WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.339 All right, Mark 13. If you have your Bible, open up there to Mark chapter 13. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:12.800 I'm thankful to be with my church this morning. 00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:21.460 The verses we're looking at are Mark 13, verses 32 through 37. 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:29.019 So let's read this. This is the words of Jesus. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.179 He says, 00:00:31.179 --> 00:01:01.179 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:31.180 00:01:31.180 --> 00:02:01.180 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:31.180 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:34.760 to my wife, of course, and I've even warned Mike in the past, 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:37.300 if you're ever up here and you look out and you see me dozing off, 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:39.379 I promise it's not you, it's me. 00:02:42.260 --> 00:02:44.480 Sometimes, you may not fall asleep as much as I do, 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:47.900 but sometimes falling asleep feels like the easiest thing in the world, doesn't it? 00:02:49.200 --> 00:02:52.360 And sometimes staying awake feels almost impossible. 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:55.300 It feels like I just cannot keep my eyes open. 00:02:56.380 --> 00:02:57.820 We've all experienced that. 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:04.860 Our King, Jesus, is calling us here in this text to stay awake. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:09.940 To stay awake in anticipation of the day of his return, 00:03:10.320 --> 00:03:13.220 which is a day that we do not know when it will be. 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:16.840 And he says, you don't know when it is, so stay awake. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:23.159 In Mark 13, Jesus is speaking to his disciples 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:26.039 because at the beginning of Mark 13, 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:28.620 he said something that caught them by surprise. 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:33.539 As they're coming out of the temple one day in Jerusalem, 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:34.819 one of his disciples said to him, 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:36.460 look, teacher, what wonderful stones 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:38.900 and what wonderful buildings here in this temple complex. 00:03:40.140 --> 00:03:42.099 And Jesus said to him, do you see these great buildings? 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:46.419 There will not be here left one stone upon another 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:47.620 that will not be thrown down. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:52.659 He says this temple is going to be destroyed. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:54.879 So that got his disciples' attention. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:03:57.019 And they come to him and they ask him, 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:59.459 hey, tell us when will these things be 00:03:59.459 --> 00:04:00.560 and what will be the sign 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.459 when all these things are about to be accomplished? 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:07.759 So in chapter 13, Jesus is teaching his disciples 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:11.159 and he's telling them about the signs of these things. 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:16.560 Now the temple was destroyed in the year 80-70. 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:18.579 So we know when that happened. 00:04:18.659 --> 00:04:20.259 That's a historical occurrence 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:23.159 that Jesus was predicting at this time. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:27.060 And so as Jesus is going through in chapter 13, 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:29.199 he's telling them, hey, what are going to be the signs 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:31.759 that tell you that this time is approaching? 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:34.819 But he goes beyond that even. 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:36.680 And as he goes through in chapter 13, 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:39.659 he also starts talking about a day 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:42.220 even beyond the destruction of the temple in AD 70, 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:44.500 the day of his return when he sets up 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:46.439 his full and final kingdom on earth. 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:49.500 And there's a lot of debate 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:52.240 about where in chapter 13 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.360 is Jesus talking about the events 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:55.960 surrounding the destruction of the temple 00:04:55.960 --> 00:04:58.420 and where is he talking about the signs 00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:00.840 and events surrounding his full and final return? 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:05.039 There's arguments about where he's talking about what. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.379 But when we come to verse 32, 00:05:09.719 --> 00:05:13.399 and he says concerning that day or that hour, 00:05:13.979 --> 00:05:15.259 there's pretty solid agreement 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:17.159 that when he says that day and that hour, 00:05:17.359 --> 00:05:20.359 he's talking about his full and final return. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:24.720 And as we think about Jesus 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:26.740 talking about future events, 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:31.420 there's a word, a term that he uses 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:33.600 over and over again in chapter 13. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:37.160 He says either, it's either translated 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:39.199 be on guard or see to it. 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:40.780 Either way, but it's the same word. 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:43.840 In verse 5 and verse 23, he says, 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:45.980 be on guard because false Christs are going to come. 00:05:46.660 --> 00:05:47.560 Try to lead you astray. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:50.199 In verse 9, he says, be on guard 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:51.759 because persecution is going to come. 00:05:53.339 --> 00:05:56.000 And then in our text in verse 33, 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:58.040 he says, be on guard because you do not know 00:05:58.040 --> 00:05:58.959 when that day will be. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:02.879 So as Jesus is teaching about coming events 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.860 and he keeps saying, be on guard, be on guard, 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:06.879 be on guard, another way you could hear this 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.959 is Jesus saying, hey, heads up. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:12.379 Heads up, disciples, I'm telling you 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:14.000 what things are going to be like. 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:17.500 Because here, as in most places in the New Testament, 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:20.360 when we're learning about future events, 00:06:20.740 --> 00:06:22.680 the point is not that we can construct 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:24.480 a perfect timeline so that we know 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:26.600 exactly what is going to happen when 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:28.439 and what corresponds to what 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:30.819 and who should we be watching out for. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:34.259 The point is that we get heads up 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:36.340 about what things are going to be like 00:06:36.340 --> 00:06:37.879 so that we know how to live faithfully. 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:42.920 So chapter 13 is a big heads up from King Jesus 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:45.040 to us as his disciples. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:49.459 And in verses 32 through 37, he's saying, 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:51.699 heads up, you don't know the day of my return. 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:53.879 So stay awake. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:57.579 Stay awake. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:06:58.540 Stay awake. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:06:59.480 Stay awake. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:00.879 Be on guard. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:02.459 Don't be found sleeping. 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:02.579 Stay awake. 00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:07.379 So if it's so important to Jesus 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.699 that we stay awake in anticipation of his return, 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:11.359 what does that mean? 00:07:12.659 --> 00:07:15.579 What does staying awake mean to Jesus here? 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:18.319 Obviously it does not mean that 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:20.179 none of us ever sleep physically. 00:07:21.899 --> 00:07:23.339 So what does staying awake mean? 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:28.000 In these verses we see three things 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:30.219 about what it means for us to stay awake 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:31.860 in the way that Jesus is calling us to. 00:07:33.580 --> 00:07:35.300 Staying awake in obedience to Jesus 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:37.000 means that we live expectantly, 00:07:37.940 --> 00:07:39.040 means that we live diligently, 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:41.920 means that we live in the fear of the Lord. 00:07:42.460 --> 00:07:43.980 Live expectantly, live diligently, 00:07:44.200 --> 00:07:45.400 live in the fear of the Lord. 00:07:47.400 --> 00:07:49.620 First of all, Jesus is calling us to live expectantly. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:51.480 Look at verses 32 and 33. 00:07:54.020 --> 00:07:54.640 Jesus says, 00:07:54.640 --> 00:07:57.540 concerning that day or that hour, 00:07:57.540 --> 00:07:59.200 no one knows. 00:08:00.280 --> 00:08:01.720 Not even the angels in heaven, 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:02.400 nor the Son, 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.379 but only the Father. 00:08:05.200 --> 00:08:05.920 Be on guard. 00:08:06.080 --> 00:08:06.700 Keep awake, 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:08.420 for you do not know when the time will come. 00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:12.560 Now one caveat to make here is that 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:14.100 as I'm talking this morning 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:17.500 and I talk about the unknown nature of that day 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:19.700 or the uncertain nature of that day, 00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:21.780 I mean from our perspective, 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:23.680 we don't know when it will be. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:27.980 But when we say that it's unknown 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:28.740 or it's uncertain, 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:30.120 we don't mean that we don't know 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.319 whether or not it's going to happen 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:32.279 or that we're not certain 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:32.960 that it's going to happen 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:34.500 because one person does know 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.680 exactly when it's going to happen. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:36.299 It's the Father. 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:38.919 And he has fixed a date 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:40.700 on when Jesus will return 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:42.379 and set up his full and final kingdom. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.659 He knows when it's going to be. 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:45.560 And so as we talk about, 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:47.000 hey, we don't know when this day will be, 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:48.720 it does not mean that it's not going to happen. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:50.919 It doesn't mean that it's up in the air. 00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:53.719 We just mean that we don't know. 00:08:56.219 --> 00:08:59.519 So the unknown timing of that day 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:02.740 should make us people of expectation. 00:09:03.179 --> 00:09:04.599 We should be living expectantly. 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:06.740 Our minds should be always oriented 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:08.500 towards living appropriately 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:10.019 in light of our King's return. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.779 The return of Jesus should always be 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:16.719 in the background of our thought process, 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:19.620 in our mental landscape 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:21.500 as we're thinking about our lives 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:22.779 and where we're at. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:26.720 The return of Jesus is the sunrise 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.960 that's always just about to peek over the horizon. 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:33.480 And living expectantly in this way 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:35.539 doesn't mean that we can't make long-term plans. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:37.820 It doesn't mean that we don't think 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:39.039 about future generations. 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:42.620 But it means as we think about our lives, 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:43.620 if we're living expectantly, 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:45.180 we acknowledge that all of our plans 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:46.620 are always provisional. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:52.319 There's an old-fashioned saying 00:09:52.319 --> 00:09:54.019 that some people still say 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:56.059 in conversation. 00:09:56.279 --> 00:09:56.679 They say, 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.120 should the Lord tarry? 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:01.859 As they're making plans 00:10:01.859 --> 00:10:02.359 and thinking about, 00:10:02.479 --> 00:10:04.120 hey, we're going to do this or that next year 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:05.199 or this is what we're hoping for. 00:10:05.439 --> 00:10:06.839 They say, should the Lord tarry? 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:10.160 Now, of course, 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:14.180 with all sorts of kind of Christian phrases like this, 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:15.120 we could go overboard. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:18.100 You know, my wife asks, 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:19.480 hey, what are we having for lunch today? 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:21.420 I say, well, should the Lord tarry, 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:23.940 Janie, we're going to go to La Fogada. 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:25.560 No, we're just trying to have 00:10:25.560 --> 00:10:26.680 a normal conversation here, right? 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:30.780 But there's wisdom in keeping that phrase 00:10:30.780 --> 00:10:31.540 in your vocabulary. 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:34.000 As you're sitting with your family, 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:36.480 as you're making plans for your future, 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:37.299 as you're thinking about 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:39.159 the growth of your children, 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.980 as you're thinking about career moves, 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.259 as you're thinking about education, 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.980 just always keeping that phrase 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:45.720 in the back of your mind. 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:46.679 Hey, should the Lord tarry? 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:48.200 Because there's a chance 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:48.940 He might return 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:52.360 before these plans come to fulfillment. 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:55.419 So we live expectantly. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:57.019 When we live expectantly like this, 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.720 it frees us from being ruled 00:10:58.720 --> 00:10:59.899 by the world's terms. 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:03.519 We're not always running 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.740 the calculus of, okay, well, 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:07.139 hey, is this a time 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.539 where kind of we're in the clear 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.159 and we're safe 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:10.659 to pursue our own ends maybe? 00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:12.279 And then later, 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.419 as we approach that day, 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:14.279 we'll start thinking a little bit 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:14.980 more about the kingdom. 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:19.740 Jesus explicitly wants us 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:21.319 not to know when He will return 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:22.799 so that all of our lives 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.379 will be lived 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.699 in readiness and expectation. 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:28.199 We know what specific due dates 00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:29.980 tend to do for a lot of us. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:32.259 It gives us a date 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:34.700 so that we can procrastinate 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.519 for a long time 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:37.800 and then the week before 00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:38.399 that due date, 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:39.620 we're hitting it hard. 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.580 And so Jesus says, 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:45.019 hey, I want you not to know 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:46.060 because I think 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:46.879 when you don't know, 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:47.620 it's going to affect 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.560 the way you live 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:49.320 in a certain way 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:50.480 and that's exactly the way 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.259 I want you to live. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.720 He thinks there's something good 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:56.680 that happens for us 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:57.279 when we're living 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:58.840 with expectation of His return. 00:11:58.840 --> 00:11:59.660 And for us, 00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:00.420 the return of Jesus 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:01.360 is the amazing thing 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.639 that's always about to happen. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:06.019 Every day is a day 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:06.759 of anticipation. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:09.600 So we live expectantly. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:12.180 You know what a super simple 00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:13.340 way to say that is? 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:16.160 We think about that day more. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:18.820 That's what it means 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.840 to live expectantly. 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:21.000 We think about that day more. 00:12:22.040 --> 00:12:23.139 So this requires of us 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:24.440 that we give time 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:24.940 and thought 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.019 and mental headspace 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:27.420 to anticipating that day. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:29.660 Staying awake 00:12:29.660 --> 00:12:31.379 isn't just kind of a feeling 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.420 that comes and goes. 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:33.259 Staying awake means 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:34.340 that we're doing something 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:35.840 with our minds intentionally. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:37.860 We're asking ourselves, 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.420 what does that day mean 00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:41.040 for my life now? 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.519 And you have to do this 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.080 for yourself. 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:46.019 Other people can't live 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.820 in expectation for you. 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.800 What does that day mean 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.860 for my life now? 00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:51.980 If Jesus' return 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:52.500 could happen 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.860 on your drive home 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:54.840 from church today, 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:57.420 and if not then, 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.560 perhaps on your way 00:12:58.560 --> 00:12:59.340 to work tomorrow, 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:01.220 and if not then, 00:13:01.300 --> 00:13:02.160 then maybe when you're 00:13:02.160 --> 00:13:02.759 doing laundry 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.440 in the afternoon, 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.500 what does that do 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.120 to your life? 00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:07.879 How do you carry yourself? 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.740 How does it impact 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.500 your priorities? 00:13:10.660 --> 00:13:11.399 How does it impact 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.519 the way you live 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.540 with the people around you? 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.139 Living expectantly 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.899 means we think about 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:17.519 that day more 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:18.180 and we ask ourselves, 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:19.600 okay, if that day 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.300 really could be 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:21.139 right around the corner, 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.700 what does that mean 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:22.420 for me right now? 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:25.479 Living expectantly 00:13:25.479 --> 00:13:26.179 thinking about 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.000 that day more 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.939 also means 00:13:27.939 --> 00:13:29.620 imagining what 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.519 will it be like? 00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:33.259 Practically, 00:13:33.459 --> 00:13:34.279 what will that day 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:34.979 be like? 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.159 Have you ever imagined 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:37.979 what that day 00:13:37.979 --> 00:13:38.519 will be like? 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:40.699 You should. 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.699 We imagine everything 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:43.339 that we're looking 00:13:43.339 --> 00:13:43.979 forward to. 00:13:44.719 --> 00:13:46.039 If you have a vacation 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.779 coming up 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:47.839 in the weeks 00:13:47.839 --> 00:13:48.519 leading up to it, 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.480 you're looking forward 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:49.879 to it, 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:50.799 you're thinking about it, 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.759 you're daydreaming 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.279 about it, 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.519 when you're at work 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:53.959 and you're thinking 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:54.519 about how nice 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:54.959 it's going to be 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:55.399 to get away 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.319 from some stress 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:57.159 and if you're going 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.220 to a place 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.019 that's kind of far away, 00:13:59.100 --> 00:13:59.600 you might be thinking 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:01.819 about some enjoyable weather 00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:02.939 or a great destination 00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:03.699 that you're going to. 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:04.600 You're just imagining, 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.059 oh man, 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.899 that's going to be so great. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.579 You're running it through 00:14:07.579 --> 00:14:08.019 in your head 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:08.860 anticipating it. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.819 We imagine everything 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:11.879 that we're looking forward to. 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:15.779 So if you never imagined 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.980 what that day 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.679 will be like, 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.079 it might indicate 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.079 that you don't really 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:21.759 believe that's going 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.159 to happen, 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.200 at least not 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:23.899 in your lifetime. 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:29.100 So my challenge 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:29.639 to you 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.460 this week 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:32.379 is someday 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.620 this week 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.700 as you're driving 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.480 around Kenosha, 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:36.419 maybe you're on your way 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:37.200 to work 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:37.860 or school 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.659 or maybe you're 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.340 dropping the kids 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:39.980 off somewhere, 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.179 maybe you're on 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:42.299 75th Street 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.919 or Green Bay Road 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:44.700 or Sheridan, 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:46.439 as you're driving 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:47.399 around Kenosha, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.220 take a few minutes 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.879 and ask yourself, 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.320 what would it be like 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:54.180 if Jesus returned 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:55.160 right now? 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:57.820 Like right now 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.519 as I'm driving. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:14:59.940 So maybe you're thinking 00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:00.300 to yourself, 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:00.639 okay, 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:02.340 so there's going to be 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.379 a trumpet blast, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.680 right? 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.220 So you imagine 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:04.860 as you're driving, 00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:05.300 boom, 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.399 there's a trumpet blast. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:06.720 You're like, 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.779 what is going on? 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:08.940 And you're, 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.340 okay, 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.920 what is that like? 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:12.579 And then there's light 00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:14.399 shining from the sky 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:14.860 and you're like, 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.519 what's going on? 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:16.759 You're trying to look 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.679 through your windshield 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:18.779 to look up into the air 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:21.819 and you see heavenly armies 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:22.679 in the clouds 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:25.799 and a rider on a white horse 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.199 and you're like, 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:26.459 oh, 00:15:26.979 --> 00:15:28.379 it's happening. 00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:29.519 It's happening. 00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:31.839 But what do I do? 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.719 Should I call my family? 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.579 Should I try to get home 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:35.139 really quick? 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.839 I think at some point 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:38.759 I'm going to be like 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.759 caught up in the air 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.480 to meet the Lord, 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.139 so should I get out 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.060 of my car right now? 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:45.279 And right now 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.940 you might be sitting 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.639 right there thinking, 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.940 Caleb's like, 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.539 talking like really specific here. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:50.560 Yeah. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:52.779 We imagine 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.740 what we look forward to 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.560 so I challenge you 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.639 this week to imagine 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.820 what is it going to be like 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.139 on the day 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.899 that the Lord returns? 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.420 You don't know exactly. 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.340 You can imagine. 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:02.800 You can read the Bible 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.920 and get a few ideas 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:04.480 and say, 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:04.700 okay, 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.680 what's that going to be like for me? 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.379 How am I going to feel? 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:07.440 How am I going to respond? 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.779 And it's going to help you 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.639 think through, 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:09.879 hey, 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.820 how should I be living 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:11.480 right now? 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:17.659 In 2 Timothy chapter 4, 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.980 Paul is writing to Timothy 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.600 near the end of his life 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:26.500 and he writes 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.639 these famous words 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.639 that we've all heard. 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.159 He says, 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:29.820 Paul says, 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.019 I have fought the good fight, 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.139 I have finished the race, 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:33.100 I have kept the faith. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:36.860 And then right after that, 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.740 Paul says, 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.080 henceforth, 00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:40.460 there is laid up for me 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.779 the crown of righteousness 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.800 which the Lord, 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:44.840 the righteous judge, 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:45.860 will award to me 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.700 on that day 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:48.580 and not only to me 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:51.019 but also to all 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.340 who have loved his appearing. 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.460 You see what Paul 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.080 is saying there? 00:16:56.080 --> 00:17:00.540 Paul never saw that day. 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:03.120 He died in faith 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.240 but what he's telling us 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.799 is that he lived his life 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.120 loving that day. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.579 Loving the appearing 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.420 of his king 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.079 and Paul says, 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.220 God has a reward for me 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.360 because I lived my life 00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:15.160 loving that day. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:17.019 And not only that, 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:17.700 Paul's saying, 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:19.500 there is a crown 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.040 for all of you 00:17:21.040 --> 00:17:22.500 who live your life 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.640 loving that day. 00:17:26.040 --> 00:17:27.300 All who have loved 00:17:27.300 --> 00:17:27.920 his appearing. 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.759 So staying awake 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.860 for our king 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:32.120 means that we live 00:17:32.120 --> 00:17:33.440 expectantly. 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.220 It also means 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.759 that we live diligently. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.740 Working at what God 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.720 has placed before us. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.800 Look at verse 34. 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:44.100 Jesus gives us 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:45.240 a little mini parable 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.059 to kind of help us 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:46.579 think about, 00:17:46.699 --> 00:17:47.399 hey, what is it like 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.139 for us to be 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:49.179 staying awake? 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:49.579 He says, 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.299 it's like a man 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.139 going on a journey 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.500 when he leaves home 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.339 and puts his servants 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.000 in charge, 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:55.199 each with his work 00:17:55.199 --> 00:17:56.659 and commands the doorkeeper 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.359 to stay awake. 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:01.179 We are the household of God. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.799 That's what the Bible 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.619 calls the church. 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:05.879 And our master Jesus 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:07.500 has given each of us 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.519 work to do. 00:18:09.719 --> 00:18:10.379 You see what it says there? 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:11.919 He puts his servants 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:12.980 in charge, 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.160 each with his work. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.240 He has delegated 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.059 his authority 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.279 and Jesus has delegated 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.279 his work to us. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.140 So if you are a follower 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:21.539 of Jesus, 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:23.140 he has placed in front of you 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:24.079 and around you 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.819 good, meaningful, 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.980 life-giving, 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.400 eternally relevant 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:29.240 work to do. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.700 And it's not just your job 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.480 where you're employed 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.460 and it's not just 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.900 any ministry you might do 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:36.339 here at the church. 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.799 It's comprehensive 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.920 and it's unique to you. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.779 He has placed you 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:42.079 in your workplace. 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.119 He has placed you 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.160 in your family, 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.920 in your school, 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:47.119 in your church, 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.039 in your neighborhood 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.899 to be doing good work. 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:51.579 His work. 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.480 He's entrusted that to you 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.700 and to be awake 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.579 in light of the day 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.000 of the Lord 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.240 is to be fully engaged 00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.859 in that work, 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.799 in those areas of work. 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:03.259 Because just because 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.019 they're before us 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.619 and around us 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.180 does not mean 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.099 that we are engaged 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:06.460 with them. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:09.539 So to be awake 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:09.799 in the light 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.299 of the day of the Lord 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.259 is to be fully engaged 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.319 in these areas of work. 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.500 Because our master 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.100 has left us 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:15.420 so much more to do 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.400 than to just punch in 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.039 and punch out 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.180 at a workplace 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.660 and then zone out 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:21.200 on football highlights 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.400 and hope for the weekend. 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.980 He has given us 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.100 friends who need us 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:27.000 to check up on them, 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.299 children who need 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.920 full care and attention, 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.259 spouses who need 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.039 our support, 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.620 co-workers who need 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.119 to be shown 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.639 what it means 00:19:36.639 --> 00:19:37.779 to work with honor 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.699 and dignity 00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:39.539 and integrity 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:41.019 and all of these 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.599 are people 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.519 who He has entrusted 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.019 to us 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.259 for us to pray for 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.739 and to share 00:19:44.739 --> 00:19:45.519 His Word with. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.699 So you don't need 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.099 to wonder, 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.779 hey, what work 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.319 does God have 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.919 for my life? 00:19:51.179 --> 00:19:51.779 You just need 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.279 to look around 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.879 at where you are 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.439 because He has 00:19:53.439 --> 00:19:54.699 entrusted things to you 00:19:54.699 --> 00:19:55.639 in His household 00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.639 for you to do. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.119 And the unknown 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.559 timing of that day 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:03.439 means every day 00:20:03.439 --> 00:20:04.039 here counts. 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:08.539 we have limited time 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.899 to do what God 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:11.000 has given us to do. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:15.319 No day is promised 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:15.979 to us. 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.559 We can't always 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.339 put things off 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.000 to the future. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.839 When Jesus tells us 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.619 you don't know 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.179 the time, 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.079 when the time will come, 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.859 He's also saying 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:27.059 you've got to get busy. 00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:29.039 We don't know 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.799 how long we have 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.399 to do the work 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:31.419 that God has given us. 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:34.660 And to be honest 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.140 with you, 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:37.060 for me right now, 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.320 if that day 00:20:38.320 --> 00:20:39.259 is today, 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.320 I don't think 00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:43.240 I'll be satisfied 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.440 with what I have done 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:44.920 with the work 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.440 that God has 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.160 entrusted to me. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.120 There have been 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.580 too many wasted days 00:20:50.580 --> 00:20:51.620 for me. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.140 And so in light 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.279 of Jesus' words 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.120 to us this morning, 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.620 I'm saying, 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:57.820 hey, 00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:58.960 I want to be awake. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.640 I want to be 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.880 working diligently 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.120 at what He's given me 00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:04.360 because one way 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:04.740 or another, 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.740 my time is limited 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.799 and I want to make it count. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.299 So we live 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.380 expectantly. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:15.559 We live diligently. 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:19.019 Thirdly, 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.880 staying awake 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.680 means living 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.180 in the fear 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.740 of the Lord. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.880 Look at verse 35 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.519 and 36. 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.120 Jesus has just 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:28.120 told this little parable 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:29.619 about the man 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.379 who goes on a journey 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:30.939 and so now He's 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:31.699 applying it directly 00:21:31.699 --> 00:21:32.399 to His disciples 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:32.899 and He says, 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:33.659 therefore, 00:21:33.939 --> 00:21:34.500 stay awake 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:36.179 for you do not know 00:21:36.179 --> 00:21:36.599 when the master 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:36.899 of the house 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:37.239 will come, 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.679 in the evening 00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:38.119 or at midnight 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.639 or when the rooster 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:38.959 crows 00:21:38.959 --> 00:21:39.519 or in the morning, 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.000 lest He come suddenly 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.979 and find you asleep. 00:21:45.479 --> 00:21:46.819 So Jesus focuses in, 00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:47.839 He makes it really clear, 00:21:47.939 --> 00:21:48.419 He emphasizes 00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.519 the master can return 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.919 at literally any time 00:21:50.919 --> 00:21:53.319 and you must stay awake 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.619 because you absolutely 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.359 do not want 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.199 to be found sleeping. 00:21:56.200 --> 00:22:00.779 But here's my question. 00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.660 Why not? 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:08.140 Why does it matter 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.680 if the master 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.600 finds you sleeping? 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:16.220 I don't think Jesus 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.180 is here suggesting 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.940 that being found sleeping 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.880 equates to 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.039 eternal condemnation. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.900 Jesus tells 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:24.700 other similar parables 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.299 that do have some 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.139 of that kind of warning 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:27.180 but I don't see it here. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.599 I don't think 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.240 that's His point. 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:33.379 So what is our motivation 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.440 that would make us say, 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:34.720 hey, 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:36.440 no way 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.099 do I want 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.940 to be found sleeping? 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.339 Well, 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.279 it has to be 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:46.960 that pleasing 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.879 our master, 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.539 our king, 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.659 matters to us 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.259 very, 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:50.980 very much. 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:54.140 His opinion, 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.099 His assessment 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.579 of us 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.700 carries weight 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.500 in our hearts 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.599 like no one else. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.099 In other words, 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.839 we live in the fear 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.339 of the Lord. 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.319 Fearing the Lord 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.819 means taking God 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.720 seriously 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.920 in your life. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.279 Taking God 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.900 seriously 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.620 in your life 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.380 means living 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.079 as if God 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.180 actually is 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:19.799 who He says 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.359 that He is 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:21.279 and living 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:21.720 as if He 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.539 actually is going 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:22.919 to do 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:23.599 all the things 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.240 that He says 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.859 He will do. 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:27.839 Fearing the Lord 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.899 means taking God 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.700 seriously. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.419 So to live 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:32.919 a life 00:23:32.919 --> 00:23:33.559 of wakefulness 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.899 means living 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.099 for the approval 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.919 of your king. 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.379 When someone 00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.259 is insignificant 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.000 to you, 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.039 their opinions 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.799 and their instructions 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.399 are insignificant 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.039 to you, 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:45.419 right? 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:45.940 It's just like, 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:46.919 I don't care 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.300 what you think. 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.019 But when you 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.480 have someone 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.920 in your life 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.580 who you really 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.160 respect 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:54.880 and you really 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.400 trust 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:57.759 and also 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.300 maybe they happen 00:23:58.300 --> 00:23:58.779 to have a lot 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.420 of influence 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.039 and authority, 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.500 you never want 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.160 to let them down. 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.920 We've all had 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.620 people like this 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.180 in our lives, 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.380 right? 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.240 Maybe it was a teacher, 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.360 maybe it was a coach, 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:08.980 maybe it was a really 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.740 great boss, 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:12.340 but someone 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:12.840 who we said, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.660 their opinion 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.480 really matters. 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.600 And if they 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.420 entrust something 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:17.900 to me, 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.460 I never want 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.160 to let them down. 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.759 Can you think 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.259 of people like 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.980 that in your life? 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.600 To live a life 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:31.320 of wakefulness 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:32.240 means living 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.120 in the fear 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:33.820 of the Lord. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.500 We take Him 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.600 seriously 00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:38.000 and His approval 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.940 on that day 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.620 matters more 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.019 to us 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.759 than anything else. 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.180 We say, 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.360 man, 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:41.840 He could come 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.340 at any time. 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.319 I do not 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:43.779 want Him 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.319 to find me 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.639 sleeping. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.099 I want Him 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.619 to find me 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.000 awake 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.959 because what 00:24:47.959 --> 00:24:48.740 He says 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.179 about me 00:24:49.179 --> 00:24:49.819 matters. 00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:56.139 I want 00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:56.980 to finish 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.579 this morning 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.399 with a few 00:24:58.399 --> 00:25:00.079 specific warnings. 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:04.000 We've all 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.359 heard of 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.099 sleeping pills, 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.939 sleep aids. 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.279 In the 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.619 pharmaceutical 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.199 industry, 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:09.879 these are 00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:10.559 sometimes called 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.480 hypnotics or 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.159 tranquilizers. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.339 tranquilizers. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.220 I'm going to 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.399 go with 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:15.039 tranquilizers. 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:15.980 I like that 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.259 word. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.359 I want to 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.039 warn us about 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.939 three day of 00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:20.379 the Lord 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.899 tranquilizers that 00:25:21.899 --> 00:25:22.699 will put us to 00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.259 sleep very 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.639 quickly. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.599 Three things 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.899 that deaden 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:28.619 our expectation 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.519 of that day, 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:31.519 that distract 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.240 us from the 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.839 work that God 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.359 has given us 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.819 to do, 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.579 and that 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.639 trivialize the 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.439 things of God 00:25:38.439 --> 00:25:39.139 so that we do 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:39.759 not live in the 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.119 fear of the 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.359 Lord. 00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:43.699 three tranquilizers, 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:45.399 three things that 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:46.039 will put us to 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.459 sleep that we 00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:46.819 need to watch 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.240 out for. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.939 I gave the 00:25:49.939 --> 00:25:50.479 first one a 00:25:50.479 --> 00:25:51.019 funny name. 00:25:51.979 --> 00:25:52.759 I'm calling it 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.359 algorithmic 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:55.659 online activity. 00:25:56.959 --> 00:25:57.599 So we all 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.019 know, right, 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.039 that social media 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:00.039 and YouTube 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.859 and Netflix 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.559 and pretty much 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.000 a lot of the 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.639 things we do 00:26:02.639 --> 00:26:03.319 online, 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.319 they're based on 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:04.740 these different 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.500 algorithms that 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.159 these companies 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:07.019 concoct, 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.680 and their 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.359 sole purpose 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.379 is to identify 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.279 what it is that 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.059 gets us most 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.940 engaged on that 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.119 platform and 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:14.279 then to feed 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.400 that to us over 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.299 and over and 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:17.160 over again so 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.660 that we are 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.700 perpetually engaged. 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.559 The goal is that 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.579 you always keep 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.660 scrolling, always 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.420 keep watching, 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.339 always keep 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.379 clicking no matter 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:27.079 what it takes. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:30.379 so they'll feed 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:31.659 us little funny 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:33.619 videos or things 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.240 related to our 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.379 hobbies or interests 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.399 or things that 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.259 we're looking to 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.839 buy or stories 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.639 about celebrities 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:39.960 that we're 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.759 interested in. 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.359 And they for 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:43.199 sure will feed 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:43.879 us two of the 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.879 most potent forms 00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.679 of this content, 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.259 sexual content 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.500 or political 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.659 content, so that 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.199 either on the 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:51.279 one hand we keep 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.119 coming back to 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.119 feed our lust or 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.799 on the other hand 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.679 we keep coming 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:55.819 back to get more 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.679 and more agitated 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.360 and worked up 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:58.000 to feed our 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.720 disgust and our 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.500 outrage at our 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.400 political opposites. 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.400 Algorithmic 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.180 online activity 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.740 will put you to 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:10.140 sleep if you're 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.700 not careful. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.700 It will deaden 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.539 your expectation 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.279 of that day. 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.600 It will distract 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:17.120 you from the 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.720 good work that 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.620 God has put right 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.160 in front of you 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.019 for you to do 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:21.519 and it will kill 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.240 the fear of the 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.000 Lord in your life. 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.860 Make everything 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.779 else seem more 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.500 important or more 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.000 interesting. 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.339 The second 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.220 tranquilizer to 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.000 watch out for 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:35.200 is known, 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.640 ongoing, 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:39.200 protected sin. 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.019 When there is 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.700 something in your 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.400 life that you 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.240 keep coming back 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.160 to you that you 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.240 know is direct 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.259 disobedience to 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.319 your king but 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:49.920 you are not 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.420 willing to 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.079 address it, 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.539 you're already 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.059 asleep. 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.759 And 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.339 now here's the 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:57.900 truth, right? 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.599 We know this. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.279 We all sin. 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.160 We all have 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.619 things that we 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.359 struggle with for 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.039 a long time. 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.440 And really the 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.000 truth is when 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.759 Jesus returns, 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:07.640 he is going to 00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:09.440 find plenty of 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.299 Christians in the 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.160 midst of some sin 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.799 at that moment. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:11.919 sin. 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:16.339 But if there is sin 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.919 that you know 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:18.440 about in your 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.000 life that you 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.619 keep returning 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.519 to and that you 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.359 are protecting 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.359 from repentance, 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:24.359 it will be 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.460 impossible for you 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.180 to stay awake 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:26.879 in the way that 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.519 Jesus commands. 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.259 It will kill your 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.099 expectation of his 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.419 return. 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.059 It will keep you 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.639 from the work he's 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.299 called you to do 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.039 and it is the 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.159 opposite of the 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:35.539 fear of the 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:35.779 Lord. 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.559 So watch out. 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.680 Stay awake. 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:43.600 The last 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.560 tranquilizer I want 00:28:44.560 --> 00:28:45.240 to highlight is 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.080 the pursuit of 00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:46.380 wealth. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.500 And I said the 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.519 pursuit of wealth 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.060 because you don't 00:28:50.060 --> 00:28:51.080 have to have much 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.980 money to be caught 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.560 up in the pursuit 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.019 of wealth. 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.740 Now working hard 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.600 and saving and 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:58.200 providing for 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.920 yourself and for 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.660 others are all 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.580 values straight from 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:02.039 the Bible, but we 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.539 know that we can 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.259 get carried away. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.580 We can always feel 00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:06.240 like we need a 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.740 little more. 00:29:07.560 --> 00:29:08.140 We can start to 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.620 feel like our 00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.619 security and our 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.659 happiness is based 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.979 on achieving some 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:14.139 level of financial 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:15.679 accumulation. 00:29:17.719 --> 00:29:18.500 And we can 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.519 sacrifice a lot to 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.119 achieve that. 00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:23.319 And so we keep 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.299 working and planning 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.159 and maneuvering like 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:25.959 crazy without 00:29:25.959 --> 00:29:26.859 realizing that we've 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.759 totally fallen asleep. 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.299 And Jesus' return 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.500 has no place in any 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.219 of our plans or 00:29:32.219 --> 00:29:33.219 calculus and we 00:29:33.219 --> 00:29:34.239 have no time to 00:29:34.239 --> 00:29:34.939 engage with the 00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:35.619 various work that 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:36.239 God has given us 00:29:36.239 --> 00:29:37.419 and numbers carry 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.339 more weight in our 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.679 hearts than Jesus' 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.240 approval. 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:44.000 It's a tranquilizer 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.500 and it'll put you 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:44.879 to sleep. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.279 So be on guard. 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.720 Stay awake. 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.939 You do not know 00:29:52.939 --> 00:29:53.679 when that time will 00:29:53.679 --> 00:29:53.959 come. 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:57.179 Live expectantly. 00:30:00.179 --> 00:30:01.119 Live diligently. 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.220 Live in the fear of 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.620 the Lord. 00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:04.220 I want to read the 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.240 Lord. 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.220 I want to read the 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.240 Lord. 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:06.220 I want to read the 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.640 Lord. 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.220 I want to read the 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.240 Lord. 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.720 I want to read the 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:07.740 Lord. 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.720 To close, I just want 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.460 to read two texts 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:12.220 about that day 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:15.559 to help generate some 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:17.180 expectation in our 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:19.100 hearts to wake us up 00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:20.720 a little bit as we 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.339 leave this morning. 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:24.140 The first one is 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.559 1 Thessalonians 4, 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.579 15 through 17. 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:29.359 For this we declare to 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:30.439 you by word from the 00:30:30.439 --> 00:30:31.899 Lord that we who are 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.799 alive, who are left 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.679 until the coming of the 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:34.779 Lord will not perceive 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.539 those who have fallen 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:35.919 asleep. 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.859 For the Lord himself 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.879 will descend from heaven 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.939 with a cry of command, 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.039 with the voice of an 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.000 archangel, with the sound 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.859 of the trumpet of God, 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:44.179 and the dead in Christ 00:30:44.179 --> 00:30:45.039 will rise first. 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.399 Then we who are alive, 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.179 who are left, will be 00:30:48.179 --> 00:30:49.079 caught up together with 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.119 them in the clouds to 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:51.159 meet the Lord in the air, 00:30:51.659 --> 00:30:53.319 and so we will always be 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.619 with the Lord. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:58.219 Stay awake. 00:30:59.739 --> 00:31:01.439 Revelation 19, starting 00:31:01.439 --> 00:31:02.099 in verse 11. 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:06.019 Then I saw heaven opened, 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:08.459 and behold, a white horse. 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.899 The one sitting on it is 00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:12.119 called Faithful and True, 00:31:12.239 --> 00:31:13.319 and in righteousness he 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.559 judges and makes war. 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:18.139 His eyes are a flame of 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.599 fire, and on his head 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:21.639 are many diadems, and he 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.559 has a name written that 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.719 no one knows but himself. 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:27.539 He is clothed in a robe 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.599 dipped in blood, and the 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.819 name by which he is called 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.819 is the Word of God. 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.099 And the armies of heaven 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:34.199 arrayed in fine linen, 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:34.979 white and pure, were 00:31:34.979 --> 00:31:36.059 following him on white 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.479 horses. 00:31:37.739 --> 00:31:38.739 From his mouth comes a 00:31:38.739 --> 00:31:39.659 sharp sword with which 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.359 to strike down the 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:41.379 nations, and he will rule 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:42.739 them with a rod of iron. 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.559 He will tread the wine 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.939 press of the fury of the 00:31:45.939 --> 00:31:47.259 wrath of God the Almighty. 00:31:47.679 --> 00:31:48.899 On his robe and on his 00:31:48.899 --> 00:31:50.019 thigh he has a name written, 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:53.559 King of Kings and Lord of 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:53.919 Lords. 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:57.899 That's worth staying awake 00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:58.139 for. 00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.539 Let's pray. 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:07.039 Father, some of us are 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:09.899 wide awake, loving, 00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:10.859 appearing. 00:32:12.739 --> 00:32:14.399 Some of us are kind of 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:17.579 dozing off and starting up 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:18.799 once in a while, realizing 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.899 we've fallen asleep, and some 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:21.539 of us have been sleeping for 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.019 a while. 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:23.680 I pray that Christ the King 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:25.460 Church would be a church 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.119 that's awake. 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:30.960 Father, by your grace, help 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:33.059 us to see that day, help us 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:35.220 to believe that day, help us 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.240 to love that day. 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:40.819 in the name of Jesus, amen. 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.139 Amen. 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:43.619 Amen. 00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:44.139 Amen. 00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:44.259 Amen. 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:46.439 Amen. 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:54.179 Amen. 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.279 Fingres CREAMS