Participants: Chris Shelton (Host), Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000070
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00:41 Hello, and welcome to Behold the Lamb presents.
00:44 I'm Chris Shelton your host and we are so glad 00:46 that you have tuned in today 00:48 for another wonderful Bible study in God's word. 00:51 Today's message is entitled "Deciphering God's Code" 00:55 and it is a first of a two part series. 00:59 You know, in recent years there has been so much emphasis 01:02 on deciphering the Da Vinci Code. 01:04 The Da Vinci Code, is in great part based on pure fiction 01:08 and mental surmising of possible events, 01:11 places and meanings. 01:13 Yet, the Bible, the Bible has been prove it accurate 01:17 through out the study of history, anthropology, 01:20 and most importantly through God's spirit 01:23 working literal miracles in our lives. 01:26 The Spirit of Prophecy teaches us 01:29 that the Ten Commandments 01:30 are the transcript of God's character 01:32 and we asked to retain the same principle 01:35 as we study through the Bible. 01:37 The Ten Commandments are so much more 01:40 than a simple list of do and don'ts. 01:43 They revile who God is? 01:45 What He likes and what He would like for us to become? 01:49 Through the Ten Commandments God teaches us right from wrong 01:53 and He teaches us just exactly what sin is. 01:57 The Ten Commandments are such importance 02:00 that they are the standard of righteousness 02:03 by which each of us is to be judged. 02:06 In other words, we will be judged 02:08 by the character of God himself. 02:10 Do we fully reflect His character 02:13 or have we chosen to reject His character? 02:16 With such importance associated with the Ten Commandments 02:20 it's certainly demands our attention and study 02:23 as we begin today "Deciphering God's Code" 02:27 with Pastor Kenny Shelton. 02:29 But first let's listen to a song entitled 02:32 "He hideth my soul" as sung by Diane Anders, 02:35 from the 3ABN worship centre. 02:56 A wonderful Savior 03:01 Is Jesus my Lord 03:04 A wonderful Savior to me 03:12 He hideth my soul 03:16 In the cleft of the rock 03:20 Where rivers of pleasure 03:25 I see 03:28 He hideth my soul 03:32 In the cleft of the rock 03:37 That shadows a dry, thirsty land 03:45 He hideth my life 03:49 In the depths of His love 03:53 And covers me there with His hand 04:01 And covers me there 04:06 With His hand 04:22 A wonderful Savior 04:26 Is Jesus my Lord 04:31 He taketh my burden away 04:38 He holdeth me up 04:42 And I shall not be moved 04:47 He giveth me strength as my day 04:55 He hideth my soul 04:59 In the cleft of the rock 05:03 That shadows a dry 05:07 Thirsty land 05:11 He hideth my life 05:16 In the depths of His love 05:21 And covers me there with His hand 05:28 And covers me there 05:33 With His hand 05:37 He hideth my soul 05:41 In the cleft of the rock 05:45 And covers me there with His hand 05:53 And He covers me there with His hand 06:15 Thanks for joining us today here at Behold the Lamb. 06:17 Once again we have-- we believe 06:19 that's a very, very important subject 06:21 and we want you to get your pencil and paper 06:22 and jot these things down. 06:24 We're going to cover a lot of material. 06:26 This is very, very important as we're doing 06:28 this two part series on "Deciphering God's Code." 06:32 Deciphering God's Code. 06:34 You heard the introduction, 06:35 you know, lot of people love to read fiction. 06:39 Like to read things that are not true 06:41 and then try to apply a lot of things to that. 06:44 We're going to read from the Word of God. 06:47 We are going to hear from God today 06:48 and I know you want to hear from Him 06:50 as we study this most important subject. 06:53 And we would like to take just for a moment to thank you 06:56 for your cards and your letters, 06:58 your phone calls, your support of this ministry 07:01 that we may keep the gospel going into all the world 07:04 and I hope some of you take this personally, 07:06 we really just can't do it without you. 07:08 God uses people, you know, when He has been using you. 07:11 So, we praise the Lord for that. 07:13 If you have any comments 07:14 and lot of you by the way have been calling 07:17 and sometimes it's difficult to get a hold of me 07:19 or things get turned around or twisted. 07:21 Don't think that we don't care here, we do. 07:24 You need to just please call back. 07:26 Please call back. 07:27 If it is important continue to call 07:29 until you get someone to answer or to talk to me 07:32 whatever it might be or someone here in the office 07:34 because that's what's important. 07:36 You help keep this ministry going. 07:37 We thank you so much for that. 07:39 As usual as we get into our subject 07:42 we always pray several times as we're doing the program 07:45 but you know once we begin here we are going to pray again. 07:47 So I invite you to join me 07:49 and I'm so thankful that many of you say 07:51 I get down on my knees and I pray when you pray. 07:56 There are the other who say we are listening to it 07:57 you know on CD or something and we're going down the road 08:00 and we are still in the attitude of prayer. 08:02 Thank you for that. Let's pray together. 08:04 Shall we? 08:06 Loving Father in heaven, 08:07 we thank you for the privilege of prayer 08:08 now we ask for the guidance of thy Holy Spirit. 08:11 Oh, Lord, I pray that you take this old feeble mind 08:14 and you just energize us 08:15 with the spirit of the living God. 08:17 May my ears be open that we will hear 08:19 You speak through the power of the Holy Spirit 08:22 and may relate what heaven has in store for us today. 08:25 May we stand behind the Cross of Calvary 08:28 bless each watcher, each viewer, each listener. 08:30 We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring conversion. 08:33 Help us to understand this subject, 08:35 the importance of it, how it can change our lives 08:38 and our heart prepares for heaven. 08:39 I thank you for that in Jesus name, amen. 08:44 Now, think about as we study the-- the Word of God. 08:47 It brings to my mind it's just a little small story 08:50 I don't tell the whole lot of story 08:51 but sometime, you know, they fit. 08:53 And this is about a-- 08:54 a young boy six or seven years old 08:57 and you know that age are very curious 08:59 and he was very curious and one day he was with mom 09:02 and he was in the house and he was walking around 09:04 and you know sometime you see some children 09:06 that age they'll be walking around 09:08 and they just walk by a drawer 09:10 and for you know not really any reason 09:11 just open the drawer and they'll look in 09:13 or they'll just kind of curiously 09:14 look around things and see what's going on and so. 09:17 He was going around the house 09:18 and he happened to see a Bible in the corner. 09:22 And he looked at that Bible 09:23 and he had seen that Bible had some dust on it. 09:25 We always hear that, 09:26 it was just staying there no being used and so, 09:29 it's a very interesting, what does he do? 09:32 Saw the book, saw it had lot of dust on it in the corner 09:34 and so he just-- he ask a question. 09:36 Evidently he was not familiar. 09:39 He ask his mom he said is this God's book? 09:43 Is this God's book? 09:45 And mother quickly said, oh, yes, son, it is God's book. 09:50 He said oh, well, mom, may we better 09:53 send it back to Him because we don't use it here. 09:57 I hope some of you heard that if you're not using it why not. 10:02 So we want to use the Word of God 10:04 it's not just together dust 10:07 and I think about the poor little, 10:08 little young man didn't know any difference 10:12 and his honest thought was it for not gonna use it 10:14 and if its God's let's just give it back to Him. 10:16 Why don't we use it today? Why don't we do that? 10:19 We're gonna do as we study the Word of God, 10:20 "Deciphering God's Code," does God have a code? 10:24 Does God have any kind of standard? 10:28 Well, we're going to look in the Bible 10:29 and we're going to see. 10:30 And is that standard, He has a standard, 10:31 He has a code, He has laws 10:33 are they binding today and who is God 10:36 that He can make some requirements of me. 10:39 Wow, some people emphatically 10:43 said things like that who is God? 10:46 Well, today I hope you're saying 10:47 who is God because first of all 10:49 we want to establish in our study who God is 10:53 and why God has that authority to speak what He will 10:59 and require what He will and it's up me, you, 11:02 it's up to us to accept it or to reject it. 11:06 You know, one of my favorite may be just simple text 11:09 but one of my favorite text found in the Bible. 11:12 this gives me hope and I know 11:14 you read it many times found in the Book of Matthew 1:21 11:19 it says, "Thou shalt call his name Jesus 11:23 and he shall save his people from their sins." 11:27 You realize what a message is in that passage? 11:31 You realize the power that a companies that promise. 11:35 The promise of a Savior a promise of one 11:38 that was called Jesus that He shall come to this world 11:41 and He is going to save His people from their sins 11:44 because we can't save ourselves. 11:46 No, hope for us. 11:48 And so therefore as we are looking 11:50 at this subject the Deciphering the Code 11:54 the Bible says, number one, 11:55 that there's going to be someone come to this world. 11:57 His name is Jesus because the world has a problem. 12:00 Man has a problem and only God can solve that problem 12:03 and He is going to solve it through His son Jesus Christ. 12:07 It has a lot of meaning I know that as you study that, 12:11 though Jesus we realize He died I heard this so often. 12:15 He died not to save men in his sins but what? 12:19 Oh, good some of have been studying but from his sins. 12:24 So then man is so simply lead the errors of his ways. 12:29 He use to what improve by the grace of God 12:32 and to follow the example 12:33 the Bible says, it's Jesus Christ. 12:36 We're to take up the cross, deny self and to follow Him. 12:42 What a wonderful encouraging, exciting message that is 12:46 and may I say as we deny self, 12:48 take up the cross and follow Him 12:50 we need to obey God. 12:53 Please listen my brother and sisters, 12:54 obey God at any cost 12:59 regardless of what it might cost us in this life. 13:02 These are life and death issues. 13:06 It's very interesting I want you to 13:07 contemplate this with me if you will. 13:10 I thought on it, 13:11 you know I just don't have all the answer 13:13 I pray for the Holy Spirit to give me answers 13:14 but this-- this runs the-- 13:16 you know sometime the simple you know confines the wise 13:20 and you know this was something that I thought about 13:23 and there's lot of answers to it 13:24 but just listen there was a -- there was a man, 13:26 a man who having heard the story 13:29 of the cross for the very first time. 13:32 It's hard to imagine there are people in the world 13:34 may be I have never heard the story of the cross 13:37 and so as he heard this for the very first time 13:40 he asks a question. 13:43 Notice the question, he says, 13:45 what does one man's death have to do 13:49 with another man's sins? 13:53 Wow. 13:54 what does one man's death have to do 13:58 with another's man's sins? 14:01 See that may be an elementary to you 14:03 but man this confound that this guy I can say wow, 14:07 you know what having heard this story, that's heavy. 14:12 When you say heavy why? 14:13 Because the human mind will never ever, ever know 14:18 all the answers about the cross, 14:21 about the atonement, 14:23 about you could say the science, 14:25 the philosophy, the theology 14:28 behind the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 14:32 Through the Caesar's ages we will be learning. 14:36 Good news for you today, you say, 14:37 oh, I have a hard time learning 14:38 I haven't-- listen, the good news is 14:40 you don't have to know all this behind it 14:43 but you need to know the one that hung on the cross. 14:47 All you have to do the Bible says, 14:48 now we are establishing that 14:50 there is a God that rules the universe. 14:54 That He is able 14:55 and then in order to make His government work 14:58 there must be regulations, there must be laws 15:02 and people fight that but you know 15:04 the Bible says today by faith 15:06 we just need to touch the hymn of His garment. 15:09 The garment of the-- of the cross 15:12 and we will be made whole. 15:14 That's the good news but we must understand that 15:17 and if we understand that then I know 15:20 that we will be willing to follow Christ 15:23 and it will be more than my wife mentioned 15:25 it will be much more than bunch of do's and don'ts. 15:29 We love to serve Jesus with our whole heart and our mind. 15:34 In fact in the very first verse in the Bible 15:36 when you begin to read in Genesis 1:1 I love it. 15:41 It says "In the beginning 15:43 God created the heavens and the earth." 15:47 Notice in the beginning God 15:51 all of a sudden they're starting to establish 15:53 that what God is in his-- is headship He is in control, 15:58 He is the king, He is the creator 16:01 and interesting then as the creator He made man, 16:05 He made the heavens and He made the earth. 16:08 In fact, in Genesis 1:26 He said, 16:10 "let us make man in our own image." 16:12 So he made the heavens and the earth and he made man. 16:15 Everything he established it 16:17 so certainly there are rules there are things 16:19 that we must follow in order to have harmony. 16:22 Harmony with each other and harmony with God. 16:27 So you might say, you may have a question, 16:29 does-- does God really been have the right to set up 16:33 and I know you don't like the word laws 16:35 but I'm gonna use it any way. 16:37 Now I have a loss or rules or codes to govern this planet. 16:42 The question is does He have a right, 16:44 if He has the right then what is our obligation? 16:51 The Word of God tells us this, so let's establish who He is, 16:55 who we are and then see 16:57 if you want to set yourself against Him. 17:00 Book at Jeremiah 10:6, 7 17:03 listen to as I read these verses oh, they're powerful. 17:06 It simply says here, let's just condense it down. 17:09 You have your Bible you can jot it down 17:10 and you read it all. 17:11 It simply says, "God is king" now notice this as it goes on, 17:16 "He is king and he is throne is in heaven." 17:20 We serve a God that sits up on the throne 17:22 that rules the universe why? 17:24 Because He created it and He what? 17:27 He made man in His own image, He created. 17:30 Wow, how wonderful and then it says, 17:33 "There is none like Him." 17:35 If you're looking for someone like Him today 17:37 oh, you know we need to by faith into the heavens. 17:41 There's no one like Him. No, one can compare. 17:44 There's nothing even closely that we could compare to God. 17:48 So, first of all what are establishing God has a code. 17:51 Why does He have the code? 17:52 Why does He require us to follow certain things? 17:56 Let's put it that way. 17:59 Number one, because He is a creator isn't He? 18:01 He made all of these things. 18:03 It's very interesting even in this world 18:05 someone will say, say a business. 18:09 The president or they have started this business up 18:12 and sometime you know they'll say dear sir, 18:14 I have started this business. 18:16 You will be careful this business is mine 18:19 and I want you to do what I ask you to do. 18:23 Do they have that right? 18:24 Well, they're the owner of it, they started even in this life 18:27 and they require that of you. 18:28 So you don't say, well, that's too bad 18:29 I'm not going to do it. 18:30 You know what you don't have the job. 18:33 Interesting so we're establishing 18:35 who He is-- He is king, 18:38 He sits on the throne in the heavens 18:40 and then as we read Jeremiah 10, 18:43 once again but verses 10 through 12 18:46 it says this "But the Lord is the true God" 18:49 not a false God's in the world. 18:50 "He is a true God, 18:52 he is the living God, the everlasting God." 18:56 And then once again it says, 18:57 "He made he created what this earth by his power, 19:01 he has established the world by his wisdom, 19:04 he stretched out the heavens by his discretion." 19:08 He stretched them out, He created, 19:11 He's in charge, He is the ruler. 19:13 None can stand against him. 19:16 I hope you're getting to see what we are getting at here 19:19 as we begin to establish 19:21 and trace the God of the universe 19:25 and the authority that He has. 19:28 One author I was reading made this statement 19:32 and it's like this because there's lot of people 19:34 who look at nature 19:36 and they say that nature is God. 19:39 Oh, nature is a wonderful thing we talked about this morning 19:42 as coming in here and having prayer 19:44 and starting the program is how beautiful day, 19:48 blue skies, cool temperature, 19:50 you know grass, green tress of flowers. 19:52 Just beautiful things of nature but you know that's beautiful 19:55 but notice the statement says, 19:57 the thing "The thing made is not the man. 20:03 It is not the work, but the workman, 20:06 that is counted worthy of honor." 20:10 Did you get that? 20:11 The thing made is not the man, 20:14 it is not the work but the workmen 20:16 that is counted worthy of honor. 20:19 So, while nature is an expression of God's thought. 20:23 It is not what? 20:26 "Though it is not nature but the God of nature 20:29 that is to be exalted." 20:31 What's the bottom line, it's not nature to be exalted 20:33 but it's the God of nature because He is what? 20:36 The Creator of all these things. 20:39 And then as I think about that and contemplate it 20:42 I read in the Psalm 103:19 it becomes very clear, 20:47 "The Lord has prepared his throne in the heavens 20:51 and his kingdom ruleth over all." 20:55 See there can be no question if we are Bible believers. 20:59 If we believe in the God of the universe 21:02 that He had prepared His throne in the heaven. 21:04 No, one prepared that throne for Him. 21:07 There was no one before Him. 21:09 He is first and last and best isn't He? 21:12 He prepared His own throne and He sits and He rules 21:15 and Bible says, over all. 21:18 So, therefore we're establishing 21:20 then that there are someone who is in control. 21:22 Someone has that authority 21:26 to give us certain things in this life 21:29 that will help us to get along with each other 21:31 and make sure that we correspond 21:33 correctly with heaven. 21:35 In the Book of Psalms there a wonderful 21:37 that continues in Psalms 119:89. 21:41 Again, establishing God it says, 21:44 "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." 21:50 For ever, thy word is settled in heaven. 21:52 What does that mean forever? 21:54 Does that mean that He is not changeable? 21:56 That does mean he is a same yesterday, today and forever? 22:00 Does that mean that God's-- 22:02 God's word is settled for all times 22:05 and again unchangeable as God's character 22:07 that He's consistent, that He is immovable. 22:12 See, that helps me to realize 22:14 that God is faithful in dealing with me a sinner. 22:20 I need to know that. Listen to Him please. 22:23 Listen to the word. 22:26 You may think that God's not faithful 22:28 but I tell you based on the Word of God today 22:30 that God's character that He is faithful in dealing with you. 22:34 And so everything that He might require of you 22:38 is for your-- for your good because He loves you, 22:42 because He wants to spend eternity with you. 22:45 What a wonderful God that we serve unchangeable. 22:51 In fact, as we read Isaiah 9:6 22:55 you realize that God shares His rulership with Christ. 23:01 Interesting we are talking about God then we say 23:05 talking about Christ sharing rulership here. 23:08 Because Isaiah 9:6 says, 23:10 "the government shall be upon" who? 23:12 "Upon his shoulders." Please think about that. 23:16 Who was it talking about here? Talking about Jesus. 23:19 It said "the government in charge of this earth" what, 23:23 the government shall be upon His shoulders. 23:27 You know, I read that beautiful book 23:29 Desire of Ages, 56 23:32 it made this comment just a small 23:34 but please listen to it. 23:37 Talking about Jesus it said, 23:39 "He desires me and to behold Him." 23:42 Isn't that beautiful through out this book? 23:46 This blessed precious book that many of you are neglecting 23:49 bless your hearts because you are just too busy. 23:52 Oh, cutting the lawn you're too busy, 23:54 punning the trees, 23:56 you know, what I'm talking about here. 23:58 Things that may be need to be done 24:00 but they're not, they're not the priority. 24:03 God is speaking to us today He desires us to behold Him. 24:09 Songs that has been written about beholding Christ 24:13 as we be behold Him it's like -- we become changed. 24:17 And so He says, "I want you to behold me 24:19 but not merley as the deliverer of Israel," 24:24 but notice this. 24:26 "But as the redeemer of the world." 24:30 We have a redeemer He has redeem Jew. 24:34 What does that put Him in your life? 24:36 He has redeemed you from the curse 24:38 as we are the law, death. 24:41 He is your redeemer does He have a right 24:43 to ask anything in return? 24:47 Many of us are not willing to give anything in return. 24:52 He has offered us eternal life we're too busy 24:55 we have too many things to do, 24:57 too many important things we say. 24:59 There's nothing more important today than God. 25:01 Put Him first, we have been talking about that 25:05 put God first and others second and yourself last. 25:07 You know how that goes. 25:10 It's interesting He wants us to 25:11 and understand He's our redeemer. 25:13 He wants us to behold the Cross of Calvary 25:16 and the Bible says He is going to come again. 25:18 Now, remember we are looking at establishing 25:21 why He has a right, what He says 25:25 and the power that goes along and tense what His words say. 25:30 And then we are required to do something 25:33 rather than say I'm not interested. 25:36 He has a right. 25:40 Remember if you work at one place 25:42 and somebody who works in another place 25:44 try's to tell you what to do 25:45 they really don't have a right do they? 25:47 Other people say they don't sign my pay check. 25:50 But the man who signs your pay check 25:51 when you're working for Him, 25:52 He has a right to require certain things don't He. 25:55 So let's establish that 25:56 and we will talk more about it as we go. 25:58 But my Lord and Savior says, 25:59 when He comes again Revelation 19:16 said 26:05 "he's coming as king of kings and Lord of Lords." 26:08 So, He is still in control, 26:10 still Creator of heaven and earth. 26:11 All right He has created us. He made us in His own image. 26:15 He has a government right on His shoulders 26:17 the whole world and so those things 26:19 that are set into motion and God set them into motion. 26:23 Early Writings page 179, 26:27 this was at His crucifixion as we just read when He comes 26:29 He's going to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 26:32 If you just think with me for a moment 26:35 let your mind go back those of you 26:36 have not being laying dust settle on this book 26:39 and you have been reading it and we-- 26:40 we go back to Calvary. 26:42 We go back to the crucifixion. 26:45 The time of the crucifixion 26:47 how humiliating that must have been. 26:49 How sad that must have been 26:52 because those who were surrounding Jesus 26:55 may I say this, they were murders. 26:59 They were murders. 27:00 Listen to this article Early Writings 179 it said, 27:03 "His murderers were greatly annoyed by the superscription" 27:09 even His murderers were angry because that superscription 27:12 there above His name said King of the Jews. 27:16 Interesting, but now see they didn't like that 27:22 but you know when He comes again 27:23 they're going to be obligated to see Him 27:26 in all of His kingly power. 27:28 They will see Him come 27:31 not as one hanging upon the cross 27:34 and at that time they'll bear -- 27:37 ask for no evidence, 27:39 no evidence of all of His kingly 27:41 are being king of Israel. 27:44 Interesting, no, no evidence they were asking for evidence. 27:50 They didn't like the sign that was king of the Jews. 27:56 But when He comes they're not going to demand any evidence 28:01 they're going to be overwhelmed with the sense of His majesty 28:05 and exceeding glory 28:07 and they're going to be compelled to say this, 28:09 "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." 28:14 Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 28:18 You find that in Psalms 118:26. 28:22 So, with all of this sin 28:25 much more to go God is in control. 28:29 Who you might think that you're. 28:32 I heard people say well, I come and I go, 28:33 as I want I do as I please 28:36 don't have to give an answer to anybody. 28:38 You know don't be so sure of that, 28:39 the Bible says, you'll. 28:42 You may think for a season 28:43 that you're getting away with it but you're not. 28:46 There's a king, there a God. 28:49 God is in control and may I say that God makes the rules. 28:56 God has a code so what is God's code? 29:02 Could we simply say God code then 29:05 is simply a set of principles? 29:07 It's a body of laws 29:11 and its rules for living in this world 29:15 and in preparation for the next world. 29:19 Does He ever write to that for that think about it? 29:23 You realize there could be no orderly government 29:26 without laws are you still with me? 29:29 There could be no orderly government without law, 29:32 there can be no peace, there can be no happiness 29:35 unless society accepts these laws. 29:39 See laws can be passed for peace 29:40 and you know prosperity and everything going good 29:42 but if man doesn't aspect those things what do we have? 29:44 We have chaos just like we have in this world today. 29:49 Men are not abiding by those laws 29:52 those who are even in the government today. 29:56 We need to thank God now, bring this up for the laws 30:00 the civil laws that we have. 30:01 Those are in authority we can talk about 30:02 that the local and the state and government 30:05 even though sometime our ears tingle just a little bit 30:08 we need to praise God, they are there for a purpose. 30:12 What would this world be like today without those 30:14 who were your law enforcement officers? 30:17 Those are even though we see a lot of things 30:19 we don't agree so anybody just jump up in the air. 30:21 You know, what I'm talking about. 30:23 What a mess it would be. 30:27 In fact, it's very interesting 30:29 Jesus told His followers to obey 30:34 those who were in charge. 30:35 "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's." 30:38 In fact, at one time He told the disciples 30:41 He said to they should discharge every obligation 30:45 even if it were beyond the law of the land 30:49 and what the government require. 30:51 He said go beyond that you remember that 30:53 as for you're shirt you will give him your cloth and so on. 30:57 Interesting, go beyond that where we can. 31:02 Now, notice 1 Timothy 2:1- 3 then we will get-- 31:06 we are looking at the codes God has His requirements 31:09 that He has what Jesus taught. 31:13 1 Timothy 2:1-3 tells us, 31:15 "We should give thanks, thanks for all men. 31:19 For Kings, and for all that are in authority, 31:24 that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life 31:27 in all godliness and honesty. 31:30 For this is good and acceptable 31:34 in the sight of God our Savior." 31:37 For peace prosperity even in this world 31:42 what would we do today with out rules and regulations? 31:47 Do you realize people 31:49 cannot even conduct a business without rules? 31:55 And I'm sure, and I'm sure you have seen this, 31:57 I have seen a lot of times 31:58 you know what I'm thankful for this sign 32:02 that out posted sometime in front of some stores. 32:05 They'll so no shirt, no shoes, no service. 32:11 What gives them the right to say that? 32:15 Do they own the business? Sure. 32:18 They pay the bills? Yeah. 32:20 I'm grateful for that too because sometimes it's well, 32:23 I'll leave it there. 32:27 Now, wait, wait you know think about these rules. 32:29 There are many rules and regulations and laws 32:33 that are not always bad. 32:36 They're for the good of the people. 32:40 Let me give you an example. 32:43 We're talking about rule but regulations 32:46 what if we didn't have some kind of regulation set up 32:50 to measure things. 32:54 You guys are-- oh, bit careful here 32:56 how many cheeks there are in the world? 33:00 There has to be a system set up so that we can measure things. 33:07 Give you an example, here such as gallons. 33:09 You know every time I go get gas 33:11 I can't help because it's like gold. 33:14 That it's so high priced 33:16 I kind of look at the seal just placed over. 33:18 You see somebody is been checking 33:20 if they don't take a drop of my gas that I'm paying for 33:23 and when I get done putting the gas 33:24 and I kind of get the hose-- 33:26 some of you are not going to get it. 33:27 Kind of rise it up a little bit because I want every drop. 33:32 And every drop should measure out exactly 33:34 what the law has said and come to what a gallon is. 33:38 Anything less so you see some rules 33:41 and regulations are good in laws. 33:43 Make sure we get a gallon 33:45 because that's what we paid for it isn't it? 33:49 Same thing with quart, when I want a quart of peaches, 33:51 I want the full quart. 33:54 Somebody taken one my peaches out there, 33:56 well, somebody cutting it down. 33:57 You see what I mean there's rules and regulations 34:00 and not all of them are bad. 34:02 They are for our own good and God has some codes 34:04 there for our own good if we would just listen 34:07 it keeps-- the honest man honest. 34:10 Oh, I think you know what I'm talking about. 34:12 These things in the world 34:14 I used them for many, many years 34:15 and we will continue to a measuring tape. 34:19 Sometime, I have looked at a board 34:20 looks like about 10 feet and it's actually 12 34:22 and you know what the man is going to sell me 10 foot 34:24 and he is gonna charge me for 12? 34:25 No I get my tape and I, I tape it. 34:28 Oh, its 12 feet. 34:31 So these things are good. 34:34 How about weight? 34:38 I kind of find this difficult at times 34:40 somebody stays with me here you go to some of these places 34:43 and you say I want it, oh, boy, a ton of rock. 34:47 He go get's his little tractor 34:49 and he puts a little bit in the scoop and he dumps them. 34:51 Now, he didn't get on any scale at all. 34:52 He said, that's about a ton. 34:56 May be it is. May be it isn't. 35:00 Interesting that we trust I have never challenged 35:04 I see them do it all the time, but you see there's laws, 35:08 there's rules we had those things 35:10 we measure with determine how much rock makes a ton. 35:16 We don't complain about that, 35:17 we want that the laws to go into effect 35:20 we want to say I want a ton 35:22 not one rock more not one rock less. 35:25 Some one follow me, 35:28 so we don't have a problem with those things 35:31 and how about any kind of a game. 35:36 You cannot play one game with out rules. 35:42 You just can't do it. 35:44 The first thing you do when you sat down 35:46 you'll say well I have never -- I don't understand 35:48 I have never played this before and somebody in authority 35:51 somebody just played it said, here's what we do. 35:54 You do this, this, this 35:55 and if you don't do that you can't play. 35:59 They call you a cheat God has some rules too 36:03 and you know if we don't abide by those we are cheat. 36:06 And we can't play that game, 36:08 we can't be involved because we won't follow. 36:12 No one wants to play a game with a cheat 36:17 and so we-- no game here-- marriage has a lots 36:22 and lots of rules and regulations as it were. 36:27 Certain rules you must follow if we are to keep our job. 36:33 I have mentioned before there are certain ways 36:36 you dress when you to places, 36:38 this is the costume this is what they wear 36:40 if you don't wear you don't have a job. 36:45 I like one sign that I see many times in the rest room 36:48 talks about employees it says, 36:50 simply wash your hands before you return. 36:55 That's a rule. 36:58 They have it posted don't they? Why? 37:01 It's for the good of everyone involved. 37:04 Its good for all of us to do that 37:06 but you follow my thinking here 37:07 as we are looking at some not all rules and regulation 37:09 laws are bad before the good of mankind. 37:14 Good rules and laws 37:16 are the very foundation of human society. 37:20 We have to have them 37:23 if we are going to live in peace and harmony. 37:28 See, each man just cannot do exactly what he wants to do 37:33 when he wants to do it and there will be harmony. 37:36 What if I wake up in the morning and I decide, 37:39 well, I get my vehicle 37:42 that I'm gonna drive in the left way. 37:46 Is that going go over very well? 37:48 Well that may be the last time I have drive vehicle. 37:51 See what if some-- what if I decided 37:53 when I pulled up at the stop sign 37:54 that I'm not going to abide by that 37:56 I'm just going right on through. 37:58 It may cost you a vehicle, it may cost you alive, 38:00 and you may kill somebody. 38:01 I'm just saying you that we have to look at these 38:05 we can't do just what we choose to do without respect to law. 38:10 We have to keep that in our mind. 38:13 Interesting we start with rules 38:15 early in the home with the child. 38:17 You start with rules when they begin to go to school 38:20 the playground has rules. 38:23 Interesting. 38:25 The government has rules, the church has rule. 38:28 I know what you think badly about that 38:30 but you know that they do the home has rules. 38:35 We shouldn't fight all of those saying 38:37 because they are for our what? 38:38 Good. For our own good, praise God. 38:42 Now, what if? You say, what if? 38:44 What if human beings or some rulers pass laws. 38:49 Remember if the human being we talk about God is fairy, 38:52 just and good we'll read more about that but now, 38:54 human beings pass certain laws it may not be so good. 38:58 In fact, lot of the laws that are passed 39:00 we say are unfair. 39:04 In every, oh, I like to say this 39:05 but you know I'm just going to do it any way. 39:08 When it comes time to paying taxes 39:10 I look at it the income tax, 39:12 you know, the local tax you talk about the state tax 39:14 and the federal tax and oh, even the death tax. 39:21 And look they say this it's not fair misusing. 39:25 So what's my point man passes rules and regulations 39:29 they have some laws on there they-- they may be unfair, 39:33 they may be even cruel to some people 39:36 and they may be oppressive to other folks. 39:40 But God's not that way. 39:42 You can count on it because in God's government 39:46 He issues the laws. 39:49 Oh, I read that in Isaiah 33:22 it says, 39:55 "For the Lord is our judge" notice this 39:59 and "the Lord is our lawgiver." 40:02 So I can be sure its not man 40:04 that's passing these things down to me 40:06 it's for my own good. 40:07 But he is the law giver that gives me encouragement 40:10 because I know He cares me, I know He loves me. 40:12 I know Christ came and died for me. 40:17 And I know this that God's laws 40:19 are a reflection of His character. 40:23 So we can be sure of that, we can be sure of this 40:26 because Psalms 89:14 says that 40:31 "His righteous and His justice 40:33 are the foundation of His throne." 40:35 Righteousness and justice is a foundation of what? 40:39 Of His throne. Could it be? 40:42 Could it be anything else 40:44 if it is the Bible has not told the truth? 40:47 My Bible says, that His-- He's just, He is righteous, 40:53 this is the foundation, this is what He builds off of. 40:58 So I can be sure that, you know, what 41:00 working along with God is the right thing to do. 41:02 I can-- I can listen to Him 41:04 because I know He knows what's best. 41:06 I know He has my best interest at heart. 41:10 See, God's moral code which is simply what 41:14 surely the Ten Commandments 41:16 the Bible says, because all we don't want. 41:18 Romans 7:12-14 the Bible says, 41:22 that God's code, God's laws they are holy, they are just, 41:28 and they are good, and they're spiritual. 41:32 Wow, that's heavy and people say, 41:35 well, I read that they are spiritual 41:36 but now, we are going to throw them out 41:37 the devil would have you to throw them out. 41:39 Remember what God has written for us is for our what? 41:42 Again our own good. 41:44 The Bible says, they're holy 41:45 and they're just and they're spiritual. 41:47 What a blessing? 41:50 You mean, all of His commandments, all ten? 41:53 Oh, absolutely, all His commandments are sure. 41:56 The Bible said they stand fast forever 41:58 and ever have you read that in Psalms 111:7, 8? 42:04 I stand fast for ever and moreover his rules listen, 42:08 His rules are unchangeable 42:11 because it is in harmony with His unchangeable nature. 42:17 Malachi says 3:6, 42:19 "For I'm the Lord and I change not." 42:23 It's in harmony with His character, 42:25 it's His foundation 42:27 so they all must be good so, who of us had the audacity say 42:30 well, this one here is and this one is not. 42:32 Does He have a right? 42:33 Oh, absolutely He has a right we are establishing that 42:36 before we begin to trace it or some people say well 42:39 there was no law, well, there is law, there's no sin. 42:42 It's gonna be issues and we're going to look at carefully. 42:45 We need to look at through the eyes 42:47 of the Holy Spirit do the Word of God. 42:51 Luke 16:17, 42:55 I think this was mentioned here in our opening that 42:57 "Its easier for heaven and earth to pass" 43:00 we talked about "one jot or twiddle from the law to fail." 43:04 So, heaven and earth can pass away 43:05 and it's mentioned its not so they still must be minding 43:10 because they're good. 43:11 Because God can't do anything that's bad 43:13 and everything he does is for our own good 43:14 so, we need to look at it here. See God calls us today. 43:21 He calls his people today to listen to these words. 43:24 Please listen carefully Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 43:30 please listen. 43:32 Jesus-- Jesus says and God said, I call, 43:35 " I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, 43:40 that I have set before you life and death, blessings" 43:45 come on good some of you are like cursing. 43:49 Now, notice this word, "therefore choose life." 43:53 God of the universe says today, 43:55 I set before you a blessing and cursing 43:57 and you choose life. 44:00 Notice this and He says, "If you do 44:02 that both thou and they seed may live." 44:06 He is offering what eternal life, 44:08 right to those who will be obedient to Him 44:10 and He says this, 44:11 "that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, 44:15 and that thou mayest obey his voice." 44:21 So, obedience plays a part then, doesn't it? 44:24 Recognizing who He is, recognizing His foundation, 44:30 recognizing Him as redeemer or sustainer or creator, 44:35 a government He is in control of 44:39 and then He says I'm the same yesterday today and forever. 44:42 And I said these things before you today 44:45 listen, to be obedient and live. 44:49 What a wonderful-- 44:50 wonderful thought that is and live not die. 44:55 So as we decipher God's code it would be well for us 45:00 to do a little tracing of its beginning. 45:04 So listen to the question, 45:06 did God-- did God have some kind of a moral code, 45:12 rules, laws before Mount Sinai? 45:16 This is important for us to trace 45:18 did he have those before Mount Sinai? 45:20 Many people say oh, no that's when the law was given 45:22 that's when-- listen what the Bible has to say 45:27 how can God set up a government with out any kind of rules? 45:30 How can we set up any kind of business here 45:32 in this life without some rules? 45:36 And then we're willing to follow those 45:37 in order to be successful. 45:42 Bible makes us very clear 45:44 and I may be-- jot these things down 45:45 as we go there simple to many of you 45:47 but you know what they'll be new to many. 45:50 And the Holy Spirit the living God 45:52 wants to reach you 45:54 who have not been listening and not been responding 45:56 because somebody has been telling you something 45:59 different than what the Word of God says. 46:02 Bible is very clear in Romans 4:15 46:05 remember this, "Where no law is" what? 46:09 "There is no transgression." Did you get it? 46:12 Keep this in mind as we go through 46:14 "Where there is no law, there is no transgression." 46:21 Interesting, some of you say, I still don't get it. 46:26 Well, let's do the sample right, 46:28 we talked about this many times before. 46:30 If there is no law out here on the highway 46:33 for the speed limit 46:34 you can go any speed you want, can't you? 46:36 Sure, you can. 46:38 Some of you who are oh, bless your heart 46:39 fisherman and hunters and so on so forth 46:41 when they say there is a limit they mean there is a limit. 46:44 When there is no limit, 46:46 catch as many or whatever that you want to. 46:49 So, where there is no law then there is no sin. 46:53 So did the law really God's code exists 46:55 before Mount Sinai here we're going to see. 46:57 Bible says, in Romans 5:13 47:00 "For until the law sin was in the world." 47:04 What was it? 47:06 Before the law was given on Mount Sinai 47:09 there was sin in the world, wow. 47:12 Well, then something must have existed before that law 47:15 man must have known something 47:17 because where there is no law, there is no sin. 47:20 So something the Bible says here, but then it said 47:23 "sin is not imputed when there is no law." 47:28 So interesting I want you think about this do you mean, 47:33 do you mean that all the people 47:35 all that took place before Sinai 47:38 people were not accountable for their sins? 47:41 You mean people were not accountable until the law came? 47:46 Think about it for sin is not imputed 47:49 when there is no law. 47:51 So evidently there must have been 47:53 because sin was imputed 47:54 and we will discuss that from the word of God so, 47:57 before the Ten Commandment law written on tablets of stone. 48:02 You see for the law was given at Sinai 48:05 proving that the law God's code existed before. 48:09 We're gonna prove that, God's code, 48:10 His laws existed before written on tablets of stone. 48:17 Because people use this, this is important yes, it is 48:19 because people use this as the excuse. 48:21 We need not make excuses we just need to be teachable 48:24 and learners in the school of Christ 48:26 and right given in to His word. 48:28 Let's start with Adam quickly shall we? 48:31 We can be sure that 48:33 Adam knew the principles of God's law, why? 48:37 First of all we say because 1 John 3:4, 48:40 sin is the transgression of what? 48:43 "Sin is the transgression of God's law." 48:46 And certainly is mentioned in Roman 4:15 48:48 we mention where no law is there is no transgression. 48:52 So if there was no law, 48:54 no principles in the garden then 48:57 how could Adam have sinned? 48:59 Think about if he did know any better, 49:01 he is not accountable think. 49:04 We know that Adam sinned. 49:09 What is sin? Transgression of God's law. 49:11 The true law wasn't written from the mount yet, 49:13 it wasn't given on tables of stone 49:15 but the Bible said that Adam sinned. 49:18 Romans 5:12 49:20 "Wherefore, as by one man" who was that Adam. 49:25 "Sin entered into the world" 49:27 and notice this when sin entered in it says, 49:29 "And death by sin and so death 49:32 passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." 49:39 If he didn't have the principles 49:40 of right and wrong a moral code. 49:44 God's government in operation how could it be called sin? 49:48 Why would he be kicked out of the garden? 49:52 See once again the Bible is very clear 49:54 the wages of sin is good, death Romans 6:23 50:00 and sin was charged against men. 50:03 The Bible, listen, in Romans 5:14 the Bible says, 50:06 "Sin was charged against men from Adam to Moses 50:10 and so on and so forth." 50:12 Death reigned so, if death reigned 50:15 there must have been some principle 50:16 there must be a law in effect or they would be no death. 50:21 They wouldn't have known right and wrong. 50:23 Won't that makes sense to you? Trace it on down. 50:27 What does all of this mean once again? 50:31 Man, starting with Adam knew God's laws, 50:36 His principles, codes. 50:39 Even though they had not been written on stone, 50:42 God had put them verbally in with Adam. 50:46 If you trace it down you'll find that Adam 50:48 and then you know, 50:49 Methuselah and so on so forth their lives over had 960 50:53 so whatever and Methuselah the oldest you know. 50:55 They over lapped several hundred years 50:57 and so on so forth so, it kept going down 51:00 there is repeated by the righteous. 51:01 They understood right and wrong will prove that as we go along. 51:05 They understood remember, it is the law of God 51:09 that shows the difference between right and wrong. 51:12 Does that make senses? 51:13 The law of God points out what sin is. 51:18 We would not know right and wrong 51:21 if we didn't have God's moral law, His code. 51:26 The devil doesn't want you to believe that 51:28 but he is a liar. 51:30 Pay no attention to him. 51:33 God says, I want you to know right and wrong 51:35 and then you choose, you, make a decision. 51:39 Let's give a kind of a quick example 51:43 of what we are talking about here to show that sin. 51:46 Adam, you remember the beginning example, 51:48 Adam's son Cain sinned. 51:53 How could Cain sin when there was no 51:57 Ten Commandment law written on tables of stone? 52:00 That's what the Bible says, 52:02 so there must be something to this here. 52:05 Read that in Genesis 4:6, 7 and notice this, remember 52:11 where there was no law the sin cannot be imputed 52:14 but notice this Cain's was imputed 52:19 or put against his charge. 52:21 So there must have been some law involved here. 52:25 What was put to his account was murder. 52:28 How did he know he should murder? 52:31 Ten Commandments weren't written yet. 52:32 But notice Genesis 4:7-11 52:36 this was God simply speaking to Cain after the murder. 52:41 "If thou doesn't well, shall thou not be accepted?" 52:48 If you're doing well God said I'm going to accept you. 52:50 He is saying that to you today, He is saying that to me today. 52:52 If you do well, you follow His instructions 52:56 it's going to be well. 52:58 "And if thou doesn't not well," notice what God said, 53:04 He said "sin lieth at the door." 53:07 Well, how did they know what sin? 53:10 There was no Ten Commandment law at that time. 53:12 You follow my thinking here there was law 53:15 and it was imputed. 53:16 They were charged with it 53:17 because they knew right from wrong. 53:20 Interesting, and He God said, now when God speak 53:25 we need to listen my brothers and sisters, listen, 53:27 "What has thou done? 53:30 The voice of thy brother's blood 53:32 crieth unto me from the ground." 53:35 Now, notice this, And He says to Cain 53:38 "And now art thou cursed from the earth." 53:44 You know in Revelation Chapter 22 53:46 in the last chapter verse 3 it says, 53:48 "There shall be no more curse." 53:53 Praise God. 53:55 Some how, right some how there Adam's son Cain was a murdered 53:59 and they knew it was murder and it was wrong 54:01 and God said to him, "Sin lieth at the door." 54:05 So they had to know what is right. 54:07 They had to know right and wrong. 54:09 They were held accountable and was charged to them. 54:13 After all you know there was a big difference 54:15 as we close here of this first part, 54:17 we are gonna get in deep as we go. 54:20 There was a big difference between the two brothers. 54:23 In the New Testament 1 John 3:12 said, 54:27 "Because his" or Cain's "works were evil 54:31 and his brother's righteous." 54:35 Interesting how would you know 54:36 that one was evil way back then before the law 54:38 and one was righteous if there was no law, 54:41 if there was no more code? 54:43 Oh, friends, you know that there was, 54:45 we got many, many more examples 54:46 as we go along in our study. 54:48 So I encourage you be sure you tune in 54:50 you know every time the program is on 54:52 get your pencil and paper. 54:53 We're gonna have prayer right now. 54:55 Got some of the things I believe that 54:56 we talked about today as simple as that may be to some of you 54:59 is very may be confusing to some, complex 55:02 and all of a sudden they are sorting it out 55:03 by the grace of God and we need to pray 55:05 that the Holy Spirit will not keep-- you know 55:07 the Holy Spirit will illuminate these beautiful truths 55:10 that we may step out and follow God all the way. 55:13 He's creator, He is redeemer, He is a sustainer. 55:15 He has a right, it's His government 55:17 He makes the rules and by God's grace we accept. 55:19 And let's pray, shall we? 55:20 Father in heaven, we thank You for Your precious word today. 55:23 We pray now for each and every one of Your followers 55:26 as they heard these words 55:27 that they'll only hear what they need to hear. 55:28 Conviction will come from the power of the Holy Spirit 55:31 and will give them the victory that 55:32 they-- that they need today. 55:34 May we follow Jesus His example in all things 55:36 and I thank You for hearing 55:37 and answering in Jesus name, amen. 55:42 Remember jot down the time that Behold the Lamb is on 55:45 again we should appreciate that 55:46 your phone calls and your letters 55:48 and your cards and your support 55:50 we needed to continue on can't say any more than that. 55:53 I think you understand what I'm talking about 55:55 and so would you pray and would you pray. 55:57 We'll be praying for you, you pray for us 55:58 and we'll see you, bless your heart next time. 56:03 Hello and welcome back. 56:05 You know it's so unbelievable how something so important 56:09 that God choose to write it out for us 56:12 with His very own finger and it has become the object 56:16 of so much confusion in the Christian world. 56:19 Many Christians have long claimed 56:21 that the Ten Commandments were done away with. 56:23 That they were nailed to the cross 56:25 and literally millions have claimed 56:27 that they have been changed in some form or passion 56:31 even though it is recorded that Christ himself said, 56:34 "Not one jot or tittle shall in no wise 56:38 pass away from the law, until all be fulfilled." 56:41 Read it for yourself 56:43 this verses is found in Matthew 5:18 56:46 and as far as I can tell, we are all still here 56:48 we are still living on this earth 56:51 Christ has it returned for the second time 56:53 not just yet and all has not been fulfilled. 56:57 We need to study to show ourselves 56:59 approved on this subject. 57:01 So I know that you're going to want to join us 57:03 for the second part of this series 57:06 and we hope that you'll also desire to contact us 57:09 and order this two part set 57:12 for your very own study library. 57:14 It is a blessing for both us and you, we need you. 57:19 The set is being offered 57:20 for a love gift of just $15 or more. 57:23 So all you have to do is contact us here 57:26 at Behold the Lamb Ministries, in the United States 57:29 at 618-942-5044 that's Central Standard Time 57:36 or you may write to Behold the Lamb Ministries 57:39 at PO Box 2030, Herrin, Illinois 62948. 57:44 You may email us 57:46 at BeholdtheLambMinistries @yahoo.com 57:49 or visit our website at 57:51 www.Behold theLambMinistries.com. 57:56 Dear friends, until next time may our precious Lord continue 58:00 to richly bless you and yours. |
Revised 2014-12-17