wilson oct 9 '10 sermon

8/8/2019 Wilson Oct 9 '10 Sermon

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REMEMBERYOURNAMESabbathSermon,October9,2010

TedNCWilson

2010AnnualCouncil

SilverSpring,Maryland

GodsEverlastingLove

ThankyouforthatbeautifulreminderoftheloveofGod.He

lovesyouandmewithaneverlastinglovethatwillnotletusgo

(Jeremiah31:3).1John4:16declaresthatGodislove.Godslove

isthewholereasonwhywearethegreatAdvent

movementwhywecancelebrate150yearsofthename

Seventh-dayAdventist.Godslovepropelsustotellothersabout

Him.ItshapesourlivesandourresponsetoHiswonderfullaw.His

loveforusexceedsanythingwecanimagine.Christdiedonthe

crosstosaveusandprovideuswitheternallife.becauseHeloves

us.TheConflictoftheAgesseries,writtenbyEllenWhite,begins


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asourfriendPeterPrimeremindsus--inPatriarchsand

ProphetswiththeveryfirstwordsofGodisloveandendsonthe

lastpageofTheGreatControversywiththe[same]lastwords,

Godislove.WeareassembledhereinthisGeneralConference

headquartersauditoriumasGodsworldleadershiponlybecauseof

GodsgreatloveforusandHisgrace.Forthisgreatlovetous,we

praiseGodswonderfulname..Godswonderfulname.

TheImportanceGodPlacesonNames

Namesaresoimportant.Scripturerevealsthatfromthevery

foundationoftheworld,nameshavebeenofspecialinteresttothe

Lord.Forinstance,haveyouevernoticedthatseveraltimesduring

thedaysofCreation,asGodwouldbringforthanewhandiworkHe

wouldalsogiveitaname?

Day1:Aftercreatinglight,theBiblerecordsthat,GodcalledthelightDay,andthedarknessHecalledNight.(Gen.1:5)


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Day2:Aftercreatingthefirmamentbydividingthewatersabovefromthewatersbelow,theBiblesays,AndGodcalledthe

firmamentHeaven.(Gen.1:8)

Day3:Aftergatheringthewaterstogetherandlettingdrylandappear,weread,GodcalledthedrylandEarth,andthe

gatheringtogetherofthewatersHecalledSeas.(Gen.1:10)

Significantly,asanextensionoftheCreationnamingprocess

andasanindicationofhisdivinely-givenauthorityweseeinGenesis

2thattheLordentrustedAdamwiththeresponsibilityofnamingall

theotherlivingcreaturesoftheearth.Ofcourse,theculminationof

Godscreativeauthoritywassavedfortheseventhdayofspecial

rest,whichtheLordblessed,sanctified,andnamedtheSabbath.

NamesofIndividuals

GodhasmadeitclearthatHisownnameisnottobetaken

lightlyasoneofthe10Commandmentsisadecreetoreverencethe


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nameoftheLord.SacredhistoryalsorevealsGodsinterestinthe

namesofcertainotherindividuals.Forexample

Abraham,thefatherofthefaithful,andhiswife,Sarah,wereoncemerelyAbramandSaraibeforeGodrenamedthem.

Afterhisnightofphysicalandspiritualwrestling,theLordchangedJacobtoIsrael,anameclearlyassociatedwiththe

nameofGod.

AthisconversionontheroadtoDamascus,Saul,theenemyofChrist,becomesPaul,theemissaryforChrist.

Daniel,thoughgiventhenameBelteshazzarbyhisBabyloniancaptors,refusedtorefertohimselfbythatname

becausehisHebrewname,meaning,Godismyjudge,wasa

standingrebuketotheheathenisminwhichhewasimmersed.

Then,ofcourse,therewasthenamingofJohntheBaptist.ThenamingofthispowerfulforerunnerofChrist.


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JohntheBaptistandtheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch

JohnsNameandMission

Whileburningincenseinthetemple,Zachariasthepriestwas

frightenedbythesuddenappearanceofanangelasrecordedin

Luke1:13-17.Donotbeafraid,Zacharias,foryourprayerisheard;

andyourwifeElizabethwillbearyouason,andyoushallcallhis

nameJohn.Andyouwillhavejoyandgladness,andmanywill

rejoiceathisbirth.ForhewillbegreatinthesightoftheLord,and

shalldrinkneitherwinenorstrongdrink.Hewillalsobefilledwith

theHolySpirit,evenfromhismotherswomb.Andhewillturn

manyofthechildrenofIsraeltotheLordtheirGod.Hewillalsogo

beforeHiminthespiritandpowerofElijah,toturntheheartsof

thefatherstothechildren,andthedisobedienttothewisdomof

thejust,tomakereadyapeoplepreparedfortheLord.Verses59-

66recordthepeoplesamazementthatalthoughtherewasno


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familyprecedent,ZachariasandElizabethremainedfaithfultothe

LordsinstructionandnamedtheirlittleboyJohn.

NowthenameJohnmeans,Jehovahisgracious.Thatspecial

namewaschosenbyGodbecauseofthespecialworkwithwhich

Johnwouldbeentrusted.AstheappointedforerunnerofChrist,

Johnsnamewasacontinualtestimonyoftheindescribablegraceof

GodsurrenderingHisoneandonlySontobecomethemeansofour

salvation.WhatawonderfulGodoflove!

OurNameandMission:PracticalMinistry

BacktothedescriptionofJohntheBaptistandhiswork.it

soundssomuchlikethedescriptionofSeventh-dayAdventistsand

theirwork.LikeJohn,wehavebeencalledtopreparepeopleforthe

Lordscoming.Wehavebeengivenaspecialworkofproclaiming

thethreeangelsmessagesofRevelation14liftingupChrist,His

righteousnessandthetrueworshipofGod.Wearetotelltheworld


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ofthegreatloveofGodinprovidingthehopeofsalvationthrough

ChristsdeathonthecrossandHisministryofintercessionand

judgmentintheheavenlysanctuary.AsSeventh-dayAdventists,we

havebeensetapartasreformerspreparingthewayoftheLord.

Weretobemodern-dayElijahsbringingreconciliationtofamilies

andcommunitiesasMalachi4:5pointsoutturningtheheartsof

thefatherstothechildren.WeretolivelivesofChrist-likeselfless

servicetoothers.Insodoing,wearetofollowChristsmethod[s]

alone,whichMrs.WhitehasoutlinedsobeautifullyinTheMinistry

ofHealing,page143.TheSaviourmingledwithmenasonewho

desiredtheirgood.HeshowedHissympathyforthem,ministered

totheirneeds,andwontheirconfidence.ThenHebadethem,

FollowMe.LikeChristandHisforerunner,ouractionsshould

speaklouderthanourwords.AsSeventh-dayAdventists,letus

witnessthroughpracticalmedicalmissionarywork,doinggoodfor


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othersinrelationtotheirphysical,social,mental,andspiritual

health.AglassofcoldwaterforathirstypersoninChristsnameisa

wonderfulwitness.TheSeventh-dayAdventistnameandby

extensionADRAandCommunityServicesandmanyotheractivities-

-shouldbesynonymouswithhelpingtheneedyinpracticalways

withfood,shelter,encouragement,andvisitationinhomesor

schoolsorprisonsorwhereversomeoneisinneed.Ourhumble

lifestyleandservicetoothersinvariousactsofkindnesswillspeak

volumesoftheloveofGodasJohndidwhenheproclaimedthe

goodnessofGodandlivedhisname,Jehovahisgracious.

OurNameandMission:SanctifiedLiving

AsdidJohn,wearetoliveournamebyexemplifyingalifestyle

thatshunsalcoholandothersuchharmfulsubstancesliketobacco

andcaffeine.Wearetolivetheupright,simple,godlylivesofserious

peopleanticipatingChristsreturn.Throughthesanctifyinginfluence


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oftheHolySpirit,weareempoweredtopursuewholesomeand

balancedlives,characterizedbyahealthyvegetariandiet,modest

andbecomingdress,astrongworkethic,goodtimemanagement,

andawinsomecheerfulnessthatwilldrawpeopletotheLord.We

shouldbecarefulaboutwhatwewatch,read,andlistento;we

shouldlistenandwatchandreadonlythosethingsthataretrue,

noble,just,pure,lovely,ofgoodreport,virtuous,andpraiseworthy.

We,likeJohnbeforeus,aretobefilledwiththeHolySpiritas

weannouncethesooncomingofChrist.Wearetopleadwiththe

Lordforthatgenuinerevivalandreformationthatcomesonlyfrom

theoutpouringoftheHolySpiritinlatterrainproportions.Ifwe

humbleourselvesbeforetheLord,Ibelievewewillseethe

fulfillmentofJoel2:28whereGodpromisestopouroutHisSpiriton

allflesh.UnderthepowerofHisHolySpirit,wearetobe

messengersfortheLord,instructingpeopleinthetrueworshipof


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GodandpointingalltoChristandHisrighteousness----howHe

justifiesusandsanctifiesusdemonstratedinourlivesofdedication

toHim.ThereispowerinthenameoftheLord!

PowerintheNameoftheLord

AsPeterproclaimedtotheSanhedrininActs4:12,thereisno

othernameunderheavengivenamongmenbywhichwemustbe

saved.Similarly,JohndeclaredinJohn1:12,Butasmanyas

receivedHim,tothemHegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod,

tothosewhobelieveinHisname.SpeakingofChrist,Paul

proclaimedinPhilippians2:9,GodalsohashighlyexaltedHimand

givenHimthenamewhichisaboveeveryname,thatatthenameof

Jesuseverykneeshouldbow.DavidliftedupthenameofGod

aboveallpowerswhenhedefiantlyproclaimedinPsalm20:7,

Sometrustinchariots,andsomeinhorses:Butwewillremember

thenameoftheLordourGod.AsPeterandPaulandDavid


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rememberedthenameoftheLord,andasJohnrememberedhis

ownnameanditsmeaning,wemustneverforgetthesignificanceof

ourGod-givenname.

RememberYourName!

Rememberyourname,Seventh-dayAdventist! Werecurrently

commemoratingthe150th

anniversaryofthenameSeventh-day

Adventist.OnOct1,1860,inBattleCreek,Michigan,aspecial

meetingtookplace,asweheardlastnight,todiscusstheneedto

chooseaname.GodknewthatHisremnantpeopleneededa

distinctivenamethatwouldidentifythemasthosewhokeepthe

commandmentsofGodandhavethetestimonyofJesusas

indicatedinRevelation12:17.TheselectionofthenameSeventh-

dayAdventistcameafterthepillarsofourfaithourbeliefs--had

beenestablishedthroughintensivestudyandconsecratedprayer.

Littledidthepioneersknowthatthismovementwouldgrowto


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encompasstheworldinmultiplelanguagesandapproximately210

countriesoftheworld.

YoungPeople

Inthoseearlydays,whenBiblestudywasthecentralfeatureof

themovement,theSeventh-dayAdventistmovementwasprimarily

ledbyyoungpeople.Inlightofthatfact,IimploreourSeventh-day

AdventistyoungpeopletodaytostandupforBibletruthandreclaim

thegreatspirituallegacy.Getinvolvedinyourlocalchurch,in

missionarywork,andinthestrongproclamationoftruththrough

personalwitnessandpublicexpression.Tellyourpastors,youth

leaders,[and]teachersthatyouwantsolidBiblicalandSpiritof

Prophecyteachingandpreaching.Avoidthetremendous

temptationtomerelyentertainyourselves,butinsteadbeactivein

servicetoothers.Dontfillyourmindswithmusicthatdoesnot

glorifytheLord,butratherkeepasongofpraisetoGodinyour


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heart.Youngpeople,takecontrolofyourlives,helpreturnthe

Seventh-dayAdventistmovementtoprimitivegodliness.Resistthe

urgetofastenyourfaithtotheshiftingsandsofmysticalexperience.

Instead,buildafoundationuponthesolidrockofGodsWordand

establishyourselvesonaclearthussaiththeLord.

Rememberyourname,Seventh-dayAdventist! Ournamewas

developedoutofintensiveBiblestudy.WebelieveinSolaScriptura;

thattheBibleisourfoundationandonlyruleoffaith.Seventh-day

Adventistshavelongheldanappreciationfordeepertruthand

inquisitiveapproachestotheologicalandpropheticunderstanding.

However,astheearlybelieverswhoformedintotheSeventh-day

AdventistChurchstudiedtheBible,prayedearnestlyfortruth,and

wereledbytheHolySpirit,theydiscoveredtheBiblicalbeliefsand

pillarsofourfaiththatweholddeartoday.Thesededicated

pioneers,insimplefaith,tooktheBibleasitreads,evenwhenitlead


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themawayfromsomeofthemostwidelyacceptederrorspopularin

thechurchesofthatday.Wemustremainsteadfasttosucha

determinedbeliefintheclearteachingofGodsWord.SisterWhite

encouragesusinChristsObjectLessons,page79,that,Asinearlier

ages,thespecialtruthsforthistimearefound,notwiththe

ecclesiasticalauthorities,butwithmenandwomenwhoarenottoo

learned[andnot]toowisetobelievethewordofGod.Wedescribe

theseprecioustruthsasfundamentalbeliefsandtheyarejustthat

fundamental!Aschurchworkerspastors,teachers,health

workers,literatureevangelists,Bibleworkers,officeemployees,

departmentaldirectors,administratorsandothersletusuphold

thosetwenty-eightfundamentalbeliefsthatarerootedexclusively

inScripture.

Itisamazingtomehowsomepeoplewanttoclaimthat

Seventh-dayAdventistsusetheSpiritofProphecyinplaceofthe


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Bible.Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth!Paulsdeclarationin

IITimothy3:15thattheScripturesareabletomakeyouwiseunto

salvationremainstruetoday.ButjustasitwassinceBibletimes,

theSpiritofProphecyisoneofthegreatestheavenlygiftsGodgives

Godspeople.Thatgifthasbeenpouredoutuponthisend-time

movementnottoreplaceScripturebuttoamplifyitsmeaningand

enlightenourmindstomoreclearlyunderstandandmorecorrectly

applyGodsWord.WhenBiblestudyisneglectedandtheguidance

oftheSpiritofProphecyisrefused,youloserespectfortheclear

BiblicaltruthsofthisAdventmovement.

Rememberyourname,Seventh-dayAdventist! Everytimeyou

sayit,youpreachasermon!Whenyousharewiththepublicin

writingorinspeech,dontjustrefertoyourselfasanAdventistor

hidebehindtheabbreviationSDA.Everytimeyousay,Iama

Seventh-dayAdventistyoupreachasermon.Never,neverbe


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ashamedofourname!Whenourchurchbegan,manynameswere

suggestedandconsidered,butwhenthename,Seventh-day

Adventistwasdiscussed,Godimpressedchurchleadersthatthat

namewasbest.Addressingthetendencytoshyawayfromour

distinctivename,EllenWhitecontendsinSelectedMessages,Book

2,page384,WeareSeventh-dayAdventists.Areweashamedof

ourname?Weanswer,No,no!Wearenot.ItisthenametheLord

hasgivenus.Itpointsoutthetruththatistobethetestofthe

churches.

As21stcenturySeventh-dayAdventistslivingatthecloseof

earthshistory,letusnothideourname.Churches,institutions,

organizations,andchurchmembers,useandshareyourname.

Dontinventsomegeneric,non-distinctivenameforyourlocal

churchthathidesthefactthatyouareaSeventh-dayAdventist.Say


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whoyouareandwiththatnamepreachatwo-wordsermonto

everyonewhopassesyourchurch.

Creation

RememberyournameSeventh-dayAdventist! Itisso

distinctive.Theseventh-dayreferstoGodspowerincreatingthis

earthinsixliteral,consecutive,contiguous,24-hourdaysand

cappingitwithamemorialofthatcreation,theseventh-day

Sabbath.ThisremindsusthatweareadirectcreationofGodand

notsomechanceanomalyofsomeimpersonalevolutionaryprocess.

SayingyouareaSeventh-dayAdventistidentifiesyouasabeliever

ofthistruththatismadesoplaininScripture!Godhascommanded

usinExodus20:8-11toRemembertheSabbathday,tokeepitholy.

Sixdaysshaltthoulaboranddoallthywork,buttheseventh-dayis

theSabbathoftheLordthyGod;initthoushaltnotdoanywork,

thou,northyson,northydaughter,thymanservant,northy


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maidservant,northycattle,northystrangerthatiswithinthygates:

forinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth,thesea,andallthat

inthemis,andrestedtheseventhday:whereforetheLordblessed

theSabbathday,andhallowedit.ListentowhatEllenWhitesaysin

SelectedMessages,Book2,page385aboutattemptstode-

emphasizeourdistinctivebeliefandunderstanding,Iwastoldthat

menwillemployeverypolicytomakelessprominentthedifference

betweenthefaithofSeventh-dayAdventistsandthosewhoobserve

thefirstdayoftheweek.Inthiscontroversythewholeworldwillbe

engaged,andthetimeisshort.Thisisnotimetohauldownour

colors.

Sabbath

AsSeventh-dayAdventistslivingontheverybrinkofeternity

wearenottominimizeourseventh-daydistinctiveness,weareto

accentuateit,givingthetrumpetacertainsound.Wearetoldinthe


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samebook[SelectedMessages,Book2]page370,that,TheLord

haspermittedtheenemyoftruthtomakeadeterminedeffort

againsttheSabbathofthefourthcommandment.Hedesignsbythis

meanstoawakenadecidedinterestinthatquestionwhichisatest

forthelastdays.Thiswillopenthewayforthethirdangels

messagetobeproclaimedwithpower.

ThethirdangelshowsusthattheSabbathwillbeGodsspecial

sealorsignofHispeopleinthelastdaysandanyoneworshipingon

anotherdaythantheseventh-daySabbathwillreceivethemarkof

thebeast.ThatishowimportanttheSabbathistoGodandhow

importantitshouldbeforus.Therefore,weshouldnotalign

ourselveswithanyotherreligiousorganizationsorecumenical

bodies.Ofcourse,weshouldshowourselvesfriendlyandtreatall

withrespect,butwearecautionedinthesamebook,Selected

Messages,Book2,page371,that,Thereistobenocompromise


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withthosewhomakevoidthelawofGod.Itisnotsafetorelyupon

themascounselors.Ourtestimonyisnottobelessdecidednow

thanformerly;ourrealpositionisnottobecloakedinorderto

pleasetheworldsgreatmen.Theymaydesireustounitewith

themandaccepttheirplans,andmaymakepropositionsinregard

toourcourseofactionwhichmaygivetheenemyanadvantage

overus.Sayyenot,Aconfederacy,toallthemtowhomthispeople

shallsay,Aconfederacy;(Isaiah8:12).Whileweshouldnotseekfor

controversy,andshouldnotneedlesslyoffend,wemustpresentthe

truthclearlyanddecidedly,andstandfirmtowhatGodhastaught

usinHisWord.Youarenottolooktotheworldinordertolearn

whatyoushallwriteandpublishorwhatyoushallspeak.TheBible

tellsusIIChronicles20:20to,BelieveintheLordyourGod,andyou

shallbeestablished;believeHisprophets,andyoushallprosper.

SecondComing


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InthesamewaythatSeventh-dayremindsusofwherewe

camefrom,asArtur[Stele]explainedtousthismorning,Adventist

tellsuswherewearegoing.Wearewaitingfortheimminentreturn

ofourLordJesusChrist,andlookforwardtoitastheculminationof

allofearthshistory.TheliteralreturnofChrist,theBlessedHope,is

thegreatobjectiveandgoalofeverySeventh-dayAdventist.Letthe

pulpitsofallSeventh-dayAdventistchurchesringwiththeloudand

excitingproclamationthatJesusiscomingsoon!Seventh-day

Adventistpreachersandelders.preachonthesecondcomingof

JesusChrist,notjustonceinawhile,butoften!Remindour

membersandtellthepublicthatweawaitingexpectantlythesoon

returnofourCreatorandRedeemertheKingofKings.Tellthem

thateveryeyewillseethisincrediblereturnofJesusandthatHewill

notsetfootonthisearthbutthatwearisetomeetHimintheair.

UnashamedlyproclaimthosepreciouswordsofPaulfoundinI


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Thessalonians4:16-18,FortheLordHimselfwilldescendfrom

heavenwithashout,withthevoiceofanarchangel,andwiththe

trumpetofGod.AndthedeadinChristwillrisefirst.Thenwewho

arealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththeminthe

cloudstomeettheLordintheair.Andthusweshallalwaysbewith

theLord.Thereforecomfortoneanotherwiththesewords.That

powerful,heaven-sentname,Seventh-dayAdventist,isatwo-

wordsermonofhope.ItpointstoGodastheAuthorandFinisherof

ourfaith.ItupliftsChristinallHisbeauty.ItproclaimstheGreat

Controversythemefromthebeginningtotheend.

PersonalExperience

AfewweeksagoIboardedaflightfromSanJuan,PuertoRico.

WehadjustconcludedagoodsessionofthePuertoRicanUnionand

justpriortothatafinevisittoVenezuelatocelebratethe100th

anniversaryoftheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchinthatdynamic


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country.AlthoughIhadbeentravelingwithsomeofourchurch

leadersIwasnowonmyown.AsIsettledintomyseat,IthoughtI

wouldworktheentiretripcatchinguponallmyemail,butGodhad

anotherplan.Afamilyoffourcamedowntheaisleandsatinthe

seatsbehindmeandbesideme.Afterintroducinghimself,the

father,whowasseatednexttomeexplainedthathewasa

volunteerandbelieverinabranchofalargenon-Christianreligion

andfoundation.HeaskedmeifIknewabouttheirspiritualleader

andhumanitarianphilanthropist.ItoldhimIknewsomethingand

hewentontoexplainthehumanitarianworkofthefoundationof

whichhewasavolunteer.HeaskedmewhatIdid.ItoldhimIwas

apastorintheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.Hedidntknowmuch

aboutChristianityandnothingabouttheSeventh-dayAdventists.

SoIusedournametoexplaintheseventh-daySabbathandthe

secondadventofChrist.IexplainedaboutJesusasourSavior.He


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wasveryreceptive.Thatbriefintroductionopenedupa

conversationinwhichIwasabletosharemanyofourwonderful

beliefsforaconsiderableamountoftimeduringthatflight,all

becauseofourdistinctivename.Whenparting,Ilefthimwith

severalpiecesofliteraturewhichIcarryinbybriefcase,asmanyof

youdo,Imsure.

HowManyMoreAnniversaries?

Wearecelebratingthe150thanniversaryofourwonderful

namethatpreachesasermoneverytimewesayit.Andasjoyousas

itistorecognizethatGodhassustainedusthesemanyyears,such

aneventshouldgenerateacertaindegreeofuneasinessandmore

thanalittlecognitivedissonanceinourminds.Thinkaboutit.How

canamovement,whosesolemissionistopreparetheworldforthe

sooncomingofJesus,rejoiceinthe150thanniversaryofits

distinctivename?Howmanymoreanniversariesmustweconcede?


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HowlongwillthismovementcontinuebeforetheLordreturns?I

believeitishightimethatweallowthispreciousname,Seventh-day

Adventist,torepresentourtrueidentityasGodsremnantpeople.

NowisthetimeforustobethehumanvoiceofGod,callingpeople

outofspiritualBabylonasindicatedinRevelation14andRevelation

18.Inaculturesteepedinpluralism,relativism,humanism,and

hedonism,GodhascalledSeventh-dayAdventiststobea

counterculture,endtimemovementinwhicheverymemberin

humbleChrist-likeconfidenceiswillingtostandfortheright

thoughtheheavensfall.Mybrothersandsisters,suchamighty

movementispossibleonlythroughthepoweroftheHolySpirit.We,

asSeventh-dayAdventists,mustsurrenderourprideanddietoself

asweliftupJesusastheonlyhopeofhumankind.Arewereadyto

pleadinprayerforarevivalandreformationthatcanonlybe

accomplishedbytheHolySpirit?ArewetrulyreadytoallowGodto


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dowhatHehaswantedtodofordecadesforHisremnantpeople

topourouttheHolySpiritandfinishtheworkinthisgeneration?

IurgeeachofusintheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchtounite

throughthepoweroftheHolySpiritinfinishingtheworkentrusted

tous.Letuspresstogether,everyoneworkinginaunitedeffort,

boththeorganizedchurch,itsinstitutions,andotherentitiesand

thesupportingministries,manyofwhichbelongtothatwonderful

organizationcalledASI,thatworkside-by-sidewiththeofficial

churchstructure.Letmethanksupportingministriesandappealto

youtocontinuetouseyourfineministriesandprojectstowork

evenmorecloselywiththeevangelisticplansofthechurchina

renewed,cooperative,HolySpirit-ledoutreachtoTelltheWorld

aswepleadwiththeLordforrevivalandreformation,asweunify

oureffortstoreacheverycorneroftheworldwiththethreeangels

messagesofRevelation14andthecalloftheangelofRevelation18.


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LetusstepoutinfaithwhereGodisopeningdoors.Letusreach

intothegreatcitiesoftheworldinarenewedemphasisonurban

evangelismasoutlinedbytheSpiritofProphecyusingmedical

missionarywork,publicandpersonalevangelismandeverytypeof

mediaopportunity.Rememberthiswonderfulquotationfrom

TestimoniestotheChurch,Volume9,page116,senttomebya

leaderofafaithfulsupportingministry,TheworkofGodinthis

earthcanneverbefinisheduntilthemenandwomencomprising

ourchurchmembershiprallytotheworkandunitetheireffortswith

thoseofministersandchurchofficers.

RememberYourName!

Letussearchourheartstodayandrememberour

name.Imakeaspecialappealtothosewhoarediscouraged,

frustrated,despondent,orperhapsdistantfromthechurchorthe

Lord.RememberYourName!


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Tothose,includingusasleaders,whoattimeshavenot

followedGodsguidanceintheBibleandtheSpiritofProphecyor

thepromptingoftheHolySpirit,buthavewillfullyfollowedourown

wayandmadethepoliticallycorrectdecisioninsteadofstanding

courageouslyforwhatweknewtoberight:wemustallresolveto

submitourselveshumblybeforetheLordandrememberyourname.

TothoseofuswhohaveneglectedconsistentBiblestudyand

prayerandallowedevengoodthingstocrowdoutJesus;tothose

whohaveallowedtelevision,popularmusic,hobbies,theInternet,

videogames,interschoolsports,andamyriadofotherthingsto

crowdouttimefortheLord:Rememberyourname!Refocuson

Jesus,Hisword,prayer,andthewritingsoftheSpiritofProphecy.

TothosewhohaveforgottenthatpracticalChristianserviceis

theinevitableexpressionofyourrelationshipwithGod:Remember

yourname!


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Tothosewhofindthemselvesdriftingfarfromthetheological

centeroftheWordandthefundamentalbeliefsoftheSeventh-day

AdventistChurch:Rememberyourname!

Toyoungpeoplewhoarecaughtupinlivinglifeinthefastlane

withlittleregardforthechurch:Rememberyournameandcome

home.

Tothosewhoareolderandhavebecomefossilizedandstatic

andstaleintheirChristianexperience,whichprobablyincludesalot

ofus:Rememberyourname!

Toindependentgroupsorministrieswhohavefound

themselvessomewhatdistantfromofficialchurchconnectionand

haveacceptedtitheforsupport.Contactyourlocalchurchandlocal

conferenceandreturntoawarmandappropriaterelationship

refusingtoaccepttitheandencouragingmemberstoreturntheir


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tithethroughthestorehouseofthelocalchurch.Rememberyour

name!

Tochurchmemberswhoarebitterorangrybecauseanother

churchmemberoffendedyouandtochurcheswherethereareopen

fights,jealousies,andtensions:Rememberyournameand

implementGodsministryofreconciliationandunityoutlinedin

Matthew18,John17,andIICorinthians5.ThankyouElder[Jan]

PaulsenforyourwordslastnighturgingustobeunifiedinChrist.

Andhowwillwerememberourname?Howwillweuniteto

finishGodswork?HowwillwefulfillChristsprayerforunity?How

willweavoidmorebittersweetanniversaries?Whenwillwesee

GodschurchfilledwithincredibleHolySpiritpower?Whenwillwe

gohometoheaven?

IbelievetheWordoftheLordtoSolomonisHiswordtous

todayfoundinIIChronicles7:14,afamiliartext,Ifmypeople,


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whicharecalledbymyname,shallhumblethemselves,andpray,

andseekmyface,andturnfromtheirwickedways:thenwillIhear

fromheaven,andwillforgivetheirsin,andwillhealtheirland.

SincewehaveanamegivenbyGod,wemusthumbleourselves,

pray,seekGod,andberevivedandreformedthroughHispower.

ThebookofJoel,chapter2andverses12-13tellsustoTurntoMe

withallyourheart,withfasting,withweeping,andwithmourning.

Sorendyourheart,notyourgarments;ReturntotheLordyour

God.Wealsoseeinverses15-17thecommandtoBlowthe

trumpetinZion,consecrateafast.Callasacredassembly;gather

thepeople,sanctifythecongregation,assembletheeldersletthe

priests,whoministertotheLord,weepbetweentheporchandthe

altar;letthemsay,SpareYourpeople,OLord.Furtheroninverse

23wereadthepromisedresultsofsuchconsecratedcontrition.Be

gladthen,youchildrenofZion,andrejoiceintheLordyourGod;for


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Hehasgivenyoutheformerrainfaithfully,andHewillcausethe

raintocomedownforyou----theformerrain,andthelatterrain.In

verses28-32theLordgraciouslycontinuessayingIwillpouroutMy

Spiritonallflesh;yoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophesy,your

oldmenshalldreamdreams,youryoungmenshallseevisions.On

MymenservantsandonMymaidservantsIwillpouroutMySpiritin

thosedays.Iwillshowwondersintheheavensandintheearth.The

sunshallbeturnedintodarkness,andthemoonintoblood,before

thecomingofthegreatandawesomedayoftheLordandwhoever

callsonthenameoftheLordshallbesaved.ForinMountZionand

inJerusalemthereshallbedeliverance,astheLordhassaid,among

theremnantwhotheLordcalls.

Brothersandsisters,wearelivinginthesedaysasdescribedby

theprophetJoel.WearelivinginthetimewhentheLordwantsto

pouroutthelatterrainoftheHolySpirit.ItisnowtimeforGods


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churchtoreceivethelatterrainexperience.Weneedtopleadwith

theLordforthisexperienceandthefinishingofGodsworkthrough

Hispower.Seventh-dayAdventists,rememberyourname.Hosea

6:1-3tellsus,Come,andletusreturntotheLord;forHehastorn,

butHewillhealus;Hehasstricken,butHewillbindusup.Aftertwo

daysHewillreviveus;OnthethirddayHewillraiseusup,thatwe

mayliveinHissight.Letusknow,letuspursuetheknowledgeof

theLord.Hisgoingforthisestablishedasthemorning;Hewillcome

tousliketherain,likethelatterandformerraintotheearth.

Brothersandsisters,weneedthelatterrainoftheHolySpiritto

proclaimthethreeangelsmessageswithpowersoJesuscancome.

WeneedrevivalandreformationthroughthepoweroftheHoly

Spirit.Weneedchangedlives.

InSelectedMessages,Book1,page121wereadinthechapter

entitledCallsforARevival,wherewearecounseledthat,A


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revivaloftruegodlinessamongusisthegreatestandmosturgentof

allourneeds.Toseekthisshouldbeourfirstwork.Continuingon

itsays,Letthechurcharise,andrepentofherbackslidingsbefore

God.Letthewatchmenawake,andgivethetrumpetacertain

soundThechurchmustarousetoaction.TheSpiritofGodcan

nevercomeinuntilshepreparestheway.Thereshouldbeearnest

searchingofheart.Thereshouldbeunited,perseveringprayer,and

throughfaithaclaimingofthepromisesofGod.Wehavenotthe

firstreasonforself-congratulationsandself-exaltation.Weshould

humbleourselvesunderthemightyhandofGod.

IrecentlyhadtheprivilegeofspendingtimeinBattleCreek,the

siteofour1901GeneralConferenceSession.Thereweretwothings

onGodsagendafor1901:reorganizationofthechurchandthe

outpouringoftheHolySpirittoenablethatstructuretofinishthe

work.AsaresultofEllenWhitespleading,theagendaforthat


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GeneralConferencewassetasideandthechurchstructurewas

reorganizedtoproducetheconference,andunionstructurethatwe

havetoday.Itisagoodorganizationalstructureandwillserveus

wellforthefuture.ButGodssecondagendaitemneverhappened,

theoutpouringoftheHolySpirit.ItisstillonHisagenda.

EllenWhitehadavisionin1903entitledWhatMightHave

Been.YoucanreadaboutthatvisioninTestimoniesfortheChurch,

Volume8,pages104-106.Onpage104shesays,AndtheHoly

Spiritwasnotimparted.Whydidthisnottakeplace?EllenWhite

gavethreereasons:1)Theleaderswhohadgreatlightdidnotwalk

inthelight.therewasunbeliefattheGeneralConferenceandin

theReviewandHerald.2)Abreakwasnotmadewiththepast

mistakesandonlylipservicewasgiventowhatGodwanted.3)The

leadersdidnothumblethemselves.Therewasprideandthedesire

forpowerintotheirwork.Wereadthat,Mendidnothumble


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themselvesbeforetheLordastheyshouldhavedone.Inthat

vision,EllenWhitesawthatsomethingGodwantedhadnot

occurred.Shesawhowtheleadersofthechurchatthe1901

GeneralConferenceSessioncouldhaveacted.Shesawdelegates

movedbytheSpirit.Therewasadeepworkofrepentancewith

someweepingaloud.Shesawaleaderrise,shedidnotsaywho,

andthispersonconfessedbeforeallthebitterfeelingsthathehad

forsome.Hesawhistrueconditionandwenttothemonebyone

askingforforgivenessandtheyaskedforforgivenessinreturn.It

spreadtothewholecongregation.EllenWhitereportedthat,It

wasaPentecostalseason.Godspraisesweresung,andfarintothe

night,until[theearly]morning,theworkwascarriedon.Butthen

shewritesthesedreadfulwords,ThenIarousedfrommy

unconsciousness,andforawhilecouldnotthinkwhereIwas.My

penwasstillinmyhand.Thewordswerespokentome:Thismight


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havebeen.AllthistheLordwaswaitingtodoforHispeople.All

heavenwaswaitingtobegracious.Ithoughtofwherewemight

havebeenhadthoroughworkbeendoneatthelastGeneral

Conference,andanagonyofdisappointmentcameovermeasI

realizedthatwhatIhadwitnessedwasnotareality.

MybrothersandsistersoftheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch,

Godwantstomakethisareality.Whenwillithappen?Itisour

solemn,sacreddutytoleadthispreciouschurchintoarevival

experience.Wecannotproducerevivalandreformation.Thatisthe

workoftheHolySpirit.Butwe,whoarecalledbyGodsname,can

humbleourselves,pray,andseekHisface.WecanleadGods

peopletothefootofthecrossandtoimploreGodtoprepareour

heartsandsendthelatterrainoftheHolySpirit.Leaderslike

NehemiahchampionedthegreatrevivalsoftheOldTestament.

Commentingonhisworkofrevival,EllenWhitewrites,Thespirit


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manifestedbytheleaderwillbe,toagreatextent,reflectedbythe

people.Iftheleadersprofessiontobelievethesolemn,important

truthsthataretotesttheworldatthistimemanifestnoardentzeal

toprepareapeopletostandinthedayofGod,wemustexpectthe

churchtobecareless,indolent,andpleasure-loving.

ThequestionbeforeustodayiswillGodbeabletogivethe

HolySpirittousnowasHehaswantedtosince1901andeven

before?WearetoldinEvangelism,page701,thatThedescentof

theHolySpirituponthechurchislookedforwardtoasinthefuture;

butitistheprivilegeofthechurchtohaveitnow.Wemusthaveit,

andheaveniswaitingtobestowit.Thisblessingisnotwithout

condition,however.InSelectedMessages,BookI,page121weread:

Butitisourwork,byconfession,humiliation,repentance,and

earnestprayertofulfilltheconditionsuponwhichGodhaspromised

tograntusHisblessing.


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WehavebeenprayinghereattheGeneralConferencein

specialBiblestudyandprayersessions.WehaveaspecialRevival

andReformationCommitteewhichhasbeenprayingandstudying

howtobestprepareourselvesforthisgreatoutpouringoftheHoly

Spirit.Youwillnotwanttomisstheirreporttomorrowmorningand

Mondaymorning.WewanttoseethefulfillmentofGodpouring

outthelatterrainoftheHolySpirit.WewanttoseeGodswork

finished.Wewanttogohometoheaven.

Willyoustandfaithful?Willyouhumbleyourheartbeforethe

Lord?Willyouleadoutinleadingourpeopletoadeeper

experienceintheLordtopreparefortheHolySpiritspoweranda

revivaloftruegodliness?WillyouasktheLordtotakeusoutofour

lukewarmLaodiceanstateasdescribedinRevelation3andaskthe

Lordforgoldtriedinthefire,forHiswhiterobeofrighteousness,

andfortheheavenlyeyesalvetoseeclearly?WillI?


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Twoweeksago,IattendedayouthconferenceatBass

MemorialAcademyinMississippiwherearevivalofprimitive

godlinessistakingplaceamongthefacultyandstudents.Alady

fromPensacola,Florida,whoattendedthemeetings,gavemea

lovelynoteafterIspoke.Partofwhatshesaidwasthis,Please

knowthatyouhaveasisterprayingforyoueveryday.Iampraying

thatyouwillbeagodlyleader(strongandtruetotheBible),that

youllbewiseandalwaysharmless,thatyoullbepureandabove

reproach,andthatyoullbefaithfultospendtimewithJesus.Please

donteverallowtheworkofGodschurchtogetinthewayofHis

workinyourownheart.Wearecountingonyoutobeaconduitof

Godspower.Weareseeking,praying,longingforrevivaland

reformation.Befaithful.

Mybrothersandsisters,IcanonlyleadasIfallatthefootof

thecrossandasIpersonallyspendtimewithJesusinHisWord.Ido


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nothavethewisdomandabilitytoleadexceptthatIreceiveitfrom

Christ.Today,Iwanttoconfessbeforeyou,andmyGod,mypride

andarrogance,myselfishness,myneglectofspendingenoughtime

neededwithGodinprayerandBiblestudyandstudyoftheSpiritof

Prophecy.Iconfesstoyoumyenvyandmyself-centeredness.Iask

youasmyfellowleadersforforgiveness.IwanttodoGodswill.I

wanttohumblemyselfbeforeGod,IwanttoprayandIwantto

seekHisface.Iwantthepowerofthelatterraininmylife.Willyou

joinme?WillyouallowGodtodotodaywhatHewantedtodoin

1901?WillyourememberGodsnameandrememberyournameas

aSeventh-dayAdventist?Doyoutrulywanttobeaspiritualleader

ofrevivalforGodspeopleasweheadintothelastdaysofearths

historylookingforChristssooncoming?Doyouwanttobealeader

helpingourpeopletoexperiencearevivaloftruegodliness?Ifso,

wouldyoujoinmeinquietlystandingtoyourfeet?


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Pleasesingwithmethatlittlechorus:SpiritofthelivingGod,

fallafreshonme,SpiritofthelivingGod,fallafreshonme.Break

me,meltme,moldmeandfillme.SpiritofthelivingGod,fallafresh

onme.

IwanttoinviteJerryandJanetPageandMarkFinleywho,

alongwithArmandoMiranda,havebeenleadingtheRevivaland

ReformationCommittee,toleadusinaseasonofintenseand

humbleprayerrightnowasweseekGodsfaceandpleadwithHim

forrevivalandreformationleadingtotheoutpouringofthelatter

rainoftheHolySpirit.

wilson oct 9 '10 sermon

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