Participants:
Series Code: SCM
Program Code: SCM210016S
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00:09 Who was Jesus?
00:12 He had compassion for the weak and the hurting. 00:15 He loved every person He met 00:17 and taught them how to love. 00:20 His great heart helped all those who came near Him 00:24 but most of all He was a friend. 00:27 That was who He was. 00:29 Now find out who He IS. 00:39 Hello and welcome to 3ABN's 2021 Virtual 00:44 Summer Camp Meeting where we're answering the question 00:47 Who is Jesus? 00:49 All of the messages that you will hear throughout 00:51 this Camp Meeting will address that very question. 00:55 Please make sure that you visit 3ABNCampMeeting.org 00:59 so you can stay apprised as to what will be taking place. 01:03 We don't want you to miss any of these power-packed 01:06 presentations or any of these inspiring songs. 01:10 Each night at 9 PM Central 01:13 we'll have a Q&A segment that will only be available 01:16 on the 3ABN+ platform. 01:18 so please visit 3ABN+.tv to take part in that. 01:23 Make sure that you text your questions to 618-228-3975. 01:30 Our speaker today is Christopher Hudson. 01:33 He's known as the forerunner of The Forerunner Chronicles, 01:37 a powerful powerful media ministry 01:40 and a great evangelist for the gospel of Christ. 01:44 I'm honored to call him my friend. 01:46 Chris is originally from New York, 01:49 is a proud husband and father to Denise and Heaven respectively. 01:54 After we are blessed by a musical selection 01:57 from Celestine Dickens the next voice that you will hear 02:00 will be that of Christopher Hudson. 02:03 God bless you. Hear ye him. 02:20 It's not what I prayed for, 02:23 it's not what I wanted 02:26 it's not something I understand. 02:32 My circumstances 02:36 seem so confusing, 02:38 I'm placing this all in Your hands. 02:44 Your ways are higher than mine. 02:50 I want mountains to move... 02:53 You want me to climb. 02:57 So I'm gonna trust Your work, 03:01 Your will, and Your time. 03:06 Your ways are higher than mine. 03:22 One day I'm sure I will look back 03:26 and marvel at how You knew best 03:30 all along. 03:34 You see from heaven... 03:37 You know it's the hard times 03:40 that makes my face steady and strong. 03:45 Your ways are higher than mine. 03:51 I want mountains to move... 03:55 You want me to climb. 03:58 So I'm gonna trust Your work, 04:02 Your Will, and Your time. 04:07 Your ways are higher than mine. 04:13 When I start to doubt 04:16 help me believe 04:19 somewhere, so far above me... 04:25 me... 04:28 Your ways are higher than mine. 04:34 I want mountains to move... 04:37 You want me to climb. 04:41 So I'm gonna trust Your work, 04:44 Your will, and Your time. 04:50 Oo-oo... 04:53 Your ways 04:56 are so much higher than mine... 05:05 Your ways are higher 05:10 than mine! 05:33 What a blessing and a privilege 05:35 it is for me to be here with you to share 05:38 at this year's 2021 virtual Summer Camp Meeting 05:42 that 3ABN is hosting. 05:45 I really appreciate the words of that song 05:47 because the ways of God are truly higher than ours. 05:51 Before I get into my subject matter at this time - 05:53 which is The Righteous Redeemer - 05:55 and clearly the foregone conclusion is that that 05:57 righteous Redeemer is none other than Jesus Christ 06:00 Himself I want to invite you to have a word of prayer with me. 06:03 As it is my tradition I'm going to kneel to pray 06:05 at this time, and if you feel inclined to do so 06:07 you can kneel with me at home 06:09 as we approach the throne of God. 06:10 Let's pray. 06:15 Our Father in heaven, 06:17 great God of the universe, 06:18 I thank you for the awesome privilege 06:20 that You have extended to all of us 06:23 that we can come boldly to the throne of grace 06:26 that we might obtain mercy and grace to aid us 06:29 in our times of need. 06:30 And Lord, we need You... even if we don't realize we need You 06:34 Father in heaven, we need You. 06:36 And as You know, I love to claim Your promise 06:39 in Jeremiah 33 and verse 3. You said: 06:41 "Call upon Me and I will answer thee 06:43 and I will show thee great and mighty things 06:45 which thou knowest not. " And so as I prayed in times past 06:49 I pray once again: Lord, teach me the things 06:52 that I do not understand. Use me to accomplish 06:54 Your divine purpose. Cleanse me of all sins, 06:57 self-trust and self- righteousness. I want to be 07:00 a pure and useful conduit 07:03 through which You might pour out Your grace upon your people. 07:06 So may the Holy Spirit be our teacher 07:08 for this thing we pray in the worthy and precious name 07:12 of Jesus Christ the righteous, Amen. 07:15 I invite you to open your Bible if you have one... 07:18 and I do hope that you have one. 07:20 We're going to go to the book of Psalms. 07:22 The book of Psalms and we're going to begin 07:24 at the verse... Psalm chapter 45- 07:26 Psalm the 45th division - and we're going to begin 07:29 at verse 6. And though you know that we're going to be dealing 07:32 with the subject of Jesus being the righteous Redeemer 07:36 I want to approach this subject from a bit of a different 07:38 perspective and so I'm hoping that you will follow along. 07:41 And I'm going to repeat some things over and over again. 07:44 I really do believe that repetition deepens impression 07:47 and so I'm going to use that. And hopefully you'll be 07:50 benefitted by that. In the book of Psalms chapter 45 07:54 and verse 6 the Bible says: "Thy throne, O God, 07:57 is forever and ever. 07:59 The scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter. " 08:03 Now a throne is used in the Bible as a symbol of a kingdom 08:08 or an established government. 08:09 And in this case we know it's talking about a divine kingdom 08:13 or a divine government because this is 08:15 the throne of God that's being spoken of. 08:18 And in the Bible addressing the nature 08:20 or the enduring nature I should say of the throne of God 08:23 the Scripture says the throne of God is forever. 08:26 Not just forever but forever and ever 08:29 which means that the kingdom of God is eternal 08:32 and it will never see any end. 08:35 But the very basis, the very reason 08:38 for which the throne of God will stand forever 08:43 and the kingdom of God will never see an end 08:45 is because the scepter of His kingdom is a right scepter. 08:50 This is the very reason that God's throne, 08:54 His kingdom, will endure forever. 08:56 And because we have another symbol 08:57 we need to address the issue. 08:59 So... a scepter can be used as a symbol... 09:03 As a matter of fact, the scepter really is 09:05 just that instrument - that instrument of authority 09:08 that is wielded by a potentate such as a king as he carries out 09:13 His administrative responsibilities. 09:16 The Bible lets us know that God as He carries out 09:20 His administrative responsibilities 09:24 as the King of kings and Lord of lords 09:27 He employs principles 09:33 that are altogether right 09:35 to govern His vast kingdom. 09:40 That word right in the original language from whence it was 09:43 translated, it means that these principles are principles 09:47 of equity, meaning that they are not biased 09:50 in the least bit. 09:53 There's no double standard. Everything is fair. 09:56 As a matter of fact that word right also means just. 09:59 So when it comes to the principles that God uses 10:02 to carry out the administrative functions of His government 10:05 there is absolutely, positively no partisanship. 10:09 What is good for one is good for the other. 10:11 What is good for the rich is good for the poor. 10:13 What is good for the weak is good for the strong. 10:15 What is good for the intelligent 10:16 is also good for the not-so educated. 10:20 It makes no difference. 10:21 Everything is clear, straight and comprehensible for all. 10:26 And the law - the principles by which God carries out 10:30 the administration of His government - are binding 10:32 upon all and this is the reason why 10:37 His throne will stand forever. 10:41 As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul in the Book of Hebrews 10:44 chapter 1 and verse 8... As a matter of fact, 10:46 again Hebrews chapter 1 is a favorite chapter 10:50 of mine because Paul takes the time in that chapter 10:54 to contrast the distinct difference between 10:58 the authority and the nature of Christ with the authority 11:03 and the nature of angels. And as he does so 11:05 in Hebrews chapter 1 and verse 8 the Bible says... 11:08 As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul is actually 11:10 quoting the Psalmist... the very Psalm that I just 11:13 shared with you a moment ago, but he uses a different word. 11:17 He tells us there: "Thy throne, O God... " 11:19 "But unto the Son He saith: 'Thy throne, O God, 11:21 is forever and ever. A scepter of righteousness 11:25 is the scepter of Thy kingdom. ' " 11:28 Once again, my friends, the Bible lets us know that God 11:32 utilizes righteousness as He carries out the affairs 11:37 of His government. 11:39 Right doing is the very premise of every judgment that is made 11:44 by God... and that's important 11:45 because it is only as God employs righteous principles 11:50 to conduct the affairs of His government 11:52 that every one of His rulings can be deemed to be just, 11:58 fair, not partisan. 12:04 And I hope you've realized 12:07 that that which is just is also righteous. 12:11 And that which is righteous is also just. 12:14 These things are synonymous. A just man is a righteous man. 12:17 A righteous man is just man. 12:20 And the standard by which one is defined to be righteous 12:24 or just are the very principles by which God utilizes 12:28 or employs to carry out the functions of His government. 12:33 The question is: what is an appropriate definition 12:37 for righteousness? We know that righteousness 12:39 can mean right doing in its broadest sense. 12:44 But I've come to understand that we're living in a time 12:46 where people like to relegate terms such as righteousness 12:49 to the bin of relativity. You know, everything is relative. 12:52 What you think is right; what I think is right. 12:55 And if you have your standard of right and I have my standard 12:58 of right and they have their standard of right 12:59 we're all going to be in a big mess. 13:02 There needs to be one uniform standard by which 13:06 we can define what righteous- ness, what right doing is 13:09 and God has given us one. 13:11 In the book of Psalms chapter 119 and verse 172 13:14 the Bible says: "My tongue shall speak 13:16 of Thy word for ALL Thy command- ments are righteousness. " 13:20 God's commandments are His universal standard 13:24 of right doing. They are the legal parameters 13:27 that God Himself has erected to preserve 13:32 the very prosperity, to ensure the very joy 13:36 and happiness of all the beings that exist within His vast 13:40 dominion. God's commandments are His... 13:44 are His universal constitution for all of creation. 13:49 And these are the very principles 13:54 that are continuously utilized in all of God's judgments for 13:58 His kingdom that ensure that the kingdom of God 14:03 will stand forever. Ladies and gentlemen, 14:06 that's so important for us to understand! 14:07 In the Book of Psalms chapter 97 and verse 2 it actually 14:11 speaks of this issue once again. A little bit different language, 14:14 brings in a bit of a different concept, 14:16 but it brings the same message home to our minds. 14:18 In Psalm 97:2 the Scriptures tell us 14:21 "Clouds and darkness are round about Him. 14:24 Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne. " 14:28 Now the word habitation means foundation letting us know that 14:33 at the very foundation of the throne of God we can find 14:36 both righteousness as well as judgment. 14:40 And the fact of the matter is that all of the judgments of God 14:45 are carried out based on the righteous principles 14:53 that are contained, 14:56 codified if you will, in His Ten Commandments. 15:03 At the foundation of the throne of God what do we have? 15:06 Righteousness. But what is the very definition 15:08 of righteousness according to the Word of God? 15:10 His commandments! 15:13 And the very function of a foundation is to sustain 15:17 something that is set up or erected on top of it. 15:21 The very function of a foundation 15:24 is to ensure the permanence of something that might be 15:28 erected on that foundation or set on top of that foundation 15:31 letting us know that as long as God's commandments 15:35 stand sure and as long as all of the judgments of God 15:40 are promoted or declared, 15:44 as long as all of God's rulings 15:47 are done in direct compliance with His holy royal law 15:54 His throne will stand forever. 15:58 The throne will stand forever. 16:02 And I need to really emphasize that last point. 16:06 Maybe I didn't make it clear enough and so I'm going to try 16:08 to do it right now. 16:09 It's not good enough 16:12 for the commandments to be at the very foundation of 16:16 the throne of God, but all of God's commandments 16:20 must be utilized as He makes His judgments. 16:24 There cannot be a different interpretation 16:29 of the commandments for one class 16:31 or another class, for one group or another group. 16:34 There must be one universal interpretation 16:38 of the commandments by which all of God's judgments are declared. 16:46 So friends, if you attack the commandments, 16:52 you attack the throne. 16:56 If you attack God's righteous judgments, 16:59 you attack the throne. 17:01 All must stand for the throne to stand 17:06 and for the kingdom to continue 17:10 throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. 17:13 And I'm glad that God's judgments 17:17 are righteous judgments. 17:19 And there is great value 17:22 in having a universal constitution 17:26 that promotes righteous judgments for all. 17:31 The Bible speaks of the great value that God Himself 17:34 places on the righteous judgments 17:39 that go forth as they are based upon the unchanging 17:43 nature of His commandments. 17:45 In the book of Psalms chapter 19 and verse 9, 17:48 it might be a familiar verse of Scripture to many of us, 17:50 the Scripture tells us there: "The fear of the Lord 17:56 is clean enduring forever. 17:58 The commandments, rather the judgments of the Lord 18:02 are true and righteous altogether. " 18:06 Then it goes on to tell us in verse 15: 18:09 "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, 18:12 than much fine gold. 18:14 Sweeter also than the honey and the honeycomb. " 18:16 My friends, God's righteous judgments 18:20 are so precious... they're so valuable 18:24 that they are of greater worth than fine gold. 18:28 That means all the wealth that one can amass 18:31 could never equal the magnitude of the value 18:37 that God has placed on His ability to continually 18:42 promote righteous judgments 18:44 for all of His vast kingdom. 18:49 And it also lets us know 18:54 that if God's law is transgressed by anyone 19:00 then the righteous judgments must be the same for everyone. 19:05 The Bible tells us 19:07 in the Book of Romans 6 and verse 23- familiar Scripture - 19:10 "The wages of sin is death. " 19:12 That's it. If one transgresses the law of God 19:18 that judgment that comes down from the throne of God - 19:22 the same for angel as it is for man - 19:26 the wages, the payment, the requirement of the law 19:29 is death of the transgressor. 19:31 But I praise the Lord that the rest of the Scripture says 19:34 that "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ 19:36 our Lord. " 19:38 It may seem like a very harsh judgment 19:40 that the wages of sin must be death, 19:44 but brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen: 19:46 it is the only way for God to secure the integrity 19:50 of His government so that all created beings 19:53 can enjoy peace, prosperity, and true happiness 19:58 throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. 20:05 Now there is a dilemma 20:07 and the dilemma is this: 20:10 the Scriptures are clear in the Book of Romans chapter 3 20:15 and verse 23 that "All have sinned and come short 20:18 of the glory of God" 20:19 which means that 20:23 by requirement of law 20:25 all are worthy of death. 20:28 And as I stated earlier, 20:31 God's law is so precious, it's so valuable, more than fine gold 20:37 that there is absolutely positively 20:41 no gift that man in and of himself 20:46 can offer to satisfy the requirements of the law. 20:50 Even the Scriptures tell us in the Book of Psalms chapter 49- 20:54 Psalm the 49th chapter I believe it is - 20:57 Psalm the 49th chapter and I'm going to look now 21:02 at the 6th verse. 21:03 The Scriptures tell us here: "They that trust in their wealth 21:08 and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches 21:11 none of them can by any means redeem his brother 21:16 nor give to God a ransom for him. " 21:24 And then I love the next part of that verse because it goes on 21:27 to say: "For the redemption of their soul 21:33 is precious. " 21:38 You can work for ten lifetimes over 21:42 and you still would not be able to amass a sufficient amount 21:48 of wealth that would satisfy 21:52 the price that is necessary 21:55 to ransom a soul. 21:58 Because the Bible tells us that 22:01 the redemption of the soul is precious! 22:10 And because the redemption of the soul is so precious to God 22:13 only something equally as precious will suffice 22:20 to satisfy the price of the ransom. 22:25 In the book of I Peter chapter one and verse 18 22:30 the Word of God tells us: "For as much as you know 22:33 that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things 22:35 as silver and gold from your vain conversation 22:39 received as possessions from your father. " 22:42 It's very clear. 22:44 No silver, no gold, no human resources, 22:50 the might of men, all of our works combined INSUFFICIENT 22:56 to equal the precious nature of a soul. Cannot redeem us. 23:04 And it's very interesting because the Bible says 23:06 these things are all corruptible things. 23:08 How could we even think that the works of a corruptible man 23:13 or silver and gold which in and of themselves are corruptible 23:16 could ever satisfy the requirements of an eternal law? 23:22 Only an offering that is eternal 23:25 could satisfy the requirements of a law that is eternal. 23:29 Only that would be precious enough. 23:32 The Bible tells us 23:34 in I Peter chapter one verse 19 what is precious to God 23:39 because although we were not redeemed with corruptible things 23:42 such as silver and gold from our vain conversation 23:45 received by tradition from our fathers the Bible goes on to say 23:49 "but by the precious blood of Christ 23:51 as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. " 23:57 It was the blood of Jesus Christ 24:00 that was shed on Calvary's cross 24:05 that sufficed to pay the price to ransom you and I. 24:10 Nothing else would suffice. 24:13 An eternal sacrifice would have to be offered 24:17 to meet the demand of a ransom that is demanded 24:23 by an eternal law. And what I love about this 24:27 so much is that the Word of God says when Jesus 24:31 gave His precious blood He did so as of a Lamb 24:36 without blemish and without spot... a life that was pure. 24:39 A life that was holy; a life that lived in total harmony 24:43 with God's righteous and holy law. 24:47 He lived a life 24:51 that the law of God - the commandments of God - 24:53 would truly declare to be just. 24:56 And when was this ransom offered for us? 24:59 The Scriptures tell us in the book of Revelation 25:01 chapter 13 and verse 8. It says: "And all that dwell 25:05 upon the earth shall worship the beast 25:07 whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb 25:11 slain from the foundation of the world. " 25:14 Before there was a blade of grass; before God said 25:18 "Let there be light" before there were any luminary 25:20 bodies; before there was the dust of the ground that God 25:23 God utilize to fashion and form into a man; 25:25 before He breathed into his nostrils to make that man 25:29 into a living soul the Bible lets us know 25:31 that God provided a Redeemer for us to pay for a ransom 25:36 for us. In God's foreknowledge, 25:41 in His omniscience, knowing that we would need 25:43 divine assistance - have mercy - 25:46 knowing that we would need divine assistance 25:50 even before He brought us into existence - 25:54 He provided a Redeemer for us. 25:58 Something that every time I think about it it really 26:02 just gets to my heart. It just seems totally unfathomable 26:06 how God would provide for us a Redeemer 26:10 before He even brought us into existence. 26:16 What wond'rous love is this 26:19 that we should be called the sons and daughters of God! 26:24 And friends, 26:33 in God paying for the price for our ransom 26:40 His desire is for all of us to be saved in His kingdom. 26:47 He has made Jesus Christ everything for us 26:52 so that none of us have to be lost. 26:54 The Scriptures tell us in I Corinthians 1:30 26:58 that God has made Christ unto us "both wisdom, 27:01 righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. " 27:04 Jesus truly is our righteous Redeemer. 27:07 Everything that we need! 27:10 Somebody said: "But listen: the law is spiritual 27:13 but I am carnal... sold unto sin. " 27:15 Doesn't the Bible say that in the book of Romans 27:17 chapter 6 and verse 12 of Romans, chapter 7 rather 27:20 and verse 12. Yes... the answer is yes. 27:22 The Bible clearly states that we are carnal 27:25 and the law is spiritual. 27:28 But the Bible also goes on to tell us 27:31 in the book of Romans chapter 8 and verse 3 27:33 "For what the law could not do in that it was weak 27:36 through the flesh God sending His Son 27:39 in the likeness of sinful flesh 27:41 and for sin condemned sin in the flesh 27:44 that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us 27:48 who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. " 27:51 Jesus has made provision; He's made a way... 27:55 we have a righteous Redeemer. 27:59 And I need to touch on that point because I find that 28:02 once again it's so heartwarming and touching. 28:05 Now I really don't even think those words are adequate 28:09 because the very fact that Jesus Christ would be willing 28:13 to take upon Himself humanity 28:16 for the purpose of redeeming us 28:17 truly lets us know that He was meeting the requirements 28:22 of the law to function as our Redeemer. 28:25 Because a redeemer has to be one that is near of kin. 28:28 Has to be a close family member. 28:32 Jesus said: "The only way that I can redeem them 28:36 is if I can come as close as possible to them. " 28:40 Now that might not mean much to you at this time 28:42 because you've heard many times "And the Word was made flesh 28:45 and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory 28:47 the glory as of the only begotten of the Father 28:49 full of grace and truth. " So this thing might be something 28:52 that you've become so familiar with that you're not even taking 28:55 the time to truly consider it. 28:58 But for Jesus to truly humble Himself, 29:01 come down from the throne of the universe - the eternal throne - 29:05 to humble Himself to become like one of us... 29:08 You know what the Bible has to say about us? 29:13 In the book of Isaiah chapter 41 and verse 14 29:17 God, speaking to His very people, 29:20 His chosen people, He says to them: "Fear not 29:23 thou worm Jacob and ye men of Israel. " 29:28 Before I go any further God calls His people worms. 29:31 Somebody says: "Oh no, He just called Jacob worm. " 29:34 Well remember: Jacob wrestled with the angel 29:37 and he became Israel. Jacob and all of his children: worms. 29:45 And God says to His people: "Fear not thou worm Jacob. " 29:51 "Despicable, reprehensible, undesirable, 29:55 weak as you may be: fear not" 29:57 God says: "I will help you. " 30:00 "I will help you saith the Lord and thy Redeemer, 30:07 the God of Israel. " 30:09 Can you imagine? So that means for Jesus 30:13 to become our next of kin 30:16 if we're worms, He has to become a worm just like us! 30:21 Well look... look what the Bible says. 30:23 If you go with me to the book of Hebrews, Hebrews the second 30:26 chapter, Hebrews chapter 2. 30:29 In Hebrews the 2nd chapter... Once again, I really do 30:33 encourage you: when you have the time 30:34 just study the book of Hebrews. 30:36 It speaks in such marvelous language concerning 30:42 the humility that was exercised by Jesus 30:45 for the purpose of our salvation. 30:47 And in Hebrews chapter 2 which speaks of the nature 30:51 of Christ the Bible tells us verse 16: 30:54 "For verily He took not on him 30:58 the nature of angels but He took on Him the seed 31:01 of Abraham. " 31:03 For Jesus to take on Him the seed of Abraham 31:08 my friends, that means He became worms like us 31:14 because Isaac is a seed of Abraham 31:19 and Jacob was a seed of Isaac 31:23 and Israel... well that's Isaac! 31:27 Excuse me... that's Jacob rather. 31:29 What's the point? 31:32 Jesus said: "They're worms; I'll become worms just like them 31:35 for the purpose of saving them. " 31:38 That's exactly what the prophet in the King David said 31:43 in the book of Psalms chapter 22. Psalm chapter 22- 31:47 Psalm the 22nd division rather - Psalm chapter 22 31:50 looking at verse 6 the Bible says that Jesus said... 31:55 I said Jesus said, yes, because though this may be David 32:00 speaking these are the words of Jesus. 32:03 He said: "But I am a worm and not a man. 32:07 A reproach of men and despised by the people. " 32:13 All they that look upon me laugh me to scorn! 32:17 They shoot out the lips; they shake their head saying 32:23 'He trusted in God... let Him deliver Him 32:28 because He delighted in Him. " 32:32 Clearly a Messianic prophecy dealing with 32:35 the last moment of the life of Jesus Christ 32:38 because if you turn in your Bibles with me, friends, 32:41 brothers and sisters, to the book of Matthew chapter 29 32:46 chapter 27 rather, I want you to begin at verse 39. 32:50 The Bible tells us as Jesus hung between heaven and earth 32:55 the people passed by Him, 32:58 reviled him, wagging their heads and saying 33:02 "Thou that destroys the temple 33:05 and buildeth it again in three days: 33:09 save Thyself! 33:12 If Thou be the Son of God, 33:15 come down from the cross. " 33:17 Likewise also the chief priests - mocking Him 33:21 with the elders and the scribes - 33:25 they all said: "He saved others... 33:29 Himself He cannot save. " 33:32 "If Thou truly be the King of Israel, 33:35 come down now from the cross 33:38 and we'll believe You. " 33:43 My friends, these are the words 33:46 that we saw just a few moments ago in the Book of Psalms 33:49 chapter 22 where Jesus said: "I am a worm. " 33:55 He became a worm 33:58 so that he could deliver 34:02 us worms. 34:05 He humbled Himself 34:07 and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 34:12 For us! 34:20 He did all of this that He might provide 34:25 the ransom that was necessary to restore us. 34:30 But the work of redemption isn't over. 34:32 Somebody says: "The work of redemption was completed at 34:35 the cross. " Yes, the ransom was paid 34:39 at the cross. Our redemption was secured 34:43 at the cross. Ah, but the work of redemption 34:47 is not over. How do we know this? 34:48 Well, if you go with me to the book of Matthew... 34:50 Matthew the 24th chapter. As a matter of fact, 34:53 before we go to Matthew go here. 34:54 Go the book of Luke. 34:56 Go to Luke chapter 21. 34:58 If you begin at verse 25 35:00 speaking of the events that will take place 35:02 foreshadowing the second coming of Jesus Christ 35:05 the Bible tells us in Luke chapter 21 35:07 beginning at verse 25: 35:10 "After the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened" 35:12 Excuse me. It says: "There shall be signs in the sun 35:15 and in the moon and in the stars. 35:16 And on the earth, distress of nations with perplexity. 35:19 The sea and the waves roaring. 35:21 Men's hearts failing them for fear 35:23 and for looking after those things which are coming upon 35:27 the earth. For the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 35:30 And then shall they see the Son of Man coming 35:32 in a cloud with power and great glory. " 35:37 It's clear. We're looking at the events 35:39 that transpire just before the second coming of Jesus 35:42 Christ. And the Word of God says 35:44 there will be some signs that we will see 35:46 in the sun and in the moon and in the stars. 35:48 But those very specific signs are not spoken of here 35:52 in the book of Luke chapter 21. However, 35:54 if you now go over to the book of Matthew chapter 24 35:58 and begin with me at verse 29 some of these signs 36:01 are actually spoken of where the Scripture goes on to tell us 36:04 "After the tribulation of those days 36:06 the sun shall be darkened; 36:07 the moon shall not give her light; 36:09 and the stars shall fall from heaven 36:12 and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. " 36:14 And then the Scripture goes on to say 36:16 "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man 36:20 in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth 36:22 mourn. They shall see the Son of Man 36:25 coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. " 36:29 So in Matthew chapter 24 now we know exactly 36:33 what signs will take place in the sun and in the moon 36:37 and in the stars. The sun will becomes darkened; 36:41 the moon will not give her light; 36:43 and the stars will fall from heaven. 36:46 The same thing is spoken of in specific detail 36:50 in the book of Mark chapter 13 beginning at verse 24 36:53 all the way to verse 25. 36:55 However, the book of John - the gospel of John - 36:58 is the only gospel in which you do not find 37:03 these signs spoken of that foreshadow 37:07 the event of the second coming of Jesus Christ. 37:10 However, John DOES speak of these things 37:12 and he does so in the book of Revelation. 37:14 If you go to the book of Revelation chapter 6... 37:16 Revelation chapter 6 where the opening of the seals 37:21 are spoken of. And in Revelation chapter 6 37:24 starting with me now at verse 12 37:26 the Bible tells us there: "And I beheld 37:28 when the sixth seal was opened 37:30 and lo, there was a great earthquake 37:32 and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair 37:36 and the moon became as blood and the stars of heaven 37:39 fell unto the earth even as a fig tree 37:41 casteth her untimely figs 37:43 when she is shaken of a mighty wind. " 37:45 Same signs that we saw in the book of Matthew chapter 24 37:51 verses 29 and 30... same signs that you'll see 37:56 in the book of Mark chapter 13 as well 37:58 with the addition of this great earthquake. 38:02 My friends, if you did not know already 38:05 all of these events have already taken place. 38:07 For instance, that great earth- quake that happened during 38:10 the opening of this seal that was the great earthquake 38:13 of Lisbon that transpired in the year 1755. 38:18 The sun becoming black as sackcloth of hair and the moon 38:23 becoming like blood: that was the great dark day 38:26 that took place in the year 1780. 38:28 And the stars of heaven falling unto the earth - 38:31 that amazing spectacle - transpired in the year 1833. 38:38 And so we have this timeline that is 38:43 marked by these events 38:46 that take us from 1755 all the way to 1833. 38:52 If you open your Bible back up with me 38:54 to the book of Luke chapter 21 38:58 the Bible lets us know that after the issue 39:01 of the stars falling to the earth - 39:04 an event that would take place in the year 1833- 39:06 things would start happening on planet earth. 39:09 There would be distress of nations with perplexity, 39:12 the sea and the waves roaring, 39:14 and then men's hearts would begin to fail them for fear 39:17 for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth. 39:20 I believe with all of my heart 39:23 that the things that are taking place right now in our world 39:26 are significant prophetic events that are helping to agitate 39:30 this prophetic event... this prophetic situation... 39:36 bringing about the distress of the nations with perplexity. 39:41 All the nations being distressed. 39:43 Have we ever seen things like what we're seeing right now? 39:46 The nations being distressed simultaneously 39:50 and the great thinking minds and even the scientists 39:53 perplexed as to what they are to do. 39:55 How do we combat climate change? 39:57 How do we combat this crisis? 39:58 How do we deal with the economic crises 40:01 that are right now upon us? 40:04 You know, there is one thing that I've come to realize: 40:09 if you print trillions and trillions and trillions 40:12 of dollars out of thin air 40:14 and keep stimulating and stimulating and stimulating, 40:19 I don't care if you're overstim- ulating something biological, 40:23 something technical, or something governmental 40:25 you're on a downward spiral for a breakdown. 40:30 And because of all of this distress 40:34 and the perplexing nature of the things that are transpiring 40:38 the Bible says that thinking men... their hearts are failing 40:41 them for fear because they realize something is 40:44 coming and they really don't have the solution. 40:48 I praise the Lord that at the very time 40:53 men's hearts are failing them for fear 40:55 the Bible tells us that something is on the horizon. 40:58 It's the second coming of Jesus 41:01 and the Bible goes on to say in Luke chapter 21 41:04 and verse 28: "And when all these things 41:07 begin to come to pass 41:09 then look up and lift up your head... 41:12 for your redemption draweth nigh. " 41:18 My friends, the final act of the work of redemption 41:23 is right before us in the immediate future. 41:26 Because the work of redemp- tion will never be complete 41:30 in the mind of God until you and I 41:34 have been perfectly restored back into His image, 41:37 back into His likeness, standing on the sea of glass 41:41 physically in His immediate presence. 41:46 And that is an event that is very soon to take place. 41:54 Which is extremely beautiful to me when I consider this: 41:58 because Jesus secured our redemption in eternity past 42:03 and Jesus will complete our redemption 42:07 in the future that's immediately before us 42:11 it lets me know from the book of Genesis 42:14 all the way to the book of Revelation 42:16 the entirety of the Bible is nothing more than 42:19 an immense unfolding of the awesome plan of redemption. 42:25 And the central figure of this history 42:31 is the righteous Redeemer Jesus Christ Himself. 42:36 Every chapter, every book 42:38 of the Bible it speaks to us concerning 42:43 the work of the righteous Redeemer. 42:45 And if we fail to see the righteous Redeemer 42:48 in any of our study of the Bible 42:50 then my friends we study the Bible altogether wrong. 42:57 We need to be looking forward 42:59 to the culmination of the work of redemption. 43:05 This is where our attention needs to be riveted. 43:08 This is where our minds need to be focused. 43:10 This is where ALL creation is focused. 43:13 The Word of God tells us in the book of Romans 43:15 chapter 8... Romans the 8th chapter 43:18 and looking at verse 22 the Bible says: "For we know 43:22 that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth 43:26 in pain until now. 43:28 And not only they but we also... 43:31 we also which have received the first-fruits of the Spirit 43:36 even we ourselves groan within ourselves 43:40 waiting for the adoption to wit: 43:43 the redemption of our body. " 43:47 All of creation is waiting 43:50 for the final work of the plan of redemption 43:55 to be accomplished. And that is when 43:57 we, by the grace of God, 44:02 stand in His righteousness 44:06 before His glorious presence. 44:12 The Word of God says if you are looking 44:17 for the appearing of the righteous Redeemer, 44:19 if you are waiting for this great climactic event, 44:24 the Blessed Hope of the return of Jesus Christ the righteous 44:27 and you're doing so without the first fruits of the Spirit 44:31 operating in you, then the reality is 44:33 your waiting is in vain. 44:37 My friends, we need to have the first-fruits 44:40 of the Spirit operating in us. 44:42 The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 8 and verse 14 44:45 that: "As many as are led by the Spirit of God 44:48 they are the sons of God. " Only as we allow 44:51 the presence of God's Spirit to reign within our lives 44:54 so that the beauty of holiness can be revealed through us 44:57 are we truly preparing for the time of redemption. 45:07 God is looking to see 45:10 if there are people today 45:12 that are revealing love, joy, peace, 45:15 longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. 45:19 He's looking for this harvest in our lives! 45:23 Is the Spirit operating in you? 45:26 Is that fruit being revealed in your home? 45:29 Is it being revealed in the workplace? 45:30 Is it being revealed in your marriage? 45:36 Because Jesus didn't just come 45:40 to pay the ransom 45:45 that the law demanded 45:47 so that we could be restored. 45:57 Jesus came to empower us 46:03 so that we could live a life 46:07 of holiness. 46:10 How are you waiting for the righteous Redeemer? 46:17 Now, the other day I was out with my daughter. 46:20 I don't remember what I was doing but I know I was busy. 46:24 And getting busy 46:27 having got hungry 46:30 I knew I needed to get something for Heaven to eat. 46:33 And so I went to a nearby eatery 46:37 and I started having them make this bowl for her. 46:41 Little bit of brown rice here; some guacamole; 46:43 some beans... all of these things. 46:45 As I'm having them put this bowl together for her 46:48 the cashier yelled down the line to me 46:51 and asked me: "Is that all that you're getting? " 46:55 And I responded to him "Yes" but I found it quite curious 46:58 that he asked me this question because 47:00 it's usually something that they would ask once you actually 47:04 arrive at the cash register. 47:07 Here I was a good deal of a distance 47:12 from completing my order and he was already asking me 47:15 if this was ALL that I was planning on getting. 47:19 And by the time I reached to the register 47:24 the cashier said to me: 47:27 "Don't worry, you don't have to pay. It's all taken care of. " 47:31 I said: "What are you talking about? " 47:33 He said: "There was a gentleman that was in here 47:36 before you and he paid it forward for you. " 47:43 And it caught me off guard, and immediately I ran out 47:47 of this eatery to find the gentleman. And I did find 47:50 the gentleman. And I wanted to thank him 47:53 and I did thank him for the kindness that he showed me 47:56 because he had no real reason to do it. 48:00 I did nothing to merit the kindness that he showed to me. 48:06 But it's still... but still... 48:10 he paid it forward for me 48:12 so I wanted to extend to him my gratitude. 48:16 And I wanted to give him some- thing and I gave him something. 48:18 You know, brothers and sisters, 48:24 before we even arrived on the scene 48:27 Jesus paid our ransom forward. 48:31 We've done nothing to merit this kindness. 48:37 He's done it solely out of the vast love 48:42 that resides within His heart. 48:44 And although many of us may have grown up in atmospheres 48:49 where we were not knowledgeable 48:52 of this love, of this immense kindness that God has shown 48:57 towards us. Once the knowledge of the truth 49:01 has come to us 49:02 the very least that we can do 49:08 is tell the Lord how much 49:11 we appreciate what He's done for us. 49:14 And not just tell Him... not just tell God 49:17 how thankful we are 49:19 for the kindness that He has shown to us 49:23 in paying the ransom 49:25 that the law demanded for us 49:28 but we should give Him something. 49:31 And all that we can truly give Him is our hearts. 49:34 I mean, all of our heart, all of our mind, all of our soul, 49:38 all of our strength. We need to give Him everything. 49:42 Are you willing to give Him everything? 49:47 I pray that when the righteous Redeemer - Jesus Christ, 49:54 the Lamb of God - returns to this earth 50:00 for the called and the chosen and the faithful 50:05 He will find you living a life of gratitude 50:10 that is revealed by continual loving obedience 50:16 to His commandments. 50:18 My friends, it makes no difference 50:24 where you find yourself right now in this life... 50:27 Jesus can redeem you. 50:31 I know what I'm talking about. 50:33 A few years ago before the Lord called me out into full-time 50:37 ministry I was in the music industry. 50:43 I was writing films for motion pictures 50:47 and I was caught up in a lifestyle that was altogether 50:50 reprehensible. As a matter of fact, 50:53 I was trying to live the life 50:58 that harmonized with what seemed to be popular 51:02 within the culture and I was a young man. 51:09 I'm still a young man. 51:12 So I'll never forget. I was... I got caught up in 51:17 selling quite a deal... quite a great deal of 51:22 narcotics. 51:24 I was moving drugs from New York 51:28 to the South 51:30 and the operation was going so well that I had to pick up 51:34 new product on a weekly basis. 51:36 And I'll never forget: there was one weekend 51:41 as I came back to New York 51:43 picking up some more drugs to take back down South 51:51 to continue making money hand over fist 51:55 I told some of my friends at that time, I said: 51:57 "You know what? I'm so tired of having to make this trip 52:00 I wish that I could just hold off making this trip 52:04 for at least one more week. " And then a friend told me 52:07 that they were at a nightclub the previous week 52:11 and that I would be able to go into that club 52:13 that very night and be able to move a great deal of weight. 52:17 That's the language that we use for saying 52:19 we'd be able to move a lot of product. 52:20 And I went there on the strength of his word 52:23 because you know all of us sometimes 52:25 we have that friend whose word we tend to trust 52:28 a little bit more than the others. 52:29 Well that was that guy. 52:31 And on the strength of his word 52:33 I went and did something that I traditionally would not do. 52:36 But it was just as he said. 52:38 And I was making money hand over fist that night. 52:40 And of a certainty, I was not going to have to make 52:43 that journey for another week. But as I was in the midst of 52:46 the folly, the drinking, and the revelry 52:48 all of sudden the police came into the club. 52:53 2, 3 o'clock in the morning. The police came into the club 52:56 and they said: "Everybody get up against the wall. " 52:58 And as I got up against the wall one of my friends 53:00 looked at me and he had these eyes on. 53:02 Basically the eyes were saying to me: 53:05 "Wow... you're done! " 53:07 And I looked at him and I said: "You know what? 53:09 This is the life that I chose 53:11 and sometimes it goes this way. " 53:13 But I did have parents that taught me to pray. 53:17 And so I said my prayer in that hour. 53:20 I said: "Lord, You don't have to get me out of this 53:22 but if You can get me out of this get me out of this. " 53:24 That was my prayer. And I'll never forget: 53:27 as I was there with my hands up against the wall 53:29 and the officers were checking each individual one by one, 53:31 one by one, and as they checked an individual 53:34 they told them to sit down in the chair that was 53:35 nearby them. As the police officer was 53:38 nearing myself to begin his search on my person 53:42 another officer came from the total opposite 53:47 direction in the club, engaged him in a conversation 53:51 that took him to the total opposite end of the club. 53:56 And there I was looking at all of this taking place. 53:59 And I saw this seat nearby between two large men. 54:03 And because I'm not as large as these NFL-looking gentlemen 54:07 I thought: "If I can get into that chair, 54:08 I'm good. " And so I started doing my best 54:11 rendition of Michael Jackson. I started to slide 54:14 on the floor. Bit by bit I slid on the floor 54:19 and I got over to that chair. I sat down in that chair 54:21 and I leaned back in my seat. And nobody realized that 54:27 they didn't check me. And I thought to myself: 54:29 "Once again I've gotten away. " 54:30 "I'm too smart for them. " 54:33 Nah, God had something for me still. 54:36 The lead officer came into the club and he said: 54:38 'Did you talk to everyone? " 54:40 That was their language for: "Did you check everyone? " 54:42 They said: "Yes, we tossed everyone. " 54:44 He said: "Well, toss them all again! " 54:45 My heart fell into my foot. 54:48 This time you had to go to the door 54:51 that was the entrance into the club. 54:53 There was only one way in; one way out. 54:54 I knew there was no way for me to get away. 54:56 So when it was my time to get checked I thought: 54:59 "You know what? I'm just going to take it like a man. " 55:01 I walked up to the gentleman, I walked up to the police officer 55:03 and I threw my hands up behind my head. 55:05 And I had on one of these winter parkas. 55:10 And so he started his search on me, and this what 55:12 he did: ch-ch-ch-ch, ch-ch-ch-ch, 55:14 ch-ch. He said: "Go over there. " 55:17 He never checked my bottom pockets that looked like 55:23 they had teddy bears inside of them. 55:25 I mean, literally, they were the biggest thing on me 55:27 and he never touched them. 55:33 One of my friends looked at me... 55:34 he looked at me like he saw a ghost. 55:37 He said: "There's no way... that's impossible! " 55:40 He said: "Man! You must have prayed! " 55:43 You know what? I DID pray. 55:46 And even in the midst of my folly 55:48 God came through for me. 55:52 And you may be in the midst of some folly right now. 55:57 You may be engaged in a lifestyle 56:02 or in transactions 56:07 or some type of intimate associations that 56:10 you know you have no business being a part of 56:13 but Jesus is ready to redeem you. 56:18 He paid the price for your salvation. 56:25 All you need to do is give your heart to Him. 56:32 Trust Him and He will lift you up. 56:37 Higher than the human thoughts, 56:40 higher than the highest thought that you can ever have 56:43 for yourself Jesus Christ will lift you up 56:46 because His desire for you 56:50 is to restore you back into His image 56:52 and bring you right into His physical presence. 56:56 May God bless you as you look unto Jesus. Amen. 57:03 His body was broken 57:07 so that we could live giving us the gift of eternal life. 57:12 He pursues us relentlessly with an everlasting love. 57:18 Regardless of our failures and mistakes 57:22 the One who loves us like no other. 57:26 THIS is who Jesus IS. |
Revised 2022-02-21