WEBVTT

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 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his bondservants,

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 the things which must soon take place.

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 He sent and communicated it by his angel to his bondservant John,

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 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ,

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 even to all that he saw.

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 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy

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 and heed the things which are written in it, for the time is near.

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 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write,

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 the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand,

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 the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this,

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 I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance,

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 and that you cannot tolerate evil men.

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 And you put to the test those who call themselves apostles,

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 and they are not, and you found them to be false.

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 And you have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake and have not grown weary.

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 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

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 Therefore remember from where you have fallen,

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 and repent and do the deeds you did at first,

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 or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place,

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 unless you repent.

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 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans,

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 which I also hate.

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 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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 To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life,

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 which is in the paradise of God.

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 And this is the reading of God's Word.

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 Okay, so we, if you're joining us for the first time, you're like,

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 okay, I don't know what I got into with that scripture reading there.

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 Oh, by the way, we had an amazing, amazing lunch afterwards

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 with the church last Sunday for the fourth anniversary.

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 And Marcus, Marcus Tandra, Jeffrey, so Marcus, come here, buddy.

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 So Marcus gave me this, we had this crossword puzzle we were trying to work out,

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 and Marcus and I, we could not find out cupcake, right?

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 And you came here and you said, I don't think that it's on there.

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 Your wife probably just did his trick.

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 So I found it, it's right there.

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 See that?

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 Cupcake is backwards.

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 Okay, it took me a while.

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 I was like, oh, no, it's on here somewhere.

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 Hey, you know, we are, hey, we had a great time last Sunday.

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 Today, we are looking at a passage in a book that I heard often taught,

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 and I was always kind of, man, scared,

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 because the pastors I heard teach this book,

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 they got up here and they said, let me tell you how it's going to happen.

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 This is what it's going to look like,

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 and this is what the end of times are going to be like.

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 And I sat there as a young Christian, just in awe, in fear,

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 and then as a young pastor and as a seminary student, in awe and fear,

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 wondering if I would ever have the confidence to say,

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 this is how it's going to happen, and you can bet on it for sure.

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 And I can tell you that I don't.

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 There's about four different interpretations for the Scripture,

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 and God-fearing people who love Christ throughout the 2,000 years

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 have interpreted some of these passages in many, many different ways.

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 Some of us, when we come to the Book of Revelation,

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 I don't know if you've watched TV lately,

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 but there are some significant shows on TV right now about end times

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 and what happens when people get taken up and some people are left over.

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 And there's like four or five major shows,

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 and it seems like the secular world is very fascinated with this idea

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 of whether it's zombies that survive and we're trying to live,

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 but they're very fascinated with this idea of apocalypse and the end of times.

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 And we want to look at this passage, we're going to look at just chapters 2 and 3 to begin with.

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 And in the book, some of your Bibles will probably say,

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 they call it the apocalypse of Jesus Christ.

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 Apocalypse means the end time.

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 And again, sometimes as Christians, we think too, too much of this.

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 We become embroiled in this idea of end times,

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 and it consumes all of our life.

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 Joe Littlepache.

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 So I was in this little high school,

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 and Joe, I was a sophomore, I was a fairly young Christian,

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 and Joe was a senior, and we had Bible class in our school,

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 and we started studying Revelations,

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 and Joe was studying with a teacher,

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 and Joe was convinced that Jesus was going to come back in May of that year.

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 I mean, he just knew for sure that that was the end of the world,

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 and Jesus was going to come back in May,

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 and so Joe, he just refused to study.

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 So Joe, his senior year, he didn't do his homework.

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 So if you're a student in here, this is not a good thing.

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 He didn't do his homework.

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 He didn't study, and whenever we were asked,

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 well, why aren't you doing it?

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 He goes, well, it's the end of the world.

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 Why do we have to worry about that?

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 Because Jesus is going to come back, and I don't need to study.

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 And you know what happened to Joe?

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 Joe was with us next year in school

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 because he failed out because the end of the world didn't happen,

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 and he didn't study, and he had to learn all about that.

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 And then some of us, we just kind of think in our mind,

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 well, it's not really important to me today.

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 I don't really think about Jesus coming back

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 because when he comes back, I'm just going to be dead.

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 And I can just live my life now, have a lot of fun,

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 and get everything I need done,

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 and I'm not going to worry about that

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 because there's a lot of grace, and God will forgive me,

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 and when he comes back, I'll be dead.

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 But you know, when we look at this book today

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 and these next couple weeks as we look at these churches

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 that John is talking to,

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 it's probably one of the most practical books

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 we can look at as Christians.

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 It's probably one of the books that talks a lot

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 about what does it mean to be a follower of God.

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 It talks a lot about Christ and who he is,

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 and it talks a lot about God.

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 It talks a lot about the church,

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 and there are so many things that we can learn

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 from this time and this book,

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 and so I'm excited to kind of dive into it

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 and just swim a couple inches,

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 and we'll get a little deeper,

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 and we'll get a little deeper,

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 but we're going to enter into this book of Revelations,

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 the Apocalypse.

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 It was 1980, and don't tell me if you weren't alive then, okay?

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 But I was alive, and I see people giggling.

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 It was 1980, and we went on a senior

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 or a high school mission trip.

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 It actually was just a beach project.

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 We went down to the beach to build houses

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 and to fix things and stuff like that,

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 and we were down in Fort Walden Beach in Florida,

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 and I had just come off some swimming,

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 and I sat down, and there's a group of us students talking,

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 and we were hanging out on the beach shore,

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 and the waves were okay.

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 It was a little rough, but it wasn't that bad,

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 and I was talking to some friends,

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 and unbeknownst to me, two of my best friends,

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 Dwayne and Steve Elliott.

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 They were off shore, and they were playing in the water

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 and hanging out, and we were all talking,

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 and we didn't know anything bad was going to happen

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 until all of a sudden we heard this mom scream,

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 bloody murder,

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 and she started screaming,

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 my babies, my babies,

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 and we were just talking and eating lunch

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 and hanging out,

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 and we looked up,

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 and Steve and Dwayne,

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 they were no longer on the shore.

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 They were like half a mile out to the sea.

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 I mean, they were hanging out,

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 and it was kind of calm,

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 but they got caught in this riptide,

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 and before they knew it,

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 they were being drugged out to the sea,

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 and people were panicking,

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 and I mean, it was incredibly scary.

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 I was a young kid,

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 and I just remember it so vividly in my mind,

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 and people, adults were trying to get out there,

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 but the waves were too strong,

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 and they were just getting pulled out,

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 and all of a sudden,

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 like out of nowhere,

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 the surfer came on a surfboard.

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 I hadn't seen him all day,

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 didn't know where he came from,

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 but the surfer came on a surfboard,

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 and he surfed out to them.

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 The boys draped themselves around the surfboard,

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 and the surfer brought them back into shore,

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 and when he brought them back into shore,

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 people were so,

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 I mean, they're just crying and emotional,

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 and they're surrounding Steve and Dwayne,

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 and trying to get them hydrated,

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 and what's going on,

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 and all these things,

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 and when we looked for the surfer,

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 he wasn't around.

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 We didn't ever see him again.

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 We didn't know where he went.

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 We just knew that there was this thing that happened,

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 and this surfer came up,

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 and saved these boys.

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 Now, I tell this story not because of the surfer,

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 because we don't know what or who the surfer was,

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 but I tell this story because

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 I think this story represents the church sometimes.

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 What I mean by that is

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 churches start off,

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 and they stay close to shore.

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 They're in the sweet spot.

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 They're doing the right thing.

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 They're hanging out.

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 They're in the safe zone,

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 but all of a sudden,

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 this riptide comes along,

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 and it's really gentle,

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 and it starts to pull on people,

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 and people don't notice it at first,

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 but all of a sudden,

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 before you know it,

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 you've gone from being safe as a church

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 where God has called you

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 and what he wants you to do,

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 to all of a sudden,

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 you're way out in the waves

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 in the ocean.

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 Sometimes you never get back.

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 You just disappear as a church

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 and as God's people.

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 You start off safe.

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 You start off in control.

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 You start off on the right path.

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 You start off on the beach,

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 but slowly,

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 you get moved off a track,

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 and we lose focus,

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 and we disappear,

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 and that's the message

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 that John is talking to

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 to the church of Ephesus.

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 Bear with me,

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 because I'm going to fill you in

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 on some background knowledge.

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 Don't go to sleep,

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 but you need to know this

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 because it's important to understand

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 what John is trying to say.

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 Now, John the apostle,

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 he's the apostle.

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 He's the one that Jesus called from the shore.

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 He was in Galilee.

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 He was fishing with his dad

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 and his brother, James,

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 and they were fishing,

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 and Jesus came,

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 and he called them away

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 from the fishing business,

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 and they started to become his disciples.

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 He was one of the sons of thunder.

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 It wasn't called the son of thunder

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 because he liked thunder.

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 It was because he was loud.

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 He was powerful.

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 He was tough.

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 He was part of Jesus' inner circle.

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 He was in that inner circle,

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 a group of people,

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 that when Jesus went up

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 to the Mount of Transfiguration

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 and he metamorphed,

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 he basically peeled back his skin,

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 and you saw what he was like inside

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 as he was outside.

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 He became as white as snow.

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 He was there.

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 He saw that happen.

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 He was the disciple that Jesus loved.

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 In the Last Supper,

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 there's John who's laying down

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 with his head against Jesus' chest,

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 and so he had his place of honor.

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 A lot of people think

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 that John was Jesus' cousin.

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 He was at the crucifixion.

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 All the other disciples were gone,

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 but John was at the crucifixion.

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 Remember the scene?

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 Jesus looks down at him.

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 He says,

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 John, take care of my mom,

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 and so Jesus gives John

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 the responsibility

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 to take care of Mary,

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 and so he's at the crucifixion,

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 and then he helps bury

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 the body of Jesus,

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 and then he runs off

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 after the tomb is open,

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 and he's the first one there.

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 He beats Peter,

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 and he's at the door,

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 and he's looking in

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 in the resurrected Christ.

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 The Christ isn't there.

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 The body's gone.

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 He's resurrected,

00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:19.419
 and from that point on,

00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.299
 John becomes this amazing

00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:22.139
 church leader.

00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:24.199
 He becomes this powerful force

00:11:24.199 --> 00:11:25.019
 amongst the churches

00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.139
 in Jerusalem

00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:28.039
 and all around Asia Minor,

00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.979
 and we're told in this passage

00:11:29.979 --> 00:11:31.139
 by the time we get to this point

00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:32.759
 that he's been put in prison.

00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:35.239
 Most of the other disciples

00:11:35.239 --> 00:11:35.779
 have been martyred.

00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:36.419
 They've been killed.

00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:38.699
 Peter was crucified upside down,

00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:40.339
 so if you think crucifixion is bad,

00:11:40.339 --> 00:11:42.139
 think about being crucified upside down,

00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:44.840
 and John is becoming an old man,

00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.259
 and he's on this island of Patmos,

00:11:46.319 --> 00:11:47.100
 this prison island,

00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.059
 and he's there,

00:11:48.439 --> 00:11:50.879
 and he's writing these stories,

00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.419
 God's word that God is speaking to him,

00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:55.080
 and we're told in the first part of John

00:11:55.080 --> 00:11:56.639
 that he's taken up into heaven,

00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.699
 and he sees his vision.

00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.699
 He sees Jesus,

00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.980
 and Jesus tells him to write a letter,

00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.199
 to write a letter to the seven churches,

00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:05.699
 to write a letter about what's going on

00:12:05.699 --> 00:12:07.600
 in their life concerning how they're doing,

00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:08.259
 what they're doing,

00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:09.159
 what they should be doing,

00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:11.600
 and he talks to them about what the end times is like.

00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:13.240
 So he's up there,

00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:13.959
 he's in this vision,

00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.360
 Jesus is telling him to write down everything,

00:12:15.459 --> 00:12:16.319
 he's writing down all these things,

00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:18.299
 and he's told to write a letter to these churches,

00:12:19.339 --> 00:12:20.240
 to tell them how they're doing.

00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:23.159
 My question for us is,

00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.379
 you ever wonder

00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:28.419
 what kind of letter Jesus would write to you?

00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.879
 I mean, if John was up there,

00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:34.159
 and he says,

00:12:34.199 --> 00:12:35.059
 hey, I want you to take down a letter,

00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:36.079
 and I want you to write to Tobin,

00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:38.340
 or to Steve,

00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.379
 or to Mary,

00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:42.000
 or to Christina,

00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:42.580
 or to Dwight,

00:12:42.900 --> 00:12:44.200
 what would be the letter

00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:46.980
 that Jesus would write to us?

00:12:48.900 --> 00:12:50.220
 I mean, as he looks at our life,

00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.200
 and he sees us living life,

00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.240
 what would he say about how we're living life?

00:12:55.660 --> 00:12:57.300
 What would he say about what we're doing?

00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.680
 What do you think the letter

00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:03.300
 would say

00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:05.100
 to the churches in Hong Kong?

00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:09.660
 If Jesus were to write a letter

00:13:09.660 --> 00:13:10.600
 to the churches of Hong Kong,

00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:13.000
 what would he say to them?

00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.980
 What would he say to Watermark?

00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:19.660
 And so he begins this letter

00:13:19.660 --> 00:13:20.720
 to this church in Ephesus,

00:13:21.020 --> 00:13:22.940
 and Ephesus was this amazing city.

00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:24.080
 It was a significant city,

00:13:24.400 --> 00:13:25.460
 and I know I'm going to get in trouble,

00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.340
 but I think Ephesus

00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:29.320
 is so much like Hong Kong.

00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:32.759
 I mean, it was one of the most important cities

00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:33.940
 in Asia Minor.

00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:36.620
 I mean, it was this huge city.

00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:38.200
 The Romans called it Luminasia.

00:13:38.420 --> 00:13:39.800
 It was the light of Asia.

00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:43.340
 The light emanated from Ephesus

00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.560
 and all the Roman Empire.

00:13:44.920 --> 00:13:46.640
 The Romans had this special agreement

00:13:46.640 --> 00:13:48.640
 with the community of Ephesus,

00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.980
 and the Ephesus had their own government.

00:13:51.040 --> 00:13:52.360
 They could make their own laws.

00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.540
 They had this massive harbor

00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:56.200
 that all these ships came into,

00:13:56.900 --> 00:13:59.680
 and all trade flowed in and out of Ephesus.

00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:01.280
 There were about half a million people

00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.419
 when John writes this letter.

00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.860
 There are four major trade routes,

00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:06.759
 and they all converge in Ephesus,

00:14:06.959 --> 00:14:08.259
 so any kind of trade,

00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.100
 any kind of commerce,

00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.279
 anything that happened

00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:11.639
 in that part of Turkey

00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:13.500
 that had to go through Ephesus.

00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:16.279
 I mean, it was powerful.

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.620
 In the center of the city,

00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:19.980
 there was this temple.

00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:22.740
 It's one of the seven wonders of the world.

00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:24.139
 And if you've ever been to Greece

00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:25.000
 and you saw the Parthenon,

00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.340
 this temple was twice as big as that temple.

00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.899
 It was a temple of Diana.

00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:31.600
 And it was a center of pagan worship,

00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:35.059
 and really, really, really bad things happened there.

00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:37.279
 I mean, the city was out of control

00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:38.059
 because of this temple.

00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:40.220
 Sometimes they call it the temple of Artemis,

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.679
 and there was a cult there.

00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.299
 And this cult was all about sex,

00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.460
 was all about debauchery,

00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.480
 all about prostitution.

00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:48.259
 The temple was actually an amazing place.

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:50.220
 The temple was one of the first banks in history.

00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:52.539
 It was said that it was probably

00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:54.240
 one of the most secure places in history.

00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.419
 If you were a criminal

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:57.500
 and you were in trouble of getting prosecuted,

00:14:57.599 --> 00:14:58.519
 you would go into the temple

00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.860
 because by the laws,

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.939
 no one could touch you in there.

00:15:01.199 --> 00:15:04.000
 So a lot of bad things happened in the temple.

00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.259
 There were thousands of prostitutes

00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.159
 that went out every night

00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:10.079
 to sell their wares,

00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:11.079
 to sell themselves

00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:13.719
 because it was part of the worship of Diana.

00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:14.819
 It was all about sex.

00:15:15.599 --> 00:15:17.240
 And it felt like the more sex you had,

00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.539
 the closer you got to God.

00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:20.799
 One Greek philosopher,

00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:21.839
 I was reading some articles,

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.680
 one Greek philosopher

00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:24.540
 who lived in Ephesus said this.

00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.060
 I mean, he was a philosopher

00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:27.960
 known as the philosopher who never smiled.

00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.320
 And he asked him,

00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:31.060
 why don't you ever smile?

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:32.639
 And he said,

00:15:32.680 --> 00:15:33.379
 how can I

00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:35.420
 with the people in my city?

00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.840
 They're full of wickedness

00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.920
 and debauchery.

00:15:41.420 --> 00:15:42.259
 Another philosopher,

00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.160
 when he wrote about Ephesus,

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.720
 he said this,

00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:45.420
 the people of Ephesus are goats.

00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:47.940
 They eat wherever they want,

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:50.060
 they poop wherever they want,

00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:52.179
 and they fornicate wherever they want.

00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:54.500
 So Ephesus was,

00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.679
 in one way,

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.859
 this amazing city,

00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:58.099
 but in another way,

00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:00.059
 it was not a nice city.

00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.479
 And in Acts 19,

00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:04.059
 Paul comes

00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:05.299
 and he plants

00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:06.859
 this small little church

00:16:06.859 --> 00:16:08.919
 in the midst of craziness.

00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:09.879
 Can you imagine that?

00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:10.739
 I mean,

00:16:10.739 --> 00:16:11.319
 I don't know what is

00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:12.119
 the worst city

00:16:12.119 --> 00:16:13.319
 that you can imagine

00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.019
 in your world

00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.739
 or where you would say,

00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:15.679
 if I had to plant a church,

00:16:15.959 --> 00:16:16.839
 this is the one place

00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.940
 that I would not want

00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:19.360
 to plant a church.

00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.139
 It's probably someplace

00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.340
 in Australia

00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.340
 or South Africa

00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.660
 or something like that.

00:16:23.920 --> 00:16:24.759
 The easy places

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.280
 to plant church

00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:25.879
 are in Texas,

00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:26.840
 but I don't know

00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.620
 what that would look like

00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:27.940
 for you,

00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:29.040
 but Paul plants

00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:30.120
 this small church in there,

00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:30.820
 and we're told that

00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:31.740
 for three months

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.759
 he teaches in the synagogue.

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.360
 He gets kicked out

00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:34.740
 of the synagogue

00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.500
 because he's too radical

00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.139
 for the Jews.

00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.340
 And then he takes over

00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.379
 this small little school,

00:16:38.680 --> 00:16:39.720
 and for the next three years,

00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.780
 he basically teaches

00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:41.720
 night and day,

00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:42.720
 night and day

00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.379
 to the people,

00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.540
 and he teaches about Christ.

00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.519
 He teaches about the gospel.

00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.399
 He teaches about the freedom.

00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.299
 He teaches about grace.

00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.019
 He teaches about

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.259
 all these things.

00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.120
 And what we're told

00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.539
 in Scripture

00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.139
 and in Acts

00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:52.659
 and other books

00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:54.120
 that this major revival

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.819
 takes place.

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:55.720
 I mean,

00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.919
 it's this massive revival.

00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:57.480
 I mean,

00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.620
 it's out of control.

00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.159
 People are coming to Christ.

00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:01.620
 There's stories of people,

00:17:01.819 --> 00:17:02.720
 they were really big

00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.899
 into witchcraft in Ephesus,

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.579
 and so everybody collected books.

00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.519
 And there's one story

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.119
 where people took

00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.099
 all their witchcraft books

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:08.819
 and they burned them

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.680
 because they wanted

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.359
 to follow Christ

00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:10.799
 and they didn't want

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.139
 those things

00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.980
 in their house anymore.

00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:12.940
 And we're told

00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:14.139
 that the cost of those things

00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:16.279
 was over 50,000 silver coins.

00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:18.700
 That means it's 50,000 days labor,

00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:19.700
 worth of days labor.

00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:21.119
 They just burn it up like that.

00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.279
 I mean,

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.139
 this revival happens

00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:23.480
 and people,

00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.759
 they don't go to the temple anymore.

00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:25.240
 They're not paying

00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.079
 the prostitutes anymore.

00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.740
 They're not going

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.579
 to the bank anymore.

00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:29.259
 It's interesting

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.019
 when you put the banks

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.960
 and prostitutes together.

00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.460
 That's a,

00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.740
 I don't want to go there,

00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.359
 but anyway,

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.799
 but there's this thing there.

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:36.000
 They don't do that anymore.

00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.559
 They're not buying

00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.660
 the silver idols anymore.

00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.039
 And the businessmen

00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.960
 get really upset.

00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.359
 The businessmen

00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.920
 get really upset

00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.619
 because their business

00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.200
 is being hurt

00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:43.859
 by the Christians

00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:45.099
 and by this thing

00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:45.659
 called the way

00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:46.779
 and people are choosing

00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.379
 to follow God.

00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:48.259
 And so they cause

00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:50.039
 this revolt to happen.

00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.699
 And they go out

00:17:51.699 --> 00:17:52.659
 and they try to actually

00:17:52.659 --> 00:17:54.479
 kill Paul.

00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.179
 They try to kill him

00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:57.539
 and basically he's rescued

00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.959
 and he's taken away

00:17:58.959 --> 00:17:59.799
 and after he leaves,

00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:00.559
 Timothy comes in

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.179
 and he takes over.

00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:02.899
 And the church continues

00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.379
 to grow

00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:04.879
 and change the culture

00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:05.899
 and change society

00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:06.819
 and it's doing

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.819
 amazing,

00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.559
 amazing,

00:18:08.719 --> 00:18:09.519
 amazing things.

00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:09.719
 I mean,

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.419
 you can read about it

00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:10.759
 in scripture

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.359
 and other books.

00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.079
 They're doing

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.139
 some incredible things.

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.500
 When Paul writes

00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.139
 the letter to them

00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:18.179
 in Ephesians

00:18:18.179 --> 00:18:19.059
 and you can read it

00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.839
 and we've studied it,

00:18:20.179 --> 00:18:21.859
 he says like 20 times,

00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:22.859
 you are a church

00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.779
 that loves God.

00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:25.740
 You are a church

00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.859
 that's doing everything right.

00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.059
 You are a church

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.179
 that has the right priorities.

00:18:29.479 --> 00:18:30.519
 He's saying all these things

00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:30.819
 to them

00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:32.240
 but 30 years later,

00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.359
 Jesus tells John,

00:18:34.459 --> 00:18:34.899
 I want you to write

00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.539
 a letter to them.

00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:37.959
 That's what we're

00:18:37.959 --> 00:18:38.419
 going to look at.

00:18:39.699 --> 00:18:41.000
 So John writes this letter

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.059
 and in the very first verse

00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.180
 what you see is he says,

00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.160
 to the angel

00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:45.019
 of the church of Ephesus

00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.400
 write,

00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.400
 to the one who holds

00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.099
 the seven stars

00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.819
 in his right hand,

00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.619
 the one who walks

00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:49.019
 among you,

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.819
 the seven golden lampstands.

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.579
 What you know

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.420
 from the first chapter

00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.160
 is that's Jesus.

00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.200
 The lampstands

00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.000
 represent the church.

00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.039
 So the churches

00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.859
 are these light,

00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.680
 they're the light

00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.140
 and the darkness

00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.759
 are the Christians

00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.420
 in this church

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.460
 and these lampstands

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.319
 represent the church

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.700
 and the stars

00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.559
 represent the pastors

00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.079
 and the leaders

00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.059
 and what he says

00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:07.160
 is that Jesus is there,

00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.359
 Jesus is with us

00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:08.799
 right now.

00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:10.039
 Jesus sees everything

00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.859
 that you're doing.

00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.180
 Did you hear me?

00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.680
 Jesus sees everything

00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:17.579
 that you're doing.

00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.940
 He knows what you're

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.420
 going through.

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.399
 There's nothing

00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:23.019
 that's going to catch him

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.079
 unaware in your life.

00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.740
 He's there amongst

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.539
 the lampstands,

00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.099
 he's watching,

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.599
 he's in control.

00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:32.200
 And in verse two

00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.019
 he says this,

00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.039
 I know your deeds

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.599
 and your toils

00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.259
 and your perseverance

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.779
 that you cannot

00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.559
 tolerate evil men

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.240
 and you put to test

00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:38.839
 those who call

00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.539
 themselves apostles.

00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.099
 And they are not

00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.559
 and you found

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.200
 them to be false.

00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.799
 Jesus says he knows

00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.399
 their deeds.

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.000
 He knows that they're

00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.259
 working,

00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:46.819
 the word there

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.480
 is copious,

00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.259
 it means in Greek

00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.920
 that they're just

00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.720
 working to the point

00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.619
 of sweat and blood.

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.099
 These guys in this

00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.659
 church of Ephesus,

00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.879
 they work tirelessly

00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.559
 for the gospel.

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.859
 I mean they weren't

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.779
 just spectators,

00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:57.440
 they weren't just

00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.259
 watching,

00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.339
 they were doers.

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.139
 So this whole church

00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:01.859
 is this amazing

00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.500
 church of people

00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.259
 and they're just

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.299
 working and serving

00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.200
 and doing and

00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.000
 feeding poor people

00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.019
 and going out on

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.460
 mission trips

00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.579
 and doing all these

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:08.819
 things.

00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.079
 He said they persevered,

00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:11.039
 that things got bad,

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:11.759
 things got rough,

00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.559
 that people were

00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.359
 trying to attack them

00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.899
 and kill them

00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:15.059
 but they stayed in there

00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:16.139
 and they stayed it

00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:17.159
 and they sacrificed

00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:18.099
 and sometimes it even

00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:19.059
 cost them their finances

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.799
 and their livelihood.

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.099
 They were patient,

00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:22.879
 they were patient,

00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.699
 they were being afflicted

00:20:23.699 --> 00:20:24.240
 with hardships

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.379
 and persecution

00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:26.359
 but they were faithful,

00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.379
 they didn't stand up

00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.059
 to wickedness.

00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.779
 Did you see that

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.319
 in verse two?

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.699
 That when wickedness

00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.460
 came into their midst

00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.460
 they didn't stand into it,

00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.939
 they tested every teacher.

00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.940
 I mean there's this thing

00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.680
 about circuit teachers

00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.440
 and they're going around

00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:41.000
 from city to city to city

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.100
 and a lot of times

00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:43.200
 these new people come in

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.880
 and it happens sometimes

00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.279
 in Hong Kong,

00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.019
 you just let them come in

00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.019
 and they preach in your service

00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.720
 and you don't even know

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.759
 what they really believe

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.320
 and what they're about

00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:49.120
 but the Ephesians

00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:49.680
 didn't do that,

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.539
 they listened to everything,

00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:51.420
 they compared it

00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.180
 to what scripture said,

00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.660
 they compared it

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.160
 to the gospel

00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.180
 and they found out

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.420
 who those who were orthodox

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.220
 and those who were not

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.120
 and they kicked out

00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:57.880
 the false teachers

00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:58.960
 and they kept the good teachers.

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.860
 The passage says

00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:02.380
 they hated immoral things.

00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:04.519
 Verse six says

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.359
 they hated the followers

00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:05.819
 of Nicholas

00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.879
 and Nicholas was his Christian

00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:08.279
 and he basically said,

00:21:08.639 --> 00:21:09.619
 he started this cult

00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.339
 and he basically said

00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.099
 if you're a Christian

00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.359
 you can basically do

00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:12.940
 whatever you want

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.980
 because God loves you.

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.859
 That if you're a Christian

00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:17.059
 you can do anything you want

00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.500
 because there's grace

00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.259
 and there's forgiveness

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:21.180
 and so they started this cult

00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.160
 and it all centered again

00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:23.119
 around sexuality

00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:25.220
 and so the followers

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.599
 of Nicholas

00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.019
 were about sexuality

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.779
 and sensualness

00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:30.139
 and John looks at them

00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:30.940
 and Jesus looks at them

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.180
 and says

00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.200
 I'm so glad

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.460
 you don't follow those people.

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.559
 I'm so glad

00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.839
 you don't follow your flesh.

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.819
 I mean they were

00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.960
 the pastor's dream

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.660
 as a church.

00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:43.180
 I mean they did everything right.

00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.240
 They had good theology

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:46.819
 and in theological terms

00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:48.299
 we call that orthodoxy,

00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.500
 ortho straight,

00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.319
 doxy teaching.

00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.680
 They had orthopraxy,

00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:52.920
 ortho straight,

00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.500
 practice right on.

00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.359
 So this church

00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.779
 did everything right

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:59.119
 and they studied

00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:01.099
 and thought everything right.

00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:03.440
 I mean is that amazing?

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.140
 I mean most churches

00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:06.720
 they spend all their time

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.460
 studying their Bible

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.940
 and doing all these

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.559
 different programs

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.779
 and they're so busy

00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.400
 with their head stuck

00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.100
 in God's word

00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:12.779
 that they don't look

00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.680
 at people around them

00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.440
 and they're not serving

00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.500
 and taking care of people

00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:17.320
 and then other churches

00:22:17.320 --> 00:22:18.440
 are just caring

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.519
 and taking care of people

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.220
 and doing things

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.759
 but they don't have theology

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.559
 and they just go by

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.160
 their feelings

00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.880
 and their emotions

00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:25.160
 and you ask them

00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.220
 what does God's word

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.700
 say about that

00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:26.900
 and they go

00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.180
 I don't know

00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:27.680
 but I feel like

00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.740
 this is the right thing to do.

00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:30.519
 But in Ephesus

00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:32.059
 they did both.

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.799
 They knew the word

00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.740
 and they did the word.

00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.680
 So I have a question for you.

00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.380
 Would that be

00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.779
 a church you'd want

00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.359
 to be a part of?

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.700
 Come on.

00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.799
 I mean that's your dream

00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.319
 isn't it?

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.019
 As a pastor

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:51.420
 that is my dream church.

00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:52.920
 I mean they're doing

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.240
 everything

00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:53.579
 they're listening

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.440
 to everything you said

00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:55.380
 hopefully you're not

00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:55.880
 the bad

00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:57.059
 immoral teacher

00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.899
 but you're the good teacher

00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.759
 but they're doing

00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.480
 everything you're doing

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.339
 and I mean

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.799
 they're out there

00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.480
 serving and they're

00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.019
 feeding people

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.240
 they're doing everything.

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.679
 They're perfect.

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.879
 I mean doing everything

00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.779
 that God expects of them.

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.200
 And then in verse 4

00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:11.940
 he says this

00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:14.119
 but

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:16.039
 I had this against you

00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.700
 you've left

00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.399
 your first love.

00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.339
 You've seen the words there

00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.859
 what he's saying?

00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.700
 I mean Jesus is saying

00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.359
 you did everything.

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.779
 You did everything

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.319
 I've asked you

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.059
 but you've lost

00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:28.439
 your first love.

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.379
 I think in Chinese

00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:31.119
 one of the translations

00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.919
 actually says

00:23:31.919 --> 00:23:33.079
 you threw away

00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.879
 your first love.

00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.179
 Who's your first love?

00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.879
 Jesus.

00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.599
 So this first church

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.659
 that John is writing to

00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.419
 because Jesus wants him

00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:45.919
 to write a message

00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:47.159
 I mean they did everything.

00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.200
 They had all the programs

00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.019
 they had all the buildings

00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:51.200
 they had everything going on

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.759
 they did it all right.

00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.220
 But when Jesus looks at them

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.059
 he looks at their heart.

00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:58.619
 And he realizes

00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.919
 they've lost their first love.

00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.599
 They've had no relationship

00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.319
 with Christ.

00:24:04.679 --> 00:24:05.439
 I mean Paul warned

00:24:05.439 --> 00:24:06.139
 the church at Corinth

00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:06.779
 of the same thing.

00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.379
 Remember that?

00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.519
 The church at Corinth

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.700
 had all the spiritual gifts

00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.379
 they had everything

00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:11.220
 they had all the teaching

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.059
 I mean they were

00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.000
 an amazing church.

00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.139
 And Paul said to them

00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.359
 he says

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.480
 you know in 1 Corinthians

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.639
 we read it all the time

00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.700
 in wedding services right?

00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:20.359
 We read it in wedding services

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.419
 that love is patient

00:24:21.419 --> 00:24:22.000
 love is kind

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.379
 and we think

00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.480
 well that's such a beautiful thing.

00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.240
 But in scripture

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.279
 it was a rebuke.

00:24:27.120 --> 00:24:28.279
 Paul was looking at the church

00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.299
 and they weren't doing that.

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.400
 And so he's telling them

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.299
 this is what love is.

00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.599
 And he ends up saying

00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.660
 you can have all these gifts

00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.740
 you can have all these talents

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:39.240
 but if you don't have love

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.720
 you're

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:42.240
 nothing.

00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:46.920
 And so the passage says

00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.599
 in this center

00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.200
 this thing

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.819
 that these people

00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.400
 did everything

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.299
 but they didn't

00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.380
 love Christ.

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.079
 And the Bible says

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:55.279
 that what Christ wants

00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:57.000
 most out of all of us

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:59.099
 is our love.

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.940
 He wants our relationship

00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.460
 with him.

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.819
 Guys this was

00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.700
 blew my mind.

00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.819
 As a young Christian

00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.620
 all I thought was

00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.660
 God wanted my obedience.

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.819
 And so I did

00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.220
 I did

00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.660
 I did

00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.019
 I did

00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.400
 I did

00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:15.940
 I did everything

00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.640
 I was told to do

00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.420
 I did all those things

00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.019
 I did it all.

00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.140
 And if someone were to ask me

00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:20.980
 did I do it right?

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:21.819
 I'd say yeah

00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.559
 because I did everything

00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:24.299
 that God has asked me to do

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:26.200
 but what he says here

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.500
 is he doesn't want that.

00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.519
 He wants a relationship

00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.180
 with us.

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.720
 I mean I think it's why

00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.579
 the Bible

00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.539
 does this make sense?

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.700
 I think it's why

00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.539
 the Bible talks about

00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.440
 marriage so much

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.099
 when it talks about

00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.920
 our walk with God.

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.660
 I mean you think about it

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.440
 you know you see it

00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:42.860
 in marriages

00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:43.840
 you see it in families

00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.700
 you see it in churches

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.279
 and relationships

00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.759
 I mean when you fall in love

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.779
 when you see that person

00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:49.700
 I mean you just

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.580
 you go crazy right?

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.680
 I mean you're just

00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.440
 loving them

00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.540
 you're thinking about them

00:25:55.540 --> 00:25:56.700
 you want to date them

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.220
 every moment

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.980
 you're just talking about

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.019
 what you want to do with them

00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.120
 you want to be together

00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.759
 I mean Christina

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.840
 couldn't take her hands

00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.380
 off of me

00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.460
 she just had her hands

00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.300
 on me all the time

00:26:04.300 --> 00:26:04.880
 because she just wanted

00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.519
 to be with me

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:08.300
 and yeah why not?

00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:09.339
 but I mean that's

00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.359
 that's what happens

00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.039
 when you're in love

00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.299
 right?

00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.659
 Love consumes you

00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:13.359
 when you're in love

00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.680
 you want to be with that person

00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.759
 you want to give them

00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.139
 your heart

00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.639
 you want to give them

00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.079
 your time

00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.579
 you want to give them

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:17.940
 your money

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.839
 I mean you become

00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.200
 diligent

00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.079
 you become passionate

00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.220
 you become disciplined

00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.240
 you forgive

00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.279
 I mean Christina

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.240
 had all these conversations

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.019
 about trying to save

00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.379
 our money

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.740
 and she was in Austin

00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.480
 I was in Dallas

00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.500
 and you know in America

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.480
 telephone calls

00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.519
 are more expensive

00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.539
 if they're in the same state

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.180
 it's cheaper for me

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.839
 to call Hong Kong

00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:34.079
 than to call Austin

00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:35.079
 and every week

00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:35.779
 every month

00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.720
 I'd get this phone bill

00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:38.879
 it was like 500 US dollars

00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:41.079
 and I was a seminary student

00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.919
 I had no money

00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:43.679
 and I would call her up

00:26:43.679 --> 00:26:44.379
 that Sunday night

00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.000
 and say hey

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.379
 I just got this bill

00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.599
 she's laughing

00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.399
 I would say

00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:50.159
 we cannot talk anymore

00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:53.519
 I mean this bill

00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.220
 I don't even know

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.839
 how we're going to pay

00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.359
 these bills

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.599
 it's 500 US dollars

00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.779
 I can't eat

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.539
 for the next week

00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:58.899
 I don't know

00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.579
 what we're going to do

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.480
 and she goes okay

00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.919
 so okay

00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:01.559
 what do you want to do?

00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.659
 I said well let's don't call

00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.599
 for at least three weeks

00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:05.619
 let's don't talk

00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.119
 for three weeks

00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:06.679
 we'll save the money

00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:07.219
 just don't talk

00:27:07.219 --> 00:27:07.740
 for three weeks

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.759
 okay okay okay

00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:10.240
 that night

00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:12.039
 hey how you doing?

00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.500
 I thought we weren't

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.000
 going to call

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.939
 yeah but I just

00:27:16.939 --> 00:27:17.719
 want to hear your voice

00:27:17.719 --> 00:27:19.480
 I want to talk

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.199
 how was your day?

00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.619
 and you're like okay

00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.699
 just give my wallet

00:27:22.699 --> 00:27:23.539
 give it to AT&T

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.379
 here you go

00:27:24.379 --> 00:27:26.379
 sorry Bernard

00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:29.019
 but that's what it is

00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.699
 when you're in love

00:27:29.699 --> 00:27:29.959
 right?

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.779
 you don't become disciplined

00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.339
 you become

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.179
 you're giving

00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.080
 you're grace oriented

00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:34.700
 you can't wait

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.320
 the next moment

00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:35.860
 I mean we had

00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.420
 these discussions

00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.820
 like okay

00:27:36.820 --> 00:27:37.180
 it's going to take

00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.779
 two hours to drive

00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.200
 down there

00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.920
 and you take

00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.400
 two hours for you

00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.039
 to drive down here

00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.640
 and we're going to

00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.539
 15 minutes together

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.140
 is that enough?

00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.700
 that's enough

00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.200
 let's do it

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:45.320
 you drive four hours

00:27:45.320 --> 00:27:46.279
 to spend 15 minutes

00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:46.880
 together right?

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.620
 but that's what you did

00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.440
 when you're in love

00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.980
 that's what you did

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.480
 when you wanted

00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.160
 to be with somebody

00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.720
 that's what you wanted

00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.279
 to be about

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:55.500
 that's who you were

00:27:55.500 --> 00:28:00.279
 the question is

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:02.400
 when was the last time

00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:02.900
 we felt that way

00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.559
 about Jesus?

00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:10.140
 when was the last time

00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.160
 that spending time

00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.519
 with him

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:13.240
 was all consuming?

00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.480
 when was the last time

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.299
 you were going to drive

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.900
 two hours

00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.460
 so you could spend

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.480
 that 15 minutes?

00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.519
 when was the last time

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.960
 you were willing

00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.640
 to sacrifice

00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.440
 all these things

00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.420
 because the most

00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.180
 important thing for you

00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.500
 was to be with him

00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:30.720
 to pray

00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:33.740
 to be in his presence

00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:36.240
 guys it happens

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.040
 to all of us

00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:39.400
 it happened to this

00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:39.980
 amazing church

00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.440
 in Ephesus

00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:42.540
 and I'm not speaking

00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:42.980
 at you

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.000
 I'm speaking to my heart

00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.700
 this has been

00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.700
 an incredibly hard

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.280
 week for me

00:28:47.280 --> 00:28:48.660
 as I go through

00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.120
 this passage

00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:50.160
 and keep continually

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.960
 examining my heart

00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:52.900
 I mean what I realized

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.320
 in my life

00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:53.839
 is sometimes

00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:55.159
 I start to lose

00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.799
 this joy

00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.939
 I lose this joy

00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:58.399
 in the joy

00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.179
 of being with God

00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.019
 or being with the person

00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.819
 that you love

00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:02.439
 and everything

00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.480
 becomes normal

00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:06.099
 everything becomes

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.639
 mundane

00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:08.939
 everything becomes

00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:09.500
 dull

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:11.480
 everything becomes

00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.000
 your duty

00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.679
 you just do it

00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:13.159
 it's a chore

00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.859
 you just do it

00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.519
 and you lose

00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.179
 your joy

00:29:15.179 --> 00:29:17.279
 and the next thing

00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:17.939
 that happens in my life

00:29:17.939 --> 00:29:18.579
 often is I start

00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.299
 to lose my ability

00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.200
 to love other people

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:22.559
 I mean I lose my joy

00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.259
 and I lose my joy

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.160
 of being around people

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:26.319
 I mean the Bible

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.240
 says that the only

00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.059
 reason we can love

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.480
 each other

00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.259
 is because God

00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:31.059
 first loved us

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:34.319
 and the moment

00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.460
 we lose our awe

00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.960
 and wonder

00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.759
 of Jesus' love

00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.299
 for us

00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:40.180
 we lose our ability

00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:40.940
 to love people

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:43.580
 did you hear

00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:44.160
 what I said

00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:45.860
 because I've been

00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.380
 saying that over

00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:47.220
 and over to myself

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:49.200
 the moment

00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.140
 we lose our wonder

00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.519
 and awe

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.079
 of Jesus

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.700
 and his love

00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.140
 for us

00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:55.100
 we lose our ability

00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.839
 to love people

00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:58.680
 people just become

00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.319
 a distraction

00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:02.079
 we become critical

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:03.200
 we become judgmental

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.539
 we complain

00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.140
 we argue

00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:06.740
 we're no compassion

00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:11.799
 I mean if you're

00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.620
 in that place

00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.539
 if you feel that

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.240
 if you see someone

00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:14.819
 who's a believer

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:16.319
 and they're

00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:16.900
 nitpicky

00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.940
 and they're arguing

00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.840
 and they're complaining

00:30:18.840 --> 00:30:19.880
 and they're judgmental

00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.480
 and they're

00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.880
 tough to be around

00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:24.500
 you think in your mind

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.340
 I wonder if they're

00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:25.860
 in awe

00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:28.140
 of how much

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.980
 God loves them

00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:33.240
 you know

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.280
 I lose the ability

00:30:34.280 --> 00:30:35.440
 to love people

00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:38.460
 I mean I lose my joy

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.259
 then I lose my ability

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.800
 to love people

00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:40.480
 and then the last thing

00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.180
 that finally happens to me

00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.060
 is I just get this weird

00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:43.220
 perspective of myself

00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:45.200
 I don't know

00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.940
 if it ever happens to you

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.480
 but I start thinking

00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.440
 of myself more importantly

00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.039
 than I am

00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:49.860
 I just start thinking

00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.259
 thoughts like

00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:51.120
 why I deserve this

00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:51.860
 and you know

00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.660
 I know

00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:54.279
 I start thinking

00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.860
 about things

00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.900
 that I deserve

00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:57.160
 and what's good for me

00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:59.039
 and I think about

00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.820
 myself being more

00:30:59.820 --> 00:31:00.860
 important than other people

00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.820
 and the scripture says

00:31:01.820 --> 00:31:02.799
 we're to think of other people

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.820
 and how we're to please God

00:31:03.820 --> 00:31:04.759
 but when we get down

00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.259
 this road

00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.440
 and we slide from joy

00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:08.019
 into disliking people

00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.960
 we start to think

00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.640
 about ourselves

00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.380
 and we put ourselves

00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:11.259
 up on this pedestal

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.840
 and we say

00:31:11.840 --> 00:31:12.680
 what do I deserve

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.400
 what do I need

00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:14.279
 and our world

00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:15.960
 becomes self-centered

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:20.980
 self-reliant

00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:23.400
 and instead of pleasing God

00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.440
 we think about pleasing

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:26.360
 Tobin

00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:30.019
 have you ever been there

00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:37.000
 if you ever wonder

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.799
 this is you

00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.640
 you could ask yourself

00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.140
 some questions

00:31:39.140 --> 00:31:40.019
 here's one of the questions

00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.680
 I ask myself

00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.839
 how long has it been

00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:42.619
 since I've been in awe

00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.700
 of God's grace to me

00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:48.039
 how long has it been

00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.539
 since I've thought

00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.279
 about God's grace

00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.019
 and I go wow

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.460
 how could he do that

00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.139
 because I'm a sinner

00:31:52.139 --> 00:31:56.079
 when was the last time

00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.160
 you felt God's presence

00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.839
 in your life

00:31:57.839 --> 00:32:02.720
 when was the last time

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.400
 you felt that God

00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.299
 was close to you

00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:06.700
 I mean how often

00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.900
 do we think we need grace

00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.819
 in our life

00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.859
 do we pray before

00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:10.559
 our day begins

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.500
 do we pray before

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.439
 we head into the big meeting

00:32:12.439 --> 00:32:13.039
 do we pray before

00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.480
 we come home

00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.099
 to be with our spouse

00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.740
 and our kiddos

00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:18.579
 when was the last time

00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:20.879
 that you had joy

00:32:20.879 --> 00:32:21.460
 praying

00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:24.740
 and reading God's word

00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:31.399
 when was the last time

00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:32.059
 we cried

00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:34.099
 when we thought about

00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.639
 how God

00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.419
 was so gracious

00:32:35.419 --> 00:32:36.039
 to us

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:40.379
 when was the last time

00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:40.859
 we cried

00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.519
 when we thought about

00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:43.299
 how gracious God

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:45.539
 Mr. Tobin

00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:47.659
 are you

00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:50.960
 if you can't answer

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.539
 those questions

00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.359
 or if you have a hard time

00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.299
 answering when those things

00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.559
 happen

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.440
 it probably means

00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.440
 that you like

00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.619
 the church of Ephesus

00:32:56.619 --> 00:33:00.119
 have lost your first love

00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:04.059
 and you started to love

00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:05.220
 something else

00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:06.659
 and this is a big deal guys

00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:07.279
 in verse 5

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:07.819
 Jesus says

00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.539
 hey come back

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.099
 turn around

00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:10.639
 I want to be your lover

00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.679
 I want to be in your life

00:33:11.679 --> 00:33:13.299
 I want to be your first love

00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.200
 and he says

00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.559
 he sings

00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.480
 he gives us these ideas

00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.359
 of how we come back

00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:17.779
 and so if we're sliding away

00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.599
 if we've gone away

00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:19.399
 we've lost joy

00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:20.019
 we think differently

00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:20.339
 of people

00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.899
 we think differently

00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:21.440
 of ourselves

00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:22.200
 he says

00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:23.139
 here come back

00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:23.619
 come back

00:33:23.619 --> 00:33:24.039
 come back

00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.720
 I want you

00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.919
 I want a relationship

00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.480
 with you

00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.500
 he says

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.179
 this is how you do it

00:33:28.179 --> 00:33:28.639
 in verse 5

00:33:28.639 --> 00:33:28.899
 he says

00:33:28.899 --> 00:33:29.359
 remember

00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:32.179
 remember where you were

00:33:32.179 --> 00:33:35.159
 remember where you fell from

00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:37.479
 remember what it was like

00:33:37.479 --> 00:33:40.619
 before Jesus opened your eyes

00:33:40.619 --> 00:33:42.799
 and you walked in darkness

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:45.699
 do you remember that?

00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:49.319
 do you remember the darkness

00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:50.299
 that you walked in

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.059
 and the confusion

00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.859
 and the agony

00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.819
 and the pain

00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.159
 and the frustration

00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:54.959
 and the guilt

00:33:54.959 --> 00:33:55.659
 and the shame

00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:59.080
 remember the joy

00:33:59.080 --> 00:34:00.140
 of your first Christmas

00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:00.779
 as a Christian

00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:03.120
 do you remember that?

00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.980
 I remember that

00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.180
 do you remember

00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:05.900
 when all the songs

00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:07.060
 finally made sense?

00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.579
 I mean you heard them

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.480
 in the shopping malls

00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:10.200
 and all these other things

00:34:10.200 --> 00:34:10.500
 but then

00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.460
 I mean some of them

00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.240
 still don't make any sense

00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:13.180
 like the little drummer boy

00:34:13.180 --> 00:34:14.619
 and some of those songs

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.800
 I'm still trying to figure those out

00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:16.400
 theologically

00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:18.519
 but they sound cool

00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.340
 but I mean

00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:19.700
 do you remember

00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:20.599
 when all those songs

00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.260
 made sense?

00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:23.680
 do you remember

00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:25.599
 when Jesus loves me

00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:27.000
 this I know

00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:29.019
 for the Bible

00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:30.079
 tells me so

00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:32.319
 little ones

00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:33.299
 to him belong

00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:35.500
 we are weak

00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:39.000
 but he is strong

00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:41.299
 do you remember

00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:42.539
 when that made sense

00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:42.960
 to you

00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.699
 for the first time?

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.179
 do you remember

00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:44.579
 the first time

00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.000
 you prayed

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.420
 and you knew

00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.319
 that Jesus was there?

00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:48.559
 do you remember

00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:48.960
 the first time

00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.759
 you had a Bible study?

00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:50.019
 do you remember

00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:50.480
 the first time

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.239
 you went into a Bible study?

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.880
 I remember

00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:53.259
 I had to go to this Bible study

00:34:53.259 --> 00:34:53.519
 these guys

00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.259
 I wanted to be there

00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:54.739
 I wanted to study

00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.799
 but I didn't have a Bible

00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:57.899
 and I was so ashamed

00:34:57.899 --> 00:34:59.019
 because I didn't have a Bible

00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.659
 I told my parents

00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:00.519
 I want to go to this study

00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.139
 I'm a new Christian

00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:02.179
 but I don't have a Bible

00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:02.899
 and there wasn't a Bible

00:35:02.899 --> 00:35:03.619
 in our house

00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:05.000
 because our parents

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.559
 my parents weren't

00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.259
 Christ followers

00:35:06.259 --> 00:35:08.939
 they followed themselves

00:35:08.939 --> 00:35:10.559
 and so my parents

00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:10.819
 went out

00:35:10.819 --> 00:35:11.459
 and bought me this Bible

00:35:11.459 --> 00:35:11.959
 it's this big

00:35:11.959 --> 00:35:12.719
 King James Bible

00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.419
 it's like this big

00:35:13.419 --> 00:35:15.199
 so I walked in

00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.739
 okay I'm ready

00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.379
 for Bible study

00:35:16.379 --> 00:35:17.639
 boom

00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.859
 and people were like

00:35:18.859 --> 00:35:20.879
 what?

00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:22.340
 but do you remember

00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:22.680
 that time

00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:23.140
 you first bought

00:35:23.140 --> 00:35:23.700
 that Bible?

00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:26.720
 I mean I think

00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.160
 some of us

00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:27.860
 we go into our house

00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:28.240
 there's probably

00:35:28.240 --> 00:35:29.000
 50 Bibles

00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:31.940
 but do you remember

00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.840
 the joy of seeing

00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:33.280
 God's word

00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:33.840
 for the first time?

00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:34.420
 Do you remember

00:35:34.420 --> 00:35:36.019
 the first time

00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:37.180
 you saw the cross

00:35:37.180 --> 00:35:39.460
 and you knew

00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:40.180
 it was for you

00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:43.280
 but Christ took it instead?

00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:45.500
 Do you remember that?

00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:47.240
 I do

00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:50.459
 do you remember

00:35:50.459 --> 00:35:50.859
 the first time

00:35:50.859 --> 00:35:51.579
 you shared the gospel

00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.359
 with your friends?

00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:55.019
 They saw the changes

00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.559
 in your life

00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.079
 they wanted to know

00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:56.799
 what was going on

00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:58.739
 they asked you

00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.359
 what happened to you

00:35:59.359 --> 00:35:59.719
 and you shared

00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:00.319
 about what Christ

00:36:00.319 --> 00:36:01.019
 did in your heart

00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:03.379
 some of them laughed

00:36:03.379 --> 00:36:04.139
 but some of them said

00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:05.459
 I want that

00:36:05.459 --> 00:36:07.659
 do you remember that?

00:36:09.459 --> 00:36:10.179
 Paul says

00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:10.759
 and John says

00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:12.000
 hey if you've gone off

00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.699
 if you've forgotten

00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.599
 remember

00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.699
 remember where you came from

00:36:14.699 --> 00:36:15.899
 remember God's grace

00:36:15.899 --> 00:36:16.619
 in your life

00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:18.719
 he says in verse 5

00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:19.259
 repent

00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:21.199
 ask for God's forgiveness

00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:22.440
 turn away from the actions

00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:23.880
 turn away from the thoughts

00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:24.779
 turn away from the things

00:36:24.779 --> 00:36:25.420
 that pulled you away

00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:25.900
 from Jesus

00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:27.159
 turn away from the things

00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:27.819
 that pulled you away

00:36:27.819 --> 00:36:28.079
 from him

00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:29.019
 when you first loved him

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:30.960
 what are the idols

00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.699
 in our lives?

00:36:33.759 --> 00:36:34.539
 what are the things

00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:35.719
 we need to turn away from?

00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.799
 I think we struggle

00:36:38.799 --> 00:36:39.179
 sometimes

00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:39.579
 because we want

00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:40.119
 to keep them

00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:42.079
 and we just say

00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.400
 we won't pay

00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:42.960
 as much attention

00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:43.259
 to them

00:36:43.259 --> 00:36:43.900
 as we used to

00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:47.500
 but God is jealous

00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:50.320
 he's a jealous lover

00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:52.680
 just like your wife

00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:53.200
 or your husband

00:36:53.200 --> 00:36:53.760
 or your spouse

00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:54.639
 doesn't want anybody else

00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.240
 to have a part of you

00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:56.160
 God doesn't want

00:36:56.160 --> 00:36:57.440
 anybody else

00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:58.340
 to have a part of you

00:36:58.340 --> 00:37:01.139
 and John is saying

00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:02.180
 hey remember where you came from

00:37:02.180 --> 00:37:03.119
 and all these things

00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:03.820
 that dragged you away

00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.320
 all these things

00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:05.000
 that made you prideful

00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.400
 all these things

00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:05.980
 that made you selfish

00:37:05.980 --> 00:37:06.500
 all these things

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.539
 that made you arrogant

00:37:07.539 --> 00:37:08.220
 self-sufficient

00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:09.300
 all these things

00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:10.240
 repent

00:37:10.240 --> 00:37:11.660
 beg for forgiveness

00:37:11.660 --> 00:37:12.599
 ask God to take them

00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:13.319
 away from you

00:37:13.319 --> 00:37:16.219
 and then he says

00:37:16.219 --> 00:37:16.759
 return

00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:20.360
 return to the things

00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:20.699
 that you did

00:37:20.699 --> 00:37:21.139
 in the beginning

00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.719
 what were the things

00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:22.079
 that you did

00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:22.460
 in the beginning

00:37:22.460 --> 00:37:23.019
 what were the things

00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:23.339
 that you did

00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:23.940
 when you first came

00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.339
 to Christ

00:37:24.339 --> 00:37:25.199
 what were the things

00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:25.719
 that overwhelmed

00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.139
 your heart

00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:26.599
 when you understood

00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:27.239
 God's grace

00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:28.460
 what were those things

00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:29.480
 do those things

00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:31.039
 for me it was

00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:32.319
 reading my Bible

00:37:32.319 --> 00:37:35.139
 for me it was prayer

00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:36.920
 for me it was

00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.839
 talking to other Christians

00:37:37.839 --> 00:37:38.619
 about what they were learning

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.039
 and the things

00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:40.059
 that God was teaching them

00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.599
 for me it was

00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:43.059
 I know this is going

00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:43.619
 to sound terrible

00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:44.079
 and I'm not going

00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:44.440
 to do it

00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:45.719
 but singing songs

00:37:45.719 --> 00:37:47.619
 I always know

00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.019
 what I'm doing

00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.659
 good spiritually

00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:51.099
 because I can sing

00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:53.059
 to God

00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:55.239
 and when I'm not

00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:56.219
 doing good spiritually

00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:59.400
 I have a hard time

00:37:59.400 --> 00:37:59.779
 singing

00:37:59.779 --> 00:38:01.880
 and Paul is

00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.739
 and John is saying

00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:03.420
 all these things

00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:04.460
 hey remember

00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.139
 remember

00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:05.739
 repent

00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:06.380
 repent

00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:07.179
 return

00:38:07.179 --> 00:38:07.699
 return

00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:08.379
 and listen

00:38:08.379 --> 00:38:08.679
 to me

00:38:08.679 --> 00:38:08.919
 he's saying

00:38:08.919 --> 00:38:09.759
 guys

00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:11.079
 God's love

00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:13.219
 is important

00:38:13.219 --> 00:38:15.659
 and your love

00:38:15.659 --> 00:38:16.259
 to God

00:38:16.259 --> 00:38:17.599
 is important

00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.779
 and he's saying

00:38:18.779 --> 00:38:19.599
 here in his passage

00:38:19.599 --> 00:38:20.719
 that if you don't

00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:21.480
 turn around

00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.000
 if we don't

00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.460
 as a church

00:38:22.460 --> 00:38:23.039
 turn around

00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.779
 if we don't

00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.359
 do these things

00:38:24.359 --> 00:38:24.960
 he says

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.259
 that Jesus

00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:25.619
 is going

00:38:25.619 --> 00:38:26.219
 to come up

00:38:26.219 --> 00:38:36.219
 take away

00:38:36.219 --> 00:38:36.639
 our light

00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:40.539
 take away

00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:41.179
 our relationship

00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:43.019
 and we don't

00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:43.459
 want that

00:38:43.459 --> 00:38:43.819
 to happen

00:38:43.819 --> 00:38:44.119
 to us

00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:44.699
 as a church

00:38:44.699 --> 00:38:46.379
 we don't

00:38:46.379 --> 00:38:46.719
 want that

00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:47.039
 to happen

00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.359
 to us

00:38:47.359 --> 00:38:47.980
 as his people

00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:50.059
 we want

00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.339
 to be

00:38:50.339 --> 00:38:50.819
 in the midst

00:38:50.819 --> 00:38:51.119
 of his

00:38:51.119 --> 00:38:51.759
 relationship

00:38:51.759 --> 00:38:52.359
 with him

00:38:52.359 --> 00:38:54.259
 verse 7

00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:56.360
 John finishes

00:38:56.360 --> 00:38:56.880
 with this

00:38:56.880 --> 00:38:57.240
 church

00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:57.580
 remember

00:38:57.580 --> 00:38:57.880
 this is

00:38:57.880 --> 00:38:58.260
 the church

00:38:58.260 --> 00:38:59.040
 that did

00:38:59.040 --> 00:38:59.560
 everything

00:38:59.560 --> 00:39:00.720
 but they

00:39:00.720 --> 00:39:01.320
 had nothing

00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:03.860
 and he says

00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.580
 he who has

00:39:04.580 --> 00:39:05.100
 ears

00:39:05.100 --> 00:39:05.660
 let him

00:39:05.660 --> 00:39:05.980
 hear

00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:07.740
 it's

00:39:07.740 --> 00:39:08.080
 Hebrew

00:39:08.080 --> 00:39:09.060
 it basically

00:39:09.060 --> 00:39:09.420
 means

00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:10.560
 God opens

00:39:10.560 --> 00:39:11.040
 the ears

00:39:11.040 --> 00:39:11.380
 of his

00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:11.780
 people

00:39:11.780 --> 00:39:13.220
 true believers

00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:14.660
 and true

00:39:14.660 --> 00:39:15.020
 believers

00:39:15.020 --> 00:39:16.060
 hear God's

00:39:16.060 --> 00:39:16.340
 word

00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:18.200
 and he says

00:39:18.200 --> 00:39:18.920
 if we hear

00:39:18.920 --> 00:39:19.700
 God's word

00:39:19.700 --> 00:39:20.440
 God will

00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.180
 grant to us

00:39:21.180 --> 00:39:21.580
 all the

00:39:21.580 --> 00:39:22.000
 privileges

00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:22.580
 all the

00:39:22.580 --> 00:39:22.860
 things

00:39:22.860 --> 00:39:23.240
 that Adam

00:39:23.240 --> 00:39:23.560
 and Eve

00:39:23.560 --> 00:39:24.240
 forego

00:39:24.239 --> 00:39:24.859
 forego

00:39:24.859 --> 00:39:26.179
 forewent

00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:27.459
 gave up

00:39:27.459 --> 00:39:28.459
 all the

00:39:28.459 --> 00:39:28.739
 things that

00:39:28.739 --> 00:39:29.119
 they gave

00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:29.439
 up in the

00:39:29.439 --> 00:39:29.639
 garden

00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:29.979
 because of

00:39:29.979 --> 00:39:30.359
 their sin

00:39:30.359 --> 00:39:30.979
 he says

00:39:30.979 --> 00:39:31.219
 in this

00:39:31.219 --> 00:39:31.500
 passage

00:39:31.500 --> 00:39:32.099
 that Christ

00:39:32.099 --> 00:39:32.599
 wants to

00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:33.139
 give those

00:39:33.139 --> 00:39:33.599
 things

00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:34.919
 to us

00:39:34.919 --> 00:39:37.339
 if we

00:39:37.339 --> 00:39:37.579
 find

00:39:37.579 --> 00:39:38.039
 ourselves

00:39:38.039 --> 00:39:38.879
 lacking

00:39:38.879 --> 00:39:39.259
 love

00:39:39.259 --> 00:39:39.500
 if we

00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:39.739
 find

00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:40.039
 ourselves

00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:40.419
 lacking

00:39:40.419 --> 00:39:40.739
 joy

00:39:40.739 --> 00:39:40.959
 if we

00:39:40.959 --> 00:39:41.159
 find

00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:41.439
 ourselves

00:39:41.439 --> 00:39:41.759
 thinking

00:39:41.759 --> 00:39:42.099
 of other

00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:42.339
 people

00:39:42.339 --> 00:39:42.459
 as

00:39:42.459 --> 00:39:42.879
 distractions

00:39:42.879 --> 00:39:43.199
 if we

00:39:43.199 --> 00:39:43.399
 find

00:39:43.399 --> 00:39:43.699
 ourselves

00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:43.959
 thinking

00:39:43.959 --> 00:39:44.359
 of ourselves

00:39:44.359 --> 00:39:44.659
 as more

00:39:44.659 --> 00:39:44.919
 important

00:39:44.919 --> 00:39:46.000
 remember

00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:49.219
 return

00:39:49.219 --> 00:39:51.819
 continue

00:39:51.819 --> 00:39:52.099
 doing

00:39:52.099 --> 00:39:52.619
 the things

00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:53.359
 repenting

00:39:53.360 --> 00:39:54.400
 that God

00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:54.680
 has done

00:39:54.680 --> 00:39:54.900
 in the

00:39:54.900 --> 00:39:55.280
 past

00:39:55.280 --> 00:39:57.120
 and Christ

00:39:57.120 --> 00:39:57.700
 has something

00:39:57.700 --> 00:39:58.420
 special for you

00:39:58.420 --> 00:39:59.099
 as a church

00:39:59.099 --> 00:40:00.920
 does this make

00:40:00.920 --> 00:40:01.260
 sense

00:40:01.260 --> 00:40:03.960
 I mean this

00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.519
 isn't a church

00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:05.039
 and remember

00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:05.640
 this church

00:40:05.640 --> 00:40:06.120
 this letter

00:40:06.120 --> 00:40:06.960
 is not just

00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.320
 being read

00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:07.900
 to one church

00:40:07.900 --> 00:40:08.360
 it's being read

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:08.940
 to all the

00:40:08.940 --> 00:40:09.380
 churches

00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:12.140
 and the

00:40:12.140 --> 00:40:12.519
 question

00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.119
 amongst this

00:40:13.119 --> 00:40:13.360
 letter

00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:13.740
 is

00:40:13.740 --> 00:40:15.099
 how's

00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:15.220
 your

00:40:15.220 --> 00:40:15.539
 heart

00:40:15.539 --> 00:40:19.960
 I'm not

00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:20.340
 asking you

00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:20.619
 how you're

00:40:20.619 --> 00:40:20.860
 doing

00:40:20.860 --> 00:40:22.640
 I'm not

00:40:22.640 --> 00:40:22.980
 asking you

00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:23.320
 what you're

00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:23.579
 doing

00:40:23.579 --> 00:40:25.599
 I'm asking

00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:26.039
 do you

00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:26.420
 love

00:40:26.420 --> 00:40:27.160
 God

00:40:27.160 --> 00:40:29.920
 is he

00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:30.280
 the center

00:40:30.280 --> 00:40:30.559
 of your

00:40:30.559 --> 00:40:30.920
 life

00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:34.200
 Ephesians

00:40:34.200 --> 00:40:35.500
 was an

00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:35.860
 amazing

00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:36.280
 church

00:40:36.280 --> 00:40:38.480
 but I

00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:38.820
 think they

00:40:38.820 --> 00:40:39.260
 struggled

00:40:39.260 --> 00:40:39.700
 with the

00:40:39.700 --> 00:40:39.900
 same

00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:40.300
 things

00:40:40.300 --> 00:40:40.500
 that

00:40:40.500 --> 00:40:41.019
 watermark

00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:41.260
 is going

00:40:41.260 --> 00:40:41.600
 to struggle

00:40:41.600 --> 00:40:41.920
 with

00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:43.320
 and the

00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:43.500
 other

00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:43.780
 churches

00:40:43.780 --> 00:40:44.160
 in Hong

00:40:44.160 --> 00:40:44.300
 Kong

00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:44.480
 are going

00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:44.800
 to struggle

00:40:44.800 --> 00:40:45.140
 with

00:40:45.140 --> 00:40:46.880
 because after

00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:47.400
 a while

00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:48.820
 what's going

00:40:48.820 --> 00:40:49.180
 to happen

00:40:49.180 --> 00:40:49.680
 is we want

00:40:49.680 --> 00:40:49.860
 to be

00:40:49.860 --> 00:40:50.240
 great

00:40:50.240 --> 00:40:52.160
 we're going

00:40:52.160 --> 00:40:52.340
 to want

00:40:52.340 --> 00:40:52.519
 to be

00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:52.960
 amazing

00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:54.480
 we're going

00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:54.680
 to want

00:40:54.680 --> 00:40:54.860
 to be

00:40:54.860 --> 00:40:55.220
 excellent

00:40:55.220 --> 00:40:55.740
 by worldly

00:40:55.740 --> 00:40:56.260
 standards

00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:57.320
 we're going

00:40:57.320 --> 00:40:57.519
 to want

00:40:57.519 --> 00:40:57.740
 to have

00:40:57.740 --> 00:40:57.960
 bigger

00:40:57.960 --> 00:40:58.460
 crowds

00:40:58.460 --> 00:40:58.800
 we're going

00:40:58.800 --> 00:40:58.940
 to want

00:40:58.940 --> 00:40:59.180
 to have

00:40:59.180 --> 00:40:59.380
 more

00:40:59.380 --> 00:40:59.860
 programs

00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.140
 we're going

00:41:00.140 --> 00:41:00.280
 to have

00:41:00.280 --> 00:41:00.519
 bigger

00:41:00.519 --> 00:41:00.880
 buildings

00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:01.140
 we want

00:41:01.140 --> 00:41:01.300
 to have

00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:01.480
 more

00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:01.940
 staff

00:41:01.940 --> 00:41:02.540
 we want

00:41:02.540 --> 00:41:02.700
 to do

00:41:02.700 --> 00:41:03.120
 all these

00:41:03.120 --> 00:41:03.400
 things

00:41:03.400 --> 00:41:03.640
 so that

00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:04.099
 people can

00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:05.079
 look at

00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:05.219
 us

00:41:05.219 --> 00:41:05.460
 and go

00:41:05.460 --> 00:41:05.799
 wow

00:41:05.799 --> 00:41:06.099
 and we

00:41:06.099 --> 00:41:06.359
 can do

00:41:06.359 --> 00:41:06.659
 the things

00:41:06.659 --> 00:41:06.940
 that people

00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:07.460
 expect us

00:41:07.460 --> 00:41:07.920
 to do

00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:11.139
 but John

00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:11.599
 says if we

00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:12.179
 do that

00:41:12.179 --> 00:41:16.219
 and Jesus

00:41:16.219 --> 00:41:16.699
 isn't our

00:41:16.699 --> 00:41:17.019
 lover

00:41:17.019 --> 00:41:20.960
 then it all

00:41:20.960 --> 00:41:21.339
 means

00:41:21.339 --> 00:41:22.119
 nothing

00:41:22.119 --> 00:41:25.420
 it's all

00:41:25.420 --> 00:41:25.900
 worthless

00:41:25.900 --> 00:41:31.559
 he who

00:41:31.559 --> 00:41:32.159
 has ears

00:41:32.159 --> 00:41:33.799
 let him

00:41:33.799 --> 00:41:34.059
 hear

00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:37.759
 John

00:41:37.759 --> 00:41:37.980
 Newton

00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:38.199
 the

00:41:38.199 --> 00:41:38.699
 ex-slave

00:41:38.699 --> 00:41:39.039
 trader

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:40.940
 he's a

00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:41.099
 wicked

00:41:41.099 --> 00:41:41.500
 man

00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:42.799
 talk about

00:41:42.799 --> 00:41:43.019
 wicked

00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:43.359
 men

00:41:43.359 --> 00:41:44.219
 John

00:41:44.219 --> 00:41:44.460
 Newton

00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:45.179
 read his

00:41:45.179 --> 00:41:45.519
 biography

00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:46.219
 he was

00:41:46.219 --> 00:41:46.779
 a bad

00:41:46.779 --> 00:41:47.519
 bad

00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:48.099
 man

00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:49.879
 he's a

00:41:49.879 --> 00:41:50.079
 slave

00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.399
 trader

00:41:50.399 --> 00:41:52.460
 killed

00:41:52.460 --> 00:41:52.899
 thousands

00:41:52.899 --> 00:41:53.399
 and thousands

00:41:53.399 --> 00:41:53.920
 of people

00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:55.779
 responsible

00:41:55.779 --> 00:41:56.159
 for the

00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:56.759
 imprisonments

00:41:56.759 --> 00:41:57.299
 of thousands

00:41:57.299 --> 00:41:57.799
 and thousands

00:41:57.799 --> 00:41:58.319
 of people

00:41:58.319 --> 00:41:59.819
 God's

00:41:59.819 --> 00:42:00.039
 grace

00:42:00.039 --> 00:42:00.339
 poured

00:42:00.339 --> 00:42:00.679
 out on

00:42:00.679 --> 00:42:00.960
 him

00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:02.800
 God

00:42:02.800 --> 00:42:03.039
 opened

00:42:03.039 --> 00:42:03.240
 his

00:42:03.240 --> 00:42:03.679
 eyes

00:42:03.679 --> 00:42:05.579
 he came

00:42:05.579 --> 00:42:06.099
 to Christ

00:42:06.099 --> 00:42:07.960
 and he

00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:08.320
 wrote the

00:42:08.320 --> 00:42:09.079
 most amazing

00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:09.960
 song you've

00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:10.480
 ever heard

00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:12.059
 I mean even

00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:12.679
 if you're not a

00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:13.059
 believer here

00:42:13.059 --> 00:42:13.500
 today you've

00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:14.000
 heard it

00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:16.019
 amazing grace

00:42:16.019 --> 00:42:16.559
 how sweet

00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:17.159
 the sound

00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:18.619
 that saved

00:42:18.619 --> 00:42:18.920
 a wretch

00:42:18.920 --> 00:42:19.500
 like me

00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:22.000
 I once

00:42:22.000 --> 00:42:22.699
 was lost

00:42:22.699 --> 00:42:24.599
 but now

00:42:24.599 --> 00:42:25.220
 am found

00:42:25.220 --> 00:42:27.820
 was blind

00:42:27.820 --> 00:42:28.900
 but now

00:42:28.900 --> 00:42:30.160
 I see

00:42:30.160 --> 00:42:32.900
 he wrote

00:42:32.900 --> 00:42:33.420
 this poem

00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:35.860
 I love

00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.340
 poems

00:42:36.340 --> 00:42:36.820
 I hardly

00:42:36.820 --> 00:42:37.240
 ever read

00:42:37.240 --> 00:42:37.480
 them from

00:42:37.480 --> 00:42:37.880
 up front

00:42:37.880 --> 00:42:39.280
 but I want

00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:39.480
 to end

00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:39.760
 with this

00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:40.100
 poem

00:42:40.099 --> 00:42:44.339
 in evil

00:42:44.339 --> 00:42:45.019
 long

00:42:45.019 --> 00:42:45.440
 I took

00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:45.960
 delight

00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:48.099
 unawed

00:42:48.099 --> 00:42:48.559
 by my

00:42:48.559 --> 00:42:48.920
 shame

00:42:48.920 --> 00:42:49.480
 or fear

00:42:49.480 --> 00:42:51.079
 till a

00:42:51.079 --> 00:42:51.679
 new object

00:42:51.679 --> 00:42:52.360
 struck

00:42:52.360 --> 00:42:52.960
 my sight

00:42:52.960 --> 00:42:54.860
 and stopped

00:42:54.860 --> 00:42:55.659
 my wild

00:42:55.659 --> 00:42:56.339
 career

00:42:56.339 --> 00:42:58.440
 I saw

00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:58.980
 one hanging

00:42:58.980 --> 00:42:59.579
 on a tree

00:42:59.579 --> 00:43:02.279
 in agony

00:43:02.279 --> 00:43:02.980
 and blood

00:43:02.980 --> 00:43:05.159
 who fixed

00:43:05.159 --> 00:43:05.839
 his saddened

00:43:05.839 --> 00:43:06.559
 eyes on me

00:43:06.559 --> 00:43:08.559
 as near

00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.199
 his cross

00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:09.719
 I stood

00:43:09.719 --> 00:43:11.840
 sure

00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:12.599
 never to

00:43:12.599 --> 00:43:13.320
 my latest

00:43:13.320 --> 00:43:13.840
 breath

00:43:13.840 --> 00:43:15.239
 can I

00:43:15.239 --> 00:43:15.599
 forget

00:43:15.599 --> 00:43:16.219
 that look

00:43:16.219 --> 00:43:18.179
 it seemed

00:43:18.179 --> 00:43:18.739
 to charge

00:43:18.739 --> 00:43:19.239
 me with

00:43:19.239 --> 00:43:19.820
 his death

00:43:19.820 --> 00:43:21.759
 though not

00:43:21.759 --> 00:43:22.139
 a word

00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:22.739
 he spoke

00:43:22.739 --> 00:43:25.179
 my conscience

00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:25.820
 felt

00:43:25.820 --> 00:43:28.519
 and owned

00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:29.059
 the guilt

00:43:29.059 --> 00:43:31.279
 and plunged

00:43:31.279 --> 00:43:31.960
 me in despair

00:43:31.960 --> 00:43:33.860
 I saw

00:43:33.860 --> 00:43:34.619
 my sins

00:43:34.619 --> 00:43:35.900
 his blood

00:43:35.900 --> 00:43:36.380
 had spilt

00:43:36.380 --> 00:43:38.280
 and helped

00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:39.599
 to nail

00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:40.200
 him there

00:43:40.200 --> 00:43:42.680
 a second

00:43:42.680 --> 00:43:43.320
 look he gave

00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:43.599
 me

00:43:43.599 --> 00:43:45.400
 which said

00:43:45.400 --> 00:43:46.680
 I freely

00:43:46.680 --> 00:43:48.579
 all forgive

00:43:48.579 --> 00:43:50.960
 this blood

00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.500
 is for your

00:43:51.500 --> 00:43:52.360
 ransom paid

00:43:52.360 --> 00:43:54.880
 I die

00:43:54.880 --> 00:43:56.720
 that you

00:43:56.720 --> 00:43:57.400
 shall live

00:43:57.400 --> 00:44:00.840
 so while

00:44:00.840 --> 00:44:01.380
 his death

00:44:01.380 --> 00:44:01.940
 my sin

00:44:01.940 --> 00:44:02.640
 displays

00:44:02.640 --> 00:44:04.680
 and all

00:44:04.680 --> 00:44:05.160
 its black

00:44:05.159 --> 00:44:05.739
 his hue

00:44:05.739 --> 00:44:08.619
 such is

00:44:08.619 --> 00:44:09.039
 the mystery

00:44:09.039 --> 00:44:09.679
 of grace

00:44:09.679 --> 00:44:13.279
 it seals

00:44:13.279 --> 00:44:13.920
 my pardon

00:44:13.920 --> 00:44:14.420
 too

00:44:14.420 --> 00:44:17.659
 father we

00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:18.000
 thank you

00:44:18.000 --> 00:44:18.500
 for today

00:44:18.500 --> 00:44:20.980
 we thank you

00:44:20.980 --> 00:44:21.579
 for the letter

00:44:21.579 --> 00:44:22.219
 of john

00:44:22.219 --> 00:44:23.059
 to churches

00:44:23.059 --> 00:44:23.639
 of revelation

00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:25.839
 we thank you

00:44:25.839 --> 00:44:26.379
 for the lessons

00:44:26.379 --> 00:44:26.920
 that it has

00:44:26.920 --> 00:44:27.359
 to teach

00:44:27.359 --> 00:44:27.739
 us

00:44:27.739 --> 00:44:30.119
 we thank you

00:44:30.119 --> 00:44:30.579
 that you

00:44:30.579 --> 00:44:31.000
 are in

00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:31.420
 midst

00:44:31.420 --> 00:44:32.319
 our presence

00:44:32.319 --> 00:44:32.759
 that you

00:44:32.759 --> 00:44:33.599
 see everything

00:44:33.599 --> 00:44:37.619
 that you're

00:44:37.619 --> 00:44:38.199
 in control

00:44:38.199 --> 00:44:42.559
 father we thank you

00:44:42.559 --> 00:44:43.279
 for your patience

00:44:43.279 --> 00:44:44.079
 because as your

00:44:44.079 --> 00:44:44.819
 people we want

00:44:44.819 --> 00:44:45.199
 to do

00:44:45.199 --> 00:44:45.480
 do

00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:45.739
 do

00:44:45.739 --> 00:44:46.139
 do

00:44:46.139 --> 00:44:48.299
 but what you

00:44:48.299 --> 00:44:48.619
 desire

00:44:48.619 --> 00:44:49.259
 most of us

00:44:49.259 --> 00:44:49.940
 is your

00:44:49.940 --> 00:44:50.420
 love

00:44:50.420 --> 00:44:53.019
 our devotion

00:44:53.019 --> 00:44:55.359
 relationship

00:44:55.359 --> 00:44:56.519
 with you

00:44:56.519 --> 00:44:58.579
 father we thank you

00:44:58.579 --> 00:44:59.019
 that the church

00:44:59.019 --> 00:44:59.420
 of ephesus

00:44:59.420 --> 00:45:00.000
 got it

00:45:00.000 --> 00:45:01.599
 and for

00:45:01.599 --> 00:45:02.799
 1,200 more

00:45:02.799 --> 00:45:03.179
 years

00:45:03.179 --> 00:45:03.879
 they served

00:45:03.879 --> 00:45:04.199
 you

00:45:04.199 --> 00:45:04.460
 and did

00:45:04.460 --> 00:45:05.179
 mighty things

00:45:05.179 --> 00:45:05.519
 for your

00:45:05.519 --> 00:45:05.839
 kingdom

00:45:05.839 --> 00:45:07.480
 because of

00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:07.859
 your words

00:45:07.859 --> 00:45:08.379
 spoken to

00:45:08.379 --> 00:45:08.659
 them

00:45:08.659 --> 00:45:10.099
 he who

00:45:10.099 --> 00:45:10.539
 has ears

00:45:10.539 --> 00:45:10.879
 let him

00:45:10.879 --> 00:45:11.159
 hear

00:45:11.159 --> 00:45:13.599
 father I

00:45:13.599 --> 00:45:14.099
 pray for us

00:45:14.099 --> 00:45:14.759
 as a church

00:45:14.759 --> 00:45:18.279
 I confess

00:45:18.279 --> 00:45:19.259
 it is so easy

00:45:19.259 --> 00:45:19.880
 to get caught

00:45:19.880 --> 00:45:20.380
 up doing

00:45:20.380 --> 00:45:20.900
 doing

00:45:20.900 --> 00:45:21.539
 and being

00:45:21.539 --> 00:45:23.440
 that we

00:45:23.440 --> 00:45:23.799
 forget

00:45:23.799 --> 00:45:24.400
 whose we

00:45:24.400 --> 00:45:24.719
 are

00:45:24.719 --> 00:45:27.199
 we forget

00:45:27.199 --> 00:45:27.480
 what it

00:45:27.480 --> 00:45:27.880
 means to

00:45:27.880 --> 00:45:28.400
 love you

00:45:28.400 --> 00:45:30.960
 we treat

00:45:30.960 --> 00:45:31.519
 those people

00:45:31.519 --> 00:45:32.019
 that we

00:45:32.019 --> 00:45:32.819
 used to

00:45:32.819 --> 00:45:34.179
 passionately

00:45:34.179 --> 00:45:34.719
 pursue

00:45:34.719 --> 00:45:35.460
 and desire

00:45:35.460 --> 00:45:36.139
 and want

00:45:36.139 --> 00:45:37.519
 and be

00:45:37.519 --> 00:45:37.940
 around

00:45:37.940 --> 00:45:38.239
 and we

00:45:38.239 --> 00:45:38.599
 treat them

00:45:38.599 --> 00:45:39.199
 as normal

00:45:39.199 --> 00:45:39.860
 and mundane

00:45:39.860 --> 00:45:40.579
 and dull

00:45:40.579 --> 00:45:42.920
 we elevate

00:45:42.920 --> 00:45:43.539
 ourselves

00:45:43.539 --> 00:45:44.460
 as highly

00:45:44.460 --> 00:45:45.179
 important

00:45:45.179 --> 00:45:47.119
 and beyond

00:45:47.119 --> 00:45:48.559
 the troubles

00:45:48.559 --> 00:45:49.480
 around us

00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:51.579
 all because

00:45:51.579 --> 00:45:52.199
 we've forgotten

00:45:52.199 --> 00:45:54.639
 your mercy

00:45:54.639 --> 00:45:56.460
 and your

00:45:56.460 --> 00:45:56.880
 grace

00:45:56.880 --> 00:45:59.099
 to us

00:45:59.099 --> 00:45:59.719
 sinful

00:45:59.719 --> 00:46:00.699
 sinful

00:46:00.699 --> 00:46:01.139
 people

00:46:01.139 --> 00:46:05.980
 father I

00:46:05.980 --> 00:46:06.259
 pray for

00:46:06.259 --> 00:46:06.739
 those who

00:46:06.739 --> 00:46:07.179
 aren't in

00:46:07.179 --> 00:46:07.619
 the family

00:46:07.619 --> 00:46:08.300
 they're here

00:46:08.300 --> 00:46:08.679
 listening

00:46:08.679 --> 00:46:10.800
 I pray that

00:46:10.800 --> 00:46:11.420
 the words

00:46:11.420 --> 00:46:12.400
 your words

00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:12.900
 would stick

00:46:12.900 --> 00:46:13.360
 with them

00:46:13.360 --> 00:46:15.579
 I pray that

00:46:15.579 --> 00:46:15.820
 they would

00:46:15.820 --> 00:46:16.680
 consider what

00:46:16.680 --> 00:46:17.320
 they cling

00:46:17.320 --> 00:46:17.900
 to what

00:46:17.900 --> 00:46:18.380
 is it that

00:46:18.380 --> 00:46:20.559
 they hold

00:46:20.559 --> 00:46:21.360
 as their

00:46:21.360 --> 00:46:21.820
 hope

00:46:21.820 --> 00:46:24.500
 and they

00:46:24.500 --> 00:46:25.079
 would see

00:46:25.079 --> 00:46:25.840
 that that

00:46:25.840 --> 00:46:26.200
 thing will

00:46:26.200 --> 00:46:26.539
 quickly

00:46:26.539 --> 00:46:27.019
 tarnish

00:46:27.019 --> 00:46:29.220
 and fade

00:46:29.220 --> 00:46:29.579
 away

00:46:29.579 --> 00:46:31.480
 that it

00:46:31.480 --> 00:46:31.960
 might last

00:46:31.960 --> 00:46:32.300
 them for the

00:46:32.300 --> 00:46:32.820
 next five

00:46:32.820 --> 00:46:33.460
 years but it

00:46:33.460 --> 00:46:33.960
 won't last

00:46:33.960 --> 00:46:34.300
 them for

00:46:34.300 --> 00:46:34.820
 eternity

00:46:34.820 --> 00:46:37.180
 and that's

00:46:37.180 --> 00:46:37.420
 where our

00:46:37.420 --> 00:46:37.740
 journey is

00:46:37.740 --> 00:46:37.940
 going

00:46:37.940 --> 00:46:38.539
 eternity

00:46:38.539 --> 00:46:41.640
 father I

00:46:41.640 --> 00:46:42.019
 pray for us

00:46:42.019 --> 00:46:42.559
 as a church

00:46:42.559 --> 00:46:42.840
 that we

00:46:42.840 --> 00:46:43.220
 would be a

00:46:43.220 --> 00:46:43.680
 church that

00:46:43.680 --> 00:46:44.320
 loves you

00:46:44.320 --> 00:46:45.840
 that we

00:46:45.840 --> 00:46:46.160
 would be a

00:46:46.160 --> 00:46:46.840
 church that

00:46:46.840 --> 00:46:47.420
 is about

00:46:47.420 --> 00:46:47.840
 you

00:46:47.840 --> 00:46:49.620
 that we

00:46:49.620 --> 00:46:49.860
 wouldn't

00:46:49.860 --> 00:46:50.280
 compromise

00:46:50.280 --> 00:46:51.559
 time and

00:46:51.559 --> 00:46:51.980
 prayer

00:46:51.980 --> 00:46:54.360
 relationships

00:46:54.360 --> 00:46:57.079
 because that's

00:46:57.079 --> 00:46:57.640
 all you really

00:46:57.640 --> 00:46:58.340
 want from us

00:46:58.340 --> 00:47:00.640
 you want our

00:47:00.640 --> 00:47:00.920
 heart

00:47:00.920 --> 00:47:03.500
 lord we love

00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:03.760
 you

00:47:03.760 --> 00:47:05.900
 we need you

00:47:05.900 --> 00:47:06.320
 desperately

00:47:06.320 --> 00:47:08.400
 we pray these

00:47:08.400 --> 00:47:08.700
 things in your

00:47:08.700 --> 00:47:09.380
 son jesus holy

00:47:09.380 --> 00:47:09.660
 name

00:47:09.660 --> 00:47:10.820
 amen

00:47:10.820 --> 00:47:26.019
 para

00:47:26.019 --> 00:47:30.400
 him

00:47:30.400 --> 00:47:32.460
e