WEBVTT 00:00:03.979 --> 00:00:07.559 Let's bow our head for prayer. Dear Lord, Father 00:00:07.559 --> 00:00:09.759 in heaven, thank you so much for this wonderful 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:12.800 day. Lord, I ask you to please be with us as 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.140 we think through these verses. Lord, we love 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:22.079 you. In Jesus' name, amen. Good morning and happy 00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:28.059 Sabbath. My name is Julian Harrington. I am a 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:32.310 graduate from Southern. religious studies, and 00:00:32.310 --> 00:00:38.109 I go to seminary at Andrews. I'm getting my MDiv. 00:00:40.969 --> 00:00:47.530 What drew me to theology was when I was 10 years 00:00:47.530 --> 00:00:52.229 old, I moved from Florida to Collegedale. And 00:00:52.229 --> 00:00:56.570 my aunt was going to Southern at the time. And 00:00:56.570 --> 00:01:00.399 she came to our house one day and She told us 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:04.280 that there was a final about watching a movie. 00:01:04.659 --> 00:01:11.200 And in this movie, you get to analyze the philosophy 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:14.739 and see how that philosophy, where it came from, 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:20.519 like the Greeks and Egyptians and the Indians, 00:01:20.760 --> 00:01:25.280 and how it's morphed into media. And I thought 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:31.019 that was so interesting For the first time, I 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:34.900 had a connection to my Christian beliefs in the 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:39.739 real world. And as a young person, I was able 00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:45.120 to see the Great Controversy more as a Christian 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:49.540 operation rather than it is two different lifestyles. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:54.180 That professor of that class, his name was Jud 00:01:54.180 --> 00:01:59.219 Lake. He's amazing. Amazing. And I began to think 00:01:59.219 --> 00:02:07.040 about Christian philosophy. And I started delving 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:10.680 more deeply into the Bible. And so the Christian 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:15.740 journey, the Beatitudes, is less than moral principles. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:20.800 And it's more like a map for our Christian reality. 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:25.909 And that is my point. the Beatitudes today. So 00:02:25.909 --> 00:02:27.449 I would like for us to think through these ideas 00:02:27.449 --> 00:02:34.150 together. So, Matthew 5 .3, blessed are the poor 00:02:34.150 --> 00:02:36.650 in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:02:37.870 --> 00:02:42.449 In the Old Testament, in Isaiah 66 .2, states, 00:02:42.770 --> 00:02:47.449 he who was humble and contrite in spirit. Psalm 00:02:47.449 --> 00:02:51.050 34 .18, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted 00:02:51.050 --> 00:02:56.360 and saves the crushed. in spirit. To be contrite 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:00.199 and to be crushed is something that I think we've 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:04.460 all experienced and we have to think about how 00:03:04.460 --> 00:03:06.560 that relates to our relationship with Jesus. 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:14.280 We have to start there at being crushed. So Matthew 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.699 5, 4 Blessed are those who mourn for they shall 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:22.560 be comforted. And in 2 Corinthians 7, 10, it 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:25.699 says, Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:32.020 to salvation. And so when we're mourning, we're 00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:41.159 mourning because we have godly sorrow. When my 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:46.520 mom passed away a few months ago from cancer. 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:52.800 She was everything to me. I would spend late 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:56.439 nights talking with her about philosophy. When 00:03:56.439 --> 00:04:00.060 I was young, when I started looking at taking 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:03.039 the controversy in the Bible seriously, she was 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:06.840 there to guide me through the different philosophies. 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:09.800 And she would stay up until 2, 3 in the morning 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:13.379 just to wake up at 5 to go to work. I mean, she 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:19.379 was dedicated. When she passed away, I was completely 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:25.879 crushed, completely crushed. And when I mourned 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:32.360 for her, I was comforted. That's good. That's 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:38.639 a good thing. However, this is talking more about 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:43.779 godly sorrow. And I love that the Lord had... 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:48.579 given me and given everybody the ability to mourn 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:51.139 and feel better afterwards. That's true. That's 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:56.759 a truth. We should mourn. However, godly sorrow 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:00.459 is when we're so crushed that we have sinned, 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:03.899 that we're begging, like Mary Magdalene, to be 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:09.620 at his feet and pour incense on his feet. That 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:14.000 is to be crushed, to be devastated. that we have 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:17.120 sinned and have fallen short. I want to know 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:23.279 what that feels like more and more. Now, my mom 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:26.300 was a rare case when it came to cancer. Some 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:30.639 people take chemotherapy very well, and I'm happy 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:32.660 for those people, and I pray for those people. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:40.319 And also, I would kindly advise to implement 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:44.589 some... alternative therapies alongside the chemotherapy 00:05:44.589 --> 00:05:50.170 as fast as possible. It works. It works. Now, 00:05:50.170 --> 00:06:00.529 Matthew 5 .5 is, Blessed are the meek, for they 00:06:00.529 --> 00:06:04.389 shall inherit the earth. What does inheriting 00:06:04.389 --> 00:06:15.459 the earth mean? Did somebody want to answer? 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:31.800 He said what? Yes. Yes. Any other answers? The 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:38.000 new earth. Yes. So we will reign for a thousand 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:43.379 years and we'll also be in the new earth. those 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:47.100 who love and keep his commandments. It says here, 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:53.100 seek righteousness and seek humility. The meek 00:06:53.100 --> 00:07:00.500 shall inherit the land. The humble and meek path 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:06.600 inherit the earth. So we also have to recognize 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:11.589 that while we're here, We're to use our talents 00:07:11.589 --> 00:07:15.730 and abilities for God's glory and not think about 00:07:15.730 --> 00:07:18.610 where it takes us, but think about what we're 00:07:18.610 --> 00:07:22.370 doing for God's kingdom. What are we doing to 00:07:22.370 --> 00:07:26.790 accomplish God's kingdom, his reign? And with 00:07:26.790 --> 00:07:29.870 that will come so many blessings. It's like a 00:07:29.870 --> 00:07:33.009 promise. If we obey and keep his commandments, 00:07:33.149 --> 00:07:37.209 he will also be faithful to us to multiply what 00:07:37.209 --> 00:07:41.300 our heart desires. Now, what our heart desires 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:45.819 will be changed by keeping his commandments. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:51.199 Sometimes this is difficult because our natural 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.660 instinct is to say, well, what I desire is not 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:58.319 aligned with what I think God wants, so we stop 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:01.660 short. I don't want to accomplish anything. You 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:06.279 see what I'm saying? But if we start first with 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:10.069 changing our heart, to match Christ's character, 00:08:10.329 --> 00:08:14.170 we will accomplish so many wonders for his kingdom 00:08:14.170 --> 00:08:18.490 and enjoy the life we have here and then experience 00:08:18.490 --> 00:08:23.050 infinity with Jesus in the new earth in the thousand 00:08:23.050 --> 00:08:26.490 years. That will be amazing. That will be so 00:08:26.490 --> 00:08:34.409 amazing. And here's a picture of the pearl, the 00:08:34.409 --> 00:08:36.529 pearl of great price, that Jesus is that pearl. 00:08:37.289 --> 00:08:39.350 We want that pearl. We're going into the field 00:08:39.350 --> 00:08:41.889 to search for that pearl because we want it desperately. 00:08:41.990 --> 00:08:45.590 We'll give up anything we have for him. That's 00:08:45.590 --> 00:08:53.330 desperate. And when the new Jerusalem comes, 00:08:53.610 --> 00:09:03.179 there'll be 12 pearls, even more pearls. Blessed 00:09:03.179 --> 00:09:05.700 are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:10.940 for they shall be filled. Matthew 5 and 6. And 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:13.200 here it says, seek first his kingdom and his 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:15.460 righteousness. And the rest says, and all these 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:19.159 things will be added unto you. These are new 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:22.980 things. Jesus is doing a new thing. And so the 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:28.039 wonder is exciting of what he has in store when 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:34.139 we follow his will. Blessed are the merciful, 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:40.399 for they shall obtain mercy. I think that Jesus 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:44.360 is the king of mercy. The king of mercy. It's 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:51.460 amazing. Does anybody know what this artifact 00:09:51.460 --> 00:10:04.629 is? I'm sorry? Exactly. Thank you. Yes. And so 00:10:04.629 --> 00:10:10.809 what do we know of the contents of the Ark of 00:10:10.809 --> 00:10:15.529 the Covenant? Ten Commandments. Rod of Aaron. 00:10:17.370 --> 00:10:23.970 Manna. Yes. And you mentioned this. What is the 00:10:23.970 --> 00:10:28.470 lid, the golden lid, that the high priest would 00:10:28.470 --> 00:10:31.350 sprinkle the offering, the blood of the offering 00:10:31.350 --> 00:10:38.029 on? Every year. The mercy seat. So Jesus has 00:10:38.029 --> 00:10:44.049 already established his position. And he makes 00:10:44.049 --> 00:10:48.909 this sacrifice so that we can obtain mercy and 00:10:48.909 --> 00:10:53.190 go to him in our time of need. And we will get 00:10:53.190 --> 00:11:04.549 mercy. It's true. Blessed are the pure in heart, 00:11:04.690 --> 00:11:10.929 for they shall see God. Psalm 24, 3 -4. Who may 00:11:10.929 --> 00:11:14.509 ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who has clean 00:11:14.509 --> 00:11:20.769 hands and a pure heart? Now, there's a guy, I 00:11:20.769 --> 00:11:23.370 won't mention his name, that wants to ascend 00:11:23.370 --> 00:11:25.389 the mountain of the Lord. We don't like him very 00:11:25.389 --> 00:11:33.940 much, right? But this is the only way. He who 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:39.039 has clean hands and a pure heart, this is the 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:44.700 only way. And it's a process, day by day. It's 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:47.360 a process. And we can't take this mercy for granted. 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:53.120 It's not as if, well, I'm just going to go sin 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.820 again just to go back to the throne of grace 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:59.860 and obtain mercy. We can dine with him, commune 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:04.129 with him. Every day. And keep his commandments. 00:12:05.509 --> 00:12:13.129 That's a promise. Blessed are the peacemakers, 00:12:13.269 --> 00:12:16.009 for they shall be called the children of God. 00:12:17.289 --> 00:12:22.789 And so, we're about to transition into a heavier 00:12:22.789 --> 00:12:25.470 subject, but this is kind of an introduction. 00:12:26.710 --> 00:12:33.870 To be a peacemaker is, in a way, to be a firefighter, 00:12:33.870 --> 00:12:37.210 a law enforcement officer. They have a civic 00:12:37.210 --> 00:12:40.990 duty to uphold peace and justice, and that's 00:12:40.990 --> 00:12:46.330 good. And we expect that from these people. But 00:12:46.330 --> 00:12:56.169 the peacemaker is the one who can remain patient 00:12:56.169 --> 00:13:02.830 and remain peaceful. in times of strife, when 00:13:02.830 --> 00:13:06.509 times are good and someone crashes the party, 00:13:06.909 --> 00:13:11.450 that is not being a peacemaker. But when your 00:13:11.450 --> 00:13:14.850 family is in trouble, that person needs your 00:13:14.850 --> 00:13:18.789 help. Man, my family member that's really going 00:13:18.789 --> 00:13:24.169 through it, how do I keep them connected? That's 00:13:24.169 --> 00:13:28.029 so important. It's going to help a lot more than 00:13:28.029 --> 00:13:33.360 just psychology. That can help the healing process 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:41.679 of anything. Blessed are those who are persecuted 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:44.840 for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:50.840 of heaven. Psalm 73, 26. My flesh and my heart 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:54.259 may fail, but God is my strength of my heart 00:13:54.259 --> 00:14:00.690 and my portion forever. 2 Timothy. In fact, everyone 00:14:00.690 --> 00:14:03.509 who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus 00:14:03.509 --> 00:14:12.509 will be persecuted. Blessed are you when they 00:14:12.509 --> 00:14:15.330 revile and persecute you and say all kinds of 00:14:15.330 --> 00:14:22.690 evil against you falsely for my sake. But rejoice 00:14:22.690 --> 00:14:26.049 and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward 00:14:26.049 --> 00:14:28.980 in heaven. for they persecuted the prophets who 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.940 were before you. Are we going to get persecuted? 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:40.259 Yes. But is Jesus still active? Yes, most definitely. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:47.019 He has an amazing team. At the close of probation, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:51.440 the 24 elders, the four living creatures, and 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:56.220 God the Father are active. I would encourage 00:14:56.220 --> 00:15:01.659 you to look into this because this will give 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:04.799 you a little bit of peace of mind and confidence 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:10.980 that what we will go through will be less painful 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:15.659 and more rewarding than what the wicked will 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:21.620 have to endure. Jeremiah 20, 11, but the Lord 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:25.120 is with me like a mighty warrior. Romans 12 .12, 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:28.759 be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:36.700 faithful in prayer. And it says here, this is 00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:41.379 in John chapter 15, before Jesus gives his final 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:45.100 prayers to God and for the disciples, and before 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:49.309 he gets turned in, in John 18. He says, I no 00:15:49.309 --> 00:15:52.490 longer call you servants because a servant does 00:15:52.490 --> 00:15:55.909 not know his master's business. Instead, I have 00:15:55.909 --> 00:15:59.409 called you friends. For everything that I learned 00:15:59.409 --> 00:16:04.409 from my father, I have made known to you. The 00:16:04.409 --> 00:16:06.669 whole thing is in the Old Testament. The great 00:16:06.669 --> 00:16:08.669 controversy, the plan of salvation, it's embedded 00:16:08.669 --> 00:16:13.129 within scripture. It's been made plain for us 00:16:13.129 --> 00:16:18.409 to see. And then when Jesus lives his life, We 00:16:18.409 --> 00:16:22.450 see he's just following the plan. It's amazing. 00:16:22.669 --> 00:16:26.029 It's amazing. Who can do this? Who can do this? 00:16:26.389 --> 00:16:30.549 No one can do this except Jesus. It's fascinating. 00:16:31.490 --> 00:16:37.350 It's incredible. And lo, I am with you always, 00:16:37.450 --> 00:16:41.570 even until the end of the age. What a friend. 00:16:42.230 --> 00:16:50.710 He would do that for me? And so, We are to be 00:16:50.710 --> 00:16:54.850 that in times of crisis for others, knowing that 00:16:54.850 --> 00:16:59.210 we're reflecting Jesus that has the power to 00:16:59.210 --> 00:17:05.369 save, to heal, but we have to act quickly and 00:17:05.369 --> 00:17:15.289 stay steady. We can do it. If you haven't given 00:17:15.289 --> 00:17:21.900 your life to Jesus, please do so today. Let's 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:24.980 bow our head in prayer. Dear Lord, Father in 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:27.720 heaven, thank you so much. Thank you so much 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.740 for our friends. Thank you for being our friend. 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:33.019 Lord, we want to get closer to you and know more 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:36.420 about your character, Lord. We want to be involved 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:40.500 in the Christian journey. We love you. And we 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:44.039 pray for those who are in turmoil. And we ask 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:47.039 that your mightiest angels be with their families 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:49.799 to protect them. Give them the Holy Spirit of 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:53.279 peace and comfort and give them the wisdom to 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:57.500 know what to do. We love you, Lord. In Jesus' 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.460 holy name, amen.