Participants:
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000082A
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00:41 Hello, and welcome to Behold the Lamb presents.
00:43 I'm Chris Shelton, your host. 00:45 And I'm so thankful that you have chosen to join us 00:48 for what I believe will be a very informative 00:51 hour of study today. 00:53 You know when I was growing up, I can recall hearing others say 00:56 that if you wish to keep peace 00:58 between your family and friends, 01:00 never talk about religion or politics. 01:03 This saying certainly does hold true, 01:06 either of these two subjects can become 01:09 a real point of contention in most circles, 01:12 but hopefully not for many Christians, 01:15 and because of the importance of these two topics, 01:18 today we're beginning a two part series 01:21 that is entitled, Religion and Politics. 01:24 Now hold on, wait a minute, please resist the temptation 01:29 to turn off your TV or your radio 01:31 or to change that channel. 01:33 Just ask yourself this question. 01:35 If God does have something to say 01:38 about the coexistence of religion and politics, 01:41 shouldn't we want to know His thoughts? 01:44 Aren't His thoughts to be our thoughts 01:46 as a child of the King? 01:48 And beside, if it wasn't of importance 01:52 for our relationship with Him, 01:53 most likely He wouldn't have bothered 01:56 to mention anything about it 01:58 or the combination of the two in scripture 02:01 or in a Spirit of Prophecy, 02:03 so I hope that you would be brave enough to stay tune 02:06 as we begin part one of Religion and Politics. 02:10 But first, we're so blessed 02:12 and so thankful to visit the 3ABN Worship Center 02:15 and have our hearts lifted towards heaven 02:18 as we listen to a song that is entitled 02:21 "Oh, Let Me Walk With The Thee" 02:23 as sung by Christian Berdahl. 02:33 O let me walk with Thee, my God 02:40 As Enoch walked in days of old 02:47 Place Thou my trembling hand in Thine 02:54 And sweet communion with me hold 03:01 E'en though the path I may not see 03:08 Yet, Jesus, let me walk with Thee 03:23 I cannot, dare not, walk alone 03:30 The tempest rages in the sky 03:38 A thousand snares beset my feet 03:45 A thousand foes are lurking nigh 03:51 Still Thou the raging of the sea 03:58 O Master! let me walk with Thee 04:14 If I may rest my hand in Thine 04:22 I'll count the joys of earth 04:28 But loss And firmly 04:32 bravely journey on 04:38 I'll bear the banner of the cross 04:45 Till Zion's glorious gates I see 04:53 Yet, Savior, let me walk with Thee 05:01 Till Zion's glorious gates 05:09 I see Yet, Savior 05:14 let me walk with Thee 05:34 Thanks for joining us here once again Behold the Lamb. 05:37 As you heard in the introduction, 05:39 we're going to be talking about religion and politics. 05:42 Wow, how many times this upsets a lot of people. 05:47 And after all as a Christian we've been taught 05:51 and we realize in Bible prophecy, 05:53 that we need, there needs to be a separation 05:55 between church and state. 05:58 So how does God look at? 06:00 How does heaven view when we get involved 06:03 with the religion and politics? 06:05 You know, I've often sat around 06:07 and listen to people talk about politics 06:10 and most generally they never really stay real calm, 06:14 they get kind of excited. 06:17 Their mom and dad was a Republican, 06:18 or their mom or dad was a Democrat, 06:20 whatever it might be. 06:21 And somehow they feel that 06:23 they are regardless of what the party stands 06:25 for or what it does. 06:26 This is in our blood, this is what we are. 06:29 And we take a real decided stand. 06:32 You know is that really healthy 06:34 as the Christian, as a Bible believer? 06:36 Is it really scriptural? 06:38 Should we really just really be involved in 06:41 who is elected office or who is not? 06:43 Or offer some just wonderful arguments 06:46 as it were about the Christian world, 06:49 how we need to be involved to make sure that 06:52 we have the right people in the right place, 06:53 and so the right laws are passed. 06:55 Is that really what scripture teaches? 06:58 Is that really what Jesus taught? 07:00 I think this is very appropriate 07:01 because somewhere, somehow round the world, 07:03 even in this country, there is an election. 07:06 Even in a presidential election, 07:08 whatever it might be that there are people who, 07:11 they're adamant about getting involved, 07:13 they're adamant about getting to the polling place 07:15 and we have to vote and offer to say, 07:17 if you don't vote and this country falls apart, 07:19 you are to blame. 07:20 And you know they just can't really say it normal, 07:22 they just have to really all of the sudden, 07:24 it's like the blood pressure goes up 07:26 and people just kind of, want to be combat even. 07:29 Is this really healthy? 07:30 We're going to look to see what the word of God says, 07:31 but first we're going to pray about. 07:33 I want to give you food for thought, 07:34 I'm going to kneel and have prayer, 07:36 and I want you to pray too. 07:37 You may think this is not important, but it is. 07:40 It plays a very, very important part 07:42 in Bible prophecy about God's last day people, 07:46 His church, and how they're going to be involved, 07:48 and what they're going to be doing 07:49 and can we be involved in everything that's going on. 07:52 Let's just see what the word of God has to say, 07:53 but let's pray first. 07:54 Pray with me, will you? 07:57 Loving Father in heaven, 07:58 again we thank You for the privilege of prayer, 08:00 we thank You that we may invite the Holy Spirit 08:03 to consume our hearts, our thoughts, our minds. 08:05 May we view this subject the way heaven views it. 08:10 Not the way we were raised, 08:11 not the way we were seeds 08:13 that were planted in our minds and our hearts 08:15 and then we have to be this side or that side, 08:18 but which side are we really are? 08:20 So I pray that through the instruction 08:22 and the power of thy spirit our minds will be emptied 08:24 and just lay things aside right now, 08:27 just listen to what you have to say to us 08:29 that we may be on the right path 08:31 because this too is the subject 08:32 maybe you think it's not important 08:34 but there is a truth and there is a lie 08:37 from the enemy, a deception. 08:39 So may we, as we approach Your throne, 08:41 as we invite Your Spirit, 08:43 we pray that we will find out 08:44 what truth is in Jesus' name, amen. 08:49 Again, it's important that we have pencil and paper 08:51 and so on and so forth and write some things down. 08:54 Had a tendency sometime to go rather quickly. 08:57 And I do want to encourage, you know, 08:58 we're so thankful for the cards and the letters 09:00 and support that you send to Behold the Lamb. 09:02 We're so grateful and thankful. 09:04 We love to hear from you. 09:05 You know, lot of you view same things, 09:07 that's good, that's wonderful, 09:08 but you never send your phone number, 09:10 you can send your phone number 09:11 if you want when I have extra time. 09:13 I love to call those who want to get involved 09:15 in this ministry and just talk to you for a little bit, 09:17 and sometime we get busy, we neglect that, 09:19 I want you to know that we're thankful for you, 09:22 praise God for you. 09:24 You know, as we talk about religion and politics. 09:27 I want us to think along the line 09:28 and have your Bible, I want you to turn with me. 09:31 Again this first part, 09:32 we're going to be on a foundation. 09:34 We're going to try dig it deep based on the word of God, 09:37 and sometime just based on good common sense 09:40 and principle of God's word, that will help us to decide 09:44 what we need to do, and how we need to do 09:47 when it comes to politics. 09:50 In fact, this is interesting how almost everybody 09:53 wants to be involved in politics. 09:55 Listen carefully and most generally here's 09:57 what we come up with, 09:59 "Well politics, man it's, well that's crocked. 10:02 Oh, they pull it, they tell you one thing and they do another." 10:05 I've heard all kind of things that goes on during an election 10:08 and name calling and so on and so forth, 10:10 but lot of times we come to this conclusion 10:13 that in politics there's a lot of fabrication, 10:17 there's a lot of, may I say just lies go on. 10:20 We try to say this is what we're going to do 10:22 when we get in office, we hardly ever accomplish that 10:25 so I think most of us in agreement 10:27 that in the political realm, 10:29 there's not a whole lot of truthful things 10:31 and I know many people get in there 10:32 and they mean well. 10:34 They have a right heart, 10:35 they want to do the right thing, 10:37 but all of you get in this political machinery, 10:39 it will cut you up if you're not careful. 10:42 Very interesting thought, you have your Bible, 10:44 I like you to turn with me to the Book of Mark 12. 10:48 Mark 12. 10:49 This is a good principle, this is a good foundation 10:51 and we'll be able to real spring from this, 10:54 notice with me Mark 12, 10:56 we're going to read two verses, 10:57 I wished you would read the whole chapter 11:00 because it's so, so very important 11:01 but I think these verses will help us 11:04 to see the position 11:06 and we'll talk more about this little bit later on. 11:08 The Jesus took when He was confronted 11:11 to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. 11:16 Notice with me verse 14, Mark 12. 11:19 Here's what the Bible says. 11:21 And when they were come notice this, 11:23 very Pharisees and action again. 11:26 Pharisees always trailing around, 11:28 always following Jesus, 11:30 always trying to get him to commit. 11:32 You know an air with maybe just a word or a deed, 11:36 something that they can hold him accountable, 11:37 for something they can get rid of him. 11:39 Put him out of existence. 11:41 So here they were again. Here come these Pharisees. 11:44 In those verse 14 it says. 11:46 "And when they were come..." 11:47 Notice this, "When they were come, 11:49 they say unto him..." 11:51 Notice how they do it, 11:52 they knew exactly what they were up to. 11:54 You know what, sometimes Christians, 11:56 so called conduct themselves like this, 12:00 they try to set you up, 12:02 they try to catch you in something, 12:04 they try to set the stage. 12:06 They knew what that were doing, 12:08 they were trying to get all on the good side of Jesus 12:10 to catch him off guard because they called him "Master, 12:14 we know that thou art true, interesting, 12:17 if he were true and they believe that they will be 12:19 following him, wouldn't they? 12:21 And this says "Thou carest for no man." 12:23 If you isolate that you say what, 12:25 Jesus, he didn't care for anyone. 12:27 That means he didn't put, man, 12:28 he doesn't have, he doesn't say. 12:29 Well, this man here is, you know, 12:31 we have him up here, 12:32 we have another man down here, 12:34 you know, everybody is equal with God. 12:35 He cares for everyone the same. 12:37 "For thou regardest not the person of men..." 12:40 His positioned or he is thinks he might be. 12:43 But it said to Jesus, 12:44 he teaches the way of God and truth. 12:47 Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 12:51 What an interesting thing, 12:53 I kind of want to challenge that sometime myself 12:55 because they're talking about paying taxes. 12:58 Now that anybody in the world is little more 12:59 aggravate about taxes than me, I would like to know it. 13:03 No matter what you do, you're taxed. 13:05 And we realize this is part of what they approach Jesus with. 13:09 We have our own personal thoughts on that, I'm sure. 13:11 But they were going to try to catch him on this. 13:14 Now if we just get down to verse 17 quickly, notice. 13:18 "Jesus answered and he said unto them..." 13:22 Now what did he ask to do first? 13:24 He asked them to give, what? 13:26 Give me a penny, give me a coin. 13:28 How brilliant, how brilliant? 13:32 Should we pay to, here, look, do you have a coin, 13:34 let me see, you had a penny. 13:37 Whose picture is on there? 13:39 The super inscription is on there? 13:41 And notice what he said, 13:42 Jesus answered in verse 17, said unto them. 13:46 Render to Caesar, you know this well, 13:48 the things that are Caesar's, 13:49 and to God the things that are God's 13:52 and they marvel to him. 13:54 They were shocked because they thought 13:55 they had him cornered, 13:57 one way they were going to get him, 13:58 if he went the other way, 14:00 they were going to get him too. But he didn't. 14:02 And so we come to the conclusion here 14:05 as Jesus answered this. 14:07 He rebuked number one the hypocrisy, 14:10 and we could say the presumption 14:15 of these Pharisees and he stated a principle. 14:18 I want you to notice this, keep this as we study. 14:20 He stated a principle, 14:22 a principle that clearly defines the limits, 14:27 notice the word, underline, 14:28 the limits of man's duty to the civil government 14:32 and his duty to God. 14:34 Right here, Jesus defines my duty 14:38 to the civil government, and my duty to him. 14:43 This will be a foundation, 14:44 this will be a good place to springboard, 14:45 wouldn't you think? 14:47 And then he goes on to let them know the Pharisees, the Jews, 14:51 since they were living under the protection of what? 14:57 Of the Roman government. 14:58 In other words, they were eating from the table 15:00 of the government there, they should render, 15:03 notice the Bible, it comes out, 15:04 the render, the power 15:08 that was in being which was Rome, 15:09 and so if Rome said that we are going to tax you, 15:11 then you're living there, you have to pay those taxes. 15:14 Jesus said, render to him. 15:16 This is support they claimed. 15:18 Now notice if it stop there, we may be in trouble, 15:21 but it did not stop there. 15:23 He went on and notice the principle here 15:25 that as long as that, you render to Caesar, 15:28 to the government as long as it does not conflict 15:31 with our higher duty is our duty to God. 15:35 So the principle is always there, 15:37 we obey the laws of the land 15:39 as long as they don't conflict with the laws of God, 15:42 when they do, we have to take God's side. 15:45 Hope that makes sense to you. 15:48 What powerful passage of scripture, 15:51 what we can draw from these things. 15:54 I do believe this, if we read Isaac 9:6. 15:59 It talks about, we're talking about Jesus, the King of kings. 16:02 It talks about here, 16:03 the government would be upon his shoulders. 16:06 We're talking a heavenly government. 16:09 We're talking about a savior here. 16:11 We're talking about 16:12 and really that word is translated an empire, 16:15 that he would have power over, 16:17 he would have, 16:18 he would prevail over the enemy. 16:20 So it's a different kind of government 16:22 that Christ was talking about 16:24 than what we talk about in this world. 16:27 If you take Webster's dictionary for instance, 16:30 and you just look up government, 16:32 interesting thought. 16:34 It is pretty simple, it just says, 16:36 it's an authoritative direction of the affairs of men. 16:40 So when you say government, you have somebody 16:42 that's authoritative, somebody's in authority here. 16:45 And they are giving direction over the affairs of men 16:49 in a community, so they rule, they have administration over. 16:54 Interesting, that's government, politics. 16:58 You know what should we do with politics? 17:00 Do we really just get involved with politics? 17:04 How can we combine them together 17:05 or does a Bible say that 17:07 we should not combine it together, 17:08 when may I just use this here 17:10 when the evangelical world is really standing straight 17:14 and say we've got to get Christians into office, wow. 17:20 It sounds good on the surface, doesn't it? 17:23 But you realized, there is a responsibility, 17:26 we going to point out that responsibility 17:28 that you have and I have when we vote. 17:33 Should a Christian really vote? 17:35 Oh, I know you talk politics, 17:37 you get the mild meekest person, 17:39 they get hot around the collar, they can't stand it. 17:42 But this we need to pay attention 17:43 because there's a truth in God's word. 17:46 See, many people I believe has tried 17:48 to gain a correct view about being involved 17:52 in the political world, think about it. 17:54 And as followers of Jesus Christ, 17:57 should we understand or do we need to understand 17:59 the importance of our position. 18:03 Should we maintain a position, especially in the world, 18:07 where most people think that it's all right. 18:10 They say its' my duty, it's my duty to vote. 18:14 Still we look at as there are other people 18:18 that say admirably we should not be involved at all. 18:23 Who is right? 18:24 Surely there is a right and surely there is a wrong, 18:27 especially when we go to God's word. 18:29 To me there is not any such thing, 18:31 not any such thing we are looking in here and say, 18:32 these are great, we can't figure it out. 18:34 Why would God give us something in the word of God, 18:36 it say we can't figure out right and wrong. 18:38 That's a lie of the devil. 18:41 Not that we don't want to figure it out, 18:42 because we don't want to change our life. 18:44 So will you have those who says it's my duty, 18:47 on the other hand you say, that don't be involved at all. 18:51 In fact I've seen this. 18:52 Some church members, people go to church to same, 18:56 you know, playing place they've been together for years. 18:59 And they just cannot discuss political matters. 19:02 They just can't do it. 19:05 When they start talking about politics, 19:07 all of the sudden there is division, 19:08 there are people get, 19:10 may be lose their patience a little bit 19:11 and they feel like when you say politics, 19:13 I'm demanded to take a side. 19:16 I want to go one side or the other I have to. 19:19 Not so much as what is right, 19:23 not so much as this is the right. 19:25 I'm looking at the whole total thing 19:26 and what is right based on the word of God, 19:29 this is what I must do. 19:30 But based on maybe a party. 19:34 What is... 19:35 not for people say, well I don't know 19:37 if it's really right or wrong or not, 19:38 but that's my political party, 19:39 that's where I'm going to stand, 19:41 I'm going to live, I'm going to die 19:42 by my political party. 19:44 Sometime issues become so strained, 19:47 even among brothers and sisters and church people, 19:50 that some people get hot around the collar 19:53 you can almost see the smoke coming out 19:56 when they're talking about politics. 19:58 And you know what? 19:59 Some people have left the church. 20:02 They've left the cause of Christ 20:04 because they couldn't get along 20:05 because they fussed and fought over political questions. 20:09 Wow. 20:11 Many often discuss worldly issues 20:15 and they even debate these worldly issues 20:17 rather where they will. 20:20 But when it comes to the knowledge 20:22 of the Word of God, 20:24 sometimes it's just simply lacking, 20:26 they just don't have that knowledge. 20:28 Think about how sad that we can talk about the political scene 20:33 all around the world what's going on, 20:34 we can talk about, 20:35 we know what's going on in every area. 20:39 But we don't know, you know, 20:41 where to find the Book of Genesis in the Bible. 20:44 Something's not quite right. 20:46 It's the enemy pushing us into a corner somewhere 20:48 as he is trying to get us to be more political than religious. 20:52 I might use that loosely. 20:55 He's working here in a way that maybe we haven't seen 20:58 because listen, people have been killed 21:02 over the political question, 21:05 people have attempted murder. 21:08 Things that we may never know in this life 21:10 when it comes to politics and who sits 21:13 on the throne as it were. 21:15 Or should we've been more concerned about God 21:18 sitting up on the throne as a Christian? 21:20 Who should I be supporting? 21:21 Who should I be spending time? 21:24 It's just a good food for thought. 21:27 How does heaven view this issue? 21:31 That where we spend so much time, 21:33 people get on the computer, 21:35 they spend hours and hours arguing with people 21:37 they went to school with, or complete strangers 21:41 about issues that it does not matter 21:43 what you think about it. 21:45 It doesn't matter about your position. 21:47 The people in the high, you know, 21:49 elected this office is basically gonna do 21:51 what they feel they need to do. 21:53 They scratch each other's back. 21:55 They get you to vote for something, 21:56 they want to pass and you vote 21:58 for something they want to pass. 22:00 And sometime they call a lot of... 22:02 Oh, we'd be careful now, lot of pork going on. 22:05 I think some of you get it, rest of you won't get it. 22:08 What's really important to us? 22:13 Certainly our work as Christians, 22:15 I don't think there's a debate, there shouldn't be a debate. 22:17 Our work should be to get this gospel 22:20 preached into all the world. 22:21 This is where I need to be spending my time. 22:23 The good news of Christ's soon return 22:26 in the clouds of glory. 22:27 This is our mission. 22:29 This is our goal. 22:33 Is it to save perishing souls from ruin, I think so. 22:38 Isn't the life that I live, should it not be 22:41 a life of service to my fellowman? 22:46 Tell others about Jesus and his coming. 22:49 What does this, all of this really mean? 22:52 Does this mean... 22:54 Let me just kind of pose you a little question. 22:56 We're talking about spending time politics, 22:58 spending time religion or church 23:00 or studying in the Word. 23:03 What does it really mean? 23:04 Should we spend our time by trying to put 23:09 someone in a public office 23:12 or someone in heavenly places? 23:18 Did you get that? 23:20 Should we spend our time trying to put someone, where? 23:23 In public office or trying to put 23:26 someone in heavenly places. 23:28 Because it takes time, 23:30 we are accountable for our time. 23:33 And you say, well, I can really make a difference, really. 23:36 Think about all the years that Christians have voted 23:38 and look at the mess this country is in 23:40 and continues to get worse. 23:43 There is no hope for this country 23:45 outside of Christ. 23:47 And so Christians need to do their part, 23:49 God's gonna take care of things, 23:51 I can guarantee you this. 23:53 You know when Isaiah was talking 23:54 about the government is on his shoulders, 23:57 that means the weight of the world, he's in control. 24:00 He sits on the throne. 24:03 He sets kings up and he takes them down. 24:05 But we think, no, we're gonna vote, 24:06 we're gonna do, really. 24:08 Remember there is an accountability here, 24:10 that some of us maybe have never looked at, 24:11 we're gonna get into it. 24:13 The Apostle Paul makes this very, very clear. 24:16 Oh, I tell you, I just love the Word of God 24:18 because it becomes so clear 24:19 if you just open and begin to study it. 24:21 The Holy Spirit would just enlighten you. 24:23 Paul made this statement in 1 Corinthians 3:9, 24:27 it says simply, this is part of the verse, 24:30 he said, "We are laborers together with God." 24:34 He didn't say we were laborers together with this group 24:37 or that group or over here, 24:39 and that doesn't mean that we're not to work with 24:41 and so on and so forth, 24:42 but notice where we spend our time and our energy 24:44 and our means and the hours that we have to live. 24:48 We are laborers with whom? 24:50 Together with God. 24:52 How awesome? 24:53 People say, oh, I'd love to work for a President, 24:55 oh, I'd love to work for a Governor, 24:56 I'd love to work... I'm working with God. 24:58 How about you? 24:59 I'm a co-laborer with him, together with him. 25:02 Wow, how awesome? 25:05 Now that verse is as exciting, but I want to read 25:08 just a comment about this verse and it's found in, 25:11 I'd like the little book called Acts of the Apostle, 25:13 page 303. 25:15 Now remember, I'd love the Spirit of Prophecy 25:17 and I would be using the Spirit of Prophecy, 25:19 it helps me to understand the Word of God 25:21 because they were always gel with scripture, 25:24 and the devil tries to get you say, 25:26 well, let's not use this, let's just use it. 25:29 Keep your mind, your heart open. 25:31 If it differs from scripture, we have to throw it out, 25:33 if it doesn't just accept it as something good. 25:36 Here's what this verse talks about in 1 Corinthians 3:9, 25:39 "We're laborers together with God." 25:41 It tells us this, 25:42 "United with Christ, the greatest teacher..." 25:46 See, who's gonna argue that point? 25:48 No one, we are to unite with who? 25:51 We are to unite with Christ. 25:54 Some of us might say, you know what? 25:56 I'm united with this group and I'm united with that group, 25:58 I'm united... 26:00 we are to be number one, united with Christ, 26:03 the greatest teacher. 26:06 See Paul had been enabled to communicate lessons 26:10 of divine wisdom here in Acts of the Apostles 303. 26:13 What did Paul do? 26:14 He communicated lessons of divine wisdom. 26:17 Notice these words, 26:18 which met the necessities of all classes. 26:22 So what the Bible teaches, 26:24 what Paul was teaching will meet, 26:25 notice this, the necessities of all classes, 26:28 all others, 26:30 which were to be applied at all times, 26:34 didn't change and all places around the world 26:38 that God knows, and under all conditions. 26:41 So what the Bible teaches, what Paul was teaching here, 26:44 regardless if we're talking about politics, you know, 26:47 religion and politics, whatever we talk about, 26:48 the Bible becomes clear. 26:51 The lessons that he taught, they're for all classes, 26:53 that means everybody, high, low, rich, poor, 26:55 bound, free, we know that. 26:57 They're to apply all times, there's no well, 27:00 you used to it and not at all, 27:03 all places, under all conditions. 27:06 So that helps us to set that stage 27:08 and build a little bit of concrete, 27:10 little bit thicker here, so we have a good platform. 27:13 We are to then, Bible says, yoke up with Christ, 27:16 how wonderful that is. 27:18 We are to yoke up with who? 27:19 With Christ, we are to do his work 27:22 in the world and not the world's work. 27:26 Got to be interesting thought. 27:28 And let me tell you, you say, well, 27:29 we can do both, you can't have it both ways. 27:32 Wow. 27:33 What do you mean we can't have it both ways? 27:35 Number one, the Bible's very clear, 27:37 we're to yoke up with Christ, 27:38 we're to unite with Jesus Christ. 27:41 We're to do his work. 27:43 We're to do the work of winning souls 27:46 to the kingdom of God, not the world's work. 27:49 Somebody is saying we're talking about politics, 27:50 it's the world's work, yes. 27:54 There's a difference and I think 27:55 we'll get to that in just a moment. 27:56 There's a big difference, 27:58 there's a thing that's called common, 27:59 there's a thing that's, that's sacred. 28:01 But as Christians do we really know the difference 28:03 or in some cases do we really care? 28:08 We're to yoke up with Christ, do his work. 28:11 In fact the Bible's very clear in Matthew 6:24, 28:14 listen carefully you've read it. 28:16 It simply says, No man can serve what? 28:18 Good, "No man can serve two masters." 28:22 Now remember, many time we put more emphasis, 28:24 more time, more energy, 28:26 more means in having someone elected to office than 28:30 we are to try to win a soul to heaven to Jesus. 28:33 How does heaven view that? 28:35 Oh my, you can't serve two masters. 28:39 Well, you say, well, we'll try to get a balance. 28:41 Find somebody who's in politics and let me see 28:43 if you can find a balance. 28:47 There's a line that's drawn. 28:49 I kind of like a line, 28:50 how about you, some of you? 28:52 Sometimes say, here's, here's the line right here. 28:54 You've ever had that happen while you were growing up? 28:58 Did someone said they gave you a dare? 29:01 They came up to you and they took their little foot 29:02 and they just made a line across here 29:04 and said I dare you to, to cross that. 29:07 Well you know what? 29:08 Really when I was growing up and somebody before they could 29:11 probably get that line drawn, I was already on them. 29:14 I knew what they were getting ready to do, so I did it first. 29:16 Look out, they're drawing a line 29:18 and it said don't cross that line 29:20 because if you do, here's what I'm gonna do. 29:23 Or don't ever dare me not to cross the line because, 29:26 that point of time I did, many of you the same way so, 29:29 there's that line drawn between Christians and the world. 29:34 Did you get it, church? 29:35 There is a line that is drawn between Christians, 29:39 God's people and the world, there's a big line there, 29:42 we need to understand there's a line there. 29:45 And a Christian knows 29:46 when to stop short of that line, 29:49 the world does not know how to stop. 29:51 They simply step over the line, why? 29:53 To gratify self, we want to, we want to be involved. 29:57 You see there is no neutral position. 30:00 As much as we might like a neutral position, 30:02 there is no neutral position in the cause of Christ. 30:07 And I know some Christians, they feel strong, 30:10 strong about the condition of the world 30:12 and the mess they're in. 30:14 I feel strong about the conditions, 30:16 I feel strong about this world and where it's headed, 30:18 and what's going on with people. 30:20 Things are happening in the world, 30:21 I'm telling you, it's just, it's so sad. 30:23 Things are just happening, people are dying by the, 30:26 by the thousands, there's earthquakes, 30:27 there's fires, there's floods. 30:30 Just on the news, the longer you go, 30:31 cars floating by, water over the... 30:36 People dying by the hundreds and thousands. 30:38 I'm cautious and I'm thinking about all these issues. 30:44 Man does not have the answers, 30:45 he keeps thinking to raise taxes, 30:48 do something else. 30:50 We've got to continue to go forward 30:51 but how long can that exist 30:53 before all blows up in our face? 30:56 But I am aware of these conditions, 30:57 that I am aware of a change, 30:59 every politician since I've been born, 31:01 I'd be able to comprehend has promised a change. 31:04 And there really has been no change. 31:06 We've grown deeper in debt. 31:08 It's getting worse and worse. 31:10 So do we really want to be in something 31:12 that's never going to bear really the fruit? 31:14 That people running for office say 31:17 this is what we're going to do? 31:18 We get in the office, this is what we're gonna do, 31:19 this is what we're gonna do. 31:21 How many really do that's involved that did not, 31:22 if they don't accomplish that, that's a lie, is it? 31:25 And do we become involved in that? 31:31 What really needs to change, my brothers and sisters, 31:35 what really needs to be changed? 31:38 The world, listen, the world is to be changed 31:41 or the people of the world. 31:45 See, it's pretty close, 31:46 the words are similar but notice, 31:48 does the world need to be changed 31:50 or the people of the world? 31:54 And how does that come about? 31:56 Can it come about? 31:59 Keep some of these, just these quick thoughts 32:01 there in your mind because we realized, 32:04 remember, you can't serve God and the world. 32:07 Some people say, you know, I think it's possible. 32:09 Notice this statement if you will with me 32:12 and again we want a balance. 32:14 It's very important as a Christian 32:16 to be balanced Christian. 32:17 Regardless of your thoughts, 32:19 regardless of how you were raised, 32:20 regardless of how you were taught, 32:22 we always go back and we lean on the Word of God, and say, 32:24 what does the Word say always? 32:26 And then we give away with all these other things. 32:28 Oh, little book, 32:29 oh, I love this little book called Mount of Blessing. 32:31 Everybody needs to have one. 32:33 It's kind of a daily devotional and just gives you 32:35 what you need for that day. 32:37 I just wish everyone in the world 32:38 would just be on the same page 32:40 as it were just open that page for the day. 32:42 What a blessing would be page 94 32:45 gives us statement, notice, 32:47 says, "He who does not give himself wholly to God, 32:51 oh my, is under the control of another power. 32:55 He who does not give himself how? 32:58 Come on, wholly, 33:00 he who do not give himself wholly to God 33:02 is under the control of another power. 33:05 He is listening to another voice 33:09 whose suggestions are entirely different character. 33:14 Now notice this, interesting words, 33:16 you can preach a lot of sermons on this, 33:17 some of you preachers out there. 33:19 Half and half. 33:22 I think when I was introduced possibly 33:24 to half and half as many years ago, 33:26 when they first came up with a, 33:27 used to have whole milk all the time 33:29 and I think they've come up 33:30 with something called half and half. 33:33 That mean that wasn't real, 33:34 it wasn't a real McCoy, was it? 33:35 But notice, the enemy has something different for you. 33:39 If you do not give yourself 33:40 100 percent, the devil comes in. 33:44 Jesus said, he who is not with me is against me. 33:46 How do we say, well, I'll take 99 percent, 33:48 the devil can have one. 33:50 Absolutely not, that's what the Bible teach you, 33:52 we're wholly his or we're not, and if we're not... 33:54 we say, oh, we are, we go to church, we do all... 33:56 If you haven't given yourself wholly to him, 33:58 no reservations, no holding back. 34:01 The enemy is talking to you and you're thinking it's God. 34:04 Remember, he's gonna talk 34:05 and say some little sweet things 34:06 have you these nice little good things. 34:08 Think that you're still being led by the Spirit of God, 34:10 but notice how it says, "Half-and-half service places 34:14 the human agent on the side of the enemy." 34:17 So if you are half and half, I'm 50-50, 34:19 you can say I'm 70, you know 70-30, 34:22 still on the side, I'm 90-10 34:24 still on the side of the enemy. 34:28 And notice what it says, "On the side of the enemy 34:30 as a successful ally of the hosts of darkness." 34:35 You don't want to be on the side of the enemy, 34:36 I don't want to be on the side of the enemy, 34:38 but I've to get myself wholly to him, 34:40 I have to be open to what the spirit is saying. 34:43 Again the Mount of Blessings, page 94, 95 says this 34:46 'cause I heard people, 34:47 all they give you some dandies on this. 34:50 They're talking about somebody who's a genius. 34:52 Oh, man there must be a God given genius over here. 34:55 Somebody is talented is what the article says 34:57 knows the talent, sympathy, 34:59 even generous person, they're giving all the time, 35:02 notice this, somebody doing kindly deeds all the time, 35:06 may oh, may become notice this decoys of the devil. 35:11 Did some of you get that? 35:12 A genius may be a decoy, 35:15 doesn't have to be of the devil. 35:17 Somebody very talented can be a decoy of the devil, 35:20 because you say, man, 35:22 that kind of talent has to be God given, really. 35:25 This person is very sympathetic in time of crisis, 35:28 and somebody's hurting or somebody 35:29 and they're there and they're giving sympathy 35:30 which we should do that. 35:32 But sometimes the enemy, he doesn't mind that 35:34 because you find this sympathy here 35:37 and then you look and you, say, 35:38 oh, well that must be from Jesus. 35:42 Wow. 35:44 But notice, the decoys of Satan 35:49 and he does this to entice, notice, 35:51 other souls over the precipice of ruin for this life 35:57 and the life to come. 35:58 So he can use the genius, he can use talent, 36:00 he can use sympathy, he can use generous 36:02 people giving all the time, kindly deeds. 36:06 The enemy can use those as decoys, 36:08 we have to line up with the Word of God, don't we? 36:12 We have to line up with the Word of God. 36:14 I hope somebody is lining up with that Word of God today. 36:18 See we must also consider our influence as a Christian, 36:24 our influence as a Christian. 36:27 Not to bind it up, notice this, with unbelievers, 36:32 are you still with me? 36:33 So as a Christian, you have a mighty influence. 36:38 It can be for good or for evil, but you do have a influence. 36:42 You say, well, I'm not an influence to anybody, 36:43 yes you are. 36:45 You are an influence one way or the other. 36:48 And then we're told that we're not to be what, 36:50 to bind that influence up with unbelievers. 36:54 Romans 14:7, 36:56 "For none of us liveth unto himself. 36:59 The Bible says no one does what? 37:01 No one lives unto himself. 37:02 Well, I'm just taking care of myself, 37:04 nobody knows I don't have any friends, 37:05 no one, that's what the Bible said. 37:07 You may think you are but you're not. 37:09 You may not get out very often, you know what the neighbor say, 37:11 I've got a neighbor over here, he didn't get out very often. 37:15 Well nobody sees what I do. 37:17 Well, they go to town once a week. 37:18 And they can pretty much tell you 37:20 what you bring home in your groceries ha, 37:22 interesting thought. 37:24 I noticed this is kind of interesting book 37:27 called Gospel Workers, it's very very, 37:29 it's very good, page 396. 37:30 Now, this is several paragraphs, 37:32 I don't like to read all of this, 37:34 but if you'd just bear with me, 37:36 you just bear with me because this is heavy duty, 37:40 this sets more of a stage because 37:41 we're gonna come to grips with this, 37:43 we're gonna come to grips, 37:44 can we as a Christian really be involved in politics? 37:47 Should we really be voting? 37:49 Do we have responsibility if we do vote? 37:52 How does heaven view it? 37:54 Can it be held against us? 37:56 For whatever that person elected to office 37:58 that we helped, how accountable are we? 38:01 That's pretty heavy duty when you think about it. 38:03 Many times in this life we say, 38:05 well, I don't want to get involved with this over here 38:06 because if I get involved with this and over here 38:09 but I may be accountable there. 38:10 They're gonna point at me when something goes wrong, 38:12 they're gonna point... 38:13 interesting. 38:16 Gospel Workers, 396, 38:22 the Bible said before that we, what, 38:24 for no man liveth unto himself, and notice this right here 38:28 what it says Gospel Workers, 396. 38:30 "Let those who are tempted to take part in politics." 38:34 This is who I'm talking about here. 38:36 I don't know exactly how much time we have left right here, 38:39 but I certainly need to find out 38:41 because this required a paragraph right here. 38:44 Notice, "Let those who are tempted to take part, 38:50 tempted to take part in politics, 38:53 remember that every move they make has its influence. 38:57 Stay with me. 38:58 Did you get that? 39:00 If there is anyone who is tempted 39:01 to take part in politics listen, 39:05 remember that every move they make has 39:09 its influence upon others. 39:11 That's biblical too. 39:13 Our influence, everything we say, 39:14 everything we do our deeds, 39:16 there's an influence upon others. 39:18 And notice how this gets 39:20 because I've heard a lot of preachers, 39:21 they love to stay in the world especially 39:22 all over different churches, 39:24 they love to do political things in the pulpit. 39:27 This is one of the first things 39:28 they ever talk about religion and politics. 39:30 Although we shouldn't have, we should have them separated 39:32 because the pulpit is not a place 39:35 as a political or a stance to vote 39:37 for this one or that one. 39:39 That's not what the pulpit is for. 39:40 We should never be bringing it out. 39:43 Reading on, "When the ministers or others 39:46 in responsible position make remarks 39:49 in regards to these matters, notice, 39:51 when they make a remark, 39:52 they cannot gather up the thoughts 39:55 they have planted in the human minds." 39:58 You know, you may say something to somebody is very clear up, 40:00 this guy over here, he takes it completely opposite, 40:03 this in here takes it different than that one, 40:04 this near goes off to deep end, 40:06 there's others who may be able to balance it, 40:07 this person can't balance it. 40:10 You can't pick up those thoughts 40:11 once you make those in the mind. 40:13 Notice, "Under Satan's temptations 40:16 they have set in operation a train 40:20 of circumstances leading to results little dreamed of." 40:25 See influence, people being influenced 40:28 and they react on those things how their mind takes it. 40:32 Now it gets a little simple for us. 40:35 "An act, something we do, a word, a thought 40:39 cast into the minds of the great 40:42 concourse of humanity, 40:45 if it bears the heavenly endorsement, 40:49 will yield a harvest, this is beautiful, 40:51 of precious fruit, but if it is inspired by Satan, 40:57 it will cause the root of bitterness to spring up, 41:00 whereby many will be defiled. 41:04 Then let the stewards of God's grace..." 41:05 Who's that? 41:07 It's all of us sinners, stewards of God's grace, 41:08 notice, "In any line of service, 41:12 beware how they mingle the common with the sacred." 41:17 The subject on this article was let those tempted 41:21 to take part in politics remember. 41:26 Notice what it says, in any line of service, 41:29 that's politics to it, anything you serve, 41:32 notice beware how they mingle, 41:34 there is common, doesn't mean it's wrong, 41:36 it's just common and that which is sacred. 41:39 We need not mingle politics and Christianity together, 41:44 they do not go together at all. 41:47 Jesus made that very clear to talk with, 41:49 will be more on that. 41:52 Say it to me here because pretty, 41:53 pretty least clear in my mind, 41:55 that we're not to take part in the political, 41:59 in political area or the arena. 42:01 We can't really do that as Christians 42:03 because if we do and we're advocating this, 42:06 we're advocating that, 42:08 we'd little know what the results are going to be 42:10 when that person gets in office and the things 42:12 that they'll pass laws and so on and so forth. 42:14 It hurts many people, don't tell what's gonna happen. 42:18 Do we become accountable? 42:19 Absolutely. 42:22 You see, people are not to join 42:26 or come together in any kind of confederacy with the world. 42:30 Now what does that mean? 42:31 That says, Kenny, you are not to join into any confederacy, 42:35 any kind of an agreement, anything that will tie you 42:39 to anything of this world. 42:42 Ain't that interesting how we've tied our self 42:44 to a political party? 42:48 Some of us have tied to a political party 42:50 more than we are to our church in the cause of Christ. 42:55 Right there, we certainly have problems, do we not? 42:59 So we need to be careful about this confederacy, 43:01 so we'll look at that. 43:05 So we're not to form any kind of an alliance, 43:09 that means what, any kind of an agreement, 43:11 any kind of a document we sign with those who are unbelievers, 43:17 did you get it? 43:18 Oh, they are believer, they are... 43:20 Well, they're unbeliever, 43:21 they don't believe the same what you believe. 43:23 And it gets little bit more pointed as we go on here, 43:26 so notice with an unbeliever, 43:30 and so you think of the scripture you say, 43:31 well wait a minute, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 43:35 unequally what, yoke together. 43:38 We're not to enter any kind of an agreement, 43:41 a contract with anyone, what... 43:45 unequally yoked together, 43:46 doesn't believe the same with unbelievers. 43:50 They can be times we've signed 43:51 little documents with unbelievers, 43:54 wow, and then the article goes on to say, 43:58 those who do not love or fear 44:01 God, those who are... 44:08 do not love or fear God. 44:11 Then I read in the Bible 44:12 and you can do it Ecclesiastes 8:13, 44:14 but notice what the Bible says, 44:17 "But it shall not be well with the wicked, 44:20 neither shall he prolong his days, which are a shadow, 44:24 notice, because he feareth not before God. 44:29 So we're not to enter into contract or an agreement 44:32 or we're gonna work for, or we're gonna try to put 44:34 somebody over here, we're gonna do this or that. 44:36 Number one, if they are an unbeliever, 44:39 and really just to be real honest 44:41 when we look at an unbeliever is really classified, 44:43 unequally yoke, is one who does not believe 44:44 in the Three Angels' Message. 44:48 Think about it. 44:49 One who does not love or fear God, 44:51 the Bible says, oh, and those who oppose truth. 44:55 See it gets little bit clearer. 44:56 We're not to enter in agreement 44:58 with those who what? 44:59 Who oppose the truth, 45:01 almost the whole world opposes the truth. 45:06 We're very limited than where we might 45:08 come into unity and agreement 45:10 and then to sign papers as it were or make an agreement. 45:12 When you say that? 45:14 Anybody who opposes the truth because that goes to my mind 45:18 rather quickly, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 45:22 the Bible talks about here, talks about the man of sin. 45:26 "The man of sin is the one who opposeth and exalteth himself, 45:29 notice that, did you see it? 45:31 above all that is called God." 45:34 So we find that we can't be involved 45:36 with those who oppose truth. 45:38 The man of sin, people there opposing the truth, 45:40 it doesn't matter just kind of believe what you want to be? 45:42 How could you get together with him and say well, yeah, 45:45 that's good, we want you in office. 45:46 You don't love the truth, you're an unbeliever, 45:47 you don't fear God, you don't love God. 45:49 Wow. 45:51 And of course, it's very popular to be 45:53 a Christian in public office whether you really are or not. 45:57 I hear them get on there and the politician to say 45:59 foul words and stuff and they're gonna say, 46:00 well, I belong to such and such church, 46:02 I'm a Christian. 46:04 What kind of a Christian are we talking about here? 46:08 And then we're not to use any kind of an agreement here, 46:11 or kind of a confederacy as it were with any person, 46:15 notice this who exalts tradition above scripture. 46:22 Anyone, so that really starts to eliminate, doesn't it? 46:25 Matthew 15:9, you know, it talks about there, 46:29 "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines 46:34 the commandments of men or tradition. 46:36 So you have people who are out there running here, 46:38 but they believe differently, they don't believe in, 46:40 you know, nine commandments or you know are binding maybe, 46:43 but, you know, 46:44 but one certainly not has been changed, 46:47 which is a tradition of men. 46:50 So how can we bind together with them 46:52 because we're certainly not in agreement 46:53 about the teachings of the Word of God, 46:58 and we're certainly not to have an agreement with. 47:00 And I'm talking about, we're talking about 47:01 a political scene here, 47:02 about those who think that they can accomplish more 47:06 by working with the world than they can accomplish 47:09 by working with God. 47:11 You know there's people like there. 47:13 I think we can accomplish a whole lot more, 47:15 you know if we, 47:17 you know if we go ahead and join him, 47:19 you've ever heard that, we'll join him for a while 47:21 and we'll see, kind of see how it goes, 47:22 I think we can do more work if we stay here and do this. 47:26 God's Word says absolutely not, 47:30 to work along with the world because the Bible says, 47:32 and this is one passage, 1 John 2:15, 47:35 it says, "Love not the world, what, 47:37 neither the things that are in the world." 47:40 So we're not to love the world nor the things 47:42 that are in the world, 47:43 but yes some of us are so involved in things 47:46 that are going on in the political question, 47:48 oh, we love the world. 47:52 It's ruling in our homes, it's ruling in our life, 47:54 it's taking up our time. 47:57 And then remember, we have to join a party, 48:00 did you get it? 48:01 We have to register, all of these things 48:05 are quite interesting, 48:07 when we're not to bind any kind of confederacy 48:10 or any kind of a, an allegiance, 48:12 any kind of an agreement, 48:14 did all of us get what we're talking about here? 48:17 No agreement with what? 48:18 Unbelievers. 48:21 No agreement with those who do not love God or fear God. 48:27 We don't enter in agreement with those who oppose truth. 48:30 None with those who exalt tradition above plain 48:33 thus saith the Lord. 48:35 None, you say we'll work the way the world works here 48:38 because we'll get more done that way. 48:40 Counterfeit of the devil. 48:42 6 Testimonies 17, notice this. 48:46 This is very, very interesting as it comes back 48:48 to what we've just been talking about. 48:50 "There is to be no change 48:53 in the general features of our work. 48:56 People say, well, we live in a different time, 48:57 we gonna need to do different things, 48:59 we need to be more involved. 49:00 "There is to be no change 49:02 in the general features of our work. 49:05 It is to stand as clear and distinct 49:08 as prophecy has made it. 49:11 We are to enter into no confederacy with the world, 49:17 supposing that by so doing we can accomplish more." 49:20 Did you get? 49:22 This is what we've been talking about here. 49:24 "Men of all ranks and capacities, 49:27 with their various gifts, 49:29 are to co-operate harmoniously for a common result. 49:34 They are to unite in the work of bringing in what, 49:37 the truth to the people, each working 49:40 for fulfilling his own special appointment." 49:44 This is quite good. 49:45 We're all to come in perfect unity and harmony to do what? 49:48 For the cause of Christ. 49:50 Doesn't say anything about politics, 49:52 get involved in all these messes, 49:53 and all these lies, all these twists and tales, 49:55 all this mess is going on. 49:58 It's for the cause of Christ. 50:00 The devil is trying to get us so involved with things 50:02 that are going on in the government, 50:03 things in the world today, 50:04 that we've forgotten why we are here. 50:08 Special appointment, he's appointed you, 50:10 you're special to him to do a special work. 50:13 So once again, let's clarify. 50:15 People say, well, I don't really haven't heard 50:16 this word confederacy, what really is a confederacy? 50:20 Manuscript 29, 1911, you can certainly look it up 50:23 for yourself in dictionary. 50:25 What's a confederacy? 50:27 Confederacy is a union of men, notice this, 50:29 in a work that does not bear the stamp of pure, 50:34 straightforward, unswerving integrity. 50:37 Did you got, how interesting. 50:39 It's a union of men. 50:40 We can't join with a union of men, notice that, 50:42 working together that does not bear 50:45 the stamp of the spirit, that is the truth, 50:47 did you get it? 50:48 Straightforward, unswerving integrity. 50:52 Our leaders today talk about integrity, 50:54 talk about the truth 50:55 and with all these kind of things right here. 50:58 And we realize in the political world, what a mess it is. 51:02 But yet somehow we want to take a stand 51:05 and we're learning and we're digging in, 51:07 we're just now started to unravel some things that may, 51:09 just may make the hair on the back 51:11 of your neck stand up. 51:13 Because maybe some of us have done these things 51:14 and maybe we want to, maybe reevaluate. 51:19 John in the Book of Revelation, I wish we had more time, 51:22 we don't do it till Revelation 18, 51:23 maybe on a second part we might, 51:25 Revelation 18, if you read just verses like 1 through 8. 51:31 Wow, when you read those verses, 51:33 it's gonna make you just stop, 51:35 it's gonna make you think, where is this world headed, 51:39 what is soon to take place, it reveals how dangerous 51:44 it is for each one of us those 51:46 who has received truth to form an alliance with the world, 51:52 and the government is the world. 51:54 The government even in right 51:55 we're talking about the dictionary 51:56 is talking about man, is talking about things 51:59 that take place in the community. 52:00 When Christ is talking about the heavenly, you remember. 52:04 So we look out at here and we say oh, we can't do it.. 52:06 Manuscript 135, 1902 says this, 52:10 it makes a comment on these verses 52:12 which is Revelation 18, 52:13 hopefully, we'll get a chance to read those 1 through 8, 52:17 it says, "This terrible picture, 52:20 drawn by John is to show how completely, notice this, 52:24 how completely the powers of this earth 52:27 will give themselves over to evil. 52:30 As end result, the Bible prophecy predicts 52:32 that you're the government 52:33 all is giving yourself over to what? 52:35 To evil. 52:39 "And shall show that those who have received the truth 52:42 how dangerous it is to link up with, 52:45 oh, oh, secret societies or to join them themselves 52:48 in any way with those who do not keep the commandments." 52:53 That is just about as clearer as it can get. 52:56 But you know what? 52:58 There is many out there, they're just going, 52:59 oh, well, it doesn't matter. 53:00 It does matter, Jesus matters, Jesus has made it clearer. 53:04 And we're just scratching right now 53:06 what we're gonna cover in our second part. 53:09 You want more information, 53:10 there is plenty more information, 53:12 notice this. 53:13 The Bible says that the world is going to be what? 53:15 It's evil and it's going to get worse. 53:19 How dangerous it is to anyone 53:21 who believes the truth to join up 53:23 with any kind of secret societies 53:27 or to be a part of something, 53:28 or any way be involved with anyone 53:32 who does not believe in keeping the commandments. 53:34 And that's all of them, that's all ten. 53:37 Wow. 53:40 You remember in building 53:42 the Tower of Babel, in Genesis 11, 53:46 we find that after the flood, as soon as the earth 53:50 had been repopulated that man continued 53:54 to rebel against God. 53:56 Did you get, the world was destroyed. 53:59 Notice this, back to the flood. 54:01 Soon as men came back, they continued 54:02 just doing the same thing that they were. 54:05 Why? 54:07 Apostasy always leads to division. 54:10 Apostasy from God and going to men 54:13 and things of this world is apostasy. 54:16 There will be division, and certainly 54:19 we find there are confederacy or they're joining together, 54:23 they begin to notice, 54:25 they begin to fight against God. 54:27 So we're trying to get people, oh, let's all be one, 54:28 let's all do this. 54:30 As the end result, Bible prophecy is that 54:32 all this group will turn on those 54:34 who are faithful as a end result, 54:36 that don't keep the commandment, 54:37 all of them by the grace of God. 54:39 Well, I hope you see the importance of this subject 54:42 because many have been fooled, 54:43 many had even never thought about it. 54:45 We gonna look at it little bit more and little bit more 54:47 about the Tower of Babel and the confederacy 54:50 and so on and so forth. 54:52 But I want to pray with you, we only have a minute left. 54:54 I want to pray with you before we close. 54:55 It's very, very important that 54:57 we keep our minds and our hearts open. 54:58 So we pray together, let's kneel as we pray. 55:02 Merciful Father in heaven, again, 55:03 we thank You for Your precious Word. 55:05 We thank You for the outpouring of Your Spirit. 55:07 We pray that the hearts and minds 55:08 of Your children will be open. 55:10 May we receive that which You have for us. 55:12 May the Word of God just be paramount. 55:14 Not what mom and dad, somebody else did 55:15 but we want to follow the Word, the living God 55:17 and we thank You in advance 55:19 for what You are doing in the hearts 55:20 and lives of each one in Jesus' name. 55:22 Amen. 55:24 You know, how wonderful it is that 55:26 we can go to the Word of God 55:27 and we can find out these truths. 55:29 And we want to just take a second or two here, 55:30 just again thank you for your paryers 55:32 and your support of Behold the Lamb Ministries. 55:35 We're very grateful and thankful 55:36 to be able to come into your home 55:37 on a regular basis. 55:39 Be able to spend some time with you, 55:40 be able to, you know, make new friends together, 55:42 but keep us in your prayer, we need them 55:44 and we certainly your offering. 55:46 So as God blesses you, you know, bless other. 55:49 We love you and we'll see you next time. 55:53 Hello and welcome back friends. 55:55 Religion and politics, oil and water. 55:58 Some things were never meant to blend cohesively together 56:02 as though they were one. 56:04 However we all need a good foundation 56:06 as to how God expects us 56:09 as his children to live in a world 56:12 with the decisions we make concerning 56:14 both religion and politics is so very important 56:18 to our daily lives. 56:19 They both play a vital role in shaping our goals 56:23 for the present and for the future. 56:25 Therefore it only makes good sense 56:27 from a Christian standpoint, 56:29 from a Christian point of view to seek God 56:32 for his wisdom and understanding, 56:34 and properly balancing the two. 56:37 I know that many of you will 56:38 want to have these messages 56:40 for your own personal study and for an outreach tool 56:44 to give to other people and we want you to have them. 56:47 So we're making these messages available to you 56:50 for a love gift of $15 or more. 56:53 Remember that's two DVDs. 56:55 And should you desire several copies 56:57 to pass out to other people, 56:59 we have a sharing price just for you. 57:02 If you order 10 copies of any single message that we have, 57:06 we'll be happy to mail those to you in paper sleeves 57:09 for a love gift of just $35 or more. 57:13 We really say more because it's up to you. 57:16 Your finances, your donation, 57:18 your help always helps this ministry to keep going, 57:21 keep moving forward and it blesses you 57:24 because you can share them with your friends and family. 57:27 Just simply contact us here at Behold the Lamb Ministries 57:30 at PO Box 2030, Herrin, Illinois 62948, 57:35 or you may give us a call at 618-942-5044 57:42 and you can also contact us by email 57:45 at BeholdtheLambMinistries @yahoo.com 57:48 or order on our website 57:50 at www. BeholdtheLambMinistries.com. 57:55 My, dear friends, until next time, 57:57 may our precious Lord continue to richly bless you and yours. |
Revised 2016-07-21