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Series Code: TDYL
Program Code: TDYL230013A
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00:05 >> I want to. 00:11 [MUSIC] 00:18 [MUSIC] 00:22 >> Me, too. 00:27 >> Too 00:32 [MUSIC] 00:34 2. 00:38 And 00:43 and 00:45 [MUSIC] 00:48 I want to stand 00:49 [MUSIC] 00:53 and 2. 00:55 [MUSIC] 01:00 [MUSIC] 01:07 >> Hello and welcome to another 3 ABN Today Live special 01:11 program. We're so glad to be in your living room or maybe 01:14 you're driving your car listing to 3ABN radio. We always look 01:18 forward to spending these 2 hours with you. One reason is 01:21 because you're part of the 3 ABN family. And and Joe, 01:25 we've been looking forward to this program for a while this 01:27 evening. 01:28 >> We have indeed we have, of course, Danielle Van Shelton 01:30 with us coasting with us. I lied about that. But we also 01:36 have some special guest joining us via Skype. They're 01:40 incredibly busy and could not be here in studio with us 01:43 tonight. But if you saw on the wide shot, you saw there 01:47 joining us virtually that is the advantage of technology. 01:52 And we have heard we have with us tonight. 01:54 >> We have a general conference president of 7 to having us and 01:57 the elder. Ted Wilson, of course, is a lovely wife. 02:00 Nancy, with us this evening and many times, Mister Danny 02:03 Doctor, Yvonne, they've been able to join us here on the 02:04 set. Yes evening. They haven't were not able to but praise the 02:08 Lord for Technology Nest. There it is. Great. 02:11 >> And elder Wilson and sister Nancy. I was talking to 02:15 Catholic friend of mine just a couple days ago on it said what 02:17 your schedule this weekend as one of the things will be 02:21 interviewing the president of the General Conference and he's 02:24 like, well, how would that be related? That's it's kind of 02:27 like you're pope. So he's not up but is the head of our 02:33 church. Haha, that's right. We'll make that clear. He said, 02:36 oh, I understand that. Now I understand as well, weird. 02:40 You know, so, but anyway, I thought does little humorous. 02:43 But the truth is that is a privilege to have you as a 02:46 world leader. We've been supportive 3 a ban of you and 02:49 your work for many, many years. And sister Nancy, for what you 02:53 guys do for the cause of God, God has called you for such an 02:57 hour's this really a B and 100% or more of possible behind you. 03:02 We pray for you and support you and we believe God has you 03:06 exactly where he wants you in these closing moments of verses 03:09 strict. Thank you for both of you for what you do for the 03:12 cause and got then. 03:15 >> It's a great, great privilege to be with you, 03:19 Greg in jail and Danny and the van. Just wonderful to be able 03:23 to talk about 03:25 last day events and what God is doing all over the world 03:29 and how things are wrapping up quickly and what an opportunity 03:35 for 7th. They add that this is stand up and be great defenders 03:40 of God's truth. We're going to get into all that. But I just 03:43 want to say what a privilege it is to be with you and the 03:47 strong support that 3 ABN gives not only to the church itself 03:52 but to the message, 03:54 the Bible message that God has entrusted to us. Thank you so 03:57 much as lore. 03:59 >> Amen. It's an incredible privilege for us to spend these 04:02 2 hours with you just talking together. We believe, as you 04:06 mentioned in them message that's founded the word of God 04:10 that was believed by 7th Day Adventists. And we do. We pray 04:13 for you both, Greg and I pray for you many times. We know 04:18 that your responsibilities are large, but the Lord says Steyn 04:21 view. So I just want to mention Nancy tell we mentioned on a 04:24 roll since title is president of the General Conference of 04:27 7th they have in us and sister Nancy, you are protocol 04:31 consultant. I want to know what that means. But I also think 04:34 another title could be Manna has a very nice. I don't a 04:39 little bit about what protocol consultant means and also by 04:43 family. 04:45 >> Well, 04:48 I don't know where to start a protocol specialists. They were 04:53 trying to figure out how to 04:57 describe what I do. 04:59 >> I do a lot with people who are coming in. 05:02 >> 2 more care for the first time 05:06 and we open our home 05:09 and it's very traumatic. I think when you we have many 05:12 people from overseas and even if you are from 05:17 America, it's 05:19 when you come to a place this large, it can you can feel lost 05:23 and like you're not part of a family. So we do everything we 05:27 can to help them settle in to learn their way around and to 05:31 feel like we are a family. So 05:34 it was tough during COVID because we couldn't socialize, 05:38 but we're very happy that we can get together now and 05:42 just enjoy each other's company. It's it's usually the 05:46 wives to come because they 05:50 they may wear care, but they may not. And so they need the 05:53 socialization. They get to know each other. 05:56 And so it's it has a lot to do with 05:59 helping people from outside who are coming in to feel 06:03 comfortable to feel like they belong and they are part of our 06:07 family. 06:08 So and when we do have them show, I tell them what your job 06:12 is. Time and well, one of my hat, Tad is the Butler. Haha. 06:18 And he wears a white shirt and a black tie and he has this 06:23 white cloth over his arm to it. He serves the ladies and 06:30 it's then love it. He helps clean up the kitchen. He is. 06:35 He's on duty as the butler. Whenever he's in town and we do 06:38 this so 06:40 we will enjoy it. 06:43 But we have 3 daughters and 3 sons in law who have given us. 06:49 We now have 10 grandchildren, 5 grandsons and 5 grand daughters 06:54 and life is so interesting and wonderful. 06:59 >> They make the world go round and we we learn from our 07:03 children and our grandchildren and we love. 07:06 We love being Manny and Poppy. 07:09 >> Yeah, yeah. 07:11 All right. But they're growing up really fast. 07:15 >> It's so beautiful because really what you're both saying 07:19 is that you're involved in service and that's what the law 07:23 that would have us to do to serve others. And you are, 07:26 you know, here that the president and first lady and 07:30 you still serving. And I just think that that is so 07:33 beautiful. That is what Jesus did. That is what we're to do. 07:37 So we just we we really appreciate that. We see that 07:40 sense of service in you and we appreciate that. 07:45 >> Yeah, it's a powerful storm. You know, it's great to build a 07:47 stand-up in front of people and preach a sermon. But there's 07:50 also a sermon in shoes. All right. So do the serve. As 07:53 you're mentioning. You know, that's beautiful. You know, 07:55 your real, real genuine people. I've had the opportunity from 07:58 time to time to get to talk with you as you've been here 3 08:01 than we've been in other events. We just appreciate your 08:03 genuine this, your love of people, your love of God in 08:06 your heart for evangelism and has been mentioned already. 08:10 Again, we support you and the efforts that you're doing. 08:14 And again, we pray for you many, many times and there were 08:17 so thankful for what you're doing and God is called the for 08:21 such a time as this and to Wilson. I know that we're 08:24 living in some amazing times right now. You can kind of see 08:27 things wrapping up. Want to talk to us about that in the in 08:31 the global vision of the 7th avenues church. 08:35 >> Well, thank you, Greg. 08:37 It is a real privilege to serve as has been already indicated. 08:42 We don't just live in a kind of a bubble 08:45 that kind of bureaucratic setting. 08:48 We live in a real world and it's just a privilege to be 08:52 able to see what God is doing to help and assist where we 08:56 can. 08:58 One of the challenges that we see is that 09:05 some people 09:07 are very aware of the urgency of time, 09:11 the times in which we're living. Others 09:14 seem to be maybe 09:17 annoyed or concerned about certain things because it's not 09:22 moving the way they would like it, but they don't understand 09:26 why things are happening. 09:29 And one of the biggest things that that we are noticing as we 09:33 travel the world and and maybe 09:36 later on in the program, we'll get into 09:38 recent trip that we took a 3 and a half week trip, which was 09:43 a grueling trip, probably one of the most grueling trips we 09:46 have taken, not from the standpoint of difficult places 09:50 to stay and lack of food and all that. But time lies. 09:55 Just one appointment after another, you know, getting 09:58 sleep 5, 6, hours a night if that which is not good health 10:02 reform, but this was in Africa and we'll get into that. 10:07 But when we when we see things happening all around the world, 10:11 we see that there is in some people 10:14 the appropriate sense of urgency 10:18 that we are living in the very end of time. And I mean, 10:21 all of us, he just 10:23 look at juror 10:24 your own news feed that you prefer each morning or during 10:30 the day and you will see everything around this world. 10:34 I mean, just about everything 10:37 this integrated getting 10:39 worst, getting frayed at the edges. Things are not solid. 10:44 I mean, even the most recent situations regarding bank 10:49 difficulties and fame years, I mean, you know, you just don't 10:54 know what's going to come around the corner in the next 10:57 day. And so the urgency of the times is something that 11:02 we are really 11:04 trying to focus upon and encourage our church members to 11:07 understand. 11:08 >> The prophecies in Daniel in revelation are so appropriate. 11:14 So current so 11:18 contemporary 11:20 that they ought to be paying attention to these prophetic 11:23 messages. And then, you know, Matthew, 24, which is Christ's 11:29 amazing indication of 11:32 the last days and what to expect. I mean, you could make 11:37 15 sermons out of just that one chapter. I mean, it's just 11:40 incredible. But when you see that in Matthew, 24 in verse 5, 11:47 it says people are going to come saying I'm the Christ, 11:50 I will try and help you out. Well, they're going to deceive 11:53 many people who don't know the word of God. And that's another 11:58 area that we really need to emphasize is the accuracy, 12:03 the absolute voracity, the U.S. 14 of the word of God, the word 12:10 of God, as it reads, being able to understand God's word and 12:14 saying that's what he is wanting us to do 12:19 this misinterpretation of this or that? Well, you know, 12:22 you have to come from it in this context. You don't 12:26 understand what it was like then. You know, now we're in a 12:29 different age and on and on. We can get into that as well. 12:32 What my real point in beginning our conversation here today is 12:37 that the sense of urgency 12:40 we see on the part of many members around the world who 12:45 have become so enthralled with the pressure is good news that 12:49 Jesus Christ has 12:51 save does through his power is justifying righteousness and he 12:56 is sanctified right, just and so that every day and we're 13:00 learning to be more and more like Christ. We are all 13:03 centers. We all need to come to the foot of the cross every 13:06 day. But his righteousness is there, too, to pull us through 13:12 and to cover us and also to help us to become more like 13:17 him. And this sense of urgency is something which I think we 13:21 are seeing more and more of in many people and less and less 13:26 in others. So there is this this divide that is developing 13:32 and it all comes down in my opinion, 2 year relationship 13:37 with Christ 13:38 and his word Christ is the living word. This is his 13:42 written word and mom that hangs so much. 13:47 >> Of how we interpret the world. Our world view so its 13:52 7th Day Adventists. And I'm hoping 13:55 all 7th Day Adventists, although there are those who 13:59 have different ideas, very different ideas. But Scripture 14:02 says, you know, people are going to come saying I'm the 14:05 Christ and they're going to deceive people. If you don't 14:08 know what this word says and they're going to be wars and 14:12 rumors of wars, you know, our our hearts go out to our dear 14:16 people in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, the the things that 14:21 are developing in such a dramatic way. I just want a 14:25 little vignette about Ukraine. We just had the interview with 14:31 the Ukrainian officers yesterday. 14:34 >> And they lost about well over 8 1000 of our members left 14:40 for other parts of the world when the war began. 14:43 But you want to know something interesting about 8,000 people 14:48 are now taking their place, their places in churches, 14:52 not all of them members yet. So that churches on Sabbath in 14:57 Ukraine are absolutely packed packed with people. I mean, 15:04 and God is doing amazing things through our people there. 15:07 I suppose. I mean, I can just keep on going talking to the 15:10 next 2 hours, but we need the dialogue, 15:13 the sense of urgency in the sense of understanding Matthew, 15:17 24 and going to be earthquakes and famines and false prophets 15:24 deception. 15:26 I tell you today there is so much deception, especially 15:30 about what the word of God actually says. And we'll get 15:33 into that and a little bit as we addressed some of these 15:37 things. But first, 24 15:41 tells us false crisis and false prophets will arise and show 15:45 great signs and wonders to deceive if possible. Even the 15:51 elect. Even the people who say, well, I know Christ, I know the 15:55 Bible, even those people will be deceived if they are not 15:59 constantly, depending on the lord in everything. And then he 16:04 says in verse. 25, this is all Jesus speaking says, see, 16:08 I have told you before hand. So the sense of urgency needs 16:14 to come out of our understanding of what Christ 16:16 has already told us and how he is leading us today. I'm going 16:20 to stop there because it we could go on and on. And we will 16:24 as we get into other subjects. But I'm just so excited about 16:28 the sense of urgency that we see in so many people around 16:33 the world. 16:34 >> Amen. That's so exciting to see that urgency and see people 16:37 catch the vision that Jesus is coming soon. As we look at the 16:42 text you just referenced there in Matthew. 24, you think about 16:45 the deception that was sweeps the world at the end of time, 16:49 you think about the world we live in of relativism and no 16:54 absolutes and that there is no biblical standard. 16:58 How do we get people whether their 7th day Adventists or non 17:02 7th, they happen to us to accept the validity and the 17:06 voracity of the word of God. 17:12 >> The the word of God can be shown to be true in many 17:16 different ways. First of all. 17:18 >> Prophetic utterances, prophecies that have 17:24 been shared, especially let's take one that one of my 17:27 favorite topics is Daniel Chapter 2 and the progression 17:31 of Kingdoms, which can be absolutely verified. 17:35 Historically, 17:36 you know, some people say, oh, well, this was written after 17:40 all of those events as somehow Daniel's name got on there. 17:44 But, you know, this is I mean, people rationalize all kinds of 17:48 things. But when you really look scripture and understand 17:51 the historical aspects, 17:53 you can absolutely count on these amazing prophecies that 17:59 are that are so true. I'm going to have the opportunity of 18:04 preaching again, an evangelistic meeting in the 18:07 month of May. Nancy will be joining me. She's going to do 18:10 that health part and that he has her own thoughts on 18:15 biblical aspects. And I hope she will share here in terms of 18:20 how do we get people to understand the authority of 18:23 scripture. 18:24 But let me just say that it also comes about when we allow 18:30 the word 18:31 to be interpreted by itself. 18:34 So in other words, we say verse upon verse line upon line, 18:39 let precept upon precept, let the Bible interpret itself and 18:45 through the power of the Holy Spirit. We understand what the 18:48 Bible is saying. Too many people today 18:53 want to say, 18:54 and this is the historical critical method coming into 18:58 full blossom because 7th Day Adventists believe in the 19:02 historical grammatical or it's also called historical biblical 19:08 way of interpretation. When you allow verse upon verse line 19:13 upon line, when you allow the the word of God to interpret 19:16 itself, then you understand better what God is saying when 19:21 you take the historical critical method and it is 19:24 becoming 19:25 I'm very sorry to say this, but it is becoming much more 19:29 prevalent even in the 7th they have this church. When you 19:32 allow the historical critical method to take 19:35 ascendancy, 19:37 you then become the determiner of what is truth and what is 19:42 not truth. It's almost like you are like one of our 19:46 illustrious, the presidents of the United States, the 3rd 19:50 President, Thomas Jefferson. He was a deist 19:53 and he didn't believe in all the miracles much. And so he 19:57 had his own Bible and clipped out portions which didn't seem 20:02 to be logical to him. I mean, he's a great man. I'm not 20:06 diminishing him as an individual, but he didn't 20:09 understand the word of God. Today people are choosing to 20:14 mis interpreted. 20:16 I'm saying this in turn, Brent, 20:18 they're taking the advantage to say, oh, no, we have all the 20:22 resources today. Those poor people back then they didn't 20:25 understand things. We're much more well informed today. 20:29 Therefore, we can interpret what the Bible says according 20:34 to what we think it ought to say. And they will take tax and 20:40 turned the tax on their heads 20:44 complete be disregarding what the actual word says and we'll 20:49 get into that in a few moments. But I think that he has her 20:52 convictions on this, too. 20:55 >> I think one way to share 20:59 our own personal testimony. I think there's nothing as 21:02 powerful as a personal testimony 21:04 and many people are fearful right now because they don't 21:07 understand what's happening around us. 21:10 And that's the beauty of scripture because 21:13 truth never changes 21:17 truth. Is that the same from the beginning of time until 21:20 now? And we 21:22 we are at peace knowing that God is still in control. 21:26 I find it of people. 21:29 I would just read and understand that God is such a 21:33 personal God. 21:35 And scripture 21:37 is very portable for today and how we live our lives because 21:42 Jesus 21:44 loves us so much that he wants us to have the abundant life to 21:48 be happy to be joyful, to have peace. 21:52 And we can do that only as we embrace our personal God, 21:57 whom we trust 21:59 and we know wants only the best for us. 22:02 So I think if people would even, 22:04 you know, they may they may be skeptics that if they would 22:08 just say 22:10 God, if you're there, I want to believe in you prove yourself 22:13 and in open the book and read 22:16 with an open mind can see all of those verses that just 22:20 exude with Christ's love for us and that he has a plan for our 22:24 life. 22:27 There's something practical 22:30 versus, you know, God says a man plans his way, but it's the 22:34 lord to Tareq says steps, 22:38 you know, they're on my list or your personal messages. 22:43 >> And is it that somebody will give the libel chance the 22:48 Bible? 22:50 Well, it's just, you know, it's it's writings, OK, it's it's 22:54 it's on paper. It's it's electronic or whatever. But it 22:57 is really the representation of the living word, Jesus Christ. 23:01 And he's speaking to us in a way that 23:04 will change lives. So if people will give a chance the chance 23:09 to the Bible in reading it and understanding it will change 23:13 your life 23:14 for the better. 23:16 And that's another great proof as to the power of the word of 23:21 God as being truthful, the voracity of the Bible, the the 23:28 need to accept the Bible as it reads, because there's so much 23:32 hope and promise in there and instruction instruction that 23:37 may not be easy to take, but the Holy spirit can help us to 23:41 understand this is going to change my life through the 23:44 power or of God in the word and the Holy spirit working in our 23:49 lives. 23:50 >> And then I'd like to ask you another question about the 23:55 spirit of prophecy. It's a unique to the 7th Day Adventist 23:59 Church in the sense that one of the identifying marks of the 24:04 remnant church as the spirit of prophecy. Yet a lot of people 24:09 today even within the church say, well, that was a lot of 24:12 that stuff threaten 150 years ago. It's not relevant today. 24:16 What about the violent viability and importance of the 24:19 spirit of prophecy in today's world? 24:24 >> Yeah, good. I was just going to say 24:27 when I read the spirit of prophecy 24:30 some many times, I think it's like Ellen White sent me an 24:34 email this morning. 24:35 It is. So it is so relevant to what is going on in our world. 24:42 I'm thinking she releases 100 years ago or more, but it is so 24:47 uplift Abul. So 24:50 it's 24:52 it's just it's a miracle, really. I mean, it's such a 24:56 gift 24:57 and it just is in sync with scripture. But we know the 25:02 Bible comes first. But one as we read her, we are drawn to 25:05 scripture. 25:07 And when we read them together is just 25:10 it's the it's the richest experience possible. 25:15 >> For those who are members of the 7th day of this church, 25:19 they know about the spirit of prophecy in the writings of 25:22 Ellen White that we believe she was inspired. The spirit of 25:27 prophecy is not to take the place of the Bible. It is not 25:30 the Bible, but it is inspired just as those prophets of old 25:37 were inspired by the same inspiration by and messages 25:42 from the throne of Heaven. So I believe that the spirit of 25:45 prophecy that we have and the volumes of material, our 25:50 instructions that come directly from the throne room of God and 25:53 one of the greatest gifts given to the 7th, they have this 25:56 church and all who will read them. We're having a week of 26:01 prayer here at the General Conference headquarters, 26:04 a debt that bachelor Pastor Bachelor of Amazing Facts is 26:08 presenting the Week of Prayer. And he even made reference this 26:13 morning because I introduced him. And then later on in his 26:17 presentation was a wonderful presentation. The whole theme 26:21 is. 26:22 >> Come. 26:24 >> 2 to God, come to the father come to Christ and the Holy 26:29 Spirit so that we can go. In other words, we're going to 26:31 be filled and then we have a mission. 26:34 But he was making reference to the fact that and some of you 26:38 who know Pastor Bachelor, he was anything but base. But it 26:43 wasn't anything. But a Christian really was living in 26:45 a cave. He was searching for truth 26:48 and he read 26:50 the great controversy which was written by Ellen White inspired 26:56 by haven't 26:58 it changed his life. He read many other books, prophets and 27:01 kings patriarchs and prophets acts of the apostles. These 27:05 things changed his life and drew him to full Bible truth. 27:11 Now, a lot of people who 27:13 are familiar with the spirit of prophecy and maybe have a 27:17 negative impression about it. 27:20 I would dare say it's been a long time since they have 27:23 actually read it. 27:26 And when you read it. 27:28 >> You are so inspired. You are so in foods about the 27:33 instructions given I just give you one 27:37 one sentence here 27:39 from a book called Welfare Ministry. I'm reading through 27:43 that and getting close to the end of it. 27:45 >> And reading and a number of books from the spirit of 27:49 prophecy. But this one focused on. And here's one on page 250 27:56 and it says here, and it's talking about 27:58 gathering people in being ministering to their needs and 28:02 helping them drawing them to Christ. 28:06 >> But this sentence typifies 28:09 the Ministry of Christ and our ministry one sentence, 28:14 it says here on Page 2.50, he Christ 28:18 ever worked. 28:20 2 number one, relieve suffering 28:25 and number 2, 28:26 teach righteousness 28:29 what you there. You have the Ministry of Christ. You have 28:32 look for 18 19 28:35 being compassionate, helping people meeting their needs. 28:38 Community service is outreach to people, comprehensive health 28:42 ministry, all kinds of ways to attract people and help them. 28:48 You don't leave it there. 28:49 Jesus then taught righteousness. He drew them to 28:54 something. The turtle 28:56 that one sentence is perhaps 28:59 the most 29:00 a beautiful explanation of Jesus ministry that I've seen 29:05 in a long time. 29:06 He ever lived to relieve suffering, 29:11 teach righteousness 29:13 what a magnificent model for us. I mean, these kinds of gems 29:17 come only when you actually dig into them as you dig into the 29:21 word of God as well, which is our foundation. 29:26 But when you read these things, you you become inspired, 29:28 you say 29:31 simple and yet, so profound. So spirit of prophecy not only 29:36 tells us about 29:38 things of future activity, like the great controversy which we 29:42 now have as our missionary book for this year. And for next 29:45 year, millions of copies being distributed, the full volume of 29:51 great controversy and whatever people have of the great 29:55 Connors controversy to share with people, 29:58 but many other things that the spirit of problems, yes, 30:02 Practical Council for families, for finance, for outreach, 30:07 4 different ministries within the church for helping us to 30:12 understand our role in these last days of Earth's history. 30:16 And as he said, it's like 30:18 getting an email. It's contemporary, just read it and 30:23 God will bless your reading. 30:27 >> You know, you mentioned the righteousness of Christ over 30:30 Wilson and 30:31 one of the things that many people have the misconception 30:37 that Adventists are legal us and that it's about our own 30:41 righteousness and our own right doing. Would you talk a bit 30:45 about righteousness by faith and the importance of us 30:49 looking to Christ where his righteousness and realizing 30:52 that we don't have a home? 30:55 >> Well, that's a magnificent subject, Doctor, Yvonne, 30:58 and it's it's a hat actually the very basis. We talk about 31:04 the 3 Angels messages of revelation 14. And this is a 31:09 special commission given to Gaza last 8 people to point 31:13 people to the true worship of God to understanding that he is 31:19 the creator that he is the one to be worshiped and 2, we are 31:24 to give honor to him. And that second Angel of Babel in is 31:29 fallen that there is confusion in the world regarding how to 31:35 worship God and that so much 31:38 personal, 31:40 salvation by works has entered into the picture and that is 31:46 confusion. That's what babble and is all about. And then too 31:51 stay away from those areas and those influences that are going 31:56 to lead you into a compromising situation where you will 32:01 receive the mark of the beast as opposed to receiving the 32:04 sea. Love God. And we know that the seal of God is the keeping 32:08 of the 7th Day Sabbath. The devil hates the Sabbath. 32:14 That's why he's introduced Sunday worship aberrations 32:17 because he can't stand what the Sabbath represents. It is God's 32:22 special seal. It is the commemoration of God's powerful 32:28 ability to create. It is an indication of his Supremes 32:34 sovereignty and the devil hates that. So he wants to bring in 32:38 everything possible. But the very core of the 3 Angels 32:42 messages of revelation, 14, we are told is the righteousness 32:47 of Jesus Christ that it is through his grace 32:52 that we are justified made as if we had never sent his robot. 32:58 Righteousness covers us. That is a daily experience. 33:03 But beyond that, 33:04 the righteousness of Christ includes Sanctification, 33:09 which is again, power coming from heaven, but working in the 33:14 life so that the life can be changed. You know, you have a 33:17 lot of people today saying, oh, no, you can't change your just 33:22 who you are. And that's just the way it is and 33:25 might as well, just thank the Lord that he saved you, but 33:28 just keep on doing whatever you're doing. And that is not 33:33 what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches. Jesus teaches 33:37 that you can overcome sin through his power. Otherwise, 33:43 what what's the point? What's the point of the whole gospel 33:47 message? You're just say that as some kind of center which we 33:53 are, but then there's no improvement. 33:56 I mean, that's why 33:58 drunkards become sober. That's why cheating people become 34:02 honest. 34:04 That's why people who are confused about truth have 34:09 clarity of mind. The holy spirit changes you. This is a 34:14 supernatural change that takes place. Now you become more and 34:18 more like Christ. Philippians 2 says a look at this mine be in 34:23 you. That was in Christ Jesus. The only way to do that is to 34:27 be in Christ through his power and then allow the Holy spirit 34:32 to change you. All of this has to do with Christ justifying 34:37 and sank, defying righteousness, praise God for 34:41 his righteousness and his grace, which is the core of the 34:46 3 Angels messages. It is an amazing aspect. Also for us as 34:52 we come to the end of time to be able to share this 34:56 liberating understanding that 34:59 in Christ he can provide us victory 35:04 in his name and then Amen. 35:06 >> Isn't isn't the fact that some people believe? Well, 35:11 you look, you look at 35:16 a lot of religions, they think they have to earn their way to 35:20 heaven. And that's the foundation of all false 35:24 religions is that we have to up. He's got we have to earn 35:29 our way. 35:30 But 35:31 right, just this by faith comes when we understand the major 35:37 rubble gift and the major bull love 35:40 and who God really is 35:42 that he begins to transform us. We can't we can't do anything 35:47 without 35:48 without God we we I can do nothing. 35:52 But with him, all things are possible and it's that 35:55 recognition of his 35:59 unconditional longing for us and love for us 36:04 that 36:08 that works in us to do his well. It's not us trying to win 36:12 his favor and then a man. 36:16 >> Yeah. And then you know what? To me, it's a very 36:18 powerful, very encouraging messes to share with people. 36:23 You know, it's not like pulling myself up with my own 36:25 bootstraps, as they say, but relying upon God to work to 36:29 solve a shun him. And what a great message. You know, 36:32 we know you all a pretty well. And we know that you're bout 36:35 evangelism to talk about this message and everything that we 36:38 have to share. And you all talk about evangelism. We know it's 36:41 near and dear to your heart, 36:44 but you don't just talk about it. You actually put your boots 36:47 on the ground as you can actually go out there and 36:49 evangelism yourself. You're just talking about this long 36:52 trip that you all just took going around visiting other 36:56 countries. But I know you also do evangelistic series and I 36:59 know the initiative of the 7th Avenue Church is I will go so 37:03 talk to us about evangelism personally and also for the 37:06 World Church. 37:08 >> Well, we could do that for the next 3 hours. Have a hour 37:12 and a half. 37:15 >> Nancy and I will be holding an evangelist, a meeting in the 37:19 city of Prague 37:21 and the Czech Republic 37:23 in the month of May. And it's part of a larger. 37:27 >> Emphasis for Europe called Christ for Europe. 37:31 Many places throughout Europe 37:34 are going to be holding evangelistic public 37:38 evangelistic meetings and outreach activities 37:42 contextualized to their setting. We know that Europe is 37:46 an incredibly sophisticated and difficult place to do with 37:51 Angeles because of secularization of the society. 37:57 And some people are hesitant to even do anything. They say, 38:00 well, you know, and people are going to listen. They're not 38:03 going to come. 38:04 The challenge is today to remember we are not in charge 38:11 of that conviction 38:14 that takes place in people's hearts. We are the messengers 38:18 in order to attract people's attention. They must here 38:23 exactly what God has in store for them. You know, I draw your 38:28 attention to a very wonderful passage. An Romans chapter 10 38:34 and Paul is developing at there. And he says in verse 13, 38:40 whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved first 38:44 14. 38:45 >> How then show they call on him in whom they have not 38:49 believed and how shell they believe in him of whom they 38:55 have not 38:57 >> heard and how show they hear without a preacher. So in order 39:02 for people to 39:04 to call in the name of the Lord and to believe then and all of 39:07 that, they have to hear. And that's why everyone is 39:12 involved with what we call total member involvement. 39:16 Everybody doing something for Jesus. Everyone allowing the 39:20 Holy spirit to speak through them and like Isaiah to say, 39:25 yes, Lord, here I am send me. I will go. That's a theme that 39:32 is being taken up all over the 7th Day Adventists world around 39:39 this globe. Everywhere we go, people are excited about that 39:43 strategic plan that we have reached the world. 39:47 I will go. 39:50 Yes, Lord, I will be part of it. Let me be involved 39:56 it. You know, there are only a few things that seem too 40:01 seem to kind of be captured by people all over the globe. 40:07 One is revival and reformation, which is biblical. It's from 40:12 the spirit of prophecy that each of us need to be revived 40:15 every day mission to the cities, which is again, that 40:19 concept from Scripture. You Nick was one of the first 40:23 missionaries to 2 big cities. He went into the city. Then he 40:28 would go out into the countryside and pray and ask 40:31 God to help him go back into the city. There's a beautiful 40:34 model for U.S. 40:35 comprehensive Health Ministry or medical missionary work 40:38 doing things in the name of Christ, helping people where 40:42 they are. All of these things have caught on around the world 40:47 but total member involvement. Everybody being involved has 40:52 galvanized our church members in so many places and the term 40:57 I will go, Lord, what can you do through me? I'll go. I'm 41:01 prepared. It's just amazing. As nancy-ann. I travel 41:06 to see people with T-shirts. And, you know, I will go up. 41:09 People talking about I will go. And of course, some people want 41:13 to debate. Well, why do you say I will go that so 41:16 individualistic? We should we should all go. We should all go 41:19 together. Well, I don't have any argument with that. That's 41:24 great. Everybody go together. That's fine. But it comes down 41:28 to a personal commitment. I don't care what society 41:33 you're in around the world and different cultures react in 41:36 different ways that some do have a group mentality where 41:40 they are part of something that's that's powerful. But it 41:44 really comes down to an individual choice. We will not 41:48 be saved and get to heaven because our parents or our 41:53 particular town or our church that we belong to happened to 42:00 direct this in a particular way. And we just kind of hope 42:03 can do it. We're all safe. Know your saved individually. 42:08 So that's why an individual needs to say, Lord, thank you 42:12 for what you've done. Thank you for Salvation. Thank you for 42:15 the power in my life. 42:17 And Lord use me 42:19 in this mission to tell somebody else about the 42:22 powerful truth that I have understood from scripture. 42:27 I will go. I'll be part of it, 42:31 folks. We're just seeing so many people around the world 42:36 who are so involved. 42:38 I don't know, Nancy, maybe we should tell him about our trip 42:41 in Africa at this point. Oh, yea, absolutely. Because it 42:47 was so thrilling 3 and a half weeks. As I mentioned before, 42:52 a grueling schedule. 42:54 Just boom, boom, boom, boom. Talking with our church 42:58 members, talking with government officials, meeting 43:02 heads of state, all kinds of individuals. 43:06 And yet the thing that struck me the most we were in 43:11 in Zambia, 43:13 Kenya, Tanzania, 43:15 Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, 43:20 a SWAT team. That's the new new name for Swazi land, a SWAT 43:27 team. Let's to and Namibia. 43:31 And in these in these countries we saw our church members on 43:37 fire for the Lord. I want to tell you that God is doing 43:41 something amazing in Africa. 43:45 It's it's like people have just gravitated to total member 43:51 involvement and being part of this movement, not talking 43:55 about 43:56 leaders on late. I'm talking about church members and the 44:00 amazing thing is in Africa and children. The movement is 44:04 young. People know there are hundreds of thousands of young 44:08 people involved and they're so excited about the message. 44:13 So excited to be part of this. They just can't wait to tell 44:18 somebody else about it. 44:19 And the the amazing thing in Africa is we have many 44:23 countries, number of countries now that have a million or 44:27 approximately a million members are over a million. 44:30 And when you get this critical mass in a population, let's say 44:35 of 20 million people in a particular country and you get 44:39 a million members, 44:41 it does something unbelievable to the witness and to the 44:47 acceptance of the church 44:50 because you have so many people in places of government, 44:54 business and civic activity, whatever it is, Adventists are 45:00 known and they are known to be honest people, careful people 45:05 loving people that people who share and who care not just 45:10 legal. Let's stick. People who are, you know, often a corner. 45:14 No, they're just part of the dynamics of what's happening. 45:19 I mean, to me, it's just a thrilling thing to see what God 45:24 is doing on the continent of Africa. And it's happening in 45:28 other places around the world to we have one division, 45:32 the the Central Africa Division, which is now our 45:36 largest division. They have about 5 million members 45:43 last last November. They voted 45:47 to double their membership by God's grace by the next G C 45:52 session, which is only in like 2 plus years. 45:56 How are they going to do that? Well, everybody is involved. 46:01 Everybody's excited. And these young people are just on fire. 46:05 That's because they know the word they know Christ. They 46:09 know the prophecies. They understand where where we are 46:13 and they're so urgent about it. I guess I could keep on going 46:17 on and on and on about it. But Nancy, what was your 46:19 impression? 46:21 >> It was the same. But I was I was drawn to the children and 46:27 they're just so precious. Just us. 46:31 So so sweet. And 46:34 I love talking to them. And I think one message 46:37 that we need to tell not only our children, 46:41 but 46:42 people of all ages 46:44 that regardless of what choices you may be making. Now, 46:48 regardless of what your life looks like, 46:51 our God, our heavenly father Longs to hear from us. 46:57 And when I talk to the children, I said, you know, 47:00 you may think, you know, your best friend is, 47:04 but I'm going to tell you your best friend really is. 47:09 You can tell him. 47:11 >> Anything that's on your heart. Even if you're angry, 47:15 if you're if you're not be, if you're doing horrible things, 47:19 she says 47:21 your heavenly Father, Jesus and and got they want to hear from 47:26 us. 47:27 You can tell them anything. And they're the only one who 47:30 will never share your secrets. 47:35 God only wants you to be happy. 47:39 And he's the our only source of your joy and peace. 47:44 He has great plans for you 47:46 and he longs for you to talk to him 47:50 regardless 47:53 of what your situation is. It doesn't matter if you're a 47:57 drug addict, 47:58 if you're drunk, 48:00 if you are 48:02 doing naughty things all the time, 48:05 he's thrilled to hear from you. 48:08 And I think if if 48:10 if God became so personal to people they would feel free to 48:16 talk to him more. They don't have to get cleaned up and put 48:19 a suit on to go pray to God. 48:22 >> Another thing that I just want to draw on this and you 48:26 may want to move to another subject. 48:28 >> After this, but 48:32 we met all kinds of government officials, 48:37 people, vice president, the system, prime minister on and 48:41 not vice 48:43 vice prime minister, etcetera, a different people. And we met 48:48 3 heads of state. 48:50 >> The? 48:51 >> The President, his Excellency president, he chill 48:57 them of 48:59 Zambia 49:00 and his wonderful wife would take that. 49:04 >> They are 49:07 dedicated, 49:09 committed faithful, 7th Day Adventists members. The 49:14 president of Zambia. 49:17 We met the president of Kenya 49:20 is excellent. See President William Ruto, 49:26 wonderful gentleman, a Christian gentleman who is well 49:30 acquainted with 7th the Mets and has had been to this in his 49:34 higher echelon of of assistance and workers within his 49:40 administration. 49:43 We had the privilege a meeting, the president of the Democratic 49:50 Republic of Congo in Kinshasa, 49:53 His Excellency, the president, she to Candy and his his wife 49:58 and haha. It was amazing on that Sabbath. We were holding 50:03 the meetings on the steps of the National Assembly 50:08 of the country with about 15,007. They had been to this 50:14 and the president and his wife were there. The prime minister 50:18 was there. The president of the National Assembly, the 50:22 president of the Senate cabinet members and many government 50:26 officials, they were there. And, you know, I had the 50:30 privilege of preaching to these people and thousands of our 50:33 members. And, you know, the Bible says that preach the word 50:38 in season and out of the season. Regardless of what it 50:40 is where you are preach the word 2 sabbaths in a row. 50:46 I was preaching to 2 heads of state. 50:49 Now people might say, oh, you know that why do we have to 50:53 meet these people? Why do you are you paying India to? 50:56 Let me tell you, 50:58 it is so important 51:00 to pray for the leaders of your country 51:05 to pray for people who are in responsibility to show them 51:10 that you are there 51:11 to support spiritually. We're not talking about political 51:16 involvement. We're talking about spiritual support. 51:20 And, you know, some people might say, well, those people, 51:23 they meet these people in there, not so good, the ones 51:26 they meet them. Why the U.S. and let me tell you, it is so 51:29 important to minister to people in high positions, low 51:34 positions, every position to be able to draw them, too. The 51:39 Bible. And I usually ask and they usually give me permission 51:44 when I meet some of these government people. 51:47 Can I read that something to encourage you? 51:50 May I pray for you and the country and almost invariably 51:55 they will say yes. 51:57 And let me tell you something, those of you who are watching 52:00 you have no idea 52:03 what people Arsene in you and how you are affecting their 52:09 lives. 52:10 You have a huge responsibility to share 52:15 troops with people through your actions and through your words 52:19 and those of you watching on the screen, you might say all 52:22 nobody pays any attention to me. Everybody. People are 52:27 watching you. They're watching me. They're watching each of us 52:31 to see if our 52:33 actions measure up to what we're saying. 52:37 The impact of one life 52:41 is so powerful 52:43 and God is asking for us 52:46 wherever we are to be able to touch lives, whether they are 52:50 in government, whether they are in business, whether they're 52:52 and civic activity in education, in health care, 52:56 whatever it is, wherever you are 52:59 be a witness for the Lord be part of personal and public 53:05 evangelism and say yes, Lord, I will go. I'll be part of total 53:10 member involvement. 53:11 >> And praise the Lord. Yeah. For sure. They're encouraged. 53:15 It is for sure. You know, evangelism. We've been talking 53:19 about that here. And when you think about advances, another 53:22 Wilson misses Wilson. 53:23 It's really a lifestyle. It's not like total member 53:26 involvement for 5 years, 10 years, 15, maybe 20 know this 53:30 is what we're pushing for is actually evangelism lifestyle. 53:34 That's who you are. Your advantage list all the time. 53:36 You're talking to that person home and saying, oh, yeah, 53:39 I know you have an influence. You make a difference for those 53:42 around you, your sphere of influence. So thank you so very 53:45 much for this initiative. And it's very encouraging to 53:48 hear about the work that's happening in the 7th avenues 53:50 church at the heads of state. They're excited they know of 53:53 7th Day Adventists and the work that is happening. There 53:56 >> is absolutely incredible. Jill, you're going to say 53:58 something, too. I would just going to say we're getting to 54:00 the end of this hour. We're going to take a 2 minute break 54:02 and just a couple minutes and we'll come back with many more 54:05 stories and information the second hour. 54:07 >> But before we do, what if someone wants to get involved 54:10 in total member involvement there watching tonight right 54:12 now and they say, yes, I want to go, I want to become 54:16 involved. Is there a Web site? People can go to our how can 54:19 they find out where the next initiative isn't? Can they 54:23 become involved? Of course, we can all pray for that. But is 54:26 there any other way practically that church members can become 54:29 involved? 54:31 >> Certainly they can go to the General Conference website that 54:35 will have all kinds of information about total member 54:39 involvement. 54:40 >> Are 54:42 director a coordinator for that pestered Wayne McKee who is 54:47 president of that business where radio is very much 54:51 involved. He and he and the staff are willing to share all 54:56 kinds of resources and materials. You can go to the 55:02 General Conference website. You can look in there find 55:07 total member involvement. You can go to a W R 55:10 to their website. Find about total member involvement. 55:15 They're also a R many other Web sites. We have to assistant 55:21 directors for total member involvement, a r***, Ramon 55:26 Canals, who's in charge of our Ministerial Association. 55:29 And Jim Howard is in charge of R 7 school personal ministries 55:33 outreach. You can go to those Web sites as well and find 55:37 information about how you, especially at your local level 55:42 are able to be part of total member involvement. This is not 55:47 just something for over there. It's something for right where 55:50 you are and how can God Hughes you in doing things locally in 55:57 your own church. 56:00 >> And so you have something, yes, I was just thinking 56:03 you don't really need a website. If you just 56:06 pray and look around your neighborhood, 56:09 your neighbors, your family, the post office, you go to 56:13 where you buy your groceries, 56:15 make friendships with these people and ask God to open 56:19 doors and give you 56:21 an opportunity to speak a word of encouragement. 56:25 We have no idea what that personal contact we'll do 56:29 if yours neighbors said, you know, take some soup over you. 56:33 We have opportunities every day. If we will just ask the 56:37 Lord to open our eyes 56:40 to speak a word to encourage or to help those who are right 56:45 around us. 56:46 >> Can hardly believe the first hour is just about gone already 56:51 the blessing of God. We found a long time ago in this ministry. 56:56 The blessing of God is on the go. So I will go. So thank you 57:00 so much, a man for what you're doing, the vision that you 57:03 place and our hearts and minds. I'm ready to go now somewhere, 57:06 right? I know I'm going to go because the blessing of God is 57:11 on the go on. I know that you want to be a part of those 57:14 watching around the world listening. You want to be a 57:17 part of this. Jesus said, go you and all the world and we 57:20 can do it. And sister Nancy just said it may not always be, 57:24 you know, you don't even need to Web site. She said just go 57:27 to your neighbors. It's true. Our churches were looking for 57:30 people to witness to. What about our neighbors right 57:32 around all around us. What do they think about is what they 57:35 learned about 7th Day Adventists Christians? Well, 57:38 hey, look, we're going to have to take just a short break. 57:41 >> Don't go away. We'll be back to this moment and 57:45 [MUSIC] 57:50 [MUSIC] 57:55 [MUSIC] |
Revised 2023-09-10