Participants:
Series Code: SSP
Program Code: SSP230010S
|
00:01 Hello, I'm John Lomacang.
00:02 Welcome to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel 00:04 as we now enter into Lesson Number 10. 00:06 The overall theme is: 00:08 Managing for the Master Till He Comes. 00:09 The Lesson Number 10 is entitled: Giving Back. 00:13 What does that translate into as it comes to stewardship 00:16 and your relationship with Christ? 00:18 Well, stay tuned and you'll find out. 00:20 If you'd like to follow us with the Lesson, 00:22 go to: 3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com 00:24 and then download additional copy 00:26 or better yet, find a place... 00:27 a local Seventh-day Adventist Church and join them 00:30 for this wonderful study through a stewardship relationship 00:34 about finances and our Savior. 00:36 Don't go away, we'll be right back. 00:38 Music... 01:10 Lomacang: Welcome to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel, 01:12 I'm John Lomacang. 01:13 Thank you for joining us 01:14 and most of you join us almost every week 01:17 and as we travel, 01:18 we come to find out that this is a very loved Program of 3ABN 01:21 as we combine five different viewpoints 01:24 and five different voices every Lesson Study 01:27 to communicate something very, very viable 01:30 and Managing for the Master till He comes 01:32 has been our focus 01:34 and we continue in Lesson Number 10 01:35 entitled: Giving Back. 01:37 Before we go any further, 01:38 to my left, we have Danny Shelton. 01:40 How are you doing Danny? 01:41 Danny: I'm doing great, thank you for having me today. 01:43 Lomacang: Okay, not the basketball court... 01:45 this is Sabbath School... 01:47 Danny: No, no... this is Sabbath School... we're ready. 01:48 Lomacang: Okay, Shelley Quinn... 01:50 how're you doing, Shelley? The lady with many hats. 01:51 Shelley: Well... I have Tuesday's lesson: 01:53 Begin With Personal Needs. 01:54 Lomacang: Okay and John Dinzey, 01:56 what do you have today for us? 01:57 Dinzey: I have Wednesday... an interesting title: 02:00 Deathbed Charity. 02:02 Lomacang: Deathbed charity... wow! 02:04 All the way down, Jill, how are you doing there today? 02:07 Jill: Doing well, Pastor John, I have Spiritual Legacy. 02:10 Lomacang: Spiritual Legacy... 02:12 oh, that's something... 02:13 that's why: Giving Back is such a significant title 02:16 so, let's go ahead and begin with prayer today. 02:18 Danny, would you start for us? 02:20 Danny: Sure... "Lord, again we thank You for Your blessings. 02:23 We thank You for life, health and strength. 02:25 We thank you as always for the opportunity 02:27 of being able to come before You. 02:28 We thank You for this media that literally is reaching the world 02:32 so, we pray again that everything that's said and done 02:35 will be done to Your honor and to Your glory. 02:37 In Jesus' name, we pray, amen. " 02:39 Panel: Amen. 02:41 Lomacang: You know, the Lesson points out something that 02:42 young people don't think about... Legacy. 02:46 What do I do with all the stuff that I've amassed 02:49 over the years. 02:50 How big is my garage 02:52 and how big is my shed 02:53 and what do I do with all that stuff that's losing meaning 02:56 as I get older and older. 02:58 That's why it's entitled: Giving Back. 03:00 You know, as we... as we age, 03:03 life is kind of like a mountain-top experience. 03:07 You climb up... 03:09 you get to that apex where life looks so beautiful. 03:11 Then you realize... you got to climb down the other side 03:15 and go back to the valley. 03:17 Then all of a sudden, 03:18 perspective begins to be the focal point of your life. 03:21 What do I do with all the stuff I dragged up the mountain? 03:24 Now that I'm down the other side, do I really need it? 03:27 And this week's lesson focuses on... as he says, 03:32 "God's counsel regarding our last years. " 03:35 And I like the question: 03:37 What are the things that we should do? 03:39 What should we avoid doing 03:41 and what principles should we follow? 03:44 So, that's what we're going to talk about this week. 03:46 Our memory verse is Revelation 14 verse 13 03:49 and the Bible says: 03:50 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, 03:53 "Write: 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 03:56 from henceforth'". 03:57 "Yea," saith the Spirit, 03:59 "that they may rest from their labors, 04:02 and their works do follow them. " 04:04 I heard this saying many years ago, 04:07 "What we do for self will pass... 04:10 what we do for Christ will last. " 04:14 And that's what this lesson is talking about. 04:16 The legacy that we leave behind... 04:18 how do you want to be remembered? 04:19 Do you want to be remembered as a person 04:22 that just pulled everything to yourself 04:24 or the person who allowed your life to be a conduit of blessing 04:29 reaching into hearts and lives of other people 04:31 on various levels. 04:33 That's why Sunday's lesson is so significant. 04:35 Let's turn to Luke chapter 12 04:37 and we're going to look together at a title the Bible gives it, 04:41 calls it: The Rich Fool. 04:44 You know when... if we call somebody a fool, the Bible says, 04:48 we're in danger of hell fire. 04:50 When the Lord calls you a fool, 04:52 there must be something about divinity 04:54 that sees far deeper than humanity does. 04:58 Let's consider the story in verses 16 to 21. 05:02 "Then He spoke a parable to them, saying... " 05:05 by the way, a parable is something that applies... 05:08 it has a broad spiritual principle 05:11 that applies to everyone 05:13 but there are characters often mentioned in the parable 05:15 that really don't exist 05:16 but the circumstances and scenarios 05:19 are true to life in every generation. 05:21 It says, "The ground of a certain rich man 05:24 yielded plentifully. 05:25 And he thought within himself, saying, 05:28 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 05:34 So he said, "I will do this: 05:37 I will pull down my barns and build greater, 05:41 and there I will store all my crops and my goods. " 05:45 Uhhh... 05:47 Some of us have sheds bigger than our houses. 05:49 Panel: Laughter. 05:50 Lomacang: Not mentioning me... I'm one of those. 05:52 "And I will say to my soul... " 05:55 verse 19, 05:56 "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; 06:00 take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry. " 06:05 You could see him on the front porch in his recliner... 06:08 nice warm day... some lemonade... 06:11 and maybe a little... maybe a little umbrella in it 06:13 with a cherry on top... 06:15 he's thinking looking at his beautifully manicured lawn 06:18 saying, "Been long time before I got to this point in life 06:21 and I'm just going to enjoy it. " 06:23 Ah ha... but the story continues. 06:25 "But God said to him, 06:27 'Hmmm... Fool! 06:29 Fool! 06:31 This night your soul will be required of you; 06:36 then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 06:40 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, 06:45 and is not rich towards God. " 06:49 Wow! there are a number of questions that come to the forefront, 06:54 three of those which we'll answer in detail... 06:56 one is: What's the relevant message to us? 06:59 Secondly, what strong rebuke did the Lord give 07:01 to the foolish man and finally, 07:04 what should that say to us regarding our attitude toward 07:09 what we own. 07:11 There's a quotation here from the Lesson 07:13 that I want to bring to you tonight, 07:16 I allude to this but it fits in better here 07:18 as we near the end of our earning years. 07:21 Our financial focus turns toward preserving our assets 07:26 in anticipation of the end of life. 07:28 The transition from working to retirement 07:32 can be a very traumatic experience. 07:34 In terms of our finances, 07:37 what is the best way to proceed? 07:41 especially when the Stock Market starts taking a nose dive 07:44 and you think, "No, no... " 07:46 Down nine points... 07:49 down 200... 07:50 down 600 points... 07:52 ah... the downturn... 07:53 the Interest Rate is going up... 07:54 Well, the Fed's going to make another increase 07:56 in the Interest Rate and you wonder, 07:57 "No... I won't have anything left for retirement. " 08:00 I've known people that have lost 1000s on the Stock Market 08:04 because 1: that happened to them and they got nervous 08:07 and pulled all their money out 08:09 and tried to put it back in 08:10 when the Stock Market started to rise 08:12 and they did not get the same benefits. 08:14 So, one of the things we find out here 08:16 that I think is being recommended 08:18 is... don't live financially... 08:21 and I'm going to use the word right here, 08:22 don't allow your financial life to become a trauma to you. 08:26 Panel: Hmmm... 08:27 Lomacang: In other words, don't act out of impulse. 08:30 Be a person that is trusting in the Lord... 08:34 giving to God what belongs to Him... 08:37 because it goes on to say as... as Ed Reid brought out, 08:41 As people get older, 08:43 they almost naturally begin to worry about the future. 08:45 The most common fears are... here's some of them: 08:49 Dying too soon... before the family is taken care of. 08:52 Living too long... 08:54 Outliving their assets or saving... 08:56 Catastrophic illness... 08:57 All my resources could go at one time... 09:01 and mental and or physical disabilities. 09:04 Who will take care of me? 09:06 Now, those are real legitimate questions 09:08 because, you know, I heard a story... 09:09 my sister talked about it. 09:11 A Police Officer that... 09:12 he was dating for a number of years 09:16 and he finally got married 09:18 and two years later, had a traumatic motor cycle accident 09:20 and now he's... can't walk any longer 09:23 and he's very, very severely damaged... 09:25 just finally got his life together 09:27 and then trauma comes along 09:29 and as one of our church members said, 09:33 "We all are going to die one of three ways... 09:35 either by old age... 09:37 by illness... 09:39 or by accident... 09:40 There's no fourth category. " 09:43 Panel: Hmmm... Lomacang: Isn't that terrible? 09:44 Old age... 09:46 boy! if I want to go, I want to go peacefully. 09:48 But we don't have those choices, 09:49 that's in the hand of the Lord. 09:51 In the book Christ's Object Lessons, 09:53 we are told: "This man's aims 09:55 were no higher than those of the beast that perish. 09:59 He lived as if there were no God... 10:01 no heaven... no future life... 10:03 as if everything he possessed was his own 10:05 and he owned nothing... 10:07 and he owed nothing to God or to man. " 10:10 So, three points I want to bring out 10:13 and wrap it in some... I would say... 10:16 ecclesiastical gift wrapping 10:19 because this story is one that 10:22 could be an entire sermon for me. 10:25 But if during the stage of life, 10:28 we think only of ourselves and ignore the needs of others 10:31 and the cause of God, 10:32 we are following the example of the rich fool. 10:35 That's one of the examples brought out. 10:37 He thought only of himself... not his neighbors. 10:40 As the Lord said to the rich young ruler, 10:42 "Give everything you have to your neighbors 10:44 and then follow me. " 10:46 There was no indication in Jesus' parable 10:48 that the rich man was lazy or dishonest. 10:51 So, it doesn't mean you have to be dishonest or lazy, 10:54 just simply means your focus is all about self. 10:56 What do I get? 10:58 How am I going to be impacted? 11:00 So, three things I want to bring to the forefront 11:02 and just give you a closing thought from the Lesson. 11:04 1. Be mindful of materialistic accountability. 11:09 1st Timothy 6 and verse 17, 11:11 it says, "Command those who are rich in this present age 11:15 not to be haughty, 11:16 nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, 11:20 who gives us richly all things to enjoy. " 11:24 You know, in the book of Ecclesiastes, 11:27 it talks about the cycle of life 11:29 and we all get to the point where, 11:31 you know, the days come that we say, 11:33 we have no pleasure in them. 11:34 I've seen people that are just existing. 11:37 You know, I've gone to Care Facilities and Nursing Homes 11:41 and you see people that are there 11:42 and you think, "Wow! is that where I am headed?" 11:45 Panel: Hmmm... hmmm... 11:46 Lomacang: What happens if I get to that point in life, 11:48 who is going to take care of me? 11:50 I was in Singapore 11:52 and there was a lady in the Care Facility... 11:54 there was nothing wrong with her at all. 11:56 I said, "Why are you here?" 11:57 She said, "Well, I have three sons... 11:59 they're really busy in their life. " 12:00 I said, "But there's absolutely nothing wrong with you. " 12:02 She said, "Because they are too busy to take care of me 12:04 so, I'm here. " 12:05 And she was functioning fine... 12:06 walking around... not even with a cane 12:08 or not even with a walker 12:09 and I thought, Wow! 12:11 What happens when you get to a certain point in life 12:14 when your "value" seems to diminish 12:16 in the eyes of those you've given life to. 12:18 How sad... that does happen to some people. 12:20 The second thing that this story brings out to me is: 12:24 Wealth is not an assurance of salvation. 12:27 Matthew 19:24, 12:29 "And again I say to you, 12:31 it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle 12:33 than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. " 12:36 You'll study the Bible 12:37 and you'll never see that God is upset with people with wealth. 12:40 That's not what the Scripture teaches 12:42 because many of the servants of God were wealthy men. 12:44 Hey, vis-á-vis, Job, Abraham, 12:46 Solomon... to say the least... 12:48 these men were men that were blessed financially... 12:51 tremendously. 12:52 Or Lydia, the seller of purple... 12:54 Nicodemus... these people had wealth. 12:55 There's nothing wrong with wealth and possessions. 12:58 But I think I may have said this in a prior lesson, 13:00 when we allow our possessions to possess us, 13:03 that's where the problem comes in 13:05 which is the third point, 13:07 The gospel brings riches into sharper focus. 13:10 The gospel... when you hear about the gospel 13:13 that cannot be purchased, 13:14 salvation is a gift... not of works... 13:17 not of financial gain lest anyone should boast. 13:21 So, the wealthy and the poor 13:23 have to go through the same channels... 13:25 through the grace and righteousness of Jesus. 13:27 James 2 and verse 5 brings this into focus. 13:30 "Listen, my beloved brethren: 13:32 God has not chosen the poor of this world 13:35 to be rich in faith... 13:37 Has God not chosen the poor of this world 13:40 to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom 13:42 which He promised to those who love Him?" 13:45 So, when you look at the life of the rich fool, 13:47 remember this, 13:49 if you are at that stage in life 13:51 where time is more behind you than ahead of you, 13:54 think these words: Legacy... how will I be remembered? 13:58 Whose life will be benefited 14:00 from the things that God entrusted to me? 14:02 And don't be like the rich fool that says, 14:04 "I've got all the time in the world... " 14:06 because time is only in the hand of God. 14:07 Be a wise person and God will bless you. 14:11 Panel: Amen... amen. 14:12 Danny: Thank you, Pastor. 14:14 I have Monday's Lesson... I'm Danny Shelton 14:16 and I love what it says: You can't take it with us. 14:19 My dad used to say, "You can't take it with you" 14:22 but we can't take it with you. 14:24 It's pretty cut and dry in the Lesson in a nutshell, 14:27 it's just reminding us 14:28 that we are stewards of the finances that God gives us 14:32 while we're here on this earth. 14:34 So, we talk about the spiritual concept of... 14:37 of... as Christians 14:39 but as Christians we also want to look at 14:41 what happens with what we have after we pass away... 14:45 after we die. 14:46 So, we're also reminded that life is very short. 14:50 In fact, Job 14 says, 14:52 "Man that is born of woman 14:54 is of few days and full of trouble. 14:56 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut low: 14:59 and fleeth also as a shadow, 15:01 and continueth not 15:03 till the heavens be no more. " 15:05 I mean, that's kind of the story of man... 15:07 just... Job knew how to put it right there, 15:09 I mean, that... that's amazing. 15:11 Now, the only way we can escape death... 15:13 you talked about Pastor... ways that we are going to die, 15:16 the only way we can escape it 15:18 is if we happen to be alive when Jesus comes back. 15:21 Now, that would be all of our wish 15:23 and all of our hope and prayer 15:25 but you know what? 15:26 Going to sleep is not the worst thing that can happen to us 15:29 because as soon as we wake up the very first thing we see 15:32 will be the... what? The face of Jesus. 15:35 Panel: Amen... amen. 15:36 Danny: So, now, I'll admit Shelley, 15:38 when you gave me this title that I really... 15:40 I really liked it. 15:41 It became kind of personal to me 15:42 because the... you can't take it with you 15:45 is one of my... my dad... 15:47 my dad had all these sayings, 15:49 I mean, he had so many sayings 15:50 but this is one of... this is one of them. 15:53 He'd say, "You can't take it with you. " 15:56 So, if somebody had something, 15:57 you might as well do something with it, 15:58 plan on it now, 16:00 because when you die, 16:01 you can't take it with you... 16:02 you're going to the grave without it 16:04 so, that really hit me because I... 16:06 it brought me back to thinking about my dad 16:09 but as you know, there are people in life 16:11 who will scrimp and save their whole life 16:13 only to die and someone else ends up with all their money. 16:17 Right? 16:18 Some people will do without almost everything in life, 16:22 they don't want to spend one red cent, my Mom used to say 16:25 but they won't want to spend one penny on something 16:30 even if they really need it. 16:32 So, I'm also sure that you've heard about people that die 16:36 and people going afterward 16:38 and they'll find 100s of 1,000s of dollars in shoe boxes 16:42 in the closets... in the attic... 16:43 tucked away somewhere... 16:45 I know personally of someone who had money under the bathtub 16:49 that had gotten wet 16:50 and so, the bank referred to it as "stinky money. " 16:53 So... Panel: Laughter. 16:55 Danny: But... the same people... if you look at their house, 16:58 they're... some of them are dilapidated. 17:02 Would you look at... 17:04 the neighbors would look at them and say, 17:05 "The people look malnourished. " 17:07 They drove... drove an old car. 17:09 What are they doing with 100s of 1,000s of dollars? 17:12 The... the neighbors considered them paupers. 17:15 But oftentimes, these people had no relatives... 17:18 no, Will... 17:19 so, that's when the State take over 17:21 and I'm sure as Christians 17:23 that's not what we want to happen, right? 17:25 We want to know what happens to our asset. 17:28 Another good reason for Estate Planning 17:30 is that I can tell you from experience, 17:31 the closest of families can become the biggest enemies 17:35 when someone dies and there's not a Will... 17:38 there's not something in place 17:39 because you had never dreamed this could happen... 17:42 you said, "Oh, don't worry, it won't happen to our family. " 17:44 Well, we hope not but we've seen it. 17:46 Jill, you can attest to that, many, many times, 17:49 even because we have a Wills and Trust Department 17:52 which I'll talk about in... in just a little bit. 17:54 As Christians, we want to make sure 17:56 that a portion of our assets are left for the Lord's work 18:00 just like now we pay tithe and we pay offerings 18:04 while we are alive, 18:05 so, we should also plan to take care of the Lord's work 18:09 even after we're dead. 18:11 So, sometimes we don't like to think about it 18:14 so, I remember when my Dad was talking to people 18:16 and he thought they may have a little money, 18:18 he'd say, "You need to plan with what you're going to do 18:21 with it now because you can't take it with you. " 18:24 He'd say, "You can't take it with you, 18:26 so, go ahead now... " 18:28 and so... he'd say, "When it's all said and done, 18:31 you can't take it to the grave. " 18:33 Well, Psalm 49:17 says, 18:35 "For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away... " 18:39 how much will he carry away? 18:41 "When he dieth he shall carry nothing away: 18:44 his glory shall not descend after him. " 18:48 So, there is an old song that says, 18:50 "No matter how high in society they go, 18:53 or how much money they save, 18:55 but when they close their eyes in death, 18:58 they can only fill one grave. " 19:01 Not "F E E L" but "F I L L" right? 19:04 It's a great thought actually because when rich or poor, 19:08 when we die, 19:09 if you think about it, 19:10 it's the same size coffin 19:12 and the same size hole in the ground to bury them, right? 19:15 Nobody knows at that point whether you're... 19:17 you're rich or poor, 19:18 because it takes the same... same amount. 19:20 But even as you look at some of these giant pyramids 19:22 built for the kings back in the Bible times, 19:25 the table that they laid the king on is still the same size 19:29 as the pauper's hole that they dug for him outside. 19:33 So, hopefully, you're following with us here, 19:35 so, I guess the Sabbath School Lesson is just preparing us 19:38 for the fact that while we are preparing spiritually 19:40 for heaven, 19:42 we also should be preparing 19:43 for what happens to our assets after our death. 19:47 There is an old tombstone with an inscription 19:49 that's in case... because some of you... 19:52 you probably heard this... 19:53 and others say, "Well, I don't know... " 19:55 John, we've talked about dying, 19:56 the Bible talks about dying 19:58 but this really brought it home to me 20:00 and I've heard this several years ago 20:02 and it came to my mind... 20:03 the old inscription says, 20:05 "Dear Friends, 20:06 please know as you pass by 20:08 as you are now so once was I... 20:12 as I am now, so you will be... 20:15 prepare yourself to follow me. " 20:18 Panel: Laughter. 20:20 Danny: So, so 1st Timothy 6... 6:6 and 7 says, 20:24 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. 20:29 For we brought nothing into this world, 20:32 and it is certain we can carry nothing out. " 20:36 This brings me once again back to my dad 20:40 because he worked hard in giving his kids many life lessons 20:43 that we really didn't want to know 20:45 un... until many years later 20:47 but then when we were ready to think about him, 20:50 sadly he was already gone 20:51 but one of his statements was 20:53 and I'll... I'll say the way he quoted it, 20:55 "You didn't bring nothing into this world 20:58 and you certainly ain't going to take nothing out. " 21:00 So, for years actually, I didn't know that that was... 21:03 that... that wasn't about... 21:04 I didn't know it was Bible Scripture he was paraphrasing 21:07 because I heard him say it so much... 21:09 I just thought my dad came up with that. 21:11 "You ain't going to take nothing out... " he would say. 21:13 Then he would continue... 21:14 "When you are lowered into the grave, 21:16 the only real thing people will remember you by 21:20 is your character for good or bad 21:22 so guard it closely. " 21:24 And it makes so much sense. 21:26 So far in this little lesson, we've learned 21:29 that barring the second coming of Christ, right, 21:32 in our life time, 21:33 we're all going to die. 21:35 John you said, "One way or the other... " 21:36 you gave us... you gave us the choices of... 21:38 of it and it's not choices but the particular ways 21:41 that it could happen. 21:43 So, the question for all of us is this, 21:45 "If we don't take anything out when we leave this world, 21:48 what happens to our assets when we die? 21:52 Right? 21:54 I'm going to say it again, 21:56 "If we don't take anything out of this world... " 21:58 because the Bible says, "We don't take it out... " 22:00 What's going to happen to what we have now? 22:03 It could be small or it could be large... 22:06 that doesn't make any difference. 22:07 It says that we are stewards of what God has given us 22:11 and so, how are we preparing? 22:13 And I think they've done a good job because 22:15 when you first read the Sabbath School Lesson, 22:17 sometimes, you say, 22:18 "I don't know where... where are they going... " 22:21 but in this case, I don't think enough about it 22:23 and I think a lot of you don't either 22:25 and maybe that's because we don't like to think about death. 22:28 Right? 22:29 So, in most cases, what will happen is 22:32 we either have a Will 22:33 and an Executor who will distribute your Estate 22:36 when you pass on 22:37 or you're going to have as we mentioned earlier, 22:39 you're going to have family and everybody else 22:42 probably fighting over it... I hate to say that. 22:44 But 3ABN has a Planning Department 22:46 that's been helping people for over 25 years, Jill, 22:49 and I remember Leonard Westphal. 22:51 because people would say, 22:53 "I don't know about giving to 3ABN, 22:55 what if they need money? 22:56 The Lord may take me... you know, 22:58 take me to death... to my rest. " 22:59 Leonard would always say to them, 23:01 "I promise you, 23:03 that when you leave your portion and your Estate to 3ABN, 23:07 you will not die one day sooner. " 23:09 Then he would add, 23:10 "In fact, I can almost guarantee... 23:13 you'll live longer. " 23:14 Why? 23:16 "Because you have peace of mind. " 23:17 So, you know what? 23:18 I can tell you that many, many people actually tell us 23:21 that... "You know, since I signed this over, 23:24 I have great peace of mind. " 23:26 And I remember one lady who gave a large... 23:28 a huge amount in cash, 23:30 and when she gave it to us, she said, 23:33 "Whew! I've never been so glad to get rid of anything 23:36 in my life... because the responsibility was so bad. " 23:40 So, in essence, Estate Planning is very important for each of us 23:43 to make sure that whatever assets that we have... 23:46 that God has blessed us with on this earth, 23:49 that will be used for His honor and for His glory. 23:52 What we do leave behind 23:54 is our influence that we have on our loved ones 23:56 and family members 23:57 and even people that we didn't even know. 23:59 That's what's important 24:01 because as John said... 24:02 Lanny Wolfe wrote a song... 24:04 "It's only what's done for Christ... will last. " 24:07 Panel: Amen... that's right... amen. 24:08 Lomacang: Thank you Danny, amen. 24:10 Wow! you know... that's... 24:11 that saying about the funeral effigy on the... on the coffin... 24:15 there's a latter part to that... it says, 24:16 "To follow you I'm not content... 24:18 till I know just where you went. " 24:19 Laughter: Ha... ha... ha... laughter. 24:21 Lomacang: So, as you think about that, 24:23 we're going to take a short break 24:24 and we'll be right back for the continuation of our Lesson, 24:26 don't go away. 24:27 Music... 24:32 Ever wish you could watch a 3ABN Sabbath School Panel again 24:36 or share it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? 24:40 Well, you can by visiting 3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com 24:44 A clean design makes it easy 24:47 to find the Program you are looking for. 24:49 There are also links to the adult Bible Study Guide 24:52 so you can follow along. 24:54 Sharing is easy. 24:55 Just click "Share" and choose your favorite Social Media. 24:59 Share a Link... 25:00 Save a Life for Eternity. 25:02 Lomacang: Welcome back to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel. 25:05 We go to Shelley Quinn on Tuesday: 25:07 Begin with Personal Needs. 25:08 Shelley: Yes, it's interesting... Giving Back... 25:10 Begin With Personal Needs... 25:13 I'm going to make a confession. 25:15 There's one Scripture Passage that this is focusing on... 25:19 that's Proverbs 27:23 to 27, we'll get to those four verses 25:23 and I looked and I read them and I thought 25:26 "I don't even remember reading these before... " 25:28 that's not something I had focused on in Proverbs, 25:31 so, it was interesting. 25:33 Where I want to begin is: What does he mean 25:36 "Giving back begins with personal needs. " 25:39 1st Timothy 5:8... 25:41 1st Timothy 5:8 says this, 25:44 "If anyone fails to provide for his relatives 25:47 and especially for those of his own family, 25:50 he has disowned the faith... " 25:52 by failing to accompany it with fruits... 25:56 basically is what he's saying. 25:57 "and is worse than an unbeliever... " 26:00 who does take care of these matters. 26:04 One... one translation says, 26:06 "You are worse than an infidel. " 26:08 The Bible warns against being greedy... 26:13 it warns against the rich trampling the poor 26:17 but it never condemns 26:19 the efforts to acquire wealth honestly 26:24 and... and there is... 26:26 there is much to be said about wise financial management. 26:30 Proverbs 3:9 and 10 says, 26:32 "Honour the LORD with all your possessions, 26:35 with the first fruits of all your increase: 26:38 so your barns will be filled with plenty... " 26:41 have you got a barn? 26:42 What... what is he saying here? 26:44 You know, God's promised blessings in the Old Testament 26:48 are couched in agricultural language 26:51 because most of the nation of Israel, 26:54 were farmers or shepherds. 26:56 So, how does that promise translate to us today 27:01 that if we honor the Lord with our wealth, 27:04 that our barns will be filled. 27:06 Basically saying... "If you are financially faithful to God, 27:09 He is going to bless your work, 27:12 He's going to bless your business 27:15 as long as you're willing to follow and obey Him. 27:18 So, now let's get to this 27:20 wonderful passage that I've never studied before. 27:23 Proverbs 27:23 through 27, 27:28 basically, what I've figured out 27:31 is this is contrasting 27:33 our labor with God's provisions 27:38 and it's showing us that we 27:41 need to manage diligently 27:44 the blessings that God has given us 27:47 so, let's look at it. 27:48 Proverbs 27:23, 27:50 "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, 27:54 and look well to your herds... your herds. " 27:58 So... what God is telling us here through Solomon 28:03 is that there is wisdom in our financial planning... 28:07 in knowing our financial affairs... 28:10 what G. Edward Reid suggests 28:12 is that we review our financial records 28:15 and our balance sheets. 28:17 We need to use our resources wisely. 28:21 It goes on in the next verse, verse 24, 28:24 Proverbs 27:24, 28:27 "For riches are not forever, 28:30 does a crown endure to all generations? 28:33 Basically what he is saying here... 28:37 riches... power... are uncertain. 28:41 They're fleeting... 28:42 somebody can be in power today 28:44 and be at the bottom of the food chain the next day. 28:48 But Solomon is actually talking to his son here. 28:53 So, I see there's a great message 28:56 for spiritual leaders... pastors... elders... 29:01 people who are at the head of... of ministries. 29:07 As a good steward, 29:08 you need to manage the resources 29:12 of your human and material blessings. 29:17 God blesses 3ABN with beautiful people, does He not? 29:23 We've got some of the most precious people here 29:25 and I'm going to say... 29:27 you all are very gracious to all of us 29:32 so, you do manage the resources that God has given you well 29:36 and I know that we can... 29:38 we definitely stretch our financial resources here. 29:43 But there's a message to the pastors here, 29:46 1st Peter 5:2 and 3 says this, 29:50 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, 29:54 serving as overseers, 29:56 not by compulsion but willingly, 30:00 not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 30:05 not as being lords over those entrusted to you, 30:09 but being examples to the flock. " 30:13 It's interesting also... when it says, 30:16 riches are not forever... 30:17 that word can also be translated as strength 30:21 and boy, do we know that! 30:23 A man is basically... that would be saying 30:27 and the Septuagint translates in this manner. 30:31 "For riches are not forever... " 30:33 it says, "A man has not strength and power forever. " 30:38 What is God saying to us? 30:40 Be diligent about the blessings that I have given you... 30:45 plan for the future... 30:47 we need to plan for our retirement 30:49 and I'm going to tell you... 30:50 the younger you are when you start planning for retirement, 30:54 you can suck away just a little, tiny little sum of money each... 30:59 each year or each month 31:01 and it is going to... because of compound interest, 31:05 by the time you reach 65 retirement, 31:09 you're going to have so much more 31:12 than if you tried to get everything going 31:15 and paying along the way 31:16 and wait till you're old as we had to 31:20 because of our debt 31:21 but it's... it's good to plan for your retirement 31:26 before your strength is gone 31:27 because you don't know where you're going to end up. 31:29 Verse 27, Proverbs 27:25, excuse me. 31:33 Proverbs 27:25... this is interesting, 31:37 "When the hay is gone, the tender grass shows itself, 31:41 and herbs of the mountains are gathered in... " 31:43 basically, if you're a farmer... 31:46 I know that we used to harvest the hay 31:48 and pretty soon the new grass would appear for grazing, 31:52 later, we'd harvest the grain 31:55 and we used the grain and the hay 31:59 to provide for the livestock. 32:01 Verse 26, "The lambs will be for your clothing, 32:05 the goats will furnish you the price of a field... " 32:08 and then... verse 27, 32:10 "there will be goats and milk enough for your food, 32:13 for the food of your household, 32:14 and for the maintenance of your maids. " 32:16 Well, that doesn't mean a whole lot to people nowadays, 32:18 because we don't have goats 32:20 but what he's basically... 32:23 that the lambs provided wool. 32:25 They got... they got their shelter, 32:28 they got their food... 32:29 they got their clothing from the herds 32:31 so they took really good care of their herds 32:34 and often, they would keep the females for breeding 32:37 and they'd sell the males 32:41 so that they could re-invest that money 32:44 either by buying the field or buying more. 32:47 So, basically, the bottom line is this Proverb is telling us 32:52 to be responsible stewards. 32:54 We need to care for our families. 32:56 That is something that God takes very seriously. 32:59 We need to care for our home and our career 33:02 and plan for our financial future. 33:07 It's always uncertain. 33:08 You've got to have an Emergency Fund 33:10 and if you don't hear anything else I'm saying now, 33:13 you should have three to four months 33:15 of whatever your monthly income... 33:17 is put away in savings... 33:19 not your long-term savings but your short-term. 33:22 Keep it where it's available to you in case of an emergency 33:26 should you lose your job or have some kind of emergency. 33:30 Plan for retirement. 33:31 Hard work plus God's provisions 33:35 results in having resources for the needs of life 33:39 and there's just a whole lot of peace 33:42 when you've got... 33:44 when you don't have financial stress. 33:46 But now, let me just bring it down to kind of tie this in. 33:49 If you're 18 or above, 33:51 you should have a Will. 33:54 You're going to ask me why I'm saying this... 33:56 had a friend, divorced, daughter 18... moved out... 34:00 two months later was hit by a truck... 34:02 the insurance paid a huge sum 34:06 for this death... it killed her 34:09 and all of a sudden, her daughter was 18 and of age 34:14 not living at home... 34:16 didn't have a Will... 34:17 and all those insurance proceeds became... 34:20 it was between the State and the father that she wasn't close to. 34:25 You might think, "Well, I don't need something that young... " 34:29 if you're married and have a child, 34:31 you definitely... if you don't have a Will... 34:33 sit down tonight and write one out. 34:35 You've got to have a Will in place 34:38 and then through your earning years, 34:40 what you need to do... 34:41 we used to do this regularly, 34:44 now, I think we do it about every three years 34:47 but every year... the first of the year, 34:49 I used to review everything and see... 34:52 okay, is my insurance coverage up to date? 34:54 This there anything about our Will that needs to change? 34:57 And, you know, we changed our Will 35:00 and we've actually... I advise, you tell... 35:04 we've told our relatives, 35:06 "You can have certain pieces of ours... " 35:09 but as far as the money is concerned, 35:11 we're leaving them a little portion 35:13 and all of the rest is going to 3ABN 35:16 to continue the Lord's work 35:17 because that's what we want to do with our life. 35:22 Dinzey: Praise the Lord. 35:24 Well, my name is John Dinzey and we are now moving to 35:27 Wednesday's portion of the Lesson... 35:29 a title I had never considered this before: Deathbed Charity. 35:33 What does that mean? 35:35 This is talking about people 35:36 that apparently do not use their finances 35:39 while they are living... 35:41 they see opportunities... 35:43 they hear about different projects, 35:45 they're building a church... evangelistic campaigns... 35:48 missionaries that need help but they hold on to their money 35:51 and they basically... write a Will 35:54 and say, "I left my money for this 35:56 and I left my money for that. " 35:58 And it's very interesting because 36:00 some principles are brought out in this day's lesson 36:03 that will help us understand 36:05 that that is not the wisest way to go. 36:07 Let's move to 1st Timothy chapter 6 verse 17, 36:10 the first Scripture presented in this lesson for this day. 36:15 I'm going to read the first part 36:16 and then we're going to go to another Scripture. 36:19 "Command those who are rich in this present age 36:22 not to be haughty, 36:23 nor to trust in uncertain riches... " 36:26 we will stop there for a moment 36:28 and consider the Greek word used here which is: hupsélophroneó 36:34 which means: To be high-minded, proud and arrogant. 36:38 That's the word that was presented as "haughty" 36:41 in the New King James Version 36:43 and so, in the King James Version, 36:45 uses the word: High-minded 36:47 and here this Scripture tells us that's not the way to live... 36:52 that's not the way to behave 36:53 if you are better off than someone else. 36:56 Do not consider others lower than yourself. 36:59 And it also says not to trust in uncertain riches. 37:04 You have already heard 37:05 the reality that you could be rich one moment 37:08 and poor the next. 37:10 This is the reality of the present age that we live in 37:13 especially if you have your money invested in those things 37:16 that go up and down all the time 37:18 and so, if you are going to invest, 37:21 you have to invest in something that you know is more secure. 37:24 Now, it's in Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 to 21 37:29 that I see a balance concerning riches. 37:33 It says... beginning in verse 19, 37:35 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, 37:38 where moth and rust destroy 37:41 and where thieves break in and steal... " 37:43 Do we live in an age where moth and rust can destroy 37:47 and thieves can break in and steal? 37:49 Absolutely... but notice verse 20, 37:50 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 37:53 where neither moth nor rust destroys 37:56 and where thieves do not break in and steal. 37:58 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. " 38:01 Now, this is not talking that there's a way 38:03 to send your money to heaven, 38:05 this is talking about using the money for the Lord's cause 38:08 to be a blessing to yourself and to your family. 38:11 Yes, you have heard wise counsel. 38:14 You have to plan for retirement... 38:16 you have to plan to take care of your family, 38:18 you also have to plan for the education of your children 38:20 but there has to be a balance in how money is used 38:24 because the cause of God has needs 38:26 and we do not know how much time we have 38:29 for the Lord is coming soon 38:32 and we signs indicating that the Lord is coming soon. 38:35 So, we have to be in communion with the Lord 38:37 so when the Lord prompts us to let us know 38:40 it's time for you to use this money for the Lord's cause... 38:44 we will be ready to get that money for that use. 38:47 And so, let's move to 2nd Corinthians... 38:50 actually, I need to go to the last part 38:53 of 1st Timothy chapter 6 verse 17, 38:55 let's read the first part again... 38:56 "Command those who are rich in this present age 38:58 not to be haughty, 39:00 nor to trust in uncertain riches 39:01 but in the living God, 39:04 who gives us richly all things to enjoy. " 39:07 That's who we are supposed to trust... 39:10 not the riches but in the living God 39:13 and He blesses us to be able to enjoy the things He gives us 39:17 but also, to be a blessing to others. 39:20 Let's find the balance by the grace of the Lord. 39:22 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verse 18, 39:24 now we go there... 39:26 it says, "While we do not look at the things which are seen, 39:29 but at the things which are not seen. 39:32 For the things which are seen are temporary, 39:35 but the things which are not seen are eternal. " 39:39 Again, find the balance. 39:41 The things that we see on earth, 39:43 you know, some people seem to have the idea 39:47 that we need to gather... 39:48 you know, I think I even heard there's a saying, 39:50 I don't know quite... quite how it goes, 39:52 maybe Pastor Lomacang can remember this, 39:53 "Gather as... the job you have on this world is... 39:57 gather as much as you can 39:59 or as much... as many toys as you can 40:01 and then you will die. " 40:02 This is the idea that some people seem to have 40:04 but we are not to trust in uncertain riches. 40:07 Proverbs chapter 30 verse 8 says, 40:09 "Remove falsehood and lies far from me... " 40:13 notice the balance that he was looking for here, 40:16 "Remove falsehood and lies far from me; 40:20 give me neither poverty nor riches... 40:23 feed me with the food allotted to me... " 40:26 Now why is he saying this? 40:28 I like to move it to verse 9, 40:30 Proverbs 30 verse 9, 40:32 "Lest I be full... " 40:33 that's full of... having plenty "and deny You... " 40:37 There's a danger in riches that you have so much 40:40 that you forget about the Lord. 40:43 This is why whether poor or rich, 40:46 we need to search for the Lord with all of our heart... 40:48 take up our cross daily and follow Jesus... 40:50 we will find the balance. 40:52 And, let's read that again, 40:53 "Lest I be full and deny You, 40:55 and say, 'Who is the LORD?' 40:57 Or lest I be poor and steal, 41:00 and profane the name of God. " 41:02 Two extremes are presented here 41:04 and we need to ask for the balance. 41:06 You know, in Ecclesiastes chapter 5 verse 10, 41:11 we have these wonderful words, 41:13 "He who loves silver 41:15 will not be satisfied with silver; 41:18 nor he who loves abundance, with increase. 41:21 This is also vanity. " 41:24 This is the wise words of King Solomon. 41:27 Now, I'm going to share this story that I had shared before 41:31 for the benefit of those who have not heard it. 41:33 There was a... in the country of Brazil 41:37 we have an Evangelist Alejandro Bullón 41:41 and he has a television program at that time 41:44 and he was... received a message from a very wealthy man 41:49 and he invited him to dinner. 41:51 He says, "Come to this restaurant 41:54 at this particular time, 41:55 I want you to have dinner with me... " 41:57 and he sent them a message, 42:00 and he... Pastor Bullón... 42:03 they told him, "Well, you need to go... 42:04 this is a very wealthy man... 42:06 who knows, this might be a great opportunity 42:08 for you to share the gospel with him. " 42:10 But when he arrived at this dinner, 42:12 the rich man looked at him and said, 42:14 "I've been watching your Program 42:16 and you have something that I do not have 42:18 and I want to know how you got it... 42:21 where you got it... 42:22 and how I could have it... but... 42:24 I don't want you to talk to me about Jesus Christ. " 42:27 Pastor Bullón was surprised 42:30 because if he wanted what he had, 42:33 then he needed to understand how he got it... 42:36 and Pastor Bullón said, "Look... 42:37 I can talk to you about the stocks and bonds 42:41 and all these types of things, 42:44 but... and I can also talk to you about soccer and sports 42:50 but really, what is that going to do for you? 42:53 You can talk to others about that. 42:55 I can talk to you about soccer because I watch soccer games 42:58 but this is not going to bring you the peace that you need. 43:01 Your money cannot buy this peace. 43:04 You can only find this peace in Jesus Christ... " 43:07 and he shared... 43:08 he says, "If you are willing to have what I have, 43:11 then you need to know the Savior that I know 43:14 and that is Jesus Christ. " 43:15 And, this is the reality of things. 43:17 Money will not satisfy you. 43:19 All the riches in the world will not bring you satisfaction, 43:23 peace and happiness. 43:25 It is Jesus Christ. 43:27 And this is where the lesson brings out 43:31 the idea of deathbed charity. 43:35 I read to you from a quote found in the Lesson, 43:38 it says, "I saw that many withhold from the cause 43:42 while they live, 43:43 quieting their consciences 43:45 that they will be charitable at death; 43:47 they hardly dare exercise faith and trust in God 43:50 to give anything while living. 43:53 But this deathbed charity 43:55 is not what Christ requires of His followers; 43:58 it cannot excuse the selfishness of living. 44:01 Those who hold fast their property 44:04 till the last moment to surrender it at death 44:08 rather than to the cause. 44:10 Losses are occurring continually. 44:13 Banks fail, and property is consumed in very many ways. 44:17 Many purpose to do something, but they delay the matter, 44:21 and Satan works to prevent the means 44:23 from coming into the treasury at all. 44:26 It is lost before it is returned to God, 44:29 and Satan exults that it is so. " 44:32 This is from Testimonies for the Church, 44:35 volume 5, page 154. 44:37 So, the reality is that opportunities 44:42 are being presented to us daily 44:44 to do something to advance the gospel. 44:46 Consider Matthew 24:14, 44:48 "And this gospel of the kingdom 44:49 shall be preached in all the world 44:51 for a witness unto all nations, 44:52 and then the end shall come. " 44:54 You have an opportunity 44:55 to help spread the gospel so the end can come. 44:58 And the truth of the matter is 45:01 Luke chapter 6 verse 38, 45:04 we cannot out give the Lord! 45:06 Notice, "Give and it will be given to you: 45:09 good measure, 45:10 pressed down, 45:11 and shaken together, 45:13 and running over will be put into your bosom. 45:15 For with the same measure that you use, 45:17 it will be measured back to you again. " 45:19 So consider these things 45:21 and give to the Lord as the Lord indicates to you 45:25 and you will be blessed and happy. 45:27 Jill: Amen, thank you so much Brother Johnny... 45:30 each one of you... 45:31 what a great Lesson! 45:32 What a practical Lesson 45:34 with things that we each need to look at and consider. 45:36 My name is Jill Morikone. 45:38 On Thursday, we look at Spiritual Legacy. 45:41 Before we look at that, 45:42 I have a question for you, 45:43 What are the effects of sin? 45:45 The common answers would be what? 45:47 Sickness... 45:48 suffering... 45:50 pain... 45:51 disease... decay... and death. 45:53 These are the effects of sin is it not? 45:54 Manipulation... lying... 45:56 cowardice... killing. 45:58 What about from a financial perspective? 46:02 What are the effects of sin? 46:05 It's poverty... not having enough to live on. 46:08 It's greed... wanting more than you need 46:11 and not being content with what you have. 46:14 It's covetousness... wanting more than you have... 46:19 wanting what's not yours... 46:21 It's hoarding... keeping more than you need 46:23 or stealing... taking what is not yours. 46:26 Oppression... 46:28 pushing others down to take from them 46:31 so you can enrich yourself. 46:33 What about pride? 46:35 Wanting... taking... coveting what is not yours. 46:41 What is our legacy? 46:43 We don't want a legacy of greed like Gehazi, Elisha's servant... 46:48 he ended up with leprosy. 46:50 We don't want a legacy of covetousness 46:53 like Achan... he ended up dead along with his family. 46:56 We don't want a legacy of hoarding like the rich fool 47:00 that Pastor John talked about... 47:02 he ended up dead. 47:03 We don't want a legacy of stealing like Jacob 47:06 who stole the birthright? from his brother 47:09 and he had to run for his life. 47:11 We don't want a legacy of oppression 47:14 like Joseph's brothers who sold him into slavery. 47:18 We don't want the legacy of pride like Lucifer 47:23 who is cast out from heaven. 47:25 What is our legacy? 47:28 Legacy is something that is passed on... is it not 47:31 from one generation to another. 47:33 And someone's faith may be their ethics... 47:37 their core values... 47:38 it could be someone's assets 47:40 passed on from generation to generation. 47:44 One's character... that is a legacy as well. 47:47 What about spiritual legacy? 47:49 Because that's what the focus of this Lesson is on. 47:51 What is our spiritual legacy? 47:53 Now, you might be saying, 47:55 "But I don't have kids and grandkids. " 47:57 If you have kids and grandkids, 47:58 they are definitely... 48:00 you can pass along a spiritual legacy to them 48:03 but if you don't... 48:04 you can pass on a spiritual legacy 48:05 to those within the sphere of your influence. 48:08 It can be co-workers... it can be neighbors... 48:11 it can be people in the church... 48:13 we all have an influence on someone else 48:17 and we can pass that spiritual legacy on. 48:20 So, I want to give you seven ways 48:23 that you can leave a spiritual legacy 48:27 and this would be any age... 48:28 we don't have to be 80 years old or a 100 years old 48:31 to leave a spiritual legacy. 48:33 You can be passing on a spiritual legacy 48:35 even while you're alive. 48:37 So, the first way... 48:39 I call it the legacy of stewardship. 48:42 Recognize that God created... 48:44 God owns and God sustains everything. 48:49 He owns the earth does He not? And the world. 48:51 Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the LORD's 48:54 and its fullness... 48:55 the world and those who dwell therein. " 48:57 Psalm 50:10 tells us that He owns the cattle 49:00 on a thousand hills... 49:02 and every beast of the forest belongs to Him. 49:04 He created and sustains everything. 49:08 We've been studying this all quarters on Stewardship. 49:10 Colossians 1:15-17, 49:13 "He is the image of the invisible God, 49:16 the firstborn over all creation. 49:19 For by Him... " this is Jesus Christ... 49:21 "all things were created 49:23 that are in heaven and that are on earth, 49:26 visible and invisible, 49:27 whether thrones or Dominions or principalities or powers. 49:31 All things were created through Him and for Him. 49:35 And He is before all things, 49:38 and in Him all things consist. " 49:41 You see, God created us... we did not evolve. 49:45 God owns this earth and everything in it. 49:48 We don't own any money. 49:50 We don't control money. 49:52 We don't own a job. 49:54 We don't own a spouse. 49:56 We don't own possessions. 49:58 Everything belongs to God and we are merely stewards 50:02 of what He's entrusted to us. 50:05 So, the first legacy is the legacy of Stewardship. 50:08 Teach your children and grandchildren... 50:10 teach those under the sphere of your influence 50:13 that what they have and what they possess is not theirs. 50:17 It's merely given to them by God to be stewards over. 50:21 Number 2: Way to create a spiritual legacy. 50:25 Spend time in the Word of God. 50:27 This is what I call the legacy of knowledge. 50:31 Romans 10:17, "Faith comes by hearing, 50:34 and hearing by the word of God. " 50:37 My grandma left me a legacy of knowledge. 50:40 I can remember as a little girl, 50:42 her getting up in the morning... 50:44 opening up her Bible... 50:46 she was dyslexic... 50:47 she had a hard time reading 50:49 and yet she would stumble over those passages... 50:53 she would read because she wanted to instill in her 50:57 the Word of God 50:58 and that legacy was passed on to me. 51:02 That legacy of knowledge of the Word of God 51:06 and you can pass it on to those within your influence. 51:10 Number 3: 51:11 This is what I call the legacy of love. 51:14 Love God and love other people. 51:17 Some people pass on the legacy of knowledge 51:20 but they're mean about it 51:21 and they're harsh about it. 51:23 You can love your children... 51:25 you can love your grandkids... 51:27 you can love those within the sphere of your influence 51:31 and teach them to love God and love others. 51:34 Mark 12:30 and 31, 51:36 "You should love the LORD your God with all your heart, 51:40 mind, strength, and soul, 51:42 and love your neighbor as yourself. " 51:46 Jesus has taught us this and this is... 51:48 what a wonderful legacy that we can live 51:51 and that we can teach is the legacy of love. 51:53 Number 4: 51:55 This is what I call the legacy of faithfulness. 51:58 Serve God faithfully. 52:01 Instruct those within the sphere of your influence 52:04 to faithfulness. 52:06 Luke 16:10, "He who is faithful in that which is least 52:10 is faithful also in much; 52:12 but he who is unjust in what is least 52:14 is unjust also in much. " 52:16 Many times we think the big things matter. 52:18 "Well, I'll... I'll follow God and I'll pay attention to that 52:21 when I'm called to some great position... " 52:24 or, "I'm... I'm blessed with a great deal of money... " 52:26 the little things matter just as much. 52:29 Faithfulness matters... 52:30 the words we speak... 52:32 the duties we do or the duties left undone. 52:35 Following through on your word... 52:38 faithfulness matters. 52:40 Leave a legacy of faithfulness. 52:42 Number 5 is what I call the legacy of prayer. 52:45 Pray consistently over your family... 52:49 over your kids and grandkids... 52:51 over those within the sphere of your influence 52:53 and teach them to value prayer. 52:56 1st Thessalonians 5:16 through 18, 53:00 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 53:03 in everything give thanks; 53:05 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. " 53:08 Every moment 53:10 live as in the consciousness of God's presence... and pray. 53:14 Dr. Yvonne prays and I've been with her 53:19 when her phone timer goes off 53:21 or the alarm and it reminds her... 53:24 it seems like it goes off at noon Mr. Danny 53:26 and it reminds her... pray... 53:28 What a wonderful legacy of prayer. 53:32 Number 6: This is what I call the legacy of instruction. 53:37 Weave the gospel into every day life. 53:42 In Deuteronomy chapter 6, 53:43 the children of Israel were instructed to do this 53:46 but you and I are instructed to do this today. 53:48 Deuteronomy 6:6 and 7, 53:51 "These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 53:54 You shall teach them diligently to your children, 53:57 to talk to them when you sit in the house, 53:59 when you walk by the way, 54:01 when you lie down, and when you rise up. " 54:04 Be consistent to weave the gospel. 54:07 The Word of God... the object lessons 54:10 bring to your children's mind 54:13 and those within the sphere of your influence... God. 54:15 Biblical truth should be as natural as breathing 54:18 and extend that and teach that 54:21 to those within the sphere of your influence. 54:23 Finally, Number 7 is what I call the legacy of example. 54:27 Practice what you preach. 54:30 Live the gospel. 54:32 Romans 2... this is a sad passage to me... Romans 2:21-23, 54:38 Paul is writing not to the Gentiles... 54:41 not to the heathens... 54:42 he is writing to the Jewish people. 54:44 This is the people in church 54:45 and he says, "You, therefore, who teach another, 54:48 do you not teach yourself? 54:49 You who preach that a man should not steal, 54:51 yet you steal?" 54:53 Verse 23, 54:55 "You who make your boast in the law, 54:56 you dishonor God through breaking the law. " 55:00 Practice what you preach. 55:02 Leave a legacy of example. 55:05 Seven ways we can leave a spiritual legacy... 55:08 is the legacy of Stewardship. 55:10 Recognize that God created and owns everything. 55:13 The Legacy of knowledge. 55:14 Spend time in the Word of God. 55:17 The legacy of love... 55:18 love God and love other people. 55:21 The legacy of faithfulness. 55:23 Serve Him faithfully 55:25 with whatever God has put within your hands. 55:28 The legacy of prayer... pray consistently. 55:32 The legacy of instruction... 55:34 weave the gospel into everything in your life 55:37 and the legacy of example. 55:39 Practice what you preach. 55:41 Panel: Amen. 55:42 Lomacang: Thank you so much, Jill. 55:43 Well, we have a few minutes so, give a closing thought, 55:45 Danny, what do you think? 55:47 Danny: Well, I'll get from Lanny Wolfe wrote a song... 55:48 chorus says, "Only one life, soon it will pass... 55:51 only what's done for Christ will last... 55:53 Only one chance to do His will so give to Jesus all your days, 55:58 It's the only life that pays 56:00 when you recall you have but one life. " 56:02 Lomacang: Okay, Shelley... 56:03 Shelley: Being financially faithful to God... 56:07 He will bless you and keep stock of your affairs. 56:11 Dinzey: From the Devotional Book: From the Heart, 56:15 page 157, "It is the vision of the world to come 56:19 that balances the mind 56:20 so that the things that are seen 56:22 do not obtain control over the affections 56:24 which have been bought 56:26 with an infinite price by the world's Redeemer. " 56:28 Jill: Amen. We all have an example... 56:31 we all have an influence... 56:32 we all have the opportunity to leave a legacy. 56:35 Make sure your legacy counts. 56:38 Lomacang: Wow! We've talked about giving back 56:41 and now as we close out this Program... 56:44 getting ready for Number 11 56:45 which is: Managing in Tough Times, 56:47 I want you to consider as you give... 56:49 as you plan for your giving... 56:51 think about ways... creative ways 56:53 that you can advance the gospel even in your absence 56:56 so that when the kingdom does roll, 56:59 there will be people because of your liberality 57:02 that will make the kingdom 57:03 and God will bless you long after your voice is silenced. 57:07 Here's a thought I want you to remember. 57:08 Always give without remembering 57:10 and always receive without forgetting. 57:14 Thank you Danny... Shelley... 57:16 Johnny and Jill 57:18 and thank you for taking the time to join us 57:19 at 3ABN Sabbath School Panel. 57:21 Remember, you can download a copy of the Lesson 57:23 but don't forget... we have two more left 57:25 and we look forward to seeing you next week 57:27 for studying God's Word as a family in the Word. 57:30 See you next time. 57:32 Panel: Amen. |
Revised 2023-04-24