Participants:
Series Code: TDYFW
Program Code: TDYFW200002S
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:19 Removing pain 00:24 Lord, let my words 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:35 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:46 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:08 Hello, and welcome to another Family Worship 01:11 and happy Sabbath to each one of you. 01:13 We are so glad you've joined us this evening. 01:15 You're part of our family 01:17 and it's a blessing to be able to worship our Lord and Savior, 01:20 the Creator of the universe. 01:21 Amen. 01:23 God bless, we've come from a busy week here at 3ABN 01:25 and I'm sure your life has just as busy 01:27 and it's nice to just aha, 01:29 take a breath and to study God's Word, 01:31 discuss around the living room table, 01:33 kitchen table. 01:35 I don't know what table but... 01:36 Dining room table. 01:37 We got the fireplace nearby, so that' nice. 01:39 Exactly, yeah, but what a blessing. 01:40 We have some of our family here with us too. 01:42 We do, I love Family Worship 01:43 'cause we just get to unplug from the world as it were. 01:45 We just get to spend time with each other as family, 01:48 with you as our 3ABN family home. 01:51 Just spend time in God's Word. 01:53 So I'll introduce our family. 01:55 On my left is some newer part of the 3ABN family. 02:00 We're so glad they're here tonight. 02:02 This is Eric and Addie Weesner. 02:05 And Eddie you started working for us first 02:07 actually even before Eric. 02:11 When did you start working for us, 02:12 I'm trying to remember? 02:14 The exact date is June 17, 2019. 02:17 Wow, all right. 02:18 And you both moved, I remember when we, 02:21 you came in for the interview and we talked with you 02:23 and we were so blessed by their heart for God... 02:26 Oh, yeah, so evident. 02:28 Passion for ministry 02:29 and you're an incredible blessing here. 02:31 Tell us what you do here? 02:33 Well, I'm a programming assistant... 02:35 Which means... 02:38 I create the episodes and then program them. 02:43 It takes a lot of details. 02:45 Yeah, so basically of people at home, 02:47 when they are programming is everything 02:49 that you see on 3ABN such as the program 02:52 we call them little fillers of 30 seconds or whatever. 02:55 All of that doesn't just happen automatically, 02:56 there's someone behind that 02:58 and that's you're part of programming 03:00 and scheduling all of that. 03:01 Correct. Yeah, it's phenomenal. 03:03 It's a lot of detail, like you said. 03:05 You do a great job. Oh, yeah fantastic. 03:07 And you have a little girl? 03:09 Amen. 03:10 Angel? 03:12 Yeah, she is an angel. 03:13 How old is she? 03:14 Eight years old. 03:16 Yeah, she's a, already a blessing 03:17 to our family here. 03:18 Absolutely and, Eric, tell us, you started, 03:20 it was last fall, early part? 03:22 Yeah, my memory isn't as well as my wife, 03:25 but I know I came here on Friday of the... 03:31 Fall camp meeting. 03:33 Fall camp meeting, that's what it was, yeah. 03:34 I remember that it was on a Friday, 03:36 and I've been here since so... 03:38 Yeah, what a blessing. 03:40 And you work in our production department? 03:41 Yes. 03:43 And doing what? 03:44 Well, that's a big, big job there... 03:46 Several hats. 03:48 Yeah, but my main job is running camera 03:51 and I'd like to say, I'm just a floor sweeper, 03:53 you know, because you do everything and, 03:56 and I don't care to have a big name, 03:59 but I'm training on lighting as well, 04:02 so it's fun. 04:04 Production definitely gives a lot of variety. 04:06 Oh, yeah. 04:07 You know the lot of behind the scenes, 04:08 things that go on here 04:10 even like as we're doing this family worship, 04:11 the production crew worked hard to get this set ready 04:14 and it takes a team about to make it happen, 04:16 so what a blessings, 04:18 blessing to have you part of the team. 04:19 It is. 04:20 You're on camera, you, I know, he's run the jib for us, 04:23 and floor directed, and many different things so. 04:27 Yeah, I just made a commitment when I came here, 04:29 I'll do just whatever you ask me to do 04:31 because it's Lord's work, it's a blessing. 04:34 And we kind of share our commonality, 04:36 I would say too, 04:37 and you like to be outside, 04:39 you like to work the ground 04:40 and I'm not necessarily a farmer. 04:43 Tim, I know we haven't introduced you yet but, 04:45 you like to put your hands on the dirt too, 04:47 I know you and Janelle do as well, 04:49 but it's a blessing to work the earth 04:51 and to be outside and I know you have love 04:53 for the outdoors and tractors, and... 04:55 Absolutely, 04:57 you don't get started on tractor. 04:59 But it's fun. 05:01 And so, Southern Illinois, we're in the country... 05:03 We are indeed. 05:05 Oh my. 05:07 On this side is Tim Parton, 05:09 General Manager for 3ABN Praise Him Music network, 05:13 and privileged to have you here. 05:14 Oh, it's always delight to be on this program 05:17 with you and Greg. 05:18 And what a privilege, 05:20 as you say to sit with the family, 05:22 get to know each other better and to study the Word, 05:25 it's, what a great combination. 05:27 Amen. 05:28 Yeah, it's a great setting, you know to be here 05:31 at Family Worship like you said, 05:32 family like Jill said, kind of unplug, 05:35 discuss the Bible and we have an outline 05:37 and direction we're gonna go, 05:38 sometimes it takes a little diversion 05:39 here and there, 05:41 but it's a blessing and it's fun to study with you. 05:42 I wish Tim that we could actually see every one 05:45 face to face, isn't it, soon we're going to rallies. 05:47 We're doing interactive TV, that will be nice. 05:49 That'll be interactive TV. 05:51 Yeah, but yeah going to the rallies, 05:53 we do get that opportunity to interact with people, 05:56 and we often hear that this program 05:58 is a wonderful, a favorite. 06:01 So everybody likes family. 06:03 Well, you know what family is family, 06:06 some of us are crazy, some of us are normal, 06:09 whatever that means, but we're family. 06:11 That's great. Nothing can shake us. 06:12 Not so... 06:14 I like it. Amen. 06:16 That's a beautiful thing about family. 06:17 You know, God calls us to live in community 06:19 with each other's family, and so what a gift! 06:22 You know with all our mistakes and faults, 06:26 we still learn to grow together 06:28 and to ask forgiveness we're moving to, 06:30 and to move on, so what a gift. 06:32 And another wonderful part of the family, 06:34 Donald Owen, I know your wife Janelle 06:37 couldn't be on with us tonight but, 06:40 thank you so much for being part of the team 06:42 and you're a part, 06:43 you've been in many different departments, 06:45 but right now you're integral part 06:46 of our pastoral department. 06:48 It's interesting how the Lord works 06:49 and He shifts you and He puts you 06:50 where He really need you. 06:52 And I know, I remember, JD, my manager said, 06:53 "Know that you know that you know," 06:55 I'm like, "What does that even mean?" 06:56 He says a lot. 06:57 Yeah, he does, and I'm like what does that mean, 06:59 so I got in the pastoral, 07:00 I'm like, I know that I know that I know. 07:02 Now it clicks and makes sense, but, yeah, 07:03 I'm just very blessed to be here 07:05 and thank you guys for inviting me, and this is... 07:07 I really love getting into the Word 07:08 and digging deep and I just... 07:10 It's just been incredible how God just opens that Word 07:13 and especially we get to share 07:14 with the audience and viewers and they dig in. 07:17 I've been here on prayer line a lot, 07:19 especially when the things 07:21 that we've done recent with that prayer, 07:22 the day of prayer began. 07:24 People love that, they just, 07:25 absolutely even our phone just lit up 07:27 so, people just enjoy 07:29 how much depth we get in the Bible 07:31 and need to say this is it. 07:32 A lady just called the other day, 07:33 she said, you know, I just got your channel in, 07:35 and I got in my little antenna. 07:37 She said, "It's the first time I'm calling in." 07:38 she said, "Oh, it's just, I just love your channel." 07:40 She said, "You know, 07:41 I don't want to be entertained." 07:43 Amen. 07:44 Said, "I don't want to be entertained. 07:45 I don't need to be." 07:47 I was like, wow, I was... 07:48 She wants to study Right, she's hungry so... 07:49 I have to say I was also blessed too, 07:51 I'm sorry with it. 07:52 Earlier this year, Tim, 07:54 we did the Ten Days of Prayer, right? 07:55 On 3ABN, I know we were blessed, 07:56 but I know many of you have already restarted 3ABN 07:59 saying how much they were blessed. 08:00 Thank you, Tim, I know the initiative started 08:02 with the GC of Seventh-day Adventist, 08:03 but then you took it, and did it and ran with it too 08:06 with the music and the prayer and the praise, 08:07 and it's just absolutely powerful. 08:09 Thank you. 08:10 Yeah, we'll continue to do that with a program called 08:12 "Pause to Pray", just a 15 minute program 08:14 on the Praise Him Music network, plug, plug. 08:17 And, yeah, we're tuned into that, 08:20 'cause that'll be another time when we can Pause to Pray. 08:23 And talking about worship, Tim, you know, 08:24 and that's what I appreciate, you know, 08:26 you're the General Manager of the Praise Him network, 08:27 and it's all about praising the Lord. 08:29 What a great name, it's more than network. 08:32 And music is such a part of worship. 08:33 Oh, yes. It really is. 08:35 It's fantastic. 08:36 We should open up with prayer? We should, absolutely. 08:38 You wanna have some music? 08:39 You wanna pray for us, sweetie, please? 08:40 Sure. 08:42 Holy Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus, 08:43 thanking You for the gift of Your Word. 08:46 Thanking You for the gift of family and friends. 08:49 And right now we open up our hearts 08:52 to receive what You have for us. 08:54 Would you speak to us from Your Word? 08:56 Would you speak to us 08:58 by the power of Your Holy Spirit? 09:01 Would you enlighten our minds and hearts 09:03 not just to hear but to be changed? 09:06 And we thank you in Jesus' name. 09:08 Amen. Amen. 09:09 Our topic tonight is "Faith" 09:13 which is just an incredible topic. 09:15 We're going to jump into Hebrews 09:17 and then look at how, 09:19 the importance, why is faith even important. 09:21 How we can grow or develop our faith? 09:24 What are some of the qualifiers of faith? 09:26 So we'll be talking about all of that tonight, 09:27 but first I see that Tim left us, 09:30 which means we're going to a song, 09:32 "Standing on the Promises." 09:34 But he's still with us. Thank you. 09:36 He just walked to another part of the studio 09:38 to play the piano. 09:39 Thank you. All right. 09:41 Standing on the promises 09:42 because in order to develop faith, 09:45 we need to stand on the Word of God. 09:46 There you go, remember that. 09:47 And the promises in the Word of God. 09:49 So sing along with us, 09:50 standing on the promises of God. 09:55 Standing on the promises of Christ my King 09:59 Through eternal ages let His praises ring 10:03 Glory in the highest I will shout and sing 10:07 Standing on the promises of God 10:11 Standing, standing 10:15 Standing on the promises of God my Savior 10:19 Standing, standing 10:24 I'm standing on the promises of God 10:28 Standing on the promises that cannot fail 10:32 When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail 10:36 By the living Word of God I shall prevail 10:40 Standing on the promises of God 10:43 There we go. 10:44 Standing, standing 10:48 Standing on the promises of God my Savior 10:52 Standing, standing 10:56 I'm standing on the promises of God 10:59 Verse 3. 11:01 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord 11:05 Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord 11:09 Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword 11:13 Standing on the promises of God 11:17 Standing, standing 11:21 Standing on the promises of God my Savior 11:24 Standing, standing 11:30 I'm standing on the promises of God 11:37 Thank you, Tim. 11:39 It's inspiring to hear him play. 11:40 Absolutely. Yes. 11:42 Even though I can't really sing, Tim, 11:44 I tell you, it just makes me want to try 11:45 and exercise my vocal chords over the place. 11:47 I think he might flee from you, he's like... 11:51 What a great message in the song though, 11:52 standing on the promises. 11:54 Amen. 11:55 Yeah, and what's really powerful, Tim, 11:56 is that, it says they cannot fail, 11:59 will not fail. 12:01 Amen. That's awesome. 12:03 It really is a great topic. 12:04 Absolutely. Faith. 12:06 So let's jump in Hebrews 11, 12:08 we'll start with Hebrews 11:1 definition of faith. 12:11 I knew we were going to Hebrews... 12:13 Hebrews 11. 12:14 The faith chapter. Oh, boy. 12:16 Hebrews 11:1, definition and then we'll look 12:18 at importance of faith, but Hebrews 11:1. 12:25 Anybody have that wanna read? 12:26 Sure, I can read it. Yeah, go for it now. 12:28 "Now faith is the substance of things 12:31 hope for the evidence of things not seen." 12:35 Ooh, that word hope for. 12:37 That's a powerful thought there. 12:38 What are we really hoping for? 12:41 That's what caught my attention. 12:42 Yeah, now faith is a substance the things you hope for... 12:45 What are we hoping for? 12:46 And then the evidence of things not seen. 12:49 Yeah. 12:50 I think our faith, it's kinda difficult for me, 12:53 I like to be able to see. 12:55 And I say, "Okay, yep. 12:56 That looks good, so I'm gonna do that." 12:59 That's difficult. 13:00 It is. Isn't it? Yeah. 13:02 To think about, 13:03 yeah you're gonna say something? 13:05 Yeah, to say I'm a simple person, 13:06 you know, and I can look at things in a simple way 13:09 and you know I think of... 13:10 It's good for me, I can understand then. 13:12 Yeah, you've heard of age old analogy of electricity. 13:15 You know when you flip the switch, 13:17 yes, you expect the lights to come on, why? 13:20 Because it's been proven, 13:21 it's happened over and over again, 13:23 or how about people, you know, 13:25 they step in to this hollow tube, 13:26 multi ton too and let them, 13:29 you fly several thousand feet up 13:31 above the earth, defying gravity. 13:33 You know, it's that not a leap of faith? 13:35 Oh, yeah. 13:37 But, what about with God, you know? 13:40 Why do we have faith in God? 13:41 Because it's been proven. 13:43 You know, it's been proven that He is our God. 13:46 You know, He has changed lives over and over and over again. 13:50 So that, that gives us hope. 13:51 Amen. 13:53 That's really good. Wow, yeah. 13:55 I think of Psalm 34, 13:56 "Taste and see that the Lord is good." 13:57 Oh, yeah. 13:59 So we knew, have experienced His goodness, 14:00 when you've experienced the promises of His word, 14:02 that gives you faith and hope 14:05 for what He's gonna do in the future. 14:07 Amen, right. Amen. 14:08 You mentioned, Psalms 34:8, 14:10 "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. 14:12 Blessed is the man who trust in Him." 14:14 Now, I like the definition of faith 14:16 from the book Education, 14:18 Chapter 30, entitled Faith and Prayer, 14:21 and it says, "Faith is trusting God, 14:24 believing that He loves us 14:25 and knows best what is for our good." 14:30 So the word trust. 14:32 Amen. 14:33 If you look at the Greek, 14:34 in this section here, Hebrews 11:1, 14:37 "Faith is the substance of things hope for." 14:39 Substance means confident expectation. 14:42 I like that. Very good. 14:44 Or literally the words 14:45 'cause it almost mean the title deed. 14:48 So you think when something is a title deed, 14:51 you actually already have it. 14:53 So faith means, 14:54 we actually posses that even if we don't see it, so. 14:59 Another word is foundation. 15:00 Good. Well, that's good. 15:02 Substance is like a foundation. Absolutely. 15:05 It's our foundation. 15:07 Go ahead, Tim. 15:08 I was gonna say the thing that makes faith, faith, 15:11 is whenever it, 15:13 when we perceive faith in spite of the consequences 15:17 or the circumstances 15:20 of what looks like it might not, 15:23 because we can have faith in this chair, 15:25 because we know it's gonna, it's proven true. 15:28 But when our faith goes the extra mile, 15:33 when we get a word from God that seems like 15:35 that's the craziest thing I've ever heard. 15:36 It doesn't, you know, 15:38 it doesn't stand a reason in the natural, 15:41 because again, we can, we can all do, 15:43 we can do stuff on our own just by our own strength, 15:46 but I think our faith is true faith 15:50 and I'll admit maybe, maybe another word 15:53 for the icing on the faith, 15:56 that is called on when God expects us 15:59 to step out in faith. 16:01 There's a multiple characters in the Bible, that had to, 16:04 had to live on faith, 16:07 because it didn't seem possible. 16:10 Yeah. 16:11 One thing like in Hebrews Chapter 11, 16:12 you have verse 8, 16:14 I'm thinking about doing something 16:16 that may be doesn't make sense, 16:17 it says by faith Abraham 16:18 when he was called to go out into a place which he, 16:22 boy, I'm having a hard time, need to get a bigger Bible. 16:24 Which he should after receive for inheritance, 16:26 obey and he went out not knowing where he was going. 16:29 Yeah. 16:30 Well, it's kind of scary, Tim, I like to know where I'm going. 16:32 So it was him like, okay, God, 16:34 I'm being a good witness here in my community 16:36 where my tents are set up right now. 16:38 Why would you want me to move to a place 16:40 that I don't really know where I'm going. 16:42 He wants to grow you though through that experience. 16:44 That's going yet so like, 16:45 Tim was saying those like to step out like that, 16:47 that doesn't logically make sense. 16:49 Wow, it's difficult. Eric. 16:51 Yeah, well, just thinking in Hebrews too is, 16:54 you back up a little bit, yeah, I think it's verse 7, 16:56 I believe maybe, talks about Noah. 16:58 Yes, it does. What about that? 17:00 I mean, look at all the people 17:03 making fun of him for what, 120 years. 17:06 Never rained before. 17:07 Yeah, can you imagine building ark here 17:09 in Southern Illinois? 17:10 Yeah. Yeah. 17:11 I'll feel kind of grown up in that. 17:13 Grown in Kentucky. 17:14 So, as a museum. Yeah. 17:16 Great example of faith. 17:18 No that is a... 17:19 That's a really, really, really good point. 17:20 Don, you were gonna say something, 17:22 we're gonna comment on the hope for, 17:23 was that something you look at? 17:24 Yeah, you know, well actually for you, 17:28 I think it's 2 Corinthians 4:18, 17:30 it kind of touches that what we're looking for. 17:35 It says in verse 18... 17:37 Corinthians, what was that again? 17:38 4:18, this talks again about the idea 17:42 which are seen, which are not seen. 17:43 It say, "While we look not at the things which are seen, 17:46 but at the things which are not seen 17:48 for the things which are seen are temporal. 17:51 But the things 17:52 which are not seen are eternal." 17:54 So, that's kind of the questions 17:55 what are we really hoping for. 17:58 What is that they were looking for, hoping for? 18:00 That's good. 18:01 Yeah, what is it you really hoping for? 18:02 Is it just temporal things here in this world 18:04 or you're looking for something far beyond that you trust, 18:07 and I was looking of this idea of believing. 18:09 It says, "Believe drives us to action." 18:12 It makes you take action, 18:13 and it says, this isn't just a passive feeling, 18:15 you actually you yet, you're involving, 18:18 participate you do it, take action so, 18:20 they always spoke to me, you know it's like that hope. 18:23 Do you really drive for that hope 18:24 or is that you hope for, 18:26 you know, I talk to these men in prison 18:28 on Wednesday nights 18:30 when we do that and these guys are in there 18:31 and you know, it's like 18:33 how much hope could you have in a prison. 18:35 And how much hope 18:36 could you really have in a prison 18:37 but in there, it's such an amazing thing 18:39 that these guys have captive audiences, 18:41 they can actually talk to these men and encourage, 18:43 some of these guys know their Bible. 18:44 So it's like what do they hope for when they're in prison? 18:47 What do they look for? 18:48 I mean, but you realize that there is something 18:50 far greater than just what we see here, 18:52 physically, it's eternal, it's a promise. 18:55 I mean, that comes down 18:57 to trusting in God then doesn't it, 18:58 'cause He knows the eternal, the big picture as we see. 19:02 Absolutely. 19:04 Let's divide up some scriptures. 19:05 We'll look at the importance of faith, 19:08 so sweetheart, you wanna take Hebrews 11:6? 19:10 Sure. 19:11 And, Eric, you got John 3:16. 19:14 Addie, Romans 3:28. 19:17 Tim, Galatians 2:20, and Don, 1 John 5:4, 19:21 and I'll jump in on Ephesians so. 19:23 So we hope that you're joining with us at home. 19:25 Don't be just sitting there 19:26 watching us turn the pages in the Bible 19:28 or looking on our phone. 19:29 We want you to be turning as well. 19:31 So the first one is Hebrews 11:6 19:35 and it says, "But without faith," wow, 19:39 "it is impossible to please Him or please God, 19:43 for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, 19:47 and that He is rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." 19:51 Wow. 19:52 Any thoughts on that? 19:54 Yeah, when you read that, must believe that He is. 19:58 Like you were talking about this idea of faith, 19:59 you can't see Him, 20:01 but how do you believe that He is, 20:02 and the only way we can do is by reading His Word 20:04 and seeing that the picture of Christ 20:06 on the cross being crucified and realizing that, 20:08 these men in the, you know, the Old Testament, 20:11 but the New Testament and the gospels, 20:13 they witnesses firsthand I think it's in 1 John 1:33, 20:17 they've touched, they've handled, 20:18 they've seen with their own eyes, 20:20 they've dealt with it, 20:21 they've seen it, so now they're testifying 20:22 through His Word that this is real. 20:24 Oh, it's good. 20:25 So you know, that just thought came to me 20:27 is that the idea that we must believe that He is. 20:30 You know, I think about John 3, 20:32 Jesus met with Nicodemus, 20:33 and Nicodemus didn't understand how could this even happen. 20:37 And what did Jesus say, 20:38 it's like the wind, you can't see it, 20:41 but you can see the effects. 20:44 And so I think of that with faith, 20:46 you know, and we don't always see that. 20:49 I mean, we definitely can't see God, 20:51 but we can see His effects as it were. 20:53 You know, we see what He does in people's lives, 20:57 and how He changes them and transforms them 20:59 and you see the effect of God in this world. 21:03 That makes me think of GYC... 21:04 Oh, amen. 21:05 That's all the young people... 21:07 Our first time there, 21:08 you know it's so powerful to see so many young people, 21:12 you know, wanting to change their lives, 21:14 turn their lives over completely to Christ, 21:17 you know, and it changes you, 21:20 you know may be you're just running a camera 21:21 or whatever your job is there, 21:23 but when you see that, 21:24 I mean you see hundreds of young people 21:27 coming up to the front there, 21:28 it's just is a powerful thing to behold. 21:31 You're right. Amen to that. 21:33 So talking about the importance of faith, 21:34 then it says but without faith, it's amazing, isn't it, Tim? 21:38 We see that so without faith it's impossible 21:40 to please God, 21:42 so that means then that faith is extremely important, 21:44 'cause I want to please God. 21:45 That seems like the core of that Bible right there, 21:48 I mean truly, if you don't, 21:49 but if you don't believe that God exists 21:52 and without faith, yeah, it's you might as well 21:54 just close the book and walk away. 21:56 So the question got to be asked then, 21:58 so what if I don't have faith, 21:59 how do I get faith then to believe in God? 22:03 'Cause I'm sure there's someone right now 22:05 saying, okay, you guys are talking a great talk. 22:07 You guys experienced God, but I sure haven't. 22:10 But God is still working, 22:11 so how does someone recognize 22:13 that God is actually alive and well 22:15 and actually interested in them. 22:16 What would we say to someone like that? 22:18 So do we wanna go there? 22:19 Let's just talk about that 22:21 because it's just in the right matter. 22:22 We're talking about this, 22:23 I know it's a little further down in our outline, 22:25 but this is talking about that. 22:26 Yeah, well, I mean truly that's a... 22:28 We're in here on our outline, we've wonderful ideas. 22:32 Read the Word of God, the Word of God itself. 22:35 Just begin to read. 22:36 I mean I've heard of so many people 22:38 who didn't believe and they just kinda took it 22:40 on as experiment. 22:41 God, if you really want me to know you, 22:43 if you want me to hear you, 22:44 if you want me to believe in you, 22:46 I'm proving, so I'm just gonna start reading 22:49 and sure enough, that's so the Word of God. 22:54 Bible also says that creation declares the glory of God 22:59 and so, and therefore we, 23:01 even if you didn't have the Bible, 23:04 nature could express the fact that there is a God and so... 23:10 Yeah, I think, that's piggybacking 23:11 on what you said, you know, you can't hit on it, 23:13 and so God if you're real, that's prayer. 23:15 So that's a prayer, 23:16 and even just offering up a prayer. 23:17 God, if you're real show yourself up to me, 23:19 I need to know. 23:20 I've heard that before, 23:22 people don't know if you're real, 23:23 help prove it to me, I need to know. 23:24 So I think prayer's a key element. 23:27 So really keep our eyes open. 23:28 Just gonna add to what Tim was saying to about, 23:32 the part of reading God's Word. 23:35 One thing we have to remember too, 23:36 this is going to be whole another study but, 23:39 you know, how do you read God's Word? 23:41 You know, do you read like a regular book? 23:44 It's 2 Peter 1:21, "Holy men spoke." 23:48 They were moved by the Holy Ghost so, 23:51 what does that mean? 23:52 Well, we need to ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us 23:55 before we even start reading God's Word. 23:57 It's very important. 23:58 Amen. 23:59 We've got to be active then, go ahead. 24:01 No, I was just going back to the reading God's Word, 24:03 the scripture you referenced from is 10:17, 24:05 "Faith comes by hearing 24:07 and hearing by the word of God." 24:09 So, I was just referencing the scripture, I'm sorry. 24:12 No, no, but it takes actually action on our part, 24:14 in another words we can't just sit back 24:15 and say, okay, they have it, I don't. 24:18 Well, something must be wrong, is that, okay? 24:20 Study, open God's Word and say, God show me, 24:25 you know, Holy Spirit please open my mind. 24:27 Exactly. 24:28 I want to please you 'cause I think, 24:30 God wants us to do something as well, 24:31 we have to, you know He gives us 24:32 the choice to say, okay, I'm gonna open Your Word, 24:35 diligently study it, 24:37 say God open my mind, you know, 24:39 'cause there are stuff you want to show me. 24:40 It don't always mean, like say, 24:42 you know, Donald's in a prison ministry, 24:43 it doesn't mean that, people don't open up to Bible 24:45 and God's not gonna bless you with what you read. 24:47 That's good point too. 24:49 But once you understand 24:50 the concept of reading God's Word, 24:52 then the blessings compound over and over. 24:54 I like that, I like the compound, it grows. 24:55 You've to start somewhere, 24:57 you've gotta start somewhere, start. 24:58 Yes, we go. 25:00 You mentioned, I want to please God, 25:01 and the question is, how do we please God? 25:03 And I remember the Bible verse found in Romans 12:1. 25:08 Oh, yes. 25:09 I beseech you therefore brethren 25:11 by the mercies of God, 25:12 that ye present your bodies, 25:14 a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, 25:17 which is your reasonable service. 25:18 Romans 12:2, I said verse 2. 25:21 Have to read verse 2 too. 25:22 Oh, yes. 25:24 You gotta read through. Okay. Yeah, read verse 10. 25:25 Verse 2, "And be not conformed to this world, 25:28 but be ye transform by the renewing of your mind, 25:31 that ye may be proved what is that good 25:33 and acceptable and perfect will of God." 25:37 Takes action. It does. 25:38 Amen. 25:39 Yeah it's powerful. Yep, amen. 25:41 Goes back to faith without works is dead. 25:43 That's true too. 25:45 Absolutely. 25:46 We look at Ephesians? 25:48 Yes. 25:49 On the importance of faith, Ephesians 2:8. 25:50 Oh, that's me. Is that me? 25:52 I think that's Eric, is that right? 25:55 Oh, it's 3:6, yes right, yeah. 25:58 Ephesians, he's doing John 3:16. 26:02 Yeah, you're right. Yeah, okay. 26:05 You go ahead, you have John 3:16 then. 26:07 Okay, yeah. 26:08 That's one of the most quoted verse 26:09 in the Bible 26:11 I think and I mean, people know it by heart but 26:14 "For God so loved the world 26:15 that He gave His only begotten Son 26:17 that whosoever believes in Him should not perish 26:20 but have everlasting life." 26:21 Believe in Him. 26:23 And I like what it says, 26:24 it's whosoever, it don't just say, 26:26 you know just Jesus died for everybody 26:29 and everybody are certainly saved, you know. 26:31 It's whosoever so, that takes trust, 26:34 it takes faith in the Son of God, 26:37 that He did die for us, and it's very important 26:41 that we understand what believing is all about. 26:44 Of course I can go deeper obviously, you know, 26:46 believing is about having a relationship 26:48 with the Lord, you know, so. 26:51 I think believing involves obedience too. 26:53 Yes. 26:54 You know, 'cause Jesus said what? 26:55 The devil's believe and tremble, 26:57 but that doesn't mean that they are converted 26:58 and that clearly doesn't mean 27:00 that they're gonna be saved through that 27:01 they accepted His gift of salvation. 27:03 So just having a mental ascent, 27:05 to me belief is a mental ascent. 27:07 Okay, maybe I acknowledge this exists, 27:10 but not allowing God to come in and change me. 27:14 To me faith involves me allowing Him to come in 27:18 and experience Him. 27:20 You mentioned that the devil believed too, 27:23 but does the devil have faith, 27:26 and it should be the faith that works by love 27:28 and purifies the soul. 27:30 Wow. 27:32 Yeah, very good. 27:34 You know, I'm thinking of people 27:35 who don't even understand all these, 27:38 the Christianese that we're using. 27:42 It sounds great but I think you have to, 27:46 kind of be at the, either, 27:48 I'm thinking of people 27:49 who are at the end of their rope. 27:51 Yeah. 27:52 And, I've heard the phrase, "Why don't you try Jesus." 27:57 Well, you try on a piece of clothing, 28:01 you really can't try Jesus. 28:05 Because this is something, 28:08 you just have to, you have to be at the place 28:10 and nothing else is, you've tried everything else, 28:13 nothing else is satisfied, 28:16 this is, this is it. 28:18 I mean you have to really give it 28:21 over to Christ. 28:23 So I want to make sure 28:25 that we don't just cloud it up with words that are, 28:30 you know, just they fit our viewers, 28:34 you know it's, think it's time that we, 28:37 and I don't even know how we can do that 28:39 because it's up faith is such a personal issue that, 28:45 you know, all these scriptures are powerful 28:46 and indeed it truly mean it is true, we can't, 28:50 without faith it is impossible to please God. 28:53 I don't know, it's, 28:56 I'm just kind of at a losses to how we, 28:59 we know it's important but, everybody's faith is, 29:03 it's such a personal thing and so, 29:06 I'm kind of, I've dug a hole for myself here, 29:09 but I'm just thinking, 29:10 you know the way the Amplified says, 29:12 "Whoever believes in, 29:14 trusts in, clings to, relies on, 29:18 those are desperate positions to be in, 29:21 when you're clinging to that, 29:22 when you're relying on it, 29:24 you forgot no other place to go. 29:28 I appreciate you bringing it up, Tim, 29:29 because there's people that have said, you know, 29:30 I have prayed to God to save my child 29:33 that was dying of cancer and they still died. 29:36 Okay. Yeah. 29:37 I thought God, 29:38 you know that they're claiming promises in the Bible 29:40 and it doesn't seem like God even herd them. 29:43 And I don't have all the answers to that 29:45 because I haven't lost a child, 29:47 but I know some of the difficult circumstances 29:48 that I have had to go through in life, 29:50 nothing compared to that. 29:51 It's just like God, you got the big picture, 29:53 I do not understand. 29:55 I don't understand, but you've got it, 29:57 you've got the whole picture. 29:58 I don't know why this is happening, 30:00 I'm claiming your promises in the Word, 30:03 but I know you've got the big picture. 30:04 I know you see the end from the beginning. 30:06 And that's where I think, Tim, you know that, 30:08 'cause we can like you say, 30:09 mentioned a whole lot of things and it's like wow, 30:11 when it comes down to it, 30:14 this communication between us and God, 30:16 but you got to trust Him. 30:17 Right. 30:18 And how do you build that trust is, 30:20 hey, God, I know you've got it from A to Z. 30:22 I know You do, 30:23 but I sure don't understand the process 30:25 from A to Z at times, 30:26 but you've gotta be able to trust God. 30:27 And I think that trust is a relationship 30:29 that's been talked about too along the way. 30:31 Absolutely. 30:32 I know you know what's best for me. 30:35 Yeah, there was a movie I just recently watched, 30:38 Christian movie. 30:39 And in the scene it was these guys have PTSD, 30:41 and they are all sitting around talking about their stories. 30:43 And one guy shared what he went to 30:44 and he fought the war, he came back. 30:46 He went to the Oklahoma city bombing memorial 30:49 and he said there is chairs there, he said, 30:51 he remembers there's big chairs and little chairs, 30:53 he might realize that those little chairs 30:54 represent a children that had died in this accident, 30:57 you know, this horrible bombing. 30:59 So he said, "God, why would you allow 31:01 these little children be innocently killed like this? 31:03 Why would you just let them be murdered like this? 31:05 Where are You, why aren't You helping? 31:07 Then he said, "He took a look around the street, 31:08 cross the street." 31:10 There's this kind of shadowy statue, 31:12 he walked closer. 31:13 As he got closer, he saw it was Jesus 31:15 and he has his hands like this, 31:17 with his hands there's back towards these chairs 31:20 on the bottom it said, Jesus wept. 31:22 And you realize that Jesus was there all along 31:24 and saw all that atrocity so it's a fact that, 31:27 we've to realize that Jesus is there 31:29 and we've an enemy, 31:30 I have that a lot on prayer line. 31:31 Oh, where's God, I pray this, I pray this. 31:33 We have an enemy who wants to say, 31:35 where are you, God, 31:36 I don't believe in You any more, 31:38 you're not here for me. 31:39 God knows will answer our prayers 31:40 according to His will and His purpose, 31:42 so we've to, 31:43 we have to trust Him in those times, it's not easy. 31:44 It's not easy. 31:46 No. 31:47 Wow, yeah, that's right, church family, or your family, 31:49 church family comes in because you need that support. 31:52 You know, where would any of us be in our down times, you know, 31:55 we each, we've all had trials in our lives. 31:58 So you know, 31:59 you had to deal with it on your own, 32:02 you'd be pretty well discouraged. 32:03 But then the church family comes in 32:05 and they put the arms around you and say, 32:07 "Let's pray," you know... 32:08 Right. Absolutely. 32:09 It makes a big difference. 32:11 When my father was dying, he had lung cancer, stage 4. 32:16 And I was praying, "Lord, please heal my father." 32:20 I was expecting a miracle, but it didn't happen. 32:24 But reading the Bible stories, 32:27 like the Shunammite woman. 32:29 Yes. 32:31 Her son was dead, but then she said, 32:34 well, I need to see the man of God, 32:36 she was referring to Elisha. 32:37 That's right. 32:39 And then on her way, 32:40 Elisha told his servant Gehazi, 32:45 ask the Shunammite woman, is it well with your husband? 32:48 Is it well with your son? 32:50 And what did the Shunammite woman said? 32:53 "It is well," even though her son is dead. 32:56 Amen. Well, that's powerful. 32:57 So that's big faith. 32:59 No, that is huge faith. 33:01 Absolutely right. 33:02 I mean, what a question, what an answer, yeah. 33:04 That's huge faith. 33:05 So that's why you need to pray God, 33:06 increase our faith. 33:08 Yes! And that's biblical. 33:09 It is sure. 33:11 And you know, Tim, you can help me with this 33:12 and this song goes something to the effect that, 33:15 he said it, I believe it and that's enough for me, 33:20 that's good enough for me. 33:22 You know, that's simplifying it but, 33:23 but it's a, I remember that song so well, 33:26 you know they kinda hit home with me 33:28 because that's all God wants us to do. 33:30 When God says read it, I claim it. 33:33 Right. Yeah. 33:35 I like what you brought up, 33:36 each one of us talking about that 33:38 'cause when we go back to the scripture 33:39 you just read Eric, John 3:16 and we know the scripture. 33:43 Sometimes I agree we make the Bible complicated. 33:47 And to be honest with you, it is inexhaustible, 33:50 the more I study, the more I realize, 33:52 I don't even know. 33:53 And I love to dig deep and see, 33:56 there's more truth, 33:57 and there's more undiscovered gems 33:59 as it were that's in there. 34:01 But a child could understand. 34:05 You read John 3:16 all that says is that God loves us. 34:10 And that He loves the entire world. 34:13 And that because of that love He gave His son 34:17 and all we have to do is reach out. 34:19 And we say, "Yes, Jesus, I accept you. 34:22 Yes, I want You to come into my heart." 34:24 It's that simple and He will come in... 34:28 And who has more faith than a child. 34:30 Yeah. 34:31 I mean truly, they because, 34:33 they haven't been through situations 34:36 that were impossible, 34:39 they haven't been lied to throughout their life. 34:43 They know they come to... 34:45 We come to God as a child, 34:48 believing that what he say is truth. 34:50 I mean it is the truth, what he says he'll do. 34:52 About children and be in tractors, 34:54 we talked about them earlier, our nephews, 34:56 when they were little we went to look 34:58 at a giant John Deer combine, 35:00 huge, you know the platforms are way up there, 35:03 and they were having fun going around 35:04 and I was down on the ground, 35:06 then one just took a flying leap 35:07 right into my arms from way up on the platform, 35:10 and I was like, poof, good thing I was there 35:11 because I didn't see, he didn't asked me, 35:13 "Hey you ready, Uncle Greg? 35:15 All right, I'm getting ready to jump." 35:16 He was like, I wanna get from there to here, 35:18 and I'm going right now. 35:20 You know, so it's a leap of faith. 35:22 Yeah, good Job. 35:23 You know, where I just prayed in my own life, 35:25 if I can say God, yep, here we go, 35:27 you haven't let me down before. 35:28 And I wanna mention, you're talking about family, 35:30 church family being around. 35:31 You may be a homeless, 35:33 saying I don't have any body, I'm all by myself. 35:35 Donald was talking about the 3ABN prayer line, 35:36 that's very important. 35:38 We're here as your family, 35:39 so wherever you are, just send us an email. 35:42 I'm not sure the email that they can email in... 35:44 Mail@3abn.org. 35:49 And then during regular business hours we're open, 35:51 and that's (618) 627-4651 35:54 and then ask for the pastoral department. 35:55 They'll be so happy to pray with you. 35:57 Amen. 35:58 So you know we're here as your family, 36:00 in case you don't have that support, 36:01 that's just right there in your local area. 36:02 So we're part of the family. 36:04 Let's jump to Roman 3. Addie, you have that one? 36:07 Romans 3:28, 36:10 "Therefore we conclude that a man 36:12 is just defied by faith without the deeds of the law." 36:16 Wow. 36:17 What does that mean to you? 36:20 I think of a complete obedience. 36:22 And with complete obedience 36:24 you can connect it with righteousness. 36:26 And righteousness is right doing. 36:31 Amen. 36:32 But justification, I'm sorry, it was justification you know 36:35 that's God's pardon for guilty sinners 36:37 because God's law requires what? 36:40 Perfect obedience. 36:42 I don't think they came by here at this table, 36:44 you know it's has a way God's love perfectly. 36:48 So that's where God comes and He justifies us, 36:51 as long as we're willing to go to Him first 36:53 and say Lord, I'm sorry, 36:55 you know, cover me with Your blood now, 36:57 and now you're justified. 36:58 That don't give you right to go back, 37:00 commit that sin again. 37:02 Right. 37:04 So justification is powerful 37:05 because the moment you come to Jesus 37:08 and He exchanges our sin for His perfect righteousness, 37:13 His white robe. And I love that. 37:16 Yeah, it's powerful 37:17 but I just shared it last night, 37:19 when the guys in prison we're talking, 37:20 and here we talked about that idea that, 37:23 you know, if you read in Zechariah 3, 37:24 the whole judgment scene, 37:26 you've seen some of these guys are like, 37:27 "You know I've been told I'm worthless, 37:29 I'm trash, I'm junk." 37:30 I said, "That's what the enemy is telling you 37:31 but you know that robe, 37:33 you know, we're all on filthy garments 37:34 and I said that Christ says, 37:35 I'm gonna take that filthy garment off you 37:37 and I'm gonna put My robe of righteousness. 37:38 Or, you know, 37:39 I'm gonna put a golden crown on your head. 37:41 And I now call you a son or daughter of God. 37:43 And it just so speaks to people 37:44 because they have the idea of Christ dying on a cross, 37:46 He justifies by that death on the cross. 37:49 We're right now to enter in, 37:51 to that Holy Cities one day soon so. 37:54 You know, how freeing is that? 37:55 Yeah. 37:57 That's like, wow, thank you God. 37:59 I don't have to sit there and scrub away, 38:01 yeah, we've got work to do ourselves. 38:03 But God's the one that covers us 38:04 with His righteousness, not my righteousness. 38:07 And that happens through faith. 38:08 Right. There you go. 38:10 Justification through faith you know, 38:11 so many times we think Old Testament is about works. 38:14 New testament is about grace. 38:16 But the truth is grace is in the Old Testament. 38:19 It's all through the Old Testament, 38:21 and Romans Chapter 4, 38:23 Paul talks about several different places, 38:25 he quotes from Genesis 15, 38:27 where it says Abraham believed God, 38:29 and it was accounted to him for righteousness, 38:31 that world accounted is the same 38:33 as our justification here, 38:34 so meaning that Abraham even before he was circumcised, 38:38 even before he did any works of the law, 38:41 God justified him and that was how through faith. 38:45 So that justification process takes place through faith. 38:48 Excellent. 38:49 To say, I'd like to share some out of the Old Testament, 38:51 Ezekiel 16, touching on this is powerful, 38:55 I'll just read verses 6, 7 and 8. 38:56 I'll try to make it quick. 38:58 Ezekiel 16. 16: 6, 7 and 8. 39:00 This is so powerful to me and this is so beautiful. 39:02 It says here, "When I passed by you 39:05 and saw you polluted in your own blood. 39:07 I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' 39:09 Yes, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' 39:11 I have caused you to multiply as bud of the field, 39:13 and you have increased and waxen great, 39:16 you are come to excellent ornaments: 39:17 your breasts are fashioned, your hair is grown, 39:19 or as you were naked and bare. 39:22 Now when I pass by you and looked upon you, 39:24 behold your time is a time of love. 39:27 And I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness. 39:29 Yes, I swear unto you 39:31 and entered into covenant with you, 39:32 saith the Lord God and you became Mine." 39:34 Yeah, that's powerful. 39:36 Amen. 39:37 That's just a powerful verse right there. 39:40 You became His, 39:41 He pursues his blood, now it's just, 39:42 He spread His skirt over you need to... 39:44 So much He loves us. Amen. 39:46 Yep, we're His. 39:50 Well, it just give you hope that when you're going back, 39:53 may be back step a little bit but when you read God's Word, 39:56 you know gives you hope when you, 39:58 when you see these concepts 39:59 because I've had people asked me or what, 40:03 I don't know if the Bible is real? 40:05 You know and because that's very important 40:07 to read God's Word. 40:09 But if you don't believe it's real 40:10 then it's doing you no good. 40:11 There's two things about the Bible, 40:13 there's no other book that stood the test of time. 40:17 And secondly, 40:18 nothing else gives hope like this book does. 40:22 So that's some to remember when you open up God's Word 40:25 if you got question of whether the Bible is real, 40:28 history proves it. 40:30 That's one thing to remember. 40:32 Amen. Well, that's good point. 40:33 Amen. 40:35 But for those who don't believe, 40:37 they would defy you, you know in that, 40:40 so I think it's a kinda almost like a vicious circle. 40:44 Because if you don't believe what it says, 40:47 then it doesn't seem to prove true 40:51 because those people will, will say 40:53 well, we, you know, that's bonk, 40:55 you know, there are places that one thing says one thing 40:58 and the other says another 40:59 and so I think it, that's where, 41:02 I think God gives us, the more we read it, 41:06 we have to believe, 41:07 we have to kinda go in there just with our defenses down. 41:13 And because if we are too hardened against it. 41:17 So my challenge to anyone who is going there out 41:20 have just starting in and reading it and saying, 41:23 God, I don't know that this is true, 41:28 at some point you're gonna either, 41:30 it's going to start, 41:31 the Spirit will start melting your heart for it, 41:35 which I believe that's what happens. 41:37 Because If that doesn't happen while you could, 41:39 like you said earlier, 41:40 you just read it as a book and put back on the shelf. 41:43 And some people won't believe 41:44 and Jesus even talks about that, 41:46 He says, you know, how's He quote that, 41:48 you know, they won't believe the one rose from the dead. 41:50 So, there are gonna be people 41:52 who won't believe even after reading it. 41:54 It's a sad fact. 41:56 Yeah, absolutely 41:57 'cause we all have freedom of choice. 41:58 We sure do. Right. 42:00 Praise the Lord for that. 42:01 And I'm grateful for that. 42:03 I don't mean to get us off course. 42:04 No, it's good. 42:05 Ephesians 3 is my next, 42:07 Ephesians 3:16-18. 42:09 "That He would grant you 42:11 according to the riches of His glory, 42:13 to be strengthened with the might 42:15 through His Spirit in the inner man, 42:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, 42:21 that you being rooted and grounded in love, 42:23 may be able to comprehend with all the saints, 42:25 what is the width and length and depth and height, 42:28 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge 42:31 that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." 42:33 There's so much in there. 42:35 But the one part about that, 42:36 Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 42:42 You know, Paul tells us 42:44 that Christ wants to live in us. 42:45 He's in us, the hope of glory. 42:48 And the only way that He can dwell in us, 42:51 because how, that's just another one 42:53 of those impossible concepts to comprehend. 42:56 He's divine, the Creator of the universe. 42:59 Our Savior and yet He wants to dwell in our hearts 43:05 through faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. 43:08 Amen. 43:10 Yeah. That's incredible. 43:11 So, another thing that Jesus said, 43:12 He said, you have to eat my flesh. 43:15 I mean you have to eat His Word. 43:16 So if you don't eat His Word, how can He dwell in you? 43:18 You know how, like we talked about relationships. 43:21 If you don't communicate with somebody, 43:22 you don't have a relationship, if you don't talk to Him 43:23 and He talks to you through His Word. 43:25 So that's how you communicate 43:26 and that's why He said eat my flesh, 43:28 and I'm like, I'm not eating your flesh. 43:29 That's weird, you know, 43:31 but He's talking about eating the Word. 43:32 That's right. Yeah. 43:33 So powerful. 43:35 He talks about, 43:36 God talks about 43:38 how much He wants to dwell with us, 43:39 you know, and here he kind of explains it 43:41 in Matthew 10:37-39. 43:44 If we want to look it up we can, 43:45 but this is strong language. 43:49 You know, we're talking about families. 43:52 Because with... 43:57 We can look it up I guess. 43:58 Matthew Chapter 10. 44:00 37, if someone wants to read it but... 44:02 He's talking about loving father, 44:03 mother more than me. 44:05 And He goes on, I believe in 39 or so, 44:08 talking about loving, 44:09 you know your children more than Him. 44:11 So, we know how tight the bond is with our families... 44:14 Yes. 44:15 So if we put them above God, 44:17 then we still don't have that tight relationship 44:19 that God is wanting with us. 44:22 So, that's just God puts into perspective here. 44:26 You know, it's serious, serious words, 44:29 and it takes some contemplation. 44:32 And the amazing thing is, the only way you can do that 44:34 is if you actually figure out who God is 44:36 and fall in love with Him. 44:38 Right. 44:39 Because if I were to read that, I'd say and you don't know God, 44:41 or you think God is somehow harsh or mean, 44:43 you'd say there's no way I'm going to do that 44:45 because I love my family above everything else. 44:47 And yet, when you fall in love with Jesus... 44:50 There you go. 44:51 And discover who He is, 44:55 it would make it much easier to do that. 44:58 To me it strengthens my faith. 45:00 Absolutely. Yeah. 45:02 Because I know where my family came from, 45:05 you know, I know how much we love our daughter, 45:07 you know, I can't imagine anything happening to her. 45:09 But, you know, I got to realize, 45:11 hey, God's one that, 45:13 you know, brought this miracle to be... 45:14 That's right. 45:15 You know, and that strengthens my faith. 45:17 That's good. Amen. 45:19 Wow. Powerful stuff. 45:20 Tim, you have Galatians 2:20. 45:22 I do. 45:23 Galatians 2:20, reading from the Amplified, 45:26 "I have been crucified with Christ. 45:28 In Him I have shared His crucifixion. 45:30 It is no longer I who live 45:32 but Christ the Messiah lives in me 45:35 and the life I now live in the body. 45:37 I live by faith, 45:39 by adherence to, and reliance on, 45:42 and complete trust in the Son of God, 45:46 who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 45:48 Love that version. That's a nice translation. 45:50 That's a great translation. 45:53 Just, Booyah, drop the mic. 45:56 That's a... 45:57 It says, that I have been crucified with Christ 45:59 and the life I live, I live by faith, 46:02 who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 46:05 That word you said, reliance. 46:06 Reliance, yeah. 46:08 You have to rely on, like think about somebody, 46:10 you know, like kind of what happened with Jacob. 46:12 He's wrestling with an angel. 46:14 He had to literally lean on, hold on to this angel said, 46:18 "I'm not gonna let go until you bless me." 46:19 But he had to rely on this angel to hold him up. 46:22 So, that reliance is that Christ will hold you up. 46:25 Yeah, that's powerful. 46:27 Now think of when Paul says, "I die daily." 46:30 Yes. It's hard to do that. 46:32 Because every day is a struggle, 46:33 every day you have a battle. 46:35 But you say, okay, Lord, moment by moment, 46:39 I'll cling on to Your promises and hang on to You. 46:42 And I will never let go. 46:44 Amen. Amen. 46:45 That's excellent. Wow. 46:47 Wow, that's powerful. 46:49 I think it's powerful too, Tim, 46:51 at the end I think your version says, 46:53 "And gave himself up." 46:54 Yeah. Is that what it says? 46:55 Yeah, mine doesn't say that say that, 46:57 it says He gave Himself. 46:58 For Him to give Himself up for me 47:00 and just before that, because why? 47:01 Because He loved me. 47:03 Yeah, that's really powerful. 47:05 You know John 3:16 says, He loves the entire world. 47:07 But this is, 47:08 this is really personal, isn't it? 47:11 Loves me, Loves you, 47:13 loves you that's, that's really personal. 47:14 It's beautiful. 47:15 And that's somebody I can put my faith in. 47:17 Trust somebody who is... 47:18 That's right. Good point. 47:20 No, that's a really good point. 47:21 But I take it personal, as the word, 47:23 it should be taken personal, put my name right in there. 47:26 Yeah. 47:27 Who loved Tim, me. So, Timmy, Timmy. 47:30 He gave Himself up. 47:32 Yeah gave him, yeah, so that's who I can trust. 47:36 I can invest in that. 47:39 Good. 47:40 Well said. 47:41 Donald. 47:43 1 John 5:4. 47:44 1 John 5:4, my goodness. 47:46 Importance of faith. 47:47 Let's see what we got. 47:50 "For whatsoever is born," that's a big word, 47:53 "Born of God over cometh the world, 47:56 and this is the victory that over cometh 47:58 the world even our faith." 48:01 Man, you think about that. 48:03 That word overcome, just really pops out at me, 48:06 you know, how many of us want 48:07 to overcome something in our life. 48:09 But it's that faithful journey. 48:10 No matter how much junk you've been through 48:12 or what you've experienced in life. 48:14 He'll get you through it. 48:16 Jesus said in John 16:33 said, 48:17 "Be of good cheer for I've overcome the world." 48:19 That's right. It's good. 48:21 He overcome all that. 48:22 And so we by faith can walk with Him. 48:24 And He'll help us to overcome those dark journeys. 48:26 I talked to so many people in prayer lines, 48:28 I'm like, I'm not going into all the stories, 48:29 but it's just the fact 48:30 that I hear these people's stories 48:32 over and over, and some of them, 48:33 many more times and I like to hear sometimes, 48:35 but it's just that fact that overcoming 48:38 is like letting God break those barriers, 48:41 those burdens, 48:42 those prejudiceisms, whatever it is, 48:44 breaks them down and you can do that, 48:45 He can give you the victory, 48:47 says whoever is born of God, 48:49 so let Him be born in you. 48:50 I think that's powerful. 48:52 Yeah. 48:53 I like verse 5. 48:55 If you added to that, 48:56 it kind of clarifies what verse 4 is talking about. 48:58 "Who is He who overcomes the world, 49:00 but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 49:04 Goes back to John 3:16 too. 49:08 So it's pretty clear cut there. 49:10 Amen. 49:11 Amen. Wow. 49:13 I guess we might as well do verse 3 too, 49:14 for this is the love of God. 49:15 Let's read the whole chapter. 49:17 Let's do 3-5, as Donald read for us. 49:18 It's there. Yeah. 49:19 Okay 3-5. 49:21 It says, "For this is the love of God 49:22 that we keep His commandments, 49:23 and His commandments are not grievous, 49:25 for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, 49:27 and this is the victory that overcometh the world, 49:29 even our faith. 49:31 Who is He that overcometh the world 49:32 but He that believe that Jesus is the Son of God?" 49:37 Could you read verse 3 in the Amplified, Tim? 49:38 Because I was interested... 1 John? 49:40 Yeah. Not grievous. 49:41 You said, Donald, 49:43 His commandments are not grievous. 49:44 I have New King James 49:45 that said His commandments are not burdensome. 49:48 I just wondered what it said in Amplified. 49:49 "The true love of God is this, that we do," at verse 3. 49:52 "For the true love of God is this 49:53 that we do His commands, keep His ordinances 49:55 and are mindful of His precepts and teachings, 49:58 these orders of His are not irksome, 50:00 burdensome, oppressive, or grievous. 50:02 Nice. 50:04 Hmm, oppressive. 50:05 I love that. 50:06 Burdensome. 50:08 Amen. Not too heavy. 50:09 Not heavy at all. 50:11 You know, the importance of faith. 50:12 Yeah. 50:13 You know it's, 50:15 I think it's vitally important... 50:16 Really? 50:17 Faith, yeah, surely as you know, 50:19 our experience, our journey with God, 50:20 I know we're talking 50:22 it's not always the easiest at times, 50:23 but to put your trust in God 50:24 and it's just one step at a time. 50:26 You know, you just one thing here, 50:27 it may seem little 50:29 but those little things turn to something bigger, 50:30 something in our life. 50:32 But I just got a picture, 50:33 you know, a car, I believe my car is, 50:36 it's 2014 Chevy Captiva. 50:40 And it's a great car. 50:41 I thank my God, 50:42 every time I get in it, it's a reliable, 50:44 luxurious transportation as far as I'm concerned, 50:47 but it's nothing without the key. 50:50 If I don't turn on the ignition, 50:52 put the key in the ignition and turn it on, 50:55 then we're just sitting there. 50:56 We've got a nice car, but it's just sitting there. 50:58 So faith is the key that turns on. 51:02 And so it's like you say... 51:04 Wow, that's good. 51:05 You know, without faith. 51:07 It's impossible. 51:08 It's impossible to please God, yeah, in that journey. 51:09 So, that's, that faith is the key anyway. 51:11 Ellen White says that, 51:13 "Faith is the key in the hand of faith 51:14 that unlocks heaven's store house." 51:16 Right. Prayer is the key. 51:18 Any closing thoughts before we... 51:20 Prayer is the key. 51:21 Thank you. Prayer is the key. 51:22 Thank you. Yeah. Prayer is the key. 51:24 Good correction, we need that. 51:25 Someone's gonna write in and say, 51:27 Jill, misquoted that, so thank you, Donald. 51:28 You're very welcome. 51:29 God is good. 51:31 Prayer is the key in the hand of faith. 51:32 And we should go to prayer here shortly. 51:33 Any thought just before we head to prayer? 51:35 Just real quick, I read that, you know, 51:38 there's three types of faith 51:39 science, history and revelation. 51:42 You know, science being the least reliable, history, 51:45 which represents man is more reliable, 51:48 but revelation representing God is the most reliable. 51:52 Oh, boy, yeah, that's good. 51:54 That's good, I like that. 51:55 It was pretty good too. 51:56 Well, did this hour, go ahead, Tim. 51:58 I just want to mention that the good little thing 52:00 that has inspired me that says, 52:02 Faith sees the invisible, believes the impossible, 52:06 receives the incredible no matter what was, 52:10 faith moves the unmovable, proves the unprovable. 52:14 For anyone who is willing to trust just believe 52:17 and you'll see what faith does. 52:20 Amen. 52:21 Do you know where that's found or not? 52:22 It's a song actually. 52:25 It's powerful, I like it. Amen. 52:28 Well, let's go to the Lord in prayer. 52:29 Addie, do you mind to start? 52:31 We'll just go around the circle and Jill and I will finish up. 52:32 Okay. 52:34 Our most gracious, kind, loving Father, 52:37 we thank You, Lord, for this opportunity 52:39 to study Your Word. 52:40 Thank You, Lord, for reminding us about faith. 52:43 Thank you, Lord, 52:44 for telling us how to please You, 52:48 and how for us to appreciate you 52:52 when You died on the cross, Your love for us. 52:54 And, Lord, I pray that we have the faith, 52:57 faith that works by love and purifies the sin. 53:00 Help us, Lord, to hang on to Your promises, 53:04 and to live moment by moment in connection with You 53:09 and may You bless us each day, Lord, and forgive us, 53:12 and we will also forgive others too. 53:14 In Christ's name we pray, amen. 53:17 Father in heaven, in Jesus' precious name 53:19 we come to You just giving You thanks 53:22 and glorify You, Lord, for what You've done for us. 53:25 Dear Lord, when we stop and think who we are, 53:28 we are nothing, but with you we are everything. 53:31 You love us with an everlasting love 53:33 and in order to strengthen our faith. 53:38 Faith is what drives us. 53:40 Faith is what moves us. 53:42 And, Lord, I just pray that each one of us 53:44 will have that measure of faith that You give to us. 53:48 You gave all to us as a free gift 53:50 and for that we'll be forever grateful. 53:53 Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to be here 53:55 to study more about faith in Jesus' name, amen. 54:00 Heavenly Father, we just want to thank You, Lord, 54:02 that You are a God of promises 54:04 that You're a God who hears our cries, 54:07 who knows us intimately and ultimately, 54:09 and I just think of the man and said, 54:11 I believe help me my unbelief. 54:14 How many of us have cried to help, Lord. 54:16 We have weak moments, so strengthen our feeble needs, 54:20 like Moses, lift up our arms, 54:22 help us to carry a torch in our heart for you 54:25 that You will reside on the throne of our heart 54:28 and that Lord as sons and daughters of God, 54:30 we can be triumphant one day. 54:32 We will say these words, this is our God, 54:34 we have waited for Him and He will save us. 54:36 So we ask that You'll guide those 54:38 who are listening right now or viewing 54:40 and that they will be touched. 54:42 Somebody will make a choice tonight, Lord, 54:45 had to say I've been moved, I want stronger faith. 54:47 I want to know this God, 54:49 and they'll open Your Word, pray the Holy Spirit 54:51 and You will show Yourself to them, 54:53 Lord, help them to be conquerors 54:55 through the blood of Jesus. 54:56 I thank you and ask this in Jesus' name. 54:58 Amen. Amen. 54:59 Father, I echo Donald's prayer that someone who is watching, 55:05 who is just can't grasp what this faith means. 55:09 Lord, I just ask that You will help them 55:11 to realize as much as they're relying on, 55:14 on the chair that they're sitting in 55:16 or the electricity is coming through the TV 55:19 to make it work 55:20 or whatever device they're watching on. 55:22 We rely on so much in this life, 55:25 that we almost forget what it means really 55:28 to even have faith in something. 55:30 I pray, Lord, that Your Holy Spirit will, 55:32 will just, will stir in them that it's as simple as that. 55:38 That it really is, just believing in You, 55:41 believing and trusting. 55:42 So, Lord, do that work in our viewers, 55:45 and do that work in me, Lord, in areas that I need to grow 55:50 and to rely and adhere to, cling to, and trust You. 55:55 That's what I want. 55:57 Father, I need you. 56:00 Father God, we thank You, 56:02 that You've given to each one of us 56:03 a measure of faith, 56:05 and that You want to increase our faith, 56:09 that it's not up to us to conjure up faith. 56:13 You have already dropped it in as it was the mustard seed. 56:17 And, Father, that You want to cause it 56:19 to grow and to flourish. 56:21 And so we choose to spend time in Your Word. 56:24 We ask You into our hearts just now, 56:28 asking that You would show us who You are. 56:32 I pray for my brothers and sisters 56:33 watching right now at home, 56:35 those who are uncertain whether you're trustworthy. 56:39 God, would You reveal yourself to them and especially, 56:43 would You show them who You are, 56:45 and that You are loved and that You are good 56:48 and that You want to come in and change them. 56:50 So, Father, we give You permission 56:52 to do that just now. 56:54 Amen. 56:55 Father in heaven, Lord, I just pray 56:56 that You would increase my faith. 56:59 Lord, may I trust You more every day 57:01 in order to pray 57:02 for our brothers and sisters at home. 57:03 You hear the prayers we are sending up 57:05 to you just now in Jesus name we pray, amen. 57:08 Amen. Amen. 57:10 Hard to believe our time is almost gone. 57:11 Yes. Yeah. 57:13 And what a blessing to spend family worship 57:14 with each one of you here around the table 57:16 and what a blessing to spend this worship time 57:18 with you on faith. 57:20 Absolutely. 57:21 Thank you Addie and Eric for being here with us, 57:23 and Tim and Donald, thank you so much. 57:24 It was a blessing. Total blessing. 57:27 Thank you for being part of the 3ABN family. 57:29 Know that we love you and pray for you 57:31 and that God wants 57:33 to do amazing things in your life. 57:35 Amen. |
Revised 2021-02-08