Participants:
Series Code: SSP
Program Code: SSP230012S
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00:01 It seems like we started recording
00:02 this Quarter's Sabbath School Panel just three days ago, 00:04 but we've already made it to the very last Lesson... 00:08 Lesson Number 12 entitled: Rewards for Faithfulness 00:11 and so, my Friends, we want you to join us 00:13 for 3ABN Sabbath School Panel this week 00:15 as we take on a powerful topic, 00:17 it's going to encourage each and every one of us. 00:19 It's not too late to get a copy of the Lesson. 00:22 Just simply go to 3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com 00:24 and you can access the copy of the Lesson for free 00:27 or we always encourage you 00:28 to search for your local Seventh-day Adventist church 00:31 and go study with your brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:33 So, don't go anywhere, 00:35 we're going to be right back in just a moment. 00:36 Music... 01:07 Ryan: You're watching 3ABN Sabbath School Panel. 01:10 Thank you so much for joining us my Friends 01:12 and this week, we're on Lesson Number 12... 01:14 the very last lesson of this Quarter 01:16 and it's entitled: Rewards of Faithfulness 01:19 and God indeed has been faithful to us 01:22 and we've been learning that all through this Quarter 01:25 and it's just such a blessing 01:26 to be a part of 3ABN Sabbath School Panel 01:28 and to be joined by my brothers and sisters in Christ 01:30 whom I would like to introduce to you at this moment. 01:33 To my very direct left, Ms. Shelley Quinn. 01:36 Shelley: Oh, it's a joy to be here. 01:38 My Lesson is: Everlasting Life. 01:40 Ryan: Amen, and next to you we have Pastor John Lomacang. 01:43 Lomacang: Mine is an amazing Lesson: The New Jerusalem. 01:47 Panel: Hmmm... Day: Looking forward to that. 01:48 Lomacang: Excited about it. 01:50 Ryan: All right, next to you is Pastor John Dinzey. 01:52 Dinzey: It's a blessing to be here... 01:54 Wednesday is: The Settling of Accounts. 01:56 Ryan: All right, okay, 01:58 and then, last but not least Ms. Jill Morikone. 02:01 I almost said: Ms. Shelley Quinn 02:03 but you're Jill Morikone. 02:04 Jill: I receive Shelley as my sister 02:06 so, on Thursday we look at: Eyes on the Prize. 02:09 Ryan: Amen, praise the Lord... Praise the Lord. 02:11 All right my Friends, 02:13 we dare not dive into the Word of God or study His Word 02:16 without first going to the Lord in prayer first. 02:19 We certainly need prayer 02:20 so that we can best express the powerful truths 02:23 that we find in this lesson, 02:24 so, we'll ask Pastor John Dinzey 02:26 if you wouldn't mind having a prayer for us. 02:27 Pause... 02:28 Dinzey: "Our wonderful and loving heavenly Father, 02:30 we thank You so much Lord for your incredible amazing love. 02:35 We pray that as we study this Lesson, 02:38 as we share of what You have given to us, 02:40 that You will bless us with the Holy Spirit in such a way 02:44 that every word will be a blessing to Your children. 02:48 We pray, Lord, for You to bless everyone that joins us 02:52 wherever they may be 02:53 and may Your Holy Spirit lead them 02:55 to a closer walk with You. 02:57 We ask in holy blessed name of Jesus, amen. " 03:00 Ryan: Amen... amen. 03:02 There is no reward... prize 03:05 or any type of gift in this life 03:08 that... past... present or future 03:11 can even come to a comparison 03:14 to what God has prepared 03:16 for those who are faithful to Him 03:18 and that's what Lesson Number 12 is bringing out 03:20 in rewards faithfulness. 03:22 Our memory text comes from Matthew chapter 25 and verse 21 03:26 and I'm reading from the New King James Version 03:28 and it says, "His lord said unto him, 03:30 'Well done, good and faithful servant; 03:33 you were faithful over a few things, 03:35 I will make you ruler over many things. 03:38 Enter into the joy of your Lord. " 03:41 Man! I can't wait to hear those words 03:43 come from the mouth of my Master. 03:46 Then all of this life 03:47 and all of its trials and tribulations and difficulties... 03:50 challenges... the ups and the downs... 03:52 even the death though it may be tough 03:55 and its sting may be strong, 03:57 all of it will be worth hearing those words 03:59 when they come from your Master's mouth. 04:01 "Well done, my good and faithful servant, 04:03 enter into the joy of your Lord. " 04:05 Sabbath afternoon's lesson 04:07 brings out that though we can never earn salvation, 04:10 the Bible uses the hope of reward 04:12 and a motivation for faithful living 04:14 as undeserving recipients of God's grace. 04:17 "For in the end whatever we receive is, 04:20 always and only from God's grace. " 04:23 As David wrote in Psalm chapter 19 verses 7 through 11 04:28 and I'm singing Scripture songs about this... 04:30 beautiful... powerful words... 04:31 David writes, "The law of the LORD is perfect, 04:34 converting the soul; 04:36 the testimony of the LORD is sure, 04:38 making wise the simple; 04:40 the statutes of the LORD are right, 04:42 rejoicing the heart; 04:44 the commandment of the LORD is pure, 04:46 enlightening the eyes; 04:48 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; 04:52 the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 04:57 More to be desired are they than gold, 05:00 yea, than much fine gold; 05:02 sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 05:06 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, 05:09 and in keeping them there is great reward. " 05:12 I love that... those who are faithful to God 05:15 and living steadfast for Him, 05:17 they can look forward to a great reward 05:19 and the lesson goes on to say in various places... 05:22 the Bible talks about our rewards... 05:24 what are... what we are promised through Christ 05:27 after the second coming... 05:28 end this terrible detour with sin, 05:30 is once and for all over and done 05:33 and so, what is it that we can look forward to 05:35 in regards to what we are promised 05:37 and what assurance do we have of getting what we have 05:40 been promised with us. 05:41 What we're going to find out this week 05:43 as we now transition into Sunday's Lesson 05:45 and Man! it's just... just looking through this Lesson 05:48 and being able to study it... 05:50 it was a blessing to be able to 05:51 be reminded of the beautiful promises of God 05:54 and the Word of God in which we know God cannot lie 05:56 and when we look at these words and we read them 05:58 and we comprehend them, 06:00 we know that if God has spoken, 06:01 what He has spoken and what He said... will be done 06:04 and so, Sunday's Lesson begins with us looking 06:07 at one of the verses that we've often heard of many times 06:09 and we've often quoted many times and that comes from 06:12 Hebrews chapter 11... that great faith chapter... 06:15 the "Faith Hall of Fame" as some have put it. 06:17 Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6, 06:19 and it... it's asking us a question, 06:21 what is it that this is really saying? 06:23 How do we... how do we take this... 06:25 this verse and comprehend it within the context 06:27 of the reward for faithfulness 06:30 which is the title of Sunday's Lesson: 06:32 Reward for Faithfulness. 06:33 Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 6 says, 06:36 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, 06:39 for he who comes to God must believe that He is, 06:43 and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. " 06:49 Okay, I cannot emphasize that enough. 06:51 You know, we live in a world where often people think 06:54 faith is just simply mentally accepting that God exists. 06:57 Or that... just simply mentally accepting 06:59 that Jesus did indeed die on the cross years ago for their sins 07:03 and while that is certainly a part of the salvational plan 07:07 that God has that we must come to grips 07:09 with our literal belief and understanding 07:10 that yes, there really was a Jesus Christ 07:12 and He really did do a work that only He could do 07:15 to redeem mankind... 07:16 a faith goes far beyond just a mental acceptance 07:19 because as we know that Bible makes it very clear 07:22 that even the devil believes and trembles. 07:25 So, faith is trusting... it's a deep trust... 07:27 it's a deep believing and trusting 07:29 in what God has said He will do. 07:31 And just those last words there in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 6, 07:34 "faith is... without faith it is impossible to please God" 07:37 but it goes on to say, 07:39 "and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. " 07:43 Of course, my mind went to Romans chapter 10 verse 17, 07:45 any time you think about faith... 07:47 how can we have faith? 07:48 how can we grow our faith? 07:50 Romans chapter 10 verse 17, 07:51 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, 07:54 and hearing by the word of God. " 07:56 You cannot have faith in God separate from His Word, 07:59 that's how it grows... 08:01 that's how we learn when we come to trust what God said 08:03 and that we believe in what He is going to do 08:06 and that He's going to accomplish 08:07 exactly what He says He's going to do in our lives 08:10 and in this world and in the next. 08:12 Then that builds our faith in Him 08:14 to be faithful servants of the Lord. 08:16 Even Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 11 through 14 08:20 highlights the fact 08:21 because what did it say at the end of Hebrews chapter 11 08:23 verse 6? 08:25 Those who diligently seek Him. 08:26 There's something about faithfulness 08:29 or growing your faith or establishing faith 08:31 in diligently seeking the Lord. 08:33 Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 11 through 14, 08:36 one of my favorite verses of all time. 08:38 God proclaims a powerful promise 08:41 and He says, "For I know the thoughts 08:43 that I think toward you, 08:44 says the LORD... " 08:46 He says, "Stop telling me or telling others what... 08:49 what I should think about you 08:50 because I know what I think about you 08:52 and what are those thoughts? 08:54 He says, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, 08:56 to give you a future and a hope. 08:58 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, 09:01 and I will listen to you... " 09:02 and I love this... 09:04 "And you will seek Me and find Me... " 09:06 how? 09:08 how will we seek Him and find Him? 09:10 The answer comes in the next part, 09:12 "When you search for Me with all your heart. " 09:16 And then the first part of verse 14, 09:18 "And I will be found by you... " 09:21 I love that God is not hiding from us... 09:23 He's not set us in... in a crazy complicated maze 09:28 and... and standing on the other end saying, "Wooo hooo... 09:30 nanny, nanny boo boo come find Me... " 09:32 no, no, no, it's not like that at all, 09:34 God is there 09:36 but yet we must with all our heart, mind, and soul 09:38 seek Him diligently... 09:39 put our full self into learning of His Word 09:42 and learning of His character. 09:45 Revelation chapter 22 verses 12, 09:47 also, Isaiah chapter 40 verse 10, 09:49 in fact, if I could get someone... 09:50 maybe Jill, if you want to read Revelation 22 verse 12, 09:54 and then, Pastor Dinzey, 09:57 if you would like to read Isaiah chapter 40 verse 10, 09:59 Isaiah chapter 40 verse 10, 10:01 and then, Pastor Lomacang, 10:02 if you could take Isaiah 62 verse 11. 10:05 Isaiah chapter 62, verse 11. 10:07 So, Jill, what does Revelation chapter 22 verse 12 say? 10:09 "And behold, I am coming quickly, 10:11 and My reward is with Me, 10:13 to give to every one according to his work. " 10:15 Ryan: Okay, so there is the promise again 10:17 that He is returning with that reward 10:19 and it's... it's interesting 10:20 because He's giving it based on our work 10:22 and I often read these texts and I think, "Wait a second, 10:25 I thought it was based on our faith. " 10:26 Well, we're saved by grace through faith 10:28 but yet the determination of that reward is based our works. 10:31 Isaiah chapter 40 verse 10, 10:33 Pastor Dinzey, what does it say? 10:35 "Behold, the Lord God shall come 10:37 with a strong hand 10:39 and His arm shall rule for Him; 10:41 behold, His reward is with Him, 10:43 and His work before Him. " 10:45 Ryan: Hmmm... so there it is again, 10:47 "Behold His reward is with Him. " 10:49 God is returning with that reward 10:50 and we know we're living in a judgment time period right now 10:53 in which God will determine who His faithful are 10:55 Are we the sheep or are we the goats? 10:57 Are we the wheat... or the tares? 10:58 Are we those who love truth... 11:00 are we those who do not love truth? 11:02 Are we fully surrendered or not? 11:03 He is coming back with His reward 11:05 and, of course, Pastor Lomacang Isaiah chapter 62 and verse 11, 11:08 Lomacang: Verse 11 it says: Indeed the LORD has proclaimed 11:12 to the end of the world: 11:14 "Say to the daughter of Zion, 11:15 'Surely your salvation is coming; 11:17 behold, His reward is with Him, 11:19 and His work before Him. '" 11:21 Ryan: His reward is with Him. 11:23 These texts just establish the fact that God has promised 11:26 that He will indeed reward those who are faithful... 11:30 that's the whole point of this Lesson 11:31 is that each and every one of us 11:33 even though we're going through these trials and difficulties 11:36 in this life, 11:38 it's not going to go unrewarded 11:39 if we remain grounded and steadfast in the faith 11:42 and place our faith in Jesus Christ. 11:44 In fact, it's a powerful quote here from Ellen G. White, 11:48 Great Controversy page 674, 11:50 I love this because again it gives us just a... 11:52 just a glimpse into the reality of what we're dealing with 11:55 in regards to the reward that God has for us 11:58 because it says here in Great Controversy page 674, 12:01 "Human language is inadequate 12:04 to describe the reward of the righteous. 12:07 It will be known only to those who behold it. " 12:10 You got to be there... 12:12 you got to be there before you see it... 12:13 before you can understand it. 12:15 And it goes on to say, 12:16 "No finite mind can comprehend the glory 12:18 of the Paradise of God. " 12:21 And, of course, this is foundation 12:23 that quote... I know for a fact comes from the truth 12:26 that we find in 1st Corinthians chapter 2 verse 9, 12:29 which reminds us that even though... 12:30 and I do this often... 12:32 I don't know about you guys, 12:33 I find myself often just daydreaming 12:35 and sometimes I even dream 12:37 about what God's paradise is going to be like. 12:40 What it's going to be like when we are truly rewarded 12:43 for our faithfulness... 12:45 we hear those words... 12:46 "Well done, My good and faithful servant... 12:48 enter into the joy of your Lord. " 12:50 What's it going to be like, 12:51 what's those streets of gold going to be like? 12:53 what's the gates of pearls going to be like? 12:54 what's all of these powerful things? 12:56 But ultimately, 12:57 what is Jesus going to be like in Person? 12:59 We're going to look upon His face... 13:01 we're going to be in His presence 13:02 and it's powerful because 13:04 what does 1st Corinthians chapter 2 verse 9 say? 13:06 It says, "You know what? 13:07 you can think about it all day long... 13:09 you can try to daydream about it and dream about it all day long" 13:12 but it says, "as it is written: 13:14 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, 13:16 nor has it entered into the heart of man 13:18 the things which God has prepared 13:20 for those who love Him. ' " 13:22 Panel: That's right. 13:23 Ryan: Do you love your Lord? 13:24 Because it all comes down to the fact 13:26 that, you know, we might go through trials... 13:28 we might go through troubles in this lifetime, 13:30 but do you love Him to persevere through those 13:32 to receive your reward? 13:34 Jesus said in Matthew 5 verse 11 and 12, 13:36 "Blessed are they... 13:38 blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, 13:41 and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 13:44 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad... " though He says, 13:47 "for great is your reward in heaven, 13:49 for so they persecuted the prophets 13:51 who were before you. " 13:53 Yes, we may have to walk through 13:55 the valley of the shadow of death in this life, 13:58 but Jesus says, "If you remain faithful to Me 14:00 and place your life... your house 14:02 upon the rock of Jesus Christ, 14:04 you will be rewarded greatly in the next. " 14:07 Panel: Amen. 14:09 Shelley: Thank you for that foundation. 14:10 What an exciting topic: The Reward for the Faithful. 14:16 I'm Shelley Quinn 14:18 I have Monday and it is: Everlasting Life. 14:21 It just occurred to me... 14:22 let me explain very quickly... 14:23 the word "everlasting" or "eternal" in the Bible 14:27 aiónios in the Greek... 14:30 it is a relative term. 14:32 In other words, it derives its meaning 14:37 from who it is describing. 14:40 So, when we talk about God 14:44 because He is immortal... 14:47 because He does live forever... 14:50 when we mention everlasting life with God... 14:54 anything that's everlasting or eternal, 14:57 in reference to God, 14:58 it means forever and ever 15:00 and ever and ever and ever without end. 15:02 If we use "everlasting" 15:04 in reference to a man or something that... 15:08 a city or something that's got a finite period of time, 15:13 it just means until it's used up. 15:17 Does that make sense? 15:18 Panel: Yeah. 15:20 Shelley: Okay, listen to what our Adult Bible Study Guide says 15:24 it starts off... it says, "As human beings 15:27 whether we like it or not... 15:29 an eternity awaits us. 15:30 And according to the Bible, 15:33 this eternity will come 15:35 in one of two manifestations, 15:39 at least for each of us individually... " 15:42 So, here's the two choices... the two manifestations. 15:46 Either eternal life 15:49 or eternal death. 15:51 That's it. 15:52 No middle ground. 15:54 No straddling, a bit of one side or another. 15:57 Instead, it is one or the other. 16:01 Life or death. 16:04 This truly is a case of all or nothing. 16:06 Now, let me give you one more little English lesson. 16:10 I believe in using simple language 16:12 but sometimes there's just a word that it... 16:16 it's so meaningful. 16:17 I want to... if you don't know this word... let me teach, 16:20 one of my favorite words, 16:22 "Juxtaposition" 16:24 "Juxta" means that it's near 16:28 and "position" is how it's posed, right? 16:31 So, juxtaposition... that word 16:34 if you juxtapose something 16:36 or juxtaposition of something, 16:38 it means that you have two 16:42 totally contrasting ideas 16:46 that couldn't be more different than daylight and darkness, 16:49 that are positioned in a statement. 16:52 So, I say that because what we're getting ready to read 16:56 if you've got your Bibles turn to John chapter 3. 17:00 What we find in John chapter 3 17:03 Jesus is speaking with some juxtapositions. 17:08 He's positioning one thing in stark contrast 17:13 to something else that He mentions in the sentence. 17:16 So, John chapter 3 and verse 16, 17:19 he says, "For God so loved the world, 17:21 that He gave His only begotten Son... " 17:24 let's hit the pause button, 17:26 that's not a juxtaposition... 17:28 that's just a statement of the rewards of God. 17:30 God so loved the world... 17:33 our Creator God... in the beginning, was the Word, 17:37 the Word was with God, 17:39 the Word was God... 17:40 everything was created through Him 17:42 and John 1:14 says, 17:44 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. " 17:48 Our Creator God humbled Himself to become a man 17:52 and to become the covenant Son of God. 17:56 "Only begotten" means chosen for a covenant purpose 18:01 just as Isaac was the only begotten son of Abraham. 18:06 So, here we've got 18:08 a demonstration of the intensity of God's love. 18:12 when He looks at us and He wants to save us 18:16 that God would become a human being 18:18 so that He can become our substitute and die for us 18:21 to take our sin penalty... that is so amazing! 18:25 And He came... Romans 5:8 says, 18:27 "while we were yet sinners, He died for us. " 18:30 But now, here's the juxtaposition 18:32 of John 3:16, 18:35 "For God so loved the world, 18:36 that He gave His only begotten Son, 18:38 that whoever believes in Him... " 18:40 now He's going to juxtapose two things, 18:44 "should not perish, 18:48 but have everlasting life. " 18:51 Those are totally completely 18:54 contrasting ideas. 18:56 To perish... the word here means 19:01 utter destruction... 19:03 Panel: That's right. 19:04 Shelley: In the Greek... utter destruction. 19:06 When He... 19:07 God's not going to burn mortal human beings 19:13 forever and ever and ever and ever in the Lake of fire... 19:16 there's an end to this. 19:17 We'll get... there'll be ashes, right? 19:19 So, He's saying, "You're either going to have 19:22 eternal death 19:24 we know He's talking about the second death 19:27 that Revelation mentions four times. 19:29 You're either going to have eternal death 19:31 or eternal life 19:33 depending on what you do about the Son. 19:37 And then he goes on in verse 17, 19:39 he says, "God did not send His Son into the world 19:42 to condemn the world... " 19:43 now he's going to juxtapose a thought, 19:45 "but that the world through him might be saved. " 19:49 So, it's not about condemnation. 19:54 Jesus came to condemn sin not sinners. 19:58 He came to save the world. 20:01 Revelation... excuse me, 20:03 let's look at another juxtaposition, 20:06 Romans 6... if you've got your Bibles, 20:09 turn to Romans 6 20:11 and we're going to begin with verse 20, 20:14 the... the Bible was full of juxtapositions 20:17 and now that you've got that idea in your mind, 20:20 watch for it because it helps to define... 20:24 we understand "perishing" is juxtaposed with eternal life 20:28 so, it's talking about eternal death. 20:30 But Romans 6 verse 20, 20:32 it says, "When you were slaves of sin, 20:35 you were free in regard to righteousness. " 20:38 Ha... you didn't need to worry about righteousness 20:42 when you were slaves of sin. 20:44 "What fruit did you have then 20:45 in the things which you are now ashamed? 20:48 For the end of those things is death. 20:51 But... " here's the juxtaposition... 20:54 "having been set free from sin 20:57 and having becoming slaves of God... " 21:00 slaves of sin... slaves of God... 21:04 "you have your fruit to holiness... " 21:07 so you didn't have any... 21:09 you had fruit that you were ashamed of before 21:12 now, you've got fruit of holiness 21:14 "and the end, everlasting life. " 21:17 But here's the big one... 21:18 juxtaposition... 21:21 Romans 6:23, 21:23 "The wages of sin is death, 21:26 but the gift of God is eternal life 21:31 in Christ Jesus. " 21:33 So, there are two inescapable absolutes right here. 21:38 Either death... the second death of Revelation 20:14 says, 21:43 "Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. 21:46 This is the second death. " 21:49 "Anyone not found in the book of life 21:51 is cast into the lake of fire. " 21:53 So, here when He says, the wages of sin is death, 21:56 or... the gift of God is eternal life. 22:00 Let's look at this. 22:01 We're free... 22:03 God gave us free will. 22:07 What a gift! 22:09 Panel: Amen. 22:10 Shelley: He did that because He loves us 22:11 and He wants us to love Him by choice 22:14 but we're free to choose our Master 22:16 but you know what? 22:17 We're not free to choose our consequences. 22:18 There is... there is very... the consequences are stated. 22:23 So, what he's saying is, 22:25 "If you remain a slave to sin... 22:27 you are rebellion against God... 22:29 you're rejecting His righteousness by faith 22:32 and guess what? 22:33 You get the wages you earn. 22:36 The wages of sin is death... 22:39 2nd death. 22:41 Or, by your decision, 22:44 you can listen to the God who is saying, 22:49 "Turn, turn, why should you die... turn to Me... " 22:53 and then, you get... what is it? 22:56 The free gift... it's not wages, 22:59 you cannot earn salvation, 23:01 there's absolutely nothing you can do to earn salvation. 23:04 Even your obedience cannot earn your salvation. 23:08 Jesus didn't obey to become the Son of God, 23:11 He obeyed because He was the Son of God. 23:14 So, there's nothing you can do... 23:17 it's an undeserved gift of grace, 23:19 but it's a gift of eternal life. 23:22 Wages of death... gift of eternal life... 23:25 boy! there are not two more stark 23:28 or distinct choices are there? 23:32 So, here's the good news. 23:34 Jesus said in John 14:1 through 3, 23:36 "Let not your heart be troubled; 23:39 you believe in God, believe also in Me. 23:42 In My Father's house are many mansions; 23:45 if it were not so, I would have told you. 23:48 I go to prepare a place for you. 23:51 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 23:55 I will come again, and receive you to Myself; 24:00 that where I am, there you may be also. " 24:03 I pray that you make the choice to turn to God 24:08 and receive all the rewards He has 24:13 for His faithful. 24:15 Panel: Hmmm... amen. 24:16 Ryan: Amen, I love those texts. 24:17 You're not going to want to go anywhere, my Friends, 24:19 because we'll come back in just a moment. 24:20 We're going to be learning all about that precious 24:23 beautiful place that God has prepared for us. 24:24 So, don't go anywhere, 24:26 we're going to take a short break... 24:27 we'll be right back. 24:28 Music... 24:33 Ever wish you could watch a 3ABN Sabbath School Panel again 24:36 or share it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? 24:40 Well, you can by visiting 3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com 24:44 A clean design makes it easy 24:47 to find the Program you're looking for. 24:48 to find the Program you are looking for 24:50 There are also links to the Adult Bible Study Guide 24:53 so you can follow along. 24:54 Sharing is easy... 24:56 just click "Share" and choose your favorite Social Media. 24:59 Share a Link... 25:00 Save a Life for Eternity. 25:02 Ryan: Hello Friends, 25:04 welcome back to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel, 25:06 we're going to pass it over to Pastor John Lomacang 25:08 for Tuesday's Lesson. 25:09 Lomacang: Yes, and mine is on The New Jerusalem... 25:13 the reward of faithfulness. 25:15 This, to me, is the ultimate reward 25:17 as Ryan pointed out earlier. 25:19 We have been wondering... 25:20 Revelation has even given us a peak into what is to come, 25:24 but truly eyes have not seen... 25:26 ears have not heard 25:27 and Paul goes on to say, 25:28 it hasn't even entered into our minds 25:30 what God prepares for those that love Him. 25:32 You know, what you should do sometimes 25:34 which I've done before, 25:36 is just pause and go out into the night light. 25:38 Go in... the colder time of the year is better to do it 25:42 because the skies tend to have this vividness... 25:45 this beauty that it doesn't have when it's hot 25:47 and when it's smoggy and when it's raining 25:49 and just if you can, 25:51 for about five or ten minutes, or so 25:52 just go to a field where it's completely dark, 25:55 close your eyes 25:56 and maybe about a minute later, open your eyes. 25:58 My wife and I did that a number of years ago 26:01 when we lived up in the mountains 26:02 of northern California... 26:03 mountains up in Trinity County. 26:05 We pulled out car off of the highest point of the overpass... 26:09 turned our lights off... 26:10 laid on the hood and the windshield was our pillow 26:13 and we leaned back there and counted to 60 26:16 and when we opened our eyes, 26:17 it was like heaven was raining on us 26:19 and I thought to myself, 26:21 "Wow! that's God's playground. " 26:24 Astronomers have assumed that... 26:27 even speculated... there are billions of galaxies 26:30 and scientists have done their best to try to duplicate 26:34 and even through Si-Fi to just tweak our imagination 26:37 but they can't even do that 26:39 because it hasn't even entered into the hearts of man 26:41 the things that God prepares for those that love Him. 26:44 But I can't wait... as Abraham... 26:46 Hebrews 11 verse 10 says, 26:48 "For he waited for the city which has foundations, 26:51 whose builder and maker is God. " 26:53 And we've all been waiting. 26:54 Sometimes I ask, "Lord, what else needs to happen? 26:57 Would You allow some catastrophe to occur... 27:00 so, just take the reigns in your own hands... 27:02 just wind this up... 27:03 let's get out of here... 27:05 no more diseases... no more heartache... 27:06 no more suffering... " 27:07 because the New Jerusalem... as Elder Ed Reid said, 27:10 is God's masterpiece. 27:13 Have you ever seen a gate made of one pearl? 27:16 Panel: Laughter. 27:18 Lomacang: I can't fathom the oyster that it came from. 27:21 Have you ever thought about 27:23 a city with 12 foundations of precious stones and walls 27:27 that are made of gold that are transparent glass? 27:30 We haven't seen anything that even resembles that. 27:33 My wife and I... when we were in another country... 27:37 actually in Singapore... 27:38 we went to the store: Tiffany's to just look around 27:41 because we were in this opulent mall... 27:42 we don't wear adornments... we don't wear jewelry... 27:45 but we said, "You know, this mall is all about opulence 27:48 let's see what that means. " 27:49 I tell you, we were not the same for a couple of days. 27:53 But that falls far short 27:55 of what God is going to be able to do for those that love Him. 27:58 So, I have, Jill, ten applications... 28:01 ten things and 28:03 it's all going to be based on Revelation chapter 21. 28:06 So, let's go to Revelation chapter 21 together 28:09 and look at what God has even... 28:12 even given us a glimpse of. 28:14 Kind of peek behind the curtain. 28:16 We look through the peephole of eternity 28:18 and we see something glittering 28:20 and God says, "I'll just let you know, 28:22 all that you can handle in your... in your mortality. " 28:26 One of the reasons I believe that we have to be immortal 28:29 is because it's going to overwhelm us so much 28:32 that our immune system is going to go on 28:34 to defect or breakdown. 28:35 We're going to literally internally begin to melt 28:37 when we see what God has in store for us. 28:39 That's one of the reasons why we need to be immortal, 28:42 can I get an amen? 28:43 Panel: Amen... amen. 28:45 Lomacang: Don't ask for many of those but we got one today. 28:46 Revelation 21 verse 1, 28:47 let's look at this, 28:49 "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 28:51 for the first heaven and the first earth 28:53 had passed away. 28:55 Also, there was no more sea. " 28:56 The first earth will be made new. 28:59 The first heaven that passes away... 29:01 or the heaven that passes away is not where God is 29:04 but it's like the moon where we put our... 29:06 where we put a... a flag and 29:08 the things that exist above the earth's atmosphere 29:12 that were affected by the taint of sin... 29:14 God is going to re-do all of that 29:16 and what's wonderful about that 29:19 is... it says, there'll also be no more sea. 29:22 Now, my brother's a fisherman 29:23 and he had a hard time with that verse. 29:25 That doesn't mean that there'll be no more water, 29:27 it means that the things that separates humanity. 29:30 You know, when the Bible talks about 29:31 the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations, 29:33 that is the split that is caused by... by borders 29:37 and... and time zones 29:38 and... and lands 29:40 and the oceans are the majority of earth 29:42 that separates the waters from the waters... 29:44 I mean, the people from the people... 29:46 the land from the land... 29:47 what in essence is being said there 29:48 is... there's nothing that's going to separate us... 29:50 we're going to be in one harmonious... whole... 29:53 as God is going to be our God 29:55 and we were going to be His people. 29:57 So, the first earth will be made new 29:59 and boy! I can't wait to see Yosemite 30:02 untouched by sin. 30:04 What a... what a sight that's going to be! 30:06 Second one: 30:07 The earth will be the resting place of the New Jerusalem. 30:11 Revelation 21 verse 2, 30:13 "Then I, John... " I love that... 30:15 "saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, 30:17 coming down out of heaven from God, 30:20 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. " 30:22 This is one of those passages that reminds us that 30:25 even though the church has been often called: 30:27 The Bride of Christ, 30:29 in reality... the New Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ 30:31 because when John says, "I want to see the bride... " 30:34 and he says, "and He showed me the Lamb's wife... 30:37 the New Jerusalem... " 30:38 so, we are the guests at the wedding. 30:41 The five wise and five foolish virgins... 30:43 we are invited into this beautiful delivery 30:46 of the kingdom of God 30:47 but what would a kingdom be without the people of God 30:49 being in it? Panel: That's right. 30:51 Lomacang: That's the beauty of it. 30:52 We're going to be at this glorious coronation of the ages 30:55 and Man! 30:56 we always talk about sitting down at the welcome table, 30:58 there's going to be food that we never thought about 31:00 but more than the food, 31:02 there's going to be the fellowship 31:03 to be able to see Jesus and our heavenly Father face to face. 31:06 How beautiful that will be which brings me to verse 3, 31:09 we will be with God and He will be with us. 31:12 Revelation 21 verse 3, 31:13 "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 31:16 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men... '" 31:18 listen to this... 31:19 "He will dwell with them, 31:22 and they shall be His people. 31:24 God Himself will be with them and be their God. " 31:27 What a day of rejoicing that is going to be 31:30 when finite and Infinite meet 31:33 and Infinite makes finite infinite. 31:36 Panel: Yes... 31:38 Lomacang: I can't say that twice. 31:39 Panel: Laugher... 31:40 Lomacang: When we put on immortality 31:42 and God says, "Our fellowship will never end" 31:44 what a day of rejoicing that's going to be! 31:46 Wow! I just want to try to absorb that. 31:49 Number 4: 31:50 Revelation 21 verse 4, 31:52 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 31:54 there shall be no more death, 31:56 nor sorrow, no crying. 31:57 There shall be no more pain, 31:59 for the former things have passed away. " 32:00 Shelley will be glad that there will be no more pain? 32:02 Shelley: Oh boy! 32:04 Lomacang: All those shoulders... all those backs... 32:06 all those medications that people take... 32:09 no more glasses... 32:10 no more contact lenses... 32:11 no more rickets and crickets and hydrophobia 32:14 and claustrophobia... 32:15 no more wheelchairs... no more emergency rooms... 32:18 somebody stop me. 32:19 Panel: Amen. 32:21 Lomacang: The former things of sin 32:22 will be permanently banished. 32:23 Sorry doctors, you will not be employed in heaven 32:27 because God will make all things new 32:30 which brings me to verse 5, 32:31 verse 5 of Revelation 21, what a glimpse! 32:34 "Then He who sat on the throne said, 32:37 'Behold, I make all things new. ' 32:41 And He said to me, 32:42 'Write, for these words are true and faithful. '" 32:45 Elon Musk will be just like everybody else in heaven 32:49 because our transportation is going to be 32:52 on the wings of God's grace. 32:54 How beautiful! 32:55 Our transportation... 32:56 we're going to be floating on the waters of God's perfection 32:59 and basking in the glory of God's grace. 33:01 How beautiful that's going to be 33:03 when every one of us will see that in this life, 33:06 the greatest blessing we had in this finite world 33:09 is to get to know the God that we will spend eternity with. 33:13 Wow! How beautiful! 33:14 Now, let's go to verse 6, because it keeps going. 33:18 It keeps going... Revelation 21 verse 6, 33:20 "And He said to me, 33:22 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, 33:26 the Beginning and the End. 33:28 I will give of the fountain of water of life 33:32 freely to him who thirsts. " 33:34 Wow! how many of us would be thirsty then? 33:36 You know, I've discovered in our reading... in our studying... 33:39 even in writings of Ellen White in The Great Controversy, 33:41 you know, we will never stop learning. 33:43 We will be amazed at one moment after the other... 33:47 can you imagine... 33:48 I want to ask God how He made DNA. 33:51 I just want to ask Him, 33:53 "How did you hold it all together?" 33:55 The... the... the... the... what do you call it? The... 33:57 laminin... Panel: Hmmm... hmmm... 33:59 Lomacang: Yeah, that... that... that cross-like section 34:01 that holds the human body together 34:03 that if it did not exist, we'd fall apart 34:05 like just a piece of clay 34:07 that had nothing connecting us to... 34:09 like we had no scaffolding... 34:10 "How did You do it? 34:11 How did You put oxygen and hydrogen in the blood 34:15 and we did not explode? 34:17 How did you put the earth just far enough away from the sun 34:20 that we don't burn up or that we don't freeze?" 34:22 Panel: That's right. 34:24 Lomacang: Amazing! 34:25 and we'll get a chance to see everything made new. 34:26 Let me go on because I have so much more 34:28 in less than 49 seconds. 34:29 We will inherit the things that God prepares for us. 34:33 Revelation 21 verse 7, 34:34 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, 34:38 and I will be his God and he shall be My son. " 34:40 Number 8: All sin will be shut out of heaven... 34:43 no possibility of sin. 34:44 Revelation 21 verse 8, 34:46 "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, 34:47 the abominable, murderers, 34:49 sexually immoral, 34:50 sorcerers, idolators, 34:52 and all liars 34:53 shall have their part in the lake of fire 34:54 which burns with brimstone, which is the second death. " 34:57 That's what's going to happen then. 34:59 Number 9: Faithfulness will be rewarded, 35:01 Matthew 19 verse 29, 35:03 "And everyone who has left houses or mother or father 35:06 or brother or sister for my sake 35:08 shall receive a hundredfold in this life 35:10 and inherit eternal life. " 35:11 Lastly, the greatest blessing will be 35:13 Revelation 22 and verse 4, 35:15 "We shall see His face. " Panel: Amen. 35:18 Lomacang: I'm looking forward to that day. 35:19 Panel: Amen... amen... amen. 35:22 Dinzey: Well, before that, 35:23 we have to consider some things 35:26 that are written in the Scriptures 35:28 concerning... before the New Jerusalem. 35:31 And I... I said to myself, 35:34 "Man! we should have closed with that!" 35:36 But here on Wednesday's portion... 35:39 my name is John Dinzey 35:40 talking about the settling of accounts. 35:42 When you look at Matthew chapter 24 35:44 and they were there looking at the temple in Jerusalem, 35:49 the disciples asked Jesus... 35:50 told to Jesus, "Look at these beautiful buildings... " 35:55 and Jesus said, "You see all these things... " 35:57 and then He had to let them know 36:00 that this was going to be nothing... 36:03 there's not going to be one stone upon another 36:05 and so, they want to know... 36:07 "When shall these things be?" 36:08 So, Matthew 24 takes you into signs that precede 36:13 the second coming of Jesus Christ. 36:14 But the focus of this portion of the Lesson... Wednesday 36:19 is one of the parables found in Matthew chapter 25. 36:24 Before this parable, 36:26 you have the parable of the Ten Virgins. 36:29 The five foolish virgins and the five wise virgins 36:32 and this assignment starts with the parable of the ten talents 36:38 but I want to read the verse just before that 36:41 because it lets us... it sets a stage 36:44 for this parable. 36:46 It says in Matthew 25:13, 36:48 "Watch, therefore, 36:49 for you know neither the day nor the hour 36:54 in which the Son of Man is coming. " 36:57 So, when you get to the parable of the ten talents, it says, 37:01 'For the kingdom of heaven 37:03 is like a man traveling to a far country, 37:06 who called his own servants 37:08 and delivered his goods to them. ' " 37:11 So, let's consider that this man that went to a far country 37:17 is Jesus. 37:18 But notice what happens. 37:19 He delivers His goods to them 37:22 and in the parable of the ten talents, 37:24 really... it's talking about money in a sense 37:29 because notice how they use it 37:31 and notice that the word "bank" is used later on in the parable 37:35 and the... this man gave his goods to them... 37:41 they belonged to him but he put them in their hands 37:46 to use wisely... verse 15, 37:48 "And to one he gave five talents, 37:50 to another two, and to another one, 37:53 to each according to his own ability; 37:56 and immediately he went on a journey. " 38:00 You and I are blessed according to the 38:03 ability that we have 38:06 and according to the faithfulness 38:08 with which we deal with what God gives to us 38:11 according to our ability 38:13 and that's why some get five... some get four et cetera. 38:17 Now, let's go into verse 17, 38:19 "And likewise he... " actually verse 16, 38:23 "Then he who had received the five talents 38:27 went and traded with them, 38:28 and made another five talents. " 38:31 A 100 percent increase. 38:32 "And likewise he who had received two 38:35 gained two more also. " 38:36 A 100 percent increase. 38:38 But what should we expect from the person that received one? 38:42 We should expect a 100 percent increase 38:44 but this is not what takes place. 38:46 And it says in verse 18, "But he who had received one 38:49 went and dug into the ground, 38:52 and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. " 38:55 Panel: Hmmm... 38:57 Dinzey: And this is where the mistake takes place. 39:00 It says in verse 19, 39:02 "After a long time the lord of those servants came 39:04 and settled accounts with them. " 39:07 What will it be for you when the Lord says, 39:10 "Come, let us settle accounts. " 39:12 How you have handled the things that God has given you. 39:15 Your children... your possessions 39:17 and the money that He has put into your hands... 39:19 into your trust to use wisely 39:22 surely for your family to take care of the needs of your home, 39:25 but beyond the needs of your home, 39:27 the cause of God has needs 39:30 and you often hear in churches, 39:33 we have this project 39:34 or we are going to do an evangelistic campaign. 39:37 How do you react? 39:39 Do you respond according to the way the Lord has blessed you 39:42 or are you... "Ah ah... this... this is for us... " 39:46 this is a dangerous thing to do. 39:49 So, the Lord is going to settle accounts with us 39:52 and this is a serious thing to consider. 39:55 Now, this parable is talking to us 39:57 about something that was coming in those days 40:00 when an owner gave things to his servants, 40:03 he expected to have the time to settle accounts with them 40:07 and you can see 40:08 that some of them were afraid 40:10 to see how he was going to respond. 40:12 But let's go ahead and read some of the things that took place. 40:17 Matthew 25 verse 20, 40:19 "So he who had received five talents 40:21 came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, 40:24 you delivered to me five talents; 40:27 look, I have gained five more talents besides them. '" 40:31 Wonderful response. 40:33 "His lord said to him, 40:34 'Well done, good and faithful servant; 40:37 you were faithful over a few things, 40:39 I will make you ruler over many things. 40:42 Enter into the joy of your lord. '" 40:45 Panel: Hmmm... hmmm... Dinzey: What great news to hear! 40:48 What great news to hear. 40:49 I would like to read to you from Testimonies volume 1, page 539, 40:55 very important message here. 40:57 It says, "If men fail to render to God 41:01 that which He has lent them 41:03 to use for His glory and thus rob Him, 41:07 they will make an entire failure. 41:09 He has lent them means which they can improve upon 41:14 by losing no opportunity to do good 41:17 and thus, they may be constantly laying up treasure in heaven. 41:22 and this is what we can do. 41:26 Put them to the good use of the Lord's work. 41:30 This is what God is expecting of us. " 41:33 So, verse 22 of Matthew 25 says, 41:36 "He also who had received two talents came and said, 41:39 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; 41:40 look, I have gained two more talents besides them. '" 41:44 And again, wonderful things that he hears. 41:48 "His lord said to him, 41:49 'Well done, good and faithful servant; 41:51 you have been faithful over a few things, 41:54 I will make you ruler over many things. 41:56 Enter into the joy of the Lord. '" 41:59 Well, what do you think 42:02 the person with one talent would be thinking at this point? 42:04 Oh, oh... Panel: Hmmm... laughter... 42:07 Dinzey: "I don't know how it's going to be for me... " 42:10 but he... he presents his case. 42:11 Let's go ahead and go to 42:14 Matthew chapter 25 verse 24, 42:18 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 42:21 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, 42:24 reaping where you have not sown, 42:26 and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 42:29 And I was afraid, 42:31 and went and hid your talent in the ground. 42:35 Look, there you have what is yours. '" 42:38 He really did nothing with it. 42:41 Panel: Hmmm... yeah. 42:42 Dinzey: It would have been just as well 42:44 for the owner to keep that one talent in his possession 42:47 but he gave it to him so that he can do something with it 42:52 and this is why you have... verse 26, 42:55 "But his lord answered and said to him, 42:58 'You wicked and lazy servant, 43:02 you knew that I reap where I have not sown, 43:05 and gather where I have not scattered seed. 43:08 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, 43:13 and at my coming, I would have received back 43:16 my own with interest. 43:19 So take the talent from him, 43:21 and give it to him who has ten talents. 43:24 For to everyone who has, more will be given, 43:28 and he will have abundance; 43:30 but from him who does not have, 43:32 even that which he has will be taken away. 43:34 And cast that unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. 43:40 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. " 43:43 And this is something that you also see repeated 43:47 in the book of Revelation. 43:48 People who weep and gnash their teeth 43:51 because they realize what they have lost. 43:54 This servant did not hear the words... 43:57 "Well done thou good and faithful servant. " 44:01 You know, it's interesting sometimes we look at this 44:04 parable and because the word "talent" is used, 44:08 we consider talent like singing... preaching 44:11 or some other talent 44:13 but in Colossians chapter 331 44:17 actually... yeah, 331... 44:21 Jill: Christ's Object Lessons? 44:22 Dinzey: Christ's Object Lessons, 331, thank you very much, 44:24 Panel: Laughter... 44:26 Dinzey: This is interesting... Jill: Same... variation... 44:27 Panel: Laughter. 44:29 Dinzey: Yeah, that's right. 44:30 It says something very important. 44:33 "Even for the people that receive five... two or one... 44:37 many whom God has qualified to do excellent work 44:43 accomplish very little 44:45 because they attempt little. " 44:48 Isn't that something? Panel: Wow! 44:51 Dinzey: You accomplish little because you attempt little. 44:53 Opportunities are presented before you 44:55 to do something for the Lord, 44:57 but nothing happens because you attempt nothing. 45:01 "Thousands pass through life as if they have no definite object 45:05 for which to live... 45:07 no standard to reach. 45:09 Such will obtain a reward proportionate to their works. " 45:14 And this is what will take place. 45:16 Wow! time... 45:18 time is passing by quickly. 45:20 So, I... I encourage you to consider 45:23 the words that you will hear. 45:25 Will you hear the same thing 45:28 that happened to the person with one talent 45:30 or will you hear the words of those that receive five or two? 45:34 I want to encourage you to work for the Lord 45:38 and do what... what the Lord has given you 45:41 so that you will hear the words, 45:43 "Well done thou good and faithful servant... 45:46 enter thou into the joy of the Lord. " 45:49 Those will be words that are sweet music to your ears. 45:54 Panel: Amen. 45:55 Jill: Amen, what an incredible study... 45:56 thank you all so much. 45:58 Can't believe we're on Lesson 12... 45:59 the last lesson of the Quarter. 46:01 I'm Jill Morikone... 46:03 I have Thursday which is: Eyes on the Prize 46:05 and that prize is what Pastor John talked about. 46:08 Seeing the face of Jesus... 46:11 spending eternity in the New Jerusalem 46:15 and... what an incredible day that will be. 46:18 Panel: Amen. 46:19 Jill: But what do we do in this world, we're in now? 46:21 This world of sin and sickness and suffering 46:24 and tribulation. 46:26 How do we endure and how do we keep our eyes on the prize? 46:30 There's a New Testament hero of faith... 46:33 he's actually my favorite New Testament author. 46:36 It's Paul. 46:37 He wrote 14 of the 27 books of the New Testament. 46:40 How did he endure? 46:42 When he gave his life to Christ 46:44 after that Damascus-Road experience, 46:46 and he accepted Jesus as his Messiah 46:49 and he began to proclaim that, 46:50 did he have a bed of roses? 46:52 Did he have an easy life? 46:53 Absolutely not. 46:55 What did he endure for the gospel? 46:56 Let's look at 2nd Corinthians chapter 11, 46:59 we pick it up in verse 24. 47:02 2nd Corinthians 11:24. 47:04 Paul's speaking... "From the Jews 47:07 five times I received forty stripes minus one. " 47:11 Now, forty stripes was the maximum number of stripes 47:15 allowed under Jewish law. 47:16 Sometimes they say, the lash cut so deeply 47:20 that the spine was exposed 47:23 or even the bowels came out. 47:26 Severe... forty times... 47:29 five times he received this lash 39 times. 47:34 Then we go to verse 25, 47:35 "Three times I was beaten with rods... " 47:38 this would be by the Roman magistrates. 47:40 "Once I was stoned; 47:42 three times I was shipwrecked; 47:45 a night and a day I have been in the deep... " 47:47 How in the world does Paul keep his eyes on the prize? 47:50 "In journeys often, in perils of waters, 47:54 in perils of robbers, 47:56 in perils of my own countrymen, 47:58 in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, 48:01 in perils in the wilderness, 48:02 in perils in the sea, 48:04 in perils among false brethren... " 48:07 verse 27, 48:08 "in weariness and toil, 48:11 in sleeplessness often, 48:14 in hunger and thirst, 48:16 in fastings often, 48:18 in cold and nakedness... 48:20 besides the other things, 48:22 which comes upon me daily: 48:23 my deep concern for all the churches. " 48:28 When I read that list, 48:29 I say, "Jill, you've encountered nothing. " 48:31 Panel: Hmmm... 48:32 Jill: The trials... the things I've experienced 48:35 that I think, "Oh, wow! this is a taxing burden. " 48:38 I've experienced nothing compared to this. 48:41 You look at the early Christian church 48:43 and the problems that they encountered. 48:46 Paul... we know eventually, he had endured all this 48:49 but eventually, he was beheaded for his faith. 48:51 Peter was crucified upside down. 48:54 John was boiled in a vat of oil. 48:57 James was beheaded. 48:59 How did they endure? 49:00 How did they endure these trials and persecutions? 49:05 How did they keep their eyes on the prize? 49:09 We have seven keys for you and I today 49:12 to endure in our own trials or our own persecution. 49:17 I know right now some of you... 49:19 we just heard here at 3ABN, someone called in from China. 49:22 China... 49:24 and right now some of you are enduring persecution 49:30 for the gospel. 49:31 Here we can worship freely 49:32 and we think we have certain trials and we do 49:34 but some of you are enduring persecution. 49:37 How can we endure with our eyes on the prize? 49:40 Let's look at those keys, 49:41 Key Number 1: 49:42 You might not even think it's a key to enduring 49:44 but let's look at it. 49:45 Understand who you are in Christ. 49:48 Go with me to Romans chapter 8. 49:50 You say, "I don't think... Pastor Johnny, at all, 49:53 understanding who I am in Christ is going to help... " 49:55 but look at this, Romans chapter 8 49:58 verses 16 and 17, 50:00 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit 50:02 that we are children of God. " 50:04 This is who we are in Christ. 50:05 "And if children, then heirs... " 50:07 that's who we are in Christ, 50:08 "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, 50:12 if indeed we suffer with Him, 50:16 that we may also be glorified together. " 50:19 You see, we can only suffer with Him 50:21 or we can only not deny Him when persecution comes 50:25 if we understand that we're children of God... 50:29 if we understand that we are heirs with Christ 50:32 and joint heirs with Him. 50:34 In Christ... 50:35 if we understand who we are in Christ, 50:40 it impacts our faithfulness... 50:42 it impacts our fidelity. 50:44 It impacts our love and commitment. 50:46 It impacts our outlook on life... 50:48 how we treat other people and how we endure 50:52 under trials and persecution. 50:54 If I ever forget who I am in Christ, 50:56 I go to Ephesians chapter 1, Shelley, 50:59 and I read that again 51:00 and I discover in Christ I am blessed and chosen and holy. 51:04 In Christ, I am adopted and accepted 51:07 and redeemed and sealed. 51:10 So, if you ever wonder who you are, 51:11 go to Ephesians 1 and you'll discover who you are in Christ. 51:14 Key Number 2 for enduring those trials and persecutions 51:18 is to compare today's trial with eternity. 51:23 Romans 8 verse 18, 51:25 "I consider that the sufferings of this present time 51:28 are not worthy to be compared 51:31 with the glory which shall be revealed in us. " 51:35 Today's trial is nothing compared to the glory 51:39 of eternity. 51:41 Panel: That's right. 51:42 Jill: We often see 2nd Corinthians 4:17 51:44 it says really the same thing, "our light affliction, 51:45 which is but for a moment, 51:47 is working in us 51:49 a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. " 51:53 You see, faith... it demands an eternal perspective 51:57 and what I go through here is preparing me 52:00 for that life of eternity 52:03 with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 52:05 Number 3: 52:06 We are going to Philippians for this one. 52:08 Number 3: Forget what is behind. 52:11 Philippians 3 verses 13 and 14, 52:15 "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; 52:19 but this one thing I do, 52:22 forgetting those things which are behind 52:25 and reaching forward to those things which are ahead" 52:29 so, let's stop just a moment. 52:30 What things are we to forget? 52:32 we are to forget our trials here on this earth. 52:35 We are to forget the defeats that we have had 52:38 and I also think, we are to forget our victories. 52:41 We forget all of that 52:43 and what do we do? 52:44 This is key number 4: 52:46 "We press toward the prize... " 52:49 continue reading in Philippians 3 verse 14, 52:52 "we forget those things which are behind 52:54 and we reach forward to those things which are ahead, 52:58 I press toward the goal 53:01 for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. " 53:07 Now, what is that? 53:08 Of course, that's perfection of character, 53:10 that's our sanctification process 53:13 but it is also the eternal reward 53:16 that God promises for you and for me. 53:18 What is the prize as a Christian? 53:20 Is it eternal life? Absolutely. 53:22 Is it salvation by grace through faith? 53:25 Absolutely. 53:26 What a gift! 53:28 Keep your eyes on the prize. 53:31 Key Number 5: 53:32 Experience the love of Christ. 53:34 We're going back to Romans. 53:36 Romans chapter 8 verses 35 through 37, 53:40 experience the love of Christ. 53:42 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 53:47 Shall tribulation, or distress, 53:49 or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, 53:52 or peril, or sword? 53:53 As it is written: 53:54 'For Your sake we are killed all the day long; 53:56 we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ' 53:59 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors 54:03 through Him who loved us. " 54:06 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ 54:09 when trial comes upon you? 54:11 You know, in the days of Jesus, 54:13 the Jews believed that suffering was a curse from God 54:16 because of a punishment for sin 54:19 but yet when trial comes upon you, 54:21 know that nothing can separate you from the love of God. 54:26 Know that this trial is not a curse... 54:28 that it is the result of the world of sin we live in 54:32 but yet in the midst of this, 54:34 God is working out in a far more exceeding and eternal weight 54:38 of glory and He's perfecting His character in you and in me 54:42 and that nothing... no pain... no suffering... 54:45 no sorrow can separate us from the love of Jesus. 54:49 Key Number 6, 54:50 Depend on Jesus... 2nd Corinthians 12 verse 10, 54:54 Paul's speaking, "Therefore I take pleasure... " 54:58 oooh! "I embrace those infirmities, those reproaches, 55:03 in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, 55:06 for Christ's sake. 55:07 For when I am weak, then I am strong. " 55:12 When I'm weak is when we need to be most dependent on Christ. 55:18 Are you in the midst of a trial and persecution? 55:21 Depend on Jesus. 55:23 Finally, Key Number 7: 55:25 Expect it... 55:26 expect those trials and persecutions 55:29 because they will come. 55:32 2nd Timothy 3:11 and 12, 55:34 "persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me... " 55:36 and Paul lists the cities... 55:38 "these persecutions I endured. 55:39 Out of them all the Lord delivered me. 55:41 Yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus 55:45 will suffer persecution. " 55:48 We are no better than our Master 55:50 and our Master... the Lord Jesus clearly suffered persecution. 55:53 So, know that no matter what you are going through, 55:57 God will be with you 55:58 and you can keep your eyes on the prize 56:01 and that's an eternity with Jesus. 56:03 Panel: Amen... amen... amen. 56:04 Ryan: Thank you so much, Jill, for that, 56:06 let's get some final thoughts from our Panel members. 56:08 Shelley: I'm just thinking that Jesus promised 56:11 He had gone on to prepare a place for us 56:13 and if He died for us, 56:16 we can be assured He's coming back for us 56:19 and He says, "to receive you to myself... " 56:22 because He wants us to be where He is. 56:24 Panel: Amen. 56:26 John Lomacang: The same New Jerusalem 56:27 that John talked about 56:28 is the same New Jerusalem that "John" is waiting for. 56:32 Panel: Laughter... amen. John Dinzey: Praise the Lord. 56:35 I say... "me too. " 56:36 Panel: Laughter. 56:37 John Dinzey: Well, Psalm 116 verse 12 has a question 56:41 that I want to leave you with. 56:43 Consider this and act upon it... 56:45 "What shall I render unto the LORD 56:47 for all His benefits toward me?" 56:49 Jill: Amen, Thursday we looked at: Keep your eyes on the prize 56:52 and it's so easy to look around... 56:53 it's so easy to look at other people... 56:55 it's so easy to look at maybe a trial 56:57 or something that you're going through 56:58 or enduring... 57:00 but just turn your eyes from all of that 57:02 and focus on Jesus. 57:04 Ryan: Amen, thank you guys so much 57:06 for such a powerful lesson study, 57:07 some of my favorite words from my favorite hymn... 57:10 Never Part Again... 57:12 it says, "Could we but stand 57:14 where Moses stood 57:17 and view the landscape o'er 57:20 Not all this world 57:23 pretended good 57:25 could ever charm us more... " 57:29 I love that! 57:30 We could only see a glimpse... 57:32 it is said that we would truly surrender our life 57:35 because the reward would so be worth it. 57:38 My Friends, thank you so much for joining us for this Quarter. 57:41 That's it... this is the end of this Quarter. 57:43 Next week, we're going to be starting a brand new 57:45 Quarter Lesson and I'm excited 57:46 because Quarter Number 2, we're going to be studying 57:49 a lesson in... our Lesson Study is entitled: 57:51 Three Cosmic Messages. 57:52 We're going to be learning all about the three angels' messages 57:55 right here on the Three Angels Broadcasting Network 57:59 on your favorite Program: 3ABN Sabbath School Panel. 58:02 God bless you all... we'll see you next week. |
Revised 2023-05-16