Participants: Charles Byrd (Host), Andrea Endries, Levi Longoria, Stephen Fowler
Series Code: THL
Program Code: THL000021
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00:05 We truly are a nation of sports addicts.
00:08 We love our games, baseball, football, 00:12 golf, marathons and the Olympics. 00:16 If you take the time to notice 00:17 there are some interesting parallels 00:19 that can be drawn between sports and the church. 00:23 I am not the first to notice this either. 00:25 Both David in Psalm 19 00:27 and Paul in his Epistles of 1 Corinthians 00:29 and Hebrews made similar observations. 00:33 Now even if you could care less about sports stay with me 00:36 because I am trying to make a point. 00:39 Suppose you are one of the major league players. 00:42 If you were there would be a certain minimum things 00:45 you would have to do, right? 00:47 Like, you have to show up for practice, 00:50 you have to suit up 00:51 and you have to play the game, minimums. 00:55 Well, most of us will never be one of those sports heroes 00:59 who are paid millions just to play 01:02 but we can be and many people are fans. 01:05 But even here there are some 01:07 minimum requirements, aren't there? 01:10 I mean, what if I told you I was a Packers fan? 01:13 But I didn't know what state they were from. 01:15 Had never seen a game, not even on TV. 01:18 I didn't know what colors they wore 01:20 and never talked football at the water cooler. 01:23 Would you believe I was a Packers fan? 01:26 The title of this study is "Jesus chooses His church." 01:31 It almost seems blasphemous to suggest 01:33 that Jesus would choose just one church. 01:36 After all it's said that there are over 01:39 38,000 different denominations 01:42 that all claim to be followers of Christ. 01:44 Would Jesus choose just one? 01:48 Just the suggestion causes a thunderstorm 01:51 in the minds of many today 01:53 and it did the same in the days of Jesus. 01:56 For His doctrine declares, 01:58 "There shall be just one fold, and one shepherd." 02:56 Yes, there are certain minimums to being a fan. 03:01 There's an evidently some article of clothing, 03:03 some decal or piece of memorabilia 03:06 that defines your interest. 03:08 There's always the time spent with friends or fellow fans 03:11 watching the game at the stadium or on TV. 03:15 There's a certain comradery 03:16 as you talk about the specific plays 03:19 that define the game and the shared experience. 03:22 If there are minimums for becoming a sports fan 03:25 it shouldn't surprise us that Jesus has some standards, 03:29 some minimums for being part of His team, 03:31 His church, His remnant people. 03:35 Today, we're going to look carefully 03:37 at the teachings of the Jesus 03:38 on this very important matter. Levi. 03:43 In the culture that prices individual freedom 03:45 and in a society that changes churches 03:48 for the slightest of reasons, 03:50 it seems as disruptive as a thunderstorm 03:52 to suggest that Jesus might pick just one church. 03:56 In this lesson we're gonna let Jesus tell us 03:59 what church or churches would receive His approbation 04:03 and what are the identifying marks of His chosen people. 04:07 As we begin our study, now let's look 04:09 at the first of its seven signs 04:11 Jesus left as a template 04:13 to quickly identify His chosen church. 04:16 The sign number one, can be found in John 10, 04:20 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold 04:24 them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, 04:28 and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." 04:32 "And there was a division therefore again 04:34 among the Jews for these sayings." 04:38 Notice two things, at first Jesus is prophesying 04:41 that there will be one fold 04:43 or one church for His true followers. 04:46 Second, He also tells us 04:48 what that first sign is that one is in His church. 04:52 The people who belong to Jesus, hear. 04:56 If we're not willing to listen then we can't justifiably 05:00 consider ourselves the sheep of His pasture. 05:03 While here in Israel we've seen any number of shepherds. 05:06 If the sheep don't or who won't listen to the shepherd's voice 05:10 calling them to follow then he's not their shepherd. 05:13 But Jesus' doctrine went even further. 05:16 He said, "And other sheep I have, 05:19 which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, 05:23 and they shall hear my voice." 05:26 This is what caused the division. 05:28 The Jews thought all God's blessings were just for them. 05:32 They didn't understand that God is love 05:34 and He loves the whole world. 05:36 He wants to save everyone and He died for everyone. 05:40 Jesus said in John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. 05:44 The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." 05:48 So sign number one that you found 05:50 in God's true church, God's people listen. 05:54 And every person who hears His voice in scripture 05:57 who listens for the promptings of the Holy Spirit 06:00 and following wherever he leads is a part of God's true church. 06:04 And you don't have to be Jewish. 06:06 That bloodline only helps in that 06:08 it was the Jews who gave us the Bible 06:10 and the living word of God, Jesus Himself. 06:14 But if they don't listen then they are not God's chosen 06:18 anymore than a pagan is. 06:20 And the same is true for every other church. 06:23 So, listen. 06:25 Okay, again from the teaching of Jesus 06:28 let's look for a second sign 06:29 that defines and identifies God's true church. 06:33 Jesus was preaching one day, 06:35 the crowd around the Master was so thick 06:37 that His own family couldn't get through to speak with Him. 06:39 So he sent a message. 06:41 It was passed through the crowd until it came to Jesus. 06:44 Your mother and brothers are trying to see you. 06:47 "But He answered and said unto him, 06:48 that told him, 'Who is my mother? 06:51 And who are my brethren? 06:52 Whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, 06:56 he is my brother and sister, and mother.'" 07:01 The teachings of Jesus are clear. 07:03 The second sign that we are in God's true church 07:05 is His followers are well, followers, 07:08 they do what God ask of them. 07:10 This is a highly important point. 07:13 Some who are fluent in lip service are offended 07:15 if anyone lifts up the truths of the Bible 07:18 as a standard for living. 07:19 To defend themselves they will even say things like, 07:22 well, God knows my heart. 07:24 And yes, He does. 07:26 Jeremiah 17:9 tells us what He knows about our hearts. 07:31 "The heart is deceitful above all things 07:33 and desperately wicked, who can know it?" 07:36 Let me translate this 07:37 using the original meanings of the words in Hebrew. 07:40 The heart is like a balloon, all puffed up with air 07:43 thinking itself to be important and valuable 07:45 not realizing that it's fragile and soon to break. 07:49 You can't hide puffy balloons 07:51 and you can't hide what's in the heart. 07:53 Jesus taught in Luke 6:45 that, 07:55 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart 07:57 brings forth good. 07:59 And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart 08:01 brings forth evil. 08:03 For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." 08:07 What's in the heart always comes out in words and actions. 08:11 And jut like blowing up balloons, 08:13 what's in the heart can't be hid forever. 08:16 "Be sure your sin will find you out." 08:19 God's word tells us in Numbers 32:23. 08:21 So sign number two is that God's people do what He say's. 08:28 Sign number three that identified the church 08:31 Jesus has chosen as His church is found in Mathew 16. 08:35 Jesus has just asked the disciples 08:37 to what people are saying about Him. 08:39 They told Him that some thought He was Elijah, 08:42 Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. 08:45 Then Jesus asked them, but who do you say that I am? 08:49 "And Simon Peter answered and said, 08:52 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' 08:56 And Jesus answered and said unto him, 08:58 'Upon this rock I will build my church 09:02 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'" 09:05 Some have suggested the church was built on the Apostle Peter. 09:09 No, it was built on the truth of Peter's declaration. 09:14 You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 09:19 The third sign is that His church is built upon Christ. 09:24 Not on traditions or customs or cultures, 09:27 it is built on Jesus Himself 09:29 who is the way, the truth and the life. 09:33 He is the rock whom the church rejected 09:36 in the wilderness of Sinai. 09:38 He is the cornerstone 09:39 rejected by the Jewish leaders in Christ's day. 09:42 The foundation, the rock is a symbol of Jesus. 09:47 "And they did all drink the same spiritual drink, 09:52 for they drank of that spiritual rock 09:54 that followed them and that rock was Christ." 09:58 It is upon truth and truth alone that His church stands. 10:03 That truth is contained in Christ who is the word. 10:07 That truth, Jesus and His words 10:10 is the birthing agent for all the true members of His church. 10:15 "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, 10:19 that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." 10:23 Sign number three then is that the true church 10:26 is built on Christ and His teachings. 10:30 That's three signs so far. 10:33 The first is, His church, 10:35 His people listen to what He says. 10:38 The second is, they do what He says. 10:41 And the third sign is, 10:42 the church is built on Jesus and His teachings. 10:47 The forth sign that we found 10:49 the church Jesus would chose is found in Revelation. 10:53 This last book of the Bible is the revealing 10:56 or showing of Jesus Himself and it contains 10:59 the teachings of Jesus as sent and shown to John. 11:03 In Revelation 12:17 we find Satan angry at a certain woman. 11:09 Since Revelation is a highly symbolic book, 11:12 I wanted to know who that woman represents. 11:15 I found the answer in Jeremiah 6:2, 11:19 "I have likened the daughter of Zion 11:21 to a comely and delicate woman." 11:25 The daughter of Zion 11:27 is code language for God's chosen people. 11:29 The Jews used to be but they rejected the God of creation 11:34 when they rejected Emanuel, God with us. 11:38 God's people were never simply a bloodline anyway. 11:42 They were the people who listened 11:44 who did whatever God told them to do. 11:47 So let's look at 11:50 and see what Jesus says about His last day church. 11:55 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman," 11:58 God's church, "and went to make war 12:00 with the remnant of her seed." 12:03 Now watch for what defines His church. 12:06 "which keep the commandments of God, 12:08 and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." 12:12 In this verse we see 12:14 the next identifying sign of Christ's church. 12:17 Sign four, they keep the commandments. 12:21 These commandments are not something 12:23 they do to earn salvation, for salvation is a free gift 12:26 given to us by our loving Father in Jesus Christ. 12:31 But in the salvation process, 12:33 Jesus doesn't just declare us righteous, 12:35 He actually makes us righteous. 12:38 He writes His law on our hearts, in our minds. 12:43 We then keep the commandments 12:44 because he is willing in us 12:46 and doing in us His good pleasure. 12:50 Any church, any organization, 12:52 who preaches and teaches that God's people can't keep the law 12:57 are playing into the hands of Satan himself. 13:00 Listen to these words of Jesus, 13:02 "If you love me, keep my commandments. 13:07 For verily I say unto you, 'Till heaven and earth pass, 13:11 one jot or one tittle shall in no wise 13:14 pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.'" 13:18 Paul makes it clear in Romans 8:4 13:21 that the law is to be fulfilled in us. 13:24 No, Jesus didn't get rid of the commandments. 13:27 His church, His true church still keeps them. 13:31 This moral code written with the finger of God 13:35 was written by Jesus Himself. 13:38 These are His commandments. 13:40 So this is a sign of Jesus. 13:43 He said, this would set 13:44 His church apart from all others. 13:47 How many churches uphold the Ten Commandments, 13:50 all ten of them? 13:52 This makes it very easy to find God's true church. 13:56 Look for a church that upholds all of the moral law 14:00 and you'll find maybe 14:01 just a handful of churches to consider. 14:04 This one test alone 14:06 is reminiscent to finding Cinderella. 14:09 Just find the foot that fits the glass slipper 14:12 or in this case just find the church that keeps the law. 14:17 Then you'll find a church that Satan is raging war against. 14:21 That's four of the seven signs Jesus left us 14:25 to help us to find His true church. 14:28 Let's once again join our reporters 14:30 as we consider the last three. Levi. 14:35 Thanks, Charles. 14:36 There's one more sign found in the verse 14:38 you've been talking about. 14:39 So let's take another look at Revelation 12:17, 14:43 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, 14:45 and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, 14:48 which keep the commandments of God, 14:50 and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." 14:54 Remember, Revelation is a highly symbolic and spiritual book. 14:59 We must let scripture interpret scripture. 15:02 So what does the Bible say the testimony of Jesus is? 15:06 I found that answer in Revelation 19:10. 15:09 And this is so neat when anyone, 15:11 even a young person can clearly interpret scripture. 15:14 This verse says, "And I fell at His feet to worship Him. 15:18 And He said unto me, See thou do it not 15:21 for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren 15:24 that have the testimony of Jesus." 15:27 There's that phrase again, "Worship God 15:30 for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 15:35 Sign number five of God's true church. 15:38 It will have the testimony of Jesus 15:40 which is the Sprit of Prophecy. 15:43 When Jesus went back to heaven He made a promise. 15:46 He promised to send us the Holy Spirit. 15:49 He promised that the Holy Ghost would be our teacher 15:53 and helping us to remember everything Jesus taught us 15:56 and to show us things that had not yet happened. 16:00 "Surely the Lord will do nothing 16:02 but He revealeth His secrete unto His servants the prophets." 16:06 He tells us in Amos 3:7. 16:08 In fact this is part what makes God, well, God. 16:13 He knows what will happen at the end 16:15 all the way back here at the beginning. 16:18 Isaiah 46:10 says, "Declaring the end from the beginning, 16:22 and from ancient times 16:24 the things that are not yet done." 16:26 Don't forget it's the Holy Spirit 16:28 that inspired all the Bible writers. 16:31 Paul told Timothy that 16:33 "All scriptures given by inspiration of God 16:35 and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 16:39 for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 16:43 We need the spirit in the body of Christ 16:45 in His church to guide us into all truth 16:49 and truth found in the Bible 16:50 as well the truth about what's coming in future. 16:53 He will also guide us 16:55 into an obedient experience in the truth. 16:58 So sign number five is that God's true church 17:02 will have the Spirit of Prophecy. 17:05 Sign number six for identifying the church of Christ 17:08 is also found in Revelation, Revelation 12:11, 17:12 "And they" the Christian church "overcame him" that is Satan 17:15 "by the blood of the Lamb, 17:17 and by the word of their testimony, 17:19 and they loved not their lives unto the death." 17:22 That sixth sign is that God's people are overcomers. 17:26 Satan thought his wiles and temptations 17:28 cannot stop God's people from going 17:30 from victory to victory and glory to glory. 17:33 That's what Paul told the folks in Corinth. 17:35 "But we all, with open face 17:37 beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, 17:40 are changed into the same image from glory to glory, 17:43 even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 17:46 God's true people can't help but overcome 17:49 because of what Jesus did for them at the cross, 17:51 declaring them righteous and perfect. 17:54 They can't help but overcome in their daily lives 17:56 because Jesus also supplies them with everything 17:59 they need for living a holy life. 18:02 "His divine power hath given unto us all things 18:05 that pertain unto life and godliness, 18:08 through the knowledge of Him 18:09 that hath called us to glory and virtue." 18:12 In God's true church people don't drink or smoke 18:16 they are overcomers. 18:17 They don't shoot on their spouses, 18:19 they are overcomers. 18:21 They don't harbor unforgiveness or a bitter spirit, 18:24 they are overcomers. 18:26 In God's true church they are overcomers even a fear. 18:31 Once you love Jesus 18:32 more than father or mother or even life itself 18:35 there is no fear in what Satan or other people can do to you. 18:39 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love, 18:43 but perfect love casteth out fear, 18:45 because fear hath torment. 18:47 He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 18:52 This leaves us free to be always obedient to Jesus. 18:55 This leaves us free to bask in His love. 18:59 "If you keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, 19:03 even as I have kept my Father's commandments 19:05 and abide in his love." Jesus said in John 15:10. 19:08 Abiding in Christ does not mean 19:10 bad things wont happen to His people. 19:13 Revelation 12:17 tells us the devil is angry 19:15 at Jesus' church and seeks to destroy it. 19:19 During the Dark Ages alone it is conservatively estimated 19:22 that 40 million Christians lead their lives down 19:25 rather than compromise 19:26 the true teachings of Jesus found in the Bible. 19:30 Perhaps that is a key reason 19:31 that church is called the remnant. 19:33 The true followers of Jesus are remnant 19:35 or an exact copy of the church 19:37 Jesus established while here on earth. 19:40 His followers carefully receive 19:42 and study the prophecies of the Bible. 19:44 His followers look like the original disciples 19:46 who shun out with adornment. 19:48 They didn't try to amass wealth for themselves 19:51 but helped others who were truly in need. 19:54 So sign number six, 19:55 is God's church is an overcoming church. 20:00 This leaves us one more sign. Andrea. 20:03 Thanks, Steven. 20:04 This last sign is in Mark 16:15. 20:07 Let's look at it together. 20:09 "And he said unto them, 'Go ye into all the world, 20:12 and preach the gospel to every creature.'" 20:15 God's true people are mission minded. 20:19 It is not just a few believers who enjoy each other's company 20:22 or a large mega church that has a great and charismatic leader 20:26 who keeps them all feeling good. 20:28 The seventh sign is of the remnant church of Jesus 20:31 is a worldwide movement 20:34 going from home to home and heart to heart, 20:36 going into every country to all people with the true gospel. 20:41 I mean, the gospel is not just the good news 20:43 of Jesus dying for us on the Calvary. 20:45 Jesus tells us what the gospel is 20:48 in His Revelation to John, 20:49 "And I saw another angel 20:52 fly in the midst of heaven, having--" here it is, 20:55 "the everlasting gospel to preach unto them 20:59 that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, 21:02 and kindred, and tongue, and people. 21:04 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him 21:08 for the hour of His judgment is come 21:11 and worship Him that made heaven, 21:13 and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." 21:17 God's church has a last day message to the whole world. 21:21 The creator God is about to return, 21:24 the hour of His judgment is come. 21:26 Be ready, go out to meet Him. 21:29 TV, sports, the internet and music 21:32 seem bent on lowering people's interest 21:35 in this end-time message. 21:36 Not many today even think about the fact 21:39 that they are soon to meet the judge of the universe 21:42 who will based on our choices and actions 21:45 decide where we'll spend eternity. 21:49 That judgment has already come. 21:51 The message was given to the prophet Daniel 21:54 and because of that prophecy, 21:55 the longest time prophecy in the Bible 21:58 we absolutely know we are on borrowed time. 22:02 Jesus is soon to return. 22:04 There is no party time left. There is no self time left. 22:09 "Fear God, and give glory to Him 22:12 for the hour of His judgment is come." 22:16 So the seventh and final sign 22:17 that you've found in the church of Jesus Christ 22:19 is His church is a world wide church, 22:23 obedient to His command to share the gospel with everyone. 22:28 On this point I did a little research. 22:30 What I found surprised me. 22:32 I found this document made up 22:34 by the American Bible Society and Church Missions. 22:37 This non-Protestant group has one goal. 22:41 Let's get the Bible out there for everyone. 22:43 They are not promoting any specific denomination. 22:46 It was this group that made this little sheet called partners 22:50 showing the major Protestant denominations across the top 22:54 and in what countries they have an establish presence and work. 22:58 It was very interesting for me to know 23:00 that only one of these churches 23:02 was in virtually every county of the world. 23:06 Upon further investigation I discovered that 23:09 among all named Christian churches 23:11 there are only two churches who claim the name of Jesus 23:14 that are in virtually every country. 23:18 They are Catholics and the Seventh-day Adventists. 23:21 When you take these seven signs Jesus taught us about 23:24 and compare them with the different denominations 23:27 it doesn't take long to learn 23:29 what church Jesus would affirm as His own. 23:34 God's word is truly amazing. 23:37 And it's so clear and direct 23:39 and it really is easy to understand 23:41 if you accepted the fact that God is our creator. 23:46 If you embrace the love of God revealed to us in Jesus, 23:49 His selfless life, His death on the cross 23:52 to take away the sins of the world. 23:55 Let me see if I can make this really simple. 23:58 Imagine you are the manager of the Taco Bell, 24:02 part of your responsibility as a manager is to hire people 24:05 and make sure that they are there 24:07 and train to server the customers. 24:10 Simple so far. 24:12 So you hire a young lady. 24:14 You give her the uniform 24:15 and the next day she shows up without it. 24:18 Then she won't listen to any of your instructions 24:20 as to how to prepare the food. 24:22 She keeps doing what she think is best. 24:25 She adds more beans than it's called for 24:27 and then leaves off the lettuce 24:29 because that's the way she likes it. 24:31 She puts in hot sauce 24:33 because that's the way her friends eat theirs. 24:36 Which brings me to an obvious question, 24:39 how long will she remain your employee? 24:42 The same is true in sports. 24:45 Anyone who plays sports knows that there are rules 24:48 that must be follow by all the players 24:50 or the game simply doesn't work. 24:53 If a player won't wear their uniform, 24:55 wont listen to the coach, 24:57 won't show up for practice, 24:58 and won't follow the rules 25:00 how long till the player is booted from the team? 25:03 Jesus has told us 25:05 who He will affirm as His people, His church. 25:10 First God's true church, God's people listen. 25:14 Jesus said His true sheep hear His voice in scripture 25:18 and in spirit promptings. 25:20 And the second sign naturally follows, 25:23 people who are part of His church 25:25 and do what God asks of them. 25:27 The third sign that you find God's true church 25:31 is that His followers had built their faith on Jesus. 25:34 The rock, who is the way, the truth and the life. 25:39 Sign number four is God's true church obeys the commandments. 25:44 All ten of them including the Sabbath commandment 25:47 just like Jesus did. 25:49 This one item alone 25:51 dismisses most denominations as counterfeit Christianity. 25:56 We also learn from Jesus teaching 25:59 in Revelation 12:17 and 19:10 that God's true church 26:03 will manifest the testimony of Jesus 26:05 which is the Spirit of Prophesy. 26:10 Jesus provides sign number six in Revelation 12:11. 26:14 His church is an overcoming church. 26:18 This of course means that 26:20 they allow His Bible to define sin. 26:22 And they allow Him to willing them 26:24 and doing them his good pleasure. 26:27 His followers don't continue in the old habits of sin. 26:31 They are definitely overcomers. 26:34 And the seventh sign that you've found 26:37 that church of Jesus Christ 26:38 is His church is a world wide church, 26:41 obedient to His command to share the gospel with everyone. 26:46 Jesus Himself as the living word 26:49 has already ordained these identifying marks 26:52 of His true Remnant Church. 26:56 So in reality Jesus isn't choosing 26:59 one church over another. 27:01 We are doing the choosing. 27:02 Every time we chose to suit up as it were 27:05 to get into His game, obeying His rules. 27:09 When we chose to embrace these identifiers 27:12 we are in fact accepting His invitation 27:15 to come out of all the false man made systems of worship 27:19 and come into His fold, His true church. |
Revised 2014-12-17