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Restoration International

National Family Retreat (NFR) 2024

Tom Waters

Alane Waters

Unmask

It's great to see the chairs filling up and it's wonderful to be back at another National Family Retreat 2024.

We're excited for our live stream viewers as well.

And we wish you could be here, but since you can't be, we're glad you're there.

If you are watching livestream, just send a note to Leslie and say, hey, we're watching from wherever you're from.

We'd love to hear from you and know where you are joining us from as part of this big family here.

So we're also excited about our theme this year, Look and Live, that we'll be developing throughout this weekend, the rest of this week and the weekend.

And tonight, we're going to be talking about unmasking.

We're going to be talking about how we need to unmask and be prepared to look and live.

If we have something over us, we have obscured vision, right?

So that's what we wanna do is unmask that so we can see better.

Matthew chapter 24 is where we're gonna start and this is where Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives.

He's had this big presentation with the people.

They have departed and his disciples come to him and they said to him, what will be the signs of your coming and of the end of the age?

Is that a good question for us to be asking today?

So they're very interested in wanting to know what are going to be the signs and they're asking him.

So some of the signs He starts out with the very first thing.

We're going to be talking about some things this evening where this is happening.

Was it happening even in the disciples' day, while they're sitting there.

They needed to have their masks taken off, and they didn't even realize it, because they were under the impression of, it was very common in that day, that there was going to be a deliverer, that they were going to see someone who was going to save them from their enemies.

And so that wasn't really the right picture.

No, they had the right person, but not the right picture.

So then he goes on to say, many will come in my name and say, I am the Christ.

Wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilence, earthquakes in different places.

And Jesus said, this is the beginning of sorrows.

There's going to be an increase in tribulation.

Do we see an increase of hatred being expressed against Christians today?

False prophets will arise and deceive many.

Lawlessness, do we see lawlessness increasing?

So we can look back at this prophecy that was told over 2, 000 years ago and say, this is what Jesus is saying to his disciples, we want you to be ready, right?

And we see these things happening around us, but are we comfortable with where we are?

Are we content with our relationship with Christ?

Or could it be, like the disciples, we have things in our lives that are obscuring our vision, not only of what God wants us to know about His love and His redeeming power, but also about who we are as people.

So, we want to take a quick look back at 2023 and hit some highlights of things that have happened this last year.

So there's an ongoing global democracy recession or the receding of real democracy across the world.

This is the 17th year of this kind of struggle being recognized, where people are losing their freedoms, and it's happening all over the world, including right here in the United States.

This is the stuff that you can't get away from.

We pick little bits and pieces up as we travel through airports.

But you just have to get in a conversation with a neighbor, somebody at work, maybe a family member who are starting to feel uneasy because things are not the way they used to be and people are uncomfortable.

Chat, GPT, 10 times more advanced in 2023.

That's a pretty big increase in 1 year, wouldn't you say?

1 of the AI pioneers, Jeffrey Hinton, resigned from Google with a warning of the risk of AI to humanity.

Wozniak and Musk have written open letters of the profound risk facing society and humanity in general.

So we're just looking at some of the things God said was going to be the signs of the end.

Now we wanna look at what's happening in the area of weather.

Storms, 2023 continues with flooding, fires, hail storms, tornadoes, extreme heat, extreme cold, drought, and hurricanes.

This last year, the United States of America has spent 92 billion plus dollars just in disaster relief.

That's the most ever in history and way above the years preceding that.

So we see that even nature is becoming unstable.

But maybe 1 of the scariest signs that we could be honest about, and we want to pause here for a moment, is that we can hear these things, but somehow we feel a sense of complacency.

It's going to get worse from here, but we are getting used to it.

This is just how life is in the world today.

This may quite possibly be for all of us, the opportunity during these next few days to really understand what it means to truly look.

And I hope that for all of us, you know, we get a head start on all of you because we discuss and plan the retreat theme in the fall.

Usually it's actually in the summer and then we get together with the host team and we discuss the theme and the plans for how it rolls out in the next year.

Yeah, but this is a burden god put in our heart a year ago that where we are in time and what we need to be aware of because all of us, all of us, need to have those filters removed, those masks removed, so that we really can see Christ and His love for who He really is, what He's really done for us, and to really turn our lives over to him totally and completely.

We want to now, we looked at the world scene, right?

We looked at some of the things that Jesus prophesied would be taking place, but now we want to move further into the New Testament in the second book of Timothy and we're going to look at the third chapter.

Timeless Treasure

Well, thank you for that beautiful prayer.

And for the nice testimonies about the different ministries.

So it's exciting tonight and We want to welcome all live stream viewers as well that can't be here present with us right now.

But we're excited to be able to talk about Timeless Treasure.

I'm getting a lot of reverb on my mic whoo it's strong up here sounds good to me is it well but how does it sound out there sounds good so just keep talking I hope that the girl, the lady, the wife, or the husband that's sitting by you is your timeless treasure tonight.

And I hope by the time we're done sharing this message this evening that it will even be closer.

So timeless without end isn't that what We said when we gave our marriage vows, till death do us part, right?

So as long as there's breath in either of these 2 people, we have a timeless treasure standing by our sides.

It's forever enduring without end, timeless.

You know, many marriages are struggling today, partly because of the world that we live in, the culture we live in, because there's pressure on marriages today.

But many times, the reason that many marriages are struggling is because too many couples are not valuing the 1 God has given us to stand by our side.

Because there isn't a treasuring of this person and this relationship in this marriage and a cherishing that's not really happening in a day-to-day ongoing basis.

And part of that looking and living is to look at our relationships and see how we can live more of God's love in the relationship, right?

So that's why we put the emphasis on the timeless treasure because we have been given this to cherish this person by our side.

And if like you said, if we do not pay attention to that, we start taking each other for granted.

We start living life as in kind of just as everyday thing, not really expecting and experiencing the love that God has for us.

So if we wanna have a timeless treasure, we need to treat each other like a treasure.

I didn't say that to get an amen, but I appreciate the amen.

If we really love each other, if we really treasure each other, we're going to know that's happening, right?

And if we're really too busy for that to be happening, then we're not going to feel very cherished or very treasured.

So the Bible says where your treasure is there were our heart be also and we think of that in terms of our pocketbook right where our monetary value is if we do not treasure God, we won't you know, we won't be giving to him.

So where our treasure is, that's where our heart is.

But that's kind of in the spiritual realm, but that spiritual realm is bigger than a bank account.

That spiritual realm happens here in the marriage.

And where our treasure is, will be where our heart is as well.

If I treasure my husband as I do, he has my heart.

You think that where our treasure is in our marriage, our heart will be also.

And if too many other things are taking too much of our priorities, that won't be happening the way that it needs to be happening.

Yes, But that doesn't mean that there are not times where we may have a disagreement on something.

That might be some of those times when I'll say to you something like this, sweetheart, do you like me right now?

I know you love me, but do you like me right now?

Don't always like everything that I do, right?

We oftentimes assign to our spouse what we don't like is dim instead of what we don't like is something that they say or something that they do.

It's very important to separate that out.

And if we share this timeless treasure, if we cherish our spouse, we will not only love them through all things, but we will like them through all things as well.

That's right, because we like them for who they are, we love them for who they are, and if we don't like what's happening we can talk about this we should be able to process this and we can make a difference.

You said to me I always like you but I and I love you but I don't always like the circumstances.

Yeah, or something that can happen out of decisions that we make.

You like doing marriage messages with me?

I wouldn't want to do it with anybody else but you.

I wouldn't want you to do it with anybody else either.

Now none of this is on the notes by the way.

He is so far off script I'm trying to look here and look here and like track with him.

So marriage isn't just about us as a couple.

Eternal Realities

Good morning We're thankful for the remnant Now we realize people, you know Have to get back to work and have long distances to travel but we are thankful that you have decided to stay with us to the very end.

And welcome to those of you that are on live stream this morning.

Happy new week and glad to be here with you again.

So we're going to be talking about eternal realities this morning.

You know it means even this title means something more meaningful and special to me.

Just taking this focus of really looking deeper, allowing ourselves and taking the time for ourselves to look deeper.

Do we need time to be changed by the power of God?

And sometimes we just rush on too quick into the busyness of the day.

So these eternal realities mean even more.

You know, we open the retreat with Matthew 24, verses 4-12, and here is Jesus saying what is about to come upon this earth.

Because the disciples ask the question, Master, what are the signs of your coming, of the end of the age?

And so Jesus goes through that, and we talked about those at the beginning, you know, where we are in the reality of the time that we have.

We've talked about how we need to unmask and see the real person we are inside.

How god really sees us and really see how god is to really recognize his love for us and at what links He will go to help to redeem us.

I mean, every single message had something specifically powerful about how God is working to intercept us on the journey because we keep getting off the path and how he wants to come and bring us back.

And for me, the most impactive 1 was the thief on the cross.

So that is the love of God who wants to live with us and us with him forever, for eternity.

Yeah, so sometimes I think of how, and we'll talk about it sometimes as we're having time together, our couple time together in the morning, just what it must be like for the Lord, to our Heavenly Father, to our Savior, to have, and the word desperate pops into my mind.

But do you ever feel the feelings of you just want somebody, whether it's your child or someone you love, to understand, to experience this.

And God wants, yearns for, and is reaching to us because He wants to save us to the uttermost.

He does not want us to miss eternal life and the eternal realities.

And the sweet news that I hope is moving upon the hearts of each 1 of us, is these eternal realities can begin here.

And what a joy, and I just wanna read something that we just read this morning.

Again, it's amazing how God just, how things work together.

It was hard to just pick out just 1 sentence because you have to have the whole picture.

So I didn't just a little bit longer than we would normally read.

But it's well worth it as far as I'm concerned.

If Satan sees that he is in danger of losing 1 soul, it's not God now, This is Satan.

If he's in danger of losing 1 soul, he will exert himself to the utmost to keep that 1.

When the individual is aroused to see the danger, and with distress and fervor looks to Jesus for strength, Satan fears that he will lose a captive.

And he calls for reinforcements of his angels to hedge in this poor soul and to form a wall of darkness around him or her.

That heaven's light may not penetrate that soul.

But if the 1 in danger perseveres and in his helplessness or her helplessness, our helplessness, cast ourselves upon the merits of the blood of Christ.

Our Savior listens to this prayer of faith.

And sends a reinforcement of those angels that excel in strength.

Not only listens, He sends a reinforcement of angels.

So we see Satan sending a reinforcement to put a wall of darkness around us.

Now God hears the prayer of faith, the cry for help, and sends a reinforcement of angels who excel in strength.

At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan's whole host trembles.

That isn't even the sound of angels coming that excel in strength.

It is the sound of 1 helpless soul reaching out to God.

He continues to call for more legions of his evil angels.

And when the all powerful angels of God, clothed with the armory of heaven, come to the help of that fainting, pursued soul, Satan and all his hosts fall back.

Knowing well that the battle has been lost.

Is that an eternal reality, brothers and sisters?

This is the God who we need to look more deeply to and live more deeply in because he will save us.

We are not going to win this battle and experience these eternal realities unless we connect our weakness to the strength of Almighty God.

And if God be for us, who can be against us?

This is the sound of the marching orders of God for us.

We can tread with him into the kingdom of heaven and experience these eternal realities.

Well, yesterday, honey, you said that we focus on what's obvious instead of focusing on the omnipotent.

That was my interpretation of what you said.

And When we are faced with these struggles and trials and these things that come on us if we would just look at Who is there to help us and put ourselves in a position of prayer and ask for that help?

I mean the hosts of heaven will come to our aid What more can we ask And continuing on in Matthew chapter 24, when the disciples ask, what are the signs of the end of the age?

Jesus continues that conversation with these words in verse 13, but he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Look and Live

I always love being back there in that cozy spot.

And when all those young people are up there, it's just, we're just back there in those chairs, just covered with people.

And it's always very amazing to Elaine and myself to see what these young people can do by the grace of God in 2 practice sessions.

Thank you, Kaya and Daniel, for the beautiful piece about the beautiful name of Jesus.

There's no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.

Before I dive into this message, which I am extremely excited about, extremely moved by in my own soul, and therefore, happy to be able to share what I believe God has put in my heart in this message of look and live and share it with you.

But before I get into the message, I had a very sweet experience with a young man who provided for me the soundtrack.

I was planning to do a different song, and as I was praying and Elaine and I were talking, changed the song that I'm going to do at the end of this message today by the grace of God.

And then I was having great difficulty finding a soundtrack sort of at the last minute, wasn't quite the last minute, But last minute enough that I didn't feel like I could really call on Daniel, you know, to do me a soundtrack, because he's got all kinds of responsibilities here, playing the piano and doing other responsibilities.

And so I just prayed that God would help me to find a soundtrack, and I did find some soundtracks, but they were very drum-oriented, very percussion-oriented, and it just didn't feel right, didn't seem like the right thing, and so I just prayed, Lord, if it's your will, can you help me find something that is just very simple and beautiful?

And so I reached out to, because what I heard on YouTube was not a soundtrack, but it was a simple and beautiful arrangement of the song.

And so I went to the website of this young man and I sent him an email.

So he wasn't offering this as a soundtrack, but it would just fit so beautifully.

I told him what we were doing here at National Family Retreat, and told him that I had been looking for a soundtrack that would not have all the drums and percussion instruments in it, and would he be willing, if I sent him money in advance to allow me to use that piece that I heard him play on the piano on YouTube.

And he wrote me back a very sweet, beautiful email.

I don't know how old he is but seeing him on the website, he's a young man and he wants to play Christian music.

He got back to me And because of what we were doing here at National Family Retreat, he said, please, just I will make you this soundtrack and you can bless the people with music.

So I again wrote back to him and I told him how much that touched my heart for his willingness to do that.

And I said to him, I'm just going to mention you to our constituents at National family retreat.

So if you want to check out some of his music or meet him online, his name is Caleb with K and his last name is Brasee.

Now I'm hoping you won't go looking that up while we're trying to have the meeting here, but I just felt that he was so kind to me that I wanted to at least extend what he's trying to do for the Lord with his music.

This theme, look and live, as others have said leading up to to the Sabbath, we have the privilege and opportunity to consider this theme.

This year, the Lord has put this theme particularly in my heart, and I have rejoiced in the Lord to see many reasons why this is the theme this year.

God is amazing to see how he puts things together years in advance.

In this case, it was last summer that came up with this theme idea, to look and to live.

John the Baptist said, "'Behold, the Lamb of God, ' what does he do?

"'Who takes away the sin of the world.'" Do we believe that?

You know, when Jesus went to the cross sometime after John recognized him there on the banks of the Jordan and said these words, behold, Behold means to see, to look, but I expected that, but I was looking up some of the meaning in the Greek.

Behold the Lamb of God, don't miss this Lamb of God who takes away Our sin, who takes away my sin.

Isn't it good news that he takes away the sin of the world?

And then the last little meaning here for this word behold is be sure to see it.

Do we need to be sure about this, friends?

You know, Isaiah 45, 22 says, "'Look unto me and be ye saved.'" There is nowhere else for us to look to be saved today.

There has never been anywhere else to look.

But on the day that Jesus hung on the cross, and I really appreciate the message.

I've watched my wife prepare this message she did for Sabbath school, and it has moved our hearts because of what that Sabbath school was about, and I just thank God that you were able to do that for the young people, for the children.

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Series

National Family Retreat (NFR) 2024

Eternal Realities

Transcript

Parent Series

Sponsor

Recorded

Parts

Unmask

56m

Timeless Treasure

44m

Eternal Realities

51m

Look and Live

1h 18m

Sound Doctrine