ASI Southern Union 2016

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ASI Southern Union

Christopher Beason

Our Hope in Him

Is Jesus your hope right away at every moment?

Tonight, I want to talk about our hope in him.

There were tears flowing down his face and he couldn't speak.

Today had been the dedication of his baby brother, Jared.

The preacher had spoken to the family and the congregation about the need to raise children in a Christian home and follow biblical principles when it comes to entertainment, health, and social activities, and the way these impact the family's Christian walk.

After the dedication, Jamal could barely control his tearful emotions through the message.

On the way home, his parents repeatedly asked him, what was wrong?

Twice they asked, and twice the answer came.

They continued on and every mile home the sobbing grew louder and louder.

Finally, his father could handle it no more.

He pulled off the road to the shoulder, put the car into park, leaned over the back and said, Son, tell me what is the matter?

The preacher said today that we needed to be raised in a Christian home.

I'm glad, I'm glad I'm a Seventh-day Adventist Christian tonight.

I used to be a music minister in the Methodist church.

I've known Catholics, Assembly of God, Muslim, Hindu, Episcopalians.

I know people and have good friends who profess from many faiths.

Likely many of you have friends around the world from other faiths.

Yet can we say tonight we are glad we are Seventh-day Adventist Christians?

There are 3 passages that we will reflect on.

So please open your Bibles and turn with me rapidly.

First to the book of Matthew, chapter 24 and verse 14.

It's kind of the motto of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, isn't it?

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.

The lesson I want us to draw here is the gospel is now being preached to the world.

Now let's look at our key text in Revelation chapter 14.

These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.

These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Revelation 14 verse 6, Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come.

Worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.

And another angel followed saying, verse 8, Babylon has fallen, has fallen that great city because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Then a third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, if anyone worships the beast in his image and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of his indignation." Down to verse 12, here it is.

Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith or testimony of Jesus." Note that in both of these passages, the gospel is accepted, worship is given, and redemption is offered to many kinds of people.

From the world over, the Bible says we will come from many nations.

People at different walks in their Christian lives.

People who have been influenced by the Holy Spirit at different spiritual maturities.

Now, perhaps we need to throw the caution flag here.

With all the cultures and influences around the church, we need great care that Satan doesn't join us.

Toby Mack wrote this modern ode to living in the challenges of the social ethic, blurred by sin.

Probably the first time you've ever heard Toby Mack quoted at an ASI conference.

He says, how do I sense the tide that's rising, desensitizing me from living in the light of eternity?

Our young people and our mature people are at great risk today, right now, because of the desensitizing that is happening.

Here's the simple answer from what we just read in Revelation.

We must be the people branded as commandment keepers with the testimony of Jesus.

Even simpler, We must be the people of hope.

Let's move to 1 more passage in Revelation.

This is John speaking of the angel who's been communicating to him.

The angel said to me in verse 10, See that you do not do that.

I am your fellow servant and of your brethren, who have the testimony of Jesus.

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

We know that the additional mark of the remnant at the end of time besides commandment keeping is that God's people have the testimony or spirit of prophecy.

We have the Holy Spirit's special prophetic gift to bring us into the word and back to the word.

To fill the void left when he returned to heaven.

Take these passages and apply them to these times.

With all the signs of the times, we have someone to aid us as we walk along the way.

We are a people in different walks, being influenced in different ways, with the presence of the Holy Spirit carrying, guiding us closer to the prize of eternity.

Father, as we've opened your word, I pray that you will only open our minds so far as your Holy Spirit will fill it.

Only let us take in what you are sending to us from your throne of grace.

We are grateful that we have this hope that burns within our hearts.

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Our Hope in Him

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