Participants:
Series Code: SSP
Program Code: SSP200042S
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00:01 Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn,
00:02 we are so glad you are joining us today 00:04 for Sabbath School this Fourth Quarter. 00:07 The title of our Quarterly is Education 00:10 and I'll tell you, there's so much that is being unfolded, 00:17 beautiful Bible lessons. 00:18 Today's lesson is: The law as Teacher 00:21 so, we hope that you have your Bible, 00:24 a pen and paper 00:25 and your Quarterly to follow along. 00:28 If you have yet to get a Quarterly, 00:31 you can either go to an Adventist church, 00:33 they'll be happy to give you one 00:36 or go to ABSG.Adventist. org 00:39 download your Quarterly 00:41 and then you can follow along in the lessons with us. 00:44 Join us now as we break open the Word of God. 00:48 Music... 01:20 Shelley: Our lesson today is "The law is Teacher" 01:24 and it's all about learning about God's love... 01:27 His redemptive love for humanity. 01:29 True education points people to Jesus Christ... 01:34 a life of grace... a life of faith 01:37 and a life of obedience. 01:39 Well, let me introduce our wonderful Panel today, 01:42 we've got someone brand-new here 01:44 and I'm just so excited to have our Brother Terry Shelton 01:47 joining us... Terry. 01:49 Terry: Thank you very much. 01:50 Shelley: Thank you, Terry is an IT guy, 01:52 he was a Lay Pastor for years 01:54 and now you are an Elder at the Thompsonville Adventist Church. 01:56 Terry: That's right, thank you for the invitation to be here 01:59 and be a part of this. 02:00 Shelley: Oh, we're excited, and then we have 02:02 Brother Danny Shelton who is the Founder of 3ABN. 02:06 Danny: And more importantly, Terry's uncle. 02:09 Shelley: And more importantly, Terry's uncle, 02:11 thank you for being here today, Danny. 02:13 Danny: Oh, it's a privilege. 02:14 Shelley: Pastor Ryan Day, we can't wait to see 02:17 what the Lord has given you. 02:19 Ryan: Me too, I'm excited about this lesson... 02:21 so, it's going to be good. 02:23 Shelley: Amen, amen, I'm looking forward to Jill Morikone 02:25 who is our COO... 02:27 we're looking forward to your list Jill. 02:29 Jill: I think there's a list in there. 02:31 Shelley: I'm sure there is, okay. 02:33 Well, we begin today... our Memory Verse 02:37 is Deuteronomy 6:5, 02:39 "You shall love the Lord your God 02:41 with all of your heart, with all of your soul... 02:44 with all of your strength. " 02:47 I'm going to stick closely to my notes 02:50 so that I don't jump out here and preach 02:53 because the law of God has become my favorite topic... 02:59 the covenant of God is one of my favorite topics 03:02 to teach on 03:03 and this is kind of a distilled Cliff Notes 03:06 so that you will understand where we're going. 03:09 The Bible narrative is all about a covenant-making... 03:13 covenant-keeping God 03:15 and what we see from the Old Testament 03:18 through the New is a progressive revelation 03:22 of God's covenant of grace. 03:24 It's introduced in Genesis 3:15 to the fallen couple when He... 03:29 He talks about the Seed that's coming 03:32 that's going to crush the head of the enemy 03:35 but Abraham was saved... how? 03:38 By grace... he was justified by grace 03:41 through faith. 03:42 Now, when we look at the New Testament... 03:46 what people have to understand is it is an outworking 03:50 of the Old Testament. 03:52 In other words, it's the Old Testament prophecies... 03:55 all these covenant prophecies 03:57 are fulfilled in the New Testament. 03:59 When you think about the everlasting gospel 04:04 of the three angels' message, Revelation 14:6, 04:07 what is the everlasting gospel? 04:09 He told us about it in Revelation 13:8, 04:13 "The Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the earth. " 04:17 Panel: Amen. 04:18 Shelley: It has always been God's plan 04:22 that God would come down... become a man 04:24 and be our Savior... 04:26 it just gives me goosebumps. 04:27 The everlasting blood of the covenant was shed 04:32 on Calvary's cross for you and for me 04:35 so, as God is introducing this covenant, 04:38 we have what we call the Old Covenant which we'll discuss 04:41 in just a moment 04:43 and the Ten Commandments are at the heart 04:46 of the Old Covenant... 04:47 then, as it is fulfilled and moves on in progression, 04:52 we have the New Covenant 04:54 and the Ten Commandments 04:55 are at the heart of the New Covenant as well... 04:58 so, what they... 05:01 the whole thing of covenant is love. 05:03 Panel: Amen. 05:05 Shelley: It's just about love. 05:07 Now, God introduced... as I said in Genesis 3:15 05:12 to Abraham... it was righteousness by faith 05:15 and He then gives at Mount Sinai 05:18 God speaks His Ten Commandments... 05:22 God writes them on stone... 05:24 has Moses put them... where? 05:26 Where do the Ten Commandments... 05:28 Panel: Inside the Ark. Shelley: Inside the Ark... 05:30 the Ark is the throne of God... 05:32 the Ten Commandments are the character of God... 05:36 and this law of Love is what His Government is established upon. 05:43 It's always been in effect 05:45 angelic beings had it written in their heart... 05:49 they... the heavenly intelligences followed this 05:52 from the very beginning 05:54 but now, when He is giving this, 05:57 He has Moses come back up the mountain 06:00 and then He gives covenant terms... civil laws... 06:04 there were sacrificial laws 06:07 and here is what Exodus 24:7 says 06:11 that Moses writes on parchment... 06:15 these... all these laws in the Book of the Covenant 06:21 now, that's the Old Covenant... 06:23 all these laws and regulations that God gave to Moses. 06:30 Moses wrote them out... 06:32 he speaks them to the people... 06:34 people say, "Yes, everything that God says, we will do... " 06:37 that's the Old Covenant. 06:39 When Moses is standing at the edge of the Promised Land, 06:43 years later, the people were getting ready to go in, 06:48 Moses knows... he cannot go in. 06:50 Now, he is repeating the law 06:53 and that's what the book of Deuteronomy 06:56 is the Book of the Law 06:58 and in Deuteronomy 31:26, God... He says... 07:04 "Take this Book of the Law... " the book of Deuteronomy... 07:09 "put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, 07:14 it was going to be there as a witness against you... " 07:18 God tells them... 07:20 because it had all of the blessings, 07:22 it had the curses... 07:23 but you know what? 07:24 When God came down in the person of Jesus Christ, 07:29 all of these sacrificial ritualistic ceremonies... 07:34 all of these civil laws began changing... 07:37 or they did change because Christ fulfilled it all. 07:40 Now, here's what happened... 07:42 in Galatia, there were some Judaizers 07:46 who believed that you had to... 07:50 they came to Galatia 07:52 and they're trying to teach these Christians 07:54 "You've got to obey all of this Book of the Law... 07:59 the Mosaic Covenant 08:00 and they were taking away from the 08:03 "sinful teaching of Christianity... " 08:06 righteousness by faith through Christ Jesus. 08:09 They were trying to make these people obey this 08:12 so, Paul... the whole book of Galatians 08:15 is about Paul saying to them, "Hey, wait a minute... " 08:19 he says in Galatians 3, "Foolish Galatians! 08:23 having begun in the Spirit, 08:25 are you now going to try to perfect this work 08:29 in the flesh?" 08:30 So, what he tells us there if I can find my notes here, 08:35 in Galatians 3:10, he says, 08:37 "As many as are of the works of the law, 08:42 whoever is trying to follow that are under the curse... " 08:45 we know what curse he's talking about 08:48 because he quotes Deuteronomy 27:26, 08:51 "Cursed is everyone 08:54 who does not continue in all things which are written 08:58 in the Book of the Law... " 09:01 this is the one on the side of the ark 09:04 to show that it was temporary 09:06 but then he says, "Hey, Christ has redeemed us 09:09 from the curse of the law... " 09:11 and then he says, "So what... what is it? 09:14 Is the law against the promises of God? 09:17 Certainly not, for there had been a law given... " 09:19 this is verse 21, Galatians 3, 09:22 "if there had been a law given which could have given life, 09:26 truly righteousness would have been by the law. " 09:29 But you know what? 09:31 The law... grace has always been the manner of salvation, 09:35 God gave us grace... He also gave us the law, 09:39 God never contradicts Himself. 09:41 The law is grace... 09:44 He gave them both the law and the promise 09:47 work harmoniously. 09:49 He says then in Galatians 3:22, 09:52 "But the Scripture has confined all under sin, 09:56 that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ 09:59 might be given to those who believe. 10:02 But before faith came, 10:04 we were kept under guard by the law... 10:07 What law is he talking about?" 10:09 Obviously, he's already said, "It's the Book of the Law... " 10:12 the Book of the Law that we call the Old Covenant 10:17 is what Paul says was our guard... 10:22 it was... he says, "the law was... " in verse 24, 10:27 "The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ... " 10:33 the law... everything about the Old Testament sanctuary system 10:39 everything pointed to Jesus Christ... 10:42 all of their festivals pointed to Jesus Christ, 10:46 Jesus fulfilled it all so then Paul says, 10:50 "After faith has come... 10:52 once the Messiah came we no longer need a tutor... 10:56 it has been fulfilled... " 10:58 so, Deuteronomy 31 verses 9 through 13, 11:03 let me read this, 11:04 Moses wrote this law... this Book of the Law... 11:08 he delivered it to the priest and verse 11 says, 11:12 "when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God 11:15 in the place which He chooses, 11:17 you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 11:21 Gather the people together, the men... the women... 11:24 the little ones... 11:25 the stranger within your gates... " he says... 11:28 "that they may hear... " 11:29 and oh boy, I'll tell you in Hebrew, 11:32 "hear" meant to put it into practice. 11:34 "that they may learn to fear the Lord your God... " 11:37 to stand in awe... to respect Him... 11:40 to be motivated by love to obey Him 11:44 "and carefully observe all the words of this law, 11:49 that your children, who have not known it, 11:52 may hear and learn to fear the Lord... " 11:55 learn to respect Him... 11:58 so, all who hear the law... 12:01 it talks about God as deliverer... 12:04 God as redeemer, 12:06 God as the one who's going to sanctify us 12:09 and the knowledge of His perfect character... 12:12 the knowledge of His love and His power 12:16 people... when they hear this, 12:18 they're motivated to walk in obedience to God. 12:23 The Quarterly says this, God was intentional 12:28 about the ways that He imparted His law to Israel... 12:31 He made every provision 12:32 so that the laws would not be forgotten 12:35 and in this way... God is a longsuffering educator. 12:39 Think about that a moment, He teaches... He repeats... 12:43 He sent His prophets and His servants... 12:46 then He sent His Son to teach us. 12:49 I want to share this, 12:51 often when I go out, I'll tell people, 12:55 "I pray and ask God to discipline me... " 12:59 you know what happens? 13:01 There's a collective gasp in the audience... 13:04 woooo... like, "Oh no... " 13:06 you see, God is the perfect Father, 13:10 He is never going to punish you if you need to be loved on, 13:16 He's never going to love on you... 13:17 well, He always loves you but I mean, 13:19 He's never going to coddle you if you need to be punished. 13:22 In Hebrews 12:7, the Bible says... 13:26 you must submit to and endure correction 13:28 for discipline... 13:30 because God is dealing with as sons 13:32 and you know what? 13:35 If you are expecting and asking God, 13:38 "Lord, discipline me... " 13:40 you know how He does it? 13:42 He whispers at first 13:44 He'll say, "Shelley, no... come here honey... " 13:47 He guides you with His eye upon you 13:51 till you come to Him 13:52 but if 13:55 we don't know the character of God... 13:57 if we're not listening for that whisper, 13:59 He has to talk a little bit louder... 14:01 a little bit louder 14:03 and then, if we don't obey 14:06 we're going to suffer the consequences of our action. 14:09 So, I'll just sum it up by saying this, 14:13 to know God and His character 14:17 we understand the Ten commandments are His law of love 14:20 and a parameter that God set to give us a good life. 14:24 Panel: Amen... amen... 14:25 Terry: Well, thank you, um, so I'd been given Monday's lesson 14:29 and when I look at the title, it says: A Witness Against You. 14:34 Now, I don't know about you folks here 14:36 but if I've ever wanted someone to witness for me, 14:39 I want them to be a witness for me not against me, right? 14:42 You know, A Witness Against You... 14:44 and so, we're going to pick it up from where Shelley left off 14:48 in Deuteronomy 31, and just to re-cap... 14:50 Deuteronomy 31... as I was given this lesson 14:53 and I said, "Let's go back and look at the context 14:56 of what's going on in Deuteronomy 31... " 14:59 and, of course, we know that Moses had... 15:02 had... it was nearing the end of his life 15:05 and God had said, 15:06 "You're going to sleep with your fathers very soon 15:09 and Joshua is going to come in and pick up where you left off 15:14 and he's going to lead you into the Promised Land" 15:17 but then... but then God has a little kind of... 15:21 hmmm... I'm going to say a little meeting 15:23 with Joshua and Moses and he says... 15:26 "Again, Moses, you're not going to lead... 15:28 you're going to sleep with your fathers 15:30 and unfortunately, after... after you are deceased, 15:36 the people are going to break the covenant 15:40 that I made with them 15:42 and they're going to serve other gods. " 15:44 Now, who wants to hear that, right? 15:46 Panel: Agreeing. 15:47 Terry: You know, I mean, you would think, 15:49 I don't know what Moses was thinking, 15:50 he was maybe thinking, "Wow, it's going to be... 15:51 it's going to be... you know, continue on... " 15:55 but no, no... and he goes on and he says, 15:59 "My anger... my anger is going to be kindled against them 16:03 and I will hide my face from them 16:07 and as a result of that, 16:09 many troubles are going to befall my people, 16:12 and eventually the people will recognize 16:15 that these troubles have come upon them 16:19 because I am not in their midst... " 16:22 and, you know, I don't know if Moses' bubble was burst 16:27 a little bit at that... 16:28 at hearing that... but that's what... 16:30 and I like it... at the end of verse 21, 16:33 it says... God is saying, 16:36 "I know their imagination which they go about 16:39 and even now before I have brought them into the land 16:44 which I swear. " 16:45 You know, one of the things that I love about God 16:48 there's lots of things to love about God 16:50 but one of the things that I love about God is, 16:53 He knows what's going to happen before it ever happens. 16:55 Panel: Amen. 16:56 Terry: And you know that's a testimony to us. 16:59 Maybe there's someone watching today 17:00 who's going through some really hard stuff, 17:02 going through things that they don't understand, 17:05 God knows... God sees... 17:07 He knew before it even came to you 17:09 that you were going to go through this trial... 17:12 through this experience... 17:13 and He promises to be with you 17:15 if you want Him to be with you. 17:17 It reminded me of a passage in Isaiah chapter 46 17:21 verses 9 and 10 where God says, 17:23 "Remember the former things of old, 17:25 for I am God, and there is none else, 17:28 I am God, and there is none like Me, 17:31 declaring the end from the beginning, 17:33 and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, 17:38 saying, 'My counsel shall stand, 17:40 and I will do all My pleasure. '" 17:43 God knows... He sees... He understands... 17:46 He knows what's before... long before it ever even comes. 17:49 He knows what you're going to go through, 17:50 He knew what the children of Israel were going to go through. 17:53 Now, let's talk about this witness for a moment, 17:56 as I said before, what is a witness? 17:59 A witness is someone who can testify... 18:01 or something that can testify to what has occurred. 18:04 I don't know if... I've never had personally... 18:08 but I've never had to serve in a Court 18:09 where I've had to be a witness for someone... 18:11 I can only imagine what that would have been like... 18:13 or what that experience would be like... 18:15 but again, you don't want to hear 18:17 that there is someone being called as a witness against you, 18:20 you want to hear from somebody who's going to... 18:22 who's going to testify of your character... 18:23 what... what a good person... 18:25 or you wouldn't have done this thing or whatever... 18:26 but it says, "A witness against you" 18:30 so, the lesson says that Moses speaks of the Book of the Law 18:36 as though it is a living being with power 18:40 to reprove the hearts of men. 18:42 Panel: Amen... praise God. 18:45 Terry: Now, I don't know about you 18:47 but I have heard this... this... this argument many times, 18:51 "Oh, Colossians 2:14 says... " you know, 18:54 "the handwriting of ordinances which is against you" 18:57 my Friends, that is not the Ten commandment law. 18:59 Panel: That's right... that's right, amen. 19:01 Terry: As Sister Shelley just said, 19:02 they put it on the side of the Ark of the Covenant 19:05 that indicated... it would be temporary 19:07 and since when has the Ten Commandments ever been used 19:10 against us, right? Panel: Agreeing. 19:13 Terry: No... no... no... I'm sure many of our Viewers 19:15 have heard the... the illustration 19:18 that, let's say... you're... 19:20 you're outside working in the garden 19:22 and you get dirt on your face or whatever 19:25 now, your eyeballs don't have the ability to see your face... 19:28 so, you don't know that there's dirt on your face 19:31 until you come in and do... what? 19:33 You go to the washroom... you wash up your hands 19:35 and you look at your mirror, and you say, 19:37 "Oh man, look at my face, it's filthy. " 19:38 Does the mirror have the ability to clean your face? 19:42 Panel: No... no... 19:43 Terry: Do the Ten Commandments have the ability 19:45 to correct our sin? 19:46 No... but I love what Jesus said, 19:48 He said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. " 19:51 Panel: That's right. 19:53 Terry: The commandments... ah... the commandments are not 19:54 a way of salvation, 19:56 they are, I'd like to say, "Proof of salvation... " 19:58 Terry: They are evidence that we belong to God 20:01 and we follow His way, so, now we go to... 20:04 go to Paul... Paul is talking in Romans chapter 3, 20:08 in the latter part of the lesson 20:10 and they have us read some very familiar passages 20:14 of Scripture, Romans chapter 3 and beginning with verse 19 20:17 and I'm reading from the Standard King James this morning 20:20 today... and it says, 20:22 "Now we know that what things soever the law says, 20:26 it saith to them that are under the law: 20:28 that every mouth may be stopped, 20:30 and all the world may become guilty before God. 20:33 Therefore by the deeds of the law 20:36 there shall no flesh be... " what? 20:38 "justified" right? 20:40 "in His sight: for by the law is... " what? 20:43 "the knowledge of sin. " 20:45 The law doesn't necessarily correct our sin, 20:47 it doesn't help us to become better, 20:49 but it shows us what our character flaws are 20:52 and then down at the end in verse 23 he says, 20:56 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. " 21:00 Panel: Hmmm... hmmm... 21:02 Terry: You know, when I think about that, 21:04 don't get too down on yourself 21:06 whenever you find that you messed up 21:08 or whenever you find that you make a mistake, for Paul says, 21:11 "All have sinned... " but you know what? 21:12 there's grace found in Jesus... 21:14 there's grace found in the blood of the Lamb 21:18 and even back in verse 10 of chapter 3 there 21:22 it says, "there is none righteous... 21:24 no... not one. " 21:26 Not one... but in Jesus... in Jesus there is victory 21:31 and so, when we talk about a witness against us, 21:36 I like that... they wrap up on Monday's lesson 21:40 by saying, "Even as we seek to obey God's law 21:44 with all our God-given strength, 21:47 in what ways does His law function 21:50 as a witness against us?" 21:52 Unfortunately, the... the... the... the Old Covenant 21:56 the Old Covenant served as that witness against you... 22:00 they... remember as Shelley pointed out 22:02 the first time that God came to them and they said, 22:05 "All that the Lord has spoken, we will do... " right? 22:07 and did they? 22:09 Panel: No... Terry: No... 22:10 over and over and over God had to correct them, 22:13 God had to guide them and sometimes even discipline them 22:17 but whenever we talk about that... that witness against us, 22:22 yes, that Old Covenant... 22:24 I'm so glad we don't have to live by that Old Covenant... 22:26 Panel: Yes. Terry: Imagine if... 22:28 imagine that if every time one of us messed up, 22:29 that we had to go and get a precious lamb 22:31 and take it to the priest 22:33 and... and... and offered it as a sacrifice, 22:35 oh, how painful that would be. 22:37 I'm so glad that we don't have to... 22:39 we don't have to live according... 22:41 because... why? Jesus... 22:42 Jesus has fulfilled all of that... 22:45 Jesus has provided the sub... 22:47 He's the true Lamb... the true substitution 22:50 and we don't have to worry anymore... but guess what? 22:55 In the blood of Christ, there is victory 22:57 and there is power to overcome... 23:00 there is power... what is it? 23:02 There is power in the blood of the Lamb, right? 23:04 You know, there's power... power... wonder-working power... 23:07 God offers that power to us so... 23:10 so don't get tripped up by... by thinking that 23:13 "Oh, the Ten Commandments are not important anymore... 23:15 oh... they're done away with and nailed to the cross... " 23:16 that's not what Paul says, 23:18 what Paul is saying in Colossians... 23:19 he's saying that... that... that Book of the Law 23:21 that really was a witness against you 23:24 you don't have to abide by that any longer... Shelley. 23:28 Shelley: Amen, thank you so much, 23:30 this is Terry's first time with us, 23:32 he's done a marvelous job. 23:33 Jill: Amen. 23:35 Shelley: We got to remember that the Ten Commandments 23:38 are actually ten promises 23:40 of what God will empower us to do... 23:43 it is His law of love that reflects His character. 23:47 Okay, we're going to have a quick break, 23:48 we'll be right back. 23:50 Music... 23:55 Ever wish you could watch a 3ABN Sabbath School Panel again? 23:58 Or share it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. 24:01 Well, you can by visiting 3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com 24:06 a clean design makes it easy 24:09 to find the Program you are looking for, 24:11 there are also links to the Adult Bible Study Guide 24:14 so you can follow along. 24:16 Sharing is easy... 24:17 just click: share... and choose your favorite social media. 24:21 share a link... save a life for eternity. 24:24 Now, Danny is going to take Tuesday's lesson: 24:27 That You May Prosper. 24:29 Danny: Well, I've been blessed so far, 24:31 I don't know about you all 24:32 but this is really wonderful to study about the law of God. 24:36 The text is Joshua 1:7 to 8 24:39 if you all want to read it with me, 24:41 it says, "Only be strong and very courageous, 24:43 that you may observe to do according to all the law 24:46 which Moses my servant commanded you; 24:49 do not turn from it to the right hand or the left" 24:52 keep that in mind... we'll talk about it later, 24:55 "that you may do... " what? 24:57 "prosper wherever you go. 24:59 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, 25:03 but you shall meditate in it day and night... " 25:06 wow... "you shall meditate in it day and night, 25:10 that you may observe to do according to... " 25:13 a little bit that's written... 25:14 Panel: No... 25:16 Danny: No, all... right? 25:17 "that you may do all that is written in it. 25:20 For then you will make your way prosperous, 25:22 and then you will have good success. " 25:24 Now, how many of us don't want to be prosperous and... 25:28 and succeed in whatever we're doing, right? 25:30 So, there you have it... the key to prosperity and success 25:33 is to meditate on the law of God day and night 25:37 and then, to do it... 25:38 "do" is an action word, I would say, 25:40 do according to what is written in that law. 25:43 So, first of all, God wants His people to prosper 25:46 and be successful, do you agree with that? 25:48 In fact, He wants us "to prosper... 25:51 be in good health... " it says, 25:53 I threw in Jeremiah 29:11 that I'm sure you all know, 25:56 "For I know the plans I have for you," 25:59 declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you 26:02 and not to harm you, 26:04 plans to give you hope and a future. " 26:06 Isn't that... that's the loving God 26:07 that you all were talking about... 26:09 Terry, you were just talking about 26:11 that's... that's on our side... 26:12 He... He's the witness for us not against us. 26:16 So, if we are to reflect God's character in our lives, 26:19 then I think it's safe to say we need to be happy 26:22 and healthy and prosperous, right? 26:24 And we should see it in whatever we're doing 26:27 but so... here is the... the key though... 26:29 the key word would be, "How do we define success 26:32 and prosperity?" 26:34 Because everybody... it's going to mean something differently 26:37 so, we can read the Scripture and say, 26:39 some business person can say, 26:41 "Wow! I'm fulfilling the Scriptures 26:44 because I'm very successful in my business. " 26:47 Somebody else says, "Well, hey, I'm... I'm very prosperous 26:50 in... in... in what I do... " 26:52 but let's see... let's try to define it a little bit 26:55 work in to it. 26:56 The key here again... how do we define success and prosperity? 27:00 The secular world defines it, "Success is money... power... 27:04 and influence... " right? 27:06 In general, there's other things... 27:08 but in general 27:09 but it's not like the secular world versus the church 27:13 or... or Christians because honestly within Christianity 27:17 there is counterfeit prosperity 27:19 which brings me... if you ever watch radio and television, 27:22 there's a whole lot of televangelists 27:24 that preaches what is called "A Prosperity Gospel... " 27:27 Panel: That's right. 27:28 Danny: Now, let's talk about that prosperity gospel 27:30 for just a little bit... what it really... 27:32 and I'll just do it in a nutshell... 27:34 I made a lot of notes and I'll go through all of that 27:36 but in a nutshell, it says, 27:38 "Listen, if you want God to bless you, 27:40 then, whatever you send to me... " 27:42 that's the televangelist talking 27:44 "God will bless it a hundredfold. " 27:46 So, if you've got... one man said... 27:48 "if you got an old Cadillac... " you know, 27:50 or got a... he just said, he changed it... 27:52 he didn't want an old Cadillac 27:53 but... "if you got a good Cadillac 27:55 and you donate it to me, 27:56 God will give you a brand-new one. " 27:57 That's called prosperity 27:59 so, if you give to that Prosperity Preacher 28:02 according to them... prosperity and success 28:05 God is going to measure that out to you 28:08 but I found out... my experience has told me 28:10 and when you get my age, 28:12 you start getting a little experience 28:13 if nothing else... 28:14 is that usually the only ones becoming healthy 28:17 and wealthy are the prosperity teachers 28:19 because it doesn't always work that way. 28:22 Now, does God bless your giving in the support of His work? 28:26 Absolutely... 28:28 Will, He multiplies when you're giving to His cause? 28:31 Absolutely. 28:32 Can you prosper? 28:34 Absolutely, you can but I want to say here... 28:36 so, what is the Scripture talking about 28:39 when it says... when it says right here 28:41 that we will prosper and we'll be successful. 28:45 Now, could it mean that we will be prosperous in business 28:49 and that we will be successful in our business? 28:52 Of course, that is one of the definitions it could be. 28:55 I think a lot of these prosperity preachers 28:59 should be teaching the truth and that truth is 29:02 that our knowledge... we prosper spiritually 29:05 by keeping and obeying the commandments of God. 29:08 Most of those... 29:09 many of those already as you guys have mentioned 29:12 have said, "Well, they're nailed to the cross... " 29:15 would you say? Colossians... you brought up... 29:17 Colossians... they're nailed to the cross. 29:19 No... the Ten Commandments were not nailed to the cross, 29:22 so, success means a number of things... 29:25 prosperity and success does not always fit the description... 29:28 I wrote down... of how the world judges prosperity 29:31 and success. 29:33 What... let's look at it like this, 29:35 what prosperous, wealthy person 29:37 who is really old and sick wouldn't trade, right, 29:41 his treasure... his... his prosperous life, right? 29:44 and successful business for youth and... and... 29:48 and... and health? 29:50 Right? because when we get down to the end, 29:52 we find out that what the world judges 29:54 as prosperous and successful 29:57 does not line up to the Bible. 29:59 So, while we as Christians can enjoy good health 30:02 and prosper in business, 30:03 I believe the bigger picture 30:05 of prosperity and success comes from knowing 30:08 and obeying the law of God. 30:10 Why is that? 30:11 Because in the law of God we find eternal life. 30:13 Only then can we trust God with our lives 30:16 and with our talents and abilities that He's given us 30:19 so, prospering in your Christian walk with the Lord 30:22 and prospering in your ministry 30:24 fulfilling the great gospel commission of 30:27 "Go ye into all the world... " 30:28 for me it says... in the preparing... 30:33 and preparing our family and ourselves for heaven 30:35 is the greatest success we can attain. 30:38 Getting our lives and those around us 30:41 witnessing for Jesus... 30:43 that to me is true prosperity and true success. 30:47 So, to set the record straight again, 30:49 prosperity and success is not measured 30:52 by how much money we have... 30:53 how much power and how much influence we have, 30:56 it's measured by eternal life. 30:58 Did we answer the call of God on our lives 31:00 and be a witness for Him 31:02 and submit and commit our lives to Jesus 31:04 or did we turn away as the world says 31:06 to do our own thing and decide to live our own life. 31:10 Joshua here tells us that if we keep focused on the law of God, 31:13 we meditated on it day and night, 31:16 and that we'll obey it... we will prosper 31:19 and we'll succeed. 31:20 Now, to me 3ABN... and of course maybe I'm a little prejudiced 31:24 but 3ABN is a great example of a success 31:28 after 35 years of ministry 31:30 starting with nothing and now able to reach the world 31:34 okay, so the question may be asked, 31:36 "What is the secret to 3ABN's success?" 31:38 First, I'll tell you what it's not... 31:41 okay, what it's not... 31:42 it's not because of any of the leadership 31:45 or any of the messengers 31:46 because none of us are perfect, 31:48 I hate to tell you all this but none of us... 31:50 we are all imperfect vessels... 31:52 so are you at home... don't be laughing... 31:54 so... so you are too... we're all imperfect... 31:56 the correct answer in my opinion is this, 31:59 God gave 3ABN the commission 32:02 of taking an undiluted 3 Angels' messages 32:04 one that would counteract the counterfeit 32:07 into all the world 32:08 and for 35 years... 32:10 that's exactly what we've been preaching. 32:12 Now, there are many who started out 32:15 whether it be George Vandeman... Joe Crews... 32:17 even Kenneth Cox... 32:19 many of those are asleep in Jesus, 32:20 many have been preaching this message for years, 32:24 but the new Ryan Days and the Terry Sheltons 32:27 and all the young ones you see are preaching the same message, 32:30 they didn't deviate... 32:31 3ABN has not gone to the left... we've not gone to the right 32:35 so, what's important is not the messenger... 32:38 it's... it's the message. 32:39 Panel: That's right... yeah. 32:41 Danny: So, if we will stick as this Scripture said 32:44 to the law of God, we'll meditate on it day and night 32:47 that we don't go to the right... or we don't go to the left... 32:50 and we say, "Lord, I'm putting my life into your hand... " 32:53 so, to me the success is 3ABN. 32:56 You think about a ministry that for so many years... 32:59 year after year after year... 33:01 and all the millions of dollars it takes 33:03 without doing beg-a-thons and prosperity gospel 33:06 somehow, all the bills are paid when it comes to the end. 33:08 I mean, to me, that is absolutely amazing 33:12 so, I'm running out... I'm looking at that clock 33:14 and now it's being a witness and against me, Terry... 33:16 Panel: Laughter. 33:17 Danny: So, all I want to say to you is the... the... 33:21 that God's Word equips us to overcome sin 33:23 by the blood of the Lamb 33:25 and so, today realize we're in a... 33:27 there's a war raging, 33:29 you and I are in this battle between good and evil... 33:32 the great controversy between... between good and evil 33:35 and so, the devil is out to get us... to deceive us 33:38 but we can always trust in the Lord, 33:40 so Terry said it beautifully, 33:42 that all we have to do is submit and commit our lives to Jesus 33:45 and say, "Lord, create within me a new heart... I'm a sinner... " 33:49 and if we confess our sins 33:50 He is faithful and just to forgive us from our sins 33:53 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 33:56 What a wonderful God we serve 33:58 and I hope today that each and every one of you, 34:01 if you've not already made your choice for Jesus 34:03 that you do it today. 34:05 Panel: Hmmm... amen... 34:06 Ryan: Praise the Lord... you just... 34:08 you made my job easier as far as mine goes... 34:10 and, I believe, it's Wednesday's lesson: 34:13 The Toils and Struggles of Law Keepers 34:15 there's also an aspect of talking about prosperity 34:18 in connection with law keeping 34:20 and that happens to be one of the questions 34:22 that comes up often 34:24 and that is... the "what ifs" and the "whys" 34:26 of... of... you know... there's this promise... 34:29 for instance you gave... I think you gave Joshua as an example, 34:33 the lesson brings out that Joshua closely followed 34:35 God's precepts 34:37 and he led the people of Israel well, 34:38 and of course, time and time again 34:40 the Lord tells Israel that if they obey the law 34:42 that they would prosper 34:43 and so, you see this promise there 34:45 but then within the home... 34:47 and we're talking about education, right? 34:48 We're talking about... let's just get into the family now 34:51 the home within the family... 34:52 sometimes those tough questions come up, 34:54 you know, those teenagers come to mom and dad 34:56 and they say, "Hey, you know... 34:57 I've been trying to keep the law... " 34:58 okay, I'll come back to that... "trying to keep the law 35:01 and God said that we would prosper and all this 35:03 but I'm not prospering... what's going on?" 35:06 And there's multiple examples also in Scripture 35:09 where a lot of people... they allow... they... 35:11 they twist and use the Word of God against themselves 35:14 as a witness against themselves, how you can do that? 35:16 I don't know... 35:18 but people sometimes take the Word of God 35:19 and they'll twist it to their own destruction 35:21 and allow certain aspects of Scriptures to discourage them 35:25 because they believe it's contradicting 35:27 one aspect or the other. 35:28 The lesson brings out and gives a few examples, 35:31 John the Baptist is probably a prime example, 35:34 at least one example. 35:35 I mean the Bible says that John the Baptist 35:37 Jesus called him the greatest of all prophets, right? 35:40 I mean, this man was full of the Holy Spirit from the womb 35:43 and he came out preaching and declaring the way of the Lord 35:46 to make straight the path for Jesus to come on the scene, 35:48 and this brother ends up in jail 35:51 and, of course, a harlot convinces the king 35:55 to give me his head on a platter... 35:57 and you're thinking, "No... this is God's man... " right? 35:59 He keeps the commandments of God... 36:01 he's obedient... he does all the Lord has said, 36:03 he's the greatest of all the prophets, 36:05 surely, the Lord will protect him... 36:07 he will be prosperous throughout all of his days upon this earth, 36:10 and then, you can imagine, you know, inside that jail cell, 36:14 John the Baptist is praying, and saying, 36:16 "You know, Lord, I know You're going to bring me through... " 36:17 I know... he even sent out his guys to Jesus, right? 36:20 sent them to Jesus... confirmed... 36:22 just to make sure He's the right guy... 36:24 "Oh yeah, I knew it, Jesus is going to show up... 36:25 any moment, Jesus is going to bust me out of jail... " 36:29 and then came the day... and what did he get from God? 36:32 Silence... 36:34 you know, that's... that's a tough deal. 36:36 Another Example would be job, right? 36:38 The Bible says that Job was a perfect man 36:40 in the eyes of the Lord, 36:41 he was the obedient person... 36:43 he kept all of God's commandments, 36:44 and... but yet... we see that the story of Job there... 36:47 in fact, there's a clear implied accusation in that... 36:50 in that heavenly council meeting that Satan shows up to, 36:53 and it's so sad to see that Satan is there 36:56 and he basically accuses God and basically says, 36:59 "Oh, no, no, no... you're only... 37:01 the only reason why he's serving you 37:02 is because you're causing him to be prosperous 37:04 and you got a hedge your protection around him, 37:07 you lift that hedge of protection... 37:09 you take away all of his goodies... 37:11 and watch him curse you to his... to... to your face... " 37:14 in other words, what Satan was implying was 37:16 "God... you and... you in of yourself 37:18 are not worthy to be worshipped. " 37:19 Panel: Hmmm... hmmm... 37:21 Ryan: And so, a lot of people... they read these stories 37:23 and they get discouraged... 37:25 Paul... take up Paul... 37:26 Read this... 2nd Corinthians 11:23 through 29 37:30 you read this list and you think, 37:32 "Man, this is the direct opposite of prosperity, right? 37:35 I mean, Paul was... he wasn't a perfect man, 37:38 he made mistakes obviously, 37:40 but from the moment that God called him, 37:41 this brother was growing and growing and growing 37:44 in God's grace... he was an obedient serviceman of the Lord 37:47 but listen to this list here, starting with verse 23, 37:50 2nd Corinthians chapter 11, it says, 37:53 "Are they ministers of Christ? 37:55 I speak as a fool... " notice what he says, 37:58 he says, "I am more; in labors more abundant, 38:00 in stripes above measure, 38:03 in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 38:07 From the Jews, five times I received 38:10 forty stripes minus one. 38:11 Three times I was beaten with rods, 38:13 once I was stoned, 38:14 three times I was shipwrecked, 38:16 a night and a day I have been in the deep; 38:19 in journeys often, in perils of waters, 38:22 in perils of robbers, 38:24 in perils of my own countrymen, 38:25 in perils of the gentiles, 38:26 in perils of the city, 38:28 in perils of the wilderness, 38:29 in perils of the sea, 38:31 in perils among false brethren; 38:32 in weariness and toil and sleepless, 38:34 often in hunger and thirst, 38:36 in fastings often, 38:37 in cold and nakedness. 38:39 Besides all these other things, what comes upon me daily, 38:41 my deep concern for all the churches. " 38:43 So, it's interesting, you read that list there, 38:45 it's like, "Man! God... You... You gave a promise, 38:47 did this brother prosper?" 38:50 And I think it goes back to what Danny was saying 38:52 which... I love the way you brought that out, 38:53 we got to question and ask ourselves, 38:55 "What is prosperity?" 38:56 When the Bible says that you shall prosper, 38:58 if you are obedient to God 39:00 and you are faithful to the Lord, 39:02 does it mean that you're going to have two Ferraris 39:04 and ten million dollars in the bank 39:05 but yet, that's exactly as Brother Danny brought out 39:08 and I try not to get too deep into this 39:11 because I get a little... little heated sometimes 39:13 when I get in this conversation 39:14 but all of these prosperity evangelists... 39:16 these televangelists that are out there 39:17 preaching and teaching of, "Sow this seed 39:19 and sow that seed... " 39:20 and as you brought out very clearly, 39:22 you know, deceiving people into believing 39:23 that the gospel is about how much money you give 39:26 so that you can get even more in return... 39:28 and we know that there are instances 39:30 I've even been on the receiving end of a blessing, 39:33 of prosperous financial blessing 39:35 because I was able to share or give to God's cause 39:38 but that... nowhere in God's Word does God say, 39:41 "Hey give me money and I'll give you more money. " 39:43 You know, "Serve me and be obedient to me 39:46 and I'll just flood you with all kinds of money 39:47 and all kinds of financial blessing... " 39:49 that's not what we're talking about 39:50 when it says, "Prosperity. " 39:52 The ultimate prosperity that we want is a spiritual prosperity. 39:54 Panel: Amen. 39:56 Ryan: We want to be... we want to be prosperous 39:57 in faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ... 40:00 that's what the gospel is about... 40:01 I think of probably the greatest example of all 40:03 of someone who really... you could probably say... 40:06 probably lost more than anyone who is less prosperous... 40:08 I mean, what was Jesus? 40:10 Panel: Hmmm... 40:11 Ryan: I mean Jesus was... 40:12 there's no one else in the history of man 40:15 that was perfect... literally... 40:17 He never sinned... 40:18 He kept God's commandments 24/7 40:21 throughout His entire life 40:23 and at the end of His days, hanging on a cross, 40:25 what kind of response did He get from His Father? 40:27 Silence... 40:29 Panel: Hmmm... Ryan: Silence... 40:30 does that mean that... you know, do we... 40:33 do we look at those instances and we question, 40:35 "Oh God didn't keep His promise... " 40:36 No, no, no, no... we have to... 40:37 as C.S. Lewis would say, 40:39 "Sometimes we have to... we must address the assumptions 40:42 and the question before we answer the question... " 40:44 and a lot of people naturally assume that prosperity means... 40:47 as we've described... 40:48 you know, lots of financial blessing... 40:50 lots of worldly success 40:51 but God.. what He does want us to be financially prosperous 40:55 in the sense that our needs are met 40:57 and that we are, you know, not necessarily 41:00 wanting in every single aspect of life, 41:02 but more than anything, Jesus died on the cross 41:05 so that we can be rich in Him and rich in spirituality 41:08 rich in Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit, 41:11 so, David says in Psalm 84 verse 10, 41:15 I love this, he says, 41:16 "I would rather be a doorkeeper 41:18 in the house of my God, 41:19 than dwell in the tents of the wickedness... " 41:20 woooo... that's a powerful thing, 41:23 I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, 41:26 than dwell in the tents of wickedness... 41:28 and that should be our... our saying as well. 41:31 That should be where our heart is 41:32 man, I'm watching that clock, pray for that clock... 41:34 I'm with you, Danny, on that. 41:35 So, what is the answer, how do we answer this? 41:37 First of all, we see brothers and sisters... 41:39 there seems to be... like the Pauls 41:42 and the John the Baptists and the Jobs... 41:45 you know, many of us have to... 41:46 we see... we see each other's struggle, 41:47 we see others struggle and it's like, 41:49 "Man! that brother and sister... 41:50 that's a commandment-keeping person, 41:52 that's... that's... that's... that's of the remnant 41:54 but they're struggling... " how do we answer that? 41:56 Again, it kind of goes back to the question 41:58 that people often ask, "Why do good things happen... " 42:00 or excuse me, "Why do bad things happen 42:02 to good people?" right? 42:03 and I think Pastor Lomacang set me straight one day on that, 42:07 he said, "Yeah... that's a... " 42:08 goes back to that C.S. Lewis thing, 42:10 he said, "You're assuming that there's... that everyone is good 42:12 that there's good people... 42:13 remember that there's none... none good but one 42:16 and that's Jesus Christ... " 42:17 but that being said, my Friends, 42:19 I think there are examples in Scripture that we can give, 42:21 first of all, we have to be remembered 42:23 or reminded that in Isaiah 55 verses 8 and 9, 42:26 God said... He says to us, 42:27 "Look, my thoughts are not your thoughts, 42:29 nor my ways your ways" says the Lord. 42:31 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 42:33 so are my ways higher than yours, 42:35 and my thoughts than your thoughts. " 42:37 God knows what's best for you and for me 42:39 and sometimes God will allow us to experience things 42:43 or go through certain trials and tribulations in our life 42:46 even as commandment keepers 42:48 because He's wanting to build character, 42:51 that Scripture that comes to mind is James chapter 1 42:53 verses 2 through 4, I love this text, 42:55 he says, "My brethren, count it all joy 42:56 when you fall into various trials... " 42:58 how many of us fall into these various trials and tribulations 43:01 and throw our hands and then say, 43:02 "Praise God for all of these horrible things 43:05 that are happening to me. " 43:06 You know, we don't do that often, right? 43:08 because in our carnal human nature, 43:09 all we can see sometimes in the moment is, 43:11 "Man, why is this happening to me?" 43:12 But a true spiritual person is going to realize 43:15 that as the Bible says, when we... 43:17 when we fall into these various trials, 43:18 we praise God for that... we count it a joy because 43:21 we know that it is... our faith is being tested 43:24 and then it produces patience... the Bible says 43:27 "But let patience... " as James says verse 4... 43:29 again this is James 1 verse 4, 43:31 "But let patience have its perfect work, 43:33 that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. " 43:36 So, let me set the record straight here, 43:38 if you're someone at home 43:39 that's been questioning the Word of God, 43:40 questioning... you know... 43:42 "You know what I've been... I've been trying to be good 43:43 but it doesn't seem like anything is good... 43:45 good is happening to me... " 43:46 my friends, let me tell you something, 43:47 God is not causing those bad things to happen to you, 43:50 Jesus clarified in Matthew 13, 43:52 in the parable of the wheat and the tares, 43:54 He made it very, very, very clear... 43:56 He said, "An enemy has done this... " 43:58 you go read it, Matthew 13 verse 28, 44:00 an enemy has done this... 44:01 don't point the finger at God 44:03 just like Job was probably tempted to, 44:05 but Job never gave up on the Lord... 44:07 the Lord came through for him 44:08 and ended up blessing him much more abundantly in the end 44:12 so, even though we go through these toils 44:14 and these tribulations and these trials in our life, 44:16 look to Jesus... the author and finisher of your faith. 44:19 Panel: Amen. 44:20 Jill: Thank you so much Ryan, what an incredible study, 44:23 if you're going through anything... 44:25 if you're discouraged, that's the lesson for you... 44:27 powerful... thank you for that. 44:28 The law as Teacher... 44:30 we looked at the importance of hearing the law... 44:32 loving and fearing the law... 44:34 obeying the law... 44:35 how the law leads to prosperity especially spiritual prosperity, 44:40 I love that... 44:41 Thursday's lesson is: Jesus, Our Example of Obedience 44:46 Jesus our Example... 44:49 He was, of course, the perfect Lamb of God. 44:53 John said... what? "Behold the Lamb of God 44:55 that takes away the sin of the world. " 44:57 He was our perfect substitute, our perfect Savior 45:00 but He was also our perfect example. 45:03 That's what we look at today... 45:06 Jesus is our example in obedience. 45:09 I want to start with a poem I really like, 45:12 this is by Edgar Guest, "Sermons We See" 45:15 you've probably heard this, 45:16 we'll just quote a couple of stanzas: 45:17 I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 45:21 I'd rather one should walk with me 45:23 than merely show the way. 45:25 The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, 45:29 Fine counsel is confusing, 45:31 but example... it's always clear; 45:34 And the best of all the preachers 45:36 are the men who live their creeds, 45:39 For to see good put in action is what everybody needs. 45:42 I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done; 45:46 I can watch your hands in action, 45:49 though your tongue too fast may run. 45:51 And the lecture you may deliver 45:53 may be very wise and true, 45:55 But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do; 45:59 For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, 46:03 But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live. 46:07 One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold; 46:12 One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. 46:17 Who stands with men of honor learns to hold this honor dear, 46:22 For right living speaks a language 46:24 which to everyone is clear. 46:27 Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, 46:31 I'd rather see a sermon than hear one, any day. 46:35 Panel: Amen... 46:37 Jill: And that's what the Lord Jesus Christ did 46:40 when He came to this earth as a baby, 46:42 grew up as a man 46:45 and lived that perfect life of example 46:48 for you and I... 46:49 because we can look at the law and say, "Wow" 46:51 Pastor Ryan, that's pretty serious... 46:53 that's holy... the law is holy, just and good 46:56 but when we saw Jesus live that law out in action, 47:01 as our perfect example of obedience. 47:04 You know there was a leader once who said, 47:06 "Do what I say, not what I do" 47:08 but that is not what the Lord Jesus said. 47:11 He set an example for us to follow. 47:15 So, I want to look at four things that Jesus chose 47:18 as it pertains to obedience. 47:21 Number 1: Jesus chose to obey His parents. 47:26 Let's look at Luke chapter 2, 47:28 turn with me to Luke chapter 2, verses 51 and 52. 47:31 Now, before we read this, 47:33 we know that Jesus was in the temple 47:37 with the doctors of the law... the rabbis... the scribes... 47:40 the Pharisees... for days... remember? 47:43 He was listening... He was asking questions 47:46 and answering their questions 47:48 and, of course, Mary and Joseph lost Jesus... 47:50 we heard this on a previous lesson for three whole days, 47:52 then, it says, right after that 47:56 they said, "Where have you been, Jesus?" 47:58 They found Him... they said, "Where have you been?" 48:00 and what did He say? 48:02 King James said, 48:03 "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" 48:06 You see there, Jesus is 12 years old 48:09 in the temple understanding who He is 48:12 that He is the Lamb of God... 48:15 that these lambs that are being sacrificed... 48:17 that He came to be that sacrifice 48:20 understanding that He came from God 48:23 and He was to be that sacrifice. 48:25 Then it says, right after that in verse 51, 48:28 "Then He... " that's Jesus, 48:29 went down with them, and came to Nazareth, 48:31 and was subject to them: 48:34 but his mother kept all these things in her heart. 48:36 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, 48:38 and in favour with God and man. " 48:40 Panel: Hmmm... hmmm... 48:42 Jill: That word for subject in Greek means to submit 48:44 or place yourself under... 48:46 it's the same word Paul uses when he says, 48:48 "Wives submit to your husbands... " 48:50 or, "slaves submit to your masters" 48:53 so, Jesus was subject or submitted to the authority 48:56 of His parents. 48:57 Now, that is really pivotal to me 48:59 because just before then He realized... what? 49:01 Who He was... that He is the Son of God 49:04 yet He submitted Himself to His parents in obedience. 49:10 Jesus chose to obey His parents. 49:14 Number 2: Jesus chose obedience 49:17 over any physical or emotional discomfort. 49:21 Panel: Hmmm... hmmm... hmmm. 49:22 Jill: Often, if I'm faced with ridicule or pain 49:27 or something that seems humiliating 49:30 or a little disgraceful, 49:31 I might be tempted to fudge or not be so obedient 49:36 but yet, Jesus chose obedience over anything else. 49:41 Turn with me to Philippians 2, 49:42 I like this... the mind of Christ, 49:44 Philippians 2 verses 5 through 8, 49:47 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 49:51 who, being in the form of God, 49:53 did not consider it to be robbery to be equal with God, 49:56 but made Himself of no reputation, 49:58 taking on Him the form of a servant, 50:01 and coming in the likeness of men. 50:03 Being found in appearance as a man, 50:05 He humbled Himself and became obedient... " 50:09 that's our word... "obedient to the point of death, 50:12 even the death of the cross. " 50:14 I see five levels of digression here... 50:17 He is the Son of God... divine... 50:20 He could have just stooped to the level of angels... 50:23 could have stooped to the level of humanity... 50:25 then He stooped to the level of sinful humanity 50:29 because He took our flesh after the fall... 50:32 our sinful nature... 50:33 He stooped to the point of death 50:35 and not just any death... but death on the cross 50:39 which was the most humiliating and degrading death 50:43 that they had. 50:44 When you think, "I can't... " 50:46 remember that Jesus did... 50:48 He endured hunger and privation, humiliation, 50:51 pain, torture and death. 50:53 He chose obedience 50:55 over any physical or emotional discomfort. 50:59 Number 3: He chose to always honor and obey His father. 51:04 John chapter 8 verses 28 and 29, 51:08 John 8:28 and 29, 51:10 Jesus said to them, 51:12 "When you lift up the Son of Man, 51:14 then you will know that I am He, 51:16 and that I do nothing of Myself; 51:19 but as my Father has taught Me... " 51:21 it was not through any of His own strength 51:24 that He walked in obedience. 51:25 It was that connection... dependence on 51:29 and connection with His Father. 51:30 It's because I depend on my Father that I do these things, 51:34 verse 29, "And He who sent Me is with Me. 51:37 The Father has not left Me alone, 51:39 for I always do... " what? 51:41 "those things that please Him. " 51:44 Jesus always chose... 51:46 if there was a decision, you could say "a fork in the road" 51:49 something that you're looking at, 51:50 He always chose, "I'm going to honor my Father. " 51:52 Panel: Amen. 51:54 Jill: I'm going to obey my Father... 51:55 I'm going to do what my Father wants 51:58 as opposed to maybe what I want myself. 52:00 Finally, Number 4: Jesus chose to allow suffering 52:04 to perfect Him. 52:06 Hebrews 5 verse 8, "Though He was a Son, 52:11 yet He learned obedience through the things which He suffered. " 52:17 Have you ever noticed that trials drive us to God 52:20 or they might drive you away from God... 52:23 when you go through a difficult experience. 52:25 I remember, someone who works here at 3ABN... 52:27 I'll call him "Sam" that's not his real name... 52:30 he broke his hip... went in the hospital... 52:32 Greg and I went to go visit him... 52:34 we went to encourage him 52:35 because he is going through a hard time... 52:37 he just is having surgery... he's in pain... 52:39 he encouraged us 52:40 and I came back to 3ABN and I shared with someone, 52:43 "I can't believe... we went to see Sam 52:46 and he encouraged us... " 52:47 and the person said, 52:48 "Oh, that's Sam, he's always like that, 52:50 he's just a cheerful person. " 52:52 No, he chose to allow suffering to perfect his character 52:57 and that trial... he turned to God instead of away from God. 53:02 You know, trials patiently endured... 53:05 they produce righteousness in the life of the believer. 53:08 Hebrews 12 verse 11, 53:10 "Now no chastening... " or no trial... 53:12 "for the present... it's not joyful but painful: 53:16 nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit 53:20 of righteousness 53:21 to those who are trained by it. " 53:24 Trials produce righteousness... 53:26 trials produce character in the life of the believer. 53:30 Romans 5 verses 3 and 4, 53:32 "We glory in tribulation... " 53:35 now, in the Greek there are two words for this pressure 53:39 there's an internal and an external tribulation, 53:41 this is the internal pressure... flips us... 53:44 we glory when we go through internal tribulation... 53:47 when we go through trials... why? 53:50 because it produces perseverance 53:52 and perseverance produces character 53:55 and character produces hope. 53:57 Trials produce patience and maturity 54:00 in the life of the believer. 54:02 Last Scripture... 1st John 2:6, 54:05 "He who says he abides in Him 54:07 ought himself also to walk even as He walked. " 54:12 You and I are called 54:13 to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ 54:16 and do that walk of obedience... perfect submission... 54:20 perfect dependence on our Father in heaven. 54:22 Panel: Hmmm... praise the Lord. 54:24 Shelley: Well, look at that each and every one, 54:25 before we have a closing comment, 54:27 it just occurred to me... 54:28 I'd like to explain this to our audience at home, 54:31 when you are reading the Bible, 54:33 when you see the word "law" you have to look in context 54:38 to know what it's talking about, 54:39 if it says, "The law and the prophets... " 54:42 it's talking about the whole Old Testament. 54:44 If it says, "The Book of Moses" 54:47 it's the... or the Book of the Law, 54:50 it's talking... excuse me... 54:52 if it says "The Law of Moses," 54:53 it's talking about the first five books. 54:56 if it says, "The Book of Law," 54:58 it's talking about Deuteronomy 55:00 and then sometimes "law" is used to mean 55:04 the Ten Commandments 55:05 because that is God's law of love, 55:07 the Book of Galatians... 55:09 people have said to me as Galatians 3:24 says 55:16 that the law was our tutor 55:18 but now, it was to bring us to Christ 55:21 but now that it has come... 55:25 He has come... we no longer need a tutor, 55:27 they'll say, "See, that's the law" 55:30 but right there in the context, 55:32 we know he's talking about the Book of the Law 55:35 because just a few Scriptures earlier, 55:37 he's talking about the book of Deuteronomy... 55:41 that's what Galatians is about. 55:44 Colossians 2:14 you mentioned says, 55:47 "Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements 55:52 that was against us, 55:54 He took it and nailed it to the cross. " 55:58 Well, we're looking here, Deuteronomy 31:26, 56:01 there were curses in the Book of the Law. 56:05 These were on the outside of the Ark 56:09 as a witness against the people. 56:12 If you read the context, you'll understand... 56:15 I've taken... quick... we'll go around for a quick comment. 56:19 Terry: Very quick. 56:20 I just want to say, "Friends, don't let anybody tell you 56:22 that the Ten Commandments have been done away with 56:24 or nailed to the cross 56:26 1st John chapter 2 verses 3, 4 and 5, 56:28 "And hereby we do know that we know Him, 56:31 if we keep His Commandments. 56:33 He that saith, 'I know Him, 56:34 and not keepeth His Commandments, is a liar, 56:36 and the truth is not in him. 56:38 But whoso keepeth His word, 56:40 in him verily is the love of God perfected: 56:44 hereby we know that we are in Him. " 56:47 Danny: We're talking about Christian education 56:49 and the lesson said that as part of Christian education, 56:53 we need to keep God's law as a central component 56:56 of what it means to live by faith 56:58 and trusting in God's grace. 57:00 Ryan: Amen, we do not keep the commandments of God 57:03 to be prosperous, my Friends, 57:05 we keep the Commandments of God 57:07 because we love Him, John 14:15, 57:09 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. " 57:11 Shelley: Amen. 57:12 Jill: Christ is our perfect example 57:14 and I love John 15, the vine attached... 57:16 where the branch is attached to the vine. 57:19 We receive our sustenance and nourishment from the Lord Jesus. 57:22 Shelley: Amen, thank you all so much 57:25 and I just remember this that the New Covenant 57:28 God says in Hebrews 8:8 through 10, 57:31 "I'm going to write My law in your heart. " 57:35 Hallelujah.. and obedience is not legalism, 57:40 obedience is love. 57:42 It's just an expression of our love and loyalty to God. 57:47 These Ten Commandments are ten promises 57:51 of what He will do in each and every one of our lives, 57:56 and love is the fulfillment of God's law. 58:00 We'll see you next time, bye bye. |
Revised 2020-10-19