WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:01.980 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:03.220 --> 00:00:08.599 Isn't that a lovely phrase, faultless stand before the throne? 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:10.939 That's a lovely phrase. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:15.800 Will you pray with me as we come to God's Word? 00:00:20.539 --> 00:00:27.800 Our Father, we thank you that you're a God who speaks hope to us. 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:35.520 Lord, we thank you that our hope is not wishful thinking, 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:40.760 but it is grounded in your Son's death and resurrection. 00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:46.100 Thank you that we have such a solid place to stand. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:52.260 Lord, I pray that for those who are burdened by their sin, 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:57.420 that you would speak into their hearts this morning. 00:00:58.239 --> 00:01:02.559 And assure them that they are yours and washed. 00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:09.479 Lord, for those of us who are just going along with the ways of the world 00:01:09.479 --> 00:01:14.060 and not caring about you, I pray that you would convict us. 00:01:16.219 --> 00:01:19.299 Lord, for those who are suffering and just burdened, 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:26.799 I pray that you would renew us with just such a bright picture of what is to come. 00:01:27.679 --> 00:01:28.780 Lord, please speak to us. 00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:31.399 We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:37.540 Well, think ahead to this coming week. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:41.640 What are some good things that could happen? 00:01:43.360 --> 00:01:45.620 So I want you to start listing them in your head. 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:47.600 What are some good things that could happen? 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:59.219 Now, what would be the best thing that could happen? 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:06.299 Do you feel like I'm trying to trap you? 00:02:06.599 --> 00:02:08.620 You know this sermon is about heaven. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:13.219 I'm not trying to trap you. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:16.200 What else is your heart going to? 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:17.200 What are you thinking of? 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:24.979 I wonder if anyone here thought about winning the Powerball. 00:02:25.899 --> 00:02:28.539 $150 million last week. 00:02:28.539 --> 00:02:34.959 I'm not encouraging that, by the way. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:38.139 Did anyone think of a new car? 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:40.699 I'm looking forward to a new laptop. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:44.919 My current one takes two attempts to start up. 00:02:45.979 --> 00:02:50.919 I can't be too harsh on it because it takes me two attempts to start up in the morning. 00:02:53.799 --> 00:02:58.019 Would the best thing this week be if you met the love of your life? 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:03.500 Reconciling that strange relationship. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:07.919 Is it something to do with your kids or grandkids? 00:03:09.959 --> 00:03:11.759 Getting that home loan approved. 00:03:12.299 --> 00:03:15.539 Passing those exams that are keeping you up at night. 00:03:17.359 --> 00:03:18.500 Being on holidays. 00:03:24.079 --> 00:03:27.939 Maybe some thought of their anxiety or depression being lifted. 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:36.439 Maybe you even thought the best thing is if you died and went to be with the Lord. 00:03:39.239 --> 00:03:41.719 Maybe you thought of your loved one. 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:44.879 That they would come to Christ. 00:03:46.299 --> 00:03:47.359 And have life. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:58.760 I wonder, was your first thought, the best thing that could happen this week is if Jesus turned up. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:02.440 And I saw him face to face. 00:04:03.720 --> 00:04:07.800 And his idea of heaven on earth was put into full effect. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:18.079 For those of us who belong to Christ, when we stop and think about it, we genuinely do desire this, don't we? 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:19.100 We really do. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:21.780 It is our deepest desire. 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:33.359 But why is the future that our Father has promised us, the future that Christ died to give us, 00:04:33.559 --> 00:04:36.619 the future that the Holy Spirit is preparing us for, 00:04:36.739 --> 00:04:43.359 why doesn't it flood our hearts with an all-consuming desire? 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:51.840 I suspect the answer is, Jesus' words, where your treasure is, there your heart is also. 00:04:56.100 --> 00:05:00.160 Whatever else your heart cherishes more than our future with Christ, 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:04.759 that thing will actually make the idea of heaven unappealing. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:17.699 How do we replace a lesser love with a greater love? 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:19.680 We do that. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:25.839 Thomas Chalmers calls it the expulsive power of a new affection. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:31.360 You get rid of one affection by replacing it with a greater affection. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:45.519 But perhaps part of the problem is that it's just your own imaginary ideas of heaven that you find unappealing. 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:51.500 Whatever the case is, if you're loving something else more than Christ, 00:05:52.099 --> 00:05:58.300 or if you've got just a wrong idea of heaven, the solution's the same. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:00.319 We need to listen to what God says. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:02.219 What is our future hope? 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:02.920 What is it? 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:04.539 What are we looking forward to? 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:05.759 What is it? 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:09.839 So we're finishing our series in God's words, 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:16.199 and it's only fitting that we listen to God's final word in the Bible in Revelation 21 and 22, 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:18.839 and it is a word of hope. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:24.180 Isn't it great that God's final word to us is hope? 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:37.259 In Revelation 21 and 22, God shows the Apostle John a vision of the eternal age to come. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:44.680 It is full of imagery, but it's not a photograph of what it's literally going to be like. 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:49.180 And it's also not a riddle that you have to solve. 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:56.259 Every sentence is just jam-packed with stuff from the Old Testament. 00:06:56.259 --> 00:07:01.259 It's a picture upon picture. 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:08.599 It's a picture upon picture, mixing metaphors, looking at the same thing from multiple angles to give us a theological picture. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:14.939 So what are we about to see? 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:20.300 What is the end point for all God's work of creating and sustaining the world, 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:25.600 speaking and revealing himself, redeeming through the blood of Christ in his resurrection, 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:29.620 sanctifying his church, judging the world and sin and Satan? 00:07:29.760 --> 00:07:30.939 What is God's goal? 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:35.800 What's his end point that he is determined to achieve? 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:36.719 What's he doing? 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:37.540 Where are we going? 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:45.180 We can't cover it all, but we're going to focus on five things. 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:47.959 We're going to see a new heaven and a new earth. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:54.519 We're going to see the church as the bride. 00:07:54.519 --> 00:08:01.339 The bride, the bride adorned for her husband. 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:08.560 The best thing, we're going to see his face. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:15.839 What we won't see is any curse anymore. 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:23.819 And because we won't see anything that can wreck it, it will be forever. 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:31.219 Then we'll finish by asking a few questions. 00:08:31.359 --> 00:08:34.159 How can I be sure that this is my future? 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:38.919 How can we be sure that he really is coming? 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:42.899 And what are we called to do until he comes? 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:53.799 Have you been to both a Christian and a non-Christian funeral? 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.360 Is there a difference? 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:03.819 Did you sense a massive difference? 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:06.600 Hope. 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:06.659 Hope. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:16.240 As Christians, we take deep comfort in the fact that we will be with our Lord, 00:09:17.579 --> 00:09:19.860 freed from the agony of this world. 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:24.159 There's enormous comfort in this. 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:29.539 But is that what we're meant to be looking forward to? 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:32.620 Is that the end point? 00:09:33.339 --> 00:09:35.519 It's good, but is it the end point? 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:44.019 Did Jesus rise from the dead so that we could be with him in a spiritual, 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:46.299 bodiless existence in heaven? 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:53.099 Verse 1 is God's end point. 00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:55.199 All these chapters. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.079 Verse 1. 00:09:56.079 --> 00:10:00.679 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:05.639 For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:12.500 God's goal for creation is not that we escape it, 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:19.080 but that his original purposes will be fully and finally realized. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:21.879 Verse 5. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:25.220 And he who was seated on the throne said, 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:29.740 Behold, look, I am making all things new. 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:30.980 And he said to me, 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:32.779 It is done. 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:39.240 On the seventh day of creation, it is finished. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:43.460 God's purposes. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:49.539 At the completion of King Solomon's temple in Jerusalem in the Promised Land, 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.960 it is finished. 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:58.600 As Jesus draws his last breath, dying on the cross for your sin, 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:00.919 before rising to new life, 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:03.039 it is finished. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:09.419 And we're looking forward to when God says for the very last time, 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:13.179 when he resurrects heaven and earth, 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.659 resurrects our bodies, 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.219 it is finished. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.219 If you're wondering what heaven will be like, 00:11:27.319 --> 00:11:28.099 go for a walk. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:32.080 Look at the stars. 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:35.320 Feel the breeze. 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.620 Roll in the grass. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:40.320 Make angels in the grass. 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:43.360 That's what we're encouraged to do at college. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.060 Smell the flowers. 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:50.500 Eat some freshly baked bread. 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:57.500 Imagine, if you can, 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.120 nothing ruining it. 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:03.299 It's a new heaven and a new earth. 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:08.840 But before we get too obsessed with the place itself, 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:13.200 we have to focus our attention on what God is looking forward to most of all. 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:15.440 And surprisingly, perhaps, 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:19.560 the majority of Revelation 21 and 22 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:23.340 is about the church. 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:29.140 Verse 2, 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:40.500 When you attend a wedding, 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:42.779 and the bride, in all her beauty, 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:44.259 shining and glimmering, 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:45.539 walks down the aisle, 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:47.319 do you take a look at the groom 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:49.759 to see his reaction? 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:53.759 Now, some men don't cry. 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.819 I cannot claim to be one of those men. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:59.939 But this moment is too powerful 00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:01.679 and overwhelms a lot of guys. 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:05.899 When a husband's beloved is presented 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:08.500 in all her glory and all for him, 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:13.159 all the preparation has been leading to this moment. 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:17.019 They are on the brink of uniting forever. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:22.439 What's God's goal? 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:25.220 What's history moving towards? 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:29.699 The permanent union of Christ and his beloved, the church. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:36.819 Tom Wright calls it the marriage of heaven and earth. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:44.899 This picture of the bride is zoomed in on 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:46.539 from verse 9 onwards. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.259 The angel says to John, 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:51.179 Come, I will show you the bride, 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.620 the wife of the Lamb. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.500 And what has he shown? 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.740 A city. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:00.860 So don't picture a city wearing a wedding dress. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:03.000 Mixing metaphors, remember. 00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:05.439 It's the New Jerusalem. 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:09.299 It's the place God has chosen to live with his people. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.559 The place where God's name is. 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:15.439 We're not going to go into all the details, 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:17.919 but if you skim these verses or read them later on, 00:14:17.979 --> 00:14:21.699 you see all the precious jewels in the streets are gold. 00:14:22.099 --> 00:14:24.339 God's church will be beautiful. 00:14:26.239 --> 00:14:26.719 Precious. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.159 In God's sight. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.119 No blemish whatsoever. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.359 Holy. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:40.600 You might be tempted to think that the church is ugly now. 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.139 It's just getting ready. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.519 It's still in preparation. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:50.279 It's going to sparkle. 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:57.379 The city is made up of all the people of God 00:14:57.379 --> 00:15:00.319 from north, south, east and west. 00:15:00.439 --> 00:15:01.299 All the world. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.259 People from all the world. 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.819 The gates are always open 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:09.100 because there's nothing to threaten it 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:12.240 from the outside or from within the church. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:14.580 Nothing threatening it anymore. 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.340 No Satan. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.500 No sinful desires. 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:21.080 No divisions in the church. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:24.940 But the church, finally holy. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:28.159 United as one bride, 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:31.799 giving all her affection to her one husband. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.740 Jesus Christ. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:36.259 It's relational imagery, isn't it? 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:38.620 It's purity language. 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:44.299 And it's not like the church being united to Jesus 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:47.620 is approaching something like marriage. 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.519 It's the other way around. 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:53.620 Marriage is just a small taste 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:56.720 of what the real and the permanent thing will be like. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:04.080 Perhaps the most important feature of this city 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.659 is that it's a cube. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:10.839 2,000 kilometers in length and width and height. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:13.259 That's a bit weird, isn't it? 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.839 A bit random. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:21.019 There's only one other thing in the Bible that is a cube. 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:22.879 Do you remember what it is? 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.579 I didn't. 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:29.519 Someone had to tell me this week. 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:33.419 The Holy of Holies. 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:38.079 The innermost part of the temple 00:16:38.079 --> 00:16:40.059 where God's presence is. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.699 The closest you can get to God. 00:16:44.339 --> 00:16:46.360 And so, of course, John doesn't see a temple. 00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:49.339 There is no temple in the future 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:53.000 because God is immediately with us. 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.659 We don't need the picture anymore. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.579 We've got the real thing. 00:16:55.959 --> 00:16:56.479 The church. 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.299 God dwelling in his church. 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.339 The Holy of Holies. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:03.019 That's what we're looking forward to. 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:05.000 The marriage of heaven and earth. 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.420 Verse 6. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:16.180 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 00:17:16.300 --> 00:17:16.940 Behold, 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:20.840 the dwelling place of God is with man. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:23.800 He will dwell with them and they will be his people. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.960 And God himself 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:29.560 will be with them as their God. 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:35.399 The greatest thing we lost at the fall of humanity 00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:36.399 was not paradise. 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.119 It was God's presence. 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:41.940 At Mount Sinai, 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:46.619 God offered Israel to be their God 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:48.700 and they would be his treasured possession. 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:51.700 He would dwell with them in the tabernacle 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.500 and in the temple. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:55.900 But what happened then? 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:59.099 Even while the wedding documents, 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:01.220 the covenant was being signed 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.539 with Moses on the mountain, 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:05.480 the people are down below committing adultery, 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:07.740 giving their affections to other gods. 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:15.140 But God is committed to his plan. 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.700 And unlike Moses, 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:20.779 who had to be hidden behind a rock 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:22.960 to see only the back of God 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.079 and only for a moment, 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:30.039 soon God will come to earth 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:34.740 and make his home with us forever. 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:39.619 The best thing about our future, 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.639 your future, 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.980 is summed up in 22 verse 4. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:47.000 They will see his face. 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:54.220 I think we get a sense 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.399 of what this will be like 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:57.700 with those YouTube videos. 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.859 Not just any YouTube video, 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.899 but where there's the little girl 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:06.639 and her father is a soldier in the army 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:09.660 and he's been deployed overseas for years. 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:12.339 And although she has the security 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.619 of living in the house 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.980 and food and clothing, 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.359 although she's received letters from her dad 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.319 while he's been away, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.980 messages from him, 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:23.299 you watch those videos. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:26.079 That day when he enters their home 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:29.539 and the little girl sees her father's face, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:32.259 the joy is overwhelming. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.980 We will see his face. 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:42.460 Our father will be home with us on earth. 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:50.860 Our hope is not so much 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:53.360 that we are waiting for a place. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:55.480 That'll be excellent. 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.840 That's part of it. 00:19:57.840 --> 00:20:00.660 But the main thing we're looking forward to 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:02.400 is a person. 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:08.059 Our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.900 dwelling with us. 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:12.860 We will see his face. 00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:20.740 Em and I were in Barabah, 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:24.480 a farming town past Townworth two years ago. 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:28.759 It was only a short time into the drought. 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.200 And we saw cows so skinny 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.680 that, you know, you can see their ribs. 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:37.920 And we saw them gathered around 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.120 what used to be a dam, 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:41.180 but it's just this puddle of dirty water. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:48.460 And there's a saying that we heard up there, 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.600 which is a pretty disturbing thing, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:52.600 but you've got to understand first 00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:54.660 that farmers love their animals 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:57.880 way more than people in the city can understand. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.680 They really love their animals. 00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:02.100 But there's a saying in rural towns 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:03.080 that during drought, 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:05.960 farmers buy enough bullets 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:08.940 for each of their animals plus one. 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:11.819 It is that devastating. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:18.400 While being shouted to dinner 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:21.319 by such a faithful Christian 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:23.299 cattle farming family, 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.880 it started to rain. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.940 It was only a sprinkle, 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.519 but gee, it was exciting. 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.019 It was so exciting. 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.519 It was just a sprinkle. 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.220 They need a lot more. 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.559 At the moment, 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.720 our bodies, 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.920 our relationships, 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.200 our society, 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.079 our earth 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.359 are under God's curse 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:47.279 for our refusal 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.460 to let God be God. 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:52.160 We live in a kind 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.400 of spiritual drought, 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.740 lacking the knowledge 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.819 and presence of God. 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:02.180 But we see in chapter 22 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:05.279 the river of the water of life, 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.320 bright as crystal, 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:08.840 flowing from the throne of God 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.700 and of the Lamb 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:11.120 through the middle 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.320 of the street of the city. 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:14.340 Also on either side of the river, 00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:15.600 the tree of life 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:17.980 with its 12 kinds of fruit, 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:19.880 yielding its fruit each month. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.100 The leaves of the tree 00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.980 were for the healing 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.720 of the nations. 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.740 No longer will there be 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.720 anything accursed. 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:34.000 He will wipe 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.519 every tear 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.900 from their eyes. 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.079 And death 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.819 shall be no more. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:48.500 Neither shall there be mourning 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.600 nor crying 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.200 nor pain 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.799 anymore 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.200 for the former things 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.259 have passed away. 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.819 Every time you are brought 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.559 to tears 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.440 by this world, 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.799 brought to tears 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.159 by your own sinfulness, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.559 brought to tears 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:03.000 by broken relationships, 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.139 brought to tears 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:04.960 by the curse 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.079 just impacting 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:06.819 everything. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.679 And you wipe away 00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:10.139 your tears. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.700 Remember, 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.359 remember, 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.240 use it as a 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.179 memory device. 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.779 When you wipe away 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.339 your tears, 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.940 He will wipe away 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.519 your tears 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.519 one day. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.659 He Himself will. 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:27.460 every single tear. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.660 No more doubts 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:34.140 about God's love 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.480 for us. 00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:35.160 No more 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.420 sensing God's 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:36.980 displeasure. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.740 Can you imagine it? 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.560 No more accusations 00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.420 from Satan. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.340 No more temptation 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:46.700 from the sinful world 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.160 around us. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.120 No more temptation 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:49.540 from our sinful desires 00:23:49.540 --> 00:23:50.400 inside. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:52.300 No more mixed motives 00:23:52.300 --> 00:23:53.200 for what we do. 00:23:53.540 --> 00:23:54.720 No more burdensome 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.300 duties 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:56.920 that end up fruitless. 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.519 No more 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.280 division 00:24:00.280 --> 00:24:02.960 or arguments 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.759 in the church. 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.480 No more 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.140 carrying the sufferings 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.700 of our brothers 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.320 and sisters. 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.080 No more 00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:09.140 of our own suffering. 00:24:09.560 --> 00:24:10.580 No more being alone. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.560 No more fear 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.300 of dying. 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.320 Can you 00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:15.720 imagine it? 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.759 Our world 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.600 doesn't need 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.240 a little bit 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.800 of fixing, 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:19.620 a bit more 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.219 evolution, 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:20.799 a bit more 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.319 progress. 00:24:21.479 --> 00:24:21.799 It doesn't 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.359 need that. 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.139 It needs 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.739 the curse 00:24:24.739 --> 00:24:25.219 lifted 00:24:25.219 --> 00:24:28.019 to be renewed 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:31.419 into immortality, 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.539 to be filled 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.159 with God 00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.500 Himself. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.839 And that's 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.179 what God 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:36.879 promises us. 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:43.960 how joyful 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.500 is it 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:44.900 to hear 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.440 the news 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.420 that Catherine's 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.360 bowel surgery 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:49.480 was successful 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.900 and got rid 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.520 of the cancer. 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:55.800 That's such a relief 00:24:55.800 --> 00:24:56.360 hearing that. 00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:58.220 Such joy 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.900 hearing that, 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.280 isn't it? 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:04.180 praise God 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.859 for His mercy. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.639 Do you know 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.039 what will be 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.779 even better? 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.460 That's pretty 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:13.759 good. 00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:15.559 Do you know 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:15.859 what will be 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.619 even better? 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.200 Is if this 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.839 week Jesus 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.440 turns up 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.079 and Catherine 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:23.399 is raised, 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.440 her whole body 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.119 raised to be 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.739 like Christ 00:25:26.739 --> 00:25:28.239 and together 00:25:28.239 --> 00:25:28.839 with us 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.500 we see 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.099 His face. 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.500 If external 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.219 enemies are 00:25:42.219 --> 00:25:42.719 gone, 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:44.899 if the church 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.319 is made 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.199 holy from 00:25:46.199 --> 00:25:46.579 within, 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:47.919 if God's 00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:49.000 presence fills 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.559 the earth 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.279 and His will 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.919 is done on 00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.539 earth as it 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.039 is in heaven, 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:52.719 if death 00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.359 and corruption 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.539 are dead, 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:58.759 then we 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.319 will reign 00:25:59.319 --> 00:25:59.839 with Christ 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.299 on the earth 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.599 forever. 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.119 It is 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.879 permanent. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.779 But don't 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.279 confuse 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.920 permanent 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:12.720 with static. 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.299 I think 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:17.059 sometimes 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.019 we can be 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.619 put off 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:20.200 by the idea 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.559 of heaven 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.059 because we 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.460 think of it 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.279 as static. 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.639 We're just 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.039 doing the 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.740 same thing 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.299 over and 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.539 over. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:25.899 Like, 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:26.599 you know 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.240 those songs 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.619 with the 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.259 bridge that 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.879 just repeats 00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:29.700 just a few 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.119 too many 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.619 times? 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.399 But for 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.920 eternity? 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:33.399 Are you 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:33.839 kidding me? 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:34.799 I think 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.359 sometimes we 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:35.839 think like 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.200 that in 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.480 terms of 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.700 heaven. 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.720 Have you 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.299 seen the 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.619 variety of 00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.099 this world 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:43.399 lately? 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.779 The different 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.440 beauties? 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.659 The difference 00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:51.220 between the 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.940 blue mountains 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.140 mountains, 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.720 to the 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.299 beauty of 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.519 Lake 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.080 Macquarie, 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.420 to the 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:55.880 beauty of 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.360 the sand 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:56.700 dunes, 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.779 it's just 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.980 so diverse. 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:00.860 Have you 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.380 got sick of 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:01.940 listening to 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.640 music lately? 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:05.440 You might 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:05.820 get sick of 00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.220 a certain 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.640 song, but 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:06.880 have you 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.440 got sick of 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.880 listening to 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:09.259 music? 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.320 Have you 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.120 got tired of 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.039 spending time 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.559 with loved 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.100 ones? 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:17.519 have you 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.279 got tired of 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.159 discovering new 00:27:19.159 --> 00:27:19.619 truth? 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.059 There's an 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.199 eternal depth 00:27:26.199 --> 00:27:26.740 to knowing 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.159 who God 00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:27.579 is, and 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.079 so it's a 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.399 good thing 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:28.839 we've got an 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.639 eternity to 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:31.059 get to know 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.240 him. 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:34.559 There's 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.279 nothing in 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:36.000 God's idea 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.599 of the future 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.599 that suggests 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.319 it's static. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.740 It's very 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:43.219 dynamic, but 00:27:43.219 --> 00:27:43.839 it is forever. 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:46.319 it's 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.759 permanent. 00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.199 God's 00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:51.099 final word 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.619 of hope 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.339 to us is 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:52.799 a new 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.500 heaven and 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.919 a new 00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:54.339 earth. 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:55.919 The 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:56.619 bride 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:59.099 in holy 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.579 beauty, 00:28:01.219 --> 00:28:01.779 seeing 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.699 his face. 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.659 You 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:05.980 won't have 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.819 to put up 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.199 with my 00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:07.679 face up 00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:07.819 here. 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:08.139 You'll 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.740 see him 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:13.240 without 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.679 any 00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.139 curse 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.300 forever. 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.600 The 00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:18.259 marriage of 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.680 heaven and 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:19.759 earth, is 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.420 that not 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.920 the best 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.400 thing that 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:21.820 could happen 00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:22.360 this week? 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.120 Well, this 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:35.740 picture of 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.660 our hope, we're 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.280 left with a few 00:28:37.280 --> 00:28:37.820 questions. 00:28:38.020 --> 00:28:38.660 Firstly, how 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.540 can I be 00:28:39.540 --> 00:28:40.200 sure that 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.920 this is my 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:41.320 future? 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:45.460 verse 6, God 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.480 identifies who 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.079 will receive 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.720 this future. 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.099 To the 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:52.839 thirsty, I 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.519 will give 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.000 from the 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.639 spring of 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:55.179 the water 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:55.899 of life 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.480 without 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.240 payment. 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.700 This is an 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:01.019 echo of the 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.099 gospel invitation 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.139 in Isaiah 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:03.679 51. 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.700 Come, 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:05.759 come, 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:08.039 come, everyone 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.899 who thirsts, 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.619 come to the 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.539 waters, and 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.059 he who has 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.959 no money, come 00:29:11.959 --> 00:29:12.599 buy and 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.500 eat, come 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.559 buy wine and 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.339 milk without 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:16.439 money and 00:29:16.439 --> 00:29:17.339 without price. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.519 Why do you 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.259 spend your 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.919 money for that 00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.799 which is not 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:23.579 bread, and 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.539 your labour for 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.359 that which does 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:26.199 not satisfy? 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.959 Listen diligently 00:29:27.959 --> 00:29:29.199 to me, and eat 00:29:29.199 --> 00:29:30.059 what is good, and 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.019 delight yourselves 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:32.359 in rich food. 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:32.419 food. 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:35.859 It is the 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.839 one who, like 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.639 the Samaritan 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.539 woman at the 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:40.159 well, has no 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:41.000 payment, no 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.859 righteousness of 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.359 her own to 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.839 offer, but who 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.740 believes and 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.740 receives the 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.359 living water. 00:29:49.719 --> 00:29:50.479 That's who 00:29:50.479 --> 00:29:53.359 will be there. 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.719 Are you 00:29:55.719 --> 00:29:56.219 thirsty? 00:29:56.219 --> 00:29:58.240 Have you come 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.859 to Christ? 00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:01.039 another picture 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.659 of the same 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.399 answer is given 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:03.039 at the end of 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.579 this chapter. 00:30:04.219 --> 00:30:05.359 Nothing unclean 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:06.639 will enter into 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.959 this future, but 00:30:07.959 --> 00:30:09.259 only those who 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.519 are written in 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.419 the Lamb's 00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:12.459 book of life. 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:17.039 The Lamb who 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.039 was slain for 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:21.019 our sins, who 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:22.219 drank the cup of 00:30:22.219 --> 00:30:24.279 God's wrath so 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.899 that we get to 00:30:24.899 --> 00:30:25.740 drink the cup of 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.119 blessing. 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:26.219 nothing. 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:30.259 If you come to 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.459 Jesus with no 00:30:31.459 --> 00:30:32.419 currency of your 00:30:32.419 --> 00:30:35.399 own, but if you 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:36.739 thirst for true 00:30:36.739 --> 00:30:38.359 life and come to 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.399 him to receive 00:30:39.399 --> 00:30:41.719 it, then your 00:30:41.719 --> 00:30:43.000 name is permanently 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.000 written in the 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.799 Lamb's book of 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.139 life. 00:30:51.139 --> 00:30:52.279 So are you 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.859 thirsty? 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:52.919 Are you thirsty? 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:58.199 Are you 00:30:58.199 --> 00:30:59.839 dissatisfied with 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.679 what this world 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:01.519 has to offer? 00:31:05.199 --> 00:31:06.500 Do you know 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.339 that you have 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:09.399 nothing to 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:10.099 offer God as 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.459 payment? 00:31:14.479 --> 00:31:15.379 And come to 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.919 him and drink 00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:16.479 his forgiveness. 00:31:19.719 --> 00:31:20.599 If that's 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:22.939 you, you 00:31:22.939 --> 00:31:23.279 will be 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.699 satisfied. 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:30.180 And second, 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:31.019 how can we be 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.759 sure he is 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.059 coming? 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.779 How can we 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.640 be sure he is 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:36.920 coming? 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.799 The basis of 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.380 our confidence 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.799 has absolutely 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:42.200 nothing to do 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:42.799 with how 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.740 hopeful you 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.819 feel on any 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.660 given day, in 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.039 any given 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.480 moment. 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.539 It's got 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.259 nothing to do 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.279 with how you 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.920 can track 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.899 it according 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.420 to the 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:56.440 details of 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.339 politics in 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:57.779 the world, 00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.279 as some 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.859 people try 00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.240 and do. 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:02.720 You can be 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.519 sure he is 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.379 coming for a 00:32:04.379 --> 00:32:05.519 very simple 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.720 but unshakable 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.180 reason. 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.339 He says he 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.559 will. 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.740 That's the 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.599 basis of our 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.039 confidence. 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.799 He says he 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.139 will. 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.220 So the 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.779 question is, 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.559 I can break 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.139 my word, 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.720 but does God 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.180 break his 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:21.480 word? 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:25.720 God, is 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.259 he trustworthy? 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.500 Did Adam 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.500 and Eve die 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:35.460 like God 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.059 said they 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.079 would if 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:38.019 they refused 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.759 to let God 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.319 be God? 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:43.319 Did God 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.240 save Noah 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.620 and his 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.279 family when 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.779 the flood 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.380 came and 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.940 destroyed the 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.220 world? 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.279 God? 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:50.720 Did Abraham 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.740 become the 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.539 father of a 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.160 great nation? 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:57.079 Did God 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:58.120 rescue his 00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:58.700 people from 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.019 Egypt? 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:02.500 Did he 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.839 destroy the 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.559 disobedient 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.480 generation in 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:05.860 the wilderness? 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.339 Did he bring 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.519 his people into 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.039 the promised 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.500 land? 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:10.619 David? 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:14.039 Did David 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.839 become king? 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:18.500 Did God's 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.079 people go 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:19.799 into exile? 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.519 Did God 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:22.920 bring them 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:23.660 back from 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.059 exile? 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.720 Did the 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.559 son of David 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.180 come to 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.579 earth? 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.720 Did Christ 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.880 die for our 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.720 sins and 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.440 then rise on 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:34.799 the third 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.140 day? 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.759 Did God 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.319 give his 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:39.440 spirit to 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.180 his church? 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.759 Are people 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.400 from all 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:42.819 over the 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.380 world being 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:44.119 brought into 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:44.700 his kingdom? 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.299 Does God 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:47.799 keep his 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.140 word? 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.619 Behold, 00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.619 I am 00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:56.000 coming soon. 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.799 So what 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:05.980 are we 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.279 called to 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.579 do while 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.000 we wait? 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:10.519 verses 7 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:10.900 and 8. 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.260 The one 00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:14.099 who conquers 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.760 will have 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.320 this heritage 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:17.039 and I 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.380 will be 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:17.840 his God 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.139 and he 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:18.420 will be 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:18.960 my son. 00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:20.900 But as 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.199 for the 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:21.820 cowardly, 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.139 the 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.760 faithless, 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.119 the detestable, 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.039 as for 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.599 murderers, 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.199 the sexually 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:27.760 immoral, 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.239 sorcerers, 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.059 idolaters, 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:30.840 and all 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.360 liars, 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.179 their portion 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:33.780 will be in 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.179 the lake 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.800 that burns 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.500 with fire 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:36.180 and sulfur, 00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:38.060 which is the 00:34:38.060 --> 00:34:38.700 second death. 00:34:41.700 --> 00:34:42.180 Remember, 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.280 only those 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.539 who are 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:43.960 written in 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.760 the Lamb's 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.140 book of 00:34:45.140 --> 00:34:45.539 life, 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.320 who were 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:47.120 slain for 00:34:47.120 --> 00:34:47.580 the sins 00:34:47.580 --> 00:34:47.840 of the 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.120 world, 00:34:48.120 --> 00:34:48.480 will be 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:48.780 there. 00:34:53.120 --> 00:34:53.800 But we're 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.280 also left 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:54.560 with a 00:34:54.560 --> 00:34:55.060 choice 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:57.619 of being 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.420 conquerors 00:34:58.420 --> 00:35:00.880 or being 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:01.519 cowards. 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:06.980 Will you 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:07.480 conquer 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:10.299 by crying 00:35:10.299 --> 00:35:10.779 out with 00:35:10.779 --> 00:35:11.360 the Spirit 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:11.860 and with 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:12.320 the Bride, 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.320 come Lord 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:13.759 Jesus, 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:15.259 come. 00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:19.599 Or will 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.059 you be a 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.460 coward 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:22.980 and not 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.840 fight for 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.360 this future? 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:27.000 just drift 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.799 along with 00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:28.239 the ways 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:28.539 of this 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:28.900 world. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.639 What does 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:33.920 it mean 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.380 to conquer? 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.239 What are we 00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:36.659 meant to 00:35:36.659 --> 00:35:36.940 conquer? 00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:38.659 We see 00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:38.880 it in 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.460 chapters 2 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:39.799 and 3 00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:40.400 of Revelation. 00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:40.980 Jesus 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:42.259 speaks to 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:43.199 seven local 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:43.759 churches 00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:46.619 and each 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:46.960 of the 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.340 churches 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.619 has something 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.639 that is 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.259 threatening 00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:51.219 to steal 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:51.960 their love, 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:53.039 to steal 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.960 their trust 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.420 and their 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:55.019 obedience, 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:55.799 away from 00:35:55.799 --> 00:35:56.340 Christ. 00:35:57.679 --> 00:35:58.079 Every 00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:58.639 single one 00:35:58.639 --> 00:35:58.980 of them 00:35:58.980 --> 00:36:00.460 has to 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.820 fight. 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:04.799 Some 00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:05.219 were putting 00:36:05.219 --> 00:36:05.579 up with 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:05.920 false 00:36:05.920 --> 00:36:06.440 teachings, 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:06.920 some 00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:07.340 were putting 00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:07.679 up with 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:08.139 sexual 00:36:08.139 --> 00:36:08.699 immorality, 00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:09.759 some had 00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:10.500 the appearance 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:10.900 of being 00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:11.360 alive, 00:36:11.779 --> 00:36:12.079 but they 00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:12.299 were just 00:36:12.299 --> 00:36:12.639 going through 00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.159 the motions. 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.059 Some 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.539 faced 00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.519 external 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.719 threat 00:36:17.719 --> 00:36:18.400 and pain, 00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:19.219 some 00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:20.039 thought they 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.579 were rich 00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:20.920 and had 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.259 all the 00:36:21.259 --> 00:36:21.699 answers, 00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:22.119 not 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.679 realizing 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.059 they were 00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:23.799 poor and 00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:24.500 blind and 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:24.820 naked. 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.239 Some 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:26.920 had lost 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.800 the love 00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:28.300 and good 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:28.940 works they 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.300 had at 00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:29.780 first. 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.619 Each 00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.260 church has 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:35.860 something 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.480 threatening 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:38.460 to steal 00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:40.460 Jesus' 00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.420 bride's 00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:42.320 affection 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.820 and trust 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.480 and obedience 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:45.079 away from 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.280 him. 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:46.880 So he 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.420 calls them, 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:47.960 listen to 00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.199 me, 00:36:49.159 --> 00:36:49.539 conquer, 00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:51.420 fight, 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:51.460 God, 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:55.200 you will 00:36:55.200 --> 00:36:55.940 receive my 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.460 reward. 00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:00.260 To 00:37:00.260 --> 00:37:00.920 struggle, 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.740 to love 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:03.300 and trust 00:37:03.300 --> 00:37:03.599 and put 00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:04.159 our hope 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:04.559 for the 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:05.059 future in 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:05.740 Christ alone, 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:06.619 that is 00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:07.099 normal, 00:37:07.260 --> 00:37:07.659 that is 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:08.320 the church, 00:37:09.139 --> 00:37:09.860 that is 00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:10.420 the Christian 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:10.920 life. 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.500 It's a 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.159 fight of 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:15.960 loving and 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:16.559 trusting and 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:16.900 obeying 00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:17.700 Christ alone. 00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:19.339 it does 00:37:19.339 --> 00:37:20.159 not mean 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:21.419 being free 00:37:21.419 --> 00:37:21.839 from 00:37:21.839 --> 00:37:22.879 temptation 00:37:22.879 --> 00:37:24.319 or from 00:37:24.319 --> 00:37:25.000 trouble in 00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:25.599 this life. 00:37:29.939 --> 00:37:30.559 But the 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.079 question is, 00:37:31.179 --> 00:37:31.899 are you in 00:37:31.899 --> 00:37:32.480 the fight? 00:37:37.759 --> 00:37:38.759 Or are you a 00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:40.859 coward in just 00:37:40.859 --> 00:37:41.639 going along with 00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.219 the ways of the 00:37:42.219 --> 00:37:42.460 world? 00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:49.519 I think we 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:52.440 fight by 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:53.280 crying out, 00:37:53.659 --> 00:37:54.039 come. 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.699 Come, 00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:57.039 Jesus, 00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:57.780 come now. 00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:04.019 Christ 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.320 says, 00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:04.720 I am 00:38:04.720 --> 00:38:05.699 coming soon 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:06.119 and my 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.900 reward is 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.380 with me. 00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.519 Whatever 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:12.659 you do 00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:14.860 that moves 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:15.679 towards 00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:16.199 this 00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:16.800 future, 00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.739 it's 00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:19.259 worth it. 00:38:26.759 --> 00:38:27.360 Bring 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:27.880 people 00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:28.739 into your 00:38:28.739 --> 00:38:29.179 kingdom 00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:30.619 now. 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:31.179 Bring them 00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:31.420 in, 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:31.719 God. 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:33.480 Make your 00:38:33.480 --> 00:38:34.460 church holy 00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:35.059 now. 00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.500 We want 00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:37.019 more of 00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:37.780 heaven now. 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:40.900 We cry, 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:41.320 come. 00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:42.619 Anything you 00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:43.159 do that 00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:43.960 moves towards 00:38:43.960 --> 00:38:44.579 this future 00:38:44.579 --> 00:38:45.199 is worth 00:38:45.199 --> 00:38:45.460 it. 00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:52.280 Let me 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:52.920 show you 00:38:52.920 --> 00:38:55.099 an outstanding 00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:56.179 man who 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:57.539 lived in a 00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.039 way that 00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:59.079 just showed 00:38:59.079 --> 00:38:59.900 everyone around 00:38:59.900 --> 00:39:00.420 him that he 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:00.960 was crying 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:01.639 out, come 00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.500 now, come 00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.099 Lord Jesus. 00:39:04.800 --> 00:39:05.659 There's a guy 00:39:05.659 --> 00:39:06.639 called John 00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.900 Patton. 00:39:09.099 --> 00:39:09.579 He was a 00:39:09.579 --> 00:39:11.159 missionary in 00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:12.559 Vanuatu in 00:39:12.559 --> 00:39:12.879 the late 00:39:12.879 --> 00:39:13.719 1800s. 00:39:14.839 --> 00:39:15.839 Just about 00:39:15.839 --> 00:39:16.639 20 years 00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:17.079 before he 00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:17.659 left for 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.119 Vanuatu 00:39:18.119 --> 00:39:18.899 from England, 00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:20.920 two missionaries, 00:39:21.039 --> 00:39:21.719 John Williams 00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:22.759 and James 00:39:22.759 --> 00:39:23.619 Harris, within 00:39:23.619 --> 00:39:24.399 minutes of 00:39:24.399 --> 00:39:25.079 arriving on 00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:25.659 the island, 00:39:26.219 --> 00:39:26.759 were clubbed 00:39:26.759 --> 00:39:27.219 to death 00:39:27.219 --> 00:39:28.719 and then 00:39:28.719 --> 00:39:29.079 eaten 00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:30.579 by 00:39:30.579 --> 00:39:31.059 cannibals. 00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:31.199 people. 00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:35.019 So when 00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:35.940 John said 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:36.340 to his 00:39:36.340 --> 00:39:36.900 congregation 00:39:36.900 --> 00:39:37.519 he felt 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:38.139 called to 00:39:38.139 --> 00:39:38.420 go to 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:38.900 Vanuatu 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:39.500 and a 00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.139 concerned 00:39:40.139 --> 00:39:40.940 elder in 00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:41.460 the church, 00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:42.139 Mr. 00:39:42.239 --> 00:39:42.559 Dixon, 00:39:42.860 --> 00:39:43.400 came to 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:43.719 him and 00:39:43.719 --> 00:39:43.960 said, 00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:44.480 they'll 00:39:44.480 --> 00:39:45.059 eat you. 00:39:46.340 --> 00:39:46.759 You'll be 00:39:46.759 --> 00:39:47.759 eaten by 00:39:47.759 --> 00:39:48.440 cannibals. 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:53.780 Mr. 00:39:53.780 --> 00:39:54.300 Dixon, 00:39:54.900 --> 00:39:57.000 you are 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:57.960 advanced in 00:39:57.960 --> 00:39:58.659 years now 00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.880 and your 00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:00.599 own prospect 00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:01.820 is soon to 00:40:01.820 --> 00:40:02.420 be laid in 00:40:02.420 --> 00:40:02.940 the grave 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.539 and there 00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:03.960 to be 00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.440 eaten by 00:40:04.440 --> 00:40:04.800 worms. 00:40:07.380 --> 00:40:08.240 I confess 00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:08.760 to you 00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:10.200 that if I 00:40:10.200 --> 00:40:10.539 can but 00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:11.159 live and 00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:12.079 die serving 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:12.659 and honouring 00:40:12.659 --> 00:40:13.039 the Lord 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:13.800 Jesus Christ, 00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:14.599 it will make 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.400 no difference 00:40:15.400 --> 00:40:15.880 to me 00:40:15.880 --> 00:40:17.140 whether I 00:40:17.140 --> 00:40:17.440 am eaten 00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:18.180 by cannibals 00:40:18.180 --> 00:40:18.519 or by 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:18.880 worms. 00:40:20.140 --> 00:40:20.480 And on 00:40:20.480 --> 00:40:20.960 that great 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:21.320 day, 00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:22.160 my 00:40:22.160 --> 00:40:22.720 resurrection 00:40:22.720 --> 00:40:23.440 body will 00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:24.160 rise as 00:40:24.160 --> 00:40:24.720 fair as 00:40:24.720 --> 00:40:25.680 yours in 00:40:25.680 --> 00:40:26.360 the likeness 00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:26.660 of our 00:40:26.660 --> 00:40:26.940 risen 00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:27.400 Redeemer. 00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:29.539 He got 00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:29.680 it, 00:40:29.760 --> 00:40:30.039 didn't he? 00:40:38.640 --> 00:40:39.200 When 00:40:39.200 --> 00:40:39.420 you're 00:40:39.420 --> 00:40:40.099 broken by 00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:40.920 sickness and 00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:41.519 the imminence 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.059 of death, 00:40:42.180 --> 00:40:42.980 keep fighting 00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:43.680 the fight of 00:40:43.680 --> 00:40:43.980 faith. 00:40:44.099 --> 00:40:44.539 The new 00:40:44.539 --> 00:40:45.079 heavens and 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:45.500 earth are 00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:45.820 coming. 00:40:46.720 --> 00:40:47.260 They're 00:40:47.260 --> 00:40:47.579 coming. 00:40:50.280 --> 00:40:51.000 When you're 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:51.680 weighed down 00:40:51.680 --> 00:40:52.059 by your 00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:52.320 own 00:40:52.320 --> 00:40:52.940 sinfulness, 00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:53.619 keep 00:40:53.619 --> 00:40:54.200 fighting. 00:40:55.660 --> 00:40:56.340 Your name 00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:56.880 is written 00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:57.200 in the 00:40:57.200 --> 00:40:57.559 Lamb's 00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:57.880 Book of 00:40:57.880 --> 00:40:58.300 Life. 00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:58.780 Your 00:40:58.780 --> 00:40:59.320 resurrection 00:40:59.320 --> 00:41:00.059 is coming. 00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.559 When you 00:41:03.559 --> 00:41:04.079 are trying 00:41:04.079 --> 00:41:04.420 to be 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:05.340 important and 00:41:05.340 --> 00:41:06.260 desirable in 00:41:06.260 --> 00:41:06.820 the eyes of 00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:07.320 the world, 00:41:07.619 --> 00:41:08.460 stop being 00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.140 a coward 00:41:09.140 --> 00:41:11.559 and going 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.079 along with 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.599 the world. 00:41:13.019 --> 00:41:13.519 That's 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:13.960 easy. 00:41:13.960 --> 00:41:17.679 when you're 00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:18.019 feeling 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:18.900 alone and 00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:19.720 afflicted by 00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:20.380 division in 00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:20.860 the church, 00:41:21.199 --> 00:41:21.480 keep 00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:24.280 fighting the 00:41:24.280 --> 00:41:24.860 fight of 00:41:24.860 --> 00:41:25.340 faith, 00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.000 which will 00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:26.820 usually mean 00:41:26.820 --> 00:41:28.320 stop fighting. 00:41:28.320 --> 00:41:35.420 the bride will 00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:36.100 be beautiful 00:41:36.100 --> 00:41:36.980 soon enough. 00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:43.240 When you're 00:41:43.240 --> 00:41:43.860 weary of 00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.380 doing good, 00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:45.380 keep fighting. 00:41:45.580 --> 00:41:46.420 Your reward 00:41:46.420 --> 00:41:47.340 is coming. 00:41:47.340 --> 00:41:51.240 whatever you 00:41:51.240 --> 00:41:51.780 do that 00:41:51.780 --> 00:41:52.660 moves towards 00:41:52.660 --> 00:41:53.519 this future, 00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:54.260 it's worth 00:41:54.260 --> 00:41:54.460 it. 00:41:55.660 --> 00:41:56.600 It's worth 00:41:56.600 --> 00:41:56.840 it. 00:42:02.059 --> 00:42:02.960 Is this 00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:03.680 future going 00:42:03.680 --> 00:42:04.320 to define 00:42:04.320 --> 00:42:04.960 this church? 00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:10.460 Behold, 00:42:10.660 --> 00:42:11.360 I am 00:42:11.360 --> 00:42:12.019 coming soon. 00:42:12.019 --> 00:42:17.539 what's the 00:42:17.539 --> 00:42:18.179 best thing 00:42:18.179 --> 00:42:18.500 that could 00:42:18.500 --> 00:42:19.019 happen this 00:42:19.019 --> 00:42:19.320 week? 00:42:25.559 --> 00:42:26.119 Will you 00:42:26.119 --> 00:42:26.460 pray with 00:42:26.460 --> 00:42:26.619 me? 00:42:26.619 --> 00:42:27.039 Will you 00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.159 pray with me? 00:42:27.159 --> 00:42:43.279 Father in 00:42:43.279 --> 00:42:43.559 heaven, 00:42:44.559 --> 00:42:47.440 thank you 00:42:47.440 --> 00:42:47.819 that you 00:42:47.819 --> 00:42:48.259 will one 00:42:48.259 --> 00:42:48.779 day be on 00:42:48.779 --> 00:42:50.019 earth and 00:42:50.019 --> 00:42:50.319 we will 00:42:50.319 --> 00:42:50.679 see your 00:42:50.679 --> 00:42:51.039 face. 00:42:51.039 --> 00:42:55.179 that we 00:42:55.179 --> 00:42:55.579 won't just 00:42:55.579 --> 00:42:56.099 have to 00:42:56.099 --> 00:42:56.900 pray to 00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:57.179 you, 00:42:58.179 --> 00:42:58.840 but we 00:42:58.840 --> 00:42:59.259 can talk 00:42:59.259 --> 00:42:59.539 to you 00:42:59.539 --> 00:42:59.960 face to 00:42:59.960 --> 00:43:00.320 face. 00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:05.380 Father, 00:43:05.480 --> 00:43:05.820 thank you 00:43:05.820 --> 00:43:07.559 for promising 00:43:07.559 --> 00:43:08.279 such a 00:43:08.279 --> 00:43:09.059 great future. 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:12.340 Lord, 00:43:12.340 --> 00:43:12.639 we don't 00:43:12.639 --> 00:43:13.880 deserve a 00:43:13.880 --> 00:43:14.239 drop of 00:43:14.239 --> 00:43:14.400 it. 00:43:19.079 --> 00:43:19.539 We 00:43:19.539 --> 00:43:20.079 deserve the 00:43:20.079 --> 00:43:20.420 opposite, 00:43:20.659 --> 00:43:20.980 but by 00:43:20.980 --> 00:43:21.159 your 00:43:21.159 --> 00:43:21.579 mercy, 00:43:22.480 --> 00:43:24.219 by your 00:43:24.219 --> 00:43:24.539 blood 00:43:24.539 --> 00:43:25.039 alone, 00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:26.219 you've 00:43:26.219 --> 00:43:26.559 promised 00:43:26.559 --> 00:43:26.880 it. 00:43:28.400 --> 00:43:29.260 Thank you. 00:43:31.960 --> 00:43:32.599 Father, 00:43:32.699 --> 00:43:33.280 forgive us 00:43:33.280 --> 00:43:35.719 for forgetting 00:43:35.719 --> 00:43:36.840 what you've 00:43:36.840 --> 00:43:37.179 promised. 00:43:39.179 --> 00:43:40.119 Forgive us 00:43:40.119 --> 00:43:40.800 for wanting 00:43:40.800 --> 00:43:41.420 something else 00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:42.500 more than 00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:42.860 what you've 00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:43.179 promised. 00:43:45.659 --> 00:43:46.519 But thank 00:43:46.519 --> 00:43:46.820 you for 00:43:46.820 --> 00:43:47.179 being 00:43:47.179 --> 00:43:47.800 determined 00:43:47.800 --> 00:43:49.519 to bring 00:43:49.519 --> 00:43:50.019 about what 00:43:50.019 --> 00:43:50.219 you've 00:43:50.219 --> 00:43:50.599 promised 00:43:50.599 --> 00:43:51.460 no matter 00:43:51.460 --> 00:43:52.400 how 00:43:52.400 --> 00:43:52.940 unfaithful 00:43:52.940 --> 00:43:53.319 we are. 00:43:53.659 --> 00:43:54.000 Thank you 00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:54.400 that you 00:43:54.400 --> 00:43:54.860 will make 00:43:54.860 --> 00:43:55.279 it happen. 00:44:01.619 --> 00:44:02.119 Lord, 00:44:02.179 --> 00:44:02.400 I pray 00:44:02.400 --> 00:44:02.659 that you 00:44:02.659 --> 00:44:03.079 make us 00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:03.659 individually 00:44:03.659 --> 00:44:04.400 and as 00:44:04.400 --> 00:44:04.940 families 00:44:04.940 --> 00:44:05.599 and as 00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:06.239 the church. 00:44:06.880 --> 00:44:07.539 Please help 00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:09.900 us to be 00:44:09.900 --> 00:44:10.940 defined by 00:44:10.940 --> 00:44:11.559 a crying 00:44:11.559 --> 00:44:12.199 outcome. 00:44:13.779 --> 00:44:14.299 Lord, 00:44:14.360 --> 00:44:14.679 we want 00:44:14.679 --> 00:44:15.179 you now. 00:44:15.179 --> 00:44:16.719 we want 00:44:16.719 --> 00:44:17.179 the church 00:44:17.179 --> 00:44:18.000 holy now. 00:44:19.279 --> 00:44:20.039 We want 00:44:20.039 --> 00:44:20.239 to be 00:44:20.239 --> 00:44:21.039 free of 00:44:21.039 --> 00:44:21.819 death and 00:44:21.819 --> 00:44:22.319 the curse 00:44:22.319 --> 00:44:22.779 now. 00:44:26.699 --> 00:44:27.399 Give us 00:44:27.399 --> 00:44:27.859 more of a 00:44:27.859 --> 00:44:28.519 taste of it 00:44:28.519 --> 00:44:29.079 now, but 00:44:29.079 --> 00:44:29.679 Lord, come. 00:44:29.679 --> 00:44:29.759 Come. 00:44:29.760 --> 00:44:35.820 Lord, give 00:44:35.820 --> 00:44:36.420 us a heart 00:44:36.420 --> 00:44:38.240 that wants 00:44:38.240 --> 00:44:38.880 others to 00:44:38.880 --> 00:44:39.300 come into 00:44:39.300 --> 00:44:39.800 your kingdom. 00:44:41.440 --> 00:44:44.120 Come, Lord 00:44:44.120 --> 00:44:44.480 Jesus. 00:44:44.960 --> 00:44:45.260 Amen. 00:44:45.260 --> 00:44:46.260 Amen.