WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:06.960 Revelation chapter 3 verses 14 to 22 and Morteza is going to come and read for us. Morteza, come to you. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:08.179 Good morning church. 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:13.439 Revelation chapter 3 verses 14 to 22. 00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:18.300 To the angel of the church in Leodicea write, 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:24.879 These are the words of Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:29.960 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:33.840 I wish you were either one or the other. 00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:40.920 So because you are lukewarm, neither hot or cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:47.359 You say, I am rich, I have acquired wealth, and do not need a thing. 00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:53.960 But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 00:00:53.960 --> 00:01:02.159 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in a fire, so that you can become rich. 00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:07.799 And white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:12.480 And salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:16.260 Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. 00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:18.799 So be earnest and repent. 00:01:19.500 --> 00:01:22.359 Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:31.599 If anybody hears my voice and open the doors, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:38.319 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, 00:01:38.759 --> 00:01:43.599 just as I overcome and sat down with my father on his throne. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:50.519 He who has ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:51.519 Amen. 00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:56.199 It is a great privilege to be with you this morning. 00:01:56.459 --> 00:02:00.920 And I'd ask that you keep your Bible open with me there at Revelation 3. 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:03.939 And as we do so, let's bow our heads and let's pray together. 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:15.939 Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you that part of your wonderful kindness to us 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:20.699 is that you speak to us through your written word. 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:28.319 Thank you that every part of your word has been written down for us, for our good, 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:32.899 that we might know you, that we might know your Son, the Lord Jesus, 00:02:33.699 --> 00:02:38.679 that we might, as we heard earlier, be disciple-making disciples, 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:42.719 obeying everything the Lord Jesus has told us to do, 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:48.519 trusting that he truly is always with us to the very end of the age. 00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:53.340 Father, please, in your kindness, would you speak to us now? 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:55.900 Help us not to think how your word applies to someone else. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:01.300 Please speak to us, individually, directly, personally. 00:03:02.260 --> 00:03:05.560 We ask these things for Jesus' sake. 00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:07.460 Amen. 00:03:09.760 --> 00:03:10.360 Smiley. 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:10.480 Smiley. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:18.959 It was a special game played by an elderly married couple who had played this game 00:03:18.959 --> 00:03:22.399 throughout more than 50 years of married life. 00:03:23.359 --> 00:03:29.399 The goal of the game was to write Smiley, S-H-M-I-L-Y, 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:33.439 in a surprise place for the other person to find. 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:38.000 They took turns leaving Smiley around the house, 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.280 and as soon as one of them discovered it, 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:43.960 well, it was the other one's turn to write Smiley somewhere. 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:50.680 So they dragged Smiley with their fingers through sugar and flour containers in the kitchen. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:56.639 They wrote it in the condensation on the windows on cold winter mornings. 00:03:57.420 --> 00:04:00.580 They wrote it on the steamed-up mirror in the bathroom, 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:06.080 and at one time the old lady even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:10.020 to leave Smiley on the very last sheet. 00:04:11.260 --> 00:04:15.100 There was no end to the places where Smiley would appear. 00:04:15.220 --> 00:04:20.360 Little notes with Smiley scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards, 00:04:20.460 --> 00:04:22.960 under car seats, taped to steering wheels. 00:04:23.840 --> 00:04:26.960 The little notes were stuffed in shoes or left under pillows. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:31.759 Smiley was written in dust on the mantelpiece, traced in the ashes of the fire. 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:40.019 And when the old lady died, the floral tribute from her husband simply said, 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:41.279 Smiley. 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:44.939 Have you guessed what Smiley stands for yet? 00:04:46.459 --> 00:04:50.060 See how much I love you. 00:04:51.159 --> 00:04:54.479 See how much I love you. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:05:05.100 A foundation truth of Christianity is that the Christian man or woman is someone who is dearly loved. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:10.280 Dearly loved by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:11.280 --> 00:05:18.400 And Smiley, see how much I love you, is written repeatedly on the pages of Scripture. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:26.239 Now of course the clearest place that it's written in Scripture is those that point us to the supreme demonstration 00:05:26.239 --> 00:05:28.859 of the love of the Lord Jesus. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:38.339 His sacrificial death on the cross in place of undeserving hell-bound sinners like me. 00:05:39.479 --> 00:05:43.539 So Smiley rings out when we read words like, 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:47.400 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:51.360 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:05:51.900 --> 00:05:54.660 Or Galatians 2 verse 20 where Paul says, 00:05:55.020 --> 00:05:56.700 The Son of God loved me. 00:05:57.820 --> 00:05:59.540 And he says he's wondering that. 00:06:00.400 --> 00:06:02.120 And gave himself for me. 00:06:03.280 --> 00:06:08.720 If you're a Christian believer this morning and you need reassurance of the love of the Lord Jesus for them, 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:13.180 Well I would urge you to look at the cross through which God says, 00:06:13.320 --> 00:06:14.340 Smiley to you. 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:17.760 This is how God showed his love among us. 00:06:17.820 --> 00:06:21.880 He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 00:06:21.960 --> 00:06:23.600 This is love, not that we love God, 00:06:24.400 --> 00:06:26.060 but that God loved us. 00:06:27.020 --> 00:06:31.740 And sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice from our sins. 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:37.860 That is the love from which nothing can separate the Christian believer. 00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:40.879 But here's my question this morning. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:52.240 Is the cross the only way that our Lord Jesus displays his love to his dearly loved people? 00:06:52.240 --> 00:07:01.740 It is to three further proofs of his love that this letter to the church at Laodicea points. 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:09.300 The majestic, all-powerful, awesome Lord Jesus is giving his message to this church in Laodicea. 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:13.120 A message if you look at verse 22 that's also for us, 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:18.720 where we are told whoever is here, let them hear what the Spirit says to the church. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:24.400 And as our brother read it, did you notice how solemn the message is? 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:27.660 Jesus pulls no punches. 00:07:28.820 --> 00:07:33.400 He highlights the sinful, casual, half-heartedness 00:07:33.400 --> 00:07:39.380 and the complacent self-sufficiency of this church in this place called Laodicea. 00:07:39.880 --> 00:07:40.960 Look at verse 15. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:43.880 Their casual, half-heartedness. 00:07:43.960 --> 00:07:47.340 He says, I know your deeds, that they are neither hot nor cold. 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:49.639 I wish you were either one or the other. 00:07:50.039 --> 00:07:53.219 So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:56.539 I'm about to spit you out of my mouth. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:02.139 Verse 17, he speaks of their sinful, complacent self-sufficiency. 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:06.019 You say, I'm rich, I've acquired wealth and do not need a thing. 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:11.459 But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, naked. 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:18.259 Imagine you were sitting in Laodicea Baptist Church or Free Church 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:21.759 when this letter was first read out. 00:08:22.859 --> 00:08:26.000 You're thinking everything's going okay in your church. 00:08:26.919 --> 00:08:30.620 And then you hear these words of the Lord Jesus directed at you. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:37.480 Perhaps they were left reeling with the shock when they heard them. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:42.399 Perhaps there was a stunned silence came upon the congregation. 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:46.899 Perhaps as they heard these words, some of the members were left wondering, 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:50.560 look, if the awesome Lord of the universe is saying this about us, 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:52.919 that he wants to spit us out of his mouth, 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:55.919 is there any hope for us? 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:59.019 Is he going to write us off? 00:09:00.479 --> 00:09:01.979 Well, look at verse 19. 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:03.959 This is where our focus is this morning. 00:09:05.439 --> 00:09:06.379 Verse 19, 00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:12.039 Those whom I love, I rebuke. 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:16.259 Let me tell you something, says our awesome Lord Jesus. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:22.799 My rebuking of you is a proof of my love for you. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:24.639 It's a smiley. 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:28.379 A see how much I love you. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:32.799 And it is the first proof of the love of our Lord Jesus 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.959 to which these verses draw our attention this morning. 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:38.839 See how much I love you. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:42.719 The Lord Jesus, because he loves his people, 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:43.819 here's the first thing, 00:09:44.959 --> 00:09:47.099 he tells us off. 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:52.379 The Lord Jesus telling me off 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:55.659 is a proof of his love for me. 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:59.120 Have you ever had a verbal dressing down by someone 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:00.519 for something you've done wrong? 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:03.540 Have you ever been rightly rebuked 00:10:03.540 --> 00:10:06.360 in such a way that you've been ashamed of the action 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:08.240 that you're being told off for? 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:12.139 Well, that's actually what's meant by this word rebuke. 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:15.220 It carries the idea of putting someone 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:18.059 who has done something wrong to shame. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.080 It's the idea of a telling off 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:25.319 that brings conviction of guilt to the person rebuked. 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:30.600 It's the same word translated rebuke here 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:34.379 that is used by our Lord Jesus in John 16 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:38.279 when he speaks of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:40.759 And he said that the work of the Spirit 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:43.600 is to prove the world to be in the wrong 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:47.600 about sin, righteousness, and judgment. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.500 That's what the Lord Jesus was doing 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:54.879 to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3. 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:59.120 It's what he continues to do for us 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:01.860 as this message is read. 00:11:02.959 --> 00:11:05.120 Jesus exposes sin 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:09.639 in a way designed to bring conviction of guilt and shame. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:12.299 And in doing so, says our Lord Jesus, 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:15.700 I am acting in love towards you. 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:19.539 It's those whom I love that I rebuke. 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:22.000 This is real love. 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:25.879 This is the unique love of God 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:28.720 that is always for the good of the other. 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:32.460 This is true tender affection, 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:35.800 a tender affection that doesn't ignore sin. 00:11:37.420 --> 00:11:40.480 A love that doesn't sweep sin under the carpet 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.740 as if it isn't important. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.800 That doesn't treat sin as something 00:11:43.800 --> 00:11:45.100 that doesn't really matter. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:48.519 No, the love that rebukes 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:53.639 is the love that knows the serious consequences 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:55.240 of rebellion against God 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:59.399 and therefore tells off 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:01.500 and warns. 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:04.580 And will you notice two things 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:07.240 about the loving rebuke of the Lord Jesus? 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.279 First of all, 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:11.120 it's always accurate. 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:14.340 Now that can't be said 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.940 when we rebuke others, can it? 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:18.680 My wife Sandra and I and Jen 00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:21.120 were at a camp this week 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:22.860 called Contagious for Young People. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.080 It was great fun, wasn't it, Jen? 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:28.220 But I'm reminded of another camp 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.360 I used to help on. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.900 And during this camp, 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.840 on two occasions, 00:12:33.560 --> 00:12:36.320 I was aware of one of the older campers 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.920 being really unkind 00:12:37.920 --> 00:12:39.600 to one of the younger campers. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.520 And when I saw it happening 00:12:42.520 --> 00:12:43.379 a third occasion, 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.540 I kind of stepped in 00:12:44.540 --> 00:12:46.900 and boy, did I give this older camper 00:12:46.900 --> 00:12:47.800 a telling off. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.720 But I discovered later 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:52.060 that on the third occasion, 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:54.319 I jumped to the wrong conclusion. 00:12:55.099 --> 00:12:56.519 On that third occasion, 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:58.699 the camper wasn't being unkind. 00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:00.439 He was actually trying to be helpful 00:13:00.439 --> 00:13:02.319 to the younger camper. 00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:05.339 My rebuke was inaccurate, 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.919 unjustified. 00:13:07.699 --> 00:13:09.399 I remember I had to go and apologize 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.539 to this young camper. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:14.620 Our Lord Jesus 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:17.459 never has to apologize 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:20.199 for his rebukes. 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:24.339 His rebukes are always spot on. 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.539 Look back to verse 14. 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.599 We discover why. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.459 It's because of who he is. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.219 He says there, 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:31.980 these are the words of the Amen, 00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:34.500 the faithful and true witness, 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:36.259 the ruler of God's creation. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:36.939 In other words, 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:39.599 Jesus is the one who sees everything. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:42.960 And if he says something about us, 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.139 well, it's reliable, 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:45.139 it's precise. 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:48.139 So if he rebukes me this morning 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:50.300 for half-heartedness 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:52.340 or self-sufficiency, 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.500 his rebuke is accurate 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.580 and justified, 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.560 whatever protestations 00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:59.779 I may make. 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.360 The second thing to notice 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:03.540 about his rebuke 00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:05.560 is that his rebuke 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:08.000 is what every believer needs 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.559 all the time. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:11.039 Look again at verse 19. 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:14.279 Those whom I love, 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.919 I rebuke. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.799 Jesus doesn't say, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.620 those whom I love, 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:22.860 I may need to rebuke. 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.039 He doesn't say, 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.279 those whom I love, 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:28.460 I occasionally rebuke. 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:30.500 No, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:32.780 those whom the Lord Jesus loves 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:34.300 are those like me 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:38.000 who need to be rebuked 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:41.540 because those who he loves 00:14:41.540 --> 00:14:42.220 are sinners. 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:45.560 We may be saved sinners. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.980 We may be justified sinners. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:50.000 We are because of his great love for us, 00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:53.040 but we are also ongoing sinners. 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:55.879 Why this morning 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.219 did we start our service 00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:59.000 with a prayer of confession? 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:01.319 Because we muck up. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:04.219 We regularly fall into sins 00:15:04.219 --> 00:15:06.240 like the sins of half-heartedness 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.419 and self-sufficiency. 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:11.000 I was asked this week 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.719 at this camp 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:12.439 in an interview 00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:14.259 about what it's like 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:16.099 living as a follower of Jesus. 00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:16.740 And I said, 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:16.899 well, 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:18.620 I need to be told I muck up, 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:21.519 which is what the Lord Jesus does. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:24.340 We receive his rebuke 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:26.059 as we expose ourselves 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:27.319 to the sword of the Spirit, 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:28.340 his words. 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.159 The scriptures, 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:30.799 do you remember 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.759 how they're designed? 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:34.240 They're designed to teach us 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.419 and to rebuke us, 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.639 to tell us off, 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.639 along with correcting 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.779 and training us. 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:41.659 So actually, 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:43.860 every time we read God's word 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:45.439 or hear it read or preached, 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.259 it's right to be praying 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.220 something like this, 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:48.840 Lord Jesus, 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.319 you love me. 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.679 Lord Jesus, 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.500 you're the amen, 00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:55.199 the faithful and true witness. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:57.059 You see every nook and cranny 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:57.980 of my life. 00:15:59.179 --> 00:15:59.799 Lord Jesus, 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.500 you're the ruler 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.659 of God's creation. 00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:02.840 Lord Jesus, 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.319 please in your love 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:05.199 rebuke me. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:07.120 Show me where I'm grieving you. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.059 Show me where my behavior 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:11.939 is repulsive to you. 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:14.460 Show me where my thinking, 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.220 my speaking, 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:17.340 my actions are out of kilter 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.600 with your will for me. 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:21.360 Lord Jesus, 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.519 because you love me, 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.940 please tell me off 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:27.320 where I need to be told off. 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:30.100 I don't know about you, 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.940 but I don't like being told off. 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:36.040 I resent it when my wife 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:37.040 tells me off. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:41.080 We rebel against being convicted 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:42.620 and made to feel ashamed. 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:46.179 But when that's our response, 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:48.440 we miss a wonderful proof 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:52.100 of the love of Jesus for us 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:54.519 as his blood-bought people. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:56.720 In love, 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:58.019 he rebukes us. 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.580 Why? 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:01.800 Because he wants to change us. 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.940 He wants to change us 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.860 for our good 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:06.740 and for his glory. 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.980 Which leads to the second proof 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.940 these verses give 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.799 of how much 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.840 the Lord Jesus loves us. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.480 He loves his people, 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.299 he tells them of. 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:16.720 Second, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.579 he trains us up. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.779 Look at the verse again. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.140 Those whom I love, 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.620 I rebuke and discipline. 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.019 Now, 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.259 like the word rebuke, 00:17:28.399 --> 00:17:29.799 discipline is one of those words 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.779 that perhaps we hear 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:33.000 and we think negatively about it. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.099 Discipline is actually 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.979 a really positive word. 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:39.159 Behind it's the idea 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.759 of training and education, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:43.099 of correcting what is wrong 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:45.379 with a view to putting it right. 00:17:46.679 --> 00:17:47.979 I don't know if you remember 00:17:47.979 --> 00:17:48.939 your school days. 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.539 I remember Miss Simpson. 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.819 She was scary 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:54.179 when you were a 10-year-old. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:56.120 You didn't misbehave 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:57.440 in Miss Simpson's class 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.860 and actually you could smell her 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:00.000 because of her perfume 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.779 kind of 10, you know, 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:04.080 before she arrived at the church 00:18:04.080 --> 00:18:05.560 and then it hung around the class 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:06.299 as she left. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.460 She knew how to control us. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.880 But I have reasons 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.500 to be grateful for Miss Simpson 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:14.759 because she noticed 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:16.299 that when I held my pen 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.160 on my pencil, 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.900 I was doing it 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:20.779 in a really weird way, 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.440 which meant I had 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.799 terrible handwriting. 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:26.980 And she took steps 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.460 to correct the way 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:30.500 I held my pencil. 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.279 Now I can tell you 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.340 as a 10-year-old, 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.580 I wasn't happy 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:35.580 with her correction. 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:37.580 Look, I was comfortable 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.180 with the way 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.460 I held my pencil. 00:18:40.060 --> 00:18:41.400 The way she told me 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.240 to do it initially 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.519 was uncomfortable. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.200 But I still remember, 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.400 I can visualize it now. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.940 Me sitting in a corner 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.620 of the class 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:49.820 being told to write out 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:50.480 the same thing 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.519 over and over again 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.019 with her watching me 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.579 to make sure 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.619 I kept my pencil 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.359 in the right way 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.180 of my fingers. 00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:00.059 What she disciplined 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.799 to me 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.639 became natural 00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.539 to me. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.579 I'm actually 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.460 really grateful 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:08.599 she did that. 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:11.219 and in love, 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.219 the Lord Jesus 00:19:13.219 --> 00:19:15.399 disciplines us. 00:19:16.459 --> 00:19:17.759 He takes steps 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.859 to correct us 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:20.059 where we're going wrong 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:22.039 that we might conform 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.019 to his good, 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:23.699 pleasing, 00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:25.980 and perfect ways. 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.419 It's what Paul says 00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:29.439 in Titus 2 00:19:29.439 --> 00:19:30.279 when he describes 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.379 the grace of God 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.559 as teaching us 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.359 to say no 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.319 to ungodliness 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.399 and worldly passions 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.400 and to live 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.280 self-controlled, 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:37.900 godly, 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.019 and upright lives 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.180 in this present age 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.180 as we wait 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:41.920 for the return 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.160 of the Lord Jesus. 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.640 Those the Lord loves. 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.720 He disciplines. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.240 You may ask, 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:51.460 well, 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.700 how does he do it? 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.019 Well, 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.360 he does it in many ways. 00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:56.960 He does it 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.800 through his word 00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:59.500 which rebukes 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.620 and corrects us 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:01.280 that we might be 00:20:01.280 --> 00:20:02.240 trained in righteousness. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.120 He does it 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.860 through others 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.579 whom he sets 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.559 over us 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.839 in the Lord 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.139 to teach us 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:11.039 his ways 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.219 by word and example. 00:20:12.699 --> 00:20:13.579 That's one of the reasons 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.399 he gives churches 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.000 pastors. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.339 As the word of God 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.959 dwells in believers, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.539 he uses us 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:22.019 to admonish each other 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.599 and train each other. 00:20:25.199 --> 00:20:25.979 And as I look back 00:20:25.979 --> 00:20:27.079 over my life today, 00:20:27.479 --> 00:20:27.699 boy, 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.579 am I grateful 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:30.199 for those 00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:31.379 the Lord has given me 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:32.119 who have 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:33.779 disciplined me 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:35.599 and trained me 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.339 in godliness. 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.240 And he also does it 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.319 through the hardships 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.720 and trials 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.740 of life. 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.660 Now, 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.819 I stand here 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.420 as a visitor. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.500 I know some of you. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.539 But I don't know 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.259 what's going on 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.859 in your life 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.480 at the moment. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.519 There are many mysteries 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.480 about suffering. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:59.880 But the Bible 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.779 teaches that 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.980 no suffering 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.120 is senseless. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.880 No pain 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.860 is pointless. 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:10.279 No adversity 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.640 is absurd 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.519 or meaningless. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:14.180 Every heartache 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.960 has a divine purpose. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.940 Not least 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.940 to cause us 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.680 to abandon 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.400 our self-sufficiency 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:24.360 that we might rely 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:24.480 more 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:24.980 more 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:26.420 on the Lord Jesus. 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.740 That's actually 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.220 a truth 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.940 taught throughout 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.460 Scripture. 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:33.120 Psalm 119, 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.200 David writes, 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:36.019 before I was afflicted, 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.180 I went astray, 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.360 but now I obey 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.099 your words. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.640 He then goes on 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:40.940 to say, 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.700 it was good 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.079 for me 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.200 to be afflicted 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.460 that I might learn, 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.360 that I might be 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.019 disciplined 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.900 in your decrees, 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.579 in what you want 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.259 me to do. 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:51.920 In 1 Corinthians, 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.299 in 2 Corinthians 1, 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.599 sorry, 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.579 the Apostle Paul 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.919 gives his testimony 00:21:55.919 --> 00:21:57.139 about a situation 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.779 in which he 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.639 and his companions, 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.419 he says, 00:21:59.519 --> 00:21:59.899 we were under 00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:00.779 great pressure. 00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:02.740 It was far beyond 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.459 our ability 00:22:03.459 --> 00:22:04.299 to endure it. 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.079 He says, 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.980 in our hearts 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.959 we felt the sentence 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:07.519 of death. 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:07.980 Look, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.599 it was a pretty 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.699 serious situation, 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.679 whatever it was. 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.719 And then he says this, 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.959 but this happened 00:22:15.959 --> 00:22:18.019 so that we might 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.519 not rely on ourselves, 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:21.519 but on God 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:23.079 who raises 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.639 the dead. 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.099 If you want to read 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.799 something else 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.599 later today, 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.740 Hebrews 12 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:34.180 says that the Lord's 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:35.660 disciplining of us 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:37.519 through the hardships 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.500 of life 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.940 is part of his training 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.940 of us 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:44.160 in the ongoing battle 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.019 that we have 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.240 with sin. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:49.460 when I was a teenager, 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:51.460 I was given a book 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.980 which I didn't read 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:54.299 until I was in my 20s. 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.740 I was given it 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.120 for winning 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.740 a table tennis competition 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:59.059 at a youth weekend away. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.759 So that was a long time ago, 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.120 right? 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.180 That was probably, 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.140 how old am I now? 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.740 62. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.359 I was probably about 14 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:05.980 at the time. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.599 You can do the maths for me. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:09.039 I can't work it out. 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:09.339 Anyway, 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.259 it was a long time ago. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:12.599 But in this book, 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.440 Knowing God 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.799 by J.I. Packer, 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.379 he says this. 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.279 He says, 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.480 God spends much 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.319 of his time 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.839 bringing home to us 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:23.940 that we are weak, 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.879 both mentally 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.940 and morally, 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.920 and dare not 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.960 trust ourselves 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.740 to find 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.240 or follow 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.299 the right road. 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.059 He goes on. 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.740 When we walk 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.859 along a clear road 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.259 feeling fine, 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.059 and someone 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.940 takes our arm 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.779 to help us, 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.960 as lightly or not, 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:43.359 we will impatiently 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.099 shake them off. 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:45.119 I don't need you. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.179 I'm all right. 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.679 But when we're caught 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.700 in rough country 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.319 in the dark 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.099 with a storm 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.819 getting up 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:54.480 and we're exhausted, 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.659 when in that situation 00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:58.679 someone takes 00:23:58.679 --> 00:23:59.119 our arm 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.159 to help us, 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:02.039 we thankfully 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:03.519 lean on them. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.940 Packer says, 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.639 and God 00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:08.179 wants us 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.759 to feel 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.600 that our way 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.299 through life 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.000 is rough 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.180 and perplexing 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:14.160 so that we may 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.700 learn, 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:15.460 so that we may 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.259 be trained 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:18.279 to thankfully 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.720 lean on him. 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.039 He takes 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.460 step 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.160 to drive 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.920 out of us 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.019 self-confidence 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:27.279 that instead 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.000 we might 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.759 trust 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:30.000 in him. 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:32.900 The truth 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.539 that the Lord 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.220 disciplines 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.380 those he loves 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.100 is a truth 00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:37.080 every believer 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:38.000 needs to hold 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.660 on to 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.980 in every 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.600 time 00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.720 of difficulty. 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.660 Smiley! 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.600 See how much 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:46.260 I love you, 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.900 says the Lord 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.660 to his people 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.520 Laodicea. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.400 I love you 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.920 enough to 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.760 discipline you, 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:52.180 to wake you up 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.620 from your 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.580 half-heartedness, 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.820 to wake you up 00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:55.220 from your 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.500 self-sufficiency 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:56.640 mercy, 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.519 that you 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.240 might trust 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.859 me wholly, 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.799 that you 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.240 might be 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.759 wholly 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.720 dependent 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.920 on me. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.759 Are you 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.119 still with 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.319 me? 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.779 See how much 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.059 the Lord 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.559 loves you? 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:09.799 Us, 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.539 tells us 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:11.900 off, 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.380 trains us 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:13.799 up, 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.539 and thirdly, 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.039 he keeps 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.039 knocking at 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.619 the door. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.059 Verse 20. 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.099 It's one of the 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.700 most well-known 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.440 verses in the 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.799 Bible, 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.419 but we 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.039 often forget 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.440 that its 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.119 application 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.940 is first 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.779 to Christians, 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.180 not non-Christians. 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.139 It's to 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.480 Christian people 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:31.919 that the 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:32.480 Lord Jesus 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.019 says, 00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:34.279 here I am, 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.339 I stand at 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.720 the door 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.599 and knock. 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.259 If anyone 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.859 hears my 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.319 voice and 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.799 opens the 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:39.940 door, 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.599 I will come 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.240 in and eat 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.659 with that 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.119 person, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.019 and they 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.859 with me. 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:44.779 Have you 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.079 ever been 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.859 shut out? 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.779 Knocking at 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.099 a door, 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.139 knowing someone's 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:49.839 inside, 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:50.599 but not 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.159 responding, 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:51.839 knowing that 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.279 someone's 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.720 inside, 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.019 but they're 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.659 not answering, 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.059 they're not 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:54.539 willing to 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.720 open the 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.019 door. 00:25:59.419 --> 00:25:59.940 Despite 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.839 their many 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.720 failures, 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.740 the whole 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.740 message of 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.119 the Lord 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:05.839 Jesus to 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.500 that church 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.559 at Laodicea 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:09.379 was him 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.119 knocking 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:12.740 at their 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.059 door. 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.779 I was 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.159 away this 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:16.460 week at 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.919 a camp. 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:17.960 I prepared 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.339 what I've 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:18.700 done this 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.200 morning before 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.700 I went to 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:19.919 camp, 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.220 but during 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.639 the week, 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.019 a very old 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.460 friend of 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:22.960 mine who 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.340 read the 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.860 Bible with 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.079 me in 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:24.779 my 30s, 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.140 he sent 00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:25.420 me a 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:25.799 WhatsApp. 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.360 He didn't 00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:26.579 know I 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.000 was preaching 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.380 on this 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:27.779 verse. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.279 Can I 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.579 read his 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.240 WhatsApp to 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.440 you? 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.819 It simply 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.259 said, 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.340 on a hotel 00:26:33.340 --> 00:26:34.180 door room 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.059 was a 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.600 notice. 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.400 On one 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.100 side it 00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.360 said, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.880 do not 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.400 disturb. 00:26:40.600 --> 00:26:41.240 On the 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.880 other side 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.480 it said, 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.140 I am in 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.600 an awful 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.160 mess, 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.360 please come 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:45.920 in and 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.360 sort me 00:26:46.360 --> 00:26:46.799 out. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:48.579 Then my 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.379 friend wrote, 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:51.119 here I 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:51.579 am, I 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.139 stand at 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.500 the door 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.059 and knock. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.659 Why should 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:55.039 he, 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:55.659 Jesus, 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.500 ever wish 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.980 to gain 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.779 access to 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.359 such a 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:00.980 pit of 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.659 foulness as 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:02.940 me? 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.500 Jesus 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.460 knocks on 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.039 the door 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:13.159 of Christians 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:15.140 who actually 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.620 are a bit 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.320 of a mess. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.519 That's what 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:17.940 he was doing 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.200 with the 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.620 church of 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.300 Odysseus. 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.480 His loving 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.500 knock is a 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.160 persistent 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.640 knock. 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.360 He says 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:24.900 he's knocking 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.960 again and 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.740 again and 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.160 again. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.820 He wants 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:28.180 to come 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.440 in. 00:27:29.580 --> 00:27:30.200 And it's a 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.640 promising 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.279 knock for 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.840 he promises 00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:33.240 amazing grace 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.300 to anyone who 00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:35.060 will open 00:27:35.060 --> 00:27:35.820 the door and 00:27:35.820 --> 00:27:36.060 say, 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.440 Jesus, 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.180 please come 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.540 in. 00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.200 Look at 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.860 verse 20. 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:40.380 The word 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.000 for eat 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:42.400 there was 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:42.800 the word 00:27:42.800 --> 00:27:43.140 used for 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.700 the main 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.140 meal of 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.580 the day, 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.420 a leisurely 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:45.780 affair, 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:46.240 not a 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.780 hurried 00:27:46.780 --> 00:27:47.520 snack. 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.060 The idea 00:27:49.060 --> 00:27:49.580 is of an 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:50.280 occasion which 00:27:50.280 --> 00:27:50.820 allowed for 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.500 intimate 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.420 conversation 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.900 between 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.380 close 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.100 friends. 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.980 And that's 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.259 what the 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.800 Lord Jesus 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:57.720 desires with 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.200 those he 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.560 loves. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.120 Why does 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:00.780 he rebuke 00:28:00.780 --> 00:28:01.100 us? 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.460 Why does 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.380 he discipline 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:03.940 us? 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.420 Because 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.200 actually he 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.740 wants to 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.360 share with 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:07.980 those he 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.780 loves in 00:28:08.780 --> 00:28:09.400 intimate 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:10.259 friendship. 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:11.920 He wants 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.440 those he 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.000 loves to 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.980 welcome him 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.839 into every 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.400 part of 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:15.980 their life, 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.720 to share 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.480 every part 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.980 of life 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.680 with him. 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.039 And in 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.480 love, 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.440 he tires 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:24.059 not of 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.700 knocking on 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.299 the door, 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.240 even of 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.839 those who 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.299 have become 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.079 half-hearted 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.500 in their 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:29.960 devotion, 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.079 even those 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.420 who have 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.039 started to 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.420 live as 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:33.779 though they're 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.599 not totally 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.180 dependent 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:36.579 upon him. 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:39.139 half-hearted. 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:39.199 Now I 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:39.559 don't know 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:39.819 you. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:43.000 But perhaps 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:45.480 some of 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.019 us here 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:48.240 are half-hearted. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.639 Perhaps 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.259 some of us 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.859 here have 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.259 become 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.339 complacent 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:55.159 and self-sufficient. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.759 Perhaps 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.419 the reality 00:28:58.419 --> 00:28:59.099 is that we 00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.639 need to 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.119 hear the 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.500 same 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.279 rebuke 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:03.200 our loving 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.839 Lord Jesus 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.539 gave to 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:04.779 that 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.700 Laodicean 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.579 church. 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.319 Perhaps 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.299 we've lost 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.079 sight of 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:10.559 our need 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:10.940 for his 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.299 rebuke. 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.019 We've 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.379 forgotten 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:13.420 that we're 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:13.960 sinners who 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.420 need that 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.079 rebuke. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:16.940 Perhaps 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.220 we've 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.019 become lazy 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.460 in the 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:19.240 disciplines of 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.759 the Christian 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.420 life and 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:20.660 thought, 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.139 no, 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.480 I'm all 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:21.799 right, 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.160 I'm 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.859 saved. 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.019 I can 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.420 just stay 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.240 as I am 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.539 until I 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:25.920 get to 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.200 heaven. 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:29.640 perhaps we 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:30.019 need to 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.640 be those 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.860 who learn 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.660 to respond 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.340 to his 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:33.920 loving 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.759 knock on 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.100 the door 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:36.440 of our 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.860 lives. 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.220 You see, 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.039 look at 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.740 verse 13 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.080 again. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.559 It tells 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:39.880 us how 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.539 to respond. 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.819 Verse 19, 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.180 sorry. 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.080 Those whom 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:44.539 I love, 00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.180 I rebuke 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.740 and discipline 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.500 so, 00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.580 be earnest 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:49.960 and repent. 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:52.840 We live 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.100 in a 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.640 generation 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.160 where it's 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:54.759 okay to 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.700 be earnest 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.580 and zealous 00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:57.140 about your 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:57.600 career, 00:29:58.600 --> 00:29:58.840 to be 00:29:58.840 --> 00:29:59.620 earnest or 00:29:59.620 --> 00:29:59.960 zealous 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.460 about your 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.180 family or 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:02.019 your hobbies, 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:03.920 but few 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.319 are willing 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.240 to be seen 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:06.539 as zealous 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:06.980 for the 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.559 Lord Jesus. 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.860 But the 00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:10.220 one who 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:10.680 loves us 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:12.600 most says 00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:13.039 that this 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.640 is what we 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:14.160 need to 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:15.720 be in 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.440 response to 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:18.019 his rebuke 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.240 and discipline. 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.980 We should 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.440 earnestly 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.940 desire it. 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.220 We should 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.720 earnestly 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.660 confess our 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.200 sins when 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.779 he reveals 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.259 them to 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.519 us, 00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:28.279 earnestly 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.259 turn from 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:29.540 them, 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.180 seeking 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.960 instead to 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.259 live in 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.920 wholehearted 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:33.080 devotion and 00:30:33.080 --> 00:30:34.180 total dependence 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.800 on him. 00:30:35.540 --> 00:30:36.060 We should 00:30:36.060 --> 00:30:36.860 earnestly 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.680 open the 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.480 door afresh 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:38.860 to him 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:39.320 each day, 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:39.600 saying, 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.259 Lord Jesus, 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.800 please share 00:30:41.800 --> 00:30:42.300 your whole 00:30:42.300 --> 00:30:42.800 life with 00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.019 me. 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.000 Please 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.560 come in 00:30:44.560 --> 00:30:45.200 and control 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.820 every nook 00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:46.340 and cranny, 00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:46.820 shape, 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.420 mold me 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:48.000 according 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.820 to your 00:30:48.820 --> 00:30:49.180 will. 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.400 At this 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:51.840 camp we were 00:30:51.840 --> 00:30:52.279 at last 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.600 week, 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.340 which I 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:54.160 really enjoyed, 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.620 it was 00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:55.060 really great, 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.360 I was 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:55.540 with 00:30:55.540 --> 00:30:56.120 Josiah's 00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:56.360 dad, 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:56.820 which made 00:30:56.820 --> 00:30:57.259 it extra 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.759 special. 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.220 But I 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.880 was asked 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:02.400 in an 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:02.820 interview, 00:31:03.580 --> 00:31:04.800 how do you 00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:05.540 keep going? 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.820 As a 00:31:07.820 --> 00:31:08.180 Christian, 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:08.940 it's a good 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.360 question, 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:10.519 and there's 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.320 200 young 00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:11.920 people and 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.140 they were 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.580 all looking 00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.040 at me, 00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:13.900 they were 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.680 all really 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.140 eager, 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.080 God gave 00:31:16.080 --> 00:31:16.340 us a 00:31:16.340 --> 00:31:17.080 great week. 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:18.360 I was 00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:18.519 simply 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:18.779 asked, 00:31:18.860 --> 00:31:19.200 how do you 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.720 keep going 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.059 as a 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.400 Christian? 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:22.660 And the 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.140 answer I 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:23.720 gave was 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.240 this, 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:25.740 I said 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.220 only by 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.500 having 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.039 breakfast 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.720 every morning 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.400 with Jesus. 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.000 See, 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.140 do you 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:30.580 remember what 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.259 happened on 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:34.620 the Sunday 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.740 a week after 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.380 Easter day, 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:36.600 do you 00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:36.860 remember? 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:39.220 When the 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.039 disciples had 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:40.660 gone back to 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.160 fishing on 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:41.600 the Sea of 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:42.019 Galilee, 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.360 and Jesus 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:45.039 appears on 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.500 the shore, 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.019 and there's a 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:46.920 miraculous catch 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.560 of fish, 00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:49.259 do you 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.539 know what 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.380 Jesus shouts 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:50.779 to the 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.560 disciples as 00:31:51.560 --> 00:31:51.920 they make 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.279 their way 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.740 to shore? 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.940 He says, 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:56.380 come and 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:57.220 have breakfast 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.880 with me. 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.640 And I 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.060 found it 00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.720 really helpful 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.820 to put that 00:32:01.820 --> 00:32:02.940 verse next 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.600 to Revelation 00:32:03.600 --> 00:32:04.560 3.20, 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.160 and to 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:07.900 recognize that 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.480 every morning 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.980 when I get 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.400 up, 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.460 it's as if 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.860 the Lord 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.480 Jesus for 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.060 that day 00:32:12.060 --> 00:32:14.880 is knocking 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.420 on the 00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:15.740 door of 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.420 my heart. 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.440 saying, 00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:17.880 here I 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:18.180 am, 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.519 Johnny, 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.080 I stand 00:32:20.080 --> 00:32:20.320 at the 00:32:20.320 --> 00:32:20.740 door and 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.180 knock, 00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:22.240 I want 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.519 to have 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.200 breakfast 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:24.000 with you, 00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:25.720 and then 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.140 I want 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:26.640 to walk 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.120 with you 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:27.500 through 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.640 this day. 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:31.539 And the 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.180 advice I 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:32.560 gave to 00:32:32.560 --> 00:32:32.880 the young 00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:33.680 people was 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:35.880 the advice 00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:36.240 I was 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.660 given as 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.259 a teenager 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.039 at camp. 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.900 Before you 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:40.440 start the 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.700 day, 00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:41.400 take time 00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:41.940 alone to 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.420 pray and 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:42.980 feed upon 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.420 God's 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:43.820 word to 00:32:43.820 --> 00:32:44.279 know his 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.539 way, 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.019 so walk 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.380 the way 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:45.880 with him, 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:47.200 so start 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.520 the day 00:32:47.520 --> 00:32:47.880 with him 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.200 and walk 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.520 the way 00:32:48.520 --> 00:32:48.960 with him 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.420 and come 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.960 to evening 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:51.800 time with 00:32:51.800 --> 00:32:52.320 praise to 00:32:52.320 --> 00:32:52.540 him. 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:54.540 I told 00:32:54.540 --> 00:32:54.960 these young 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.280 people, 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:55.800 I remember 00:32:55.800 --> 00:32:56.680 as a 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.100 teenager 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:57.880 sitting in 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:58.380 church, 00:32:59.240 --> 00:32:59.580 and there 00:32:59.580 --> 00:32:59.820 was a 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.140 visiting 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.640 preacher, 00:33:00.760 --> 00:33:01.000 he was 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.340 an old 00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:01.740 man, 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:03.160 and he 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.240 told how 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:06.180 he'd become 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:06.760 a Christian 00:33:06.760 --> 00:33:07.240 when he 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:07.640 was a 00:33:07.640 --> 00:33:08.440 coal miner, 00:33:09.280 --> 00:33:10.220 and he'd 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:10.760 gone down 00:33:10.760 --> 00:33:11.340 the mines 00:33:11.340 --> 00:33:11.840 at age 00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:12.440 15, 00:33:13.040 --> 00:33:13.840 because that's 00:33:13.840 --> 00:33:14.120 when you 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.480 could leave 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:14.980 school in 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.720 those days. 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:16.880 And he 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:17.200 said he 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.640 loved the 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.099 Lord Jesus 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.680 so much, 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.200 he had to 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.700 get up at 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.400 silly o'clock 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:21.099 every morning 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:22.000 to go down 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.400 the coal 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:22.720 mine, 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.299 and he 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:24.000 described how 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.740 every morning 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.440 he had breakfast 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:25.980 with Jesus. 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:26.880 He got up, 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:27.819 he got his 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.519 Weetabix in 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.059 his bowl, 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:29.860 he put the 00:33:29.860 --> 00:33:30.400 milk in the 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:30.680 bowl, 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.299 he propped 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:31.779 his Bible 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.380 against the 00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:33.000 milk bottle, 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.160 and he read 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:34.700 his Bible 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.339 before he went 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:35.700 down the 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.220 coal mine. 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.660 That's having 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.319 breakfast with 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.599 Jesus, 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.140 isn't it? 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.700 That's responding 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.160 to his 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.640 knock. 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.599 That's saying, 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.200 Lord Jesus, 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.360 I'm still a 00:33:44.360 --> 00:33:44.500 sinner, 00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:45.220 I need your 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.700 rebuke. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.480 Lord Jesus, 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.100 I'm someone 00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:47.500 who needs to 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.059 be trained 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:48.779 in godliness. 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:49.700 Lord Jesus, 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.360 I want to 00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:50.759 share my 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.180 life with 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:51.360 you. 00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:52.039 Lord Jesus, 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.720 thank you that 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.240 you love me 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:53.860 that much, 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.160 that you 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:54.940 tell me off, 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.600 you train me 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:55.819 up, 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.420 and you 00:33:56.420 --> 00:33:56.880 knock on 00:33:56.880 --> 00:33:57.220 the door 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:57.539 of my 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:57.799 life, 00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.039 and you 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.340 keep 00:33:58.340 --> 00:33:58.640 knocking. 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.580 Lord Jesus, 00:34:00.360 --> 00:34:00.900 I want my 00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.840 life to be 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.960 about a 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.559 dependent 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.500 relationship 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.299 upon you 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.980 where nothing 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.500 is more 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:09.639 important than 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.199 having that 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.740 close, 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:11.339 intimate 00:34:11.339 --> 00:34:12.039 friendship 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.259 with you. 00:34:15.939 --> 00:34:16.559 Do you 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.039 believe God 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.439 loves you 00:34:17.439 --> 00:34:17.799 today? 00:34:19.759 --> 00:34:20.359 Do you 00:34:20.359 --> 00:34:20.959 believe Jesus 00:34:20.959 --> 00:34:21.639 loves you? 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.339 Think back 00:34:25.339 --> 00:34:25.739 over your 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.500 life as a 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.219 Christian so 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.719 far, if 00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.059 you're a 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.439 Christian. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.299 Aren't you 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:32.039 grateful for 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.759 the way he's 00:34:32.759 --> 00:34:33.239 told you 00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:33.679 off, 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:35.819 trained you 00:34:35.819 --> 00:34:36.239 up, 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.959 and that he's 00:34:37.959 --> 00:34:38.799 never stopped 00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:40.099 knocking on 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.639 the door 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.279 of your 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:41.839 life. 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.259 If you're 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.799 not yet a 00:34:45.799 --> 00:34:46.279 believer in 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:46.579 the Lord 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.099 Jesus, 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.039 well, these 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.679 verses do 00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:50.019 have a 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:50.559 message for 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:50.900 you. 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.239 Becoming a 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:54.139 Christian starts 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.839 with discovering 00:34:54.839 --> 00:34:56.159 that we all 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:56.739 need this 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.579 loving rebuke 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.059 of the Lord 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.400 Jesus, 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:58.860 because we're 00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.339 all sinners. 00:35:01.239 --> 00:35:01.940 It's what 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.319 those who 00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:02.779 have become 00:35:02.779 --> 00:35:03.319 Christians 00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.279 experience as 00:35:04.279 --> 00:35:05.019 they've started 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.659 to listen 00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:06.480 to God's 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:06.980 words. 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:09.920 becoming a 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:11.360 Christian involves 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.039 hearing the 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.519 call of 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.159 Jesus to 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:13.740 be earnest 00:35:13.740 --> 00:35:14.740 and to 00:35:14.740 --> 00:35:15.139 repent. 00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:15.659 To repent 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.340 means to 00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.079 run from 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:19.019 sin towards 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:19.519 God. 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:21.760 And as we 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:22.380 repent and 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:22.880 turn to 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.500 Jesus, what 00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:23.780 do we 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:24.260 discover? 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:26.340 We discover 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:26.719 that he 00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:27.920 says, receive 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.380 me into 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.079 your life. 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:30.679 Let me 00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:31.099 in. 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.159 He says, 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:34.039 trust the 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:35.179 amazing love 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:35.819 that I have 00:35:35.819 --> 00:35:36.599 for you 00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.500 because I 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.339 died on the 00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:39.039 cross bearing 00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:39.699 the punishment 00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:40.519 sinners like 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:41.319 you deserve. 00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:43.099 Receive me 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.619 in, the one 00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:44.299 who loves you 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:44.659 more than 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.199 anyone else 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:45.460 in the 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:45.759 universe. 00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:48.859 And he 00:35:48.859 --> 00:35:49.319 says, as 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:49.899 you receive 00:35:49.899 --> 00:35:52.179 me, you'll 00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:52.779 then discover 00:35:52.779 --> 00:35:53.359 that the rest 00:35:53.359 --> 00:35:54.199 of your life 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:56.119 is made up 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:56.899 experiencing 00:35:56.899 --> 00:35:57.919 his love, 00:35:59.299 --> 00:36:00.139 which includes 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:00.599 him telling 00:36:00.599 --> 00:36:01.239 us off, 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.059 training us 00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:04.639 up, and 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:05.159 him keep 00:36:05.159 --> 00:36:06.000 on knocking 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:07.239 on the 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:08.500 door of 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.139 our lives. 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:11.739 Smiley. 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.799 Perhaps some 00:36:13.799 --> 00:36:14.279 husband and 00:36:14.279 --> 00:36:14.759 wives will 00:36:14.759 --> 00:36:15.379 start writing 00:36:15.379 --> 00:36:15.819 Smiley 00:36:15.819 --> 00:36:17.440 everywhere, or 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.379 engage couples. 00:36:19.839 --> 00:36:20.639 But more 00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:23.239 important, see 00:36:23.239 --> 00:36:26.179 how much our 00:36:26.179 --> 00:36:26.819 saviour, the 00:36:26.819 --> 00:36:27.379 Lord Jesus, 00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:28.839 loves us. 00:36:28.879 --> 00:36:29.440 Let's pray. 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:32.679 Lord Jesus 00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:37.340 Christ, you 00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:37.960 who are the 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:40.539 faithful and 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.400 true witness, 00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.639 the ruler of 00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:46.880 creation, we 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.460 can't hide 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.099 anything from 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:48.380 you. 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:50.639 You know 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.599 everything about 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:52.340 us, every 00:36:52.340 --> 00:36:53.559 intimate detail. 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:55.659 You know 00:36:55.659 --> 00:36:56.579 however we 00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.179 look in 00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:57.800 church this 00:36:57.800 --> 00:36:58.360 morning, you 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:59.100 know what's 00:36:59.100 --> 00:36:59.560 going on in 00:36:59.560 --> 00:37:00.300 our hearts. 00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:03.180 You know 00:37:03.180 --> 00:37:04.019 whether we've 00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:06.340 drifted off 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:06.980 into some 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:08.539 kind of 00:37:08.539 --> 00:37:12.019 self-complacency 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:14.600 or self-sufficiency. 00:37:17.200 --> 00:37:18.340 Lord Jesus, we 00:37:18.340 --> 00:37:19.039 thank you for 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.880 your amazing 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:21.539 love for us. 00:37:22.740 --> 00:37:23.519 Thank you that 00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:24.180 it's proved 00:37:24.180 --> 00:37:25.560 ultimately at the 00:37:25.560 --> 00:37:26.260 cross where you 00:37:26.260 --> 00:37:26.880 died in our 00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:27.400 place. 00:37:28.740 --> 00:37:29.440 But thank you 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:29.880 for your 00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.960 ongoing love 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.800 that tells us 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:33.380 off, trains 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.980 us up, and 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.840 keeps knocking 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:36.480 on the door 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:37.420 of our lives. 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:40.860 Lord Jesus, 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.680 by your 00:37:42.680 --> 00:37:44.800 spirit, help 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:45.460 us to be 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.460 earnest and 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:47.059 to repent. 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:49.740 May we have 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.500 breakfast with 00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:51.220 you each day. 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.180 May we walk 00:37:53.180 --> 00:37:53.640 through the 00:37:53.640 --> 00:37:54.820 day enjoying 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.760 your intimate 00:37:55.760 --> 00:37:56.320 friendship. 00:37:58.560 --> 00:37:59.520 Please don't 00:37:59.520 --> 00:38:00.520 give up on us 00:38:00.520 --> 00:38:01.780 in your 00:38:01.780 --> 00:38:02.280 love. 00:38:03.660 --> 00:38:03.980 And we 00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:04.500 ask these 00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:05.080 things for 00:38:05.080 --> 00:38:06.120 your namesake. 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.180 Amen.