9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 ♪ theme music ♪ 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 an in-depth, interactive study 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the Word of God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm glad you joined us[br]we're in the middle 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of a series on "The gospel in Galatians." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Actually, we just started, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but we're already learning amazing lessons 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for our lives today, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The precious Good News, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and how when we try to share it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 sometimes people resist the truth 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as it is in Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our topic today: Paul's Authority[br]and Gospel, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and there are amazing lessons for us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So we're glad you joined us[br]for Hope Sabbath School. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And hello to the team;[br]we're back again. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Gospel in Galatians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what did we learn 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the first part of our series 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about Paul being transformed? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What was the most important[br]takeaway lesson for you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, we'll share that as we study today. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I hope you were with us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you missed the first part[br]of this series, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you can go to our website:[br]hopetv.org/hopess. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You can watch part one 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of "The Gospel in Galatians." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And we're always happy to hear from you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You can write to us at sshope@hopetv.org. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here are just a few emails. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, we know of 150 countries. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You say, "Derek, how do you know?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, we have one Android app 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's being used in 150 countries, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so there's a lot of people joining us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for Hope Sabbath School. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And we've got an Apple app. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By the way, for those of you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who have an iPhone or an iPad, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you can download Hope Sabbath School. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's free, and you can access the program. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Got an email just a few weeks ago 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from someone who in China watched[br]one program, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 went back and watched 100 hours 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of interactive Bible studies[br]in our archives. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So it's there for you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here are a few notes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One from Albert in Namibia, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's former German West Africa, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you know, just north of South Africa, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and Albert writes, "It's so edifying 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to watch and listen 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to you explain the Bible so clearly. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My wife and I enjoy 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 your Bible study every Friday evening 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in preparation for the Sabbath. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I am a teacher, and I gain 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a lot of knowledge from your classes, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which I apply during my class," good? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That's what we want, download the outline. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "What I want to know is 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 whether your class is consisting 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of all student pastors 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because you all seem to know the Bible." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I guess you could tell, Albert, by the way 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that everybody laughed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they're not all student pastors. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "May the Good Lord continue blessing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and giving you spiritual wisdom 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as you share the Good News 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with the whole world," amen? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So what's the takeaway there? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the answer is, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we can all do something for Jesus, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Whether we're teachers or counselors 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or physicians or homemakers 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or construction workers or pastors, right?[br]Bible teachers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We can all do something for Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thanks for writing to us, Albert. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here's a note from Kwasi in Ghana. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Anyone with Ghanaian roots? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Oh, Joshua! Ghanaian roots, all right. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Have a little wave here for Kwasi. Okay. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I live in Accra," he writes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Your Sabbath School discussion 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 has made me an extraordinary Christian 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and has blessed me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's built my personal relationship[br]with Jesus." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) "It's made me a Bible student!" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is all good, isn't it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "It's helped me organize 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 some children in my community 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to share the Word of God with them." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It gets better and better,[br]doesn't it, Mario? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Every Sunday morning we do exercise 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with the children also 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to strengthen our physical bodies." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It sounds like a pretty holistic approach,[br]right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Teach the Word of God, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 help them to be healthy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "It's my desire that the Hope[br]Sabbath School discussion 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 will be translated[br]into different languages 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 around the world; the program is amazing." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, I want to tell you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that it's already happening 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in different part of the world, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that Hope Sabbath School 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is being broadcast in other languages, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 also with closed captioning, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but you pray for us, Kwasi, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because we're praying it could go 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to every nation, kindred, tongue,[br]and people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thanks for being part of the miracle. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here's a note from Ludwig in Peru. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He's written to us before. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Ludwig says, "I'm always instructed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by your Friday evening Bible study. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I thank God for all of you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This program is so didactic[br]and instructive." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I think he looked up a few words there[br]for us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Big hug to all of you, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and God bless you all," amen? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Thanks for writing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I know, Ludwig, you said 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you've been learning 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a lot of English, too, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 while you've been watching the broadcast. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here's a note from Tammy in New Jersey 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the United States of America. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She says, "Thank you so much 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for what you do; it's an encouragement. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I love Hope Sabbath School. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I watched the first episode 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of Hope Sabbath School in December 2016 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 during a Sabbath school breakfast 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'd planned for our church. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'd heard of Hope Channel, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but not having a television, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'd never seen it before 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and never seen Hope Sabbath School. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, I loved it, and I was thrilled 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when I found out you could get it online." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's easy; you can get the app, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or you can watch it online,[br]hopetv.org/hopess. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And she concludes, "May God[br]continue abundantly 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to bless your ministry. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thank you, thank you, thank you! 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I love being a member 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of Hope Sabbath School." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) All right, and by the way, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 she's involved in a children's ministry 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there in New Jersey, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and so she can do 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 an interactive Bible study with us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as part of Hope Sabbath School. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One last note, from Trinidad and Tobago. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That's in the beautiful Caribbean. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Just a short note, Leslie Ann writes 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and says, "I'm from the island[br]of Trinidad and Tobago." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I guess that's considered one country,[br]isn't it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I enjoy watching and doing the lesson. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I also enjoy watching Jason 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 sing the Scripture songs." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, Jason, why don't you wave[br]to Leslie Ann, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we're going to sing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Scripture song right now, actually. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We've got a brand new song for this series 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the gospel in Galatians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's taken from Galatians, chapter 2, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which says, "I have been crucified[br]with Christ, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I no longer live, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but Christ lives in me," it's a miracle. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you haven't learned the song, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 go to our website, download the song, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the sheet music, so you can sing along. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We're going to sing it right now. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 ♪ music ♪ 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) There's so much included 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in that one verse in Galatians 2:20,21. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Son of God loves you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and gave Himself for you;[br]isn't that awesome?! 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I just want to pray 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that Jesus would be lifted up today 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as we study the gospel in Galatians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Father in Heaven, thank You. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thank You that God so loved the world 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that You sent Your one and only Son 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that whoever believes in Him[br]should not perish 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but have everlasting life. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We see sickness and death all around us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We know that sin 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 brings death and destruction, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I thank You 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that You've given us hope in Your Word 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even today, hope in Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I pray as we study 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Gospel in Galatians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as we study Paul's authority and gospel, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that You would work in supernatural ways 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in each of our hearts, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Hope Sabbath School members 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 all around the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 May lives be blessed today 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to bring honor to Your name. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Now before we go[br]into Paul authority, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to go back 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to our previous study, Nicole. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How could it be 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that God could take a rebel 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who was forcing people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to blaspheme and wreaking havoc 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (you remember that word?)[br]in the church 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and call him "My chosen servant" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to be an ambassador 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for the Gospel message? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How can that happen? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) Because God loves each and every[br]one of us and wants us all to be saved. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so He uses us wherever we are to[br]spread His Word to those He wants to save. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In terms of this case, He knew he was[br]a Zealot, even if it was a Zealot 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the time before he was transformed,[br]and he was doing evil things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 God knew that he was a Zealot[br]and when he was actually changed, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he'd be a Zealot for Him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so God was like, "I know the end[br]from the beginning, and so, therefore, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this person's going to be the person[br]I need at this time to bring my Word 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to those who need it." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Is that encouraging? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That God sees the potential 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even in the midst of all our stumblings? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We're going to talk about Paul 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as he writes now. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many think this was 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 one of the earliest documents 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that we have in what we call[br]the New Testament, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about 49-50 A.D. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it's written because of a problem[br]in the church, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but by then, even at that time, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we're going to see 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that the Christian church recognized 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Holy Spirit working in this man, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 name changed from Saul of Tarsus to...? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Paul. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Paul the Apostle. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So let's start in 2 Peter, chapter 3. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We're going to come back[br]to Galatians here, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but Jonathan, would you read for us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 2 Peter 3, verses 15 and 16. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want you to listen carefully as Peter, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in some ways a little humorous, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he says, "Paul is not always easy[br]to understand," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but there's a testimony 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about the authority of his work. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jonathan) I'm reading[br]from the New International Version: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So, I've always read that 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and though, "Oh, it's not always easy 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to understand Paul," which is true. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Sometimes I read a text, and I go, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "What does that mean?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Maybe I need to come 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to Hope Sabbath School 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and get a little help 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from sisters and brothers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But there were a couple[br]of little phrases there 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that showed that Peter, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 one of the church leaders and apostle, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 recognized the work of the Apostle Paul 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as being from God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What did you hear? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Laurel, did you hear something 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that caught your attention? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laurel) It just was amazing that Peter, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who was part of the original 12[br]with Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 recognized that Paul was also called, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even though he wasn't with Christ 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when He was physically on Earth. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That's right; He wasn't 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 one of the twelve, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So he has seen something in his ministry. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Didn't Jesus say, "By their fruit..." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek, Team) "...you shall know them." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So he had seen something 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the fruit of his ministry 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that said, "He's an apostle." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What does apostle mean, by the way?[br]Do you know? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One who's sent out, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "He's an apostle of Jesus Christ," okay? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What else, even in the wording[br]of the passage, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 did you see something? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Christine and then Marcus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Christine) It says here in verse 15 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that God gave Paul the wisdom[br]and the knowledge... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Aha, wisdom, I think the way[br]Jonathan read it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 wisdom comes from God, all right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Anywhere else, a little clue, Jason? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jason) In verse 16, he talks about those 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who twist and distort the meaning, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he's saying they do it 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to their own destruction. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so, you can deduce from that, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if you understand it correctly, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's the way to salvation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He's preaching the message of God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That's an interesting thought, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and actually there's another phrase[br]attached to there 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which is important, too. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Did you notice it, Peter? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Peter) It says, "as the rest[br]of the Scripture." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Okay, so he's including[br]Paul's testimonies, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not only as a wisdom from God[br]like Christine said 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but as part of Scripture, God breathed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's Peter who says all Scripture 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is God breathed, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 No private interpretation, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 All right, but that's interesting. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Also, implicitly he's saying, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "If you listen, it's for your salvation," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that gives it authority. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "If you twist it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it's for your destruction." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 All right, so Paul is recognized 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by at least Peter, but I think 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we could say by the Christian community. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 God's at work in him, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and God is speaking through him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We're going to look at one of his letters[br]in this series, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the gospel to the Galatians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The standard format of a letter... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 did you find this from your study? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What's the standard format of a letter 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 back in those times, Tricia Lee? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) I don't know about back then, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I do know like when you're[br]in grammar school, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you're taught that you start[br]with a greeting... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Okay. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) ...or some type[br]of salutation, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then you have who it's to 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then the subject of the message, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and you kind of end off with some type of,[br]you know... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Farewell or closing remark or? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Is that pretty much, Jason, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the way it looked in these letters 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 during the New Testament era? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jason) Largely yes, and you generally 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 start with the positive, too. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So you'll say, "Oh, you guys, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this is a nice thing about you," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 whether you're writing a letter now 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or these letters of Paul. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They're always saying, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "This is a good thing that you have," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "This is what I like about you." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That would probably 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 still work today, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you've got a problem with someone, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you can say, "Here's some things 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I really appreciate about you, but," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and talk about a problem. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that's pretty much standard format, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 greeting, some word of thanksgiving, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 body of the letter, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then some closing remark, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and typically with Paul 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it would include, "the grace of the Lord 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 be with you," right, something like that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's see how he begins 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the letter to the Galatians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Galatians, chapter 1, verses 1 and 2, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and, Alyssa, if you'd read that for us, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then we'll compare that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If someone could find[br]Ephesians 1, verse 1, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and Colossians 1, verse 1, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 let's see if they're similar 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or if there are some differences. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By the way, all of those letters 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 were written by the Apostle Paul. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Alyssa) In the New International Version[br]it says: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Okay, that's his greeting there. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Keep that in mind. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Does someone have Ephesians? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Joshua, chapter 1 and verse 1. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) I'll be reading from the New[br]King James Version. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Bible says: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) All right, so that's to the church[br]in Ephesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 then he writes to the church in Colossae, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we call that Colossians, Marcus, verse 1. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Marcus) I'll be reading from the King[br]James Version: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So what did they have in common, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 those three opening salutations? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What did they have in common? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team Member) He's an apostle. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Okay so, Paul, an apostle,[br]gives his name 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like we do even today, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Gives the name and says 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he's an apostle of Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What was different, Mario? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What did you see different 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the Galatian intro? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Mario) He expounds on that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He says not by the will of man 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but of God, you know. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So you can tell 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that he needs to clarify something. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Why would he have to do that,[br]anybody? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He didn't do it to Ephesus or to Colossae. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why would he have to do that for Galatia,[br]Alyssa? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Alyssa) This is still early. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Remember, he had to go to all those places 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and represent himself anew 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to each new church, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so maybe he was still kind of having[br]to defend 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that God did call him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Possibly, of course we haven't 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 read the letter yet, have we? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That is a possibility, though. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He's like, "You may not know me," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but actually there's something else 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 going on here. Nicole? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) His letter talks[br]about false teachings, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so in this case he's saying, "Listen,[br]I'm from God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm an apostle of God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm bringing you the truth and the Word 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that you need to hear, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I want you all to be careful 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of what else is going on around you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that may draw you away from Christ." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) And implied (stay with me now), 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 implied is that these people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who are giving these false teachings 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are saying what about Paul? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) That he's not from God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) He's not a true apostle, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or he's sent by man and not sent by God.[br]Jonathan? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jonathan) It seems like multiple times[br]throughout this that he's 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 emphasizing this, that, "My authority[br]doesn't come 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 based on other people; it's God." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's the truth that matters[br]and not the people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Well let's take a look 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as we read on in Galatians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jason, if you could read 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the first six verses, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it will include the initial salutation[br]that we read, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 verses 1 through 6. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He's going to go pass 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 saying thank you about anything, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he's going to come right to the issue[br]at hand. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's take a look, Galatians 1:1-6. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jason) I'll be reading 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the New King James Version, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Galatians, chapter 1, verses 1 through 6: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Whoa! So something's up here. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We're going to get right to it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but he has kind of given us[br]the gospel message 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 right in those first few verses. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How would you summarize[br]the gospel message 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from those verses? Peter. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Peter) The salutation[br]that he gives there, grace and peace, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is very interesting to me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and is actually used 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 almost in every letter, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and Peter uses it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Grace and peace to you." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 ""Grace and peace to you." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it's almost like, the heart of God, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 full of grace, brings something 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to our hearts, peace, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and He does that through forgiveness, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and this is given to all men. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So even in the greeting[br]you're seeing a message. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many Bible scholars would say 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 grace would be a more typical[br]New Testament, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and shalom, or peace, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 would be more from the Hebrew heritage, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but we're bringing both 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in Christ Jesus, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What's the message? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What did you hear 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the first six verses, anybody?[br]Yes, Alyssa? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Alyssa) Christ died for us, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but in accordance that God[br]the whole Trinity is working together. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Also he mentions that when we've been[br]transformed by that message, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we give glory back to Him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Yeah, "He gave Himself[br]for our sins," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is the way my Bible translates it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "that he might deliver us from..."? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Evil. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) "...this present evil age, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 according to the will of our God[br]and Father, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to whom be glory," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then he, like, "God is awesome." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, he kind of ends 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 his little statement there. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But he up front says, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "This is God's plan of salvation,[br]through Jesus," right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "...to deliver us[br]from the present evil age. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What is wrong with you?!"[br](Thank you, Nicole.) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Where did you get some other gospel?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Some other...what does[br]the word gospel mean, do you know? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Good News. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) "Where do you find some other news 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that isn't good news at all?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So he obviously is dealing immediately[br]with a challenge. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now before we go into that, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a revelation about the Good News 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 was not only given to him, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's go back; in our first study[br]in this series, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we looked at that amazing[br]concise statement by Peter. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Do you remember that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Guided by the Holy Spirit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In Acts 10, verses 34 to 43. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to hear that again. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm always amazed, Nicole, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if you could it for us... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm always amazed at the brilliance 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of this concise statement 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about the Gospel message. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And we know it's not because Peter says, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Well, I'm a great scholar." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 No, no, he was a fisherman 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who wholly surrendered his life to God, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and by the Spirit he's speaking. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So let's hear his testimony. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) I'm reading Acts 10,[br]verses 34 through 43, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I'm reading from the New[br]International Version, and it says: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) I love that;[br]it's so powerful, isn't it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And by the way, when he says,[br]"as all the prophets," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he kind of says that it's the testimony 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the whole Scripture. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It reminds me of a Bible study[br]that Jesus gave. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Do you remember when that was,[br]Tricia Lee? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) When they were[br]walking to Emmaus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Right, first to Cleopas 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the other disciple 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 on the road to Emmaus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but then with the disciples 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the Upper Room. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And He said all of these prophecies, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 all of the Scriptures, what? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) "Testify about Me." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Yeah, they "testify about Me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and not only about Me 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but that I had to suffer." Why? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He suffered for our sins, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He bore our sins that He might...? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What was that wonderful word? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team Member) Deliver us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Deliver us[br]from this present evil age. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Wonderful news, but all of that... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You say, "That's a great summary; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm going to write it down, Acts 10:34-43. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If anybody non-Christian come and says, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 'Could you give it to me 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in like just a couple of minutes?'" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You say, "Well, let me read to you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what the Holy Spirit said through Peter." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But we could get even more concise[br]than that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Someone have John 3:16, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 would read it for us? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Anybody have John 3:16? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You say, "I'd like to repeat it." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 John 3:16, got a volunteer? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jason, read it for us, please. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jason) I'll be reading from the New[br]King James Version, John 3:16: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Well that challenges 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the whole idea that it's 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just for the Jews, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It says "whoever." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 God so loved the...? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) World. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) I mean it's right there 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in that very simple statement. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, I have a question for you, Mario. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why do people make the Gospel message, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Good News about what God has done 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for us in Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 why do people make it so complicated? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Mario) Oh, wow, we have something[br]inside of us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that wants to give out steps or processes[br]to accomplish things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I mean, in our jobs and in school, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there's this system that tells us,[br]you know, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you have to do this and this and this, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then you can get what you want. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So it's hard for us to conceive 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that a God can love us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and give something to us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 without us having to do something[br]to earn it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but that it is a gift 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if we would just submit to His will... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Now the New Testament 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and especially the writings of Paul 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are all about a new creation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They're all about deliverance 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the present evil age, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but that is the fruit 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of accepting the Gospel message. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Somehow we try to make it 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 more complicated than "whoever believes[br]in Him." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We've got several hands. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's take a moment to reflect on this. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Harold) One way, and we have[br]seen this, actually, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 throughout the New Testament, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what we studied last time, traditions. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 At times we fall into a routine, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as Tricia Lee mentioned[br]in a previous study, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that at times we are so ingrained... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we get so comfortable that we believe 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that that's the way to go to be saved. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That's maybe even 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what the Bible teaches, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because we've done it for so long, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or what our religious teacher told us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Harold) Yes, and Jesus even rebuked[br]the Pharisees 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because, "You come to Me," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you know, with your mouth; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you're worshiping with your mouth[br]and everything. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But yet you come to Me 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by the commandments of men." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And this is found in Matthew,[br]chapter 15. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Right, so that could happen 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for us, too, right? Tricia Lee? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) He's reminding us[br]that we're in an evil age. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The devil is out there[br]trying to deceive us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 From the garden he said,[br]"Did God really say?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And when we have simple truths[br]about salvation, that doubt comes 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 into our minds like, is it really[br]that easy to be saved through Christ? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You can hang your doubts on anything,[br]but it's just like, we have to believe 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the true Word that God says[br]and not question this simple path 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that God already laid out. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) I guess there's two approaches[br]that the devil could bring. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One would be to say 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it's not that simple, right?[br]It's more complicated, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or it's not even true. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is not true, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but it's not that simple, you know? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) Is He really[br]going to forgive you if you ask Him? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Or maybe it's for someone else, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but would it really be for you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Anybody else, why do we make it[br]so complicated, Jonathan? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jonathan) I think sometimes we really[br]want it to be... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's an issue of pride. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I mean like, if I can make all these[br]so wonderful thoughts and ideas, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 then it becomes about me and about what[br]I'm doing or what I'm thinking 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or having the right knowledge, but this is[br]so simple, like a child can understand. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Didn't Jesus say something[br]about we need to become as little children 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if we would enter the Kingdom? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jonathan) That's humbling. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) It requires humility?[br]Yes, Peter? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Peter) I was thinking, too, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that sometimes maybe...[br]can God be that good? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Can it be that good? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) You mean a distorted picture 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the character of God 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 could hold me back 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from believing that God could be 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that good to me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Peter) Right, right. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Part of the reason 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we study the Bible 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is to find out the truth about God, right?[br]Joshua? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) I believe it was along the lines 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of what Jonathan said. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He mentioned that, you know, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Gospel is even for little children, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as easy that they can understand it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I remember as a child 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I always saw the Gospel 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as something that was easy to digest, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like Jesus loves me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He wants to save us from our sins, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we're going to Heaven one day, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it was that simple. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But then as I got older, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 things started to become more and more[br]and more complicated. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 People are like, "Oh! This prophecy,[br]that prophecy." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "We have to be saved through this." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "If you do this,[br]this is going to happen to you." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And your mind just has 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this, for some people,[br]a spiritual breakdown. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Like, "Whoa, it takes all of that now? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Every move that I make now, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I have to be worried if God is 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 going to like me or not like me? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Is He going to strike me from Heaven?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I think that we lose touch 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of that real essence of who Christ is, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 making things complicated,[br]as we've been discussing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) "Whoever believes in Him 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 should not perish." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But of course we need Scripture 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to know how He is. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Otherwise we could[br]make up some Jesus, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Bible is crucial, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and Jesus, when He said, "Baptize 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the name of the Father, Son[br]and Holy Spirit," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He did say, "Teach them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to observe all things I've commanded you." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But all of that is an outgrowth 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of my relationship with Him 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as my Savior, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well let's go back 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to the letter of Galatians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and, Laurel, could you read 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Galatians 1, verses 6 through 9? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Like we noticed in the first part 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (we read verse 6 already, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but read it again), 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he skips over, "I'm really thankful 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for so much about you," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and comes in - boom! 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "We've got a problem here." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's read verses 6 through 9[br]of Galatians 1. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Alyssa) I'll be reading from the New[br]King James Version: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Now that word accursed, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've got in my margin there 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is the word anathema. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I mean, it's not like, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "That's not a good thing to do." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's like really strong language. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why is Paul...and someone could say, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Well, that's your perspective; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this is my perspective"... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 why is he so intense about people... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "You cannot preach some other gospel 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 other than what was manifested[br]through Jesus," Marcus? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Marcus) Because that would portray[br]a false Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Just like you said earlier as well, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you said that it's not the same Christ 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if you pervert the gospel, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and this is the early church. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, what comes out of this 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 may affect future churches[br]in the next generation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So it's not so much 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that, "You don't like my teaching," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as "You're saying something about God[br]that isn't true!" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) And...? And what? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What's the implication of that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Destruction for people! 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is life and death! 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's not just, "Do you like your sermon[br]or your sermon?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is life and death; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we're talking about how people can be 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 set right with God, right?[br]Yes, Mario. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Mario) I just feel like 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I need to highlight 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the same applies to us today. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is about the character of Christ 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as perceived in someone else's eyes[br]through our testimony, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we get hung up on our doctrine 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as a means to salvation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And there are so many things that we try 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to hang the hat of salvation on, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but we've got to preach Christ 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and Him crucified, as Paul said, you know, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we have to be careful about that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Now some people might get 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a little offended with Paul. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They'd say, "Paul, that's a little," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (we have an expression in English), 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "over the top. Please." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But let's look at a couple of places 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 where Jesus was fairly (what could I say)[br]direct 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when He felt the same issue, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "You're getting in the way 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of people learning the truth about God." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Mark, chapter 9, verse 42, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Harold, do you have that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Again I do believe that Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He spoke with love in His heart. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I don't like if He's portrayed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as some kind of angry Savior, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but He spoke strongly here, didn't He?[br]Mark 5:42? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Harold) I'll be reading from the New[br]King James Version: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Now, Bible students have discussed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 whether the little ones He's talking about 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are children or new believers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What do you think? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Both. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Multiple choice, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "All of the above," right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you cause a child to stumble 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they can't, as children do, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just say, "Jesus, I trust You, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I want You to save me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I want to be with You forever," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the Savior says, "Amen," right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But also the new believer? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So, we want the new believers[br]to learn everything 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that Jesus taught, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, how do we do that 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 without making a stumbling block for them? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What is crucially important 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when we're teaching them all those things? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Are you stretching your fingers, Nicole?[br]Yes, tell me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) I think that it starts with us[br]praying and asking for the Spirit 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to fill us with what we need in order[br]to reach those that we're dealing with. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so we don't become a stumbling block[br]ourselves, we have to have 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that connection with Christ to lead us[br]the right way. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Okay, but we want to teach them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to observe all things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So how do we do that without[br](what's the word) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 damaging the gospel or mutating the gospel 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or proclaiming some other gospel? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How do we do that, Alyssa? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Alyssa) Well, first, everything 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 has to come from Scripture. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Don't try to show them anything[br]that isn't here. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And also, if they're not secure yet[br]in their salvation, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 first things have to come first. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So I believe in Bible prophecy,[br]it's wonderful. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By the way, I met many people who believe 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the authenticity of the Bible[br]by Bible prophecy, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but you're saying, "I'm going 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to tell them about Jesus 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and how to have 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a living connection with Him," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then we talk about how do we live[br]as a Christian 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 rather than, "Here's the list of things 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that can maybe earn God's love and favor 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or maybe earn your way to Heaven." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) It's a great question,[br]and I think that churches struggle 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with how to disciple and how to teach[br]our new believers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We should never be afraid of teaching[br]what the Bible says or what Jesus says, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but there's a big difference between[br]teaching what Jesus taught and lived 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then now trying to force people[br]to make those changes and believing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that we somehow now take on the role[br]of the Holy Spirit in converting people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I can teach you and show you, and I should[br]never hide what the Bible says, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I have to understand my role is[br]to teach; my role is not to convert. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I cannot force someone to make a change[br]that it might have taken me many years 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to come to myself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So we have to have patience and humility[br]and realize that we are only 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 pointing people to the Bible teachings[br]and allowing the Holy Spirit to work 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that miracle in their life just like[br]He worked in our lives. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But we shouldn't be afraid to show[br]somebody what the Bible says 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just because it might be too much; maybe[br]we should hide it from them now - no. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Bible teaches all these things;[br]it's okay to teach it, but we should never 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 feel like we have to force someone to make[br]the same change just like we have. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) And would it be okay to say[br]we always need to remind them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what the foundation of our faith...[br]where it is? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's in Jesus, right?[br]Our Savior 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Saved by His grace through faith? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's talk about healthful living, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or let's talk about... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you could name something else... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 how Jesus is coming back, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but first I have to talk[br]about the gospel message, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the assurance of salvation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Several hands raised, Peter? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Peter) I was just going to say 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when we talk about like we're saying[br]doctrine or anything, living, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jesus sits for His portrait 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and how we present the teachings[br]of the Bible. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And what portrait of Jesus 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are you painting in your doctrine, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in your lifestyle that you're coaching, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 whatever it is, X, Y, Z - fill it in - 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what portrait of Jesus are you painting? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) First I have to know 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the truth about Jesus and who He was.[br]Jonathan. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jonathan) I was thinking how,[br]in a musical, you can have the same notes, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even in the same order, but if you change,[br]like maybe if you start 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with a different emphasis, or if you put[br]it in a different bass note or something, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the music totally changes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You can be saying the same things,[br]but if you're emphasizing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 without that foundation of who God is,[br]His love for us, as in salvation, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 then you're communicating[br]a different song, a different tone. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) One other text 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 where Jesus spoke rather strongly, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in Matthew 23:13,14, He was saying, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Don't get in the way of people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 knowing the truth about Me." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Christine, do you have Matthew 23,[br]verses 13 and 14? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Christine) I'll be reading from the New[br]King James Version, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Matthew, chapter 23, verses 13 and 14;[br]it says: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) And what does it say at the end? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "You will receive" what? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek, Team) A greater condemnation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, you will be held accountable. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Isn't that what it's saying? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For getting in the way 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of people knowing the truth. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now I don't know about you, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but we're here, and this is 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 an in-depth, interactive study; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we've got a lot of people watching this. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That would cause me to be praying, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Oh, Lord, help us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to tell the truth about You," right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "To tell the truth about Your gospel, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to tell the truth about the Christian life 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in response to the grace 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's been shown to us," and all of that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We want to go now 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and look at where Paul gets his message 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because, as someone pointed out 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laurel, I think you mentioned earlier), 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he wasn't one of the 12 Disciples. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So where does he get his message? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well let's take a look 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 at his own testimony, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we're looking in Galatians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 chapter 1, verses 11 through 17, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then we'll read on in the chapter 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and also testimony from his letter[br]to the Corinthians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But first, Galatians, chapter 1, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and, Peter, if you could read that for us, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 verses 11 through 17. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Peter) I'm reading Galatians, chapter 1,[br]verses 11 to 17, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the New King James Version: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) What's he saying? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Harold) He was called[br]through God's grace. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) He was called[br]through God's grace, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but more than that, what's he saying? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This revelation...? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) Is not from man. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) "...is not from man. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I didn't learn it from anyone[br]except Jesus!" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In that sense he's saying, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I may not have walked with Him 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when He was here on Earth, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I've walked with Him 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 since He ascended to Heaven." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That's a startling claim, isn't it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But that's what he's saying, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "The way I received the message." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's keep reading; Mario,[br]if you could read, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as he continues now,[br]in verses 18 through 24. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Again, they're saying, "You're not[br]a real apostle." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "You weren't one of the twelve," right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "You weren't there; in fact, your history 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 shows you've been fighting against[br]the truth." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because, by the way, these Judaizers 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are believers in Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So they're not just like those 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who are opposed to Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but they're saying, "But there's more, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and you're not telling the whole story." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Paul says, "I got it from Jesus." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Reading on, verses 18, is it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Mario) Through 24, reading Galatians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 chapter 1, 18 through 24, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the New King James Version: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That's his testimony,[br]"I've been changed." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now let's look at one example 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of a revelation given to him,[br]1 Corinthians 11. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He's talking here about the beginning 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of what we call the Lord's Supper 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or the Communion service. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now again, obvious question, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but was he there in the Upper Room? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek, Team) No. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So, how is he 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 going to tell the believers about that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, let's see what he says. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Joshua. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) The Bible says: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That's very specific, isn't it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's not like, "Well, and there was 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this little service in the Upper Room 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 before Jesus was crucified." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's actually quoting Jesus, what He said, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and explaining what it meant. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I have a question for you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He says, "I received it from the Lord." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How did Jesus reveal that to him? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Did He appear to him 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like on the Damascus road? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Did He give him a vision? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, a vision, he's still awake, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but he receives a message from Heaven. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or a dream, we think of like, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 dreams were given to prophets, too? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How did Jesus reveal that to him, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 what happened in the Upper Room? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The answer is? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek, Team) We don't know. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Could it have been 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 any one of those? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Could the Lord Himself have come 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like He did on the Damascus road? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or have given him a vision? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But what is Paul[br]absolutely convinced about? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) That it's from Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That it's a revelation[br]from Jesus, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, both that little piece 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of what happened in the Upper Room, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but actually the entire message[br]he's proclaiming, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he said, "This doesn't come from me; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it comes from God." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So why is that so important 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as he's about to speak to the Galatians 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who were listening to false teaching? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why is it important that he asserts 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the source of his message? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Wouldn't it be enough to say, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I learned it from the apostles"? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jason, what do you think? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Jason) Because he's being attacked 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as not being connected with Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as not being part of that origin. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They're saying, "You came in[br]after the fact, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and you're trying to proclaim to us[br]this stuff 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even though you haven't experienced it[br]yourself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In fact, you were even one[br]of our persecutors, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so how do we know 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that you're actually genuine?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And they're basically challenging him 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by bringing this other gospel in. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he's saying, "Look, this is[br]from Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and here's the evidence for it." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) We're going to study 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about the whole Conflict and the message 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the gospel to the Galatians, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I just want to pause and ask, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 does it startle you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that Jesus would call someone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who'd been such a fierce opponent? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Would it be fair to say to almost become[br]a primary witness? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I mean, how many books 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the New Testament 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 did - let's choose some of the Apostles -[br]Peter. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How many books of the New Testament[br]did Peter write? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well we've got 1 and 2 Peter, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That's the clue, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Give me another Apostle. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek, Team) John. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Okay, how many books 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the New Testament[br]did John write? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Five? Okay, you've got 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Gospel of John, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Revelation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) He says, the Revelation[br]of Jesus Christ 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 through His servant John." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Okay, so you've got five there. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Give me another Apostle[br]besides Peter and John. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not Timothy, he was not an Apostle, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But Matthew was...Matthew, how many[br]did he write? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) One. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) One that bears his name, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 an important Gospel, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Give me another Apostle. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Philip? How many did he write? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek, Team) None. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Give me another one. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 James, the brother of John, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's not the one who wrote 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the book of James, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, many of the Apostles 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 didn't write any books 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the New Testament, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And how many did you say again 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Thirteen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Doesn't it startle you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What does that tell you about God? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not just about Paul. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You say, "He was obviously a changed man." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What does that tell you about God?[br]Christine. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Christine) That God can use anyone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to get them to proclaim the message. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) He can use anyone. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Can we complete that sentence, Tricia Lee? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) Even me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Okay, yeah. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 God can use anyone, even me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I still need a little qualifier[br]in there, Nicole? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) God can use anyone, even me...? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) If you're willing...[br]if you're willing to be used. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) If I'm willing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And how is that willingness revealed? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How is that willingness revealed? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How is it apparent that I am willing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to be used by God, even me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to proclaim the Good News about Jesus? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) By doing the work. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) I think before I do the work, no? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) It's choosing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tricia Lee) Believing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Choosing, believing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team Member) Responding to the call. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) How do I respond to the call? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I listen? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team Member) Repent first. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) I repent. I...? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) Pray? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Pray. I surrender. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I humble myself before God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This message is not about me;[br]it's about Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "And God, You're going to have to work[br]supernaturally 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because I don't want to mess that up." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I certainly don't want to proclaim 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a false gospel, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I humble myself...So, I'm willing, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 surrender? Even me? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That Paul could do that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And God could use him in such[br]an amazing way? Joshua? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) This is helping me to think 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because if you think about the most[br]well-known pastors and evangelists 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that you hear about 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 throughout the Christian church, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 many of them were not raised[br]as Christians. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Yeah. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) Many of them actually converted[br]to Christianity, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and through the experience 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they had with Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they just went full force, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and that goes across the board. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I think it just goes to show 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that when we have that true conversion, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 our past is no longer a priority. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our past is just a shadow of who we were, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we are now new in Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Doesn't Paul say somewhere, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I consider all of that..." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What was the word he used? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I think a literal translation[br]is "cow dung," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but "rubbish" would be a little more... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's garbage compared to the excellency[br]of knowing Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not just knowing about Him, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But knowing Him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's like he can't keep quiet. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And if we're willing...even me? Even me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So in the last few minutes we've got, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want you to give a testimony 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of how you have been blessed, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not only to know Jesus 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and have that relationship, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but you've been blessed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that God would use you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to share the truth about Jesus 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with someone else, okay? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And you may share a specific instance. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You may share something 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's happening to you right now. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So let's talk about that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We can't share what we don't know, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, coming to know Him and sharing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Who can share a testimony of being blessed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as a result of that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We'll start with you, Harold. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Harold) One day I was going[br]to Radio Shack 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (that's like an electronics store), 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and they were closing down. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The thought came, "Well, since it's[br]closing down, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there's some people who are there," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I'm a type that I like[br]to talk one-on-one. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And usually the store's kind of empty. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There was this lady, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I had this material, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I started talking to her, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like saying, "Hey, I have this material[br]for you, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if you're interested." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) So this was something[br]about the Bible? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Harold) Yeah, all about the Bible. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Actually that lasted like an hour or more,[br]the conversation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) It must have been a quiet day[br]at the store. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Harold) No, it was interesting. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There were more customers coming in. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was so inspiring 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that I started even asking, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Hey, customers, would you be interested?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was not afraid; I was really so blessed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because the lady was asking[br]so many questions, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even asked for material 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that I had at home; this was interesting. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I purchased the material 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 thinking that I would read it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then she mentioned to me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I remember reading this book 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 back in the day by this person." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I'm like, "Wow, interesting!" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I have this book at home, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I just bought one, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 thinking that I would use it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I brought it for her. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She was so blessed and was acknowledging 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 all the truth that was being shared 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that I felt blessed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was like, wow, somebody received[br]God's truth today, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even the people who were[br]around us listening 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or even receiving the material. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That made my day, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I thank God for that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) For those of you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the second row, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you couldn't see he was smiling. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was blessed to be used 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to bless someone else, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it sounds like God was at work 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even in him getting that book 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they wanted to read, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it was already there. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In some ways you might think, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Well, that's not as dramatic as[br]the Damascus road." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But it was dramatic for you, wasn't it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Anybody else, being blessed? Joshua. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) Years ago I was 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in Antigua visiting family, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I was sitting in my Aunt Nola's house, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I saw Hope Sabbath School 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for the first time. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As I watched the people... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Was that before you ever became[br]a participant? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joshua) Oh, yeah, this was before that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was watching the show, and I said, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I can't really relate to these people; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they look too holy." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I said, "You know what? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They're going into all these deep things[br]about the Bible," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I just kept watching it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I had no idea that God was ever 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 going to put me on this show 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to do this same exact work. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And now I know that we're not all perfect 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and that through media God can reach 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so many people across the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm very thankful to be here, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I met my wife on this show. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Oh, you did, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and she's not here, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just in case the viewers are trying 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to guess which one it is. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But back to what you said, Tricia Lee, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Even me," "Even me."[br]Isn't that amazing? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Surrendered to God, you're watching[br]the show, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and, you know, our producer Elroy, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when he was in grad school, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he said, "I wish I could...," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was watching Hope Sabbath School, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he was really blessed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was saying, "I wish I could 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 produce a program like that," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and today he's our producer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Isn't that awesome! 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) That's the kind of people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we want to be a part of the team, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That we believe God is working[br]in miraculous ways. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One last testimony, yes, Nicole. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Nicole) I would continue what Joshua said[br]in saying I'm blessed to be 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 on this program also, and it's funny[br]because I met you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 at a church here locally, and I hadn't[br]really heard of Hope Sabbath School, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and you actually talked about it[br]in church. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was like, "Let me see what he's[br]talking about," and I watched 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this program a couple of times. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I just think that the Lord really led me[br]to that church, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 led me to meet with you that day, and put[br]me in this program, and it's just been 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a blessing because I'm meeting people[br]who have seen the programs, and they're 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 very blessed by the program. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so it's this great blessing to me[br]that I can be a part of this ministry. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) I think that's why the Apostle[br]Paul was so passionate, because he's like, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "It's not just about me being saved; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it's about sharing that blessing, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the grace of God I've come to know[br]and experience. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to share that with everybody, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even if they try to kill me," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which, by the way, happened[br]quite frequently 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for the Apostle Paul. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And when people tried to distort 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the truth of the Gospel, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he got really upset 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because he wanted people to know 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the true character of God and God's plan. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to share the truth 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about Jesus, too, don't you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Let's pray that he'll work in us[br]in wonderful ways. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Father in Heaven, thank You 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for the beautiful truth of the Gospel. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Forgive us if we've made it complicated 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or a stumbling block put in the way[br]of someone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so they don't hear the truth. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Help us to continue to study Your Word, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to learn the truth of the Gospel 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to be able to share it in a way 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that will bless many lives,[br]including ours. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In the name of Jesus. Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Team) Amen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Derek) Well, thanks for joining us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for Hope Sabbath School. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We have so much to learn, but you know? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 God loves us, and He will be withe us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 each step of the journey. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Take what you're learning 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and be a blessing to those around you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 ♪ theme music ♪