You, the members of the church, have been given a special invitation to train as apprentices under the direction of Jesus Christ. Are you taking that invitation and calling seriously?
Well a couple weeks ago I got a letter from Donald Trump. Have you heard of him? For those of you who haven't, his name in New York City is synonymous with the most prestigious of addresses. Among them are the world renowned Fifth Avenue Skyscraper, Trump Tower. Luxury residential buildings include Trump Palace, the tallest building on Manhattan 's east side, Trump Plaza, Trump Park, Trump World Tower and Trump Park Avenue. Oh, and there's more about buildings, but I'll skip it for now.
In the gaming arena, the Trump organization is one of the world's largest operators of hotels and casinos. The Trump name stands proudly on three world class casino hotels in Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey, known as Trump Plaza on the boardwalk, Trump Marina and Trump Taj Mahal, home of one of the world's largest casinos and one of the most luxurious ever built. And there's more about casinos, but I'll skip that for now.
And there's more about other things, too, on his website on the internet, but Donald Trump is now perhaps best known, due to what has occurred over the past few years. Reading from his website once again. In a departure from his real estate acquisitions, Mr. Trump and the NBC television network are partners in the ownership and broadcast rights for Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. In January of 2004, Mr. Trump joined forces with others to produce and star in the television reality show "The Apprentice." The show quickly became number one on television and has made history in ratings and received great reviews.
"The Apprentice" has been one of the most popular shows drawing attention from millions of people in the United States and around the world, and again, a couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from him. Actually, it was an email message and the subject line read: letter from Donald Trump to you, please respond. So what do you think I did? Now this could be the chance of a lifetime, right? I mean I could be one in a million chosen to have the opportunity to make a million and to be able to meet one of the greatest businessmen in the world today and to work with people who are highly skilled, dynamic and have an opportunity to turn my life around. Here's the text of the message or at least a part of it:
"...it is possible for you to do something extraordinary right now that can alter the course of your life, something that could make the difference between an ordinary existence and possibly become the wealthiest and most wildly happy person you know. You can take advantage of a rare, personal invitation from Donald Trump. You may already know that he has recently launched Trump University. Why? The big deal about Trump University is that you will learn to be successful and make money, but more importantly than that you are going to have fun and really enjoy business because once you learn how to enjoy business, you're going to be successful. Let Mr. Trump shake up your thinking, stimulate your drive to success and get you on the fast track to the most successful years of your life."
So what do you think I did? Well, let me ask you, what would you do if you received such an invitation from Mr. Donald Trump? Well instead of answering that, let's look at another question about a message that we have all received, everyone of us in this room. Everyone in this room has received an invitation and along with it a request to respond. We have as God's word shows us been called. When you think about being called, what comes to mind? When you hear the word "call"? We are used to using the word call in relationship to telephone calls, aren't we? Your mother called. Or little Joey called. Or the IRS called.
It also deals with one's name or what someone would like to call someone else. They call me Mr. Tibbs. I am dating myself aren't I? I'm aging myself. The old song, let me call you sweetheart. Or there was a lady, in fact she is the mother of my best friend from high school, the only lady I know on the face of the earth who when she met someone instead of just asking what their name was, yes, she would ask that, but after that, for instance, my mother, Elizabeth Evans, who has been known most regularly as Betty Evans, when she met her and learned her name was Elizabeth or Betty, she said, let me call you Beth. Can I call you Beth? Now my mother allowed because the lady loved the name, but it is a type of identification, isn't it? When we call someone something it's a way we identify them, a way that we identify each other.
We also may be familiar with call and notice or a summons to appear at a specific place at a specific time. It can mean a calling together, like calling a meeting in which individuals are brought together for a specific purpose. It can mean to call to duty or responsibility. God uses the term "call" in a variety of ways and today we're going to look at a few of them in relationship basically to what life is all about. Is that important to anyone here? Is that important to us? Of course it is. And we're going to see how God uses it in relationship to why we exist, to why God created us and humanity as a whole and the please respond message that he includes. So, again, when you think of being called in relationship to what life is all about, to why you personally were born, what comes to mind? Is it important to think about this? I think so. I think it's important for us to dwell on it and I think as the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread are approaching, perhaps it's more important for us to dwell on it more than we have perhaps in a while.
The Passover and spring holy days are approaching and it's important for us to remember that God gave his holy days to all of us. Not just to parents, not just to adults, to everyone in this room. To the little child, to the little children, to those that are perhaps growing within the womb. All of these things were intended for us as a very special part of the invitation that God has given to us to be a part of his family, to be a part of his plan and his program. So today we're going to take a brief look at what it means to be called and chose by God.
Now this actually is a huge topic. Many sermons and BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. studies could be given on this subject and the entire BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. relates to the calling that we've been given, but today we're just going to look at it and compare it to something that excites, that stimulates, that tantalizes people in the world that we live in and something that when compared with our calling is meaningless or it should be to us, shouldn't it?
Now I'm not trying to run down the show, "The Apprentice, that's not my purpose at all. The program that he has, the concept that is included. There are some parallels with it in our calling, but there are quite a number of sharp contrasts as well. Now we're here at church today, oh, wait a minute. Now that's not true. We're not really at church today, are we? We use the term church in that way, but if you get down to the accurate use of the word, we're at church services. Right? We're not at church; we're at church services. We are the church. The church is what we are and we're going to dwell on that a little bit more.
We're not at church again; we are at church services; we are the church. And we're gathered together today as God has commanded, has instructed us and also has given us the wonderful opportunity to be together, but let's remember what church itself means. And I know we probably know this, but the church taken or church taken from the Greek in its usage in the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. means the called out ones. The church, church, comes from the Greek word "ekklesia," meaning called out ones, so that means that all of us are the called out ones, that we have been summoned, we have pulled, we've been drawn together.
In the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, let's turn to chapter 2, we see the source of our calling. Acts 2:38. And we'll read verses 38:39. And there is a lot in these verses, but we will just dwell on a couple points that we find within them. After they had the revelation of God's presence among them at that Pentecost service and were spoken to as inspired by God regarding Jesus Christ and asked what they should do in verse 38 of chapter 2, we read...
Acts 2:38-39. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit. For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are a far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Shall call. It is God who calls us. We cannot apply to be called. Now I have an application for the apprentice show, if any of you would like a copy of it, I'm not going to give it to you, but anyway, it is an application. Donald Trump will never invite you or anyone else on the face of the earth to participate in "The Apprentice" program. You would have to complete an application to even be considered, to be considered to be a part of the program, but we know God intends everyone, everyone to be apart of his plan eventually as we read through the scriptures and this we are very blessed to know. Because remember that many don't even know that, many think that only those who are saved now will have any opportunity to be called to the truth, to be called to God's program, God's plan. But we are very blessed to know that God intends it for all and we can't apply for it, it's not a hit or miss possibility that many go through in trying to be on something like "The Apprentice" show. In John 6:44 we read...
John 6:44. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."
Which is repeated in verse 65. There is nothing we can do. We cannot apply to be a part of God's plan. God does that calling and he intends it for all mankind, what a blessing that is for us to know. Jesus Christ said to his disciples in John 15:16, you did not choose me, I chose you. You didn't come to me and say how can I become one of your apostles? How can I be a part of your plan? No, I chose you, so that we know it's nothing we of our own selves can do, and here we are, brethren, the called out ones, called by God and called out. Called out.
Now usually when we hear called we hear about being called into something, like into an office or being called into a meeting, but the Greek word for church means called out ones, so what are we called out of? Well, God's word clearly shows us that. We have been called out of darkness. We have been called out of darkness, in I Peter 2 we read...
I Peter 2:1. " But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."
Speaking to those God calls his people, his church, Christians. His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, who called you out of darkness. We have been called out of this world that we live in; we've been rescued from the darkness that encapsulates the whole world and has since the very Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16)., we were beckoned or called to come out of her, my people and we have been called out of the deception of Satan upon the whole world as we read in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 12:9.
RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 12:9. "The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent..."
...that we read about when we go to Genesis in the account of the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16)., that old serpent who deceived the very first humans that God created.
Verse 9. "...that old serpent called the devil and Satan, which deceives the whole world, he was cast out of heaven into the earth."
In II Corinthians, let's turn there. II Corinthians 4, we'll begin in verse 3, we read..
II Corinthians 4:3. "But if our gospel..."
Now there is a little bit of possessiveness used about the incredible truth of Jesus Christ there, isn't there?
Verse 3. "...if our gospel, our good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament ., that which we possess, that which we posses..."
...that which we have been given, that which we have been called to...
Verse 3. "...be hid, if it be hid it is him to them that are lost in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel, the good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of the Jesus..."
...or the gospel of Christ...
Verse 3. "...who is the image of God should shine unto them."
Verse 6. "For God who commanded the light to shine out the darkness has shined in our hearts."
In our very beings. To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We have been called out of darkness, out of this world and we have been called into his marvelous light. Light that we should marvel at. That's what marvelous light means, right? Light that we should marvel at, stand in awe of, realizing how incredible it is, what a blessing it is to see the light when so many are blinded in this whole world by Satan.
In the New King James version, which I am sure a number of you have, the word "hid" is translated "veiled," meaning incapable of being seen. That means that it's hidden behind a veil. It is only God who can remove the veil who can call us out of darkness and into the light, giving us the ability to see what it's all about because that what it does. It stops you from seeing everything that's there. If you're blind, you cannot see what is there. If you are in darkness, you may be able to see some things, but there are many things you can't see, and I think we've all experience times when we've been in darkness and have not been able to see, where am I? Especially if someone moved the furniture in our house. My wife does that as a trick once in a while, no she doesn't.
But if we are in darkness and trying to feel our way around, there are things that we stumble over because we can't see them and here we have a comparison to the world we live in, the darkness that Satan has given over all the earth that hides people from seeing the truth, the light that God has given to us and God has given us the knowledge and the ability to see what life is all about, right? I mean all these people in the world do not know what God's purpose. Most do not believe in a creator, many do not believe in the purpose that God has for mankind. We have been given that knowledge. We have been called to that knowledge. We know why people exist and we need to keep in mind all these wonderful things God has revealed to us as he took away the veil from our eyes so that we can see it and know that and realize what we ourselves have been called to.
Now there are a lot of places that we could go in relationship to being called into the light and having the veil removed from our eyes and I am sure there are a lot things that are coming to your mind or will come to mind about being called. There are so many scriptures in dealing with calling, some of which were touched on in the first message today. There is so much there, but we're just going to be touching on some of them today.
Now about the "church" and the meaning of the word. Now the word "church" itself that we use today from one of the resources that I read is derived probably from the Greek word "krekon," which means the Lord's house, which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. it's the translation of the Greek word "ekklesia," which is synonymous with the Hebrew "kahal" of the Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings., both words meaning simply an assembly. Simply an assembly? How could anyone say that this word, especially in relationship to the word of God and what he calls "his called out ones" could just mean an assembly? It has so much richer meaning, it has so much deeper meaning to us because of our understanding that it does mean called out ones and that we have been called out to that truth and it's great to have that understanding.
One of the most amazing senses that God has given to us are our eyes. The sense of sight. I don't know if any of you have ever had an experience where you have not been able to see for any extended period of time. Well years ago I had to have the very interesting experience I had was, and I guess I have to mention that I did have brain surgery, it wasn't totally removed, but when they did perform this surgery they actually hit my optic nerve on the left hand side. And when they hit my optic nerve it distorted my vision. I began to appreciate more the amazing sense of sight that God gives to people that most of us enjoy and take for granted. Because when that happened, my eyes worked totally independently of one another. When I was looked straight at something, I did see one imagine, but as soon as I would tilt my head in anyway I would see two separate images overlapping each other. It was weird.
But God has created us with this amazing, I mean all the optic nerve itself connected to the brain and somehow the images that we see are translated in our brain so that we see an image clearly, it is amazing, but another fascinating part of the eye is the iris. And the iris is an amazing thing because it is how we are able to see in the dark. It is how we are able to adjust to varying light, within a room or outside. Now any of you who have been in a dark place and learning about how the iris works, at the center of the eye, the black part opens up very wide to let as much light as possible in so that you can see.
I don't know if any of you have ever been in total darkness, but if you've ever been into an underground cave, usually the tour guide will say, okay now you are going to experience something you have never experienced before, you are going to be in total darkness. There is going to be no light; please stay still; please do not panic; light will come again, but you will see how different it is to have absolutely no light. And then "click," they flip the switch and you are in utter darkness literally. You cannot see anything and it seems darker than any place you've ever been in your life.
Then usually the tour guide will do one of two things, he will have a very small flashlight, which is preferable, or a match and he will light the match or turn on the flashlight, a tiny beam that seems to aluminate everything. After being in such darkness a tiny bit of light makes it seem like you can see everything, but you know you can't, that is because of how wide the iris and how it reacts to the light. Well you know when you are in the dark and have never been in the light, you don't know what it's like to be in the light and any of you who have been in dark areas or worked night shifts, you know as soon as you experience light or as soon as light is turned on, it's a bit of a shock, isn't it?
I am sure some of you have experienced that in the middle of the night, turning on the bathroom light and suddenly you're blinded, you can't handle the light, it is so amazing and here that is a symbolism God has given us that mankind as a whole, in general the whole world has been deceived by Satan and is in darkness and we have seen the light; they don't know what life is all about; they don't know what they are all about and we have been given that calling, which is so amazing and they think they can see. They think they know what's going; they think things are fine. Well maybe not things are fine, we know there's more to that, but they are not aware of the light that we have been given. It is very fascinating to see that analogy. We have been called into the light, the marvelous light in order to be able to see things as they really, and in so doing, we have been called to truth and understanding.
Stephenson, twentieth century American statesman, noted that you will find that the truth is often unpopular and the contest between the agreeable fancy and the disagreeable fact is unequal. All over the world people have their own ideas of what truth is and what it is not and we being called out of the world have been called into the light of truth of God's word as Jesus Christ himself stated, your word is truth, God's word, the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., and everything must be compared to God's word to be even considered valid, everything we see, anything we see happening.
We have been called to know that where does this fit in God's plan. What is its relevance? Does it really matter? Is it going to last? We have been called to that truth, to that knowledge and we are so very blessed. How much time would you say is wasted in this world today on things that are far from the truth? Let me read a little bit from this application from "The Apprentice." How to apply. Complete the application and bring it with you to an open call in March-April 2006 or complete the application and send it with a DVD, mini DVD or VHS tape, no longer than ten minutes by Thursday, March 9 th . Well I guess I still have a few days.
What to say on your tape. Show us who you are and why you would be the perfect apprentice. Take us on a tour of your life, remember ten minutes, that's the max, take us on a tour of your life and show us what separates you from the others. Wow us. Dazzle us and be memorable. Let's turn to I Corinthians 1 and see this in contrast with our calling, with our invitation, with the opportunity we have been given to be the called out ones, to be called into the church, the body of believers. I Corinthians 1, we'll read verses 26-31.
I Corinthians 1:26-31. "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, but God has chosen the foolish things of the world..." those which are in the world considered foolish "...to put to shame those that are considered wise in the world and God has chosen the weak things of the world..." those which are in this world considered weak "...and the things which are despised in the world God has chosen."
I think I jumped down a little bit, but...
Verses 26:31. "...it's to put to shame those things which are mighty and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen and the things which are not to bring to nothing the things that are."
The things that are looked up to, the things that are honored, that things that are cherished by this world.
Verse 29. " That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him you are in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Then as it is written he who glories let him glory in the Lord."
Quite a contrast to this application that I just read from, isn't it? And what people are trying to achieve. We have been called to the truth and how blessed we are and we have been called to understanding. We have been given understanding, which again God gives to us, understanding of his way of ourselves and is a part of our calling in that as we read in Acts 2:38. We have been called to repentance and to receive God's spirit. In Matthew 9:10-13, we read about an incident in which Jesus Christ was not spending time with the wise, the respected, the admired people, but with the commoners. He wasn't with the right crowd. And the Pharisees were upset and were perhaps joking about it, being sarcastic to the disciples about who Jesus was spending time with. He was being politically with it.
Matthew 9:10. "Now it happened as Jesus sat at the table in the house that behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples and when the Pharisees saw it they said the disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? When Jesus heard that he said that he said to them, those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick, but go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
And we have been called to repentance. We have been called to understand what the truth is because without the truth and without understanding one cannot truly repent. One cannot turn from sin to righteousness unless one has an understanding of what sin is and what righteousness is as well. Now many can say that they have repented. I remember one story about a gathering in a church where people were asking what does repent mean? And people were sitting there looking at each other and scratching their head and one man stood up and said, I can show you what repentance means. And he walked down the isle saying, I'm going to hell, I'm going to hell, I'm going to hell. And then he turned around and walked the other way and said, I'm going to heaven, I'm going to heaven.
Now I guarantee that he ended in the same place that where he started, I didn't mean any analogy there or anything, but to say that does have a literal meaning, to turn, he turned and he went the other way, but to do that in a physical way, walking, and to think that that encapsulates what God means by repentance we know not to be the truth. Repent does mean to turn, but it does mean to turn from sin, which you must know what sin is, to righteousness, which you must know what righteousness is and that is only be God calling you and giving you the truth and giving you the understanding of that.
We have been called to repentance and in being called to repentance and responding and being baptized and receiving God's spirit, we have been called to a life of conversion, a life of overcoming, a life of changing, becoming more and more as God desires us to become. I think most of us are familiar with Matthew 22:14 where we read that many are called, but few are chosen.
Now many may receive email messages like it did, seemingly inviting them to apply to be on "The Apprentice," but to even be considered they have to apply. God calls many, God spreads the see as we read in the parable in Matthew 13, but it doesn't necessarily take root in people's lives when they hear something, they may not respond as we are familiar with in that parable, but it is when we apply God's word, when we respond to the calling that we become the chosen ones, another familiar phrase throughout the scripture.
Now there is a slight parallel to "The Apprentice" there, but there are also many contrasts. In Acts 3:19 and many other places in God's word we read about the progression of things. Repent and be converted, be changed, a different person as Jesus Christ told his disciples in Matthew 5:48...
Matthew 5:48. "Become you therefore perfect..." mature "...even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
We have been called to a life long process of putting sin out of our lives, of getting rid of what is wrong and replacing it with what is right, what is truly right based on truth, based on the word of God, so let's go back to "The Apprentice." What are they trying to become? When they go on that show, when they apply, when they go through whatever review they must go through, what are they trying to become in becoming a part of Donald Trumps plan? Well I think it's safe to say that they look to a man whom they see as being what they want to be, what they want to become. He is their ideal and they will do whatever it takes to do become as he is; that's quite a contrast to what our lives are about, but they do have or put out the energy and they strive with their entire being to become what they see as an opportunity of a lifetime, of what their world is all about and that's something to think about in relationship to the great calling that God has given to us, isn't it? Because we see such a dynamic energy and excitement for what they see as an opportunity. What we have been given is no doubt much greater.
We have also been called out to succeed. Remember the statement that Mr. Armstrong used to make? "In the end, we win." God intends for us to succeed and that is what he has called is to do. In Romans 8:28 and I'll wait until you get there, but I will mention as some of you may know, on "The Apprentice" program 94.44% will fail. You're fired. That's what they'll hear. 94.44%, not that I'm mathematically oriented, but I just thought I'd share that with you, will be fired. How do you like those odds? Each season so many apply with the desire to show I am the one, I am going to wow you, I'm going to dazzle to show that I would be the perfect apprentice. And there are others who are great, but not as great as I am. And I am going to show you that through all that we go through. I am going to be "The Apprentice," doesn't every one of them have that in their mind.
Doesn't everyone of them want to be the chosen one? The one who Donald Trump says "you're hired" to. Every single one of them, but 94.44% will fail and they know that before they get their, but their belief is that they won't fail or they probably wouldn't even try, but God's plan is for all to succeed, not only those of us who have been called at this time, but all mankind and we see this in I Timothy 2:4 where we read that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth, that is his intention, for all to succeed, what a contrast with this type of program that gets people so pumped up, so excited that they change their lives dramatically, take a step away from whatever they're doing to pursue that which they probably will fail in accomplishing. What a difference and what excitement level is there between them and between us as the called, as the chosen, as those God wants to succeed, that is what we have been called to and we are so privileged.
Romans 8:29. "For whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son."
To be converted, to be changed through a life long process that we have been called to.
Verse 29. "That he, Jesus Christ, might be the first born of many brethren."
That's right, we have been called to become the sons and daughters of the almighty God; we have been called to succeed in obtaining eternal life. We have been called to a relationship, a very special relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ as our elder brother, to a family relationship. Not just casual acquaintances, not just those who may meet each other on the street and never interact with each other again, but to a special relationship that God wants us, you and me to be a part of, and that is what he has called us to.
Now on "The Apprentice" what relationship can any of those who are involved in this program expect to have with Donald Trump the man they want to become like in anyway they can? What kind of relationship? Hardly any at all. In fact the most dealing they will probably have with him, will be in the challenges that he gives them and also in the boardroom. That's one of the things they state advertisements is that they have to be able to face New York City, an emblem of the world, each other, in competition, though there is teamwork it is temporary and the teams may change and there is still the competition that exists in the team relationships, end facing Donald Trump. These are the challenges that they have and knowing that there is a 94.44% chance that they will hear "you're fired."
The word apprentice itself is misused in this program because apprentice really means one who has close association with the teacher who becomes a part of that teachers life, that trains them everything they need to know to become whatever it is they are being training to become. Is that what the apprentice, the hired one receives, they are hired and Donald Trump doesn't even expect the ones hire to stay with him beyond the year contract that they have been awarded in being hired. So there isn't the relationship there and it can't be expected as the relationship that you and I have been called to know, the great calling to God's church, to his family, to eternal life, to the purpose and plan of God.
Now no doubt in our calling we do have challenges, yet again we have been called to a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ and with each other that is to last for all eternity. In conclusion, let's turn to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 17. People today in the world we live in are thrilled, excited, stimulated; obsessed you might say, with a false sense of reality, a false sense of accomplishment, with ways that are eventually but dust in the wind. You know these are called reality shows and they're interesting. I mean I know some of us may watch them and I'm not trying to say they should never be watched, but how would God define reality show? If you were to ask God how would you define the reality show that you see on television, that masses are watching. Now I know I can never speak exactly as God, but let me take a stab at what God might say about a definition for reality show.
Reality show: a program intended for those who are not in touch with reality and seek temporary excitement and a sense of false fulfillment.
Speaking of those who turn against reality...
RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 17:14. "These will make war with the Lamb..." Jesus Christ "...and the Lamb will over come them for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and those who are with him are called, chosen and faithful."
You have received an invitation from the almighty God, please respond. We have received an invitation, an incredible calling that is incomparable to any other type of invitation we could ever receive on the face of this earth. Let's remember that, think about it, thank God for it and make sure that we are responding to the eternal plan of God.
