Participants: John Lomacang (Host), John Stanton
Series Code: HCL
Program Code: HCL130008
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00:01 Hello, friends, grab your Bible and a friend and sit back
00:04 as we explore God's word together 00:06 on this edition of "House Calls." 00:23 Welcome to another edition of "House Calls." 00:26 Thank you for taking the time today to join us 00:28 for another walk through the word of God. 00:31 And I'm happy that I have my good friend here. 00:33 We are in the saddle together. Amen. 00:35 Good to have you here, John. Good to be here. 00:37 You know we go back a ways, we have family connections, 00:40 we're like brothers, that is we share the same name 00:44 and we have the same passion that is to share the word of God 00:47 and this program allows us to do that. 00:50 As specifically as you tune in to join us and so thank you. 00:54 Get your Bibles, get your pens, your family-- 00:57 And friends. And your friends. 00:59 That's kind of a new part of my program. 01:01 I came up with that, I don't know-- 01:03 number of programs ago and it's just kind of stuck. 01:06 And join us for this next thoughtful hour 01:08 through the word of God. 01:10 The most important equipment you need is your Bible, 01:12 but we also want you to open your hearts. 01:14 And thank you for all that you do 01:15 for the network of 3ABN 01:17 as well as for the "House Calls" program. 01:20 We meet people sometimes on the road, 01:21 and I know you do-- sometimes people say, 01:24 "You're in my living room." 01:25 And I say, "What am I doing there?" 01:27 He said, oh, in the "House Calls" program, 01:28 we look forward to that program. 01:30 And John I've discovered this, I was over in a-- 01:33 another country not too long ago and they said, 01:36 "Where's your friend?" I said, "Who?" 01:38 They said, "The big, the tall guy, 01:40 the one that's on the program with you. 01:42 Did you bring him with you?" 01:43 "I didn't bring him with me, he lives all the way out west." 01:46 They said, "Say hello to him when you see him the next time." 01:48 All right. So a lot of-- 01:49 every age group from young teenagers 01:52 to people that are older they watch "House Calls." 01:55 They said, it's one of their favorite program. 01:56 Praise the Lord. 01:58 And that's why we enjoy doing that, 01:59 but we're gonna begin out topic today. 02:01 But we're gonna start with a word of prayer. 02:03 And then we're gonna begin with Bible questions 02:05 and then we'll go into the topic which is the church, 02:08 a biblical view of what the church is suppose to be. 02:12 Have prayer first, John. 02:14 Dear Father in heaven, You are a mighty God, 02:17 a wonderful God to serve and we love You. 02:20 We pray now for Your presence to be here with us 02:23 to talk about Your word, 02:25 something we know that You hold 02:27 even above Your name, Your word. 02:30 And we pray that Your spirit will guide us 02:32 through Your scriptures that You've given us 02:35 for the topics for our questions today, for the topic today. 02:39 And Lord that we may glorify You in all that happens. 02:42 We pray in Jesus name, amen. 02:44 Amen, amen, for those questions that you're so concerned 02:48 about we'd like you to send those 02:49 to the following e-mail address that is housecalls@3abn.org. 02:55 That's housecalls@3abn.org. 02:58 And if you don't have a computer, 03:01 there are some people that don't have computers still. 03:04 You can send those to the regular 3ABN address, 03:07 House Calls, PO Box 220, 03:10 West Frankford, Illinois 62896. 03:12 That is 3ABN and then subheading House Calls 03:16 and we'll get those questions. 03:18 But, John, we always like to begin with Bible questions 03:20 and what do you have for me today? 03:22 Well, I've got a question from Debby in Florida 03:25 and I'm gonna read this question 03:26 because we have come to a point I think in American society. 03:31 And I know this is-- we're not unique to this. 03:33 But things have become so political 03:35 that it is keeping us from getting anything accomplished 03:39 to really solve issues today. 03:42 And I think often we're more interested 03:44 in winning an argument rather than 03:47 actually solving a problem, solving an issue. 03:49 And so this partisan politics really has taken full stage 03:54 and it's just sad to see that. 03:58 And there's a little bit of that coming into the church 04:00 as well to a degree. 04:02 You find liberal church members, conservative church members 04:05 and battling over issues of lifestyle 04:07 and this and that and what's important in the gospel 04:09 and what's not so important. 04:11 Anyway, this question I'm not saying 04:14 it's suggestive of Debby having this mindset, 04:17 but a little bit might be there in that she's saying, 04:21 "How can people vote as a democrat 04:23 if they are Christians?" Wow. 04:27 If you don't condone abortion 04:29 and don't condone same sex marriage, 04:31 how can you vote democrat? Very interesting. 04:35 Now we at House Calls are not endorsing any political side. 04:40 We just don't go there. 04:42 I've said repeatedly and I've been asked this repeatedly, 04:45 you know, so you believe with this or that? 04:47 I said you know what, I vote the issues, 04:49 I vote the issues, 04:51 I look at the character of the man or woman. 04:52 And that's how I vote, and I do vote. 04:55 But I don't tow party lines. 04:59 And I think we need to very careful in doing that. 05:01 Even in the Bible you find within the church, 05:04 party lines were being drawn, 05:06 you had Paul admonishing the people 05:08 not to align themselves under certain leaders 05:12 as being oppose to other leaders. 05:15 And maybe you're pulling that up here, I don't know. 05:18 But anyway, as far as Biblical mandate 05:22 for what party we should vote? 05:23 I don't find one. I find issues in the Bible. 05:26 Issues that I think that should be important to Christians 05:29 and I think to some degree across both parties 05:33 there are issues that are biblical. 05:35 And so we need to make sure that we're thinking clearly 05:38 on those things and not necessarily 05:40 aligning ourselves for some of our pet issues 05:42 or key issues involved. 05:45 So like one of them, a couple of them 05:48 she mentions abortion 05:50 and then she mentions same sex marriage. 05:54 And those are in your key issues that as conservatives 05:59 and you could say more religio-conservatives. 06:03 Not so much all of the GOP, 06:04 but the religious conservatives you find 06:06 that the champion issue, abortion, you know. 06:11 We got to make sure we're pro-life that was-- 06:12 that's the key factor for someone 06:14 stepping forward in that platform. 06:16 On same sex marriage, 06:17 another one of those things, very much so. 06:20 Yet I don't necessarily believe that if you go across the line, 06:24 the party line to the other side as democrats 06:27 that you're finding people 06:28 that are anti-life or anti respect for people 06:34 and the way they live their life. 06:36 Remember as a society, I think one of the things 06:38 that is a challenge to us, John, 06:41 is, we have repeated over and over again 06:45 that America is a Christian nation. 06:49 That's not true. 06:51 It wasn't a Christian nation 06:52 and never has been a Christian nation so to speak. 06:56 It is a nation predominantly of Christians. Right. 07:00 So it's very and it's very core, 07:04 its foundations are very Judeo-Christian in its beliefs, 07:08 in its systems and its court systems 07:10 and other things in the way we think. 07:12 But it doesn't make us a Christian nation. 07:14 And I think when they say Christian nation, 07:15 what their meaning is a nation 07:17 that should enforce Christianity and its beliefs. 07:20 And that's usually what-- that's usually the resonating-- 07:23 That's what they're saying 07:25 when they say a Christian nation, 07:26 but you know, really, our nation is a nation of liberties, 07:31 respecting the right of free conscience. 07:34 Allowing some within the context of a moral frame 07:38 to live and believe as they wish. That's true. 07:41 And this is what we uphold the most not Christian values. 07:45 So instead of getting involved in enforcing politics 07:50 or certain parts of politics, we need to make sure 07:53 that we're enforcing the rights of people 07:56 to think and act freely 07:58 according to their own conscience. 08:00 And that would include democrats, 08:01 that would include republicans and people across the board 08:05 whether you--wherever you're lined in the middle. 08:07 And so I just want to make that statement 08:09 because I hear this and I'm not necessarily meaning 08:11 this to be a rebuke, 08:13 but I do think sometimes we get so involved in politics 08:15 that we lose sight of the real issue 08:17 and that is love and respect 08:18 for reach other and their rights. 08:20 We need to be able to disagree yet still live together 08:24 and not tear each other apart by our words 08:27 and how we sometimes attack and what we're seeing 08:31 in politics for the most part today. 08:33 You know, we know that in our country in-- 08:36 I think and around the world, 08:38 we sometimes get more concerned 08:40 if we see things that have already happened 08:42 in the world around us, 08:44 starting to happen here in America. 08:46 America is a place where the thing 08:49 that is most dear and valuable to us is liberty, 08:52 freedom of religion, freedom from fear. 08:57 And you look at your bill of rights 08:59 and these topics have become a major focus in America 09:03 over the last few elections or I'd say, 09:06 if you go back to the beginning of the 1980s. 09:10 And you have various fractions in America 09:15 and I want to be very vague here 09:16 'cause I don't want to make anybody feel 09:18 that I'm favoring one or the other. 09:19 But I like the way you said that as citizens 09:22 and that the-- and the first thing 09:24 of when you look at the first platform in America 09:26 are all those who are here in this country 09:29 that have access to the rights and privileges. 09:32 If they're citizens then I shouldn't feel it 09:35 my right to prevent another citizen 09:37 from exercising his religious beliefs 09:41 or her religious convictions 09:43 because I would not want the same to happen to me. 09:46 So we have in this country, 09:48 right now we have religious freedom. 09:51 But what's happening if you look at the climates 09:54 that are being developed, 09:56 the word intolerance is becoming a focal point. 10:00 Are we intolerant of people that don't believe 10:02 and that don't practice 10:04 and that don't live like we live. 10:06 And that's where we have to be very, very careful. 10:08 So without talking about political parties, 10:11 one of the statements I like that Jesus made 10:13 because you know, the disciples, 10:14 when Jesus came they were somewhat-- 10:19 they misunderstood the mission of Christ in this respect. 10:23 They thought that He was going to overthrow the government 10:26 that was in place then and then establish Israel. 10:31 And even at the time just before He ascended to heaven 10:34 they say, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? 10:39 They continue to wonder. 10:40 Are you gonna get rid of the ruling powers of Rome? 10:43 And the statement I like that Jesus made here 10:46 and I'm gonna read it for you, it's in John 8--18. 10:50 Let me go ahead and go there, 10:51 I want to give a few portions of that just before our verse 36. 10:57 John 18 and I'm gonna read verse 36. 11:04 And let's start with that one, 11:09 "Jesus answered--" well, let me just go ahead 11:11 and give the question. 11:12 "Pilate answered, 'Am I a Jew? 11:16 Your own nation and the chief priests 11:20 have delivered You to me. 11:22 What have You done?' 11:24 Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. 11:28 If My kingdom were of this world, 11:30 My servants would fight, 11:32 so that I should not be delivered to the Jews, 11:35 but now My kingdom is not from here.'" 11:38 And then earlier in the ministry of Christ 11:40 there was a question about paying that 11:44 which is due to the government. 11:46 And the Lord sent Peter to the ocean 11:49 or to the river and He said, 11:51 you'll find a fish with a coin in its mouth. 11:53 And he said, well, who's face is on that? 11:55 He sees it, rendered to him 11:56 what's his and to God what's His. 11:59 In our own personal lives 12:01 we must uphold in our convictions as Christians 12:04 those things that are in harmony with Christian, 12:07 with the word of God. 12:08 And I want to use the word of God 12:09 rather than the phrase Christian values 12:11 because the phrase Christian values 12:14 is not always supportive of the word of God. 12:16 That's something that you have to be very, very careful. 12:19 'Cause some people could determine 12:20 what Christian values are as compared to 12:22 determining what the word of God has already said. 12:26 And our main focus is what if the word of God says it 12:30 then we're gonna support that. 12:31 We don't necessarily abide into predefined 12:34 or post biblical definition of Christian values 12:38 if it doesn't have its support in the scriptures. 12:42 That's the climate in America now a day. 12:44 Should we love everyone regardless 12:45 of what their convictions are? 12:47 That is a mark of a Christian. 12:49 Should we force them to do what we don't support? No. 12:55 Anymore then they would want to force us to do 12:57 what they don't support. 12:59 So its climate and we have to be very delicate on this 13:03 because I don't want to come across 13:04 as though we're tying to tell people 13:05 what party to be a part of in, what agenda to support. 13:08 But I tell you this and I tell you this 13:11 and I'm gonna be very clear about this one. 13:13 I know what this whole climate in America now 13:15 and state by state there's this issue of gay marriage. 13:18 And I think that's an oxymoron 13:20 because when the Lord established marriage, 13:22 it was never man with man or woman with woman. 13:25 And so if it ever came down to the point 13:27 where you're forced to have a marriage in a church 13:29 between two men or two women, 13:31 I would not perform that kind of a wedding, 13:33 I'm just being very candid about that. 13:35 And I would side my religious freedom 13:38 as the foundation upon which I would make that decision, 13:41 not so much your political preferences 13:43 or your personal persuasion. 13:45 Your personal persuasion should never conflict 13:50 enforce my religious convictions to act we as to the things 13:54 that you feel more important in my religious convictions. 13:56 So that's where I'm right now, 13:58 I don't want to say too much more about that. 13:59 But we know where's it's headed. 14:01 We know exactly where it's-- 14:02 That's one of thing I was gonna say is that 14:04 we know were its headed more morality in our society 14:07 is on its way down, not up. 14:10 As in the days of Noah, 14:11 Jesus said right before He comes, 14:13 we'll return to that kind of a thing 14:15 and I believe there was all kinds of evidence there 14:17 that the morality today is exactly like that. 14:20 So we're living in those days but to then to begin 14:23 to enforce morality through legislative means. 14:30 That is not biblical either. Right. 14:32 Jesus did not use legislative means to share His truth 14:38 and to expand His kingdom on earth. 14:41 He expanded it through 14:42 the hearts and minds of people individually. 14:45 One to one and then the sharing of the gospel 14:47 goes out that way as well. 14:49 Never do we find that He supports or pushes 14:52 any of His agenda items through legislative means. 14:55 That's very good. 14:56 And we have to be careful that we do not do that. 14:58 Matter of fact one of the reasons 14:59 why that's ridiculous because you can't-- 15:01 you cannot get a carnal heart to live a Christ like life 15:05 just because it's on paper. 15:07 And that's the unfortunate thing. 15:08 And so people right now in America, 15:11 this country is kind of gone awry and I tell you, 15:16 I'm an American citizen, I love the country. 15:19 Sometimes we get so, we get to the place now, 15:21 we have this phrase, political correctness. 15:24 Well, when political correctness infringes 15:27 on scriptural correctness, 15:29 I take scriptural correctness over political correctness. 15:32 Unfortunately, in America we have another word, 15:34 don't offend-- another phrase don't offend. 15:37 Well, Paul the Apostle says, 15:38 "Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth"? 15:41 So when we start tiptoeing on-- 15:43 through the tulips and walking on egg shells 15:44 because our religious convictions 15:46 may rub somebody in a wrong way. 15:48 We have to understand that God has given us 15:51 a higher responsibility, love your neighbor as yourself, 15:54 do good to those who hate you, 15:56 pray for those who despitefully use you. 15:58 All these things are principles that are important for us 16:02 and mandatory for us as Christians to support, 16:05 but my first obligation is to the Lord Jesus Christ. 16:08 I was sitting in the home of a prime minister 16:11 in another country and very powerful man, 16:14 prime minister in the other countries 16:16 and some of the countries of the islands. 16:18 The prime minister is the president of that country. 16:21 As I sat down he said to me, 16:23 he asked me the question why are you-- 16:24 he said, why are you not afraid? 16:27 Why are you not nervous? 16:30 And he meant why I'm not nervous to be in his presence? 16:33 And I thought about it and I said, 16:34 well, you are a man and I'm a man 16:39 and with all due respect I have to answer 16:41 to an even higher authority than you. 16:44 And he looked at me really, really serious 16:46 for about 15 seconds and he said, I like that. 16:52 And then what I didn't know he invited me 16:55 to be in his home here I was in the country. 16:57 And I got a message the prime minister wants you 16:59 to come and have audience with them, 17:00 that's the phrase that they use. 17:02 And I like what he said, 17:04 he said at the end of day when I'm done 17:05 with all my politicizing and traveling 17:07 and doing all the government's functions. 17:09 When I come home, I want to watch 17:12 things on television that are uplifting. 17:14 And he said, I have a choice to watch whatever I want, 17:17 but I watch 3ABN and I've seen you before 17:21 so I appreciate what you said. 17:22 So that was a wonderful thing. 17:24 But you know, keep this in mind Christians, 17:26 the kingdom that we are supposed to be proponents of 17:28 and push the kingdom as Jesus said, 17:30 His kingdom neither our kingdom is of this world. 17:34 I have my citizenship somewhere else, 17:37 so I'm not fighting to reform the earth. 17:40 I'm getting ready to get out of here. 17:42 And but while I'm here I'm gonna live in love 17:45 and live in harmony with all the principles 17:46 and laws of the land as long as 17:48 they don't conflict with the Bible. 17:49 Yeah. Amen. You know what? 17:52 The question I have, 17:53 John, I know we usually go back and forth 17:55 but it kind of dovetails off of this whole thing. Do that. 17:57 And I'm wondering-- maybe I've read this one 17:59 and then we can share the one that you've got here. 18:01 I don't think it will take very long on this one 18:02 but this is from Don from Frankford, Indiana. 18:08 And he says here, you hear many people say 18:11 when things go wrong, God is in control. 18:14 Does scripture speak to that belief? 18:17 A few people I've heard say, God is not in control. 18:20 One of them is doctor and then he names somebody here. 18:23 I believe that God will have the final say 18:26 and will bring about the end of the world as we know it. 18:28 But I too don't believe it that 18:30 He is in control of what happens now. 18:33 I believe He is sitting back and permitting us humans 18:36 to run things down here. 18:38 Please I'd like have your comments. 18:42 I'm gonna read a text here from Hebrews 10 18:47 and then we can kind of dovetail into some of the things 18:50 you're pulling up there, John, but-- Okay. 18:52 Hebrews 10:12 speaking of Christ now after the cross 19:00 and after ascending to heaven. 19:03 The writer of Hebrews says here in verse 12 19:05 "But this Man--" speaking of Jesus, 19:07 "After He had offered one sacrifice for the sins forever" 19:12 that is our sins, "sat down at the right hand of God 19:16 from that time waiting till His enemies 19:19 are made His footstool." 19:22 And you wonder why did I bring that verse up. 19:26 Jesus upon ascending to heaven offered Himself 19:31 obviously on the cross as a sacrifice for us, 19:33 now brings the benefit of that sacrifice 19:37 to us by sitting on the throne of His father, 19:40 next to His father today until it says 19:42 His enemies are made His footstool. 19:44 Now if you read the Book of Acts 7:49 it says, 19:49 "Heaven is My throne and earth is My footstool." 19:53 So the throne in heaven has an extension to earth. Okay. 19:59 So when we read this text 20:01 we don't just think of Christ on His throne, 20:04 we think of the earth as an extension 20:06 of His throne being His footstool. 20:09 And if that's the case this verse from Hebrews 10 says, 20:14 that He's waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. 20:17 In other words, till He puts all things 20:19 under His feet which means, 20:20 He is active right now in control 20:25 working about events to put His enemies under His feet. 20:31 Sometimes it may not appear but that's what He's doing. 20:34 Sometimes it appears that Satan is winning, 20:36 many times it appears as Satan is winning. 20:38 But I don't see that Satan is winning, 20:40 I see Satan knowing he has a short time 20:43 doing everything he can to wreck havoc 20:46 because he knows God is winning 20:49 and that is a perspective there. 20:51 I think is important for us to have 20:52 because although God and Christ on His throne 20:56 allows bad things to happen sometimes even to good people. 21:01 And more of these bad things are happening today. 21:05 That even though they may not be-- 21:07 and I don't believe that they are according to His will. 21:09 He doesn't want bad things to happen to people, 21:12 but He is allowing them to happen 21:14 because He is working about events 21:16 to one day end all things, all evil in favor of good. 21:21 And as this gentleman we do agree on this 21:23 that He will bring an end to the world as we know it today. 21:26 But I do believe that He is still in control 21:29 of everything that happens today 21:30 because of the virtue of the fact 21:32 that He is on the throne and part of that throne room 21:34 is the footstool of the earth 21:36 which means He's ruler of this earth. 21:38 You know the example that you bring out 21:39 as far as God having the final say of God in control, 21:43 God is never not been in control 21:45 that's the beautiful thing about it. 21:47 But God is not a controlling God that's the difference. 21:50 God is not a manipulative God. 21:52 God gives us the freedom to make our decisions 21:54 and choices and live to be accountable 21:58 to those who are in positions of authority. 22:02 You know, the Bible says, 22:04 we should be subject to the rulers that-- 22:07 matter of fact the Bible says, 22:09 "Know those who labor among you and are over you 22:12 and the Lord and admonish them. 22:14 So there's always those who are in leadership positions 22:16 that we should be responsible too, 22:18 but in the end scenario Daniel 4:17, 22:21 this is a beautiful setting in the story of Nebuchadnezzar. 22:24 Nebuchadnezzar was the one that had this mighty kingdom 22:26 he had built and that was the literal Babylon, 22:29 but we find at the end time 22:31 there's gonna be a spiritual Babylon. 22:33 And people are so concerned about the development 22:35 or the collusion of this movement 22:37 that's happening in the world today. 22:39 And as James Rafferty said when he did the anchor series, 22:43 you cannot actually identify Babylon 22:45 because it's so far reaching in its scope 22:47 that there's so many negative aspects to it, 22:50 so many components to it that you cannot narrow it down 22:53 to just one specific thing outside of it 22:56 being an antichrist's kingdom. 23:00 But the Lord made it very clear with the way 23:02 that He dealt with Nebuchadnezzar 23:04 that He in fact is in charge of who is in leadership 23:07 and who's not in leadership. 23:08 Here's what he said and by the way when I say this. 23:12 We're not saying that no matter whether you vote or not, 23:16 it's really in God's hand to decide 23:18 who's gonna be in there 23:19 because God gives us the freedom to choose. 23:21 The perfect example was Saul was king, 23:24 God didn't choose him, the people chose him. 23:27 And he was king in spite of the fact 23:28 that God didn't choose him as the first choice. 23:31 And we know, I'm gonna go to a question right after that. 23:34 In the case of these theocracies where the king had all the power 23:37 and he simply said it and that's how it was. 23:40 Notice what the Lord said, 23:41 even to those men in the Book of Daniel 4:17. 23:45 And it says, "This decision is by the decree of the watchers 23:48 and the sentence by the word of the holy ones. 23:52 In order that the living may know 23:55 that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, 24:00 God gives it to whomever He will 24:03 and sets over it the lowest of men." 24:06 So in the nutshell when it really boils down to it, 24:09 who's in charge of-- who's in charge? 24:12 God allows and sometimes we'll say, 24:15 why would God allow somebody like that? 24:18 There's a phrase I became acquainted with-- 24:21 not too many years ago, 24:22 the phrase is called the lesser evil. 24:25 And obviously it's in contrast to the greater evil. 24:29 Now some people may say, what does that mean 24:30 actually in the context of the kingdoms of men? 24:34 Sometimes God will allow the lesser evil. 24:36 Let me use the context. 24:38 Sometimes God will allow the ruler 24:40 with the least impacting agenda to reign 24:44 so that he prevent the leader 24:46 with the greater impacting agenda to reign. 24:48 He holds the winds back as Revelation 7-- 24:51 Revelation 7 says, the angels hold back the wind. 24:54 So God decides when they're gonna be let loose. 24:57 God let's us know when He's going to allow the powers 25:01 that are being restrained 25:03 to finally have control of the impenitent, 25:05 those who choose not to be in harmony with His word. 25:08 So I'm not fearful of who's in leadership 25:12 or as I've often said in sermons 25:14 I'm not concerned about the White House. 25:16 My eyes are on the right house, you see. 25:20 I'm sitting and putting my place 25:22 and all of my faith and trust in the God of Heaven. 25:26 Not so much also in the powers of the earth. 25:29 My question is really short, but I'll go head and read it 25:33 and answer it really quickly here. 25:35 Good day, that may means 25:37 this person is from Australia, I don't know. 25:41 This question can be answered 25:43 by either pastoral staff of House Calls. 25:47 There is a lot of negative criticism 25:50 of the pastor in our church. 25:52 I won the negativity 25:55 as often in his face and in front of others, 25:58 especially at meetings and behind his back. 26:01 He is the younger pastor starting out with two churches. 26:05 And I would not want him to become discouraged. 26:08 He is very humble and truly desirous of serving the Lord. 26:12 Our church is small, so this does in fact 26:15 have a significant impact on the congregation. 26:19 My questions are the following, 26:22 what does the Bible say about this specific topic, 26:25 touch not my anointed? 26:28 They said it seems to indicate physical harm 26:30 and the other one is what can those of us 26:32 who do not agree with the negativity do 26:35 to support our pastor? 26:36 Continue, we continue to pray for him of course. 26:41 Any suggestions? Well, let me first read the passages. 26:44 "This passage of touch not the Lord anointed 26:46 and do my prophet no harm or touch not my anointed." 26:50 1 Chronicles 16:22 26:54 was used as in reference to Saul when he was sleeping, 26:58 David could have easily taken vengeance on him. 27:02 But David said it's not my job, 27:05 but the Lord-- the Lord anoints him, 27:08 the Lord will take care of him. 27:10 It is not my job to do harm to those 27:12 who God calls into leadership. 27:14 Now those who are called into leadership 27:16 and I'm using our church as an example 27:17 because I'm a pastor and so is John. 27:19 And John, by the way is in the conference office. 27:21 There is a level of accountability 27:24 and there are stair steps 27:25 that each church has in place as a process. 27:29 If there are negative things being done to the pastor 27:32 by church members or by the church board 27:34 for that matter, these are matters 27:38 that should be addressed at the church board 27:40 if no satisfaction is received there, 27:42 you go to the church in business session 27:45 where a larger number of the actual members are there 27:49 to voice their position and opinion. 27:51 If there is no satisfaction then bring in a conference leader. 27:55 But no, at no point do the church members 27:58 have the right to-- as was said in this, 28:01 in this question or e-mail to be negative 28:06 about the pastor to disrespect him, to criticize him. 28:10 That is not acceptable because we call into question 28:12 their Christianity, you see. So-- 28:16 First you don't want to venture on to God's ground. 28:18 God's the one that anointed him for work. 28:22 Ordained, I don't know if he's ordained or not 28:24 but he's definitely even if he's not on the way 28:27 to being ordained at some point here. 28:29 You're trying to intervene to do the work of God 28:32 to determine whether or not this guy 28:34 is supposed to be a pastor or not. 28:35 God has called him or God is not 28:37 but it's up to God to determine what his court says. 28:40 'Cause I know him we were all there 28:41 we were young pastors at one particular point, 28:43 we were all starting out. 28:45 And the one we started out those who are godly 28:49 would be in a supportive role 28:51 but also give the pastor room to grow. 28:53 And I think he need to get some room to grow 28:55 and if there's any council that needs to done, 28:57 it should be done in a building sense. 29:00 If he's making decisions that are not wise 29:03 that's why you have a board of elders, 29:04 that's why you have a church board, 29:06 that's why you have deacons. 29:07 But don't have them in position to hurt the pastor 29:10 but they all as the Bible points out. 29:13 As Moses' father-in-law... Jethro. 29:21 Let these people of responsibility, 29:23 men who are spiritual, ladies and women 29:27 who are spiritual be in the capacity of supporting 29:30 and guidance but not this context, 29:33 so what can you do? 29:35 You can go to the church board first, 29:37 go to church business session 29:38 and prayerfully work alongside to help the pastor grow, 29:42 not to find ways of creating a mutiny 29:45 on the voting and getting rid of him. 29:47 Okay, and so if you don't agree with certain things 29:50 just mention those things if he has a teachable spirit. 29:55 Do with love and respect. Yeah. 29:56 Do it always out of respect 29:58 because love your neighbor as yourself 30:00 does apply to even those who are church members 30:03 in positions of responsibility. That's right. 30:06 Well, thank you for your questions and comments today. 30:07 If you have any more of those, 30:10 you can send those questions and comments 30:11 to housecalls@3abn.org. That's housecalls@3abn.org. 30:16 And hopefully we are answering 30:18 your questions in a favorable idea. 30:20 If not send those again and say "you answered this part, 30:23 but I still have a question about the second portion." 30:26 We do appreciate all that you do for the program. 30:28 Now, John, we began on the topic of the church, 30:31 a biblical-- that's one of those big words for me, 30:34 a biblical view, I'd rather say a scriptural view. 30:37 It's easier for me to say, because, you know, 30:39 I got this-- that word biblical and millennium. 30:44 You know, you got to-- 30:45 years ago when I was in New York City with Pastor Doug Bachelor. 30:48 And I was supposed to be the-- well, I was the-- 30:51 the person welcoming the television audience. 30:53 I was supposed to say "welcome to Millennium of Prophecy." 30:56 And I said, Doug, that word millennium is a tongue twister. 30:59 I got to find another way 31:01 of pronouncing it or annunciating it. 31:03 And so I came up with Millennium of Prophecy. 31:06 And I made it through all 27 programs. 31:10 Millennium. So I got to go biblical. 31:13 I was there at one of those. Okay. 31:15 In New York I was there. In New York City. 31:16 Yeah. That's right, that's right. 31:17 So take us into our topic today. 31:19 We're talking about the church, a biblical view. 31:23 What is God's design or desire when He setup His church? 31:30 What did He have in mind, 31:32 what role would the church leaders play, 31:35 would the members play and we've already 31:36 covered one-- part one of this topic. 31:39 And what we've really concluded here 31:41 through various scriptures are that God 31:44 from the very beginning chose His people 31:46 to be a kingdom of priest. Right. 31:49 There is priesthood that we're all active in ministry. 31:51 We find in the New Testament church now 31:53 that kingdom of priests coming back to the original design 31:57 and that God gives each one of them gifts 31:59 that they should use in the ministry of the church. 32:03 And I believe even in the context of evangelism 32:05 as they ministered to those in the community 32:07 as well they're trying to use those gifts. 32:09 And so what we find is that members aren't spectators, 32:15 members are on the frontlines in active ministry. 32:18 And if they're not being active ministers, 32:21 using their gifts that they're not actually 32:24 fulfilling their calling which is the great commission 32:26 which extends to all members of the church. 32:30 Does-- is God accepting of that? 32:33 Because today we think that it's okay, 32:37 but as we read the message to Laodicea, 32:39 we find that the problem with Laodicea, John, 32:43 is not their doctrine. No. 32:46 The problem with Laodicea is their works. 32:50 And when we're talking about ministry 32:52 we're talking about works. 32:54 You know, John, you and I had a conversation 32:55 just recently in regard to little bit of this topic 32:59 and, you know, we become so careful 33:04 about making sure we're not perceived 33:06 as a works based Christian church. 33:10 That we've almost ignored the need to maintain 33:14 good works in the words of Paul. Right. 33:16 "Stir up love and good works." Right. 33:20 So we're called, we're encourage to do good works 33:23 and those works are the works of ministry. That's right. 33:27 Yet today we seem to be content 33:29 to sit back in the church not doing works, 33:31 not engaging in our work of, you know, 33:34 using our spiritual gifts that God has given us 33:36 through the Holy Spirit and think that that's okay. 33:40 But it's really not, God wants to use us 33:42 to finish the work of spreading 33:44 the everlasting gospel to the world 33:46 and we do that through the gifts He has given us. 33:49 And by getting off the pew and getting out 33:52 into the community and working and serving Christ. 33:56 That's why we are saved by grace through faith 34:00 and it is a gift of God not of works-- 34:05 No works on our part can lead to our salvation. 34:08 The work has been done by Christ. 34:10 Praise God for that. That's the good news. 34:12 But if you only read verse 8 and 9 of Ephesians 2 34:17 then you fall short of the context, 34:19 because verse 10 mentions the word works 34:24 in the capacity in which we're talking about today. 34:28 Verse 8 of Ephesians 2 "For by grace 34:30 you have been saved through faith 34:33 and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." 34:36 And verse 9 simply says 34:37 "Not of works, lest any man should boast." 34:40 All right, "lest anyone should boast." 34:42 But verse 10 is the verse that we're talking about today. 34:45 "For we are his workmanship, 34:47 created in Christ Jesus for good works, 34:52 which God prepared beforehand 34:55 that we should walk in them." 34:57 So let's put that together as a company. 34:59 See John sets up a company, he has specific departments, 35:02 the next thing he does, as he puts an ad 35:05 in a newspaper for this kind of skilled workers. 35:08 He has a job prepared beforehand 35:11 when he hires them then they start walking in that capacity. 35:15 So when we read the spiritual gifts, 35:16 when we read Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 35:21 Ephesians, we begin to see the positions. 35:25 So God doesn't call us to be on the outside of the company 35:29 but He says, "If you're working for me 35:31 there's not a company that I know off." 35:34 They employs you not to work. Okay. 35:39 But there's not a company I know of, 35:41 that would let you work and tell they employ you. 35:44 Okay, very good, very good. 35:46 And that's the thing, that's why the works 35:48 don't come on the before conversion part of the equation, 35:52 it's after the conversion part of the equation. 35:55 Once we receive Christ we can do that by works 35:57 it's by the grace of God, it's by faith and trust in Him, 36:01 then He gives us works to do. Okay. 36:04 But to sit back and say, "Up, don't have to work, 36:07 don't have to do anything." 36:08 You're missing the entire other side of the equation 36:11 and this is where the Book of James comes in. 36:14 James talks about, "How faith without works is, 36:17 what John? Dead. 36:19 Dead. Being alone. 36:20 If you don't have corresponding works 36:23 with your proclamation declaration of faith in Christ 36:27 then you are a dead Christian. 36:30 Now it's good to be a dead to our flesh, 36:32 you know, Christian, 36:34 but it's not good to be a dead Christian. 36:36 It means, you are not living at all for Christ 36:39 and that does not honor and glorify God. 36:42 As a matter of fact, John, 36:43 when Jesus comes back 36:45 not only is the deceleration of Matthew 25 there. 36:48 A lot of people say, well, Matthew 25, 36:50 "I was hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, sick." 36:53 And all those things and as much you have done to the least 36:55 and these you have done it to me, 36:56 that's not the only measurement, 36:58 that's a part of the measurement. 36:59 The measurement also Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, 37:03 "I fear God and keep his commandments 37:04 for this is the whole duty of man. 37:06 For God will bring every work into judgment, 37:08 with every secret thing, whether it could be good 37:10 or whether it could be evil." 37:11 But also Revelation 22:12, "And behold, 37:14 I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, 37:18 to give to everyone according to his work." 37:22 So when you see that we are not saved by work, 37:24 we are saved for work. 37:27 Did you get it? That's right. 37:28 The employ doesn't pay you because of the work 37:30 you've done prior to Him hiring you, 37:32 He pays you for the work you done after He hires you. 37:36 Good point. You see. 37:38 So lot of people say well-- and that's why, 37:39 when you look at this and works by itself are not sufficient. 37:42 Because many will say, "Lord, Lord." 37:44 Matthew 7: 21-23, "Haven't we cast out 37:47 demons done many wonderful works in Thy name. 37:50 Then I will profess unto them, 37:51 I never knew you depart from me, you workers of iniquity. 37:53 Got to have faith and works. 37:55 That's right, faith and work goes together. 37:57 James you brought this out and I want to go 37:58 to the Book of James 2 because, you know, 38:01 the church today to a large degree 38:04 and we cannot divorce the fact that the message 38:06 of the Seventh Church applies to this age in which we live. 38:09 People may say, "Well, how do you know that?" 38:11 Well, we believe, we're convinced 38:14 that we're living in the last age of the church 38:16 and there's no more church after Laodicean Church. 38:19 There's no more church militant. 38:21 After that it's gonna be the church triumphant, okay. 38:25 What that means is, there will be no more battle. 38:27 That phrase sounds kind of unusual. 38:29 People say, "What do you mean the church militant?" 38:31 Well, the church right now is involved 38:33 in the final throws of the final battle 38:35 which will culminate through the battle of Armageddon 38:37 and then the church triumphant, 38:39 victorious, no more battles. 38:42 But the Book of James, John, 38:45 we're gonna look at that, all right. 38:47 Here I am. I did assume-- 38:49 I assume you're going to Chapter 2. 38:51 I'm going to Chapter 2. 38:53 Okay, Chapter 2, "My brethren," 38:54 I'm gonna go ahead and go down to verse 14, 38:57 start there, all right. 38:59 "What does it profit, my brethren, 39:01 if someone says he has faith but does not have works? 39:04 Can faith save him?" 39:06 All right, let's just stop there for brief moment 39:08 and make a few comments on that. 39:10 Some people usually when they meet you they say, 39:12 "What faith are you of?" 39:16 Instead of saying our denomination, 39:17 you know, what should we say? 39:19 We are of the faith of Jesus. 39:21 And the reason I say that is because the faith of Jesus, 39:25 Jesus said, "I have come to do the will of My father." 39:31 And when He was leaving He said, 39:33 "Greater works then these will you do 39:38 because I go to My Father." 39:39 What did Jesus come to do? 39:41 He came to accomplish the work of salvation. 39:44 And when He left, He gave the church the very same work, 39:48 the work of salvation, we become ambassadors. 39:51 But if you go on further, let's look at some of these 39:54 and the examples are used here in a very, very powerful way. 39:57 I'm gonna ask to work our way up to verse 19, 40:00 because it's an interesting point. 40:01 I did a sermon, I don't want to talk about it right now 40:04 but there are various kinds of faith. 40:06 The one I-- couple of examples 40:08 I brought out, John, is marginalize faith. 40:12 A marginalize faith is without power. 40:16 It is the string in your parachute 40:20 that is connected to nothing. 40:22 And it has a handle that seems reliable until it's pulled. 40:28 So that's the kind of faith that, I have faith, 40:31 but when trials come you fall apart, all right. 40:34 That's not, that's not what the Bible-- 40:35 Then there's the neutralize faith. 40:38 It is a gray faith. It is a lukewarm faith. 40:41 It is a blurry faith. 40:43 It requires us to take no stand on either side. 40:46 We just say we have faith, all right. 40:48 We say we believe. We say we believe. 40:50 And marginalized and neutralized faith, 40:52 no power, no commitment. 40:54 But the faith that James is gonna talk about here 40:56 and I want you to walk through those next verses for us 40:59 and take us down to verse 19. 41:01 Okay, look at the examples James 2: 14, 41:05 and what was introduced right here. 41:07 If you don't have works can faith save a person? 41:10 Look at this example. 41:11 I want to start with verse 17 here-- Go for that. 41:13 "Thus also faith by itself, 41:15 if it does not have works, is dead. 41:19 But someone will say, 41:20 'You have faith, and I have works.' 41:22 Show me your faith without your works, 41:24 and I will show you my faith by my works. 41:28 You believe that there is one God. You do well. 41:32 Even the demons believe-- and tremble! 41:35 But do you want to know, O foolish man, 41:40 that faith without works is dead?" powerful. 41:44 The phrase there and I just kind of introduce now-- 41:47 what I was gonna talk about a moment ago, 41:49 I did a sermon called "The Faith of Demons." 41:52 This passage verse 19 is huge, 41:55 when it comes to the rebuke of inactive Christians. 41:59 And part of the responsibility lie in the lap of the pastors, 42:03 the evangelists, the teachers, 42:05 that have not prepared the membership for work. 42:07 But you find here the faith of demons, 42:10 what is so significant about putting demons 42:13 in the middle of this beautiful analogy 42:15 about faith and works, the demons are introduced. 42:19 Now this statement here it says to me, 42:22 the demons here have more faith than some of us. 42:29 The reason for this is verse 19 says, 42:31 "Even the demons believe," 42:34 and what happens as the result of their conviction. 42:36 They tremble. They tremble. 42:38 They are so convicted. 42:39 Matter of fact, there are no atheist demons. 42:43 They all know that God exists. They all know that Jesus exists. 42:47 They all know that. 42:49 Remember the person who wanted to purchase the power of God 42:52 in the New Testament and he wanted the power 42:55 that he saw worked out in the life of the apostles 42:58 and then when he tried to use that power 43:00 without being in Christ, the demon says, 43:04 Jesus we know and Paul we know but, 43:06 who are you? 43:08 And the demon striped him naked 43:10 and he ran for his life into the streets. 43:12 A terrible thing. 43:14 The demons are so convinced of the power of God, 43:17 that there's no question in their community. 43:19 But what is being said here, if you look at verse 20, 43:23 "But do you want to know, O foolish man, 43:26 that faith without works is dead?" 43:28 So, John, now take us back to this phrase because 43:30 what the demons-- the use of the demons 43:34 in this passage is simply saying to us is, 43:36 you can say you believe. 43:39 So somebody asked what are your beliefs? 43:40 And we mentioned our 28 fundamentals 43:43 or our statement of faith 43:44 whatever denomination we are connected to. 43:46 The demon say, "Hey, 43:48 we have a statement of faith also, 43:50 matter of fact ours-- we're so convicted by ours, 43:52 it makes us tremble." 43:54 That we even know the truth little better than you do. 43:57 It makes us--we are convicted, but we are not converted. Yeah. 44:02 Okay. Big difference. 44:04 The difference, when a person is converted, 44:06 Jesus said to Peter, "When you are converted 44:09 strengthen the brethren." 44:11 The church is weak because so many people are convicted, 44:15 faith of demons but not converted. 44:17 They are not active in carrying forth 44:19 the very thing that they claim to be proponents of. 44:22 You know, the amazing thing here too is, verse 20. Okay. 44:25 Asked the question, but do you want to know? 44:29 I'm not sure many of our members really want to know. 44:35 Because we are content with just knowing our doctrine, 44:42 knowing our truths and we are very uncomfortable 44:46 with getting out of that knowledge zone 44:48 into the zone of experience and works. 44:54 One of the challenges here I think is, 44:56 you know, we talk about sanctification 44:58 living the sanctified life. Right. 45:00 We did a program recently on the justified life. 45:02 Now we're talking about the sanctified life 45:04 and what that looks like 45:05 and sanctification for much of us 45:09 is according to a strict limitation, 45:13 a strict adherence to probably just John 17:17, 45:16 "Now sanctify them by your truth, 45:17 your word is truth." 45:19 But that's as far as they go being sanctified. 45:22 Sanctification is a process 45:25 of experiencing God in different ways. 45:28 He grows us through trials, struggles, battles, 45:31 they are His tools. 45:34 For strengthening us and helping us 45:36 understand what it means to hold on to God 45:38 when all looks hopeless. 45:42 The challenge is submitting our self 45:45 to experience an uncomfortableness 45:47 of getting out of our zone 45:49 that we're used to our life 45:51 as we know it into the community. 45:54 And I think there's a basic things that we're not, 45:57 just-- we're not good at. 46:00 Socializing. 46:01 How often our social events in church 46:04 they're evangelistic in nature? 46:07 Making new friendships. 46:09 Making friends with people who aren't of our faith. 46:12 I have been in churches before, I said, how may of you 46:15 have interacted outside of work because most of them work 46:19 with non-Adventist or non--even nonbelievers. 46:23 Outside of work, how many of you 46:25 have had social connections and interactions, 46:28 friendships made and if contacted them 46:31 this last week to month, very few hands go up. 46:35 We don't step out to mingle with our community 46:39 and perform works that God has given us to do beforehand, 46:43 so that people can see 46:44 the gospel of God in a transformed life. 46:46 Our testimony, that's another way of sharing the gospel. 46:50 We may not be a preacher, 46:51 but we got something to say about 46:52 what Christ has done for us, don't we? 46:54 And everyone has a functioning arm 46:56 they could just say-- 46:57 here's something I would like to read 46:58 when you plant the seed of truth. 47:01 And we all have a different gifts, 47:02 so we're all not given the gift of prophecy or the gift, 47:07 you know, preaching and teaching. 47:09 But we all have some gift that we can use 47:11 that God has given us for reaching our neighbor. 47:15 I think its one of the last arts 47:17 that we're loosing so much in today's society 47:19 which has become so technology based. 47:21 I mean, you have friends, young people today. 47:24 You know, I'm sure you've seen this before, 47:27 they are sitting next to each other 47:29 and they're right there to talk but they are texting each other. 47:31 Yeah, that happened in my office, 47:33 two kids one turned to the other one and said, 47:34 "Did you get that?" and I'm looking at this 47:37 and they said, "I got it." 47:39 I had to ask, "Get what?" "The text I just sent her." 47:42 I said, "She is right there." 47:45 Why didn't you just talk to her? Say something. 47:48 They are texting back and forth 47:49 and they are like shoulder to shoulder. 47:52 Let me hit to home more on this with Adventist 47:55 as in our evangelistic meetings. 47:57 When we say evangelism, we are typically thinking 48:00 most of us the public meeting, the public evangelism meeting. 48:05 We have developed 48:07 such a disconnected way of inviting people 48:09 to an evangelistic meeting. 48:11 We--as long as we get enough money together 48:13 we can mail enough brochures out 48:16 to get may be enough people to a meeting 48:18 to hear what we have to present. 48:21 And we appeal to only those on the level-- 48:24 on the intellectual level that way. 48:26 We're not appealing to those through friendships, 48:28 the need to connect with people, 48:30 and other ways that people need to be introduced to Christ. 48:35 We've got to step out of this disconnected 48:38 cold formal way of inviting people 48:41 into hearing our faith to sharing our faith 48:46 as an individual, one to one. 48:48 Over and over again we're counseled. 48:50 Christ had great regard for the one to one audience. 48:55 That's right. That's right. 48:57 He met with him, showed His sympathy for them. 49:00 Found a need met that need, 49:03 concerned showed honest concern for them 49:06 and then last thing He said, "Follow Me." 49:09 That was the last thing He asked of them, 49:10 but he met them where they were 49:13 and we had to learn to do that today 49:15 or we're gonna be at the church that God designed us to be. 49:18 Matter of fact I make the statement 49:19 the household of faith will be confirmed 49:21 by the household of works, 49:24 because faith without works is dead. 49:26 And what James is in essence saying here 49:27 "if this is a household of faith 49:29 it should be a household of works." 49:32 And the only way we transition 49:33 from the household of faith to household of works 49:35 is to get beyond the faith of demons. Right. 49:37 Oh, because the demons were intellectually 49:39 and theologically correct. 49:41 They had a faith that didn't transform them, 49:43 it did not produce godly works 49:45 and it conflicted with their profession. 49:49 Now they said "we believe" but they did absolutely nothing, 49:53 because God was not at working them. 49:56 "For it is God who works in 49:58 you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 50:01 So God was not at work in the lives of these demons, 50:04 but they had a faith and they believed in Him. 50:06 So therefore when you think about the functionality 50:09 of the church nowadays, if this is a household of faith, 50:13 it should be a household of works 50:15 or in essence as I said it, the household of faith 50:18 will be confirmed by the household of works. 50:22 And, John, this ideology of busyness 50:26 is something that today. 50:29 The world-- now we have jobs most people I know are working 50:33 gainfully and polite and I know many people will say 50:35 "well, the unemployment is really high" that's true. 50:38 But, you know, what's even higher 50:41 than the unemployment in the world? 50:43 Unemployment in the church. 50:46 The statistics of those, the percentage of people 50:48 that are not working in church 50:50 is far greater than the percentage of people 50:53 that are not working in the church. 50:56 But if the levels were changed, 50:59 if there were more people working in the church 51:02 then there are people working in the world. 51:04 Then we would have less plight, 51:06 less discouragement, less of a broken society 51:10 because the church will be busy at its craft 51:13 carrying the gospel to the world. 51:16 But for the most part 51:17 its unemployment is high in the church. 51:20 And is it any wonder why God speaks of the last church 51:24 as being Laodicean. Right. 51:26 Its works are neither cold or hot, 51:28 its issue is works not its theology. 51:32 Powerful, you know, I think what we're encouraging 51:34 here's what we're saying to you as a church member. 51:38 We're saying that whether your pastor 51:41 has caught this vision of what God's church 51:44 is to be this Biblical vision or not, 51:49 go to him or her and say, the Bible tells me 51:54 that I'm supposed to be busy in ministry. 51:56 Can you help me find out what I can do? 51:59 Can you equip me? Can you train me? 52:01 Can you give me some tools 52:03 that I can use to find something to do for Jesus 52:06 in my daily life and in this work of the church? 52:10 What instead I'm hearing today 52:12 during nominating committee time, 52:15 is call after call no, no, 52:16 I've decided I've done that enough, 52:18 I'm gonna let someone else do that. Yeah. 52:21 Oh, no I'm too burned out on that, 52:22 I'm not gonna do that anymore. 52:25 Or no I don't know I just, I'm not comfortable with that. 52:28 Now, I'm not saying that we do a great job 52:30 as committees matching up people with their spiritual gifts. 52:33 We don't do a good job of that. 52:35 We just kind of figure out names oh, 52:36 well, maybe we try this person in this role, 52:39 that we shouldn't do that either. 52:41 But as far as members responding, 52:42 where is the Spirit 52:44 of I'm willing to work for the Lord? 52:46 Lord where are you putting me? 52:48 Is it possible that God through that committee 52:49 is asking someone to get involved in an area of ministry? 52:52 And you're not saying no to the committee 52:54 you're saying no to God. Right, that's true. 52:58 I've--we have said that for a number of years 53:02 in the position of leaders. 53:04 That's why when you read verse 24 of James Chapter 2 53:06 this is something that's so elementary yet is so ignored, 53:10 because we say well-- 53:11 we were talking about justification 53:13 remember justification? 53:15 Look at the statement of justification, 53:17 because we're saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, 53:20 but justification has an element that we often ignore. 53:23 Look at it in verse 24. 53:24 "You see then a man is justified" by what? 53:28 Works. 53:30 "And not by faith only." 53:33 Justified by works and not by faith. 53:35 And the context is verse 22. Yes. 53:37 We didn't read 22 go ahead and read 22, 53:39 'cause that's the context of that statement there. 53:41 "Do you see that faith was working together with his work 53:45 and by works faith was made perfect." 53:48 And, you know, they often say well, 53:50 you show me your faith without your works 53:51 and I'll show you my faith by my works. 53:54 You cannot say, I have job and never leave the house. 53:58 Where do you work? 54:01 If you don't work from home-- I'm talking about in essence 54:05 where the text in the Book of Proverbs comes forth 54:07 the lazy man says "There is lion in the street 54:11 and if I go out he will devour me." 54:13 And there's some people that are more fearful of the lion 54:17 that Satan is identified as being roaring lion, 54:21 seeking whom he may devour and so what do we do instead. 54:24 We sit back and let Satan go from home to home 54:26 and devour people who never hear about Jesus. 54:29 And we're not willing to go home to home 54:30 to do the same work to introduce them to Jesus. 54:33 Right, we have to be more fearful of them being lost. 54:37 That's why verse 25 brings this in 54:40 and when I preach the sermon I said, 54:42 man, James ends his faith in works 54:44 comparison with the twist. 54:46 Some would prefer to forget Rahab 54:48 because of her lay activities. 54:50 But there was a message 54:51 how could Rahab be compare to Abraham? 54:53 Rehab was a harlot. 54:55 But notice, how who we are 54:59 is less of the focus it is who God is 55:02 that is more of the focus. 55:03 Abraham, a man, a child of the day, 55:05 Rahab a woman of the night. 55:07 Abraham was highly esteem, Rehab was despised. 55:10 Abraham was noted for piety, 55:12 Rahab was labeled for immorality. 55:15 Abraham knew God years before his test, 55:18 Rahab accepted God shortly before her test. 55:21 And so what happen both of them were justified by their works, 55:25 isn't that amazing? 55:27 A harlot, no matter who you are if God calls you, 55:32 He requires of you at work that confirms your faith. 55:36 And look what he says in verse 25 of her 55:38 "Likewise was not Rahab 55:40 the harlot also justified by works, 55:43 when she received the messengers, 55:45 and sent them out another way?" 55:48 So is there anybody in the church? 55:50 Let's go all the way from the very polished 55:52 third generation Christian Adventist 55:55 to the person who'd just got over drugs and alcohol, 55:57 just this be harlot and came and joined the church. 55:59 Is there any different level of involvement 56:02 when you look across the board or are we all ministers? 56:06 We're all to be involved in some way. 56:09 It truly is--I said it before one church that asked me. 56:15 "What do you have as a vision for this church?" 56:16 And I said, my response was something that it affected, 56:19 every one of us here has something to do 56:22 for the Lord--some work to do. Right. 56:24 My job is to help you all get to work. 56:28 And that's a little uncomfortable for some, 56:30 because we struggle with a discomfort in ministry, 56:35 we're not--ministry and finding our gift 56:39 and using that takes practice. 56:42 Equipping and training 56:43 takes a concerted effort of practicing. 56:46 We've read the text in Romans 12:1 56:49 about our spiritual sacrifices, 56:51 giving our bodies as a spiritual sacrifice. 56:54 Let me say that word that reasonable service, 56:56 the word reasonable is an act of the will, 56:59 is the act of the mind. 57:00 We have to say, I'm uncomfortable, 57:02 but, you know what. 57:03 I decide I'm gonna step out of my comfort zone, 57:05 I'm gonna give myself in service to Christ 57:07 even if it is uncomfortable. 57:09 Pastor help me do that, Lord, help me do that, He will. 57:12 That's right, and, you know, 57:13 we talk about lot of doctrinal topics, 57:15 but, you know, one of the weaknesses of the church today 57:17 is we have inactive faith and James says, 57:20 "For as the body without the Spirit is dead, 57:22 so faith without works is dead." 57:24 The Lord has called you not just to save you, 57:26 but He's called you to participate with Him 57:29 in this final work of gathering souls for the kingdom. 57:32 God bless you and join Him today in that work. Amen. |
Revised 2014-12-17