Remove the Space Between Us

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Short Summary
The 2025 Bible Students General Convention emphasizes the importance of genuine fellowship, encouraging attendees to share the fruits of the Spirit and support one another, especially the youth, to strengthen faith and unity. The discourse highlights laying up treasures in heaven through character development, sacrifice, and steadfastness in Christian warfare, urging participants to remove barriers between brethren and embrace their spiritual journey with dedication and love.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the 2025 Bible Students General Convention Discourse

Introduction and Welcome
– The speaker warmly welcomes attendees to the 2025 Bible Students General Convention, a gathering with a legacy dating back to 1939.
– Emphasizes the value of in-person attendance despite challenges such as cost and travel, encouraging all to maximize the blessings from the convention.

Purpose of Attendance
– Reflects on why people come to the convention: seeking encouragement, spiritual nourishment, fellowship, and a fresh perspective in Christ.
– Uses a Canadian family’s costly journey as an example—attendees should ensure such efforts yield rich spiritual rewards.
– Encourages everyone to contribute to making the convention a spiritually uplifting experience for all.

Influence of Brethren and Fruits of the Spirit
– Invites attendees to recall brethren who impacted their lives positively by showing authenticity, honesty, and spiritual fruit.
– Encourages sharing the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as a reflection of God’s goodness.
– Explains why Bible students are notably kind at conventions: a conscious effort to be their best selves and reveal their love for God and each other.
– Quotes Luke 6:43-45 to illustrate that good fruit comes from good hearts, emphasizing that observing spiritual fruit is not judging but recognizing true character.
– Highlights that good words and conduct reveal the state of one’s heart.

Value of Face-to-Face Fellowship
– Shares personal experience from last year’s convention, noting the irreplaceable depth of in-person sharing of trials and support.
– Acknowledges Zoom’s role but encourages those who can attend physically to seize the opportunity for richer fellowship.

Engagement with Young Brethren
– Stresses the importance of connecting with young attendees, who may respond with brief answers but are eager to be noticed and valued.
– Encourages patience and persistence in communication with youth, affirming their importance to God and the community.
– Shares an illustrative story about a young person seeking clarification, highlighting young people’s attentiveness to words spoken.
– Quotes Brother Russell about living as if the resurrection has already happened—blessing and encouraging others now.
– Addresses the issue of young individuals leaving the fellowship, urging care and active nurturing rather than dismissal.
– Emphasizes young brethren need more care than established members, drawing a parallel to tender wheat plants needing nourishment.
– Encourages adults to become a sustaining influence, helping youth grow and remain steadfast.

Small Acts of Spiritual Encouragement
– Reminisces about a childhood memory of a brother offering 25 cents for memorizing scripture, illustrating how small incentives can foster spiritual growth.
– Urges attendees to consider how even minor efforts—equivalent to “25 cents”—can feed spiritual hunger and guide seekers.

Encouragement in Christ and Mutual Support
– Cites Philippians 2:1-2, 5 to underscore the need for unity, encouragement, and adopting Christ’s attitude among brethren.
– Contrasts encouragement with Satan’s rule of discouragement, emphasizing that believers must support one another.
– Quotes Ephesians 6:10-18 (Phillips translation) on putting on the full armor of God to stand firm against spiritual adversaries.
– Highlights the importance of standing together closely like the Masai Mara tribe men walking through lion territory—“removing the space between us.”
– Quotes Romans 15:1 on bearing one another’s weaknesses to build up the body of Christ.
– Quotes Ephesians 4:29, 31 urging wholesome, grace-giving words that heal and encourage.
– Warns against scandal and harsh words that tear down rather than build up.
– Shares a parable about two brothers, one helping another out of a hole, symbolizing believers helping each other through struggles.

The Ultimate Goal: Laying Up Treasures in Heaven
– Quotes Matthew 6:20 about storing treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy.
– Explains that where one’s treasure is, there the heart will be also, encouraging attendees to prioritize heavenly treasures.
– Emphasizes the heart as the center of spiritual life and character, which must be offered wholly to God (Proverbs 23:26).
– Shares a mother’s insight about giving God the “choicest parts” of ourselves, not leftovers.
– Discusses the process of spiritual transformation likened to being kneaded into bread or polished as jewels.
– Quotes Isaiah 33:17 about beholding the King in His beauty and Colossians 2:2-3 about attaining the riches of God’s wisdom in Christ.
– References Malachi 3:17-18 describing believers as God’s jewels, whom He spares and cherishes.
– Notes that God may prune or bruise believers in a refining process but ultimately dresses them in righteousness for the kingdom.
– Encourages focusing on heavenly treasures to overcome the trials and disappointments of earthly life.

Character and Relationship with God
– Emphasizes that believers are chosen by God to be His possession (1 Peter 2:9) and that their character is the ultimate treasure.
– No earthly tests matter as much as the test of faithfulness and obedience (like Christ’s own example).
– Quotes John 16:28 about Jesus leaving the world to return to the Father, inviting believers to join Him.
– Cites Romans 8:35-39, highlighting the inseparability of the love of Christ despite troubles and persecution.
– Emphasizes the precious blood of Christ as the foundation for redemption (1 Peter 1:4-6, 18).

Call to Sacrifice and Faithfulness
– Encourages attendees to open their hearts to God’s transformative work, to sacrifice worldly ties, and to take up their cross.
– Quotes Jesus’ promise that where He is, His followers may be also.
– Contrasts worldly pursuits with the spiritual treasure believers are offered.
– Urges a wholehearted commitment to spiritual growth and treasure accumulation in heaven.

Conclusion and Charge
– Summarizes the call to know where one’s treasure is and to truly be the person God wants—bearing fruits of the Spirit.
– Calls for showing interest especially in young brethren and removing divisions among all members.
– Welcomes all officially to the convention and invites them to begin the “spiritual feast.”
– Blesses the week ahead, invoking the Father’s guidance and encouragement.

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Key Bible Verses Quoted:

– Luke 6:43-45 — “No good tree produces bad fruit… For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
– Philippians 2:1-2,5 — Encouragement to have the same mind as Christ Jesus.
– Ephesians 6:10-18 — The armor of God and spiritual warfare.
– Romans 15:1 — Bearing the weaknesses of the weak.
– Ephesians 4:29,31 — Speak only wholesome, grace-giving words.
– Matthew 6:20 — Store up treasures in heaven.
– Proverbs 23:26 — “My son, give me thine heart.”
– Isaiah 33:17 — “Your eyes will see the King in his beauty.”
– Colossians 2:2-3 — “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
– Malachi 3:17-18 — Believers as God’s jewels.
– 1 Peter 2:9 — “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood.”
– John 16:28 — Jesus’ departure and return to the Father.
– Romans 8:35-39 — Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
– 1 Peter 1:4-6,18 — Inheritance reserved in heaven, faith tested by fire.

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Summary Keywords:
General Convention, Bible Students, Fruits of the Spirit, Encouragement, Fellowship, Young Brethren, Spiritual Nourishment, Unity, Christian Warfare, Armor of God, Heavenly Treasures, Heart and Character, Sacrifice, Faithfulness, Love of Christ, Spiritual Transformation, Biblical Encouragement, Mutual Support, Spiritual Growth, Jesus’ Teachings, Scripture Memorization, Overcoming Trials, God’s Jewels, Eternal Reward, Communion with God.

Transcript

Foreign.

Good morning.

You made it. If you are sleep deprived, this is not a dream. You are here on behalf of the General Convention Committee. Welcome to the 2025 Bible Students General Convention. Consider this.

You have arrived at a convention that has been around since 1939, the first year of World War II. Thank you for making the effort to be here in person. The committee believes that you all will be richly blessed.

So what do you want? Why are you here? For a Canadian family of four to travel to Johnstown and spend a week with you cost around $6,000. Would you want that family to go home after convention and say, you know, we didn’t receive that much encouragement? Well, of course not.

Instead, our hearts want that family to say, every penny was worth it. You wouldn’t believe how our spirits are buoyed up and encouraged in Christ. We met new brethren. We unburdened ourselves by sharing deep trials with others. We have a fresh perspective.

Our family was so richly blessed at this convention. We’re coming again next year, brethren. That is what we do. That is what will happen, and that is who we all are. This attitude will be and should be the outcome of the 2025 Bible Students General Convent.

The question is, will you help make that happen?

Which brethren are or were influential in your life? How did they make you feel about yourself? How do they greet you? What did they share with you? You likely saw authenticity in these brethren.

They were honest and trustworthy. You saw the fruits of the Spirit. If they influenced you, you touched mature fruit. Throughout this week, I invite you to share your fruits of the Spirit with all those around you. Let them see the goodness of your Lord reflected in your faces.

Why do Bible students seem extra nice at conventions? Because we want to be the best version of ourselves. Because conventions show our desire to reveal the fruits of spirit to one another. Conventions showcase our love for the Father, His Son, and with you, our brethren. It’s as if we’re trying to reduce the space between one another.

And that’s a good thing, friends.

So display your fruitage through fellowship so we feel nourished and connected to one another. Because sharing your fruit uplifts the whole body. It confirms the presence of God in us. It strengthens faith, and it shows unity among believers. In my youth, I confused observing the fruits of the Spirit in others with judging others.

You know, I thought to myself, be careful looking at the fruit and what you conclude. But the Scriptures don’t support that. Luke 6:43, 45. There is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor on the Other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit.

That’s you and I. Our hearts are known by its fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. A briar bush has a thorny prickly stem with dagger like thorns. This tells us good fruit comes from good trees.

So what do we expect from fruit? Verse 45. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil. For his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

So there is no judging required. It becomes obvious. Good fruit produces good words. You will know who is who by their fruit, their actions, conduct, by being peacemakers, by being merciful and forgiving. We don’t have to ask who they are.

Brethren tell you who they are. They show you their fruit through these things. You simply watch and say, okay, Lord, I see it. Our fruitage reflects our hearts. Your mouth can’t hide what’s in your heart.

For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. At last year’s convention, I was reminded that in person, conventions provide the full and complete sharing of the fruit. I was able to share details of life altering trials and experiences while face to face with my brethren. I saw their sincerity as I shared my burdens because they were genuinely attentive. There was compassion, tears, and heartfelt hugs with no miscommunication.

The depth of that experience was irreplaceable. I could not replicate that experience on Zoom. Those of you who need zoom, you need zoom. My own ecclesia is zoom only due to distance. But nothing replaces face to face fellowship.

Those of you on Zoom, and we welcome you too. If you have the opportunity to travel, seize it. Attend the general convention, experience it again firsthand, and bring that nourishment back to your ecclesia. Conventions nourish and inspire us, fostering clarity and mutual growth through the sharing of scripture and experiences. So here’s my only caution.

Do not lift the ease of zoom. Overwhelm your choices.

While you’re here at convention wearing your hat which reads Ambassador for Christ, are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and meet brethren you don’t know? Of course you are, and you do. Seek out those you don’t know, those you don’t regularly meet or shake hands with. Remove the space between us.

Come closer. We need each other.

Our third point, my lessons with our young brethren, and what would I do with a Quarter in my pocket. I have the opportunity to work with our young brethren through the CEO committee, and let me tell you, I have developed a renewed appreciation for them. Our young people need your continual attention, whether they want it or not.

During this convention, I encourage you to introduce yourself to them. Ask questions and expect one word answers back.

But keep asking questions. Let them know God loves them and how important they are to God and to you. I’m asking you to do this as the youngest ones whisk by you tell you. Tell them you are happy they are with us and you want them to have a wonderful day with God and the brethren. They are watching you like hawks and they’re listening to you.

Every word you breathe, they absorb, even from far away.

Recently I was at a convention, sitting at a round table, fellowshipping in a noisy room. In a private discussion two tables away from me. A sister in her late teens was at her own round table. Later on she came to me and asked during lunch, what did you mean when you said so? And so?

Brethren, our young people have bionic hearing too. They listen to every word. Make it count. The captain of our salvation does not want low morale anywhere in our ranks, and certainly not with our young brethren.

Our young people, if there are any gaps between you and our young brethren, please consider narrowing the gap. Remove the space between us.

I’d like to share an illustration of my renewed appreciation for our young people. Young brother, Brother Russell expressed the view that we should behave today as if we are practicing for the kingdom to live our lives as if the resurrection has taken place and we are blessing and encouraging others. I like that.

I heard of a young individual who left our fellowship.

What would your response be to hearing that news? One reply to their departure was, it was their decision, so let them go. Jesus would argue that statement in his 99 sheep and one went astray parable. Let’s pretend it’s the kingdom and the resurrection has begun. You are in charge of teaching a young person to walk up the highway of holiness.

It’s their first day. They are struggling and they want to turn around and go back, and you reply to Christ Jesus, the Messiah, in all his glory. It was their decision to turn around. I’m giving up on them, so I let them go.

Really? What if the struggling person was your child? Is that what you expect the Church’s reply to be? They wanted to leave, so we let them go.

The good news is, is that’s not who we are. That’s not what the Scriptures teach our young people. Young brethren require more attention than the established seniors in our ecclesia. Who needs more care? A mature wheat head ready for harvest or a small tender wheat plant in its earliest stage?

Our young need to be fed every morsel they can get. At this convention, our youth will have the opportunity to be nourished. They will build relationships with their peers and with you that last forever. Their experience here should inspire and change them. The uplifting impression we provide our next generation will be strong, genuine and compelling enough to sustain them through the year.

Because we’re removing the space between us. When I was young and attended this convention, there were no other youth living with several hundred miles of me other than family. I relied on the impact of the general convention to carry me through the entire year. Our young attendees will recognize you through your fruit and your warmth. Let them experience who you are.

Recall those individuals who made a significant impact on your life and consider how they made you feel. Pass that on.

What would you do with a quarter in your pocket? During my childhood living at the dawn, we attended Sunday meetings at the YMCA hall in Manhattan. I frequently visited the candy bar vending machines with the pool handles along the bottom, and I asked my father for a quarter each time, and you know how that went.

It didn’t go well.

But Brother Sydney Allen watched me and he came to me with a proposal. Arby, if you memorize one scripture, I’ll give you 25 cents for that chocolate bar you want. Before Brother Sydney was finished the word chocolate bar, I grabbed my Bible and I was off to the races.

Brother Sidney found his way to help me learn scriptures. While Romans 12:1 was the first scripture he asked me to learn, I quickly recited. Jesus wept for a cool 25 cents and Sidney and I laughed and he paid me because our interaction was worth every penny. How can you help someone with 25 cents before we spend a dollar on a Bible book fair, on a public witness to brush up your website or generate leads to distribute booklets. Remember, you are surrounded by by young people who want to know the truth.

They just need to be to be fed the answers to their question. The financial cost to you is nothing or 25 cents.

Our fourth point today is encouragement in Christ. We talked about our young brethren. Now let’s talk about you. You will go home encouraged in Christ and renewed through the Holy Spirit, and you will, but you must help.

Philippians 2, verses 1, 2 and 5. New American. Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and Compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind. Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus. The attitude and encouragement that Christ gave, the consolation he revealed to you, are the footsteps of his life.

It’s why Paul said, have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus. The opposite of attitude and encouragement would be no attitude plus discouragement. This opposite is Satan’s rule of law, where as slaves to sin, discouragement is built into daily life. So where will our encouragement come from? Aside from God, Christ and scriptures?

It will come through you and me. Jesus said, you will know your brethren how each tree, each individual, is known by its fruit. Be that wholesome fruit which brings forth nourishment and encouragement to everyone around you. Let’s remind each other of our Christian warfare. Ephesians 6:10 to 18 from the Phillips.

This is riveting to me. Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack.

For our fight is not against any physical enemy. It is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore, you must wear the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and here’s my favorite part.

And that even when you have fought to a standstill, you may still stand your ground.

Have you ever fought to a standstill? Is it possible one of your brethren in this fight can use all the available encouragement in Christ? We don’t know their trials. We need every kind and encouraging word in the narrow way the young ones need it the most. Their fight is also against unseen powers that control this dark world.

In John 15, Jesus said the world would hate and persecute us. What encouragement can we give one another as we wage our Christian warfare? Well, you would think of Romans 15:1. Now, we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength. Brethren, you can do this when you simply listen to your brethren during fellowship time.

Our individual actions, words and behaviors are tools used to build up or tear down. A hammer can build, a hammer can destroy. How will you use the tools God gave you at this convention and in your walk? Can you help remove the space between us?

The men of the Masai Mara tribe in Kenya are able to walk through lion territory safely if they walk side by side, close together, leaving no space between their bodies. This way, the lions see the small group of men as one animal, not as individuals. What a great picture of us being able to stand against Satan, the roaring lion. We remove the space between us. Discouragement is the property of Satan.

Keep fighting. The body needs you to do your part, and your future depends on this. Listen to how Apostle Paul pleads with us to speak encouraging words in Ephesians 4:29 31. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do my words give grace to those who hear?

Your kind words have the power to heal wounds.

Look for those moments at this convention. Brother Russell said it best. A heart filled with the spirit of love, the spirit of God, the spirit of truth will be sure to to bestow it upon others. On the other hand, scandal does not minister grace to the hearer. End of quote.

Jesus wants the words of our mouth to be encouraging, to provide grace and to heal. With this attitude, you will get that great reward. It’s why you’re here. It’s why you’re listening online, and you can put it into practice at this convention.

Now, a learning story I heard at a prior General Convention.

It’s the tail end of the Gospel age and only two brethren remain on earth. One of the brothers falls into a deep hole and can’t get out. Three men walk by and the brother asks for help. All three men make excuses. The only other brother on earth walks by, sees his brother in the hole, and immediately jumps in.

The first brother says, why did you jump in? I need rescuing. The second brother replies, I have been in a hole just like this and I didn’t want you to be alone, and the Lord taught me how to get out. Brethren, this second brother is who all of you are.

And that is why I love each of you so much.

Why are you here at General Convention? To lay up treasure in heaven.

Matthew 6:20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. That’s why you’re here. You want to continue the process of laying up treasure in heaven.

So where is your heart? Jesus said, you will find your heart where you store your treasure. If your heart is with God, this means you gave God the only thing he wants. God values your treasure. He protects it, and thieves cannot steal or see it.

Communion with God is strengthened through prayer. It’s our connecting cord. Being a General Convention this week will strengthen that. The bond of this communion will become unbreakable. Enhancing your understanding of what is reserved for you in heaven.

Your hearts follow whatever you consider treasure, and what is heart by definition the center of all physical and spiritual life? The mind as it is the fountain and seat of thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, your character. Your heart is what you give to God. If you give God your heart, you are laying up your heart in heaven.

This is your offering. You are a living, breathing sacrifice.

Proverbs 23, verse 26 from King James. God pleads with you here when he says, my son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

God doesn’t want to take your heart. He wants you to offer it to him. My mom gave a great comment years ago. Mom said we don’t give God the leftovers from our day. We give him our everything all the time.

She said, we give God the choicest parts, a willingness to become broken and crushed, to become flour. God is looking to make a single loaf of bread, and the world will remain anxious until 144,000 hearts have figured this out.

Are the foolish and unprepared going to be with Christ? No. The church is perfectly fitted and prepared to do her work as his spouse. Isaiah 33:17. Your eyes will see the King in his beauty.

They will behold a far distant land. Colossians 2, verses 2 and 3 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. This is the wealth and treasure we lay up in heaven, who is with Christ. Malachi 3, 17 and 18 and they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him. The word makeup, here In Strong’s Concordance 62 13, means to do, to accomplish, to become, to bruise, to have the charge of, to fashion, to dress.

If you let your heart follow your treasure, God will polish you, maybe bruise you, prune you. God will change you, but he will also dress you in the character and garment needed so you will abundantly overcome the trials needed to polish you. If our hearts are looking upwards to our heavenly treasures, then we won’t look down at the disappointments and afflictions of our present life and be overwhelmed. Let’s review our treasures. It is fundamental that the members of the bride are chosen by God for his Son we do not do the choosing.

We are to consider all the brethren as God’s jewels, and our responsibility is to love them. This love cultivates profound bounds of brotherhood, a bond which is a must and most precious treasure to lay up in heaven. You do this as you remove the space between us. Here’s another treasure. Knowing God’s attributes beyond love, wisdom, justice and power.

Understanding God’s character brings you freedom. Understanding God’s character develops humility. When you finally meet God face to face, your deep understanding of his attributes will remove all fear from your conversation. You know God. You know what to expect.

You’ve been in community, in communion with God, your entire life, your entire walk, and when you stand in the presence of God, you will know it is the Almighty, it is your Father, guaranteed. Your next treasure is meeting your Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, your bridegroom, face to face. You know your beloved well from your deposits in heaven. Oh, the stories he has for you about what the angels did to protect you.

You don’t know the half of them.

And when we arrive, Christ will say, please get yourself ready. Ready for what? The marriage. Ephesians 5:27. That he might present to himself the Church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.

You lay up treasures like obedience, trustworthiness, humility, fruits of the Spirit, all in anticipation of being joined to Christ in marriage.

What do you want and why are you here in Johnstown? To secure a home in a heavenly mansion. The last treasure you lay up is you. The treasure we lay up as ourselves and the knowledge of meeting God, his sons and the angels. We will be prepared, not overwhelmed.

Our brethren will lift and comfort others as we follow our Master’s commands to bless the world and remove the spaces between men. As treasures of God and Christ, we will nurture, reassure and guide others. Like a mother would mothers give life? Mothers do not say, well, it was their decision to leave. Mothers always care.

To achieve this, you must detach yourself from worldly ties. You’re in the world, but not of it.

Keep your heart open during your transformation into a jewel. Embrace, change and focus on your treasures in heaven. Luke 10, verse 20. Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. The memory of your life and sacrifice and sweet offering is accepted by God, written and recorded in heaven.

The angels will testify they saw your good works. The world doesn’t see your sacrifice, and if they can’t see it, it’s not earthly, but heavenly. Your life is hid in Christ. But they will be told about those whose names are written in heaven.

Because the Scriptures tell us in that day they will know this one and that one was born in Zion.

Picture your house. Picture your car, your bank accounts. Can you remind me what happens with all that stuff when you die? It’s temporary, right? But not the treasure in heaven that’s protected by God and permanent.

The mystery in the Bible hides the sacred secret of how to be of the bride and the unimaginable reward of immortality. If Christ is glorified in you, and you and him spend time meditating on immortality, let it humble and motivate you. You cannot serve two masters. Few human beings on earth have a concept of this passage because human nature is often tempted by shiny trinkets. But you understand.

It’s why you’re here. You made the choice of spiritual commitments over material pursuits.

God invited you to the narrow way. We utilize his tools and God accomplishes and completes his work in you. We are his workmanship. God has given you the formula for success. Store up your treasures in heaven, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be found.

God oversees your heavenly deposits. 1st Peter 2:9. Because you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. God wants you for his own possession. He didn’t pick someone else.

God said, I want you. You are an acceptable treasure in heaven because you are God’s own possession. Where God resides, you will reside not the way your character is now, but what it is becoming. One of your heavenly treasure deposits will be your character which copied Christ. The riches are your character, your new creature.

There is no math test or chronology test at the end of your last breath. But there is absolutely a test of character. What was the test for Christ? Faithfulness, obedience, even to the point of death. Your completed polished character will sparkle like a jewel, a precious stone chiseled by God.

A treasure in the heavens. In John 16:28, Jesus said, I came from the Father and entered the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. Two different realms. God personally invited you to be there with him and His Son.

Our treasure is Christ. Romans 8:35, 36. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. As it is written, for your sake, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

That’s the price we pay. That is the offering to secure your treasure. For I am convinced that neither death nor life Neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor incense, anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The love of Christ is a huge treasure. The inability to separate us from him is another huge treasure.

Two huge treasures laid up for us. If we have Christ as our treasure, he will present us to the Father and say these wash their robes and I want to be joined to them first. Peter 1, 2:19 is starting at verse 4. To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled, that will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. You have a reservation in heaven.

That is what Jesus prepared for you. Your deposits of spiritual treasure will get you there. Verse 6 if necessary. You have been distressed by various trials so that the proof of your faith being more precious than gold, which is perishable even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. This is the treasure you want.

You want those trials that prove you. Verse 18. Knowing that you are not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life, inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood as of a lamb, unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Well, that blood is our beloved treasure, soon to become known to the world as their treasure.

You have the tools, brethren. You hold the staff in your hand and wear a robe of righteousness. You made your consecration. Now you sacrifice and follow through. If indeed we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

And where is he? Heaven. How does your heart get there? You must open yourself up to God and let go of this life and say, here I am. Continue to change me.

I will sacrifice. Jesus promised you as his follower, that where I am, there ye may be also. Would you like to be there? Would you be willing to pay any price to be with him? Yes.

Our worldly acquaintances will do just about anything to get rich. Stab one another in the back, deceive, cheat, you name it. You don’t have to do any of those things and you get something so much better. What has the Lord asked you to pay? The truth must cost each of us something.

Of course, we will willingly forfeit everything the world has to offer. So the cost. My son, give me thine heart. Deny yourself. Take up your cross.

Follow me as we close our time together. Today lets summarize. You know where your treasure is. Be who you are. Be the character willing to share the fruits of the spirit.

The character that shows interest in our young brother, the ambassador of Christ, who wears that hat proudly and brings blessings and healing from the words of your mouth. Removing the space between all brethren, you are officially welcomed to the 2025 Bible Students General Convention. Now let’s start our spiritual feast. May our father bless our week.

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