Presented By Pastor Russell Standish, recorded at the Gazeley Bible Fellowship meeting, England.
[00:00:04] Well, this has been a blessed day, brothers and sisters. It's been a real thrill for me to have spent this Holy Sabbath day with each one of you. And I'm so grateful that although I haven't been able to speak personally with everyone who is here, there are just too many, that many others have made themselves known.
[00:00:30] It's wonderful to be amongst friendly Christian people. I'm sure that God brings us here in order to be a blessing one to the other. You have been a great blessing to me and I want to thank you for that.
[00:00:53] Another week and I will be traveling tomorrow week to the United States. It's been a short but very sweet stay in dear old England once more.
[00:01:07] Our second son, Timothy, is to be married two weeks tomorrow. I guess that makes me a potential grandfather. It's bound to happen, I guess, sooner or later.
[00:01:21] But he's found, whom he tells us as a lovely Christian girl. I have not had the privilege yet of meeting her. Young American girl from the state of Maryland.
[00:01:35] And I just pray, as I know each one of you would in a similar circumstance, that God will create another dedicated Christian home.
[00:01:50] For there's nothing I want more for my family than that we should be together in eternity.
[00:01:58] The bit of time that we have on this earth is far too short. I'm not satisfied with it. Are you?
[00:02:05] Varsely too short. Only eternity will suffice. Many of us would think it was marvelous if the Lord gave us a million years.
[00:02:17] But you know, we wouldn't think it was so marvelous after 999,999 years.
[00:02:25] Then we'd start to think that it was all too short.
[00:02:30] But God doesn't offer us a million years or a trillion. He offers us eternity.
[00:02:43] I know of no better description of the joys of that eternity than the last three or four pages of the book Great Controversy.
[00:02:50] Have you read that?
[00:02:52] I had a very interesting experience when I was at Enten.
[00:02:56] One of my patients was the very first professor of American literature in this country.
[00:03:05] Of course he was English, but he'd done much of his training in the United States.
[00:03:14] He still is, as far as I know, the American literary editor or correspondent of the Financial Times.
[00:03:25] I used to see his reviews quite frequently.
[00:03:29] He's the editor of the Penguin Book of American Verse.
[00:03:33] A very erudite man.
[00:03:37] An atheist.
[00:03:38] An atheist.
[00:03:40] And in typical English style, I hope I'm not offending English people when I use that term.
[00:03:46] He liked to discuss religion, but he was a little afraid of the discussion.
[00:03:52] And so he'd always preface his statements to me by saying,
[00:03:58] Now I don't want to get into a religious discussion, but there's just one little thing that I want to clear up.
[00:04:04] Well, I was always pleased to do that.
[00:04:07] He was very frightened that I might try to convert him.
[00:04:11] Well, after we had spent quite a...
[00:04:14] Am I right in saying in typical English style?
[00:04:17] Maybe I'm not, brother.
[00:04:18] I don't know.
[00:04:19] At any rate, it used to intrigue me.
[00:04:23] And I can remember once saying to him,
[00:04:25] But why are you so afraid to speak about religion?
[00:04:31] Oh, he said, you know that religion and politics, you know the typical answer,
[00:04:35] Always cause trouble.
[00:04:37] Well, I said, what I see in this country is that it's football that causes all the trouble.
[00:04:42] And I said, you don't seem to mind talking about football in the least.
[00:04:48] Well, one day I thought I would approach him in another way.
[00:04:54] Because I knew that he had some interest.
[00:04:57] And I said to him, you know, you are an expert on American literature.
[00:05:04] And I'd like to read you a passage of beautiful American prose.
[00:05:12] Oh, he said, yes, I'd be interested in that.
[00:05:15] Well, the pages that I just mentioned to you happen to be the beautiful American prose that I had in mind.
[00:05:23] The last three or four pages of great controversy.
[00:05:27] And I read those pages to him.
[00:05:30] And I want to say that I could tell, as I kept glancing up at him, that he was very impressed.
[00:05:38] And at the end of it, he said to me,
[00:05:41] Well, he said, I've got to agree.
[00:05:43] He said, that was beautiful.
[00:05:45] Beautifully written.
[00:05:47] Oh, I said, yes, but it's much better than that.
[00:05:51] I said, it was true.
[00:05:54] Oh, he said, I know you believe.
[00:05:56] Oh, no, I said, it's not true just because I believe.
[00:05:58] I said, it's true because it is true.
[00:06:01] That is what God's kingdom will be like.
[00:06:08] I said, Professor, you have spent your life on American fiction.
[00:06:16] I've just read you a little bit of American truth.
[00:06:20] And I said, it's thrilling.
[00:06:22] Well, we got off the subject.
[00:06:24] I didn't want to press it beyond reason.
[00:06:29] But I was very interested.
[00:06:31] As he was leaving the office, somewhat embarrassingly, he said, in an embarrassed way, he said,
[00:06:39] You know, he said, that American literature that you read to me,
[00:06:44] he said, that was excellent.
[00:06:46] He said, that you wouldn't have a copy of it.
[00:06:48] He said, I'm not interested, of course, he said, in the religious content, he said.
[00:06:52] But I would like to analyze the literary value of the book.
[00:06:56] I was very glad to let him take it.
[00:06:59] I haven't seen him since that time.
[00:07:01] But I'm just praying that he had a little more interest in the literary value of the last few pages of great controversy.
[00:07:10] But that is what the Lord has in store for each one of us.
[00:07:16] And praise the Lord that we have not a catalog of fiction, but a catalog of truth that God has given to us.
[00:07:36] I want to speak on the topic of temptation as an introduction to the fuller topic of perfection.
[00:07:48] I'm not the least intimidated about the topic.
[00:07:57] Because I see that God is not intimidated concerning the topic of perfection.
[00:08:05] And yet it seems that many Christians today are terrified by the concept of perfection.
[00:08:16] In fact, it's become a bad word in the midst of many, many Christians today.
[00:08:23] And even, sad to say, some Seventh-day Adventists.
[00:08:28] And people say, oh, he's a perfectionist.
[00:08:32] A lot of difference between believing in perfection and believing in perfectionism.
[00:08:38] They're two different concepts.
[00:08:39] And let me, by way of explanation, mention that the word perfectionism refers to a theory where an individual can reach a point beyond which there is no possible improvement.
[00:08:58] And that he cannot fall from that situation.
[00:09:02] The Bible teaches neither point.
[00:09:07] You know, we're going to be growing for eternity.
[00:09:13] I'm not talking physically here, of course.
[00:09:18] But our understanding, our knowledge, our concept, our breadth of appreciation.
[00:09:25] We're even being told that our joy will increase throughout eternity.
[00:09:32] You know, when I first read that, that was a surprise to me.
[00:09:37] Because on this earth, when you reach the prize, that is the acme of your joy.
[00:09:47] And then years go by and you lose some of that joy.
[00:09:53] You take what is going to happen in September in the city of Saul.
[00:10:04] There are going to be two or three hundred people who are going to be awarded little gold medals.
[00:10:14] And you can just imagine that this is the acme of their athletic achievement.
[00:10:23] All that they have ever hoped for in the athletic world will be symbolized in that little gold medal.
[00:10:32] I remember seeing the final ceremony in the 1984 Olympic Games of the women's pentathlon event.
[00:10:47] Heptathlon, seven events.
[00:10:51] I was perhaps interested because it was won by a young girl from South Australia.
[00:10:57] She could never have won it, of course, if the Russians and the East Germans had been there.
[00:11:01] But she's got a gold medal and they don't.
[00:11:07] And I can never forget her standing up on that podium.
[00:11:12] Tears of joy running down her cheeks.
[00:11:17] Something that was just the acme of her.
[00:11:20] But I'm sure four years later, that doesn't mean as much as it did then.
[00:11:26] And 40 years hence, should she live, it will still be nice to be able to show the grandchildren.
[00:11:34] Look, I, dear old grandma, won this at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
[00:11:41] But it won't be the same.
[00:11:45] When we pass our examinations, you know, it's a great thrill.
[00:11:50] But afterwards, you almost forget about it.
[00:11:55] Sadly, many people go to their weddings and it's the great thrill of their life, that tremendous day.
[00:12:02] And we know from what happens in the divorce courts that that joy somehow is lost in many homes.
[00:12:09] But I hope not in the homes represented here, brothers and sisters.
[00:12:14] And so one could be forgiven if the greatest joy he would ever have might be the day we enter the kingdom of heaven.
[00:12:26] But we have been told that that will be the lowest point of joy in eternity, as far as we're concerned.
[00:12:37] Once we leave this earth, of course.
[00:12:40] For we will grow in joy and happiness as the months and the years pass by.
[00:12:47] Praise the Lord for that.
[00:12:49] We've got a lot to look forward to.
[00:12:51] It's going to be an exciting place.
[00:12:53] And I pray that we all will be there.
[00:12:58] Temptation.
[00:13:01] We all face it.
[00:13:04] I may not know anything about you people here or some of you, but I know you've all been tempted and will continue to be tempted.
[00:13:15] I'm sure the devil hasn't exempted any of us here.
[00:13:21] But let us turn to the book of James.
[00:13:24] Seeing as we have my son James here, I love that book.
[00:13:27] We call all our boys after Bible names.
[00:13:33] Stephen, Timothy and James.
[00:13:37] James chapter 1 and verse 12.
[00:13:44] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.
[00:13:52] For when he has tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
[00:14:04] What a promise.
[00:14:06] A promise to he that endureth temptation.
[00:14:10] And yet I find that a misunderstanding of temptation is an enormous barrier to many Seventh-day Adventists on the subject of perfection.
[00:14:27] We mentioned a little problem with it when we talked about propensities.
[00:14:35] I've told some of you this experience before, but I think it bears repeating because it illustrates what I am saying.
[00:14:42] I was sitting in my clinic in Melbourne about 12 years ago.
[00:14:50] And a Seventh-day Adventist woman in her 30s came to see me.
[00:14:53] She was quite emotionally disturbed.
[00:15:02] And as I spoke to her, I found that her big problem was that she felt that she was out of tune with God.
[00:15:14] And I said, well, what is the problem?
[00:15:17] She said, my carnal nature.
[00:15:21] I can't seem to get on top of my carnal nature.
[00:15:25] It keeps welling up.
[00:15:31] And as she spoke, I gathered that, in fact, she was being sorely tempted.
[00:15:40] And this was greatly perplexing her.
[00:15:44] Now, I have no idea whatsoever what that temptation was.
[00:15:48] None at all.
[00:15:50] I didn't ask her.
[00:15:53] For I didn't think that that was my affair to pry into her personal thinking.
[00:16:00] But I knew that it was something that was causing grave concern to her.
[00:16:06] And so I thought I would test my view.
[00:16:10] And so I said to her, calling her by name, I said, this thought that keeps recurring in your mind.
[00:16:21] Are you practicing it?
[00:16:23] And she looked at me with terrible horror, as if I really knew what that thought was, which to this day I do not.
[00:16:32] And she said, Dr. Standish, what sort of a woman do you think I am?
[00:16:39] That really put me in my place.
[00:16:45] But then I thought I would press it a little further.
[00:16:48] And I said to her, well, why aren't you?
[00:16:50] I don't know what she thought of me when I asked that question.
[00:16:56] And she said, I keep praying to God to stop me.
[00:17:03] I turned to her.
[00:17:05] I said, isn't your problem one of temptation?
[00:17:08] And I turned to this very text that I have read to you.
[00:17:13] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.
[00:17:18] For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loved him.
[00:17:26] I said, I don't know what your temptation was or is.
[00:17:30] What keeps coming into your mind?
[00:17:33] But there's one thing of which I am certain.
[00:17:36] It could not be worse than some of the thoughts that went into Jesus' mind.
[00:17:40] I think for a moment she was aghast when I said that.
[00:17:45] But I want to remind you of one of the thoughts that went into Jesus' mind.
[00:17:51] Temptation.
[00:17:52] Matthew chapter 4, verses 9 and 10.
[00:18:03] And this, of course, is Satan speaking.
[00:18:08] And this is the thought that was put into Jesus' mind.
[00:18:12] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
[00:18:22] I cannot think of any more blasphemous thought than the thought to worship the devil.
[00:18:29] I don't care what temptation, brothers and sisters, that you have had today or in the past.
[00:18:35] None has ever been worse than that thought.
[00:18:38] To bow down and worship the devil himself.
[00:18:42] And I know that Jesus appreciated that thought.
[00:18:46] I mean appreciated in the sense that he understood it.
[00:18:50] Because the next verse he answered and he answered quite appropriately.
[00:18:57] For he said,
[00:18:58] Then saith Jesus unto him,
[00:19:01] Get thee hence Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.
[00:19:08] Amen.
[00:19:09] Very, very clear that Jesus understood the temptation that the devil passed into his mind.
[00:19:22] We all know that there is no sin in temptation.
[00:19:27] Yet I find thousands of Seventh-day Adventists today who are bedeviled by the fact that evil thoughts keep pestering them.
[00:19:36] And this gives them a sense of being out of tune with God.
[00:19:43] I am not talking now about cherishing the temptation.
[00:19:46] Oh, that is different.
[00:19:49] Never for a moment did Jesus cherish the temptation.
[00:19:53] Never did he give it any part of his desire.
[00:19:58] Oh, yes, we can sin in the mind.
[00:20:03] Make no mistake about that.
[00:20:05] If we play around with temptation.
[00:20:08] I have often used the very unlikely illustration.
[00:20:12] But nevertheless, it serves the purpose.
[00:20:15] That if I was to walk down the street.
[00:20:19] And the devil was to tempt me as I passed the bank to rob the bank.
[00:20:24] I can talk about this hypothetical situation because I think most of you realize it isn't one of my great temptations to be a armed hold up man.
[00:20:36] I wouldn't have the courage.
[00:20:38] And but if the devil did put that temptation to me.
[00:20:44] And I said, Lord, give me victory.
[00:20:48] Even though that evil thought has gone into my mind, I have not sinned.
[00:20:53] I have endured the temptation with God's power.
[00:20:56] I've overcome it.
[00:20:57] And I can claim this promise that I have shared with you this evening.
[00:21:03] But of course, if I went up to the door of the bank.
[00:21:08] After that temptation came to me and I started to look inside and say, what?
[00:21:13] No armed guards.
[00:21:15] Hey, this would be an easy bank.
[00:21:19] You see, I've already sinned.
[00:21:21] Even though I may never come to the point where I held that bank up.
[00:21:26] Because I have cherished that temptation.
[00:21:29] And never, ever did Jesus do it.
[00:21:31] And brothers and sisters, no matter what your temptation is.
[00:21:35] God has promised that he will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able.
[00:21:43] But will with the temptation make a way of escape that ye may be able.
[00:21:51] What a promise that is.
[00:21:54] Let no one say that he cannot endure temptation.
[00:22:00] That is defying the plain words of scripture.
[00:22:04] Defying God's word.
[00:22:10] The biblical view of perfection, I might remind you, is not fanatical.
[00:22:18] Matthew 5, verse 48.
[00:22:27] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
[00:22:34] There is the command.
[00:22:35] They are the words of Jesus.
[00:22:38] And dare any one of us to counter the words of Jesus.
[00:22:44] Be ye perfect.
[00:22:49] That has always been God's claim.
[00:22:52] You know there are people today who say we cannot be perfect until Jesus comes.
[00:22:59] I feel sorry for such individuals for they won't be enjoying the coming of Jesus with that attitude.
[00:23:08] Because God has always called his people to perfection.
[00:23:12] Let us turn to Genesis chapter 17 and verse 1.
[00:23:15] And when Abram was 90 years old and 9,
[00:23:30] the Lord appeared to Abram and said unto him,
[00:23:34] I am the Almighty God.
[00:23:37] Walk before me and be thou perfect.
[00:23:42] That was God's call to Abraham.
[00:23:45] To his children.
[00:23:47] To his spiritual children.
[00:23:49] Of whom we are a part.
[00:23:53] 1 Kings 8, 61.
[00:23:58] 1 Kings 8, 61.
[00:24:13] Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God.
[00:24:18] To walk in his statutes.
[00:24:21] And to keep his commandments as at this day.
[00:24:25] You know I find many people who try to avoid the plain words on the topic of perfection.
[00:24:32] And they do this by saying that perfection means maturity.
[00:24:39] But I want you to understand this text.
[00:24:42] What is it saying?
[00:24:45] It is defining perfection.
[00:24:48] It means to walk in his statutes and to keep his commandments as at this day.
[00:24:53] I was reminded this morning.
[00:24:56] By one of our brothers.
[00:24:58] How important it is to emphasize.
[00:25:00] And we cannot emphasize too much.
[00:25:03] That such is an impossibility without the power of God in the life.
[00:25:08] And I hope no one has the least doubt.
[00:25:11] That I am teaching here.
[00:25:14] That we go out and just by the force of our own will.
[00:25:17] We will keep the commandments.
[00:25:20] That of course is a recipe for failure.
[00:25:24] Certain failure.
[00:25:26] And the Bible of course when it directs us to the keeping of commandments.
[00:25:31] Is never directing us to do that in its own strength.
[00:25:35] We have to do it.
[00:25:37] By realizing our own ineptitude.
[00:25:41] But the great power of God.
[00:25:44] To fill our hearts.
[00:25:45] And I want to emphasize that with all my soul today.
[00:25:52] That we can only keep these commandments.
[00:25:55] But nevertheless.
[00:25:57] God is asking.
[00:25:59] That we so give ourselves to him.
[00:26:01] We so allow the Holy Spirit.
[00:26:03] To control our lives and our motives.
[00:26:06] That we will walk in his statutes.
[00:26:09] And to keep his commandments.
[00:26:11] I want to say that many people who are perfect.
[00:26:14] Are very immature Christians.
[00:26:17] And to say that this is synonymous with maturity.
[00:26:22] Is of course not a correct statement.
[00:26:26] Some may be mature.
[00:26:28] In one sense of the word.
[00:26:30] Others may be immature.
[00:26:32] But all.
[00:26:32] If giving themselves to Jesus.
[00:26:37] Can.
[00:26:39] Keep his commandments.
[00:26:41] In the New Testament.
[00:26:42] Second Corinthians.
[00:26:44] Thirteen.
[00:26:44] Eleven.
[00:26:45] God's commands are no different.
[00:26:48] In the two dispensations.
[00:26:50] Second Corinthians.
[00:26:54] Chapter.
[00:26:55] Thirteen.
[00:26:56] And verse eleven.
[00:27:02] Finally brethren.
[00:27:05] Farewell.
[00:27:08] Be perfect.
[00:27:16] What is Christian perfection?
[00:27:19] I'm glad once again.
[00:27:20] The scripture.
[00:27:21] Is clear on this matter.
[00:27:26] As I said.
[00:27:27] It's not a fanatical concept.
[00:27:30] And Jesus himself.
[00:27:32] Gives us a very thorough insight.
[00:27:35] Into what he means.
[00:27:37] By obedience.
[00:27:40] John chapter nine.
[00:27:42] And verse forty one.
[00:27:45] John chapter nine.
[00:27:46] And verse forty one.
[00:27:51] And Jesus here.
[00:27:53] Is speaking to the Pharisees.
[00:27:55] Now I want you to listen.
[00:27:56] And to listen very carefully.
[00:27:59] To what he says.
[00:28:01] Jesus said unto them.
[00:28:03] If ye were blind.
[00:28:07] Ye should have.
[00:28:09] No sin.
[00:28:12] What a wonderful God we have.
[00:28:15] We're not talking now of course.
[00:28:17] About deliberate blindness.
[00:28:20] But we have a God.
[00:28:22] Who does not.
[00:28:23] Expect us.
[00:28:25] To live up to that.
[00:28:26] Which in his wisdom.
[00:28:27] He has not yet revealed to us.
[00:28:30] When we were blind.
[00:28:33] We have no sin.
[00:28:35] But then he turned to those Jews.
[00:28:37] That had plenty of light.
[00:28:39] And he said.
[00:28:40] But now ye say.
[00:28:41] We see.
[00:28:43] Therefore.
[00:28:44] Your sin.
[00:28:47] Remaineth.
[00:28:49] Therefore your sin remaineth.
[00:28:51] Brethren and sisters.
[00:28:53] Sin comes.
[00:28:55] With volition.
[00:28:57] A lot of people today.
[00:28:59] Want to tell us that we're sinful.
[00:29:00] Just because.
[00:29:01] We have a sinful nature.
[00:29:03] And this is why.
[00:29:04] They have so much trouble.
[00:29:05] With the fallen nature of Christ.
[00:29:08] That is not what scripture teaches.
[00:29:12] That is a falsehood.
[00:29:15] What sort of a God would it be.
[00:29:17] Who condemned us.
[00:29:19] Over something.
[00:29:21] Over which we had no control.
[00:29:24] And God said.
[00:29:25] When ye were blind.
[00:29:27] There was no sin.
[00:29:28] Very powerful statement.
[00:29:30] A very clear statement.
[00:29:32] An unequivocal statement.
[00:29:34] But now ye say we see.
[00:29:36] Therefore your sin remaineth.
[00:29:42] My dear grandmother.
[00:29:44] Whom I've.
[00:29:47] Never ceased to marvel about.
[00:29:51] For the first 30 years of her life.
[00:29:56] Had no knowledge of the seventh day Sabbath.
[00:30:00] She was a very sincere.
[00:30:02] Member of the primitive Methodist church.
[00:30:04] But she had no light on the Sabbath.
[00:30:12] But how thrilled I am.
[00:30:13] When that light came.
[00:30:15] The year 1899.
[00:30:17] To her.
[00:30:19] That she accepted that light.
[00:30:21] Now I know my grandmother.
[00:30:23] Would have confessed her sin.
[00:30:25] Over those 30 years.
[00:30:27] Once that was revealed to her.
[00:30:29] But God had not.
[00:30:32] Held her accountable.
[00:30:33] I believe.
[00:30:34] For that lack of knowledge.
[00:30:36] For she had never.
[00:30:38] Been confronted.
[00:30:40] With that requirement of his.
[00:30:42] But had she gone another Sabbath.
[00:30:45] Transgressing the Sabbath.
[00:30:47] Once he had brought that light.
[00:30:49] Then of course.
[00:30:50] Sin would have been laid to her account.
[00:30:56] Paul.
[00:30:59] In.
[00:31:01] Athens.
[00:31:03] Made a similar comment.
[00:31:04] Acts chapter 17.
[00:31:09] Acts chapter 17.
[00:31:10] Verse 30.
[00:31:21] Speaking to the.
[00:31:24] Greek pagans.
[00:31:27] And the times.
[00:31:29] Of this ignorance.
[00:31:31] God winked at.
[00:31:33] Another way of saying the same thing.
[00:31:36] In the days of our ignorance.
[00:31:39] We're not talking.
[00:31:40] And I want to stress this.
[00:31:41] About willful ignorance.
[00:31:43] But when.
[00:31:45] When.
[00:31:45] God has not.
[00:31:46] Brought.
[00:31:47] A matter to our attention.
[00:31:49] He winks at it.
[00:31:51] That is the loving God.
[00:31:53] That we have.
[00:31:54] And of course.
[00:31:56] You know.
[00:31:56] James again.
[00:31:57] James 4.
[00:31:58] 17.
[00:32:00] He that.
[00:32:01] Knoweth.
[00:32:02] To do good.
[00:32:03] And doeth it not.
[00:32:04] To him it is sin.
[00:32:06] Knowledge.
[00:32:08] Is an essential component.
[00:32:10] Of sin.
[00:32:13] And there's none of us here.
[00:32:15] Who can dare say.
[00:32:16] That.
[00:32:17] We have sinned.
[00:32:18] In ignorance.
[00:32:19] Or yes.
[00:32:20] We have done things.
[00:32:21] In ignorance.
[00:32:22] Just as my grandmother.
[00:32:23] Had in the illustration.
[00:32:24] I gave you.
[00:32:26] But God.
[00:32:27] Winks at that.
[00:32:31] He says.
[00:32:31] You were blind.
[00:32:33] You have no sin.
[00:32:36] Of course.
[00:32:36] When God.
[00:32:37] Brings it to our attention.
[00:32:38] We will ever confess it.
[00:32:40] We will not say.
[00:32:41] Oh well.
[00:32:41] I didn't know anything about it.
[00:32:42] It doesn't matter.
[00:32:43] Oh no.
[00:32:44] Brothers and sisters.
[00:32:45] We.
[00:32:45] We take the matter seriously.
[00:32:49] And this is why.
[00:32:50] Day by day.
[00:32:51] As God reveals.
[00:32:52] More of his will.
[00:32:53] To you and me.
[00:32:54] We need to be.
[00:32:57] Confessing.
[00:32:57] The sinfulness.
[00:32:58] Of our lives.
[00:33:01] But.
[00:33:02] Perfection.
[00:33:03] Is living up.
[00:33:04] To all.
[00:33:05] That God.
[00:33:06] Has revealed to you.
[00:33:07] At this moment of time.
[00:33:09] And that is a different level.
[00:33:12] For every person.
[00:33:13] Who is here this evening.
[00:33:17] But you know.
[00:33:18] A lot of people.
[00:33:19] Will give you a concept.
[00:33:21] That seems much higher than that.
[00:33:23] In order to excuse sin.
[00:33:27] I have heard people say.
[00:33:30] Perfection.
[00:33:32] Is everything.
[00:33:34] Everything.
[00:33:34] Full knowledge.
[00:33:35] Lack of full knowledge.
[00:33:38] Is imperfection.
[00:33:40] Therefore.
[00:33:40] You can't be perfect.
[00:33:43] Brothers and sisters.
[00:33:44] If that's what sin is.
[00:33:47] Lack of full knowledge.
[00:33:49] Then the angels.
[00:33:50] Are sinners.
[00:33:51] Are they not?
[00:33:52] For the Bible.
[00:33:53] Tells us.
[00:33:54] Beyond all doubt.
[00:33:56] That the angels.
[00:33:56] Do not know the day.
[00:33:58] Nor the hour.
[00:33:58] Of Jesus coming.
[00:33:59] So they don't have full knowledge.
[00:34:01] And I'm sure.
[00:34:02] There's very much more.
[00:34:03] I guess.
[00:34:03] They will be like.
[00:34:04] We.
[00:34:05] Will be in eternity.
[00:34:06] They're ever learning.
[00:34:07] More and more.
[00:34:08] Of God's will.
[00:34:09] And of his handiwork.
[00:34:11] We will never be free of sin.
[00:34:13] If that's the definition.
[00:34:15] Of.
[00:34:16] Sinlessness.
[00:34:18] Because we're going to learn.
[00:34:20] For eternity.
[00:34:21] We'll never have full knowledge.
[00:34:23] Only God has full knowledge.
[00:34:25] And it's very foolish of us.
[00:34:27] To bring in these.
[00:34:29] Unscriptural.
[00:34:30] And nonsensical definitions.
[00:34:32] In order to excuse sin.
[00:34:33] For.
[00:34:34] Make no mistake.
[00:34:35] That those who use.
[00:34:36] Those sort of definitions.
[00:34:38] Are not doing it.
[00:34:38] Because they have a high.
[00:34:40] And holy.
[00:34:41] And noble.
[00:34:42] Concept.
[00:34:43] Of God's standard.
[00:34:44] Is so they can say.
[00:34:45] That in the things.
[00:34:46] That we do know.
[00:34:48] That we can sin.
[00:34:49] And still have salvation.
[00:34:51] That is not.
[00:34:52] What the scripture teaches.
[00:34:53] And I very earnestly.
[00:34:55] Want to remind you.
[00:34:56] That God is calling.
[00:34:57] Each one of us.
[00:34:58] To Christian character.
[00:35:00] Perfection.
[00:35:01] Let us not excuse.
[00:35:03] Sin in our midst.
[00:35:04] Let us not put off.
[00:35:06] To tomorrow.
[00:35:07] Brothers and sisters.
[00:35:08] Sin that is in our hearts.
[00:35:20] This is God's remnant church.
[00:35:22] And you will remember.
[00:35:24] What the criterion.
[00:35:25] Of God's remnant church.
[00:35:27] Is set out.
[00:35:29] In the book of Revelation.
[00:35:31] Chapter 12.
[00:35:32] And verse 17.
[00:35:35] It is so well known.
[00:35:36] The seventh day Adventists.
[00:35:38] And the dragon was wroth.
[00:35:41] With the woman.
[00:35:42] And went to make war.
[00:35:44] With the remnant of her seed.
[00:35:46] Which keep.
[00:35:48] The commandments of God.
[00:35:50] And have the testimony.
[00:35:51] Of Jesus Christ.
[00:35:54] Many Christians today.
[00:35:58] Believe that that text.
[00:36:01] They will not say this.
[00:36:03] But.
[00:36:03] By their teachings.
[00:36:05] Should read.
[00:36:06] Here is the patience.
[00:36:07] Of the saints.
[00:36:09] Or I should say.
[00:36:10] Here.
[00:36:11] The dragon was wroth.
[00:36:12] With the woman.
[00:36:12] And went to make war.
[00:36:13] With the remnant of her seed.
[00:36:14] Who can't possibly.
[00:36:16] Keep the commandments.
[00:36:17] Of God.
[00:36:19] You know.
[00:36:19] We get a lot of teaching.
[00:36:20] Like that.
[00:36:21] But that's not.
[00:36:22] What the scripture says.
[00:36:25] A little boy came to me.
[00:36:27] And said.
[00:36:29] This morning.
[00:36:31] Where is the statement.
[00:36:33] That.
[00:36:36] All God's.
[00:36:40] Requirements.
[00:36:40] Are his enablings.
[00:36:42] You know.
[00:36:43] A lot of people believe.
[00:36:44] That they are serving.
[00:36:45] An impotent God.
[00:36:46] One who cannot give them.
[00:36:48] Victory over sin.
[00:36:50] And there is a God.
[00:36:52] In the universe.
[00:36:52] Who is like that.
[00:36:53] Who cannot give us.
[00:36:54] Victory over sin.
[00:36:55] It's the God.
[00:36:56] Of this world.
[00:36:58] And if you're serving.
[00:36:59] A God.
[00:37:00] Brothers and sisters.
[00:37:01] Who cannot give you.
[00:37:02] Victory over sin.
[00:37:03] In your life.
[00:37:04] You are serving.
[00:37:05] The devil.
[00:37:05] For he is the only God.
[00:37:06] That is that impotent.
[00:37:07] In the matter of sin.
[00:37:11] And yet.
[00:37:12] Many people.
[00:37:13] Claiming to be part.
[00:37:14] Of God's.
[00:37:15] Remnant church.
[00:37:17] And now I hear.
[00:37:18] That's being questioned.
[00:37:19] And no wonder.
[00:37:21] No wonder.
[00:37:22] Zephaniah.
[00:37:24] Tells us about.
[00:37:25] The remnant.
[00:37:26] Zephaniah.
[00:37:26] Chapter 3.
[00:37:27] And verse 13.
[00:37:30] Zephaniah.
[00:37:30] Chapter 3.
[00:37:31] And verse 13.
[00:37:41] The remnant of Israel.
[00:37:43] Shall not.
[00:37:45] Do iniquity.
[00:37:47] You see.
[00:37:48] The Old Testament.
[00:37:49] Tells us the same.
[00:37:50] As the new.
[00:37:52] Oh.
[00:37:53] In the power.
[00:37:54] Of the God.
[00:37:55] Of heaven.
[00:37:56] Filled.
[00:37:57] In the hearts.
[00:37:58] Of God's believer.
[00:37:58] The remnant.
[00:37:59] Of those.
[00:38:00] Those who do.
[00:38:01] Do.
[00:38:01] No iniquity.
[00:38:08] Now many say.
[00:38:09] What a legalistic position.
[00:38:12] If keeping God's commandments.
[00:38:15] Is legalistic.
[00:38:16] Brethren and sisters.
[00:38:17] Then the Bible.
[00:38:19] Is a legalistic document.
[00:38:22] What does the commandments.
[00:38:24] Themselves say.
[00:38:25] And showing mercy.
[00:38:26] Under thousands of them.
[00:38:28] That love me.
[00:38:30] Keep my commandments.
[00:38:32] Exodus 20.
[00:38:33] Verse 6.
[00:38:35] Oh.
[00:38:35] Brothers and sisters.
[00:38:37] Where is the thinking.
[00:38:39] Amongst us.
[00:38:41] When we talk.
[00:38:42] In these terms.
[00:38:52] But let us.
[00:38:53] Never.
[00:38:55] Confuse ourselves.
[00:38:56] That.
[00:38:57] We are saved.
[00:38:58] By keeping the commandments.
[00:39:01] No true.
[00:39:02] Seventh-day Adventist.
[00:39:03] Ever believed.
[00:39:05] That.
[00:39:06] This.
[00:39:06] Condition.
[00:39:07] Of salvation.
[00:39:08] Was indeed.
[00:39:09] The basis.
[00:39:10] Of our salvation.
[00:39:12] We're all aware.
[00:39:14] But I think.
[00:39:14] We need.
[00:39:15] To restate it.
[00:39:17] That an eternity.
[00:39:18] Of obedience.
[00:39:19] Would never.
[00:39:20] Atone.
[00:39:21] For one sin.
[00:39:23] An eternity.
[00:39:24] Of obedience.
[00:39:25] I repeat.
[00:39:27] Would never.
[00:39:28] Atone.
[00:39:28] For a single sin.
[00:39:30] Only.
[00:39:32] Life.
[00:39:32] And death.
[00:39:32] Could do that.
[00:39:36] We are not saved.
[00:39:39] By works.
[00:39:41] We are saved.
[00:39:42] By grace.
[00:39:43] Scripture.
[00:39:44] Is so clear.
[00:39:45] Ephesians.
[00:39:46] Chapter 2.
[00:39:47] And verse 5.
[00:39:52] Even.
[00:39:53] Even.
[00:39:54] We were.
[00:39:54] Dead in sins.
[00:39:55] Hath quickened us.
[00:39:57] Together.
[00:39:58] With Christ.
[00:39:58] By grace.
[00:40:00] Ye.
[00:40:01] Are saved.
[00:40:03] Oh.
[00:40:03] I thank.
[00:40:03] God.
[00:40:04] For that.
[00:40:06] By grace.
[00:40:08] We're saved.
[00:40:10] If you go down.
[00:40:11] To the eighth.
[00:40:12] Verse 4.
[00:40:12] By grace.
[00:40:13] Are ye saved.
[00:40:14] Through faith.
[00:40:15] And that.
[00:40:16] Not of yourselves.
[00:40:17] It is.
[00:40:19] The gift.
[00:40:20] Of God.
[00:40:22] And so.
[00:40:23] I want to emphasize.
[00:40:24] To everyone.
[00:40:25] Here.
[00:40:25] That.
[00:40:26] The basis.
[00:40:27] Of our salvation.
[00:40:28] Is Jesus.
[00:40:32] He alone.
[00:40:34] Could atone.
[00:40:35] For our sins.
[00:40:36] And he.
[00:40:37] Will give us.
[00:40:38] That free gift.
[00:40:39] But he does.
[00:40:39] Place.
[00:40:40] In his wisdom.
[00:40:41] A condition.
[00:40:44] On the bestowal.
[00:40:45] Of his free gift.
[00:40:47] And that condition.
[00:40:48] Is that.
[00:40:49] We love him.
[00:40:50] And loving him.
[00:40:52] Means that we.
[00:40:52] Obey him.
[00:40:56] You see.
[00:40:57] God.
[00:40:58] Could not.
[00:40:59] Take sinners.
[00:41:00] To heaven.
[00:41:01] And perpetuate sin.
[00:41:03] He could not.
[00:41:04] Do that.
[00:41:08] And I pray.
[00:41:09] That.
[00:41:10] Each one of us.
[00:41:11] Will be more.
[00:41:12] Sincere.
[00:41:13] In our lives.
[00:41:16] And in.
[00:41:17] Our standards.
[00:41:21] We need.
[00:41:23] To be men.
[00:41:24] And women.
[00:41:25] Who live.
[00:41:26] What we believe.
[00:41:27] If we are saved.
[00:41:28] By grace.
[00:41:30] And if we believe.
[00:41:31] That.
[00:41:33] God.
[00:41:34] Bestows.
[00:41:35] That grace.
[00:41:36] With a condition.
[00:41:37] Which he.
[00:41:38] Is prepared.
[00:41:39] To empower.
[00:41:40] And that is.
[00:41:41] Our obedience.
[00:41:43] Then.
[00:41:45] Let us.
[00:41:45] Obey.
[00:41:46] His every word.
[00:41:49] I've been.
[00:41:49] Speaking to.
[00:41:51] One or two.
[00:41:53] People.
[00:41:54] Who have been here.
[00:41:55] Today.
[00:41:56] Who have been.
[00:41:57] Concerned.
[00:41:59] Some of the.
[00:41:59] Lowered standards.
[00:42:00] That they have.
[00:42:02] That they have.
[00:42:03] Seen.
[00:42:03] In our midst.
[00:42:05] And I feel.
[00:42:06] Very sad.
[00:42:06] About this.
[00:42:08] Because.
[00:42:09] Because it can be.
[00:42:09] A discouragement.
[00:42:12] A great.
[00:42:12] Discouragement.
[00:42:14] And many times.
[00:42:15] We are.
[00:42:16] Very.
[00:42:17] Neglectful.
[00:42:18] On matters.
[00:42:20] Over which.
[00:42:22] God.
[00:42:23] Has spoken.
[00:42:24] And over matters.
[00:42:26] Which.
[00:42:29] Are a stumbling block.
[00:42:30] To others.
[00:42:32] Let us.
[00:42:33] Never be a stumbling block.
[00:42:34] Let us.
[00:42:35] Always.
[00:42:36] Uphold.
[00:42:36] The highest.
[00:42:38] And the noblest.
[00:42:39] Standards.
[00:42:40] And may our lives.
[00:42:42] Emulate that.
[00:42:44] I'm not talking now.
[00:42:45] About just saying this.
[00:42:47] And saying that.
[00:42:48] But let us.
[00:42:50] In our lives.
[00:42:51] Live.
[00:42:51] Those standards.
[00:42:56] A lot of people say.
[00:42:57] Are we.
[00:42:58] We.
[00:42:58] I'm saved by faith.
[00:43:00] I don't believe that.
[00:43:01] Brothers and sisters.
[00:43:03] Faith is a work.
[00:43:04] Make no mistake about it.
[00:43:07] It's a marvelous work.
[00:43:08] And a work.
[00:43:09] Of God.
[00:43:10] We're saved by grace.
[00:43:12] Sometimes.
[00:43:13] It takes more effort.
[00:43:15] To exercise.
[00:43:16] Faith.
[00:43:18] Than it does.
[00:43:19] To help the poor.
[00:43:20] Or something of that nature.
[00:43:23] And faith.
[00:43:24] Is a marvelous work.
[00:43:25] As a work.
[00:43:26] A gift of God.
[00:43:27] We're not saved.
[00:43:28] By our faith.
[00:43:30] We're saved.
[00:43:31] By the grace of Jesus.
[00:43:34] Through faith.
[00:43:40] Some people say.
[00:43:41] Well we're saved.
[00:43:42] By belief.
[00:43:43] And they point.
[00:43:49] To some very powerful.
[00:43:50] Texts of scripture.
[00:43:51] To support that.
[00:43:53] For God.
[00:43:55] So loved the world.
[00:43:56] That he gave.
[00:43:57] His only begotten son.
[00:44:00] Whosoever.
[00:44:02] Surely.
[00:44:02] It's a condition.
[00:44:03] No doubt.
[00:44:04] Whosoever.
[00:44:05] Believeth on him.
[00:44:07] Should not.
[00:44:08] Perish.
[00:44:09] But have everlasting life.
[00:44:11] I was pleased to hear this morning.
[00:44:13] That this matter was discussed.
[00:44:16] Because there are many people.
[00:44:17] Who are going around saying.
[00:44:18] Only believe.
[00:44:20] I don't want to shock you.
[00:44:22] But I believe.
[00:44:22] That that's all.
[00:44:23] We have to do.
[00:44:24] That's the only condition.
[00:44:25] And that's belief.
[00:44:29] But brothers and sisters.
[00:44:30] It better be a genuine belief.
[00:44:33] It better not be the sort of belief.
[00:44:35] That the devils have.
[00:44:36] And tremble at.
[00:44:38] You know we're so blind.
[00:44:40] We think that if someone says.
[00:44:42] I believe that Jesus died for my sin.
[00:44:44] That that fulfills all the criteria.
[00:44:46] Of true belief.
[00:44:48] Of genuine belief.
[00:44:50] Oh the devil has a counterfeit of every truth.
[00:44:55] And I want to remind you.
[00:44:57] That it is not sufficient.
[00:45:00] As a condition of salvation.
[00:45:03] To have that counterfeit belief.
[00:45:05] The devils believe that Jesus died on Calvary.
[00:45:09] They ought to know full well.
[00:45:11] They put him there.
[00:45:15] There's no salvation.
[00:45:16] No condition for salvation in that.
[00:45:22] And whenever you come.
[00:45:25] To a matter.
[00:45:27] Which is related.
[00:45:29] To a Christian virtue.
[00:45:30] Always remember that the devil has.
[00:45:33] A snide counterfeit of it.
[00:45:37] And while it is true.
[00:45:40] That what Paul and Silas said to that jailer.
[00:45:43] What shall I do to be saved?
[00:45:44] Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:45:46] And thou shalt be saved.
[00:45:47] That is a truth of God.
[00:45:49] That is the condition.
[00:45:51] Remember that grace of Jesus.
[00:45:53] Of course is the basis.
[00:45:56] But.
[00:45:57] Paul and Silas were not.
[00:46:00] Suggesting the sort of belief.
[00:46:02] That the devils have.
[00:46:03] And yet I want to say.
[00:46:04] That in Christendom today.
[00:46:06] The vast majority of those.
[00:46:08] Who are preaching belief.
[00:46:09] Only belief.
[00:46:10] Are preaching a belief.
[00:46:11] No more efficacious.
[00:46:14] Than that which the devils have.
[00:46:16] And which causes them to tremble.
[00:46:19] We better have a plain.
[00:46:20] Thus saith the Lord.
[00:46:21] On what is true belief.
[00:46:23] And let us go over to 1st.
[00:46:25] John chapter 5.
[00:46:28] 1st John chapter 5.
[00:46:30] And there we find the criteria.
[00:46:33] Of genuine belief.
[00:46:35] And if your belief.
[00:46:36] Does not entail.
[00:46:38] These genuine attributes.
[00:46:40] I want to say to you.
[00:46:42] You do not have.
[00:46:43] Genuine belief.
[00:46:45] You have the counterfeit.
[00:46:47] That which you share with the devils.
[00:46:49] And I don't think we expect.
[00:46:52] That they are going to be found.
[00:46:53] In the kingdom of God.
[00:46:57] 1st John chapter 5.
[00:47:00] Whosoever believeth.
[00:47:03] That Jesus is the Christ.
[00:47:06] Is born of God.
[00:47:08] There is the first criterion.
[00:47:10] Of true belief.
[00:47:12] A true believer.
[00:47:14] Must have the new birth experience.
[00:47:17] Oh I want to say to you.
[00:47:19] The devils do not have that.
[00:47:23] And neither do many Christians.
[00:47:25] Who are saying.
[00:47:26] Only believe.
[00:47:27] Only believe.
[00:47:29] What else?
[00:47:31] And everyone that loveth him.
[00:47:33] That begat.
[00:47:35] Loveth him also.
[00:47:36] That is begotten of him.
[00:47:40] Love to God.
[00:47:41] And love to our fellow men.
[00:47:43] I've been impressed.
[00:47:44] With the Christian love.
[00:47:45] That I have noticed here.
[00:47:47] Today.
[00:47:48] And I thank God for that.
[00:47:50] For if we have love for God.
[00:47:53] We're going to have love for one another.
[00:47:54] There's going to be genuine affection.
[00:47:58] And care and concern.
[00:48:01] And true belief.
[00:48:03] True belief.
[00:48:05] Involves love for God.
[00:48:07] And love for men.
[00:48:09] By this we know.
[00:48:11] That we love the children of God.
[00:48:13] When we love God.
[00:48:15] And keep his commandments.
[00:48:16] There's the fourth criteria.
[00:48:19] Love.
[00:48:20] Born again.
[00:48:21] Love to God.
[00:48:22] Love to man.
[00:48:23] Keep the commandments.
[00:48:24] And there are more.
[00:48:25] For this is the love of God.
[00:48:27] That we keep his commandments.
[00:48:31] And his commandments are not grievous.
[00:48:35] They aren't to the born again person.
[00:48:37] They are to someone.
[00:48:38] Who is living in sin.
[00:48:40] God's commandments are entirely grievous.
[00:48:44] For whatsoever is born of God.
[00:48:48] Overcometh the world.
[00:48:49] There's our fifth criterion.
[00:48:51] Overcoming.
[00:48:52] And this is the victory.
[00:48:54] There's our sixth.
[00:48:55] But overcometh the world.
[00:48:57] Even our faith.
[00:48:58] There's the seventh criterion.
[00:49:00] So we have seven characteristics.
[00:49:04] Of true faith.
[00:49:05] Of true belief.
[00:49:07] First of all.
[00:49:07] We have being born again.
[00:49:09] Secondly.
[00:49:10] Love to God.
[00:49:11] Love to man.
[00:49:13] Keeping the commandments.
[00:49:15] Overcoming.
[00:49:16] Having victory.
[00:49:17] Having faith.
[00:49:17] They're really synonymous terms.
[00:49:20] For you can't have one.
[00:49:22] Without the other.
[00:49:26] How do I know that it's still referring to belief?
[00:49:30] Well the fifth verse.
[00:49:32] Summarizes the whole situation.
[00:49:34] Who is he that overcometh the world?
[00:49:37] But he that believeth.
[00:49:40] That Jesus is the son of God.
[00:49:46] And so with confidence.
[00:49:48] You and I can testify.
[00:49:50] That belief.
[00:49:54] When it's genuine belief.
[00:49:56] When it involves the criteria of love to God.
[00:49:59] Love to man.
[00:50:00] Keeping the commandments.
[00:50:01] New birth.
[00:50:03] Victory.
[00:50:03] Overcoming faith.
[00:50:04] That sort of belief.
[00:50:07] Is the condition.
[00:50:11] That God lays down for salvation.
[00:50:33] How much does Jesus mean to you today?
[00:50:41] So many of us today.
[00:50:48] Are so concerned about legalism in our church.
[00:50:52] And staying away from it.
[00:50:54] And I want to say legalism is a very serious doctrinal error.
[00:51:03] But we are forgetting that in eschewing legalism.
[00:51:07] Many are accepting a false concept of God's commands to us.
[00:51:17] I was pleased.
[00:51:21] I was pleased that this morning.
[00:51:22] I was pleased that this morning.
[00:51:22] We were reminded that the message of 1888.
[00:51:29] Held forth the great doctrine of justification by faith.
[00:51:34] Not by works.
[00:51:34] But I want to cast a warning here.
[00:51:39] There are many people who are not today being fooled by the error of justification by works.
[00:51:50] And yet they have not accepted true justification by faith.
[00:51:56] They have accepted the terrible error of justification by presumption.
[00:52:06] I wonder brother if I could have that desire of ages.
[00:52:09] I want to read a passage from it.
[00:52:13] I think this will illustrate it very well.
[00:52:16] It's from page 126 in the regular edition of Desire of Ages.
[00:52:30] For presumption is Satan's counterfeit of faith.
[00:52:37] It's interesting.
[00:52:39] Sister White isn't saying that legalism is the counterfeit of faith.
[00:52:43] Although it is.
[00:52:44] She said for presumption is Satan's counterfeit of faith.
[00:52:51] Faith claims God's promises and brings forth fruit in obedience.
[00:52:59] Well let us never talk about justification by faith without the context of obedience.
[00:53:11] Faith claims God's promises and brings forth fruit in obedience.
[00:53:18] Presumption.
[00:53:19] Presumption also claims the promises.
[00:53:22] No difference between the claims.
[00:53:27] But uses them as Satan did to excuse transgression.
[00:53:32] Do you see the difference?
[00:53:35] You know the great problem in the seventh day Adventist church today isn't so much anymore as it was in 1888.
[00:53:43] Justification by works.
[00:53:46] It's justification by presumption.
[00:53:49] Where men and women today.
[00:53:51] Where men and women today want to claim the promises of God.
[00:53:57] And yet fail to meet the conditions.
[00:54:07] Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God and to obey his commands.
[00:54:16] Presumption led them to transgress his law.
[00:54:19] Believing that his great love would save them from the consequence of their sin.
[00:54:25] It is not faith that claims the favor of heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted.
[00:54:54] Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the scripture.
[00:55:03] Oh how I pray that we will be seeking justification by faith.
[00:55:13] And not confusing it as do millions of Christians today with the devil's counterfeit.
[00:55:20] Justification by presumption.
[00:55:23] Where people claim the great promises of God without meeting the conditions that he has laid down for the reception of those promises.
[00:55:31] And if there's anyone in our congregation this evening who has been tempted.
[00:55:38] To claim Christ's promises while living in sin.
[00:55:44] I want to say that God is calling on you to forsake your justification by presumption.
[00:55:56] The devil would have us believe that we can fall short of the standards of God.
[00:56:03] Someone was mentioning today.
[00:56:06] Do as good as you can.
[00:56:07] Well I tell you I can do as good as I can in my own strength.
[00:56:10] I don't need the power of God.
[00:56:14] But what a woeful standard that would be just to do the best I can.
[00:56:20] I'd fear myself in such circumstances.
[00:56:26] It hardly sounds like higher than the highest human thought can reach is God's ideal for his people.
[00:56:34] My weak human mind can reach up to a standard of do the best I can.
[00:56:39] I don't need God's power.
[00:56:42] I don't need heavenly insight to reach that sort of standard.
[00:56:46] But what God is calling us.
[00:56:50] Calling us to.
[00:56:53] Is a standard of perfection.
[00:56:59] And that's a high and holy calling.
[00:57:03] So little time do we spend on thinking of just how much we are grieving our heavenly father by our sins.
[00:57:12] So often we're so selfish.
[00:57:15] We're so embroiled in the things of this earth.
[00:57:21] In our materialism.
[00:57:24] In our pleasure seeking.
[00:57:27] That we give no thought for the fact that we are breaking the heart of the one who died for us.
[00:57:37] Sin has brought nothing but misery to the universe.
[00:57:40] True.
[00:57:41] There is perfection in heaven.
[00:57:43] But there's unhappiness.
[00:57:46] Because of your sin and mine.
[00:57:50] How did the heavenly beings feel.
[00:57:53] When they saw their Lord and Master.
[00:57:56] On the cross of Calvary.
[00:57:57] Was there singing of joy and hallelujah in heaven at that time.
[00:58:04] Oh.
[00:58:05] It may be a perfect environment.
[00:58:07] But there's sorrow.
[00:58:08] Sin has not just caused sadness and sorrow.
[00:58:12] On this earth.
[00:58:14] Much as it has.
[00:58:16] But the whole universe.
[00:58:18] Has been blighted.
[00:58:21] And your sins.
[00:58:23] And my sins.
[00:58:24] And our continuing to sin.
[00:58:25] Are adding to the weight of sorrow.
[00:58:29] Of unfallen beings.
[00:58:30] And more importantly.
[00:58:32] Of our Lord and our Savior.
[00:58:34] Our sins have separated us from God.
[00:58:41] A lot of emphasis is put on the fact that God loves us.
[00:58:44] While we're sinning.
[00:58:45] And he does.
[00:58:50] But we separate.
[00:58:53] Ourselves from God.
[00:58:54] Our sins.
[00:58:56] Sin is the most hateful thing in the whole universe.
[00:58:59] And why it is.
[00:59:01] That Christians.
[00:59:03] Want to hang on to these.
[00:59:05] Cursed sins in their lives.
[00:59:07] Want to build up.
[00:59:10] Philosophies and theologies.
[00:59:12] That.
[00:59:13] Would give them salvation.
[00:59:15] While breaking the heart of their Lord and maker.
[00:59:18] I cannot imagine.
[00:59:21] And surely we as Seventh-day Adventists.
[00:59:24] Should more than any other people on this earth.
[00:59:27] Understand that fact.
[00:59:29] God is calling us to perfection.
[00:59:33] You know the Bible tells us that those who will go into the holy city.
[00:59:36] Will be those who.
[00:59:38] Have washed their robes and made them white.
[00:59:41] Blood of the Lamb.
[00:59:44] They will not.
[00:59:45] Be wearing the filthy robe of.
[00:59:48] Our unrighteousness underneath.
[00:59:50] That will have been taken away.
[00:59:53] Just as we find in.
[00:59:56] The book.
[00:59:58] Of Zachariah.
[01:00:02] I want to say.
[01:00:04] To each one of you.
[01:00:06] We are in serious and solemn times.
[01:00:10] Too many of us.
[01:00:13] Are harboring sin in our lives.
[01:00:16] We are holding on to those things.
[01:00:19] Which are God.
[01:00:20] To all we might say.
[01:00:22] We are not.
[01:00:23] Doing anything really bad.
[01:00:26] We are not even putting in.
[01:00:27] I trust.
[01:00:28] False tax returns.
[01:00:30] But some are.
[01:00:33] Some are.
[01:00:36] For a few miserable pounds.
[01:00:38] People will sell their soul.
[01:00:43] Some of us are still.
[01:00:44] Breaching the ninth commandment.
[01:00:47] Thou shalt not bear false witness.
[01:00:50] We do that with impunity.
[01:00:52] Thinking that somehow.
[01:00:54] God will not notice.
[01:01:00] Some of us.
[01:01:02] Are still.
[01:01:04] Wanting.
[01:01:05] To be unfaithful.
[01:01:07] In our stewardship.
[01:01:08] Of God's means.
[01:01:14] We give God.
[01:01:16] An offering that.
[01:01:18] Doesn't hurt us.
[01:01:20] As long as we don't notice it.
[01:01:22] We're happy to give it.
[01:01:26] I was in one conference.
[01:01:29] Recently.
[01:01:30] Where I was appalled.
[01:01:31] To find.
[01:01:31] That some people.
[01:01:32] Have had adopted.
[01:01:33] The view on their tithe.
[01:01:35] They were.
[01:01:36] Great believers.
[01:01:37] They said in tithing.
[01:01:39] But for them.
[01:01:40] Tithe was after you'd paid.
[01:01:41] All your bills.
[01:01:43] Anything that was left over.
[01:01:45] That you would be able.
[01:01:46] To put in the bank.
[01:01:47] To save.
[01:01:48] You tithe it.
[01:01:49] All the rest.
[01:01:50] That was your only gain.
[01:01:52] So they said.
[01:01:53] You know.
[01:01:54] I'm glad God isn't stingy.
[01:01:56] With us like that.
[01:01:57] Aren't you?
[01:01:59] I'm glad God doesn't pour out.
[01:02:01] His blessings.
[01:02:02] In that sort of measure.
[01:02:04] Upon each one of us.
[01:02:08] But there are many.
[01:02:09] Seventh-day Adventists today.
[01:02:11] Who are not.
[01:02:12] Sacrificial in their giving.
[01:02:14] And I want to appeal to us.
[01:02:18] To think.
[01:02:20] About that.
[01:02:21] For where our treasure is.
[01:02:24] That's where our heart is.
[01:02:26] And many of us.
[01:02:27] And many of us still have our treasure.
[01:02:29] On this miserable old world.
[01:02:31] Many of us.
[01:02:32] Still have it.
[01:02:35] And I want to speak in a practical way.
[01:02:38] In an earnest way.
[01:02:40] I'm really.
[01:02:42] I really feel sad.
[01:02:44] At the entertainment.
[01:02:47] Of many of our people today.
[01:02:50] I know.
[01:02:51] Everyone wants to hit the television.
[01:02:54] But brethren and sisters.
[01:02:55] So we ought to.
[01:02:57] We ought to.
[01:02:59] To.
[01:03:00] It's just appalling.
[01:03:02] It's just appalling.
[01:03:03] What men and women.
[01:03:05] Who claim that they're waiting.
[01:03:06] For Jesus to come.
[01:03:07] Are willing to put into their minds.
[01:03:09] Don't we believe.
[01:03:10] Any longer.
[01:03:13] That we should be.
[01:03:14] Guarding the avenues of the soul.
[01:03:18] We wonder why we sin.
[01:03:20] When we watch sin all the time.
[01:03:24] So many of us seem to love sin.
[01:03:26] We love to watch it.
[01:03:27] And I just want to urge you.
[01:03:32] To think about your entertainment.
[01:03:37] I've been a person.
[01:03:39] I must confess this.
[01:03:41] That was.
[01:03:43] As a young fellow.
[01:03:45] Fanatically.
[01:03:46] Mad about sport.
[01:03:52] I'm not.
[01:03:53] I'm not proud about that.
[01:03:57] You know sport is the god of this country.
[01:04:01] It's true.
[01:04:02] If you can see the amount.
[01:04:04] That newspapers devote to it.
[01:04:06] How important sporting.
[01:04:09] Our personalities are.
[01:04:12] You just can't escape it.
[01:04:14] That the people of this country.
[01:04:16] And Seventh-day Adventists.
[01:04:17] Get caught up.
[01:04:20] In that of the world.
[01:04:22] I guess there are many Seventh-day Adventists today.
[01:04:26] Who couldn't wait.
[01:04:28] Until the Sabbath hours.
[01:04:30] Left them.
[01:04:31] Or until they do leave them.
[01:04:33] In order to.
[01:04:34] To know what's happening.
[01:04:35] In the European football match.
[01:04:37] Or something like that.
[01:04:39] Brethren and sisters.
[01:04:40] That is the sort.
[01:04:41] Of world.
[01:04:42] In which we live.
[01:04:43] And I'm not saying this.
[01:04:45] As a man.
[01:04:46] Who's had no interest in sport.
[01:04:47] It's been a sin in my life.
[01:04:52] But brethren.
[01:04:53] It is a sin.
[01:04:55] To put our emphasis.
[01:04:57] Our time into these things.
[01:05:00] Do we really believe that God has given us the talent of time to use for him?
[01:05:09] Or do we use that time in a way which we will be ashamed of when standing before the judgment bar of God?
[01:05:19] What are our sins of omission?
[01:05:22] Failure to do that which we know God is calling upon us to do.
[01:05:27] Oh I want to pray that what I am speaking to, I'm speaking to my own heart.
[01:05:34] I want to tell you that.
[01:05:36] I'm not standing up here holier than anyone here.
[01:05:40] Probably less holy than new people.
[01:05:45] These are battles that we have to fight.
[01:05:48] I'm glad that our brother emphasized that the Christian life is a battle and a march.
[01:05:58] It is.
[01:06:00] But it's one that we can undertake with confidence in the power and the love of Jesus.
[01:06:08] But don't think that we can just flip by and reach the kingdom of heaven.
[01:06:12] It's not like that.
[01:06:15] Without strenuous effort we are told.
[01:06:19] We will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
[01:06:22] If it wasn't that way then of course the vast majority would be saved and a few would be lost.
[01:06:28] A few foolish people.
[01:06:29] But we know that it's going to be the reverse because most are not prepared.
[01:06:34] To make the sacrifice that is necessary.
[01:06:37] To follow Jesus with the whole heart.
[01:06:41] I just want to see every one of you in the kingdom of God.
[01:06:44] I want to be there too.
[01:06:46] And I pray that as we think about this important topic of perfection.
[01:06:52] that every last one of us here.
[01:06:56] In his or her heart.
[01:06:59] We'll silently ask God.
[01:07:03] To give him or her.
[01:07:05] The power to live his life.
[01:07:08] Let us love Jesus.
[01:07:11] Amen.
[01:07:12] With the whole heart.
[01:07:13] And if you love me.
[01:07:15] Keep my commandments.
[01:07:17] Amen.
[01:07:18] Amen.
[01:07:19] Amen.
[01:07:20] Amen.
[01:07:20] May the spirit of God fill us so that we can do that.
[01:07:23] Which in our own strength.
[01:07:26] We cannot attain.
[01:07:29] I love Jesus.
[01:07:30] I believe you do.
[01:07:33] I want to be ready for him to come like brother Anderson.
[01:07:36] I think every one of us here.
[01:07:39] This year I turned 55.
[01:07:41] It's getting too close to the end.
[01:07:43] I mean of my life.
[01:07:47] And I want to be amongst that group.
[01:07:49] That's translated.
[01:07:51] I do.
[01:07:54] And brethren and sisters.
[01:07:55] I believe that if we as a group.
[01:07:58] Would really come near to the Lord.
[01:08:00] Fulfill his requirements.
[01:08:02] Under his power.
[01:08:04] It could happen even in the short space of years.
[01:08:07] That are yet to be apportioned to me.
[01:08:11] But if we go on the way we are.
[01:08:13] Living a life of indifference.
[01:08:17] And carelessness.
[01:08:19] The Lord in his love will have to delay his coming.
[01:08:22] For he's not willing.
[01:08:23] That any should perish.
[01:08:25] But that all should come to repentance.
[01:08:28] I pray that each one of us.
[01:08:31] Will recognize the seriousness of the times in which we live.
[01:08:36] And that we will take hold of Jesus our Lord and Savior.
[01:08:40] So that we can be ready.
[01:08:44] Not trying to slip in.
[01:08:46] By the least standard.
[01:08:49] That won't ever succeed.
[01:08:51] But by giving Jesus our all.
[01:08:54] Everything that we have.
[01:08:56] That we may be part.
[01:08:58] Of the family of God.
[01:09:01] Oh I pray.
[01:09:03] That each one of us.
[01:09:05] Will be children of the King.
[01:09:07] And therefore.
[01:09:08] True brothers and sisters.
[01:09:10] In his kingdom.
[01:09:11] Amen.