WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.799 Well, good morning. It's great to be here with you again. 00:00:06.360 --> 00:00:09.220 Many of us have moved to new cities. 00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:13.900 We've just thought about Bobby and Joanna moving to Perth. 00:00:14.540 --> 00:00:18.460 For some of you, that was very recent in the last few months. 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:21.920 For me, it was about 18 years ago. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:25.420 For some of you, it was much longer ago. 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:34.560 But when you move to a new city, one of the important things is to find a good church to settle into. 00:00:35.740 --> 00:00:37.820 But how do you choose a good church? 00:00:39.020 --> 00:00:40.480 Maybe you look at their website. 00:00:41.740 --> 00:00:43.900 Maybe you see what activities are listed there. 00:00:45.680 --> 00:00:46.840 Are they active? 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:50.079 Are they reaching out to their community? 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:51.840 Are they growing? 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:55.660 Maybe you look at their statement of faith. 00:00:56.740 --> 00:00:58.500 Does it tick all the key boxes? 00:00:59.580 --> 00:01:01.220 Is their doctrine sound? 00:01:03.040 --> 00:01:09.800 Maybe you listen to recordings of a couple of their sermons and see, are they giving good teaching? 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:12.960 Or maybe you ask around. 00:01:14.260 --> 00:01:15.540 What are they known for? 00:01:16.740 --> 00:01:18.140 What is their reputation? 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:27.519 Over the last few weeks, we've read time and time again of churches that seem to be doing really well. 00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:31.980 That sound like the ideal place to call home. 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:43.659 And yet we've read again and again of the complaints that Jesus brings against them for major failings right at their core. 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:48.319 So what would the ideal church look like? 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:54.939 What would the church look like that got no criticism from Jesus? 00:01:56.319 --> 00:02:00.620 Presumably we'd read accounts of wonderful acts of service. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:02.459 Of growth. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:04.920 Of the impact they're making in their community. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:13.740 The letter to the church in Philadelphia is one of only two that has no complaint in it. 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:21.319 But despite the lack of complaint, this is not a church without its difficulties. 00:02:22.780 --> 00:02:24.840 They're finding things tough. 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:33.800 Where some churches need rebuke, this church needs encouragement and reassurance. 00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:40.120 Other than the lack of complaint, it follows the same pattern as others. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:45.439 After an initial greeting, he gives a report on their condition. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:48.360 Then he gives one or more commands. 00:02:49.300 --> 00:02:52.759 And finally gives promises of hope or of judgment. 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:59.379 So, first of all, what is his diagnosis of their condition? 00:03:00.799 --> 00:03:03.280 This is where we'll spend the majority of our time. 00:03:03.959 --> 00:03:06.419 And we'll see that Jesus notes four truths. 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:10.099 Two of these are truths that they can see. 00:03:10.979 --> 00:03:15.539 And two of them are unseen, but that they need to be reminded of. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:24.419 The first truth that we see in verse 8 is that they are weak. 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:28.699 That they only have a little strength. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:31.560 We don't know. 00:03:32.019 --> 00:03:34.979 We're not told exactly how they were weak. 00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:37.879 Were they weak in numbers? 00:03:38.699 --> 00:03:41.599 Was there maybe only a handful of believers in that city? 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:49.419 Were they lacking in good teachers and leaders to build them up? 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:53.019 Were they marginalized, oppressed? 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:56.479 Were they struggling to have impact on their community? 00:03:57.579 --> 00:04:01.840 Or were they just plain exhausted and at the end of their resources? 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:05.020 We're not told. 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:10.300 But we're told that they only have a little strength. 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:14.259 Some would see this as a complaint. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:17.540 As a criticism against the church. 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:20.980 But I don't think that it is. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:25.399 I think it is just a realistic assessment of their situation. 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:29.799 Unlike what much of the world would teach us, 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:34.519 the Bible does not teach us that weakness is wrong. 00:04:36.039 --> 00:04:38.419 Instead, we see time and time again, 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:44.299 Jesus on the side of the weak, the poor, the downtrodden, the humble. 00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:50.620 Isaiah would write a bruised reed he will not break. 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:55.139 A smouldering wick he will not snuff out. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:00.579 So instead of criticism, this is comfort. 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:02.620 He knows them. 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:05.379 He knows their weakness. 00:05:06.540 --> 00:05:08.780 But he knows that although they are weak, 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:10.060 they have been faithful. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:13.240 They have kept to his word. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:18.340 They have stayed true to what they have been taught. 00:05:18.339 --> 00:05:24.519 In particular, they have stayed true to what they have been taught 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:26.339 about patience and endurance. 00:05:27.619 --> 00:05:29.699 Because they have kept going. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:34.799 Despite all the pressure from those around them, 00:05:35.859 --> 00:05:38.319 they have not denied his name. 00:05:40.179 --> 00:05:42.759 Whatever may be going on in their circumstances, 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:46.279 they are not ashamed to acknowledge 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:48.740 that they belong to Christ 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:52.459 and that they bear his name. 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:59.120 But then the second truth that we see in verse 9 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:01.620 is that they have opposition. 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:07.519 We're not told that they're facing direct persecution here. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:11.899 There's no suggestion that their lives are in immediate danger, 00:06:13.219 --> 00:06:15.139 unlike those in some of the other cities. 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:20.079 Instead, opposition seems to be far more subtle 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:23.919 and therefore potentially more deadly. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:28.300 It's difficult for us to know 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:30.180 how we would act 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:34.140 in a situation of someone putting a gun against our head 00:06:34.140 --> 00:06:37.340 and telling us to deny our faith 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:39.280 or they will pull the trigger. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:45.759 We can hope that in that extreme black and white situation 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.780 where everything is put on the line, 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:50.840 that we would have courage 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:53.199 to remain faithful 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:56.679 as many around the world have done 00:06:56.679 --> 00:06:58.839 and paid with their lives. 00:07:00.679 --> 00:07:04.479 But what about the subtle whispers in our ear? 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:08.939 Did God really say? 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:13.979 Are you sure you really believe that? 00:07:15.479 --> 00:07:18.779 How can you know that you are saved anyway? 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:24.599 These things can slowly eat away at our confidence, 00:07:25.419 --> 00:07:27.379 slowly undermine our faith 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:29.779 until we get to the point that 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:32.219 we're not really sure what, 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:33.799 if anything, 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:35.719 we believe anymore. 00:07:37.799 --> 00:07:39.459 That sort of opposition 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:44.359 is possibly far more difficult to resist. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:46.759 And it seems that that 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:48.400 is what the Philadelphians 00:07:48.400 --> 00:07:49.800 were facing here. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:53.259 Because there is this group 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:54.699 that Jesus calls 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:57.220 the synagogue of Satan 00:07:57.220 --> 00:07:59.460 who claim to be Jews 00:07:59.460 --> 00:08:01.040 though they are not. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:04.240 Archie dealt with this group 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:05.120 a few weeks ago 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.860 when covering the letter 00:08:06.860 --> 00:08:07.960 to the church in Smyrna. 00:08:08.780 --> 00:08:11.080 So I won't go into too much detail here. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:13.280 Recommend you listen to that sermon. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:17.039 But it's not clear exactly 00:08:17.039 --> 00:08:19.500 whether these people are Gentiles 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:22.119 who are calling themselves Jews 00:08:22.119 --> 00:08:23.659 to take advantage 00:08:23.659 --> 00:08:25.699 of some of the freedoms 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:28.639 that Jews were given at that time. 00:08:29.299 --> 00:08:31.579 Or whether these are ethnically Jews 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:34.559 who are taking their status before God 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:35.319 for granted 00:08:35.319 --> 00:08:37.579 on the basis of their ancestry. 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:40.500 It's also not clear 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:41.840 whether these people 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:43.759 have become embedded in the church 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:46.379 or are just sniping at them 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:47.540 from the outside. 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:50.900 I would think probably 00:08:50.900 --> 00:08:52.259 on the outside 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:54.660 or there might be 00:08:54.660 --> 00:08:56.280 harsher words here. 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:59.540 But whoever exactly 00:08:59.540 --> 00:09:00.580 they are 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:02.800 it seems that they are questioning 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:04.820 the status of these Christians. 00:09:04.820 --> 00:09:07.180 they are questioning 00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:08.640 whether they are truly 00:09:08.640 --> 00:09:10.379 loved by God. 00:09:11.900 --> 00:09:13.480 It seems that they think 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:15.220 that they have the privilege 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.740 of access to God 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:18.680 and that these Christians 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:20.820 have got it all wrong. 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:24.200 In John's Gospel 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:25.420 Jesus would confront 00:09:25.420 --> 00:09:26.480 a similar group 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:28.560 who claimed Abraham 00:09:28.560 --> 00:09:29.800 as their father. 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:32.120 but he tells them 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:34.599 you are of your father 00:09:34.599 --> 00:09:35.759 the devil 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:38.019 and your will 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:38.699 is to do 00:09:38.699 --> 00:09:39.839 your father's desires 00:09:39.839 --> 00:09:41.819 for he is a liar 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:44.000 and a father of lies. 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:46.639 Here too 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:47.379 he says 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.479 that these people 00:09:48.479 --> 00:09:50.479 are not really Jews 00:09:50.479 --> 00:09:52.579 but that they belong 00:09:52.579 --> 00:09:53.259 to Satan 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.959 and are liars. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:57.039 They think 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:57.919 they know the truth 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:59.419 but they are only 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.360 telling lies 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:02.259 and these lies 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:02.979 are subtle 00:10:02.979 --> 00:10:04.079 attacks 00:10:04.079 --> 00:10:05.399 at the foundation 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:07.079 on which this church 00:10:07.079 --> 00:10:07.919 is built. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:12.219 So these first two truths 00:10:12.219 --> 00:10:13.279 are clear to them. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:15.439 They are very conscious 00:10:15.439 --> 00:10:16.259 of the fact 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.159 that they are weak. 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:19.539 They are well aware 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.459 that they have opposition 00:10:20.459 --> 00:10:22.519 but there are two 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:24.000 other unseen truths 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:25.039 that they need 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:25.980 to be reminded of. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:28.340 The first 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:29.779 is that there is 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:30.860 a door open 00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:31.680 before them. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.460 People read this 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.519 in many different ways. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:37.980 Some would see it 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:39.379 as a open door 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:40.539 for their ministry 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.240 with allusions 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.320 to Paul's request 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:43.899 for prayer 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:45.080 in Colossians 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.580 that God 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.700 may open a door 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:48.680 for our message. 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:51.240 Others would see it 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:51.700 as a more 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:53.120 generic opening 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.980 of opportunity. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:56.960 one TV preacher 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:58.019 put it as 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:59.620 God has a plan 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:00.460 for our lives 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:01.860 and he has opened 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.399 the doors 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.519 needed to fulfill 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.259 our destiny 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:06.759 followed by a sales pitch 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:07.440 on his books 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:08.539 videos etc 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.460 which you needed 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:09.960 to buy 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.840 to help you 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:11.940 fulfill that destiny. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:14.899 But I don't think 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:16.820 that either of these 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.960 is what has been 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:18.639 meant here. 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:21.740 to understand 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.399 that we need 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.059 to go back 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:23.720 and see 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.000 where is this 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.919 a reference from? 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.439 When walking 00:11:28.439 --> 00:11:29.240 about on earth 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:30.779 Jesus filled 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.639 his teaching 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:32.980 with references 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:33.879 to the scriptures 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:35.939 to our Old Testament 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:38.159 and so when he is 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:38.960 speaking from heaven 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:40.559 he does the same. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:42.679 this is not 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:43.479 just a cryptic 00:11:43.479 --> 00:11:43.819 statement 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:44.279 for us 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:44.799 to make up 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:45.439 our own 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:46.419 best interpretation 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:46.759 of 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:48.479 but is an 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:49.359 almost word 00:11:49.359 --> 00:11:49.939 for word 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:50.459 quote 00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:52.299 from Isaiah 22. 00:11:54.099 --> 00:11:55.679 In Isaiah 22 00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:56.679 in verse 15 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:57.939 we read 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:59.540 this is what 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:00.120 the Lord 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:01.200 the Lord Almighty 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:01.740 says 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:03.160 go say 00:12:03.160 --> 00:12:04.160 to this steward 00:12:04.160 --> 00:12:05.060 to Shebna 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:06.220 the palace administrator 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.480 what are you 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.080 doing here? 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:09.920 And God 00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:10.400 brings 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:11.180 various 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:11.840 accusations 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:12.760 against this 00:12:12.760 --> 00:12:13.100 man 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:13.920 Shebna 00:12:13.920 --> 00:12:15.160 who is described 00:12:15.160 --> 00:12:16.080 as a steward 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.720 a palace 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:18.420 administrator 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.640 the man 00:12:19.640 --> 00:12:20.180 who is in 00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:20.800 charge of 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:21.340 the palace. 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.800 But then 00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:24.440 down in verse 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:25.000 19 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.940 I will depose 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:26.420 you from 00:12:26.420 --> 00:12:27.020 your office 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.000 you will be 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.399 ousted 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:28.819 from your 00:12:28.819 --> 00:12:29.279 position. 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:31.299 In that day 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:31.819 I will summon 00:12:31.819 --> 00:12:32.559 my servant 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:33.240 Eliakim 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:33.639 son of 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.100 Hilkiah 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:35.039 I will 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:35.480 clothe him 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:35.879 with your 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:36.179 robe 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:37.039 and fasten 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:37.679 your sash 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:38.220 around him 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:39.100 and hand 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:39.819 your authority 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:40.399 over him. 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:42.000 I will 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.579 place on 00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:43.240 his shoulder 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:44.659 the key 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.159 to the 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:45.720 house of 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.059 David. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.199 What he 00:12:48.199 --> 00:12:48.799 opens 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.720 no one 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:50.319 can shut 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:51.620 and what 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.240 he shuts 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.460 no one 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.360 can open. 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:56.779 This man 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.539 Eliakim 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.319 has been 00:12:58.319 --> 00:12:58.639 given 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.579 power 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:00.939 and authority. 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:02.360 He now 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.059 holds the 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:03.480 keys 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.079 to the 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:04.519 palace. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:05.699 He now 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:06.199 controls 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:06.819 who has 00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:07.279 access 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.120 to the 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:08.360 king. 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:09.740 Who has 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.379 access 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.259 to all 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:11.459 the 00:13:11.459 --> 00:13:11.959 treasuries 00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:12.480 of the 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:12.679 king. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:14.659 His 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.159 authority 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:16.220 is absolute. 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:17.980 No one 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.860 can override 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:19.919 his decisions. 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:22.600 So when 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.299 Jesus uses 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:23.860 these words 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.579 about himself 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:26.259 what does 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:26.620 he mean? 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.040 I think 00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:29.620 he means 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.500 that he 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.340 is the 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:31.639 one 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:33.000 that provides 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.540 access 00:13:33.540 --> 00:13:34.440 to the 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:34.840 throne of 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.160 God 00:13:35.160 --> 00:13:36.480 and to 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:36.900 all the 00:13:36.900 --> 00:13:37.340 blessings 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.220 that come 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:38.740 from it. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.520 He 00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:41.340 has the 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:41.800 keys 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:42.740 to the 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.120 door of 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:43.600 salvation. 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.480 More than 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:45.740 that, 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:46.139 that he 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:46.780 himself 00:13:46.780 --> 00:13:47.780 is the 00:13:47.780 --> 00:13:48.220 means 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.120 of access 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.920 to God. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.000 as the 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.459 writer to 00:13:52.459 --> 00:13:52.579 the 00:13:52.579 --> 00:13:52.879 Hebrews 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.299 says, 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:53.939 we have 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:54.699 confidence 00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:55.919 to enter 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:56.899 the most 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.899 holy place 00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:59.039 by the 00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.719 blood of 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:00.099 Jesus. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.799 But why 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.240 should they 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.719 trust him? 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.399 Why should 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:05.860 they believe 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.419 what he 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.659 says against 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.120 what their 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.579 opponents 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:09.039 would say? 00:14:11.339 --> 00:14:11.939 Let's 00:14:11.939 --> 00:14:12.599 look back 00:14:12.599 --> 00:14:13.839 at verse 00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:15.240 7 at 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.839 how he 00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:16.379 introduced 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:16.899 himself. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:19.259 In each 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:19.539 of the 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:19.899 letters, 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:20.840 the greeting 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.620 is different. 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.500 In each 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:22.759 one, 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.439 he describes 00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:24.159 himself in 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.559 a way 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.559 particularly 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:26.899 relevant to 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.379 the message 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.059 he has to 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:28.480 bring to 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:29.139 that church. 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.759 At the 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.139 start of 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.779 this letter, 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.139 he identified 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.879 himself with 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.559 two words, 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.679 holy and 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.039 true. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.579 He describes 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.139 himself as 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:40.519 holy. 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:41.819 He is 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.340 perfect. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.419 He is 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:43.919 pure. 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:44.799 He is 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.539 untainted 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.379 by evil. 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:48.939 And while 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:49.419 this is 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:50.840 glorious and 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.379 beautiful, 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.279 it is also 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.919 terrifying. 00:14:55.079 --> 00:14:55.779 If there 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.399 was any 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:58.100 God who 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:58.759 would restrict 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:00.079 access to 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:00.779 his presence 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.179 to anyone 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:02.620 that was 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.240 impure, 00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:04.240 anyone who 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:04.720 did not 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.259 live up to 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:05.899 his standards 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.639 of perfection, 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:07.819 it would be 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.319 a holy 00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:09.279 God like 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:09.639 this. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.179 But on 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:12.519 the flip 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:12.980 side of 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.319 that, 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:15.079 if you are 00:15:15.079 --> 00:15:16.720 accepted by 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:17.160 a God 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:17.980 like this, 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.500 that acceptance 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.379 is absolutely 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.379 secure, 00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:25.019 because who 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.960 can condemn 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.180 you? 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.899 And then he 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:29.740 describes himself 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.759 as true. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.259 He doesn't 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.000 just speak 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.460 truth, 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:36.220 but he is 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:36.940 the embodiment 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:37.540 of truth 00:15:37.540 --> 00:15:38.379 itself. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:40.759 in this 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.860 world of 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.720 fake news 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.860 and alternative 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.539 facts, 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.379 his word 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.159 is the 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.759 standard 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.960 against which 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.019 everything else 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:50.700 can be 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.539 fact-checked. 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:54.639 What he 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.700 says can 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.360 absolutely, 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.039 without question, 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.240 be relied 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.960 upon for 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.539 both this 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:03.299 life and 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:03.940 the life to 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:04.220 come. 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.019 their 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:06.440 opponents 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.259 were denying 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:07.580 their 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:08.080 salvation. 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.540 Effectively, 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:09.840 they were 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.440 claiming that 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:11.180 they held 00:16:11.180 --> 00:16:11.639 the keys, 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.180 that they 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:13.840 could determine 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.399 who was 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.399 in and 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:15.740 who was 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.120 out. 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:17.779 But here 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.379 Jesus is 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.620 saying, 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:18.899 no, 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:20.940 only I 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.620 have that 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.080 authority, 00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.720 and I 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.560 have opened 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:25.060 that door 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.540 for you, 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:26.860 and no 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.540 one can 00:16:27.540 --> 00:16:28.040 shut it. 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:30.879 Salvation 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.279 is not 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.700 in anything 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.919 else but 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.439 Jesus. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.759 Nor is it 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.419 in anything 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.919 and Jesus. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.019 Salvation 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.919 is by 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.620 grace alone, 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.159 through faith 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.500 alone, 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.100 in Christ 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:47.500 alone, 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.700 no more 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.899 and no 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.340 less. 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.860 This is 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.480 given as 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.080 reassurance 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.519 to them. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.639 They may 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.340 be weak. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.960 They may 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.179 face opposition 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.219 but their 00:17:01.219 --> 00:17:01.779 salvation 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.539 stands 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.299 secure, 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:04.839 unquestionable 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.960 and unshakable. 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:07.879 They have 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.879 direct access 00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:09.440 to the 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:09.819 throne of 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.159 God, 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.039 and that 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.599 door is 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.059 not going 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.359 to be 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:12.859 slammed in 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.379 their face. 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.759 But of 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.039 course, 00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:17.740 while I 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.440 don't think 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.559 this is 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.000 directly 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.799 talking about 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.519 an open 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.039 door for 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.220 their 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.659 ministry, 00:17:24.179 --> 00:17:25.319 this 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:25.720 truth 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.960 does 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.440 still 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.019 give 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.599 encouragement 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.019 for 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.679 evangelism. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.880 Firstly, 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.720 because it 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:32.960 gives 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.519 confidence. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.120 I think 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:37.320 that possibly 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.340 one of the 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:38.680 biggest 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.299 barriers 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.820 we face 00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:41.480 today to 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.279 evangelism 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.920 is confidence 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.799 in what we 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.259 believe. 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.440 Confidence 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.140 that it is 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:48.860 not just 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:50.060 something that 00:17:50.060 --> 00:17:50.600 as the world 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.360 would tell us 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:52.259 is true for 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.640 us, 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:55.000 but it's so 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.000 true that 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.600 it is truth 00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.700 for everyone 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.560 that we come 00:17:58.560 --> 00:17:59.160 in contact 00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.580 with. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:02.040 And along 00:18:02.040 --> 00:18:02.460 with that 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.220 confidence in 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.580 what we 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:04.040 believe, 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:05.200 is the 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.680 truth that 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:05.980 if we 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.960 believe that 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.320 the door 00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:07.740 is open 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.420 for us, 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:09.820 then it is 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:10.600 also open 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.560 for any 00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:12.300 who would 00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:13.080 accept that 00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:14.040 call to 00:18:14.040 --> 00:18:14.620 come to 00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:15.640 him who 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.460 is the 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:16.779 way, 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:17.960 the truth, 00:18:18.580 --> 00:18:18.980 and the 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.340 life. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:19.399 truth. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.019 The second 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.899 of these 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:24.399 unseen 00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:24.879 truths 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:26.720 we see 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:26.980 at the 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.399 end of 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:27.980 verse 9, 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.159 and I 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.519 think this 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:29.839 is the 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.319 key to 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:30.720 it all. 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:32.720 I 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.579 have 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.419 loved 00:18:34.419 --> 00:18:34.859 you. 00:18:36.399 --> 00:18:36.959 They 00:18:36.959 --> 00:18:37.500 are loved, 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.939 and it's 00:18:39.939 --> 00:18:40.579 not just 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:40.839 that they 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.339 are loved, 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:41.919 but they 00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.480 are loved 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.179 by the 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:43.819 glorious, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.599 holy, 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.439 true 00:18:45.439 --> 00:18:46.319 Son of 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:46.679 God. 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.639 This is 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.019 the key 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.399 to it 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:50.639 all. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.079 This is 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.639 the basis 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:53.539 of their 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.019 salvation. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.299 This is 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.319 why they 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:58.000 can endure 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.799 despite 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:00.039 being weak. 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.019 I remember 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.740 growing up 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.759 one of the 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.299 elders in 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:05.859 our church, 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.700 a passionate 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.119 man with 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.439 a young 00:19:09.439 --> 00:19:09.919 family, 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.379 thriving 00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:11.859 career, 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:13.139 and a 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:14.079 real gift 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.559 in Bible 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:14.980 teaching. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:16.839 At one 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.259 point he 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.740 was probably 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.419 preaching at 00:19:18.419 --> 00:19:19.559 least every 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.299 second week, 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.399 if not 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.639 far more, 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.259 while holding 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.679 down his 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:24.980 career. 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.139 And then he 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:27.700 burnt out. 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.539 He had a 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.019 complete 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.960 breakdown. 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.399 Everything 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:32.939 got too 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:33.399 much, 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.079 and he 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.659 just could 00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:35.460 not cope. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.720 But I 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.480 remember one 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.319 Sunday morning 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:41.159 at the 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:41.579 breaking of 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.220 bread service, 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.740 him asking 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.379 us to sing 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:43.899 a song, 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:45.740 one that 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.460 communicated 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.140 the one 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:47.960 thing that 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.259 he was 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.180 still sure 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.480 of, 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.799 the one 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.400 thing he 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.019 knew he 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.559 could depend 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:52.839 on. 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.279 You probably 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.700 know the 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:55.900 song. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.599 Jesus 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.680 loves me, 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.420 this I 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:00.740 know, 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.180 for the 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.279 Bible tells 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:03.839 me so. 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.099 Little ones 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:06.640 to him 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.160 belong. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.680 We are 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.079 weak, 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.480 but he 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.700 is strong. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:14.400 when he 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.100 hit rock 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:15.519 bottom, 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.160 there he 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.220 found the 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:19.840 love of 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:20.240 Christ. 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.620 I don't 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.100 know where 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:24.620 you are 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.880 in your 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.580 lives right 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:26.860 now. 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:29.200 I don't 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:29.620 know how 00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:29.920 you are 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.380 coping with 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.000 the challenges 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.000 that this 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.500 year has 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.000 thrown at 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.220 us. 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:35.920 I don't 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.759 know where 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.279 your faith 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.580 is. 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.460 possibly 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:39.960 some of 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.659 you feel 00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:40.980 that you 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.220 are almost 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.859 at that 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.159 rock 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:43.539 bottom. 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.299 But you 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.839 can rest 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.919 secure in 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.259 this, 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.199 that even 00:20:51.199 --> 00:20:51.659 then, 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.179 even when 00:20:53.179 --> 00:20:54.240 everything else 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.859 gives way, 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.099 there you 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.779 can find 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.619 the love 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.319 of Jesus. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.759 So, 00:21:04.199 --> 00:21:05.159 having seen 00:21:05.159 --> 00:21:05.819 how Jesus 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.480 sees their 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:06.960 condition, 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.519 what 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.019 commands 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.359 are they 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:09.619 given? 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.720 Are they 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.879 told they 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.199 need to 00:21:13.199 --> 00:21:13.699 do better? 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.779 Are they 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.339 told of 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.779 greater works 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.799 that are 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.519 required of 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:19.659 them? 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:20.899 No. 00:21:22.199 --> 00:21:22.980 There's only 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:24.299 one command 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.939 that's given. 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.059 Hold on. 00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.659 They're not 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.059 being asked 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.399 to do 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:30.960 anything 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.419 heroic 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:31.819 here, 00:21:32.439 --> 00:21:33.399 just to 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.039 hold on 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.919 to what 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:35.399 they have. 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:37.740 He knows 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.300 they are 00:21:38.300 --> 00:21:38.560 weak. 00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:41.180 He knows 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.700 he can't 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.720 ask anything 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.220 more of 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.400 them, 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.540 and so 00:21:44.540 --> 00:21:45.120 he doesn't. 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.900 There are 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.740 many great 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.519 things that 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.060 we can do 00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:51.780 for Christ, 00:21:52.780 --> 00:21:53.940 but none 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.840 is more 00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.560 important than 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:55.900 this. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.860 We can do 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.840 great works 00:21:58.840 --> 00:21:59.480 of charity. 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:01.579 we can 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.019 preach the 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.559 gospel to 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:02.920 millions, 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.740 but what 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.319 matters 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:08.120 most is 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.400 are we 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.140 holding on 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:09.860 to what 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:10.380 we have? 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:11.960 Are we 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.720 clinging to 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.039 Jesus? 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:15.039 Is he 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.860 all that we 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.360 are depending 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.640 on? 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.740 If not, 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:21.059 then we've 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.559 completely 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.539 missed the 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:22.839 point. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:25.539 But it's 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.259 important to 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.819 clarify our 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.220 salvation is 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.639 not dependent 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.879 on the 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.319 strength of 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:32.759 our grip. 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:35.839 Back in 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.659 Hogmanay last 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:39.459 year, I 00:22:39.459 --> 00:22:39.980 was at the 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.459 watch night 00:22:40.459 --> 00:22:41.179 service at 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:41.639 Greenview, 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:43.879 and the 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:44.459 person there 00:22:44.459 --> 00:22:45.139 giving the 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:47.139 epilogue just 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:47.639 before the 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:49.279 bells talked 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.799 about how a 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.539 baby clings 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.039 on to 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.539 their mother 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:56.000 with their 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.879 little clenched 00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:57.359 fists. 00:22:58.899 --> 00:22:59.859 They see 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.920 security there, 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:01.720 and so they 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.759 hold on with 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.099 all their 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.559 strength. 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.099 But their 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:07.460 safety is 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.460 not dependent 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.500 on how 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.559 tightly they 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.079 hold on, 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.859 but on the 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.399 strength of 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:14.940 their mother's 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.079 arms that are 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.639 holding them. 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.259 We are told 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.079 to hold on, 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:21.740 but it is 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.519 his hands 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.400 that hold 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:24.180 us secure. 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:26.859 I think it's 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.819 also important 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:29.500 that we don't 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.200 use weakness 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:31.319 as an excuse. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.639 It would be 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.440 so easy for 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.059 us to say, 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.579 yes, I'm 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.480 weak, that's 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.559 okay, and 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.160 use it as an 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:42.180 excuse for the 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.139 things that the 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.740 other churches 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.359 are condemned 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.900 for, for 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.740 loss of love, 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.000 for compromise, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.519 for lukewarmness, 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:51.019 even for 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.660 being dead. 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.960 We're not 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:55.059 told you're 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.339 weak. 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.160 That's fine. 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.700 We're told 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.259 you're weak, 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.720 so hold on 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.139 tight. 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:03.779 Holding on is 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.460 not a passive 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.680 thing, but 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.339 it's an active 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.720 thing. 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.480 It's something 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.460 we must choose 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.859 to do each 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:13.440 day, to fix 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.519 our eyes on 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:16.039 him, to 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.799 confess our 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.639 dependence on 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.480 him, to 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.119 fill our 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.680 minds with 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:21.259 his word, to 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.700 fill our 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.399 hearts with 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:24.379 his praise, to 00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:25.440 surround ourselves 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:25.940 with his 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:27.779 people, so 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.779 that when the 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.480 challenges of 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.200 life come, as 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.779 they will, we 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.759 can stand. 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.159 And so 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:39.139 finally, having 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:40.579 given them the 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.159 command to 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:43.659 hold on, what 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:45.180 promises does 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.680 he give them? 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.879 There are at 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:48.920 least six given 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.720 in this passage, 00:24:50.659 --> 00:24:51.519 and I'll rattle 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.019 through them 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.819 pretty quickly. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.420 The first 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:57.279 promise in 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:59.359 verse 9 is 00:24:59.359 --> 00:24:59.759 that they will 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.500 be vindicated, 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:03.379 that those who 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.720 oppose them will 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.899 acknowledge their 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:06.359 salvation. 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:07.859 They will 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.680 acknowledge that 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.920 they were loved 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.059 all along. 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.299 At the end 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.019 of the day, 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.500 their faith will 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.759 be seen to 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.180 be well 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.619 founded. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.420 Those who 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.220 questioned it 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.559 will be seen 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.180 for what they 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.500 were. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.240 Liars. 00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:27.220 The second 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.559 promise is 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:28.799 that they 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.559 were kept 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.279 from the 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.700 hour of 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.039 trial. 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.940 This can be 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.839 interpreted in 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:36.099 all sorts of 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:37.259 ways, depending 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.619 on your 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.339 understanding of 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.759 the rest of 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.160 the book. 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.220 book. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.000 And if you 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.420 were hoping 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.920 for some 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.840 grand eschatology 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.720 from me here, 00:25:44.040 --> 00:25:45.100 I'm sorry to 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:45.500 disappoint. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.080 But whatever 00:25:49.080 --> 00:25:51.640 deeper cosmic 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.860 meaning it may 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:54.920 have, this was 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.720 originally written 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.560 to a particular 00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:58.160 church in a 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.680 particular time in 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.060 history. 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.819 history, what 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.559 did it mean to 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:02.879 them? 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.720 It definitely 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.539 didn't mean that 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.019 life would be 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.519 easy, and that 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.159 none of them 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:10.720 would suffer or 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.039 die. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.139 It's reported 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:13.879 that a living 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:15.119 Christians from 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.559 Philadelphia were 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.759 martyred alongside 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.059 Polycarp in 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.700 155 AD. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.960 But I think 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.919 partly what it 00:26:24.919 --> 00:26:26.419 means is that 00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:28.220 God knows what 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.019 they can handle. 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.799 Sometimes he 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.480 will take his 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.700 people through 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.779 the middle of 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:37.500 suffering and 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.160 give them the 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.799 strength to 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.140 endure. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.799 Sometimes he 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.319 will take them 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:44.000 out and keep 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.140 them safe from 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.539 suffering. 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:49.559 Sometimes he 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.059 will take them 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.720 through death to 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.360 be with him. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:55.220 But he knows 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.500 us. 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.680 He will not 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:59.259 test us beyond 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.259 what we can 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.519 bear. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.960 He knew them. 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.880 He knew their 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:06.580 faithfulness, but 00:27:06.580 --> 00:27:07.480 he also knew 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.539 their weakness. 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.519 And so he 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.320 will keep them 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:12.799 safe and 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:14.039 secure from 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.620 what was to 00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:14.860 come. 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.180 His third 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:20.039 promise is 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.420 that he is 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.640 coming soon. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.560 This is the 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:26.220 whole focus of 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:26.680 the book of 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.180 Revelation. 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:29.220 The promise 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.880 that he will 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:30.299 return. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.740 The promise 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.799 that this is 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:34.000 not all that 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.440 there is. 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.279 The promise 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.000 that evil will 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.880 not go on 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.579 forever 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.680 unchecked. 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.120 The injustice 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:42.700 will be dealt 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.019 with. 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.500 He has gone 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.799 to prepare a 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.480 place for them 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:49.160 and he will 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.120 come again 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.539 to take them 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.500 to be with 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.440 him forever 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.440 in his 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:54.960 father's 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.340 house. 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.980 The fourth 00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:00.660 promise is 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:00.900 that they 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.539 will be made 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:03.420 pillars in 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.279 the temple. 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.779 The image of 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.380 the people of 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.960 God being the 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.640 stones of a 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:11.440 temple is 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.039 used elsewhere 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.660 in the Bible. 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.960 But what's 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.900 interesting here 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:17.100 is that they 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.580 will be the 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:17.940 pillars. 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.039 pillars. 00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:21.900 Because the 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:24.120 pillars are 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:25.900 strong structural 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:27.360 elements that 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:28.140 hold the whole 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.840 building up. 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.500 Take them 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:33.600 away and the 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.000 whole thing 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.500 collapses. 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.400 And Jesus is 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:38.140 saying that this 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.960 church that has 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.920 little strength, 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.700 they will be the 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.920 key structural 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:45.500 elements in his 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:45.860 temple. 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:48.619 all throughout 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.059 the New 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.279 Testament, we 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.579 see how God 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:53.479 takes delight in 00:28:53.479 --> 00:28:54.099 building his 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:55.500 church from an 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:57.539 unlikely group of 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.379 unqualified, 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:00.539 unsuitable, weak 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.399 failures. 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.599 Peter denied 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:04.879 him. 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.500 Paul persecuted 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.099 his people. 00:29:09.219 --> 00:29:11.139 Others fled or 00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:12.079 locked themselves in 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.919 an upper room in 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.199 terror. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:16.299 God showed his 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.799 glory by building 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.620 his church with 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.220 such people. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.019 And he still 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.039 does today. 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.420 I've probably 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.299 told this story 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.240 before, so 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.740 forgive me. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:30.059 But I remember 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.360 when Tim was 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.240 applying to go to 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.860 the faith mission. 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.519 I had to fill out 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.360 a reference for 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:36.559 him. 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.120 The questions 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.080 they asked were 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:40.600 horrific. 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.980 They were 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:43.059 basically requiring 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.159 complete character 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.619 assassination. 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.419 But the one 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:48.519 question I 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.319 remember was the 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.839 last one, which 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:52.500 asked, do you 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.679 think this person 00:29:53.679 --> 00:29:55.039 is suitable for 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.939 Christian service? 00:29:57.419 --> 00:29:58.839 I'm not exactly 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.719 sure what answer 00:29:59.719 --> 00:30:00.299 they were hoping 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.619 for. 00:30:02.199 --> 00:30:03.459 But I answered 00:30:03.459 --> 00:30:05.879 saying that all 00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:07.159 Christians were 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:08.219 suitable for 00:30:08.219 --> 00:30:09.099 Christian service. 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.619 in fact, that it 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.059 wasn't an 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:12.000 option, it was 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.599 an obligation. 00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:14.899 That God has 00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:16.379 always built his 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.279 church with 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.359 broken, weak 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:18.779 people. 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.619 And that the 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:22.019 only required 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.779 qualification was 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.619 being willing to 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.099 be used. 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.879 So we see here 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:29.339 that weakness is 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:31.279 not an excuse to 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.359 not let God use 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:32.539 you. 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:36.339 And then the 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.259 final couple of 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.659 promises relate 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:39.299 to names. 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.940 I'm sure we 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.680 all remember 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.579 going to school 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:45.319 with our names 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.480 written on 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:46.920 everything. 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.639 Pretty much 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:49.399 anything that 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:50.019 could move 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.659 would be 00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.039 labelled. 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.539 Jumpers, 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.759 pencil cases, 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.779 lunch boxes, 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:55.839 jotters. 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.940 Don't know if 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:58.940 it was just our 00:30:58.940 --> 00:31:00.019 family, but we 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.019 always took a 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.379 shaving of the 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.000 paint off a 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.700 pencil so that 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.059 you could write 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.720 our names on to 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.139 the side of our 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.519 pencils. 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.740 These labels were 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.980 not for decoration, 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.980 but to make it 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.279 clear who these 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:15.420 things belonged 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:15.720 to. 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:17.980 And it's the 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.720 same here. 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:20.700 He promises 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:22.079 that they will 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.839 have his name 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.819 written on 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.000 them. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:26.200 He is claiming 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:26.759 ownership. 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.539 He is saying 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.099 to them, 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.980 you belong 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.619 to me. 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.240 You are 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.619 mine. 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.460 But he also 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.920 says that he 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.559 will write on 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.619 them the name 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.440 of the city 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.019 of God, 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:42.960 the new 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.440 Jerusalem. 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:46.299 He's not just 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.480 putting a name 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.180 label on them, 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:51.480 but also a 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.279 return address. 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:54.279 they have a 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:54.539 home. 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.359 And that 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.139 home is not 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.720 Philadelphia. 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.940 He's echoing 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.399 here the 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.579 promises that 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.160 would come in 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:04.220 Revelation 21, 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.799 which Graham 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.420 took us to 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.019 last week. 00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.700 If you've not 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.299 listened to that 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.500 sermon, I 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.200 highly recommend 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:11.700 that you do. 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.420 But those 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.660 promises that 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.759 the dwelling of 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.960 God will be 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.839 with men, 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:20.019 that he will 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.059 be their God, 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:22.240 and that 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.139 they will 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:24.200 be his 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.799 people. 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.519 And so 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.859 that is 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.679 what the 00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:30.579 ideal church 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.480 looks like. 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.700 The one 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.359 you should 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:35.000 get involved 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.299 with. 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.799 They may be 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:38.099 weak. 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.119 They may have 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:40.579 opposition, 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:43.599 but they are 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:43.980 faithful. 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.500 Their salvation 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.440 is secure, 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:49.220 and they 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:49.700 are loved, 00:32:50.320 --> 00:32:51.259 and that 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.100 is all 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.820 they need. 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:54.840 He calls 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:55.220 them to 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.820 hold on, 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.740 and weak 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.080 as they 00:32:58.080 --> 00:32:58.400 are, 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.640 he will 00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.220 use them 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:01.039 to build 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.600 his church. 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.720 He tells 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.559 them that 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:04.860 they are 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.240 his, 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.080 and that 00:33:07.080 --> 00:33:07.840 he will 00:33:07.840 --> 00:33:08.380 take them 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:08.680 home. 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:11.860 back at 00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:12.519 that service 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:12.720 in 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.200 Hogmanay, 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.480 we went 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:14.960 into the 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.500 new year 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.740 singing one 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.019 of the 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.519 songs that 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:17.920 we listened 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:18.759 to earlier. 00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:20.900 At that 00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:21.299 point, 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.180 we had no 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:23.340 idea what 00:33:23.340 --> 00:33:24.360 2020 would 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:24.700 bring. 00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.460 Yes, 00:33:26.560 --> 00:33:27.240 we'd maybe 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.900 heard reports 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:29.620 of this new 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.560 virus over in 00:33:30.560 --> 00:33:30.880 China, 00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:32.840 but it 00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:33.360 was distant 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:33.960 news of 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.759 something 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:36.140 at the other 00:33:36.140 --> 00:33:36.600 side of the 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:37.080 world that 00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:37.799 didn't really 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.420 affect us. 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:40.720 Little did 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.120 we know 00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:41.640 that everything 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.120 was about 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:42.720 to change, 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:44.940 but these 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.420 are the words 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:45.700 that we 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.060 sang. 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.180 When I 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:48.860 fear my 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.539 faith will 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:49.900 fail, 00:33:51.060 --> 00:33:51.519 Christ 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.440 will hold 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.100 me fast. 00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:54.920 When the 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:55.600 tempter would 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.060 prevail, 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:57.759 he will 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.320 hold me 00:33:58.320 --> 00:33:58.799 fast. 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:00.500 I could 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.519 never keep 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.200 my hold 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.799 through life's 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.700 fearful path, 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.039 for my 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.680 love is 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.640 often cold. 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:09.340 he must 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.460 hold me 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:10.960 fast. 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:12.920 Those he 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:14.119 saves are 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:14.900 his delight, 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:16.579 Christ 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:18.039 will hold 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.880 me fast. 00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.760 Precious 00:34:20.760 --> 00:34:21.559 in his 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.380 holy sight, 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:24.220 he will 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:25.160 hold me 00:34:25.160 --> 00:34:25.700 fast. 00:34:26.660 --> 00:34:27.460 He'll not 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.119 let my 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:28.680 soul be 00:34:28.680 --> 00:34:29.059 lost. 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:30.740 His promises 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.980 shall last, 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:33.840 bought by 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.960 him at 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.519 such a 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:35.980 cost. 00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:38.059 He will 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.720 hold me 00:34:38.720 --> 00:34:39.220 fast. 00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:41.220 So as we 00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:42.119 head rapidly 00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:43.280 to the 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.619 end of 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.119 this year 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:46.019 and into 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.599 the next 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.619 with a 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.380 mix of 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:49.380 hope and 00:34:49.380 --> 00:34:50.059 trepidation, 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:52.240 that is 00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:53.000 what matters. 00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:55.340 Are we 00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:56.380 clinging to 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:56.840 the one 00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:57.539 who is 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.039 faithful, 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.460 to the one 00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.260 who will 00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:00.740 hold us 00:35:00.740 --> 00:35:01.159 fast? 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:02.359 Amen. 00:35:02.359 --> 00:35:02.460 Amen.