Hope Sabbath School: Lesson 10 - The Role of Stewardship (1st. Qtr. 2018)

[Music] [Applause] welcome to Hope Sabbath school an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God we're in the middle of an amazing series of studies on stewardship today the role of stewardship we are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God amazing privilege and blessing I know you'll be blessed as we study together today and to our team what a great series this has been very practical and very inspiring and we're glad that we can study what does it mean to be a steward of the mysteries of God amazing privilege as you're with us today we know that you'll be blessed as well and we're always happy to hear from you I hope Sabbath school members around the world here are just a few emails we've received from some of you happy manna from Rwanda Thanks for writing I had to say that slowly the capital city of Kigali he writes I like hope Sabbath school and I always download the weekly study it helps me so much and I share it with other church members yeah that's what we're about may God bless you I hope to see you one day together with our Lord Jesus we hope to see you to their hobby mana Andre we're glad you've part of our hope Sabbath school family there in Rwanda have we ever had a letter from Cape Verde also called Cabo Verde depending on the language Luis writes he said I just want to say it's been a blessing does anybody know where Cabo Verde is yes it's off the coast of West Africa so Luis writes Portuguese right settlement what a blessing since I found out about Hope Sabbath school it gives me a great preparation to share in my Bible study class keep up the blessed work amen Louise thanks for writing to us and again I'm so encouraged that we're not just learning but sharing what we're learning David writes from Chiapas in Mexico I want to thank Hope Sabbath school the classes are very interesting and it helps me teach in my local church while we're hearing it one after another I hope God blesses this ministry people need to know about the love of Jesus we would agree with that I enjoy studying the Holy Bible and the same time learning English well David thanks for writing to us and it's such encouragement to hear that you're sharing what you're learning with others here's a note from a donor who just said writes I am praying for the Mission of Hope Sabbath school I enjoy the program I'm 93 years young I like that sometimes I cannot get to my church well I'm just thankful and you know your name thank you for your support for hope Sabbath school and for Hope Channel it's a lifeline to many not only those who can't get to church but those who don't even know about church yet right you can hear the truth about a God who loves them thank you each one of you for your support one last note from Sarah in Fiji and several writes and I know you're thinking we'd love to go and visit you there right greetings to all from Fiji I began watching hope service school recently and I found it inspiring turning my life towards the words of God keep on sharing the powerful words best wishes Sarah well whether you're from Fiji or from Rwanda or from Mexico wherever you are we're glad you're part of our hope service school family in fact we'd like to invite you to write to us SS hope at hope TV org if you've written before tell us how God's blessing your life as you're sharing what you're learning with other people and thank you for your support and your prayers for this global evangelistic ministry but right now we're gonna sing a song it's three thousand years old but it's the theme song for this series I will praise you O Lord with my whole heart I will tell of all your marvelous works taken from Psalm nine verses 1 and 2 let's sing it together [Music] I will tell all your marvelous works I will be glad and rejoice in you I will sing praise to your name almost I [Music] rejoice I will see praise to you almost you know I can imagine that we will sing that song when we get to the kingdom of God but I don't know we're gonna be crying or laughing or both when we stand before the throne and say I I just want to praise you man Lord with my whole heart and maybe throughout attorney we will be sharing oh his marvelous works we will have a testimony of the goodness of God and in our study today as we talk about stewardship not just in terms of our finances but to be servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God what an incredible privilege let's pray the Holy Spirit guides us we invite you to join with us in prayer as we ask God to bless this study in supernatural ways father in heaven as we think about being blessed with many gifts the greatest gift is the truth about you we are stewards of the mysteries of God and I pray by your Holy Spirit you'd bless each hope Sabbath school member as we study today may our lives be grateful overflowing with joyful Thanksgiving and may we find wisdom and courage to share with others the blessings that you have shared with us in the name of Jesus we pray amen like to start with one text in 1st Corinthians 4 verse 1 it speaks about our work as faithful stewards not just with our finances Stephanie would you read that for us sure 1st Corinthians 4 and verse 1 and I'll be reading from the King James Version let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God ministers of Christ anyone have another translation besides ministers service because you might think ministers that's just a few people how many of us are servants of Christ we all are and we're stewards of the mysteries of God let's talk in our study about what some of those mysteries are so let's start in Colossians chapter 1 verses 16 through 18 Tricia Lee if you take us there the first mystery is the truth about who Jesus Christ is that's one of the mysteries of God that we're stewards of I'll be reading from the New King James Version for by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth visible and invisible whether Thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created through him and for him and he is before all things and in him all things consist and he is the head of the body the church who is the beginning the firstborn from the dead that in all things he may have the preeminence so who's that talking about who is the he that's right if you go back it's the kingdom of the son of his love it's talking about Jesus so Jesus is more than just a great teacher he's more than just a social reformer he's God yeah he is the full revelation of God he's the creator and in him all things consist that's not just one verse in the Bible let's look in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 19 through 22 we're talking about being stewards of the mysteries of God nichole Ephesians chapter 2 verses 19 to 22 the New International Version says consequently you are no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief Cornerstone in him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord and in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit amazing what an incredible privilege and so Christ is described here as the give me that another in other words he's our he's our foundation that's right he's the Creator he's the head he's the foundation he's like there's a text he's both the Alpha and the the beginning and yeah he's all of the above right the first and so that's a message that that we have to share with the world were stewards of the mysteries of God the importance of Christ and keeping him then at the very center so how do we do that well let's look at a few texts that describe that to us at least from the Apostle Paul's perspective because he's the one who's been sharing these texts Galatians 2 and verse 20 and Philippians 1 and verse 21 Galatians 2 glados verse 20 what is the Apostle Paul's sake I'll be reading from the New Living Translation collation 2 verse 20 my old self has been crucified with Christ it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me so now I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me beautiful so what would Paul say if you'd say Paul this is one of the mysteries who Christ is and he needs to be the very center of our lives how would Paul answer how do you keep Christ at the very center what would Paul say how does he do it Nicolle where he'd get rid of himself and he looks to Christ first what does it really mean I mean he obviously isn't hurting himself or what does it mean I have to die and Christ needs to live in me well has to be we have to get rid of the need for satisfying self and work first and satisfying Christ who will then through us satisfy the things that we really need okay anybody want to add to that yes Jason it means allowing God to come into you and work his will through you in a very practical sense so that you are a blessing to those you come in contact with it can happen through prayer through studying his word it can even happen through singing scripture songs it's about a daily connection with Christ and there's one word I'm thinking of that we need we need its surrender isn't it it's but it's not a surrender like some big bully comes around it's a loving creator God Savior who comes and we say God I surrendered to you today daily right daily Nancy also when I was studying this I had the idea came to me that it's sort of like when we charge our phone we connected to the power source if we don't connect it to the power source it's gonna die we have to be connected and you know some people might say that's kind of North American no they have those phones everywhere right without without plugging to the power source it will eventually get depleted mm-hmm and then it will just stop functioning right Philippians 1 verse 21 the same author Travis do you have that olympians 1:21 what is the Apostle Paul say there Philippians 1:21 and I'll be reading from the New King James Version for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain I'm talking about physical death could be because the next thing you know is he's gonna see Jesus right the légion talked about the Resurrection next thing he'll see Jesus but it could also mean Nicole he's dying to self he's not allowing himself to make decisions yeah I'm surrendering yeah right for me to live is Christ yes Julie what comes to mind is this famous saying let go and let God and oftentimes we feel like we have a lot when we hold on to things but when we let go of the things that we're holding on to were able to open up our arms to really receive Christ and his fullness and that is gain so we're talking about being stewards of the mysteries of God and we tell a person if you want to really experience life in its fullness you've got a surrender you know like what that takes some explanation right but think about your own journey when did you come to the place when you said it's got to be a surrender of my life holy to Christ that's that's that's really the way to find life in its fullness mark a time in your life when you said yes that I remember that time some of us may have grown up just knowing about Jesus so whole lives but I think we also have to own it for ourselves no Tricia Lee it feels like it keeps happening okay I think Paul said we ought to do it daily talk to me but I think daily would be wonderful but I feel like sometimes there are some stretches but I think that we all have different seasons or times in our life we're experiencing different things that might be new and you realize the different things that you were that were helping to be successful before you need to really ask for more grace from God now in a different phase of your life different time of your life different season of your life and so the things that I were surrendering as a person in high school are not the things I was surrendering in college are not the things I was surrendering as a young adult are not the things I'm surrendering as a single person and so it's just like every stage and every step there's more than I'm learning and I'm being called to every day and just that every season point just stop and give it to God keep Christ at the very center anybody else want to share traveling with Gladys earlier that the closer we get to Christ the more we see our imperfections and the more things we realize we need to surrender and so it's a daily hourly commitment as we you know as we sit to realize that the glory the amazing grace of Jesus the closer we get to me realize I Rian's I have to start in order for us to to become like him we got to start surrendering so what is the best way we're talking about being stewards of the mysteries of God and one of the mysteries of God is the truth about who Jesus Christ is right yes he he is the word who became flesh the creator and the Redeemer he's also our great high priest and soon coming King and and he not only deserves to be at the center we need him at the center of our lives what's the best way Stephanie to share that mystery with someone else I think our life a testimony and that means that I have to be connected because I can't share something that I don't have right it's got to be real to me because people can tell when it's not real right they can tell so and they can probably even see it if they don't know what it is yet right they could come what is that right yeah what is that GLaDOS I think that like Stephanie said it has to be something personal hmm sometimes for us things start going wrong and we don't know why but when we surrender God can enlighten us and we can see that that is something that will help somebody else sometimes we go through our struggle and we don't understand why but later on God will lead somebody to us so we can share what we have learned and that can be the best gospel message that they can hear now there's something else that we want to move to after your comment Jonathan I'll give you a give a moment and that is there's another mystery that we have in not only the that Jesus was in fact God in the flesh creator Redeemer but that he's doing something right now we'll come to that right after your coming yeah I just think sometimes the best way to maybe let other people know is to be maybe open and honest in a way about with our own struggles with her so that we're real so that we don't come across this okay we're perfect whatever so if people can see the real struggle then they can see the oh Christ is powerful in my life as well he can be in my life as well because I'm not perfect either and so connecting in a with a real person in kind of a transparent way yeah okay Tricia Lee kind of alluded to that when you said ideally every day but some days there is sometimes there are stretches right when I may forget yeah Travis there's a verse in Revelation that those long legs exactly what Stephanie said it says that they were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony in Revelation yes revelation 12 verse 11 right yeah they loved not their lives even unto death so that that comes back to that keyword surrender right surrender it doesn't make sense that in surrendering you win does it that's counter culture but when you surrender to a loving God a man who's your creator and Redeemer and now we're gonna discover he's actually doing something right now for us so let's go to 1st John 2 verse 1 and then to Hebrews 4 verses 14 through 16 because another mystery of God that we are stewards of is the truth about what Jesus is doing by the way where do we find all of these mysteries they're all in the Word of God guided by the Spirit of Truth we discover these mysteries so we're in 1st John chapter 2 Jonathan would you read verse 1 for us yes are we reading from the New International Version my dear children I write this to you so that you will not sin but if anybody does sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous one okay so God's ideal for us would be not the sin that we never separate ourselves from his will we don't never sin but he says if that happens and in the earlier chapter he says if you say it's never happened you're a liar here is all of sinned right right and so we should if you remember verse 9 confess our sins and he will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness now he comes he says if we stumble pray you don't but if you do we have an advocate someone on our side wearing and having happen in heaven a great high priest who is it Jesus Jesus now Travis I want you go to Hebrews because you you called out one of the descriptions of Jesus that some people may not know you said our great high priest what we think of him as our great Savior you know he's going to be the great judge old judgment is given to the son scripture says but what does it say in Hebrews chapter 4 verses 14 through 16 Hebrews chapter 4 4 14 14 through 16 I'll be reading from the New King James Version seeing then that we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our confession for we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness but was all points tempted as we are yet without sin and more and verse 16 let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of amen so how do we come boldly Jason to the throne of grace how do we do that in real terms you say Jesus is up there if it was during the Ministry of Jesus you know can you think of some people who came boldly to Jesus during his ministry yeah give me give me a name of someone Nicodemus how about the leper who fell at his feet and said what Lord if you're willing yes you can make me clean the syrophoenician woman who came begging for her daughter how do we do that now Jason I definitely think quickly once or bland Bartimaeus who yelled Jesus son of David have mercy on me and so coming boldly doesn't necessarily mean that we have to be haughty but it comes a sense of sure assurance or confidence we know we trust in him and we have we we have faith that he can and has and will make us whole and how do we do that all the coochies ins how do we do this Stephanie we can come boldly it says because of our high priest right but how do we do that and it go right that's right just some people may not know you say really talk to God well you know it's an amazing thought during during the Ministry of Jesus there was a time Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and he said Simon Satan has sought to sift you like wheat but I have prayed you yeah Wow Lucas Matty to 31 and 32 I have prayed for you so did he stop praying no when he ascended to heaven let's look in Romans chapter 8 verses 31 to 34 Nancy maybe you would read that for us Romans 8 verses 31 to 34 this is an amazing thought that we have someone in the heavenly courts who is ministry he's our advocate remember that word yeah what does it say this is from the New King James Version what then shall we say to these things if God is for us who can be against us he who did not spare his own son but delivered him up for us all shall he not with him also freely give us all things who shall bring a charge against God's elect it is God who justifies who is he who condemns it is Christ who died and furthermore is also risen who was even at the right hand of God who also makes intercession for us isn't that amazing I don't know if you've heard that before I just want to use my favorite Hebrew words he's making intercession for us that's like he prayed for Peter so so I have a personal question for you what do you think he's praying for in terms of your life today what's his intercession for you what do you think would it be for different for each one of us we think or yes do you think so the same goal okay the same goal which would be which would be our salvation rej salvation but each one of us is going through something different yeah all right anybody what do you think he's praying for for you Joshua today the word that comes to mind is overcome when I read this verse in Revelation is it so powerful it says to he who overcomes I will give the crown of life or he who is faithful and so death will receive a crown of life you're quoting from revelation two and three in the seven churches right yes and that word overcome it's like we have a choice you know it's like if you genuinely want to overcome anything if that is your true desire that's strictly between you and God like the I feel like the enemy is no longer relevant in that once you decide that hey God you are the path that I want you are the one that I need like after that nothing can really stop here and so in God yeah with God and it's so important to realize that I know we shared this clearly onhub service cool we're not talking about overcoming so we can be saved right rice is already ready that's right but he wants us to experience victory Yeah right he doesn't want us to be overcome by the enemy but to be overcomers yes and Nicole I think he's praying for me to be totally surrendered to him Ashley said earlier about their days where you have your good days in your bad days and I think that he wants me just in general 24/7 to be surrendered and not believe tomorrow I can do it and then next day s surrenders was just a complete and total surrender every day okay B because he wants to be in charge no cuz he wants me to say one thing because he loves us he wants what's best several hands raised yes Travis in in John chapter 17 21 and 22 it says Jesus actually prays for us would you would you read that for us give us a moment to find it John chapter 17 yep verses 21 and 22 okay just a moment John 17 actually 20 verse 22 22 22 22 okay this is that great prayer in fact it is called the great high priestly prayer praying for us there before his crucifixion but he keeps praying for me would you read that verses 20 through 22 of John 17 I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe in me through their word and that they all may be one as you Father are in me and I in you that they also may be one in us and that the world may believe that you sent me and the glory which you gave me I have given them that they may be one just as we are one Wow by the way it just impressed me it's not simply talking about being one as a group like of one mind but being one mind being one with them that's right you read it as we are one they would be one in us so it's a unity in Christ right that's the ideal so here's this amazing idea that Jesus is praying for us anyone else one last what's he praying Michael well what would I appreciate from from these were is that it gives me it gives me power in knowing that Jesus is there for me or is inter interceding on my behalf and so then I can walk boldly as as we just read and and come to him even if I if I struggle or if I stumble you know I we have a House of Prayer at my home on Wednesday nights and one of the songs we sing it mean so much to me it says he knows my name he knows my every thought he sees each tear that falls and he hears me when I call I love that because I think many people don't understand how personal our Savior is and he's not dead he's alive and he's praying for us he's interceding he's he's our advocate that that's another mystery of God to use the language of 1st Corinthians 4:1 we are stewards of those mysteries how many people do you know that need to know that there's a God who who knows him by name and he's praying for you yes oh wow yes Nancy have to share something so in the morning when I'm just getting up God speaks to me little gives me assurances and messages and one morning I I woke up and this song came into my head that I hadn't heard in years it's a Spanish song that was translated from the English hymnal that was one of my grandmother's favorite hymns I just came to you mind waking up why am I thinking of this song we will want to know what which means God will take care of you oh yes be not dismayed yes what every tired right right God will take care of this right I don't know the words in English I just don't I don't know what God will take care of it that's right but then what happened is I just kept thinking of the song and then later that morning I put on hope channel and I put on Dwight Nelson was preaching at pioneer Memorial Church the sermon that he has a mid day and then he was preaching I forget about the widow that Elijah came to anyway and then he says you've heard that song God will take care of you the same that you woke up I woke up sing you know that God put in my mind and I just thought oh it's he's telling me twice you know I don't have to worry about anything he will take care of me he's letting me know in all kinds of ways it was fantastic that's very emotional is that the picture of God most people have do you think some do but we need to tell we are stewards of the of the mysteries of God right so I want to look at another mystery there are many of course but another mystery of God is found in John 5:39 and then Luke 24 expounds on that many people who may have heard of Jesus by the way I don't think anyone can say never existed there's just too much evidence that he existed some may even say he was a good teacher but Jesus makes a remarkable claim which I think many people don't know and perhaps even many Christians don't know about the Bible Alex do you have John 5 and verse 39 and I'll be reading from the King James Version search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life and they are they which testify of me now in the Greek and I'm not a Greek scholar but but that word search can either be a present imperative like you have in the King James or it can be a present indicative like you search the Scriptures anybody have that translation it's the same greek word you search and I think that's actually in this setting a better translation because it says you search because you can you think in them you have eternal life but where's eternal life found Jesus and what claim does Jesus make in that verse hmm that the Scriptures and by the way what scriptures did they have at that point the Torah that's the Hebrew Scriptures right these scriptures he said they testify about me man no I wish I could have been there and said show me actually there is a text in Luke 24 and Joshua if you could find that Luke 24 I've studied this passage quite a bit and thought oh I wish I was there for this Bible study but he confirms what Jesus said in that one sentence to the Jewish leaders in John 5:39 in Luke 24 verses 25 through 27 the setting resurrection morning location wrote to it the place called Emmaus ooh we don't know where that is anymore but it was about what mmm a mile seven seven seven miles okay from Jerusalem and two disciples are walking and a third person shows up and we know who that was they don't recognize him at first but here's some narrative verses 25 did I say through 27 yes and I'll be reading from the New King James Version the Bible says then he said to them o foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory and beginning at Moses and all the prophets he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself so he started with Moses where's Moses book right you got Genesis Exodus Leviticus numbers and Deuteronomy right and some might argue job's in there too somewhere because many think he was the author of job so starting at the beginning and going through the prophets and actually later in Luke 24 it says he did it again in the upper room he did the Bible study and the Psalms that said mm-hmm and and he showed that all of these things pointed to him what about the New Testament wait that's interesting isn't it the Hebrew Scriptures point forward and the New Testament Scriptures point back and present right still happening like the book of Acts still happening there's even a verse in Revelation describes as the two witnesses oldest yes yes so they're all pointing to Jesus now if this is one of the treasures of God all of God's revelation finds its fullness in Jesus that means any Bible teaching we share should have Jesus at the center otherwise the Angels would go why are you saying it like that because it's all about Jesus so take an important Bible teaching just give me one okay take the Sabbath I thought you're gonna say the Second Coming that certainly got Jesus at the center right real Jesus this same Jesus people who say oh the second coming of Jesus is just when he comes into your heart no real Jesus is at the center of the glorious return right man but Tricia Lee you mentioned the Sabbath we know the Sabbath was given a creation we're told to remember the Sabbath because of creator but how how would keeping Jesus at the center affect the way we viewed the Bible teaching about seven words where he says that he is Lord of the Sabbath and he says to come unto me all those who labor and are heavy-laden he'll give you rest that's the Sabbath word that is a Sabbath word and so it's just an also a message that we don't just lay down our physical burdens we have to also rest in him spiritually and trust that his provision will meet our needs for salvation that we're not working our way to heaven so Christ is in the Sabbath not just but that we get to spend time with him but also that he gives us rest from trying to work out our own way ourselves let's just pause a moment on that is there anyone that grew up not viewing the Sabbath that way as special time with Jesus and that it changes when you see Christ is at the same it's his day yeah anybody have a testimony of that no okay okay Travis I'm by the way you know God meets us all maybe someone's watching hope Sava school they said well I just thought it was to honor him as our Creator it is but what would it look like with Jesus at the center how did that change you I used to be the Sabbath there's something I had to do but now have you the Sabbath is something I get to do in Exodus chapter 8 he says keep the Sabbath because of creation and in Deuteronomy chapter 5 he says keep the Sabbath because you've been freed from bondage and the New Testament language that's used if we're in Christ Jesus we become a new creation and he set us free from the slavery to sin so each it each week it's a reminder that I don't have to be a slave to sin and then if I crossed in Jesus fully I am am a new creation and I get to celebrate that every week so that that's a that's we're stewards of that mystery of God that it's not just an obligation but it's a time because Christ is at the center Jason can you think of another I mean there's many teachings in the Bible and Jesus when he said go and make disciples of all nations didn't he say teaching them to observe all the things I've commanded you so can you think of another teaching and you say this is precious when Christ is at the center one of the ones that we often don't think of in connection with Jesus is teaching on healthful living and it does say in the Bible that our bodies are God's temple but oftentimes when I think of healthful living I hear oh you have to eat this you need to do this it's all about almost can't eat that yeah it's almost all about like for me only in my body and this temporal world and not about the eternal the reason why I'm acting this way so how would you say keeping Christ at the center of wanting to care for my body would would change change the perspective well there's a couple ways one if my body is is healthier I'm able to have more energy and I'm able to share Christ's love with those around me and also if if I'm healthier I may to be a blessing physically to other people whether it's taking care of them or whether it's feeding them food that will help them and sharing this teaching as well can also have them live a more active healthy lifestyle as well and then they and having a better lifestyle can also help with your connection with Christ so one more Bible teaching Jonathan makes a difference when we realize Christ is at the very center yeah I'm thinking of kind of the doctrine of living together in church communities so including kind of how we are to try to follow the leaders that God puts in the church and try to be leaders but I mean that can kind of go both ways you can kind of get a picture of leadership or of following or not following that that does or does not demonstrate Christ's character but when Christ is there it's it's self sacrificial on both sides it's it's just coming together there's this mutual submission that shows both Christ's willingness to obey the father unto every unto death and and Christ laying his self down for those he led and so it it that that picture of how we live together in unity has to have Christ at the center and I'm thinking of some text that the leader says well actually Jesus is the leader he's the head and the follower says well God's put you there but I'm really following Jesus and not following you so Jesus at the center affects it all doesn't it well we looked at three mysteries we talked about being stewards of the mysteries of God as servants of Christ the truth about who Jesus is the word of God became flesh creator Redeemer what he's doing now as our great High Priest and and and also the fact that he's the center of it really all of the revelation of God amen he's the center of all of the revelation we need to keep that in mind but one last mystery of God that we we have to share as stewards is the truth about what Christ is doing now and what will soon happen that is the last warning message so we're gonna go to Revelation Michael if you could read Revelation chapter 1 verses 1 to 3 you know some people think revelation forget it you can't understand it but it's interesting how it begins with the promised blessing and then we're going to look at a last warning message and we're stewards of that mystery of God yes revelation one one two three from the New King James Version it says the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show his servants things which must shortly take place and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John who bore witness to the Word of God into the testimony of Jesus Christ to all things that he saw blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it or the time is near whose the blessing promised to anybody who reads and anybody who hears think you know that's everybody he said well I can't read it's okay I'll read it for you right blessing to whoever reads and whoever hears and it's the revelation of Jesus Christ of what must shortly come to pass and part of that message is in chapter 14 and I'm going to ask Joshua if you'd read that for us verses 6 through 12 now there's a lot there's this there's the message of the Angels to the seven churches and there's all kinds of Revelation in there I love the one where they cry out blessing an honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb forever I love that I'm gonna sing that when I stand before the throne I hope I can sing better I think angels will sing with us so there's a lot of awesome things and and and that they overcame the enemy Satan by the blood of the Lamb that means trusting in our Savior and the word of our testimony that is how we've experienced that living connection with him then we get to chapter 14 which is a last day message the reason we know it's last day is because it marks it even in the message so let's start with verses 6 and 7 if we could Revelation 14 6 and 7 and the Bible says then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven having the everlasting God sports have reached to those who dwell on the earth to every nation tribe tongue and people saying with a loud voice fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment has come and worship Him who made heaven and earth the sea and the springs of water now this is a call the word fear in my Bible you know that can be taken one of two ways fear can mean to be afraid and there are there are times when the words used that way when they're afraid and call for the rocks to fall on them fear can also mean reverence reverence or respect how do I know that this call is a call not to be afraid but reverence and respect God anybody there's a clue in the verse itself Travis if you're gonna give glory and give glory and worship worship okay so this is not be afraid this is show reverence and respect right and who is he this God he's the Creator right who made the heavens and the earth so show reverence and respect to God this is the last message and why is it so urgent in a previous study we picked up a couple of words that showed the urgency what were they do you remember what is so amount for crying out how loud voice and flying right so this is sense of urgency why why is it so urgent to call people to reverence and respect in other words to recognize God for who he is and that is the loving creator who wants to save them right why is it so important because it's their last time message the world is going to be over because judgment of power of his judgment has come before Christ returns there is a judgment and then he's going to say according to revelation three words it is finished now it's interesting he said that on the cross - didn't he so that phase of his work was finished but there's this phase now which leads right to the glorious return it is finished then the one who is filthy there's this settling at that point so this is sense of urgency and then it goes on and I'm gonna actually keep reading Joshua verses 8 through 12 and this is some troubling language but but it tells us that there's going to be this great struggle between good and evil and we have to choose where to stand if you'd read on verses 8 through 12 of Revelation chapter 14 and the Bible continues on to say and another angel followed saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication then a third angel followed them saying with a loud voice if anyone worships the Beast and His image and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out full strength into the cup of his indignation he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever and they have no rest day or night Wow intense words yeah yeah now we don't have time to study the whole what the mark of the beast and well what this be we don't have a time to study all of that but but there is in Revelation the seal of God and the mark of the beast the seal of God is in the forehead the mark of the beast can be in that forehead or on the hand so I think that's where they actually believe it and this is just they do it but but you don't get the seal of God on your hand it's in your forehead so regardless of all the details about that we're talking about being stewards of the mysteries of God we are calling people to take their stand for the Creator the Creator and to worship Him and by the way the sign of that worship is the Sabbath day I mean that's right in the fourth commandment but but it's not the Sabbath day that sets us apart that's just a sign that we've taken our stand allegiance amen the seal of God versus the mark and and and there's this sense that it's really urgent who are we to take that last warning message to the world I mean why why doesn't God ask the angels to do that Nancy I'm sure they could do it with much more clarity and power why did why does he ask his people in the last days to bring that urgent warning message well in in our weakness he is strong he I think it has more of an impact if if we who are fallen are sharing this message with another fallen human being then maybe writing it in the sky or right you could have done that right he wrote on walls in Babylon right anybody else what why why did he give this job and this is so important isn't it the hour of his judgment has come cry out with a loud voice Stephanie it's just like when you're giving a Bible study you're impacted by it as well and you have to study and so that the Word of God is changing your life and then when you're sharing with someone else it's changing their life as well so I think it's a double blessing so I'm thinking where Jesus when he's speaking about getting being ready for his return he says be ready yes doesn't say get ready be ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man coming are you telling me Stephanie that actually sharing this last warning message helps us day by day to be ready how does he do that because I'm getting ready in the meantime well I'm helping someone else and I'm developing that one-on-one relationship with God and I have to have that I'm so glad you said that because that's being ready right if we are connected in a personal saving relationship with God we're ready amen amen but these got some work for us to do so I want to give a chance for people to share a testimony where you say Who am I to be a steward of the mysteries of God the truth about who Jesus is he's the Christ God who became flesh the truth about the fact that he's praying for us right now the truth about the fact that all revelation is centered in him and the truth about the fact that the judgment is at hand the judgments come and he soon to say it is finished hoo-wee you say well with the people that God asked to do it to change us maybe or to bless us I want someone to share it's time for a few testimonies where you stepped out and said I know it's not me but but God's asked me to do that she shared and how it impacted your life someone have a testimony Travis we two years ago we were in South America and we went up about an hour boat ride every day upriver to a little Church in the jungle called the Blackwater Church which country were you in South America in Guyana in Guyana okay so you go up this river away from a lot of civilization way away from gonna fly to get to the village all right of the river and then to go up right okay and for two weeks we worked on a dock because it's tidal waters and we built this doctor that people could come to the church because when that water was low they couldn't get in you had to walk through waist-deep muck and mud to get to the church if the water was low so we built a wharf to the river and we held an evangelistic series and the first day there was probably 30 or 40 people there and by the end the last day that we were the last Saturday we were there's a over a hundred and thirty people and we left their tears in our eyes and tears in their eyes as we departed my heart still goes out to the black water church in Guyana I still think about them a lot now I have a question for you was the building of the wharf out into the river part of the evangelistic meetings or just getting ready for it mic or anything part of it what was it saying to the people take care we can't we want you to hear we have something really important to share with you is they were gonna build a wharf to get out so you don't have to wade through the mud alright and for those of you sitting in the front row that didn't see he was like beaming when he was sharing yeah it changed you chase them but it changed you being a part of sharing that glad as I noticed you raise your hand too yes I go to prison ministry every every month to go to prison yes every month we go to a prison and preaching the mysteries of God to prisoners when you tell them that he gives you freedom it has a double meaning for them when God gives you comfort and peace it has another meaning to them and it's just amazing how they embrace this knowledge when they know that there's a God who cares like you were mentioning before that we'll see that knows my name that sees my tears and to hear from somebody who's struggling as well in their own different captivity and their own different struggles it just brings it together beautiful and there's a lot of people in prison who aren't in the jail right who need to know that Jesus can set them free but while you go there once a month yes and and how does how is that impacted you it is the best Sabbath service for me really because when they sing it is like the best song service ever when they seem redeemed I cry every single time because they sing redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and they you can hear that they believe those words I remember being at a prison in Papua New Guinea and they said it was pretty dangerous there were lots of fences before I got in and I went and we held a meeting there in that prison and you know some of those people were in there for murder and armed robbery and all kinds of things but they've been changed by the power of Jesus email so maybe they were more free than some of the people on the outside when we go and share that message our own hearts change did I see someone else's hand raised Jonathan yeah a couple years ago I went on a trip the bunch of people here at the general conference were organizing to go to India and it was a wonderful experience we went to a part that doesn't have that many Christian churches and had a chance to meet and give a presentation but and each of us were in our own church buyer so are you a preaching yeah I want to push time out just a second how in the world did you agree to go and and to be one of the main presenters proclaiming a last day warning message in India how did that happen well I mean actually I once before with my dad but that was the scary part the first time okay yeah it was it was an awesome experience they they kind of have it so that they have the whole thing laid out for you but it's amazing to see kind of how God uses you how God teaches you how your your being this vessel and your your learning especially at that time I just felt like kind of each progressing through God helping me see things in a much deeper way and able to share these truths we're talking about the endtime truths in a way that just made it all make sense to me and able to share with others so it was it was an awesome experience and you're part of the community become part of this family as your each day making friends with the kids going out visiting their homes sitting with them yeah and it was learning singing with them I actually learned a song and in the language there and so it was Tamil yeah beautiful so that reminds me of what Travis said that that he was blessed maybe as much as they were oh yes well at least you were both blessed and you you experienced that too amen I wish we had more time to share a takeaway lesson five words what's the lesson stewards are the mysteries of God what should we do God can use us can we share them yeah shall we hear that yes by the power of the Holy Spirit amen don't keep these mysteries of God to yourself the truth about Jesus and who he is the truth about what he's doing even now on our behalf the truth about him as the fullness of the revelation of God it's all pointing to him and the truth about yes the judgment his glorious return a last warning message we are stewards of the mysteries of God let's not keep them to ourselves in fact we cannot we cannot when we pray for the Holy Spirit to fill a sea today we must share God will show us how to do that let's pray that can happen for us even in these coming days our Father in Heaven we are humbled we are amazed that you would make us stewards of the mysteries of God and yet you have given the revelation to us because you love us not only for our salvation but that we would join you in sharing that good news with the world and God we have heard from these testimonies how when we do that we are blessed in return we experience the joy that is in your heart when people turn to you and know you as the God of love the creator Redeemer and soon coming King that you are so thank you may we have the courage by your spirit to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in Jesus name Amen thanks for joining us for hope Sabbath school we've got work to do we've got mysteries to share to bless the lives of those around us [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music]

Channel: HopeSabbathSchool

Views: 16,560

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Keywords: seventh-day adventist, hopesabbathschool, hope sabbath school, gospel, Bible study, christianity, religion, tithe, Jesus Christ

Id: GDqxqgS2TlI

Length: 58min 2sec (3482 seconds)

Published: Sun Mar 04 2018