1 00:00:00,136 --> 00:00:18,613 ♪ theme music ♪ 2 00:00:18,613 --> 00:00:21,176 (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, 3 00:00:21,176 --> 00:00:22,990 an in-depth, interactive study 4 00:00:22,990 --> 00:00:24,419 of the Word of God. 5 00:00:24,419 --> 00:00:26,438 I'm glad you joined us, we're in the middle 6 00:00:26,438 --> 00:00:28,654 of a series on "The Gospel in Galatians." 7 00:00:28,654 --> 00:00:29,909 Actually, we just started, 8 00:00:29,909 --> 00:00:32,576 but we're already learning amazing lessons 9 00:00:32,576 --> 00:00:33,888 for our lives today - 10 00:00:33,888 --> 00:00:35,518 the precious Good News, 11 00:00:35,518 --> 00:00:37,130 and how, when we try to share it, 12 00:00:37,130 --> 00:00:40,238 sometimes people resist the truth 13 00:00:40,238 --> 00:00:41,572 as it is in Jesus. 14 00:00:41,572 --> 00:00:44,775 Our topic today: Paul's Authority and Gospel, 15 00:00:44,775 --> 00:00:47,031 and there are amazing lessons for us. 16 00:00:47,031 --> 00:00:49,487 So we're glad you joined us for Hope Sabbath School. 17 00:00:49,487 --> 00:00:51,688 And hello to the team; we're back again. 18 00:00:51,688 --> 00:00:53,812 The Gospel in Galatians; 19 00:00:53,812 --> 00:00:55,311 what did we learn 20 00:00:55,311 --> 00:00:57,075 from the first part of our series 21 00:00:57,075 --> 00:01:00,386 about Paul being transformed? 22 00:01:00,386 --> 00:01:03,283 What was the most important takeaway lesson for you? 23 00:01:03,283 --> 00:01:05,768 Well, we'll share that as we study today. 24 00:01:05,768 --> 00:01:07,439 I hope you were with us. 25 00:01:07,439 --> 00:01:09,683 If you missed the first part of this series, 26 00:01:09,683 --> 00:01:14,702 you can go to our website: hopetv.org/hopess. 27 00:01:14,702 --> 00:01:16,158 You can watch part one 28 00:01:16,158 --> 00:01:17,561 of "The Gospel in Galatians." 29 00:01:17,561 --> 00:01:19,510 And we're always happy to hear from you. 30 00:01:19,510 --> 00:01:23,234 You can write to us at sshope@hopetv.org. 31 00:01:23,234 --> 00:01:25,009 Here are just a few emails. 32 00:01:25,009 --> 00:01:27,478 You know, we know of 150 countries. 33 00:01:27,478 --> 00:01:29,262 You say, "Derek, how do you know?" 34 00:01:29,262 --> 00:01:31,014 Well, we have one Android app 35 00:01:31,014 --> 00:01:33,091 that's being used in 150 countries, 36 00:01:33,091 --> 00:01:35,189 so there's a lot of people joining us 37 00:01:35,189 --> 00:01:36,365 for Hope Sabbath School. 38 00:01:36,365 --> 00:01:38,150 And we've got an Apple app. 39 00:01:38,150 --> 00:01:39,624 By the way, for those of you 40 00:01:39,624 --> 00:01:41,159 who have an iPhone or an iPad, 41 00:01:41,159 --> 00:01:43,400 you can download Hope Sabbath School. 42 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:46,349 It's free, and you can access the program. 43 00:01:46,349 --> 00:01:48,614 Got an email just a few weeks ago 44 00:01:48,614 --> 00:01:51,920 from someone who, in China, watched one program, 45 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,462 went back and watched 100 hours 46 00:01:55,462 --> 00:01:57,977 of interactive Bible studies in our archives. 47 00:01:57,977 --> 00:01:59,651 So it's there for you. 48 00:01:59,651 --> 00:02:01,047 Here are a few notes. 49 00:02:01,047 --> 00:02:04,213 One from Albert in Namibia, 50 00:02:04,213 --> 00:02:06,626 that's former German West Africa, 51 00:02:06,626 --> 00:02:09,080 you know, just north of South Africa, 52 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:11,492 and Albert writes, "It's so edifying 53 00:02:11,492 --> 00:02:12,857 to watch and listen 54 00:02:12,857 --> 00:02:15,501 to you explain the Bible so clearly. 55 00:02:15,501 --> 00:02:17,509 My wife and I enjoy 56 00:02:17,509 --> 00:02:20,181 your Bible study every Friday evening 57 00:02:20,181 --> 00:02:22,027 in preparation for the Sabbath. 58 00:02:22,027 --> 00:02:24,536 I am a teacher, and I gain 59 00:02:24,536 --> 00:02:26,349 a lot of knowledge from your classes, 60 00:02:26,349 --> 00:02:29,604 which I apply during my class." Good? 61 00:02:29,604 --> 00:02:33,053 That's what we want, download the outline. 62 00:02:33,053 --> 00:02:34,584 "What I want to know 63 00:02:34,584 --> 00:02:37,795 is whether your class is consisting 64 00:02:37,795 --> 00:02:41,662 of all student pastors, 65 00:02:41,662 --> 00:02:45,357 because you all seem to know the Bible." 66 00:02:45,357 --> 00:02:49,075 I guess you could tell, Albert, by the way 67 00:02:49,075 --> 00:02:50,220 that everybody laughed, 68 00:02:50,220 --> 00:02:52,075 that they're not all student pastors. 69 00:02:52,075 --> 00:02:54,706 "May the Good Lord continue blessing 70 00:02:54,706 --> 00:02:56,293 and giving you spiritual wisdom 71 00:02:56,293 --> 00:02:57,674 as you share the Good News 72 00:02:57,674 --> 00:02:59,046 with the whole world." Amen? 73 00:02:59,046 --> 00:02:59,780 (Team) Amen. 74 00:02:59,780 --> 00:03:01,570 (Derek) So what's the takeaway there? 75 00:03:01,570 --> 00:03:02,576 And the answer is, 76 00:03:02,576 --> 00:03:04,812 we can all do something for Jesus, right? 77 00:03:04,812 --> 00:03:06,649 Whether we're teachers or counselors 78 00:03:06,649 --> 00:03:08,942 or physicians or homemakers 79 00:03:08,942 --> 00:03:15,113 or construction workers or pastors, right? Bible teachers. 80 00:03:15,113 --> 00:03:16,909 We can all do something for Jesus. 81 00:03:16,909 --> 00:03:18,530 Thanks for writing to us, Albert. 82 00:03:18,530 --> 00:03:21,914 Here's a note from Kwasi in Ghana. 83 00:03:21,914 --> 00:03:25,027 Anyone with Ghanaian roots? 84 00:03:25,027 --> 00:03:27,469 Oh, Joshua! Ghanaian roots, all right. 85 00:03:27,469 --> 00:03:32,623 Have a little wave here for Kwasi. Okay. 86 00:03:32,623 --> 00:03:35,240 "I live in Accra," he writes. 87 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:36,956 "Your Sabbath School discussion 88 00:03:36,956 --> 00:03:41,166 has made me an extraordinary Christian 89 00:03:41,166 --> 00:03:42,753 and has blessed me. 90 00:03:42,753 --> 00:03:46,142 It's built my personal relationship with Jesus." 91 00:03:46,142 --> 00:03:47,344 (Team) Amen. 92 00:03:47,344 --> 00:03:50,409 (Derek) "It's made me a Bible student!" 93 00:03:50,409 --> 00:03:52,227 This is all good, isn't it? 94 00:03:52,227 --> 00:03:53,790 "It's helped me organize 95 00:03:53,790 --> 00:03:55,566 some children in my community 96 00:03:55,566 --> 00:03:57,677 to share the Word of God with them." 97 00:03:57,677 --> 00:04:00,562 It gets better and better, doesn't it, Mario? 98 00:04:00,562 --> 00:04:03,717 "Every Sunday morning we do exercise 99 00:04:03,717 --> 00:04:05,716 with the children, also, 100 00:04:05,716 --> 00:04:07,642 to strengthen our physical bodies." 101 00:04:07,642 --> 00:04:10,871 It sounds like a pretty holistic approach, right? 102 00:04:10,871 --> 00:04:11,951 Teach the Word of God, 103 00:04:11,951 --> 00:04:13,207 help them to be healthy. 104 00:04:13,207 --> 00:04:16,145 "It's my desire that the Hope Sabbath School discussion 105 00:04:16,145 --> 00:04:19,038 will be translated into different languages 106 00:04:19,038 --> 00:04:22,369 around the world; the program is amazing." 107 00:04:22,369 --> 00:04:23,729 Well, I want to tell you 108 00:04:23,729 --> 00:04:25,105 that it's already happening 109 00:04:25,105 --> 00:04:26,986 in different part of the world, 110 00:04:26,995 --> 00:04:28,258 that Hope Sabbath School 111 00:04:28,258 --> 00:04:30,794 is being broadcast in other languages, 112 00:04:30,794 --> 00:04:32,321 also with closed captioning, 113 00:04:32,321 --> 00:04:33,748 but you pray for us, Kwasi, 114 00:04:33,748 --> 00:04:35,407 because we're praying it could go 115 00:04:35,407 --> 00:04:37,636 to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 116 00:04:37,636 --> 00:04:39,397 Thanks for being part of the miracle. 117 00:04:39,397 --> 00:04:41,867 Here's a note from Ludwig in Peru. 118 00:04:41,867 --> 00:04:43,491 He's written to us before. 119 00:04:43,491 --> 00:04:45,511 Ludwig says, "I'm always instructed 120 00:04:45,511 --> 00:04:47,749 by your Friday evening Bible study. 121 00:04:47,749 --> 00:04:49,498 I thank God for all of you. 122 00:04:49,498 --> 00:04:53,688 This program is so didactic and instructive." 123 00:04:53,688 --> 00:04:57,054 I think he looked up a few words, there, for us. 124 00:04:57,054 --> 00:04:59,532 "Big hug to all of you, and God bless you all." Amen? 125 00:04:59,532 --> 00:05:00,255 (Team) Amen. 126 00:05:00,255 --> 00:05:01,609 (Derek) Thanks for writing. 127 00:05:01,609 --> 00:05:04,804 I know, Ludwig, you said you've been learning a lot of English, too, 128 00:05:04,804 --> 00:05:06,827 while you've been watching the broadcast. 129 00:05:06,827 --> 00:05:09,049 Here's a note from Tammy in New Jersey 130 00:05:09,049 --> 00:05:10,848 in the United States of America. 131 00:05:10,848 --> 00:05:13,072 She says, "Thank you so much 132 00:05:13,072 --> 00:05:15,033 for what you do; it's an encouragement. 133 00:05:15,033 --> 00:05:16,409 I love Hope Sabbath School. 134 00:05:16,409 --> 00:05:18,539 I watched the first episode 135 00:05:18,539 --> 00:05:21,763 of Hope Sabbath School in December 2016 136 00:05:21,763 --> 00:05:24,319 during a Sabbath school breakfast 137 00:05:24,319 --> 00:05:26,082 I'd planned for our church. 138 00:05:26,082 --> 00:05:27,766 I'd heard of Hope Channel, 139 00:05:27,766 --> 00:05:30,081 but not having a television, 140 00:05:30,081 --> 00:05:32,068 I'd never seen it before," - 141 00:05:32,068 --> 00:05:33,911 never seen Hope Sabbath School - 142 00:05:33,911 --> 00:05:36,246 "Well, I loved it, and I was thrilled 143 00:05:36,246 --> 00:05:39,010 when I found out you could get it online." 144 00:05:39,010 --> 00:05:40,609 It's easy; you can get the app, 145 00:05:40,609 --> 00:05:44,731 or you can watch it online, hopetv.org/hopess. 146 00:05:44,731 --> 00:05:48,330 And she concludes, "May God continue abundantly 147 00:05:48,330 --> 00:05:49,726 to bless your ministry. 148 00:05:49,726 --> 00:05:51,603 Thank you, thank you, thank you! 149 00:05:51,603 --> 00:05:52,813 I love being a member 150 00:05:52,813 --> 00:05:53,962 of Hope Sabbath School." 151 00:05:53,962 --> 00:05:54,749 (Team) Amen. 152 00:05:54,749 --> 00:05:56,436 (Derek) All right, and by the way, 153 00:05:56,436 --> 00:05:58,353 she's involved in a children's ministry 154 00:05:58,353 --> 00:05:59,375 there in New Jersey, 155 00:05:59,376 --> 00:06:00,551 and so she can do 156 00:06:00,551 --> 00:06:02,205 an interactive Bible study with us 157 00:06:02,205 --> 00:06:03,928 as part of Hope Sabbath School. 158 00:06:03,931 --> 00:06:07,028 One last note, from Trinidad and Tobago. 159 00:06:07,028 --> 00:06:08,999 That's in the beautiful Caribbean. 160 00:06:08,999 --> 00:06:13,262 Just a short note, Leslie Ann writes 161 00:06:13,262 --> 00:06:16,662 and says, "I'm from the island of Trinidad and Tobago." 162 00:06:16,668 --> 00:06:18,971 I guess that's considered one country, isn't it? 163 00:06:18,971 --> 00:06:21,385 "I enjoy watching and doing the lesson. 164 00:06:21,385 --> 00:06:24,665 I also enjoy watching Jason 165 00:06:24,665 --> 00:06:26,145 sing the Scripture songs." 166 00:06:26,145 --> 00:06:28,985 Well, Jason, why don't you wave to Leslie Ann, 167 00:06:28,985 --> 00:06:30,102 and we're going to sing 168 00:06:30,102 --> 00:06:31,981 the Scripture song right now, actually. 169 00:06:31,981 --> 00:06:34,488 We've got a brand new song for this series 170 00:06:34,488 --> 00:06:36,978 from the Gospel in Galatians. 171 00:06:36,978 --> 00:06:39,521 It's taken from Galatians, chapter 2, 172 00:06:39,521 --> 00:06:42,006 which says, "I have been crucified with Christ, 173 00:06:42,006 --> 00:06:44,064 and I no longer live, 174 00:06:44,064 --> 00:06:46,789 but Christ lives in me," it's a miracle. 175 00:06:46,789 --> 00:06:48,365 If you haven't learned the song, 176 00:06:48,365 --> 00:06:50,868 go to our website, download the song, 177 00:06:50,868 --> 00:06:53,297 the sheet music, so you can sing along. 178 00:06:53,297 --> 00:06:55,244 We're going to sing it right now. 179 00:06:55,244 --> 00:07:10,297 ♪ music ♪ 180 00:08:46,150 --> 00:08:47,857 (Derek) There's so much included 181 00:08:47,857 --> 00:08:52,188 in that one verse from Galatians 2:20, 21. 182 00:08:52,188 --> 00:08:54,938 The Son of God loves you 183 00:08:54,938 --> 00:08:57,805 and gave Himself for you; isn't that awesome? 184 00:08:57,805 --> 00:08:59,358 I just want to pray 185 00:08:59,358 --> 00:09:01,311 that Jesus would be lifted up today 186 00:09:01,311 --> 00:09:03,317 as we study the Gospel in Galatians. 187 00:09:03,317 --> 00:09:05,351 Father in Heaven, thank You. 188 00:09:05,351 --> 00:09:09,541 Thank You that God so loved the world 189 00:09:09,541 --> 00:09:13,021 that You sent Your one and only Son 190 00:09:13,021 --> 00:09:16,576 that whoever believes in Him should not perish 191 00:09:16,576 --> 00:09:18,992 but have everlasting life. 192 00:09:18,992 --> 00:09:21,597 We see sickness and death all around us. 193 00:09:21,597 --> 00:09:23,659 We know that sin 194 00:09:23,659 --> 00:09:25,602 brings death and destruction, 195 00:09:25,602 --> 00:09:26,632 but I thank You 196 00:09:26,632 --> 00:09:28,754 that You've given us hope in Your Word, 197 00:09:28,754 --> 00:09:30,825 even today, hope in Jesus. 198 00:09:30,825 --> 00:09:32,784 And I pray as we study 199 00:09:32,784 --> 00:09:34,315 the Gospel in Galatians, 200 00:09:34,315 --> 00:09:37,721 as we study "Paul's Authority and Gospel," 201 00:09:37,721 --> 00:09:40,478 that You would work in supernatural ways 202 00:09:40,478 --> 00:09:42,009 in each of our hearts, 203 00:09:42,009 --> 00:09:43,471 Hope Sabbath School members 204 00:09:43,471 --> 00:09:44,744 all around the world. 205 00:09:44,744 --> 00:09:46,424 May lives be blessed today 206 00:09:46,424 --> 00:09:48,039 to bring honor to Your name. 207 00:09:48,039 --> 00:09:50,371 I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 208 00:09:50,371 --> 00:09:51,294 (Team) Amen. 209 00:09:51,294 --> 00:09:53,652 (Derek) Now before we go into Paul's authority, 210 00:09:53,652 --> 00:09:55,451 I want to go back 211 00:09:55,451 --> 00:09:57,346 to our previous study, Nicole. 212 00:09:57,346 --> 00:09:59,359 How could it be 213 00:09:59,359 --> 00:10:01,329 that God could take a rebel 214 00:10:01,329 --> 00:10:03,195 who was forcing people 215 00:10:03,195 --> 00:10:06,008 to blaspheme and wreaking havoc 216 00:10:06,008 --> 00:10:08,228 (you remember that word?) in the church 217 00:10:08,228 --> 00:10:11,733 and call him "My chosen servant" 218 00:10:11,733 --> 00:10:13,374 to be an ambassador 219 00:10:13,374 --> 00:10:15,027 for the Gospel message? 220 00:10:15,027 --> 00:10:16,115 How can that happen? 221 00:10:16,115 --> 00:10:20,070 (Nicole) Because God loves each and every one of us and wants us all to be saved. 222 00:10:20,070 --> 00:10:24,836 So He uses us wherever we are to spread His Word to those He wants to save. 223 00:10:24,836 --> 00:10:29,213 In terms of this case, He knew he was a Zealot, even knew he was a Zealot 224 00:10:29,213 --> 00:10:33,801 in the time before he was transformed, and he was doing evil things. 225 00:10:33,801 --> 00:10:38,258 God knew that he was a Zealot and when he was actually changed, 226 00:10:38,258 --> 00:10:39,995 he'd be a Zealot for Him. 227 00:10:39,995 --> 00:10:43,534 And so God was like, "I know the end from the beginning, and so, therefore, 228 00:10:43,534 --> 00:10:47,017 this person's going to be the person I need at this time 229 00:10:47,017 --> 00:10:49,119 to bring my Word to those who need it." 230 00:10:49,119 --> 00:10:50,610 (Derek) Is that encouraging? 231 00:10:50,610 --> 00:10:52,000 That God sees the potential 232 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,134 even in the midst of all our stumblings? 233 00:10:55,134 --> 00:10:56,687 We're going to talk about Paul 234 00:10:56,687 --> 00:10:58,229 as he writes now. 235 00:10:58,229 --> 00:10:59,574 Many think this was 236 00:10:59,574 --> 00:11:01,155 one of the earliest documents 237 00:11:01,155 --> 00:11:03,369 that we have in what we call the New Testament, 238 00:11:03,369 --> 00:11:05,941 about 49-50 A.D. 239 00:11:05,941 --> 00:11:09,413 And it's written because of a problem in the church, 240 00:11:09,413 --> 00:11:11,938 but by then, even at that time, 241 00:11:11,938 --> 00:11:13,166 we're going to see 242 00:11:13,166 --> 00:11:16,107 that the Christian church recognized 243 00:11:16,107 --> 00:11:18,228 the Holy Spirit working in this man, 244 00:11:18,228 --> 00:11:21,267 name changed from Saul of Tarsus to...? 245 00:11:21,267 --> 00:11:22,013 (Team) Paul. 246 00:11:22,013 --> 00:11:23,496 (Derek) ...to Paul the Apostle. 247 00:11:23,496 --> 00:11:26,350 So let's start in 2 Peter, chapter 3. 248 00:11:26,367 --> 00:11:28,537 We're going to come back to Galatians, here, 249 00:11:28,537 --> 00:11:30,753 but Jonathan, would you read for us 250 00:11:30,753 --> 00:11:34,054 2 Peter 3, verses 15 and 16. 251 00:11:34,054 --> 00:11:37,416 I want you to listen carefully as Peter, 252 00:11:37,416 --> 00:11:39,266 in some ways a little humorous, 253 00:11:39,266 --> 00:11:42,600 he says, "Paul is not always easy to understand," 254 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:44,352 but there's a testimony 255 00:11:44,352 --> 00:11:46,685 about the authority of his work. 256 00:11:46,685 --> 00:11:49,412 (Jonathan) I'm reading from the New International Version: 257 00:12:12,654 --> 00:12:14,232 (Derek) So, I've always read that 258 00:12:14,232 --> 00:12:16,077 and thought, "Oh, it's not always easy 259 00:12:16,077 --> 00:12:17,774 to understand Paul," which is true. 260 00:12:17,774 --> 00:12:19,411 Sometimes I read a text, and I go, 261 00:12:19,411 --> 00:12:21,274 "What does that mean?" 262 00:12:21,274 --> 00:12:23,321 Maybe I need to come to Hope Sabbath School 263 00:12:23,321 --> 00:12:25,830 and get a little help from some sisters and brothers. 264 00:12:25,830 --> 00:12:28,405 But there were a couple of little phrases, there, 265 00:12:28,405 --> 00:12:32,020 that showed that Peter, 266 00:12:32,020 --> 00:12:34,548 one of the church leaders, an apostle, 267 00:12:34,548 --> 00:12:38,661 recognized the work of the Apostle Paul 268 00:12:38,661 --> 00:12:39,962 as being from God. 269 00:12:39,962 --> 00:12:40,904 What did you hear? 270 00:12:40,904 --> 00:12:43,674 Laurel, did you hear something that caught your attention? 271 00:12:43,674 --> 00:12:47,390 (Laurel) It just was amazing that Peter, 272 00:12:47,390 --> 00:12:50,427 who was part of the original twelve with Jesus, 273 00:12:50,427 --> 00:12:53,229 recognized that Paul was also called, 274 00:12:53,229 --> 00:12:55,378 even though he wasn't with Christ 275 00:12:55,378 --> 00:12:56,926 when He was physically on Earth. 276 00:12:56,926 --> 00:12:59,623 (Derek) That's right; He wasn't one of the twelve, right? 277 00:12:59,623 --> 00:13:02,908 So he has seen something in his ministry. 278 00:13:02,908 --> 00:13:05,476 Didn't Jesus say, "By their fruit..." 279 00:13:05,476 --> 00:13:07,234 (Derek, Team) "...you'll know them." 280 00:13:07,234 --> 00:13:10,242 (Derek) So he had seen something from the fruit of his ministry 281 00:13:10,242 --> 00:13:11,979 that said, "He's an apostle." 282 00:13:11,990 --> 00:13:14,256 What does apostle mean, by the way? Do you know? 283 00:13:14,256 --> 00:13:15,563 One who's sent out, right? 284 00:13:15,563 --> 00:13:17,904 "He's an apostle of Jesus Christ," okay? 285 00:13:17,904 --> 00:13:20,330 What else, even in the wording of the passage, 286 00:13:20,332 --> 00:13:21,925 did you see something? 287 00:13:21,925 --> 00:13:23,584 Christine, and then Marcus. 288 00:13:23,584 --> 00:13:25,575 (Christine) It says here in verse 15 289 00:13:25,575 --> 00:13:29,700 that God gave Paul the wisdom and the knowledge... 290 00:13:29,700 --> 00:13:32,245 (Derek) Aha, wisdom, I think the way Jonathan read it, 291 00:13:32,245 --> 00:13:34,056 wisdom that comes from God, all right? 292 00:13:34,056 --> 00:13:36,810 Anywhere else, a little clue? Jason? 293 00:13:36,810 --> 00:13:38,813 (Jason) In verse 16, he talks about those 294 00:13:38,813 --> 00:13:41,139 who twist and distort the meaning, 295 00:13:41,139 --> 00:13:42,849 and he's saying they do it 296 00:13:42,849 --> 00:13:44,049 to their own destruction. 297 00:13:44,053 --> 00:13:45,970 And so, you can deduce from that, 298 00:13:45,970 --> 00:13:47,504 if you understand it correctly, 299 00:13:47,504 --> 00:13:49,089 that's the way to salvation. 300 00:13:49,089 --> 00:13:51,216 He's preaching the message of God. 301 00:13:51,216 --> 00:13:53,047 (Derek) That's an interesting thought, 302 00:13:53,047 --> 00:13:56,794 and actually there's another phrase attached to there which is important, too. 303 00:13:56,794 --> 00:13:58,022 Did you notice it, Peter? 304 00:13:58,022 --> 00:14:00,324 (Peter) It says, "as the rest of the Scripture." 305 00:14:00,341 --> 00:14:04,506 (Derek) Okay, so he's including Paul's testimonies, 306 00:14:04,506 --> 00:14:08,093 not only as a wisdom from God, like Christine said, 307 00:14:08,093 --> 00:14:11,543 but as part of Scripture, God-breathed. 308 00:14:11,543 --> 00:14:13,767 It's Peter who says all Scripture 309 00:14:13,767 --> 00:14:15,495 is God-breathed, right? 310 00:14:15,495 --> 00:14:17,447 No private interpretation, 311 00:14:17,447 --> 00:14:19,528 as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 312 00:14:19,528 --> 00:14:21,373 All right, but that's interesting. 313 00:14:21,373 --> 00:14:23,928 Also, implicitly he's saying, 314 00:14:23,928 --> 00:14:26,910 "If you listen, it's for your salvation," 315 00:14:26,910 --> 00:14:28,607 that gives it authority. 316 00:14:28,607 --> 00:14:29,693 "If you twist it, 317 00:14:29,693 --> 00:14:30,978 it's for your destruction." 318 00:14:30,978 --> 00:14:33,390 All right, so Paul is recognized 319 00:14:33,390 --> 00:14:36,323 by at least Peter, but I think 320 00:14:36,323 --> 00:14:38,627 we could say by the Christian community. 321 00:14:38,627 --> 00:14:39,988 God's at work in him, 322 00:14:39,988 --> 00:14:41,825 and God is speaking through him. 323 00:14:41,825 --> 00:14:44,559 We're going to look at one of his letters in this series, 324 00:14:44,559 --> 00:14:46,396 the Gospel to the Galatians. 325 00:14:46,396 --> 00:14:49,804 The standard format of a letter... 326 00:14:49,804 --> 00:14:51,917 did you find this from your study? 327 00:14:51,917 --> 00:14:53,733 What's the standard format of a letter 328 00:14:53,733 --> 00:14:55,773 back in those times, Tricia Lee? 329 00:14:55,773 --> 00:14:59,315 (Tricia Lee) I don't know about back then, but I do know, like, when you're 330 00:14:59,315 --> 00:15:02,932 in grammar school, you're taught that you start with a greeting or some type 331 00:15:02,932 --> 00:15:07,191 of salutation, then you have who it's to and the subject of the message, 332 00:15:07,191 --> 00:15:10,808 and you kind of end off with some type of, you know... 333 00:15:10,808 --> 00:15:13,237 (Derek) Farewell or closing remark or? 334 00:15:13,237 --> 00:15:15,387 Is that pretty much, Jason, 335 00:15:15,387 --> 00:15:17,124 the way it looked in these letters 336 00:15:17,124 --> 00:15:19,608 during the New Testament era? 337 00:15:19,608 --> 00:15:23,306 (Jason) Largely yes, and you generally start with the positive, too. 338 00:15:23,306 --> 00:15:26,243 So you'll say, "Oh, you guys, this is a nice thing about you," 339 00:15:26,243 --> 00:15:29,133 whether you're writing a letter now or these letters of Paul. 340 00:15:29,133 --> 00:15:30,390 They're always saying, 341 00:15:30,390 --> 00:15:32,293 "This is a good thing that you have." 342 00:15:32,293 --> 00:15:33,837 "This is what I like about you." 343 00:15:33,837 --> 00:15:36,357 (Derek) That would probably still work today, right? 344 00:15:36,357 --> 00:15:39,745 If you've got a problem with someone, you can say, "Here are some things 345 00:15:39,745 --> 00:15:42,651 I really appreciate about you, but," and talk about a problem. 346 00:15:42,651 --> 00:15:46,414 And that's pretty much standard format, 347 00:15:46,414 --> 00:15:49,532 greeting, some word of thanksgiving, 348 00:15:49,532 --> 00:15:50,936 body of the letter, 349 00:15:50,936 --> 00:15:53,639 and then some closing remark, 350 00:15:53,639 --> 00:15:55,008 and typically with Paul 351 00:15:55,008 --> 00:15:57,298 it would include, "the grace of the Lord 352 00:15:57,298 --> 00:16:00,416 be with you," right, something like that. 353 00:16:00,416 --> 00:16:02,582 Let's see how he begins 354 00:16:02,582 --> 00:16:05,090 the letter to the Galatians. 355 00:16:05,090 --> 00:16:09,226 Galatians, chapter 1, verses 1 and 2, 356 00:16:09,226 --> 00:16:11,921 and, Alyssa, if you'd read that for us, 357 00:16:11,921 --> 00:16:13,326 and then we'll compare that. 358 00:16:13,326 --> 00:16:15,958 If someone could find Ephesians 1, verse 1, 359 00:16:15,958 --> 00:16:18,468 and Colossians 1, verse 1, 360 00:16:18,475 --> 00:16:20,838 let's see if they're similar 361 00:16:20,838 --> 00:16:22,500 or if there are some differences. 362 00:16:22,500 --> 00:16:24,106 By the way, all of those letters 363 00:16:24,106 --> 00:16:26,309 were written by the Apostle Paul. 364 00:16:26,309 --> 00:16:29,112 (Alyssa) In the New International Version it says: 365 00:16:42,690 --> 00:16:45,100 (Derek) Okay, that's his greeting there. 366 00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:46,300 Keep that in mind. 367 00:16:46,300 --> 00:16:48,129 Does someone have Ephesians? 368 00:16:48,129 --> 00:16:51,424 Joshua, chapter 1 and verse 1. 369 00:16:51,424 --> 00:16:54,361 (Joshua) I'll be reading from the New King James Version. 370 00:16:54,361 --> 00:16:55,354 The Bible says: 371 00:17:02,904 --> 00:17:05,490 (Derek) All right, so that's to the church in Ephesus, 372 00:17:05,490 --> 00:17:07,865 then he writes to the church in Colossae, 373 00:17:07,868 --> 00:17:12,162 we call that Colossians, Marcus, verse 1. 374 00:17:12,162 --> 00:17:15,281 (Marcus) I'll be reading from the King James Version: 375 00:17:22,523 --> 00:17:25,047 (Derek) So what did they have in common, 376 00:17:25,047 --> 00:17:28,672 those three opening salutations? 377 00:17:28,672 --> 00:17:30,188 What did they have in common? 378 00:17:30,188 --> 00:17:31,395 (Harold) He's an apostle. 379 00:17:31,395 --> 00:17:33,997 (Derek) Okay so, Paul, an apostle - gives his name, 380 00:17:34,012 --> 00:17:35,817 like we do even today, right? 381 00:17:35,817 --> 00:17:38,123 Gives a name and says 382 00:17:38,123 --> 00:17:39,969 he's an apostle of Jesus. 383 00:17:39,969 --> 00:17:41,749 What was different, Mario? 384 00:17:41,749 --> 00:17:43,012 What did you see different 385 00:17:43,012 --> 00:17:45,131 in the Galatian intro? 386 00:17:45,131 --> 00:17:47,838 (Mario) He expounds on that. 387 00:17:47,838 --> 00:17:49,918 He says not by the will of man 388 00:17:49,918 --> 00:17:51,520 but of God, you know. 389 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:52,663 So you can tell 390 00:17:52,663 --> 00:17:54,593 that he needs to clarify something. 391 00:17:54,593 --> 00:17:57,990 (Derek) Why would he have to do that, anybody? 392 00:17:57,990 --> 00:18:01,297 He didn't do it to Ephesus or to Colossae. 393 00:18:01,297 --> 00:18:06,030 Why would he have to do that for Galatia? Alyssa? 394 00:18:06,030 --> 00:18:07,680 (Alyssa) This is still early. 395 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:09,686 Remember, he had to go to all those places 396 00:18:09,686 --> 00:18:11,741 and represent himself anew 397 00:18:11,741 --> 00:18:13,022 to each new church, 398 00:18:13,022 --> 00:18:15,478 so maybe he was still kind of having to defend 399 00:18:15,478 --> 00:18:16,711 that God did call him. 400 00:18:16,711 --> 00:18:18,073 (Derek) Possibly. Of course, 401 00:18:18,073 --> 00:18:20,861 we haven't read the letter yet, have we? 402 00:18:20,861 --> 00:18:23,088 That is a possibility, though. 403 00:18:23,088 --> 00:18:25,454 He's like, "You may not know me," 404 00:18:25,454 --> 00:18:27,235 but actually there's something else 405 00:18:27,235 --> 00:18:28,669 going on here. Nicole? 406 00:18:28,669 --> 00:18:31,483 (Nicole) His letter talks about false teachings, 407 00:18:31,483 --> 00:18:36,140 so in this case he's saying, "Listen, I'm from God. 408 00:18:36,140 --> 00:18:37,238 I'm an apostle of God. 409 00:18:37,238 --> 00:18:39,120 I'm bringing you the truth and the Word 410 00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:40,413 that you need to hear, 411 00:18:40,413 --> 00:18:41,958 and I want you all to be careful 412 00:18:41,958 --> 00:18:43,632 of what else is going on around you 413 00:18:43,632 --> 00:18:45,355 that may draw you away from Christ." 414 00:18:45,355 --> 00:18:47,543 (Derek) And implied (stay with me now), 415 00:18:47,543 --> 00:18:49,715 implied is that these people 416 00:18:49,715 --> 00:18:52,678 who are giving these false teachings 417 00:18:52,678 --> 00:18:54,855 are saying what, about Paul? 418 00:18:54,855 --> 00:18:56,842 (Team) That he's not from God. 419 00:18:56,842 --> 00:18:59,318 (Derek) He's not a true apostle, right? 420 00:18:59,318 --> 00:19:02,844 Or he's sent by man and not sent by God. Jonathan? 421 00:19:02,844 --> 00:19:04,704 (Jonathan) It seems like multiple times 422 00:19:04,704 --> 00:19:06,705 throughout this that he's emphasizing this, 423 00:19:06,705 --> 00:19:08,344 that, "My authority doesn't come 424 00:19:08,344 --> 00:19:09,923 based on other people; it's God." 425 00:19:09,923 --> 00:19:12,015 It's the truth that matters and not people. 426 00:19:12,015 --> 00:19:14,899 (Derek) Well let's take a look as we read on in Galatians. 427 00:19:14,902 --> 00:19:16,421 Jason, if you could read 428 00:19:16,421 --> 00:19:17,872 the first six verses, 429 00:19:17,872 --> 00:19:20,823 it will include the initial salutation that we read, 430 00:19:20,823 --> 00:19:22,411 verses 1 through 6. 431 00:19:22,411 --> 00:19:25,458 He's going to go past 432 00:19:25,458 --> 00:19:27,101 saying thank you about anything, 433 00:19:27,101 --> 00:19:29,901 and he's going to come right to the issue at hand. 434 00:19:29,901 --> 00:19:33,119 Let's take a look, Galatians 1:1-6. 435 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:34,277 (Jason) I'll be reading 436 00:19:34,277 --> 00:19:36,234 from the New King James Version, 437 00:19:36,234 --> 00:19:39,362 Galatians, chapter 1, verses 1 through 6: 438 00:20:21,515 --> 00:20:23,984 (Derek) Whoa! So something's up here. 439 00:20:23,984 --> 00:20:25,771 We're going to get right to it, 440 00:20:25,771 --> 00:20:28,372 but he has kind of given us the Gospel message 441 00:20:28,372 --> 00:20:31,162 right in those first few verses. 442 00:20:31,175 --> 00:20:33,326 How would you summarize the Gospel message 443 00:20:33,326 --> 00:20:36,403 from those verses? Peter. 444 00:20:36,403 --> 00:20:39,221 (Peter) The salutation that he gives there, grace and peace, 445 00:20:39,221 --> 00:20:40,801 is very interesting to me, 446 00:20:40,801 --> 00:20:42,067 and is actually used 447 00:20:42,067 --> 00:20:43,433 almost in every letter, 448 00:20:43,433 --> 00:20:44,731 and Peter uses it, 449 00:20:44,731 --> 00:20:45,960 "Grace and peace to you." 450 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:47,244 ""Grace and peace to you." 451 00:20:47,244 --> 00:20:49,669 And it's almost like, the heart of God, 452 00:20:49,669 --> 00:20:52,015 full of grace, brings something 453 00:20:52,015 --> 00:20:53,394 to our hearts, peace, 454 00:20:53,394 --> 00:20:55,411 and He does that through forgiveness, 455 00:20:55,411 --> 00:20:57,375 and this is given to all men. 456 00:20:57,375 --> 00:21:00,021 (Derek) So even in the greeting you're seeing a message. 457 00:21:00,021 --> 00:21:01,442 Many Bible scholars would say 458 00:21:01,442 --> 00:21:03,994 grace would be a more typical New Testament, 459 00:21:03,994 --> 00:21:05,536 and shalom, or peace, 460 00:21:05,536 --> 00:21:07,562 would be more from the Hebrew heritage, 461 00:21:07,562 --> 00:21:09,659 but we're bringing both 462 00:21:09,659 --> 00:21:11,372 in Christ Jesus, right? 463 00:21:11,372 --> 00:21:13,001 What's the message? 464 00:21:13,001 --> 00:21:13,962 What did you hear 465 00:21:13,962 --> 00:21:18,336 in the first six verses, anybody? Yes, Alyssa? 466 00:21:18,336 --> 00:21:20,983 (Alyssa) Christ died for us, but in accordance 467 00:21:20,983 --> 00:21:25,765 that God the whole Trinity is working together also, he mentions that. 468 00:21:25,765 --> 00:21:29,138 And that when we've been transformed by that message, 469 00:21:29,138 --> 00:21:31,194 we give glory back to Him. 470 00:21:31,194 --> 00:21:33,831 (Derek) Yeah, "He gave Himself for our sins," 471 00:21:33,831 --> 00:21:35,730 is the way my Bible translates it, 472 00:21:35,730 --> 00:21:39,898 "that he might deliver us from..."? 473 00:21:39,898 --> 00:21:40,788 (Team) Evil. 474 00:21:40,788 --> 00:21:43,441 (Derek) "...this present evil age, according to the will 475 00:21:43,441 --> 00:21:47,000 of God our Father, to whom be glory," and then he, like, "God is awesome." 476 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:49,540 You know, he kind of ends his little statement there. 477 00:21:49,540 --> 00:21:50,965 But he up front says, 478 00:21:50,965 --> 00:21:55,808 "This is God's plan of salvation, through Jesus," right? 479 00:21:55,808 --> 00:21:59,539 "...to deliver us from the present evil age. 480 00:21:59,539 --> 00:22:04,209 What is wrong with you?!" (Thank you, Nicole.) 481 00:22:04,209 --> 00:22:09,038 "Where did you get some other gospel?" 482 00:22:09,038 --> 00:22:12,899 Some other...what does the word gospel mean, do you know? 483 00:22:12,899 --> 00:22:14,127 (Team) Good News. 484 00:22:14,127 --> 00:22:17,555 (Derek) "Where do you find some other news that isn't good news at all?" 485 00:22:17,555 --> 00:22:22,169 So he obviously is dealing immediately with a challenge. 486 00:22:22,187 --> 00:22:24,393 Now before we go into that, 487 00:22:24,393 --> 00:22:26,723 a revelation about the Good News 488 00:22:26,723 --> 00:22:29,770 was not only given to him, right? 489 00:22:29,770 --> 00:22:33,221 Let's go back; in our first study in this series, 490 00:22:33,221 --> 00:22:37,109 we looked at that amazing concise statement by Peter. 491 00:22:37,109 --> 00:22:38,584 Do you remember that? 492 00:22:38,584 --> 00:22:40,057 Guided by the Holy Spirit. 493 00:22:40,057 --> 00:22:43,535 In Acts 10, verses 34 to 43. 494 00:22:43,535 --> 00:22:45,193 I want to hear that again. 495 00:22:45,193 --> 00:22:46,681 I'm always amazed, Nicole, 496 00:22:46,681 --> 00:22:48,089 if you could it for us... 497 00:22:48,089 --> 00:22:51,687 I'm always amazed at the brilliance 498 00:22:51,687 --> 00:22:53,841 of this concise statement 499 00:22:53,841 --> 00:22:55,438 about the Gospel message. 500 00:22:55,438 --> 00:22:57,811 And we know it's not because Peter says, 501 00:22:57,811 --> 00:22:59,357 "Well, I'm a great scholar." 502 00:22:59,357 --> 00:23:01,055 No, no, he was a fisherman 503 00:23:01,055 --> 00:23:03,342 who wholly surrendered his life to God, 504 00:23:03,342 --> 00:23:05,344 and by the Spirit he's speaking. 505 00:23:05,344 --> 00:23:07,428 So let's hear his testimony. 506 00:23:07,428 --> 00:23:11,053 (Nicole) I'm reading Acts 10, verses 34 through 43, 507 00:23:11,053 --> 00:23:14,224 and I'm reading from the New International Version, and it says: 508 00:24:34,046 --> 00:24:36,377 (Derek) I love that; it's so powerful, isn't it? 509 00:24:36,377 --> 00:24:39,330 And by the way, when he says, "as all the prophets," 510 00:24:39,330 --> 00:24:41,342 he kind of says that it's the testimony 511 00:24:41,342 --> 00:24:42,461 of the whole Scripture. 512 00:24:42,461 --> 00:24:45,393 It reminds me of a Bible study that Jesus gave. 513 00:24:45,393 --> 00:24:47,411 Do you remember when that was, Tricia Lee? 514 00:24:47,411 --> 00:24:49,656 (Tricia Lee) When they were walking to Emmaus. 515 00:24:49,656 --> 00:24:53,302 (Derek) Right, first to Cleopas and the other disciple on the road to Emmaus, 516 00:24:53,302 --> 00:24:55,047 but then with the disciples 517 00:24:55,047 --> 00:24:56,289 in the Upper Room. 518 00:24:56,289 --> 00:24:59,254 And He said all of these prophecies, 519 00:24:59,254 --> 00:25:01,133 all of the Scriptures, what? 520 00:25:01,133 --> 00:25:02,370 (Team) "Testify about Me." 521 00:25:02,370 --> 00:25:05,293 (Derek) Yeah, they "testify about Me, and not only about Me 522 00:25:05,293 --> 00:25:07,020 but that I had to suffer." Why? 523 00:25:07,020 --> 00:25:08,825 He suffered for our sins, right? 524 00:25:08,825 --> 00:25:10,881 He bore our sins that He might...? 525 00:25:10,881 --> 00:25:12,719 What was that wonderful word? 526 00:25:12,719 --> 00:25:13,908 (Team Member) Deliver us. 527 00:25:13,908 --> 00:25:16,260 (Derek) Deliver us from this present evil age. 528 00:25:16,260 --> 00:25:18,960 Wonderful news, but all of that... 529 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:20,615 You say, "That's a great summary; 530 00:25:20,615 --> 00:25:23,372 I'm going to write it down, Acts 10:34-43. 531 00:25:23,372 --> 00:25:26,433 If anybody non-Christian comes and says, 532 00:25:26,433 --> 00:25:27,620 'Could you give it to me 533 00:25:27,620 --> 00:25:29,295 in like just a couple of minutes?'" 534 00:25:29,295 --> 00:25:32,949 You say, "Well, let me read to you what the Holy Spirit said through Peter." 535 00:25:32,949 --> 00:25:35,413 But we could get even more concise than that. 536 00:25:35,413 --> 00:25:37,142 Someone have John 3:16, 537 00:25:37,142 --> 00:25:39,187 would read it for us? 538 00:25:39,187 --> 00:25:41,231 Anybody have John 3:16? 539 00:25:41,231 --> 00:25:42,843 You say, "I'd like to repeat it." 540 00:25:42,843 --> 00:25:46,443 John 3:16, got a volunteer? 541 00:25:46,443 --> 00:25:48,003 Jason, read it for us, please. 542 00:25:48,003 --> 00:25:53,962 (Jason) I'll be reading from the New King James Version, John 3:16: 543 00:26:06,030 --> 00:26:07,797 (Derek) Well that challenges 544 00:26:07,797 --> 00:26:09,159 the whole idea that it's 545 00:26:09,159 --> 00:26:11,396 just for the Jews, right? 546 00:26:11,396 --> 00:26:13,163 It says "whoever." 547 00:26:13,163 --> 00:26:15,190 God so loved the...? 548 00:26:15,190 --> 00:26:15,981 (Team) World. 549 00:26:15,981 --> 00:26:17,523 (Derek) I mean it's right there 550 00:26:17,523 --> 00:26:19,247 in that very simple statement. 551 00:26:19,247 --> 00:26:21,561 So, I have a question for you, Mario. 552 00:26:21,561 --> 00:26:25,188 Why do people make the Gospel message, 553 00:26:25,188 --> 00:26:27,161 the Good News about what God has done 554 00:26:27,161 --> 00:26:28,374 for us in Jesus, 555 00:26:28,374 --> 00:26:30,208 why do people make it so complicated? 556 00:26:30,208 --> 00:26:34,458 (Mario) Oh, wow, we have something inside of us 557 00:26:34,458 --> 00:26:40,455 that wants to give out steps or processes to accomplish things. 558 00:26:40,455 --> 00:26:43,583 I mean, in our jobs and in school, 559 00:26:43,583 --> 00:26:46,847 there's this system that tells us, you know, 560 00:26:46,847 --> 00:26:48,765 you have to do this and this and this, 561 00:26:48,765 --> 00:26:50,524 and then you can get what you want. 562 00:26:50,524 --> 00:26:52,827 So it's hard for us to conceive 563 00:26:52,827 --> 00:26:56,504 that a God can love us 564 00:26:56,504 --> 00:26:58,701 and give something to us 565 00:26:58,701 --> 00:27:02,706 without us having to do something to earn it, 566 00:27:02,706 --> 00:27:04,459 but that it is a gift 567 00:27:04,459 --> 00:27:07,023 if we would just submit to His will... 568 00:27:07,023 --> 00:27:08,468 (Derek) Now the New Testament 569 00:27:08,468 --> 00:27:10,679 and especially the writings of Paul 570 00:27:10,679 --> 00:27:12,665 are all about a new creation. 571 00:27:12,665 --> 00:27:15,342 They're all about deliverance 572 00:27:15,342 --> 00:27:18,041 from the present evil age, 573 00:27:18,041 --> 00:27:21,095 but that is the fruit 574 00:27:21,095 --> 00:27:23,095 of accepting the Gospel message. 575 00:27:23,095 --> 00:27:24,916 Somehow we try to make it 576 00:27:24,916 --> 00:27:27,907 more complicated than "whoever believes in Him." 577 00:27:27,907 --> 00:27:29,411 We've got several hands. 578 00:27:29,411 --> 00:27:31,506 Let's take a moment to reflect on this. 579 00:27:31,506 --> 00:27:34,204 (Harold) One way, and we have seen this, actually, 580 00:27:34,204 --> 00:27:35,714 throughout the New Testament, 581 00:27:35,714 --> 00:27:37,810 what we studied last time, traditions. 582 00:27:37,810 --> 00:27:39,656 At times we fall into a routine, 583 00:27:39,656 --> 00:27:42,005 as Tricia Lee mentioned in a previous study, 584 00:27:42,005 --> 00:27:45,034 that at times we are so ingrained... 585 00:27:45,034 --> 00:27:48,601 we get so comfortable that we believe 586 00:27:48,601 --> 00:27:50,417 that that's the way to go to be saved. 587 00:27:50,417 --> 00:27:53,140 (Derek) That's maybe even what the Bible teaches, right? 588 00:27:53,140 --> 00:27:54,790 Because we've done it for so long, 589 00:27:54,790 --> 00:27:56,648 or what our religious teacher told us. 590 00:27:56,655 --> 00:27:59,046 (Harold) Yes, and Jesus even rebuked the Pharisees 591 00:27:59,046 --> 00:28:00,384 because, "You come to Me," 592 00:28:00,384 --> 00:28:01,694 you know, "with your mouth; 593 00:28:01,694 --> 00:28:04,016 you're worshiping with your mouth and everything, 594 00:28:04,016 --> 00:28:05,267 but yet you come to Me 595 00:28:05,267 --> 00:28:06,958 by the commandments of men." 596 00:28:06,958 --> 00:28:09,330 And this is found in Matthew, chapter 15. 597 00:28:09,330 --> 00:28:11,381 (Derek) Right, so that could happen 598 00:28:11,381 --> 00:28:13,491 for us, too, right? Tricia Lee? 599 00:28:13,491 --> 00:28:16,513 (Tricia Lee) He's reminding us that we're in an evil age. 600 00:28:16,513 --> 00:28:18,749 The devil is out there trying to deceive us. 601 00:28:18,749 --> 00:28:21,783 From the garden he said, "Did God really say?" 602 00:28:21,783 --> 00:28:26,223 And when we have simple truths about salvation, that doubt comes 603 00:28:26,223 --> 00:28:29,878 into our minds like, is it really that easy to be saved through Christ? 604 00:28:29,878 --> 00:28:36,264 You can hang your doubts on anything, but it's just like, we have to believe 605 00:28:36,264 --> 00:28:40,705 the true Word that God says and not question this simple path 606 00:28:40,705 --> 00:28:42,011 that God already laid out. 607 00:28:42,011 --> 00:28:45,170 (Derek) I guess there's two approaches that the devil could bring. 608 00:28:45,170 --> 00:28:49,173 One would be to say 609 00:28:49,173 --> 00:28:52,209 it's not that simple, right? It's more complicated, 610 00:28:52,209 --> 00:28:55,028 or it's not even true. 611 00:28:55,028 --> 00:28:57,738 This is not true, 612 00:28:57,739 --> 00:29:00,182 but it's not that simple, you know? 613 00:29:00,182 --> 00:29:03,601 (Tricia Lee) Is He really going to forgive you if you ask Him? 614 00:29:03,601 --> 00:29:05,464 (Derek) Or maybe it's for someone else, 615 00:29:05,464 --> 00:29:08,116 but would it really be for you? 616 00:29:08,116 --> 00:29:11,502 Anybody else, why do we make it so complicated, Jonathan? 617 00:29:11,502 --> 00:29:14,702 (Jonathan) I think sometimes we really want it to be... 618 00:29:14,702 --> 00:29:16,071 It's an issue of pride. 619 00:29:16,071 --> 00:29:21,292 I mean like, if I can make all these so wonderful thoughts and ideas, 620 00:29:21,292 --> 00:29:24,958 then it becomes about me and about what I'm doing or what I'm thinking 621 00:29:24,958 --> 00:29:29,368 or having the right knowledge, but this is so simple, like a child can understand. 622 00:29:29,368 --> 00:29:33,195 (Derek) Didn't Jesus say something about we need to become as little children 623 00:29:33,195 --> 00:29:35,584 if we would enter the Kingdom? 624 00:29:35,584 --> 00:29:36,993 (Jonathan) That's humbling. 625 00:29:36,993 --> 00:29:38,958 (Derek) It requires humility? 626 00:29:38,958 --> 00:29:40,718 (Jonathan) Yeah. 627 00:29:40,718 --> 00:29:42,058 (Derek) Yes, Peter. 628 00:29:42,058 --> 00:29:44,529 (Peter) I was thinking, too, that sometimes maybe... 629 00:29:44,529 --> 00:29:46,058 can God be that good? 630 00:29:46,058 --> 00:29:47,752 Can it be that good? 631 00:29:47,755 --> 00:29:50,075 (Derek) You mean a distorted picture 632 00:29:50,075 --> 00:29:51,587 of the character of God 633 00:29:51,587 --> 00:29:53,144 could hold me back 634 00:29:53,144 --> 00:29:55,035 from believing that God could be 635 00:29:55,035 --> 00:29:55,985 that good to me. 636 00:29:55,985 --> 00:29:57,262 (Peter) Right, right. 637 00:29:57,262 --> 00:29:58,535 (Derek) Part of the reason 638 00:29:58,535 --> 00:29:59,551 we study the Bible 639 00:29:59,551 --> 00:30:02,692 is to find out the truth about God, right? Joshua? 640 00:30:02,692 --> 00:30:04,740 (Joshua) I believe it was along the lines 641 00:30:04,740 --> 00:30:06,180 of what Jonathan said. 642 00:30:06,180 --> 00:30:07,995 He mentioned that, you know, 643 00:30:07,995 --> 00:30:09,969 the Gospel is even for little children, 644 00:30:09,990 --> 00:30:12,309 as easy that they can understand it. 645 00:30:12,309 --> 00:30:13,715 And I remember as a child 646 00:30:13,715 --> 00:30:15,495 I always saw the Gospel 647 00:30:15,495 --> 00:30:17,688 as something that was easy to digest, 648 00:30:17,688 --> 00:30:19,341 like Jesus loves me, 649 00:30:19,341 --> 00:30:22,310 He wants to save us from our sins, 650 00:30:22,310 --> 00:30:24,042 we're going to Heaven one day, 651 00:30:24,042 --> 00:30:25,316 and it was that simple. 652 00:30:25,316 --> 00:30:26,657 But then as I got older, 653 00:30:26,657 --> 00:30:29,784 things started to become more and more and more complicated. 654 00:30:29,784 --> 00:30:32,584 People are like, "Oh! This prophecy, that prophecy." 655 00:30:32,584 --> 00:30:34,457 "We have to be saved through this." 656 00:30:34,457 --> 00:30:36,762 "If you do this, this is going to happen to you." 657 00:30:36,762 --> 00:30:38,868 And your mind just has 658 00:30:38,868 --> 00:30:43,232 this, for some people, a spiritual breakdown. 659 00:30:43,232 --> 00:30:45,188 Like, "Whoa, it takes all of that now? 660 00:30:45,188 --> 00:30:47,190 Every move that I make now, 661 00:30:47,190 --> 00:30:48,204 I have to be worried 662 00:30:48,204 --> 00:30:50,672 if God is going to like me or not like me? 663 00:30:50,672 --> 00:30:52,688 Is He going to strike me from Heaven?" 664 00:30:52,688 --> 00:30:56,349 And I think that we lose touch 665 00:30:56,349 --> 00:30:59,976 of that real essence of who Christ is, 666 00:30:59,976 --> 00:31:02,984 making things complicated, as we've been discussing. 667 00:31:02,984 --> 00:31:04,565 (Derek) "Whoever believes in Him 668 00:31:04,565 --> 00:31:06,096 should not perish." 669 00:31:06,096 --> 00:31:07,591 But of course we need Scripture 670 00:31:07,591 --> 00:31:08,770 to know how He is. 671 00:31:08,770 --> 00:31:11,688 Otherwise we could make up some Jesus, right? 672 00:31:11,688 --> 00:31:13,239 The Bible is crucial, 673 00:31:13,239 --> 00:31:15,303 and Jesus, when He said, "Baptize 674 00:31:15,303 --> 00:31:18,052 in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit," 675 00:31:18,052 --> 00:31:19,541 He did say, "Teach them 676 00:31:19,541 --> 00:31:21,884 to observe all things I've commanded you." 677 00:31:21,884 --> 00:31:25,541 But all of that is an outgrowth 678 00:31:25,541 --> 00:31:27,815 of my relationship with Him 679 00:31:27,815 --> 00:31:29,171 as my Savior, right? 680 00:31:29,171 --> 00:31:30,147 Well let's go back 681 00:31:30,147 --> 00:31:31,554 to the letter of Galatians, 682 00:31:31,554 --> 00:31:32,978 and, Laurel, could you read 683 00:31:32,978 --> 00:31:35,801 Galatians 1, verses 6 through 9? 684 00:31:35,801 --> 00:31:38,344 Like we noticed in the first part 685 00:31:38,344 --> 00:31:40,520 (we read verse 6 already, but read it again), 686 00:31:40,520 --> 00:31:42,200 he skips over, "I'm really thankful 687 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:43,610 for so much about you," 688 00:31:43,610 --> 00:31:44,871 and comes in - boom! 689 00:31:44,871 --> 00:31:46,584 "We've got a problem here." 690 00:31:46,584 --> 00:31:49,132 Let's read verses 6 through 9 of Galatians 1. 691 00:31:49,132 --> 00:31:51,841 (Alyssa) I'll be reading from the New King James Version: 692 00:32:29,571 --> 00:32:31,142 (Derek) Now that word accursed, 693 00:32:31,142 --> 00:32:32,477 I've got in my margin there 694 00:32:32,477 --> 00:32:33,966 is the word anathema. 695 00:32:33,966 --> 00:32:35,500 I mean, it's not like, 696 00:32:35,500 --> 00:32:37,910 "That's not a good thing to do." 697 00:32:37,921 --> 00:32:39,587 It's like really strong language. 698 00:32:39,587 --> 00:32:43,587 Why is Paul...and someone could say, 699 00:32:43,587 --> 00:32:45,107 "Well, that's your perspective; 700 00:32:45,107 --> 00:32:46,498 this is my perspective"... 701 00:32:46,498 --> 00:32:50,182 why is he so intense about people... 702 00:32:50,182 --> 00:32:54,373 "You cannot preach some other gospel 703 00:32:54,373 --> 00:32:58,419 other than what was manifested through Jesus," Marcus? 704 00:32:58,419 --> 00:33:01,066 (Marcus) Because that would portray a false Christ. 705 00:33:01,066 --> 00:33:02,900 Just like you said earlier as well, 706 00:33:02,900 --> 00:33:05,052 you said that it's not the same Christ 707 00:33:05,052 --> 00:33:06,404 if you pervert the Gospel, 708 00:33:06,404 --> 00:33:07,907 and this is the early church. 709 00:33:07,907 --> 00:33:09,355 So, what comes out of this 710 00:33:09,355 --> 00:33:12,135 may affect future churches in the next generation. 711 00:33:12,135 --> 00:33:13,490 (Derek) So it's not so much 712 00:33:13,490 --> 00:33:15,259 that, "You don't like my teaching," 713 00:33:15,261 --> 00:33:18,931 as "You're saying something about God that isn't true!" 714 00:33:18,931 --> 00:33:19,784 (Team) Yes. 715 00:33:19,784 --> 00:33:22,011 (Derek) And...? And what? 716 00:33:22,011 --> 00:33:23,869 What's the implication of that? 717 00:33:23,869 --> 00:33:26,184 Destruction for people! 718 00:33:26,184 --> 00:33:28,227 This is life and death! 719 00:33:28,227 --> 00:33:31,838 It's not just, "Do you like your sermon or your sermon?" 720 00:33:31,838 --> 00:33:33,910 This is life and death; 721 00:33:33,910 --> 00:33:36,172 we're talking about how people can be 722 00:33:36,172 --> 00:33:38,987 set right with God, right? Yes, Mario. 723 00:33:38,987 --> 00:33:40,213 (Mario) I just feel like 724 00:33:40,213 --> 00:33:41,332 I need to highlight 725 00:33:41,332 --> 00:33:43,044 the same applies to us today. 726 00:33:43,046 --> 00:33:45,853 This is about the character of Christ 727 00:33:45,853 --> 00:33:50,428 as perceived in someone else's eyes through our testimony, 728 00:33:50,428 --> 00:33:53,435 and we get hung up on our doctrine 729 00:33:53,435 --> 00:33:55,919 as a means to salvation. 730 00:33:55,919 --> 00:33:58,029 And there are so many things that we try 731 00:33:58,029 --> 00:34:00,523 to hang the hat of salvation on, 732 00:34:00,523 --> 00:34:02,805 but we've got to preach Christ 733 00:34:02,805 --> 00:34:05,242 and Him crucified, as Paul said, you know, 734 00:34:05,242 --> 00:34:07,414 and we have to be careful about that. 735 00:34:07,414 --> 00:34:09,010 (Derek) Now some people might get 736 00:34:09,010 --> 00:34:10,749 a little offended with Paul. 737 00:34:10,749 --> 00:34:12,733 They'd say, "Paul, that's a little," 738 00:34:12,733 --> 00:34:15,196 (we have an expression in English), 739 00:34:15,196 --> 00:34:17,962 "over the top. Please." 740 00:34:17,962 --> 00:34:19,853 But let's look at a couple of places 741 00:34:19,853 --> 00:34:25,048 where Jesus was fairly (what could I say) direct 742 00:34:25,048 --> 00:34:28,444 when He felt the same issue, 743 00:34:28,444 --> 00:34:29,878 "You're getting in the way 744 00:34:29,878 --> 00:34:32,732 of people learning the truth about God." 745 00:34:32,732 --> 00:34:36,167 Mark, chapter 9, verse 42, 746 00:34:36,167 --> 00:34:37,479 Harold, do you have that? 747 00:34:37,479 --> 00:34:40,305 Again I do believe that Jesus, 748 00:34:40,305 --> 00:34:42,866 He spoke with love in His heart. 749 00:34:42,866 --> 00:34:45,106 I don't like if He's portrayed 750 00:34:45,106 --> 00:34:47,581 as some kind of angry Savior, 751 00:34:47,581 --> 00:34:51,518 but He spoke strongly here, didn't He? Mark 5:42? 752 00:34:51,518 --> 00:34:54,790 (Harold) I'll be reading from the New King James Version: 753 00:35:10,001 --> 00:35:12,836 (Derek) Now, Bible students have discussed 754 00:35:12,836 --> 00:35:15,170 whether the little ones He's talking about 755 00:35:15,170 --> 00:35:19,469 are children or new believers. 756 00:35:19,469 --> 00:35:20,910 What do you think? 757 00:35:20,910 --> 00:35:22,652 (Team) Both. 758 00:35:22,652 --> 00:35:24,298 (Derek) Multiple choice, right? 759 00:35:24,298 --> 00:35:26,319 "All of the above," right? 760 00:35:26,319 --> 00:35:28,085 If you cause a child to stumble 761 00:35:28,085 --> 00:35:30,221 that they can't, as children do, 762 00:35:30,221 --> 00:35:31,982 just say, "Jesus, I trust You, 763 00:35:31,982 --> 00:35:33,707 and I want You to save me, 764 00:35:33,707 --> 00:35:35,480 and I want to be with You forever," 765 00:35:35,480 --> 00:35:38,772 and the Savior says, "Amen," right? 766 00:35:38,798 --> 00:35:41,119 But also the new believer? 767 00:35:41,119 --> 00:35:42,288 (Team) Yes. 768 00:35:42,288 --> 00:35:45,834 (Derek) So, we want the new believers to learn everything 769 00:35:45,834 --> 00:35:47,769 that Jesus taught, right? 770 00:35:47,769 --> 00:35:49,628 So, how do we do that 771 00:35:49,628 --> 00:35:53,284 without making a stumbling block for them? 772 00:35:53,284 --> 00:35:54,925 What is crucially important 773 00:35:54,925 --> 00:36:00,246 when we're teaching them all those things? 774 00:36:00,246 --> 00:36:04,856 Are you stretching your fingers, Nicole? Yes, tell me. 775 00:36:04,856 --> 00:36:08,663 (Nicole) I think that it starts with us praying and asking for the Spirit 776 00:36:08,663 --> 00:36:14,099 to fill us with what we need in order to reach those that we're dealing with. 777 00:36:14,099 --> 00:36:17,267 And so we don't become a stumbling block ourselves, we have to have 778 00:36:17,267 --> 00:36:19,812 that connection with Christ to lead us the right way. 779 00:36:19,812 --> 00:36:21,682 (Derek) Okay, but we want to teach them 780 00:36:21,682 --> 00:36:23,195 to observe all things. 781 00:36:23,195 --> 00:36:27,565 So how do we do that without (what's the word) 782 00:36:27,565 --> 00:36:30,253 damaging the Gospel or mutating the Gospel 783 00:36:30,253 --> 00:36:33,413 or proclaiming some other Gospel? 784 00:36:33,413 --> 00:36:35,578 How do we do that, Alyssa? 785 00:36:35,578 --> 00:36:38,418 (Alyssa) Well, first, everything has to come from Scripture. 786 00:36:38,418 --> 00:36:41,044 Don't try to show them anything that isn't here. 787 00:36:41,044 --> 00:36:45,193 And also, if they're not secure yet in their salvation, 788 00:36:45,193 --> 00:36:47,845 first things have to come first. 789 00:36:47,845 --> 00:36:50,436 (Derek) So I believe in Bible prophecy, it's wonderful. 790 00:36:50,436 --> 00:36:52,025 By the way, I've met many people 791 00:36:52,025 --> 00:36:55,889 who believe in the authenticity of the Bible by Bible prophecy, 792 00:36:55,889 --> 00:36:58,541 but you're saying, "I'm going to tell them about Jesus 793 00:36:58,541 --> 00:36:59,298 and how to have 794 00:36:59,298 --> 00:37:00,730 a living connection with Him," 795 00:37:00,730 --> 00:37:05,118 and then we talk about how do we live as a Christian 796 00:37:05,118 --> 00:37:08,090 rather than, "Here's the list of things 797 00:37:08,090 --> 00:37:11,543 that can maybe earn God's love and favor 798 00:37:11,543 --> 00:37:13,214 or maybe earn your way to Heaven." 799 00:37:13,214 --> 00:37:16,542 (Tricia Lee) It's a great question, and I think that churches struggle 800 00:37:16,542 --> 00:37:19,238 with how to disciple and how to teach our new believers. 801 00:37:19,238 --> 00:37:22,912 We should never be afraid of teaching what the Bible says or what Jesus says, 802 00:37:22,912 --> 00:37:26,535 but there's a big difference between teaching what Jesus taught and lived 803 00:37:26,535 --> 00:37:30,914 and then now trying to force people to make those changes and believing 804 00:37:30,914 --> 00:37:34,541 that we somehow now take on the role of the Holy Spirit in converting people. 805 00:37:34,541 --> 00:37:38,127 I can teach you and show you, and I should never hide what the Bible says, 806 00:37:38,127 --> 00:37:41,805 but I have to understand my role is to teach; my role is not to convert. 807 00:37:41,805 --> 00:37:45,697 I cannot force someone to make a change that it might have taken me many years 808 00:37:45,697 --> 00:37:47,295 to come to myself. 809 00:37:47,295 --> 00:37:50,634 So we have to have patience and humility and realize that we are only 810 00:37:50,634 --> 00:37:54,185 pointing people to the Bible teachings and allowing the Holy Spirit to work 811 00:37:54,185 --> 00:37:57,176 that miracle in their life just like He worked in our lives. 812 00:37:57,176 --> 00:38:00,597 But we shouldn't be afraid to show somebody what the Bible says 813 00:38:00,597 --> 00:38:04,265 just because it might be too much; maybe we should hide it from them now - no. 814 00:38:04,265 --> 00:38:07,964 The Bible teaches all these things; it's okay to teach it, but we should never 815 00:38:07,964 --> 00:38:11,687 feel like we have to force someone to make the same change just like we have. 816 00:38:11,687 --> 00:38:14,837 (Derek) And would it be okay to say we always need to remind them 817 00:38:14,837 --> 00:38:17,624 what the foundation of our faith... where it is? 818 00:38:17,624 --> 00:38:20,441 It's in Jesus, right? Our Savior. 819 00:38:20,441 --> 00:38:23,471 Saved by His grace through faith? 820 00:38:23,471 --> 00:38:25,832 Let's talk about healthful living, 821 00:38:25,853 --> 00:38:27,335 or let's talk about... 822 00:38:27,335 --> 00:38:29,105 you could name something else... 823 00:38:29,105 --> 00:38:30,919 how Jesus is coming back, 824 00:38:30,919 --> 00:38:34,663 but first I have to talk about the Gospel message, right? 825 00:38:34,666 --> 00:38:36,389 And the assurance of salvation. 826 00:38:36,389 --> 00:38:37,792 Several hands raised, Peter? 827 00:38:37,792 --> 00:38:41,582 (Peter) I was just going to say when we talk about, like, we're saying doctrine 828 00:38:41,582 --> 00:38:44,839 or anything, living, Jesus sits for His portrait, and how we present 829 00:38:44,839 --> 00:38:46,126 the teachings of the Bible. 830 00:38:46,126 --> 00:38:49,053 And what portrait of Jesus are you painting in your doctrine, 831 00:38:49,053 --> 00:38:51,020 in your lifestyle that you're coaching, 832 00:38:51,020 --> 00:38:53,241 whatever it is, X, Y, Z - fill it in - 833 00:38:53,241 --> 00:38:55,226 what portrait of Jesus are you painting? 834 00:38:55,226 --> 00:38:56,910 (Derek) First I have to know 835 00:38:56,910 --> 00:39:00,204 the truth about Jesus and who He was. Jonathan. 836 00:39:00,204 --> 00:39:03,647 (Jonathan) I was thinking how, in a musical, you can have the same notes, 837 00:39:03,647 --> 00:39:06,905 even in the same order, but if you change, like maybe if you start 838 00:39:06,905 --> 00:39:10,792 with a different emphasis, or if you put it in a different bass note or something, 839 00:39:10,792 --> 00:39:12,159 the music totally changes. 840 00:39:12,159 --> 00:39:15,150 You can be saying the same things, but if you're emphasizing 841 00:39:15,150 --> 00:39:21,251 without that foundation of who God is, His love for us, and salvation, 842 00:39:21,251 --> 00:39:24,624 then you're communicating a different song, a different tone. 843 00:39:24,624 --> 00:39:25,807 (Derek) One other text 844 00:39:25,807 --> 00:39:27,802 where Jesus spoke rather strongly, 845 00:39:27,802 --> 00:39:31,813 in Matthew 23:13,14, He was saying, 846 00:39:31,813 --> 00:39:33,651 "Don't get in the way of people 847 00:39:33,651 --> 00:39:37,220 knowing the truth about Me." 848 00:39:37,220 --> 00:39:41,445 Christine, do you have Matthew 23, verses 13 and 14? 849 00:39:41,445 --> 00:39:44,645 (Christine) I'll be reading from the New King James Version, 850 00:39:44,645 --> 00:39:49,387 Matthew, chapter 23, verses 13 and 14; it says: 851 00:40:12,575 --> 00:40:14,541 (Derek) And what does it say at the end? 852 00:40:14,541 --> 00:40:15,990 "You will receive" what? 853 00:40:15,990 --> 00:40:18,671 (Derek, Team) A greater condemnation. 854 00:40:18,671 --> 00:40:23,559 (Derek) You know, you will be held accountable. 855 00:40:23,559 --> 00:40:25,596 Isn't that what it's saying? 856 00:40:25,596 --> 00:40:27,158 For getting in the way 857 00:40:27,158 --> 00:40:28,869 of people knowing the truth. 858 00:40:28,869 --> 00:40:30,192 Now I don't know about you, 859 00:40:30,192 --> 00:40:33,314 but we're here, and this is an in-depth, interactive Bible study; 860 00:40:33,314 --> 00:40:35,347 we've got a lot of people watching this. 861 00:40:35,347 --> 00:40:37,103 That would cause me to be praying, 862 00:40:37,103 --> 00:40:38,209 "Oh, Lord, help us 863 00:40:38,209 --> 00:40:41,031 to tell the truth about You," right? 864 00:40:41,031 --> 00:40:43,036 "To tell the truth about Your Gospel, 865 00:40:43,036 --> 00:40:46,224 to tell the truth about the Christian life 866 00:40:46,230 --> 00:40:48,442 in response to the grace 867 00:40:48,442 --> 00:40:50,540 that's been shown to us," and all of that. 868 00:40:50,540 --> 00:40:51,944 We want to go now 869 00:40:51,944 --> 00:40:55,411 and look at where Paul gets his message 870 00:40:55,411 --> 00:40:57,103 because, as someone pointed out 871 00:40:57,103 --> 00:40:59,133 (Laurel, I think you mentioned earlier), 872 00:40:59,133 --> 00:41:01,290 he wasn't one of the 12 Disciples. 873 00:41:01,290 --> 00:41:03,120 So where does he get his message? 874 00:41:03,120 --> 00:41:04,217 Well let's take a look 875 00:41:04,217 --> 00:41:05,259 at his own testimony, 876 00:41:05,259 --> 00:41:07,307 and we're looking in Galatians, chapter 1, 877 00:41:07,307 --> 00:41:09,319 verses 11 through 17, 878 00:41:09,319 --> 00:41:11,317 and then we'll read on in the chapter 879 00:41:11,317 --> 00:41:14,942 and also testimony from his letter to the Corinthians. 880 00:41:14,942 --> 00:41:17,021 But first, Galatians, chapter 1, 881 00:41:17,021 --> 00:41:19,649 and, Peter, if you could read that for us, 882 00:41:19,649 --> 00:41:21,492 verses 11 through 17. 883 00:41:21,492 --> 00:41:25,642 (Peter) I'm reading Galatians, chapter 1, verses 11 to 17, 884 00:41:25,642 --> 00:41:27,967 in the New King James Version: 885 00:42:16,576 --> 00:42:19,741 (Derek) What's he saying? 886 00:42:19,741 --> 00:42:22,529 (Harold) He was called through God's grace. 887 00:42:22,529 --> 00:42:24,544 (Derek) He was called through God's grace, 888 00:42:24,544 --> 00:42:27,748 but more than that, what's he saying? 889 00:42:27,748 --> 00:42:29,451 This revelation...? 890 00:42:29,451 --> 00:42:31,232 (Nicole) Is not from man. 891 00:42:31,232 --> 00:42:32,655 (Derek) "...is not from man. 892 00:42:32,655 --> 00:42:35,635 I didn't learn it from anyone except Jesus!" 893 00:42:35,635 --> 00:42:37,876 In that sense he's saying, 894 00:42:37,876 --> 00:42:39,618 "I may not have walked with Him 895 00:42:39,618 --> 00:42:41,781 when He was here on Earth, 896 00:42:41,781 --> 00:42:43,284 but I've walked with Him 897 00:42:43,284 --> 00:42:45,009 since He ascended to Heaven." 898 00:42:45,009 --> 00:42:46,848 That's a startling claim, isn't it? 899 00:42:46,848 --> 00:42:48,457 But that's what he's saying, 900 00:42:48,457 --> 00:42:53,138 "The way I received the message." 901 00:42:53,138 --> 00:42:55,933 Let's keep reading; Mario, if you could read, 902 00:42:55,933 --> 00:42:59,634 as he continues now, in verses 18 through 24. 903 00:42:59,634 --> 00:43:03,245 Again, they're saying, "You're not a real apostle." 904 00:43:03,245 --> 00:43:05,536 "You weren't one of the twelve," right? 905 00:43:05,536 --> 00:43:08,845 "You weren't there; in fact, your history 906 00:43:08,845 --> 00:43:12,835 shows you've been fighting against the truth." 907 00:43:12,835 --> 00:43:16,033 Because, by the way, these Judaizers 908 00:43:16,033 --> 00:43:18,418 are believers in Jesus. 909 00:43:18,418 --> 00:43:20,113 So they're not just like those 910 00:43:20,113 --> 00:43:21,698 who are opposed to Jesus, 911 00:43:21,698 --> 00:43:23,580 but they're saying, "But there's more, 912 00:43:23,580 --> 00:43:25,561 and you're not telling the whole story." 913 00:43:25,561 --> 00:43:27,565 Paul says, "I got it from Jesus." 914 00:43:27,565 --> 00:43:30,390 Reading on, verses 18, is it? 915 00:43:30,390 --> 00:43:34,086 (Mario) Through 24, reading Galatians, 916 00:43:34,086 --> 00:43:36,157 chapter 1, 18 through 24, 917 00:43:36,157 --> 00:43:38,445 in the New King James Version: 918 00:44:19,279 --> 00:44:22,592 (Derek) That's his testimony, "I've been changed." 919 00:44:22,592 --> 00:44:25,213 Now let's look at one example 920 00:44:25,213 --> 00:44:28,592 of a revelation given to him, 1 Corinthians 11. 921 00:44:28,592 --> 00:44:34,991 He's talking here about the beginning 922 00:44:34,991 --> 00:44:37,364 of what we call the Lord's Supper 923 00:44:37,364 --> 00:44:38,997 or the Communion service. 924 00:44:38,997 --> 00:44:40,860 Now again, obvious question, 925 00:44:40,860 --> 00:44:42,995 but was he there in the Upper Room? 926 00:44:42,995 --> 00:44:44,087 (Derek, Team) No. 927 00:44:44,087 --> 00:44:46,205 (Derek) So, how is he 928 00:44:46,205 --> 00:44:48,699 going to tell the believers about that? 929 00:44:48,699 --> 00:44:50,110 Well, let's see what he says. 930 00:44:50,110 --> 00:44:54,890 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Joshua. 931 00:44:54,890 --> 00:44:56,913 (Joshua) The Bible says: 932 00:45:36,362 --> 00:45:38,227 (Derek) That's very specific, isn't it? 933 00:45:38,227 --> 00:45:40,008 It's not like, "Well, and there was 934 00:45:40,008 --> 00:45:41,891 this little service in the Upper Room 935 00:45:41,891 --> 00:45:43,470 before Jesus was crucified." 936 00:45:43,470 --> 00:45:47,365 It's actually quoting Jesus, what He said, 937 00:45:47,365 --> 00:45:49,064 and explaining what it meant. 938 00:45:49,064 --> 00:45:50,699 So I have a question for you. 939 00:45:50,699 --> 00:45:54,194 He says, "I received it from the Lord." 940 00:45:54,194 --> 00:45:56,843 How did Jesus reveal that to him? 941 00:45:56,843 --> 00:45:58,608 Did He appear to him 942 00:45:58,608 --> 00:46:00,370 like on the Damascus road? 943 00:46:00,370 --> 00:46:01,972 Did He give him a vision? 944 00:46:01,972 --> 00:46:04,263 You know, a vision, he's still awake, 945 00:46:04,263 --> 00:46:07,887 but he receives a message from Heaven. 946 00:46:07,887 --> 00:46:09,651 Or a dream, we think of like, 947 00:46:09,651 --> 00:46:12,624 dreams were given to prophets, too? 948 00:46:12,624 --> 00:46:15,310 How did Jesus reveal that to him, 949 00:46:15,310 --> 00:46:17,214 what happened in the Upper Room? 950 00:46:17,214 --> 00:46:18,501 The answer is? 951 00:46:18,501 --> 00:46:20,605 (Derek, Team) We don't know. 952 00:46:20,605 --> 00:46:21,997 (Derek) Could it have been 953 00:46:21,997 --> 00:46:23,094 any one of those? 954 00:46:23,094 --> 00:46:23,814 (Team) Yes. 955 00:46:23,814 --> 00:46:26,245 (Derek) Could the Lord Himself have come like He did 956 00:46:26,245 --> 00:46:27,390 on the Damascus road? 957 00:46:27,425 --> 00:46:29,205 Or have given him a vision? 958 00:46:29,205 --> 00:46:33,868 But what is Paul absolutely convinced about? 959 00:46:33,868 --> 00:46:35,442 (Team) That it's from Christ. 960 00:46:35,442 --> 00:46:37,776 (Derek) That it's a revelation from Jesus, right? 961 00:46:37,776 --> 00:46:40,582 So, both that little piece 962 00:46:40,582 --> 00:46:42,338 of what happened in the Upper Room, 963 00:46:42,338 --> 00:46:45,875 but actually the entire message he's proclaiming, 964 00:46:45,875 --> 00:46:48,052 he said, "This doesn't come from me; 965 00:46:48,052 --> 00:46:49,366 it comes from God." 966 00:46:49,366 --> 00:46:51,405 So why is that so important 967 00:46:51,405 --> 00:46:55,627 as he's about to speak to the Galatians 968 00:46:55,627 --> 00:46:57,557 who were listening to false teaching? 969 00:46:57,557 --> 00:47:00,741 Why is it important that he asserts 970 00:47:00,741 --> 00:47:02,882 the source of his message? 971 00:47:02,882 --> 00:47:06,041 Wouldn't it be enough to say, 972 00:47:06,041 --> 00:47:07,697 "I learned it from the apostles"? 973 00:47:07,697 --> 00:47:08,952 Jason, what do you think? 974 00:47:08,952 --> 00:47:12,256 (Jason) Because he's being attacked as not being connected with Jesus, 975 00:47:12,256 --> 00:47:13,931 as not being part of that origin. 976 00:47:13,931 --> 00:47:16,052 They're saying, "You came in after the fact, 977 00:47:16,052 --> 00:47:18,709 and you're trying to proclaim to us this stuff 978 00:47:18,709 --> 00:47:21,186 even though you haven't experienced it yourself. 979 00:47:21,186 --> 00:47:22,951 In fact, you were even one of our persecutors, 980 00:47:22,951 --> 00:47:23,930 so how do we know 981 00:47:23,930 --> 00:47:25,500 that you're actually genuine?" 982 00:47:25,500 --> 00:47:27,352 And they're basically challenging him 983 00:47:27,352 --> 00:47:30,012 by bringing this other gospel in. 984 00:47:30,012 --> 00:47:32,076 And he's saying, "Look, this is from Jesus, 985 00:47:32,076 --> 00:47:33,635 and here's the evidence for it." 986 00:47:33,635 --> 00:47:37,388 (Derek) We're going to study 987 00:47:37,388 --> 00:47:39,454 about the whole conflict and the message 988 00:47:39,454 --> 00:47:41,429 in the Gospel to the Galatians, 989 00:47:41,429 --> 00:47:44,161 but I just want to pause and ask, 990 00:47:44,161 --> 00:47:47,013 does it startle you 991 00:47:47,013 --> 00:47:50,150 that Jesus would call someone 992 00:47:50,150 --> 00:47:54,271 who'd been such a fierce opponent? 993 00:47:54,271 --> 00:48:00,998 Would it be fair to say to almost become a primary witness? 994 00:48:00,998 --> 00:48:03,207 I mean, how many books 995 00:48:03,207 --> 00:48:04,745 of the New Testament 996 00:48:04,745 --> 00:48:09,554 did - let's choose some of the Apostles - Peter. 997 00:48:09,554 --> 00:48:12,525 How many books of the New Testament did Peter write? 998 00:48:12,525 --> 00:48:15,788 Well we've got 1 and 2 Peter, right? 999 00:48:15,788 --> 00:48:17,090 That's the clue, right? 1000 00:48:17,090 --> 00:48:19,216 Give me another Apostle. 1001 00:48:19,216 --> 00:48:20,165 (Derek, Team) John. 1002 00:48:20,165 --> 00:48:21,556 (Derek) Okay, how many books 1003 00:48:21,556 --> 00:48:25,492 of the New Testament did John write? 1004 00:48:25,492 --> 00:48:27,093 Five? Okay, you've got 1005 00:48:27,093 --> 00:48:28,597 the Gospel of John, 1006 00:48:28,597 --> 00:48:31,980 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and? 1007 00:48:31,980 --> 00:48:32,858 (Team) Revelation. 1008 00:48:32,858 --> 00:48:35,127 (Derek) He says, the Revelation of Jesus Christ 1009 00:48:35,127 --> 00:48:36,461 through His servant John." 1010 00:48:36,461 --> 00:48:37,998 Okay, so you've got five there. 1011 00:48:37,998 --> 00:48:41,550 Give me another Apostle besides Peter and John. 1012 00:48:41,569 --> 00:48:46,513 Not Timothy, he was not an Apostle, right? 1013 00:48:46,513 --> 00:48:50,017 But Matthew was...Matthew, how many did he write? 1014 00:48:50,017 --> 00:48:50,956 (Team) One. 1015 00:48:50,956 --> 00:48:52,514 (Derek) One that bears his name, 1016 00:48:52,514 --> 00:48:53,843 an important Gospel, right? 1017 00:48:53,843 --> 00:48:55,424 Give me another Apostle. 1018 00:48:55,424 --> 00:48:58,723 Philip? How many did he write? 1019 00:48:58,723 --> 00:49:00,239 (Derek, Team) None. 1020 00:49:00,239 --> 00:49:01,612 (Derek) Give me another one. 1021 00:49:01,612 --> 00:49:05,939 James, the brother of John, 1022 00:49:05,939 --> 00:49:11,437 that's not the one who wrote 1023 00:49:11,437 --> 00:49:12,940 the book of James, right? 1024 00:49:12,940 --> 00:49:15,109 So, many of the Apostles 1025 00:49:15,109 --> 00:49:16,871 didn't write any books 1026 00:49:16,871 --> 00:49:18,556 of the New Testament, right? 1027 00:49:18,556 --> 00:49:20,570 And how many did you say again 1028 00:49:20,570 --> 00:49:23,522 the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write? 1029 00:49:23,522 --> 00:49:25,041 (Team) Thirteen. 1030 00:49:25,041 --> 00:49:29,205 (Derek) Doesn't it startle you? 1031 00:49:29,205 --> 00:49:33,744 What does that tell you about God? 1032 00:49:33,744 --> 00:49:35,246 Not just about Paul. 1033 00:49:35,246 --> 00:49:37,262 You say, "He was obviously a changed man." 1034 00:49:37,262 --> 00:49:40,862 What does that tell you about God? Christine. 1035 00:49:40,862 --> 00:49:42,671 (Christine) That God can use anyone 1036 00:49:42,671 --> 00:49:45,160 to get them to proclaim the message. 1037 00:49:45,160 --> 00:49:47,335 (Derek) He can use anyone. 1038 00:49:47,335 --> 00:49:50,996 Can we complete that sentence, Tricia Lee? 1039 00:49:50,996 --> 00:49:52,318 (Tricia Lee) Even me. 1040 00:49:52,318 --> 00:49:54,977 (Derek) Okay, yeah. 1041 00:49:54,977 --> 00:49:57,229 God can use anyone, even me. 1042 00:49:57,229 --> 00:50:01,341 I still need a little qualifier in there, Nicole? 1043 00:50:01,341 --> 00:50:04,407 God can use anyone, even me...? 1044 00:50:04,407 --> 00:50:07,808 (Nicole) If you're willing... if you're willing to be used. 1045 00:50:07,808 --> 00:50:09,825 (Derek) If I'm willing. 1046 00:50:09,825 --> 00:50:13,937 And how is that willingness revealed? 1047 00:50:13,937 --> 00:50:15,844 How is that willingness revealed? 1048 00:50:15,844 --> 00:50:20,405 How is it apparent that I am willing 1049 00:50:20,405 --> 00:50:22,491 to be used by God, even me, 1050 00:50:22,491 --> 00:50:24,984 to proclaim the Good News about Jesus? 1051 00:50:24,984 --> 00:50:26,748 (Joshua) By doing the work. 1052 00:50:26,748 --> 00:50:30,380 (Derek) I think before I do the work, no? 1053 00:50:30,380 --> 00:50:31,659 (Nicole) It's choosing. 1054 00:50:31,659 --> 00:50:33,758 (Tricia Lee) Believing. 1055 00:50:33,758 --> 00:50:35,236 (Derek) Choosing, believing. 1056 00:50:35,236 --> 00:50:36,449 (Team Member) Responding to the call. 1057 00:50:36,449 --> 00:50:38,319 (Derek) How do I respond to the call? 1058 00:50:38,319 --> 00:50:39,588 (Team Member) You listen. 1059 00:50:39,588 --> 00:50:40,678 (Derek) I listen? 1060 00:50:40,678 --> 00:50:42,216 (Team Member) Repent first. 1061 00:50:42,216 --> 00:50:43,968 (Derek) I repent. I...? 1062 00:50:43,968 --> 00:50:45,885 (Nicole) Pray? 1063 00:50:45,885 --> 00:50:49,593 (Derek) Pray. I surrender? 1064 00:50:49,593 --> 00:50:52,321 I humble myself before God. 1065 00:50:52,321 --> 00:50:57,000 This message is not about me; it's about Jesus. 1066 00:50:57,000 --> 00:51:00,727 "And God, You're going to have to work supernaturally 1067 00:51:00,727 --> 00:51:04,377 because I don't want to mess that up." 1068 00:51:04,377 --> 00:51:07,040 I certainly don't want to proclaim 1069 00:51:07,040 --> 00:51:09,371 a false gospel, right? 1070 00:51:09,371 --> 00:51:11,772 I humble myself...So, I'm willing. 1071 00:51:11,772 --> 00:51:14,858 Surrender? Even me? 1072 00:51:14,858 --> 00:51:18,008 That Paul could do that? 1073 00:51:18,008 --> 00:51:21,940 And God could use him in such an amazing way? Joshua? 1074 00:51:21,940 --> 00:51:23,664 (Joshua) This is helping me to think 1075 00:51:23,664 --> 00:51:27,711 because if you think about the most well-known pastors and evangelists 1076 00:51:27,712 --> 00:51:29,126 that you hear about 1077 00:51:29,126 --> 00:51:30,721 throughout the Christian church, 1078 00:51:30,721 --> 00:51:33,304 many of them were not raised as Christians. 1079 00:51:33,304 --> 00:51:34,103 (Derek) Yeah. 1080 00:51:34,103 --> 00:51:36,872 (Joshua) Many of them actually converted to Christianity, 1081 00:51:36,872 --> 00:51:38,109 and through the experience 1082 00:51:38,109 --> 00:51:39,432 that they had with Jesus, 1083 00:51:39,432 --> 00:51:41,159 they just went full force, 1084 00:51:41,159 --> 00:51:43,696 and that goes across the board. 1085 00:51:43,697 --> 00:51:45,348 And I think it just goes to show 1086 00:51:45,348 --> 00:51:47,506 that when we have that true conversion, 1087 00:51:47,506 --> 00:51:50,555 our past is no longer a priority. 1088 00:51:50,555 --> 00:51:53,704 Our past is just a shadow of who we were, 1089 00:51:53,704 --> 00:51:55,205 and we are now new in Christ. 1090 00:51:55,205 --> 00:51:56,903 (Derek) Doesn't Paul say somewhere, 1091 00:51:56,903 --> 00:51:58,736 "I consider all of that..." 1092 00:51:58,736 --> 00:52:00,585 What was the word he used? 1093 00:52:00,585 --> 00:52:04,835 I think a literal translation is "cow dung," 1094 00:52:04,835 --> 00:52:08,723 but "rubbish" would be a little more... 1095 00:52:08,723 --> 00:52:14,513 It's garbage compared to the excellency of knowing Christ. 1096 00:52:14,513 --> 00:52:16,832 Not just knowing about Him, right? 1097 00:52:16,832 --> 00:52:18,489 But knowing Him. 1098 00:52:18,489 --> 00:52:20,362 It's like he can't keep quiet. 1099 00:52:20,362 --> 00:52:24,633 And if we're willing...even me? Even me. 1100 00:52:24,633 --> 00:52:26,533 So in the last few minutes we've got, 1101 00:52:26,533 --> 00:52:28,797 I want you to give a testimony 1102 00:52:28,811 --> 00:52:32,344 of how you have been blessed, 1103 00:52:32,344 --> 00:52:35,630 not only to know Jesus, 1104 00:52:35,630 --> 00:52:37,398 have that relationship, 1105 00:52:37,398 --> 00:52:38,799 but you've been blessed 1106 00:52:38,799 --> 00:52:40,667 that God would use you 1107 00:52:40,667 --> 00:52:42,873 to share the truth about Jesus 1108 00:52:42,873 --> 00:52:44,983 with someone else, okay? 1109 00:52:44,983 --> 00:52:47,229 And you may share a specific instance. 1110 00:52:47,229 --> 00:52:48,569 You may share something 1111 00:52:48,569 --> 00:52:50,254 that's happening to you right now. 1112 00:52:50,254 --> 00:52:52,383 So let's talk about that. 1113 00:52:52,383 --> 00:52:55,922 We can't share what we don't know, right? 1114 00:52:55,922 --> 00:52:57,968 So, coming to know Him and sharing. 1115 00:52:57,968 --> 00:53:00,021 Who can share a testimony of being blessed 1116 00:53:00,021 --> 00:53:01,543 as a result of that? 1117 00:53:01,543 --> 00:53:02,969 We'll start with you, Harold. 1118 00:53:02,969 --> 00:53:05,931 (Harold) One day I was going to Radio Shack 1119 00:53:05,931 --> 00:53:07,678 (that's like an electronics store), 1120 00:53:07,678 --> 00:53:09,361 and they were closing down. 1121 00:53:09,361 --> 00:53:12,929 The thought came, "Well, since it's closing down, 1122 00:53:12,929 --> 00:53:15,089 there's some people who are there," 1123 00:53:15,098 --> 00:53:17,455 and I'm a type that I like to talk one-on-one. 1124 00:53:17,455 --> 00:53:19,896 And usually the store's kind of empty. 1125 00:53:19,896 --> 00:53:21,501 There was this lady, 1126 00:53:21,501 --> 00:53:23,071 and I had this material, 1127 00:53:23,071 --> 00:53:24,484 and I started talking to her, 1128 00:53:24,484 --> 00:53:26,740 like saying, "Hey, I have this material for you, 1129 00:53:26,740 --> 00:53:27,842 if you're interested." 1130 00:53:27,842 --> 00:53:30,100 (Derek) So this was something about the Bible? 1131 00:53:30,100 --> 00:53:31,779 (Harold) Yeah, all about the Bible. 1132 00:53:31,779 --> 00:53:35,110 Actually that lasted like an hour or more, the conversation. 1133 00:53:35,110 --> 00:53:37,898 (Derek) It must have been a quiet day at the store. 1134 00:53:37,898 --> 00:53:39,444 (Harold) No, it was interesting. 1135 00:53:39,444 --> 00:53:41,331 There were more customers coming in. 1136 00:53:41,331 --> 00:53:42,385 It was so inspiring 1137 00:53:42,385 --> 00:53:43,905 that I started even asking, 1138 00:53:43,905 --> 00:53:45,952 "Hey, customers, would you be interested?" 1139 00:53:45,952 --> 00:53:47,923 I was not afraid; I was really so blessed 1140 00:53:47,923 --> 00:53:50,133 because the lady was asking so many questions, 1141 00:53:50,133 --> 00:53:51,542 even asked for material 1142 00:53:51,542 --> 00:53:54,110 that I had at home; this was interesting. 1143 00:53:54,110 --> 00:53:55,674 I purchased the material 1144 00:53:55,674 --> 00:53:57,157 thinking that I would read it, 1145 00:53:57,157 --> 00:53:58,737 and then she mentioned to me, 1146 00:53:58,737 --> 00:54:00,616 "I remember reading this book 1147 00:54:00,616 --> 00:54:03,144 back in the day by this person." 1148 00:54:03,144 --> 00:54:04,782 And I'm like, "Wow, interesting!" 1149 00:54:04,782 --> 00:54:07,074 I have this book at home, and I just bought one, 1150 00:54:07,087 --> 00:54:08,521 thinking that I would use it, 1151 00:54:08,521 --> 00:54:09,892 and I brought it for her. 1152 00:54:09,892 --> 00:54:12,850 She was so blessed and was acknowledging 1153 00:54:12,850 --> 00:54:14,573 all the truth that was being shared 1154 00:54:14,573 --> 00:54:15,554 that I felt blessed. 1155 00:54:15,554 --> 00:54:18,111 It was like, wow, somebody received God's truth today, 1156 00:54:18,111 --> 00:54:20,272 even the people who were around us listening 1157 00:54:20,272 --> 00:54:22,090 or even receiving the material. 1158 00:54:22,090 --> 00:54:24,386 That made my day, 1159 00:54:24,386 --> 00:54:26,185 and I thank God for that. 1160 00:54:26,185 --> 00:54:28,236 (Derek) For those of you in the second row, 1161 00:54:28,240 --> 00:54:29,995 you couldn't see he was smiling. 1162 00:54:29,995 --> 00:54:31,655 He was blessed to be used 1163 00:54:31,655 --> 00:54:33,101 to bless someone else, 1164 00:54:33,101 --> 00:54:36,137 and it sounds like God was at work even in him getting that book 1165 00:54:36,137 --> 00:54:37,679 that they wanted to read, 1166 00:54:37,679 --> 00:54:39,640 and it was already there. 1167 00:54:39,640 --> 00:54:41,650 In some ways you might think, 1168 00:54:41,650 --> 00:54:45,419 "Well, that's not as dramatic as the Damascus road." 1169 00:54:45,419 --> 00:54:47,831 But it was dramatic for you, wasn't it? 1170 00:54:47,831 --> 00:54:51,252 Anybody else, being blessed? Joshua. 1171 00:54:51,252 --> 00:54:53,772 (Joshua) Years ago I was 1172 00:54:53,772 --> 00:54:55,893 in Antigua visiting family, 1173 00:54:55,893 --> 00:54:59,152 and I was sitting in my Aunt Nola's house, 1174 00:54:59,152 --> 00:55:01,583 and I saw Hope Sabbath School 1175 00:55:01,583 --> 00:55:02,930 for the first time. 1176 00:55:02,930 --> 00:55:04,435 As I watched the people... 1177 00:55:04,435 --> 00:55:07,016 (Derek) Was that before you ever became a participant? 1178 00:55:07,016 --> 00:55:08,947 (Joshua) Oh, yeah, this was before that. 1179 00:55:08,947 --> 00:55:10,658 I was watching the show, and I said, 1180 00:55:10,658 --> 00:55:12,976 "I can't really relate to these people; 1181 00:55:12,976 --> 00:55:14,230 they look too holy." 1182 00:55:14,230 --> 00:55:16,008 And I said, "You know what? 1183 00:55:16,008 --> 00:55:18,727 They're going into all these deep things about the Bible," 1184 00:55:18,727 --> 00:55:20,184 so I just kept watching it. 1185 00:55:20,184 --> 00:55:21,928 I had no idea that God was ever 1186 00:55:21,928 --> 00:55:23,520 going to put me on this show 1187 00:55:23,520 --> 00:55:25,188 to do this same exact work. 1188 00:55:25,188 --> 00:55:27,204 And now I know that we're not all perfect 1189 00:55:27,204 --> 00:55:30,647 and that through media God can reach 1190 00:55:30,647 --> 00:55:32,180 so many people across the world. 1191 00:55:32,180 --> 00:55:34,293 I'm very thankful to be here, 1192 00:55:34,293 --> 00:55:36,023 and I met my wife on this show. 1193 00:55:36,023 --> 00:55:37,192 (Derek) Oh, you did, 1194 00:55:37,192 --> 00:55:38,539 and she's not here, 1195 00:55:38,539 --> 00:55:41,561 just in case the viewers are trying to guess which one it is. 1196 00:55:41,561 --> 00:55:44,001 But back to what you said, Tricia Lee, 1197 00:55:44,001 --> 00:55:47,287 "Even me." "Even me." Isn't that amazing? 1198 00:55:47,287 --> 00:55:50,458 Surrendered to God, you're watching the show, 1199 00:55:50,458 --> 00:55:54,063 and, you know, our producer Elroy, 1200 00:55:54,063 --> 00:55:55,796 when he was in grad school, 1201 00:55:55,796 --> 00:55:57,688 he said, "I wish I could...," 1202 00:55:57,688 --> 00:55:59,976 He was watching Hope Sabbath School, 1203 00:55:59,976 --> 00:56:01,410 and he was really blessed. 1204 00:56:01,410 --> 00:56:04,248 He was saying, "I wish I could produce a program like that," 1205 00:56:04,252 --> 00:56:06,305 and today he's our producer. 1206 00:56:06,305 --> 00:56:08,025 Isn't that awesome! 1207 00:56:08,025 --> 00:56:08,726 (Team) Yes. 1208 00:56:08,726 --> 00:56:12,206 (Derek) That's the kind of people we want to be a part of the team, right? 1209 00:56:12,206 --> 00:56:15,357 That we believe God is working in miraculous ways. 1210 00:56:15,357 --> 00:56:17,177 One last testimony, yes, Nicole. 1211 00:56:17,177 --> 00:56:20,614 (Nicole) I would continue what Joshua said in saying I'm blessed to be 1212 00:56:20,614 --> 00:56:23,132 on this program also, and it's funny because I met you 1213 00:56:23,132 --> 00:56:27,096 at a church here locally, and I hadn't really heard of Hope Sabbath School, 1214 00:56:27,096 --> 00:56:29,283 and you actually talked about it in church. 1215 00:56:29,283 --> 00:56:32,281 I was like, "Let me see what he's talking about," and I watched 1216 00:56:32,281 --> 00:56:33,853 this program a couple of times. 1217 00:56:33,853 --> 00:56:37,037 I just think that the Lord really led me to that church, He led me 1218 00:56:37,037 --> 00:56:40,476 to meet with you that day, and put me in this program, and it's just been 1219 00:56:40,476 --> 00:56:44,140 a blessing because I'm meeting people who have seen the programs, and they're 1220 00:56:44,149 --> 00:56:45,601 very blessed by the program. 1221 00:56:45,601 --> 00:56:48,978 So it's this great blessing to me that I can be a part of this ministry. 1222 00:56:48,978 --> 00:56:52,797 (Derek) I think that's why the Apostle Paul was so passionate, because he's like, 1223 00:56:52,797 --> 00:56:54,812 "It's not just about me being saved; 1224 00:56:54,812 --> 00:56:56,778 it's about sharing that blessing, 1225 00:56:56,778 --> 00:57:00,681 the grace of God I've come to know and experience. 1226 00:57:00,681 --> 00:57:02,683 I want to share that with everybody, 1227 00:57:02,683 --> 00:57:04,328 even if they try to kill me," 1228 00:57:04,328 --> 00:57:07,418 which, by the way, happened quite frequently to the Apostle Paul. 1229 00:57:07,418 --> 00:57:09,341 And when people tried to distort 1230 00:57:09,341 --> 00:57:10,842 the truth of the Gospel, 1231 00:57:10,856 --> 00:57:12,318 he got really upset 1232 00:57:12,318 --> 00:57:14,359 because he wanted people to know 1233 00:57:14,359 --> 00:57:16,718 the true character of God and God's plan. 1234 00:57:16,718 --> 00:57:18,416 I want to share the truth 1235 00:57:18,416 --> 00:57:20,041 about Jesus, too, don't you? 1236 00:57:20,041 --> 00:57:23,131 Let's pray that he'll work in us in wonderful ways. 1237 00:57:23,131 --> 00:57:25,269 Father in Heaven, thank You 1238 00:57:25,269 --> 00:57:27,575 for the beautiful truth of the Gospel. 1239 00:57:27,575 --> 00:57:30,151 Forgive us if we've made it complicated 1240 00:57:30,151 --> 00:57:33,006 or a stumbling block put in the way of someone 1241 00:57:33,006 --> 00:57:34,644 so they don't hear the truth. 1242 00:57:34,644 --> 00:57:36,714 Help us to continue to study Your Word, 1243 00:57:36,714 --> 00:57:38,884 to learn the truth of the Gospel 1244 00:57:38,884 --> 00:57:40,757 to be able to share it in a way 1245 00:57:40,757 --> 00:57:43,042 that will bless many lives, including ours. 1246 00:57:43,042 --> 00:57:45,350 In the name of Jesus. Amen. 1247 00:57:45,350 --> 00:57:46,223 (Team) Amen. 1248 00:57:46,223 --> 00:57:49,145 (Derek) Well, thanks for joining us for Hope Sabbath School. 1249 00:57:49,145 --> 00:57:51,029 We have so much to learn, but you know? 1250 00:57:51,029 --> 00:57:52,782 God loves us, and He will be with us 1251 00:57:52,782 --> 00:57:54,402 each step of the journey. 1252 00:57:54,402 --> 00:57:55,634 Take what you're learning 1253 00:57:55,634 --> 00:57:57,621 and be a blessing to those around you. 1254 00:57:57,621 --> 00:58:28,873 ♪ theme music ♪