WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.280 So friends, as has been reminded already a number of times this morning, it's the second 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:05.339 last day of the year. 00:00:06.379 --> 00:00:11.779 Tomorrow, TV stations and newspapers will reflect upon the year that has been in the 00:00:11.779 --> 00:00:16.240 news and what there is to look forward to in the year ahead. 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:23.140 Traditionally, it's a time to reminisce and it's a time to plan and also a time to get 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:24.160 over Christmas lunches. 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:29.640 For me, 2012 has been a hard year. 00:00:30.240 --> 00:00:32.299 How has 2012 been for you? 00:00:34.120 --> 00:00:41.799 And so there are things about Christ that I need very much at the end of 2012. 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:49.379 As I reminisce on the year that's been and as I think about the year ahead, I need the 00:00:49.379 --> 00:00:53.079 perseverance of Christ in the midst of affliction. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:57.019 I need the energy and strength of Christ in the face of depleting resources. 00:00:57.399 --> 00:01:02.019 I need the wisdom of Christ in the face of complexities of life and ministry. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:06.840 I need the stability of Christ in the midst of rapid church and personal changes that are 00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:07.640 happening around me. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.959 I need the assurance of his sovereign authority in the culture, which is sliding further and 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:14.620 further away from his truth. 00:01:15.739 --> 00:01:21.159 And so, two days before the end of the year, I want us to take a year-end look at Jesus. 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:25.819 The last look of Jesus, if you like, together for 2012. 00:01:26.039 --> 00:01:28.000 And we're going to do that in Revelation chapter 1. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:37.319 I want to, if you like, linger for a while with our gaze simply on Jesus. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:44.579 As we think about the year that has been and the year that is to come, we need to fix our 00:01:44.579 --> 00:01:46.959 gaze on Christ. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:48.659 Why do that? 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:54.079 Because of all the uncertainty that surrounds me for the year ahead, I am certain of one 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:54.479 thing. 00:01:55.060 --> 00:02:02.159 God's specific plan for me and his specific plan for you is that you be transformed more 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:03.959 and more into the image of the Lord Jesus. 00:02:04.259 --> 00:02:08.639 That was the message of Christmas after all, that Jesus came to save and to change. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:18.439 And true gospel change of a person's character comes from steadily gazing at the glory of Christ. 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:20.919 That is what 2 Corinthians 3.18 says. 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:38.679 So that is that God's desire for you in 2013, as it was for 2012, is that you be transformed 00:02:38.679 --> 00:02:41.000 more and more and more into the image of the Lord Jesus. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:47.740 And the way he does that is by getting us to gaze upon the glory of the Lord Jesus again 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:48.819 and again and again. 00:02:48.979 --> 00:02:51.280 That is how you get transformed. 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:55.240 So let's look at Jesus together for one last time in 2012. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:00.219 According to Revelation chapter 1, you need your Bibles open here, Revelation chapter 1. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:06.639 Go right to the end, Revelation, and then go back to the beginning of Revelation. 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:13.239 The second half of Revelation chapter 1 verse 9, John was exiled on the island of Patmos 00:03:13.239 --> 00:03:16.799 because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:27.459 And so what John's writing first and foremost here to Christians who lived and died almost 00:03:27.459 --> 00:03:28.779 2,000 years ago. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:35.500 Christians who lived in the Roman Empire and they were about to face the biggest nightmare 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:36.759 that you can imagine. 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:43.900 John hints at it right at the beginning when he talks about what must soon take place. 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:48.659 And again, at the end of verse 3 when he says, because the time is near. 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:57.259 You see, these Christians were about to face the full force of the Roman Empire. 00:03:57.259 --> 00:04:06.840 And according to the Roman writer Suetonius, the Roman Emperor Domitian, who was the kingpin 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:14.659 in the Roman Empire when John wrote this, he demanded that all the people in the Roman Empire 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:16.899 referred to him as the Lord God. 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:19.039 That was his request. 00:04:20.599 --> 00:04:25.300 And so John is writing to a bunch of Christians who are about to be fed to the lions. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:33.180 Christians who are about to be exiled, thrown out of their jobs, destitute refugees because 00:04:33.180 --> 00:04:38.620 they refuse to call a Roman Empire Lord God. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:44.079 So this message is first and foremost to them. 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:53.720 Those who are feeling the pressure to stop bearing witness to Jesus, to stop calling him Lord God 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:58.600 and call a bloke who sits on a throne in Rome Lord God. 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:03.060 To stop talking about Jesus as if he is important. 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:07.339 And notice who this message is from that comes to John. 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:11.420 Verse, it is from him who was and who is to come. 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:17.220 Verse 5, it's from Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth, 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:21.879 from him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:25.879 Verse 6, the one to whom power and glory belong forever. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:32.719 Verse 8, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty, the ruler, in other words, 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:35.459 from eternity to eternity. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:44.480 You see, Domitian might be the emperor of the Roman Empire, but he is a library monitor compared to Jesus. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:57.480 You see, this word ultimately is a word of comfort and security for hard-pressed people of God. 00:05:58.140 --> 00:06:05.240 And one of those whom is hard-pressed and feeling insecure is the apostle John himself who writes these words. 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:10.520 You'll notice that if you read verses 1 and 2 and link them to verse 9, 00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:13.180 you'll see that he is hard-pressed. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:18.860 Because what John's been doing is he's been bearing witness to Jesus. 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:22.740 And already it has got him into a heap of trouble. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:27.040 And he says there's more trouble coming soon. 00:06:27.699 --> 00:06:29.980 Friends, it is just around the corner. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.600 Notice John knows exactly what he's going to be like. 00:06:33.840 --> 00:06:35.980 Because he's already facing it himself. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:37.560 John's writing from exile. 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:39.220 You don't see it at first. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:44.160 Because there's just a casual mention in verse 9 that he's writing from the island of Patmos. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:48.180 You see, Patmos is a prison island, six kilometers long. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:51.340 These days, it's got over 3,000 inhabitants. 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:54.340 And it's full of five-star resorts and luxury villas. 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:56.180 But not in John's day. 00:06:57.080 --> 00:06:59.500 In John's day, he wasn't there for a holiday. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:04.019 He was there as an old man sentenced to work in the quarries. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:08.860 Because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:20.259 And so what John says in writing this letter is that he is their partner to these seven churches out there, 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:21.500 to the churches of Asia. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:23.780 I am your partner in suffering. 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:31.580 Jesus was so real and so precious to John that he would rather be exiled in a barren island, 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.560 cutting stones with a hammer, 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:37.319 than to not talk about Jesus. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:44.639 But now on the island, God gives John another remarkable glance. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:52.900 One remarkable chance here to gaze again on the glorious Lord Jesus. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.980 He gives him a vision. 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:58.560 But he does this not just for John, 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:03.720 but for these churches in Asia and ultimately for us. 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:06.500 For these churches who are suffering, 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:10.200 for those who are tired and weary and running out of steam 00:08:10.200 --> 00:08:13.740 and they are confused and disheartened and disenfranchised. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:14.960 They are insecure. 00:08:17.900 --> 00:08:22.380 So in verse 10, John says that he was in the spirit on the Lord's day. 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:31.920 So much so that suddenly I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:34.720 And the voice says this in verse 11, 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:38.659 Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:46.759 You see, this means that the vision John is about to get is not just meant for John, 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:50.659 it's meant for these churches, but it's also meant for us. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:56.340 And the point of writing it down is to transmit to us the same kind of experience 00:08:56.340 --> 00:09:01.639 of seeing the glorious of Jesus that John himself had on that island. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:07.379 Jesus does not intend to come to each of the seven churches 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:10.639 in the same way that he came to John on the island of Patmos. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:13.039 He appears to John and says, 00:09:13.199 --> 00:09:17.460 John, write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches. 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:20.980 John gets the vision, we get the book. 00:09:24.179 --> 00:09:27.860 He wants us to come to him through his word. 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:30.179 He wants us to seek him in his words. 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:32.120 He wants us to know him by his word. 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:36.639 He wants us to gaze upon him steadily through his word. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:43.480 The primary way of gazing on Christ today on his glory is through his word. 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:50.840 And so we must be Bible-saturated people 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:54.419 in order to be transformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:57.960 So let's look at what John saw. 00:09:58.059 --> 00:09:58.620 Verse 12. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:03.919 John turns to see whose voice was like that of a trumpet in verse 10. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:10.319 And what he saw was seven golden lampstands and Christ in the midst of them. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:13.919 Notice verse 20 for an interpretation of the lampstands. 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:15.379 It says, 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:18.360 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:21.000 and of the seven golden lampstands is this. 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:23.919 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:27.379 and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:30.539 You see, the vision of Jesus that John gets 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:33.500 is him amongst the churches. 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:40.179 Christ Jesus standing amongst his churches. 00:10:40.719 --> 00:10:43.339 He is not merely over his church. 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:45.819 He is not distant from his church. 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:48.459 He is in the middle of his church. 00:10:50.099 --> 00:10:52.199 And what John saw, according to verse 13, 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:53.799 was one like a son of man. 00:10:55.879 --> 00:11:00.579 Son of man was Jesus' favorite title for himself 00:11:00.579 --> 00:11:02.419 during his ministry here. 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:05.759 You might think it refers merely to his humanity 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:08.519 and so it is a title of humility 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:10.360 and it's certainly probably that. 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:12.860 But in this instance, it is more than that. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:16.620 Mainly because of its use in Daniel chapter 7, 00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:19.219 which Betty just read out for us. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:25.940 In Daniel, the term son of man or one like a son of man 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:30.420 refers to a great ruler over all other rulers. 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:33.360 It says this in verse 13 of Daniel 7. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:36.660 In my vision at night, I looked and there before me 00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:40.019 was one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:43.519 He approached the ancient of days and was led into his presence. 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:46.740 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:50.500 All peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:55.720 His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:59.159 and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:04.620 That's the son of man who John saw. 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:09.179 And so when John says that he saw a son of man standing in the middle of the lampstand, 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:13.159 he means that he saw someone with everlasting dominion 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:17.779 and authority and glory and kingly power. 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:23.639 Someone with authority over all the nations and over all peoples 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:26.159 who would rule the world forever and ever 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:29.439 because his kingdom will never be destroyed. 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:34.120 Unlike Domitian. 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:39.500 The one who stands among the churches 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:42.720 is the one who received from the ancient of days 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:47.759 dominion and glory and kingdom rule and power and authority in heaven. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:51.480 and on earth over all time and eternity. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:57.819 Then we get a specific description of what he saw. 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:59.779 The next thing John saw in verse 13 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:02.740 was that this son of man was dressed in a robe 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:07.159 reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:12.339 The robe here is similar to the robe in the Old Testament 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:17.639 where it almost always refers to the robe of the high priest. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:21.100 And the gold sash around his chest shows two things. 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:22.379 The fact that it is high. 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:24.699 It is not a belt around his waist. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:27.019 It is a belt around his chest. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:28.659 And sometimes we do see that, don't we? 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:33.120 With pants that are up just a little too high. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:43.820 But in this case, it reflects that his priesthood is so very, very great. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:46.700 So very, very great. 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:50.840 Jesus, not only the son of man from Daniel 7 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:54.360 who receives everlasting dominion over all nations, 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:56.340 he is also the final high priest 00:13:56.340 --> 00:14:00.159 who brings all the work of the priests in the temple to an end. 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:03.759 There is no more need for animal sacrifices. 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:08.539 Verse 5 says that this Christ who has dominion from everlasting to everlasting 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:11.279 is the one who has freed us from our sins by his blood. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:15.980 He is a merciful, gracious high priest. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:20.300 The priest is so great that he gave his own blood once and for 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:23.700 to put away all sins by the sacrifice of himself. 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:27.639 And this is the one who stands amongst his churches. 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:31.240 The one who stands amongst us today 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:34.039 as one with authority and everlasting dominion 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:36.720 and one with final decisive forgiveness for our sins. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:39.360 The merciful, gracious Lord Jesus. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:45.440 Then John sees in verse 14 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:48.820 that his head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:52.419 This is remarkable because in the same chapter in Daniel 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:57.279 where John gets this picture of the one like the son of man, 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:03.379 in verse 9, God the Father is described like this. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:06.480 As I looked, thrones were set in place 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:08.840 and the Ancient of Days took his seat, 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:11.220 his clothing were as white as snow 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:15.480 and the hair of his head was white like wool. 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:20.660 In other words, John is describing the son of man 00:15:20.660 --> 00:15:23.600 in terms used by God himself. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:26.960 You put this picture together with the next thing that John saw 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:28.460 in the end of verse 14. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:28.899 Oh, sorry. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.220 Yeah, the end of verse 14. 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:34.139 It says there that his eyes were like blazing fire. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:41.919 The eyes of this son of man are not the clouded eye of fading glory. 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:46.379 These eyes are sharp with clarity. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.759 They are purified eyes. 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:52.299 They miss nothing that happens in his universe 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:55.299 and they are exploding with energy. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:59.579 We all know what it is to have the drooping eye of sleep. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:01.359 And some of you are yawning right now. 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.979 That is about to go. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.339 You know what it's like. 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.439 The eyes are closing. 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.939 We also know the eye of resentment 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:10.839 and the grumpiness and the half-shut scowl 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.759 and the bad mood. 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:15.240 We know the eye, however, that is alive with wonder 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:19.320 and with excitement and with hope and expectancy and energy 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:21.300 like a child on Christmas Day 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:23.820 with a huge present right in front of them. 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:29.639 And Jesus' eyes were like a flaming fire. 00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:34.639 What we see then is hair as white as snow 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.900 and eyes like fire. 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:41.939 When you gaze upon the Jesus at the end of 2012, 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:43.799 remember that he is not tired. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.819 He is not burnt out. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.019 He is not fatigued. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:49.879 Instead, his eyes are aflame with a flashing fire 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:53.439 of inexhaustible energy and hope for his church. 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.439 He sees everything that has been 00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:57.139 and everything that will be. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:59.340 Nothing will take him by surprise. 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:03.939 And when Jesus thinks about his plans for you in 2013, 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:06.420 when he thinks of his plans for St. Paul's 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:09.080 and for his country and for his universe, 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.680 he's not hesitant. 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.340 He's not wearied. 00:17:14.080 --> 00:17:15.440 He's not bored. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.960 His eyes are aflame with fire 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.940 with utter exhilaration and passion 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:25.120 and relish for the work that he intends to do 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:28.660 as another year's pieces are put in place 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:30.259 for the consummation of history 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:33.240 where everything will bow down at his feet 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.640 and say, you are king. 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.759 But there's more. 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:43.460 There's the bronze feet of verse 15. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.859 A similar picture of glowing metal 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:47.339 is found in Ezekiel and Daniel 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:49.819 in both the brightness of shining metal 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:53.019 or like a fire is connected with the glory of God. 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:55.259 They are the feet of a glorious 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:57.980 and almighty conqueror over everything. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.680 Again in verse 15, 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:02.320 is the voice like the sound of many waters. 00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:04.660 Again it describes the majesty of God 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:06.299 as you might see in Ezekiel. 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:09.060 It is a picture of raw power. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:12.340 The thunder of his voice is authority. 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:15.960 And then there is the right hand with the seven stars 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:18.440 and the sharp sword coming out of his mouth 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:22.420 and his face shining like the sun in full strength. 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:27.580 What do you do when you're confronted 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:30.500 with such power and authority 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:33.180 and splendor and glory? 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.080 Verse 17, 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.039 When I saw him, 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:41.079 I fell at his feet as though dead. 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:44.639 As at the end of times when Jesus comes back 00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.679 and people will say, 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.919 let the mountains fall on me 00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:50.339 rather than be confronted with this Jesus. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.980 Share awe. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:59.099 He is not to be trifled with. 00:18:59.179 --> 00:19:01.379 He is not to be treated with disdain. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:07.820 Who can stand in the presence of such a Christ? 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:13.180 And to John's immense relief, 00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:16.700 this judge, king, majestic, eternal ruler, 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:19.900 reassuringly in verse 17, 00:19:20.040 --> 00:19:21.500 placed his right hand on John 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:23.480 and spoke words of comfort. 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:25.320 Do not be afraid. 00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:28.340 I am the first and the last. 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:31.020 I am the living one. 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.759 I was dead and behold, 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:36.920 I am alive forever and ever. 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:41.160 These are astounding words of comfort 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:44.039 for a prisoner of the Lord Jesus. 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:47.579 Jesus' deity are implied 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:49.639 in the threefold I am statements 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:52.079 and in the title living one 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:54.900 and by his sovereignty over history 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:56.359 as the first and the last. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:20:02.519 So this morning I want you to gaze 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:04.639 on this. 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:07.379 The great I am, 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.000 the living one, 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.939 the first and the last, 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:13.799 is amongst his church St. Paul's 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.619 as the son of man, 00:20:16.199 --> 00:20:18.079 the one with power over Chatswood 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:21.259 and with everlasting dominion and glory. 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:23.940 He is the great high priest 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.819 that has put away the sins of his people 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.779 once and for all. 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:30.240 He is the great and wise ancient of days, 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.839 yet with eyes that are aflame 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:35.980 with the fire of youth and energy 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.740 and hope and exhilaration 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:40.559 for his unstoppable plans for you 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:42.619 and for his church St. Paul's 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.619 and for his world. 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:49.119 Gaze upon Jesus in the last days of 2012 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:51.299 and let his royal power 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.879 and his priestly forgiveness 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:54.759 and his fiery hope 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:57.279 fill you with confidence afresh 00:20:57.279 --> 00:21:00.359 that serving him in 2012 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:02.000 was not a vanity. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:07.459 And it is not a vanity 00:21:07.459 --> 00:21:09.419 to throw your lot in with him 00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:12.519 in 2013. 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:16.139 How encouraging 00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:18.799 it must have been for John 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:22.239 in his weakness and need 00:21:22.239 --> 00:21:23.719 on the island of Patmos 00:21:23.719 --> 00:21:26.019 feeling 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:31.099 what was just around the corner 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.379 for his brothers and sisters 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.519 in the seven churches. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.359 What an encouragement 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:38.099 that the revelation of Jesus 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:41.099 was as the powerful son of man 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:44.279 in the midst of his church 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:47.579 in their weakness and need. 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:54.259 So let me close this year 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:56.240 and this last word, 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.240 this last look at Jesus 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:00.419 with three points of application. 00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:02.699 One for me, 00:22:03.659 --> 00:22:05.939 one for a small group of you, 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:08.500 and one for all of us. 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.320 As I said earlier, 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:13.000 as I began, 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:14.340 this has been a tough year. 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:18.220 As I recently read, 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.960 there are a few things 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:21.039 that will reveal to you 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.539 the full range of your sin, 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:24.059 immaturity, 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:24.940 weakness, 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.000 and failure 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:28.000 like gospel ministry. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:30.619 There are a few things 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.359 that will expose 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:32.640 your weakness to others 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.640 as consistently 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.940 as ministry does. 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.460 There are a few endeavors 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.319 that will put you 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:39.000 under more public expectancy 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.880 and scrutiny 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.579 like ministry does. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.900 There are a few things 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:45.380 that are as personally humbling 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.640 as ministry is. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.940 There are a few endeavors 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.880 that have the power 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.819 to produce in you 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.940 such deep feelings 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.400 of inadequacy 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:54.059 as ministry does. 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.960 And I read those words 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.619 and I wept. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.859 I have become 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.019 more acutely aware 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.980 of it this year. 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.920 Our church has gone 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.539 through a number 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.900 of painful transitions 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:07.799 and I feel 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.960 every one of them. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.039 This time, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:17.440 we had 30 people more 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.240 gathering with us 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.900 each Sunday 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:20.500 this time last year. 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.819 There have been 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.960 a number of difficult 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.680 and ongoing 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.640 and very painful 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:26.019 pastoral situations 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.259 where I don't have 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.119 the answer for it. 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.500 I don't know 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.940 what to do. 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.859 We are $120,000 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:37.480 behind on our offertory. 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:39.480 The school was rejected 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:41.019 at Roseville East 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.220 by a handful of people. 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:44.059 The gospel appears 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.299 to be making slow progress 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.059 in our culture. 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.879 The staff are tired. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.220 I see fragility 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.240 everywhere I look. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:53.319 And at points, 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.759 my resources 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.859 have been very low 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:57.220 and I feel weak. 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:59.039 I am weak. 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:02.359 So what a wonderful picture 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:03.500 this is for me 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.240 in my weakness 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.799 and need. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.359 The King of Kings, 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.440 the Lord of Lords, 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:09.259 stands in the midst 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:10.220 of his church 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:12.000 and he has done 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.319 remarkable things 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:15.220 in 2012 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:17.480 in spite of my weakness. 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:22.259 It is his church. 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:24.120 He is Lord over it. 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.480 He is not distant from it. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:27.480 The only answer for me 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:29.200 is to fix my gaze on him, 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.299 to turn, 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.240 to look 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.519 and to see 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.460 the Lord Jesus 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.900 again and again. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.160 It is essential 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.839 for longevity 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.440 and effectiveness 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.059 of ministry 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:39.059 that I spend 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.980 more and more time 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.640 communing 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.599 with the Lord 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.579 of St. Paul's Chatswood. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:46.639 Secondly, 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.220 some of you 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.460 are feeling insecure 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.119 and fragile 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.879 because of the 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:54.099 cultural changes 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.819 that we have made 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.699 over the past number 00:24:55.699 --> 00:24:56.220 of years here 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.960 at St. Paul's. 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.379 And for those of you 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.419 who are feeling fragile, 00:25:03.179 --> 00:25:04.500 I am acutely aware 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.119 that some of you 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.740 are about to feel 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.899 even more fragile 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:11.119 because a dearly loved brother 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:12.039 is near death. 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:15.099 For many decades, 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.980 John Donne has been 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.859 a source of wisdom 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.539 and guidance. 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.439 He has been a rock 00:25:18.439 --> 00:25:19.319 in hard times. 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.779 He has thought for you. 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.839 He has prayed for you. 00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.839 He has encouraged you. 00:25:22.919 --> 00:25:23.720 He has rebuked you. 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.879 He has taught you. 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:25.939 For some, 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.639 he has grown 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:28.399 to become the primary leader 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.199 in the church, 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.279 a source of security 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.960 and stability. 00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:32.679 And although he hasn't 00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:34.619 been here all year, 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.679 he has been 00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:37.119 only a few streets away 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:37.639 and at the end 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.220 of the phone 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:40.460 and potentially 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.379 within hours, 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.720 certainly within days, 00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:43.780 he won't be here at all. 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.820 And you'll look around 00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:46.680 for the first time 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.260 in decades 00:25:47.260 --> 00:25:48.280 and John won't be 00:25:48.280 --> 00:25:48.920 sitting in a pew. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.380 And that will 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.100 unsettle you. 00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.680 That will be tough. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.760 You will feel insecure. 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:01.119 And for some, 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.220 St Paul's will feel 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.359 even more so 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.220 different 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.700 than what it has been 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.379 without John. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.539 And in those moments, 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.140 I call to you 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.920 as your pastor 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.579 to turn around 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:15.180 and see Jesus. 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.700 To fix your gaze 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.359 on Jesus 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.500 in your insecurity, 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.579 the Jesus 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.279 that John has been 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.019 pointing you to 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.779 for decades. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.299 The triumphant, 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.920 eternal Lord Jesus 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.300 stands in the midst 00:26:28.300 --> 00:26:28.920 of his church, 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.680 St Paul's, 00:26:30.300 --> 00:26:31.240 and he puts his hand 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.820 on your shoulder 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.600 in your weakness 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.519 and your fragility 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.759 and he says, 00:26:34.840 --> 00:26:35.440 I'm still king. 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.820 I am the living one. 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.840 Last of all, 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:43.560 for all of us, 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.460 what are your 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.560 new year resolutions? 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.560 And do they have 00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:52.779 anything to do 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:54.120 with serving 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:55.239 the almighty 00:26:55.239 --> 00:26:56.879 King of kings, 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.799 Lord of lords, 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.819 who is 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.559 and was 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.500 and always 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.019 will be? 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.039 And do they have 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.959 anything to do 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:05.179 with being transformed 00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:06.319 more and more 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.339 into his likeness 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.399 in 2013? 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:11.479 What is it 00:27:11.479 --> 00:27:12.000 that you want 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.259 Jesus to change 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.899 in you 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:15.539 in 2013? 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:18.779 What area 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.159 do you need 00:27:19.159 --> 00:27:20.059 to let go of 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.659 that he might be 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.239 not just king 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.220 of St Paul's 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.140 but king 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.819 of your heart? 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.359 Let's pray. 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.859 Our gracious 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.380 Saviour 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.319 and eternal 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:36.660 Lord, 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.200 help us, 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.819 your church. 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:40.000 We are slow 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.640 to learn, 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.319 so prone 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.059 to forget, 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.680 so weak 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.359 to climb. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.720 We are in the 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.819 foothills 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.400 when we ought 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.299 to be in the heights. 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:50.740 So make it 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.639 our chiefest joy 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.440 to know you, 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.299 to treasure you 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.379 and to represent you. 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.180 May we meditate 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.799 on you, 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.839 gaze on you, 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.319 sit like Mary 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.119 at your feet, 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.960 lean like John 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.899 on your chest, 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.980 appeal like Peter 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.859 to your love, 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.399 count like Paul 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.639 all things rubbish 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:09.059 that we might 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.599 know you 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.319 more and more. 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:13.220 So give us 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.980 increase 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.000 and progress 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.700 in grace 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:17.019 in 2013 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.779 that there may 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.640 be more decision 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.799 in our character, 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.120 more vigour 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.120 in our purposes, 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.740 more fervour 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.660 in our devotion, 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.319 more constancy 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.160 in our zeal, 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.580 rule in our hearts 00:28:30.580 --> 00:28:32.039 and over your 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.279 church St Paul's, 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.840 Lord Jesus, 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.039 King of kings 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.039 and Lord of lords, 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.220 the beginning 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.840 and the end, 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.420 the living one 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.920 who was 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.960 and is 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.259 and yet is 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.800 to come. 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.480 Come Lord Jesus. 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.500 Amen.