WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.600 I, my kids and I love Harry Potter. 00:00:03.419 --> 00:00:05.660 There's a lot of things to love about the story, 00:00:05.879 --> 00:00:08.060 but one of the things that I love about Harry Potter 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:13.120 is that Harry starts out and spends the first part of his life 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:14.660 living in the world of the muggles. 00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:19.580 And of course, the muggle world is a non-magical world. 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:24.800 It's the world that you can see, taste, touch, hear, feel, 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:26.519 but there's nothing beyond it. 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:30.679 And then one day a letter arrives in the mail. 00:00:31.219 --> 00:00:33.880 And of course, Harry's not allowed to read that letter. 00:00:33.979 --> 00:00:36.439 And so more letters come and more letters come and more letters come 00:00:36.439 --> 00:00:41.159 until finally Harry is able to open the envelope and read the letter. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:46.939 And that letter reveals to Harry this entirely new world, 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:51.060 a world that he didn't know existed right in the midst of his own world. 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:53.219 Turns out the muggles are wrong. 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:56.560 And the world is actually an enchanted place. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:00:59.560 And there are great cosmic forces at work. 00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:02.019 And there is a great unfolding story. 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:05.480 And Harry is invited to join in and become part of that story. 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:08.939 And in the very similar kind of way, 00:01:09.299 --> 00:01:13.039 I think in the postmodern West, we live in the muggle world. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:15.379 It's a disenchanted world. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:19.599 It's a world that is limited only to sensory experience. 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:22.379 And as we look at the book of Revelation, 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:24.379 which we're going to be looking at this morning, 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:28.379 this is a letter that has crossed space and time. 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:31.439 It has come through centuries upon centuries. 00:01:32.479 --> 00:01:36.459 But as we receive this letter and we open this letter, 00:01:37.179 --> 00:01:40.819 it reveals to us a world within our own world, 00:01:41.419 --> 00:01:44.459 but an enchanted world full of cosmic forces 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:49.060 with a great unfolding story that we're invited to take part in. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:55.359 And the nature of Revelation is that it is apocalyptic literature. 00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:59.840 And this is not the kind of book that is about being clairvoyant 00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:02.240 and predicting a distant future. 00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:05.060 This is rather a book that reveals to us 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:08.740 the truth of the world that we live in here and now. 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:13.840 It peels back the veil and shows us the enchanted world 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:15.800 in the midst of the muggle world. 00:02:16.480 --> 00:02:18.020 And so that's what we're going to be looking at. 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:18.960 It's Easter Sunday. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:23.120 And so it's only fitting that we look at Revelation chapter 1 together, 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:27.260 perhaps one of the greatest resurrection passages in all of the Bible. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:32.500 And this opening chapter reveals the risen Christ. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:36.539 And what we get to see in this is Jesus as he truly is. 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:41.379 And he's no longer the pale Galilean. 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:50.379 He is a towering, formidable, fearsome king with blazing eyes 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:52.099 who will not be managed. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:59.340 And it's very important that we as Christians see Jesus as he truly is. 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:06.819 Because John was writing to churches that were facing or would soon face severe persecution. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:10.879 I don't know if we can relate to that. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:14.919 But certainly our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka can relate to that. 00:03:15.479 --> 00:03:20.239 You may have seen the news this morning that the Easter celebrations in Sri Lanka 00:03:20.239 --> 00:03:23.579 in some of the churches were interrupted by bomb blasts. 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:26.259 And nearly 200 people were killed. 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:31.099 Most of them Christians gathered for Easter Sunday worship exactly like we are here. 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:34.859 And so if you're a Christian and you know that God has called us 00:03:34.859 --> 00:03:37.120 not only to endure that kind of suffering and persecution, 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:39.340 but to actually love our enemies, 00:03:39.699 --> 00:03:42.340 then we need reassurance. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:47.879 And the towering, fearsome personage of the risen Christ 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:52.139 reminds Christians everywhere that Jesus is still firmly in control 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:55.280 even when it doesn't seem that he is anywhere near. 00:03:55.959 --> 00:03:58.019 So we don't have a lot of time this morning. 00:03:58.020 --> 00:04:02.180 About half the kids in this church are going to get baptized in just a minute. 00:04:02.640 --> 00:04:05.340 And so that's not really an exaggeration. 00:04:05.420 --> 00:04:06.900 There's going to be a bunch of kids down here. 00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:10.260 So we really don't have a lot of time this morning. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:12.920 And so we're just going to look at a couple of things from chapter 1. 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:17.120 What we're going to see is this, that as Jesus is revealed, 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:23.960 we also learn about the relationship that Jesus has with his word and his church. 00:04:23.959 --> 00:04:28.459 So we're going to see the truth about the relationship between Jesus and his word 00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:30.199 and Jesus and his church. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:30.819 Let's pray. 00:04:32.859 --> 00:04:36.099 Lord, Heavenly Father, you are risen from death. 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:39.039 You hold the keys of death and Hades in your hands. 00:04:39.859 --> 00:04:43.139 And Lord, we know that you are knowable, 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:46.139 that you desire for us to know you. 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:49.919 And so we pray that you would, Lord, reveal yourself to us 00:04:49.919 --> 00:04:51.659 even as we open your word together. 00:04:51.660 --> 00:04:53.820 We pray this in your holy name. Amen. 00:04:54.820 --> 00:04:59.120 So first of all, let's look a little bit at the relationship between Jesus and his word. 00:04:59.240 --> 00:05:03.780 In essence, we learn that Jesus is inseparable from his word. 00:05:04.440 --> 00:05:05.740 And by that, I mean this word. 00:05:06.140 --> 00:05:07.160 I mean the written word. 00:05:08.080 --> 00:05:10.100 Jesus is inseparable from his word. 00:05:10.760 --> 00:05:14.060 Revelation opens with John on the Isle of Patmos. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:16.879 Now that sounds like a pretty nice place, doesn't it? 00:05:17.760 --> 00:05:18.240 Patmos? 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:23.319 You think John's had, you know, years as a disciple, done a lot, planted some churches, 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:25.400 and maybe this is his sabbatical. 00:05:25.819 --> 00:05:28.780 Maybe he's on vacation on the beach island of Patmos. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:31.199 But that's not, in fact, what's going on. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:32.639 Patmos is a prison island. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:34.620 John is in exile. 00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:37.800 He's been sent there by the state officials. 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:41.019 Literally, it says that he's on Patmos, quote, 00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:42.879 on account of God's word. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:48.519 So he's being punished for preaching and teaching about Jesus. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:50.159 They said, we've got to get rid of this guy. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:51.699 So it's a prison island. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:57.019 And it makes us wonder, why would the Roman authorities care what John was teaching about Jesus? 00:05:58.099 --> 00:06:00.839 I mean, if you know anything about Rome, Rome was pluralistic. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:06.359 They were very open, like our society in some ways, to all different kinds of religions. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:09.580 So why would John be treated differently? 00:06:09.960 --> 00:06:12.840 Simply because of the religion that he was preaching and teaching. 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:21.500 Well, they cared because they realized that the Easter announcement that Jesus has risen from death is a political threat. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:25.080 And they said, this is no longer a benign religion. 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:29.199 This threatens Roman authority. 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:31.139 And you know what? 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:32.959 Well, they're right. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:35.180 They're right to be afraid. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:37.639 They are right to feel threatened. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:44.959 If Easter is true, what Easter means is that there is a living king who has overcome death, 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:51.639 who is literally called the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, who is Lord of Eternity. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:57.139 And so what that tells us is, no matter who you voted for in the last election, 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:59.979 no matter what you think of our current president, 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:02.839 no matter who you plan to vote for in the coming election, 00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:08.379 the day will come when all human authorities bow down before this king. 00:07:09.099 --> 00:07:10.979 Every human authority is limited. 00:07:11.419 --> 00:07:15.019 And so they're right to perceive Easter as a threat to their power. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:16.599 That's exactly what it is. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:24.439 And it's because of Jesus' words and the teaching and preaching of Jesus' word 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:26.839 that they are so afraid. 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:31.799 And this shows us that Jesus' words matter more than anyone else's words. 00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:33.619 This is why John says in verse 3, 00:07:34.039 --> 00:07:37.699 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:42.719 and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it. 00:07:43.179 --> 00:07:49.739 What this is saying is God's word has the power to bless those who hear and keep it. 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:52.359 If you want God to bless you, hashtag blessed. 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:57.500 If you want God to bless you, hear and keep his word. 00:07:57.580 --> 00:08:01.259 That is the means of God's blessing coming into your life. 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:03.600 And along with this in verse 16, 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:09.660 the word is like a sharp two-edged sword coming out of Jesus' mouth. 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:13.900 The word can divide between righteousness and sin. 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:17.719 The word can divide between truth and falsehood. 00:08:17.799 --> 00:08:21.139 The word can divide between life and death. 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:23.919 So the word of Christ is extremely powerful. 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:26.699 And here's the thing we need to see about the word. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:30.219 The word can be one of two things. 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:33.659 The word can be a sword, 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:40.279 an instrument of war against those who reject the kingdom of God, 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:44.580 or the word can be a surgical knife 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:47.799 that can cut out the tumor of sin 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:53.240 and restore us to being the fully human beings that God created us to be. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:55.860 It can either be a sword or a surgical knife. 00:08:56.799 --> 00:09:02.639 And all of that hinges on how we respond to the claims of Easter. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:04.340 Right? 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:09.180 So right here we're gathered because we believe that Jesus rose from the grave. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:14.080 But it's very tempting when we hear Christian teaching, 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:15.460 when we think about Scripture, 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:17.740 it's very tempting to treat it like advice. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:20.899 You know, like just old advice 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:23.720 that has stood the test of time. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:26.759 You know, so when I need guidance, 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:28.759 I'm going to go talk to my friends. 00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:30.899 I'm going to see what Dan has to say. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:32.820 I'm going to go talk to my wife. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:34.700 And Laura, what do you think that I should do? 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.879 And maybe I have a counselor, 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:37.580 and I'm going to go pay that counselor, 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:39.379 and I'm going to hear what my counselor thinks. 00:09:39.419 --> 00:09:41.240 And then I have maybe a spiritual director, 00:09:41.560 --> 00:09:43.200 and I'm going to go to that spiritual director. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:45.160 And then maybe I'm going to read a few blogs, 00:09:45.300 --> 00:09:46.700 or just kind of Google my problem, 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:49.640 and see what kind of comes up, the top hits. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:52.480 You know, and maybe go on Quora, or something like that. 00:09:52.800 --> 00:09:54.560 And then I'll read the Bible, 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:56.520 and all that kind of goes into the hopper. 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:59.660 And I'll take it all under consideration, 00:10:00.020 --> 00:10:01.620 and then I'll do what I think I need to do. 00:10:02.520 --> 00:10:04.700 And this is the thing we need to see. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:07.860 If Jesus rose from death, as we're claiming he did, 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:11.440 that sets him apart. 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:14.980 And it means that his words matter more than anyone else's words. 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:17.480 And so that means in our lives, 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:22.920 we should listen to every syllable that came out of Jesus' mouth. 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:24.300 Those words are more important 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:27.120 than all the collective wisdom of human beings combined. 00:10:27.380 --> 00:10:28.300 His words matter more. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:34.440 So either every word that Jesus uttered is crucially important, 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:38.140 or Jesus didn't rise from death. 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.100 And here's what I would say. 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:42.120 If that's the case, go home. 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:45.560 There's nothing in Christianity for you. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:48.399 When people say it doesn't matter if he rose, 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:51.320 all that matters is that he rose in your heart, 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:52.899 and we keep the tradition alive, 00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:54.220 that's bogus. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:55.019 No. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:57.720 You don't want to be a Christian if Jesus didn't rise from death. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:59.540 That's what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.860 He says, if Jesus didn't rise bodily from the grave, 00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:03.080 our faith is in vain. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:06.019 Go be some other religion that asks less of you. 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:08.500 Religion asks way too much of you. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:13.720 To be a Christian if Jesus didn't actually rise from death. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:16.440 So either his word matters more than anyone else's words, 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.860 or it doesn't matter at all. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:20.580 The one option that Jesus does not leave on the table 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:25.600 is to take his words as advice. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:28.360 He just simply doesn't give us that option. 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:32.360 And we see in John's response to Jesus, 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:36.659 this is how we are called to respond to Christ in his word. 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:37.360 Verse 17, 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:41.100 when I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:45.460 He submits in reverence 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:48.279 because he recognizes who Jesus really is. 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:50.419 And this is what we do every week when we come. 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:53.039 Even though one of us is up here speaking, 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:55.159 we're all sitting under the word. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.939 And we're submitting to the word 00:11:56.939 --> 00:12:01.079 and we're allowing it to reveal us to ourselves. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.399 So that's the power of the word 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:05.259 and the relationship between Jesus and his word 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.639 is they are inextricable. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.480 They are one. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.319 Now I also want to look at the relationship 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:14.959 that we see in here between Jesus and his church. 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:17.860 Just as inseparable as Jesus is from his word, 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:20.139 he is also inseparable from his church. 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:22.439 And I just want you to listen 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:24.039 to this description of Jesus 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:26.080 in verses 12 through 16. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.019 It says his appearance is like the vision 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:32.559 in the Old Testament book of Daniel. 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.080 And it's a lot like that, 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:35.519 but it's a lot more than that. 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:40.460 He's dressed in a long robe with a golden belt. 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.399 Why would he be dressed in a long robe 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.679 with a golden belt? 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:46.419 He's dressed like a priest. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:49.419 When they see Jesus, he's dressed like a priest. 00:12:50.219 --> 00:12:51.959 He has white hair like wool, 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:54.759 which means he's the pure, spotless, 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:56.379 and what does wool make us think of? 00:12:56.959 --> 00:12:57.899 Lamb of God. 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:01.299 His eyes are like a flame of fire. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:03.379 These are eyes of discernment 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:06.139 and eyes of judgment that see everything. 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:09.699 He has feet like burnished bronze. 00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:12.279 Imagine bronze when it's still glowing hot 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.399 from the furnace. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:16.139 He has glowing bronze feet. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:18.340 This reminds us of the vision 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:20.639 of the statue in the book of Daniel. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.319 But you know, in Daniel's vision 00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:23.659 or Nebuchadnezzar's dream, 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:26.059 there's a statue that represents 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:27.939 all of the empires of the earth, 00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:31.259 but it has crumbly, delicate clay feet. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:34.860 And that shows us that all the greatest empires 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:38.080 in human history are fragile at their foundation 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:39.639 and they will one day crumble. 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:44.500 Whereas Jesus has feet of burnished bronze. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.259 His kingdom will last forever. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.659 You see this description, 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.899 you begin to realize 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:52.279 this is making profound theological statements 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:54.080 about who Jesus really is. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:57.620 From Jesus' mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword, 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.759 which we already talked about. 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:03.039 He holds seven stars in his right hand. 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:07.199 There are seven angels over the church, 00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:10.339 which shows us that Jesus holds authority 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:14.219 in his right hand and cares for his church. 00:14:14.699 --> 00:14:16.240 And that his face is like the sun. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:19.459 What greater Easter image could we have 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:21.179 than a face like a sunrise? 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.500 You know, when you see his face, 00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:25.899 you know that a new day has dawned. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.419 Powerful imagery of Jesus. 00:14:28.599 --> 00:14:29.919 It's breathtaking by itself, 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:31.379 but here's the thing I want you to hear. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:33.379 Here's the thing I want us to get. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.700 There's more going on here. 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.439 Notice in verses 12 and 13, 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:42.600 notice the order, the way this progresses. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:45.240 John first hears the word of Jesus, 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:47.539 and then he turns, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:49.120 and what does he see when he turns? 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.100 Can we get it up on the screen? 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:50.659 Maybe not. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.279 Anybody up there? 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.120 Oh, yes. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.360 If we can, great. 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.299 If not, no worries. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:15:01.259 He turns when he hears the word of Jesus, 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:04.439 but the first thing he sees is not Jesus. 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:08.539 He sees the seven lampstands, 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:10.840 which represent the church. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:15.379 And then only after he sees the seven lampstands, 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:19.019 does he then see, verses 12 and 13, 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:23.580 does he then see the person of Jesus himself? 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.580 And so the seven lampstands, 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.820 which represent the seven churches in Asia, 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:30.020 that's the first thing that he lays eyes on. 00:15:30.420 --> 00:15:30.960 And, you know, 00:15:31.660 --> 00:15:33.139 I think this is very encouraging. 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:35.800 As a pastor, this is encouraging for me 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:41.500 because we've been going in our church already 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:44.580 looking at the letters that Jesus then writes to his churches, 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:46.420 and they're very imperfect. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.180 And spoiler alert, 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:50.080 our church is very imperfect as well. 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:51.020 You may not know that. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.860 I know you think it's perfect. 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.199 It's not. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:57.079 There are a lot of issues with every church. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.600 The church is extremely flawed 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:00.079 because it's full of people. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.579 I mean, no offense, 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:03.980 but people like us, 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:04.939 people like me, 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:08.819 mean that the church is always going to be flawed, 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:09.600 deeply flawed. 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:11.139 There's always going to be deep issues 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.860 in any church. 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.579 And yet what we see here is 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:18.240 Jesus is to be found with his church. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:20.639 He's with his church. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:22.399 He's in the midst of his churches. 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:27.680 And we'll see that Jesus has a lot of hard things to say to his church, 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.240 but nevertheless, 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.560 he's with his church. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.980 He's not abandoned his church. 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:33.980 That's where you find the presence of Christ. 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:36.440 And this is not only a pattern in Revelation, 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:39.899 but it's a pattern that you see in the life of all of God's people. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.560 If you want to see Jesus, 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:42.759 if you want to know Jesus, 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.220 look to the church. 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:46.540 You look to the church. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.680 This is the relationship between Jesus and his church. 00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:55.500 As the church acts like a lampstand 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:58.120 and upholds and shines forth 00:16:58.120 --> 00:17:00.420 the light of Christ, 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:06.000 so Christ dwells with and is present in his church. 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:10.799 And this is made even more explicit in verse 15. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:15.740 It describes his voice as being like the roar of many waters. 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:16.139 You say, 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.319 what does that have to do with anything? 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.440 I've never seen this before. 00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:23.259 You see this language show up in Ezekiel, 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:28.159 but you also see it show up in Revelation 14 and Revelation 19. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.680 Now here's what I want you to see. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.039 In the opening chapter of Revelation, 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:37.180 Jesus' voice is described as the roaring of many waters. 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:39.120 But then later in Revelation, 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.080 two more times, 00:17:40.600 --> 00:17:42.380 the same description is used, 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:43.620 the roaring of many waters, 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:46.180 but it's not being used to describe Jesus' voice. 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:50.019 It's being used to describe the voices of the saints, 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:55.120 of the gathered saints from across time and space 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:58.920 who are joined together in prayer and praise, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:01.160 singing to the Lamb of God. 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.060 Same description. 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:07.039 And what we're meant to draw from that is a connection. 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:09.159 I'll put it plainly. 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:13.139 Do you want to hear the voice of the risen Christ? 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.579 Audibly. 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:19.819 Listen to the church gathered in prayer. 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:24.919 Listen to the church confessing our faith as one. 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:28.519 Listen to the church singing together. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:34.099 It's not simply for our own enjoyment that we gather every Sunday 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:38.019 to take part in the liturgy and the worship and the prayer 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.879 and the singing that we do here. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:43.379 The voice of the risen Christ 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:45.819 is the voice of the saints. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:49.039 It is when all of us gather together 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:53.440 and in the interplay of melody and harmony, 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:57.860 all of our voices converge into one united voice. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:19:00.400 That is the voice of the risen Christ. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:02.019 If you want to hear the voice of Christ, 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:05.820 listen to His bride as she praises Him. 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:09.400 So what we're meant to see 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:13.460 is that there is an inextricable connection 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:16.000 between Christ and His church. 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:18.200 And what Revelation is telling us is this, 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:20.779 that Jesus is not just with His church, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.180 He is His church. 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:24.580 He is in His church. 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:26.880 They are one and the same. 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:28.700 And the great promise of the gospel 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:32.120 is that Jesus and His church would become one 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:34.759 like the bride and the groom of eternity 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:37.400 and that we will be in every way like Him. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:37.759 And you say, 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:40.420 well, what does it mean to be in every way like Him? 00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:42.539 Read the description that we read earlier. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.360 Right? 00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:46.019 The hair of purity, 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:48.420 the blazing eyes of discernment and judgment. 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:48.700 Right? 00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:50.680 This is the description that we can one day 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.980 apply to God's people. 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:54.620 And of course, 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:57.019 the very same John who wrote Revelation 00:19:57.019 --> 00:20:00.000 in his epistle said the very thing 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.060 that we're talking about. 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:01.360 He said, 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:01.840 Beloved, 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.700 we are God's children now 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:06.200 and what we'll be like has not yet appeared, 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:08.340 but we know that when He appears, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:10.200 we shall be like Him 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:13.560 because we shall see Him as He is. 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.440 That's what we see in Revelation. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:19.559 So here's the invitation for us this Easter. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:22.000 Jesus is risen. 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.940 And if you want to know the risen Christ 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.320 as He truly is, 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:28.380 not as you might imagine Him being, 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.840 not a figment of our own creativity, 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:33.559 but if you want to know the true risen Christ, 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.779 listen to His word 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:38.660 and look to His church. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.519 That is where you will find Him 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:43.279 because that is where He is 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:45.359 because He is inseparable from both. 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.039 Let's pray. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.119 And if you want to know the next day. 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.639 Let's pray. 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:47.960 Let's pray. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.379 Let's pray. 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:48.680 Let's pray. 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:48.920 Let's pray. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.039 Let's pray. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.920 Let's pray. 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:50.940 So let's pray. 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:51.920 Let's pray. 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:59.960 Let's pray. 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:05.059 Let's pray. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.339 Let's pray. 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:06.639 Let's pray. 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.859 Let's pray. 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.819 Let's pray. 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.700 Openfeel. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.619 Let's pray. 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.200 Okay. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.859 Let's pray. 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:13.420 Let's pray. 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:13.980 Let's pray. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.099 Let's pray. 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.279 Let's pray. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.039 Let's pray.