Dwayne Lemon -The Sealing Work And Its Order

[Music] very thankful to be here with you all like to thank the pastoral staff and all who have been involved to make both our Bible and Health evangelism training school possible here at Downsview as well as the Pathfinder team in allowing me to speak to not just a pathfinders but all of God's people today and I'm very grateful that it seems as if there's been a tremendous emphasis on the sealing work and God's people receiving the seal of the Living God and we're gonna talk about that and that's why the title of the message is called the sealing work and it's order and that's why our scripture reading was from first Corinthians 14 40 where the Bible makes it very clear let how many things that all things be done decently and in order and it is in the order of God that before the Minister speaks that he should go before the Lord in prayer and therefore I'd like to go ahead and kneel and if you're able to I'll invite you that you can kneel with me as we go to God in prayer at this time so let us pray together father in heaven we are grateful for the many blessings that you have given to us all throughout this week we thank you for the way your spirit has truly spoken to our hearts we have been revived we've been reformed we've been challenged and father we are thankful that your spirit is still striving with men and Lord we just come this morning or this afternoon because there's more about Jesus we would learn there's more of his lovely face we desire to behold and I just pray that you'll do something special I believe there are many people that came in here with yokes and I believe that you still have power to make them free and lord I just ask that you will please break down every burden remove every yoke Lord take our burdens and truly make them light help us to be in the mindset that we will truly search our hearts and I pray to God if there be anything that is unlike you please lead us in the way of a lasting and therefore we commit ourselves into your hands and father I commit myself into your hands afresh I pray that you'll take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee now you speak to my mind and through my mouth that I may minister to the hearts of my brothers and sisters and I thank you that you've heard this prayer for we do ask all these things in Jesus name Amen the sealing work and it's order I'd like to invite you to turn your Bibles to the book of Genesis the fourth chapter we are going to Genesis the fourth chapter and you are going to see that in Genesis the fourth chapter that the Bible introduces a picture in time where they were basically only two worshippers on the earth and it's manifested through the story of Cain and Abel and the Bible says in Genesis the fourth chapter and if you there please say Amen now we're gonna read verses 1 to 10 so I think the best way the most productive way to do this is I'll reverse one you read verse 2 I'll reverse three you read verse four and we'll just take it down to verse 10 is that Alright alright so I'll begin in Genesis chapter 4 starting at verse 1 it says and Adam knew his wife and she conceived and bare Cain and said I have gotten a man from the Lord and in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord but unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect and Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell if they'll do as well shalt thou not be accepted and if thou doest not well sin lieth at the door and unto thee shall be his desire and thou shalt rule over him and the Lord said unto Cain where is Abel thy brother and he said I know not am I my brother's keeper and will do verse 10 together and he said what hast thou done the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground the Bible presents a picture that in the beginning of time there were two worshippers these two worshippers are highlighted as Cain and Abel and Cain was an interesting figure because Cain he did most of what God said but he also included some of what he wanted to do Abel did exactly what God said and did nothing else but what God said as a result of these two brothers the Bible says that a time came where brother began to persecute brother and therefore we see the first instance of family warfare taking place in the history of time brother persecuting brother one brother and keep in mind they're both worshippers of the true and living God but one did most of what God said and some of what he wanted to do the other did exactly what God said and none of what he wanted to do and this brought about persecution brother persecuting brother now the reason why this is important is because this is the class of worshipers that are identified in the Bible in the beginning of time but now I want you to go to the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 1 in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 we find a principle in the Bible and this principle is not limited to any specific age it is applicable in every age and I want you to see what the Bible says as we now go to the book of Ecclesiastes and we're looking at chapter 1 and when you get there I'm gonna ask that you let me know by saying Amen the Bible says in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 and we're going to consider verse 9 the Bible says in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 and verse 9 are we there the Bible says in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 and verse 9 it says the thing that hath been is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done and there's how many things no new thing under the Sun so the Bible makes it clear the thing that has been that's the past is that which shall be that's the future and that which is done that's present is that which shall be done that that's future so the Bible is showing that history has a tendency to do what repeat itself that's right so therefore it's interesting that in the beginning of time two worshipers both claiming to serve the same father but they had two very different results one person's worship was accepted the other was rejected and as a result of that it brought about brother persecuting brother and as we see that this is how time began the Bible prophetically shows this is how time shall end go to the book of Revelation the 13th chapter and as this was a picture of how things began in time so it is that we see this is how things shall end in time the Bible says in Revelation the 13th chapter and I want you to see this because you and I gonna have to make a decision today and even if you don't make a decision you've made a decision so therefore everyone because of the simple fact that you're hearing the words of God God's will shall be accomplished people often say sometimes brother lemon I share the Word of God with brother sister family members and friends and it seems like they're not responding and I said listen don't think too quickly that way the Bible says in Isaiah 55 in verse 11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it will not return unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it the very fact that we are listening and hearing the words of God there's already a gardening process that's taking place in our mind seeds are being planted you and I will make the decision on whether we allow it to germinate bud and sprout or if it stays dead and we die with it so everyone is going to make a decision my hope and God's hope is that you make the right decision Bible says in Revelation to 13th chapter starting at verse 1 John the Revelator now sees a beast and the Bible says in Revelation 13:1 and I stood upon the sand of the sea and saw a beast rise up out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns and upon his horns ten crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy the Beast which I saw was like unto a leopard and his feet were as the feet of a bear and his mouth as the mouth of a lion and the dragon gave him his power seat and great Authority and I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death and his deadly wound was healed and how much of the world it says all the world wondered after the Beast now I want you to keep that in mind the Bible says that all the world wondered after the Beast the great majority of the world always says all the world now wait a minute if it says all the world is wandering after the Beast are you in this world so does that mean you're gonna wonder after the Beast you see I was trying to help you out but you corrected me so now I'm going to deal with your correction if you're telling me all the world then that means that you're in this world so that means you are going to wonder after the Beast is that right brothers and sisters let me tell you something right now I know for a fact by the grace of God I will not be wandering after the Beast even though I'm in this world by the grace of God I will not wonder after the Beast can I tell you why because there's a qualifier to this people that's gonna wonder after the beats can I show it to you go to the book of Revelation to 17th chapter you see in Revelation to 17th chapter it also identifies some people who wonder but it makes a big difference I pray that you and I will enter into the experience of the big difference the Bible says in Revelation - 17th chapter right there in verse 8 and if you're there just please say Amen the Bible says in revelation 17 and verse 8 it says the Beast that thou sawest was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition and what they that dwell on the earth shall do what shall wonder now watch this it says they that dwell on the earth shall wonder so are we seeing a group of people who are going to wonder after the Beast yes but notice what the qualifier is it and they that one of the earth shall wonder whose names are not written in the book of life so notice that the people according to the Bible who will wonder after the Beast are those whose names are not written in the book of life now brothers and sisters the Bible is so good that it lets us know that there's a formula to make sure our names remain in the book of life and that's why Sabbath school this morning was very important I want you to see what the Bible shows us of how your name and my name can remain in the book of life go now to Revelation chapter 3 in Revelation chapter 3 you will see the formula and this is why the sanctuary message is so important brothers and sisters when it's understood write in Revelation the third chapter the Bible shows us the formula to make sure that your name and my name not only enters because your name can enter the book of life and it can be blotted out if you don't believe that you just read Exodus 32 31 to 33 the Bible makes it clear names can go in the book of life and be blotted out the book of life our goal is not just to have our names in the book of life our goal is to make sure our names remain in the book of life now how what's the formula that our names can remain revelation 3 in Revelation 3 and verse 5 if you're there say Amen the Bible says in Revelation 3 and verse 5 he that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and look at the next beautiful set of words and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life I don't know about you but I think that's crystal clear if I want my name to remain in the book of life according to the Bible I must overcome that's why Sabbath School is very important if you study the sanctuary and if you don't understand that the end result of all of these beautiful courtyard holy place most holy place teachings is to bring us into experience with Jesus where we overcome gay have victory over every single sin if we don't it that doesn't become our reality the truth that was designed to save us will be the same truth that will condemn us in the judgement so therefore God wants to bring us into an experience can the church say amen to that so therefore we understand now that the Bible is very clear that yes all the world wondered after the Beast but it's really not every body but as every body whose names are not in the book of life do you understand now all right so the scripture is always the key that unlocks Scripture amen so now we're going back to revelation 13 let's go back there so in Revelation 13 there's a diabolical plan that has been put together by Satan of course himself upon which he is going to seek to make sure your name does not remain in the book of life he wants to do everything possible to make sure your name doesn't enter it and if your name has entered it he wants to do everything possible to make sure it gets blotted out and does not remain and therefore the Bible spells out to us that this beast was going to suffer a deadly wound but his wound was going to be healed and through this healing work the whole world of those whose names are not in the book of life are going to wonder after the Beast now let's do some qualifiers we're now still in revelation 13 but now we're looking at verse 11 because 11 introduces the doctor unfortunately I come from this clinic and in Revelation 13 and verse 11 the Bible shows us who's this doctor that's going to help bring healing to that first beast it's right here in Revelation 13 11 the Bible says and I beheld what another beast another beast coming up on the scene it says and coming out of the earth and he had two horns like a lamb and he spake as a dragon now the reason why I call him a doctor is because look at what it says in verse 12 it says and he exercises how much of the power all the power of the first beast before him and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to do what worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed so this second beast is literally instrumental in the healing work of the first beast to point everybody to the first beast to worship the first that's why I call him a doctor now that that that beast is none other than the United States of America that's why I said I come from his clinic because I'm from the US and here it is that the Bible presents a picture that the United States of America land that was supposed to represent those lamb-like horns freedom republicanism no kingly Authority religious liberty all these beautiful principles the Bible prophesized that one day America is gonna turn his back on that and ladies and gentlemen if you don't believe that America is falling quick fast into this position the you and I need to take the magnifying glass and put it on Bible prophecy that we may understand it better now watch this ultimately to push the people to worship the first beast something has to happen now I want you to see what happens it says going down to verse 16 and 17 look at what it says revelation 13 16 and 17 the Bible says and he causes how many all both small and great rich and poor free and bond to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name there's a plan being put together to make sure you and I received the mark of the beast is a plan put together the Bible says all the world in other words those whose names are not written in the book of life are gonna fall in line with this plan question how many of us in this room wants to fall in line with this plan please raise your hand not one alright so not one person in this room wants to fall in line with that plan and you know the reason why we don't want to fall in line with that plan go over to the next chapter revelation 14 I'm sure this is at least one of your motivating factors of why you don't want to fall into that plan the Bible says in Revelation 14 in verse 9 the Bible says and the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice if any man worship the Beast and His image and receive his mark the in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation now who in the world wants that last I checked I don't have any enemies but even if I had one I would not wish the wrath of God on it you got to understand and if any of you are saying well what is the wrath of God you just read revelation the sixteenth chapter that literally is the wrath of God this rack of God that's going to fall on these individuals who unfortunately have the mark of the beast the Bible says the wrath of God is gonna pour in them and I wouldn't wish that on anybody Saints not anybody now here it is that the Bible makes it very clear that a great number of people are going to receive the mark of the beast in other words this is the identification of class number one remember how many classes were in the beginning - worshipers do these people worship God yes they do but they do it falsely is that right they claim to acknowledge the same God that the faithful acknowledge but they do and they do a lot of things that God said but they don't do what exactly or all of what God says they fit Cain but the Bible also shows that there has to be another group because as things were in the past so it is in the future so in the past there were how many kinds of worshipers - but we only identified how many in the last days once so that means we need to identify one more so therefore the question is this now I want you to think about this look at verse 6 of revelation 14 I'm just reasoning with God's people I like reasoning through the scripture in Revelation 14 and verse 6 John the Revelator says and I saw another angel the word angel means messenger it says then I saw another messenger another angel fly in the midst of heaven he had the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the earth to every nation kindred tongue and people so think about it God has sent some messengers to give the gospel part of the message of this gospel was not to receive the mark of the beast is that right that's under the third angels message now pathfinders that is your work it's very simple the work of pathfinders is not just to simply have distinctive clothing play distinctive beats and to do all different types of things just to try to make us different from other groups and churches this Pathfinder group like any other group in the church has one purpose our purpose is to prepare a people to stand true to God during this investigative judgment that's it the goal of the pathfinder is to fall in line with Jesus to enter into an experience that we can be recipients of the seal of God so we can help others receive the seal of the Living God so therefore what I would encourage and challenge anybody to do in any group in the name of seventh-day Adventism look carefully at your activities look carefully at your goals look carefully at your objectives and ask yourself how in the world does this help us to be prepared and to prepare people to stand true to God during the investigative judgment and I believe brothers and sisters that the more that we ask that question we're going to see a lot of reformations taking place in the house of God now if the messengers given the herald of the three angels if they are warning people not to receive the mark of the beast then they certainly should not be counted amongst a group that receives it so they must be a recipient of something else to make up the second class does that make sense so far everybody's probably so let's find out what's the experience of the second class revelation the seventh chapter now in Revelation chapter 7 we get a picture of the second class and it's very simple I like simplicity I believe that the Bible should be taught in such a way that even youth with interest can understand there's some young people that don't have an interest so they won't understand but when a young man or a young girl says I want to know what the Bible says I want to live I want to live for Jesus I want to love him the truth should be taught and sent away is so clear it's so pointed that even the six-year-old can say I know what I need to do to be safe and I know what to tell others that they can be saved we thus far have looked back in time that's all we did we look back at time at the beginning of time two brothers Cain and Abel both of them claimed to worship God one did most of what God said but some of what he wanted to do himself which God did not say the other one did exactly what God said one brothers offering was completely accepted the other brothers offering was completely rejected as the result of this brother began to persecute brother after we looked at that we then saw in Ecclesiastes that the Bible teaches us according to chapter 1 and verse 9 that history has a tendency to repeat itself so therefore we say well let's look at what the Bible says is going to happen in the future so we look in the future and we saw a chord in the revelation 13 that a time is going to come where there's going to be a class of worshipers but they are going to receive something called the mark of the beast and as a result of that they're going to suffer the wrath of God we identify that as class one connected to Cain or able which one okay that's it now what do we want to be part of the Cain group no our goal is to be part of the what group the Abel group and the thing that was interesting about Abel is that Abel did how many things that God said he did everything God said now John the Revelator says well I see some messengers and they're warning people not to receive the mark of the beast so clearly they should not have the mark of the beast it doesn't make sense to say don't get it and then you got it that doesn't make any sense right so therefore they have to have something else is that right so now we need to find out what do they have and now we're in revelation 7 in Revelation of the seventh chapter the Bible says in verse 1 if you're there please say Amen the Bible says in Revelation 7 and verse 1 and after these things I saw four standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth that the wind should not blow on the earth nor on the sea nor on any tree and I saw another angel ascending from the east having the what okay so the one group we just saw has the mark of the beast but this is some another group that has the seal of the Living God now watch it says saying hurt not the earth all right let's finish verse two and I saw another angel ascending from the east having the seal of the Living God and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth of the sea saying hurt not the earth neither the sea nor the trees till we have done what sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads another thing that I find to be very interesting about this group who gets that seal they are described in verse 4 and verse 4 the Bible says and I heard the number of them which were sealed and there was sealed how many a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel now the hundred and forty and four thousand received the seal is that right all right good but wait a minute in Revelation 14 John the Revelator saw messengers that were warning people about the mark of the beast is that right when those messages are warning about the mark of the beast wouldn't it not be sensible that they should not have the mark of the beast right so they must have something else right what is it that we've identified so far that they should have the seal of the Living God but did you know that John the Revelator described them to go back to Revelation 14 because in Revelation 7 what did we find out about these people they're called who the hundred and forty and four thousand that get the seal is that right all right now you're back in Revelation 14 the reason why I find it to be interesting is because look at what it says in Revelation 14 the introduction that talks about these same messengers in the line stays that's gonna be preaching the message I wonder how the Bible describes them the Bible says in Revelation 14 verse 1 and I looked and lo a lamb stood on the Mount Zion and with him how many a hundred and forty and four thousand now where do we read that we just read that in Revelation 7 so in other words in Revelation 14 we're reading about the same group is that right so is it God's plan that those who are giving the herald of those three angels messages is it God's plan that they would be counted amongst the group that is sealed yes now Saints we arrive at a very important point in our study we now have identified the two class of worshipers the two class of worshipers the Cain and Abel light worshipers one group in the last days is going to receive the mark of the beast and they are synonymous with who came the other group is going to receive the seal of the Living God and they are likened to Abel now we want to be part of the Abel group and not the Cain group is that right now here's my question is wanting enough my father used to say now my father didn't have an understanding of the Bible but I remember growing up you know I tell dad you know I go into a toy store I used to love toy cars and I remember I'll go into a toy store and I would say dad I see that toys toy car with it dad can I have that toy car I want that toy car so bad I want that car dad please you know my father used to say to me you say Duane people in Hell want ice water but that doesn't mean they're gonna get it thanks to me the way my father would respond to me now even though Thea logically that's incorrect we know people are not burning in hell in ice water wouldn't help many out but but what's really the point the point my father was trying to say is just because you want something does not mean you're gonna get it you understand that now brothers and sisters you know why that's important to me one day I was reading a little book called steps to Christ and when I was reading steps of Christ I was reading a chapter called consecration and all that chapter specifically page 47 there was a statement that was made where loi says that not everyone will how does he put it I want to I want to make sure I give you the words right seal wanting yes while hoping and desire to be Christians she says it she says many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians I wanted to make sure I represent the quote right think about that many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians now brothers and sisters hope and desire and wanting is a good start it's just a bad finish you don't want to stay stuck wanting something you don't want to stay stuck hoping one day you get something you want to get to a point that she like she says in the rest of the verse she says many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians she says they do not choose to be Christians Christianity is a choice but guess what receiving the seal of God is also based on some choices so we can want the seal of God all we want we can want to be part of the able group all we want the question is what does it take what does it take to be part of those who receive the seal of the Living God and that's my question to you somebody were to ask you listen I want to be part of the group that's like able I want to be part of the group that makes it I want to be part of the group that receives the seal pathfinders what answer would you give them since you've been so well-trained in the Bible what answer would we give them pathfinders ten-hut pay attention I'm asking a question all questions are desired to receive answers if somebody came to you in other words Saints listen to what I'm saying I don't say it to expose anyone but I say to make a point if we know more how to do specific mark shifts if we know more about how to wear the right badges and uniforms and if we know more even how to beat the right bid rhythms or what have you on drums and all of these other things but if we don't know the Word of God something's wrong something's wrong you understand Saints that's all I'm saying I just want to make it clear listen Saints I'm not here to just Pat everybody on the back I'm here to give you the words of God to prepare people to stand true to him above and beyond anything else all pathfinders and all individuals in God's church must understand the Word of God and we must understand it to the point that we can point people to the Lamb of God that takes away that sin of the world and know how to stand true to God during the investigative judgment I'm serious Saints you know what the Bible says that needs to take place in order for us to receive the seal of the Living God now there may be some here who are thinking this so I'm going to show you something real quick but um that's not gonna be my focus I just want to show to you because it is a point of study go to the Book of Ezekiel chapter 9 let's go there very quickly I'm just gonna show this this is not the focus of my study how many of you have ever heard of an organization of believers called Shepherds rod you ever heard of them I come from the West Indian church and you know if there's anybody who knows Shepherds rod it is our West Indian seventh-day adventists you know we've been exposed to these groups of people now scheppers rod love to use Ezekiel 9 they love to talk about how they believe that they are going to be the slaughtering weapons of God to destroy the apostates in God's church that is the most gross apostate misinterpretation of the Bible that I have perhaps ever heard but there are people who believe these kind of strange teachings but I want to make it very clear that I am so thankful that I do not play part and parcel with such a group so be not fearful when I talk about the seal in Ezekiel 9 I'm gonna give the faithful application is that Alright amen so we're in Ezekiel the ninth chapter now the Bible says very clearly near zq9 starting at verse 1 it says he cried also in mine ears with a loud voice saying cause them that have charged over the city to draw near even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand and behold six men came from the way of the higher gate which lieth toward the north and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand and one man among them was clothed with linen with a red writers inkhorn by his side and they went in and stood beside the brazen altar and the glory of the God of the Lord the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub whereupon he was to the threshold of the house and he called to the man clothed with linen which had the writers inkhorn by a side and look carefully at these next verses verse 4 and the Lord said unto him go through the midst of the city through the midst of Jerusalem and set a one mark now that word mark in the Hebrew actually means seal okay so it says go through and at the midst of the city through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that do I that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that are done in the mists fear of so keep in mind that part of those according to Ezekiel 9s description those who receive the seal of God would be those who are doing what crying and sighing against the abominations that are done in the land so that is as far as I want to go on this now let me tell you why the reason why is not because I want to avoid it the reason why is because there's something that must happen first before you can effectively do this right there are some people that are interpreting Ezekiel 9 scheppers rod is just one group out of a hundred but there are some people that are looking at these verses and they think that they're doing God's work by the methods of how they claimed to be sighing and crying against abominable things happening in the church yay in the world at large but there are many who are 40 and messing up the Word of God and taking the scripture out of context because the first work was not done so even though it is true anybody who is going to receive the seal of the Living God will definitely be crying and sighing against all these abominations that are done both in the church and in the world no doubt but if the first work does not happen you cannot do this second work right so therefore my focus for the rest of the time that we have together is to show you the first work that needs to take place so that we can effectively do all the following words and at the end of the day receive the seal of the Living God is that all right go back to Revelation 7 in Revelation 7 the Bible spells it out so clear that you don't have to guess I said it this morning I don't mind repeating it we are told in great controversy page 598 that we have a chart points out every way mark every way mark on the heavyweight journey we don't have to guess at anything the Bible already showed us how do I get that seal look at verse 3 again please Saints what does the Bible say in revelation 7:3 it says saying hurt not the earth neither the sea nor the trees until we have sealed the the what the what the servants of our God in their foreheads according to the verse if I want the seal of God I must be a see how clear that it's nobody who refuses service will receive the seal if you and I only know service by observation then you cannot receive the seal of the Living God this is the context of ylo I could say there'll be no starless crowns in heaven that's the whole idea behind it they'll be not only any selfish people in heaven everyone who wants the seal you cannot be a spectator in the house of God you must be a participant are you following alright good now watch this one because of the fact that God has called us to be servants then that means obviously we need to get to work we need to get to some action is that right but we have a problem Kenny what the problem is Matthew chapter 7 in Matthew the seventh chapter we have a problem let me show you what the problem is in Matthew the seventh chapter when you get there please say Amen in Matthew chapter 7 the Bible shows us something this is a problem since this is a problem because somebody says you mean all I got to do is I got to serve if I serve in God's church then I'll go ahead and I can get the seal that's what some people might think that's the reason why we need to qualify the verse so we're now in matthew the seventh chapter and this look at verse 21 the Bible says in Matthew chapter 7 and verse 21 it says not everyone that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name hey that's that service you've been preaching these are preachers preachers are actually gonna say Lord I've been prophesied been preaching in your name next description it says not only that it says an in dynamic cast out devils you mean to tell me people who was instrumental and casting out demons are still going to be lost then it says in the third description it says and in by name done many wonderful works that's what servants do they work they work for their masters they did many wonderful works but what is the same verse 23 Jesus says in verse 23 and then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity looks to me like serving simply is not enough somebody says brother lemon that's not clear enough okay go to Matthew 24 in Matthew 24 notice what the Bible says I'm serious because sometimes we can think that just because we artistic wire sometimes we could make just because we preach and actually baptize people sometimes people think because we have gone and done several Bible studies and all these things some people might even say because I am a pathfinder aren't I sir doesn't that mean I'm acceptable not necessarily why what we just saw that God's gonna tell a lot of workers a lot of servants that he's gonna have to reject him but then Matthew 24 I think spells it out even clearer verse 44 Matthew 24 verse 44 the Bible says therefore ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh who then is a faithful and wise wood servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household to give them meat in due season blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing verily I say unto you that he shall make him ruler over all his goods but now we got another type of servant described verse 48 it says but and if that what kind of serve it says but if that evil servant shall say in his heart my lord delayeth his coming and shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken the Lord of that servant shall come in the day when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not aware of and shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Bible declares that there are two kinds of servants with God two kinds not one one kind of servant faithful and wise another kind of servant evil brothers and sisters listen to me we can put on clothing we can participate in activities we can do all sorts of things but if we still love the world and its music if we still love to Kirstin swear when we get mad enough and think it's funny when our friends listen to us and laugh when we can go ahead and watch violence and watch individuals kick and punch each other with blood gushing out of their faces and we think that that's cool if you and I can honestly brothers and sisters actually have Sabbath service and at sunset we can actually leave this place and go to a dark place where nobody else is and commit the acts of sexual sin if we think that we can do all these things and think that we're going to get the seal just because we know at appointed times we have shown up to serve God is gonna make it clear evil certain because you are what you love brothers and sisters you see if you love God the Bible says you'll keep his Commandments you keep his Commandments when the Sun sets you'll keep his Commandments when the Sun rises you'll keep his Commandments where there's Wednesday or you'll keep his Commandments whether it's Saturday the Sabbath when you love Jesus if we don't love Jesus and that's all I'm saying Saints listen I don't have any problem real being real with people and we need to be more real I believe in the church today many of us are a bunch of actors and actresses and the Bible says the Bible says in Matthew 23 remember Jesus says woe to you Pharisees hypocrites the word hypocrite in the Greek means actor Jesus does not like acting like that brothers and sisters and you don't have to stay stuck in that condition there is no sin that's so powerful that God does not have enough reserve in his power to deliver you from it I'm Sur because I joined the church and I participated in just about every group in the seventh-day Adventist Church except being an ordained minister and I know what it's like to hold office I know what it's like to be part of teams and groups and at the end of the day I love the world and the things of the world I know how to sing hymns in church and blast jay-z when I'm out of church I know how to do that I knew how to do that shall I say I knew what it was to be an a YS leader stand before the people and say flee fornication and I'll be the first one having premarital sex at sunset I knew what it was like to be a health and temperance leader and tell everybody get off of the flesh you need to start eating right and I'll be the first person sneaking in McDonald's looking over my shoulder to make sure nobody to make sure nobody sees me as I order my fish sandwich in other words I know what it's like to be a hypocrite brothers and sisters there is no joy in being a hypocrite there is no joy in being an actor there's no fun there's no enjoyment there's no Jesus joy in living a double life brothers and sisters Christ says you need to open your heart let me take that sin away from you and if you don't you're gonna be part of the King Group I'm just telling you straight up you're gonna be part of the King Group you're gonna end up being recognized as a servant but evil and that's not what Christ wants for you he wants you to be part of the faithful and wise and therefore so I have learned and I pray so you learn it is not enough to serve it's not even enough to serve but we have to serve as Jesus served you know why I said ask Jesus because that's how the Bible described him you see the Bible says right here it says let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross brothers and sisters I promise you if you serve as Christ serve you will be recognized as the faithful and wise servant and that's why I believe we have to zoom in on the life of Jesus as an example do you believe that in order to receive the seal of God we must serve yes amen now do we also understand that there's good servants and bad servants right so what we want to do is we don't want to be part of the bad service we want to be part of the good servants so therefore we have to look at a model of what is proper service or servanthood the model is Jesus the model is the pattern man Christ when we look at Jesus we can see a perfect example of what it is to serve is that right now here's my question to my far right give me an example of how Christ served give me an example of how Christ serve anyone here to my far right right here anybody how did Christ earth talk to me talk loud say again he did what I can't hear you okay Matthew 935 preaching teaching healing all right very good someone here in this section what did it what give me an example of Christ serving over here my people said preaching and teaching and healing what over here doing good feeding people that would I hurt feeding people all right midsection right here give me an example Christ serving what would you say say again he lay did I hear healing healing we'll take that over here to my left what give me an example of Christ serving okay he used strategy he was wise when he spoke now brothers and sisters every single one of you said the right things but do you know what there's something key that we've missed watch this what we think of Jesus serving we think of Jesus when he was there feeding the 5,000 that's normally what we think of we think of Jesus serving we think of him healing the blind the lame the dumb and the sick when we think of Jesus serving brothers and sisters we remember when he was preaching and teaching even with little children on his lap these are all the pictures that come in our minds when we think of Jesus serving but brothers and sisters before Jesus would preach and teach before Jesus would heal all the lame and sick and blind before Jesus would even feed all the thousands of people the first place and the first effort of servanthood was in his home life his home life listen to this and desire of Ages page 74 Jesus is our example can you say amen to that it says there are many who dwell with interests upon the period of his public ministry do you know that's what every single owner you just it so that means the profit is right when I say give me an example of Jesus serving we thought preaching teaching healing public ministry we thought feeding 5,000 public ministry we thought healing public ministry we thought he did it with tact and taste and all those things but we were thinking public ministry but notice what it says it says there are many who dwell with interest upon the period of his public ministry while they pass unnoticed the teaching of his early years but it is in his home life that he is the pattern for all children and youth pathfinders the day that you serve the church better than you serve your home is the day you can receive if you're not careful the disapproval of God the day that we are more on point in serving in the church serving in our communities but in our homes we give our parents hell Jesus says you're serving but you're not willing wise because Jesus says when I serve I understood nobody gets a higher respect then my mother and my father nobody gets a higher demonstration of my love than my own brothers and my own sisters you know young people have a tendency to be more kind to their friends than they are to their own siblings that's not how Jesus was with his brother James that's not how Jesus was with his siblings brothers and sisters Jesus understood the first place that I am to demonstrate the highest service of humanity is in my home I wonder if the young people can say Amen to them now watch this Jesus is the pattern not just for our youth because notice what inspiration says next the saviours early years are more than an example to the youth it says they are a lesson and should be an encouragement to every parent the circle of family and neighborhood duties is the very first field of effort for those who would work for the uplifting of their fellow men and therefore God says that there's something that I want to do through the parents that they can understand the level of service that God has called us to brothers and sisters I think about parents all the time parents come to me all the time brother lemon Oh pray for my child brother let me pray for my child brother lemon can you count to 10 you counseled with my child and I'll say ok and this is my child's wild my child's rambunctious my child hates Jesus my child my child and they tell me all these things and you know what I tell those parents I say well since you let me in your business now I'm gonna dig in your business and I'll start asking that husband and wife I'll say how's your relationship with your husband how's your relationship with your wife they say brother lemon excuse me why you asking me about my room in my marriage I'm here to talk about my child I said what you don't understand is that Adventists home page 16 tells us that to a large extent the attitude of husband and wife can affect the atmosphere in the home and she goes on to say that when husband and wife harbor difference against one another it closes by saying the children partake of the same spirit that's why I asked how's your relationship with your husband and wife because sometimes parents we are the ones that opened the door for the demons to come in and take possession of our children so Christ serving in the home is an example for the children as well as for the parents it's for everybody now brothers and sisters I'm gonna tell you something is it all right we can talk because that's all I've been doing I'm not preaching I'm just talking listen to me sings one day I was studying and I was studying volume five of the testimonies to the church and by the way I would recommend that to all of you especially since your focus is on the seal I would recommend study volume five of the testimonies to the church page 213 the chapter is called the seal of God I mean that should be things that we should make sure that we get our youth study so they can really get settled in it now when I was studying it I'm gonna show you something that I read that blew my mind I mean blew my mind because some of you right now is saying wow who would have ever thought that the seal of God is connected to how we serve in the home that's something most people don't think about now watch this sings one day I'm studying this seal subject right and God started showing me there's a connection between the seal and the hole and I'll say how so so watch this started looking at it not all solemn statement not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed so let's not think just because we show it to a building every Saturday that means we're sealed it says there are many even among those who what teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads that's solemn that means both from the pulpit to the to the Pew now watch this goes on to say they had the light of truth now these are people that don't get the seal now who don't get the seal what do we get mark of the beast think about the people who get the mark of the beast they had the light of truth they knew their masters will and they understood every point of our faith what was the problem they didn't have corresponding works so the first time I read the quote I was like okay that's simple live up to what you know in other words practice what you preach that made sense to me but then one day I'm reading that book and God says no no it's a little deeper than that son go down to the next sentence so I did notice this now what's the last thing that says it says they had not corresponding words so the reason why these individuals from the pulpit to the pew did not receive the seal of God was because they did not have works that correspondent with their professions are you following watch this what works was God talking about these who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith they should have commanded their households after them what they should have commanded their households after them that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart you mean to tell me that the behaved yes that I do in my home can actually determine whether I get the seal or not yes that's why I said this needs to be understood before we go other places right now we got people who show up in the church and we say abomination and we call everything an abomination in the church when there are abominations taking place in our homes out of order the Bible says let all things be done decently and in order how in the world can we go to people and say get your act right get these bad books and bad programs and get all these things out of the church and here it is that our own homes are just as wicked and sinful and houses of abominations we get mad at the church we say you're not doing what God says you're not doing what God says and we beat the church up real strong for that but at the same time I wonder if Jesus well he is brothers and sisters what if Jesus dealt with us the way we deal with the church when we see abominations what would happen if Christ were to look in our homes and say alright since you want to bring judgments on the church let me bring judgments to your home I submit unto you it is not that we cannot call out abominations in the church that's not my point but I believe if we can learn to do it right in the home we'll know better how to do it right in the church that's all I'm saying the problem is is that there is apostasy in our homes brothers and sisters and you and I need to deal with those apostasy before we start trying to deal with other apostasy it's all I'm saying God says we need to pay attention Saints I want you to think about this oh my we're gonna study this is it I've been waiting to get to this point I'm sure I've been waiting you see we don't understand when God made Adam and Eve in that garden that garden was more than a garden when we think of a garden today we think of a place of visitation but when you think of the Garden of Eden for and Eve it was their home it was where they worked it was where they played it was where they studied you remember they were in the garden in the cool of the day to meet with God that's where they studied with God they would go into the garden that's where they would work the soil and they would work together the reason I bring this up is because God says that his plan it was God's plan for though for the members of the family to be associated in work and study in worship and Recreation that was God's plan it says the father as priests of this household and both father and mother as teachers and companions of their children that's what God's plan was he says when I put the family together God said I wanted the family to work to study to have recreation and to worship together gossiped this is all the things that I wanted the family structure to be do you know how many families don't even know of these experiences today there are very few fathers that know how to have recreation with their children very few fathers you go to Dean I'm not talking about the homes where there is no father I'm talking about homes where there are fathers there very few fathers that know how to go outside and be a child with their children and spend time with them and then we wonder why our children get estranged they no longer want to be around dad because that makes it at least seem like he doesn't want to be around them and then next you know they go find other people that appear to what to be around them and next thing you know those other people if they under the ordination of Satan the next thing you know our children become the servants of Satan God says fathers mothers I gave you a program God said it was my plan to teach the families to commune together to press together God says that's what I was trying to teach but today we don't do these things and as a result of that the home suffers I mean think about it God made a call to all husbands God made a call to all husbands what was that call the Bible you know it the Bible says husband's love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and did what gave himself word brothers and sisters when you want to understand love love is understood by what God gave and that's why the cross of Calvary is to the child of God even in the time of the most holy place the more that we understand the cross of Calvary the more we understand what love is and the Bible says that husbands love your wives as Christ also loved the church and brothers and sisters we have to confess that many of us as husbands we have not loved our wives as Christ loved the church we have been more busy trying to get paid and make money so we can go ahead and pay a mortgage then we have understanding that we need to invest time in our precious Brides from our sides we think that's simply providing all these other things I mean think about it go to first Timothy chapter 5 and verse 8 I'm going to show you another way to look at a powerful text in 1st Timothy chapter 5 and verse 8 notice what the Bible says when I think about the alarming level of adultery that has taken place and is taking place in the house of God brothers and I might've heard me say the house of God didn't you I'm not talking about outside I am not talking about outside the Bible says in 1st Timothy chapter 5 and verse 8 if you dare say Amen the Bible says but if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel now some people can read that verse and say I need to be a provider for my home meaning I got a hustle take two three four jobs have five businesses whatever it takes so I could earn enough money to keep a roof over our houses and there are many husbands that work like that and many of their wives ended up leaving them to go under another man's roof why because there was a higher provision that needed to be supplied when the Bible talks about providing not for their own it is not limited to finances the brides need to know that they love that they are cherished that they are adored and that we love them and brothers and sisters I understand pressure we understand pressure this world is not our home and there's a lot of pressures that this world can put on us but that's what we have to learn how to trust Jesus we have to not allow the pressure to beat us down so hard that it results in a of the one that we have pledged to love to have and to hold till death do us part and it is because these provisions are not being made today that that's why we see many a homes that are breaking up and we're finding all this adultery and estrangement and divorce and all these other things and if we as husbands could remember the word husband means house band binding the house together in the love of Christ binding the house together in nurturing and building up and strengthening brothers and sisters we can see a lot of revivals take place in our homes but the council is not just a husband because there's also a council two wives we know that the Bible also tells us wives love your husband's because you remember what the Bible says therefore as the church is what subject unto Christ so let the wives be to their own husband's in how many things and everything now listen I understand if a man is being a caveman if he's being a brute if he's being an animal then certainly a wife is not to submit unto animalistic behavior that is not what God is advocating but there are times where a husband and wife may have disagreements but that husband if he has demonstrated that he's a man of God if he has demonstrated that the decisions that he's making is based on the word and the will of God if that husband is demonstrating that his life is surrendered to Jesus Christ and he says I believe the Lord is saying this is the direction we need to go it is the wives biblical responsibility to subject herself and to say not my will we're gonna do what you say now this hard you know why that's hard because we live in a women's lib age we have never seen the exercise of women's right even in the seventh-day Adventist Church like we see today sisters want to do everything equal to the man and sometimes it's not about right sometimes it's about what's right you didn't catch that it's not always about exercising our rights you and I should would do well to read first Corinthians the eighth chapter Paul talks about the surrendering of rights for the furtherance of the gospel we've seen some serious mess take place in the church because right now there's agitations involving women where they want to exercise their rights regardless of what God has said and the order and structure that God has given and therefore that poison that mindset has crept in amongst the 2013 sisters to the point that one time there was a sister you know sometimes you know I remember one time I saw a woman disrespecting her husband right to his face I saw now wait a minute I'm not her husband but why am i seeing a woman disrespect their husband in other words sisters sometimes can think that they can just snap off and say everything they want and do the head thing you know think that they could just come off and say what they want and it's interesting it's interesting because all Satan is trying to do is he's trying to pimp play and puppeteer our sisters I want you to think about this there was an instance there was an instance in the days of Ellen White where Ellen White saw sister who was speaking disrespectfully to her husband now some of us might accept this as Ellen White's writings but there's some of us who are a little bit more studious and understand these statements as the testimony of Jesus I accept this not as Ellen White's writings I accept this as the testimony of Jesus marry this Illinois right into the system Mary I wish and all sisterly and motherly kindness to kindly warn you upon another point I have often noticed before others a manner you have and speaking to John in rather a what dictating matter John you need to do this John you do that very very dictating telling him what to do now watch this she says you were speaking to John in a rather dictating manner the tone of your voice sounding impatient a woman who was talking to a husband and she's talking with a dictating manner and sounding impatient to her husband this one says she said marry others notice this and have spoken of it to me it hurts your influence now watch this it gets deeper than this see she saw it she's his sister you're trying to profess Christ but your influence is being affected because you're disrespecting your husband you're disrespecting him now the Bible tells us that Abigail had a husband by the name of Mabel and the Bible says that navel was a son of Satan that's what that came out of a Begay of mouth when she came to David she said he's a son of Belial but you never once find Abigail disrespecting him she was a smart woman more importantly she was a godly woman sometimes we keep thinking that another person's behavior becomes a license for us to let loose the demons in our hearts we have to understand that we have to ask God Lord take away that demon so that even if my husband acts like a demon I will not render evil for evil but how much the more when the husband is not a demon how much the more when the husband is sincerely and honestly seeking to honor God and do his will but we just can't help but who we are as sisters and we just got this snappy attitude we blame blackness and all these other things and say that's just who I am that's ridiculous brothers and sisters the Bible says he must be born again there's no blackness there's no culture there's none of that foolishness that gives us a license to be disrespectful to your husband don't buy into these worldly reasonings worldly excuses you cannot only have a bad home you can miss the seal of God notice what she says next after she made this point right here she says it hurts your influence look at what she said next she says we women must remember that God has placed a subject to the husband she says he is the head and our judge whoa this is a hot only those who are converted can accept this I'm serious only those who are converted can accept this I'm serious look at this watch this we women must remember that God has placed a subject to the husband he is the head watch this point and our judgment and views and reasonings must agree with his look what it says if possible now I sit in other words I'm blanking a screen oh I'm not gonna read it you are not gonna read it I want you to listen to what I'm saying listen to what I'm saying the servant of God how did the anointing of the Spirit of God speaks to the wife it says we have to remember we are to be subject to our husbands he is the head of the household and then our judgments and our views must agree with his if possible but the question is it because some somebody some some people run to that if possible so if it's not possible I'm not agreeing no no no no no that means you're reading into the quote watch the quote so Weiss's let's say it was not possible let's say it's not possible to agree you say honey I think we should move here the husband says no we need to move here you can't agree if possible great but if you can't watch this what happens if you can't agree now let's finish the quote it says must agree with his if possible if not the preference in God's Word is given to the husband where it is not a matter of conscience we must yield to the head only a converted woman can appreciate that quote Saints why am I saying this did you hear my prayer did you hear my prayer before we started this study I knew I said father I know there's broken homes do you know how many broken Adventist homes there do you know how many broken Adventist homes sometimes I started feeling like lord I have to go and get some counseling classes or something because everywhere I go all throughout this planet I run into families that are constantly breaking up constit husband and wives I said that's it we don't want anymore we're tired but they're just tired of fighting and it breaks my heart to see that in the remnant band and I'm gonna be honest with you Saints I believe our broken homes have emboldened the homosexual community I'm serious I believe that gay marriage is completely out of harmony with the Bible and as Christians we cannot support such abominations we can't but that's what the Bible calls it but listen to me but it's hard when all we have are words with no example so we can tell people God says husband and wife is the design and the homosexual community saying will I've been looking at all the heterosexuals and you guys are doing a horrible job your homes are broken up your homes are messed up your homes of this that the other so therefore we just figured we're gonna be emboldened and now we're gonna give a shot to show you an example of what a loving home is and I honestly believe that many of our broken homes in the church especially has emboldened the homosexual community for all this stuff that's going on all around our world we can show them Bible and spirit of prophecy we can show that everything to show them this stuff is wrong God will never endorse gay marriage but the problem is Saints they say well talk is cheap this saying let me find one Adventist home that's well ordered surely one Adventist home so wouldn't it be more powerful if our homes were well ordered and then we gave the message wouldn't it be more powerful that's the point God is trying to make but it can't happen when we have husbands and wives behaving like this and now children children saints of God one of the things that's missing in our homes in one way the other is child discipline I'm Sid we get so scared because the police officers and everybody else says if you beat your child and if they call us we're gonna arrest you I'm like look come to my child come to my house that's fine I believe angels will hold you back until I'm finished but this whole idea that we have allowed the children the Saints listen to me I have seen children literally take charge of their parents and sometimes I my mouth I just I cringed because I first thing I think to myself I said boy if I did that to my parents you know I know what would have happened but how much the more would I look back at what inspiration says inspiration think about it the Bible clearly says foolishness is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of Correction shall drive it far from him that's what the Bible says that's Bible there are even 7-day Adventist ministries today that will tell you all those making children don't do these things just tell little Johnnie to go sit down in the corner or something like that and I'm not saying that we should go around beating up our children I'm gonna qualify these points in just a moment but some of us have gotten to the point that we won't do what God says and we're wondering why our children don't listen brother says do you understand that we have to train our children to listen and follow the voice of God on God's first command I'm serious we got to learn how to do that because it I have to teach my children I have four children as you clearly saw I have four children I don't want to keep saying Jared can you please do this Jared listened I just said can you please Jared let no brother whatever the child does to the human parent they're gonna do double to the Heavenly parent so if my child can only obey me after three or four callings what in the world are they gonna get what kind of time are they're gonna give Jesus when God and we're living in a time where God needs soldiers that know how to respond on command one so therefore I have to teach and love to my child to help them understand all my children to help them understand when I call you don't let me have to call you again I know how to play with my children I know how to do a lot of things but at the end of the day I'm still their father I'm not their friend you understand I could be friendly but I'm not their friend I'm their father you understand things so these are things that we learn in the books child guidance in Adventist home these are the things we have been privileged to have in our libraries that we can study them and apply them you understand now what the Bible goes on to say proverbs 23:13 withhold not correction from the child for if thou beatest him with the rod he shall not die that's the Bible that's the Bible that's the body he won't die because a lot of times people think or the child may say oh I'm gonna die if you keep doing this no you won't die you're not gonna die he shall not die watch this but also remember it also could speak in the context of second death in other words discipline helps you to learn how to live right so you shall not die the second day okay proverbs 23 14 thou shalt beat him with the rod and shall deliver his soul from hell Heelys strong verses proverbs 29:15 the rod and reproof give wisdom but a Child Left to himself bringeth his mother to shame mercy these verses need to be revived we're living in a world today where everybody got rights even children even dogs and cats everybody got rights but brothers and sisters the Bible makes it clear God has given us government over our children we have a right on how we should raise them now while the Bible advocates discipline while the Bible advocates discipline I like the word discipline because encased in it is disciple that's what we want to do we want to disciple our children rather than simply punish them I don't want my child receiving pain and then just feeling like my father hates me and the problem is that that's how many of us beat our children because we literally will spank them with anger will spank them and curse and swear while we're doing it will spank them and literally tell them all the reasons why we can't stand them and what we don't want to do you have no idea what type murder that is to a child literally think about this point from inspiration we're told whipping may be necessary when other resorts fail so the first lesson we learned is that whipping should not be the first initiative you we don't just come home and say you did what alright go upstairs that's it and we just stopped bang and we just start whipping them no brothers and sisters it says when other means fails this is not other why there's the testimony of Jesus it says whipping may be necessary when other resorts fail yet she should not use the rod if it is possible to avoid doing so so the goal is I don't want to use this I don't want to use this now watch this it says but if modern measures prove insufficient punishment that will bring the child to its senses should in love be administered frequently one such correction will be enough for a lifetime to show the child that he does not hold the lines of control I'm serious since it is an insult to God it is an insult to every parent when the parent tells the child to do something and the child can actually get away with saying no you say daughter son sit down No that child has to learn you cannot do that that child has to learn that because when they're too or when they're three or when they're one oh you know the younger ages when they do that no no no and we're all gentle mild with them and all this other stuff and we let them get away with a lot of that stuff ladies and gentlemen character is developing and it's one thing to have a two-year-old say no then have a twelve-year-old say no 13 year old no 14 year and now there's this incredible wrestling to try to get that child to just do something as simple as obey you understand notice it goes on to say and when this step becomes necessary the child should be seriously impressed with the thought that this is not done for the gratification of the parent or to indulge arbitrary Authority but for the child's own good don't ever let your child walk out of that room feeling like my father released on me my father was mad that's why it is easier I remember times I can get upset and literally if I get upset or some of that effect I will just say stay right there I need to take a walk you go walk and you calm down never beat a child out of anger because it can leave scars brothers and sisters that don't heal for years sometimes never it's as serious so while on one side the Bible says yes you need to discipline and do all these things on the other side God says never do it out of anger make it a last resort and make sure that the child will be impressed with the thought that this is not done for the gratification of the parent or to indulge arbitrary Authority but for their own good he should be taught that every fault uncorrect it will bring unhappiness to himself and will displease God under such discipline children will find their greatest happiness in submitting their wills to the will of the Heavenly Father parents we need to take a better charge of our homes sometimes we have to let our children know you are not my equal we're not gonna sit here and battle back and forth and back and forth I am the authority that's in this home and I'm doing this for your good you want to do everything possible to help them understand the disciplines that have been done are for their good for this salvation so here's the truth as we close the truth of the matter is most of our homes are not functioning as God's counsel there are disrespectful wives there are unloving husbands and they are rambunctious and uncontrolled wild children and this makes up many Adventists homes and the question is how do we fix it well in class we've learned medical missionaries we learned that when there's a problem what's the first step ascertain the cause amen ascertained the cause so therefore the broken Adventist home what's the cause and most importantly what's the cure here it is what is the cause the cause of division and discord in families and in churches is separation from Christ somebody's separated somebody is separated it says that to come near to Christ is to come near to one another the secret of true unity in the church and in the family is not diplomacy not management not a superhuman effort to overcome difficulties though there will be much of this to do but the union with Christ this is what we need somebody separated somebody has fallen short somebody turned their eyes off of Jesus and as a result of that it's manifested through our behaviors but what's the cure you see that's what I love about ascertaining causes typically the cure is in the cause if the cause for disunion in the home is separation from Christ then the cure is Union in Christ and that's why I love this quotation where she says picture a large circle from the edge of which are many lines all running to the center the nearer these lines approach the center the nearer they are to one another thus it is in the Christian life the closer we come to Christ the nearer we shall be to one another God is glorified at his people unite in harmonious action brothers and sisters if the husband realizes I'm disconnected the reason it's so easy for me to slap my wife the reason is so easy for me to speak disrespectfully to it the reason is because I don't have Christ in my heart he knows that the wife says the reason it's so easy for me to cuss my husband out the reason is so easy for me to go ahead and disrespect him and talk down to him over and over again why because she's not connected to Christ the easiest ways for the child to understand the reason I don't listen to my parents the reason why I just do what I want to do why because I'm disconnected from Christ but what would happen if one day the husband says I need to get connected the husband says you know what I need to lay off my wife and I need to get to know Jesus for real I need him to become real to me very practical to me and what will happen is the husband he's now pursuing Christ the wife says you know what I need to get with Jesus I need to get to know him he needs to become real to me the wife starts pursuing Christ the child same thing the child says I need to get to know Jesus I need to connect with him so I could become the kind of child so all members of the family are going towards Christ what's gonna happen they can't help but to meet one another in the process and that's the illustration that God leaves us with and that's the illustration I leave you with is that God is saying listen the more that we can recognize Jesus I don't love you I don't even know you I go to church I play part in all sorts of activities and all that stuff but at the end of the day I don't know you and soon and very soon if I stay this way you're gonna have to say to me I never knew you and you realize it look I'm dominated by the spirit I can't help it I try to be nice and I find myself still being mean and disrespectful I try to listen I still find myself being rebellious if you're stuck in that phase and if you're harboring bitterness and anger and resentment I remember I did this study with an elder at my church and when I did this study the elder said to me he said brother let me my home is a mess he says everything you shared is right he says that's my home he said what can I do I said you know what you can do I said you can only do one thing and you know what it is that I told him to do and I tell you to do if you're in that situation go to Ephesians 5 our last text in Ephesians the fifth chapter God gives us the answer so clear that we don't have to guess it Bible says in Ephesians the fifth chapter what can we do our homes are messed up we see all the problems what can we do the Bible gives us an answer right there in Ephesians 5 and verse 16 and the Bible says in Ephesians 5 and verse 16 it says redeeming the time because the days are evil I said elder you can't rewind time but you can redeem time you can't go back in time and start it all over again brothers and sisters I wish I could I found I found out these things on the back end myself know this before I got married I found these principles out in marriage but what I'm telling you is is that we can't rewind time but we can redeem time to redeem time as I say from this day forward from this day forward by the grace of God what I know to do right I will trust in the power of God's Spirit to enable me to do right so I told that elder that and he said brother lemon he says my children are grown now I've neglected them but they grow now they moved out there on their own I said God will give you wisdom he left and the following week he came to me and he said brother lemon he came smiling he was like brother man brother let me guess what and I said what's that he says you won't believe it I said what happened he says I called my children he said the first thing that I did is he said I apologize to them I said is that right he says I did wrong the Bible teaches if you do wrong apologize the Bible does not say if your father hold on to your pride and don't apologize he says no we had to apology he said I apologize to my children I told my said dad hasn't been much to you as I should have been and so on but he says but you know what I want to meet with you this week and he met with his children and they all went fishing together they didn't eat the fish but they went fishing together and he went fishing together and they spent hours on the water in the boat just fishing and talking and a reconnection took place between himself and his children and he came just bubbled over he said brother lemon God has given me a brand new chance to in my children back to my heart and what I'm saying to you is there may be some of us in here the same brother lemon this is a great sermon but too late my children have grown too late my wife left me too late my husband he is so mad he has already signed the divorce papers it's too late brother linen no it's not nothing's too late the Bible says redeeming the time because the days are evil and if you go ahead and listen to that voice of Jesus and follow his counsels in his word God can get our homes right Saints and as the Lord helps get our homes right then we can get the churches right and then when we get the churches right then we could finish the work in this generation and therefore I leave you with that beautiful picture where a family can come together in love unity happiness Christian joy why because with Jesus in the center with Jesus in the family happy happy home and so today if you're saying you know Lord I want that happy happy home maybe my home is not very happy right now and you know what this is a this is an appeal that is of such a nature that I don't want you to stand because this is private I know that there are broken homes in this house in this congregation today I know that there are broken severed homes I know that there are people who perhaps are at the brink of divorce but does God have a solution you know God's plan was there every home today would be a little heaven on earth do you know there are very few people that have that experiment you to ask yourself a question in your mind when I go home honestly Saints husbands wives children I want you to think about this and don't be settled until one day you can say yes think about this when you go home I want you to ask yourself the question when I go to my house does it remind me of heaven that's only a question you can answer God's will is that every home was supposed to be a heaven on earth we sing when we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be God says you can have a taste of it right now that was his desire and once you identify when I go home nope it does not work I'm in heaven if it's more the picture of what I understand hell to be if that's the understanding you have then what you do is you identify those points that make it hell like and start looking at the promises from God's Word start looking at everything that God has said about that hell like point and plead with God show me from your word and help me to cooperate with you under the power of your spirit to make this hell like point become a heaven light point and you will find that God will do it according to your faith be it unto you and so as we close I am NOT gonna ask you to stand because I believe there's many broken and challenged homes here there are some children in here you need to go to your parents and you need to apologize for making their lives a living hell and I'm serious I am dead serious things there are some children in here you know that you have been giving your parents a hard time and these are parents who are trying to raise you up in the fear and admonition of the Lord to guide you so you can be one of the last day John the Baptist to finish this word and you've been giving your parents hell there's some children in here that need to go to their mothers and fathers and say mom and dad please I'm sorry please forgive me and pray with me and pray for me that I will serve like Jesus served in the home I always thought about this Jesus served in the home for 30 years and it only took him three and a half years to finish the work you ever thought about that he served in his home for thirty he did not go outside of that home and do his public ministry until he was thirty according to rabbinical law and it only took him three and a half years to finish his work on Jesus has entered the most holy place since 1844 and he did not wanted to take over a hundred and sixty-nine years to finish the work could it be that we've been working out of order could it be that all of our conferences and church meeting would focus so much on reaching out side the home that we have become neglectful to our homes and we have not been working in the matter of Christ therefore Saints if you know children you need to call your parents you got some things you need to make right and by the way every single one of us is a child in this room of somebody and if you're a parent is alive you know both of my parents are dead both of my parents are dead but you know what's beautiful my heart is clean between my mother and my father I was able to go to mom and say mom I'm so sorry for every time I gave you a hard time dad I am so so and I asked both of them can you forgive me and then God allowed me to witness to them and they both died under the third angels message brothers and sisters what I'm telling you is don't start talking to dead bodies don't wait until the body is cold and stiff in a casket and then plead all the apologies if your parents still have breath in them you go ahead and you let them know listen mom and dad I'm sorry and you will find that God will bless you husbands and wives please make an effort look each other in the eyes realize where things are going wrong and plead with God to show you how to get it right and God will show you God will show you amen so therefore because I believe our lives in harmony with this appeal I'm not gonna ask you to stand but you know what's in your heart you know what you need to confess to God and eventually to others so I'm just gonna invite us as much as we're able to let us kneel in prayer and let us close out by taking a moment of silent prayer and then I will close from upfront as we can continue throughout our day we kneel because we realize your greatness in this room we have truly made a mess of our own lives we have allowed a mess to come in our own homes father there's much redeeming of time that needs to take place because time is almost finished soon and very soon we're gonna see a Sunday law passed in America and it's gonna come to the rest of this world including Canada hello we don't want to wait until this crisis before we start getting things right we cannot faithfully serve in the church or in the community until we first learn to serve in the home forgive us Lord for the way that we have allowed things to just take control control and in charge of our minds forgive us for the way we have given up on husbands and wives and children and have just left them to be buffeted by Satan lord I pray teach us how to pray like Jesus prayed teach us how to intercessors Christ into cysts I know there's many broken homes here I know there's even some who have unbelieving spouses I'm so thankful for that chapter in Adventist home of how to deal with unbelieving spouses you've given us every counsel for every circumstance and child of life Lord teach us how to come to thee where there is healing we're this victory I pray that you will bless every single one of my brothers and sisters under the sound of my voice may your spirit impress hearts to go back to those whom they have hurt they have insulted and I pray dear God that you show us how to make peace Lord when that peace is made please father allow another glimpse of heaven to enter our homes turn the homes that resemble hell and show us how it can resemble heaven and may we experience heaven on earth as we prepare for the heaven and earth made new I thank you that you've heard this prayer I thank you so much for each and every one of my brothers and sisters and thank you for the truth that makes people free may the son who sets us free may we truly be free indeed in Jesus name amen

Channel: Downsview Seventh-day Adventist Church

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Length: 93min 57sec (5637 seconds)

Published: Fri Dec 06 2013