1 00:00:00,100 --> 00:00:02,400 I'm very thankful for the presence of everyone this 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:06,300 morning and I'm very glad to be your speaker as was mentioned at 3 00:00:06,300 --> 00:00:09,800 the beginning of services. My name is Jacob Kell so many 4 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,300 people know me as Richard Butters grandson. 5 00:00:12,300 --> 00:00:16,400 I'm out here studying with brother Alan Bonifay to better 6 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:20,000 become a gospel preacher. I'm very thankful for the 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:22,700 opportunity. That's been presented to me to 8 00:00:22,700 --> 00:00:25,600 stand before you to present a portion of God's word. 9 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,400 That's a very serious responsibility, it's not one to 10 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:32,100 be taken lightly. Lately whoever gets up here 11 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:36,200 needs to present something. Accurate from the word of God 12 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,500 and they need to present it an understandable way. 13 00:00:38,500 --> 00:00:42,700 And I'm honored that I've been asked to do such this morning. 14 00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:46,300 I'd like to talk to you about the church that the prophet saw. 15 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:49,000 We're going to be looking at the establishment of the church and 16 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,700 some prophecies that concern it, and Lord willing this afternoon, 17 00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:55,800 I'd like to talk to you about the counsel of God and I invite 18 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,000 you to come back this afternoon but and reduce my thoughts this 19 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,800 morning I'd like to ask us Series of eight questions. 20 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,000 So question number one, in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, what 21 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:10,500 happened to the metal, as you viewed it from the top and move 22 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:14,700 down, and this is the image that we see in Daniel chapter 2. 23 00:01:15,300 --> 00:01:18,300 So Nebuchadnezzar's dream, what happens to the metal as you 24 00:01:18,300 --> 00:01:20,500 viewed it from the top and move down. 25 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,500 Question number two, why was the Lord's church called a kingdom? 26 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:27,500 Why would the Lord call his church? 27 00:01:27,500 --> 00:01:29,900 A kingdom number three. According to the Bible. 28 00:01:30,100 --> 00:01:35,000 When did the last days began? Number four. 29 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,800 What definite sign what occurred to let me know that the last 30 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:41,800 days had arrived. Number five, according to 31 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,600 Isaiah. Where would the Lord's Church 32 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:45,600 begin? And we could also ask the 33 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:47,500 question. What city would the Lord's 34 00:01:47,500 --> 00:01:49,500 Church began in? That's what we're getting at 35 00:01:49,500 --> 00:01:52,900 with that question. Number 6 was John the baptizer 36 00:01:52,900 --> 00:01:57,500 member of the Lord's Church. Number 7, what chapter in the 37 00:01:57,500 --> 00:01:59,400 New Testament? Shows the establishment of the 38 00:01:59,408 --> 00:02:03,000 Lord's Church. And number eight, how can we 39 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,800 find the Lord's church today? When there are so many different 40 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:08,000 churches out in the world to choose from. 41 00:02:08,199 --> 00:02:11,100 So, if you do not already know the answer to these questions, 42 00:02:11,100 --> 00:02:13,400 hopefully by the end of our study this morning, you'll have 43 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,400 a better understanding of the answer to those questions for. 44 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,400 We get into the sermon will approach God and word of prayer. 45 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,200 What I hope to accomplish and preaching the sermon this 46 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:26,900 morning is show how the church is important to God, and how he 47 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:30,100 had a divine plan in order to bring the church into the world 48 00:02:30,100 --> 00:02:32,900 at just the right time. And this is important talk to 49 00:02:32,900 --> 00:02:36,400 give concerning the views that people have out in the world 50 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:40,900 concerning the church. Get a little ahead of myself 51 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:42,400 there. There are a lot of people out in 52 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:44,500 the world today that believe that the church is not 53 00:02:44,500 --> 00:02:47,300 necessary. If you go out knocking doors to 54 00:02:47,300 --> 00:02:51,600 evangelize and to meet people, you say hi, I'm from the Church 55 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,000 of Christ and I'd like to invite you to Services. 56 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,400 They will save you while we're Christians, but we don't go to 57 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:59,200 church. They believe you can be a 58 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:01,500 Christian without being a member of any church. 59 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:03,300 Church. And there are a lot of people 60 00:03:03,300 --> 00:03:06,300 that they pick their Church based off of what teaches 61 00:03:06,300 --> 00:03:08,900 because they don't want to be told what to do. 62 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:11,800 However, the Bible has a completely different view 63 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:14,800 concerning the church. For example, there are people 64 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:18,200 out in the world today that say that the church was an accident 65 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:21,700 that it was Plan B after the Jews crucified Jesus. 66 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:27,800 However, in Ephesians chapter 3, verse 10 and 11, The scripture 67 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,000 says layer and move my mic to the intent that now, the 68 00:03:31,008 --> 00:03:34,900 manifold wisdom of God, might be made known by the church to the 69 00:03:34,900 --> 00:03:37,600 principalities and powers in Heavenly places. 70 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,400 According to the Eternal purpose, which he accomplished 71 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:42,600 in Christ Jesus. Our lord. 72 00:03:42,700 --> 00:03:45,700 So there's a passage showing up, the church was in God's Eternal 73 00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:48,000 plans and we're going to come back and reference. 74 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,000 These passages again later in the sermon, but I just want to 75 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,800 read real quickly. The church is the bride of 76 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:59,000 Christ according to Chapter 5 and verse 25 there. 77 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:01,800 The Bible says husband's love your wives, just as Christ. 78 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,500 Also loved the church and gave himself for her. 79 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:08,000 And also, we read that, the church is important to God 80 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,500 because Jesus is the head of the church, and he is the savior of 81 00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:13,900 the body. That's what we find in Ephesians 82 00:04:13,900 --> 00:04:18,000 chapter 5 and verse 23. So the church is supremely 83 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:21,500 important to God just based on this alone before we even get 84 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:24,000 into these prophecies, that we're going to talk about, we 85 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,300 can see that God. Plan plan the church. 86 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:28,700 Earth before he created the world. 87 00:04:28,700 --> 00:04:32,100 I want to invite your attention to Daniel chapter 2 and we'll 88 00:04:32,100 --> 00:04:35,300 look at verses 31 through, 35. And while you're turning to 89 00:04:35,300 --> 00:04:38,400 Daniel chapter 2 and will begin at verse 31, giving a little 90 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:41,600 background of what's going on here, Daniel is in Babylonian 91 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:45,200 captivity and the king of Babylon, was a man by the name 92 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:48,500 of Nebuchadnezzar. He was a wicked King one night, 93 00:04:48,500 --> 00:04:51,800 Nebuchadnezzar has a nightmare and this nightmare is going to 94 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,400 be described was, but he brings his wise men and his magicians 95 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,200 has soothsayers. Other, he says, I want you to 96 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:01,600 interpret a dream that I've had, but before you interpret the 97 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,100 dream, I want you to tell me what I dreamed that way, I know 98 00:05:05,100 --> 00:05:08,300 that you're telling the truth and of course, the wise man, the 99 00:05:08,300 --> 00:05:11,800 soothsayers couldn't do this. They said, oh King live forever, 100 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,200 but once you're requesting is impossible, he said you don't 101 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,400 understand if you don't do this, I'm going to put all of you to 102 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:20,800 death. And so, a decree went out and 103 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:24,700 Babylon that all the wise men and the interpreters of Dreams 104 00:05:24,700 --> 00:05:28,200 be put to death. However, Daniel prays to God. 105 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:32,000 God reveals the dream to Daniel and Daniel request, be brought 106 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,500 to Nebuchadnezzar and we picked up our reading. 107 00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:37,600 Now. Verse 31, the Daniel to Daniel 108 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:41,100 says Nebuchadnezzar, you will King we're watching and behold a 109 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:43,600 great image. This great image whose Splendor 110 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:45,900 was excellent. Stood before you and explore 111 00:05:45,900 --> 00:05:48,700 most awesome. This images head was of fine, 112 00:05:48,700 --> 00:05:51,900 gold, its chest, and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of 113 00:05:51,900 --> 00:05:54,500 bronze. Its legs of iron its feet, 114 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:56,300 partly of iron and partly of clay. 115 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,500 You watch Flawless Stone was cut out without hands which struck 116 00:05:59,500 --> 00:06:02,200 the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in 117 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:04,500 pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the 118 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:08,000 bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together and became 119 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,900 like chaff from the summer threshing floors, the wind 120 00:06:10,900 --> 00:06:12,900 carried them away. So that no trace of them was 121 00:06:12,900 --> 00:06:16,700 found and the stone that struck the image became a great 122 00:06:16,700 --> 00:06:18,600 mountain and filled the whole earth. 123 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,000 We're going to talk about the interpretation of this dream. 124 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,200 That Nebuchadnezzar had, but I just want you to get an idea of 125 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,600 what this looks like here. I'm glad we don't have a 126 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:31,100 whiteboard, I have the PowerPoint because drawing, this 127 00:06:31,100 --> 00:06:34,100 is really difficult, but get an idea of what this image looked 128 00:06:34,100 --> 00:06:37,000 like. It had a head of gold here, it 129 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,900 had chest and arms made of silver. 130 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:42,700 The belly and the thighs were made of bronze. 131 00:06:42,700 --> 00:06:46,200 Some translations say it was made of brass and the legs are 132 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:50,600 made of iron, the feet partly of iron and partly of clay and what 133 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:54,300 these were indicating were different kingdoms of the earth. 134 00:06:54,300 --> 00:06:58,200 Notice as you move down that each It all becomes inferior in 135 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:00,900 some way but it becomes stronger. 136 00:07:01,100 --> 00:07:03,600 And the Bible says that these would represent the different 137 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,400 kingdoms of the earth as we did to the interpretation of the 138 00:07:06,407 --> 00:07:09,600 dream continuing. Now in verse 36, will go verse 139 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:13,800 36 or 38, Daniel says the Nebuchadnezzar. 140 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:16,000 This is the dream. Now we will tell the 141 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,700 interpretation of it before the king, you will king, or a king 142 00:07:19,700 --> 00:07:23,500 of kings for the god of Heaven, has given you a kingdom, power 143 00:07:23,500 --> 00:07:26,600 strength, and glory, and wherever the children of Men 144 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,400 dwell or the beasts of the field, the birds of the heaven. 145 00:07:29,500 --> 00:07:32,300 He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over 146 00:07:32,300 --> 00:07:34,800 them. All you are this head of gold. 147 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:38,400 So that had a full was going to represent the Babylonian 148 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:40,300 Kingdom. How do I know that it 149 00:07:40,300 --> 00:07:42,400 represented Babylon? It doesn't represent. 150 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:47,000 Just Nebuchadnezzar himself on verse 39, Daniel continues to 151 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:51,200 say, but after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to 152 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:53,600 yours. And the Bible itself tells us 153 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,200 what this next Kingdom after Babylon would be. 154 00:07:56,700 --> 00:08:00,100 It would be the medo-persian kingdom and we find this in 155 00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:03,900 Daniel chapter 5 in Daniel chapter 5, Daniel is 156 00:08:03,900 --> 00:08:06,900 interpreting some mysterious handwriting on the wall to 157 00:08:06,900 --> 00:08:10,200 belshazzar. And he says, in Daniel chapter 5 158 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:15,500 verse 28 to 31 Perry's. Your kingdom has been divided 159 00:08:15,500 --> 00:08:17,500 and given to the medes and Persians. 160 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,500 Then belshazzar gave the command and they closed Daniel with 161 00:08:20,500 --> 00:08:23,500 purple and put a chain of gold around his neck and made a 162 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:26,100 proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third 163 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:28,100 ruler. Her in the Kingdom that very 164 00:08:28,100 --> 00:08:31,500 night, belshazzar King of the Chaldeans was slain and Darius, 165 00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:35,700 the mede receive the kingdom being about 62 years old but 166 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:39,100 there is going to arise a third Kingdom that was coming after 167 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:42,900 the medo-persian kingdom and that was the Grecian Kingdom. 168 00:08:42,900 --> 00:08:46,500 Once again the Bible itself tells us that this would happen. 169 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:52,000 We find this in Daniel chapter 8, verse 20 through 21 And 170 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:57,300 Daniel 8:20 there. It reads the ram which you saw 171 00:08:57,300 --> 00:08:59,900 having the two horns. They are the kings of media and 172 00:08:59,900 --> 00:09:02,300 Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom 173 00:09:02,300 --> 00:09:05,700 of Greece, the large horn that is between its eyes as the first 174 00:09:05,700 --> 00:09:07,600 king. But finally, there was going to 175 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:10,800 rise a fourth Kingdom. And this describe for us as we 176 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,900 continue on Daniel chapter 2, picking up in verses 14 through 177 00:09:14,900 --> 00:09:18,000 44, Daniel says the Nebuchadnezzar and the fourth 178 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,200 Kingdom shall be as strong as iron and as much as I am, Make 179 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,300 some pieces and shatters everything and like iron that 180 00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:27,200 crushes that Kingdom will break in pieces and Crush all the 181 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,700 others. Whereas he saw the feet and Toes 182 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:31,800 partly of potters clay and partly of iron. 183 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:34,800 The kingdom shall be divided. Yet the strength of the iron 184 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:38,000 shall be in it just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay 185 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,600 and as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of 186 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,700 clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly 187 00:09:44,700 --> 00:09:47,300 fragile. As he saw iron mixed with 188 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:50,700 ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men but they 189 00:09:50,700 --> 00:09:52,800 won't. Adhere to one another just as 190 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:56,200 iron does not mix with clay and then the days of these Kings. 191 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:59,800 So the kings of the fourth Kingdom being talked about here 192 00:09:59,900 --> 00:10:02,900 and the days of these Kings, the god of heaven will set up a 193 00:10:02,900 --> 00:10:07,400 kingdom and it shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall 194 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,500 not be left with other people. It shall break in pieces and 195 00:10:10,500 --> 00:10:14,400 consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever. 196 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:16,800 And this worth Kingdom that Daniel was describing here will 197 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:20,600 be in the Roman Empire and it wasn't going to be as elaborate 198 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,500 as go. Gold or a silver but it was 199 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:25,700 going to be stronger. And during the Roman Empire, God 200 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:29,700 was going to set up his kingdom which would never be destroyed. 201 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:31,500 Now that leads us to the question. 202 00:10:31,500 --> 00:10:33,800 What is the kingdom? We started off by saying that 203 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,500 we're talking about the church that the prophet saw. 204 00:10:36,700 --> 00:10:39,800 So what is this Kingdom that we're talking about? 205 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:43,100 I want to invite your attention to Matthew chapter 16. 206 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,400 And as we consider verses 13 through 19, we read that Jesus 207 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:50,700 came to the region of caesarea Philippi with his disciples. 208 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,500 And he asked his disciples saying, who do men say that? 209 00:10:53,500 --> 00:10:57,200 I the son of man. And, and so they said some say 210 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:01,000 that you're John the Baptist others say that your Jeremiah or 211 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,700 one of the prophets, but Jesus asked them, who do you say that 212 00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:08,200 I am and Peter speaking up for the 11th said, you are the 213 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,800 Christ, the son of the Living God, and Jesus said, blessed, 214 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:15,000 are you Simon bar Jonah? For flesh and blood has not 215 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:17,800 revealed this to you. But my father who is in heaven 216 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:21,600 and in verses 18 through 19, he says, and I also saved you that 217 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,300 you are Peter. And on this rock, I will build 218 00:11:24,300 --> 00:11:26,600 my church. And the gates of Hades shall not 219 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:29,900 Prevail against it. And he says, in verse 19 and I 220 00:11:29,900 --> 00:11:32,600 will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven and whatever 221 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,600 you bind on Earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose 222 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:38,300 on Earth will be loosed in heaven. 223 00:11:38,500 --> 00:11:43,400 So in one pass, one verse Jesus describes this as his church and 224 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:46,700 it'll He says that it would be the kingdom of heaven. 225 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:48,900 Now, why would the Lord called his church? 226 00:11:49,100 --> 00:11:52,400 A kingdom? One reason would be to indicate 227 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,800 what kind of government would be within this church, it wasn't 228 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:59,500 going to be Anarchy, where no one rules, and it was going to 229 00:11:59,500 --> 00:12:02,600 be a democracy where you voted on the leader, and you voted on 230 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:04,400 the ordinances of that government. 231 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:08,200 But rather the church operates like a kingdom, Jesus would be 232 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,600 the king, we would be his subjects, and he makes the 233 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:15,000 ordinances that we follow. But Daniel has a little bit more 234 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,600 to say concerning this Kingdom or this church we go now to 235 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:21,900 Daniel chapter 7 verses 13 through 14. 236 00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:27,200 And in Daniel chapter 7, beginning at verse 13, Daniel 237 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:31,100 says, I was watching and the night visions and behold, one 238 00:12:31,100 --> 00:12:33,800 like the son of man coming with the Clouds Of Heaven. 239 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:37,300 He came to the Ancient of Days and they brought him near before 240 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:40,100 him, then to him was given dominion and glory. 241 00:12:40,100 --> 00:12:43,400 And a kingdom that all peoples Nations and languages should 242 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,000 serve him. His Dominion is an everlasting 243 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:49,300 Dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom, the one, 244 00:12:49,300 --> 00:12:53,100 which shall not be destroyed. So, from this, we learn that the 245 00:12:53,100 --> 00:12:55,000 heaven. King would begin when the son of 246 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,000 man, ascended, the Clouds Of Heaven. 247 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,700 And the scripture says that he would approach the Ancient of 248 00:12:59,700 --> 00:13:01,100 Days. In other words, he was going to 249 00:13:01,100 --> 00:13:04,500 approach God, the father. And when he did an everlasting 250 00:13:04,500 --> 00:13:08,600 Kingdom would be given to him. So according to Daniel during 251 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:12,400 the Roman Empire, God was going to a set up his kingdom and that 252 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,500 would be when the son of man, ascends to heaven. 253 00:13:15,700 --> 00:13:19,700 And then God would establish the church or the kingdom, which 254 00:13:19,700 --> 00:13:23,100 shall never be destroyed. Now, Isaiah gives us a little 255 00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:24,800 bit more. More information concerning this 256 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:28,200 church, or this Kingdom, which the Lord would establish. 257 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:33,800 So we'll go now to Isaiah chapter 2 verses 23 and in 258 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:36,300 Isaiah chapter 2. Beginning at verse to Isaiah 259 00:13:36,300 --> 00:13:39,400 says, now, it shall come to pass in the latter days that the 260 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:42,000 mountain of the Lord's house, shall be established on the top 261 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:45,600 of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and All 262 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:48,800 Nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say 263 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:51,600 come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the 264 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:55,800 house of the god of Jacob. He will teach us his ways and we 265 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:59,400 shall walk in his paths for out of Zion shall go forth, the law 266 00:13:59,500 --> 00:14:01,900 and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 267 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,300 So Isaiah describes this as the Lord's House. 268 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:07,700 I don't want to point out with a passage of scripture that the 269 00:14:07,708 --> 00:14:11,800 Lord's House is the church or the kingdom because Paul writes 270 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:15,200 to Timothy. And First Timothy chapter 3 and 271 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,200 verse 15. He says to Timothy but if I am 272 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,700 delayed, all right? So that you may know how you 273 00:14:21,700 --> 00:14:25,300 ought to conduct yourself. And the house of God, which is 274 00:14:25,300 --> 00:14:28,300 the Church of the Living. God, the pillar and ground of 275 00:14:28,300 --> 00:14:30,700 the truth. So I say is writing a prophecy 276 00:14:30,700 --> 00:14:35,100 here concerning the church. He says that it would come and 277 00:14:35,100 --> 00:14:37,900 the latter days. So when would the latter days 278 00:14:37,900 --> 00:14:41,600 come, how would we know that the last days had come well, a 279 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:48,900 prophecy from Joel 2:28. Gives us an indication of when 280 00:14:48,900 --> 00:14:52,100 the last days would come and Joel, 2:28. 281 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,600 Joel had said, it shall come to pass in the latter days. 282 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,100 Says God that I will pour out of my spirit on All Flesh, your 283 00:14:59,100 --> 00:15:02,200 sons and your daughters shall prophesy your young men shall 284 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,900 see visions and your old men shall dream dreams. 285 00:15:04,900 --> 00:15:08,300 So the latter days or the last days will come when the Holy 286 00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:11,800 Spirit was poured out on All Flesh, then the church would be 287 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:14,400 established. Now, this would refer to the 288 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,100 last days of the Jewish Nation, it would be destroyed. 289 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:21,500 As a nation and 8070 also, it could refer to the last 290 00:15:21,500 --> 00:15:25,500 dispensation that we live under. You have the patriarch, will 291 00:15:25,500 --> 00:15:29,000 dispensation the Mosaic. Dispensation, and today we live 292 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,400 under the Christian. Dispensation also though, Isaiah 293 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:36,800 says that all nations are going to flow to the house of God, to 294 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,300 the kingdom to the church. And that means that it wouldn't 295 00:15:40,300 --> 00:15:43,700 be just for the Jews but it would be for the Gentiles as 296 00:15:43,700 --> 00:15:45,800 well. And there's a prophecy to 297 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:49,000 Abraham was fulfilled and When God said to Abraham, in Genesis, 298 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:53,700 chapter 12 and verse 3, I will bless those who bless you and I 299 00:15:53,700 --> 00:15:57,600 will curse him who curses you and in you all the families of 300 00:15:57,600 --> 00:16:00,700 the Earth shall be blessed. And also, according to Isaiah 301 00:16:00,700 --> 00:16:03,900 chapter 2, where told where the Lord's Church would begin and 302 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:07,100 that is in Jerusalem. So let's summarize what we've 303 00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:09,500 learned. So far, God will establish his 304 00:16:09,500 --> 00:16:12,700 kingdom during the Roman Empire. It will be when the son of man, 305 00:16:12,700 --> 00:16:15,900 ascended to the father. All nations were going to flow 306 00:16:15,900 --> 00:16:18,200 to it. It will be in the Last days how 307 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:19,900 will we know that it was the last days? 308 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:23,900 The Holy Spirit would be poured out on All Flesh and the Lord's 309 00:16:23,900 --> 00:16:27,300 Church would begin in Jerusalem. I want to share with you another 310 00:16:27,300 --> 00:16:29,700 prophecy though. Concerning the Lord's Kingdom or 311 00:16:29,700 --> 00:16:33,100 church and that's a prophecy that Jesus prophesied and Luke 312 00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:42,800 24:46 through 49. So Luke, 24:46 through 49. 313 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,600 Jesus is speaking to his Apostles and he says to them 314 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:50,800 thus it is written and thus it was necessary for the Christ to 315 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:52,200 suffer and to rise from the dead. 316 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:55,300 The third day, and that repentance and remission of sins 317 00:16:55,300 --> 00:16:57,900 should be preached in his name, to All Nations, beginning at 318 00:16:57,900 --> 00:17:00,900 Jerusalem and you are witnesses of these things. 319 00:17:01,100 --> 00:17:04,099 Behold I send the promise of my father upon you but Terry and 320 00:17:04,099 --> 00:17:07,000 the City of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on 321 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:08,700 high. Now what would this have to do 322 00:17:08,700 --> 00:17:10,599 with the establishment of the church? 323 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:13,800 Well the apostles are told to stay in the city that Isaiah 324 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:15,800 have. Prophesied that the Lord's 325 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:18,700 Church would begin in there. Also told that they are going to 326 00:17:18,700 --> 00:17:22,200 receive power from the Holy Spirit, a signal that the last 327 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:26,500 days have become had come and Jesus gave another indication 328 00:17:26,500 --> 00:17:29,500 of, when this Kingdom, this church had come and that would 329 00:17:29,500 --> 00:17:33,100 be when repentance and remission of sins was preached in his 330 00:17:33,100 --> 00:17:34,700 name. So we're going to add that to 331 00:17:34,700 --> 00:17:37,000 the list here. God will set up his kingdom 332 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:39,900 during the Roman Empire. The son of man, with a sin to 333 00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:43,000 the father, all nations are going to flow to it. 334 00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:44,400 It will be in the last. Days. 335 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:47,600 When God's spirit was poured out on All Flesh, it would begin in 336 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:50,900 Jerusalem and repentance. And remission of sins would be 337 00:17:50,900 --> 00:17:54,900 preached and the name of Jesus. Now, with we come to the New 338 00:17:54,900 --> 00:17:58,400 Testament, we see that time is getting close for the church or 339 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,400 for the kingdom, which has been prophesied of to begin because 340 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:07,600 of Matthew chapter 3 verse 1 through 2 In those days, John 341 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:10,900 the Baptist went out into the Wilderness of Judea, I'm 342 00:18:10,900 --> 00:18:14,100 preaching and saying, repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at 343 00:18:14,100 --> 00:18:15,900 hand. Now, notice the message that 344 00:18:15,900 --> 00:18:18,500 John was preaching here. Either not say that the kingdom 345 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:21,700 had yet. Come but rather it was at hand. 346 00:18:21,900 --> 00:18:24,800 It was close but not yet. Jesus. 347 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:27,400 Would preach the same message and Matthew chapter 4. 348 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:31,100 And verse 17, it says, from that time, Jesus began to preach and 349 00:18:31,100 --> 00:18:34,900 to saying, repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and 350 00:18:34,900 --> 00:18:38,700 he would send his fossils to preach the same message as well. 351 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:44,100 And Matthew chapter 10 verse 5 through 7, We read these 12 352 00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:46,800 referring to the apostles. Jesus sent out and commanded 353 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,200 them saying, do you not go into the way of the Gentiles and do 354 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:53,500 not enter a city of the Samaritans, but go rather to the 355 00:18:53,500 --> 00:18:55,300 lost sheep of the House of Israel. 356 00:18:55,600 --> 00:19:00,100 And as you go preach saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand 357 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:02,300 that might lead. Some to the question, the John, 358 00:19:02,300 --> 00:19:05,100 the Baptist built the church, was he establisher of the 359 00:19:05,100 --> 00:19:07,900 church? Well, I think we can reason 360 00:19:07,900 --> 00:19:10,400 logically with this. When we see that John's death is 361 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:13,700 recorded for us in Matthew chapter 4, Teen as some 362 00:19:13,700 --> 00:19:17,300 preachers like to joke, he preached his head off because he 363 00:19:17,300 --> 00:19:23,000 was speaking against herodias and parents relationship and 364 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:26,900 which herodias had him beheaded or Herod would have him beheaded 365 00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:28,600 for what he said against herodias. 366 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,100 However, and from Matthew chapter 14, we got a Matthew 367 00:19:32,100 --> 00:19:37,200 16:18, which we just read. And which Jesus was yet, saying 368 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:41,300 I will build my church, so the church had not yet, come again 369 00:19:41,300 --> 00:19:45,100 at a parallel account. Of this Mark chapter 6 again we 370 00:19:45,100 --> 00:19:48,300 see that John's death is recorded however and Mark 371 00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:54,100 chapter 9, and verse 1. Jesus is speaking to his 372 00:19:54,100 --> 00:19:57,400 disciples and he says them assuredly, I say to you, there 373 00:19:57,400 --> 00:20:00,700 are some standing here who will not taste death, till they see 374 00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:03,500 the kingdom of God present with power. 375 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:05,100 Let's talk about this for just a second. 376 00:20:05,100 --> 00:20:08,800 So if the church is not the kingdom and the kingdom did not 377 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:12,200 come in the lifetime of some of these Apostles that are prophecy 378 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:13,600 of Jesus. This is what a fail to come to 379 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:17,700 pass because he said that it would come before, some had 380 00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:20,400 tasted death. But back to the question that 381 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:23,100 don't know about this built the church. 382 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:27,000 Well, no, John was dead but the church, the kingdom was still 383 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,400 talked of in the future. And fact, we have recorded for 384 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:35,300 us after the death of Jesus. And Mark 15:43, a man waiting 385 00:20:35,300 --> 00:20:38,900 for the kingdom. It's Joseph of Arimathea and 386 00:20:38,900 --> 00:20:41,700 he's described as a prominent council member who was himself 387 00:20:41,700 --> 00:20:45,100 waiting for the king. Name of God, he came to take 388 00:20:45,100 --> 00:20:48,400 courage, went to pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, so 389 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:50,100 it's obvious, then that John the Baptist. 390 00:20:50,100 --> 00:20:54,100 These are built the church nor was he a member of it? 391 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:55,900 Well, that leads us to the question though. 392 00:20:55,900 --> 00:20:58,600 Where these prophecies concerning the church or the 393 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:02,100 kingdom fulfilled. We go now to Acts chapter 1, 394 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:05,700 well, consider Verses 4 through 9. 395 00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:11,300 Acts chapter 1, beginning in verse 4, the Bible says, and 396 00:21:11,300 --> 00:21:13,700 being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to 397 00:21:13,700 --> 00:21:17,000 depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, 398 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,600 which he said you have heard for me, for John, truly baptized 399 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,400 with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, 400 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:26,000 not many days from now. Therefore, when they had come 401 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:28,900 together, they asked him saying, Lord, will you at this time 402 00:21:28,900 --> 00:21:32,300 restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, it is not 403 00:21:32,300 --> 00:21:35,400 for you to know times or Seasons which the father has put in his 404 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,600 own authority. But So, I receive power when the 405 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:41,800 Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me 406 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:46,000 in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of 407 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:48,200 the Earth. So things are getting just 408 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:49,800 right. For these prophecies about the 409 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:54,300 church, to be fulfilled already during the lifetime of Jesus. 410 00:21:54,300 --> 00:21:56,900 And the apostles, they lived under the Roman Empire. 411 00:21:57,100 --> 00:22:00,900 There are commanded to go back to Jerusalem and Jesus ascends 412 00:22:00,900 --> 00:22:03,600 into the clouds and verse 9 continuing on. 413 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:06,800 It says, now when he had spoken these things while they watched, 414 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:11,200 he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight. 415 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:15,000 So the apostles did just as Jesus commanded, they returned 416 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:20,400 to Jerusalem and on a Sunday morning the year a.d. 30, we go 417 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:24,400 to Acts chapter 2, verse, 1, through 4 and there. 418 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:28,300 The Bible says, when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they 419 00:22:28,300 --> 00:22:30,700 were all with one Accord in one place. 420 00:22:31,100 --> 00:22:33,800 And suddenly, there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing, 421 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,100 Mighty Wind and it filled the whole house, where they were 422 00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:39,800 sitting, Then there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire 423 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:42,600 and one side upon each of them and they were all filled with 424 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:45,300 the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the 425 00:22:45,300 --> 00:22:48,600 spirit, gave them utterance. So, here we see the holy spirit 426 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:52,000 being poured out, but was this actually fulfillment of the Old 427 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,800 Testament prophecy about the spirit being poured out on All 428 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:56,800 Flesh. Was we continue in Acts. 429 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,300 Chapter 2. We read in verse 5, that there 430 00:22:59,300 --> 00:23:02,700 were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout men from every nation 431 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:05,500 under heaven. And when the sound occurred, the 432 00:23:05,508 --> 00:23:08,300 multitude came together. They They were confused because 433 00:23:08,300 --> 00:23:12,800 they heard them speaking each in his own language and it's 434 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:18,000 described for us in verses, 7 through 11, all the different 435 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:21,000 nations that were present to hear what was taking place. 436 00:23:21,300 --> 00:23:24,700 And verse 12 says that they were all amazed and there will Plex 437 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:29,000 saying to one another, whatever. Could this mean others mocking 438 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:32,500 said they are full of new wine. But, Peter standing up with the 439 00:23:32,500 --> 00:23:36,400 eleven raised his voice and said that the men of Judea and all 440 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:39,100 who dwell on, Jerusalem. Let this be known to you and 441 00:23:39,100 --> 00:23:42,500 heed my words for these are not drunk as you suppose, since it 442 00:23:42,500 --> 00:23:44,400 is only the third hour of the day. 443 00:23:45,500 --> 00:23:49,800 But this is what was spoken by the prophet, Joel verse 16, 444 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:52,300 verse 17. Now it shall come to pass in the 445 00:23:52,300 --> 00:23:56,300 last days says God that I will pour out of my spirit on All 446 00:23:56,300 --> 00:23:58,500 Flesh. Your sons and your daughters 447 00:23:58,500 --> 00:24:02,100 shall prophesy your young men shall see visions and your old 448 00:24:02,100 --> 00:24:05,800 men shall dream dreams so this really was a fulfillment then of 449 00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:08,600 these prophecies. We just said that Jesus and the 450 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,600 apostles they lived under the Roman Empire so that has been 451 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,900 fulfilled. Jesus and acts 1:9 has a sin 452 00:24:15,100 --> 00:24:17,900 Added to the father. All nations are present here in 453 00:24:17,900 --> 00:24:20,600 Acts chapter 2 to hear the message that Peter is going to 454 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,000 preach. This was in the last days we 455 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,800 know because the Holy Spirit had been poured out and it spread 456 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:31,600 there in Jerusalem to hear all of what is going to be said. 457 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:35,200 There's only one thing to be fulfilled and that is repentance 458 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,200 and remission of sins, being preached, in Jesus name. 459 00:24:38,700 --> 00:24:41,200 So Peter began to preach the gospel to these people. 460 00:24:41,900 --> 00:24:44,300 He told them how Jesus was the true Messiah. 461 00:24:44,500 --> 00:24:47,100 How he is. I'm justly condemned how he died 462 00:24:47,100 --> 00:24:51,600 for their sins and that he rose from the grave and that he's now 463 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:55,500 in heaven at the right hand of God and we find in Acts chapter 464 00:24:55,500 --> 00:24:58,400 2, verse 36 through 38 that Peter says to them. 465 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:02,600 Therefore let all the house of Israel, know, assuredly that God 466 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:05,500 has made this Jesus. Whom you crucified both Lord and 467 00:25:05,500 --> 00:25:07,600 Christ. Now, when they heard this, they 468 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:10,300 were cut to the heart and they said to Peter and the rest of 469 00:25:10,308 --> 00:25:13,300 the Apostles men and Brethren. What shall we do? 470 00:25:13,700 --> 00:25:14,900 Then Peter said to them. Repent. 471 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:18,300 Paint and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus 472 00:25:18,300 --> 00:25:21,800 Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of 473 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:24,600 the holy spirit. So what did these people do? 474 00:25:25,100 --> 00:25:29,100 According to acts 2:41, it says those that gladly received his 475 00:25:29,100 --> 00:25:32,700 word were baptized about three thousand Souls were added to 476 00:25:32,700 --> 00:25:35,900 them. What were they added to or go 477 00:25:35,900 --> 00:25:40,400 down to verse 47 of Acts 2. Which says praising God and 478 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:44,400 having favor with all the people and the Lord added to the church 479 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:47,000 daily, those who were being saved. 480 00:25:47,100 --> 00:25:50,300 So here for the first time, we can see the church being spoken 481 00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:54,300 of as a present reality. From this point of, from this 482 00:25:54,300 --> 00:25:57,500 point on men of God, could truthfully say that they were 483 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:02,100 part of the kingdom of God, Paul would say in Colossians 1:13, 484 00:26:02,100 --> 00:26:05,500 God has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed 485 00:26:05,500 --> 00:26:08,700 us into the kingdom of the son of his love John. 486 00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:11,100 Say in Revelation, chapter 1 and verse 9. 487 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:14,800 I John both your brother and companion in the tribulation and 488 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:18,900 Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, he describes it, he was 489 00:26:18,900 --> 00:26:23,200 on the Isle of Patmos. So we see then that the church 490 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:28,300 was not an accident as some, some religious groups preach nor 491 00:26:28,300 --> 00:26:31,300 is it a non-essential, as many out in the world think. 492 00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:34,400 But rather, we find from Ephesians chapter 3 verse 10 and 493 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:38,300 11, that the church was in the Eternal plans of God and we can 494 00:26:38,300 --> 00:26:43,200 see See by studying this that he carefully worked out his plan to 495 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,200 bring the church into the world at just the right time. 496 00:26:46,700 --> 00:26:51,800 And as we've stated before when Jesus died, he was dying for his 497 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:57,200 church because Ephesians 5:25 says husband's, love your wives. 498 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,200 Just as Christ. Also loved the church and gave 499 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:05,100 himself for her, with all of this in mind, I want to say, 500 00:27:05,100 --> 00:27:08,000 brothers, sisters and friends. You don't want to waste your 501 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,900 time. The wrong Church, the devil was 502 00:27:10,900 --> 00:27:14,800 real and he is busy creating his own churches to deceive people. 503 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:18,200 You know, a lot of people have this cliche view of what the 504 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:20,400 devil would be. Like, he's portrayed in our 505 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:24,400 mainstream society as a red, man, with horns and he's got a 506 00:27:24,408 --> 00:27:26,600 pitchfork and he wears a suit, right? 507 00:27:27,100 --> 00:27:29,400 Well, that's not the way that the Bible describes him. 508 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:32,900 The Bible describes the devil, as a liar and the father of 509 00:27:32,900 --> 00:27:35,300 lies, he's a very deceptive person. 510 00:27:35,300 --> 00:27:38,700 He knows how to bait the hook at just the right way to leave. 511 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:40,900 You away from God. Let me tell you some things 512 00:27:40,900 --> 00:27:44,200 about the devil doesn't care if you go to church. 513 00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:46,800 Just as long as you go to the wrong one. 514 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:51,200 He doesn't care if you worship God, just as long as you don't 515 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:52,800 do it. The way that God has told you 516 00:27:52,800 --> 00:27:56,000 to, and he doesn't care. Even if you read the Bible just, 517 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:59,900 as long as you don't deal with the Bible says, so how can you 518 00:27:59,900 --> 00:28:02,500 find the right church? And the midst of all of these 519 00:28:02,500 --> 00:28:04,700 different churches that have been established? 520 00:28:04,700 --> 00:28:09,700 Remember now, the prophecy of Daniel 2:44 said that the 521 00:28:09,700 --> 00:28:13,300 kingdom were the Lord's Church would never be destroyed. 522 00:28:13,300 --> 00:28:17,000 So it's still around today, but how do we find it? 523 00:28:18,100 --> 00:28:24,400 Let's go to First John chapter 2 verse 3 through 5. and first 524 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:29,900 John chapter 2 verse 3 through 5, John would say now by this, 525 00:28:29,900 --> 00:28:34,300 we know that we know him if we keep his Commandments he who 526 00:28:34,300 --> 00:28:37,800 says I know him and does not keep his Commandments is a liar 527 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:41,300 and the truth is not in him but whoever keeps his word. 528 00:28:41,300 --> 00:28:44,600 Truly, the love of God is perfected in him by this. 529 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:48,400 We know that we are in him. This passage shows to us, we 530 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:51,400 don't have to guess. We don't have to assume that we 531 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:55,000 know God and that we are in good graces with him, if we're 532 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:59,000 keeping his Commandments, you know, a Illustration, I can give 533 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:02,800 to help illustrate the point suppose that I were to walk in 534 00:29:02,900 --> 00:29:06,700 this morning, many of you don't know who I am, but suppose I 535 00:29:06,700 --> 00:29:10,700 were to walk in and they say hi. My name is Allen Bonifay. 536 00:29:11,700 --> 00:29:16,300 You might say, no, you're not. The Alan Bonifay, that I know 537 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:19,000 you might say. You don't look anything like 538 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:22,900 Alan Bonifay at you weren't born in the same place that he was 539 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,400 your, I can say whatever I want. He's not here. 540 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,200 You're not as old as Island Bonifay. 541 00:29:28,500 --> 00:29:31,500 Well, the same way, there are distinguishing characteristics 542 00:29:31,500 --> 00:29:34,000 concerning the church, which we've looked out this morning 543 00:29:34,300 --> 00:29:37,600 and which we can show. This person is not from the 544 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:40,100 Lord's church. For example, there are churches 545 00:29:40,100 --> 00:29:43,000 out in the world that do not observe the Lord's Supper on 546 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:47,200 Sunday morning, however, in Acts 20:7 and we read that the Church 547 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:49,500 of the Bible. The Lord's Church gathered every 548 00:29:49,500 --> 00:29:53,800 first day of the week to break bread, or how there are many 549 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:57,000 churches that don't look like the Lord's church, because up in 550 00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:00,400 the corner of the Building they'll have instruments meant 551 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:02,500 for playing the guitar during Services. 552 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:06,700 When Ephesians 5:19, says that weird the sing and make melody 553 00:30:06,700 --> 00:30:10,100 in our heart to the Lord and the Church of the Bible. 554 00:30:10,100 --> 00:30:12,700 As we've looked at was founded in Jerusalem, that's where it 555 00:30:12,700 --> 00:30:16,300 was prophesied to begin in. That's where it began during the 556 00:30:16,300 --> 00:30:27,000 Roman Empire and 8030 8033. So it wasn't, it wasn't It's not 557 00:30:27,300 --> 00:30:31,200 some of these churches here on this slide that I have. 558 00:30:31,300 --> 00:30:34,400 And the reason I have this slide is to show there are many that 559 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,800 are not as old as Lord's church and they weren't established the 560 00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:40,500 same place that the Lord's Church of the Bible was 561 00:30:40,500 --> 00:30:43,500 established in. Now, this is an objective list 562 00:30:43,500 --> 00:30:45,800 and that's all that concerns. The Lord's church. 563 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:48,200 I throw that out as well. There are many things in the 564 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:52,100 scriptures and which the Lord's church needs to be following. 565 00:30:52,500 --> 00:30:55,700 But rather just a little illustration concern. 566 00:30:55,900 --> 00:31:00,000 How we can know the Lord's church, but as I conclude, 567 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:04,500 there's the popular idea that the that the church is not 568 00:31:04,500 --> 00:31:07,400 necessary. That it's a nice place to go on 569 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:11,200 special occasions, that it was an accident. 570 00:31:11,300 --> 00:31:15,800 It was a plan B, when the Jews executed Christ and they often 571 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:18,900 view it as not necessary. The church is often viewed as an 572 00:31:18,908 --> 00:31:21,400 extravagance, which we can do without, but what do these 573 00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:24,100 prophecies that we've looked at? She'll Alice? 574 00:31:24,500 --> 00:31:27,200 Well, they tell us Church. It was in the Eternal purposes 575 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:31,300 of God and considering our postures, that we've looked at. 576 00:31:31,300 --> 00:31:35,100 We can also say that we cannot be saved without the church and 577 00:31:35,100 --> 00:31:39,800 Ephesians 5:23. Again, Paul would say that the 578 00:31:39,800 --> 00:31:42,100 husband is the head of the wife just as Christ. 579 00:31:42,100 --> 00:31:46,200 Also is the head of the church and he's the savior of the body. 580 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:49,700 So it's extremely important that we come into the church. 581 00:31:49,700 --> 00:31:52,800 That the prophets, all that we come into the kingdom of God. 582 00:31:53,100 --> 00:31:55,700 How do we do that? Jesus taught the one. 583 00:31:55,900 --> 00:31:59,700 Born again to enter the kingdom. This is in John chapter 3 584 00:31:59,700 --> 00:32:02,900 verses, 3 through 5 Nicodemus comes to Jesus. 585 00:32:03,300 --> 00:32:06,800 And Jesus says, unless one is born again, he cannot see the 586 00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:09,700 kingdom of God. And Nicodemus is puzzled. 587 00:32:09,700 --> 00:32:13,000 He asked, can a man enter into his mother's womb a second time 588 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:15,900 and be born again. Jesus, specifies in verse 5, 589 00:32:15,900 --> 00:32:19,800 unless one is born of the water. And of the spirit, he cannot 590 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:23,100 enter the kingdom of God. There are many people that 591 00:32:23,100 --> 00:32:25,700 understand what born of water means, that is. 592 00:32:25,800 --> 00:32:27,900 To be baptized for the remission of sins. 593 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:30,100 But what does it mean to be born of the spirit? 594 00:32:30,300 --> 00:32:32,500 I think we can get a better understanding of this. 595 00:32:32,500 --> 00:32:35,500 If we go to a passage in which Paul talks to those that were 596 00:32:35,500 --> 00:32:39,600 born again, he talks to the church, a talks to the Church 597 00:32:39,600 --> 00:32:42,800 Street itís rather in Titus Chapter 3 Verse 4 through 7. 598 00:32:44,500 --> 00:32:48,200 And here Paul says, but when the kindness and the love of God, 599 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:51,900 our savior toward man appeared not by works of righteousness, 600 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:54,600 which we have done. But according to his Mercy, he 601 00:32:54,600 --> 00:32:58,400 saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the 602 00:32:58,400 --> 00:33:01,500 Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us abundantly through. 603 00:33:01,500 --> 00:33:05,000 Jesus Christ, Our Savior, and having been justified by his 604 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:08,800 grace, we should become heirs, according to the hope of eternal 605 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:12,600 life. Also in First Peter, chapter 1, 606 00:33:12,600 --> 00:33:16,900 verse 22 through 23, Peter would write to all believers members 607 00:33:16,900 --> 00:33:20,700 of the church when he says you have purified your souls in 608 00:33:20,700 --> 00:33:23,500 obeying the truth through the spirit and sincere love of the 609 00:33:23,500 --> 00:33:25,800 Brethren. Love one, another fervently was 610 00:33:25,800 --> 00:33:29,300 a pure heart, having been born again not of corruptible seed 611 00:33:29,300 --> 00:33:31,800 but Incorruptible through the word of God which lives and 612 00:33:31,800 --> 00:33:36,500 abides forever. So if you are not entered the 613 00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:39,000 kingdom or the church, the prophets. 614 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:41,800 All we. Now extend you an invitation? 615 00:33:42,300 --> 00:33:45,100 Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and are you 616 00:33:45,100 --> 00:33:48,300 willing to be born again to enter his kingdom to do that? 617 00:33:48,300 --> 00:33:51,900 We read that one must be baptized and they must be born 618 00:33:51,900 --> 00:33:53,900 of the spirit. If we can help you with that 619 00:33:53,900 --> 00:33:57,200 this morning, we greatly encourage you to come forward 620 00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:01,100 while we stand and sing. We thank you for listening to 621 00:34:01,100 --> 00:34:06,000 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 622 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:09,500 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 623 00:34:09,500 --> 00:34:12,800 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 624 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:18,199 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 625 00:34:18,199 --> 00:34:20,699 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 626 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:26,600 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 627 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:31,000 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 628 00:34:31,500 --> 00:34:33,699 We would love for you to be our honored guest.