Kentucky Conference: 1964
Table of Contents
Zacchaeus
Gospel—C.H. Brown
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General Meetings, Columbus, KY. September 1964. Gospel.
Brown.
I see them.
Turns to the hymns.
And we begin our meeting tonight by singing hymn #15.
Him #15.
Oh, blessed gospel sound. Yet there is room. It tells you all around. Yet there is room the guilty may draw near. Go vile. They need not fear with joy they now may hear. Yet there is room number 15.
Now we turn to Lukes Gospel and the 19th chapter.
I might mention something that.
Interest me in a special way about this chapter.
Some of us were associated very closely with our dear brother, FC Blonde.
Dear Beloved.
Evangelist. If they're if there ever was a dear beloved Evangelist, even one.
And this was his favorite chapter. When I think of this chapter about Zacchaeus, I think of Mr. Blount.
And one of the greatest privileges I ever had in my life.
It was just 50 years ago at this time, right down here in Kentucky. We had a general meeting like this, only about 1/4 this size.
Your brother Brown asked me if I would stay and help him in some tent meeting.
And I had time to think it over and I said yes.
And I I look back on that as one of the most refreshing periods of my whole long life. Those six weeks in that candle were in Paul Jibbons front yard. The gospel went out and 50 souls pressed through and found crust.
And some of them are sitting right here in this room tonight, Paul Gibbard in The Monk.
And Jesus.
Entered and passed through Jericho.
I was asked to take the gospel in Montreal a number of years ago.
00:05:04
And at the last minute.
I made-up my mind that I was to speak from.
Chapter 19 of Luke about Zacchaeus.
So I read the passage.
And for some strange reason, we didn't seem to be able to get much beyond that first verse.
Jesus entered.
Who passed through Jericho.
So we just stopped for a moment or two and talk about that.
Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
That's history.
Now look back at the 6th chapter of Joshua. Just one verse. If you don't want to turn to it, I'll read it to you.
Remember, the Jericho was the city that tried to keep the children of Israel from ending into their promised inheritance when they came up out of Egypt.
26 verse And Joshua adjourned them at that time, saying person.
Be the man before the Lord that rises up and buildeth this city, Jericho, he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first born, and in his youngest son he shall set up the gates of it.
Now what a pronouncement that is.
That's that city that tried to keep God's people out of their promised land.
Now look at first Kings 16.
Well, way over now, on the time of that wicked wicked man, Ahab, Ahab and Jezebel.
34th verse In his days did he heal the death of Light Bill Jericho?
He laid the foundation thereof and a Byram his first born, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son, Sega.
According to the word of the Lord, which is staked by Joshua the son of nuns.
How long do you think that was after?
500 years.
All you young people here, remember this is God's word and prophecy is history written in advance.
If God says The thing is going to come to pass, count on it. It's going to come to pass.
There are no ifs and ands about it.
Jacko was the city of the curse.
And in that way, it's a type of this world, a cursive city, and this world is under a curse.
The ground is cursed. You farmers know about that. You know what a battle you have.
Where various pests and weeds and **** knots. It's a constant struggle, yes, but here's something to think about.
Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
Oh, what a momentous back, Daddy, he added, and he passed through.
We have the proof of it on every hand.
This meeting tonight is a proof of it.
Brother Myers is talking about pennies this morning.
So I got one out of my pocket.
And on the front here to the side of Abraham Lincoln, it says 1963.
What does that tell me?
19163 years ago.
God's son came into this world approximately then.
19163 years ago Christ entered and he's passed through.
And you and I are responsible for the fact that he's been here. He left an impress, an imprint.
And you and I are going to react to that one way or another. What is your reaction? You can't get away from the fact that King, he's been here. Every church fire in the country tells you he's been here, every cross that you see elevated in the air.
00:10:16
Tells us he's been here. Did you write a letter today? You dated your letter. You were dating that letter according to the days when the Lord Jesus Christ entered and passed through. You can't escape it. It's written everywhere.
Solemn thing for you if you don't know him. Solemn thing He's been here.
You know Julius Caesar.
He won't have to answer for what you will have to answer for.
Christ hadn't landed and passed through in his day. He never heard of Christ, nor could he. He hadn't been here.
But you live in a day when that fact is acknowledged by the whole civilized world he's been here and passed through.
And behold, there's a man named Zacchaeus.
Which was the chief among Republicans. And he was rich.
He was chief and he was rich. Well, those are the two things that man wants.
There's a tremendous struggle going on in this world right now.
And the two great things that men are seeking.
Our place or prominence and wealth.
Man either want money.
Or they want a position, a prominence. They want to be at the top.
They say there's lots of room at the top and so they keep clamoring and they never reach it and they're never satisfied. But that's what they want, money and police in this world. What are you seeking?
What do you have to well, this man had that.
He was chief among the publicans. That means that a publican is a tax gatherer, and he was a chief among them.
All the others wandering. Oh, how men like to have others under them. You see that in the arm.
Oh, yes, Private and the And then the growing up the Corporal and the Sergeant and the Lieutenant, First and 2nd and the Captain and then the Major and on up the line. All how people love a place in this world.
Well, this man had it. And what's more, he had lots of money. He was rich.
Yes, but he wasn't happy. He wasn't satisfied. I want to tell you whoever you are here tonight, young or old.
Have a vacuum in your soul that nothing in all the universe can ever feel satisfied except the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior.
I was a boy between 16 and 17 years of age.
Had a terrible accident.
Fell out of a barn and just about killed myself. Lay in a hospital for over 2 months.
But God taught me something during that experience. He taught me that I was a Sinner and needed a Savior.
And the first confession I ever made, I made to my.
Unbelieving father.
I made my confession to him.
And I remember his answer, son. If it's real, I'm glad of it. I hate a hypocrite. But if it's real, I'm glad of it.
Well, that's a long, long time ago. That's ancient history.
But all that was the grandest thing.
Ever came to me in my life?
Was when I found the Lord Jesus Christ.
I didn't have the good background that you had. I wasn't brought up in the meeting. All you young folks that have heard these things from your infancy, right on up.
While privileged you are.
And how responsible you are for the required of a man according to what he has.
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Not according to what I have not, and to whom much is given of him shall much be required.
Or if you miss heaven.
It'll be much tighter than for someone that was that just came up on the street.
Then this happens. It's a solemn thing to hear all that you've heard all your life.
And then miss what God has for you.
Well, this man wasn't happy.
His riches didn't satisfy his big position. Ah, that didn't tell the longing of his soul.
And if you're not saved, I know that you have a vacuum down in your soul. I know that you haven't found the secret of happiness. I know you haven't.
Don't try to tell us that you have.
All you're seeking it.
You're pursuing it like the pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow, which you never get there.
And he sought to see Jesus who he was.
Or who he is.
And start to see Jesus. Why do you want to see him? I fell in need in his soul and he'd heard of Jesus and he thought maybe maybe he's the one that has the answer. I want to see who he is.
Well, they had the right thought. I'm going to tell you that. Right there is where everything hinges. Who is he?
Ah, don't let the devil ever whisper into your soul. That is less than what he represented himself to be.
There's no one fact more fully authenticated in the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation than that the Lord Jesus Christ was God manifest in Christ, scene of angels preached unto the Gentiles.
Believed on in the world, received up into glory. He was gone, nothing less, Not a secondary God. And when you talk about the second person of the Godhead, you're not speaking in terms of priority, you're just using a convenient form to describe the matter of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. But don't. Don't ever think for a moment of describing to the Lord Jesus.
Any secondary place in the Trinity? No, he was gone. Well, Zacchaeus wanted to see him, who he was or who he is.
And he could not. For the press Edward press means crowd because of as little as stature.
Well.
You know, if you really want to find Christ, the Christ of God, or not the popular Christ, no, not the Great Mentor, the Great Teacher, the Great Leader. But if you want to find the Christ of God.
You'll find plenty of the Press of the crowd that will hinder you getting to him. Oh, there there are many movements on foot today that are definitely of Satan to hinder you from finding God's Christ.
Be on your guard.
I feel sorry for our young people today.
I do.
I know something about what's going on.
In the school systems of the country today.
Would you believe it that when I went to high school?
As a 14 year old boy.
That our dear principal got up there with his Bible every morning and read to us.
We had a Quartet that got and sang him.
And then someone sat down to piano and played the chance, the so-called Lord's Prayer.
That was every morning.
But I'll tell you, there's nothing like that in that high school today. It's all different now. All that is shut out.
I feel sorry for you, but just trust.
00:20:02
The Word of God.
Take your all on what God says in his books.
And it'll keep you.
I know a dear sister.
She's not very old and she was in school.
And this young professor and taught them the theory of evolution and he.
Dropped them infidelity as far as he dared, and in the examination there are some questions asked that plainly required infinite.
So she gave the answers as she had been taught, and then she put a footnote.
Now the above is what I was taught in your class.
But I do not believe it. I believe the word of God and stated something as to her faith in Christ.
I admired her for that. She didn't lose her grades, no.
She wasn't relegated to repeat that course. That man had enough of decency about him.
To let her pass all Don't be afraid of these infidel teachers.
I think of the young man used to be in Drake University.
Professor used to say.
That the Christianity was responsible for all those horrible wars that took place back there in Europe during the Middle East. And he was constantly harping on a Christianity responsible for all this. And we had a young brother in the meeting who was a student over there.
And every time the professor would make a statement like that, he'd say Professor I object.
And the professor would say, well, now, what's your objection? It was not Christianity that caused those wars. That was the perversion of Christianity, the cause.
Finally, the professor said if all my students were like you, I couldn't conduct a class.
Oh, don't be talked down. Believe your Bible. Take your soul on it, and you're going to be glad someday. Yes, you are if you stick your soul on. The truth of God is revealed in this book.
You'll be able to lie down in peace someday if the Lord doesn't come.
And pass into his presence with the knowledge of where you're going and why you're going there.
He thought to see Jesus, and he could not because of the press. Don't let the press spoil us for you.
And he ran before and climbed into a Sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. Now notice it says he was to pass that way, but it was the last time.
This is fine. Well, he didn't pass this way again.
Last time.
And who knows? Who knows that tonight may be your last time.
Yes, it may. This may be the last time you'll ever get a chance to claim God's salvation.
He ran the core.
Climbed up into a Sycamore tree or a fig tree.
It's properly a fig tree.
Big Mulberry is the proper term. He ran before and climbed up into the Sycamore tree.
Now there was nothing very dignified about a mature man, especially a man in his important position, all his wealth and influence.
Running down the street in that way, it wasn't anything very dignified about it. And then what was more injurious to his dignity with climbing a tree?
You couldn't look very dignified climbing a tree and a dog.
And here was this great crowd, seeing the whole thing.
But he was an earner.
He wanted to see Jesus.
Are you afraid of what people are going to think if you get to Christ tonight? Is that what's holding you back?
He didn't hold Zacchaeus back.
He went right down the road and up that tree. Strange place for a mature man to be.
00:25:00
He climbed into a Sycamore tree.
He needed a tree, didn't he?
And you know.
If you're ever going to be in heaven.
You'll have to have a tree in your life.
Absolutely.
You don't need a tree. Look at Exodus 15 for a verse.
Exodus 15 and verse 23.
And when they came to mirror, they could not drink of the waters of mirror.
They were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Mara.
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
And he cried unto the Lord.
And the Lord showed him a tree.
Which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
In that lovely Bill Waters.
Bitter water couldn't drink them.
What did those bitter waters need? They needed a tree.
And when they cast the tree into the water, they were made sweet.
Oh dear friend here tonight you're going to find that this life.
Is filled with bitter water.
No ones life goes the way he found this life is full of disappointment. Everyone that's of mature years will testify to that fact.
And if you don't have Christ.
You're going to have disappointments all the way down the road and then at the last.
He's going to pass out in darkness and despair. Yes, you are.
It's an awful thing.
End up your life with no knowledge or hope for the future. And remember this. That conscience never turns into this. This thing that ticks away down on the inside of you, and it's ticking right now while I'm talking, that will never turn into those.
Your mind may turn into this. Oh yes, you can swallow the Freud in theory and go in for all this modern thought and philosophy.
But down inside, something is going to constantly say, but supposing it's true after all.
Now turn over to the 5th of that.
Act 5.
And we read from verse 30.
The God of our fathers.
Raised up Jesus.
Whom ye slew and hang on a tree.
Only slew and hang on a tree. That's the tree that you're going to need.
If you get the head.
Hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a savior?
Or to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sin. And we are witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy, and so is also the Holy Ghost whom God has given to them that obey him.
Now.
Those people were accused.
Of taking Christ and slaying him, hanging him on a tree.
No, they didn't.
But what did God do about him? Hath God exhausted with his right hand, not to his right hand, but with his right hand?
He leaked down and in mighty power.
Exhorted that Blessed One.
To the highest place in heaven at his right hand.
00:30:01
That he might be a savior. You need a savior. Why not have 1:00 tonight? Why not accepting that he might be a savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sin?
What is her sentence? It's taking sides with God against yourself. Have you done it yet? Or when someone speaks to you about the Lord, you immediately begin to defend yourself? Say, well, I'm not so bad, I'm fairly good.
My next door neighbor back in Des Moines.
Lived there beside him for many years.
He was an unsaved man. He was a good neighbor. Never had an unkind word with him all the years we lived side by side.
But he was a swearing man. He had no time for God, for Christ.
I've talked to him many a time about the Lord, he said. Well, someday I'll get baptized and join the wife Church.
That's as far as we'll ever get. Wife of Lamar.
Well, I'm saying now, Mr. so and so.
You know, I wouldn't walk across the street to get you to join any.
Walk across the street, get you to join any church, including the one where I go.
But I sit up all night long if I can lead you to Christ.
No. Someday he'd get baptized and join his wife.
But he never did. He lost his mind.
He died out of his mind.
He's bearing. He's wrong.
Oh, what a solemn thing it is. Repentance. No, nothing wrong with him. Rape tenants and then forgiveness of sins.
Last Sunday night, we go tonight.
We have the gospel up at Bloomington, up at Des Moines, and.
We spoke about that woman in the 70s of the loop.
What the Lord said to her, The sweetest words, I suppose, that ever fell on human ears for her.
Said it right to her.
Thy sins are forgiven.
Thy faith has saved thee.
Go in peace.
Oh, can you think of anything better than that?
And my dear friend here tonight, I don't care how big a Sinner you are, how deep dive you are, and far from God.
If you only 10.
And take crime.
He'll say to you thy sins are for you. Go and peace thy faith at faith.
Saw that poor woman. She was a vile terrorist.
But he heard those words from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
And I'll look at the 10th of Acts.
39th verse Act 1039.
And we are witnesses and all things that Jesus did.
Both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
Whom they flew and hanged on a tree. There's our tree again.
Him hath God raised up the third day, and showed him openly, not to all the people, but on the witnesses chosen before of God, even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead, And he commanded us to preach under the people, and testified.
That it is he which is ordained of God to be the judge of the living and the dead.
Now listen to this practice verse.
To him give all the prophets witness.
That through his name.
Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
00:35:00
Can God make it any claim? All he tells us, over and over and over again.
And leave on the Lord Jesus Christ and gospel today.
That's it. A repentant sinners. All he needs is Christ, nothing else.
To him give all the prophets with.
That through his name, whosoever does that take you in whosoever.
Does it take you in? Where are you the 19 years old?
13th of Acts.
Act 13.
Verse 28.
And though they found no cause of death in him.
Yet they desired pilots, that he could be slain.
And when they had fulfilled all it was written of him, they took him down from the tree. There's our tree again.
And made him in a sepulcher, but God raised him from the dead.
38 foot.
Vietnam unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man Christ Jesus.
And freaks onto you. Heaven damnation, no.
The forgiveness of sins.
The forgiveness of sin.
And by hints, all that Italy all that believes.
Not all those that believe and do wonderful things, wonderful feats. No, All, I believe.
Are justified from all things.
From which he could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware, therefore, let that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets, Behold, he despisers.
And wonders and fairy awake that morning. Beware.
There's a warning here.
But all our blessings.
They took him down from the tree, but God raised him from the dead.
Now one more reference over in Galatians third chapter.
Relations 3.
Verse 13.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law.
Being made of curse for us or is written cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree.
As our tree again.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse.
They made a curse for you, and I deserve to be cursed to be banished from God's presence.
With Christ stepped in.
And what he virtually said to God was this. I hope I say this reverently.
Don't hurt them.
Hurt me in that state.
And as he hung there on the cross.
A holy, holy, holy God.
Turning backwards and left me in God.
He was made a curse.
For you and for me.
Ah, you reject that how often?
Such a salvation of such a price.
And you rejected.
You know, the word of God says it before our sin.
Before our sins.
In his own body, on his.
You want to find out.
Do you really want to find out whether you did or not? Well, I'll tell you. You can find out tonight.
If you will come to the Lord Jesus Christ as a poor lost sin.
Tonight, right here in this room.
00:40:03
And receive him as your savior. You've got positive proof.
Before your sink, and his own body on the feet, it's whosoever.
The 26th verse of that third chapter relations.
For your all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus, nothing else will ever make you a child of God. The best.
A child of God or a son of God by faith in Christ need.
Well, we'll go back now.
Through our 19th of Luke.
Yes, Sir.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him.
And that remarkable whatever the Lord look up there and see him.
He looked up.
Sorry. Why? Oh, my dear soul, let me tell you, there can't be one movement in your heart toward the Lord Deep, and he doesn't see enough.
If you got any any sense in your soul.
Like to know it. If you like to be near it, he knows about it.
He knew why that man was up the tree and when he got to that tree he looked up and saw him.
And he said unto him Back here.
Make a.
OK.
Are you are you thinking about delaying this matter?
You think? Well, I'll wait for tomorrow night.
We Syria be here tomorrow night.
Have you got some some plans in your mind that you've got something scheduled and you think, well that wouldn't be consistent for me to take Christ tonight and go out and do that. I'll, I'll finish this little engagement I have.
And then?
I may I may look after this.
My friend, listen.
Don't believe.
Make her.
And come down.
Come down.
Pride beats many a person from pride.
Pride. How do you spell it?
We are, I see.
That big eagle.
It's many a person from Christ.
Come down.
Or are you willing to do it? Are you willing to humble yourself here tonight?
And received the Savior. Oh, I pray God your mind.
Why you have all heaven rejoices.
To be able to fight tonight, there's joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sentence, one.
Come down for today I must abide at our house.
Oh, what a privilege to have the Son of God.
Come into your house.
We scratch them into your home.
Not many things in this world any sweeter than a Christian home.
And I've been in hundreds of them. Oh, there's something lovely about it.
Crispy gold.
You coming?
Being part of that home, the bowed head.
The time of the meeting.
And then we opened by.
And then the bow new.
And the praises and the Thanksgiving and the request.
And the peace that reigns, There's nothing like it. Do you have a system home when you like to have one?
For today on the bite of that house, and he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Here's that theater he didn't make the blunder that many have made.
He didn't say, Well, tomorrow I'll see about it. Oh no, no, he couldn't get on quickly enough.
And he received them into his house joyfully.
00:45:02
All his dignity, what are the crowd going to say? What are all those other tax gatherers?
Over whom? He said. What are they going to say that doesn't bother him?
He received them into his home and received him joyfully.
And when they saw it, they all murmured things going to be a guest for the man that's the Sinner.
Isn't that? Isn't that absurd?
He's gone to be guests of the man that the Sinner. What about themselves? What about themselves? They can point the finger and say he's a Sinner.
Never thought of himself.
And that he has stood and said unto the Lord, the whole Lord behalf of my goods I give to the poor, and if I've taken anything from any man, in false accusation of restoring poor souls.
In other words, Zacchaeus was not a bad man. It wasn't like that woman in the 70s of of Luke. No, he's a different character.
And he tells the Lord about this.
But the largest cutting shot? He doesn't let him go a bit further.
Stopping right there.
Jesus said unto him this day.
Two days in salvation come to this house.
No, not before yesterday.
For as much as he also is the son of Abraham.
What does that mean? What do you mean by that?
Salvation come here today because he's the son of Abraham. Well, turn to the 4th of Galatians who get the answer.
Last verse of the third.
No, they.
Last verse of the third chapter.
29th Verse License 3.
And if ye be Christ, then are you Abraham's seed?
And heirs, according to the promise.
If you be Christ, then are you Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise?
He had received Christ.
A true son of Abraham. Now he was saved, and then the Lord climaxes that with that wonderful verse. For the Son of man has come to seek and to say that was lost.
Zacchaeus was lost.
Nonsense, The saw man come to seek. He's sitting you tonight.
You cannot say he's thinking it a night.
To seek and to save that which was lost. Oh heavens going to be filled with people like that.
They have a lost one.
But they got saved and all. We'd love to see someone here tonight come to Christ.
But he's part of him.
1/21.
Besides, for Christ today.
And God salvation, see, yields soul and body, heart and will to him who died for deeds. Sing the 1St and the last verse someone started, please.
Daniel 1
Address—C. Whitaker
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Open our Bibles to the book of Daniel.
Daniel, please chapter one.
We sometimes hear the remark that we're living in difficult days, perilous times indeed, that is true.
But certainly Daniel had a very difficult time as well, and God gave him grace to be true and to walk on in separation. So notice closely as read these precious portions.
That there might be due concern and consideration of the word.
That the Holy Spirit may have opportunity to use it to encourage our hearts. This afternoon, the first chapter of Daniel, verse one in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah.
Came Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem and besieged it.
And the Lord gave Jehoiah, King Kim, King of Judah, into his hand with the part of the vessels of the House of God.
Which he carried into the land of Shinar to the House of his God, and he brought the vessels into the treasure House of his God. And the king spake unto espionage the mass of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the King's seed, and of the Princess children, in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and scalpel in all wisdom.
And cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the King's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the King's meat, and of the wine which he drank, so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
Now among these were of the terror of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mischiev, and Azariah, and to whom the Prince of the eunuchs gave names. For he gave unto Daniel the name of Belshazzar Andrew Hananiah as Shadrach, and to Michel of Meshach, and to Azariah Abednego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.
With a portion of the King's meat.
Nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the Prince of eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God hath brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the Prince of the eunuchs. And the Prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear, my Lord, the king, who has appointed your meat and your drink, for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort?
Then shall you make me endanger my head to the king? Then said Daniel Tomelder, whom the Prince of the eunuchs had sent over Daniel, Hananiah, Michel, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee 10 days, and let them give us post to eat and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the covenants of the children that eat of the portion of the King's meat.
And as thou seest.
Deal with thy servants so He consented to them in this matter.
00:05:04
And prove them 10 days and at the end of 10 days.
Their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the King's meat.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the Prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar, and the king communed with them, and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Michel, and Azariah, therefore stood there before the king, and in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired of them, he found them.
10 times better than all the magicians and astrologers.
That were in all his realm, and Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus. Then the 6th chapter, please.
Daniel 6 and the first verse on through.
It pleased Darius to set over the Kingdom 120 Princess, which should be over the whole Kingdom and over these 3 presidents, of whom Daniel was first, that the Princess might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
Then this Daniel was preferred above the president's and Princess.
Because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and Princess sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the Kingdom, but they could find none occasion or fall.
For as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Then said these men, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and Princess assembled together to the king, and said unto him, King Dorax, live forever.
And all the presidents of the Kingdom, the governors and the Princess, the counselors and the captains have consulted together to establish a royal statute.
And to make a firm decree that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for 30 days save of the old king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now king established the decree and signed the writing.
That it be not changed according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which allereth not. Wherefore King Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed.
And gave thanks before his God as he did.
Four times.
Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying.
And making supplication before his God, then they came near, and spake before the king. Concerning the King's decree, hast thou not signed a decree that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within 30 days save of the old king, shall be cast into the den of lions?
The king answered and said, The thing is true according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Then answered them, said before the king, that Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee OK, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him, and he labored till the going down of the sun.
00:10:13
To deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, No king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that no decree nor statute quits, the king establisheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, And they brought Daniel, and cast him into the dead of lions. Now the king spake, and said unto Daniel.
Thy God whom thou service continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the dead, and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his Lords, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting.
Neither were instruments of music brought before him, and his sleep went from him.
Then the king arose there in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable cry, voice under Daniel. And the king spake, and said to Daniel, Oh Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou service, continually able to deliver thee from the lions. Then said Daniel unto the king.
O King, live forever.
My God hath sent his Angel, and hath shut the lions mouth, that they have not hurt me for as much as before him. Innocence it was found in me, and also before the old king have I done no hurt.
Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Dan up out of the dead. So Daniel was taken up out of the dead.
And no matter hurt was found upon it because he believed in his God.
And the king commanded. And they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions. Then their children and their wives, and the lions had the mastery of them, and break all their bones in pieces forever they came at the bottom of the dead.
Then King Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth, peace be multiplied unto you. I make a degree, that in every dominion of my Kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
He delivereth and restoreth He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, Who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Diracs, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
One short portion and saw one.
The first song, please.
Bless it or happy is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law does he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Then God do not so, but are like the chap which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, For the Lord N the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
00:15:00
This precious song sums up those two chapters of Daniel. The 1St 3 verses speak of our Blessed Lord, of whom Daniel in part was a pattern or a type.
Faithful and the last three verses the awful end of the ungodly that refused to go on with the Lord and so turning them into that first chapters of Daniel.
We want to take a look at a few things there.
To encourage our hearts this afternoon because.
Schools are just open and the colleges are still going to be in full swing and the enemy is going to be in full swing seeking to destroy.
Any sparkle thing that might be in the hearts of any of God's dear children.
And we have here.
I believe one of the outstanding portions of God's word to encourage our hearts in days like these. And let us not forget the limitations that Daniel had he.
Didn't have the entire scope of Scripture which we possess and prize today. He did not have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God in his heart.
And so he didn't know the precious truths that we are acquainted with and praise God for, but nevertheless he was a man that stood very firmly.
In his confidence and faith in God, in Jehovah. And we find that in the eighth verse he was a separated man. And that's one thing I believe, that we want to stress a special this afternoon.
Separation and definite purpose of heart because.
We all need it, and we who are older no doubt have failed, and therefore the young people in many cases have been stumbled because we were older have maintained such a faint line of demarcation that our dear young people don't know which is which.
They just can't. By our walk, at least.
Discern just exactly which is right and which is wrong, because there's sometimes a confusion, a Babble of voices, so that they are distressed and perhaps timid, bit fearful, and therefore are found oftentimes on a wrong horse down a bypass instead of going straight forward as Daniel did in The Fear of the Lord.
Over in Acts Chapter 11 and the 23rd verse we have.
A similar thought as presented here in the eighth verse of Daniel one.
Which I believe should be paramount in our hearts.
Hearts Consideration this Afternoon, Acts 1123.
Who, when he came and had seen the face of God, was glad.
And exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave until the Lord that was the exhortation that was purpose of heart, they would plead unto the Lord. Now I've failed in this, and therefore others have failed, because they've been probably watching me. Well, that's a very, very sad comment here on the human heart. But may the Lord help us not to.
Whether in days like these, not to go in with idolatry, or with a modernism, or with the Ecumenical Council or the International Council of Churches, but to go on with the Lord and to go on with His Word and to go on in prayer.
I remember following the accounts of the missionaries in Japan while we were in Africa. I had some periodicals I was reading.
Month by month, and my heart was set to take note of the various decantations, how various ones of the missionaries bowed down to shadow.
That they might maintain some popularity, that they might perhaps be able to continue on in the country, bowed down to Shindo. Only a few were steadfast and true as Daniel, and sought to go on with purpose of heart, fearing God and having No Fear for the King.
00:20:19
Oh, God's word tells us so plainly that we ought to fear God rather than men. Let God be true.
And every man a liar. And that's exactly where we stand, I believe in our attempt to hear this afternoon, and so we find in verse 8 of this first chapter. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with a portion of the King's meat, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the Prince of the Eulux that he might not.
Defiled himself, no doubt. He had been reading Numbers and Leviticus, and had learned about idolatry, and had learned about the blood that was being misused and misapplied. And he was acquainted with those things. And he sought by God's grace to maintain a straight course in the midst of the storm and turmoil and Tempest which he found confronting him well.
That was his definite decision. He purposed in his heart that he was not defied himself with those things which were of the King's bound, his meat and his wine and his whatnot. He didn't want it. He wouldn't have it. Well, we find that anyone who wants to go on with the Lord in days like these, or days like those in which Daniel lived and labored.
Will be proven. Anything that's worth anything at all will have a testing time. And I've noticed this with the dear young people as well as with older folk. There comes a testing time, there comes a proving time. And this world is God's proving ground for you and for me. And the heart is the battleground between the enemy and the Lord of glory. It's the world's largest battleground.
And so in our aviation industry, they have their their test pilots and they have their proving grounds for the automobiles and they have their proving grounds for everything. Everything is tested in the laboratory under destruction.
And to see how it will endure. And this is an opportunity for us, which the thief on the cross did not enjoy. He was faithful in so far as he had opportunity in those few hours.
Which he lingered in the seat before going from the gallows into Florida. But he didn't have the opportunity to test and prove the Lord, and to be proven by the Lord. As we are in this scene, we are not kings and retreat, but we ought to maintain a firm course and a purpose of heart such as.
Will glorify God and will give encouragement and stability.
Those who are perhaps borderline cases, they're just waving and wavering and don't know exactly which way to turn or what to do or where to go. Well, when the trumpet gives an uncertain blast, how can people prepare themselves for battle? And so this afternoon, these words we've read here, I believe, and Dino, we think of the 12Th verse there, prove thy service.
Prove thy service. That was Daniel's request. Prove us and prove us. 10 days. 10 is the number of responsibility. Daniel felt his responsibility before God. Do we feel it? Do I feel it? Do you feel it? Are you aware of the responsibility you have this little time that we are living in now, The little span of life in which we enjoy existence in this scene of God dispensation of grace.
Is our one and only opportunity for.
Having our capacity enlarged for the enjoyment of Christ's eternally, just weigh that.
How are you responding to this privilege and opportunity?
Right here and now our capacity is being formed, whether it be small or whether it be large, for the enjoyment of Christ eternally. Now we notice three times over in this precious book over here in the 9th chapter.
00:25:13
I believe it is. We have 3 verses that certainly encourage our hearts this afternoon regarding God's servant Daniel, the 9th chapter, the 23rd verse.
I know. Wouldn't it be nice, Wouldn't it be wonderful, beloved young people, if this could be said of each young man and each young lady in this room this afternoon. Notice Daniel 9/23. At the beginning of the supplication the commandment came forth and I am come.
To show thee for thou art greatly beloved, thou art greatly beloved. Therefore understand the matter and consider the vision the 10th chapter and the 11Th verse. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man, greater beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright for unto thee.
Am I now set? And when he has spoken this word unto me, I stood firmly. I stood firmly the 19th verse, and said, Oh man, greatly beloved, fear not.
Peace be unto thee, be strong, ye be strong. And when he had spoken unto me.
I was strengthened and said, Let my Lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me.
Do you want to hear the voice of the Lord speak, then read His word. That's His voice to us in these days of difficulty and declension and chaos and confusion and corruption, which we find all about it. These are God's words, so He would have us hearken to His voice that we might be strengthened.
There is no excuse for a weak need, Saints of God. There is no excuse for retreating. There is no excuse for saying, well, I just can't take. I'm going to give up. I don't know what to do next. And so I'm quit.
God never contemplated such a course. Never. And it never will. Daniel didn't quit. Daniel continued on with purpose of heart. And God could say thrice over thou art a man greatly beloved of God.
That's a commendation that any of us may welcome it, and so we can look to the Lord. We might not do it for the sake of commendation, but for his glory and for his praise.
For he gave himself for us. And what have we done? What have we given to him? Are we living selfishly? Are we living for our own ends and our own games? Or are we considering him and giving him a little wider margin in our thoughts and in our programs and in our pursuits and our preferences and our pleasures, all that? He might have a wider match because he's worthy of that and he wants it now. Oh, you know, I think.
Of my own father-in-law, just before he passed on to glory.
I was out with him one day in the yard on the North Shore of Lake Superior and he was weeping up in the garage, getting on in years 70, some years of age 5 or 6. And I said, well father, what are you weeping about? What are you weeping about? Always said I'm so sad.
That I haven't spoken to more souls about my savior.
But he had been faithful.
But he felt that he had missed the mark. So in those last days of his life in the sea he called various ones that he had labored with to his bedside. Pastors and and Christians and unsafe of kindred bedside. He talked about this, he talked to him about God's precious truth. And he said, perhaps for chance I can slay more than my death than in my life as Samson did for the job. Unbelievable.
Oh, we get so serious when we just have a few more hours to labor in the sea. Oh, we get so serious we think, Well, we've reached, we've reached the end of our course, so we better start doing that which will come for eternity. Oh beloved young people, now is the time. Right now. Don't wait. Don't wait until they get grey headed and bald and weak and and failing in health and all. Now is God's time for you.
00:30:06
How are you? How are you doing now? Not to be introspective, but to check up on our course? How are you?
Spending your time before the Lord, what is your desire regarding His word? If you were put in a room and you had a choice and nobody was looking, which book would you pick up? Would you pick up this fiction book? Would you pick up this this novel, or would you pick up those precious words? Or would you pick up something else?
Ah, that's a test. One finds it so, so prevalent in his own LA. Oh yes. Oh well. I want to do something or something just like now for a little and you pick up something like and precious hours are wasted, hours that may have been spent with God's wonderful word. So I want to take a look at this dear servant of God and see how it was with him and why he could be a man.
So highly termed by the God of the universe.
Our man, greatly beloved of God, well, I believe we have here that he was a man of the word, a man of the Word. He, he knew God's word and he spent time with God's wonderful Word. And of course that's going to bring us to spend time in prayer, and then we're going to spend time and praise.
Because those three things go together. As one brother present here has said, RPM is essential in the engineering world, and so in our Christian life reading.
Prayer and meditation. You can't get on without it. Beloved young people, you don't need to even try.
It's sad to see how much is known of science and how little is known of the Savior.
And that's the tendency of the age. Oh crowded, cracking the craniums in college and bring them, bring them onto the place where they have have an armful of books and almost take a wheel belt and carry home the homework and give them no time to think of the Lord. Just as in the days of the Israelite Sparrow said, crowd out every thought of God out of their lives, increase the tail of bricks and lay on the lash and don't let them so much a thing of God.
That's the enemy's trick and that hasn't. That hasn't changed any. He's the same subtle sick right on down through the centuries and he's the one that's just following your trail and he's crowding you this way. Crowding. Pull it up. Post a job and 1/2 or two jobs a time and a half and double time and.
What's all going to happen? What would I add up to? It'll add up to one big zero in God's estimation in eternity.
So we find here he was a man of the word. Well, we read the entrance of God's Word, Bringeth, light and fire. So many young people wondering what to do next.
And why are there so many of us older heads wondering what to do next? Because we're not acquainted with the book. We're we're we're just kind of wobbling around in the dark. But the entrance of God's word bringeth light and God delights to lead his people in a plain path. A plain path, No, no lack of perception there spiritual disseminate.
Is possible because of continuing on with the word that gives light. And King David said thy word have a hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee. What are you hiding in your hearts? I notice that dear young people can learn God's word very rapidly. I It's wonderful the way they can take it in and retain it and hold on right on down through to old age, that precious truth that they've read and memorized in their young lives.
Well.
Hide God's word like David. Hide it in your heart that you might not sin against your man, that you might not sin against your Savior. Hide God's word in your heart and hide it now because the time is coming when you can't hide it so easily. You're going to have difficulty in hiding it because your mind has become a callous and has become sick and therefore you just can't take it in all. You can hold it for a few hours perhaps, but you can't. You can't hold it small. Now is the time to young people hide thoughts right in your heart.
And we have that injunction in Timothy study to show thyself approved unto God a Workman that needeth not, needeth not to be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth, don't need to mix it all up. God's Word has a pattern, and He wants us to be acquainted with his His truth in a proper map, in a consecutive layout of His divine purposes. And so we have His word as a lamp under our feet, and a light under our path.
00:35:29
Oh, don't need to go to this one and that one, I said, what do you think about it, brother? What do you think about it? I said no, you just take take your your, your Bible and get on your knees in your room with the Lord and ask him to direct you and in his work and he'll tell you what he thinks about it. Yes, he will. And he'll make it so powerful at play that you won't need to guess and you won't need to to wonder about. And so he wants to do that. God delays to do that. Well, don't be among those who are.
Ah, same word. You know God's word is foolishness. You know as we have in First Corinthians 118 the fool has said in his heart in Psalm 14 there is no God and 1St been 1/1/18.
The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness. You know, there are a lot of people like we heard last night. They're foolish and they don't want God's truth and so they say, ah, foolishness. But that doesn't change anything. Over in Romans 3 three it says.
There without very significant statement that I've enjoyed for what you know. We hear that on the street hall So what for? What if some did not believe. Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect. Not in the least. Not in the least. I don't care how many unbelievers that doesn't change God's pattern and blueprint. He's going to go right along according to his His blueprint is going to heal right to the line and.
You're in the way. You'll be. He'll be hewn down.
God loves you, but it doesn't want any of your nonsense in mind either. He wants us to comply with His precious truth, to hide it in our heart, to treasure, to value and to purpose. To please the one who shed his precious blood on Calvary, that he might go on with him a little while longer until he comes to call us home. Well, we have something else here over in Luke 926. There's a very touching statement there, I think that we might read with Prophet.
Luke 9 and 26 Concerning being a shape, you know sometimes.
We act like we're ashamed on our jobs in our classrooms. We act like we're ashamed of the Lord Jesus. We act like we're ashamed of His word. But listen to this Luke 926 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he cometh in his own glory, and in the Fathers and of the holy angels. Do you want him to be ashamed of you?
Ah, don't be ashamed of him.
What? What has he done that you should be ashamed of him?
Ah, let him have his way his hallway. Oh, let him be Lord of all of He is Lord of all. He's not Lord at all. Just think of that.
And that's all. Let him have his way. And then over in John 1248, think of his word. Oh, his word is wonderful, and I don't appreciate it as much as I ought. And may we appreciate it more together, in these precious days that we have together over his wonderful word and round himself. Therein we find in John 12.
The precious truth.
And both sides of it.
He that rejected me. John 1248, he that rejecteth me.
And receiveth not my words.
Hath won the judges him the words that I have spoken. The same shall judge him in the last day. Do you want God's truth?
Well, then buy it. Buy it and don't stop. Buy it and don't stop.
And it's by his word that we're going to live. Man shall not live by bread alone. But by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God shall man live. And that's life. And that's eternal life. To whom shall we go? Peter said, Thou hast the word of eternal life. Oh, what do you occupy? What am I occupied with? I'm occupied with that which is secondary, with that which God is set aside. Or am I occupied with that which he has set before me as his truth or his precious truth?
00:40:03
This is God's desires. We have in First Timothy 2 verses three and four. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come under the knowledge of the truth. Or you've gotten saved. Yes, Wonderful. That's a good start, but only a start. God wants you wants me to go on in His truth. In His truth. What is truth? The Lord Jesus said I am the wind, the truth and the light. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. You want God's truth. It's going to cost you something.
It's going to cost them. It's worth everything. It costs, absolutely. And his injunction this afternoon for each of us is for his.
Though you fought therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach. And it's going to be difficult, I know, as you go back to college and as you go back to your your high school work and your your grade school work. But I have a letter. I have three of them, in fact, from a millionaire's daughter. She's the wife of the young of the youngest millionaire in the United States, and she has been gathered now to the large name about 3 months. She's only been saved about three years. And her letters really rejoice the hearts of any young people, and I have them with me if you care to read them.
Her name is Mary Jane Henderson.
She's a Spanish student, 21 years of age, and God had brought her off. And she is a happy soul and she has bought the truth. And she's lived for the Lord in the, what they call Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY And they've met together daily around over the word, reading it and spending time together in prayer with a half a dozen or so other dear children of God up there in New York State. Well, I wonder how you spend your time.
Do you spend it on the ball field? Do you spend it, perhaps in some other, in some other fickle way that can't net you any gain spiritually, eternally? Oh my, just to go on with the Lord and to be a term by God, our man, a woman.
Greatly beloved of himself. That's worth him. That's worth billions of this world's dollars. May the Lord help us so to do. Oh yes. And so let his word dwell on your rich. Well over in the second chapter there of Daniel and verse 23, we find that he was a man of praise. You know, Daniel didn't take all this glory to himself. He didn't take any of them, No.
He was approached by this potentate to interpret a dream. Well, Daniel said, give me a little time. Give me a little time. And he gave him time. And then Daniel went to God and prayed. And Daniel had headed out with the Lord, so to speak. He got before the Lord, and the Lord showed him what this King's dream was. And, you know, some of the prophecies that we have in Daniel are wonderful.
Come to Patton, Summer still going to come to pass. He was a man that God could trust because he was a man after God's own heart. Even as David. Well over here in the 23rd verse of chapter 2.
He's a man of praise. No, it's it's wonderful to meet Saints of God who are full of praise. Ah, what a depressing thing it is to meet Saints of God that are always grumbling and they grumbling Monday, the grumbling twos, the grumbling lenses to right on through the grumble and they don't have any ground and that's too bad or what? What shame that brings on the precious name of our loving Satan and what what appreciation is, is, is given to seek the enemy of our souls.
Grumbling. But here he was a man of praise. Oh, that's what counts. Praise the Lord for all things and in all things. And I thank thee, and praise thee, oh thou God of my Father's, who has given me wisdom and might, and has made Nolan to me. Now what we desired of thee. For thou hast now made known unto us the kings matter. Isn't that lovely? Well, that's what God.
Would have from us, because praise glorifieth him, praise.
And rejoicing. And the apostle Paul was sitting there in the Philippian prison in those four chapters in all of his trial he could rejoice, and he mentioned joy and rejoicing 17 times in those four short chapters. And so rejoice in the Lord for your righteous, for praise is coming for the upright and praise glorify him.
And anything else doesn't glorify him. Anything else is pleasing to the enemy. Complaints and dissatisfactions. We have this in the sound of a Bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Bless the Lord at all times. No matter what comes or what goes, it doesn't matter. Just praise Him. Please him. Sing forth the honor of His name. Make his praise glorious. That's what the Lord wants.
00:45:27
Make his praise glorious. Praise you, the Lord, for it is good to sing praise.
Unto our God, for it is pleasant and praise is coming. Oh, thank God for such guiding verses as those to to stimulate our hearts and pray and praise. And so we find here that's what David was Daniel was doing, and he says 7 * a day, Do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments? Well, God was pleased with that and so praise.
Leads us on to prayer. You know we got the Gimme gimmes often. Taiwan Lord, give me this, Give me that and give me something else. Bless me my wife John. His life must for no more. Amen. And the way we go. But that isn't conscious. He wants us to praise what he's given us. He's given us his only begotten son.
And he died on count. How many times do we thank him and praise him for saving our souls? How many times do we thank him for his wonderful work? Oh, how many times do we thank him for the truth? I think of the precious statement of Jacob in Genesis 32 and 10. I am not worthy in the new translation. I am too small for all the mercies, and all the truth that thou hast shown unto thyself unto thy servant.
Think of that mercies for salvation and truth for separation. And we're just too small to take it in. I'm not worth of all that mercy of all that truth all done. Thou man great of the love of God and so he was a man of prayer. And we find all things, whatever we shall ask in prayer, beating you should receive them. So why don't we pray? Oh you hear people say, well you know, this is a very serious situation. I guess the only thing we can do is pray. So all we got left.
That's where you should have started, dear brother. You should have started with prayer, not end up with prayer. Start and finish with and right on through. And so Jesus went out into the mountain to pray and continue all night in prayer under God that he needed to do that and how much more we all he enjoyed communing with with his boss in those mountain places of seclusion.
And quietness and quiet tranquility. All are wonderful. And you have a quiet place. You have a trusting place too. You can get a low oh, an effort. We used to have what they call prayer towers all the way from the people and up off the ground, away from the snakes and the ants and get along there with a lot. And I was worthwhile, thank God gave help in those times when things seem to be going wrong and our lives were threatened and souls were antagonist against God's gospel. They want education. They want a civilization. And we look to the law and he gave us souls.
They give us precious soul wits, doctors, medicine and head men, Chiefs accepting prices are saying.
Prayer. Ah, we know too little about it. And these days, I'm afraid too far, too little. But God would have us be acquainted with these things because Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer. Ah, they said we'll give ourselves, continue to prayer and to the menace of their word. Oftentimes, you know, we get the gospel ahead of prayer. We get the service ahead of worship, we get the carpet for the horse. And that isn't God. This is how that isn't just way he wanted, but First things first. And so we can go on with him.
In that capacity, in that light, well we praise God for his patience with us and the effect of prayer. Righteous man availeth much.
All you know, we think a lot about that when there's a soul, perhaps one of our loved ones die, slipping away from time into eternity. Here we are, we're at the bedside and then we get down on both knees. And we don't have any arthritic pains either. We're just wet and bow our knees and cry to God as one of our one of our children passing away in Africa. We took that little child and we on both our knees. We just tried to God, and God undertook and spared her life. 33 years old today.
We thank God for his faith.
But don't. Don't.
Think that God doesn't recognize reality. He does. And he wants to see the meat, and he wants to see it in you. And he wants to see it now, because this is God's time now. And then turn it. There won't be an opportunity for prayer. There'll be prayers there, but be an opportunity for for going on serving him as we are in this scene, we'll be praising him, and he'll be serving us all through those compensations of God's wonderful eternity. Well, we find here.
00:50:17
He was a man of praise and a man of prayer and a man of the word. Well, we thank God for that. And so we can rejoice that God is able to bring us on. You know, Daniel wasn't any, anything different, anyone different than we are. No, he wasn't. He wasn't one of God's goody goodies. No, he wasn't just a favorite of of of the Lord. No, He was one that God used. We have Saul of Tarsus. He was he was a terrible character, but.
God chosen. And God has boys and girls right here in this room this afternoon. He has young people that he wants. And he's been trying for a long time. He's been following you, as I heard not long ago concerning one who says, you know, the Lord is pressuring me. I better give up. You better give up because God doesn't want to give up. He wants you and He wants all of you. He wants you. They gave themselves to the Lord, and that's what he has purchased. He purchased you with His own precious blood. The Lord Jesus has, and he wants you now, and He wants all of you. He doesn't want you to reserve a little portion for yourself. Not even a little portion.
He wants Paul and he wants he wants all that we have. And he's worthy of all because he has given all for me. He's given his precious blood. He's getting laid. His life down in death. Oh, for me that it might have me. It might have you with him in the glory for all eternity. Isn't that Isn't that wonderful, that love and think of it. So let him have his way. Well, we find here that he was one that God preserved.
Just think of put yourself in his in his deliver down there in Denver Lions. God preserved him. Yes he did, and God promoted it. Take a look over here at the.
Second chapter.
And the verses 48 and 49.
Then we find here how God prospered him and promoted it. Then the king made Daniel a great man and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
Ah, reminded of Joseph. The Lord made all that Joseph did to prosper, and he prospered then. And we're not doing it for prosperity, but we read. Concerning Joshua and Joshua 18 I believe it is and you shall prosper. Meditate in God's word day and night, and you shall prosper. God wants us to go on the prospering spiritually. And so we take another look over here in the first part of that chapter, six that we read.
And we find in the third verse then this Daniel was preferred above all the presidents. Think of it above all the presidents and Princess because of excellent spirit was in him and the king thought to set him up with a whole realm babbling. Mind you that was a good sized country and one of faith renowned. And here's Daniel over the whole verse 10 of that sixth step now when Daniel knew.
That the writing was signed.
He went into his house and his windows being opened in his chamber toward Jerusalem. He kneeled down upon his knees three times a day and prayed. That's where he got his power. That's where he received his his prosperity and prestige and temperament. He was a man of God.
He had an excellent spirit and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Yes, He didn't have any fear, Pharaoh, and have any fear of the King of Babylon. The Lord was with him and prosper and preferred, and gave him a wonderful, wonderful, happy life. I'm sure, and I believe that between the two you would prefer to be Daniel rather than the Gate, because the king couldn't sleep that night.
But then you had a wonderful sleep. Perhaps the best he'd had in a long time, right there on the lion's mane. God controlled the beast. close the mouth and they couldn't hurt them.
Well, God is able to protect you. We don't know what this communist ridden country has for us in the future. We know they're Saints of God, have read about them just lately. How they've been in the salt minds of Siberia. Saints of God that are going through trial imprisonments and dungeons and starvation diets. And the dear Saints of God in China and many many this afternoon in the Congo and in northern region going through trial that we don't read about or hear about but we get a little bit so now that of the awful things are going through.
00:55:32
And bloodshed, murder and.
Glory, wonderful, the glory to him. May the Lord help us just to go on and dare to be a dime. Dare to stand alone there, to have a purpose, truth, and dare to make it known. We don't need to hide our lights under Bush, We don't need to be pussyfooting around. But let us have a clear cut, clean cut testimony for our blessed Lord.
And have the lion so positive, so definite, that others, when they see, are walking ways in the scene, will know where the line of demarcation is. It's far better to be a stepping stone in this scene for our dear young people than to be a stumbling block. May the Lord help us to be true and a ring through and to go on for His glory until He comes to call us home to that glory seat. May we sing that lovely hymn 46 in the back of our books.
Oh.
Right.
Oh, oh, oh.
Dear.
Where bloody.
Are thy.
We.
My dearest.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh. Oh.
3 2.
Oh, oh, oh away.
Matthew 25
Gospel—J. Lloyd
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
25th of Matthew.
It's a portion and we're all familiar with.
But you know, the precious word of God is inexhaustible. Inexhaustible.
Yes. The more we read it, the more we learn and the more we find there is to learn. Yes.
So I'll read to you a few verses of the beginning of the first verse of the 25th chapter of Matthew.
Then shall the Kingdom of heaven be likened unto 10 virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom, and five of them were wives, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them.
Have to excuse me how to give it up a little closer?
But the Wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps, while the bridegroom teared. They all slumbered and slipped, and at midnight there was a cry made. Behold the bridegroom coming. Go ye out to meet him.
All those versions arose, trimmed their lamps, and the foolish stood under the wise Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out otherwise.
Answered saying Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourself, and while they went to buy.
The bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Afterwards came also the other version, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you're not.
Here in this portion we have two classes of people. Two classes of people.
Ever since people have been born into this world, they've been two classes of people. You start back with Cain and Abel.
What we have, we have within those two men, two classes of people.
You know sin is a thing that didn't start to work.
100 years or 50 years or ten years after it begun.
Sin is something that you cannot play with is an expression no, so we see and the first two people that was born in the world, how sin began to work surety yes, so we see.
That Abel was, as we would express it, was a man of God. But Cain was a man that was against God. Sure was, yes. And so on down the whole course of man's life. They have been two classes of people. Two classes. Of course we know those two classes are divided into other classes.
But tonight we are speaking about those that belong to the Lord.
Are those that do not belong to the Lord.
And that's the difference when one comes to close his eyes and death in this scene.
What matters? What matters other than whether you know the Lord or you don't know the Lord?
Fact. Many of us have been to funerals.
And you look over in the casket. Yes. And the, the, the, the question would come into your mind. Where is he? Where is he? Yes, what I said. And solemn thing.
So we find that here in this portion I've just read was two classes of people, two classes of people.
00:05:00
Hi, there were five.
And then shall the Kingdom of heaven be lacking under 10 virgins?
Which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Here there's ten of them. Ten of them.
So we find that five of them were wise.
And five were foolish.
Ash, that doesn't say that half people are saved and half people are lost.
That's not what I'm talking about, no.
Billionaires that there's two classes of them. Two classes. Yes, everyone of us in this room tonight is in one of those classes. Sure is in one of that class.
You know, many years ago.
I found John 316 in the Bible.
Yes, come to know John 316.
Well, we might take a little time to how I tell her how I come to know that.
I was doing a job of work down below during the depression days when.
Work with skiers and there wasn't much, and I just begun in business for myself and I had a job about 20 miles below Rome, a little town called Cedartown.
We're building the harps home, man and.
I had the job of.
Back in those days called material hallway that is most everything that come in to build buildings was coming on the railroads, you know, wasn't trucked in like it is now and I took the contract to unload everything that come in by car and delivered on the job. I followed that for several years.
And every morning as I'd come from Rome.
Go down by the railroad yard.
And see if there was any cars or stuff come in to unload and saw there was a fellow in the truck with me as I drove down there to look at to see I saw what's called a low side gone that is loaded with sand and across the hall length of that car was rope. John 316 them letters is about that high and you how long?
A railroad car is.
Well, my name is John, you know, and of course that attracted me. Then I knew that that was stripped. Well, I'd heard John 316, like many of you children all your lives. Sure had. But did I really know John 316? Yeah. And so in that, I stayed on my mind all day. I worked all day worked. So when I went back home that night.
Well, I got my Bible down and I looked at John 316.
And what did I find?
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
That whosoever. That's the word I found in there. That whosoever.
Or you know whosoever took me in.
Security it took me and it took you in the Texas, all in whosoever, whosoever does what believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Oh, what a wonderful thing, wonderful thing. You know, it's wonderful to just rest upon the word of God, to believe God.
Well, many years later I was reading the Bible one night.
Laying on a couch, coming home, you know, tired and everything. You lay down to relax. I get my Bible, you know, in there I read of another whosoever, yes I did.
Well, it made me feel bad. I didn't rejoice over that one. Why? Because it says that whosoever this is, Revelation 20 or 21, someone might correct me.
Yet and whosoever name is not written and the book of Life is cast into the Lake of heart. Well, I wasn't worried about being cast into the Lake of Fire, but I was just thinking of those that was in the second whosoever.
Yeah, whosoever.
So you see, there's two classes of people, There's two classes certainly is and so tonight, which one are you in?
00:10:09
Yeah, which one of the whosoever's are you in the Lord should come tonight. Death should overtake you. None of us have got a guarantee that we'll get back home over to our motel. Certainly haven't. None of us has got a lease on life. Certainly hasn't. As I've told before, one night we finished speaking in the JLI and it was when we had the room about as big as this room here.
And they'd put you in it, you know, and they'll lock you up in it. And then when you got through speaking, why then you'd shake the door and holler and just keep shaking and keep hollering. They'd come let you out. Well, if the jailer was busy and he didn't come right up, then after you got through speaking, you had an opportunity to speak to individuals. That is, the mom would come up and talk to you.
And ask you some questions and different things. And so there in that jail was a boy I'd known all my life. And.
And I saw that he looked like he wanted to be saved, wanted to be saved. We call it under conviction. But I say this looked like he wanted to be saved. And so I put my arm around him and called him by name and said, Bud.
You need the Lord his Savior. He was there for drink.
And he always was wanting to quit.
But he just couldn't. I said, Bud, I tell you what, if you take the Lord as Savior, and if you'll just turn it over to him, he'll take the drink away from me. Just take the Lord as Savior. I read some scriptures to him and I plead to him. I saw the record of the jailer come unlock the door.
So he says to me with tears in his eyes, John, I tell you we was going on Thursday night. Then John, I tell you next Thursday night when you come back, I'll take him and save you. I'll say, oh, but take Jesus now. Take him. Now is the time. John, I'll tell you, I'll take him next Thursday on a Saturday night. They carried him out of that jail just as dead as he is right now.
Sure did, poor bud. Yes. So I'll tell you, boys and girls, men and women, salvation is something you cannot trifle with. You certainly can't. Why? Because you have no lease on life. No lease on life. Now you're all say again is in one of these classes. Certainly. Are you in the class that belongs to the Lord?
Or not belong to the Lord?
There is no middle ground. You talk to a lot of people nowadays.
And they take the attitude of neutral. You know, I'm neither foreign or against a neutral ground. You'd be surprised how many it takes that attitude. But I want to tell you in the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, when the rich man there was talking to Abraham, what did he tell him? Did he tell him there was a middle ground? No, he says, oh, no, there's a great gulf.
Yeah, between us and it's fixed. It's there. You can't get across it. That's right. There's no place for him to stand. There's no middle ground. Oh, I know there's lots of you, boys and girls. And so was I Raised in a good Christian home. One of the first things I can remember is my father and mother praying for me. Certainly was. And that's wonderful.
Certainly is. You need to thank God that you're born in a home that your parents know the Lord. Oh yes, what a wonderful privilege it is. Certainly is. But I'll tell you, you are born lost and you have to take Christ for yourself. We cannot go to heaven upon our parents salvation. I read it to you in just a minute. Right now. Let's read on down just a little bit more.
Yeah, and the five of them were wise and five were foolish. I want to say now that those who receive Christ as Savior, God says you're wise, says if you read the word, it'll make you wise under salvation. Well, but what about those that rejected? What about?
00:15:23
A fool? You wouldn't want to be called a fool, would you?
I wouldn't, certainly wouldn't. But God brands you the food. Isn't that sad? So he says five are wise and five are foolish. Let's find out why, Why I'm a part of them wise and why we're part of them foolish. So they that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. Well, it would sound sort of foolish, wouldn't it, if we were going out.
I needed a light tonight, you know?
And back in those days, they didn't have flashlights and electric linings. They had back in my days when I come up, we had kerosene lanterns. You know, if you're going out in the dark, take them with you. And so it would be rather foolish to go out on to make a trip here tonight and take a Lantern and not have no oil in it, wouldn't it? So what?
Well, we know the Lantern speaks to us of profession.
Speaks to us, a profession.
Well, you can go down here on the streets of one of your cities anytime you want to, and you can just stop people after people and speak to them and you'll find that they make a profession. Certainly make a profession, but that's not what takes you into the presence of God. Certainly isn't What is it? It's the blood of Christ knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior certainly is. So they took the lanterns.
And took Noah with him. Well, that's what you'd say about me if I'd done that tonight and went out in the in the dark, wouldn't you? You'd say I'd fellows foolish? Yes, that's just simple. So we find. But the wise took all in their vessels with their land.
Well, you know the question, Ben Rose. It said. It didn't go in their lamps.
Yes, I think the lamps is full of oil. They didn't know how long the journey was going to be.
And So what they have done, they just took a jogger all along with them, have plenty of supplies.
That's right, you know, to be saved is a wonderful thing, certainly is. But we need a supply. We need to read the word and learn what the Lord has for, you know, certainly do.
So that's what the Wise did, yes. They carried the oil with them. A supply. I'll tell you now. We need a supply, certainly. Do we need an enemy's land?
So what takes place? What takes place?
Well, we find.
That while a bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Well, you know, that's a bad state.
For both saved and lost to Gideon.
And especially those that are saved.
Yes, you know, we who are the Lords should be a light in the dark form. Truly this world is in darkness. Yes, we should be able to have some little light for the Lord. Yes, some light. But we find that they all slumbered and slept. That is, you couldn't tell one from the other.
Couldn't tell one from the other.
And isn't it true today it's hard to tell the saved from the unsaved? Yes. You get out in the world today an expression is is just rub shoulders with people. You'll find it's hard to tell the saved from the unsaved certainly is, yes.
And so we find they slumbered and slept. I want to say to you tonight, Sinner friend, are you slumbering and sleeping? Are you going on down the road of life indifferent towards your own soul, your own soul? You know you have a never dying soul. You have a soul that will go on forever. Forever sure have.
00:20:19
Sure how people today would like to live, like they'd want to live and die and forget it all, just die and be dead. That's not true. You know it's not true. So.
While it's tarried, yes, slumbered and slept.
And we find at midnight, at midnight.
Well, midnight speaks to us of a quiet time when everything is asleep. Don't. Yeah.
When everything is asleep.
Then comes the cry, comes the cry, comes the cry.
Behold, the bridegroom cometh. Go ye out to meeting, Go ye out to me.
Well, all of us here.
Have heard from time we can remember.
Of the coming of the Lord, Yes, we have.
Ye children of the Saints certainly are blessed in that way, yes.
We know about the coming of the Lord. There's one here tonight that doesn't know about the coming of the Lord.
I want to say to you he is coming.
Yes, she is. What's he coming for?
That's a good question. He's coming for his own. He's coming for his own.
Are you one of his own?
Yes, here comes the class. Are you one that isn't his home?
You have to answer that for yourself.
I can't look at a soul here tonight and say this one saved and that was lost.
This was lost in that one state. No, I can't do that and neither can you. No, neither can you. Or we know one by their testimony in different ways. Yes, certainly do. But God knows his own. God knows his own. I just want to turn to a verse in Second Timothy.
Second Timothy chapter 2. This is the verse that our brother Charlie Gardner.
Many hours here. Remember brother Charlie Gardner? He used to read this verse quite often and it's never never has left my mind. But I can't say it from memory, so I have to turn to it. Yes.
Verse 19.
The second chapter of Second Timothy.
Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal.
The Lord knoweth them that are his.
Not a wonderful thing. Not a wonderful thing.
Yes.
When the Lord comes, there be no mistakes made.
He knows his.
Yes, we want to be a sad thing for those that went on in profession, those that thought they were all right.
You know, I read a statement the other night in reading the notes. I believe it was on the Saint Louis meeting in 19 and 25.
Little book of reading it, I certainly enjoyed it. And in this statement was said there was a power in Christianity. Yes, it was a power of in Christianity that is over people. People went on with it thinking I don't know, but a lot of people you know are religious and they want to go on with that and that's what we have here in the five YS and the five foolish.
Yes, oh how sad it be for the Lord to come and find out that you wasn't His, that you wasn't His. The Lord knows His own. Let me read that verse again. Nevertheless, the foundation of God's stand is sure. What is the foundation?
00:25:00
Well, a lot of us here, you know, familiar with the building business and you know, a building is no better than the foundation.
No, I didn't know better than the foundation, and the foundation of God is sure. It is sure. So it starts right down at the bottom, right at the bottom, yes. And so that the foundation of God's standards, you're having this seal or approval or whatever expression you want, the Lord knoweth them that are his.
Are you one of his? Here's another class.
Juries. Those that are here, That's right.
What do you have to say right here? What I just read a while ago when the door was shut, they come saying, Lord, Lord, open up to us.
Yeah.
What's the answer? Don't know you, Don't know you?
Oh, wouldn't that be a sad thing to wind up in eternity? And God say to you, I don't know you, I don't know you. Oh, what a sad thing that'd be, yes.
Sad thing that would be. Well, I'll tell you tonight, if you without the Lord Jesus Christ, if you haven't received the Lord Jesus to save, that's what the answer will be. Makes no difference how good a boy or girl you've been, how good a man or woman you've been, how nice and upright life you've been. There's nothing wrong with that, not at all. Brother Ryan has the answer for that, you know. But that won't bring you into the presence of a holy and a righteous God.
Oh, no, what will? It's just exactly what Paul and Silas said to the Philippian jail on the 16th of acts. They said to him, what must I do to be saved? Yes, what must I do to be saved? He didn't say to that jailer. I tell you what, you need to quit beating these people here with that whip.
Just unmercifully and not even giving them nothing to eat or nothing else, and sticking them down in an inner cell way down there where a human being can't hardly live. You need to straighten up, fella. Oh, no. Oh no, no.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
Oh, what a simple statement. What a simple statement. You know, I worked for a man during the war. We was in the mining business. It was a fine fellow and.
Unquestionably, he was raised in a Christian home.
He told me how his mother, when he was a boy, held her in his lap and on her knees and read the Bible to him every night, prayed with him.
He was a well educated man. He was trained for the State Police of New York State. Yes, college graduate and I talked to Jack about the Lord.
Time after time. And he would say to me, John, that's fine, but you got to do something else. Hi, John. I just won't do. You got to do something else. I'd say, Jack, what else have you got to do? And I say to you tonight.
You can do everything you can think of as long as you want to and as much of as you want to, and fail to take Jesus as savior in that class of the lost. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Yeah.
And so the Lord knoweth them that are his. What a wonderful thing to be known by God.
Turn off. Well, you know, I perhaps would feel a little bigger if I was known by the governor of Kentucky, you know?
Yes, I'd feel a little bit in honor. It's pretty tough. It's voting now is known by the president of the United States.
A steel still feel a little bigger, wouldn't it? But I'll tell you right now, that wouldn't do me a bit of good if I close my eyes in death. But if I'm known of God.
That's the difference. Oh yes. Does God know you tonight? Does God know you as one of His own tonight? Or if you don't, he doesn't. Turn to Jesus, Turn to the one who is able to save unto them utmost all that come unto him by faith.
00:30:24
Trapped.
Yes, able to.
I'm able to do a few things, you're able to do a few things, but you're not able to do all things.
You're not. I want to say to you, you're not able to save yourself.
No, you're not.
No, but Jesus is yes, He can save you. Oh, what a wonderful thing.
So.
For the Lord to know ye, to know you so will turn back now to where we were. Turn back and we'll speak again about the wise and the foolish. The wise and the foolish. You know, I often think about the man in Luke's gospel. I believe it is that you know how an abundant crop had an abundant crop.
There's nothing wrong with that. He had good farm, yes. Produced. Well, no. God's the one that gives the increase. God gave him the increase, sure.
Number in here tonight of farmers and they know they can prepare the land.
They can sow the seed, but if God don't give the increase, you still have no crop. Sure don't.
And saw then he had such a crop that he tore his barns down, didn't have room to stack it. Oh, that's a blessing of God on him. God has blessed each and everyone of us here tonight. Just think of being born and raised in a landing country.
Where the gospel goes out freely sure does.
Yes, think about being born in a land and country where it's prohibited.
That's right. I'll tell you, God has blessed us, certainly has all that. We who pray might pray that the gospel might continue to go out. We know that the enemy seeks to close it down, certainly does. And saw this man, he received the blessings of God.
Yes, you receive the blessings of God every day, saved or lost.
What about the health you enjoy?
That's right. A lot of us here know a little something about it. Now I don't want. Sure do. Yeah. What about the air you breathe? What about a good sound mind you got?
Stop checking up and check up. You'll see the blessings you enjoy.
You saw this man in Luke. What did he do?
Well, he took care of this stuff.
Got it all put in his barns.
Does he get out on his knees and thank God for it?
I don't. No, I don't, he says so. So take the eyes. Thou hast much goods laid up for many years.
Oh, wasn't that a fool.
Yes, he had no lease on life either. He left God out of his life. He left God out of everything. But God says to him, Thou fool this night.
Thy soul shall be required of thee.
If that was said of you tonight, where would your soul be?
Where would it be?
Oh, I'll tell you, dear ones, salvation is something not to be trifled with.
That's right.
Every man must give an account of himself to God.
That man's got to give an account.
Certainly has. You have too, unless you've already done it.
Yes, I give an account to God over 35 years ago.
00:35:03
What account did I give to God? What account can you give?
I'm a Sinner.
I'm a Sinner.
Yes, and I take Jesus as Savior. Yes, Christ died for sinners. I come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repent.
Yes, you know.
Said to me one time.
Been a good long while ago.
When I first began to speak.
My brother said.
Never point your finger and tell people they're sinners.
They'll never point your finger. There are people there, sinners.
I said oh.
Ah, that's what Jesus died for was sinners. That's right.
Yes, I had the finger pointed at me when I was lost.
Outside of God and told his Sinner I don't like it. No, I didn't, certainly don't. But I'll tell you now, I'd rather bow before God didn't own that I'm a Sinner. Now, when you'll have to stand before him, not as a savior, but a judge at the great white throne, the Scripture says every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. You'll have to do it.
My father used to say to me, son, if you don't do it now, you'll have to then.
Track I was nearly 26 years old for a saved yes, one of the greatest things I regret in life that I waited so long, but one of the only things I'm happy over. I didn't wait no longer than I did.
Trapped, yes, So you'll have to bow to God and own your Sinner. I don't want to take up too much time, but I like to tell it's a little experience.
He was working on a job up near Chattanooga once and was in the winter time soldering this cold, got ready to come home. I took this job over, was taken over from a man and he had his labor on it and things.
So me and my brother was there, we had a pickup, had a heater and the glasses all in it.
Had an old like gentleman was working there with us just as a labor.
And we got ready to go. I noticed he was standing pretty close to the pickup, the labor truck. You notice how the canvas over in this cold? I said, Bob, would you like to ride with us? He said, yeah, yeah. He said, get in.
Well, we got in, we started on down the road piece and he sat in the middle.
Hadn't gone far, he says. I stand you a preacher. I said, well, I belong to the Lord and love to tell the story of Jesus.
How he loves me and how he saved me. Well, that's about all I had to say. And he began to talk to me then, and I listened to him very carefully what he had to say.
So he just about run down.
And I sensed in his conversation that he was a perfect man, that he had never sinned.
That's the conclusion that I drew and I called him by name. I said Mr. So and sore you not a Sinner. He said no, I'm not a Sinner.
No, I've never seen.
La Celia, I sure am sorry for you.
You looked at me right.
Funny, he says. Huh? Yes, I certainly do feel sorry for you.
Well, of course I kept dwelling on that and he said why? So you don't have a savior?
Don't have a Savior, I said. Scripture says that Christ died for sinners come not to call a righteous, but sinners to repent.
Well, he said to me, though after listening a little while, he said, well, I might have seen just a little bit.
You know, God doesn't measure sin in big and little and medium size. I trust that it reached his heart. Certainly do, yes.
So we all have to own the God. We're sinners and take that place. And Jesus will save you say, well, he'll save you. I so often say to the men in the jail, they'll need nobody in heaven.
00:40:11
But sinners washed in the precious blood of Christ.
Track Yeah, poor sinners washed in the precious blood of Christ. Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that wonderful? Well, let's go on here. At times going away.
Then all the virgins rose, They went out to meet the bridegroom. Then all the virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
Yes, I'll tell you now, you can go right on down the current of life today and slide right along easily, and you'll find that the rough and parts of life will be a little more easier for you. And everybody seeks to take the easy course of life. But they'll come a time when you'll need what those of the Lords have got. Yes, it is. You'll need it. And there come the time that they needed the oil.
Of course, we all know that the oil speaks hours of the Spirit of God. That sin dwelt, that dwells in every believer certainly does. And they needed that. They needed that. And So what do they say? Give us of your oil.
Oh, yes. Well, I want to say to you tonight you can have all the salvation that's needed. Yes, all that's needed to take you home in the glory. But you haven't got one little bit that you can give away. Not a bit. I can't give you one ounce of my salvation. Not one ounce of it. No, I can't. I can own. All I can do for you is tell you about one.
Stands without stretched arms tonight, willing and ready to give you all that's needed.
Certainly can. That's the Lord Jesus Christ certainly does come unto me, all ye that labor and heavy laden and I oh, he's not going to send you to somebody else. He's not going to send you to some some other place to get it. I will give you what a blessed thing.
What a mission thing I'll give you. Yes, it comes from the proper source.
The right source certainly does, from the one who shed his precious blood.
On the cross of Calvary and they say give us of your, give us of your. How we used to look at our two little girls when they were babies. Of course me and my wife loved them, certainly did. We were married over 11 years for there's a child in our home.
And we did all we could do for them. And I'd say to her mother, we can pray for them and all, but they'll have to take Jesus as Savior for themselves. We couldn't give them that. We couldn't give them that, certainly. Now, I'll tell you, dear ones, we all love our children, but we'll have to pawn them to one who is able. Oh yes, yes, **** them to one who's able. And so that's what they do now.
They run to him. But what is the answer? What is the answer? Well, we find that these people now.
Didn't just from looking at it, didn't associate together just exactly and what do they do and they say to them?
But the wise answered, saying not so, lest there be not enough for us and you.
But go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourself.
Yeah, now that's the answer they got.
Well, you're going to say to me, you can't buy salvation. It's a gift of God. That's true. Oh, what a wonderful thing. But hadn't they been working for their salvation, working for it all? They've been going on in profession now, working for today, you'll find it's just work, work, work, work. That's all it is, work, work, work.
I lay 20 some odd days in the hospital there some three or four years ago. And after I got where people come to see me, there was one from 1:00 to 3:00 ministers a day come to see me. They talked to me. And when I got the feeling, well, I like to talk to them, but what did I hear? What did they tell me? It was a works platform, a works platform. Everything we have today is a works platform. And right now they're getting what they work for. They didn't get that which they needed.
00:45:18
Go to them that sell and buy. What did they have to sell?
Yes, nothing, nothing to sell. No they didn't. They had been selling them all the time on our works platform. But the Lord is not quoted. A minute ago. The Lord Jesus says come to him, come to him. 5050 Vizier says, come ye who have can't quote it. That's the moment. I'll read it to you.
55th of eyes there. It's a part of our.
First verse. Latter half hour. Come ye by and eat, Come ye by and he ye come by wine and milk, without money and without price. Yes, salvation is the gift of God.
And it's given to you when you replace faith in the finished work of our blessed Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you seeking to work for your salvation tonight? Are you seeking to work for it? If you are, stop working. You can't make enough to buy. Certainly can't. How often we stay to the boys in jail there without money.
They're pinless.
Wanting you to give them a dime or $0.15, you know, to buy them a drink or cigarettes or something. And you can say to them, boys, supposedly been a prize of $500 put on salvation. Could you get it tonight? Could you get it? Voting has been a prize of $200.
Could you be saved tonight? Voting had been a prize of $50. Oh, I'll tell you. Salvation is in the reach of every man, woman and child. They'll have it. They'll have it.
Satan knew him, God put it for the all come. It's without money and without price Yes and a gift. There's no price on it. You know no price on it certainly isn't time doesn't permit me I can tell you for more illustration, but I better go on yes, go to them that sell and buy for yourselves. Now what takes place They go back to those.
That.
I suppose they had been going on with and leading them in a certain path, but it was a false path. And so they seek to go back to them to find out, to straighten the wrong. Yeah. But when they come back, what do they find? What do they find? They find that.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready.
Went in with him, Yes, yes. Oh, I'll tell you, one of the things that I enjoy so much is it's in the 15th of First Corinthians, I believe it is in a moment and a twinkling of an eye, the Lord comes and takes everyone of his own to be with him. Takes everyone. I'll take this little time you have to excuse.
A personal illustrations.
But I'm going to say this, I know more about myself than doing anybody else, but I was in a prayer meeting years ago and I had I expected this got away from the Lord was yes.
We all some do that, but we have a great advocate, yes, one we can go to and we'll confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us. And it doesn't stop there. And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What about that? Yes. And so I was rejoicing in the Lord. It was in a private home in a prayer meeting, and I was going out the door and this lady said to me, the lady of the house, oh, she's asked me how I was feeling or something. I said, oh fine, fine, sister, fine. And I said, I trust I'll be going on with the Lord as in this attitude and going on with the Lord as long as I live.
00:50:01
As long as I live well, she said. How long?
As long as the Lord leads me here, as long as the Lord leaves me here, He says, How long is the Lord going to leave you, Mr. Lord? I said, I just don't know, sister. And she says in a moment and a twinkling of an eye, he's a company.
We are left here moment by moment. What a precious thing. What a precious thing. Sisters. There's a place for sisters. Want to say that? Yes. Oh, I'll tell you if you're without Christ tonight. In a moment we may be gone.
And we're gone. What takes place? The door is shut.
That's right, it's shut.
And that's the door of grace. I want to tell you now we are living in the greatest age that man ever has or ever will live on this earth. That's right. And it's a day of grace. And the door of grace is soon swing too, never to open again to mankind as it is open tonight. That's right. Oh yes. And So what? That's what took place here. Yes. And while they were gone.
Yes, while they were gone, the comeback is too late. Boy, isn't that a sad thing? Not a sad thing, Yes, so and the door was shut. Then they come and say to the Lord, open up to us. Open up to us. Yes. And verse 13 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you.
It's a personal thing.
Wasn't a group of people.
I know you're not. Will that be the answer to you? Will that be the answer? There be one here tonight, just without the Lord Jesus Christ. It's not washed in that precious blood. Don't go out that door without taking him as Savior. Don't go out. Why? Because the Lord may come before you. Get wherever you're going after you. Go out. That's right.
And the Lord is coming for his own. Remember that. The Lord is not coming back here to straighten the world out. He's coming for his own to take him out of the world. Oh, what a precious thing it is to be one of the Lords.
To be one of the Lords, I'll say this in closing. There is nothing like being saved. Nothing like being saved May return to him.
#8 Shall we gather this coming when the dead in Christ arrived?
They left here to give me.
Shut your mouth.
Will go around.
This car.
Chaos is Gloria.
Is gone.
In the water, still in the state of love.
Hebrews 13:1-8
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Gracious Savior Builder through his barren land. We are weak, but thou art mighty. Hold us with my powerful man. 276.
Side us for.
Rather than our reading this morning, we might promptly be occupied the last chapter.
Some money will read.
Hebrews 13.
Let brother in love continue, be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some of entertained angels unaware.
00:05:05
Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them. And then we suffered adversity, that being yourselves also in the body, marriage is honorable and all. And is that undefiled the ************ and the builders going to a job.
Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content to such things as you have. For he has been I will never leave thee, nor for safety, so that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man should do unto me.
Remember them which had the rule over you, who are spoken unto you, the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ the same, yesterday and the day, and forever.
Do not carry the bottle diversion strange doctrines, or it is a good thing that the heartbeat establishment rates not with meat which have not profited them, that have been occupied there in.
We have an altar, where they have no right to eat, which serve the Tabernacle for the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high Priest For sin burnt without the camp. Wherefore indeed us also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without contempt, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Obey them that Heather rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.
Brayborough, where we trust we have a good conscience in all things, willing to live honestly.
But I beseech you that rather than do this, but I may be restored to you the sooner.
Now the God of peace had brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of his feet, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do with will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ.
To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Can I beseech you, brother, suffer the word of excitation? For I have written a letter under you and few words.
Know you that our brother Timothy is set at liberty with whom you become. Shortly I will see you.
Salute all them that have a rule over you and all the singles they of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.
There are some very practical exhibitions in this chapter.
But all also very high and precious truth.
We may start on rather humbling level here in the beginning of the chapter, but before we get through.
We're right into his presence.
So they the word is left brother they love continue, inferring that there's a danger of brotherly love ceasing getting cold toward one another.
I believe we're in a day when we need this exhortation. Let brotherly love continue.
Not not getting out with our brethren and.
Say aye, we don't love them anymore.
To agent Saints way back 70 or 80 years ago.
Gifted and devoted brothers, they had a difference, the one said to the other. I don't love you anymore.
And the other answered him. Yes, you do, and you can't help it.
Because of the bond in Christ.
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So don't write somebody off your books and say I don't love them anymore.
Brother Brown, would you add anything to brotherly love?
Love. Divine love.
I suppose that the answer.
That you just spoke was with the thought of divine love.
Yes, all that are begotten of God love. All others that are begotten of God love one another.
Because we have a nature.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit is love.
But brotherly love is a responsibility.
As our brother said that way.
Need to be reminded.
Now what? We mean the child of God, someone we've never seen before.
We don't have to ask for their label before we love them do it.
Just instantly.
Our hearts go up to them in the bonds of Christ.
I was getting out the tracks on the train coming over this way.
And or maybe 1/2 an hour after I resumed my seat.
Sister, I learned that she was that later. I'll put it this way, a lady came and said with a beaming face. I enjoyed that track very much.
And I said, well, you must be a child of God. Then she said, I am well. The secret I was sitting was next was Bacon. So she sat down and we had a lovely talk about the Lord.
And I think she enjoyed it.
Almost as much as I did. Well, what were we talking about? We were talking about our Blessed Lord and the precious truths that have to do with our salvation. Our bond in Christ is coming again, and she was just as alert to these things.
Well, what joy that was. Yet we've never seen each other before. It's a real link.
Read a couple of verses in Jude.
June 2021.
But ye beloved.
Building up yourselves on your most holy faith. Praying the Holy Ghost.
Keep yourself in the love of God.
And John the 15th and 9th.
John, 59, as a father, has loved me.
So have I loved you.
Continue, ye and my love, if we could do.
Reflect upon.
His Father's love for his Son and Christ loved the Church and gave himself ordered love for us.
Be be prompted to continue in that law.
One of the ways in which brother-in-law manifests himself is in hospitality.
But our hospitality is not going to be limited just to the household of faith.
It's sometimes very nice if there's someone that we're interested in and we're trying to lead them to Christ and invite them to the home and.
Have a meal and then get our Bibles out and talk about the law.
The home is a wonderful place in Scripture.
Great deal in scripture about the home.
And our home.
Should be, in a way, a little sanctuary.
Where Christ has acknowledged every hour of the day, I love to go in a home and see the gospel verses on the walls.
00:15:03
And see those things in the hole.
That remind me that I'm in the home of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ and Spirit and in truth.
And it grieves me when I go into a home and find myself. I'm speaking now of those who profess to be seen.
Find myself in an atmosphere that is far from being that of separation.
All you and I are responsible for our homes.
We can't escape that.
And would to God that we might have them as a sanctuary, where souls are held and not hindered and stumbled by having them in our home.
I like to read.
Verse in First Timothy First Peter.
Chapter One and verse 22.
Seeing ye have purified your stones in obeying the truth.
Through the spirit.
Unto On famous Love of the Brethren.
Unfeainted love of the Brethren. Now this is brotherly love. By the way, Philadelphia means brotherly love.
And here it calls for unfeigned, brotherly love.
Now the next expression.
See that you love one another with a pure heart, fervently. In this case, the love is divine love. There are two different words for love. One is for brotherly love or affection and attachment.
The other is Divine Love. Our verse has both in it.
Unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart vertically.
Now you and I know.
That sometimes we.
Are perilous.
In showing brotherly love to some of our brethren.
Whilst we might show much of it to others, of our friends.
We exercise and preference.
And perhaps others feel that.
And.
It has a tendency to make little factions in the media.
Our clerks, ought we not to be exercised about this matter according to this very verse and all the teachings and scripture I've enjoyed traveling through the New Testament and noticing.
How often the apostle would have us love all the things and pray for all the Saints.
To be surprised if you're only alert to observe that, and it ought to be a lesson in the school of God for you and me.
To learn God's mind as the loving all. God loves us all. God is for us.
Of the OR should we not be more one another and seek one another's good even though they're walking carelessly?
Does it not call for more grace and more faithfulness and more love to eat and everyone of this things?
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Hospitality.
Not forgetful to entertain strangers thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
I suppose the reference there's to Abraham a lot.
Perhaps.
The emphasis might be more unlocked than Abraham, but.
When we entertain others in our home.
They sometimes turn off to the angels for us.
That is, we get a blessing from having them in the hole, that we always thank God for the rest of our lives.
I remember.
Wife and I had the privilege of having Brother Heaney in our home 1 winter.
And it was delightful to have him there.
He's there at the holiday time and we had our home well festooned with Christmas decorations.
We had our exchange of Christmas presents.
At the proper time.
And Brother Haney was remarking what nice presents they were.
And he got me out.
We were out making some calls and.
We had a chance to visit a little personally and in a dear, gracious, fatherly way.
He just took up with me the subject of Christmas.
And its place in Christendom and its absence in the Word of God.
And you know he.
Well, I don't want to be precision, but an expression comes to me. It was just like painless dentistry.
He took that thing away from me without offending me in any way whatsoever, and I never had the least desire for Christmas and the home after that. And my dear wife, thank God, shared the same convictions with me.
Dear Brother Heaney, in more ways than one, was an Angel in that way.
I remember Mr. Potter too. The next Brother Brown is just telling us about thinking of all the Saints.
Mr. Potter in our home for weeks at a time and year after year.
And they would often lead us in prayer.
And how many times in his prayers he would say and Lord for the whole Church of God, for the whole Church of God.
And let us remember, dear brethren, that our Lord Jesus has no favorites.
He loved all his Saints.
And he loves his Baptist brethren just as much as he loves his Methodist brethren.
And he loves the mall just as much as he loves anyone here in this meeting.
All he bears, all his people on his heart. Let's not forget that.
And if he loves them, we should love them. We should love them too.
Christ loved the church.
That is the true church. Every real believer, regardless of where they may be found. Perhaps you had that in mind. Yes, exactly.
And then we get the.
Sympathies and affections.
The practical side of this love we're talking about.
Oh, how true it is. Remember them. They're in bonds and bound with them.
And then we've suffered adversity. Is being yourselves also in the body?
Oh, God forbid that we should ever get into the Spirit.
Shrugging our shoulders from all responsibility to share the sorrows of others.
I remember being in a meeting once, young people's meeting.
The young people at the close of the meetings went upstairs to put on their wraps. I used to live in a cold country and.
00:25:05
Somehow or other someone.
Mr. Stephen and came tumbling down the stairs.
And the mother in the home rushed to the stairs, all in anxiety and agony.
And then she grew Big sigh of relief, she said. I thought it was one of my children.
Well, she didn't intend to say that out loud, but it just it just came out.
Well, we have to guard against that kind of thing.
Not just be satisfied that everything is going well in our little circle, but remember them that are in bonds as bound wisdom, and then would suffer adversity as being yourselves also in the body. You and I may be next. Let's not forget it. Let's not shut up our bowels of compassion. Keep before us all the time that we're here in this scene, sharing common dangers and trials and testings, and oh how wonderful it is to have them brothers and sisters in Christ.
That goal sympathetically with us through these sorrows.
The Apostle, in the same epistle in chapter 1034, tells us that he remembered me and my bond.
Now he would have them enlarge their interest.
For all that are in such.
For Christ sake, they are in prison.
Then in the fourth verse.
We come down to a rather low level but.
A word that I believe is desperately needed to be emphasized today.
Now we read this a little differently from the way it reads here.
I think I'm correct.
Let marriage be honorable in all things, and the beds undefiled with ************ and adulterers God will judge.
We're all conscious that as a nation, and of course we're not alone in this characteristic of the age.
There's been a distinct and awful moral breakdown all over the country.
We have a brother in the meeting out in Burbank who works in the post office.
And he was telling us.
Something of the immense amount of filth, filthy literature that goes through the mail from day-to-day.
And the question came up as to excluding it.
And they ran into a ruling that came from Washington, DC that.
Mounted to this, we cannot go by the old standards.
We are to be guided by what is acceptable today.
According to present day standards.
Well, of course.
Present day standards that have reached a new low.
But let's emphasize this brethren God's standards never change.
Never.
God hasn't changed. He hasn't lowered his standards and in his sight.
Marriage is just as holy and honorable a thing as it ever was.
And he intends that you and I should regard it in that way.
Let Mary be honorable in all.
And the bed undefiled. There's no weakening of that. There's no pairing of it down. There it stands.
00:30:07
And the opposite is ************ and the doubters God will judge. Now that's God's standard, and you and I must never be tempted in our thinking. The lower that standard. That's God's standard.
Am I right on that, brother?
The God of this world is back, this declining.
Tendency as tomorrow.
And the increase of.
Juvenile delinquency in the schools. It's becoming a an increasingly common practice of a lowering of morals.
And after the Church is gone, Satan will.
Have them go still deeper.
I was thinking of this verse in Revelation Chapter 9, verse 21.
Where it says.
They neither repented.
Of their fornication, their unbridled lust in that period of the great tribulation will be the limit, and men will.
Blasphemy. God will throw off every restraint.
It'll be a cesspool of iniquity like the world has never seen, so the trend is in that direction.
In Southern California at the present time.
This.
Such.
Array of immorality breaking out violence.
That the police are nonplussed. They don't have enough of them. They can't handle the situations getting out of hand.
And they're trying to get new recruits for the police force.
But many aren't too anxious to get into it. There's too much involved.
We're living in a desperate age. We're ready for the plunge into the great apostasy, and his brother Brown called our attention.
And this 9th of Revelation neither repented. They have their murders.
Nor of their surgery, nor their fornication, nor of their thefts.
A brother in the meeting out in California who was.
A trapping officer.
He's not now, but he was, he said. There are some sections of this city into which I would not dare venture alone.
I would not think of going into certain sections of this city alone, an officer in the uniform.
Well, God's standards have not changed.
And he also.
The same brother spoke of one of the schools that he substituted as a teacher in and said that the women teach.
Would not walk through the corridors without the accompaniment of another teacher. The rough element was against the teachers. Well, when you go into many such things, showing though that tendency of the day.
Well then, in the fifth verse.
Let your conversation or your manner of life, your deportment. That word does not mean.
And the King James Bible.
What we mean, although of course it would include that.
What's Mr. Darby's word there?
Same word. Get the same word here, but I believe he has a note of another place.
Where he speaks of a being, a manner of life, as you've already said.
Well, that's the course of the word department or manner of life.
00:35:03
Be without covetousness.
Covetousness is what characterizing the day in which we live.
Now if I can find this first I'm looking for, I can't. I'll ask Brother Brown where it is.
I think it's the 16th of Jeremiah.
Also 16th of Vijender, 16th of Ezekiel.
And the 48th verse.
As I live, saith the Lord God.
Sodom.
Most wicked city about which we read in scripture. Sodom.
Thy sister.
Hath not done she nor her daughters, as thou has done and thy daughters?
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom.
Now, the following remarks here in that verse exactly describe our United States today.
Right, fullness of bread and a bunch of idleness.
The three outstanding characteristics of America today pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idols.
Well, we know where Sodom ended up.
I know that one of the.
Well, let you're a matter of life.
Be without covetousness.
It's as natural to the human heart to covet as it is to breathe.
And you and I have to constantly.
Watch and judge ourselves along those lines.
Jeremiah 6.
15.
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush. Therefore they shall fall among them and fall at the time that I visit them, they shall be cast down, said the Lord.
The day when there's.
Apparently, no. No flushing, no shame.
I'd like to read a verse in First Timothy 3 and verse 3.
The Apostle is speaking about.
The called Bishop here, or the holders here.
Those that perspire the oversight, the lovely, care for the good and souls of the Saints, and inverses there are not given to wine, that is excesses. And you know, Striker, not immediately filthy Lucas, I notice that.
But patient, not a brawler, and not covetous.
Now it's also translated.
Not fond of money.
It's a matter of avarice not fond of money.
It would be good for us to pause and consider nowadays how much we have a tendency to that very thing. Look at the person Haggai, Chapter one.
May I read the last part of verse 5 right on through verse 7?
Ye have sold much and bring in little.
00:40:07
Ye eat, but we have not enough. Ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink. Ye clothe you, but there is none warm and he that earnest wages, earnest wages, to put it into a bag with holes.
Now again, verse 7. Thus said the Lord of most consider your way.
It already spoken of.
A building that causes in verse 2.
When verse 4.
Is it time for you owe you to dwell in your sealed houses and this house lie waste?
Do we devote?
They made you part of our time. A great percentage of our crime, just on our own abode, our own nest feathering in instead of living as a Pilgrim in the tent. Kevin bound.
Well, it's something for us to think about because we are in the most privileged.
Nature on earth and country on earth. Luxury is defeating spirituality.
And we need to think of these things as the Lord says, consider your way. Well, we are working hard. The men do do make a living, and they get paid for. But are we spending it?
In vain putting our money into a bag with gold.
So the covetousness, amorous or the fondness for money is the things that we ought to seek grace.
To, if need be, judged yourselves, and also to avoid it.
In the 16th of loop, there's a verse that I think is not too often understood.
I think the King James translation is perhaps a call.
It's the parable of the unjust steward. We won't read the parable.
But notice what Our Lord says.
In the ninth verse of Luke 16 and I'll read this and it should read.
Make yourselves friends with the mammoth of unrighteousness.
That when it fails, you may be received into the everlasting polls. I'm quoting that from memory, but I believe that's fairly right. Accurately.
And you and I have the privilege down here in this world of handling some of what is called the mammon of unrighteousness.
That is.
Worldly possessions, money and worthy possessions. It's manly belongs to this scene. We're not going to take it to heaven, mothers.
Make yourselves friends with it.
That's when it fails.
You may be received in the everlasting habitation. I believe that bearing of that verse is this. Use what we have down here with a view to our home above.
Have a bank account in heaven and make daily deposits up there so that when we get through down here, we'll have something waiting for us over there.
It reminds me of a little story I heard.
Ages ago and most of you here have heard it, but it it illustrates the point.
Of the woman. This is only a story, of course.
A woman was introduced into heaven.
And she was being shown around.
00:45:00
At the various of bows that were there and she saw this lovely mansion that belonged to so and so and this nice.
A goal that belongs so so.
And she said, Now I'd like to see mine very well, we'll show you yours. And they showed her this very, very humble abode.
Oh, she said. Why isn't mine like like those others? And the answer was we did the very best we could with the material that you set up.
Now there's a principle there.
Hey brother, I don't remember who was in this in this meeting, made the remarks and we've been in these meetings.
That our capacity for the enjoyment of heaven is formed out here.
You know, we're going to get a little secret acknowledgement from the Lord up there.
That no one can read except ourselves and just be a secret between the Lord and and me, and between the Lord and you. And I can't read what's on that acknowledgement and you can't read mine.
I believe it has to do with major of our enjoyment of Christ.
And I've heard this illustration, which I think is good.
Our capacity for the enjoyment of heaven is formed down here.
I have a pint cup. You have a quart cup. You have 1/2 gallon cup. You have a gallon cup. Another has a 10 gallon maker. Now we all go down to the ocean and we submerge them in the ocean.
They're all full, full. We can't hold anymore.
Now here it is. You and I will be filled with a joy of that scene above, completely full.
But my measure will not be your major. No, our capacity for the enjoyment of heaven above is formed down here.
In Jeremiah 1711.
We got a very applicable break.
Regarding this subject, Jeremiah 1711.
As the Park Ridge sitteth on A and had to come off.
So he get up riches, and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days, and that his head shall be a fool.
But over in Ecclesiastes.
This past winter, I was told in San Diego.
That the day before President our late President Kennedy was assassinated that that had all put a verse of scripture in the paper and.
It was.
Already for for the public distribution.
The day before, the day after it was printed, but this is already in print, this verse came out.
The day before that it was president before came out. The day of his assassination, Ecclesiastes 5 and verse 14.
And the people felt that it was really a prophecy. We read the 13th verse along with it.
Ecclesiastes 513 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely riches kept for the owners are up to their hurt.
But those riches?
Perish by evil prevail, and he get it, begetting the son. And there's nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother's womb naked, so he returned to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away his hand.
Be content with such things that you have.
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Now I believe they must be.
Sensible in our handling of that.
Be content with such things as you have.
It isn't to say that the time may not come when you may have something better. That's not the point.
But if we find ourselves in a position where?
We're very limited.
Where there's.
Real real apprehension as to how things are going.
Well, be content. If the Lord sees fit, to alter those circumstances so that you need to be taken out of this pressure, we'll praise Him for it. But while we're in that circumstance, be content with such things as you have.
For he has said I will never leave thee, nor for safety. He has said I will never leave the enormous safety.
Now Paul says in Philippians 4, perhaps better turn to it.
Libyans 419.
But my God shall supply all your needs.
According to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Not all your desires. Not that, but all your need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Now some might conclude from that.
According to that verse, we'd never be needing well, look back at the 12 first on the same chapter.
Because as I know both how to be a base and I know how to abound everywhere and in all things, I'm instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Yeah, we may be allowed to suffer need, but.
My God shall supply all your need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. God will come in in his own time, but that isn't saying we'll never pass through times of need.
God in this with contentment is great game brother navigates. He caused this verse but it's in 4/19. He said yes, supply all your need and I don't know I'll give you a chocolate bottle.
Give you a what perhaps you've been longing for. You want this, You want that. He may grab that too, but the need is the matter that he takes care of constantly.
I remember it went up with a small boy. I used to go and spend the summers with my grandparents and other relatives in another town.
The next door to my grandfather, there was an old lady who's a widow. All they had to live on was a pension and as I believe, it was somewhere around $8 a month. Well, this is probably 50 years ago.
But nevertheless it was still a very small amount.
And I remember going with my father to visit this year. Old is Saint of God. She was very happy content.
She had Christ and didn't need anything more. Sometimes he only had a little milk and a slice of dew of bread to eat.
But she was happy.
The time came when they were going to pave the street in front of the house.
Well, along with paving the street, the people there were expected to put in a new sidewalk.
Each other pay for their own or she couldn't pay for a sidewalk.
But she left me with the Lord.
Look to him about it.
And so the neighbors around there, they got together. Now this is going to be awful Message. So and so has no sidewalk in front of our house. What are we going to do? Leave her? Leave her place without a sidewalk?
So they all got together and they just bid and made her a sidewalk.
For the larger girls.
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I believe it, brother. I was reading about a lady like that. Just needy like you're telling about.
And he was hungry.
She was on her knees telling the Lord about Spring about it.
Bring out loud and an evil minded man that knew her and despised her because she was a Christian thought Well, I'll, I'll play, I'll play a trick on the old lady.
And he climbed up on the roof and dropped a loaf of bread down the chimney.
And the loaf of bread rolled out.
And the old lady saw it, picked it up, saw what it was, and she immediately dropped her knees and began to thank God for her. And he was watching what was going on. And he broke out into a gap off and said, why the idea Thanking God for that, I climbed up on the roof and dropped it down the chimney.
And she said well.
Maybe the devil brought it, but I know that God said it.
Simplicity of faith.
Or it's a real thing.
Remind us of their confidence, the reason brother Christopher Willis and talk about it. Their old sister have been longing for Peaches.
And she haven't had any features for a long time. When she was ill and needed Peaches and her creative Peaches came right through her roof.
Man flying over and they had the cadet and sounded his cargo and this was picked up on later and he said yes, I was a pilot. I let those teachers go and they came right down to the roof. She got all the pieces with his hair.
The lawn can do that.
The sixth verse, so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear, period.
What should a man do Underneath the Lord is my helper. I will not bear what your man do unto me.
The minor part of verse 21 for all things are yours.
Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death or things present.
Or things to come, all yours and your Christ. And Christ is God. I was thinking about that and things present.
Whatever the present circumstances are, we don't belong to them. They belong to us to do us good.
And immediately wasn't that good to us Is accomplished. They're over with because we belong to Christ, and for actually God. We are not subject to our circumstances, but they are for us in the hands of God.
Man can't go.
One notch beyond where God permits him and.
Enmity tortoise.
I will not fear what shall man do under me.
It's only the permissive will of God.
May allow any calamity of any kind to come to you or to me.
We're never out of his care, not for a moment. He neither slumbers nor sleeps.
There is another application that I suppose we might use.
In the verse before.
It is also translated.
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Satisfied with your present circumstances.
Now know that, satisfied with your present circumstances, not going to read verse 6, so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper.
I will not fear what man shall do unto me, even in the assembly, even in the little meeting.
There might be the need of the finest truth.
We have known of some who couldn't get along with another certain one, and they have found a job elsewhere and moved away and left that little gathering. They could not call it the One. Maybe they couldn't tolerate it in well. I believe they missed the mind of the Lord.
And he's up. We should seek the benefit by the trials that are at our door, and the Lord will help us and enable us to learn lessons that we never could have learned better in any other way.
Regarding fear.
Someone has said they're too constant Christian, the first class and the second class.
Second class Christian.
What I'm afraid of oppressing the Lord.
But the first class Christians, I will trust in the Lord and not be afraid.
So here I will not appear.
I answer the one to me.
It's not as far as the biggest. He is far all the way.
Well, we get tested along these lines or a member of Brother in a meeting many years ago.
He made the remark that you'll have a crying brother in the meeting.
You ought to accept him as one whom God has permitted to be there, so that you yourself will learn patience.
Well, that sounds awesome, but the.
Sad part about that case is we know too well that that same brother.
Walked out of the meeting and.
Stayed out to the end of his life for years.
Because his will was crossed by another brother.
I think what my brother Bronze then brings before us very important.
We can't run away from trouble.
Can't run away from trouble, but we can find grace to care.
Through the situation, if we look to God for us.
Verse 7.
Remember.
Then which have the rule over you.
We must hear. Look to the more literal translation, the more faithful translation which reads this way. Remember your leader borough.
Remember your leader, those who go before, those who are perhaps older in the past, more mature in God's mind, who learned more of how to keep the flesh, himself and self exaltation count, and who follow the Lord in the Spirit of Christ and loneliness.
Such leaders, spiritual leaders.
Are what I believe the apostle points and mount those that lift themselves up with the idea of having to rule over others.
That the clergy has a tendency to do.
What you're thinking here too, Brother Brown, that he's referring here not so much to the leaders that were at that moment with them, but after those who had had the rule among them that had taken the lead among them.
Remember those that have taken the lead among you who have spoken unto you the word of God.
Now to get the present leaders further down in the chapter.
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In the 17th verse, obey them to take the lead among him. Submit yourself. That's what they were to do at the present moment.
But they were never to forget.
Those that had seemed to lead among them and been a blessing too. If you pardon a personal reference, my wife and I have a flag hanging on our wall in our home.
And it's framed and glass over it. And there's a picture of Mr. A Rule and Water Potter and John T Armond and.
A brother Phoenix Heaney. That's right, you ought to know. Brother Brother Heaney and Brother Brown are those five men. Their picture is all there. And Brother AC Brown.
It's a beautiful printing work for us and underneath the glass it reads.
Whose faith followed? Whose faith follow? That's what we read right here.
Now not whose failures followed, or how often we like to take refuge under the fact, well, brother, so and so he did so and so and we let ourselves down because of a failure in in that old brother.
Well, we haven't had that perfect want to ride the mothers yet. We've never met him. Our leaders are failing leaders, but.
Whose faith follow? And I can look at that picture.
Hanging there on our wall and I can thank God from the bottom of my heart.
For what those five men did for me in my young days, I considered a privilege from God that I ever sat under their teaching, ministry and example.
Well, I'm good to turn aside from the.
Instruments.
And think of that eight verse Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.
That can't be said about any other human being that ever lived.
Our conduct is after me according to the mood we happen to be in, but nothing like that with him.
And you know, one of the one of the titles of the Lord.
Is given right there in that verse.
Seen in the first chapter of Hebrews.
Verse 12 Thank you.
Yes, thank you. And as investor shall thou fold them up, and they shall be changed, But thou art.
The scene don't turn to Psalm 110, is it?
Thank you.
That's the one.
102 verse 24.
I said, Oh my God.
Take them not away in the midst of my day. Now that's the voice of the Lord himself, of the Lord Jesus right there, that 24th verse, I said, Oh my God, take me not away in the midst of my days. And now the rest of the verse is God's answer to it.
Five years are throughout all generations of old. Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish without an endure.
Yeah, all of them shall wax old like a garment whose investor shall change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art now put a capital S There thou art the same.
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Thy here shall have no end. Perhaps one of his entitles the same.
I traced it in Mr. Garbage translation as being used by the help of his references. He gives in the margin for the 21 Times to get that expression of the word of God the same.
So we don't have to keep revising our theology for these generations.
Thou art the same.
All young folks.
Don't don't let the fear enter your heart.
In God's word we have the infallible truth.
And it'll be just as true 100 years from now as it is today.
God that cannot lie. That's one thing God can do. One thing God can't do, He can't lie.
Depend on the word of God. We have it and let's live in the enjoyment of it and let the world go by. Don't be frightened by discovery of some new manuscripts dug up, some over someplace over in Palestine and those going to upset your Bible. You'll have to start over again. Don't let fears like that ever enter your mind. God has seen to it that His word is preserved and we have it, and it's dependable.
And let's build on it without a trace of fear.
256.
Appraisals.
Hebrews 13:8
Reading
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And watch for your souls as they that must give account. And then they do it with joy and not with grief, so that is unprofitable for you.
Paper of growing trust. We have a good conscience, you know, all things willing to live honestly.
But I received you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you in the sooner.
Now the God of peace had brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect, and every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Can I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of expectation, for I have written a letter unto you in some words.
Know ye that our brother Timothy said at liberty, with whom that he comes shortly. I will see you.
Salute all them that have the rule of you and all the Saints they have Italy. Salute you.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
There never was a day in the Church's history.
When we stood more in need of the admonition in that ninth verse, he not carried away.
With divers and strange doctors.
The atmosphere is charged with them.
Most freaky doctrines are being promulgated.
We have.
Been coming to our door and soliciting our interests. We have two strains. Rogue creatures come to our door. I'm not referring now to nuns in the Catholic Church. I'm referring to a queer, freaky set.
The men were barefooted and they wore a long robes and girded about the middle.
And the women were dressed in the same way, barefooted, going from door to door.
Trying to pick up money and get us interested.
Well, that's just a sample.
There's never been a day when there was more of the freakish, unusual, strange, weird, odd Queer Dr. was afloat on the present day.
A great test to apply to them as the one we have in first down 4.
First John Chapter 4.
Verse one and on through there for 2-3 verses. Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirit whether they are God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the Spirit of God.
Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. And this is that spirit of Antichrist where you have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world.
Since you read those verses, and might be of interest to call attention to the fact.
But in that second and third verses, not a question of confessing the fact that he came. It's confessing the one the person who came. That's an important distinction. It should be to every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ come in play, confesses the person, not the fact that he came, but the person who did come.
It's the same thing in John Second Epistle.
We might read the 2nd Epistle of John verse 7 and verse 7, two verse 11.
For many deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is coming in flesh.
This is.
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A deceiver and.
Antichrist.
Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward whosoever transgressed.
That is, goes beyond.
The truth, whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of the Christ, hath not God He divided in the doctrine of the Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Now notice this If there comes any unto you, and dream not this doctrine, receive him not into your house.
Neither bid him God's feet or he that bideth him. Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Not very long ago, we were.
In a hole.
And while there, I looked at the books on the shelves and I drew out a book and it was from the Watchtower.
Press. And I said this one that we ought to, or maybe we would call him brother. I said if this was in my home, he would go into the fire in one second. And he said, well, it's nothing but scripture. I opened the pages and there would be a whole line of scriptures on the page, But at the top of the page, a few sentences.
They introduced the page according to the Jehovah's Witness point of view, which is to deny the eternality of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Satan's business and energy and all of that book to to deny the truth. And if that one uttered, why it is nothing but Scripture. Then I went across the books a little further and I pulled out the world translation of the New Testament.
By the same press and that book on the New Testament, the translation is built with the object of denying that Jesus is the eternal Son and also to deny eternal punishment. So I said, well, here's another book that if it's in my home, he would go in the fire in one second. But then he had a new line of reply and he said, well, he said no, I use that for arguing with these people.
And then I found out that he'd been receiving neighbors of the Jehovah's Witnesses in his house in order to argue these things over. Now, these verses that I just read in the word of God, we must bow down and hear what God thinks and not think to be more gracious. We have no business to think that we are more gracious than God. Now I would like to read these verses again.
In verse 9 whosoever transgresseth and abideth not. Indeed, doctor, the Christ hath not God, He invited. Indeed, doctor, he asked both the Father and the Son, if there comes any unto you, that is to your screen door, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house. Now God means that literally, and you and I are are safeguarded as we obey it.
Neither bid him godspeed. As they leave my front porch and go down the walk, they say well, goodbye in a very sweet, smiling way. But they should not give a good buy out of me.
I need several little statements by Darby and Dan Darby and William Kelly.
I wouldn't be without writing these into my Bible.
Mr. Darby says it the duty of positive testimony. It is no charity to set people at ease.
Inexorable rigor.
Now I just picked out words of Mr. Darby on this verse that we should use in exorbitable rigor and then Mr. Kelly says.
00:10:03
Be resolute and unbending. Compromise is treason, one of the most distressing duties. It must seem outrageous and intelligent, but I believe every word of Mr. Darby's and Kelly we practice that we're safer.
I can say Amen to that, Brother Brown.
And maybe you get weary of hearing let me say it, But by the grace of God, I hope I'll continue to say it. We're never wiser than scripture. You have a situation Arise and say, yes, I I know I heard Brother Brown read that. But then this situation is a little different.
I know this person and I'm going to walk. Have them walk in and maybe I can set them straight. We're never wiser than scripture. The scripture says don't let them in the house.
You've mentioned Jehovah Witness. I think it's the most wicked Of all the militant doctrines that are seeking admission into our homes today. I believe that is the most wicked because it's aimed directly at the person of Christ.
Amen. Now, there are other doctrines that are off the center. And you'll notice one thing about them all. They never come to your front door and say I'm a Jehovah Witness. They never come and say I'm a 70 Adventist. No, they come subtly, and they they seek to get their literature across to you. A book agent comes along. You said I'm selling encyclopedias. I believe you'd be interested. Do you have any children? Yes, we have a nice little family of children. Well, you'll sure want this set of encyclopedia.
And perhaps you're not aware that the Pacific Press Association is the 7th Day Adventist outfit and.
First thing you know, you've got those books on your shelf and you think you've bought a nice set of encyclopedias. And yet in it you will find the poison of 70 Adventism, legalism that denies grace. Oh, I found this in homes over and over again.
We can't be too careful what we let in our homes. And then another thing. Some of you, I suppose, listen to radio program, Watch your step.
There are subtle programs going out over the air that are vicious in the end. If if you go along with them and that's what they want you to do, they want you to send in and get their literature and when you follow it up to the end, to the climax.
You will find that it's a fundamental denial of Christianity. We can't be too careful.
Armstrong I was thinking of it is one who basically is 1/7 day Adventist, but he dodges all around it holding that doctrine by adding a few of his own fur Blues to it and many many are listening to him on the radio because he is so well posted in scripture.
But when I use the word well, he doesn't use the scriptures correctly.
It's not without design the wisdom of God that we put this verse for Speaking of immediately following the eighth verse. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever. He never changes. The truth of God never changes.
But these doctrines that come about?
There we have the guidance from stretchers to combat them, but they're coming out in a new form as they've already been speaking about them. They make themselves so attractive.
Do not carry the garbage saying to die with doctors.
Pardon me. I'm just going to read that. Go ahead for it is a good thing.
That the heart be established with grace.
Over in Second Peter 318.
Second Peter 318 But grow in grace.
And in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Good things to be established in grace and the reading meeting is a place to be established. Not a seminary, not a Bible school, not a theological institution, But the reading meeting is the most adequate place.
00:15:06
To get the truth and in balance.
I sure believe that's the truth, brother. Hitting him.
It's you're not always safe.
To send your children to some place to go to school just because it's a Christian institution. I'm not passing fundamental schools.
Along with what we've been talking about Jehovah Witness and that kind of thing, but.
Watch your step in these things.
Because none of these schools have the truth of the Church of God.
In in action, that is, as a as a functioning thing.
Now when brother Cheryl Norris is in Moody Bible Institute.
Listening to the professor like John on Corinthians, they had the 14th, the 12Th, 13th and 14th chapters thanks to the 14th chapter, and the professor just made the casual remark in connection with the lecture.
Now, of course, today.
The Thomas Brethren are the only ones that try to follow this.
For a status have gotten farther along, but they still try to go on with this.
Well, Brother Cheryl wondered who the Plymouth Brethren were. And then he wondered, well, what's the idea?
But here we're studying the Word, and here's a chapter in God's Word. And nobody follows it except the Friend of the Brethren.
He was alerted.
Few days later, he was doing some janitor work there, helping pay his tuition, and he he swept up a copy of Mr. Arman's magazine, The Christian Truth, a young Christian.
And you just stuck any back and take it home and read it.
So that's not the kind of truth I'm getting here, Moody, They wrote Down to the 502 People and.
That any subscription.
And in six months from that time, that man was gathered to the Lord's name and is gathered there today. And that's 25 or 30 years ago.
There is, I believe, a note here in our verse that needs to be emphasized, and that is that it is a good thing that the heart.
Be established the greatest.
Hard. Let me read the verse in.
First John Chapter 3.
Verse 20.
Well, let's see verse 21 to make sure.
Lovely, if our heart now notice in this case it does not use the word conscience.
In all, the conscience does have to do with.
Right and wrong and what is God's mind and what is not? And all that but the heart has to do with our affections. The love if our heart condemn us not. If our state of heart is a happy state of heart, and having to do with God and pleasing Him, if we're going on in communion with him, that is the thing. If our heart condemn us not.
Then have we confidence towards God. Now another person. Second printing 11Th and verse 3.
Second Prince is 11/3.
But I fear lest by any need as the serpent.
Beguiled Eve through his subtlety through his subtlety. So your mind should be corrupted from.
Simplicity as to the Christ, I'm reading it in the correct translation.
Best your minds or your thoughts should be corrupted from simplicity as to the Christ that is at the heart in all simplicity.
00:20:09
Have the person of Christ.
Fully the object that nothing should mar or disturb or warp our appreciation of Christ.
Devoted us to Christ is the secret of going on in the truth. I may know the truth and be getting enough through a careless walk, but devoted us to Christ of the front of our affections, for Christ alone will keep us attached to him.
Not with meats which have not profited them have been occupied therein.
When we get occupied with legal rules.
Crescent. If you're a 70 Adventist, you don't eat pork. No, you don't.
And I just will call attention to that as a as a sample. Not that this word meat here means means meat the way we talk and it's it's food. But they they begin to make points about what you what you can eat and what you can't eat. And that kind of thing is as though that's a part, an essential part of our religious confession.
Well.
That's not Christianity.
In Christianity, there's nothing unclean of itself.
And if it be received with Thanksgiving, we're not to be taken up with not eating meat on fried, eating meat fish on Friday. But she mustn't eat any meat and you must never eat pork and all this kind of thing. That's not Christianity.
We have an altar.
Whereas they have no right to be disturbed the Tabernacle.
That is, we are in a new economy.
We don't belong to that old economy that had its day. It was sanctioned of God. It had his approval. But now we've entered a new economy.
And we have an altar where they have no right to eat, to serve the Tabernacle.
For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high Priest for sin.
Are burned outside the camp.
That's the old economy.
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood.
Suffered outside the gate.
He left Jerusalem behind him, he left the temple behind him. All that was left behind, and he went outside the gate, and there he suffered.
Now the exhortation that's based on that is what we get in the 13th verse.
In these previous verses.
We have an altar.
Christ is altered his offering.
He's offerer, he's priest. He's everything. Christ is everything to the Christians.
And he suffered outside the gate.
Let us go forth therefore unto him. That's Christianity. Outside of it all, we have nothing to do whatsoever with Judaism or any Judaistic imitations or systems. We're brought into the liberty of the truth, the liberty of the gospel of God's good news. Let us go forth therefore unto him an object, a center.
Outside of the camp.
Contrast. A strong contrast, and I remember Eric Smith referring to Exodus 30 verse 7.
A far off. I'll turn to that.
Very applicable scripture right here. In fact, this scripture is an allusion to it.
Exodus 33 verse 7.
Go ahead, Brother Brown.
And Moses took the Tabernacle and pitched it outside the camp.
00:25:06
Far off from the camp and called it the Tabernacle Congregation. And it came to pass that everyone that sought the Lord went out under the Tabernacle of the congregation that was without the camp. Now that's what that same scripture is taken over and applied.
Here in our chapter.
He pitched it outside the camp of far off from the camp. Now, at that time the camp was Judaism.
I mean in our verse here here, the camp is Judaism. Back here in the days of Moses, it was when Israel had sinned so horribly while Moses was up in the mountain getting the 10 commandments and Aaron and all the people had acid so, so horribly in setting up this cap and calling it Jehovah and plunging into all sorts of sordid bacon practices.
And Moses had come down and had seen it and was distressed. It was a horrible situation. And so he took the Tabernacle and.
He oh, where am I? He pitched it without the camp. Now, that's not the Tabernacle that we read on about that was built. You know, this is, this is a structure that they had before the Tabernacle was built. But it was a temporary affair. Moses took the Tabernacle and pitched it outside the camp as far off from the camp that guilty, defiled, wicked place. We're going to have a new start.
Get away from way off from it. And it came to pass that everyone thought the Lord went out into the Tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. Well, we're living in days when.
Christendom has become a vast hand. It's a hopeless admixture of truth and error.
And we can only find the truth in its fullness and blessing completeness.
By going forth outside of it, all unto Jesus unto him.
And if we do that, we'll find ourselves sharing the reproach of Christ. I believe that's the burden of verse 13.
This is only a side remark of mere interest. When I call your attention to verse 13. As has often been noticed, it is made-up of 13 words. It is Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 13, and it has 13 words in it. And the middle word is Him. That's Christ.
Yes, for the moment.
And I suppose all of this.
Gradual decline.
They were warned about an extra 33 and 2nd friend 11.
First, John 4 is to preserve us from what we have in Revelation 18. It's all headed towards Babylon. It is, and we read about it.
Babylon, the greatest fallen, has fallen, and has become the habitation of devils or demons, and the whole of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Revelation 18 two.
We don't want to be caught in that and we know concerning.
The.
Warning here in in Revelation speaks about the 17th chapter in the fifth verse, the mother hearts.
Well, we know where the mother is. We're the heart. That's denominational systematized error as you read about it in Ephesians 414.
And when I found that out about 10-12 years ago, I was astounded. But I thought that was a real stick of Lenomite to get a hold of. It blew me out.
I'm glad to be out and never regretted it, but that denomination of octopus?
Is dragging.
Hundreds and thousands toward Rome in ecumenicalism and all the other isms. And it's it's a vacuum that's sucking in a great number. And there are some that are just twisting and turning, trying to stay out of the out of the world of the vacuum and wondering what they should do next.
00:30:21
There's a company of.
Around 70 souls in Pleasant Valley, PA.
Denominationalism said we don't want to go on with that thing. What should we do to come to our brethren? Said come over and help us show us how to worship?
Our president, we're not coming over to you. We said you heard Brother Barry, you've heard Brother Hayhoe and others, and we've warned you that you come to us. I'm coming to you.
Well, that's the system that is wrapping up.
The the final.
Day of apostasy and that this is the end of it. Here the Revelation Brown is the called our attention at night that the hymn is a middle word of this verse we're Speaking of.
And The thing is other regular Speaking of the Hector medical movement and all that is connected with that horrible thing.
Isn't it practice to know that the Lord is the one who can be the central theme of the Separatist people?
So we have a Matthew 18 and 20 Where where two or three is standing together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them.
So it's to him that we believe that we're cast.
When I was converted to that.
65 years ago.
I I didn't know any better, so I joined the church where I've been going to Sunday school.
Congregational Church.
Well, we had a converted man who was the pastor. We had a converted their Sunday school Superintendent. I can remember those two men very well and how well they spoke of the Lord.
But now that very that very denomination, very same city.
And so far off center that I suppose they're very little different from the Unitarian Church.
We had a church disturbance and the number of us left and I drifted over to the Methodist Church. In the Methodist Church we had a godly man. I value his memory to this day.
But that church?
I suppose has not had a sound man, and I wonder if they've had a converted man in 25 years. It's just a dead institution.
Well, from there I went over to a little meeting.
A humble little meeting of about 40 people gathered to the Lord's name.
And that's very close to 60 years ago.
And I found the truth of God. I found that Christ was the center.
And I have never once in all those years seen any disposition on the part of anyone to tolerate doctrine that dishonored the person or the work of Christ. I've never seen any tendency on the part of any autumn honest in that place.
To tolerate doctrine that dishonored the person or the work of Christ.
Oh beloved, how grateful we ought to be that there's a City of Refuge for us today.
In the midst of it awful confusion that's developing imprisonment, everything is ripening up. Everything is ready for the plunge back into the Greek World Church with Jezebel in charge and her daughters are all with her. That's what we're coming to. Oh, that's value the truth and let's be loyal by the grace of God to that place outside the camp. No compromise.
And it tells us plainly what we can expect. Bearing is reproach.
00:35:01
Over an Acts 541.
And they.
Pass through persecution and beatings.
That we know nothing about, but it tells us in the 41St verse of Acts 5. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame.
For his name. Now this path we're speaking about is not easily discerned.
Return to job 28. This is the miners chapter.
And.
It tells us in Job 28 and verse 7.
There is a path.
Which no power, Noah, and which the vultures I have not seen The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. Give us a word on that brethren.
Well, you find the path further down on the chapter, don't you? Yeah.
23rd verse you get the path. God understandeth the way they're out. He knows the place, they're out. We can find it, but it's not to be found according to what we read here in these verses. You've just given us no foul, Noah. That is the keen perception that those birds flying over there, the keen eyes, they have.
Not to be found by player A human perception.
Which the vultures I have not seen. That's the unclean animal, the unclean bird the Vulture feeds on dead and carry them.
You can't find it if you're going on with uncleanness.
The lions swept have not caught it. Rather fierce lion pass by. You can't find it in the energy of the flight.
Can't find it that way, That Path 20 verse 23. God understandeth their way thereof, and He knoweth the fleece thereof. So if we'll go to Him, then seek His guidance.
He will lead us to that place.
And along with that, Jeremiah 616.
Then I helped through my own heart.
Jeremiah 616.
Thus saith the Lord, stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old path. Where is a good way?
And walk through it, and ye shall find rest for your soul. But they said, We will not walk. There is.
There are great many in Christendom today who lack rest.
And they're restless to the point of going into insane asylum, right of that. And we've seen them come home from Africa in chains, missionaries.
Due to a lack of rest in their souls.
Refuse God's truth and went off.
Mentally, because they wouldn't go on with the path as God has marked it out in His word, and So what a precious promise and he shall find rest for your souls.
All God's mercy in saving us and His truth.
That gathered us the Holy Spirit's work, in both cases bringing rest to our souls, although we might not be found among the company who said we will not walk therein. That's rebellion, pure and simple, and God hates that He classifieds it. It is as witchcraft.
And this is bearing his reproach. We want to be sure that the reproach we're bearing is his reproach.
Not a reproach for our own inconsistencies. That's very sad when we bury proof for our own inconsistencies. But it's his reproach. He was reproached and he was here. And why? Because he refused to let the world appropriate. That was it.
00:40:03
He absolutely would not let the world appropriate.
Why? They were going to place him on their shoulders one day and make him the king, and he just quietly slipped out of their midst.
Went up and got away from them. He never looked at his finger when he was here to set things right in this world.
Master, speak to my brother that he divided the inheritance with me.
Did he do it? No, he said. Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?
Many proceeded to give a lesson on covetousness. We're not here in the world to straighten things out. I'm here to reform the world.
The other day I had a prayer.
With a dear child of God. He's the pastor of a Nazarene church.
And this was in my home. We had prayer together. And the poor, dear man, he was asking God to guide us in the coming election, to know which way to vote.
So when we got up off our knees, I said, Brother Glover, did you ever read? No, I didn't put that way. I said. Have you noticed?
Have you noticed the 4th chapter of Daniel?
I said I'd like to read some verses in the 4th chapter of Daniel, so we turn in our Bibles.
And I read him in that chapter four times over.
Till now know that the most high rulers in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over at the basis of men.
And I read him four times over in that chapter and once in the 5th chapter, that the Most High is the one ruling in the kingdoms of men and setting up over whomsoever he will.
Perhaps the basis of man.
How can I go to the polls and vote?
When I may be voting against God's man.
No, we're outside of it all. We get that right here in our chapter that we're studying very next verse here. We have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Our citizenship is in heaven, isn't here.
We're bearing his reproach and it's a reproach to go through this scene and avoid any identification.
With organized Christianity, it's a reproach. People say, well, what are you? What's your name? I remember a boy coming home from school once, and he said to his Mama.
He said. I wish our meeting had a name.
She asked him why. Oh, he said. I wish it had a name, said. Today the teacher was asking us where we went to Sunday school.
And each one would tell around the room, and it came to me and.
And I was to say the name of the of this church where I went.
I said I told her didn't have any name and she said why of course it has a name.
And he said that another little boy, and he named him in the class, spoke up and said, yes, teacher, I know he's right because I've been there with him and doesn't have any name, he said. I wish we had a name. Now that was just a child, just a child. But what was he feeling?
The reproach of the fact that we wouldn't line up.
Was a popular concept of what constitutes Christianity. No, brethren, If we walk in the path of separation with our blessed Lord Jesus, it means reproach. Are we willing to bear his reproach? His reproach? Oh, it's a grand privilege. Someday we'll not be sorry. No, we won't.
Be not thou therefore Ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, Second Timothy 1/8.
That's nice.
Thank you. Turn to that.
00:45:05
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, now the reason I turn to this.
I wanted to read that next sentence in order of me.
His prisoner. Who's that that's called?
Don't be ashamed.
Of Paul. That is Paul's doctrine.
Now looking in this same.
In this same chapter.
And.
The 15th verse.
15th verse this know that all they would be in Asia.
We turned away from me.
He doesn't say they've turned away from Christ. They've turned away from me.
Whom are fine, jealous and homogeneous.
The Lord give mercy under the House of Olympus.
For he off refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain, but when he was in Rome.
He sought me out diligently and found me.
Now, I believe there's a covered reference, therefore, in that to faith.
A searching out of Pauls doctor. It takes diligence, it takes purpose of heart. And here it was one who sought out very diligently until he found Paul.
Paul doctrine is a distinct thing in the New Testament. We never find out what the Church of God is unless we find it out from fall.
He'd never find out what the Church of God is from John, precious as his ministry is. You can't find it out from Peter even though he was the one that was given the key to the Kingdom of heaven. No, you have to go to Paul to find out what the church is. And Pauls doctrine is that that is shunned and one might almost say despise today. Paul's doctrine, our citizenship is in heaven from what's also to look for the Lord Jesus Christ as savior.
Whatever. It's a heavenly thing. Our heavenly calling.
He just alludes to it and the end of Romans doesn't develop it but all. When we come to the book of Ephesians, we're in heaven. Wonderful. Paul's doctrine, He sought me out.
Brother Brown, is that testimony there, the assembly.
In the second.
Verse verse 8 The testimony of the Lord is that the He knocked out, therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.
Well, I would think that's a broader term testimony of our Lord.
It it takes in the all that has to do with the glory of Christ.
But these are partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.
Pauls doctrine carries with it a reproach.
We're not in the world, but half of the way.
We can't fit into the popular ecclesiastical picture at all if we follow Paul's doctrine.
For instance.
Do you ever find such a thing in Paul's doctrine?
As the pastor of a church.
Do you? If you do, let's hear about it.
I heard one brother become a state one night. Just let me just thank God that we left across the hall, otherwise we would just learn the platform.
Yes, thank God and the Apostle Paul. We find in scripture that they ascended head in heaven.
Gave the gift of a pastor of pastors to the church so scripture knows about.
A pastor of the church, but it never knows anything about the pastor of a church. There are just two different things in Scripture. Scripture tells us that there is such a thing as a pastor of the church, but there's no such thing as the pastor of nature in Scripture.
00:50:23
Revelation 26.
Gives us God's thought about potpourri and clergy.
Systematized Error Revelation 26.
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Verse 16 Repent, or else that will come under thee quickly and will fight against them at the start of my mouth.
Well, that's the thing that God has told us to come out of, isn't it? Yes, coming out of her, my people. And God hates it. We ought to hate it. We don't. We don't hate the the dear souls in it. But it's a system that we certainly have no use for, because God has no use for it.
It's a system that's carried on in the energy that would overthrow Christ all over the.
And probably is embodied or would it be embodied in this term? Confirm with meats.
It's been an energy to merit from God rather than to accept by grace, being cast on God for what he can give.
All in writing to.
Timothy.
Second Timothy and the 13th verse.
Second Timothy 113.
Hold fast.
The form of sound words which thou has heard of me, and faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, that good thing or that good deposit which was committed under the heat by the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in US. Now we read that 13th verse just a little differently.
Have an outline of sound words which thou has heard of me.
In faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, that good deposit which is committed under the keep by the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in US.
So that the deposit that we have received from Paul.
This outline of sound words which we've heard of him.
Where to keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in it. The Holy Ghost will never lead, contrary to the word of God, never.
The Holy Ghost always leads in accordance with the word of God. So if you and I are willing to go on guided by the Holy Spirit.
Will be in the mind of God as revealed in his words. Is that right, Brother Brown?
Just a thought in connection with that.
30 The 28th of Joe has passed that no foul north, and then you're reading in Jeremiah as to the old paths.
I take it that in both cases that it is the path of faith which is above the nature's understanding and nature's wisdom.
Or the fear of God, the fear of the Lord. There in this chapter Joe 28 is the is that which is the path of wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is a bad wisdom, so that it is answered by those two thoughts, the path of faith that's above nature, and the fear of the Lord.
That's the past. That's the. Why is that? Is that approximately a thought? In both cases? Yes. Now this one I'm talking about is the old pears.
00:55:12
We must, in pursuing the divine path of faith, living faith, be in touch with the Word of God, and give the Word of God, the Word of God, now the supreme place above the Word.
Of the best men. The best men keep the word of God in its first place. In these last days. This is important. I'd like to read your favorite verse, brother, on that. Are they 820?
Regarding the word.
To the law is there 8/20. To the law and to the testimony, If they speak not according to this word, it is because there's no light in them.
Blending up.
If it isn't according to God's truth, we don't want it.
The margin reads. The margin reads. There's no morning for them.
MORNIND, good morning. Our Daybreak are dawn. Yes, Israel looked on to that day.
When the Lord would reign as the sun of righteousness.
But here were some that had no one would have, could have no part in that.
For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. We're strangers and pilgrims.
Strangers and pilgrims. Now those are two different things.
You you might be a stranger without being a Pilgrim.
A stranger is one who doesn't belong here.
And the Pilgrim is 1 Who's going somewhere. I often use this illustration because I think it is so to the point.
Our brother Ray Rodgers was driving down the the highway and go down outside of Los Angeles, down around Santa Ana, and he saw a poor old fashioned tramp with his little bundle on a stick over his shoulder. An old fashioned tramp trudging along.
And Ray out of his big heart stopped and said Mr. was like a little ride. I'm going on down the road quite a piece. And the old fellow looked up kindly to him and said, no Sir, thank you. I don't know that I'd be any better happier 25 miles farther down the road than I am right here.
Well.
Quiet, because he wasn't a Pilgrim. He was a tramp. He wasn't going somewhere, he was just going.
Now.
You and I must remember that we're not only strangers here, but we're pilgrims. Our faces are set toward the glory we're journeying on to meet the Lord. Maybe today.
We've a definite program ahead of us. We're hastening on to the moment when we can meet our Lord. That's a Pilgrim. We're going somewhere.
And we're not much interested in the things around.
I use another illustration sometimes when I'm in Canada.
And maybe the billboards are covered with the vote for this man and vote for that man and big election coming up.
I'm not concerned anything about it.
I don't care who gets in. I don't. I'm not a citizen of Canada. I don't belong up there.
Our office that way with us here. This is not our resting place.
Where citizens of heaven, our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Lord Jesus Christ to Savior. That's Philippians.
Well, the result is that people don't understand this. How can you make your neighbors and friends understand?
You're taking a position like that. Just don't expect them to understand. Don't expect them to understand it. We go through this through this scene as as a peculiar piece.
01:00:15
Would it be correct to say that we are a stranger Is 1 who's away from home the pilgrims one who's on his way home? Yes, that would be very nice.
By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.
That is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
But to do good and to communicate, forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Now let us notice in those two verses, the 15th and 16th verses, that we have two kinds of sacrifice.
In the 15th verse, it's the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. That's worship. Worship comes before service. Always. Always.
But to do good and to communicate that word communicate means give forget now or with such sacrifices. Now that word, that plural word sacrifices, I take it.
Would comprehend both those verses in the 15th verse. We're offering the sacrifice of praise.
In the 16th verse, we're offering the sacrifice of doing good and communicating now.
Or with such sacrifices, whether it's worship or communicating, God is well pleased. But let us always see to it that worship has the priority when we get that thought around from Exodus 51 and Exodus 8/1.
And that's what is implied here, Exodus 51 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness that would appear to be worship, but it not.
And eight, one, and the Lord fake, and the Moses, go on the pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve, let me serve it. Yes, they may serve.
God wants both, but he must he must have the worship first.
Now in the in Christendom at large, there's very little known about worship. For instance, you'll go past the so-called church and you'll see the bulletin board and it says worship 11:00.
But what actually takes place?
Why, You go there and you sit down and you hear some singing. No doubt there's worship in the hymns.
And then a man gets up and preaches A sermon. Well, ministry is in worship.
We're not engaged in worship now.
We're searching the Word and seeking to build ourselves up in our most holy faith. But that's not worship. Worship isn't getting something worship giving. It's giving.
Look at the 1226 of them Deuteronomy.
Don't put around me, 26 One, And it shall be when thou come in under the land which the Lord thy God giveth me. Now you have to be there. You have to be there. Come in.
Which the Lord thy good God giveth thee. You don't have to buy it, you just accept it.
And you possess it. You have to know you have it. And then, well, as they're in, you have to live in the enjoyment of it. Now what Are you ready for? Are you ready for worship?
That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth would stop, shall bring of thy land the Lord thy God giveth thee.
01:05:06
And put it in a basket, and shall go unto thee place, which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.
And thou should go unto the priests that shall be in those days. And saying to him, I profess this day, and of the north thy God, that I am coming to the country which the Lord swear unto our fathers to give us.
And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand and set it down before the author of the Lord thy God.
That man went there, to the place of God's appointment with something to give. He didn't go there with an empty basket to get it filled.
He took a full basket and entered it out in the presence of the Lord.
In Deuteronomy 1616 they shall not appear before the Lord empty.
I take it that if we are enjoying The Walking through the land, we would be gathering fruit so that when it comes to hearing the floor of the Lord, we have our baskets full.
My brother or brother?
Welcomed in the morning to tell it that you can't, you can't sell your basket for 10 minutes before me, you got to start it on Monday morning.
You feel a little bit every day. Keep putting in, putting in. When you get to the end of the week, to the Lord's day, morning, beginning a new week and have something there to put out. Give up, give him.
Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.
Well, brother, we surely, we surely have cause to praise to God, continually the fruit of our lives, giving thanks to his name.
All we must take time every day to praise him and thank him.
But let's not divorce.
Our religion. From the practical side, Christianity is a very, very practical thing.
To do good and to communicate we're communicating means to give, forget, not. In other words, God knows it's easy to forget that because they don't forget it.
I've heard Mr. Potter say the emblem of a Christian is not a closed pitch, but an open palm.
Well, that's an important principle.
Then we we said, you know when we talked about the.
Seventh verse that those that verse represents, those who have in days gone by spoken to us.
The word of God and have been our leaders.
Power. Their faith. But now in the 17th verse, we're right down to date.
Obey them.
That have the rule ovary are better that take the lead among you and submit yourself for they watch for your soul.
Mr. Potter used to say the assembly is.
Is not a democracy where one man's word is as good as another.
He said there is oversight and there is elderhood in an assembly.
So God has seen fit to it that there should be those that feel the responsibility in the assembly.
And we're going to submit ourselves to such For they watch for your souls that they that must give an account. Now they're not going to give an account for our souls. Don't don't misunderstand that verse and make Catholics of it. Not that. But they have to give an account of their own stewardship, their own responsibility, and they feel the solemnity as they that must give an account that when you do it with joy.
And not agree, for that is unprofitable for you, our brother. Read a verse there in Second John this morning.
Bears along this line.
Second John 8.
01:10:06
Look to yourselves that we.
We Who's that? Well, that's the apostle.
That we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. In other words, John says, Now you go on well.
Because I've sought to lead to right, I've sought to present the truth to you.
And if you go on well.
I'll receive a reward.
But if you turn out badly, it'll look bad for me. I want you to go on well. Paul says the same thing in Thessalonians somewhere.
The second chapter of the First Epistle.
And the 19th verse.
1St Thessalonians 219 For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing?
Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ? It is coming for year, our glory and joy.
Paul's looking forward to the time when he'll have the supreme joy of seeing this Thessalonians coming back in glory with the Lord, the fruit of his labours.
So.
These overseers here in this chapter.
As they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief, but that's unprofitable for you.
Also Philippians 216 Brother Yes must have it.
Holding for the word of life, that I may rejoice, and Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
Ezekiel 317.
Ezekiel 317 Son of man, I have made thee A watchman under the House of Israel. Therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Well, shall we close with verses 20 and 21?
Wonderful closing portion, Doxology.
Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ.
Believe that's the only mention of Christ resurrection in the whole book of Hebrews.
Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep.
Through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
Make you perfect in every good work.
To do is will.
Working in you that which is well pleasing.
In his sight through Jesus Christ.
To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Oh brethren, is not wonderful.
1/29.
Jericho
Address—C.H. Brown
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Address by Clifford Brown, Kentucky, September 6, 1964.
Something that interests me in a special way about this chapter.
Some of us were associated very closely with our dear brother, FC Blount.
The dear and beloved.
Evangelists That if there ever was a dear beloved Evangelist, he was one.
And this was his favorite chapter. When I think of this chapter about Zacchaeus, I think of Mr. Blanc.
And one of the greatest privileges I ever had in my life.
It was just 50 years ago at this time, right down here in Kentucky. We had a general meeting like this, only about 1/4 this size.
Your brother Flount asked me if I would stay and help him and some tent meetings.
And I had time to think it over and I said yes.
And I look back on that as one of the most refreshing periods of my whole long life.
Those six weeks.
In that tent over in Paul Jibbetton's front yard.
The gospel went out and 50 souls pressed through and found Christ. And some of them are sitting right here in this room tonight. Paul Jividen, the monk.
And Jesus entered.
And pass through Jericho.
I was asked to take the gospel in Montreal.
Number of years ago.
And at the last minute.
I made-up my mind that I was to speak from.
Chapter 19 of Luke bought Zacchaeus.
So I read the passage.
And for some strange reason, we didn't seem to be able to get much beyond that first verse.
Jesus entered.
Who passed through Jericho.
So we just stopped for a moment or two and talk about that.
Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
That's history.
Now look back at the 6th chapter of Joshua. Just one verse if you don't want to turn to it.
I'll read it to you.
Remember that Jericho was the city that tried to keep the children of Israel from ending into their promised inheritance when they came up out of Egypt.
26 verse.
And Joshua adjourned them at that time, saying cursed.
Be the man before the Lord that rises up and buildeth this city, Jericho.
He shall lay the foundation thereof in his first born and in his youngest son.
He shall set up the gates of it.
Now what a pronouncement that is. That's that city that tried to keep God's people out of their promised land.
Now look at first Kings 16.
We're way over now.
Time of that wicked wicked man Ahab.
Ahab and Jezebel.
34th verse.
In his days, did he heal the death of life? Bill Jericho.
He laid the foundation thereof in a Byram, his first born, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son, Siga.
According to the word of the Lord, which you speak by Joshua the son of Nun.
How long do you think that was after?
500 years.
All you young people here.
Remember, this is God's word and prophecy is history written in advance.
If God says The thing is going to come to pass, count on it. It's going to come to pass.
There are no ifs and ands about it.
00:05:01
Jericho was the city of the curse.
And in that way.
It's a type of this work, a cursive city.
And this world is under a curse.
The ground is cursed.
You farmers know about that?
You know what a battle you have with various pests and weeds and whatnot.
It's a constant struggle, yes.
But here's something to think about.
Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
Oh, what a momentous back, Daddy. He entered and he passed through.
We have the proof of it on every hand.
This meeting tonight is a proof of it.
Brother Myers is talking about pennies this morning.
So I got one out of my pocket.
And on the front here by the side of Abraham Lincoln, it says 1963.
What does that tell me?
19163 years ago.
God's son.
Came into this world approximately then.
19163 years ago Christ entered.
And he's passed through.
And you and I.
Are responsible for the fact that he's been here. He left an impressed an imprint.
And you and I are going to react to that one way or another. What is your reaction? You can't get away from the fact that he came. He's been here. Every church fire in the country tells you he's been here. Every cross that you see elevated in the air tells us he's been here. Did you write a letter today? You dated your letter. You were dating that letter according to the days when the Lord Jesus Christ entered and passed through.
You can't escape it. It's written everywhere.
Solemn thing for you.
If you don't know him, solemn thing, he's been here.
You know Julius Caesar.
He won't have to answer for what you have to answer for.
Christ hadn't entered and passed through Indiana his day.
He never heard of Christ, nor could he. He hadn't been here.
But you live in a day.
When that fact is acknowledged by the whole civilized world, it's been here and passed through.
And behold.
There is a man named Zacchaeus.
Which was the chief among Republicans. And he was rich.
He was chief and he was rich.
Well, those are the two things that men want.
As a tremendous struggle going on in this world right now.
And the two great things that men are seeking.
Our place or prominence and well.
Men either want money.
Or they want a position, a prominence. They want to be at the top.
They say there's lots of room at the top and so they keep clamoring and they never reach it and they're never satisfied, but that's what they want.
Money and place in this world. What are you seeking?
What are you after?
Well, this man had that.
He was chief among the publicans. That means that a publican is a tax gatherer, and he was the chief among them.
All the others were under him. Oh, how men like to have others under them. You.
See that in the arm?
Oh, yes, the private and the And then the going up the corporal and the Sergeant and the Lieutenant first and 2nd and the captain and then the major and on up the line. Oh, how people love a place in this world.
Well, this man had it. And what's more, he had lots of money. He was rich.
Yes, but he wasn't happy. He wasn't satisfied. I want to tell you whoever you are here tonight, young or old.
00:10:05
You have a vacuum in your soul that nothing in all the universe can ever feel and satisfy.
Accept the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior.
I was a boy between 16 and 17 years of age.
Had a terrible accident.
Fell out of a barn and justice about killed myself. Lay in a hospital for over 2 months.
But God taught me something during that experience.
He taught me that I was a Sinner and needed a savior.
And the first confession I ever made, I made to my.
Unbelieving father.
I made my confession to him.
And I remember his answer.
Son of a grill. I'm glad of it. I hate a hypocrite, but if it's real, I'm glad of it.
Well, that's a long, long time ago.
That's ancient history.
But all that was the grandest thing.
That ever came to me in my life.
Was when I found the Lord Jesus Christ.
I didn't have the good background that you've had.
I wasn't brought up in the meeting all you young folks that have heard these things from your infancy right on off.
Wow, privileged you are.
How responsible you are for it's a required of a man according to what he has.
Not according to what I have not, and to whom much is given of him shall much be required.
Or if you miss heaven.
It'll be much sadder.
Than for someone that was that just came up on the street.
Miss Heaven, it's a solemn thing to hear all that you've heard all your life.
And then miss what God has for you.
Well, this man wasn't happy.
His riches didn't satisfy his big position. Ah, that didn't feel the longing of his soul.
And if you're not saved, I know that you have a vacuum down in your soul.
I know that you haven't found the secret of happiness. I know you haven't.
Don't try to tell us that you have.
Oh, you're seeking?
You're pursuing it like the pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow, but you never get there.
And he sought to see Jesus who he was.
Or who he is.
And sought to see Jesus. Why do you want to see him? I fell in need in his soul, and he'd heard of Jesus.
And he thought maybe maybe he's the one that has the answer. I want to see who he is.
Well, they had the right thought. I'm going to tell you that right there.
Is where everything hinges. Who is he?
Ah, don't let the devil ever whisper into your soul. That is less than what he represented himself to be.
There is no one fact more fully authenticated in the word of God from Genesis to Revelation.
Than that the Lord Jesus Christ.
Was God manifest in flesh scene of angels?
Preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
He was gone, nothing less. Not a secondary God.
And when you talk about the second person of the Godhead, you're not speaking in terms of priority, you're just using a convenient form to describe the matter of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. But don't don't ever think for a moment of ascribing to the Lord Jesus.
Any secondary place in the Trinity? No. He was gone.
Well, Zacchaeus wanted to see him, who he was or who he is.
00:15:00
And he could not. For the press Edward press means crowd because of as little as stature.
Well.
You know, if you really want to find Christ the Christ of God or not the popular Christ.
No, not the Great Mentor, the Great Teacher, the Great leader. But if you want to find the Christ of God.
You'll find plenty of the Press of the crowd that will hinder you getting to him.
There there are many movements on foot today that are definitely of Satan to hinder you from finding God's Christ.
Be on your guard.
I feel sorry for our young people today.
I do.
For I know something about what's going on.
In the school systems of the country today.
Would you believe it that when I went to high school?
As a 14 year old boy.
That our dear principal got up there with his Bible every morning and read to us.
We had a quartet that got up and sang him.
And then someone sat down to the piano and played the champ.
The so-called Lords prayer that was every morning.
But I'll tell you, there's nothing like that in that high school today. It's all different now. All that is shut out.
I feel sorry for you, but just trust.
The Word of God. Stake your all on what God says in his book.
And it'll keep them.
Well, I know a dear sister.
She's not very old.
And she was in school.
And this young professor had taught them the theory of evolution. And he.
Tuck them in fidelity as far as he dared.
And in the examination.
There were some questions asked that plainly required infantile answers.
So she gave the answers.
As she had been taught and then she put a footnote. Now the above is what I was taught in your class.
But I do not believe it. I believe the word of God and.
And stated something as to her faith in Christ.
I admired her for that.
She didn't lose her grade. No, she wasn't relegated to repeat that course. That man had enough of decency about him.
To let her pass. Oh, don't be afraid of these infidel teachers.
I think a young man used to be in Drake University.
And a professor used to say.
That the Christianity was responsible for all those horrible wars that took place back there in Europe during the Middle East, and he was constantly harping on a Christianity is responsible for all this.
And we had a young brother in the meeting. It was a student over there, and every time the professor would make a statement like that, he'd say professor I object.
And the professor would say, well, now, what's your objection?
It was not Christianity that caused those wars. It was the perversion of Christianity the cause.
Finally, the professor said if all my students were like you, I couldn't conduct a class.
Oh, don't be talked down. Believe your Bible. State your soul on it.
And you're going to be glad someday. Yes, you are. If you stick your soul on, the truth of God is revealed in this book. You'll be able to lie down in peace someday if the Lord doesn't come.
And pass into his presence with the knowledge of where you're going and why you're going there.
He sought to see Jesus, and he could not because of the press. Don't let the press spoil it for you.
And he ran before and climbed into a Sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way.
I notice it says he was to pass that way, but it was the last time. This is final. He didn't pass this way again, it's his last time.
00:20:08
And who knows? Who knows?
That tonight may be your last time.
Yes, it may. This may be the last time you'll ever get a chance to claim God's salvation.
He ran before.
Climbed up into a Sycamore tree or a fig tree.
It's properly a fig tree.
Big Mulberry is a proper term. He ran before and climbed up into the Sycamore tree.
Now there is nothing very dignified about a mature man, especially a man in his important position with all his wealth and influence.
Running down the street in that way, it wasn't anything very dignified about it.
And then what was more injurious to his dignity with climbing a tree?
You couldn't look very dignified climbing a tree as an adult.
And here was this great crowd, seeing the whole thing.
But he was nervous.
He wanted to see Jesus.
Are you afraid of what people are going to think?
If you get to Christ tonight, is that what's holding you back?
It didn't hold Zacchaeus back.
He went right down the road and up that tree.
Strange place for a mature man to be.
He climbed into a Sycamore tree.
He needed a tree, didn't he?
And you know.
If you're ever going to be in heaven.
You'll have to have a tree in your life.
Absolutely.
You'll need a tree. Look at Exodus 15 for a verse.
Exodus 15 and verse 23.
And when they came to Mira, they could not drink of the waters of Mira.
For they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Mara.
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
And he cried unto the Lord.
And the Lord showed him a tree.
Which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
Isn't that lovely, bitter waters?
Bitter water couldn't drink them.
What do those bitter waters need?
They needed a tree.
And when they cast the tree into the water.
They were made sweet.
Ah, dear friend here tonight you're going to find that this life.
Is filled with bitter water.
No one's life goes the way he plans it.
This life is full of disappointment.
Everyone that's of mature years will testify to that fact.
And if you don't have Christ.
You're going to have disappointments all the way down the road and then at the last.
You're going to pass out in darkness and despair.
Yes, you are.
It's an awful thing.
End up your life with no knowledge or hope for the future.
And remember this. That conscience never turns into them. This thing that ticks away down on the inside of you, and it's ticking right now while I'm talking, that will never turn into those.
Your mind may turn input. Oh yes, you can swallow the Freudian theory and go in for all this modern thought and philosophy, but down inside something is going to constantly say but supposing it's true after all.
Now turn over to the 5th of X.
00:25:05
Acts 5.
And we'll read from verse 30.
The God of our fathers.
Raised up Jesus.
Whom ye slew?
And hanged on a tree.
Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. That's the tree. The.
That you're going to need.
If you get to heaven.
Him Hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a savior.
For to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
And we are witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Now.
Those people were accused.
Of taking Christ.
And slaying him, Hanging him on a tree, So they did.
But what did God do about it?
Him hath God exalted with his right hand, not to his right hand, but with his right hand he reached down and in mighty power.
Exalted that Blessed One.
To the highest place in heaven at his right hand.
That he might be a savior. You need a savior. Why not have 1:00 tonight? Why not accept him?
That he might be a savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
What is repentance?
It's taking sides with God against yourself.
Have you done it yet? Or when someone speaks to you about the Lord, you immediately begin to defend yourself. See. Well, I'm not so bad, I'm fairly good.
My next door neighbor back in Des Moines lived there beside him for many years.
He was an unsaved man. He was a good neighbor. Never had an unkind word with him all the years we lived side by side.
But he was a swearing man. He had no time for God, for Christ.
I have talked to him many a time about the Lord.
He said, Well, someday I'll get baptized and join my wife's church.
That's as far as we'll never get.
Wife in the morning.
Well, I'd say now Mr. so and so.
You know, I wouldn't walk across the street.
To get you to join any church? No, I wouldn't.
I wouldn't walk across the street get you to join any church, including the one where I go.
But I'd sit up all night long if I could lead you to Christ.
No. Someday he'd get baptized and join his wife's church.
But he never did. He lost his mind.
He died out of his mind. He's buried. He's gone.
Oh, what a solemn thing it is.
Repentance. No, Nothing wrong with him.
Repentance.
And then what forgiveness of sins?
Last Sunday night, we'd go tonight.
We had the gospel up at Bloomington, up at Des Moines, and.
We spoke about that woman on the 7th of Luke.
And what the Lord said to her, The sweetest words, I suppose, that ever fell on human ears for her.
Said it right to her.
Thy sins are forgiven.
Thy faith hath saved thee.
Go in peace.
Oh, can you think of anything better than that?
And my dear friend here tonight, I don't care how big a Sinner you are, how deep died you are, far from God.
If you'll repent.
And take Christ.
He'll say to you thy sins are forgiven.
00:30:00
Go in peace, thy faith hath saved.
Ah, that poor woman. She was a vile character.
But she heard those words from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
When I look at the 10th of Acts.
39th verse Acts 1039.
And we are witnesses of all things which Jesus did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
Whom they slew and hanged on a tree. There's our tree again.
Him hath God raised up the third day.
And showed him openly not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us.
Who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead?
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and testify that it is he which is ordained of God to be the judge of the living and the dead.
Now listen to this precious verse.
To him give all the prophets witness that through his name.
Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Can God make it any plainer?
All he tells us, over and over and over again.
To leave on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved.
That's it. A repentant Sinner. All he needs is Christ, nothing else.
To him give all the prophets witness.
That through his name, whosoever does that take you in whosoever.
Does it take you in? Where are you tonight in your soul?
13th of Acts.
Acts 13.
Verse 28.
And though they found no cause of death in him.
Yet they desired pilot, that he should be slain.
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree. There's our tree again.
And laid him in a sepulchre.
But God raised him from the dead 38 verse.
They had known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man Christ Jesus.
Is preached unto you, Hellen damnation, no.
The forgiveness of sins.
The forgiveness of sins.
And by him all that believes. All that believes.
Not all those that believe and.
Do wonderful things. Wonderful feats? No, all, I believe.
Are justified from all things.
From which he could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware, therefore, let that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets, Behold, ye despisers.
And wonder and perish. Aw, take that morning. Beware.
There's a warning here, but all how blessed.
They took him down from the tree, but God raised him from the dead.
Now one more reference over in Galatians third chapter.
Galatians 3.
Verse 13.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.
Being made a curse for us.
For it is written cursed as everyone that hangeth on a tree as our tree again.
00:35:04
Christ has redeemed us from the curse.
Being made a curse for us, you and I deserve to be cursed to be banished from God's presence.
The good Christ stepped in.
And what he virtually said to God was this. I hope I say this reverently.
Don't curse them.
Curse me in their state.
And as he hung there on the cross.
A holy, holy, holy God.
Turned his back on.
And left him in darkness.
He was made a curse.
For you and for me.
Ah, if you reject that.
Such a salvation at such a price.
And you rejected.
You know, the word of God says that He bore our sin.
He bore our sins.
In his own body on the tree our sins.
Ah, did he bury yours? You want to find out?
Do you really want to find out whether you did or not?
Well, I'll tell you, you can find out tonight.
If you will come to the Lord Jesus Christ as a poor lost Sinner tonight, right here in this room.
And receive him as your savior. You've got positive proof.
That he bore your sins.
And his own body on the tree, it's whosoever.
The 26th verse of that third chapter of relations.
For you're all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Nothing else will ever make your child of God but that.
A child of God or a son of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Well, we'll go back now.
To our 19th of Luke.
5th verse.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him.
And that remarkable, why would the Lord look up there and see him?
He looked up, saw him five. Ah, my dear soul, let me tell you, there can't be one movement in your heart.
Toward the Lord Jesus, but he doesn't see enough.
If you've got any sense in your soul.
You'd like to know it, that you'd like to be near it. He knows about it.
He knew why that man was up the tree and when he got to that tree he looked up and saw him.
And he said unto him, Zacchaeus.
Make haste.
Make.
Are you are you thinking about delaying this matter?
You think? Well, I'll wait till tomorrow night.
Are you sure you'll be here tomorrow night?
Have you got some plans in your mind? You've got something scheduled and you think, well, that wouldn't be consistent for me to take Christ tonight and then go out and do that out. I'll finish this little engagement I have.
And then?
I may look after this.
Ah, my friend, listen. Make hate.
Don't delay.
Make haste.
And come down.
Pride keeps many a person from Christ.
Pride. How do you spell it?
PRI.
That big eagle.
Keeps many a person from Christ.
Come down.
Oh, are you willing to do it? Are you willing to humble yourself here tonight?
And receive the Savior. Oh, I pray God, your might.
Why, you'd have all heaven rejoicing.
00:40:03
If you deal to Christ tonight, there's joy in the presence of the angels of God over 1 Sinner. Just one.
Good repent.
Come down.
For today I must abide at thy house, Ohio, what a privilege to have the Son of God.
Come into your house.
As Christ, come into your home.
Not many things in this world any sweeter.
Than a Christian home.
And I've been in hundreds of them.
Oh, there's something lovely about it.
A Christian whole.
Jesus coming in.
Being part of that home, the bowed head at the time of the meeting.
And then we open Bible.
And then the bowed knee.
And appraisal and the Thanksgiving and the request.
And the peace that reigns. Ah, there's nothing like it. Do you have a Christian home? Would you like to have one?
For today I must abide at that house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Dear Zacchaeus, he didn't make the blunder that many have made.
He didn't say, Well, tomorrow I'll see about it. Oh no, no, he couldn't get on quickly enough.
And he received him into his house joyfully.
1St all his dignity. What is the crowd going to say? What are all those other tax gatherers over whom he's been? What are they going to say that doesn't bother him?
He receives them into his home and receives him joyfully.
And when they saw it, they all murmured saying is going to be a guest with a man that's a Sinner.
Isn't that? Isn't that absurd?
He's gone to be guests with a man that's a Sinner. What about themselves?
What about themselves?
They can point the finger and say he's a Sinner.
Never thought of themselves.
And Zacchaeus stood and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, And if I have taken anything from any man in false accusation, I restore him, poor fools.
In other words, Zacchaeus was not a bad man. He wasn't like that woman in the 7th of.
Of Luke? No, he's a different character.
And he tells the Lord about this.
But the Lord just cuts him short. He doesn't let him go a bit further.
Stops him right there.
Jesus said unto him this day.
Today.
His salvation come to this House.
No, not before. Just today.
For as much as he also is the son of Abraham.
What does that mean? What do you mean by that?
Salvations come here today because he's the son of Abraham. Well, turn to the 4th of Galatians. You get the answer.
Last verse of the third.
No, they.
Last verse of the third chapter.
29th verse Galatians 3.
And if ye be Christ, then are you Abraham? Steve.
And heirs, according to the promise.
If you be Christ, then are you Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise?
He had received Christ.
He was a true son of Abraham. Now he was saved. And then the Lord climaxes that with that wonderful verse. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to say that which was lost.
Zacchaeus was lost.
Now, he said, the Statomans come to seek. He's seeking you tonight.
If you're not saved, he's seeking you tonight.
00:45:03
To seek and to save that which was lost. All heaven's going to be filled with people like that.
Never lost once.
But they got saved and all. We'd love to see someone here tonight.
Come to Christ, shall we pray?
Yeah.
To Romans, the first chapter.
Romans, the first chapter.
Will you give to God that you didn't take the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior?
You've heard that Christ Jesus came into the world as save sinners.
And we have the divine record.
That the chief of sinners has already been saved.
The Apostle Paul by inspiration could write.
Of whom I am chief.
If God can save one like that.
He can save you, and he wants to save you.
Judgment is coming.
Yes, man must give account to God.
For his conduct here in this world.
But God has offered to you.
A salvation.
In Northern you need not come into judgment.
The Lord Jesus Christ when He came into the world a safe sinners upon Calvary's cross, He bore the judgment for sins.
For each one who has put his trust.
In the Lord Jesus Christ.
Did he bear the judgment for your sins?
Do we? Do you believe on him?
As your savior.
Oh, if you haven't.
What we've just read here is a prospect before you.
He is appointed today in the which He would judge this world in righteousness.
There'll be no mercy in that day, you know. Sometimes a prisoner will throw himself on the mercy of the court.
There will be no mercy here. He's going to judge the world in righteousness.
By that man whom he hath ordained.
The man who was going to judge this world has been appointed.
He's been set apart and you and I have the assurance that he is going to judge because God has raised him from a dead.
The risen, the glorified Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, now in the glory, is the one who is going to judge in that day. Tonight he's a savior. It may be tomorrow that he will be a judge.
How will you face him tonight as a savior? Will you take him?
Will you put it off and find you have no recourse but to meet him as the judge?
The one who can say, come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
And in that day to hear him say depart from me, I never knew it. Oh, think of it.
The same lips will utter those words depart from me. I never knew him. How solemn all, won't you come tonight to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Own to him that you are in the class with those spoken of in the third chapter of the official to the Romans. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Find yourself there and come to the Lord Jesus Christ tonight, and find him a Savior willing, who wants to save and wants to save you now, oh, once you come to him.
So we say #12.
Christ Is All
Address—A.C. Brown
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
Address by AC Brown, Kentucky, September 6th, 1964.
We love the pause and meditate.
Upon such thoughts as our.
Brother has just.
Eden was found in that him, our souls.
Delight.
In this precious truth.
Jesus.
How much?
Thy name unfolds.
We have that verse.
John 1.
All his fullness have we all received.
And grace upon grace.
This afternoon one desires.
To enlarge upon that verse in Colossians 3 verse 11.
Christ is.
All.
It is also translated Christ is everything.
Christ is everything.
Adam.
And his race?
Have been dealt with.
According to God.
When the Lord Jesus Christ.
Met the judgment, and it was a universal judgment. Now is the judgment of this world.
Now we have a verse in.
The end of First Corinthians, one Speaking of Jesus Christ.
Whom God has made unto us.
God has made him unto us.
Wisdom.
Righteousness.
Sanctification or holiness?
And redemption.
But our hearts and our minds embrace the largeness of those thoughts.
Well, those thoughts are full thoughts according to God.
Has made him unto us wisdom.
Righteousness.
Sanctification and redemption.
The Lord Jesus.
And speaking to his own in that 14th chapter of John, who was read this morning in verse six says.
I am the way.
The truth.
And the life.
No one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Yes, he is the altogether.
Lovely one.
Now in Colossians, we may.
Read other verses.
But bearing in mind our starting place.
That Christ is all.
We will read verses that will bring out such truth as this.
00:05:04
And that Christ himself says, I am the resurrection and the life.
We're going to see how everything of the old order and the old creation.
Has passed out in the cross of Christ.
And now the new creation.
In a sense, is embraced in that one.
Life.
Who came out of death? Who came out of the grave? And he himself is the beginning of the new creation.
And you and I, as we sit here this afternoon, who are Christians, do have an interest.
In that we through grace.
As the word says in 2nd Corinthians 517, if anyone be in Christ Jesus, he is.
New creation. He is a part of that eternal new order that began with a blessed person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Throughout all of eternity.
It'll be our delight, as Mr. Darby puts it.
To be hidden back of him.
In order that he should have all the glory.
We are now hindered. There's no one that seeks to minister Christ.
But what has a real battle and a real exercise?
To get that self out of the way.
Christ might get his due place. That's the desire in the bottom of the heart, that of every servant of Christ that seeks to stand up for him, such as this afternoon, and will be again this evening. And the hour we had before us I know that we enjoyed.
The stirring truth that's so needful that we.
With purpose of heart.
Might cleave to the Lord.
Now in this.
Christ is all. Christ is everything.
Let us.
Look at chapter 2 and verse 9.
Chapter 2, verse 9.
The.
The very end verse 8 is Christ.
For in him.
Dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead.
In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead yet.
In human form.
Bodily.
Now the next verse shows.
God's grace in planting us in this new position in him.
In Ephesians, we are accepted in the Beloved. We have been accepted in the Beloved 1.
And here we get a little touch of that kind of truth in Colossians.
In verse 10 for ye are complete.
In him.
Now Colossians is mostly occupied with what Christ is.
00:10:01
And to the church and also what Christ is unto God.
In Ephesians, it is more of what the Church is to Christ.
But here we find in Colossians a purpose of giving us this truth in Christianity.
That we begin with Christ.
There is no gradual steps or attainment, but we are from the time we have been saved and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are complete in Him.
I want to be more occupied with him than our portion with him, but we want a glance here of our identification with him.
Inverse.
13.
We are dead. Well, we get it in.
Verse 20 of chapter 2 That we've died with Christ. Now there's our identification of the death.
Christ.
Is also our.
End and that he died not only for us, but that we died with him. We have died with him. Not only so.
We have been buried with him in verse 12.
Buried with him. It's the work of God. We've been buried with him now in verse 13.
We are quickened together with him.
We're quickened together with Christ.
And furthermore.
In chapter 3, verse 4.
Well, we we want to read verse one, we are risen with Christ.
And now, verse four, Christ is our life.
Christ is our life.
Our life is hid with Christ in God, we're told here.
And another step to complete this line is at the end of verse 4.
Then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
All this is a marvelous truth.
Our identification with Christ all the way from that death, burial and the quickening, raising Him and His being, our life as He is in the glory, and that He is our hope. You get that in the end of chapter 21, verse 27.
Notice the last half of verse 27.
Among the Gentiles? Well, I think that's what we all were by nature, which is Christ in you.
The hope of glory.
All you see how Christ?
Who is now living on high, And who says, because I live, ye shall live also?
So he is our hope, first Timothy, one Christ, our hope. And you know, in Titus we have the blessed hope. He's the blessed hope. And we know we're persuaded that we're living in the very season.
Of his.
We may say immediate coming. He's just about to come.
And we are made to realize this in these days.
Now some verses in chapter one.
Commence with verse 13.
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Who hath delivered us this is.
We're giving thanks to the Father in verse 12, verse 13, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness.
Oh, that darkness that we were in. We ourselves were darkness.
That power that we have no ability to deliver ourselves from, God has delivered us from the power of darkness and have translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. We are in it.
In whom we have redemption.
Now it's in Christ. We have redemption. Now in verse 15, Christ is the image of the invisible God. What does the world? The unsaved? What do they know as to God?
All their dark, but we know that Christ is the image of the invisible God.
And he is the first born of every creation creature that is creation. He's the creator.
John One, He's the creator and here we have his title.
As the first born in verse 16 explains it, for by him were all things created, and it ends with all things are created by him and for him.
And in verse 17 he is before.
All things, and by him all things sub consist or subsist.
And in Hebrews one, we may read it shortly.
He's the upholder of all things, A very similar thought.
Now we get in verse 18.
He is ahead of the body of the Church, who is the beginning, their first born, from the dead, that is, from among the dead.
He is the first born. The first born a title.
That belongs to him and the Scriptures, I believe all through and Speaking of the term first born.
Which it speaks much. I believe it's pointing to Christ. I only know of 1 exception and that is Jeptha's daughter where a woman in this case was alluded to. I know of no other scripture, but what in God's mind I believe in using the term first born is pointing on to this one.
That in all things he might have the preeminence.
The little child.
Asserts itself.
A little boy and girl at school likes to assert itself, and as we grow up, we like to assert ourselves. We we like to have a little preeminence.
We'll use any and every means to try to make something of self.
Would even use friends as ladders, as it were.
To, as it were, exalt one another.
Well.
God would have us.
Recognize this truth, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Now, you and I, we could turn this to a practical exhortation here. How much does he have in our lives and in our homes?
Does he get the first place?
Everyone that's a real Christian has somewhat of these desires that Christ might have the first place.
May he have more in our lives.
Now.
We'll go on to verse 19 for it please the Father, that in him the Son should all fullness dwell.
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Now I would turn to Hebrews 1.
Hebrews one.
God, I want to read verse 2 now God hath in these last days.
Spoken unto us by or in his Son.
Now no man hath seen God.
Anytime but the only begotten son who is in the bosom of the Father.
He hath declared him.
He hath declared him.
Now I know that in the 18th of Deuteronomy.
Moses writes to the children of Israel that God is going to raise up a prophet like unto him, and him shall ye hear.
Well, I believe this here is far more than that.
I believe this here is that God has spoken in a way like He's never spoken before.
And it is not only that we should hear the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, that's a altogether true but.
Shall we not hear the wonderful way God has spoken in the person of His Son? I believe that's the great point here. God has spoken to us in His Son.
Whom he hath appointed the heir of all things, by whom also he made the universe the world.
Now we want to magnify the person, as this chapter does.
It declares unto us the majesty of his person.
That he is.
The very creator, and he's the very heir.
He's a very heir.
Of all things, and you and I, by the way, through grace.
Have been constituted Co heirs.
We are Heirs of God, Romans 817, and Coheirs with Christ.
Christ will not take that inheritance without you and me, and all is redeemed ones.
In company with him, he'll take possession and we with him in due time of that wonderful inheritance.
We don't know how rich we are, do we? We just apprehend a little bit. But we cannot comprehend this great truth. Now in verse three we see that he's the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person. And here we have it Upholding all things by the word of his power, I walk along.
Downtown and the big cities.
And we find that you have to walk out in the street with a boardwalk and a high fence, and you hear an elevator chattering away and carrying materials up to a skyscraper's.
Well, for these years one has been saved. One likes to think of this verse as one walks along and knows that things could drop from above.
Land on one. Here's a good verse. Yep, upholdeth all things by the word of his power, and one can walk along in confidence.
When he had by himself.
Purged made purgation of sins.
Or you and I know that it includes our sins, but that's not the point here. This word, oh, you are know that word is left out in Mr. Darby's translation. The Holy Spirit here is making everything of Christ, and you and I have hearts that love to see that.
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It isn't a question so much of what he's done for us here. It's what he's done to Godward.
He has made purgation of sins to God's glory and satisfaction.
And then, in the majesty and dignity, he himself sits himself down.
On the right hand of the majesty on high, that's verse three. Well, in verse four we see that he has the most excellent name of which we've been singing.
Now in verse 5.
Begotten in humanity and in verse.
Six, The object of worship. The end of verse Six. Let all the angels of God worship him well in verse 8.
Under the sun he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.
A scepter of righteousness is a scepter of thy Kingdom.
Of all the kingdoms.
Of all the Thrones.
Here is one who is unique.
He himself.
Soon to be manifested as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, our blessed Lord Jesus, who hung on the cross for us.
Oh, how we will rejoice in that day when he comes forth.
In displaying the glory of God, and we in company with him.
We the Church as His bride.
Well, let's see. We still have a thought in verse 10.
Again referring to his creating all things in verse 10, Thou Lord in the beginning.
Hast laid the foundation of the earth.
Oh, could any other? Could that be said of any other man? No.
Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth. Remember in the eighth of Proverbs, when he speaks about this, he could say.
I was there, I was there, and so on.
The heavens are the work, the works of thine hands. As you look at the starry heavens, and you see just a little portion of it, and you only see in the depth of it, or just the am I say the surface, as it were.
Yet think of that. They're the works of his hands. The mind cannot comprehend it, as we said before, but faith vows with thankful heart that he is the one now in verse 12.
As a vesture shalt thou fold them up. Think of it.
That one is the one that will bring things to completion.
He will also execute judgments and finally this whole order will be burned up.
And we'll then have the fruit of the work of the cross in the new heaven and the new earth, the fruit of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in that new heaven and new earth.
Oh, how we ought to have our hearts.
Enlarged by weighing such thoughts as to this one person of which whom we've been speaking.
Well.
Thought in verse three of the next chapter.
How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?
Should you and I be indifferent you, remember that verse in Lamentations 112 which says, Is it nothing to you all ye that passed by?
Is it nothing to us, this wonderful savior we have?
This wonderful salvation that he has rocked and that he has made it ours well.
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The indifferent ones may prove that they never had anything, they never had the root of the matter in them, but even for those that are real.
We should hang our heads in shame and blush for how little we respond to the person of Christ and that great salvation He's made ours. Should we neglect it.
Our tendency is our brother said this afternoon, Is maybe to pick up this, that and the other thing and almost anything but.
To prefer.
That which is for the glory of Christ in our lives. Well, another thought or so right here.
In verse 8, the last part of chapter 2, verse eight I believe looks on to the millennial scene to the day of his Kingdom and glory. It says we see not yet all things put under him. God is going to have him head up all things both in the heavens.
And the earth, and also ourselves as the Church.
He's going to be the head over all, and all will be under full subjection to our blessed Lord Jesus. Now he right now let's read verse 9. But we see Jesus, who has made a little Lord and the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor. This is not yet his royal crown, his reigning crown for the Kingdom, no.
This is.
The glory that God has placed upon him now.
He is crowned with glory. He is crowned with glory, and he is crowned with honor. And he by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. And now, in verse 10, the middle of it, he is now bringing many sons to glory, dear ones that include you and me. All of us that are saved, he is bringing us.
To glory, to share it with us.
He died for us and he rose again that he might have us with him. All his love so obvious that he wanted to have us with him. You know some you love, and you love to have them with you. Well, how weak.
Does that thought compared to his now in verse 12?
I will declare thy name. None other could declare it as he did. You're not in fullness unto my brethren.
In the midst.
Of the assembly.
Well, I sing praise.
Unto thee.
Now this is what is going on in this age now and as you and I this morning were gathered to his precious name, for where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them, that is they that are thus gathered.
Well, here it is. In the midst of the assembly will I sing praise unto thee. Now we must.
Pause and consider the privilege.
The special privilege that God has given by working in our hearts and attracting us to the Lord Jesus Christ and His precious name and I want nothing else. As a center, as a gathering center then Christ and his precious name.
So we have been gathered by the Spirit of God outside the camp.
On Earth.
And if we are gathered in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the unity of the Spirit, we are gathered outside of division.
I learned that from Brother Fleck over 40 years ago.
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Oh, I'm so happy and it stuck with me all these years, Brother Flex said. If we are gathered in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the unity of the Holy Spirit, we are outside of division.
I see some nodding and approving. I can recognize in the faces, some here that know that's the truth.
But there are many Saints that are not any too well established in just such truth. And what is our object here this afternoon? We trust it is to build up one another in our most holy faith.
Well, now we're not only outside the camp, gathered to his name.
But also by the grace of God, and when virtue of the blood of the Lord Jesus, we by faith enter in boldly into God's very presence, into the holiest.
It is our portion all the time. It seems like we especially enjoy it on the Lord's Day Morning.
But there isn't a Christian on earth, but has the right in virtue of that blood, to enter into the holiest.
He has the right. That's his proper place. Every Christian on earth. Or whether how much he knows it, realizes and enters into it and enjoys it, that's a different question.
Another thought.
In Ephesians 218, we're told it's by the One Spirit.
That.
We have access.
We have access into the very presence of the Father. We have access to the Father. Ephesians 218. Now I mention it's by faith. I mentioned it's in virtue of the blood. Now I mention it, it's in the power of the Holy Spirit that we have access into God's presence under the Father.
Now.
One has in mind.
Before closing.
To take up another.
Line that this connects with, let us turn to Psalm 65.
Verse 4.
All beloved.
Brethren, you and I we all need.
To have our minds, our thoughts, revived as to the high privilege that God has given us.
Oh, in so many, many ways. Exemplary by those who a century and 1/3 of gold were gathered to the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the examples of these godly ones who have gone before.
We have, by the grace of God, nothing to plume ourselves in. We have no business to lift our heads up in pride.
In fact, we should be ashamed of how little we take advantage of that precious ministry.
That God has given us and we neglect it. Oh, how we spend our money for all sorts of things it may be, And once in a while we'll add a book or a pamphlet or something to our little library.
Would that we found Ways and Means to.
Occupy ourselves with these better things, you know God has shown you and me.
Where the vein of gold lies, the miner that can find out where that vein of gold is. My he's a happy miner. Should we not appreciate these things that God has given us? God has given us the finest translation on earth.
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None equal the translation that you and I know about in English, German and French.
God has specially blessed the little remnant gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by a multitude of rich things. Should we not enjoy it more?
Well, in verse four of Psalm 65 blessed is the one or the man whom thou chooses and causes to approach unto thee. Now this is not the gospel truth.
Well, it isn't gospel truth to know that we're elect and chosen, and that we were chosen in Christ and before the foundation of the world. I I grant you this, not gospel truth.
But this is a special.
Work just as much as our salvation was to be truly gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, now I grant it, dear ones, that many young people may have the privileges the privilege of nominally being gathered all they've been brought up in their home.
So that they hardly know anything else, and they go along with the family, and they ask for the place of the March table. Thank the Lord. But all how much better when that soul awakens and gets exercised in the word of God and finds out first handed by faith.
That this is God's mind of gathering and that God does not approve.
Of the confusion.
The divisions.
They're ruined and all that. No, God is not the author of confusion.
But to find out what is written.
For your soul's sake. Not just your head's sake. Because we not only must find out God's mind and truth, but we must also have our hearts going on in a condition of having Christ before us. We're living in Laodicean Times Now. Laodicea is having everything. Or I might be going to all the meetings. I might have Bibles in my home. I might have a library.
I might.
All get into all kinds of religious activities, and yet if I don't have a heart for Christ, that is Laodicea.
We need to be.
Awake to this awful, serious thing of what Laodicea is.
It is all around us, It is affecting us, so I don't believe there's one sitting here. But what should feel the influence?
That bad influence have let us in. But Philadelphia?
Once was a people whose lives, whose homes, whose hours, whose possessions, who are buying up every opportunity to make Christ known and their lives, Mr. Darby says. My own enjoyment of Christ will be my testimony to others if our lives are living in the good of these things.
All. We'll be happy Christians. We won't have to hang our heads So much in shame.
Well, here we have blessed is the one that thou chooses and causes to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts all to just dwell in his courts.
Now we turn to our last portion, Ezekiel Chapter 44.
I want to read just the.
Maybe 6 or 8 verses in this chapter.
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And.
I'd like to have you notice.
Now the similarity in thought to that which we have in the end of Luke 10 regarding.
Martha and Mary.
You know how busy Martha was.
Oh. Martha thought that what she was doing was everything.
She just thought that she was doing all the work and that Mary was.
Well, Mary was just idle in her thoughts.
And it fretted her. She didn't think that was fair, that Martha, you know, should do all this work and prepare this wonderful meal.
And then Mary just simply sits there with the guest.
That's Martha's thought.
But dear ones.
Do any of you know what it is in your own experience to get so occupied in service?
Your soul is beginning to wither up when there's a lack of communion.
A lack of living in the good of the precious truth. I know what it is by my own experience.
Are being so occupied in service.
I believe the Lord.
Set me aside.
From a little work.
For that very reason.
That I was.
Giving the service.
The first place and the Lord Jesus the second or last place, if you please.
Well, Mary.
Sat quietly.
With her heart occupied with the one before her, and she was filled with joy as she heard the words of grace pour out of his blessed lips.
And we know the remark, the Lord said. He gave a mild rebuke to Martha.
Gave a word of approval to Mary. Mary hath chosen that good part.
Well, let us read now in verse 11. If you notice in verse 10, it's the Levites. Now the Levites as we generally believe we're the ones.
That tried for the service.
Service is the great note here. This is the Martha character we're going to first look at, and in verse 11. These Levites who had gone astray from the Lord in verse 10.
They shall be ministers, yes, they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates.
Of the house and ministering to the house.
They shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people.
And they shall stand before them to minister unto them.
You notice it's service, It's service, but it's we sometimes say that the spokes of a wheel point which direction.
Well, here are the spokes to the wheel are pointing outward.
Ministering to the people, Ministering to the house.
And in verse 13 they shall not come near unto me.
To do the office of a priest.
Unto me nor to come near to any of my holy things in the most holy place.
Verse 14.
But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house for all the service thereof. Now is that not enough to call your attention to these Levites who had been careless? Verse 10 shows and God still used them in service, but it's an outward service in contrast to what we're now going to read it commencing with verse 15.
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We're now going to notice how these folks, the spokes of the wheel, point inward to one center.
But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, the kept in charge of My sanctuary. When the children of Israel went astray for me, they shall come near to me.
To minister unto me.
And they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God. They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table to minister unto me.
What a contrast.
Here we get God's mind. I'm afraid we get pretty far away from God's mind at times.
When we want to go on with service and maybe be neglecting.
This other side of the truth, which I believe God gives the first place.
And you saw it in the end of Luke 10 when you said that Mary hath chosen that good part. She had chosen the better part of the two Mary had. And so we have it here. I jot it down here the other day, something I read in a home.
Extra copy. I didn't even ask for it, but I wrote down some remarks to Mr. Darby.
Take me only a couple of minutes to read it.
Our Calling?
Our Calling?
Characteristically is ecclesiastical.
Rather than evangelical.
I do not say we are not to evangelize. Far from it.
We do not want to discourage but encourage.
That going out of the gospel.
And our own faithfulness in every opportunity to speak to souls at the gas station, at the grocery store, in business, and at school.
Yes, and to give out gospel tracts and to do anything and everything to make Christ the Savior known to sinners, all the gospel is important. But you know that in Christendom today, the evangelical Christians, real Christians, their tendency is to get about as far as the gospel and to make that activity everything, give it a first place.
They are strong for sending out missionaries.
And also the Sunday schools may swell in numbers.
And they'll do everything to drum up all they can to come to the Gospel meetings. Well, may the Lord use His precious word. He's sovereign, yes, But you and I, who have been gathered to the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ, must not neglect the most important thing God has given to Christians on earth, the truth as to the one body.
Every member of Christ on earth is a member of that one body.
And united by the Holy Spirit.
Please, as our brother said to the Lord with purpose of heart, he also quoted, we should fire the truth and sell it not. And I have two other scriptures I want to quote in connection that and that is Paul Wright, Second Timothy 314. Continue in the things which thou hast learned, continuing them not in mere form, but continue in them.
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With all your heart now the other verse is the one.
Most solemn.
Note to Philadelphia Just one solemn note in all of that portion, I think the most solemn. And what is that?
Hold fast that which thou hast.
Now that includes, I believe, the glorious person of the Lord Jesus Christ, as we know him and God has revealed him to it and all the truth related to Christ.
Let we value it, Jude says Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints. So that is our desire this afternoon. And speaking on this subject, well, I just touch on two more verses in closing verse 17.
It it will come to pass that when they enter in at the gates of the Inner Court, they shall be clothed with linen garments.
And no wool shall come upon them whilst they minister in the gates of the Inner Court and within.
They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches.
Upon their loins they shall not gird themselves.
With anything that causes sweat.
Mirror natural energy.
There's an awful lot of it in the religious world today. Activity making a big show numbers great men, talented personalities, education, and they'll have every device to attract the public and make their religious meetings popular as they possibly can. Activity natural.
Energy.
God wants us to be careful that what we are doing is done in the energy of the Holy Spirit.
Now there's an awful lot of surface.
Religion. Going on surface, we might call it veneer.
Might call it veneer.
The surface, you know, it puts up a nice exterior.
But when you get down under the surface, you find that it isn't all.
The genuine thing, the word of God, has much to say on that subject of of.
Imitation.
And such things.
You take the strange fire. You take the voluntary humility of Colossians, chapter 2, the end of the chapter. Voluntary humility, all the spiritual. One can, as a rule, recognize a put on humility that is not genuine, as we say to the core.
Well.
This is about all we have in mind.
This afternoon, and that is.
To have our thoughts enlarged as to the blessed person of the Lord Jesus and the importance of our hearts to be.
Affectionately.
Devoted to Christ, you and I, I believe, desire this. The speaker certainly desires, and I believe you do too, that our hearts be attached to Christ, and then we continue until he comes.
Might we sing number?
278.
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I pray.
I love you.
Really high.