we are, " 25:37 he said: "that will be a sign that God is going to 25:38 deliver them into our hands. " 25:40 Now folks, there's just two of them. 25:42 That's all. 25:45 And here they're going to face these... 25:47 and what they do I still don't understand. 25:52 Because I don't know a great lot about fighting, 25:56 but how they're fighting I don't understand. 26:11 Said: "Oh, they're coming out of their holes; 26:13 they've been hiding. " 26:25 You know, they're saying: "Come on up here, 26:28 we'll show you something. 26:30 Just come up. " 26:41 He said: "Follow me. The Lord's delivered these 26:44 into our hands. " Now, they're going up this knoll 26:47 or this mountain - whatever you want to call it. 26:49 It's not just a simple little gradual grade, folks. 26:53 They're not... they're not walking up there. 26:56 This is what they're doing. And you think that they're fighting 26:59 over 100 men there, and this is what they're having to do. 27:09 I mean, they're going up this thing and he's crawling 27:14 on his hands and knees with his armor bearer after him. 27:21 Fantastic. I mean, there they are 27:26 going up on their hands and knees, and these Philistines 27:28 are falling before him, and as he came up after him 27:32 his armor bearer killed them. 27:34 So much so that Saul, who was over in another place, 27:40 observed that all of a sudden these Philistines were fleeing. 27:44 Two men. Two men. 27:47 But I'm talking about what God can do if you and I 27:52 are just willing to step out in faith. 27:55 Let me tell you something, folks. 27:58 There's many a person whose entire life 28:04 would be different if they had just taken a step in faith. 28:10 I have seen that over and over throughout the years. 28:15 That God has brought them to a place where they have to 28:19 step out in faith and they refuse to take that step. 28:23 Where if they just would have taken it 28:26 their whole life would have been different. 28:31 With me, God brought me to the place 28:36 where I had to make a decision 28:39 of whether I was going to go away to school. 28:42 My father had almost forbidden it. 28:47 My mother didn't want me to go. 28:49 I had no physical support financially at all. 28:53 In fact, I ran off from home and went to school. 28:58 Left home with 22 cents in my pocket. 29:01 That's what I had. 29:03 Walked into school and just simply told them 29:06 "I've come to go to school. " 29:07 That... that simple. 29:09 But if I had not taken that step in faith 29:13 oh what difference it would have been. 29:16 See? So, you and I... the Bible simply tells us 29:21 that we need to walk by faith. 29:24 That's one thing the scripture will do for you. 29:26 And if you don't do that, 29:28 then He can't bless like He would like to bless. 29:32 Also, the Word of God will give you power. 29:37 Promises that. 29:39 Not only does He tell you "walk by faith, " but He said 29:42 "in turn, I'll give you power. I'll help you and all. " 29:53 The Word of God is powerful! 29:55 I can trust it, and God will give to you and to me 30:00 the power to do the things that we need to do. 30:06 Listen to this carefully. 30:19 Let me tell you how powerful it is. 30:22 I was holding a meeting. 30:24 This man came to me after we had been going for about 30:28 oh, a week and a half of the meetings. 30:31 Came to me and he said: 30:34 "I've never been to meetings 30:35 like this before. " 30:37 Said: "I've never been to religious meetings. " 30:40 Said: "But I've been coming every night. " 30:43 He said: "I understand it. " 30:48 He said: "I've given my heart to Christ. " 30:51 But he said: "I'm under conviction. 30:55 I'm under conviction concerning something. " 30:58 And I said: "What are you under conviction about? " 31:02 He said: "I teach ballet 31:05 for the National Ballet Company. " 31:08 And he said: "I've been gay 31:12 all my life. " 31:15 Said: "I can't remember a time when I wasn't gay. " 31:19 And he said: "I'm under conviction that that's not 31:23 what I should be. 31:25 I'm under conviction that God doesn't want me to be that 31:28 but I don't know what to do. " 31:30 We talked... prayed together. 31:36 And I told him the Bible is very, very clear 31:41 that you need to change your lifestyle. 31:43 You're going to have to change your lifestyle... 31:46 that's what the Lord's asking you to do. 31:48 But not only is He asking you to do that 31:50 He'll provide you the power to do that. 31:55 I watched that man over the next few weeks 31:58 surrender his heart to Christ, and I saw the change 32:03 that took place in his life. 32:05 By the power of God, saw that happen. 32:08 Today he's married, has a family - two children. 32:11 One of the leaders in the church. 32:15 But the power of God can change a person. 32:18 That's available to you through the Word. 32:21 See, that's where it's at... it's in God's Word. 32:24 It can change your life... make a difference. 32:34 Let me just throw something in right here rather quickly. 32:37 Read that text carefully, folks, 32:40 because that text holds the secret for overcoming 32:44 to any sin lies in that text. 32:48 But thanks be to God who gives us what? 32:51 The victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 32:54 In other words, it says that God GIVES you the victory. 32:58 It's not something that you and I have to work at. 33:02 All I have to do is accept the victory. 33:05 I'm willing to accept the victory; He gives it to me. 33:09 And that is the secret in overcoming any sin. 33:13 If I am willing to accept the victory that Christ gives, 33:18 I can be victorious over that. 33:22 Works in anybody's life. 33:29 If you spend time in the book it will help you. 33:33 It will keep you from sinning if you'll spend time in it. 33:36 We have excellent examples of this. 33:46 As I pick up the Word of God and I read it 33:50 and I take it into my life, 33:52 it begins to build in my life 33:55 power and strength and faith. 33:57 And those are the things that keep me from sinning. 34:04 Jesus taught us very clearly how to do that 34:08 because it says He went out into the wilderness 34:12 where He fasted for 40 days. 34:15 And then the devil came. 34:19 Lucifer began to tempt Him. 34:35 Without a doubt. 34:45 He said: "If you're the Son of God, 34:48 turn those stones into bread. " 34:52 Could He have turned those stones into bread? 34:55 Absolutely. 34:57 Without... just a word He could have turned them to bread. 35:00 And Lucifer understood that. 35:03 He knew that. 35:06 Jesus said: 35:16 You know what Jesus is doing here? 35:18 He's quoting... He's quoting Deuteronomy the 8th chapter 35:24 verse 3. 35:26 That's what He's quoting. 35:27 "Man shall not live by bread alone. " 35:30 In other words, He had hidden God's Word in His heart 35:33 so when the tempter came and tempted Him 35:37 He could respond and say "No! 35:39 Can't do this. " 35:59 The devil said: "OK, You want to quote scripture? 36:02 I'll quote scripture to You. 36:05 The Bible says He'll give His angels charge over thee 36:08 lest you dash your foot against a stone. 36:10 Come on... jump off! 36:12 Let's see if they will. " 36:22 Know what He's doing here? 36:24 He's quoting scripture. 36:27 Deuteronomy the 8th chapter verse 16. 36:33 That's what He's quoting: "You shall not tempt 36:35 the Lord your God. " 36:36 What I'm trying to get across to you, folks, 36:38 is this is where the secret of overcoming lies 36:42 is trusting in the Word of God. 36:45 And when you read it and you know what it says 36:48 fall back on it; trust it; it won't fail. 36:51 The devil wasn't satisfied with that. 37:02 I mean, took Him there and showed Him all the kingdoms... 37:06 all their glory. 37:14 Said: "Just fall down and worship me 37:16 and I'll... I'll give all this to You. " 37:31 Deuteronomy the 8th chapter verse 13. 37:35 All those were quotes that Jesus made from the Word of God. 37:41 So when it says that you and I are to hide the Word of God 37:45 in our hearts, that will help us keep from sinning. 37:50 Meet the devil with the Word of God. 37:53 If temptation comes, there's your safety, folks. 37:57 So it tells us that you and I can draw close to the Lord 38:01 and He'll care for us. 38:07 Which is what? It's a warfare. 38:12 You need to understand that: it's a warfare. 38:15 It's not something that's just easy; it's a warfare, 38:18 and you have to put on the armor of God. 38:21 What is the armor of God? 38:23 The helmet of salvation; the breastplate of righteousness. 38:27 What is this? Huh? 38:31 This is the sword of the Spirit, folks. That's what this is. 38:46 Referring to Jesus Christ, and it says 38:48 "out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword... " 38:51 referring to the Word of God. 38:55 This is the sword of the Spirit. 38:58 Don't, DON'T go into battle without it... 39:05 because if you do, you're going to be overcome. 39:09 You have to take the Word of God with you. 39:12 That is your defense. 39:14 Not... not your ability to argue. 39:19 Not your ability to reason. 39:21 But to use the Word of God 39:26 as your defense for what you believe. 39:29 That's what the Bible will do for you. 39:31 What it's done for you and me. 39:45 They were strong. What did he mean when they were strong? 39:49 Well he meant they were strong in the Word of God. 39:55 That's what it meant. 39:56 They were strong in faith. 39:57 They were strong in what they believed. 39:59 And so you and I must be strong in what we believe. 40:05 Only then will you be able to day by day overcome. 40:11 The Bible is given to you for growth, 40:14 given to you for defense. 40:16 It's given to change your life 40:20 and make it different. 40:22 God wants to do that for you. 40:24 Also it says that: 40:29 Know that? Listen. 40:45 You see, if you spend time in the word of God, 40:52 you'll sing in the shower. 40:56 Absolutely, folks. It will not fail. 40:59 You spend time in the Word of God 41:01 it will give you joy in your heart. 41:04 I do not know people who spend time in the Word of God... 41:09 I mean spend time and they read the promises of God 41:13 and they claim those... 41:14 I don't know people like that that are depressed. 41:18 No. Because the Word of God gives you joy. 41:24 Gives you happiness. 41:25 Didn't... didn't know it until I came to the Lord. 41:30 Then I began to understand what it... He does for us 41:33 and how He changes our lives and makes us so much different. 41:37 It should make you happy. 41:39 You know, I run onto these Christians that 41:42 walk around they have faces like donkeys. 41:45 You know? And I wonder what's wrong with them... 41:48 because it should give you happiness. 41:51 It should give you joy. 41:53 It should make a happy Christian out of you. 41:55 That's what it's to do. 41:57 And God desires for you and I to be happy. 42:02 To enjoy life. 42:03 This thing of being sad and - you know - unhappy all the time. 42:09 No... that's not what God wants you to be. 42:13 He wants you to enjoy life, be happy. 42:30 Comes into our lives. 42:33 Gives us joy, happiness. 42:37 All that comes about because of the scripture 42:41 and what happens there. 42:42 And dear friends, I have seen it happen over and over and over 42:47 again. I hope you can remember. 42:49 Have you ever stopped to think back 42:52 when you first came to Christ? 42:55 And the joy and the happiness that you experienced 42:59 when you accepted Christ and all. 43:02 You know, you aren't supposed to lose that. 43:04 Supposed to be able to keep that. 43:06 Supposed to be there in your heart. 43:09 Something that Christ does for us and gives us day by day. 43:13 And only as you understand. I don't know about you, 43:17 but man, when I understood my sins were forgiven, 43:20 I was ready to shout. 43:22 See? Because that's what has to happen. 43:25 When I understand what Christ has done in my life - 43:29 my sins are forgiven - it brings peace, happiness, and joy 43:33 to an individual like nothing else. 43:35 This is what the Word of God will do for you. 43:40 Change your life and make you different. 43:43 But the Word of God also is what sanctifies us. 43:49 What it says. 43:58 "Sanctify them by Your truth. " 44:02 Now let me just take a little time here and talk to you 44:05 about this sanctified business. 44:07 Because it say: "Sanctify them by Your truth. " 44:12 Folks, when I spend time in the Word of God, 44:16 it is the Word of God and the working of God's Spirit 44:20 in my heart that brings about conviction 44:24 and brings about change. 44:26 Are you understanding what I'm saying? 44:29 When I spend time in the Word of God 44:32 then as I read it the Holy Spirit works on my heart, 44:36 brings about conviction. And those things bring about 44:40 a change in my life... a desire to change, you know. 44:44 Had a fellow one time and we were talking 44:50 and he said: "I want to accept Christ. 44:54 But, " he said, " I'm not sure I want to change. " 44:57 And I said: "Well, you're getting the cart 45:00 before the horse. 45:01 That isn't what it says. " 45:04 I said: "Accept Christ and He'll bring about the change. 45:08 What you've got to do is give Him your heart 45:12 and He'll bring about the change. " 45:14 "Well, " he said, "OK. " 45:16 And so we talked about accepting Christ and what was involved, 45:19 and he accepted Christ. 45:21 And I don't know, I didn't see him for... several months later 45:26 and I asked him how it was going. 45:28 He said: "You know, a strange thing happened. " 45:31 He said: "I... I was home one night, " 45:35 and he said, "I just felt like I wanted to go to a party. " 45:39 And so he said: "I thought about it and I said well, 45:43 OK Christ, let's go to a party. " 45:45 And so he said: "The Lord and I went to this party. " 45:50 Said: "Got there and stayed there for a little while. " 45:54 He said: "Lord, we're not having a very good time. 45:59 Just not having a very good time. " 46:03 And so he said: "We left the party and came back. " 46:07 This is what happens, folks. 46:09 It takes the work of God's Spirit in your life 46:12 to bring about change. 46:14 If you think that this thing takes place by you changing, 46:19 let me tell you something. All you're going to do 46:20 is make yourself miserable. 46:23 That doesn't change you. 46:26 You can't just of your own self say: 46:32 "I'm going to change. " 46:33 It takes the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, 46:37 and it's the Word of God that brings that about. 46:41 As you read the Word of God 46:43 and as you understand it, 46:45 you begin to see things and you begin to understand. 46:48 Folks, in my own life 46:50 there's things that God would convict me of 46:54 that I'm sure He would never probably convict you of 46:58 that He convicts me of. 47:02 Or He convicts you of things He would never convict me of. 47:05 But those are changes that need to take place in my life. 47:09 And God brings about that conviction, and I must walk 47:13 by faith as He brings about that conviction. 47:16 And He'll give me the power; 47:18 the Holy Spirit will come into my life and it will change me 47:23 and make me a different person. 47:27 You know? 47:29 I don't know, have you ever done something you shouldn't do? 47:31 Huh? 47:34 You know, I... You know, do something 47:37 I really basically knew I shouldn't do it. 47:42 And I did it. And then after I had done it... 47:47 oh, the terrible conviction that came. 47:51 You know, you've done something you shouldn't have done 47:54 and all. And I'm not happy until I make it right. 47:58 Got to go and settle that thing and make it right. 48:02 Confess it and get it off me. 48:04 That's what takes the monkey off your back. 48:07 See? Because if you don't do that, 48:11 then you carry around this weight that you don't need. 48:14 When I confess it and get it off my back and all 48:19 it brings conviction. 48:21 Brings a change that takes place in my life. 48:24 That's what God wants to do for you and for me. 48:28 Change us; make us different. 48:30 Now it says the scripture - the Word... 48:39 OK, "the seed is the Word of God. " 48:41 So, sows it... sows the seed. 48:46 I'm going to ask you this evening, 48:49 what kind of soil are you? 48:53 When the seed falls in your heart 48:57 what kind of soil is there? 49:00 Is it rocky ground? 49:02 Is it fertile? 49:04 Most important, are there weeds there? 49:09 You know what the weeds are, don't you? 49:11 Huh? 49:12 The weeds are the cares of this life. 49:15 That's what the scripture says. 49:16 They're the cares of this life. 49:18 And so my heart's so filled with the cares of this life 49:23 that it chokes the plant? 49:27 Chokes it out? 49:28 Can't live? 49:29 What kind of soil is in my heart 49:33 so that the Word of God can germinate, sprout. 49:37 bring forth a response. It says: 50:00 See? The Word of God falls in their heart. 50:04 I've seen it so many times. 50:07 So many evangelistic meetings - 50:11 Jim, I'm sure you have too - 50:14 where you sow the seed and preach the Word. 50:18 Sow the seed and you watch it fall. 50:23 And some seed falls on rocky ground. 50:30 And it says "the birds come and eat it. " 50:35 And other seed fell on ground where there were weeds, 50:41 and the weeds choked it out. 50:44 Have to be careful. It says some of it fell in soil 50:48 and sprouted and came up. 50:50 And then it says that it died. You know why? 50:55 'Cause there wasn't enough soil. 50:59 You see, you know what that means? 51:01 That person wasn't spending any time here. 51:05 That's what takes to give the seed 51:10 some depth and all. And so you've got to spend time 51:14 in the Word of God to bring about 51:16 what needs to happen there. 51:18 And then, of course, it says that some seed fell on 51:21 good grounds. And oh, dear friend, 51:24 what a joy, what a marvelous thing 51:26 when the seed falls on good ground and it sprouts. 51:30 You know what it does? 51:33 Hmmm? 51:34 Listen: 51:54 That seed falls on good ground 51:57 and oh the transformation that takes place. 52:00 You want to be more loving tonight? 52:03 Huh? 52:05 You know how you do that? 52:08 By saying "Oh, I'm going to be more loving? " 52:10 Huh? 52:12 No. If I want to be more loving, 52:16 I have to spend more time here, folks. 52:19 I've got to let the Holy Spirit do that in my life. 52:23 He's the one that brings about that change. 52:26 He's the one that will make you kind, make you gentle. 52:30 Make you loving, longsuffering. 52:34 All those great qualities He'll bring about in your life 52:38 and He will make you 52:41 more like your Master. 52:45 This is what the Bible does for you and does for me. 52:51 If we'll just spend time with the Word of God, 52:55 He'll bless you in a special way. 53:00 Give me the Bible, 53:04 star of gladness gleaming 53:08 to cheer the wanderer 53:12 lone and tempest tossed. 53:16 No storm can hide that 53:20 peaceful radiance beaming 53:24 since Jesus came 53:27 to seek and save the lost. 53:33 Give me the Bible, 53:38 holy message shining. 53:42 Thy light shall guide me 53:46 in the narrow way. 53:50 Precept and promise, 53:55 law and love combining. 53:59 Till night shall vanish 54:04 in eternal 54:07 day. 54:11 Do you need your life changed? 54:15 Do you need to be made into His image? 54:21 Are you finding it hard to be kind? 54:26 To be loving? Do you need to have your life made over? 54:32 Then dear friend tonight 54:35 I'd like to invite you: 54:37 open up your heart. 54:39 Remember, it's the Word in the 54:41 heart that makes the difference. 54:43 Open up your heart; invite Jesus into your life. 54:47 And then take the time to spend in God's Word 54:52 Read it; spend time with Him. 54:55 And He will bring about this change that needs to take place 55:00 in your life and in mine. 55:02 This is how we grow. 55:04 This is how we become all that God wants us to be. 55:08 Let us pray. 55:10 Heavenly Father, 55:12 we ask that this evening 55:15 that our hearts may be fertile ground. 55:20 That the seed may germinate; that it may sprout. 55:26 That it will bring about the fruits of the Spirit 55:30 in our lives that we might show forth 55:35 the works and the praises of Him who has loved us 55:40 and died for us and given His life that we 55:44 might have life eternal. 55:46 For this we thank you in Christ's name, Amen. 55:51 Well our next presentation is 55:55 on How to Study Your Bible. 55:57 How should I spend time with it? 56:00 So we hope you'll each be back with us. 56:02 Good night; God bless you. 56:05 Water can be both inspiring and awesome. 56:09 As it flows from the hills and the mountains 56:12 water changes the destiny of every living creature 56:16 it comes in contact with. 56:18 Not a single living thing 56:20 can survive without water for long. 56:23 But despite its beauty 56:25 the power of water can cut channels through rocks 56:28 and change the landscape forever. 56:32 In John chapter 7 56:34 Jesus stood and cried out saying: 56:36 "If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. 56:40 He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, 56:44 out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. " 56:47 As He did so many times, 56:50 Jesus explained the spiritual things of God 56:53 through nature... like flowing water. 56:56 This living water is a life-changing source. 57:00 It can change the landscape of our lives 57:03 and flow through us to change the lives of others. 57:08 Folks, we all need water to live... 57:13 but we also need living water. 57:16 Jesus is that living water, 57:18 and through His Spirit we can bring life to those around us. 57:23 The only goal we have at this ministry 57:26 is to offer living water to all mankind. 57:29 There are thousands - no millions - 57:33 who still long for this water: the living water of life. 57:38 Won't you help us quench their thirst? 57:41 Please consider what you can do 57:43 for those who still don't know about Jesus. 57:45 As the Holy Spirit impresses, 57:47 please send your tax-deductible gifts to: 58:01 Thank you for helping us spread the light of God's Word 58:04 through television and radio. 58:06 Your gifts help bring the blessed hope of salvation 58:08 to millions around the world. |
Revised 2014-12-17