H.M.S. Richards

Voice Of Prophecy

The Man Who Was Almost a Christian

Lift up the trumpet and loud let it ring, Jesus is coming again.

Cheer up you pilgrims, be joyful and sing, Jesus is coming again.

This is the voice of prophecy, a voice crying in the wilderness of these modern days.

Coming again, coming again, Jesus is coming again.

From our Voice of Prophecy studios in Los Angeles, California, we welcome you to this half hour of inspiration and music with the King's Herald's Del Delker, Brad Braley, and the Voice of Prophecy speaker HMS Richards, a Seventh-day Adventist minister.

A friend I have called Jesus Whose love is strong and true the Adventist minister.

Never fails how it is tried, no matter what I do.

I've sinned against this love of His, but when I knelt to pray, confessing all my guilt to Him.

It's just like Jesus to roll the clouds away.

It's just like Jesus to keep me day by day.

Oh, I could sing forever of Jesus' love divine, of Jesus love divine of all his care and tenderness for this poor life of mine His love is in and over all, and winds and waves obey, When Jesus whispers, Peace be still and rolls the clouds away.

Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for a place in Thy service.

Bless us today in this broadcast and everyone who listens.

We pray Thee that Thy Word may bring consolation to us and conviction to us and lead us to put our trust in Jesus Christ.

♪ There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God, a place where sin cannot molest near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blessed Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, Hold us who bow before thee, near to the heart of God.

♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ I'm longing, dear Lord, for that haven where we shall be troubled no more like travelers out on the ocean who long for the who long for the home on the shore Where my dreams will come true.

The joys that I lost in the shadows will be found where my dreams come true.

And soon will the voyage be over, the heavenly port come in sight, and there I shall anchor forever, and dwell And dwell in that city of light where my dreams will come true.

Richards, the Voice of Prophecy speaker, won't you take your Bible, turn to the 25th chapter of Acts, and then join in this prayer with the King's heralds.

Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me.

♪ Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me, as Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea.

Beyond the sacred page I seek thee, Lord.

Bless thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me.

As thou didst bless the bread by Galilee, Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall, I shall find in thee my all in all.

Here now is HMS Richards, the Voice of Prophecy speaker, who's going to tell us about the man who is almost a Christian.

The Apostle Paul had gone on trial before Felix, the money-loving politician, And about 2 years later, before Festus, the just judge, he had uttered the words, ìI appeal unto Caesar.î As a Roman citizen, he had a right to do this.

Porteous Festus had replied with the appropriate legal term, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar, and unto Caesar thou shalt go.

We read all this in the 25th chapter of Acts.

Now the apostle was awaiting transportation to the capital of the world, and Festus was entertaining King Agrippa II and Bernice.

The whole story is here in Acts 25 and 26.

They are repeated 3 times in the narrative.

Bernice was Agrippa's own sister and also the sister of Drusilla, the wife of Felix.

She had been married to her own uncle Herod but had abandoned him to marry Polemon.

Both Jewish and Roman historians agree that she was now living with Agrippa in unnameable sin.

His great-great-grandfather was Herod who had murdered the innocents at the birth of Jesus.

His granduncle had murdered John the Baptist and his father Agrippa I had executed the Apostle James and had tried to do the same for the Apostle Peter.

Only 16 years before this day he had died a tragic death, smitten by the hand of God for his blasphemous assumption of divine honor.

Surely King Agrippa knew a great deal about the Christian faith.

He had been trained in all the rites and ceremonies of the Hebrew people.

He was well acquainted with the Hebrew scriptures.

He was a guardian of the temple and appointed the high priest.

Festus has told his guests about the captive Paul.

As a reader of human character and as a careful investigator, he is convinced that the charges against the apostle are false.

As Festus summed it up, it seemed that it concerned a man named Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Festus said to the king, And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.

But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself.

And so on the next day the apostle answered for his faith before Festus, King Agrippa and Bernice, the woman who had no right to be there as the consort of the King, the heads of the military department, the Roman lictors and the leading men of the city.

It was not a trial, it was a court function.

Paul's address before Agrippa falls into 3 parts.

First, his introductory words to Agrippa, then his apology for his way of life, and last, a mighty appeal to the man Agrippa, in which the apostle forgets the king, the royal robes, the occasion, and pleads with a soul to surrender to Christ.

It was a pagan assembly, an hour of entertainment, but it turned into a mighty missionary meeting with a great evangelistic appeal.

Agrippa said, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.

He told the story of his life, showed that the whole course of God's revelation to man is revealed in Jesus, that the law and the prophets point forward to him and are completed in him.

He proved that he was being true to all the principles of truth that he as a Pharisee had taught, and that every thinking man ought to come to the same conclusion.

Then he told the story of his conversion on the Damascus road when Jesus appeared to him, of the change in his own life, the success of his ministry.

In relating this he said, As I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O King, I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks, that is, like the ox goads.

And he said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.

Saul had been on the road to Damascus to apprehend the Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem for punishment as apostates from the faith and commonwealth of Israel.

He heard a voice in the language he loved the best, calling him by name and tenderly pleading, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

His mind must have gone to that day when he assisted in the stoning of Stephen, Christ's first martyr, and heard that man with a face like an angel say, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.

Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

Ever since that time, Saul had been like a refractory ox, kicking against the goads which were guiding him on toward faith.

Now Jesus appears to him, and trembling and amazed, he cries out, Who art thou, Lord?

The audible voice from heaven replies, I am Jesus whom thou persecuted.

This revelation of Jesus Christ was the beginning of a new life.

But arise and stand upon thy feet, he was commanded, for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and those things in which I will appear unto thee." That was Paul's ordination to the Christian ministry.

For then and from then on he could say, Christ the Son of God has sent me through the midnight lands mine the mighty ordination of the pierced hands." To King Agrippa, Paul described his work as the apostle to the Gentiles in those far off countries and how it was all based on the undoubtable fact that Jesus was alive.

The Parables of Jesus

Chris Buttery

Sacramento Central SDA Church

The Parable of Jesus: Preparing the Way of the Lord

A king is coming, not earthly royalty, not someone of worldly fame, but the creator of all things, the savior of the world, he is coming again.

And the question that we need to ask and we'll be asking here this morning is, does the way need to be prepared for him?

Does the way need to be prepared for Him?

And so we're over here in Matthew chapter 24, the disciples had just heard Jesus describe the demise of their beloved temple.

What you see standing here, Jesus said, right now, not long hereafter, it's going to, it's just gonna crumble, it's not gonna exist the way you see it here.

And thinking that Jesus was referring to the end of the world, they asked Jesus in verse 3, what will be the sign of your coming then and the end of the world?

They associated the destruction of Jerusalem and that temple with the end of the world and Jesus' coming.

And so Jesus proceeds to explain to them or to give them, his response involves 2 things.

1, he gives them an awesome overview of what the world would expect to look like, what we would expect the world to look like prior to the second coming, the return of Jesus, and number 2, what kind of people will be awaiting his return?

What type of people ought God's people be as they await His return.

And so in Matthew 24, in Matthew 25, 1 sermon, Jesus outlines what the world is gonna be like prior to Jesus' return.

And then secondly, He shares several stories to illustrate the readiness of God's people for the time that they are to live in prior to his return.

And among the identifying characteristics of those looking for his appearing, Jesus mentions those that will, in verse 13, Do you notice that there?

Those that will endure until the end, they shall be saved.

And also in verse 14, it says they will also be his witnesses.

They'll also be preaching and sharing the gospel, not only verbally, but also through their lifestyle.

In Matthew chapter 24, he shares a story, and 3 in Matthew 25.

The first story is the story of the faithful and wise serpent, not serpent, servant, there it is.

And then, of course, you've got the 10 bridesmaids, and then you've also got the businessmen who are distributing responsibilities to his employees.

And then, of course, you've got that very familiar parable about the sheep and the goats.

And there's a common thread in all of these parables and they answer 1 question that Jesus poses and it's in Matthew chapter 24 and verse 45.

We're gonna put it up on the screen so we can all read it here together.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his master made ruler over his household to give them food in due season?

So this is the question that is being asked in these 4 stories.

Who is the faithful and the wise steward?

The 1 who has been made master over the household, the 1 who's been given stewardship, management over the goods of God to feed, to give food, and in this case, not only physical food, but also spiritual food to those in due season, who are the faithful, who are the wise.

The common thread is this, that readiness for the second coming of Jesus is not a matter of last-minute preparation.

It's not a matter of last-minute preparation as if you're cramming for a final exam, Being there, done that.

Or if a hurricane is barreling toward us.

Although, although urgency is definitely a part of the committed Christian's life, there's no doubting that.

But readiness for the soon return of Jesus, readiness for the second coming of Jesus is a matter, not a matter of last minute cramming, but about steadily growing in the grace of God.

For example, notice in Matthew 25 in verse 13, At the end of the story, the parable of the 10 bridesmaids, which we're gonna be looking at here this morning, the parable of the 10 bridesmaids in verse 13, notice what Jesus said as conclusion to this story.

He said, watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

That's what it refers to, delightful expectancy, in other words always being ready, always being ready.

So in this story about the 10 bridesmaids, the 10 bridesmaids, do they tell us anything about preparing the way of the Lord?

Does this story have anything in there regarding preparing the way of the Lord?

The parable of the 10 bridesmaids answers the question.

Here it is, let's read from verse 1 and down through the story.

Matthew 25, Jesus said, "'Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to 10 virgins "'who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

"'Now 5 of them were wise and 5 were foolish.

"'Those who were foolish took their lamps "'and took no oil with them.

"'But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight a cry was heard, behold, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose and they trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil for our lamps are going out.

But the wise answer saying, no, lest there should not be enough for us and you, but go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut.

Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." powerful parable.

Perhaps you're reading this, some of you are reading this for the first time, perhaps you've read this many times.

We're gonna take it verse by verse and try to understand what this parable is getting at, what Jesus is trying to teach us.

In verse 1, it says, "'The kingdom of heaven.'" This has to do with what, friends?

The kingdom of heaven is likened to 10 virgins who took their lamps and they went out to meet the bridegroom.

10 bridesmaids, and they represent God's professed people.

They represent God's last day church that is upholding the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ, that has the testimony, the spirit of prophecy in their midst.

This is representing those who have a pure faith.

What are these particular bridesmaids doing?

They're waiting for the bridegrooms appearing.

The bridegroom represents simply the coming of Jesus.

The bridesmaids represent the church who are preparing, lighting the way for the coming of the bridegroom who represents Jesus Christ and His second coming, you see.

And what is the bridesmaids' responsibility according to the parable?

They're out there, as I mentioned, to help illuminate the way, to help the bridal party arrive at the bridegroom's house.

So initially, initially, does the parable have anything to say about any type of preparation the people of God are to be involved in, in anticipation for the coming of the King?

Sure, it's there's evidence right there, They're to do what?

They're to light the way, to illuminate the way to the bridegroom's house.

Their role is vital in that the bridal party must end up at the final destination.

Jesus is going to come for His church, you see.

The Parables of Jesus: A Matter of Generosity, Not Just Desserts

Well, this morning I'd like to begin by telling you a story and it's a story that very likely you have heard before.

It's a story of an owner, a man who owned a vineyard and he was in need of workers to help him in his work and so it didn't matter whether the work needed was to weed or to water or to prune or to harvest, all the workers were just needed to come and help in this vineyard.

So he went to the marketplace early in the morning where he found individuals looking for employment.

He found some, picked them up, and went to work for that day.

Well, apparently, the owner needed more help and so around 09:00 in the morning, he went back to the market to find a few more individuals who are not afraid to work.

He found, again found some and went back to his vineyard.

But as before, the owner found that the work to be done far exceeded the workers that he had.

And so he went back again at noon, and then he went back again at 03:00, And lastly, he went back an hour before the end of the workday at 5 p.m.

Now, the first workers that he picked up, they were told that they would be paid a full day wage for the full day's work that they would put in, while the others were told that they would get an amount and the amount that they would get, it would be fair, they would be treated fairly, so just trust me, the owner said, I'll make sure you're paid fairly.

So as the sum was setting, the owner called on his accountant to pay all of the employees and of course they're all anxious to see if the owner would live up to his word and deliver what he promised, a day's wage for some and whatever was fair for the others.

The first group was pleased, of course, when the treasurer gave to each their promised amount, but their happiness turned to harping when all the other employees were paid the same amount they were paid, but for less work.

They plucked up the courage to question the owner's judgment and apparent unfairness in paying more to those who work less than they did.

How could it be that everyone received the same pay for varying amounts of time put into the work?

Was it really fair for the owner to pay each employee the same amount?

Now although perhaps not a true story, it's 1 that Jesus told, Jesus told it just days away from his betrayal and his death.

And what encouraged him to tell the story?

By the way, the story is found in Matthew 20, so you're welcome to turn there, Matthew 20.

This story is so important that inspiration guided the writers and guided those who put these books together to record this story 3 times.

You can find it in Matthew, in Mark, and also in the gospel according to Luke.

What was it that led Jesus to tell this story about a vineyard owner who went out throughout the course of the day to pick up different workers and and they all received the same pay?

What kind of worms opened up that led Jesus to tell this another profound parable.

Well, he had just, in chapter 19 of Matthew, Jesus had been approached by a rich young ruler.

Now, we derive that he was rich, we derive that he was young, and we derive that he was a ruler from the 3 accounts of the stories recorded in the Gospels.

And he approached Jesus with the question, you can read the question in Matthew chapter 19 and verse 16, he said, good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?

That was the question that this rich young ruler came to Jesus with.

What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?

Now his question was sincere, his question was earnest, and he obviously had a desire to know the truth.

His salutation to Jesus, good master, was also very, was pretty curious for no 1 at that time in that culture ever linked the 2 words together.

A master was a master and according to the Mishnah, only God was good.

You never joined the 2 words together, good master.

The master was a master, but only God was good.

So perhaps this young man was making a declaration of his faith, covertly, not wanting too many to know His position regarding Jesus.

So the question was asked and then Jesus goes on to explain what it means to enter into life, presently and into eternal life.

And what was Jesus' answer according to verse 17?

If you want eternal life, keep the commandments.

Now apparently, from the young ruler's response, I've kept all these things from my youth up, what do I still lack?

He was pretty sure that he was probably 1 step away from perfection.

But although he had diligently obeyed the letter of the law, he obviously felt there was still something lacking, still something not quite right in his life, even though he had lived an exemplary life in not stealing from anyone or taking anyone's wife or their life.

He didn't truly love his fellow man as much as himself.

He was obedient to the letter of the law, not the spirit.

So if he really wanted to be perfect, because Jesus said if you want to be perfect, obviously that was his desire, perfection.

If you really want to be perfect, which had been his goal, it couldn't be attained through works or through his own merit.

He needed to experience a true change of heart, a true change of life.

He needed selfishness, bottom line, he needed selfishness eradicated from his life.

He needed to give what he had to the poor.

Jesus said, and then take up your cross and follow me.

All prompted by supreme love and regard for God.

Wow, it's a tall order, it's a tall order.

And with a lot of sadness, this ruler, we're told, walked away from Jesus, realizing that the true cost of discipleship was much more than he himself could bear.

Now, from verses 23 through 30, after this encounter that Jesus had with the rich young ruler, Jesus describes the utter impossibility of someone who treasures riches, or for anything, for that matter, more than love for God.

He gives the illustration of a camel going through the eye of a needle, Impossible.

And this statement of Jesus, that it's impossible for someone who is rich to enter into heaven, it's difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven as it is for a camel to go through the eye of the needle, that troubled them.

Because in their hearts and in their minds, they were striving for what?

Back to Menu

All Teachings

The Man Who Was Almost a Christian

27m

The Parable of Jesus: Preparing the Way of the Lord

28m

The Parables of Jesus: A Matter of Generosity, Not Just Desserts

28m

How Far Will God Go?

45m

His Heart Was Different

26m

Medical Missionary Work

50m

Who In the World Would Want Us?

46m

A Simple Yet Essential and Neglected Key to Revival

44m

Can We Know the Year of Jesus’ Second Coming?

37m

Beating Bobo

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God in Shoes

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The Parables of Jesus: Authenticity. Period!

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Sound Doctrine