WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.519 Full disclosure, thanks to the use of technology, we are able to have a remote clicker onto this and it works every time. 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:32.399 So I hope you will come to appreciate this kind of more stylized, a little more animated slides going on as we're just continuing to navigate through the cultural changes as well as technological changes that go on in this world. 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:36.039 So it's just very pretty amazing stuff, but it can be overwhelming. 00:00:36.379 --> 00:00:37.179 I got to admit. 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:39.039 So let's go ahead. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:40.340 Let's get started. 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:42.640 And yeah, here we go. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:45.759 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:51.840 So how many of you guys remember when we were doing our sermon series through Revelation? 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:57.480 Seemed like what happened to that is like we started in I think it was September, September and October. 00:00:57.760 --> 00:00:58.620 And here it is. 00:00:58.659 --> 00:00:59.960 It's been almost six months. 00:01:00.260 --> 00:01:01.939 Time flies when you're having fun. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:05.519 And it's like, OK, what about the seventh church? 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:09.280 You were going through the six churches in Revelation and you just kind of left us hanging here. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:13.359 Well, the thing is, is that the Advent season was going on. 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:18.680 And certainly as the new year was approaching, the Lord has really been working here in this place. 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:22.079 And it was very important for us to go over who we are as a congregation. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:23.599 How does someone belong? 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:30.859 And just really kind of solidifying and going more into who we are as a church body and where we are heading. 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:43.560 And in the coming weeks, as the the Ad Council, as the board, as we meet together, we're going to be praying and reflecting on where is God going to have us move as a church, as a congregation? 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:52.819 And what is God specifically doing as we, you know, we've celebrated 80 years for this church body, for this congregation? 00:01:52.980 --> 00:01:54.060 And we thank God for that. 00:01:54.460 --> 00:01:58.219 And as we're entering into a new season, it's very exciting. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:01.459 It can be a little overwhelming, but we trust in the living God. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:09.000 We want to steward all of the resources that God has given to us and to be able to say, Lord, we are ready to serve. 00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:12.079 We're ready to serve in whatever capacity you have for us. 00:02:12.139 --> 00:02:17.439 And so when we're looking at this, I want to finish off at least the seven churches. 00:02:17.860 --> 00:02:24.960 And Lord willing, we are going to continue in Revelation one way or another, whether that is later on this year or even next year. 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:28.040 We will continue in Revelation one way or another. 00:02:28.260 --> 00:02:31.700 So just something as we're going through with that. 00:02:32.640 --> 00:02:37.939 And so today we're going to go over the final church, the church in Laodicea. 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:42.520 And there's the famous verse that you have, behold, I stand at the door, right? 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:45.020 Many of you guys may have seen those. 00:02:45.040 --> 00:02:48.700 How many of you guys have seen those pictures where Jesus is right by the door, right? 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:49.400 You know, the ones. 00:02:49.540 --> 00:02:52.760 There's that really famous one where he's standing at the door and knocking, right? 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:56.620 And the idea is that when he's knocking, well, you want to let him in, right? 00:02:56.679 --> 00:02:57.939 You want to let him into your heart. 00:02:58.019 --> 00:03:01.579 You want to let him in and to have a meal together kind of thing. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:10.620 And what's interesting is as we'll go through the text here, we'll go exactly over what exactly is the scene here in the context within Revelation, right? 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:13.539 You have this sense of rebuking that's happening. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:17.979 You have this sense of talking about lukewarm. 00:03:18.579 --> 00:03:21.719 Now, how many of you have heard before lukewarm Christian, right? 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:23.020 And a lot of us have heard that. 00:03:23.580 --> 00:03:24.840 And we're going to go over. 00:03:25.419 --> 00:03:27.039 I've always struggled with this, okay? 00:03:27.219 --> 00:03:33.560 It makes sense to have a Christian that's hot or on fire for the Lord, right? 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:37.960 And it also makes sense to think of a lukewarm Christian, one that's going kind of to and fro. 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:39.199 They're not fully in, right? 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:40.020 There's that whole thing. 00:03:40.840 --> 00:03:44.280 Then why would Christ say it's good to be cold? 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:47.379 Have you ever wondered that before? 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:48.560 Right? 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:50.159 And we'll go into this. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:51.639 But I want you to think about that for a moment. 00:03:53.079 --> 00:03:55.299 Makes sense to be hot and on fire for the Lord. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:59.000 It also makes sense why it's bad to be a lukewarm Christian. 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:04.599 But why would Christ say, I'd rather have you be cold than lukewarm? 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:08.419 That's a more difficult one, right? 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:15.199 Because the implication when you read it is like, well, is cold just not a believer? 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:17.540 What's going on there, right? 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:20.240 Especially if you're looking at this hot and cold thing that's going on. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:26.519 And so what we have here in the scene is that Jesus is talking to a church, the church in Laodicea. 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:33.740 It is a self-sufficient church calling them lukewarm to recognize their need for Christ. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:38.060 It's important for us to read as we're going through the text. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:41.000 This church needs to recognize their need for Christ. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:51.620 And we can automatically think just right away how us as a church body and us as individuals, as we walk with the Lord, we rely on the Lord. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:54.920 We rely on him as our comfort and our strength, right? 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:57.259 Our strong tower, our refuge. 00:04:57.480 --> 00:05:00.360 No matter what season you are at in your life, right? 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:02.060 No matter what it is you're going through. 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:06.100 And so we have come to the last church, right? 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:11.220 Seven letters, seven warnings, but also seven invitations, right? 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:17.259 And so we are arriving at the seventh one, which is some people would say it's the most difficult. 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:18.899 So we're going to go ahead and turn our Bibles. 00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:22.319 You can see that 1220 number on there. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:25.519 That's the ESVP Bible, page 1220. 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:30.019 And it's going to be in Revelation chapter 3, verses 14 through 22. 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:32.939 And by the grace of God, we're going to open the word. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:33.159 Amen? 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:35.639 We're going to open it and we're going to read it together. 00:05:36.099 --> 00:05:40.099 And what we do here at Ontario Community Church is we open the word. 00:05:40.539 --> 00:05:41.819 We observe the text, right? 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:42.639 We read it together. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:45.000 Then we go into the interpretation. 00:05:45.159 --> 00:05:47.459 What are the underlying lessons that we can learn here? 00:05:47.859 --> 00:05:52.060 And then finally, there is the application is, well, what do we do about this, right? 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:55.079 It's important for us to read the text first and foremost. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:58.180 It's also important for us to learn the underlying lessons. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:04.420 But it's also important for us to apply it to our very lives, no matter where you are at in life's journey. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:09.019 And so, as we're turning to here, are we all there, church? 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:12.280 And Revelation chapter 3, verse 14 through 22. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:15.939 So the church in Laodicea, church, can we read this together? 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:17.420 Let's read it together. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:43.620 Pause there for a second, right? 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:45.360 You can see it right there. 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:48.019 It'd be better that you'd be hot. 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:49.000 It'd be better that you'd be cold. 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:50.780 But lukewarm is a no-no here. 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:52.939 That's very interesting, right? 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:56.860 Especially for some of us who have heard, you want to be on fire for the Lord. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:58.319 You want to be a hot Christian, right? 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:02.000 Lukewarm, not so good. 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:02.879 Cold? 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:05.240 What's up with that, right? 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.699 So we're going to continue then. 00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:09.420 Verse 16, I will spit you out of my mouth. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:10.040 Let's read together. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:10.800 Verse 17. 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:13.259 For you say, I am rich. 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:15.040 I have prospered. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:16.460 And I need nothing. 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:22.840 Not realizing that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 00:07:23.300 --> 00:07:23.980 Oh my goodness. 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:29.280 We got five words here that are describing the things that they are lacking in. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:31.139 But yet this church is saying, I'm rich. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:31.900 I have prospered. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.319 I don't need anything, right? 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:35.199 We can take that away right there. 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:36.199 Verse 18. 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:36.899 Let's read together. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:44.540 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments, 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:50.379 so that you may clothe yourself, and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and to 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:53.139 salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:53.860 Verse 19. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:59.600 To whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and what? 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:00.659 And repent. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:01.740 So verse 20. 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:04.199 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:07.620 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, what? 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:12.160 I will come into him and eat with him and he with me. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:13.259 What a beautiful scene, right? 00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:17.800 This kind of imagery where you're going to dine together with Jesus, right? 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:20.100 I don't know about you, but I'd love to dine with Jesus. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:24.079 That would be a really, I'd just be in a sense of awe and wonder for that, right? 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:25.259 Verse 21 together. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:32.059 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:34.340 sat down with my father on his throne. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:36.200 What beautiful language, right? 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:37.399 Verse 22. 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:41.620 He who has an ear, let him hear what the scripture says to the churches. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:44.059 It's always important in that last verse, right? 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:46.279 He who has an ear, let him hear, right? 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:48.699 It's so that they can understand, right? 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:54.860 For many of us, how many of you have had your mother or your spouse say something like, 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:57.860 are you listening to me and you're not? 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:00.199 Do you understand me, right? 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:01.899 This is something that's entirely different, right? 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:06.159 And so when we're reading this kind of text, it's important for us to understand, he who 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:07.379 has an ear, let him hear. 00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:11.039 Hearing to understand what is going on within the text. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:16.959 And so with this, right, we need to kind of, I think it's important for us to go to the 00:09:16.959 --> 00:09:21.579 six churches at a glance to see how it's leading up to this seventh church, right? 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:26.899 Because it's been months, we need to refresh our memory on what's going on to recap what 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.439 we've been looking at with the final church. 00:09:28.579 --> 00:09:30.099 So I'm going to go through this real quick. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:33.519 It's not a pop quiz here, so you don't need to worry about that, right? 00:09:33.839 --> 00:09:36.299 So the first church was the church in Ephesus, right? 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:39.539 It was a church that lost its first love, right? 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:42.199 It was pursuing rigid standards, right? 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:44.980 It did not tolerate evil whatsoever, right? 00:09:45.339 --> 00:09:49.939 And in the process, they became so rigid that they lost their first love. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:52.459 That's something that's very specific, right? 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:57.480 In the pursuit of being right and having such a high standard that you lose love in the process, 00:09:57.480 --> 00:10:02.959 that's something that we have to be mindful of, not only in the case of Ephesus, but in 00:10:02.959 --> 00:10:04.719 our own lives as well, right? 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:09.219 To not get so rigid and we can think, well, what do you mean by rigidity, right? 00:10:09.540 --> 00:10:14.300 Making sure that our standards, how we conduct our lives, even how we view the scriptures, 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:14.720 even. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:20.040 We cannot get so caught up to the point where it divides us or to the point where we lose 00:10:20.040 --> 00:10:22.019 the very love that we have for Jesus Christ. 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:23.139 Can I get an amen on that? 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.040 All right. 00:10:24.060 --> 00:10:25.680 So we go to the next one, Smyrna, right? 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.680 So they were faithful through poverty and tribulation. 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:33.100 They were not rebuked, but they were warned that they would be tested even unto death, right? 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:37.879 So this is a specific church that they were under fire, right? 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:42.139 They were faithful despite being poor, right? 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:44.139 And despite facing tribulation. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:50.019 We can think of churches even nowadays that are poor and they face trial, right? 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:54.779 They're having some sort of attacks or schemes of the devil, whether it's another religion 00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:56.580 or it's the government or whatever it is. 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:57.780 They are still faithful. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:04.240 And what Christ is saying to this church is, hey, look, you'll be tested even unto death. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:05.860 Remain faithful in me. 00:11:06.420 --> 00:11:09.860 It's something that's very important for us to understand that when a church is under 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.600 fire, we remain true to the living God. 00:11:11.660 --> 00:11:11.800 Amen. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:14.500 Let's go to the next one, Pergamum, right? 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:20.940 Now this one's a lot more controversial where this church was at the devil's throne, right? 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:21.860 What does that mean? 00:11:21.920 --> 00:11:26.320 They were partaking in eating food that is sacrificed to idols. 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:31.740 So the way to look at this is that they were partaking in a ritual, as it were. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:33.360 You know how we take communion? 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:38.180 We are remembering the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice that he made. 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:40.220 Well, it's important for us to know. 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:43.320 I don't want us to be naive in this. 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:46.800 You can partake in a meal offered to another God. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:52.399 And it's important for us to recognize that not only in Revelation, but also for us today. 00:11:52.859 --> 00:11:56.359 Don't partake in a meal that is offered to an idol. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:12:00.799 That's something that is actually very explicit within the text and something that's very interesting 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:02.299 for us to understand. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:05.079 And certainly, I hope that none of us are partaking in that. 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:06.459 Don't do it whatsoever, right? 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:12.559 And so in this, meals with false gods, and there's also the sexual immorality that was 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:13.339 happening in there. 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:18.139 It's important for us to learn that this idea of infiltration, right? 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:19.780 Who you are worshiping. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:22.060 Our loyalty is to Jesus Christ. 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:25.019 And we remain firm in our faith, right? 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:30.560 And then, of course, in sexual immorality, we're not practicing sexual promiscuity in these 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.180 kind of things. 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:32.879 Thyatira, then. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.100 They were doing much good, right? 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.960 Service and endurance, right? 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:39.040 They were doing a lot of good things. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:46.659 And they tolerated a leader who practiced sexual immorality and those communion-like meals to 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:47.199 false gods. 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:52.439 When you see something like that that is being repeated, it's something that you need to pay 00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:53.439 attention to, right? 00:12:54.039 --> 00:13:00.480 So not only is it sexual immorality, but kind of on equal terms is this idea of partaking 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:02.339 in meals offered to other gods. 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:06.079 So in Scripture, it's saying, don't do that. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:08.000 So it's just something that we should be mindful of. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.460 Now, I don't know if any of us, don't raise your hand. 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:16.580 I don't know if any of us have been invited to partake in a meal offered to another god. 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:20.059 But should that happen, you better know the answer on that one, right? 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:22.919 And so that's what you had with Thyatira. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.779 Now, Sardis, right? 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:26.200 Now, this one's a very interesting one. 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:30.379 This is one where Christ is saying that the church appeared alive. 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:33.840 It appeared everything was going good, but they were dead inside. 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.279 That's very sad. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.879 That's a tragedy that's happening, right? 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:41.679 And it was the call to wake up, to repent before losing what remained. 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:46.000 Now, that's something that's very important for us even today when we think about this, 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:48.340 that we have to... 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:51.279 It's not just about the appearance, right? 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:53.379 It's not just about the outside looks. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:55.580 It's about what's on in the inside. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.939 How is God working in your life? 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:59.919 How is God working in the life of the church? 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:05.139 We certainly need to be aware that we need to have the Holy Spirit work in this place. 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:09.159 We need to have transformation that comes from the Word of God, right? 00:14:09.339 --> 00:14:14.079 And we need to be sold out for Jesus Christ, not just about the appearance. 00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:15.620 Can I get an amen on that one, right? 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:18.120 What matters is the heart. 00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:22.899 And throughout so much throughout Scripture, what matters is the posture of the heart. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:27.980 And so in there, it is to wake up before it is too late, right? 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:28.799 Repent. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:33.840 And let us remember, the idea, the notion of repentance is the changing of mind. 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:36.740 Throughout Scripture, we have this idea, right? 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:38.059 We need to repent and believe. 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:42.679 It's changing our mind and our posture to who the Lord is and to come to believe in Him. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:44.720 But repentance doesn't just end there. 00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:50.379 We continue to have our minds, our hearts, our bodies, and our spirits transformed by God. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:56.700 And so whenever you hear repentance is only just turning from your sin, it's much more than that. 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:01.120 Metanoia, right, is very important for us to recognize. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.740 And so finally, we have Philadelphia, right? 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:05.139 There was no rebuke. 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:08.860 Christ was setting an open door that no one can shut, right? 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.940 And it's very important for that. 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:14.980 But this was the one church that had nothing but praise. 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:17.480 That's something that's really remarkable. 00:15:17.640 --> 00:15:23.600 In fact, even when you go in the text, right, in chapter 3, verse 8, you don't have to turn there, but it says, 00:15:23.760 --> 00:15:24.560 I know your works. 00:15:25.020 --> 00:15:28.380 Behold, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut. 00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:33.020 I know you have little power, and yet you have kept my word and not denied my name. 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.760 How remarkable. 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:41.600 A church that is facing persecution as it were, and yet they're remaining, having little power. 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:48.620 I mean, we can think of many churches throughout history, not just in Revelation, that have had little or no power. 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:52.039 And certainly to remain faithful in Christ. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:54.200 That's the importance of this. 00:15:54.679 --> 00:16:02.559 And the fact that Christ recognizes these different situations and scenarios is very important for us as the church even today. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:02.599 Okay. 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:06.119 And so now this leads us to Laodicea, right? 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:09.139 The church where Christ stands at the door knocking. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:16.639 Isn't it interesting and peculiar that in the last church in Philadelphia, it was talking about the door being wide open, and no one could shut this door. 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:22.579 But here you're having a church where the door is essentially shut, and Christ is knocking. 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.339 Isn't that interesting? 00:16:23.739 --> 00:16:26.979 Because you have two completely situations that are going on in here, right? 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:32.080 And so let's go into what does the text say, right? 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.340 We've been going about this. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:36.899 And so there are three titles for Christ, right? 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:44.440 If you want to look at the word and on the screen here, you'll see in here, in, let's see here. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:49.220 In verse 14, the words of the Amen, right? 00:16:49.540 --> 00:16:53.880 The faithful and true witness and the beginning of God's creation, right? 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.660 And we see that throughout Scripture. 00:16:55.800 --> 00:16:57.700 There are references in this, right? 00:16:57.940 --> 00:17:00.420 I love that description of Christ, right? 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.520 The Amen, right? 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.800 The I believe. 00:17:03.380 --> 00:17:05.019 The faithful and true witness, right? 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:15.759 So when we think of the Amen, the final certain word of God, that when we think of Christ as the Logos, right, being the living word, the living and active word, having the final say. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.680 Something that's remarkable, right? 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:19.200 The faithful and true witness, right? 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:26.240 And it's very, very good to know that it is Christ that recognizes what goes on in the church. 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:30.079 Much like how Christ recognizes what's going on in our own lives, right? 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.519 Right? 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:37.059 It's actually, it should give us a lot of comfort, especially when we're thinking of people that are wicked or people that are evil. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:43.539 That they, the wicked and the evil, they may think they may get away with doing the wrong thing. 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:47.220 But it is God who sees what's going on, right? 00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:50.019 And we even think of that famous quote of character, right? 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:54.000 It's doing the right thing even when the doors are closed and no one's watching. 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:56.919 Well, let us remember God is still watching in that. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.919 And so it's just a great reminder for us, right? 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:06.880 So with this, we also have the, where Christ is saying, I know your works, right? 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.840 Christ sees what they are doing, right? 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.759 That's pretty cut and dry. 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.920 That's pretty, that makes sense. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:12.720 And their works are lukewarm. 00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:16.440 Now, for those of you who are more of biblical scholars here, right? 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.980 I know a few of you are in the room here. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:23.400 It's important to know that that word lukewarm, that's the only time in scripture where it shows up. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:27.420 Which is something that is very unique to the text. 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:35.320 But it's also important for us to know if we don't see it throughout scripture, it's a little harder to identify what exactly is going on. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:41.820 And so when we're talking about lukewarm here, it's just important for us to note that, that it only appears the one time. 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:47.899 The only time that it's very similar in language is actually in Leviticus 18.28. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.939 You don't have to turn there. 00:18:49.439 --> 00:18:55.500 Where it's saying that the land that is vomiting out its inhabitants for sin using judgment language. 00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:59.799 That's the only thing that's similar, but not the same, if that makes sense, church. 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:02.919 So that's something that's also important in this. 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:06.080 And so I want to go over this, right? 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.600 The two diagnosis, right? 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:10.220 And this is actually very, very interesting. 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:12.820 You have the perception of the church, right? 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:17.279 How many of you have heard the saying, right, perception versus reality? 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:19.480 Perception is reality or perception is not. 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:22.320 I mean, there's all kinds of quotes like that. 00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:29.160 Well, what we have here is the church and how they see themselves as opposed to what the reality is, right? 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:32.320 And so the church is saying, well, I am rich. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.680 I have prospered. 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.100 I don't need anything. 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:37.820 I've got everything that I possibly could need. 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:41.400 Do you see the problem with that kind of statement right there, right? 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:45.600 Maybe not that I'm rich and I've prospered, but it's actually that last one, right? 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:52.320 But it's also important that this entire sentence, right, that I've gotten all the things that I need. 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:54.040 Why do I need Christ, right? 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:55.840 We can see that within Christianity. 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:57.420 We can even see that within the world. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:20:02.380 That there are people that when they have it together and they're not relying on the Lord. 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:08.940 It's important for us to recognize even in moments of triumph, in moments of victory, in moments where we prosper, 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:12.400 we thank the living God for the blessings that he's giving to us, right? 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:16.880 When we are poor and we are wretched, we also have to recognize that we trust in the living God. 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:21.759 In every season, in every circumstance in our life, we trust in him, right? 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:24.140 So the perception is, right, I need nothing. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:26.519 I don't want any of you to say that, right? 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.859 I need Jesus. 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:30.359 We all need Jesus, every single one of us. 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.079 And then Christ's reality. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:35.019 We have five words here, right? 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.039 Let's read it together. 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:40.839 Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:42.720 Oh my goodness, right? 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:44.519 What exactly is going on here, right? 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.059 And so it's the reality. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:49.859 They didn't recognize, this church did not recognize their need for God. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:53.579 In other words, it was like self-deception, right? 00:20:53.579 --> 00:21:01.559 And for many of us, we can fall into that kind of trap where it's like, well, it's all about me and my accomplishments and what I can do, right? 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:03.059 It's the I, I, I, right? 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:05.199 But it's important for us to recognize. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:08.839 We are nothing without the Lord. 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:15.179 And in fact, when Christ is saying, you're wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, that's not a very good description, but it's reality. 00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:20.419 It is the hard truth recognizing what we are without Christ in our life. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:25.039 And it goes to show the importance that we need Christ in our life. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.759 Very important for us. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:32.099 And so in this, we have the hot and cold, right? 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.159 And lukewarm. 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:36.380 So it's, it's important for us to recognize. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:42.840 There have been some scholars that talk about the difference of water, right? 00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:48.779 Where you had lukewarm that was kind of like this mixture of water that made it really nasty tasting, right? 00:21:48.800 --> 00:21:51.400 You have that in the cultural and geographic view. 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:55.460 But I'm taking this in kind of a different approach here, right? 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:59.640 Where we have hot being someone that is on fire for the Lord, someone that is fully committed. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.680 We can all understand that. 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.740 That makes sense, right? 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:11.400 The lukewarm then is somebody, in the context of it, it's the church that realizes they don't need Christ. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.859 That's wild to me, right? 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:15.839 But it also can extend to someone who is a non-believer. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:21.579 It's people who specifically believe that they are fine, that they don't need the Lord, right? 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:28.120 And it's a very dangerous place to be in because when you see those that are cold, 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:31.759 these are the ones that are far from God and they know it. 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:33.879 Do you understand the difference? 00:22:34.739 --> 00:22:39.879 Both the hot and the cold recognize that they need the Lord, okay? 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:42.899 The lukewarm does not. 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:48.559 And I want you to think for a moment, I don't know if you can read that bottom kind of yellow golden rod color, right? 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:53.119 I want you to think about the parable of the two sons and the prodigal son. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:59.399 This was a very good parallel to help us understand hot and cold, right? 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:06.519 Where someone walked away and they sinned, they squandered their money, all the things, right? 00:23:06.540 --> 00:23:12.259 They're on this really bad and dark path and they realized they needed to turn. 00:23:13.060 --> 00:23:15.259 They needed that sense of repentance, right? 00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:16.940 That would be a cold person. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:21.980 Then you have someone on the other side who's just remained in the vineyard. 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:24.759 Someone who's remained loyal to the Father. 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:28.619 Well, that would be more of a description of someone that is hot. 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:33.420 Well, in those parables, there is no third way in that. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:38.819 It's only talking about two specific scenarios, one that rejected and recognized their need 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:41.379 and one that was loyal in the entire time. 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:47.640 But here we have a third path, which is, yeah, it's beyond the scope of the parable, 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:58.500 but it's within the scope of revelation that both recognize on the polar sides in this that they need God. 00:23:59.300 --> 00:24:02.680 Now, how they recognize that, now that may be a different question, right? 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:09.300 For some unbelievers, it could be that there's the feeling that there's something missing in their life 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:12.880 and they can't put a finger on it, but they know they need it, right? 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:17.300 And leading them to, Lord willing, the Lord. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:21.140 Having a conversation, building a relationship with another believer. 00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:23.640 These kind of things are very important. 00:24:23.780 --> 00:24:25.260 So I just thought it was very interesting. 00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:31.980 As a teenager, I would always struggle with this, with the cold. 00:24:32.780 --> 00:24:34.300 Why would God want anyone to be cold? 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:38.300 But when we understand it from the framework as someone that's away from God 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:44.799 but still realizes they need God, that makes a lot more sense than just, 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:46.940 let's just blatantly ignore that. 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:49.639 We can't ignore what's going on within the text. 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:52.159 So that's something that's important for us. 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:55.559 So, in this, you know, let me go back real quick. 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.659 Yeah, both need the Father. 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:05.899 And so here we have Christ's three counsels here. 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:10.500 Now, you have the gold that is refined by fire, right? 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:13.040 And many of you may know that, the refiner's fire. 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:14.800 You may even recognize that song, right? 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:19.180 Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire is to be holy, set apart, right? 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:25.340 And so this is referencing what's going on from Isaiah. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:28.060 Now, it's important to note when you're looking at the text here, 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:31.320 in verse 18, if you still have your Bibles open, 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:33.279 it says in verse 18, 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:36.460 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.740 so you may be rich, 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:40.240 and the white garments, so you may clothe yourself, 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.839 and the shame of your nakedness. 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:43.399 What do you mean by that? 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:47.939 It's important to note that God is going to supply us all that we need, right? 00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:51.700 That God gives salvation freely, and he gives in abundance, right? 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:55.439 So when we're talking about the gold that's refined by fire, 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:58.559 it's important to know that true wealth comes from Christ. 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:05.700 Now, what's very interesting is when I read this Laodicean church, 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:10.400 it almost sounds, it hits home when you hear about churches 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:13.640 that are talking about health and wealth, right? 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:16.660 The name it and claim it type of framework, right? 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:20.100 If I snap my fingers, I will get a Lamborghini, right? 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:24.500 Those that want to make God a genie in the bottle, right? 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:26.619 And it's not so, right? 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:32.000 And so in this, we can see that we are sinners 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.160 that are in need of a Savior, 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:35.200 that we are nothing without the Lord, 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:41.200 and that wealth is not defined necessarily as financial. 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:43.460 There's spiritual wealth. 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.440 There's wisdom. 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:46.000 I mean, there's inner transformation. 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:49.619 You can't put a dollar amount on someone being transformed, 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.779 becoming more like the Lord. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:53.700 You absolutely cannot, and you certainly should not. 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:58.839 But to see people who have been transformed by the Lord, 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:04.160 that there's the sense of the peace that surpasses all understanding, 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:07.559 the insurmountable, unspeakable joy that comes from Him, 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:10.700 and I mean, go into the spiritual gifts 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.900 and the spiritual blessings that come from the Lord. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:17.400 That is true wealth if we're talking about wealth here. 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:20.940 And so when we're seeing this kind of description here, right? 00:27:21.060 --> 00:27:22.180 Gold refined by fire. 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:25.259 Now, white garments is a very interesting one. 00:27:26.060 --> 00:27:28.000 Towards the end of Revelation, I mention this a lot. 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.880 Some translations say, 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:32.040 blessed is the man who washes his robes, 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.920 which is such a wild, 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:35.640 it's like towards the end of Revelation, 00:27:35.800 --> 00:27:37.180 you're like, what in the world is that? 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:40.060 Do I need to do a load of laundry, put some bleach in, right? 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:41.180 I'm going to wash my robes, 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:43.019 and then I'll be blessed for that. 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:45.940 It's the idea that when we put on the new self, right? 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:50.660 When we become a believer, we are born again, right? 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.940 We are a new creation, 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:55.259 and it's this imagery of putting on white clothes, right? 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:58.140 How many of you know the filthy rags, right? 00:27:58.380 --> 00:28:00.440 How we go from filthy rags to what, church? 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:05.640 There you go, right? 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:07.759 So it's clean clothes, right? 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:08.480 White garments. 00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:10.799 So it's this beautiful imagery of what's happening. 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:13.480 And so in Revelation, then, 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:16.279 it's speaking more to the white garments, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:18.299 which is restoration, renewal. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.500 I know about you, 00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:21.640 but I don't want to have filthy rags for clothing. 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:24.799 And I mean, the fact that God gives that to us 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.779 is just remarkable. 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:30.120 And in parabolic and apocalyptic language, 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:32.920 when you're putting on the white robe, 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:35.420 it's showing that you are ready 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:37.279 to go to the wedding feast, 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:40.779 that you're ready to be a part of the wedding banquet, 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:44.759 and you're ready to dine and to feast, 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.580 to be with the Lord. 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:47.320 It's actually very beautiful imagery 00:28:47.320 --> 00:28:48.680 when we're talking about that, right? 00:28:48.840 --> 00:28:51.799 And Christ covers our stained garments 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:54.080 and gives us new and pure ones. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:57.920 That's something that's really interesting 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.820 when we're finding that. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:04.299 There is a verse in chapter 3 in Revelation. 00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:07.519 It's in, when it's talking to Sardis, verse 4. 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:10.259 You still have a few names in Sardis, 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:12.319 people who have not soiled their garments, 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:14.460 and they will walk with me in white, 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.539 for they are worthy. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:16.799 Right? 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:20.419 So that's kind of contextually talking about 00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:22.139 the sense of having white garments. 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:24.379 It's very, very fascinating 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.619 when we talk about this, right? 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:28.079 And then we have the eye salve, right? 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:30.139 Our eyes being opened to the things of God 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:32.439 by the guidance and the revelation of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:32.479 --> 00:29:33.659 Now, this is something that's very interesting. 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:35.859 I found it fascinating as a Christian. 00:29:35.979 --> 00:29:37.579 Maybe you have experienced this before. 00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.399 Maybe, maybe not. 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:43.819 God hides things in His Word. 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:47.399 And there's certain things that are revealed to us 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:48.479 upon being a Christian, 00:29:48.719 --> 00:29:51.239 which is a remarkable thing when you are a Christian. 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:53.400 But it can be a very frustrating thing 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:54.940 when you want to share it with someone 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:56.720 who's not a believer and they don't understand. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:00.880 But it's important for us to share what we learn 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:02.900 by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:06.319 To help them, to help the unbeliever become a believer. 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:09.079 To help the distant come close once again. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:12.599 And to strengthen and empower those other believers. 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:15.120 I always find it just so remarkable 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:17.240 that God is protecting His Word. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:20.519 And it's at the right and proper time. 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:22.900 Many times, I mean, in the book of Acts, 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:24.000 I think there's one in Isaiah, 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:25.700 where you find this scene 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:27.400 where someone's reading Scripture. 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.940 And you say, I don't understand this. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.359 Can you explain this to me? 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.740 And someone goes and explains it to them. 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.940 Well, praise God for having more of that insight, right? 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.620 That's actually why, 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:41.440 if any of you have ever looked close at my glasses, 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.599 there's a verse on here. 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:45.579 And it's Proverbs 25, 2. 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.779 Look it up sometime. 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:49.759 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing. 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:52.279 And the glory of kings is to discover that thing. 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.240 And it's talking about, right, 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:56.000 the things that are hidden within the Word of God. 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:58.279 And how wonderful it is 00:30:58.279 --> 00:31:00.420 for us to discover those kind of things. 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:01.640 Whether it's connections, 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:04.279 or how the Word of God speaks to us 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.759 and helps transform us in our lives. 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:07.299 And even to the degree 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:10.799 on how God has hidden discoveries 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:12.460 that have helped humanity. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:14.319 So it's just kind of a wonderful thing. 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:16.000 I know it's jam-packed in a proverb, 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:17.200 like they all are. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:20.660 But also, when we talk about, 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.319 in Scripture, 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.359 when we're talking about eyes, 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:26.740 I was blind and now I see, right? 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:30.119 A lot of us, we think of the physical blindness, right? 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:31.960 And the healing that happened with the blind man. 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:34.799 But not only can physical eyes be opened, 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:36.680 but spiritual eyes can be opened as well. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:39.420 To have that kind of insight 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:41.860 and to be able to see and to understand 00:31:41.860 --> 00:31:43.740 things that you weren't able to before. 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:47.059 How many of you have read a verse? 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:50.420 I mean, it could be like when Sam was going over 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:51.519 the Gospel of John, right? 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.420 You might find a brand new insight. 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:55.200 You're like, I've read this so many times, 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:57.220 and yet it just didn't click. 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:59.519 And then the Spirit revealed it to me 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.860 to understand this. 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.360 Praise God for that. 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:04.960 It's just wonderful as we are growing 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:08.620 into who God wants us to be. 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:11.200 So that's what the three councils, right? 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.620 So in Revelation, 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.839 excuse me, 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:18.140 behold, I stand at the door and knock, right? 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:21.279 Now, contextually, this is towards the church, right? 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:24.000 To the lukewarm Christians, right? 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:26.740 Hey, here's the difference, 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.700 if you're wondering the difference 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:29.859 between Philadelphia and Laodicea. 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:33.859 Philadelphia, they were remaining true to the Lord, 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:38.079 and the door is wide open, right? 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:39.279 For that Philadelphia church. 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.940 But to Laodicea, 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.680 when you say, 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.480 I've got everything that I need, 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:48.059 it's as though you shut the door, right? 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:50.119 Does that make sense, church? 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:52.559 It's as though you shut the door to Christ. 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:57.319 Here, you have a church that I am devoted to you. 00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:59.220 I don't have a lot of power, 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.799 and yet I'm going to be fully, 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.960 I'm going to remain true to you. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:05.480 I'm going to hold fast as the text says, right? 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:09.039 Here, this ain't the case. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:12.779 God, I don't need you. 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.799 I've got all the money in the world. 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:17.339 I've got all the success and notoriety. 00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:18.480 Why would I need you? 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:21.819 Now, we better not be saying that in this church. 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:24.759 But in the case of Laodicea, 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.579 that's what was happening. 00:33:26.419 --> 00:33:27.379 I've got everything I need. 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.819 So they shut the door. 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:31.799 Could we call that a rejection? 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.200 Absolutely. 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:36.039 But what's powerful about that, 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:37.279 despite the rejection, 00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:39.299 is the fact that Christ is there, 00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:41.159 knocking at the door. 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:44.580 And so, when we're talking about 00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:46.640 Christ knocks at the door, 00:33:46.800 --> 00:33:48.080 will the church respond? 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.160 And I think it's important, 00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:51.600 if there is a church 00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:54.060 that is blatantly rejecting Christ, 00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:55.720 that the Lord will be knocking. 00:33:57.620 --> 00:34:00.680 And we can also think of how this verse is used, 00:34:01.320 --> 00:34:04.160 how this is applicable to all of us, right? 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:06.380 Before we know the Lord, 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:08.700 that Christ is there, 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.360 waiting for us, 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.980 to open the door 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:13.720 and to let Him into our lives, 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:15.099 to receive salvation. 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:17.099 And I've got to tell you, 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.340 open that door. 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.099 Right? 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:21.720 Open that door 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:23.740 and know who's on the other side. 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:26.599 Because that is the greatest decision 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.360 that you can make 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:29.240 that will not only affect your life 00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:29.940 here on the earth, 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:32.059 but will affect your eternal life as well. 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:35.139 And so, to join at the table 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:36.440 is to be in fellowship with Christ. 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.139 I put that in there 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:38.579 because how beautiful 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.480 that kind of language 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.980 of sitting and dining with Christ. 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.059 I mean, 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:45.380 you want to talk about communion language 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.900 when we gather together 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:48.960 and we eat of the bread 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.920 and we drink of the cup. 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:51.940 That is one powerful parallel 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:54.799 that we get to experience 00:34:54.799 --> 00:34:57.519 as a form of worshiping God. 00:34:57.599 --> 00:34:59.699 So that's something really remarkable. 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:02.439 So the interpretation, 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.639 what does it mean, right? 00:35:05.239 --> 00:35:06.359 Lukewarm then means 00:35:06.359 --> 00:35:07.919 not recognizing your need for Christ. 00:35:09.399 --> 00:35:09.659 Okay? 00:35:10.279 --> 00:35:11.599 We've established the difference 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.480 between hot and cold. 00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:13.500 They both recognize 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.179 they need the Lord. 00:35:14.619 --> 00:35:15.379 Lukewarm does not. 00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:17.079 Very important for us 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:18.779 to understand that. 00:35:19.939 --> 00:35:21.619 Lukewarm can mean, 00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:24.019 in the context of revelation, 00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:25.939 can mean a believer, 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.739 but we can extend that 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:28.939 to even the unbeliever, 00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:31.419 that they don't recognize 00:35:31.419 --> 00:35:32.239 their need for Christ. 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:34.159 That's why it's so important 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:36.199 for us to share in the gospel, 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.739 for us to build relationships 00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:39.459 with others. 00:35:40.959 --> 00:35:42.279 And we also think of, 00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:42.919 as I mentioned, 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.719 the prodigal son 00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:44.699 who came to himself 00:35:44.699 --> 00:35:46.399 from desperation, right? 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:49.019 When he hit rock bottom, 00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:52.039 he recognized what was going on. 00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:54.659 And so I know for a lot of us, 00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:56.139 we may even identify with that. 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:59.500 And the older brother was there. 00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:00.559 He was present. 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:01.559 Now, of course, 00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:02.599 in the parable, 00:36:02.739 --> 00:36:04.099 it talks about how he needed 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:04.799 to be transformed 00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:05.739 in the heart, of course. 00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:07.119 But he was still there 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.000 in close proximity 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:09.000 with the father. 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.819 And so the second thing then 00:36:11.819 --> 00:36:12.920 is that true wealth 00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:13.759 is spiritual, 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:15.039 not physical. 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:16.460 Now, granted, 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.339 you can be blessed 00:36:17.339 --> 00:36:18.980 with physical things, 00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:19.279 you know, 00:36:19.299 --> 00:36:20.379 having a nice job, 00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:21.179 having a nice car, 00:36:21.259 --> 00:36:21.679 absolutely. 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.940 But don't let that 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:23.559 become your idol. 00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.000 Right? 00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:26.840 We worship the creator, 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.099 not the created. 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.960 Understand the difference, 00:36:30.039 --> 00:36:30.239 right? 00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:31.679 The one that made 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:32.599 all of the things. 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:33.719 You know, 00:36:33.779 --> 00:36:34.739 I think of how 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:36.739 when you look 00:36:36.739 --> 00:36:37.659 at the Old Testament, 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:39.559 we see that kind of imagery 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:40.920 of people worshiping 00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:41.799 the golden calf. 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.079 And we think, 00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:44.299 oh, that's so identifiable. 00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:45.619 I know not to worship that. 00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:47.460 Then we think, 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:47.719 well, 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.960 what are the golden calves 00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:49.719 of today? 00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:51.779 something to think about, 00:36:52.419 --> 00:36:53.619 something to reflect upon. 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:56.279 And in the case of Laodicea, 00:36:56.339 --> 00:36:57.339 they were focusing more 00:36:57.339 --> 00:36:58.339 on their wealth 00:36:58.339 --> 00:36:59.299 and their prosperity 00:36:59.299 --> 00:37:00.819 and not having a need 00:37:00.819 --> 00:37:01.559 for the Lord. 00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:03.319 May that never be the case 00:37:03.319 --> 00:37:04.500 for this church 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:05.699 or for any of you 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.779 that are watching online. 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:09.299 You can be material rich, 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.899 but may you not be 00:37:11.899 --> 00:37:12.980 spiritually wretched. 00:37:13.879 --> 00:37:14.039 Right? 00:37:14.799 --> 00:37:16.719 May you thank the Lord 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:18.000 for the blessings. 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:20.199 In other words, 00:37:20.300 --> 00:37:21.059 keep the main thing 00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:21.679 the main thing. 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:22.860 Keep Christ 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.880 at the center of your life. 00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:25.099 Regardless of your 00:37:25.099 --> 00:37:26.340 socioeconomic status, 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.639 your educational status, 00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:28.760 may you worship 00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:29.380 the living God. 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:31.679 And then third, 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:35.360 well, 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:36.579 God's, 00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:38.400 back to the second one, 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:39.280 God's abundance 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:42.579 is something that is more, 00:37:42.760 --> 00:37:43.539 as I mentioned, 00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:44.579 than health and wealth. 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.500 I don't know about you, 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:48.559 but salvation is a much 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:49.059 bigger thing. 00:37:50.539 --> 00:37:51.679 Discernment is a much 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.199 bigger thing. 00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:53.760 And transformation, 00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:55.119 becoming more like Christ, 00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:56.099 is a much greater thing. 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:59.079 Money can come and go, 00:37:59.840 --> 00:38:02.039 but transformation from the Lord, 00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:03.739 that's a remarkable thing. 00:38:05.099 --> 00:38:05.820 Excuse me. 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.380 The third thing, then, 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:08.679 is that Christ is knocking. 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.559 Receive Him 00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:12.000 before it is too late. 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:13.139 We see this not only 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:14.380 in parabolic language, 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:14.699 right, 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:17.159 but also in apocalyptic language. 00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:19.880 That Christ gives us time, 00:38:20.199 --> 00:38:21.380 but not forever. 00:38:22.500 --> 00:38:23.619 And we don't know 00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:25.139 what tomorrow will hold, 00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:27.340 which is why it's so important 00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:28.440 for us to make a decision 00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:29.219 for Christ 00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:30.619 to receive that salvation. 00:38:31.559 --> 00:38:32.940 Let that be your foundation. 00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:35.179 Let that be that decision. 00:38:36.219 --> 00:38:37.460 It's a life-changing one. 00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:39.300 Two lives will it affect. 00:38:39.300 --> 00:38:41.700 Earth and heaven. 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.200 Think about that. 00:38:44.320 --> 00:38:45.060 And so this, 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:48.140 there's a sense of urgency, right? 00:38:49.860 --> 00:38:51.660 May you open the door. 00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.440 And in this sense, 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.900 it kind of makes you wish 00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:56.580 that you can imagine 00:38:56.580 --> 00:38:58.340 this imagery of Christ 00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:59.300 knocking at the door. 00:39:00.820 --> 00:39:01.840 The staff, 00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:02.860 the elder, 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:03.660 the boards, 00:39:04.120 --> 00:39:05.400 the congregation 00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:06.660 better be running to that door, 00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.500 letting Jesus in. 00:39:09.300 --> 00:39:10.460 Let's come celebrate 00:39:10.460 --> 00:39:11.220 a meal together. 00:39:12.820 --> 00:39:13.539 That's something 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.600 that we could all hope for 00:39:14.600 --> 00:39:15.780 for the church in Laodicea. 00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:16.460 And when we think 00:39:16.460 --> 00:39:17.460 of that kind of imagery, 00:39:17.780 --> 00:39:19.760 let that be an image 00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:21.280 for this church 00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:22.720 that we're not shutting God out. 00:39:23.080 --> 00:39:25.060 We're not shutting Jesus Christ out. 00:39:25.120 --> 00:39:25.940 We're letting him on in. 00:39:26.640 --> 00:39:27.320 And certainly, 00:39:27.539 --> 00:39:28.600 for your own heart, 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:30.280 your own spiritual journey, 00:39:30.780 --> 00:39:31.960 may you not shut him out. 00:39:32.660 --> 00:39:33.080 Let him in. 00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:34.840 And so, 00:39:35.560 --> 00:39:36.820 the door unanswered 00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:38.700 can become neglect. 00:39:39.700 --> 00:39:40.980 Don't neglect God. 00:39:41.580 --> 00:39:43.120 Don't neglect him knocking 00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:43.460 because, 00:39:44.420 --> 00:39:45.580 as we find in Scripture, 00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:47.039 he'll be there, 00:39:47.740 --> 00:39:48.420 but not forever. 00:39:50.220 --> 00:39:50.560 And so, 00:39:50.660 --> 00:39:51.019 in this, 00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:52.860 we also see in the text 00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:54.220 that the promise 00:39:54.220 --> 00:39:55.060 of the throne 00:39:55.060 --> 00:39:56.500 for those who overcome. 00:39:58.260 --> 00:39:59.360 This leads us then 00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:00.440 to our application, 00:40:00.700 --> 00:40:02.000 how shall we live? 00:40:02.080 --> 00:40:03.480 What do we do about this, right? 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.940 Well, the first thing 00:40:04.940 --> 00:40:06.380 is that recognize 00:40:06.380 --> 00:40:07.420 your need for Christ. 00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:09.400 Now, it's very interesting 00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:10.480 when most of us, 00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:11.360 when we read this, 00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:13.099 we can automatically think, 00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:14.240 well, that's for the unbeliever. 00:40:15.179 --> 00:40:15.880 Well, no. 00:40:16.659 --> 00:40:18.280 If you just read Laodicea, 00:40:18.760 --> 00:40:20.360 this was a church. 00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:24.019 And they went into this 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:26.000 scenario, 00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:26.780 this mindset 00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:28.119 of not needing the Lord. 00:40:28.119 --> 00:40:29.679 And so, 00:40:29.779 --> 00:40:30.880 no matter where you are at, 00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:31.960 whether you're an unbeliever, 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.859 whether you're distant from God, 00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:35.460 or whether you're very close 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:36.059 with the Lord, 00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:37.779 may you never forget 00:40:37.779 --> 00:40:39.739 how you rely on the Lord 00:40:39.739 --> 00:40:41.339 as your refuge 00:40:41.339 --> 00:40:42.279 and as your strength, 00:40:42.679 --> 00:40:43.759 as your comfort. 00:40:45.319 --> 00:40:45.880 That's just, 00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:48.300 it's for all of us 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:49.380 to recognize that, right? 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.920 As I've mentioned before 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:52.800 and I'll mention it again, 00:40:53.400 --> 00:40:54.099 hot and cold 00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:55.079 recognize their need. 00:40:55.680 --> 00:40:56.559 The lukewarm do not. 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.680 If you're cold, 00:40:59.260 --> 00:41:00.480 may you come to the Lord. 00:41:01.220 --> 00:41:02.200 If you're lukewarm, 00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:03.220 may you have clarity 00:41:03.220 --> 00:41:04.840 in recognizing 00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:07.140 that you need God. 00:41:08.579 --> 00:41:09.760 And then if you're on fire 00:41:09.760 --> 00:41:10.200 for the Lord, 00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:11.300 we'll just remain that way. 00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:13.320 Let the fire, right, 00:41:13.400 --> 00:41:14.079 that's within you, 00:41:14.160 --> 00:41:14.880 let it burn, 00:41:15.000 --> 00:41:15.539 let it continue 00:41:15.539 --> 00:41:16.739 to grow within you. 00:41:17.860 --> 00:41:18.960 And the second thing then 00:41:18.960 --> 00:41:20.239 is to open the door to Him. 00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:23.739 Now it's kind of interesting 00:41:23.739 --> 00:41:25.440 when we see this kind of language 00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:27.039 about shutting God out 00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:28.259 from a church standpoint. 00:41:28.480 --> 00:41:28.800 Certainly, 00:41:29.340 --> 00:41:30.900 we should never shut the Lord out. 00:41:31.380 --> 00:41:32.679 No matter where we are at 00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:33.639 in our spiritual walk 00:41:33.639 --> 00:41:34.079 with the Lord. 00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.960 Invite the Lord in. 00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:38.139 Dine with Him. 00:41:39.259 --> 00:41:40.679 When we think of that imagery 00:41:40.679 --> 00:41:42.340 of Christ as the great shepherd 00:41:42.340 --> 00:41:44.719 as He travels with the sheep, 00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:47.380 may you walk the path 00:41:47.380 --> 00:41:48.759 with Christ 00:41:48.759 --> 00:41:51.019 because He's going to be with you 00:41:51.019 --> 00:41:52.500 in every stage 00:41:52.500 --> 00:41:53.480 and in every season 00:41:53.480 --> 00:41:54.279 of your life. 00:41:54.739 --> 00:41:56.239 It's very important for us. 00:41:57.360 --> 00:41:58.579 And for the unbeliever, 00:41:58.679 --> 00:41:59.599 this is your invitation. 00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:01.199 And for the believer, 00:42:01.380 --> 00:42:02.139 if you've drifted, 00:42:02.779 --> 00:42:03.019 well, 00:42:03.380 --> 00:42:04.519 it's a call to repentance. 00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:06.820 And then finally, 00:42:07.000 --> 00:42:08.079 receive and share 00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:09.480 in God's abundance, right? 00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:11.219 We think of how salvation 00:42:11.219 --> 00:42:11.920 is available 00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:13.639 to all who believe, right? 00:42:13.639 --> 00:42:15.259 I always mention it. 00:42:15.879 --> 00:42:17.000 1 Corinthians 15, 00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:18.099 verses 1 through 4, 00:42:18.199 --> 00:42:18.859 the death, burial, 00:42:18.940 --> 00:42:19.400 and resurrection 00:42:19.400 --> 00:42:20.420 of Jesus Christ. 00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:22.079 That is the simple gospel. 00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:24.460 That is what the core 00:42:24.460 --> 00:42:25.480 of our faith, right? 00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:27.599 Now, 00:42:27.799 --> 00:42:28.759 it's important for us 00:42:28.759 --> 00:42:29.579 to recognize 00:42:29.579 --> 00:42:31.619 salvation being available 00:42:31.619 --> 00:42:32.379 for everyone 00:42:32.379 --> 00:42:33.400 is something that is, 00:42:34.179 --> 00:42:35.179 kind of goes against 00:42:35.179 --> 00:42:36.879 how us as human beings think. 00:42:36.880 --> 00:42:39.619 But it's remarkable. 00:42:40.420 --> 00:42:41.460 It's powerful. 00:42:42.340 --> 00:42:43.000 Knowing that 00:42:43.000 --> 00:42:44.860 Jesus lived, 00:42:45.099 --> 00:42:46.019 performed miracles, 00:42:46.200 --> 00:42:47.059 taught in parables, 00:42:47.220 --> 00:42:48.320 did all these things 00:42:48.320 --> 00:42:51.559 so that we can have 00:42:51.559 --> 00:42:52.599 everlasting life 00:42:52.599 --> 00:42:55.079 and not perish. 00:42:56.079 --> 00:42:57.000 It doesn't say, 00:42:57.400 --> 00:42:58.099 you know, 00:42:58.660 --> 00:43:01.400 only those that 00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:02.660 live in Oregon 00:43:02.660 --> 00:43:05.019 can receive salvation, right? 00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:06.559 Nor does it say 00:43:06.559 --> 00:43:07.300 only those that live 00:43:07.300 --> 00:43:07.739 in Idaho 00:43:07.739 --> 00:43:09.519 can receive salvation. 00:43:10.259 --> 00:43:11.420 Nor does it say 00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:12.340 those that belong 00:43:12.340 --> 00:43:12.880 to a certain 00:43:12.880 --> 00:43:13.699 political party. 00:43:14.860 --> 00:43:15.920 Nor does it say 00:43:15.920 --> 00:43:16.980 those of a certain 00:43:16.980 --> 00:43:18.219 socioeconomic 00:43:18.219 --> 00:43:19.840 or educational status. 00:43:20.280 --> 00:43:22.139 We are all called 00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:23.420 to salvation. 00:43:24.019 --> 00:43:25.699 Every single one of us. 00:43:27.119 --> 00:43:27.539 And so, 00:43:27.960 --> 00:43:28.960 and not only that, 00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:31.079 receive the gold, right? 00:43:31.539 --> 00:43:32.940 Receive the white garments 00:43:32.940 --> 00:43:34.500 and the sights, 00:43:34.619 --> 00:43:35.679 the eyes to see. 00:43:36.460 --> 00:43:37.179 In this sense, 00:43:37.260 --> 00:43:38.639 those are three things 00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:39.260 that we receive, 00:43:39.340 --> 00:43:40.079 but we certainly know 00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:40.860 that God gives us 00:43:40.860 --> 00:43:41.720 a lot more than that. 00:43:43.559 --> 00:43:44.559 It's just important 00:43:44.559 --> 00:43:45.539 for us to recognize. 00:43:45.679 --> 00:43:46.400 So share it. 00:43:47.139 --> 00:43:49.099 Share in your story, 00:43:49.579 --> 00:43:50.340 your testimony, 00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:51.400 how God has worked 00:43:51.400 --> 00:43:51.860 in your life. 00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:53.280 Share the gospel message 00:43:53.280 --> 00:43:55.920 that we all need Christ 00:43:55.920 --> 00:43:57.619 and that Christ provides 00:43:57.619 --> 00:43:58.280 a better way. 00:43:58.800 --> 00:43:59.619 Share in the death, 00:43:59.740 --> 00:43:59.980 burial, 00:43:59.980 --> 00:44:00.500 and resurrection 00:44:00.500 --> 00:44:01.960 of Jesus. 00:44:02.719 --> 00:44:03.900 And this is how 00:44:03.900 --> 00:44:05.739 we become outward focus. 00:44:06.199 --> 00:44:08.239 This is how we partake 00:44:08.239 --> 00:44:10.539 in the Great Commission, 00:44:11.260 --> 00:44:11.460 right? 00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:12.460 To make disciples. 00:44:13.239 --> 00:44:14.159 Because obviously 00:44:14.159 --> 00:44:15.000 they need to believe, 00:44:15.139 --> 00:44:15.800 but they also need 00:44:15.800 --> 00:44:16.440 to be discipled. 00:44:16.480 --> 00:44:16.960 They need to grow 00:44:16.960 --> 00:44:17.559 in their faith. 00:44:18.179 --> 00:44:19.360 That's also important, 00:44:19.599 --> 00:44:20.400 right? 00:44:20.460 --> 00:44:21.219 We are called 00:44:21.219 --> 00:44:22.260 to live and love 00:44:22.260 --> 00:44:23.239 like Jesus Christ, 00:44:23.320 --> 00:44:23.920 just like how 00:44:23.920 --> 00:44:25.179 the Great Commandment 00:44:25.179 --> 00:44:26.579 calls us to love God 00:44:26.579 --> 00:44:27.539 and to love people. 00:44:28.599 --> 00:44:30.039 It's a very nice catchphrase, 00:44:30.039 --> 00:44:31.579 but it can be a challenge 00:44:31.579 --> 00:44:32.380 for all of us. 00:44:33.860 --> 00:44:34.300 And so, 00:44:34.920 --> 00:44:37.179 I challenge for you, 00:44:38.019 --> 00:44:38.900 who will hear 00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:40.320 the hope of Christ 00:44:40.320 --> 00:44:42.079 from you this week? 00:44:43.059 --> 00:44:44.000 Find someone, 00:44:44.500 --> 00:44:45.340 a family member, 00:44:45.840 --> 00:44:46.340 a friend, 00:44:46.460 --> 00:44:47.059 a student, 00:44:47.759 --> 00:44:48.880 and find the right time. 00:44:50.059 --> 00:44:51.300 Let it flow naturally. 00:44:52.059 --> 00:44:53.000 Find that opportunity 00:44:53.000 --> 00:44:54.199 and maybe ask God 00:44:54.199 --> 00:44:55.019 for that opportunity 00:44:55.019 --> 00:44:56.699 to speak truth 00:44:56.699 --> 00:44:58.179 in love with others. 00:44:58.179 --> 00:44:59.739 And so, 00:44:59.839 --> 00:45:00.259 in closing, 00:45:00.839 --> 00:45:02.960 let us think of that imagery 00:45:02.960 --> 00:45:03.679 as we began, 00:45:04.119 --> 00:45:05.259 of Christ knocking 00:45:05.259 --> 00:45:05.879 at the door, 00:45:06.419 --> 00:45:07.399 that God is giving 00:45:07.399 --> 00:45:07.960 all of us 00:45:07.960 --> 00:45:08.559 an opportunity 00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:09.679 for us to respond 00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:10.619 to His salvation 00:45:10.619 --> 00:45:12.339 and to His call 00:45:12.339 --> 00:45:13.019 for our lives. 00:45:13.719 --> 00:45:15.139 The invitation is here, 00:45:15.519 --> 00:45:16.859 but it's not forever. 00:45:17.719 --> 00:45:18.899 May we all respond 00:45:18.899 --> 00:45:19.599 to salvation, 00:45:20.299 --> 00:45:21.199 to transformation, 00:45:21.839 --> 00:45:23.259 to newness of life. 00:45:23.779 --> 00:45:24.759 May we respond 00:45:24.759 --> 00:45:26.000 to God's call 00:45:26.000 --> 00:45:27.399 for our life. 00:45:27.400 --> 00:45:28.740 Let us pray together. 00:45:29.900 --> 00:45:30.880 And Father God, 00:45:30.940 --> 00:45:31.559 we thank You 00:45:31.559 --> 00:45:33.019 for this time 00:45:33.019 --> 00:45:33.760 and this opportunity 00:45:33.760 --> 00:45:35.019 for us to gather today. 00:45:36.760 --> 00:45:38.119 As we are finishing 00:45:38.119 --> 00:45:39.260 these seven churches 00:45:39.260 --> 00:45:39.960 in Revelation, 00:45:40.500 --> 00:45:42.860 what a remarkable blessing 00:45:42.860 --> 00:45:43.420 it is 00:45:43.420 --> 00:45:45.160 for us to be able 00:45:45.160 --> 00:45:45.619 to gather 00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:47.019 and to go through 00:45:47.019 --> 00:45:47.599 Revelation. 00:45:48.619 --> 00:45:50.220 It's not a scary book. 00:45:50.840 --> 00:45:52.119 It is a book of hope. 00:45:52.680 --> 00:45:53.539 It is a book 00:45:53.539 --> 00:45:54.300 that shows 00:45:54.300 --> 00:45:56.019 prophecies and promise 00:45:56.019 --> 00:45:56.860 that You, God, 00:45:56.920 --> 00:45:57.840 are consistent, 00:45:58.059 --> 00:45:59.460 everlasting to everlasting. 00:45:59.840 --> 00:46:00.940 You remain the same. 00:46:02.559 --> 00:46:03.800 May we learn 00:46:03.800 --> 00:46:05.960 not just the lesson 00:46:05.960 --> 00:46:06.860 from the church 00:46:06.860 --> 00:46:07.739 in Laodicea, 00:46:07.960 --> 00:46:09.480 but also from 00:46:09.480 --> 00:46:10.300 the other churches. 00:46:11.179 --> 00:46:12.579 May we remain firm 00:46:12.579 --> 00:46:13.280 in our faith 00:46:13.280 --> 00:46:15.079 even when persecution 00:46:15.079 --> 00:46:15.780 or trials 00:46:15.780 --> 00:46:16.519 come our way. 00:46:17.219 --> 00:46:18.119 May we be able 00:46:18.119 --> 00:46:19.159 to properly discern 00:46:19.159 --> 00:46:20.019 good from evil, 00:46:20.139 --> 00:46:20.880 right from wrong, 00:46:21.000 --> 00:46:22.000 truth from lies. 00:46:22.000 --> 00:46:23.420 and may we be trained 00:46:23.420 --> 00:46:23.980 accordingly. 00:46:25.239 --> 00:46:26.500 And may we be able 00:46:26.500 --> 00:46:27.400 to live in love 00:46:27.400 --> 00:46:28.739 like Your Son, 00:46:28.860 --> 00:46:29.519 Jesus Christ. 00:46:29.659 --> 00:46:30.420 May we respond 00:46:30.420 --> 00:46:31.260 to the opportunity 00:46:31.260 --> 00:46:31.940 to share in the 00:46:31.940 --> 00:46:32.719 gospel message. 00:46:33.659 --> 00:46:34.420 We're grateful 00:46:34.420 --> 00:46:35.199 for this church, 00:46:35.340 --> 00:46:36.079 this congregation, 00:46:36.880 --> 00:46:37.860 and for the 80 years 00:46:37.860 --> 00:46:38.380 of blessings 00:46:38.380 --> 00:46:39.179 that You have given 00:46:39.179 --> 00:46:39.639 to us. 00:46:40.900 --> 00:46:41.860 We're so grateful. 00:46:42.980 --> 00:46:43.960 You are one 00:46:43.960 --> 00:46:45.199 amazing God 00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:47.579 for You sending 00:46:47.579 --> 00:46:48.099 Your Son 00:46:48.099 --> 00:46:48.980 as we're getting ready 00:46:48.980 --> 00:46:50.039 in a few weeks 00:46:50.039 --> 00:46:50.900 here for Easter. 00:46:52.619 --> 00:46:53.880 May we celebrate 00:46:53.880 --> 00:46:55.139 that time. 00:46:56.400 --> 00:46:56.599 You know, 00:46:56.679 --> 00:46:57.639 there's Palm Sunday. 00:46:58.579 --> 00:46:59.800 There is the Easter 00:46:59.800 --> 00:47:00.500 celebration, 00:47:00.659 --> 00:47:01.599 the passion story. 00:47:01.719 --> 00:47:03.440 May we recognize 00:47:03.440 --> 00:47:05.619 our need for You 00:47:05.619 --> 00:47:06.860 all the days 00:47:06.860 --> 00:47:07.360 of our life, 00:47:07.400 --> 00:47:08.699 no matter what situation. 00:47:10.000 --> 00:47:10.699 The good, 00:47:10.800 --> 00:47:11.199 the bad, 00:47:11.259 --> 00:47:11.800 and the ugly. 00:47:12.900 --> 00:47:14.059 May we come to You 00:47:14.059 --> 00:47:14.699 and worship You. 00:47:14.759 --> 00:47:15.739 May we never shut You 00:47:15.739 --> 00:47:16.519 out of our lives. 00:47:17.139 --> 00:47:18.059 May we let You in 00:47:18.059 --> 00:47:19.119 and dine with You. 00:47:20.039 --> 00:47:20.800 And to know 00:47:20.800 --> 00:47:21.500 that imagery, 00:47:22.279 --> 00:47:24.119 to be able to sit 00:47:24.119 --> 00:47:25.659 with Your Son 00:47:25.659 --> 00:47:26.759 on the throne, 00:47:27.219 --> 00:47:28.099 is beautiful. 00:47:30.460 --> 00:47:31.800 We thank You so much. 00:47:32.420 --> 00:47:33.279 It is in the name 00:47:33.279 --> 00:47:35.059 of Jesus Christ 00:47:35.059 --> 00:47:35.659 that we pray 00:47:35.659 --> 00:47:36.480 and we all say together, 00:47:36.559 --> 00:47:37.199 Amen, church? 00:47:37.679 --> 00:47:38.159 Amen. 00:47:38.159 --> 00:47:38.300 Amen. 00:47:38.300 --> 00:47:38.360 Amen. 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.360 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:40.360 Amen. 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:40.360 00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:42.360 Amen. 00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:42.360 00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:42.360 00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:42.360 00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:42.360 00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:42.360 00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:42.360